#and then we do it again.. tomorrow.. sigh..

[kurizz]

Pink Poly Club (miromabby)

Summary: It's what happens after Huntrix and Saja boys' joint fansign event. Mira is annoyed at the trending hashtags online, she sees their fans shipping her with SB Romance and Abby. Their manager, thinking it'd be a good idea, organized another joint fansign event the next day.

Word Count: 773

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Mira snatched Bobby's phone out of his hands, fuming at the edited pictures she saw. "What's this? Pink Poly Club? No way am I being lumped in with those boys!" She handed the phone back.

Zoey was internally squealing.

"Me and Mystery? Like—" She caught the scary look on Mira's face and quickly backtracked. "I mean, ew, why? He's so NOT my type."

With an exasperated sigh, Mira ran a finger through her hair.

"Should I just dye my hair a different color? Ugh, like hell I would. Why’d they have to have the same color as me?"

"You look better anyway!" Zoey encouraged, flailing her arms. "Don't let them get to you. I’m not letting Mystery get to me, too... although, he is kind of my type—I mean, who said that!"

Bobby tried to get a word in, but the girls were too busy complaining. He didn’t even know where Rumi had gone—she’d just suddenly left. It wasn’t rare for the girls to get chaotic, but that didn’t make it any easier.

"But isn’t this great? It’s what the fans want. Maybe it’d be a good idea to have another one tomorrow..." he trailed off, thinking it might not be such a bad idea.

Oh well. Why not?

And so, here they were: another Huntrix x Saja Boys fansign event, with the same seating arrangement as yesterday. The fans were coming in hot—it even looked like there were more of them this time. Some wore miromabby shirts and held up edited ship posters.

"Hey, it’s nice seeing you again." Romance wrapped his arms behind Mira’s chair, leaning slightly at her side. From the corner of her eye, she could see some fans going wild. She ignored him and looked the other way—only to find Abby already staring. He grinned in that boyish charm of his, also leaning in close. "Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon, but here we are."

Her heart skipped a beat but she snapped out of it, shaking her head. She faced forward and shoved both guys' faces away from her. The fans were in a ruckus, and she couldn’t understand why.

With furrowed brows, she greets the first fan that comes up. Great, he's wearing a miromabby shirt.

"Cool shirt you got there. I don't remember taking it though." Abby commented, giving the guy a thumbs up.

Of course, he doesn't remember. It was clearly fake. A photoshopped picture of them with the two guys wrapping their arm on Mira's shoulders and she just had to be in the middle.

She furiously signed another fans poster, but doesn't forget to smile and thank them after. Abby and Romance won't stop staring at her and taking up her space.

"Can you two not?" Mira muttered under her breath.

Abby straightened with a dramatic sigh. "I don't like the number two. Let's be three instead."

"Oh my god," Mira groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I’m going to lose it."

Romance leaned back in his chair. "Can’t blame us nor the fans for having good taste."

"You do make a good centerpiece for a love triangle," Abby added.

Heat crawled up to her face and she glared at them both.

"Go bother someone else," she snapped, grabbing a sharpie and aggressively signing the next fan’s poster. The poor girl looked simultaneously thrilled and terrified.

Abby pouted, "Why would we? Don't wanna."

A sudden squeal erupted from the line of fans. A group of them were holding up a massive printed banner: "MiRoMAbby FOREVER 💖"—complete with photoshopped wedding photos and glittery pink text.

Zoey peeked over. "Whoa. That’s, like, next-level editing. I almost believed it was real."

"Don’t say it out loud! They’ll think it’s encouragement!"

These people had Mira stressed out. She glanced at the other end of the table where Rumi and Jinu was in. It was impossible to spot Rumi from the way Jinu was blocking her view with his back. Why's that guy all over her?

"You really should be focusing," Romance took her hand that's holding the pen and guided it to sign the next poster. Their fingers interlocked.

His hand was warm, and it was creeping up to her body. Romance doesn't let go. He stared at her face, taking in the faint blush on her cheeks despite her frown.

"Hey..." He leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "You should come with us after this."

"Shut up." She whispered back harshly, hating how her heart was now beating wildly.

Abby twisted his finger on her hair, playing with it softly. "Pay me some attention too, Mira."

Oh, someone help her.

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click for part 2

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first time I posted here. i had the sudden urge and here we are. that's my short contribution to this ship. might write more.

also, idk but huntrix songs>>>saja boys songs for me. their vocals are insaneeee. gotta give my girls more love cus what. their songs on repeat 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

[deliwrites]

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖 // Baby Saja

// DATE // 23rd of June 2025 -> 26th of June 2025 // WORDS // 16.7k+ // SUMMARY // Reader is a member of Huntr/x, Rumi's twin sister to be precise. Y/n doesn't want to hide who she is anymore. Wanting to prove to Rumi that Mira and Zoey will trust them, she shares what she is knowing Rumi will back her up. Only they don't trust her and Rumi sends her to her death or so she thought, now it's time for revenge.

- Everything below this until the gif can be considered as spoilers. Be surprised and skip straight to the story or read the rest in this section at your own risk. MDNI! PS. This whole story is a spoiler for the movie if you have not seen it yet! -

// PAIRING // Baby Saja x femHuntrix!reader, Rumi x Jinu, Zoey x Mystery, Romance x Mira x Abby // WARNING // angst, fluff, (soul)mates, explicit smut, again, minor do not interact with this post, dom!baby/sub!reader, p in v, unprotected sx(wrap it before you tap it please), fingering, oral fem receiving, praise kink, biting, mating, possessive behavior, (I think it is) slight humiliation kink

“Rumi?” I start as I pull on the costume for the Golden promo with her. Did she release Golden maybe a bit early. Most definitely but I will always support her decisions.

“Yeah?”

“I want to tell them,” my voice is quiet, a little afraid of what her reaction will be.

“Y/n, Celine told us to wait,” she almost hisses, fear clear on her face.

“I know, I know,” pulling on the tight white shorts. “But they know us, they know were not like the other demons. Hell, all the other ones are ugly,” Rumi chuckles at that, shaking her head.

“That’s true, but I still think we shouldn’t tell them.”

“Okay, what if only I tell them about me. You don’t have to get involved. I’ll prove to you that they’ll accept us and then you can tell them too!” I tell her with full confidence. No doubt in my mind.

“Okay, I’ll back you up,” I squeal as I pull her into a tight hug.

“Couch! Couch! Couch! Couch!” I hear Mira and Zoey chant as they shuffle their way to the couch arms filled with snacks. Dropping the snacks on the white fluffy couch. Dropping right next to snacks.

“Oh, yeah. That’s the stuff,” Zoey sighs.

“So relaxing,” Mira murmurs sinking into the couch.

“Hey. Have a good break?” Rumi asks appearing behind the two.

“Huh?” Mira looks at her bewilders. “What? No. We literally just sat down!” chuckling I walk around the couch and take a seat on the coffee table.

“Why are you two in your new costumes?” Zoey asks as both sit up, eyes shifting between the two of us.

“Rumi, you didn’t,” both Mira and Zoey turn to Rumi, knowing if it would be either of us it would be Rumi. “Did you announce the new single?” Rumi's only response is a wide grin.

“The promo starts tomorrow- Tonight?”

“Tonight?” Mira and Zoey say in surprise. “Rumi, no! No!” the two start to whine playfully with a sense of true disappointment lacing their voices.

“No!” I hand Zoey her costume while Rumi hands Mira hers.

“But before we leave,” I begin, as the two of them begrudgingly start pulling on the costumes. Their eyes going to me as they keep getting dressed. Not bothered at all about changing in front of us. “I have something to share,” my voice goes from excited to nervous. My eyes flickering between all three. “It’s hard for me, but I don’t think I can hide it for much longer,” I stare down at my shaking hands. Zoey takes one of my hands, squeezing in reassurance.

“We will always be here for you,” she says, a gentle smile gracing her face.

“Well, I-” shaking off the jacket from my costume. The patterns slowly coming into view, drawing gasps from Mira and Zoey. Who pulls away her hand. Both of them drawing their weapons making me jump back standing up at the other end of the coffee table. My heart beating faster than it already did.

“You’re a demon,” Mira’s voice is angry as she spits the words out like she’s disgusted by the sight of me.

“I thought you would-” my voice is shaky and quiet as I stare in disbelief. “Rumi…” my eyes lock on my sisters, a desperate call for help. Zoey and Mira turn to Rumi with a hint of betrayal in their eyes.

“Did you know?” Zoey asks Rumi threateningly. A tone Zoey has never used against us before.

“No,” Rumi’s voice is cold. Detached. But her eyes burn. Drawing her own weapon, pointing the long end of the blade at me as she jumps over the couch. “I can’t believe you would betray us like this,” it’s like she’s saying it to herself for betraying her sister like this. With no other options, she steps up onto the coffee table - like it’s a stage. Like this moment has been building since the day we were born. Driving the blade through my chest. Tears in both our eyes as I shudder. The pain from the tear in my chest making me scream silently and then I implode, collapsing inward in a burst of magenta smoke - silent and final.

I didn’t die like I expected. Instead I found myself leaning on my knees, crying into my arms in front of Gwi ma. The flame entity laughing at my despair.

“Y/n, Y/n, Y/n,” he tsk’ed like he was disappointed to see me. “Guess you should have kept it hidden,” he laughs again deep and evil. “Now you’re my demon!” his voice booms across the crowd of demons who start laughing with their king. The events of tonight start playing over and over in my head loud, feeling like it gets louder and louder. I had no control over it. I couldn't stop them, couldn't dampen them. My hands cover my ears but it doesn't change anything.

I don’t really notice until I open my eyes again. The laughter has died down after I had been moved by Gwi ma, is my guess, to just beyond the crowd of demons.

I tried walking away but kept being dragged back. Making me sigh and stay at the edge of where I was apparently allowed to be. I could barely see any of the other demons through the smoke and deemed myself alone enough. If this was all the space I was allowed to have now, I would take it. Sinking to the lava rock ground. I pull my knees up to my chest. Wrapping my arms around them.

The ground wasn't comfortable. Far from it. But sitting was better than to stay standing. The moment I thought everything settled the voices came back louder than ever before, making me bury my face in my arms.

“Did you know?” “No.” “Okay, I’ll back you up” “I can’t believe you would lie to us like this.”

The voices sounded like screaming, ringing in my ears. Tears running down my face again filled with the pain of betrayal. The feeling of her sword driving into my chest solidified the feeling of betrayal. If there was someone I thought I could trust it would be Rumi.

I don't know how long he tortured me for like this. Making it go silent, giving me a false sense of control before returning it in full. But it feels like an eternity.

Little did I know I was being observed by a group of 400 year old demons who looked awfully human compared to the others. Nor did I notice when one of them approached me. First the male just sat beside me, keeping a bit of a distance. Almost like he didn’t want to startle me.

It was like his calm aura surrounded me, softening the voices that were screaming at me. Blinking away my tears in confusion. Looking right, then left. Finding him sat there. Leaning back on his hands, left knee up, his right leg stretched out.

I couldn't stop my brows from furrowing. Shuffling a little further away from the male. Demons are bad. They can’t be trusted. I tell myself, my gaze falling onto my own patterns. Right, I am one. The patterns hadn’t spread this far before I was sent here. Now I looked like a full demon, even if I knew I was only half a demon. My hands turning into fists realizing I would be stuck here forever.

I didn't acknowledge him. Turning away from him. But it felt like he was too far away. Shaking my head I tried to ignore it. Though it didn't take long for me to break the silence we sat in.

“Why are you here?” I dare to ask. Hating myself for going against everything I believed in.

He doesn't say anything making me sigh. Turning back to him my body relaxes, just a bit as the distance becomes smaller. Loosening the stiffness in my legs. Not understanding why I’m suddenly feeling relaxed, I continue. “Here to mock me? 1 huntress down 3 to go.”

“No.”

It’s short. Stopping me from continuing. I look at him, eyes wide. Taking in his pale purple skin, bright golden eyes, blue hair, traditional black Korean attire. He didn’t look at me. Instead staring off into the distance, not that there was much to see. The area mostly covered in smoke.

“I’m here in case you need someone who understands-”

“Understand? You’re a demon, you feel no emotions! How could you possibly understand?”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he stays calm even after my accusation, like he was expecting me to react this way. “We feel double that what humans feel. We feel extremely. It might shock you, but Gwi Ma keeps us pushed to the edge, so far into madness that we seem numb. But we do feel...” his voice is gentle as he speaks, shifting his gaze away from the smoke, to me. His golden eyes drawing me in.

“What do you feel now?” I ask cautiously curious. Shifting to sit on my side, leaning on my hands - closer to him.

“Sadness,” he confesses. I sense no lies in his eyes. “Seeing my m- you like this, it hurts.”

“You’re what?” he closes his eyes, grunting in annoyance at himself for miss speaking. He doesn't answer, instead he disappears. Immediately Gwi ma's power returns in full force. Falling to my side, my hands cradle my face. Eyes shut tight. My screams are silent at the pain the events cause me.

It feels like I'm in pain for days. My throat hoarse from my crying. I open my eyes suddenly. An unexpected calm falling over me again. He's stood over me this time. I can't read his expression.

I'm not sure what to say, or if I should even say something. Last time he disappeared on me. My eyes follow him as he returns to sit in the same spot as he did before.

"I guess it's in our best interest if I just tell you," he sighs, not facing me just yet. I find the strength in my arms to push myself in a sitting position. Subconsciously dragging myself closer to him. “Give me your hand,” I hesitate a little. Not sure if I should trust him even though he had revealed something I never knew about demons. Something I don’t think a demon would easily confess to, either. His gaze meets mine as I shuffle closer. Carefully placing my hand left hand in his right hand.

A slow ripple spills out from our connected palms. Like black stardust unfurling beneath our skin, soft and shivering. Leaving goosebumps in its wake. Light and shadow dancing like twin spirals up our arms. Disappearing into our chests where our hearts sit. Creating a magnetic pull. A sudden blast surged outward like an orb tearing through the smoke around us. My head seamed to clear only one word occupying my mind.

“Baby.”

“That’s me,” a gentle smile played on his lips. “And you, Y/n, are my mate.”

“Mate?” I repeat it, stunned, like saying it out loud might make it make sense. For years I was told demons didn’t have feelings, that they were all bad, that all should be killed. And now I was mated to one?

But I had to be honest. I didn't mind. He made me feel calm. I don't think I've ever felt this calm. Always on edge. Scared to reveal my secret. Regretting that I shared my secret. I was pretty much powered by anxiety.

“Yes, I understand it’s hard to believe-”

“Oh, no, I believe it’s just… unexpected?” he chuckles soft and gentle making a blush decorate my cheeks. I started to make sense the longer I looked at him. Really took him in. He was my complete opposite, perfect to soothe my racing thoughts.

“Cute,” he says squeezing my hand which he still held.

“Also, I thought all demons were supposed to be ugly,” the bluntness of the comment gets him to full on laugh, the sound low, warming up my chest. I crawl closer without thinking, like the space between us suddenly became unbearable. Now that I know we’re mates, distance feels wrong.

“We are sad to have to share this news on the day of our new singles release,” Rumi tells the host. “But Y/n has left Huntrix.”

“Oh no, what happened?” the host asks with concern, genuine curiosity behind her words.

“We don’t know, it was unexpected,” Mira says, there is sadness in her normally stoic voice.

“She decided she didn’t want to do this anymore,” Zoey adds to the lie.

“We couldn’t convince her to stay.”

“She is your sister, I suppose you’re still in contact with her at least?” the host asks making Rumi’s hard hammer in her chest, the face of her sister silently screaming as she killed her.

“Ah, no,” Rumi keeps it short.

“Golden is the last song Y/n will be featured on from now on,” Zoey quickly takes the attention away from Rumi.

“We will be going on hiatus for a little while to get used to the loss of our member.”

"So, do you..." I start, eyes up at the sky. Baby and I laid on the ground, I used his stomach as a pillow. Forced to even, he would not let me rest my head on the lava rock surface.

"Do I what?" he asks while we watch souls dance above us. None of them flying in the direction of Gwi ma, thankfully.

"Do you get to go up there?" my voice soft, afraid of the answer. He pauses, stilling. Turning my head I look at him. He has his head propped up by his arms. I can just see his golden eyes. Watching them shift ... anxiously?

"No," he finally says. "I'm glad for it," he adds softly. Turning on my side, I can tell he doesn't want to share just yet. So I reassure him in the only way I can think of. Sitting up, I place a gentle peck on his dark lips. Smiling at the way his eyes widen just slightly at my action.

That's not the last peck we share. Far from it. I can't stop stealing them. He doesn't give me them nearly as often, but I know that every time he does, it's sincere.

He lingers, holding on to me like I could slip from his fingers any moment. Whenever we meet his friends there's always this possessive arm around my waist. Not that I mind.

I still remember the first time he introduced us. "Y/n," Baby starts, his arm not leaving my waist. Sending pointed looks at the four demons before me. "These are Jinu, Mystery, Abby and Romance," gesturing from a black haired, smirk wearing one, to a grey haired, not looking at me - I think. To a taller pink haired one who wore a smug look, to the last one. Another pink haired one, this time long flowing locks.

This hand had dared to step forward. Taking my hand swiftly pecking my knuckles before he got smacked in the face by Baby. Who pulled me behind him. Growling possessively.

Laughter bursting within the group and I wouldn't lie. I couldn't stop myself from giggling either.

That moment was pretty much the start of my friendship with the group. There was obviously not a lot to do. But when they showed me they could pretty much create things out of thin air. I asked them if they ever thought of creating game pieces.

Which they hadn't, like how.

In the end they had created game pieces for games out of their time, but I wanted to play something newer. Like UNO. When I asked if they knew what it was, Baby sent an image in my head of something. Confusing me to the point I looked at him like he had just sent me a unsolicited dick pic.

"How did you do that?" I ask after recovering from the random image.

"We're mates," is his simple answer. I arch my brow like, 'okay, so now I'm supposed to understand how that works'. He chuckles at my expression, pecking my cheek. "I just think of what I want to show you, and I sent it to you."

"Oh, okay, I wanna try," instantly thinking of the UNO game. Looking at him wide eyed like that will do it. "Do you see it?" he shakes his head. Thinking... louder? "Am I doing it?" my voice stressed, eyes closed.

"Uhm, no, but you do look constipated," I gasp, opening my eyes at his words in offence. Smacking his chest playfully as the others laugh their asses off. With that I gave up on the whole image sending for a while.

- Spice below, skip to next image divider if you do not want to read it -

While we spend most of our time all together, I did steal Baby from them a lot. Wanting to spend time with him one on one. Get to know him more and more.

He wasn't much of a talker, so it was tough at times. It seemed enough time had past as I could go further than before. Allowing for us to have a private space between a few rocks.

Never the comfortable place of course. Pressing my lips against him hungrily. Sat on the ground, his back against a rock, a tight grip on my hips where I sat in his lap. Keeping me from moving them against him.

"Why are you holding back?" I ask breathless when I pull away. I stare at him, eyes shifting from one to the other. Anxiety rolling over me like a realization. "Do you not-"

"Of course not," his voice gentle as he cups my cheeks, staring loving into my soul. "I just don't want to loose control," I nod, not entirely believing him, my gaze falling from his. "Hey, listen to me," he caresses my cheeks so gentle, getting me to look back up. "If you think you need to pleasure me to make sure I love you," my eyes widen at the fact he can read me so well. "You don't," he waits till I nod. "But," he smirks. "If it's pleasure you want, I'll be happy to give it to you," my cheeks darken at his words. Warmth spreading to more places than one.

To the point I can't stop myself from nodding eagerly. Anxiety, completely forgotten.

"Okay, darling," he pecks my lips. "Turn around," I follow his command like a life line. Leaning my back against him, his arms circling my waist. "Knees up, either side of mine."

Again, like an obedient pet, I do as he asks. Shaking with anticipation. His left hand, caresses the bare skin of waist. Owning just my Golden costume in this realm. Other hand smoothly slipping under the waist band of my shorts. Gasping when his fingers find my heat.

"So wet already," his voice is a sin, whispering in my ear. I can feel his smug gaze on the side of my head. I enjoy it. Just two of his finger play with the slick that gather on my outer lips.

"Please," I'm not even sure I said anything with how soft I spoke. But he heard, loud and clear. Chuckling evilly.

"What do you want, darling?" he teases, sliding his finger tip over my slit, but not parting them. I bite my bottom lip, cheeks red with embarrassment. I felt so filthy having to say it out loud, but I knew I had to. If I didn't he would just tease me for all of eternity. He lays a gentle peck on my neck as if to encourage me, putting light pressure where my lips cover my clit with his fingers.

A moan like gasp and I finally utter. "Touch me."

"Hmm, not precise enough," just those words have me whining in desperation. "But, I'll let you have it this time."

Before I can exhale in relief he parts my lips. Slipping a single finger straight in. Thumb landing on my clit, a shaky moan escaping me instead. Instinctively my legs start to close around his hand.

"Hold them open for me," with shaky hands I hold my thighs open. Breathing heavily at the slow pace his fingers are using. A second had joined inside me, but it wasn't enough.

"F-faster," I beg, head rolling onto his shoulder. A dark chuckle and a third finger gets added. Along with a faster pace. I'm gasping like I can't get enough of this feeling. I'm surprised that his sharp claw like nails don't seem to scratch me, but I'm not complaining.

Moaning at the way his fingers curl inside me, stretch me open. Thumb rubbing smooth circles on my clit. My ears pick up his own grunting. Are my feelings causing him to enjoy it just as much as I am?

The hand that held a grip on my waist, moves up. Slipping under my top. Fingers finding my pebbled buds, squeezing, first testing the waters. The action causing me to subconsciously squeeze around the finger inside me.

"So sensitive, aren't you?" I'm not even sure what exactly I'm nodding to, but I do it anyways. Reaching the edge quicker with every squeeze, every thrust of his fingers. "Go on darling," he whispers in my ear, pointy tongue flicking against my jaw teasingly. "Cum for me."

I do, shuddering franticly as my orgasm rolls over me. Taking over my entire body as he keeps the movements up until my hips move in shocks against the touch. Suddenly overstimulated, breathing heavily.

"Good girl."

Curiosity strikes Abby one random day, while we're playing games again.

"By the way, how did you get here?" it's so out of the blue. Everyone's eyes shooting at him. Baby and Jinu glaring at him like a warning. "What? I'm curious."

Baby tells me I should not feel forced to tell them, his glare not leaving Abby. I place my hand on his thigh, reassuring him that its okay.

After explaining it is when the revenge plan start brewing to life. I don't think I've ever liked feeling this evil until now.

There once was a mighty demon king Stop me if you’ve heard this one before He was in total control He feasted on souls The world trembled when he roared But then some Hunters sang some songs Now all he does is starve Can’t get at the souls, and his flame grows cold Just a whisper in the dark And will he let the fire go out? Is this the end of him now? Dying king with a crumbling crown? Will he let the fire go out?

“I let you keep that voice, Jinu,” Gwi ma says as Jinu approached him with his song. “And you dare to mock me with it?” I stayed near Baby as we slowly followed Jinu closer to Gwi ma.

“I’m not here to mock you. I’m here to help you,” Jinu tells Gwi ma. “It’s time for a new strategy,” the six of us fly up the long staircase. Them in their traditional attire, me still in my Golden promo costume. Safe for the jacket. “We fight the Hunters where they least expect it. Go after the very thing that powers the Honmoon. The fans.”

“A demon boy band?” Gwi ma questions. Bursting out laughing, the crowd following awkwardly. “What makes you think that could work?” Transforming just enough to make them look more human.

“I can help,” I speak up, appearing from behind Baby. “I am from that world, I know how it works. I can be their manager. I won’t be seen. I can make sure they become big.”

“You?” Gwi ma chuckles evilly. “What makes you think I’ll trust you.”

“They betrayed me,” I tell him. “I might not be doing it for you, but that doesn’t mean I won’t pull through if it gives them what they deserve for stabbing me, quite literally.”

“Hmm, alright," he says. "But, that can't just be it, what is it the rest of you expect out of this?" he hums, impatiently waiting for an answer.

"Our memories from before this life, erased," Jinu speaks for them.

“Okay! I have planned for your first performance to be just around the corner from here,” I tell the five as we walk down the alley. Romance, Abby and Mystery walk in front, Jinu following behind them. While I walk with Baby, his arm wrapped possessively around my waist, not that I minded. I wore one of Baby’s sweaters, and a cap to hopefully hide my appearance enough. “You guys know the song, I’ll make sure to make it go viral. Flyers have been handed out and people have already started gathering,” I had my phone out while Baby guides me safely. Making my twirl suddenly before holding me in front of him.

“uh… watch yourself,” I hear Jinu speak to someone. Baby’s hold on me leaving me unable to check to who. But as we walk away I recognize who.

“Watch my… Watch yourself!” Rumi. Looking up at Baby he turns me to face him and places a gentle peck on my lips. As if saying ‘I got you’. Returning at his side we continue walking to our destination. “Oh, Jinu! After the performance don’t forget to announce that you’ll be at everyone’s favorite variety show.”

“Yes, I’ll remember,” I peck Baby on the cheek and let them do their thing. Staying close and keeping my eye out for Rumi, Mira or Zoey. I film their performance. Posting it on social media, creating edits, shorts, posting a prerecorded video of a dance practice I had them do. Watching as the numbers went up and up. The Saja Boys getting more popular by the minute.

Looking at the crowd I could see how much they were enjoying the Saja Boys. The moment they started it had drawn even more people to come check them out.

I couldn’t stop myself from clapping with the crowd when they were done with their performance. Giving Jinu a pointed look as I pulled up the slide for on the screen behind them that showed the variety show they would be at tonight. Jinu first wiped his shoulder clean of nonexistent dust while staring at Rumi who stood scarily close to me.

I thought I had paid enough attention. I catch Baby’s eyes who with just a flick of his eyes moved me away where our eyes connect again. A sigh of relief leaving my body while he sends a wink which has the crowd around me going wild some more. That’s my man, I think I hear a chuckle in my head as I return my gaze to his where he smirks his lips forming one word. Mine.

“That’s it for now. See you tonight on everyone’s favorite variety show,” selecting the slide on my phone it appears behind them as Jinu speaks. “Saja Boys love you!” posing for just a second longer before disappearing with the magenta smoke. A second later, a hand slips into mine before I’m ingulfed in that same magenta smoke. The smoke dissipating around us when we appear in the apartment I got the band.

“You guys did so good!” I clap with excitement, pulling my phone out as I sit down with Baby like a magnetic pull to always be close to him. Baby wraps an arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to him.

“Of course,” Abby smirks. “We’re charming,” as if to prove his point he flexes his arms making me roll my eyes.

“Barely,” I tease, sticking my tongue out at him. “The fans like you because 1, the song is catchy, you’re welcome by the way. 2, you’re hot, we’ll figure out if you’re charming on that variety show. And 3, you guys dance really well,” Abby sticks his tongue out right back at me. Quick learner, I chuckle. “Anyways, we have a bit of time before the variety show-” I don’t even get to finish before four of them literally poof out of existence. “Wha-”

“Don’t worry, they’ll be back,” Baby speaks up besides me. Shifting my gaze to him, his now nearly unnatural blue eyes half lidded. Taking my phone from me, I try to protest, but he just tsks, like I’m a child testing limits. “No phone for you,” he says, voice stern making me shiver. “You have to be able to get out of sight from the Huntrix. Without me.”

“But you can do it,” I pout and he sighs, getting up from the couch, pulling me with him. Then he smirks, just a little. That smug, knowing tilt of his mouth that makes me want to punch him and kiss him at the same time.

“You get a kiss for every step further you are able to make,” he knows that will make me comply. He’s not shy about kissing me, but it’s not nearly as often as I wish it was. So if this is how I can get it, I’ll take it.

“Okay, okay,” I nod vigorously. “How do we start,” I had told him that I obviously knew how to fight, but I didn’t know how to teleport like they can. Not like I could learn that from Celine. All she ever did was told us to hide our patterns. No one could know what we were.

“It’s a lot about visualizing where you want to go,” his voice calm as he starts to explain. Giving me examples by teleporting around the room as he does. “Now you try, don’t start off difficult. From where you stand, try to go in front of the coffee table.”

“And if I do it,” a little smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “I get a kiss, right?”

“Yes,” he chuckles deeply. “If you can do it, you get a kiss,” he nods. “More if you behave and make it to me,” excitement fills up my body in more ways than one, the smirk on his lips not helping in stopping the heat from forming between my legs. Nodding I focus on the rug under the coffee table. Visualizing the edge where I want to go. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. Hoping that I did it when I open my eyes again.

Nothing.

I was still stood in the same place. “Ugh,” I shake my head. “Okay, one more,” Closing my eyes again. I visualize once more. Maybe it needs to be more detailed. Edge of the rug. The rug is red, the border fluffy, the rectangle table white marble. That is where I want to go. Opening my eyes once more. Nothing. “I can’t do it, if I can’t even get 30cm further how am I meant to get to yo-u,” in the blink of an eye I’m in front of him. Eyes wide in confusion and surprise. A smirk plays on his lips as he leans down and pecks my lips.

Recovering from my initial shock, I shake my head before crossing my arms.

“Nah ah, you said I would get more if I could make it to you.”

“That’s true,” his voice deeper than before. His strong hands reach my hips. Placing a nearly bruising grip on them, my knees weakening. Reaching for him, I wrap my arms around him and pull him closer. Our lips connect, gentler than I expected. But I turn the kiss hungry within seconds. Tracing my tongue over his lips asking for entrance, which he gives only to quickly over power it. Showing me who’s boss, not that anyone would ever question that. He pulls away making me whine. I don’t let go and neither does he. “I will let you have this, cause you have no idea how much I need you, but we will continue practicing after this,” the whine turns into a moan at his confession. He trails kissing down my jaw to my neck, making me bend over backwards.

- Spice below, skip to next image divider if you do not want to read it -

His hands slide up, under his sweater over my bare stomach. Lifting the sweater as he goes, leaving goosebumps in his wake. Pulling back long enough to throw the sweater away before lifting me up. A squeak leaving my lips, returning my hold around his neck tighter as he moves us to the bedroom. I kiss and bite his neck as well as I can with his outfit still on. Trying to get his sweater off him is a struggle. I only manage it because he tosses me onto the bed and I yank it off mid fall.

He at least helps me by taking off his blouse himself, crawling over me right after. Our lips connecting in a heated kiss. My hands roam his toned chest, nails scraping his skin with need. His right hand cupping my face while the other held him up right. His sharp teeth tugging at my bottom lip, pulling away with a grin.

“So needy,” his voice deep, eyes flashing golden. A needy whimper leaves my lips. Watching him back up, just enough to unzip my shorts. Tapping my ass to make me lift off the bed, I quickly do as he asks. Sliding it sensually slow down my thighs, his own nails trailing after the fabric. Every inch they drag lower sends another jolt up my spine.

I want him so desperately at this point I want to drag him back up to me. I don’t even care that he’s still half dressed. I just need him, right now!

Shorts finally gone, abandoned on the floor. He holds my ankles, pecking both. With a strong grip his hands slide back up, followed by more pecks. Turning into bites, along with creating hickeys on my thighs. Marking me his. I loved it.

The moment his head is within my reach I try to pull him back up, but he denies me. An impatient whine leaving my lips though it quickly turns into a gasp when he surprises me by blowing air on my damp panties. Swiftly sliding the fabric to the side, the cold air of the room momentarily startling me. Though my lips are quickly engulfed with his. Legs almost instantly turning to jelly.

Pushing one thigh up, he spreads my legs, giving him more room to explore. My breathing turning into desperate gasps. Sucking on my clit like it’s a life line, plunging his tongue so far inside me it seems impossible. Leaning up on my weak trembling arms, I look at his head between my legs. His eyes open shortly too look me in the eyes. His eyes golden, his patterns showing. He’s half shifted. It all made sense now. He had shown me before that his tongue was longer when in demon form, teasing me with it. This was just half of what it could be and this was already sending me to heaven.

I couldn’t hold myself up anymore, falling back down with a heavenly moan. I could feel that he was enjoying this just as much as I was, being this close allowing me to feel his emotions just like he did mine. My hands find his hair, gripping tight on the strands. Drawing a groan from him, the vibrations of his voice only getting me closer to my release.

“So close,” my voice soft, laced with desperation. But I shouldn’t have said anything. The second the words leave my lips, his leave my heat. A wet smirk curls on his lips, glistening and smug.

“Didn’t think I was gonna let you cum that easy, now did you?” he arches a brow, the wicked look in his eyes making my body ache even more. He licks his lips, groaning at the taste of me. In an instantly his completely naked before me, his patterns beautifully on display. My denied orgasm forgotten, I find the strength to get up. On my knees in front of him, my lips just able to reach his strong collar bones.

I start there, biting hard. I can tell he enjoys it, his eyes stay on me watching me as I claim his body just like he did mine. Smirking my way down, leaving hickeys and indents of my teeth. Marks that say mine in every shade of red. Following one line of his patterns, all the way down the length of his chest. Though he doesn’t allow me to reach my destination.

With a rough push, I’m on my back once more. Somehow, while falling back he was able to remove both my bra and my panties. Demon magic, I'm sure. My legs pulled up into the air, a single hand holding them together against his shoulder.

“Think you’re ready for me?” It’s like his voice got even deeper, like he was growling while talking. That same smug smirk curves his lips as he teases me, pressing the tip between my thighs. My eyes widen the further he pushes, realizing just how big he actually was.

While I’m terrified, I don't control my head as it nods repeatedly with need.

Leaning down he folds me in half, the stretch in my muscles an ache I crave. My legs pushed up, pressed tight on either side of my head. “Use your words, darling,” he whispers, face to face now. His breath brushes my lips, voice thick with command and something darker. The tone betraying just how close he is to loosing it all.

“Please, please, please,” the words are breathless. The pressure on my chest makes it hard to breathe, but not enough to stop the begging. “Fuck me,” it’s rough, more like a demand. Desperate to get him inside me. Now!

He lets out a low, wicked chuckle. “Good girl,” instantly thrusting all the way in. The stretch punches a high-pitched gasp out of me, more squeak than moan, and I clamp down around him without meaning to. My body’s trying to slow him down, fighting the pace I just begged for. All air leaves my lungs when he bottoms out. It feels so good I could cry.

“Sooo… gooooood…” the words slur right out of me, brain to far gone to care what I say anymore. A hitched gasp slips past my parted lips as I feel him pull back. Not all the way, but enough to start making me feel empty. His lips join mine in a surprisingly gentle kiss. His kiss is slow, loving, completely at odds with the way he’s wrecking me. Caressing me with love as he slowly starts to thrust back in. Keeping the pace slow but deep while I gasp into kiss. Barely able to kiss him back.

To the point I just give up, wrapping my arms around his neck. Pulling him impossibly closer. The ache in my legs starting to make them tremble, but I don’t care. I need him, crave him. The angle of our position getting me closer to edge with every thrust. My entire body shivering from the intensity.

“You’re doing so good,” his voice cuts through the haze, sudden enough to startle me. Though I relax almost instantly. “Just a little longer,” his right hand caressing my trembling leg, seemingly soothing the ache. Reaching between us in the impossibly small space between us. Pinching my clit between two fingers making me spasm and squeeze around his thick length. “Cum for me,” it’s like a command that breaks the dam. Squeezing his shoulders once before my arms go lacks at the feeling of ecstasy.

Both his arms secure around me as he thrusts a few more times. He moves my head to the side, just enough to give him space. With a low groan, which is quickly muffled by my skin, he cums inside me. A gentle peck where my neck meets my shoulder. Then a scream leaves my lungs when his teeth tear my skin.

The same black stardust seems to ripple over us, starting from where he just bit me. Suddenly I’m overwhelmed. I freeze up. A gentle lick over the wound, then a peck before his eyes come into view.

“Now,” he whispers. “You’re completely mine,” and I feel it. I feel him, not just physically. Our souls completely connected.

Slowly the shock fades, as does the pain. He starts to pull away, but I don’t want him to. Letting him leave just enough space for me to lower my legs before I pull him right back.

Connecting our lips, exploding with emotions. So much raw emotion of both him and me.

We had just finished showering, but he had been done getting dressed quicker. Pecking my lips as he left the room. A lingering feeling of adoration from him warming my chest.

“Wow, you look thoroughly fucked,” Mystery points out the obvious when I enter the living room again after what had just transpired in the bedroom. I hadn’t tried to hide the marks Baby had left on me, but they were relatively hidden. But I guess not as hidden as they had seemed when I looked in the mirror.

An instant flare of anger washes over me. But it’s not mine.

“Watch it,” Baby hisses at his friend. I just stick my tongue out at Mystery and plop myself down on Baby’s lap, who instantly wraps a possessive arm around my waist. I peck his cheek before turning my attention to the rest of the boys.

“Okay, but, we should actually get going,” I say while I look at the time on my phone, now that I have it again. “We don’t wanna be la-”

Before I can finish, magenta smoke slowly reveals we arrived at the studio.

“Ah! Saja Boys!” we get greeted, the second we get spotted. In panic I touch my head, glad to find the cap there. My eyes meet Baby’s, he’s already staring, handing me tinted glasses. Which I quickly put on.

They get called on stage not long after our arrival. The studio filled to the brim with press and new fans. I stay on the side, out of sight of the crowd. Instead focusing on my phone where I check their social media and their growing popularity.

Unbeknownst to me, three pairs of familiar eyes had spotted me. Unsure and stunned all the same. I should not be there and yet I was.

“It’s a dead heat between my handsome co-host and Baby Saja,” my attention drawn to the stage, at the mention of Baby. Surprised he’s so casually drinking hot sauce like it’s water. “Can our host catch up?”

“So spicy! So spicy!” the co-host utters, giving up.

“He can’t! Baby Saja is the winner!” the crowd cheers.

“Goo goo, ga ga,” Baby mocks, unable to stop me from giggling at the idiocy of it. Shaking my head.

“Hard to say goodbye when we’re having fun.”

“So hard. So hard,” to my shock I watch Jinu take the mic from the host. I’m about to scold him from the sideline when he speaks.

“Then why say goodbye when we have extra special guests coming up?”

“What is he doing?” I mutter. Little did I know that Rumi muttered those exact same words.

“Please welcome Huntrix!” stunned I follow the spotlights as it highlights the - now - trio. Shit.

“We just wanted to stop by and congratulate our hoobaes on their debut and-,” Rumi waves awkwardly, obviously caught off guard.

“And of course, Play Games with Us! Bring out the slides!” Jinu cuts her off. The other four grabbing the slide from my side of the stage.

“This is not a good idea,” I hiss at them. Baby just winks as a feeling of reassurance waves over me.

“Slide! Slide! Slide!” the crowd chants, I watch anxiously.

“Oh no. We couldn’t possibly,” Rumi tries to back out, to no avail of the crowd. Their chants changing to ‘In the balls!’. Which seems, you know, just a little in appropriate, but oh well… “Sure,” voice a little higher now. “For the fans.”

Though its immediately met with more regret. Their leather pants stopping them for a smooth slide. An ear-piercing sound echoing through the studio. Just like Baby I cover my ears, dampening the double effect of what this sound does to us.

Finally they land. “And Huntrix is in the balls!” I notice their eyes flash gold, smirks plastered on their faces before they mask it.

“Well, this was fun,” Rumi says awkwardly as the three of them exit the ball pit. Standing in line across from the boys.

With a hand on his chest. “It was truly an honor to share the stage with you,” Jinu says, the five of them bowing respectfully to the trio. I cover my mouth with my hand to muffle my chuckle at their faces.

“Oh no. The honor is ours,” they bow. They’ll do anything to keep the fans on their side it seems.

“No, it was ours.”

“It’s ours.”

“Ours.”

“Ours.”

“Ours.”

“Ours.”

They all bow deeper and deeper. The boys quite literally folded in half in the end. Baby smirking through his legs at me, making me shake my head at them for the nth time.

Before the curtain is even fully closed, Baby grabs my by the waist, throwing me over his shoulder as they run out. Abby giving Romance a piggy back, just to rub it in the girls faces. Flicking my gaze to them, I see their anger growing.

“Where are we going?” I ask, not really able to do much, stuck in the tight grasp of Baby. Trying to peak around his head I see the bath house sign. “Why are we going to a bath house?”

I get an answer quick enough when I hear their collective voices. “Mens?”

“Wow. Did you really follow us in here?” Jinu says with fake surprise.

“I knew they would. That one’s always looking at me,” Abby says matter-of-factly.

“No we’re not,” Mira and Zoey say, obviously staring at Abby. Rumi ignores the comments completely. Her eyes finding mine where I’m stood next to Baby. A possessive and protective hand on my waist. He glares at them like they had personally hurt him.

I guess unintentionally they had, but without what they did. We wouldn’t have met.

“Y/n?” soft, filled with disbelief. Rumi’s words seem to shake Mira and Zoey out of their staring trance as they too turn to me.

“Told you,” Mira starts. “She’s just as bad as the rest of them,” Baby makes a threatening move, growling slightly. It’s enough to make them take a step back.

“I wasn’t,” I state calmly. Placing a hand on Baby’s shoulder to calm him and to tell him to trust me this time. “Not until you betrayed me that is,” I continue, sending a glare their way. “Especially you, Rumi. What a sister you are,” I shake my head with disappointment.

“So, now you’ve sent a demon boy band after us?” Zoey asks, surprised and offended at the same time. “To what? Steal our fans?”

“Yes,” the six of us state clearly, a smirk pulling at my lips. “When I came back to this plane, it was fun to see how many you had already lost. And all that because I “left”,” their eyes widen at my words. “Now we’re here for the rest of them.”

“You think we’re just going to let you steal our fans?” Rumi’s voice laced with anger. “You’re gonna have to fight us for them.”

“Yeah. Keep your hands off our Honmoon,” Zoey adds.

Jinu chuckles. “We’re not here to fight,” tears in the Honmoon appear in the baths. “They are,” demons rise from the tears.

“Water demons.”

“Oh great. My favorite.”

“Get rid of the Hunters,” Jinu says to the water demon closest to him. I can’t stop the spike of fear puncturing my heart as my eyes shift from him to the people I once called family. “Then you can eat all the souls you want,” Baby squeezes my waist, but it doesn’t sooth the pain in my chest.

With that said, the water demons start fighting. Romance, Mystery and Abby swiftly making their way to another exit. Baby starts pulling me, but I hesitate. While he’s obviously upset at what they had done to me. He understands what I’m going through at this very moment.

“Have fun,” Jinu smirks evilly, nearly slipping on a small pool of water on the tiles. Turning around he starting running towards the exit. I finally find my willpower back and start moving. Holding onto Baby’s hand tight. Letting him drag me through the door. Running through the sauna as Rumi follows us quickly. She manages to cut Jinu off from the group.

“He can handle himself,” Baby reassures me and finally we go up in smoke and appear in our apartment. Out of breath, I let myself fall on the couch. Soon joined by him. He picks me up bridal style. Sits down himself before placing me in his lap. Leaning me so my head is resting on his shoulder.

“I can’t- I-”

“Shh, it’s okay,” his voice is soft. Warmth blooms in my chest and again I’m reassured. He’s not mad at me. He knows I was meant to be one of the good guys. “You don’t have to talk.”

We stay like that, unbothered by the other three. Until Jinu returns, face laced with realization and confusion but before he can say anything. All six of us get pulled back into the demon plane by Gwi ma.

A single soul flies overhead, straight into Gwi ma’s flame.

“My Little Soda Pop,” Gwi ma… sings? “It’s catchy. Surprisingly, your plan is working,” he says to us as we get up off the ground. Standing before him.

“I know, and that soul is just a starter,” Jinu says, his expression changing to please Gwi ma. “So let me get back to work, and you’ll be feasting in no time.”

“Two of the Hunters bear my mark, one of which I now have control over,” if Gwi ma had eyes they would be on me now with how intense the air around me got. “The other I do not.”

“This is good,” Jinu says, taking the attention off me. “This means she has shame. I’ll find out what it is and we can use it to destroy her and the Hunters for good.”

“I’ve taught you well, Jinu,” with that Gwi ma lets us return to our apartment on the human plane.

“Okay, issue,” Jinu says, sitting on one of the arm chairs in the room. Leaning forward, elbows on his knees. Covering his face with his left hand.

“What is it?” Romance asks, confused. Finding himself a seat on the couch. Abby returning from the kitchen with a bottle of water. Sitting in the other arm chair. Mystery finding his spot between Romance and Baby. I stood by the large open windows which had a view of the city sky line. From here I could see the Huntrix tower, the logo lit up in the dark of the night, in the far distance. Leaning against the glass as I subconsciously rubbed the patterns on my arms.

“Is it because of the look on your face when you first came back?” Baby asks, though I know his eyes don’t leave my frame. Watching over me protectively but letting me keep the space I need right now.

“Yes,” Jinu sighs, taking his hand away from his face. “Rumi appears to be my mate,” my eyes focus on his reflection in the window. Silence engulfs the room, almost like time stands still. I don’t think anyone knows what to say with this new information. “But that doesn’t change anything,” he chuckles awkwardly.

It’s very divided. Baby and I sure as hell can’t say shit about it. Me, technically, being a huntress and us being mates. Having just completed said mating bond.

“We’re going to stick to the plan,” Jinu ends up deciding. “We have to,” the words are whispered. My brows furrow in confusion. He can’t just be talking about the revenge. Baby fills my head with images of what Gwi ma could do to us if we fail.

It’s early morning, I think I got maybe an hour of sleep before I woke up from my running thoughts. Baby was a deep sleeper, if he hadn’t been, I was sure he would have jumped awake at the same time I did. Sneaking out of his hold. I grab my phone from its charger.

3:36 am

Sighing I get up. Pulling Baby’s sweater over my head. The hem falling just mid my thighs. My sweater now, really. Exiting the room I head for the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water. Swiftly taking a sip.

“Ah,” I sigh, walking to the living room, I just sat down on the couch when Jinu suddenly appears in front of me. Making me jump, Jinu reacting the same at seeing me awake.

“What are you doing awake?” he whisper hisses at me.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I hiss right back. He sighs and takes the same seat as before. I relax back in my seat, pulling my legs on the couch beside me.

“Fine,” he sighs. Tiger comes up from the floor. First letting himself be pet by Jinu before circling the coffee table. Jumping on the couch next to me, resting his head on my thigh. Placing my hand on his big head, I start petting him. Purrs slowly rumbling from his chest. “I went to meet Rumi,” anxiety spikes my chest, my eyes meeting his instantly. “I know, I know,” he puts his hands up. “I just, I had to tell her.”

While my heart is still running like a marathon, I sigh. “I get it. Once you realize it’s hard to keep it from them. Baby showed me what it felt like for him when he found out,” I explain in understanding. Jinu sighs in relief at my words.

“Thank you,” it wasn’t often Jinu got sincere, so I knew this was real. Just by the tone in his voice. “She did not react well,” he adds. “I shouldn’t be surprised of course, but I had hope with the way you reacted to Baby.”

“You have to understand that the situations are different. I had just been banished by my own family. She’s still in hiding,” I try to reason with him. “If Mira and Zoey knew, she would be with Gwi ma just like me.”

“What exactly happened that day?” the question is cautious. Testing the waters carefully. "I know you told us in part, but..."

“I wanted to tell Mira and Zoey about my patterns,” I state, my voice void of emotion. “I didn’t want to hide anymore. Rumi didn’t want to. Which I understood, but she said she would back me up,” I glance at him before focusing my attention on Tiger as I continue. “They reacted by drawing their weapons on me,” I pause for a moment. Throat swelling up with emotion. Unable to stop the betrayal from taking over me. “Rumi was the one to send me to Gwi ma,” I croak out, my hand trembling as I continue to pet Tiger as a distraction. Taking a deep shuddering breath. Baby appeared behind me suddenly. His calm aura settling over me. Looking back, up at him, his gaze is focused on Jinu. Glaring at him.

“What are you doing?” he asks accusingly. His hands settle on my shoulders. Comforting me.

“It’s okay. I’m okay now,” I smile gently at him, squeezing one of his hands. “It’s not his fault really,” he doesn’t seem to fully believe me. Tiger had looked up, almost offended that I had stop petting him. Though this did give Baby the opportunity to sit down himself and hold me close.

“What happened then?”

“I may have asked what happened that day,” Jinu explains.

“And this became a topic, because?”

“He apparently met with Rumi,” I tell him. “Telling her about them being mates, and it did not go as he hoped,” Baby nods, waiting for more information.

“I also may have offered to let Rumi talk to Y/n,” Jinu confesses, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

“WHAT!?” Baby and I say at the same time. Baby out of worry, me out of anxiety.

“Yeah, well,” Jinu sighs, struggling to find the right words. “I thought, since you’re sisters. And you being mated to Baby. You could maybe, I don’t know. Convince her it’s okay..?”

“You want my mate,” Baby’s voice is stern, threatening even. “ who got sent to Gwi ma by yours. To talk to Rumi?”

“I know, I know.”

“No, I don’t think you understand,” Baby’s eyes turn golden. “Her anxiety just woke me up, I am de deepest sleeper you know this. I will not allow Rumi to meet with Y/n.”

The conversation ends there. The next few weeks a filled with award shows where either the Saja boys winning or Huntrix. All the while I see the secret longing looks Jinu sends Rumi, and Rumi tries to hide the new pull that the mating bond created.

It’s conflicting with everything.

I want Jinu to be happy, and I hate that I want Rumi to be happy too. Becoming Baby’s mate has made me so happy. While I still hear Gwi ma’s voice it’s not nearly as loud as it was before we completed the mating. It doesn’t rule over me. I wish that for Jinu. I know his past haunts him, more than he dares to show.

And while it obviously hurts to be betrayed by my sister, I still cared for her. Can I still go through with this?

“Let’s bring ‘em in,” Bobby’s voice announces as the doors to the signing open. Hiding in the crowd, I watch as the guys waddle in. “Hey, single file, no pushing.”

“And who should I make this out to?” Rumi asks, grabbing the stack of her posters, closer to herself.

“ 'To our biggest fans' ,” Jinu says, all of them casually revealing themselves. No longer hidden by the sleeping bags.

“It’s the Saja boys!” while everyone is focused on the boys, the frustration of the girls doesn’t go unnoticed by me.

“It is an honor!” Bobby regards them politely. “Table, now!”

“Joint signing!” while the room splits into two sides. I teleport behind the Huntrix banner, having practiced a lot since that first try.

“We lose half the fans?” I can just hear Rumi’s murmured words. “The Saja Boys will sit with us!”

“What? Rumi?” Mira and Zoey react quietly. “What are you doing?”

“Huh? Same table?” the crowd joins together again as the table gets moved next to theirs.

“We need every fan,” Rumi tells the other two.

“Hm. We keep meeting like this,” Romance says, sitting down next to Mira. Draping an arm over her chair. Leaning his head on his other hand. Staring at Mira while she glares back at him. Abby taking a seat on Mira's left, smirk tugging at his lips.

“I am not sitting with no Saja boy-” Zoey cuts herself off when Mystery sits down next to her, giggling like a high school girl with a crush. “What’s up?”

“I didn’t think you liked sharing,” Jinu whispers to Rumi when he sits down beside her.

“I love sharing.”

“Oh, so you shared your secret with your friends?”

“If only I could smash your demon face in right now,” Mira hisses quietly. Her eyes shifting from Romance to Abby as she signs her poster. “Thanks for coming!” she puts up a sweet face as she hands over the signed poster.

“Should I tell them?” Jinu asks.

“No, I can’t tell them,” Rumi reminds him.

“Are you whispering?” a fan suddenly cut their conversation. The two of them stuttering as they frantically sign the Rumi poster and hand it to the fan. “Your secret’s safe with me,” she says pointing at her shirt which has a drawing of the two of them along with their ship name; Rujinu. They chuckle awkwardly. “Oh, so cute!”

“Thanks for coming!” Zoey speaks with a sweet smile on her lips, while Mystery sits next to her. Arms crossed, pretty much staring down the Huntrix fan in front of them like he had seen them kick a puppy. Softly growling. “No! Bad Saja Boy!” Zoey scolds him which surprisingly stops his growling.

“I’ll sign first,” Mira fights with Abby and Romance over who will sign the cast of a fan. Dragging his foot from left to right on the table like he isn’t struggling to keep his stability on his crutches.

"If Y/n were still with Huntrix," I catch the whisper of a fan. An image of said fan being sent to me by Baby. The fan standing directly in front of him. "I would ship you," he doesn't reply. Simply smirks and sends the fan a wink making them squeal.

“I’m not gonna talk to someone who’s helping Gwi ma,” Rumi whispers, trying to focus on the signing.

“What if that’s not the plan anymore.”

“Like I would believe you, you have my sister helping you.”

“And who’s fault is that,” he whispers in her ear making her kick his foot under the table.

“I had no choice!” She whisper yells at him. “They didn’t accept her. If I revealed what I am we would never stand a chance at defeating Gwi ma. I’m supposed to hate all demons, like I hate Gwi ma.”

“If hate could defeat Gwi ma, we would have done it a long time ago,” Jinu tells her calmly, truthfully. “Trust me.”

“Excuse me, mr. Jinu,” the voice of a little girl cuts their moment. “I made this for you,” both turn to the girl. Jinu surprised, not expecting this in the slightest.

“Uh, for me?” she holds out the drawing to him. He takes the paper like its a porcelain plate. Fragile, breakable. The two stare at the drawing for a little while.

“Maybe listen to those voices instead of the ones in your head,” Rumi says referring to the time they met up, she’s trying to be rude about it, but it sounds more sincere than I think she meant to.

It had been a couple of days since Tiger had been at the apartment. He finally appeared again when it was just me, Baby and Jinu in the living room. The other three had been disappearing into their rooms more often than not.

Tiger sat in front of Jinu, waiting for his attention. I was stretched out over the couch, using Baby’s thighs as a pillow while he read above me. Fingers running through my hair soothingly.

“Oh, my-” Jinu’s sudden excitement has my eyes shoot open in surprise. Baby sighed but closed the book nonetheless. How he did it, I don’t know, but he would just remember the page number he left on. Not caring about a bookmark. Who does that?

“What is it?” I ask, sleepily.

“It’s from Rumi, she’s agreed to meet you,” the anxiety spike returns, just that has Baby reach for my hand. Squeezing it gently.

“I thought, I had been very clear, last time we spoke about this,” Baby glares at him. Sitting up slowly, I take the card from Jinu.

Fine, I’ll take that talk with Y/n. But not for you! She’ll know where to meet me. - Rumi

Stubborn as ever, I shake my head. “You think she’s feeling the pull?” I ask Baby. He sighs, not liking the way my anxiety melted away for warmth of the potential happiness that could come out of this.

“Yes, she probably is,” he answers me, voice gentle, unlike how he spoke to Jinu. “I’m surprised she held out this long. “

“Is that were Tiger was?” I ask Jinu, who nods.

“I’ll do it,” I announce after a moment of me just staring at her neat hand writing.

“I’m coming with you,” Baby immediately says, but I shake me head.

“No, she won’t trust you,” it’s true and he knows it. “I can protect myself. I can get away from her, thanks to you,” I peck his cheek. Lingering to reassure him that I’ll be okay.

“Alright.”

I arrive first. Kneeling in front of our moms grave.

“Hi mom,” my voice soft. “I know it’s been a while since my last visit. I’m sorry,” I apologize. A crunch of a branch tells me Rumi has arrived. Placing a kiss on the tips of my fingers, I press them against her headstone before standing up. Turning to Rumi.

“I didn’t think you would actually show,” she says, a sullen expression on her face. Hands stuffed in her sweaters pockets.

“When Jinu first told me of his offer to you, I wouldn’t have come, no,” I tell her honestly. Moving at a wide radius away from our moms grave. Giving Rumi the opportunity to talk to mom like I just had.

She does just that, I give her space to do so. This is the first time we talk to her separately. We always went to her grave together every now and again.

“Is this… mates thing… a lie?” she hesitates, when she’s done talking to mom. Getting up, keeping the same radius I had. Ten paces apart we take our seat on separate grass patches.

“It is not,” I shake my head, pulling the zipper down of my turtle neck top. Show her my mating mark that has now healed completely. Leaving holographic scars in the shape of his teeth. “Jinu did not lie to you about that, and I think you believed him. Even before you wanted to.”

She nods, seemingly ashamed that she did, but unable to deny the pull she now feels to him. “Did Jinu lie when he said he wasn’t going to help Gwi ma anymore?”

“Yes and no,” she looks confused at my answer.

“What does that mean?” she frowns.

“I think, that after finding out you were his mate, he stopped wanting to help Gwi ma.”

“But?”

“But because of what you did to me-” anxiety spikes as the memories play again. Warmth spreads within seconds, allowing me to take a deep breath and continue. Thank you Baby. “And the memories that haunt, not only Jinu, but the others too. They became my friends, I know it may seem like they do all this for Gwi ma. But they don’t. They will continue if it means they can get rid of their memories. Probably until its too late.”

“I guess… I guess I can’t blame them for that…” she sighs, gaze falling to the grass in front of her, like she can’t bear to meet mine. “For what it’s worth… I am so-rry,” her voice cracks. Her mask faltering as tears roll freely off her cheeks. “… I’m so- so sor-ry…” her shoulders shake. “I- I panicked! I never-” she sniffles. “I never wanted to hurt- you.”

“It hurt… so much,” I croak out, unable to keep from crying myself. Being this close yet so far from my sister. It was agony. “Not just the betrayal…” a quick intake of breath which does little to stop my emotions from going haywire. “It was like I was- like I was being burned… in, I don’t know, hell fire,” I struggle to find the words. Trying to paint a picture she would - hopefully - never feel. "Gwi ma, tortured me... with it... making it play- over and over," I pause. "Louder, every time," my voice just above a whisper. It hangs in the air for an uncertain amount of time.

“Can I please- hug you?” her voice is so soft, I barely catch her words. Looking up in surprise. Wondering if I even heard her right. My eyes find hers already staring at me. Switching between either one in desperation. I barely finish my nod and she on her feet.

We crush together in the middle. Arms wrapped tightly around each other. Tears ruining each others clothes, not that we cared about that in the moment, or ever.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,” her voice is shaky as she whispers the words, over an over. Hiding her face in my shoulder. I feel us sink to the gravel, never letting go.

I don't know how long we stay there, just crying while we hold onto each other desperately.

“I missed you so much,” she whispers when we finally stopped crying. Pulling away enough to look at me up close. A shaky smile forms on my lips as I nod in agreement.

“I missed you too, even though I felt betrayed,” I sigh, using one hand to wipe away left over tears. “Mira and Zoey too.”

“I know they miss you too,” it surprises me. Her voice is so full of raw emotion I know she’s not lying. “We regret it so much, me the most,” she points at her own chest. “I lost my voice, I couldn’t sing anymore. I didn’t think I deserved to either way.”

We are hunters, voices strong

I start, which she quickly catches on to. Joining me.

Slaying demons with our song Fix the world and make it right When darkness finally meets the light

Our foreheads meet in the middle. It held a lot more meaning now. We weren’t singing about slaying literally demons. It was about our thoughts. How we can speak our truth to each other now. Where her darkness meets my light and we can still fix all this. “That is the first time I’ve sang since the performance before… you know.”

“Meeting Jinu, my voice returned. I had someone who I could talk about my patterns with again,” Rumi confesses. “Someone I could be completely me with, but it was different.”

“It is,” I nod, separating our connection. “Because he is your mate. I had the same with Baby. Even if I didn’t want to believe demons could be nice at first,” I shake my head, getting a smile from her. “Also, would you believe it! Not all demons are ugly like we thought,” this gets her to laugh uncontrollably, happy tears playing on the rims of her eyes. She pulls me impossible closer, letting out a shuddering sigh of relief.

“Hey, can demons only have demon mates?” I ask, still confused by Romance, Mystery’s and Abby’s recent behavior changes.

“Uhm, no,” Mystery answers my question surprisingly. His expression unreadable. “Could be a human too,” the way he drags out ‘too’, only confirms my suspicions.

“Am I correct in assuming you three have found your mates in my human band members?” it’s hard to hide the smirk that starts tugging at my lips. Abby is the first to react, his gaze flicking to me in an instant. Got you. “I knew it!” I fist pump the air in excitement.

“Why does our misery excite you exactly?” Romance asks, sinking lower into the couch.

“Well,” I draw out the word as I get off of Baby’s lap. Much to his dismay. “Because it changes everything!”

“What are you talking about?” Abby asks, confusion written on all over their faces. Except, Baby, which surprises me only a little. Maybe my feelings about this have bled into him more than I thought.

“Don’t you see,” I start, pacing in front of them. “All of you have mates on this plane. Hunters to be precise,” I explain it like it’s obvious. “If we destroy them, you’ll never be with them!” this seems to make all of them pause.

“They hate demons, remember,” Romance’s voice is edged with a depression I had never seen on the man.

“That doesn’t mean they can’t change!” my voice is almost desperate. Trying to get them to see what I see. “If- if,” my thoughts go too fast for my mouth to keep up. A hand takes mine, Baby. I breathe. “If we can convince Rumi that we will help them seal the Honmoon-”

“What!?” that comes from all three of them at once.

“Listen to me!” I snap, gripping Baby’s hand tighter. “If we help them seal the Honmoon, while we are on this plane. It will keep us here!” slowly their gaze shift from disbelief to something I can’t place. Something like… hope. Or maybe fear of even the thought of hope. “Gwi ma won’t have control over us.”

“How are you so sure?” Mystery asks, his voice soft. Unrecognizable from his normal confident self.

“Because Rumi and I were already born when the Honmoon was last sealed,” I tell them. “We stayed here, lead normal human lives. Even if we had to hide our patterns.”

“Alright, I’ll trust you on this,” Abby says sitting up straight. This gets the other two to agree soon after.

“How do we make it happen?”

“Jinu, you need to talk to Rumi. Tell her our plan,” I turn to Jinu. “She’ll do whatever she can to ensure Mira and Zoey will not harm us. I’m sure of it, but we will have to keep pretending to do this for Gwi ma,” the plan was simple really. It would all end tomorrow at the International Idol Awards.

“Two bands, one award,” the intro starts playing on the tv in the Saja Boys’ dressing room. “Every snowflake is special. But one snowflake is probably the best. Who will be the top the the mountain?”

“Is this guy for real?” Abby asks in disbelief. I smack his arm playfully.

“Hey, this is a respected award show,” I tell him. “We are five-year reigning champions, I’ll have you know,” Baby chuckles at my defense, squeezing my side.

“Fans from around the universe will decide!” The stage comes into view. The stadium filled to the brim with fans. “Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for. Here are the five-year reigning champs of the International Idol Awards, Huntrix!”

“Okay, it’s time,” I tell them. “Fake the fight,” immediately they start arguing about stupid things like stolen shoes. Men, am I right? But it sounds believable, especially through he nearly sound proof door.

“Versus the heart-stealing newcomers, the Saja Boys! Who will win?” “Please welcome to the stage, the Saja Boys!”

“The Saja Boys, are having a fight,” I tell a staff member as I open the door just a peep. “They will not be performing tonight,” Their eyes seem to widen. Rushing away. Most likely to tell other staff and Bobby of the earlier performance of the Huntrix.

Closing the door behind me, I give them a thumbs up. “Now we just let it play out.”

Everything quiets down in the room. Watching in anticipation, hoping it would work.

“Uh, okay, there’s been a slight change in schedule,” the host announces.

Baby is sat on the arm rest of the leather couch in the room. I sit right on the edge between his legs, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist. Possessive, protective. Afraid of loosing me, just as I am to loose him if this goes bad.

Romance, Abby and Mystery actually sit on the three seater leather couch. Jinu, nervously sat on the other arm rest. Tension was high.

“Here to preform their hot new single, Golden, it’s Huntrix!”

“What?” my voice is laced with confusion. The door to the dressing room slams open. Startling everyone in the room.

“Y/n, quick.”

“When you told me to wear my golden costume, you could have told me this was the reason for it,” I tell Rumi while she throws a headworn microphone at me.

I lock eyes with Baby, portraying that I didn’t know.

“You go this,” he winks confidently. “I’ll be right here when you return,” I smash our lips together in a desperate kiss. Pouring all my fear into it along with anxious hope. “Go, darling,” his voice soft as he wipes a tear I didn’t know escaped off my cheek.

Breaking away, I watch as Rumi pulls away from a similar kiss with Jinu. A blush covering her cheeks. With that we run out the room.

“Do Zoey and Mira know I’m here to perform?” I ask on the way.

“Uhm, kind of?” Rumi admits, grimacing.

“Rumi!”

“I told them to trust me, alright!” we reach the girls just in time. It luckily doesn’t give the two the chance to ask any questions as we get lifted up to the stage.

I start my part, the crowd cheering in surprise.

I was a ghost, I was alone. Eo du wojin, ap gil sok e Given the throne I didn’t know How to believe I was the queen that I’m meant to be!

Thankfully, it all goes smoothly as we continue the song. Leaving the stage when its time for Rumi’s solo. I anxiously keep my distance from Zoey and Mira. Though I’m not too worried with so many people around.

“She’s killing it out there!” Zoey nearly screams overjoyed to see my sister sing well once more. Mira on the other hand doesn’t seem to be sure whether she should be glaring at me or feel grateful that I’m actually still alive. In the end she shakes her head.

“Let’s go finish this,” but commotion backstage draws our attention. We watch Bobby being dragged away by to people, their eyes flashing gold before disappearing around the corner. “Bobby?” Zoey turns to glare at me instantaneously.

“This isn’t us, I swear,” I hold up my hands trying to prove my innocence. “I didn’t do this!”

“Stay away from us,” Mira hisses at me as I go to follow them to help Bobby. My breath quickens as I watch them run away. The staff yelling after them that they’re on in 20 seconds.

“What is happening?” I mutter, dashing in the other direction. I crash straight into the dressing room. All five of them are still sat there, watching Rumi perform.

Baby is at my side in seconds. “What’s going on?”

“Who took Bobby!?” my voice is more confused than accusatory, but its there. Their brows furrow. “I thought we agreed.”

“We did,” Mystery stands up confused. “What do you mean, who took Bobby?”

Realization dawns on me, my eyes darting to the screen. “Rumi…” I breath, watching as the music changes from Golden to an entirely different song. One I didn’t know. Mira and Zoey join her back onstage… but something is off about them. “I have to get to Rumi!”

Emotion crowds my chest as I teleport in bursts, racing closer and closer to the stage. But I’m too late.

The fakes have already exposed her patterns.

“No!” Rumi’s voice pierces the air. Lights break in her wake. Her patterns start glowing purple. Unable to hide them anymore. She’s trembling. Frantic, scared, exposed.

Out of the corner of my eye I see the real Zoey and Mira return on the other side of the stage. Stopping in their tracks at the sight of Rumi. And slowly they step back. Back… away from her.

Rumi gains enough control of herself and runs off stage. I quickly run after her, but I’m not fast enough to stop her from running into Mira and Zoey. Witnessing their conversation from the stairs.

“How are you here?” I hear Rumi’s shaky voice. “You were just on stage. That wasn’t you?” She trembling like crazy. “Oh, thank goodness,” she takes a step closer to them. But they just take a steps back. “No. No!” her gaze falls to her hands, the patterns on full display. Not hidden like she expected them to be.

“You knew, didn’t you?” Zoey’s voice is surprisingly soft as she questions Rumi. “You knew about Y/n because you are one too.”

Her breath hitches. “Yes, but-” she stutters. “I didn’t have a- have choice.”

“You lied to us,” Mira’s voice is sharp. “This whole time?”

“No, I-” she shakes her head vividly. “We had a plan.”

“We?”

“Sealing the Honmoon,” I finally speak up. Revealing myself to them. Joining Rumi. Mira and Zoey take another step back, drawing their weapons on us, but not yet pointing them at us.

“You told us to trust you,” Zoey's voice is colder than I have ever heard it.

“And it back fired, on not just us, but on you too,” if looks could kill, Mira’s gaze would have sent us straight to hell.

“No,” I tell them, shaking my head. “This wasn’t us,” I say referring to me and the Saja Boys. “We wanted you guys to seal the Honmoon tonight.”

“It was supposed to save us,” Rumi adds, taking my hand with her shaky one. “We were supposed to become normal… and be together again.”

“How could we be together if we can’t tell your lies from your truths, Rumi?”

“I knew it, I knew it was too good to be true,” Mira’s voice is filled with disappointment.

“Mira, no! Didn’t you see?” Rumi tries once more as a desperate attempt. “See the gold? We’re so close!” instead they only back up further as she tries to get closer to them. “No, don’t leave! We can still…”

“Fix this!” my voice combines with hers makes the Honmoon ring magenta. Loosing us whatever trust that would have been left from the two. Mira pointing her woldo at us.

“Zoey, please,” my voice trembles. Tears in my eyes. It doesn’t change anything. She too readies her kunai’s. Before they can try to use them on us. I squeeze Rumi’s hand and teleport her with me.

I wasn’t entirely sure where I took us. But it became clear as our eyes followed how the Honmoon was breaking apart. Our gaze landing on the Shinmok. Celine stood there, back to us. But she knew we were there. Turning around with her nat suddenly, as if to catch us off guard.

“Rumi? Y/n?”

“I thought we could fix it,” Rumi says. Staring blankly at the ground. Voice going static.

“They know of both of us now,” my voice seems to do the same as we near Celine.

“There is no denying it now.”

“There is no fixing it.”

“This is what we are,” The slow tearing of the Honmoon had both of us looking mostly demon, mirrored glowing patterns, one gold eye each.

“Y/n, how?” they had to have told Celine the truth of what happened that night. She wouldn’t have been as surprised to see me if they hadn’t. They thought I had been dead. “I tried to protect you,” Celine continues, stepping cautiously closer to us. “When we lost your mother, I swore to protect you both. But I never thought that you would be children like this,” her voice trembles as she reaches out to us but can’t seem to touch us. Doesn’t dare to touch us. “Everything I was taught told me you two were wrong, but I made a promise. So I did my best to accept you and help you-”

“Accept us?” Rumi asks, meeting Celine’s tear filled gaze. “You told us to cover up, to hide.”

“Yes, until we can fix everything-”

“And look where that got us,” I scoff. “If we had been honest… from the start,” I choke on my own emotions. “We wouldn’t look like this now.”

“The Honmoon would have been golden already.”

“We can still fix this,” Celine mumbles she steps away from us.

“Don’t you get it!”

“This is what we are!” Rumi and I speak sentence after sentence like we had rehearsed this. But we hadn’t, we just knew exactly what we were trying to get across to her.

“Look at us,” we state when she will no longer dare to look us in the eyes. To truly see what she caused. “Why can’t you look at us?! Why couldn’t you love us?!”

“I do!”

“Every part of us!” our combined cry for acceptance creates another magenta ripple to run over the Honmoon around us. Spreading wider than before.

“This is why we have to hide it,” Celine sounds desperate and out of breath. Looking around frantically at the Honmoon. “Our faults and fears must never been seen. It’s the only way to protect the Honmoon.”

Silence.

“If this is the Honmoon we’re supposed to protect, we’re glad to see it destroyed,” with that we leave her there.

Our agreement is silent as we meet at moms grave once more. “We’re going to have to create a new Honmoon,” I tell her. The both of us pacing the ground.

“Yes, we do.”

“I have a plan, one sec,” I leave her for approximately five seconds before returning with the Saja Boys. Jinu immediately takes Rumi in a protective hold.

“Do you know, how hard it was for me to not follow you,” Baby whispers in my ear as he stands behind me. Wrapping an arm around my waist.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize, turning sideways to peck his cheek. “Thank you for trusting me,” he responds to my words with a bite to my mating mark making me shiver deliciously. “Not now," I scold him.

“Anyways, plan,” Romance asks.

“Right, have you guys spoke to Gwi ma yet?”

“Yes,” Abby answers. “He believes we are still on his side. He just thought it took too long. Sorry for that Rumi,” he apologizes awkwardly to my sister.

“We genuinely didn’t know this would happen,” Jinu adds, squeezing the girl who accepts the apology.

“That’s good, did he miss me there?” I ask.

“I don’t think he could care less,” Baby says, seemingly relieved knowing I’m pretty much not a target for Gwi ma. “But Gwi ma has everyone in a trance. They are all going to Namsan Tower.”

“Okay, we can work with that,” Rumi says, running her brain for ideas.

“Including, Zoey and Mira,” Mystery adds, worry lacing his voice.

“Okay, that makes it a bit harder,” I admit.

“Gwi-ma wants us to do a show there, to keep the people tranced,” Jinu goes to explain Gwi ma’s plan. “That way they will willingly walk into his fire.”

“Do it,” I tell them, seriously. All six of them stare at me like I grew three heads. “We can put a stop to it,” I point my finger between me and Rumi. “Trust me.”

It doesn’t take the boys a lot of convincing, they nod. Jinu leaves a linger kiss on Rumi’s lips. “Take care of yourself,” he tells her sincerely. She nods in silent promise.

“If anything goes wrong, I will protect you,” Baby says to me. “Even if it kills me,” I want to tell him no, but he connects our lips and disappears before I can melt into it.

Rumi and I meet eyes, scared but ready.

Oh!

Rumi’s voice rings loud and clear through Namsan Tower. Cutting the boys off. People clear the way for a view of Rumi. Stood there, broken but true.

We are hunters. Voices strong. Slaying demons with our song. Fix the world and make it right. When darkness finally meets the light.

“You come here like this?” no one is walking towards the flames anymore, just like I suspected. “You think you can fix the world? You can’t even fix yourself,” Gwi ma plays with her shame and insecurities.

“I can’t,” she admits, sullenly.

“And now everyone finally sees you for what you really are.”

“They do.”

“And the Honmoon is gone.”

“It is,” Gwi ma thinks he’s won. “So we can make a new one,” her gaze grows serious.

Nothing but the truth now. Nothing but the proof of what I am.

She walks as she sings, closer. Transforming unknowingly, but I see it. Patterns glowing like iridescent glass, shifting though colors with every note she sings.

The worst of what I came from Patterns I’m ashamed of Things that even I don’t understand I tried to fix it I tried to fight it My head was twisted My heart divided My lies all collided I don’t know why I didn’t Trust you to be on my side

That’s when I join, appearing right next to her.

I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like

My eyes find Zoey, who is emerging from the crowd, soul glowing bright. Rumi finding Mira just the same.

Why did I cover up the colors stuck inside my head?

Zoey joins with her own truth.

I should've let the jagged edges meet the light instead

Mira, putting her trust in us more than she ever could.

Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony The song we couldn't write, this is what it sounds like

“Stop this song!” Gwi ma demands. Three tears open at the center of the stage. Demons crawling out fast. But we don’t stop.

We're shattering the silence, we're rising defiant Shouting in the quiet, you're not alone

We draw our weapons. Rumi, her sword, Mira her woldo, Zoey her Kunai’s. And me, I draw my dual daggers.

We listened to the demons, we let them get between us But none of us are out here on our own

We fight through the demons with ease, continuing our song. Souls lighting in the crowd as our voices harmonize and grow strong.

So, we were cowards, so, we were liars So, we're not heroes, we're still survivors The dreamers, the fighters, no lying, I'm tired But dive in the fire and I'll be right here by your side

Meeting in the center, we hug, creating a brand new Honmoon.

“I promise you, I am on your side,” I tell them.

“We know,” Zoey breathes with relief.

“Trust me, when I tell you that the Saja boys are on our side,” they hesitate for a moment when our eyes connect. But with a nod from Rumi, they nod too.

We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back But now we're seeing all the beauty in the broken glass The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head? Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like

More demons spawn, crawling their way to us. The Saja boys flying up into the air. Rumi pushes forward while, Zoey, Mira and I take care of the crawling demons coming at us.

Though, Gwi ma, quickly calls them back. Abby and Romance swooping down, pretending to attack Mira. A spike of fear runs through me at the sight. Afraid she’ll attack them anyway, but she pretends right back.

Mystery lands before Zoey, staring her down menacingly. Baby, grabbing a hold of me from behind. I know he’s trying to protect me and fight away a smile that’s threatening to break on my face.

“You’re voices cannot ... defeat ... me!” Gwi ma yells, sending a blast directly at Rumi. She reacts quick enough, using her sword as a shield.

“No!” I scream out. Jinu and I seem to have the same plan.

He is there first, taking the brute force of the blast.

But I teleport behind him. Pushing him at Rumi, they both gasp. Turning to me.

“Y/n!” my eyes shift to Baby. He tries but fails to get to me. Teleporting in spurts before collapsing on the ground. Feeling exactly what I feel.

It’s not just physical. It’s like my body and soul are being torn apart from the inside out. It's that hell fire all over again, but triple the pain.

“Y/n, no,” Rumi’s voice is filled with fear. Jinu’s eyes shift from mine to Baby where he lays on the stage floor.

“I’m sorry,” I whimper. “for wanting revenge.”

“No,” she shakes her head vividly. Not agreeing with what I said. “I deserved it!” she nearly yells at me.

“It’s okay,” I struggle to smile. The pressure of the blast almost becoming to much. My heart pounds in my ears, louder and louder. Deafening me as my eyes slowly blur to a close.

But I don’t wither away like I expect. I can feel my body fighting the blast. A war raging beneath my skin. I don’t need to see it to know what’s happening.

The iridescent patterns, spread. Like veins of molten light weaving across my skin. Swallowing my entire body, covering every inch of me in the iridescent glow.

Growing brighter like a blinding radiant light, gasps ring in my head as my body blinds everyone present. Drowning the tower in an otherworldly glow.

This is what does it. All souls seem to come to life. I can’t see it, but I can feel it. From where I’m floating. The crowd sings the song. Letting Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their souls to defend themself against Gwi ma.

We broke into a million pieces, and we can't go back But now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like Why did we cover up the colors stuck inside our head? Get up and let the jagged edges meet the light instead Show me what's underneath, I'll find your harmony Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like

My eyes finally seem to open as I float with them. High, higher. My voice returns and I’m able to join them in over powering Gwi ma. Our voices sealing the new Honmoon.

My voice without the lies, this is what it sounds like Fearless and undefined, this is what it sounds like Truth after all this time, our voices all combined When darkness meets the light, this is what it sounds like

“Shit, Y/n,” Mira curses when the four land back on stage. But Y/n doesn’t stay standing. If it weren’t for Mira’s quick reaction time to keep her up.

Rumi is quick to help her keep, Y/n up. Worry running through her body. It’s Zoey who checks for a pulse.

“She’s alive,” she announces quietly. Their eyes find the Saja boys, still there, back in human form. Mystery and Abby carrying a, in a similar state, Baby.

A groan escapes me lips, turning around. Or trying to anyway, to face away from the light shining onto my face. The sharpness of it, not helping my headache in the slightest.

I finally manage to turn around in the tangles of my covers, taking in a deep breath. Snuggling my face into the pillow in front of me. Why is it so hard tho? I go to punch it, so it's soft but my hand finds a chest instead.

"Ow," it's not a sound of actually pain, but my eyes shoot open anyways. I instantly regret it when I'm hit with a sharp spike from the headache. Squeezing my eyes shut, arms wrap around me tighter. Pulling me closer to the person. Opening my eyes again, slower this time.

I look up, finding Baby already lazily staring back at me. A gentle smile on his lips. "Hello, darling," his voice deep from sleep.

"Hi..." I melt back into him. Snuggling my face back into his chest. Wrapping my right arm around him, grabbing hold of him tightly. The room stays silent for a while, apart from our soft breathing.

"Wait," I mumble, my eyes opening once me. "I'm alive...?"

"I guess we are," Baby agrees. A flash of him not being able to make it to me in time has chills running down my spine.

"But..." I'm so confused. "But how?" I don't remember anything of what happened after I closed my eyes when the blast got too much. "How long have we been asleep for?"

"I don't know, but it could have been longer had you not punched me," he smirks teasingly, making me pout. He kisses it away, his hands finding my waist, tickling me.

Laughter filling the room, headache gone with the wind.

"What is going on!?" the door to the room gets thrown open. Smashing against the wall. Startling us, our gazes turning to said door.

There we find, Rumi, Jinu, Zoey & Mira, Mystery, Romance and Abby close behind them.

"You're awake!" Zoey scream, rushing over to what I now realize is old my bed at the Huntrix apartment. Pulling me from Baby, she hugs me tight, Rumi and Mira not far behind. Engulfed in a hug of the people I love the most. Well, besides Baby of course.

"You guys," my voice muffled by Rumi's hoodie. "I need to actually breathe," I chuckle when they actually give me some room. "What happened?"

"Later, first food," Mira says, pulling out of bed. Had they put my pajamas on me? I wonder as I stare down at my llama pants. The men in the room just chuckle, including Baby. He to gets out of bed, wearing his own set of pajamas. Not once I had ever seen before though. They matched mine too, only his were black and white, while mine were white and black.

Before I can ask anymore questioned we're being ushed out the room. Straight to the living room where I'm made to sit down. In an instant I'm being handed my flavor ramyeon. I don't question why they had it ready already. Baby taking a seat next to me, being handed a cup of my flavor ramyeon.

They all gather around us, just staring at up with grateful smiles which kinda creeps me out. But I let it slide for a second when I notice Zoey sitting close to Mystery. My eyes shooting to Mira, happy to find her as she takes a seat between Abby and Romance.

"... Okay, now tell us what happened," I demand as we eat slowly. Wanting them to stop gawking at us.

It's a story told like a disoriented bird. It goes left, right, up down, never straight. But it's nice to hear them talking. I sink against Baby.

Listen to them explain how they all thought we were dead, pointing at both Baby and me. Relieved when they found a pulse on both of us. "Going to a hospital wasn't gonna do anything," Zoey rambles, shaking her hand dismissively. "So we brought you here."

"And we waited," Mira adds.

"And waited," Rumi adds, grinning.

"And totally did not prepare two ramyeon for you everyday in anticipation or anything," Zoey continues. Making my eyes widen. Turning my head I look at our kitchen. Stacks upon stacks of opened, hopefully empty, ramyeon cups stood on the counter.

"Oh don't worry, thats only like, idk 50 cups," Jinu shrugs.

"What!? We were OUT for 25 days!?"

"Uhm..." Rumi, Mira and Zoey both count on their fingers. "No, 26 days," they say casually, pointing at the cups we were currently holding.

"Wha-" I look at Baby whose eyes are just as wide as mine.

"We knew you two would be fine," Romance says, shrugging his shoulders. "The fact that you two sealed your mating bond protected you."

"You can feel each others pain, yes," Jinu continues. "But you also take. So while yes, you took the full blast of it. Baby over here, took half if away from you."

"That saved you from it being a lethal blow," Mystery finishes. "It just took a while to recover," he smiles sweetly.

"Okay, wow," is all I can think to say. Leaning forward to put the now empty Ramyeon on the coffee table, taking Baby's before he can protest. "But I'm still confused, did we ... win?"

"Yes," Mira chuckles. "You actually sung with is, do you not remember that?"

"No, I don't remember anything that happened after I closed my eyes. and thought I would die," Baby sat cross legged. So I swiftly placed my self between his legs. Instantly his arms wrap around my shoulders. Pecking the top of my head, lingering.

"It was so cool!" Zoey goes off. "You turned like fully iridescent! It was blinding! But that is what let us defeat Gwi ma."

"Okay, one more question," I state. "Is everything good, are we good? Did you guys tell them...?" instantly Zoey blushes and Mira turns surprisingly red. A rare sight.

"Yes, we are mated," Mystery smiles lovingly at Zoey, who turns to him. Pecking his lips sweetly.

"Us, too," Abby smirks. "We managed to tie this beauty down," he says squeezing Mira's waist who sends him a playful glare. Romance chuckling and pecking her cheek.

The end!

[dontshootmespence]

A Whole New Meaning

Pairing: Non-enhanced Bob x Reader

Summary: After a long day at the art studio, Bob returns home to find a surprise from his wife.

Author’s Note: This has been rolling around in my head for days. In this world, Bob is a regular guy with similar traumas to Thunderbolts, but no super serum. Also, Bob is a bit of a dippy himbo in this, but we love him for it. This will definitely have some follow-ups, but if you have something you'd like me to cover, leave me an ask! 

Warnings: Bob being a himbo for a second, COVID mention, fingering, cunnilingus, unprotected p in v.

Word Count: 1664

—--

The inky black and blue of the night sky washed over the neighborhood as Bob parked the car in the driveway, stars guiding him home. Moonlight bathed the front door in a hazy sheen, welcoming him back after a long day. Although his head was buzzing with all the things he needed to do tomorrow, he took a deep breath and grabbed the door knob, the touch of cool metal bringing his head back to where he needed and wanted it to be.

On you. The scent of citrus on your skin. The sound of your laughter when he cracked a joke. The soft give of your body underneath his touch. 

As he stepped inside the house, the thick, warm scent of Indian spices hit his nostrils, and the chill of the night slipped away. He inhaled the scent, smiling. Before he could close the door, you ran up to him and wrapped your arms around him like you hadn’t seen him in weeks.

“H-Hey,” he laughed, groaning when you pulled him in for a kiss that grounded him back in reality and what really mattered. “What was that for?”

“I missed you,” you replied, kissing the corner of his mouth as he smiled. Your kisses tasted like sunshine. 

Bob chuckled and leaned down to kiss you again, his index finger resting underneath your chin. “You saw me this morning.”

For a moment, the two of you got lost in each other, hands roaming over each other’s bodies like you were discovering something new, something pure. “Still,” you replied. “I always miss you when you’re gone. Doesn’t matter for how long.” He felt so lucky. 

Bob stepped back and drank you in. You were wearing his favorite dress on you and he hadn’t even noticed until now. “What’s this for?” He laughed, grabbing you and pulling you close again, fluid, like a dance. He nuzzled his head into your neck, lips ghosting over the curve of your shoulder. “The dress? Dinner?”

“That’s not all,” you said, smiling as you clutched both his hands and brought him into the kitchen. “I took off today so I could do this for you.”

Glancing around, Bob drank in the picture before him. You’d set the table with your wedding china and lit candles, soft and flickering in the dim light of the room. On the stove was his favorite meal, the first meal you’d ever made him, and in the refrigerator was the cake he’d obsessed over since he found it at a local bakery a few years ago. “Why’d you do all this?”

“Because I love you, silly.”

You’d been married for two years at this point, but he never tired of hearing you say you loved him. Never tired of the warmth that flooded through him. 

Sighing happily, Bob hugged you and placed a kiss on your forehead, hands curling into the back of your hair. “I love you, too. So damn much it hurts sometimes.” He combed his hands through your hair and sank into another searing kiss that had you both wondering whether or not to postpone dinner.

You pulled away, grazing your teeth over his bottom lip. You could stay like this forever, just vacillating back and forth in his arms. Forever wouldn’t be enough. “I’ve got one more surprise for you,” you whispered. “It’s on the bathroom counter.”

His eyebrows knit in confusion, but he began walking toward the bathroom, his hand slipping from yours.

From across the house, you heard him call out. “Are these COVID tests?” He asked, shocked. “Babe, you know I have to go to work tomorrow. Why would you kiss me?”

When he returned from the bathroom, he was met with you in a fit of giggles. 

“These are positive. Are you feeling okay?” He quickly stepped toward you and put the back of his hand on your head. “You’re not warm or anything. Why are you laughing?” He chuckled, confused as hell. 

“Look at the tests again, baby,” you breathed. Your smile fell as he took a second look at the tests in his hand. “I don’t have COVID.”

For a few moments, he stared at the tests before it finally clicked, his mouth dropping open and eyes wide with awe and maybe a little bit of panic.  “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes,” you laughed, gathering your hands to your face.

Bob punched the air with both fists. “You’re pregnant?! I’m gonna be a dad! Seriously?”

You lost yourself in a fit of laughter as Bob ran around the living room. He was bursting with too much energy and nowhere to put it. He essentially had the zoomies. “You’re gonna be a dad,” you replied, holding out your hand to him. “The best dad.”

He dropped to his knees in front of you and placed his hand on your stomach. “And you’re gonna be the mom,” he said, reverence filling his voice. You were his everything before. But now? Everything took on a whole new meaning. Resting his head against you, he continued, “You’re going to be the best mom in the world.”

When you tipped his head up to meet your gaze, he had tears in his eyes. “I’m so fucking happy,” he cried.

Standing up, he cradled you in his arms, peppering your face with kisses like his life depended on it. “I love you,” he breathed, his hands roaming down your sides and coming to rest on your hips. The hips that would help cradle his baby. 

Then a smirk bloomed on his face. “You think maybe we can put dinner off for a little bit?” He asked with a shy smile, his fingers slipping over the soft fabric of your dress.

You gave him a quick peck on the lips before running to the kitchen to turn off the stove. Bob cackled as you ran back and jumped into his arms, wrapping your legs around his waist. He carried you down the familiar hallway to your bedroom and plopped you on the comforter. “I can’t believe we’re gonna have a baby,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to your clothed stomach. 

Bob reached down to your ankle, his fingers grazing over the cool expanse of your skin like it was the first time he’d ever touched you. As he hit the hem of your dress, his breath hitched, his skin heating to the point of it being unberable. He rucked your dress up and saw you wet for him already, your panties damp with the evidence of your arousal.

As he kneeled on the floor in front of the bed, he wrapped his arms around your thighs and pulled you close, reveling in the small, almost silent moan that fell from your lips.

You whispered into the room, so full of memories and life. “Bob, please.”

That was all he needed to hear. With two fingers, he pulled your panties down and around your ankles before taking them off completely and throwing them behind him. “I’ve got you, baby.” He licked at your pussy from back to front, groaning so hard at your tensing body that you felt it in your chest. “You taste so good.” 

“Need you,” you said, practically choking on your words. “Please.”

Bob’s fingers fluttered at your entrance, ghosting over you like smoke on the wind, barely touching you. “What do you need, baby? Talk to me.”

“Your mouth, your fingers. Need all of you.” Your entire body thrummed with need, your skin prickling under the heat of his touch.

As he sunk two fingers into your core, you groaned, arching up into the impossibly damp air of your bedroom. His touch was like fire. Slowly, he moved his fingers in and out, pulling moans from you before he brought his mouth to your clit. “You look so beautiful when you’re needy,” he laughed, the feeling rolling through you. “Sound like heaven.”

His tongue rolled over your clit in waves. Each swipe over your aching core coaxed him forward, like a man starved. “Come for me, honey,” he said, his fingers sliding over that sweet spot inside you. With a few quick taps of his fingers, you came with a cry into his waiting mouth. You were always beautiful, but now, pregnant with his baby and coming under his touch, he couldn’t handle it. “Need to fuck you, baby,” he breathed. 

When he stood, Bob slipped your silk dress over your head and threw it to the side before quickly removing his own clothes. He slipped inside you like it was where he was meant to be, groaning at the feel of your walls clenching around him. “Fffuck. Baby, you feel so good.”

You wrapped your legs around his waist and pulled him in close, reaching up to bring him down on top of you. You needed to feel the weight of him as he fucked into you. Whining, you scratched your fingers down his back. He pumped into you harder and placed his hand on your lower stomach. “Can you feel me, baby? How hard and desperate I am for you?”

“Y-y-yes,” you moaned, struggling to get your words out. “Don’t stop, p-please!”

Bob licked and kissed at your neck, lips roaming over soft skin. A coil tightened in your stomach, your release just on the horizon. “Gonna come, baby. Come with me.”

Grunting and rutting into you, he reached between your bodies and tapped at your clit, watching as your mouth dropped open and a cry left your lips. Watching you come undone beneath him put him over the edge. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

As you both came down, breaths steadying into normalcy, Bob pulled himself from you and came to rest with his head on your stomach. “Hi, baby,” he whispered, kissing your stomach. 

Smiling, you snaked your hand through his hair. “Do you want a boy or a girl?”

“Either. Both. Doesn’t matter.” He kept caressing your stomach. “Just can’t wait to watch this all unfold.”

[sanotymanjiro]

𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⋆꙳❅‧ ‧❆ ₊⋆

𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙣𝙖 𝙠𝙪𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙖𝙬𝙖

𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩

fluff, soft, set in whatever timeline the reader wants, high school izana, longing, orphanage, some swearing, yuzuha + senju + emma are not related to other tr character in this fic and are simply just y/n's friends

❄️ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

izana: wanna watch the first snow together?

the pinky promise you made that day was just that, a childish hope, a dream. izana left the orphanage not too long after and when the first snow did come, you watched it alone. now, five years later, christmas was approaching and so your new mum had sent you out on an errand as usual to buy some ingredients she was missing. you were a good daughter and she always told you that ever since she first adopted you, but as the adopted, you never really received the same kind of attention their biological daughter did and more was expected than you than it was from her.

buzz.

you sigh, already flinging your finger along the screen of your phone to check the message and as expected they were from your friends, yet again.

senju: y/n there's this guy that wants to meet you!

y/n: girls c’mon now. i told you im not interesteddddd

yuzuha: uh uh no thank u girl, no more of this ‘single every christmas’ streak of yours get a grip! you’re pretty af so find a man!

y/n: not funny. i don't need a man tho, senju can have him

emma: y/n!! he's top of his class, taekwondo star and a total hottie. you cant say no this time he even dyed his hair white, thats the type you like right?

your fingers hovered over the keyboard. they really did you dirty with that one. you had gotten drunk one time when you went out with them and ended up rambling on about your longing for izana despite it being 4 years already, you were still a mess. you couldn’t help it with the way that boy treated you, as if you were his soulmate. after tripping and cutting your knee the orphanage doctor had told you that it was no big deal and refused to give you a plaster but you had bawled your eyes out in the dorms later and izana was the only one who knew the real reason — you just wanted the hello kitty patterned plaster. to your shock and utter joy he had stolen it that same day and snuck into your dorm at night, gentle chubby fingers holding onto yours as he led you to sit on the edge of your bed, kneeling down on one knee and applying the plaster to your leg with care, before patting you on the head and giving you that toothy grin.

izana: don’t forget to wear your trousers tomorrow, we wouldn’t want the staff to find out, its our secret, ‘kay?

you remember the small nod you gave after kurokawa had absolutely stolen your heart that day and continued to do so afterward, sliding some extra strawberries into your plate at dessert, reserving your favourite toy away from the other kids if he got to the playground first, sending kakucho whenever he wouldn’t be able to be there to help you out and last but not least, the small matching pokemon keyrings he had bought for you on his outings with shinichiro. your heart shattered the day izana left, especially since he had made a promise, a promise to watch the first snow with you, but then left without a word. 

you lock your phone and slide it back into your pocket deciding to argue with your friends later, it was too cold to be texting anyway. slipping on your gloves you trudged the rest of the way to the supermarket. you let out a small sigh as the warmth of the shop envelopes you and spend half an hour or so shopping for the things your mum wanted, before walking back home.

you loved the park that you would walk through on the way home so taking it now was not unusual for you despite the freezing wind sabotaging your face, you had come here through worse weather honestly. plastic bag swinging between your two fingers as you strolled puffing out warm breaths colliding with the cold air producing clouds of white. you remember when izana and kakucho would prank you saying that they had smoked before and that how they can do it while you couldn't but after trying for hours on end they finally took pity on you and admitted to their lies. two gloved, warm hands had cupped your pink cheeks, shielding them from the biting cold and majestic lilac eyes peered into your own, filled with warmth and tinged with that slight crazed look izana always had, the look you loved.

at first it was just a gut feeling, then the feeling of a pair of eyes bouncing along with your figure, lilac eyes. the first snow. petals of frozen white fluttering toward the ground, coating every surface in their way, spiralling with the slight breeze hoarding them into different streams. at first all you could do was stare and izana did the same before finally rising from the mahogany bench, light footsteps closing the distance between you, then a soft, soothing voice, his voice invaded your ears triggering that warm bubbly feeling of nostalgia.

izana: i kept my promise, mahal

y/n: ...what does that even mean?

a soft chuckle escapes him before he can stop it then those same warm gloved hands which were once so small rest against your cheekbones once more.

izana: means you're freezing.

that gentle smile, slow but not quite lazy strokes of his eyelids and the lilac orbs illuminated by something much softer than either of you could place, hair as white as the snow itself, it all reminded you of your days at the orphanage and suddenly you were 10 years old again and rosy in the face over him, the ice king. tears bubbled along the rim of your eye and a strange longing tinged with something else flooded your chest.

y/n: you...better have a good excuse for being this late.

izana, after mock thinking for a moment: i do, but right now you're crying.

y/n: it's the wind. now what's the grand excuse?

izana's finger drifted toward the trail of salty water left behind on your cheek as if it was second nature, that gentle smile never wavering.

izana: i told you, i'd see you on the first snow.

y/n: five years later?

izana, ignoring your retort: do you know what it means?

y/n: what what means..?

izana: it means love, you watch the first snow with someone you love.

you hadn't realised it till now but ever since you locked eyes with him it feels as though you haven't been breathing at all, izana kurokawa had returned to steal your heart once more and this time, your breath too.

izana, voice soft as silk now, genuine, fingers tracing patterns into your jaw: sorry y/n, for being so late. i bought it now, the thing i needed, now that i have it we can watch the first snow together.

the bench was coated in snow but for some reason as izana guided you to sit, threading a small silver ring with a heart in the centre through your finger before intertwining his with your own and settling beside you, it didn't feel the least bit cold, not with izana's arms cocooning you in their warm embrace, not with his gaze fixated on your features, as if staring at you long enough will make up for five years apart but he could never know until he tried.

y/n: i remember now, what i used to call you back then.

izana: whats that?

y/n: ice king.

soft laughter rippled from his chest as he leaned his chin to rest on your head.

izana: you really were cute, mahal

2025 @sanotymanjiro

tags (for everyone who enjoyed bubble baths and my other fics): @dolledupformanjiro | @tetsuyuuuuuuu | @artsjiwoo | @mikeysgf1 | @natsumis-stuff | @katsukisat0 | @dancingnewcat | @whyme287 | @destinyfleur | @banana-revenge | @bebacebe | @mikeys-therapy | @peensas | @afterunigoths | @skr1mps | @beetusbritt | @dollrndo | @yourbabydolllll | @cherry-blossom5 | @idk-what-myurl-shouldbe and anyone else!

lemme know in the comments if you wanna be on the taglist for these types of fics!

[chaosherald]

Word With Friends

(Started by @hedwigoprah, hosted by @notyourmamasdeerbat. Thank you @jukkaricity for the tag! No pressure tags for @davrinsleftpectoral @blackwall-my-tiny-husband @dags-over-caravans @kabsey)

The word this week is "Balter" -to dance or tread clumsily, without particular grace or skill.

(You guys. You guys. I have things I'm supposed to be doing. Work for a summer class. Packing for vacation. The next part of the serial for tomorrow. But noooo - Lucanis and Rook and pre-relationship 'what are feelings?' nonsense demanded 2k words so here we are 😂 Some of my favorite lines/moments I've written in while though so, can't be too mad.

Lucanis is exhausted. Spite is a music lover. Feelings are felt but damned if the parties involved can make any sense of them.)

Lucanis jerked awake, fighting through the weighty haze of fatigue and clinging to the startled panicked potential of losing control to stay that way. The candles didn’t look any different. Spite - at least, the projection of the demon he was currently seeing - was by the warded pantry door, ear pressed against the wood and seemingly ignoring his missed chance to take over. Music, a lute or something similar, sounded from the dining hall, faltering and restarting and faltering again before being replaced by the murmur of voices.

The demon turned to glare at Lucanis. “Why does the sound break? Fix it.”

Pulling himself to his feet, Lucanis didn’t answer the thing in his head. He did however move towards the door. Whatever had Spite’s interest was outside their room, but so was the coffee and with the way he was feeling right now, he desperately needed more coffee.

Opening the door, Spite metaphorically right on his heels, Lucanis took stock of the space. Rook was perched on the table, an elven lute resting in her lap. Davrin was leaning over the narrow top of the instrument, several of his woodworking tools spread out on the table. He appeared to be attempting some kind of repair. Bellara leaned over Davrin’s shoulder, holding a mage light in her hand, presumably to illuminate whatever Davrin was working on. Harding sat in one of the chairs nearby, fletching supplies currently being ignored in favor of also watching whatever was happening with the others.

“I’m going to be sad if this doesn’t work, Rook,” Harding was saying. “You made us drag that thing all around Thedas and it managed to stay in one piece. For it to die now…”

“It’s mostly fine,” Rook answered, though Lucanis could hear the tension in her voice as he grabbed his coffee beans from the shelf. She didn’t really mean what she was saying. “It's just the one tuning peg. If Davrin can keep it from slipping…”

“It’ll be a temporary fix, Rook. If it works,” Davrin said.

“Oh, it will work, I’m mostly sure about that,” Bellara said. “But yeah, probably not going to hold forever.”

Spite mentally prodded Lucanis. “Rook made the sound. Tell her to make it again.”

Trying to focus on weighing out his beans, Lucanis shook his head slightly. 

Rook glanced over her shoulder, smiling when she caught his eye. She tried not to make it obvious that she was scanning the area around him. She couldn’t see or hear Spite, but she could sense him.

Spite knew that too. He walked through the table until he was practically nose to nose with Rook. “Tell. Her.”

Rook closed her eyes, tilting her head down, probably still trying to make sense of whatever she sensed from Spite. “I hope we weren’t being too noisy out here.”

It took Lucanis a moment to realize she was talking to him. “No, it's fine.”

“Spite is right here, isn’t he? Does he want something?”

Lucanis sighed, pointedly not looking at the demon's smug expression painted on the copy of his face. “He is curious about the music.”

“Well,” Davrin said, stepping back and eyeing Rook’s instrument. “He might be in luck.”

Harding gasped. “You fixed it?”

Bellara grinned. “We did! Hopefully. Rook, play something! We need to test it!”

Rook was fiddling with the small circular pieces of wood sticking out of the narrow top, checking the sound each string made. She seemed pleased by whatever Davrin and Bellara had done. “Any requests? Though remember I’m kind of awful at this.”

Davrin chuckled. “Right. One of the few things you brought with you when you left Nevarra and you’re ‘kind of awful?’” Davrin glanced at Bellara, then looked back at Rook. “Know any Dalish songs?”

“No,” Rook deadpanned. “The vallaslin came with the ears.” She started playing. 

The tune was upbeat, catchy. There was something different about the melody, something about how the pitches were ordered that set it apart from the music he had grown up with, but the sense of movement and dance came through clearly. Lucanis found himself nodding to the beat as he finished brewing his coffee. Spite was entranced, circling around Rook and staring at her fingers as they moved on the strings.

Bellara was dancing. Formulaic and graceful, clearly something she had some practice with. She tried to get Davrin to join her, but he shook his head and backed away, putting a chair between him and her. 

Undeterred, Bellara laughed and pulled Harding to her feet. The Scout was enthusiastic, but not skilled, baltering around as she tried to copy Bellara’s steps.

Lucanis sipped his coffee, leaning against the counter and stifling a yawn. At least the demon was occupied. And while Rook clearly wasn’t a professional musician, she wasn’t bad. The music was nice, the company not unwelcome, and if he made another cup or several maybe he would make it through the night without risking Spite taking over.

The song ended and Harding requested a Ferelden tavern song. She sang loudly while Rook played, Bellara joining her on the refrain.

Lucanis let his eyes close, focusing on the warmth and smell of his drink. Maker, he was tired. 

The tavern song ended. Lucanis half listened as Davrin asked Harding about the song. Something about the innuendo in the verses.

He could hear Rook plucking quietly at the strings, but in a listless, indistinct manner. He could also sense Spite starting to get agitated. Gripping his cup a little tighter, Lucanis opened his eyes and saw the demon glaring at him. He considered asking Rook to keep playing. Mortifying as it would be to impose, it would be well worth it to gain a few more moments of peace. However, before he mustered the energy to ask, Rook started a new song of her own volition.

And - oh. He knew this one. Every child in Antiva knew this one. A lament, about a love lost at sea, the kind of thing that Trovatori brought out when they wanted their audience nostalgic and teary-eyed.

Then Rook started singing and Lucanis forgot to breathe.

Her voice was lovely. Her Antivan was rough, but she could sing absolute nonsense and Lucanis was pretty sure he would still be content to listen. More than content to listen.

Spite had darted back over to Rook, but was watching Lucanis intently. Lucanis ignored him and his coffee. He was definitely staring, but everyone else was focused on Rook and Rook was focused on her song. Spite was the only one in a position to notice and trying to hide from Spite was futile anyway, so he allowed himself the indulgence.

It occurred to him that she had probably chosen this song for his benefit. A Dalish dance for the elves, the Ferelden song for the scout, and now an Antivan lament for him. He wasn't sure how to feel about that.

The song circled to a close and it felt like a loss. Rook wasn't looking at him, smiling wryly at the floor, like she was embarrassed. “I hope I didn't botch too many of the words.”

He should say something reassuring, but Spite was at his shoulder now, doing the incorporeal equivalent of breathing down his neck and he wasn’t sure what to say.

Bellara sighed. “Oh, that one was really pretty.”

“Antivan, right?” asked Harding, looking over at Lucanis. “What's it about?”

Spite hissed in his ear. “She sang. For you. I want a song.”

Lucanis resisted putting his head in his hands or taking a swing at the demon. That would just be embarrassing for both of them. He forced himself to answer. “The singer is negotiating with the sea to bring their lover home,” he said. “I'll give you my silks. I'll give you my gold. I'll give you my jewels. The sea refuses, says I have already taken your heart, there is nothing of greater worth you can offer.”

“Oh, that’s really sad,” Bellara said.

“Very Antivan though,” said Davrin. “Everything is a business transaction.”

Spite was still carrying on, pushing for control, his voice in Lucanis’ ear and head. “Tell her. She has to sing for me too. I want to touch the sounds. They vibrate in ratios. I want to hear more of them.”

Lucanis snapped. “Enough, Spite.”

Rook was looking at him now, embarrassment replaced with concern. “What is Spite doing?”

Shouting in his ear, is what he was doing. “Spite liked that one,” Lucanis said instead.

Rook didn’t look less concerned. “Lucanis…”

His first instinct was to deflect. He was fine. He would deal with it. But his coffee was rapidly cooling and his temper was frayed and lying to Rook seemed a poor way to thank her for singing something from home. “He would like to hear more. And to touch the strings, I think. He says it is his turn for a song.”

Rook smiled slowly, tilting her head to the side. “That’s only fair. Hey, Spite? I will make you a deal.”

Spite was practically buzzing, wholly focused on Rook. The others were also watching, with varying degrees of curiosity and suspicion on their faces.

“Let Lucanis sleep tonight and I’ll stay up and play for you. Or you can touch the strings on the lute. Whichever you’d like.”

Spite pushed to the front, speaking with Lucanis’ voice. “And sing. We have. A deal.”

“Yes, just - quietly. So Lucanis can actually sleep.”

Davrin spoke up. “Rook, are you sure about this?”

Rook carefully put her instrument down and slid off the table, stretching her arms over her head. “Wisps and spirits were my primary audience in the Necropolis. Though.” She turned to look at Lucanis. “Are you alright with it? I should have asked first, but - “

“But you look awful and you need to sleep,” Harding said. Bellara nodded in agreement, shrugging apologetically.

Lucanis looked at what was left in the cup. Spite was quiet, finally. Giving him space so he could do his part to facilitate his deal with Rook. “You shouldn’t have to lose sleep over this.”

“I don’t mind.”

Lucanis walked over to the washbasin and emptied the rest of his drink. She was probably telling the truth, though she should mind. Part of him minded. He wasn’t sure if he was disgruntled over the negotiations happening without his input, upset that he would be inconveniencing Rook, or unhappy that Spite would be spending time with her while he was unconscious. All of the above, probably.

He was too tired to try and make sense of it or fight against it.

And he trusted Rook, in spite of the voice in his head that sounded like Caterina warning him not to. Something else he didn't have the energy to think too hard on right now. 

“I’ll sleep on the couch, out here,” he said. That seemed safe enough. It meant Davrin or someone else could keep an eye on things and Rook wouldn't be locked up in his room with a demon.

Rook nodded, picking up her lute and moving towards the plush chairs against the wall. “I'll stay close. And make sure Spite doesn't wander off.”

“He won't. He accepted your deal. He’ll honor it.”

It was awkward, publicly putting himself to bed in the dining room, so his sort of client sort of friend could serenade the demon trapped in his skin. Lucanis made minimal concessions to comfort, taking off his boots and jewelry and most of his daggers, leaving the rest of his clothing untouched. No one was paying him any particular mind which made it slightly easier. Harding was quietly showing Bellara how she fletched her arrows while Bellara made excited suggestions for mostly explosive enhancements to the projectiles. Davrin excused himself to check on Assan, but made a point of letting Rook know he'd be back.

And Rook seemed distant. Far away. Curled up in the armchair, tapping a rhythm on the side of her lute, and staring at nothing in particular.

Once he was settled, he found himself speaking before he had fully processed his intentions. “Rook.”

She looked over at him. 

He wanted to tell her she didn't have to do this. Spite would be a nightmare, but that was nothing new. He wanted to ask what she was thinking, when her eyes looked at nothing and she shrank into herself. He wanted to tell her how much he enjoyed the song she had played for him.

He was also getting very good at disappointing himself. “You…if you need a luthier, to fix your instrument or make you a new one, there are some excellent options in Treviso.”

Rook let out a small, breathy laugh. “I'll keep that in mind.”

Closing his eyes, he grimaced to himself. No, he was better than that. “Earlier, the song you sang? It was beautifully done.”

Rook didn't say anything right away, though he heard her shift on the chair. Her voice was quiet when she finally spoke. “I wasn't joking before, about mostly playing for spirits and wisps. I don't usually play for actual people.”

“You should.”

Rook didn't say anything else, but she started playing again, singing softly. Another song from Antiva. A long journey. Stars on a dark night. Walking the road towards home.

It didn’t take long for Lucanis to fall asleep.

[salmoninnit]

Wish You Stayed

ex!satoru gojo x reader x crush?!choso kamo pt. 1 - pt. 2

The sound of your phone buzzing awoke you from your sleep, with a groan you reach for it and open your eyes slightly. 

Satoru: Morning, you fell asleep in the car and wouldn’t wake up. I brought you upstairs and made sure to lock up before leaving. I left some alka-seltzer pills that are on your bedside table. Feel better

Same old Satoru as he was before, caring and considerate towards you even after not speaking for years. A part of you wanted to see this as a good thing but another part felt like you can’t just go back. People change in 3 years, you’ve changed in 3 years.

Nothing ever can be the same, it can only get better or worse. 

A part of you from last night wanted to see how things played out with Choso while another part of you wanted to run back to Satoru. 

You: morning, thank you for bringing me up and for the tablets. my head is pounding

He instantly replied to your message.

Satoru: Yea of course, need anything else to feel better?

You bit your lip, you wanted to ask for something just to see him. But you knew better to do that to yourself. Him being here, taking care of you? It was asking to become putty in his hands and with how shitty you feel, it’d work and rewire everything. 

You: no ill be fine! thank you for offering :) Satoru: Okay, just let me know if you do

You thumbs up the message and toss your phone on the bed. It was 10 am and thankfully you didn’t have plans. You reluctantly got up and grabbed the tablets he left for you. Letting them sizzle in the water as you go to the bathroom. 

Splashing water in your face after you freshened up felt like falling into a cold pool. You shivered as you patted your face dry. Heading back to your room you drank the water. Feeling a little less groggy as you climbed back into bed. Playing some random youtube video and laying down. 

You don’t know how long it took but you were again awoken by a buzzing from your phone. Sighing you flip it over and see it’s 2 pm and the buzzing was now a text from a random number. 

xxx-xxx-xxxx: hey it’s Choso. did you make it home safe last night? 

A flutter appeared in your stomach as you smiled. Adding his contact and replying back. 

You: hey! yea i did, a friend dropped me off. i drank so much, im suffering the consequences of my own actions Choso: i’m glad to hear you made it safe. how much did you end up drinking for you to feel that bad?  You: i lost count after my fourth round of shots and 3 drinks deep tbh Choso: one hell of a reunion for you and your friends huh?

You giggled as you tried to recount how many drinks you actually had. Kento’s beer, a mojito, two drinks with Choso, 2 shots, another mojito, another shot, another mojito, and maybe 3 other shots? No way you drank that much, your bank account shall suffer and you shall not check it. 

You: yea it was. i’ve seen most of them except one throughout these past three years and so this was the first time we were all together since highschool Choso: that’s nice, im glad you had fun. I had fun with you last night 

You feel your cheeks warm as you giggle. It really was nice talking to him, it was easy and he was kind but also intimidating. He was tall and built, probably not as tall as Suguru or Satoru. But his build definitely matched similar to theirs. 

You: i did too, would definitely take you up on that date you mentioned :P Choso: are you available tomorrow? 5 pm?  You: yea! what is the setting? how should i dress? Choso: anything you want, you’ll be pretty and fit in anywhere i have planned :) You: okay then, i’ll see you then :)

He hearts your message and you send your address to him. 

Either that alka-seltzer put in the work or the idea of a date with Choso made you feel so much better. 

You sigh as you look up at the ceiling, this was just the start of whatever will be your next few months of whatever the fuck is happening with Satoru and Choso. After 3 years of nothing romantic, all of a sudden two men appear. Even though Satoru hasn’t explicitly said he wants you (you saw him once, maybe you are a bit delusional), there was a feeling in your gut that said he does. The stares, the way he talks a bit quieter when he speaks to you, and the way he just is the old him when you were together. Less brash and nowhere near as affectionate (for obvious reasons), he still looked at you the same way he did before. 

You don’t know if he ever stopped looking at you that way, even when breaking up. Yea it was on mutual terms but the look in his eyes as you agreed to it, held every emotion he still carried for you. 

And he still carried that look in his eyes 3 years later. 

A part of you yearned for it, wish you spoke to him sooner. But you didn’t dare to reach out and neither did he. So what was the point? Still being in love with your high school sweetheart, mutual affection both ways but at the same time, you both loved old versions of each other. 

What if we changed so drastically and once found out, it wasn’t there? Would there be a point in bringing up old emotions from a previous time? From previous versions of you?

You didn’t know and didn’t want to think about it much longer.

So you let the day move on, eating and resting. The alcohol killed you but at least you hadn’t thrown up. Pretty sure the alka-seltzer really did work overtime for you. 

Lounging on your couch at 8 pm, playing a tv show and laying on your side. A knock on your door echoed through the apartment as you lowered the volume of the tv. You made your way to the door and looked through the peephole. On the other side stood Satoru, wearing a hoodie with digimon character and jeans. Your heart did a small flip as you opened the door. 

“Hey”, you said with a smile. 

“Hey, sorry for showing up like this. Wasn’t sure if you had eaten and was in the area. So I got you your favorite - or old favorite pho”, Satoru said as he held up a bag from your favorite spot. 

“It’s okay, thank you. Come in”, you say as you move aside for him to walk in. He takes off his shoes and makes his way to the table. He starts taking out the pho containers and setting them up, then he sits casually in the chair just like he used to before, like it was second nature for him.  

You shut the door and make your way to the fridge, grabbing two sodas, one coke and one dr pepper. Proceeding to the table as you sat across from him, placing the coke in front of him and grabbing your portion of the food. 

“I got you the same as before, hope you didn’t switch that”, he laughed as he opened his container. Popping the top part out and dumping it onto the noodles. Then filling the container with broth. You followed suit and let the noodles soften. 

“You know you didn’t have to do this right?”, you say as you look at him. He’s adorning a smile and now you take notice he isn’t wearing his glasses. His eyes are set on you and speaking a million words. 

“I know but it felt like a nice thing to do, plus I haven’t seen you in ages. Thought it’d be nice to just hang out”, he says as he looks down at his soup. Satoru had debated this for hours since the morning. He was hoping you’d tell him you need something, he would’ve done it in a heartbeat to see you again. Even though he doesn’t feel like he has that right anymore, he was willing to do anything to make it be his right again. 

“This is nice, I honestly was craving this after my shitty excuse for food earlier. Made a burnt grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup from a can”, you laugh as you stir your noodles around, breaking them from their mold of a circle. 

“You could’ve asked, I told you just to let me know”, he says softly as he mimics your actions with the soup. He cracks open his drink and takes a sip from it. “Still remember my likes, like I remember yours”.

“Well hard to forget when we ate and drank much of the same things back then”, you laugh and start eating your pho. 

“Fair enough, it’s like it’s embedded into my brain”, Satoru says as he starts eating. 

You fell into a silence of eating and the only thing being heard was the tv and you two eating. It felt domestic, it felt like it did before. The time changed and yet you’re still here, sitting across each other in the same way, eating the same foods you two would get, and being comfortable with each other. 

As you were finishing your pho, your phone rang on the table. You glanced at it and saw Choso’s name at the top. You inhaled and grabbed it quickly. 

“Sorry I’ll be right back”, you say as you get up and make your way to your room. 

“Hey!”, you exclaim as you make your way into your room. 

Satoru’s ears perked up at how happy you sounded. He had seen the name on your phone and by your reaction, it had to be the guy from last night. With a small groan he threw his head back. Competition wasn’t new for him, he’s always been competitive and good - no great - at everything he did. But he had never dealt with competition when it came to you. 

Having met on your first days of highschool, you two were both nerds. Relating on interests and hobbies, staying up waiting on drop dates for games or going out and buying ridiculous anime items. It was natural for you two to end up liking each other, even your friends saw it before you two did. They bet on how long it’d take for someone to make a move, it wasn’t until before the ending of freshman year that anything was said to one another. 

He confessed first like a lovesick puppy, he had seen you get hit on by some guy in another class. It was the first time he saw you blush at anyone other than him. He felt a sickening feeling in his stomach, at the thought of losing you, at the thought of you being with someone else.

And that’s when he realized he had liked you. He had rushed over to you and told you some lie to pull you away from the guy. He had dragged you outside to where you two would hangout after school with your friends but usually after they left, you two would linger there. 

“I need to tell you something”, he said nervously as he balled his hands into fists. 

“Okay what is it ‘Toru?”, you spoke lightly with a tilt of your head. Eyebrows furrowed as you stared up at him. 

“I-I like you. I don’t know how long I’ve liked you for and maybe it was the first time you smiled at me. O-Or when you gave me my keychain for my phone, or when you laughed at my joke the first week of class. Maybe I’ve liked you from the moment I got to know you. But I just know I like you. More than anyone else, more than my favorite digimon character”, he utters as he averts your gaze. 

You had stood there in awe, shock, and pure bliss. 

“Toru…I like you too. I didn’t think you’d like me back but looking back I might be a bit stupid from not realizing it”, you laugh as he shot his head back to look at you. You were looking down as he stared wide eyed. He didn’t think you’d reject him but at the same time he didn’t think you really did like him.

“Oh..I-I honestly don’t know why I didn’t think you’d like me too. Maybe we're both a little stupid here”, he laughs as he reaches for your hands, embracing them with both of his. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

You gaze up at him with a saccharine smile, eyes crinkling from how genuine it is. “Really?”

He scoffs and shakes his head, “Yes really stupid. I think if you don’t answer I’ll bury myself 6 feet under”.

“Okay, I’ll be your girlfriend Satoru”, you giggle as you pull your hands away from his and hug him. He reflexively wrapped his arms around you and picked you up with a spin. You laugh out and so does he. 

Shoko won the bet, she had said you’d two be together before the end of the school year. Kento and Yu had bet you’d get together by the beginning of the next semester. While Suguru thought it’s take another year for you two to even realize it by how stupid you both were to each others yearning. 

Satoru sighs as he replays the memory, he thinks about it far too often. Having replayed every detail from that day, the days before and after. His biggest regret was breaking up with you before college. You hadn’t grown apart, it was all the same but you both wanted to focus on college. He proposed the idea after seeing all the time he’d have with school and the family business, he didn’t find it fair to you to be unavailable constantly. It hurt him to even bring it up, to even think about it. 

But you understood, you wanted the both of you to be successful in your own ways. It crossed your mind but you never voiced it. When he brought it up, you wanted to say it’d be fine and you’d understand his time away. But you knew, it would ruin you two. The lack of seeing each other and affection you both couldn’t 100% show. Would make you two grow to resent it and resent each other for not trying harder. 

So you agreed. The no contact was to not be distracted, neither of you saw each other as distractions, but you both knew it’d turn into it. So there was no fighting, no lashing out; just acceptance. It killed you both and even 3 years later, after graduating and working, you both felt the same way for one another as you did then. 

Satoru tried to move on, tried to meet new people, tried to forget about you but everyone he met wasn't you. Everyone was shallow with no true personality, you were the only one he’d met that fit him like a puzzle. So he stopped trying, he’d get hit on but turn them down. 

Now watching you get excited over someone else was killing him. He wishes he’d come around sooner, yea you met this Choso guy last night but the way you had looked at him when you had talked to him in the bar, Satoru had only seen you look at him that way. 

He knew from Suguru that you hadn’t been with anyone else since him. He reveled in the fact that you hadn’t moved on from him.

As if you’d ever truly be able to move on from one another.

But this factor of running into someone who clicked with you like he once had, had him nervous. Had him on the brink of begging you to be with him. But he couldn’t.

It wouldn’t work, maybe before, back then it would’ve. But he can tell you changed, you’re not as you were before. Not lovesick for him like he was for you. 

He might be too late but that won’t stop him from trying. 

<<previous : next>>

so guess this is my first series on here, not sure if it'll be long or short but lets see how ill do

[billboard-hotties-tourney]

The Billboard Consolation Prizes: HSACT Edition

It's that time again! Let's honor those album covers that didn't win the ultimate prize of Hottest Shot by giving them the next-best thing: a square image I edited on Canva. Without further ado, let's hand out those awards!

Let's start with the "Stop, It's Already Dead" Award! Like before, this one goes out to the absolute most brutal loss in the tournament. Only at BHT Headquarters can you win by losing! Our winner is:

Love's Forever Changes! An amazing album--and a fantastic cover--but it was decidedly not hot enough to advance to Round Three, as it received only 4.9% of the votes, getting demolished by Donna Summer's Four Seasons of Love.

Next is an award that carries over from the first two big tournaments--the "What? Why??" Award! This award goes to the most bizarre interpretation of a sexy album cover. While it was admittedly self-selected, I don't think many can argue that the winner is deserving:

Congratulations to King Crimson's debut album! The talented Barry Godber would probably be wildly confused by its presence here, but hopefully a little tickled to see it in the running.

Next is The Artist Assassin Award! This one goes to the album cover that knocked out the most album covers from one other artist. The only one, it seems, that fit the bill was:

Momoe Yamaguchi's Dramatic! This cover took out both Carole King albums in Rounds One and Two, but was ultimately bested by semifinalist David Bowie.

Up next: The Failure to Launch Award. This award goes to the artist with the most nominees that all went down in Round One. The Failure to Launch Award actually had stiff competition this tournament, with three artists losing 3/3 of their nominees in the first round (three 3's, there's something to that, right?) To break the tie, I granted the award to the band that had the most submissions in the original form. As a HUGE fan of this band, this one hurts a little, but the winner is...

*sigh* The Beatles. I guess Paul McCartney's bare feet weren't enough to save them this time. (For those curious, the other two artists who lost all three of their submissions were Pink Floyd and Deep Purple.)

Let's move on t

Let's move on to The Spanish Inquisition Award! This one was voted on by you, the readers, and it goes to the album cover that nobody expected to go as far as it did. The winner here is:

The Man Who Sold the World! Gotta say, I agree with this one, but mainly because I didn't think this would be the Bowie album to do well. Either way, it seems that when you're face to face with The Man Who Sold the World, you're probably gonna lose.

Next is the Popular Kid Award! This one went to the album cover with the most nominations in the original submissions. The winner this time is:

Queen's Sheer Heart Attack with five nominations! Ultimately, it didn't do quite as well as the submissions would have me believe, since Down to Eartha killed it in Round Three.

Now, normally this is around the part where we announce the Robbed Icon Award, which is user-voted, but here's the thing...literally every single voter gave a different answer as to which album was the most robbed! So the real robbed icon is me--robbed of one result.

Finally, we have the Not Just a Pretty Cover Award. This one goes to the album cover that is best, not necessarily the hottest of the bunch. We ended up having a tie between two album covers, so I went to my Tiebreaker Council (my family.) They unanimously selected as the winner:

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars! Indeed, it's an iconic album cover (so much that I had to search the streets of London at night to find the exact spot where this photo was taken--and there are at least a couple of Ziggy Stardust-themed cafes nearby now.) But if you think the cover is great, you should hear the album!

Alright, folks, that's the end of the Billboard Consolation Prizes! Get ready for the finals tomorrow night at 8 PM PST.

[maeedrg]

UNTIL PANEM IS FREE

chapter 3

75th Hunger Games Finnick Odair x reader

ᯓ★

MASTERLIST of the series

ch1, ch2, currently reading chap 3

summary : you are thrown in the Arena with Finnick, but everything doesn’t go according to plan. Staying by his side, alive and safe, seems harder than you thought. Ladies and gentlemen, let the Seventy-fifth Hunger Games begin !

words count : 10k.

warnings : blood, murder, death, violence

_________________________________________________

The stage is in pure chaos. The lights go out, peacekeepers separate you and scream for Victors to go back to the training center. Finnick keeps his hand in yours as you panic, bringing you closer to him while everyone gets pushed away. You both, with Johanna, try to spot where Katniss and Peeta went. They are going inside an elevator. The moment you intend to follow them, peacekeepers block your way and you can only see them shooting upward alone. In defeat, you are brought to another elevator.

Once the doors open, Mags is in distress and joins the two of you. She explains that outside it's madness, and that everyone has been sent home. They canceled the recap of the interviews on television as well. When she is done explaining, you look at her nervously, and Finnick suddenly hugs her. Because he knew that she would never see him again once she would leave to retreat to her dorm. Tomorrow morning, tributes only see their stylists before the games. No mentors. Your stomach sinks, realizing that the woman that you treated like your grand-mother will never be by your side again. 

“Be careful, Mags. I love you,” you whisper as you hug her too. She reassures you, kissing the top of your head and saying that she will do her best to help you survive and gather as many sponsors as she could. She asks the both of you to keep an eye on each other and never get separated once in the Arena. Together, you were strong. Parted ways, you were lost and confused. It’s in tears that she has to leave.

When everything calms down, you are in the room with Finnick. Your last night together. Anxiety is eating you alive as you curl up against him.

“If everyone is asking right now for President Snow to stop the games, do you think he will reconsider it ?” you ask as your nails trail down his torso, making him shiver. 

“There is no way Snow will stop the games. No matter what, he’ll keep them,” Finnick answers as he hugs you closer. He closes his eyes, kisses your lips and tightens his grip.

“I guess tomorrow is really the end, then,” you sigh in utter defeat, shoulders sagging. Finnick feels your inner turmoil, but he feels his too. His fingers intertwined with your left hand, caressing your knuckles and bringing them to his lips. A gentle kiss to ease your nerves, green eyes calming you down.

“No, we said we will fight. Let’s survive at least some days. And let’s hope Heavensbee’s plan will work,” he retorts. You nod, trying to stay determinated.

That night, it was hard to fall asleep. You didn’t want this last moment of peace to end. You were too scared of the Arena as well to be able to sleep without nightmares. The only thing that lulled you to sleep were the calming heart beats of Finnick. Soothing, you layed on his chest and ended up closing your eyes due to exhaustion. At dawn, your stylist comes to get you. You have to leave Finnick. Before you step away, he kisses you as if he would never breathe again without your lips. His forehead is against yours, inhaling deeply.

“First thing we do, we don’t get killed and then join the Mockingjay. More importantly, let’s not get separated,” he tells you one last time before your stylist guides you to the roof. It’s hard to not run back to your lover, but you know you can’t. The hovercraft is already there, you mount the ladder and the electric current freezes you in place. Once you are inside, a doctor approaches and injects a tracker inside your forearm. It stings, but it’s what will make them be able to locate you in the Arena. You force yourself to eat breakfast, and for your own good, you try as much as possible to put you in the position of a killing machine. You are from district 4, being a career, and this mindset has to come back if you want to join Finnick. Later, you reach the Launch Room at the Arena. Your stylist gives you this year’s tribute outfit. Its a fitted blue jumpsuit, made of very sheer material, that zippers up the front. A six-inch-wide padded belt covered in shiny purple plastic. A pair of nylon shoes with rubber soles. When you thought you were done, your stylist grabs your wrist and puts something around it.

“Here, keep this, y/n. I think it’s not very pretty, a bit ugly, but they told me to give you this,” he explains, caressing his mustache. You look down at your wrist, intrigued. A solid-gold bangle patterned with flames. You remember seeing it around the wrist of the mentor of Katniss and Peeta. Haymitch. You directly understand. 

“And Finnick ?” you ask, frowning.

“Don’t worry, he has one too,” he nods, answering you. Then, he inhales a deep breath and takes your hands in his. You were used to your stylist acting like this, having no real boundaries with you, but this time it felt different. The look in his eyes shows remorse, sadness and even a hint of despair.

“It’s time for our goodbyes. It was a pleasure being your stylist these past five years, even though I know you hated me. But what can I say, I like this wild side of you. So, fight well,” he confesses, taking you in his arms before you could notice the tear at the corner of his eye. You didn’t know how to react. You did hate him, but at this moment, emotions are swirling in your stomach. You hug him back slightly, tapping his back gently. It was a bit awkward.

“Goodbye,” you whisper. You force yourself to not have a single tear. There was no time for emotions.

He steps back, and waves at you before leaving. He didn’t have the strength to see you going up. At the same moment, the plate begins to rise. You straighten your back, ready to face anything coming your way. Wind directly makes you shiver, but right after the sun is blinding you. The rays are warm, maybe a bit too warm, with the mix of a breeze. It doesn’t take more than a second for you to smell something familiar. It smells like District 4. It smells like the sea. It smells like home.

As you look around you, waves that lap at your boots are surrounding each tribute. It’s everywhere, and for a second you feel relieved because you know how to swim, compared to a lot of other victors. There was no pool in the training center, making it impossible to learn. That gives District 4 an enormous advantage. If other tributes didn’t know how to swim, they better be fast learners if they didn’t want to die during the first minutes precessing the bloodbath. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, let the Seventy-fifth Hunger Games begin !” The voice of Claudius Templesmith, the Hunger Games announcer, is loud and clear. In less than a minute, there will be the gong. Quick, you have to spot Finnick, Katniss, surely Peeta, and analyze the Arena. 

The water is blue, the sky baby pink in contrast with the dazzling sun that hurts your eyes. At the center, the Cornucopia. It’s a shining gold metal horn forty yards away from you. It's on a small island with twelve strips of land radiating from the circle like the spokes on a wheel with two tributes on each side. At the horizon, you spot a beach with a weird type of forest that you have never seen before.

Now, you have to find Finnick. You look around as panic starts to build up. The sun is too bright, you can only notice Katniss and Johanna aside from other tributes that aren’t your allies. The good thing is that you knew if you went to Katniss, Finnick would too. 

The gong sounds, and at the same second you dive in the water as quickly as possible. You notice that your outfit is not made to swim, but to float. You sprint on the sandy stretch of the Cornucopia, apparently being the first one that arrived thanks to your incredible speed and competences in swimming. Finnick’s weapon was a trident, you, a spear. You need to get one, now. The supplies are piled at the twenty-foot-high mouth. You spot the weapon you were searching for, you dash and grab it instantly. Suddenly, a hand is on your waist. Your skin crawls, spin around, ready to stab the tribute with your spear. You stop the blade right at Finnick’s throat before you actually slice it in two.

“Happy to see you back, honey,” he teases as he holds a trident in his left hand. He is glistening in salty water. Seeing him back like this makes you remember your time at the sea when spending summer together at District 4. Not like now, when death was surrounding you. 

“Finnick !” you exclaim surprised and relieved as well, before directly lowering your weapon.

“Let’s find Katniss and get the hell out of here,” he continues as he beckons you to follow him. It doesn’t take long as she is the third one on the Cornucopia. She yanks free a golden bow, but gets alerted by the presence behind her. She pulls an arrow from the sheath that’s still wedged in the pile and arms her bow as she turns. Finnick smiles, yet he is ready to strike in case it goes south, muscles rigid in anticipation. Meanwhile, you shift on your side to protect his back in case someone else arrives and tries to stab him when he isn’t looking.

“You can swim too,” he says. “How come you can when you are from District Twelve?” you add as you glance at the girl for a second. 

“We have a big bathtub,” she answers. “You must,” Finnick says. “You like the arena ?” 

“Not particularly. But you should. They must have built it especially for you two,” she says with an edge of bitterness. You scoff slightly, she wasn’t entirely wrong. Yet, you didn’t trust the gamesmaker when thinking back about the tsunami they provoked during your own games. 

For a moment you all are frozen, sizing each other up, your weapons, your skills. She eyes your spear, the trident. Then Finnick suddenly grins. “Lucky thing we’re allies. Right ?” You notice his wrist, the same as yours. 

Katniss doesn’t seem convinced, frowning. You sense that she is about to let her arrow fly, when he shifts his hand and something on his wrist catches the sunlight. You lift your free hand as well where the golden bracelet is situated, showing to Katniss that you were part of it.

“My stylist thinks it’s ugly,” you comment sarcastically, because the situation was somewhat ridiculous even though any of you could die at any second. 

“Duck !” Finnick commands Katniss in such a powerful voice, so different from his usual seductive purr. She does. At the same time, Finnick shifts on the side to let you throw your spear towards the man from District 5. You were quicker than his trident, explaining why you silently understood that he wanted you to be the one to attack. It goes flying over Katniss’s head, digging into your target’s chest in a sickening sound. He falls on his knees and you snatch the blade from his flesh. 

“Don’t trust One and Two,” Finnick says. Katniss works the sheath of arrows free. 

“Each takes one side ?” she asks. “I’ll go with you,” you instantly say as you nod to Finnick and dart with her around the pile. About four spokes apart, Enobaria and Gloss are just reaching land. Either they’re slow swimmers or they thought the water might be laced with other dangers, which it might well be. But now that they’re on the sand, they’ll be here in a matter of seconds. 

“Anything useful ?” you hear Finnick shout. Both you and Katniss quickly scan the pile on your side. All you can find are maces, swords, bows and arrows, tridents, knives, spears, axes, etc. But no food, not other survival supplies.

“It’s only freaking weapons !” you yell back in anger. The gamemakers really wanted you all to struggle this year. “Same here,” he confirms. “Grab what you want and let’s go !”

Your instinct flares. You shift around and throw your spear towards Enobaria. It brushes her leg but she dove back into the water before you could lethally hurt her. Katniss sinks an arrow into Cato’s calf as he plunges into the waves. She slings an extra bow and a second sheath of arrows over her body. As she continues to grab other weapons, you grab long knives and put them into your belt. You felt like you would need them to cut the dense vegetation of this strange forest at the horizon. Then, you two meet up with Finnick at the front of the pile. Thankfully, he looks fine.

“Do something about that, would you ?” he says to Katniss as Brutus is barreling toward your squad. His belt is undone and he has it stretched between his hands as a kind of shield. She shoots at him and he manages to block the arrow with his belt before it can skewer his liver. 

“He clearly doesn’t want to die,” you comment as you still are catching back your breath, Finnick staying close to you like a guard dog. Even though you both were the guard dogs of each other, and now of Katniss too. As she reloads, Brutus flattens on the ground, rolls the few feet to the water, and submerges. 

“Let’s clear out,” she says. This last altercation has given Enobaria and Gloss time to reach the Cornucopia. Brutus is within shooting distance and somewhere, certainly, Cashmere is nearby too. You spot Peeta as you notice how Katniss, in distress, is looking around for him. He is still stranded on his metal plate. She starts removing knives from her belt, preparing to swim out to reach him and somehow bring him in. Finnick drops a hand on her shoulder. 

“I’ll get him.” 

“I can,” she insists. “Katniss, trust him. Or if you prefer, I’ll go,” you add as you look into her eyes. You noticed that she trusted you more than Finnick, so maybe she would listen to you. Finnick has dropped all his weapons to the ground, but you stop him and show him with a nod that you’ll get Peeta instead.

“Better not exert yourself. Not in your condition,” he says, reaches down and pats her abdomen where she is supposedly pregnant. You position yourself at the edge of the water, he follows you to be sure there is no danger surrounding you.

“Finnick, I trust you to cover me,” you say to him more seriously. You peck his lips in case you won’t come back, knowing all cameras were on you at this instant, and that every citizen would understand your romantic relationship with him. You didn’t care. As you both agreed, hiding was useless now. He looks at you with deep nervosity, but he nods, trusting you.

You disappear with a flawless dive. Gloss, Cashmere, Enobaria, and Brutus have gathered, their pack formed already, picking over the weapons. A quick survey of the rest of the arena shows that most of the tributes are still trapped on their plates. You swim swiftly towards Peeta. As he sees you approaching, he is on his guard, but you know and are sure that Katniss talked about you and Finnick during the week prior. He must have known that you weren’t entirely a threat.

“Come with me, Katniss is with Finnick at the Cornucopia !” you exclaim as you raise your head from the waves. He scans around the Arena, from what he could see. Not much.

“How can I trust you ?” he asks, the waves splashing his boots. After all, you still had your weapons on you, in case there was a threat in the water. You could kill him in an instant if you wanted. You show your golden bangle at your wrist.

“Haymitch was wearing it too. I’m your ally, as well as Finnick. If you don’t trust me, there are knives in my belt. You could grab one and stab me if I ended up attacking you,” you explain, looking into his blue eyes with all the seriousness they could behold. Peeta analyzes you, before deciding to trust you, and surely because he wanted to be by Katniss’s side as fast as possible. He goes in the water, you catch him.

“You’ll float,” you reassure him as you have one arm across his chest while the other propels the both of you through the water with easy strokes. Peeta doesn’t resist you. As you approach the sand and can spot Finnick and Katniss, something in the water switches. The waves are ten times stronger, and you struggle to support the both of you. You are sure that the gamemakers are behind this. You try to not panic, but Finnick screams your name.

“Help me fetch Peeta !” you yell back as the wind gets wilder. Without any hesitations, he dives into the water, leaving Katniss to cover the three of you. The waves are getting bigger, you barely notice when Finnick is grabbing Peeta to help you. But suddenly, the water moves as if you were in the middle of a storm when going fishing in District 4. But during those moments, you were on a boat, not floating in the middle of the sea.

A wave knocks Peeta against you, his elbow accidentally hurting your head in the process. You yelp, before the water swallows you while Finnick is struggling to hold the blond against him and to bring him towards the shore. The moment he notices you aren’t here anymore by his side, it’s too late.

You are drowning and the waves bring you to the opposite side of the Cornucopia. Struggling will just make your case worse, so you stop moving and let the water bring you back towards the island. You hold your breath as best as you can, but it’s hard to not lose yourself in panic. As you hope for a miracle to happen, everything fades in black while your body gets rocked from left to right. The only thing you can think about is your 70th games, telling yourself that it’s how all the other tributes died back then. Maybe it was your turn too.

Before losing consciousness, you swore you saw Finnick’s green eyes softly looking at yours. 

જ⁀➴ ⠀ׂ

“Y/n, Y/n, can you hear me ?!” echoes a voice from afar. Seconds pass, blurry vision while you flutter your eyes open. The first thing you see is the bright sun up your head. You cough water, your head falling on the side right on the sand. Your body hurts. It’s itchy. Wait, the sand. You are on the beach, alive. Are you back in District 4 ?

“She’s waking up,” says another male voice. Finnick ? Is that him ? Were you at home, like any summer day in the company of your lover ? You smile softly to yourself.

“Y/n, it’s me,” repeats a feminine voice and soft hands are holding your head to help you cough the remaining water from your lungs. Short brown hair, the same outfit as you, and the golden bracelet on her wrist.

“Johanna ?” you ask confused. As you sit up, you notice Beete, and Wiress. 

“Look out, you still are a bit fragile. Give yourself some minutes before we can go,” says Beete as he looks a bit strained. It doesn’t take long to realize he had a hard time at the Cornucopia. He has a big cut on his flesh.

“What happened ?”

“We found you on…” starts Wiress before looking around and forgetting what she was about to say. “This part of the beach. Johanna helped us. We all are allies,” continues Beete, adjusting his glasses.

“I can’t believe I have to be the one to protect them until we find Katniss. But at least you’re here with me, Y/n. And you got some nice weapons as well… I guess we’ll survive more than one goddamn day in here,” Johanna says bitterly at the intention of the tributes of District 3, clearly displeased that for the sake of protecting the mockingjay and her alliance with Wiress and Beete, she had to protect them as well. 

“Fuck, we got separated. Finnick…” you whisper as you take your face in your hand. Anxiety. Now you are scared that until you find them back, he’ll get killed before you have the time to reach him. You are sweating, and with the moist and heavy air it’s not helping. You felt like you are suffocating. And you didn’t know if it was because of the weather, or because you got separated. You remember back the words that Mags told you before leaving, to stay together, because on the contrary, without him, the both of you were lost. You recall as well what Finnick told you at dawn, to make sure to not get separated.

In defeat, you realize that you failed. 

“For now, let’s survive. Ok ?” says Johanna as she helps you stand up. You dust off the remaining sand from your sticky clothes and stretch. Right, Finnick was with Katniss and Peeta. He’ll survive as well. He’s strong, very strong. He can easily handle himself.

“We need water before we die of dehydration," comments Beete as he looks around, touching the sea water with his hand and then tasting it at the tip of his finger. A grimace is written over his face at the salty drop. 

“And we have nothing to…” starts to say Wiress, approaching Beete and squatting down as well. “Filter it,” he continues. “So let’s go into the jungle to try to find some water. Surely the animals around here need to drink as much as we do. If we follow their lead, we’ll find how to hydrate,” he explains as you follow him towards the dense vegetation.

“A jungle ? What’s a jungle ?” asks Johanna while you take your spear that was on the sand, and make sure that all your weapons are still on you. Great, you lost a knife. Well, at least you had the remaining ones, it was better than nothing. You give one of your knives to your friend, trusting her.

“I think it’s a type of forest,” you answer, taking the lead as with your spear and long knife it was an advantage to cut through the patches of dense vegetation and pull them away from where you were walking.

“It is. It’s not supposed to exist in the wild of Panem, but they already used this type of forest in another Hunger Games some years ago,” explains Beete. The four of you continue to explore, while Johanna is clearly displeased to have to stick around Wiress and Beete just for Katniss. She thought that they were a liability. You couldn’t say that she was wrong, but their intellect was a great advantage to not dismiss.

“The Arena is in a perfect circle, with a wheel in the middle,” comments Beete as minutes tickle by. 

“It’s a dom,” adds Wiress as she looks fervently around her as if something out of the wild would jump and slice her throat in two. It was a possibility. She sticks close to you, as you were, with Johanna, the only ones that could fight and protect her. At the same time, you help Beete to walk when his cut hurts him too much. You had nothing on you to ease his pain or heal his wound. You sigh, already starting to feel drained by all this walking and yet not spotting any source of drinkable water. Your throat gets dry. You glance at Beete that observes the wildlife around you, but there wasn’t any clue about where to drink. 

You notice that at his hip, right on his belt, is attached a heavy metal cylinder. “Don’t ask why he has this weird metal thing instead of a weapon. When I asked, he started to explain it to me and I understood shit,” she whispers in your ear, rolling her eyes. You raise an eyebrow, intrigued.

“Knowing him, it’s surely useful. We’ll see,” you answer. Time passes, and still no water. You end up having to take Beete on your back because he couldn’t walk anymore with the pain of his wound. You hope he won’t die on you. Walking is twice a struggle now that you have to do it for two. But you continue, because if you don’t, you doubt Johanna would happily do it.

Beete talks about a big tree in the Arena. But being too exhausted, you barely listen to him. You all decide to take a break. The man detaches from his belt the metal cylinder, and with the help of Wiress, they start to tie a rope with vines they find around them in the vegetation. 

“What is it for ?” Johanna asks suspiciously.

“It’s for the tree,” vaguely answers Wiress. “Again with this tree,” sighs Johanna. You squat down next to them, taking some vines in your hands. You knew that Wiress and Beete had an important role for the rescue of Katniss Everdeen in the Arena by District 13. But you didn’t have much information. You supposed that the wire would be the key for it. You believed in them.

“Let me help, I’m good with handling ropes,” you offer as for now, you had nothing else to do. And you trusted what the two of them were preparing, so surely why not give them your help ? They thank you as you swiftly tie the vines together, ten times faster than the two of them combined. Bored, Johanna proposes that she’ll go hunt for some water. Yet, when she came back 20 minutes later, she didn’t bring anything to drink, but instead another tribute. Instantly, you grasp your spear, but recognize Blight. Johanna's male counterpart from District 7. He barely showed up for training. 

“I found him. He’s our ally,” she explains simply. Wiress and Beete recognize him. They nod in understanding. The man approaches and holds a dead animal, what seems like a… monkey, from what you could vaguely remember its name.

“I don’t come empty handed. Here is dinner,” he explains as he throws the carcass at your feet.

“I hoped for water, but hey, I won’t say no to some meat. So you are welcome with us, Blight,” you say in a smile and grab the dead animal. While you and Wiress are busy cutting the meat and taking off its skin, Beete asks Blight if he managed to see where the monkey could have gone to drink any water. Sadly, the answer is no.

Even if it can be dangerous, you decide to start a small fire to cook the meat. With you, Johanna and Blight, you were three capable tributes to fight in case other Victors came to attack you. After all, it was common sense that with the smoke of the fire, you could easily be spotted. It was a secret, but you wished that Finnick would notice it and come to find you. As you bite into the leg of the monkey, a parachute lands next to you with a fresh loaf of bread. You open it. The bread is green from seaweeds, you instantly recognize it. It’s from District 4. You smile and silently thank Mags for the sponsor, and for the precious information she sent. 

The rescue from District 13 was indicated by what they sent. The number of the District was the day, and the number of rolls, the hour. 24. On day four at midnight, they will rescue Katniss, and maybe you as well, if you survived until then.

You all happily have a fulfilling meal with the monkey’s meat and the loaf of bread, not mentioning anything about it as you were on screen 24/7.

The dread of the night is slowly arriving. You lick your fingers from the meat you just finished eating when the sky brightens and the seal of the Capitol appears as if floating in space. You swallow, scared to see the face of your lover appearing. What if he actually didn’t escape the Bloodbath ? And what if the plan failed, Katniss being killed ? Johanna caresses discreetly your back to support you, and you felt relieved at this moment to have a friend by your side.

You listen to the strains of the anthem. The man from District 5, the one you killed, is the first to appear. That means that all the tributes in 1 through 4 are alive—the four Careers, Beetee and Wiress, and, of course, you and Finnick. The man from District 5 is followed by the male morphling from 6, Cecelia and Woof from 8, both from 9, the woman from 10, and Seeder from 11. The Capitol seal is back with a final bit of music and then the sky goes dark except for the moon. Seeing the faces of the eight dead victors projected into the sky is harder than you thought. Even if you were greatly relieved that neither Finnick, nor Katniss and Peeta were dead, you still knew those people. Some of them were actually very nice to you. 

Suddenly, there is the tolling of a bell. Loud, it hurts your ears. You look around confused as you count twelve. 

“What the hell was that ?” comments Johanna, on guard. 

“It sounds like a …” starts the woman of District 3, but for the first time, Beete doesn’t finish Wiress’s sentence. Because he didn’t find what she meant, or what it actually could be. Silence, aside from the buzzing sound of the jungle all around you that seemed to never end. “Tick tock,” whispers Wiress before starting to sing some funny little song, about a mouse running up a clock. The following thirty minutes it’s her tick tocking and repeating again and all over again this song. Johanna is tempted to kill her, but thankfully, the woman ends up falling asleep from exhaustion. It’s finally silent.

Later that night, you take turns to sleep. When it’s your turn to stay awake and make sure that no dangers crawl towards you in the dead of the night, you are startled by the sound of the cannon. Who could have died ? You anxiously grab the ropes of vines and continue to tie them, hoping it will ease your nerves. Blight wakes up and tells you that you can go to sleep. You find it hard to close your eyes and not think about who could have been killed, dread eating you alive at the idea that it could be Finnick.

At dawn, everyone was awake. The moist air was heavy, and you struggled to think straight when you had no chance to drink anything. The dehydration started to take a tool on the five of you. You wanted to go back towards the beach, maybe you’ll find Katniss and the gang, or water. Or better, both. Because if you found Finnick, Katniss and Peeta, they maybe would have found a way to drink. 

Beete talked again with Wiress about the tree, while she kept saying “tick tock”. You all continue to walk, as you lead again the way, when suddenly Beete grabs your arm and yanks away. Startled, everyone looks at him surprised.

“What was that for ?” you exclaim. “If you step any closer in this direction, you’ll die,” he answers firmly. Confused, you look at him as if he said something crazy.

“What ?”

“Force field,” mentions Wiress, pointing at the supposed force field. The memory of the discussion you had with the two during the training comes back to mind. As you squint your eyes, you vaguely see it. Johanna curiously tries to understand as well.

“There is a force field, meaning we reached the end of the Arena. Do you remember the second Quarter Quell, with Haymitch Abernathy ? Tributes died because of it,” continues Beete. “Yes, I do,” you nod, recalling what you saw in the recaps of the Quarter Quell preceding yours. 

“Good, then let’s go somewhere else. If one of us accidentally touches it, it will be their end,” finishes Beete. “Tick tock,” says Wiress again while you all retrace your steps. “Yes, tick tock. Come on now,” sighs Johanna as she grabs her arm and leads her away.

Some minutes pass, before you suddenly feel something wet falling on the top of your head. One, two, four, ten drops are dropping from the sky. A flash of hope crosses everyone’s eyes at the realization.

“It’s raining ?!” exclaims Johanna, opening wider her eyes and sticking out her tongue to ease her burning throat. You all laugh with excitement, before you taste something hot and thick on your tastebuds. You soon realize that it’s pouring, and your vision is getting.. red ? Something was wrong, it wasn’t water, it was…

“Blood !” you scream. 

Blood obscures your eyes, you can’t see anymore. It was impossible to speak without getting a mouthful. In panic, you all start to stagger around, trying to find the exit of the forest. You use your spear like a cane to help you walk, but it gets harder as you slip on the ground and fall.

“Don’t panic, let’s go south !” you manage to yell before choking on the blood falling on your tongue. With shaky legs, you stand back up and can only guide yourself by the sounds surrounding you. Wiress and Beete have a hard time following, Johanna with all the strength she has, grabs the two. You blink, take Beete close to you and rummage through the Jungle. You can’t put him on your back, it was too dangerous. If you slipped, and the both of you felt, who knows what injury it could cause you or the man. 

“Where is Blight ?!” screams Johanna as she struggles to keep Wiress close to her without the both of them falling on the slippery rocks.

“Blight !” you yell, spitting the blood that accumulated in your mouth. A bit more and you'd be unable to breathe if it gets in your lungs. “North !” answers Wiress, before repeating “Tick Tock” every time she spits the blood from her lungs. “He went North !” finishes Beete in a struggling breath. “I’ll get him,” you exclaim, deciding that having him as an ally was what you needed until joining Katniss, Peeta and Finnick. After all, he managed to climb a tree and kill a monkey, thanks to him you had a fulfilling dinner last night. He was nice too, you would feel guilty to leave him to his death. The Games only started, you’ll think later about how you’ll kill him when your alliance would be broken. For now, you had to go get him.

You leave Beete to Johanna, letting her bring them towards the end of the forest and surely to the beach, the closest safety the five of you had. You keep screaming Blight’s name every chance you got, not caring that other tributes would possibly hear you. You help yourself with your spear, stumble against trees, vines, rocks, but manage to hear him scream your name in return, around some meters away.

Suddenly, you realise where he is headed. You intend to run faster to stop him, choking on the thick blood that was filling your mouth.

“Don’t go Nor-” you hopefully try to say in a stutter, before there is an explosion and you are projected meters away. Your ears are ringing, and the only sound you can vaguely hear is the cannon. You try to catch back your breath as your back is killing, and your hand accidentally felt on your spear, right on the blade. Thankfully it’s not too deep and in a groan you rip it off your flesh. 

Blight died because of the force field. You try to not hyperventilate, letting yourself some seconds of realization of what just happened. You can’t mourn him, or else the cannon will resonate for you too if you don’t get out of the jungle, quick.

You lift yourself on your knees, crawl in the mud, trying to find the metallic stick of your spear instead of the sharp blade. You didn’t want to hurt yourself twice. Bingo, your hand falls on something fresh and hard. You lift it from the ground to use the weapon again as a cane.

“I’m alive !” you scream in hope that Johanna, Beete or Wiress would hear you and understand that the cannon wasn’t for you, but that Blight died instead. Surely the tributes of District 3 will understand that it would be because of the force field. 

You manage to see a ray of sunshine. The beach, it’s close. You notice voices, Johanna exclaiming in anger, and the “Tick Tock” of Wiress. They managed to get out of the forest. You struggle, pant, the aftermath of the force field explosion still taking a tool on your body. You don’t think you were that injured. At least, no bones were broken. Some seconds later, you manage to stumble on the beach. You all were in bad shape. Johanna stops to drag Beete that collapses on the sand, while Wiress is wandering in loopy circles. You try to catch your breath, when suddenly, you hear a familiar voice.

“Y/n !” screams Finnick, his face lighting up at the mere sight of seeing you alive, before running at full speed towards you. 

“Finnick !” you yell as well, dashing towards him. In a second, his arms are around you and he strongly hugs you tight. You fumble on the sand but he keeps you straight and prevents you from falling. Without caring for the blood, he kisses your lips. All he wanted was to have you near. Being separated from him was like a nightmare, having you back was like a blessing.

“You’re alive,” the both of you say at the same time, clearly reassured. You chuckle nervously, while he greets Johanna too, happy to see his friend in one piece. You detach yourself from him, but he keeps his hand around you to support you, and too because after losing you once, he refused to let you go for a second.

Peeta and Katniss tromp down the beach where the five of you are. They look confused to what happened to your team, with the state that Wiress and Beete are, one of them being unconscious and the other losing her mind. You check for Beete’s pulse, his heart is still beating. Relieved, Finnick grabs your face and makes you look at him.

“What is that red thing ?” he asks. You take the opportunity to analyze his face as well. You notice that he mostly went through hell too during these 24 hours away from each other.

“Blood,” you answer as you wipe your eyes. At the same time, Katniss and Peeta reach you, and Johanna starts to explain what happened while gesturing to the jungle and talking very fast.

“We thought it was rain, you know, because of the lightning, and we were all so thirsty. But when it started coming down, it turned out to be blood. Thick, hot blood. You couldn’t see, you couldn’t speak without getting a mouthful. We just staggered around, trying to get out of it,” she starts to say. “Blight got lost, I went to search for him, that’s when he hit the force field,” you continue. Finnick nods, and gives a look to the brunette.

“I’m sorry, Johanna,” says Finnick, knowing that Blight wasn’t a stranger to her.

“Yeah, well, he wasn’t much, but he was from home,” she says. “And he left us alone with these two.” She nudges Beetee, who’s barely conscious, with her shoe. “He got a knife in the back at the Cornucopia. And her—” They all look over at Wiress, who’s circling around, coated in dried blood, and murmuring, “Tick, tock. Tick, tock.”

“Yeah, we know. Tick, tock. Nuts is in shock,” says Johanna. “She keeps repeating these words since yesterday, it was after there was this weird lightning in the middle of the night,” you explain. 

This seems to draw Wiress in Johanna’s direction and she careens into her, who harshly shoves her to the beach. “Just stay down, will you?”

“Lay off her,” Katniss snaps. Johanna narrows her brown eyes at her in hatred. “Lay off her ?” she hisses. She steps forward before Katniss can react and slaps her cheek in an exaggerated thud. You open wide your eyes, detach yourself from Finnick and instantly grab your friend’s hand to bring her meters back from Katniss that is still seeing stars.

“Who do you think got them out of that bleeding jungle for you ? You—” Finnick tosses her writhing body over his shoulder and carries her out into the water. You follow them as he repeatedly dunks her while she screams a lot of really insulting things at Katniss. You can’t help but want to laugh at this comic situation, and take the opportunity to go in the waves while Finnick is telling her to calm down. When she stops protesting, he lets her go and instead turns to you.

“Let’s get you clean, honey,” he says as he winks at you with his usual charming smile, something you missed. Johanna is still wading around to rinse the blood from her skin. Finnick’s hands grab your waist and he brings you into deeper water.

“What happened while I was away ?” you ask as you dip your head in the sea and raise back your face, Finnick whipping your bloody forehead and cheeks.

“Poisonous fog, crazy monkeys… Oh, and Peeta died because of the force field. I brought him back to life,” he says casually, shrugging it off as he puts water on the top of your head and washes away the red liquid from your hair. “What a normal day in the Arena,” he continues sarcastically. You have a nervous laugh.

“Wow, ok. That’s definitely something… How did you bring him back from the dead ?” you question curiously.

“Mouth to mouth. I’m sure Katniss thought I was kissing him. She’s quite naive, but she can be funny,” he explains before giving you a smile. You nod, scrubbing your legs. “Yeah, I like her,” you add. “I don’t,” intervenes Johanna, who is still cleaning her suit. Finnick snickers at the hatred comment of the girl. 

“I guess you are the one that found y/n back after the bloodbath. What happened ?” he asks, as he intertwines his fingers with yours and lands his green eyes on your face with anxiety. “I thought you died in front of my eyes, even if the cannon didn’t resonate,” he says in a more intimate voice.

“I don’t know, I was drowning and then I woke up on the beach. That’s when I met Johanna, Wiress and Beete. Blight came after,” you start to explain before summarizing everything that happened since you lost Peeta in the waves.

Once Johanna and you are cleaned, Finnick guides you both to the little beach camp they built, while holding your hand and not letting it go. Wiress looks like she got cleaned, wading in the shallow water with the help of Katniss. Beete is laying into the shade at the edge of the jungle. There is a thick pad out of moss tied around his cut thanks to vines rolling around his body. Katniss mostly has made that.

“You said months ago that you would gladly let me treat your wounds in the Arena, but I think Katniss would do a better job than me,” you comment.

“I still want you to be the one to treat me, honey. Wouldn’t want someone else to touch my naked body,” he teases as he tugs on your hand and kisses your cheek.

“I hope you guys found a way to drink water,” asks Johanna as she rushes to the beach camp and sits on the sand. “Actually, we did,” answers Finnick proudly.

Peeta stands up and guides the two of you towards the collected water. You rush at his side and with the girl, you both are gulping down without breathing and then stuff your mouth with shellfish that Finnick captured. Everybody offers to guard while the others rest, but in the end, it’s Johanna and Katniss who stay up. Katniss because she’s really rested, Johanna because she simply refuses to lie down. The two of them sit in silence on the beach until the rest of you have gone to sleep. Finnick supports your head on his shoulder, and even if the air was heavy and moist, you don’t mind gluing yourself to him. His eyes search yours, softly caressing your cheek.

“I thought I lost you,” he whispers in the quietness of the moment, fingers slightly tightening on your flesh because of the inner turmoil he is experiencing. Your shoulders sag.

“I know. I thought I did too. I failed. We promised to not get separated. Yet, we did,” you whisper in defeat, hugging him closer as if you were about to merge your bodies together in one single entity.

“I failed too. The only thing that kept me sane was the fact that your face didn’t appear in the sky yesterday night. I would have lost it if you did,” he murmurs in a shaky breath against your neck, because he only wanted you to be the one to hear these words, his vulnerability, his weakness. 

“I’m here, you’re here. We still can fight,” you whisper back, and kiss his lips. It’s soft, his mouth lingers on yours greedily before allowing you to breathe.

“Let’s sleep a bit, yeah ?” Finnick says. You nod, and it’s hand in hand that the two of you finally manage to fully rest after 24 hours of pure chaos.

The sun rises in the sky until it’s directly over your head, reaching noon. You don’t get woken up by the dazzling sun, but by a panicked Katniss Everdeen. 

“Get up,” she orders, shaking Peeta then you, Finnick and Johanna awake. “Get up—we have to move.” You groan as you rub your eyes, Finnick helping you stand up while Johana glares at the brunette before standing as well. You realize she was sleeping next to you.

“The arena is a clock,” suddenly says Katniss. She doesn’t waste anymore time and starts to explain herself. Each hour begins a new horror, a new Gamemaker weapon, and ends the previous. Lightning, blood rain, fog, monkeys—those are the first four hours on the clock. And at ten, the wave. She doesn’t know what happens in the other seven, but now everyone knows Wiress is right with her tick tocking. Johanna is not convinced as she’s naturally opposed to liking anything Katniss would suggest, yet she agrees it’s better to be safe than sorry.

You all start to gather your possessions and help Beete to get back in his suit, meanwhile Katniss wakes up Wiress that screams “tick tock !” “Yes, tick, tock, the arena’s a clock. It’s a clock, Wiress, you were right,” answers Katniss. “You were right.” Relief floods her face.

“Midnight.” “It starts at midnight,” she confirms. 

“Its the tolling of the bells,” you comment, she nods and Finnick looks at you intrigued.

“One-thirty,” Wiress says. “Exactly. One-thirty. And at two, a terrible poisonous fog begins there,” continues Katniss, pointing at the nearby jungle. You look at it and imagine what Finnick went through. “So we have to move somewhere safe now.” Wiress smiles and stands up obediently. 

“Want some water ?” you ask and hand her the woven bowl as she gulps down about a quart. Finnick gives her the last bit of bread and she gnaws on it. With the inability to communicate overcome, she’s functioning again.

Beetee’s still pretty out of it, but when Peeta tries to lift him, he objects. “Wire,” he says. “She’s right here,” Peeta tells him. “Wiress is fine. She’s coming, too.” But still Beetee struggles. “Wire,” he insists.

“Oh, I know what he wants,” says Johanna impatiently. She crosses the beach, you pick up the cylinder that he had previously at his belt and pass it to Johanna. 

“This worthless thing. It’s some kind of wire or something. That’s how he got cut. Running up to the Cornucopia to get this. I don’t know what kind of weapon it’s supposed to be. I guess you could pull off a piece and use it as a garrote or something. But really, can you imagine Beetee garroting somebody ?” she explains, and you recall how he struggled to walk because of his wound yesterday, and how you had to help him out at times. Now you know how he got it.

“He won his Games with wire. Setting up that electrical trap,” says Peeta. “It’s the best weapon he could have.” Katniss looks suspiciously at Johanna. “Seems like you’d have figured that out,” Katniss says. “Since you nicknamed him Volts and all.” 

Johanna’s eyes narrow at her dangerously. “Yeah, that was really stupid of me, wasn’t it ?” she answers aggressively. “I guess I must have been distracted by keeping your little friends alive.” 

Katniss’s fingers tighten on the knife handle at her belt. Finnick sensing incoming danger puts you slightly behind him in case it goes south. 

“Go ahead. Try it. I don’t care if you are knocked up, I’ll rip your throat out,” says Johanna.

“Everyone calm down, we are allies, not enemies,” you say as you glare at Johanna for her to calm down.  

“Maybe we all had better be careful where we step,” says Finnick, shooting Katniss a look. He takes the coil and sets it on Beetee’s chest. “There’s your wire, Volts. Watch where you plug it.” He goes back to you and takes your hand again in yours, surely to reassure himself that you were there, and that if something happened, this time he won’t get separated from you. With the tension rising, he could never be too cautious. 

Peeta picks up the now-unresisting Beetee. “Where to ?” he asks him “I’d like to go to the Cornucopia and watch. Just to make sure we’re right about the clock,” says Finnick. 

You all walk down the nearest sand strip, approaching the Cornucopia with carefulness, just in case the Careers are concealed there. Even though there was no sign of life coming from them for hours now. The area is empty, nobody else about your gang on the Cornucopia. When Peeta lays Beetee in the bit of shade the Cornucopia provides, he calls out to Wiress. She crouches beside him and he puts the coil of wire in her hands. “Clean it, will you ?” he asks. Wiress nods and scampers over to the water’s edge, where she dunks the coil in the water. She starts quietly singing the song she was singing for hours yesterday. You groan, pissed to have to hear it again. 

“Oh, not the song again,” says Johanna, rolling her eyes. “That went on for hours after she started tick-tocking,” you comment as well.

Suddenly Wiress stands up very straight and points to the jungle. “Two,” she exclaims.

Yards away, you notice the wall of fog has just begun to seep out onto the beach. “So that’s what you got yourself into ?” you ask Finnick. “It’s worse than what it looks like,” he says distantly, but still gives you what seems like a smile.

“Wiress is right. It’s two o’clock and the fog has started.” says Katniss. “Like clockwork,” answers Peeta. Wiress smiles and goes back to singing and dunking her coil. 

“She’s intuitive,” a voice suddenly says, talking about Wiress. Surprised, you all turn to look at Beetee, who seems to be coming back to life. 

“She can sense things before anyone else. Like a canary in one of your coal mines,” he explains, referring to Katniss and Peeta, about District 12. “What’s that ?” Finnick asks her. “An object ? A device ?” you question too, as confused as Finnick. You have never heard that word before. “It’s a bird that we take down into the mines to warn us if there’s bad air,” Katniss answers. 

“What’s it do, die ?” asks Johanna. “It stops singing first. That’s when you should get out. But if the air’s too bad, it dies, yes. And so do you,” she answers more coldly, and you recognize that type of look in her eyes. You were sure she lost someone dear in a coal mine. So you don’t ask more questions. 

Johanna goes back to take supplies and comes up with a pair of lethal-looking axes, clearly happy to have these familiar weapons with her. She tries one and throws it with such force it sticks in the sunsoftened gold of the Cornucopia.

 Meanwhile, you go around with Finnick to search for more weapons, spears, tridents and knives, or maybe just to talk. He playfully sparred with you with the trident he got during the bloodbath, while you counter attacked with your spear. He has a big grin on his face, amused, because he had little moments of simple joy since the games started. 

“Don’t poke my ass !” you whine, and he chases you while the others are busy doing their own things. 

Katniss messing with her weapons, and Petta drawing something with the tip of his knife on a large, smooth leaf he brought from the jungle. After some minutes, the three of you join Peeta and Katniss to see what they are doing. Peeta was creating a map of the Arena. In the center is the Cornucopia on its circle of sand with the twelve strips branching out from it. It looks like a pie sliced into twelve equal wedges. There’s another circle representing the waterline and a slightly larger one indicating the edge of the jungle. He draws the numbers one through twelve around the clock face. Depending on the corresponding wedge, there is lightning, blood, fog, the wave and monkeys. 

“Did you notice anything unusual in the others ?” asks Katniss to you, Johanna and Beete.

“Only tons of thick and warm blood,” you answer in disgust.  

“I’m going to mark the ones where we know the Gamemakers’ weapon follows us out past the jungle, so we’ll stay clear of those,” says Peeta, drawing diagonal lines on the fog and wave beaches. Then he sits back. “Well, it’s a lot more than we knew this morning, anyway.” You all nod in agreement, but then you realize something strange, Katniss as well. The both of you look at each other in understanding before turning around to find Wiress. The canary has stopped singing.

Your enemies were back.

Gloss, dripping wet, just slit Wiress’s throat open, letting her slide to the ground. Instantly, Katniss loads an arrow and shoots it on his temple and you lunge your spear right on his heart. Johanna has buried an ax blade in Cashmere’s chest. 

Finnick knocks away a spear Brutus throws at Peeta and takes Enobaria’s knife in his thigh. You tried to stop the blade from sinking into his flesh, but it only resulted in your hand getting wounded, dripping in blood.

“Don’t mind me, y/n !” he screams to you, and you have a second of hesitation before chasing after Brutus and Enobaria who are springing down a sand strip toward the jungle. 

At the same time, you hear three cannons, confirming the death of Wiress, Gloss and Cashmere. But you have no time to think that violently, the ground jerks beneath your feet and you are flung on the strip of sand. You scream as the circle of land where the Cornucopia is, starts to spin incredibly fast to the point you feel like throwing up and lose track of where the jungle is, or even where you are.

You are slipping towards the water, groaning as your nails dig harder in an attempt to keep you grounded. But each second passing is a new pull towards your death. You try to hold yourself, but you know that sooner or later you’ll fall.

“Finnick !” you scream in despair, the tip of your fingers losing their grip on the sand because of the centrifugal force pulling you downwards in the water. Suddenly, your hand lets go of the sand stript. Your stomach sinks and you open your eyes wider. You’re going to die.

Before you can close your eyes, strong fingers grab your wrist, and through the drops of water, sand and wind, you manage to see Finnick gripping himself to the ground while holding your arm as strongly as possible.

“Don’t let go of me !” he yells, breathing loudly through the force of the spinning movement. You struggle to not fall, but your will to live and to stay by Finnick’s side is getting the better of you.

Suddenly, it slams to a stop. Finnick brings you back up and you directly stumble in his arms. Katniss, Johanna, and Peeta have hung on. The three dead bodies have been tossed out into the seawater. You are panting, coughing the sand that got inside your mouth and even taking some water to gargle so you could clean your tongue and throat.

“Where’s Volts ?” says Johanna. You stand up with Finnick’s help. One wobbly circle of the Cornucopia confirms he’s gone. Finnick spots him about twenty yards out in the water, barely keeping afloat, and swims out to haul him in.

“The wire !” you exclaim as you notice that Beete doesn’t have it attached to his belt anymore. Katniss spots it still clutched in Wiress’s hands, far out in the water.

“Cover me,” she says to the others. She tosses aside her weapons and races down the strip closest to her body. She dives into the water and starts for her. The hovercraft appeared over you, the claw starting to descend to take Wiress away. 

Katniss manages to reach Wiress’s body that was floating in her own blood. She has to wrench the coil of wire from Wiress’s fingers. She closes her eyelids, and swims away. By the time she swings the coil up onto the sand and pulls herself from the water, her body’s gone. 

Meanwhile, you and Finnick are busy with Beete. He managed to get out as much water as he could from his lungs, as he sits up and snorts out the remainings. Katniss arrives and places the reel of wire on his lap. Beete unravels a piece of the wire and runs it through his fingers. It’s long, and you remember how you and Wiress helped him with the vines yesterday. Now she’s gone. You silently mourn her.

Katniss crosses to Peeta and wraps her arms around him. You look at Finnick and he nods in silence, looking at your bloody hand. He gently grabs it and examines it. With the adrenaline, you didn’t realise how hurt you were.

“Your leg…” you whisper as you look at the blood coming out of his thigh. “I’m fine, I’ve had worse. And I know you’ll treat me,” he murmurs in your ear. You nudge him gently, even though you agreed with his last sentence. Though, you were worried.

“Let’s get off this stinking island,” Johanna says finally. 

Finnick strips off his undershirt. You grab it and carefully tie it around the wound Enobaria’s knife made in his thigh. Thankfully, as you analyze it, you realise it’s not deep. Beetee thinks he can walk now, if you go slowly, so Katniss helps him up. You felt relieved that you didn’t have to get him on your back this time.

You all decide to head to the beach for twelve o’clock. But you and Finnick, Johanna, and Peeta, head off in different directions.

“Twelve o’clock, right ?” says Peeta. “The tail points at twelve.” 

“Before they spun us,” says Finnick. “We were judging by the sun,” you agreed. “The sun only tells you it’s going on four,” Katniss says. 

“I think Katniss’s point is, knowing the time doesn’t mean you necessarily know where four is on the clock. You might have a general idea of the direction. Unless you consider that they may have shifted the outer ring of the jungle as well,” says Beetee. She nods, even though she looks like what Beete said wasn’t what she entirely meant. “Yes, so any one of these paths could lead to twelve o’clock,” Katniss continues. 

You all circle around the Cornucopia, scrutinizing the jungle. Johanna thinks to follow Enobaria’s and Brutus’s tracks, but they have been blown or washed away. There’s no way to tell where anything is. “I should have never mentioned the clock,” says Katniss bitterly. “Now they’ve taken that advantage away as well.”

“Only temporarily,” says Beetee. “At ten, we’ll see the wave again and be back on track.” 

“Yes, they can’t redesign the whole arena,” says Peeta. “It doesn’t matter,” says Johanna impatiently. “You had to tell us or we never would have moved our camp in the first place, brainless.” 

“Let’s just take a random path, or else we’ll die before knowing,” you say annoyed. They end up agreeing, having no idea what number you’re all headed for. You arrive at the jungle, cautious of what was lurking inside. “Well, it must be monkey hour. And I don’t see any of them in there,” says Peeta. “I’m going to try to tap a tree.”

“No, it’s our turn,” says Finnick as you follow him. “I’ll at least watch your back, you’re both injured,” Peeta says. 

“Katniss can do that,” says Johanna. “We need you to make another map. The other washed away.” She yanks a large leaf off a tree and hands it to him.

Katniss ends up following the both of you with Finnick about fifteen yards into the jungle, where you find a good tree and he starts stabbing to make a hole with his knife.

“So that’s how you get your water ? Amazing,” you look intrigued. “Yep, and then we use a spile to get the water from the tree. We got it from a sponsor. Useful, right ? It must have cost them a lot,” he hums as he explains it to you.

“Let me use the knife, I want to make the hole,” you command as you reach for the weapon in his hand. He steps back and raises the blade up your head so you can’t grab it. You frown. “No way. Your hand is like minced meat. You’ll hurt yourself, honey,” he refuses. You roll your eyes, but he was right.

“Katniss, got that spile ?” Finnick asks, snapping her back to reality. She cuts the vine that ties the spile to her belt and holds the metal tube out to him. 

At the same moment, there is a scream. Loud, terrifying, full of fear and despair. It makes you shiver head to toe. Startled, you look at Katniss dropping the spile and running widely in the direction of the voices through vines and branches. Finnick flares something wrong.

“Stay here, I’ll go get her !” orders you the blond as he grabs your shoulders.

“No, wait-” you start to say but he kisses your forehead one last time before dashing towards where the brunette left in the middle of the wild vegetation. You are left alone, confused and not understanding what just happened.

From far away, you manage to hear something. You soon realise that Katniss is screaming the name “Prim”, followed by the gut wrenching voice of a little girl.

“Finnick, it’s a trap !” you yell, but he is already too far from your reach. You intend to follow after him, but suddenly there is a piercing scream resonating all around you. Color vanishes from your face and you step back in horror, before rushing towards the voice.

“Mags !” you exclaim. 

chapter 4 coming soon...

Tag list : @winterbearwonderland

[shizuturnspages]

can you do a Khanrian (did i spell that right?) child who doesn't actually care that they've been technically kidnapped? like as long as their interested/curious/entertained they will stay. they don't try escaping but they will wander around whether the yanderes like it/let them or not, though they always return at the end of the day. even if they get chained or bound whether magically or physically, they always manage to get out but there's no damage to the seal, the cuff is still locked, and knots still tied; they see it like a game in a way.

The Wanderer's Game

Synopsis: The last child of Khaenri’ah—untouched by fear—is not so much taken as they are collected. And they stay. Not from love, not from force… but from pure curiosity. You don’t run. You wander. You don’t rebel—you play. And no matter what chains are bound around you, you always return before nightfall, like a child who's simply had enough fun for the day. You can’t be held. But gods, do they keep trying. Pairings: [Separate] Yandere Dainsleif, Pierro, Kaeya, Albedo, Capitano x Khaenri’ahn Child

Dainsleif – The Keeper Who Watches

He finds you sitting calmly where he left you—inside the sealed chamber, warded with ancient sigils no mortal could dispel. You wave at him.

He stares. The ward is still intact.

“Did you…?” he begins.

You blink at him innocently. “What?”

“You left. You went out.”

“I came back.”

He pauses. “The seal—how did you…?”

“I don’t know.” You stretch, clearly bored. “I just… walked out.”

Dainsleif’s knuckles go white on his sword hilt. You don’t notice—or rather, you don’t care. You’re inspecting a book you took from his shelf without asking. “Can we visit the ruins tomorrow? I saw a star chart in the north wing.”

He sighs slowly, dragging a hand down his face. But he doesn’t say no. He never does.

You’re not disobedient. You’re uncontainable. And that terrifies him more than any rebellion ever could.

Pierro – The Strategist Without A Counterplay

“You’ve escaped again.”

Pierro doesn’t raise his voice. He never does. But you can hear the sharp twist of disbelief underneath the calm.

You’re sitting in his office now, flipping through classified documents like bedtime stories.

“I didn’t escape,” you say lightly. “I just… walked.”

“The guards reported magical restraint. Layered.”

You smile. “Yeah. It was fun.”

“Nothing was broken. Nothing.”

You look up at him, eyes glowing faintly with whatever ancient mystery still lingers in your blood. “I’m not trying to leave, Pierro.” You close the folder. “If I wanted to, I would’ve gone.”

He’s silent. Thinking. Calculating.

Then: “What would make you stay?”

You stretch like a cat, amused. “A better game. The library’s getting dull.”

Pierro stares at you like one stares at a prophecy wrapped in silk. He’s never met a hostage so willing. So frustrating. And yet, you’re exactly what he always wanted. Unpredictable. Eternal. And always, always watching.

Kaeya – The Brother Who Lies Through His Teeth

“Oh? You slipped your cuffs again?” Kaeya purrs, cornering you in the hallway with that all-too-smug smile. “You must really enjoy chasing my attention.”

You hum, resting your chin on your hands. “You weren’t paying attention, so I went for a walk.”

“In the middle of the night.”

“I found a crystal cave. The echoes were lovely.”

Kaeya twirls the broken key in his fingers. Except it’s not broken—it’s untouched. Your cuffs are still latched.

“You know,” he murmurs, stepping closer, “most people don’t like being locked up. Most people would run.”

You tilt your head. “But I’m not most people, am I?”

That stops him cold.

You grin. “Don’t look so surprised. I know exactly what I am. I’m just waiting to see how far you’ll go to keep me here.”

His breath hitches. He never expected to fall for someone who enjoyed the game more than he did.

Albedo – The Alchemist’s Puzzle

Albedo thinks he can study you. You let him try.

You sit obediently in the chair, let him run harmless tests, whisper glyphs into the air to track your aura.

But when he turns his back, you’re gone. Not violently. Not with flair. Just… not there anymore.

And when he finds you again—sitting atop a mountain, legs swinging off the ledge like it’s the edge of the world—he only sighs.

“You always return.”

You smile. “You’re the most interesting one.”

He looks at you, quiet. “Does that mean you’ll stay?”

“For now.”

It should unsettle him. But all it does is make him want to understand you more. He’s never had a specimen like this. One that obeys no rules. One that leaves but doesn’t leave.

He builds a new lab. With no locks. No doors. Because you’ll stay anyway. Until you’re not curious anymore.

Capitano – The Commander Who Can’t Command You

He tries everything. Physical restraint. Magical barriers. Even a soft hand. A rare tenderness.

And yet, every night, you leave. And every morning, you come back, smiling like a child who’s just come home from playing in the mud.

“Do you enjoy worrying me?” he asks once, towering over you.

You blink up at him. “You worry?”

“… Yes.”

You grin. “Then yes. I enjoy it.”

You’re not defiant. You don’t rebel. You just exist beyond control.

And it shatters the part of Capitano that thought he could protect you through containment.

Because love, to him, was always about walls. But you… You laugh at his walls. You walk through them. And every time you come back—unharmed, untouched—he realises:

You are not the caged. You are the keeper of the key.

[h3arts4strs]

The Sweetest Taboo

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K. Nanami x fem!Reader

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02 ᯓ★ The night takes an unexpected turn for Nanami, leaving him with a newfound love for jazz music and interest in a certain band member.

WORD COUNT ᯓ★ 960

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Forty minutes. Forty whole minutes I had spent admiring a particular member of the band when I was meant to be cracking open my book and cuddle Luna while this weeks episode of my favourite gardening show provides ambience while I sink into my warm bed. Yet here I was, absolutely enamoured over a star like I was some teenage boy.

How pathetic. 

I glance at my wristwatch, planning what would be the best descion to make, especially considering how tomorrows workday was too be started off with a tedious meeting with head office, one that would need me well rested in order to survive the workday and somewhat socialise with business partners. 

The instrumentation of the band come to an eventaul halt and the crowd was reduced to low murmurs, instantly grabbing my attention and pulling me out my thoughts. The beautiful singer inched toward the crowd, close enough to allow for the people to reach out to her yet too far to touch. All I could do was take a sip of my drink and continue to admire from afar, awaiting her next move with high anticipation.

 “You all have been amazing as usual and we truly love performing here.” She spoke, her warm sultry voice enough to have you wrapped around her manicured finger and drive a grown man wild. “Unfortunatley, our time together has come to an end but we will definately being seeing you all next week for another night in The Savoy. Now, before we go, here with our final song for the night, ‘Paradise.’”

The band resumed playing and the crowd began to immdiately came alive once again. People began dancing, singing along or simply erupting into joyous conversation. I let out a deep sigh of content, allowing the beauty of the situation to actually set into my system. Being able to sit here, in this niche yet cosy jazz bar in Shibuya, surrounded by many who were brought here either by chance or choice, and just come together to experience this. Although the band was from a foreign land and may speak with words unfamiliar to some, including myself, their music had been able to connect us all. 

Once the song had come to an end, the crowd had exploded into frantic applause as all band members rose from their positions and had bowed. I also stood from my spot on the suprisingly comfortable bar stool to give the performance its well-deserved recognition. I watch as the performers are slowly sheilded by the closing velvet curtains and get one more glance of ‘Pink Diamond’ before deciding to collect all my belongings, pay the bar tender and make my journey home.

Once I step out the bar, the cold night air pricks my face I am brought to reality. Now I am just a salaryman. Now I have work in the morning. Now I will go back to my routine and probably never return to The Savoy.

As I walk towards the train station, which is relatively close to the bar, I catch myself humming tunes of the songs that have managed to slowly settle into memory.

Once I arrive at the station which is much emptier in comparison to the usual after work rush, I take a seat on the cold metallic chairs, attempting to avoid the ones with a heavy stench of urine, awaiting the next train’s arrival. As I mentally begin to plan out my next few days I feel a light tap on my shoulder.

“Hi, can you please help me?”

I feel my eyes slightly widen but I immediately attempt to regain my composure. ‘Pink Diamond’ was here. Although she had spoken in a broken Japanese, I notice her discreetly point towards an excuse of man who had seemed to be following her and was currently waiting out by a pillar. I quickly understood what she meant. He was a creep and I knew I had to take action to ensure her safety, especially knowing the nature of men who would be lurking at this time.

I had stood up from my position on the train station bench and had motioned for her to sit down, offering her my work blazer to help sheild her from the stations conditions which had become slightly chilly at this hour. She graciously accepts it, immediately snuggling into its warmth. Cute. “I will handle it don’t worry.” I awnsered her in not so clear English, attempting to recall what I knew from my early childhood in Europe. I gave her a nod of reassurance, ensuring to maintain personal space then left to handle the weirdo.

I fearlessly approached him and spoke up, “I don’t know whether you are some pig or an excuse man but leave her alone.” The man scoffs before expelled a wad of spit near my feet. What a pig. “Im not doing jack, just simply-“, “-I did not ask what you are doing, I asked you to leave her alone.” I coldly stare at the man, subconsciously clenching my jaw due to my raising irritation. He eventually gets the message and walks the other way, muttering curses under his breath and going who knows where.

I let out a sigh of relief and turn back to check on the singer and how she was doing. I feel myself grow rather timid once I am near her, clearly my throat and awkwardly motioning to where the creep was, indicating I took care of the situation. She immediately sprung to her feet and gently layed her hand on my bicep, “Thank you so much.”

Her gesture was a shortlived yet pleasant and I caught myself shamelessly missing her touch already.

“I am L/N Y/N, and you are?”

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>^..^< chérie

[yeah-sure-amanda]

I have nothing of importance to add. This early release episode thing makes it harder to comment since everyone leaves a comment while I’m at work! 🤣

So all I have to say is:

Aaron’s words, while they hurt, weren’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I read it as, “I’m not your home. You need to go.” Also, Aaron is just parroting John and well…poor Aaron seems to be missing a backbone right now.

Also, Aaron threw a god damn wrench at Robert once. These words don’t and won’t matter down the line. Something to add to the angst because Aaron was soft with him at first. He can’t help it. His real husband is home and he had to fight it.

I’m now calling Aaron, Bigfoot, because he was staring at Robert as he stomped across that yard and everyone was oblivious. Bigfoot. Also, I agree. It was tragic, Aaron. It was tragic because he wasn’t kissing you. I get it sweetie. Your hands are tied (and not in a fun way) by the plot.

Ryan came back extra cute, no? Like adorable. Robert is at his lowest right now and fully open about it. I’m in the camp of “Robert is getting a special episode where he goes to therapy.” So he can start to settle his mind and get it back into shape or a better place. Btw, I have never seen the GA so pro-Robert. It’s a weird sight. I’m enjoying it. My heart hurt though that he got drugged and then stolen by crazy ass. The shot of his butt in the murder van of doom though was extra and I want to thank the director for that shot.

John is an asshole. I can’t stand him. This plot has a long way to go so got to get used to him on screen. As long as Aaron stops saying he loves him over and over and over and over. It’s annoying. He and his murder van of doom now with action syringes is making me angry.

So, California Dreaming will be a trigger for Robert, I assume. The song is about thinking of better places as you are stuck in the dark and cold. Could stand for a positive thought for Robert and a negative one for John. Robert just wants to get better and build a new life. John wants to keep his life by getting rid of the people who threaten it.

Victoria is doing well! Standing up for older bro! I’m glad she remembered that Robert was there with her since birth. John is a…Johnny come lately. Will it last? More tuna likely not. No one is safe from the plot so, I’m going to enjoy it. I love how she called John out. He is insecure. If the marriage started out healthy and strong, Robert showing up shouldn’t cause all this bother! Just saying…

I think I’ve been obsessively trying to figure out the plot because I’m rusty at it now and I just want to move it along. Get Robron back together. But it’s important to remember the journey is the point. Got to enjoy it. Aaron won’t be sour for long. Robert won’t always be down and out. It’s not a matter of if they get back together, it’s a matter of when.

I feel that we are getting a slight reverse on the Gordon era. Robron learning to be friends again but the feelings are way deeper because so much as happened since then. Also, a slight reverse of reunion 2.0? Aaron now feels like Robert. “You left me. I mean, I get it, you had to but you left me.”

I need Robert to get friends outside of Aaron. Caleb was fun with him. *sigh* I need Aaron to find his voice for himself. Remind John that it’s not just about him. Marriage is a partnership. Not the hero worship show. Robert gets it. So does Aaron. We will get back there. We just need to enjoy the ride back.

So, yeah. So far so soapy! Tomorrow should be interesting. Now that we have no spoilers to follow.

On a totally random note, I’m so excited to see everyone talking, joking, writing great fanfiction again. It’s keeping me sane in the middle of truly shitty times.I truly appreciate the Robron fandom (tumblr edition).

Oh and…fuck Bob. 🤣🤣🤣 (I’m still angry about his comment 🤣)

[lostfirefly]

Buggy is getting closer to his dream :) Ask Catherine to marry him :) Nothing, just fun and shitty shit again :)

Buggy was pacing the floor, muttering to himself while Cabaji sat upside down on a barrel, sharpening a sword he didn't need sharpening.

“Okay, hear me out,” Buggy barked suddenly. “I want to propose to Catherine.”

"Yeah, I know that. You told me." Cabaji didn’t even look up. “Yaaay! Finally.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“You've told me this for the tenth time in 2 days.”

“What? I didn't do that!”

“You did. I counted. And remember. You monologue.”

“But it has to be perfect, dude! I’m not just some guy!” Buggy collapsed on the floor. “I’m Buggy D. Clown, Captain Extraordinaire!”

“You want fireworks? A marching band? Richie in a tux?” Cabaji raised eyebrows.

“Write that down.” Buggy snapped his fingers. “Maybe to do that during the show?”

“How did you imagine it?”

“Don't know-o-oooow!!” Buggy whined. “The crowd. Me. Singing. Catherine is looking at me. Oh! Oh! Let’s… rehearse it.”

“Wh—!!” Cabaji blinked. “Wait. You want to rehearse the proposal? With me?”

“Who else, huh?” Buggy stood up, adjusting his jeans. “Richie can’t hold the ring. And Mohji’s too emotional, he’d start crying before I said ‘will.’ And anyway, he is now with Catherine in the museum.”

“Never in my life!! I’m not kneeling for you.”

“You’re kneeling for art, Cabaji. Now shut up and pretend you’re Cathie.”

Cabaji groaned but stood up, rolled his eyes, and with the resignation of a man who knew there was no escape got down on one knee. “This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever...”

Buggy dropped to his knee, too.

“What are you doing?” Cabaji blinked.

“I panicked!”

“You were supposed to stay standing, dumbass!”

“YOU LOOKED TOO COMMITTED, I PANICKED!”

They froze in awkward silence, both on one knee, facing each other.

“Are we getting married now?” Cabaji deadpanned.

“NO, YOU IDIOT!” Buggy slapped Cabaji.

“Ouch!!” Cabaji scratched his head. “Wait. Why... if I'm Catherine, am I on one knee? Shouldn't it be you?”

“I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS SHOULD BE DONE!!!" Buggy scrambled up. “Okay, okay, let's reset! You’re Catherine. Be Catherine!”

“I WAS HER!!” Cabaji sighed. "I’ll just summon every ounce of confused disappointment in my soul.”

“Shut up!” Buggy cleared his throat, openinh a ring box with a plastic candy ring inside. “Catherine, my little cotton candy ghost...”

“Already awful,” Cabaji muttered.

“Fuck you honestly!” Buggy kicked him in the shin. “I know I’m loud, messy sometimes...”

“Every day, not sometimes.”

“But I love you more than treasure. More than pizza. More than… even me.”

“Wow!” Cabaji clapped theatrically. "She would be happy to hear that."

“Right?!” Buggy beamed. “Too much?”

“You know what? You might be ready.” Cabaji actually stood up and dusted off his pants.

“Really?”

“Yes. And if you don’t propose to her soon, I will. Because at this point I think I fell for you a little.”

“Too late, I only love one woman.”

“Then go and ask her before I get stuck doing this again tomorrow.” Cabaji rolled his eyes.

“You’re still on backup duty. In case I pass out.”

“Of course I am,” Cabaji sighed, walking off. “Always the maid of honor in this freak show.”

[buttfrovski]

send the flood

[anemonet]

Thinking bout rain world again

[xxplastic-cubexx]

Had to explain to a friend today that No Really I Swear Magneto And Professor X Are Friends And Like Each Other Thats Canon And Real

[thatfriendlyanon]

your friendship is a beam of sunlight in a cold room.