#OOOOUGH those WINGS

[oftenderweapons]

Drabble game for the precious @pennyllanne

Pairing: Kim Seokjin x reader

Wordcount: I didn't check but around 1.2k

Genre: fluff

Rating: 16+ (mentions of making out and miiiiiiiiildest allusion to grinding/second base)

WARNINGS: mild references reader’s past traumas (this sort of fits in the JinxAngel storyline: they’ve hung out as friends for a few months after her traumatic break up, Jin has taken care of her and healed her, but has fallen in love with her in the process and this is a few dates after he formally asks her out as a romantic interest); if you are scared of butterflies I AM SO SORRY, they visit a butterfly glasshouse. Also, in the piece I assumed his parent got a new dog after Jjangu 🥺

Everything had been amazing.

The walk in the park, the small café where you had had your afternoon break after exploring all the plants and glasshouses at the botanic garden.

The waterlilies pavilion and the butterfly house, where tens of small insects fluctuated midair, their delicate wings, enchanted with pure beauty fluttering hypnotically as they landed on small slices of fruit, eating the sugar and nectar that helped the animals survive in the humid ambience, living their relatively short life in an abundance of flowers and plants.

You even marvelled as a large butterfly landed on Jin's head, each of its wings as big as the palm of your hand. Jin's fingers gripped your wrist as he tried not to panic while you took a picture of him, the gracious insect fitting him like a very fancy hat that aristocratic women wear in England during their posh horse races.

You laughed as he curled up in a ball and protected his head with his hands the moment the butterfly flew away, an uncomfortable mumble parting from his throat as his mouth bent first in disgust and then in amusement when he saw the butterfly fly away, to a bright pink hibiscus flower.

"They're attracted to bright colours!" You explained as he took your hand in his, his steps broader and quicker toward the exit of the glasshouse.

"My hair is not that bright, though!" He replied, just as you stood on your tiptoes and found a yellow spot on top of his head.

He bent forward slightly, helping you reach the crown of his head.

Your fingers fumbled with his deep chocolate locks. "Your hair isn't, but this one is," you explained, showing him the small flower that had fallen into his hair.

"Oh," he replied as you twirled the minuscule blossom between your fingers.

He had been a gentleman for every second of your fifth official date, with his bright laugh sparking even brighter colours on your visit, the rare exotic flowers resembling fireworks as he said "that one looks like one of those parakeets — you know which ones, those that go 'oooough' with their feathers, like this, you know!" He explained, fanning his fingers atop of his head like a makeshift crest.

The moment he walked you home you didn't want to let go. It was eight pm, both your stomachs rumbling in hunger — even though you had stopped plenty of times in cute food parlours on the way, sharing small servings of street food and talking about your friends, your family and all the dumb things that his parent's new puppy was always up to — he even showed you a small video where the tiny caramel poodle was sleeping with his belly up, round and pink as he had just been fed, his paws sprawled out so that his dad couldn't even sit in his armchair, the tiny dog emitting a loud snoring sound as his legs gave a strong kick before starting with a sprint.

"Would you mind if I came upstairs? We could improvise dinner — I can cook — and just, eat together." He said, taking both of his hands in yours. His eyes sparked with familiar darkness, something that reminded you of clear midnight skies and the comforting embrace of the night, cradling you to sleep. You teased your lower lip with your teeth before you nodded. "I don't know what I have in the kitchen, though."

He smiled brightly. "Let me worry about that."

That way Seokjin found himself delivering two hot dishes of pasta on top of your kitchen table; something easy and quick, that didn't require too much cooking or having too many pots and dishes and pans to wash. He felt comfortable in your kitchen. He felt comfortable taking care of you, maybe because he'd seen you heartbroken, and because he had assisted you throughout your healing process. Maybe because you had been his angel, becoming his friend and dragging him away from his habits of never going out, of spending entire days in his pj's, playing video games and sleeping whenever the guys weren't around, and whenever he wasn't busy with his schedule. Maybe because you were so cute and caring and warm and maybe because he'd always considered himself your knight in shining armour.

Maybe because in three months you had become as much to him as the guys, earning his trust in ways that had taken years to anyone else.

Maybe because he couldn't stop thinking about the night he had tasted your lips for the first time, or how he'd seen you tremble and whimper in his arms, after your third date, when he finally found the courage to get more physical with you.

Maybe because you were his friend. And because when he kissed you his whole body tickled. But after all, the attraction was just an extra. There were plenty of reasons, but the most important stood out clear, unique, alone.

Because you were his friend.

So that night, as you sat together on the sofa after washing the dishes, looking in each other's eyes without a sprinkle of embarrassment, a gentle acoustic track playing from your phone, he opened his mouth. Closed it again. Breathed in through his nose.

You stopped rambling about something or another and looked him in the eye, suddenly silent. "What?" You asked with a playful smile.

He shook his head and smiled back, staring at you. "Nothing." He waited a couple seconds. "I love you."

You blinked and broke in a fit of giggles, placing your hands around his neck, bringing him close. "You love me?" You asked, straddling his waist and smiling even brighter as you felt his arms wrap around your back, bringing you impossibly closer.

"Yes, I love you." He repeated before trying to make eye contact.

You smiled, at him, pushing his hair back and placing a childlike smooch on his glorious forehead. "I'm falling for you, you know?" You replied, your past traumas still a bit too fresh for you to take such a big leap already.

"I know." He replied, caressing your face. "I know your story and I don't mind waiting." He kissed your lips chastely. "Take all the time you need." He said, his voice so soft and understanding.

You hid into the crook of his neck. "You're the best."

He chuckled and patted your head. "I know."

[incorrectshantaequotes]

REVERSAL AU - How It All Began...

[Or: a transcript of how the beginning of Shantae would play out in the Reversal AU]

[Scene starts out the same as in canon - with a cannonball to the lighthouse, waking up RISKY and causing her to poke her head outside.]

RISKY: What the-A pirate attack!?

RISKY: Ugh, typical. I'd better warn the town before they cause any trouble...

~~~~

[RISKY stops in her tracks as a cannonball is fired into the middle of a field. It becomes clear that the supposed "cannonball" isn't quite as it seems, however, as the top pops off, and voices are heard from inside.]

???: Hey, quit shoving!

???: YOU quit shoving!

???: Both of you get out of the way!

[Out of the hollow sphere hop out a WETMAN, a HARPY, and a SCORPGAL, all in uniform.]

HARPY: Ah, THAT'S better! My wings were killing me!

WETMAN: I'm just glad I don't have feathers shoved in my face.

HARPY: Hey!

RISKY: Wait - that emblem...you're part of the Chimera Pirates!

HARPY: Huh? When did that kid get here!?

SCORPGAL: She's been standing there the whole time, not that either of you bothered to look.

RISKY: Yes, you were hard to ignore when you BLEW A HOLE IN MY ROOF!

HARPY: Wait, YOU'RE the one who lives in the lighthouse? Then...

HARPY: ...HAHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE the protector of this town?

WETMAN: What, is this place too cheap to afford an actual guardian, like a genie?

HARPY & WETMAN: HAHAHAHAHA!

RISKY: Hey! I may be human, but I'm more than enough to take on the likes of you!

WETMAN: Oh really? Want to bet?

[The HARPY and WETMAN prepare for a fight, but SCORPGAL snaps her pincers to get their attention]

SCORPGAL: We don't have time for this! The captain's waiting on us!

WETMAN: Shoot, you're right! Can't let down the captain.

SCORPGAL: Exactly! Now let's get moving!

HARPY & WETMAN: Right!

HARPY: See you next time, kid!

[The trio of Chimera Pirates run off]

RISKY: COME BACK HERE, YOU SEA DOGS!

~~~~

[RISKY shows up at MIMIC's workshop, but is a moment too late - the SCORPGAL and WETMAN rush out with the STEAM ENGINE, with the HARPY following close behind...though not before dropping a bomb at MIMIC's doorstep, laughing to herself before flying away as it goes off and destroys the workshop.]

RISKY: Mimic! Are you injured?

MIMIC: Oooough...look what those pirates did to my workshop! It'll take weeks to rebuild all this!

MIMIC: But first, I have to stop them before they make off with my STEAM ENGINE!

RISKY: Steam Engine? Is that one of your inventions?

MIMIC: I'll explain later! Right now, we have to-

RISKY: WE aren't doing anything! You're in no condition to fight those scallywags, Mimic. Let me handle it from here.

MIMIC: Alright...but I must warn you, the Chimera Pirates-

RISKY: I know they're dangerous, Mimic. Don't worry: I'll be on my guard, and my gear's in tip-top shape!

~~~~

[RISKY runs up onto the deck of the Chimera Pirates' ship, just as the HARPY is about to go off-screen]

RISKY: That's far enough, wench!

HARPY: Oh, for the love of-YOU again?

RISKY: On my authority as this town's guardian, I demand that you hand over the Steam Engine!

???: So, this is the feisty little hero who's been harassing my crew?

RISKY: Huh? Who said that!? Show yourself!

[A figure leaps onto the top of the ship, and when she lands, it's revealed to be Captain Shantae]

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Heh heh heh...you've got spirit, I'll give you that.

RISKY: Wait...you said YOUR crew...then you must be-!

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Captain Shantae, in the flesh! A pleasure, I'm sure.

RISKY: Hmph! Come out here to fight me yourself, then?

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: I came out here to apologize about your lighthouse, actually. I really thought this town had a guardian genie!

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: If I'd known it was someone so fresh to the business, I would've let you be, as hard as that may be to believe. It's a shame to show such poor sportsmanship...

RISKY: "Sportsmanship?" What do you think this is, pirate!?

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Oh, I don't know - a hotheaded youngster looking to prove herself, hopelessly outmatched, maybe?

Risky: Hrrgh...! STOP TREATING THIS LIKE A GAME! Why do you even want the Steam Engine, anyway!?

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Oh, that little thing? It's simple, really. I fancy myself an ENTREPRENOUR - I take all these wonderful ideas, and find ways to give them out to those in need...

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Like me, for instance!

RISKY: As if! If I know Mimic, I know that if he could, he'd have gotten that engine out to everyone as soon as he was finished!

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Oh really? Do you think he'd have given such a powerful tool to the likes of us?

RISKY: Well-

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Exactly. I'm just sticking up for the little guy here! Spreading this wonderous device as the charming Rogue of the Seven Seas!

RISKY: More like monopolizing it for your seedy underground...

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Now where do you get off putting words in my mouth? Uncle may have taught you how to build, but clearly, he didn't teach you any manners.

RISKY: Wh-Uncle!? Who-

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: Wait...you mean, he didn't tell you? Heheheheh...oh, if only I could stick around to see how THAT goes!

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: But this ship is about Ret-2-Go, and I need you off my deck. Men! Give her the works!

~~~~

[It's now after the boss fight. The ship, clearly damaged, starts to sail away, but not before CAPTAIN SHANTAE descends on an anchor to talk to RISKY.]

CAPTAIN SHANTAE: An admirable fight, but hardly enough to stop me! Now then, I have a Steam Engine to work with! Take care!

[She laughs to herself as the ship sails away.]

~~~~

[RISKY walks onto the dock, and is greeted by MAYOR SCUTTLEBUTT.]

MAYOR SCUTTLEBUTT: Well done, Risky! You certainly made short work of those pirates!

MAYOR SCUTTLEBUTT: I may have had my doubts, but you've certainly proved your worth as Scuttle Town's guardian!

MAYOR SCUTTLEBUTT: Much cheaper than one of those genies would've been, too! If I'd been able to find one, that is.

[MAYOR SCUTTLEBUTT walks away, leaving RISKY to herself.]

RISKY: ...Sigh. I may have saved the town, but if they knew about that Steam Engine, I'd be out of a job for sure.

RISKY: They don't even know that...

RISKY: ...

RISKY: ...Well, that's NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS! Not like it would've helped, anyway.

[MIMIC walks up to RISKY.]

MIMIC: Risky! What happened? Is it...

RISKY: It's gone, Mimic. I'm sorry. I let you down.

RISKY: ...she said something about an "Uncle." Don't tell me...?

MIMIC: Sigh...I tried to warn you, Risky. Yes, the nefarious Captain Shantae is, in fact, my niece.

MIMIC: Oh, it still feels like yesterday when I'd visit my brother and see her smiling little face!

MIMIC: A shame I couldn't lead her away from this awful path...

RISKY: Mimic, please! You can hardly be blamed for her actions.

RISKY: Right now, we need to stop her before she spreads that Steam Engine to all the lowlifes in Sequin Land!

RISKY: Whatever that is.

MIMIC: Let me explain from the beginning...

~~~~

[Skipping this because Mimic's explanation of the Steam Engine is nearly identical to canon]

~~~~

MIMIC: ...and I was almost done when Shantae swiped it!

RISKY: Hm...well, when she sailed away, it looked like she was heading to Water Town.

RISKY: If I get there first, maybe I could ambush her crew and take it back!

MIMIC: Water Town...isn't that where you told me Blast lives?

RISKY: Ugh, you're right! Well, I suppose I'll just have to put up with him if it means getting the engine back.

MIMIC: That's the spirit! I think. Just remember to visit the Save Room before you leave town. Good luck, Risky.