#I can safely assure anyone reading this that it will not get any smarter

[hartlesshart]

4/14 how we got here -> Page 1

Continue on if you dare -> Page 5

[finelinevogue]

Can you write something about when Harry and Y/N broke up but fans speculate that they got back together and they did get back together. They broke over something stupid, please. You don’t have to do this exactly it can be something like that.

let’s see how this turns out! hope it’s what you wished for?!

The last few months had been rough.

What had started as rumours of a breakup between everyones favourite couple, you and Harry, had turned into an actual breakup.

It had started by Harry spending more time with Olivia, due to press for Don’t Worry Darling. They were always hanging out with each other, even when there was no publicity stunt telling them to. You found it appropriate at first, wanting the movie to gain some form of reputation, but after a while you believed it turned South. It was becoming a definite friendship and not just because they had to. It was the way that Harry would bring Olivia over for dinner without checking with you first, or taking the dog for a walk with her not you, or even staying longer out on stunts than they needed to just because they wanted to.

So you challenged Harry on it. Hell, even the tabloids were challenging you both - claiming Harry had split from you for Olivia. You made him question whether he thought his actions were irresponsible and appropriate or not, to which he thought there was nothing wrong and thought you were being irrational. You didn’t speak to him for the rest of the day, only to find him later on the phone speaking to Olivia about how crazy you’d been acting about it all. So you showed him crazy and walked out.

Until today.

For over a half a year your sister had her wedding planned and Harry was supposed to be your guest. You were nervous about turning up without him, because your family were very judgy. Your sister couldnt help being the smarter and the prettier one, but she also didn’t have to parade it around so everyone knew of it. Your mum and dad thought you a disappointment for the longest time, but once you’d gotten a job and had moved out they were a bit more loving over you. Still didn’t hide the fact they desperately hoped for you to have a relationship. It wasn’t that you were bringing Harry along to prove that someone loved you, but more to prove that they would never fully be satisfied whether you had a boyfriend or not. There would always be a podium stand slightly lower for you to stand on.

However, they didn’t know about the breakup.

“Y/N, nice to see you. Where’s Harry?” Another guest asked you, relatives of your mum. It was the same question over and over again, no one really caring about how you are but instead whether you’re in a positive relationship.

“Oh um I think he’s just running a bit late.” Was your chosen answer to respond to said question. It was repetitive, but it kept people off your back.

The wedding was completely beautiful. It was in a beautiful church and was decorated to perfection. The theme was white and royal blue, something your sister had always dreamed of. Children played amongst the pews and family relatives mumbled to each other about gossip. There was still a heavy sadness to the event. Maybe it was because your sister hadn’t asked you to be a bridesmaid - instead, choosing her best friends instead - or maybe it was because you missed Harry so much.

He’d fucked up. He really had, but it didn’t take away that burning passion for him that spread like a wildfire in your belly. You missed him. You still loved him. Worst of all, you had to pretend everything was all alright in front of your family when actually you were breaking apart inside.

Harry hadn’t messaged saying that he was or wasn’t coming, but after everything that had happened you were confident he was going to be a no show, and you would be the embarrassment of the family once again. Your relationship had been very private and exclusive, but Harry’s fans were so investigative you wouldn’t be surprised if they knew that you’d broken up and were aware that you were at a wedding today without him. Neither of you had made a public statement about your breakup, but neither of your wanted to damage each other even more. Fans suspected though and rumours travel fast.

“Y/N how are you doing? How’s Harry?” Another aunt came and asked you, this time with your mother in tow.

“Oh he’s great, yes.” You smiled forcefully, not actually having a clue how your ex-boyfriend was doing. You didn’t keep up with his social media because you were afraid of what you might find.

“Where is he? Is he here?” Your aunt asked.

“He’s late, apparently.” Your mother answered for you, sneeringly. “You’ll be made a fool of if he’s a no show Y/N.”

“I know.”

“I hope everything goes well for you both.” Your aunt kindly said, before waiting for your mum to say something nice too. That was a mistake though.

“Well it’s unlikely she’ll find someone again!” Your mother laughed and pulled your aunt away from you. You furrowed your eyebrows and let your heart sink low.

What were you thinking, letting Harry go like that? Your mum was right, you were never going to find anyone else again. You were so lucky with Harry. He was so kind and so patient with you, but obviously he’d run out of steam towards the end. It doesn’t surprise you. You’ve always been told you’re a mighty handful and you need a lot of work put into looking after you, so you understand why you were probably too much for Harry. The showbiz life had never really been something you’d completely submerged yourself into, whereas you guess for Olivia it was rooted in her from birth. She understood Harry’s world the same way he did hers. They would match perfectly for each other, if that’s what they wanted.

You watched the room continue as usual, but you couldn’t keep yourself here. There was too much sadness welling deep within you that you wanted to just run and then keep running. So you did, only to get as far as the bench in the front courtyard. The outside felt calmer and more freeing than inside, you sat and absorbed it for a while, not realising that you were crying until your pretty multicoloured dress had grown darker with a pool of your tears.

“Shit.” You tried rubbing the tears out, but only made you cry a little harder. You thought about your makeup running and tried to compose yourself, fanning your face to calm it down from the heat now.

“And here I was thinking weddings were supposed to be happy.”

You stopped fanning your face to look at him. You couldn’t believe he was standing there, dressed in a beautiful white suit and salmon pink shirt underneath to compliment the colours of your dress - the outfit that you’d helped him pick out over a year ago. He’d remembered. He trusted that you’d still be wearing this dress. He was a sight alright. A vision of beauty and love.

“Harry?” You questioned, wiping your under eyes to clear away any running mascara, not quite believing he was standing there.

“So what was it? Bad music playing? No vodka? Or maybe there’s nowhere for you to escape to go read the book I know you have stuffed away in your clutch bag.” He stood at a distance from you, hands in his trouser pockets, to make sure you were comfortable.

“I brought vodka instead of the book.” You chuckled, reaching into your clutch to prove it to him.

“Lucky for you, i’ve come to save the day.” Harry reached to the inside of his blazer pocket and pulled out a Kindle. You’d always been debating whether or not to buy one, because the feeling of having a book to turn its’ physical pages is a feeling second to none. “Take it, it’s yours.”

Harry handed it out to you and you stood up to reach for it hesitantly. Harry assured you that it was okay and that you’d been reading too many books if you thought it was a trap of some sort.

“Thank you, Harry.” You spoke sincerely. You stroked your thumb over the cover and turned the case lid over to start up the screen. The screen lit up and it was set to a picture of your favourite quote, annotated just as you would have in your own book. You chuckled and let a few tears drop from the kindness of all of this.

“And then…” Harry unlocked the Kindle with your birthday as the password, before clicking on the library so you could discover what was waiting for you on your virtual shelves. Harry had downloaded all your most favourite books, whilst also downloading the ones he knew had been on your to-be-read list. He’d even added a few of his favourite books too, just because you liked reading his recommendations.

You smiled, but felt so lost.

“W-why are you here, H?” You asked, closing the lid and bravely looking up into his enchanting eyes. You had to control yourself not to comment on how wondrous they looked.

“To save the day.” He chuckled in repeat, until he knew you weren’t taking that for an answer. “Because I fucked up. Big league time.”

“Yeah.” You whispered, looking down at your shoes to see that they weren’t that far apart at all. He was so close to you, yet he wasn’t yours to catch.

“And i’ll never forgive myself for letting you walk out of that door. The promotion shit with Olivia? Done. I’ve finished. I explained that the movie isn’t as important to me as you. You,” Harry paused to breathe out, and took the risk of guiding your jaw up to meet your gaze with his soft hand, “you are real Y/N. You’re so important and key to my life and it bloody terrified me, still does actually, to think that you make me feel this way. I want everything with you. Marriage, kids, a home. A life. I was so worried I would screw it all up, though, to the point where I did screw it all up. I lost you and so I lost me. It’s selfish of me to ask whether any part of your heart still wants me, but—”

“Yes.” You quickly interjected before he could say something he’d later regret. “There is, yes.”

“R-really?” He stumbled over his response, not expecting you to react so soon but his words had got to you. His feelings were vulnerable and raw and it reminded you of how much you love him and feel safe with him.

“Why? Would you like me to say different.” You teased.

“No,” Harry rushed, stepping closer towards you, “God now. Stay, please. Forever, if you’ll have me?”

“I can deal with forever.” You leaned up to where his lips were, craving the taste of them against yours so badly. “Can I?” You looked between his lips and his eyes, watching his eyes coo in admiration of you. His arms snaked around your neck and cupped the back of your head, resting his ringed fingers against your skin delicately.

“You don’t have to ask, angel.” And with that you didn’t hesitate to reclaim your clips on his. He tasted as sweet and as soft as you could remember. The hint of mint sweets he kept in his car could be tasted all over his mouth, and he could no doubt taste the vodka on yours. He took no time in rushing to have his tongue exploring your mouth once mouth, biting on your lip when he got the chance to. He wanted you to remember this moment and how much love he has for you, and always will. Just as you do for him.

Hesitantly pulling away you smiled at him cheekily, feeling so much lighter and happier to have him here. With you in his arms so expertly.

“What?” He asked, leaving a quick kiss to your nose, inhaling his scent as he did.

“Just can’t believe you’re here.” You stroked his cheek with your thumb, and he leaned into your touch so comfortably. He had missed you so damn much, and it showed.

“Let you down once before and I wasn’t going to do it again.”

“So you’d have shown up even if I hadn’t?”

“Not happily, but yes.” He laughed thinking about it.

“Why?” You laughed with him.

“I’ve got to make my impression on your family somehow. Need to remind some of them how amazing and beautiful their special Y/N L/N is.”

“Some are going to need a lot more persuading than others.” You sighed, side-frowning over your words.

“No offence, but anyone who doesn’t treat you as a fucking diamond doesn’t deserve you and should watch out for kick up their backside from me.” You laughed over his empty threat and buried your head against his chest, listening to the heartbeat and rumble of laughter that came from within. This moment alone felt like home. Safe and warm.

“I love you, H.”

“Bloody love you too.”

Harry ended up returning to the wedding with you, much to your mothers surprise, and you both enjoyed the celebrations together. You shut yourselves out from everybody and just danced, talked and drank the night away.

You were so in love.

Later, photos got leaked of the wedding and it showed you and Harry dancing away in one of the backgrounds of the photos. It was supposed to be a shot of just the bride and groom, but you two have managed to get caught in it. You looked so caught up in each other that you still weren’t even aware the photo had been taken. You and Harry had determinedly avoided the camera all night, exactly for this reason, but a part of you was kind of happy that this one photo got leaked, because it showed the world that Harry was yours and you were his. It showed that you were together, or back-together as addressed by some FBI fans, and that you were stronger for it.

[whorefordazai]

Hi I just binge-read a lot of your Chuuya headcanons but if you haven't already could I request Dazai, Fyodor and Chuuya with an s/o who has tourettes syndrome. Sorry if it's too much

helloo! I really quite liked this idea so I decided to do some research on it because I didn’t wanna be disrespectful. I personally don’t have Tourette’s syndrome but I know people who do. I also know that it’s different for everyone and not everyone has the same symptoms. For the sake of these headcannons, I didn’t go into specifics and kept it general!

s/o with tourette’s syndrome

ft. dazai | chuuya | fyodor x gn! reader

genre: fluff

warnings: mentions of tics

Dazai

I don’t think Dazai would notice at first. (He’s smart but he just wouldn’t expect it🤔)

Assuming you work at the Agency, you’d both be at your desks. You were getting some last minute work done for the end of the day when a tic decided to appear.

Dazai would definitely notice within two minutes of watching you softly jerk your head to the right, over and over again.

But he wouldn’t know what exactly is going on😭??

This mf would copy you 😭👉🚪

Thinking the both of you are playing a game, he’d also begin to jerk his head to the right, copying you’re movements.

You couldn’t help but laugh. Never has this ever happened to you before🧍‍♂️?

“Dazai...what are you doing? ^o^”

“...aren’t we playing a game? This is fun, but oh darling, my neck is starting to hurt! ◕ ◡ ◕”

“...ಠ◡ಠ”

No cuz, this man is sending you all over the place-you can’t help but laugh again.

“Dazai...you can stop now. I didn’t do it on purpose. I have Tourette’s syndrome.”

He’d stop in his tracks and slowly turn around the chair with an “•o•” look on his face.

“Ah...that makes much more sense. I haven’t offended you darling, have I?”

You laugh. “No Dazai, this was quite the funny experience.”

That might’ve been a small tic, but sometimes it gets worse. During those worst moments, Dazai lowkey panics😳

The first time he witnessed a more aggressive tic was when you failed to save two people from dying. You were so stressed and it just ended up happening?

He tried his best to calm you down but watching you made him super nervous. Nervous enough to bite his fingernails, he tried to sooth you by rubbing your back.

You assured him that it would only probably last an hour, but medication would help lessen it.

He nods in slight relief, but still tries to keep you away from objects that you could injure yourself on.

When you’re having tics, he becomes extra protective.

Dazai always makes it a daily routine to keep extra medication on him, in case you ever need it.

He doesn’t treat you any different that the time he didn’t know you had Tourette’s. In fact, he loves being educated on the topic to make sure you’re always safe.

Chuuya

This man would be head full brain empty just like Dazai.

Except he wouldn’t start copying you like that bandaged bastard😭👉🚪

The first time he noticed was when the both of you were in his office, writing the report on the mission you completed.

From the corner of his eye, he’d see you start furiously sniffing.

His first thought “Do I smell bad? ಠ~ಠ”

Then he’d see you start jerking you’re head, gripping the pen in you’re hand.

“Oi, are you good? Did something crawl up your pants?”

“Ծ_Ծ”

Again, he’d be super confused.

“Don’t worry, Chuuya. I have Tourette’s syndrome. These are tics.”

He’d make the same face as Dazai “•o•”

I feel like he wouldn’t exactly know how to act because he wants you to be safe and feel comfortable.

He’d be really over protective. “Do you need help? Should I get something for you? Do you want anything?”

The way he’s offering to do all that stuff is adorable, but you assure him that you’ve dealt with this since you were a small child so you’re fairly prepared.

He definitely wouldn’t treat you any different, but that won’t stop him from caring about you 10x extra. He can’t help it. Mans has attachment issues🤚

If anyone were to make fun of you, he wouldn’t hesitate to kick them 20 feet into the air😎

He picks up fairly quickly, so he wants to always be there with you no matter what. But ofc, he can’t. He’s the Port Mafia executive so he’s always busy.

He helps you during and after your more aggressive tics. Gives you a lot of head rubs and kisses.

Fyodor

Unlike Dazai and Chuuya, Fyodor would definitely figure it out upon first seeing you.

I feel like this man wouldn’t react so deeply unlike the others. He’ll just be like “◕‿◕👍”

He’ll definitely care about you, make sure you’re always safe, but other than that he won’t treat you any different.

This man is creepy asf and is somehow always predicting your tic attacks before even you know.

“Fyodor...how are you always predicting my tics before they happen-”

“It’s pretty simple, my love. I am just smarter then the human population ٩(^‿^)۶”

“...good enough ʘ‿ʘ”

He stays with you during your more aggressive tics, and holds you in his arms once it’s over.

Sometimes it can go on for hours and hours so he really knows that you’re tired :(

If your body is sore, he’ll give you massages🥰

Even though Fyodor isn’t a touchy type of person, he’ll pat your head, wrap an arm around your waist, etc.

After all, you’re the only person in the world that matters to him. Everyone else can fuck off😁🤚

a/n: for these headcannons, I included the common tics like jerking your head, sniffing, body movement. But ofc I know there are different types of symptoms. Really sorry if this isn’t what you wanted!

[jacepens]

okay, so I was reading through some of your posts, and I definetly need to hear more about the "flirting-through-their-wives" thing tho...

yes yes indeed!

Thank you msrandomstuff! I shall do my best to provide:) <3

Let me start first with Lafayette's letter to Washington and this lovely little passage here: June 12-13, 1779. Laf to GW.

"Be so kind, My dear General, as to present My Best Respects to Your lady, and tell her how happy I would feel to present them Myself to her, at her own house—I have a Wife, My dear General, who is in love with you, and affection for you Seems to Me So well justified that I Can’t oppose Myself to that Sentiment of her’s—She Begs you would Receive her Compliments, and Make them acceptable to Mrs Washington—"

Now, this is just my biased speculations but- Lafayette says Adrienne (although should I take into consideration the extra playful nature here when he just names her as "a Wife"? Rather than my wife or Adrienne? Is it suspicious or regular Laf behavior? One could look at that and say, right or wrong, "a Wife" may not actually be Adrienne...if you catch my drift.) is very in love with Washington and Lafayette feels just as strongly as she does! But if we are flirting through our wives, let me add that my wife continues to compliment yours and actually, let me praise and compliment you twice, George. Because Laf did start this letter by expressing his concern for Washington's safety. Romance aside, I could see Lafayette playfully doubly begging George to keep himself safe and remember his Marquis loves him.

But it's Washington's response that really gets me, and it gets the little cogs in my head turning.

Sept 30, 1779. GW to Laf

"Tell her [Adrienne] (if you have not made a mistake, & offered your own love instead of hers to me) that I have a heart susceptable of the tenderest passion, & that it is already so strongly impressed with the most favourable ideas of her, that she must be cautious of putting loves torch to it; as you must be in fanning the flame. But here again methinks I hear you say, I am not apprehensive of danger—My wife is young—you are growing old & the atlantic is between you—All this is true, but know my good friend that no distance can keep anxious lovers long asunder, and that the Wonders of former ages may be revived in this—But alas! will you not remark that amidst all the wonders recorded in holy writ no instance can be produced where a young Woman from real inclination has prefered an old Man—This is so much against me that I shall not be able I fear to contest the prize with you—yet, under the encouragement you have given me I shall enter the list for so inestimable a jewell."

Washington has immediately caught Lafayette! hehe. (On a historian-rambly note, I just love how human and playful the line: if you have not made a mistake, and offered your own love instead of hers to me is) And it seems that Washington very enthusiastically receives Lafayette's double compliment! He even confesses to having a heart susceptible to the tenderest passion, you know, the only kind of passion Lafayette has for Washington. (It could be nothing. But. I find it interesting that it is passion, singular rather than passions, plural. I honestly read it as passions but nope...just one passion. Could be normal, might not be.)

But please please I need to talk about the second half. George continues to assure Laf (I mean his "wife"-) that he is so favorable of her (him) that he must be careful to...put love's torch to the flame of George's fondness. I actually find this part extra fascinating and while my first thought is, how cute!! I can't help but read into it the longer I look at it.

So, hear me out. George is afraid of falling in love with Lafayette or vice versa or naming what they share as love love. Again, this is more heavy speculation and just one way to read it, but this sentence just really stands out to me.

But, it sounds like this is a conversation they've had before, so often in fact, that George knows exactly what Lafayette would say in response. Lafayette does not mind the danger. Mind the danger. (not apprehensive of the danger) Do you- do you see what I see? (what's more dangerous than being in love love with a man?) But but then I hear some sadness from George. There can be no real danger when they are separated by the ocean and even their age? A fire cannot burn them down from such distance. (Now I'm just talking...)

But no fear!:) We will be reunited, (I'm having an epiphany, Laf was anxious of George at the beginning of his first letter. That's probably a giant leap to make but I'm making it anyway lol). Ps can someone smarter than me tell me what the Wonder of former ages is? xD I can take some guesses, but I'm not too sure. Maybe it's nothing fancy at all.

But but please. The way it ends. George seems to go a little back and forth between sad, self-deprecating and hopeful and loving, but he ends on the cute cuuuute fact that Lafayette encourages his pursuit and love:) George will enter the list so the inestimable jewel of Lafayette's..."wife". (Lafayette)

Cute. Too cute. Am I digging too far into things that have no meaning? Perhaps. Is this still just...flirting with each other through their wives? (platonic or romantic) Yes oh my god yes.

But I'm not done. (Same letter from GW to Laf)

"It only remains for me now, to beg the favour of you to present my respectful compliments to your (but have I not a right, as you say she has made a tender of her love to me—to call her my) amiable & lovely Marchioness—& to assure you that with every sentiment of the most perfect regard, & personal attachmt I have the honr to be My Dear Marquis Yr Most Obedt & affect. Servt"

Please. please. Pleeease. Come oonnnnn. The emphasis on "your" (I checked Laf's full letter that he wrote the above passage in. He never once calls Adrienne "my" just, "a wife". Technically, "a Wife" could be anyone. I rest my case. (or it could be the differences in French and English for all I know. I don't know French, but I'm assuming Laf knows the difference between a and my at this point. Maybe a bold assumption, maybe not.)) only to very cheekily add again, George caught Laf's double compliments of him through his wife. George knows he's writing this to (my) Lafayette. And then of course, he calls Lafayette My (My!!) Dear Marquis (no abbreviations this time here folks). Obviously, I know George calling Laf My Dear Marquis is nothing out of the ordinary, but in this context, it seems worth nothing, does it not?

And. This quote still keeps me up at night. It's not a full flirting-through-wives, but what does it meeean?

From Laf to GW. 5-10 January 1779. (Right before Laf left for France during the war, same year as those letters above)

"I hope you will quietly enjoy the pleasure of being with Mrs Washington, without any disturbance from the ennemy till I join you again;"

I could again spend way too much time looking at all the different angles of this. It- it's just the "till I join you again" that really gets me.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this?? I hope it was sensible, but really, thank you so so much for giving me an excuse to ramble about this. I feel like there are still so many different ways this could be interpreted and if I had more time, I would love to find the photocopies of these letters to potentially analyze even what was crossed out or what looked rewritten vs very natural and not edited. (Washington claimed he didn't edit his letter much, but how true is that I wonder? lol)

Also, not that I think you would, but don't take anything I've said as fact except for the quotes themselves:) Like I said, this is all my (biased) speculations and interpretations but it's honestly not built on a lot of background on how they communicated with other people. (Again, if I had more time, I'd love to see if I could find if these things were standard for them to say or rare).

But really, on an aside, can historians stop assuming everyone as straight? I want lgbtq+ until proven differently xD. Because when you think about it, the lgbt spectrum is a vast number of identities and straight is just one. (Not that people who aren't alive to label themselves should officially have modern labels put on them, but in that same thought, why then call them all straight?)

Ok ok you've listened to me talk enough.

Thank you!! <3 I hope this satisfies:) (ps anyone is free to add to this)

[uglyshirtsinc]

AIGHT HERE WE GO BUCKLE UP!! Endermen hybrids Illumina, Purpled, and Ranboo! With a sprinkle of Technodad and Sonboo, a drizzle of Little Brother Purpled and Big Brother Punz, with a side of Illumina and Fruit friendship! Less go! This was meant to be a ramble but literally ended up a fic outline?? Could even be read as a fic if you wanted??? What the hell 6 am me???

Endermen hyrbid are valuable because since they're half human instead of making enderpearls they make eyes of ender, and they respawn like humans do so they're used to farm ender eyes.

Ranboo meets Illumina and Purpled after being kidnapped and separated from his dad at the wee age of eleven meets sixteen year old Illumina and eleven year old Purpled.

He's tossed into a cell with the two of them, Illumina being there to calm the younger two down after being used for the farm. Whenever Illumina is brought back to the cell, he cares for the boys and dotes on them, acting much more worried and clingy that normal. They let him take care of them, knowing that keeping them safe calms him.

They talk about their lives before being taken, Illumina talks about the adventures he and his friend Fruit would go on. The dangerous things they did. He promises the boys to one day show them cool tricks, using the excuse of "the cell is too tiny and someone would get hurt" as to why he can't show them off there, not wanting to tell them the little portions of food he recieves (even less considering he gives most to the boys) has eaten away at his strength.

Purpled talks about his adoptive brother Punz who's just a bit older than Illumina, at age seventeen. How he was a cool mercenary hired to do "super secret" stuff and protect people. He tells them about his trident and tomahawk.

When Ranboo opened up, it gave Illumina his first real sense of hope he's had in a long time. Ran talks about his dad, emperor of the Antarctic Empire and faithful patron of the powerful Blood God. Illumina had heard of the Arctic Empire's hybrid son and after story after story began to believe that Ran really was the prince of the Empire. Ran's father obviously loved him, each story leaving him in tears of either longing or laughter. His father would be searching for them, and he would find them.

Weeks turned to months and nothing changed, until Ran was on the floor screaming in pain and Purpled was hiding in the corner wailing in fear. Illumina could hear cracking, popping, and spotted two hard lumps just next to Ranboo's shoulder blades and realized he wasn't just some Enderman hybrid, but rather a dragon hybrid. When the pain finally subsided and their captors returned to take the two young boys Illumina knew what he had to do.

He didn't know much of Gods and patrons, only what he read while searching the strongholds with Fruit after their latest adventure.

Patrons were messy, being worthy to have one and be a follower was even messier. But within that moment, he didn't care. Thousands of voices in his head was better than having to witness those monsters that held them captive force Ran to cough and gag and wheeze in attempt to get Dragons Breath from the boy. It was worth it to return Purpled to his brother, to see the boys eyes light up the same way they did when Ran said his dad would save them. And for just a moment, Illumina let himself be selfish. It was worth it to get to hold his best friend close, to be strong enough to scale buildings and run from golems they'd messed with. To see the sunrise over a snowy mountain, to show the world he was faster, stronger, and smarter than anyone imagined.

Cutting his hand on a jagged rock sticking from the walls that he had warned the boys about so often, be used his own blood to draw the symbol. When it glows and the world fades, stands before him a towering man with hair as white as snow, wearing the finest attire fit for a king, dressed in gold with everything he wore.

Wordlessly, a deal is made and as their hands shake Illumina is staring into dark, ruby red eyes sparkling with a beast like excitement. The Blood God speaks and tells him "They have been waiting." And Illumina knows what he means.

When the world returns, his ragged and dirty clothes are replaced by the ones he would wear before the monsters took him. A pouch of emeralds hangs from his belt and a familiar black mask covers his nose and mouth. His strength has returned, but at a cost he has yet to find out.

There's no whispers, no cries, no one yelling in his head. There's no insanity blocking his train of thought. No amnesia. He is Illumina.

He wraps himself with the one thin blanket they were allowed, curling up near the gate to keep himself and his clothes covered.

Purpled is first to return and Illumina places a figer over his lips, signaling Purpled to stay quiet. When Ran returns, it takes Illumina less than thirty seconds to have the monstrous man on the ground unconscious. Ran and Purpled watch in awe as he checks the horrid man for anything of value to them. A ring of keys, a pouch of coin, an iron sword, and a map are all Illumina deems worthy.

While his strength has returned, he's mindful of the boys and their weak bodies. He carries Purpled on his back, the violet eyed boy the smallest out of them all.

It takes hours to escape their prison mostly undetected. When they do, Illumina grabs the first horse he can find that's saddled up and tells the boys to hold on as he rides off.

The map was appreciated beyond comprehension. It doesn't take long to find a town and get the boys proper clothing that will survive the journey to the Arctic. Keeping them close and their heads down they get what they need tools wise and leave before the sun can even set.

It's hard, telling Purpled that he'll have to wait even longer to see his brother, but promises once they return Ranboo home that Punz can come there to take him home. If Illumina must admit, he chooses Technoblade first because once it hits the news of the princes return and Illumina's name is spread, he hopes Fruit will come and find him, even if they have to meet in the middle.

Throughout the terror and pain, they push through. From the nights they got separated, Purpled clinging to Ran and assuring the dragon hybrid Illumina will find them, fighting off zombies when Ran couldn't stand straight to hold a sword. The relief when Illumina scoops them both into his arms and holds then tighter than before.

With hunters hot on their tail they can't afford to stop and it takes four months itself to reach the borders between the Arctic Empire and whatever land they found themselves in.

Ran's wings have grown in, one a dark, scaley black with brilliant green in the folds between each bone. The other is a is white and reminds Illumina of a jellyfish, bits and tassles hanging from the wing giving it a much more fragile, paper thin appearance. Both are incredibly strong, despite their looks, and it's often the intimidation factor the two wings bring that gets them out of sticky situations.

A year has passed since they've been held in captivity, Illumina now seventeen and the boys twelve.

Illumina buys the cheapest tickets to the Empire, having to hold Ran's hand to keep him from teleporting ahead in excitement. He cries multiple times, the feeling of finally being free and so close to home hitting him like a truck. Illumina sees the excitement on Purpleds face, knowing after Ran he gets his family too.

They arrive on the island and immediately Ranboo is dragging them the way to the inner walls. Claiming to know his home like the back of his hand. Passing by a few guards, Purpled asks why they don't just tell the guards they have the prince.

"The guards were the whole reason Ranboo ended up where he was, plus they could try killing us immediately thinking we took Ran. I can't risk putting you two in any more danger." Is the reply he gets.

They teleport to the other side of the walls easily, walking to the other, and teleporting. This repeats for two days till they reach the inner most wall. Techno stands on a platform in the town center, his expression showing no emotion and stance as proper as ever. Just watching him stand so straight makes Illumina's back ache.

Ranboo sobs on the spot and before he can call for his father and rush forward a hand is placed on Illumina's shoulder with a harsh grip.

The guard asks who they are, saying they most definitely are not meant to be there, and within that moment a rage so heavy it hits Illumina like a tidal wave.

A year of torture and pain, months of walking and risking his life to get here and right as he can reach it someone stops him. Illumina barely registers it before the boys jump back screaming and he's pulled his sword out to hit the other man.

He faintly hears cries of "Harvey!" As more people rush towards them. He can only focus on his blade pressing against the man, Harvey's, sword and the deep laughter filling his mind.

"It seems you've finally been broken into." The Blood God thinks aloud.

He yells for Ran to run to his dad who's being ushered of stage, his speech being cut short.

Ran looks between his father who has yet to notice him and then back to Illumina who's risked so much for him. To Purpled, who looks horrified and is trying his hardest to pull back Illumina.

And he chooses them.

Jumping between Illumina and Tapl he unfurls his large wings and yells out with a slightly staticy voice "Stop!"

And it's as if the world has stopped, the Blood God no longer speaking in Illumina's mind, Purpled can sag his shoulders in relief, and all eyes are on them.

He looks into Tapl's heterochromatic eyes and in a voice barely above a whisper says "Stop attacking my family."

Tapl steps back, the other guards step back. All can easily recognize the missing Prince, from the two-toned hair to the sparkling eyes only he possesses.

His name is breathed out and demands attention. Ranboo turns to gaze at his father from across the short distance and it's real.

They meet in the middle and Ran holds his father like a scared child, and Techno allows himself to crumble and cry. He cries for the child thought to be dead, stolen from him by those he trusted. He cries for the year and months he's spent separated from him. They cry together, and tears of pent up pain turn to tears of happiness. His grandfather and uncles appear soon enough, he's wrapped in hugs so tight and a pair of wings so warm he could fall asleep.

Purpled and Illumina and thanked for bringing him back, and all Illumina asks is for them to help them find their homes. A message is sent far and wide of Purpled's reappearance and it takes less than a month for a blonde boy, fresh i to adulthood to come crashing through the castle doors and Purpled to find himself wrapped in his big brothers arms once more.

Punz sobs so loudly it's heard from across the palace, clinging to his baby brother and cradling him like a baby.

You'd think after the royal family just about got on their knees to thank him, Illumina would be used to it and stop being so embarrassed, but something about seeing Purpled light up like he's dreamed of seeing the boy do and finally getting to see with his own two eyes the brother he talked about makes him very thankful for the mask there to hide his flushed cheeks.

Ranboo and Purpled aren't ready to let go, so Punz stays with his brother in the castle for awhile.

Illumina is asked thousands and thousands of questions, where they were taken, how they escaped, etcetera.

He takes Techno aside and confesses the deal he made in return for their freedom. He confesses he has yet to know what he's given up to the Patron and his fears. He confesses that He couldn't bare the thought of young Purpled loosing his hope and being raised in a place like that, Ranboo being hurt worse and worse for bottles of acidic breath.

He apologizes for being selfish and wanting to find his family.

And for the first time in forever, he's being held in the safety of a warm hug. He gets to cry and be comforted, he gets to be weak.

It takes longer, but one day new face appears and after four years he breaths in that ridiculously sweet scent of green apples and sweet fruits that Fruit Berries always had. He hugs his friend once again.

They show the boys their tricks, as Illumina promised. They watch them do stupidly dangerous things that make Phil, Techno, and Wilbur flinch and jump to catch the two seventeen year olds, always groaning in faux annoyance watching them land safely, Phil claiming this'll give him a heart attack and Wilbue and Techno agreeing their stupid (while impressive) actions are gonna be bad influences on their sons. Wilbur calls it quits after they manage to drag Punz in, the mercenary dueling the two of them and trying to see whether strength or agility are better. Purpled is torn between cheering for either family member and just yells words of encouragement a lot.

For once in a long long time, they're safe.

[ringmyheart]

Hey was wondering if I could get something for lookism characters with an older s/o, like they're 3-4 older. Please do goo, Jake kim and Scott kwon.

Good luck with the blog🤩🤩🤩

Goo Kim

When you get into the relationship, of course he knows ur age and that you’re a few years older than him, and at first he doesn’t mention it but once ur like just a little bit closer he’s probably gonna poke fun at the fact

Because there’s nothing wrong w u being older it’s just that in all the stereotypical or general movies or shows or books it’s like the older person in the relationship is usually the like stronger or more providing person ends up being the oldest in the relationship and ur not useless in the relationship at all but he’s out there like killing ppl and raking in thousands a day at like 19 😭

If ur walking around in public and someone stares at u for a little longer or one of the ten geniuses is looking at u just casually he’ll get up in their face and b like “whaaat?! Do you know who you’re staring at? That’s your elder over there!! Show some respect!!”

He definitely sends u cringy texts like “how’s my favorite 21 year old 😍😍😍😍” and it’s clearly somewhat condescending but he means it endearingly simultaneously

If u don’t know something that he asks u he’ll raise a brow and go “really? A four year head start and u can’t tell me that 🤨” and it’s all good fun but he’s always gonna say stuff like that

And this is all unprompted, if he knows ur actually kinda like insecure for whatever reason that ur older than him, maybe bc he’s already getting cash like crazy at his age, he’ll either start making fun of u relentlessly OR if ur serious about it he’ll cut it out of course and never mention it again. He might try to make u feel better by being like “don’t worry!! Physically and mentally im probably years older than you 😘” and it doesn’t really make u feel better probably but he kind of tries

It’s honestly no big deal to him what ur age is, but if he knows u don’t like him mentioning it so much he will bc he likes to be annoying LMAO and whenever u accomplish something he’ll be like “did u see what my s/o did?! My 21/22yr old s/o?! At their old age they’re still kicking it!!” And ur in NO means old but he just wants to strike a nerve in u and fight in public for fun

But when u put him joking about it aside, it really doesn’t mean anything in the relationship honestly. He doesn’t feel like there’s a certain way for things to go nd just goes about things normally, and he doesn’t really see people older than him as wiser or anytning so he’s not gonna like go to you for advice or ask you to figure things out for him just bc ur older

And honestly u don’t even need a job anymore bc ur gonna b together for a long time and he makes SOOO much money so if u hate ur job or college u have the opportunity to do what u want in life without worrying ab the pay bc he makes it all for u

And yeah he’s pretty stingy w money besides being filthy rich but when or if u need it he’ll give it to u ofc and he wants u to pursue what u like too so he’ll even go to ur job or college and just inform them “btw (y/n) isn’t gonna work here anymore” for u and gets u a job as whatever u want. He beats up ur boss so u can get promoted or something but if u ask about it he’ll deny it anyways and it’s like who else would beat tf out of my boss and he shrugs

Or if u like ur current job or college he’ll threaten the school or ur boss LMAO and have them give u more money or make u pay less or promote u

Even tho ur older than him he sees himself as the like leader of u two ?? Like he’s a really joke-y guy on the exterior but behind the scenes he is doing all the like hard stuff so u don’t have to. Like he sees it as he helps u and if u never offer much help or advice he doesn’t gaf, it’s like he helps u and in return he gets u LMAO

If u like ur job or college, don’t wanna quit and don’t want him threatening ur superiors he is like the number one customer of u guys

Like if u r working retail or as a cashier he is always going to that store nd buying stuff nd funding ur business and he gets chairman choi to do so too

Or he’ll just buy ur company or college LMFAO and suddenly sales r booming and u don’t know why r ur classes r so much easier

Yeah ur older than him and the twelve geniuses but he doesn’t let u near them 😐 he doesn’t want u to be a part of that type of business and honestly keeps u away from it besides maybe gun bc he’s always around him but that’s it

Like he doesn’t want u anywhere near his business or that type of stuff and if ur curios about it he says “u will understand when ur my age” or something LMAO so u will stop asking. It’s like the 1 time he’s suddenly rlly serious

If anyone else mentions how ur older than him in a demeaning way he’ll def be mad it’s like HE can make fun of u but no one else can, like ever. He will fight them nd win even if it’s just on the street or something

He’s threatened like two of ur friends behind ur back bc they made fun of u once and u mentioned it LMAO

He makes u do taxes (does he even do taxes ????? LMFAO) but if he does he makes u do them bc suddenly he thinks ur so much smarter and wiser

If he’s in a rut and needs ur help and it’s something dumb like he lost something he’ll b like “cmooon ur so much smarter than me 😣😩 ur like 21 u would know this for sure” to make u do it and he uses flattery

None of the ten geniuses know ur name bc he’s tryna keep u safe lol

If ur ever in a situation somehow vaguely similar to one he’s in and he needs help on it he’ll ask u what u did, and if u say something surprisingly smart or wise he’ll be kinda surprised bc I feel like he’s cocky and doesn’t think others can help him that much but u do

But overall, it means nothing to him and it doesn’t matter how much older u r he’s still gonna feel like the protector

Jake Kim

It REALLY means nothing to him. Like he honestly never mentions it and ur like does he even know??? Bc a guy like him who’s like a leader of a whole enterprise type thing gang usually seems like he’d wanna be the elder in a relationship so ur like “... u know I’m like 4yrs older than u right?”

And he’s like “...yeah? Was that important or something?” And just blinks at u so ur like ... never mind

Honestly he probably makes u a bank account and puts money in it to surprise u on ur birthday or something like a little fund thing and he has a bank account on the side for u that has like thousands of dollars

If u ever feel bad or weird that ur older than him bc he is so successful and younger than u, he wonders why it even matters??? Who gaf??? And he’ll just hug u or something and is like pls don’t even worry about that... wth

If u ever feel petty bc he’s so much more successful than u bc it’s like when u have a hobby that u love and then a kid ends up being so much better at it than u but SO much worse bc he has like millions at like 19 💀 then he’s like okay but it’s OUR little enterprise now since we r together to assure u. He’s not cocky about it at all

But he won’t offer for u to join or try and help him out in making money even if he’s got to or it’s vital bc he also doesn’t want u involved w Big Deal at ALLLLLLL either, u could literally b like the smartest person in the world but once ur his s/o he probably doesn’t want u involved in his business at all

He does assume ur kind of wiser than him bc of ur age, so he’ll ask u for help or advice more often

Tbh regardless in a relationship he probably doesn’t leave any work for u to do like he does everything the financial stuff the living stuff everything so it doesn’t matter if ur older than him or if u see it as ur responsibility bc of that he’s still gonna bring in the money for y’all

Like he’s gonna take care of everything even if ur older so there’s no pressure for u to “act ur age”

Never brings up the fact that ur older than him, but maybe once in a fight it got bad and he yelled “ffs ur 21 u should know better than this!!” And that hurt ur feelings or something so from then on he just never ever mentioned it

And when others mention it he makes a cut throat motion like “stfu😡” bc he took it as u not liking ur age being brought up rather than u not liking it being held against u but it’s still kinda sweet how he tries to preserve ur feelings sm

If ur in college or something, he tries to help u w hw and stuff and he’s rlly educationally smart I think like he might’ve gotten bad grades but he understands quickly

And eventually he’s just doing ur hw for u LMAO

One time he probably accidentally wrote “Jake Kim” on the top of ur hw and u had to explain to ur professor why that happened

If u work, he probably also bribes ur boss or something to give u a raise and promotion or if u wanna move jobs but r scared of the low pay he feels like it’s a dumb fear bc he is clearly rich af, like u probably don’t even need a job 😭😭

Ur allowed to since ur in ur 20s legally but he doesn’t like or doesn’t let u go around casinos bc he’s seen firsthand how bad gambling is and he has the money to compensate if u ever get into gambling and lose a lot but he just doesn’t want u to feel guilty or get addicted

Like if u pass a casino and wanna go in and r like hey wanna check it out he just grabs ur hand and keeps walking and is like “let’s not” and probably asks u at one point to pls not get into gambling

If ur kinda petty bc he’s so much better at fighting than u despite being younger he’s like u don’t even need to fight I can literally do that for u???? Bc he feels like the only reason U would ever need to fight is to protect urself so if u wanna do it for fun he’ll teach u but doesn’t take it that srsly

He maybe made like one joke ab ur age or sent u a meme he saw ab relationships but u left him on read and it was just a bad joke or something but yeah overall he really refrains from bringing up ur age like ever 😭😭

He thinks ur insecure bc ur getting older or something and that’s y so he might start going like “looking youthful today 😀👍” every morning to u and ur like oh hehe thanks ????????

If someone else ever voices that they think it’s weird ur older than him he’ll fight them too like first he’ll go “(y/n), is this ur friend ?” Like he did w jiho and if ur like no he’s like oh :)) and then punches them or something

Doesn’t tell u stuff ab his business and ur like I’m 20-23 I can handle it and he just refuses anyways and will leave u in the dark bc yk won’t even risk it

Someone in Big Deal might be like “use ur s/o to help us work nd get money since they’re old they seem professional” he kicked them out immediately ur not touching that shit

But generally, he doesn’t care about it at all, and honestly just cares ab u and not ur age

Scott Kwon

He definitely uses u to get into places only ppl 20+ can enter LMAOO

He’ll have u walk in first and then slip in past u and if he gets caught he grabs u and goes “THIS is my s/o!!! They’re clearly of age, and I’m their s/o so clearly I am of age too 😤😤”

Ur banned from like 50 bars because of this like there’s a little “if these two come and ask u to enter their bar DO NOT LET THEM ENTER!!” Wall for y’all

He might try and hide in ur coat or something to get in but it never works

He definitely makes fun of ur age in a cocky way like haha... an older person wanted to get with ME. Little old me. And he feels like hot stuff bc of it for sure

Brags about it a lot like will take out ur photo and goes “u see this?? My s/o?? Yeah they’re in love w me and THREE YRS OLDER... hold ur applause guys” and it boosts his ego sm

He sends u scarily recent memes or jokes on the internet ab older s/o’s if there r any, and eventually when u go on his Instagram at least 1/3rd of his feed is just ageist jokes

If it really hurts ur feelings, he won’t tell any jokes ab it and won’t mention it ever again but will continue to utilize ur age to do things he can’t at age 18-19

He feels proud that he’s making sm money and is such a good fighter despite being younger than u bc he feels like it makes u look up to him so he’ll boast about it like he’ll punch something and go see that babe????? I can do that and I’m only 19!!! And ur like omg that’s so cooollll!!!!! <3 and his heart just swells

Pays for anything u want like buys u everything u ask for or just look at tbh, and also feels like u have no responsibility just bc ur older and seees himself as like the “leader” if the relationship and has a sense of duty to helping u and everything

Steers u away from trouble ASAP too it doesn’t matter if u can hold off on ur own, if he sees guys that just look mean he and u r walking the other way and ur like bro what?? And he just lies and is like I liked the sunset this direction or smmn and he doesn’t confide in u ab scary things

Bc yeah u can probably handle scary or threatening news but he’s not gna risk it regardless

If he’s rlly stressed ab something that can’t endanger u he won’t tell u that much ab it but might vaguely describe his predicament and looks to u for help and comfort and u just listen and he feels so much better afterwards and he’s telling u all this and ur just like mhm uh-huh :) and so he starts confiding in u more

But ruins it by going like “damn old ppl r good listeners 😆” and ur like STOPPPPPPP

Everyone in God Dog knows ur name age face and occupation bc he’s always talking ab u LMAO

When he was younger and didn’t have that much leniency with the law he made u his legal guardian so he can do what he wants and he tries to use u to get him to do stuf by pointing to u and going “they’re my legal guardian and they say I can drink all this!!” And ur like “no I absolutely do not???!!!!!” And he thought by doing that he’d get anytning but u prioritize his health 🙄 and he’s annoyed but secretly loves it and loves u doting on him nd worrying ab him and his well-being lol

In general, he rlly doesn’t care that ur older than him. His only big concern I. A relationship ever is how he can keep u safe bc he’s in pretty like tough stuff, and he’ll make fun of u but in all good fun and loves u sm

Thank you for the request, and thanks for the wish of luck <3 I’ll the my best w this blog!! I’m not that good at writing for Jake Kim, btw, because his character can kinda confuse me sometimes but he seems to be popular so I hope I get more requests of him so I can get his character down and write him properly. 💘I hope this was what u wanted 😭

[luverofralts]

Post Arkhelios

The cards were saying nothing intelligible to Roman. He had been stuck for almost a week now in Arkhelios, pretending to be unable to leave his house. He was pretty sure that his mom was buying it, though his grandmother had given him some sideways looks when he stepped half an inch off the porch. She noticed everything, and what she didn’t see for herself, she claimed the cards told her.

Roman was getting a little better at reading the tarot cards, but nothing really popped up but death, death and more death. Malika had assured him that the death card was usually just a warning of endings and change, but seeing it pop back up again and again was wearing thin on his nerves. Who was in danger now? Were the cards warning him of his death, or Abe’s or even that of their baby?

It made matters even worse that the cards never mentioned a baby in his readings, something Malika said was unfortunate, but not unexpected. Those types of things happened all the time. If Adriel had been right about him, and he was actually related to a demon, his major suspicion was that Malika was the branch of the family tree it had come from. Who said things like that to their grandson? Fortunately for his sanity, Malika was in the middle of a seance and was safely out of range for Roman to hear her grating voice.

He broke his concentration on the cards when a small buzzing went off across the table. Malika had left her phone there to prepare to “channel the dead” or whatever it was she really did, finally giving Roman access to the internet. It was a super old flip phone, and he couldn't log into any of his accounts, but just being near modern technology was a welcome break from card reading.

He looked at the text message that had just come in. Snooping was only fair for imprisoning him for weeks. It was a text from Melvin Hydes. Roman opened the text and nearly dropped the phone in shock.

Malika

Abe Chun has lost the baby and is in serious condition. Air lifting him to a different hospital now. Elaine and family en route as well. Please meet me before I leave in Factory Park in about twenty minutes. I will tell you more in person. Don’t tell Roman until we know more about the situation, I don’t want to inflame the situation until Abe is stable. 

Roman felt like the room was spinning all of a sudden, and he was losing control of his lungs. Abe lost the baby? Abe was being airlifted somewhere? The death card mocked him on the table, and Roman was certain that he was dying himself the way his senses were failing him. He had to go to Factory Park and meet with Melvin, or at the very least overhear what he would tell Malika. Who had been planning on telling him about Abe? Would they have just let his grandparents tell him while smugly telling him that they had been right all along about the message from the cards? Was he going to miss what could be Abe’s last moments because their parents were constantly fighting?

Roman checked to make sure he was alone before jumping. Salem was snoring on the living room couch, and he could hear Kamalani’s pottery wheel spinning. He wouldn’t be noticed for a while, especially since Malika was still doing her seance, and it could be some time before she saw her message.

Hold on Abe, I’m coming.

Factory Park was always dark at night when the factories shut down, but it seemed even darker now with the news about Abe and the memories of Kaeileen’s recent death. She had loved this stupid park, and now she was dead. Like Abe could soon be dead.

He took a seat on the bench and waited for Melvin to arrive. Why bother hiding like he’d initially planned? He needed answers about Abe and the baby and Malika was never going to share those with him. Lucy must be terrified right now, both her and her mother. Roman wondered if anyone was planning on telling Ian the news. He had a right to know too, even if he was...strange and unpleasant at the moment.

Oh Abe....

Roman tried to grapple with the idea that he was no longer going to be a father. This pregnancy wasn’t something he had planned for, but so much had happened to him since he found out about it. He had a storage locker full of baby things from Pleasantview that he had no idea what to do with, but that was nothing compared with the crippling sense of loss he felt. He had grown excited to be a dad, to be out of the closet living with Abe, but what would happen now?

What would he do if Abe didn’t pull through? Roman wished that the text message had been more specific, but maybe that’s why Melvin had wanted to meet in person. Hearing bad news via text usually made things worse. What had even happened? Adam was supposedly worried about Abe enough that he hadn’t been able to fly to Pleasantview, but was it something so severe that his life was in danger?

Roman could hear footsteps coming towards him, and he stood to greet the person approaching.

It wasn’t Melvin that approached him.

“What are you-” Roman started a sentence, then realized what was truly happening here. A different sort of panic now washed over him. “Abe isn’t really hurt, is he? This is a trap.”

You’re so stupid Roman! Why would Melvin be texting your grandmother about a medical emergency? Especially one that required a meeting in Murder Park late at night?

The figure nodded slowly. “For now,” it said. “But his turn is next, don’t worry. You’ll be together again soon enough.”

Roman gulped as the figure produced a gun from their jacket.

I’m going to die. Oh my god, this is where I actually die.

“Why are you doing thi-”

An echoing bang cut through the air, and Roman collapsed on the ground, slumped not too far from where Abraham’s body had been found. Roman could hear footsteps on the sidewalk as the figure left the scene. No, as his killer left the scene.

Blood was quickly pouring out of the wound on his chest, and Roman closed his eyes and tried to move through the pain. It was no use, he wasn’t going anywhere.

I wonder if they will have to bulldoze this stupid park now that there have been two murders here.

He was starting to feel drowsy and light headed from the blood loss.

Abe, please don’t forget me. Be smarter than I was and leave this cursed place while you still can.

[hvproductions]

SUMMARY: The Knights of Saint Christopher learn of your involvement with The Order, prompting you and Hamish to break up. When Edward Coventry takes you as a hostage Hamish realizes that despite everything, he doesn’t want to lose you | Requested by: @elleclairez​  FANDOM: The Order PAIRING: Reader x Hamish Duke WORD COUNT: 1604

WARNINGS: Swearing, violence, mention of death

||| ||| ||| ||| |||

When you entered the building belonging to the Knights of Saint Christopher, you instantly knew something was wrong. The four members sitting on the couch in silence was an indicator on its own, yet what worried you the most was their glances and the easily readable expressions on their faces. Lilith seethed with anger, Randall and Jack both with sympathy in their eyes. The look that Hamish, your boyfriend, gave you screamed of anger, hurt, and disappointment all together. Every emotion of theirs was directed towards you, and there was no denying of the reason behind this: the secret of you being in The Order had come out, and now you would have to face the consequences that would surely by dire. 

“I can explain.” You quickly walked closer to them, stopping in surprise when Lilith jumped up with the intention of attacking you; she would have succeeded if Randall hadn’t held her back as the girl struggled against his grip.

“You’re a fucking traitor! We were your friends, we told you everything, and you thank us by stabbing us in the back! Did you tell your precious little Order everything about us?” Lilith yelled with so much anger in her voice that for a second you thought she’d kill you is she’d have the chance.

“I swear to you, I never said anything about you to anything. I would never do-”

“Bullshit!”

“Enough!” Silence befell the whole room due to Hamish’s loud outburst; during your months of dating it was the first time you heard him yell with so much authority in his voice that made no one question why he was the leader of the Knights.

“I want to talk to Y/N, alone.” When no one moved, he added: “Now.”

You stayed put, not daring to move an inch. Forcing herself away from Randall’s grasp, Lilith passed you by deliberately bumping into your shoulder; Randall passed you with a small sympathetic smile on his face while Jack guiltily walked away, leaving you with Hamish who had already managed to fix himself a drink which he downed rapidly fast.

“Were you going to tell me? That you are in The Order?” He silently asked, his eyes desperately searching for an honest answer. You had never seen him looking as broken as he did now; the sadness in his eyes made a tear roll down your cheek. It took everything in you not to walk over to him in order to hug him, even though you knew he would most definitely reject your attempt to do so.

“It’s the only way I can have my scholarship.” You explained, though the look in his eyes said that he did not care much for your excuse. “I promise you Hamish, I did not betray you.”

“You did so by joining The Order and not telling me about it.”

||| ||| ||| ||| |||

The next couple of days proved out to be hellish: Lilith and Hamish didn’t want anything to do with you. Randall and Alyssa provided their company after your heartbreak. It was impossible to avoid Jack - the boy apologized for being the person responsible for your breakup, and although you wanted to blame him you knew you couldn’t. The guilt was solemnly on you - you had months to tell Hamish and the other Knights, but didn’t do so only because of fear.

You were such a walking mess that you had managed to ruin a couple of incantations. To make matters worse, they had been for the Grand Magus, and to say he wasn’t happy was an understatement. Luckily, the only punishment you received was that you couldn’t attend the said incantations; you weren’t too sad about it. It was evident you did more bad that good, and perhaps some time away from The Order would provide useful in order to get yourself together.

While The Order waited, your classes didn’t. It didn’t help that you had to see Hamish in a class he taught you - if only people knew you were together with a teacher of yours. It was Alyssa who made the suggestion to skip the class, yet assuring her that you were fine - even though you were not - you still decided to attend his class. After all, you needed every possible credit in order to graduate.

Walking into the class, your eyes briefly met with Hamish’s before he averted his glance away from you. With a small sigh you passed him silently, taking your usual seat in the middle of the classroom. Not a lot of students were present, and you weren’t sure what to make of it. Hamish always liked to engage his students in a conversation, and it wasn’t unusual for you and him to argue passionately about a topic that he was teaching. Arguing with him didn’t seem like a good idea now as you made a promise to yourself not to provoke him the following classes you had to share with him.

About ten minutes into your class, your phone silently vibrated in your pocket. You instantly took it out, reading a message from Alyssa who wondered how the class was going. Just as you were about to reply your best friend, Hamish spoke out loudly: “Miss Y/L/N, no phones in class. You have attended plenty enough to know this rule.”

Responding with a glare, you slammed your phone onto your desk, gaining your fellow students’ attention. To them it seemed as if you were only angry because of getting caught, yet you and Hamish knew the truth. If he wanted to act like a douchebag - one who didn’t even bother to listen to you - so could you.

||| ||| ||| ||| |||

You knew the Vade Maecum shouldn’t belong to no one, especially to a Grand Magus such as Edward Coventry. That man only thought of no one but himself, and with such a powerful book in his possession, you knew that no one would be safe. When Alyssa came to you for your help, of course you said yes. Even though your magic was not as strong as Alyssa’s, you knew that you had to try to stop him, especially when she revealed to you that Jack was Edward’s firstborn son; you cared too much for him to let him be sacrificed.

For a reason unknown to you, Edward decided not to kill you and Alyssa on the spot like he had done to Jack’s grandfather. Instead, he deemed it wise to bring you along with your best friend to the temple with him, Jack following close behind. For a brief moment you saw Hamish, Randall and Lilith about to attack the Grand Magus. When Hamish saw you being dragged inside, he instantly tried to attack Edward without thinking; he didn’t succeed, as the Magus used a blast on all of the Knights, knocking them out instantly. 

Jack had proved to be smarter that anyone else, making it seem as if the golem Clay was him instead. Therefore, the sacrifice Edward wanted to do so badly didn’t succeed; when he saw the Knights along with Vera Stone raid into the temple, he grabbed you as a hostage, a knife finding its way onto your neck.

You were scared, you really were. When you looked at Hamish you saw that he was too. Yet you forced yourself to give him a small smile before you dropped onto the ground, blood flowing down from your neck. You didn’t see anything else but Hamish desperately trying to do anything to help you; you placed your hand onto his cheek as he looked at you with tears in his eyes. Before you closed your eyes you tried your best to tell him that you loved him, but failed to do so. You waited for the pain to arrive, but instead, peacefulness came.

||| ||| ||| ||| |||

You didn’t think you’d open your eyes ever again, yet surprisingly, you did. You found yourself lying in Hamish’s room; as soon as he saw you waking up, he grabbed your hands and gave them a tight squeeze. His eyes were red, as if he had been crying for hours straight, and you noticed that his knuckles were covered in blood like he had hit something or someone many times. 

“What happened? Did you get Edward?” You questioned, trying to sit up in the bed as if you wanted to go after him. Hamish couldn’t help but to let out a small chuckle at that, forcing you to lay down and not make any sudden movements. 

“Why am I not surprised that even after dying you want to go after the bad guy?” He asked with amusement that quickly turned into seriousness. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

“I thought so too.” You replied, not quite realizing how you were yet alive. Hamish provided an answer by telling you that Vera had used magic to save your life, and that Edward Coventry was now gone.

“I’m sorry for not listening to you. I was blinded by the fact that you are in The Order and how they are our enemies. I know that you would never use bad magic, but I-”

“Don’t forget the time you acted like a douchebag in class.” You added to which he replied with a chuckle.

“Yeah, that too. But seeing you like that, I realized that I don’t even care that you are in The Order. I had someone I loved once, and I lost her.” He stopped, letting out a small breath as he continued: “But I don’t want to ever lose you, because I love you.”

“Hamish, I love you too, with all my heart.”

[cdkwrites]

fall from grace (5)

Two households, both alike in dignity

An uneasy truce between Heaven and Hell was struck eons ago. Tensions still simmer underneath the surface between the two warring factions. Dartz has agreed to keep his angels in line and Pegasus has agreed to keep his demons in line. Their grudges run deep, a danger to those that they command.

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean

When Atem from one of the high houses of Hell is discovered dying in the streets of 1920s Paris by a mysteriously kind angel, tensions of this old war spark when she elects to save his life. The devastating fall out of one simple act of kindness is more than enough to shatter the truce. Soon, it maybe be impossible to avoid the resulting war for all species on Earth.

What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend

——-

cw: mentions of blood, self harm (kind of? there’s no scarring involved, it’s more like Allowing Oneself To Starve To Death), suicide idealization (nothing worse than you’d read in canon ygo), some artistic license re: european history espeically re: the french, violence

chapter one. chapter two. chapter three. chapter four.

you can read it on ao3 here!

if you enjoy my work, considering supporting me through ko-fi!

From the journal of Kazuko Kubota: November 15, 1922. Paris Sumiko continues to refuse to leave Paris. Even more irksome, the demon has taken her side…

Kazuko frowned at the mirror, trying to decide the best approach to the ongoing problem of Sumiko's refusal to leave Paris. There was no good answer, really. It wasn’t that she wasn’t happy her sister was close by. It was that she didn’t trust Duke. Kazuko liked him even less after Duke suggested that Sumiko was right - her learning self defense would be a valuable skill. You can’t protect her forever, hunter.

Duke was standing in the kitchen with a rather smarmy grin that Kazuko had longed to punch off his face. However, she didn’t know if it would even actually hurt him. The more she interacted with Duke, the less she understood about him. Duke had a very annoying habit of acting like nothing mattered in the long run. He kept insisting that mortals had a short life span and that nothing mattered in the end for people like her. It was very insulting.

“Well, it seems important to me,” Kazuko finally snapped at him one day, turning to glare at him. “What’s your problem, anyway?”

“I don’t have a problem, hunter,” Duke said with a flash of his sharp teeth. Again, Kazuko couldn’t help but notice that unlike vampires, every single one of Duke’s teeth were razor sharp. She badly wanted to ask what Duke ate but was scared of the answer. “I’m merely pointing out that mortals have a tendency to overthink the future.”

“And what would you know about mortals as a whole?” Kazuko crossed her arms, glaring at him. “What type of mortals do you usually meet, anyway?”

“You meet all sorts when you work in this type of shop,” Duke said as he tossed up a vial in the air. Kazuko still was not sure why he felt the need to show off when mixing up the potions for display, even when no one was around to watch him. “They all have ideas of the future. Rigid plans for love, success, and happiness that is fleeting. Some of them are desperate enough that they sell what they can’t get back.”

Kazuko did not bother asking what he took as payment. She didn’t think she could stomach it if she knew. She tried her best to keep Sumiko away from Duke but unfortunately, Sumiko found Duke fascinating. “Right,” Kazuko said with a wary look on her face. “You always say shit like that and get shocked when I don’t want you around my sister.”

“But your sister likes being around me,” Duke said with a smug grin as he splashed a vivid blue liquid into the cauldron. The liquid inside turned a violent shade of green. “You can’t dictate your sister’s life choices, hunter.”

She yanked her knife out, flipping it easily in hand as she slammed Duke into the wall. “Don’t think that just because I don’t know what kills you doesn’t mean I won’t have fun trying to figure it out,” Kazuko threatened, annoyed that Duke didn’t even seem scared. “I imagine that I can at least still make you hurt.”

“You probably could,” Duke said, an arched brow. “Gonna kiss me?” Kazuko made a disgusted sound before releasing him. Duke smoothed out his shirt and winked at her. “You could always just ask me further questions about what type of demon I am. Certainly one of the books around here would tell you everything you need to know about me.”

He had a point. Kazuko still wasn’t sure why she didn’t bother. Duke, at this point, had been a willing open book now that he was certain that Kazuko couldn’t kill him. “Like you’d tell me how to kill you.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” Duke said with a smile that Kazuko still had yet to decipher. It was different from his smug, self assured smile in a way she couldn’t quite pin down yet. “But it’s very obvious that you’re an intelligent woman, hunter. I’m certain that all you’d need to find out how to kill me is merely me telling you the wrong thing at the wrong time.”

Her eyes narrowed at him as she wondered what that could possibly mean. Duke, at no point, had ever come across as particularly careless. He smirked as he threw some powder in the cauldron and put a lid over it. She wanted to ask what the potion he was brewing was for. Instead, she rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she said. “Let’s start simple then. What kind of demon are you?”

“Power in names,” he reminded her as he stroked the flames under the pot. “You already knew I wasn’t going to tell you that, though. Why don’t you ask something you really want to ask, hunter?” A flash of teeth and Kazuko took a step back. His smile was smug again. “Ask me what I eat.”

Kazuko’s eyebrows shot up. “How did you -“

“I know mortals, hunter,” Duke said with a shrug. “And you’ve been curious since you saw my teeth. I also know that you want to know what I’m making but haven’t asked. And now you want to know how I know that.” Kazuko glared at him, refusing to answer him. “I see. Alright, fine. This power was granted to me by Master Pegasus. I can glean information directly from mortal’s minds, as if they’d spoken it out loud to me.”

“You can read minds?” Kazuko was well aware it was a silly question and yet she couldn’t help herself. She felt anger surge through her. “And you’ve just been listening in on my thoughts without my consent? Without telling me that my thoughts aren’t safe?”

Duke shrugged. This clearly did matter to him the way it did to her. "You never asked,” he said with a sly grin. “Are you worried I heard something you didn’t want me to hear?”

Kazuko frowned as she mulled this new information over. Something was not sitting right and she didn't know what it was. Her eyes narrowed at him as it hit her. “You said you only hear mortals but when we met, you thought I might be an angel,” she remarked, her eyes narrowing further still. “So spill."

Duke seemed surprised by this call-out. “You’re smarter than most mortals." He seemed annoyed despite this sounding like it would be praise from anyone else. “You’re right. It’s also not perfect - I can’t distinguish the mind I’m reading. Nor do I have any particular control over when I read a mind.” His hands rested on the island, leaning forward. Kazuko leaned back in her chair, feeling uneasy by his sudden closeness. “Well, Kazuko Kubota… It’s been fun talking but I believe you want to convince your sister to leave. You should go try again.”

Kazuko took the excuse to leave, trying her best to keep her mind free from thoughts.

From the logs of Keket, Soldier of Chaos, Keeper of Fate: 1900s Spoke with Rafael. Rafael seems to agree that the best course of action is to eliminate the vampire. While I still have reservations, it seems the vampire's is inevitable.

The map that the vampire had made for her stared up at Keket judgmentally. It seemed wrong to use his gift in this manner. He had, after all, made this map for her in good faith. “I find it hard to believe a vampire just handed you this map,” Rafael remarked, pointing to the same house Jonouchi had pointed out. “I don’t understand what this one is.”

Keket thought about telling him the truth. She knew that he might be able to help her. He was strong and was not suffering from a warning mark killing him slowly. Rafael would be more than willing to help her fight a demon. And yet she could not bring herself to ask for his help. This was her fight and she would not drag Rafael down with her. "I'm not sure what it is,” she lied, shrugging. “He did not explain what it was.”

Rafael examined her critically, as if he did not believe her. Keket could not blame him for not believing her. She tilted her head up to him, daring him to call her out. He shrugged and gave her a small smile. “Shame he didn't tell you more,” Rafael said as he glanced over at her. “It would aid you in the mission Dartz gave you.”

She gasped, glancing up into Rafael's piercing blue eyes. All she could think was how did he know . The only answer was Dartz must have told him. She smirked, ignoring the stabbing pain rolling up along her arm. The sharp reminder that she was weakened and that proceeding forward with Dartz’s mission could kill her. “You always were Dartz’s favorite,” she said with a wink. “Only you would get to know what missions other angels have.”

He didn't even bother looking embarrassed by this. Instead he looked a little smug. "You could also have been favored by Dartz too at one point, " he said. “Instead you started getting chummy with a vampire.”

Keket rolled her eyes. “Dartz has been annoyed with me even before I saved that vampire,” she countered, trying her best to suppress the grimace that came with the pain running down her back. “I ask too many questions, remember?”

Rafael laughed at this. “You do ask too many questions,” Rafael conceded as he looked back at the map. “This is, however, an accurate map. I would proceed with extreme caution, Ket.” He looked at her and Keket got the sense that if she simply asked, he’d go with her. Rafael would be willing to protect her if she only could open her mouth and say the words. “It could be a trap.”

For a second, Keket wanted more than anything to ask Rafael to come with her when she went to check out the house. She thought about how easily that vampire could get the jump on her. Every part of her was aching. She was grateful that she and Rafael were alone. Rafael wouldn’t question her choosing to keep her wings unconcealed. It was too much energy to conceal them. “It could be,” Keket admitted, hedging her answer. “But I can handle it. After all, Dartz told me to take care of this vampire.”

From the journal of Prince Atem, domain of vampires: London, November 1922 Pegasus seems to think that I have a thing for this angel. I don’t know who’s spreading this rumor but it’s truly audacious to assume that I want to date an angel of all things.

“I heard quite the tale about you, Atem-boy,” Pegasus said before Atem even had a chance to settle in. Atem eyed the full goblet in Pegasus’s hand. “Don’t worry, no one died for this. Come, sit down. Shall I get you some blood? The most beautiful girl has been donating to me as of late - I should introduce you two. Oh, wait. You seem to prefer celestial beings now, don’t you?”

Atem blinked and titled his head as he tried to process everything that Pegasus had just said. Pegasus sat a crystal goblet in front of Atem, the dark red liquid calling to Atem. He was ashamed when he picked it up, taking a deep swig of the liquid as he focused every thought on the taste of blood on his tongue. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, dear uncle.”

“Of course you do,” Pegasus said with a wave of his hand as he settled into his ornate chair, crossing on leg. His good eye was focused on Atem, a sinister smirk on his face. “I can still see her face in your mind. You told her where you live…and where other demons in Paris rest, naughty boy. What if her friends show up to kill yours?”

Atem focused intently on the blood in the glass. He thought instead of Anzu and her soft, very human features. “Then I would have been wrong about her,” Atem said quietly, focusing on how pretty Anzu had looked when she moaned and how Bakura had urged him on. He could only hope that this line of thought would keep Pegasus out of his head. “She does not seem like she’d be capable of harm, though.”

“A lot of angels seem that way at first glance, Atem-boy,” Pegasus said, a look of disgust appearing on his face. “Do you mind thinking about something other than your sexual exploits?”

“Stay out of my head, then.” Atem glared at Pegasus. “Don’t you have other things to focus on other than my romantic life?”

“You have a point,” Pegasus said with a sour look on his face. “As much as I would like to interrogate you more about the choice to let an angel this deep into your life, I have more important matters to attend to. Do you remember Duke?”

Instantly, the image of the demon flooded right to Atem’s head and the last time he saw Duke. “Perhaps.”

“You should tell that angel of yours how much you get around,” Pegasus remarked with a roll of his eyes. “I need you to find out why Duke has yet to get me another soul. And don’t try to fuck him.”

“Technically, I never -“

“Yes, yes, I know, spare me the details, Atem-boy,” Pegasus said as he downed the rest of his goblet with a grimace. Atem smirked as he specifically thought about the more intimate details. “You are a menace. Fine, I’ll stop reading your mind for the rest of the day.”

“That’s what I was aiming for,” Atem remarked with a quirk of his eyebrow. “Is there another reason besides asking me to check on Duke that you called me here?”

“Ah, yes,” Pegasus said as he poured out more blood for himself from a decanter. Atem suspected that it was mixed with a fine red wine, based on the scent alone. “Rabiah called me today. She wanted me to tell you that she wants you to come home as soon as possible. Akhenamkhanen seems to be annoyed that you haven’t visited in a while.”

“Tell Mother that I am deeply sorry for the delay in visits,” Atem said, measuring his words carefully. “However, I simply cannot go back home as long as my father remains angry over the death of Akhandin.”

“Ah, I knew I was missing part of the message,” Pegasus said as Atem took a swing from his glass. “Akhenamkhanen isn’t angry anymore over you killing his brother,” he said as he made a dismissive wave of his hand. “All water under the bridge, Atem-boy. Rabiah seems to have finally gotten through to him about how Akhandin maybe wasn’t the best influence to have kept around.”

For a minute, Atem said nothing. If this was true, this meant his self imposed exile could be over. He could return home as if nothing had happened. It was a tempting offer. And yet… “Right,” Atem said as he downed the last of the blood Pegasus had offered. “In that case, I’ll arrange travel plans within the next year. Tell Mother that I’ll head home as soon as I can.”

From the journal of Kazuko Kubota: November 21, 1922, Paris The elusive Yugi has come back to the shop…

As much as Kazuko would like to leave the shop, Sumiko had decided that they were staying here. Kazuko had suggested a proper hotel with the suggestion that perhaps Ryo and Duke would like their shop back. Ryo, the sweet little witch, had insisted it was no trouble that the sisters stay as long as they wanted. This left Kazuko with no option but to politely thank Ryo for the offer.

Some days Kazuko considered simply grabbing Sumiko and dragging her out of the shop. Yet for as much as she didn’t care what Duke thought about her, she didn’t want Ryo to be upset. Ryo seemed rather happy about housing two complete strangers. They had constantly made three large meals for everyone every day and Kazuko had been touched when Ryo insisted on making traditional Japanese food for their guests. Over lunch today, Ryo had informed Kazuko that Yugi should be returning from Japan soon. They seemed delighted in stating that hopefully, Yugi will bring spices to really up the food.

Kazuko had no care for any of this and instead, had taken to hiding and sulking. The wooden rafters in the shop were a decent place to hide away from everyone else. Plus it allowed her to get a better view of the kind of people who entered the shop. Ryo seemed to know the name of every single one, treating them all like family.

A blonde woman had caught Kazuko’s attention at one point. She’d overheard some of the conversation with Ryo - apparently the woman was the elusive Yugi’s cousin. She mentioned wanting to buy something for a girlfriend. Kazuko raised a brow at the conversation, making a note to ask Ryo more about this Mai later.

She’d made the choice to get out of the rafters when the shop door opened again. This startled her and she lost her balance, crash landing instead onto someone. “Oh, I am so sorry,” Kazuko groaned as she sat upright, rubbing her head as she assessed the damage. “I didn’t mean to land on you.”

“Do you always attract danger?”

He sounded amused and Kazuko finally got a look at him as he sat up. She’d recognize that strange, tri-colored hair anywhere. “You’re the guy who helped me when I first got here,” Kazuko said, furrowing her brow as she tried to remember his name. “Yugi, right?”

“Yeah, that’s me,” he said as he got up, dusting himself off with a grin. He held his hand out to her and she took it. Kazuko was surprised to note that despite Yugi’s lithe frame, he was strong. He yanked her to her feet, and reached a hand out before pulling back. “Sorry, may I examine your head? I’m worried you may have hit it pretty hard.”

“I’m fine,” she said automatically, heat rising to her cheeks. She knew it was probably pointless to pretend that she didn’t help around the guy who had saved her life when she’d been bleeding out on the shop floor. However, she couldn’t bring herself to admit she actually needed help. “Sorry I bled out all over your shop.”

“I’m glad to see that you healed up alright,” Yugi said and for the first time, she saw that his eyes were a brilliant shade of violet. An impossible shade that made her instantly think not human . “It’s nice to properly meet you. Did your sister ever make it here okay? She looks so much like you, you know.”

“She’s prettier than me,” Kazuko said with a shrug. “But yes, Miko made it here safely. She seems to adore living here and decided this is our new home. Sorry about that.”

“The more, the merrier,” Yugi said as he reached down to pick up his bags and threw them back over his shoulder. “I guess I’ll see you around if you’re staying here for longer. I do have to ask: did you tell Duke your real name?”

Kazuko froze and nodded, figuring there was no point in lying. “Did he tell you my name already?”

Yugi grinned. “Of course he did,” Yugi said, nodding at her before starting to walk off. “I’ll see you later, Kazuko Kubota.”

From the journal of Prince Atem, domain of vampires: early winter, 1920s, Paris Yes, I’m bleeding. Yes, I’m fine. Stop reading this, Bakura.

The house was unsuspecting. If someone had told Keket a vampire lived here, she wasn’t sure she’d believe them. It looked just like any other house on the street. She could easily see a family of four that was struggling to get by living inside or maybe a couple who bought their first home with the intention of making a life here. She tried to imagine what could have brought the vampire here. Stay alert, she reminded herself. She was weakened and heading in blind.

It’s the only way to regain her pride. Keket wanted her strength back and the only answer lay in this house. She considered just barging in before deciding that the least she could offer him before his death was some level of kindness. Thus she knocked on the door. Keket half hoped he wouldn’t answer. Unfortunately, hope never worked out in her favor and the door swung open to reveal him. Atem stood in front of her, a look of surprise crossing his face that twisted into a smirk. “I see you decided to drop by,” he said, resting a hand on the door frame and leaning against it. “Did you want to come in?”

No. If she stepped across the threshold, she had no choice but to try to end his life or die trying. “Sure.”

He stepped aside and she hesitated. Could she really do this? She assessed the situation and he raised a brow at her. Atem could tell something was wrong now. “You know, most people enter the building when invited in.”

Keket did not respond and instead stepped inside the house. She examined the entryway and noted how unassuming everything was. Once again, she was reminded of humans and their need to fill the home with trinkets. In another life, she’d ask him about the portrait that hung over an ornate wooden table that had golden objects and thick unopened letters. She’d want to know who sent the letters. Perhaps if he wasn’t a vampire, this would end some other way. She steeled herself, preparing for an ambush that never came.

He closed the door and the lock clicked into place. She expected him to hit her, to get the jump on her. “What do angels eat?” He was grinning and only his teeth reminded her that he was supposed to be her enemy. Did he have to make this so difficult? Surely he had to know… “I don’t have much in the way of human food, but I do have eggs.”

She turned to stare at him. For a second, Keket thought it must be a trick to distract her. When nothing came, the realization sunk in. Atem honestly did not think of this as anything more than a social call. There was no intention of getting one up over her. This put her in the advantageous position. She steeled herself, pushing away all of her concerns about how unfair this was as she launched herself at him. Keket expected him to fight back when she pinned his hands above his head, her knee firmly pressed against his chest. Her wings had spread out, using them to hover at least two feet off the ground. Her heart stuttered in its attempt to keep with her movements.

Instead of fighting back, he raised a brow. “If you wanted a rough night, you could have just asked.”

Keket noted that his voice had gone…husky. His voice was already a deep baritone, but there was something in the way he made his statement that made her hesitate again. Instead, she slapped him across the face. The warning mark stung from the direct contact with his face. “Shut up,” she said. She was fully aware that the warning marks were merely inflaming her anger, making it feel amplified and yet… It was impossible to ignore. “Just shut up!”

Atem was now smirking up at her, a strange gleam in his eyes. She expected him to talk back again and instead, he complied. To her great surprise, his hips jutted up to her. Before she knew it, his legs twisted around hers, yanking her to him. They tumbled around, knocking over the table and shattering something made of glass to the ground. His hips pinned her down, arching a brow at her. “Are you going to tell me why you’re doing this?”

She reached for a glass shard and slashed it across his chest. The shock this gave him was enough to give her an advantage and she slipped out from under him and slammed him into yet another wall. It shattered the mirror she’d slammed him into, shards falling to the ground. “I have to,” she said, steeling herself as she held the makeshift knife to his throat. It wouldn’t kill him - they both knew that. It was the wrong material to kill him. And yet she still slashed across, splitting down until she reached his trachea. It’d shut him up, at least. “I.. Forget it.”

She came dangerously to explaining herself to him as he gaped, struggling to intake air. As far as she was aware, vampires did not need oxygen the same way humans did. This should not kill him, but simply subdue him until she could regain the upper hand. Keket reached up to strike him again and this time, his teeth sank into her palm and wrist before she could actually hit him. She hoped that this would mean that her blood would do him in. As far as she was aware, her blood would basically be poison to him and rot him from the inside out. At least then her task would be complete. Despite this, she thought it was a shame.

Instead, he grabbed her wrist and groaned in what almost sounded like pleasure. Suddenly she was flat on her back and his legs were pinning her down. She flushed as she noted his hips were pressed into hers. His eyes had slid closed and he was drinking from her like a man fresh from the desert, quenching his thirst. Keket had seen vampires frenzy before when dangerously close to death. It had been part of the reason she’d been so unsure about helping him when she’d met him in that dark alley. The reminder that she could’ve gotten that mortal killed had she miscalculated how hungry he was.

Her will to fight was shattered now as she watched the damage she did to him be instantly undone. His blood still ran down his shirt despite the healing, which was in tatters. She could see his toned chest and his dark skin’s strong contrast against the white shirt. She supposed if this had to be the end, then at least it would be quick with a reminder of just how pretty the devil could be. “Please,” she said softly, unsure what she was asking for. All she knew is she desired some sort of release. “Please.”

Atem suddenly ceased drinking from her, looking stunned himself. “I,” he started, looking mollified. “I’m sorry. I only meant to subdue you.” He then reached out, his hand gently resting upon her cheek. The worst part is that she was certain he was being honest. “Strange… Touching you used to burn me…”

Keket stared at him. She wondered why she hadn’t been informed that vampires not only could drink the blood of angels, but that it seemed to be better for them than standard mortal blood. She would think that this would be crucial information Dartz would have told her before she rushed into battle with him. “You can drink my blood,” she said. “Did you know this?”

He shook his head. “I just…acted on instinct,” he said, sounding almost rueful. “Why did you try to kill me? Have I done something to offend you?”

“I… I have to go,” she said, shoving him off her and rushing out the door. She didn’t care that there were possibly mortals around when her wings burst out behind her and pushed off the ground. She needed to ask Dartz if he’d known that vampires could drink angel blood.

[blu-joons]

BTS Reaction: You’re Their Little Sister

Jin:

As soon as you walked into the studio, Jin was in front of you, greeting you with a giant hug, wrapping an arm around you. “I can’t believe you’re finally in Seoul to visit me, there’s so much that I want to show you.”

“Calm down,” you giggled.

“I’m fine,” he assured you, walking you down a corridor. “I’ll show you the dance room first.”

“Is that because the boys are there?” You questioned, peering in through a door. “I see, offload your sister as soon as you can.”

His head shook, opening up the door, “I’ve got a few more things I want to sort out for you, so they are trusted to keep an eye on you whilst I make sure everything is perfect.”

“Jin, I’ve come to visit you, you don’t need to do anything over the top for me, I’m happy just to be here and have a good look around.”

His chuckled lightly, squeezing onto your hand tightly. “I’ve waited so long for mum and dad to trust you to come and visit me, I want your visit to be special.”

“It will be special Jin, just being here is enough for me, stay here for a while,” you encouraged him, dragging him back into the room.

“You’ve always been a bossy teenager.”

Yoongi:

The two of you were swarmed by fans as soon as you stepped out, Yoongi didn’t mind being pushed around, but he refused to let anyone touch you. “Get your hands off my sister and let her move, stop trying to touch her.”

“Yoongi, help,” you whimpered.

“Keep walking,” he instructed, guiding you out of the crowd, “don’t stop walking, keep going.”

“What on earth was all of that?” You asked once the two of you were out of the worst of it, “I didn’t realise how crazy your fans were.”

He sighed, pecking your cheek, “I’m sorry you had to go through all that, I shouldn’t have put you in such a vulnerable position, you’d never act like that even at their age.”

“You’re my brother, I’m not a mad crazy fan obsessed with your life, obsessed with your life, that’s the difference,” you told him.

He smirked across at you, admiring your sarcasm, “hopefully we can enjoy the rest of our day together now that that is over and done with.”

“I don’t know how you live with that day in, day out, it’s too much for me,” you giggled, following as he led you down the road to the store.”

“Honestly, it’s too much for me too.”

Hoseok:

He called your name, hearing you walk up the stairs into his bedroom, watching him talking to the livestream he had on. “Why don’t you come and say hello to the fans, they’ve not seen you for quite some time.”

“Hi,” you giggled, waving.

“She’s shy,” he teased, pulling up a chair for you, “the fans ask what it is like having me home.”

“Terrible,” you laughed, “he keeps stealing all my stuff, I’ve nearly ran out of face masks because he sneaks in my room and gets them.”

Hobi gasped, shaking his head at you and the camera. “I’ll admit, I might have taken a couple, but you always have really nice ones, and I’ve got a handsome face to maintain.”

“I think your fans would argue that you are always handsome,” you smiled, looking through the comments, “see they love your face, I don’t know why.”

He smirked, tickling against your side making you squirm, “she loves me really, she just likes to pretend that she doesn’t like me for the camera.”

“It’s not pretending, you’re a terrible brother,” you chuckled, watching his head shake, “stop stealing my stuff, then I’ll like you.”

“I’d rather just steal your stuff.”

Namjoon:

He was frantic walking around the airport waiting for you to arrive, he sat and waited for you to walk through arrivals, greeting you finally with a tight hug. “How was your flight? Did you get here safely? Do you need anything?”

“I’m fine,” you spoke.

“Sorry,” he giggled, taking your case, “I’m just really excited to have you here in America for a bit.”

“I’m excited to be here and see all the things you’re getting up to,” you told him, smiling up at him, “how’s the tour been so far?”

He nodded, as he grin widened, “it’s been incredible, the fans have been insane, but the best is definitely to come now that you’re finally here to enjoy it.”

“Smooth,” you teased, hitting his arm, “mum and dad told me to say hi too and make sure you’re taking good care of your diet and health.”

He smirked, nothing changed within his family, “you can tell them I am doing well and taking excellent care of myself, they’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“What about the rest of the boys? I suppose you’ve told them that I’m coming?” You questioned, watching his head nod in response.”

“They’re excited to see you too.”

Jimin:

His figure appeared behind you, looking across at the stack of homework you had in front of you, sitting at the dining table. “I can’t remember the last time I did science; it was my worst subject in school, I hated it.”

“So, do I,” you replied.

“Can I help you at all?” He asked, sitting down beside you, “I remember a couple of things about it.”

“Depends, how do you fancy sitting a biology exam for me tomorrow morning?” You asked, sniggering as his eyes widened, and his head shook.

His arm wrapped around you, “sorry sis, but I’ve got much better, and less boring things to do tomorrow, but I can help you revise?”

“Do you know what that might not be such a bad idea,” you told him, handing him a few of your test papers, “ask me questions on all of these.”

He read through a few of them, tutting at some of the questions, “is it really necessary for you to know all of this, none of it is any good to me now.”

“We can’t all be worldwide singers, some of us have to learn in order to get a career,” you reminded him, encouraging him to start.

“Yeah, you’re definitely the smarter sibling.”

Taehyung:

He smiled widely as he answered your call only to see the tears roll down your cheeks, feeling his heart break as he saw you. “Y/N, what’s happened? Why are you getting all upset, are you missing me again?”

“Just boys,” you spoke.

“What’s his name?” He demanded, feeling his anger grow, “do I need to come home and fight.”

“Don’t be stupid Tae, you’d never fight a fly,” you slightly laughed, “I just don’t understand why all boys are so stupid and idiotic.”

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “All boys?” He squeaked, watching you nod your head, “it’s just an age thing Y/N, they’ll mature soon.”

“They don’t see how unfairly they treat girls, and now I have to spend every day at school sat beside him,” you groaned, stressing yourself out.

Taehyung sighed, “you’ve just got to try not to let it get to you, be the bigger person and show him exactly what he’s missing out on, because you’re perfect.”

“I wish that were true Tae, but clearly he didn’t want me,” you sobbed, trying desperately not to cry again in front of your brother.

“Any guy would be lucky to have you.”

Jungkook:

You sighed heavily as you walked into your home, seeing Jungkook sat at the dining table, with your parents sat either side of him. “I bet you didn’t expect to see me,” he spoke as you ran towards him, hugging him tightly.

“I didn’t,” you chuckled.

“Thought I’d stop by,” he whispered into your ear, “I wanted to check and see how you all were.”

“I can’t believe you’re here, aren’t you supposed to be going on tour soon?” You questioned, feeling your feet land back onto the ground.

He nodded, smiling down at you, “I’ve got a few days off beforehand, and I thought where else in the world would I like to go, aside from home.”

“It’s so good to see you,” you told him, studying the few changes he’s made, his hair was longer, and a new tattoo was added, “so, how long are you going to be here for?”

He looked back at your parents, smiling weakly, “only a few days, but I thought it was better than nothing, just to make sure you were behaving yourself too.”

“It’s a nice surprise to see you, I don’t care how long you are here for,” you told him, hugging his tall frame tightly.”

“Why don’t you fill me in on what I’ve missed.”

---

Masterlist

[mikauzoran]

Lukadrien: Among the Wild Things: Chapter Seven

Read it on AO3: Among the Wild Things: Chapter Seven: Return

Adrien was suddenly ten times more grateful for Luka’s arms around him than he had been seconds before. If not for his husband’s support, he was certain he would have collapsed as his mind fogged over and his body went cold.

His father…dead?

Surely there was some mistake. His father wasn’t yet fifty. Adrien had just seen him six months prior when Gabriel announced Adrien’s impending arranged marriage, and Gabriel had been fine, the same as ever.

How could his father be dead?

“—ien. Adrien, can you hear me?” Luka was calling right next to Adrien, but he sounded so far away.

“Is he okay? He’s gone all pasty,” Rose fretted.

“Everyone step back and give him some air,” Anarka instructed. “Luc, lay him down on the couch.”

When the world came back into focus, Adrien found himself stretched out on the seat of the couch, his head pillowed in Luka’s lap, a cool cloth resting on his forehead.

“Hey,” Luka cooed, brushing Adrien’s fringe back out of the way. “Have you come back to me?”

“What happened?” Adrien muttered, finding his tongue slow and lazy, like a piece of rubber in his mouth.

“You just had a bit of a shock, Mon Poisson,” Anarka explained from her station at the end of the wraparound couch. “Nothing to worry about. Everything’s fine.”

“Let me go get you something to drink,” Rose volunteered, rushing to her feet, eager for some useful task to do with her nervous energy.

“My father,” Adrien remembered suddenly, looking to Luka.

His mate grimaced, shaking his head. “Juleka heard from Alya that talk in the city is that the king died yesterday evening.”

“Oh,” Adrien breathed, trying to recall what he had been doing the previous day. “I…I have to…”

“See if you can sit up a little and drink this,” Rose coached, kneeling beside the couch and holding out a glass of blackcurrant tea.

Luka carefully helped Adrien back to vertical and took the cup from Rose, holding it up to Adrien’s lips.

“Thank you,” Adrien directed at them both when he was done. “I need…I think I need to go back.”

Luka’s eyes widened in surprise, but he didn’t protest.

“If that’s what you think you need to do, we support you,” Anarka assured. “Just tell us what you need.”

“What do you mean you need to go back?” Rose demanded with a frightened whine to her voice as she looked around the room in confusion. “That’s not your world anymore.”

Juleka was noticeably silent, sitting on the far end of the couch with her gaze glued to the floorboards, looking visibly shaken herself.

“I can’t abandon my people,” Adrien replied, still half dazed. “I’m their king now. I can’t just turn a blind eye and leave them to fall victim to whatever despot wins their bid for the power grab in my absence. I have to go back.”

“Permanently?” Rose gasped, stricken by the prospect.

“No,” Adrien quickly assured. “No, not permanently. Just for a little while. Just until I can make sure my people will be in good hands.”

Anarka nodded her approval, pride for her newest son coming off of her in waves.

Adrien shakily got to his feet and looked back mournfully at Luka. “I have to go,” he whispered.

Luka gave an indignant snort as he stood and announced, “I know that, Silly. I’m going with you.”

Juleka gave a jerk, finally coming back to awareness. “You’re what?! Luka, you can’t go! There are all those humans! It’s dangerous!”

Luka went over to his sister, giving Adrien’s arm a reassuring pat as he passed. He knelt down in front of Juleka, taking both of her hands in his.

“Jules?” he called softly. “It’s going to be fine. Nothing bad is going to happen. I’m strong, and, even then, Dri will be there to protect me. Right now, my mate needs me by his side, so I have to go, all right?”

She shook her head but didn’t protest. “…Come back soon, okay?”

“As soon as we can,” Adrien promised.

 Luka wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t the warm welcome that they received.

Apparently, the prince was well-loved by his subjects. As Luka and Adrien made their way through the city, people swarmed Adrien and wept and shouted in joy when word got around that their prince was alive and well and had been returned to them.

Luka soon began to see why they adored Adrien so much as he observed his mate interacting with the people. Adrien knew their names and asked after their grandchildren, various ailments, and particular hobbies.

“I thought you said you didn’t really have friends,” Luka hummed quietly once they got away from the crowds. “Your people love you. That woman named her daughter after you. You’re on a first name basis with their pets. It seems like you have many friends among your people.”

Adrien grimaced, replying in a hushed, regret-filled tone. “Can it really be considered friendship when it’s not reciprocal? They’re good, kind people, and talking with them was always the highlight of my day, but they don’t know me, Orpheus.”

Adrien shook his head sadly. “I could never open up and be my true self around them. We’re acquaintances. Friendly acquaintances. Not friends. I couldn’t tell any one of them how much I was suffering, about my attraction to men, about my mother. They love the mask I put on to serve them. They don’t really love me.”

Luka slipped his hand discretely into Adrien’s. “I love you.”

“Yeah,” Adrien chuckled softly, a faint smile coming back to his lips. “I’m insanely lucky like that.”

“Not lucky,” Luka corrected. “Just wonderful. Wonderful people deserve wonderful things.”

Adrien gradually came to a stop and turned to look at Luka.

Luka quirked a questioning eyebrow.

“Thank you,” Adrien whispered earnestly.

“You’re welcome. …For what exactly?” Luka’s head tipped to the side.

Adrien shook his head and shrugged, smiling self-consciously. “Loving me. Choosing me. Fighting for me. Coming with me. …I can’t tell you how much I love you. Once again, I’m terrified, and I feel like the earth is crumbling out from under me, but, once again, you’re here to ground me. I don’t know where I would be or what I would do without you.”

Luka squeezed Adrien’s hand gently. “You would figure it out. You’re stronger and smarter and braver than you give yourself credit for…but I’m happy to be here to support you so you don’t have to be.”

Adrien reined in the urge to throw his arms around his husband and kiss Luka silly right then and there on a public street where anyone could see them. Instead, he squeezed Luka’s hand back.

“Thank you, Orpheus.”

 Once they got to the palace, Adrien politely asked some of the guards to round up various advisors and have them meet in the King’s study.

“Doing okay?” Luka whispered as the monolithic obsidian door closed behind them, sealing them inside the austere, monochrome library.

Adrien blew out a sigh, going over to stand at the head of the long, glass table where Gabriel’s documents were still spread out.

“I don’t know yet,” Adrien answered honestly, resting his palms on the surface and leaning forward to stare down at the scattered papers. “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. I’m still…struggling to process.”

Luka came over to Adrien’s side and rested a supportive hand on his back, beginning to rub comforting circles. “It’s okay. Just…hang in there. And let me know if you need anything. I’m here for you, but I don’t want to step on any toes or get in your way. I don’t know how your world works,” Luka explained sheepishly, “so I’ll just take a backseat role and follow your lead. Please tell me if there’s anything you need me to do, all right?”

“Thanks. Thank you, My Love. I will,” Adrien assured with profound gratitude as he straightened up and stepped in to press his lips to Luka’s.

The study door opened to reveal a wide-eyed Nathalie, and Adrien wasn’t certain if the cause of her surprise was that she had caught the tail end of Adrien and Luka’s kiss or if it were just his sudden appearance after six months of absence.

“Nathalie,” he breathed, breaking away from Luka.

“Your Highness,” she replied formally with a bit of a bow.

Adrien rolled his eyes, rushing over to her to envelope her in a fierce hug. “Is that any way to address a child you raised?” he scoffed into the high neck of her gown.

She smiled faintly, loosely wrapping her arms around him, patting him on the back. “Adrien,” she corrected. “I’m grateful for your safe return. The palace has been so bleak without you these past six months.”

“I missed you too,” he confessed, pulling back with a smile. “Nathalie, meet Luc.” He turned to his husband, holding out a hand for Luka to come over and take.

Obediently, Luka went to Adrien’s side, slipping his hand into his mate’s.

“Luc, this is Nathalie, my father’s…everything. I believe I’ve mentioned her?” Adrien looked up at him questioningly.

Luka nodded. “She was the one who helped your mother raise you and see to your education, right?” He turned to face Nathalie and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Nathalie responded with an answering bow.

“Nathalie,” Adrien continued nervously, “This is Luc…my husband.”

To her credit, the sum total of Nathalie’s reaction to this news was a single blink. “…Well. I believe congratulations are in order.”

Adrien instantly relaxed, the tension draining from his body and making it feel like gelatin. “Thank you,” Adrien sighed, almost breaking into tears of relief.

“You’re welcome,” Nathalie replied neutrally, pushing her glasses up on her nose. “A word of advice: It would probably be best to issue a royal proclamation legalizing same-sex marriage. Shall I arrange it?”

Adrien blinked. “Oh. Yes, please.”

“Now?” She cocked her head to the side slightly. “It might be prudent before you introduce your husband to anyone else.”

“Yes,” Adrien decided, not wanting to chance getting Luka arrested and executed. “Please. Thank you, Nathalie.”

She was only gone five minutes before returning to announce, “Everything is in order. They’ll start announcing the new proclamation any time now.”

“Thank you,” Adrien repeated, motioning for them to move over to the armchairs and sofa positioned around a coffee table in front of the massive fireplace. “Shall we sit while we talk? I’ve probably missed a lot over the past few months.”

“You have,” Nathalie affirmed, taking one of the armchairs.

Adrien tugged Luka along to sit on the sofa beside him. “Nathalie, what happened?” Adrien entreated once they were settled. “My father…?”

Nathalie’s gaze dropped to her folded hands in her lap, a pained expression wrinkling the corners of her mouth and eyes. “Your father…”

Luka took in how pale and sick she looked. Standing, Nathalie had been a tall, solid, commanding presence. Her erect posture still gave her some gravity, even while sitting, but she looked smaller, more tired in the chair.

“…He drowned,” she finished softly.

Adrien slumped into Luka who gave him a bolstering squeeze.

“Drowned?” Adrien whispered breathlessly. “…Like my mother?”

Nathalie pursed her lips, debating how to answer.

Should she tell him how profoundly Adrien’s disappearance had affected his father? How Gabriel had turned even more brooding and withdrawn as the months stretched on without a trace of Adrien? How Adrien’s absence had reopened the wounds caused by Émilie’s death for which Gabriel still blamed himself?

Should she tell him that there had been no sign of a struggle? No sign of foul play? No wound to indicate that Gabriel had hit his head and been unconscious when he’d fallen into the water?

Luka could see the lie forming before Nathalie spoke it.

“It was an accident,” she reported. “He went for a walk out in the gardens near the reflecting pool. As best as we can tell, he must have slipped and fallen in. An accident,” Nathalie repeated, trying to sell the story.

“Oh,” Adrien breathed. “I…I’m so sorry.”

Nathalie shook her head. “Why are you apologizing, Adrien? This isn’t your fault.”

Luka could tell that she didn’t blame Adrien at least, no matter how Adrien’s absence had affected his father’s mental state.

“This is no one’s fault,” she stressed. “Accidents happen. All we can do is carry on.”

“Yes,” Adrien agreed softly, regaining some of his composure. “I just…You must be…” He shook his head, trying to clear his muddled thoughts. “I can’t imagine losing Luc…so I’m sorry. I’m sorry your grief can’t even be publicly acknowledged.”

Luka schooled his face into a non-reactive mask of neutrality. As much as Adrien had talked about Nathalie as a second mother and her role raising him, Luka hadn’t connected the dots concerning her relationship with the king.

A soft half-smile quirked Nathalie’s lips. “Thank you, Adrien, but your acknowledgement is the only one that’s ever mattered.”

She went on to abruptly change subjects, pushing aside her still raw feelings and filling Adrien in concerning events at court while he had been gone.

During Nathalie’s report, several stout, balding men came in. Luka was not introduced, but he picked up on their names during the course of the conversation: Bourgeois, Raincomprix, and Damocles. They appeared to be noblemen who had served closely under King Gabriel, and it seemed that they had known Adrien his entire life, for, as much respect as they made a pretense of showing, they didn’t seem to take Adrien very seriously. It reminded Luka of the people back home who still treated him like a child even now that he was grown because they had minded him for Anarka when he was little and couldn’t think of him any other way.

Luka half paid attention as Bourgeois, Raincomprix, and Damocles took turns speaking to Adrien about various official matters (with Nathalie often interrupting to clarify or correct things that the men were saying).

Adrien, on the other hand, devoted his full concentration to what he was being told, absorbing it in much the same way as he had hung on every word Anarka said to him when she was explaining government affairs.

So focused on the matter at hand was Adrien that he didn’t seem to notice when two young people slipped quietly into the room. One was a tall, tanned man about Adrien’s age in a guard’s uniform.

Luka supposed this to be Adrien’s best friend Nino, as he recalled Adrien asking for him to be sent to the study along with the advisors.

The other was a young woman with milky skin, obsidian black hair, and piercing cerulean eyes. Marinette, Luka’s mind supplied, Adrien’s seamstress and close confidante.

Adrien had failed to mention how unspeakably gorgeous Marinette was. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed, not being attracted to women. Luka thought this a shame, even though he had personally benefitted from Adrien’s oversight. The girl was lovely and much deserving of admiration.

Luka mentally slapped himself as he remembered how deliriously happy he was in his marriage. There was no need for his eyes or his thoughts to rove when he already had Adrien.

“Then we’ll arrange for the coronation ceremony to be held tomorrow,” announced the man whose chin had fused with his neck (Bourgeois, Luka thought).

“I’ll have the King’s chambers prepared for you, so that you can rest and refresh yourself from your journey, Your Majesty,” the squat man with untamed facial hair offered with a bow (Luka thought his name was Damocles). “I’ll also ask the servants to prepare a guestroom for your friend.”

Adrien frowned. “That will not be necessary. Are my chambers as I left them?”

There was a collective wince, and the noblemen shared glances, hoping that one of the others would bite the bullet and break the news to the new king.

In the end, Nathalie was the one who replied, “Your father was much upset by your disappearance. When you had been gone two months, he had your things disposed of. Your former rooms are now being used as storage.”

“I see,” Adrien replied tersely, clearly displeased and disappointed but not surprised.

He turned to Luka, explaining, “My father pushes the things that upset him away and tries to make them disappear. After my mother died, he walled up her chambers for a little over a year before I persuaded him to unseal the rooms.”

Luka nodded, recalling some of the stories Adrien had told Luka about his father and his maladaptive coping behaviors.

Adrien turned back to his advisors and sighed, “Very well. Please prepare a guestroom for us for the night. We’ll see about long-term arrangements tomorrow.”

Damocles blinked, casting a sidelong glance at Bourgeois and Raincomprix.

Raincomprix, a redhead with rapidly thinning hair that he was attempting to hide with a combover, cleared his throat. “Your Majesty, the guestrooms are not fit for a king. Please allow us to have the servants prepare the King’s chambers. We’ll see to it that your friend is very comfortably situated in our finest guestroom.”

Adrien’s eyes narrowed as he fast lost patience with the bureaucracy. “I will not be sleeping in my father’s bed. If you must, please prepare my mother’s chambers, and Luc and I will sleep there.”

The three advisors shared another baffled look before Damocles helpfully informed, “There’s only one bed, Your Majesty?”

Adrien gave a snort. “Perfect. I usually share a bed with my husband.”

Luka tried not to laugh at the flummoxed expressions the men were making, and he wasn’t the only one. Adrien was doing a good job keeping a straight face as he messed with his advisors, but Nino and Marinette had their hands over their mouths, battling against the threatening giggle fit.

Luka was pleased to see that his mate’s friends looked delighted at the announcement of Adrien’s marriage.

Nathalie too was attempting to keep her expression blank, but her lips quivered slightly, fighting a smile.

“Your Majesty,” Bourgeois chuckled amicably, trying to make Adrien see reason. “You cannot have a husband. Our laws forbid it.”

“Actually, My Lord,” Nathalie interrupted, “His Majesty the King has issued a proclamation legalizing same-sex marriage.”

Marinette caught Luka’s eye as her hands fell to her sides, her jaw dropping and tears of astonished joy starting to bead in the corners of her eyes.

“His Majesty can have a husband as of approximately half an hour ago,” Nathalie concluded.

“Even still,” Raincomprix broke in, huffing in discombobulation. “They can’t be married already if the proclamation is only thirty minutes old.”

“We’ve been married six months,” Adrien informed with authority. “Luc’s mother, the local clan leader of the fae of the nearby enchanted forest, performed the ceremony.”

The air seemed to freeze as the three advisors slowly slid their gazes to Luka in horror, registering the word “fae” as one man. Collectively holding their breath, they stepped back conspicuously.

Luka couldn’t contain a snicker.

The advisors flinched at the noise.

Meanwhile, Nathalie rolled her eyes at the grown men acting like frightened children.

Luka was sorely tempted to drop his glamour and let them see just how otherworldly his appearance truly was. He imagined them screaming and jumping into each other’s arms after seeing how icy blue Luka’s eyes were, how turquoise his hair, how shimmering his skin.

Bourgeois seemed to regain his wits first. He swallowed hard and gently replied, “Your Majesty, I’m afraid that we do not recognize fairy marriages as legally binding.”

“And the servants will be scandalized,” Damocles added hastily, looking like he was trying not to imagine Luka and Adrien making love and failing, “an unwed couple sharing a bed.”

Adrien turned to Nathalie. “Am I able to issue a proclamation about acknowledging fae marriages as legal?”

She nodded. “Yes, but, for appearances’ sake, it might be best if Your Majesty were to have a marriage ceremony performed before the coronation tomorrow. Since same-sex marriage is new to many people, it may help them see it as official if their king were to go through the ceremony as an example.”

Adrien began to nod, seeing her point.

“…It may also help other same-sex couples have their marriages seen as legitimate if the king goes first,” she added.

Adrien turned to Luka. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t what you came here for, but…would you be willing to go through a wedding ceremony with me?”

Luka reached up and cupped Adrien’s face, leaning in to nuzzle his husband’s hair. “I came here to support you in whatever way you needed support, and I will happily marry you as many times as you like.”

“Thank you,” Adrien chuckled happily, pressing his forehead to Luka’s before drawing back and turning to Nathalie. “Thank you, Nathalie. Could you please make the arrangements?”

“Right away, Your Majesty,” Nathalie responded with a seated bow.

“Wait,” Raincomprix chimed in, looking to Bourgeois and Damocles for support. “We’re not going to crown the fairy too, are we?”

Adrien turned to Luka who shrank a bit, scrunching his nose in distaste. “I really would rather that you didn’t, unless it was absolutely necessary. I have strong opinions about monarchies, and I’d rather not participate in one any more than I already have by being married to a king.”

Adrien looked at Nathalie who frowned, considering.

“…It might be best if we do crown your spouse,” she decided after some thought. “It would lend your union a feeling of legitimacy. After all, female spouses of kings are crowned beside their husbands. I think it’s important that we set a precedent that Luc is every bit the equal of a female spouse.”

Adrien turned to Luka for approval.

Luka sank lower on the couch, grumbling, “Fine. Nothing too ridiculous, though. Just give me a simple circlet.”

“Wait,” Raincomprix protested. “Are we really going to give this fairy a title?”

Adrien shot up to his feet and glared the balding redhead down, hissing, “This fairy, as you call him, is my husband, and he outranks you both in this kingdom and in his own land where his mother is ruler. You will show him respect, or you will learn the hard way that I am my father’s son.”

The implied threat was given extra weight by the fact that Adrien’s eyes had begun to flash a glowing, toxic green in his anger.

Raincomprix fell over backwards, landing hard on his rump.

“…Very good,” Bourgeois agreed, clasping his hands, leaning in, and ducking his head slightly as he did when he cajoled his daughter Chloé. “Now that that’s settled, may I ask what title we are to call your esteemed spouse by, Your Majesty?”

Adrien sank back down onto the couch, wrapping his arm possessively around Luka’s shoulders. “That’s…a good question,” he confessed.

Luka tipped his head towards Adrien. “What would you call me if Adrien were female?”

Damocles and Bourgeois looked at one another in puzzlement.

Nathalie frowned. “I know there is a word for it. Forgive me. I’m coming up blank at the moment.”

“Prince Consort,” Marinette spoke up, making everyone but Luka, Nino, and Nathalie jump. “A reigning queen’s husband is a ‘prince consort’.”

“Marinette!” Adrien trilled with glee as he spotted his friends. “Nino!”

“Your Majesty,” Marinette replied with a wide smile and a deep curtsey.

“Majesty,” Nino echoed with a smirk and a bow.

Adrien looked to Nathalie. “It sounds like we’re all set here. We’ll have the wedding and the coronation tomorrow evening. …Has my father already been entombed?”

Nathalie nodded wearily. “This afternoon.”

“I see,” Adrien sighed solemnly. “I’ll have to go visit him and Mother later, then…. Thank you, Nathalie. Is there anything else we need to discuss before Luc and I settle in for the night?”

“Sleeping arrangements?” Damocles inquired cautiously, afraid of awakening Adrien’s wrath.

Adrien rolled his eyes, heaving a tired exhale. “Prepare my mother’s rooms for me and my father’s rooms for Luc until we’re officially married so that we don’t…how did you phrase it? ‘Scandalize the servants’?”

“Very good, Your Majesty,” Damocles replied happily as he gave a little bow, satisfied with the outcome.

“I’ll make a list of the tasks that need to be accomplished for the wedding and the coronation and then assign duties,” Nathalie announced.

“Please let me know if you need any help,” Adrien urged. “I know things have probably been overwhelmingly busy with my father’s unexpected passing, and I don’t want to pile all of this extra work on you.”

Nathalie’s lips spread into a thin smile as she shook her head. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but I can manage. I think it’s best for me to keep busy. I’ll let you know if there are any issues, though.”

“Thank you, Nathalie,” Adrien repeated warmly before turning to Bourgeois. “Luc and I will sup in Father’s rooms tonight. Please have the kitchen send up dinner in an hour and a half.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Bourgeois replied, clicking his heels together and bowing at the waist.

“Everyone except Nino and Marinette is dismissed,” Adrien decreed with a polite nod of his head. “Thank you, everyone.”

Nathalie and the advisors filed out, and, as soon as the study door closed, Adrien sprang to his feet and ran to his friends.

[shibalen]

Hi! I’m so sorry about the earlier request! I misread the rules (._. ) I’d like to request from Akatsuki No Yona and Haikyuu. I prefer a romantic type of matchup. I’m a Capricorn and infp. I have a fairly large social circle and quite talkative with others. But there are times I prefer my own time and silence. I trust people easily and am loyal to my friends. I’m a left hander. My hobbies are writing, reading and watching anime. I listen to various types of music. It depends on my mood. (😁)

I’m a literature student and love to learn about technology. I have three cats and one dog. I adore animals, even insects but not spiders XD. I like dark colours and dark themed movies and stories. My ideal type of date is chilling inside a cafe or walking along a forest or a silent place talking with each other. I’m into carefree guys who get serious in the time of need. (😁)

The type of a guy who would dance around with me in the kitchen and jam to songs with me in the car and also be there when I have a breakdown. I’m an impatient fellow and tend to lose my focus easily. I’d like to request music box and dark box uwu. That’s it! Thanks! And sorry again for the earlier request! Love your blog! (😁)

♡︎ matchup for 😁anon

heya howdy doodle doo! how're you? i hope you didn't get too tired of waiting and actually see this. hehe. i gave these results lots of thought so i'm happy if you like them too!

akatsuki no yona: i match you with . . .

jae-ha !!

• you guys match so well i can't— your zodiacs, mbti, personality and your type of person are simply pointing at Jae-ha with a big red arrow!

• Jae-ha is chill and social by nature. that paired with your love for talking with people makes you a really social couple. i can easily picture the two of you being the life of most conversations.

• also when there's a crisis or any more serious situation going on you're both usually the ones to calm others down. your presence makes them feel at ease and honestly Jae-ha admires that so much in you ♡︎

• he knows he can trust you with his burdens and count on you to be there for him. he may not always voice them out loud but you know he needs your comfort when he silently lays his head on your shoulder.

• of course this goes both ways and he will never let you be alone during a breakdown. somehow he always finds the right things to say or do to help you find yourself again. his voice is deep and soothing and he will happily put it to use if it makes you feel at ease.

• though he does have a sharper intuition when it comes to strangers and therefore makes sure nobody takes advantage of you. however there was definitely one time where he let you buy something extremely overpriced just to tease you about it later

• the worse the scam the more poisonous the words he speaks to them with that lazy smile. then he escorts you away while waving a hand.

• "you have to be more careful, flower. i don't want some guy eventually making you give your heart away too, " he flirts

• "too late," you respond. "this one green-haired guy with stupid jokes already has it."

• BOOM

• ahem.

• at first you thought he was the worst case of a womanizer, and you preferred your possible partner to reciprocate your loyalty. unfortunately otherwise he was just your type so you couldn't help but be drawn to him.

• Jae-ha was attracted to you too from your smart and fun personality to your hobbies and taste in music. he loved how you stood your ground yet how flexible you were with your likes.

• obviously he didn't give up on you despite your little façade. he proved his loyalty runs deeper than most when he's fallen for the right person. you're his special, dear person and won't let anything or anyone come between that.

• will wear matching dark outfits with you! claims it's not his style but likes it surprisingly a lot. you might do ridiculous poses just to embarrass Hak.

• can be heckin annoying when it comes to your writing though. "are you going to write me into your story? of course you are ;)" "is the main character me?" don't get him wrong, he adores your writing and that's why he gets so excited about it. other times he does it on purpose to get your attention smh

• overall, light-headed teasing is something he will always do just to see you flustered. it's so adorable he can't help it. leaning in extra close to you while you're cooking together, highkey boasting about you to his friends, starting and winking at you, plus all sorts of cheesy one-liners.

• but Jae-ha is smart and knows when to give you space. when you're ready to interact again he's already prepared for a date!

• Jae-ha is romantic even on daily basis, bringing you flowers or small trinkets that he knows you like. just seeing you smile at his loving gestures makes his cheeks warm and heart beat fast (though he tries not to show it)

• please listen to him playing the erhu, he does it especially for you. when you're out on a rooftop on a moonlit night he'll serenade you with his songs.

• your dates include: walks around the outskirts of towns, moongazing, him leaping through the sky with you securely in his arms, dinner at different inns and travens with music and parties or by a bonfine and you two just being silly. also creative activities like pottery and sketching ♡︎

❦︎ ink box

— this happened before your relationship even started, back when Jae-ha first realised his feelings for you.

— you wouldn't expect it, but he struggled with these emotions a lot. this was the first time he had ever felt this way towards anybody, after all. his natural reaction was to distance himself from you because he was scared, whether he admitted it to himself or not.

— he was afraid of being tied down and tying you down. he knew love required commitment and you valued loyalty. he dreaded he wouldn't be good enough for you, instead becoming the source of your pain. you deserved much more than he was, and he was a coward.

— there was also the problem of putting you in danger because of the group's mission. any injury you'd get would be his fault and that was too much a thought to bare.

— he thought he was being smooth avoiding you, preparing for his leave without hurting you. he thought. but you were smarter, you knew Jae-ha was kind. he wouldn't do this to hurt you—not after all those fun memories you'd made together!

— refusing to beat around the bush, you tried confronting him. however, by that time he'd already set out to the next destination. he had left, without a word of goodbye.

— thankfully, Zeno was the quickest to notice Jae-ha's broken demeanor. it was heartbreak which he himself knew too well. he pulled the green dragon aside the next evening as they were gathering wood and stubly hinted Jae-ha shouldn't do anything he would regret for the rest of his life.

— the rest of the gang was quick to join after Kija happened to overhear the conversation. they all (even Ao) swore to take care of you if Jae-ha wouldn't be able to.

— you were halfway up the mountain chasing after him when Jae-ha landed directly in front of you. he was out of breath and dishevelled but the desperate glint in his eye shone brighter than any star in the sky.

— you embraced and shared a sweet kiss under the night sky. he apologised more times than you could count but after almost shattering your heart you didn't let him off the hook that easily. well, he had the rest of his life with you to make it up to you ♡︎

♡︎ runner up: Hak

⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ:⠀ *⋆.*:･ﾟ .: ⋆*･ﾟ: .⋆

haikyuu: i match you with . . .

rintaro suna !!

• Suna is a little different from the previous match but my instincts told me to put you together regardless! i think your personalities balance each other out while sharing the same core basics.

• you're both laid-back and have no problems interacting with people but still like your alone time. as in infp you seek new knowledge and Suna, being the smartass he is, will never bore you. he can be both silent and talkative, whichever you prefer.

• will definitely join you in being social but in a subtle way. he'll stand/sit next to you with an arm around you while you're talking to your friends. really chill but also knows how to hold a conversation and chime in with a clever comment.

• once he notices you becoming tired he casually steers you away from the rest, saying you two have to go now. how is this guy so smooth? really though he just wants to be alone together with you.

• you guys met when your social groups came together. it's that 'friend of a friend of a friend' chain and thus somehow you ended up going to one of his games because a person you knew didn't want to go alone.

• they knew Kita so y'all went to congratulate him on the win later. he then introduced you the team and therefore, of course, Suna.

• you thought he was pretty and you chatted a bit but nothing much happened. it was through these continuous meetings afterward that eventually pshed you two together ♡︎

• you had so much to talk about! stories, technology, hobbies, music, a little gossip. he liked how opinionated you were and how much you knew, then found it amusing how easily distracted you got.

• his advances were really subtle yet continuous and efficient! though some of them were kind of teasing. made sure you were comfortable with your friendship first before stating his exact feelings for you.

• Suna isn't afraid of pda and if you are too, he'll be holding your hand, having you sit on his lap, giving you kisses on your face and hand. yet although others mifht see, it feels as though every touch is a secret language meant for bust the two of you.

• his advice is quite blunt but he does it out of love, plus his actions are much softer and really patient when you're at rock-bottom. i assure you anyone neglecting your feelings is not safe.

• you're both into dark-themed stuff! y'all go to movies, festivals, bookshops and alike looking so hella aesthetic, i swear. what a beautiful couple (☆ω☆)

• your pets love Suna after they've gotten used to him. sometimes when he comes over the cats will come chill around him. it's like he's one of them and it's hilarious. you have a bunch of pictures on your phone of him and your dog.

• you like showing those photos off to his teammates because they're just that good, but instead of getting embarrassed Suna will either just agree or jokingly ask why haven't you made it your background yet.

• overtime he's learnt how to keep your focus from going too astray, though you can't say he's always vigilant himself. he slacks off during boring lectures and would much rather talk to you. the teacher had to seperate you pfft—

• can and will jam to all times of music with you in the kitchen, even if just ironically. one time his little sister caught the two of you vibing to an opera preformance and homeboy just shrugged it off and continued because you both thought it was funny.

• your dates include: going on hikes especially after a stressful period (Suna most definitely did not look up the best places near your home and prepared your favorite snacks), cat cafés, staying at home and cooking a meal cause this boy probably only knows how to pour water over noodles, and long drives and blasting music ♡︎

♫︎ music box

— I Wanna Be Yours by Arctic Monkeys

— Caroline by Crash Adams

— Blinding Lights by The Weekend

— Your Dog Loves You by Colde

— Hey Boy by Sia (what you'd jokingly lip-sync to for him)

♡︎ runner up: Atsumu Miya

thank you so much for requesting and i apologise for the huge delay (ಥ﹏ಥ) still, i hope you enjoyed! have a lovely day and please stay safe ♡︎

[shaineybainey]

“Noble Intentions”

Lab Rats [T]

The Lab Rats and Mighty Med teams face off with the greatest threat to humanity yet: The Incapacitator, a supervillain bent on becoming the most powerful in the planet. …Which makes things super awkward for Leo, considering that their newest nemesis is his father. AU. Lab Rats vs Mighty Med redux.

** DISCLAIMER: SEE CHAPTER ONE FOR DISCLAIMER **

tagging: @clockradio93 @vcnting @verified-dumbass @serpent-princess @weareoutofmaplesyrupdave @aaaaahhhhh1234 @lettersandwhiteroses @breanadaveport-mendel @cecespuffs @quimbionics @hollywoodendinq 

[ By the way, if anyone doesn’t like to be tagged anymore, just tell me through a DM. I appreciate the likes, but if the tagging annoys you, I’ll respectfully leave you out on the next one :) ]

TW: disturbing imagery, death of loved ones, panic triggers

V: Late Bloomer

Leo stirs, his whole body entirely too numb. He squints as his eyes sting from the flood of light shining all around him. He waits until the pain ebbs. Soon enough, he can make shapes, spot movements. But nothing is familiar.

Nothing except the overlapping Ms on the wall – one scarlet and one chrome.

“Leo? Leo, are you okay?” a shape – then a couple of shapes – approaches him. “How are you feeling?”

He withdraws from the faceless figure even though he recognizes the voice. “Chase?”

“Yes, Leo, it’s me,” the figure replies, but in Bree’s voice. He (she?) smiles. “You’ve been out a while. We’re glad you’re okay.”

“Where are we?” he asks, still trying to see through the gray haze.

“We’re on Mighty Med. It’s a hospital for superheroes,” says Adam.

“I know that. I know what Mighty Med is,” Leo says. He sits up. He sees a vague outline of a hospital room… How come he still can’t see anyone’s face? It makes his heart thump. “Who are you? Why can’t I see you?”

“The Incapacitator’s energy field must have been too much for you,” Chase replies. At least, it’s his voice.

“It’s going to be okay,” assures Bree. “The doctors said the blindness is temporary. In two days, you’ll be able to get your vision back.”

He searches their faces, still uneasy. The outlines of the shapes look like his siblings. There were four other people, although who they are he doesn’t know.

Suddenly, a worry hits him. “Where’s The Incapacitator?”

Though he doesn’t see their faces, he senses relief. “It’s over, Leo,” says Chase.

“What’s over?”

“Him. We defeated him!”

“What?”

“Yeah! He was holding you hostage,” says the figure that was Chase. Then, in Adam’s voice he adds, “It took us some time, but we figured out how to use his own power against him. Who knew it was that simple?”

“Wait. No, no, wait. I don’t understand.” He shakes his head. “You’re not making any sense. Who are you?”

“He’s dead, Leo. He imploded,” Bree says, a cold smile evident in her voice. “He died, as he should have.”

“No. No, that’s not true!” He tries to leap out of the bed, but the shapes hold him down. “What are you doing? Let go of me!”

“Why?”

Leo looks up quickly. He freezes upon seeing Krane towering over him, half of his body terribly burned just like the last time he saw him. A hole gapes at the place where his right eye should have been.

Krane grins wolfishly, blood on his teeth. “Isn’t this your fault? You should have reported him a long time ago. Maybe he would still be alive if you had.”

“We would still be alive,” S-1 agrees, appearing on the other side of him.

“You’re not quite the hero you think you are,” Krane says, his grip on his arm tightening.

The shapes press in on him, robbing him of breathing space. “No – Stop!” he screams. “Get away from me!”

But they only converge, closer and closer and closer until the shapes merge into a tangible cloud that wraps around him. Soon, the cloud turns into water that he plunges under, and then he can’t breathe.

He screams, but no sound comes out.

He gasps for air—

– Ϟ –

Leo wakes, gasping as if breaking through a surface. He defensively pulls his arm back from the person touching it, scooting away from him.

“Easy, Leo. It’s okay. You’re safe,” Joel says. “I won’t hurt you. It’s just me.”

Leo’s eyes quickly scan the room for danger. He’s in some bedroom, one he’s never seen before, and his father, wearing jeans and an ash gray t-shirt, is the only one there with him.

It all comes rushing back. Tecton, Chase, the energy lasso.

There was also the look of murder in his eyes as he grabbed him.

He retreats farther away from his father, afraid.

Joel chuckles. “Leo, I mean it. You’re—”

Leo flinches away from his touch, his heart calming but his brain still on high alert.

Joel sighs. “Right. I know. I overdid it. I’m sorry.”

“You were going to kill me.”

“I was never going to kill you. I would never. Why would I do that?”

Why would he? Leo doesn’t know. He used to think he understands why his father would do things, but now he doesn’t. “How could you lie to me?” he asks.

“Leo, you know I don’t like you being involved in the things that I do. Especially since you still stubbornly believe that there’s room for you in the superhero world.”

“But I am involved now. You hurt my family when I asked you not to!”

“I didn’t really hurt them! Everyone is still alive when we left.”

“You hurt Chase.”

“Well, the kid was kind of stupid.”

“He was still my brother!”

“Hey.” Joel points a finger at him. “Watch it. I don’t like your tone.”

The warning registers, but it does very little to allay his anger. “How could you do this? How could you hurt a lot of people like that?”

“Come on. It’s not like you don’t know that it’s just part of the job. They got in my way, I move them out.”

“But—”

“Leo, stop. Okay? Stop nagging me about this. It isn’t right,” Joel says patiently. “You know what I am. You know what I do. I understand why you’re mad, but everything I did was for a reason.”

Leo watches him indignantly as he gets up and heads towards a wardrobe. He simmers as he observes him dig through its contents.

It doesn’t make things any better when he comes back with a fresh set of clothes, smiling as if nothing happened.

His father observes him a moment before chuckling. “That must be some dream you had,” he comments. “I’ve never seen you this angry before.”

Leo says nothing and only looks away. He can’t stand his father at the moment.

“Since it seems like you won’t ask, this is the place I’ve been wanting to take you to,” Joel says. “It’s the house where I grew up. Nana’s and Pop’s house.”

Leo stubbornly keeps his mouth shut. Still, he’s moved to examine it closely. “I didn’t know it was still standing,” he mutters begrudgingly.

“Yeah,” Joel says, looking around the room fondly. “RT and I used to share this room, but when I turned 9, Nana moved Uncle RT to her sewing room downstairs.”

It’s fascinating that the childhood room of one of the most powerful supervillains in existence looks…normal. The room itself is small. Leo thinks it’s about the size of one of the sitting rooms in the Mission Creek mansion.

Pressed against the wall to his left is a study desk, a dust-covered stack of books, a decades old lamp, and a Duck Tales pencil holder sitting atop it. Right next to the study desk is the wardrobe. By the door is a shoe rack.

Everything looks so neat and normal that it’s almost disorienting. Sure, it’s obvious that not much had been touched for a long while, but he doubts that anyone would guess the kind of man the kid who used to sleep here would grow up to be.

“So, was I right? Were you having a bad dream?” his father asks. “You’re sweating like crazy.”

“Are we in Kansas?”

Though still a bit taken aback by his resistance, Joel answers. “Yeah.”

“Why did you take me with you? You didn’t need me.”

Joel shrugs. “Many reasons. Distraction, for one. Emotions run higher when there’s a hostage involve, especially when it’s a kid,” he says. “I know for sure it frazzles Tecton. That’s one of his weaknesses: his emotion tends to get the best of him in situations like this. He becomes more impulsive, more prone to make mistakes.”

“So you’re using me as a pawn.”

“I brought you here because I didn’t want to leave you behind with your new family.” He sighs. “Your stepdad is slipping. I want them to know how easily they could lose you. You’re valuable to me, Leo. I want them to feel the same fear I feel every day.”

Leo says nothing. He doesn’t know whether he should be grateful or frustrated that his father is once again stepping into his new life.

“You’re not going to tell me about your dream?” Joel prompts, smiling.

Leo stares at him, unsure. “I know you hate my new family, especially my stepdad, but you can’t keep doing this,” he says wearily. “What are we going to do if they find out that I’m your son? They’d think I’ve been in on it all along. It’s going to make a lot of things complicated.”

“Are you ashamed of me?”

“No, Dad, I never was! But after today, maybe I am.” Leo sighs. He hunches forward, gathering his thoughts. “This is putting me in a bad spot, too. I don’t want you to get hurt. I know you have your reasons why you do the things you do, and as we agreed on our deal I’m not going to interfere with anything unless it’s super bad.”

“But…?”

“But if I keep helping you, the superhero community might start viewing me as an enemy.”

“I only see that as an advantage.”

Leo only glares.

“Why do you insist on being one of them?” Joel asks. “You’re wasting so much of your time trying to earn their respect. You’re working three times as hard as your siblings, and they treat you like you don’t matter.”

“They don’t do that.”

“Yes. They do. You just don’t what to admit it.” Reading distress on his face, he says, “You’re a lot smarter than them. Take away your stepbrother’s bionic chip, and what is he? Just an average kid with an average level of intelligence.”

“But that doesn’t change the fact that—”

“That what? He creates things that work, that make money, and you don’t?” His father’s eyes have darkened, and Leo realizes that the smile was just a mask for the poisonous anger bubbling underneath. “Before you and your mother met them, you were heading towards great things. But look at what they did to you. They took everything from you. They took advantage of your loyalty, your sacrifice – and once they didn’t need you, they discarded you.”

“Please stop,” Leo mutters, the words hollowing out his heart.

Joel’s eyes soften when he realizes how it’s all hurting him. “I know the way I do things aren’t how you’d do them. But the world doesn’t look to me the way it does to you. It’s not a bright and warm place for people like us, my son. It just takes advantage of us and leaves us in the dark.”

When his son still won’t meet his eyes, he attempts a genuine smile. “I’m doing all of this for you. I don’t want you to experience the same things I’ve experienced. I know it may seem that I just want destruction, but really, what I want is a world where no one would take away anything from you.”

Leo knows what his father means; he knows the story. His dad and his uncle were only children, 10 and 7, respectively, when their parents were killed. They were able to get away from the murderers and hide in an abandoned house not far from here.

His grandfather had been close friends with a superhero at the time. They waited and waited for him, wishing that the man would show up and rescue their parents.

But the minutes only turned to hours, and hours turned to days. Even in the funeral, no superhero showed their face.

It was the day The Incapacitator was born. Injustices with no one to help only piled up, and the anger only increased until finally, everything he once was had turned into the man who sits in that room today.

Leo understands. Or, at least, he can sympathize. But why does it have to go this far? “You do know that if you drain the whole Earth of its energy, it’s possible that it would just implode in on itself,” he points out.

Joel laughs. “I just say that to spook the superheroes. You know them. They don’t do anything unless it involves drama.”

“You kidnapped me to prove a point. It’s not like you don’t.”

“I don’t. I prefer to be practical.”

“Practical? What if you get hurt?”

Joel shrugs. “Big game, big risks.”

“What if you die?” Leo asks, exasperated. “What if this is the one to end it all? You told me that your line of work is the one where people make you retire. Why would you put them in that position when you don’t have to?”

The expression on his father’s face changes. “I’m not going to explain anything to you.”

“I don’t need you to explain it to me. I don’t want to get involved in it.”

“Yes, you’ve made that very clear.”

Leo huffs. Why can’t he understand? “Dad, please. Don’t do this.”

“This is not your fight,” his father says decisively. “You’ve never wanted to be on the same side as me. I’m letting you. But don’t interfere with my plans.”

“It’s going to hurt a lot of people.”

“People die. That’s just what they do.”

“People? People like who, Nana and Pops?” Leo regrets the words as soon as they come out of his mouth. Horrifying still is the look of shock and hurt on his father’s face, turning the silence that ensues into something stinging.

He can kick himself. He should kick himself. He should have never gone that far. “I’m sorry, Dad. That was a terrible thing to say,” he apologizes. “It was hard on you when you lost them. I’m not as young as you were, but I don’t want you to die either. No matter how many offenses the law has listed under your name and how much they’re offering people for your capture, you’re still my dad. My world will also fall apart if something happens to you.”

For a moment, Joel only glowers at him. Then, he scoffs. “I can’t believe you know that they have a bounty on my head.”

“Well, I have to find a way to pay for college,” Leo jokes cautiously.

Joel chuckles. He’s still notably upset, but it’s obvious the tactic has worked. “So was that what you were dreaming about? That I died?”

Leo nods. “I was in Mighty Med. They told me you were dead.”

A smile teases at Joel’s face. “That upset you?”

“Of course. Who would ever want to wake up in a world where their parents are gone?” Remembering more of the dream, his frown deepens. “Krane and S-1 were also there. They told me it’s my fault that you died.”

“Krane. I took care of him a long time ago.”

“I know. It was the first time I asked you for help.” Leo hesitates before pointing out, “You know, you didn’t have to go that far. You could have just overloaded them and shorted them out. You didn’t have to…”

“Eliminate them? Of course I did. He was going to hurt you. He also didn’t seem to be the kind of guy who stops after you fire a warning shot.”

“You do know that what you did technically counts as being a hero, right?”

“Hm.”

Leo smiles for the first time. “You know, if Uncle RT finds out you—”

“Don’t.” Joel directs a steely stare at him. “Don’t mention any of the three of them anymore. I don’t want to talk about the dead right now.”

The smile on his face wanes. “Okay.”

Joel nods at the set of clothes sitting on the feet of the bed. “Change into that. You’re gonna be here a while so you might as well be comfortable.”

“Wait. You’re gonna be staying in?”

“Like I said, I’m practical. The longer you’re gone, the more desperate they’ll be. It’s easier to work with desperate people.”

“Aren’t you worried that they’ll find us here?”

“How? I fried your phone while you were sleeping, you don’t have bionics that—”

“You fried what!”

“—can trace, we’re in the middle of nowhere—” Joel smiles as he walks out the room. “They’ve got nothing.”

Leo feels like his brain has shorted out from that one information. “How could you destroy my phone? I worked hard to get that paid off!”

“I can always get you a new one,” Joel calls from down the hall.

Leo groans. That one was mine, though! “Why are you doing this to me?”

His father makes no reply.

Leo sighs, defeated. “You know, I feel like if I had superpowers, we’d be having a different conversation right now.”

His father slowly drifts to the door. “Why? Do you feel like you might?”

“I said if,” Leo says, irritated. “Let’s face it, Dad: I’m 17. Yours started showing up at 5. It’s time that we both accept that I’m a loser in that genetic department.”

“You know you’re not a loser,” says Joel. He shrugs. “You never know. Maybe you’re just a late bloomer. Maybe it’s just taking you longer.”

“Or maybe it’s really just not in me.”

“Could be trigger-based, too,” Joel muses. “Stress…”

“Had four years of that in high school.”

“Life or death situation?”

“Almost died five times, on my last count.”

Joel frowns thoughtfully. “Toxic waste?”

Leo deadpanned. “There ain’t no way I’m going to let you drop me in a pool of one just to see.”

Joel watches him closely. “Do you want superpowers?”

“I don’t think it’d make a difference at this point. I mean, it’d be cool,” Leo admits, “but if I just don’t have it, I just don’t have it.”

Joel nods thoughtfully. “Well, let me know. We could make a bid for the Arcturion if it’s something you want.” He smirks. “I have a better chance at it than she does.”

“Wait,” Leo calls after his father. He swings his feet off the bed, and it’s then that he realizes he’s chained. “Dad, what is this? Why’d you bolt me to the floor?”

“In case they do find us here!”

Leo fiddles with the lock a moment but decides to abandon it for now. “What’s the Arcturion? What’s that?”

“Do you want to help me with this one device I’d been working on? I could never get the mechanics quite right. Maybe you’d have an idea on how to fix it.”

“Yeah, sure – but what’s the Arcturion?”

Joel only chuckles. The real reason why I wanted this transponder, he thinks but as with all unspoken words Leo doesn’t hear it.

Not that he should. He has decided his son can’t know about it yet.

After all, it’s the true key for The Incapacitator to be the most powerful of them all.

[quirklove]

Tomura with a motherly hero s/o✨💫yes I required this now❤️ pretty please with a cherry on top?💕💕💗💕 or anything Tomura related will bring me great joy💗💗💕💗

me, looking at Tomura with a motherly hero S/O who loves and wants to take care of him: this sparks joy

also this got embarrassingly long wHOOPS I UH.................

I have no defense for myself, jUST TAKE IT

this is based on, A, the “let her come to me” scene from Moana, and B, the OC I’m currently fleshing out to ship with Tomura, but I tried to make most of it vague enough that u can obviously substitute urself or ur own OC!!! <3

                                        you’ll always be safe with me                                               now that I found you                                                     you will see                                              my love surround you                                                 soft as a rainbow                                                   I’ll be your halo                                        you’ll always be safe with me.

                                    ―Megan Nicole, “Safe With Me”

When the other heroes at (Name)’s agency, her coworkers and her interns and everyone who keeps her place running, tried to keep her apart from TOMURA Shigaraki, she knew it was just out of concern for her. (She’s kind, not stupid, and she knows her lover is far from a beacon of purity.)

She told them she would focus on her agency for a bit, which is the same thing she told Tomura, because she felt it was the solution. Her friends would relax knowing she didn’t spend every single night lying next to a villain who could kill her by holding her hand, if he wanted to. Tomura would sulk without her presence, but ultimately, letting him know that she’d be busy for a month or two would assure him it wasn’t personal.

Her agency would improve for her being there more often, and she could reassure her friends that Tomura wasn’t going to hurt her, turn her to villainy, or hurt anyone else who was close to her. The relationship between her and Tomura would only strengthen with a little absence, and she could go back to him without any hurt feelings.

The fact that Tomura is tearing through her agency right now tells her that she has made a significant error in judgment.

All of her friends are terrified, either holed up in closets or out there trying to keep him away from the security room where she’s watching everything. Despite the fact that he isn’t using his Quirk on any of them, he is using other physical weapons, and he’s not showing any mercy. While it’s scaring everyone else, to see him doing this is just sad to (Name).

He’s minus the hands that he normally has attached to him, including the one that covers his face. His skin is paler and drier and there are tears running down his face. He’s breaking things and shoving her coworkers and screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Let me see her! I can’t do this! I can’t do it anymore! I need her! You took her away from me, you bastards!! I NEED HER!”

She’s seen Tomura cry before, but never like this. It’s like his soul is being shredded apart, coming out in grating shrieks that scrape his throat raw. This is a desperate man ― someone who believes that the one person who has ever shown him kindness is never returning to him.

And he’s dealing with that possibility the same way he deals with every other stressor: violence. He doesn’t know how else to handle any kind of feelings, even now that his mental state is starting to improve. This is a side of him she hasn’t seen in quite a while, as if he’s regressed because he thinks he’s lost her entirely.

Surely he can’t really think that…?

As she watches, it becomes apparent that he doesn’t take any particular pleasure in causing this chaos and pain. Because he thinks her friends don’t want him here, however, it’s the only thing he’s prepared for, and the others have only reinforced that by attacking him.

Suddenly, a high-pitched whine from the PA system echoes through every single room, before (Name)’s voice rings out.

“Heroes, stop fighting. Let him come to me.”

The interruption stuns everyone who’s currently engaged in battle, including Tomura. From what she can see through the monitors, he looks shocked to hear her, and shocked at what she’s saying. The expression on his face reads as if he’s just heard an angel speaking to him and he’s not sure whether to believe it’s real.

One of her coworkers glances toward the speaker and slowly shakes his head. “Are you crazy, (Name)? No chance! He’s gonna hurt you!”

Even though it’s not unreasonable to think, she knows it isn’t the case. Tomura doesn’t want to hurt her. The pieces have clicked together in her mind, and she knows what he wants.

“Please,” she adds with a tone that is softer and yet somehow firmer. “I know what I’m doing.”

Tears form in her eyes and she has no doubt that everyone can hear them in her voice.

“Let him come to me.”

Her friends all look at each other, then at Tomura. At last, they step aside into the wreckage, affording him a clear path. “She’s in the security office. Please don’t hurt her. Please.”

All of about five seconds pass before Tomura is standing before (Name). He’s so distraught that he’s used his Quirk the door, leaving it a pile of dust.

His posture now is sheepish, as if he’s afraid to face her after what he’s just done. He shifts from one foot to another, unsure of how to distribute his weight, and both hands keep rubbing at the opposite arm, then fidgeting with his fingers, then repeating the process. It reminds her of a child with separation anxiety who’s admitted to messing up the entire house because he missed his parents. He knows it was wrong, but he was so upset and frustrated and he didn’t know what else to do.

She takes a step toward him with the intention of pulling him close. “Tomura, I’m so sor―”

That little step she took seems to be the inch he needs to take a mile. Her words are cut off as he rushes forward, throwing his arms around her. “No, don’t be! I’m sorry!! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, (Name), I’m sorry!” He’s sobbing into her shoulder and breaking down so loudly that she’s sure her friends can hear it in the other room. His arms are so tight it feels like he never wants to let go.

“Whatever I did, I’ll… I’ll make up for it, I promise! A-am I too ugly? I’ll start covering up my scars, and I’ll ― I’ll brush my hair, and I’ll shower more often, and… and what else is it? I always, always planned to spare you, but if you want me to spare a few other people, I’ll do that too! I’ll… I’ll be smarter, and I can dress better, and ― and I’ll even let you win every single game we play!”

His tears are soaking into her shirt now; he’s crying to the point where it sounds like his breathing is suffering for it. His legs shake, and when he pulls her down to the ground, she doesn’t stop him. “Just tell me what I did wrong so I can fix myself!!”

For a long moment, she can only stare at him in sorrow. He looks broken. He obviously feels broken. He thinks he’s done something so bad just by existing day to day, something so bad that she never wanted to see him again, when she told him outright that it was work, and that she was going to see him again.

How hurt has he been that he thinks he’s going to be left alone even when he was explicitly told she would come back?

How deep does his pain go that he believes he must have done something wrong to drive her away, when she’s stayed with him so long already?

Has he not been through enough? When will his mind stop tormenting him? Is there anything that can be said or done that might have even a small chance at healing this poor man?

“Tomura… sweetheart…” Her surprise gives way to concern almost in an instant, and then gradually, into the confidence she needs to at least begin to try to help him. Her arms circle around him in kind, drawing him as close as she possibly can. If she could meld the two of them into a single being and make him feel how much she loves him, she would. She can’t. This and talking will have to do. “This had nothing to do with you. The agency needed me around a little more for a bit. That’s all.”

He doesn’t believe her, because he keeps crying. She’s never seen him like this. “You left me! You left me all by myself and it’s been so long and you weren’t going to come back!” When he pulls away to look up at her, she sees it clearly: his neck. There are long scratch marks over it, some healing and scabbed over, some with freshly dried blood. They look worse than she’s ever seen them. “And I need you! You’re the only good thing I ever found in this stupid fucking world and I can’t…” His voice comes out in a choked whisper, “… I can’t go back to being alone. They took you away and they don’t want you with me and you were going to stay here and… and never…”

A few quiet shushes fall from her lips as she takes him in her arms again. “Shhh, shh, Tomura. I was going to come back. I love you so much.” She draws back and ghosts her fingers over his neck. She can’t help but frown, especially as she sees him shudder… both from the physical sensation, and with obvious disgust in himself as he must think she’s repulsed. “I love you,” she repeats even more fiercely.

She runs her hand through his hair and once more wraps him up in an embrace. “I would never leave you alone. And if that isn’t the kind of statement you can trust, that’s okay. But I want you to be able to trust me. That’s what relationships are built on. Trust.” Her forehead rests against his, and gradually, she feels his shallow, frenzied breathing begin to get deeper and slower. “I will never, ever leave you. If you can’t trust someone saying that and meaning it, that’s okay, too. Just trust me. You are the love of my life. Even though work takes me away sometimes, I’m not going to be gone forever, and even when it happens, it’s not because of anything you did.”

She offers him a smile, which he can only feel because her lips rest lightly against his. “Your messy hair and clothes are adorable. You don’t need to hide your scars, because they’re a part of you… but I just don’t want you being in so much pain that you make new ones. I want those scars to be a symbol of something you survived. That something tried to take you down, and you were strong enough to come out on top, even if you were fighting against yourself. We can take showers together. And I don’t need to win games.”

Her heart feels so heavy when he trembles in her arms, wanting to be closer to her, because she’s failed to protect him. Once she realized just how traumatized this man is, she silently vowed to keep him safe in any way she could. She’s broken that vow, and she will not break it again.

“It’s true that I would be relieved if you abandoned the idea of razing the world to the ground. But just because you think that’s a solution to your pain, it doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of my love. You’re human, just like me. Just like the rest of us. And you’ve been hurt.” She takes his face in her hands and kisses his lips. They’re chapped and raw against hers, but he readily kisses back as if he’s hungry for her. “You deserve to be loved, Tomura. And for as long as you can stand my insufferable hero company, I want to be someone who gives it to you.”

His breath is quivery against her lips before he buries his face in her neck and sobs again. “I… I miss you. I was so scared you weren’t going to come back… the thought of never seeing you again… it drove me crazy. I-I couldn’t take it. You matter more than anything else. I need you. You’re the only good thing about this world and I… I didn’t…” He tightens his arms around her. “I didn’t want that to go away. You take such good care of me and it’s like you love everyone and everything…”

She feels his frame shake with a laugh. “I-I never understand how you do it! Sometimes you just seem like that’s all you want to do is take care of everything and make sure the people you care about are okay, and I look at you and I think, ‘How the hell does she do that?!’ Because… y-you’re the only thing I care about in this world… the only thing I really care about… I hate everything else. Everyone else. I can’t imagine caring about everything and everyone like you do. But it’s… it’s nice. You’re so full of love. You’re so warm.” How he manages to grip her tighter still, she doesn’t quite know.

“… I just… don’t want you to ever go away… I want to have you with me forever… I want to be someone who deserves to have your light shining on me… I love you… I-I need you…”

Things seem calmer now. His rage and panic have cooled from a wildfire to a bed of dying embers. Now he’s simply holding onto her as if she’s his last connection to the world. She continues to stroke his hair as they sit on the floor together, two people on opposite sides of a fight who love each other. It makes them both think maybe there’s hope.

“I need you, too,” she whispers against the shell of his ear. “More than anything, I just want to take care of you. Nobody else has ever done that and you deserve it. Everything that happened to you should never have happened. But it did. And now I want to do what everyone should have done for you from the beginning. I promise you, I will never leave you alone, even if sometimes I have to be away from you.”

She kisses the top of his head, his forehead, down his cheeks, against his jaw, even against the scars and new marks on his neck. She pauses when she sees them, reminded of how isolated he must have been these last few weeks without seeing her every day. “Tomura,” she murmurs with her lips next to these wounds. “If I’m going to take care of you, you need to take care of yourself, too. Whenever I’m away… you still have your cell phone, right? I should give you a call every day. I’m sorry I didn’t do that before. Would that make you feel better about me being away? Talking to me every day ― do you think that might help reassure you that I’m not going to leave?”

He’s quiet for a moment; just soaking in her touch and that warmth of hers he can feel. It’s a luxury he got used to and when it was suddenly taken away, he missed it more than anything. “… I… I guess… we could try that. It’s not the same as holding you… but… I do like hearing your voice. It would be better than nothing.”

“We could do a video call,” she amends. “That way you can see my face too.” She presses the tip of her nose against his. “And I could see yours. I like hearing your voice and seeing your face, too. Even if it’s not the same as being together.”

“Mmh.” He nods tiredly. His fury is gone, replaced only with a need for her. “Can I call you any time? Whenever I feel… like this? Worried and lonely? Whenever I want to make sure you’re still coming back?”

She lavishes more kisses on his neck and his cheeks, her fingers gently untangling any knots they find in his hair. (Just because it’s messy and cute doesn’t mean she wants it forming clumps that are going to be agonizing to get out.) “I might not pick up if I’m in the middle of something, but as soon as I see that you called me, I’ll call you back. Is that okay?”

“I… I guess that… would be fine.” He sighs, accompanied by a slumping of his shoulders. “What’s that word I… have to work on? ‘Compromise’?”

She can’t help a laugh from bubbling up out of her throat. “You’re doing good so far. We can make this work. We just need to talk to each other. I’m sorry I didn’t think of any of this before. If it makes you feel better, I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Counting the minutes until I could come be with you again.”

The smile he gives her is small, genuine, almost shy in a way. “… That helps a little.”

“Good. Now, Tomura… honey.” Another kiss. “Could you apologize to my friends? You scared them a lot, and you did hurt some of them. It might make them less inclined to think bad about you if they know you’re sorry.”

A puff of air is snorted through his nose. “… I probably… should, shouldn’t I?”

“Like I said, it would be a good idea.”

“Hm. Well ― could you come spend the night with me?”

Her mouth curves upward. She knows she can’t bribe him forever, but he seems to be starting to learn on his own, too. “I could, and I would, and I would love to.”

“… Fine. Then I’ll go say sorry.”

She rewards him with another kiss, which he eagerly returns. “There’s my good boy.”

[ripuels]

For @outreotter​ <3

(Another one that got way out of hand, also I haven’t managed to read over it mine soul is on Jupiter locked in a fridge sorry. Posting it as text under the cut because tumblr remains awful about my ask box~)

“If you're in some kind of trouble, you can tell me.” Christopher doesn't steer far from her hip as he welcomes her into the lounge room and she falls into the couch. 

“What makes you think I'm in trouble?”

The responding look is one of disbelief, he hardly has to be reminded who he's talking to. 

“Okay, okay sure. I'm avoiding someone, and your- the door wasn't locked, and I thought-” Amanda sees the incredulous synthetic stand opposite, arms folding across his chest, “oh my God, this was such a bad idea. I'm just- yeah, I'm gonna go.”

“Wait!” Samuels catches her with urgency, she freezes at the edge of the couch. “Stay, for a tea? I haven't seen you in a year, it's been odd to say the least, and concerning- the radio silence after all we've been through, and suddenly you're in my hallway, I- it would be nice, to catch up.”

She sits back down, nodding slowly. “Tea never hurt anyone. But just tea, then I gotta get back to work.” 

“Amy- Ripley,” he corrects himself as she flinches to a microscopic degree, “it's Sunday.”

She knows what he's getting at, calling her out on any reason to leave in a hurry. “Is it?” Her voice drags with a heavy sarcasm even Christopher couldn't miss. “I had no idea. Mostly because I've been working non-stop for about five weeks. Fucking staff cuts left us with half the crew and double the work, and I can't even complain because I'm one of the fortunate ones who still has a job. And-”

Samuels watches as she sinks comfortably into the couch pillows, ankle crossed over the other knee. It's funny that such a simple movement reminds him how flexible she is, especially her hips. 

“Sorry,” she groans and scrubs at her eyes, “that's exactly what I'm doing right now isn't it?” 

“It’s quite alright. I'm interested and happy to listen.” 

“It’s just, my whole crew was made up of contractors, once their time was up, they didn't want to bother renewing and The Company saw the opportunity to save some dollars.” Amanda huffs, “fuck all the rest of us I guess.” 

Samuels nods compassionately, pacing over to the kitchen to put the kettle on, leaning over his elbows on the bench. It's amazing how unique this synthetic has developed compared to all the others, since the breakup she had never struggled to speak to other Samuels units, though identical, she never saw his face in them. But him, Christopher, he could be standing amongst a hundred others and he'd be the sole blip on her radar. 

“You're obviously not easily replaced,” he means it in more ways than one, “maybe take it higher to HR, they could always steer you in the right direction. I’d be happy to help, if you needed anything from Legal-?”

Ripley smiles, pulling her hair over her shoulder and sliding her forearm behind her head. “Any excuse, you haven't changed a bit,” she laughs, definitely joking though not far wrong, “but I don't want to bug you for help. You've done enough for me after everything, and I already owe more than I could pay you back in years.”

“We had years,” Christopher says simply, fondly, an ease in his voice that Amanda can't tell is reminiscing or final. Or which one she would prefer it to be. “And they were good years. Consider your debt paid. However nonexistent it is.” 

She gently scratches her fingertips in the hair behind her ear, letting out a resigned sigh as he prepares a few mugs. 

“How long have you been back?”

“Two months.” She says with a hard stare. He doesn’t look upset or surprised by the fact that she hadn’t called around to visit, but curious. “I moved in with- with someone, in the hab units, y’know the permanent accommodation ones? By the bay. Nice view, but really quiet.” By that, she means lonely. “Figure I may as well set myself up if I’m going to be around for a while.”

“Oh, I see. Have you…” He starts, taking a moment to compose himself a little better, stripping the desperation out of his voice. “Have you found someone? Human?” He adds a little unnecessarily. 

After him? Hell no, she thinks. She had her shot at love, at life, at everything, and she blew it. What the fuck would she even do with a new lover but silently wish they were someone else? Someone in particular. 

“No, God no. I've just, been around.” She says nonchalantly, which isn't a total lie. A few dates, made a few more friends, he always said she needed more of them. 

“Anyone right now?”

Amanda doesn't mean to laugh, a little sadly, looking directly at him. “Always.” 

“Oh.” 

The synthetic doesn't seem surprised by the revelation, in fact, he doesn't look anything. 

“Dammit, Chris. Have you turned your emotional programming off again?” Amanda knows him, and knows he is smarter than to lie to her, so he stays quiet. “You're getting worryingly good at faking it. Even convinced me for a while there. Why the hell?” 

Samuels tugs his tie loose with a finger, a movement usually telling of his synthetic measure of anxiety. This time however, it looks more habitual. His face is icy, unbothered, his eyes relaxed under a numb brow. “I found it easier to function.” To cope. “How did you know?”

Ripley gets up and wanders to the other side of the bench, hands wringing at the edge of it. “Because this isn't you, Samuels. Even before you met me you were emotional, sentimental, and now you're just- just like all the others. But worse actually, because you're choosing to be.”

As if she hadn't spoken at all, he finds another subject. One he would experience an immeasurable amount of panic over had he been able to feel anything at all. “Did you ever find any more answers?” His controlled hand pours boiling water into two mugs. “To the whereabouts of Ellen?”

“No, and turns out I didn't want them anyway.” Amanda doesn't need to try to sound convincing. “It's a huge universe out there and I could look for my entire life, waste- my entire life, and not even get a net to the bottom. I'm finished. It's what she would have wanted, I think.”

“I believe you're right. It's what we all wanted for you. To find some peace.”

“Closure.” She smiles weakly and he nods. “I’m getting there. One step at a time. First things first, I still gotta settle into my new joint. Make it, I don’t know, comfortable. Like this place.” 

“You're always welcome to stay here. It is half your house too.” Christopher stops himself from saying home, something it hasn't been in over twelve months. “There is a spare room or two.”

“I couldn't intrude like that. You probably have a whole social group, a girlfriend, boyfriend, both, who knows. Feels wrong to kick your door down so suddenly,” she says, a little downhearted. The synthetic opens his mouth to assure her he absolutely doesn't, but she trudges onward. “Thanks though, Chris. I’ll keep it in mind.”

He resigns to nod, knowing first hand that corralling this woman never ended well in the past. “Offer isn't retractable, not that you won't let yourself in anyway. Clearly.”

Amanda takes her tea with a thankful smile, leaning on her elbows. The man across mirroring her. “Hey, yeah.” She rests the rim of the mug to her chin. “Why was the door unlocked?” 

“It’s silly, really.” He finally looks away, perhaps considering dishonesty. “I haven't locked it since you left, since I didn't know if you still had a key or not. I'm not sure what possesses me to do it, but I thought of this place as a safe haven of sorts, for if you ever need.” He finds himself looking into the face of a woman who knows her soul is being x-rayed. “Good thing too, came in as a handy sanctuary, from mysterious pursuers.” 

At this she rolls her eyes. “Okay, you got me. There wasn't actually anyone, I just wanted to drop in but something came over me. It was as if-” she takes a sip and shrugs, “it was just dumb.”

“As if what?” 

“As if- I was coming home I guess. I was just going to knock but before I knew it, I was standing in the hallway, and then you were there and, yeah, I panicked.” She finds herself smiling along with him. “You should turn it back on, by the way. Your feelings. It's not fair that I'm here all shaky knees and racing heart and you're just a slab of limestone.”

His face falls. “I don't think that's a very good idea.” 

“Why? What's wrong?”

Samuels straightens off the bench. “It just isn't.”

Amanda doesn't push. “Y'know, if you need someone to talk to, support, I'm here. I might not have always been but, I am now.” 

He thinks for a moment, remembering the times when his ex-lover would break down between his legs in the bath, against the wall of the hallway, when he came home to her tiny frame hunkered behind the couch, terrified, knife in her defensive hand and sweat beading on her forehead. She'd always let him be there, let him in, and he never allowed her the slightest room for guilt. 

It had been months since Samuels felt anything, since he became lost in processing grief, regret, anxiety. Why would she leave? How could she? Would she ever come back? But above all, could she ever come back? He knew Amanda would follow the trail until the end, whether it be of the line, or her life.

If he were to tune into all of that now, should the dam crumble, he doesn't think she should be around to see it. But if she leaves, it may be for good, truly, this chance as fleeting as her.

“Amanda, I- I would, but I haven't- not in a long time. I have reason to err on the side of caution, that it may not be something you want to witness.” Samuels' report is composed, even as he fidgets with the mug handle. “I have no clue what to expect, but suspect it will not be pleasant.”

“Keeping shit bottled up is only going to break you. I’m not going to push, but let me help you, if you need. Anything. No expiry date.”

Samuels rubs his hair back, disturbing the perfect form that somehow always defied not only the weather, but her playful tussling. He seems defeated by the fact that he has nothing to lose. “Could I-” he starts, placing his drink down, “Could I just trouble you for a hug?”

Amanda recoils, she doesn't know why her reaction is of surprise, not until she remembers where they stand. Square one. Or perhaps more accurately, not even on the same tile at all. “Yeah, course you can.” 

She takes the initiative to wander over and feed her hands under his arms, dragging them together tightly around his chest. Without hesitation he takes her around the shoulders. 

He hasn't changed a bit, still warmer than he should be, still wearing the same deliciously oaky cologne she brought a few Christmases ago. The one he wore because he was convinced he smelled of chemicals. Like new silicone baking trays. Amongst other things. And he still holds her as if she is vanishing before his very eyes. 

Now more than ever, she thinks. Even at her scariest, most dire moments, when his hand was the only thing holding her to the face of the Earth, he never squeezed so desperately. 

“Samuels,” she whispers, turning her face from his shoulder to nestle into the crook of his neck. His grip eases as if foreseeing the 'you're hurting me' or 'that's enough now' coming. “When was the last time you had a rest cycle?” 

“Since the morning.” 

“You sleeping every day now?” Amanda steps back hesitantly, her thumbs rubbing his forearms. 

“No,” he clarifies. “The morning I woke up and you were gone.” 

Her heart gives a punishing ache, but presented with the opportunity to make things right, she wasn’t going to screw it up again. “’Kaye. C’mon. Bed with you. Now.” 

“I'd rather be here. You're due to go to work soon and I haven’t seen you in-”

“Fuck work. You need me. You need somebody.” She wriggles up behind him shoves his waist forward. “Rest cycle for you, then if you want, I'll duck out and pick up some dinner. Maybe Italian and a bottle of wine, and if you're really lucky, or the wine is good, I'll stay the night. But only if you’re prepared to turn everything back on over dinner and we talk about this. Properly.” 

“Wait, you'll truly stay?”

She nods her head as he peers over his shoulder. “Couch or spare room. Or would you prefer I went home? Just figured, you might want the company.”

“No! No, of course I do. Please.” He's not even able to change out of his work suit before he's pushed roughly on the bed, the throw rug at the base is dragged up to his chin. Amanda at least unfastens a few buttons of his shirt and unhooks his tie. “What will you be doing while I rest? It'll take-” he seems to calculate, discomfort and disappointment falling over him, “four hours, twenty-five minutes.”

Ripley flops down the the bedside chair, pulling out her phone. “I'll just be here, for when you come to.” 

“Alright.” Christopher hums, rolling onto his side, his eyes fluttering closed. Looking as close to a dead battery as she had ever seen him, though physically at full charge. “Before I- I am out, I want you to know, I’m so happy to see you, Amanda.” 

“Happy.” She teases gently. “And how can you tell without-?”

“They’re already back online.” 

[dolphiana]

People’s statements concerning Corona...

You know what time it is? Rant time! Because I spent waaaay too much time on Facebook and Twitter and read SO much ( excuse my words ) bullshit, that I need to talk about it. A disturbing amount of people still think this whole Corona mess is fake, a conspiracy, „just a flu“ or a bioweapon attack. Of course a random Youtuber, influencer or guy on Twitter is smarter than all scientists, doctors and politicians combined because they „woke up and see through everything that happens“ right now.

I guess they inhaled too much toxin while making their tinfoil hats, but let's take a closer look at those statements.

- „Corona is fake, people are not dying from it, they die from the panic that is caused!“

So hundreds, no, thousands of people are suffocating and their lungs are giving up because of media information? They hear that they are not allowed to go shopping at the mall anymore and gasp for air? They realize that restaurants are closed and that they have to cook meals themselves now and drop dead from the shock? Seriously?

- „It's a conspiracy, THEY want to control us, THEY want to change the system and distract from other things!“ None of those morons ever mentions who exactly THEY are. Lizard people? Illuminati? Toilet paper manufacturers? We'll never know.

Anyway, someone who seriously thinks that should think further. Why should THEY do this? The global economy is crashing, borders are closed, tens or hundreds of thousands have or will lose their jobs, people have to stay at home, governments have to invest billions to save their countries. Newsflash, governments usually want to earn money, not spend it.

More unemployment = less tax revenues.

Basically it's like someone usually earning $2000 per month, then suddenly they have to pay high bills for their broken car, get a new computer to continue working and help their sick parents while suddenly only earning half of their income.

And seriously, can you imagine all leaders of the world sitting down on one table in a secret Fortress of Evil and scheming a plan to terrorize and enslave humanity? Most of them only care for their own country and why would anyone risk driving their own country against the wall?

- „It's just a flu, lots of people die from the flu, it's normal.“ The flu  doesn't affect the lungs that badly and people's bodies often simply give up and they die at home. Corona directly attacks the lungs and many of those who catch it badly need to be taken to intensive care unit and be intubated. It's way more contagious than the flu and the dangerous part is that most people will never know they actually had it, but ran around and infected others who could die from it. The death rate is higher than the flu. Flu : roughly 0,1% Corona : 2-10% ( Numbers vary from source to source, but it's definitely higher than the flu. )

- „In Germany 25000 people died from it in 2017/2018, the country didn't shut down because of that either.“

I checked those numbers. 25000 is a rough estimation, including deaths where flu was assumed to be involved in the deaths. The cases that were actually tested and proven were less than 1700.

By the way, a flu season lasts 5 months and the Corona craze merely started a few weeks ago. Just saying.

The main problem here seems to be that people can't think ahead. Exponential increase is too complicated for their simple little minds. Corona spreads like crazy, so with the aforementioned higher death rate, if more people get infected then more will die. The only reason we don't have more deaths yet is because governments took action and everyone tries to keep the number of infections low.

So what do you want? Every country waiting for the number of Corona deaths to surpass those of the average flu first and only then starting to do something against it? I'm convinced those people would be the first ones to scream „Why did no one do anything sooner!?“

-“It's a bio weapon from China which they used against us!“ Nevermind the fact that a team of international and independent scientists examined the virus last month already and assured it's natural. Even if it spread from the Wuhan Institute of Virology accidentally, that's what it was, an accident. Why on Earth would they want to endanger their own people? Their economy? Everything?

-“The average age of the Italian people who died from Corona is 79. The average lifespan there is 83. It's all normal, nature and such.“ Wow, just...wow. I wonder if they would still be as cold and heartless when their own parents or grandparents died a painful death from lack of air. „Well, sorry, Mom, you're 67, no one lives forever.“ Average means that there are older and younger people. Some are in their 90s, 80s, 70s, but some also are far younger than that. My grandma, for example, is 93 and still pretty healthy for her age. Someone who died because of Corona in their 70s could have lived for another decade or two.

-“There's only a risk for old and sick people, I'm young and healthy so I don't care. Survival of the fittest. I still wanna go out and have fun!“ Oh, so you risk the health/life of your parents, grandparents and lots of others just because you can't keep your damn ass on the couch? Survival of the fittest, natural selection....you're lucky that intelligence and empathy don't have anything to do with it or you'd be screaming bloody murder and begging for someone to finally end your suffering already.

Btw, there are numerous cases of young people ( we're talking around age 30 here ), who never smoked, are athletic and never had any health problems.

-“Corona is the revenge for those old white people causing climate change!“ Does anyone else get the urge to slap those who seriously said that? I do. Those old white people are your and your friends' parents and grandparents! The people who worked all day to afford your lifestyle, to buy you smartphones, computers and nice clothes, put food on your table, drove you around the town, took you on vacation, spoiled your ungrateful asses! For months young people went on the streets demonstrating for change, for realization what's happening around us, for actions. And now many of them ( not all of course ) prove that all they care about is themselves and that they're not an inkling better or even much worse than the „old white people“ they see as the ultimate enemy.

-“I keep hearing about hospitals being overcrowded, that's new, never was a problem before so why is everyone locked at home now?“ You probably lived under a rock for the past years, but hospitals are understaffed everywhere. Keep in mind that there are not only Corona patients needing medical help or a bed at the intensive care unit. Think of all the other reasons why someone needs to be at the hospital. Illnesses, cancer, tumors, heart attacks, strokes, pregnancy, broken bones and the normal flu. Those don't suddenly stop because Corona showed up. If hospitals are overcrowded because of Corona patients then people who have something not Corona-related will also be in danger because if they don't get the medical help they need then they could die as well.

Imagine you or someone close to you has a car accident and there's no hospital that can give the help which is needed, resulting in death. Taking the situation more serious now? China didn't quickly build 16 emergency hospitals just for fun.

There's probably more I wanted to mention, but I guess this journal is long enough already. To anyone who read it, thank you. Please feel free to use this against everyone who still doesn't take this situation seriously.

Be safe, everyone. We're in this together. *virtual hugs*