#I've already teared up or straight up cried so many times already and i haven't even gotten to the 'good' parts yet

[rillabrooke]

i just finished rereading dr. manette's letter, and i have two thoughts:

1) dickens doesn't know what "abridged" means. in no way was that abridged. my man manette was writing in the dark on a limited supply of scraps of paper with a rusty piece of metal, soot, and his own blood, and managed to scribble out 12 heavily-worded pages (at least in my edition - it could be more).

normally, i'm indifferent to dickens' wordiness, but sir. seriously.

2) i hate the evremonde twins more every time i read this book. odious, insufferable, selfish men. i'm so glad darnay took his mother's name cuz i wouldn't want to be associated with that family either. i get madame defarge. i really do.

[colonelarr0w]

do you do nsfw fics? if u do, can you do suguru x male reader where the reader is dom, plus aftercare stuff !! i haven't seen very many :((

Sypnosis - Read above request.

Warning(s) - foul language, straight smut, Geto being a whiny bitch (canon btw)

A/N - I've never written a male reader before so if I fucked anything up I beg you to please let me know.

! PIECE BEGINS UNDERNEATH THE CUT !

“Too much — fuck!” Geto’s back arches, his chest rising and falling in heaving breaths. He had cum — what — three or four times? And yet you were relentless, bending to whisper into his ear to give you ‘just one more’. His whimpers were sweet, whiny little sounds that only made you rut harder into him.  

His head falls back against the pillow, teary eyes flickering downwards to watch as your hand curls around his cock — which is already covered in a mixture of his cum and your own. You flick your thumb over his tip, collecting any of the leftovers and smearing it down his length, chuckling breathily as he cries out. 

“C’mon baby,” you sink your teeth into your bottom lip, swallowing your own groans as you slow your movements, smirking at the whine that falls from Geto’s lips. For a moment, you admire the fucked out expression that your boyfriend wears; his eyes that are glossy with tears, his lips that are parted with little lines of drool dribbling down his chin, his rosy cheeks.  

Geto whimpers, pressing his lips together in an attempt to conceal the sound. Your eyes narrow, and meanly, you thrust back into him without warning. He moans, legs wrapping around your waist and pulling you further into him, wanting to feel you deeper.  

“I’m — fuck — cumming!” Geto groans, his back arching completely off of the bed as thin ropes of cum shoot from his tip, falling over his abdomen. He whines, leaning back into the sheets and twitching from the aftershocks of his orgasm — the fifth of the night.  

His chest rises and falls in heaving breaths, a whine falling from his lips as you gently pull out of him, rocking back on your heels and tilting your head to admire your work.  

Geto’s hair is an absolute mess, long thickened strands messily strewn about — long gone was the bun that he had worn when he first got to your shared apartment. His arm lays over his eyes, lips still parted as he works to catch his breath. His neck is covered in hickeys and love bites, all courtesy of you. His hips are only slightly bruised — but he wouldn’t mind the ache come morning.  

“You alright?” you ask him gently, smoothing your thumbs over his hips and gazing at him. He only whines in response. You smile again, lovingly squeezing his hips before making your way into the bathroom, taking one of the hand towels that you had left by the sink.  

You turn on the faucet, running it beneath slightly warmed water before bending to the bathtub and beginning to fill it.  

Once back in the bedroom, you run the towel over Geto’s body, being careful around his cock and abused hole. He jolts at the warmth, glancing at you — but quickly lays back down as he realizes that you’re only cleaning him up.  

You chuck the towel into the nearby hamper, crawling to lay at Geto’s side while the bathtub is being filled. You open your arms to him, smiling sweetly as he nestles into them, his head easily tucking into the crook of your neck and his legs entangling with your own.  

“Didn’t go too rough with you, did I?” you murmur into his hair, pressing featherlight kisses against his hairline. Geto hums against you, shaking his head and pressing himself further into you, his nose inhaling your scent as if trying to memorize it.  

"Nah," he responds breathily, shimmying out of your hold just enough to gaze lovingly up at you. You smile, laying your palm against his cheek and wiping the stray tears that cling to his bottom lash line. HE nuzzles into your hand, running his thumb over the backs of your knuckles. "Felt good." 

You chuckle at him, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. Your head turns, remembering that you had left the tub running. "Here, let's get you cleaned, yeah?" 

Geto whines in disappointment, but allows you to help him into the bathroom, shoulder against your chest as he sinks down into the warm water, sighing in content. You climb in behind him, circling your arms around his waist and tugging his back against your chest, smiling to yourself as he snuggles into you.  

Your fingers lightly intwine with his own, and you bring the back of his hand to your lips, pecking it gently. He smiles, tilting his head so that his smile is directed up at you.  

"What? Do I have something on my face?" Your smile widens as Geto chuckles, craning his neck to place a chaste kiss against your cheek. Your arms affectionately squeeze him, his body returning to its original position and snuggling against you.  

"No. Was just thinkin', that's all," Geto shrugs his shoulders indifferently, grinning to himself as you place featherlight kisses against the back of his neck. 

"I love you too y'know," you whisper against his skin. Geto smiles to himself, his hands squeezing the arms that are wrapped around his waist.  

"I know." 

[ghostsd1ldo]

König x f!reader

Warnings: Non-con/Rape, Slapping, Abusive behavior/Abuse, Threatening, Large cock, Belly bulge, Petite reader, Non military reader, Female and Male sex (Tell me if I forgot something)

NSFW

When you started dating König, you already noticed that he was very aggressive not only towards other people, but also to you. The most shocking thing was that you still loved him, no matter what. It's not like you were dumb, but you still think if you could've found a better partner than HIM. He was never really abusive but he could rase his voice at you for the smallest things. You couldn't help yourself but to apologize, because you knew that he was in the military and was MUCH larger and stronger than you.

One day when König came angry from work he didn't even look at you. You were frustrated and worried if you have done something wrong, so you started asking if everything is fine. "König are you okay? I'm really worried." You asked looking at him with puffed out cheeks that always looked so cute on you when you were worried or sad.

König didn't respond to your question as he just walked straight to his office ignoring you. As König entered his office you quietly followed him in and just stood there not knowing what to do.

"Haven't I told you not to disturb me if I'm in a bad mood?" König shouted looking at you sternly. "Yes, but-" You couldn't even finish your sentence as König came up to you and slapped you right in your face.

His slap was so hard that you tried not to cry. It even left a red mark on your face. It was the first EVER time he hit you. Your tears started running down by themselves as you tried to wipe them.

As you tried to wipe your tears trying not to cry, your breath got heavier and havier as König suddenly took your arm to see your face more properly. "I told you not to fucking disturb me." König said in a stern but slightly angry tone as he looked at your reddened cheek.

You wanted to apologize, but you didn't want to make it worse. As you calmed down a little König suddenly pressed you to the wall and looked at you with cold eyes.

"No matter how many times I've told you this... you won't listen. So i gotta teach you a lesson." König said undoing his belt with one hand, while holding you against the wall with the other.

You firstly thought he would beat you up so you started trying to wiggle out of his grip. "Don't fucking move or it'll be worse!" He yelled out angrily as you directly listened to him and stopped, because you knew what he was able to do with you.

When König finished undoing his belt he took you to another room and layed you on your bed. He then started to undress you leaving only your panties and your bra on. "W-what are you doing König? I don't want this! I'm still a virgin!" You cried out begging him to stop even tho you knew he wouldn't listen.

"I know darling. I know." He answered simply as he pinned you down onto the bed even harder. König suddenly started licking your neck as you tried not to moan. "Give me those sounds." König said in a demanding tone, but you didn't listen as you tried to keep yourself quiet.

König didn't like that as he started sucking and licking on your neck even harder, eventually ending between your thights. "I'll keep it for later." König said licking his lips.

As he finished marking you with sweet spots, he let his pants on, and released his LARGE cock while removing your panties and your bra.

Your mouth opened wide when you saw his member for the first time. When König saw your reaction he smirked like a devil as he spread your legs and entered you without any warning.

If you ever had your first time with König, you wanted it to be gentle and sweet. But this... this was not what you wanted. König bumped back and forth with all the strength he had not letting you even breath properly.

He continued bumping into you as he got faster and faster each time. You tried not to mean so you covered your mouth with your hands. "I want to fucking hear you." König said out in a loud tone as he grunted heavily.

You still didn't want to listen. But as he got faster and faster you couldn't hold it anymore, and released your hands from your mouth moaning so loud, that your neighbors could probably hear it.

"N-no! S-stop please!" You cried out, tears running down your cheeks as you looked down at your already ruined pussy, as you saw the bulge in your belly from his large cock.

You wanted to cum so bad and you hated it. You hoped he wouldn't notice, but König wasn't dumb. He noticed it even before you, as he continued bumping his full length into your ruined pussy.

"Next time better listen to me. Even tho I like it." König said smirking like a devil again, while grunting hardly.

When König finished bumping into you, he came right into your stretched out pussy. "Look at this mess." König said in a serious tone while looking at your legs shaking. He already knew that you came. "How pathetic. How did you cum so fast?"

You were too tired to say anything. You weren't even able to, as your legs were shaking while his cum was dripping out of your pussy.

"So wet and ruined for me... maybe not for me. But I don't care, you are MINE." König said in a serious tone that you got scared again.

"Oh mein Schatz. Ich musste es tun." Said König in german, so you wouldn't understand anything.

Translation: "Oh my treasure. I had to do it."

a/n: I hope you guys liked it! I'm sorry if I forgot some warnings <3

[filthforfriends]

Lyrics to LIVIDI SUI GOMITI

Calm Down!", I said, "Look at me!" / Haven't you ever seen those that danced with fucking devils? / Those who grew up with strong dreams but frail hands / Those who were thrown into the pit, pushed to the margins/ Covered with gold and then pierced, the beautiful Frida Khalo

So you stay with your crowd / Crawl, pray, blend in / We don't give a fuck about you / And the crowd you eat, crawl, pray, vomit with / We don't lack courage, we are fearless / We grew up with bruises on our elbows

And if you want to know my story, sit down and listen up / Wanting to shine, being afraid when everyone else is complicit / Beautiful morals, but made for half men / A secular culture, but made of stereotypes / And I've been kicked around many times without complaint / I'm zero, but zero pisses on you and your crowd

- LIVIDI SUI GOMITI

A mish-mash of my fav poignant Må translated into English

I hear a thousand voices speaking, but I don't hear what they're saying / I look in the mirror and I imagine I’m in a circus / On a merry-go-round of happiness and I don't want to get off of it / Even if I'm not having fun anymore

And so take me, bite me, strip me of everything / I still won't be afraid of the dark / When I'll be on the ground, shattered / I still won't be afraid of the dark / And so spit on me, tear my clothes off of me / I still won't be afraid of the dark / And so buy me, sell me, do everything to me

- LA PAURA DEL BUIO

But I'm twenty and I'm already wondering if I'm too tired / If what I need is what I've desired / If one day I'll be able to feel fulfilled / And I'm scared

And you, keep yourself one step away from my ass, you dickhead / I've always chosen to be one and one only / Sometimes I cried, but this is not stopping me / I want my payback

Has someone ever talked to you about what being an artist is? / About all that I lost, that I sacrificed / About losing your voice, being left with no breath / About having a thousand people waiting for one your mistake / And the push of my anger doesn't end / I hope that paper will take my past away

- IN NOME DEL PADRE

And will you put the blame on others / or will you be the guilty one? / Will you run straight to the sun / or towards the dark? / Will you be ready to battle / to always search for freedom and to go one step further, / to always be true, / to explain what colour is / to those who see black and white? / Promise that you’ll speak about me to everyone tomorrow / Even though I’m 20 years old, I’ll have to run

And you’re only 20 / I’m writing to you now / before it’s too late / The doubt about / being nobody will hurt

-VENT’ANNI

If you hear the bells toll / you'll see Coraline mourning / She takes the pain of others / and carries it inside her

Not everyone can keep going / with a heart split in two / It's cold already / She's only a girl but she can feel / a kind of heaviness and sooner or later, she'll break / People will say "She's worth nothing" / Uncapable of even walking out the damn door / But one day, one time she'll succeed

And so Coraline mourns / Coraline is anxious / Coraline likes the sea, but she's scared of the waters / Perhaps because the sea is inside her / And every word feels like an axe / A cut on the back / Like a raft sailing / the river in flood / and perhaps the river is inside her

I’ll even be a soldier / or the evening light / And I'm not asking for anything in return / but a smile / Each of your tiny tears is like an ocean on my face / And I'm not asking for anything in return / just a bit of time

Coraline, Coraline, tell me your truths

She's lost the fruit of her womb / She's never known love / Only a father who's not much of a father

- CORALINE

The sun is illuminating the people's weaknesses / A salty tear wets my cheek, while / With blood on my hands I'll climb all the peaks / I want to get where the human eye stops / In order to learn to forgive all of my sins / Let's run away from those who are too thirsty for revenge / From this motionless land, because I'm feeling it stifled now

I was in the balance between being the victim and being the judge / And I'm in doubt, whether they were deaths or rebirths

- TORNA A CASA

Because your mistake was loving me as if / Tomorrow the world would be the same as yesterday

Because I feel the anxiety that rises, I drink the bitter tears / Please let me lose myself in the water of the sea / Because the distant words, I swear I want to shout them

Now, take me home because the winter scares me, and my legs are giving up. / You can't see how much I'm freezing.

- LA PAROLE LONTANE

You poor bastards / Restrained with handcuffs / Tied with rope / You look like, yes, marionettes / But I write songs / So they'll last forever / Leave me alone, leave me alone / Let me fly away

“Yea, you're too young / Young for this, and no, you can't fly / It’s still too soon” / “But it's not for money or for fame or for respect, but / But only for my plan”

Now, I have the power it takes to be reborn / To see the dirty side of your masks

- LASCIAMI STARE

[farts7sad]

hi so i'm new and am also sad so heres a vent post ig :-P (please don't read if you're sensetive towards topics mentioned in tags ily stay safe)

Why must you look at me this way? Don't you know how many daggers your stare can throw? Your eyes are pitch black and yet they show the most color of emotions I have ever seen. This time, it was red, the color that would greet my hands anytime of the day, the same color of the flowers I sent you today, the same color I showered in. Me and Red are no strangers to each other, my lifes been painted by red and yet the way you carry it from your heart makes my skin crawl. You made red ugly, and horrible to look at. And you knew, because you read me like a book, you're the only sane one to hold onto me. People call you delusional, and you know that they're right, and I'd agree with them. If it wasn't for the fact I appreciate your efforts. I dare to say that I like you, actually. "You're rotten work." My fingertips are turning cold, I am about to lose my cool and my tempers about to burst. What have I ever done to deserve such treatment from people I like? "..You knew what you were signing up for, so deal with it now or run from it while you've still got the chance!" I spat out, my teeth bearing, I wanted to come off as angry and in control.

To fool them into believing that I still am as powerful as I used to be, that I still am the same unfair soldier I always had been. They however approached me steadily, soil colored eyes bore into my wounded ones, it was the first time i felt weak and useless. First time to feel like the prey i haunted, "how does it feel.." i raised my sword while meekly taking my stance. No matter how small hope of winning there is, I will always be ready to pounce. "To be in my place now?" Your heart was blinding me and your mind was crushing me down. I've knelt before you many times before, but this time you're the one winning this battle. "You know i can't feel at al-" you jabbed me into my shoulder, a pained grunt vibrated from my ribcage, your hand clenching the abused spot on my shoulder. Your nails were digging into my flesh, and maybe that'll be the only thing keeping me alive from now on. I didn't mind it. I deserved it after all, "you fool! Why lie to me straight into my eyes. You really don't know your limits don't you?.." i saw a glint of silver coming up from your pocket and exhaled, maybe it really was my time to rest?

"I've had enough of you, your torment! It's been years since I took a breath! Without worrying you'd come up to the surface and hurt me when I least expected it!" Tears welled into your eyes and single droplets were stinging my skin, all these years and yet you still try to deny me? "How did I ever let you grow so big? I wish I could just.. just! Maybe, go back in time and..! I don't fucking know anymore, see what you did to me? I think about you like you're my top priority, i fucking hate you for that." I wished to speak but my throat was closing on its own, I haven't been fed for a while and I'm slowly drying out. So instead i reach out to your cheek and brush away a few stains from previous tears, the dagger in your hand was far up, ready to cut through what i could only think was its first target, me. I smiled, perspective was such an admirable thing for me for little to no reason. J suppose i saw something very symbolic in the fact that the weapon in your hand looked like it wasn't necessarily aimed at me, but the both of us, maybe we really do complete each other in a sense. My reaction shocked, or maybe even infuriated you even further, i could tell the way your grip on my shoulder already tightened even more. I let out a sigh of relief once i saw the blade rushing towards me, i closed my eyes tight. I hated to feel pain, even though i'm the one who causes it the most, surprisingly though, the pain didn't hit me yet. "You were a disaster to have around, i hope you will never come back." And then it hit me really hard, i felt such agonizing pain in my throat. I cried for the first time, I couldn't breathe.

"And even if you will, i'll hunt you down and kill you like I always did. Far worse then i used to, mark my words."

[heshoes]

She was his best friend and they shared everything together already anyway. What difference would it make if it were a hat, shampoo, or the same bed sometimes? So what? That's what the Uni Daze were about, having fun, traditions, getting serious, new relationships, friendships, heart ache, break-ups, make ups, secrets, the occasional/casual bajingo here and there, and possibly, just maybe, finding the love of your life and hoping that it all works out.

Warnings: smut, slow burn, angst, mentions of abortion, mentions of verbal abuse

Harry Styles x OC (Face claim Zendaya)

Uni Daze Masterlist

Chapter 1 (Word Count 4k)

Harry

Water droplets cascaded down my neck before I grabbed a towel to throw over my head. That shower was definitely needed. My muscles would be sore from my workout this morning, but I enjoy the ache. As I headed towards my room to put on clothes I noticed that my roommates door was still closed and for Michelle this can only mean one thing.

I pulled up my trousers and pulled my t-shirt over my head before layering it with a plaid button up. If she doesn't wake up soon, I'll be forced to take measures into my own hands. I walked halfway down the hall and then stopped to pick up the beanie that I let Michelle borrow last night. The hat was carelessly tossed on the floor along with a t-shirt of hers and a pink-ish orange lace bra. This was just one of the many downsides of living with a woman. Even if she is your best mate, finding the occasional bras and panties mixed into your clothes on laundry day can put a damper on your chances of trying and talk to a girl if you don’t have a washer and drier in house, and lets not even mention those four to five days out of the month when a tampon box is left on the bathroom sink and you have to explain that to a date. Not thinking, I picked all of the items up before I dropped the shirt and bra on the ground, feeling somewhat awkward touching something that was so close in contact with Michelle's...intimate bits.

"Michelle?!" No answer…

"Mitchell?! Wake up you're gonna be late for our first class!”

I laughed to myself at her lack of response before I sauntered back down the hall to my room grabbing the Ultimate Alarm; a fog horn that Michelle, the lads, and I nabbed from a school footie game. We each have one and have all have organized to use it with each other when the drink has made us more sluggish than functional.

Not much has changed since the first day I met Michelle. She's the only one here that I've met who seems to have stayed the same throughout all the three years of university that I've known her....That can be looked at as both a good and a bad thing.

Shaking the foghorn with devilish delight and biting my cheeks so that I wouldn't blow my cover, my feet stopped in front of her door once again. I cracked the entrance slightly sticking my arm in the room and turning my head away to shield my ears as much as possible from the noise. As soon as I pressed the button to sound it off, I heard a loud thudding sound followed by cursing. If she wasn't up before, she's up now.

"WHAT THE FUCK, HAZLAND?!”

I ran back to my room to put the horn down and grab my bag. This is the first year that I haven't strained my back to pick it up. Fouth year with a lighter load but more studying than I did in all the other three years combined seems pretty backwards to me, but I won't complain.

"What time is it?”

"Half- Oh-“

Michelle emerged from her room looking worse for wear. Her hair was in a nest atop her head and she only wore a long sleeved burgundy t-shirt and a black pair of boy short knickers on her lithe, lanky frame. I  swallowed deeply and turned my head away not expecting her to be so scantily clad. The colors contrasted with her warm honey/caramel skin tone and it was only then that I took in how much of her skin was actually showing. I've seen her naked before but it was an accident and brief. Very brief. I only saw her outlines really, nothing of real importance... not that I was trying to look or anything.

"Half past eight. Go put on trousers! I don't want to see your bajingo!”

Michelle primped her dry lips at me prior to moistening them with a swipe of her tongue, making sure to flip her middle finger up in my direction before she disappeared back into her room.

"Everyone wants to see my bajingo Harry and that's plenty of time for me to get ready. You didn't have to use the Ultimate Alarm. It's not like I was in a drug induced coma!”

"I called you twice but you didn't answer. I thought that-“

I trailed off my words as a gorgeous blonde walked out of Michelle's room. Her hair was tussled and she was scrambling to adjust her skirt as Michelle looked at me with a tightlipped grin, feeling out the room.Michelle walked her secret house guest to the door and gave her a lingering kiss that caused the girl to stand on tip toe before awkwardly waving a goodbye to her and shutting the door. I was left stunned.

"Pick your jaw up off the floor Styles!”

"That- that was a girl.”

“Yes."

"She was your friend?”

“No."

Michelle walked into the kitchen grabbing an orange juice carton out of the refrigerator. She took a sip straight from the jug causing me to grimace before she rolled her eyes at me and grabbed a  red solo cup. I was only momentarily distracted before I continued on my previous trail of thought.

"But, you were...and she…"

"Yes Harry, spit it out come on. You're almost there. I know it. I can feel it”

"She was putting her clothes back on.”

Michelle nodded her head in agreement as she continued to guzzle the rest of our citrusy, pulp free juice. After she finished it, she tossed the empty plastic to me and then walked out of the kitchen. I was right by the bin but set the cup on the countertop as my brain continued to navigate through what I think I want to ask.

"You didn't have on many clothes…"

"No, Harry. Neither of us did last night.”

Michelle folded her arms while squinting at me. The hint she's dropped allows what comes out of my mouth next to be uninhibited and honestly sound a bit too over zealous about the idea.

"You had sex with her?”

Michelle nodded her head up and down grinning slightly. Almost a smug look on her face I would say. She hadn't been in a relationship in a while. The last one I remember was when she was with my best mate Louis. It's how I met her as a matter of fact. Michelle and Louis are virtually the same person. It's freaky sometimes. She could be a reincarnate of him as a girl. They were inseparable, but when it ended it ended badly. I'm still not clear on the reason why. Neither of them will talk about it, but I managed to stay neutral in the whole situation and still be able to carry on a friendship with both of them. I'm still good friends with Lou, but he doesn't come around as much since I moved in with Michelle. Me and her got on so well while her and Louis dated it was hard not to become friends with her as well. Louis moved on and moved in with his bird earlier this year and I haven't really seen Michelle with anyone...Until now.

"So-so, you're a lesbian then?”

"Yes Harry. I've 'switched teams' as they say.”

"Since when?” I was just so shocked.

"Since over the summer...Does it bother you?” Michelle looked down at the ground and scratched the back of her neck as if she were bracing herself if I said it did and to be honest I was slightly offended that she’d think that way of me.

“No… No, I just never saw you with anyone over the summer.”

I could hear a sigh of relief escape Michelle’s lips as she turned to leave the front door.

I could have sworn she only hung out with me and the lads when Louis wasn't around. She hung out with us so much and we'd gotten so comfortable around her that we actually started counting her as one of the guys and calling her 'Mitch' or 'Mitchell' instead of Michelle. She always pretends to get cross with us when we called her that, but she can never keep a straight face long enough for us to believe that she doesn't like it.

"That doesn't mean I wasn't with anyone Harrow." Michelle winked at me and went back into her room coming out ten minutes later in joggers, a t-shirt, and Nike trainers with no backpack, one pencil, and a pen. Very prepared.

"Told you thirty minutes was more than enough time. Come now, Hazland.”

"...That's what she said." I smiled proudly at my own joke while Michelle gave me an unwavering a stale face.

"If I can say anything about growth in these last 4 years of our friendship it would be that you have made the least of it. You are the worst.”

“The pot shouldn’t call the kettle names. I thought it was funny." I grinned at her irritation grabbing all of my things in preparation to start the final year.

"Of course you did. Usually when you think it's funny that means it's not.”

Michelle exited out leaving me to lock the door to our new off campus apartment but I wanted to know more. 

I followed behind her and asked her all types of questions. You can't just spring on people that you've switched sides and not expect them to want to know all of the details. In all honesty it wasn't a big deal as long as she was happy. Perhaps I was just being nosy, but after usually seeing her with mainly men my underlying question to her was probably, "Why?"

"I wasn't having that much luck with guys, Haz. One night I went out for a drink and a girl approached me so I figured, why the hell not? What could it hurt, really? Nothing. I went for it, and I enjoyed myself.”

She didn't have a great track record with guys after her split with Lou. She was so unhappy at one point, but then again when you bring home assholes and expect them to turn into stand up gents tears are to be expected. They always looked like gutter grunge to me but at the moment that seemed to be her type, so I didn't say anything. I've actually spent a lot of nights with Michelle rubbing her back as she cried against my shoulder and handing her the odd Kleenex to substitute for my shirt. Now that I think about it, last summer I really didn't see her with any guys. I guess when I saw her with girls I always assumed they were just her friends.

"So...What's it like?”

"What's what like?”

"You know the, um, the switch...What's it like?" Michelle threw her head back and laughed as we reached the main building for our senior seminar class.

"You mean what's it like going from cock to fanny? Is that what you're asking me?" I raised my eyebrows at her bluntness and I could feel heat rise in my cheeks. There's no beating about the bush with Michelle, not anymore anyway.

"Pretty much, yeah. That's what I'm asking. I’m just being nosy. If it’s too much you don’t have to-“

"Honestly," Michelle shifted her eyes back and forth as if she was going to tell me the secret to life in her next sentence, "It's so much better. Guys have no clue what they're doing down there. It's so refreshing to have someone know exactly what it is that I want, when I want it, and how I want it without explaining myself like I'm a bloody rubix cube. Did you know that there are three holes down there?” She asked me sarcastically as if we weren’t both on track for Med school.

"I resent that! And no…no I didn't know that.” I replied to sarcasm with sarcasm, grinning to myself much like the purple devil emoji. I surely did know all the holes.

"Why is that, Hazland? The resentment issue?”

We took our seats in the half full lecture room at the back of the class as we normally do. Michelle, myself and the rest of the gang have started many an early weekend by sitting in the back of the class, signing the attendance sheet and then leaving when the professors back was turned. I don't think I'll do that this year though. I have too many important tests to take if I want to be a doctor. I mean to pass the UKCAT exam the first time.

"Because I'm not half bad at it. At least I don't think I am... Never got a complaint before and I don't intend to.”

Michelle laughed loudly as the professor walked in, drawing attention our way. I smiled and waved at the onlookers before Michelle chuckled again grabbing my hand to stop me as the professor started to speak.

"Just because you never got a complaint doesn't mean that it wasn't said, Harrow. Nine times out of ten, if you don’t hear a complaint it’s because she cares more about your ego than her orgasm...It’s a shame really.”

I primped my lips at her and we continued to whisper to each other back and forth while we took notes on what the professor wrote on the whiteboard during the lecture. There would be two major papers in this class. Thankfully for the twenty page essay that we'll be assigned to do later on in the quarter we can have a partner. Michelle quickly leaned her head on my shoulder choosing me to work with when the paper isn't even due until the last week of class. I of course accepted her. Not only is she my friend but she's one of those annoyingly clever people. I've honestly never seen Michelle open or purchase one required textbook in all of our three years knowing each other in our university careers, but every time marks are posted her marks are always first class honors.

By the end of class, I ended up giving Michelle a hefty amount of paper for notes in seminar and for the other classes she had throughout the rest of the day. It baffles me as to how she's this born genius, but the most unorganized person that I know at the same time. Her only response to my annoyance was, "At least I have writing utensils.”

"Was that girl this morning your girlfriend?”

"No. I'm an admitting fuckgirl. What’s the saying? If you can’t beat them join them. I refuse to be part of the played group any more. It's our last year after all. I figure it's time to up the ante. Let monogamy go.”

I laughed and shook my head before another question came up. It was always something I wanted to know about lesbians but was too embarrassed to ask. It's not like I have many lesbian friends who I could turn to and get the information that most want to know.  I'm never that embarrassed around Michelle though.

"So, erm, um...who's more dominant, when you're...You know?”

Michelle rolled her eyes at the question and I began to feel like an ass.

"When we're scissoring?" She spoke loudly making my thought about embarrassment wrong.

“Chelle!"

Michelle snickered knowing that she's put a vivid image in my head of her and the mystery blonde. I shake the thought before I get too carried away. I'm not supposed to get aroused with the thought of my best friend and another girl.

"Whoever feels like it whenever they feel like it? It was always a competition with men isn't it?”

“I don’t think it’s so much a competition as it is that some women don't like being on top?” I spoke presenting the idea causing her to pop her lips in disagreement.

“It’s never asked though is it? Sounds like male assumption to me. When I'm with a girl it's just flat out pleasurable for the pair of us. It's not about dominance, Harry. It's about getting off. Scissoring isn't a thing though, by the by.”

I nodded my head up and down still in awe that she of all people had taken a liking to someone who has the same bits as she does. It didnt' bother me like she thought it did earlier and I hope I didn't give her that impression by my line of questioning. Honestly these were just things I always wanted to know. I'm actually more hurt that scissoring apparently isn't a thing...They make it look so pleasurable in porn...I've been bamboozled.

"That's enough questions about me for now. What's happened to you?”

"What do you mean?"

"Harry full offense, but you were a slut when I first met you. You've since depleted in your numbers dramatically, except I'm sure the use of your hand. There were tissues in your bin the other night when I was cleaning the apartment and you don't have a cold…"

"I have h-hay fever Michelle! Allergies kick up at random times... Don't clean my room, I'll do it! It's personal in there. I knew I couldn't find any of my shit for a reason. And hang on-" I knotted my eyebrows playfully at her earlier slut comment.

I admit that I got around, but I moved very slowly. I've only ever had sex with seven or maybe nine girls in my twenty-one years give or take. I don't really keep count. It's not like they were souvenirs or notches on my belt for me to keep track of. All of them were an experience and I'm pretty sure I could name them all if I had to.

The first time happened my last year in 6th form or high school you could say and I didn't even know Michelle then. I got teased for that a bit, but I wasn't in a rush. The maybe other seven or eight happened here at uni but it wasn't as frequent as Michelle makes it out to be. The first two were in my first year when I met Michelle, one of them ended up being my girlfriend over a span of Five months. After that, I only was only ever active with a few more spaced out over the course of two and a half years, and they were regulars. That's not that bad when you think about it, especially for a guy my age at university.

"You were Haz! You had a new girl every weekend.”

"I did not! They were the same few people. They just kind of, alternated? You just never paid them any attention so you thought they were different every time. You're giving me more credit than I deserve." 

Michelle rolled her eyes and continued to tease me.

"Whatever. What's happened then?”

"I don't know what you mean. I got invested in my studies. I have to take the UKCAT this year.”

"When is the last time you fun bit wrestled, willy waggled, played 'hide the helmet', rolled in the hay as they say?" I scrunched my nose and then thought about it and then got frustrated that I had to actually think about it.

“Yet I’m the worst? Who’s this they you speak of?" I asked her, squinting my eyes and tilting my head to the side.

"Everyone says those things when talking about sex. The more mature ones do anyway. Stop dilly dallying and answer the question. When is the last time you put your 'p' in a ‘v'?"

"S-spring? Early spring? Early Spring terms I guess…"

I could feel my cheeks turn red as I answered her question and Michelle bit her cheeks as an odd snorting noise left her nose while she tried to hold in her laughter. It's not that funny.

"You haven't fucked since the spring?" I  laughed more at myself than at the shocked look on her face and shook my head no.

"No, not actual Spring. Early spring terms, so February...My birthday.”

"Harry, we're at the end of August here! You might as well count yourself as celibate. Not that I can blame the girls for dodging you. You still call a vagina a bajingo.”

I chuckled before I spoke, "The word vagina is honestly just as bad as bajingo. And this is coming from someone who has over a hundred words and phrases for sex.”

"A hundred and counting, Harrow.”

I shrugged my shoulders and tried to make the red in my cheeks less noticeable by rubbing my hand over my face. Spring term is when I decided to get more focused. I threw myself into clubs and my books to try to get more into school and buckle down. I'm even president of our graduating class now, prepared to serve on the Alumni council after graduation and I for one am proud of myself for getting this far. The greater half of my first three years here at university was spent at frat parties and in my bed sleeping class time away. I barely know how I made it through this far with decent grades, but I'm grateful that I did. Failure isn't an option.

Michelle stood on tip toe, leaning her head on my shoulder all the while soothingly rubbing my back. When I turned my head to face her, she batted her long lashes at me and made her big brown eyes look like one of those odd cartoon characters whose eyes cover more than half of their face.

"It's okay, Harry.”

"What is?”

"That you haven't gotten any pussy in over six months." Michelle has officially taken a back seat and let Mitchell take the wheel. This is how she got the nickname in the first place.

"Sod off Mitch! It's not like it's a bad thing-“

"Like shit it isn’t."

"I'm busy anyway.”

"With your hand and those bin tissues." I nudged Michelle off my shoulder feigning to be fed up with her masturbation jokes.

"Well if you weren't in my room you wouldn't have seen them! Gosh, you do something one time and then that's what people automatically associate you with!”

Michelle lets out another awkward snort that causes both of us to laugh out loud as we walk through the halls preparing to go our separate ways for the rest of the day.

"That was actually kind of funny Harry. Your jokes are getting a bit better.”

"Yeah, I know. They're funny when they're at my expense.”

"Aw, Hazland. You poor, poor serial masturbator. I'll see you later, yeah?”

"Yeah," I grinned at her before I turned to leave.

"Wait, how much later?” Michelle walked back towards me with one eyebrow raised to the sky as I tried to quickly map out my schedule for the day in my head before spitting it out to her.

"Uh, I get done with classes at half five, then I have a class meeting at six, and then I work at the first year halls front desk from seven to eleven thirty tonight. So I'll probably get home around midnight."

I contently sighed and grinned at Michelle as a look of pure horror took place of her once relaxed features. Her eyes seemed to widen larger after every additional activity that I listed, but I truly enjoyed remaining busy. Michelle's face remained contorted with displeasure before she spoke.

"So you're still coming to the pub later with the lads right?”

"Uh-oh. Chelle I don't know. I kind of forgot all about that. I don't think I will though, it's Monday and-“

"Ah, ah, ah, I'm not taking no as an answer. You promised and it's welcome week anyway. The pub is gonna be live! Just swing by and have one drink.”

“Nahhh I think I’m gonna-”

"One drink.”

“Sit this one out.”

"One drink, Harrow. One. Come on its tradition. You can't just bum out on tradition. This is our last year." She held up her tiny pointer finger to emphasize her point before she spoke again, this time in a small whisper, “One."

“No."

“Please?"

“No."

“Please?” Her lips pouted and her eyes turned sad trying her hand at manipulation.

"No, Chelle. No. Stop looking at me that way...Oh! Gah! Fine. I'll head to the pub when I get off work. One drink. One.”

Michelle bounced on her feet and clapped her hands in excitement making me shake my head before I turned to leave. Before I could make a real step Michelle called my name again.

"Hey, do you think I could borrow a pen? I seemed to have dropped mine."

[kasienda]

Hi! For the WIP ask game, oh gosh. I LOVE Restorative Justice, and I've been wondering if you were going to update it. I'm so glad it's still in the works and I totally understand the difficulty with writing that particular fic. And you know I recently discovered The Five Minute Adventures!!!

I suppose I'll ask about Rena Rouge: Secret Keeper, because I feel like that one would be very relevant to the current season (which I still haven't watched, just have had spoilers). So, what's the dynamic there?

Ahhh! Thank you! I love Restorative Justice, too!! The next chapter is kinda a monster both in content and size. I thought about breaking it apart, but so far I haven't found a good place to do that. But that's part of the problem in terms of an update. The other part, being what I already said - just having a hard time channeling the restorative circle experience when I haven't done one is so long! Haha!

...

Rena Rouge: Secret Keeper Preview (I couldn't choose between these two scenes, so you get both):

“Marinette, why didn’t you just tell him? I totally love that you have trusted me, but why did you never trust Chat?”

“I want to! I almost did! But it would be a selfish decision. He and I cannot know each other until Hawkmoth is defeated.”

“But why? Seems so arbitrary.”

“Yeah…” and she shook.

Alya held her as she cried. “There’s more to this than you just following the rules, isn’t there?”

Marinette nodded tearfully. “There was another timeline. He knew who I was. We were in love. Or that’s what he said, anyway. But… he was akumatized. And Chat Blanc destroyed the world. He said that it was our love that caused it to end. Bunnyx said he couldn’t know who I was. Not yet.”

“Not yet?” Alya questioned. “Maybe it’s okay now?”

“I don’t have some metric! The only thing I know is that he can’t be akumatized! So I have to wait until the risk of akumatization is over!”

Alya was quiet, uncertain what to say.

“I almost told him anyway, Alya. I’ve hurt him so badly. He’s never going to forgive me! I don’t know how to do this without him, but I didn’t know how to convince him to stay. And now it doesn’t matter because I don’t know who he is! And I’m never going to see him again!”

Marinette crumpled into tears. And Alya rocked her but her mind was already awhirl. Marinette has seen the end of the world? Alya hugged her tighter.

“You’ll see him again,” Alya promised.

“How?”

“His kwami knows who he is right?”

“They all do! But they can’t tell anyone!”

Alya looked over at Trixx who nodded in confirmation.

“Can they give hints?”

Trixx shook her head.

“It doesn’t matter, Alya! I can’t know who he is either!”

“But what if you weren’t the one to know?”

“What?”

“What if I knew Chat’s identity? It keeps you from knowing each other but helps us coordinate. We could include him in the planning! I could help support him like I do for you!”

Marinette was staring. “I… I don’t know all the details. But yes, anything, please! But you have to never slip, Alya. You can’t tell me who he is. You can’t hint! You may have to lie to me to protect him!”

“I understand.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve already lied to Nino you know… to protect you.”

Marinette slumped. “I’m sorry.”

Alya shrugged. “It’s part of being a superhero, and I know Nino would be okay with it if I could tell him the reasons, and I knew it had to happen to protect you because you protect the whole city. I understand the stakes! And I’m telling you, that I can do this.”

Marinette crashed into her abdomen, her arms circling around Alya.

“You are the bestest best friend in the whole world!”

Alya laughed. “I don’t know if I would go that far.”

“I would,” Marinette mumbled. “So how are you going to find him?”

Alya opened her mouth.

“No wait! Don’t tell me! I shouldn’t know!"

...

“Chat, Ladybug needs you to come back.”

“Then why are you here?” He ran his hands through his hair. “If I’m so important to her, why did she send you?”

“Because she’s still convinced you can’t know each other’s identities.”

He throws his hands up in frustration or something. “I don’t understand what’s so different that you can know and I cannot? I know she says she trusts me, but her actions say something different. And I’m not sure what I did that she found so unworthy of trust—“

“It’s nothing you did!” Alya interjected.

“— but I didn’t take myself off the team because I think I have the right to know. It’s putting us all - her and me and you - in danger when we’re not on the same page!”

“I agree completely!”

He glared unhappily at her for a moment, then his eyebrows furrowed together.

“She wants to know, Adrien. And she wants you to know who she is, too! I promise you, she does!”

“She has a funny way of showing it.”

“She spent the last few hours bawling her eyes out about how much she’s hurt you and that you’ll never ever forgive her. And that it doesn’t matter because she’s never going to see you again.”

He sighed and dropped his head. “I’m sorry, Rena. I can’t come back. I’m a danger to her and to the whole team because we can’t communicate.”

“I agree completely,” she said. “Which is why I’m here! Will you let me explain?”

“Yeah, sure,” he said, his voice the calmest it had been since she had arrived. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to take my frustration out on you. What did you come here to tell me?”

“Ladybug trusts you more than anyone. More than me.”

“But—“

“More than anyone!” she insisted. “Apparently she did trust you. You both knew each other’s identities at some point.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“I know you don’t. She doesn’t really either. But she saw what it led to. Bunnyx… you know who Bunnyx is right?”

He nodded.

“Bunnyx came and got her and took her to a future where the world had been destroyed. Bunnyx told her the inciting event was you two learning each other’s identities.”

“Why did she never tell me this?”

“She’s never been one to share burdens.”

He winced.

“She didn’t plan to tell me her identity either, you know. She just had a mental breakdown and I happened to be there. I imagine being a full time super hero when no one knows, wears you down.”

He snorted. “Understatement.”

“When she was spiraling, I convinced her that we could find some kind of loophole. Show you that she does trust you. She’s only trying to protect you, Paris, and apparently the future. I figured I could know both your identities, and act as a go between. That way you’ll always be in the know.”

“That only works if I know who you are, too.”

“I’ll drop the transformation as soon as you agree, Kit Kat.”

He stared at her for awhile. “I will want to talk to Ladybug about all this.”

“Obviously.”

“Okay then.” He put the ring back on.

“Will you stop renouncing me every time you have a bad day?!” Plagg screeched at him.

“I’ve only renounced you twice,” Adrien being surly.

“Twice too many! And there was a third time you threatened to do so.”

“You’ve given up the ring before?”

“Ugh! I don’t want to talk about it. Are you going to drop your transformation or not?”

“Trixx, let’s rest.”

“Alya?”

“Hi, Adrien. I swear I didn’t know you were hurting this much. I’m sorry I’ve been so blind as your friend.”

“It’s fine,” he shrugged it off. “I never told you anything was going on... Wait! If you’re Rena. That means Carapace is…”

She waved him forward. She wasn’t sure what she was allowed to say, but if he figured it out himself, it wasn’t her fault.

“Carapace is Nino,” he concluded. “Isn’t it weird that practically all the holders are in our class?”

“The same class where literally everyone except you has been akumatized?” She was proud of herself for delivering that line with a straight face. And felt guilty that she was already misleading him. But wasn’t that what she signed up for? To keep both Ladybug and Chat Noir on the same page while misdirecting them from each other?

Which was going to be way harder than she thought because they were together like all of the time. They saw each other every single day almost! They sat like half a meter apart in class! How had they not already figured each other out?

Some of this must have shown on her face because Plagg was laughing his head off at her. “Welcome to my world, kit,” the black kwami said.

She sighed. She definitely had her work cut out for her.

[one-boring-person]

Like Football.

John Rambo (Rambo III) x reader

Warnings: heavy violence, injury, gun use, death, blood, violence involving animals (horses), bad language, SPOILERS

Context: John and the reader take part in the horse game in the small village, before all hell breaks loose.

A/N: I love this character far too much to not write anything, and this scene in the movie is definitely one of my favourites (before all the bombing ofc) so enjoy😅 there will most definitely be more Rambo stuff in the future!

Masterlist

"I'll play." Mousa looks at John in surprise as the veteran reaches out to take the reins of a nearby horse, pulling the animal gently towards him. Beside him, I have to fight to hide my smirk, knowing John has never been one to decline a challenge like this.

"What're the rules?" He asks our guide, looking back at him as he eyes up the field of play, watching as the other men on horses race back and forth, getting ready for another round.

"You have to get the sheep and take it round. Then drop it in the circle, on the ground." Mousa explains, gesturing to the white ring chalked into the ground a little way away. 

"Why?" I butt in, already looking out for a mount of my own.

"Because there is a circle on the ground." The guide replies, appearing a little confused.

"Hm. Just like football." John responds, before swiftly climbing into the saddle and wheeling around to join in with the men.

Lifting a brow at his eagerness, I quickly locate an available horse, going over to the person holding the reins.

"Can I borrow him?" I ask politely, gesturing to the horse.

"Her. And No, women cannot play." The man frowns, looking me up and down.

"Aw, come on. Won't it be fun to watch me fall?" I roll my eyes, playing right into his old-fashioned views.

He hesitates, but eventually hands me the reins, watching sceptically as the mare follows me. Smiling sweetly at him, I take the horse a little way away, before swinging myself up into the saddle, feeling a rising sense of excitement at the familiar feeling of riding. Taking up the reins, I gently nudge the horse's sides and trot quickly over to the other riders, pulling up in the bustling crowd of rebels, just catching sight of John a little way ahead of me. Grinning to myself, I let the mare shift on the spot, her hooves pawing at the ground in anticipation, my grip on the reins loose so as not to restrict her too much, my eyes fixed on the lone rider at the opposite end of the playing field. I sit forwards slightly, legs ready to urge the horse on as the sheep's body is brandished to us, before being dropped to the floor.

Instantly, the riders around me kick their horses into action, each and every one springing forwards with a whinny, my own mare lurching into a fast canter. Exhilaration floods me as the animal moves with the crowd, my body moving in time with her as she starts pushing up against other horses, my legs knocking against the flanks of others, elbows jabbing at me. Determined, I lean forwards in the saddle, leaning over her neck as we overtake a good few of the other men, the reins cutting into my palms as I pull her to the side to ride in time with the veering group, the sheep now held aloft by some other man. Underneath me, the mare snorts, hooves pounding the sandy ground harshly as she rides up alongside the men who are currently fighting over the prize. 

A familiar grunt of exertion draws my attention momentarily to the side, where I notice John has pulled his horse up beside mine, the veteran's gaze fixed on the dangling body of the black sheep. Smirking, I dig my heels into the flanks of the mare, urging her on with a sharp sound, to which she instantly renews her speed, easily drawing up beside the current winners. The crowd is thicker here, horses crashing into me frequently, arms and legs hitting me almost painfully as the men fight over the sheep, shouting at each other in their own language, leaving me to call out to no one in particular. 

By now, however, the sheep is in reaching distance for me. Taking my feet out of the stirrups, I lean out, batting a few others out of the way as I take hold of the limp body, yanking harshly on it, pulling it from its current owner. Grinning triumphantly, I swing it out of reach, goading the mare on as she tears away from the group, a few of the faster horses running just ahead of me, some of the riders behind falling as their own mounts trip, squealing as they drop to the dust. Instantly, however, I feel riders pressing up alongside me, their hands grabbing at me as they try to wrestle the sheep from my grip, the mare suddenly rearing as a particular man yanks on her bridle.

Yelping, I can only drop the sheep and cling onto the neck of the panicking horse as she kicks out, trying to throw me off. Jeers and shouts of triumph surround me as another guy picks up the sheep, horses steaming past us as they continue the chase. After a moment, the mare drops back down, bucking gently as she calms down, only for me to make use of her excitement by digging my heels into her flank. Swiftly, she leaps forwards, racing to catch up with the other riders, where I can see John and another guy fighting for the sheep, the latter yanking on it roughly.

We are quick to catch up again, the mare darting in alongside the leaders again, jerking aside when one of the riders suddenly falls to the floor, collapsing in the dust. Too late, I realise it's John, the dark-haired veteran rolling into a ball to avoid being hit, only to swiftly scramble back upright again grabbing the fallen sheep and holding it to his chest. Other riders swarm him, grabbing and pulling at him, managing to retrieve the sheep as John gives up and finds his horse again, throwing himself into the saddle once more. Grinning at his competitive streak, I urge the mare up beside him, pushing against his horse as he finally realises I'm playing, too, his dark eyes widening slightly at the sight of me, a rare smile gracing his features momentarily. It's at that point that he sees the sheep on the floor again, having been dropped by someone else.

Leaning out of the saddle, he scoops it up, holding it to his chest protectively, out of the reach of the other men. Chuckling, I reach over and take hold of the prize, pulling it between us as our shoulders press together from the proximity, neither of us willing to give up. Riding side-by-side, the two of us make our way further down the field, other riders catching up but unable to grab the sheep, leaving us mostly to fight it out amongst ourselves. Smirking, I lean across properly, having taken my feet from the stirrups again, hooking my shoulder under his arm and pushing upwards, throwing him off balance as he fights to remain in control of his horse. With our skin pressed flushed together, I can feel a light blush dusting my cheeks, but I choose to focus instead on the knowledge I've almost won the game. 

An explosion somewhere to the north of the valley interrupts us, drawing our attention away from the game. Brilliant orange flames engulf a large area of the land a little way away, smoke roiling up from the fire, concealing the attacker from us momentarily. 

As soon as it clears slightly, the silhouettes of two Russian gunships loom into view, headed straight for the tiny village. Around us, people start to scream, men and women running here and there as they start to escape, riders on horses wheeling around to get back to safety. The sheep is forgotten, John and I simply doing as everyone else is, urging our horses on away from the approaching danger. 

Explosions erupt all around us, gunfire pelting the ground as the pilots let loose, gunning down anything that moves. Cries of pain and panic fill the air, almost lost to the sound of collapsing structures and exploding missiles, the stench of burning flesh, spilt blood and charred wood quickly creating a heady miasma in the dry air. Beneath me, the mare squeals in terror, movements uncoordinated now as she goes to bolt, racing away from the helicopters as they descend on us, John only just managing to keep up on his own horse.

A sudden explosion beside me catches the horse off-guard and she goes down, screaming in pain, throwing me off onto the solid ground. My shoulder collides harshly with the rock, drawing a grunt from me as I am forced to roll away from the blazing flames, watching in dismay as the horse staggers to its feet and limps off, clearly injured beyond repair, leaving me alone on the floor. 

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to my feet, using the smoke as cover as I duck towards a nearby structure, hiding down inside it as I wait for some clarity. My arm smarts from where it's been hit, but I ignore it, keeping my eyes trained on the hovering gunships, hatred and anger flooding me as I watch them shoot down hordes and hordes of young children and women, men and other fighters crumpling with screams of pain as the bullets tear through them. I can no longer see John, my heart skipping a beat at the thought.

Steeling myself, I look around for a solution, catching sight of a turret nearby, where a rebel has already been shot to his death, the artillery left unharmed, surprisingly. Glancing around, I deem it safe enough to move, keeping low as I sprint over to the weapon, hoping that the pilots haven't seen me yet, knowing that I can try and take one down if I can get to the turret. The going is slow, the ground having been torn up by the many bombs and gunfire, meaning I trip and stumble over almost every unseen disfigurement in the ground, my legs pumping hard to keep going. Adrenaline races through my veins, each breath coming hard and fast as I finally reach my destination, swinging myself up into position. 

As I do so, I feel someone else hop up behind me, my instincts telling me to be ready as I spin on my heels, hand going to grab my knife from my belt as I expect to meet an enemy. Instead, my eyes make contact with John's, the veteran grabbing my wrist gently as he reaches past me to take hold of the artillery gun, clearly having had the same idea as me. Stepping back slightly, I let him take the turret, noticing an automatic rifle on the floor from where the rebel dropped it. I take it up and check the magazine, glad to find it still mostly full. Cocking it, I take aim and fire at the rapidly approaching gunship, joining John as he supplies a steady volley of bullets at the looming aircraft.

Thankfully, it isn't long before the helicopter goes up in flames, the ruined skeleton falling in a ball of flames to the ground, leaving nothing but debris behind. Checking my gun, I throw it aside a I realise it has no ammo left, joining John in scoping out the next threat. 

Relief floods me as I notice that it is retreating back into the mountains, leaving piles of ruin behind, bodies littering the landscape as flames slowly go out, allowing us to see the true extent of the attack.

"Jesus Christ." I mutter, looking out over the remains.

"Ain't much of him 'round here." John replies grimly, eyeing me up and down critically, "You hurt?"

"Me? No. You?" 

"Nah." 

We hold eye contact for a few moments longer, before he suddenly reaches out and pulls me into his side, initiating an awkward half-hug. Surprised but pleasantly so, I wrap my arm around his waist, feeling his muscles tense under the thin fabric of his shirt as he squeezes my body gently. I smile up at him, glad when he returns the gesture, enjoying this softer side of him, even though I reckon I'll never see it again.

"Come on, Trautman needs us." I finally mumble, not wanting to let go but understanding the need to do so.

"Yeah, guess so."

[x-doctor-romantic-x]

Wesker x F!Reader

"Insanity"

This is my first fanfiction, which I ever post somewhere online. I am sorry for grammar mistakes, English is not my native language.

Warnings: blood, major character death, mental problems. 18+

Wesker's perspective

I felt empty. Like a sea shell. I felt nothing. I didn't hear people voices around me. I didn't even heard my voice inside my head. I felt like my soul left my body, my emotions was nothing. Just a body, sitting in my chair, drinking whiskey straight from the bottle and endless cig buns near me.

„I know , that she is still there. I feel it. This can't be the end. No.“

It is been 4 months since that horrible incident happened. When I lost her forever.

Another sip from bottle and dead stare to the wall. I try to notice books in bookshelf, my whole collection, kept by all this year.

Another cig is in my mouth, burning my throat slowly. And then I feel how slowly a tear rolls on my face. Single tear. I don't even remember when I cried, if I ever did. I haven't cried on Spencer's funeral, when Alex died. Never. But now I feel the emotions filling up and taking the top of my mind. Another tear rolls down my cheek and falls on my work desk.

I softly touch the top of the desk. How many memories it reminds me, all with her.

And then strong smash hits it. I'm feeling no pain. I‘m just feeling my eyes starting to glow and headache comes within.

I remember all the times when she insisted to come here, when I used to work with big projects for our better future, distracting me, sometimes just sitting nearby and humming songs in her own language. I loved it so much. But now I will never have a chance to hear that lovely voice of her. She used to sing about her hometown.

Another sip from bottle goes to burn my throat. We missed so much opportunities together. We planned our future. And now everything goes into darkness.

Another bottle that I‘ve finished and I don't even feel drunk. Not even slightly. Stupid fast metabolism and this fucking virus inside me.

I slowly get up from chair to look at the window. It‘s evening. I don't even remember how many days I‘ve been in state like this. I don't even know what time it is nor remember having proper sleep. Not seeing nightmares from that last mission where all my lovely world just got destroyed within single explosion.

I am so mad at her. She sacrificed herself to save me and her friends. Stupid. Fucking stupid supergirl. I had to be in her place detonating that bomb, but no. She took it instead of me. I already made so much evil in this world, she was innocent like an angel. I am blaming everyone. Blaming myself. Blaming every single live organ here.

I need fresh air. I‘m rushing out from the work room straight outside and at the same time I see how dark green car drives into my parking lot. I have noticed familiar figures. Wong and Kennedy gets out of the car. That is what I really don't need right now.

But I've noticed another figure in the car. And when this figure gets out of the car, every muscle in my body starts to shake and anger reaches its peak.

I can see how nervous Redfield gets by being near me. I am trying my best not to punch his face because it was his mission. Because of his stupid actions she is MIA, or even worse...

„Albert, you look horrible"

Great. Now they are mocking me.

„If you drove all this way just to see me like shit,  then you successfully did it. Congratulations. Now get the fuck out of here. And you even took this piece of shit here as well.

I am pointing at Chris, who just stands in silent, holding papers in his hands. I see Ada. She sighs and comes closer to me.

„Please, Albert. For her sake. Calm down. We came to talk"

I hear her shaking voice. Leon just stands in silent. I see that he is nervous as well. Of course.

I exhale a deep breath out of my body and I'm letting all trio into my house. When they are inside I go straight to the kitchen bar. Opening cabinets and taking another whiskey bottle and glass.

Ada, Chris and Leon sits on sofa waiting for me. When I join them, they looks at me with quite surprised faces but perfectly understands the situation. So without hesitation I pour that brown liquid into my glass and finish it with one big sip.

„Talk. Now"

Chris places documents on the desk in front of me. I see BSAA and DSO logos on them. Signed by Chris and Ingrid.

My empty head can't understand all this situation about what's going on but I take documents and start to read them. Then Chris clears his throat.

„Since you've been in grieving situation, we didn't want to include you into this search. We had been visiting explosion site once again with UBCS Team. And after countless laboratory tests we weren't able to find any of her DNA in the explosion site. We are confused and our hands are tied in this case. I am sorry Wesker.“

And then I'm starting to feel useless. Four months? How much have I missed while being a drunk idiot in my place, grieving for her soul.

„We tried to contact you multiple times but your assistant always said the same that you are not available.“

„It doesn't change the fact, that I still want to kill you with my bare hands, Redfield. Now if you said everything what you wanted – you may the fuck out of my sight"

I can't take this anymore. I stand up and run away from them to the outside. I run, I can't see where I am running. I see darkness but I just don't care. I just run, run and run.

Untill I reach forest lake. I used to come here when I wanted to be alone.

I sit on the same big rock and just close my eyes. And I see her. Her long brown hair, long beautiful legs, blue eyes. Her smile. Her damn beautiful smile.

I smile myself as an idiot in the darkness. Suddenly I hear her singing voice near me. That angelic voice.

I open my eyes and I still hear it.

And then I realise, that I am insane.

[inessencedevided]

The Untamed, episode 43 - watching notes

The sun is setting on this show for me and I'm not ready to say goodbye yet 😔

(As if I will! Ha. Imma blog about nothing else the next ... probably years)

Last time on Sophie watches the untamed: We're still in the restricted section. The twin love-struck idiots of lan and wwx found the Collection of turmoil and suspect Jin Guangyao of intentionally bringing about Nie Mingjue's qui deviation.

As much as I love the "hihi. Wwx is wearing his boyfriend's underrobe" aspect of this, I also like the visual incorporation of lwj's colour scheme into wwx's clothes. (Not just through the undertone, his black tone also has slight grey seam.) It's as if now that they are finally fully committed to each other, wwx is displaying it for all the world to see

Jin Guangyao tore out a page to hide the evidence. That's not how to do that!!!

My heart is breaking for Lan Xichen. He looks like a man standing on a train track and watching the light speed towards him in horror while he's unable to move away

Feels like exactly no one on this show is getting their happy ending

*thinks about yi city and cries forever*😭😭😭

"Wangji, Jin Guangyao,in my eyes, is a totally different person from how you and other people see him." And we all know that lwj knows exactly what that's like

PARALLELS! 😭

(Sorry, I have a thing for those)

And lwj looks so pained

Thinking about it, it's now the man lwj loves against the man lxc loves (in whatever way. I still ship them. Not sure if its "canonically" romantic though). They can't both be right, so ... one of them is going to get their heart broken

Great, first the Yunmeng brothers, now the lan brothers are breaking my heart 🥺

Lwj says he's visiting "Grand Master", that's Lan Qiren right? What happened to him anyway? Haven't seen him in ages

I love how, even though it is wwx's word against jgy's right now, lan Xichen is still genuinely kind towards wwx

The whipping scars! I hadn't even thought about those anymore 😳

I'm probably going to get my heart ripped out soon, but before that

"You are not qualified to talk to me."

Sickest. Burn. Ever.

Also, no disrespect to the actor, but that's a backpfeifengesicht if I've ever seen one

(Backpfeifengesicht: "German compound word for a 'face that should be slapped'. Ex:. When GWB smirks on TV, my German friend Uwe tells me that he sees a 'Backpfeifengesicht'." Urban dictionary)

He went to burial mount after wwx was killed??? 🥺🥺🥺

I've noticed something with lwj. When he's distressed, he won't look people in the eye or not even at their faces, just in their very general direction. To me it seems like he almost... can't? Any thoughts on that? Cause I'm intrigued but I can't think about it too much right now cause I'm already writing half an essay in this commentary again 😅

Oh fuck YOU Jiggy!!!

Holy shit ... holy shit

Lan Wangji 🥺🥺🥺

He fought against everyone?

This is how he showed his grieve???

He went to the place wei Wuxian had called home and ... what? Protected or ot so they wouldn't desecrate it? To search for him? To ... what?

Oh god, Wangji! 😭

That image... I'm speechless. It's so powerful

He's half-mad with grieve and kneeling in the ruins of his dead loves home, having fought himself to exhaustion and I'm... not okay 😭😭😭

He had to repent for THREE YEARS??

Oh no, you don't

Holy ...

Holy shit

How can my heart break and be so full at the same time 💔🥺

Lan Wangji ... my love

I'm ... so proud of him and yet so sad

Here he is at his lowest, finally standing up to the orthodoxy he knows to be wrong

This is inhumane 😳

The corporal punishment of the lan sect always was but THIS

Fuck them

Or Lan Qiren specifically

That's his nephew. How can he even look at himself?

"Eradicate evil. Establish laws. Than goodness will be everlasting."

IT'S NOT THAT FUCKING EASY!!!

WHAT EVEN IS "GOODNESS"? WHOSE VERSION OF GOODNESS? DEVINE EVIL! HOW FAR REACHING INTO THE PRIVATE SVERE SHOULD THUSE LAWS BE? DOES IT STOP AT "DON'T STEAL FROM PEOPLE OR AT "DON'T PICK YOUR NOSE AT DINNER"?

what I'm saying is: there are about 200 ethical question ls being raised by this rule alone!

And now lan Wangji had 3 tears to contemplate them

Wwx asking "why would he bother ...?" BECAUSE YOU ARE LOVED YOU GODDAMN IDIOT!!

Ohhh! We're getting their parents' story 😱

Oh this IS a Lan episode 💙

So another Lan falling quickly and never looking back?

I'm sensing a pattern here 🤨

Wait what?

Let me get this straight:

Their father loved a woman who DID NOT love him back and then killed one of his teachers

(And I hope we find out why. That sounds like there is a REALLY interesting story there)

Then he takes her to cloud recess and DESPIT HER NOT LOVING HIM, marries her, fathers two children with her (um... how voluntary was that????) locks her up (as punishment for the murder?) then locks HIMSELF up and then fucks of and leaves his children with their uncle

What kind of disaster human being was their dad????

Did he do the right thing WHEN HE MARRIED AND PROBABLY RAPED A WOMAN WHO DIDN'T LOVE HIM???

NO!!!

The fuck kinda question is that ??

If you have to marry her against her will and then lock her up, guess what? That's not love, that's wanting to possess someone

I hope that maybe the connotation is different in the og Chinese,but I'm not holding out much hope

That explains why Qiren is such a lovely character through 😒

But god, my heart breaks for lwj and lxc :'(

Little Lan Wangji!!! 🥺🥺🥺

Oh darling ...

Oh no ...

Look at him look at his crooked little headband😭😭😭

He went there every month!!!

Oh Wangji 💔💔

Stubborn, steadfast, loving Wangji!

That seals it. I KNEW why he was my favourite character

He isn't so passive all the time, because he feels too little! He feels entirely too much!!! 😭😭😭

And that explains why lwj was so worried about wwx's demonic cultivation harming him!!! 😭

Oh god, it was such an old hurt for him. I had no idea 🥺🥺🥺

All of these characters need a therapist

Lxc playing the flute to what ... deal with his emotions? Express his grieve? Remeber their mother? (And god, do I want to know more about her!!) Either way, It's making me tear up 😥

"It's so difficult to determine others personalities depending on our perspective." Welcome to the human condition, my friend 💙

And that's love

I ... wish I could show you my face right now

I'm smiling through tears right now

It's so utterly beautiful

He looks so vulnerable here! With his hair (almost) down

And given what we've just learned, that's remarkable!!!

He closed himself off became the immovable stone-faced second Jade of Lan and yet, somehow, wwx wormed his way into his heart and sure, both of them needed to overcome a lot, but here they are, vulnerable and open,not letting their parent's fate decide theirs

I'm... *sniff*

I can never get enough of lwj with his hair like this!!

It's so domestic, so soft

And look at his face! 😭

And mister "alcohol is prohibited" is now serving it 😭

Oh my god this scene is so beautiful

I'm speechless

Was the second flute Jin Guangyao as well?

At this point I'm just expecting more plot-twists

He looks so young! 🥺

Both of them are exhibiting so much growth in this episode!! Wwx realising that the fact that the cultivation world had always looked for a scapegoat and that he himself was just the most convenient target, that it's not to any personal failing of his, that's HUGE!

And I'm so proud of him :')

Lwj starting to play in the distance :')

This is so utterly peaceful

My heart is bursting 😭😭😭

The music, the scenery ...

Also, both thinking they have a clean conscious!!! 😭😭😭

Again, it's them holding the same morals that's important! I cannot tell you how happy that makes me!

(But wwx still cannot drink like a normal person :D)

The contrast to lxc sitting alone couldn't be starker 😔

Wait, why are there puppets at burial mounds again?

Are we going back to burial mounds? I'm weirdly excited 😅

Aaand Jin Guangyao just proved to them that he's lying. Poor Xichen

Yup, I'm pretty sure his heart just snapped in half

Little Apple!!! I've missed him 😁

Gosh, they're laying it on thick with the domestic husband bliss this episode and I'm here for it.

I love lwj's soft smile when he looks at bunnies so much!! 🥰

Bunnies, bunnies everywhere

It's the invasion of the bunnies

Who ever is the show runner *banging pots and pans together* IT'S GAY!! cab you all hear me? These two love each other! It's G - A - Y!!! Gay!!!

Probably

Lwj's shocked look when wwx says that he's not popular with little animals, as if to say "how dare they!" :D

Holy shit ... HOW MANY SCENES CAN THEY INCLUDE IN THIS EPISODE THAT MAKE THEM LOOK SO GODDAMN MARRIED???

Is wwx sitting side saddle?

Wwx plays wangxian :')

He finally remembers how lwj recognized him :')

Sneaky, show, very sneaky :D

Wwx about to casually steal some melons, lwj *wordlessly takes out money* ^^

MIANMIAN!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHH!

I'd given up hope that we'd see her again!!!

I'm so happy I could burst!!!

Lwj's little exasperated head-shake before he stands up from crouching behind some hay 😂

Aww, look at her family! 😍😍😍

She build her own live :')

And look at this badass woman protecting the ones she loves!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME WEI WUXIAN??? You don't remember her???

You better remember my wife!!!

Aaand another freeze frame. But I'm willing to forgive it because THIS EPISODE WAS SO GODDAMN BRILLIANT!

It made me realise why I was so drawn to lan Wangji as a character. Of course he is mu favourite character! He ticks every single box

Let me explain. My favourite characters almost always share the following characteristics: seems either cold and distant or ethereal and aloof, as if they are above such puny human things like feelings™️(bonus if they're actually not human and their argument is "I'm [insert species]. We can't feel [insert emotion they are definetly feeling very strongly]"). then, over the course of the story, we (along with they themselves because they were in denial) discover that it's not that they feel too little, they feel entirely too much. They're a sea of emotions so deep that the surface is calm, but don't you dare be near them when the storm is coming because all hell will break loose. (extra bonus point if that storm involves them rebelling against the oppressive society they were born into and adhered to until then because they realise their consciousness won't allow it any longer.) afterwards they realise that making themselves vulnerable once in a while is actually a good thing and they proceed to fuck the Rebel™️ who they've secretly been in love with the entire time, a feeling they only now allow themselves to act on

The last part sadly isn't always canon, but who has ever had time for that?

You know what this episode made me realise most of all? The Lan sect are just as human as the rest of them. In fact, they seem to be especially prone to acting rashly on strong emotions. (I don't remember the exact story, but didn't the founder of the Lan sect also have some kind of tragic love story?) It should be obvious, but the impression you get is that they are so detached from their wants, so rigorous and disciplined in their righteousness, that they are almost super-human. But no. Thise 3000 and some rules? They weren't born out of some enlightened mind that had the secret of live figures out, they're a crutch. Abiding by them without question rids one of responsibility to make even the tiniest moral choice for oneself. But that won't work because a) they're bounty to contradict each other at some point and b) that's not how human beings work. They're messy and unpredictable and beautifully complicated. The way Lan Qiren choses to apply them, he completely disregards that. At that point, the rules aren't there anymore to grant a harmonious society, but simply for their own sake. (Or maybe as a wall to hide behind)

@sweetlittlevampire @fandom-glazed @elenirlachlagos @allhailthedramallama @luckymoony @kyrrahbird @i-love-him-on-purpose

I think this liveblog has been the longest so far. I'm sorry for going on so many tangents, but lwj's backstory hit me really hard. I hope you guys weren't too bored 💚

(I also apologise for the mountains of typos that probably accumulated in this post. I'm too tired to check.)

[everysnowflakeisdifferent-ao3]

Warm Conclusion

Dean skipped down the steps of their temporary home, his car keys in one hand and a bag of groceries in the other. He walked into the kitchen and called out for his little brother and frowned slightly when he didn't get an immediate answer. He wasn't that worried about him tho because Dean was sure that Sammy was just sitting in the living room reading a book, completely engrossed in the lore of the monster they were hunting for the last two weeks.

The Hunter put the grocery bag in the kitchen and placed his car keys on the counter before he slowly walked towards the living room. He called out to his little brother once again and frowned when he still didn't get an answer. Fastening his steps he walked into the room where he expected his brother to be and looked around but he couldn't see him anywhere. Now slightly worried he hurried to his younger brothers temporary bedroom to look if he was asleep even if that wasn't very likely.

Dean opened the bedroom door and felt his stomach drop when he saw a letter on Sams bed and all the younger mans belongings neatly tucked away in two duffel bags. The first thing that came to Deans mind was that Sam was leaving him again. He angrily grabbed the letter and thought about throwing it away but he decided against it. He wanted to know why Sam was leaving him this time. Slowly he sank down onto the bed, roughly opened the letter and began to read.

Hey Dean,

the first thing I want to say is that I am sorry for leaving you like this and that I don't know why exactly I am writing this but I guess you deserve an explanation for what I am about to do.

The last few years haven't been good for us but you know that already. All the things that happened, all the things I did it's just too much for me. I can't live like that anymore. Every time I look in the mirror I see the people I killed, the people I dissapointed. Every time I look at you I think about all the times I've let you down and how many times I've been a burden to you. I really hope you understand why I am doing this and how this will be good for you in the end.

I know we haven't had the best relationship these last few months maybe even years but I want you to know that I love you and that this is in no way, shape or form your fault. This was my decision and I made this decision alone so please don't beat yourself up about this alright?

I hope you will be happy, jerk.

Sam.

Dean sat on the edge of Sams bed and blankly stared at the tear stained letter in front of him. He sat there a few more seconds, sad for his brother and angry at himself for not noticing that his brother felt like this. His little brother, his kid, was thinking about offing himself. He couldn't even truly process everything he just read before he jumped up and ran towards the kitchen. Dean hastily grabbed his car keys, ran up the stairs so fast he almost tripped and walked out of the door and towards his car.

He jumped into the impala, started it and drove as fast as he could towards the place where he expected his little brother. The last few days when Sammy wasn't at 'home' he was at a little lake, sitting in the snow and staring straight ahead. Now that Dean thought about it he knew that this wasn't a good sign but he ignored it because he didn't want any chick-flick moments. Just because he was afraid to talk about his emotions his little brother might be gone.

Dean never even noticed that Sam wasn't good. He never noticed that Sam was depressed and that he was thinking of himself as a burden. Angrily he punched the stirring wheel and cursed. The most persistent thought that ran through his head at this moment was that he might find his little brother dead.

The hunter was more scared than he ever was in his life. This wasn't a threat he could kill, this wasn't some monster messing with Sammy. This was his own brother trying to end his life and Dean didn't know how to help him. But he promised himself to make this right. The moment he got to Sam he would grab him into a hug and tell him that he isn't a burden and that Dean would be there for him no matter what it would take. He would even give up hunting if that would make Sam feel better.

After almost ten minutes of driving as fast as he could, which felt entirely too long, Dean arrived at his destination where he saw Sams still running truck sitting in the snow. He drove down the field and stopped right in front of the lake where he threw open the car door and looked around in a slight panic. Dread settled into his stomach as he noticed the clear absence of the younger man. He frantically searched for his brother but couldn't spot him anywhere. At first he thought his brother might not be here anymore but then he saw the gaping hole in the ice.

His heart dropped to his stomach as he realized what this meant. He walked onto the ice with slow but sure steps and hoped he wouldn't be too late. The walk towards the hole was taking him longer than he would have hoped but he couldn't risk breaking the ice even further and falling into the water himself. When he finally arrived at his destination he looked into the water and saw his little brother floating around under the surface.

He noticed that Sam was sinking slowly and before he could even think about a plan he leaped into the freezing water, grabbed his little brother tight and swam towards the surface with him. The moment Dean was above the water he took in a big gulp of air and pushed Sam onto the ice before he climbed up himself.

Dean looked at Sammy and felt like he was dying. His baby brother was ghostly pale, his lips were blue and he still wasn't moving. The older man felt for a pulse and whispered a broken "No." when he couldn't find one. He dragged his little brother a few feet away from the hole to prevent them from falling back into the water and started doing chest compressions.

Dean was sure he broke at least two of Sams ribs but his little brother still wasn't moving, wasn't breathing and Dean didn't know what else he could do. He desperatly prayed to his friend Castiel and even to god but noone answered his call. The hunter stopped his movements and just stared at the lifeless body in front of him for a while. His own body was numb from the cold but that wasn't important. The only thing that was truly important to Dean was lying in front of him right now, unmoving and still not breathing.

The hunter could feel tears trailing down his face but he couldn't stop them. After another minute or two went by the realisation that his baby brother, the kid he basically raised all alone, was dead set in and Dean started sobbing uncontrollably. This was the first time since their mother died that Dean truly cried and he wasn't doing anything to pull himself together this time because there was noone he had to be strong for this time.

After a long moment of crying and shaking he gathered his little brother in his arms, pressed him close to his chest and rocked him as if to comfort him one last time. While he held his brother, Dean leaned down and pressed his face into Sams hair while he sobbed and pleaded for all of this to be unreal, for Sammy to still be alive and for all of this to be just a really bad nightmare.

Dean wasn't sure how long he sat there with his brother in his arms, when he decided on his next move but time wasn't important to him anymore. The older brother scooped his baby brother carefully in his arms and stood up. His whole body trembled as he carried Sams body back to the shore and back to the Impala. The moment he reached it he went to the passenger door and carefully sat his brother in the passenger seat. Dean then delicately brushed Sams wet and slightly frozen hair out of his face and closed the door before he went to the drivers seat and sat down.

Dean took a deep breath and looked at Sammy again before he took his gun he always had on him. He toyed with it for a few seconds before he took the safety off and pressed it against his temple. He took a shaking breath and grabbed his brothers cold hand before he pulled the trigger.

A shot rang out and the older hunters grip on his brothers hand loosened. His body slumped forwards and his head slammed against the stirring wheel while blood splattered everywhere.

With that both Winchesters sat dead in the Impala the only place that always felt like a home to them while an angel in a trechcoat looked horrified towards his friends as tears streamed down his face and he realized that he answered Deans call to late.

[thedyingmoon]

🖤 I See My Future Before Me 🖤

***

XIX

***

"Fire and ice. Night and day. Moon and sun. Twins. They are coming, mama."

Was dear Cassandra's prophecy.

Nine months later, Vergil and Dante came to our life. Finally, the gods have answered our prayers. And so, our happy family just became bigger.

*

The moment she laid eyes on him, Andromeda took a great liking to Dante. She always played with him, made him laugh, and when he got a bit older, she started showing him how she trained with the Rebellion. She told him a lot of stories of her adventures with the mighty sword. She influenced him too much that he was starting to grow just like her - courageous and strong, both in will and in body.

And as he grew up with Andromeda, Dante became attached with the Rebellion, as well, and the aspect of slaying Demons with it. More so than her that he begged his father for him to have it. And he relented, saying that he could have it at the right time. A few years later, the two started training together. There never was a pair so perfectly matched and balanced than those two.

Vergil, on the other hand, grew up very differently from Dante. While he was equally strong in both will and in body just like his younger brother, he was wiser than him. Much more than most children of his age.

And during those years of growth, he was watched over by none other than the shy and gentle Galatea.

As soon as he was born, the Bearer of The Past stayed with him. She told him lots of stories, read to him William Blake's poetry ( he took a great liking to the poet's Book of Urizen ), and sang to him sweet, sweet lullabies. And above all, she showed him unconditional kindness and gentleness. Just like what I did for her when she was a bit younger. The love I have for her extended to him.

Galatea loved Vergil. So much that she pledged her own life to protect him.

Andromeda for Dante and Galatea for Vergil,...

*

However, during those years of the twins' growth, Cassandra has become a bit of a recluse. She rarely spoke, rarely ate, and she doesn't play with her younger siblings anymore. She often isolated herself from us, always watching us from afar.

I tried to speak with her, to convince her to open up, and she would only sigh and glance at me with those dark, sorrowful eyes.

As years went by, she became more and more distant, she, herself, becoming a different person, altogether.

She would watch the weather outside, and would stare for hours when it rained or stormed. Her sisters, including the twins, convinced her to be with them, to no avail.

Then, one day, when my husband spoke with her, she simply broke down and cried. She was,... pleading with him, for an unknown reason.

For one last time, she begged him,...

... and on that night, he left us, just like that,...

And Cassandra? She locked herself in her room and cried day and night. I managed to convince her to let me in, to tell me everything she knew.

And that's when I finally found out,...

... the inevitable,...

*

Vergil, Dante, if you are reading this right now, the Demons might have already killed me. But, do understand that I did it to protect you, to keep you away from your father's enemies.

But, I beg you, please! Do not hate your father. He has a fair reason to leave us. Cassandra told me everything. It has to happen.

You two are the only family I have left. Please, protect each other, have each other's backs. Use the weapons your father gave you, the Yamato and the Rebellion.

Then, find the sisters of Fate. Find Cassandra, Andromeda, and Galatea. They will lend you power - the power to defeat the true enemy. No matter what those people say about them, they are not the enemies. Do not believe them. You need these girls, as much as they need you. They need your help, as much as you need theirs.

And finally, I love you so, so much, my sons. Forgive me for everything.

Vergil and Dante, I love you, so much.

*

This journal was owned by Eva Sparda.

The Sisters of Fate mysteriously vanished after the demonic attack in Red Grave.

Dante survived the ordeal and used a different name to conceal his true identity from Sparda's enemies.

Vergil, like the Sisters of Fate, vanished that evening.

This is Eva's final journal entry.

***

You were staring at your own trembling hands, your body feeling tense all over.

The Aspect of The Future has finally shown you how to fulfill the wish.

After so many years of searching, of longing to see that white - haired man in your visions, it has finally come to this,...

You knew that you will be succesful in your mission, yes.

But, deep inside your aching heart, you don't want to do it.

You were so afraid and so confused. You want to shout at the universe, to tell each and everyone who lived in it how unfair your life was. You believed you would have your precious, happy ending. You honestly, achingly, believed that you would be with this man.

But, alas, you were wrong.

For your life, ever since that night you were taken over by the entities that saved you countless of times, belonged to them and to this man, and has never been yours.

And this life you had, you knew you must offer.

You knew everything was inevitable, and, yet, God! You don't want to die just yet. You want to live! You want to live longer,...

*

Four days prior

*

Nico and Nero found out, without you even telling them, how V didn't confess to you that evening.

And since then, you two have become even more distant with each other.

Especially V. He stubbornly refused to take breaks, volunteering to do extra rounds of Devil Hunting even if he didn't have to. Even if he looked like he was about to collapse at any given moment. He worked his familiars to the bone, which was very evident with Griffon's complaints. He rarely showed himself to the rest of the crew, and when he did, he never really paid any attention to all of you.

Especially you. He avoided you like the plague, he never even bothered to look at you. And during those times when you had no choice but to lock eyes, he just looked at you with those empty green ones of his, devoid of his usual warmth towards you.

He has become a different person, altogether. And you didn't understand why.

"Well I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played and it pleased the Lord.

But you don't really care for music, do you?

Well it goes like this:

The fourth, the fifth, the minor fall and the major lift,

The baffled king composing Hallelujah!

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!

That afternoon the next day, V simply went out of the van without saying a word. Nero shook his head in disbelief and faced you as you sat on the sofa, listening to that dreary song on the radio.

"Well your faith was strong but you needed proof.

You saw her bathing on the roof,

Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya.

She tied you to her kitchen chair,

And she broke your throne and she cut your hair.

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah!

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!

"Hey, you okay?" The youth carefully asked you as he kneeled in front of you. He sensed your pain, and he hated to watch someone like you suffer in silence - because he knew you did not deserve any of it.

You made an effort to smile at the person who was worried about you, and yet your eyes remained the same - dull, lifeless, melancholic,...

"But baby I've been here before,

I've seen this room and I've walked this floor.

You know, I used to live alone before I knew ya.

And I've seen your flag on the marble arch,

And love is not a victory march.

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah!

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!

"Other than my heart slowly falling apart, yes, I'm fine." You sincerely admitted to the boy, knowing full well that it would do you no good to hide your emotions from him.

Nero's eyebrows furrowed as he sighed in dismay. He held your hands and squeezed them as gently as he could. This simple, yet thoughtful, gesture of his made you emotional once more, and with a herculean effort, you held back the tears that longed to pour out since yesterday morning.

"Kyrie bakes the best apple pies in the world, no shit." Nero told you, his voice as calm and as gentle as possible.

"I won't argue with that." Nico agreed as she sat next to you and wrapped a single, protective arm around you. "Kyrie's pies are simply the best."

Nero smiled at her. For once, they weren't arguing. "When this is all over, I'd like you to come live with us in Fortuna for a while. I'm pretty sure Kyrie would love your company."

"Oh, I would love to. Thank you, Nero." You answered with a simple nod.

"And, ah,..." Nero held up his shiny new Breaker made from the materials that Nico got from the Electric Furies that you fought last Saturday, showing you its powerful fist. "... if you want, I can teach V a lesson or two. I'll even offer it free of charge. Just say the word." He graciously offered, then winked at you, his charmingly boyish smile making you giggle.

"Oh, you don't have to but, I'll think about that offer of yours."

"There you go!" Nero cheered for you as he playfully bumped his metal fist against your cheek, making you laugh. "That's it! You look nicer with that smile on your face. I can't wait to introduce you to my Kyrie."

"And I can't wait to finally meet her." You replied as you glanced at both him and Nico, the two people who never left you and stayed with you through this hard time. "I only knew her from Nico's many awesome stories about her but, I haven't actually met her personally."

"Yeah, but first, we have a Dreadnought to kill. Time to move on, Nico!" Nero said as he stood up. He nodded at her, saluted at you playfully, and finally left.

"What does that supposed to mean?"

"Like that. It's time to move on." Nico answered as she went straight to the driver's seat, sat down and fastened her seatbelt. "Honey, let's not wait for the grass to grow! Let's go!"

You hastily went to the passenger's seat and fastened your own seatbelt. Nico nodded, and started the trailer,...

"Well there was a time when you let me know,

What's really going on below.

But now you never show that to me do ya?

But remember when I moved in you,

And the holy dove was moving too,

And every breath we drew was Hallelujah!

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!

"HANG ON TIGHT!" Nico shrieked as she drove the trailer past the ballroom towards the balcony where you had that last, painful conversation with V,...

... where you first met the man who was the cause of all your pain and everything else,...

... where you danced your first and last waltz with the man you loved and achingly missed,...

... where you met the love of your life,...

... where you saw your future.

"NICO, WE'RE GONNA CRASH THAT BALCONY!"

"THAT'S THE POINT!" Nico answered with a wild smile on her face. "WE HAVE TO MOVE ON, RIGHT?!"

And just like that - she drove through the remains of the glass that separated the ballroom and the balcony and made your way towards the railing,...

"Maybe there's a God above,

But all I've ever learned from love,

Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya.

And it's not a cry that you hear at night.

It's not somebody who's seen the light.

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah!

"AAAHHH!" You shrieked as Nico drove straight through the railing, destroying everything in her path, marble, pillar, and all, and made the abused vehicle fly in mid - air,...

"Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!

You seriously thought that you're going to die. The ground looked far ahead, the things inside the vehicle that weren't attached flew as you went down, down, down towards who knew where,...

"Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!

"(Y/N), WHAT DO YA REALLY FEEL ABOUT V?!"

"I LOVE HIM! OH, GOD, FORGIVE ME! I DO!"

"THEN, TELL HIM!"

"WHAT?!"

"SLOW DUMBASS! IF HE CHICKENED OUT ON YA LAST NIGHT, THEN IT'S UP TO YA TO DRAG HIS ASS BACK HERE AND MAKE HIM STAY FOR GOOD!"

"I DON'T GET IT!"

"SLOW! DUMB! ASS! CONFESS TO HIM!"

"AAAHHH!"

"Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah,

Hallelujah!"

Just when the vehicle was about to land, you closed your eyes, feeling as if your whole world would end.

You felt everything around you quake violently, and when you could no longer feel the wild tremors, you opened your eyes and saw a breathtakingly - brand new scenery where the sunlight shone through every last picturesque structure.

Nico and Nero were, indeed, correct. Perhaps they felt that your old base was stifling and harsh.

Perhaps you just needed a breath of fresh air, along with a cleaner, more positive view of the outside world.

"Go get the guy, hon." Nico ordered you as she bumped your shoulder.

"What if he didn't listen to me?"

"Then, try again. And don't stop until he listens to you."

"And what makes you so sure this is gonna work?"

The artisan winked at you as she gave you a knowing smirk. "He loves you, too. I know. He's obvious."

"Is that so?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "You really are slow, aren't you?" She clapped her hands and spoke once more. "Go! Go! There are Demons to kill! The boys are out! No one's gonna see you transform! Except V. Let him see you do it. And while you're at it, tell him how you feel. He won't resist you by then. And that's your last resort! If it doesn't work, I don't know what will."

"Okay! Okay!" You answered as you stood and took your weapons.

"Grab that pretty, skinny ass, woman!"

"Stop. Just, stop,..."

For four days straight, all of you did the same routine. V ( who had a really rough time finding the new location of the van ) was always the first to leave, followed by Nero ( who laughed so unapologetically hard when the poet finally arrived at the trailer about three hours late the next day ).

And you? You always leave after the boys.

During that short time, you got used to the habit of leaving "after the boys" that it has become second nature to you.

And during those times of lonely Devil Hunting, you hoped and prayed that V would show up. As you sliced flesh after Demon flesh, you even envisioned yourself confessing to him. You would first apologize, then tell him how you missed him. After that, you could see yourself saying those words to him.

And then, you would simply smile at the nice and positive thought.

Yes, your situation with V as of the moment looked very dreadful. But, deep inside your heart, you knew that everything's going to be just fine.

Everything's gonna be alright.

It has become your ultimate mantra.

You were reciting it four days after you "moved on" as you killed a Demon, when, all of a sudden,...

"... find me when the time comes."

You heard a soft voice inside your head. You closed your eyes, feeling the entity inside you take over as it began showing you visions.

The moment you were transported to a different place, this time, to a house that was seemingly burning, you saw yourself touching a sword and whispering to it, pleading,...

"Our fates are connected. Our bond will remain unbreakable. Whatever happens, the Yamato will always bring us closer. Find me when the time comes, and then,..."

Just then, the door bursted open, and some menacing creatures entered with all the intention to murder you.

You grabbed the sword and held it high in an effort to guard yourself against the Demons.

"I will wait for as long as it takes. I only ask for one thing: don't forget about me,...

... Vergil."

Vergil,...

Everything became blurry, and when everything cleared up, you saw her face once more - the woman who always haunted your dreams.

"Please, find him and save him before it's too late! Protect him at all cost. Save him from his death!" She begged you once more. "I' am so sorry, my dear. Fulfill my wish, I beg you,...

... Galatea."

Gala,... tea?

You reached out a hand but, you were too late. She was ripped open by the Demons around her.

Yet, despite that you could still hear her voice inside your head.

"I' am deeply sorry for hiding this for too long. Vergil is dying and you are the only one who could save him. But, in order to do it, you must offer your life,...

... willingly,...

... only then can he fully revive and defeat his enemies.

Forgive me, dear (Y/N). Forgive me."

You opened your eyes in utter shock. However, despite the fact that you just escaped from that unspeakable vision, you were horrified to find yourself in another one wherein you were looking at a pair of bloody, golden eyes,...

"This,... is what f - friends are f - for,..."

You were given no rest as you suddenly found yourself being sucked into another vision and saw yourself running endlessly away from something truly horrific. The thing which wounded those majestic eyes,...

"Why?!"

Feeling tired and beaten to the bones, you stopped, only to hear a familiar voice that whispered to you,...

"What evil lurks, I must destroy!"

You felt a sharp pain in your chest, like you were being stabbed. Just like that dream you had,...

But, it wasn't the only pain you felt.

You felt hopelessness, melancholy,

... and above all, heartbreak,...

"Why?!"

You jolted from your fearful visions, feeling all your tears pour out.

And who could blame you?

You just saw everything, and you finally have all the answers.

You were staring at your own trembling hands, your body feeling tense all over.

The Aspect of The Future has finally shown you how to fulfill the wish.

After so many years of searching, of longing to see that white - haired man in your visions, it has finally come to this,...

You knew that you will be succesful in your mission, yes.

But, deep inside your aching heart, you don't want to do it.

You were so afraid and so confused. You want to shout at the universe, to tell each and everyone who lived in it how unfair your life was. You believed you would have your precious, happy ending. You honestly, achingly, believed that you would be with this man.

But, alas, you were wrong.

For your life, ever since that night you were taken over by the entities that saved you countless of times, belonged to them and to this man, and has never been yours.

And this life you had, you knew you must offer.

You knew everything was inevitable, and, yet, God! You don't want to die just yet. You want to live! You want to live longer,...

To fulfill her wish, you need to die,...

For him to survive and regain his strength, he must drive that sword through your heart.

For him to defeat his enemies,...

... V,...

... the one you truly loved and vowed to protect,...

... must put an end,...

... to your life.

***

~ A V X Reader set in an Alternate Universe wherein Nico's trailer defies all laws of physics. 👌

~ Tagging these friends, @heaven-on-a-landslide , @lessy86 , @gxthghoulfriend , @boundbysoul , @ehrzeth , @krazy06 , @diabeticsugarush , @ceruleanworld , and @simmy-ships . 🖤

***

🖤🖤🖤

***

[dontreadthistrashgarbage]

Pt.3

Seyoon was unpacking all the late night snacks he had gotten onto a blanket at a secluded rooftop. Hearing footsteps he looked up to see Guerin, who looked different than usual. She didn't appear to be wearing any makeup, had her normal stud earrings but had a cute black mask with a white sharp toothy grin. She was dressed in joggers and a sweatshirt with the hood up. He cocked his head at her as she approached.

"I know, I look like shit. But it was late and I'd already gotten ready for bed. You can't expect me to spruce up after that." Guerin guessed at his expression.

"You look fine. Cozy. It's just different. Also you're late." He shrugged and patted the blanket next to him, sitting as he leaned against the wall behind him.

"I got lost..." she grumbled, "I've never been great with directions." She sat down in the spot he indicated, looking over the spread he had brought, "Good grief I thought you just wanted tteokbokki."

Seyoon smiled automatically, "You said you hadn't eaten, and I know how much you like food so I thought I should get some options." Guerin leaned her head in his direction and offered a wry smile under her mask, unable to argue with his logic. "Besides, I got this for us too." He pulled out an additional bag, from which he drew two paper cups, a bottle of soju and two cans of beer.

Guerin raised her eyebrows and sat up straight, "Oh we're drinking too?"

"We have to. It goes well with tteokbokki, fried chicken and jajangmyeon." He shrugged nonchalantly as he began opening everything up and handing Guerin some chopsticks. "Although it's blueberry soju. I thought you might like that."

"How did you figure that?" She asked, sneaking a piece of tteokbokki and pulling her mask to her chin to eat it.

"Well you said before you liked Grapefruit and Plum but I couldnt find it, so I thought blueberry was the next best option." Seyoon shrugged, separating the cups and pouring soju into them, handing one to Guerin and offering his as cheers.

She laughed in response and took her shot, "Honestly I dont know how that train of thought lines up but you aren't wrong." She watched as Seyoon refilled the cups and couldn't keep the grin from her face, "You really went all out for this, it's awesome. Thank you."

He shrugged again, looking up at her and their eyes met briefly before both looked away to select food options, "Food makes things better." He said simply.

"Cheers to that." They both took another shot and then ate in silence for a while.

"So... how are you?" Seyoon asked awkwardly, unsure of how to broach the subject.

"I'm fine, all things considered." Guerin said almost mechanically, "I keep telling people that."

"Okay... but how are you really?" Seyoon asked again, leaning back to look at Guerin. She sighed and set her chopsticks down and didn't speak for a moment.

"Well. What do you know happened?" She asked finally.

"I know you were attacked by that crazy lady. I know you were arrested but you were cleared because of video evidence. I know that she is being charged by the company. But I also know you haven't been with HEET lately." He trailed off.

Guerin reached over for one of the beers. Seyoon cracked it open and put it in her hand, grabbing his as well while she took a sip, leaned back against the wall and looked up at the sky.

"Yeah. We were worried something might happen again. So part of our plan included recording any more altercations that might occur. Self defense laws are tricky and it's usually one person's word against another. Plus as a foreigner, and a big one, we knew some witnesses might not provide unbiased information." She paused and took another sip, "The boys were so brave, they did exactly as they were supposed to. That woman had some gross stuff in that present too. Police said it was unwashed underwear, a vial of blood, another of spit..." she scrunched her nose, "stuff like that."

"Sounds like you guys have the law on your side." Seyoon said, waiting for more information.

Another sip and pause before she spoke, "Yeah, we do. We're able to press charges. The company is suing her. She might see jail time. They even made me go to the hospital to make sure they had a medical report for the court."

"Wait medical report?" Seyoon looked over at her, surprised, "What happened?" Now that she had pulled down her mask and he was looking closely he saw the cut and slight bruising at the corner of her mouth as she smiled dryly and tapped her cheek.

"I let her hit me. I figured if she looked unharmed and I was injured it would go better for us too."

"You're crazy." He sounded almost admiring as he leaned in closer, "Let me see that, does it hurt?"

"It's fine, I've been hit in the face many times, and she's probably the smallest adult that's ever taken a swing at me. It doesnt hurt at all. OW WHY?" She flinched and cried out as he poked the bruising.

His eyes widened and he let out a snort of laughter, "Doesn't hurt at all?"

"You little shit." She laughed and smacked his hand away from her face, "Of course it'll hurt if you press a bruise."

He giggled again, "Sorry. It does look like it hurts a lot. You should maybe stop letting people hit you in the face."

She laughed, "Well it hasn't always been a choice, this one was though."

"So... there's more right?" He asked after their laughter had subsided.

Guerin avoided his eyes by taking a longer drink from her beer, "Yeah. There's been some blowback. Some false stories have gotten out and theres some people that claim I'm making a bad name for HEET or that I was the one who started it, that I instigated a fight or was being rude to a fan. There's quite a lot that demanded I be removed as manager, actually."

"So they caved?" Seyoon asked disbelievingly.

"Well. Kind of?" Guerin sighed, "I've been temporarily removed. Right now with the case going and the false information it's actually less safe for HEET to be around me in case someone tries to target me. So until things are officially able to be released..." she stopped talking abruptly blinking rapidly, trying to hide it with another long gulp of beer. "It's not like I've been fired. I'm grateful for that. Another company would probably have written me off as more trouble than I'm worth. They have me doing other work right now but... I liked my job. I loved my boys, and looking after them." She couldnt hide the tears running down her face now, and didn't bother to try.

Seyoon floundered, watching her face then looking around before seeing napkins and hurriedly handing them to her. She smiled and thanked him, dabbing her cheeks half heartedly before giving up and chugging the rest of her beer through her tears. With an unconvincing smile she looked at Seyoon, "So that's what I mean when I say all things considered. I'm fine."

He didn't saying anything right away, pulling his long shirt sleeve over his hand, he leaned over and dabbed at her face to dry it. She started to pull away, shocked, but he reached out with his other hand and held her in place. "Hold still." She didn't fight back, he was so close and so handsome she couldn't help but feel somewhat transfixed, despite her stomache dropping and heart pounding, all she could do was freeze until he let her go. He picked up his chopsticks, selected a large piece of fried chicken and put it to her mouth, which she accepted without complaint.

"It's okay to be sad when bad things happen. You don't have to lie to everyone." He paused and added quietly as though he wasn't sure he should be saying it, "You don't have to lie to me."

Guerin choked, "Oh my god." She swallowed as soon as she could and laughed, "Are you using lines on me to seem cool? Is this a drama?" She laughed again.

"Yah." He protested, "I was just trying to be supportive."

Guerin laughed again then fed him some tteokbokki, "You're as adorable as a cicada." She said and pinched his cheek.

"I am so much more handsome than some bug." He protested around the food in his mouth.

"Of course you are." She put a shot of soju in his hand, cheersed and downed hers. He followed shortly.

"Thanks though." She glanced at him, "It means a lot."

He playfully shoved her and stole her chopsticks, which started a whole new bickering fit.

Charlie had been working up the nerve all morning to talk to her boss. It was a privilege to be allowed to be so hands on with animals and she didn't want her boss to think she was taking advantage... but it was such a cool opportunity. She had to at least try.

"Byun Minsoo-ssi." She lead off tentatively. The lead vet looked up from her paperwork. Perhaps she looked stern simply from Charlie's point of view but it was just as believable that she was no-nonsense in everyday life as well.

"Yes? Charlie-ssi?"

"I have a friend who is a manager for an idol group, she is friends with a group called A.C.E and I wondered if they could come behind the scenes to meet some of our animals?" Charlie ventured cautiously.

Minsoo paused for a moment before speaking "A.C.E? Your friend knows A.C.E? And they want to come here?" Her attempt to play it cool was poorly hidden and gave Charlie confidence.

"Yes! I'd like to invite my friend Guerin and A.C.E to come and see what we have. I think it would be an excellent opportunity to promote the zoo and educate on the importance of conservation!"

The normally serious Minsoo beamed at Charlie, "That's an excellent idea. Let's get in contact and organize something."

Charlie did a mental fist pump and hustled off to message her friends.

Deciding to keep the visit informal allowed the planning process to go more quickly. Approval from the higher ups and organizing with Beat Interactive took a few days. Guerin has been allowed to come as a personal guest for Charlie and A.C.E who requested she tag along. Guerin, never passing up a chance to visit the zoo, happily accepted. Charlie hoped it could provide her friend with a genuine mood boost. Guerin tended to internalize her negative emotions but Charlie could tell she wasn't her usual self.

"We'll do formal filming in the behind the scenes areas, but then we'll allow you to do your own self cam work throughout the areas of the zoo the public has regular access to." Minseok explained as A.C.E got last second touch ups.

"What animals are we seeing today?" Asked Chan excitedly. They were in the vet and quarantine areas so it was unpredictable what had been planned for them.

"It's a surprise." Charlie said, the most excited A.C.E had ever seen her.

Byun Minsoo would be taking the lead in speaking for the cameras but suggested Charlie stay by to help handle animals and manage the guests. Minsoo might be strict but she was fair, knowing Charlie wanted to do this with her friends she wasn't going to exclude her.

Guerin was hanging back with Minseok as preparations were made. "Noona do you know what we're gonna see?" Chan tried to wheedle from her, pouting slightly. Guerin stared pointedly away from him.

"Don't pull that cute stuff on me, I can't tell you." Of course she knew what animals Charlie was working with, she couldn't let some aegyo spoil the surprise. Chan pouted more and shook his shoulders in a small tantrum.

"Alright that's enough." Minseok stepped in before Guerin could cave, he redirected A.C.E to the main area so they could begin filming. The recording started with a tour of the facilities, showing equipment and how to accommodate all the different animals they had based on type and size. They explained the importance of training animals to participate in their own veterinary care voluntarily then showed them a video example of a mountain lion presenting for a blood draw, and a gorilla opening it's mouth for its teeth to be examined, or a macaque presenting its arm for an insulin injection. Minsoo continued to talk about the research and breeding that the zoo participated and how it was vital for conservation efforts and how it benefitted animals in the wild.

The boys were perfect guests, asking questions and reacting well. They saw a few animals in the quarantine area, new to the zoo and waiting to be introduced to their new homes. The last area they were taken to was for longer term housing for animals that couldnt be in the usual enclosures. A spot had been sectioned, layered with blankets, plushies and other toys. The boys, perplexed, were instructed to go in and sit down with Minsoo while Charlie disappeared momentarily. She returned with an inauspicious crate, facing it away from A.C.E she opened the door and sat with Minsoo, both grinning for the surprise.

Two young tiger cubs tottered they way out, mowing. The trepidation left A.C.E as they all exclaimed in amazement and adoration. Minsoo and Charlie showed A.C.E how to bottle feed them, then let them take turns.

"Their mother was a first time mom, and she wouldnt take care of them." Minsoo explained as the boys cooed sadly, "It's not unusual for that to happen with new mothers even in the wild. But since we are here we made the choice to step in and help raise them." Once the babies were fed they were left to roam and play. One clambered into Jun's lap and fell asleep, the other playing with a toy with Donghun and Byeongkwan. Jun couldn't control his face, his amazement and joy at being chosen as he got everyone's attention and pointed to the sleeping kitten. Seyoon and Chan scooted near him to pet the sleeping animal. Charlie couldn't stop herself from grinning, Guerin knew at least part of it was Jun's reaction and not just the cute tiger cubs.

Once it was time to say goodbye to the kittens, A.C.E did their formal goodbye with them and the filming for behind the scenes ended. The rest of the staff and guests got an opportunity to greet the tigers as well and once Guerin had her turn she flagged down Charlie as the babies were taken back to their enclosure. After a brief talk with Minsoo who let out a restrained laugh and nod, Charlie and Guerin went to a series of smaller tanks on the opposite side of the room, Guerin returning with her hands closed suspiciously.

"We have one more animal for you to meet." Charlie said with a chuckle. Donghun was the only one with the good sense to he suspicious.

"This is one of my favorite animals." Guerin said with a grin, uncovering her hand and showing a large male Madagascar Hissing Cockroach sitting placidly in her hand. All five boys instinctively recoiled, Chan and Jun exclaiming in surprise. A.C.E's reaction elicited chuckles from most of the staff if they werent busy being disgusted themselves.

"It's okay guys. They're harmless!" Guerin said holding it up. Donghun and Jun recovered the fastest, still looking apprehensive and surprised respectively. Chan was behind Jun, leaning around him curiously but still looking fearful. Beyongkwan, eyes wide, didnt move forward so quickly and Seyoon was the furthest away had a very subtle terror that could only be read in his eyes.

"They're really cool, they're called hissing cockroaches cause they hiss!" She gave the cockroach a light pet down it's back which caused it to take two steps forward and hiss quietly as it protested the contact. The boys jumped again. "So insects dont have lungs, they breath through small holes along their body called spiracles. These guys have evolved to force air out of those holes to make a hissing sound that they use to communicate to each other or even predators! Their mouths are too small to bite us so they're harmless!" She was so enthusiastic in the explanation it couldnt help but draw the boys curiosity. She explained how to tell males from females and how most cockroaches are pests at all and how vital they are to the environment. Eventually Donghun worked up the courage first to touch it when offered. Jun became somewhat enamored and greeted the insect before he touched it, but jumped when it hissed before laughing at his own reaction. Chan actually opted to hold it and Byeongkwan even moved forward but Seyoon stayed in the back.

"Come on Hyung!" Chan called to him, looking more closely at the cockroach.

"I'm just looking at stuff over here you guys go on without me." Seyoon said, pretending to examine equipment near him.

"It is kind of cute." Jun admitted, petting it again, still jumping slightly when it hissed.

"On a scale of Seyoon to a Cicada how cute is it?" Donghun joked causing Jun, Chan, Byeongkwan, Guerin and Charlie to laugh.