#thinking about reading from the beginning again...

[deliwrites]

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟𝕘𝕖 // Baby Saja

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

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

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

// Main Story // Bonus Chapters //

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

“Yeah?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“The promo starts tomorrow- Tonight?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Baby.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We couldn’t convince her to stay.”

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

“Ah, no,” Rumi keeps it short.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Which they hadn't, like how.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Good girl."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nothing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“No, it was ours.”

“It’s ours.”

“Ours.”

“Ours.”

“Ours.”

“Ours.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Water demons.”

“Oh great. My favorite.”

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

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

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

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

“I can’t- I-”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3:36 am

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What happened then?”

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

“And this became a topic, because?”

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

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

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

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

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

“I know, I know.”

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

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

It’s conflicting with everything.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I love sharing.”

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

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

“Should I tell them?” Jinu asks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What is it?” I ask, sleepily.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Alright.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What does that mean?” she frowns.

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

“But?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We are hunters, voices strong

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“How do we make it happen?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Y/n, quick.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Rumi!”

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

I start my part, the crowd cheering in surprise.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The fakes have already exposed her patterns.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Rumi? Y/n?”

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

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

“There is no denying it now.”

“There is no fixing it.”

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

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

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

“Yes, until we can fix everything-”

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

“The Honmoon would have been golden already.”

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

“Don’t you get it!”

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

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

“I do!”

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

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

Silence.

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

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

“Yes, we do.”

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

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

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

“Anyways, plan,” Romance asks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rumi and I meet eyes, scared but ready.

Oh!

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

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

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

“I can’t,” she admits, sullenly.

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

“They do.”

“And the Honmoon is gone.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zoey joins with her own truth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We know,” Zoey breathes with relief.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Laughter filling the room, headache gone with the wind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"And we waited," Mira adds.

"And waited," Rumi adds, grinning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The end!

// Main Story // Bonus Chapters //

[oh-no-its-bird]

Shikamaru accidentally becomes the second coming of Jiraiya via anonymously publishing BL novels with Sakura and Ino as his managers and editors

HEAR ME OUT. HEAR ME OUT.

Ok so, Shikamaru's grandfather passes away (aka my oc Shikasada, for those in the know) and among his things is a very old diary dating back to Konoha's founding. Shikamaru opens it to fund uhh. Many things. Many things he could have gone without knowing. Mostly revolving around his grandpa's apparent years long slow burn affair w some Hatake boy.

Shikamaru, sort of horrified but in too deep to back out now, resolves to at least finish the diary-- and despite himself, besides some of the more painful to read sections, there really is a lot of really interesting information in the diary.

Which brings Shikamaru to being unable to set down the diary, and bringing it to the academy with him in the morning.

(Quick note, lets set this like two or three months before graduation, so Shikamaru is like, ~13 I think)

SO, SHIKAMARU IS IN CLASS AND READING HIS GRANDFATHERS DIARY IN THE BACK OF THE CLASS (his first mistake, tbh) And he doesnt notice as Ino and Sakura appear behind him and Ino starts reading over his shoulder. And Ino, proud fujo, after a minute of reading goes really loudly,

"is that YAOI???"

And now Shikamaru essentially has two options. Both of them a uniquely kind of terrible. Does he,

a) admit this is his grandfathers very gay, very sappy, very depressing, kind of steamy diary about how he cheated on his fiance with a Hatake boy and even briefly debated running away from his wedding to be with him instead (but ultimately didnt)

or, b) let his classmates think hes a fan of doomed yaoi romance novels.

He decides that option b at least doesnt invoke a possible scandle for his clan (which his mom would kill him for) and says its a book.

Sakura immediately points out the fact that its hand written.

On pure reflex, Shikamaru blurts, "I wrote it."

(Instant regret.)

So anyways Ino and Sakura (mostly Ino) bully Shikamaru into letting them read 'his' book. And they come back to him with it going "omg, this is amazing! It's just as good-- maybe even better than most of the things on the market right now!!!"

And Shikamaru is like, "great can I have it back please."

And they're like "Shikamaru, you cant just let this kind of masterpiece rot in your closet!!!! This is incredible!!!! Heart wrenching!!! Hair raising!!! Super dramatic and filled with tension and drama and history and 𝓇𝑜𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒸𝑒 !"

And Shikamaru, again, is like, "Great. Can I have it back please."

"Shikamaru, you don't understand. You have a gift."

"Can I please have it back now."

So. One thing leads to another and after much peer pressure (and maybe some light threats of blackmail because Ino and Sakura have totally realized that Shikamaru didn't actually write the diary, and it instead belonged to his grandfather. (Mostly because Ino had actually met the man before, and obviously recognized his name)) Shikamaru has now gained:

a) two very eager 13 year old publishing managers / editors

b) the contact information of Sakura's cousin, who coincidentally works at one of the biggest publishing houses in Fire counry.

c) somehow, some way, the obligation to edit and publish his grandfathers diary as a bl romance novel.

Shikamaru hates his fucking life.

SO. THEY PUBLISH IT AFTER SOME EDITING AND CHANGING OF CLAN NAMES AND ITS A WILD SUCCESS. SHIKAMARU IS KIND OF MAD AT HOW MUCH OF A WILD SUCCES IT IS.

(Though, laying in his bed of money that now rivals his father's personal funds as the Nara clan head, he can't bring himself to be... as mad as he might have otherwise been.)

(Sakura and Ino, also with their giant piles of money, are also very satisfied.)

But the satisfaction doesnt last for long bc soon the girls are scheming to get Shikamaru to write something new for them to publish.

"But I didn't write the diary to begin with!" Shikamaru argues.

"What does it matter?" Ino insists. "You still edited it, and it was your grandfather who wrote it! Some of the talent has to be there!"

(depressingly enough for Shikamaru, some of the talent does seem to be there.)

And thus begins Shikamaru's life of becoming a famous romance author with his (blackmailers) managers Ino and Sakura <3

(In the pure lands, Shikamaru's grandfather is screaming into a pillow as his Hatake boy in question laughs his ass off and insists this is exactly what he deserves after keeping them a secret for so long. Really, Shika, you should be proud for having such a resourceful grandson.)

So anyways, this brings me to the fact that Sakura's first ever encounter with her new sensei, Kakashi, would have gone WILDLY different on her end. Because she saw the original diary. She, unlike the general public, didn't get the edited version of the story with changed clan names.

So when her teacher walks into the room and introduces himself, her very first thought is omg like the yaoi.

And her first act is to start giggling maniacally in the corner of the room like a little freak. In Sakura we stan

Kakashi meanwhile has no fucking clue what kind of drugs that little girl is on, but finds that he probably doesn't want to know.

WHICH ALSO BRINGS ME TO THE FACT THAT LIKE. Theres something profoundly funny about known icha-icha lover Kakashi reading this novel and becoming a huge fan-- absolutey 100% unaware that it's about HIS direct cousin, only two generations back.

Shikamaru put way more effort into disguising the Nara clan's involvement in the book-- both because he cares more about the Nara and because he kinda uhh... was under the impression that the Hatake were all dead, like, for real. In the book, the Nara's clan name is changed, the character names are changed, their sacred animal is changed to a rabbit and their traditions are all altered-- but the Hatake clan just becomes the Hasake clan and is largely left alone bc Shikamaru is 13 and can't really be bothered to go the extra mile.

(Editing so much is such a bother, Ino. You just dont get it)

So like, Shikamaru has no idea who Kakashi is, he only learns he exists when Sakura fucking bodyslams into him and Ino screaming about how HER NEW TEACHER IS RELATED TO THAT GUY YOUR GRANDPA HAD NASTY GAY SEX WITH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"THE ONE LIKE IN THE DIARY ONE???" Ino screams

"IS THERE ANOTHER GUY WHO HAD NASTY GAY SEX WITH SHIKAMARU'S GRANDPA WHO I'M SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT??!?!?" Sakura screams back

Shikamaru just screams into his pillow. The girls both ignore him.

Meanwhile, Kakashi knows SHIT about his clan and recognizes nothing in the novel. Which is a special kind of tragic because as he reads it, he's being given more information than he's ever been given about his clan. And even specific stories and in depth recorded conversations about his grandmother-- and even occasional mentions of his own father as a baby, and he just... has no idea.

Man is literally reading about his ancestors, getting stories of his family only a single generation before him, going: "Wow something about this clan just speaks to me. Probably the dogs."

Literally getting his fathers childhood stories. Not a single clue.

Hes going on a mission going "Hmm, what would Haruka Hasake from hit bl series XXX do" like that isnt secretly his fucking GRANDMA

Meanwhile, all three of the kids are acting SO shady around him. Ino and Shikamaru specifically are so fucking suspicious bc they are largely successful in avoiding him like the plague-- so when they do interact, it's an Event(tm) for them, while Sakura is forced to learn to be normal near him via exposure.

Tho not even the sage himself can save Sakura from the day Kakashi pulls out THE book during training instead of his usual icha-icha. Sakura fucks up her aim on a body flicker and flies straight into a tree, giving herself a concussion. Rip!!

Anyways yeah. Let Shikamaru discover his grandfathers old, scandal filled diary and be blackmailed by Ino and Sakura into publishing it-- setting him on his journey of becoming the next big thing in naruto romance publishing. It'd be funny as hell.

Special thanks to @imsosleepyofyourbull and @halsaph for talking to me about this on discord, this is so fucking stupid and I had so much fun with it

[sixosix]

a/n so i took the whole "aether is an alien" thing and ran away with it (aka aether has a strange way of expressing interest and you just think he's weird)

aether x reader, ayaka&reader&yoimiya, plus my yoimiya bffs w paimon agenda

special feature: earthtooz beta reading the fic, “aether you're so weird back tf up.”

"This is from... Miss Ying'er, you said?" Ayaka turns the bottle in her hands, her grip careful, deliberate—with the grace of a princess. Like she's trying to recreate the procedure in her head.

Yoimiya holds her perfume by the neck and inhales a lungful. "Wow, this smells amazing! Are you sure I can just have it?"

You laugh, amused as Yoimiya dabs it all over her body enthusiastically without even waiting for your reply. "Yeah, don't worry. She just offered me a bunch of samples. You like it?"

Ayaka nods approvingly, still fixated on the miniature vial. She seems endearingly fascinated. "This scent is phenomenal. I might have to ask you to deliver me a box of this next time you go."

You busy yourself with teaching them the best points to apply the perfume, the scents heightened by the dewy atmosphere of the forest. As you sit in a circle on the grass, you share laughter and stories from your extended trip to Liyue. Nothing could ruin this relaxing moment. Yet just as Ayaka offers for you to try on her perfume, Yoimiya gasps and sits upright.

"Oh, oh! I just remembered—Aether is coming over today!" Yoimiya claps eagerly, buzzing with energy. "It's been a while since he's visited Inazuma."

You frown. "Oh."

Ayaka gasps lightly. "He returns today? We should welcome him back."

"Honestly, he should be at the city right now." Yoimiya gathers herself, dusting off blades of grass as she rises to her feet. Without warning, she reaches for your wrist and begins pulling you off the ground.

"Wait, wait, wait." You pull away from Yoimiya's grasp. "I never said anything about joining you."

"Why not?" Yoimiya mirrors your insulted expression. "Hold on, do you have beef with the Traveler?"

Ayaka's fingers press to her mouth, eyes alight, like she's just heard the gossip of the century.

"No, no, it's nothing like that!" you burst out frantically. "We're just not close. Like—um, how you guys are with him, I assume."

"Did he do something?" Yoimiya asks, seriously concerned.

"He's just a bit strange."

"Hm." Ayaka taps an index finger to her chin. "I'd say he's more polite than strange."

Your nose wrinkles involuntarily, memories of your first impression of him flashing back. "Polite?"

Yoimiya exhales dramatically. "Alright. I don't know what's going on, but we're not leaving you here—not after it's been months since we last saw you! You're coming with us."

You turn to Ayaka for help, but she already has her gaze casted away as if expecting it. Accepting defeat, Yoimiya cheers, hooking an arm under yours as she hauls you off before you could sag to the ground. Ayaka follows after, smiling as Yoimiya practically drags you back to the city, her trail smelling like freshly-picked Liyue-exclusive flowers.

It doesn't take long to find the Traveler's whereabouts—practically everyone is gushing about his presence and how lucky we are to catch him before he goes! You three discover them walking around the streets of Tenryou, lugging a cart full of street food and packages of what you could only assume are gifts handed by the locals.

"Hi, Yoimiya, Ayaka!" The little floating creature next to the Traveller waves her hands around excitedly. "It's been a while!"

"Hi, Paimon!" Yoimiya exclaims, doubling the energy and stretching her arms for Paimon to barrel towards her chest with a thud.

As you and Ayaka watch the two spin around like separated sisters with fond smiles, you don't notice that Aether has pretty much snuck up behind you until you can practically feel his presence.

You damn near shriek, jumping away as he grins and crowds your space like it's not entirely improper.

"We meet again," he says cryptically.

"Archons," you mutter, terrified.

Yoimiya smacks her fist to an upright palm, as if she's just solved a year-long agonized riddle. "So you have met!"

"You didn't believe me—"

"Yeah! We met Y/N before!" Paimon whizzes over to your personal bubble as well, circling around your head a few times. "Back when we were in Liyue before we left to Sumeru, the Traveler wanted to strike up a conversation."

"Seems like it was very one-sided," Ayaka muses, unforgivably entertained by your distress.

"Yeah, Y/N was a little…" Paimon said with a grimace, missing the way you inch away as Aether eyes you, like he's fascinated by seeing you in a completely different environment.

"Anyway!" Paimon claps once. "What were you guys doing? Not to be weird, but, Yoimiya, you smell so different!"

Yoimiya waves her hand dismissively, appearing coy. "Oh, please."

"No, seriously, you smell like Liyue," Paimon says. "Like you rolled around Silk Flowers. It smells really good, though!"

Ayaka giggles. "Y/N brought home a box of perfume handmade by Miss Ying'er from Liyue, that must be why. We were trying them out."

"Really?" Aether pipes up, not even bothering to address Ayaka directly.

It feels as though your face erupts in flames as Aether angles close enough to dip his head close to the side of your neck.

Your brain seems to have melted out of your ears, warmed his proximity. "Hey—"

"Smells good to me," Aether says, the words holding the same warmth one would give to a five-star meal. Like Ying'er was awaiting his approval.

Yoimiya shares a confused glance with Ayaka. "Y/N's... not wearing any perfume."

Aether doesn't appear deterred by that, unashamed and virtually all over you the same way he was when he found you bored, eating alone at one of Liyue's outdoor stalls.

"Aether is acting weird again," Paimon sighs, like it's an everyday occurrence. "Paimon swears he acted like that last time, too—like giving a dog a bone. Can't snap him out of it."

Yoimiya and Ayaka conceal their laughter behind their palms, though fruitless by the curve of their eyes.

"Must be an alien thing," Yoimiya says, not sounding pitying in the slightest. "Poor thing."

a/n hi guys i swear i didn't get weird while i was gone this has always been my niche </3 i haven't played since natlan update but i still adore these characters, so i thought why not ease back into it with the sixosix favorite: aether

[hoondrop]

hii could you please write for hoon who comes to know that reader hasnt ever cum because of her previous (not so good??) partners and just takes it upon himself to actually show her how much he cares?? and actually pleases her??

a/n: I love this ask so much!! I knew I had to get a start on it 🫶🏻🫶🏻 hope you like it mwah

Sunghoon’s whole body stills when you say it—quietly, offhand, like you’re used to being disappointed.

You tell him you’ve never cum with someone before. That they never really cared enough to try.

His eyes darken—not with lust, but with something deeper. “They didn’t even try?” he repeats, voice low, like he’s barely containing something. “You let them touch this body and they couldn’t even give you that?”

He cups your cheek gently, thumb stroking across your skin. “That’s not happening again. Not while I’m breathing.”

He lays you back like you’re something sacred. Doesn’t rush. Just stares at you for a second like he’s about to rewrite every memory you’ve ever had.

And then he begins.

His fingers are the first thing you feel—slow and careful, easing between your folds. He spreads you open with reverent hands, whispering praise like it’s instinct.

“Look at how wet you already are,” he murmurs, sliding two fingers up your slit. “And this is just from my hands?”

He slides one finger in first, curling immediately, reading your body like he’s known it forever. Then the second joins, and the stretch has you gasping, clinging to his wrist.

“Yeah, that’s it,” he coos. “Let me see you fall apart for the first time. You deserve this.”

His thumb finds your clit—pressing, circling, just enough friction while his fingers move deep and steady. It builds fast. You’re clenching around him, thighs shaking already.

“Don’t hold it in,” he says softly. “Cum for me. Let go.”

And you do; loud, breathless, thighs squeezing around his hand as the orgasm rips through you, your first real one, leaving you trembling.

He kisses your knee, your thigh, your inner hip—everywhere but where you want him next. You’re still catching your breath when he eases your legs open again and lowers his mouth.

“You didn’t think I’d stop, did you?” he asks with a soft laugh. “That was just the start.”

His tongue is sinful. Gentle at first—small licks, teasing swirls around your clit that have you twitching instantly from oversensitivity.

But he doesn’t back off. He moans into you, like he needs this as much as you do. His hands hold your hips down while he sucks your clit into his mouth and laps over it again and again.

You’re panting, whining his name, voice breaking as you come again—this time harder, messier, your hand tangled in his hair, trying to both pull him closer and push him away.

“That’s two,” he whispers when you finally sag back, thighs trembling. “How are you feeling, angel?”

You barely manage a breathless, dazed, “Good… too good…”

His smirk is soft but proud. “You’re not done yet.”

He slides his cock between your folds—not in, just grinding through your soaked heat. The length of him rubs perfectly against your clit and slit, the friction delicious and unbearable.

“This okay?” he asks, voice gentler now. “Not inside, just want to feel you here.”

You nod desperately, already bucking your hips up for more.

He strokes himself through you slowly, carefully—your slick coating his shaft as he slides it back and forth, grinding against your most sensitive spot.

“You’re so warm,” he breathes. “So fucking soft. God, I could come just from this.”

The pressure builds again. It’s embarrassing how quickly it happens. How sensitive you are. But Sunghoon’s eyes are locked on you, watching your every twitch, like your pleasure is the only thing that matters.

“That’s it, baby. Give me another. You can do it. One more.”

Your hips stutter, and then you break—crying out, back arching as a third orgasm crashes through you, this one leaving you glassy-eyed and limp beneath him.

He eases you down gently, kissing your thighs, your stomach, your lips—whispering praise between every breath.

“That’s how it’s supposed to be,” he murmurs, pulling a blanket over you both. “Next time, we’ll try with my cock. But tonight? I just wanted you to know what it feels like.. what you deserve to feel like.."

[lafortezasboy]

LET ME LOVE YOU.

ariana grande

( part two of: one last time )

— summary: it’s been a few days after the party and you and sophia have been keeping contact. with daily check in’s with her and making sure she’s okay, you have to make sure that your girlfriend doesn’t find suspicion either. sophia was impatient. when were you going to end it with her? taking matters into her own hands, she decided to do something about it.

— warnings/tags: gn!reader, nonidol!sophia, cheating, afab!reader, dom!sophia, sub!reader, oral (r and s receiving), fingering (r receiving), risky sex, use of “yn”, dirty talk, mommy kink, finger sucking, slight gagging, pet name “puppy”, not proofread

— a/n: i lowkey forgot this was an au and in the beginning i had put yoonchae and sophia in the same room, but pretend they’re in separate rooms but are still roommates. the other kats live in other apartments together as roommates ykwim. you got me? okay.

when are you going to leave her?

soon.

sophia sighed at your reply, tossing her phone on the bed as she rolled in her blankets and groaned quietly. soon? you’ve said that a dozen times ever since that party! does soon just mean a year for you? it’s like you cared for your girlfriend’s feelings more than hers… she grabbed her phone again, noticing how you didn’t send a double text. you were busy. were you too busy being your girlfriend’s instead of being hers?

“yn?” your girlfriend called after you sent the text. you snapped your head back to look at the door and you smiled lightly.

“hi, my love,” you greeted softly, standing from the couch to greet her properly. “did you buy the pizza for tonight?” you asked as you helped carry the tote bag filled to the brim with items from the grocery store.

“of course i did,” she replies with a giddy smile, biting her bottom lip slightly as she pulls the frozen pizza from one of the other bags.

“it was this brand, right?” she asks, looking up at you. you nodded with a smile.

“you got it,” you assured with a thumbs up. taking everything out of the tote bags, you began to place the food in their rightful places instead of on the counter or in the bag. you took your time sorting them out, making sure that everything was in place. you’ve been living with her for about three months now. it’s not hard to adjust to a small apartment. when you went to store the cereal boxes in the cabinets, your arm reaching up, you felt her own arms wrap around your waist. it felt…weird. it hasn’t felt this weird and uncomfortable before.

though, she didn’t sense this. her kisses began to go from your shoulder to the back of your neck. you called out her name, but her hands slipping under your shirt.

“please?” she asks you quietly, kissing your ear after she had asked.

reluctantly, you gave into her needs. you turned around and kissed her lips. they didn’t fit as perfectly, but they were kissable. she tugged you closer, backing up until you two entered the room of hers.

by the time night fell, you couldn’t sleep. you tossed and turned beside your girlfriend, hoping you didn’t wake her up. before you could even think, your feet moved and went into the kitchen. you maneuvered to the cabinets, opening them and grabbing a glass cup before pouring yourself some water.

you took your phone out, leaning against the counter as you looked at your dry lockscreen. no texts. you swiped up and opened sophia’s icon.

“read, huh?” you murmured as you read the little grey letters under your speech bubble. it’s been over six hours since she’s last seen your message. you sighed, putting your phone down. you closed your eyes, tilting your head up. soon. you picked up your phone again. as if on cue, sophia texted you.

i can’t sleep :(

maybe try to

why’d you text me so fast?

you can’t sleep either…can you?

caught in the act, you can’t deny the smile that lit up from your face as she asked you those questions.

so what if i can’t?

come over

i can help, i promise.

you don’t think your heart’s ever beat this fast. you looked at the cracked open door. you’ll be back before she wakes up. you moved quietly to the front door, slipping your shoes on and grabbing your keys. you swore you almost sped down the streets just to get to her apartment. going to her apartment without needing the gps felt so…nostalgic.

once you exited the car and headed towards the doors, sophia was already waiting there in order to bring you into her apartment.

“yoonchae’s asleep,” she mentions her roommate, looking at you with a finger to her lips.

“we have to be quiet.”

you hummed, “yes, ma’am.”

she turns away from you, a small roll of her eyes escaping before she tried to hide her smile. walking up a flight of stairs, you finally ended up back in her apartment. walking through the creaky hallway, she shoved you into her room. when you looked around, you didn’t see a difference. she didn’t change that much either. before you knew it, sophia launches herself onto you, lips immediately attacking yours. a perfect fit. those familiar lips were finally back onto yours, and it felt as heavenly as it did before.

“cmon, baby…” sophia husks out between kisses, moving to gently push you onto her bed. she looks down at you before straddling your hips. she doesn’t waste her time, lips attaching onto your neck. though, she pauses.

“you do went at it, huh?” sophia sneered out quietly, her nails tracing the fresh hickeys your girlfriend left on you earlier today. she felt possessive. you were hers. you always have been.

“do you know how to say no, yn?” she asks you. “because if you knew you were mine,” she leans back down, “you would’ve said no to her.” sophia doesn’t hesitate to bite down onto your neck. you winced, hands on her shoulder as she bites down a bit harder.

“s- soph!” you stuttered, squirming under her.

she hums softly in fake confusion, moving her kisses down as she pretends she hasn’t done anything.

“i wonder,” she whispers, as her fingers hook into your pajama pants, “do you still fit around my fingers like you used to?” sophia kisses your exposed pelvis, her left hand pulling from your pants to push your shirt up a bit to expose your stomach.

“you used to be tight, wet, sweet,” she lists out. a quiet moan escapes right after at the thought. she’s missed you.

“find out,” you challenged her, trying your best to keep a steady voice. but the feeling of her lips against your pelvis and her voice made you nervous, your voice breathy and shaking a bit. sophia hums and taps the side of your hip, gesturing you to lift your hips for her. you obliged and she swiftly took both your pants and underwear off.

“find out…” sophia repeats. “will you let m-”

“yes,” you replied quickly, “fuck yes.”

sophia laughs humorously at your eagerness and she hums before moving to gently kiss down your thighs. her right hand sneaks between your thighs, her other holding your right thigh open. her thumb circles your clit slowly and softly, making you whine and squirm.

“you can’t be that sensitive,” she assumes hotly against your skin, considering you had sex with your girlfriend earlier.

“what if- what if i am?”

sophia smirked slightly. “then i’m the one who made you this sensitive after all,” she whispers. before she could even hear what you were going to say, she dived in and began to suck at your clit. she moaned softly, eyes shutting as she tasted you.

“sweet…” she describes against you, forcing vibrations through your body.

you let out moans, trying to be quiet as yoonchae was dead asleep across the hall from them. with your left hand in her hair and your right slammed right against your mouth, she went even further. she doesn’t want you to hide your noises, even if her roommate was asleep. your moans only gradually grew a bit louder, still trying your best to keep it quiet.

“so- sophi- sophia…?” you questioned out through a sputter of moans. she only hums against you, the vibrations once again sending down your body.

“slow- slow down,” you tried to say. when you told her this, her tongue circled around your clit and she sucks a bit harder.

“ahh- so- sophie, please…” you stuttered out.

sophia pulls back after a bit and she roughly rubs her thigh against you, making you bite your lip and muffle another moan.

“you’re so demanding,” she murmurs as she pushes her lips against yours, letting you taste how you tasted.

“are you like this with her?” sophia asks you as she pulls away.

you looked up at her and nod. you were quite demanding when in bed with your girlfriend.

“well,” sophia murmurs, moving to the side and bringing her hand down, “i’m not your girlfriend.” she plunged her fingers in deeply without warning, making you moan and gasp at the same time. your back arched off of the bed.

“i’m your ex,” she said simply, curling her fingers in and out.

“and i don’t like it when you boss me around.”

your breathing quickens, and so did hers. the small sounds of your squelching cunt filling the empty rooms with moans and whatnot.

“‘m… ‘m sorry…” you slur out as your hand goes to hold her wrist between your legs, trying to slow down her quickening pace. your legs were practically shaking now.

“no, you’re not,” sophia whispered, not slowing her pace down. it only make your stomach flex and your head fog. it hurts…but it felt good.

you tried your best to muffle your moans, but it wasn’t working. anything you used to muffle your mouth made you louder. you quickly tugged at her shirt, pulling her down. sophia smirked slightly, following your lead but stopping a few centimeters away.

“yes, baby?” she asks, her fingers plunging in and curling into a spongey section inside. before you could even ask, you pulled her into a kiss, moaning loudly against her lips when she hit that spot.

sophia didn’t pull away, letting you pull her into a kiss, even if it was demanding.

“i need to- i need to cum, soph. p- plea- please…?” you asked sophia against her lips, your stuttering becoming much more separated as she kept destroying your sex. she stopped and shook her head.

“that’s not my name, baby,” she cooed out.

“m- mommy!” you exclaimed, a whine lacing your words. “le- let me cum…please? i’ve been good- i swear.”

“there’s my good baby…” sophia cooed. she went even faster before feeling your walls tighten and legs quake.

“go on. i know you’ve been good,” she whispers softly. you pulled her down for another kiss, muffling the moan that escaped when you finally released from your high. your stomach untwisted the knots, a rush of heat escaping your body and onto her fingers.

sophia pulls back from the kiss and watches as you pant heavily, chest heaving up and down as she slowly pulls out. she moves her ring finger up to her lips and sucks it clean before lowering her middle finger to your lips. complying to her silent order, you took in her middle finger and tasted your release, a small moan escaping as your tongue licked. teasingly, sophia pushed her finger in a bit deeper, making you gag slightly. she bites her bottom lip before she pulls away.

“sorry…” she murmurs, not meaning it. she wipes the saliva off before kissing you softly, straddling your stomach. the kiss was less heated than the previous ones, but still sloppy and messy and filled with passion. a lightbulb clicks in her head and she pulls away.

“are you sorry for bossing me around?” sophia asks you.

you blinked a few times and nod your head.

“i’m sorry,” you say, your voice now much more steady and clearer. “i didn’t mean it. i didn’t mean to—”

“can you show me you’re sorry?”

you paused at her words, your eyes slowly fogging with lust. sophia chuckles softly and combs her fingers down your hair.

“is that a yes?”

of course you nod immediately and sophia hums gently before having you switch their positions. as you kissed down her neck, taking her shirt off and grabbing at her breasts, soft moans spilled from her lips. those familiar moans that you’ve missed so much have finally been heard because of your actions. you left small hickeys on her neck and stomach, not wanting to give her too much foreplay. you had to get back home soon and you knew she was impatient.

when you grabbed her pants and took her panties off, you immediately moved your head in before she pulls your hair up.

“i’m still in charge, yn,” sophia whispers a bit shakily, “don’t forget.”

“yes, ma’am.”

“not my name.”

“yes, mommy,” you corrected yourself.

“that’s my good puppy,” sophia praised. her hand loosened in your hair and guided you back down to her dripping cunt. your tongue took a gentle swipe from her slit and she groaned softly. her hand immediately pulled you closer, forcing your lips onto her clit as if you were just some fuck toy. though, you didn’t mind. it’s been a while.

you sucked and circled the tip of your tongue against her clit, being gentle but rough with your sucking. she throws her head back into the soft pillow behind her, both hands finding their way to grip your hair even tighter.

“s- so good, mahal,” she whispers out breathily, praising your work on her body lovingly.

“so, so, so good…” sophia moaned out. she was much more quieter than you were.

her praise encouraged you to quicken your speed. when you did, her moans got a bit more louder than usual and your heart quickened. you can tell she was getting closer and closer to her peak. it was exciting you.

“baby,” she warns you.

“i know…”

she moans at your acknowledgment of her closeness and before you both knew it, she released. it dripped off of your face as she finished and you breathed heavily. you looked down and desperately lapped at her sweetness, taking in every drop. it tasted sweet. so sweet.

sophia let out soft moans as you cleaned her up with your tongue. her hair loosening and tightening at the same time as she tried to calm down.

“en- enough, puppy,” she whispers as she forcefully pulls your hair up. you whined softly at the tugging before letting yourself rest against her chest and between her legs.

“get the blanket, yn.”

you reached over to the side and grabbed the item, draping it over the two of you. you both were worn out and fulfilled. her fingers moved to the back of your head, seeping through your silky hair and scratches the back of your scalp.

“so,” sophia whispers, pushing her nose against your hair, “you’re breaking up with her?”

you paused before nodding your head.

“give me your phone,” she demanded you. you looked up from her chest before reaching down on the floor where your pants laid and reached for your phone. you unlocked it for her and then handed her the mobile device. she takes it gradually, tapping through your phone. you didn’t really care about what she did, knowing you could trust her will all your might. you laid sleepily on her chest, knocking out in her arms. sophia looked down at you before opening your chat with your girlfriend, going to the camera and snapping a photo of you on her chest. she bit her bottom lip to suppress a smile before sending it with a caption before blocking her number.

i think he ended up in the wrong arms tonight.

or not!

— final a/n: in honor of beautiful chaos coming out i HAD to finish this story… ngl i put this aside when i had to write the sex part LMAOOO

[everythingisamazing]

Here’s a "fun" analysis of why Jayce’s first speech in the astral plane doesn’t work — and why so many Jayces before him have failed to convince their partner: Viktor doesn’t care about being saved for his own sake. And as painful as it is to admit: he doesn’t care about being loved for his imperfections.

Why do I believe this? Because the show repeatedly emphasizes what Viktor does care about — across both seasons. And it all begins with one of the very first lines we ever hear from him, as a child in the flashback:

"Can I help?"

Later, when Viktor speaks to Heimerdinger about his impending death, what is his main concern? Not that he’s dying — but that he hasn’t done enough. That he’s only achieved figments.

When he and Jayce experiment with the Hexcore and the plants, it's Jayce who focuses on finding a cure for Viktor. Viktor, once again, talks about saving others.

I don’t even think his decision to experiment on himself with the Hexcore was ever truly about saving his own life — but rather about buying more time. Time to achieve what he hoped Hextech could accomplish for the world.

And while Viktor’s “death” technically happens in Season 1, it’s really his arc in Season 2 that made me read it this way: Because despite everything that changes — from who he is at the beginning of the series to the moment he creates the commune — one thing doesn’t change: His utter disregard for his own well-being in the pursuit of helping others.

From the very first moment we see him use his powers, the show makes it clear: it comes at a cost. His attempt to heal ending with his legs shaking and him falling to his knees.

Singed, when he visits the commune, even talks to Viktor about his "decline," as he calls it — how his power is diminishing with every use. (Viktor answering this by asking whether he believes in fate is... interesting, but that’ll be an analysis for another time.) And what does Viktor do? He pretty much ignores him and keeps trying — which is no different from what S1 Viktor would have done. So, to summarize: I feel like Viktor sees his own survival as a means to an end — as if he is merely a vessel for saving others, not a person worth saving himself. His body, not as something imperfect yet beautiful (as Jayce calls it), but as an inconvenience — something that gets in the way of achieving meaningful change.

Now, I can’t tell you why Viktor sees himself that way — the show doesn’t explain it, because, as mentioned above, he already holds this mindset when we first meet him as a child. To play armchair psychologist, I’d assume it has something to do with his loneliness, and how helping others through his mind feels like the one meaningful way he can connect with them.

And how does his relationship with Jayce play into all this? Jayce, as stated by the writers, connects Viktor to his humanity. In this reading, I’d say: Jayce is the one thing Viktor can’t help but be selfish about. Because when Mage Viktor saves Jayce as a child, he likely does more harm than good in many timelines. And yet — he does it anyway.

There’s no time in the show for Viktor to fully work through this issue. At best, he might have started to realize, by the end, how this approach caused more harm than good. But I don’t think he’s anywhere near caring for himself. That’s why Jayce’s "You always wanted to cure what you thought were weaknesses" speech “fails” — while "Because I promised you" works. I hope I’m not getting too psychological here, but I feel like for someone who’s so committed to helping others, honoring a promise is far easier for Viktor to understand than the concept of self-love.

It might even be a bit of a callback to when Sky warns him about trying to save Vander — and Viktor replies, "He is worth the risk." I think that’s a sentiment Viktor understands deeply. And he sees it reflected back at him through Jayce in that final moment. He can empathize with Jayce’s need to do right by him, even if he can’t yet empathize with himself. (That part — well, that’s for all the angst-with-a-happy-ending fics to figure out).

[cheriecoke]

˚₊‧꒰ა WAKE UP CALL ! — bucky barnes

𝓈𝓊𝓂𝓂𝒶𝓇𝓎. following a spontaneous lead from valentina's assisstant, bucky calls you to let you know he’s driven halfway across the country and picked up a few strays.

𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓈. written as f!reader in mind but can be gn!, phone call, thunderbolts era, established relationship, takes place right before the scene in the gas station, pet names, veryyy light angst, steve mentioned — 1.4k words

𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒. this is just a little practice fic i wrote post-thunderbolts! it's based loosely on my oc, who was in the og avengers, so there are references to that and her fighting/having powers. but feel free to imagine it however you want <3 can be read in the same timeline as this fic, but it's not necessary to read.

The phone rings once, twice, then a third time, before Bucky’s apologetic, softened voice runs down the line.

“Hi, sweetheart,” he starts off gentle, before his words are coming out in one barely coherent string, like he can’t get them out fast enough. “First of all, I’m sorry. I should’ve — I should’ve told you I was leaving. It wasn’t — Well, I was gonna stay out of it, but the whole thing with Valentina…” Bucky trails off. His voice grows quieter, like there's someone else in the room with him, before he picks back up again.

For a few seconds more, he babbles, almost like he’s afraid to let you speak. He sounds slightly flustered, and more than exhausted — but that’s evident only to you, who has known him so well, for so long. 

Then, he concludes his little speech, less than eloquently. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I should’ve called earlier. I’m sorry.” 

You pause, letting your spoon rest against the side of your coffee mug, trying to make sense of all the words he's just said. The coffee swirls inside the cup, shading a lighter color of brown, before it settles, stilling completely.

Outside, the sun is already beginning to beat hot on the concrete, though it’s not even noon. Which tells you that sometime between the gala last night and the crack of dawn, Bucky had already gotten himself into some sort of trouble. 

“It’s nine, Bucky,” you say, taking a long sip of your coffee. You’d only just brewed it, but you’d used enough creamer to cool it to a drinkable temperature. “I wouldn’t have answered had you called any earlier.” 

He exhales on the end of the line, and says nothing. You can’t tell if he’s relieved or not. 

“When's the last time you slept?” 

“Doesn't matter. I'm fine," Bucky says. You can hear him shifting, his jacket rustling as he brushes up against something. He changes the subject quickly, going back to the matter of calling, which is more than enough to have you worrying. “Listen, I meant to call last night when I got back, but they gave me all these packets to read and—”

“Bucky,” you cut him off, before he can launch into another disgruntled tirade about all the paperwork he hates reading. “What’s going on?” 

This time, the pause on the other line lasts a few moments longer. 

While Bucky never lies to you about anything, he struggles, sometimes, when it comes to communicating. Occasionally, he omits the truth, or says nothing at all, because he wants to keep you safe, and he knows you’ll drag yourself into the danger with him. 

Despite all the years you've been together, Bucky still can't quite fathom that someone would put themselves in the crossfire because of him. He always accused Steve of having something to prove, and he thinks the same of you, when the truth is, you both just love—loved—him enough to put your lives on the line. 

Bucky hesitates on the other end before answering, his voice hushed, growing quieter again. “I don’t know everything, yet.”

You close your eyes, lean your head against the wall. For all the shit he gave Steve for jumping head-first into things, Bucky’s never been much better, in your opinion. “Bucky—”

He doesn’t let you interject, insistent on regurgitating all his words before you can chew him out. “Remember Valentina’s assistant I was telling you about?”

You wrinkle your eyebrows together. “Yeah. Did she actually give you something?”

Bucky exhales as you take a seat on the couch, curling your legs up into your chest. It’s been over a week since he’s been back home, and you miss him already, even if you’re used to being apart. 

He explains, briefly, about the people involved in Valentina’s dirty work, ones he can use in the trial against her. You’ve heard of them all, infamous in your line of work, including John Walker, who you’ve had the displeasure of meeting before. 

Bucky’s story is finished up quickly, a messy wrapping, tied up in nothing more than a knot. You can’t tell if he’s leaving out details, or if he really just doesn’t know them all. 

You purse your lips, pulling at a loose thread in your sweater. “You should’ve taken me with you,” you say, before falling back into the couch, your eyes glued to a spot on the ceiling, where the paint looks off. The longer you gaze at it, the more it starts to look like a discoloration, one you’re not certain is real. Maybe your imagination is just desperate for something to fixate on. “I could’ve helped.” 

Bucky’s smooth, silky tone soothes the aches in your heart and mind. “It was nothing.” He sounds louder, then, as if his mouth is leaning closer to the microphone. “Besides, you told me you wanted to stay out of all this.”

A frown takes over your features. You had said that; it was the entire reason you hadn’t moved to D.C. along with him, and sometimes, you wonder if he thinks you hate him for working in Congress. “It’s still your career. I don’t want to be completely uninvolved.”

“I know."

You’re grateful for the sincerity in his voice. You’re not a fan of most politicians, but you hope he knows that you'll support him, love him, no matter what.

“If I really needed your help, I would’ve called.” He laughs, then, a small sound. “I just didn’t. This time.”

You can picture his small smile on the other end, can envision the lines forming tighter around his eyes. In the near decade since he’s regained his memories, he’s only aged a couple years. Oftentimes, you wonder if you’ll ever catch up to him, if one day, you’ll look older than the man who has lived through more than a century. 

It’s a strange thing to think about. 

“Will you be home soon?” you ask, softly, surprised by how vulnerable your voice sounds. 

The house feels colder without him there, empty. It had been your choice to stay in New York, but sometimes, you wish you would’ve just moved with him.

There is evidence of your life all around — books you love, pictures of friends you still have, and those that are gone. Your favorite restaurants are still just a walk away, memories of your existence on every avenue. 

It’s home — it just feels less like one without Bucky Barnes in it. 

“I’m not sure. Maybe sooner than expected. I don’t think they’ll want to keep me in Congress for much longer, now.” Bucky goes for humor, but you don’t laugh, and neither does he. “Are you okay?”

Things haven’t been bad, lately, but you’re tired. It’s been one thing after another after another, after another, for years. 

The world just won’t let either of you rest.

“I just miss you.” Too much emotion seeps into your voice, and there’s a cloud settling over your heart that makes you want to cry into the phone.

You don’t, though. It would just make him feel bad, and make you feel worse, and you’re more than old enough to handle being alone for another week, even if you don’t want to.  

Still, he sounds even more apologetic on the other end. “I miss you too. So much.” There’s a sound behind him — it’s faint, but it sounds like a groan. One of the hostages is waking up, it seems. “I have to go, sweetheart — I’m sorry.” 

He’ll never stop apologizing, even if these things are out of his control. Sometimes, you feel selfish for wanting so much of his time when he has the heart and the strength to save the world. 

“It’s okay,” you say, even if the words sound a little dull to your ears. “Promise me you’ll call when you get the chance?” 

“I promise. I love you.” 

The words make you smile. It is, perhaps, the first genuine one you’ve had since he answered the phone. You lean your head back in the cushion, settling into it, before repeating the words back to him. 

The line goes dead. 

thank you so much for reading! please consider leaving a or reblog if you enjoyed ❤︎ black divider by k1ssyoursister

[hahaifolded]

hello!!!!!

I don’t know if this is a stupid or unnecessary ask but how would Kyle and the team react to Soap and Reader’s break up? Would they notice a difference since Soap wouldn’t be so happy and loud anymore? Maybe he would just whine and complain the whole time, and it happened too much that one of them pushed him to confess what happened (I would believe that to be Kyle since we called him and not the captain or such). I might be going off topic and beginning to rant right here, I am so sorry!!!! 🫶🏽

Enjoy this rough, continuation of Cellophane (Johnny "Soap" MacTavish x POC!GN Reader

Warnings: MDNI, ANGST (racism), comparatively not as bad as the first part, Johnny still sucks however, mid-writing, abrupt ending Author's Note: You know what, I wasn't going to do a part two but I read this and boom... thoughts! Thank you for the ask, @shitaaba

Has the sun ever felt better on his skin? Gaz doesn’t think so.

What a perfect day! No early meetings or training. Sun is shining, the town isn’t too busy, and Kyle finally has time to hit that coffee shop you and Johnny showed him all those months ago. 

You and Johnny… what a beautiful couple. Well mostly you but Kyle will keep that to himself as he doesn’t need Johnny on his back for “fucking you with his eyes” again. His teammate sure is a lucky man, especially since Kyle isn’t a homewrecker, because if Gaz had his way, you’d be right next to h— 

“Ah!” Kyle quickly grabs at the poor soul that he smacked into. 

“Shit, so sorry. Are you ok… oh, it’s you!” he first apologizes then gleams. What a strange coincidence. Is this manifestation? 

You look up and immediately pull away from his grasp. Your eyes are wide as they wander for a quick getaway. “Don’t even worry about it. If you’ll excuse me,” you rush out as you side-step Kyle. 

Kyle blocks you and throws you a warm smile as an attempt to ease your embarrasment. “Woah, woah, why the rush? It’s been awhile. What, Johnny has you caged up?” Gaz laughs at his own joke. He thought that would for sure make you laugh. It doesn’t.

Your face falls, and for the first time ever, Kyle sees you shrink. Your energy completely dissipates as discomfort overtakes you. 

“Hey, everything okay?” Kyle softens his voice and reaches out, laying a gentle hand on your upper arm in an attempt to lift you up. You slowly step away from it which only worries Kyle more. “What happened? Did Johnny do something?” 

“John and I broke up.” 

-- -- --

“Up for drinks tonight boys? My treat,” announces Price at the end of the team meeting.

“Sure.”

“As long as you pay, I’ll follow you anywhere.”

“Can’t.”

“Again Johnny? This is the fifth time you’ve bailed on us,” Ghost remarks. 

Soap lets out a deep laugh. “You’re just bitter that I have something sweeter waiting for me at home.” Ghost rolls his eyes while Price laughs. 

“Wanker.” 

Soap, Ghost, and Price all turn towards Kyle. Did he just call Soap a wanker? Why?

“Just a wee joke. Meant no harm,” Soap yields. Gaz just rolls his eyes and continues packing his things. 

Instead of engaging with Gaz, Johnny decides to concede and continue packing. Clearly something is bothering his fellow sergeant but Soap knows it's better to wait until Kyle opens up. And if he’s honest to himself, he really doesn’t have the capacity right now for other people’s problems.  He has enough of his own. 

“Before I forget, ma has been nagging me to bring you guys over for dinner again. Worried that we’re starving or something. Think next week works for all of ya?” 

“Sure.”

“Should I bring anything?”

“Your mom okay with me coming?”

Ghost and Price do a double take as Kyle’s question catches them off guard. Kyle pays them no attention as he stares down Soap who’s smile drops. 

However, as fast as it dropped, it immediately reappeared. “What kind of question is that? Course she knows,” the Scotsman smiles. 

Kyle chuckles in disbelief. “Really? So she knows about me but not your bird?” 

“What?” Soap’s entire demeanor changes. His confident, go-lucky self crumbles, now replaced with shame and discomfort. “What are you on about?”

“Mate, you can’t be serious?” Kyle barks. He takes a step forward towards his counterpart but is stopped by a confused, but attentive captain. Price steps in and asks for an explanation. 

Kyle stares Soap down and bites, “you want to tell them or should I?”  All color drains from Soap's face

“That’s enough you two,” Ghost jumps in, unable to take this anymore. “Whatever problems Johnny is having with his bird is between him and—“

“They broke up two months ago!” Kyle finally exclaims. Ghost’s eyes widened. Price’s jaw drops. That made no sense as just last week, Johnny went on and on about the perfect getaway you two went on. Ghost and Price look to Johnny for answers, but with the way Johnny is standing, head down, shoulders slumped, their questions are answered. 

“Johnny, what happened?” Price tries to comfort the Scotsman. He saw how happy you made the sergeant happy. He even had a heart-to-heart with Johnny when he expressed his desire to marry you. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I’ll tell you why.” And with that, Kyle goes off. He tells the team how Johnny, despite claiming to love you more than life itself, refused to fight for you. ”I bet you’re just like your parents,” spits Kyle. 

“You don’t get it,” counters Johnny. His face twists in despair. 

“What’s not to get? Your parents are fucking racist and you refuse to do anything about it.” Kyle couldn’t believe it. Johnny is his friend, his comrade, his brother in arms; despite everything they’ve gone through, Kyle thought he could trust the Scotsman. And worst of all, he wasn’t the one who got hurt, it was you, sweet, beautiful you got hurt. “You’re pathetic. You never fucking deserved them!” 

“That’s enough,” Price puts his foot down. His face stern. He gestures to Soap and sends him to his office. Soap drops his head and nods in defeat. As Johnny walks away, Price lets out a deep breath and asks Ghost to watch Kyle before heading off himself.

The lieutenant and sergeant stand in silence as Kyle is way too angry to speak and Ghost is just uncomfortable by the entire situation. Did Johnny really lose you because of his parents? Ghost couldn’t believe it. He’s seen firsthand how Johnny furiously defended you during late nights out at the bar when other soldiers got a little too crude with the way they spoke about you. Ghost personally has had to rip the sergeant off one too many times from rude allies. What made Ghost even more uncomfortable was the amount of time he’s spent with Johnny’s family and never once got the feeling that his parents were racist. They’ve always been kind to the Lietenant. He assumed it was because of his rank or even his own past, never for… 

“Kyle?” Kyle cocks his head towards Ghost, eyes still buring with rage. “Has his parents ever…”

“No,” Kyle admits. He exhales deeply, his shoulders easing a bit. “I mean, there's been some weird comments here and there but I just assumed it was cause they’re old, never…” Kyle trails off, clearly affected by everything. 

Ghost just nods. He stays quiet for a bit until another question pops in his head. “Are they okay?” 

Kyle shrugs his shoulders. “They’re alright. Still hurt but they’ll survive” 

Ghost hums. He has a million other questions but decides to stay quiet. As much as he wants to know how Kyle found out or what (but really who) you’re doing these days, Ghost sees that Kyle is just exhausted. So with that, the two men finish packing in silence. With their bags in hand, they both leave the conference room, walking side by side in the hallway. 

Kyle pulls out his phone and lets out a small chuckle. Ghost can’t help but give Gaz a weird look. What’s so funny? 

“You know something, L.T., I don’t even feel bad anymore.” Ghost tilts his head as Kyle shows him something on his phone.

You: Saturday works for me! 

Word Count: 1246

Thanks for reading! - Fold's Page Guide + Masterlist

[seospicybin]

SEOSPICY PREVIEW.

DOUBLE FEATURE: FINAL CHAPTER

Lee Know x reader. (s,a)

DOUBLE FEATURE MASTERLIST

Synopsis: After a strange accident on movie set, you and a stunt actor, Minho, wake up in each other’s bodies. The two of you are forced to live one another’s lives while searching for answers. But the longer both of you are stuck, the more both of you begin to see each other differently.

Preview under cut!

...

It’s the last day of filming. The air on set buzzes with a kind of quiet satisfaction—the kind that only comes after long hours and countless takes, and now… it’s finally done. The final scene wraps, and applause breaks out from cast and crew alike. You hang back, watching as people surround Felix, patting his back and congratulating him with bright smiles and heartfelt words.

You wait by his trailer, bouquet in hand—something simple but thoughtful, wrapped in soft paper and tied with a black ribbon. When Felix finally approaches, a little winded from all the farewells, his eyes light up at the sight of you.

“For me?” he asks, smiling as he accepts the bouquet.

You nod. “Congratulations. You were incredible.”

He cradles the flowers in one arm and looks at you warmly. “Thank you for everything. All the help. The support.” Then, with a cheeky little grin, he adds, “And for that motorcycle ride that day.”

You chuckle, feeling a flicker of guilt twist lightly in your chest—but you brush it away. That was Minho. Still, you say, “And thank you for making my job easier. Always so nice to me.”

Felix shrugs, playful. “I think you know that’s ‘cause I like you.”

It catches you off guard. You blink. “Wait… what?”

He looks at you, slightly amused by your surprise. “I told you that before.”

Your lips part as you search your memory, and realization hits—of course. He told Minho. Not you.

Felix studies your face with growing curiosity. “Do you already know what you’re going to do about it?”

A soft laugh escapes you, more out of disbelief than anything else. So Minho didn’t tell you. Or maybe he meant to. Either way, you don’t feel hurt. Just… quietly amused by it.

You start to speak, but Felix chuckles first and says, “It’s okay. I know. You like Minho.”

You blink again. “You… know?”

He nods. “Pretty obvious. But it’s okay. I still like you. I just hope he treats you well.”

You feel your chest tighten with something tender. “Thank you,” you say, sincerely. “For being honest. For being… you.”

He smiles, softer this time. “I hope we work together again.”

You nod. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

And as if the moment calls for it, the two of you step into each other’s arms—no hesitation, no awkwardness. Just a long, warm hug shared between two people who understand each other, even if it didn’t end the way one of you had hoped.

When you pull away, he gives you one last sunshine smile before retreating into his trailer, and you watch the door close behind him. You smile to yourself, tucking the moment away gently, like a photograph pressed between pages. It’s a good ending, but something else is just about to begin.

...

DOUBLE FEATURE: FINAL CHAPTER full fic will be released this Friday, June 27th. Or you can read it early on my Patreon:

[borderlineex]

₊˚⊹౨ armed & adored ৎ ₊˚⊹

sam winchester x reader

It had been a long week—ghouls in Michigan, a haunted library in Ohio, and now, finally, a moment to breathe in a quiet motel just outside of Lebanon. Sam had suggested a break from hunting and a quiet night of research (classic Sam), and you happily agreed. It was rare to have downtime, especially with both Winchesters in one piece.

You sat cross-legged on the bed, scrolling through old lore books, surrounded by empty coffee cups and snack wrappers. The room smelled faintly of vanilla from your travel candle, and the hum of the A/C was a soothing background noise.

“Hey, Y/N, I think I found something…” Sam’s voice trailed off as he walked out of the bathroom, rubbing his towel-dried hair with one hand, completely unaware that your soul was about to leave your body. Because Sam was wearing a tank top. A gray, perfectly innocent, probably-soft cotton tank top.

But that tank top did things. It clung to him just enough to showcase those ridiculously toned arms, the curve of his shoulders, and the gentle dip of his collarbone. His skin still glistened slightly from the shower, and his hair—now loose and slightly wavy—framed his face like some sort of divine gift. You forgot how to read. How to breathe. How to function.

“...Y/N?” he asked, looking at you with soft, concerned eyes.

You blinked quickly. “Sorry, what?”

Sam tilted his head. “You okay? You were staring.”

“I was not!” you blurted out way too fast. “I was just… zoning out.”

A small smirk tugged at his lips. “Zoning out at my arms?”

Your face went nuclear.

“I mean, not on purpose!” you squeaked, trying to bury your face in your book and your shame.

Sam chuckled, low and fond, and sat down beside you on the bed, his ridiculously warm shoulder brushing yours. “You know, if you like them that much, you can just say so.”

You peeked at him from behind the book. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Very much.” He grinned, the dimple in his cheek making a surprise appearance. “But for the record…” He leaned in a little, voice lower now. “I think it’s cute.” Sam gave you a look that was so soft it made your chest ache. “You know... I think you’re the cutest thing I’ve seen in a long time.”

Silence stretched for a beat too long before you muttered, “Even cuter than your muscles?”

He laughed, a full, real laugh that made his eyes crinkle. “That’s a high bar… but yeah. Definitely.”

You tried to hide your face again, but Sam reached out, gently pulling the book away and tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

“Next time,” he said, “maybe I’ll wear the tank top on purpose—just for you.”

You nodded, already a goner. “I think I’m okay with that.”

And just like that, the great tank top Incident became the beginning of something very good.

A few days after , things had almost gone back to normal. Except for one small problem: you couldn’t stop thinking about Sam’s arms. It wasn’t just the way they looked (though, let’s be real, wow), it was the way they moved when he carried heavy books, or swung a duffel over his shoulder, or absentmindedly scratched the back of his neck while reading lore. They were like works of art — functional and ridiculously attractive.

But the worst part? You still hadn’t touched them. You were dying. Dying. It wasn’t like you could just ask to cop a feel out of nowhere. You had dignity. You had restraint. You had—

“Hey, Y/N, can you give me a hand with this?” Sam called from across the bunker’s library.

You turned and nearly dropped your tea. He was wearing another tank top. This time, it was navy blue and even more offensive to your self-control than the last one. He was standing next to a stack of dusty boxes and looking like he just walked off the set of some lumberjack romance novel. You walked over, heart doing weird little flips, and helped him move a box of books. Your hand brushed his bicep by accident and holy crap.

“Everything okay?” he asked, noticing how you froze.

You cleared your throat. “Yep. Totally normal. Just... evaluating.”

His brow furrowed. “Evaluating?”

You sighed. “Okay, listen. This is going to sound weird, but… for scientific purposes—and only for science—I feel it’s important that I, um, touch your arm. Like... intentionally.”

Sam blinked. Then grinned. “Scientific purposes, huh?”

You nodded solemnly. “Peer-reviewed.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of science.”

With a slight chuckle, he flexed just the tiniest bit and held out his arm toward you, like some kind of Greek god volunteering for worship. You gulped and placed your hand gently on his bicep. Warm. Firm. Ridiculous. You squeezed lightly. Then again, just to be sure. You may have sighed audibly.

Sam raised an eyebrow. “Well?”

“I’ve concluded,” you said with all the seriousness you could muster, “that you are, in fact, built like a tree.”

Sam laughed so hard he had to sit down on the nearest chair. “A tree?”

“A big, stupidly handsome one. With very huggable branches.”

He was still chuckling when you sat next to him, letting your hand rest comfortably on his arm this time, no more hiding it. It felt... easy. Familiar. Safe.

“You know,” he said softly, voice quieter now, “you don’t need a scientific excuse to touch me.”

You smiled up at him. “Maybe not. But it helped.”

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your temple. “Next time, just say you want to cuddle.”

You leaned into his side, content and giddy. “Well, if we’re skipping the peer review, then I want both arms. Full wrap-around.”

Sam wrapped both arms around you instantly, warm and secure. “Happy to contribute to the research.”

[julietcpulet]

I just realized Jinshi doesn't know Ah Duo approached Maomao and offered her a way out (of their relationship) to which Maomao said NO.

Will something change if he finds out? I believe the reason Jinshi wants to let her go is because he believes Maomao would be miserable being the crown prince's consort/wife. But Maomao knows the stakes now yet she's still determined to stay with him.

This probably won't derail Jinshi's goals of getting abdicated from the throne but I wish he knows Maomao loves him just as much as he loves her. I think he deserves it a little bit after all he did for their relationship. He'd probably cry 😭

(Spoilers) Oh I definitely think if he knew this would only serve to bring them closer. For one, although Jinshi can read Maomao pretty well and surmise that she returns his feelings, having outside evidence that she wants to be with him, even to the point of being willing to subject herself to the inner workings of the palace, would be conclusive proof of how she feels.

Also, it shows that despite her banter to the contrary, she’s seen his efforts to keep her and is making efforts of her own to support him no matter the outcome. It’s what true love and sacrifice are all about. The willingness to do something for someone without anything in return but simply because you want to be with them. It showed the strength of her feelings without her actually voicing them, again why she’s an unreliable narrator out loud but her actions are of immense importance.

I think him knowing would also eventually affect his relationship with Ah-Duo. Although we can sympathize with her situation related to the Emperor, her attempt to remove Maomao without seeing all that her son is doing to make Maomao comfortable or to understand that he wouldn’t compromise her at all shows a lack of understanding of him as a person. Even though he doesn’t know her yet as his mother, if he came to I think knowing this would put a strain on their relationship. He would sympathize with how her youth turned out but also be hurt that she felt she couldn’t approach him sincerely about Maomao.

I think in some ways it’s sweeter he doesn’t know though and only we as the readers do because it lets us see just how much they’re fighting for one another and the sincerity of their feelings. The only issue between them comes down to the same thing they have struggled with from the beginning which is being able to communicate this sincerity and find a way to work out solutions together. But that’s why I personally find them so endearing because it’s not so much that they lack feeling, it’s that they’re both trying to be so selfless towards one another they have a hard time confessing their intentions to each other.

[esmedelacroix]

09 - People Who Need People

synopsis ! he’s an american football player by day and a passionate mathematician by night . she’s a well-rounded historian and writer who couldn’t evaluate a derivative to save her life . they lived in two different worlds but shared the same study room .

previous chapter | series masterlist

cw ! no use of y/n, y/n is _____, fluff, slow burn, college au, ooc sukuna, f!reader, child abuse/neglect, alcohol, angst, brief mention of self-harm, depressive tendencies

fic radio ! lacy by Olivia Rodrigo

You swore you would text him and try to talk about his apology and how much it meant to you. But things just kept getting in the way. You're eyelids were beginning to feel dry and heavy from your study session. Just as your eyes fell on your bed, you realized you could hear the birds chirping and the morning light peeking through your window. You pulled an accidental all-nighter and needed to get ready to go to office hours.

After that, you had two classes and got roped into helping out the club you allowed yourself to forget you were the leader of. It was only at the end of the day, when your friends somehow tracked you down at Sal's, you'd interacted with people that actually cared about the "How are you," beyond the faulty "I'm good," that always followed.

"Woah, _____, didn't expect to see you here so late," Satoru said, plopping down into the booth seat across from you alongside Shoko.

Suguru took the seat next to you and peeked at the book you were reading. "People still use physical textbooks?" he asked, flipping through some pages and then closing it, earning a glare from you.

"We haven't seen or heard from you all day, _____. We kind of assumed you were going to self-destruct and stop speaking to us for the next week and keep doing unnecessary work again, so we figured we would hunt you down," Shoko explained.

"I wasn't-" you started, only then realizing you hadn't spoken to anyone since the day prior, even though you had received a bunch of texts from people asking if you were okay after the party.

"Oh," you sighed, rubbing your hand down the side of your face.

"Yeah, oh."

"I'm so sorry. I keep worrying you guys," you guiltily apologized.

"It's totally not your fault, but just remember you need us as much as we need you. We're your friends, and we're here for you, and people need people to lean on. You need to let us be those friends for you," Suguru lectured.

"Now that we have that out of the way. What the heck happened at the party??" Gojo asked, jumping right into the drama. Shoko rolled her eyes, cutting him off, asking, "Wait, but everything's okay, _____?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," you half lied.

You could feel Suguru's prying eyes on you, like he was trying to deconstruct what you were actually thinking. He did that often. Picked up on things that others couldn't. He always watched. Always noticed. Always nudged your knee under the table and gave you that 'Are you okay?' look. He always fucked around in your room just to exist in the same space as you. He knew when you needed to be around someone or you'd drive yourself up a wall. And now he was staring at you, picking apart your expressions and seeing you for what you were actually feeling. Just like the way Sukuna has learned to.

To say that you never had a crush on Suguru was a lie. You had a tiny thing for him freshman year because of how overwhelmed you were with how good of a friend he was off the bat. You had never had anything like that in prep school. Suguru knew things about you that your own parents didn't. They didn't know when you were pretending to be happy, but he did. They didn't know you bounced your leg when you were nervous or giddy, and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the different bounces

Then you saw him look at his best friend. But he wasn't only looking and analyzing the way he did his friends. With Gojo, he wasn't simply trying to make sure he was okay; he was also looking to memorize him. For the split second he blinked, his eyes would miss him, so he retained the picture of his visage so that even when he closed his eyes, he would still see his face.

The way you once wanted Suguru to look at you because you had mistaken friendship for love was how Sukuna looked at you now. The moment Sukuna reentered your thoughts, you realized, as your eyes fell to the illuminated screen of your phone telling you it was 11:57, that you had forgotten to text Sukuna.

. . .

Sukuna returned to his escape. You would think that a guy with so many interests would maybe: throw himself at some games, or comics, or math problems, or sports. But when Sukuna was down, he simply did nothing. He clung to his bed sheets like adhesive from a discarded bandage left on skin for far too long. Not ripped off, but fallen because it was simply too tired.

He didn't speak to anyone. Who was there to speak to? He didn't have two parents who were present in his life like yours were. He had Toji but he had screwed things up with him and yelled at him about his relationship woes. That was laughable, seeing that Sukuan couldn't even get the girl he liked to speak to him. He was an ass and he pushed people away for a living.

So he drew his curtains, which were usually open, kept all lights off, door closed, and stayed melted into his bed. He stayed in his room. His safe place would keep him depressed forever. A singular wet sphere of salty liquid dribbled down his cheek, and he told himself that it was because he had yawned.

He figured sleep would be better. There was a place inside his mind where he could go and create a better life for himself, and he would much rather be there right now than in this room, thinking about all the reasons why he was alone that pointed back to him and his pitiful existence.

To make said magical dreams, he needed to think of something. Something he wanted badly. So naturally, the first thing he thought of was you. The house you probably lived in, the many pampering products you probably owned, the maid who cleaned up after you, and the kitchen cabinets you could open without the fear of seeing cockroaches crawl about in your tableware. Scatch that. You probably never stepped foot in your kitchen. You had people for that.

He thought about the parents you went home to. The ones that smiled and didn't hit. The ones that loved and kissed each other and didn't cheat and leave. The nice school you went to. All the other rich friends who liked you. Your perfect grades and your perfect reputation—I don't have a crush on _____, he suddenly realized.

I'm completely consumed with jealousy for her. I am obsessed. I saw her at office hours this morning, looking beautiful as ever, and I wished that I had the guts to go to office hours and ask for help. I saw her helping the club she runs while juggling the two classes we have together, and I was mad at myself for not being able to do the same.

Do I really like her? Or do I want to walk in her skin and be her?

His door then swung open. It was Toji. Of course it was. He looked around took in Sukuna's position, and even picked up on the wet patch on his pillow. Sukuna hadn't even realized he had been crying.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Toji calmly grunted.

Sukuna stayed silent, hidden under his comforter up to his neck, his eyes followed Toji, who simply sat at the edge of his bed. Toji's hand traveled under the sheets to find Sukuna's arms pulling them out and inspecting his forearms.

"Stop, I'm not doin' that anymore. You don’t need to check me like I’m a high schooler anymore,” he assured, still letting Toji calm his nerves by being able to see it for himself.

"Are you sure you're not going to, though? Do I need to check your drawers? Did she call from the center?" he pressed.

"No, God, I just—thought you hated me for the party thing," he admitted.

"Why would I hate you? You were right."

"What?"

"You were right. About all of it. I broke up with Delilah for real this time. I shouldv'e walked her home, and I was an ass for trying to piss you and Delilah off with _____. I’m sorry man. I’m an idiot,” he apologized.

“You were just pissing me off?!”

“ … Yeah? Did _____ not talk to you?” Toji questioned.

“I think she made it very clear she doesn’t want to speak to me at Sal’s. Even had Gojo stop me from entering the room. And she completely ignored the apology in the notebook. I thought that meant something,” Sukuna rambled.

“You must really like her huh?” Toji smiled softly.

Do I? “I don’t know,” he truthfully answered. Toji gave him a confused look.

“I just kind of realized that I’m kind of jealous of her,” he confessed. It felt so good to say it out loud.

“Two things can be true at once. I had no idea you were jealous but, I’ve heard the way you talk about her. We all see the way you look at her like a fuckin’ lost puppy. You like her, Ryo. So maybe you’re jealous of her wealth and her status, but I know you. I know your heart. And I know you like her,” Toji shrugged.

“I thought she liked me too.”

“After our conversation last night, me too. Apparently, she hadn’t even opened the notebook until last night. She didn’t even see your apology,” Toji explained.

“So, why hasn’t she talk spoken to me?” Sukuna though out loud.

With perfect fucking timing because the universe hates Sukuna, he revived a text. He intensely scrambled for his phone fishing in his sheets for it with the fervor of a teenager who had just gotten their sugar plum pussy flavored vape hidden at a sleepover.

You: Hey, can we talk?

Sukuna was now sitting up on his bed. Toji peering over his shoulder. “What are you gonna say?” he questioned.

Ryomen: I’m kind of a mess right now can I meet you somewhere?

“Wow, very venerable of you,” Toji half teased, proud that his friend was being a little more honest with his feelings.

You: I’m in your living-room right now…

Both Sukuna and Toji went straight into pick mode. “Why the fuck?” Toji mumbled.

I was at Sal’s with Gojo and wanted to return Toji’s jacket. I meant to text you today but I got distracted.

They looked at each other and communicated with their eyes.

Ryomen: I can chat but not my room’s a mess.

You: I dont care, it’s nothing I haven’t seen before.

“I sensed some flirtatiousness in that didn’t you?” Toji asked hyping up Sukuna and patting his chest. He nodded getting a little excited and doing a little shimmy with Toji. They both cleared their throats after a while and zeroed in on the screen.

Ryomen: Come up when you’re ready then :)

“Why the fuck did you add a smiley face? She’s gonna think I’m a creep. That’s how that bitch ass, Gojo, texts in the group chat too,” Sukuna berated.

Toji left the room laughing. Before Sukuna could bolt out after him and punch his ass, you were standing at the door, looking up at the man slightly leaning against the door frame. “Was I interrupting something?” you asked hearing Toji’s laughs from down the hallway.

“Nah, just Toji being an idiot. Typical,” Sukuna rolled his eyes before stepping aside for you to enter the room.

“Alright, Ryomen, just because you have some clothes on the floor and Mountain Dews on your night stand doesn't mean your room is messy," you pointed out, sitting on his bed.

He sat beside you you and chuckled, "You're saying that but your dorm is probably perfect. Nice and clean and organized, pink shit everywhere ..."

"Nah its worse. I have half-finished drinks and unwrapped snacks on my nightsand, way too many Red Bulls on my work desk, and my bed is never made. You could also probably swim through the clothes on my floor right now," you shrugged.

"What."

"What? I can't be good at everything. I just happen to keep my spaces messy when I'm stressed out," you explained.

"Me too," he mumbled looking around his room.

Some silence invaded the space between you before you spoke up, "I'm sorry I didn't look at the note. I'm even more sorry I didn't text you today. I've been busy," you started.

"I should be the one apologizing, _____. I called you a name one should never call a woman. I'm sorry for calling you a bitch. No reasoning can dismiss the fact that I disrespected you.”

“Wow, thank you, Ryomen,” said quietly.

He let a soft sigh. Hearing his name roll off your tongue so beautifully brought Sukuna great comfort. The name he once hated now made him feel most at peace in this moment because you were the one saying it.

“If you still don’t want to forgive me-“ he started before you immediately cut him off, “No, I do. I did last night. Your note was so thoughtful and perfect. I genuinely just got caught up in my day. I wish you would have just told me you were trying to defend me day of. I’m sorry about the matcha by the way and not giving you a chance.”

“Well, this is awkward. I thought I was going to have to give you my first born child for you to tutor me and hang out again,” he joked, rubbing the back of his neck.

You laughed with him, and the two of you talked for a little longer. You absentmindedly began to pick up some clothes and place them in the hamper. Together, without even realizing it, you had cleaned his room, and it was no longer looking as cluttered as it was earlier.

“It’s still 8:00. Do you wanna hit up the library?” Sukuna randomly suggested.

“Possibly. I have my bag,” you shrugged, trying to hide the smile gracing your lips by turning away and facing the door.

Your efforts were lost on Ryomen because he could see your raised cheekbones from behind.

. . .

-> next part

@minasuniverse @not-a-glad-gladiator @love-me-satoru @sukunawhores @emoedgylord @domainofmarie @sadrna @lazylunarlover @tamishadawn @boudoirbae @river-vixenn @bitchyfestivalbouquet @elizabeth-von-winken-universe @clp-84 @emochosoluvr @yoongithebean @linaaeatsfamilies @magalimachete @chubbydumplingbarnes @katsukiseyebrows @sukubusss @r33m-world @pelicanpizza @mykuronekome @linny-bloggs @your-mum3000 @jayathelostdragon @userr152536367474 @veras-fanfic-reblogs @yuaisen @k0taaaa @nina-from-317 @sukunasrealgf @sukunana12 @synthesame @kyo-kyo1 @chloe022r @detredoomy @lanaleanne @kunascutie @recelestial

comment to be added to the taglist !

[straykidsnerd255]

Hi, good evening/morning/goodnight to you! I’ve been reading your saja boys hcs bc how could I not? :) We needed more Saja scenes n dialogue, I really need to know their backstories.

So what else to fill that saja sized gap w the boys (separately) with a gn!s/o that has a funny laugh-and I’m talking wheezing n tears streaming. Either from memes or the guys saying something funny triggers a contagious laughing fit.

Need represent my wheezers

YESSS! I am definitely a wheezer when I laugh too hard. I hope you like and enjoy it! Thank you for requesting<3

Jinu:

You had been sitting at home waiting for your boyfriend Jinu to return from practice while scrolling through instagram reels when a rather funny video of your boyfriend appeared. You sat and watched it, thinking it was something that you had already seen but when it showed him doing some random goofy pose you had never seen before, you burst into a fight of laughter. You were wheezing on your knees when Jinu opened the door. His eyes widened and he rushed to your side. You gasped, tears falling down your face as you tried to calm your body down. As you slowly came back, your wheezing laughter finally slowed and you turned to Jinu. His eyes were wide, filled with alarm but you placed a hand on his shoulder. 

“I’m ok Jinu. I just happened to see a rather funny video about you and started laughing so hard that I started wheezing and crying at the same time.” You said, taking his outstretched hand as he helped you stand back up. Jinu rubbed the back of his neck, the tips of his ears turning red from embarrassment. You smiled before wrapping your arms around his waist and laid your head on his chest. A small chuckle leaving his throat as his arms wrapped around you. He leaned close to you, his hair tickling your neck. “What video was it?” He asked, pulling away from the hug. You grinned and showed him your phone. His jaw dropped as he watched the video. 

You laughed at his reaction before taking his hands in yours. “Don’t worry Jinu. Your fans still love you and I for sure still love you. This silly little video isn’t going to stop me from loving you. If it stops other fans from loving you then they were never fans to begin with.” You said, leaning closer to him and pressing a kiss to his neck. He smiled, happy that you love him even when videos like this show up. He started scrolling through the comments and his eyes widened at all the people wanting more videos like this made. “My career is so over.” he muttered glaring in the direction you left when he heard your cackle.

Abby Saja:

You were currently waiting for the boys to finish their practice when you scrolled past a meme of Abs. You scrolled back to it and read it carefully before bursting into a fit of wheezy laughter. Tears fell down your face as you tried to calm your laughter but you fell off the couch laughing so hard that it came out in desperate gasps for air. You slammed your hand on the table before it slipped to the ground again as you wheezed. Abs was at your side the moment they entered the dressing room. He was yelling for his members to grab you some water before he was able to calm you down. You gasped for air like it was a lifeline. Abs placed his hand on your thigh, leaning closer in hopes that he could at least help calm you down. 

You placed a hand on his when you finally got your breathing under control. You took a deep breath, took the water Romance offered you and thanked him. You took a big swig of water before coughing a bit. “I’m ok Abs. I just saw something a fan made and it got me laughing so hard I nearly passed out.” You explained the meme to them, showed them the picture and watched as chaos erupted. Abs was blushing such a dark red you thought his head would pop off and the rest of the members were laughing so hard they also fell to the floor. 

You walked over to Abs and wrapped your arms around him, leaning your head against his back. You smiled when you felt his hand press to yours. “Sorry that I worried you. I promise I won’t laugh like that-” Before you could finish your sentence, Abs turned around and held your face in his hands so gently you melted. “I would rather you laugh like that then be sad. I love seeing you smile and laugh. Please don’t stop because of me reacting like you were dying. I love your laughs.” He said, leaning forward and kissing your nose making it your turn to blush.

Mystery Saja:

You were at home waiting for Mystery to come back home from a meeting when you rewatched their hot sauce challenge. You were scrolling through the comments when one caught your attention. As you read the comment, you started laughing so hard that your body forced a wheeze from deep in your chest. You felt tears running down your face as you laughed the hardest you had ever laughed before. You gripped your stomach as your laughing turned silent from how hard you were laughing. The only thing that was really heard was your wheezing. 

When the boys returned home, they saw you practically dying on the floor with how red your face was. Mystery started panicking and rushed to your side. He paused the video on the phone, having to get out of the comments to do so. He gently patted your face, watching as color returned and you gasped for air when the laughter died down. You opened your eyes as you took deep breaths. You noticed Mystery looking at you through his hair. You reached forward and tucked a little bit of his hair behind his ear so you could see his eyes. “Sorry.” You mumbled, placing your palm against his face, watching as he leaned into your touch. 

You told them what the comment had said and how when they found you, it was because you were laughing so hard at the comment that you kinda forgot how to breathe for a moment. Mystery stayed by your side as you both watched videos, mainly videos that would cause you to go into a full blown out laughing mess that you stop breathing because you would end up laughing so hard. You leaned your head on his shoulder and smiled when he took your hand in his and intertwined your fingers together. You snuggled closer, letting a happy huff of air leave your lips. 

Romance Saja:

You were scrolling through instagram when you noticed a meme someone did of Romance nearly dying after the hot sauce challenge with a caption that had you bursting into a fit of laughter. A knock sounded on your door but you were laughing so hard that you couldn’t even get up to answer the door. You fell to the ground causing whoever it was on the other side of the door to open said door like it was a hazard that needed to be removed. Romance stood there, watching as you hit the floor as wheezing laughter filled the air. 

Confused, he walked over to where your phone lay, reading the meme that was still on the phone. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened before he turned back to you. You had tears running down your face as you gasped for air, holding your stomach as your laughter continued to fuel itself. After a few seconds, you started to calm down, your laughter disappearing as your breathing slowly returned to normal. You stood from the ground, dusted off your shirt and smiled sweetly at Romance. 

He narrowed his eyes with his mouth parted slightly as he studied how fast you just came back from being a laughing mess on the floor just moments before. You sat on the couch and patted the spot next to you, watching your boyfriend slowly sit down next to you before wrapping his arm around you and pulling you close to him. “Are you feeling better now that you nearly laughed your soul away?” He asked, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. You nodded, leaning against his shoulder and closing your eyes for a moment, basking in his warmth, and mahogany cologne. 

“Much better.”

Baby Saja:

He was so confused. He just returned home from a long training session and all he wanted to do was come home, take you and himself straight to bed to cuddle. He was so tired but when he pushed open the door, all he found was you on the floor, slamming your fist into the ground, tears in your eyes as your wheezed, cracked out laughter filled the air. What was on your phone that caused you to laugh this hard? He would never know as he didn’t want to see what you found so funny. (He would laugh too, who is he trying to fool)

He dropped to his knees, gently rubbing your back hoping that would bring you out of your laughing fit. When it did, he gently pulled you into his chest and closed his eyes, leaning his head on your head. He mumbled something that you couldn’t quite catch but, you shrugged it off and closed your eyes, wrapping your arms around him and nearly falling asleep in his hold if he didn’t move from the floor and take you up with him. He pulled away from the hug and held your face in his hands. “How about instead of passing out in the living room over a funny video, we go take a name?” He asked, hoping you would agree with him. 

You chuckled but nodded your head. You were rather tired and that laughing made you even more tired. You intertwined your fingers with his and you both made your way to your shared bedroom. You both changed into something comfortable and immediately jumped onto the bed. You practically melted into the sheets before curling into your boyfriend's side when he finally laid down. His arms wrapped around your body and pulled you close to his chest. You both passed out moments later, too tired to even say anything. When you both woke up, he asked you what you found that made you laugh so hard. You told him, and he glared at you, but he loves you, so he lets the meme about him making your laugh slide.

[blu3ypetall]

𝐯𝐢 | 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

— CW ; A little bit of teen awkwardness.

— Synopsis ; Hiccup begins to garner his villages attention when the finals of dragon training come through, but he’s more focused on instead improving his bond with both Toothless and (Name). The both of them rarely spend time in the village, and encounter a few problems when Hiccup is learning to fly.

— Word Count ; 12025

Masterlist | CHAPTER XII — TBA

ᛊᚨᚠᚾᚨ ᛗᚨᚾᚠᛃᛟᛚᚦᚢᛗ

Metal clattered against stone in a loud crack of noise as a small trap door was shut, the swing of the hinge creaking as it swayed before a boot was placed upon it, effectively ceasing its movement. The leather held the dog-sized door down, and Hiccup looked up from the crusted surface, turning back to the amazed group behind him.

The Terrible Terror he'd just trapped made chitters from behind where it was now stuck again, showing off his feat. Those around stared at the boy with wonder, with only two exceptions being amongst the crowd. Astrid, who glared at him as if she wanted to gut him, and (Name), who smiled at him with a large grin, as she knew the origins of his trick.

It was a simple tactic, one they'd used on Toothless, and Hiccup had decided to mimic it in the ring. Using the metal ball in his shields centre, Hiccup had cast a tiny dot onto the floor like magic. The refracted light drew the small dragons attention, and just as Toothless had, it chased after it, crawling across the floor to retrieve the glowing spot.

With this, Hiccup had managed to coerce the dragon back into its cage, and now, he held his boot against the door to keep it inside, ending the training with one move and a cheeky grin.

"Woah— that was so cool!" Tuffnut jumped up, a large wicked grin cast across his face. The boy was uncharacteristically excited in the aftermath of the displayed skills, and understandably, the rest of the group had a flicker of surprise cross their faces, before divulging into different thought processes.

Hiccup — now swarmed by a group of four — was startled by the attention, his eyes rounding in a childish way and his own shoulders shrinking on their own. It was a sudden change, one that had been spurred into movement by the acquiring of skills. Fishlegs, the twins and Snotlout all crowded around the small boy, flocking like birds to seed.

"Yeah dude, I've never seen anyone do that! How'd you figure that out!?" Snotlout questioned, his voice filled with an unexpected tinge of both wonder and adoration. It was... a stark contrast from the norm, to say the very least. Hiccup's eyes roved the four surrounding him, before they peered through the gaps of their bodies to spot Astrid retreating and (Name) coming over to join the huddled crowd.

"That was really cool. I think so at least," (Name) spilled, initiating a throttle of compliments fuelled by her own, all directed towards Hiccup, not to mention questions following alongside.

"I didn't know Terrible Terrors were attracted to light... how did you figure it out!?" Fishlegs gaped in disbelief.

"You've gotta teach me that one," Snotlout placed a firm hand on the smaller boy's shoulder, the action intimate— almost something two close friends would do when joking around with one another. Hiccup cringed at the tight hold as Hiccup squeezed his shoulders.

"I uh— I'll tell you guys all about it while we leave," Hiccup smiled sheepishly, slipping himself out of Snotlout's hold and purposefully slinking through the gaps in the crowd to quickly speed towards the arenas exit. Of course, the others followed him— still pestering him with questions even as they exited the ring.

Bombarding queries followed him, landing somewhere along the lines of...

"I didn't read that in the book of dragons... how'd you find that out?!"

"Did you guess it? Or did you secretly take down a Terrible Terror!?"

"Come on Hiccup— tell us! I wanna do that, it was so cool!"

They kept smothering the smaller of the lot, even as they began to walk across the bridge back to the mainland of Berk— where Hiccup suddenly stopped walking, a crooked smile forming on his face awkwardly.

"Uhm... I uh, left my axe back in the ring. But— I'll tell you guys all about it at dinner!" Hiccup suddenly cleared his throat, taking a step backwards as a few curious glances trailed behind him. Yet, they didn't have time to linger for long as Hiccup suddenly turned tail and ran, rushing back to 'grab his axe'.

(Name) watched him with a curious eye, almost falling for the same bluff before she caught onto the underlying meaning. 'Back in the ring', while usable as a term to refer to the arena, between the two, it meant the ring of walls that surrounded Toothless in the cove.

Ah, he was trying to slip away, albeit rather sloppily.

(Name) cast a glance back at the others, clearing her throat. "Ah, I'll go help him find it. Y'know how clumsy Hiccup can be when he misplaces things..? Right?" She sheepishly smiled, taking her own few steps back before waving and turning around into her own sprint across the slippery wooden boards of the bridge.

Snotlout blinked, his eyebrow raising.

Ruffnut placed her hands on her hips, a slight pout forming. "Awh... I wanted to get private lessons from (Name)," she whined, crying to the others surrounding her. They turned to her with curious gazes.

"What?" She snapped, defensively huffing in their direction.

"You guys didn't know? That's obviously why Hiccup is getting so good and they've both been gone together! She's obviously teaching him how to kill dragons!" Ruffnut pointed out, clicking her finger in the direction of the constantly disappearing duo.

"I thought Hiccup just had cancer," Tuffnut shrugged.

"Why on earth would he have cancer?!" Snotlout shook his head, smacking Tuffnut harshly upside the head.

"Ow! Hey— that hurt," Tuffnut stumbled back, one hand coming up to clutch his now reddening chin as the blood rushed to the injured area. "..."

"Do it again."

"You're such a weirdo—" Snotlout gagged, sneering at Tuffnut as he pleaded for Snotlout to hit him once more.

.

"Hiccup, please never get kidnapped and interrogated."

"...uh, I wasn't planning on it?" Hiccup turned to the girl who walked side by side with him, his brows twitching at the sudden plea from her end of the conversation. "Why... is this being brought up?" He cocked his head, his question laced with an uncertainty.

(Name) sighed, her eyes rolling instinctively before she craned her neck to look at Hiccup. "Because, you're a terrible liar," she pointed out, jutting a finger loosely at his chest, her hand just barely brushing the fur of his vest.

" 'I left my axe back in the ring'. What kind of excuse is that? I told my mother better lies whenever I ate all the dessert," she snorted, retracting her hand to cross it over her chest.

"Well— it's all I could think of! Plus, the only one smart enough there to get suspicious is Fishlegs, and he probably wouldn't care that much anyway," Hiccup shrugged, pursing his lips and facing forwards again.

"It was still dumb. At least try to make it believable next time," she huffed, shrugging her shoulders.

"Okay— what would you say then?" Hiccup looked to her from his peripheral.

"...that's a really good question," she pressed her lips into a thin line.

"See! Even you can't think of anything!" He elbowed her— yet not in the manner as if he were retaliating against someone who'd insulted him, rather in the way that two friends would casually play-fight with one another. A childishly intimate touch that didn't quite register as what it was intended to be.

"Well I'd be able to think of something, just give me a second," she elbowed him back, her action holding the same unsaid fondness his did.

"..."

"One—"

"No!" (Name) suddenly twisted on her heel, slapping her hand over his mouth in a rush, causing both of them to stop in the middle of a few brambles.

"Don't even start," she hissed, trying to hold an intimidating glance, yet accidentally letting the smallest slink of a grin slip through her irritated facade.

Hiccup reached up a hand, gripping her wrist and attempting to pry it from his mouth. "Mmh—!" Whatever cries he tried to reason with became muffled, the both of them determined to keep their stances.

"You lost your speaking privileges mister!" (Name) proclaimed, her declaration firm as a small laugh slipped through her voice, the smaller slink of joy being a dead giveaway to the less intense gravity of the moment.

"You don't get them back until— eww!" (Name) suddenly reeled her hand back as if she'd been stung, immediately wiping her palm off on her clothes with a sneer, her nose turning upwards in disgust.

"Did you just lick me!?" She gasped, staring at Hiccup with wide eyes.

"You wouldn't let go," Hiccup shrugged, turning away and beginning to walk forwards once more.

"You're disgusting," she grumbled, wiping her hand again as she came to join him in their trek through the forest once again.

"I wouldn't be disgusting if you didn't stop me from speaking," Hiccup chimed back.

(Name) rolled her eyes again.

"Okay mr. Sassy," she mocked, shaking her head and pressing her lips down again.

Silence rained down, only the soft sound of icicles chiming against one another as they swayed on the edges of leaves filling the quiet.

The day was peaceful, snow covering the ground at a comfortable height and the sky clear of clouds, the cold of the wind swept up from the ground being cancelled out by the sun that beamed down.

It was warm, and the birds seemed to think so too as more seemed to appear. Some danced from branch to branch, chirping their songs— others perched on leaves and simply sat in a heavy spot of sun, basking themselves as they puffed up their feathers.

The snow beneath the duos feet crunched softly, some stray rocks that were buried beneath the layer of frost cracking under the pressure with every footfall.

"I'm gonna beat you there," (Name) suddenly said— and at the same time she rushed forwards, her feet heavy against the slippery ground as she darted past Hiccup, intending to make it to the cove before he did.

Hiccup jolted as (Name) rushed past him in a blur, her declaration taking a few moments to settle and process in his mind. He spluttered for a second, watching her figure grow father before spurring himself into a run right behind her.

He wasn't one to be competitive, since he'd usually lose at whatever he tried to compete in, but what was the harm in a little race on some slippery ice? Nothing!

"Get back here!" Hiccup couldn't help the small smile that crawled onto his face as he raced after (Name), his own legs, while being short, moved rather fast against the slippery ground of melted and slushing ice grains.

"Nuh uh! I'm beating you! Why would I slow down!" (Name) shouted at him without looking back, her own pace continuing even as her breath grew raggedy within the icy tipped air, the back of her mouth burning with every inhale.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes, his jaw gritting as he realised that he wasn't keeping pace all too well.

"Oh— come on! Woah— wait! Ow!" Hiccup cursed as his boot caught on a stray branch, causing him to go sprawling forwards onto the ground, hard. He landed with a heavy thud, wincing and reaching for his ankle.

"Ow..." he hissed again, pushing himself to sit up as he glanced down towards his foot. On the outside, it didn't seem all too bad.

Though, up ahead, (Name) had heard his call— and she glanced back, still not slowing her pace, yet upon spotting the sight of a collapse Hiccup, snow covering his clothes from where he tumbled, she slowed, considering whether or not this was a trick.

"You okay?" She called, wondering if he was just playing with her.

Hiccup didn't answer back, far too busy focusing on staring at his ankle— which didn't look that bad from afar, but then again... if Hiccup did actually injure himself, that wouldn't really be good for anyone.

Bitting her tongue, (Name) turned to jog back over to where Hiccup had fallen, crouching down beside him.

"You okay?" She peered over him, glancing down towards where he clutched at his leg. Again, she wasn't a medical expert of any sorts, only knowing the basics of how to heal a common cold, but his leg looked fine.

"No, I think I—" Hiccup's hands retreated from his leg. "Sprained my ankle!" He suddenly shouted, his form springing up with momentum he gained from pushing (Name) over into the snow, face first.

She yelped as he landed into the snow, quickly pulling herself back up as she heard the sound of Hiccup sprinting away quickly. She wiped snow from her face, the cold stinging her skin painfully.

"You little—" she craned her neck, seeing the large head start Hiccup had gained. She couldn't let him gain any further ground. Quickly pushing herself up without a care for the snow hugging her, she slipped her first few steps before starting up in a sprint after the running boy.

"That's cheating!" She cried as she chased after him.

"I didn't know there were any rules!" Hiccup laughed, smiling triumphantly as he saw the cove up ahead, quickly shifting his course so that he swiftly slipped through the rocks opening and tumbled to the coves insides.

Behind him, (Name) followed quickly after, a defeated slump to her shoulders as she joined him in the coves belly.

"Looks like I win," Hiccup boasted with a crooked smirk.

"You only won because you cheated," she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest and turning away from him pettily.

"It's not cheating if it wasn't specified that I couldn't do it," Hiccup shrugged nonchalantly, still prideful over his win against her.

"Yes it is—" (Name) turned back to him, only to be tackled by a black blur. She cried as she was suddenly crushed by an eight-hundred kilogram dragon. The onyx scaled animal rested atop her, saddle still strapped to his back.

"Toothless, hey!" She wheezed, a small smile cracking on her face as Toothless greeted her with a hard tackle, the dragon clearly happy to see her back. Toothless sniffed her, his pupils wide as he decided to lay down full fully, encapsulating (Name) in a hug of his own.

Hiccup watched the scene with shock, jaw dropped as he saw his 'own' dragon choose to greet (Name) instead of him. "Toothless! What is this favouritism!" Hiccup pouted, crossing his arms over his chest as he scowled.

"I'm just better, suck on that," (Name) stuck her tongue out at him, a teasing look on her face as she happily returned Toothless' affections with scratches on the scales under his many ear plates.

Toothless rumbled, and in his moment of joy another figure joined the fray. Tiny and blue, yet much bigger than when she'd first appeared from the shells of an egg. Shocker crawled out from under Toothless' tucked wing, coming to join the hug.

(Name) smiled as her own companion came to join the 'group' hug. "Hello to you too Shocker, did you guys miss me?" She held a purposefully gleeful smile, seeing the pouty stance of Hiccup who still stood off to the side with crossed arms.

"I feel like this is targeted," Hiccup grumbled, shifting his weight to one foot.

"No, it's karma. Big difference," (Name) hummed from her spot on the floor, hugging both dragons as best as she could from her compromised position.

"It wasn't cheating! You're just easy to fool," Hiccup turned, forcibly staring out over the frosted lake that the cove held in its grasp. The foliage that had once surrounded it was now gone, reduced to sodden ashes in the midst of Berk's cold.

When Hiccup had first found this place, with Toothless trapped in the middle— which just so happened to be... almost a month ago — it was blooming with a brimming green, brambles sprouting outwards from crevices and fish swimming leisurely beneath the waters surface, oblivious to the shadow that lurked above.

Now, it was decked with snow, leaves fallen and twigs dried with ice as if it had almost been frozen in time. The fish were no longer clearly visible from the surface, and a soft breeze would occasionally sweep in to brush against Hiccup when the ocean rocked in the distance.

"Okay, Toothless I actually need to get up now— the snow is soaking my clothes," (Name's) voice called Hiccup's attention, causing the boy to turn back as he saw her attempting to wriggle from it from beneath Toothless.

Toothless huffed through his nose, yet the dragon reluctantly lifted himself from the girl beneath him and trotted away, the tiny little blue Shocker still clinging to his back.

(Name) wiped the snow from her clothes, dusting herself off before glancing back to Hiccup. "You gonna stop sulking?" She quirked a brow.

"I'm not sulking," Hiccup denied, shrugging his shoulders.

"You so are! You're just mad Toothless loves me more," again with the teasing, (Name) felt the need to garner anything over Hiccup after her loss. She wasn't willing to end on an uneven note.

"He doesn't love you more. I'm the one who flies with him. Plus, he'll probably love me even more after today," Hiccup snorted.

"Oh yeah? Why's that? You got some treats for him or something? Gonna bribe your own dragon?"

"No. I'm going to try flying without the rope," Hiccup reached into the inside of his vest, removing a small parchment he'd tucked inside and holding it up once he'd fished it out.

It was worn and old, just like all other paper on Berk, some drops of some kind of liquid lingering on the paper, likely originating from when the paper was originally made— but the contents written onto the paper were more intriguing then its state of being.

Charcoal had been nearly sketched, smudged and blended together to form what seemed to be a diagram of some kind, different columns and rows all holding a drawing of what seemed to be Toothless' mechanical tail fin in different states. Some with one fin closed, others with both open:

(Name) had seen this paper before, Hiccup had invented it after struggling to figure out how to operate Toothless' tail— only now, Hiccup revealed it along with a proclamation, a clear determination lingering within the small yet daring boy.

Contemplative silence stewed, one that had (Name) scrutinising Hiccup for seconds as she processed what he'd just stated her attempt.

"Already? You've only been flying for just over a week, don't you think you should practice a little more?" She narrowed her eyes, seeming unsure about the prospect.

Her lips twisted downwards into a frown, an obvious worry and unsettling sensation coursing through her as she thought about the dangers that may lurk higher up in the sky where the clouds called home.

What if he fell? What if the tail suddenly stopped working? It's not as if she doubted Hiccup's smith abilities, it was more so she doubted the safety of being thousands of yaks high into the air.

What if he got flown into the sun by Toothless? What if Toothless decided to fly him off the edge of the world—? That would mean she'd never see Hiccup again! And that he'd die... she couldn't accept that happening, as much as she'd keep it to herself.

"I'll be fine, plus... I think I've gotten pretty good at controlling Toothless' tail fin," Hiccup shrugged, sureness practically oozing off of him. He sure was determined to get out there on the actual open skies instead of lurking above a cliffs surface.

A fools errand in (Name's) opinion.

"Well— just do one more flight test above the cliff before you do. What if the tail stops working?" (Name) ushered, nodding up to the crevice of where the coves exit lie.

"It'll be fine," Hiccup tried to protest again, but a stern glare of crossed arms from (Name) made him close his mouth with a dejected sigh.

"Fine... I'll do one more flight test," Hiccup muttered, glancing over his shoulder to see Toothless lying down again.

"Toothless! Time to practice flying again!"

At the word 'flying', Toothless' head shot up, that word being one that he'd come to recognise and associate with stretching his very own wings and being able to feel the breeze between his scales again. Toothless jolted up roughly, almost knocking Shocker from his back in the process of running over to Hiccup.

Hiccup almost snorted at the 'charming' display.

"Yeah bud, calm down... now, let's go," Hiccup waved them both after him as he went first towards the crevice, slipping through it easily— both (Name) and Toothless following behind him.

.

"Okay... just one more test," Hiccup nodded from the back of Toothless, sending a glance over to (Name) — who was currently cradling Shocker in her arms again as she watched Hiccup with a careful eye — then making sure the rope was properly secured to Toothless' saddle.

He checked the coils; the wires, anything he could check up on at all— he checked it, at (Name's) demanded request of course. He himself wasn't too worried about the tail failing, more than informed enough about his own mechanism, but she had practically forced him to do one more trial one before becoming 'suicidal', as she'd put it.

The leather was still in shape, and all the metal parts were still sliding smoothly between their conjoined counterparts— the saddle and tail fin wouldn't likely need a tuning for another good long while, and that was a thanks to Hiccup's own genius.

The wind howled softly, lying flat against the world before it picked up, finally releasing itself from its waiting position. Toothless felt it and instinctively his wings unfurled, cupping the air beneath his span and allowing it to guide both him and Hiccup just a few feet off of the ground as they'd done so many times.

It was much smoother than the first time, no nervous shaking or uncoordinated movements. No. Instead, Hiccup was practiced in how he controlled Toothless' tail, his foot flickering between positions using the stirrup he'd crafted.

By now, it was almost instinctual, except he still needed to remind himself of the correct tail positions a few times— causing him and Toothless to fumble a few seconds, earning a grumble from the dragon.

"Sorry... still getting used to it," Hiccup jumbled low, just loud enough for Toothless to hear, but soft enough for the wind to carry his voice in the opposite direction of the watchful girl, not wanting her to hear his unsureness.

Quickly recovering, Hiccup and Toothless resumed their hovering, the occasional flap of Toothless' wings keeping them upheld in the air whenever the wind would get a little too soft to keep them afloat.

Hiccup smiled as his foot rotated again, the gears of the saddle clicking with the movement whilst the wind changed speeds. He was finally getting the hang of it— so all he needed to do was land now and...

The wind howled louder as it suddenly picked up, growing a little too close to being a repeat of the very first time he had attempted to fly on the back of Toothless. "Woah!" Hiccup yelped as the sounds of snapping twine reached his ears, adrenaline beginning to flood his system.

The rope— not again.

With a loud crack, like lightning striking, the rope cracked apart, sending both Toothless and Hiccup flying back. Again. It was an exact repeat of the very first time they'd flown. Did the gods not want him to fly solo either..?

Hiccup yelled in pain as he was split from Toothless, ending up somewhere buried in a field of... grass?

Hiccup blinked, registering the sight before his very eyes. Stems of a strangely sage coloured grass poked from the snow cover, as if it were immune to the cold of the weather. The stalks were small, but they were there.

Nevermind, some grass wasn't the most important thing... he was more focused on the sharp pain jolting through his ribs.

Hiccup hissed through his teeth as he sat up, adjusting his scarf as it had been ruffled in the aftermath of of his roughened tumble— the red dusted with snow and dirt as he re-wrapped it around his neck.

"Hiccup! You all good!" (Name) called out to him as she ran over, clear concern on her face as Shocker hung over her shoulder.

She quickly spotted Hiccup in the snow, dashing over to his sitting form with an uncanny speed. "See— you're an idiot, that's why I wanted you to take a test flight!" She huffed harshly, yet despite her scolding words she still extended a hand out towards him, offering her palm to help him up.

"It was the rope... not the saddle," Hiccup used one hand to brush snow out of his hair while the other took her hand, letting her pull him to his feet and help steady himself.

"Still. You need something to keep you on the saddle, what if you fall off out there?" She frowned.

"Fine... fine, I'll make a hook or something, but for now—" Hiccup went to turn to find Toothless, only to get accidentally yanked as he realised his and (Name's) hands were still clasped together.

They both froze, red rising to their cheeks in sync.

"Oh I—"

"Uhm uh, thanks for helping me up," Hiccup cleared his throat awkwardly as they both retreated their hands, neither of them making a move to shift any further as they both stood embarrassed.

"It's... no problem," (Name) muttered, looking away nervously.

"I uh— I'm gonna check up on Toothless," Hiccup coughed, pointing to where there was a clear trail of where the dragon fell.

Oh yeah, Toothless!

"Oh, crap! Toothless," (Name) suddenly remembered the dragon had also fallen with Hiccup, and while Toothless' bones likely weren't as brittle or fragile, having the hardened steel of dragon genetics, there was no telling how hard the dragon had fallen.

Both teens rushed after the trail that told the story of where the dragon fell, following it around a few trees to find Toothless in a clearing in the forest.

"Toothless—!" Hiccup called, only to stop as he saw the weird scene playing before him.

Toothless seemed fine, in a sense, but for some reason he was... nuzzling the floor? The way he purred and flopped, as if the ground was some kind of giant teddy bear. "Uh, what's he doing?" (Name) leaned towards Hiccup, both looking towards Toothless with a grimace.

"I... don't know," Hiccup tilted his head, then he took a slow step forward. It was soft, cautious as he tried to peer into what Toothless was nuzzling against, that's when he saw it— the likely cause of the dragons sudden affection towards the dirt.

The same grass that Hiccup had found himself landing in, it seems Toothless had also found himself piled in. While the quantity wasn't large, Toothless was all over it, almost as if he were addicted. It honestly looked like when the older Vikings would get their hands on Meade.

Except, Toothless didn't have grubby grease slathered hands or a beard with food chunks stuck to it— only the symptoms of being unusually smitten in the presence of the herb.

Hiccup stopped about five paces from Toothless, crouching down to the ground where he found his own patch of the strange nip of grass. He reached for it, plucking a few strands of it from the ground with his fingers, the grass slipping from the snow easily.

Hiccup observed it carefully in his hand, looking between the grass and the still rolling Toothless.

"Grass?" (Name) crouched beside Hiccup, looking curiously at the grass Hiccup now held, Shocker also seemed intrigued by it. The small terror leaned over her shoulder, nostrils flaring as it tried to determine what the grass could be, curious.

Yet, it seems the grass didn't only have a strange affect on Toothless, because the moment Shocker managed to catch a whiff of it, the Terror was all over the strange herb, and I mean all over it. Rolling, purring, trying to snatch it from Hiccup's hands, to which he narrowly dodged. It was as if the grass held some kind of strange effect over the dragons.

"Oi! Settle down," (Name) struggled to hold the energetic terror to her chest, attempting to save Hiccup from the storm that was its newfound energy.

"This... stuff, it's making the dragons go crazy— yet, docile, at the same time," Hiccup hummed, turning his hand over to observe all signs of the stems. It seemed normal, just like regular grass, except for the fact it was still sprouting in winter and the fact its blades were thin and almost sharp, like a blade.

"Yeah, kinda like cat nip, but for dragons," (Name) snorted, glancing to Toothless.

Both (Name) and Hiccup suddenly paused before slowly turning to one another, a moment of realisation seeming to hit them as their minds synced with one another.

"Dragon-nip!"

.

"Come on lads! From here on out yer lot'll start getting eliminated!" Gobber chanted, his words attempting to be some kind of motivating speech as he watched the kids scramble around in the arena once again.

Back to the Gronkle, that's where they'd circled in their training. They'd done two whole rounds of every single dragon—minus the Monstrous Nightmare—and finally they were on the third round, which was when the finals began to actually creep in.

Starting from here on out, it wasn't training anymore, it was a test of your wits and skills, it was a competition to see who the best prodigy out of them all would end up being. They'd had weeks of preparation, and now it was time to put it to the test.

Shields, blades, all of them were just tools that if you didn't know how to use properly— you would fail horribly.

"Four shots left..." Astrid whispered, her tone determined and strengthened by her own passion for winning. Her axe was held in her hand, a warriors grip keeping it tightly in her hold, and her shield, held in the other— a defensive mechanism to save her from potentially garnering more injuries than needed.

A scar was a testament to your bravery, a physical record of your feats, but too many shouted of your weakness, of your inability to protect yourself.

"Four shots left," she repeated, peering out from behind her planked coverage just in time to see an unlucky Fishlegs be shot right in his shield by the Gronckle.

"Fishlegs! Out!"

"Make that three," she corrected, making sure to stay hidden as best as she could whilst she watched her remaining 'comrades'—rivals— fight for their own stance in dragon training.

Fishlegs, the first to get out, that means he was eliminated from here on out. That also meant she was safe— but, she wasn't going to slack off just because of that. That was the cowards way of winning.

No. She was going to show the audience that had begun to accumulate that she was the one who deserved to slay the dragon, that she was the prodigy who would rise to the status of a shield maiden all on her own. She'd prove that she'd be more capable than anyone in this ring.

Not even (Name) was going to be safe from her competitive nature this time around.

She watched the Gronckle closely, not letting her eyes stray from it— not for a second. She didn't even let her eyes flicker away as it suddenly began to head for Hiccup.

Its wings buzzed like that of a bees, quick and furious as its maw opened. Bright orange blazed from the inside, and that familiar sizzling pop of igniting gas crackled as it prepared to shoot out a blazing ball.

Ugh... Astrid cursed Fishlegs mentally for getting out first. If he hadn't, then Hiccup would have been eliminated right— huh?

The Gronckle suddenly dropped to the floor, following the direction of Hiccup's awkward hand gestures as it suddenly rolled over, tail... wagging happily? And fire immediately keeling into magma that drooled from the sides of its mouth.

The ring went silent, everyone staring in shock at the Gronckle that was so suddenly subdued by none other than the runt Hiccup himself.

Of course, the rumours of Hiccup's sudden proficiency in the ring were unheard, but how could anyone believe them... until now? Astrid blinked, her anger slowly boiling up as she prepared herself to say something, evacuating her hiding spot.

"Yeah—! Go Hiccup!" (Name) cheered before Hiccup could say anything, and her words of encouragement caused everyone around to erupt into cheers. It wasn't that many people, just the dozen adults that came to watch and the rest of the training group, but it was enough to stump Astrid.

She froze in her step, her shield almost falling from her palm in shock.

Astrid flickered her eyes to (Name), meeting the other girls gaze.

They connected eyes, stared for a bit before (Name) gulped visibly, obviously tense and then looked away— bringing her smile back up as she went over to join the group who'd begun praising Hiccup, the commotion moving away from the unconscious Gronckle that Gobber had begun to take back to its cage.

Something inside Astrid ticked in indignation as she got a first row seat to the show of (Name's) gall. In three weeks, three short damn weeks— her best friend had gone from being attached to her side, to following around a boy like no tomorrow.

Is this what those older women talked about when they mentioned how their friends would grow distant once they had... a lover? Astrid almost gagged, her fists clenching into a ball at just the mere thought of the two together.

She couldn't fathom the possibility, it was just so out of reach in her eyes. How... how had (Name) upped and left her so quickly...? What did Hiccup have that she didn't..? She could fight better than him, she'd been friends with (Name) her whole life... the only upside she could acknowledge that Hiccup held over her was... intelligence.

But intelligence wasn't revered, not like strength was. Sure, intelligence was a great trait to have, the ability to outthink another was something to boast pridefully over, but strength had always been held at a higher scale— it had always been weighed in a finer gold than intellect had. So why... why? Why would that be the reason (Name) had left her?

It couldn't have been. There must be another reason.

Astrid didn't know what, didn't know why or how— but she was going to find out just why (Name) liked Hiccup so much, and she was going to one up that troll in every skill he had. She would prove she was worth it.

.

"You're sure Gobber won't be in today?" (Name) whispered to Hiccup cautiously, the two slinking into the closed off back of the forge in a hidden silence. Their moments of stealth were shoddy ones, skills sloppy and unrefined altogether, but they were careful nonetheless as they attempted to slip into the forge undetected.

"Yeah, it's his off day, he's probably gonna drink Meade in the forge," Hiccup nodded, being far more confident in his step as he careful shut the forges windows from below the counters, praying no Viking noticed the forge window shutting 'on its own'.

The light let inside from the outer quarters was soon shut away, enveloping the inside of the forge in a darker atmosphere that was only illuminated by the subtle glow of the still brimming fire of the gurgling forge, wrapped in cobble.

(Name) stood up once all the windows were closed, allowing herself to freely move around once privacy was guaranteed.

She swiftly shifted around the inner workings of the forge, now formally acquainted with most other of the tools inside. While she may not be able to use them herself, she could surely still identify what they were, what they were for and where they were placed.

"So... you just need to finish the hooks so you don't fall off?" She hummed, running her fingers along the top of the serving counters, feeling the grained wood texture beneath the pads of her fingertips.

"Actually... I've already finished those," Hiccup walked over to one of the counters with a cupboard below— pulling it open and revealing the completed 'hooks' they'd discussed making just in case he almost fell off of Toothless.

They were crafted with a precisely formulated iron at either end, either of them being identical— and through the middle, leather wrapped around the middle, making the material both flexible yet sturdy at the same time.

"So... why are we here then?" (Name) tilted her head, curiosity buzzing under her skin.

"I've had another project I've been working on secretly, without you or Gobber knowing," Hiccup revealed, turning to walk into his personal back room— that of which had become dedicated to him and him only.

All his plans and sketches lie within, not even Gobber entered the area, though, that was more so because Gobber had proclaimed he didn't want to enter 'Hiccup's brooding room', which was... an interesting thing to call Hiccup's own back office.

(Name) followed after Hiccup, slipping past the barrier of cloth that blocked the view and taking a glimpse around the rather small room.

The roof wasn't exactly all that tall, only reaching a head higher than her own head did— and the perimeter of it all was also quite quaint, squished down and filled with all sorts of clutter that seemed to be Hiccup's failed experiments.

(Name) glanced around in a subtle amazement, her eyes prancing over bola designs, attempts at crafting weapons— and then... a desk Hiccup stood before. He was now sat in the chair, his back turned to her.

She didn't really pay much attention to him for a moment, more focused on the display of his genius that was parchments stuck up to the wall for 'all' to see. Drawings of Toothless, Shocker... all so detailed and accompanied by a design for some sort of mechanism.

For Toothless, his paintings of charcoal were smudged alongside diagrams of his mechanical tail and his saddle. For Shocker, a... harness with a satchel was drawn beside the little Terrible Terror.

Hiccup had been attempting to design something for Shocker? (Name) looked to Hiccup who was watching her observe the designs, and when he noticed her attention was back on him, he cleared his throat, his actions antsy and nervous.

"Uh... I've been working on a project, for Shocker. I thought it might be a nice surprise," He shrugged, fiddling with something in his hands.

(Name) looked down to what he held, taking the time to actually look at what he'd crafted.

It was almost an identical match to the harness that was drawn out in the plans... only this in person version seemed much more fresh and refined in its style. Two small saddle backs were attached to either side, and a small loop for something to potentially hook onto was embedded into the leather.

It was so... polished and— (Name) felt her heart swell as she looked at it, the mere sight of the gift causing her throat to begin tightening whilst a smile took hold of her face. Her limbs grew queasy with gratitude, and she had malfunctioned for a moment as she tried to figure out what to say in response.

Hiccup had made this... just for Shocker? Sure, it wasn't a gift for her, but Shocker was her dragon— and for him to make something like this just for her dragon, it was a thought that made her giddy.

"I— you made that...? For Shocker?" She vocalised her thoughts, praying that he nodded in reply.

"Yeah..." Hiccup smiled awkwardly, standing up from the seat as he took a step closer, holding out the harness to (Name) as if to display his handiwork. "It's a harness, uh— obviously, but, I gave it two bags on the side to carry things... and this loop here," Hiccup pointed to the loop (Name) had noticed.

"It's to put letters in, just to make sure they don't fall out. I thought that... since Terror's were so small, it would be a cool idea to test, y'know? And uh, even if the letter idea doesn't work, you can still attach anything to it that you want," Hiccup smiled sheepishly, his hands obviously quivering as he extended the harness further towards (Name), this time offering her to take it.

(Name) took it from him gently, being sure to remain careful as to not add any imperfections to the absolute perfection that she saw his work as.

"It's— I..." she couldn't seem to gather the rights words to say, and Hiccup faltered as he realised that she might not appreciate it as much as he thought she would.

"Sorry, I probably should've asked if you even wanted me to make this," Hiccup shrugged, fiddling with his hands as he looked away sheepishly, a subtle blush dusting his cheeks.

"No! No, it's fine Hiccup! I love it! You really made this just for Shocker?" (Name) assured him otherwise, still reeling in surprise at the gift that he'd likely put sweat and hard work into.

She didn't exactly know how hard smithing could be, but she had a strong bet that if she attempted to make the same craft he'd given her— that she would end up making something completely laughable. So for him to put his skills to use in favour of her, she felt her heart begin to race.

"Yeah, I did. Y'know, since Toothless had a saddle, I thought Shocker might need one too," he nodded, his smile returning as he forced his own eyes to meet (Name's) again. They both went silent.

Not in an uncomfortable way though, but rather in a way where there were too many sentiments to be said all at once— leaving them both confounded and stumbling as they tried to find a way to continue the conversation.

"Thank you," (Name's) suddenly murmured, feeling her own heart stutter in its beat again.

"It's uh, really no problem. It just wanted to do something for you," Hiccup shrugged her appraisal off, his shoulders hunching as he attempted to flush away his fluster that was only growing more intense by the moment.

Silence again, yet the mood change once more. Contemplative. That's what it was.

Suddenly, in a quick movement, (Name) pulled Hiccup close and enveloped him in a hug. She held him tight, squeezing the poor stumped boy against her.

Hiccup wheezed as he was suddenly embraced, not prepared for the sudden strong display of affection thrown his way. He blinked to regain cognitive control a few times, and that was when he realised his position.

He was overlooking (Name's) shoulder, the girl having pulled him close and leaning her head over his shoulder. Hiccup stayed frozen for a moment— only spurred to move when he felt (Name's) hands retreating.

He suddenly hugged her back, returning the embrace that she had given in, but this time— he sent in her way tenfold.

He felt... weird, not in the queasy way like before, or in the drowning way he usually felt when his attempts at creating weapons were belittled— but rather, in a grateful way, in a surprised way. In the way where a child experienced something for the first time.

Hearing his creations being so praised, his inventions and his hard work being thanked, it was something he hadn't experienced before.

Usually he'd get scolded, told he'd injure someone or destroy something— but (Name) didn't do that. She didn't tell him he wasted his time, nor that he shouldn't have even bothered or that she didn't like his gift.

No. She didn't do any of that. She did the exact opposite and more.

She praised his work, told him that she loved the gift, and then hugged him. It seemed like a small gesture at a first glance. A hug was a greeting, a formal move that most engaged in— but this one... was a genuine thanks, a reciprocation of gratitude.

This was a hug full of warmth and pure love. Take that in any way you wish.

Hiccup felt his heart sweep strangely as conflicted emotions arose from the deep. He was happy, grateful that someone liked his work... but he was also solemn and somber, wondering when the last time someone hugged him out of pure affection was.

Even his own father— while certainly caring in his own way— hadn't given him such a hug since he was but a babbling tot. He truly couldn't remember the last time he'd been embraced so genuinely, and that made it all the more better when the hug extended on for longer than it should have.

Though, it of course had to end— and it was both of them who ended it, either of them nervously stepping back.

"Sorry—" the uttered in sync.

Both of them froze, their faces turning redder.

"I mean, no— ugh!" Their words kept spilling out at the same time, and it was only when (Name) took a deep breath to ease her emotions did their synchronised stuttering come to an end. "Uhm... wanna go see if Shocker likes it?" (Name) smiled awkwardly, holding up the harness Hiccup had made.

Hiccup's blush disappeared and he nodded— then, they disappeared.

.

It's turns out that while Shocker didn't exactly mind the harness, she didn't seem to like it either. She struggled to walk around for the first few minutes with it on, the same way Toothless had fumbled when he wore his saddle for the very first time.

Was being unable to walk with something on their back just a dragon thing or did all creatures do this? She'd never seen a yak get disturbed when a human would attempt to saddle it in a wacky turn of events, so perhaps this behaviour was reserved for the dragons only.

The little Terror stumbled throughout her steps, even flopping over at one point, but by the time the sun had gone to set— she'd gotten the hang of it, walking around properly, only a small stutter to her step to show that the harness was quite new.

But alas, the moments of relishing in the laughter that was shared when watching Shocker stumble as she attempted to get used to the harness dried up, and when the sun began to meet the horizon— the two knew it was time to go back to the hall otherwise the questions would only grow.

So, rushing back as to make it before night fully encapsulated the world, Hiccup and (Name) just barely managed to reach the hall's doors with a scrape of time left on their side. They could hardly see, but the village was easy to pinpoint with the torches lighting up their way.

Hiccup came to the hall door first, leaning his shoulder against it as he pushed the heavy door open. (Name) followed after him inside.

The hall was still filled with the same Vikings, yet it was depleted in crowd density as those sent away on the trip still weren't back. So, under the flickering firelight, Hiccup and (Name) headed to grab their fetch of the prepared 'feast'.

Trays were in their hands, a choice of chicken and or roasted cod split between them both as water was gifted for their drink. They both walked besides one another while chatting softly, eager to continue their conversations, yet no so eager for anyone else to eaves drop on those conversations.

When they came closer to the table where the others in their class sat, (Name) almost natively diverted her feet to trail off and go sit with them, but when Hiccup didn't, and instead walked right past the table to sit at the next one over, she turned again, following beside him.

They both sat down at the table next to each other, placing their trays down and settling themselves on the bench seats comfortably.

"So... what if— we start training uh... y'know in letter delivery?" (Name) leant over to Hiccup, keeping her voice low as she suggested yet another idea to implement with the addition of Shocker's new saddle.

"Like, we can send letters to one another?" (Name) continued, refining her definition.

Hiccup hummed thoughtfully, picking at a scrap of the chicken on his plate. He was contemplating it. "Yeah, we could try," he shrugged, the cogs turning in his head as he thought deeply about the proposition.

"What'cha talking about?"

Both Hiccup and (Name) jumped in their seats, looking up to see not only Ruffnut—who'd spoken— at the other side of the table, but literally the rest of the hall surrounding them. It was... intimidating to say the least.

(Name) nor Hiccup hadn't even noticed the others surround them, they hadn't even noticed when Snotlout sat at their table! It was either Vikings were growing extremely stealthy, or they were simply too enveloped in their conversation to notice them all flock around them.

"Uh..." Hiccup glanced at the beady eyes surrounding him, each of which were eager for answers. His fingers began to softly tap against the table. "Training... tactics?" Hiccup still sounded unsure in his answer, but he didn't fumble as much as he had this morning— instead more solidified in the lie he told.

Ruffnut leapt up from her seat, her hands slamming loudly against the table. "Hah! I knew it— you owe me ten gold!" The blonde jabbed a finger at Snotlout, to which the stocky Viking was grimacing as he fetched a roll of coins from the pocket of his pants, pulling them out and dumping the ordered amount in Ruffnut's hands.

"I still think it's cancer," Snotlout huffed, to which he received weird looks.

"Uh, what are you guys talking about?" (Name) decided to question the strange exchange, her eyes nervously floating between everyone that surrounded them.

"Me and Snotlout had a bet on why you and Hiccup were hanging out together so much. I bet (Name) was training you, that's why you're so good at dragon training, Snotlout bet it was cancer," Ruffnut shrugged simply.

That seemed to stump the 'interrogated' duo even more than the previous display had.

"Okay— wait. You thought I had cancer?" Hiccup turned to Snotlout, expression exasperated.

Snotlout shrugged, not an ounce of regret in his expression, perhaps only the tiniest tinge of defeat lingering after being dealt the wrong hand of cards in the bet.

"(Name) never hangs out with you! I thought she was pitying you!"

"I am not—"

"The lass is probably interested now because of the lads success in training," one of the adults spoke up.

Wait a minute... why were they even formulating thoughts of drama between teenagers—? Y'know what? Never mind.

"Uh, no, it's because she's training Hiccup," Ruffnut scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Uh actually! Hiccup, is uh— training me!" (Name) suddenly proclaimed, turning all attention back to her. While the premise of the declaration was a facade, it wasn't entirely false in its entirety.

Silence.

"Hiccup... is training— you?" Tuffnut repeated, in the same state of disbelief as the rest of the flock.

"Yep! That's why I've been hanging around him so much! He offered to train me... and he's been coming up with all these ideas to take dragons down!" (Name) nodded her head to Hiccup, as if assuring the idea.

Silence again, the same as before. A stewing silence that was filtered by an air of waiting. And then—

"You gotta teach me Hiccup!" Fishlegs squeaked, and all it took was that plea from Fishlegs for everyone else to bring praising Hiccup. Again.

Hiccup stiffened in his posture, hands gripping onto the table tightly as his head ever so slowly craned towards (Name). If looks could kill, the girl would be nothing more than a shrivelling pile of soot on the ground, and all she could offer in apology was a sheepish smile.

Hiccup was bombarded with compliments and pleas of him to train the younger ones— questions about how he figured out his tricks and just an overall flush of attention in his direction.

He definitely looked overwhelmed, attempting to answer the questions as best as he could without giving anything away. Though, he never got much of an answer out before another question was thrown his way. Gods... did anyone here know privacy?

"Alright yer lot! It's late, and trainin' is early again tomorrow. Let the lads get ter sleep."

Apparently Gobber did.

Like a Valkyrie sent from above, Gobber shooed away the crowd and made the perfect excuse for Hiccup and (Name) to slip away unnoticed. The crowd was too busy being scolded by the smithy to even notice the two teens slipping away— abandoning their food at the same time sadly.

(Name) and Hiccup rushed outside of the hall into the cool air, feeling the flush of freezing temperatures surround them in a frosty embrace. The stars now dangled high in the sky, and the two made their way down the illuminated steps with exhausted sighs.

"Geez, talk about personal space," Hiccup ran a hand down his face, shoulders sagging into a relaxed position as the two were finally given a moment of silence again.

The peace of now greatly contrasted the chaos of just moments before, and Hiccup would make sure to thank Gobber later for stepping in and giving him the perfect opportunity to slink away from the flutter of Vikings.

"Yeah, they went a little overkill," (Name) agreed, walking in step with Hiccup.

"Hey, you were the one who said I was training you," Hiccup grumbled, glancing over to (Name). She raised her hands in a mock surrender.

"I was just trying to give you credit! Plus— you kind of are training me," she shrugged, whispering the last part.

"No, I'm training..." Hiccup paused, glancing around just in case any patrol members happen to stray too close to them. "Him. Not you. Big difference," Hiccup corrected, turning back to (Name).

"Same thing," she waved him off, shaking her head.

"Uh, actually it's not."

"Is too."

"Is not—" Hiccup bit back, finally stepping up to the porch of his own hut.

"Okay fine, you're technically not training me... but, not like I can tell everyone else that," (Name) shrugged, pausing as something seemed to come to a realisation.

"Hey... what are we going to go?" She suddenly looked over to Hiccup, the boy raising an eyebrow at her.

"Huh?" Hiccup paused, his hand lingering in the front doors handle.

"About— Toothless, and all that. Do we just... keep hiding this? Forever?" She suddenly asked, one of her hands coming to rub her other arm.

"I— I don't... know," Hiccup blinked, seeming to realise the same thing. They truly had no plan for this. It had all been smooth sailing so far, but that's because everything had been decently peaceful.

What happens when the rest of the village returns? When hunts start happening out in the forest again? What happens then—? She hadn't really taken the time to think about it, and it seems Hiccup hadn't either.

"What if the village finds him?"

"They won't... but, don't worry about it for now... Ill figure something out," Hiccup shook his head, pushing the door open.

"We will."

"Hiccup stopped, looking back to (Name). "Huh?"

"We'll figure it out. I— I don't want the others to find Toothless... or Shocker, either. As much as I never thought it would happen—befriending dragons and all—I don't really want the others to find them," (Name) swallowed.

"..."

"So, if you come up with something," (Name) took a breath, looking over to Hiccup with a small smile. "I'd be more than happy to help," she nodded.

Hiccup nodded back, his heart doing that same thing it had earlier. His hand grasped the door handle tighter. "Yeah, thanks." Hiccup smiled back.

"Night, (Name). See you tomorrow," Hiccup bid her goodbye.

"Night Hiccup," she returned the greeting, staying in her spot until the door closed fully. Even then, she stared at it for a moment, feeling her heart palpate unevenly in her chest.

Finally with a deep breath, the muffled footsteps of Hiccup inside his hut spurred her onwards, and she turned on her heel, beginning to walk back to her own hut with a strangely heavy heart.

Was it from the idea of Toothless and Shocker being found— or the fact she had something else she might have wanted to say? Either way, it didn't truly matter. She had bit her tongue, and she probably would for a while. Though, she hoped she wouldn't have to.

.

"Gods... my feet hurt so bad," (Name) whined, following after Hiccup and Toothless who walked ahead of her through the forest— Shocker sitting on her shoulder.

"Is it just me or are the dragons in the ring getting a little more aggressive? That Nadder was chasing after me like I'd personally offended it," she continued her branch of complaints, feeling the ache within her feet muscles every step she took forwards.

Definitely strained, and it was to be expected after all the running she'd done in the ring. Gobber had set the maze back up and released the Nadder, and for some reason, the dragon decided it wanted to make her its personal target, yet she couldn't quite pinpoint why.

"That's probably because you hit it with your shield the other day," Hiccup pointed out, glancing back at (Name) over his shoulder— more than informed on the situation she whinged about seeing as he had witnessed it first hand.

"It jump-scared me, alright? I got scared!" (Name) defended herself.

"You should work on your fight or flight reaction," Hiccup hummed, turning back to face forwards as the hill he'd been using the practice flying came into view— the snow once more piled upon it, yet that one stump at the crest visible.

"Oh yeah? Well you should work on your flight," (Name) huffed. Hiccup seemed to take that to heart.

"My flight is amazing, thank you!"

Toothless grumbled.

"Sorry bud, your flight."

"See— even Toothless thinks you suck at controlling the tail," (Name) continued to poke the bear.

"I do not! I've been doing fine lately."

"Yeah, after I got you to double check your skills."

"Well— I've been doing fine now."

"Because you made those hooks to help you!"

"You told me to!" Hiccup walked up with Toothless to the stump, finding the rope lying on the ground that they'd left there after yesterday's flight testing.

"I changed my mind."

"Gods... you're just being petty, aren't you?" Hiccup grumbled as he picked up the rope, beginning to connect it to Toothless' saddle again.

"How'd you know?" (Name) snorted.

"Because you're being annoying," Hiccup chuffed back.

"I am not annoying," (Name) denied.

"I said you were being annoying, not that you are annoying— big difference!" Hiccup corrected with a sarcastic huff.

"Stop it with your high and mighty grammar," (Name) grumbled, rolling her eyes.

"You're just mad I'm better at grammar than you," Hiccup teased, pulling himself onto the back of Toothless, propping himself up on the saddle.

"Am not."

"You are, you just won't admit it," Hiccup hummed as he checked to make sure all of the mechanisms were working once again.

(Name) frowned at him, yet there was no real bite behind the expression, just a hidden admittance.

"Make sure you're hooked in," she reminded.

"Yeah, yeah. I know, stop acting like you're my mother," Hiccup mocked, sitting back up and hooking one end of the hooks to his 'flight suit', then proceeding to conjoin the other end of the hooks to two new protruding metal circles that Hiccup had added to Toothless' saddle, particularly for this purpose.

"I'm not— y'know what, never-mind," (Name) shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest as she watched Hiccup get ready for flight testing number; who knows.

Shocker chittered from her shoulder, and she glanced to the small blue Terror that was dressed in the harness Hiccup had made for her. Shocker looked cute with it on, and (Name) honestly found it a little funny that Shocker still struggled a little with walking.

Well— maybe struggled wasn't the best word. Shocker could get from point A to point B easily, it just seemed that with the harness on she preferred to waddle instead of walk, but, she was getting close to strutting normally instead of like a lopsided model.

"Alright bud, one last flight before the big try?" Hiccup leaned over Toothless' shoulder, a buck-toothed grin on his face. Toothless huffed through his nose, shaking his head before stretching his wings.

It only took a small spurt of wind this time for Toothless to take off, and Hiccup easily sat on the back of him like a natural. They glided perfectly, except for the few times the wind would kick up and knock them around a little— causing Hiccup to almost fall off, but luckily the hooks he'd made did their job and they kept him on.

It was all smooth— oh my gods.

Again, the rope crackled and snapped, and just like the other two moments this had happened, Hiccup was flung back alongside Toothless.

(Name) was seriously beginning to doubt the safety of these ropes. They seemed to snap way too easily, but then again... a rope probably wasn't made to have the strength to hold onto something as heavy as a gliding dragon. So. It was no wonder they kept snapping more and more.

Hiccup yelled out in shock just like the other times, and again (Name) ran after to where he and Toothless hand landed together, finding Hiccup sitting up and shaking his head.

"We really need stronger ropes..." Hiccup grunted, raising a hand to press the heel of it against his forehead, a headache incoming.

"Ya-think!? This is the third time in... a month! Okay— that's not really that bad, but still!" (Name) offered a hand to help Hiccup up as Toothless seemed to recover fairly well on his own. Hiccup reached his own hand out and took it, letting (Name) pull him up.

Only, there was a slight problem.

Something stopped Hiccup from fully standing. The hooks.

They tugged and stopped Hiccup half-way from standing, causing him to twist his torso awkwardly to see what the problem was.

At a first glance, it seemed to just be an oversight of their intended use, but when Hiccup used his free hand to try and thread them free of their clasps, they stayed stuck— bent awkwardly from the fall, and therefor sealed together.

Hiccup was joined to Toothless. Or rather, Toothless's saddle was conjoined to Hiccup's flight suit. Though, in this moment of panic— all the two saw was the fact that Hiccup was attached to Toothless by the hip. Literally.

"Well... that's not good," (Name) pointed out, and her obvious statement was followed by an eye roll from Hiccup.

"Thank you... I couldn't tell," Hiccup sighed.

"So uh, how're you gonna fix that," (Name) peered over his shoulder to get a better look of the situation, blinking at the obviously dented metal that certainly wouldn't come free without a little rough-handling.

Hiccup pursed his lips in thought.

"I have an idea... but it's a little risky," he looked back to (Name), and her face remained neutral before it dropped, realisation striking her flat.

"No."

"Yup."

—

"Aye Hiccup," a patrolling Viking waved at Hiccup, that of whom was leaned against the side of a building— doing his absolute best to remain inconspicuous.

"Hi," he nodded back, feebly remaining casual as the Viking passed. Either Hiccup was truly just that good at lying and stealth, or the Vikings were seriously lacking in their suspicion department, and (Name)— who stuck her head out from the dark of the alley— seemed to think it was more so the latter.

"Berk seriously needs to work on their security," she hummed, watching the watchman walk off with a torch in his hand, using it for illumination. He didn't suspect a thing, all he did was keep walking. Stupid.

"No kidding," Hiccup nodded, doing a double check of their surroundings. "Alright, it's clear— let's go," Hiccup nodded towards the opposing side of the central plaza, where the forge sat. It was just there, unoccupied and shrilled in silence.

Hiccup stepped out of the alley, tugging on the leather cord attached to his hook. On the other end, Toothless too stepped out of the alley, Shocker on his back. All four of them had been hiding inside the alley, using Hiccup as some kind of diversion.

Now that the coast was clear— for who knows how long— they were going to try and complete their mission; disconnect Toothless from Hiccup. For this mission, they needed to head to the forge, which was where Hiccup would attempt to re-shape the hooks back into their desired form.

The four of them quickly yet quietly crept across the space of the plaza, darting from one end to another and seeking shelter out in the forge that lay in waiting. The moment they reached it, (Name) took up the duty of closing the windows this time, and Hiccup immediately set to work on finding the tools he'd need, dragging Toothless along with him.

(Name) was on watch duty. Yippee.

She quickly closed every window in the forge, blocking out the light, and then stalking to the entrance to where she'd watch for anyone who passed by. She'd be the one to call out the code if they needed to run. Said code was; "Yak stampede!". They'd both agreed on it.

Hiccup rifled through drawers and shelves, noisily digging through clutter and scraps of jagged metal to try and find what he'd need, yet to little success so far.

(Name) glared back at him from her post. "Jee— could you be any louder? It sounds like you're digging for gold in there!" She hissed, trying to keep her voice low as she glared at the boy.

"Oh I'm sorry. I'm just trying to be quick," Hiccup snapped back, fumbling through items as his hands gradually grew more clammy from adrenaline.

"We'll be quiet as well—" (Name) grunted again, turning back to peer out the front entrance.

"Uh oh," she suddenly murmured, and that caught Hiccup's attention.

"What, what is it?" He paused his searching, trying to peer out the door.

"It's Astrid... just— just keep working! I'll distract her," (Name) waved him off, her eyes watching as Astrid walked over to the forge, clearly having already seen her standing in the doorway. This couldn't be anything good.

"(Name)," Astrid bluntly greeted, if you could even call only saying (Name's) name a greeting at all.

"Astrid, hi," (Name) nodded back, a smile on her face— before some metal clattered behind her, which drew her smile to twitch in irritation.

"What was that?" Astrid tried to peer over her shoulder, but (Name) sidestepped and blocked her view.

"Uhm... nothing. Hiccup's just, working on a super secret project," (Name) coughed awkwardly into her fist. Astrid didn't seem convinced.

"And you're...?" She looked (Name) up and down.

"Standing guard."

"Right," Astrid nodded with a frown, crossing her arms. "What is he working on?" Astrid questioned, again trying to get a quick peek inside, but (Name) kept blocking her view.

"Super secret. Like I said," (Name) spluttered, wincing as yet more metal clattered.

"Okay, you're acting weird, and so is Hiccup. What are you two up to?" Astrid took a step forward, her stride slow and calculating, her eyes flickering for a way in as she began to interrogate her 'best friend '.

"Suddenly he gets good at dragon training, and now you won't even talk to me without getting all— nervous," Astrid continued as she came face to face with (Name).

(Name) blinked nervously, her guilty smile still being held up.

"Uhm... I get really anxious in winter?"

"No you don't."

"Yeah... you're right, I don't— but uh, sorry, can't tell you, super secret," (Name) again reiterated that same phrase she kept using.

"So secret you can't even tell your best friend?" Astrid raised her brows.

"Can't even tell you. Hiccup is uh... really— shy about it," (Name) glanced back into the forge before looking to Astrid again.

"Uh huh. Why would he tell you then?"

"Because I found out on accident!" (Name) squeaked, her hands fiddling with one another.

"You found out on accident?"

"Yup."

Astrid glared at (Name)— like, really glared. Astrid was the kind of person who didn't even have to try to be intimidating. She was smart, strong, pretty. She was quite literally intimidating by just existing, so obviously (Name) was going to fold under such pressure.

"Okay—! I'll tell you. But... you have to promise not to tell anyone else, alright?" (Name) winced looking around discreetly.

"Fine, I won't tell anyone," Astrid rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disbelief.

(Name) double checked her surroundings again when Astrid promised that, and then when the coast was clear— she leaned in close, whispering something in Astrid's ear.

Astrid's face remained neutral, a cover of steel that couldn't be easily broken down, but then her eyes widened, a shocked looked taking over the blondes expression as her lips parted alongside it.

(Name) pulled back, and both stood in an awkward silence as Astrid processed the words.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. So... I've been helping him with that," (Name) looked away shyly, dusting her hands off even if there was no dirt to swipe away.

"But he's been getting better though, so he should be fine soon," (Name) finalised, and Astrid simply continued to stand awkwardly.

More metal clattered.

Astrid looked back to the forge.

"Okay, seriously. What is he doing in there?" Astrid attempted to step past (Name), but the girl blocked her.

Astrid glared at (Name).

"Move."

With a shove that wasn't intended to be quite as harmful as it came out to be, Astrid pushed (Name) to the side, stepping into the forge only to find it completely empty, the only remnants of someone being here recently being the air that was stirred unevenly.

Astrid stopped, observing the scene before turning back to (Name), only to find her gone as well.

"What the hell...?" Astrid blinked in confusion, looking around to find herself completely alone— it was quite literally just her and herself in the forge now.

Though, under the cover of night, multiple figure crept away as one blackened silhouette in the skies. Hiccup, on the back of Toothless— nervously controlling the dragons fin as they flew for the first time without the rope and stump, and (Name), who was unfortunately being held in the claws of Toothless, being dangled over open air.

"A little warning next time?!" She screeched quietly, grasping onto Toothless' paws as tightly as she could, and she could hear a faint snort coming from Hiccup above.

"I had to be quiet! But... you think I'm finally ready for solo-flying now?" Something in Hiccup's tone seemed prideful, an unspoken glory slowly growing within him as her doubts were proved wrong.

(Name) grumbled at the cockiness in his voice.

"Maybe you are— but I am not," she breathed through her teeth, trying not to look at the lights of Berk below. The distance between her and the ground was far too terrifying for her to even consider looking down, so she simply kept her eyes squeezed shut.

"Mmh... anyway. What did you tell Astrid?"

"What?"

"You told Astrid something, a secret, apparently," Hiccup cleared up.

"Oh— that. I told her you had an addiction to eating metal."

"..."

"You told her what?"

"I was nervous, okay!"

Note; sorry for the extremely long delay chat! I was working on some other series of mine, but I'm back here now! So hopefully this chapter wasn't that dreadful. Anyway, we're getting closer to Stoick returning!

[bambiens]

LIKE A TATTOO .☘︎ ݁˖ – 05 who are you?

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previous | next chapter | masterlist

[word count: ~1.1k, 6 screenshots] ignore timestamps!

fifteen minutes ago you were drinking to your heart's content – and now? you were in front of heeseung's shop.

why you decided to do this? – you had no idea yourself. you abruptly left the club (and your friends) and took an uber here.

you stood at the entrance of the shop, reading the bright neon light that read "black heart ink."

to be completely honest, you had been thinking about heeseung the past three days you didn't reply to his text. your friends were right. a simple text back wouldn't have hurt.

your heart was weighing heavy on you all because of some stranger you met a week ago.

you didn't realize it at that moment but you were scared – scared of letting another man into your life, even if it was too early to tell if he even had any sort of romantic intent towards you.

while standing outside, you couldn't help but think about how your last relationship ended.

.☘︎ ݁˖

you met soobin in september of 2021 during your freshman year of nyu.

both of you had taken the same elective and met when he asked if he could sit beside you during a lecture.

soobin was nice, friendly, made you laugh a lot, and was absolutely gorgeous.

when you both locked eyes for the first time, you found it hard to believe the gods had sculpted someone so intricately – made with care and love.

it was easy to be friends with him – it was safe.

he even introduced you to all of his friends whom he'd met living on campus: yeonjun, beomgyu, and giselle.

your relationship with him progressed fairly quickly, and this didn't go unnoticed by the rest of your friends.

inevitably, the friend group dynamic shifted when you and soobin became official, which wasn't an issue anyways considering soobin had already found another group of friends.

you'd never had a boyfriend before and were unaware of how relationships worked in the first place.

soobin was your first everything – even if you weren't his.

somewhere along your relationship with soobin; he had changed.

the kind and friendly demeanour had changed drastically; he became extremely over-protective and territorial of you. he forbade you from going to the clubs or parties your friends had invited you to, and even prohibited you from hanging out with yeonjun and beomgyu alone.

you didn't really mind it though, you just thought this was his way of showing how he cares.

on your first-year anniversary with soobin, you had made plans with him to go out for dinner.

these plans never went through though.

while sitting at the dinner table waiting for him, you received a simple, concise text message from soobin saying, "let's break up."

no apology, no closure, just, "let's break up."

you were devastated. you didn't know why he would do that so suddenly – so out of the blue – you thought you two were doing so well.

and to this day, you still don't know why he did what he did.

every time you saw him on campus after that, your heart wrenched a little more – and it took you a long time to mend your heart from that break up.

so, you decided to never let a man tell you what you could or couldn't do.

you vowed to never let another man in your heart and break it so recklessly again.

.☘︎ ݁˖

after contemplating for a while outside, you just decided to bite the bullet and enter inside.

"sorry, we're closing soon," a familiar voice spoke.

heeseung returned to the shop earlier that day just to clean up in the back and double-check his appointments for next week. never would he have imagined you would return back here of all people – especially after you left him on read for three days.

"hi," you quietly murmured.

with a quick whip of his head, heeseung turned his back to see your face.

here you were, yet again – hammered, in club attire, except you were alone this time. you begin to wonder how many more times heeseung will see you like this.

"oh, i wasn't expecting to see you here lucky."

"yeah, neither was i," you slurred.

heeseung just let out a light chuckle, "what brings you here? it's pretty late and it doesn't seem like you want a tattoo right now – unless..." he jokes.

you let out a deep sigh – one that filled the air with intoxication and left your body heavy, "i don't know... i was just thinking."

he raises an eyebrow, waiting for you to finish your sentence but you never did. you just stood there looking at him, eyes droopy, feet giving out from the heels you've been wearing all night.

"why me? why are you so insistent on giving me a tattoo?" you spitted out.

there was a pause of silence in the store, so still you swear you could hear your heart thumping.

heeseung began, and then paused.

he walked closer to you until you could smell his scent; musky and vanilla.

a smile crept up his face, "i don't know, i guess i'm just curious."

you ran impatient, "curious about what?"

"you. who are you?" he questioned.

you were confused – extremely confused to say the least. and it wasn't helping that you were completely drunk out of your mind.

you thought to yourself for a second; what's so special about me that he's so curious about?

you're just an ordinary girl. there was nothing special to you, you thought. if you were so special, why did soobin leave you?

your thoughts come to a halt when heeseung says, "you should sit down and drink some water."

you oblige, and he takes you to the back of his shop where you lay down on the couch and drink the water heeseung gave you.

heeseung doesn't speak, he doesn't bother you, he just sits across from you and observes.

and you two stay like this for a while.

"what's so special about me that you're so curious about?" you become sluggish and feel your exhaustion creeping up to you.

heeseung's face becomes puzzled, "i don't know you yet but–"

you cut him off, "well, you can get to know me," you mumble quietly, eyes slowly shutting.

heeseung turns back to look at you again, expressionless.

he becomes flustered by your words – he doesn't know what to say to you now.

heeseung's now stuck deep in thought; you had just left him on read for three days – and now? now you want him to get to know you.

when heeseung finally finds the words to say to you, he's cut off by your quiet snoring.

with a grin now on his face, heeseung finds a blanket in the cabinet to drape over you, "goodnight, lucky."

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author's note: damn i wish i lived in an alternate reality where soobin is my ex and heeseung is my new fine shyt😒 also i went through ACTUAL trials and tribulations writing this so ENJOY!!

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copyright © bambiens 2025.

[joluvsfinnick]

Letters Left Behind

f!reader x finnick o’dair

summary - a box of letters, penned by Finnick to his lover, words of love, hope, and dreams of a wedding that may never come. through ink and tears, a love lost to time whispers between the pages, aching and eternal.

warnings - mentions of finnicks death and capitol life.

a/n - i’ve had this in my notes for a while and finally managed to finish it. it’s short because it hurts🗿 also, i’m such a sucker for letters if u couldn’t tell.

You don’t expect to see Annie at your door.

Not since the funeral. Not since the salt-slick morning you stood beside her on the shore, both of you wearing black and silence.

But there she is. Windblown. Pale. Clutching something carefully to her chest, a small wooden box wrapped in fraying fishing twine. She doesn’t say anything for a long time. Just holds it out to you like it weighs too much.

“He wanted you to have this,” she whispers. “He… he started them when we were kids.” Your fingers graze the twine, confused.

“Started what?” She blinks back tears.

“Letters. He started them when he was sixteen, said he was writing to the girl he’d fall in love with one day. I teased him, told him she’d never put up with him.” A soft, cracked laugh. “But he didn’t stop. Not once.” You glance down at the box. Your name isn’t on it. But somehow, you know it’s yours.

“He didn’t know who she was for a long time,” Annie says with a slight pause. When you pinch your eyebrows in confusion, she continues. “The girl he was writing too. But once he met you… he started calling her Pearl.”

You freeze. That was his name for you.

Soft as sea foam. Whispered into your hair at night. Scrawled across everything. Spoken like a secret when the rest of the world had taken too much. Annie places the box in your arms like it’s something holy.

“He made me promise. If he didn’t come back… I’d find you. I’d give you the words he never had time to say.” And then, without another word, she’s gone.

You don’t open it right away. You couldn’t. You sit on the floor of your tiny house, the sea whispering outside your window. You run your fingers over the lid like it might bite. It doesn’t. It only trembles. Finally, you undo the twine and lift the lid.

It smells like old salt and worn-out hope.

Inside are hundreds of letters. Folded neatly. Stained slightly by time and touch. Each dated. Some sealed with faded red wax. Others just tucked closed, as if he wrote them fast, needing to spill something before it vanished from him completely.

You lift the first.

The date hits you: he was sixteen. Still barely a boy, but still broken.

“To my future wife,

If you exist, God, I hope you exist. This is for you.

I don’t know your name. I don’t know where you live. But I think about you all the time.

Today I’m headed back to the Capitol for a short stay, so I’ll write to you again when I come back.

I hope you’re kind. I hope you’d know how to hold someone like me.

— Finnick”

You press a trembling hand to your mouth. It’s too much. And yet, You keep reading.

“To my future wife,

They dressed me up again today. Put me in gold. I smiled so hard my face hurt.

One of the Capitol women called me “the boy with the perfect mouth.”

I wanted to scream.

I hope, someday, you kiss me like I’m more than what they see.

—Finnick”

“To my future wife,

I dreamed of you last night.

You were laughing. Your hair was a mess. You didn’t care who was watching.

You touched my face like I was something soft.

No one’s touched me like that in years.

— Finnick”

Your tears come quietly. You’re not even sure when they started. Letter after letter, he reaches toward someone who didn’t exist yet. And then,

He meets you.

You feel it the moment it shifts. The letters stop saying “To my future wife.”

They begin with the nickname that shatters you.

“Pearl,

I think it’s you. I think I met you today.

You called me out when you were in line behind me and you heard me flirting with the grocer just to get some free bread.

Then you smiled at me like I wasn’t a weapon.

That’s never happened before.

— Finnick”

You pull another.

“Pearl,

I touched your hand today.

I didn’t mean to. I brushed against your fingers while passing you that stupid book you wanted me to read.

And I swear to God, I felt it in my throat.

I can’t stop thinking about it.

— Finnick”

“Pearl,

You hugged me today.

You hugged me.

I don’t think you even knew what it meant to me. You were just cold.

But you wrapped your arms around me like it was the easiest thing in the world.

And I almost cried right there.

Because no one hugs a Capitol boy unless they want something.

But you just held me.

— Finnick”

“Pearl,

I kissed you today.

I didn’t plan it. I panicked. You were laughing and the sun was behind you and you were saying something ridiculous about how you’d never marry a man who eats oysters.

So I did the only thing I could think of: I kissed you.

And you kissed me back.

My hands were shaking for hours.

— Finnick”

The light outside fades. District 4 slips into evening. You’re surrounded by pieces of him, and it still doesn’t feel like enough. You wonder if it ever will.

Finally, you reach the last letter.

The paper is newer. The handwriting shakier. The date? It’s from the week before the mission in the Capitol. The week before the tunnel.

You already know what it is. And still, you open it.

“Pearl,

I’ve been writing you letters since I was sixteen.

Can you believe that?

I used to think I was writing to someone imaginary. A soft place in a hard world.

But it was always you. It’s always been you.

I don’t know how this ends. I hope I come back to you. I hope I get to see the way your nose scrunches when you laugh, and the way you fake being annoyed when I flirt with you in front of people. I hope I get to wake up next to you for the rest of my life.

But if I don’t,

Please know this: I wasn’t afraid to die. I was only afraid to leave you behind.

You were the only thing in this world that felt untouched. Unbought. Mine.

I wanted to marry you. No, not wanted, I want. If I come back, I will.

I’ll say something stupid at our wedding. I’ll cry halfway through my vows as I talk about how much love I have for you, and how you’re the only person in my life who makes me feel at peace.

You’ll make fun of me, I can already see it. You, laughing through your tears as I confess my undying love for you.

I want forever with you.

But if forever isn’t mine, then let these letters be.

Let them be the parts of me I never got to give you.

Yours, always

— Finnick”

You fold the letter slowly. Carefully. You press it to your chest, and this time, when the sob breaks out of you, you don’t stop it.

He’d been loving you even before you existed.

He loved you across time. Across pain. Across the lines that people like him weren’t supposed to cross.

You lay the letter back in the box. Tie the twine shut with trembling hands. And whisper the only words you have left to give:

“I love you too, Finnick. I always will.”