#people who sing well are so fascinating and perplexing to me

[generic-enthusiast]

every time I listen to no longer you I am surprised by how spectacular it is.

[gaoau]

Thursday 27th – The Road to Nationals

The Girl Upstairs warnings — none. word count — 874

prev. — next.

The train whistled to a stop, jerking forwards only a few millimeters, but enough to make its passengers sway in their seats. Bokuto's lively chatter didn't bother ceasing, seemingly spouting words even out of his elbows. Holding in her laughter, [Name] turned away from the endearing ace — a word she became really fond of — who had been fascinated by her owl facts and babbled question after question. Her eyes settled on Akaashi quietly sitting on her other side. Although he wasn't scowling and his face was free of creases, his narrowed lids as he glared at Bokuto spoke for themselves.

[Name] snorted when he sighed with an amount of exasperation she didn't know existed. "Bokuto-san." Akaashi's monotone voice flowed out of his mouth enveloped in politeness and good manners, yet the look in his eyes betrayed him and gave him away. Had they been alone, a crime would have been committed. Bokuto clamped his mouth shut at the call of his name. "This is your stop, Bokuto-san."

"You're right!" Bokuto sprang up from his seat, a gasp of realization slipping from his lips. He turned towards his underclassman with a blinding grin. "Get her home safe, yeah, Akaashi? I'm trusting you. You too, [Name], get him home safe, will you?" He didn't await any replies, promptly swiveling on his heels to squeeze out of the train's closing doors. "I'll see you next practice! Bye!" Through the square windows, [Name] reciprocated Bokuto's enthusiastic wave with a smile and a small wave of her own.

"Glad to see he's cheered up." As the train left the station, and Bokuto disappeared among the sea of people returning home, [Name]'s attention went back to Akaashi. She tried to stifle her chuckles as best as she could, but she had never seen a high-schooler's face convey such exhaustion. "Does that emo mode thing happen often?"

Akaashi sighed again, grumbling incoherently under his breath. "Don't even get me started. He's too unpredictable."

"I feel like our roles have switched." [Name] laughed to herself. Akaashi cocked a tired brow at her words. "You wanna talk about this over a cup of tea? You look like you're ready to shatter your skull on a light switch."

"Oddly specific, but I just might."

"Please, don't. It's not that bad anyway, right? I don't feel he'd do that at really important events."

"Bold confidence for someone that's wrong." [Name] was rendered speechless, only being able to produce perplexed giggles. "There's no difference between a practice match or nationals. He can and will go emo."

"Oh, nationals! Shirofuku-san sent me a video of the qualifiers. Against Kuroo-san's team, I think, the red team?"

Akaashi visibly cringed. "Nekoma High School, yeah."

"Ah, Nekoma's the name? That's cute."

"So? What did you think?" He knew full well how that match had gone down. The memory alone urged him to knock himself out until graduation.

"What's with that face? You're awfully expressive today."

"Bokuto-san's—"

"—a handful, yeah. So I've heard. But you have fun anyway, don't you? It looked like it, at least."

"Of course I do. It's actually very satisfying to see the team work like it does."

"Right? I didn't get much what was going on, but it was amazing. I had no idea our school was a powerhouse. We even have cheerleaders."

"Though at this point they're there to keep Bokuto-san pumped up."

[Name] laughed and slapped his arm playfully. "Poor soul, give him a break. You're real stingy, aren't you?" She received a piercing glower through narrowed eyes. Her hands raised in mock innocence. "But hey! Maybe next time I'll be on the stands to sing that stupidly catchy cheer." She bit her tongue as soon as the words left her mouth. It was hard to tell if she was only imagining the taste of blood. Quietly, she chanted her school's name and clapped her hands.

Akaashi's expression softened as he allowed a light chuckle to escape him. "I'll save you a seat during nationals."

[Name] felt her body being set aflame. An unexpected hyper-awareness of Akaashi's warmth slapped her across the face. Her smile wavered, getting coated with uncertainty and hesitation. She forced a cough out of her throat. "Hey, I said maybe. Don't take my word for it."

"Your maybe's sound more like a yes at this point."

"Maybe."

Akaashi's laughter resonated in her head, seeming distant and out of reach even when he sat right beside her. [Name] struggled to keep the smile nailed to her lips. She regretted lying to his face; he deserved better than that. Her maybe's didn't sound like a yes at all — they were empty promises she would never fulfill.

It was the first time a maybe she knew wasn't bound to come stung her deeply. A maybe pronounced with her voice was nothing more than a lie. But Akaashi could never understand that and [Name] could never explain it. She would have to apologize later.

[thesunshinebunny]

How about NRC putting on a talent show every year for the students and MC/Yuu/Reader putting on a proper "show", going up on stage alone, singing and dancing like a real Kpop star. How dorm leaders would react along with the freshmen since at no point did MC tell them that they were going to participate????

I can��t tell you if you were lucky with the exit of chapter 5 or that you are simply a fortune teller dear anon. But I'm going to tell you something that I am sure of ... this type of request is MY JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW NIIICE !!!!

I recommend listening to the following song since for this one-short I relied on it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mxAlX7Zeco&ab_channel=LeagueofLegends

Second Part

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The show had been a success. Neige had gone up to conquer his fans and record producers, his tender figure had fallen in love the entire public. But when it came time for Vil and the other boys ... the arena was on fire. They shone, there is no other word to describe their performance. It was hypnotic to see them move with such synchronization, even Grim was dancing as if his life depended on it, incredible that just two weeks ago this cat couldn’t coordinate his two hind legs.

There wasn’t much more to say, the boys were excellent, I was envious I couldn’t have gone up with them. Yes, I was completely mad at Vil for not letting me participate, as according to him, I wasn’t going to fit in well in the group given my vocal chords and my intonation. Now I would show him the serious mistake he made. With the applause reverberating over the audience, the boys emerged one by one, Vil being the last one taking his characteristic super model steps.

"That was great, we have to repeate it one day" Kalim was overflowing with joy. You could see in his eyes that he had enjoyed it.

"Stay calm Kalim" Jamil as always trying to calm him down and prevent him from spreading so much happiness.

“(Y / N) did you see us? Did you like the show? I think we did great. ”Ace, Deuce and Grim approached me from all sides, huge smiles on their faces. I was very happy for them, even proud of what they had accomplished.

"Excuse my daring, I know we are all charged with adrenaline, but I couldn't help but observe that you, mon ami, look completely beautiful"

It was a matter of time until Rook or Vil noticed my appearance. Transparent black top with details in the chest area, iridescent violet choker hiding the neck of the top, black cut leggings and two-inch platforms. Matching makeup with violet, black and turquoise colors.

"Did you produce yourself for the occasion?" Vil showed a look of pride, apparently my clothing was of his approval.

"Mmmm, something like that"

Out of the corner of my eye I could see how my team was coming to the stage. Ortho was standing behind the light panel and Lilia over the music control, while three freshmen from Pomefiore were positioning themselves to go out into the audience.

"Hurry (Y/N) we are about to go out"

The guys in front of me stared puzzled, not understanding much of the situation. Before anyone could open their mouths, we heard Mr. Crewel make a short announcement over the speakers:

“To end this beautiful day, we called our last guest and their companions to the stage. Please give (Y/N) (L/N) a big round of applause”

With a smile I looked towards where the Pomefiore students were leaving for the stage, gradually getting into their positions. On the other hand, I slightly saw Ortho and Lilia, both of them raised their thumbs, a sign that everything was ready. The lights in the entire stalls were turned off, leaving a single diffuse purple light on the stage where I was supposed to be placed.

Before going out into the audience, I looked at the boys and said in the most self-centered and proud voice that I could:

"It's show time"

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It was shocking to see from the stage how not only the students but also guests and families were approaching us in a superhuman way. But what almost perplexed me was the fact that I found the dorm leaders off to one side from the stalls, as if they had a secluded place just for themselves. Vil had arrived in the blink of an eye, I'll have to make a mental note to ask how he did it.

I was very surprised to see Leona and Idia, perhaps the last one decided to leave his cave when he knew his little brother would be helping me put on a show. If I didn’t expect to see Leona, I was expected for that damn lion was to be lying in his room, without the slightest intention of seeing the show.

Now I'm a bit nervous.

The same was in the case of the teachers, they were watching from a high audience, avoiding the congestion of people around them.

Already in position, microphone in ear, encouraging smiles from my dance partners and some nerves that ran through my spine, I was ready to put on my best show.

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Unbeknownst to me, the first-year one braincell boys had arrived in time to sneak into the front row, even Sebek who was being grabbed by the arm by Epel. From where they were he could see Malleus directly, so he didn't care much about being led to where they were.

Ace and Deuce were already looking puzzled, still unable to understand the situation. At no time had they found out that their magicless friend was going to participate in this contest, much less alone (although in reality you were accompanied, but you understand)

And ... As you said before ...

Show time

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Coming at you live Real real wild Here to light it up Set the world on fire Gonna break rules And hearts in twos 'Cause that's what the baddest do

Vil was the first to react and in the worst way: his soul fell to the ground to hear your voice intoning perfectly with the music and how the way Lilia was playing the sound made your intonations reverberate much more than possible. He was internally cursing himself for not involving you in his group, you would have been a great companion, he would even have put your own solo.

He was just as impressed by the physical ability that not only you had, but his dorm residents as well. He was proud of his first-year boys, but in the same way he was going to repress them at the end of the day for didn’t warned him they were going to participate ... but between us, it will be nothing more than a reprimand of a few seconds, since inevitably he would congratulate them.

Kalim was amazed, he had never seen a choreography like this and in his seventeen years he saw countless dances in many parties. His eyes shone at the sight of you moving as if your life depended on it, and the fact that you could sing without getting tired after so much hustle ... impressive. When the show was over, he would go directly to ask you to teach him how to move that way, just as he would return the favor by teaching you traditional dances from his native land.

Pretty face 걸어들어와 유행 선두자 원하지만 못하잖아 애가 타잖아 You like "whoa" KALI you the GOAT 난 알지 I know

Azul's and Riddle's mouths almost reaches the floor. Not only were they impressed by your dancing and the amazing, powerful song you were singing, but they felt like they ascended to heaven by hearing you sing in Korean. Neither of them knew that you had such a capacity, and although they knew very little about the language, they understood you perfectly.

Likewise, Riddle was completely flushed. He wasn’t used to seeing this type of show and looked almost hypnotized as your body moved at an almost vertigo rate. Azul on the other hand was as fascinated as Kalim, not to the point of asking you to teach him to dance, the very poor man can barely walk with his new two human feet; but he was interested in having some business matters with you, maybe introducing you once or twice a week at the Monstro Lounge… who knows.

Sorry for the bad news, sorry I'm so bad Only took a minute for me to get what you had Sorry for the bad news, know it makes you sad I'll be here for a minute, baby, you should pack your bags

At some point during this incredible show you caught eyes with Leona, who, to tell the truth, had his trademark smirk on his face. He really liked what he was seeing, not everyone could have the stamina to sing and dance that way. Lowkey impressed. He smiled sincerely at you, or that's what his smile conveyed, and sent you moral support by shaking his head. Beside him, Idia was biting his nails annoyingly. He was mentally kicking his butt for not having brought in incandescent lights, the same lights that are used at idol concerts.

As for Malleus… let's just say he was having a good time, after all. Even not understanding much of this kind of event, he enjoyed watching you dance and sing so happily, an act that he didn't have the pleasure of witnessing so much.

Look at the gold all on my chest Look at the gold, call it a flex

The entire state completely exploded. The clapping and screaming overwhelmed your ears. Among the people you noticed the first years clapping and giving you their full support like a bunch of crazy people. The leaders clapped too, each at their own pace, some more invigorating and some more proud.

[kantrips]

Alistair & Celia Headcanon Collection

Some Amell x Alistair (largely fluff) headcanons! Includes some from Origins, Warden time at Amaranthine and the Inquisition-era. Some of these I have had since my first playthrough, but others I may have read elsewhere, loved and thusly absorbed so please let me know if I can link anyone!

Origins

The first time they meet at Ostagar, Celia thinks Alistair is the most fascinating person she has ever encountered because no one in the Circle had a particularly boisterous sense of humour. Alistair is oblivious to her heart eyes, and also holds back because he’s worried she won’t survive the Joining.

Even after the Joining, Alistair tries very hard not to ~feel feelings~ despite the clear signals Celia is hurling at him because he assumes she won’t like him once she gets to know him more/she will get bored of him/ she will leave like everyone else i.e. the boy is hecking damaged.

Celia laughs obnoxiously hard at all Alistair’s jokes because a) she finds them unexpected, and b) because, like a dork, she wants to prove she gets the punch line. Alistair is perplexed by her reactions at first, and cautiously wonders if she is mocking him. Once he realises she is genuinely amused, it bolsters his ego significantly. 

Celia has no concept of personal space and sits and walks very close to everyone. There wasn’t a lot of room at the Circle so she forgets she can spread out. Morrigan makes it clear she needs to back off (Celia doesn’t need telling twice) but Alistair is more relaxed and gets used to it quickly after the confusion of the first night when she blithely sets up her bedroll right next to his. Alistair assumes she is a bit scared of sleeping in the forest but really she is just accustomed to the need to cram as many apprentice bunks into a room as possible.

In a way, Alistair is also used to sharing small spaces (Chantry and Wardens) so it doesn’t bother him at all when Celia chooses to sit pressed against his side, walks so their arms bump together, or unconsciously brushes an eyelash from his cheek. He quickly grows to like her overfamiliarity (for some reason…).

Similarly, Alistair eats Celia’s leftover food if she can’t finish it or doesn’t like it, even before they’re a couple. She just offers one day and after that it becomes a given. The others side-eye them but they are happily oblivious.   

Celia gets in trouble from the rest of the party for getting distracted yelling encouragement and cheering Alistair during combat. In turn, Alistair gets in trouble for turning around mid-battle to thank her when she buffs or heals him. Morrigan advises that if they are both so determined to get killed, she is more than happy to assist with hastening the process.

Celia’s mabari, Trevor, is quickly accepting of Alistair and his proximity to Celia because he observes Alistair protecting Celia in battle and thusly deems him to be a ‘good dog’ and considers that they are equals in the pack.

Alistair and Celia vandalise each other’s wanted posters whenever they come across them. It gets competitive.

Celia doesn’t really want to be in charge of saving the world but has three things working in her favour: 1) she absolutely hates letting people down 2) has an intense need to finish what she starts 3) she is in possession of a bossy streak.

That said she spends the entire Blight screaming internally to an extent not even Alistair fully grasps.

They go to the Circle Tower first, because Celia thinks she will have the best chance of getting help from people she knows and is also ‘homesick’ in the sense that she is very glad to be free of the place, but stressed enough with everything going on to crave something familiar even if she resents it. The events there devastate her. Along with the loss of friends and mentors she has known since childhood, being trapped by herself in the fade particularly terrifies her as she has never truly been alone for so long before in her life. It reminds her of the Harowing which totally blindsided her. She is very teary, untalkative and introspective for some time afterwards, but both Trevor and Alistair have the correct instinct to stay close without trying to interact with her which she finds incredibly comforting.

Accustomed to making potions, Celia will not under any circumstances deviate from a recipe while cooking, whereas Alistair just chucks everything in to use up leftovers and see what happens. Alistair gets meals together super quickly whereas Celia takes forever. A little unfairly, Celia is perceived as the better cook because she produces very consistent meals, while Alistair’s experiments sometimes do work, and sometimes don’t, with people tending to focus on the disasters rather than the successes. Meanwhile Celia is rather: “should I add half a sprig of rosemary? No I mustn’t: it would be far too daring!” so everyone learns to tip their own seasonings into their bowl before even tasting her food.

When they’re travelling and walking for days on end, Alistair and Celia make up a lot of games in the vein of ‘I spy’ and ‘would you rather?’ They can occasionally persuade others to participate though no one enjoys them or gets quite as invested as Celia and Alistair (who are actual children).

A game stops abruptly one day when Celia guilelessly asks if Alistair would rather be Emperor of Orlais or King of Fereldan and he gets extremely defensive and answers, “Neither.” Having no context for this reaction (yet), Celia (a stickler for the rules) pushes him, insisting his answer isn’t allowed and that he’s cheating until Alistair gets grouchy, stomps off and refuses to play anything for days. 

Celia figures he must be overtired, but his unhappy reaction does come back to her later at the Landsmeet and contributes to her already firm resolve not to put him on the throne.

When bored, Alistair also periodically asks Celia to, “Do a trick!” with her magic and she usually obliges with something small and silly which Wynne always scolds them for (but they continue to do anyway).

Celia does not like Eamon one bit and makes it clear from their first meeting. Alistair actually gets a bit annoyed at her because she is polite to 99% of the other people they meet and he can’t understand what her problem is. Celia won’t say because she doesn’t want to drive Alistair away so she remains coldly civil towards Eamon and commences a long, looong process of nudging Alistair towards having the realisation himself that a) Eamon is manipulative, selfish and cruel and b) Alistair deserves better.

Celia wants to collect some of the books they find which is not practical given they are constantly travelling, but Alistair carries as many as he can in his pack and suffers in silence for it, ultimately finding it worth it for her enthusiastic gratitude.

Celia cuts Alistair’s hair and does a very respectable job after weeks of him complaining it’s flopping in his eyes (they used to cut each other’s hair in the Circle). Zevran pretends she did an awful job, gasping in horror at Alistair’s appearance, much to Celia’s ire. Alistair (internally weeping) tries to be brave until he can check his reflection in some plate mail and see it is fine.

Celia is very naïve about how the ‘real world’ works having been at the Circle since she was a child. This is especially evident in Denerim and Alistair has to explain how money works and grab her before she wanders down dicey looking alleyways.

Alistair nearly dissolves into a paroxysm of agony when he points out his favourite type of cheese at the Denerim Markets and (accustomed to the very limited range of bland foods provided at the Circle) Celia innocently asks, “There is more than one type of cheese?” Alistair makes it his mission to educate her. She doesn’t like most of what he feeds her but doesn’t say so to protect his feelings given he seems to take the matter so incredibly personally.

Leliana convinces Celia to sing one evening at the campfire. She’s breathy with a very limited range but manages okay, and Leliana plays and harmonises in support. Watching on with a goofy smile plastered over his face, Alistair comments to the surrounding companions about how talented she is and they’re like “…she’s really not mate.”

When they both wake up from a blightmare (or Celia has one and wakes Alistair with her flailing) they sneak about and eat anything they can find then sit up and have massive deep & meaningfuls (i.e. in the spirit of going for a long drive with a friend or being in the garden with someone outside a party and spilling your guts). Eventually they start blaming the depleted food stores on Leliana’s nug, Schmooples, much to Leliana’s displeasure.

Given Celia usually responds so well to his jokes, Alistair gets a bit peeved when Celia starts replying to some of his more severely self-deprecating humour with an unamused, “No you’re not,” or, “That’s not true.” He defensively argues it’s just a joke, but he does stop doing it so much as time goes on.

Celia is SO excited when Alistair gives her the rose. She never in her life thought she would be the recipient of a proper ~romantic gesture~…however she accidentally sits on the rose about five minutes after she gets it. Celia is devastated. There is a lot of panic and tears and she keeps one petal pressed in a book but has to unceremoniously ditch the rest in secret.

Celia doesn’t tell Alistair about this until years later and she’s terrified he’ll be hurt but he just laughs because he was so worried he was going to be the one to squash it and then she destroyed it basically the minute she got it. Alistair acknowledges it was an impractical gift given their situation. Celia gets mad and says it was a PERFECT gift and is annoyed at how funny he finds it given this has been a crushing, guilty secret hanging over her for years.

Following this, every time Alistair gives her any kind of gift, he can’t help but throw in a ‘Don’t sit on it!” and cracks himself up, especially when Celia gets grumpy about it and accuses him of spoiling the moment. It happens so often that when Alistair chooses a horse for her and plans to teach her to ride, Celia manages to cut him off with, “Yes, I know Alistair: I can sit on this one,” and steals his thunder.

Alistair periodically says Celia’s name just to check if she’ll answer, especially after a long period of quiet or to see if she’s awake à la screaming in the chantry because it’s so silent. When she responds he says, “Nothing” or “Never mind” but he finds it vaguely comforting just to hear her reply and it’s a habit he never loses, even when they have been together for years and he is much less isolated generally. Alistair doesn’t realise he’s doing it, and it never happens frequently enough for Celia to notice: she just assumes he has lost his train of thought.

They sometimes conspire to purposely fall to the back of the group while on the road so that they can hold hands. Everyone knows full well what they are doing, but Alistair and Celia think they are being incredibly ~sneaky~.

The first time they sleep together they laugh. A lot. Before, during and after.

Alistair snores loudly but only when he’s on his back. Celia is used to the noise of people sleeping around her at the Circle so it doesn’t bother her and she doesn’t want to disturb him because she knows he needs the rest.

When they are known to be sharing a tent however, their companions will slap on the walls of it and demand she kick him until he stops snoring. Celia will relent and gently prod and nudge Alistair until he rolls over with a bit of sleepy grumbling.

I think everyone has this headcanon to the point it is basically actual canon HOWEVER I am legally obligated to include it: Alistair is a professional body heat distributor and Celia drastically cuts down on the number of blankets she uses once they are sleeping together. If she stands in front of him on cold days, he understands the non-verbal signal and will automatically wrap her in his cloak.

Also might as well be canon: Alistair likes to be the little spoon. He doesn’t say, but Celia knows.

Decidedly not a fluff one (you can skip to Amaranthine to avoid) but the ritual with Morrigan fairly significantly messes Alistair up (both the act itself and his consideration of the repercussions i.e. Kieran). He’s jubilant and relieved at their victory over the Archdemon, but in the background struggles to process and there is some fallout once the victory celebrations lull and he has time to fully register what happened. Alistair grapples with a lot of guilt, disgust and confusion. He doesn’t know how to express it or where to direct his emotions so it mainly manifests as self-loathing. He wants to talk to Celia about it but can’t articulate his feelings which makes him feel worse.

Celia tries to comfort him, but he needs space on and off for a long while after and she gives him it. She feels a lot of guilt too, and never stops wondering how much it was actually his choice to do the ritual, worrying that she made him feel like he had to do it. Eventually they discuss it openly and honestly, which eases both of their minds somewhat, but it takes a long time to get to a point where they can talk on the subject. Meeting Kieran at Skyhold also helps Alistair down the line, though it’s obviously painful.

Amaranthine & Inquisition

Alistair keeps an eye out for people struggling, especially new recruits who are having trouble fitting in. He takes them under his wing and is very good at building people up and making sure everyone is included. He’ll just start enthusiastically greeting people like they are his best friend and squeezing himself onto the bench next to them at meals until everyone else follows suit.

For recruits that don’t respond well to his ‘mother hen’ type attention, Celia is good at assigning tasks that specifically highlight their strengths and builds their confidence/sense of purpose which also gains them the respect of their peers.

Alistair has been known to stand behind Celia while she is giving mundane orders/making speeches and pull faces or impersonate her, turning stony and impassive when she spins around accusingly because people are laughing.  

But if anyone else talks smack about her he gets very, “Sorry mate, just to clarify was that comment directed at my wife, your Commander, the hERO OF FERELDAN, VANQUISHER OF AN ARCHDEMON!? That’s lucky, I didn’t THINK IT LIKELY. Because that wouldn’t be WISE, would it now?” etc. with some loud, fake laughter and firm backslapping for the worst offenders.

The plan for them to part ways so that Celia can search for a cure goes very badly, especially because Celia (under a lot of stress and not coping™) eventually devolves into, “I’m in charge and I say so,” which is a big betrayal of their agreements both to stay together, and make decisions together on equal footing. She realises this and takes it back but Alistair is demoralised and gives in with a bit of petty, sarcastic reverence e.g. saluting and, “Whatever you say boss, don’t know why I dared to utter an opinion how foolish of me...” so they still part on slightly strained terms, even after later mutually apologising and trying to make the most of their time together before they go.

Both regret the argument during their separation and write horribly soppy letters to each other, but something still feels uncomfortably unresolved until they are together again. They pine. So much. It’s disgusting and cliched. There is considerable sighing and staring at the moon or deep into tankards, very much to the ire of those around them. Alistair can be particularly annoying: “This roll reminds me of my wife...she eats bread sometimes...”

After Celia sends the letter to the Inquisitor, she writes to Leliana directly along the lines of, “I know it was incredibly subtle but I wanted to check: did they get the message? That I will destroy them if Alistair gets hurt?” and Leliana replies in the vein of, “Hon, it wasn’t even remotely subtle ffs…”

When reunited, though ecstatic and nearly delirious with joy and relief, it takes a while to rebuild the trust they once had, especially for Alistair. There’s an unfamiliar awkwardness that flares up unexpectedly, but it doesn’t last and they’re both fully committed to each other and to staying together permanently this time.

Celia and Alistair have a conversation recapping everything that happened while they were apart in which Celia is all, “Poor Hawke. Honestly I’m shocked you didn’t do something obscenely idiotic like try and sacrifice yourself thank the Maker for that…” and Alistair is there, nervously sweating, looking for an exit, loosening his collar etc.

As they settle back into their old routines Alistair will occasionally blurt out things like, “I really like having breakfast with you,” and then berate himself internally for how trite that sounds but Celia replies on cue, “I love waking up next to you and the way you groan when you stretch your back out and the way you check your hair twice before you leave the room and the way you complain if I don’t eat my crusts and the way you still hold my hand when we’re walking...” and basically they’re just blissfully happy being comfortably domestic and even as they get older they are forever just teenagers in love.

The Wardens at Amaranthine acquire/receive a griffon egg and the hatchling imprints on Alistair and decides he is their mother. It can’t cope with separation, crying constantly if Alistair goes out of sight, and won’t let anyone else feed or handle it so Alistair carries them in a sling 24/7. He gets to give orders and run training sessions with the tiny griffon occasionally poking its head out just to glare at everyone.

Whenever the baby griffon squeaks, Alistair automatically replies, “Well said,” or “Excellent point, Ser Beaksly” with a totally straight face.

For the first few months, Celia gets nipped or scratched if she approaches Alistair unless he wraps the griffon up. It so badly wants to fight her. Celia is permitted to sleep in her own bed, as long as the griffon sleeps curled on Alistair’s chest and Celia doesn't try anything outrageous like touching her husband even fleetingly. It gets a little frustrating as the months drag on, but the image of Alistair with the sling over his armour, or with the griffon snuggling possessively around his neck staring daggers at everyone, is so entertaining that Celia can’t get truly annoyed about it. As the griffon gets older it does learn to tolerate other people and becomes more independent but remains very protective of Alistair and favours him above all others. Insert the ‘Ah yes. Me. My husband. And his thousand pound murder-bird-cat child’ meme here.

Modern AU Bonus Round

They share headphones while commuting.

They occasionally end up wearing sort of matching outfits, mostly unintentionally.

They consistently refer to their dog, Trevor, as their son to the point that people who aren’t familiar with them assume that they actually have a child.

[daddy-chiluc]

Sing You To Sleep | Chiluc Week Day 2

College AU/Only one bed/preforming arts

Chiluc Fluff | M/M

TW: Explicit Language

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“This is absolutely not happening.” He whispered under his breath, nails biting into his palms as he marveled at the vast room before him. The view of the city was beautiful, the balcony promising endless nights of twinkling lights and gorgeous starry skies. A full sized bed in the centre of the room lured him forwards, gently laying down his violin case to succumb to the soft sheets of the bed.

He took in a deep breath, relaxing as the faintest of smiles shyly touched his lips. The warmth of the linens was enough to almost lull him to sleep. To his dismay, a knock rang through the small room just as his eyes began to close. Hesitantly, he sat up, walking to the door to find his professor and a classmate behind him. Childe.

“Mister Ragnvindr,” he nodded, turning to present the out of breath ginger than gave a cheeky grin, monster and guitar case in hand, “Due to the sudden addition to the performances this week and lack of available rooms, Ajax here will be sharing this room with you for the remainder of this week.” And there goes his brief moment of relaxation. Gone within seconds.

Of course he’d be the one to pair with him. There had been an odd amount of people who had signed up for the trip to the Mondstadt Theatre, well known judges and critics there to give them feedback and training before their big show by the end of the week. He just so happened to get the short end of the stick and be the only person with their own room. It was nice for the five minutes it lasted.

It was rather rude the way Professor Zhongli had pushed him into the hotel room — his eyebrows stuck in a permanent state of irritation with each twitch as he tried to keep a friendly smile. Childe had stumbled in, eyes wide and glued to the guitar case, stickers and writing covering the case. They looked like…children drawings? Perplexed, Diluc saw it fit to ignore the matter for now.

“Hey…uhm,” a subtle hint of pink dusted along the other’s cheeks, stretching to his ears, “You’re that violin player right? With the solo this week?”

“Yeah, what about it?” His voice was heavy and almost intimidating…if it wasn’t for his beauty.

“I just thought…well, I…you’re just really cool.” He stuttered, his voice soft as he scratched at his bird’s nest of hair. It was rather endearing the way he was so…so shy around him. Typically he’d see him causing some form of ruckus at the college, in the middle of class. Always having crazy ideas to try different notes here and there, different instruments in one piece and another singer in this piece. Yet, when it came to Diluc’s performances and practices, he’d be silent. Dead silent, eyes wide in a childish wonder and fascination that always confused Diluc. It confused him to a point he’d try to ignore it but no matter how hard he tried, he’d always be there, eyes sparkling in amazement in the corner of his eye.

“Thank you.” It was blunt, quick and straight to the point. He wasn’t in the mood to dwell on such pitiful small talk. It annoyed him, wasted his time…not that he had anything to do to begin with. To be honest, for some reason, the other had annoyed him. Annoyed him so much so he found himself rolling his eyes subconsciously.

“…There’s only one bed.” Horrified, Diluc’s head turned to look at the full sized bed that once promised peaceful nights, now mock him. It mocked him as the faint sounds of car horns blared in the background, drowned out by his anxiety that prickled and pinched at his skin, “I can sleep on the floor.” His kindness was a harsh stab to his gut. Of course he had to be this nice to him after he berates him in the deepest corners of his mind.

“It’ll be alright, we’ll just put a pillow in between us.” Him and his stupid puppy dog eyes guilt tripping him and making him feel bad. Fuck him for being cute. Diluc’s cheeks flushed a deep red at the sudden thought. Surely not. No. Absolutely not. There was no way he found Childe cute.

He found Childe cute.

Earlier that afternoon he had bought them food, insisting on buying the most expensive food he could find, and coming back with enough food to hold them over until dinner. He’d gone off to explore, giving Diluc the option to go with…and when he returned, he came in with bags in multiple sizes, an elated grin plastered on his face.

“This is for you!” He handed him a bag and inside it was a numerous amount of keychains — animals all in the color red and a little rose keychain inside, “I didn’t know what to get you.” There were a lot of red items, a dog, cat, pheonix, a slime, you name it, it was probably buried in the vast amounts of knick knack items. He remembered trying to give them back, desperately trying to get him to take them back…yet he insisted he keep them. So he had, attaching the phoenix keychain to his violin case.

When night came he was more than anxious. His heart would thump in his chest, his mind busy with far too many what ifs and possibilities for sleep to come easy. Surely he knew he detested him. Why else would he go off and spend his money on such intricacies? It didn’t make any sense. He was sure he disliked him. Of course, his…assumption was quickly disproven.

With fiery cheeks and wide scarlet eyes, he caught glimpse of Ajax — black sweats with droplets of water streaming against every dip and crevice of his upper body. He could hear a faint wince, the sound muffled by the towel he used to dry his hair. The pull and twitch of every muscle didn’t aid Diluc in stilling his heart and gathering his breath.

“Sorry about that,” he laughed, his voice light and airy as he headed to his shirt, discarded and almost forgotten on the floor, “Dropped it on my way over,” Slipping it on, it was rather baggy, the sleeves coming down to his elbows as he yawned.

“Right, I’ll…” he paused, cerulean blue eyes gazing down at him, “I’m gonna go down to the lobby to see if they sell tea…you can head to bed if you’d like.” He smiled softly, his kindhearted demeanor — far calmer than his normal chaotic self — was rather off putting. It made Diluc’s spine shiver with anxiety and his skin rise with goosebumps. He watched as he headed out the door and for a brief moment, he wasn’t sure what to do with his freedom.

Deciding to wear a faded, gray sweater and black shorts, he turned off most of the lights, leaving on the desk light for when Ajax had returned. Undoing his hair tie, he crawled beneath the sheets, letting his weight sink into the soft mattress. He wasn’t sure how long he was alone in the hotel room, but he heard the soft click of the door opening, the lights twinkling and distant sound of cars driving below not doing much to overpower the quiet noise to ease his worry.

He could hear every step he took — they were hesitant and quiet, almost scared to move in fear of waking him up. Truthfully, Ajax had never been more terrified. Part of him wanted to check and make sure he was asleep, but he knew if he had, he wouldn’t be able to look away. Diluc Ragnvindr was beautiful. Far beautiful than anyone he’s ever laid eyes on…so to even be allowed to sleep beside him doesn’t feel right. He doesn’t feel like he should. So his best bet?

His acoustic guitar. It would be loud, without a doubt, but he’d play it out on the balcony and keep the door shut. It wouldn’t do much but it would be enough. So, undoing the clasps of his case, his fingers running over the pictures Teucer, Anthon and Tonia drew for him, he gently picked up his acoustic from it’s case as he slipped outside.

Sitting outside, he let himself be soothed by the gentle breeze, the pads of his fingers coming to rest flat against the strings before he strummed, checking each string to tune them before mindlessly playing. It didn’t take much, it was almost second nature. He could stare off and simply play, his calloused hands having a mind of their own.

There were numerous questions that poked and prodded at Diluc’s mind, all of which he chose to ignore in favor of listening to him play. The sound was beautiful, he couldn’t help but get swept up within its current, letting it drag him into a sense of security he hadn’t felt in quiet sometime. Minus how rambunctious Ajax could be at times…he was rather relaxed.

Choosing to set that aside for now, he could smell the aroma of the tea, chamomile, as it’s scent filled the rather small space. Leaving the comforting, warm embrace of the bedsheets, he covered his hands in the sweater as he carried the scalding hot cup of tea out to him. The slide of the door was enough to grab his attention and he swore he could feel his heart almost jump out of his throat.

He was stunning. Too cute for him to handle in all honesty. His hair a fountain of red as his locks began to shine under the city lights. Part of him desperately wanted to run his fingers through his hair, braid it, brush even if he was just cradling his head, he’d be satisfied.

“Your tea will get cold.” His voice was quiet. Very quiet. Almost out of the ordinary. Perhaps it was because of how tired he was.

“I didn’t wake you did I?”

“No, it takes me awhile to sleep. You didn’t wake me up.” His kindness felt out of place. Sudden. Ajax wasn’t sure what to make of it, he was so used to Diluc giving him the cold shoulder, it was different having him treat him like this.

“Let me sing for you?” It was abrupt as he gulped, his jaw clenched as he searched those scarlet eyes. From where he sat he couldn’t see a single sign of hatred or resentment.

“Sing for me?” Ajax nodded, as he gently set the guitar against the wall.

“I could help you sleep tonight. Only if you’re okay with that though.” Diluc knew why he accepted his offer, he just wasn’t ready to accept it yet. Ajax wasn’t a bad person…he was just…Ajax. There wasn’t much else he could say. Maybe he just needed to hang around with him for a little while longer and get to know him better. This seemed like a nice start though. For now.

Crawling back into the warm linens of the sheet, his hair pooled around him as the soft pillows sunk under his head. The taller male slid in beside him, practically melting into the warmth of the bed as the comforter covered them both.

“Any requests?” He smiled, the small pull in his lips reminding Diluc that yes, he was in fact sharing a rather small bed with Ajax.

“I don’t care, so long as they aren’t children lullabies,” he grumbled, fingers twisting in the bed sheets as his eyes fluttered shut from time to time. Turning on his side more, Childe studied him, thinking briefly before lying on his back. It was just to help him sleep, he wouldn’t get onto him about form would he? All well, guess he’ll found out in the morning.

“Fly me to the moon sound good to you?” He whispered as he turned his head. His breath catching in his throat. He was relaxed, his cheek resting against his palm as he hummed. The faint blue lights seemed to make his skin glow even more.

“Yeah…,” he whispered as his shoulders sank forward. So that’s what he did, he sang for him. His face burning bright enough to light up the room as tiny snores soon filled the room. He didn’t mean for his eyelids to get so heavy. For him to fall asleep next to him, the promise of a pillow to separate them quickly forgotten as they bathed in each other’s warmth.

“In other words…,” he mumbled as his heavy arm came down to wrap around his waist, “In…other words….”, he voice became a hushed whisper, eyes falling shut as the end of the song rang in his head.

I love you.

*

Waking in a panic to find himself cuddled beneath Ajax, he shoved him off the bed, a loud thud ringing through the room.

“Ow! Fucking shit—!” Curses and a mix of Russian spewed from his mouth as he held his head.

“I’m so sorry, are you okay?” Diluc’s panic didn’t ease as he groaned, laying flat against the floor.

“Just…just give me a moment,” he sighed, laying flat against the floor.

“C’mon and sit on the bed, I’ll go get ice for your head.”

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[beetlegoose01]

first hero (one shot)

AN: Snippets of Draco as a father, and one as a grandfather. :)

Before Scorpius was born, Draco had no experience with babies or small children. He was raised an only child, and had no knowledge of what to do. His own father was never one for comforting hugs or piggy back rides or teaching him how to properly play Quidditch without falling off his broom. He wasn't a terrible father, but he was definitely not a doting one.

He would do better. Draco vowed the second he discovered Astoria was expecting, that he would. He would do everything he could for this child. Resting his hand to her ever growing bump, whispering 'I love yous' and soft French lullabies.

"Is that-?" Draco uttered, eyes sparkling with wonder.

She laughed. "A little kick, yes."

"Does it hurt?"

"No, silly. Like a baby bird fluttering about."

Astoria's health was declining. Her body was already weakening from her curse and the pregnancy seemed to exhaust her further, day by day.

"If I don't see them grow," She whispered one night, caressing his cheek. "Please watch out for them, Draco. Promise me, you will."

His heart ached at her painfully true words. "I don't want to make that promise. Maybe there's some hope...some positivity?"

"It's the truth." She shrugged. "I can't change that, Draco. You know it, even if you won't say. Promise me?"

"...I promise."

Their son was born just a few days before Christmas. He had been intended to be born after the New Year, but his early arrival was welcomed nevertheless.

"He's...so tiny." Draco whispered, staring at the swaddled infant laying against his mother's chest. He didn't dare touch the blond fuzz, like dandelion fluff on their little one's head. He was so premature, so fragile.

"Hello Scorpius," Astoria murmured, exhausted and blotchy from childbirth, but still had a twinkle in her eyes. The tiny boy yawned, nestling closer to her. "Would you like to hold him?"

Draco nodded firmly, though he was positively terrified of dropping the boy. Astoria placed him gently in his arms, and he melted as the infant squirmed and squeaked.

"Hello, little fellow." He said, careful not to shift too much. "I'm your papa, Scorpius. Scorpius..." He thought for a moment. "Have we decided on a middle name?"

Astoria shook her head. "Are you sure you don't want to do Lucius?"

"Positive." He said, watching as their son's eyes fluttered open. They were bright and blue, like his mother's. Then, it dawned on him. "Hyperion."

"Like my father?"

Draco sat beside her, kissing Scorpius' head, then Astoria's rosy cheeks. "A man worthy of his name being carried on by our boy."

"Scorpius Hyperion," She repeated, smiling. "I like it."

~•~

Scorpius proved to be a shy, but precocious child, always fascinated in anything and everything. Though he had little contact with any other children his own age, he was best friends with his parents, and even occasionally visited his maternal cousins- though by visiting really he sat in the corner, staring at a picture book instead of interacting with them. He was quiet, remarkably quiet with his cousins.

Not that they didn't encourage him to talk to them.

"How about you join them, Scorpius?" Astoria asked, laying on the picnic blanket beside her husband and son. Her nieces, Constance and Cordelia were loudly playing gobstones while Daphne supervised them. "Gobstones is fun, I'm sure they'll teach you."

Scorpius simply shook his head, pointing at his book.

"Alright." She kissed his head fondly. "What would you like to do pumpkin?"

"Braid your hair, mummy." He whispered, giggling.

"My hair's already braided, silly. But...daddy's isn't." She smirked.

"Yeah!' Scorpius chirped, popping his thumb out of his mouth. "Flowers too?"

"Ooh that's a brilliant idea!"

Draco raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting?"

"Your hair is so long and pretty. Perfect for braiding." Astoria said, eyes crinkling as she laughed.

So Draco stood as still as he possibly could as his son and wife braided daisies and other flowers in his platinum hair, all while holding back chuckles as Scorpius stumbled around looking for various flowers to put in his hair.

"No, no Scorpius' that's a weed-" He started, but Scorpius didn't hear him, and continued braiding, singing a made up song to himself as he worked.

~•~

"Dad?" Scorpius asked one afternoon, while Draco was brooding by the fireplace. Astoria was resting upstairs after a particularly bad morning of sickness.

"Yes, son?"

"I um," He stared at his shoes, growing anxious. "I finished all the books in mum's library."

"Reading them?" Draco asked, puzzled, though not surprised. Though he was only nine, he devoured books like sweets. Instead of playing, he would read in a cushy armchair, reading books bigger than his head. Fantasy books, muggle literature, textbooks, non fiction, spell books- anything he could get his hands on. He especially loved ones with facts.

"Almost all of them." He corrected softly. "There's the ones you have locked up."

"Ah." Draco hummed. "You wouldn't be interested in that...it's all very grim. They're all about the War."

"Please, can I?" Scorpius begged. "I barely know anything about that and I'm so curious."

"How about we read it together? There are some things you need to know that ...you won't be happy to hear."

They read the old book together, and Scorpius was silent the entire time. When they finished a chapter about the list of Death Eaters, he looked distraught.

"I'm sorry, son." He murmured, but Scorpius didn't answer. Instead, he curled up beside his dad.

"Do you still have it?" He asked finally. "The mark?"

"...Yes."

"So we were evil?" The question was so innocent, but it still hurt.

"It's ...complicated. This mark serves as a constant reminder of my wrongdoings. With your mother's help, I became a better man. At least, I think so."

Scorpius dimpled. "You are." He yawned sleepily, resting his head on Draco. "I love you."

"I love you too, Scorpius."

~•~

"Ready?" Astoria asked, fixing Scorpius' black tie. "Oh, you look so grown up." She cooed.

"Mum!" Scorpius whined. "The train is going to leave soon!"

"I know, I know. One more hug and a kiss?" She asked, and he happily obliged. Thankfully at the age of eleven, he was still young enough to not be embarrassed by hugs. Especially Astoria hugs. She kissed the top of his hair.

"I'll miss you." He whimpered.

"Be good." Draco added, patting his shoulder. "Don't cause too much trouble."

"I won't, dad. I'll miss you too." He said glumly. "Suppose I don't make any friends?"

"You will."

"Don't forget your sweets." Astoria passed the bag to her son. "To help you make friends. Remember?" She winked. "Everyone will want to be your friend if you share."

"Friendly bribery." Draco joked. "But also because of your charming personality."

Scorpius laughed nervously as the train whistled. "I should go then."

"Write to us as soon as you can," Astoria said. "We love you, sweet boy."

"I love you too." He gave them a watery smile. "Bye then." He reluctantly walked towards the train, the trunk already put away so he only had his cat carrier to hold.

Watching him slip away made Astoria's lip quiver.

"He'll be alright, Toria." Draco assured her.

"I hope the other children will be nice." She said. "I don't want his light to dim."

Draco said nothing. It was true, Scorpius was the embodiment of sunshine and love, the idea of putting him with other children who most likely knew of the rumor was not comforting. He had wanted to homeschool Scorpius, but Astoria had insisted he needed to interact with others his age. Sending him to Hogwarts still felt like bringing a unicorn foal to a Chimera den.

"He will be alright." He repeated to himself.

School was harder than they had predicted. Scorpius had made one friend, Albus Potter of all people, who was sorted in Slytherin with him. Still, judging by his letters, he was happy. The other students teased them, but they had each other.

Which was enough.

~•~

It was a grey, cold summer's day. Scorpius curled up by the windowsill, silently watching the raindrops drip down the window. Everything felt bleak and dim. Not even the birds nearby chirped their beautiful songs.

"Be brave, Scorpius." His mum smiled, her strength weakening. "I love you."

"I love you too, mum."

He had held her hand as she passed away into the night.

"Scorpius..." Draco said, voice shaky. "Please let me in."

Scorpius hadn't heard him. He continued to watch the rain fall.

~•~

They were drifting apart. Draco could sense it. He had tried desperately to reach out to his son, but nothing worked.

Astoria would have known what to do. And now...well it was up to Draco to help his deeply distraught son.

After Scorpius' reappearance, he had hoped their relationship would rekindle somehow. It hadn't, despite his stress over losing him and the brief reunion that they shared was awkward. His son was back at school and that was that. Draco wished they could have spent a longer time together, especially after he had been missing for some time.

He stirred his tea thoughtfully. At least Scorpius was at Hogwarts with Albus and his professors. Still, the idea of /why/ he ran away was perplexing.

The manor chimney moved slightly. Placing his tea down, he watched as his lanky son tumbled out in a puff of soot and floo powder.

"Scorpius?" Draco asked, rushing to his side. "What are you doing here?"

Scorpius lifted his head, collapsing into his father's arms. "I came to see you."

It had been a while since they had hugged, but Draco didn't reject it. He held onto his son, his sweet son and let him weep into his chest like he was a little boy again.

"It's Albus." He gulped, voice cracking. "He won't speak to me. Dad, everything is wrong- he avoids me, all of our classes have been changed so we aren't in anything together." His eyes were glassy with tears. "I know for some reason he's in Gryffindor now, but he doesn't even ...acknowledge I exist. It's like he hates me."

"No...no...he doesn't hate you. We'll sort this all out." He paused. "And the other kids, have they been unkind?"

Scorpius stared at him in disbelief. "They've always been unkind, Dad! I'm the son of Voldemort, remember?" He snapped, tears rolling down his cheeks. "You don't know half of the things they do. Every day. Every day they hex me, belittle me, tease me. They make me feel...worthless."

Draco felt his heart break as Scorpius' face crumpled.

"School was fine with classes and such and when I had Al with me to make everything bearable. Now I don't even have him. I'm all alone. I don't want to be alone, Dad. I don't want to go back to school. I hate it there." He took a shaky breath. "I hate it so, so much."

"Scorpius I..."

"I miss mum."

"I know."

He had to make things right.

~•~

His son had come out as bisexual the following year after his little 'adventure' with Albus. Draco hadn't understood the term at first. He had to do extensive research to fully comprehend the meanings, alongside other sexualities that were included. Sexualities and gender were confusing, even Scorpius admitted it.

He didn't understand at first. But he listened to Scorpius explain tearfully, and hugged him as tight as possible when he mentioned he was dating Albus Potter.

"I love him." Scorpius said quietly. "That's what matters the most. Not my labels...nor his."

"I'm so proud of you."

~•~

His son was married.

His son was married, and he couldn't be happier.

Watching Scorpius embrace Albus at their wedding was everything Draco could have wanted. Seeing his son love someone, and look at him with such adoration made his heart soar.

He could see Astoria's bright smile in Scorpius' eyes as he laughed, leaning against his new husband. They were both glowing with genuine happiness. 

‘All was well.’ He thought, wondering if Astoria was proud of him too. 

~~~~~

Draco was much more confident holding his newborn granddaughter. At least, more confident than when he held Scorpius for the first time. She too, was early and had the same expression of curiosity in her eyes. He chuckled fondly as she reached her tiny hand to grab a hold of his pinky finger. She was precious as a doll, with fuzzy blonde hair and curious turquoise eyes. What a wonder, being that small and innocent. 

“She’s beautiful.” He murmured. “What is her name?” 

Albus grinned, pride evident in his voice. “Astoria Ginevra.”

[orange-waterfalls]

Reader w/ wings headcanons(Markiplier Alter Egos)

ty @fancybootm​ for the request!

A/N: i just did all of them. every-all-everyone. Except Yandereplier, Silver Shepard, Ed Edgar... maybe others I’m not aware of at the moment... I tried to stick with a certain number of egos, but my hands just... they just kept moving. It is 11:00 pm when im writing this ya boy is TIRED. there are 1.6k words. It seems longer than it is bc bullet points. Bear with me. You can find the egos that you want easily. The reader is gender neutral. i am so sorry if this is not what you meant lol. on the bright side this is a good reference for all the egos i am open to writing for(also maybe others idk) so uh im keeping it enjoy. I’ll say... a T rating for cursing and also a bit of violence but literally like 20 words. mentions of injury. that’s it.

Requests are open!

Y/N(reader) with wings hcs

No one knows what the fuck you are, not even you

Ya got wings. That’s it.

Are you an angel? A faery? A phoenix? Who knows

You woke up one day in a forest remembering nothing

But you had wings

And then you got shot with an arrow

You ran away and hid in a cave

Darkiplier spends most of his time around you studying you

To see what you could possibly be

He still doesn’t know

He’s settled for calling you a “cryptid”

He’s slightly annoyed with the feathers you leave around the manor

He won’t tell you bc you can’t control that and it’d be rude

You read together in his study on occasion

You sit on the floor bc your wings get uncomfortable in chairs

In sympathy, he also sits on the floor

You think it’s sweet

You told him so and he sputtered out a “shut up and read your book”

He’s fairly fond of you

You’re good company to keep around

Wilford was the one who found you

He was walking through the forest, as one does, when he saw GIANT feathers

Naturally, he followed them

He found you in a cave with an arrow in your shoulder

He took you back to the manor and patched you up

He begged Dark to keep you there

He promised not to kill anybody for a month

He made it 15 days, which is a record

He’s very protective of you, not letting you out a lot since uh… hunters

You are his Sweet Little Songbird, light of his life, wind in his sails, 

if anything happens to you he will kill everyone in the manor and then himself

He helps you preen a lot

His hands are very gentle, surprisingly 

He spends the most time with you out of everyone

You play games, talk(well, he talks to you), and just hang out

He loves and adores you with his whole heart

Actor tolerates you, or so he says

He’s jealous of your wings

HE’S supposed to be the mysterious, sexy one!

But ok, yeah, you’re pretty interesting

He uses you in short films sometimes bc… well… wings

There are alot of things you can do with wings, surprisingly

He took you out into town one night

He shoved the wings under a thick jacket

You guys bought some clothes and food

He cut holes in the clothes for your wings, grumbling about a “waste of money” and “you never go out anyway” 

but he enjoyed spending a bit of time with you

Wilford nearly killed him(again) when he found out

He likes venting to you bc you just nod without really listening

As I said, you’re good company

Yancy thinks you’re nice

He felt a bit… threatened at first

Ya got WINGS, of course he’s cautious

But they are very pretty

And he likes to use you in choreography

People always comment on how realistic the wings are as Yancy leads you away

You don’t judge him for killing his parents, he likes that about you

You don’t know. You could’ve done something bad. You don’t remember

He likes cuddling bc you wrap your wings around him and he feels safe

He also helps you preen… sometimes… 

He’s… really bad at it...

You like listening to him sing

He sings you lullabies at night

You’re very close

Illinois is very fascinated with you

He’s convinced you’re a fairy

He’s seen quite a few of those

You tell him you don’t know, and he goes “a LiKeLy StOrY”

He likes drawing you

You’re very angelic

“Oh, maybe an angel then…” He says, like an idiot

He takes you with him on a few adventures to fly him over pits and stuff

He’d never admit it but he has a… THING about heights

It’s called a phobia, you egotistic maniac

You try to help him with it

You never get that far off the ground before he’s screaming to be put down

He appreciates the effort

He gives you things he finds on adventures that are pretty or remind him of you

He infodumps to you about curses, and archaeology, and adventuring, etc.

Magnum is uh… well, he’s Magnum

He figures you’d be useful out at sea

You can find nearby land, ships, or treasure by flying, of course

He didn’t take into account the fact that you don’t really… fly that often.

So it turned into you just stretching your wings instead of looking for loot

Once you fell overboard

Everyone was like “eh, they can fly, it’s fine”

Then they realized that you probably can’t since your wings might be wet

Magnum LEAPED into the fuckin water and THREW you back on

He doesn’t take you on the sea as much anymore

sometimes you talk about life, treasure, love, y'know the usual

He’s very Father Figure-ly

Bim isn’t sure how to feel about you

You are a person. With wings. What’s he supposed to do about that

He’s friends with Wil, so has to tolerate you at least.

He tries to make conversation, but it doesn’t always go as well as it could

You don’t have much to talk about, and some of his topics worry you

Mostly you two just kinda… exist in the same general area

Sometimes he’ll discuss what he should do on his show

You don’t have many ideas

But you’ve gotten an idea of what it is, and sometimes give a suggestion or two

He appreciates you for that

He tried to get you on the show once but Wilford refused

You kinda wanted to, but whatever

You’ll hang out sometimes too

He’s very entertaining, he has to be

Eric is kind of scared

Not that you’ll hurt him, that he’ll hurt you

That happens a lot to people he likes…

He eventually starts hanging out around you

You don’t ask bad questions, and you distract him from his dad

He talks about animals with you a lot, and how he wanted a farm

You bought a cowboy hat and gave it to him and he cried

You also gave him a stuffed cow one day

He hugged you for a long time

You two cuddle a lot bc the boy needs SAFETY and SECURITY

You wuv each other(platonically or otherwise)

Dr. Iplier doesn’t bother you, mostly

He appreciates that you keep to yourself

He has his work, that’s what he’s focused on

Sometimes he’ll see you when you try to find Wilford or get some food

He tries to get a good look at you without looking suspicious

It doesn’t work, he always falls over

He once gave you a “physical”

It was mostly to just figure out what you were

You seemed mostly human based on the results

But goddammit you had WINGS

They had their own function but were sort of like an add-on to your body

He was slightly disappointed you weren’t gonna… turn into a whole bird

You tolerate each other

Google fuckin’ hates you

He’s completely perplexed by you

Which he is never because he is the most intelligent being on the planet

So he assumed he could figure out what you were

Turns out google fucking sucks at figuring out things people don’t already know

So he hates you. Like a lot

He’s tried to kill you multiple times

But his objective is to destroy MANKIND

You are not included in that

BECAUSE HE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK YOU ARE!!!

Also Wilford almost killed him for it

So yeah he just kinda hates you

You’ve tried to get along with him but he just wouldn’t

He finally talked to you when Bing called him a little bitch

Still hates you, but can tolerate your existence now

Bing fuckin’ adores you

You are just wonderful to him

You can FLY??!! You have WINGS???!!!!!

You don’t really care that he is an artificial BEING????!!!!!!!!

You’re perfect

He does Sick Tricks™ to try to impress you

They never do

You appreciate the effort

You don’t see him a lot, but when you to it’s very entertaining

He taught you how to skateboard

You kinda sucked but he’s very supportive

He likes just hanging around you

It’s the only time he ever chills the fuck out

Everyone’s thankful to you for that

Your entire dynamic is “what if... i put... my minecraft bed... next to yours? haha just kidding... unless?”

The Host doesn’t really care about the wings??

I mean, he can’t see them, so… what’s the big deal

You appreciate that

He still does the uh… narration thing… with real people…

The stories end better now

You convinced him to make the stories end better

You sat with him to make SURE the stories end better

He also started writing novels recently

You help with plot and character development

He appreciates that

The Jims… don’t really care about you

I mean you’re interesting, of course

But they physically Cannot get a clear picture of you

Even if you agree to sit still, it just doesn’t happen

It is always, ALWAYS blurry

They eventually give up and leave you alone

They do spend a bit of time with you

You help them with demon episodes sometimes

You don’t do much, but they like the emotional support

King of the Squirrels is… well, he’s him

He doesn’t… he doesn’t do much

He hangs out with his squirrels. That’s pretty much it.

You just started hanging out with him one day

He didn’t mind

You two feed the squirrels while sitting by a tree

He lets you wear his crown sometimes

He draws his squirrels, and lets you see the pictures

He teaches you how to draw them

You two don’t talk, really

You just sit. And hang out.

He doesn’t really smile, but you can tell when he’s happy with you

[tardis-ghost-blog]

Soul’s Shadow Ch2 (Doctor Who)

<< Prev - Next >>

He was already a few steps ahead before I got my body to react and follow him, the gun still in my hands. The metal had gotten warm from my own body temperature, but the weight and feeling was still so uncanny. I wondered if it was even loaded, and if so, why he would give it to me just like that. Right here and an now I would be able to simply shoot him in the back - and I was rather certain he wouldn't be able to avoid it this far away.

With a sigh I stuffed the weapon into my small shoulder bag. This was all just a weird dream anyway, right? Speaking of which... I pinched my nose shut with my fingers, trying to breathe through it anyway. When this didn't succeed I counted my fingers... twice. And finally pulled out a crumbled receipt from my pocket to read its content.

Alright... all reality checks indicated that I, indeed, was awake. No lucid dream for me, then. I frowned and sighed. Both, because it would have been cool, and because it meant I was awake and this was really happening.

"Where are we going, Mr. Saxon?" I asked eventually, when he walked down an alley I had rarely used before.

"Don't call me that. It's not my name."

"Oh, sorry," I mumbled and managed to get next to him. He wasn't that big, actually, compared to me he was, of course, but still not so much. And he looked rather cool in those clothes, sparkling the unfitting wish in me to sit down and draw him. I coughed slightly to get my head clear. "What is your name, then?"

The stranger turned around, halted in his steps and observed me for a few seconds.

"I am the Master," he announced with a proud smile.

"Of what?"

"Huh?"

"Master of what?" I wanted to know.

He raised a brow and shrugged, grinning boyishly. "Of everything."

I couldn't help it. My stupid brain just never stands still. "Well, not of Great Britain anymore,"

Instead of murdering me, the Master only let out a short laugh. It sounded honestly amused, though, making me smile a little myself. At least he seemed to have some humour.

"Oh, one day the universe itself will be mine, just you watch me," he said sweetly, like a boy telling his mom he wants to become a pilot.

Somehow the Master felt so childish and boyish, it was hard to believe he was the same man whom almost all of Britain had wanted as Prime Minister.

My thoughts briefly wandered back to that time, trying to puzzle together what exactly he had even told people. Something flashed behind my eyes, too quickly gone to really grasp. Images, impressions. Screams and smoke and round objects flying through the sky. I blinked perplex and shook my head.

"What's with you?" the Master bowed down a little, curiously observing my puzzled features.

"N... nothing. Just slept bad, 's all."

He shrugged and straightened again, wanting to continue the walk, however turning around once more. "And what do they call you?"

"Call...? Oh... I'm Lucy."

His face dropped instantly, morphing into an expression of annoyance and almost hate. "You have any other names?"

"Nooo..." I responded carefully. "What's wrong with it?"

The Master grunted and rolled his eyes. "My former wife's name. And that beasty thing tried to shoot me. Missed, of course. Never held a gun in her life before, but still..."

"Oh. Sorry."

"I'll just call you Lu, how about that?" He smiled again. "Alternatively we can settle on stupid earth ape."

"That's a bit long, innit?" I chuckled. "Lu's fine. But still, where're we going?"

"A shortcut into town."

"Oh.... I see. Say..." Again I felt my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Was I really about to do this? "The person I choose... do they have to live nearby?"

The Master tilted his head. "I have no TARDIS, right now. So, wherever they are, you have to get us there."

What the hell was a TARDIS?

I nodded. "Can you... mhm... get money? I mean, lots of it. Without anyone noticing it, of course. I... don't have much."

His eyes glinted happily. "No problem."

.oOo.oOo.oOo.

The landscape rushed past the window, trees and fields, villages and cities, all a blur of colour. It had gotten evening, the sky took on soft dark shades, and orange and white lamps faded into light. Sometimes the train halted, and the later it got, the less people entered or exited. Sometimes the stations were completely empty and through the window seeped the smell of foreignness.

"As a child I always imagined to go on a ride like this," I mumbled dreamily, "and simply get off the train at one of those empty, black stations. Not knowing where I am, or where to go."

The Master sat opposite to me, arms folded over his chest, eyes closed and his head resting against the window. He wasn't asleep, that I could tell. He didn't feel asleep, more relaxed, in a weird way.

"You like long train rides, too, huh?"

He smiled, his eyes creeping open. "It's so nicely quiet."

"Quiet..." I repeated absently, my gaze wandering back to the darkness-covered world outside. "Trains are so loud, though. I like how they sound. As if the wheels on the tracks are singing a song."

His gaze rested on me, I felt it intensely and looked at him, eventually. Although we had the lights dimmed in our compartment I could still see his eyes. And like before they fascinated me. Usually I can't look people in the eyes for long. It always feels so overwhelming, distracting, downright unpleasant. Because of that they often think I'm not listening... But I understand a lot more when I don't have to look. With the Master it was different, as if his gaze wasn't constantly searching for a way to call me out, to tell me how inhuman I behave and rub it into my face. He just didn't care.

"That's a hellishly long ride to get rid of a person," he remarked after we parted from another station.

My gaze kept glued to the window, but I still nodded. The sound of the train lulled me into a light slumber, brought me back to some hours ago, when the Master had entered a bank only to walk over to the banker and had told him to hand him a hundred thousand Euros. Astonished I had watched the scene, had glared at the Master with an opened mouth when he pushed the bag into my hands.

I had to transfer most of it to my bank account, not wanting to carry it all around with me, and the rest of the way my thoughts turned summersaults. I could finally pay back all of my student debts! I could afford a brand new gaming PC, a bike or... a bed.

Thinking about my almost empty apartment I concluded it would be wise to start with the basics. I hadn't been able to afford furniture, so far, my belongings only consisting of a mattress on the floor, a shaky table and chair for my laptop and three cupboards that could - with lots of good will - be called a kitchen. Heck! I didn't even own a fridge!

Now, all of a sudden, none of it was a problem anymore. I was free, I had enough to live for at least a few years, in case my bad luck with finding jobs would continue.

And all that for the price of a human life.

"Who is it?" the Master asked, as if he had read my thoughts.

The question tore me out of the thoughts, bringing me back to the present moment, and also to a past long gone, to the time of my childhood - if you can call it that - to years of fear and being caged in. None of it was his busyness.

"You didn't want to know."

"Now I do," he countered calmly.

"Because it's quiet?"

An almost pained smile appeared on his face. I had hit a point, although I had no clue what it was about. Only another puzzle piece for my pattern oriented mind, another snipped about the strange man in front of me, that once had been known by every person in the country, but was now unrecognized, as it seemed.

"What happened when you became Prime Minister?" I couldn't help but ask, ignoring his own question. "I remember the spheres killing the president, but then..." Again, images whizzed through my head, probably created by my brain to fill the gaps. A brain can do that... create false memories, because remembering something at all is better than having a hole in your head.

"I took over the earth," the Master told with a grin. "First I decimated the human race, then had some fun with you all." He snickered. "Wiped out Japan, built a police state, let my Toclafane decimate a few more of you, here and there. You know... just for fun. Humans reproduce so fast, it almost doesn't matter."

I only blinked at him, confused.

"No, you didn't."

"Well, you wouldn't remember. It all was based on a paradox, so it never happened."

Again I blinked. There was something in my mind, pieces that got put together, a pattern, evolving from the net of information and thoughts in my head. Then it clicked.

"You're alien, too, aren't you?"

It made sense. Looking back at the attacks on earth, so far, his strange behaviour, the weird terms he always used, the way he felt so different... I glanced back into his eyes, knowing it to be true, no matter if he would deny it now or not. No human could have such eyes.

"What if?"

"Hm..." I made, noncommittally, shrugged and drew my legs up on the seat to wrap my arms around them. "A paradox..." I thought out loud, leaning my head against the window. If he was alien then it was possible he had the technology to make something like that possible. "You really did all those things, then?"

A childish smile let his eyes crinkle with joy. "Scared now?" he teased and gave me a mock-pout. "It's not the worst thing I've ever done, if that consoles you."

It didn't. But that he wasn't a good person had been obvious right from the start. I probably should have been scared, should have risked jumping from the train only the get away from this man. Strangely enough my heart was calm, my mind only tired because it was so late already.

No, I wasn't scared... yet. Had he been human I would have assumed he was a psychopath, but somehow that didn't quite fit him. There was more to the Master, a calmness behind the chaos in his eyes, a softness, buried beneath the ocean of blood and cries he seemed to have left behind. An image flashed through my head, of him kneeling in the rain, crying out an unspeakable pain, without anyone every listening.

I blinked it away. It happens sometimes, my brain just creating scenes and images from what I pick up from other people. No idea if I'm really that empathic... Or if it's more like with blind people... I can't read body language and facial expressions so well, but instead I somehow can sense people's moods and feelings, without even looking at them. I think everyone can do that, but most people don't have to.

"How is it?" I mumbled. "To take a life."

The Master smiled and leaned forward, hands folded in his lap. "Exciting. You finally understand how much power you have, what you're capable of, and that no one can stand in your way any longer." He chuckled a little. "You'll see for yourself."

I swallowed and glanced away. Rain started to trickle down the window and I closed it, listening to the added sound of drops against glass. So soothing, distracting me from what was ahead.

"You're an odd one," the Master remarked quietly. "About to commit murder, but you don't even look bothered about it. And there you humans are so annoyingly moral."

"I don't understand moral," I softly admitted and shrugged. "There usually is no logic behind it. It's just things you don't do, because you... don't do it. But no one ever tells you, why."

The Master laughed quietly to himself and leaned back again, signalling the conversation to be over. I didn't mind, feeling tired anyway. Good thing those seats were long. I slipped out of my shoes, lifted my legs up, while taking my glasses off and placing them on top of the trash bin.

"Wake me, when we're there," I mumbled and curled myself up on the seat.

[ending-with-stars]

Completely Professional (Seven of Nine x Reader)

Word Count: 2.7k 

Warnings: None!!

A/N: Listen up folks! It is absolutely CRIMINAL that there are no Seven x reader fics in this fandom (or really any x reader fics come ON Star Trek fans) and that needs to STOP. So, in the spirit of being the change we want to see, here’s a fic I wrote about a year ago that I decided to post with some nudges from @osmoticeel​ and @raktajinhoe​ (thanks by the way guys love ya). Enjoy!

“I’m just saying, I think she might have a thing for you,” Tom said, much to your displeasure, as he took a drink. You were sitting in the mess hall with Tom and Harry, some of the few people awake this early in the morning. You shook your head, sighing. “How could you ever know what she’s thinking about me?” You said, taking a bite of Neelix’s “scrambled eggs”and almost shivering at their slimy yet mealy texture. “I don’t know, Y/N, I think Tom might be right on this one. For once.” Harry said, eating a slice of replicated toast. Tom raised his eyebrows as he sipped his coffee substitute again. “Harry hasn’t been called down to engineering or the astrometrics bay in almost two months. You two are always working together, eating together,” “Because if I didn’t eat with her she wouldn’t eat at all!” You interjected, stealing Harry’s toast from his plate and taking a bite of it. He snatched it back and you smirked while chewing. “Still,” Tom said, giving you a look, “you have to admit you’ve noticed that Seven always wants to be around you.”

You didn’t want to admit it to your friends, but you had noticed. At first, it seemed like nothing. Seven would call you down to engineering sometimes to help her with power conduits that had blown out and with rerouting lines to the astrometrics bay. Now, as you looked back on it, you should have noticed it then. The former Borg would have no issues with rerouting simple power lines. You supposed it was a little bit naive for you to assume anything else. Over the past couple of weeks, she had been eating dinner with you, which may have been more your doing than hers. A few nights ago, in fact, it had just been the two of you in the mess hall, talking until the later hours. The other woman always had a fascinating outlook on problems. You wished people would give her more credit than she usually got for the development of her social skills. But as you looked at Harry and Tom, who both held looks of raised eyebrows and smug smiles, you decided to ignore your previous findings.

“We are just colleagues,” You said with finality, sipping your tea. Both of them sat back with exasperated sighs, Tom rolling his eyes. You laughed under your breath and caught B’Elanna walking over to the table, tray in one hand and coffee cup in the other. 

“Morning,” you greeted as she sat down next to Tom, who smiled as he put a hand on her back. “You two seem exasperated already. What’s the breakfast conversation been today?” B’Elanna asked. “We’re discussing Y/N’s completely professional relationship with Seven of Nine,” Harry said, crossing his arms. B’Elanna raised her eyebrows as she ate a bite of eggs, before making a face and placing her fork back on the tray. “What about it?” “That it’s anything but professional,” Tom said. “Well of course it is,” “Lanna, aren’t you supposed to be on my side here?” You asked through a little laugh. She shrugged, taking the half-eaten toast from Harry’s plate, smacking his hand away as he tried to retrieve it. “I see you two working every day. It’s obvious. She actually smiled when you told her a joke the other day.” “What?” Tom almost yelled. “And you didn’t tell me!” “It’s none of your business what Y/N does when she’s under my command for the afternoon. Plus, nothing’s gonna come from it anyway.” B’Elanna said so nonchalantly that it made everyone at the table give her confused looks. “Seven doesn’t know how to handle that yet, and Y/N is too scared to act on it.” “Hey!” “Oh please, even though you’re head over heels for her, you wouldn’t want to be the first person to make a move on a former Borg, would you? She would break your arm; either from getting you off her or pushing you up against a wall to kiss you.” You shrugged. “One of those sounds sort of worth it, don’t you think?” You said, getting snickers from the two men at the table. But you knew B’Elanna was right. It was safer, physically and emotionally, to repress any attraction you felt. As if on cue, your com badge beeped. “Seven of Nine to Lieutenant Y/N.” All of your tablemates raised their eyebrows, giving you smug looks. You rolled your eyes but smiled as you responded. “Y/N here.” “Meet me in Jeffries tube 12. I require your assistance on multiple overloaded power circuits.” She answered. “Understood, I’m on my way.” You climbed into the entrance of the Jeffries tube, closing the door behind you, and tried to calm the rapid heartbeat that had begun to pound in your ears. Get a grip, you told yourself as you deliberately crawled slower than normal towards the ladder. She is your friend, your colleague, it would be inappropriate, especially since she quite literally had no experience in anything of this matter. It felt like you would be taking advantage of her if you said something about it. So, you finally decided, that you would ignore this. It would go away eventually. Attraction always did. Didn’t it? You climbed down the ladder into the tall portion of the Jeffries tube, unconsciously straightening your hair and uniform before turning around. “Morning, Seven,” You said with a smile. Seven was facing away from you, working on one of the singed power conduits, scanner in one hand and sonic resonator in the other. At your greeting, she turned and acknowledged you. “Good morning, Lieutenant Y/N.” She said flatly before turning back to her work. “Can you begin repairs on conduit 15.4C on the opposite wall?” “Yes, I can.” You said, pulling out your own tools and kneeling next to the singed conduit. It was silent for a long moment, only the beeping sound of tricorders and the hum of the ship's engine to dull it. There had never been an awkward air between the two of you before. In fact, her formal greeting had left you a bit phased. Seven hadn’t referred to you as “lieutenant” in almost a month. It made your stomach clench and pulse quicken. The scanning from the background stopped for a moment. “Lieutenant, are you ill?” Seven asked. You paused and turned to look at her, confused. “No...why?” “Your pulse has been rapid for the entirety of our work today, over 3.1 percent above the usual. And your internal core temperature is two degrees higher than what is acceptable for human parameters.” She walked up close to you, inspecting your face with scrutinizing blue eyes. In them, you saw a hint of worry. “You are also perspiring more than normal,” she took your chin in her hand, looking into your eyes. “And your pupils have dilated. I believe you are ill.” You took her hand that was holding your chin and, careful to not let it shake, removed it from your face. “I’m not sick, Seven. It’s just warmer in here than normal,” you regretted the lie the minute it left your mouth. She gave you a slightly perplexed look. “The temperature has not changed aboard Voyager for approximately three weeks, four days and twelve hours. The Jeffries tubes are regulated even more so than the habitable portions of the ship due to the sensitive technology-.” In a moment of lost judgement, you put a finger on her lips to silence her. Both you and Seven froze. You lingered, wanting to do so many things at that moment. You didn’t need Seven to tell you that your pulse quickened; you could hear it pounding in your ears. And for a moment, you saw uncertainty flash across the other woman’s face, eyebrows softening ever so slightly. But both of you blinked, and the moment of weakness disappeared. You pulled your hand away and Seven straightened herself. “Sorry. I just knew that if I didn’t stop you that you would just spiral into all these dates and numbers.” You said quietly. She inclined her head. “Thank you.” “We should...get back to work.” Again, the two of you worked in silence. Tension seemed to fill the empty space. You looked behind you, wondering if the feeling of tension was mutual. You were met by a similar look from Seven, who blinked and shuffled awkwardly before turning away. In your work, you realized that the extent of the damage on this conduit extended down another level. “Seven, this conduit is totally burned down to the next level.” You said. She walked over to you and kneeled, shoulder brushing yours. She never did have a sense of personal space. “I concur. We will move down to the next level.” You sighed as you climbed down into the next level. It was not the tall working space that was above. You crawled on your hands and knees to the conduit, which was so burned that it sparked as you came over to it. “Damn, what happened here?” You asked, looking at Seven as she crawled towards the singed wall. She sat on her knees and pulled out her sonic resonator. “I was attempting to reroute the lines towards astrometrics. I allowed my mind to wander and misaligned them. It caused a chain reaction, leading to my calling you.” You smirked. “So, you got distracted?” You said, looking at her with raised eyebrows. She turned slowly to look at you. “Voyager’s power lines have never been efficient.” You nodded, laughing in your chest. She raised her eyebrows now, a hint of a smile on her lips. “Have I said something amusing?” “No, no, I just,” you laughed again. “I didn’t know you could get distracted. You’re pretty laser-focused when it comes to working.” “I allowed my mind to wander.” “That’s one hell of a wander.” “I have often realized that when I think of you that I cannot focus on the tasks at hand.” You froze for a moment before turning your head to look at her. “Me? You were thinking of me and THAT made you distracted?” You said in disbelief. She looked at you confused. “Correct.” “Why me?” “You are a very aesthetically pleasing woman. I have been attracted to you since I joined Voyager. I thought I had made that relatively clear over the past weeks. I asked Captain Janeway for advice on how to achieve that,” she paused, scrutinizing for a moment. “It seems it was not successful.” “No no, it was. I just....didn’t believe that it was true.” Seven looked at you confused. “Why would you not comprehend? Were my advances unclear to you?” “No....well, yes.” You answered after pausing. “Explain.” “Seven....I don’t know if you know that you are...really gorgeous,” “As are you,” She responded. “No, I mean you’re really gorgeous. And you don’t really....have a lot of human experience. So I never thought that you would be...attracted to me.” You said, trying to pick the best words. Seven looked at the wall for a moment, eyes flicking over something invisible, almost like she was calculating something. “Your conclusion is based on the human insecurity of physical appeal.” She concluded. “Well, yeah.” You sighed. Seven turned fully towards you now. “Human appearance is a factor within attraction, but does not fully encompass all of it. Humans also consider personality, humor, and intelligence. While I do find you physically attractive, I also find that your personality appeals to me. You are one of the few crew members whose company I enjoy. Your intelligence level allows me to have intriguing conversations, and I find your humor to be amusing while others tend to be crude or based in reference to things I do not understand. Simply put, you are an ideal romantic partner.” She finished, the last sentence said slightly softer. You blinked and felt the blood rush into your cheeks. “Why....why didn’t you tell me about this earlier?” You asked softly. She paused again to think. “I did not know if you would...return my sentiments. And since I am, as you put, inexperienced, I wanted to wait until I found the right time. However the time never seemed to come, so I created a moment when I could inform you.” You laughed out loud at that and received a look of confusion. “Wait, wait, did you do this intentionally?” You asked. Seven thought for a moment. “Yes.” She answered plainly. You laughed again. “You could have told me any time! At the dinners we had, on the holodeck, you even could have stopped by my quarters.” “Do you not recall the first time we met?” She asked. It was your turn to give a confused look. “Four months, sixteen days and seven hours ago. Lieutenant Torres assigned me to you to help remove the Borg enhancements that had been installed. It was three days after I had my connection with the Collective severed, and I had not gained my more....human appearance. The crew was still afraid of me. However, you showed me an amount of compassion that I had never experienced. Since then I have considered you to be ideal for my first romantic partner.” You blinked, eyebrows softened in affection. “Seven,” you breathed and put a hand on her shoulder. “It was in Jeffries tube 12 that we met. Humans consider locations of their first encounter to hold a certain sentimental value, am I correct?” You nodded. “Then I have created the ideal situation to tell you that I request to initiate a romantic relationship.” The butterflies that rose in your stomach did stop you from laughing a little at the bluntness of her statement. “Do you accept?” She asked, and for a second you thought you heard a tinge of a nervous edge. “Yes,” You said through a little laugh. An uncharacteristic smile spread across Seven’s lips, which you returned, before she jolted forward suddenly and kissed you. It was forceful enough, which didn’t surprise you, that you had to throw an arm out to brace yourself from falling over. Her kiss was stiff and rigid, lips frozen in a line.  Of course, you thought, she’s never done this before. You leaned forward and cupped her face, thumbs stroking her cheekbones, and moved your lips against hers. She responded tentatively, the smile still coming through the kiss. You broke apart; Seven leaned back in and gave a light brief kiss. “That...was very spontaneous of you.” You said, smiling widely. “Romantic relationships do require a spontaneous element. When I consulted Captain Janeway on how to begin the-.” Seven started but you cut her off. “Can we please not mention the captain right now? Please?” You said, tucking a stray blonde hair back behind her ears. She nodded, and you leaned back in and kissed her again. “I was wondering if we were going to have to send a search party in there after you two,” B’Elanna said as you and Seven crawled out from the Jeffries tube into the engine room. She looked over both of you, raising an eyebrow at flushed cheeks and messy hair, and looked back down to hide a smile. You smoothed your hair down as you walked the report over to B’Elanna, with Seven trailing behind you closely. “We fixed every burned conduit and reset the lines to normal.” You said as you handed the PADD to her. You felt a cold metal fingertip run along the exposed skin on the back of your neck and repressed a shiver. You poorly held back a smile and shook your head, as if to shake out the thoughts. “Alright, everything looks good,” B’Elanna said and placed the PADD on her console. “You’re done for the day.” You looked at her surprised. “It’s just past 1300 hours, the day’s barely halfway over.” You said. “I don’t need you anymore for today, and if you’re lucky the Doctor won’t need you either.” She answered, still typing. “But I,” You started, but Seven cut you off. “Lieutenant, I require assistance in the cargo bay. If you feel the need to continue working, that is.” She said flatly. You looked over your shoulder at her; she pursed her lips and shifted her stance, and that was enough to shut you up. “Sure, I would love to. Thank you, Lieutenant Torres. Seven?” You said, starting to walk out of engineering. Both of you walked side by side, towards the cargo bay, and smiled to yourself as you felt Seven slip her hand into yours.

[pxjiminsi]

First Encounter

Chapter 1 from the series: Before you Go

Pairing: Jimin x reader, Taehyung x reader, Jin x OC, OT5 x reader platonic love

Fic Type: Slice of life au

Genre: slice of life, fluff, mild smut, and a healthy amount of angst

Warning: few cuss words

Word count: 2.3k

A/n: Hi! This will be my first BTS Au in tumblr, I’ll be also uploading my old works here! Friendly comments and criticism from my fellow writers and readers as I want to improve my writing further on. I hope you enjoy my series.

"This is exactly what I needed" sighing to yourself while handing your boarding pass to the flight attendant. Realizing that after a year of Architecture school and a whole lot of failing, a getaway is what you needed. 

It's not like you don't try and don't study hard enough. Architecture interests you, you just think that you're not good enough in doing anything, not school, not singing, not dancing, nothing. Talentless. Jack of all trades, master of none, as they say. On top of failing Architecture school, going to this unplanned and impulsive decision to go to L.A is your parents' disappointment and your very romantic boyfriend who couldn't seem to care less where you go and end up. 

You don't even think if he knows how long you're leaving even if you had mentioned it to him a hundred times before, but he never looked away from the TV to give any response. "Fucking Diablo" scoffing as you struggle and push your embarrassingly large neon pink luggage in the compartment. "crap, I can't do shit" deeply breathing to avoid having a breakdown because of your stupid arm strength. 

Until this boy wearing a white shirt, black shorts, and a black snapback who is relatively annoyed because you were in his and his group’s way, easily picks up your luggage and shoves it into the compartment like it was nothing. His muscular and vein bulging arms left you dumbfounded to his sudden appearance, smirking while he comfortably sits next to yours.

What a prick, you thought. At the same time, you knew he's just being nice and you're the asshole for having a bad mood and attitude problems. 

It's a 13-hour flight from Korea to L.A and you try your best to shake your mind off of things that remind you of anything back home. "It's only half a year, I deserve this. Even if I have to start providing for myself, as long as I’m happy." you try to convince yourself as the plane starts to take off. 

It’s been 2 hours since the flight took off and you’ve been nothing but restless. You tried resting your head on the windowpane but you can’t help yourself be intoxicated by the asshole guy next to you, his ripped arm covers the whole armrest and you’re not even complaining. His head rested back in his seat and tilting to the side, cheeks were slightly flushed due to the cold air, his scent is so alluring, he smells like fresh and soft blankets that cover you on a rainy day. You can instantly fall asleep in his arms if not it being inappropriate and if you weren’t in a relationship. For God sakes y/n you have a boyfriend back home, internally screaming. 

His eyes opened as he seemed to notice your restlessness, shifting from one position to another. “Are you okay? Was I snoring?” You want to say that no, he was fine, that he should continue sleeping. Feeling guilty for creepily glancing in his face. “No, you’re perfect, it’s just my first time being this far away from home. Sorry, I woke you.”  pulling a fake smile not believing you just called him perfect. 

He then gave the most amazing eye smile, because you called him attractive and said “It’s okay I can’t sleep that deep either, it’s also my first time being away, but for training, we’re kind of a boy group back home.” You were not that interested in boy groups back then, but the way he talks with that grin on his face, listening to him all night might not be bad. “I’m Y/n”  finally having the guts to introduce yourself. “Yeah I know, I saw your name in your luggage tag, I’m Park Jimin” You were surprised at how fast he saw your name while helping earlier. Was he curious about you as you were of him? 

You began to ask him questions to get around your awkward first impression. He began telling how he was originally from Busan as a contemporary dance student and how he transferred to Seoul to finish High school and train with his group. He even showed his audition tape 5 years ago. You can’t believe how he bulked up so much since then, and they just debuted 3 years ago. He also introduced his friends in the seats up front, Taehyung and Jeongguk who just both nodded at you and went back to sleep. He stated that other members were separated due to booking problems. “So what about you, Y/n, what’s your story?” He asked, putting his left knuckle under his jaw ready to listen. 

You breathe deeply hesitating to let him partake at telling your sad backstory, not wanting to dim the mood, but he has this spirit that screams comfort. That whatever you tell him, he’s not going to show pity and judgment. His eyes are so deep in yours as you start to speak. “Well, I kind of ran away from home. Needing to breathe, pausing to trail his reaction testing the waters but he gave nothing but fascination on your story. “Honestly, I don’t know what I am doing here on this plane to L.A. I’m trying to find what I want to do in my life, if I want to continue my Architecture program, If I’m making right decisions, or If what I’m feeling right now full of uncertainty and fear is what I’ll feel for the rest of my life” you start to stutter, feeling panicky all of the sudden because It’s the first time you spoke out all your doubts and what-ifs. 

“Sounds cliché sure, but I know for sure I will not find answers back home. So here I am.”  laughing lightly to prevent creating a dark cloud around with your pathetic stories. Eyes wide open he said “I can’t imagine being brave as you, you are amazing. I hope I can be adventurous like this.” He pushes his hair back as he leans more towards you wanting to hear more. 

Brave? Adventurous? Be like me? Those were not the words you usually describe yourself. Dumb, careless, and worthless were the words you heard people describe you all your life. You quickly backed away with a hand in your chest as he leaned in, not wanting him to realize that a stranger made your heart flutter. 

Who the hell is this guy?

He probably felt he crossed his boundary from your reaction as he backed away feeling embarrassed. Regretting your reaction, you break the ice asking him if he wants to watch a movie instead. He smiled, happy that he didn’t ruin this nice thing that’s happening. 

A Walk to Remember started playing, a movie you both had already watched but will always be one of your favorites. Halfway through the movie, you notice that you’re the one he’s watching, discreetly, of course, his eyes tracing features from your eyes, the bridge of your nose, to your lips, and your exposed neck and collarbone. You can feel he’s trying to get a grip of himself for wanting to kiss you. You did the same thing to him when he’s the one watching. How can anyone not stare at his features. His perfectly brushed hair, almond-shaped eyes, cute, pointy nose, and oh god how can you start describing the most beautiful pouty lips and sharp jawline.

At some point in the movie, he begins to shake his head and blink his eyes trying to shake off his drowsiness. “You can sleep, you know. You’re not obligated to watch this with me,” you said not leaving your eyes off the screen to avoid eye contact. “No, I like having someone I can talk to and spend time comfortably. it’s been a while since I had a friend other than my members.” 

You unintentionally pout.

‘Friend’

Yeah right, you didn’t know why you’re so disappointed hearing that when you’re not single and you just freaking met. 

Realizing that what he said made your eyes drop suddenly, a small smile forms in the corners of his mouth as he gently uses his finger to lift your chin. It felt like time slowed down when both of you met each other’s eyes. You bite your lip and fix your eyes on the screen quickly resisting the urge to kiss him, trying to calm all this sexual tension you both had ever since the plane took off. You have no idea what he was thinking, but you can feel his stare on the side of your face. You offered to finish the movie avoiding his stare as you plug the earpiece on, handing him his. He grins as if he’s proud he made you pout and flustered. 

After a while, all that sexual tension was long forgotten as you made fun of each other for crying after the movie. You also helped each other by stuffing your faces with provided snacks while watching their music videos. Seeing him dance so passionately makes him a hundred times more attractive, and you’re already a hundred percent attracted to him. Jeongguk and Taehyung also woke up and introduced themselves properly this time. Jimin describes Jeongguk and Taehyung as the most playful members of their group, probably because they were the youngest. He shared that the other members were anxious about how Jeongguk continues to grow, scared that one day he’ll be the tallest one and forgetting he has Hyungs, but they’ll love him nonetheless. Taehyung on the other hand is only a few months younger than Jimin and they’ve been friends since Jimin moved to Seoul enrolling in the same school as Tae. 

Jeongguk and Taehyung were perplexed at how the two of you became this close in a short amount of time seeing how you two laughed regardless of how many times the flight attendant looked sternly at the both of you. Steering clear of the chaos, they proceeded to eat and play video games. You and Jimin shared earphones finally settling down to listen to his favorite tracks on his phone. Having no sleep the whole flight, after a while you doze off to his shoulders. “How beautiful” he whispered as he bit his lip from wanting to smile so much and not wanting to wake you up. 

"Good morning passengers. This is your captain speaking. On behalf of Korean Air and the entire crew, I would like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again in the near future. Welcome to L.A"

Jimin wakes you up by brushing your hair away from your face and with a heavy look on his face. “Hey, we’re here” gently whispering. You woke up confused, instantly regretting falling asleep as one of the nights you felt something again has come to an end. “I’m sorry for sleeping on you, you must’ve had a hard time not moving” he stretched for a bit, grinned, and said “It’s nothing, I fell asleep too. Hey I was wondering if --” he was stopped mid-sentence as Taehyung got up in his seat and said “We got to go, Namjoon-hyung’s waiting already outside” He started pulling bags on the compartment “Nice meeting you, Y/n! Please continue to support us in the future.” showing his boxy smile while dragging half-asleep Jeongguk along with their luggage. 

You quickly got up and brushed your way past Jimin, steering clear of eye-contact and the awkward Hey this will be the last time you’ll be seeing me but hey I had an amazing night last night goodbye. You drag your heavy ass luggage, he tried to help you but you wouldn’t let him. “I’ll be going now, good luck with your training, I’ll be cheering for you.” You look at his confused face with a forced smile. Eyes downcast, your heart starts to race as you exit the plane, leaving Jimin at a loss for words. 

You struggle to pull your luggage to the baggage claim for your other bags, almost sprinting to avoid bumping into Jimin and his group. "I hope she's already here" whispering to yourself while sending a message to your best friend and whose house you'll stay in while you get by.

“Y/n!!!!!!” Soo Yun embarrassingly shouts your name as she waves her hands frantically to get your attention. You wanted to sink and place yourself in the baggage conveyor belt and disappear from all the unwanted attention your name was getting. Despite having an embarrassing friend, you run up to her, forgetting your bags and giving her a big hug. Not seeing each other for 5 years was torture as you grew up together from elementary school and halfway through high school. Her family’s decision to move to L.A put a strain on your relationship but thank the millennial gods of social media you both managed to survive. 

She grew her bob already, you noticed. Now having this long hair until his mid-back with her matching bangs. She also wears contacts now as she was made fun of before for wearing nerdy looking glasses. Of course, you were there to save her every time.

“Are your bags ready? The car’s waiting outside, because there are a lot of people on the arrival platform. Did you fly with someone famous?” As she roamed her eyes around the baggage claim area. “No, I don’t think so. I’m ready, I’ll just grab my bags” pretending that the best flight you ever experienced was all a dream. You hurry as people from other flights we’re coming down. You grab your neon pink luggage and dash to your best friend waiting outside. You wonder if it’s the adrenaline of being in a foreign country that your big ass luggage wasn’t too heavy anymore. 

[dear-mrs-otome]

Hi, congratulations on your 2k followers 🌟. This is just a small reflection of your great talent. If you feel inspired to write something for Leonardo, how about writing him a little jealous? Maybe Theo can be blamed for this.😏 Thank you and Congrats!

SO FUNNY STORY you guys both requested Leonardo and I set out intending this to be mostly Leonardo but then Theo had to come and make it a-lot-about-him…being a scene stealer like he always is. 

Long story short, please forgive me for not making this 100% Leonardo - I hope you still both enjoy it anyways! If anyone wants to send me a request, my inbox is open for the month of September

~~~~

The grand ballroom glittered, lights high above in the gently-arched ceiling mimicking the stars you could just see outside the grand balcony doors, thrown open to air out the warmth of so many bodies in a small space. Dresses in every color of the rainbow swirled and fluttered about the dance floor, like a swarm of butterflies prancing amongst a garden in bloom, the strains of one of Chopin’s waltzes floating almost as airily between them. 

And you were…

Leaning against the wall, tapping your toes to the compelling rhythm and drowning a sigh in a sip of your champagne. You’d wanted to come - you were glad you had. The crown jewel in this lovely evening would have been a turn about the dance floor, a chance to live out your period-piece fantasies in real life.

But your vampire lover was far from amenable to the idea.

Over your shoulder you could hear the distinctive laugh of the vampire in question, and out of the corner of your eye spy Leonardo’s tall frame standing out from the crowd that had gathered around him. It was more than half of what appealed about him to you - the way his magnetism drew people in, how he fascinated everyone. But it was partly what drove you crazy about him too, when you had to share his time with so many other strangers.

Swallowing down the petty thoughts with another sip of champagne, you let your eyes drift around the room. You could see Arthur in a shadowed alcove, his lips scandalously close to the ear of a tittering young thing. Saint-Germain was holding court over a throng of his own adorers, Vincent was plucking a few artful tidbits from the platters carried amidst the crowd by servants, and his ever-present brother drifted along silently behind him like a shadow. 

Over the rim of your glass, pale eyes suddenly met yours, and you flicked your gaze away uncomfortably.

It was hard to say just what about the younger van Gogh unsettled you, but Theo did. Perhaps it was the gruff, irritating nicknames he always came up with for you. Or just the quiet intensity that always clung to him, like a cloak. The faint air of danger that lurked just below the veneer of his civility - as if a wolf had deigned to accept the leash.

Turning away from that piercing stare, you went out to the balcony for some fresh air.

You were leaning against the railing, looking out over the manicured gardens awash in moonlight, before you sensed someone and turned to find a darkened figure standing backlit in the doorway.

“So this is where you tucked tail and ran off to.”

There was only one person you knew who would make a comparison like that, and you sighed. “I’m not a dog, Theo.”

He ambled close enough for you to see him arch one brow. “Then why are you out here looking like a puppy that just got kicked?” Turning around, he rested his weight against the balustrade beside you and folded his arms across his chest as he fixed you with a look. “What’s wrong?”

And maybe it was the strangely comforting anonymity of the night outside, or the second glass of champagne you were working through that had words tumbling from your lips before you realized it. Spilling your thoughts to the last person you’d have thought interested in hearing them. “It’s…just that it is a ball, after all. It seems a shame to come to one and not dance, even just a song.”

Theo grunted pensively. “And Leonardo’s not exactly one for dancing.”

“No…” you agreed, and regretted how miserable it sounded before lapsing back into silence.

It was broken a moment later by Theo’s gusty exhale. A hand raked through his hair, and then he pushed away from the banister and held a crooked elbow out towards you. “Well?” he prompted, after you simply stared.

“Well what?” you echoed, perplexed.

“Do you want to dance or not, hondje?”

“You can dance?” You didn’t mean to sound so incredulous, but it happened.

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “What are you implying?”

“Nothing, nothing…” You waved his suspicion off. “You just don’t exactly seem the sort.”

“Social gatherings are important to any merchant. And dancing is usually expected. So, yes or no? I’m not waiting all night for you to make up your mind.”

It was far from the most gratuitous offer you’d ever heard, but then…was it any surprise? The real surprise was that you accepted, reaching up to settle your hand over the quiet solidarity of his still-proffered forearm as he led you back inside, through the throngs of people. 

“I’m not very good,” you warned him with a grimace as you both came to a stop in an open space on the parquet floor.

His mouth twitched, before he smothered the smile you suspected had almost broken free. “Any dog can learn new tricks, if they can obey commands.” He turned, grasped your hand fully and guided you into a proper frame, before angling a slightly wicked grin down at you. “Just follow my lead.”

The first tinkling measure of the waltz flitted past, cajoling you to come along, and Theo pulled you into motion - your steps uncertain at first, but quickly growing more bold. He was a good partner, leading confidently enough that you could simply surrender to the rhythm and the music, until you didn’t bother hiding the smile that grew on your face.

Who would have thought, only just earlier this evening, that you’d be enjoying anything with the acerbic Theo?

And on the next round, the world spun for a moment as he twirled you with a slight flourish, setting you stumbling slightly at the end. A strong arm wrapped around your waist, his broad hand splayed just over the flare of your hip as you steadied yourself against his chest.

“You know, knabbeltje…” His voice was so close, so low, it startled you into looking up. A mistake - for you were now floundering in a fathomless sea of blue, nearly drowning. Breathless. “If there are things you want in this life, you can’t just wait for them to fall into your lap. You have to do something about it.”

The rest of the room seemed to fall away as the hand on your hip tightened, almost imperceptibly. 

“Do you mind if I cut in?”

Leonardo’s smooth basso proceeded his shadow falling over the both of you, and when you turned it was to find an expression on his face you couldn’t quite place - save for that it wore the mask of a smile almost seamlessly.

“Not at all.” A satisfied smirk ghosted around the very edges of Theo’s lips as he handed you off to the other vampire. “It took you long enough.” He nodded his head at you in a surprisingly gallant gesture, before stuffing his hands in his pockets and sauntering off. 

For the first time ever, you saw something like uncertainty flash acoss Leonardo’s face, as the strains of music continued and the couples whirled, parting and merging around you unerringly as if you were two stones in a stream. Just as you opened your mouth to speak, the music died away, and relief softened the crease between Leonardo’s brows.

“Do you want to get some air?” he suggested.

“Yes, please.” You took the hand he offered you gratefully, and he led you off the floor towards the broad balcony doors you’d come in from a bit before. The air outside was a blessing on your heated cheeks, swaddling you in the cool silk of darkness, and the glittering rainbow you could glimpse through the glass seemed like a far-off dreamscape.

“So…Theo?” Leonardo began.

“Believe me, I was as surprised as you are.”

“I’m not surprised, cara mia. Not really.” But before you could puzzle out just what he meant, he continued. “If you wanted to dance, why didn’t you just say something?” He lifted you into his arms, pulling a squeak of surprise from you as he chuckled. 

“Leonardo, this isn’t dancing,” you pointed out, as he began to turn in slow circles, still holding you easily.

His lips quirked. “Are you really complaining?”

“No…” Resigned, you looped your arms around his neck and tipped your face up expectantly towards his. He nosed at the line of your cheekbone before his mouth found yours and caught you up in a slow, gentle kiss.

“Don’t dance with anyone else, cara mia,” he murmured into the tiny breath you stole. “I know I don’t have any right to ask you that, but let me be this selfish.”

“Then…” Theo’s good advice echoed in your head, stiffening your spine with courage, and you drew a bracing breath. “Dance with me properly. I don’t care if you’re bad or good, I just want to share this with you.” You wriggled out of his arms and did your best imitation of the gentlemen inside, bowing with a hand proferred towards Leonardo and the beginnings of a cheeky grin. “May I have this waltz, good sir?”

He laughed softly - a bit helplessly - and took your hand to draw you close, an arm around your waist. “Very well. But the bruises on your feet are on you.”

And maybe he did step on your toes, maybe he didn’t - you wouldn’t have noticed either way when you were so caught up in the smile he wore as you both turned about the balcony, your heart singing counterpoint to the faint melody that drifted out from inside. The two of you like earthbound reflections of the stars wheeling slowly overhead.

~~~

Through glass doors and revelry, two sets of identical blue eyes watched the shadowy pair outside, caught up in their own little world.

“What did you say to her?” Vincent wondered aloud.

Theo only shrugged, and half-drowned his answer in a sip of his drink. “That if she wanted something, to just go after it. It’s exhausting, watching her constantly jump through hoops to avoid rocking the boat.”

Vincent studied his younger brother knowingly for a long moment, before a rue-tinged smile crept onto his face. “Oh, Theo. When will you learn to take your own advice sometimes?”

Theo pulled his attention from the couple to let it land on Vincent for a moment, his mouth open as if to say something. But it died away before he did, and he merely shrugged again in silence, turning his back on the scene outside to stride off until his figure was lost amongst the crowds once more.

~~~~

Thank you for reading - if you enjoy my work, you can find more in the ‘Masterpost’ linked in my blog description

[thatfanficstuff]

By Any Other Name - Elrond

Pairing: Elrond x Reader

Warnings: nope

A/N: I wrote something. Be amazed. or something. This is my super late entry for lostinaseaoffictionalbliss’s follower celebration. My Prompt was Soulmate AU! Thank you for being patient through my sickness and travels my friend. And congratulations! It has been a long time since I wrote for LOTR and even longer since I wrote for Elrond so be kind. 

***

You should have known Gandalf was up to something. After all, when wasn’t the old man scheming over one plan or another? But you’d been home for too long and needed an adventure of some sort—even if it was only a small trip to deliver a letter. Gandalf often sent you on little jaunts like this, knowing you became restless.

So, you’d taken his letter, packed your bag and saddled your horse to head for Rivendell. Now, you stood in front of Elrond, Lord of Rivendell as he frowned at the letter you’d handed him. He had to have read through it at least three times by now and each time the furrow in his brow became more pronounced.

Finally, he looked up at you, his gaze narrowing as he looked you over. “Do you know what this says?”

You shrugged as you gave a shake of your head. “No. Gandalf didn’t tell me and I certainly didn’t read it, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

He waved a hand through the air. “Nothing like that. I was simply curious if Gandalf had discussed its contents with you before sending you to deliver it.”

You shook your head again. What exactly had the wizard done this time? When the silence stretched you shifted on your feet as you grew more nervous with each passing second. “Is there something I should know?” you finally asked when you could take the suspense no longer. 

Elrond pursed his lips as he looked you over. “Time will tell.” Suddenly, all the stress that had creased his features flowed away like water down a drain and he leaned back in his chair. “Gandalf says you like to learn about new worlds. Few are invited openly into our cities but I would like to extend an invitation to you to stay for as long as you wish. I believe there is much here and in our libraries that you will find fascinating.”

You sucked in a breath. This couldn’t be real. To stay in Rivendell and study would be a dream come true. “That is a generous offer. Thank you, my lord.”

He stood with a smile. “Call me, Elrond. And welcome to Rivendell.”

***

Days turned into weeks until you no longer had any idea how long you’d been amongst the elves. They’d easily accepted you into their fold, Elrond himself being the most welcoming. When you weren’t in the libraries you were in the gardens. If you weren’t there you could be found in conversation with Elrond or his daughter Arwen.

The fact that the Lord of Rivendell sought you out for company and seemed to genuinely enjoy your conversations still amazed you. You’d never considered yourself anything special. Though perhaps that stemmed from the fact that none in your village had shared your thirst for knowledge and adventure. Regardless, he had never made you feel anything less than his equal.

Maybe that was why you fell in love with him. It was stupid, you knew it but it wasn’t like you’d planned it. It had happened slowly over quiet conversations and long walks in the garden but it happened just the same. The Lord of Rivendell and Y/N the farmgirl. Yeah, that so wasn’t happening.

And then today…Elrond had sent you the most beautiful dress to wear to the festival tonight. The silver and white of the garment shimmered together to remind you of the stars themselves. When you tried it on, you’d gasped at the vision in the mirror. And then you’d turned to the side anxious to view yourself from all angels. A flash of black in the sea of pale color caught your attention.

You stopped and frowned as you focused on the splotch of darkness. The dress cut away at the sides to reveal your ribcage. And the entirety of your soulmate tattoo. At least that’s what you assumed it was. It had appeared at the right time, but what was supposed to be your soulmate’s name written in their handwriting across your skin looked like something else entirely.  Thick strokes of a brush created figures that were unlike any language you’d ever encountered. A sob forced itself from your lips and you quickly stripped the dress.

You’d returned it to Elrond with a note saying you couldn’t possibly accept. And you couldn’t. Wearing that dress would only remind you that the fates decreed you belonged elsewhere. With someone who wasn’t the elf you had fallen in love with. And once Elrond saw the tattoo, he would undoubtedly encourage you to seek your soulmate, or worse, he would give you that look of pity you always received when someone caught a glimpse of your illegible mark.

You paced in the garden and chewed on the end of your thumb. Maybe you should leave, just pack up your bag and take off in the middle of the night. You didn’t want to go but you needed to protect what was left of your heart.

“You do have a knack for finding the most out of the way corners of this garden, Melody.”

The deep, familiar voice rolled over you as he called you by the name you’d been known by since you were a child. It is the name you gave when asked out of habit. You found yourself turning toward him, needing to see him. You forced a smile you weren’t feeling. “Hello, Elrond.”

He smiled at your greeting, but it quickly fell away as he closed the distance between you. “Have you been crying?”

“Have I?” You reached up in surprise and wiped away the moisture you found with your fingers. You hadn’t even realized.

His hand cupped your cheek and he wiped away a stray tear you had missed with his thumb. “What troubles you?” Worried eyes searched yours for an answer to his question.

“Nothing a lord need worry about.” Your voice sounded far steadier than you felt. Then again you’d had a lot of practice hiding your true emotions around this man.

“I am not a lord when I am with you. You should know that by now.”

You huffed a laugh as you turned your gaze from him, afraid he would see too much in your eyes. “What are you then?”

There was a slight pause and a hitching of breath before he spoke. “I am a man who wants to know what is troubling the woman he loves.”

You jerked your head up and your eyes ran over his face looking for any sign of deception. You found only a small smile. “Why—why would you say that?”

His gaze softened and that thumb caressed your cheek once more. “I find it best to speak the truth when possible. Though perhaps I have misjudged and you find this truth unpleasant?”

He started to pull away and your hand immediately hooked around his wrist to keep his hand in place. “Never unpleasant. Not coming from you.”

His smile lit his whole face as he gathered you to him and held you against his chest. He kissed the top of your head as he kept his arms wrapped around you. “My sweet girl.”

He held you for a long moment before leaning back to look down at you. "Does this mean you will wear the dress I had made for you? I was looking forward to seeing it on you."

You pulled away from him with the reminder and pressed a hand against your ribs where your tattoo laid. "I—I can't."

"Did it not please you?" The disappointment in his voice had you turning to reassure him instantly.

"On the contrary, it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

"Then what is it, my love?" He pushed a strand of hair behind your ear though it wouldn't stay there. It never did.

"It shows my soul mark. I do not wish it to be seen."

He frowned. "Why ever not?"

"It is unlike any I have ever seen. It always brings pity or questions. Neither of which I wish to deal with this evening."

"I see," he said, though it was evident by the tone of his voice that he was perplexed by your words. After all, everyone's marks were the same so how could yours be different? Why would it be? Both questions you had asked yourself many, many times with no answer. After a moment he met your eye with a smile. "If you are on my arm this evening, does it really matter? There will be so many other things for them to talk about."

You returned his smile and gave a little shake of your head. If it did not bother him, why let it bother you. "Very well, my lord. I will wear the dress."

***

When Elrond returned the dress to your room, it was accompanied by a she elf to help with your hair. By the time you had put on the dress and she added the finishing touches to your hair, you felt like some otherworldly being. Most people had already gathered in the ballroom and the gardens beyond, by the time you arrived, but you felt the eyes of all those you passed taking you in. You were met at the door and offered a hand by the elf there. As Elrond's companion, you would have to be announced.

You handed over the little card where you had written your information to be read. The man smiled and cleared his throat as the two of you stepped forward. Your eyes immediately found Elrond as you did.

"Y/N Y/M/N Y/L/N of the village of Endgrave accompanying Lord Elrond of Rivendell."

As soon as your first name was announced, Elrond had spun from the conversation he was having with wide eyes. They softened immediately as his gaze fell on you and ran over you from head to foot. He strode across the floor and offered you his hand, which you took gratefully. He spun you slowly so he could take in your appearance in the dress.

"You are stunning," he finally announced, just as you were beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with your appearance.

"Thank you." You glanced at the floor as your cheeks heated. "This dress is amazing. Thank you."

He pressed a kiss to the back of your hand. "I assure you that it is you who is the true beauty, Melody. Or shall I call you Y/N?" The corner of his mouth curled up in a small smile though there was a question in his eyes.

"Y/N is my given name. Melody was the name I was given because I was constantly humming and singing as a child. It's what I've been called since I was small. And you may call me whatever you wish.”

By this point he had danced the two of you to the back of the room and he pulled you past the guard and into a small room. A glance showed you a couch, two chairs with a small table and little else. You looked at Elrond in question.

“This is my private sitting room. We won’t be disturbed here.”

Your brows shot up. “We didn’t even get through an entire dance, Elrond. Surely you don’t need a rest already.” Your tone was teasing, but you were genuinely curious as to what your elf had in mind.

He turned you and gestured to the spot where your soul mark laid bare. “May I?”

“Of course.” You lifted your arm so he could have an unobstructed view. As he leaned forward to frown at the tattoo, you sucked in a breath ready to respond to whatever comments or questions he may have. But he didn’t say a word. Instead, he began laughing. Little more than a chuckle at first, it quickly grew in volume and mirth. Elrond pressed his hand against his stomach and dropped onto the couch with a shake of his head.

You watched in amusement as he struggled to get himself under control. As he started to quiet, you licked your lips. “I can honestly say I’ve never had that reaction before.”

“I am sorry, my love,” he responded and held a hand out in your direction. When you took it, he pulled you toward him and down onto the sofa beside him. “I had feared the worst, but I should have known.”

You shook your head, but said nothing. You were so confused.

Keeping hold of your hand, he angled himself on the seat beside you so he had a better view. “The letter Gandalf had you deliver all those months ago stated, amongst other things, that he believed your soulmate was to be found amongst our people. That was all. No further explanation. You never asked about anyone which I found curious. At first, I didn’t ask because I was trying to figure you out. Then the more time I spent with you, the more I fell in love with you and I no longer wished to know what name adorned your skin. I longed desperately for it to be mine, though that was impossible because it wasn’t your name I wear.”

Your heart twinged at the reminder that while you loved this man, he wasn’t who fate intended you to be with. Not that it mattered. You had no intention of going anywhere as long as Elrond would have you. “I still don’t understand why you were laughing.”

“Because he knew.”

His face was lit in mirth but you were still so lost.

Finally, Elrond took pity on you and ran a finger over your side. “You’ve never known the name that marks you, have you?”

“No. It’s beautiful but I wasn’t even certain it was a language. None I met could read it if it was.”

“It is an early form of Elvish from the first age. It evolved into our current system.”

“So, you know what it says?”

He nodded. “The oldest of our kind will all know.” His finger began to trace each letter as he said them in turn. “E. L. R.” He leaned a little closer with each syllable that passed his lips. “O. N. D.” As he said the last, his lips brushed against yours and he only gave you the chance for a breath before his lips claimed yours. Hungry and needy and full of love. Your arms wrapped around his neck.

You couldn’t believe that Elrond was your soulmate. It was more than you ever could have hoped for. But, wait…You leaned back to look at him. “You said you didn’t bear my name.”

His lips twitched. He pulled up the sleeve of his tunic and removed the leather cuff that always adorned his wrist. There, encircling his wrist, was your first name written in your own flourished script. Your brows drew together as you frowned.

“Until tonight I knew you as Melody. I had no reason to believe you were my Y/N.”

Tears flooded your eyes, though they were happy ones this time. “Has Gandalf seen your mark?”

“He is one of the few, yes.”

Now you were the one laughing. “He knows my real name, has for some time.”

“And I know for a fact that he can read that script on your side. I taught him myself. Starting with my name.”

You weren’t certain whether to be furious with Gandalf or thankful. He had sent you straight to your soulmate’s front door, so to speak, but he’d done it in his own sweet time. As Elrond kissed you once more, you realized it would make no difference if you confronted the wizard. After all, he’d only tell you wizards did everything precisely when they meant to.

[serendipityjxmn]

I Hate You, Park Jimin!

Chapter 12

Words Count: 4.2k

TW: None

Link to Chapter 11

Link to Chapter 13

“You okay?” Jungkook waved his hand in front of my face before I snapped back into reality.

“Sorry- what?”

Jungkook sighed. “The guy ordered Americano and I don’t see any Americano here.”

I looked down on my hands. “I- I’m sorry-“

I was cut off as he took the glass away from me and started working on the orders. I hesitantly walked behind the counter to take his place as cashier. I didn’t realize I was zoning out again.

“You’ve been zoning out ever since you came for work today, Hana.” Jungkook came up to me after a while later.

I looked down at my hands. “I’m sorry.”

He sighed. “It’s fine. It’s totally okay. People can have bad days. Or, you can talk to me about it.”

I looked up at Jungkook, his expression serious. I heaved a heavy sigh.

He eyed me intently. “Is it because of that Park Jimin guy?”

My eyes blew wide opened. “Wh-what? No!”

“Oh come on Hana. You can lie to me but you can’t lie to yourself.”

I looked at him, brows creasing as I kept silent.

“It’s because of that new girl with him, right?”

At this rate I was no longer surprised at him and his correct assumptions. I bit my lip. Suddenly he leaned down, closing the proximity between us. His left hand resting on the counter in front of me while his right hand went to my chin, cupping it.

“He’s not worth it. You deserve someone better.” He whispered and he inched closer. I panicked at his act. If he came any closer, our lips would meet. So I looked away and he stilled. After a few moments, he backed away and muttered a sorry.

I had no idea how to react to that. I was not in the right state of mind to process whatever’s happening so I just brushed it off.

The next morning, I headed towards the vending machine first as soon as I arrived at college. I couldn’t sleep properly last night so I need some caffeine otherwise I would fall asleep while standing at this rate.

I took the canned ice coffee as soon as it was dispensed out when someone decided that it was a good decision to jump at me from behind. I screamed and my drink fell on top of my feet causing me to yelp.

I heard a familiar sound of someone laughing and I was right. Park Jimin appeared in front of me, grinning stupidly. He handed me my drink. I had no idea why but I felt the anger boiling inside. The fact that I couldn’t sleep a wink last night and it was all because of him but he wouldn’t know that and that made me despise him so much. I glared at him and turned around immediately without taking my drink, leaving him confused and speechless.

That lunch, I went to the library instead of having lunch. Ah Young was absent today because she caught a cold. I took my own time, burying myself into studying and solving questions. It was a good escape. My phone buzzed suddenly. I reached for it.

Jimin : Where are you?

My brow creased as I looked at it. My brain contemplating whether I should reply or not. After a while, I decided not to. I put my phone on airplane mode and continued studying.

I stopped only when I felt that most people were exiting the library. It was practically empty. I looked around then glanced at my watch that told me it was almost 5 in the evening. Shit, I’m going to be late to my part time job. Well done, Hana.

I stood up and packed my stuffs hastily. I scurried off and had just exited the library when I felt someone pulled my wrist. I looked up to see Jimin staring down at me, his expression serious and somehow a bit mad, I assumed. Even so, he was still handsome.

I tried my best to put on a poker face, as if my heart wasn’t beating rapidly at the sight of him. “Why are you here?”

“Why are you ignoring my calls?” He asked. His hand still gripping mine.

“I-“ I looked down at my phone. “I switched off my phone.”

“If you ever ignore my calls again, I swear-“

“Oh? Jimin oppa?” A sing-song voice interrupted us. We both turned our head at the same time. It was the new girl. I assumed she was from the library seeing the stack of books that clung onto her chest. Now that I’m seeing her up close, she’s not just pretty, she was very pretty. “Oppa!” She went forward and clung around Jimin’s arms immediately. I watched as Jimin stiffened and frowned at her.

She then turned her head towards me. “Oh? Who’s this?” She asked innocently. I was very well aware and very well disturbed at how she seemed to press her chest onto Jimin. And as expected, he didn’t seem to mind about it. I almost sneered at the sight but I refrained myself. “Hi! My name’s Yoo Nara. Nice to meet you!” She held out her hands to me.

I smiled back awkwardly. I hesitated but in the end I held out my hands too. After all, she was innocent. I shouldn’t mindlessly hate her. “Kim Hana.” I said in a low voice. “I need to get going now. Excuse me.” And I turned on my heels as quick as I can. I heard Jimin calling me from behind but I ignored it.

JIMIN’S POV

I stared at my phone. My call was left unanswered. I frowned. Why is Hana acting like this? We were supposed to have a study session today but she’s not answering my calls.

“You know Jimin, I told you you should just go straight to her house and bang her doors.” Taehyung said as he plopped on the sofa beside me. We were at Yoongi and Jin hyung’s house, our usual hang out place. They were seniors so it was no longer compulsory to stay in dorms. Namjoon and Hoseok hyung were supposed to stay with them too but since they were very active in college, the two of them decided to stay at the dorms but they often came here to gather too.

I glared at Taehyung. “I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

I remained silent because I too have no answer to it.

“Why- why, what happened?” Hoseok hyung who just arrived jumped over the sofa and slouched on the single sofa across me and Taehyung.

“It’s about his girl, hyung.” Taehyung rolled his eyes. “She’d been ignoring him.”

“Wh-what?” Namjoon hyung joined together at the sofa. “Ah! That Kim Hana girl? The pretty and smart one?”

I shot a glare at Namjoon hyung.

“Whoa-“ he raised his hand in surrender. “No harm there.”

“You really do like her huh?” Hoseok hyung eyed me.

Do I? Do I really? Do I want to admit this now? I may be a jerk to most people but I’m not one to lie to myself. I can’t deny that she had crept her way slowly towards my hollow heart, filling it with excitement, anticipation and warmth. Her eyes that seemed to hold the universe in it. The way it brightly shined, penetrating my soul. I hated but at the same time fascinated with the fact that I felt naked and barren when she stared at me with those eyes. As if she could see right through my weakness.

“Whoa- ho! This is getting serious!” Hoseok hyung exclaimed and made me snap out of my reverie.

“Look at how his ears are turning red!” Namjoon hyung teased me. I threw a pillow at him but he caught it easily.

“So you don’t know the reason why she’s been ignoring you?” Hoseok hyung asked.

I shrugged.

“Maybe you’re not satisfying her needs?” Taehyung said bluntly.

“Yah!” I smacked him with a pillow and he laughed. The topic seemed to pique the others’ interest seeing how the room was now filled with ‘oooohs’.

“Damn- have you two get on with-“ Namjoon hyung started.

“No.” I snapped.

“Maybe you do know the reason why.” Yoongi hyung who appeared from the kitchen said and everyone turned to look at him.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

I guess Jin hyung caught Yoongi’s words immediately because he was now staring at me too. Damn these roommates or housemates or whatever the hell they are, one look at each other and they already knew what they were thinking.

Jin hyung looked at me. “The girl from U.S.” he said simply and everyone looked as if they just hit realization.

I understood it too. But I wasn’t sure about it. Was that really the reason why?

HANA’S POV

A few days had passed since my first actual encounter with the new girl named Yoo Nara. I learnt that she studied in the U.S and was family friends with Jimin which explained why she knew him from the start as well as his group of friends. That was also the last time since I’ve talked to Jimin. I had religiously avoided him and his calls. I even purposely missed all the study sessions. I knew this was petty and childish, but I just couldn’t bring myself to meet him. Partly because I was afraid I couldn’t control my emotions. Another was because everytime I see him, Yoo Nara was always latching herself onto him which earned a thorough cursing from Ah Young whenever she saw them. It made me feel better that she was angrier than me. Although only for a short while before she embarked on her stories, constantly updating me about her relationship with Cha Eun Woo.

She gushed so much about him but still won’t admit her feelings until I pressured her so much into admitting it. She practically glowed when she talked about him! So yes, they were now in an official relationship. For the record, Ah Young asked first!

And from what she told me, Eun Woo wasted no time getting intimate with her. I asked her to spare all the gory details. I smiled fondly seeing how happy she is nowadays though I have yet to meet the guy. She promised she would bring him to see me.

I went straight to the vending machine again that Tuesday morning. Except someone was already there. He took his drink and turned his body, revealing himself as Kim Taehyung. He stopped when he saw me.

I blinked my eyes several times. Damn, he really was good looking. His features were sculpted to perfection.

“Oh, hey there.” He smiled at me and suddenly he looked so innocent.

He knew me? Or he doesn’t?

“You’re.. Kim Hana.. right?” He frowned but at the same time smiling down at me as if perplexed by my reaction.

He knew me. What do I do with that information? “I- um. Yes. I am.”

He smiled in amusement. “See you around.” He said and then he walked off.

I gulped. What was that? I frowned as I put my coins in. As soon as I took my drink out, my phone buzzed. It was Park Jimin. I groaned as I fell back into another series of whether to answer Park Jimin’s call or not. I drew a breath and decided to put it back in my pocket where it buzzed endlessly.

I was walking towards my lecture hall when I felt someone pulled my wrist and I was thrown into an empty lecture hall. I gasped but someone put his hands over my mouth quickly. I widened my eyes at the sight of Jimin. His face merely inches away from me.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

I gulped as he asked the inevitable. He slowly pulled his hands away. His face was slightly angered, as if he was very frustrated with me.

“No, I’m-“ I swallowed, “not.”

“Yes you are.” He snapped. He ran his hands through his hair in exasperation. “You don’t even answer my calls. I told you if you don’t answer me-“

“What Jimin?” I snapped back at him.

He fell silent. Probably surprised by my sudden outburst. I knew I was letting my own emotions consume me. But I was mad at him. His acts got me all messed up and confused. “Why do you even care, Jimin?” I asked, this time my tone was lower, laced with pain.

He scoffed. “Because we’re supposed to be study partners?” His expression as if saying isn’t-it-obvious?

But little did he knew those seven words stabbed me. And I mentally laughed at myself because I knew the joke was on me. I was the stupid one to fall for him. I was the one who’d hoped to cross the lines.

Then I remembered the things he said to me, the touches, the date, the intimate moments we had and the way he protected me from other guys.. joke is on me, yes.. because he probably meant nothing.

“Hana..?” His eyes searched mine as he scrutinized me having a mental war against myself.

I scoffed at myself. You know what, Hana? You don’t deserve to be treated like this. If Jimin decides to fuck around, he can fuck himself. I drew a breath and decided to square up.

“I’m not,” I glared at him, “avoiding you.” I drew a breath and looked at him determinedly. “I’m sorry I missed our session yesterday. I’ll make it up to you this Thursday.”

He frowned as his eyes regarded me. “Really?”

I nodded, trying to be as firm as I can.

“Okay.” He said, still looking slightly confused.

Then I turned around, exited the lecture hall and marched on my heels with tears threatening to escape my eyes.

I knew I looked like shit as I walked towards my part-time job. But I know I’m strong. Kim Hana is a strong girl. It’s just that.. Park Jimin has this extraordinary effect on me and suddenly I’m not so tough anymore and I hated myself for that. I’ve known the fact that he goes around with a lot of girls but I guess he had a way to make a girl feels special. It’s a reality check for me, to tell myself that he’s dangerous and a playboy. Don’t let him break your heart, Hana. I took a deep breath, as if it’d make me stronger. I am not going to let him affect me. Go, Kim Hana!

So later that day I tried to remain as vibrant as I can as I entered the cafe. I greeted Jungkook who was tending two girls at the end corner table. I waved as he looked up to see me. I went straight behind the counter.

My gaze turned towards Jungkook. Apparently he had said something amusing because the girls were giggling at their seats. As soon as he returned to the counter, I raised my brows at him.

“Putting your face to a good use?” I smirked.

He winked. “Well, someone’s gotta help and boost the sales.”

I rolled my eyes. We both then continued working into the night. The bell rang, signalling a customer entering.

“Hello, wel-“ I looked up but froze. My jaw dropped at the sight. It was Ah Young with a guy and they had their fingers intertwined! I hate it more that she was walking forward with a smug look on her face.

“Hi, Hana.” She said sheepishly. Ah Young is shy?! My mouth dropped even further. Holy shoot, I’ve never seen this girlish side of her. “So... this is Eun Woo.”

I looked at the guy. And holy Lord- he was really good looking. God-tier good looking. My mouth watered at his perfect double eyelid eyes, straight nose, beautiful lips, sharp jaw and white skin.

I smiled knowingly back at her and she blushed. Holy shoot- I almost screamed seeing her this way.

Eun Woo turned to look at Ah Young. His head was so close to hers, almost as if he was going to kiss her hair. “What do you want baby?”

I saw her face heating up further. I screamed mentally at the sight. Pretty sure she is too. Then I squared up. “Ah Young likes Chocolate Mocha. You don’t know that?” I raised my brows at him, challenging him.

He regarded me for a moment. “Of course I do.” Then he smirked. “Just asking in case she wants something different today. Chocolate Mocha for you babe?”

Ah Young just wordlessly nodded. Boy- she’s so... infatuated.

Eun Woo smiled and kissed her head. “Go ahead and sit first. I’ll bring the order to you.”

I bit my lip trying not to squeal. She nodded and gave me a look before cupping her own cheeks as she made her way to an empty table. I silently chuckled.

“So uh.. two Chocolate Mocha please.”

I eyed him. “You don’t really know her favourite right?”

He laughed in embarassment and placed his hand behind his head in awkwardness. “Just trying to impress her.”

I smiled. “That’s okay, I can tell you everything. You like Chocolate Mocha too?” I asked as he handed me his card.

He shook his head. “Nope. I just wanted to know how it tasted like.”

Dang! I blushed although he wasn’t my boyfriend. Taking the sweetness to another level. I might die from diabetes if I were to witness this everyday. Mentally though, I sighed because I was sure that wasn’t going to happen to me. I swiped his card and handed it back to him. “You can have a seat. I’ll personally send your orders once it’s done.”

He smiled. “Thanks.” Then he went to sit next to Ah Young.

“Damn! Is that Ah Young’s boyfriend?” Jungkook who appeared from the store room at the back asked as he leaned over the counter, looking at the two of them.

I grinned. “I know, right? She bagged a good one.” I chuckled.

“Uh-huh. Agreed.” He nodded.

A while later I sat down across them. The cafe was nearing its closing time so there wasn’t many customers left. Jungkook had already started to clean up.

I can’t contain my happiness as I watched Eun Woo gazing down adoringly at my best friend.

“God- I hate it that you guys are so cute.” I said and Ah Young chuckled. “But I’m so happy for you. Here I was, so worried that no one would be able to put up with you-“

“Yah!” She yelled and I laughed. Eun Woo joined me too.

“Oh yeah? Tell me everything.” He said.

I smiled devilishly at her. Her eyes widened at me as if begging me not to spill her secrets. We talked about our friendship over the years, and me jabbing at Ah Young every now and then, earning a glare from her. But all in all, we had a good time. I think Eun Woo was a very genuine person and all his acts told me that he was practically head over heels for her.

She then suddenly leaned forward to whisper to me. “Are you okay? You know.. with-“

“Don’t.” I said simply.

She eyed me intently. “You really do like him, don’t you? Otherwise, you won’t be so affected like this.”

“No, I don’t.”

“No, Hana baby girl. How long are you going to lie about your feelings?”

I eyed Eun Woo at the side. I don’t really want to talk about Jimin in front of him but he seemed to be engrossed with his phone. But I still don’t want to discuss this subject so I just shook my head.

Ah Young sighed, then she squared up. “Well- whatever it is, Yoo Nara is so not going to steal him from you. I’m gonna stand by your side baby!”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Come on, get going. We need to close.”

She chuckled but then they both stood up. She gave me a hug while Eun Woo offered to shake my hands to which I accepted. They exited the cafe with his hands at her waist. I melted at the sight.

I went behind the counter and sighed. Hearing it, Jungkook chuckled at me. “Why do you look so miserable?”

“I’m not. I’m just wondering when will I ever experience that.” I said dreamily.

Without realizing it, he went and stood in front of me. I frowned as I looked up at him. He then placed one hand on the walls beside my head. He inched forward.

“Jungkook-“

“You know, I can always help you with that.” His said, his voice low and seductive. He moved closer and I gulped.

“Jungkook- what are you-“ my hands automatically went to his shoulders and I pushed him slightly but he didn’t budge as he continued to close the proximity between us. “Jungkook- stop-“

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” A voice growled behind us and Jungkook stopped his act.

We both turned to see Park Jimin walking towards us and he didn’t stop until his hands reached Jungkook’s collar. My eyes widened at the sight and I was quick enough to stop Jimin’s left hand before it flew to Jungkook’s face.

He glared at me but lets off his grip from Jungkook’s collar. It didn’t help that Jungkook had a smug look on his face, as if challenging Jimin further. I could see Jimin’s breath was rapid from trying to control his anger. He gritted his teeth then turned to look at me. He gripped my wrist and pulled me out from behind the counter.

“Jimin- stop!” I shouted but he didn’t listen. Jungkook followed behind and quickly gripped my other hand and pulled me. Jimin stopped in his track and he stared deadly at him. I suddenly felt as if I was in some sort of drama where I was stuck between two handsome guys. But this isn’t drama!

“Let go. Now.” Jimin said slowly, his voice low and threatening.

But I had enough. I yanked my hands easily out of Jungkook’s grip but Jimin still held mine firmly. My wrist was starting to hurt.

“Jimin- let me go!” I yelled at him and yanked my hands away again. ”Why are you doing this to me? You don’t have anything over me!” And with that, I snatched my bag from the counter and exited the cafe.

JIMIN’S POV

I watched as Hana stormed out of the cafe. Shit- I messed up again. But I just saved her ass! Why can’t she see that? I wanted to chase after her but I felt like I should deal with this guy named Jeon Jungkook first.

I glared at him. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

He smirked at me. “What do you think?”

I felt my blood boiling with anger again. My hands were quick to grasp his collar again. “I swear if you lay your hands on her-“

“What if-“ he cut me off. “What if I say.. that I like her?”

“What did you say?” I crumpled his collar in my fist.

“Well- I guess of course you wouldn’t mind since she’s not yours,” he shrugged his shoulders, “and you’re busy with another girl latching onto you all the time.” He sneered at me.

I gritted my teeth. It took everything in me not to punch the hell out of this guy. “I know you. I know you’re up to no good. So stay away from her. I’m warning you.” And with that I stalked out of the cafe.

I drove so fast towards my house and arrived within minutes. I sighed as I went straight into my bedroom and tossed myself on the bed.

I let out a groan because I just can’t seem to calm my anger down. Jungkook’s words filled my thoughts. He liked her? I scoffed. I was pretty sure he was just using her. He was really getting on my nerve. My hands clamped into a fist. I felt like punching something when my phone buzzed.

I fished it out of my pockets and my heart instantly calmed a little when I saw Hana’s name on the screen.

Kim Hana: I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lashed out on you.

I softened at her words. But at the same time I chuckled at her adorableness. Trying to be mad but retract it the next minute? So Kim Hana like.

Park Jimin: Are you okay? Is there something wrong?

I was worried about her too. She didn’t seem like herself recently. I was confused with her actions too. At one point she was all sweet with me, then she ignored me, and suddenly she was mad at me.

Briefly, Yoongi hyung’s words appeared in my mind. Perhaps.. she was jealous of Yoo Nara? The thought somehow pleased me though.

If she does then does that confirm her feelings towards me? I was so sure she has a crush on me by the way her body reacted to me. All that’s left is for her to just admit her feelings.. but Kim Hana being Kim Hana..

My phone buzzed again.

Kim Hana: I’m okay. Don’t worry. Just go to sleep.

Park Jimin: Okay then. Goodnight. Dream of me ;)

She didn’t reply after that.

Link to Chapter 13

Posted on 200727 11:12AM

[miqojak]

From One Predator, To Another

She’d simply knelt in the hall, and begun picking his lock.

She hadn’t expected him to answer - and he hadn’t, of course. And what was anyone here going to do if they saw, that was any worse than what the resident would do, when - or if - he found out? Blessedly, however, she’d been left to her own devices.

Which just happened to be a folding case of thieves tools that likewise stayed tucked into a jacket pocket. It wasn’t as complete as it would need to be for a high stakes robbery, with complex locking mechanisms - but this was an apartment door. She just needed a small wrench, some lockpicks, a steady hand, and excellent hearing; lucky for her, she was in possession of all of those things.

With a long, feline ear hovering close, she listened for tumblers to click into place, and swung the door open with a faint grin - she hadn’t gotten to do a B&E in a long time, and…well, there was always a little thrill when a stealthy, steady hand got you precisely what you wanted…at the expense of someone else.

Tools collected and tucked away in a blink, she pressed on, and into the dark apartment that still smelled, just faintly, of its missing resident.

“Well…if he’s dead, he’s not going to mind my snooping. And if he’s not, then he can just take up his grievances with my ass.” She lit a cigarette, as she muttered aloud - squinting, as her eyes adjusted to the relative darkness of the seemingly average apartment. There was some sense of…relative safety in speaking such taunts aloud, where he’d never be able to take her up on them. Some small delight in the dare in his own den, to the specter of a Wolf that may not even exist, anymore.

Part of her railed at it - that part that sought blood, and communion with whatever dark power she was developing. It felt…comfortable. Like a trap.

Yet, she paced the breadth of his den once more - just another shadow, among the shadows coating the interior of the space. Slowly, and not unlike her tentative steps the first and only time she’d been in the space, did she venture to push the door to the bedroom open, and peer about; pupils blown wide, even against the faint glow of her cigarette, as she listened long - sensitive ears straining to pick up any semblance of life in the dark…and she simply found herself consumed by the silence, gaze lidding as she focused.

She found herself simply breathing in that lingering scent of his; and standing here, enveloped by his presence - and yet entirely devoid of it, it led her to ponder Kimiko’s words about sheep, and wolves. The girl had bragged how with enough sheep, they could over power the wolf. Granted, she and Jak had been speaking in metaphors about society…yet the words had been buried beneath her skin for some time now, only to gnaw at her in this moment…and it had been at least another moon since that talk. Was the damnable girl right? Jak had suspected a trap, when he’d told her the tale, after all.

Did it matter, though? If he was dead, he was long dead by now, and was beyond saving. If he wasn’t dead, then assuredly he’d find - or had found - his way out eventually; or he was dead in a ravine somewhere, and really wasn’t what she thought he was, was he? He was, effectively, both dead and alive at the same time; a rather simple way to solve the question of ‘what if?’, she thought.

With this, the self-proclaimed ‘Dragon’ crept - ever wary - to slide onto the bench before his piano, to gently bring fingers down to meet keys - for the first time. Cold, and smooth - just like the note that cried out in the dark, and made the length of tail behind her shiver in…delight? 

She hadn’t meant to actually enjoy it, when he’d played for her. Neither had she expected to find such an instrument here, nor had she expected that she’d be convinced to politely request something out of an intense desire to experience something new…to see the Wolf make music? She hadn’t regretted it - the price was worth the return, even still.

Disappointing, that dead people don’t play piano very well.

Down, the fingers went, one by one - learning the notes; the woman herself sitting utterly still as each note sings out; waiting until it fades in the caverns of those long ears, before moving on to the next. For a time, does she loiter - like a dark specter - simply learning the range of notes, and how to get her tiny fingers between them, lost in the fascination of music.

She’d felt…ashamed, that she’d enjoyed herself, when he’d played. Ashamed that she’d been so…enraptured; that it was so painfully obvious that she was uncultured; that even a piano was new to her. 

And so, even in this moment in which she knew she was alone with the music that drowned out all the other sounds…she wondered if he’d been mocking her by humming that tune, the last time he’d come knocking.

His casual cruelty was something she subsisted on, herself, and it so rarely struck home with her as more than a challenge - an invitation to engage, and bite back; but it perplexed her, that humming. Had it been to instigate something? Simply to mock her - to put her on the back foot, as it obviously had?

She despised seeming ignorant - uneducated. Uncultured. The thought that it was mockery made a growl bubble in her throat, even now.

The diminutive calico swung a ‘long’ leg back around the bench, and dismounted with a huff - shooting a glare at the bed, as she loitered, lost in thought - that cigarette long since burned down; leaving a dark-papered cigarette butt as a reminder that she’d been here. In his space. That he should have come back sooner, if he didn’t want her there. 

“It’s a highly inconvenient time for me, you know. You being not-dead. Or jerking off in Ishgard, having a torture-party.” Padding back through the bedroom door, does she spin and plant one of those throwing knives in the outer face of the door-frame…where it can be immediately seen as one enters the front door opposite it. He’d know whose it was - he’d claimed one already. One of only two people who’d claimed one of her custom, if nondescript, throwing knives. It bit sorely, to leave him a second. Let the bastard take it how he would, however - let her actions speak, then. She’d already broken in, and if he returned he’d know.

“Besides. You’re the only person around here who is remotely intelligent, or worth my time.” Hours upon hours of her time. His distraction was one she didn’t hate; few people at all could claim as much.

A distinctly feline huff of frustration parts her lips, as she prowls back toward the front door, “Don’t trust you as far as I could throw you, though.” Mismatched eyes sweep the dark shapes of this space claimed by Ketsuchi, and ears pin, “Lesson number fucking one in my tribe was always to beware of the Wolf.” 

“You’re right, though -” She pauses, claw-tipped fingers alighting on the door, pulling it open, “I do like that damnable grin of yours…just as much as I hate it. Shame you’re not here to hear it, I suppose.” (( Tagging one @ketsuchikotetsu ! A little robin came by and touched all your things and talked a lot of shit. ))

[machinequeen4]

When The Tide Is High

The sand was clean as a whistle, no sign of blood or bone. Postcard perfect. It was hard to believe this was the spot that had been plastered all over the papers. There were still tyre marks left from the news vans. 

“Rufus!” 

Hazel shoved her hands in her pockets and tried not to think about where she was. She hadn’t meant to come this far from the town but Rufus had been overeager for walkies. It had been a while since they’d last come to the seafront. He turned and yipped at her. Then he caught sight of a seagull and went haring after it, short legs pounding the sand. Hazel decided to leave him to it. He’d wear himself out eventually.

Another figure stood at the water’s edge. She had both feet submerged in the waves. The air was soggy with drizzle so Hazel couldn't help but give an empathic shiver. 

“Ava?” she called out. The figure didn’t turn but Hazel didn’t think she was mistaken. Ava’s auburn hair was easy to pick out, even from a distance. If Ava didn’t want to talk, Hazel would just say hello and leave. Anything to avoid the guilt of avoiding a former classmate. They’d never been friends, not really, but they’d shared a maths textbook and a resigned determination to find the value of x. As Hazel approached, she kept a close eye on the sea. Having to squelch her way home was not an appealing thought.

Ava turned and smiled in that slow, strange way of hers. Maybe Hazel’s company wasn’t unwelcome after all? 

“Aren’t you cold?” asked Hazel.

“Cold?”

Ava looked confused for a moment. Then she examined Hazel properly, in her tightly buttoned coat and bobble hat.

“It’s August,” said Ava, another smile tugging at her lips. 

“Feels more like October. You must be mad, paddling in this weather. You’ll lose your feet to frostbite!”

Ava’s face didn’t move. There was a brief silence. Hazel could usually read people well enough and had no problem with making them like her. But Ava always seemed immune to the charm that came so easily with others. It was equal measures infuriating and fascinating. And...a challenge. A much more interesting one than finding the value of x.

“I’m surprised you’re here,” said Ava. “After what happened.”

“Well. My dog doesn’t watch the news.”

“Very sensible. Last I heard they were saying sharks. People are so stupid.”

“Maybe it was a new type of shark.”

Ava snorted. “Right.” Her tone was the very definition of unconvinced.

“Or…” said Hazel. There was another, more distasteful theory. “Merfolk.”

When her dad brought it up, her mother immediately hushed him. It was disrespectful to the victims, she said. The murderers were real and would be caught. Merfolk were stories and no ancient skeleton rotting in the local museum was going to convince her otherwise. 

The skeleton had always been a point of fascination for Hazel. Especially the line of spine curving into a long tail, so neat, so seamless. They’d covered it at school a number of times as part of local history. Most townies considered it a fake, a desperate ploy to draw tourists to the seaside. But no matter how long Hazel stared, she couldn’t see the seam where the forgery had been made. 

“Ah! Hazel, you believe the old stories? I didn’t expect that…” For the first time, Ava’s smile seemed genuine. 

“I thought they were just meant to frighten children. But those tourists...were eaten...just like in local legends. Even the shape of the toothmarks was the same.”

“So you think it was merfolk?”

Hazel was quiet. Honestly, she wasn’t sure. Why was she so keen on the stories being real? Wouldn’t it be horrifying to share a home with such savage creatures? And surely if it had been merfolk, there’d be evidence of their existence other than the corpses of tourists? 

The sea shhhed in, forcing her to scuttle back or face the dreaded squelchy shoe scenario. Glancing around, Hazel realised the tide was further in than she’d thought. And her damn dog was nowhere to be seen. 

“Rufus!” 

A bark, but she couldn’t see him. Worry shot through her. Could he be stuck somewhere?

“Don’t worry, he can’t have gone far,” said Ava.

They made for the maze of rocks that comprised the west side of the bay. It was easy enough to find Rufus by following the sound of his barks. But when they did…

Hazel wasn’t one for cursing but now seemed the right moment. That stupid, stupid dog! He had been cut off by the tide and now he was stranded on a little rocky island. Which was shrinking. He barked and wagged his stubby tail but there was no way Hazel could get to him. And sausage dogs weren’t known for their swimming ability. Ava put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t panic. I should be able to get him.” 

“Are you nuts? Then you’ll drown as well!”

“I swim here all the time. Now shut up and close your eyes.”

“What?”

“I can’t swim that well with my clothes on. So shut your eyes.”

Ava already had her shoes off and was working on her belt. Hazel, perplexed, complied with the command but… 

"Stop it. I'll call the coastguard. This is really dangerous!"

"There’s no phone signal out here. I know what I’m doing. Relax." 

Hazel opened her mouth to reply but then she heard frantic splashing which she assumed was Ava running off into the surf. There was no way she couldn't watch. She squinted through her lashes and saw Ava gliding through the ocean. The waves closed over her but when Hazel really looked… 

There was a black, finned tail rushing through the water. Hazel opened her mouth to cry out a warning. But then something about the tail and the way Ava moved clicked together. 

The tail and Ava were the same thing. Which meant… what? Ava was a mermaid? A mermaid saving her dog? She must be going mad. But the more Hazel stared the more certain she was. Ava was using her tail to move through the water. She could see it, the distinctive shape. Two fins on the end, just like pictures in books.

Hazel closed her eyes again. She needed to think. She needed for the world to rearrange itself in a way that would make sense. Ava was a mermaid. The tourists had been eaten, possibly by merfolk. Did Ava eat tourists? Was she going to eat Rufus as well?

When Hazel opened her eyes again, Ava was walking through the surf. On legs. There was no tail to be seen. Rufus was thrust into Hazel’s arms. He licked her face, obscuring her view of Ava  pulling her clothes back on. Her hair dripped down her back. “He wasn’t that far away.”

“Ava, you’re-” Hazel knew the words she needed to say but her mouth wouldn’t say them. Rufus gazed up at them panting, silly doggy smile firmly in place. The water had stuck down his coat but he seemed fine otherwise. 

“You opened your eyes, didn’t you?” 

Hazel nodded. Her heart hammered. The image kept replaying itself in her mind, the finned tail flipping up out of the water as Ava swam. She wondered if she should run. 

Ava leaned in close to whisper in Hazel’s ear. “You’re lucky you were always nice to me. I might not have risked saving someone else’s dog, you know?”

“Well. The bond between two people stuck sharing a maths textbook is no small thing.”

Ava laughed. “Very true. Hazel, you’re shaking. You know I’m not going to hurt you, right?”

“But the tourists? D-did you-?”

“They drove their boat through sacred merfolk water. They polluted the sea with noise and filth. I tried to warn them but they wouldn���t listen. The merfolk elders ordered the kill.”

“We should tell the police!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Merfolk are not bound by human laws. Only the brutal laws of the sea. The tourists put themselves in the middle of the hunting ground. They became prey.”

“And you? Am I prey to you?”

“Not unless you trespass where I hunt my meals.”

Hazel’s head spun. “I don’t know what to do with any of this.”

Ava smiled again. Was it Hazel’s imagination or were her teeth...very sharp looking? 

“Thank me for saving the dog. Then go home and forget about it.”

“But if you exist...the whole world is different.”

“Think about it Hazel, how can you tell who’s human like you or merfolk like me? You can’t. This town is ours as much as it is yours. The same as it’s always been.”

Hazel’s family moved to the seaside when she was nine years old. They’d had a special assembly on beach safety.

Don’t swim in areas with red seaweed.

Don’t follow the sound of singing.

Don’t follow a stranger into the sea or you’ll never see land again.

“Let me show you,” said Ava. And held out her hand.

[b-kitsune]

Many ways to say I love you: Day Ten.

Kidge-a-palooza 2019 Prompt: Astound. Pairing: Kidge (VLD) Universe: Post-Kerberos AU. Status: Complete.

He watched the street lights move quickly out of the car window, like shapeless flashes that were left behind the road, somehow helping him to forget for a few seconds that he was on his way to the home of one of his officers. Keith didn't have cheers to start a conversation with the guy who had practically not closed his mouth all the way, once they had sat in the back seats of the car, too annoying and noisy for his comfort, and it had already become clear that he felt a strange hostility towards him, without understanding the reason very well. Shiro had mentioned his name at some point during the evening, but honestly, he didn't take much notice.

Keith didn't want to go to that dinner tonight. He didn't want to meet Officer Holt outside the Garrison. Although Shiro had mentioned to him that he was one of the few high-ranking adults who didn't feel rejected by his presence, part of Keith still maintained skepticism about this fact.

He couldn't help thinking about it, basically, everyone had hated him as soon as Shiro helped him into Garrison cause of his short temperament and lack of military lineage, Keith had only been a lucky boy and had some talent to pilot the ship in the way. And he didn't understand very well what to do at a family dinner, Shiro didn't give him any further instructions beyond behaving and being kind to the Holt family.

How could he be nice to people he didn't know? He had only had a brief moment with Mathew Holt a few months ago, who started talking to Shiro about the results of the investigations they found on Kerberos' ice. Then he simply disappeared from his sight, giving him a kind smile when he saw it by chance.

If only Keith had avoided fighting the boy by his side, he wouldn't have to deal with this. It was a punishment that Shiro and Officer Holt had disguised as an opportunity to strike up a more pleasant relationship with their own comrades.

''Still a long way to go, Shiro?''

''No, we'll arrive in a couple of minutes, Lance.'' Keith mentally repeated his name in case he needed to remember during the night. Lance simply started jumping excitedly in his own seat.

''I've heard a lot about Officer Holt in Garrison, although I've never spoken to him directly since science doesn't call me too much, it's like the gentleman everyone loves.''

''He is a kind person like Matt, they are loved because they have a nice sense of humor and impeccable principles. I have never had major problems with them, even when we were in space.'' He answered with simplicity. What he left thinking to Lance for a few seconds.

''I heard that Officer Holt has a younger daughter who will nominate Garrison for the next year, is that true?'' He asked excitedly, to Shiro's confusion and Keith's displeasure, who could realize his intentions under that tone of voice.

''Wow, apparently the news spread quickly.'' He joked, with a tone of concern that didn't go unnoticed by either of them. ''Yeah, Katie will be applying to enter as a pilot candidate next year. In fact... That's why you accompany me tonight.''

''Why?'' Keith inquired confused. Shiro just sighed heavily. Maybe things would go better if they knew ahead of time.

''She ... She has had certain physical encounters with her current high school classmates, which has severely worried me and Samuel in the last time.''

''What do you mean with…?''

''They broke her arm two months ago.''

''Woow ... That's pretty cruel'' It was the only thing that could come out of Lance's lips. Keith, however, was perplexed. Not even he, being as he was, had gone through those situations before or after Garrison.

''We thought it would be a good idea for her to meet some people before entering her first year, and since both are in the program and they owe me the favor of avoiding their suspension for their last meeting...''

''I understood; this is a classic situation of extortion.'' Lance joked with a slight smile between his lips.  ''Don't worry, I'll sacrifice myself for a greater good.''

''Keith?'' He nodded without saying a word in between, he knew very well what it was like to be attacked without having someone to protect himself with. While tonight didn't imply that they became friends, at least one familiar face would ease the burden for the first few days, it was something he could do. Shiro smiled through the rearview mirror. ''I'm glad to know that I have your support.''

''I never expected you to be so close to Officer Holt.''

''Well, we spent together in space for several months, and he's been one of the people that has most influenced my recovery after that.''

Keith reacted to his last comment, intrigued. Taking into consideration that since his return he wasn't wearing that bracelet that sounded every certain amount of time, which he had seen many times during his outings. Keith supposed it would be a good thing.

Shiro never talked about matters involving negative news, so commenting with Lance so easily gave him the idea that his muscle problem was being treated effectively.

They stopped at the entrance of a well-kept house, where the room was lit and a couple of voices echoed inside, Keith thought it nice to see a wide variety of flowers covering the front garden, which stretched behind the house. Before going down, Shiro looked at them seriously.

''While I usually dine occasionally with the Holt family and tonight is to make Katie feel more familiar with Garrison, I don't want to end up in trouble because you don't know how to behave like adults.'' The plaintiff claimed but quickly changed to an accessible position by sighing with regret. ''Just try to be nice, okay?''

''I will behave.'' Lance answered immediately. Shiro looked at Keith, waiting for his response.

''All right, Shiro''

''Well, that's enough.''

As they walked towards the entrance, the sound of a piano resounded through the walls with more force, drawing the attention of the three, Lance and Keith were baffled at the thought of thinking of the officer or his son playing an instrument in the privacy of his family. Matt, who was sitting on the window, opened the curtain slightly to watch them walk home as soon as he heard his dog barking, getting up quickly.

The door opened immediately, showing Matt in simple clothes that gave an air of comfort. Before Shiro even said anything, he greeted them quickly and invited them with a gesture on his hand to keep quiet.

The three without understanding complied without protest.

I will always, think of you

I see your face when each day's through

As soon as they heard a voice inside the room, they understood what it was about. Officer Holt was singing a tune with his family.

And days go past

Oh so fast

But memories, they last

A soft feminine voice confused them notoriously, except Shiro, who approached enthusiastically to the room that led them, Matt. Keith and Lance looked at each other without understanding very well why his mentor's sudden change of attitude, but as soon as they saw her, their faces turned into deep amazement.

Summer Winter, year by year

I'll hear the song inside my ear

Trying to restart

That would be smart

The thoughts of you haunt my heart

Keith used to ignore women most of the time. While he seemed to have some appeal to the opposite sex, he generally didn't worry much about it, having more important things to worry about during his day-to-day life. But at that moment, it was the first time that the beauty of a woman astonished him to the point of flushing completely.

Katie was a low and notoriously thin girl, so much so, that while listening to her singing along with her father, she thought that she could take it effortlessly with just one arm. Her green dress was simple and nothing to write home about, but elegantly accentuated the natural tone of her hair, a light brown that, in suitable light, she thought could easily be golden, as it was with her brother.

I do not want to be alone now

Just bidding my time

I need somebody dearly

And darling you'd be sublime

Both were perfectly coordinated while Samuel played a simple melody with his fingers on an old piano, but Keith was not paying attention to Officer Holt, he saw himself unable to look away from his daughter, who bristled every pore of her skin with the sweetness of her voice, curiously, was much deeper than he could think at first glance of someone so tiny and small.

Keith was fascinated. As in a spell that had completely astounded him

Spring and Autumn

Up and down

I keep trying to escape this town

And I just might I'll take flight ...

As soon as Katie turned her gaze to the corridor and met his eyes, she was enveloped in a strong chill that ran down her back, scaring him for a moment, but she, with only a cheeky smile, finished the song after a few seconds on pause.

Maybe tomorrow, not tonight

 ...

 ''So, you come from Cuba, you must miss your family a lot.''

''Yeah, although I see my sister frequently in Garrison.''

Katie sighed heavily as soon as her gaze connected with Shiro, who apologized in silence while tasting her mother's salad. The intentions of him and her father had been so easy to assume that she was offended intellectually for a moment.

It is not as if it affected her at that point to be the object of mockery of all her companions with the little time she had left in high school, and the fracture of her radio hadn't been as serious as they supposed the first time, in a month already Katie was completely healthy without any consequences. But she knew that during the last conversations with Shiro, he hadn't quite agreed.

Part of her was touched by being so protected by someone like him, whom she admired about all people, even her father.

Besides, there was something in her inside that she couldn't understand yet, which heated and exalted to a strange level as soon as her eyes connected with those of the dark-haired guy.

He had seen her, not like Lance, who only managed to give a timely compliment after finishing singing with his father.

He was looking at her, stunned and confused about what to say when she was caught in her presentation. For the first time in her life, Katie had been enveloped in the astonishment of someone who wasn't her family, which generated a pleasant feeling of rejoicing.

''Katie, you've barely said a word, is everything okay?'' Questioned her worried mother, although she noticed the double intention of her words. Colleen was forcing her to talk to the guests, but she didn't feel ready yet.

''Yes, I am.'' She answered without more while chewing a piece of meat to stop responding, noticeably bothering Colleen, Matt simply sighed heavily.

''Keith and Lance are in the second year of the pilot program, right? Did you like it?''

Katie directed her attention to them with something more of interest. If they were in the pilot program it meant that they would see them more often the following year, so the assumption that Shiro had brought them to meet her was accurate.

Again, while the appointed Lance laughed with something that Matt had commented, those dark eyes fell on her, unable to look away this time.

The first impression she gave was an emo boy in all his glory. He had a heavy face that implied a rejection of the first contact, and a badly-groomed hair that even Lance had mentioned as "nasty mullet" under his breath in the night, hoping he wouldn't be heard by anyone. Katie was intrigued with him in more ways than one, something in his eyes, although he was hostile later during dinner, she was reflected in those feelings.

Something in him, he called her with an indecipherable feeling that warmed her aching heart, although she didn't know what name to place it at that moment. What made her increase her attention to those deep eyes to discover what it was.

Maybe it was the so-called chemistry? Although she couldn't know, since Shiro had been her only friend with whom she could feel it for the first time, with Keith, she had the assumption that it was something different.

As soon as Matt touched her shoulder to draw her attention to a question directed at her, Katie quickly averted her nervous gaze, hoping no one had noticed that she had been watching him more than necessary.

For a moment she assumed that everything was in order as soon as they returned to direct the conversation towards her father. When she saw Keith again, he only smiled slightly while he continued to eat from his plate, she imitated his action, her face slightly warm and somewhat disappointed to lose her look, without knowing very well the reason.

But something told her, that not only was she intrigued by other people's eyes.

Certainly, after that night, Katie was much more interested in attending Garrison, if with that she could name what she was feeling.

After all, she was a woman of science.