#''she's lying!!!!!'' girl do you think i have the energy to lie right now. i can't remember how this game works and im trying to keep up

[thebirdandhersong]

they think I'm a terrible liar but they don't know the truth (I can do real life lying so well when I'm hiding a secret someone's entrusted to me, have often drowned in that self-deceptive river called denial, and regularly lie about my name at coffee shops) (I simply don't care enough to lie convincingly, elaborately, and often while playing Avalon)

[woso-dreamzzz]

Injured (Alexia's Version) IV

Alexia Putellas x Teen!Reader

Summary: You need perfection

TW: eating disorder, self-destructive thoughts, unhealthy thoughts about weight and size, self-harm through dance

There's a reason the ballerina body is thought to be unobtainable.

It's because it is.

Even to the dancers.

Perfect feet. Perfect legs. Perfect waist. Perfect stomach. Perfect face and hair.

You didn't have the perfect feet. Your arch wasn't quite perfect. It was close but with the right shoes it looked perfect.

Your legs weren't quite perfect either. You think one of your knees bulges weirdly and one leg is the tiniest bit more muscular than the other. But that can be hidden under your tights.

You don't like your waist or your tummy. You're different to your Mami but you're built a bit like her. She's built like a football player where she doesn't need to care about her waist or her stomach like you did.

You could fix your face with makeup and your hair with product but you couldn't fix your biology. You couldn't fix the way you've developed.

When you were younger and still at ballet school, the older girls passed down one line of wisdom to the younger girls.

If you weren't thin enough to fit between the space of the barre and where it's mounted on the mirror, then you're too fat.

You know now that that's too small of a gap for anyone to fit through without tucking in their tummy to the extreme. You know that now but it's still embedded within you. It still haunts your every step, a looming figure in the shadows that will one day catch up with you.

Some of the other dancers smoke or vape to keep their figures but you took the more classic route.

It was easy to cut breakfast out. A protein bar sufficed as your lunch, maybe a pre-packaged salad as well. You would eat dinner because that was a family meal and, while you were desperately trying to keep your figure, you knew that eating at least one meal a day was good.

It worked like a charm though and soon your stomach shrunk to the point that having one meal a day was all you could stomach.

"Why are you still asleep?" Jaume asks as he throws himself onto your bed," It's nearly dinner."

You groan, poking your head out from your blanket cave. "I was napping. I'm allowed to nap."

You've been napping a lot lately but you're used to that. Whenever you start cutting out meals, you feel the need to nap more to conserve your energy.

"Mami told me to come get you," Jaume replies," Dinner's almost ready."

You pull the covers off before freezing.

"Jaume," You say," Are you wearing your dirty football boots? In my bed?"

He grins. "Yeah."

"Get out!"

"Oh, come on, it was just a joke!"

You smack him in the face with a pillow. "I'm telling Mami!"

He scrambles after you, trying to stop you from making it down the stairs.

"She's lying!" He cries out, skidding to the dinner table just as you arrive.

"Jaume wore his dirty football boots in my bed!" You announce and Alexia sighs.

"Just one day," She says wistfully to Olga," That's all I ask. Just one day of no arguments."

She scolds Jaume lightly over the meal and you pick at your food.

Alexia watches you out of the corner of her eye. This meal is your favourite but you're pecking at it like you're a pigeon.

"How was dance?" She asks.

You shrug, grateful for the opportunity to talk as you push the food around your plate. "Good. I'm going back in after dinner. I'm going to practice my solo."

Olga frowns just like Alexia. "You've been doing that all week. Don't you think you need a break?"

"It won't be for that long," You lie," I want to get it perfect."

Perfection has always been a big part of your life. If you have perfection then you've proven your worth. If you have perfection then you cannot be replaced.

If you perfection in your dancing, in your body, then everything will be good and right in the world.

If you have perfection then you'll never be forgotten again.

Alexia watches you, eyes narrowed before she starts helping Olga clear the table.

"Jaume," You hiss," You want this?" You offer him your plate.

He glanced over to where Olga and Alexia have their backs turned.

"Give."

You scrape the rest of your food onto his plate before getting up quickly.

"I'm heading to the studio," You say.

"I'll drive you," Alexia says.

"I'll walk." You're actually planning to jog. "I want to grab a snack from the store on the way."

There's a reason Mami hasn't found out yet. You've gone back and forth on this for years. Cutting out meals before a performance only to introduce them again a few weeks after. You know exactly how to play her.

It's easy to slip away just like it's easy to dance and dance and dance until your feet ache.

There's something about pointe work that you love. It's a hard discipline. Nobody outright loves it like you do. You don't think they'd understand why you love it.

You love it for the wrong reasons.

You love it because it makes your feet hurt. You love it because it makes you look good even when you're falling apart. You love it because it makes you feel perfect even when you know you're not.

You love it because it's the quickest way to make you bleed.

Your chest rises and falls as you feel your toe pads grow wet with your own blood. Your vision is full of spots and you can barely see yourself in the mirror.

All you can focus on is your next move and the pain in your feet.

All you can do is dance and dance and-

You're on the floor the next time you blink, feeling groggy as your stomach rumbles. You catch sight of yourself in the mirror as you crawl your way over to your bag, shakily unwrapping an energy bar.

You pull off your pointe shoes and toe pads.

This is so normal to you now that you don't even think about the fact that you just blacked out.

You eat your snack, drain down your sports drink and wrap plasters around your bleeding toes as you dial Mami's number.

She picks up quickly, like always. You can imagine her just sitting at home, waiting for your call.

"Bambi?" She asks as soon as she answers," What's up?"

"Can you come and pick me up?" You ask," I'd like to come home now."

Alexia's already grabbing her keys. Her shoes are already on. She's already out the door.

Something's up with you. She knows this. She just doesn't know what it is. But she knows she'll always be ready to pick you up. Always want to bring you home herself.

You look pale and shaky as she pulls up and, like usual after practice, your bare feet are out of your shoes. They're covered in plasters.

"Did you get your snack?" Alexia asks," You look a little pale."

"I did," You reply," I was just dancing a lot."

"Hmm," Alexia says," You know you can talk to me, right? You know you can tell me anything."

"I know," You say.

"Good. Just...Good. You're a good girl, bambi, and I want you to come to me if you need to talk, alright?"

"I know, Mami," You say with an eye roll.

Alexia holds your gaze for a moment before nodding. "Good. Now, your brother wants a milkshake. Do you want anything at the drive through?"

Your tummy rumbles.

"A meal then," Alexia decides before you can protest," A burger I think. Greasy."

You wince. "Mami-"

"You gave half your dinner to Jaume," She says suddenly," I'll split the meal but it's non-negotiable."

It's fine, you think.

So long as you get to practice early tomorrow, you can work it all off.

[httpsryu]

muse? pt. 3

pairing: kang haerin x fem newjeans!reader

summary: getting a new member way long after debut and before a comeback isn't really the best idea to haerin

category: enemies-to-lovers (?), kpop idol au

genre: slow burn, angst, and fluff

warnings: a bit frustrating and A LOT of jealousy

a/n: i appreciate all the love muse has gotten so far! tysm everyone :) pt.1 and pt.2 of muse

The second the leader entered the dorm with the rest of the girls behind her, she feels a sense of energy being off at the sight of seeing you sitting on the couch in the living room.

"Is Haerin not keeping you company?" Minji asks, setting down the food and cake on the countertop.

You look up from your phone, startled while wondering what time the others have gotten back. You let out a half smile, shaking your head.

"She did keep me company." You lie.

Great; the first day and you're already lying for the sake of someone who probably and surely doesn't even like you.

"I'll go call her to help set up." Danielle announces with a gentle smile, rushing towards the end of the hall where Haerin's and your room sat.

Minji hums with a nod, looking over at you with concern. She's worried that you're regretting the decision to come over here from SM.

"Y/N! Which hat do you like on me?" Hanni breaks the weird atmosphere, holding up a princess crown and a bear headband with a bright smile, scrunching her nose.

You let out a small giggle at how adorable your member is. Getting up from the couch, you walk to where Hanni is and tilts your head while thinking. Eyes constantly darting back and fourth between the two options before catching the other choices in the bag next to Hanni.

"You're so cute, Y/N!" Hanni scrunches her nose at how cute you look trying to concentrate.

"I think this one seems to match you well." You reach for the bunny ears in the bag, holding it up next to the Vietnamese with a content smile at how well it resembled her.

Hanni smiles, showing her gums as she grabbed it. "If Y/N says it matches me, I'll wear it."

"Minji unnie matches this bear headband." You speak with a small smile, handing it to the oldest who is checking off a few things to make the best welcome party.

The leader feels her ears flushed from you calling her 'unnie', grabbing the headband from you and clearing her throat afterwards. "Thank you, Y/N."

"Oh get up woman!" Hyein exclaims, making Minji choke back on her saliva before turning over to you. "Unnie, pick one out for me too!"

Strange.

You turn to the youngest, letting out a hum as you take a look at the remaining options. Before you could make a choice, Danielle emerges out from the hallway while dragging a lifeless Haerin along with her.

"Did we miss anything?" Danielle asks, noticing how Minji and Hanni have headbands on and seeing you look so cute focusing on what to pick for Hyein.

Hanni can only giggle in response. "My Y/N picked out my headband for me."

Haerin snaps her head at the 'my'.

MY?

The youngest excitedly nods. "And you should've seen how red Mi-"

"-Hyein-ah?" Minji glares, having the youngest exert a low pout on her lips.

The other Australian releases her grip from Haerin before prancing over to you too. "Omg!!! Could you pick one out for me too?"

The cat-eyed female could once again scoff and roll her eyes at how her members are acting right now.

What a joke, really.

The feline-like female can only watch with a bitter taste in her mouth as the other girls are fighting for your attention on helping them choose out a stupid accessory (besides minji who's still a bit flustered and taken aback from you calling her 'unnie').

"Let's start making the desserts and prepare the food!" Danielle suggests, having the others nod in agreement after all of them got assigned a headband from you. "That way, when we're finished eating, we can all have a sweet treat!"

Hanni gently held both of your shoulders from behind, motioning you to sit comfortably at the couch while promising that she'll make something delicious for you.

"Haerin, will you keep Y/N company?" Minji sternly commends.

The introvert could only hum with a small nod. What other option does she have?

Apparently, the cat-eyed female who thought others having you pick out a stupid accessory all of a sudden had a change of heart because she's already making her way to where the bag of party favors all sit in. She quickly turns around to take a peek at you, noticing that you, the person that they're throwing the party for doesn't have an accessory.

Looking down at a few options, the cat-eyed female grabs one.

"It matches you."

You blink a few times at the sight in front of you. Blankly looking at the hand, which is handing you a princess tiara.

Are you hearing her correctly? What happened to the Haerin earlier?

"Are you going to take it or just sit and stare at it?" The female who is barely older than you monotonously asks.

Fighting the urge to roll your eyes all the way to the back of your head, you grab it from her. Getting startled at the touch both yours and hers fingers had. Coughing to get rid of the weird air, you put on the tiara.

"Oh-you have some hair-"

"-Where? Here?"

"-No, a little more to your left-no, it's-I got it." The other leans down to fix the piece of hair standing out from you and putting it behind your ear. She stares at you afterwards, you and her make eye contact prompting her to back away.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she motions over to the bag of party favors. "You're not going to pick one out for me?"

"Huh? Oh, I can if you want me to."

From afar, Hyein is trying her best to hold back Hanni from barging over. "Do something! She's trying to make moves on my Y/N!"

"Haerin does like pretty girls." Danielle could only say, laughing at how Hanni is overreacting.

Haerin awkwardly sits away from you on the other side of the couch, a space evident between you two.

Her hands are laying on her lap as she attempts to concentrate on the screen in front of the both of you. She still can't believe you're 100% on board with debuting as a member of NewJeans.

What could this mean for her though? Could there be possibly a concept change last minute for the comeback all because of a newcomer? How will this affect NewJeans positively? When will ADOR announce to Bunnies that they're debuting a new sixth member after releasing countless of hits.

Haerin can admit you're pretty, yes. She's certainly not blind. However, everything just feels like an irrational choice. She's not happy with Min Hee Jin's decisions this time.

She wants to ask you why you chose to be apart of a rash choice.

"Y/N unnie!" Hyein runs out from the kitchen, scurrying over to sit right next to you, leading you to sit a bit closer to Haerin. "I think you're really cool."

The feline-like female furrows her eyebrows, wondering why the other girls are perfectly fine with this. She furrows her brows even more when seeing your eyes crinkle brightly, a perfect smile that could make anyone caught in your charms.

"Oh, Hyeinnie, I think you're more cooler than me." You gently say back to her.

The big baby shakes her head. "Min Hee Jin told us earlier that you've been a trainee since you were 6, is that true?"

6? Haerin can feel how tense you've gotten at the subject.

"Haha. I was casted at 5 and was wary about the idea. But they kept casting me til I finally gave in." You managed to say without sounding too exhausted about your now previous company, the place you grew up to as home.

Hyein nods, interested in your early life. "I see. I can understand why they kept casting you, you look like a star, Y/N unnie."

Oh please. Haerin wants to snort at the nonsense. A star can dance to a whole choreography without messing up every damn 5 seconds.

"Say that for today." Haerin mumbles under her breath lowly, enough for only her to hear.

"Hyein-ah! Quit bothering Y/N and help us set up the table for dinner!" Hanni yells from the kitchen, resulting in the giant baby to groan loudly in agony before getting up from where she sat.

Haerin laughs at Hyein's antics, shaking her head at the oldest's scolding.

You smile a bit at the feline-like female's laughter. Ever since you've gotten here this morning, it seems like Haerin has been in a weird mood and just doesn't like to smile. At least around you, that is.

"She's cute when she smiles." You "think" to yourself, returning back at the screen.

The female besides you quickly turns to look at you, meeting with your side profile instead.

Did you mean to say that out loud?

Haerin feels the back of her neck burning up at those words, she gulps not wanting to take any meaning into it before slightly shaking her head and going back to look at the same screen you were looking at.

Haerin isn't like the other girls; she won't let a pretty girl get to her like that. She's standing her ground on why you being apart of this team is such a bad idea.

Right? RIGHT!

Just in time, the other members finally got done preparing the food.

"Alright! Time to eat!" Danielle loudly exclaims, walking in carefully with a big pot of wonton soup (the other girls totally didn't search up your favorite foods) for this party.

You immediately stand up from your spot, wanting to rush over to help the Australian.

"Oh no! Sit down Y/N, you're our special princess." Danielle brightly smiles, setting down the pot on a thick coaster. "Rin, could you help Hanni out back in the kitchen?"

Haerin tenses, looking at her best friend with a bothered expression at the idea of having to do stuff FOR you. Prompting the Australian to mouth the word 'please' with her adorable puppy eyes, leaving Haerin to sigh and get off from her seat.

"Y/N-ah! You look so pretty with this crown." Danielle turns her eyes back to you, looking at you with immediate affection.

You smile back at the other, eye-smile crinkling. "Thanks, Jihye unnie."

The older can't help but to gasp again at you calling her 'unnie' with that cute eye-smile. Oh, how she understands what Hanni is talking about now. (you're very real).

"Hey! Bro! Bro! Back off my Y/N!" Hanni glares at her fellow Australian mate, with Haerin clenching her hands tightly around the soda bottles at the word 'my'. "I wont hesitate to throw these cups at you!"

The 05' just purses her lips while shaking her head, grabbing the cups from Hanni.

"Bro, I can hear your voice from the kitchen." Minji tiredly says, emerging out from the kitchen with another big pot of spicy rice cakes and Hyein accompanying her with bowls and plates. "Tone it down a notch before you scare our new member away."

New member. That word makes you happy.

On the other hand, the irritation that Haerin always keeps feeling is creeping at her head.

New member. Oh, how she wishes it wasn't true.

Seeing your new team all enjoy their food, you can't help but to smile gently at them all (not haerin though, she made you mad by not handing you a pair of chopsticks even though you asked).

"You know how we planned to eat desserts after?" Hanni yawns, stretching out her arms. "I'm too full and tired to."

The others nod in agreement.

"Okay. Let's pack them and take them with us to our schedule tomorrow." Minji suggests, darting her eyes between Haerin and you.

The Vietnamese knows the tricks up her friend's sleeves. "Last one to touch their nose has to clean up these dishes and pack the cookies away!"

Everyone INSTANTLY touch their noses, you and Hanni both being the last ones.

"Ahh~ I get to be with my Y/N!" Hanni jumps up in excitement, knowing she lost on purpose (she couldn't help herself)

There it goes again; the way Haerin's jaw clenches at 'my Y/N'.

And for some strange reason, she hates to be around you, yet alone stand near you. And yet, she likes to be near you. Like now, while the others fought over who got to sit next to you during dinner, the cat eyed female silently walks over to you, taking the spot everyone seems to only care about.

But it doesn't make any sense for Haerin and what she's about to do.

"I'll help Y/N clean and put away the cookies." She monotonously says. "After all, she is my roommate."

Minji pleasantly smiles at the feline-resmebling female, nodding. "Great, that works out then."

"Wait! No!" Hanni argues, standing up from the ground with her hands in fists. "I lost though?"

Hyein yawns, stretching out her arms. "Just let Haerin do it, it makes sense anyways. Aren't you tired anyways?"

"Yeah. Bro." Minji teases, sticking out her tongue at the younger.

Hanni dramatically "fumes", her nostrils flaring in anger. "Dani, hold me back before I do something regretful."

"Let's start cleaning up before something breaks like last time." Haerin gets up, collecting the pile of plates.

You blink, processing what your member just said. Break? Last time?

"We don't have all night." The other said from where she's standing, peering behind her shoulder to look back at you with an annoyed expression.

You can't help but to silently sigh, grabbing the rest of the plates and cups and shortly following the cat eyed girl into the kitchen.

"Just leave them on the counter." Haerin shortly says, turning the sink on.

You shake your head. "We're supposed to be working together?"

"Y/N! Haerin! We're going to get ready for bed now." Hanni yells from the other room.

"Don't forget! We have to wake up at 5 today for the reshoot!" Minji also yells.

Getting up at 5AM to do a reshoot on the concept photos rubbed Haerin in the wrong way. Why does she have to suffer her precious sleep for a stranger?

You notice how loud Haerin has gotten when it comes to the dishes all floating in the sink, causing all sorts of clatters and ruckus.

"Everything okay over there?" You ask, coming over to help her with drying the dishes.

Haerin tenses up, feeling anger creep up her neck. "Just back off, okay? I got this."

"I just wanted to help you?"

The feline-like female scoffs, inhaling and exhaling deeply. "I don't need your help."

"What's your problem?" You fume, looking at the plate in the other's hand.

Haerin shrugs, rinsing off the plate and placing it aside for her to dry later with a wipe cloth.

"Oh. I get it. You're still mad that I messed up during today's practice."

Haerin rolls her eyes, knowing you at least got one thing right today and it was the fact that yes, you did mess up and yes, Haerin did get upset about it. She is not going to sit here and watch you jeopardize her career that she's worked so HARD for. No, Haerin was not going to let that happen.

"Pack the cookies up." She unemotionally says, continuing to rinse the remaining plates trying to not let her anger take the best of her.

Not wanting to pick a fight, you obliged and went over to where the tray of cookies sat on the kitchen's island. Opening the container sitting besides them, you placed the heart-shaped cookies into it with a soft smile at how thankful you are for the members.

"Try not to screw it up for the rest of us during the reshoot, yeah?" Haerin dries the last plate up and places them in the cabinet. "I'm getting ready for bed, close the lights out after."

What the hell was that about?

Most importantly, what the fuck is up Haerin's ass for her to be so mean and rude all the time.

"I should've never left SM..." You couldn't help but to quietly mumble under your breath, regrets are finally sinking in to you.

"I wonder how Y/N unnie is going to look in the outfits." Hyein jumps up in excitement upon arriving to yours, Minji's and Danielle's dressing room.

Hanni nods in agreement. "I still can't believe they put me with you two and not them."

"Excuse me?" The youngest whips her head in instant speed, looking offended. "It's bad enough I have to share a room with you, you think I want to paired up with you, Hanni unnie?"

Haerin sighs, knocking on the door of the dressing room.

"Coming!" Danielle says from the other side, opening the door slightly and letting out a cute noise before widening the door to let her members in. "You guys look so good!"

Haerin smiles softly in response, linking her arm with Australian.

"Where's my Y/Nnnie?" Hanni walks in, scanning the room before taking a seat down on the couch.

Not that word again.

"She left real quick to get a drink with Minji unnie." Danielle replies, dragging Haerin with her to sit down on the couch in the dressing room. "But omg guys! She looks super pretty. Like she was already pretty when she first arrived, right? But after her hair got done, her makeup and her fit of clothing, AHH she looks amazing!"

The Vietnamese smirks, looking at the other Aussie. "Sounds like Jihye has a crush?"

"What? No." Danielle flat out denies.

However, Haerin stares at her best friend, confused as to why her face is suddenly all flushed bright pink.

"You sure?" Hyein asks, wondering about the actual truth. "Because if you do, you have two other girls fighting for her attention."

Danielle gasps, covering her mouth. "Omg, whoo?"

"Me!" Hanni retorts, rolling her eyes.

"And Minji unnie."

Haerin cannot believe it. She really absolutely can't.

'What are they on about?' Haerin cannot help but to think to herself.

"Whether you guys have a crush or not, we're a team so nothing is going to happen anyways." Haerin breaks the slight argue, unlocking her phone to interact with 'Bunnies'.

"Okay, whatever." Hanni replies, rolling her eyes again at the younger's 'nerd' talk.

A knock on the door leads the other four girls startled, wondering who it is.

"Hey Dani, we're back." Minji announces from outside.

Danielle quickly fixes her hair, releasing her arm from her best friend's, she gets up with a slight prance. Clearing her throat before opening the door.

"You guys took so long, I was starting to miss you." She frowns with a pout, earning a small giggle from you.

Haerin turns her head at the sound from you, she feels like she suddenly can't breathe at your appearance.

Dani was right.

"Y/N unnie! You look so pretty!" Hyein jumps up, darting towards you, Minji and Danielle.

Seeing Hyein, you smile and wave at her. Darting your eyes to the other two members sitting on the couch, Hanni waves back with a wink while Haerin stares at you before looking back down at her phone.

You conclude that the member is an iPad baby.

"Y/N, this bow matches you so well!" Danielle said, for what seems like the 6th time today.

She tries to look occupied with her phone but her eyes are constantly staring down at the way Minji's arms is linked with yours and how Danielle is fixing the cute bow in your hair.

"Are you excited for the concept photos, unnie?" Hyein asks, leaving you wide-eyes at the sudden question.

You start to walk, to take a seat and everyone follows you, wanting to know your answer. Most importantly, they want to know how you feel about being apart of the team, on the second day.

Something naturally must be pulling you close to Haerin, because somehow, sitting besides her just feels right, even if the both of you haven't come to terms yet with one another.

Haerin feels her body tense at the scent coming from you; she was always weak for pretty girls who smell good. God, the universe is starting to curse her, this has to be karma, right?

The cat-eyed female doesn't know if it's because of the way your hair is beautifully styled in waves; kind of similar to Minji's hair, or if it's because your eye makeup seems to accentuate your already natural features or if it could be the cute elf ears added to you for the concept. Something about you makes Haerin have a weird burning and itchy sensation in the back of her throat and it pisses her off.

"I am excited." You can't help but to feel grateful for how welcoming everyone, well mostly, are to you. "You all have been so welcoming, it feels like I've been here since day one, thank you all."

The Wasian female giggles, screaming as she squeezes your cheeks. "AHH, Y/N, you are SOO CUTE!"

"After we do solo shoots and group shots, we'll be in pairs." Minji announces, taking the piece of paper she was handed earlier in the morning from her coat pocket.

Her eyes read the pairs, a small little smirk is tugging on her lips. "Hanni and Jihye are paired up, Y/N and Haerin are paired up, and Hyeinnie and I are paired up."

The Aussie line sighs, relieved that they're partners but upset at how Haerin manages to be SO lucky to get paired up with you.

Haerin cannot help but to feel sort of smug and nervous irritated knowing that she's yet paired up with you again.

Everyone watches you as you pose in the water, holding a white rose in your mouth as you look over at the camera with a specific look in your eyes.

"She's a natural.." Minji couldn't take her eyes off of you and at how you being in front of the camera looks like such an every day thing to you.

Haerin understands now. She understands why SM kept casting you; you do have that star quality in you, you were born to be an idol. She gets it.

Just how much did Min Hee Jin went through lengths to snatch you from the basements of SM.

"You two are definitely going to kill this couple shoot." Danielle encourages her best friend, with a small 'fighting' symbol made with her fist. "I'm positive you two will lead one another well during the shoots."

Couple shoot?

"Good! Y/N-shi, each photo is coming out very well!" The photographer praises you, making you feel red about it which earns an orchestra of 'awes' from your members.

Even Haerin couldn't help but to let out a small smile at it.

Wait, what? Did Haerin just smile at you?

Why does the smile from her face makes you feel even more shy?

"She's all red from the water but somehow it makes the shots look even better." The director says to his assistant, who agrees with a fast nod. "Fans will love her, for sure."

Is he right? Would 'Bunnies' love you?

"Okay Y/N-shi, you're all set!" The upperman in the industry says with a proud smile, looking at you like you're his own daughter. "After Danielle-shi and Hanni-shi, we'll get your shoots with Haerin-shi."

Haerin feels her breath hitch at the thought of doing a couple shoot with you.

"Haerin-ah, go over to the dressing room with the stylists to get prepared." Minji places her hand on the feline female, indicating her to follow the two hair and makeup stylists. "Y/N will be with you shortly."

The younger nods with a half-smile, peering over to where the stylists wait for you and her. She gives another smile to the oldest member before walking off to the pretty unnies, hehe.

"Thank you! You've all worked hard." You bow to the staff and director, getting out of the water as you quickly scurry over to where your members were standing.

"Y/N! You did so good out there, oh my god!" Hanni wraps a towel around you to stop you from shivering.

Minji agrees, nodding continuously with a pretty smile. "You were really pretty, Y/N."

"You really know how to set a mood for the pictures." Danielle can't help but to compliment you, making sure her eyes meet yours.

Hyein jumps up and tackles you. "Unnie, you did amazing!"

"Hyeinnie, you're going to get wet!" You warn the girl with concern, but ultimately, you still hugged her back.

"Haerin already went over with her stylists to the dressing room to start getting ready for the pairing shoot." Minji informs you. "Just follow with your stylists and you'll meet with Haerin."

You hold the towel around your shoulders, nodding at the oldest's words. "Thank you, Minji unnie."

The leader widens her eyes again at 'unnie', but she manages to calm herself down, ignoring the way her ears are burning up. "Of course, Y/N."

The youngest snorts at the oldest, earning a small smack on the back from Minji. "OW!"

january 27, 2024; publishing date

Pt. 3 IS UP! thank you all for the love and support on muse, it's making me happy and excited to keep writing the mini series :) i'm SOOO SORRY for how late it is; been kind of going through it 😭😭

taglist: @ilovekimminji , @justme-idle , @kyuusberry , @masuowo , @iraa567 , @shycreationdreamland , @idunnofr , @imahybridicannotbekilled , @twicesserafim, @awkwardtoafault

[yuesya]

There is a terrible, ear-splitting sound that tears through the air. Something rough and guttural and distinctly inhuman.

Keqing’s head snaps up immediately the instant she recognizes this. Her eyes narrow, lips curving into a scowl. Because a sound such as this, within Liyue Harbor itself?

“Alert the Millelith,” she orders her attendants curtly, then turns heel towards the direction that the suspicious sound had originated from.

“Lady Yuheng–!”

“Go!” Keqing shouts, and doesn’t have the time to look back to see if her orders are followed. How could a monster have possibly entered the city without alerting the Millelith? No, scratch that. How could a monster have been brought into the city at all?!

If this had anything to do with the Fatui of Snezhnaya–

Electro sparks from her fingertips; Keqing launches it into the air, and pulls tight on the elemental energy to close the distance instantaneously. She lands on the rooftop in a well-practiced crouch, and races along the tiles.

It’s considered to be disruption of public order and potential property damage, running across the rooftops like this. But right now, the potential presence of a monster in Liyue Harbor is an emergency, where time is of the essence. The ramifications of a monster wreaking havoc within the city –Keqing didn’t even want to think about it.

Up, left, turn and –there!

Keqing drops down in an empty courtyard. There’s a bitter scent of herbs and unknown concoctions lightly permeating the air. The dwellings of a mediciner, or an alchemist, perhaps?

A set of doors slam open. Keqing whirls around and–

–the tip of her sword brushes just under Baizhu’s chin; the man raises both hands in a harmless gesture of surrender, while the white snake draped across his broad shoulders hisses in complaint.

“Lady Yuheng,” the doctor greets, remarkably composed for someone who’s being held at swordpoint. “May I request that you allow me a moment to explain the situation?”

What is there to explain? Behind the green-haired man, Keqing can see the monster –some hideous four-legged creature that… that doesn’t look like any monster she recognizes. There’s no resemblance to Hilichurls, or any of their ilk. It’s definitely not machinery, either; the creature is organic, that much she is able to discern. There are strange tendrils extending from a rectangular head, each one as thick as her arm and somehow reminiscent of winding cords–

The monster growls, some strange mixture of sounds that rumbles in its chest menacingly.

Then, there’s another voice that sounds through the air. A human voice.

Keqing stares disbelievingly at the white-haired girl she’d somehow initially overlooked –Baizhu was blocking her field of view, and the man was tall; Keqing had also been more preoccupied with the monster in their midst– and… there’s no real way to describe this. This strange girl is speaking to the monster, and the monster is speaking back to her, in a strange language that Keqing has never heard before.

Or… no, not a language that’s entirely foreign. The sound and cadence of it… is loosely reminiscent of the Inazuman tongue, although Keqing is positive that it’s not the same language.

Just what on earth–?

Suddenly, the monster raises its voice, roaring at the girl in front of it. It looms over her aggressively and–

“Muta Kokichi,” the girl says, unimpressed. She also says something else, but Keqing’s attention is caught by the way the monster suddenly freezes, aggression and anger abruptly cutting off and bleeding into something else entirely.

Fear.

“… Baizhu, what’s going on?”

“I apologize for not informing the Qixing properly beforehand,” the doctor says. “Although I’d assumed that Lady Ganyu would’ve already taken care of matters on that front, given that this task was tentatively entrusted to me by Liyue’s adepti.”

“Stop talking in circles.” Keqing doubts that he’s lying; Baizhu is not the type, and such a lie would be easy to uncover. But… Ganyu? Liyue’s adepti? What in the world was going on here? … Was that white-haired girl not a girl at all, but an adeptus as well? “Answer me. What’s going on?”

Baizhu inclines his head. “It is as you see before you, Lady Yuheng. I’ve been asked to care for a rather unique patient, who’s currently, ah. Conversing with his shijie.”

His… shijie? That white-haired maybe-adeptus girl? She was the monster’s… fellow disciple?

Wait.

“His?” Keqing pales at the implications. Because Baizhu is speaking as if–

“Yes,” Baizhu smiles, although the expression does not reach his eyes. “He’s human, Lady Yuheng.”

[senseless-writing]

Mountain Top Confessions

Pairing: Geralt of Rivia x child!reader

Summary: Taking place in S1.E6, the little girl that Geralt took under his wing all those years ago isn't so little anymore. After overhearing something she wasn't supposed to while he and Yennefer argued about the quest to find the golden dragon, the witcher is forced to have a conversation with Orion that he'd been hoping to push off for as long as possible.

Warnings: Hurt feelings, talk of regret, death, etc. Really nothing much

A/N: Here's a story for a trope that's not in demand that nobody asked for, and yet I couldn't help but write! I actually wrote this forever ago and completely forgot about it, but I saw it today and thought I should share it even if it's only in self-service. Lemme know what you think!

Just so you know, this story exists within the world of the other Witcher stories I've written with the oc!character Orion. There are some references to those stories or Orion's life with Geralt in general, but I don't think it's completely necessary to read anything to understand this one.

Masterlist

-----------------

“Did you mean it? What you said to Yennefer?” 

Geralt sighed, his entire body sagging with the release. After his fight with the enraging sorceress who always seemed to find a way under his skin, he had no energy left for anything more. Least of all a defiant tween. 

He turned to look at Orion, who was stepping out from behind the tree from which she was hiding. The Witcher blamed his scattered emotions for the failing of his normally heightened senses. 

“You weren’t supposed to hear any of that…I told you to stay with Jaskier.”

“But did you mean it?” She asked again, stoically, without meeting his gaze. Geralt couldn’t tell what was going through her head. These days, he never could. 

When Orion was little, and her favorite place in the whole world was Geralt’s arms, the witcher didn’t have to worry about finding the right words to say. All he had to do was hold her, and it was like anything and everything that worried her little head would disappear. 

At first, Geralt detested this part of guardianship. It made him feel like a witcher turned cuddler and coddler, and he could feel Vesemir’s disapproving glare from all the way across the Continent. After giving it some thought, though, he figured it was probably for the best. Those who truly knew him knew how verbose he could be, but witty remarks and philosophical ponderings never meant too much to a six year old. 

But now his Orion was twelve. Her eyes were forever wide, never shutting for the fear of missing something worth learning. And she had so many questions that Geralt alone was in charge of answering. He couldn’t wrap her in his arms anymore and pretend the Continent wasn’t confusing or dangerous. He owed her answers, and she deserved his words. 

Geralt hesitated for only a moment. The truth was unfortunate and uncomfortable, and he’d hoped to not have any conversations resembling the one they were about to have until she was older. But it was too late for that now, and he wouldn’t lie to her. 

“Yes.”

Before he could so much as explain, Orion was already rushing away, quickening her steps to meet up with the rest of the group. 

“Wait-”

She didn’t listen.

“Orion. Wait!”

He jogged forward, grabbing her arm and twisting her around to face him. She ripped herself from his grasp at once. Her face was stone cold, but still present were the hints of a curled top lip and the flash of barred teeth.

She looked so much like him when she did that. It nearly made his head spin. 

He cocked his head to the side a little, a warning for her to check her attitude. She didn’t take it.

“Will you let me explain?” he said with an even tone. 

“Explain what? That you regret taking me in?" The powerful rage in Orion's voice was not enough to mask what Geralt knew was lying underneath: deep, overwhelming hurt. "Well, you know what, no one held a knife to your throat and made you! If you didn’t want me, you should’ve done something about it!”

“That is not what I said.”

“You said-”

“Orion!” he shouted, and the child’s mouth clamped shut at once. She could count on one hand the amount of time he’s raised his voice at her. “What I said was that taking you in taught me, more than anything else, that raising a child is not something to be taken lightly. It’s a lesson that Yennefer could benefit from learning.”

The girl bit her lip and wrapped her arms tightly around her middle. “You said raising me taught you that your life isn't suited to a child. That implies regret.” 

“I do have regrets,” he agreed, and he noticed the flicker of insecurity in her gaze. He felt like an ass for putting it there. “Do you want to know why?” 

Orion stayed silent, and he suspected she didn’t want to know at all. He was going to tell her anyway. 

He spoke his next words very softly. “Every minute of every day, I regret not being able to give you the life you deserve.” 

That clearly wasn’t the answer she was expecting. He could tell from the immediate wrinkle of her brow. 

“What?”

He sighed again, averting his eyes to the group behind her. They were making a steady pace up the mountain. And Jaskier, with his slightly codependent nature, kept turning back every few steps to check on his travel companions. Apparently, their yelling was loud enough to attract the attention of even the loudest of bards. 

Their eyes locked, and Geralt nodded once to let him know that everything was alright. Or, at the very least, that it would be. Jaskier didn’t look convinced, but he gave a defeated shrug and turned back around to continue walking. The witcher hesitantly directed his eyes back to Orion, who seemed to be frozen in a state of confusion. 

“Geralt, I don’t understand any of this.” 

“Our life on the path isn’t normal, Orion. You think it is, because it’s all you’ve ever known, but it’s not.”

“I know tha-”

“No, you don’t. You grew up hiding from monsters that most humans never see in their lifetime. By the age of eight, you were well versed in the art of ignoring those on the streets who throw stones as you walk by. And that's…that's not a reflection on you, it’s a reflection on me.”

“But-”

“I’m not telling you this to make you feel bad about the cards you’ve been dealt. It’s the same way I was raised, it’s all I know. But witchers are a dwindling species for a reason, and the last thing I wanted was to make you a part of our ranks. I never wanted you to be like me.” 

“But I did! I’ve always wanted to be like you.”

Geralt wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He opened his mouth to try, but all that came out was a confused grunt. With a tilted head and lifted brow, the witcher sat there in silence as he struggled to understand. 

How was it possible that after all this time, his sweet, open-hearted Orion still didn’t believe what he knew to be true? He wasn’t the man she thought he was, and the longer she failed to realize that, the longer she would spend wandering blind in the dark. 

Orion took a few steps closer until they were an arms length away. It always shocked the witcher when he noticed how big she had gotten, how much she had changed from the little girl he used to know. “Geralt, people throw rocks at us because they’re afraid of what they don’t understand. You’re the one who told me that.”

“I did, didn’t I?” he averted his eyes. “What was I thinking?” 

Orion’s lips lifted in half a smile.“And people die everyday because they don’t know how to hide from monsters. Most humans don’t even recognize the signs for when one is around. I have a leg up on all of them.” 

“But you wouldn’t be around monsters as often as you are if it wasn't for me.” 

“I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for you,” she reminded him sharply. “If you hadn’t found me, I’d probably still be sitting at the entrance of Kaer Morhen. A pile of bones withering to dust.” 

“Don’t say that!” Geralt snapped. His sudden change in tone shocked Orion to her very core, as it was a fiery anger that she'd never before heard directed at her. His eyes were wild and rabid as he stared at her, his entire body tense and shaking. To her, it was an extremely paradoxical image; he'd somehow managed to look terrified and terrifying at the same time.

The witcher had to squeeze his fists to stop himself from saying something he might regret. It wasn’t Orion he was mad at. If anything, it was himself.

Because the idea of his child going through a life-or-death situation should have been something he could only imagine. It should have been a distant nightmare, something that tortured his sleep but eased away once he awoke and realized it was only a figment of his imagination. 

Except that it wasn’t. Not for him. Orion had looked death in the eyes more than he could possibly count, and Geralt was the one leading her directly to it. 

“Don’t,” he repeated again in a clipped tone. “Don’t say things like that. You’re here with me because I made a choice. And while I may regret the implications of that choice, don't ever insinuate, even for a second, that I don’t want my child.” 

Orion was used to him calling her his. And she was, in all the ways that mattered. But it was always still a shock to her heart when he did. 

If Geralt noticed her reaction, he didn’t show it. “You needed me, and I made a choice,” he continued on. “Just as I made a choice to not do the same with my child surprise.” 

Oh, the infamous child surprise. From the little Orion knew, the whole thing ranked somewhere high on Geralt’s top ten list of the stupidest things he’s ever done. 

She wouldn’t pretend to understand why he was so insistent on ignoring the existence of someone he was connected to. “What if they need you too one day?” she asked. “What then?”

“He’s a prince of the largest and fiercest kingdom in all the North. He’s got people pleading for the honor of wiping his arse. I doubt he needs the help of a lowly witcher.” 

Or she, Orion thought absently. And perhaps a little dreamily. What luck it would be if Geralt was tied to a princess.

“Kingdoms fall everyday, Geralt. You also said that.” 

“Let's stop using my words against me, yeah? I’ll have to start keeping track of what I say around you.” 

Orion didn’t respond, staring back at him with an expectant glare. 

“Orion,” he leveled with her. “If Cintra falls, he’ll have dozens of people whose sole responsibility is to take the sword for him. He’ll be alright.” 

“And you’re sure of that?” Orion implored. “You can sleep peacefully at night knowing that maybe, just maybe, there’s a kid out there who might one day be as helpless as I was? A kid that, unlike me, is entitled to your protection?” 

“The only person entitled to my protection is you.” 

They were at a stand still, and after a moment of nothing but silence and a gentle breeze passing between them, Orion decided to let it go. She didn’t even berate him for ignoring her question. Because truly, she knew the answer already. She knew that every night, when he thought she was asleep, he rose and paced in circles for hours on end. The sound of him incessantly cleaning his swords had become white noise for her throughout the night. In fact, Orion couldn’t remember the last time she actually saw him sleep; really sleep, that is. Because Geralt wasn’t nearly as much of a master at pretending as he thought he was. 

So instead, all she did was try and direct the conversation back to its original topic. If Geralt wanted to be pig headed about the situation he put himself in, then fine. That wasn’t her main concern. 

At least, not right now it wasn’t. 

“Okay, well,” she sighed, struggling to change subjects without making it sound awkward. Suddenly, this whole conversation felt awkward. She felt stupid for being insecure, and she felt even more stupid for bringing up Cintra when she knew he’d shut down. “You don’t have to worry about not giving me the ‘life I deserve,’ or whatever it is you regret. I quite like the one I have.” 

Geralt remembers her saying something to that effect before. She’s probably said it a number of times by now. But it never mattered, never meant anything real to him. It felt too comparable to a mutt saying that it quite liked its cage. 

So he stayed silent. That alone spoke volumes to Orion. 

“You’re never going to believe me, are you?” she groaned with an exasperated tone. “No matter what I say?” 

He gave her an honest look. “It’s not likely.”

Orion surged forward at once, crashing into his chest with a resounding thud. The witcher barely had time to catch himself, but even as he took a step back to regain his balance, his arms were firmly wrapped around her. 

This wasn’t at all how he imagined this conversation going. He could’ve sworn she was mad at him not ten seconds ago. 

She smushed her face tight to his side, and Geralt strained to hear what she said next. “Can you at least try to understand that I want to be here? With you?”

It’s bothering her, he thought to himself as he rested his chin on her head. And she’s too stubborn to let it go. 

“Can you try to understand that I want you here?” he answered her question with one of his own. 

He felt her nod against his chest, which he supposed was enough. Though truth be told, Geralt wasn’t much for changing. 

And unfortunately, neither was Orion. 

He would never forgive himself for his shortcomings. Day after day, mistake after mistake, Geralt looked back and saw all the ways that he could’ve done better at raising her. He wasn’t used to failing at a job; Vesemir had raised him better than that. And in his eyes, caring for the girl in front of him was the ultimate job. 

But he hadn’t been prepared for it. 

And Orion would never be able to ignore the feeling that a part of them was missing. A part of Geralt, really. It was something he refused to acknowledge, refused to accept. It would gnaw at him forever until he did, and the idea of that continued to gnaw at her. 

This painful circle of lies where one swallowed their truth for the sake of the other was tense and never ending, and it was difficult to pretend that they both weren’t craving something that they desperately needed. For Geralt, a chance to start over. A chance to give Orion the family she should’ve had from the beginning, the one he ripped her from when they left Kaer Morhen. And for Orion, something that would ease Geralt’s mind once and for all. 

Years ago, on that day they’d met one another, each of them had been given something new. A different life, a fresh start. It was all they needed back then. But not anymore. 

Ignoring it would get them nowhere. It was clear now, even if neither of them could voice it, that something else was needed. 

Something more.

--------------

(A/N: This ending is definitely catered towards the book fans out there haha)

[therealcocoshady]

Recovery - Chapter 19

Eminem x FemReader Fanfiction

Summary : Em is confronted by Nicole about his relationship with Y/N.

Tags : Bit of angst ? - Fluff

MARSHALL’S POV

Y/N ended up staying in the hospital for a total of five days. For the first two, she slept almost uninterrupted. Then, she started to manage to stay awake a little longer. They could have sent her home a little earlier, in fact, she was supposed to get out after 72 hours, but she was apparently demonstrating signs of PTSD. In fact, she had a lot of nightmares, which was understandable as her memory was starting to process the events. So, just to make sure, they kept her in the hospital for a little longer, giving her a few things to reduce her skyrocketing anxiety. Of course, Marshall was by her side for the whole duration of her hospital stay. He only left when he needed to shower and change his clothes, letting Talia take over. The whole team from the studio made sure to visit Y/N, who was definitely showered with gifts and affection. The whole hospital bedroom had almost been turned into a flower garden, thanks to Josh. Marshall couldn’t help but think that none of the situation would have happened if he had been as good at handling his liquor as he was good at keeping the Detroit flower business alive. Josh actually showed up to the hospital a handful of times and Y/N seemed happy to have her boyfriend by her side. Whenever he was there, Marshall took the hint and left the room, taking the opportunity to stretch his legs and, sometimes, grab coffee with Nicole, if she happened to be working and able to go for a quick break. 

Having his girlfriend work in the same hospital as Y/N was at was definitely an interesting experience. Whenever she was on break, she offered to bring him coffee in the room or suggested that they went for a quick walk. It was definitely sweet of her to offer, but he didn’t really want to : his attention was focused on Y/N and he didn’t want to take the risk of her waking up all alone in her room, especially since she hated hospitals. Eventually, what had to happen happened, and Nicole confronted him about Y/N, during one of their coffee breaks while Y/N was with Josh. 

So, for how long have you been here ? She asked. 

About four days, he said as he tried not to yawn. She’s going home tomorrow so tonight is my final night here. 

And she needs you by her side ? 

Well it’s… I don’t mind, he shrugged. I mean, she hates hospitals, so… 

I see, she said. Marshall… ? 

He sighed and looked at her, trying not to look too annoyed. He was exhausted and not in the mood for what he knew was about to come. 

Yes ? He asked. 

Obviously, we haven’t been dating too long, and your business is your business but… Should I be worried ? She asked gently. 

About what ? 

About Y/N, Nicole said. I mean, a girl can’t help but wonder, when she sees her date hanging around a 25 year-old, devoting so much time and energy… I guess I just want to know if I’m wasting my time here. 

That’s fair, he sighed. Look, I… We’re close. And, yeah, I spend a lot of time with her. She’s my best friend and I care for her, you know ? 

He knew he was lying through his teeth on that one. But he couldn’t exactly tell the woman he was dating that seeing Y/N lie in a hospital bed made him realize he was in love with her, right ? Even he knew that it would be a shitty thing to do. And it was not as if Nicole actually had anything to worry about. Nothing would ever happen between them. Right now, she was with Josh who had brought her yet another corny teddy bear and a bouquet (by now, he was probably just lacking imagination), probably planning their wedding. He couldn’t help but hear Talia’s words about them getting married. Obviously, they had just started dating, but at the pace they were going at, he wouldn’t even be surprised if Josh proposed in a month. Or maybe he was just grumpy and exhausted. But anyway, it wasn’t a conversation he really wanted to be having. 

Right, Nicole said sheepishly. So… She’s a priority ? 

Yup, he simply said. As I said, she’s my best friend and I care for her. She needs me, I’m there, that’s how it works. 

He wasn’t expecting it (right now, all he was expecting was to pass out from exhaustion), but Nicole let out a laugh. He wasn’t sure if it was a genuine laugh and that maybe he had been funny without meaning to, or maybe she was nervous. He looked at her, a bit surprised. 

And, you don’t get how I think that a grown man being best friends with a child might be a little inappropriate ? She asked as she was still laughing. 

Inappropriate ? He asked. How the fuck would that be inappropriate ? You asked me what the deal is and I just told you. 

You are at her beck and call. This girl has you wrapped around her finger and you don’t even seem to see it, she chuckled. Don’t you think she might be here for the wrong reasons ? 

Nope, he said. There’s not a doubt in my mind about Y/N’s intentions. Now, if you’re not confident enough to deal with the fact she’s important to me… I can’t do much about it. That’s on you, not me. 

She looked at him in surprise, her mouth slightly agape. She huffed and quickly drank the rest of her coffee. 

Well, I should let you get back to her, then, she said dryly. The ER is packed and I have work to do. Plus, you probably don’t want to keep her waiting anyway. Thanks for coffee. 

Before he had the chance to reply anything, she got up and left the cafeteria. He realized he was probably a bit too harsh with his words. He didn’t mean to hurt her, he was just pissed, grumpy and tired. In times like these, he wondered how people could seriously think of him as a womanizer. Obviously, he didn’t know shit about interacting with women. He sighed and got back to Y/N’s room. When he got there, he found her cuddling on the bed with Josh, looking at some books he brought. She was beaming, gently pressing her lips to his. At that moment, Marshall wasn’t sure whether he was about to pass out or puke. 

Hey, you’re back, Y/N greeted him. 

Yeah, he simply said. 

I guess that’s my cue to leave, Josh told her. Why don’t I take you out to dinner tomorrow night, to celebrate you getting out of here ? 

That would be lovely but I’m not sure about going out, she said softly. But maybe you could come for dinner and meet my roommates ? I think it’s time I introduced them to you. 

I would love that, Josh said with a smile. See you tomorrow. Goodbye, sir. 

Marshall tried not to groan as he settled in his chair. Great. Now she was literally introducing Josh to the people she considered as her closest family. He closed his eyes for a second and let out a small sigh. 

Are you alright ? Y/N asked. You seem… tense ? 

Just tired, he replied. 

Why don’t you go home and rest ? She suggested. 

I don’t feel like driving. My back hurts too much anyway, he said. 

Come here, she said. 

Why ? He groaned. 

Just come, she insisted. 

He went and sat next to her on the bed. She gestures for him to turn around and she ran her hands in his back, underneath his tee-shirt. He leaned into her soft touch, letting out a little groan. 

God, I’ve never seen a knot this big, she said. No wonder why you’re tense. 

She gently massaged his back. In a matter of minutes, the pain was relieved. 

Fuck, he said. That was good. 

I know right ? She chuckled. I’ve been told I’m a decent masseuse. 

More than decent, he said with a smile. If I’d known about this sooner, I would have taken advantage of it. 

She giggled and kept on massaging his back. He closed his eyes and relaxed. It felt good, though he wasn’t sure whether it was the release of the tension in his back or because she was the one touching him. 

So, how is Nicole ? She asked. 

Good question, he shrugged. 

You just had coffee with your girlfriend and you don’t know how she is ? Y/N mused. 

First of all, not my girlfriend, he replied. Secondly… Not my anything anymore, I guess. 

What happened ? She asked, suddenly stopping her massage. 

He groaned and sighed before looking at her. She seemed a bit confused. 

Nothing, I guess, he shrugged. 

Nothing ? You guess ? She asked. 

Yeah well, what do you want ? He snapped. I blew it, that’s it. 

Don’t take it out on me, she groaned. 

Sorry honey, he said softly. I’m just exhausted. And I guess I sort of took it out on Nicole too. I shouldn’t be allowed to talk to anyone when I’m this tired. 

Say more, Y/N replied. 

I don’t really know what her deal is, he shrugged. She asked if she should be worried about you and I spending so much time together. 

His best friend rolled her eyes and shook her head. 

And you don’t know what the deal is ? She chuckled. That’s an easy one. 

Walk me through it, he sighed. Since you seem to know everything. 

She was giving you an opportunity to tell her how much you like her, Y/N explained.

I mean, she could have asked, he said as he rolled his eyes. 

You know absolutely nothing about women, do you ? She giggled. 

Apparently not, he said as he rolled his eyes. 

It’s simple : we want to know if you guys can come through for us, on your own, she said. We could ask the questions, but then it might give you an idea of what the right answer is. It’s better if you come up with gestures on your own. Like… You can tell a guy that you’d enjoy a nice bouquet of flowers, but it’s so much more meaningful if he takes the initiative on his own. 

He hummed. What she was saying made sense but, at the same time, it really didn’t. No wonder he had stayed single for so long : getting a PhD in astrophysics seemed simpler than understanding women. 

How about the rose garden we’ve got going on here ? He asked with a grin. Is that an initiative ? 

It is, she giggled. Imagine what it would be like if I actually asked for flowers. I think he’d get a little carried away. 

You think ? He chuckled. I mean, shout out to him for keeping the flower business alive, I guess… And the stuffed animal business, too. You’ve got bears, a duck and… a lobster ?… Like, what the fuck ? 

She burst out in a fit of laughter and grabbed the lobster plushy, giving it a little kiss. 

That’s an inside joke, she said softly. You know, in Friends, when Phoebe tells Rachel that Ross might be her lobster ? Well today, he told me that he thinks I’m his lobster, and he gave me this. It’s super sweet. 

It’s corny as fuck, he stated with a grin. 

Well, I like it, she shrugged. 

Is he your lobster ? He couldn’t help but ask. 

I guess. I mean, look at all of this…, she said as she gestured around the room. No one’s ever cared for me like this. 

Marshall felt this one deep in his soul. Like a gut punch. Of course someone cared for her like this. Himself. Even more than that. He said nothing for a second and stared at her. She was looking at him and smiling, but there was a hint of melancholy in her eyes. 

I’ve had good relationships, you know, she added. But no one like Josh. I think that… If it doesn’t work with him, it’s not going to work with anybody. From that first date, he hasn’t stopped courting me and proving to me how much he likes me. That’s what every girl wants, right ?

Then why do you look so sad ? He asked. 

She lowered her gaze and he noticed that her lip was quivering, as if she was about to cry. 

I guess I’m just tired, she said. And, you know, people have been so good to me lately, it’s making me emotional. But I’m… I’m good, you know ? 

People are good to you because you deserve it, he said. They love you. I love you. 

I love you too, Marsh, she said with a smile. Thank you for being my best friend. 

“Not what I meant”, he thought to himself. He got closer to her and gently kissed her forehead. 

So, what are you going to do about Nicole ? She asked. 

I don’t think there’s much to do, he shrugged. 

You said you liked her, Y/N stated. 

I do, he agreed. 

And that she was great. 

She is, he agreed again. But if she can’t handle the fact that you’re my priority right now, I don’t think there’s much I can do. 

Maybe I shouldn’t be your priority, she replied with a hint of sadness. 

Why would you even say that ? He asked, his eyebrows furrowed. 

I love having you by my side, Marsh, she said. But I know you have things to do. You should be working instead of wasting your time here with me. You have other people in your life. You have Nicole. 

I’m here because I want to be, Y/N, he said as he put a strand of hair behind her shoulder. As long as you’re here, I’m here. I’m not leaving you alone when I know full well you hate hospitals and you’re having nightmares. 

Talia offered to take over, you know ? 

I know, but she has to work, he shrugged. I don’t. 

Except you kind of do, she said. 

Except I’m kind of my own boss, he said sternly. Plus, I think everyone at the studio could do with a break anyway. Now, I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me you want me to leave. Do you want me to leave ? 

I don’t, she said with a small smile. Although I think you’d sleep better in your house. 

I’ve been on tour, he said. If I can sleep in a tour bus full of people, I can sleep in a hospital room. 

You’re getting rid of me tomorrow anyway, she said with a smile. 

You know I’ll still be here, right ? 

It’s fine, she said. I’ll have Talia and Jamal at home. And Josh offered to take care of me too. 

Ok, he simply said. 

Now, who’s taking care of you ? She asked. 

What do you mean ? He asked with a yawn. 

Look, she said, you like Nicole, you think she’s great and I don’t want to be the reason why you guys are arguing. I know how guarded you can be, and how little you care for dating but… If you like her, if you think she’s great and if Hailie thinks she’s good for you… You should allow yourself to be happy. You deserve it more than anyone I know. 

We’ll see, he sighed. Look, can we… Talk about that later ? I’m too tired for this. 

Do you want to sleep ? 

Yeah, if you don’t mind, he replied as he got up to go back to the chair. 

Don’t be silly, Marshall. You can sleep here, she said as she gestured for him to come back on the bed and made a little room for him. 

He took off his shoes and layed next to her. She let out a little yawn and he couldn’t help but pull her closer to him. She was too cute. 

Thank you honey, he said softly. 

Good night, she said as she closed her eyes and let her head roll on his shoulder. 

Thirty seconds later, she was asleep. He stared at her for a moment, taking in her features. He pulled the cover over her, making sure she wouldn’t be too cold for the night. He noticed that her lobster was next to her and he couldn’t resist the urge to push that awful thing out of the way, letting it fall on the floor. No way he was sleeping next to that. Sorry Josh. He grinned at his own immaturity and closed his eyes, focusing on the only thing that actually mattered : the steady breath of the girl sleeping next to him. 

Y/N’s POV

You were woken up by the door opening. It was the nurse, coming in to check up on you. Marshall was still sleeping next to you, an arm draped across your body. Almost as if he was protecting you. As soon as she saw him lying in bed with you, she frowned. 

Someone’s sleeping soundly, she said with a displeased face. 

He could use it, you said softly. 

I know, he’s been here for days, she said. Wouldn’t let us throw him out anyway. 

Thank you for allowing him to stay, you replied. 

How are you feeling tonight ? She asked. How is the anxiety ? 

A little better, you said. 

Good. If you need, I can ask the doctor to give you a sedative, she said. 

I think I’ll be fine for tonight, you said. 

You felt Marshall stirring. He let out a small groan and changed position, one of his legs going over yours. You let out a small laugh as you noticed he was taking up more and more space in his sleep. 

I think you’ll be fine indeed, she grinned. You can also tell your “uncle” that he’s not fooling anyone. 

My what ? You asked in disbelief. 

Exactly, she said. Have a good night, dear. And enjoy, good men like this are hard to come by. 

She gave you a smile and left. You chuckled softly. Men as good as Marshall were, indeed, a rarity. You knew just how lucky you were to have him by your side. He was the most incredible person you knew, and all you wished for was for him to be happy. He deserved it. Even though the thought of him with another woman was breaking your heart, it made you a little sad to know that he had a little falling out with Nicole. From what you gathered, she was a good match for him. Probably even more so than you. You felt a little guilty at the idea that you might be the cause of an argument. He was the most amazing man you knew and he deserved the utmost happiness. So, even though it shattered your heart and your soul, you had encouraged him to patch things up with her. You were in love with him, but you knew these feelings were unrequited on his part, so you weren’t even hoping for a chance, here. You might have had one in the past, but it was long gone. Plus, Josh and yourself had a good thing going on, too. Yes, you had started dating him in hope to get your mind off Marshall, but you were starting to have feelings. It was not love, not quite yet, but you were sure it would grow. It had to : if the universe had someone in store for you, and it was not Marshall Mathers, it had to be Josh. Because he was ticking every box. You wanted to give this relationship a chance, because even though your boyfriend was not the one you thought about when you went to bed at night, he was making you incredibly happy, and you cared for him deeply. And it was all that mattered, right ? You just hoped that, in time, you would be able to let go of your feelings for Marshall. Because it wasn’t fair to Josh and you almost hated yourself for it. But you were ready to commit to this relationship. Josh deserved it. 

For now, though, you stared at Marshall and his perfect features. His face was incredibly close to yours, thanks to the small bed you were sharing. You gently ran your fingers through his short hair and kissed his forehead. 

Mmmh. I love you, you heard him say in a sleepy voice that made your heart melt. 

[hugheswritetr]

Unforgettable

MASTERLIST

Heartbeat | Jack Hughes

Author’s note: my fav chapter so far;)

Song: Unforgettable- French Montana

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Thalia’s POV

The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and i finally found the comfortable position to tan.

I haven’t got much time to tan during this summer, always running around, spending time with family or Luke.

I try to fill my free time with them as much as possible, knowing that once the summer ends, I am returning to Switzerland for my last year of boarding school.

But back to my tanning, If you didn’t notice, I am really enjoying the time for myself.

I just wish the process was faster, because I want the tan lines right now . Oh how I love being a girl.

My mom is cooking lunch with Ellen, so the Hughes family is over. Luke finally returned from his tournament, and it couldn’t be more perfect. The only two people who can’t share my enthusiasm are Quinn and Mattheo.

They are groaning few feet from me, laying on the outdoor sofa with ice packs on their heads. Thats what underage drinking does to you, my friend.

I can faintly hear Luke and Jack shouting at eachother as they play football, the ball nearly hit me a few times, but because of how good I feel right now, I can’t imagine myself caring.

After my mini breakdown I endured yesterday, today is a perfect calming day. My nerves settled down a bit after the talk with Jack, and I feel lighter.

Sure, I still have some anxiety left but I know I have a lot of time to figure it out. Nobody has it figured out at the age I am at, and I know that by then I will be calm and collected.

I hope.

My train of thoughts is stopped when I suddenly do not feel the sun on my face. I open my eyes and see Jack standing over me. I would start cussing him out, but today is a great day, so I choose not to.

But the words he says take me by surprise.

“Scoot over” he instructs me, and I free some space for him on the towel. “What do you want, Jack?” I suspiciously ask.

“Just want to spend some time with my friend, is that a crime ?” he chuckles. I look at him, and see no sarcasm in his eyes. He settles down beside me, the skin contact making me shiver. Why is he wearing no shirt? Thank god he isn’t tho, at least I have something to look at.

I stare, no shame in that. The hard ridges of his abs on the tanned skin are making it impossible not to. “Take a picture, it will last longer”he says, noticing my stare. Okay, I feel shame now, but I do not regret it, the sight was pleasant, not going to lie. So sue a girl for looking.

I am sure I look like an apple right now, and the embarrassment surges through me. “ I wasn’t looking” I say, trying to save at least a bit of dignity I have left.

“Please, Lils, let’s stop lying to ourselves “ he laughs and I scoff at the cocky asshole. He knows what he is doing.

We once again settle into comfortable silence, just sitting beside eachother.

He is one of the few people I actually enjoy spending time with in silence, just soaking up him and his energy.

“So tell me about the girlfriend” I suddenly ask, circling back to the words he said to me at the draft, even though a long time passed since that, it’s still on my mind.

It pains me, but I know that Jack Hughes will always be here for me to admire, not to have. I just hope he finds someone who understands his soul and his body, the way he deserves to be understood.

“Avery? What about her?” he confusedly replies, waiting for me to clarify. “You told me about her at the draft” I recall.

“Oh, yeah, sorry I forgot” he apologises, but continues “She’s great, we have been together since my birthday, so I think we’re doing good” the smile on his face when he is talking about her making my heart break more and more.

“I’m happy for you Jack, you deserve all the best” when I turn to look at him, he’s already looking at me, smiling. “Thank you Lils” he softly smiles and throws his arm around me.

I’m grateful that there are no powers that allow others to read my mind, because all I can think about is wanting him to speak about me. I know it’s dumb, but the charm of Jack Hughes has still not left me. I don’t even think it will leave , ever.

I think about Avery, already feeling the distaste for her, but deep down I know it’s just jealousy. Jealousy about her having him, and not me. She may be a great girl, but I can’t help myself.

That is something I will have to get used to by having Jack in my life, I mean, how can you NOT fall for him? I don’t think that is possible. And if it is, I need a tutorial right now.

There is no possibility that anyone who hears his voice, sees his smile, and gets to know his character will not feel love for him. And once again, if you don’t, please pull me out of this misery and tell me how.

I still remember the first summer living in Michigan, the first time I met him. The second I saw those ocean eyes, I knew I was goner.

The second I felt my hands on his skin, making them tingle, I knew he would be forever imprinted on my mind.

The second his signature toothy smile made appearance on his face, I knew I would do everything possible to be cause of it.

He stole my heart, and I don’t think I will get it back. I also think i’m fine with that, part of my heart being a small price to pay for his presence in my life.

I notice Luke walking up to us, he left to check on the dinner, the teenage boy appetite making him already hungry. I like to tease him about it, but that’s another thing im jealous of, non stop eating and not gaining a pound. If I even breathed the amount he eats, I would be ten pounds heavier.

Okay, I’m lying, I eat the same amount, especially when I’m having mental breakdown about the latest show I’m obsessing over.

Luke plops down next to us “What are you talking about?” curisously asking. “My girlfriend” Luke scoffs, I look strangely at him, and he rolls his eyes. I’m definitely going to ask him questions.

Jack notices his reaction, and scoffs too “I don’t get why you don’t like her, she’s been nothing but nice to you” he says, defending her, making the ache in my chest present again.

“Yeah, sure” Luke answers him, not wanting to talk about her for minute more. Okay, now I’m definitely curious.

I shift the conversation, not wanting to feel the uncomfortable silence longer “Luke, do you want to play volleyball?” I say, actually hoping to press him for details, but I forget that Jacks needs to be centre for everything.

“ No invite for me?” he frowns. Luke and me answer at the same time “No”, “Sure, but I want Luke on my team” . The answer I give him making him gain attitude “I’m much better player than Luke”

I answer him with laugh as I leave to get the ball “Sure Jack, hope you enjoy living in delusions”. Let me tell you a secret, he is better player than Luke, but I love annoying him.

He shouts after me, but I just laugh.

I stay in the supply room a little longer, needing to cool down my blushing cheeks, but the cause of my blushing problem once again appears.

“Having trouble finding the ball?” he asks, stepping into the room with me. “Not at all” I turn around about to reach for it, but he decides to do the same, and closes the proximity between us by pressing his front into my back.

I instantly pull away, the blush I originally had, and I don’t even know how it’s possible, worsening even more.

Why am I still blushing? Seriously, my face needs to get it together. Man up, we can’t embarrass ourselves more, I internally speak to myself and my face.

Yeah, I know these are the signs of starting insanity, but we are going to ignore it for now.

Jack coughs beside me, making me pull myself from my thoughts. “Went to Wonderland?” he teasingly asks.

I dismiss him with a shake of the head and leave the room.

When I return to Luke, he suspiciously looks at me, and then at Jack trailing behind me.

,,What took you two so long?” he asks, suspicion evident in his voice.

,,Nothing, let’s play” I say, hoping to stop his thoughts from wandering too much.

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I always considered myself great at volleyball, but how embarrasingly we are losing right now to Jack is almost making me rethink that statement.

But I’m not a quitter, and Luke isn’t one either, and we know that we are going to win this.

Because if not, this is going to get embarrassing real fast. But it won’t, because I wouldn’t let Jack’s ego rise more. Someone needs to seriously humble that man, and that someone is going to be me.

That is one of the main reasons I’m sweating like a pig right now, because there is no chance he is going to win, and if he is, it’s going to be over my dead body.

I don’t know what was I thinking wanting to play volleyball with two hockey players, because their stamina is much better than mine, hell, they didn’t even break a sweat yet.

I’m aware of how unattractive I look right now, but I don’t even care, the sole goal is to win the game and then shower.

“Wishing you chose me, huh Lils?” Jack chirps from the other side in a true hockey boy nature.

“Not at all” I answer him, one thing I’m not going to admit is me being wrong. My competitivness matches Jack’s own one and I think if volleyball scouts were here, they would choose us on the spot.

My poor Luke is in the middle of our ego match, I feel bad about screaming at him about every mistake he makes, but I will not lose to Jack. Luke will get his apology later.

The only boy matching my screams is the one infront of me, screaming obscenities at the poor ball whenever something doesn’t go his way.

I think today the universe is on my side, because when I do the winning move, my ego rises a few feet.

“Ha!” I laugh at Jack sitting defeatedly on his knees, between catching my breaths.

Luke does not even stay to clap me on my back, I’m sure he is going to Ellen for her to comfort him about how we were yelling at him. He’s SUCH a mamas boy (don’t tell him I said that).

Suddenly there’s a hand stretched infront of me, Jack’s hand to be particular. I don’t take it, smirking as I stand up even though I have about two cramps in each leg, but he doesn’t know that.

I’m certainly not going to shorten my ego even by millimetre, duh.

He laughs at me, then he hughs me.

“Congrats on winning, not sure you would win without Luke, but I’m going to let it slide” he says, that asshole. He knows damn well that I carried the team.

I don’t even answer him, my heart set on the shower I’m going to take.

What I don’t know is that by the time I was collecting things in my room for the shower. He beat me to it. In my own house.

But I’m not going to be mad, he deserves at least one win today. I laugh at my thoughts. I always knew I was funny.

If someone finds out what’s up with men and their long showers, let me know. I’m pounding on the door of the bathroom, because I honestly can’t wait no more.

I don’t even get my second pound in at the door, and hes opening them.

Once again, he knows what he is doing. Because he is standing there in all of his bare-chested glory.

Suddenly, my mind is a bottomless pit and my mouth stopped functioning, because I can’t even form and speak one word.

”Cat got your tongue?” he knowingly asks, getting second ego victory that day, dork.

I spare one last look at his chest, of course I’m not going to leave without looking. When he already catched me, I don’t have to hide it.

I push past him for the second time that day. Why does this keep happening to me? Entering the bathroom, I release a sigh.

But when I notice the familiar scent of the bathroom, I know that he used my bodywash, making a smile appear on my face.

He is going to be falling asleep with my scent today. I hope he enjoys thinking about me.

I know I called him delusional today, but I’m starting to think I should have been reflecting that one on myself.

Shutting down my thoughts, I step into the shower, the warm water calming my aching muscles.

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When I step out of shower and I notice the tan I gained, I smile from joy because that was the original plan for today.

The cooling lotion on my skin feels great, and I almost fall asleep from the relaxing effect it has.

Until I smell the scent of the food from downstairs, my stomach now agressively grumbling.

I put on some sundress I fish out from my closet, not even caring what I put on, I just want to fill the void in my stomach.

I braid my drying hair, not wanting to have a side of them with my meal. Men have it so easy with their short hair.

As I sit beside my now hungover-free brother, who is finally not complaining anymore, I notice the happiness radiating from the people around the table, making me smile.

The food is great ( shotout to my mom and Ellen ). Everyone is laughing and I’m winning again, beating Jack once again in our private kicking tournament under the table.

I laugh at him and stick my tongue out, making him smile. At least he is not a sore loser, because that would be sad for him.

He takes all these losses like champ and I think I found my new hobby, winning.

Everything is perfect right now.

[unhinged-summer-fun]

common grounds (oshamir) - chapter 7

Pairing: Osha Aniseya x Qimir "The Stranger"

A/N: Dividers by @firefly-graphics

A/N 2: PISSED. but still striding. #renewtheacolyte bc i need them to be so horny @ one another i am put in the hospital

series masterlist

chapter 7: when it rains...

“You know, when you got hurt in Bestine, everyone asked me if I could feel it.”

The sound of her sister’s voice made her pause, but the mention of Bestine made Osha freeze.

“They only asked because of the twin thing. They thought that when you got hurt, I’d get hurt—or I’d feel it. When you were angry, I’d be angry. And for a while I just messed with them, told them it’s too painful to talk about, or something like that. Most of the time, that shut them up quickly. But after a while, I couldn’t bear lying to them, and I told them it was all silly superstitions. No, of course not, I didn’t feel my ankle getting—”

When her voice cracked, Osha turned to look at her. Mae was sitting on the couch so still, Osha had only noticed her when she spoke up. She had only seen Mae this sad a few times before—typically, whenever Osha got hurt. Her voice trembled as she continued to speak.

“I’m sorry I lied to you, Oshie. It was a total mistake, and the deeper I got, the more afraid I was to tell you. I wanted to tell you a hundred different times, but I always chickened out, and I don’t—I’m sorry.”

Not for the first time, Osha wondered why Mae even wanted to train with the stranger. Mae was a good girl. She got good grades in school. Growing up, she couldn’t lie to Sol even if Osha begged her to. She’d been the ‘good child’ Sol didn’t have to reprimand as harshly—compared to her twin. Mae was a dedicated fighter, and committed herself to the traditional methods Sol taught her.

Because of all that, it truly baffled Osha that Mae could train three days a week for two years with someone branded persona non grata at the Temple.

What was her angle? And how had she only been caught now?

She didn’t have the time or energy to ask those questions right now, but she had time to at least comfort Mae. Osha sighed and dropped her keys back on the table. She sat down with Mae and put her bag on the floor. “I would have helped you hide a body, Mae.”

Her sister blanched at the pointed past tense and fiddled with her fingers in her lap. “I want to make things right between us. I know it’s naive to think you can trust me as much as you used to just like that; I know that, I just… I hope things can be at least good with us again. You’re my best friend.”

Flaring indignation simmered in Osha’s belly. If this is how she treats her best friend, how does she treat everyone else? snarled a nasty little voice in her ear. Osha stifled that voice, that feeling—just like she always did.

“You’re right. I don’t… my trust is broken, Mae. But you’re not the only one who did it. You and Sol are both in the wrong here. Finding all that out hurt. It still hurts. It’s only been a few days, Mae, you have to give me time to even process it.”

Mae had tears in her eyes when she said, “Please tell me how to make this right.”

“I don’t know, Mae. I’ve never felt this betrayed before. I won’t let it get swept under the rug, though.” Osha looked around, sighing at the time on the wall clock. “I can’t talk right now, I need to get to class, but when I do ask you about this, you’ll have to be honest and truthful.” Her eyes grew misty, and she had to blink up at the ceiling light in order to compose herself. “I’m going to—I need to set some boundaries with you, because I had none with you until now, and that’s why all this shit hurts so much.”

Mae sniffled, her face crumpling. Eventually, she nodded in understanding, head hanging a little lower than it had been before. “Okay,” she whispered roughly.

“Sol won’t like to hear it either, but he needs to know how shitty he was, too. If things don’t change, I… I don’t know, I’ll have to do something—”

“You wouldn’t leave the Temple, would you?” she asked, suddenly frantic.

“I don’t know, Mae. I don’t have those answers for you yet. My relationship with the Temple, with boxing… I don’t think you know how fucking difficult it’s been to watch everyone leave me behind in the dust, Mae. To watch my family do that to me.”

Osha dashed away her tears, frustrated that she was trying to keep it together so Mae didn’t feel too bad. She stood from the couch and shouldered her backpack. Mae suddenly got up to pull her sister into a hug; one Osha reciprocated mostly on reflex.

“I love you, Oshie. I’m so sorry I messed this up.”

“I know you are,” Osha said when they broke apart. “I love you, too.”

As Mae wept on her shoulder, she tried to decipher the inscrutable blank stare looking back at her in the hall mirror.

It looked something like fear.

If the off-kilter vibe from the conversation with Mae wasn’t enough, Sol seemed hell-bent on making things worse. He ignored Osha as she dashed in during warm-up stretches and Sol’s class introduction. “…Today is a sparring day. In round two, you will partner by height—Osha, you are with me. Let’s start on the skip-rope combinations.” Osha’s headache was already brutal from crying the entire walk to the Temple, but it was only going to get worse from here.

She survived the first round of class, but after fifteen minutes of jump rope, her ankle and knee were flaring up. Everything felt like it was bubbling in a pool of acid.

Something that suspiciously felt like dread settled in her bones. Today was going to fucking suck. After the injury, there were days when everything below her left thigh would lock up, frozen in pain. It made work and class excruciatingly hard, on top of trying to pretend nothing was wrong for the benefit of everyone around. The last time a flare-up like this happened, it took Osha more than forty minutes to get home, half of it spent just getting into her car.

And she doesn’t have her car today.

Her only thought was on the knee brace in her bag once round one started shifting into round two. At the interval break, Sol stopped her. “Why were you late?” he asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

“I need to get my—” He stepped in front of her path as she tried walking around him.

“Answer me, please.”

Osha’s hackles raised. Why should she answer to him? He didn’t ride anyone else this hard when they were late, and he didn’t even let her modify the cardio that directly risked her physical health. She swallowed down the fire she was about to start breathing. It settled tightly between her lungs.

“I was talking with Mae,” she gritted out.

His face ran through a series of emotions that ultimately landed on a sanguine smile that grated on her nerves. “I am glad you’ve forgiven her.”

Something twitched just beneath her eye. Her voice dropped to an icy temperature as she explained, “Sol, this is not something I want to talk about in class, and not right now, and especially not with you.”

Sol’s overexaggerated look of surprise would have once had her backpedaling with apologies. A voice in her head that sounded suspiciously like her stranger whispered you’re a lion, not a housecat. With that, she felt like wrath incarnate. She had a backbone that could stop a fucking bullet.

“I see,” Sol said, a little dazed by her vehemence.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to put on my knee brace before we spar.”

He left her to it.

“What was all that?” Fillik asked under his breath, just a minute before round two started.

“Family shit,” Osha said, instantly on the defensive. The compression around her knee alleviated some of the pain but not all of it.

Fillik raised his gloved hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. If you wanna catch a drink sometime just to talk, though… let me know.”

He wasn’t offering just to offer; he really meant it. Fillik was born ninth in a family of twelve and had to fight for his place in everything growing up. Sol’s parenting style of raising Mae and Osha felt more like a playful panopticon by comparison. It was a mystery how the two of them even got along.

“Thanks, Fillik,” she said, her anger deflating somewhat in the face of his genuine concern. “I might take you up on that.”

Sol clapped his hands for their attention. “Let us start round two. We will go in groups; please group with someone of a similar height. I have brought in some other trainers to monitor your form and posture. Osha, with me. We will go for fifteen minutes.”

She was surprised at the invitation; Sol was one of the best fighters at the Temple, known for his calculating strategy in shredding through an opponent’s weaknesses. She remembered the spars they used to have when he was mentoring her, the ones leading up to Bestine, where he didn’t pull punches. Perhaps he wanted to make up for how he’d been babying her in class. Osha finished wrapping her hands and wrists on the way over to Sol, so she didn’t see him putting on the punching mitts until she looked up.

Oh.

She’d been ready to spar, ready to let out the stifling, choking frustration that had been crawling up her spine the last few days. But Sol didn’t say anything to her. He wasn’t even looking at her. He was watching the other pairs already fighting, still observing his students regardless of the other trainers there with him.

How long was it going to take for him to remember she was there?

Apparently, a minute and a half, give or take six years.

Osha waited, silently glaring at him with her hands at her sides. When he did notice her, she could see a brief moment of panic in his eyes, but he did not apologize. Sol was a proud man, for as humble as he wanted to seem.

He was never going to apologize for anything.

Her stranger’s voice—I am sorry. For upsetting you earlier.

Damnit, now was not the time.

“Alright. Some combinations…” He rattled off a series of numbers that were temporarily imprinted in her mind. She slipped into a stance, raising her fists and blading her torso—just as he had taught her sixteen years ago. Just as she hadn’t forgotten.

But he had.

Osha blazed through the first set, then another, and another. The unstimulating repetition only made her anxiety wind tighter in her chest. She couldn’t help hitting the final jab as hard as she fucking could. Sol grunted, looking down at his hand like he’d just noticed she was there. He clapped the pads together. “Again.”

Her stamina stayed high. She knew this round was only fifteen minutes, so she didn’t have to conserve her energy much. After about five straight minutes of combinations, he had her incorporate ducks and slips from swipes she could have seen coming from a mile away. He wasn’t toying with her in a playful way; Sol wasn’t that kind of fighter, coach, or man.

He just thought she needed delicate handling.

“Why don’t you let me actually spar with the others?” she asked abruptly, pulling back in the middle of a set with a minute left on the clock.

“What?” He lowered the pads. He had that kicked-dog look on his face again. “What do you mean?”

“You haven’t let me spar with other students in almost a year. It was snowing the last time you let me, I remember. You've just had me on pads with no feedback for months. Why?”

Sol gaped like a fish. He looked around at the other trios of sparring partners and coaches, noting their distance from the conversation before he looked like he was even considering answering her. She blazed on.

“I’m in this class, too. I expected better from you. I deserve to be treated like a student, not a burden.” She decided then that she wasn’t going to entertain any kind of answer from him today. Not after entertaining Mae went so wrong. “Nevermind, let’s just go.” She resumed her stance and beat the ever-loving fuck out of those pads while Sol stood silent, taking every blow.

“Osha.”

She was getting really tired of this shit. Her day had been entirely made up of uncomfortable situations that other people wanted her to be in. The earlier flip-around on Sol felt like a winning round on her scorecard, though she was definitely losing the match if she wanted to talk to her.

Vernestra stood in the doorway of her office and, without another word, walked inside. Summoned to the headmaster’s office once again, Osha cast a longing glance at the showers before climbing the rickety stairs up.

“Did you ask for me?” Osha said. Vernestra loved to play petty little power games like this, and it was getting old.

The coach scowled. “I did. Close the door.”

Osha did but remained standing, idly unwrapping her hands and wrists while she waited for Vernestra to speak.

“You train here four days a week,” she said.

“Yeah…?”

“And do you feel you need to be in class four days a week? You’re not in competition spheres, nor are you in a mentorship.”

Osha felt the air leave the room. The image that came to mind was a cage, an opponent, and a single knife between them. The silence between them was tense, like waiting for a bell to ring before things got bloody. “What are you asking me?” she said slowly.

“I’m asking if you need to be in four competition-level classes a week.”

“I’d like to know why you’re asking.” Osha was impressed by her own composure, especially against such a formidable woman.

Vernestra looked shocked that she’d been talked back to. Should take a picture. “I have allowed you to take classes four days a week because you are an employee, and by your employee agreement, you are allowed to take as many classes as shifts in a given week. However, as competition circuits are coming, priority in those classes needs to be given to the members who actually have a hope of stepping in the ring.”

Fucking wow.

“And if I said I wanted to compete again?” Osha already had the stranger waiting to train her—as soon as I can get out of some commitments at the Temple; she had no intention of double-dipping like her sister. Even though she had been angling for this out for a while, it fucking hurt to have it so suddenly shoved on her, practically without warning and not at all on her own terms. Part of her has been waiting for Vernestra to do this for the last six years.

She shifted uncomfortably in her desk chair, clearly fighting to hold the intense eye contact Osha levied on her. “The Temple doesn’t want to exacerbate your injuries—”

“My ankle and knee have been fully healed for five years.”

“You’re in a knee brace today.”

“And Torbin has one eye.”

Silence fell. Vernestra straightened her shoulders, and an imperious expression slotted into place on her features. Though Osha was the one standing, she was definitely being talked down to.

“Given the public nature of your injury, inviting extra scrutiny on you, your family, and the Temple should something go wrong would be difficult to bear.”

Rage, hot and dark and sticky as tar, replaced the blood in her veins. She pictured herself reaching for that knife between her and Vernestra, drawing blood while her opponent had only sought to bruise and break.

“You did a pretty good job erasing me from the website after Bestine. I think you could handle some bad press.”

Vernestra’s eyes narrowed. “That’s enough.” Deadly venom dripped into her voice. Osha had never heard her speak like that. “You’ve been graciously given access to elite, highly sought-after classes solely because your adoptive father teaches them. Those classes are normally invite-only for promising competitive members. Seeing as you won’t be sponsored by the Temple in any titled championships and your recent indiscretions with disreputable non-Temple trainers, you are back to two classes a week and only for the publicly available classes. Your shifts at the cafe will remain four a week.”

Disreputable. He’d get a kick out of that.

“Can I get that in writing?” Osha said, clipped.

Vernestra stood from behind her desk. “The only thing I’d be willing to write down at this juncture is a write-up for insubordination and a termination of your employment. So you either take this verbal warning, or you are no longer welcome.”

Osha’s hands shook as she held them in fists at her sides. Venom sizzled on her tongue and seeped into her words. “You can cut my classes back to zero, for all I care.”

She whirled around and tore open the office door, stomping down the stairs. “Where are you going!” Vernestra shouted out the door.

“To the one place you still want me anymore—my shift. And I’m done fixing goddamn Huyang for free!”

Two hours into her shift, her leg started stiffening up. She had spent her whole shower wondering if she was going to even have a job when she got out. Before she left the locker room, Indara said her name.

Osha hung her head, overwhelmed. “I can’t talk right now; I have to clock in.”

“…alright, Osha. We should talk soon, though.”

It seemed ominous. She threw herself into work to avoid it.

Everybody had heard what happened. It was kind of impossible not to. Yord gave her wary looks for the first half-hour, but by the time he looked like he was about to ask, or god forbid, reprimand her, Jecki shot a glare in his direction so lethal, he didn’t talk for an hour.

Rubbing her knee during one of the afternoon lulls, Jecki brought out a low stool for her to sit on. “Here. You look like you need it.”

“Thanks,” Osha said, sighing at the relief. Her ankle felt… sickly. Radioactive. It sucked so bad she didn’t even feel embarrassed that Jecki had noticed her actively suffering.

“Would you mind teaching me how Huyang works?” she asked once Osha settled on the stool. “Doesn’t have to be today, but when you get a chance or something.”

Osha winced. Right, she had declared she wasn’t fixing it anymore.

She spent the next hour teaching her in fits and starts. She didn’t realize exactly how much she knew about the machine’s pissy nuances until she looked up and found herself a little under three hours away from the end of her shift. She asked for her fifteen and spitefully limp-stomped down the snowy sidewalk to the Starbucks.

Was it a betrayal to the cafe at the Temple? Sure. Did this little act of rebellion thrill her? Endlessly.

While waiting for her gingerbread latte, she checked her phone. She swiped past the usual snowstorm weather updates and social media notifications until she saw a text that made her bite her lip. 

?: Have you trained today?

She was giddy as she opened the message from her stranger but also a little mortified by the split-second reflection of the dumb fucking face she was making. She was remembering the silly name she’d put in his phone after the fights:

:) OSHA :)

He hadn’t said anything about it, but she got the feeling he’d been amused by it.

?: Have you trained today?

O: Yeah I had class w Sol

O: It sucked

O: Wait send me a photo so I know it’s you

?: [IMG_0032.JPG]

He sent her possibly the world’s blurriest picture of the Smiley mask, which she couldn’t help but pout at. It wasn’t the photo she was expecting. Not that she wanted his photo in her phone or anything. No way.

O: Very well I believe you

O: Did you take that picture on a potato

O: I didn’t even know your phone had a camera

O: Why are you at the gym????

“I have a gran-de gingerbread la-tte with two shots for Oh-sha?” the barista sang at the counter.

“Thanks,” she said as she claimed it, sliding a festive cardboard sleeve over the festive cardboard cup. They made her smile despite everything that’d happened earlier. It was the little things, really. She found a seat and set her timer for the ten minutes remaining on her break. Her phone buzzed again.

?: It’s practically an antique.

?: What’s your ankle at today?

O: It’s been a 7 for the last hour or so

O: In at work

O: *I’m

O: Lol I’m actually on break

?: Where do you go on break?

O: Starbucks

O: Only when I’m pissed

?: That’s quite rebellious.

?: Why are you pissed?

O: You take wins where you can find them

O: I don’t wanna talk about it rn thx

?: Noted. And how is your knee?

O: Normally it’s at a 1 or 2 but now it’s a 5

?: How many more hours are in your shift?

O: I’m off at 6 so <3

?: Heart?

Oh god.

Oh no.

Oh fuck.

O: Less than three hours

?: I see.

She sat there, mortified, for nearly all of the rest of her break. Only when she was walking out the door with her almost-empty latte did her phone buzz again.

?: If you’d like, you could come over to my place after. I’m 819.

?: You shouldn’t be in pain, Osha. I’d like to help.

She didn’t know why her face was full of goddamn fire as she read those two messages. She was so preoccupied that she nearly walked into a post on the street corner. The thought of him helping her, potentially touching her, in his apartment, sent a frisson through every inch of her skin, lighting her up like a fucking chandelier.

Fuck, they hadn’t even actually started training together yet. She needed to get it together.

O: I’ll see you around 6:15 then :)

?: <3 hours, right?

Once more, she nearly ran into something—this time, the glass storefront of the cafe. “Fuck,” she muttered, fumbling for the door handle.

Jecki and Yord had seen the entire thing. “Are you alright?” Yord asked, his face so serious she could have laughed. “Why do you have—”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Osha said quickly.

“Are you sure?” Jecki added.

“Of course! Just—we should probably shovel and salt the sidewalks again.” She drained the rest of her betrayal latte, holding Yord’s horrified gaze the whole time.

It was the little things.

By 6 p.m., her entire leg felt like it was on fire. Just an hour ago, she had to retrieve her knee brace (again) from her bag. It helped, but it didn’t change the fact that her ankle was screaming at her so loudly that she could hardly understand half the things being said to her.

Right on the hour, she fumbled her way through the clocking out program on the register. Osha staggered out the door, her jacket half-on. She set out at a measured and steady walking speed, but once she was out of view of the Temple, she slowed to a more comfortable gait—though comfortable was a distant dream. At the end of the first block, she had to lean on the streetlight for support. She checked the time on her phone, hoping she would make it to his place by the time she promised.

6:10.

She wasn’t even a third of the way there. Flare-ups hadn’t been this bad in a long, long time. Tears of frustration pricked at her eyes as she tapped out a message to the stranger.

O: Running late.

?: What’s wrong?

She wanted to die. How the fuck did he know something was wrong from a two-word text? At this point, what wasn’t wrong? She didn’t know how to answer without sounding like a complete fool, so she didn’t reply, choosing to be silently mortified where he couldn’t see—

He was calling her.

It took three rings for Osha to muster the courage to answer.

“Hey, I’m just—”

“Do you need me to come get you?” 

His voice sounded so goddamn nice.

“What?” Osha said, watching the light turn green but remaining rooted in place.

“What’s your pain at right now, Osha? Can you walk?”

Her breathing picked up, anxiety tightening into a little ball in her chest. “I can walk…”

“Do you want to walk?” In the background of his call, she heard an engine turning over.

“My car’s in the shop—”

“Osha.” She stopped her protests at the steel in his voice. Whenever he said her name, she wanted to sit up straighter and pay attention. “Where are you?”

“…I’m on Third and Hansen.”

“Is there a bench or a wall you can lean on?”

“I—yeah, I think so. There’s a planter.”

“Go sit on that. I’ll be there soon. Put your leg up on whatever you’re sitting on. The higher, the better.”

She muttered an affirmative, too strung out by the sudden pain in her leg. It felt like it was everywhere, no spare thoughts left to argue with his orders. 

“Attagirl. You’re doing so good; I’m almost there with you.”

His praise slipped right past the part of her that would have bitten his head off for calling her a girl. Instead, it bloomed like a goddamn supernova in her chest, giving her something to hold onto other than the pain. She’d done something fucking right today, even if it was only sitting down.

“What do you dri—”

“I’m here.”

CHAPTER 8

[fullstcp]

"Dedicated" by Carly Rae Jepsen Sentence Starters

JULIEN

"I'm forever haunted by our time."

"We had a moment, we had a summertime."

"You asked me to leave with you, but I could never decide."

"I've been so torn up, I've been so out of it."

"I've been all alone, on my own."

"When you coming home?"

"I've been living for that day."

"I tried another to keep me satisfied."

NO DRUG LIKE ME

"You say you love me, but you wouldn't dare."

"You're tryna make it easy."

"I can see you spinning around in your head."

"Now we've finally got to the safe other side."

"Why would we risk it for another try?"

NOW THAT I FOUND YOU

"How did we get this far? It came without a warning."

"You and me get too real but all I feel is alright."

"My heart's a secret."

"I think I'm coming alive with you."

"There's nothing like this feeling, baby."

"You know me way too well to keep it complicated."

"I don't wanna hide my love."

"I don't wanna waste it."

WANT YOU IN MY ROOM

"I keep a window, for you, it's always open."

"I'm a reminder of where you're going."

"I'm in your head now."

"Is your love growing?"

"I just wanna get a little bit closer."

"I don't care anymore."

"Baby, don't you want me, too?"

EVERYTHING HE NEEDS

"Keep both eyes on the road."

"I could never give him/her/them enough of my love."

"He/she/they need(s) me."

"I've got everything he/she/they need(s)."

HAPPY NOT KNOWING

"I fight all my feelings for you."

"I don't have the energy to risk a broken heart when you're already killing me."

"If there's something between you and me, baby, I've got no time for it."

"I'm happy not knowing."

"I lie. I say somebody else would suit you better."

"I turn your love away cause I want to sleep at night."

"It's just like my broken heart is my alibi."

"I'm afraid of knowing what I'm knowing."

I'LL BE YOUR GIRL

"Now you're in love."

"You're my baby."

"I'm living for you, oh, but you're living for her/him/them."

"I go crazy, see red when she's/he's/they're touching you now."

"Right or wrong, I won't stop."

"Find me here again."

"Find me in your heart."

"I'd trade places today if you'd love me like that."

TOO MUCH

"Am I bad for you?"

"It feels like you never say what you want."

"It feels like I can't get through."

"I'm not afraid to know my heart's desire."

"When I feel it, then I feel it too much."

"I'll do anything to get to the rush."

"Cause if I love you, then I love you too much."

"Is this too much?"

"Am I too close?"

"It's hard to get to know me."

"It's hard to get to know you."

THE SOUND

"I don't think I can breathe with the way you let me down."

"God, you make me so tired."

"Isn't this the vision that you wanted?"

"Guess I'll never understand you now."

"Love is more than telling me you want it."

"I don't need the words."

"You know the answer's no."

"And you know I'm a liar."

AUTOMATICALLY IN LOVE

"I never thought about you."

"You never thought about us."

"We were automatically in love."

FEELS RIGHT

"My heart needed a holiday."

"I've been living with no regrets."

"Love was just a night at best."

"One more night with you always turns to two."

"Baby, I love you back, don't ask."

"We know timing isn't right."

"You're my complicated friend."

"I'm just keeping the dream alive."

"Feels like I've been wasting time."

"Look at all the things I've left behind."

"You're the one to change my mind."

RIGHT WORDS WRONG TIME

"I drove through it all to get to you."

"Took a million miles to feel the final separation."

"Don't you tell me now you know what you need."

"I need to find a love to love me with no hesitation."

"You always got the right words at the wrong time."

"I don't wanna see your face."

"I'm afraid I couldn't wait for me."

"You only want me when I'm leaving you."

REAL LOVE

"The world is going crazy."

"We're getting good at lying."

"I've got the feeling that the writing's on the wall."

"I've got the feeling you're the right thing after all."

"I go everyday without it."

"All I want is real, real love."

FOR SURE

"Are we done talking?"

"I've been thinking we were over."

"Now I know what you want, but it's too late."

PARTY FOR ONE

"I'm not over you, but I'm trying."

"You don't want my love."

"Once upon a time, I thought you wanted me."

"Was there no one else to kiss?"

"Was it all a dream I let myself believe?"

"You don't care about me."

[winslowat3am]

I need your help, from a bro to another bro‼️‼️ I’m hanging out with a girl but I don’t like her enough to date her but she want to add me on ig but I don’t want to add her for a few reasons: I don’t want her to see all the pages I follow and my privacy and I don’t want to put my energy into a relationship I don’t want, what would you do? Should I just give it to her or no?

If you don't like her that way why would you give her your social media? Cause then she's probably going to bother/stalk you there. & if there are things you share about your personal life there that you don't want her sniffing through just lie, make up some excuse why you don't want her to have it, it's what I've done when people I don't really like/trust or seemed shady asked for mine. Example: "Hey, what's your Facebook?" "You know, I actually don't use Facebook anymore, yeah I accidentally locked myself out, sorry. Bummer." & then you flip it on 'em, you hit 'em with the "give me a way to contact you!" with no intention to follow through. I do that A LOT, I hate to admit it. I'll humor them for a while but then it's like I'm over it & they start to annoy me. 😂 I kind of understand your situation, though, cause earlier this year I ran into a woman in Publix that I used to go to school with that had a crush on me back when we were "kind of" cool (she was friends with my brother), & we got to talking, she eventually asked for my number talking about we could catch up sometime & I gave her my old one that's probably somebody else's now, & I still feel a little bad when I think about it cause I don't like lying, but I'm taken & I already knew her intentions. Would've felt worse saying "no thanks." It's so weird, just imagine. Right after I got married she popped up & another girl I used to date (& could've sworn I blocked) followed me on IG & messaged me asking how I was doing. Lol. I just, I don't know, I generally don't like people, & I don't like people trying to befriend me, that's the REAL underlying reason. I'm an introvert & I'm picky about people I deal with. I'll have a conversation with you & be nice, give you advice to resolve your problems (if I care enough) but I'm not your friend. I'm friendly but I'm not friend-ly, there's a difference. Never understood why people try to get you to move from one app/site to another app/site, UNLESS they're trying to date or scam you or be nosy. It's hella invasive to ask for someone's socials instead of their number when you're just getting to know them, imo. Sometimes you just don't want certain people following you/in your business & that's okay. I curve muthafuckas all the time. My advice is to lie. 😈 *Laughs maniacally* Ah yes, the beautiful white lie. I bet you thought I was going to say something wholesome & be like, "tell the truth, she deserves it!", nope. Not feeling especially good natured today. Good luck, you sexy king.

[pinkmoondoll9shihtzu]

this girl one time wanted to have sex with me and when i asked to use a condom she laughed it off and said it wasnt cool, and began to chip away at my boundary until i gave her what she wanted. she kept trying to get me to do things and i would say no, and she would continue asking anyway. in bed she said something like “you said you would” and that legitimately scared me, because it seemed like she was just blatantly lying to my face, or just forgot. then she called herself a succubus (A DEMON) and my gut screamed at me to be careful around her. sorry this may be TMI, but im anon so whatever, she said i could nut in her, which is the complete opposite of my original boundary. she was so sweet otherwise and communicated really good. except for when i texted her my concerns about being manipulated. she just became really defensive. im really happy im not “under her spell” anymore. i dont know what she was trying to do, but she could have hurt me really bad

its not tmi, its ok, you know me :p <3.. im sorry your boundaries were disrespected :( ill put my answer under read more cus its probly gona be long , this message had me contemplating some things..

IMO : sex is so tricky its been a struggle my whole life to understand how i feel about it & where my boundaries lie + allowing myself to express them so i understand the struggle u present here altho it's a different perspective.. some people use sex as a vehicle to gain power over others, by way of luring their partner into a state of vulnerability, i dont think that's something demonic necessarily i think it's usually more surface level than that. however

you do see a huge rise in the amount of ppl kind of, trying to personify the succubus nowadays? ppl have always wanted to be sexy but it's like different than the way ppl wanted to be sexy when i was younger. it got rly mainstream to have kind of a demon aesthetic if that makes sense? when i was younger this stuff was reserved for the relentlessly bullied & punished Goth and Emo kids.

but ok when i worked at spencers gifts in 2021/22 they had all these shirts of anime succubus girls getting choked and in bondage n shit, and these shirts were their best sellers they were outselling most the band tees and franchises like naruto.. and im telling youuu it was like, the youngest girls always buying these shirts, it made me so uncomfortable!! sometimes i would walk away and get my coworker to ring them up cus i was like nah im not selling a child that shit...but it really made me think like wow if i was in 7th grade and wore this shit to school it wou;dve been like wearing a giant KICK MY ASS!!!! target on my back but it's like, a popular thing rn.

and im not saying the bullying should return ofc, not the point. but it lead me down the string of thought wondering why this stuff is being pushed into the mainstream so heavily. sex sells i guess $$$ but yeah i think right now it's especially common to refer to yourself as a succubus if you're trying to feel a sense of power as a woman. because as a woman there are very few ways to gain power other than using sex. and many people want power! but i dont think most of them are demonic. just lost..

still its good u followed ur instinct to stay away from that girl because it is really cruel to manipulate someone in a moment where they've trusted you enough to be close to them like that.

yeah i think its rly rare for someone to be in some true demonic possession shit but i feel there can be dark things that linger *around* people who have weak spiritual armor and sort of, feast off their energy & create misfortunes around the person that generate bad energy for it to feed off of. but i dont think they have too much control over your actions like i would imagine for someone who's truly possessed. i feel a lot of ppl have these sort of ambient malignant attachments especially if they keep a lot of dark imagery & symbols around thinking it's just an aesthetic.

thas just my thoughts....really bored tonite so im typing a lot.... i love sex i think it can be so beautiful and restoring, it helps me feel so much happier in life to have good sex regularly i dont think sex or sexiness is evil. i just think its easy for ppl w bad intentions to turn it into this whole twisted ass mind game when it shld rly b so simple and natural and a loving connection that sets u free......be safe out there anon be discerning! protect you heart..<3

[aajjks]

NWO!JK

last night was….eventful.

you had a good time at jisoo’s and made out with spider-man in the rain. the kiss felt like you were in a movie but you also a few theories. theories like your best friend jungkook being the one behind the mask. his lips look just like jungkook’s and who else calls you ‘pretty girl’ but him? not even eunwoo calls you pretty girl. if it was jungkook, why wouldn’t he unmask himself? why did he kiss you?

when you go to your bathroom to freshen up, your jaw drops in horror. your neck is littered with marks. “no. fucking. waaayyyyyy!!!!” you cry. did spider-man forget you have a life and possibly a job to go to. you can’t go to school looking like this! eunwoo and jisoo will pester you to no end and jungkook? he’ll be curious too (and deeply upset).

after freshening yourself up, you cover the hickey’s with as much concealer as you can and blend it to make it look natural. “much better” you say to yourself before grabbing your belongings and heading to school.

“well if it isn’t my favorite nurse. how you feeling, y/n?” says eunwoo who pulls you into a hug. “what’s up, eunwoo. i’m feeling much better. still got the sniffles but the fever i had is completely gone”

the two of you chat for a little before waiting on jungkook.

meanwhile….

she always takes you for granted

she always takes someone over you when you’re the only one who will treat her right

she always disregards you

she’s a slut who would kiss a stranger and not you

how many times will you allow her to push you aside?

how many times will you allow her to make a fool out of you?

go to school and show her

go to school and treat her the way she’s always treated you

tell everyone she whored herself around for spider-man

treat her the way she’s always treated you

treat her the way she’s always treated you

treat her the way she’s always treated you

treat her the way she’s always treated you

TREAT HER THE WAY SHE’S ALWAYS TREATED YOU

“oh, you look so exhausted dear” says jungkook’s aunt oh-wol who goes to the kitchen to fix an energy drink for him to go to school. “here, drink this and have a good day, okay? love you kookie”

the crystal is glowing…

~🫧

He grabs the glass tighter. “Stop lying 숙모. You don’t love me- no one loves me!” He tries to control his tone from getting louder as he drinks the protein drink and puts the glass down.

“The truth is that my father never loved me! He got married to someone else! He’s happy with someone else! I don’t know how mom is doing! She rarely calls me!” He says with a wavering voice.

His aunt is speechless at his behavior. “You also don’t even love me!” He cries out before grabbing his bag and he storms off and slams the door without looking back.

His head hurts and he feels so hot, so angry and so damn frustrated. He starts his bike and starts to ride to school.

You.. you..

You’re so evil.

Now you’ll lie to jungkooks face? He can’t wait to see you pretend and lie in his face. You’re such a two faced liar. He increases the speed as he drives faster.

He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about last night at all, and not even in a good way, “so you’d rather kiss anyone but me huh?!” He grits his teeth.

“You bitch”

•••

He enters the hallways of the college, not looking happy at all, he must look weird but he doesn’t care at all, all he cares about is catching your lying ass.

And just as he’s biting the inside of his cheek, there you approach him along with eunwoo.

He smiles, a mocking smile because you’d even kiss eunwoo. You’d kiss a girl but him.

“HEY KOOKIE!” Eunwoo raises his hand to fist bump him and Jungkook immediately senses it, so he composes himself before returning his gesture.

And then he looks at you.

“Oh hey yn.” He says in a calm tone, his eyes settling on your neck.

So you erased his marks?

“How are you guys?” He grits his teeth.

[sugoi-and-spice]

Chapter Twelve - Return to Previous Save Point?

Pairing: Tomura Shigaraki x Fem!Reader, (3rd Person)

Rating: Explicit - Minors DNI

Summary: Tomura Shigaraki was her dad's boss's son. He was the creep that stole girls' underwear and tried to grope her in his room. But it's not like he could get her Dad fired just because she wouldn't sleep with him, right? ...right?

CW: Quirkless!AU, Explicit Smut, Dub-Con, Coercion, Blackmail, Cheating, Sexual Guilt, Humiliation, Unhealthy Relationships, Virginity Kink, Groping, Power Play, Hate to Love, Emotional Manipulation, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Self-Harm, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, Implied/Referenced Animal Death

Read Full Chapter on AO3

[excerpt]

The calm she’d achieved through her revelation at the diner was very short-lived. As soon as she saw her house on the walk home, her anxiety and dread came back in full force. She didn’t want to go inside. She knew what was waiting for her there — the same thing that had been waiting for her the last time she’d called Shigaraki’s bluff, if not worse. Honestly, the brutal scolding she’d received from her Dad that day would be the best case scenario.

The worst was that he was already out of a job.

Mirio squeezed her hand, “Hey? Are you sure you’re okay now?”

She looked up at him. He wasn’t nearly as concerned as he had been earlier — didn’t have the reason to be— but he could obviously tell that everything wasn’t quite back to normal yet.

Should she tell him? She should, right? She didn’t even need to give the full details, just something like “I’m worried my Dad’s going to lose his job”. If she was really going to try to invest herself in this relationship again, she should be confiding that stuff in him.

She squeezed his hand back and smiled, “Yeah. Just kind of emotionally drained, you know?”

Baby steps. There was no need to worry him unnecessarily. She’d confide in him about this when there was actually something to confide about. She wasn’t lying at least, she really was overwhelmed.

“Of course,” he brushed her hair back over her ear, hand lingering to hold her cheek. She stared up at him, captured for a moment by the way he looked at her. The love in his eyes. She knew that whoever could reciprocate that one day would be one lucky person.

He leaned down and pressed his lips sweetly to her own. They were full and gentle, warm and still subtly sweet from the slice of cheesecake they’d shared at the diner. Free of roughness and scarring, undemanding, and not a hint of energy drink on them.

Mirio pulled away just a little bit, the tip of his nose still brushing her own, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“More than that?” she grinned, “I don’t think so.”

He chuckled and leaned down to kiss her again, this one just as sweet as the last.

They didn’t linger much longer than that. Mirio Togata was a gentleman that would never think of copping a feel or even slipping her a little tongue in her parents’ driveway. Instead, he stood fast on the sidewalk and waved her off, not turning to leave until she was closing the front door behind her. She had no reason to complain, he was just being a good boyfriend and making sure she got home safe. But it did make it impossible to let her guard down and brace herself before she was actually in the lion’s den.

So, she didn’t announce when she was home — easing the door open and closed and slipping off her shoes as quietly as possible. She glued herself to the wall of the engawa, listening for any hint to her family’s fate. Crying, yelling, hopeless silence. She was not expecting:

“Three sixes.”

“Bluff!”

“...you sure about that?”

“YOU’RE KIDDING ME!!”

She walked into the living room to see the scene for herself, moved forward by confusion alone. Confusion that only skyrocketed when she saw her family at the dining table, her little brother grumpily pulling a center pile of cards into his hand.

“You know, it’s wrong to lie to your kids!” her brother whined.

“But it’s so fun though,” her Dad laughed, bopping him on the nose with his own two-carded hand.

“Hey sweetie,” her Mom greeted her, “Have a nice date?”

“Y-Yeah…” she answered cautiously, scanning for any sign of distress from the trio, “Lots of fun.”

“Not too much fun though, right?” her Dad joke-warned, earning a playful swat from her Mom.

“PG Rated fun only, sir,” she ‘joked’.

He shot her a playful salute and laughed, “Come on over, Peanut. I’ll deal you in.”

“I-I’m okay, Dad,” she said, “I should actually try and get some studying in today before it gets too late.”

He smiled at her, “Atta girl. Holler if you need anything.”

She nodded and swung by to give both her parents a kiss on the cheek and her brother a hair ruffle before slipping down the hall. She snuck another inquiring look back at the table as they resumed their game in earnest.

It was obvious that her Dad at least still had a job for now. She knew that she couldn’t get too comfortable though. The other shoe would certainly drop soon.

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[painfulrant]

Part One: The Girls

JJ Maybank x Reader

Angst, little fluff

Part One: The Girls

The morning rays slipped through the blinds and casted bright daggers around the large room, chasing almost all shadows away. On the bed, beneath a blanket, you stared into the darkness, comfort surrounding you from the very much needed rest. With JJ Maybank, your boyfriend, giving you the cold shoulder after an argument, work growing more exhausting every day, and school kicking your *ss, you didn’t have much energy left. You had to admit, the argument was your fault. You did initiate the argument but it was only because you were concerned about him. For a week straight, he has come back to the Chateau in a horrible mood, fighting and snapping at anyone who gets too close. After he snapped at you a few times too many, you snapped back and it blew up from there.

Your heart jumped when you heard the faint hint of footsteps that seemed to be growing closer by the minute. Quickly slipping, or sliding, off the bed, you grabbed the baseball bat that laid in the corner of the room. Since the argument, you haven't been to the Chateau since it was the one place JJ truly had that was safe. You knew of his dad’s beatings and when you brought it up before, he only grew defensive and pushed you away.

When the door, that was thankfully locked, began to shake, the air rushed from your screaming lungs. Adrenaline rushed through your veins while your chest began to rise and fall more frequently. The parents left about three months earlier, having told you that the house was paid for and that you were old enough to live on your own now. This was the one and only time that you cursed living between the pogues and the kooks part of the island. Too much crime happens in the area.

“Y/n? We know you’re in there, let us in.” With the familiar voice of one of your dearest friends, Kiara, you allowed yourself to take a deep breath. Dropping the bat, you moved to unlock the door. Upon opening the door, you grumbled after finding not one friend that was sure to scold you but two of them. Kiara and Sierra. Turning around, you stomped back to the bed and threw the blanket back over yourself with a huff.

“No. No, you are not lying there all day. You’ve been doing that for the past two days and your boss is getting concerned about you. He stopped us and asked if you had dropped dead yet.” Sierra smiled, pulling the blankets back off you, resulting in a frustrated growl.

“John B and Pope have been asking about you.” Kiara stated, plopping down beside your sprawled out body. You knew she didn’t mention JJ in case you were still sore about the topic but part of you kept telling yourself that he just hadn't asked or cared enough to see how you were doing.

“Up you go. I know you’re hurting but we’re gonna go surf and hit some waves. Maybe even make every guy on the island drool over you.” Sierra stated, moving to go to the closet with a small laugh. She understood the underlying words. The pogues did that a lot, say one thing but actually mean a different thing. Right now, she was giving you a choice; Get your butt out of bed and get prettied up or get dragged out of bed and forced to go clothes shopping. With the thought of shopping for clothes, your body shivered. Not that you didn’t like getting clothes, your style and your two best friends' styles were completely different so you tended to butt heads with them a lot.

Sitting up, you move your tangled hair out of your face and rub a hand over your face before peaking between your fingers to see Kie smiling and Sierra still digging through your closet. All you wanted to do was sit there and think for a second but it seemed that God had a different plan.

“Well don’t you look like a hot mess. ‘Get up! Do not lie there ‘thinking’. Nothing good ever came from that. Get up! Begin your day!’” Kie teased, repeating what you had once told her, giving a small playful wink. On instinct, you grabbed the closest pillow to you and chucked it at her with a small laugh.

“Alright! Which one?” Sierra announced, holding up blue and red bikinis. A scoff fell from your lips before you could stop it, receiving a challenging glare from Sierra. There was no way you were getting out of this.

“I’m still wearing my boots and jean shorts.” You growled, caving in and pointing to the blue string bikini.

“No one said you couldn’t.” Kie answered, grabbing the brush and tossing it to you.

“Get ready! We’ll be waiting downstairs.” Sierra finished, stealing the last pop that was in your mini fridge. After they left, you mumbled under your breath about Sierra being a thief before receiving a ‘I heard that!’ scream from the hallway.

“Get up! Do not lie there ‘thinking’. Nothing good ever came from that. Get up! Begin your day!” Paramahansa Yogananda.

[syncopein3d]

The Warm One 7: Wrath

Part 6: Spring Campaign

CW/tropes: living weapon, nonhuman caretaker, female whumpee, intimate/nonsexual touch, servant caretaker, traumatic restraints, nonsexual nudity mention, gore, blood, slaughter, extraplanar abomination/monster. Fair warning, this one's going to be gory and gross and weird. After all, what good is a living weapon story if you don't get to see the weapon being deployed?

The Field of Thearn has never been tilled.  Boulders lie scattered across a knee-deep growth of bracken and heather. The crows and ravens that follow the army circle above it now, more immanent than the distant hawks. The winter heather is still in flower when the army starts pulling it up in organized squares. Space is cleared for tents and latrines, and now there is fuel for the campfires.

The camp of the Elves lies some distance away, fireless, lit by little glowing spheres that hover above it. Their snow-white faces flit across the twilight above their mail.  They’re not pink-skinned, like the Ifrits, but their ears are just as pointed.

Aldo the Orc helps pile up heather, and then goes to wash up in the stream with the maids. He recognizes a tiny gnome girl called Gella crouching beside him.

“Why are you so afraid of her, all of you?” he asks, nodding toward the black wagon with the gilded bars across the back. “Has she hurt you? I’ve never heard her be harsh.”

“Not me,” Gella says. “But we all know what happened to Merrly.”

“What happened?” Aldo asks, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“The Wrath of the King slipped out of one of her bracers and tore her into pieces. The biggest thing they found was a hand,” Gella says, glancing sidelong back at the wagon as one fingertip surreptitiously shapes the holy sickle for protection, curve across and curve down. “If the Master hadn’t stopped her she would have killed everyone. I didn’t see it, but he told Merrly’s family when they gave them the ashes. I heard him because I was dusting.”

“Terrible,” Aldo said.

“Terrible,” Gella agrees. The look she gives Aldo before she scuttles away is one of intense pity.

That night, as he brushes out the weapon’s thin hair in the cushion pile in her tent, he thinks about it for a while. Then eventually he asks,

“Do you remember a maid called Merrly?”

“Oh, yes. Human,” the Wrath of the King murmurs sleepily. She sits on Aldo’s thigh with her face resting against his chest, facing outward so he can brush with one hand and hold her steady with the other. A bony elbow digs slightly into his big soft belly. His liniment seems to be helping. She can actually tie the soft robe closed over the scar that covers much of the front of her.

“She died from falling into one of the arcane fires, the Master said. Odd thing. They only had ashes to give the family. Why?” It’s not often the Orc asks questions.

“He told the maids something different,” Aldo says.

“How strange,” she says. “Why would he bother? He doesn’t care what the servants think…” She is nodding off. Aldo doesn’t think she is lying. He’s never known her to make the mental effort to be circumspect, let alone to try and deceive him.

The next day, the maids dress her in a plain linen robe dyed the color of old blood. The kingdom’s sword and sickle is not embroidered, it is smeared in black paint on the front and back panels. Aldo wonders at this as he helps hold her up. Usually she is swathed in layers of buckram, wooden stays, heavy brocades with elaborate embroidery. Usually her hair is piled in pins and gold combs and sticks. Today it’s a simple braid with a black ribbon. She has always been weak and listless, but today she trembles with a strange nervous energy he has never seen. A fervid spot of color mounts each pale cheek. She seems to blink less often, brown eyes held wide.

“What happens today, Milady?” he asks her.

“You’ll see,” she says, voice raw and stretched. “Until you look away. I won’t blame you. No one watches but him. Just be there when it’s over, all right?”

“I will, Milady.”

“And bring the gray robe.”

“I will, Milady.”

Aldo’s voice is deep and clear and firm, like always. The weapon grieves that that must change today. When he sees what is really inside her, he will never wish to see or speak to her again. And he will not be able to go. He will hate her and be stuck here with her forever. But that grief is a painful, twanging tune beneath the symphony of hunger and want. She knows what’s coming. No amount of shame or disgust can change that she was made for this.

The general and his captains have their last diplomatic parlay with the Elves early in the morning. By the time the Master comes to get her, the military men are back again, stepping over the white chalk line poured onto the dirt as a corporal furls the white flag.

“Well, gentlemen?” the Master says. “Have they elected to surrender?”

“No. Send the weapon,” says General Izath, a rose-skinned Ifrit. Butterfly-wing ears curve back beneath his red-plumed casque. He doesn’t look at her. He only makes the sign of the sickle as he passes.

The Master smiles. His blue eyes are unblinking and intent as he steps behind the weapon and lays his hands on her shoulders. Aldo can see him all but inflate with pride in his own work, in the power he is about to wield. The two of them begin a strange litany, one voice oratorical and measured, the other high and trembling.

“In the name of Malacien, Hearth and Huntress, She Who Wieldeth the Sickle, hear thou the Word of Retribution.”

“In the Name of Malacien, She Who Chooseth the Slain, I hear.”

“In the name of the Eight Good Gods, in the name of the Kings now and past, I abjure thee. Thou shalt harm none who dwell behind this line, but all who lie in front of it are thy prey. Avenge thyself upon the foe and return to thy form of birth. Swear thine obedience.”

“By Morith, He Who Keepeth the Slain, I swear it.”

“Shouldst thou disobey, the bonds of thy keeping shall slay thee. Swear again thy fealty.”

“By Mighty Serne, King of Gods, Hunted and Risen, I swear it.”

“Before this line, before all assembled, I loose the Wrath of the Kings. Return when nothing of his enemies draws breath.”

“I am loosed,” the weapon practically screams, and the Master takes his hands away. It’s the first time Aldo has ever seen her run, stumbling barefoot through the heather, heedless of thorns or sharp stones. He winces for her feet. Across the field, the Elves are forming up lines of battle, spreading the two wings of cavalry that have proved so deadly to the armies of other would-be conquerors of these isles.

They don’t even see her at first. She has a long distance to cover for a small, sick woman past her first youth. Aldo half expects her to be slain by an arrow when they do spot her, but it is now evident to him that they don’t know what is about to happen. Spycraft has failed them, or previous encounters have left no sane survivors. There is no real disturbance in their lines as they begin their slow movement forward toward what appears to be a foolishly disordered foe behind this one little sacrifice.

A few desultory arrows flit into the bracken around her. She stops, swaying, and raises her arms in their golden bracers, spread wide as if inviting an embrace.

Even at this distance, Aldo hears the sound of flesh tearing. He knows it must be the scar, the one that never really heals. He doesn’t expect the snap of bones breaking as she folds backward practically in half. Her arms dangle, eyes rolled up into her head. Aldo is aware of everyone but the Master turning away, making signs, murmuring prayers. Only he and the Master see the arms unfurl, tendrils like a polyp starting at the width of a hand but widening as they lengthen until they are bigger than tree trunks. The weapon’s body simply shreds, crushed beneath the weight of the ever-growing knot of slimy black branches. Only the two little arms in their bracers remain, flat and dead-looking on either side of the thing’s base until they, too, are covered and crushed by the mass.

As the horror expands, Aldo can see suckers on one side of each tendril, discs as big as his head. Every one has a barbed hook in the center of it. There the resemblance to anything in nature ends, for now the arms are sprouting more arms yet, and now some have horns and eyes. He can tell they’re eyes because they are Human, round-pupiled, brown. Brown like hers. They ARE hers, he realizes, as one looks directly at him and a pupil the size of his fist expands with recognition. Wet, glistening lashes flutter, and then the thing twists away from him in its eagerness to get at the enemy.

“I think it recognized you,” the Master says beside him, his voice amused. “You should be grateful for the line. It’s come within a hair of reaching me before the pain stopped it before.”

“She would eat us, Milord?” Aldo asks. His tone is dull. It’s hard to imagine any more horror than what is now happening among the Elven lines. Aldo has seen war, lost someone precious to it, been forever marked by it. He’s never seen an Elf and a horse torn into gobbets of gore and stuffed into the toothy circle of a black maw. There are now innumerable mouths among the coils, lipless, silent.

“Oh, yes. Did you think you were the first in your preset position, Goodman Aldo?”

Aldo is silent. He can’t tell if this is another lie, or what the purpose of such a deception could be. The screaming is too loud now. He sees a single Elf on a horse try to flee up the hill behind the camp, to carry word of what is happening here, or perhaps just fleeing in panic. A tendril snaps out like a whip-crack hundreds of yards long. The Elf falls from the saddle in two directions, top half and bottom, and the horse is snatched into the air to be torn and engulfed with the pieces of the rider.

The Wrath of the Kings rolls over the distant camp. Aldo prays silently that there were no children there. He now understands that the reason this tactic keeps working is that there will be no bodies. The thing does not discriminate between flesh and armor. It’s far away now, but he can see it ripping up tents, too. Everything goes into its horrid jawless orifices.

It’s only minutes before it’s over. The sun has scarcely moved overhead. When at last there is silence, the nest of arms and eyes and mouths slithers back toward the line. It’s bigger than a house. It’s almost bigger than a castle. It fills much of the distance between the two camps. When it comes close to the line it is a writhing wall that fills Aldo’s world, towering into the orange sky. People in the camp move farther away from the shadow that has fallen over them. They cover their heads and whisper more prayers. Many brown eyes fix upon him. Some look at the Master, too. The mouth that opens in front of the sorcerer is taller than he is, drooling blood, stinking of charnel. As Aldo watches, it pulses open and shut, edging further from himself and nearer to the Master. This close, he can see into a throat of incomprehensible, impossible depth, lined with rows of teeth like a hagfish that stretch down endlessly into the darkness.

The Wrath of the Kings is still voiceless. The only sound is the glutinous slither of its movement and the awful click of many, many teeth. From the corner of his eye, Aldo sees the man’s shoulders heaving, face empty of color.

A tiny tendril, as thin as a finger, quests right up to the line, waving to and fro in front of Aldo’s face. Up close, it isn’t really slimy. It’s covered in tiny armored scales, black and shining. He can see the little hooked barb on the tip. It might be white bone like the sucker-hooks, when it isn’t bloody.

The whole mass of the thing shudders. It ripples and twists and begins to curl inward on itself, little arms folding into bigger arms, horns and teeth shrinking and withdrawing into flesh. As Aldo watches, still unable to look away, it gets smaller and smaller. Now it does make noise. There are many hissing exhalations as air is expelled from its vanishing mouths. He is half surprised that the thing actually breathes. He can’t imagine how the form of woman can re-emerge after he watched it so thoroughly destroyed. He watches with a kind of sick curiosity, hands clasped behind his back in an unconscious parade rest that hasn’t been meaningful in his life in a decade or more. The tendrils twist and twist and shrink, and as they fold around each other they sculpt one another into a human shape, at first writhing in all its components, then slick and black, then suddenly blending and fading into lighter flesh, scales smoothing away as if they were never there. At the last, the thinnest of them fold away into a jagged mouth lined with more teeth, and then that shrivels crookedly away and becomes a red scar branching over a naked woman’s breast and belly and thighs. It’s a slightly different shape than before. Of course it is, Aldo thinks. It's a new body.

The golden bracers are the same. She could not, it seems, remake herself into a form without them, however much she must have wished it. They’re not so loose as before. Her body is still thin, but less thin than before now, pink and blushing as she lies gasping in the flattened heather. The battlefield is crushed down flat over all of its width. Black steam rises and sublimes away as the moments pass. Over the fading stench of blood and death there’s a strange and unearthly smell of something Aldo can only describe as perfume, but it’s no perfume of any plant he has ever smelled. It doesn’t smell real or right. The ravens are descending, but there won’t be much for them to find.

“Well, go on and get her,” The Master says. “Be careful. She’ll be heavier.” He turns away to stalk back to his tent. He’s still smiling slightly in Aldo’s last sideways glimpse of him, but the Orc is already kneeling with the robe in his hands.

“Milady,” he says. She opens her eyes, still panting. Her hair is dry and braided. That detail bothers him more than a lot of it, for some reason.

“Oh, the robe. Yes. Thank you.” Her voice is almost normal. It’s stronger than usual, in fact. He helps her into it and then picks her up carefully in his arms. She’s heavier than usual, but not by much. She turns her face into his shoulder in the familiar way.

“How do you feel?” he asks, as he carries her into her tent. He can’t completely keep emotion out of his voice. Is this the same person that he has served and held and warmed with his body? Is it a new one every time?

“Good,” she murmurs. “It’ll be good for a little while, except for the mark. Aldo, do you – can you - ”

That note of worried self-loathing is certainly familiar. Aldo relaxes. He has his balance now. Nothing he saw will ever leave him as long as he lives, but here, now, in this tent, he is with the same person he has been with for months. Nothing that happened out there has changed that. Nothing about her has changed at all. He just understands her better now.

“Of course,” he says softly, no more “Milady” now that they’re alone. “I have my liniment still. Be easy.” He lays her in the pillow pile and turns to get it. When he turns back, she reaches for his arm. Her hand is as cold as he remembers. He lets her hold onto him, looking down in puzzlement for a moment until he realizes she is testing to see if he flinches, eyes unblinking on his face. Her hand holds him so tightly that she shakes.

He sets down the liniment for a second so that he can sit down beside her and lean over and pull her into his lap. He is still very careful. He will always be careful. He lays his arms around her and holds her face against his shoulder again, lightly, so that he doesn’t press hard on the scar.

“It’s all right,” he said. “You’re still you. That’s enough.”

“How could it ever be enough?” she asks lowly.

“He said there were others before me,” Aldo said. “Is that true?”

“No,” she says. “What a strange thing to say. He never even offered before you. I never asked.” He feels her sigh. “Aldo - ”

“You knew me,” he said. “You wanted to eat him, but just him. I don’t think he realized.”

She snorts into his tunic. “Of course.” There’s a silence in which he gently strokes her back over the robe for a little while. Eventually she says, “I remember everything. None of it is outside of my control, do you understand that, Aldo? I can’t disobey him because he’ll kill me, but – I know that I choose to obey. That’s important for you to know.”

“I think I understand that,” Aldo said. “You’re not really able to eat properly in this form, are you? This is only part of you.”

“Yes. All of me is – well. You’ve seen,” she whispers. “You didn’t look away. But I won’t be hungry for a while after the campaign is over. Then – the winter becomes long. He likes that, watching me get hungrier and hungrier.”

“It’s not right,” Aldo says very quietly.

“Nothing about it has ever been right,” she says. Her voice is fading now in a familiar way. She might be a little better fed, but it’s still been a busy and exhausting day, flailing about annihilating an entire army and destroying and remaking her own entire body. Perhaps this way of thinking about it is a little mad. Perhaps Aldo is a little mad now, too. He can’t examine that too closely. There’s work to be done.

“You’ll feel better for a rest,” he says. “Let me take care of everything. It’ll be all right.” She sighs deeply. After a moment she kisses his shoulder over his tunic very lightly. “I might fall asleep while you’re applying the liniment,” she says. “That’s all right, dear.” “You won’t leave me tonight, will you?” “I will never leave you,” Aldo says. He probably wouldn’t be allowed to. But right now, he doesn’t care about that part. He means what he says.

[eclipsethemagic]

Girls want Girls {KTH} |M|

Summary: If Taehyung could turn by time he would, and that's only because he wants to go back to that night where he got the greatest blow job by not one but two females.

Rating: Mature, and sex will be talked through out this whole chapter. ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔʕ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡•ʔ•̫͡•ʕ•̫͡

"You gotta be kidding me." Taehyung mumbles as he tries to go through the people of sweaty body's. He doesn't know why he let Jimin and Jungkook talk him into going out tonight, to a club in America that he didn't know of. It was hot, sweaty and uncomfortable for Taehyung as all he wanted to do was go back to the hotel and get in his fluffy pajamas and watch Netflix. "See it's not so bad." His best friend and band member Jimin says once they find a booth with no people in it. All Taehyung could do was let out a fake laugh, he shakes his head. "To you. I don't do this." Which was true Taehyung doesn't go out often and when he did it wasn't at 3 o'clock in the fucking morning.

"I don't know if you're lying or being truthful right now." His youngest member says once he came from getting their first drinks of the night. Taehyung eyes him and takes the alcohol and takes a sip. "Of course I'm being truthful idiot, why would I lie?" It's now Jimin turn to roll his eyes. "Repeat that again. Why would you lie?"

"Shut up."

"No never daddy."

"That's fucking gay." Jimin let's out a giggle and drinks his drink like a shot. After a while with enough drinks in their systems Jimin was already on the dance floor with his back against a guy and Jungkook? Well he has his tongue down a woman's throat. Taehyung was still at his booth, drinking away the whiskey he got after the bottle of soju was passed out.

People would call Taehyung a loner, which wasn't as true as you see right now. He was the most energetic but quietest person in the group. There was days when Taehyung wanted to be left alone and then there was days where Taehyung fed off of everyone else's energy. But as for right now? All Taehyung wanted to do was go home. He sighs and goes to stand up walking to the bathroom before he bumps into someone. "Shit. I'm so sorry!" He says looking down at the female. She was short, maybe between 5'1, she had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen.

Her hair was down, with two butterfly clips. Her lips was painted light pink, but her dress, it was the star of the show. A deep shade of purple, that hugged her hips perfectly, with a cut in the middle of her chest that made it better. The woman mumbles it's okay before she looks up. "Just watch out." And with that she walks away.

"Dude I just had the greatest blow job of my life." Jungkook says after his night of tongue kissing the female he met at the bar, They was all back from the dance floor, Taehyung back from the bathroom. Jimin was taking his third shot as he hard Jungkook drunk confession, a confession he really didn't wanna hear. "Why are you telling us?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"He got a point."

Taehyung takes the last swing of the beer he had and sets it down looking at his two friends. "So you got a blow job, and what? Jimin got to grind his gay ass dick on a guy on the dance floor while me, millionaire Kim Taehyung got nothing?" He was bitter about it yes, but it wasn't his fault. Okay maybe it was, Taehyung was a flirt, to people he wanted to flirt with. If she was a skinny beautiful Asian, he'll flirt, if she was a white woman with a fat ass he'll give it a try but if she was a black woman with beautiful thick thighs and the most gorgeous eyes- wait.

"So you didn't talk to the girl you bumped into?" Jungkook ask while looking at his band mate, Taehyung shakes his head and sighs. "Nah I didn't want to for real." He did, it was a lie and he knew it.  "Plus she had someone waiting on her." He adds on lending back on the chair.

"I just think you want to have a one nights stand, I mean I get it but Tae, have fun." Jungkook says, his dark brown eyes are darker then normal as the alcohol took affect of his body after a few drinks. Taehyung didn't know if it was drunk Jungkook talking or if it was caring Jungkook, either way that was the push Taehyung needed at that exact moment. They all got up and went on their separate ways.

Taehyung was back on the dance floor, dancing with a female he never talked to. She was a pretty woman, standing 4'7 with long jet black hair that was in the middle of her back. Her skin was brown and sparked with thick sweat. He grinds his hips up her ass as his hands gripped her waist. He was so drunk wasted that he didn't notice how much he could smell her sweet peach perfume, a smell that he could get used too.

All Taehyung could remember was one minute they was on the dance floor, the second they are in the bathroom. His hands around her throat as he kisses her, another pair of hands are on his jeans unbuttoning them. Taehyung was on cloud 9, one girl kissing his neck leaving all types of bites marks as he fingered her pussy, and the other sucking his dick, and sucking it well.  "Just like that." He groans as the female deep throats, he holds her there for quite some time before letting her go. Seeing her eyes swell up with tears made his dick harder then before. Who would of thought he'll be attracted to a female who liked girls, let alone have a threesome in the middle of the bathroom.