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lyricalviolet · 2 years

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I posted 693 times in 2022

That's 254 more posts than 2021!

22 posts created (3%)

671 posts reblogged (97%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@tsuntsunfangirl

@somewhereapart

@letmetellyouaboutmyfeels

@chryswatchesdiscovery

@kalehnkasti-blog

I tagged 494 of my posts in 2022

Only 29% of my posts had no tags

#all for queue - 254 posts

#st: disco - 70 posts

#michael burnham - 64 posts

#fanfic - 56 posts

#star trek discovery - 40 posts

#sir your face is offensive - 36 posts

#captain christopher pike - 33 posts

#christopher pike - 31 posts

#for later - 30 posts

#writing - 26 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#i just can’t talk about any.of them cuz the whole damn tour is classifiedbut this is such a tame plan by comparisonthe chucklefuckery we go

My Top Posts in 2022:

Chapters: 20/? Fandom: Star Trek: Discovery Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Michael Burnham/Christopher Pike Characters: Christopher Pike, Michael Burnham, Sylvia Tilly, Spock (Star Trek), Joann Owosekun, Keyla Detmer, Katrina Cornwell, Number One | Una Chin-Riley (Star Trek), Amanda Grayson, Ash Tyler | Voq, Saru (Star Trek), Hugh Culber, Mirror Philippa Georgiou, Sarek (Star Trek), Paul Stamets, Vina (Star Trek), Leland (Star Trek), Commander Ariam, Gabrielle Burnham Additional Tags: Slow Burn, POV Michael Burnham, Michael Burnham Needs a Hug, Friends to Lovers, Developing Relationship, During Canon, Canon Compliant, for now, these idiots have a stranglehold on me, emotionally repressed woman who deserves love, and a man of faith who thinks he's going to die, Idiots, Mutual Pining, USS Discovery (Star Trek), Star Trek: Discovery Spoilers, Star Trek: Discovery Compliant, Christopher Pike Whump, Alcohol, Touching, Vulcan, cannon adjacent, tiptoeing into AU, soft, Spycraft, Section 31 (Star Trek), Minor Michael Burnham/Ash Tyler | Voq, these idiots keep running away with the story and ruining my plans, Saru is a good bro, Talosians (Star Trek), Aftermath of Torture, Panic Attacks, Implied/Referenced Dubious Consent, Sharing a Bed, Sharing Clothes, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Canonical Character Death, Beating, Spock is a Good Friend (Star Trek), Spock is a Little Shit (Star Trek), Time Travel Series: Part 1 of Doubt Thou the Stars Are Fire Summary:

All Michael Burnham wants is to be an explorer and to pay back the debt she seems to think she owes the Universe.

All Christopher Pike wants is to be a good man and to serve others.

Enter the Seven Signals, a murder mystery, galaxy-ending peril, and each other.

Chapter 20 is up!

12 notes - Posted September 8, 2022

Chapters: 39/39 Fandom: Star Trek: Discovery Rating: Explicit Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Michael Burnham/Christopher Pike, Michael Burnham & Christopher Pike Series: Part 1 of Doubt Thou the Stars Are Fire Summary:

All Michael Burnham wants is to be an explorer and pay back the debt she thinks she owes the Universe.

All Christopher Pike wants is to be a good man and to serve others.

Enter the Seven Signals, a murder mystery, galaxy-ending peril, and each other.

THE EPILOGUE IS UP!

12 notes - Posted November 4, 2022

Chapters: 19/? Fandom: Star Trek: Discovery Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Michael Burnham/Christopher Pike Characters: Christopher Pike, Michael Burnham, Sylvia Tilly, Spock (Star Trek), Joann Owosekun, Keyla Detmer, Katrina Cornwell, Number One | Una Chin-Riley (Star Trek), Amanda Grayson, Ash Tyler | Voq, Saru (Star Trek), Hugh Culber, Mirror Philippa Georgiou, Sarek (Star Trek), Paul Stamets, Vina (Star Trek), Leland (Star Trek), Commander Ariam, Gabrielle Burnham Additional Tags: Slow Burn, POV Michael Burnham, Michael Burnham Needs a Hug, Friends to Lovers, Developing Relationship, During Canon, Canon Compliant, for now, these idiots have a stranglehold on me, emotionally repressed woman who deserves love, and a man of faith who thinks he's going to die, Idiots, Mutual Pining, USS Discovery (Star Trek), Star Trek: Discovery Spoilers, Star Trek: Discovery Compliant, Christopher Pike Whump, Alcohol, Touching, Vulcan, cannon adjacent, tiptoeing into AU, soft, Spycraft, Section 31 (Star Trek), Minor Michael Burnham/Ash Tyler | Voq, these idiots keep running away with the story and ruining my plans, Saru is a good bro, Talosians (Star Trek), Aftermath of Torture, Panic Attacks, Implied/Referenced Dubious Consent, Sharing a Bed, Sharing Clothes, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Canonical Character Death, Beating, Spock is a Good Friend (Star Trek), Spock is a Little Shit (Star Trek), Time Travel Series: Part 1 of Doubt Thou the Stars Are Fire Summary:

All Michael Burnham wants is to be an explorer and to pay back the debt she seems to think she owes the Universe.

All Christopher Pike wants is to be a good man and to serve others.

Enter the Seven Signals, a murder mystery, galaxy-ending peril, and each other.

Chapter 19 is up a little earlier than planned because of post-covid work stuff. Enjoy!

In which Chris meets Mama Burnham, and learns the universe-saving martyr complex might be genetic

15 notes - Posted September 7, 2022

@tsuntsunfangirl did you see the SNW Instagram ?

Like, they know what they're doing, right? They have to know what they're doing.

16 notes - Posted December 6, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Chapters: 21/? Fandom: Star Trek: Discovery Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Michael Burnham/Christopher Pike Characters: Christopher Pike, Michael Burnham, Sylvia Tilly, Spock (Star Trek), Joann Owosekun, Keyla Detmer, Katrina Cornwell, Number One | Una Chin-Riley (Star Trek), Amanda Grayson, Ash Tyler | Voq, Saru (Star Trek), Hugh Culber, Mirror Philippa Georgiou, Sarek (Star Trek), Paul Stamets, Vina (Star Trek), Leland (Star Trek), Commander Ariam, Gabrielle Burnham Additional Tags: Slow Burn, POV Michael Burnham, Michael Burnham Needs a Hug, Friends to Lovers, Developing Relationship, During Canon, Canon Compliant, for now, these idiots have a stranglehold on me, emotionally repressed woman who deserves love, and a man of faith who thinks he's going to die, Idiots, Mutual Pining, USS Discovery (Star Trek), Star Trek: Discovery Spoilers, Star Trek: Discovery Compliant, Christopher Pike Whump, Alcohol, Touching, Vulcan, cannon adjacent, tiptoeing into AU, soft, Spycraft, Section 31 (Star Trek), Minor Michael Burnham/Ash Tyler | Voq, these idiots keep running away with the story and ruining my plans, Saru is a good bro, Talosians (Star Trek), Aftermath of Torture, Panic Attacks, Implied/Referenced Dubious Consent, Sharing a Bed, Sharing Clothes, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Canonical Character Death, Beating, Spock is a Good Friend (Star Trek), Spock is a Little Shit (Star Trek), Time Travel Series: Part 1 of Doubt Thou the Stars Are Fire Summary:

All Michael Burnham wants is to be an explorer and to pay back the debt she seems to think she owes the Universe.

All Christopher Pike wants is to be a good man and to serve others.

Enter the Seven Signals, a murder mystery, galaxy-ending peril, and each other.

Chapter 21 is up!

28 notes - Posted September 15, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #oh look #i am back on my bullshit #And I wrote a fic this year ma

0 notes

ddarker-dreams · 4 years

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Contractual Obligations II. Yan Childe x Reader

Warnings: Unwanted physical contact, general yandere themes. Word count: 2.2k. →Part I.

The sound of heavy, wooden doors shutting behind you feels like a premonition of what is to come.

Fiddling with your skirt, your eyes dart around, taking in Liyue’s signature rich architecture. Fatui building or not, they still must abide by Liyue’s aesthetic. You thought being surrounded by your home’s design would bring solace. Warm shades of mahogany with gold motifs are illuminated by paper lanterns, giving a glow that would be otherwise pleasant, if not for the circumstances.

You had anticipated a long wait. Ekaterina, upon hearing your name, informed that you would be seen without delay. The others in the lobby of Northland Bank grumbled at this, much to your embarrassment. It’s no secret that getting appointments here is a time-consuming endeavor. Sailors, business owners, and Qixing’s personal assistants alike had to wait.

For whatever reason, you were allowed to skip ahead of the queue. The glaring special treatment is bound to spread rumors. Now, here you stand, unable to quell your nerves. This is no different than strolling into a ravenous lion’s den. The vulnerability you feel now makes you wish you were facing a carnivorous beast, at least then you might have hope to defend yourself.

Even with the unexpected privilege of not waiting in the lobby, you’ve been standing here in this private room for a while now. Thirty minutes is your guess, impatience creeping up on you. Your shoulders slump, a sigh leaving your lips. There’s lots of work to be done when you’re done here, time a precious resource. Wasting it to get answers from the blight on your life is infuriating.

Figures, the one time you need to speak with Childe, he’s nowhere to be seen. Every other time he’d show up at the least opportune moments. He has a habit of appearing uninvited and ruining what would’ve been a pleasant day. Lost in thought, you consider all that must be done when you return to your parent’s shop, too occupied with your thoughts to notice a looming figure. Two hands go out to cover your eyes, the world suddenly going dark. Heart pounding against your chest, the touch is too unexpected, heat rising in your body as protection.

“Guess who?” Childe hums into your ear with a singsong tone. His scent reminds you of the ocean, fresh and light.

You frown, noticing how close he is to you, his chest pressed against your back. Does Childe not know what personal space is? “The source of my problems.”

He lets out a scandalized gasp and slinks in front of you. Childe boasts a lighthearted demeanor, mirth dancing in his eyes, and a tight-lipped smile on his face. Inauthentic as ever, you note. You’ve seen what lays dormant behind the thin veil of boyish charm. The infinite darkness that you never wish to see again. He’s still closer to your person than you’d prefer, but pointing it out won’t do any good, so you decide to overlook it. Picking your battles wisely is vital when speaking with Childe.

“Is that the greeting I get, after rushing all the way here?” Childe sighs. Before you could respond, you notice a new scent in the air, unmistakably leather. It takes you a moment to identify the source. A thin, wispy trail of smoke rises from Childe’s leather gloves that had been touching you just prior. Does that not hurt? Childe catches you staring and laughs.

“So you didn’t notice,” Childe sounds amused, lifting his hands to inspect them. Raising his hands to his mouth, he bites the tip of his gloves and pulls them off. “Looks like I caught you.”

He nods to your necklace which is tucked beneath your blouse, scarlet light shining through the fabric. Instinctually, you cover it with your hand, the jewel warm to the touch. Childe’s abrupt physical touch had activated your Vision. It’s only when you take a few deep breaths that the telling glow fades away, but the damage is already done. Did he plan this on purpose? Whatever the case may be, Childe is the last person you want having this information.

Sensing your apprehension, he speaks up. “Relax, I already assumed as much, but my interest is undeniably piqued. Why hide your Vision? This isn’t Inazuma, I was under the impression Visions were revered in Liyue.”

You don’t owe Childe an explanation, but your intuition tells you he’s not going to let this go anytime soon. This isn’t what you came here for, you remind yourself. Don’t let him distract you.

“It’s a long story,” comes your dismissive answer, glancing around to see if anyone else had seen, even though it’s only you two in here. “Can I talk about what I came here for, please?”

Childe closes his eyes, humming while considering your proposition. Instead of walking behind the desk in the room, he sits on a bench against the wall, motioning for you to come over. At your blatant hesitation, he decides to pester you, which doesn’t come as a shock.

“What’s up with that look? There’s plenty of room,” Childe pats the spot next to him for extra emphasis. A dangerous twinkle shines in his eyes with a mischievous smile to match it. “Though, I wouldn’t complain should you come to sit on my lap instead.”

Your cheeks flush brightly, a weak glare being sent his way which he laughs at. “I would never…”

“Sure, sure. Come over already, it’s the least you could do, considering you just scorched a pair of my favorite gloves.” Childe’s carefree tone doesn’t match his scolding words, stretching out his arm on the back of where you were supposed to sit. Gingerly stepping over the smoking gloves on the floor, you wonder if it’s somehow a fire hazard, but assume Childe’s Hydro Vision could put it out if need be. You stop just short of sitting down, gnawing on your bottom lip at this new internal dilemma. Glaring daggers at his outstretched arm doesn’t seem to faze him.

“The offer still stands.” He teases, leading you to huff and take your seat by him. You try to ignore the close physical proximity, but it’s rather difficult, as your thighs are touching. Is this a common theme for Snezhnayans? Why is Childe so needlessly touchy? Maybe you don’t want to know. Childe drums his fingers, staring at you with dangerous intent.

You’ve wasted enough time here. Hoping to move on to the pressing issue, your lips part without further delay. “So, as I was--”

Childe places a finger to your lips, in an act that leaves you speechless. What is his problem? Furrowing your eyebrows together, you have half a mind to scorch the finger in front of you, but dismiss the thought when remembering his strength. Damn him for getting you riled up with such ease.

“Uh uh uh,” Childe chastises with a shake of his head. “Not yet. Business can come later. First, you’re going to tell me about that.”

You don’t need to look down to see he’s pointing at your hidden necklace. “It’s... personal. I have no reason to tell you.”

“Oh, sweet [First]. I wasn’t asking. You did just burn my gloves, didn’t you? Instead of charging you Mora, which -- no offense -- you don’t have enough of to replace it, I want an explanation. I think that’s a fair deal.”

So he is going to hold that mishap over you. Messing around with a debt collector and money seems counterintuitive, giving a quick explanation the plausible option. Whatever it takes to get him to drop the sensitive topic. Childe must have a semblance of tact to have made it this far in life after all.

“Fine, fine. It’s not really that remarkable a reason. I have a younger sister, Chunghua. We used to be inseparable as kids. More than anything, I just wanted her to be happy. You’d do anything to accomplish that, y’know? It was… all my fault, really. She wanted a Vision like mine more than anything -- hair accessories, Mora, pretty outfits -- she never cared for that.

I had no idea why I was given a Vision and not her. She was the one who prayed to every Archon at night for it, the one who burnt incense and gave offerings, not me. I could see her gradually losing hope every day that she woke up without one, like a piece of her was breaking off. At meals, she’d just… stare, silently, at the Vision around my neck. I don’t blame her for starting to hate me. I didn’t notice until it was too late.”

Taking a deep breath, your eyes fall to your lap. “I only wanted to cheer her up. To see her smile like she used to. When I first got my Vision, Chunghua would ask me to do these little tricks. Forming animals or whatever, stuff kids like. Anyways… I tried doing it again one morning. Needless to say, it didn’t go well, she practically screeched at me. I had no idea that was how she felt. But, yeah. That’s why I hide my Vision. See, not that interesting, right?”

Childe’s expression feels impossible to read. You’re not sure why you even shared so much, especially with him, but his lack of interruption made you keep going. Maybe you weren’t expecting him to sit perfectly still and listen to every word. Whatever the case, you clear your throat, desperate to clear the gloomy atmosphere.

“She would’ve reacted the same eventually,” Childe says after a moment of deliberation. You tilt your head, the serious answer was unexpected. “That’s what I think, though only older siblings could understand.”

There’s a brief tenderness in his words that leaves you speechless. If he’s acting, you have to commend his abilities, because right now it almost feels like he’s being genuine. Playing with a strand of your hair, you look past him and clear your throat.

“Yes, well, I suppose you’re right.”

Childe’s somber appearance twists into a more impish visage. “Why don’t I give Chunghua a talking to? It’s a shame seeing your cute face so sullen.”

Mortified, you shake your head. “There’s no need for that.”

“Hmm… a shame. I could really take care of everything if you just let me.”

“Somehow I doubt that,” you shrug with a frown. “What you could help me with is this ridiculous situation at the shop! Why are there Fatui guards outside the front doors? It’s scaring away customers.”

“Oh, that’s what this is about?”

Unbelievable. Childe continues to test your patience at every turn. After your previous conversation outside Liyue, which you’re still hoping was a bad joke, you’d noticed an increased presence of Fatui around the shopping district. That was bad enough for business. Now that they’re stationed right outside your parent’s shop, it’s far worse. Rumors have begun to circulate that you’re somehow involved with the Fatui. This has Childe’s doing written all over it.

“Why else would I be here?”

He smiles and you immediately regret the rhetorical question. “Because you missed me, of course.”

“I missed when there weren’t Fatui around the shop. Please, I don’t know what you did, but it’s going to be harder to get money for...” you gulp as if saying it cements the reality of your situation, but power through. “Paying off the loan with this drop in revenue.”

“Tempting as that is, I’m already happy with the results. I got you to come to me and learned more about you. From my position, this is a sizeable gain.”

Everything from your head to your toes feels hot as if molten lava is stirring inside. He’s not taking you seriously, like the time at the stream and all the times before that. Memories flash in your mind. Your father hunched over letters containing bills, frowning, hair going greyer by the day. Your mother, sneaking out when she thinks you and your sister are asleep to pawn off her old jewelry. Even Chunghua, who offered to take time away from her education to help at the shop. It hits you like a pile of bricks, heart twisting painfully and tears threatening to spill from your eyes.

“What do I have to do,” Your voice is so low that Childe has to careen his head to hear it. He blinks, incredulous, waiting for further clarification. Each breath you take feels like a losing battle, your composure threatening to shatter. “For you to stop… whatever this is. I’ll do anything. Give anything. Please, just leave my family out of it.”

Childe crosses his legs and leans in closer to you, arm secured tight around your shoulder.

“Didn’t I tell you already?”

His breath is warm against you, lips ghosting over the skin of your neck. He presses his lips softly against your pulse. Smiling, he notices how it quickens underneath his touch, all too pleased with your physical reactions.

“That what I want to take is you.”

#childe #childe x reader #yandere childe x reader #yandere x reader #yandere #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #yandere genshin impact #genshin impact imagine #childe genshin impact #tartaglia #tartaglia x reader #my stuff

1K notes · View notes

dreamyscenarioworld · 3 years

Text

WHERE YOU ARE PLAYER #066 (PROLOGUE)

Title: Rain and Everything in Between

Pairing: Kang Sae-byeok (#067) x fem!reader

TW: Squid Game spoilers, abuse, cursing, canon level violence and blood

A/N: This is my first piece. Squid Game’s genius character writing inspired me to create this blog, so this is all new to me. Feeling nervous about it, but me know if you guys are interest in the rest of the series and I will gladly continue it whenever I can! Feedback is always welcomed!

As of 02/14/2023 this story is being rewritten. So sorry for the year delay. Imagine one of those wild author notes you’ve read and that’s what happened to me. Couldn’t deal with everything for a while, but it’s better now and my works will make a comeback soon!

You stood leaning against the old cement walls in the empty school hallways, holding your exam paper with trembling hands. An ugly 40% mark was written in red on top of it as if to taunt you. It was your final chance to make it through the bar and you had failed.

“What am I supposed to do now?” You said, your voice scratched and hoarse. “There’s not much else besides retake the class.” Your friend patted you on the shoulders then sympathetically. Then she moved to stand beside you, nudging your sides and in a small voice offered, “I can lend you some money if you need to get through another year. I know how much this means to you.”

You forced a weak smile to appear on your face and shook your head. “I already relied on you enough.”

It came out as a grimace instead and your friend had noticed. “You don’t have to fake yourself around me. I’ve known you since we were kids, Y/N. This situation is not your fault and you know it.”

“I know.” You glanced down again at the reminder of your failure and with a huff, ripped it up to pieces. You watched the scraps flew out the open windows with a newfound determination. “I need to take a gap year and make some money.”

“How much do you owe now?”

“Almost 12 billion won here. That would be 11 million dollars where I come from.” You managed to smirk a little at your friend’s bulging eyes at the revelation. “Yeah, that would be my reaction too.”

“I promised I wouldn’t ask, but what did your parents do to get that much debt?” “Oh, you know, something called interest rate, alcoholism and drug addiction. I heard it’s been trendy for the past few years.”

“Only you can joke at a time like this.” Your friend then sighed, plopping herself down on the floor and patting the spot beside her. “So, what’s your plan?”

You paused for a moment, taking the time to brush some dirt out of the way before kneeling down. “I’m going to play children’s games and win them.” You finally murmured.

Once more, your friend looked at you like you grew a third head and honestly, you could not blame her if you tried. It was odd to you too for a man to just proposition 100 thousand won for a simple game of ddakji.

“What?”

“You heard me right, we get money from doing that. There was this guy in a suit that gave me an envelope to flip with another one laying on the ground. I won so that’s what he offered me. That’s all I know, though. I think it’s a scam for newbies to the country like me, but I’m desperate enough.”

“Fine, but don’t overwork yourself. I’m not driving you to the hospital again if you faint or something.” Your friend sighed as her phone rang. “That’s my queue to leave. Whatever you do, come back safe, alright?”

You merely shrugged. “No promises.”

Your friend shot you a glare as she dusted off her uniform, but before she could retort, her phone rang again. “Needy driver, sorry. But I mean it, though. Don’t be stubborn.”

“I know.” She seemed to accept your answer and nodded.

You waved back at her as she left hurriedly down the halls.

You were once again left alone with your own thoughts. You had always feared what your mind could say, so after a few minutes, you left too.

The walk home was as silent as ever and that’s just the way you like it. You took solitude in admiring the falling snow and breathed in the refreshingly cold air. You thumbed your finger across the plastic locket you wore around your neck in contentment.

You always did admire how being nature made you feel alive again. As you rounded the corner into an alleyway, your footsteps halted. You were home. You knew that the doors would creak once you swung it. You also knew how long it would take for your parents to notice you there. It gave you 10 seconds to run and hide. That was always more than enough.

But today, you tripped. You grew frantic, realizing the front door was trapped. Your hands flew to the strings, trying to untangle yourself from the trip wires to no avail.

“Your ol’ man is pretty smart, ain’t he?” Your mom cackled, her rotting teeth showing. You flinched then as she grabbed you by the collar and slammed you against the tiled flooring. “Where’s the money, wh*re?”

You remained mum, flailing to kick her off you.

“Answer her.” Your father growled. From the corner of your eyes, you can see him reach for your baseball bat underneath kitchen counter and stood, his face contorting into a vile expression you’ve never seen before. Your blood ran coldly down your spine at the sight.

Suddenly, the winter air didn’t seem as pleasant to you.

“The sharks are coming next week. They’ll kill us then. Is that how you repay your sweet parents who let you go to law school?” Her voice then turned sickeningly sweet. “You do remember who brought you to Korea, don’t you? You wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us, dear.”

You could feel the tears pricking against your eyes now, but you choked them back. With a pained grunt, you freed you threw your head back and rammed it into the woman’s, throwing her off you.

Your head was spinning now, but you didn’t care. Before you could think, your legs were already pumping rapidly beneath you. The horrible yells behind followed you, but soon grew distant and completely disappeared.

You only stopped running once you realized you were safe. You let yourself sink down into the snow, gasping desperately for breath. Instinctively, you had reached for your phone to dial your friend, but now you hesitated. Your hands went to pull out a visa card instead and you held it in front of you.

It was plain and old, you had observed. The ink was smudged and there was only a circle, triangle and square on the front. Flipping it to the back, you saw a series of numbers.

You remembered dialing it without a second thought.

“Hello?” came a male voice on the other end.

“I got a card from you today? Is that��still available?”

“Do you wish to participate in the games? If you wish to participate, please state your name and birthday.”

///

You jolted awake at the sound of fanfare blaring through the speakers. You hurriedly tugged off the blanket to look around frantically. The room was unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There were bunkers of beds at every corner of the room besides the giant gap in the center.

Your head was still pounding and as much as you tried, you can’t seem to remember what direction you came from after entering the car. Questions began to formulate in your mind before you could stop them.

Was this where the games took place? What did they do to me during that car ride? Why here? I have to ask somebody, anyone.

As the music grew louder, your thoughts were quickly drowned out. More people were stirring around you and you finally saw how everyone wore green tracksuits with a number embroidered in white on the left side. Casting your gaze downwards, you saw that you were wearing the same.

“066” Your tag read.

Moments later, bewildered mumbles filled the air. The hurried rustling on the left drew your attention. A girl with messy short hair and tall stature had went to stand between your bed and hers as if contemplating for a moment. Before you could even think to call out to her, she had already walked away, disappearing into the mob of people.

You make a mental note of her number - 067 - and followed the crowd. You squeezed your way through the flock of green, planning to reach the other side until you heard a loud thud followed by loud gasping. Craning your head, your eyes settled on a large circle formed in the middle of the room. You began shoving your way over there instead and barreled right into a middle-aged man’s back.

“Sorry, sir.” You immediately said, bowing at him.

You noticed he had a moustache as he gave you fleeting fatherly smile that calmed you and told you it was alright. 456 was his number and he was entranced enough in whatever’s going on that he had already ignored your presence.

“You went independent? Are you Yu Gwan-Sun or what? Go out and wave that flag, then.” You heard a gruff voice sneer. “Oh right. You’re from the North, so wave the North Korean flag”

A North Korean defector? Is that guy that intimidated to pick a fight before games even start? You bit back a snort at the thought and attempted to tip toe.

You realize your efforts were futile within seconds and let out a frustrated huff, cursing the Gods for making you as short and small as you were.

“She looks familiar.” You did a double take at those words. Who?

You instinctively looked up at the man, seeing him press his lips into a thin line. “What are you talking about, mister?” However, the question fell on deaf ears as he abruptly lunged forward. His steps left you an open path to the front that you gladly took.

“Come here.” He grabbed the girl on the ground by the collar, yanking her up forcefully and pushed her head to the side. “That scar on your neck. Yes, it’s you, the pickpocket!”

You caught a mixture of franticness and anger in his tone and grimaced. So much for thinking he’s nice.

“Give me my money back. Where’s my money?” He was yelling now, hysterically shaking the girl who remained limp and motionless in his grasp. “Give it back!” He bellowed.

Then suddenly, he was thrown to the side by a strong kick. Your eyes snapped to the intruder. It took a moment, but your mouth fell open when you realized who it was.

Number 101 was Jang Deok-su. The snake on the side of his face brought chills down your back.

You had seen him before as a kid. He looked younger then when he was with your mother. Your face contorted into a scowl. You didn’t want to recall what happened between them right now.

“I’m Seong Gi-hun from Ssangmun-dong.” The nervous answer broke your reverie. Finally, a name. 456 is Mr. Gi-hun. Analyzing the field, you eventually found the girl remained hunched over, panting on the ground, wiping blood from her lips. You squinted for a number, but couldn’t make out any in time before you were pushed backwards again.

The crowd had flinched and Gi-hun was shouting bloody murder for help as Deok-su sauntered over towards him with a clenched fist. As if his prayers were answered, the buzzer sounded.

“Over there! We got a thug and a pickpocket!” He shrieked pointing desperately.

The elevators opened, revealing red jacket people with masks that hid their faces. Once more, the entire place fell silent. Taking advantage of the players’ dazed state, you made your way back to the front and quickly counted 8 circle heads split in two rows on each side. There was one lone square one in the middle.

Must be the leader.

In your peripherals, you spotted the girl, pushing herself upright and you were able to faintly see the white outlines.

Number 067?

But soon enough, you were escorted back into rows as the guards stood before you, stiff and emotionless.

“I would like to extend a heart welcome to you all.” The square head began. You frowned. Their tones were definitely getting modified and amplified to sound the same by those covers. “Everyone here will participate in six different games over six days. Those who win all six games will get a handsome cash prize.”

“How are we supposed to believe you?” A guy probed. “You suddenly put us to sleep, take our phones and wallets away, then bring us to this mysterious place. Now you show up saying you’ll pay us handsomely for playing a few games? Do you expect us to believe that?”

Fair question You thought, glancing around. There has to be a catch.

“We reluctantly took those measures to maintain our confidentiality bringing you here. We’ll return everything once the games are over.” The square head replied plainly.

“How come you are wearing those masks?” Another woman asked.

“We do not disclose the faces and personal information of our staff to the participants. It’s a measure we take for the fairness of games and privacy. Please understand.”

What does that have to do with anything? The only way that has any correlation with fairness is that there might people we can recognize. You dug your hands into your jacket and sighed. So, it’s more about the privacy and control over both us and the staff rather than being “fair” You didn’t like how this is going already. They were already lying without even budging and it scared you.

“You lured, kidnapped, and locked us up. You make all kinds of excuses to keep yourself hidden after all those illegal actions. Give us one good reason why we should trust you.” Another man spoke up.

“Player 218, Cho Sang-woo” The square turned on a television overhead. “Age, 46. Former team leader of Team Two at Joy Investments. Siphoned money from his clients, then invested in derivatives and future options with it and failed. Current loss, 650 million won.”

You gaped, the calculations in your head running. That’s around 552 million dollars. That was more money than that you had thought existed.

The clips flickered towards more people playing the same game you were presented with earlier. You watched it curiously as everyone was slapped and furrowed your eyebrows. You never saw yourself in those videos that flashed by.

A strange feeling set into the pit of your stomach. You were sure you also won the game first try.

“All of you in this room are living on the edge, with debts you just can’t pay off. When we first went to see you, none of you trusted us. But as you know, we played a game and gave you money as promised. So everyone here trusted us and volunteered to participate in this game of your own free will.”

He paused for a second before resuming. “I’ll give you one last chance to choose. Will you go back to living your lousy life being chased by your creditors? Or will you grab the last opportunity we offer here?”

Everyone shuffled skittishly at that and you didn’t blame them.

“What kind of games are we playing?” A guy with broken Korean questioned.

“In order to play fair, we cannot disclose any information on the games ahead of time.”

“Excuse me. Just how much is the prize money?” You recognized Gi-hun’s voice and rolled your eyes.

With a click, the room was filled with golden light. An enormous piggy bank began its descent from the skies.

“Your prize money will be accumulated in the piggy bank after every game. We will disclose the amount to everyone after the first game is over. If you do not wish to participate, please let us know now.”

Rules:

Clause 1: A player is not allowed to stop playing.

Clause 2: A player who refuses to play will be eliminated.

Clause 3: Games may be terminated if the majority agrees.

You felt uneasy as the pen glided across the bottom of the page as you penned your signature. Circling back, your eyes met number 067’s. She gave you a short-lived glare before walking up to print down hers without hesitation.

The place looked like something you can imagine out of Harry Potter, but pink. Winding stairs seemed as if it led nowhere, but to your doom. By the time it was your turn for pictures, you were beat physically and decided on a neutral expression.

You were led through the green door nearest to the walls and onto to a plain field. Squinting again, you clocked onto the fact that everything was merely painted on the walls. Weird.

“All players, please wait a moment on the field.” A woman’s voice sounded through the intercoms. “Let me repeat. All players, please wait a moment on the field.”

You shoved your hands back in your pockets and walked yourself up front, pushing yourself against a wall to rest. There was a grand doll with ponytails and yellow with orange clothing by a tree guarded by a circle. It resembled something you had seen in horror movies.

“The first game is Red Light, Green Light.” The woman’s voice echoed out once more. “You can move forward while ‘it’ shouts out, ‘the hibiscus flowers have bloomed.’ Those who cross the finish line without getting caught in five minutes pass this round. Then let the games begin.”

That’s all the rules? An idea sparked in your brain and you had smirked inwardly. As soon as it started speaking, you dashed forward. As the doll turned, you simply leaned your body to the wall to steady yourself. Isn’t this too easy?

“Player 324. Eliminated.” A gunshot rang out and if it wasn’t for the surface supporting you, you would’ve fallen from flinching. You felt heart now thumping wildly against your chest as you saw the blond guy’s body limply collapsing. So that’s the catch.

Once more, the doll swiveled and you ran to where the player was and stopped. Another shot was fired and you could hear the blood splattering out and the collective shock that followed.

It was chaos, so you shut your eyes, hands shaking from the agonizing screams that tore out of their mouths.

It was over faster than it had begun and the game resumed again. You started and halted sporadically, only a few inches ahead of everyone else. At this point, you had begun to wish that other players would catch onto what you had been doing.

Unfortunately, they didn’t.

You booked it at home stretch and leaped across the finish line as the doll spun, landing harshly on your back. The dust covered you, but that was the least you cared about.

For the rest of the game, you watched in a daze as dozens of people get shot down because of the slightest twitches and felt yourself fade away.

As game’s timer dwindled to an end, so did the remaining players’ lives.

///

Gloominess hung over your shoulders like a moth to a flame. You had your legs drawn up to your chest, hands wrapping around them as you rocked back and forth. The images in your head wouldn’t go away no matter what you tried. Every time you find yourself drifting off to sleep, you had seen red all over.

With a groan, you buried your head into your arms and continued to rock, faster and faster. The voice in your brain was now mocking you, its screams piercing your ears about how you could’ve saved those players if you had just said something. Anything. Then maybe they would’ve been alive.

“Be quiet.” Came a girl’s deep voice.

Your mind felt numb, but you paused anyways to glance warily in the direction of the sound. “Why should I be?” When they remained silent, you forced your eyes to refocus in the dim light to see number 067 staring back at you blankly, her posture poised. “Oh, it’s you. Leave me alone.”

“The mattress is creaking too much.” She eventually said.

Your retort was cut short when the lights were turned back on. As the guards filed in, the players scrambled on their feet in anticipation. You didn’t bother to move. You could see well as it is from where you were. The girl beside you didn’t either.

“All of you have made it through the first game. Congratulations.” The square guard said flatly. “Let me announce the results of the first game.”

The screen containing the number of players flickered and began pummeling from 456 to 201. You felt dizzy. 255 players eliminated just like that.

You can only watch on forlornly when the remaining people began begging the guards for mercy. One woman never had the chance to name her child and the other just wants to leave.

“Be spared or not, their fates are sealed for the moment they give up on this chance.” The girl beside you said, climbing off her bed and striding away. Her cold tone made you look back at her, mouth agape.

“What is your problem?” You hissed, hurriedly following suit. “We’re all here for different reasons and not everyone of them is self-imposed. Some of them were born into where they are now.”

She stilled, turning to give you a sharp glare. “That’s not my problem now, is it?” You could see she wanted to say more, but decided against it and turned away.

“A player is not allowed to stop playing.” You can hear the square head say with authority.

“Do you think you’ll get away with everything you’re doing? The police will barge in any minute now to find us who’ve been missing.” A man argued.

Another guy’s eyes bulged out. “That’s right. If you don’t let us go, they’ll locate us by tracking our phones and come find us! You’ll be doomed!”

The conviction in that man’s words led even another to agree passionately.

And that’s when the gunshot rang out.

You ducked, startled like the rest. You dared to peak and lowkey wished you didn’t as all guns were now aimed at the group, ready to fire at any moment.

“A player who refuses to play will be eliminated.”

“Consent form clause 3.” A voice you recalled as Sangwoo spoke out. “Games may be terminated if the majority agrees. Is that correct?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then, let us take a vote. If the majority wish to leave this place, then you must let us go.”

“As you wish, we will take a vote to decide on the termination of the game.”

Everyone broke out in optimistic murmurs.

“Let me announce the prize money accumulated from the first game.” With a click, the golden piggy bank began its descent once more. You can see number 067 and everyone else stand, clamoring closer to each other, looking hypnotized as the money drop into it. You could understand why. That was the most money you had ever seen in your life.

“A total of 255 players were eliminated during the first game. A hundred million won is at stake for each player. Therefore, 25.5 billion won of prize money has been accumulated so far into the piggy bank. If you wish to give up now, the 25.5 billion won will be sent to the bereaved families of the eliminated players 100 million won each. However, all of you will return home empty-handed.”

“Excuse me. If we make it through all six games, how much do we get?” Inquired the woman with the unnamed kid.

“Since there are 456 players, the total prize money is 45.6 billion won.” The square head signaled at the circle guards and they promptly moved. “We will now start voting.”

You were still sitting when they began to move in a table. The noise and sudden movement earlier made your dizziness come back at you full force and when you attempted to stand, you fell backwards, hands flailing out to hopefully grab onto at least one of the metal bars nearby to steady yourself.

However, you couldn’t tighten your grasp hard enough and face planted pathetically on to the floor. Some on lookers let out concerned noises.

“I’m okay.” You managed to grunt out, rolling on your back. You shut your eyes, gasping for breath, and began massaging both sides of your aching head.

“You shouldn’t have done that.” That accent.

You cracked one eye back open to see number 067 hovering over you. If you weren’t half blind, would have thought she looked amused.

“What should I have done instead? Take a bullet to the face? No thanks. That sounds like a definite pass.” You grumbled.

“I meant you should’ve fallen on something softer.”

“Are you here to help or nag at me?”

“Neither.” She said shrugging and left you there to mold in your own annoyance. It was your turn to glare holes into the back of her skull as she walked off.

You managed to spot a familiar face emerging from the crowd. Throwing away your pride you called out. “Mr. Gi-hun!”

The man turned to you and grinned. “What are you doing on the ground?”

“Long story. Could you help me up, though, mister?” He held out his hands readily and you grabbed it, pulling yourself up with much difficulty.

You wobbled a bit, so Gi-hun had offered for you to let him support you. He laughed as you shakily stumbled your way in line, saying that you reminded him of his daughter when she was learning how to walk. In reply, you scoff at him, insisting you were half his age and not a new born. But in the end, you wounded up thanking him for going out of his way for you.

Maybe you had judged him too fast after all.

“As you can see, there are two buttons in front of you. If you wish to continue playing, press the green button with an O. If you wish to stop playing, press the red button with an X. And after you finish voting, move to the other side of the white line. The voting will be done in reverse order of the numbers on your chests. Player 456, please cast your vote.”

Gi-hun gave you a concerned look and you signed him an okay. He nodded and stepped up there, contemplating for a few seconds before pressing the X.

Xs and Os exchanged votes like that for a while. A fight had almost broken out a few minutes ago. The guards had quickly intervened to preserve the democracy.

You admit those were strange choices of words, but couldn’t think of anything more with the raging headache still working its way through your system.

It was a proud moment as you managed to drag yourself up there without tripping and pressed the X, tipping the scale by two votes. Number 067 was next and pressed O without a second thought. She went to stand beside you with her hands stuffed in her pockets.

You decided to nudge her. “You know, what would you do if the games were canceled?”

“Why would you want to know?”

“Ever heard of a conversation?” You shot back.

“I’d rather not.”

You suppressed a groan at her deadpan answer and fixated back on the board. It was 100 to 100 with only Player 001 left to go. It was an old man. His strides were confident and it triggered an odd feeling that you couldn’t put your fingers on just yet, but you promised yourself to explore it later.

He hesitated, glancing up and down at the tracker and buttons. The room had went mum, awaiting his decision.

Alas, the man had pressed the X and people erupted in joyous cheers. You too let out a breath. Number 067’s was as unreadable as ever.

“The majority of the players voted to terminate the game. Therefore, this game is now terminated.” Announced the square head.

“Those who want to leave can leave. But let the ones who want to stay continue playing. Half of us died already! We can’t stop here!” A man yelled, enticing many others to join in.

“It’s a pity that we must say goodbye to you like this. However, we will not seal off the door of opportunity to you. If the majority of you wish to participate again, we will restart the game. Goodbye, then.” The square head bowed.

The next thing you knew, you were tied up and blindfolded in your undergarments on a cement floor with who you assumed was Gi-hun shouting uncontrollably beside you for assistance.

“Will you shut up?” There’s that accent again. You were sure that was number 067 too. What are the chances to be stuck with both of them?

You flipped onto your stomach, pressing your head against the ground and began to rub in a circular motion trying to twist knot to the blindfold to the front. It was barely budging on its own, so you decided to roll until you felt it is directly under you. Pushing yourself downwards, you discovered, had no effect. You opted to try a new tactic.

“Who are you? Pickpocket? Is that you, pickpocket?” You can hear Gi-hun ask. You can assume you were somewhere behind him as he should’ve seen you by now with blindfolds off.

You were on your back now and you felt dirt and grass now along with something clangy that prevented you from going further. A fence? You contemplated before deciding. Screw it.

You hobbled onto your feet, feeling your back collide with a solid thing that held you up. You crisscrossed your legs the best you could and applied pressure. Immediately, the restraints broke and relief washed over you. The ropes were flimsy this whole time.

“Unless you want to lie here all night, try to untie me.” Number 067 snapped.

With your bottom half free, you did the same with your arms and threw the blindfolds off. Your clothes were thrown askew behind Gi-hun who was now chewing off the ties with his teeth.

The sight was…new to say the least.

By the time you fully clothed yourself and double checked that your locket was securely fastened on your neck, number 067 was free, scrambling to get dressed as well.

“You can get dressed first. It’s cold, isn’t it? I’m freezing too.” Gi-hun shivered, tossing himself about on the cement. “Man. Gosh. Yes, hurry up.”

Throwing on her jacket, she spared a glance at you and began ambling off.

“Man, my legs hurt. Hey. Hey, you need to untie me now.” His voice was growing louder and frantic. “Come on. Hey! Wait! What are you doing? You need to untie me before you go.”

You watched as number 067 stopped to reply. A subtle smirk was evident. “Why should I?”

“Because I untied you!” He said indignantly.

“Aren’t you too old to be that naïve or stupid? Once I untie you, you’ll hassle me for money and demand your money back.”

“Well, that’s that.”

You suppressed a snort. What a dumb answer. You went up to untie the restraints on his hand off with ease anyways.

“Huh?” Gi-hun laughed airily. “Thank you. Can you get my legs free too?”

“No.”

“What?” His tone was so incredulous you had a hard time keeping a straight face. “I helped you too!”

“I untied you in one place already. You’ll have to settle your dues with the other girl.” You watched to see number 067 scoff and spun around.

“Okay, fine! I’ll forget about the money. Just untie me, will you?”

Surprisingly enough, the girl turned back once again. “Do you mean that?”

Gi-hun nodded with an exasperated sigh. “Yes. I really won’t say anything about the money.”

“How can I trust you?”

“I swear it on my mom!” You had to move out of the way as he hunched over again. “Untie me now. It’s freezing! God damn it. That hurts!”

Number 067 exhaled heavily, eyes locking with yours as she moseyed over. She stilled a few inches from the rope, knife in hand. “Actually, I’m not going to.” At the last minute, she retracted the blade, backing away slowly with a sinister grin.

Gi-hun had insisted on hopping after her. ��Darn it. Come here! My money. Give me my money back. Give me… Damn it. Give me my money back! Give it back! Man.”

He tripped, crying riotously on the ground. “Damn it, give me my money.”

“I feel really bad for your mother.” Number 067 jeered, thrusting her hands in her pockets and trudged off.

“You little… Hey, stop right there. Hey! Hey! Stop right there!” Gi-hun shouted irately.

Seeing the man so distraught, you elected that it was a good time to stop having fun at his expense. “Hey! You!”

“What?” Number 067 pivoted again to glower at you.

“Untie him and I’m coming with you.”

The girl rolled her eyes, considering your words before shortly jogging over. In one move, Gi-hun was free. You exchanged a knowing expression with him and started tailing her when she left.

You didn’t get far until number 067 caught on. “Why are you following me?”

“I said untie him and I’m coming with you and you agreed.”

“I did not.”

“In fact you did.” A merry beam was plastered on Gi-hun’s face as he tugged on his sweater. “It’s not her problem you can’t hear right, pick pocket. Thieves still have honor, right?”

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but you better not try anything funny.” The girl scowled.

The rest of the day was more peaceful than that threat. You ended up taking a stroll with her in silence to buy your favorite flavored ice cream. Then she cruelly told you that it wasn’t for you and ditched you there to wait on a bench behind a tree as she met up with a little boy. You presumed him be her younger brother. It was endearing, really, and you allowed yourself indulge and imagine what having a sibling is like.

The girl later led you to another part of the city you’ve never been to. Along the way, you admired the scenery and enjoyed the wind that flowed through your hair.

She finally rested in front of a quaint neighborhood.

The building in front of you had a sign that read: “Southern Men, Northern Women”

“Stay here. Don’t enter.” She brushed passed you, stepped in and slammed the door closed.

So much for that aggression. You let yourself smile a bit at the thought. Plopping yourself down on the curb, you figured that had she really wanted to get rid of you, she would’ve done so already, not let you hang around.

Admittedly, her company wasn’t the best either, but it wasn’t the worst, so you were glad to stay. Besides, the idea of staying anywhere else except home sounded good to you.

You hummed idly to the tune of a ballad and pulled out your locket. Shaking it, you were pleased to discover the thread and needle you hid there as a child was still encased in there. If I had another go at those games, I’ll definitely sneak this in and use them.

At the mention of it, the memories came flooding back. It was only yesterday that you had left. You had momentarily forgotten the grief you had felt.

Those poor lives – gone because of you.

Fortunately, your worries were promptly interrupted by a panicked yelp from the other side.

“It’s hot! That’s freaking hot! Dammit!”

You were able to draw in the dots then. Number 067’s parents must still be in North Korea and this is a service to bring them over. Obviously, something must have gone awry to warrant that response. This was nothing you hadn’t learned about in law school and it made you laugh. If I had passed the second time, I would’ve been able to get her parents here faster than they can too.

Sure enough, the girl emerged minutes later wearing a grim expression. “Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“I’m going back in in a few days.”

You tensed, dusting yourself off. “The card was in there?”

“Yes. You don’t have to go.”

That’s a bit too soon to decide.

Screw it.

You diverted your eyes up to the sky, distracting yourself from the nagging anxiety with tracking the clouds. “I said I’d follow you.” You had said in a small voice. “So I will.”

The girl gave you a pensive look and merely nodded. “Suit yourself...”

“I’m serious. I don’t plant to lose.” You bit down the bitter doubt rotting inside you and smiled at her. “We can win. Then I can finish both the law and medical program I failed a few times before and I can even get your parents here.”

She stayed quiet for a while, just studying you. Eventually, the girl nodded again, “It’s impossible for two people to win. Keep deluding yourself.”

“You’re questioning my knowledge of the law?” You gasped dramatically, feigning heart pain.

“I feel bad for your parents too.”

“Don’t worry they already do.” Your answer was unexpected enough to her that she appeared stunned. The two of you reverted back to being quiet for the rest of the ways home.

#kang sae byeok x reader #squid game imagines #kang sae byeok #squid game x reader #squid game #saebyeok x reader #kang saebyeok x reader #saebyeok #kang saebyeok x you #squid game imagine #kang saebyeok

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gregorygerwitz · 2 years

Note

Hi, your queue posted a prompt list, I'm here to ruin your day (not really I love you)

Platonic Stevie & Will+ ❛ i already said i’m paying. you can buy next time, okay? ❜

this is short, and technically a few hours early considering my headcanon for Will's birthday is the 14th, but I work tomorrow so I'm posting it now 💜

His hand with his debit card was still outstretched when the smaller body in front of him put cash down on the surface of the countertop and pushed it forward, and Will let out a sigh. Their morning coffee tradition held through every shift they worked together, even the ones he could have reasonably gotten out of working.

He probably should have tried to get out of the early shift that day, even if it was short, if only because of what day it was. But even if he was another year older, he didn't have any real plans until drinks with his brother, and the rest of the day could be spent doing whatever he wanted. Whatever he wanted just happened to include working a shift and grabbing his usual morning coffee with his best friend. Then again, whatever he wanted also included taking his turn when it came to who paid for the morning coffee.

"Stevie-"

"Shut up. I'm not letting you pay for coffee on your birthday."

Will let out another sigh, shaking his head while he dropped his hand again and put his card back in his wallet. It was hard to argue with her on a normal day, let alone with such flawless logic, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to try. "It's my turn to pay. It shouldn't matter what day it is. I think I liked you better when you were being mean to me. I'm going to owe you coffee money plus interest tomorrow, aren't I?"

Rolling her eyes, she took her cup of hot caffeine before stepping out of the way so that he could grab his own. Stevie didn't say anything until there was space between them and the café, her laugh small and light. "I'm paying for your lunch, too."

"No, you're not. I'm not going to rack up some debt to you again, not when I'm pretty sure I still owe you at least twenty bucks for all the ice cream I stole from your freezer in college." Will shook his head while he sipped from his coffee, glancing over at her with a frown. "I will buy my own lunch, and my own snacks, and my own free water from the doctors' lounge. What did you say a few months ago? About me pushing forty? I can handle buying my own food like a big boy."

"Shut up. I already said I'm paying." She reached over to swat his arm when they stopped in front of the elevators, turning to face him directly with a smile that seemed too wide. "You can buy next time, okay? Or is that not an acceptable trade because it wouldn't be a special occasion for me? I can wait until Christmas if you really want to make it even."

Letting his shoulders drop in a sign of defeat, he shook his head again. "Fine, I'll shut up and let you buy me one meal. But I'm still going to pay you back for-"

"Ice cream you ate after a bad breakup fifteen years ago? No. Consider it an extra gift on top of the one cup of coffee and one meal you're letting me pay for." With a shrug, Stevie gave him another, smaller smile over the top of her cup. "Happy birthday, Halstead."

"Yeah... thanks. But I'm paying for my own lunch."

[ platonic sentence prompts ]

#answered #will halstead #stevie hammer #cmed #chicago med #one chicago #alex writes things #kit tag #kitthekazoo #prompt fil #it's short but it's soft #and i'm going to cherish it forever

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citydreamgrls · 4 years

Text

they were roommates - part two

a weasley twins x fem!reader fic

summary: she had nowhere to go, fleeing home to pursue something along the lines of freedom, so being welcomed into the entrepreneurial twins life was a whole world of new experiences waiting to happen.

an: thank you for the overwhelming love for the first part of this series, which i will link HERE for you guys!! also MASSIVE thank you for over 700 followers, when i posted the first part i was just hitting 600, so this has been crazy, love you always and hope you enjoy <333

words: 4,949

A warmth covered y/n’s face as she grumbled to herself, trying to roll herself away from the light that spilled in from the large windows. Her eyes squinted uncomfortably and the noise of the room finally settled into her head bit by bit.

The sound of a coffee machine whirring, doors opening and closing, and the faint sound of the morning radio show that Neville would often play at the inn. It all felt so new, yet so familiar.

“Morning sleepyhead,” The girl frowned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes to see one of the twins place a mug on the small coffee table nearby. “Feelin’ better?” The girl nodded, feeling guilty that she once again couldn’t tell whether it was Fred or George that was talking to her.

“I’m sorry- this is really rude but, are you Geor-”

“I’m Fred.” He didn’t seem bothered by her wild guess, standing up as if nothing was amiss and heading to the kitchen. “Come and get something to eat will you, or else it’ll get cold!” He called back, disappearing to find his brother and leaving her to pull on a nearby hoodie.

She shuffled over to the table, a small chuckle sounding out at the sight of their plates. Piled high with more food than she’d usually eat in a whole day, the girl sat down and started on a piece of toast, hoping they wouldn’t mind her starting a little prematurely.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” George laughed, his twin obviously urgent to have them sit down together for breakfast. Was this normal for them, or was she the exception? They both wore matching suits, dressed for their day of work, with the difference being that Fred’s tie was red and George’s blue.

One glance at the clock and the girl wanted to head straight back to bed, but if she wanted to thank them properly for their hospitality, then it needed to be before the shop opened anyway. Their sofa had felt like heaven, and now she needed to leave it behind and fend for herself.

The two men sat across from her at the table, as they had done the night before. But now the jeans and t-shirts had been forgotten, and their once loose hair was now fixed neatly. It was funny to the girl how they could pull off two extremes so well.

They sat with a grin on their face, watching her sip on her coffee warily, unsure as to what they were waiting for.

“Are you two okay?” Please don’t let them be creeps, not now. She begged to herself, seeing them exchange a nod before looking back to her once again.

“We have an idea to offer up,” Fred started.

“One that will benefit both of us.” George added in, y/n urging them on with her sunny smile. She couldn’t help but smile around them, it was like they were made to make people laugh.

“We’ve been saying for a while that we need help in the shop,”

“Someone to cover the tills when we’re talking to customers mainly,” “Oh yeah, we hate the tills.” They went a little off track, but managed to catch train of thought again.

“Anyway,” George chuckled, seeing her look of confusion. “You need somewhere to stay, and we can’t afford to pay for someone to work in the shop.” “So, if you agree to help out then we’ll let you stay here.” “With us!”

They waited, a small moment of silence as they watched her face for a reaction. The news took a second to process, as she realised it was the ideal outcome for both of them. That way she wouldn’t feel in debt to them if she stayed, either.

Her head bobbed up and down very slowly, the two men sharing a look of pride as they high fived like kids. The girl stood up, racing over to their side of the table and wrapping her arms around them both.

“Thank you so much,” She didn’t dare speak too loud, in case she broke the floodgates on their shoulders.

Fred and George chuckled, squeezing an arm each before reassuring her that it was fine, they didn’t want her to feel as though she owed them the whole time.

“I’ll help out anywhere I can, I mean it, not just in the shop either-”

“Y/n,”

“I can cook, I can do the laundry or- or even just shop for food every week.”

“Calm down,” Fred laughed, seeing her fall into a rant over her possible chores.

“We don’t need you to do all that!” George teased, ruffling her already messy hair and heading off to the bathroom.

“Better get ready quickly, looks like there’s already a queue out there!” He chimed, peering his head to look from one of the windows to the street below, where hoards of excited kids were already waiting to get inside.

“Come on then y/n, we’ll show you everything don’t worry.” Fred had noticed the way her smile faltered at the warning of so many people all at once, she’d never had a job before working at the leaky cauldron and now she needed to learn everything in one go.

She got up, wasting no time, and made herself look presentable. The girl grabbed her open case and pulled out some black trousers and a green cardigan to put on, slipping into the bathroom once George was finished to get changed.

“I’ll go open up!” She heard him shout once the door was shut, and she stumbled around trying to be as quick as possible. Once she charmed her hair to wave nicely and cast a quick freshen up spell, y/n found Fred waiting in the living room.

“Here,” he held a little badge inside his large palm, the swirly writing showing her name. “That way, everyone will know who you are.”

Y/n took it from him, a wide smile on her face as she placed it onto her cardigan. Only a handful of people had ever bothered to learn her name when she was pulling pints, the twins included, but now everyone would know it. They wanted people to know it.

Fred felt his cheeks blush at the way she squealed with excitement, her previous nerves nowhere to be seen as she bounded towards the door of the loft.

“Wait for me!” He laughed, running after her, grabbing his jacket that hung on the back of the chair.

The girl ran down the few flights of stairs that were out of sight before running into the chaos. Now, the shop that she had seen sleeping the night before burst into action before her eyes. The entire place was a cacophony of lights, sparks and laughter. A small crowd of children watched in awe as George showed off yet another variety of firework, their cheers of delight echoing up to where y/n watched from.

“Come on then, better get on the tills before people start nicking things.” Fred nudged the girl’s back a little and she happily weaved through the shop to reach the little counter where an old till sat waiting for them. People were already waiting to pay, so Fred took charge, giving her a chance to watch what he did before giving it a go herself.

After the initial shock of the morning, y/n easily settled into the flow of the shop, working well between the two twins who watched her proudly while she served customers. It was around midday, and less and less people were coming in as the time passed, giving the three of them a chance to relax after the neverending hoard they’d dealt with.

“It’ll pick up again-” Fred laughed, leaning against the counter as she sat upon it and sighed happily.

“It always does, every single day-” George joined. “Without fail.”

“At about two normally.”

Working there was such a difference to the bar that she almost felt surprised when people would greet her with the same smile she’d give them. That had been a rarity when all she had been to people previously, was a barmaid.

“I love it here,” The girl admitted, swinging her feet off the side of the counter like a child. George was moving boxes from the back onto the shopfloor, opening each one and emptying the contents onto shelves. She wondered how he hadn’t run out of space yet, there was already a surplus of things everywhere she looked.

“I’m glad you do.” Fred beamed, turning to look at her.

“Hey! You guys, we’ve got a new shipment of bottled weather!” George pulled them from their daydream, calling the pair over to see what he’d found.

“What’s that?” She asked.

“Well it’s weather… in a bottle.” Fred tried to explain, but saw he wasn’t much help. “It’s probably just easier to show you.” He chuckled nervously, fishing through the cardboard box until he found one he liked the look of. “See, this one’s a rainbow.”

He screwed open the top, leaning back a little so that the beam of colour could release itself without hitting him in the face. Him and George had learnt to avoid it the hard way when they started selling them a year ago.

Y/n’s face lit up, watching it bounce around in the air until it found its place and settled into a perfect curve.

“Wow,” Her eyes surveyed it intently, wanting to reach out and touch it, but knowing that would most likely end up bad. “That’s incredible!” The man beside her swooped the jar over it and pressed the lid on tightly, the strip of colour disappearing once again in front of her eyes.

“Oh yeah, they’re incredible, until every fourteen year old boy wants to open one and suddenly there’s a load of rain clouds in here and plenty of puddles for me to clean up!” George grumbled, finishing up with that box and heading off to find another. The girl giggled, unable to picture his tall figure with a measly mop.

“He’s not a fan of the rain.” Fred whispered to her, not helping the giggling to go down. “Personally, I love it.” “Me too, well, I used to.”

Their quiet moment was caught off guard by the sound of the bell tinkling, telling them that someone was coming in. A voice called out, one that she vaguely recognised, but couldn’t for the life of her know the name to go with it.

“Fred! George! It’s Harry!” Well, that was always helpful.

“By the till mate!” He called back, standing up from the counter to give him a quick hug.

She recognised this man’s face, he’d been in the leaky cauldron with them a couple times over the past months. But he had very rarely spoken to her, just the quick exchange when he would get another round for everyone.

Harry’s face seemed to reflect his confusion, surprised to see her sitting with a nametag on that matched the twins’ instead of behind the bar. Still, she smiled his way, which he eventually returned.

“It’s good to see you again y/n, are you- do you work here now?” He looked to Fred for confirmation, to which the man just nodded.

“She’s staying with us for a bit, and INSISTED on helping out.”

“So you’ve set her to work so soon, how charming.” Harry joked, greeting George when he reappeared with another handful of boxes to unpack, surely they didn’t do this every day?

She watched the sun outside as it danced through a select few shop windows, including one of their own, the stream flying in and lighting up the small flecks of dust that flitted across her line of sight. It was easy for the girl to get lost in her own thoughts, drowning out the sound of Fred and Harry talking enthusiastically about quidditch as she basked in the warmth that hit her legs.

George came up behind her, placing a few boxes down beside her.

“Could you do me a favour,” She jumped a little at his voice, nodding when she realised what he’d asked of her.

“Of course,” “I took some paperwork up to the loft the other night, it’s on the desk in my room, could you grab the invoices for these wonderwitch packages and bring them down. I need to go set up the blasted thing, and god knows Fred won’t be helping any time soon.” He grinned, rolling his eyes at his brother and their friend getting more and more excited about something.

The girl got up with a smile, taking a quick mental note of how many different products there were before the man took them away to be set up near the front window. She scurried off, bounding up the stairs with a spring in her step. By the time she reached the top she was well out of breath, but it didn’t matter. Never in her life had she been treated with such kindness from almost strangers, not to mention that they actually seemed to like her.

George’s door was half-ajar, his open window blowing the light curtains around gently, as she walked inside. It felt cosy, yet fresh, in there. His bed was neatly made and everything seemed to be put away very methodically, much like how he preferred to display things in the shop. Whereas Fred was the one who would just shove things anywhere.

As long as people buy it!

He had told George nearly four times just that morning, unfazed by the way his brother went around correcting it all once he was seemingly out of sight. Fred never mentioned it, leaving the other twin to do as he pleased.

But it seemed as though George’s desk was the one place where all the rules on organisation went, quite literally out the window, as there were sheets and quills and parchment all over the place. She sighed, getting to work on finding what she needed.

Downstairs, Fred and Harry had just about talked each other's ears off about Ginny’s last match, discussing how amazing she had been as her teams substitute seeker when the actual player had gotten a mild concussion.

“She’s training all day today so that’s why I’m delivering her messages today.” Harry chuckled, knowing that Fred would make some kind of remark about his sister bossing him about so easily. In truth, he didn’t mind. “She wanted me to let you know that she’s gonna pop by later and visit after practice.”

“Ah! So we’ll be seeing her more than you, poor boy.”

“Be quiet, I’ve booked her all weekend.” Harry huffed, just glad to have his fiance to himself for more than one evening at a time.

“So, how’s things with y/n getting on?” He asked the twins when George came over to catch up with the younger wizard.

“She’s doing great, given that it’s only her first day.”

“Yeah, and we’re actually sorting out a surprise for her.” Fred peeked up the flight of stairs, seeing no sign of the girl. “Come on, we’ll show you before she comes back.”

The three of them went to the storage room round the back of the counter, where George had been ferrying boxes out of all morning.

“We’re gonna clear all this out and then get her some furniture and posters and the like, make it feel a bit more homely for her.”

“Woah, so you guys must like her.” Harry laughed, nodding at the large amount of room there was when nothing was stacked up inside.

“She’s worth it, isn’t she Freddie.”

“She deserves it, you mean.”

By the time the girl found the paperwork George had asked for, Harry had left to go see Neville and Hannah, just in time for the afternoon rush to start up and distract them all once again.

Fred kept an eye on the girl, who continued to happily serve behind the till, from the safety of the shelves where he was taking a break between product demonstrations. George, he hoped, would finish clearing out the storage room by the end of the day so that they could get to work fixing it up for her while she slept in the loft that night.

The two twins became so overwhelmed with jobs to do that day, that both of them forgot to mention to y/n that their sister Ginny was to visit that evening. Only getting a chance to speak to their new worker once the last customer left and the front doors were locked shut.

“That seemed like more people than last week eh Georgie?”

“I could barely reach the back shelves; there were so many of them, at least most of them are small so I can just reach over their heads.”

“Still, it’s good business.”

“Hey- where’s y/n gone?”

Fred found the girl near the back of the shop, her cardigan slumped over a nearby chair, as she swung her wand back and forth. The broom beside her followed perfectly, sweeping the floor of mess that had been trudged about throughout the day. She clocked the man behind her and smiled.

“I’ll finish up sweeping then do a once over with the mop.”

“Jesus, I don’t think we’ve ever cleaned that much!” Fred laughed, giving her shoulder a squeeze. “Why don’t you head up and chill out, you’ve done more than enough for us already.”

“Are you sure?” Her eyebrows joined together in a concerned frown, but the man could only smile down at her and nod.

“Go on, we won’t be long anyway.”

The girl thanked him and went up the stairs, flashing a grin George’s way when she passed him.

“Good idea, now we can get some furniture in without her seeing.” He whispered, crediting his brother’s sharp mind.

“Come on Georgie, you need a break sometimes too, we can finish it off tomorrow anyway.” They both looked up in the direction of the loft when music came filtering down.

“Do you think she’s really happy here Freddie?”

“She seems it.” He shrugged. “She always seems happy, but do you think she really is.”

“Probably… I hope so.” “Me too.” George hummed, finally giving up his task of the day and offering to get them dinner from a nearby muggle restaurant while Fred finished brushing up behind the counter.

The music got louder, but he didn’t mind. Most days, him and George would be too tired to do much together besides their weekly pub visits. And even then it was only because someone else would persuade them to take a break. Now, just having y/n around, was like taking a breath of fresh air amongst their hectic and exhausting days.

Fred saw a flash of long blonde hair pass the front of the shop window, flattering slightly before moving off again. He scrambled to his feet, watching as he saw his little sister’s friend a little further down the alley.

“Luna!” He called out, waving when she turned slowly, a genuine smile on her face. She always was happy to see people.

“Hello Fred. It’s been such a long time, how are you?”

“I’m not bad, how are things with you- how is Rolf and the Boys?”

Y/n flung herself on the sofa, her legs aching with the day’s work well behind her. The guitar whined out in its case to be used, but she couldn’t find the energy to even pick it up, let along strum something decent. So she flicked her wand towards the radio, the stations passing by until she found one she liked, turning it up with a content smile.

Not long after, there was a flash from the fireplace that sat lonely at one end of the loft’s long living room. The girl jolted up, not having seen a floo line used very often when she lived at one. For a second the green flames put her in a trance, her mind forgetting that it meant someone was going to appear in the room before her.

A tall girl, wearing just jeans and a hoodie stood before her, a bewildered and yet excited look on her face. She turned towards the radio that was blasting out an old rock song, the red hair on her head bobbing as she dropped her sports bag and laughed.

“I love this song!”

“Give the twins a kiss from me!” Fred called after Luna, glad to have caught her when he did. With her husband always off exploring new magical creatures, she was often left with her hands full looking after the young twins. Still, she seemed composed as ever.

“There you are, took long enough!” George rolled his eyes at his brother’s words, holding out a bag for Fred to take from his one hand.

“Yeah well I was just going to get enough for the three of us but remembered Ginny was coming and thought she must be hungry after practice.” He explained.

“Oh yeah of course- wait!”

“GINNY!” They both exclaimed, the twins rushing to lock the shop doors behind themselves so they could warn their newest tennant of their little sister’s arrival.

But when they both burst into the loft, they realised there was nothing to worry about. The sight of both girls dancing around the kitchen together and laughing along to the way neither of them could get the lyrics right, settling their nerves.

“So I see you two have met.”

“Brothers!” Ginny laughed, making no moves to greet them, too enthralled in the girl’s company. She had friends on her quidditch team of course, and her siblings and their fiances. But god she loved new people, especially when they were always up for a good time like she was. “I love her! Can we keep her! Please, please, please.” She begged, gripping the girl’s arm like a whining child.

“Y/n’s our guest okay, so play nice.” Fred grumbled, setting down the food and letting everyone help themselves.

“I’m always nice, see I got the drinks ready for everyone.” Hey! That’s ours.” George pointed to the bottle of wine she had already cracked open.

“Exactly, ours.” Ginny giggled, passing him a glass, which would no doubt keep him quiet until he had one too many, then you’d never shut him up.

All four of them clinked glasses, the twins soon loosening up and matching their sister’s party attitude as they joined in with the girls’ dancing. George was headbanging like a madman, his grown out hair flying all over his eyes. His mother had been begging to cut it like she had done when they still lived at home, but he realised he had always preferred it longer. Fred had done the same, keeping his a bit neater around the edges than his brother, but enjoying the length over the breeze he felt whenever it got shorter.

Ginny had always seen the twins as nuisances when she was younger and still at school, but after the war ended she learnt to enjoy her life a little more. That was when she finally realised that they had been doing so all along. The youngest Weasley sibling then decided to join a professional quidditch team and take life one day at a time, her mother had been horrified of course, but like the twins she couldn’t deny how good Ginny was when she whizzed through the sky.

Y/n got to know the girl better, as their glasses were refilled by George everytime they took a sip. He always did enjoy hosting, especially when he was getting as drunk as everyone else. The four of them had danced for what felt like hours, grateful for the lack of neighbours, then collapsed onto the sofa where they continued to share stories and finish off another three bottles of wine between them.

“These two threw water over me and blamed Ron!” Ginny laughed, reminiscing on their summer holidays at the burrow.

“Mum would have never believed us!”

“I can’t remember why she did?” The twins protested, their many pranks over the years made it hard to recall smaller ones such as drenching their sister in her sleep.

“Because you timed it so that when mum went to find Ron he was filling up a bucket to water the plants!” She explained, having heard the other brother’s recollection every time it was brought up at a family dinner.

“Ah yes!” They said in unison, the girl in between them in fits of giggles over their mischievous side.

“You two really are trouble,” she chuckled, keeping her nearly empty glass out of George’s sight in fear of having a horrible hangover the next morning. At least the shop was closed on Sundays, or else they would have all struggled.

“You can’t escape!” Fred boomed, acting like a brainless zombie.

“We’ve trapped you.” His brother joined in.

“Good luck with these two, they’ve obviously tried to keep the chaos hidden… but it’ll come out sooner or later.” Ginny laughed, checking the time with a humorous face. “Good lord, I better get back before Harry starts sending owls after me.”

“He can wait!” George whined, pouring into her glass as she tried to stand up.

“I know he can Georgie, but I’ve also had a very long day at the pitch so I need to get some sleep soon.” Her legs turned to jelly as she wobbled over to her sports bag, staggering under its weight. The redhead waved goodbye from the fireplace, taking a handful of floo powder and announcing her address before bursting into flames.

Y/n sort of wished that Ginny would have stayed longer, as she was only just beginning to know her properly. But she too couldn’t deny the wave of fatigue that hit her like a brick wall the second she blinked a little longer than she should have.

“Tired darling?” George sneered from beside her, waking her again.

“Oh no… not at all.”

“Leave her be, you can sleep if you want- we won’t disturb you.” Fred leant over her to shove his brother playfully.

“You should sleep too Georgie-” She teased, her drunken smile still just as perfect as her regular one.

“And why’s that sunshine?”

“Because you’ve been moving all those boxes, you must be exhausted by now!”

Both men froze a little, concerned that she’d noticed him working on the storage room all day. Fred eyed his brother, urging him to say something in the awkward silence they had created.

“Uh- yeah- well, we need to make space for a new shipment.” George lied, in a panic, the other twin silently grimacing and how awful he was under pressure.

“That means things are selling right? That’s good?” She looked between them, seemingly oblivious to the way the men were freaking out in their heads.

“Alright- alright we’ll go to bed!” Fred laughed, breaking the tension, and standing up to clear the coffee table of glasses and plates. George joined him, wanting to avoid any more possible interrogation if he could help it.

The girl reached for the bowls before her but they cut her off.

“We can do all this, you get some sleep okay?” George smiled sweetly, to which she just nodded, too tired to argue back this once.

“Thanks,” She murmured, reaching into her case to find her pyjamas.

While she went to change in the bathroom, the two men stood together in the kitchen, very aware that they were quite drunk by now.

“She’s good isn’t she,” George mused, stacking more plates into the sink that washed them.

“See, I knew you’d come round to her.” Fred accused. “I didn’t dislike her!”

“You weren't mad about her.”

“And you are?”

There was a moment of silence, which worried George, as he knew his brother all too well. If what he’d asked wasn’t true, then Fred would immediately deny it, in turn sounding guilty. But the silence always meant he was right.

“She’s different,” He finally spoke up, focusing his attention on drying whatever came from the sink.

“She’s also living here Freddie.”

“I know, it’s not ideal, but I just like her.” “Everyone likes her, she’s well- she’s her.” George stuttered, never having heard his brother talk about a girl this way before. Even his high school crushes had been purely based on appearances.

“Exactly, I can’t help it.”

“And say you tell her- and she doesn’t feel the same, which is very possible-” “I know.” Fred snapped.

“She has nowhere else to go, and telling her something like that would force her away… you know it would.”

The sound of the bathroom door opening echoed across the loft, making both men jolt into action, trying to seem as natural as possible despite the air of awkwardness around them.

“Night you two,” Y/n smiled, leaning into the kitchen.

“Night darling.” George replied, wondering whether he should drop that nickname around Fred.

“Night y/n.” He barely looked up from the sink, watching his reflection distort in a handful of spoons, with the hope that she would just go to bed.

The girl, luckily for him, was still very much tipsy and didn’t notice anything wrong with either of the twins as she turned and headed for the sofa. George stepped closer to the sink, watching to make sure she couldn’t hear them.

“Look Fred,” He whispered.

“It doesn’t matter okay, leave it.” He threw the cloth down with an agitated sigh, obviously not having thought over the consequences to his little crush, and went to leave.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

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sokkisky · 4 years

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~i’ll burn it to the ground~

Want to make a request?: https://forms.gle/NyZgUcqkCPzHRvVn6

Discord: https://discord.gg/4H3m4vjMBZ

Rating: SFW (Angst, Comfort, Fluff)

Pairings: Dabi x Y/N

Warnings: !TW! Torture, Heavy Assault, Violence, Death

A/N: My queue is again getting low and I need to get back into writing and I’m SO I’m so thankful for all of these requests. I’ve been going through a HORRIBLE writer’s block right now and it’s killing me. However comma, I’m so grateful for each and every single one of you guys. This post is a request and it read,

“Dabi x reader where the reader gets kidnapped and tortured but DABI saves the reader in time and it ends fluff angst to fluff”

@wafflesareniceandfluffy

And omg! I would have never thought of this thank you so much. (Your user btw es i m m a c u l a t e) Mwah! Honey, @wafflesareniceandfluffy I love it.

If you are sensitive to things like this PLEASE do not hurt yourself reading this post. This is your warning, along with the one above. I do not want to hurt anyone!

Also also also I really want you guys to know about this discord (link above). I’m still working on it right now but if you want to join in its early stages you are absolutely free to do so.

Thank you so much for all of your support and for reading my work. I appreciate it so much.

Your eyes fluttered open, your hands bound behind your back.

As soon as you woke up you were hit with a throbbing pain in your legs, the feeling making you want to scream. Against your better judgement you looked down to see large gashes and cuts against your skin. You looked yourself over to the best of your ability and bit down on the gag in your mouth. You tried to scream out, but the gag muffled your sounds and your cries for help definitely wouldn’t leave the room.

You looked around, the cold concrete floor beneath you freezing your bare legs and thighs. A single light bulb hun from the ceiling. You made a move to stand but your legs wouldn't let you, keeping you on the cold hard floor. Your arms were not left unscathed and you studied your wounds trying to figure out where you were and how you got here. Your wrists rubbed against each other in your restraint as you desperately tried to wiggle yourself free. Unsuccessful in your attempts, you tried to hop-wiggle your way to the large steel door across the room in front of you. You tried to scoot to the door but stopped as it swung open.

Your eyes turned to horror when three men walked in, briefcases in hand. They had on suits and ties and dark shades. You backed up away from them as they walked in, creepy smiles plastered across their faces. They were all around the same size, that is, bigger than you. The one on the right had black slick hair, the one in the middle was bald and the one on the left had a dirty blonde slicked back mullet.

“Well well, look who’s awake.” The bald man said, setting down his briefcase. “Good thing cameras don’t lie, otherwise we might’ve never noticed our little friend trying to leave the party without even bothering to say goodbye first.” he taunted, grinning a malicious friend. The bald man walked forwards kneeling in front of you, removing the gag from your mouth.

You took in a deep breath, trying not to show your ever growing fear. “Who are you? What am I doing here?” you asked, desperate for answers. “Oh sweet friend,” he started, “I’m surprised you haven’t pieced it together.” he said smiling widely at you, his eyes hanging low.

The black haired guy spoke up next “Your little boy toy has a big debt to pay, and we’re forcing his hand.” he scoffed.

Your eyes went wide.

They were talking about Dabi.

You brain scrambled for words, trying to come up with a way out of here. “I’ll give you whatever he owes, just let me go, and we can go to the bank right now!” you pleaded, tears welling up on the rims of your eyes.

The bald man in front of you laughed. He laughed so hard tears fell from his eyes. Wiping his face he turned to you, “He owes us a life, dear. No sum of money can replace that.” he cooed before smacking his hands across your face so hard you fell to your side.

Your cheek burned and your mind raced. ‘Owed them a life? Did Dabi kill someone important?’ you thought to yourself, moving your way back to your original sitting position. “So you’re gonna kill me?” you asked, your face beginning to sweat.

The bald man stood up, cracking his knuckles. “Not for a while now, We need to make you a little extra abused before we finish you off. Otherwise how else would we get out all this pent up frustration?” he said slyly, his words slipping off his tongue.

You looked around, maybe there was something you could protect yourself with. No. Nothing. The room was barren and empty. You tried to conjure up an idea but your thoughts were interrupted by a swift kick to your stomach.

“Quit your daydreaming!” the bald man shouted, laughter in his tone.

You reeled over in front of yourself, lifting your head slightly before another kick connected with your side.

You cried out. That one definitely left a mark.

The beatings went on for what seemed like forever. You cried, pleaded, begged for help, for this whole thing to stop. Tears streamed down your face, coating the floor. Blood ran from your nose and numerous places on your body. You clung to consciousness as you laid there unable to move, talk, and you could barely think. The only thing going through your mind was ‘keep breathing, please keep breathing’.

You could feel the last of your hope drain from you as your eyes became what felt like too heavy to hold open.

Darkness began to close in around you, the pain making you numb. You tried to fight against your eyelids, fighting for your life, but it seemed like there was no point.

No point, until you saw a blue aura coming from the bottom of the steel door.

The door flew off its hinges, flying across the room into the guy with the dirty blonde hair. He was slammed against the wall, crushed by the weight of the door.

The bald guy and black haired guy turned. “What the fuck?” the black haired guy shouted before his voice erupted in screams, a large ball of blue fire engulfing him. A figure stood in the doorway, smoke darkening their frame.

“You have two seconds to get away from them and get out of here” Dabi looked up, his blue piercing eyes shining in the dark smoke, his hand full of blue fire, “Or I’ll burn it all to the ground!” he shouted.

You felt yourself fill with safety. You knew with the injuries you had, you weren’t out of the woods yet, but knowing Dabi was right there made you feel so much better. The bald man shook in the corner while his goons struggled to get up and get moving. “Please, please spare me, I’ll give you whatever, anything!” he screamed, begging for his life.

Dabi walked over to you, scooping you up in his arms. He noticed all your scars and bruises and gashes. He turned to the bald man, outstretching his hand towards the bald man, coddling you close to him in the other. His hand glowed a bright blue as the bald man shook and pushed himself against the corner.

“You want to know how I got my scars? A horrific way, I’ll tell you that.” he seethed as his hand began to glow brighter. “And here you are trying to do the same to my little mouse here.”

The bald man shook, his words not connecting as he stammered incoherently, babbling with every word.

“Close your eyes baby.” Dabi whispered softly to you, holding you tighter. You squeezed Dabi’s shirt and buried your face in his shoulder. You knew what was going to come next.

You heard a loud blood curdling scream as the heat from the flames heated your body. The screaming voices drowned in Dabi’s flames. You tried not to listen but it was extremely hard not to. When everything went quiet you felt Dabi’s warm hand press against your cheek, turning you to face him. You caught a glimpse of the seared, burnt out room as you walked out together, three charred dead bodies on the floor, you being held in his arms.

“You’re not leaving my side form now on got it?” he said, a slight rasp to his voice. You nodded, noticing the worry in Dabi’s eyes. You could feel your own eyes well up with tears. A mix of pain, sadness and fear lingered in you.

Dabi held you close, “I didn’t mean to scare you, I didn’t know they’d be so loud.” he said, trying to comfort you as he placed you in the passenger seat of his truck. He buckled your seatbelt and kissed your forehead. “We're gonna get you all healed up okay.” he said, cupping your cheek in his hand. You leaned against his hand, nodding back.

Your voice forced out a weak but true, “Thank you Dabi.”

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captainkurosolaire · 3 years

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Prompt #7 ~ A Tale Saved

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(Third Person: Narrative) "I never speculated. It'd be you who saved my life... again. In youth an unsung hero emerged and rescued me. Showed me hope and taught me to be brave. When I seemed to be sentenced to abuse. 'You're going to learn overtime you'll be in power, and th' Captain of yer fate!' This stuck with me. I dedicated to learning medicine, so I could spread in healing people, like you affected me." A quill bronze-skinned feminine hand took pause from her diary entry. -- Sometimes those who hurt the most, are those wishing to prevent others from experiencing the same struggles, prevent from suffering in that horrible realm, that seems nearly inescapable. They put on tough faces for others to prevent showing old wounds that still linger, trauma doesn't disappear instantaneously. It's a processed mend which paces in everyone's unique recovery. When finding work in a free clinic underneath the slob, mangy, putrid soul's of the lower and less regarded, she always held work with suturing and stitching up squabbles between pirate's, rowdy uncontested foul. A place in which her past carried the most wounds, she returned wanting to find more. While redefining that place. The learning experience and challenge of continuous work, left her unknowingly developing remarkable skills. Of course her failure's in saving netted her many unpleasant threats from Crew-mates, Captain's, she couldn't fix up or yells. It was easier to lay the fault of the healer in grievance. Then a fool or unwise decisions caused by the injured and the company responsible for securing the well-being of their fellow. Bottling up and stacking her shortcomings, she woke up with only her will in activity, reinvigorated to hone better, determined and reciting to herself, that fateful day she was shown kindness in a cruel world if it existed, at all... Slowly steadily she earned a reputation and whispered rumors of her talents in the realm of an underground circuit of criminal's, heathens, outcasts. Though she never heard this appraisal or bolster at first because of the nature of her clients.

Remembering that maintaining positive influence is a battle. It's more likely to be uncovered and swallowed with misfortune and realism because it comes in more dreadful abundance. Helplessness felt like strangling her chest. It didn't matter how much she cauterized and bandaged, or fixed, it kept spilling over the staples that never lasted. She felt eventually her passion was becoming aimless and starting to wither again. The First Crewmate brandished in gold appeared at the clinic with a cutthroat approach. His motions were proposed. "I require you... My grandmother is gravely injured and cannot use the function of her arms." Naturally she rejected sweetly, "You'll have to bring her during business hours and follow the queue." The seemingly unreadable only registered as another barbaric brute who couldn't get what they wanted sighed out and pulled out a deadly knife. "You'll find the time to save them." I was reminded of my past, the same abuser and all those I walk aside that run quantities in Limsa, I felt pitiful that my voice remained mute. Then as that First Crewmate honed in a linkpearl call to demand their client. I never suspected it'd be a Captain; the same one from my childhood and neither did I suspect you also recognized me. Damaged and appendage arm's that couldn't be lifted ton's more scars, scrapes, wounds and I could tell was also conflicted approached. And instead you rejected and redefined everything one would assume by the surface. "Judas... Ye really holding her hostage? I'm sorry mate, but this isn't how I'll be treated. I'd rather remain, armless and dysfunctional... You haven't any clue what the sacrifice cost a healer or how they're never given proper gratitude for the lives they save, especially under this rat-sack of a City-State. Long ago, I wouldn't have been any better, I'd selfishly desire only t' see myself conditioned. I owe my past. Debt's aren't a pirate's comfort." Confused, the two bickered against each-other. It's when I saw the frustration and panic, the First Crewmate who was forced to disarm, was doing this out of not only reason, but admiration and love. He stormed off irritated with almost a disappointing and deadly dirk-gaze. Then I watched heels beginning to leave determinedly willingly to go without preserving themselves selfishly, rather be shattered, while also an apology was muttered low. I froze as if time was halted. The curiosities and you disappearing again, like almost, as if you were a ghost. There once, then vanishing without a trace of peep. Eventually that's when I found myself first following. Finding out you were troubled too like myself. I couldn't fix the arm's entirely but instead you praised me for my attempt and then you offered me a job, or to join your Crew. To explore mending outside and maybe expanding out would do me better, you said. I struggled joining for a while, but because it was you, I saw you held hope for me. The Crew is assorted with amazing wild people, from all acts of cultures, each carrying such lofty dreams, grand visions. Most larger than themselves. I felt like an outcast, and when you needed me the most and the Crew. When that dark-caster appeared, Silv'a, on the seas, turning me to a sheep, I once again felt useless and discouraged, defeated. Tried silently to vanish and not be a burden. I felt only the emotion of drowning under the pressure. Attempting to plunge deep down under the seabed. But you showed up on the decks even at night when all others were asleep, you saw how I shut myself in days and became more quiet and reached to me. Like I was a star, you once already saw loss. "...Casta, it's because yer ordinary. You fit with us. You remind us ov' everything we may forget or miss. You're special beyond all. We-- I need you upon this sea-vessel in my life. I don't need you to become violent, or monstrous, I need you to be yourself, and remind me what it's like not to be one." "You exist as a world, only you can Captain and show me. I will follow and always b' there t' see yer wonders and secure t' protect; you

and I... Believe we can heal together. Though your steps are yer own, what do you wish?" You said with an arm extending out, ready to give an embrace, or still chase to throw yourself under with me. I could see in your eyes that you knew what it felt to be alone and tried hoisting others from the same. It was a step away from walking overboard, or turning to you and the sail. I'm writing and devoting these chapters to this journey, this is my diary logs reciting, The Tales of the Goldbrand... I want all to know even though you believe in fading like the pirate's of old. I chose to live, Captain... You showed me what that means, again... - My Captain, who saved your Crew Surgeon, Casta. <3

#Prompt - Speculate #FFxivWrite2021 #FFxivWrite #Casta #The Surgeron #She who wrote Tales #Creative Writing #-Captain Kuro Solaire #Judas Caesar #Tales of the Goldbrand #FFxiv #Beyond Crew #Ground Me #The pact's we make can suture souls #Unspoken to Spoken #Ordinary Importance

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shatterbone-vulture · 2 years

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hey uhh sorry if it's insensitive and boundary crossing maybe, but why was your FR account locked? had you messaged the help center to unlock it or is it sadly permanent?

No, you're good! Funny story, I was actually thinking of making a post to talk about it since a lot of people i know here are folks who dont frequent the discords i'm active in.

I was locked for multiaccounting- given the vista trade, I imagine that there were a number of people reporting en masse (multiaccounting seems to be the default lock reason for when this happens? I did do some research but people can be understandably wary about revealing details for this). I sent in my appeal less than a week ago, so I'm being patient about response time, I know their ticket queue is long!

Also, I figured while i'm here, i'd clear some air/lay out the future for if the worst does come to pass and it is a permalock- i find planning such things soothing to my worries.

-I do have contingency plans to pay the rest of the gems I owe folks who have art wips in the works for me. But that would require me to remake so obviously I'm not doing that now since that would void my appeal.

-Said remade account would probably not be active otherwise. I would find it very hard to come back to FR after losing so much, y'know? But I'm a man of my word and those debts will be paid

-However, i'll still reblog fr content and art here!

-And I'll definitely be moving to Lorwolf as my primary petsite should this happen. I'm genuinely invested in its development, and it's mechanically very slick, if a bit less reptilian than i would usually go for XD

-And in the end, if it doesn't work out, i'll probably go through the five stages of grief over a permalock. sit on the roof like a dramatic protagonist in a teen movie and throw rocks or something. But i'll still be satisfied! I accomplished all my goals during my time on fr so far, and it's no small feat! Even if I can't touch them, i'll still be able to point at all the dragons on my account and say hey, i did that!

#fr #banana.txt #got SLIGHTLY personal there in the end but i think it's worth putting it all out there?#tl;dr its kinda rough given the sheer time cost id put into everything but im an emotionally stable adult

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mysticalseamstress · 3 years

Text

The Beginning Of The Trade

Maryam expected a grand throne room, full of servants and others much like herself who were burdened by debt. Tall ceilings, tapestries woven to tell tales of misfortune for the delight of the Employer, statues of those who had succumbed to the ever increasing debt hoisted upon them by the Employer. Failing that, maybe a court in a clearing, looming trees of impossible reach from which trophies of acquisitions could hang, like the fruits of infinite hunts. Rows of trunks leading to the ruler of this land.

She had not expected a library, though in retrospect it made sense. Keeping track of all trades and debts in a physical form was only logical. Even if the trades involved non physical things.

At a glance, it could have been a normal library, if you ignored how impossibly tall the bookshelves were, extending far above Maryam's head, into darkness that seemed to grow like vines down to the edges of the lights, themselves dangling from the very darkness they were holding at bay, like flowers against pitch.

"i can feel your presence."

Maryam did not react. She merely kept walking, following the oddly accurate signage. "Skeptics, bookshelves 5335-6011 -->", "Inventory, bookshelves 00A-FFF <---", "Unresolved, bookshelf 5 v". She wondered if altering the books would alter the terms of any of these trades, or if it would merely upset the Employer. Maybe she would try later if things did not go according to plan. She had her glamour up, masking her near-entire wooden form to present herself in the flesh. It would do little to help against the Employer, but the her that had planned all of this felt it was a confidence boost. Her current self hardly felt a difference.

"cat got your tongue? wait, no, i have it. silly me. it is on loan to you though."

Maryam had stopped at a signpost in an intersection between seven aisles, directions pointing in every which way. She spotted the one she was looking for at the top of this post, much as she had done since entering the library. "The Employer, Trader of Fortunes, Keeper of Transactions, Firemind of Commerce, Elephant Minded, Terror of Teflon, straight ahead."

Straight ahead, as far as Maryam had experienced, merely meant to the next post, which would point her in a different direction. But she was patient. She had no other option.

"to what do i owe the pleasure? you could talk to me from my mirror at my shop."

"I Have A New Deal To Make With You. One I Think You Will Be Inclined To Accept. I Felt It Important Enough To Come In Person."

The lights dimmed, and bookshelves began to move on their own, zooming past her as the library seemed to reshape itself in response to her words. After a moment, instead of the infinite aisles in every direction, she was standing on a single corridor, bookshelves on either side and behind her. The only way was forward.

"oh you know i cannot resist a trade. you should have said so sooner! please come along, you will be right with me."

The corridor took a sharp turn, obscuring her view further ahead. She could hear the sound of writing implements on paper around the corner, punctuated by the sound of books snapping shut.

As she turned the corner, she was greeted by a gigantic open space, the walls of bookshelves far enough that they almost disappeared in the distance. Before her, however, was a person sitting at a desk with a long queue of books floating before them. They were almost entirely nondescript, a forgettable build, and a forgettable face, browsing an open book before them with visible boredom. The book was swiftly replaced by the next in the queue, flying open before this person, only to be replaced almost immediately. Each book flew away into the distance, probably to find its proper location in the library. The person barely moved to acknowledge Maryam's presence.

"you will have to forgive me for not giving you my undivided attention," they said, their voice remaining monotone even as it changed into the voices of many others yet remained the same. "there are multiple things that i simply must take care of. but you know i will listen, i am always listening, you know?"

Had Maryam not locked her reactions away with her eye, she would have shuddered. But that was such a long time ago. That was so many people ago.

"I Am Aware Of Your Business, And How Occupied You Are."

"good. i must admit i am surprised you made your way here. how many more trades and agreements did you accept to gain access to this place? naughty, naughty... if i knew any better i would ask if you had ulterior motives. now, about your eye..."

"I Cannot Be Surprised You Would Know What This Trade Is About. It Is The Last Thing I Have To Trade."

"i will be getting it in time even if you choose not to trade it. what makes you think i would want to get it earlier? what do you want in exchange for what remains of you?"

"Freedom. For Nathan, For Tavros From Whatever You May Be Plotting."

"you think your eye is enough to cover for Nathan's budging debt, and a potential new employee?"

"I Know It Is. Even When I Took The Brunt Of A Trade For A Client, Your Influence Never Extended Far. I Know My Worth."

A small smile appeared in the person's lips, and their eyes finally left the books to look at Maryam.

"i guess all these millenia working for me gave you a sense for the value of things"

"Indeed."

The Employer stood, pushing their chair onto the ground with a loud crack. The books scattered in all directions as the Employer moved around the desk. With each step, their form changed, taking in the form of Maryam, as she had been when she made the first trade. They (she?) looked small. Even when Maryam had stopped aging shortly after, time had given her a stoic demeanor that did little to hide her age. The younger Kanaya before her might as well have been a toddler.

A toddler with the voice of thousands, and a stare that betrayed a creature that delighted in grief.

"you know that, regardless of what you are planning, i will get both of them in the end, correct? and your dear friend the void entity as well?"

"If You Are So Sure, Then You Could Stop Stalling, And Accept The Deal."

"half the fun is seeing the loser squirm."

"Are Trades Not Supposed To Be Equal And Fair, Without A 'Loser'?"

"you have been under my employ long enough that you know that is not true, dear maryam. do not insult my intelligence or yours."

They turned, their form changing once more as they did. As they reached their desk once more, the left half of their face resembled Serket, while their right half resembled Loom's.

"you have been busy gathering friends and materials. i wonder if you told them about your little plan?"

"If I Had, I Fear They Would Have Tried To Stop Me. This Needed To Happen."

"aw, you will only hurt your friends pushing them away like this. don't you cawe about theiw feewings?"

"Mocking Tones Hardly Suit You."

The Employer laughed, shaking their head, the features of the other trolls disappearing.

"that is a lie."

The Employer looked at Maryam, their smile growing slowly on their lips.

"very well. your eye, and i stop my current plans for tavros, and nathan's debt disappears. he still lives in the shop so i think his debt will only naturally rack up once more. tavros is naturally curious, i am sure he will come to me eventually."

"That Is For Them To Work Out In The Future."

"ah, what the heck, i am feeling generous. i will not initiate contact with nathan either."

"How Magnanimous."

"it is the employee discount you have earned, my dear."

The Employer extended their hand to Maryam.

"in exchange, you will be mine in perpetuity. which i am sure your friends will be delighted to know about."

"We Shall See."

Maryam reached over, and shook ţ̸̛̯͕̞̞̣̩̲̦̜̬͎̥̙͚̩͇̂̏͗̑̆͂̌͐͒̃͘͘͝h̷̢̩͍̟̘̼͚̭̟̘͒̋͜͜ȩ̸̩̼̥̮̜̲͕̪̻̙͈̈́̌̍̆̃̉̏̿́̀̃́͛͠ ̴̧̖̱̜̩́̂̓̄̂̇̽̑̓̀͠ Ȩ̵̞̫̗̞͖̩̩͉̥̼̼̰̗̞̟̥̳̂̂̊͆̿͐̆͝ͅṃ̶͚̥̼̣̖̖̤̳̰̖͓̞̻͓͇͙͇͆̿͋̓̈́͐̌͆̓͘͜ͅp̶̧̛̗̫̱̺̪͉̟̭̗̜̰̀́͐͛̕̕͜͜͝͝ľ̵̡̤̭̜͎̒͊̅̊́͗̄̈́̂̀̏͗̀͛̕̚ǫ̴̩̠̘̭͈̞̠͒́͊̚̚ÿ̶̥̬̖͖̖̜̹̄͋̎̈̂͜͝͝ȩ̴̣̮̬͔̪̙͔̭͍͎̦̮̯͙̪̎̄̄͊̂͂̄̐̀̒̋̋̋̋͐̚̚͜͜r̶̡̘͉̮̝̠͍͕̜̼̯̯̟̻͕̱͚̮̈́̓͐̎̈͜͠'̵̺͕̻̤̲̝͖̠͕͈̰̌̑͜ş̵̢̗͇̰̙̘̩̬͔̗̞̘̳̞͖̥̰̬̼͗́̋̑́̌͊͛̌̆́̔̈̈́̚̕͘͠͝ h̵̨̳̩̞͍̋͒̇̄̃͆́̊̋̋̈͆̍̐͆̈̂͂̀̄̾͌͐̋̓́̕̚̚̚͝ͅä̸̺͓̙̖̼̗̹̼́̊̎̄̔̐̇͊̋̾̕̕̚͠͝ņ̵̡̢̡̡̯̫͖̘̩͉͙̳͇̝̳̞̼͈̮̖̘̙̗͔̙̩̯̘̦͇̪̟͓̳͇̞͎͍̻̻̹͉̳̩̱͉̦̦͕̞̼̖̤̒͛̾̾̐̎̓̔̾͊̐̽̊̆̃͛̃̏̃͒̎̍͒̅̂̈́̈́͊̿̿̒̃͆̄̓͊̿̏̿̚̕̚̚̚͝͠͝͠͠ͅd̸̡̡̛̛̠͎̹͖̙͙͍̻͈͚̗̣̹̹͙̭̥͙͓̮̮̹͔̤̠͂̃̇͒̇̍͒̒̀̐̓͛̀̑͒́̉̂͗̈́̂̈́̋̽̀̾̐̑͗̓̌͊̈́́͑͛̄͘͠͝.̵̢̨̧͎͈̪̠̙̦͚͉̪̜͈̘̥̪͎͇̟͍͙̰͍̼͇̪̦̿̅̈́̿̇̑͑̍̒͗̾̈́́̈́̀̆̈́̃͑̃̑̀͝͠͝ͅ

#plot #The Employer #One Final Trade

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