#since my aunt has problems with her heart and back and can't do it alone

[raininyourblackeyes]

Men are such swines

[deviousdeliciousness]

Take Care

Summary: Carl has an emergency, and he doesn't have anyone else he can ask to look after his tiny friend Sean except for his Aunt Lisa. Surely everything will be fine, right? Surely she wouldn't think to leave the tiny's well-being in the hands of another.

~~~~~~

"Aunt Lisa, I really don't want to have to do this, but it's an emergency," Carl pleaded, his hands slowly lowering from where they'd been cupped to his chest.

Hunched over in his palm and looking a mixture of sheepish and exasperated, was a tiny. The boy looked to be around the same age as Carl, with dark hair and pale skin, and he was wearing a navy colored hoodie and a matching pair of jeans.

The only show of Aunt Lisa's surprise was a slight raising of her eyebrows.

"...And you can't leave him alone because..." she trailed off questioningly, tone not accusing and only faintly curious.

Carl sighed, shifting on his feet. "I've got a rat problem at my place still - it wouldn't be safe to leave him there without me. And I can't bring him back to his town 'cause that's an easy thirty minute drive that'll be in the opposite direction to where I gotta be. So..." he looked at her pleadingly, carefully extending his cupped hands.

Aunt Lisa eyed him and the tiny for a couple more seconds before relenting with a sigh, plucking the tiny up and setting him on her other palm.

Sean flinched at the abrupt series of actions, going fully tense as he landed in her palm and snapping his head over to Carl to stare at his friend with wide eyes.

Carl winced back at him, shrugging helplessly. He really did have to go, and there was no time for a second option for who to leave Sean with. Plus, even if Aunt Lisa was a little... lacking in courtesy right there, she hadn't hurt Sean or anything - she just wasn't around tinies that much to readily know better, was all. Plus, since she had two kids at home, Carl trusted she'd know how to supervise the new person put in her care.

Giving the two of them a wave, Carl farewelled with, "I'll be back by tonight - ten at the latest, alright?"

Aunt Lisa nodded, and Sean clutched her thumb to keep himself from shaking with the motion, feeling a little sick at being held up on only a single, smaller palm.

Without another word, Carl was gone.

"Alright, then," Lisa said briskly, and Sean flinched at her change in tone, twisting around to try and meet her gaze.

She stared back down at him, eyes half-lidded and almost... bored. Callous.

Her next words confirmed it. "I can't sit around watching you all day," she huffed, spinning on her heel and starting up a brisk walk. Sean yelped and held onto her thumb for dear life, trying to answer back (what, he had no idea. That she didn't have to constantly watch him - he just had to be somewhere in her sight so she knew some animal or something didn't get to him, maybe), but she talked right over him. "My girl Sarah's still at school, but Gabe can take care of you," she informed him dismissively.

She had kids? Carl forgot to tell him about that. Still, maybe being around this Gabe would be better than Lisa, who was very quickly showing her lack of regard for Sean - or maybe just tinies in general. How old would Gabe be, though? Sean and Carl were in college, which explained the odd hours, but would Gabe be too? That was the only thing that made sense to Sean, since the hours meant high school was still currently in session and Lisa looked too young to have had a kid much older than that.

Having lost himself so much in his reverie, Sean didn't come back to himself until Lisa had opened a door and - in a gratingly high-pitched voice that border-lined a coo - said, "Hi there little Gabie, how's my big boy doing?"

What the hell? Who talked to anyone like-

Sean twisted around, and he could swear his heart stopped.

That wasn't an adult. That wasn't a kid, even. That was a toddler.

A two, maybe three, year old sitting on the floor in what was quite apparently a play room, staring up at his mother with his bright blue eyes and pudgy cheeks, a line of drool following the toy block he'd just been gnawing at in his mouth. "Mama!" the boy exclaimed, raising his free arm to make a grabby hand at her

"Mrs. Lisa," Sean called loudly, his voice high-pitched and reedy.

He flinched as the toddler's gaze zeroed in on him, doubly so the way they seemed to light up. Behind him, Lisa responded with a short, annoyed sounding, "Yes?"

"I - you - you can't leave me here with him," he choked out, hating how his voice was already on the verge of pleading.

Gabe responded before she could, carelessly dropping his block to raise his other arm and make even more desperate grabby hands, breaking out into a milky-toothed smile. "Gimme mama, gimme!" he cried happily, scooching forwards and not taking his eyes off Sean for a second.

The tiny shrank back on Lisa's palm, only to yelp in shock as his entire station was lowered - as Lisa crouched down.

She ignored what Sean had said entirely to instead respond to her son, voice once more all gooey and sweet. "Now, Gabie, you have to be gentle with this one, alright?" she told him kindly, and Sean flinched as a rough finger stroked down his spine as if in demonstration.

This was not fucking happening. Abruptly, Sean's voice raised to a shout, "I am NOT GOING TO-"

He cut off with a yelp as fingers pinched around his waist, squeezing the breath out of him in what he doubted could be anything but a reprimand, and Lisa once again talked like he said nothing.

"It's very delicate, okay Gabie?" she cooed, extending her hand out towards the toddler's.

Sean writhed, limbs flailing as he finally let out a panicked scream, his mind filled with a litany of terror-filled nonononononoono's this couldn't be happening, why was this happpening - It only made the toddler reaching for him giggle, and suddenly a much smaller fist was wrapping around the tiny's torso, squeezing him tighter and tighter until it felt like his ribs were about to crack. He cried out.

"Gently, Gabie, remember?" Lisa fondly reprimanded, and the toddler eased his grip the barest fraction - just enough for Sean to suck in a half-breath.

"N-no-" he wheezed out, but he doubted either of them even heard this time. Not that they would care either way.

From behind him, he heard the sounds of Lisa rising back to a stand, and she gave her son a sweet goodbye of, "I'll be back later, lovie. Make sure to take good care of your knew playmate for mommy, kay?"

The toddler's head nodded up and down, the force jerking Sean in his pudgy fist that gave a little squeeze with the motion and expelled all the air from his lungs. "'kay mommy," Gabe promised with all the seriousness he could seem to muster. Then, his eyes were back on a panting Sean, excitement making them shine. The tiny let out a terrified whimper, frozen except for the shivers that'd started wracking his body. He was too afraid that a single move would end up with him finally being crushed, his bones snapping easily in a toddler's tight fist.

And as the door closed behind Lisa, Sean couldn't help but parallel it to the sealing of his fate as he stared up at the giant toddler's face in front of him with an overwhelmingly crippling sense of dread.

[naviculariis]

Okay so. Serious post time. I'm gonna put this entire thing under a cut, but I'm also gonna post some TWs here: medical malpractice, uncertain diagnoses, family trauma / drama, grief, anxiety rambles???

But I am gonna take like. A semi-hiatus, just so I can catch up on what I owe.

I haven't talked about this over here, or on Tumblr in general. Only one person who follows me here knows about this bc we're friends on another platform.

So.

Y'all have noticed, my days don't follow a set schedule. I've been unemployed since my campus suddenly closed with very little warning back in '22. Immediately after that closing, we took a small trip to MS to be with family for Christmas, and that trip was... Bad. And on the 1st of last year, I had an accident- i was taking down Christmas lights and fell and busted open my head. I had an untreated, late diagnosed concussion thar no one really... followed up on, and have had slight memory loss even now from it.

So I couldn't work until my head healed up from that.

But that's not the medical thing. That is my mother. In October 2021, my mother went in for a routine stint placement that resulted in loss of almost total blood flow to her left leg for 36 hours. They almost had to amputate, she almost died on the table twice, she was hospitalized for a year. ( we've tried the legal route, but because the doctor never admitted fault on paper, he cannot be held liable & suing hospitals is... Difficult. Even though she has permanent damage, can no longer feel anything below the knee, and has to wear a brace to walk. ) My mother already had a weak heart to begin with due to years of smoking + cardiac disease. This was the first nail, essentially. This damaged her heart... a lot.

Back to the concussion. 4 days after my concussion, she had a massive heart attack that nearly killed her. She flatlined twice on the table. It was after this that we got confirmation that she is in congestive heart failure. My grandfather died from it. It's

... It's hard. We don't know which stage she's in because her cardiologist won't tell us, but we think she's in stage 2, or maybe 3. We don't know. But because of this, I am the one who takes care of 95% of everything around the house & outside. I do lawncare, I do the planting, I do the garden. She can do a lot, still, but when her heart gets going- it's painful. So I've been her caretaker since 2021 when the initial accident happened.

My grandmother is nearly 90 and has... Many health problems but somehow is also doing better than most folks I know. She's a mystery. And my aunt had a double knee surgery but somethings wrong with her knees, and they think the surgeries rejected, so she can't get around well or drive longer than an hour away. My grandmother no longer drives & isn't renewing her license. My mother can drive, but we don't want her to unless ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

So I'm the only one who can drive them around.

I have my own medical issues [ anxiety, depression, type 1 diabetes, cracked tailbone that never got treatment & is giving me hell for that- ]

So. Basically. A lot of my time isn't my time. And when I do have free time, I do try to write and chat as much as I can. At night, after I get mom to bed, I call my partner warner and we get a few hours together and then we have to go to sleep bc we're in a ldr & their timezone is an hour ahead of mine.

... I'm rambling.

It's just. It's hard sometimes. And a lot of the time I sort of sit on my back porch and cry because I'm doing this- physically- alone. Literally everyone else is 4+ hours away across the state. Or 9 hours south on the Gulf Coast, or 7 hours south in Louisiana.

I do try to stay on top of things the best I can, I really really do, but things slip through my fingers. I'm gonna try my best to get all caught up over this coming week, I think. But if my responses are delayed for threads, for discord messages- chances are, I'm busy with one of my lil ol' ladies.

On top of all of this, I live in a town of less than 900, the nearest city is 45 minutes in any direction, and the nearest BIG city is 2+ hours in any direction. Finding a job that isn't in Healthcare is impossible. And I have nothing against those who are in healthcare- I applaud you. But all of my trauma can be tied back to hospital ERs and any time I step foot into a hospital, I immediately have anxiety & can only hear the night we learned about my dad. So I physically cannot force myself to go into that field.

Which is... a whole other thing, this is getting too long. But I've been searching for a job for the past year and a half, have had 5 interviews, each one ended with "thanks for interviewing! However,". It's hard.

So I just.

My plate is a lil bit full. But I love writing. I love the rpc. It'sa comfort and a joy and I love meeting new friends and making new connections and I want to do this as long as I can but sometimes things get a little slow. That's all.

... anyways yeah. Semi hiatus. Cool.

[ebdanon]

okay i took a nap and im feeling a bit better now, so let's start with some lore (lol) first because even two years later, she still keeps bringing it up. typos galore, beware!

ever since the proposal happened, my mil has thought my parents knew about it ahead of time, and somehow she's twisted that scenario into thinking my parents are giving my husband and i instructions on who to be and what to do. allegedly, her own mil and fil used to do that to her husband so "she knows the signs" - im saying allegedly because ive never confirmed that 100% and as we can see from the start, she has a wild imagination

from the first moment we started trying to organize the wedding, she started shit talking my parents. how they're good for nothing, conniving, selfish and in charge. i figured it's nothing too bad, probably wedding-related stress is what's got her into the conspiracy. whenever she talked about my parents, it was while screaming to my husband about whatever it is she decided the topic of the day would be. usually it was about her son's disrespect because he decided to propose two months after his grandmother (mil's mom) passed away, and then have a wedding so soon after on top of that. but that never made sense because he asked for permission to do all that multiple times. yes, permission, in case she gets offended. she said it's not a problem each time, even encouraged him, then turned around and walked the whole thing back. either it was bad because it was so soon and she was still grieving, or it was too late and she wanted her mom to attend the wedding but my husband was selfish for not doing anything earlier.

~slight intermission here

mil is an only child, and that was when she claims she was left alone in the world, because her dad passed a few years before her mom. she was obsessed with local and religious traditions we have in terms of people passing away, but after her mom it got worse and worse, to the point where she'd go to the cemetery each week and if at any point that wasn't possible, she'd throw a tantrum. all she talks about these days are "the good times" when they were alive, the suffering she put them through or when she's going to the cemetery next and what she plans to do there. i understand grief, but you cant claim you're alone in the world when you've made a whole ass family of your own... unless you've somehow fucked it up so bad that you feel you can't rely on them, which i wasn't sure at the time was the problem, but i am now

intermission end~

six months later, we've finally relaxed from the wedding bs, when the health issues started for my husband. fil works at the hospital in our hometown, and mil is hospital-adjacent. since most things in this country works on "i know someone who can help you" (in the sense from knowing where the best locally sourced cheese is for example, to enrolling you in school, or even making a crime disappear) we decided to go back so he could get checked out by more doctors because the gp we had just gave him some antibiotics and sent him home, which obviously wasn't effective after trying it out. in the meantime i called up my aunt, a specialist doctor living abroad, for advice in case she can help sooner. so we arrived at my mil and filled armed with a bit more information, which was "get him to the gastrointestinal wing at a hospital bc they can point to exactly what he needs for exams and then treatment". in the next four days, his dad took us (i went everywhere with them as my husband was exhausted) to about twenty doctors in the hospital where he works, that doesn't have a gastrointestinal wing, and my husband got bloodwork done each time. the results showed he's fine each time. the symptoms never stopped. it was almost two weeks now. to see these doctors you need a recommendation from your gp but with the system i explained (knowing someone) they can examine you on the down low. out of that number of specialists (from doctors specializing in heart or blood diseases to infectious diseases), only two said he should go to a gastrointestinal wing in any other hospital to get checked out. the rest just assumed it was a stomach bug or food poisoning or some sort of parasite and just prescribed more pills. one recommended a parasite test which turned out to be negative and had him continue insisting it must be a parasite it just probably moved from the gut to another place. with each new doctor, came a new report we had to make to his parents of who said what, when, and what happened next, because they "must know". when those two doctors said different hospital, we brought up my aunt, but there was an issue there. first from both my fil and mil talking about how she's a shitty doctor despite meeting her once at the wedding (aka a non medical situation), how her mother was a shit doctor too (she worked at the same hospital my fil does, passed away over a decade ago), we should never listen to a dumbass, she's evil and who knows what else, it was a lot. another issue was, my fil would have to drive to the hospital because my husband was in a terrible condition and i have no experience driving even though i have a license (im scared of it). my fil wouldn't take his own son, despite begging. he did take him to another hospital to get his hormones checked though, while my fil was getting checked out for his own gut issues at the same fucking time. this was already like a month in, so the moment my husband felt a bit better, we asked my parents to drive us to the other town we were living in. my parents are quite unreliable so i dont usually involve them in most aspects of my life but that was a positive surprise. an example of that was, i asked them to stay for 30ish minutes so we could unpack, instead of just dropping us off, in case we needed help (like a quick run to a store 2mins away to buy basic food stuff because we were away for a month) because we were both exhausted but they were in a hurry to to back home because they had errands to run. they had the rest of the day but i guess they were desperate for those 30mins. so we finally called up my aunt again, to let her know of all the doctors and exams and she recommended the same thing again, she was even more sure about it and gave us a handful of potential issues, and only one doctor brought up the same things before and recommended the same thing but my in laws thought hes wrong (because they suddenly became medical experts) so they ignored him. ~ask continued

im deeply afraid of where this is going

[trentcrimminallybeautiful]

gert's random fusion aus: pushing daisies

sorry, i just realized i never explained what "pushing daisies" is, and while i'm not going to give the full run-down of every relevant detail--you will find this more compelling if you've seen it/are familiar with it--i'll give the basics real fast. ned is a piemaker who can bring back the dead with a single touch--and kill them again with another. the problem is, if they're alive again for more than a minute, someone else will die in their place. he found this out in the most traumatizing fucked up way possible btw. anyway, his best friend is PI emerson cod, with whom he investigates bizarre murders as, you know, they can interrogate the victim. albeit for one (1) minute only. and then ned brings back his childhood sweetheart/crush, inadvertently killing a corrupt graverobbing funeral director, and they fall in love again--with the caveat, of course, that they can never touch, because if he ever touches her again, she'll die. cue cute shit like kissing though plastic wrap and having clear walls on their bed (?) and that kind of thing. since she's still legally dead, she tries to help her aunts from afar, who have been shut-ins for a while, and there's some other stuff going on too with a waitress in love with ned (olive my beloved), emerson cod's ex-wives (and a child!), and a mystery from ned's past. i think that's all the basics? anyway, on with the show.

Trent Crimm is a journalist, so perhaps it isn’t surprising when he’s murdered. He dies alone, and afraid, and with no one to care. And then he wakes up with Ted Lasso peering down at him, worried, with soft, kind eyes Trent hasn’t seen since he was a teenager. Who knew that his schoolyard sweetheart could bring back the dead? Certainly not Trent. (Although his college friend, Beard, now a private investigator, apparently very much did.)

Now Trent, still legally dead, has to deal with, among other things: the trauma of his murder and identity of his murderer, his ex-wife and daughter (who still think he is dead, and he secretly suspects might be better off without him, even though he misses his daughter dearly), his growing feelings for a man he can never touch again, his father, and also, you know, all the bizarre murders he, Ted, and Beard are roped into investigating.

Also see: Ted struggling with depression, divorce, fatherhood, baking, and his own past (including a dreadful secret he is keeping from Trent), Beard struggling with a femme fatale to his noir detective, and whatever the hell Roy, Keeley, and Jamie are doing in the background with their synchronized swimming act.

Some notes:

Rupert is almost certainly the one who killed Trent, or had him killed. For, you know, knowing things he shouldn't; looking into things he shouldn't, etc. Half wondering if Rebecca should be involved--not as in she helped kill him, but as in she found out about it or was unwillingly involved--because that could make things even more deliciously complicated.

Ted and baking and building community--whether biscuits or pie, charming everyone he meets

(Trent was poisoned, by the way. So that baking thing. Oh boy.)

I do have a lot of feelings about Trent dying alone and being terrified of that happening again even though he refuses to admit it and keeps a cool and steady facade. Cue Ted getting him to be emotionally vulnerable, and also bonding with Beard at a point where they're trapped together in a situation that could kill them.

Ted and Trent's whole dance around each other only gets more exceedingly complicated, because Ted inadvertently broke his heart a decade or two ago, and now he's brought Trent back from the actual dead. Mixed signals, maybe. Regardless, they are very sweet and wholesome 90 percent of the time.

Thinking about that scene where Ned and Chuck dance on the rooftop in beekeepers outfits--Trent trying to find ways to fill the time now that he can't exactly be a journalist, and while he does end up throwing himself into helping Ted and Beard with their cases--he has his own relevant skills, after all--as well as trying to take care of his child and ex-wife from afar, he can't do that all the time: and Ted has bees on the roof, for the honey.

And also just again, them slow dancing like that. ough.

The whole thing with Trent's ex and daughter I'm not married to (haha) considering I don't think he'd actually leave his daughter thinking he's dead (and I think Ted would not be okay with that, too, for obvious reasons) however I'm not sure how else to handle it and I'm also thinking about him genuinely wondering if they're better off without him and then at some point, of course, them finding out, and. painful emotional growth ensues

Ted is also struggling with his own divorce and kid, because he has secrets and he's kind of terrified that Henry will have his ability, or something similar, even though there have been no signs of it so far. He hadn't planned on having kids, and while he could never regret Henry he's scared of what kind of father he'll be and what kind of damage his secret could do.

I'm not gonna lie, the last line of the summary about roy, keeley, and jamie was a bit of a Silly on my part, so I'm not sure if it would have become something, but I do have ideas running in circles in my brain. Something something, working together, triangles are the strongest shape, something something, practicing and being the best you can be?

Episodic format with case-of-the-weeks involving the other characters, such as the players, Rebecca, etc?

I admit, while part of what makes Pushing Daisies compelling is the tragic impossibility of Ned and Chuck's situation and also the complete non-explanation for how, exactly, Ned got to be Like This, I'm a sucker for a fix-it, and some ideas included: Ted giving up his gift (and dealing with the pain it's caused him and not being "useful", that he's worth more than this gift) OR just. really rotating a scene in my head where for [waves hands] plot reasons Ted knows he has to touch Trent again, let him die again (to bring him back? to stop something terrible? because they've learned something about the origins of Ted's ability?) and just. Trent's near tears but in that smiling this has to happen way, and Ted--Ted gets to kiss him, for real, with no plastic wrap between them, just once, and then Trent crumples in his arms and Ted is just. devastated. Now the question is, does he wake up, or is there another way to bring him back?

(This also works so painfully with "Trent being afraid of dying alone again" because... he doesn't. He dies in Ted's arms, surrounded by friends who will miss him.)

Also thought about this ability being connected to Ted's... Issues(TM), namely his forced positivity and repressed depression and shit but that's kind of soup brain right now

ALSO SEE! Beard and Jane have some fucked up shit going on in the background that eventually gets resolved. Beard occasionally slips into noir detective mode, just like Ted and Trent occasionally slip into romcom mode, despite the fact they're all living in vividly colorful murder mystery bizarro world.

I considered Nate as Olive, albeit in a rather different way, but it doesn't quite fit. Also see Rebecca as someone who hires them under false pretenses but then, ah. doesn't?

Ted and his immortal dog he can't actually pet, please

ALTERNATE TAKES:

Trent is a journalist who can bring back the dead for exactly one minute. It’s extremely useful in his line of work, until he comes across the unattended body of the man he fell in love with over a decade ago, and unfortunately, cannot resist temptation. Possibly featuring Roy Kent as a detective he reluctantly assists, because I find that to be a particularly funny duo.

Ted brings back his best friend from the dead. Trent Crimm, investigative journalist, finds out about his ability and decides to do nothing about it. I find this one compelling despite it not being very fleshed out because I just think Trent finding out a very important secret and deciding not to reveal it, and not even use it, even though it could be very useful, and then he ends up befriending Ted anyway and Ted offers to help... meanwhile Ted and Beard are having their own issues w--wait actually. Wait. I just considered. This... this doesn't really fit with the OG Pushing Daisies but it could be compelling regardless. Ted brings back Michelle, and while she's grateful (because, you know, Henry) it fucks up their relationship even further, especially because they can't touch anymore, and while she's not exactly asking him to undo it she didn't ask to be brought back, either. ANYWAY. And Trent and Ted getting into shenanigans. And probably Beard, too, anyway.

Alternatively, something about Roy as Ned and Keeley as Chuck and possibly Jamie as either Emerson Cod or Olive is.... hmmm.... interesting

idk i'll probably have more thoughts on this later but!!! here you go. this au is too big and complicated in my brain to likely ever get a proper full-sized fic, unless i really get hit with an inspiration whammy, but i might write a few snippets. we'll see

[tuancore]

Purple Hearts || { Part 3 } :

Starring- Jinyoung x reader.

Genre- Angst | Non-Idol AU , Disorder AU.

Summary- I'll continue to love you for as long as I'm breathing, but I won't let my love come in between your happiness.

*GIF not mine, credits to the owner*

"I thought you were going to stay at BamBam's place toni—", Your words were cut as Yugyeom grabbed your arms harshly making you yelp in pain. "You're hurting me Yugyeom!", You informed still struggling to remove his hand but all he did was give you a stern look.

"Hurt? You say hurt huh?", He chuckled sarcastically before yanking your arms from his grasp, "Do you even know what you fucking got yourself into?".

"Yugyeom!", You yelled at his language.

"No Noona, not today!" He shouted back with those fierce eyes which you have seen only once or twice in your lifetime, "You..." He pointed his fingers at you as he spoke "You are the one who is responsible for everything!".

"I don't know what you're saying", You muttered softly turning around avoiding eye contact. "You don't know? You don't know?! Woah! Such a great actress aren't you?".

You exactly knew what he was referring to but you didn't want him to rub salt on your wounds gulping a tight knot in your throat, you said, "Yugyeom not now".

"Not now, then when? You never fucking told hyung that you liked him! You never told him that you have loved him every single moment of your life since you came to know the meaning of love!....." He added roughly, "But I never interfered I thought— actually all of us thought that you will confess to him yourself! But look at what you did....you gave his hand to Somi?".

"I didn't do anything... Jinyoung loves Somi, not me" You informed still your back facing him. "Yeah you are correct... because you didn't do anything for yourself....for your love....for your heart .....but you did for Jinyoung hyung!".

"I didn't do anything for anyone! He loves Somi and he's marrying her that's it!" You snapped, "Don't get me involved into this".

"Jinyoung hyung told us that it was you who helped him with Somi, he told us about all the date plans....all the outings that you planned for them..." Yugyeom blurted monotonously grabbing your arm again and forcing you to face him, "You fucking became a matchmaker!".

"Why would you do that to yourself? Why?" This time your brother's voice utterly soft, his eyes glimmering with tears, "I did it for him..." You whispered as a tear slipped down your left cheek, "I did it for Jinyoung, I did it for his happiness....".

"You shouldn't have....Why don't you ever think about yourself....... even for once? When will you understand that his happiness is not everything"

"That's where you are wrong....his happiness is everything for me, he is everything for me", You expressed with so much pain in your voice.

Yugyeom knew that you were not only hurting but were broken after what Jinyoung has done today. He shouldn't be getting angry at Jinyoung, he has absolutely no right to but he can't seem to stop thinking about your heart. He has spent all his age watching you caring for him and loving him.

"Then why are you crying ? You should be enjoying and celebrating his happiness but here you are in your room....crying your eyes out", Yugyeom whispered lightly.

"I'm— I'll be alright it's just a moment of weakness I'll overcome this, trust me", You stammered wiping your tears from the sleeves of your dress, "You should go back, you promised Bam for a sleepover remember?" You chuckled trying to ease the tension.

Yugyeom kept quiet observing your facial expressions even if you laughed and proclaimed to get better, he understood that you won't. You can never get over your broken heart, your broken soul and on top of everything you can never get over Jinyoung.

"Go or should I call BamBam to carry you?" You teased pushing him out of your door but he was in no mood for humour. No words left his mouth but he obliged to leave you to yourself for now.

"I'll be one call away", He said walking away from you.

_____________

Since that night you avoided seeing Jinyoung at all costs, you were not hating on him but you needed some time to collect yourself so that you can face him again. You drowned yourself into your job doing overtime as well. The thing that also chewed you from inside was Yugyeom's silence, he no longer got excited seeing you coming home with handful of his favourite take outs, no longer went outside for fun or drinks.

"Yugyeom!" You shouted from outside his bedroom's door when he refused to come out, "Yugyeom! Come out please! Please!".

"My stomach is full, I have no appetite for more", his monotone landed a hard slap on your face. He was purposely trying to avoid you as well it was so clear. "Yugyeom I know you're angry at me but please don't vent your anger out on food....you....you haven't eaten anything since previous night".

"Why do you care? All you care about is Jinyoung hyung then go and care for him! I don't need your consolation!" He shouted.

"Please Kyum don't do this to yourself, think about yourself", You practically begged him after all he's your little brother.

He unlocked the door standing tall in front of you, with those emotionless eyes folding his arms to his chest, "Hypocrisy! You are telling me to think about myself when you yourself doesn't think about yourself".

"That's a different topic Kyum, come one let's eat", You commanded holding his wrist dragging him downstairs to the dining table.

"Why don't you let me starve? Why are you trying to feed me when I don't want to?" He asked vehemently yanking his wrist from your grasp. "Because I'm your Noona, you're my little brother, I can't see you suffering!", You expressed boldly.

"If I'm your brother...then you're also my sister, how do you expect me to stay calm and watch you suffering alone? You think I've not noticed how much stress you're taking on yourself just to avoid hyung and his thoughts? That I've not heard you sobbing in the middle of the night? That I've not noticed how miserable you have become? You think.........it's a good and pleasing sight for me?.......It's been three weeks and all you've done is cry every single night, skip meals and overwork yourself.....you promised me that you'll get over him and this......", He circled your face in air with his index finger, " This is not called moving on....you're destroying yourself from outside as well".

"Then what do you expect me to do?" You challenged him.

"Tell him that you love him", he stated without any trace of humour, "Tell him everything about your feelings for him".

"I—I can't d—do that".

"If that so then I've absolutely no problem in informing him myself", He shrugged.

"You won't do that Yugyeom...." You pleaded, "He's getting married in two and a half months—".

"So what? His marriage or his love life is none of my concern but you are....and I can't let him love someone else while you're on the verge of dying!" He yelled in rage "And now the choice is yours either you tell him that you love him or I will......you have a week".

With those words he rushed back inside his room slamming the door shut, he got you into a dilemma if you told Jinyoung that you love him, you always have loved him and only him— he'll definitely reject you on your face and the things will get awkward between you both, even more than strangers or worse if he decides to break all strings with you.

Technically the same thing will happen even if Yugyeom were to tell Jinyoung. Holding your head in between both your hands you tried to contain yourself, by the way Yugyeom is reacting you're dead sure that he will not step back from his word.

"A week.." You sighed to yourself, "What am I supposed to do?".

My Neung Neung :

Hey why are you not answering my calls?

My Neung Neung:

Yugyeom told me that you're busy with some paperwork but I miss you.

My Neung Neung:

Please let's hangout this Sunday just you and me like old times.

My Neung Neung:

It's so boring without you T_T I'm losing my mind please lets meet up please please.

My Neung Neung:

I'll fill your inbox unless you call me or text me.

My Neung Neung:

Please! Come on girl you can't be that busy to not talk to me.

My Neung Neung:

Y/N !

Y/N !

Hellooooooo!!!!

Anyone there!!!!!

Hey my bestie!!!! Your Jinyoungie is missing you!!!!

He needs you!!!

Come on!!!

You can't avoid me like this !

I love you Y/N!

His messages brought that smile to your face which you had been missing for weeks now, he really had that impact on you. Your eyes stopped at 'Your Jinyoungie' and 'I love you', you felt your breath hitching your mind shouted that it was out of friendly love and gesture but your heart said otherwise that he really needed you and that he loves you like you love him when you knew it can't be possible.

Surely you had been successful in avoiding him for straight three weeks but he never stopped calling you atleast hundred times a day, doesn't he have Somi to look after or call her over if he wants some company, however this is the first time he has messaged you in these weeks. And seeing how much you yourself missed Jinyoung, you couldn't bring yourself to ignore him anymore, so you decided to message him back.

You :

Sorry I was really busy with my job but I'll be free after tomorrow.

Let's hangout together on Sunday.

Clicking the send, you sighed heavily wondering about what you'll do regarding Yugyeom's threat when your phone buzzed again you unlocked it hoping for Jinyoung's reply but the name on your screen got your mind spinning.

Aunt Park :

Let's meet tomorrow at my house, no excuses.

And don't worry Jinyoung won't be there.

Part 2 | Master list | Part 4

______________________________________

[hildagirl99]

Volume 4 : Chapter 10: Truth and Broken Heart

Meanwhile, Hilda and Cagney search for Linda who "escaped" while Luna was talking.

"My god, in the middle of the night, you have to find her and quickly ..." Hilda said.

"You know, she may need her alone ..." Cagney responds.

"Yes, all these revelations must have hurt her, but she must be found before she falls somewhere."

Linda was a few miles away from them in the forest. She preferred to be alone but she got lost. All these trees were the same. Suddenly, a hand grabbed by the arm.

"Aaah, who is there?"

"Shhhhh, it's me, Fio."

"My god ... what are you doing here?" She said, panicked.

"I knew you would come, I sent you a letter in braille, so that we find ourselves here, I quickly finished my speech to find you." said Fio, taking her with him.

"Huh, but I did not get a letter ..." said Linda, confused.

"Oh ... oh ... no importance, you're here."

"Where are we going ?" Does request.

"Behind closed doors." He answers Fio.

Linda starts to stress, because a few minutes ago, thanks to Hilda, in her anger, she learned that Fio was her nephew. To say that she had a crush on him, she wanted to talk to him about it but her words are stuck in her. They stop outside the forest. He positions himself in front of her.

"It's not for nothing that I took you here, I'd like to tell you something." Said Fio, sure what he means. Not far from there, Cagney and Hilda had found them but they remain hidden behind a tree, observing them.

"My god, Fio ... he's about to confess his feelings ..."

"Cagney, you have to stop them, otherwise, they're going to make a big mistake." Said Hilda, anxious.

"I think I love you ..." Fio said putting his hand on Linda's cheek.

She remains frozen. Not knowing what to say.

"But ... Fio, I ... I'm too old for you, you deserve so much better, and then I'll only have problems with my disability ..."

"Age does not matter…"

"But you are a leader, you deserve better than me!"

"But it's you I love, Linda, I don't care what other people can say, I'm sure it's reciprocal for you, don't deny it."

"I can't Fio, I'm ..." ready to tell him the truth, she feels Fio come closer to her face.

"Just let me kiss you." He said getting closer and closer. Their lips were only a few inches until ...

"Nooo !! Fio !! Don't do this !!" Cagney comes running towards his son. Fio jumps.

"Daddy, Mom, but ... what are you doing here?"

"It's not important ... you can not be with her!" Said Cagney, exhausted.

"What are you talking about, why?"

"Fio, what I'm going to tell you will definitely hurt you, the love between you and Linda is impossible." Said Hilda.

"How so ... you don't want me to be happy?"

"It's not our intention, listen ... Linda is ... my sister." She says.

"Huh ??" Crit it. He looks at Linda who is looking at the floor.

"Linda ... tell me it's not true!"

"I ... I'm sorry, I tried to tell you, I learned it today, you're my nephew, and I'm your aunt." Said Linda, she wanted to cry. Hilda takes her in her arms.

"I'm sorry ... I wanted you to learn it differently." Hilda whispered.

"Sorry if we could not tell you earlier." Said Cagney.

Fio, remains frozen, unable to speak. He was in love with his own aunt without knowing it.

"Why did not you tell me!" He said furiously.

"We thought you knew it, but when you told us who you were in love with, we tried to tell you, but we did not want to hurt you."

"My god ... but you realize that, if the villagers learn it, I will be accused of incest!"

"Come on, calm down, you did not do anything with her! we all have our share of responsibility, nobody knows it for the moment, except us, it's still a secret." He said, taking him in his arms.

"Leave me ... I need to be alone ..." Fio said, pushing him away. And he goes back to the castle.

"That was to be expected…"

"Sorry, Linda, I wish you'd learned it differently." Said Hilda still holding Linda in her arms, she sobs.

"All our life was based on lies and secrets, 49 years old I did not know I had a sister, 7 years old I know Fio, I thought I loved him, but you arrived on time, we could have made a big mistake. "

"Shh, I'm here, now nothing will separate us." Hilda said kissing her forehead.

"At last, the time that Fio accepts reality ... the poor man's heart is broken."

Indeed, back in the castle, in his room, Fio refuses to see whoever it is, he locked himself in his room. At bedtime, Oswald challenges Hilda.

"Hilda, what happened, did you find Linda?"

"Yes, don't worry, but the truth hurt, just like Fio, he learned it was his aunt."

"The truth hurts, I can quite understand."

"He needs time, too," she said, yawning.

"I don't hold you back, go rest too."

"Thank you, do you think that will be when you can tell the villagers that I'm Luna's daughter?"

"Not for the moment, the penultimate day, certainly, I'll be at your side."

"Thank you, Oswald."

She turns around and says:

"Good night, and thank you, I got the answers to my questions." She closes the door.

Oswald is moved, although he tries to hide it. He felt he was doing his homework properly. The next day, the atmosphere in the dining room is cold and noiseless, still upset revelations last night.

"Well, please, we're not going to be crazy about that." Hilda said breaking the silence.

"Easy to say ... I'm just disappointed." Fio answers.

"Ok, maybe I should have told you before, as soon as I arrived, that Linda was my sister, but Oswald asked me not to say anything."

"In fact, if I understand, it's Oswald's fault, is that it?" He did not tell us anything before, and why?

"I don't know, but I'm sure it was not his intention, but the most important thing is that everything is said, and that I finally discovered the answers to my questions."

"Fio, Linda, don't worry about that, after all, we're family, right?" Said Cagney.

"Linda ... I'm sorry if I was insistent on you, especially that night."

"I don't blame you, I am glad that you are my nephew, I may have preferred that you are someone other than a member of the family to love you." Linda said, ironically.

Fio smiled at him and laughed.

"Hehe, forget it, I'll always be there for you, always united."

"Aaah, it's so much better when everything is settled." Said Hilda

"Let's enjoy these last days together." Said Cagney cuddling everyone.

Oswald looks at them behind the window, and nods a little, it reminds him of what he lost some time ago.

"Ooh how cute, a happy and united family, is not that what you would like to recover?" Said an icy, muffled voice. Oswald freezes and understands who is talking to him, he presses his pace to hide, out of sight.

"What do you want from me again ... You've made me suffer enough already."

A black mist is taking shape: it was the devil himself.

"So, still not decided to see your family again, did you think about my proposal?" He said with a chuckle.

"I will not give up my soul, I want to be with my wife and my son ..." Oswald snapped.

The devil turns around him, he looks for his words.

"Mmmh very well, since you do not want to give your soul, maybe someone else will do."

"What do you mean ?"

"I see you have the whole Berg family."

"Huh...?"

"I'm not done with this family, I'll have the last Berg."

"But what do you want in the end?" Oswald said, raising his voice.

"The Berg sisters will do the trick ... I want them!"

"No, I forbid you to hurt them, otherwise ..." Oswald said in a fighting position. But the devil catches his arm.

"Or what, to honor your beloved dead Queen, are you afraid of disappointing her?" Said the devil smiling maliciously.

"You had a lot of admiration for her, even feelings, did not you, she was a pretty woman."

"Shut up, I was more than just a counselor for her, I was her dearest friend, and so was her husband!"

"Pffff pathetic ... But that's not important, I offer you a deal: give me the sisters Berg and I'll give you back your family."

Oswald closes his eyes, frustrated.

"Never."

(colo @yonnichan-art )

"Oh, what a pity, to say they could not wait to see you again." Said the devil, revealing a crystal ball, inside, Oswald's wife and son are calling for help. A feeling of fear and anger boils Oswald's heart.

"They are healthy and well treated."

And he makes the crystal ball disappear into a thousand pieces.

"Still not convinced If you still refuse, they will disappear like this crystal ball, poof!"

"You are a monster…"

"You choose, the Berg sisters, or your family, and then what do you have to lose, your dear queen is no longer of this world, she will not judge you, hehe."

Oswald shakes his fists, facing the worst choice of his life.

"Give me the Berg sisters, in exchange your family will be safe, and you will be reunited ..." the devil repeats in a dark and threatening voice.

He does not have a choice.

"Okay ... I ... I'll give them to you ..." he said with disgust.

"Very well, tomorrow at midnight, in the royal square, you'll be there, with them, warned or not."

"The royal place, but ... everyone will see you!"

"And then - everyone will know that you are a traitor, and that you have revealed yourself by mistake, the place where the people of the mountain lived." Said the devil mocking him, and in a sneer, he disappears into the ground, in smoke.

Oswald falls on his knees, his face in his hands, unable to believe what he has just done. He has no choice, he must present himself with Hilda and Linda on the royal square, tomorrow at midnight.

Will he really do it?

To be continued~

[diarheise]

Explore the story behind my personality!

It was Saturday and the wind blows coldly outside in the ***** day of ******* year 200*. The tick-tock-tick-tock of the clock rings and the time says it was eleven fifty six in the evening (11:56 P.M), the daughter of Mr. ****** and Mrs. ****** ****** was born and named the baby “Heidie ****”. I’m a blessing from God for them and I’m proudly to say that I am their first born.

Green grass, fresh air and a wide sugarcane plantation is the place where I lived and grew up. ****** ***, ******** had a special place in my heart because this is my home and where I truly belong. This is my hometown and this place is my comfort zone.

When I was two months old, my grandmother took care of me since my father and mother always go for work. I am Lola’s girl since then until now. I slept in my grandmother’s house even though our house is just few steps away. As time went by, another blessing from God for our family was born and my younger sister named “****** *****” who was just three years younger than me.

All of us in the family are Iglesia Ni Cristo member and proud of our divine election. I am also a church officer where I always fulfill my church duty every Thursday and Sunday. When I have a problem, I always go to the church to pray and let God help me to pass all the struggles I’m facing.

I really love cooking. Since when I was a kid, I always watched my parents cooked our food and eventually it became one of my hobbies. I also love music even though I can’t play any instrument because music feels so good and relaxing when I am perplexed or distraught. Reading and writing poems and stories are one of my favorite things to do when I’m bored. These help me a lot in expressing my thoughts and feelings and these also help in improving my skills that might be useful for me in the future. Photography is also one of my hobbies, I always capture the beauty of nature because it gives calmness and peace for me. Nevertheless, I felt disappointed in terms of behavior when someone is selfish, self-centered and irresponsible. There’s no improvement when they won’t stop in doing these kind of attitudes.

“Let your weaknesses be your potential strengths” is my motto in life because it inspires me even more to fight and overcome my weaknesses and not just easily give up when I can’t do anything I want. Being motivated by my weaknesses help me to do something great and let it be my strength for some reason.

My Childhood memories is really worth-remembering. During Saturday morning, my cousins and I played tumbang preso, Chinese garter, piko and hide and seek. When my grandmother shouted, I run fast going back home because it’s time for our lunch. We ate lunch outside, under the tall trees while fresh air blows. During Sunday, I woke up early to attend worship service and when the time reached 6:00 P.M, I’m going back home from playing because it’s time to watched my favorite kid show “Goin’ Bulilit”. It was great to look back and reminiscing the days when I was a kid, only outdoor games make me tired, only the games make me hurt. No problems, no worries. But now, we grew up and our childhood memories will remain in our hearts forever.

Year 200*, when I graduated in Day Care and I was just four years old that time. The time passed by and I entered a new school who became my home for six years. I was just five years old when I began to study and be one of those Grade one students once I passed the examination given by our principal. Despite of my young age, I can also do what my classmates do. Way back then, I'm also one of the Band Majorettes in school, that's why, dancing becomes my passion but as I grew up and I entered High School, shyness and low self-esteem filled my system and I wasn't able to dance in school again. Age is just numbers and dream is huge from it. Six years in Elementary was fulfilled and 20** when I graduated. Another chapter in my life book ends and a new chapter began.

Junior High School days are really unforgettable. These days shaped my skills and capabilities. ****** National High School has been a home for me where I can look back because this is where I truly found where I am good at. But just like a movie, it has an ending and 20** marked the calendar, it’s time for us to bid our goodbye to our beloved school.

SHS in *** truly challenged me not just only as a student but also as an individual. This is where I showcase my skills and capabilities as a person. From being a shy type person turns to a new me that I thought I couldn’t be in the past. I study hard and strive hard to make my parents proud. I also learned in my senior high school journey that time is really important because every seconds passed, opportunity comes, so, don’t waste it. I know one day, I’m going to wake up and new school welcomes me, this year will be a new milestone in my life. Few months to go and we’ll finally hear “Congratulations Batch 20**-20**” and when that time comes, I could finally say that I survived being a senior high school student and I survived being a Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) student. “I am a Humanista and proud to be one” a quote that will stick in my mind and will mark in my heart.

School days won’t be memorable if I’m alone. These people whom I always get along with plays a special role in my life. They’re one of those people who completes my life as a student. They are *******, *****, ******, ******** and ******, my best friends. We’re together in studying hard for our dreams and we’re together in achieving it.

Here's ****** *********, a person who’s also special in my heart. She’s my best friend for life. I met her when we’re junior high school. We’ve study in different school, I’m on ***** while she’s on ***, but despite of this situations, we find time to bond and get along with each other.

Another person a place in my heart. He’s ****** *****, my guy best friend. Distance really matters that’s why we don’t see each other often. He’s also an Iglesia Ni Cristo member and we only see each other in church activities. Despite of the distance, we always supporting and cheering each other whenever there’s a problem or even achievements.

I’m not here to brag, I just want to inspire someone by saying this, I am a consistent honor student since Day Care. Being an honor student isn’t easy. Pressure is always on top. But for me, failures are great because I know I have my weaknesses and failures thought me not to give up and it creates a lesson that I always remember for the rest of my life. Failure is an experience and we shouldn’t be afraid of falling because chance is always there and we need to stand again after we fall and fight for our dreams.

“Proud kami sayo ng Papa, Ate”, these was the words from my mother when I announced to them about my achievements in school. Tears started to fell in my eyes when I read the message of my mother thru SMS. That time, my mother was in the hospital to take care of my aunt who gave birth to my cousin while my father was on work. Deliberation of card was held and my grandmother was the one to attend because my parents weren’t home. Sadness filled me but that loneliness turned in gratefulness because of those message. I’m not expressive to my parents about my feelings and also they are and these message is truly unforgettable one.

I am an aspiring Psychologist who would like to be successful someday. Nobody knows what our future will be but I'll let God help me decide appropriately according to His will and plan. I would like to be a psychologist someday because I was being depressed in an early age but unlike others I'm not suicidal because I believe life is precious, I just lost myself and not being able to find where I'm passionate at. I thought my life isn't interesting but God lead my way and woke me up from the nightmare of depression. I fully regained myself and confidence again and I would like to help those people who undergo depression and motivate them that there's more to life. I am proud to be a depression survivor and life is a blessing, so, make the most of it memorable. God made us and he will never forsake us in different situations we encounter.

Participating in a church activity is really exhilarating but participating in Worldwide Walk for a Cause held in Roxas Boulevard that got a Guinness Book of World Record is extravagant and being one of those choir members who represent our cluster and compete for the District Chorale Competition is truly a great opportunity for me, a worth-participating event it is! It was really unforgettable not just only for me but also for all the brethren around the world. To God be all the glory!

"We have our own purpose in life but we can't see it immediately, we need to strive hard to look for the main reason why God let us live in this world. We need to persevere to make our life worth-living for. Dream high, soar high and aspire, success is on our way if we endeavor for it."

-Heidie **** *****

[lilacmoon83]

Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 169: Intuition

Regina quietly unlocked the door to the loft with the key that David gave her and Robin and Roland followed her inside. She spotted Bobby sleeping on the pull out couch bed and he stirred, as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Mom? Dad?" he muttered, thinking it was them coming home.

"No, it's me sweetie," Regina called, as he opened his eyes all the way.

"Aunt Regina? Are Mom and Dad okay?" he asked. She smiled.

"They're fine...better than fine, actually," she replied, as he saw Robin and Roland.

"Papa Robin?" he exclaimed, as he jumped up and went to hug him. Robin chuckled.

"I can't believe how much you've grown…" he marveled, as he hugged the boy.

"Hey kid…" Roland greeted, as the boy almost bowled him over.

"You found us!" Bobby cried.

"Summer! Summer...you have to come down here!" he shouted.

"Where are Mom and Dad?" he asked.

"Still at the hospital. That's part of what we need to tell you, sweetie," Regina replied, as a disoriented Summer stumbled down the stairs.

"Bobby...why are you yelling?" she asked, as she looked up.

"Papa Robin?" she called, as she ran to them and hugged him.

"Look at you…" he marveled.

"I can't believe it's been two years for all of you when it's only been days for us," Robin added.

"How did you get here?" Summer asked.

"Well, that's part of what we need to tell you both," Robin replied.

"Yes and the most important part is that Emma is alive...and she's here," Regina told them. Their mouths hung open for a minute and then they both smiled.

"Really? Emmy's alive?" Bobby asked in disbelief. Regina nodded.

"But how?" Summer asked.

"She managed to hang on long enough for Elsa and the others to find her and since there's no magic here, the poison isn't affecting her heart," Regina replied.

"And Mom and Dad know?" she asked. Regina nodded.

"She's at the hospital with them now and Lucy is awake," she replied.

"Can we go see them?" Bobby asked. Regina smiled.

"That's why we're here. Go get dressed," she confirmed, as they hurried to do so.

~*~

Dr. Narita looked over Lucy's chart and nodded at Jacinda.

"Everything seems to be normal with Lucy. It's almost as if there was nothing wrong with her at all," the doctor said, a bit perplexed by that. He really could make any medical sense of this case at all.

"Thank you doctor...does that mean I can take her home?" Jacinda asked.

"Everything checks out. Let me consult with Dr. Aeson, but I don't see why she would need to keep her. We'll get her discharged hopefully later this morning," he responded, as he left and Sabine poked her head in.

"Aunt Sabine!" Lucy called, as she hurried in and hugged the little girl.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're okay, munchkin," she gushed, as she presented Lucy with a stuffed unicorn.

"Since this is such a magical situation, I thought a magical themed gift was appropriate," she said.

"Thank you...I love it!" Lucy gushed, as she and Jacinda exchanged a glance and an awkward silence passed between them.

"Well...my shift will be starting soon, so I better go," Sabine said.

"Sabine...wait! Can we talk?" Jacinda asked. The other woman looked hesitant at first and then nodded.

"I'm sorry for blowing up at you...it wasn't your fault," Jacinda apologized.

"I get why you did. I have no idea what we're going to do and I might have cost you Lucy," Sabine responded.

"You haven't heard, have you?" Jacinda asked.

"Heard what?" Sabine asked.

"My step-mother was arrested," Jacinda answered. Sabine's eyes widened.

"Seriously?" she asked, as she went to check her phone and saw the headline.

"Whoa…talk about bizarre," she said.

"I know...but I have a really good chance of getting full custody of Lucy back now," she replied.

"And I guess our rent won't be going up," Sabine agreed.

"Which is why I want you to take this," Jacinda offered, as she gave her an envelope full of money.

"It's the money we made selling your beignets," she said.

"Why are you giving this to me? We need it for rent," Sabine reminded. Jacinda smiled and pulled something up on her phone.

"No...because this is going to be our source of rent now," Jacinda replied, as she showed her a picture. Sabine quirked an eyebrow.

"A run down old truck?" she asked.

"It won't be run down once we fix it up and turn it into our own food truck!" she announced excitedly. Sabine's mouth dropped open.

"Are...are you serious?" she asked.

"Of course I am! I already talked to the guy and he's holding it for me. I just need you to take the money to him and it's ours," she gushed. Sabine laughed and hugged her tightly.

"You won't regret this," Sabine promised. Jacinda smiled.

"I know and since I'm going to get Lucy back, we'll need that financial independence you were talking about. And selling your famous beignets will guarantee that," she responded.

"Thank you...for believing in me," Sabine said, as she hugged her best friend again.

"You're like my sister...I love you," Jacinda replied, as the doctor returned with papers to get Lucy discharged.

~*~

"And that's the just of it and now we're here," David said, as he finished giving them all a brief rundown of everything that had happened. Emma smiled.

"Wow...so Bobby found you, just like I did," the blonde mentioned. Snow and David smiled.

"Yes...another one of our babies brought us back together," Snow said, as she squeezed his hand.

"Yeah...he started all of this in motion, but if Gothel is loose now, then we have a serious problem," David said.

"You think she's going to gather these other witches?" Elsa questioned. They nodded.

"We know she will. She wants revenge on humanity as a whole. No realm is safe from her, but she's going to start with this one," David stated.

"And as guardians of the chalice, we're the only ones that can stop her," Snow added.

"Not alone. True love's magic has proven to be a challenge for her, so you can bet we'll be right there with you," Emma interjected.

"But your heart has been poisoned, sweetheart. We can't put your life at risk like that," Snow refuted.

"Your mother is right. We thought we lost you, Princess...and we're not letting that happen again," David agreed.

"Then we find a way to cure my heart. I'm not letting you guys fight her alone. You know she almost killed your predecessors and I know you both. I know if stopping her means sacrificing yourselves that you'll do it. And I'm not letting that happen either," Emma argued, as they noticed more and more people began to fill the waiting room, as the morning hours arrived.

"Maybe we better take this conversation some place else," David said, as he looked at Weaver.

"There's a property just outside city limits that should suit our needs. There's room for everyone," he offered. They nodded and stood up, before discarding their cups. Elsa looked to the entrance and saw Leo come back inside. Or Luke, as he was called here and her heart fluttered. His eyes were red and her heart ached for him. She just wanted to hold him and knew if he remembered, that it would lessen the feelings of betrayal and sadness he was feeling over Nick.

Snow and David had been very gentle in telling her exactly what his situation was and now Elsa wanted to know where this Jack was so she could make him pay for hurting and using the man she loved. Jack was certainly lucky that there was no magic here, because if there was, she would have already found him, turned him into an icicle and then shattered him into a million bits. For now, all she could do was try to reach Leo and that started with finding a way to introduce herself. But she didn't know how to do that without being conspicuous. She found herself reminiscing about the last time they were together and though it had only been a few days ago, it was two years ago for him.

~*~

Flashback

Elsa fixed her braid in the vanity mirror that morning, as she heard the ruffling of the bed sheets behind her.

"You get up too early…" he muttered, as he rolled over onto his back. She smiled and turned to him.

"You're one to talk. I know you get up early to run the reserve back home," she chided.

"Yes...but I'm on vacation right now," he protested.

"You are...but the Queen doesn't get a vacation and I have meetings to discuss important matters of state this morning," she reminded.

"So you're a little late...you're the Queen. What are they gonna do? Start without you?" he questioned, as beckoned her back to bed.

"I can't…" she waned, though she was dangerously close to giving in.

"Yes, you can...you know you want to," he tempted.

"You are a bad influence," she scolded, as he pulled her down into bed.

"I'm already dressed and ready…" she protested.

"And you have magic, which means you can get ready again with a flick of your wrist," he purred, as he kissed her neck.

"Leo…" she admonished, as she was slowly melting under his ministrations. It was also not helping that he was naked and there was only a thin sheet covering him below the waist.

"Being late if very unbecoming of a Queen. And the Duke of Wesselton is being a nuisance, as usual," she protested.

"You know I could probably scare him enough to make sure he'd never come back here, right?" he questioned, as he continued to kiss her throat.

"As entertaining as that would be, it would hardly be tactful," she chided.

"I'm a Charming...I have no tact," he reminded.

"I know and making the Duke of Wesselton wet himself by showing him your lightning powers is mean," she replied. He chuckled against her skin, which gave her chill bumps. And for her, chill bumps were a much bigger deal than it sounded, for she didn't ever get cold like other humans so she didn't usually experience them. Except when she was with him.

"But it would be hilarious," he countered. She smiled.

"Be that as it may...it would be very undiplomatic," she said. He sighed.

"Okay...I guess since you're going to go off to your meeting, I'll go take a shower," he said, as he got out of bed. Even after being together a while, Elsa was still shy about this kind of stuff, but Leo was not at all shy about nudity. Not that he had anything to be shy about, definitely not and her eyes glazed, as she stared at him.

"A cold shower," he commented, as he started toward the lavatory. But she reached out and grabbed his arm.

"You're not going anywhere until I'm done with you," she admonished. He smirked.

"What about the meeting?" he asked coyly. She smirked back.

"I'm the Queen. What are they going to do? Start without me?" she questioned, as she tackled him to the bed.

End Flashback

~*~

Elsa was brought back to reality by her sister's hand on her shoulder.

"Go talk to him," she urged. But she was very hesitant.

"What do I say? He doesn't know me," she lamented. Anna went to the coffee station and filled a cup and handed it to her.

"He likes cream and sugar in it," Elsa said. Anna smiled.

"Then fix it the way you know he likes it," she urged, as Elsa did so and then glanced over at him.

"Go...if we've learned anything from Snow and David, true love will be enough to eventually bring him back to you," Anna encouraged.

"I hope so…" she murmured. She didn't know what she'd do if she lost him now.

"He may not know you...but his heart does. Trust it," her sister urged, so with a deep breath, she approached him with the cup.

"You look like you could use this," she said, as he looked up and saw the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen before him. She took his breath away and it made him wonder what that meant concerning his feelings for Nick if he was so easily captivated by someone else.

"Uh...thanks," he managed to say finally, as he took a sip.

"Wow...two creams and three sugars," he said in surprise.

"How did you know?" he asked. She smiled.

"I'm psychic," she replied coyly, as she sat beside him.

"Thanks...but I'm not sure I'm good company right now," he mentioned.

"That's okay...I don't mind doing the talking. I'm Elsa," she offered. He looked up at her and then shook her hand.

"Luke," he answered her.

"It's nice to meet you, Luke. I'm new here in Hyperion Heights and I have no idea where I'm going or how to get anywhere," she said.

"Uh...I could show you around," he offered automatically and then wondered why the hell he was so eager to be around this strange woman.

"I'd love that...you can show me your favorite places," she said, as she stood up.

"Uh...well, I don't get out much. I work a lot...but I really like what I do," he said, as his face fell.

"My...ex always thought it was lame that I wanted to be at the zoo all the time with the animals. I go stir crazy on my days off," he said.

"That doesn't sound lame at all...I love animals. I'd love to see it...maybe it would help you get your mind off whatever is troubling you," she replied.

"Uh yeah...okay, sure," he said. Elsa tossed a smile to her sister over her shoulder and waved to her, as she followed him out. Snow saw them leave together and smiled at her husband with hope, as Eva came out from the exam ward, looking distraught.

"Honey...what is it?" Snow asked.

"The blood samples I took from Leo and Henry...they're gone," she replied.

"Nick...do you think swiped them?" David asked. She shrugged.

"It's definitely possible. He wouldn't want Henry to know that he's really Lucy's father or that Leo is related too," Eva answered. David put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll get him...trust me, he's not getting away with what he did and tried to do," he added, as a woman with a camera crew waltzed into the waiting room. And they recognized this woman as Seraphina, Gothel's most loyal minion and one of her witch followers.

"Oh no…" Snow lamented, as David was quick to stand in front of her.

"Detective Nolan, is it?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied through clenched teeth.

"Phoebe Cooper, channel six news. I'm sure you're aware about the fact that Dr. Frankin Samdi's memoir has been released in the event of his death. Care to comment on the inscrutable details concerning you and your not so dead wife?" she questioned. He glowered at her.

"No comment," he said sternly.

"How about you Miss Blanchard...or I guess it's Mrs. Nolan. Please...can you tell us why your husband has kept your return to the living a secret for weeks?" she questioned, as she stuck the microphone in Snow's face.

"Because it's none of anyone's business," Snow refuted. Unfortunately, that just egged on the intrepid reporter and she gave them both a look that said she might remember being more than just a reporter.

"I'm afraid many disagree, especially those in the mental health field. I've already talked to several other doctors and while they do not support Dr. Samdi's fringe work, they agree that a woman as disturbed as you shouldn't be walking free," she refuted.

"My wife is not disturbed," David growled.

"On the contrary, Detective Nolan. According to the late Dr. Samdi's reports, your wife's dissociative identity disorder is legitimate. I've read the entire report," Phoebe refuted, as she looked at the raven haired beauty with a smug look.

"Sometimes, she's Mary Blanchard, sometimes she's Margaret Nolan, and sometimes she thinks she's...Snow White," the reporter revealed. The camera had already attracted quite a bit of attention and that little announcement made most bystanders chortle or eye her with derisive looks. She could see it in their eyes and normally, Snow never let the opinions of others, especially those she didn't know, affect her. But being looked at like she was insane was hard to take, especially after all the horrible nights in Dr. Samdi's hospital.

"I'm not crazy…" she hissed, as she inched herself closer to David.

"Right...and which one of your alters are we speaking to right now? Because I think we'd all like to speak to Snow White. Tell me...do you call the birds to you or do they just come?" she asked, as more chuckles and chortles ensued.

"Okay...you're done," David growled.

"Your wife needs professional help, Detective. But once again, the Police will show us all how they protect their own. Dr. Samdi may have taken advantage of your amnesia, but at least he was able to treat her for a time," Phoebe interjected.

"Samdi and Clayton Stavros stole her from me...let me think she was dead so they could lock her away. They took a mother from her children...why don't you report on that instead of attacking my wife," David growled. Phoebe smirked.

"Yes...you have quite a history with Clayton Stavros, Detective Nolan. Samdi's memoir isn't clear on why that is, but does state that you destroyed his life. Care to elaborate on that?" she questioned.

"Go to hell," David hissed, as started leading Snow toward the exit, with the others following them.

"This isn't over, Detective! You can try to bury this story, but it won't work! I'll expose the truth!" the reporter called, as they kept walking. Emma glared at the woman and approached her. It was subtle, but she could see the slight surprise in the woman's eyes briefly, before she covered it up.

"Leave them alone," she warned. Phoebe smirked.

"I'm sorry...and you are?" she questioned.

"They're my family...that's all you need to know and you won't be getting near them again," Emma refuted. The reporter smirked.

"We'll see. The truth...all the truths will come to light and it will bring a new era," Phoebe hissed under her breath.

"Not with me in town. You better run off and tell your boss that her plan to get rid of me didn't work," Emma responded, as she walked out, following her parents and the others.

"Mom! Dad!" Summer and Bobby called, as they got out of Roni's car and ran to them. Snow and David opened their arms and hugged them both tightly.

"EMMA!" they exclaimed. She chuckled, as she hugged them both.

"What the heck...you two grew like weeds!" she said, as she looked at them.

"We thought you were...gone…" Summer said tearfully, as she and Bobby had tears running down their faces.

"Hey...it's okay. I'm here and I'm fine," she assured them, as she hugged them again, while their parents looked on fondly.

"Reporters again?" Regina asked, bringing their attention back to the situation at hand.

"Yeah...someone is fueling this thing, because they're not letting it go," David responded.

"And they won't. Gothel's free and she already has one witch throwing us distractions like this. It won't be long before more pop up," Weaver replied.

"What exactly is Gothel's objective?" Rose asked, as she and Fandral approached. When the reporters had invaded the lobby, Emma had ushered them and their family out of the line of sight. They had enough problems with reporters dogging her parents. Seeing two people that were her parent's doubles would have only complicated things more.

"We don't know everything, but what we do know is a long story," Snow offered.

"We need to go somewhere a bit more secluded," Belle said. Weaver nodded.

"The house is ready. We can go there now," he offered.

"We'll join you later. I need to go back to the bar for now. I've been trying to track down Zelena and Jade. I'm hoping my ploy has worked," Regina said. David nodded and turned to Snow.

"Why don't you and the kids go with Regina? I'm going to go to the station and check in with Rogers and then see if I can get a trace on Nick before he tries to hurt anyone else," David said.

"What about Eva? What if he tries to come back for her?" Snow fretted.

"I can stay here...I basically can double as David. My presence won't really raise any questions," Fandral offered and dressed in modern clothes and cleanly shaven as he was now, he was basically identical to Charming.

"That's good...I like that plan," David agreed. Fandral nodded and kissed Rose, as they prepared to part for a while. David looked at Snow, as they prepared to do the same.

"Please be careful…" she pleaded.

"I will...he surprised me last time. I won't let him do that again," he promised, as he rested a hand on the small of her back and caressed her beautiful face with the other.

"I'll stop him...we'll stop all of them and then we'll find our way home," he added, as he used the hand on her back to bring her closer, squelching the daylight between them and kissing her passionately. She cupped his face in her hands, as he kissed her deeply, willing her all his love and they were breathless when their lips finally parted. She handed him the bag with the chalice in it.

"Take it...you might need it," she urged.

"I'd feel better if you had it with you and the kids," he argued. She looked as though she wanted to protest, but he kissed her again.

"Please," he pleaded and she nodded.

"I promise I'll be fine, my darling. No one is separating us...I won't let it happen again," he promised.

"He's right, because I'll be there to watch his back," Emma assured, as she hugged her mother.

"That is if I can tag along? We can just say I'm a new detective?" she asked Weaver. He nodded.

"I'll take care of any red tape that might arise. Welcome to the Hyperion Heights precinct, Detective Swan," Weaver replied. Snow smiled, as she kissed him one more time and then watched them hurry to his car.

~*~

Ivy looked through the small window and relished the sight of her mother, clad in an orange jumpsuit, and looking quite haggard from a restless night in jail. She wore a smug grin, as she waltzed into the room.

"Hello Mother…" Ivy greeted, as she placed the makeup bag on the table with a crinkle to her nose.

"You look like you could use this...yikes," she mentioned.

"Not only have I been denied bail, but my useless attorney didn't show up," she snapped.

"Yeah...well I think he has his own problems," Ivy mentioned, as she showed her the headline.

"So...he finally let the madness consume him. You had better watch your back if he's after witches," Victoria replied.

"Save your fake concern for me," Ivy snapped back.

"I need a new attorney," Victoria said.

"That's your problem. As far as I'm concerned, you're exactly where you should be," Ivy responded.

"Ivy...you have no idea what you're doing by allowing that witch to be on the loose," Victoria warned.

"I know that Gothel plans to make everyone that wronged her pay...including you. And that suits me just fine," Ivy retorted.

"And you don't care if your sister becomes collateral damage?" she questioned. Ivy rolled her eyes.

"I've lived in her shadow long enough! If she is the means to getting my revenge, then so be it," Ivy snapped.

"Please don't hurt her," Victoria pleaded, showing no concern for Ivy herself.

"Ana isn't in danger...she's going to be one of us. And you're going rot in here for the rest of your miserable life," she spat, as she stormed out.

"Guard...I need to make a call," Victoria requested.

"A public defender is on the way to represent you for your arraignment," he responded.

"This isn't a call for an attorney...please," she pleaded. He hesitated and then put a phone in front of her.

"You have five minutes," he said, as he left, but had a careful eye on her through the window of the door.

"Come on...pick up…" she hissed, but it went to voice mail.

"Detective Nolan...you and I have one thing in common and that's the desire to protect our families. If you want to stop Gothel...then we need to work together. I need a meeting with you and your wife. It could mean the survival of our children," she said, before hanging up. She only hoped he chose not to ignore her message.

~*~

Tilly entered the station and walked up the receptionist at the desk.

"Have you seen Captain Weaver?" she asked. Harmony looked up and smiled.

"He's handling an important case, but you're welcome to wait. Mr. Gold over there is waiting for him too," she said, pointing to Cassidy, who sat on the bench.

"You work for Weaver too?" she asked.

"Yeah...you too?" he questioned. She nodded and sat down. She saw Detective Rogers with a blonde woman, who seemed familiar to her. But she couldn't seem to put her finger on why.

"Tilly...here looking for Weaver?" Rogers asked. She nodded.

"He's going to be tied up for a while with a case. I think it would best if you both head home," Rogers stated.

"Oh...okay," Tilly replied, a bit disappointed.

"Tilly...have you eaten today?" Rogers asked. She shook her head and he felt his heart clench at that.

"Hang here for five more minutes and we'll go get you a sandwich," he offered. She smiled and nodded.

"Hey...can I ask you something?" Cassidy questioned and the girl shrugged.

"How long have you been an informant for Weaver?" he asked. She shrugged again.

"As...as long as I can remember. A few years, I suppose," she replied.

"Does he have any weird nicknames?" Cassidy asked.

"Nicknames?" Tilly questioned.

"Yeah...like Rumpelstiltskin. Have you ever heard anyone call him that?" he muttered.

"Rumpelstiltskin?" she questioned, as something about that name tugged at her mind.

"I...I don't think so," she answered.

"Yeah...it sounds dumb just asking," he said.

"Weaver is a bit mysterious that way. He doesn't really let very many people get close," Tilly offered. Cassidy was inclined to believe her, but he still couldn't shake off the strange group of people that had come to his rescue and how Weaver had known all of them. There was a woman and a boy that just appeared and they were obviously important to him. That was why he couldn't figure out why Clayton thought he was somehow important to Weaver or why he wanted to make sure he was the one to find his body. None of it made any sense, but the blonde woman that had saved his life definitely seemed familiar for some reason. Normally, Cassidy Gold didn't care about much, but he wanted to know what the hell was going on in this town and he was determined to get answers from Weaver.

"Nice talking to you...think I'll go track Weaver down myself," he said, as he left. Tilly watched him go and then Rogers approached.

"Okay...ready?" he asked. She nodded.

"Who is that woman?" Tilly asked curiously, as the blonde woman smiled at her.

"Eloise Gardener. She was being held captive until just last night," he replied.

"You rescued her?" Tilly asked. He nodded.

"Aye...and now her kidnapper will be brought to justice," he responded. But something about this woman tugged at Tilly's subconscious. Suddenly, she saw something in her mind, like a memory. It was Rogers, dressed in strange clothing and this woman, Eloise Gardener, dressed in a long cloak. Rogers was holding his heart, while she saw herself crying in the distance. And this Eloise glowered down at Rogers, like she was taking joy in his pain. But just as suddenly as the vision came on, it was gone and she gasped.

"Tilly...are you all right?" Rogers asked, as she looked up at him in awe. What was that? She had never had visions like that before, but she knew someone that had. Her friend Mary had them and that was why the evil Dr. Samdi had forced her to take medication. And she knew she could trust Mary with anything.

"Yeah...do you think after we get a sandwich that you could take me to Roni's?" she asked. He looked at her strangely.

"A bar is no place for you," he chided.

"It's not to drink...it's where my friend Mary works," she replied.

"Oh yes...my partner's wife, strangely enough. I haven't even talked to him since that whole story blew up. I can't imagine what it must have been like to find out that an evil doctor kept her away from him," he mentioned.

"Dr. Samdi and Mr. Stavros are evil…" Tilly said, as the image of Eloise flashed in her mind again at the word evil.

"I want to check on her," she added.

"Sure…let's go," he agreed, as they got into his car.

[straykidsscribbles]

Cinderfella

Happy Birthday to Bang Chan, the most amazing leader Stray Kids could ever have and the person who has made me smile far too much in this past year. 

Hopefully he never stops smiling, and always is happy. 

Summary: After Chan’s parents died, his life became a meaningless swirl or drudgery and pain... the only bright spot were the little encounters he had with you.

Word Count: 8217 words, Chan x female reader, additional notes here. 

Warnings: Some alcohol use, a bit depressing in place, self doubts

From my new Fairytale AU Series! See my masterlist for my other works!

Long ago, in a land far far away, there lived a young boy. He was the light of his parents’ life, always singing and dancing and spreading joy throughout their little estate. When he spoke, it was as though the clouds had cleared and the sun was suddenly shining brightly. His laugh would make even the grimmest person in the world want to laugh along with him because how could anyone be sad when Little Chris Bang was there?

His father would always tell him two things when Chris was worried or having problems with anything. “Above all else, have courage and be kind my darling boy. The world isn’t a very good place… but you can make it better if you do these two things.”

And Chris took those lessons to heart. Every time he faced a challenge he would tell himself to have courage and be kind.

And it would always work out. Until that fateful day.

Chris had been happily playing in the garden, watching the ducks swimming in the pond when his mother came running out of their manor house. She gathered him up in her arms and kissed the top of his head, holding him tight.

“Mama? What’s wrong?” Chris asked, wiping the tears that were pouring down his mother’s face. “What happened?”

His mother took a deep breath and hugged him tighter, burying her face in his soft curls. “Chris, sweetheart, your father’s carriage had an accident. It veered off the road and crashed… he’s not making it back to us.”

Chris’s eyes filled with tears, threatening to spill over. A choked sob escaped his throat as he and his mother dropped to the ground, still holding each other.

They were all they had left in the world. Each other. As they sat on the damp grass, Chris made a vow to himself.

I will never let my mother have a reason to cry again. I will always keep her happy. Dad… I promise you I’ll take care of Mama okay?”

---

Two years had passed since the crushing news of Lord Bang’s death. Chris was older, wiser, a little sadder. But he would still make every effort to follow his father’s advice. Have courage and be kind, those were the words he lived by.

So, when his mother told him that she had to go take a short trip to take care of estate business, Chris was hesitant to let her leave without him. What if something happens to her? What if she doesn’t come back as well? These thoughts kept running through his mind night after night.

His mother saw his anxiety over being left alone and came up with a plan. She would ask one of their family friends, Lord Jinyoung Park, to come and stay with Chris while she was gone. He apparently had two sons, one of whom was Chris’s age… maybe this way he’d make friends his own age. For while Chris was a very sweet, loving boy, people his age found him too much of an old soul to connect with him for long.

Thus, Lord Park and his two sons, Bambam and Jinyoung moved into the house the day Chris’s mother left. Lord Park waited until her carriage had trundled out of sight before flopping onto a chaise and throwing his feet up on the mahogany coffee table.

“So, this is what you Bangs have been keeping out of my hands… nice to see what all I could have had. This estate was supposed to be part of your aunt’s dowry… too bad she died before I could snag her.” Lord Park spoke in a low drawl, never enunciating his sounds. Every ounce of his posture screamed disrespect and distaste.

Chris disliked him immediately. I can't wait until Mama comes home and this horrible old goat can leave.

Behind Lord Park's head, his younger son was mouthing something at Chris. He squinted for a moment, trying to read the other boy's lips before realizing he was asking if they could be friends.

Be kind Chris. Be kind. Chris met the other boy's eyes and nodded slowly. Friends. Even if his dad is a jerk.

Lord Park quickly dismissed the boys, ordering them to leave him to his rather enormous glass of whiskey. Chris slipped out into the garden, sitting down on the grass next to the duck pond and watching the little ducklings splash about in the water.

As one of them was just about to try ducking under the water, a stone came flying out of nowhere and hit the poor little duckling on its back. It thrashed desperately, trying to stay afloat. Chris jumped into the pond after it, sitting up with the little bird in his hands, water streaming down his back.

“How dare you?” shouted the younger Park boy, looking just about ready to punch his older brother.

Jinyoung just laughed and went back to the house, whistling all the way. The younger boy walked over to the pond and held out his hand to help Chris out of the water.

“I’m Bambam. Sorry about my brother, he’s horrible.” Chris accepted the hand and stood up, still holding the little duckling in his left hand.

“I’m Chris. Nice to meet you.” The two boys struck up a conversation as they walked up the path back to the house, Bambam reaching out to pet the little duckling in Chris’s hands.

Within a few hours of being back up in his room Chris had set the baby bird’s wing with a few small sticks and some cloth and put it inside his bathroom with a small tub of water and a little food for it to eat. He was just in time to change for dinner, only when he arrived, he saw his normal spot next to the head of the table had been taken by Jinyoung.

Lord Park simply made an imperious gesture at a chair near the foot of the table. “Sit there boy, I wish to speak with my sons. Privately.”

Chris ate silently, not meeting anyone’s eyes.

That night he cried himself to sleep, longing desperately for the day his mother would come home.

---

About a week had passed, and Chris had hated every second of it. Bambam was nice enough but between Lord Park and his elder son his life was close to miserable. They treated the house like it was their own, never caring about muddy boots on the table or cleaning up after themselves.

If things get any worse, I think I might die. I can’t bear this much longer… Mama, where are you? Why aren’t you back yet?

“Boy! Get in here!” came the commanding voice of Lord Park, who had taken over Chris’s father’s old study.

Chris went, dragging his feet. He entered the room, a sense of foreboding filling every pore. Something bad had happened.

“Your mother was killed by bandits on her way home. She left the house and all your property to me. You should be grateful I don’t throw you into the streets.” Lord Park barely gave Chris a cursory glance as he nursed yet another glass of fine whiskey. “From now on you are no longer Chris Bang, heir to the Bang estate and fortune. You are simply Chan, our servant. Now then, Chan, you have dinner to cook, don’t you? This estate spends far too much on employing servants anyways; now I suppose you shall have to do everything.”

Chris stood there, tears rolling down his face, lost as to what to do next. Mama is… dead? She’s left me and now I’m all alone.

How can I live like this?

I’m only thirteen. I need my parents.

“Well boy, are you deaf? Leave right this instant, dinner won’t make itself.” Lord Park made a dismissive gesture leaving Chris to slip out of the study.

He entered the kitchen with a sad sigh, trying his absolute best not to cry again.

Crying was best saved for night, in bed, where no one else could hear him.

After burning one of his fingers and almost dropping a knife on his foot, dinner was ready. Chris carried the platters out into the dining room and went to sit down, only to find himself shoved out of his chair by a grinning Jinyoung.

“Servants don’t eat with us, Chan. Why don’t you go eat in the kitchen, where you belong? Also, the second bedroom is now Jinyoung’s. Your things have been moved to an attic.” Lord Park tucked in with a contented smile, only to frown as he tasted the food. “And next time, add more salt you pathetic imbecile!” He hurled the salt shaker at Chris’s head, missing him by mere centimeters.

Chris took one look at the scowl on his face and slipped up to the attic. He sat down on the thin mattress kept near the small fireplace in the attic and brought his knees up to his chest.

I wish you were here, he thought, arms around his legs as though he was trying to keep himself from falling apart.

You’d know what to do. You wouldn’t let that horrible man take everything from us. Mama, he was using your handmade lace doilies as kindling!

Why did you have to leave me alone?

His last thought as he fell into a fitful slumber was not one of sadness or anguish; rather, it was one of defiance.

Dad always said to have courage and be kind. If being Chan means I can stay safe, and still have a home and food and a warm place to sleep… Chan is who I will be.

Chan never knew anything other than servitude, so he doesn’t miss idleness.

Chan never had parents he misses so much that it causes him physical pain.

Chan is strong. He’s courageous and kind.

Chan is who I will become.

And that is what he did. Chris Bang was a person long gone… the heir apparent was lost along with his mother.

Chan however was a sweet boy beloved by all who met him. No amount of removing his past could change his identity and personality. Noble in title he might not be any longer, but the nobility of his spirit was unmistakable.

---

And so, seven years passed in this manner. Chan worked and worked, day in, day out, from dawn till midnight, keeping the estate running, cleaning, cooking, and always singing while he worked. He slept in the attic where the ashes from the fireplace would dust his dark hair gray, wore mostly cast offs from the Park brothers, and did his absolute best to have courage and be kind no matter what was going on around him.

The birds would come by while he sang and hung clothes out to dry in the kitchen yard. Squirrels would line up in the trees next to the attic window. Chan, despite his name change, had retained every ounce of his youthful charm and more so, it had grown with him.

And of course, his charm only made Lord Park hate him more. From the start there had been whispers in the nearby village that the long-lost Chris Bang was the Chan many of them knew and loved. Every time someone came close to figuring out his dirty little secret however, Lord Park simply paid off someone and got rid of them. Life continued in this manner for Chan, until the date of his twenty-first birthday began to near.

At twenty-one, Chan would be able to contest Lord Park for ownership of his family’s estate. He could take it back and no one would be able to stop him, especially seeing as he had a strong resemblance to both his parents and he had papers proving his identity tucked away in the attic.

The only issue with this was that Chan himself had absolutely no idea that he could do this. He had only been eleven when his father died, barely old enough to learn estate business. Thus, Lord Park was content in the knowledge that he wouldn’t have to worry about an uprising as long as he could ensure Chan was kept in the dark.

That however, was soon to change.

One day, Chan was out gathering berries in the estate forest. Lord Park had a particular liking for berry cheesecake, and of course, who better to send on the messy, rather prickly task of picking through blackberry brambles than him. Chan had a large sack over his shoulder and he was enjoying the walk through the forest. Here, no one would yell at him to do things or throw his parents’ (No, they were Chris’s parents. Not Chan’s.) ornaments at his head.

He hummed while he picked sorted through the brambles, trying to avoid catching his already well patched clothes on the thorns. He lost himself in the rather mindless work, letting the monotonous activity distract him.

CRACK!

Chan jumped, whirling around to see a carriage rolling down the hillside, teetering on the edge of the hill road, almost ready to fall off the edge and go rolling down the steep slope. A high-pitched shriek came from inside the carriage—clearly there was someone inside.

Is this how Mama died? A slow miserable death trapped in a carriage, teetering and unable to save herself?

I can’t let another person die like this. It’s not right.

Chan ran towards the carriage, trying to avoid making the crumbling ground give way further underneath him. Slowing down, he tiptoed over to the carriage door, easing it open slowly.

---

Your carriage trundled along the countryside, making good time as you made your way home from one of your friends’ homes. She had gotten married the previous year and you had taken her invitation to visit as an excuse to leave the hectic life at the capital and the duties expected of you as the Crown Princess.

You were fully absorbed in your book, ignoring most of what was going on around you. After all, the only thing that awaited you at home were more lessons of politics and etiquette—never anything fun. Might as well enjoy your last novel before your mother hid them all from you again.  

Just as you were about to turn the page, a loud crack snapped through the air. Suddenly, out of nowhere, you felt your carriage sliding backwards, down the hill. You were thrown against the wall of the carriage and your book went flying out of your hands.

The carriage rolled down, further and further, until it slowed to a stop. You breathed a sigh of relief, getting up to try and peek out of the window.

And the carriage shifted under you. The curtains moved aside just enough for you to get a glimpse of what lay outside:

Nothing.

You were teetering on the edge of a cliffside, and any move you made could result in your falling down to your death.

The floor shifted under you once more, and you let out a loud shriek, trying to keep from falling. I’m going to die in a ridiculous carriage accident. Bet Father didn’t think of this when he assigned all those ridiculous guards to follow me around. He was so sure his precious heir would be safe if she had people with her.

Then, the door of the carriage slid open.

You stared wide eyed at the figure silhouetted against the sunset outside.

“Come quickly! I don’t know how long this will stay up here!” A boy stood there, one hand holding the door open and the other reaching out for you. “Hurry!”

You gingerly got up, stepping carefully over to the open door. The boy grabbed your hand and yanked you forward, pulling you out of the carriage.

You landed on the ground with a thump, half on top of him. Behind you, the ground under the carriage gave way and the now empty carriage fell down the cliff.

Heart racing, you lay there for a moment, trying to collect your wits. I’m… I’m alive? Oh, thank goodness I thought I was dead this was a horrible experience I’m never traveling again.

“Ummm, sorry? Could you get off me milady?” the boy who’d saved you was looking down at you a little worriedly, seeing as you were still sprawled on top of him. You felt your cheeks begin to heat and you got up hurriedly, kneeling next to him.

“Thank you for saving me—” “Are you alright milady?” The two of you said in unison, sitting up and taking in each other’s appearances.

The boy who had saved you was actually more of a young man, despite the adrenaline-laced grin that adorned his face. The wild smile on his face exposed two large dimples in his cheeks, and despite his youthful appearance, his hair was a shade of ashy gray similar to your father’s eldest advisor’s.

“I’m fine… thanks to you.” To your surprise, the man blushed and ducked his head, sitting up as well. That’s odd. Any of the young courtiers would be boasting considerably by this time or trying something inappropriate. Who is this stranger? He’s unlike anyone I’ve met before.

“It was nothing, really. I couldn’t let you fall, you would have died. Are you sure you’re not injured?”

“I’m fine, thank you sir-?”

“Just Chan, milady. Is there anywhere I can take you?” He stood, holding out a hand to help you up.

“Princess _____! You’re alright!” one of the two guards who had been riding ahead of your carriage had heard the crack and circled back to come get you.

“I think I’ll be alright Chan.” The guard had dismounted and was holding his horse steady so that you could ride to the next inn.

As you rode off at a slow walk, the guard walking beside you holding the horse’s reins, you turned in the saddle to look behind you and wave.

Only there was no one there. Almost as though Chan had faded away like a dream.

---

Three days later, you were back on the same road, riding without an escort…

Maybe you’d snuck away after saying you wanted some quiet time, but really, you were the princess. Who on earth was going to deny you anything? And so here you were, riding along the path, scanning the area around the road to see if there was any sign of the mysterious young man that had saved your life.

No one’s here. Again.  I guess I’ll have to come back some other time.

You wandered the area for a little while, only to find the sparse woods deserted. Dejected, you turned your horse to return home.

“Princess _____?” A voice called out from behind you.

It was Chan. He had another sack over his shoulder, presumably filled with some sort of odds and ends.

“I wasn’t expecting to see you here again.” He smiled up at you, and you quickly dismounted, tying your horse off to a nearby tree so she wouldn’t wander off.

“I actually was hoping to find you. I didn’t get a chance to properly thank you or ask if there was any way I could reward you?”

Chan ducked his head. “Milady, I’m fine just as I am.” He scratched the back of his head nervously. “Though, if you don’t mind, we could stay here and talk for a little while?”

You nodded, and he led you over to a fallen tree trunk where you sat down, making sure your cloak was tucked under you neatly.

“So, what did you want to talk about Chan?” you asked, butterflies fluttering in your stomach despite your attempt to keep your cool. Perhaps it was too soon to tell, but you were almost certain you were developing a small crush on Chan.

In my defense, it’s hard not to considering those dimples. And I didn’t think anyone would look nice with gray hair, yet he pulls it off so well.

“Anything you’d like really? Do you ride here often?” he asked, breaking you out of your thoughts.

“I do like riding, but I haven’t come this way before. I wanted to see the area a little better than I had from my carriage windows.” Chan’s eyes twinkled, as though he knew you were omitting the fact that you had come looking for him.

“Well, what are your thoughts on it, Milady?” He raised an eyebrow, leaning back on his hands.

“I quite like it. The trees are beautiful, and the whole place has a very peaceful feeling, as though whatever is going on in the world has no bearing here,” you reflected, patting the moss growing on the tree trunk next to you. “You know Chan, you can just call me _____. It would be nice to have someone not bowing and scraping to me all the time. That’s one of the worst parts of being a princess, the constant decorum required.”

“Well then, _____, does that make us friends?”

“I’d like us to be.” Where is this boldness coming from? You can’t possibly be so ridiculously open with someone you only met a few days ago.

“Friends it is then mil—_____.” He corrected himself at your sharp look. “Anything you’d like to know about me?”

You thought for a second, cocking your head to one side. “Well, I did wonder about your gray hair. How old are you, that you’ve gone gray already?”

Chan laughed, head thrown back. It filled the air around you with mirth, almost as though the forest itself and all its inhabitants were laughing along with Chan. He ruffled his own hair, and a dusting of gray powder fell from his hair.

“It’s ash! I sleep really close to the fire, so my clothes and hair are very ashy. I wash it off my face but it’s a little hard to get out of my hair.”

You were just about to reach out and ruffle his curls for yourself when you stopped yourself, turning the motion into tucking a lock of hair behind your own ear. “So, are you a servant? You don’t seem like one, and you certainly speak like a noble.”

“I…” Chan trailed off, clearly unwilling to talk about what had brought him to his present circumstances. “Let’s just say things were different long ago. But I’m content enough with my lot in life, even if it isn’t what I used to dream of as a child.”

Sensing that you’d touched a nerve, you let that vein of conversation wither away and turned the topic to favorite colors and music, which Chan seemingly couldn’t stop talking about. He seemed to know more than you’d ever expected, especially from a servant.

Before you knew it, you were saying goodbye and making promises to meet again.

Hours spent with Chan simply seemed to just melt away without a second thought.

---

“Where do you think you’re going with such a smile on your face boy?” snarled Lord Park, reaching out to grab Chan’s ear. He flinched away, ducking under the man’s outstretched arm.

“Nowhere Lord Park, just out to the forest. I found a new grove of plums and they will sell easily at the market in town.” It was a meager deflection as Chan well knew, but hopefully it would get Lord Park off his back long enough for him to be able to leave and meet you.

“Fine then boy. But I’m watching you—you can’t get away with anything in my house, understood?”

It’s not your house, it’s mine! Yet Chan swallowed his retort and slipped out the kitchen door, running for the woods where he would finally be able to breathe.

He arrived at your normal meeting spot only a few minutes later than normal, finding already waiting for him. You had your cloak spread out under you, and Chan collapsed on it next to you, flopping onto the ground so that his head was in your lap.

Over the two months or so that you and Chan had been meeting secretly, the two of you had gotten incredibly close. You’d spoken about every topic under the sun, from your fears about becoming queen to Chan’s losing his parents and his home to a cruel usurper.

That had been a difficult conversation for the two of you. Chan had cried half way through his explanation and you’d done your best to comfort him, stroking his curls and wiping away the hot tears that coursed down his face.

Now, exactly one week later, you’d had a chance to scour the archives of nobility. And unbeknownst to Chan, you had news for him.

“Channie, you said you were twenty-one now right?” you asked him, leaning against a fallen tree behind you.

He nodded, eyes still closed. This is so comfy. I could just fall asleep right here, where no one will bother me. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You see, I was looking through the archives. And I found a very interesting point. The Bang estate is still unclaimed, and if you had papers proving that you were the heir, you could very easily get your home back and kick out Lord Park and his sons!”

Chan sat up, almost knocking into your chin. “I can do what?” She wouldn’t play with me like this right? We’re friends, she couldn’t do something like this to me.

“You can claim your rightful inheritance. You do have your birth records and genealogy proofs, yes?”

“I— I didn’t think it was possible. I have them tucked in the attic. Are you sure this will work ____?” He looked you dead in the eye. “If this fails, I’ll have lost everything. At least right now I can still see my parents’ home and care for it, broken though it is.”

“But if you try, you could be happy.”

Have courage son. Chan could hear his father’s voice in his head, a voice he’d tried bitterly to forget due to the pain it caused, yet never fully able to wipe it from his memory.

“If you’re sure it will work… I’ll do it. But how do I get to the castle?”

A devious grin spread over your face, and Chan fought the urge to stare at you. Her eyes sparkle when she’s plotting… it shouldn’t be as adorable as it is.

“I am having a coming-of-age masquerade ball next week. And you, Lord Bang, will be one of my honored guests.” A shiver ran up Chan’s spine as he heard his father’s title being directed at him. How can I be a Lord? I’m just a servant now. I’m nothing.  You disregarded his confusion and continued. “With masks on, no one will recognize you and we can sneak you to the archives and get everything legitimized before anyone is the wiser.”

“_____, this is foolish. We would never be able to get away with it.”

“For once in your life Chan, listen to someone else.” You looked Chan straight in the eye. “Things will work out. I promise you that.”

He took the envelope you held out to him and traced his fingers over the pretty gold calligraphy.

“I’ll see you at the ball then?”

“Till then Channie. Bring everything, and we’ll give you your rightful inheritance back.”

---

Chan spent the week frantically attempting to get his outfit into order so that he wouldn't be turned away at the palace gates. He had some old things of his father's kept in the attic trunks and he used pieces from different older coats and breeches to get something a tad more modern in style.

The last decade of working for Lord Park had given him some rather unexpected skills, including sewing. He'd had to repair outfits last minute and mend furniture and so he'd picked up sewing from one of the older women in the nearby village.

Never thought that would come in handy for something like this. I guess I'll be the first ever Lord who knows how to sew his own buttons on.

Just as he was finishing off the ribbon he had taken from one of his mother's ball gowns to use for a tie, the door to the kitchen slammed open.

Lord Park barged in, fuming with fury.

“How dare you? You pathetic piece of vermin! You blithering bastard! I have let you stay here out of the goodness of my heart and now I find you attempting to go to the Princess's ball? There's nothing else that would require such finery!” Lord Park grabbed the coat from next to Chan and tore it apart with his bare hands. He ripped the breeches and shirt next, leaving fabric all over the kitchen tiles.

He saw the ribbon in Chan's hand and snatched it from him, wrapping it around Chan's neck like a garrote. Yanking hard, he heaved until Chan was basically pulled off his feet and left scrabbling at the ribbon slowly choking the life of out of him.

Well. This is one wild way to go. At least I'll be with my parents once more. No more suffering, just peace. We'll be a family again.

Chan's limbs began to relax as the life ebbed out of him. I just hope _____ isn't too disappointed when I don't come to her ball.

Suddenly the kitchen door was thrown open with a crash.

Bambam strode in, shoving his father aside and releasing Chan from his iron grip.

“Father, are you mad?” He shouted, standing protectively over Chan's limp body. “You can’t kill him! Don’t touch him!”

Lord Park simply scoffed and stormed out the door, letting it slam shut. Bambam knelt next to Chan, helping him sit up.

“Come on Channie, let’s get you upstairs into bed.” Bambam lifted Chan’s arm over his shoulder and helped the younger boy stand, pulling him up the three flights of stairs and depositing him on the thin mattress in front of the attic fireplace.

“Thanks, Bambam,” Chan breathed, voice hoarse and raw. Bambam simply patted his friend’s shoulder.

“I’m only sorry I got there so late. Don’t come down until I tell you it’s safe, alright?” Chan nodded, and Bambam slipped out the door, leaving Chan to his own miserable thoughts.

I was going to have a home again.

I’m done for now.

No way to go to the ball, no way to get my estate back, no way to live any longer.

Why couldn’t he have just killed me?

Angry tears sprang into the corner of Chan’s eyes and he curled tighter in on himself. His neck still ached desperately, and he could barely move without it sending shards of pain coursing through his body.

“Well. Aren’t you a sorry sight,” a high-pitched voice squeaked from somewhere in the air above Chan. “You look almost as pathetic as I would have thought an actual peasant would. Are you sure you really are Chris Bang?”

“That name might as well be worthless. You could call me Bang Chan I guess, if you really needed a name.” Chan wasn’t entirely sure if someone was actually there, or if he was simply imagining things. Either way, he had absolutely no issues muttering a response without opening his eyes.

Exhaustion did that to a man.

“Bang Chan. Clever, I quite like it. You have the old mixed with the new, both your identities combined. Now then, are you going to get up and look me in the eye or are you just going to sit there and quiver like a jelly?” The voice really was quite annoying. It had descended and was now just above Chan’s ear, annoying him immensely.

Chan sat up with a groan. “What do you even want?” He opened his eyes and took in the little sprite fluttering in the air in front of his face.

The sprite had pretty orange gold wings the same color as his hair, and slightly pointed teeth that poked his upper lip. He wore a tunic that glittered with gold along with leggings and boots, and he had a small gold circlet around his head.

“I’m here to make things… better. Interested? Or do you want to just sit here and rot without having tried to take your destiny into your own hands?” The sprite flitted up to Chan’s face, grasping his nose and looking him right in the eyes.

The Fae aren’t the best people to make deals with… but Mama always said she had Fae blood, and their one tenet is to never cross their own.

What choice do I have at this point? I really have nothing to lose.

“I’m interested, sprite. Who are you?” Chan sat up, rubbing the red marks still visible on his neck.

The sprite landed on one of the trunks sitting in the attic, crossing his legs underneath him. “I am Jisung. I was assigned as your fae partner when I was born.”

“How come I never saw you around then?”

“We aren’t supposed to reveal ourselves unless there is abject danger. Luckily, Lord Park satisfied that requirement when he tried to kill you. Now I have free rein to do as I please.” Jisung had a smug expression on his face, clearly proud of how he’d gotten around the system.

Chan looked at the sprite nervously. “So, what do you have planned?”

A wild grin spread over Jisung’s face. “Get me a pumpkin, a couple of squirrels, your old clothes, some newspaper, a pot of glue, any old jewelry you have that you don’t mind changing, and some ducks. Leave them in the yard, we’ll work there.”

Chan went to do as told, only to pause at the door. “You won’t hurt the animals, right?” he asked.

Jisung rolled his eyes. “They’ll be fine! I’m your Fae partner, I’m not some evil goblin or something.”

Chan rushed around the house, gathering up the items Jisung had requested. Setting them in a heap in kitchen yard, he stood silently and watched Jisung wave his arms around wildly while chanting something in a strange language.

There was a sudden poof, and the smell of fresh pumpkin cheesecake filled the air. Chan had flinched but now he opened his eyes, staring in awe at the scene that awaited him.

A large gilt carriage stood where the pumpkin had once been, with brown horses the color of the ducks hitched to it. A driver and a footman both stood, acorn sigils on their lapels—clearly, they were the squirrels.

Chan’s clothes had also transformed, into simple black pants, black leather boots that shone in the sunset light, a white shirt with jet black buttons that was tucked into the pants, and a black coat and cloak that warded off the rapidly cooling air.

The pièce de résistance though, were the three items that lay in front of Chan on the kitchen table. One was a simple silver ring, another a necklace that Chan pulled on and tucked under his collar.

Finally, all that remained was the mask. When _____ had mentioned this would be a masquerade, Chan hadn’t been quite sure what to do for a mask. But Jisung’s creation was jet black with silvery swirls all over it, swirls that curled up to his temple and emphasized his thick eyelashes.

Jisung tied the mask on Chan’s face, nestling the ribbon underneath his gray hair. “Hmmm… I was right… the gray hair does look fashionable with this whole get up. Let me just make sure you don’t sift ash everywhere when you move your head.” And with another muttered spell, Chan’s hair was fixed in place and lightly styled to frame his face.

“Perfect! The world lost an incredible designer when I decided to pursue magic.” Jisung wiped away an imaginary tear and patted Chan’s head gently. “Now go! And remember, you must be back before midnight because that’s when my magic will begin to wear off.”

Chan clambered into the carriage and waved at Jisung, who smirked and vanished in a shower of golden sparkles. The carriage itself trundled forward, and Chan clutched the gilt railing as he got used to the motion.

First Father, then Mama died in these things. What if I—no this is a magical carriage and there is no danger of an accident. Now just wait, you’ll be at the palace in twenty minutes.

Have courage and be kind.

---

Chan should be here by now… I hope he was able to get away! You glanced around the small balcony, craning your neck to see if there was anyone around the corner.

Finally, a butler opened the door to the balcony. A figure in black and white clothes slipped inside, and the butler closed the door behind him.

“Channie?” you asked, unsure of yourself. You’d only seen your beloved friend in his peasant garb, never in formal clothing.

He looked like royalty, meant to be at your side. Too bad that would never happen.

The man untied his mask, letting it dangle from his fingertips. “Wow, I didn’t think one fancy outfit would mean you wouldn’t be able to recognize me love.” A soft smirk danced at the edge of his lips. “I have the papers, lead the way, my lady.”

“I see you decided to come to my ball with ash in your hair, even with a fancy outfit.” Do not shut down _____, you aren’t going to turn into putty just from one nice outfit. Get a grip.

Chan laughed, the sound filling you with a glowing warmth. “Actually, I think it’s dyed. Remind me to tell you what happened with the outfits… let’s just say there’s a reason I’m not wearing a tie right now.” You glanced over at his neck and he pushed his collar aside to reveal a dark red mark on his neck.

“Chan! That looks like someone tried to strangle you! Have you even gotten it looked at? Are you an idiot? I could have figured out another way to get your inheritance legalized, you didn’t have to come!” The torrent of scolding flooded out of your mouth as you reached over and traced the red mark with gentle fingers. Why doesn’t he ever take care of himself? Can’t he see how important he is?

“I’m fine, it doesn’t matter right now especially since I’m here. To the archives?” Chan held out an arm crooked at an angle he just remembered from seeing his parents host dinner parties.

You tucked your hand into his and picked up the edge of your white and silver gown. “Archives it is then. And immediately afterwards we are getting your neck looked at.”

Four flights of stairs, nine corridors, three ballrooms, two offices, and a rather interestingly twisty passage later, the two of you entered the dark and silent archives. You went up to the desk, where the apprentice clerk was seated and taking notes on something or other.

“Seungmin! I need a favor from you. Can you authenticate an inheritance claim if you have all the papers?” The apprentice looked up from his books and nodded, motioning to a nearby table.

“Just set it up over there, and I’ll take a look at it. Who was the estate’s original owner?”

“Lord and Lady Bang.” Chan spoke up next to you. “Lord Bang died 9 years ago, and Lady Bang 7 years ago.”

“Just a minute then.” Seungmin disappeared and came back bearing an enormous book with extremely tiny writing. “This should have the records. Who are we transferring their estate to?”

“Lord Christopher Bang, who turned 21 only recently,” you replied, giving Chan’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Here are the papers proving his identity—birth records, genealogy books, a portrait of his parents.”

Seungmin sifted through the materials and checked through the book, nodding to himself and filling out a form. After what seemed like an interminable wait, he spoke again.

“Everything seems to be in order, so if you would just sign there my lord, your family estate is yours once more. The house has no occupancy or rent records, but if someone is there and you need them removed, you can ask for a contingent to escort you home at your leisure.”

Chan dipped the quill in ink and signed, fingers trembling. Seungmin handed him the other papers and went back to his own work, leaving you and Chan alone.

“I told you it would be painless and easy,” you smiled over at Chan as he stood there, still clearly a little shocked.

“You did. But it wouldn’t have been anywhere near easy if it hadn’t been for you.” Chan reached out and pulled you into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around your waist. This feels so warm… I wish we could stay like this, but someone’s bound to catch us.

“What on earth do you think you’re doing with my daughter?” came a shout from the other side of the hallway.

Your father stood there, one hand menacingly resting on the hilt of his ceremonial sword.

“Nothing, your majesty!” Chan sank into a quick bow. “She… she is my dearest friends and I owe her my life.”

“And you think that it’s amusing to go around hugging the Crown Princess in the middle of the empty archives? When there is a ball in her honor being held in the main ballroom?” Chan just hung his head, unable to contradict his king.

“Father, please. Chan did nothing, you can ask Seungmin! He only just left!” But your father was left unmoved.

“I want you gone! Now!” Chan squeezed your hand softly, not daring to attempt anything more serious. Then he raced down the back stairs…

And was gone.

All that was left was the black and silver filigree mask that dangled from your fingers on its silver ribbon.

“Father you can’t do this! I love him!” The words that had been playing at the back of your mind for the past weeks came spilling out of your mouth without a thought, yet you didn’t regret them. “He’s been nothing but a gentleman, and he saved my life! You should be rewarding him and yet you’re punishing him? He came because I begged him to, so that he could have his estate restored. But you’ve just turned a blind eye to some of the reports coming in from the town about the cruelty of the manor house because of the stories the merchants have told of a dragon in the west!”

“You, young lady, can go to your room. We will continue this conversation some other time. Don’t worry, we’ll make your excuses for you at the ball.”

Dismissed, dejected, and downright depressed, you stumbled back to your room and threw yourself onto your bed, caring little for the pretty gown you’d been so excited to wear. Clutching Chan’s mask tightly in one hand, you cried yourself to sleep.

Chan was gone.

---

Heart racing, Chan rushed out of the palace and out into the avenue. He stumbled into his carriage and it trundled away, reaching almost halfway to his home before disappearing, leaving Chan in his peasant clothes and with an armful of ducks and squirrels, which he carried back with him.

Exhausted, he collapsed into bed, still clutching the paper the apprentice had given him.

The paper that would give him his life back.

Tomorrow, I’ll take back my home. Tomorrow, my life will be mine for the first time in seven years.

And with those happy thoughts, Chan curled up in front of the fireplace as usual and fell fast asleep.

---

The next morning, Chan woke up bright and early. He dressed in his nicest and least patched clothes and went down to the village to get the constable and show him the papers proving his ownership of the manor.

The constable was utterly astonished by Chan’s appearance, and the fact that the boy who had been living amongst them for so long was the long-lost heir they’d all longed for. Naturally he came along at once, and a few other townspeople accompanied the little party up to the manor.

Chan knocked boldly on the door, straightening his spine and standing tall. Too long had he been weighed down by the ghosts of his family, by his failures, by his loneliness. Now, there was nothing holding him back.

Jinyoung opened the door, took one look at the crowd of people gathered outside, and ran up the stairs, ordering Bambam to put away his things and prepare to leave. Chan and the constable marched into the study, where Lord Park was nursing his second glass of whiskey for the day.

“Lord Park? You are ordered to vacate this estate at once. If you resist you will be brought in front of the king with charges of denying Lord Bang his rightful inheritance, child abuse, and exploitation.” Lord Park choked on his whiskey and tried to grab the document the constable was holding so that he could destroy it.

Chan caught his grasping hand in a vice-like grip. “Don’t. You. Dare. You’ve taken too much from me. Be grateful I don’t try to have you thrown in prison for your crimes. Now take your children and go!”

Seeing the fire in Chan’s eyes, Lord Park simply nodded once before leaving the room, only pausing to down the last dregs in his glass.

“My Lord? I presume this should be yours.” The constable held out a small silver ring, with the Bang family crest etched into the seal.

Chan traced his fingers over the letters engraved in the ring. Courage. Honor. Kindness. Love.

He had three of the four… but the fourth was lost to him forever.

For he had fallen for you too. How could he not, when you’d brightened his existence simply by smiling at him, when you’d done everything you possibly could to ensure his happiness, when you’d defended him when no one else would, even against your own family?

There’s just no way that we will ever get to be together. So, I suppose I’d better resign myself to the fact.

---

The estate was well on its way to recovery, and Chan was being driven absolutely mad. He’d asked for tutors and experts to come in to try and rebuild the estate, and while progress had definitely been made, it felt as though Chan was caught in a hurricane and being attacked from all sides.

Exhausted and more than a little overworked, Chan was ready to tear his hair out. Luckily, Bambam, who had stayed when his family left to help Chan get things in order, was there to push him out of the study which was quite close to becoming his second home.

Thus, Chan found himself wandering the woods again, in much the same manner as he had before this whole mad business began. Out of habit he began walking to your typical meeting place, limbs moving almost mechanically.

He stepped into the clearing, and almost fell over with shock.

You looked up, a wide smile on your face as you saw Chan come into view. He looked much tidier now, with neatly styled hair that was naturally dark and not ash gray. He wore simple clothes in plain black that were well made, unlike the patched and worn clothing of the previous times you’d met up.

He looked… happy, terrified, amused, apprehensive, and ecstatic all at once—but then, you were feeling the same wild emotions.

“_____? How—What—I—I didn’t realize you’d be here!” Chan exclaimed, rushing over to you and taking your hands in his.

“Well, I did have to return this, didn’t I milord?” You winked as you passed him his mask from the ball.

“You kept it?” Chan’s eyes were wide with amazement.

“Of course I kept it!” you rolled your eyes at him. “And my family wants to meet you, you know. Don’t look so scared!”

“Your father threatened to have me thrown out of the castle. I think I have a right to be scared love.” Still, Chan hadn’t let go of your hands since he’d arrived.

You’d take that as encouragement enough. “Well, Seungmin backed me up and got my father to see reason. He’s very interested in meeting the young man who stole his daughter’s heart, but he’s agreed not to harm you when you come to see him.”

“Well if you’re sure nothing will happen to me… Wait. Did you just say I’d stolen your heart?”

You took a few steps backward, covering your face with your hands. “I… yes, I did. Why? Deciding that you want to reject a princess?”

Chan stepped closer to you, pulling your hands away from your face and wrapping his arms tightly around you. “I guess that just means along with apologizing for running away from the ball, I also have to ask permission to court you, seeing as you stole my heart as well.”

“I think that would be perfect.”

“You’re perfect.”

“You’re a sap!”

“And you love me for it.”

That is where this tale shall close, with these final words:

And they lived happily ever after.

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The Perfect Bad Boy (Pt. 02 of 18)

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Reader

Word count: 2.5K

Summary: Working as a lifeguard in the Hawkins Community Pool, you try to fit in after moving from New York. Things were going pretty well when you notice you've been under someone's stare. Billy Hargrove, Hawkins' bad boy, has been staring at you since day one. You never intended to have anything to do with him, judging by the reputation he has. But Billy won't leave you alone, determined to show you his feelings are different this time...

As if your heart flooding you with confusing feelings wasn't enough, there are weird, strange animals lurking in the woods... But those have to be just part of the wild live of the woods surrounding Hawkins... Right?

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{Stranger Things Masterlist}

×

Car Trouble

“Are you having car trouble?” Billy asks, his eyes locked on yours.

“Judging by the smoke, yeah.” You sigh, opening the door and stepping out of the car. You avoid eye contact, looking at the light gray smoke instead.

“Pop the hood, let me check.” Doing as he says, you press the button as you sit back on the driver's seat, hoping he can actually fix whatever is wrong just so you can make it home. “Bad news.” He says after a couple of minutes.” There's nothing I can do. Not here, at least.”

“Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent.” He lets the hood fall before coming to stand by the door. “Didn't it give any signs something was wrong?”

“It has been making this funny noise since I bought it. But that was a month ago, I didn't think it would actually stop working.” Taking a deep breath, you take your bag and get out, closing the door. “I'll call the mechanics when I get home. Thanks for checking it out.” You wave at him, walking away.

“I could give you a ride home if you want.”

“I'm alright. Don't want to be a bother.”

“I wouldn't offer you a ride if you were a bother. C'mon, I'm just trying to help a co-worker.”

You stop, turning to face Billy. He doesn't have to usual cocky expression he always has. And he's right. He's just offering a ride home because your car is broken, there's nothing more. Monica and those girls are just getting under your skin, making you think too much about something that doesn't deserve much thought. “Ok then.”

“Let's go.” Billy guides you to his Camaro and you get into the passenger seat. Seconds later you're spending up through the streets, and you buckle up because he's going a little too fast for your taste. You give him your address, not really paying attention to the route he's taking. Your eyes are on the landscape outside the window, passing by in a blur.

“Do you mind if I stop to get some tacos before dropping you off?”

“No.” Shrugging your shoulders, you run a hand through your hair as he parks in a small restaurant and gets out to buy his food. As you wait, you wonder if you should tell Monica about this. If you do, you probably won't hear the end of it. But it could also snap her out of this whole mission thing. Today she was silent again, overanalyzing Billy instead of watching the pools. At least she seems to be excited about something.

A whistle gets your attention, dragging you out of your thoughts. It's Billy at the restaurant's door, gesturing for you to go there. You're a little confused when you leave the car. Did he make the order and then realized he forgot his wallet or something?

“What's up?” You ask him, crossing your arms.

“Nothing. C'mon.” Billy guides you to a table on the back, where he sits. “I ordered you some tacos too.”

What the hell. “Do you even know if I have money with me? You should've asked.”

“But I didn't, did I?” He raises an eyebrow.

Taking a deep breath, you decide not to make a big deal out of it. “Whatever,” you mumble, sitting down across from him. It's so damn obvious he's staring now. He doesn't even try to hide it. Since you're here, you could try to put a stop to this nonsense. Sorry, Mon. Your mission will be over soon. “What are you looking at?” You ask, elbows on the table, finally meeting his gaze.

“You.” He simply says, and there's no hint he'll give further explanation.

You were just about to say something when the waitress comes with your tacos. They do look good, and you're a little hungry.

“I'll get something to drink. What do you want?”

“Ice cold Coca-Cola,” you answer, watching as he gets up. You don't wait for him to come back, you just start eating. The last time you ate tacos you were in elementary school.

“Here's your drink.” He places the can down and you open it, taking a sip. “So, new girl... How do you like this dipshit place?”

“I really like it. Hawkins is exactly what I was looking for.” Billy seems a little surprised, raising his eyebrows. “What? Did you think I was dragged here? I wanted to come.”

“Can't understand why anyone would want to live here.”

“I had my reasons.” Shrugging your shoulders, a loud laugh gets your attention. It's a girl you see often in the pool. She's friends with one of those girls from the locker... The girls who were talking about Billy. “Hey. Don't you have a date today? With that Jennifer girl?” It comes back to your mind, and you burst it out. “Let's go, I can take these and eat at home.” The last thing you want is Billy being mad because giving you a ride kept him from meeting some girl. So you get up, taking the plate and the can.

“Where are you going?”

“...Home? You're taking me home now so you won't be late to be with the girl.” Why do you have to state the obvious? You doubt he'd forget about a date.

“I am with a girl. Now sit down and relax.”

If this day gets any weirder, you're calling it a night and going back home immediately. “Fine. It's your night you're ruining.” You sit back down, defeated.

“Who said my night is ruined?”

“Billy...” Leaning forward, you look into his eyes. “Whatever you're trying here, it won't work.”

“I'm not trying anything.”

Alright. Time to end this game. “I'm not the kind of girl you hang out with, ok? Put your efforts on someone hot and beautiful, don't waste your time with me.” You take another bite of the taco on your plate.

“Wait. You don't think you're hot and beautiful?” He leans forward too, pushing his empty plate away, eyes on you.

He totally got the wrong part of what you said. “I'm... Ok. I'm cute but you can aim so much higher than me.” You're not blind, so you're not immune to Billy's effect. You have to admit you stole a few glances on your first days working on the pool, but knowing his reputation, you'd never let it go further than finding him handsome. “But they say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so...” You're done with the tacos, and you drink what's left of your Coca-Cola.

“I wish you could see yourself through my eyes then.” Billy lowers his voice, the smirk leaving his lips as if this statement is the most important thing in the world, a fact on which the whole Earth stands.

You gasp, giggling a little. “So that's how you do it. That's what you say to get your girls.”

“No. I say very different things.” The smirk is back, and you look away for a moment. You really hope you're not blushing.

“We're both done eating. Can we go now?”

“I haven't finished my drink yet.” He gestures at is can. “You don't need to leave your guard up all the time. We're just... Two friends hanging out. No big deal.”

“So we're friends now?” He simply nods. “You don't even speak to me at work, how can we be friends?”

“I'll change that, don't worry. You don't seem to have many friends, anyway.”

“I do. Monica and her little crew.” It's actually mostly just Monica, but he doesn't have to know that. “They're nice.”

“Well, you can just add me to your list of new friends then.” Billy smiles at you, and now that you get to see it, from up close, it's so damn beautiful. There's a secret behind it, something he's hiding, and it looks like he knows you're aware of that. “What do you say?” He reaches out his hand over the table. “Try to get to know me instead of judging by what you heard.”

You hesitate for a while before shaking his hand. You won't fall for his game, so there's no problem befriending the guy. And you must admit it's a little mean to judge someone by what people say. You rather judge him by his actions. “Fine, Billy Hargrove. We can try to be friends. But that's it. Nothing else.”

“Good.”

You stay at the restaurant for another hour before he finally takes you home. Your aunt is organizing some papers, so she doesn't make many questions. She's just happy you were out with someone. And you don't really give much thought to what happened. You actually had some fun today, and since you're still struggling to fit in, you're in no position to refuse any friendship you can get.

And it was kind of Billy to offer you a ride home. You're so attached to everything you heard of him that you didn't even felt thankful for his help. If he was the asshole people say he is, he'd just leave you in the parking lot, or take you straight home. But he didn't. Billy even paid for the tacos. It's mean of you to judge the guy so harshly, before exchanging any words with him. He does sleep with a different girl every night, but they go out with him because they want to. They know he won't stick to them. But this is just something he enjoys, it doesn't mean he's a total jerk. Right? Jennifer and her friend seemed okay with a one night stand, so it's obvious he's not forcing them into it. They know it's a one-time thing.

So if you take this part away, you're left with a normal guy. So, if he's not trying to make you fall on his game, maybe his intentions aren't what you think they are. It's harmless to try and get to know him. Maybe he can become a good friend, who knows?

During the next day in the pool, you're still thinking about it. You don't really understand why you're feeling a little guilty for thinking so low of Billy. So, as you're walking back to your post and Billy is coming from his chair, to take his lunch break, you decided to talk to him.

“Billy, can I talk to you for a sec?” You say when you're close enough.

“Of course. C'mon.” He tilts his head, gesturing for you to with him back into the cafeteria. You were just going to say it right here, but since he's already walking, you just follow him. Monica gives you a meaningful stare once she notices you're following Billy. But you shake your head no, trying to tell her this is nothing.

“I'll be quick. I have to get back to my chair.” You say as he sits down on the table. “I just wanted to say thank you for yesterday. For the ride home and for the snack you bought me.”

“That's it?” He seems genuinely confused.

“Yeah...” You stand there awkwardly, watching as his lips break into a smile.

“What happened to your car?”

“It'll be ready in two days. Mon is giving me a ride until then.” Shrugging your shoulders, you start making your way out. “Well, that's it. I gotta go.”

“Keep doing the good job.” He winks at you, and you can't hold back the smile that comes to your lips.

“I will.” Turning your back at him, you go back to your chair.

•••

By the end of the day, you're sitting shotgun in Monica's car, the windows opens to let the fresh wind come in.

“I have great news.” She says, smiling.

“Let's hear it.”

“Jennifer was super mad today. Now guess why.” You exchange a glance as you think if you should tell her or not. But she's so excited about it, and Jennifer has always been mean to her... So you decide to just say it.

“Because my car wouldn't start, so Billy offered a ride home. And in the process, he stopped by this restaurant and bought me tacos.” She hits the breaks so suddenly that your heart skips a beat. “Holy shit, Monica! Are you trying to get us killed?”

“What did you just say, (Y/N)?” She's dead serious, looking at you. “Explain it. And don't hold back the details.”

She drives slower, just to give you more time. She forces you to remember everything he said, and everything you said, overanalyzing every single word. She doesn't seem too convinced that Billy just wants to be friends, going on about how he looks at you. With affection, admiration. But you don't really believe that.

“Just the fact that he was straight forward with wanting to be your friends is impressive. You gotta understand this is not usual of Billy.” She says as you walk into your house since you invited her to stay for dinner. “Believe me, I know. I wouldn't be talking about Billy with you if I wasn't utterly perplexed.”

“Who's Billy?" Your aunt asks, coming from the kitchen, an amused smile on her face.

“Good evening, Mrs. Florence," Monica says, matching your aunt's tone.

“Call me Diane, dear. And tell me about this Billy.”

“He's just a friend, aunt. He gave me a ride home yesterday.” You and Monica follow her into the kitchen, sitting on the table.

“Yesterday? You came home late yesterday.” She rests her back on the counter, looking at you. You feel like you were busted doing something wrong.

“He wanted to eat tacos so since I was with him, we just stopped by a small restaurant at the side of the road.” Shrugging your shoulders, you try to act casual. But why are you trying to act casual? It was a casual meeting.

“Did he pay?”

“Yes, but–”

“Then it was a date,” Diane states before turning around, her attention back to her current task.

You feel your cheeks burning as you exchange a glance with a smirking Monica. “It wasn't a date.” You have no idea how you could make this more clear than that. “If it was a date he would have kissed me goodnight.” You use the cliche every romance movie implements, trying to change their minds. “If that doesn't happen, it's not a date.”

“Well, say whatever you want. But tomorrow you'll be going out with me and the guys. No Billy.” Monica says, gesturing at you.

Whatever. You don't have to explain anything, and time will show them there's nothing between you and Billy. “Count me in,” you tell her, looking down at your hands for a moment. It will be good. No Billy, nobody talking about Billy for a change. It's your second week here, and it feels like it's all been about him from the start. You can't wait until people realize that everything that's ever gonna happens, if it happens, is just a friendship. Nothing more.

[jwnchstr]

SAM X READER

Author's note: This is short and fast, but hey. At least, I write!

You were wandering off the street alone one night. Your home was empty, as empty as your heart. Your father just passed away and now your mother was hospitalised for drug overdose and depression. She was the only family you have. No aunts and uncles.

Getting tired, you found a big tree trunk and sat there for a break. For recovery of your sorrow. You took your time, catching your breath and letting everything that has heppened to you sink into your mind. Sometimes, you still don't believe that your father died. Sometimes, you don't believe that everything's now on you. The bills, the kitchen groceries. And now that your mother's warded, you don't who else and where else to turn to.

You sat long enough for someone to notice you there. He approached you. Slow and steady but by his demeanour, he didn't show aggressiveness. You welcomed him with a smile. Though it was wrong to be out alone at night. Though it was wrong to believe a stranger too fast, but you didn't have time to think of anything.

Sam took a seat beside you, gave you a small smile as if to tell you that he means no harm. You returned his smile though. "What're you doing out alone here?" He asked.

"I don't know," was only what you could answer because the true answer was too long.

Sam looked at you from up and down, disbelief. "You okay?"

You sighed and shook your head. You didn't want to tell anyone your problem let alone a stranger. You don't want anyone to think you're weak and seeking for attention and sympathy. But nowadays, you learn not to care what people think. They might just think you're lying when you're telling the truth. Plus, it's not like you're going to meet them again.

"You want to talk about it?"

"I don't know where to start."

"Why are you here?" Sam started. "You're grown enough to understand that it's dangerous to be alone in the dark in the middle of the night. Something happened at home?"

"It's not home," you answered Sam. "It's my mother."

Sam's lips perked a little bit seeing you getting warm up with him. He's hurt. But he hates to see other people hurt because that makes him more hurt. "What about her?"

"She's warded. Drug overdose." You took a deep breath, looking around the dark park not wanting to cry in front of Sam. "Dad died a few months ago and she hasn't taking care of herself since then."

"I'm sorry to hear that. How long has she been there?"

"Two days?" You turned to look at Sam. "Doctor says she's not improving. And if she's not improving she needs to stay in the hospital longer. I don't have money to pay the hospitality."

"You're working?"

"I am but the paying's not good enough. And I already take two leaves so...no payments for two days. I- I don't know what to do." Your voice cracked at your last sentence, but you clenched your jaws, holding back the tears.

Sam was quiet for a while maybe thinking or praying for you. But then there was a car rolled down the street near where you and Sam were sitting, Sam quickly opened his mouth.

"Well, I've got to go," he told you. At the corner of your eyes, you saw him eyeing the car's headlight as if he was afraid to get caught. He pocketed some money inside his jeans. "Here. Take this."

You eyed the money in his hand and frowned. "What? No, I can't take that. I- I-"

"Just take it," Sam insisted. "I may not be able to help you with your mother's hospital payment, but I can't let you starve. Take the money and get something to eat."

Sam shoved the money into your hands before he stood up quickly, leaving you as he headed for his brother.