#. 「 au 」 here to tear your kingdom down ── descendants au . | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

vivalabunbun · 2 years

Text

Simple Wishes

Summary: He never understood humans, and by extension, he never understood you. Perhaps if he had only placed more effort into studying you as he did with the search for greater knowledge, tragedy could have been avoided. But would you still allow him to hold your hand?

Word Count: 3k

Tags: alhaitham x gn reader, deshret x gn reader, jinni!reader, past lifes, reincarnation au, angst, character death, modern au, some spoliers of genshin lore 3.2 onwards, sfw, tragedy, fluff, daughter nahida

Authors Note: This is based on the theory that alhaitham is in some way connected to king deshret, either as a reincarnation or a descendant. The reader is a jinni that understands and feels human emotions, a mirror for gods to reflect upon and cultivate more wisdom from a human prospective. Enjoy!

Upon a golden throne, imposing and all-knowing sat King Deshret. King of warriors, horticulturists, and sages. The proud and all-mighty king of the red sands. On his left, stood a Jinni, quiet and patiently waiting upon the great king and its mistress, the goddess of flowers to return from her visit to a grand friend.

The Jinn followed their mother goddess everywhere, in a trance of maddening loyalty and love. Yet here you were, far from the side of your goddess, but loyally attending to the curiosity of the great king.

Followers of the Scarlet King might be appalled by the notion that their great king, the embodiment of wisdom, would hold questions he needed another’s answers to. However, these followers never considered the simple truth.

King Deshret did not understand humans. After all, how can gods and humans truly understand each other on the same level when biologically the two were on two completely different plains?

“My dear friend, how can we have dominion over creatures whom we cannot understand? Do you find that wise?”

He remembers those words the goddess of flowers had raised him upon a peaceful afternoon. Deshret knew she was right, humans were weak compared to gods, but because they were weak they became complex. It was that unknown difference between god and humans that bred the potential for disharmony.

He supposed that was the reason your creation caused quite the commotion among the three friends and Jinn.

For upon your birth from the nilotpala lotuses at the feet of your mistress, you wept. Your fresh eyes overflowing with tears from the moment they opened, stunning the Jinn and the goddess of flowers. You, who was born with the body of an adult, wept like a human newborn who cried from the violent impact of emotions that welcomed them into the world.

Upon this revelation, your mistress knelt down to cup your face in her hands, eyes wide with astonishment and jaw slacked.

“You… you can feel human emotions…” Her warm fingers brushed the tears off your soft cheeks.

From that moment onwards you served a crucial role to the three lords of the alliance kingdoms, you were their mirror to the human heart. When the gods found themselves stumped upon a human concept, you were there to explain. Hate, love, grief, you told them everything the human heart held, reflecting your felt wisdom upon them.

However, of the three gods, it was King Deshret who had the least understanding of the human heart. Perhaps that was why the goddess of flowers had stationed you to the left of the king. To answer his inquiries about those weak complex creatures.

Gazing upon the hologram manifested in front of him, Deshret watched the day-to-day bustle of the humans in his kingdom. While the king did not understand humans, he understood that they were his responsibility to look after, protect, and care for.

He watched as a laborer, skin tanned from moving heavy bricks in the unforgiving sun, rushed towards the figure of a woman with calloused hands, from weaving cloth all day, which held a basket of fruits and bread. The exhaustion disappeared from the man’s face as he greeted the woman, her face turning tender in return as she gestured to the basket.

A smile broke through the hardened face of the large man upon seeing the basket, he reached for her hand and she intertwined his fingers with hers as they walked together as one.

A crease appeared between the brows of the king, as he gestured with a flick of his wrist for you to approach closer.

“Tell me Jinni, what troubles are plaguing my kingdom so much that a man is moved to joy over the simple sight of bread and fruit? Have the harvest this year been lacking? Have there been less gold for the common people?” He inquired.

You turned your eyes away from the hologram and towards your lord.

“No, they were simply happy to see each other, my lord.”

The lazy glance Deshret cast your way told you that he still did not understand, so you continued.

“The man was overjoyed to see that the woman he loves had remembered which fruits and breads he favored, and she was happy that she made him happy.”

“That was all? That simple?” His teal eyes questioning.

“Yes, it is the small actions that mean the most.” You offered him a reassuring smile.

Your answer only sought to confuse him further, this was why Deshret believed he could never understand humans. How could mere mortals experience more joy from being gifted a piece of bread, than he had from having miles of silk, baskets of gold, and fertile lands placed at the feet of his grand throne?

As the king walked along the paved paths in his palace gardens, four guards by his side in each cardinal direction, and you behind and to the left of him. His grand strides brought about an air of power and confidence as the linen flowed about his figure.

The marching of the guards and their golden armor contrasted by the jingle of bells that hung from your ankles filled the void of silence. Then along the path almost hidden by the tall flowers, sat a young boy, who had not reached the age to develop words, babbling to himself as he waved a stick in his chubby hands. Suddenly the child halted all movement, seemingly staring at nothing in particular, it was as if he had turned to stone.

Deshret paused his movement, and in sync the king’s entourage halted in their positions. He wanted to see just what would happen next with this child. It was faint at first, a shaky breath then a low whimpered followed until at last the child opened his mouth and let out a great wail. The child’s plump cheeks were wet as they began to get flushed with a hue of red, the cries his small body released straining against his lungs.

A leaf that had detached from a branch had yet to hit the ground when the figure of a place servant dashed from behind a corner. The servant dove to her knees as she brought the child into her arms, cooing and bouncing him against her chest, paying no heed to the dirt staining her white linen dress. The child had dropped his stick as he grasped tiny handfuls of his mother's dress, muffling his cries as he pressed his face into her. The servant continued to bounce him as his breathing grew calmer, it was then that the servant noticed the presence of the great king.

In a panic the servant raised to her feet, the child still tightly clutched in her arms, as she bowed deeply begging the king to forgive her for her insolence.

“Shall I throw her into the dungeons for trespassing in the private gardens?” A guard asked.

“There is no need,” Deshret waved her away.

Thanking the king profusely for his mercy, the servant rushed to get out of his sight, cradling her child protectively. With a flick of his wrist, he called you to his side once more.

“Why did the child wail so sadly?” His eyes still lingering at the corner the servant disappeared behind.

“His small body was overwhelmed by emotions, my lord.”

“Have I frightened the child?”

“Not at all,” you shook your head. “He cried because he was overwhelmed by loneliness and the feeling of the unknown. The child cannot form words yet, thus he cannot match words to his emotions. So he cried for his mother, for he knows she will soothe the prickling feeling of frustration.”

Deshret paused as he thought for a moment. The guards standing still at their positions around their king.

“Was that how you felt back then?” He was referring to the moment you took your first breath.

“Yes, my lord.” Your eyes twinkled with a smile, joy felt from your lord’s surmise.

Dawning a cloak that hid his grand stature and identity, King Deshret strolled among the streets of his kingdom. Every once in a while he believed that it was crucial for a ruler to walk in the footsteps of his people, to examine the condition of his kingdom from beyond his golden throne. He had even requested that you remove the bells from your ankles to not draw attention as you trailed behind him.

He walked through the crowded marketplace of hollering merchants and haggling customers trying to get the best prices, you making care to not stray too far from his left. As the edge of the market came the concentration of the crowd diminished, and he felt a bit more relaxed.

He gazed curiously back into the denser crowd, observing the ever-changing expressions on the people’s faces. Suddenly, a large figure pushed the sea of people, hollering like an animal in pain.

“Help! A doctor! Someone get me a doctor! My daughter! Please! My daughter!”

In the scarred arms of the warrior lay the limp body of a young girl, not a day past the age of seven. As the crowd cleared out of his way, one hundred pairs of eyes focused their attention on the shouting warrior. His scarred face looked through the crowd for someone to save his child, being met with one hundred pitiful looks.

“Anyone? Please! Call a doctor! Please save my daughter!”

A thin man raised his hand as he maneuvered his body through the gaps in the crowd, stopping in front of the towering man. The thin man reached his hand towards the neck of the limp girl, eyes meeting the father’s as if asking for silent permission. The scarred man gave a quick nod, eyes filled with desperate hope. The doctor held two thin fingers against the cold neck of the girl, searching diligently for a pulse, for a singular proof of life. Instead, he was met with stiff, cold flesh. Removing his hand, he pressed his lips into a thin line before looking back at the scarred man’s face.

“I am sorry, your daughter is already started her journey into Duat (the realm of the dead).”

“No… no, no, no, no, please! Please tell me it’s not too late! She can be saved no?” The desperate father harshly clasped a hand on the doctor’s shoulder, shaking the thin man.

The doctor could only silently shake his head. The man’s eyes wide with despair then narrowed with rage, then as his facial expression relaxed a hollow void began to fill his eyes. Sinking to the sandy path arms clutching around the husk that once was a bundle of joy, the warrior who had faced countless battles, as shown by the marks all along his body, wept pitifully. Around him slowly, the crowd began to move once again, tearing their eyes away from the scene as if to give the father a semblance of privacy.

King Deshret flicked his wrist, calling you to his side. He felt no movement, confused he turned towards you, only to see your sobbing eyes still pinned on the scene in front of you. A pained expression tugged down at the corners of your lips that usually held a small smile.

“Why do you weep, Jinni?”

“I weep for the father whose daughter, death had snatched too soon from his arms.” Your voice low like a hush.

“Why do you weep for him?”

“Because he is in pain, a child torn away from their parent opens a wound in the heart.”

“The man is a strong warrior, he can sire another child. There is no need to weep for a child that could not survive.”

“My lord, a child can never be replaced, she will never go back to her father’s arms. A broken pot can be remade, moldy bread can be thrown out, but a dead flower can never bloom again.” Your eyes never left the figure of the mourning father, tears continuing to darken the stones on the path.

Deshret opened his mouth ready to inquire more but then shut it just as quickly. He sensed that inquiring more would only cause the tears to flow heavier.

He never understood humans, and by extension, he never understood you.

Perhaps if he had only placed more effort into studying you as he did with the search for greater knowledge, tragedy could have been avoided.

“My lord, I beg of you to stop. This path you walk will only bring about more pain. My mistress, the goddess of flowers, has left this world. To ignore the truth while in search of knowledge forbidden will cause ruin.” You gripped onto the linen that pooled at his feet as you pleaded on your knees with the mourning king.

“... Leave this palace, foolish Jinni.” Those were the last words he ever spoke to you.

Yes, that was the word, foolish. That word does not describe you, no, it described him. A foolish king that did not understand his own heart. Foolish king that gambled everything and lost. His kingdom and riches shallowed by the raging sand storms, his people poisoned with madness (forbidden knowledge) by his own hands, and the once proud and all-mighty king no longer even had a physical body.

It was quiet in the temple where King Deshret hovered, he already knew what must be done to save his people, to save his people from himself as the forbidden knowledge pulsed like poison through his conscious.

“We meet once more, my lord.” You stepped in front of him.

He thought he would never see you again after he casted you out of the palace, your appearance stayed faithfully to how he remembered. But you were a bit more haggard, hands more collapsed, skin duller. You must have been exhausting your powers to try to mitigate the madness that plagued the humans you loved so much. Despite the fact you barely had the power to maintain your physical form, your eyes still twinkled as you called out to him.

“I shall aid you, my lord. I will be the vessel for your sacrifice.”

This means you were prepared to die alongside him, he knew it, and you knew it too. Mutually understanding that a great sacrifice was required for a chance of survival for the people of the red sand. Outstretching your hands to the star-like manifestation of Deshret, you signaled that you were ready. He slowly descended into your cupped palms, as a pure light began to engulf the room and your figures.

He no longer had arms to hold you, even though he deeply wished to. As he felt his essence and yours slowly began to break apart into dust like sand, a fleeting thought passed through his mind, brought up by a scene he had witnessed many years ago with you.

In a different time,

a different place,

a different world…

Could he hold your hand while you walk together as one?

...

“....er”

“.....tham?”

“Alhaitham!”

His teal eyes snapped open, meeting yours as you stood in the doorway of his home office. Concern was written clearly on your expression, he must have dozed off while he was translating the text that was half finished on his desk.

“What’s wrong dear?” You moved closer, pressing your palm against his forehead feeling for signs of a fever.

Nahida was held snuggly in your other arm as her green eyes observed her father’s face, aranara doll dangling loosely in her grip.

“Is papa sick?” Nahida questioned, beginning to stir in your arms.

Words just would not form from his throat as he continued to stare into your eyes, his usually stoic face was replaced with a dumbstruck expression. Which only concerned you further, he observed as your brow began to furrow more, palms shifting trying to get a better gauge of his temperature.

“Haitham, are you unwell? If so you should rest, me and Nahida can do the grocery shopping by ourselves.”

No, he did not want you to leave his side, at that moment he never again want to be apart from you. He gently grasped your wrist in his large hand, removing it from his forehead as he stood up.

“There is no need for such concern, I was just distracted, beloved.” He took Nahida from your arm and into his, shifting her into a secure hold.

“Papa is healthy, now let us get the groceries before the market closes.”

He heard you sigh, muttering something about how you worried that your husband was over-working himself. A silly concern, as if there was one thing he treasured close to the level of you and his daughter, it would be a healthy work-life balance.

During the whole trip to the grocery store, Alhaitham was still a bit lost in thought. Movements a bit more relaxed and absent-minded than usual, Nahida still being carried in his arm as you pushed the cart. He found his eyes trailing towards the shiny wedding ring on your finger, with an emerald gem that matched the one present on his finger as well.

You had stopped in front of the display of fruits, concentrating on which fruit was the ripest and how to get the most value out of your money. Alhaitham found his hand itching to reach for yours, he did not try to suppress that desire. Allowing his hand to intertwine his long fingers with yours, wedding rings clinking together.

A look of surprise appeared on your face as you turned toward your ashen-haired lover. He was never really one for public displays of affection, so he could not fault you for your confusion, but he felt a smile tug at his lips as you accepted his actions with no further questioning. Returning your attention back to the piles of fruit waiting for your judgment.

Alhaitham felt at peace standing hand in hand with you under the fluorescent lights, as the sounds of other shoppers blended with the soft pop music from the store speakers.

A simple wish had been fulfilled.

“Oh! This orange looks quite nice doesn’t it?”

“It is starting to mold on the underside.”

“Eh?-”

fin~

DON’T PLAGIARIZE, TRANSLATE, OR REPOST MY WORKS ON DIFFERENT PLATFORMS.

#alhaitham x reader #alhaitham x you #alhaitham fanfic #alhaitham fluff #alhaitham angst #genshin angst #genshin x reader #genshin x you #alhaitham x yn #vivalabunbunfics

762 notes · View notes

madschiavelique · 1 year

Note

I want more thoughts pleaseeee 🙏

okidoki so this ask refers this one right here which itself refers to this one right here. this au appeared in my mind while rewatching the movie Troy with Brad Pitt where I thought "huh Miguel as the Achilles in this movie and reader as Briseis would be delicious".

And then it all clicked in my mind.

SO, let's get started on what has been cooking in my mind for the last 3 hours : a soldier!miguel o'hara x slave(?)!reader enemies to lovers

content warnings : mentions of war, blood, killings, fire

Let's picture this in a sort of ancient greek setting, where a king (kinda Agamemnon) wants to govern over the entire country - and then world - which leads him to engendering many, many wars. In this army, his most fierce and strong fighter is Miguel O'Hara. He is bigger than any man, stronger, doesn't care if the work is messy, and has a profound rage within him.

Because you see, before turning into the killing machine he now is, he used to be happy and live a life of peace. When he was away to hunt to bring back food in the family, he came back to his village completely destroyed and burnt. And when he arrived to his home, completely dilapidated and still smoking, he found the two dead bodies of his daughter and his wife.

He turned around, finding the flag of a kingdom, which instantly turned into his enemy. He went to his king, offered his services to him, and got enrolled, because he knew his king was seaking a union in all kingdoms, which meant for that in (his king's point of view at least) to spread terror. He learned fast to fight, to a point where it was frightening, the other soldiers wondering if he hadn't been touched by the gods themselves for him to have every asset of a great fighter multiplicated by 3.

He went on many battles afterwards, every bit of hate his body accumulated over time descending on his opponents like a pure red fury with no regret in the rage it was indulging. Of course, his rank in simple soldier upgraded. Many respected him, or maybe feared him - who knows, the line between these two is unclear afterall.

It doesn't take long until the king considers him as his most valuable asset, like the strongest card in a game, the equivalent of a joker = all powerful.

Few years pass, and the King decides it is time to attack the kingdom in which you live.

You are an adept in your city's temple, honouring aphrodite. You're pure, graced by the beauty of gentleness, of altruism, and you're loved by each and everyone around you. You were living a peaceful life in your faith for the Gods.

But it all came crashing down.

The city's bells had rung, in the most frightening way : an attack. You had heard of the many wars the king was creating, and in hopes for it never to come up here, you immediately rushed to your temple, praying for your goddess to help you.

But the temple was attacked, many soldiers entering it and wrecking anything in their way. They took some adepts, both males and females, and brought them to the king.

Miguel was outside as you were taken from the temple, his rage glowing in his eyes like the most dangerous fire you had ever seen. He was all covered in blood, his sword piercing the skin of his adversaries as if it was butter. Your eyes made a contact, yours full of tears and fear, his overflowing with dark wrath.

Your were taken to the king's tent, him observing each and everyone of you. The men who could still wield a sword were proposed to join the army, the one who refused died as well as the old ones with trembling hands. The women were not even asked anything, they instantly became slaves.

But you, when the king passed you... oh you had something, a beauty gifted by aphrodite himself would he say, so he kept you by his side. The sounds of swords ringing against each other in the distance stopped, but the dry smell of burnt was still present in your nose as the battle came to an end.

The generals and soldiers and all these violent people came back, among them Miguel. His gaze was... certainly different from the one he had in the city. He was impassive, just waiting for what the king would say.

You were still by his sides, and he pointed to you, saying that Miguel O'Hara, his greatest fighter, after so many years of good services, deserved to have for himself such a beauty like you.

Miguel looked at you, from head to toe, his gaze not revealing anything of his thoughts. He just accepted the gift his good king gave him.

He doesn't have time to fall in love again, nor the heart for it, he thinks. You're brought to his tent, absolutely frightened. This man is the biggest most muscular and violent being you've ever seen, and knowing what he looks like when killing people doesn't help at all in finding calm in yourself.

The night is already here when you enter his tent. The soldiers leave, tying you to the the central pole of the tent. He starts to undress himself, and you look away, your eyes only witnessing the many scars travelling his body. He splashes himself of water, removing the blood from his skin before looking back at you. You're silent, and immobile.

Docile, he thinks. He knees to your level.

"Got a name ?"

No response from you. He sighs, he's too tired to seek after you. It bothers him however that you're bound, so he unties your wrists.

"Don't escape."

You rub your wrists, looking up, still not saying a word. He goes to his bed, and just collapses on it. The battle was rough, and he's too tired to do anything.

That's when you try and think of an escape plan. An idea comes to your mind - first, kill him, second, run. Maybe killing him would be a waste of time, but you need to clean a bit of the names he killed by doing so. Lucky you, you're in the tent of a soldier, which means there's a good choice in weapon.

Your eyes catch the glint of a knife, and you grab it silently. Then, you approach, getting on the bed, crawling over him until finally, you place the knife right under his chin.

His eyes pop open, but they show no sign of surprise. He knew, he kew you would attempt such a stupid thing.

"Pointy thing you've got here, careful or you might cut yourself." he jokes. "Come on," he almost leans in the blade to get closer to your face, "just do it."

"Aren't you afraid ?" you ask, his calmness making your confidence crumble.

"Everybody dies in the end," he smiles, "so come on, do it."

But you never killed anyone before, and even now when you have all the advantage, you can't manage to actually push the blade or slide it. How does men like him make it look so easy ?

He takes your confusion as an opportunity to turn you over so that you're under him with your knife still placed under his chin.

"Didn't think you'd be this stupid to try something like that on me," he says, his brows furrowing and his lips stretching in a sneer.

"Didn't hink you could align a full sentence," you reply.

it's true that Miguel didn't seem like a chatty person, because he avoided it. Other soldiers said that him speaking was a waste of his energy, but he would say it'd be a waste of time.

His sneer streches wider.

"You seem less boring than I thought."

He takes the knife in your hand with great ease, and just collapses once again but onto you, his entire weight making it impossible for you to move away.

"You can't leave anyway, there are guards outside of the tent." he mumbles into your neck, inhaling your sweet smell.

You smell like peace.

AND I COULD WRITE SO MUCH MORE ON THIS BECAUSE I HAVE OTHER BLURBOS IN MIND BUT I WANT TO KEEP SOME OF THE REST AS A SURPRISE WHEN I'LL WRITE IT HEHEHEHEHE

but also, if y'all really want me to write this, you gotta hype me up for it cuz i gotta find that motivation sdfgfdbgrzer

180 notes · View notes

aether-writes-things · 5 days

Text

Pinned lmao

Hello! You can call me Aether :3 My pronouns are they/them primarily, but I also use he/him. I'm queer and make queer art.

I'm 21+, live in the U.S., and am married. Yes, my husband is my beta reader lmao, I love him sm

I'm nonbinary/transmasculine/genderfluid or some kind of bs like that. Labels are hard lmfao. Sense of self? We don't know her.

I write stuff. And things. Sometimes nsfw, but not all the time lol

Current works posted: 0

WIPs: 2.5/3.5 (it's a work in progress and a little nuanced)

Fandoms I write for: Legends of Zelda / Original Links Meet AU, Marvel (sometimes, lol, the Deadpool and Wolverine brainrot has a vice-like grip on my brain rn and it's distracting me from other fandom...oof)

If you want to see me spew nonsense, just look for the tag aether yaps because I do a lot of yapping.

My works will be tagged as aether's stories.

I write both short and long form fiction. My AO3 handle is AetherWritesThings.

More randomness under the cut! (You can also find DNI related inquiries, more on fandom, and what kind of tags to block if you don't want to see certain types of works on my blog, as well as general content warnings for my non-adult/YA work.)

Backstory timeeeeeee

I've been writing fanfiction since the autism really started autisming back in 2010. Yeah, I've been writing fanfic for 14 years and I haven't had an AO3 until now. Sad innit lol (Also yes, I am actually autistic, amongst other brain problems lmfao) I started in a spiral bound notebook, writing Twilight Princess fanfiction by hand as a child.

I fell off the writing wagon in 2020, when my writing buddy and best friend ghosted me for being queer. Since then, I've done a lot of growing up, changing, and deep introspection. Besides learning how to handle my mental illness, I've also learned to take my time and enjoy the process of creation, rather than just slap something on a page and hate it for the rest of my existence. I've also learned that, sometimes, it's ok to put down the original work and just enjoy some self-indulgent fanworks sometimes!

I haven't gotten his permission to tag his account here, but my lovely beta reader is my very own husband, the only person in my life that I feel comfortable sharing my works with. (It's different if it's strangers on the internet or writing buddies, which I don't have anymore, lol) Shoutout to the hubby <3

I don't really do DNIs because I don't post anything that could be DNI-able. (And by that, I mean I will avoid posting or reblogging triggering or DNI-able content, such as political or deeply controversial content). Most of my works are intended for young adult audiences, but sometimes the ship brainrot seizes me and I make adult works as well. I will tag everything appropriately. If you don't want to see NSFW content, but still want to follow, feel free to just add jeepers that's smut to your blocked tags! That's what I'll tag any and all of my adult-themed works with!

General content warnings DO apply to my sfw content, so as I post / think of more, I'll add to the list here. Current Content Warnings / Trigger Warnings: violence, blood, medical procedures, emeto/vomit/illness (non-graphic, I am emetophobic lol), death, strong language

And some stuff just for fun!

I have two cats, both of them orange. They're so dumb <3. My favorite color is green. I have been in the Legends of Zelda fandom for going on 15 years now (I'm old). My favorite three Legends of Zelda games in descending order are Twilight Princess (ily Midna), Skyward Sword, and Wind Waker. I have also played Majora's Mask (ITS SO HARD), Ocarina of Time (screw the Water Temple fr), Phantom Hourglass, Breath of the Wild, and Tears of the Kingdom. Why do I feel like I'm missing some? Idk lol

Feel free to message me or ask me stuff! I should be posting some writing soon, so be on the lookout for more silliness.

Last Updated: 9-16-2024

#intro post #ao3 fanfic #ao3 writer #aether yaps #fanfic #writers on tumblr

1 note · View note

tiderideraa · 2 years

Text

tag dump.

. arc i ⤍ pre d1 . › by the skin of our teeth .

. arc ii ⤍ d1 . › let there be violence .

. arc iii ⤍ post d1 . › here there be monsters .

. arc iv ⤍ d2 . › heart of the nonbeliever .

. arc v ⤍ post d2 . › burning in the baptism by fire .

. arc vi ⤍ d3 . › feeding the wolf its meal of hate .

. arc vii ⤍ post d3 . › through the heat of the sun .

. arc viii ⤍ post d3 . › a knife that never stops .

. 「 au 」 here to tear your kingdom down ── descendants au .

#tag dump.#verses.#. arc i ⤍ pre d1 . › by the skin of our teeth .#. arc ii ⤍ d1 . › let there be violence .#. arc iii ⤍ post d1 . › here there be monsters .#. arc iv ⤍ d2 . › heart of the nonbeliever .#. arc v ⤍ post d2 . › burning in the baptism by fire .#. arc vi ⤍ d3 . › feeding the wolf its meal of hate .#. arc vii ⤍ post d3 . › through the heat of the sun .#. arc viii ⤍ post d3 . › a knife that never stops .#. 「 au 」 here to tear your kingdom down ── descendants au .

0 notes

zoellajulien · 3 years

Text

the chains that bind us

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

Word Count: 1,343

Warning: Family fighting, Royalty AU, Kidnapping (Mention), Character death (Mention)

With a face scrunched up into a glare, hot tears running down your face, trembling hands, it was apparent you were experiencing burning, searing anger. There seemed to be no calm within you as you frustratedly fought with the material of the dress you wore while trying to remove it. Thoughts that could be considered punishable continued to run through your mind. Who does that thick-witted man think he is, telling me to find a man and replace the queen?

The maids' faces held obvious concern, but they did not speak. That, however, did not include the head servant. "Princess! Be careful! Ruining a dress tailored days ago will cause the king great distress." Despite having sound reasoning, the words went unregistered.

"That man's emotions have no meaning to me, as mine do not to him." You spat, eyes trained onto the wall in front of you. The gasp from the lower maids did not cause guilt. "I would be glad if his emotionless self experienced grief."

"My lady, you do not speak truth in your words. Please, try to calm yourself!"

At this, you turned. "Maiden Riene, you dare question the word of your princess?"

Before the woman could answer, a shudder went through you. With that, tears traveled down your cheeks and beneath your chin. All anger seemed to leave your body and change into various other emotions. Riene, who had spent many years in your presence and experienced more than a few breakdowns, enveloped you into a hug.

"Princess-"

You cut her off, reminding her to use your name instead of a flimsy title.

She changed her wording and continued, "what is prompting such sadness within you?"

There was a pause in the room, silence enveloping the four of you, excluding your heavy breathing. Your eyes, almost always bright with wonder, held deep angst and hurt instead. Taking a step with the intent to turn, Riene grasped onto your wrist. She did not utter a word, giving you much-needed space.

"He called me to his throne, told me we needed to speak. He handed me the ring he bestowed upon my mother during their marriage." Silence seemed to build thicker as confusion grew. "He told me that I needed to prepare myself to replace the queen. He told me he started the process of finding a 'worthy' husband."

The younger maids looked at each other. One spoke up timidly, "Princess, can I ask why that makes you sad?"

Moving towards the window, you sat down and stared at the gardens below. "My mother was a ruler most queens would only dream of becoming. She helped this kingdom prosper, along with the others around us, and gave many people jobs. She never let one servant fall under mistreatment by anyone. She convinced my father to let women become knights and fight for the kingdom." You smiled and placed a hand over your bracelet. "She always told me one thing, though. She told me to marry for love. Mother said that without marrying for love, miserable days do not get better. You will not have the reassurances of a friend to accept your lows without hesitance.

"My mother made me promise, swear my word to her, that I would not marry a man I did not love. I expected to stay true with Mother's help, but then she slept upon her deathbed. And my father, that belligerent man, expects me to take over what she left! To forget the vow I made to a woman with more intellect than he could fathom."

You could tell you got your point across, seeing as the two younger servants looked at you with wonder. Their looks of interest almost broke your static look into a smile due to reminding you of small children.

After more silence ensued, you took the initiative and motioned at your dress. The trio began carefully undoing the ties, buttons, zippers, and other things holding you tight in the dress. That gave you time to ponder the moments you had shared with the queen, sparking an idea.

"Rience, stop."

"My lady, what do you mean?"

"I request you fetch Prince Peter, King Anthony's child. Bring him here, for I must speak to him."

"Your highness, you are partially unclothed! His majesty will think sinful activities abound!" The third maiden, who had yet to speak since you entered your chambers, warned.

"Do not let the king find out, then. Go, all of you. My chambers are off-limits until I call for you again." Riene gave you a skeptical look, worried about leaving you with a boy. "I will not be doing anything you're imagining, please, have some sense. Now, go."

---

"If it isn't the fairest royal descendant in all of the land." Voice heavy with his accent, Peter entered your bedroom without knocking. How uncivilized, your father would say. You loved it.

"You flatter me, your highness." You tease, turning to look at him, smiling when he shined his grin at you.

"Oh, please, all the formalities! We sound as though we are ruler's consorts who are ordered about by their betrothed."

Standing in front of you was the widely known prince, Peter Parker. He wore his family crest proudly on his chest, son of the famed Anthony Stark. Once, he had been the child of a thriving family that served King Anthony well. However, tragedy struck the family when Peter's parents died due to one of the king's enemies' attempts at war. In a moment of guilt, the king brought the boy into his home. The Stark kingdom was not far, only a half-day trip west.

Peter had stood at 5' 8" at the age of fifteen, only to grow taller for the next three years. Now, he stood at 5' 10". His hair was a deep brown color, made up of several short ringlets that stuck out when not styled. His eyes were also brown but were a few shades lighter. His broad frame reminded you of your relatively small stature and warmed your cheeks as he held a confident presence.

"You're in distress. Why? What troubles you?" Peter's voice came out soft. His footsteps seemed even quieter as he made his way to sit beside you.

"Have my maidens told you?" Your voice did not come out laced with malice. Instead, an emotion similar to a mixture of hope and wonder filled the room.

"About your father? They have. I noticed the unease they carried, so I prodded until they granted me explanations. If it was a secret, it's best you punish me and not them."

When you hesitated to find words, he gazed at your appearance. In turn, you became uncomfortably aware that the dress you wore was tighter than usual around your waist. Was that just the corset? Did the color compliment your skin tone?

"Darling?"

"What? Oh. Apologies, I was lost in my thoughts. I do not wish punishment upon you or the girls. For, I expected and am rather glad they told you, as I do not need to."

"I understand you are in anguish. But, if I may ask, what can I possibly do to ease such feelings? Our families are bubbling a feud already-"

"I wish for you to remove me from this castle. I do not imply death, but I wish to escape the eyes of my father."

"What?"

For a fleeting moment, as you sat in front of someone you trusted with far more than your life, fear encased you. His expression was no short of confusion, with a heavy lining of panic as well. An undeniable terror tore through your chest, resulting in an unplanned and inelegant explanation to tumble from your lips.

"You've heard what my maidens have said." You stood and walked to your bed, pulling a light cover over your shoulders. "Tell me, is it kingly to break a widow's last wish? I can not fulfill what I promised with my father forcing a marriage down my throat."

"Princess, are you imply we stage your kidnapping?"

taglist: @rorybutnotgilmore

want to be added? just ask!

113 notes · View notes

ibis-gt · 4 years

Photo

i made a fairytale au for cam and luther and then wrote nearly 5k words of fic for it?? which is wild bc i am not much of a writer. but. that’s under the cut. content warning for a pretty violent scene towards the end but there’s a happy ending i prommy

Once upon a time, there lived a prince. This prince, Luther by name, lived in a kingdom that was plagued by monsters. His father, the king, had gained his throne by feats of heroism, most notably by slaying a fearsome dragon that had ruled the land for years. The time came for Luther to prove he was worthy of the title of prince by slaying a monster of his own…

Down in the countryside, farmers have been complaining for weeks of an ogre stealing their cattle and frightening their children. So Luther sets off in a splendid suit of armor, with a sword sheathed on one hip, a quiver of arrows on the other, and his bow slung on his back.

Luther rides his horse down to the village where the ogre was last spotted. He talks with the locals and gets a description of the creature. At least forty feet tall, they say, with greenish-grey skin and dark hair and teeth the length of a man’s forearm. Luther leaves his horse behind with the farmers because he doesn’t want her getting hurt and marches off, following a set of giant footprints left behind by the ogre, sword in hand. He would have to admit that he isn’t the best at sword fighting, and that really he’s never faced a monster on his own. But his father gave him a crucial tip: every monster has a weak point. Find the weak point, exploit it, and you’ll win every time.

The footprints lead through the plains of grass, past the area where the farmers let their cattle out to graze, and into a dark forest. The sun is going down before he manages to find the ogre, so he sets up a little camp with a little fire and rests his tired bones. His armor isn’t the most comfortable thing in the world, but it takes forever to get on and off even with someone helping him, let alone by himself. He sits with his back to a big boulder so nothing can sneak up behind him and eventually drifts off.

Luther awakens the next morning and groans at how stiff and sore he is. He sits up and pauses, brow furrowed, remembering that he’d gone to bed sitting upright. But just now, he’d been lying on his back. And he’s not the best tracker, but those giant footprints look… disconcertingly fresh. These things add up in his mind. He just about passes out. He crouches down and puts his head between his knees for a moment until he can breathe again and his heart stops pounding quite so hard. He was right next to it! He fell asleep leaning on it! If his father heard about this he’d give him such a beating. How could he not have noticed that the boulder was actually -

His stomach rumbles, interrupting his panicked thoughts, and Luther remembers that the last time he ate was back in that farming village around two in the afternoon yesterday. He digs out a bit of beef jerky and morosely works at it. His father swears by the stuff, but it just makes his teeth hurt. Luther dreams of the kitchens back home and drools a little.

He gives up on the jerky and manages to take down a couple squirrels with his bow and arrows. He gets his fire blazing again and sets them cooking over it, and sits down to draw in the dirt and form a battle plan. He gets wrapped up in his drawing and loses track of time, but is startled violently back to reality as a deep booming voice from behind him says, “Your squirrel’s burning.”

Luther’s eyes snap up to the fire. He hastily pulls the stick with his squirrels off of it, waving it in the air to put out the bit of squirrel that had caught fire. He blows on it and inspects the damage. Not too bad, a little charred. Still definitely edible. Then realization dawns, and he slowly looks up and over his shoulder.

That’s the ogre. He’s unmistakable. Huge, greyish-green, with shaggy black hair and big tusks that jut out of his mouth. He’s down on one knee looming over Luther, modesty barely preserved by a loincloth stitched together out of the pelts of many different furry animals. Luther wills himself to not faint for the second time that day.

“You gonna eat that?” The ogre booms. “’Cause I will if you won’t.”

“W-well, yes, I was planning to,” Luther quavers, “But there are two, so, um, you can have one if you want? We can share?”

He takes the non-burned squirrel off the stick and holds it up. His hand only shakes a little. The ogre takes it carefully between thumb and forefinger and tosses it in his mouth. With such a tiny morsel, he’d usually just swallow it whole, but an interesting flavor makes him stop and savor it for a moment.

“What’d you do to it? Not like any squirrel I’ve eaten. And I’ve eaten a whole army of squirrels.” He slaps a hand on his formidable belly. The sound makes Luther jump.

“I- I didn’t do much, j-just some seasoning, I-I’m sorry, I d-didn’t mean to, please don’t eat me next."

"You?” The ogre laughs. “Why would I eat you? You shared your food with me. That’s mighty polite. I’d say that makes us friends now, and I don’t eat friends.” He grunts as he shifts position, sitting down heavily and stretching out his legs. “Bad knees,” he grumbles. “Sat like that too long, but I wanted to see what you were drawing."

Luther is now horrifically aware that he is directly between the ogre’s legs. He is also horrifically aware that he was drawing himself hitting an ogre with a sword. He hurriedly kicks some dirt over it.

"Nothing. Nothing interesting. I’m a bad artist anyway.”

“Sure. What’s your name, little tin man? You didn’t seem too talkative when you snuggled up to me last night, but I thought maybe you were just tired. I’m Cam."

"L-Luther.” Oh god. He was supposed to kill this thing, it - well, no, not ‘it’, he can’t think of Cam as an ‘it’ now he knows his name - he’s terrorizing folks, stealing their livelihoods, he’s supposed to drive him away, save the day, bring peace to the kingdom. Instead he’s sharing his meager breakfast and making friends with the monster. How did it all go so wrong!!

“So, Luther, you made of metal? I thought you were gonna take all that off, looks pretty uncomfortable, but you wore it all night. Unless it’s like… you?"

"No, no, um, it’s just… it takes a long time to put it on and take it off? And I usually need help.”

"Well shoot, friend, why didn’t you say so?“ Before Luther can object, a giant hand descends and plucks him up. He panics, struggles in Cam’s grasp, and Cam tsks at him. "I can’t get all that off you if you don’t hold still. Don’t make me squeeze."

Luther goes still. If Cam squeezes the armor, it’ll stay squeezed. He wouldn’t want to still be in it if that happens. Cam clearly has no idea how to get someone out of armor though. He just pulls at clasps and buckles till they break, then shucks the metal off of Luther like an ear of corn. His helmet comes off first, freeing his dark brown curls.

“Aww,” Cam says, “lookit you. You’re kinda cute for a tin man.” He musses up Luther’s hair with a fingertip. "You’re like a little crab,” Cam chuckles. “Crack open the hard shell to get to the soft stuff underneath.” The food metaphor does not put Luther any more at ease as the rest of his armor is pulled off and tossed aside, piece by piece. Cam even strips the chainmail off of him and dumps it on the ground. This leaves Luther in his shirt and breeches, shaking like a leaf and terrified for his life.

“Oh, you cold? Here, I gotcha.” Cam sandwiches him between his hands. Luther awaits the pressure and the horrible crunch that will no doubt be the end of his short life, but it never comes. Cam just holds him there, and truth be told his hands are very warm, and it had been a chilly morning. Luther relaxes very slightly.

After a few minutes, Cam lifts one hand a little and peeks at Luther. “Better?"

"Much better, thank you. Even a little too warm, actually? Can I, um, come out now?"

Cam laughs and opens his hands like a book, then tilts them so Luther tumbles into the palm of his left hand. "So what’s a fancy little shrimp like you doing all the way out here, with that tough shell and those sharp weapons? You huntin’ something?"

Luther hesitates. It’s not… technically a lie, just an omission of truth, right? "Yeees…. Hunting.”

Cam laughs out loud, leaning back and slapping his knee with his free hand. “HA! You are just about the worst liar I ever met, Luther. Whew.” He actually wipes a tear from his eye. Luther feels his face heating up with anger and embarrassment.

“I am hunting! I’m hunting you!” As soon as he says it he regrets it. He slaps his hands over his mouth and cowers back as Cam sits up straight again and looks down at him, raising an eyebrow.

“That so? Huh. Well, you found me, oh mighty hunter. And you fed me, and let me take your armor off you, and left all your sharp things on the ground while you sit in the palm of my hand. So, uh… how’s that goin’ for ya?”

“It… I… um… please don’t kill me?”

Cam grins. It’s not a nice grin anymore. It shows off too many teeth. “Lotsa folks have hunted me, you know. Not a one has succeeded. Most of ‘em can’t find me in the first place, not unless I want them to. Neat little trick we ogres have. We blend in well. The ones who did find me, they regretted it pretty quick. When I heard you clanking along with your silly armor and your little sword, I thought oh boy, here comes another one. But it turns out this one couldn’t find his own ass with both hands and a map, so he ain’t one of them legendary monster hunters lookin’ to claim some bounty. And he’s a little scrawny slip of a thing, too, and he keeps stopping to look at birds. I kinda liked you. And honestly, when you found me, it took me by surprise. Thought I had you pegged all wrong. Then you made your little fire, curled up next to me, and went to sleep, and it took everything I had not to bust my gut laughing right then and there. And now… well, I don’t rightly know what to make of you. Cute little thing, I know that. But cute won’t save you if you wanna tussle with me. So, little hunter… what’re you gonna do now?”

Luther’s nearly in tears. He manages to say, “Then… were you just… toying with me? This whole time? Waiting to see what I’d do?"

Cam shrugs. "Pretty much.” That does it. The waterworks are in full swing. Luther’s chin trembles, his lower lip wobbles, and then tears are streaming down his face and he’s sobbing.

“Y- you’re s-so-ho meeeaaaan,” Luther wails. “Y-you’re j-just making f-fun of me, I thought w-we were friends!”

Cam has absolutely no idea how to respond to this. For some reason he actually feels guilty. “Aw - no - now look, there’s no call for - just… just stop crying, okay? Please?” Luther continues to sob, heedless of Cam’s pleading. “There, there,” Cam tries, patting Luther’s head. “I’m not going to kill you. Okay? How’s that? I’m sorry I called you - well. All those things. I’m sure you’re a great hunter. Look, you got those squirrels. And hey! That one I ate tasted great. You got some real skill there."

Luther wipes his eyes and looks up, teetering dangerously on the edge of another sobbing fit. His eyes are all watery and a little red-rimmed. "R-really?"

"Yes! Of course!” Cam clings to the compliment like a life preserver. “I bet you’re like, like the king’s cook or something, right? Cause you’re the best in the land?"

Luther’s face crumples a little and he looks down, mutters something.

"What?” Cam holds him up a little closer to his ear.

“’m his son,” Luther mumbles again.

“His son? You’re a prince? And you’re all - oh, hell.” Now he’s really put his foot in it. Luther bursts into tears again and curls up in a little ball.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I - oh, ugh, you’re getting my hand all wet.” Cam picks him up between thumb and forefinger and shakes the little tear droplets off his palm. “Now look here,” he says, attempting a sterner approach. “You’re a prince, all right? You can’t be crying and going to pieces just ‘cause some big bad monster was mean to you. You gotta kill big bad monsters, right? So here’s what you’re gonna do.” Cam sets him down gently, picks up his sword and hands it to him. “There you go. You’re gonna take that sword, right, and you’re gonna really let me have it. That’ll make you feel better, won’t it?“

Luther purses his lips and looks up at him. "But… all I can hit from here is your foot. That’s no good. I need a shot at something vital."

"Oh fine, fine, Mr. Picky,” Cam grumbles. He shuffles his legs to the side and leans down til he’s practically laying on his belly. “Face shot. Free one for ya. Go on, hit something good.” Luther considers. Just as Cam realizes how ridiculous this whole thing is, he draws his sword back and plunges it into Cam’s eye.

- Almost plunges it into Cam’s eye. The ogre moves suddenly, turning his head to the side to avoid the blow. Luther makes a deep gash in Cam’s cheek, and Cam roars. “Oh, you sly little shit. Very good, very sneaky. You almost had me there. Fine. We do this the hard way.”

He gets to his feet, draws himself up to his full, impressive height, and looks down at the dirt where Luther was a moment ago. Cam blinks in surprise. “Where’d you… goddammit…” He looks around, trying to catch a glimpse of where Luther could’ve gotten to.

Luther was not about to let the golden opportunity to run and hide during a big dramatic show of power go to waste. He slides into a patch of underbrush, catches his breath, and takes stock. He has no armor, no food, no bow or arrows. Those are all back at his camp, which is currently ogre territory. He has one sword that he’s okay at using. The ogre has the homefield advantage, and some kind of ability, possibly magical, to hide himself from those who want to find him. Luther shouldn’t let him out of his sight. But he should work on camouflaging himself. He takes a handful of dirt and smears it on his face and shirt. The sword he can’t do much about, he’ll just have to try and keep it from glinting. He glances to his left, away from where Cam still stands, turning in circles and peering around. Luther had only gone a little ways into the woods before he stopped for camp last night. He can almost see the forest’s edge from here. He could dart for the grasslands and try to make it back to the village, but he’d be in plain sight as soon as he’s out of the trees and there’s no guarantee Cam won’t just follow him all the way back. The further he goes into the trees the more firmly he is in Cam’s territory, but the more coverage he has.

Possibilities begin swirling around in his head. His best bet is trickery rather than a face to face confrontation. He’s got a running list in his mind of Cam’s weak points now. Food, monologuing, emotional outbursts. Although that last one’s probably off the table now. Bursting into tears isn’t going to get him out of a second pinch. Bad knees - if he can trip Cam up, he can get a shot at his face again, maybe cut his throat or get at his soft belly and sides. Cam’s a talker and likes to gloat, maybe if he gets him distracted by looking pathetic he could get him to walk right into a trap of some kind. He likes food… but Luther doesn’t have the resources to make a big feast to distract him or sate him, just a pouchful of seasoning that he never leaves home without. His lip wobbles again as he thinks about how that’s back at his camp… he may never see his precious seasonings again.

Meanwhile, Cam is getting frustrated. “Well, the little shit can’t have gone far,” he grumbles. “Just gotta flush 'im out.” Luther watches, petrified, as Cam lumbers over to a nearby patch of underbrush and without warning stomps down on it hard, twisting his foot and smashing every inch of it. He steps back and leans down to inspect what’s left. Luther bites his lip hard to stifle a whimper.

“Nope, not there,” Cam announces. “Eeney, meeney, miney…..” Another bunch of bushes are mercilessly ground into the dirt. “Moe. Hmmm. Where are you?”

Luther can’t stay in his hiding place for long. It’s only a matter of time before Cam gets to him. He needs an opening to make a break for it though, if he runs now Cam will spot him right away. As slowly as he dares, he picks up a large, flat rock, then skims it like a frisbee off to his right, where it hits a tree with a satisfying thock. Cam whirls around, and Luther bolts out of the brush. Cam hears the leaves rustling and turns back around, catching sight of him as he flees.

“There you are! Hold on now, don’t go running off! I just wanna talk, I swear. The whole monster-slaying prince thing not working out for ya? I got a better job offer! You can be my dinner!” Luther keeps sprinting as fast as he can, not even bothering to glance behind him. The last thing he needs is to miss a fallen branch or a groundhog hole and trip.

On flat, open land, the ogre would outpace him easily. But if he can get deeper into the forest where the trees are closer together, that could slow him down enough for Luther to get some distance and hide again, have a moment to breathe and think so he can work on his plan. He’s starting to get an idea of what he’ll need. He needs the element of surprise for sure, and he needs more than just his sword. If he had some rope he could set up a tripwire, maybe. He curses himself for not taking his father’s advice about packing, for letting Cam strip him, for being too weak and scared to do anything when he had the chance, for being born in the first place. His eyes well up with tears and he scrubs at them furiously. He can’t afford to have his sight blurred right now, he needs to keep his head clear and keep moving. He can hear Cam’s thudding footsteps behind him, gaining quickly. He can cover so much more ground in a single step. It’s simply not fair. The little bit of distance he was able to gain with his rock trick is disappearing fast and it won’t be long before he’s in arm’s reach.

Almost as if he can read his thoughts, Cam lunges forward and takes a swipe at him, trying to knock him off his feet. Luther hits the deck and Cam overbalances, stumbling and crashing into a tree. The tree snaps when his weight collides with it, and Cam has to windmill his arms to keep from falling over. Luther scrambles to his feet and keeps running. He even manages to put on an extra burst of speed when he hears Cam roar with frustration behind him. He’s not as fast as he could be because he’s lugging the sword along with him, but he doesn’t dare drop it. It proves its usefulness in the next minute. Cam closes the distance and grabs for him. Luther sees the shadow fall over him and whirls around, lashing out at the reaching hand. He slices across Cam’s palm, and Cam howls with pain and pulls back. Luther dashes away, and Cam stomps his foot in frustration.

"Hold still, dammit! You’re just making it worse for yourself!” He takes off after Luther again, but his stamina’s flagging. It’s harder for a creature his size to haul himself around and he’s used to running down his prey in the first minutes of the chase. This has dragged on long enough to tire him out, but he’s not willing to give up just yet. “When I get my hands on you, tin man, you’re paste,” he growls. “They’re gonna have to come up with new words for how dead you’re gonna be.”

The trees start getting close enough together that Luther has to dodge around them from time to time. He can hear Cam behind him crashing through them, spluttering as he gets a face full of branches and leaves. Luther smiles to himself. That’s nice, at least. At last he gathers up his nerve and dodges to the side behind a particularly large tree, hoping that Cam’s too busy navigating the foliage to notice. His gamble pays off. A few seconds later, the ogre goes lumbering past him without so much as a sideways glance. Luther waits just a moment more, then bolts in the opposite direction.

He’s got a plan now. He probably won’t be able to find Cam again, but Cam can find him. So he’ll set up an ambush. He circles back around to his camp and grabs his supplies as quickly as he can, his bow and arrow, his helmet, his tinderbox, and most importantly, his seasoning. He hunts for deer, takes down a decent-sized buck, and sets up a new campfire, deep in the woods, where the trees are close. He’s hoping that Cam will think that Luther thinks he’s safe in there, and that the smell of the meat cooking will lure Cam in. He takes off his shirt and fills it with twigs and leaves, sets his helmet up on a stick driven into the ground, and makes a decently convincing decoy Luther that he leans against a log. The helmet tilts at an angle that makes it look like he’s fallen asleep. With that set up, and night closing in, Luther climbs up a nearby tree and waits, sword in hand.

He doesn’t watch the fire. He wants to keep his night vision sharp. And sure enough, before too long here comes Cam, moving surprisingly quietly for his size. He squeezes through the trees with barely a rustling of leaves. Cam’s eyes are fixed on the fire and the silhouette that the decoy makes against it. Cam gets right behind the decoy and slams his foot down on it. He grinds it into the dirt with a relish that makes Luther shudder. Then Cam looks at the deer cooking with that lovely smell rising off it, and his eyes go big and shiny. As Cam bends down to pick it up, Luther chooses his moment. He drops like a stone and buries his sword lengthwise in the back of Cam’s neck. The impact sends a jolt up his arms and he hangs on as tight as he can. Cam lets out a garbled scream of pain and collapses face first on the ground. Luther gets to his feet, pulls his sword out with some difficulty, takes a deep breath, and begins to chop.

It’s messy, horrible work. By the third swing tears are rolling down Luther’s cheeks. By the seventh, he’s sobbing. After the twenty-third cut, Cam’s head is finally severed, and rolls to the side. Luther stumbles back. He’s trembling, covered in blood, panting and crying, but it’s finally done.

And then Cam’s head says, “Wow, kid. I didn’t think you had it in you.” Luther watches, dumbfounded, as Cam’s body sits up, searches around with its hands, locates his head, and puts it back on his shoulders as the flesh knits together again. Luther drops his sword in disbelief. He falls to his knees. That was it. That was all he had. He can’t even imagine what he could do against a foe who can just reattach his own head.

“Oh,” he says quietly. “Okay. Um. Make it quick, please?” Cam had been planning to crunch the little shit once he was back on his feet, but he can’t help but feel a pang of guilt at how despondent Luther looks.

“Aw, no, no, don’t give up so quick! Really, you almost had me!” Cam scoops him up and pats him on the head. “Look, it was a good effort. I’m sure if you had known I can’t be killed, you wouldn’t have spent all that time and energy trying to kill me. Just do a little more research next time, yeah?"

"Next time,” Luther repeats, and gives a hollow laugh. “There isn’t going to be a next time. I’m not welcome as part of the royal family if I can’t kill a monster. Even my sister’s done her first slaying already. A whole nest of vampires! And I can’t kill one measly ogre."

"Hey, watch who you’re calling measly,” Cam warns, but his heart isn’t in it. “Jeez. You’ve got some issues, kid. Not much of a fighter, I take it?"

Luther shakes his head and sighs. "I’m just not very good at it."

"Well they chose one hell of a first mission for you, that’s for sure. Ogres are tricky ones. We’ve got a lot of defense mechanisms.” Cam thinks for a moment. “You know what you are good at, though? You’re a good talker. Very convincing. I mean, you really had me going, with the crying and all? It was a really good ruse."

Luther bites his lip. "Um…"

"Okay, so it was for real and not a ruse. But you made the best of a bad situation! That’s also a good skill for a ruler to have. You just gotta show your family that your skills are less conventional, but still effective! Like, okay, why do you have to kill me? What’d I do?"

“You’re eating all the farmers’ cattle and scaring people."

"I thought free range meant I had free reign. Eh? Eh?” Cam pokes Luther in the ribs. Luther frowns at him. “Oh, fine, whatever. No sense of humor. You know, that’s pretty important for a king too. Yeah, all right, I’ll leave the cows alone."

"And the sheep,” Luther says sharply. “And the pigs, and chickens."

"I haven’t eaten any pigs or chickens,” Cam protests.

“Not yet. I’m being proactive."

"There you go!” Cam says, beaming. “There’s that negotiator skill! But seriously, if I can’t eat the cows and sheep I’ve got to eat something. Can you make it worth my while? 'Cause I’m not going back to squirrels."

"Well…” Luther says slowly. “What if… I hire you?"

"You… hire me?"

"Yeah. Like, as a bodyguard or something. Then I’d have to pay you, right? I could pay you in food?”

Cam is quiet for a moment. He brings Luther up closer to his face and scrutinizes him. Luther’s heart is pounding out of his chest. For a moment he thinks he’s made some horrible mistake and offended Cam and it’s all over for him. "You’re serious? Not kidding me, here? That’s your offer?”

“Y-yes? Is that… is it bad?"

"Bad? Bad? That’s the best offer I’ve ever heard! Pay me in food? HELL yes, kid! That’s what I like to hear!” The force of Cam’s enthusiasm knocks Luther over on his back. He stares at the sky for a moment. His life is so goddamn weird.

~~~~~~~~~

Luther’s father’s dragon slaying days are behind him. He’s an old man now. He has good days and bad days, but even on his best days he frequently needs help getting around. But when he sees that giant ogre enter his royal halls, he reaches for his spear. Luther eases it out of his hand.

“No, see, it’s okay. I didn’t kill him, but I stopped him terrorizing the countryside, and I kind of… hired him. As my bodyguard. This was easier, and we both benefit, see? Also, um, were you going to tell me ogres are immortal?"

"You were supposed to figure something out,” his father says. “Since you’re so damned smart."

"Well, I did figure something out. Just… maybe not what you wanted me to."

Cam waves lazily. "Hi, Yer Majesty."

"Cam,” Luther hisses. “We talked about this."

"Oh, fine, fine,” Cam grumbles, and takes a knee to bow low before the king. “I humbly pledge my service to your son,” he intones, hamming it up just a little. “Please allow me to protect him from all harms, and so on."

The king glares. His stabbing hand is itching. But he doesn’t currently have a better plan, and this’ll keep the peasants quiet for a bit. "Fine,” he spits, “But you’re taking care of him. Feeding him, walking him, cleaning up after him, whatever. No getting the servants to do it for you. He’s your responsibility now."

Cam grins at Luther. "So, speaking of feeding… when’s dinner?”

#art #writing #giant tiny #g/t #cam and luther #fairy tale au #to be more specific re: content warnings there is a beheading but he gets better so it's okay #tiny knights are very important to me as u can clearly see #there's just something about. someone who is sworn to protect others going up against a force so much larger than themselves #EDIT mobile hates readmores sorry if u get a three mile long post on yr dash :(

160 notes · View notes

ultimatetornshipper · 4 years

Text

To bee or not to bee - a Jasonette fic

@moonlitceleste I almost let this die, I honestly really wanted it dead but alas it was clearly meant to bee

(WARNING: contains puns, angst, crack and fluff. You have been warned)

If you don’t want to read my sarcastic/funny/fangirl commentary, skip the brackets

I have another bee movie au, i didn't plan it ("I don't claim to be proud. But my head won't be hung in shame. I didn't plan it. But the light turned red, and I ran it. And I'm still standing. It's not what I wanted, but now that it's right here. I understand it. A story written by my own hand" as quoted from Waitress), it just happened and i just couldn't resist. I'm not sorry

So what if instead of dying Joker turned Jason into a bee. Because Harley convinced him and told him that people were talking shit about him because he's named the Joker and they don't think he's funny. It surprisingly works. (Obviously Harley was the one who made the plan and did the magic I mean really what do u expect of Joker?)

Ok so now Jason’s a bee right? And he’s like 15 because .~:°*plot*°:~.

They look for him and Jason’s like flying around like, “Guys! Guys I’m right here!” Poor kid. (I mean I would make it funny but like angst)

Obviously they don’t understand him because he’s a fucking bee and Joker cackles madly and Harley laughs too but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes and it's kinda that laugh u do when ur supes overwhelmed and sound maniacal but like soft (I’m a simp for Harley being portrayed as the complex and beautiful character she id leave me be)

Jason is very sad. And also quite pissed

Not knowing what else to do he follows Batman home, he listens to them trying to find him, watches Dick freak out and Alfred wipe a tear the rest of the family doesn’t see.

Jason tries to approach Alfred, hoping he somehow recognizes what happened

He doesn’t, Alfred closes him in a glass and paper and takes him outside.

He sneaks back into the manor and sleeps in one of the flowers (it's a red tulip because aesthetic) next to his bed. He cries himself to sleep. (Can bees cry? Is this possible? Is this like a thing??? I don't need sleep i need answers)

The thing is even tho he's now a bee, he still has the durability of a human, so even stepping on him won’t crush him and he still has a human lifespan

Because Harley isn’t a monster and what Puddin didn’t know couldn’t hurt him. (Simping for Harley Quinn strike 2)

After a while at the manor and following them he decides he can’t stand it anymore. Alfred has thrown him out three times and Dick freaks out each time he sees him as he’s a tad allergic (read: he would die if stung)

Which is how Jason found out that getting hit with a newspaper wouldn’t kill him.

He leaves.

He’s a bee and it’s not like he knows about a way to reverse it.

But there was someone who might.

He goes to Arkham.

Luckily, Harley was still there. (YAY we get to see mah gurl)

He flies into her cell and she just watches him, then she seems to click. She gives him a small smile, “Hi birdie,” (she puns, honestly would make for a better clown of Gotham and I saw an idea for that once where she steals Joker’s title once and I’ve been yearning for it ever since)

She holds out a finger and he lands on it, she laughs but tears come to her eyes,” Hey at least you’re not dead. That was his original plan you know? To kill you with a crowbar. I convinced him this would be a cruller fate. I guess maybe it is, but at least this way... Ugh how the hell did I get here,” (Harley angst, honestly it’s all just self service at this point)

He simply stared at her as she cried, and he felt his heart clench. From here she looked so sad... not crazy, just broken.

She took a deep breath and looked at him seriously, “Look kid, there’s a way to get you back to normal, you just need to find someone, they’re called the Guardian of the Miraculous. They can help, I don’t know who or where they are, just follow your instincts. And come say hi when you get back, yeah? I could do with the... healthier company. And remember, I bee-lieve in you,” (Gasp what a shock, you mean to tell me Miraculous magic is gonna be involved in this Maribat au. Well I never what a shock. Also puns. Oh and she’s so nice to him. We love Harley in this house)

He sat there and studied her for a while more, there was more to her than it seemed. Than what he’d assumed.

But for now, he had his own problems to deal with.

She gave him a small wave as he left. (Adorable)

He left and started considering his options, as a bee, it would probably be safest to stay inside, away from birds and things that would view him as a snack.

Staying in Arkham seemed like his best option, as bad an option as it was.

Most of the prisoners wouldn’t have a second thought about trying to crush him.

A strong scent of flowers and plants suddenly came to his attention.

Of course! Poison Ivy. (Round 2 of me simping for beautiful, complex, badass women. Too bad Catwoman ain’t here.)

He followed the smell to her cell and saw her staring out of her small window. He was still taking a chance, but she loved plants and flowers and bees were important to those, weren’t they?

He flew to the window bars and sat on one. The moment she spotted him she smiled widely, in a soft way he hadn’t seen on her before. (Ahhhhh my darling plant redhead. I love writing the Sirens as soft badasses. Also has anyone noticed how rare brunettes are in superhero worlds? Like both in Marvel and DC but like irl brown is like a pretty damn common)

She held out her finger, “Hey there, little guy. A little far from home, aren’t we?”

She had no idea.

He landed on her fingertip and watched in awe as a flower and a few leaves formed on her hand. She let the flower grow itself around one of her window bars and held her finger next to one of the petals.

“There you go, it’s all I can manage with my power dampers. I haven’t had company in a while,” she said softly as he crawled into the flower. He made himself comfortable.

She laughed to herself and he saw her shaking her head, “Talking to a bee, well, I guess stranger things have happened,” (yeah ur crush is dating a green haired murderous psychopath and you get beat up by a billionaire in a batsuit on like a biweekly basis)

The flower was soft and warm and felt safer than he expected it to. He found that he could move between the petals but decided to curl up in the middle. (It's a pink rose this time because fuck yeah flowers)

He slept better than he had in days.

The next morning he took his leave, stopping only at the manor to say a mental goodbye.

Then he headed off.

Jason flew a lot the first few months, our boy was smart at least, travelling with a cruise ship on its way to Europe.

It was Spring in the Northern Hemisphere so he had until Autumn until it was in his best interest to head south to avoid the snow. He decided to head towards Africa when summer started coming to an end. (I have no reasoning for this, just that I want to)

His first spot would be the United Kingdom. Then he'd go through the rest of Europe following his instincts.

At least it was Spring.

Jason diligently searched through England, Scotland and Ireland but found nothing.

By the time he was done he realized it was time to start heading South. He’d decided to take another cruise to South-Africa, where it would be summer, he searched through the country until April. He would admit that he didn’t feel drawn to anything in any of their 9 provinces so his search wasn’t as diligent as in England. He didn’t feel anymore drawn to the neighbouring countries like Namibia or Botswana either.

(Once again no reasoning for why I picked these countries, I mean the French Hugonotes went there when they were fleeing from the French Catholics who wanted them dead so I guess I could make up some bullshit about Mari having an ancestor in common with someone there or maybe it was just the ship he could easiest get access I don’t know, you make something up)

Which was why he decided to go back to Europe as soon as April hit.

He hitched another ride on a cruise headed for France.

It’s been a year since he got turned into a damn bee.

He was sixteen now and while he’d seen some amazing things all through South-Africa (a place that proves that humans really do have a weirdly obvious way of naming things I mean the Amazon river and Chad Lake are just more examples really) as well as the United Kingdom, all he really wanted was to go back home, to be human again.

When he gets there he diligently makes his way through France, eventually arriving in Paris.

He lands on the tip top of the Eiffel Tower. As in the point of the antenna because why not.

During his year he realized that birds and other animals tended to avoid him, sensing his strangeness so that was at least one positive.

He stared out over the city. Well, the one good thing about this was definitely the views he’s been allowed to see.

That was until a massive explosion hit.

“What the fuck?” he said out loud, searching for the source. No one understood him, human or bee, but talking to himself reminded him of his humanity.

He found the source of the explosion but just as he started flying to its general direction, a blinding white light shone followed by a horde of ladybugs that were fixing everything that was wrong. (Imagine how scary this would lowkey be irl tho? Just a shit ton of Ladybugs descending on Paris my dude)

He decided that he needed a night’s sleep before he could even begin an attempt at deciphering what had just happened. He flew lower, finding a nice little balcony right above a bakery. And it had flowers. (I’ll give u five seconds to guess who this balcony belongs to)

He flew down, exploring.

He turned around when he heard a loud thump from behind him. What appeared to be a super heroine in red spandex with black spots had landed on the balcony.

She detransformed and started to talking to a floating bug- fairy thing. Strange. Though it wasn’t like he could judge, as an ex superhero sidekick who was thought to be dead but was actually a bee.

She disappeared down her trapdoor and he made himself comfortable in one of her flowers.

He slept soundly until somewhere during a night another thump woke him. He looked out of his sleeping spot to see a cat superhero stand on her balcony. He leaned down and knocked on her small trapdoor.

Ah, a teammate of hers, they were probably meeting about something, he thought as he heard her open up.

It didn’t take him long to realize that even though they were teammates, the cat, Chat Noir he later learned, was not aware of this fact.

Oh this was rich.

He couldn’t bee-lieve his eyes. (ok so Jason used self-referential puns but can you really blame him? It’s really just me and my pun problem so don’t blame the kid)

He was going on and on about his feelings for Ladybug, the girl’s hero form, that were clashing with his feelings for another girl he fenced with, while she listened, clearly fed up with it.

He also claimed that he thought that maybe they were one and the same. Which, to Jason, was hilarious as he was literally saying this to the actual Ladybug’s face.

Marinette- he learned from the Cat’s ongoing blabbering, he was a real blab-bee mouth, - was clearly tired, nodding half asleep, probably having heard it all before.

When he finally left Jason went to sleep again, incredibly amused and even more thankful that he was fluent in French. ( u think this is plot convenience? Just u wait mah dude iz about to get worse)

The next morning he decided to follow her to school. Which was how he learned of her huge crush on a boy named Adrien Agreste.

After learning the boy could fence thanks to Marinette’s obsession interest in him, he got suspicious.

Could it really bee? (not a typo)

After seeing the boy transform a month or two later for patrol he laughed like he hadn’t for over a year. It very much was. He'd spent the time staying on Marinette's balcony and decided to stay another week before moving on and continuing his search, after all, he couldn't stop now that he finally felt like he was getting close.

The next day she got home crying, claiming that Adrien had started dating someone else.

Kagami, she called the girl. Probably the fencer if he had to place a bet.

“I’m sorry, Marinette,” Tikki told the girl.

“That boy's an idiot,” he said, speaking his mind, another thing he’d gotten use to being allowed to do without consequence.

Marinette nearly jumped out of her skin, she looked around and he realized that she could hear him. He hadn’t really spoken too much before, at least not when she was around. He was usually content with watching her do whatever she was doing that day.

“Tikki, did you hear that?” she asked, Tikki nodded, her eyes landing on him.

“Oh,” the kwami said softly, flying over to him, “Oh, you poor thing, who did this to you?” (Tikki is the first ever mom friend and u can fight me on this)

He stared up at her, flying so that they were eye level.

Marinette gaped at them, heartbreak seemingly forgotten, “Tik- Tikki, are- who are you talking- are you talking to a – Tikki is that a bee?!” she finally spluttered out.

“No,” Tikki said, studying him, he felt his heart twist in hope and his stomach roll in surprise. Did she know?

“I mean yes, but no. He’s a boy whose been turned into a bee,” Tikki explained, turning back to Marinette.

“Oh,” Marinette said softly, turning to him. She held her hand out and after some hesitation he landed on her finger. She looked at him then back to Tikki.

How did they know? Would he really be that lucky? Was this real?

“Uhm, how?” she said, staring at him in disbelief. He tried shrugging but realized he couldn’t anymore- beecause of his- well if you haven’t caught on to the fact that he’s a bee by now you should really start from the beginning of this story.

“I don’t know, but Joker and Harley Quinn were involved,” he said.

Marinette stared at him in disbelief, blinking a few times. She sat in shock a few moments longer. (Our darling is an awkward lil bean, and while in media awkward is portrayed as cute, irl it isn’t, it’s just well… awkward. And we’re writing a serious and realistic fic about this sidekick of guy who wears a batsuit/billionaire's ward getting turned into a bee and falling in love with a magical girl fighting a butterfly man- none of this unrealistic nonsense)

Tikki flew over and sat on Marinette’s shoulder while her holder processed the information, the kwami stared at him sweetly, “What’s your name?”

He swallowed, he hadn’t said his name in ages, it stirred up something (emotion, it’s called emotion, Jason, you know? The thing Batman can’t process??) in him, “Jason Todd,”

Marinette seemed to finally snap out of her daze, “That sounds American. Are you American? Wait if Joker and Harley are involved then you’re probably from Gotham. Are you? Wait I’ve seen the name Jason Todd somewhere. Weren’t you some rich guy’s ward? It was all over the news last year, Alya wouldn’t stop talking about it for a month, she had a million theories. He was – you were announced dead two months after Robin was taken captive by Joker, everyone thought he was – you were killed. Joker made outrageous claims as they arrested him... saying that they’d never find Robin... that he’d all but disappeared in thin air... that he wouldn’t be the only one wearing stripes... I remember because he put a really weird emphasis on the words be and stripes and...,” her eyes widened and she gasped as she looked at him in what could only be described as pure shock. (Yes this happens, people can talk for this long and since I personally know headcannon that Marinette is ADHD this long ass paragraph is just another Tuesday bud)

He sat there, surprised that she figured it all out so quickly. (yeah bub it’s called plot convenience and it’s because of me, the writer, I don’t wanna focus on secret ID shenanigans, I got other plans for yall, also Mari is smart, don’t underestimate her)

“You’re Robin,” she breathed, “they turned you into a bee. Wait- How the hell did they turn you into a bee?!”

He chuckled, “Bee-lieve me I’ve been asking myself that question for more than a year,”

She bit her lip, seemingly contemplating his words and ignoring his pun, “Tikki do you know anything that could help? Do you think Miraculous magic-,”

He felt his heart stop, he flew up to her face, flying at eye level, “Wait, did you just say Miraculous? Harley said if I could find the Guardian of the miraculous, they could help me, do you know where they are? I’ve been looking for so long,” (‘°;~*.plot convenience.*~;°’)

Marinette blinked at him and Tikki's face dawned with realization.

“I’m the guardian of the miraculous,” Marinette said softly, “Tikki, that means I can help him, right?”

Tikki nodded and he had to dial down the hope in his heart because the look on her face told him there was a Kim Kardashian sized butt on the way.

“We can help him, but we’re gonna have to wait. (don’t look at me like that, do u want them to have time to bond or not?) You’re not trained enough to pull it off yet. If you were to do it now, all three of us would be out of commission for far too long, especially with Hawkmoth on the prowl,” Tikki said.

They must’ve been able to sense his sadness because they were staring at him with an incredible amount of pity. The amount was quite unsettling actually and he suddenly felt a primal like urge to pun. (An extract from my book: “My unhealthy coping mechanisms and how to use them,” specifically Chapter 8: “Humor hides the pain”)

Suddenly Tikki’s face lit up, the whiplash of her expression change throwing any notion of punning out the window.

“Well, there’s one thing we could do,” she said, excitedly, zipping buzzing around “If he wears a miraculous, he'll return back to human form while transformed,”

Marinette perked up at the idea, but confusion soon overtook her features, “But Tikki, most of the miraculous are bigger than he is,”

Tikki waved her away,” It’s fine it’ll work,”

“Ok,” Marinette said after a bit of thought. She stood and he followed while she started climbing down her skylight,” I’m thinking you can try each of them out for different patrols and then we’ll see which one matches you best. This could be fun, having some fun sized company while figuring out how to defeat Hawkmoth,”

He laughed, flying near her ear, “Fun sized, huh? I’ll have you know I’m considered tall in human form, unlike some of us,”

She laughed and rolled her still tear stained eyes, and so, the beginning of a bee-autiful friendship bloomed.

Marinette walked to her closet and Jason took in her room. It was very pink, but in a well-balanced way - it wasn’t completely overbearing. His eye caught on a few pictures of Adrien Agreste on her wall but figured now wouldn’t be a great time to bring it up. (Look he’s already more emotionally aware, #foreshadowing of character development)

She removed a big box from her closet. She opened it and it was filled with what appeared to be a bunch of scrap materials. At the bottom she removed a bigger bundle of black and red fabric and he flew closer.

She put it in her lap and Jason had to do a double take when he realized that her hands were glowing and what the actual fuck- it was a box now -fuck fuck fuck- why was it a box? How? What- Jason was pretty sure he did not sign up for this.

She put the box down in front of her and to his relief she opened her mouth to speak as she lifted the lid, so he’d understand everyth- and its jewellery.

The box contained jewellery. Animal themed jewellery by the looks of things.

He then realized that these were probably the other miraculous.

She looked over each artefact before handing him the yellow and black hairclip.

Out of all of them, she picked the bee miraculous.

“Hilarious,” he replied dryly, giving her a look, he realized too late she wouldn’t be able to register- on account of, well you know… (if u don’t know by now, you don’t get to find out anymore)

She gave him a grin and replied, “I certainly think it is,”

Her teasing expression turned into one of worry, “I mean we could switch it out if it makes you uncomfortable-,” (being a sassy people pleaser with no filters really do be like this tho)

He laughed, “Don’t worry, I’m only teasing. What do I do?”

Marinette opened her mouth to answer before obviously realizing that she didn’t have an answer. She turned to Tikki and the kwami had a fond smile on her face before turning to Jason. (Just Tikki casually mentor- moming Mari because Fu is useless)

“Just step on the miraculous, it’ll sense that you’re human,” the creature replied.

When he stepped onto the bee miraculous, its kwami appeared.

Pollen stared at him for a few seconds before she realized what was happening.

After an explanation about her power set and what exactly he could do in suit, he transformed.

He felt his human body appearing. He was taller and more built than he remembered being. His flying clearly had physical consequences then, not that he was complaining.

His suit included a pair of bee wings. His hair was longer than he remembered it being too.

He had a black leather jacket and combat boots. With it was a pair of practical black leggings and a yellow t-shirt with three thick black stripes. (The three stripes represent each one of his families, the Todds, the Waynes and The Dupain-Chengs, because I can) He also had a pair of black gloves. His boots had yellow laces. On his face was a black and yellow striped domino mask. The top sat on his hip. The bee miraculous sat on the middle of his chest in the form of a broach.

He all but sprinted to the mirror. He stared at his face, his blue eyes and his nose that never healed quite right after breaking it that one time. His black hair was messy and stuck up every which way, his cheekbones were as high as always, and he had a little bit of stubble and it was so familiar and so new all at once.

He touched his face, barely registering the tears flowing down his cheeks and laughed in relief. He was human again. This was real! He could- he was closer to normal than he ever thought he’d get to be.

He turned to Marinette who was staring up at him in shock. He picked her up and spun her around, laughing in joy. And after a moment she joined in. He put her down and put his hands on her shoulders, smiling widely, “Thank you. Thank you so much,”

She smiled up at him, a slightly sad look on her face, “I’m sorry, it’s not permanent,”

“Don’t be sorry. For the first time I have hope. It will be permanent eventually, and till then, I have you with me, right?” he squeezed her shoulder, still high on the feeling of hope and warmth and familiarity.

When he was overcome with the sudden urge to pull her into a hug, he didn’t resist.

He held her close, resting his chin on her head, “Damn, I missed this. Hugging, I mean. I haven’t... it’s been so long,” (not that he got all that many hugs from Bruce “emotionally constipated” Wayne)

She wrapped her arms around him, “I can imagine,”

They stood there a while before the time for patrol came along. She transformed and they made their way to the Eiffel tower, where they met Chat.

The cat themed hero rose his brow questioningly, “I thought we didn’t recruit new heroes unless it was an emergency?”

Ladybug smiled nonchalantly, “It’s Guardian business, he’s gonna be a permanent fixture in our team for at least a few months so we might as well get used to working as a team,”

Chat Noir eyed him wearily and he stepped forward, sticking his hand out, “Hi, I’m Blackback, nice to meet you,”

Chat Noir shook his hand and gave Ladybug a sceptical look, “An American? Really?”

“Please Chat, he's not American, it’s just the glamour hiding his actual accent,” she replied simply, shooting Jason a worried look.

He couldn’t give away his identity, but he was also technically a bee, he didn’t really have an identity to give away. So, her behaviour was strange. Unless she wanted to give him an identity somehow?

He couldn’t stop thinking about it for the rest of patrol.

When they got home Marinette revealed that she wanted to give him the fox miraculous. If they asked Trixx she would be able to design the costume in a way that allowed him to look like a normal civilian, without the mask.

Trixx's glamour was also stronger than the rest so his true identity as Jason Todd would be protected.

And she could help him fake an accent.

Since Marinette was a year younger than him he could just pick up where he left off school wise.

She convinced her parents that he was an exchange student in desperate need of a place to stay because the person he would’ve stayed with backed out last minute.

They agreed easily and Jason decided to not question it.

It was his third family. His second if you only counted non abusive ones. First if you wanted one with a healthy family dynamic.

They got him a fake birth certificate and name. He went with the alias Thomas Grayson. He thought it was kind of funny, and it paid homage to both Bruce and Dick. It gave him something from home to hold on to. (Jason isn’t really salty about not being avenged in this au, he didn’t die and Talia and the pit madness wasn’t there to egg on his anger. But maybe if I ever get back to this au we could do a thing with it… guess we’ll have to wait and see ;-) no promises tho)

He built himself another home with Marinette and her family. And before he knew it, he was happy again. He felt secure.

Through the weeks, he ingrained himself into Marinette's life. In a blink of an eye, they were best friends, and he couldn’t imagine life without her.

He loved living with her family as she trained to be strong enough to turn him back to normal.

He grew close to Marinette’s friends and was her shoulder to cry on about Adrien. He and Adrien got along pretty well, and he and Marc and Rose traded Literature jokes. Max would join in when it involved Shakespeare.

Then Lila happened. (She’s a staple in Maribat fiction. U can’t have Maribat without Lila. Or well u can but that’s usually a very specific au)

Her lies started out simple enough. Then she started manipulating everyone and he, Marinette, Chloe and Adrien were one scheme away from being ostracized. They sat in the back row.

They ignored her sneers and let her lie to her heart’s content. Then one day she said something that made both Marinette and Jason freeze.

“You know, I was childhood friends with Jason Todd (I know she usually gets the names wrong but like her knowing the name just makes this next bit better) You know, Bruce Wayne’s ward who died a while ago? It was just so sad. He grew up in a nice family but his parents both died in a car accident and Brucie took pity on him. He even let us keep in contact afterwards, since our parents were such good friends. We all miss them dearly of course. We were neighbours the year we lived in Gotham, you know? We'd play every day-,” she started fake crying, “Oh it just gets too much sometimes,”

But to Jason’s shock Alya didn’t move to console Lila, in fact, she was staring at the brunette in shock.

He turned his gaze to Marinette to see the girl wearing the biggest, coldest, most satisfied smirk. She rested her chin on her hands and grinned at Lila in a way that made shivers go down his spine.

He turned back, this ought to be good.

And it was.

Alya absolutely lost it.

She ripped Lila a new one and frankly? Jason was impressed. (Alya has a temper and she’s a fangirl, and we all know how we get when someone gets something wrong about one of our hyperfixations, even if it’s an old one so like yall can imagine how bad Lila had fucked up)

When an akuma flew in towards Lila, Alya grabbed it, staring the girl down with a fury he didn’t know she could possess, “Don’t you dare! Do you think I’m blind? I’ve seen how easily you get akumatized and this time I’m not letting it happen!”

Of course, Alya then got akumatized but hey it beat another version of Lila.

Everyone made up but they weren’t quite as close as before. Their group tended to consist mostly out of him, Marinette, Chloe, Adrien, Kagami and Luka.

Other than that incident and akuma attacks, life was pretty good.

In fact, it was great.

He and Marinette would spend nights on her balcony, laughing and slow dancing. They star gazed and went on patrols. He helped her when she got nightmares and she returned the favour. They went on long walks and spent the holidays together. They crammed for tests and he played model for her designs. They worked in the bakery and hung out with their friends both in and out of suit. They’d joke about his technical bee-ness and he and Chat drove her mad with puns. In retaliation she’d introduce him as her bee friend to people or only give him honey and bee themed things. (ok this sentence sounds weird but I mean like when she brings them sweets from the bakery to snack on while working and stuff.)

And one laugh, memory and fight at a time, he started to fall. (I just want good things for Jason, and really can you blame me?)

Through the months, he kept up to date on the news about Bruce Wayne and Marinette held his hand each time a new kid joined his brood. She reminded him that no child could be replaced and reassured him that of course Bruce would want him back when they figured everything out.

And if he didn’t, she’d kick his ass into space, and he’d stay with her family in Paris- a family she made sure he knew he was a part of.

He helped Sabine in the kitchen and was the only one who came closest to beating Marinette’s Ultimate Mega Strike 3 record. Tom taught him to shave and bake. He was integrated into their family and they treated him as part of the family.

But even if they were giving him everything they were, he missed Bruce. And Dick. And Alfred. And Barbara. And Gotham. He missed them all so much. He missed home.

So, 14 months later, when Marinette told him they had a meeting with the Justice League about the Hawkmoth situation, Jason felt his heart skip a beat.

“What?” he asked softly, his eyes brimming with tears (Marinette taught him how to emotion, you see. So Jason is emotionally stable-ish enough to cry without feeling embarrassed about it), “I get to see him again?”

Marinette nodded and hugged him from behind, “I’m planning on telling him what happened. Is there anything you can tell him to verify who you are?”

Memories from a million years ago entered his mind, “Yes,”

She took his hand and took a step back, “And I think I can fix you before we go, I’m strong enough. But I’d still like your help in the final battle, I mean I know you’re going home but...,”

He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and smiled, “Of course, Pixie. I’ll always be there for you when you need me,”

He pressed a kiss against her forehead, a movement so familiar it was practically a part of him. He pulled her close and cried into her hair.

“What if he doesn’t believe me?” he asked softly, after a while, resting his chin on top of her head.

“He will,” she replied, tightening her grip around his waist.

They both knew she had no guarantee of that. That she had no way of knowing for sure. Neither of them did. And it scared him more than he wanted to admit.

The next day they do the magic turning back thing. It freaks him out quite a bit but not as much as her revealing the miraculous freaked him out the first time, you get kinda used to the magic shenaniganary. They’re both passed out for an hour afterwards and when they wake up, he holds her, crying, because he was finally, finally back to normal and this was real and permanent, and it was over.

She cried with him and held him, and they then went out and he wore a shirt she made for him, and they got ice cream the next day. They celebrated some more and went to the park with the squad and they had a picnic.

It was better than he ever could've imagined.

While the sun was setting, they stood back on her balcony, where they first spoke all those months ago, slow dancing. He pulled away and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled at her as the orange light of the sunset shone on them. (So aesthetic)

“Thank you, Marinette, for everything,” he says as he rubs his thumb across her cheek. His hand holding her face. She puts her hand over his and closes her eyes, savouring the moment.

She opened her eyes again and smiled, “I’d do it again and more, if it meant I’d get to be with you,”

He started leaning down, “If I lost you, I’d fly all over the world just to find you again,”

She raised to her tip toes, faces millimetres from one another, blue bells meeting ice, “So it was all worth it in the end?”

He moves closer, eyes searching hers. “Definitely,” he breathes.

She closes the distance, and he picks her up and spins her around. They break apart and their laughter fills the air.

(now that’s enough fluff, allow me to drown you in angst)

The next day they stood on the Eiffel tower. She took his hand, “Let’s recap. I go in, we have our Hawkmoth meeting, then I ask if I can speak to Batman and Nightwing alone. Then I tell them I found you, then I give them – are you sure it’s necessary for me to give them your blood, hair and a cheek swab? Isn’t that overkill?” (Batman is serious about his no kill rule, but he’s also serious about his there’s no such thing as overkill rule)

He shook his head and she sighed, “Okay. Then I give him means to contact me and I come back. Now remember they might take a while to process and they won’t necessarily call immediately-,”

“What if they never call?” he asked, gripping her hand tightly.

She ran her finger softly through his hair, “Then you have us to help you get through it,”

He nodded, she kissed his cheek and stepped through the portal with Queen Bee, Chat Noir and Viperion. He and Ryuuko stayed behind as backup, he wielded the Fox miraculous these days, but kept the name Blackback, always wearing a black leather jacket no matter the transformation.

He and Ryuko discussed fighting styles, she was kindly trying to distract him, and if it had been anything else he needed distracting from, it would’ve worked.

So passed the slowest forty-five minutes of his life. Chat Noir and Queen Bee exit a portal and so the wait for Marinette and Luka began.

She and Bruce were talking now. Bruce would know he was alive. This was make or break for him. Luka was nearby to act as back up worst-case scenario.

He felt a hand on his shoulder, followed by someone taking and rubbing circles on his back. He looked down to see Ryuuko on his one side and saw Chat Noir on his other.

“We’ve got you,” Chloe said standing in front of him, hand on his unoccupied shoulder.

He swallowed and nodded. She squeezed his upper arm and met his gaze, “Breathe, you’re safe, honey,”

So, 30 more minutes pass. They sit down and somewhere along the line Chat goes and grabs a dozen croissants from the bakery.

In another situation he might’ve laughed. He’d baked this morning’s batch and now he got to eat some of it for free, of course, technically he could get others for free too but-

The portal opened behind them and Ladybug and Viperion stepped out. He noted that she didn’t have the bag of his DNA with her anymore.

She smiled softly at him, “Now we wait,”

And wait they did.

They waited two weeks.

And then the burner phone that's number they'd given Bruce rang.

Jason froze, Marinette jumped up and ran to get it.

He couldn't move as she walked over and put the phone on speaker, she grabbed his hand and he held onto her for dear life.

"We can both hear you now, Nightwing," she said.

There was a beat of silence on the other side of the line, "Can he- If you're- can I speak to him? In- um- private?"

Marinette looked at him, and he nodded. She took the phone off speaker and handed it to him.

He held it up to his ear and squeezed his eyes shut, focusing on the circles Marinette were drawing on his hand with her thumb.

"He- hey Dick," he said. He heard his brother's breathing hitch, followed by a few seconds of silence.

"When did Batman find you?"

"25th May 2017,"

"Who's your favourite author?"

"Mary Shelley tied with Jane Austin,” he replied.

Dick stayed silent for too long and before he could stop himself the words fell from his mouth, desperation clinging to each syllable,” My favourite- my favourite playwright is Shakespeare, and my favourite school subject is English. If I could pick any day job it would be being a writer. My favourite colour is blue. Alfred has a secret fear of dolphins. You have had a ridiculously huge crush on Barbara for years and she had no idea, and I found a picture you drew under your old room's bedside table of you two getting married. I folded the picture up and hid it in a small box of memories I kept in the farthest corner of my closet under clothes I never wore. I have a round scar on the lower left side of my back where Willis Todd burned me with a cigarette when I was 5 that you don’t know I know you know about. My first Christmas at the manor you found me in the rose garden cutting a few off to take to my mother's grave and I was terrified that you would yell at me but instead you drove me to the graveyard and that was the day I decided to give you a real chance. I despise carrots but I eat them when Alfred makes them because I don't want to be a burden. And I-," he choked on a sob- when had he started crying?

He took a shuddering breath, and swallowed some of his tears, trying to make sure the words got out right, "I've missed you guys for every single second that I've been gone,"

His stomach tied itself up in a million knots as the silence stretched on. He could hear Dick moving the phone.

"Can I speak to Ladybug again please?" A female voice he didn't recognize said.

He handed the phone to Marinette and pressed his hand over his mouth to try to contain the sobs. He felt like a knife was twisting his stomach. He couldn't even hear what Marinette was saying. (I’m going through something irl and as a result u guys get to read angst by the bucketloads and I regret nothing)

Dick didn't want to talk to him. He should've just answered the question, he shouldn't have given all the extra information. Now they were never going to believe that it's really him and he would never see them again. Maybe they knew it was him and they just didn't want him-

"Jason, breathe with me," he heard Marinette's voice. His eyes latched onto hers like a lifeline, he became aware of her hands holding his.

She took his face in her hands and rested her forehead against his, in a motion so familiar that it came as easy as breathing. Well as easy as it usually was to breathe, right now excluded.

After he calmed down, she explained to him what they discussed. They would go to Gotham and meet and discuss things from there.

They wanted to meet him, but they still didn’t completely believe that it was him. He knew this for a fact because they had organized for M’gann to be there to confirm what he was saying. (Yassss M'gann my darling girl, I adore out lil Martian)

Marinette had suggested that they meet in the Batcave in an hour. Everyone had agreed. He assumed she had a plan as to why she wanted to wait. And he trusted her, so he waited for her to explain.

“I want to take the team, as backup. If you’re not comfortable with it, I want to at least take Luka. I would suggest just letting one of us wield is miraculous, but his Second Chance Timer limit is an hour so it would be most beneficial,” she said, gesturing with the hand that wasn’t holding his.

He nodded, sitting up straighter, but not releasing his grip on her hand, “We can bring the team, it’s smart to have backup. Besides if things go haywire, we have Luka to stop us.”

“Then let’s go get our team, love,”

(oh, I should probably mention that only he and LB knows everyone’s Identities. Or well rather no one knows like officially. Like everyone lowkey knows everyone's and a few of them have officially revealed themselves to each other, but not everyone is officially revealed to everyone and Mari and Jason are the only ones who aren’t officially revealed to anyone else, it’s kinda like the vibes of knowing your best friend is queer but not saying anything because they haven’t officially come out yet but like you know because they ain’t nearly as subtle as they think. Like that aesthetic.)

Anyway, 50 minutes later, they’re all gathered on the Eiffel Tower. Jason saw Marinette give Luka a nod to reset his timer. Suddenly he was enveloped in a light with a scratch that wasn’t there a few seconds before on his cheek, his expression quite annoyed.

Marinette immediately furrowed her brows, “How many times?”

Viperion shook his head, “Don’t worry, only one so far, but they try to restrain us. We’re gonna have to try plan b this time,” Everyone nodded, they waited two minutes before the agreed upon time and Mari opened a portal, but instead of appearing out in the opened, they hid in the shadowy parts of the cave.

Jason used his illusion to hide them from any observant eyes and they spread out a bit. He and Mari stayed together, Cloe flew to get a higher perspective and hide Viperion on one of the cave’s many ledges while Chat just moved a few feet away to have a slightly different hiding spot. Kagami dropped into her wind form and was flying above them to eavesdrop, she’d go to Luka if she heard anything of importance so he could go restart again.

They’d be one step ahead of the Bats no matter what they pulled, after all, they had all the time in the world.

They watched them all get into position as time neared. Jason didn’t know all the kids but recognized them from the news.

Dick, Bruce and M’gann stood near the bat computer with Barbara – who was in a wheelchair but that was a realization to deal with later- and Alfred.

The minute they were supposed to appear Jason cast another illusion to make it appear as though they had arrived. As expected, weapons and restraints immediately swarmed on them, each kid going for a different miraculous member. Too bad the images turned into orange dust as soon as they touched them.

The tiny one in the Robin uniform was red in the face and immediately started throwing a tantrum, “Father! They’ve tricked us-,”

Before he could get another word out, Chloe mass-venomed the horde of kids that we’re sent to attack them. He counted Black bat, Red Robin, Batgirl, Signal and Robin. They were all frozen in the middle of the room and before the others near the computer could move, Kagami trapped them in a (rather large) ring of fire. They had enough space to move around comfortably but if they tried approaching the edge the flames would grow larger.

Batman growled and his eyes searched through the cave, but he wouldn’t see them, no matter how hard he searched.

Jason stared at them. Dick was also searching the cave, but he seemed to look more hopeful than angry. Alfred seemed his usual calm self and Barbara was glancing around the cave more subtly. He didn’t bother looking at the rest of the batkids because M’gann was staring right at him, staying right where she was despite her ability to fly.

“Hi, Jason,” she softly spoke into his mind, he felt emotion overwhelm him, she’d known him before everything, and she knew it was him and it was a lot.

He knew she wasn’t probing around his brain for information like he was sure Bruce had asked her to, she didn’t have to, she knew it was him.

“Can you please tell me why we’re surrounded by fire?” she asked.

“We have a time traveller,” he replied.

“Ah, not a fan of Bruce’s restrain and question method, then? Can’t say I blame you, though I do think you’ve proven your point,”

“You really think it’s a good idea to release all of them?” he asked sceptically.

“… Good point. Maybe leave the brood in the middle in whatever frozen state they’re in and just let us in the fire out. They really just think it’s too good to be true… Jason, I won’t let them hurt you,”

“Okay,” he agreed softly. He turned to Marinette and gave her a slight nod. She returned with one of her own.

They walked over to Kagami’s ring of fire and he held their illusion until they were right in front of it. He held on to it for a bit to make sure everyone else would be able to stay in position. Chloe would keep the cavalry venomized and Chat and Viperion would stick to the shadows, unless necessary.

Jason dropped the illusion and watched four heads snap to him. M'gann simply gave him a soft smile and a nod of encouragement.

Kagami moved herself to stand next to Marinette and turned back into her human form, glaring at them with a silent warning.

Their attention was elsewhere, though. For a long time they just stood there and stared at one another in silence. They studied every part of one another they could see.

His eyes caught on Barbara’s wheelchair and he felt ready to destroy whatever put her there. She met his eyes and he held her gaze. She must’ve seen something there because she gave a small smile as she allowed a few tears to escape her eyes.

“Miss Martian?” Batman broke the silence like a cheap dinner plate, shattering it in a matter of seconds.

“It’s him,” M’gann answered without a hint of hesitation.

It was Alfred that moved first. He took a few hesitant steps towards him and before Jason knew it the man was in front of him. Alfred reached out and put a hand on his shoulder, desperately studying him for a moment before pulling him into a hug only Alfred could give.

It took Jason a moment to respond but when he did he returned it wholeheartedly.

After a few minutes they pulled apart and it took him a moment to realize that they’d both started crying. When he looked up Dick was only a few feet away. The moment Alfred stepped away Dick pulled him close.

“I thought you were dead, kid. I thought I’d never see you again, I thought I lost even more family. You were too young, too innocent. Fuck Jason,” Dick whispered, tightening his grip, “I’m so glad you’re alive,”

Jason held on to his brother and that night they cried about terrible endings and broken beginnings. They cried about lost time and found family.

It wasn’t the end yet, Hawkmoth was still terrorizing Paris and he had no idea what Bruce thought yet. There were all his other kids, his brothers and sisters. There were his teammates and the incredible story of how he’d been turned into a bee of all things.

They had a lot of catching up to do.

But just for a moment, a strand of a singular moment, he had his brother in his arms again and he was back home. His first real home.

Things weren’t perfect, as things rarely are but it didn’t matter. Because part of the beauty of life is how it builds and breaks us in a cycle of love and loss.

And that night they laughed with a lightness and joy none of them had fully been able to hold onto in years.

I hope you guys enjoyed!

This is lowkey totally gonna be the au I go to when I don’t know what to write lol, maybe write a bit of what happens afterwards or a part of everything during the year he lived with Mari them or just y’know shenanigans

#maribat #jason todd #marinette dupain cheng #jasonette #bee movie au #aka the deep dark hole within the deep dark hole #I've been working on this for a month #probably more #my brain held me captive with this au it held me at gunpoint and stalked me and wouldn't leave me alone until i wrote it #me: casually attempting to write anything else #my brain: *slaps me with ideas for this* NO #and the worst part is there's more that's not written just bull my brain came up with #and i can't believe I put angsty life philosophy writing in a CRACK AU #THIS IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF A CRACK AU #WHY #I AM SO INVESTED AND I'M MAD ABOUT IT #i enjoyed writing this and that fact alone infuriates me #blame moonie for this #and u know what blame bugabunny too #(fuck i hope i got their name right)#if it hadn't been for the two of them discussing this again i would've forgotten all about it and i woulda been allowed to write #my kaldur x marinette fic in peace. or my lila time loop fic. OR LITERALLY ANYTHING ELSE #anyway i tried to make his outfit red hood esque but like only the parts i liked about it #aka the leather jacket and the combat boots #I don't know how i feel about the fact that i wrote this but what's done is done #*sigh*#jason x marinette #why me #nightwing fluff #but also angst

97 notes · View notes

teeztheflag · 4 years

Text

─────────────────────

S i e b e n S i n n e (Seven Senses) II

⋆ pairing: catking!san x reader (x human!woo young)

⋆ genre: yandere au, fantasy au, suggestive

⋆ trigger warnings ⚠️ strong language, yanderish behaviour, possessiveness, violence

⋆ words: 6,800

a/n: second part! I hope you like it :) gimme feedback you lovely people <3

part I part II part III

⋆ „You’re a cat now. Did you already forget?“

─────────────────────

You were shaking heavily. Thoughts running a mile per hour you could just think of the boy that helped you earlier to find the way out of the kingdom.

He said he would torture him... It wasn’t his fault. You brought him into the situation.

You stand up and make your way to the door trying to open it without success. Your banging and yelling doesn’t seem to bug someone because no one comes and no one openes it or talks to you. You slide down the door your head between your palms feeling the soft fur of your ears.

This is a bad dream. A very bad dream.

You try to control your breathing but can’t stop the tears that roll down your reddened cheeks. Everything was too much for you. You were confused and feare the worst... What if San would hurt you, too? The look in his eyes was wild and feral when he left you about half an hour ago. Your fingers find their way to the cold material of your necklace. It suddenly feels much more heavy than yesterday.

You want to rip it off your hand already a strong grip on it but you understand that it would probably only anger him more if he saw it. After a few minutes you stand up and look around the chambers of San. Everything seemed very neat and the room also led to a huge bathroom and a dressing room that owned the probably most expensive fabrics you’ve ever seen.

There was a mirror inside the en-suite and you watch your appearance in awe. Your tail doesn’t move around much and your ears seem to hang down a little bit representing your sorrowful mood all along.

Suddenly you hear a thud and a light call for your voice indicating that San had to be back. You turn around and leave the dressing room to see him standing in the room with slight wet hair, ears and tail and new clothes.

His eyes immediately turn soft seeing you and with a shaky sigh he gets down on his knees in front of you dismissing your hurtful glare.

„I am sorry. I shouldn’t have left you in this state.“

You look down on him bewildered at his choice of words but are quick to do the only logical thing - play by his game.

„My king. I am the one to be sorry. I think it won’t bring us anywhere if I lie to you. I tried to leave you but ... I have a good reason to try so.“

San looks up an interested glint on his face and his lips parting a few times before he speaks up. „And what is your reason then, my love?“ With that he stands up and tilts his head a little bit ears twitching probably in annoyance.

You speak rather unsure. „My life. My human life outside this world. My family and friends. My school and my town and my goals for the future. I am not a cat, my king... I don’t want to be a cat...“

San‘s orbs turn into such a dark color you flinch naturally when he grimaces at your words and holds his hand up. You close your eyes anticipating the slap that might follow after your brave words but you feel goosebumps forming on your skin when instead your face is met with the tip of warm fingers.

You hear a little chuckle leaving him and open your eyes to see the king smirking at you heartily with his fangs showing which earns him a frown of you. „You will adjust. I and all people of this kingdom will help you to.“

With the feeling of failure evident on your face and how you move away from his touch the tears are immediately streaming again. „You don’t want to understand me, right?“

While San is busy holding himself back to do something he would regret you keep on stepping backwards until you meet the wall. He‘s so close now you can feel his breath on your lips and the temperature in the room seems to rise rapidly at his close proximity. Your gaze slides over the sharp features of his rather beautiful face when he presses his opened palm hard against the surface of the wall next to your head.

„My king...“ Your voice trembles so much you’re afraid you might faint any second.

„San. My name is San. Let me get something clear, (y/n). You are mine now - my soon to be wife and queen. I fell in love with you at first sight and as I said, a cat only falls in love one time in their lives. Do you think I would let you go? Never. Will I destroy everyone who tries to take you away from me? Yes.“

You’re stunned at his tone and gulp trying to process everything he just said. „He’s alive, right?“

San smiles at you. „He is. You don’t know that your little stunt literally helped me a lot to finally take this scum and give him what he deserves. But that shouldn’t interest you any further.“

Something in yourself suddenly lightens up understanding that he doesn’t only seem to be merciless but is much worse in reality. „You’re a monster, San - and I hate you.“

An impressive look adorns his features at your response and he scoffs. „Only to the ones who try to take you away from me.“

„Little possessive there, don’t you think?“ You counter.

„Oh, you don’t want to test me even more darling.“

You shake your head lost in your thoughts. „I won’t submit to you.“

He leans back and eyes you from the bottom to the top. „We will see.“ San responses and turns around and indicates for you to follow him which you do - promising yourself only because there’s probably going to be dinner and you are way to exhausted after this day to argue with him any longer.

You’re still thinking of the boy... god, how sorry you are for everything you caused. You should try to help him no matter what. Luckily San let you sleep in your own chambers this night - if it was an act of sympathy you didn’t even want to know. More intriguing was the fact that after the incident he acted like nothing happened at all and also the whole castle treated you like the queen you would soon be.

The next morning the maids enter your chambers again with the prettiest smiles on their faces preparing you for the day. You’re fitted into a loose but elegant old white dress after they got your hair and make up ready.

The look in the mirror is promising and you still have to get used to the ears on your head. Joy pleads with you to wait in the chambers until someone comes to pick you up but you’re quick to take your leave and run so fast they lose you because of the various turns and hallways the castle provides.

You’re laughing and breathing out when you check if you actually lost them and decide to roam around on your own. Some guards greet you don’t knowing about the fact you’re not supposed to walk around on your own right now. Only when you enter a big foyer and descend a huge staircase you hold in to listen to a voice you once heard before.

„Prince Jong Ho!“ You try to find the source of the voice quickly and shriek back when you open a slight closed door seeing the bare back of the prince.

„Woah!“ The prince shields himself with the fabric he just wanted to put on when he hears your scream. „(y/n)?“ A smile grows on his young features and he looks around the corner to find you holding your hands in front of your eyes.

„I am sorry.“

„Oh, don’t be! I will be with you in a minute!“ You wait in front of his chambers when he comes out dressed pretty a moment later and engulfs you into his arms. Surprisingly you hug him back equally feeling like the prince was much nicer and trustworthy than his older brother.

„Oh, but what brings you to me? I thought you would be eating breakfast with my brother. Or did you get lost again?“ He winks at you not meaning any harm but his statement just made you realize he might not be a big help...

You stand awkwardly in front of him and fidget with the hem of your dress before you decide to reach out. „Please, prince Jong Ho. You have to help me to get out of here! Your brother is - “

„Oh no, (y/n)... San already told me about yesterday and he said this might would happen because you’re still a little bit confused and nervous because of the wedding. I promise you I will be there for you and love you like a sister! You don’t have to be afraid of anything!“ He cheers up to lighten the mood but it only comes to your deaf ears understanding you won’t be able to convince the young but naive prince.

With careful steps you put some space between the two of you leading to a frown on Jong Ho‘s face. When he tries to reach out you put up your hands in defence perplexing the prince.

„Please, talk to me (y/n). You don’t seem to feel really good right now maybe I should bring you to San and - “

„No!“ With a strong push Jong Ho trembles back and the moment you turn around to run you collide with a firm chest and immediately feel a tail engaging your waist to hold you firm.

„Jong Ho, I am sorry but (y/n) seems to be a bit disoriented this morning... I will take her with me.“ With a huge smile on his face he takes you with him away from his brother who waves at the two of you relieved.

You groan out annoyed which earns yourself a giggle from the cat king. „Your ears look pretty this morning.“

Scoffing you whistle out. „Is this how you are flirting in cat style?“

„Maybe.“ His tail strengthens it‘s hold on you and you can feel a slight tingling sensation in your stomach because of this.

San doesn’t bring the incident up again and prepared a breakfast in the big garden on the green grass for you. The sight is really pretty to take in and you wonder how bipolar his actions come off...

After finishing you’re closing your eyes enjoying the sun on your skin and freeze when the king leans into your comfort zone to place a chaste kiss on your exposed collarbone.

„You smell amazing... also take a last look on the garden and the town. You aren’t allowed to leave the castle until our wedding.“

A bubble of anger ignites inside you and you turn to him not stopping your hand that reaches out to place a firm slap on his cheek. San‘s face moved in the process and he huffs out tasting blood because of his fangs colliding with his bottom lip.

„You little mischievous kitten.“

Rage is written on your face but instead of getting the impact San faces straight ahead and sighs in content. „You won’t get anywhere with this. I like your feisty side.“

You slump back and groan out crossing your arms in the process. „You’re so annoying San!“

„And you’re finally calling me San. We’re getting here anywhere I see.“ He smiles triumphally at you from the side whereas you won’t worth a look at him.

The day went by pretty unspectacular with San leaving you after the breakfast tending to kingdom duties and you being captured in the castle followed by gazes of the guards - whose number increased noticeable after San‘s threat.

How should you get out of here? And how was the boy doing?

The next day - again without having to sleep with the king - you find yourself in the kitchen seeing servants pacing around like ants preparing many delicacies.

„What is going on her if I might ask?“

A young man greats you immediately with a bow coming to your side to guide you around. „This is all for your wedding, Miss.“

„But isn’t the wedding only in a few days?“

The man chuckles and leans down to whisper in your ear. „King San wants to test everything before to make sure what meals we‘re going to present on the actual event.“

You roll with your eyes and cross your arms. „Isn’t this a little bit too much.“ You mutter out and look at the servant questioningly.

„Oh, our king is a perfectionist!“

„Mh, if you say so... I am just sorry you have to work so hard... what is your name by the way?“

„It’s nothing! We love to put a smile on his and your face! My name is Jeong Yun Ho, Miss.“ His tail wiggles excitedly at your interest in his person and you can‘t suppress the smile at his behavior. „Nice to meet you, Yun Ho.“

You look around before you lean down into his side a little bit more making him confused. „If I might ask you, Yun Ho... Do you know how the captured boy in the dungeon is doing?“

Yun Ho looks frantically around being clearly irritated on how to answer. „Yes, but unfortunately I don’t think that I am allowed to tell you.“

Welp, was everyone in this godforsaken kingdom in love with San?

„Oh, I mean, I am going to be your future queen, right? I want nothing to stand between me and our diligent and hard working people...“

„Mh, okay... You’re right! I trust you, Miss. As our future queen I want to fulfill every wish of yours!“ You smile to yourself and listen intently. „So he’s doing alright I guess. He got what he deserved for what he did to you but... it’s still sad.“

„Why? Who is he?“

„Kang Yeo Sang once was a great advisor of King San and they were good friends, too. It ended bitterly when he betrayed the king and us by wanting to turn into a human to live in the human world.“

What the hell?

„How did he do that? What was his plan?“

Yun Ho looks around again and lowers his voice in advance. „I am afraid I am not really sure. Rumors say he fell in love with a human girl and went to seek help of someone called the ‚mask seller‘ but no ones even sure if someone like this exists and how he could help him with turning into a human...“

„Do you know someone who knows more about this?“

He thinks and shrugs. „I don’t know. I would probably ask the traitor himself if I wanted to know but, Miss, why do you want to know all of this?“ A huge smile adorns your face and you chuckle. „Just get other thoughts because I am so nervous because of the wedding.“

Yun Ho nods and excuses himself to continue with his work leaving you finally with a goal ahead.

You have to talk to Kang Yeo Sang.

Another day went by with you only seeing the king at meals. You wouldn’t bring up the subject of him wanting you to sleep in his chambers. Because - you were very thankful he seemed to forget about it.

You layed down in your bed between the silk cushions and played with your tail. You were able to control it better now after the first moments of it swinging around tickling others or stepping on it and falling down.

Oh gosh four guards saw this and you bet it took everything in them to not laugh...

How long have you been even here now? It wasn’t like you didn’t do anything intelligent all day, no. You visited the big library of the castle and read about the kingdom and the history of cats. You also tried to get to know the servants of the castle more and have some conversation. And of course you already found the location of the dungeon but much to your dismay it was guarded by two guards nonstop.

There had to be a way to lure them away but how...

When you try to yawn just a deep meow escapes which makes you laugh out afterwards but also remembers you that all of this isn’t funny at all... You might look like a cat but you’re still a human at heart. That’s why tomorrow you should find a way to get to Yeo Sang and talk with him about the mask seller.

If this mysterious person had something to do with turning people into humans maybe he could help you, too?

You fall asleep soon after and your thoughts vanish into an inappropriate dream.

„San I - I this feel so good!“ San‘s tail is tangled around your waist and you can feel his juices mixing with yours inside your throbbing walls. He feels huge and is filling you to a point where you see stars. His rhythm increases it‘s pace when you embrace his waist with your arms to push him further into your body.

A smirk plays on his lips and he decides to fully taste the moan that just wanted to escape you with a deep and longing kiss. He grunts and moans out at the feeling of your skin on his.

„You needy little - “

You wake up with sweat on your body and quick breaths.

„Did this just really happen... oh god no! I am not fantasizing about him. This is so wrong I don’t like him I like - “

There was a boy you liked. What was his name again?

You munched on your cereal for half an hour when San poked you with the tip of his tail to get your attention. He tilted his head and smiled. „What are you thinking about?“

The sex scene comes back into your mind but you quickly try to shove it away when you can feel your cheeks heating up at the thought. Getting back to your original concern... you forgot about someone. Someone who was really important to you.

„It’s nothing.“ You sadly look down again while San supports the weigh of his head with his hand and arm placed on the table. His gaze is still trained on you interested in what you are hiding from him.

He pokes you again making you groan out and you lean back into your chair to frown at him. He won’t let you out of this... „The longer I am here the more I feel like forgetting about my world... and the persons in it.“

„Mh, this is your world now. My concierge told me about the boy you met before they took you home.“

„The boy before you took me here.. Woo Young! That’s his name!“ Surprised at remembering him again you stand up and smile happily. Much to the dismay of the cat king. He rolls with his eyes and indicates for you to sit down again.

„You cannot see him again. He wouldn’t recognize you anyway.“

„Why are you saying this! Why wouldn’t he recognize me?“ San chuckles and pops a grape into his mouth one of his black cat ears twitching because of your high pitched voice.

„You’re a cat now. Did you already forget?“

Tears are threatening to form when you look away to keep out of San‘s eyesight.

„My beautiful (y/n), please don’t be sad. I didn’t want to make you unhappy this morning... but it cannot be helped. Most of the humans don’t like us. They treat us like we’re dumb and my fellow sorrowful friends being encaged in their small homes are... well, let’s not talk any further about it. Today is a good day! You’re having the fitting for your wedding dress.“

You shrug him off and stand up to leave the dining room for your chambers feeling like it doesn’t matter what you say San would always win an argument.

Indeed later on the maids found you in the play room to take you with them to a part of the castle you haven’t been before. Ye Ri was on your left sight and entangled your arms to whisper into your ear. „We’ve chosen a room with a huge distance to the king‘s working place. Knowing him he would try to take a look at his beautiful queen.“ She and the other maids giggle at this and you put on a fake smile not wanting to crash their spirit.

A man and a woman were already prepared to show you their dresses while a small siamese cat waited patiently on an armchair. One after one you’re getting into dresses being not happy with little details. The maids on the other hand are teary and complimenting you nonstop saying after every dress ‚this is the one!‘. Only after two hours you get into the 54th dress that knocks the breath out of your lungs.

„Beautiful...“

„Is this the one, Miss?“ You turn around to look at the maids that watch you knowingly and after a carful nod they scream and open a bottle of champagne.

The siamese cat is the designer of the dress and with a little puff it suddenly transforms into a person. A beautiful woman is standing in front of you bowing to you. „Thank you for taking one of my creations, Miss.“

„Oh, you’re welcome! I love it.“ You swing around a little bit giggling when your tail swings happily, too.

After a few hours you ask one of the guards where the king is and if he is busy. „I am sorry, Miss. King Choi is currently out of the castle in another town but he will be back in an hour. Should I tell him about your need to see him when he’s back?“

„Oh no, please! I will see him this evening at dinner anyways. Thank you for your help though.“

This was your chance. Making your way to the door that leads to the dungeon you hide behind a corner and see the two guards patrolling around. Your plan? Probably not the best but earlier you decided to sneak some matches out of the library where a fireplace is located.

You have to set up the fire somewhere they can see it quickly so maybe just the curtains of the one of the big windows in the hallway? Well, better than nothing. After a few attempts you manage to lighten the curtains taking a step back at how fast the fabric starts to burn.

Smoke is developing and you quickly hide back to wait for the guards to recognize the fire. Only a few minutes after nearly all the curtains are in flames and the guards run up to yell for help. They’re already shielding their eyes and are coughing out the smoke that enters their lungs.

As fast as you can you run and hope they didn’t see you while they try to bring down the curtains and put the fire out with their feet. You open the door and run down a dark corridor until you are met with a staircase that leads to nothing but blackness.

You don’t know how much time you would have so you practically rush and hope there are no other guards down here. The dungeons are cold and wet and you can hear some whimpers and meows from cats that are here for who knows how long.

With a small voice you try to find the one you’re looking for. „Yeo Sang? Kang Yeo Sang?“ After a few more attempts there’s a jingle and a hiss and you decided to go into the direction it came from.

„Yeo Sang?“

„Could you please shut your mouth I am trying to sleep here.“

You rush to the grid and your fingers enclose around the cold material breathing hard in excitement.

Yeo Sang carefully stands up from his poorly made bed and nears the door to see you standing there. „You!“

„Yes, it’s me... and before you say anything I am so sorry you’re in here. It’s my fault but please believe me I will try everything to get you out of here!“ You speak in desperation and Yeo Sang‘s frown slowly vanishs of his face.

„It’s not your fault... sooner or later he would have found a reason to imprison me.“

„I already know about your story with the king... I am sorry this happened to you.“

„You know about it? Well, I mean I believe everyone knows about it by now.“ Hurt takes over his features and you give him an apologetic look.

„Listen Yeo Sang, you have to tell me everything about this mask seller so we can get out of the kingdom and - “

„No! Don’t even dare to get into contact with him!“

„But why? I mean he could help us to turn into humans and we could flee.“

„This cat is a bad person, believe me. He won’t help us without wanting something in return.“

„But why? What could he want?“

Yeo Sang sighs troubled at your interest but what else chance would he get? If you wanted to test your luck...

„For me it was a hard decision to make. I had to give him my cat life.“

„But you’re still a cat, right?“

„Yes. Because just like you I was stopped before leaving the kingdom which didn’t fulfill our contract so I stayed as a cat.“

„If we find him he could make another contract, right?“

„I guess. The problem is I didn’t see him for over three years. It’s just like he vanished out of this world to lure humans into his trap. You know why so many people are afraid of him? Because once you make a contact with him there’s no turning back. He will take your human or cat soul and eat it up to stay young.“

„That sounds terrible... but for me I want to have my human body back. I wouldn’t regret it all. I wasn’t born as a cat neither identify as one. I just want to go home and - “

„Be with the ones you love...“ Yeo Sang ends your sentence feeling the equal desperation.

„Yeo Sang, there has to be a reason the mask seller came to you. Do you remember something you did or anything else?“

„I was desperate and crying in the garden when no one was around... he just appeared in front of me.“

„I have to get out of the castle... I don’t know how to find him but I am sure he won’t come if am trappend inside.“

„I’ve heard that you’re not allowed to go out anymore.“

„You know the king, right? Maybe an idea how I could convince him?“ The young boy laughs out and thinks deeply before answering. „San is very intelligent and manipulative. He likes the things to go his way so you will probably have no chance in tricking him.“

„That doesn’t help me at all...“

„Listen, if I would know how to charm this fucker I wouldn’t be in the dungeons right now. But with you... he was my friend but you will be his future queen. Maybe use your female charm?“

You raise one of your eyebrows at his suggestion and groan. Suddenly there’s noise to which you and and the cat flinch.

„You have to go! Hide until the guard passed you and - “

„I will do everything to get you out of here as soon as possible!“ With a quick nod he ushers you away and indeed you manage to get out of the dungeon unrecognized.

Back in your chambers you close the door and shriek when you can see San leaning against the wall looking outside. „Where have you been my love?“

With a shaky voice and controlled steps you reach the king. „I have been in the library.“

His gaze drifts to your form and he sees your tail swaying uncontrolled back and forth. „Sure. I am just happy to see you’re unharmed. There has been a fire, y‘know.“ He folds his arms in front of his chest and squints his eyes at you.

„I - I didn’t know.“

San makes a move to rub some dust off your chin and you facepalm yourself in your thoughts. „Should we eat dinner?“

You’re more than convinced he knows everything so him pretending not to confuses you really.

Remembering your goal you have to work on it immediately so after some seconds you decided to make the first move. You take a step forward until you’re directly standing in front of him. Catching his gaze with your own you place your palms flat against his chest to which the kings takes a sharp breath. „Can’t we go eat outside? Like in the town?“

„In the town? Did you forget about your house arrest?“

„No but... I feel like going crazy inside here. You said humans are bad for imprison their cats and technically you’re doing the same to me.“ At this San stars to smirk his fangs showing.

„You’re pretty intelligent. Always showing me I made the right decision. Well, then let’s go.“ He takes your hand with excitement but stops in his tracks immediately after.

„Oh, you should wash your face before we go my love. I will wait outside for you.“

Your heartbeat seems to stop when the words escape his mouth so casually. „I will. Thank you for reminding me.“

After eating in one of the probably much more expansive restaurants of the town you were able to recognize everything a little bit more and also discovered something that could be interesting. On the way home you play with your thoughts and come to the conclusion: the mask seller, that guy a sells things. Wouldn’t there be a possability to find him on the market? Probably not but the idea was so silly it was worth a try because like you and Yeo Sang already emphasized - your chances were low.

Back in the castle you do something that you would probably regret later on. In the dim light of one of the living rooms you decide to watch a movie with the cat king and cuddle yourself into his sight. You’re getting sleepy with any minute and freeze up when a purr leaves your body after San starts to stroke your hair and ears.

„Oh my god. That’s feels... unusual?“ San laughs out and pecks your cheek to which you purr again.

„Stop! I am already purring like a cat oh no!“

„Your purring is like music to my ears.“

With his tail he pushes you back into his arms and until midnight you turn into a purring mess. You don’t feel like stopping him at all because something inside of you yearns for touches and strokes.

„Should we go to bed, (y/n)?“

„Mhh...“ With half opened eyes San makes a move to lift you up and makes his way to his chambers to lay you softly into the cheets. You fall asleep immediately and don’t notice the king getting ready for bed, too, to join you.

How many days since you were brought here?

You slurp on the tea a maid prepared for you and watch the town in the distance. It was a nice day and the castle was in full action to prepare for the wedding. You push yourself from the ground and enter the big hall where your wedding seems to soon take place.

Many servants and people greet you and you stop in your tracks when you can see Hong Joong who is busying with telling others what to do.

„Miss? I didn’t see you for so long! Are you excited? Do you like the decorations?“ His face lights up immediately and you send him a reassuring smile to all his questions.

He‘s San‘s concierge so maybe he could help you to get out of the castle today? „Ehm, Mr. Kim. Do you know where I can find the king right now? I want to talk with him about something...“

„Mh, of course! Follow me.“ Turning hallways and passing by chambers the concierge doesn’t stop talking about many things.

„I mean he’s busy right now but he already told me that there’s always time for you! How a good husband and father he will make... always time for his family as well.“ You suppress the need to roll with your eyes when Hong Joong stops in front of a door and knocks two times.

San stands up instantly to reach you and hug you to him. „What brings you here? Do you need anything?“

„No, I mean. I wanted to ask you something.“ You smile up at him sickeningly sweet and start to caress his face with your fingers to which the king straightens up and tries to control himself.

„Anything for you.“

„I want to go to the market today.“ Immediately his face falls and you are quick to continue with your words. „I saw some shops when we were eating out and I... I wanted to prepare something.“

„Prepare what?“

„Something for you. It is a surprise don’t ask so much!“

„You don’t have to go to the market on your own just write down what you need and I will get someone to buy it for you.“ He challenges you with a tilt of his head and you could slap this fucking smile out of his face in this moment. He’s always so smart.

Come up with something.

You look sadly to the ground and your arms fall to your side. „I knew you wouldn’t say yes. I don’t think anyone should buy something like this for me. It is just too embarrassing.“

Hong Joong, who pretends to not listen to your conversation, awkwardly caughs and starts to whistle.

San frowns and suddenly opens his eyes wide at the thoughts that are running in his mind. „Oh, I mean, if you mean that... and you found something you really want... it will be an exception! And Hong Joong is coming with you!“

You fall into his arms and place a chaste kiss on his lips surprising the two of you. With a last glance San winks at you and let’s you go to get to the market - a bewildered Hong Joong quick in your steps.

Hong Joong really likes to make conversation so you don’t stop him when he gets into his own world talking about the things he likes and is interested in. Maybe like this it would be easier to find what you’re searching for.

„Oh, look! There’s a shop for artists! Oh and there!“

„You can go to the store if you want. Here’s the lingerie shop.“ You smile at him but the concierge frowns and debates with himself. He shouldn’t leave you alone any second but the shops were literally located across from eachother.

„Thirty minutes and we meet here again?“ You shake his hand and say ‚deal‘ watching the enthusiastic cat rushing over the street. You wait until he’s inside the shop to run down the street and get more to the place where merchants would be. It was a whole chaos and too many people to even get a good look on all the sales booths.

You wander around trying to take a glimpse on everything they sell on the street and after fifteen minutes you plump down on a bench sighing exaggerated.

„I guess this was a dumb idea.“

Air is whistling through the flowers and lamps when you feel a shudder down your spine looking down into your lap to examine your fingers.

„The cat life suits you very well...“ You look up immediately feeling like time stopped when you see a the fabric of a hanbok and round eyes examining your body.

„Who are you?“

The man takes a step to your form and takes something from behind his back to show you. Your eyes widen and your hand immediately shoots out to reach for what the man holds in front of you but he’s quick to make it disappear and smiles at you mischievously.

You’re upset and stand up to point at the man. „You’re the mask seller! Oh my god I found you!“

He raises one of his eyebrows and licks his lips in excitement. „I also know a lot about you, dear (y/n). Oh, I mean... in a few days I have to call you my queen.“

You grit your teeth at his words. „If you’re here you know that this is not gonna happen. You want a soul, right mask seller? You can have Kang Yeo Sang‘s and my cat soul!“

He laughs out loud and waves with his hands in front of him to stop your excitement. „Wait a second there. Yeo Sang is kept in the dungeons and the king won’t let you get near the portal again. What makes you think I would make a contract with you?“

„I - can’t you help us to flee? I promise our souls will be yours!“

He shrugs with his shoulders and stars to circle your form his tail caressing your body in the process. His actions make you shudder and you suddenly feel very small in front of the man.

„I mean I can help you but the king is also my king. Why do you want to be human again? Isn’t it much more fun to have a tail and ears like us?“

You have problems to find the right words but look up confidently to Seong Hwa. „I have people I love and I want to get back to them. This isn’t my home and I didn’t have a say in anything that happens to me here, so... yes. I definitely don’t want to stay here as a cat.“

He tilts his head in interest. „If you think so.“ Suddenly like magic a paper appears in his hand and he makes a move with his index so it is flying in the air next to him. While you watch in awe he pulls out something like an ink cushion and looks at you promising.

„You have to sign as a cat with your paw.“

„Oh, I didn’t turn into a fully cat yet... I mean I don’t know how to.“

He smiles at you and gives you a little push so that you make a little roll. The ground moves closer in an instant and suddenly you look up to a much larger Seong Hwa now. You feel the wind caressing your fur and you scrunch your nose in awe letting out a little meow.

„That was easier than I thought.“

„Well, it’s the easiest way. Here.“ You push your little paw into the ink he holds down for you and place your imprint on the contract.

„Well done, little (y/n).“

„Wait, what about Yeo Sang and when will you get us out of here?“

„Yeo Sang already made a contract and about your escape... we will have to wait until the marriage day when there’s a lot of hustle and bustle in the kingdom.“

„Can you be more accurate?“

„Meet me here after the marriage ceremony when the party is in full swing. I will get Yeo Sang and then you can get out of the kingdom of cats.“

„Alright. I hope your plan is going to work out!“

„I promise you I will get you to the portal without someone stopping you and Yeo Sang will be there with you. Oh, you should get going now... I think the concierge noticed your absence.“

„Oh shit. Then I will see you soon and - thank you for helping us.“ He grins at you and waves goodbye.

„I almost forgot! Once you signed the contract and get back to the human world there’s no turning back! Also vice versa when with a human soul...”

In the distance you don’t hear him shouting his last words anymore but if it was on purpose only the mask seller knows.

─────────────────────

↺ back to navi

─────────────────────

#ateez writing #ateez au #ateez yandere #ateez fanfiction #ateez fiction #ateez fanfic #ateez fic #ateez x reader #choi san x reader #ateez san fic #ateez yandere au #ateez fantasy

84 notes · View notes

alj4890 · 3 years

Text

All Through the Night

A Choices: The Royal Romance Dark AU

A/N Picking up right where we left off in the prologue and delving deep into the Beaumont's part of this storyline. We will also begin to see what some of our other TRR characters are and how they affect this divided kingdom of Cordonia. This is a VERY long chapter since I went into both Beaumont's histories, but I couldn’t find a good place to end their beginning to this storyline, LOL. Hope it doesn’t ruin this for anyone.

@gkittylove99 @krsnlove @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @ofpixelsandscribbles @twinkleallnight @lodberg @twinkleallnight @amandablink @neotericthemis @mm2305 @sfb123 @iufilms @tessa-liam @busywoman

Masterlist

Part 1

Outside the Cordonian Palace...

"Home?" Drake asked as he fell into step beside Liam.

"So soon?" The prince smiled at him. "The night is still young. We could check out a club or two."

"Uh huh." Drake shook his head. "Nice try, but I know you, Liam. Where are we really headed?"

Liam's smile dimmed. "I thought about checking on Leo."

"Leo? Why?"

"I'm worried about him. That last argument he had with Father...he hasn't been in contact at all with anyone at home." Liam softly sighed. "He hasn't answered any of my calls or messages."

"Then why visit?" Drake's tone was filled with bitterness. "Some siblings leave without a second glance and don't care how much it hurts you in the process."

Liam winced at the reminder he had caused his closest friend. "Forgive me. I didn't mean to bring up memories of Sav--"

"She's dead now." Drake bit out.

Liam closed his mouth. He knew that wasn't true, but it was the only way Drake could deal with what Savannah had done. Ever since the Beaumont’s appeared that fateful night, the Walker's had been permanently damaged.

He didn't know if there was even a chance for a reconciliation between the two.

Clearing his throat, Liam returned to the subject of Leo. "I can't come down here without checking on him."

"Is he even here anymore?" Drake asked. "I thought he had left Cordonia all together after your father refused his latest petition."

"He did. But through new sources, I have discovered that he not only returned, but has been back for quite some time."

They walked on in silence until they stopped in front of a small townhome.

They stared at the façade where not a single light was on.

Liam checked the time. "Perhaps it is too late to call upon him now that he is part of the human world."

"We can always come back after sunset." Drake offered.

"You don't have to accompany me." Liam placed a comforting hand upon his shoulder. "I think I can manage to get around down here on my own."

"And leave you alone with not only a Nevarkis but also a Beaumont protecting the streets from your kind." Drake's eyes narrowed. "Fat chance."

Liam shook his head. "Olivia is not going to harm me. And--"

"You can't trust her. I know you think you're little bond you made with her as a kid will keep you safe, but she'll end up just like her family and betray you the first moment she can."

"She's one of my closest friends." Liam argued. "She would never--"

"And as for Beaumont, do you honestly believe he will not seek revenge for what happened to his brother?" Drake snapped. "I'm surprised he has waited this long to make a move."

Liam knew there was little use arguing when Drake fell into this state of mind. With a sigh, he turned away from his brother's current dwelling and began to make the long trek back to the Blackspire Mountains.

****************

Earlier that night, Ramsford...

So many memories...

Maxwell stood in front of the wall of weapons his ancestors had collected over the years.

His hand raised, trailing over the gold kraken near the hilt of his namesake's sword, the very one that felt like an extension of his own arm.

"Here you are." Bertrand grumbled. "We need to discuss the next Beaumont Bash."

The young lord had to summon all his strength to fall into the act that was necessary.

"You came to the right man." He spun around, his movements as smooth as silk. "What would you like me to do?"

"I'm leaving music selection in your hands. Savannah," Bertrand smiled softly, "will be handling the decorations. I will of course be choosing the menu." He held up his many lists of chores. "I want my wife's first ball to be praised by all who attend."

"This will be the Beaumont Bash to beat all the previous ones." Maxwell promised.

"I knew I could count on you." Bertrand hesitated. "Perhaps, is there a young lady you would like to invite?"

Maxwell fought to keep his carefree act in place.

"You know me." He shrugged with a dimpled grin. "It's difficult to find...someone right."

Bertrand patted his shoulder. "You'll find the right person."

Once he disappeared down the stairs, Maxwell allowed his smile to disappear.

The past year and a half had been difficult. Becoming this version of a party loving noble grated on his nerves. He wished that they could go back to what they once were...monster hunters.

The Beaumont Brothers had once struck fear in the Dark Kingdom. The very notion that they had been tasked to bring a creature to justice sent many of them scurrying into the far reaches of the realm. Yet, none could escape them for long.

At least...that was how it once was.

That one fateful encounter with the King of the Dark Kingdom made their entire world turn upside down.

*****************

2 years ago...

"Wait." Bertrand placed his hand on Maxwell's shoulder.

He did a few hand signals.

Maxwell nodded and slipped his sword out of its sheath. He briefly closed his eyes, using his other senses to zoom in on where the danger was. The woods along the outskirts of the Dark Kingdom could be treacherous during the daylight. At night, it was nothing but a death trap to the random lost hiker.

Sensing a presence a little to his right, Maxwell took a few silent steps forward.

Bertrand followed, guarding his back with a crossbow.

"Stop!" A female's voice cried out. "Please, my lords. Help me!"

The brothers froze at the sobs that followed that plea.

"She sounds human." Bertrand whispered. "Could she be lost?"

"This far up the mountain?" Maxwell countered. "Not likely. It's probably another vile fiend hoping to trap her next meal."

"Please." The voice was faint, sounding almost defeated. "Please help me escape."

Escape. That one word meant she was an innocent human, one that would most likely perish from the monsters that resided nearby.

Bertrand stopped Maxwell and stepped in front of him.

Parting the branches of a bush, they saw a woman sitting on the ground. Her knees were pulled up to her chest and her face was buried in her arms. Her body shook with muffled cries.

"Will no one help me?" She repeated over and over.

Bertrand lowered his weapon then knelt before her.

Maxwell remained tense, ready to lop off her head if she even made the slightest movement to harm his brother.

"We can help you." Bertrand reached out and laid a gentle hand on her arm. "Who--"

The brothers jumped back when she lifted her face.

She was a Walker and not just any Walker: Savannah Walker, only sister to the crown prince's right hand, Sir Drake Walker.

The two were the only descendants left of a human family that once centuries ago had made a blood oath to the Rhys. Each generation served as a protector and companion of sorts to the reigning family.

Savannah wiped at her tears. She cautiously rose, then held her hands out to them. "Please. I know who you are and I mean you no harm."

Bertrand had yet to raise his crossbow. His jaw was slack as he gazed upon her.

Maxwell pointed his sword at her. "We received a message asking us to search for a missing human." His eyes narrowed. "Did you send that message?"

She nodded. "Forgive me for lying, but I knew you wouldn't come if you knew it was from me."

Maxwell cursed, his nerves notched to an eleven as his eyes scanned the forest for a possible ambush.

"Why do you need to escape?" Bertrand asked.

"Aren't you the prince's right hand girl?" Maxwell taunted. "No longer enjoying being a vampire's plaything?"

Savannah winced at his insults.

"That's enough." Bertrand snapped. "She needs our help."

Maxwell's jaw dropped. "Surely you don't believe her?"

"I do." Bertrand moved closer to her. "Tell me what is going on."

Maxwell looked up to make certain the sky wasn't falling. Had his overly cautious brother, the very one that made him train hours upon hours each and every day, just defend an enemy of Cordonia?

"Prince Liam demands nothing from me, other than the occasional donation of blood." She sniffed. "He is very kind, but I don't want to remain here." Her warm brown eyes held Bertrand's. "I want to live a normal life, have a family...one that isn't bound to live here."

Bertrand rubbed a hand down his face. She looked so desperate, so in need of reassurance that she could have that dream.

"You're bound by a blood oath." Maxwell reminded her with a shrug. "There's nothing we can do to help you."

"Please!" She jerked her hands back when his sword swatted them. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"

"Maxwell Percival Beaumont!" Bertrand moved in front of Savannah. "Lower that weapon this instant!"

"Have you lost your mind?" Maxwell motioned toward the one that dragged them out of their beds. "Has she cast some spell over you? She's a member of the inner Dark Court. She probably has some signal that will have Constantine and his spawn out here to end us."

"I don't." She cried. "I could never do that."

Bertrand wrapped an arm around her. "We can't help you escape tonight. The blood oath will kill you if you break it without magic." He gently squeezed her close. "We'll find out what must be done and then rescue you."

"We'll do what now?" Maxwell jerked his brother away from her. "We are not prepared to face off against both Constantine and Liam."

"We'll find a way around them." Bertrand hissed. "Regina will know what to do."

"You're involving the witches now?" Maxwell's eyes grew incredulous. "You know they don't take sides."

Bertrand glanced back at Savannah. "I know. But we must try."

He returned to her and softly whispered the plan.

Maxwell watched as her eyes filled with tears again. She nodded, whispered a way to contact her and then impulsively kissed his brother’s cheek.

"Thank you." She squeezed his hand. "I must return before someone notices I'm absent."

She took off, stumbling through the brush, and disappeared from sight.

"We're really doing this?" Maxwell muttered.

"We are." Bertrand vowed. "She doesn't deserve to be imprisoned here for what her ancestors did."

"Everyone is in some type of prison thanks to our ancestors." Maxwell told him as he started back down the mountain. "Some of us just endure our life sentence better than others."

****************

A few weeks went by after encountering Ms. Walker. Bertrand summoned Regina and her coven to discuss how best to help Savannah.

The Guardian, as she was referred to by the younger witches, pondered this problem. Reassuring him that she would find a way, she rose to retire to a guest room.

"Just a minute, please." Maxwell held up a hand to stop her. "Your admirer must never know of this. He'll kill her as well as us if he thinks we plan on disrupting his castle."

Regina stiffened at the word, admirer.

It was no secret that Constantine had fallen in love with her. Years ago, the vampire had made her an offer of marriage. She had been tempted to accept, given that she had lost her heart to him as well. Then tragedy struck and her cousin and her husband perished in a plane crash, leaving their young daughter Madeleine, an orphan.

Regina had noticed that the little girl had inherited magical skills that could be molded into a powerful witch. Knowing that their talent would not be welcomed in the Dark Kingdom, she refused Constantine's proposal and remained in Cordonia. She had raised the young countess to be a witch that would do whatever she could to protect the innocent and needy.

Madeleine had formed friendships with two other noble ladies, completing the coven that would replace Regina on her death. Ladies Kiara and Penelope studied hard, yet were never quite as powerful as Madeleine.

And now the Beaumont’s were asking a favor.

Regina knew she owed them one. Hundreds of years earlier Percival Beaumont had saved the life of her ancestor, Kayden Vescovi. Without him, Regina and Madeleine would not be here today nor imbued with magic.

Madeleine slipped inside.

"Do you really think we can break a blood oath?" She sat down beside her relative. "Blood magic is tricky enough as it is. I can only imagine how much it will take from us to break."

Regina gently patted her hand. "We will do all we can to find a way. Our debt to the Beaumont’s must be repaid."

Madeleine nodded in agreement. "I brought some books along. I'll see if they have anything that can help us."

Regina watched her pixie like cousin slip out the door with a fond smile. It slowly firmed into a frown as she thought of what she had discovered before journeying to Ramsford.

Leo Rhys, former prince of the Dark Kingdom had begun visiting Madeleine in secret.

She knew she would have to address that once she discovered the type of relationship Madeleine had with the young man. Now though, she was needed to solve this problem for Bertrand.

It took weeks of research, then having to wait upon a waning gibbus moon before a potion could be prepared. Once Regina had placed the bottle sealed with a waxed cork in Bertrand's hand, she had explained what must be done.

"Savannah must drink this and declare herself free from the Rhys' family." She explained. "Then she must force herself to turn her back on them and walk away. It will be painful for her, but she will survive."

"Thank you." Bertrand bowed. "I knew if anyone could help us, it would be you."

She gently squeezed his hand. "If you need me, do not hesitate to call. I will be here as fast as I can."

*******************

That night, the brothers slipped quietly through a gate into the Dark Kingdom. Savannah had told Bertrand that it was their best place to go undetected, given that the guard typically dozed off around the midnight hour.

"How often have you two talked?" Maxwell whispered.

"Everyday." Bertrand replied.

"Everyday?!"

"Keep your voice down." Bertrand ordered.

"She called to pester you everyday over this blood oath potion?"

"Not exactly." Bertrand slinked further into the shadows when they noticed a few people lingering around a town center.

"Then what have you been talking about?" Maxwell prodded.

He wasn't prepared to hear the answer.

"Marriage." Bertrand reluctantly replied

"Marriage? To whom?" His eyes widened. "You're going to marry a Walker?!"

"Yes." Bertrand narrowed his eyes. "She is kind and--"

"She's a Walker. A. Walker." Maxwell stressed. "Enemy to any and all monster hunters."

"She's not our enemy." Bertrand snapped. "For that matter, she says that Liam isn't either. He wants peace between our kingdoms."

"Oh well, that's a relief." Maxwell mocked, wiping his brow. "The word of a vampire is the one thing you can always count on."

Bertrand grit his teeth together to keep from saying something he might regret. He needed his younger brother's support and approval with this decision. He had never had a moment in his life since Maxwell's birth where he didn't have that. He would need it even more so in taking Savannah for his bride. He also hoped that Maxwell would become a brother to her since she was about to lose the only family she had ever known.

Regina had told him to stress to Savannah that breaking this blood oath could also destroy the bond she had with her brother, Drake.

He had done so over the phone, then wished he could be there to hold her as her heart broke over this hefty price.

With a shaky voice, she had remained determined to leave and marry him.

Creeping onward towards the castle, the brothers remained each lost in thought of what the future would bring.

*******************

Castle Rhys, that fateful night....

"Welcome home, my dear Sherry. And Rashad, how was your trip? Successful as usual, I believe." Constantine greeted the cousins warmly.

The two bowed and curtsied before relaxing again.

"It was very successful, your majesty." Rashad sat down in a chair catty cornered to the king's. "In fact, I was able to...."

While the pair talked, Sherry hurried over to hug Liam.

"Sherry!" He swung her into a tight hug. "I didn't think you were returning to us so soon."

"I missed home." She stepped back and grinned at Drake. "How have you been, Sir Drake?"

"Stop that sir mess and come here." He couldn't maintain his frown for long around her after pulling her into a tight hug. "The Blackspire Mountains haven't been the same without you flying about."

Sherry, formally Lady Sherveen Alcantar cousin to the Duke of Domvallier, Lord Rashad Kovak, was a fire-user. She and Rashad were direct descendants of King Dominic and his secret marriage to Sei Rhuka after the death of Queen Kenna. The fire users had decided to marry to protect the true heir to the kingdom and give him a family that would always be ready to fight by his side.

Like their ancestors the two cousins could transform into dragons and were known to fly above the clouds, away from curious humans.

Given their direct descent and blood relationship to each member of the Rhys family, their closeness had been encouraged with each and every generation. Sei had been the one to decree that every dragon born was to devote their lives to keeping their vampire relatives safe.

"Where's Savannah?" Sherry asked. "It seems like forever since I last saw her."

"Sav's been down lately." Drake explained. "Maybe she has been missing you and Rashad." He began to walk away, "I'll go fetch her."

Liam motioned for Sherry to sit with him.

As she lowered herself down, her gray eyes turned silver. A delectable smell seemed to waft from nearby. It fluttered her senses.

"Excuse me a moment, Liam," she pushed her jet black hair back and searched for the source.

It wasn't food she smelled, but rather someone. Possibly the one if she was to go by how her ancestors described finding the perfect mate. Her heartbeat accelerated as the smell became stronger with each step she took.

Then she noticed the guards' bodies lining the second floor hallway.

********************

Savannah said the words necessary after drinking the potion. Her insides became engulfed with flames, scalding her blood of any magic.

"AHH-" she clamped her hands over her mouth to muffle the agonizing scream while boiling tears slipped down her cheeks. A white hot mist began to float up from her skin.

"Savannah!" Bertrand tried to take her in his arms, but was burned upon touching a bare piece of her skin.

"Let's go." She managed to say through painful gasps. "We must hurry. It's almost--"

Her bedroom door flew open. A stunned Drake followed by Sherry walked into the room.

"Sav? What did you do?" Drake gripped his head. "Why don't I feel--"

Sherry stared wide eyed at Maxwell. She could feel the heat move over her body and pooling within her palms. One little flick of a finger would have fire burning within her grasp.

The one I'm meant for is a hunter?

But how could this be? They couldn't--impossible--how would they ever--

"I'm leaving, Drake." Savannah sobbed. "I can't take it anymore."

"What are you talking about?" He staggered against a wall and slowly slid down. "Why do I feel like you have died? That you've been taken from me?"

"I'm sorry." She knelt beside him. "So incredibly sorry."

He passed out from the pain pulsating in his veins.

"No!" Savannah tried to wake him up. "Drake please--"

"We have to go." Maxwell eyed the silver irises holding his own gaze. "Don't make any sudden moves."

Sherry merely nodded.

The three edged around her to the door.

"Who are you?" Sherry asked.

"No concern of yours." He bit out.

"But..."

She had to chase after him.

******************

It had happened in the blink of an eye. One minute, they saw the exit and felt elation at having succeeded. Then a sinister creature flew over their heads. It landed in front of them then threw its cloak back.

Constantine had found them.

"What did you do Savannah?" He snarled. "Why is your brother unconscious? Whatever you did also hurt Liam."

"Sir, I am so sorry. But I can't--"

"You haven't begun to feel sorrow." Constantine held her gaze, then reached out to torment her mind until she was beyond help.

Bertrand knew what was happening and jumped in front of Savannah, taking the hit of Constantine's frightening power.

He fell to the floor with a scream. Curling into a ball, he cried out for his dead mother and then for Maxwell.

Constantine slumped against a wall too, his powers surprisingly weak.

"Bertrand!" Savannah gently touched him and tried to snap him out of whatever nightmare Constantine had thrust him in.

It was no use. Whatever the vampire king had done, there was no clear way to help Bertrand.

"What did you do to him?" Maxwell demanded. "Tell me now before I kill you!"

"Do?" Constantine's voice had grown weak. "I got my revenge."

"No please!" Savannah pleaded. "There's bound to be a way we can end this amicably."

Bertrand’s screams turned to whimpers.

Fighting his own panic, Maxwell picked up his brother and began to back out of the room.

"Wait!" Sherry stepped forward. "I must--"

Liam appeared, causing the hairs on Maxwell's neck to rise.

"Savannah?" He stumbled forward, catching himself against a side table. "What is going on?"

"I'm so sorry Liam." Savannah whispered. "Please tell Drake I love him, but I have to live my own life. Tell him," she glanced back at the man sobbing in Maxwell's arms, "tell him I'm to marry Bertrand Beaumont."

"No!" Sherry shook her head.

It couldn't be. She had lost her heart, her very choice to choose another mate, to Maxwell Beaumont.

"Savannah," Constantine hissed. "If you ever return to the Dark Kingdom, I will kill you for this treason."

Tears continued to slip down her cheeks, her blood had cooled, giving her a new dose of strength to turn her back upon her king and leave all she'd ever known forever.

******************

Maxwell had struggled to get his brother down the mountain. Once back within Cordonia's borders, he had called Regina. No human doctor could help Bertrand. He hoped that a witch could reverse the effects of Constantine's vicious attack.

Regina worked tirelessly along with Madeleine to find a way to cure the young duke. The potions and spells they tried did little to bring him out of his fear.

Savannah never left Bertrand's side. She took care of him, fed him, tried to soothe him when he cried out. She did everything Regina suggested in between their treatments. Maxwell begrudgingly began to soften toward her when he saw that she truly loved his brother.

After a month of this, Regina finally sat Maxwell and Savannah down to offer them one final solution.

"I cannot bring him back." Her eyes were filled with sorrow. "Constantine's power is too strong. The damage is too extensive."

Savannah bit back a sob. "It's all my fault."

Maxwell silently agreed. If she had only accepted her lot in life like everyone else did.

"Bertrand made his choice." He mumbled, knowing he would want him to try and comfort her. "You were his choice."

She blinked back tears. "I won't give up on him."

Maxwell wondered. Hadn't she given up on Liam and Drake? And whoever that girl was with the silver eyes? Why would she remain with a mentally damaged man she had only seen once before and had a few conversations with?

Only monsters fell in love that quickly.

Was she--

"What I can do is give Bertrand a new mind." Regina leaned forward. "It will take years to make it permanent. You will have to slip him potions until the new memories settle."

Savannah and Maxwell sat up.

"New mind? So you can give him what he was before the attack?" Maxwell asked.

"I could, but I won't." Regina explained. "I'm afraid the knowledge of the Dark Kingdom would cause the new mind to never fully develop. His fears are forever tied to Constantine now. What he's seeing in his mind are you both, your parents, and even himself being tortured by the king and other monstrous creatures. It is a never ending slide show of agony."

Maxwell swallowed as stray tears began to fall down his cheeks. No wonder Bertrand screamed his name and their mom's. He thought he couldn't save them.

"Bertrand will never again be a hunter and he must never know that you are still one, Maxwell." She reached out and took his hand. "From the moment I begin the incantation, you all will need to live as a normal human."

"Whatever he needs, I'll do." He promised.

Savannah added her own fervent vow that she would give Bertrand that life.

Regina nodded. "Come. Madeleine and I will walk you through the potions you'll need to secretly give him. Tomorrow, we will begin the process."

******************

Within a month, Bertrand was back on his feet. He was pleased that he would be marrying his fiancée soon. He was content with the sparkling wine his duchy was famous for. He even took great delight in being a part of Queen Olivia's council.

And he believed his younger brother needed something to occupy him.

Maxwell managed to pull off his late nights out as partying instead of monitoring the boundaries between the two kingdoms. Olivia would join him as much as she could to help, but he preferred being alone.

He needed to prefer being alone.

And then, after a few months of proactive policing, he saw the silver eyed girl.

She was returning from an evening out with human friends.

He stepped out of the shadows, blocking her path.

His eyes darted over her, trying to discern what she exactly was. He could usually pick a vampire out of a crowd easily. Witches were not known to live in the Dark Kingdom. She could possibly be a human that Constantine and Liam preferred to feed from. But that didn't seem likely.

Those humans never left the Dark Kingdom.

He knew there were other creatures rumored to live up there. Werewolves could be occasionally heard at night. There were the elves who kept the kingdom wealthy. An occasional troll would slip out to attack a human. A few families of vampires from other nations had moved a long time ago to the only kingdom where they didn't have to live in fear.

And then there were the mythical dragons.

Maxwell had never seen one, save from renderings of King Dominic and his fellow fire user Sei.

The girl stopped, keeping about six feet between them. "Good evening, Lord Maxwell."

He blinked at the friendliness he could hear. "Good evening, umm..."

"Sherveen Alcantar, or Sherry.” She blushed over her stuttering. “ I prefer Sherry."

"Sherry." He repeated. "What are you doing down here?"

"I was meeting with some friends of mine." She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "My cousin is business partners with William Sloane, do you know him?"

Maxwell gave a noncommittal shrug.

"Oh. Well, he was hosting a dinner on his yacht and I, um, went." She lowered her eyes.

"And what exactly was on the menu?" Maxwell asked.

Her eyes flashed at that condescending tone of his. "The usual a multimillionaire would have. Appetizers of caviar and shrimp. A roasted beet and pear salad. Lobster. Roasted parsnips and potatoes. Complete with a dessert of chocolate soufflé sprinkled with powdered sugar and gold flakes."

Maxwell merely quirked an eyebrow.

She huffed in irritation. "Anyway, there is something I think we should discuss."

"Savannah is not coming back. She's married to my brother." He informed her.

"No, that's not what we need to talk about." Taking a deep breath, she let the words finally be said. "You are meant for me."

"I'm what?" His eyes narrowed. "Are you a vampire."

"No." She shifted, raising one of her legs to take a shoe off. "But we are meant to be together." Her silver eyes began to glow brighter. "And I believe you know it."

"I--" was that why he there wasn't a day that passed where he didn't think about her?

She removed her other shoe, sighing at the relief she felt. "I'm a fire-user."

He snorted with surprised laughter. "Right. And I'm really a--"

His eyes widened when she produced a flame in her palm. Winking at him, she produced two more and began to juggle the fireballs.

"That doesn't mean--"

He fell backwards when she turned into a black dragon with silver tipped wings. Smoke curled out of her nostrils as she leveled a humor filled eye upon him.

He stared at the creature he believed was made up.

With a puff of smoke, she transformed back into a human.

A naked human.

"Don't stare." She ordered, pulling out a spare dress that she always kept close at hand from her purse.

He couldn't help it. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Once she was properly covered, she sat down beside him.

"What do we do about our destiny?" She asked.

He didn't know. His world it seemed had truly fallen apart.

******************

He tried to fight it. Maxwell didn't like the fact that he was intended for someone else without any say whatsoever. It seemed that a human couldn't fight the magic or whatever it was when a monster recognized you as their mate.

Sherry began to show up wherever he was whenever he left home. She'd spend a few minutes talking to him, then leave before he could deny they were meant to be.

It drove him crazy. There were times he wanted to accept it. Then there were times he wanted her to never return. Either way he couldn't stop thinking about her. He no longer saw any other woman as being attractive.

One day, he was walking through a park to try and clear his head. It hurt to no longer be able to discuss things like this with Bertrand. He needed his guidance in this. Of course given how he had fallen for Savannah, he probably would have encouraged Maxwell to be with a dragon.

Sherry appeared before him.

He bumped into her. His arms reached out and wrapped around her to keep her from falling down.

She took advantage of his momentum and kissed him.

He had frozen with the feel of her warm lips touching his. Against everything he had was and believed about the creatures that lived in the kingdom high in the mountains, he held her closer and took over the kiss.

Her soft hum of desire drifted up to his ears. Her fingers slipped into his hair. Their warmth was nearly burning. He jerked back at that reminder that she wasn't human.

Sherry's eyes were glowing again as she took deep breaths to calm down.

"Max, I--"

"I have to go." He sprinted away from her.

*****************

Months continued with seeing her like this. He actually found himself longing for her the moment they parted. He still fought against his growing attraction, but would succumb at weak moments to either holding her or kissing her.

Then he began to actually listen and talk to her.

After a year, he finally accepted that they were meant for one another. Once he did, they began to talk of a possible future together.

"Where could we live?" He asked. "I can't live in the Dark Kingdom. After my years of hunting, I'll be killed as soon as I step into the town square."

"I can live down here." Sherry rested her head against his chest.

"Can you?" He nudged her chin up to look into her eyes. "What about your duties to Liam? What about Rashad? Your bond, is it like Savannah's? I can't ask you to do what she did. She suffers daily with missing Drake."

"Mine isn't a blood oath, more of a way of life." She explained. "Liam and I are family." She gently caressed his cheek. "And he is so happy that I've found you "

"He knows?"

"Of course." Sherry laughed. "Liam, Rashad, and I have no secrets."

"And they're fine with you being with a man who hunts his kind?" Maxwell asked.

"We know you don't do it without provocation." She explained. "If you were a sadistic killer going after the innocent, then we wouldn't allow you to live."

"What about Constantine?" His eyes narrowed in concern. "Something tells me he wouldn't be so understanding."

"You're right." She lowered her eyes. "That's why I haven't told him."

"Sherry." Maxwell pulled her closer to him. "Would he hurt you if he found out? Like what he tried to do with Savannah?"

"I'm... I don't think so." She rolled away from him to look up at the night sky. "My discovering that you're my mate wasn't a choice like what Savannah did. And being with you won't hurt Liam."

"Are you certain?" He propped himself up on his elbow.

She sighed. "About us, yes. About the king, no." She finally shared what was worrying her. "Ever since the attack, King Constantine has been acting strange."

"How so?"

"He doesn't spend as much time with our people as he used to. He rarely leaves his chambers. He has begun pressuring Liam to either find a mate or arrange a marriage." Her brow furrowed. "He seems almost obsessed on making certain all possible enemies are destroyed."

"Enemies like me?” He asked. “Olivia?"

"Yes." She wrapped her arms around him. "He has plans for Olivia. He fears she will extract revenge on him by killing Liam."

"I see." Maxwell rubbed his brow, trying to see a way out of this.

He didn't know if he could protect everyone.

***************

Now...

Maxwell searched his pockets for his cell. He didn't recognize the number but knew that whoever had this number was in need of his hunting services.

"Hello."

"Lord Beaumont?" A cultured voice asked.

"Yes." He hurried into his room when he heard Bertrand and Savannah talking a little ways down the hall. "Who is this?"

"Lorelei Lee." She replied.

"Lady Lorelei." He remembered her from his mother's stories. "How can I help you?"

"My daughter and her friend have got it in their heads to come visit Cordonia." She began. "I'm not certain how long they intend to stay, but I was hoping that I could retain your services."

"For what exactly?" Maxwell asked.

"Protection." She replied. "I have heard through certain channels that the dark prince is beginning to search for a bride." She took a deep breath. "We do NOT want our daughter anywhere near that vile creature."

"I understand." Maxwell replied. "I usually don't do personal security. With my brother retired," he grimaced at that, "it is left up to me to help protect Cordonia's borders."

"My husband and I would be in your debt if you could watch over her in the evenings." Lorelei cajoled. "I've heard that your brother is planning on extending his vineyards. We would be more than happy to invest in the production and distribution of his sparkling wine. Perhaps even let it be the only sparkling wine we serve in our hotels."

Maxwell rubbed a hand down his face. He knew his brother was anxious to succeed. Regina had told Maxwell recently that in order for the spell to be successful, Bertrand had to relax. Gaining not only an investor but also a permanent client would help relieve his troubled mind.

"Send me her information and picture. Call her and tell her that since our family is an old friend of yours, that I've volunteered to show them around. Find out where she's staying and when she plans on arriving."

"Oh thank you, Lord Maxwell. We--"

"I'll also need a contract prepared and signed for all that you offered." He added.

"Yes of course. I'll get everything to you at once."

He ended the call and tossed his phone down.

How had he gone from a monster hunter to a glorified baby sitter?

****************

Later the next day, along Beach Cove, Cordonia...

"This place is gorgeous!" Riley dropped her luggage and darted from room to room. "I can't believe we can afford something like this for our stay!"

Hana was puzzled as she turned about. The two bedroom beach house was not what she had booked for their stay. Knowing they would be here close to a month, she had gone for a plain, simple rental without any view whatsoever.

"This can't be right." She turned toward the agent. "We were going with the home on Fourth Street."

The agent shook her head. "You were upgraded by a Lady Lorelei Lee."

"My mother did this?!" Hana couldn't believe it. "Did she say why?"

"It was meant as a surprise and a sort of welcome she told me." The agent handed her the keys and told her to call of they had any other needs. "Enjoy your stay, Lady Hana."

Riley walked back into the entry hall as the woman curtsied.

"Hold up." Her smile held a lot of humor. "Was I supposed to be doing that this whole time?"

Hana rolled her eyes with a giggle. "No. It's just the custom here when one is related to a noble."

"That is so cool!" Riley dropped into a deep curtsey that made her wobble. "My lady."

Hana laughed while dragging her luggage further into the house. "I suppose I can't banish you to the kitchens since you now recognize my rank."

"I don't know." Riley pointed out the modern appliances. "I might be happier stuck in there."

"I can't believe my mother did this."

"Maybe this is her way of showing her support or make up for not showing it these last couple of years." Riley offered.

Hana paused outside the bedrooms. "I suppose that's one possibility. I would have preferred she simply tell am that instead of doing all this."

"Look on the bright side. Our videos are now going to be even more popular with this backdrop." Riley opened up the doors. "Which room you want?"

Both were master suites with a wall of windows looking out towards Cordonia's sapphire waters. The sun was beginning to set, adding a brilliant orange to the rich blue.

"I call the pink sands one!" Hana dashed into it, quickly throwing her luggage on the bed.

"Hey!" Riley doubled over laughing when Hana's momentum caused her to get tangled up in the straps and be buried under her bags.

The two friends had begun the tradition of claiming beds and rooms from their very first trip. Whoever's luggage touched a bed first, it was then hers for the rest of the vacation.

"Looks like I get the nautical theme." Riley hefted her bags and set them inside.

Her room was tastefully done in blues and whites. A bottled ship sat upon the dresser while a nearby table had an old map of the surrounding area embossed upon it.

She explored the large closet and bathroom, thrilled with the large shower with multiple shower heads to help ease the tension of a long day of filming.

"I don't think I'll ever want to leave." Riley called out. "You think we could just make this our new permanent base of operations?"

"We could ask, but I doubt we could afford it." Hana replied. "Besides, I thought you said all paths lead to New York."

"I say a lot of things." Riley giggled as she dumped her clothes on the bed. "You should know that better than anyone." She began to randomly toss her things in dresser drawers before losing all interest in this one tedious part of traveling.

She left her remaining pile of clothes and decided to check out Hana's room.

It was the same as hers yet themed more toward the beach. Riley bit back a smile at seeing Hana carefully unpack and hang her clothes one at a time. She didn't know how she had earned her friendship when they were so completely different.

She was truly grateful to have her as her best friend. No one encouraged or believed in her like Hana.

"Aren't you going to unpack?" Hana asked.

"I will." Riley paused when the phone on the nightstand began to ring.

Hana stared at it too in surprise. No one ever called them directly at the places they rented.

"It could be the agent." Riley told her as Hana picked it up.

"Hello?" Hana's eyes widened at the voice on the other end. "Mother! I don't know what to say. This is so generous to--who? Lord Beaumont?" She sat down on the edge of her bed. "He did? That is very kind of him, but we usually try and discover hidden gems for ourselves. I--no of course not!" Her head dropped. "I didn't mean to sound ungrateful--I mean--yes, but--yes mam."

Riley lifted an eyebrow when Hana placed the receiver down. "What's up?"

"Mother called upon an old friend of the family." Hana couldn't remember her ever mentioning this family before. "A Lord Maxwell Beaumont, brother to the current Duke of Ramsford, is going to be our guide around Cordonia during our visit."

"Whoa." Riley's brow furrowed. "The entire time?"

"Apparently." Hana's brow furrowed. "I don't know why she would insist on his company unless...oh no!" She dropped her head in her hands.

"What is it?" Riley sat down beside her and gently patted her back. "Hana?"

"I think she's trying to matchmake me to this Lord Beaumont!" Hana cried out. "She won't ever give me a chance to simply live my life as I see fit, will she?"

"He might actually be the kind of guy who loves showing off his country." Riley pointed out. "Even if your mother is hoping you two decide to marry, you don't have to do anything you don't want to."

Hana nodded, feeling her confidence return with Riley's reminder. "You're right. I'm certain I can rebuff any advances he might give."

"Don't rebuff him just yet." Riley teased. "We need to see the hotspots and he might be cute." She covered her face after Hana hit her with a pillow.

The pair fell into giggles once more as the excitement of discovering all that this country had took over once more.

They knew this would be a trip they would never forget.

Maxwell x Sherry moodboard.

#choices the royal romance #liam x riley #maxwell x oc #maxwell x sherry #trr dark au #trr vampire au #leo x made #trr drake #trr olivia #drake walker #maxwell beaumont #olivia nevarkis #leo rhys #prince liam #trr madeleine #trr regina

33 notes · View notes

vannahfanfics · 3 years

Text

Ocean Melody

Category: Mild Romantic Fluff

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Characters: Sora, Kairi

Additional Tags: Soulmate AU

Hey, everyone! Here’s today’s SoKai story for @sokaiweek, this time based on the AU prompt— and since soulmate AUs are my favorite, of course, that’s what I decided to do! <3

A song— Kairi had heard it in her soul ever since she was old enough to recognize it as song. Everyone was born with a song in their hearts, and that song linked them to their soulmate; every pair was unique, possessing their own melody that linked them in love and eternity. Every morning, Kairi would stand upon the beach below her house with her feet in the surf, humming the tune of her melody in the hopes that the wind would carry it across the ocean to the person she was meant to love— and every day, that melody went unanswered. So she waited, all alone in her house near the sea, for the day her solo would finally become a duet.

Many days, she found herself staring out her window down at the beach like this. She wasn’t sure why, but the sea called to her like another melody, the gentle ebb and flow of the waves a song that tried to entice her to its endless blue. A cup of tea long since cold rested in her hand as she gazed unblinkingly through the glass, watching the sand dunes ruffle in the salty breeze and the sea foam spray with each crash of the waves.

“Kairi?”

Kairi jumped as Selphie suddenly spoke. The cup rattled against the saucer in her hand, spilling cold tea all over the counter, her hands, and her front. Kairi cursed under her breath and hurriedly set the dishes in the sink, then grabbed a dish towel to mop up the brown liquid. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much she could do about the brown spots dotting the front of her pink-and-white sundress. She would just have to attempt to wash them out later.

“Sorry,” she apologized, dabbing at the wet spots on her front while she turned to her friend, who was sitting at her kitchen table with an amused look. “I got lost in thought… What were you saying?”

“I was talking about Tidus!” she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. “How lucky can he get? I mean, how many people’s soulmates are pop stars? He heard his soulmate song on the radio, and whadaya know, his soulmate is that up-and-coming popstar, Yuna. I would kill for it to be that easy for me!” Selphie complained, pushing her fist into her cheek once she finished venting. Kairi chuckled, walking over to join her friend in the wooden chair. She picked up one of the petit fours sitting in the middle of the table and brought it to her mouth to take a small bite of the rich, sweet cake before answering.

“I’m sure you’ll find your soulmate soon, Selphie. It happens every day.”

“Yeah, well, I wish it would happen to-day,” her friend sniffed disdainfully, and Kairi chuckled again. She certainly shared Selphie’s sentiments, but it was amusing how enthusiastically her friend was willing to complain about it. She continued to munch on the petit fours while her friend lamented her loveless woes, but all the while, her heart yearned to gaze upon the ocean. She knew not why it called her so; sometimes, she wondered if the ocean was her soulmate, with how much she stared at it.

Of course, that would be silly. Nonetheless, she was drawn to it, day after day after day.

It was the next morning when Kairi found out why.

She just stood there gaping, still holding the long hem of her sundress bunched up in one hand in preparation to step into the swirling surf. The wind ruffled her hair, the fabric of her dress, her short auburn hair— and the few spikes of dry brown hair of the man who lay face-up on the beach, half-in and half-out of the water with seaweed still clinging to the drenched fabric of his sailor’s uniform. It took Kairi a few precious seconds to realize that it was in fact a person lying there, and when she did, she scrambled across the sand with a startled gasp. She fell on her knees beside him, hands fluttering over his chest, and she was relieved to find both a steady heartbeat and a pattern of breathing.

“Oh, I am so glad you’re not drowned,” Kairi sighed with a smile, though he was totally unconscious and couldn’t hear her. She reached up to place her hand on his clammy cheek, and though it was pale and cold and wet with seawater, she still fancied the softness of his skin. He just continued to sleep on, serene aside from the way his hair and clothes clung to his body. “Where did you come from?” she murmured.

And why did the sea bring you to me?

Kairi managed to haul him up to her house, though she dragged in half the beach with her. She brushed as much of the sand from his back as she could before she lowered him onto the couch, then tore across the house gathering every blanket she could. Once she had cocooned him up nice and warm, she called the nearby doctor. While she waited, she swept all the sand back out of the house, though she was certain she would find grains of it for years to come. That was okay; each one would be a strange little reminder of the strange man on the beach, the strange call of destiny.

The doctor assured him that he only had a mild fever, and with proper care, it should break by the morning. Kairi dutifully remained by his side through the highs and lows, whispering to him through his shaking and sweating fits and dozing in the sparse hours he slept peacefully. By the time the dawn broke, her eyes were droopy and laced with exhaustion and her hair a bit frazzled, but he’d been fever-free for four hours.

Just a quick nap, she told herself while her eyes drifted shut. She descended into the gray-black haze of sleep. In the void, she heard the tune of her soulmate song, the gentle chiming of piano keys that always lulled her into a sense of peace.

“Where… Where am I?”

She jolted awake to see him staring tiredly up at the ceiling, blue eyes hazy with post-fever confusion. The sun was spilling brightly into the room now; her quick nap had actually been a few hours. She hurriedly leaned forward to pat the blankets over his chest, pulling his muddled gaze to her. She couldn’t help but blush at the way his eyes brightened just a little.

“You’re all right. You’re on Destiny Islands. You washed up on the beach and have been very sick for the past day,” she explained, laying the back of her hand on his forehead to check his temperature. He blinked blearily at her, taking a few minutes to process what she’d just told him.

“You… You saved me?” he rasped. Kairi nodded, then got up to grab a cold glass of water for him from the kitchen. She coaxed him to drink, and he greedily sucked down a total of three glasses before he finally collapsed back against the throw pillow with a sigh. “Thank you… My name is Sora.”

“I’m Kairi. Do you need anything, Sora? Would you like more water, or…?” Her voice faltered as he smiled sweetly at her, and her heart thumped against her ribcage.

“No… If you’d sit and talk with me a while, that would be good enough.”

So they sat and talked for a while. Sora told her that he was a sailor traveling the world to explore different sights and cultures with his friends. They had run afoul of a thunderstorm, and in trying to save the ship from floundering, he’d been thrown overboard. He managed to cling to a barrel, but he’d lost consciousness within the shallows— thankfully, the sea had been merciful and brought him ashore.

As his strength returned, he told her so many things about what he’d seen in his travels— snowy mountain peaks that pierced the sky, deserts that stretched to the horizon, jungles with a thousand creatures and torrential rains— and the people. He loved talking about all the amazing people he’d come across. He spoke of a shaman who’d performed ritual dances, of a princess who hunted with hawks, of a circus performer who did death-defying stunts with fire, of a world-renowned artist who painted the most gorgeous landscapes. Kairi hung onto his every word, drinking in all the things he’d experienced like it could make up for the fact that all she’d ever been was this sleepy house on the sea.

“Your life sounds so amazing, Sora,” she sighed, relaxing into the coffee table once he’d finished telling his latest story. He was sitting up now, the blankets loosely wrapped around him and a warm mug of tea in his hands.

“Yeah, I’d consider myself pretty lucky,” he nodded and then sipped at his tea. “But to be honest, I think it’s just to make up for the one thing I’m missing.”

“Missing?” she echoed, and he gave her a sheepish look.

“My soulmate, you know? I’m sure you’ve felt it too… Like there’s a void in your soul that you can never fill.” Oh, Kairi had felt it. She felt it every day when she sang to the sea, begging the winds to carry her melody across the oceans to her special someone. She nodded sagely, but she didn’t realize she’d started crying until the tears dripped down onto her face. “Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Sora chuckled apologetically and reached out to gently thumb them away. She found herself leaning a little into the caresses, savoring the calloused pad of his finger.

“It’s all right…” she murmured once he sat back. “I guess it’s just because I don’t have something to fill the void.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah… I just sit here waiting. It’s kind of depressing, now that I realize it,” she said with an embarrassed look. How pathetic could she be? Just waiting day after day instead of doing something amazing like Sora.

Frowning, Sora set the mug down and took her hands. He rubbed gentle circles over her palms as he looked into her eyes.

“I don’t think it’s depressing at all. Everybody deals with it differently. I think that makes you a really strong person, to have faith day after day that your soulmate will come to you.” He said it with such a serious and passionate look that it was so easy to believe him, or maybe it was just that Kairi didn’t want to face the reality that it was just a sad way to live. She leaned in, too distraught to consider how close their faces were, to whimper, “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he smiled sweetly, and he discarded one of her hands to reach up and pet her cheek. Her heart thumped in her chest again. Oh, this wasn’t good. This was getting dangerous, having feelings for a man she just met and who probably wasn’t her soulmate— but why did it feel so right?

“In fact…” he said, his smile suddenly taking on a hint of cheekiness, “I think that day will come sooner than you think.” Kairi’s eyes widened, having the strange feeling that his words were more than just reassurance. She blushed as he leaned a little closer, close enough for their noses to brush. “You sing in your sleep, you know,” he revealed, and Kairi’s nerves sang as his breath ghosted over her face.

And then he started humming, and Kairi felt like the world stopped around her, because that was her song, the song she’d sung to the waves every day of her life, and Sora was caressing her cheek, and it was her song.

She started crying again, and Sora laughed quietly, tilting his head to nose at the junction of her jaw and face. She couldn’t help but laugh, too, laugh at the silliness of crying with joy but she couldn’t help it.

“I’m a pretty bad soulmate,” he joked, “because all I seem to be able to do is make you cry.”

“Yeah,” she giggled while she tried to wipe her tears away but more dripped down from her eyes to replace them. “What’s up with that?”

“Sorry,” he laughed and leaned in to press his forehead against hers. Surely it was the sea that brought him, she thought, as she gazed into the oceanic blues of his eyes. That was why the sea had called her so. And he tasted like the sea, too, when he leaned in to kiss her, like salt and ocean breeze and endless possibilities. He held her like the most precious treasure as he kissed her once, twice, three times, and then he pulled away to smile, and then he was kissing her again because he couldn’t get enough. Kairi couldn’t get enough of him either, savoring the feeling of his slightly chapped lips moving over her own. It was perfect, everything she’d dreamed of, and for the first time in her life she finally felt whole.

After that, she and Sora went down to the sea together, hand-in-hand. Kairi didn’t sing to the waves that day. She didn’t have to now; her heart sung to Sora’s, and Sora’s to hers, and it was a harmony that only they could hear and know.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

#sokai #sokaiweek #sokaiweek2021 #sora x kairi #kairi x sora #kingdom hearts

29 notes · View notes

mirasolis · 4 years

Text

My Star, Your Light

Punz x Reader

Tangled AU

Part Two

★──────────★─────────★

This is just you and Punz thrown into the world of Tangled, as requested by @thequeenofuwu . We are both Punz simps, I know it.

This is going to be in several parts, and I will link each part when I finish them under here.

Part 1 Part 2

Enjoy!

★──────────★─────────★

3rd POV…

Punz was slowly coming into consciousness when a sudden force shoved his head to the side. His eyes shot open and turned to see a rainbow—coloured sheep on his shoulder.

“What the?!” The sheep hopped off, walking to the shadows. Punz noticed that he was sitting in a chair, his movements restricted by…

“…Is this…hair?”

(Y/N) held the pan close to her, shuffling in the corner. “You…you can’t escape! I know what you want!”

“W-what?”

(Y/N) slowly emerged into the light, pan ready to knock out the man in front of her. “Who are you, and how did you find me?”

Punz just looked at the woman in wonder. Her hair was exceptionally long, being the length of her body several times over.

(Y/N) impatiently demanded an answer. “Who are you, and how did you find me?!”

Punz cleared his throat and declared, “I know not of who you are, nor how I came upon your home and you. But may I just say…Hi.” He smirked cockily. “How you doing? The name’s Punz.”

“Does anyone else know of my location, Punz?”

“Alright girlie-“

“(Y/N).”

“Right. Here’s the thing. I was in a predicament. Galavanting through the woods on an…adventure. I came across this tower and-hold on a damn minute?! Where is my satchel?!”

“Oh, that bag of yours? I’ve hidden it! And no matter where you look, you won’t find it!”

Punz looked around for a while, before settling his sights on a little decorative pot. “It’s in that pot, isn’t it?”

CLANG!

(Y/N) just knocked him out again, and hid the satchel elsewhere, and instructed Puffy to wake the mercenary again. Once again the sheep rammed into Punz’ head and woke him up. He shot up, startled, and glared at Puffy.

“Stop doing that,” he stated plainly.

“Now you can’t find it. So tell me what you want. Do you want my hair, to cut it? Sell it?” (Y/N) interrogated Punz.

“Why would I sell it?! Listen, the only thing I need to do with your hair, is get out of it!” Punz claimed.

(Y/N) looked at him, puzzled. “You, don’t want…my hair?”

“Why would I want your hair?! Look, all I did was find your tower, and climb it, that’s all!”

“For real?”

“YES!”

(Y/N) looked at him hesitantly, before picking up Puffy to discuss with her. “Well, this could be the perfect opportunity. Puffy, I know he’s a stranger, but this is my chance! I think he’s telling the truth, what choice do I have if I want to see the lights?”

She turned back to Punz. “Okay, Punz. I am prepared to negotiate with you.”

“Negotiate?”

“Something brought you here. Call it as you see it Punz. Fate, destiny…”

“A horse?” Punz deadpanned.

“But listen to me when I tell you this; You can tear this tower apart as much as you want. You are not finding that satchel without my help. So you are going to take me to see the special stars tomorrow night. After that, you return me. Then, and only then, will you get your little purse back at all.”

“Those stars are actually lanterns, and I can’t exactly do that. I am a mercenary that stole something from the kingdom, so arrest on site for me it is.”

“Lanterns! I knew it! And my deal still stands. Bring me to see the lanterns or you get nothing.”

Punz shook his head around. “Okay, you’ve forced my hand. I have been left with no choice.”

Punz hangs his head before lifting it dramatically, showing that he bit his lip slightly while looking at (Y/N) with hooded eyes, trying to give off a sexy smoulder. She wasn’t impressed.

Punz held his face while speaking. “This is…kind of an off day for me, I usually don’t have to do this to anyone…FINE, I’ll take you to see the lanterns.”

As soon as he said that, (Y/N) squealed excitedly and accidentally let Punz fall on his face. She apologized profusely, let him free, and he began descending the tower.

(Y/N) tied Puffy to her body securely, as she prepared her hair to jump down to the world below. She heard Punz call to her, but all she could focus on was the green ground below. Taking a deep breath, she leapt from the heights and dropped. She shut her eyes tightly, feeling the wind rush against her body, curling up, and then she stopped.

She opened one eye, and saw the ground so close beneath her bare feet. Cautiously, she pointed out one foot to touch the grass, feeling its ticklish caress on her feet. Giggling, she planted her feet firmly on the ground, setting Puffy down as well. She wriggled her feet between the grass, and began dancing around. She was free! She could finally go and see the lights!

(Y/N) then proceeded to give herself emotional whiplash, switching between being happy and being depressed over the fact that she would upset Dream. Fun times.

Punz, seeing this as a perfect chance to get the crown back, leapt in for the final strike. “You don’t want to ruin your brother-sister bond with your older sibling, don’t you? That’s way too precious! So, I return you to your tower, I get my satchel, you get a healthy family relationship, and everyone is happy again, yeah?”

“No! You are taking me to see those lanterns Punz! And I will use this,” (Y/N) said while raising her frying pan.

There was a rustling in the bushes, and she jumped on Punz’ back, frightened. “What is it? Ruffians? Thugs?!”

A rabbit hopped out of the bush. “Ahhh,” Punz exclaimed in a dead voice. “You seem to be frightened easily. So it is probably best to avoid the ruffians and thugs, ya know? Oh, it just occurred to me, I know a great place for lunch. You hungry?”

Somewhere else in the forest…

Dream was walking through the forest with George. “So George, you’re clear with the plan?” Dream asked.

“Of course I am! We must accomplish this fast if we are to take over the kingdom,” George responded.

As they continued walking, the duo heard leaves moving, and were instantly on guard. They pulled out their weapons, only to find that it was a horse that stumbled upon them.

“Oh, a horse.” Dream overlooked the horse, seeing that it had reigns on it. Even worse, he recognized the horse as that belonging to the crown prince Technoblade.

“George we need to go back now!”

Dream wasted no time in sprinting back to the tower, with George following him close behind. They scaled the tower, but once they entered it, it was devoid of life. It was dark and quiet and Dream began to grow angry.

“Woah Dream, calm down!”

“Don’t tell me to calm down George! My 18-year plan is about to go to shit! Where the hell is she?!” In his rage, he noticed the light seeping from the cracks in the wooden planks of the stairs. Lifting it, he found a satchel with a crown inside it, and a poster with Punz’ face on it. He was determined to put his plan into action. He would have power over the kingdom, no matter what.

Somewhere in the forest...

Punz and (Y/N) were walking along the forest path, when they came across a run-down pub in the woods. It was called the ‘Chuckle Sandwich’.

“Hmm. Seems friendly enough,” (Y/N) pointed out.

“Yep, this deep into the forest I highly doubt that you’ll find any ruffians...or thugs, to scare you,” Punz goaded. He laughed in his mind. This’ll get her to return the crown to me, he thought.

“Well, I hope they make good sandwiches,” (Y/N) chimed.

“Great! Well let’s go inside!” Punz declared. He opened the door and escorted her inside. “Your finest table, please!”

(Y/N) reeled back at the sight before her. All there was, were just ruffians and thugs. As Punz gently pushed her through the pub, (Y/N) held out her pan in front of them, hoping to ward anyone off.

“You smell that? Ya really gotta inhale through the nose! Let it seep in! What kinda scents are ya getting? I’m getting an overall man smell but also just brown!” Punz ranted.

A random patron grabbed onto (Y/N)’s long hair and she grabbed as much as she could and ran off to find a safe place, Puffy following close behind.

“That’s a lot of hair,” the man holding her hair said. Punz nodded in agreement, walking towards (Y/N) as she backed up against a wall.

“You don’t look so good. Maybe we should bring you home,” Punz said as he began guiding (Y/N) to the door. “Maybe you can’t handle this place, and by that logic, the outside world! You should probably be back in your tower!”

Punz was cut off from leaving the pub. A man with ram horns and sideburns held the door closed, with his hand covering the face on Punz’ wanted poster.

“Is this you?” The ram asked sinisterly. Punz squinted at the hidden parts of the poster, lifting the ramhead’s fingers to see that his face was just even more messed up.

“Now that’s just rude,” Punz stated.

A man with a hat covering the majority of his hair agreed. “It is him, man! Connor, find some guards!” The man named Connor ran out the door. “That money’s gonna get me some new beanies! Capitalism!”

A man with glasses and green attire spoke up. “Nope! I’m gonna use it for something much better!”

The patrons of the pub began fighting to keep hold of Punz, pulling him back and forth. A man in a multicoloured tunic said, “What about me? I’m broke!”

Several more people joined in, including a man with a shaved head and red and blue glasses, a man with fox ears and a tail, a whole cat man, and a man in a maid outfit. Just...why?

(Y/N) tried to reach her guide, to no avail. “Hey! Leave him alone!”

Over the ruckus (Y/N) could not be heard clearly, so she got the crowd’s attention by pulling back a branch in the rafters and letting it hit the ram headed man. “PUT HIM DOWN!!”

They all quickly turned their heads to her, anger fixed onto their faces. “Okay, I don’t know where the hell I am, and I need this guy to take me to see the lanterns because I’ve been dreaming of them my whole life!! Can’t you understand? Haven’t you guys ever had a dream?!”

The horned man walked towards (Y/N), grabbing an axe. She shied away from his approaching figure, then he threw the axe at a scrawny accordion player. “I had a dream, once.”

A slow upbeat tune filled the tavern as the man narrated his story. “My name is Schlatt. I’m malicious, mean; I can be scary. In terms of violence, I don’t have clean hands at all. But even, despite my unsightly horns, I’ve always wanted to perform for the masses as a comedian! I mean, who wouldn’t laugh at my (sometimes) out of taste jokes?!”

The beanie man stood up next. “Well, the name’s Quackity! I’ve always wanted to be a pianist! I’ve been practicing here for years! I know so many songs like that iCarly theme song!!”

“ICarly theme song?” (Y/N) asked.

Green man went next. “Well the name is Charlie Slimecicle!! I know that many find me unsightly, due to my terrible appearance!” He was saying that way too positively. “I dream of one day finding love!”

Everyone was taking their turn, talking about their dreams. Multicoloured tunic man, named Karl, wanted to create the best future for his friends. The man with red and blue glasses called Jack Manifold, wanted to become a well-renowned demolitions expert. The fox man, named Fundy, wanted to launch a bakery with his friend, a woman named Niki Nihachu. The maid outfit man, HBomb, wanted to become Fundy’s maid. Why? IDK maybe he’s kinky.

As everyone took their turn, they let Punz talk about his dream. “Oh no, fellas. I don’t have a dream.”

Several swords pointed at his throat later, he ranted about a dream where he had boundless amounts of money.

Lame.

(Y/N) sprung up onto a table, speaking starry-eyed about the lanterns. “I am so glad I left my tower! I can finally see the lanterns!”

Everyone cheered, celebrating the endless freedom that their dreams explored. Suddenly, Connor burst through the door. “I found the guards!”

Everyone stared in shock, and (Y/N) and Punz were tossed over the bar, just as Technoblade came in with the castle guard. “Where is that mercenary Punz?! I know he’s in here! I won’t stop until I have the thief that stole my sister’s crown!”

Punz peeked over the edge of the bar, seeing his former colleagues in chains, ducking down right after. Punz and (Y/N) shrunk into the bar to hide, when Schlatt pushed aside a crate to reveal a secret passage. “Go, live your dream.”

Punz responded, “I will.”

“Not you, I was talking to her,” Schlatt said pointing his head to (Y/N).

“Thank you Schlatt,” (Y/N) thanked, and gave him a kiss on the forehead. She followed Punz through the passage as Schlatt returned to help distract the guards.

The patrons tried their best to distract the guards, but Technoblade was not buying it. He turned his ear to the door, and Carl burst through, sniffing the air. He easily found the secret passage, and Techno gathered his men, leaving one to guard Purpled and Ponk.

After Techno left with Carl, Ponk knocked out their captor, and freed Purpled, letting him do the same for himself. “Let’s go get the crown.”

Fundy, currently drunk off his ass, stumbled outside, seeing a man in a green cloak with a mask. “Woah, god you are so damn hot!”

Dream giggled. “You’re making me blush.” He pulled out his sword. “Where does that tunnel lead?”

#i simp for punz and i know you do too #dream smp punz #punz #punz x reader #dream smp #aaaaaaa #dream smp au #just punz #here you go you single people #romance

76 notes · View notes

araviera · 3 years

Text

Mermaid AU

"My parents are coming tomorrow and how am I going to explain to my mom that there's a merman in my bathroom?"

"You can hadle it. I know this, Wisegirl."

Annabeth helped Percy get to the bottom of the beach to free him. After he managed to fend for himself, the merman looked at her and said something that Annabeth could not hear thanks to the earplugs she wore. Considering the time they spent together in the bathroom and the endless conversations, she took off the earplugs, trusting him, and smiled.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty," she joked.

Percy smiled back, and Annabeth soon regretted taking off the protector. She saw, through his eyes, lines of evil that told mermaids stories. He started to sing.

Annabeth struggled, fought, but failed to overcome the spell. Percy sang and called her deeper, further out to sea. He said that everything would be fine, that it wouldn't hurt, and she knew it was a lie. Annabeth's body obeyed without reluctance. Her mind watched everything without doing anything. Annabeth, the real one, panicked. It was sinking deeper and deeper. She felt algae and corals at her feet. The rising tide was pulling it harder and harder. She was no longer able to touch the floor when she took Percy's hand.

Annabeth cursed him with every possible name in her mind. She had been careful at all times, she hadn't trusted him right away, and yet she had failed. She had been foolish to think that even though she knew a little about him, he would not betray her.

Soon, the ground disappeared. Her body was no longer able to stay above water. Percy pulled her down from time to time.

Annabeth submerged.

The pressure and suffocation of the water brought her down. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to avoid the salt water. Automatically, she held her breath, before the merman speak with her.

"Open your eyes, Chase. Look at me."

His melodious, sweet voice made her obey him. Annabeth exhaled and looked at him. Percy was beautiful, there was no way to disagree. His skin shone under the moonlight under the water. Her hair floated like black algae. The blue interior of his eyes, which in humans are red, shone brightly.

Annabeth was beginning to despair. "He's going to kill me. I'm going to die. I'm sorry, mom. I'm sorry, dad. Forgive me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Percy came over, ready to bite her, but she saw him hesitate. He looked at her, and before she lost consciousness, he looked away.

He would never be able to say what exactly went through his head to give up the idea of killing her. Of course, in addition to liking her, since they had spent a few days together and she had been a true friend (something he never had), Percy had the impression that there was something wrong.

But it was already too late.

Annabeth was dying, he knew. He had done this many times before. Her face was losing color, water was entering her lungs freely. There was not much to do for her. For a human.

Percy couldn't kill her, couldn't let her die after the last few days - he decided. He leaned over and pulled the blonde's head hard towards him and kissed her.

He had never done that before, but his studies at the Palace provided knowledge like that - which, honestly, Percy thought that all hybrids should know.

The girl's limp body shone brightly and stretched. Percy felt her skin turn into scales, sprout fins and thin her waist. He felt the girl's clothes disappear in his embrace, with nothing he could do.

When the metamorphosis passed, Annabeth was breathing weakly.

Percy lost his breath when he saw her.

"Gray?" He thought aloud.

Lines of magic, created by the brightness of the moon, descend from the eyes to the body. Her tail was encrusted with shiny stones.

Percy hoped she would turn into a random mermaid, but gray... Gray was an extremely rare color, and that was worrisome.

Annabeth could sum up that week as a nightmare. The last thing she remembered was being under the spell of Percy's Singing. She was drowning and, then, darkness. Only darkness. Annabeth woke up with a tingle throughout her body. She looked everywhere, but didn't recognize where she was.

Then, she saw Percy.

Percy was standing on the end of the bed, watching her. He wore a robe that covered part of his body, as well as an alternative crown on his head.

At first she thought she was dreaming. Then, started to scream.

"Annabeth! Annabeth! Calm down!" he tried.

"Calm me down?! Get away from me! Monster! Treacherous! Traitor! I trusted you!" she screamed, but her voice was affected, and only then she realized that she was under water, that she was breathing, and that she was undressed.

She screamed even more.

"What did you do ?! Percy! What did you do?" Annabeth felt her throat tighten when she looked down.

Her legs weren't there. A tail stirred back and forth unconsciously.

"Annabeth, listen" he tried again. "I'm sorry-"

"NO, DON'T FEEL" she fumbled for the nightstand looking for something she could use for defense.

"-but I needed to do this. You were going to die" Percy approached.

"No!" she hid her fork behind her and asked for distance between them. "Don't talk to me! If you hadn't betrayed me, I wouldn't nearly have died!"

His shoulders withered.

"Wisegirl, I ..."

Then Annabeth decided that hitting the prince of the kingdom would be a good deal.

After that - Percy almost dying with a hit in his heart, the royal family locking her in her room, discovering she would never see her family again, crying, breaking furniture and other tantrums - Annabeth felt more alone than before. Percy, whenever he could, went to visit her, but she never let him in or talked about it. She was devastated.

Her mother must have been in tears thinking that her daughter had died.

She would never be able to see her family again...

Later, Percy appeared at her door and threatened her.

"Annabeth, I don't want to have to do this, but today there is dinner at the Herbal Garden and you will be my mate," he said. "A maid will leave your clothes here, and I will come and get you. If you aren't, you will be thrown to the sharks."

And left her alone, terrified at the thought of being killed.

Annabeth didn't trust him or his family, but she had to trust her enough not to fall.

And that was what she was doing at that party.

"You see? I can swim on my back"

"Pff, look behind you, Percy"

And, thats it. Mermay finally ends :"(. It was so cool do a Percabeth au underwater. But maybe i should explain some points:

1- Percy is immortal bc he is Poseidon' son (duh) and he is the prince and heir of Throne (Sally is a mermaid too).

2- Percy has few friends, and, usually, Poseidon doesnt give him permission to hang out with them. There is all the pression at him, so Percy never can be himself.

3- Zeus was a merman from an important royal family, and Athena too (cause she is his daughter, duh/2), but they decided living on mortal realm and left all behind. Athena never told this to Annabeth, but she alwals said to her to stay away from sea.

4- Poseidon, Sally and Percy, first, didnt know who was she, but they "addopted" her because she was from an important family.

5- Annabeth finally talked with her mother. Athena said how worried she was, how happy she was to Ann was alive and how sad she was about Annabeth transfomation.

6- After this, Annabeth and Percy became friends. They hang out together and Poseidon let them hang out with Percy's friends.

7- Annabeth met Rachel and Grover, and she loved them.

8- Annabeth became known as Prince's Wife and as Princess before they know they like each other. The gray tail became famous in the "City that never sleeps"

#percabeth #annabeth fanart #annabeth chase #percy fanart #percy jackson #percy and annabeth #mermay 2021 #mermay #mermaid #pjo headcanon

36 notes · View notes

ryctone · 3 years

Text

Okay but with all the hype for the new event I forgot I made a Dark Choco & Croissant fic based on @the-wereraven's Golden Child!AU lol;;

Srry if the pace is weird I wrote this when it was late and I just wanted to write fluff of these two; Also Raven, I put some of my headcanons in these hope u don’t mind TwT.

(Warnings: Fluff, so much fluff and Dark Choco being a good older brother for a sick lil Croissant. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED.) enjoy!

---

The prince carried himself with elegance and grace. So much in fact, that his metal shoes touched the yellow-stone flooring with utter gentleness, soft and delicate as a trail of kisses. Despite the circumstances.

He didn't expect to receive a letter from the Cheese Kingdom that day, even less being informed that Golden Cheese's daughter; his pupil, was sick. Dark choco just had to see for himself, specially after how... peculiar this sickness was. He just wanted to make sure she was okay.

The guards at the door were already familiar with the heir of the Cacao Kingdom, since both their rulers are very close allays and knew he'd do no harm to the already i'll princess, granted him access to pay her a visit.

He entered the room and was greeted by-

“Hi, Choo.” came a little voice, muffled by the many blankets covering it before slowly revealing a little freckled face with golden eyes. Dark Choco paused mid-step, then smiled to himself.

Princess Croissant Cookie wasn’t just any cookie, that was certain. In the years since first being instated as his pupil of the throne by Golden Cheese herself; to show the young princess of Cheese Valley the ropes of ruling when the times comes; she had gone onward and upwards in proving her virtue and worth at such a young age, making for herself a dear place in the prince’s heart.

“Yes, it’s me. Hello Croissant!” The long haired prince proceeds to sit at the edge of the sumptuous bed.

“It’s really nice...that you’re here.” It was not the usual voice the little cookie addressed him with. Not the un-selfconscious, innocent delight and adoration of Croissant’s voracious curiosity. Rather, this was the voice that croaked and groaned, miserable enough to get the week off from school and not even enjoy it, though being Croissant, fell a little short. She had never enjoyed missing out on learning for anything, as Dark Choco well knew.

It hadn’t been the first time the prince had nursed his student through an illness, though it had been a while since the last time, and the fact this wasn't a normal sickness.

“I’m really glad you’re here. Thank you.”

The innocent sincerity touched Dark Choco, as it always did. “Of course, Cross. Your mom sent word to me as soon she knew too. You were quick to figure it out.”

The sick golden child made an aimless, sweeping gesture with her hand. “The first hundred degrees I went above normal were a bit of a clue. Candyneritus!” she suddenly exclaimed, knocking a few beetle and bird plushies about the floor.

“Candyneritus!” the little cookie cried out again. “Candynnnnnerrrrriiiiiiitus!” Dark Choco feared his student slipping into a moment of delirium. “I’m sorry,” Croissant said sullenly. “Is mom okay? I hope I got away from that sick cakehound quick enough.” She groaned and turned over.

“She is. She doesn't seem to have any symptoms according to the nurses. But is best to keep her out of your range until you’re feeling better and it can be disinfected completely.”

The freckled cookie nodded. “I hope she’s not worried...” she worried aloud.

“Only as much as you are.” Dark Choco said warmly.

“How do I even catch a Cakehound disease anyway? I’ve never heard of it happening, or read of it, or even read a story about it! Even for you, Choo, this has to be a first.”

Dark Choco accommodated the shifted blankets to cover his little student. “Indeed it is, I’ve never heard of it, let alone seen it happen.”

Croissant gave a throaty chuckle, which quickly descended into a cough. “It shouldn’t even be possible. It’s too terrible to be allowed. I’m all achy and dizzy and shakey...and that’s not even a real adjective! Or is it an adverb?” Croissant grumbled and kicked some of her blankets off. “...I’m cold now,” she intoned quietly. “I’m sorry, choo.”

“Don’t think anything of it, Cross. You’re not well.” the prince said as he tucked her in with her blankets once more.

“I know. I’m trying to think straight, but I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

“If you’d rather sleep, I could—”

“No! Please, stay?” Her winged form scrambled and scooped her way through the blankets and pillows until she was more or less grabbing Dark Choco's arm. Her wide, wobbling eyes pleaded wantonly. She shivered, then buried her head in the remaining cushions that weren't on the floor to keep warm.

“Croissant. It’s alright. I'm here.” He said in a reassuring tone, seeing her act like this breaks his heart a little.

“I think it’s my high magic quotient,” she said irritably into the fluffy pillows. “Anycookie would be immune, because cakehounds are really magical too, so any flu that targeted them would have to be adapted specifically for that. The Candyneritus thinks I’m a cakehound, so now my body thinks it is one too, and is fighting it that way. My magic is tricking itself.”

Dark Choco paused, then looked back to his student. “That was surprisingly succinct.”

“Well, I am sick, but that doesn’t mean—” She sneezed. The thick, viscous kind of sneeze perpetrated by only the true mucous exporter. Right in Dark Choco’s face. Croissant looked more sheepish than an actual cotton candy sheep. Dark Choco just casually whipped it out with a gloved hand; he has to remind himself to clean up later.

“I was actually considering much along those lines as well.”

It might have just been the fever, but Croissant’s eyes took on a particular shine. “You mean it?”

“I do.”

“I think like you do? I always,—I mean, I wondered and maybe, maybe I hoped that...I’m glad.” Her head and eyelids sank respectively. “Choo?”

“Yes?”

“I know...I know I’m not really thinking straight, and I’m kind of scared and everything’s still hurt, but...but...”

“I love you.”

Dark Choco drew a gasp. Suddenly his poise and calm were fleeting things before him.

“I love you. You’re like the brother I never had. And...and...and usually I’m so worried about one thing or another, or thinking things through so much, but...but, I can barely hear myself think right now. I’m just babbling, but it’s nice for once not thinking and just saying.”

“Cross.”

The winged child found the strength to dredge her head up from the pillow. “I love you, and I don’t say that enough and maybe no cookie says it enough even though we mean to, and especially not enough to you because you’re so much, so amazing, and for everything I’ve done and been and learned... Everything I’ve learned, and I find out there’s two more things I didn’t know and-”

“Croissant.”

“...and how much you’ve done for me, because maybe a tower full of books is what I used to think was the biggest gift to me you ever gave, but I’m just a silly, sick cookie and when I’m better I’m going to be so embarrassed but I want to say it anyway, because it wasn’t the tower or the books that means so much; it’s every time you make me smile, or inspire me, or challenge me to grow, and I realize now that you’ve been treating me my whole life as... Me, and not just a spoiled lil' princess to put in a pedestal and I love you for everything and why am I crying and smiling at the same time?”

Exhausted, Croissant dropped softly to her caramel-colored bed. The occasional tear going down her cheeks with a sniff. “And now I’m scared,” she whispered. “Because I don’t know what’ll happen once I’m through the fever or if I’ll even—”

“Cheese Croissant Cookie” Dark Choco said, being firm yet gentle with his tone. “It’ll be okay. I’m here, and I won’t leave you. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“But how—”

“Don’t concern yourself with that. You just get some rest and I’ll be right here.” Croissant sniffled and shivered. “Just sleep now.”

“I think...” she mumbled as her eyes drooped. “I think I can, now. I’m not so afraid with you here. I’m glad I said what I said.”

“Sleep, Cross. I’ll watch over you.” Croissant murmured something as she sank softly into sleep. After a little while and in the privacy of the utterly spacious room, Dark Choco smiled.

“I love you too.” He whispered to the sleeping little cookie before him. Dark Choco listened to Croissant’s breathing and, in the glow of the setting sun outside the window, felt himself richer than all the marbled cheese towers.

#fic #my stuff #My writing #au #cookie run #cookie run kingdom #cookie run au #not my au #Golden Child!AU #dark choco cookie #croissant cookie

26 notes · View notes

a-blue-secret · 3 years

Text

CHAPTER XXXIV

BACK TO MASTERLIST

Chapter XXXIII | Chapter XXXIV | Epilogue

GENRES: royal au; fantasy au; magic au; friends-to-enemies-to-lovers; king!beomgyu, vizier!taehyun

PAIRING: taegyu

WARNINGS: two swear words and a tiny makeout sesh :)

WORD COUNT: 7.7k+

AN: Here it's just me tying up any loose ends that may be left while also adding in fluff scenes which I believe are long overdue and.... I may have gotten a little carried away, which is why it's so long. But I hope you like it: the last proper chapter of Court of Lies!

SUMMARY: Best friends turned enemies, Kang Taehyun has managed to trick Choi Beomgyu into his service, and to rule for a year and a day, until his youngest brother would be old enough to take the throne. Choi Beomgyu has no intention of being obedient however, and tries to thwart Taehyun’s orders at every turn. With a growing amount of distrust and lies within the court, will Taehyun manage to keep the kingdom of Gojongja from falling apart?

Taehyun chuckled, smiling as Beomgyu swung their intertwined hands together. “Are you really that happy?”

Beomgyu beamed. “Of course! Three and a half weeks of not being able to touch you, and I’ll hold your hand every chance I get.”

“You'll hold my hand even while walking around the palace?” Taehyun asked, smiling as Beomgyu gripped his hand tighter.

“Of course! We’re friends, so it doesn’t matter, right?”

Taehyun laughed, letting Beomgyu swing their hands as they walked through the hallways.

They were on their way to find Seokjin, who was meant to take out Beomgyu’s stitches that day. Both of them had forgotten when the appointment was, so they were searching through the palace to find the Physician.

“Hm, maybe his office is next to the infirmary?” Beomgyu said musingly.

“If that’s the case, then we’re going in completely the wrong direction,” Taehyun said, tugging on Beomgyu’s hand. “Come on. This way.”

Beomgyu tsked playfully, skipping beside Taehyun. “You’ve lived in the palace your whole life, and yet you don’t know where the Royal Physician’s office is?”

“Shush, I just never had any reason to go there,” Taehyun said, pinching Beomgyu’s arm teasingly.

Beomgyu yelped dramatically, clutching his arm. “Ah! Oh, that hurts! Oh no, what if my wound is bleeding?”

Taehyun’s eyes widened, letting go of Beomgyu’s hand. “Oh no, I didn’t mean to make it bleed! Are you okay? Do you need me to carry you? We’ll get to Seokjin soon, I’m sure…”

Beomgyu chuckled, letting go of his arm. “Don’t worry, Taehyunnie. My wound is on my other arm.”

Taehyun sighed, grasping hold of Beomgyu’s hand again. “You scared me! I thought I’d actually hurt you!”

Beomgyu laughed. “Sorry! But you should know that I like to tease you. You should be used to it by now– ah! I’m sorry! Let go of my ear!”

Taehyun released his hold on Beomgyu’s ear, smiling. “Don’t do that again, okay?” he said, and when Beomgyu nodded, he laughed, giving him a peck on the cheek. “Oh look, you were right. Seokjin’s office is next to the infirmary.” He knocked on the door, and when it opened the Royal Physician stood there smiling at them.

“Oh, Your Greatness! Sir Taehyun! This way, in you come.”

.・゜-: ✧ :-

Taehyun watched as Seokjin clipped the stitches, pulling them out neatly and efficiently.

“Done!” he announced when the last stitch had been taken out. “That didn’t hurt one bit, did it? Though there may be obvious signs of where the sutures had been at the moment, if you take care of yourself it’ll heal so that there’s no scar left behind.” Seokjin smiled. “Alright?”

“Thank you so much, Seokjin,” Taehyun said. “For today, and for everything that you’ve done.”

Seokjin gave a small chuckle. “Oh, it’s no big deal. I think you’ve helped yourselves more than I would have ever been able to help you.”

“No, really,” Taehyun insisted. “Both you and Yoongi have been so calm while everything has been going on, and you’ve been more than willing to help us, even outside of your duties as Physician. It means a lot.”

“Agreed,” Beomgyu said. “Maybe you don’t remember, but when I was five I fell off my horse and broke my ankle and you were the one who healed it. I never forgot about that.”

Taehyun blinked at the random, strange detail, but Seokjin just laughed, giving a smile. “Of course I remember that, Beomgyu,” he said. “You asked me so many questions that day. How could I forget? You were the curious little boy who asked me if I would be able to sew someone’s skull back together.”

Beomgyu smiled at that. “I think I remember asking that,” he said, chuckling. “And really, thank you so much for all that you’ve done.”

“It was my pleasure,” Seokjin said, as the vizier and the King stood up, ready to leave. “Take care of yourselves, will you?”

“We will, Taehyun smiled, leaning forward to give Seokjin a hug. “Thank you.”

“Thank you so much, and take care of yourself as well,” Beomgyu said, hugging Seokjin too when he was released from Taehyun’s embrace.

Seokjin bowed, opening the door. “Thank you. Have a nice day, both of you.”

Taehyun and Beomgyu waved as the door swung shut. Seokjin waved back, before walking back to sit by his desk.

The sun streamed merrily through the windows behind him, as the Physician thought back to all the times he’d met and tended to Taehyun and Beomgyu throughout their lifetimes. He thought about their youthful laughs, their young tears, their brave smiles. He thought about how far they’d come, and how much they’d achieved.

And Seokjin smiled.

.・゜-: ✧ :-

“I can’t believe you actually remember something from when you were five years old,” Taehyun commented. They were walking through the palace again after meeting with Seokjin, intertwined hands swinging.

Beomgyu shrugged. “It was pretty memorable. Seokjin was the prettiest guy I’d ever seen before, so of course I remember him.”

Taehyun chuckled. “Is that it?”

Beomgyu glanced at him, smiling. “He’s barely changed at all over these past twenty years,” he said. “But you’re far prettier than him,” he added, bopping Taehyun’s nose affectionately.

Taehyun scrunched his nose, a smile on his face.

They didn’t say anything, a comfortable silence settling over them. Few servants were running around, and the hallways were rather empty. It was peaceful, walking around, their joined hands swinging by their sides.

Beomgyu kept glancing sideways at Taehyun before looking away, again. After the seventh time, Taehyun gave a laugh.

“Beomgyu, what’s wrong?”

Beomgyu bit his lip nervously, shaking his head. “No, it’s nothing.”

Taehyun tilted his head curiously. “Are you sure?”

Beomgyu glanced at Taehyun again before looking away quickly. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

Taehyun side-eyed him, before shrugging. “Alright.” Beomgyu would tell him what the issue was eventually.

They walked along in silence for a while longer. When they descended one of the flights of stairs, walking past the Discussion and Tactics room, Beomgyu suddenly halted, causing Taehyun to stop too.

“Beomgyu?” Taehyun asked. “Are you okay?”

Beomgyu stared at him blankly, gaze not completely focused. “Yeah, I just…” He blinked, an indecipherable expression on his face.

Taehyun just stared back at Beomgyu patiently. He knew that something was on his mind, and waited for him to voice it. Beomgyu continued to stare at him, before suddenly grabbing his arm and shoving open the door.

“What–”

Before Taehyun could finish his sentence, Beomgyu’s lips came crashing down on his as he was pushed into the room, Beomgyu shutting the door with his foot.

Taehyun, taken aback by the sudden movement, stumbled backwards. Beomgyu’s hand came to wrap around Taehyun’s waist while the other ran through his hair.

Beomgyu kissed him, hard, as his hand dug even further into Taehyun’s soft hair, twisting and threading it through his fingers.

Taehyun let out a small noise which was quickly swallowed by Beomgyu’s lips, as they continued to take several steps back until Taehyun’s thighs hit the edge of the table.

Beomgyu broke the kiss only for a few seconds to be able to grab Taehyun’s waist and lift him onto the table, before Taehyun gripped Beomgyu’s collar and pulled him towards him again.

They kissed feverishly, mouths moving in sync. Hands still on Taehyun’s waist, Beomgyu was pressed flush against him, but even so it felt like he wasn’t close enough. One of his hands came up to bury itself in Taehyun’s hair again, tilting his head to the side to deepen the kiss.

While one hand still held a tight grip on Beomgyu’s collar, Taehyun’s other hand reached upwards to cup his cheek, caressing his skin and pulling him impossibly close.

They kissed, so many unspoken words present as their lips met again and again. Words of ‘I love you’, and ‘thank you’, and so many other phrases that didn’t need to be spoken to be heard.

Eventually, they reluctantly parted, but not before Beomgyu nipped gently on Taehyun’s bottom lip, a smile on his face.

They were both breathing heavily, gazes fixed on each other. Taehyun’s hand was still tight on Beomgyu’s collar, and Beomgyu still had his fingers dug into the hair at the nape of his neck. Beomgyu’s eyes were shining as he stared at Taehyun, and Taehyun found himself unable to look away. His heart was fluttering wildly in his chest, and his ears were on fire. In the heavy silence that followed after their passionate kiss, he was sure that his heartbeat was loud enough for Beomgyu to hear.

Beomgyu’s gaze flicked from Taehyun’s mussed up hair and down to his lips, taking in how pink and swollen they’d gotten. He gave a small smile.

“Darling, you look beautiful.”

Taehyun couldn’t suppress the shiver that ran through his body as he registered Beomgyu’s low words, and he looked up at Beomgyu, licking his lips while he scrambled to organise his thoughts.

“I– is this the reason you pushed me into the Discussion and Tactics room?”

Beomgyu gave a chuckle, untangling his hand from the base of Taehyun’s neck to try and smooth down his messed up hair. “Maybe.”

Taehyun couldn’t help but smile, cheeks flushing. Beomgyu tilted his head as he looked at him, eyes wide.

“Why, did you not like it?”

“I– no– I mean, I did, but we should get going before someone walks in and we’re busted.”

Beomgyu sighed affectionately. “Taehyunnie, don’t think about things like that right now. You don’t need to worry about that.” He leaned forward until their foreheads were touching, smiling as Taehyun automatically leaned forward, eyes fluttering shut.

“You know I love you, right?” Beomgyu said, softly.

“I know,” Taehyun said, tilting his head to the side to press a kiss onto Beomgyu’s mouth. “I know I love you, too.”

Beomgyu smiled wider, hand tightening around Taehyun’s waist.

“I know I love you, but,” Taehyun continued, “We really should get going now–”

Taehyun, yet again, didn’t get to finish his sentence. Beomgyu, eyes fixed on Taehyun’s lips as he talked, had taken hold of his chin and pressed their lips together once more. But you wouldn’t hear Taehyun complaining about that. He immediately complied, tilting his head so far to the side that his nose brushed against Beomgyu’s cheek.

They parted, lips pink and faces flushed, both of them breathing heavily. Beomgyu’s hand stayed on Taehyun’s chin as he tilted his head to the side while he pressed his mouth on Taehyun’s jaw.

Taehyun, caught off guard, gave a small whimper as Beomgyu trailed his lips down Taehyun’s neck, leaving soft, sweet kisses in his wake. Taehyun tilted his head back to give Beomgyu easier access to his neck, eyes half closed due to the dizzying euphoria he felt. At the same time, he gripped Beomgyu’s shoulders tight to prevent himself from falling off the table.

After trailing all the way down Taehyun’s neck, Beomgyu slowly made his way back up again, leisurely pressing kisses on his way up. Taehyun, mind fuzzy with the feeling of Beomgyu’s lips on his skin, gave a soft squeak as Beomgyu mouthed several soft kisses to the spot just under his ear, and Beomgyu grinned.

“I think I just found my favourite spot to kiss,” he murmured against Taehyun’s skin, making the vizier shiver. “After your lips, of course.”

With some difficulty, Taehyun managed to snap out of his hazy state, peeling Beomgyu away from him.

“Alright, I think that’s enough of you kissing me,” Taehyun said as Beomgyu reluctantly removed his lips from Taehyun’s neck. “Come on. We don’t want someone to see us.”

Beomgyu pouted, leaning forward again to peck Taehyun’s lips. “Aw, why? Come on, you like it too. I know you do.”

Taehyun sighed. “Yes, but we’re in the Discussion and Tactics room, of all places. This is not good. We should get going– wait, what are you doing?”

Beomgyu tilted his head to the side as he took another step back. “Why? You said that we should get going now. So that’s what I’m doing.”

Taehyun frowned, lifting his arms out towards Beomgyu. “No. Come back.”

Beomgyu smiled teasingly, stepping backwards again. “But you said we should stop.”

Taehyun pouted his lips childishly. “I know, but– wait, come back!”

Beomgyu halted, grinning.

“Come back,” Taehyun demanded. “Kiss me again.”

Beomgyu laughed, walking back towards Taehyun who was still sitting on the table, swinging his feet. He took hold of Taehyun’s waist, smiling. “Alright then.”

He leaned forward and kissed Taehyun again.

.・゜-: ✧ :-

Beomgyu tapped his foot impatiently. Finally, after several minutes, the door to Taehyun’s chambers swung open again, and Taehyun stepped out.

“Finally!” Beomgu exclaimed. “Honestly, why did you take so long?”

“Because someone decided it’d be a good idea to run their fingers through my hair and mess it all up,” Taehyun said pointedly.

Beomgyu huffed, smiling. “Well, you messed my hair up, but you don’t see me complaining do you?”

“You naturally have adorably fluffy hair,” Taehyun dismissed. “That’s why it doesn’t matter.”

Beomgyu opened his mouth to protest, before closing it again. “True.” He quirked a grin. “Did you just say my hair is adorable?”

Taehyun flicked his forehead playfully. “Yes, I did. Now come on. Let’s go."

Beomgyu grinned and took Taehyun’s hand, the both of them walking through the hallways again.

“Where are we going now?” Beomgyu asked.

“Seohyun and Nabi,” Taehyun replied. “I want to see how they’re getting along with the whole ‘running Gojongja’ thing.”

“Oh, right, they’re doing that, aren’t they?” Beomgyu pouted childishly. “Oh, we’ll have to take over the ruling thing from now on. That sucks.”

“I know. Who knows, maybe we'll be able to convince them to stay in that position forever.”

“What, make them Queen and… Queen?” Beomgyu said, smiling.

“Maybe,” Taehyun said. “That’s a good idea, actually. Would it be possible?”

“Perhaps,” Beomgyu said. “I don’t know. I was just joking.”

“Hmm, I wonder if it’s possible,” Taehyun hummed thoughtfully.

“If it is possible, they’ll like it for sure,” Beomgyu said. “I think they like running Gojongja.”

“They like it more than you and I ever could,” Taehyun said, chuckling. “Oh look, here we are.”

He knocked on the door to the vizier’s office, and both he and Beomgyu stepped inside.

Seohyun looked up from her desk, and grinned. “Hey Nabi, it’s Taehyun and Beomgyu!”

Nabi’s head popped up from where it had been buried in a cabinet of papers. She spotted the King and the vizier and beamed, waving. “Oh, hey you two! What brings you here?” She walked towards her desk, dumping a huge stack of parchment onto it. Taehyun widened his eyes, walking over to Nabi’s desk, Beomgyu being dragged along behind him.

“Wh– why do you have so much paper?” he asked.

“Oh, you know,” Nabi said, smiling. “I'm reviewing all the staff members. Father used to do it every two years, but I was bored so I’m doing it today. It’s interesting, you know.”

Beomgyu balked. “You’re doing this… for fun?”

Nabi shrugged. “Yeah. It’s fun.” She gestured to Seohyun, whose quill was quivering furiously as she wrote. “My little sister over there is communicating with some of the foreign merchants who stay here in Gojongja. She’s been doing it for a while now.”

“I’m only five minutes younger, we’ve been over this,” Seohyun said, giving a light chuckle. “Hey Nabi, wanna swap paper analysis with merchant negotiation? My wrist is starting to hurt.”

“Hm? Oh, sure. Gimme those. I’ll give you this.”

Seohyun passed the envelope of letters to Nabi, exchanging them for the pile of papers. Taehyun and Beomgyu stared in shock at how calm they were acting.

“This sort of work doesn’t bore you… at all?” Taehyun asked, eyes wide.

Nabi laughed. “Bore us? God, no! This work is never boring. Frustrating, yes. But never boring.”

Beomgyu shook his head in amazement. “Wow… you two really are something else.”

“I hope you mean that in a good way, Beomgyu,” Seohyun teased, lifting her head. “Ah! Would you mind doing me a favour? I borrowed one of Sir Yoongi’s books to research what additional flowers we should add to our Palace Gardens. The gardeners wanted to know,” Seohyun said, lifting the thick book. “Here, could you give it back to him?”

“Oh, sure.” Taehyun took the book from Seohyun, staggering a little at its surprising weight. “We should go visit Yoongi, anyway, and say hi.” He looked at Beomgyu. “So we should be getting going now, I think.”

Beomgyu smiled, waving at the two Kang twins. “See you, Nabi, Seohyun!”

Nabi and Seohyun looked up in unison, grinning. “See you!”

.・゜-: ✧ :-

Before Beomgyu had even lifted his hand to knock, the door to the Antiquarian’s office swung open, and Yoongi beamed up at them.

“Beomgyu! Taehyun! Oh, my dear boys, how wonderful it is to see you alive and well!” He embraced both of them, ushering them inside. “Come in, come in! It’s so nice to see you. Here, let me make you some tea.”

Beomgyu and Taehyun let themselves be pushed into Yoongi's office, smiling amusedly at the Antiquarian's elated face.

His office hadn’t changed one bit. It was still warm and inviting, copper lights reflecting off from the copperware, giving the room a rustic glow. A kettle whistled merrily, and two of Yoongi’s signature tiny teacups sat ready on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Yoongi’s armchair was still as worn as ever, and little knicknacks and crystals still dotted the room.

It was strangely comforting to see that, even though circumstances had changed drastically over the past few months, Yoongi’s office still remained as comfortable and warm as always.

They sat down on the sofa as Yoongi reclined in his armchair.

“Ah, we came here to give you this,” Taehyun said, untucking the book from under his arm, handing it to Yoongi. Yoongi took it from him, smiling.

“Thank you, Taehyun. Ah, this is the book I lent to Seohyun, isn’t it? I’m glad that she used it well.”

He set the book aside before leaning forward, eyes twinkling.

“Now, how have you two been? You’ve had quite the experience these past few weeks. I have to say, Seokjin and I knew that you'd be able to break the curse in the end. But how on earth did you manage to do it?”

Taehyun smiled at Beomgyu, squeezing his hand. “It’s all Beomgyu,” he said. “Beomgyu freed himself.”

Beomgyu chuckled a little, shaking his head. “No, no. It was because of Taehyun that I managed to break the curse.”

Yoongi grinned at them, bringing over the teapot to fill their cups with chamomile tea. "Tell me, then! I am a curious soul, after all. Alright, so explain to me how exactly this all panned out?”

Beomgyu smiled at Taehyun, gesturing to him. Taehyun smiled back, and leaned forward to begin telling the story.

.・゜-: ✧ :-

Two hours and three cups of chamomile tea later, Taehyun had finished, and Yoongi stared at them in amazement.

“Oh my…” There was a slight sparkle of awe in his eyes. “Honestly, I feel like a child again, listening to a fairytale. I had no idea that Jeju Chois still existed. And the fact they came after you? The whole beast transforming and untransforming business sounds straight out of the myths that you only read about.”

“Honestly, it feels kind of surreal to think about right now,” Beomgyu admitted. “It feels like it was a fever dream.” He smiled.

“I’m not surprised that it does,” Yoongi said. “It all sound very uncanny.” He leaned forward. “Both of you are fine mentally though, right? What happened to you must have been rather traumatic.”

Taehyun shook his head, smiling. “I’m okay,” he said. “Because I know for sure that it will never happen again.”

“Same here,” Beomgyu said. “Not everyone has to have therapy after traumatic events, right? It’s like how not all war heros are mentally unstable afterwards. Maybe further down the line I’ll be able to use this tale to entertain little children.”

Yoongi chuckled. “That’s good. But you might want to use a more, well, child-friendly version of the tale. All that blood and death may be a bit too much for them.”

Beomgyu grinned. “True, true.”

“Ah, but I have no idea how you managed to figure that out,” Yoongi said in amazement. “You two really are incredible. Oh, have you gone to see Seokjin yet? He was also incredibly anxious about how you were faring.”

“Yes, yes,” Taehyun said, smiling. “He was the one who stitched Beomgyu’s arm. We went to him just now to get them taken out.”

“Good, good,” Yoongi nodded. “I must say, your two sisters have done a remarkable job of running Gojongja. Honestly, they seem as if they were made to rule.”

“They do, don’t they?” Taehyun said proudly.

“Taehyun and I were joking that maybe we should have them instated as permanent Queen and Queen of Gojongja,” Beomgyu added. “They rule better than we did.”

“Queen and Queen,” Yoongi mused, chuckling. “Indeed, that would be something I would very much like to see.”

He chuckled to himself for a few more moments, before sitting forward, as if he’d just remembered something. “Ah, but that does remind me. Tell Yeonjun and Hueningkai that Queen Erajin would like them to give her back her Lord, would you? Lord Hyunjin’s absence is apparently making itself known in court, and she would like him to return as soon as possible.”

Taehyun nodded his head. “We’ll tell them,” he said.

Yoongi smiled. “Good, good. Now, when were you going to tell me that Yeonjun and Hueningkai were the ones who brought Queen Erajin back to the throne? Ah, my two little apprentice spies have grown up so much.”

Taehyun smiled awkwardly. “Oh, I didn’t think that–” He paused, looking at Yoongi. “Wait what?”

Beomgyu’s eyes were equally as wide. “Your spies?”

Yoongi grinned, eyes sparkling. “Didn’t I tell you? I was a mentor for young spies in Aruyeo. I taught them alchemy. Yeonjun and Hueningkai were the last ever pupils I taught.”

Beomgyu gaped, mouth opening and closing wordlessly. “I– n– no, I don’t think you ever told us that.”

The Antiquarian chuckled, reaching for the teapot. “Would you like another cup of tea? This story may take a while to tell.”

.・゜-: ✧ :-

“And then he revealed to us that he’s been training Aruyeonan spies for decades!” Beomgyu said. “It was crazy to think that our gummy-smiled Antiquarian was once a spy trainer.”

Hyunjin chuckled. “That was probably a shock, wasn’t it?”

“You can say that again,” Taehyun said drily, smiling. “Anyway, I’m going to miss you,” he said, hugging Hyunjin. “It feels like just yesterday I was seeing you for the first time. You too, Yeji.”

While Taehyun hugged Yeji, Beomgyu shook hands with Hyunjin.

“You better stay in touch, okay? I want to get to know you super well,” Beomgyu said, grinning. “Write to us, alright? That’s an order!”

Hyunjin straightened, saluting. “Yes, sir!”

Beomgyu laughed, swatting his arm.

“You as well, Yeji. It was really nice meeting you,” Beomgyu said, turning to shake Yeji’s hand. Yeji stared at his hand, before reaching forward to hug him.

“You need to stop with the awkward handshakes, Beomgyu,” she said, smiling. “I don’t bite.”

“You can never be too sure around girls,” Beomgyu joked. “Take care, okay? Both of you.”

“We will, don’t worry,” Hyunjin smiled. “Right, we’ll be off now. Don’t hurt yourselves, alright? See you!”

Taehyun and Beomgyu waved as Hynjin and Yeji boarded their respective carriages, which soon drove out of the Gojongja Palace gates.

“It felt so strange to have them here, but it now feels strange to see them go,” Beomgyu sighed as the carriages became mere dots in the distance.

“That’s always what happens with goodbyes,” Taehyun said, tugging at Beomgyu’s hand. The two of them walked through the fields. “It always feels strange to say hello, but even stranger to say goodbye.”

“I know right? Why say hello if you’re going to say goodbye in the end,” Beomgyu commented.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes, birds twittering merrily in the trees.

“Hey Beomgyu?” Taehyun said, voice soft. Beomgyu turned to him, stopping.

“Yes, love?”

“I just realised something,” Taehyun said quietly. “We’ll have to say goodbye to Yeonjun and Hueningkai soon, too.”

Beomgyu grew quiet at that. During those past months, while he and Taehyun had been bickering and fighting and generally causing Taehyun a huge headache, Yeonjun had been the person constantly by Taehyun’s side. And then, along with Yeonjun, so had Hueningkai. It was natural that they’d ended up being good friends.

Beomgyu had grown an attachment to Yeonjun, too. The Aruyeonan had been kind to him, and put up with his hyperactive behaviour and even sometimes joined in with his antics. And Hueningkai: he had been one of Beomgyu’s few friends in Aruyeo, and he too was someone Beomgyu had grown close to.

Beomgyu sighed. “You’re right. We do have to say goodbye to them at some point. I never thought about that.”

The long grass of the field swayed around them as the wind blew a soft breeze. The chirping of the birds had taken on a sadder tune, almost as if they understood what Beomgyu and Taehyun were going through.

“I don’t want to say goodbye to them,” Taehyun said. “I don’t want to say goodbye.”

Taehyun’s head was bowed. He stared at his fingers as he twisted long strands of grass together. Beomgyu sighed, before giving a soft smile and wrapping an arm around Taehyun's shoulder.

“Hey, there’s no need to think about those sorts of things right now. They’ll leave when they leave, but we should appreciate them while they’re here, shouldn’t we? And I’m pretty sure they won’t be leaving without at least a week’s notice. Who knows? They may not even leave at all.”

Taehyun looked up, confused. “What do you mean?”

Beomgyu smiled. “Didn’t you hear Yoongi? Queen Erajin is super duper proud of her spies. If they asked her for anything, she’d probably agree to it before the words even left their mouths. Who knows? We could ask Yeonjun and Hueningkai to ask her if they can stay.”

Taehyun gradually understood what Beomgyu was saying, and his eyes lit up. “Really?”

Beomgyu kissed the top of his head fondly. “Yes, really. Now come on. Do you wanna go horse riding?”

.・゜-: ✧ :-

The moment Beomgyu stepped into the stables, he was almost knocked to the ground by Toto who immediately nuzzled into him. The horse was making lots of loud neighing noises, feathered tail waving as he jumped around excitedly.

Taehyun, understanding exactly what he was saying, began to laugh.

“What? What?” Beomgyu said through a mouthful of green feathers.

“He’s just saying how much he’s missed you,” Taehyun laughed. “You have one loyal horse right there.”

“Taehyun, tell him how you used me as bait to lure him out of the forests the first time!” Toto whinnied, still hugging Beomgyu.

“I didn’t use you as bait though,” Taehyun chuckled. “You told me you’d do anything. You volunteered.”

“You used Toto as bait?” Beomgyu asked. “How dare you do that to my favourite horse!” Toto whinnied, pleased, and Beomgyu turned to him, stroking his muzzle. “Yes you’re my favourite, you’re my favourite aren’t you? Who’s my favourite horse?”

By now, lots of horses were peering at Beomgyu, neighing amongst themselves, swishing their tails. Beomgyu had always been a favourite in the stables. All of them were glad to see him back.

“Oh, Hobak! It’s been ages since I saw you, how have you been?” Beomgyu exclaimed, running a hand through Hobak’s mane. “Wow, you look so sophisticated now.”

Hobak nickered, pleased with the praise.

“Oh! And this is the new horse that Yeonjun found! Well, not so new anymore. Wow, it feels like ages since I went horseriding with Yeonjun.”

Aengdu’s scales shone in the light, and the horse’s voice filled Taehyun’s ears.

“Two months,” the horse stated amusedly. “Two months it has been since Yeonjun brought me here. Two hold months. Can your boyfriend not keep track of time?”

“He’s been under a curse for a while, and before that he was sick,” Taehyun laughed. “We’ve been busy these past few months,” he said.

“I still can’t get over the fact that you can talk to them,” Beomgyu commented as Toto trotted up to him to rub all over the human. Beomgyu laughed as Toto’s feathers tickled his skin.

“Toto can fly, you know,” Taehyun said, smiling. “Your horse is amazing.”

Beomgyu stared at Toto, wide eyed. “You can fly? Really?” He grinned brightly. “That’s amazing!” His grin melted into a playful pout. “Why have you never shown me before?”

Toto nickerd playfully, turning around in circles.

Taehyun laughed. “‘If you’re so sceptical, get on my back and I’ll show you.’ That’s what Toto said.”

“I… I…” Beomgyu looked at Taehyun, speechless. “What?”

“Go on, Toto wants to show you. Go on! Let’s get out of the stables, and you can experience it for yourself.”

Wide-eyed and still rather shocked about what was going on, Beomgyu let Taehyun drag him outside, Toto trotting eagerly behind him. Taehyun clapped his hands excitedly, beaming.

“Alright, let’s go let’s go! Beomgyu, get on Toto! Come on!”

Taehyun seemed to be the most excited about what was happening. Beomgyu mounted Toto unsurely, looking at Taehyun.

“I swear, if I end up dying because of you…”

Taehyun pffted, waving a hand. “Why would you die? It’s not like Toto would be so careless as to let his favourite human die. Besides, you’ve been flying countless times while in beast form. You’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, but all those times I was practically insane and didn’t really know what I was doing!” Beomgyu said. “Taehyun, come on, you know that heights aren’t really my thing, I don’t know if I’ll survive this–”

“Oh, you’ll be fine! Stop exaggerating! You and I both know you love heights. Who was it who climbed the sycamore in the gardens, hm? The sycamore tree which was the tallest in all of the fields.”

Beomgyu hesitated. “I mean, yes, I did climb it, but this is different! I’m flying, not climbing!”

“Stop being such a scaredy cat, honestly,” Taehyun laughed. “You’ll be fine. I’m sure of it. And hey, if when you come back you still didn’t like it, I’ll give you a kiss and you’ll never have to fly ever again, okay?”

Beomgyu paused. “You’re sure that you’ll give me a kiss?”

“A nice, long one,” Taehyun promised. “Now go! Toto, off and away!”

“You promised, okay?” Beomgyu called. “You promised me– oh my fucking god!”

Taehyun laughed, waving as Beomgyu was swept into the air. “Have fun, Gyu!”

He could make out Beomgyu’s panicked frame clinging for dear life onto Toto’s back, and vaguely heard what he was saying.

“Kang fucking Taehyun, I better get my kiss after this is over!”

Taehyun just laughed again as Toto swooped and dived, before disappearing behind some clouds. Even though they were rather far away, Taehyun could hear Beomgyu’s loud screams and strings of curses, and he chuckled.

Taehyun convincing Beomgyu to ride Toto may sound cruel, but the vizier knew that even though he may complain and scream at first, Beomgyu would return with a huge smile on his face. Taehyun smiled up at the clouds, before turning back towards the stables. Three minutes. Three minutes was all it would take for Beomgyu to come back grinning.

.・゜-: ✧ :-

“Taehyun! Taehyun! Taehyun, where are you?”

Taehyun stepped outside as Beomgyu was dismounting Toto.

“So, how was it?” he asked, smiling.

Beomgyu grinned, hair adorably windswept as he bounced around like a young child. “So! Cool! Toto doesn’t even need wings to fly! One minute we were on the ground and the next minute we went ‘woosh’ and we’re all the way up in the air! I touched a cloud, Taehyun! It was amazing!”

“It was that good, huh?” Taehyun laughed. “Glad to hear it.”

“You know, I wasn’t scared one bit,” Beomgyu said casually, leading Toto back to the stables. “I was as cool as a cucumber. Not for a minute did I fear being up there.”

Taehyun raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything, content with watching Beomgyu’s face alight with a grin.

“Of course you didn’t, love,” he said. “Of course you didn’t.”

“Nope! Why would I? Flying isn’t scary at all compared to the stuff we’ve been through.” Beomgyu turned to Taehyun, still beaming. “So do I still get my kiss?”

Taehyun chuckled, shaking his head. “No.”

Beomgyu pouted. “Aw, why not?”

“I said you’d get a kiss if you came back and you didn’t like it. But it sounds like you did, so you don’t get one.”

Beomgyu pouted further, eyes drooping adorably. His hair was a mess, and strands fell across his eyes as he gazed at Taehyun pleadingly. “Please?”

Taehyun’s lips twitched, but he held himself back. “No.”

Beomgyu’s eyes widened further, brown irises sad and imploring. “Not even an ittle wittle one?”

Taehyun shook his head, averting his eyes. “Still no.”

He attempted to walk away, but then Beomgyu grabbed his arm and hunched his shoulders inwards, making him seem smaller than he was. He squished himself against Taehyun’s side, resting his head on Taehyun’s shoulder. And then, pouting, he asked, “Pretty please? Pretty please with a strawberry on top and extra rainbow sprinkles?”

Taehyun’s gaze flicked from Beomgyu’s puppy-dog eyes to his pouty pink lips, then back to his eyes and then back to his lips again. Beomgyu’s eyes widened even further, and he made a soft whining sound.

Finally, after several long moments, Taehyun gave in.

“Alright, fine! Only because you put a strawberry on top. Only because of that. Not because of your doe eyes or your fluffy hair or pretty lips.”

Beomgyu giggled, smiling. “Of course not.”

“Of course not. Now come here, you.”

Beomgyu made a happy noise as Taehyun took hold of his face and brought him in for a kiss.

.・゜-: ✧ :-

“Four weeks since I’ve been uncursed, and Yeonjun and Hueningkai still haven’t left. I told you there was no need to worry,” Beomgyu said as he and Taehyun walked to the secret garden.

“I suppose you’re right,” Taehyun mused. “Well, I guess I didn’t really have much to worry about.”

“Yup,” Beomgyu said, swinging their intertwined hands. He chuckled. “I can’t believe we actually went ahead with the ‘therapy’ sessions though.”

“What? It was a good way to get to know about each other while also overcoming our past trauma,” Taehyun said. “Group therapy is always best.”

“Past trauma,” Beomgyu repeated, chuckling. “We had trauma?”

Taehyun swatted his arm, but there was a smile on his face. “We all had trauma. We just didn’t know it. Anyway, we’re here now. No more trauma talk.”

Taehyun pushed open the ivy-covered door, and Yeonjun and Hueningkai both looked up, grinning.

“You two! You’re late!” Hueningkai called.

“Sorry, got held up by Junghoon,” Beomgyu said, sitting down on the grass next to them. “He didn’t want us to leave.”

“Oh, we haven’t visited Junghoon in a while, have we?” Yeonjun said thoughtfully. “You and I should go some time.”

Hueningkai nodded. “Right, we should.”

“You know, what I love most about this garden is how strangely soundproof it is,” Taehyun commented, blowing away a butterfly that attempted to land on his nose. “I never knew why.”

“It’s because of old Elmie,” Hueningkai said, nodding towards the elm tree. “This elm tree has been protecting you from being eavesdropped on for so long that its protection became permanent.”

Taehyun widened his eyes. “Really?” He looked at the elm tree, and felt it give a nod. He smiled. “Thank you. It means a lot.”

Yeonjun shivered. “Brr, there goes Taehyun doing his foreign exchange thing again. What are you, a tree-whisperer?”

“Yes,” Taehyun replied simply, smiling. “I am.”

“It’s always so calming to be here, isn’t it?” Beomgyu said, lying down. “I feel like we’re in a world away from anyone else.”

Taehyun lay down on his back too, and so did the Aruyeonans. There was peace as they all stared up at the blue sky. White clouds drifted leisurely by, and birds twittered cheerfully in the distance. The odd butterfly fluttered in the air, and the calm hum of bees gathering nectar could be heard. Sunlight cast its merry glow over Gojongja, basking the Kingdom in a ray of happiness.

None of them said a word, content with the silence.

That was, until Yeonjun spoke.

“Soobin’s no longer in his cell.”

Taehyun sat up so fast that for a moment he saw stars. “Say what?”

Beomgyu sat up too, but more slowly.

“Their cell is empty,” Hueningkai said. “No Soobin, no Arin.”

Taehyun’s eyes were wide. “What?”

“You guys seem calm about this,” Beomgyu stated.

“It’s because we know he isn’t going to harm anyone anymore,” Yeonjun said.

Taehyun frowned. “But you don’t know that. He’s dangerous. If he can escape from our dungeons, who knows where else he can go? He curses without a second thought. He could bring destruction to any one of the Four Kingdoms without blinking an eye.”

Beomgyu seemed to understand the Aruyeonan’s point, lying back down again. “Ah. I see.”

Taehyun, still sitting up, slapped Beomgyu’s arm. “What do you mean ‘Ah. I see’?? This is Soobin we’re talking about here! He’s so dangerous we cannot even begin to understand how destructive he is!” He continued to hit Beomgyu, stressed.

Beomgyu sat up, catching Taehyun’s hand gently in his own. “Hey, hey, calm down. There’s nothing to worry about. I promise. He’s not dangerous anymore, okay? Promise.”

“You don’t know that!” Taehyun said. “You almost went insane, Beomgyu. He tried to kill us. Several times. I think I have a right to be worried, don’t you?”

“No, listen. He doesn’t have a reason to come after us. Or anyone, for that matter. His sister was the only reason he did any of this. Now that she’s gone, he no longer has any motivation,” Yeonjun said.

“His sister is dead – well, not dead, but close to dead – by his own hand. He has no reason to go after anyone,” Hueningkai added. “I don’t even think he cared about the past of his clan. That was his sister’s motive, and his motive was his sister. With Arin gone, he will no longer do anything.”

“The only reason I told you was because I thought you should know,” Yeonjun said.

Taehyun breathed a sigh of relief. He picked up a twig and half-heartedly threw it at Yeonjun. “You idiot,” he sighed. “You got me all worked up for nothing.”

“I didn’t want you to panic later on if you found out for yourself,” Yeonjun said. “Because then you would have gotten really worked up.”

Taehyun nodded. “True. I would.” He lay back down, calm again.

“Alright, now nobody should drop any huge bombshells while we’re all being calm, okay? If I get surprised, I might accidentally blast you guys into the wall,” Beomgyu said, lying down.

Hueningkai craned his neck to look at Beomgyu. “What?”

“If I sit up too quickly I might accidentally send you flying into the wall at the same time,” Beomgyu said. “And you’ll end up with about five broken ribs.”

Hueningkai nodded, looking a little nervous about that startling piece of information. “Ah, okay.” He lay down again. Yeonjun gave a soft chuckle as Hueningkai looked at him, a panicked expression on his face.

Calm descended upon them again.

After having gone through so much together, there was little need for words between them. They could sit in that garden for hours on end, no one saying a word, and yet they’d still have a good time.

Often, that was what they’d do. They’d stay silent, listening to the peace of the garden (even the plants kept quiet so that Taehyun could sense the calmness too) without having to say anything to each other. Other times, the garden would be full of life as they chatted to each other, eagerly retelling stories and laughing aloud. They could be as loud as they liked, or as quiet as they liked, and it wouldn’t make a difference. They would still leave the garden, wide smiles on their faces.

“Psst. Everyone.”

Taehyun lifted his head. “What?”

“I have something to say,” Yeonjun whispered loudly.

Beomgyu sat up. “What is it?”

“Well, Hueningkai and I–”

“You don’t have to whisper, your whispers are loud anyway,” Taehyun said, sitting up.

“Ah. okay.” Yeonjun reverted back to a normally speaking voice as Hueningkai sat up too. “Well, as I was saying, Hueningkai and I have something we forgot to tell you about.”

“Ah, right, we do,” Hueningkai said, nodding. “We’re free.”

Beomgyu blinked. “Huh?”

“We are officially relieved from spy duty,” Yeonjun said proudly, beaming.

Taehyun gaped. “What, really? Since when?”

“Since the day we reinstated Queen Erajin back onto her throne,” Hueningkai grinned. “We asked her to view it as our parting mission, and she agreed.”

“Wait, so does that mean you’re not spies anymore?” Beomgyu asked.

“Well, kind of,” Yeonjun said. “We’re retired spies. We’ll still stay part of her inner circle, but we won’t do a lot of these spy missions anymore.”

Taehyun beamed. “That’s great! So does that mean you still have to go back to Aruyeo?”

“Only when she summons us,” Hueningkai said. “And we’re retired, so we’ll be summoned very rarely.”

“I– wow, that’s great news,” Taehyun said, amazed. “Really, that is. That means you can stay here with us, right?”

“Yup!” Yeonjun said, grinning. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of us from now on!"

“That’s great, seriously,” Beomgyu said, smiling. He leaned forward, hugging Yeonjun. “You’re annoying, but if you were away from us that would be even more annoying.”

Yeonjun chuckled. “Thanks, I think?”

“Aww come on guys, group hug!” Hueningkai said, and the four of them all huddled together, arms around each other.

“Let’s stay together tomorrow as well, okay? And the day after tomorrow and the day after that.” Taehyun said once they’d pulled away.

Yeonjun laughed. “Of course! You will have to put up with us even on Nabi’s and Seohyun’s coronation day.”

Taehyun gasped. “You guys are going to stay and see it?”

“Why wouldn’t we?” Hueningkai grinned. “You’ll have to put up with us on your wedding day, too. Probably also in the many years that follow.”

“Uh– we’re not getting married–” Beomgyu started.

“Nonsense!” Yeonjun exclaimed, punching Beomgyu’s shoulder playfully. “I can totally picture it. And we’ll be there, right by your side.”

Taehyun grinned. “You better be! I need friends to laugh with when Beomgyu cries on our wedding day.”

“You’ll cry too, Taehyun,” Hueningkai said. “On your wedding day, It’ll be me and Yeonjun and the Hwangs and all of the Kangs there, and we’ll all be crying our eyes out at your wedding.”

Beomgyu sputtered, lost for words. “We– we’re getting married?”

Taehyun kissed his cheek, laughing. “One day, love. Perhaps one day.”

Yeonjun yelped, placing Hueningkai’s hands over his eyes. “Ah, my eyes! Hueningkai, please shield me from their displays of affection!”

Hueningkai took his hands away from where Yeonjun had put them over his face, laughing. “Oh, stop being dramatic, you drama queen.”

Yeonjun gasped dramatically. “Drama queen? Me? Now what on earth are you talking about?”

Their delighted chatter rang through the garden, fluttering and floating and filling the place with its warmth. Their laughter and their happiness cast a contented glow over them, widening their smiles and brightening their eyes.

In the corner of the secret garden stood the everlasting flower on its pedestal, but this time it was no longer simply a crystal rose. Now it was a crystal chrysanthemum, its ice petals studded with tiny fragments of coloured glass. There was no longer a dome covering it: now it levitated in a glass ball, turning gently as it bobbed in midair. The glass ball it was within was no normal ball either. Veins ran along the outside in places where the glass was thicker, and looked almost as if to have stretch marks where it was thin.

Their everlasting flower was no simple rose anymore. It had changed, as Beomgyu and Taehyun had changed. It had changed as their lives had changed, with new people entering their world and influencing them in ways that they'd never foreseen before.

They'd changed so much. And who knows? Beomgyu and Taehyun will probably continue to change, but they won't be alone. They'll have each other, and also Yeonjun and Hueningkai who will always stay by their side.

As they grow older, and learn more about the world, they will continue to change as their experiences influence their characters to make them the best people they can be.

They will by no means be perfect: no one can be perfect, anyway. But they'll still be them, even throughout all the change, and as long as one can stay true to oneself then that can count as perfection, can't it?

This everlasting chrysanthemum symbolised longevity and joy, but for the people who had helped make it, it also symbolised family. Because they were a family now: a family of people who had come together under unusual circumstances but had come out of it as one.

And so for them, the everlasting chrysanthemum – their family – was as perfect as it could be.

Beomgyu, Taehyun, Yeonjun and Hueningkai would continue to change as they experienced new things and learned more about the world. But they would change and experience these things together. They'll change, but they will also stay together too.

They'll still be together through all of their imperfections, all of their struggles, all of their pain.

They'll still be together as the sun sets on Gojongja, and as the sun rises yet again.

They'll still be together, even after tomorrow.

taglist: @my-moarmy-heart @arohabangtan @a-fragmented-world

10 notes · View notes