#and I absolutely think Duck in Reds body would be a literal actual monster

[dhmis-autism]

Hey hello!

Here are some colored doodles of the fun little DHMIS bodyswap idea thought up by the very fun, very smart @escargon! I did them way back when and wanted to finish them up to add to the fun lol.

It was sooo much fun to draw and I hope I made it clear whos who by the body language/dialogue but if not! I put a helpful little diagram in there. Also,as well, I think if Duck had access to a relatively-normal sized body like Reds’ that duckman is dressing up and NO ONE can stop him. So that’s the last two.

[bee-58415]

Line Without A Hook: Chapter 5 (Warphy)

“Murphy?” Warren was like a statue, Murphy didn't look like the Murphy that left that day, not even in behavior. His hair was messy and similar to when she first met him, his skin was the same red color but was full of scars and one rather large scar on his face, he wore a black ripped shirt and just as ripped jeans but no shoes, he was crouched on the floor and had his head ducked as if trying to hide his face.

Warren felt her heart drop to her stomach ¿Who did this to him? Was it these people? She stretched her arms towards Murphy, trying to get him to come close, Murphy stood up from the floor and stood up straight next to Sameer, with Sameer being 1 or 2 inches shorter and Murphy grazing the roof of the room. Murphy slowly walked towards Warren and crouched down to look her in the face. Warren felt overwhelmed by seeing him like that, anger, frustration, relief, and exhaustion erupted from her and she just couldn't hold it in anymore. “YOU FUCKING IDIOT, I TOLD YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THEM, TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! AND THEN YOU MAKE ME FUCKING LOOK FOR YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE FILLED WITH BODIES AND I FIND YOU LOOKING LIKE FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER COVERED IN SCARS!” Warren yelled grabbing her shoe and hitting Murphy on the head, she didn’t even notice how tears went down her face as she continued shouting at him and hitting him.

Until she stopped, and actually saw Murphy. He wasn’t fighting like he did when they fought in Murphytown or whining like he normally would, he just accepted the beatings and said nothing. Literally nothing. “Murphy, why don’t you say anything!?” She yelled at him, but this time in a calmer voice. Murphy didn’t say anything; he just looked at Warren, his eyes filled with fear but also with something she didn’t know what to call, but she ignored it, instead looking toward Sameer. “He doesn’t talk, at least not that we’ve heard. Since we got him out of that lab he hasn’t said a word, Kunal says he found him with these electro-shock things on his head when they found him” Sameer explained, painting towards Murphy’s head, “And what does that mean?” Warren asked again, trying to understand what that had to do with Murphy’s non-verbalness. “Kunal thinks that the electroshock made him forget how to talk, he recognized you certainly and watched over you like a hawk over the past 3 days, but he forgot how to talk” Sameer added.

Warren couldn’t even speak at the moment, she felt like when she found him bound in Cooper’s car trunk, her throat with a knot in it and tears in her eyes. “Murphy, you know who I am right?” she said with a broken voice. Murphy slowly nodded and opened his mouth “W̴̺̘̙͗́̇̑-̸͉̖̳̰̉W̷̺̆̃r̸̬̆̈̚g̴͉͎̉͂ḩ̴̨̧̛̒̆e̴̙̓̔k̵͈̭͖̎n̸̂̈́ͅ” was the only sound that came out, it was distorted and you could only understand the W sound, the rest was garbled groans like a Zombie’s or a Baby’s. That was it. Warren felt her heart crack at the sound. What did they do to Murphy? Her Murphy, not this Murphy that was so broken that he couldn’t look in the eyes and talk “Goddamn it Murphy…” Warren finally broke a sob as she pulled Murphy into a hug.

Murphy flinched at the contact as if she was going to hurt him, but quickly eased after Warren buried her head into his neck, he got onto his knees to not make her lift her weight. The other people in the room didn’t dare bother them, as Warren kept hugging Murphy while crying, and Murphy didn’t move a single inch.

“So how long have you had him?” Warren asked Kunal, she had calmed down and Murphy needed to eat after a while. Kunal seemed to do a few calculations in his head and answered “About 2 months, we had to go from Huston Texas to Florida for about a month just to hide him, Sam said that what if they tried to track him.” Warren couldn’t believe that these absolute strangers would help Murphy. But, then again they had someone like Murphy, Dion, a half-Zombie boy that was 9 years old. Dion was bitten by a mutated Z 3 years ago when his and Andy’s group was attacked, but he turned into something similar to Murphy. Dion’s dark skin turned dark blue and his eyes turned light blue and without any black in them, his hair was in a high top with freeform dreads and he was covered in small scars and bite marks like Murphy's, and was very tall for his age (5’3” ft). He didn’t crave humans or anything, he just liked hunting and eating animals that were around him, Cooked or not and Zombified or not, it didn’t matter it didn’t affect him anyway.

“So Zona is still trying to get Murphy’s ass. And this time they tortured him” Warren thought to herself, “It took us a while to get him to even sleep or eat without getting a panic attack, getting him to wash himself is still a struggle” Kunal added. Warren was worried by that cause she knew that Murphy was oddly clean normally, and him rejecting a bath is like *getting drowned in a bin* levels of fucked up.

Warren looked over to where Murphy, Dion and Sameer were eating some Craft Macaroni and Cheese. They were eating on a foldable table outside of the Bus House (she later found out it’s name is “Pyaar”, Hindi for Love) and Kunal, Andy and her were sitting on foldable beach chairs whilst the other 3 finished eating, everything was illuminated by the light coming from the Bus House and fairy lights that they had hung on the trees, it was a oddly peaceful night to say the least. Warren forgot she was injured and tried to stand up but quickly fell down because of her injured leg. “Shit!” she yelled the moment she hit the floor, the sharp pain in her leg reminding her that she was injured. She didn’t even noticed Murphy running to catch her until she realized that she hadn’t hit the grass floor, but instead fell on something else, or more like someone else. “___” Murphy grumbled under her, he had slid under her so that she didn’t hurt herself and ended up with her sitting on top of him, but he wasn’t complaining about it, he was scolding her for trying to walk.

“What the hell did you do that for?!” She yelled at him when she saw him under her, Murphy didn’t answer but instead tried to stand up, quickly realizing he wouldn’t be able to sense Warren was on top of him. Warren didn’t even know what that man was thinking to do, because Murphy suddenly picked her up bridal style and got off the floor.

“Murphy, what are you doin’?!” She shouted when she felt herself lifted in the air, Andy answered giggling instead “You can’t walk, so he wants to carry you! It looks fun. I want to be carried too!” And her wishes were granted as soon as Dion jumped from his seat (completely forgetting his Mac n cheese) and picked her up off her chair, “How the fuck is that kid so strong?!” Wondered Sameer with a mouthful of macaroni, Kunjal smirked from his chair and teased the taller man “I bet he’s stronger than you!”, Sameer spat out his food in offense “Oh, don’t test me Kunu!” He shot back as he stood up. Warren didn’t know what was happening but Murphy seemed to, cause he quickly started to run around with her in arms, “What’s going on?!” She asked Andy and she and Dion passed by, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Was the only thing the girl answered. But Warren quickly understood.

Sameer ran after Kunal as Kunal ran from his chair to keep from getting caught but was too late as Sameer grabbed him by the waist and flung him over his shoulder, “You’re already short like one, why do you have to run like a girl, Huh Princess?” Sameer joked as he slapped Kunal’s ass and started running with him still over his shoulder, “Watch it Sam, I’m the only reason you haven’t died of food poisoning!” Kunal warned but was completely ignored as he was moved to be carried bridal style just like Warren. Warren didn’t know what it was, but something made her feel safe, like she wasn’t in a post apocalyptic world filled with things (or people) trying to kill her.

Andy and Dion giggling, Sam and Kunal joking around and calling each other names, Murphy spinning around or almost falling while making her laugh as they ran around the others. 

It was like the world had stopped, at least for that night

[moxfirefly]

Video calls and confessions

Part 2

Rated Explicit (18+)

Got around to that part teo for this one shot.

Hellboy/Cam!Girl

____________________

The world going to shit wasn’t exactly how’d you planned out your Friday afternoon. This morning you had woken up with enthusiasm and a desire to treat yourself.

You’d gone out to the city, had your nails done, grabbed an obscenely priced coffee and on your way had stumbled on a museum.

A little culture never hurt nobody.

For Christ sake it was a free entry day too.

So why then, as you admired priceless art and sculptures had literal hell descended upon the evening?

Creatures. Actual monsters. The screams of the public deafening.

That had happened about half an hour ago. In your haste you had thanked you fight or flight mode to quick into flight. The shaking in your body had cause you to run into one of the exhibit rooms most cluttered with random ‘junk’ whatever this art installation had gone for it was surely not for somebody to duck behind for safety.

You checked your phone. The news was reporting the attack of the art museum. Authorities had been sent as well as the B.P.R.D...

That made you pause and clutch your phone.

If the bureau was on its way then that meant Hellboy was too.

The very notion of possibly seeing him in the flesh made your heart skip a few beats. The two of you had been communicating on and off for a while now since the private shows had started. You knew mixing work and pleasure wasn’t smart but fuck, you had it bad for this guy.

There was a sense of relief washing over you. He’d be here, he’d take care of this mess. Maybe you’d finally see him and not through a computer screen. You knew things had escalated with him although neither of you had really properly addressed it.

“Please whatever is up there, if I survive this I’m fucking telling him I’m in love with him” You whispered to yourself. This possibly couldn’t be your last day on earth.

Something screeching and something akin to a human scream startled you. You hugged your knees closer and tried not to breath loudly. Gunshots and more screams could be heard.

Then something came crashing into the installation where you were hiding. Your scream was imposible to hold in. The creature was screeching so loudly, a sound that left your ears ringing.

Adrenaline made you run out as fast as you humanly could. You heard the great strides it took to catch up to you. This was it wasn’t it? You were gonna die?

Your legs kept pushing you forward even as your muscles burned with pain. Your eyes hurt from crying and your throat felt like it was sandpaper. Something like a claw reaching for your hair made you close your eyes. There was no way you wanted to see how this ended for you.

Two shots.

Loud and so very clear, the sound coming out of left field made you trip and fall. The screening fortunately had stopped.

“Miss?! You’re safe! Hey! You gotta get out of here now!” That voice you knew all to well. You looked up and saw red and a stone hand.

“R-red...” Your voice was small, a sob catching in your throat.

“Y/N!?” He was shocked, eyes wide as he knelt in front of you.

You weren’t sure how your body moved or if he moved you but somehow you’d ended up with your arms around him sobbing into his neck. Hellboy held you tightly, whispering that you were safe, an array of cusses slipped out as he breathed heavily.

The knowledge that you were here, if he’d been a millisecond too late, all crashed down on him as he picked you up and carried you to safety.

You could’ve died, was all that ran through his head.

You’re alive, was all that ran through yours.

_______________

One helicopter ride, a medical exam and a shower later you found yourself at the home base of the B.P.R.D. A nice young woman by the name of Alice had loaned you some clothes and had taken you to Hellboy’s room to wait. A debriefing was happening and all you could do was sit tight.

You resolved to canceling all your cam shows for the week stating you had fallen terribly ill. There was no way you could work, your hands were still shaking as you typed out the post and notified your one on one shows. It felt like hours as you sat on the couch, you had looked around at his room, seeing and array of personal items that made up his personality.

Such a big part of you often dreamt about this but your nerves had you glued to your spot.

The door opened and Hellboy came barreling in like a tornado. You flinched and bit too hard on your already chewed off nail, so much for that manicure.

“I’m so sorry, I wanted to leave that stupid meeting but it’s fucking mandatory because Daimio thinks it’s necessary, asshole that guy I tell ya-“ He took in your state, the still slight tremble in your hands, the few scrapes here and there. You looked small and scared and it absolutely destroyed him.

In his silence he made his way towards the coffee table and sat in front of you. “You know I often fantasized what it be like to see you in the flesh, this wasn’t how it usually went I promise” He smiled and for the first time in this piss filled day, so did you.

“How would it go?” You asked softly.

“Some mood light, a little wine maybe some music” The two of you chuckled. Your chuckles quickly dissolved in you trying to hold back your tears.

You were almost killed tonight, the shock would take some time to subside. “Hey hey kid, it’s ok, I’ve got you. Ain’t nothing gonna happen to you on my watch” Hellboy’s flesh hand rested on your knees.

You leaned forward and rested your forehead on his shoulder. “...When I read you guys were sent out, I really got excited that I’d finally see you” You felt his flesh hand stroke your hair.

“I’m in love with you” You blurted out, his hand going to still. “I said, if I’m making it out of this alive I’m telling him, so I’m telling you...” You looked up at him, e/c meeting his golden ones.

“I-Im not dancing around this no more, I’m tired of pretending that what’s been going on isn’t just some work thing that I do, fuck, I love you I really do and I think you do too” Your mouth want dry again, the scratchy sensation making you swallow.

Hellboy searched out your eyes, something in his head was going a mile a minute. Was he searching for a lie? Something disingenuous?

That all died when he lunged forward and kissed you.

A kiss that truly and utterly left no worry.

You were kissing Hellboy. You were gripping Hellboy by the scruff of his shirt. The way his lips molded against yours, the abnormal warmth to them, the softness to them, the roughness of his scruff.

Pulling back for air felt obligated but he’d insisted by pressing the stumps of his horns against your forehead. “Wow...that’s...so much better than I could’ve imagined” He was star struck in a way and it honest to god made you laugh.

The days events took a back seat for now you wanted to take in the being before you. You scanned everything you normally did while on cam with him. Your hands explored his face, running across scars and hair.

Then you remembered what lay to his right and your heart raced.

You gripped his stone hand, fascinated by the texture of stone, how he held your hand with so much regard to his strength. The patterns, the markings everything has you entranced.

“Extraordinary” Was all you could muster as you rubbed on what would be the inside f his wrist. “I’m sorry, is this weirding you out?” You looked at Hellboy only to find him grinning. “Having a beautiful girl touch me? Yes it’s completely weirding me out” He mocked and you couldn’t help but playfully shove him.

“God I need a beer, can we...?” He was leaning over toward the mini fridge next to the couch and pulling said drinks out. “Read my mind, beautiful” He offered one towards you.

This morning you were going about a normal routine, and now after a near death experience you were in the room of a man you had been falling in love with for months. The twist and turns of life.

Around round 3 you’d excused yourself to use the bathroom. As you washed your hands and saw your normal pristine face a little worn down from the stressful events you frowned.

But there you stood in Hellboy’s bathroom. Surrounded by things all him. The tips of your fingers ran through a brush of his. This was a reality right now.

You stepped out and caught him shrugging off his coat. Busying your thumbnail again at your teeth you watched his now visible arms flex with the movements.

“All good?” He smiled leaning against the dresser.

There was a pregnant pause in which the two of you merely just ogled one another from across the bed.

You moved first.

You walked over the bed and stood on it, you reached out a hand that he took without hesitation and with the extra height from the bed you met in a heated kiss face to face. You wrapped your arms around his neck, you felt his around your hips.

In a wordless haste you yanked at his black T-shirt and busied yourself with taking off yours. He watched mesmerized, as always, the revealing of your skin.

The image before you though, god you wanted to scream.

Hellboy undoing his belt and swiftly yanking the whole thing out of the belt loops without breaking eye contact. Off were your pants, and on was him as he took you down on the bed.

It was a haze, breathless kisses and chants of desire. He one handed the button of your jeans and his own. The brief separation to take the offending items off had the two of you giggling almost. In record time he was back on you and you welcomed it with a ferocity to your kisses. Tongue slipping into his mouth, you swallowed a groan of his that vibrated all the way to your cunt.

He was here, you were here. Physically.

You grinned as he trailed kisses over both your covered breast. “Take-fuck-take it off please, now right now” You felt the air leave your lungs when he simply broke the bra in half and met his reward, two beautifully round breasts he had craved more than any meal. Hellboy pressed his face between them and inhaled before leaving a series of bites and marks. Each time he bit down your raised your hips in search of friction.

The heaviness in the air, the warmth of him lapping and sucking at your breast. The heated tongue wrapping around a nipple. Hellboy devoured you, and if your breast had him like this...

“Baby please, wanna touch you too” Your hands ran down his back, sharp nails leaving a path. Hellboy shuddered as he left a nipple with a loud pop. “Go on, I’m all yours” That very comment sent a gush of heat and you bit your lip to hold a moan in.

You nudged him to lay on his back and you climbed on top of him. Hands running over your body, the feeling of that stone hand gently cupping your rear was enough to make you grind down on him with purpose.

“I promised you something every time we spoke, you remember what that was?” You rubbed yourself on him as you began to trail down his body. Hellboy’s eyes were fogged with lust. “Oh, you remember” You kissed his stomach, nails scratching his sides before hooking into the waistband of his underwear.

He was going to have a stroke.

Hellboy watched you slide his underwear down. Eyes hungry and mouth engulfing his cock. He bucked up without meaning to but you caught most of the onslaught by closing up your throat. A minor choke and you were back on track.

Fuck he was big and thick, you did your best swallowing as much as possible before settling the rest with your hand to jerk. The gut punched groan that left him egging you on. He saw your head bob, the way your lips stretched around his length, the blissed out look as you sucked earnestly. “Shit shit, you look beautiful” Hellboy reached a left hand across your cheek.

Letting him go with a breathy inhale, spit on your chin you jerked him lazily.

He was putting this look away for a rainy day. You had no right looking so utterly debauched and perfect.

“C’mere and kiss me, beautiful” Hellboy whispered softly and you obeyed crawling on him to meet him in a sensual slow lip lock.

Underwear gone, or more so also ripped apart. You were now on top of him about to guide his cock into your drenched hole. The initial burn was actually delicious, that breach between pain and pleasure sending a delightful shock through your body. Once fully seated on him you reveled in stretch and burn. “God this is, fuck I-“ You moaned as you tested with a sway of your hips, he was hitting your spot perfectly. You rested your hands on his chest and he gripped your waist.

Hellboy was gone, the sight of you riding him, lost in your pleasure caused by him nevertheless. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever see. Lost to it all you fell forwards, burying your face in his neck. Your impending release had you stuttering your hips. “I got you baby, I got you” He muttered against your ear. You moaned as he held you, hips pistoning upwards to drive that orgasm out of you.

It crashed something fierce, running all over your body and coming out as a scream against his neck. You felt limp as a noodle but held onto him as he fucked his way through yours. When he came he yanked another orgasm out of you along with his.

The two of you laid there, a mess of limbs clutching at each other. Hearts racing, lungs trying to catch up.

Exhaustion won. You fell a sleep on Hellboy, still inside of you, his mouth against your temple.

There was no turning back now.

[sunnybeas]

man or a monster

summary: Gavin discovers how scary a half deviated Nines can really be. 

He remembered the first time he had actually felt afraid of Nines. He had always been a little wary of him, because fuck he was sketchy as hell. He had no business looking like that, six something with a jawline that was insanely squared and sharp and eyes with the solemn intensity of some hardened serial killer. He was fucking jacked and insanely intimidating.

Not that Gavin would ever let him know either of those things. Because he wasn’t fucking stupid or currently suicidal.

He’d been intimidated, sure, but not necessarily scared of the damn android until about three months into their partnership. They’d been tailing a pretty prolific red ice dealer for about four weeks when they finally found a location and had enough evidence to book the guy for life.

They’d fallen on some shady ass crack den in warehouse, which why did all crackhead activities go down in shitty warehouses. The FBI had been involved, mostly because the amount of red ice being moved was substantial and moving out of Detroit jurisdiction.

They had hit them at two am and Gavin had been buzzing, bouncing on his heels eagerly. Nines had looked at him, just a flicker of a glance, before settling into his seat, finger tapping idly at his forearm. It was an oddly human thing to do, another indication that little Mr. I-can’t-deviate was more human than he let on.

“You ready for this?” Gavin asked. It was Nines first bust, his first real taste of hardcore police work since he’d been activated.

Nines looked up, the LED a consistent blue. “I think I’m sufficiently prepared.”

“Fuck sufficiently prepared,” Gavin scoffed, “we’re about to take down the biggest scum bag in Detroit. I’m fucking hyped .”

And if Gavin didn’t know better, he would have sworn he saw a little flicker at the corner of Nines’ lips. He was always doing that, smothering whatever even slightly human instinct he managed to have. Gavin wasn't sure if they were instinctual or a forced part of his programming, all he knew was that Nines had a good fucking smile. “I’m eager to finish it. This man is as you said, a scum bag.”

Hearing him say it was ridiculous, he said scum bag with so much disdain.

“Fuck yeah, let’s finish this.” Gavin lifted his fist up, knuckles towards him

Nines had blinked, staring at his offered hand.

“For fucks sake.” Gavin sighed, reaching forward and balling Nines’ hand into a fist. His hands were crazy big which was not something Gavin would allow himself to focus on for too long.

“Like this.” Gavin drew Nines fist forward and tapped it against his.

Nines seemed fascinated by the interaction, his LED spinning yellow. “What does it mean?” He asked.

“Uh, it’s kind of a stupid bro thing, I guess? Like, good job or….just something you do.”

“A bro thing.” Nines echoed dryly, his hand dropping to his lap.

“Fuck you, tin can, I’m not as eloquent as you.” Gavin scoffed, though he grinned.

And again, Gavin saw that just barely there twitch at his lips. It’s like he was trying to smile, just didn’t know how to fully commit to it.

Gavin kept a count of those little movements though, stored them away for a reason he was definitely not gonna look too deeply into.

Nearly an hour later, they were ready. Guns drawn, Gavin, Nines and an FBI team descended on the warehouse. It was chaos from the start.

They had definitely had the element of surprise, there had been workers stocking as they dropped and while they quickly detained a few, more split out the back and further into the maze of office spaces.

Gavin and Nines has rushed the corridor and just as he stepped through, Nines snatched him by the Kevlar vest and pulled him into cover like he was a rag doll. Cursing, he crouched beside him.

Gunfire shot off immediately and Nines raised his brow at him.

“Oh, shut up.” He hissed.

“I have a plan.” Nines said instead. “I need you to cover my back. I’m going to disarm him.”

Gavin blinked. “How the fuck-“

“I am going to do it whether or not you come with me but I would very much prefer if you went along.” Nines cut him off, evenly.

Nines waited a beat, did a quick scan of Gavin’s vitals. Heart rate was up, he was high off adrenaline. And he was at his best right now. Something flickered within him and Nines quickly blinked away the error notes that covered his HUD.

“You better know what you’re doing, tin can.”

With that, Nines shot up and burst from cover. He quickly took the majority of the fire, ducking and twisting like a fucking madman to avoid it. He was fast. He was insanely fast and the way he was moving was absolutely breathtaking and terrifying.

“Shit shit shit.” Gavin cursed, following but ducking behind debris to give opposing fire.

Nines took a hit to the shoulder and barreled through it, surging forward. Another shot to the abdomen that he moved through. Fuck. That should not have been as hot as it was. Gavin wasn't sure if that spoke to his danger kink or whatever and again, he wasn't going to read into that, but holy shit.

And then Nines was on top of the man and he fucking snapped and tossed aside the gun. The man shouted out as Nines descended on him. Nines lifted the man easily, turning and slamming him into the ground. It took a lingering moment for Gavin to realize his LED was bright red and almost pulsing. His expression was hard, completely blank.

Gavin would fucking hate to be in that man’s position right now. This was exactly what Nines was intended for and it was terrifying to see him in acting. Cold and ruthless like this. Gavin tried not to think about it often, how Nines was literally meant to be a war machine. And now he was a Detective, mostly kept on mundane desk duty. He wondered if those super soldier instincts needed to get used, if he needed to stretch those metaphorical murder-y legs every so often. Fuck, that was a scary thought.

And then those cold eyes turned to him, LED wheeling red.

“Detective!”

Gavin sprinted forward.

And oh fuck- Nines was crouched, a knee in the man’s back and looking more disheveled than ever- Gavin was unbelievably turned on by it. Hair ruffled, pieces of it falling over his forehead, blue blood splattered across his cheek, and his LED humming red- fuck, he was staring.

“Would you like to do the honors?” He asked, tilting his head to the suspect.

Grinning, Gavin strode forward. “Would fucking love to.”

Over the coms, Nines reported, “Suspect apprehended.”

Once the man was securely cuffed and read his rights, Gavin looked up to Nines. His LED was flickering between yellow and red now, which if Gavin remember frsom sensitivity training- was not ideal.

Red typically meant trouble. Yellow meant thinking, processing, whatever.

Gavin looked over him and with a startling jerk- remembered Nines had taken three bullets. Which for a human typically meant game over. And still wasn’t that good for an android either.

“You good?”

Nines eyes were almost clouded. “My thirium levels are low. Not critical but I am losing quite a lot.” He admitted.

“Quite a lot-“ Gavin echoed, incredulous at how cavalier he was being over bleeding to death. “I need a tech to my location stat. Nines took three bullets.”

“Roger, evac on route.” The Officer replied quickly over the line.

An agent moved forward to collect the suspect, who was shouting vitriol towards Nines, who did not even have the energy to blink at him.

“Shit, what can I do?” Gavin asked.

“Nothing, the technician will take care of everything.” He replied, smoothly, shifting to remove his Cyberlife issued jacket. He wore a black turtleneck that was unnecessarily tight on his perfect plastic chest and Gavin could see the dark patches from the bullets staining through.

Sighing lightly as if it were a slight inconvenience, Nines peeked the turtleneck off.

And wow- bullet wounds on an Android didn’t look any better than on a human. The one that had connected into the shoulder had ripped a clean hole through, blue blood pouring steadily from it. The one on his abdomen was more concerning, an open gaping hole.

“Shit.” Gavin said again.

“Detective, if it’s making you uncomfortable you’re more than welcome to wait elsewhere.” Nines said.

He probably read his vitals. Fucking plastic prick.

“I’m not uncomfortable, dickhead, I’m fucking concerned about the bullets in your body right now.” Gavin spat back.

“If it’s any help, it isn’t painful. A bit inconvenient and uncomfortable, but not painful.” His voice was wavering, mingling with static.

That couldn’t be good.

“Apologies. Thirium levels are approaching critical. I may go into stasis until the technician arrives with more.” He said.

“Fuck!” Gavin cursed. “Okay, did, c’mere.” Gavin beckoned for him to sit on the concrete floor and Nines actually followed.

He pressed his bare back to the wall, giving Gavin a full look at his exposed arms and chest. Cyberlife was meticulous. He looked so human like, down to freckles on his shoulders and moles scattered on his chest.

“Keep talkin’ tin can.” Gavin ordered.

“Your voice is exceedingly irritating.” Nines said immediately.

Gavin laughed. “That right?” He asked. “You feeling irritated?”

Nines squinted his eyes at the Detective, aware of the word play. Despite himself, his lip quirked up just slightly.

“I do not have to feel to know you’re exceptionally irritating.”

Gavin couldn’t even find it in himself to be offended by that, just stashed that little flicker in his growing collection.

Nines leaned his head back. Shutting his eyes, he ran another diagnostic.

“Hey, you were a fucking beast back there.” Gavin interrupted the process.

Nines eyes opened. “Was that a compliment, detective?”

Gavin’s cheeks flushed. That was an interesting response, Nines notes.

“Don’t get fucking used to it. I haven’t seen you like that before. You were like the Terminator or something. It was crazy.”

“Hunting deviants and criminals is what I was made for.” He responded.

“Yeah, but doesn’t it feel good? Like to catch a fuckin’ asshole like that just feels like justice, you know? Like a high you don’t want to end.”

Nines started, taking in the detective, before saying with a softness he did not know himself to possess, “I think I may understand.”

[sourcherrybomb]

SoKai Week 2020 - Day 2 - For ____ Eyes Only

Synopsis: During the time period Kairi was within Sora’s heart, she kept a handy mental diary of all the places and people she encountered. Let’s take a peek at it, shall we?

Sneak Peek: I’ve been in Sora’s heart for a little bit as of now. It’s a nice kind of… warm, if that makes sense. Like a perfect sunny day on the Islands. Knowing what kind of person Sora is, it’s unsurprising.

Tags: Light Romance, Adventure, Comedy, All Ages, F/M

Prompt for the Day: First Meeting / Unseen Adventures

Words: 3.5k

Fanart By: @softpinkbee​

Entry 1: Welcome to Sora’s Heart. Population: 1 (I think)

Sooo… This is a thing that’s happening. All because of a stupid, literal world ending storm.

Oh wait, aren’t I supposed to start with “Dear Diary”? Not like I’m physically writing in a journal since I don’t have a body anymore… Ugh, Sora and Riku would probably poke fun at me if they found out that I kept one. Well sorry that I like to be sentimental and have a way of remembering and planning our future adventures, lazy bums.

I’m getting ahead of myself, aren’t I? I’ll do this once to get it over with.

Hello there (mental) diary, my name is Kairi! I’m 14 years old and I lived on the Destiny Islands before I somehow ended up in Sora’s (my BFF and lazy bum #1) heart. That little mishap took place right after I met this weird old guy in brown robes in our Secret Place. I don’t know where Riku (my other BFF and lazy bum #2) ended up, but somehow Sora got sucked into a black hole that sent him… Or is it us? To another world called Traverse Town.

I mean the boys and I always planned to travel to other worlds, just not like this. We were supposed to travel by raft, I was supposed to have a body, and it was going to be all three of us… Okay maybe I asked Sora if he wanted to go alone with me, only to end up chickening out at the last moment, but this current situation is not what I had in mind!

Apparently these monsters called the Heartless destroyed our world, sending us to Traverse Town. I feel bad. 

Sora was lost and alone. I knew because I felt it in his heart.

Luckily, Sora has met a lot of new people since arriving. There were these two girls, Aerith and Yuffie, that I would have loved to talk and meet with. Selphie definitely would have loved to meet Aerith, she was so pretty! Besides them, Sora also met this edgy guy named Leon (who kicked his butt) and a cranky old mechanic named Cid. More importantly, Sora met this talking duck and dog named Donald and Goofy. They’re pretty entertaining, so I hope they can keep Sora company since I can’t speak to him and we lost Riku.

I’ve been in Sora’s heart for a little bit as of now. It’s a nice kind of… warm, if that makes sense. Like a perfect sunny day on the Islands. Knowing what kind of person Sora is, it's unsurprising.

I just can’t shake off the feeling that there’s something… no, someone else in here.

Entry 2: Topsy? Turvy? Definitely Crazy.

Is it possible to have an out-of-body experience and a fever dream at the same time? Because that’s what Wonderland feels like.

Geez, where do I even start with this one? I guess with the talking rabbit entering the talking doorknob? Granted that rabbit was kind of cute, if not panicky. I could get used to that. Sora shrinking and entering a place full of playing card soldiers and a cat with a decapitated head (I think? He reattached it) are things that are going to take a bit to get used to.

Gosh, that feels like the understatement of the century.

I knew other worlds would be different than the islands. It’s just that going from a quiet city to a place where gravity is bonkers and playing cards can kill a person makes a girl really question what’s out there.

I wish I could take pictures so people would believe my words. Luckily this cricket named Jiminy has a journal where he keeps track of Sora’s journey. He stays safe inside Sora’s hood, so it’s sort of like we’re neighbors and journal buddies! I’d love to give him my point of view on things once I get my body back.

Oh one other thing before I forget, there was this one girl named Alice. I don’t know why, but she was giving off this really familiar aura. I couldn’t help but feel oddly drawn to her.

I feel like this won’t be the first time we come into contact with her.

Entry 3: Anyone else hear horns?

Like seriously, Sora and I both hear horns coming from this world, but neither of us have any idea as to where they’re coming from. This (extremely small) world is the Olympus Coliseum.

Sora, Donald, and Goofy got thrown into some challenges and ended up fighting waves of Heartless. Really makes me think about how I should have tried sword fighting with Sora and Riku. Sure, I’ve picked up some things by just watching them, but I think actually practicing with them would have helped me in the long run. I mean, I totally could have fought off that weird guy in the brown robes.

Ugh, just thinking about him gives me bad vibes. 

Going back to the challenges, Sora totally got his butt handed to him by this guy, Cloud. It was way worse than the loss Sora took against Leon, I don’t think Cloud was holding back. 

I’m thankful he didn’t finish Sora off. Partly because he’s my best friend, but also because if Sora bites the dust, then I’m also gone. It was rough seeing Sora lose again, but watching him take out a giant three-headed dog right after certainly was a sight. Although I swear I heard Hercules whisper to his little red friend, Phil, next to him that he weakened the monster. 

Maybe. But since it felt like I was fighting alongside him, I’m not ready to count Sora out just yet. He’s grown so much stronger day after day.

Entry 4: Note to Self, Never Let Sora Drive

You know, if the three of us did leave on that raft as planned, I always had a feeling that Sora might fight with Riku over where to take us. Sora’s never been one for his directional skills, that was always more Riku’s forte. Because of this, I always mentally prepared myself for the event where Sora would get us super lost.

WHAT I DIDN’T MENTALLY PREPARE MYSELF WAS FOR SORA TO CAUSE A GIANT SPACESHIP TO CRASH BECAUSE HE ARGUED WITH A TALKING DUCK!!!

That’s not even where it ends! This Deep Jungle is nuts! There’s a leopard that’ll attack you like every five steps, there was a giant Heartless that turned invisible, and Sora even got a gun fired at it! Granted that last one was because of some hunter jerk with a stupid mustache, but if he’s from this world, he’s part of the problem.

The only saving grace was the fact that there are giant tree trunks that act like slides and as many vines to swing on as I wanted to. Tarzan has got to give me some tips when I have the chance to meet him, it was like he was flying through the trees! I’d honestly enjoy the chance to talk to Jane myself as well. She seems so smart and would have so much to talk about. I think she’d make pleasant conversation. That being said, when she showed Sora a picture of a castle in the slideshow, I couldn’t shake this sense of… familiarity. Like I had seen it or something like it before. But where…?

Even though this world and I got off on the wrong foot, once I get my body back, I’m definitely making Sora bring me here so I can do all that!

Although I still have no idea how that’s gonna happen.

Entry 5: I don’t know why, but this place feels oddly familiar

Today may have just been one of the best days I’ve had since I’ve been living in Hotel Sora’s Heart, over here!

For starters, dogs. Sooooo many dogs! Leon told Sora about all of these Dalmatian puppies that got scattered across the various worlds. They’ve been taking the time to rescue all 101 of them, and they’re absolutely adorable! Ahhhhhh, I can only imagine playing with everyone one of them.

Secondly, I’m finding Traverse Town a lot more comforting than I originally did. Something about the tall building walls makes me feel nostalgic. I never was from the Islands to begin with, but where I originally came from is a mystery to me. I don’t think it was Traverse Town, but maybe it was another city. I’m sure that in travelling to other worlds, I might be able to remember more!

Today I even got to talk to Sora a little bit, albeit by accident, when he and his friends wandered into this old tower. I looked around and said to myself that it reminds me of the Secret Place, all dark and surrounded by stone. I never expected Sora to hear or see me! I had so much more to say, but when this wizard guy showed up, Sora couldn’t hear me anymore.

But that’s not even the best news: Right after, Sora ended up running into Riku! He’s safe! It was brief, Riku ended up disappearing moments after, but now we know he’s out there and can protect himself. Sora was even able to protect Riku from one of the Heartless!

Never thought I’d see that day where the roles were switched. It suits Sora.

Entry 6: I hate sand.

I may find not having a body to be a major inconvenience, but for once I’m quite pleased at the fact considering Agrabah, the world Sora and his friends just left, was full of sand.

At its worst, sand was rough, coarse, and irritating. It already got into my clothes back on the Islands, but around here I’d imagine it gets everywhere.

That being said, this world has got to be one of the most adventurous we’ve been to so far! Desert temples filled with treasure, magical genies, all in a faraway kingdom? It’s like all the games Sora, Riku, and I used to play when we were younger. If only Riku joined with Sora back in Traverse Town, he would have loved this!

One odd thing though, we ran into another woman, Princess Jasmine, who gave me the same vibes as Alice! Turns out she’s more than just a regular old princess, but one with special powers. I wonder what it could all mean...

Entry 7: Did you know that the stomach would eat itself without the mucus lining its walls? 

Back on the Islands when Sora, Riku, and I made plans to leave on the raft, we always wondered what kind of animals we’d see. The one that would always pop into our minds was a whale since they might be big enough to swallow us whole.

We always laughed it off and went back to working or playing, so actually getting swallowed whole by one feels very ironic. It’s a lot grosser than I thought it would be. Smells like fish everywhere you go, so I really hope Sora, Donald, and Goofy take some showers once they leave.

This whale named Monstro even swallowed this old man and his son, Gepetto and Pinnochio. The latter is somehow a walking, talking puppet!

But what’s even crazier is that out of all the worlds, Riku shows up here, only to kidnap Pinnochio! And not just that, I think he knows where my body is. Geez, Riku was being a real jerk about it, though. Said that Sora was fooling around and not helping, when I know for a fact that he’s doing more that Riku has! I mean, I’m in the guy’s heart, that’s gotta count for something!

I wish I could tell Riku that all this time, Sora has been protecting me. I know I give him a hard time every now and then, but out of all the people in the world, I’m really glad I ended up in his heart.

Entry 8: Rival Redhead Acquired

I know that my last entries make me seem like a jealous person, but mental diary, trust me when I say that I’m not usually one to be envious of others.

Until now.

Being in Sora’s heart, I sort of get a feel for his emotions. By all means, even without being inside him, Sora is pretty much an open book to begin with. It’s just that in being directly connected to his heart, I can feel almost every emotion he has. That includes the mess of emotions he felt when he came into contact with this mermaid named Ariel.

Yup, a mermaid. Atlantica is full of them.

It’s a pretty cool world! There are sunken pirate ships, an underwater kingdom, even a giant sea witch that Sora defeated! But nope, the thing that makes Sora’s heart flutter is another red head when he already has one right here! Ughhh, I’m really glad this diary isn’t physical, I might die if Sora or Riku ever found out I think stuff like this.

Still, Ariel isn’t a bad person so it’s not that I dislike her. She also loves adventure and wants to see other worlds. Moving past my jealousy, I think I’d love to be friends with her some day. Ariel and I are similar, but I think I at least have something over her.

Sometimes when Sora talks about me, he gets this squeezing feeling in his heart. Now I’m not gonna let Sora or Riku tease me over my feelings, I’m sure gonna tease Sora about his once I get my body back.

Entry 9: A lot more tricks than treats!

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy going around to houses and getting candy, but I enjoy scaring Sora even more so. I mean, I definitely did that outside of Halloween, it’s just that the holiday made it feel special.

Needless to say, Sora finding a world exclusively dedicated to it is probably one of the best things I’ve ever found out! When Sora, Donald, and Goofy arrived, they even got special outfits to blend in! With Sora being a vampire, I could see Riku being a werewolf, but when it comes to me, I can’t choose between being a witch or a scarecrow.

There are even monsters! There was a talking skeleton who was surprisingly nice, a mad doctor, and a giant living sack of bugs! (It was super gross when he was defeated.) Sora got a bit squirmy when he died, so I really wish I was there to double down and make Sora sora yell out loud!

I definitely want to go to Halloween Town when all of this is said and done.

Entry 10: I miss candy…

So Halloween Town was fun for the thrills and chills, but felt severely lacking in candy. I may be a disembodied heart without a body, but my heart aches for something sweet! Which is why the 100 Acre Wood was torture for me.

Pooh Bear and I would get along. He loves honey, I love candy, it’s like we’re two peas in a pod. I too would probably get myself stuck inside a tree if I was desperate enough for a sweet snack. 

Pooh’s other animal friends are all so cuddly and adorable! Out of the cutest, I’d have trouble choosing between Piglet or Roo. Tigger reminds me of the stuffed animals I keep in my room. Part of me really wants to hold onto him and see if he can bounce around with me on it, like a pogo stick! When it comes to Eeyore, in all honesty I kind of just want to give him a hug...

Honestly this place is a nice change of pace. No Heartless to be found, it’s always a clear and sunny day out. When it’s night time there aren’t any clouds so you can see all the stars in the sky. I remember all the stories that Sora used to tell me about the constellations instead of learning how to find his way with them. That was more Riku’s job.

I’m glad to know that what I’m feeling when I look up at the sky, Sora is feeling the same. Take your time and relax, you’ve earned it.

Entry 11: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Sora, Donald, and Goofy!

Forget swinging through trees, forget playing with countless puppies, and forget scaring Sora, when I get my body back, I’m making Sora take me to Neverland so I can fly up high in the skies!

Wait no Kairi, focus, there are more pressing things at matter. Mainly, Riku has become a full on jerk, has sided with the Heartless, and is dragging my lifeless body around with him! I mean, my eyes were open, but my body was basically a ragdoll without me in it. I mean on the brightside, Sora was absolutely brimming with joy when he realized my body was safe.

That may or may not have made me feel an indescribable amount of joy and embarrassment, mind you.

I mentioned having an out of body experience in Wonderland, but having a literal one felt even weirder. When Sora got close enough it was possible for me to twitch my hand a little, sort of like I was reconnecting with my body. Sucks that it ended up being dragged away, I was this close to getting it back. What sucks even more is that Riku ended up fleeing to this Hollow Bastion place with it.

Still it wasn’t all bad. Body or not, I was still able to fly around with Sora. He doubted that I’d believe him if he told me.

I don’t think he’d believe me if I told him what I’ve been up to in his heart.

Entry 12: Riku…

I’m back in my body. I wish it was as simple as Sora making contact with it, but things took a turn for the worse this time around.

I need to start from the beginning.

Right before we reached Hollow Bastion, Sora was able to connect with me. He awoke a memory of mine that I’d long forgotten since I came to the island: my favorite story that my grandmother would always tell me. Remembering it gave me this warm feeling, one that intensified when we arrived at Hollow Bastion. 

Only to have that feeling crushed when Riku took the Keyblade from Sora.

I’m glad Sora was able to get it back and knock some sense into Riku, but for a moment Sora really felt at his lowest. Sora was able to become his old self again, but deep in his heart was so much hurt at the fact that he lost Riku to the darkness. Not just any darkness, but from this man named Ansem. He was the one who revealed I was inside Sora’s  heart. Sora was able to beat the possessed Riku, but in the end he made a sacrifice I don’t think I could ever pay him back for.

Losing Sora in my arms made me feel even more useless than I did while I was inside his heart. Interestingly enough, when my heart left Sora’s body, I felt another leave as well. It wasn’t like Sora’s heart, but certainly had similar vibes to it.

Regardless, somehow I was able to bring him back from being a Heartless, but the feeling of losing him in my arms like that is something I don’t want to experience again.

We ended up leaving Hollow Bastion shortly after that. When Sora and I were alone, I was finally able to tell Sora that I was with him the entire time. I had so much I wanted to tell him, but there wasn’t enough time in the world. Not to mention all the unfinished business we had back at Hollow Bastion. I wanted to come with Sora, but he was right. It is dangerous, and as much as I didn’t want to admit it, I didn’t really have any ways to protect myself...

I gave Sora my lucky charm. Wherever he goes, I’ll be there with him.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Entry 13: For Our Eyes Only

Hi there diary, this might be the last time I update this formerly mental journal. 

Sora’s gone off on another adventure to save Riku. He saved all of the worlds, but wasn’t able to save his best friend. If I was in Sora’s shoes, which I might as well have been, I would have done the same thing for either of them. As for me, I’m back on the islands safe and sound. Part of me wanted to jump across the darkness and into Sora’s arms once more. But after fighting for so long to keep me safe, I think the best I can do for Sora is to let this one wish come true.

I know he’ll come back for me. After all, he still needs to give me back my lucky charm. And when he does, I’ll make sure to give him this handwritten diary to help him understand just exactly what I went through on this adventure. No…

Our adventure.

---

When I started this fic, I was honestly thinking about dropping it and starting from scratch with a new idea. Quite frankly, I’m glad I decided to keep at it. I’m pretty proud of the result and feel that I’ve made a somewhat creative little oneshot!

Once again, thank you to the Sokai: Destined Oath Discord server for introducing me to SoKai Week 2020! Special thanks to the server member Gee for acting as my Beta Reader.

Thanks for Reading!

[cutesuki--bakugou]

I change up the reasoning behind it just a tad, but hopefully it’s still okay :D Thank you so much for suggesting Koge as an option, I really appreciate it!! 

BTW, please blacklist the tag cutesuki-lemons if you do not want to see this content from my blog. I will no longer be tagging with specific keywords for this type of content.Thank you~

Due to the nature of this post, the characters are 18+

Under the cut~

Koge gave a quiet huff, glaring at her lover that was sitting across the room from her. At the moment, he was completely focused on the television, gaming headset on and controller in his hands. Obviously annoyed himself, he didn’t even chance a glance at her, completely zoned in on killing whatever zombies or monsters on his game. Dumb boy, Koge thought to herself, wrapping the fleece blue blanket around her shoulders tighter. He’s so stubborn. Even though I’m right.

It was truly a petty argument that had brought up this tense silence between them, something that was absolutely ridiculous. Koge had approached him with the horribly intense subject of cutting her hair. Yes. Cutting her hair. That is what had him ignoring her, all because she wanted to cut her long white locks off above her shoulders. In all their time together as a couple she had never cut her hair, and change was something that Bakugou wasn’t exactly comfortable with. At least, not change that he himself didn’t approve of. He absolutely adored her long hair, for more than one reason, and the thought of it being gone was something he hated. He despised it so much, in fact, that he had refused to even discuss it with her, shutting himself down into his own little world of violent zombie killing.

Koge had tried to reason with him, that it was just hair and it would grow back eventually. Where she had made him the most angry was snapping at him that it was her body and she could do whatever the hell she wanted. Bakugou hadn’t gotten mad that he wanted control over her, not at all. What he had gotten mad about was the fact that she was completely correct. He had no right to tell her not to cut it, nor did he had any grounds to stand on for why he didn’t want her to. At least, none that actually made a difference. So, in his frustration, he decided that ignoring her would be better than admitting that he was wrong.

It was something that Koge had found annoying about him. Even with her, his pride and ego were so strong that he struggled to admit when he was wrong or when he was being literally stupid. Yes, he had gotten better in his adult age, but there were still times where he acted like a full on brat. Now was one of them, pouting on the couch with the volume in his headphones so loud Koge could hear it across the room. She had tried to reconcile with him, to get him to understand that it wasn’t all that big of a deal and that she wasn’t necessarily mad at him. But still, he wouldn’t budge, and Koge was growing frustrated with it. 

She wouldn’t be so upset if it had just been a few minutes. But now, it had been hours. He had refused to even look at her, talk to her or answer a single thing that she said. At this point, Koge knew that it was more embarrassment at the way he had acted that was keeping him silent rather than anger or frustration. How can I get him out of this… Food didn’t work, talking didn’t work… Hm.

The idea that came to her mind was admittedly a bit cruel, but it was all she could think of in the moment. She knew that it would work, one way or another, and there really wasn’t any negative consequences that came to mind right away. So, shrugging off the blanket, Koge stood. Dressed in just a tanktop and shorts, she grew cold right away, but if her plan worked than she knew she wouldn’t have to worry about that for long. Walking behind the couch Bakugou sat on, Koge leaned over it, moving one of his headphones off of his ear before wrapping her arms around his neck. “Katsuki~” She sung softly in his ear, playfully nibbling at his earlobe. There was no physical response except for the tips of his ears growing red, which only confirmed that her plan may just work.

“Love, why won’t you talk to me?” She spoke quietly, tenderly running a finger along the sharp form of his jawline. “Are you really that upset with me?” Her fingers continued down his neck, barely scraping along his skin with her nails. She could see and feel how hard he swallowed, unable to resist a small smirk from crossing her lips. He was so cute when he got flustered that she just couldn’t resist her teasing, her hand slowly traveling further down his torso. “So stubborn… You won’t even look at me. Well, you don’t have to.” She kissed and nibbled at the skin of his neck softly, eyes locked on the growing bulge beneath his sweatpants. Against her own plans, she had begun to turn herself on, which was something she hadn’t exactly thought about happening.

Still, she had come this far, and she refused to stop now. “I guess I have to prove that I’m not upset, hm?” Sliding a single finger along the form of his member, she felt her body tingle at his sharp intake of breath. “What do you think, Katsuki? How about a little make up sex? You can take out all your frustrations on me.” The more she teased, the more pressure she put on his member, now stroking his length through his sweatpants. “You can spank me and tell me how much of a bitch I am. Tease and edge me. Choke me. Make me beg for your cock. What do you think?”

When he still didn’t respond, Koge knew that she had him, quite literally, in the palm of her hand. With an exaggerated, purposefully airy sigh, Koge pulled away and leaned up off the couch. “Ah well, fine then. I guess you’d rather play with your zombies.” Before he could react, she snapped his headset back into place over his ear, leaving him stunned and confused.

Koge??? Leaving him hanging??? With a raging boner and all these enticing thoughts???

“What the fuck?!” Bakugou’s thoughts spilled from his lips before he could even control it, turning to watch her walk away towards the kitchen. “Utsuro, what the fuck was all that?”

“Hm, what’s that?” Koge didn’t bother to look back at him, currently looking through the fridge for a drink. “Sorry, I can’t quite hear you.” She was purposely bending over a bit further than what was necessary, displaying her backside to him. Picking up a bottle of water, she had to hold back a giggle at the rate of which he ripped off his gaming gear, standing and marching his way over to her. “You think that’s funny, Utsuro? To just tease me and then fuck off like that?”

Koge leaned back against the fridge as she closed it, sipping from the bottle as she stared up at him. “Is that what I did? I don’t think so, Katsuki. I asked you if that’s what you wanted--” She glanced at his arms as he placed his palms against the fridge on either side of her, trapping her in place. “-- but you didn’t answer me. So, you obviously didn’t want anything.” As he tried to lean in to kiss her, Koge ducked under his arm, fleeing him once again. “Nope! I took your silence as a ‘no’, love. You must still be upset with me.”

“I’m not upset with you!” Bakugou followed her, obviously grasping at strings to try and change her mind. “I just felt stupid, so I didn’t say anything!” Koge gave a playful sigh as she leaned on the island countertop, resisting a gasp as he was quick to get behind her. She could feel his member pressing between her ass cheeks, his strong presence against her back and hot breath down her neck instantly driving her wild. Damn, she wanted him, but she just could not allow him victory that easy. “You felt stupid for… what?”

Bakugou buried his face into the curve of her neck, kissing her skin softly as his hand caressed her lower abdomen. “For arguing with you. Even though I still hate it.” His hand slipped between her legs, eagerly rubbing her clit beneath his rough fingers. Koge had to bite down on her bottom lip to keep herself quiet, only allowing him to pleasure her for a moment before she shifted herself to face him, hopping up onto the countertop. “What do you hate? How I’m right?” Leaving the water bottle beside them, Koge cupped his cheeks, feeling more heat rush to her body as he tugged her hips to the edge of the counter. Fuck, his cock feels so good already… But I can’t, he has to admit it.

“I hate the thought of your cutting your hair.” Bakugou hissed, his hands sliding up her sides and taking her shirt with them. “I don’t want you to.” Koge couldn’t help but smirk, giving his lips a teasing nibble. “Ah… wrong answer.” With a quick push, Koge slid herself across the island until she was on the other side, hopping down and leaving him once again frozen in shock. Smirk still on her lips, Koge tugged her shirt back down into place, walking backwards towards the bedroom. “You’re still mad at me, I guess. We can’t make up if you’re mad.”

“I’m not mad! Yet!” Bakugou leapt over the island, startling Koge so much that she squealed, nearly tripping over her own feet as she dashed for the bedroom. She barely made it inside before Bakugou was behind her, slamming the door shut behind him. Koge was quick to hop up onto the bed, ready to defend herself against her ravenous boyfriend. Bakugou stood by the closed door, malicious smirk crossing his lips as he locked the door. “Now you’ve just gotten yourself trapped, Utsuro.”

Koge sighed, dramatically falling onto her back. “Oh gee, what ever will I do! I’ve just gone and made my boyfriend so horny that he can’t stand it! But you still haven’t admitted it, Katsuki.” Her legs opened and displayed for him, Koge began to teasingly stroke her own sex, only fueling his frustration. Smirk still present, Bakugou began to make his way over, snatching her by the ankles and yanking her body to the edge of the bed.

“Utsuro, I may have acted like a fuckhead, but when I’m don’t with you, you won’t even remember that you wanted to cut that beautiful hair of yours. In fact,” Bakugou wrapped his hand around Koges throat, making her gasp and wiggle in excitement.

“I’m going to fuck you so hard all you’ll remember is how to scream my name.”

[softjeon]

Through the Veil | Pt.7

• Pairing: Yoongi x Jungkook • Genre: Angst / Fluff | demon!AU (→  Gifset Trailer) • Words: 11k | Co-Writer: Cat @cassiavioletblue​ ↳ (AO3) • Disclaimer: mentioning of alcohol and violence / death / graphic content

↳ Jungkook is pretty sure that he is a normal human being, but he is also sure that this book, he got from his grandma, is a cookbook. So when it turns out that the words he's reciting are not to cook some tasty meal but to summon something from the depth of the underworld - then maybe there are a few more suprises for him in stock. « previous chapter | masterlist | next chapter »

Jungkook had no chance to say anything against Yoongi and with the knowledge that Persephone herself wanted to see him before would go back home, there was definitely no other way but to obey and stay. He sighed deeply but nodded in defeat. 

Yoongi had told him a little bit about the different worlds and layers and how exhausting it was to go from one to the other, especially if you were summoned so quickly and out of thin air. Jungkook remembered that he had felt even more guilty that day.

Leaning in, Jungkook kissed Yoongi sweetly on the corner of his lips. “But…but I don’t have to stay with him, right? I can stay here at your home?” Jungkook whispered, when his stomach interrupted him, growling low, making all three of them look at it, “Also…do you maybe have food somewhere?”

“Uhm...food…,” Yoongi looked at the younger dumbfoundedly having completely forgotten that Jungkook needed regular food over all that almost-dying and getting him to rest stuff he’s had going on. “To be honest - I don’t know? But I can get someone else to make sure you’re in good hands and taken care of. He’s a...someone I know.”

‘Friend’ was a strange word in the underworld, especially in between demons. But Yoongi would consider Hoseok something like that. He was a fellow demon that he had known for literally ages. It also solved the problem of Jungkook not wanting to stay with the jackal because, even though messengers never stayed for long, Yoongi wouldn’t have felt right to just leave Jungkook alone at home. He couldn’t even close a door here. Not that a closed door would keep anyone who wanted to harm him out but...it was the thought that counted. Yoongi felt like the little kiss Jungkook had just gave him had turned his thoughts into cotton candy, slowing down his mind and kicking his heart into overdrive. Or maybe it was the effects of making out like this and then suddenly being interrupted. He wondered where exactly Jungkookie would have drawn the line if the messengers appearance hadn’t interrupted him.

Jungkook hadn’t had much time to ask Yoongi further about who his friend was, only telling him that he would find him and bring him said food. Just a second later Yoongi was gone and with him the Schakal. Jungkook put his hands into his pocket as he walked further into the cave. He had tried to look for some food here, but like the demon had said there was nothing. Yoongi’s home was a lot different from the fairy ones. While the fairy had chosen a colorful interior, Yoongi’s cave was… cold, distant but essential. It was entirely him.

Jungkook loved to feel the presence of him in every corner in a way. When he found Yoongi’s closet though, a smile stole its way on his lips, wanting to desperately change into something more casual. His loose shirt and boxers looked way too much like pyjamas and there was no way he would meet a queen like that. Tipping his finger on his chin, Jungkook contemplated, he could either chose something black with something black, or something grey with something black. Giggling he chose some lose pants and a grey shirt he found that fit him (though it was a little tight around his chest, making his muscles stand out).

After a while, Jungkook found himself dipping his feet into the water of the lake in the middle of the dark cave, bored out of his mind and just so hungry. Why was the friend taking so long?

Jungkook got up and over to the entrance. Looking left and right, he contemplated for a moment but then his curiosity got the better of him. Jungkook promised himself to not go too far, just a few steps. A sniffing sound had the younger stilling in what he was doing though. It sounded different from the natural sounds of the cave, the occasional drip-drops of the stalactites or a soft lapping of water if something in the lake stirred. Listening attentively in his otherwise silent surroundings it actually seemed to come closer, become louder and suddenly his stomach was in knots and Jungkook was almost glad that he hadn’t eating anything that could be churning in his gut now. However, as soon as it had come the sound vanished. Jungkook stayed frozen for a few seconds longer, just to make sure - but when nothing else happened he shrugged his shoulders, convinced that it must have been some small cave animal that lived here. His ears weren’t quite good enough to catch the soft sounds of claws clicking against the stony floor.

Jungkook walked ahead, looking around carefully as to not to bump into any other demon. He had promised Yoongi to keep safe and since his friend seemed nowhere to be found, Jungkook took measures in his own hand. Something in the distance caught the younger one’s attention right away, something that looked like a garden or forest and it had… fruits! Jungkook jumped in happiness. Maybe he could find an apple tree or something familiar. Wanting to quicken his steps again, Jungkook suddenly felt a presence behind him, way too close to his body for his own liking, which made him froze. Only carefully he turned around.

The dog in front of him looked just as confused as Jungkook was. If it even was a dog. His teeth seemed too long and sharp for that, shiny white like bones peeking from flesh. His fur was pitch black, and looked inky with how thick it was. It looked incredibly soft for such a creature, everything else of him anything but soft, pure muscle and power right under his skin. When it moved its paw the claws were digging into the soil easily, long and curved, like daggers and just that sharp. The dog made a sound between a bark, a growl and a howl, as if it couldn't quite decide how to react to Jungkook.

The human boy cocked his head to the side, noticing the same diffused look on the dog’s face in front of him. Flashing him a bright smile, Jungkook reached out his hand, completely disregarding the fact that this dog might not be a kind creature. It hesitated for a second and Jungkook took a deep breath, before he stepped closer. “Hey,” Jungkook said with a soft voice, happy when the dog just started sniffling on his hand, “Have you been following me? Or are you lost?” The eyes of the dog only grew bigger and Jungkook couldn’t resist but pat over his head that the creature leaned into softly. “You can come with me if you want?” Jungkook asked as if he expected an answer, but it was answer enough when the hellhound leaned in more, barking happily while Jungkook was ruffling his fur up. The dog got up on its legs easily, placing his paws against Jungkook's chest with a force that spoke of too much energy and unrestrained power. He jipped at his fur being ruffled, wagging its tail so much it practically started dancing on his hind legs. Everything about his outer appearance was telling ‘scary monster’ but his eyes were asking Jungkook to play with him. He snapped at Jungkook playfully, canines clicking sharply while his wet, cold snout pressed against Jungkook’s side. When Jungkook didn’t run but instead started to give him contra, patting his back and teasing him with his hand the hellhound started barking loudly in his joy, not quite a dog’s bark but something more deep and unsettling, quite a contrast to the happy dog that was the source of it.

However, within one second the dogs behaviour changed completely, his carefree, playful manner vanishing as he ducked, tail in between his legs. For a moment he stood frozen, then he howled miserable and dashed away so quickly Jungkookie had absolutely no time to react. Before he had the time to call after him he heard a voice too close to his ear to be comfortable, “Well, well, if I didn’t find myself two little lost puppies at once here. Tell me, Jungkookie, what are you doing all alone out here? Waiting for me? I thought I was supposed to pick you up?”

Jungkook jerked at the cold voice behind him and he quickly turned around when he heard his name coming from the stranger’s lips. “Are...are you Yoongi’s friend?” Jungkook asked, rolling his shoulders back to get his confidence back. The friend of Yoongi’s was tall, but just as slim as Yoongi was. He let his gaze wander over the dark, red hair, the horns, the dark, black eyes down to the wicked smile that had appeared on his lips. Jungkook had a weird feeling in the pit of his stomach and suddenly he was missing Yoongi desperately. But he told him, the other demon was a friend, right? So, Jungkook could trust him. Jungkook flashed him a bright smile before he spoke up again, “Thank you for coming though. I am really hungry and Yoongi said you could help me?”

“Oh yeah, I’m totally gonna help you, little one,” Hoseok placed a finger under Jungkook’s chin and forced his head up as if he was holding his whole head in his hands. Yoongi had always handled Jungkookie with care after they had made up, holding himself back so Jungkook had never felt overpowered. Hoseok didn’t care about that. He was stronger than the human boy and he wanted him to feel that.

“Tell me, beautiful - what exactly did you do to Yoongi? I haven’t quite figured it out yet. But it must have something to do with, what is in your blood. I would get a taste if I wasn’t so sure you’d be toxic to me, wouldn’t you? And you being still untouched must either mean you are way stronger than you look - or you fucked up Yoongi pretty well. What is it, hm? Tell me what you are hiding behind those pretty eyes and innocent face of yours. Think we can talk it out like this or do I have to take you apart to see what’s inside of you?”

The fear creeped its way so incredibly fast back into Jungkook’s bone that he shivered from it. “Wh- what,” Jungkook stammered, suddenly feeling helpless in Hoseok’s grip, “I don’t know anything. Please, I just…accidentally summoned Yoongi. You can ask him! I didn’t do it on purpose!” Hoseok was strong, way stronger than Jungkook – that he knew. So, the younger one would stand no chance. No matter what he would do.

“Believe me,” Jungkook looked up into the demon’s black eyes, “I want Yoongi to be free, believe me. I just…I don’t know, please ask Yoongi. He will tell you. Please, you’re hurting me!” Jungkook was whining in distress, the grip getting tighter, as he tried to struggle against the hold. “Oh, I know damn well what Yoongi would tell me. That you are the sweetest boy to ever walk the earth, the softest of the soft, more beautiful than the queen of the underworld herself, the best that could have ever happened to him. Well he didn't quite word it like that but his actions and what he told me spoke for itself. How did you do it? Was it like that when you summoned him? Or did you poison him, feeding him your angel blood bit after bit until the only voice he heard was yours and he only had eyes for you? How can I undo it? How can I get the real Yoongi back? Tell me!” He shook Jungkook, the boys shirt ripping under his cruel grip and claws nicking the skin just barely but enough to make him bleed. Hoseok hissed as if the mere look of his blood was disgusting him.

Jungkook let out a scream, when he could feel the claws ripping into his skin. This just couldn’t happen. How was he always running into some kind of trouble? “I didn’t do anything,” Jungkook whined, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall again. He could barely do anything, his body too weak to function. Jungkook hadn’t eaten in a day, had almost died somewhere in between and only had a bowl of water the night before. He felt dizzy, the scratches on his chest were painful even if they weren’t deep. “Please, I can’t do magic. It’s just the bond between us, nothing more that I did,” Jungkook voice was shaking, “I wouldn’t hurt him and he…. He wouldn’t hurt me! Yoongi promised me.”

Hoseok leaned forward until his face was only a hair's breadth away from Jungkooks. “It’s a good thing I didn’t promise anything then, did I?” He trailed his finger along the side of Jungkooks face before closing his hand around his throat roughly. “This is your last chance to tell me on your terms. I might show some mercy if you do. Maybe. All depending on how quickly I can reverse whatever you did but if you refuse to talk and continue to play the dumb little boy then I promise you something else. I will make you talk, one way or another. And it’s gonna get ugly. We do want to spare that, both to you and Yoongi, don’t we? Because we care about him so much?” His expression hardened, giving away that he cared for Yoongi a bit more than he was giving away.

Jungkook was shaking, the tears dwelling in the corner of his eyes. Hoseok wasn’t listening to him or believing him in any way and it was making the panic flare up inside of him. A side of him could understand that he would want to protect his friend, but Jungkook hadn’t done anything. He had never wanted to harm his demon. “Please, can’t we wait until Yoongi is back… he should be back any minute,” He whimpered quietly, looking up at the sky silently begging for the demon to appear again and save him once more. But there was nothing. “Oh god, please,” He begged one last time, “Believe me!”

“No way. I want to have this done before he comes back. I don’t want to see him like this ever again. So....so weak and vulnerable. He seemed almost human! That’s what you’ve done to him! He wouldn’t survive one week in hell if he stays like that. But you don’t care, do you. Only for your own pathetic life. Don’t worry, I’ll free you of that burden. Maybe the spell breaks when you’re dead just like the bond will. And if it doesn’t…,” Something like pain flickered through his eyes as if he knew how badly it would break Yoongi’s heart to find Jungkookie killed when he came back. But as soon as it had come it dies down and Hoseok straightened up, “...then I’m sure he’s gonna cope. He’ll just go back to normal eventually. Sooner or later.” With that he spread out his wings in a ripping sound and a rush of air and forceful janked Jungkook up into the sky with him. Jungkook choked violently, his hands holding tightly onto Hoseok’s arm as they went higher and higher. There was nothing holding him but the grip around his neck, which made it so hard for him to breathe. He was struggling at first, trying to somehow get away but what should he do? If the demon let him go then he would be done for. His eyes were begging and pleading for Hoseok to let him down again, not even daring to look down to see how high up they were. This would kill him for sure and there was no one else around who could help him.

Meanwhile, Persephone sat on her throne, her nails tapping onto the marble stone as she was waiting impatiently. The Schakal stood next to her, seemingly nervous that she would behead him if Yoongi wouldn’t come back soon, just out of rage.

Yoongi was feeling nauseous. “Stupid book!”, He cursed, blaming the innocent thing for how horrible he felt. At first he had thought that it was the bond again, acting up because he and Jungkookie were in different realms. He had hurried, getting into the apartment, then taking the next best cover and throwing it over the angelbook as if it was a poisonous snake he needed to tame. But he was rather cautious than getting burnt, thank you very much. Wrapped up and pinned under his arm as it was, the book couldn’t do any harm, so when Yoongi ad felt the anxiousness and the strange feeling in his stomach settling in he had been sure that it was the bond. But if it was, then it should have stopped the second he had entered the underworld again, right? Which it didn’t. Quite the opposite, it was only getting worse and worse. So it must be the book affecting him in some strange way nonetheless. Because it couldn’t be Jungkook. The younger was with Hoseok. He was safe. Yoongi trusted his friend.  

Persephone looked up the second she heard the familiar sound of wings coming closer and then she saw the demon flying straight to her, through the window and landing on his feet gracefully. “Ah,” She hummed and got up, while Yoongi got on his knees. “Lovely,” She commented, taking the book right out of Yoongi’s grip, not caring about how he was panting, looking exhausted from the long flight. She unwrapped it carefully, as her eyes lit up at the sight. Walking to her book stand she placed it there, opening it up curiously. Even though the book wasn’t burning her (due to her being a goddess) she still couldn’t read a page – but that didn’t matter, she knew someone who could help her. Closing the book again, she turned to Yoongi who was waiting for his dismissal. Persephone thanked him, but as she was about to tell him that he could go, her eyes flickered over to the window, seeing how a demon was flying high up in the air with the human boy, who his demon took a liking in, in his grip. “Oh,” She pursed her lips, “I think your companion needs some help.”

Jungkook was trying to stay still as much as he could, his voice barely audible, choking on the last bit of air that got through, “Please. I promise, I didn’t harm him.”

Yoongi was about to turn, thinking about taking the nice route back to his cave and Jungkook, when Persephone’s off handed comment hit him hard. At first he was confused as to why she was looking out the window like that, warning him incredibly vague and with that strange little smile - but then his brain caught up on what his eyes were seeing. He barely stuttered out some version of a goodbye before he jumped, leaping into the air with the certainty that it would catch him, being in full flight about a heartbeat later while he went straight to Hoseok.

Then, however, he was practically helpless. He couldn’t attack him because if Jungkook would fall he was dead. If Hoseok squeezed Jungkook’s throat too hard if startled, then the boy was dead. And if Hoseok decided that for whatever reason he wanted to kill Jungkook right before his eyes then he just had to jerk his wrist and the younger’s neck would snap like a twig. And then he was dead.

Yoongi’s mind played those scenarios in loop until he finally, finally reached them. The churning in his gut finally made sense now but he needed to ignore it just as much as he had done before. “Hoseok!” He yelled, warning the other demon before his arrival, “What are you doing?! What happened? Please let him go! Don’t hurt him! Please, Hoseok, listen to me - don’t hurt him!”

Jungkook couldn’t hold it much longer and the second he heard Yoongi’s voice the sobs started breaking out from him. Though it was much more painful. Jungkook could barely breathe or get any air into his lungs and he was starting to get dizzier, the lack of water and food in his body making it even worse. He couldn’t think or speak. “You’re not in the right mind to speak,” Hoseok said, gazing straight back at Yoongi. Yoongi’s last hope that this could have been a joy-flight gone wrong and that the way Hoseok was gripping Jungkook was merely an accident was crushed when Jungkook started sobbing, obviously breaking down from pressure that had built for quite a while.

A lopsided smile formed on his lips, when his grip tightened a little more and Jungkook was fighting for air helplessly. A croaky groan came from him, when Jungkook was gasping for air when out of a sudden Hoseok let go of him. Jungkook’s face was filled with a look of horror as he fell fast, helplessly trying to grip onto something – but there was nothing but thin air.

Hoseok’s words made absolutely no sense to Yoongi and so the demon stared at him in disbelief, internally panicking and desperately trying to find a way to make Hoseok let Jungkook go. Before he had the chance to come up with anything though, Hoseok loosened his grip. Just like that. And Jungkook fell like a stone.

He threw himself forward to catch him but was jerked back when Hoseok gripped his wing. His wing of all the things he could have reached for! Apparently Hoseok didn’t care for etiquettes any longer and this was serious. Yoongi whipped around trying to fend the other off but it was useless, the panic made him sloppy and he was still out of breath from the long flight before, so Hoseok was at favour here.

But he hadn’t counted on Yoongi's desperation. When he realized that he couldn’t make Hoseok let him go he let himself fall, pulling against the hold with the force of his full weight even though the painfully tight grip on his wing had him whimpering. He couldn’t help it, his eyes teared up from the pain but he kept pulling, even when the first feathers started ripping and there was blood on Hoseok's hands.

Shocked, the younger demon let go of him and Yoongi fell backwards, turning during his fall and trying not to let the blinding pain stop him from acting as quickly as he could. Jungkook had fallen so fast and even though Yoongi was using all his strength and his wings to catch up to him the ground came constantly closer and closer and…

As soon as he manage to reach out for Jungkook he pulled the boy against him, switching their positions so that when they hit the ground just a second after it was Yoongi who felt the impact and not Jungkook. The younger would have cracked open like an egg and died seconds later. Yoongi’s body cracked too, although it wasn’t fatal. The painful scream didn’t even make it past his lungs because the impact had choked him out completely. He was trying desperately to get air back into them, gasping and heaving but it wasn’t enough, especially with Jungkook’s weight still on top of him.

Jungkook’s eyes were shut tight and even when he felt the impact of his fall, he didn’t open them right away. He was too scared. Only Yoongi’s choked up gasp for air made him jerk up and realize what just happened. “Yoongi,” Jungkook cupped his face with his hands, getting up from his chest, “Oh god, are you okay? Are you…please be okay.”

Hoseok had watched the scenario with a confused expression written all over his face and when he saw that Yoongi had been hurt and not Jungkook he was mad. Jungkook’s hands were shaking, not really sure how to help the demon. His gaze wandered over to his wings, seeing the ripped-out feathers on one of them he let out a whine.  “I’m so sorry…I didn’t mean to do any harm. I was just…He just started attacking me,” Jungkook said with a shaking voice. Yoongi would have laughed if he could have done anything but wheezing. Jungkook had been strangled and thrown from the sky - and he was apologizing for causing trouble. Only he could do that.

A sudden push made Jungkook fall to the side and he instantly wanted to scream at the other demon to let go of Yoongi and to not touch him but then Hoseok laid his hands on Yoongi’s chest, feeding him his energy so his body could heal faster from the impact. Jungkook stayed where he was, not sure if he could come closer or not. He pulled his knees in, watching how Yoongi took a deep breath again and Jungkook visibly relaxed.

It felt disgustingly good to be fed some energy by Hoseok and his body soaked it up like a sponge, immediately beginning to repair the cracked bones and ripped tissue. But he hated that it was Hoseok doing it after he was the one who had tried to kill Jungkook right in front of his eyes. He had asked him to take care of the human and he had betrayed him like that! Yoongi was burning with rage, shivering from hate and disgust and disdain. As soon as his lungs stopped cramping and filled with air again he pushed Hoseok’s hand off of him snarling immediately and grabbing Hoseok’s clothes to keep him from even looking into Jungkook’s direction. This was between them and even though he wanted to get Jungkook to safety he also wanted to understand. Of course demons were deceiving creatures most of the time. But they’ve had each others backs for a while now.

Wanting to get over to Yoongi, he stopped dead in his tracks when both demons starting growling at each other, snarling, hissing and talking in a language that Jungkook didn’t understand but send shivers down his spine.

“What has changed, huh? I would have understood if you fed on his soul or ripped into him but this? This is directed at me, isn’t it? What have I done to you? What the fuck made you think you should just take him and throw him out of the sky? Wanna enlighten me?” His smile could have almost passed as amused if his eyes hadn’t been fully black and his voice was trembling from trying to hold back. He was pretty sure that this would get ugly and he wanted to shield the younger from it as much as possible so he hadn’t made the effort to switch to a language Jungkook would understand, hoping it would help a little to not traumatize him any further as he very certainly already had been by Hoseok's way of handling him.

“I thought he had possessed you,” Hoseok grunted back, “Did some stupid angel magic and make you obey to everything he says. Binding you on purpose! I’ve never seen you like this.” The demon grabbed Yoongi’s wrists and pulled them off his shirt with a growl, “I was just fucking looking out for you!”

“Looking out for me? Why didn’t you talk to me first! I told you to take care of someone that means something to me - and you know damn well that I can count those on my fingers - and you decided you would test your stupid theory by killing him off right in front of me? What would have happened if i came back and was still ‘possessed’ with the ‘burden of caring’, huh? Would you just say ‘oh sorry for killing your love I just thought i needed to check something?’” He yelled at Hoseok with pure anger when suddenly some movements close to Jungkook had him whipping his head around. What he saw made the blood in his veins still.

A sniffing sound behind him, made Jungkook turn his head and he couldn’t help but smile when he saw the hellhound again. “Oh, I’m so sorry that he scared you,” Jungkook said and reached out for the dog, who instantly came closer, pushing his weight onto the young boy, making him fall over in the process. It was licking over his face as if he was happy to see him safe and sound and Jungkook enjoyed it, giggling cutely.

“Jungkook! Run!” There was a hellhound over Jungkook, fangs dangerously close to his neck and paws left and right of his body. Yoongi had seen the hellhounds do their job of taking in sinners who had made deals and didn’t want to pay the price after their time was done. The hounds made sure that the deal would close nicely and the debt was paid. In shreds if necessary.

Jungkook jerked up when Yoongi was screaming at him, thinking someone or something wanted to attack him again, but there was only the dog. He carefully got up and looked at Yoongi dumbfoundedly, “Why?” The dog barked at the demon once, before he laid his head on Jungkook’s legs, loving the caresses of the human boy. Another lick over his cheek made Jungkook laugh, wiping the saliva off with the hem of his (or better Yoongi’s) shirt. “Because…,” The words died in Yoongi’s throat when the hellhound licked Jungkook’s face as if he was some oversized puppy in some halloween costume. ‘Because there’s a monster in front of you that wants to rip you to pieces’ suddenly didn’t sound so convincing if said monster was plopping down next to Jungkook buffing and jipping for cuddles.

Hoseok couldn’t believe what he saw. First Yoongi and now even the hellhounds are falling for the human boy’s charm. He huffed in annoyance and when he turned to look at Yoongi again, he only saw a loving smile on his face. Even though it was subtle and small, but it was there. “Ugh, this is…disgusting,” Hoseok said, “I really thought that he had made you say all of this stupidity. You would never ask of me to take care of a human boy for you – but you actually do care. Awful.” He shivered from the thought about it. “I’m sorry then…about your wing and stuff,” Hoseok mumbled quickly not wanting to dwell in any kinds of emotions for too long.

Yoongi stared at Hoseok for a little while, contemplating. Then he balled his fist and hit him square on the jaw, at the highest point, where it would bruise easily and hurt like hell (not for long though, what were their powers good for if not for using them on themselves too). “Apology accepted - but if you ever pull shit like that again then it’s over. And talk to me first, okay? I won’t rip your head off if you talk to me first.”

The impact made Hoseok fly backwards and on his bottom, rubbing his jaw and trying to put it back in place. Jungkook had jumped up the second Yoongi had hit Hoseok and he came rushing by, “Yoongi!” He hadn’t heard what they had said the whole time, since they kept talking in their demon language to each other and Jungkook was scared that it would only go worse from this moment. He stood right in front of him, hands on his chest as if he could keep him from throwing fists again, “Don’t fight, please!” The hellhound was barking at Yoongi, obviously seeing Jungkook as a member of his pack that he wanted to protect. “Let’s just go home, okay?”

Yoongi was brushing the dirt of his pants, finally seeing the real damage on his clothes when he looked over his shoulders. It was easy to repair bodies but pretty useless to try and repair clothes. At least with demon magic. So he just left it as it was, sporting the ‘ripped and battered’ look casually. He smirked at Jungkook's innocent attempt to stop them from fighting even though the fight had already been settled.

“Yeah, you’re right, Let’s just do that,” He gave Hoseok a warning look to be nice before he turned back to Kookie again. “Jungkook, I know this dumbass here has probably scared you out of his mind and had also hurt you - by the way, I’ll have a look at that when we’re home, right away. But, uhm.. we kinda talked it out and.. would you mind it if he came with us? For dinner or whatever you humans take guests over for. I would like him to get to know you a little more. Might help him to correct his former misjudgment of you.”

Jungkook looked down at his chest and nodded when he saw the bleeding scratches. He had totally forgot about them. “It’s okay,” Jungkook said but quickly got over to Yoongi’s right side, so he didn’t have to walk next to the demon and could have the hellhound by his side as well. It felt good to have a ‘little’ companion like him, though he wasn’t sure for how long he would stay and if he had family maybe. When Jungkook sat down on one of the chair-like stones in Yoongi’s cave, getting rid off his shirt so the demon could look at the wounds, he asked Yoongi right away.

“Do hellhounds have families? Someone that take care of them?” Jungkook ignored Hoseok’s dumbfounded expression and kept his gaze on Yoongi. He was pretty sure Hoseok was judging him for his innocence and inexperience with magical creatures.

“Hm,” Yoongi smiled fondly at the younger. It was so Jungkook-like to worry about the hound being lonely or accidentally keeping him from home. “Not .. really. They don’t even have packs like dogs or wolves have. They are born under different circumstances and are given into the care of their owner. You can’t compare their lives with the dogs from your world at all. The closest they have to families or packs are the other dogs that life with their owner. Normally you don’t see them alone unless there are out to follow an order and then go right back. They are...a bit like cerberus. You know cerberus? The creature with three houndheads guarding the underworld? They are creatures of our world, they only exist to follow orders and do their duty as best as they can before they die. They don’t mate, they don’t have pups of their own. It’s just like it is. So...I guess your puppy here is a bit special. Maybe he got lost or something is not right with him, so he didn’t get home after doing what he was told. But he will go back to his owner eventually. They don’t hunt for food, I even think they would die if they aren’t fed. I...I don’t even know what they eat. Maybe he wants a lick of that angel’s blood and that’s why he stays close,” He finished, teasing Jungkook lightly while keeping a careful eye on the puppy hound.

“Oh, yeah I know those,” Jungkook said happily but didn’t want to admit he only know of them because of a kid’s movie he had watched. To his own joy, Hoseok had still managed to get Jungkook something to eat, so he happily fed on some fresh apples and drank lots of water. He didn’t notice how starved he was until this moment.

Jungkook thanked Hoseok quietly, still wary of the other and keeping close to Yoongi. There wasn’t much Jungkook could do in the underworld and so he just sat there, while others were talking. It was strange to see Yoongi with someone else but him and someone that he had considered a friend. He sighed, switching positions again and laid his head on Yoongi’s leg. It didn’t take him long until he fell asleep. It just had been an exhausting day and the demon was right, Jungkook could still feel the aftereffects of almost dying in his body.

Yoongi absentmindedly brushed his fingers through Jungkook’s hair and only really noticed when he saw Hoseok's judging glare. “It’s.. we’ve been kind of living together those last few weeks. And he kinda grows on you? We couldn’t get far from each other so we had to get used to each others presence and now it’s almost like...a habit. One you can’t quit,” He tried his hardest to not look flustered but wasn't sure if he had managed to pull it off. Hoseok opened his mouth to say something but Yoongi was quicker, starting to talk in fear of Hoseok judging him or Jungkook.

“I know he’s a bit strange and...and he doesn’t know shit about anything including non-humans, not even angels. I bet his grandma kept everything as far away from him as possible. And I know he’s naiv and starry-eyed...but isn’t it kinda cute on him? He’s a really kind person. And even though i shouldn’t find it admirable I kinda think...he’s just human, you know? So breakable and fragile and easy to hurt and I bet he has been hurt. But he still sees the good stuff? It’s stupid of course and risky and completely illogical. But it’s still cute...kind of ...I think” He broke off his cheeks now definitely aflame.

“Sure,” Hoseok only said, “And you wonder why I thought you were possessed? Do you listen to yourself? You sound like…as if you’re in love or some shit.” He leaned back, his arms behind his head as he shrugged his shoulders, “But if you’re happy…and if Persephone helped you, there must be something more. How did she know about the book anyways? Sounds like she had been keeping an eye on you.”

“Actually…,” Yoongi hesitated. Hoseok was right. In his panic and fear he’s had other things on his mind than fact-checking but he had never told Persephone about the book. So his fairy friend had either made some rumors spread when he tried to find someone to read it or Persephone did keep an eye on him. “That’s strange. Why would she…,” He broke off when Jungkook stirred, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He leaned in to kiss Yoongi’s cheek and then got up to walk to the part in the cave that Yoongi called his bed, all while just mumbling some words that none of the demons really could decipher. Only when he asked Yoongi if he would come to bed with him later, because he was needing his warmth he had both of their attention.

“Yeah, I’ll come later. I’ll just talk with Hoseok for a bit, okay? And if you wake up or get scared and I’m not in bed with you already then come get me, okay?” When Jungkook sleepily tapped away Hoseok gave him a look that spoke volumes. “No, we’re not...like that!” Yoongi hated getting flustered like that. He definitely needed to stop that.

Even though Jungkook loved waking up next to Yoongi, he really didn’t like the stone that Yoongi called his bed. His shoulder and back hurt from the hard surface, but he kept his mouth shut not wanting to tell him about that. He was just happy that Yoongi let him stay with him. That he had saved him. Twice for that matter.

The next morning Jungkook’s first move was to look for the hellhound. He had wanted to bring him something to drink but the dog was gone. Jungkook pouted a little, which only increased when Yoongi told him he would need to go down to Persephone’s temple. Only this time Yoongi took Jungkook with him, though they had to part (Yoongi was sure nothing could happen to the younger one if he stayed on the temple’s ground). No one could attack here, it was something like holy ground that everyone worshipped. Especially when it came down to the goddess garden. Jungkook gasped, when he saw that what was written down in all the history books was true. He let his gaze wander around as he strolled around (though he promised Yoongi to not go too far) in awe about the beauty of it all. When he saw something that looked like an apple tree, he reached out for one of the fruits. Maybe this was where Hoseok had gotten him the food as well?

“I wouldn’t eat that if I were you. Or even touch that. Unless you enjoy collecting death marks just like others collect stamps,” The goddess voice was soft but the sparkle in her eyes and the little smile on her face gave away her amusement at finding Jungkook in her garden trying to steal food.

“So, how do you enjoy life in the underworld. Is it good here? Do you like living with Yoongi? I heard his feathers got a bit ruffled because of you. I hope he doesn't hold that against you. He’s quite fond of them in case you haven’t noticed but I’m a bit surprised that no one has tried to eat you, yet. You would be quite the delicacy here. And considering Yoongi is distracted and that you have practically no powers you would be easy to get. Maybe I should try for myself,” She chuckled, tipping his nose, knowing that he would certainly not buy into her teasing. She still had a human girl’s taste.

Jungkook had jerked around in surprise when he heard the voice behind him and his mouth stood open when Persephone, the goddess herself, stood right in front of him. “Eat me?” Jungkook took a step back but visibly relaxed again when he saw the amused smile on the goddess face, “Oh, ehm…yeah, but I got attacked enough for now, I think. I’d like to have some peace and just heal so I can go home.” Jungkook averted his gaze and bit his lip nervously, when the goddess motioned for him to accompany him on her walk. “I like it here, though. It’s nice. Though I really don’t like Yoongi’s bed but please don’t tell him that,” He looked at her pleadingly, “I just don’t think he had considered that lying down on stone and just a blanket isn’t very comfortable for a human – but he takes good care of me.” His cheeks blushed red and he rubbed his neck awkwardly.

“You’re quite the chatterbox when you aren’t busy bleeding out,” She teased him again, lifting her floating white dress a little for it to not get tangled in some thorny flowers. “So you wanna go home, sweety? Go back to your lonely apartment and quiet nights all alone?” She reached out for a bright yellow flower, caressing the silky leaves while walking by, “Have you ever considered staying here? Not going up and just living with Yoongi? He was quite lonely too before he met you. He changed a lot. I wonder if it's the bond that changes his perception or simply you, my beautiful little boy.”

Jungkook looked at Persephone in disbelief, “I could stay here? I mean, but I am human? Shouldn’t that be like bad for my health or something?” The younger boy had surprised himself that he had considered it the second she spoke the thought. He wasn’t even sure if Yoongi wanted him around. Yes, they had kissed, and they had been even closer now but still, there were many doubts in his mind and Persephone had just said them out loud. The goddess interrupted his thoughts with her laugh, “Of course you needed to lose your humanity first. It’s easy. Think of it like getting a new look. It might look and feel different but it’s still you.” She watched him carefully, cocking her head a little and then reaching out for something right besides Jungkook's face. It was a blossom, freshly in bloom and she plucked it an put it in his heir, behind his ear. “I think it’s just because of the bond,” He nodded with a sad smile, as he kept on walking beside her, “I’m nothing special and he just cares for me because…because he feels pain every time I do. He’s waiting for a way to break the bond and then he will bring me back up.”

“Yeah, you might be right but who knows…,” She shrugged and turned around, step light and easy, “If you don’t wanna stay here for longer and Yoongi’s way of sleeping is too uncomfortable for you then why don’t you stay here? At my palace there are always free rooms and comfy beds.” She gripped Jungkook’s hand and then started running through the meadow like an overexcited child, “Oh you’re gonna love those new sheets I got, they are the silkiest bed sheets that you will ever have the pleasure to felt against your skin, I promise. Though you would have to sleep naked to really appreciate their softness all over. Do you sleep naked?”

Though it startled him at first, Jungkook happily ran beside Persephone. He loved the idea of sleeping in a comfy bed in a temple – almost feeling like a prince. When they reached the temple’s stairs, he was out of breath and wondered how the goddess not even broke a sweat from her sudden run. “What?” Jungkook’s cheeks heated up and he shook his head quickly. “No, I don’t. I sleep next to Yoongi all the time…I don’t feel like he would appreciate that…or maybe he would a little too much,” He added quickly and looked everywhere else but her eyes. “I’d love to take you up on that offer though. Can Yoongi stay with me then? Are demons allowed to stay in your home?”

She giggled at Jungkook’s comment, trying to hide it behind her hand, “Yes, he definitely would appreciate that. You have no idea how dirty demon thoughts can be. Let’s keep that out of your pretty little head, shall we?” She walked up the stairs and turned around when Jungkook didn’t follow immediately. “Of course he can stay. It will be so much easier then. He needs to do some errands for me anyway. He told you, didn’t he? That he’s my servant? I could order him around all day long and he would follow. Without any complaints. Strange to think of him as so docile, isn’t it? He’s so mouthy when he’s on his own. A little demon with a heart too soft for its confinement.” She walked faster, knowing the way by heart while Jungkook needed to quicken his steps to catch up with her.

Persephone had shown herself as a great host to Jungkook, giving him food and a place to comfortably sleep. When Yoongi came back, Jungkook happily told him all about what happened and that they had a room that Persephone had given to him. The demon had furrowed his brows in disbelief, trying to keep Jungkook from running down the halls of the temples that they weren’t normally allowed in because they lead to the more personal rooms. Without hesitation Jungkook opened a door, revealing a spacious room that was out of everyone’s dream. It was beautifully decorated and it perfectly represented the goddess herself in every detail. Jungkook jumped onto the bed, only to get up again and open the curtains that revealed a balcony. “She said you like to do nightly flights and since I am safe here you can do so now and come back to me,” Jungkook smiled brightly. He couldn’t wait to live here for the next days.

“And what exactly do you need to give her in return for this favour?” He had never heard of Persephone giving out favours for free. Sure she could give you the world back in exchange for a book that wasn’t even yours (as she had done with him) but there was always, always some kind of hook, how big or small it might seem.

Yoongi tried his hardest not to look stunned by all this beauty, but he was sure that his mask had become cracks when Jungkook had jumped around the bed as if the soft mattress and thick cushions were everything he wanted. It’ll probably feel strange to Yoongi at first but he had gotten used to Jungkook’s bed quickly as well so as long as the younger was lying besides him he figured that it would be easy to adapt.

“She wants nothing,” Jungkook said, “She just gave it to us.” He didn’t think about it further, that the goddess maybe wanted something in return. Jungkook was just happy to have a real bathroom and not a lake, where some kind of creatures were living in that liked to nibble at his feet every time he tried to wash himself and to have a bed that wasn’t made of stone. Nonetheless he still wanted to give Yoongi an option, “If you don’t like it, we can still go home to you?” But Yoongi knew better than to say ‘no’ to a goddess, so Jungkook kissed his cheeks as a thank you and jumped onto the bed. He could get used to the feeling. And as long as Persephone wouldn’t expect Jungkook to give her something the younger couldn’t or didn't want to give, Yoongi would be fine with their arrangement. But he stayed wary nonetheless. He knew what the goddess was up to.

Something Jungkook couldn’t get used to, no matter how many times it happened, was the way he ran himself into trouble each time he was alone. Sometimes he wondered if it was the bond tricking him into stumbling in a mess that only Yoongi could help him get out of. One day, he had wandered around the temple, his own curiosity getting the better off him when he suddenly found himself drawn to someone singing in a painful tune. It wasn’t really a nice voice, rather an old croaky one and Jungkook wondered if someone needed help.

“Oh!” An old woman turned around and reached for Jungkook instantly, who shrieked when he saw that she had no eyes. “Come closer, sweet angel boy,” One laughed and the human boy got startled when another one of them held onto his leg. He tried to shake her off, but she was only holding on tighter, screaming in agony that it hurt his own ears. The one who was stirring the cooking pot was humming a song and tasting the soup.

“Ah! Bitter!” She cried out and her one eye focused on Jungkook, “Give me some of the human’s hair!” Someone pulled at the back of his head instantly and Jungkook whipped around, “Hey!!” With a confusion and angst written all over his face, he watched one of the witches plopp out the one eye and giving it to the other, who poured the few strands of hair into the soup. “Beautiful!” The witch next to him said, that was jumping from one leg to the other before she jumped on Jungkook again, just as he tried to get away and bit right into his thigh, “Tasty, tasty!”

The human boy let out a loud scream and fell onto his bottom from the impact. Suddenly everything went quiet, the witches let go of Jungkook but circled him and the younger one tried to crawl back and get the hell out of there, but he stilled when suddenly they started to speak in a monotone voice, all at the same time.

“Moira!” They screamed out, making the human boy shiver in fear. How did he get himself into this again? “Great suffering will be ahead of you!” Whining in distress, the witches wiped their hands over their faces in agony and Jungkook scrambled onto his feet. He definitely had enough suffering for a while, but just as he tried to sprint away he bumped right into someone’s chest.

Yoongi’s face was blank when he looked at Jungkook more or less cornered by the witches and right about to be cooked as an ingredient for some soup. “May I help you?” He asked, voice utterly sweet although he couldn’t get the annoyance out of his voice.

“I wanted to pick you up for dinner but apparently you have found new friends to eat with? What will it be tonight? Angel soup?” Even though he gave Jungkook a look that said something like ‘I’m so done keeping you from death’, he bared his teeth the second one of the witches took a step closer. “Back off you old raisin! He’s already taken!” She chuckled, which sounded about as nice as scraping nails over metal. Jungkook’s eyes had widen when Yoongi had said that he was already taken. His thoughts going back and forth between Yoongi’s promise to not eat his soul as soon as they weren’t bound to each other anymore and about how many times the demon had told him that virgin souls are the tastiest. And then it came to a halt, when he thought about a whole new meaning behind these words. He gulped heavily, but took a step behind Yoongi, when the demon hissed at the witches.

“There, there little demon! Don’t get all snarly on us. We just wanted to get a taste!” She lowered her voice as if Jungkook wouldn’t be able to hear her, although he was just as far away as Yoongi. “If you give him to us we would tell you your fate for free. Aaaall free!”

“Nah, thanks, I create my own future. I don’t need you to tell me some vague, cryptic stuff that could mean anything and will come as some self-fulfilling prophecy,” He shrugged his shoulder, “But thanks for the offer.” Then he turned around, his eyes turning into slits as he nonverbally scolded Jungkookie but another screech from the witches made Yoongi stop in his tracks, turning around with an exasperated sigh, “What is it? You can’t have him. Not now. Not ever.”

“I’ll give you free advice, demon. Because your wings are so beautiful,” She chuckled again and somehow Yoongi felt a shiver running down his back. It felt as if what she had said and what she meant were completely different things. “If I were you I would think twice if I keep that little angel child around. Because if you keep him close then he will bring you agonies that you can’t even imagine. He will make you go through hell.” Her sisters joined into her hysterical laughter but Yoongi just looked annoyed.

“Very funny. I think I’ll risk that. Try to come up with something a little more creative next time. Like ‘you will be crushed with a three masted ship in the egyptian desert’. That’s how an interesting gloomy forecast should be like. Now please excuse us. I’ll have to take this delicacy back to the palace. Where he lives. Protected. By Persephone and all her guards. Got that? Persephone has taken an interest in him. You don’t want to anger me. Believe me, you don’t,” The grip on Jungkook’s arm was tight and his steps quick while he pulled the younger along.

Jungkook would never dare to speak it out loud, but he loved the way Yoongi was protecting and looking out for him. He kept close all the way back into Persephone’s temple (not that he had much of a choice with how tight Yoongi was gripping him) biting his lip to keep from smiling. Only when they were back at the palace, he happily jumped up the stairs waving a few guards that mimicked his movements, greeting the younger one. But Yoongi didn’t let Jungkook get away again, dragging him the other way as he brought Jungkook back into the room they shared and closed the door behind them, making the younger stumble a little.

“What is it with you and danger, hm? What did I tell you about wandering of on your own? Do you even listen? Do you have some kind of defect that makes you blind for any kind of risk? Or is it the angel part in you, does a part of you think all creatures are nice and fluffy and just want to make friends?” The anger was visible on his face, “I don’t want to come too late one day and find you in pieces. Or do you actually want someone to eat you? If yes just tell me cause then I’ll do it right now and spare us both the trouble.”

Jungkook looked at Yoongi, feeling the anger coming from him in waves. “I didn’t mean to get myself in danger,” Jungkook said in a calm tone, “Never did I want to. Do you think I want to get stabbed on purpose? Or choked? Or bitten? I just seem to stumble into it and it’s not my fault! Don’t make it seem like it is.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest. Jungkook really didn’t want to fight with Yoongi. He hated fights or when someone screamed at him. So, he tried his best to calm the other. Reaching out for Yoongi’s arm he tried a smile to lighten the mood, “Let’s just…lay down a bit okay?”

Yoongi unconsciously bared his teeth at him like he only did when he was so angry that he couldn’t control himself any more. “Lay down? For what? To cuddle? Do some soft emotional angel stuff that makes everyone happy and the sky pink? I’m not finished with you! I told you not to wander around on your own. But you did it anyway. And then you have the audacity to tell me that it isn’t your fault if you run in trouble? You think that would help you of another demon would find you? ‘Oh, please don’t hurt me even though I must look like the most delicious meal ever to you because it isn’t my fault I’m out here it was just my conscious decision to ignore the rules that are there for my safety and now I’m so surprised that I’m not safe anymore’. Something like this? Yeah, that will help you so much. I need to do stuff for Persephone, you know that. And she’s asking really difficult shit which could maybe be because I promised her to do fucking everything in exchange for your life. So please show me at least some respect in preserving that life. Can you do that? Can you please not get yourself hurt or in danger for once?”

Jungkook startled with Yoongi’s anger and took a step back. The other never had gotten angry at him again since they had been visiting the fairy, so Jungkook gulped, feeling the lump in his throat making it harder for him to speak up. “I…I just was in the garden. How should I have known that…that they were out there?” He spoke up a little louder, “I’m bored, I don’t know what to do. I can’t sit in my room all day, can I? I just wanted to go for a walk that was all.” Jungkook averted his gaze looking down at his feet, feeling utterly small out of a sudden. “I am sorry. I know that you do a lot for me, I know that, and I see that,” Jungkook’s voice was shaking, “But you can’t keep me imprisoned? I will try my best but…but…” Jungkook took another step back when he saw that Yoongi’s anger wasn’t fading but only getting worse. He could feel it in the pit of his stomach, it was burning up his lungs, making it harder for him to breathe. “I am sorry, okay?” Jungkook said throwing up his hands in defeat, “I am really really sorry but…please believe me when I say I don’t do it to anger you! Like what would that even give me? Just think for a second! I really don’t want to get stabbed or get eaten by a demon but…it just happens.”

Yoongi laughed, but it didn’t sound happy. “It just happens! Did you just say that it ‘just happens’? I tell you what just happens. Rain, or slipping in the bathroom. Being chosen for soup because you practically ran into them while they cooked their dinner does not ‘just happen’! You can’t tell me that your sorry if you plan on changing nothing at all! Your best obviously isn’t enough if it still gets you into this kind of situations. And I am not imprisoning you. You have a whole palace to yourself where it is safe to wander around. Why do you want to go outside so bad? You can’t be surprised when dangerous creatures are around. It’s the underworld! Of course we ran around her whenever we want to. That’s our home! So promise me that you’ll stay in during my next mission. Don’t go out. Do you hear me?”

There were tears threatening to spill over in Jungkook’s eyes, as he tried his best to keep himself together, but he couldn’t. “Yes, it’s your home! Not mine! I am not allowed to do anything if you aren’t by my side and it’s exhausting…I understand that you want to look out for me,” Jungkook took a deep breath, because his voice was shaking too much, “I’ve been here now for days and no one is telling me if I can go home or not. I don’t know if I get fired from my job or if someone noticed that I’m gone. I’m scared and anxious…and sitting around doesn’t help me. I’m trying. I really am trying but…I feel lost here. This is your home not mine and I know it’s the same if we would go back up again, then you’d feel lost. I…I don’t know what to do. They all look at me like I’m a weird stranger. The weird angel boy.” Jungkook sat down at the edge of the bed, his eyes pleading and sad, “I am not an angel, Yoongi. I am not! I can’t do anything, I can’t help us or you. I am just helpless here no matter what I do. This stupid angel blood doesn’t help at all it only got me into this mess. So, no, I can’t…let me at least take walks in the garden. I’m going crazy inside. I can’t promise you to stay in. I just can’t.”

Yoongi's expression had gotten softer when Jungkook was breaking down in front of him. He couldn’t only see the youngers pain but also feel it through the bond and he knew that it wasn’t easy for him. He was close to reaching out for him, telling him that he didn’t know either when he could go home but that he would just need to hold out for a little while longer, just a bit and then he would be home again, in safety, fully healed. He would make sure that everything could be fixed, that he would still have his job and that if anyone had missed him they could create a story, something that would make sense. Yoongi was good with that, creating stories out of thin air that people could believe. They always did. He was about to go to Jungkook, maybe not apologize for his harshness but to tell him that he wasn’t alone in this. But then Jungkook told him that he wouldn’t stay in. And Yoongi saw red. He was afraid to come back and find that Jungkook had been killed. Or was lost. And he would only know that the younger was dead because of their bond snapping. Maybe he would even feel his fear, his pain, his helplessness, he might be with him in the last seconds of his death, just witnessing helplessly, unable to do anything to prevent it, maybe coming just short to watch the life drain from his eyes. Yoongi shivered, he was so scared. But to Jungkook it must look like he was still shaking from fear.

He took a few steps forward, rushed, slamming his hand on the next best surface close to Jungkook having him flinch. “I don’t care if you feel trapped. I’ve been trapped with you for weeks now and didn’t whine like that! If I tell you to stay in then you will. If you do so much as set a foot outside that door or do anything else that will get you in danger I swear to all that is holy I will find you and drag you back and you’ll regret that you even thought of disobeying me!”

Jungkook’s eyes were big in fear but he mustered all the courage, “Di- disobey? You aren’t in the position to tell me what I should do! I’m not disobeying you!” Jungkook got up and walked around Yoongi, fearing that he could be the one that Yoongi would be hurting next. His legs were shaking, and he could see the crack on the wall right where he sat before. “What do you want to do, huh? Lock me in?” Jungkook said with a trembling voice, “You…you can’t do that!”

Yoongi’s smile was sharp and cruel. “Oh, now angel boy wants to tell me what I can and what I can’t do. How clever of you. I guess it would sound so much more righteous if you hadn’t bound me first, hm? Oh, I know I know you didn’t mean to. Well I don’t mean to lock you up either but if you leave me no other choice I will, I can promise you that. Don’t you get it? Don’t you get that in your dense little head that I am simply trying to keep you alive here? It won’t be forever like this. All I ask of you is a little bit of rationality and some patience. But I guess I should have known better than to expect that from a child like you.”

“Stop calling me angel boy!” Jungkook could feel the hurt seep deep into his heart when he heard Yoongi talk about him like that. The younger one almost laughed at his own stupidity for thinking that the demon didn’t see him as a child. So many people did. He was always the young one, the dumb one, the one with the too much of a big heart. He averted his gaze. “Go!” Suddenly Jungkook’s voice was filled with anger, “Just go! If I’m that much of a burden, then go!”

A/N: SURPRISE! Yes, Cat and I decided on a new uploading schedule (since we got a lot of new stories coming soon). You can expect new updates every monday AND thursday from now on! And we hope you are just as excited as we are about the upcoming stories...but now let’s talk about ‘Through the veil’! Thank you for reading and don’t forget to comment! Do you think Jungkook will listen to what Yoongi said? Will he stay in the underworld? Who knows ;) See you on monday with the next update! 

[midnightmunchies]

Smultronställe

Read it on fanfiction.net

Pairing: SasuSaku 🌸

Rated: M

Summary: He carries stars in his pockets because he knows she fears the dark. Whenever sadness pays her a visit he paints galaxies on the back of her hands.

Chapters: (1) (2) (3)

Chapter 1

They first met each other when she was five.

He was supposed to be helping the front gates with the crossing souls, but Gaara had came by and heavily persuaded him into coming with him to the world above on his nightly scare. Gaara had just been promoted to demon from being a first year creep monster. And tonight was his first mission.

So there Sasuke was, hiding under the bed of some little girl's bed with Gaara, waiting for the right time to strike. As his role as demon, Gaara was assigned to be the monster under the bed of some girl named Sakura and it was his job to scare her every night. As long as demons and creepers were able to scare the kids and give them nightmares, the more strength the realm of the underworld was. As long as these kids believed in them, they continue to exist.

It had been over an hour since she had climbed into bed and turned off the lights. At this moment, Sasuke was sure that she was close to the tips of slumber. And this was the time to cue their attack.

Just as he and Gaara began to creep out from under her bed, the front door the house slammed open with a bang and profanities began to echo up the stairs. Ducking back into their hiding spot, Sasuke felt the bed creak as the girl began to whimper.

Making eye contact with Gaara, he gave a confused look.

'Why is she already crying? We haven't even done anything yet.'

Somewhere downstairs, shattering glass was heard as more profanities were yelled. And then, they grew louder and footsteps began to pound on the stairs.

This simply caused the girl above them to cry even harder, so much that she began to get hiccups. And it was only then that Sasuke understood the situation.

Without much of a thought, Sasuke reached up over the bed for Sakura's bed and tugged her to the floor with a soft thud.. Before Gaara could even stop him, he pulled her underneath the bed with him.

Eyes widening, Gaara nearly shrieked, "Sasuke, what are you doing?"

Throwing his black cloak over the two of them, Sasuke told him to shush. And when the door to the bedroom slammed open, he motioned for Gaara to blend in. Then wrapping the cloak tighter around Sakura he willed the cloak to blend them into the darkness just in the nick of time.

The man yanked off the bed's comforter thinking that the girl was still in bed, but when he found out that she wasn't, another string of profanities left his lips. "Where is the worthless child?"

Dropping to the floor, the man ripped the bedding skirt up and made a blind grab for Sakura. "I know you're under here, come out you little bitch!" As he continued to yell into the darkness, Sasuke's nose wrinkled in disgust how humanly intoxicated the man was. This all but made him pull Sakura closer to him.

Sakura almost screamed out loud when the man's hand finally found her, but her scream was muffled when she realized that the hand was simply just passing through her, as if she was a ghost. Wide eyes filled with unshed tears looked at Sasuke in shock. All he did in return was motioned her to keep quiet.

After a few more attempts, the man finally gave up and left the room with a slam of the door and more profanities.

Once Sasuke was sure that the man had left for good and out of the house, he uncovered them from his cloak and crawled out from under the bed, with Gaara and Sakura close behind him.

The second time they met, Sasuke had once again sneaked away from the realm and from his duties to explore the world above a little more. Instead this time, his companion was not Gaara but Cerberus. In order to not attract too much attention, Cerberus had taken form in a pure black pitbull. Not like it really mattered though, since anyone that didn't have the gods' blood in them wouldn't have noticed his true form anyways, with his three heads.

Sasuke was on his way back, when they were walking passed an alleyway and Cerberus immediately went crazy.

Pulling him by his spiked collar to calm him down, Sasuke commanded, "Cerberus, down." Hardly ever to disobey his master's commands, Cerberus immediately sat down on his hind legs. But to Sasuke's absolute surprise, the pitbull looked at him, and began to whimper in response.

Raising a single eyebrow at the sudden pouting, Sasuke sighed. "Alright, let's see what is so interesting in this alleyway that you're literally pouting about it."

Before Sasuke could even release his hold on the collar, Cerberus was already heading high speed into the alley, pulling him along. And that was when Sasuke heard the cries and hands hitting against flesh.

Just as the boy's hand was coming down for another hit, Cerberus stood in front of the girl protectively and bared his teeth at the attacker.

"What the…" The boy cursed. Looking back at his little groupie, he asked, "Where the hell did this stray come from?"

At the mention of the word stray, Cerberus growling intensified.

Finally stepping out of the shadows and making his presence known, Sasuke cleared his throat. "I don't think my dog appreciates you calling it a stray."

Rolling his eyes, the boy snickered, "It's a fucking dog, what would it know. Are you offended that I insulted your little pet? What are you five?"

"No, but you might be. Aren't you a little too old to be picking on girls?"

"This is none of your business. It's an A B conversation. So stay out of it." Sneering him off, the boy returned his attention back to the trembling girl on the ground. Raising his hand, the boy began to land another hit on the girl.

Eyes narrowing, Sasuke could not believe this filthy thing called a human dared to strike the girl once more after cursing and insulting both him and his dog. Grabbing the boy by the collar, he forced him to make eye contact with him and instantly his eyes turned red, black tomoes swirling. Casting an illusion over him, the boy's eyes widen as he shrank away in fear, stumbling over his own feet and as he clambered back to his little groupie.

With a satisfied smirk slipping onto his lips, Sasuke then eyed his little groupie. Pointing his chin in the other direction, he shooed the group away, which they were more than grateful to do. Running away with their tails in between their legs and bumping into another, Sasuke couldn't help but snort at their lack of masculinity. Pathetic.

Now turning his attention to the girl that was being comforted by Cerberus, to his surprise, Sasuke crouched down next to her. It was then that he noticed something about her. She had pink hair. And there was only one person that he knew in his lifetime that had pink hair.

It was Sakura.

Motioning Cerberus to back away, he reached out for the girl, only for her to immediately scramble away from his reach.

Sighing, Sasuke said gently, "It's not like we haven't met before."

At the sound of his voice, and the familiarity of it, she looked from behind her hands. Seeing the way her emerald eyes gleamed in recognition, Sasuke reached out for her again. Helping her sit upright, he surveyed the damage that had been done, and it was quite a bit. Scratches decorated down the whole length of arms, and some marring her cheeks as well. Some of them even began to turn a light purple, signs of bruising. Beside her, the entire contents of her backpack were thrown everywhere, some flying away, some drowning in the rain puddles around them.

Taking his cloak off, Sasuke wrapped it tightly around her body. Then reaching into Cerberus's collar, he pulled out a lavender colored gem and pressed it into her hands. Closing his eyes, he focused his energy into it. And ever so slowly, he felt a burst of energy surge from his hands and all over her body.

They watched as fluorescent lavender lines covered her whole body, especially around her injuries. As they slipped and danced across her skin, they took away all of the scratches and bruises, leaving behind clear porcelain skin, as if her injuries never happened at all.

Sakura whipped her head up in surprise, her emerald eyes growing big. At this Sasuke couldn't help but let out a little amused snort.

Humans. They were so easily fazed.

The third time they met, she decided to sell her soul away to him.

"Why?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Sakura leaned back against the base of her bed. "Just because."

"You do realize that you're actually selling your soul away, right? It's not like you're selling away a piece of junk at a garage sale. This is your soul that we're discussing about." Sasuke told her sternly, arms crossed.

"I know…," she whispered back.

"Then why?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Sakura asked hotly. She didn't think selling her soul off would be such a difficult process. Wouldn't they be more than glad to take an unwanted soul? Sighing, she said, "I should have asked Gaara instead. He wouldn't have asked this many questions."

Snorting, Sasuke mumbled, "Like he could do something like this with his status."

"Hey!" she exclaimed, slightly offended by Sasuke's degrading comment. Gaara was still pretty nice to her, despite his occupation. "Don't make fun of him. It's not nice."

"Now that's a first, a human defending their own demon." Brushing off some invisible lint on his shoulders, he then walked over to her and crouched down to her level. Onyx locking with emerald, he looked at her intently. And in those eyes of her, he could see her reasoning.

It was just simply too lonely for her here. Abusive parents and constant bullying. From what he had heard from Gaara, she didn't really have any friends, or even just anyone close to her. And she didn't have anything she cared for either. She was just another being in this world. Her days went by in constant routines and with no purpose. To be honest, news of her wanting to sell her soul wasn't all that new. Gaara had mentioned it a few weeks ago when Sakura first asked him about the process.

Speaking softly, he asked, "Have you considered moving towns or starting a new elsewhere?"

At this suggestion, her emerald eyes widened, but then she looked down at her hands sadly. "No. But it's not like I have anywhere else to go or the funds to do it." Rubbing her hands together in a nervous manner, she asked, "Can't you just take it? I heard that it bounds me to you guys… Like a friendship contract. Honestly you both are the only people that consider me as a human being and treat me like one, ironically… "

Letting a sigh slip past his lips, he ran a hand down the back of his neck, a little bit frustrated. "Friendships aren't meant to be bought Sakura. Also, it's not as easy as it sounds. Selling your soul off will change the course of your entire afterlife."

"There's nothing for me in the afterlife anyways, so it doesn't matter."

"Are you sure about that?"

"No, but I don't have much hope anyways." Sakura said sadly.

Sighing, yet again, Sasuke reached inside his cloak and pulled out a black scroll. He then sat down next to her by her bed, shoulder to shoulder, and handed her pen out of thin air. Unrolling the contract, he laid it out in front of her. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Alright. Selling of a soul it is."

.

Even long after they had sealed the deal and Sakura had officially signed away her soul, Sasuke continued to stay with her. Although he was never much of a talker or liked small talk, he slowly found out that the more she talked, the more he enjoyed her company. It was strange, to find a sense of warm and comfort that was her. And as she continued to talk, he was pleased to see the light return back into her eyes and her cheeks flushed with color. But from time to time though, she would share with him her darkness. With those stories, the rosette tried hard to keep her tears at bay, but they came regardless. He shocked himself at how fast his fingers came to her face and wiped them away before they could even fall onto her cheeks. It was like his hands had a mind of their own. Sasuke has never done something like that before, he was surprised that his body even knew how to comfort.

So, there he sat at the base of her bed, his back against the sheets, with her head laid against his shoulder. After what was her fifth crying session, her body had called it quits. Her breathing had even out, although a little labored due to her stuffed nose. He honestly didn't anticipate something like this to happen, but it just kind of did. Usually selling of a soul was a pretty quick process, ten minutes tops. Yet, here he was still here, in her room, hours later. Sasuke didn't mind though. This was a nice escape from his world.

Looking out the window of her bedroom, Sasuke saw that the sun was already halfway gone. Taking that as a sign for him to leave, he carefully cradled her head in his hand and slipped another underneath her knees. He then carried her to her bed and tucked her in, making sure that she was secure and warm. Standing up, he took one last glance at her, taking her in. Then reaching into his pocket, he pulled out crystal pendant. There in the palm of his hand was her soul, glowing and swirling around in the sphere. Just like her eyes, her soul was a beautiful shade of jade.

It was then, at that moment, he promised to protect her at all cost. For without a soul, she couldn't enter into the afterlife realm. And a soul like her didn't deserve to go to hell. Closing his hand tightly around the pendant, he promised he would let her live as long as she could and to finally enjoy her life to the fullest.

As promised, Sasuke looked over her in secret. And sometimes when he couldn't watch over her himself, he would send Gaara to do so. But he only interfered when necessary. He didn't want to attract too much attention to the girl. And today was one of those days.

He was in the main hall, listening to dead souls and their confessions and requests for redemption. This was his fifty sixth soul and he wasn't really paying much attention anymore. Days like this just dragged on, even more slow than usual. Sighing, he took a quick glance at the file of the soul in his hands. Early death, 23. Cause of death, DUI. Had passengers with him but he was the only causality. Had a history of minor crimes done on campus, vandalism and under age drinking for a couple years.

"You're here to request for a recreation, correct."

"Yes, my lord. I've thought deeply about my actions and..."

"Request granted." Sasuke announced without much further explanation. Signing it off with a swipe of his pen, he motioned for the soul to go.

The soul had his mouth drop open in shock, but he wasn't the only one. The night guard next to him, holding the files, looked at him with wide eyes. Sasuke was never one to give grants to the soul's requests this easily. Ever since he came into reign, he ruled strictly. Souls were lucky if he granted even one of them a request. Most days, the number of souls that he granted was zero. But today, this was the third one to be granted.

Tripping over his legs to bow down low to the ground, words of gratitude spilled from his lips as the soul thanked the lord.

With a wave of his hand, he told the guards on the floor to take the soul away. "Alright, take..." And it was then, that he heard his name being called out in such a desperate manner and familiar tone, that he froze mid sentence to the shock of everyone in the room. Their lord was never one to falter in anything he did, he was a confident man and he was always sure in his ways. This sudden hesitation was not expected.

But he paid no attention to anyone else on the room. He focused on the voice that was calling out to him. Souls of all sorts, both in his realm and the world above always called out for him, for help or whatever it was. He usually tuned them out because it was too many and it got annoying very fast. This was an exception though.

"Please... someone, help me... Please... make it stop..."

Shutting everything else out, Sasuke focused harder on the voice. It was so strikingly familiar. As he continued to hear out the cries, the crystal pendant in his pocket, burned hotter with each passing second. Confused, he reached into his pocket and pulled it out. There in the center of his palm was Sakura's soul, burning and glowing fluorescently, flickering like an angry wildfire.

"Sasuke!" His head snapped up immediately at the cry of his name and that was when everything clicked. And in an instant, he disappeared from sight.

.

Over the years, since the day that she sold her soul to him, Sakura had seen him a couple more times. Each time, it was him coming to her rescue as usual. But then, within the past year, she had gotten a boyfriend and everything was pretty much wonderful. Until recently.

Sasori was everything she could ask for. He entered into her life just at the right time and saved her from her darkness at the time. He was kind and treated her in ways that she didn't know that she should have been treated. He made her feel special, very special. He gave her the love that she was missing in life and he gave her hope for the future. Being with him everyday, all day was all that she ever wanted.

But that all changed after they came past their one year mark. Slowly, the real Sasori came out and it terrified her. It started out with little things that she could deal with and then slowly he turned into an unstoppable monster. She tried to escape this harsh reality of hers again but it was truly impossible this time around. Sakura couldn't find the light at the tunnel anymore. She should have seen the signs earlier on in their relationship. Back then she was naive, young and in love; blinded by this so called love. She mistook his jealousy and anger when she hung out with her girlfriends as just him being over protective. He would nag at her at first, but then when he found out that sometimes her guy friends would hand out with him, he began the yelling and shouting. And sometimes, he would attack her, not physically yet, but emotionally.

After all those years of piecing herself but together and being able to stand on her feet again, just a couple screams from him had her falling apart again. He took away the confidence that she had, the faith that she held for herself and stabbed self doubt back into her body. His words made her even more confused that she was before. Was she even worth it?

And then is became physical when she began to deny things from him. That was when the true monster came out.

As a coffee cup filled to the brink with hot liquid came crashing into the wall to the left of her, Sakura scrambled backwards, screaming, "Sasori, stop it! Get a hold of yourself."

"Get a hold of myself?" He sneered back at her, nostrils flaring and his face turning bright red. "Who are you, to tell me to get a hold of myself. Who?!"

As his uncontrollable anger raged on, Sasori continued to smash things to the ground, sometimes even aiming it at her.

"Sasori, please! You don't need to do this. You're being ridiculous about such a small thing."

"Shut up woman. I have every right to be angry. You, who dare to disobey me and not follow my requests, you're despicable!"

Snapping her head up, tears filling in her eyes, she pointed a single finger at him, yelling, "Okay, first off. It is my body, so I have every right to decide what I want to do. You, on the other hand, have no right to force me into anything I am not comfortable with! We've discussed this many, many times before."

At this point, they were both face to face, breathing hard from their yelling matches. For a second, Sakura felt exhilarating. She had never done this before. For once, she finally fought back. She didn't know where the courage suddenly came from but she knew that she was sick and tired of this so called relationship of theirs and she wanted out. But that wonderful feeling was quick to dissipate as he looked down at her through narrowed eyes and jaws clenched. Then what happened next happened all too quick.

In one moment she was standing upright, facing him and then in the next, she was on the ground, cheek stinging. Before she could even fully register what had actually happened, the next hit came, followed by another. First, they were hard slaps and then they became full on punches. As he landed another particularly mean punch to her stomach, her body was thrown back against the wall, knocking her head in the process. The world around her spun as a metallic copper taste filled her mouth. Her body was so numb that she didn't even notice that he continued to pound his fists into her.

When she did come around again, she saw that Sasori had left her crumpled form on the floor and went into the kitchen, rummaging for something. In this moment, Sakura knew that this was only chance to escape. Emerald eyes moved to their front door but she found that it was bolt shut and she didn't have the keys anymore. Sasori has taken them away from her for awhile now. Regardless, she still tried to push herself up, hands pushing against the ground onto broken glass shards. They pierced into her palm but she felt nothing. The only thing on her mind was to get to the front door or a window, because maybe if she screamed loud enough, someone would hear her. With shaky legs, she managed to make it halfway to the living room window when she was yanked back forcefully by her hair.

Screaming, Sakura tried to force him away from her, but it was no use, Sasori was stronger than her, in every aspect. She blocked his hits a much as she could but he would always find another opening elsewhere to strike. And it was during one of these hits that she took notice of two things. One, there was a gleaming object in his hands. Second, she saw a dark shadow lurking in the corner of the room, holding a gold stopwatch in his hands.

By the time she returned her attention back to Sasori, it was a bit to late, he had already made a big gash on the side of her arm. Position the kitchen knife above him again, he made another aim, making her scream in horror. Was this it? Was this really how she was going to die?

Sobbing, she screamed out again for help, her throat hoarse. "Please... someone, help me... Please... make it stop!" Tears blurring her vision, she attempted to dodge another swing of his, only to have her head slammed against the floor instead.

"If you would have obeyed me, sweetheart. None of this would have had to happen." Sasori told her sickeningly as he drew the edge of the knife across the plane of her skin, leaving a bloody trail behind. "It was nice meeting you, Sakura…" and Sasori moved to make his final move.

And this was when she knew it was the end. It was truly the end.

Bracing herself for the pain, she made one last desperate call out in her head, "Sasuke!"

A rush of cold air crawled across her skin and a loud roar reached her ringing ears. A small whimper slipped past her lips when she felt the sharpness of the knife pierce into her skin. Sakura waited for the pain to intensify, but it never came. It felt like a small papercut.

Was she already dead? Was that why the pain felt like nothing? It would make a lot more sense.

Upon opening her eyes, she was prepared to face the pits of hell but she was surprised to see that she was still in the shambles of what she called her living room. What caught her by surprise a lot more was the fact that someone in a dark, billowing cloak had Sasori pushed up against the wall by his neck.

.

Sasuke felt an unbelievable amount of rage curse through his veins.

How dare this filthy thing cause harm to an innocent woman as such. It was revolting.

Gripping the redhead's throat even harder, Sasuke glared at the man. "Men like you deserve to burn in the pits of hell."

"Who the fuck are you?" Sasori spit out through labored breaths. Clenching his teeth, he bit out, "Put me down right this instant, you bastard!"

"You are not worthy enough to know of who I am." Sasuke returned, grip tightening ever so slightly. Eyes bleeding red, Sasuke locked eyes with the crazed man in front of him and in an instant, the redhead fell to a crumpled lump onto the floor. It was time that he experienced his own horrors.

Then turning around swiftly, he came to Sakura's aid. Shifting her onto her back and into his arms, he carefully slipped his hands underneath her head for support. As he did so, he felt the true blunt of the damage. Her pink locks were stained and matted red from her own blood. From her face to her legs, there was an endless amount of cuts and bruises. Pools of blood where everywhere in the room but the most at her left side, and it was growing at an alarming rate. Turning her head so that he could make eye contact with her, Sasuke was confused to see a small smile decorating her pale lips.

"You're on the verge of death and you're smiling. Have you gone insane?"

Lips trembling, she mumbled quietly, "...T-thank you…"

"Hn, I know." He told her with a roll of his eyes. Hastily surveying the damage once more, he allowed her to rest against his body as he dug around his pocket for the lavender gem. Quickly pushing it into her bloody palm, he forced the gem to activate its healing powers. He watched with a tight heart as the fluorescent lines covered her body and patched up all the damage that was done.

As he waited for the gem to do its work, he felt a dark presence beside him, without looking up he knew who exactly it was. "Speak," he commanded.

"My lord, I have received her death note and was here to collect her but…, it seems like that it is no longer possible…"

"And?" Sasuke questioned harshly. "Is there a problem with my interference?"

"..." The Grim Reaper kept mum.

With a wave of his hand, Sasuke ordered, "File it as a lost soul report. Have it first thing on my desk tomorrow morning, I will sign off on it."

Bowing, the Grim Reaper bid him goodbye and disappeared.

During his exchange with Grim Reaper, the gem was already more than halfway done with its healing process and Sakura had fallen asleep his arms. Seeing how her chest rose up and down steadily, he breathed out heavily. Then wrapping his arms around her body, he pulled her up close to him.

He was lucky this time too that he made it, especially with how the Grim Reaper was already present with her death note. She would have truly died this time had he not interfered. Sighing yet again, he was going to deal with a major headache of having to sign off a lost soul. Reasons and evidence for why a soul was not collected was going to be needed. And to complicate things even further, she didn't even have a soul to be collected to begin with. This is going to be a mess, Sasuke can just feel it. But after taking a glance at her sleeping form, safe and sound, he decided that it would be worth it.

It was his promise after all.

After her near death experience, Sakura had moved away from that wretched town, away from her hunting past. And it was the best decision that she had ever made. With nothing but thirty dollars in her pocket and a backpack of some of her things, she hailed down a cab to take her away to what would now be her home.

Here in this new town, she was able to rediscover herself and who she was. It was hard at first. Things like this were never easy. She only had herself to depend on. But slowly, she picked up all the pieces that was her and fixed herself back together. Now, a couple years forward, she was in her third year of college, working as a medical assistant, and living in a rather decent part of town. She made many new friends and her neighbors where exceptionally kind hearted. Just in general, the people here were nicer.

Ever since that day, she hadn't seen Sasuke since. Gaara still made his schedule visits, but she was seeing less of him lately. But she guess today was an exception, because as she passed by the mirror placed in the living room of her place, Sakura nearly had a heart attack. Because written in blood in scratchy letters was 'Remember appointment with Advisor at 3pm.'

Hands flying to her chest, trying to calm her erratic heartbeat, Sakura exclaimed, "Gaara! How many times have I told you to use the dry erase markers instead of some poor chicken's blood. You don't have to kill one every time to remind me."

Slinking out of the dark corner in her room, he smiled devilishly, "Oh, but that ruins the fun."

"When I die, I'm going to have a dozen chicken souls out to get me because you killed them in my name."

Shrugging his shoulders, Gaara said, "Maybe."

Handing him some cleaning supplies, Sakura pouted, "Can you at least clean up the mess you've made. I do appreciate your help in trying to keep me organize with my schedule. But," she paused briefly as she dug into her bag for another dry erase marker and handed it to him. "Next time, don't kill another chicken."

"No promises."

After making sure that he was going to clean up the bloody mess that he made, Sakura slipped on her shoe and made it out the door, not before yelling out, "I'll be back by 5 if you're still here."

.

"Sakura's usual?" One of the barista asked.

"Oh, you know it." Momo answered with a smile.

"Did you hear?"

"Hmm, what about it?"

"She has an meeting with her advisor soon for a letter of recommendation I think."

"Oh, really?" Momo raised a single eyebrow at her co-worker. Then taking a glance at the pink haired girl standing over in the corning, gnawing on her bottom lip and tapping her feet anxiously against the tiled floors. "Well then, looks like she needs a shot of charisma in her latte today."

Sharing a knowing smile with her coworker, Momo waved her hands over the steaming cup, whispering a short spell. Then closing it with the lid, she called out, "One ice latte, extra cream!"

Shuffling up to get her a drink, Sakura mumbled a quick thank you. Just before she left the counter though, Momo gave her a wink and whispered, "Good luck!"

Startled, Sakura froze for a moment and stared at her, lips a little parted. Then gathering herself together, she asked, "How did you know?"

""Tis the season, sweetheart."

Laughing lightly, Sakura nodded in understanding. Of course the coffee shop workers would know. They probably served about a dozen students before her, coming here for their daily fix of caffeine to get rid of the nerves. As she turned to leave though, she quickly dropped a couple singles into the tip jar. "Thank you again."

.

Not being able to help herself, as she left the advisor's building and walked down the front steps, Sakura did a little happy dance attracting some weird stares from the other students. It was turning out to be a great day. Her advisor agreed to writing her a recommendation and that was almost a guarantee placement into the program as she was an alumnae. Now that that weight has been lifted from her shoulders, she could actually enjoy the rest of her evening.

Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she scrolled through her contact list and pressed call. And in seconds of the phone ringing, the other person picked up, "So how did you do?"

"Why hello to you too," Sakura laughed.

"Alright, hello to you too Forehead." Sakura could just imagine her gorgeous best friend rolling those pretty blue eyes of hers. "Now answer my question."

"So impatient. But anyways, I passed. She's going to write me a letter of recommendation!"

"That's great, Sakura! See, I told you! You didn't even have to worry about a thing." Ino shouted back at her excitedly and in a told-you-so tone. "Honestly, I think you're like her favorite student. Secretly, somewhere, deep in that cold heart of hers, there's a little room for you. I heard that she doesn't even allow students to meet with her in person in regards to her letter recommendation. She just sends out a shit ton of emails saying no."

"That's a little exaggerated." Sakura couldn't help but roll her eyes at her friend's response. Ino liked to never tell things as it is but rather make it so over the top.

"Okay, maybe just a tiny bit. Anyways, this calls for a celebration Forehead!"

"You're always making an excuse to go out drinking."

"Oh, you know me so well love. But I know this new bar that just opened down…"

As Ino continued to ramble on and decide on plans for the night, Sakura began to tune her out. Ino had a tendency to talk for a really long time. Once she tune her out completely, Sakura took a moment to take in the nice, autumn weather. They were well into the third week of the new season but it was only in the past couple of days that the weather actually cooled down. And as it got closer to the end of the day, the temperature dropped significantly. After having experience this a couple times now, Sakura thought that she would have known better and packed some extra layers.

A cold breeze slipped past her, blowing her hair all into her face. As she pushed her pink locks back and away from her face, she heard the distinct sound of heels against the pavement behind her. Glancing around, she saw that it was just another one of her classmates, who she bid goodbye to earlier as they both left the building. Guess the girl lived in the same area as she did, which wasn't all that surprising as many of the students had an apartment near her complex. They had the best rent and was the shortest walking distance to campus.

She felt her nose began to burn as the cool wind nipped at her cheeks. Sniffling, she pulled her sleeves down and wiped her nose. As she did so, Sakura felt an uncomfortable chill travel down her spine. Immediately she stopped and turned on her heel, but all that was there was the same classmate walking down the same street as she did. Feeling unsteady, Sakura pulled on the sleeves of shirt more and began to quicken her pace. She was probably being paranoid but for some reason she felt unsafe all of sudden, like something was out to get it.

The more she increased her speed, the more sweaty her palms got. At one point, she nearly dropped her phone, startling Ino on the other line.

"Hey, Forehead, are you okay? You sound a little out of breath…"

Subtly, Sakura held the phone closed to her mouth and cupped it, whispering, "I… I think someone is following me…"

"What?" Ino shouted, to which Sakura hushed her immediately. "Wait, what? Is there actually someone or are you just being paranoid?"

"I don't know, maybe a little of both?" Sakura frowned as she came to a stop at a crosswalk. The traffic light across the street was blinking red, telling her to stop.

Tapping her foot a little impatiently, Sakura took a glance around the area. Then looking at her watch, she was a little shock to find that it was well past five. What also shocked her was that it was strange that this area of the town was so vacant. Usually at this hour, students were all done with classes and where out and about, eating and hanging out. Just as the light across the street flashed the walking sign, she heard a click behind her.

At this moment, Sakura decided to take a look over her shoulder and it was a mistake.

.

Naruto's boisterous voice echoed against the tiled floors as they walked down the corridor. Once they reached the end, the guards opened the grand double doors for them, leading in the private meeting area. One by one they walked into the room, and as each one of them passed the threshold, the flickering of the energy of their powers fizzled out, making it deafeningly quiet. They had to have to come up with this restriction a couple thousand years back when Naruto and Sasuke got into a pretty heated argument and nearly destroyed the whole castle. In order to prevent anything like that to happen again, they had Tsuande put a chakra blocking seal on the room.

This was one of the few times in the year that Sasuke actually stepped foot in Naruto's realm. Sasuke only came when it was necessary, or else if he had a choice he wouldn't have came at all. As the Big Three, they oversaw many of the activities.

But most of the time, since it was Naruto spearheading all of the discussions, they often got sidetracked, which led to these meetings being hours upon hours long. It was about nine hours in that the the slacking began.

"So Sasuke, " Naruto began with a snarky smile, blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

And that this, Sasuke couldn't help but openly groan.

"I heard that you've been slacking on your job." Naruto questioned. "I heard that there's a Lost Soul floating around, first one of the century."

"Shut up."

"Oh!" The blonde exclaimed delightfully. "So, there is one!" Wiggling his brows, Naruto smiled, "Is it a girl? Is that why?" At the way that the tips of Sasuke burned red, Naruto roared in laughter, slapping his hands on his knees. "Oh my, have our dark king fallen in love?"

"That's enough, Dobe."

"Is it true then, since you're not denying it."

Shaking his head, Sasuke made his move to head out of the room first, ignoring the bickering of the other two gods behind him. Immediately as he past the threshold, Sasuke faltered in his steps. Alarmed, Sasuke searched out for Sakura's presence, but he felt nothing.

"Yo, Sasuke… are you okay?" He heard Naruto called out to him, but Sasuke didn't reply.

And then he tried to contact Gaara, but he didn't get an answer back. Just as he was about to remove his block on the request of voices to find her, he felt it. The moment he did, Sasuke teleported out of the realm without another word.

.

When Sakura had come around to her senses again, she felt incredibly numb. Her eyes felt heavy and she could barely keep them open. Groaning, she felt cold as the cool breeze danced across her skin but also warm as she felt something wet surrounded her. Each time she tried to move, her body wouldn't respond. Tiredly, Sakura closed her eyes again. Breathing heavily, she tried one more time to move her body, any part of it, but it was to no avail. With eyes half closed, she could see the outline of a dark figure heading her way. And then somewhere in the corner of her eyes, she saw her broken phone, that skidded across the asphalt flashing. Returning her eyes back to the figure coming towards her, she spotted a white note card in his hands.

The figure then approached her and laid a single hand on her arm. "I'm afraid that it's time. Sakura Haruno your time..."

Confused, Sakura couldn't put together what the figure was telling her. Every other word of his was barely audible as she felt the hands of darkness come for her, eyes becoming heavier with every second. Then when she couldn't keep them open any longer, she allowed herself to succumb to the darkness.

The second time that she came around, she was jostled awake. Unlike the first time, Sakura was able to distinguish her surrounds much faster and clearer. Numbness that she had felt earlier has disappeared. She felted liberated. She felt so at ease. This was the most peaceful she has been in a long time. Glancing around her, she found that she was on a tiny rowing boat filled with other people. There was a family bundled in the furthermost area of the boat, four of them in total. The parents held a protective hold over they're two kids in between them, eyes shaking with fear. Next to them was an old man, sitting down and staring at nothing in particular. Then sitting directly across from her was another family. This time a set of siblings, two brothers and their younger sister. The girl was crying hysterically while the brothers looked away from her, each one facing the opposite direction. And lastly, at the front of the boat was the familiar dark figure that she saw last before she went to sleep. He was steadily rowing the boat further down a river of some sort.

The more they traveled down the river, the colder it got as chilling shivers traveled down the back of her spine. The ominous sense that was overcoming her body was not welcoming at all. And it all made sense when ear-splitting and bone-shaking screams reached them. Eye widening, Sakura couldn't believe what was before her eyes. There were so many boats, like that one that she was sitting, littering the entirety of the river. And as they docked, guards in billowing cloaks practically man-handled some of them onto shore, pushing them roughly forward. She watched as they filed each person into a different lines; sometimes even breaking families apart. Tears came to her eyes as she watched a mother and son be ripped apart from each other, the wailing and screaming deafening. And before she knew it, it was her turn.

One by one, each of the passengers were plucked from their spot and hustled ashore. Her heart clenched as the the set of siblings were harshly separated. The brothers fought and screamed profanities at the guards when they yanked their younger sister away from them.

"No! Fucking give her back! You can't fucking take her!" The oldest one wrestled against the tight hold that he was in as he tried to reach out to grasp her back. But he thrashed even harder when the guard shoved the girl to the ground, hard. "Hey! Watch your filthy hands! She's a fucking girl, what the hell."

The more the brothers struggled, the harsher they inflicted pain on the girl, continuously shoving her and causing her to stumble over her feet. Her hands and feets were all bruised up and scraped mercilessly. Her face was all blotchy and red from the crying that she was doing. When she tried to reach out for her brother, one of the guards began to rise his hands at her to Sakura's absolute astonishment. At this point, her body acted on her own before her mind could even register it.

Sakura pushed her way through the crowd and rushed forward. Slipping in front of the girl just in the nick of time, she held her arms out in front of the girl, in a protective stance. She watched as the guard falter in his movement, but not before narrowing his beady eyes down on her. Then in a cold tone, he advised, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Lost One."

Her eyebrows came together in confusion. 'Lost One?'

"Move, this is not of your business."

"No," Sakura stated shakingly. She knew what was going to happen if she didn't move, but for some strange reason Sakura felt compelled to protect this girl. She needed to.

"I said move," he growled out at her.

"And I said no."

Then not more than a second later, Sakura felt her head snap to the side, her left cheek burning furiously. When he saw that she wasn't going to move, she saw him raise his hand again to strike. In the distance, she heard the loud growling and barking of an animal of some sorts, but for some strange reason, it sounded so familiar to her ears, as if she had heard it before. During the time that she was contemplating over this, the guard struck his hand down on her again, then again. As time continued to pass by the guard continued to pummel her into the ground with his fist and she automatically curled up into a ball, something that her body knew how to do on autopilot now, thanks to Sasori. With each hit, the cries of the animal roared even louder to a point that it was shaking the ground.

"Kai, I think that's enough." She heard a guard nearby whisper. "Cerberus is going to rampage, if you don't."

"Like that mutt knows anything."

"But it will alarm the King." The guard added, his tone laced with concern.

"As it should."

Immediately the the tone that was made up of so much authority and ice made everything around them freeze. Sakura listened as a deafening silence come over the entire area. It was so quiet that only her heavy and pained, labored breathing was heard.

Taking a peek through her messed up locks, Sakura watched as the crowd part ways for him. The guard that had dared laid hands on them was kneeling on the ground, visibly trembling. Then in the distance, she could barely make out a set of eye reds staring at her. But below each set of eyes was a wolfish grin, and that was when she knew why he sounded so familiar; Cerberus. At that sudden realization, Sakura couldn't help but smile a little. That pupper was always out to her rescue.

Her attention was pulled back to the situation at hand though, when the sound of footsteps against the gravel reached her ears. Then before she knew it, she felt a pair of hands wrap themselves around her forearms and pull her up. For a moment, they stood still like that, to make sure that she was stable on her feet. Then daringly, Sakura tilted her face upwards to make eye contact with her savior.

The moment emerald clashes with onyx, Sakura could barely suppress the gasp that slipped past her lips. As her eyes widen in realization, she watched as his lips curled up into a small smirk.

"Welcome to my home, Sakura."

[garmthehellhound]

Last night I dreamt about what I can only describe as a gladiatorial arena. I don’t know if this was somewhere in the compound or not, but I don’t think Root would tolerate something like it. Anyway, I was siting in the stands, watching a fight and they forced a guy in a grey hoodie into the ring with this huge guy, he kind of reminded me of myself a little bit. He was given a hatchet as a weapon, and the fight began. At first I thought the new guy would die, but then something changed in him. I could see this... presence behind him, and... it saw me too. Looking at that thing was like being being balls deep in frozen water, I felt cold all over with fear. It began to whisper incessantly in his ears... I heard every word, it said

“Give me a sacrifice of blood and flesh, and I will grant you power, the power to free yourself.”

And then the kid, he just went insane. I could see his eyes behind his mask were dead, except one it was almost glowing. I couldn’t see his face but I could tell it would be like the leer of a demon. He was screaming with the crowd their cries of bloodlust becoming one with his own. The big he was fighting seemed just as scared as I felt. Then the killing began, it was like watching a a bear kill cornered deer. I won’t go into details but let’s just say I heard many of the cries of bloodlust in the crowd turn to shrieks of horror. They had to restrain the kid just to take him away. I think I know who this kid is and who he will become... I wonder if showed this Stitch I wonder what he would say. Hell I’d be interested in anyone’s opinion on this.

feel sick, these dreams, I can’t keep having them, it’s like I’m watching some kind of slasher film made even worse. This time I was back in that gladiator arena, this time I got a name for the place. It was called “The Blood Pits” they aren’t exactly part of this cult, but many of the patrons do follow this religion or whatever it is. I couldn’t exactly tell how much time had passed since I last saw this place, and the smell of blood was so strong it was honestly overpowering. I wanted to vomit, but just couldn’t, no one seemed to see me, like I was invisible which suited me just fine. I followed the crowd and it let into the arena proper, and I was disgusted and horrified. People were fucking in the stands and giving out cries for blood, that’s when the next fight began. Out of the caged entrance, came the kid. It was clear he’d gained more reputation, some of the audience members cheered, some cried out in maybe anger or fear, I couldn’t tell. The aunounced called him, “The Hell Hound.” What was funny is he didn’t have a fighters build, he was fit to be sure, but more what I would consider to be on say an athletic runner. He still carried that hatchet, but he’d swapped out his hoodie and jeans for what looked like armor and a kilt. Alright...

That was when his opponents came out, some looked ready and brave but most just looked scared, and with damn good reason. This man, this Hell Hound, was a monster. When the bell rung signaling the fight to begin, I felt the familiar chill, something was coming from Hell Hound, it was the familiar presence.

“Blood. Give me blood.”

It said.

It wasn’t a fight, it was a slaughter. Hell Hound was a man possessed. The crowd went wild, but I cowered in horror. After the fight was over, the aunouncer seemed a little too pleased.

“Yes, another bloody victory for The Hell Hound!” The crowd cheered at this.

“But next week, he may yet meet his match, for coming to this arena, a very special guest! The silent slaughterer, the Giant of Gore, the walking monster, STITCH ENTERS THE RING TO KILL THE HELL HOUND!”

Hell Hound didn’t seem to care, in fact he looked almost too pleased. And then I understood why,

“Give me his blood.”

I heard the presence say,

“And I will deem you as truly worthy of my ultimate gift.”

(For reference Stitch is a giant Frankenstein’s monster, created via a mixture of demonic magic and technology, with a big ads Bowie knife as his main weapon he usually leaves it stuck in his shoulder)

I finally saw it, and my assumption about Hell Hound’s identity was right.

By the time this dream started I was already sitting in the stands. The crowd was going absolutely berserk, because this was the final match, Hell Hound and Stitch. Hell Hound entered first, dressed in his kilt and armor, and carrying his customary hatchet, now stained a permanent red. Then Stitch entered, he towered over Hell Hound but neither side showed any sign of fear. In fact they both looked eager for the fight to start.

They didn’t even wait for the bell to ring to signify the fight began. Both of them ran at each other, Sitch swinging that massive Bowie knife with surprising speed Hell Hound got away with a few cuts but nothing serious. He swung at Stitch’s leg but the blade didn’t even seem to hurt in fact it barely did anything at all. There wasn’t even any blood.

It was then I realized that Hell Hound was meant to lose, and Stitch knew it too he had been hoping for real fight but was disappointed with these results. It was now nothing more than a job for him to get done. He made quick work Hell Hound. He treated him like a rag doll, even breaking his beloved hatchet with his bare hands. The crowd was booing their dissatisfaction, this was not the fight they were promised.

But then I noticed the air seemed to get colder, and I saw- no I felt that horrible presence coming off of Hell Hound. Then he did something I never thought capable of. By his determination alone, or maybe stupid luck, Hell Hound actually tore Stitch’s knife out of his hand and stabbed him with it.

Everything went quiet. Stitch slowly turned to see the wound in his side and his knife covered in his own blood and in the hands of someone else. The road of rage, indignation, and pain was enough to wake the dead. Stitch flew into such a rage that he sent Hell Hound flying against the area cage. But he never even cried out. In fact I may have been the only one to see it, but just for a second, it was as if his whole body rippled, and even stranger, the presence that had been with him was suddenly gone.

What happened next... was nothing short of what happens only in hell. As Stitch came in to finish the Hell Hound, perhaps seeking to crush him, Hell Hound ducked and swipped at Sitch not with the knife, but his right hand. There was another pause as we all realized what was happening. Hell Hound’s hand was a claw, his fingers sharped to points. It was then his whole body pulsing as blood began to leak out of him from every orifice. And then he began to change.

Looking back I realize this was the only time I’d ever seen Stich hesitate. His whole body grew in size match Stitch, even his mask changed, becoming like that of a demon. But the worst of all, was that laugh. It wasn’t human. I realized now where the presence had gone, it was no longer surrounding Hell Hound, it was literally inside him, and it was twisting and warping his body into a monster, healing all of his wounds, and remaking the man in his own image.

The crowd was no longer screaming for blood, they were screaming in horror. Stitch suddenly lunges at the new Hell Hound but now he truly matched him in speed as well as size and strength. And instead all he did was side step him and hit him in the back of the head, and Stitch dropped like a stone. There was one final pause, before all hell broke loose. Hell Hound looked around at the screaming audience, then ran at the cage walls of the arena and they shattered. The arena had become his killing floor. They were all slaughtered. Even some guards who looked like immortals were torn apart in gorey mess. And all the while, Hell Hound, no, the monster who used to be Hell Hound laughed. When it was over Hell Hound went over to the unconscious Stitch, and dragged his unconscious body into a corner and dropped knife at his feet. I don’t really know why he didn’t want it. After all Stitch broke his Hatchet. Then he left.

He’s out there now, free. And I don’t think want to see him ever again.

[redvelvetreel]

Red Velvet Reel 5.2: Recipe for Disaster

                         [Fic Directory]

Pairing: [Married] Spicyhoney (Underfell Papyrus x Underswap Papyrus)

Summary: Edge takes Stretch out to eat (& lets Stretch drive his car) at the Factory Cheesecakes(TM) after an unfortunate batter-spilling situation. Talk about lots of stuff.

Characters: Edge (Underfell Papyrus) & Stretch (Underswap Papyrus) with mentions of Chara (Underswap Chara) & other characters.

Contains: Mpreg/Skelepreg! Dubious Science (Magic?) Fiction to Explain Monster Biology! Lots of headcanons! Hints of deeper issues with Chara! 

Warning: Mentions of poisoning/attempted poisoning that were thwarted. (Potentially unsuccessful anyway because skeleton?)

Rating: Teen and up!

Note:  Hey! This chapter is pretty lighthearted overall, but mind the warning about attempted poisoning! It’s very minor, but, you know. If you’re curious what the warning is for exactly, its- (SPOILER: Chara pours dishsoap into Stretch’s batter, and he realizes this so he spills it instead.)

The most surprising thing that happened that day, it turned out, was Edge tossing him the keys to the car.

“Are you sure-?” Stretch started to ask, looking up from the keys resting in his palm to find his husband already sitting in the car. Buckling himself into the passenger’s seat and engrossed with something on his phone.

Well, stranger things had happened... Stretch slid into the driver’s side with only a little hesitation, shifting the seat back to a more comfortable angle for his legs. “Do I set a course for home, Captain?”

“To The Factory Cheesecakes, Ensign,” Edge answered, sounding distracted as he was still tapping away at his phone.

“Aye aye, Sir.”

“Steady as she goes.”

Heh. Stretch was content to drive without speaking, listening to one of the new songs from that Aerok group playing on the radio. Undyne would be betrayed if she knew he was listening to any A-Pop groups other than m00nsh1n3, but these GLOWEE boys weren’t half bad...

“I don’t know why your friend is so anti-phone calls,” Edge finally put the phone down, rubbing at his good socket as though it hurt, “Having to send hundreds of text messages over the course of several minutes seems infinitely worse than speaking for a few seconds.”

Stretch gave a noncommittal hum as they waited at a stoplight, shrugging, “Maybe if you used your reading monocle like you’re supposed to-“

“It’s not a monocle!” Edge sank into his chair with an aggravated sigh, “I’m not going to use anything in public that advertises I can’t see perfectly without assistance!”

Stretch bit back the obvious reply that the literal claw marks ripping through his socket did more than enough 'advertising’ than glasses ever could.

“Besides, I don’t need it!”

This was an old argument he absolutely did not want to get into right now. “So what does the good ol’ Doc say?” Stretch asked instead, “Asgore was right about the glowing stuff?”

“Yes,” Edge leaned his head against the window, looking displeased, “It’s a first quarter symptom that occurs across all monster types, although it’s most noticeable in darker-hued monsters. Dramatically, sometimes- Moldsmals are able to match the brightness of the Underground’s magic crystals by the 10% mark.”

Stretch nodded, drumming his hands on the steering wheel, “That’s really cool. Why don’t you glow like that, then?”

He squinted, glancing at his husband with an impish smile. “Or do I need a reading monocle too?”

“It’s most likely a defense mechanism for the Moldsmals, and any other dark-hued monster,” Edge sounded annoyed, pointedly ignoring his bait, but the mood passed quickly enough, “Other monsters are less likely to step on them if they’re bright enough to see, since they are rather small. In worse situations, they would also be able to camouflage themselves with crystal clusters.”

“Sounds reasonable…” Stretch nodded, pulling into the crowded parking lot as he started looking at the rows of cars.

“By the blue truck,” Edge gestured to a free parking place on his side, “Brighter colors, on the other hand, have less of a need to stand out, resulting in a more muted glow. When Pancake is at 24%, my body should be able to light the space directly around me for a few feet. Helpful to a certain degree Underground, but useless on the Surface.”

“I guess that’s also why we didn’t notice,” Stretch bypassed the spot for one at the end of the row. He wasn’t about to risk letting a truck dent or scratch the car when he was driving it. “There’s a lot of natural and artificial light in our apartment, and pretty much everywhere up here, so it doesn’t really stand out much.”

“Mmhm,” Edge seemed to agree, unbuckling his seatbelt as the engine shut off, “Apparently the eyes have the brightest glow, but I can’t imagine that really stands out on a skeleton.”

He turned to face Stretch, “Are my eyes noticeably brighter?”

Stretch leaned forward as Edge kept unnaturally still, making a show of ducking his head to either side as he scrutinized his husband’s eyelights. They seemed… exactly the same, but then again, he was still under 15%, right? At least under 20. Maybe it’d really kick in another week from now.

Stretch pressed their mouths together in a chaste kiss before Edge could get concerned, leaning back to unbuckle his seatbelt with a wink.

“Eye think they’re beautiful, as always, darlin’.”

The surprised silence was short, with Edge quickly getting out of the car with an embarrassed flush to his cheeks. “I wanted an actual answer, you sap,” he tried to sound annoyed, but Stretch had plenty of experience picking up on his husband’s flattered and pleased undertones. He also didn’t miss the way sharp claws brushed against his fingers as Edge very deliberately waited for him to catch up.

“You’re going to glow, too, by the way,” Edge told him pleasantly, a mischievous glint in his bright(er?) eyelights.

“Me?” Stretch blinked, looking around as if to confirm Edge was actually talking to him, and not some other random person in the parking lot.

“You have objections?” Edge asked wryly, instinctively tensing when Stretch looped his arm around his shoulders. He forced himself to relax, leaning into his husband’s side, trying to keep his tone light, “Take it up with Pancake- it’s all their idea.”

“I would never!” Stretch did his best to sound solemn, giving Edge a squeeze before pulling away to put his hands in his hoodie pocket, keeping close enough their elbows brushed together. The one upside to parking so far away from the door. “I guess it makes sense, though. Monsters may not have obligate symbiotic relationships with their partners during pregnancy, but the importance of a positive and supportive emotional environment for the healthy development of the souling encourages more involvement. Certainly more intraspecific interactions than non-magical animal species.

“In this context, mutual bioluminescence wouldn’t just be an external indicator for others, then. It’s also establishing a more direct link with their non-pregnant parent as a form of, uh, emotional reassurance, I guess? But it’s a somewhat physical bond? Psychic? Hm. “ He rubbed at his chin, frowning at his other hand as he started counting something on his fingers, “I don’t remember. It’s been a while since those mandatory Physio-Repro classes in high school, I’ll have to dig around for my old textbook or something.”

Stretch looked up suddenly,  “I do have a question, though.”

Edge didn’t say anything at first, expression carefully blank if not a touch alarmed, “If you, of all monsters, don't understand something, I'm not sure what you expect me to say-”  He drew himself up to his full height, looking much more determined, “But I will do my best.”

“Heh.” Stretch grinned, taking the stairs two at a time to cut in front of his husband, “I was just wondering, you hungry? Even after a whole day spent making and eating pancakes with your delightful kids?”

Sighing wearily at the comment, Edge looked earnestly confused, “Of course not. Why?”

“Of cou-?” Stretch gestured at the restaurant with an expansive sweep of his arm, “We're just here for the ambience then?”

”I'm not hungry,” Edge sounded impatient, moving off to the side, away from the main doorway and other patrons, “But I know you are.” Edge hesitated, crossing his arms over his chest as he glanced at some of the lingering dampness on Stretch’s hoodie from where they had cleaned the batter earlier.

“You’re not that clumsy, Papí,” Edge sounded almost absent-minded as he leaned forward to pick at a dried speck Stretch had missed along his collar, “Chara put something in your batter that made it inedible, didn’t they? And you pretended to slip and spill it on yourself so no one else would accidentally eat it. It was too much salt, or something?”

“Or something,” Stretch agreed, putting his hands in his hoodie pocket and worrying at his ring. Soap. It was dishwashing soap. He probably would have been fine, since he didn’t have any organs to poison. But he was pretty sure that much soap was probably dangerous for humans. And since he had made his super delicious ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ batter and played it up so much, a lot of those kids would have wanted to sample it. The whole point of this exercise had been to share different flavors and toppings, bonding and sharing for caring or something.

Was it a “prank” that had just gotten out of hand? Did they know soap in that quantities was probably not good for humans? Had they been banking he would just find a way to hoard his pancakes and eat them all himself? Were they trying to get back at everyone else in the room, too? Should he tell Edge about it? Asgore or Queen Toriel? Probably, but what would he even say?

“Stretch?” Edge called out softly, the beginning of a worried crease between his browbones, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m good,” he smiled breezily, still feeling unsettled and conflicted, “Just thinking of what flavor cheesecake best conveys: ‘I told you so! That little demon has had it out for me since day one! And the more you try to defend me from them, the angrier they get and the more they hate me and the worse they act!’ I’m thinking probably anything that doesn’t have chocolate, ugh.”

Edge looked far from convinced, but he let the matter go, expression softening into something apologetic, “Chara was in rare form all day- I suppose they didn’t take to the news as well as I was hoping. Apparently, they’re having issues with Asriel too- pushing him down, pulling his ears, things like that. They’re jealous and angry, and I guess Pancake just made things worse. I’m sorry-”

“Ah, c’mon, Babe,” Stretch walked towards the front door, holding it open from the inside as Edge followed him in, “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. I’ll just keep avoiding them, they can pretend I don’t exist, and we’ll both be happy! Well, I’ll be happy, and  they’ll hopefully go back to their usual, slightly less angry self! Let’s just focus on delicious cheesecake and ignoring  huge, complex issues!”

“But-”

“Oh yeah, I nearly forgot!” Stretch turned around after exchanging a few pleasantries with the host, eyelights gleaming as he clapped his hands together, “This restaurant is notorious for its dim lighting, so we can check out that whole  G-L-O-W thing too! And it’s still bright enough that no nosy people will be able to tell. Ever the brilliant strategist and awesome hubby- catering to my sweet tooth and insatiable curiosity. Love you, Babe.”

“I-” Edge sighed, face growing hot as he pointedly looked away, failing to suppress a smile, “You.. too... In that case, I think the flavor you’ll probably want to order is Tiramisu. After you’ve had something more filling and nutritious, of course.”

Stretch made a face, sticking out his tongue for extra emphasis, “Ugh, no way- it’s so bland! Maybe like salted caramel for something a little more mellow.”

“Key lime, then.”

“Oh, mango key lime!”

“Ugh.”

[End of Recipe for Disaster]

[Part 1] [Part 2 - Here!]

[starshineskyandthepowerofrock]

Retrieval

Part 7 of Starshine, Sky, and the Power of Rock.

There are many perks to being a catgirl. I can hear things others could never dream of picking up on, my nose is highly sensitive, and, most relevant now, I have night vision. So now, I'm scanning rooftop after rooftop for any landmarks that I may be able to dig up from my memory. Fairy Dust Falls is thankfully small, but my bracelet is even smaller, so finding it will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Wait. I remember that bell tower! In fact... I plunge deep within my mind. Remember, Star... Yes, I had seen it right before my bracelet snapped!

"Down there!" I tell Sky, and she has Guillotine land us right in town square, a move I'm at first wary of until I notice that it's utterly deserted.

"You guys don't stay out late, huh?" Sky asks.

I shrug. "I wouldn't really know. I spend all my nights in the palace. But you'd think somebody would be out right now."

"Yeah..." Sky replies. She stares into space for a second, contemplating something. But it's apparently worth dismissing because she shakes her head a bit and goes, "Come on. Let's start looking."

About a half hour of fruitless searching later, my hopes are primed to be dashed. If only we could at least ask someone! I'm sure anyone would be more than willing to help the princess. But alas, the only person Sky and I can see for miles around is each other. There is an eerie silence in the air, occasionally cut through by one of us informing the other of a false lead. Most of the shops are closed, too. Oh, but there's one!

The small store, blandly labeled "Jewelry" in a font that looks like the definition of "default," is a beacon of light in an ocean of "Sorry, we're closed" signs. I peek through the window to find an older fairy man, arms crossed and eyes closed behind a checkout desk absolutely littered with trinkets that even from here look fake. No piece has a duplicate, and they have been arranged with nothing even resembling rhyme or reason. From this mess of cheap metal and garish plastic shines the tiniest sliver of silver.

"I think I found it!" I tell Sky. "Let's go get it!"

She comes over, excited, but deflates when she sees the shop. "Oh no."

"What?"

"I can't go in there."

I giggle. "I know, I wouldn't be caught dead in any of that stuff."

Sky shakes her head. "No, I mean I literally can't get in a building I haven't been invited into. No monster can."

"Really?" I say. "How does that even work?"

"Like this." Sky walks up to the door, prepares to grab the handle but is stopped by some invisible force field.

"Oh," I say. "That must suck. But it's fine, I can just go get it!" And with that, I waltz right in. The man jolts back into the waking world upon my entering. Before he's able to get a word in, I say, "Excuse me, sir, but it seems there's been a misunderstanding. See, this bracelet" - I pick up my bracelet and inspect the little star-shaped diamond charms that adorn it - "is actually mine. Funny story, really, I drop-"

"Prove it," the man interrupts in a gruff voice.

Shock renders me incapable of speech for a moment. I stammer before replying, "Excuse me?"

"Last I checked, it was in my shop, so it's mine."

I scoff. "This is a custom-made bracelet! The queens themselves ordered it! Do you know how many salaries it would take to afford-"

"If you want it to be yours, you'll have to pay for it."

I'm gripping onto my last shred of patience like my life depends on it. Maybe he hasn't gotten a good look at me. I lean in close so he can get a better view. "Do you know who I am?" I ask slowly.

He leans in, too. "As a matter of fact, I don't. I know who you're trying to look like, though."

I blink in confusion. "Excuse me?"

"You think I'm some kinda fool? What princess is coming to my shop in the middle of the night with a friend like that?" Oh. I guess he saw Sky. "On a night like this, too? I'm no moron. You think I didn't see your little friend duck out like that?"

"Duck out?" I glance at the window to find Sky nowhere in sight.

The man grabs me by the collar. "No spell is gonna fool me into thinking you're not some kinda monster freak. What're you two doing? Where's she hiding?"

"I don't know!" I exclaim. I wrest myself from his grip. I have to get out of here!

I burst out into the streets. "Sky!" I shout.

No response.

"SKY!" I repeat.

Silence. No, not silence. I can hear my own breaths getting heavier and heavier. She left me. No, she wouldn't do that. Would she? I don't know her! Maybe she didn't hear me.

"SKYLAR-"

I'm yanked into an alley. A room temperature hand, rough yet feminine, is clamped over my mouth so tight I can't dream of making a sound. The back of my head is against my assailant's chest, and I rise and fall with her ragged breaths. Her other arm is locked over my middle so that I can't lift my own arms. All I can do is nose-breathe, and I do so loudly.

"Shh..." Sky's cold lips just graze my ear, which twitches in response.

The hushing does all but calm me down. I should have known! What was I thinking, trusting a monster? I broke curfew because of her! I snuck out! I met a thief tonight! And now... who knows what's gonna happen to me?

Horseshoes clop in the distance. Many horseshoes. Sky's grip on me tightens, and I'm unsure if I'm still breathing.

"Don't... move..." Sky whispers. No, it's not even a whisper, more like the suggestion of a sound.

I want to ask her what will happen if I do move, but my lips won't budge right now.

The hoof steps stop. Sky is shaking. She brings me closer into her and now I know I can't breathe.

"The voice had to have come from around here," a young man's voice says, cool and even.

"I don't see anyone," a teenage girl says with impatience.

"Can we let it drop?" another girl asks. "We have better things to do."

Silence. Then, the man says, "Let's go."

No! Wait! Come back! Those people could have helped me out! Who knows if another person will come? I sure don't! I need to get out of here! I need to escape!

I muster as much raw will power as I can, shove Sky off of me, and run into the street.

"Help!" I shout.

Monsters. I'm face-to-face with a whole band of monsters, all on horses every bit as terrifying as Sky's. They look just as shocked to see me as I am to see them.

Front and center is a werewolf man with wolf ears pointing from the top of his mess of gray hair, a guitar strapped to his back, and a truly excessive amount of guyliner. He's the only one in their black and pink leather uniforms to wear a cape, so I guess he's important. Interesting, considering he can't be older than 25 with that youthful face. He'd actually be kind of cute, if it weren't for the murder in his acid yellow eyes.

Flanking him are two vampire girls that look around my age. They look more like what I'd expect vampires to look like: black hair, ashen complexions, glowing eyes the color of fresh blood. One has her ends dyed to match her eye color, and she regards me the way one regards toenail clippings. The other wears her hair in a messy ponytail that couldn't dream of holding it all, and almost all of it save the roots is dyed pink. Her eyes look poised to pop out of her skull. She seems rabid. Both girls wear a black circlet with a center who's shape matches the shape of the clasp on the werewolf's cape: a pink heart, broken in two. The national symbol of the Isle of Isolation. They're with the Band of Darkness.

We can only stare at each other for a moment. When my body allows me to move again, I turn to run, but more monsters close in on me on all sides until I'm in the center of a monster circle. Their initial shock has given way to slimy grins.

The werewolf hops off his horse. "Well, isn't this a treat? Princess Starshine herself! What's someone like you doing outside the palace?" he says, his voice dripping with sadistic glee. He's getting too close. I step back. He brings his hand to his chest, feigning embarrassment. "Oh, how could I forget?" He bows with mock grandiosity. "Your Highness."

The monsters' laughter permeates the night air. The werewolf leans in far too close for comfort. In a move too fast for me to stop, he runs his fingers through my hair, brings a tress to his nose, and inhales.

Okay, forget what I said about him being cute. "UNHAND ME, YOU CREEP!" I shout, slapping his hand away.

The werewolf rolls his eyes and backs away some. "Don't flatter yourself, Princess, I'm only getting your scent."

"That should prove useful," the vampire with the red tips says.

The pink-haired vampire groans. "Why does everything have to be 'useful'? Do you know how long I've wanted to rip her to shreds?"

"Remember the prophesy, Your Highness. We don't want anything happening that could disrupt your final battle," the werewolf says to her, considerably more businesslike despite the bloodlust that lingers in his eyes.

Wait. Your Highness? Prophesy? Oh noooo...

"Princess Persephone?" I say in a small voice.

Persephone smiles a horrible, twisted smile that exposes all of her teeth, including her razor-sharp fangs. She hops off her horse. "The one and only!" she says, then tugs on one of her earrings. A pink and black headset materializes onto her head, and she immediately makes a beeline for me. "But you should get to know me as the girl that's going to destroy you!"

The werewolf grabs her by the collar as if she's a puppy. "What did I just say?"

Persephone tries to wrestle out of his grip, frustrated. "Oh, come on, Boris, I never get to have any fun!"

The other vampire checks her nails. "Sure you don't."

"Cut the attitude, Princess Faylin," Boris says. "And as for you..." He yanks Persephone back and gives her a scolding look. "You can't destroy the Heir to Light before the time is right."

The implication that he'd be okay with my destruction otherwise is unsettling, to say the least. But I still relax a bit. "So, you'll let me go?"

Boris looks incredulous. "I said we won't destroy you." He lets go of Persephone and his horrible smile returns. "That doesn't mean we can't rough you up a bit."

My stomach fills with dread as I helplessly watch the monsters ready their instruments...

"LEAVE HER ALONE!"  

Sky has emerged from the alley. Her jaw is set and her hands are in tight fists. She's trying to stand tall, but she's easily shorter than the vast majority of these monsters.

All joy has drained from Boris's eyes, and in its place is pure fury. "What..." he says through clenched teeth, "am I looking at?"

"Is that a vampire wearing the uniform for that stupid school?" Persephone asks, repulsed.

"It is," Faylin says.

Boris narrows his eyes. I can practically feel the heat from the rage that bubbles just beneath his skin. "Traitor."

As if on command, the monsters all jump for Sky. They tear at her clothes, her hair. I try to run to her aid, but I'm seized by two particularly burly ones. She does her best to fight back, but they drag her to right in front of Boris. One kicks the backs of her knees in, and she falls into a kneel before him.

Boris stoops slowly until he's on her level. Sky tries to look away, but Boris grabs her by her bangs, forces her head forward, and looks her dead in the eyes. He only stares at her at first, watching her struggle in his grip. Then he says, in a whisper that hits harder than a scream ever could, "I don't know how you got here. I don't know what you think you're doing here." He takes her tie in his hand, strokes it, turns it over in his fingers. It repulses him. "But I do know what happens to traitors." He resumes eye contact. "And so do you."

She spits in his face.

Boris releases her, exclaiming in disgust and wiping his eyes. At a loss for words, he points down repeatedly as he stands back up.

One of the monsters grabs a fistful of Sky's hair and yanks it forward, bringing her into a bow that leaves the back of her neck exposed. Boris removes his guitar from his back, and it's now I see the body isn't a normal guitar body. It's a giant axe head.

"Hold her still," he says. "I want one clean swing this time."

It takes everything to keep dinner in my stomach when I realize what he's about to do. No. I can't just watch this happen, even if they force me! Especially when I'm the one that got her in this mess! But what can a tiny fourteen-year-old girl do against a bunch of full-grown monsters?

...Duh! Exactly what that same girl did as an even tinier six-year-old!

It's been a hot minute since I did any sort of combat magic, at least outside of a controlled environment. But that doesn't matter now. I take the deepest breath yet, until my whole trunk is filled with air, and sing.

I hadn't thought much about what would happen after this first note, so I'll just have to sustain it until I know what to do next. Luckily, I've managed to at least throw these guys off of me.

Boris snarls at me, and beckons the princesses to join him at his side. The Band begins a crushingly powerful song. But I'm not backing down. My head rushes to identify the beats per minute, and once I've got it down I do my best to weave my voice into the flow. I have to. If my singing brought their song to a screeching halt, things would go worse for everyone.

Oh, but I'm awful at melodies! I can't sing the same two notes and expect it to work! My knees begin to buckle underneath me. The magical pressure from their song is closing in on me from all angles. I don't know how much longer I can do this.

I glance down at Sky to find her no longer on the ground. Panicking, my head whips all around until I see her above the action, once again a bat. I'll question that later. In the meantime, seeing her has inspired me.

I recall the Save the World poem I wrote. My mind races, and before it's finished grafting the words to the tune Sky had shown me in the common room, I'm already singing this brand new song.

The pressure begins to lift. I can see it in their faces; they're starting to struggle. I change the key to shake things up. It's working! I can do this!

Sky swoops down and changes back to normal in a puff of red smoke. She starts harmonizing. Our voices pull at each other in a wonderful way. Power wells up inside of me and pours from the depths of my belly into the night.

The monsters stumble back. The tide is turning! How is this possible? Even the music is taking on a more familiar tone. It almost sounds like the Band of Light! Wait.

I turn around. There's mom with her usual double-neck guitar. And there's the multitude of pastel-clad band members behind her, all fending off the Band of Darkness. There's a fury in Mom's eyes that I've never seen in them before. She's not playing, just staring at me. Then at Sky. Oh no.

⭐⭐⭐

Considering she's my mom, I've obviously found myself in the Dean of Discipline's office before. But I never thought I'd sit on this side of the desk.

My leg is bouncing like crazy, but I'm otherwise stiff as a board. How is Sky so calm about all of this? Look at her, just slouching like that in the other Bad Kid Chair. Okay, they're not called that, but they may as well be. Because only bad kids sit in these chairs. And here we are. Sitting in them.

"You really didn't have to do that," Sky says, breaking the silence.

"What, save you? I didn't need them lopping off your head!"

"They weren't going to. I was waiting for the right time to turn into a bat and distract them. Then you could have escaped. We both could have."

I scoff. "Well, sorry for not being a mind-reader!"

Sky stares at the floor, arms crossed. We sit in awkward silence again. "I didn't mean it like that," she says. "I just meant... fighting them like that... and... saving me... that was really cool. So, I guess I'm just trying to... uh..."

"Thank me?"

"Yeah."

We both turn our heads upon the door opening. Mom enters, coffee mug in hand. She takes a swig, slams it on the desk, and sits down.

"Mom, I can expla-"

She holds up a hand. "I am going to explain how this looks from my perspective. And you two are going to listen. Not speak. Listen. If there's anything I missed, you can tell me when I'm done." She takes another sip and continues. "My experience with monsters has been consistently bad. I've seen monsters commit atrocities I'd hope your young minds could never conceive of. Entire villages razed with no seeming rhyme or reason. So, you can imagine my..." She struggles to find the right word. "...concern when one of these creatures finds themselves in my school. My base. My home. So, forgive me if I just don't find you all that trustworthy to begin with."

"It's the cartilage piercings, isn't it?" Sky says dryly. "Mom said they'd give people the wrong idea."

Mom exhales sharply through her nose before continuing. "I was willing to play along at first. After all, I'm only queen consort. Sunshine outranks me, and she makes decisions about the school and who attends it. But when I'm woken in the middle of the night on the first day of school to find out the princess... the Heir to Light... my daughter has been led directly into the Band of Darkness's line of fire, I think my suspicions are justified."

"'Led'? I led her into that?" Sky shifts forward in her seat.

I'd better interject. "Mom, she was trying to keep me away from the Band-"

"How can you be sure?" Mom responds. "You don't know as much about her as you think."

Sky stands up. "And what, you know everything about me just because I'm a vampire?"

Mom sits there for a moment. Then, she slowly stands until she towers over Sky. "I admit," she says evenly, "that my initial suspicions were unfair. However. They motivated me to do a little digging regarding you."

"Ooh, you know my middle name," Sky says.

"It's Marie. Alongside that, I also found out that you've been kicked out of multiple schools."

Sky shrugs. "Okay, so I've gotten in a few fights."

"You have a criminal history," Mom continues.

"You WHAT?" I blurt.

"That's a fancy way of saying I got arrested, like, twice. I got bailed out each time."

"And you have ties to the Band of Darkness," Mom finishes.

Sky doesn't have a comeback for that one.

"Sky... Is that true?" I ask. As much as don't want to, I can't help imagining Sky in that black and pink uniform. Doing all the same horrible things those other monsters have been doing as long as I've known. And smiling all the while with the same lopsided grin she's been giving me all day.

Sky can't look at me, so she looks at the floor instead. "I'm not with them anymore. I've never hurt anyone. I left them when I found out what they were really doing. That's why I came here. I couldn't just sit around knowing they were going around killing people." She looks up at Mom. "So, yes, I was with the Band of Darkness. Was."

I think back to our encounter with the Band of Darkness. It makes a lot more sense knowing that. I nod. "It's true, Mom, the Band of Darkness wasn't happy to see her. This crazy werewolf guy tried to chop her head off."

Mom stares at me. She knows I couldn't lie if I wanted to. "Okay. But you two still broke curfew."

"That was my fault," I say, my voice breaking. "I dropped my bracelet during my fly with Citrus and- and- and she was just helping me find it. I'm sorry!" Tears roll down my face.

Mom's expression softens. "Oh, Star..." She takes my hands in hers. "I know that bracelet means a lot to you. It means a lot to me, too. But you mean so much more."

"I'm s- I'm sorry for making you worry," I snivel.

"No, this is all my fault," Sky says. "It was my idea to sneak out."

"But I chose to go with you!"

"Regardless of whose idea it was," Mom says, "You both knowingly and willingly broke the rules. And you got yourselves in deep trouble in the process. So you both need punishment."

Oh no.

"Both of you will spend your weekend cleaning the palace stables."

"It takes a whole weekend to clean the stables?" Sky asks.

"Have you seen how many horses we have? Not to mention nearly every student has brought one on top of that," Mom replies.

Sky sucks in the air through her teeth. "I see why that's a punishment."

⭐⭐⭐

I'm headed for my room for some long-overdue sleep when I hear footsteps behind me.

"Hey, Star!" Sky calls. I stop and let her catch up. "I, uh, almost forgot," she says, digging in her shallow blazer pocket. "I made a quick stop before we got back here." She pulls out my bracelet.

I gasp.

She scratches the back of her head. "Sorry about the broken latch. But that probably means you outgrew it anyway. At least you can still have it around, though. Right?"

I hold it with trembling hands. "How did you..."

"I don't have a criminal history for nothing," she says, winking. "But look at it this way: he stole it from you, so is it really stealing to just take it back?"

"I guess that makes sense," I say. "But you said you can't enter buildings-"

"Unless I'm invited. No rule I can't trick 'em into it."

I giggle for a reason I can't identify. "Sky, I..."

Sky smiles. "Yeah?"

"Thank you. I can't wait to be in a band with you."

[jerevino]

i wrote the beginnings of a freewood au based on the post : “vampires always like “i could kill you if I wanted” like? yeah? so could another human being. so could a dog. so could a dedicated duck. you arent special”

part one of ??

Gavin knew full well how dangerous this side of town could be; there were dozens of stories a month of people getting stabbed or worse, in the dim lit alleys of a city at sleep. But his film shoot had gone longer than he’d anticipated, and some places just couldn’t be avoided. Fortunately, he was more than prepared for the long trek back to his hotel; a knife in his bag, and a lifetime full of running was more than enough protection from the monsters lurking in the dark.

Still, he had to admit that the drinking blood part had thrown him for a loop.

His own blood ran cold. Try as he might to have chalked the scene off to exhaustion, there was no denying the sight. A man, blond and tall, had his teeth sunk into the neck of the spasming corpse of a young woman; and the blood coated everything. There was no end to the red as it soaked into their clothing - and maybe Gavin might have been able to slink away if his blasted gag reflex hadn’t chosen a horrible time to rear its nasty head.

Blue eyes flashed dangerously at the sudden intrusion, the corpse falling to the ground with a wet slap, and damn it, he was gagging again - Through his horrid coughing, Gavin turned to flee, fear swelling in his throat amidst the nausea. But the man -- vampire? That couldn’t be right, they didn’t exist. Must’ve been a psychopath with a literal taste for blood -- He stepped forward, palms raised in a placating gesture.

“Stop. I’m not going to kill you. Not if you keep the police out of it, and pretend you didn’t see any of this. And I could kill you, if I wanted, so you’d better keep that in mind.”

Gavin stopped in his tracks, fist over his mouth as he fought down another wave of coughs. He should have been screaming for help, or running for his life-- since, despite the calm tone with which the man spoke, Gavin supposed his words weren’t entirely false. But his heart was still racing, and he couldn’t quite look at the corpse without another wave of nausea washing over him, and keeping that under control was debilitating enough, so he chose to meet this -quite possible- serial killer in the eyes.

“Well… That’s not really all that impressive, is it?”

Leave it to Gavin Free to make an unintentionally snarky comment in the face of potential death; nervously so, with his fingers quaking. By some stroke of luck, the absolute-not-a-vampire didn’t seem to turn murderous at the insult -- if anything, he seemed quite offended.

“Excuse me?” He asked, voice low, brow quirked. “You saw what I was doing. You don’t think this is impressive?”

Gavin swallowed nervously, a timid grin splitting his lips as he debated the best way to get out of there alive. “I just mean, it’s not like you’re the only one who could kill me. Killing is pretty easy, innit? Just chuck a knife at their head. Anyone could do that. But if you’re not going to kill me, am I free to leave?”

The bastard was smirking, and if Gavin wasn’t going to shite his pants before, he might very well now. He had about three seconds before he took off running, his reserves of bravery spent. That smirk didn’t bode well (mind you, neither did the body, or the blood still staining this man’s face), and Gavin’s teeth began to chatter.

“I guess it’s not that hard. I could kill you slowly, draining you of blood while I hang you from your toes. Is that impressive?”

“Sounds bloody psychotic. Again - if you’re not going to kill me, can I take up that offer of pretending I never saw anything?”

The man took a step forward, and Gavin skittered backwards, fight or flight response kicking heavy into flight mode. Maybe his nervous, defensive chatting had gone too far, and this vampire-inspired maniac would change his mind on killing him. He wasn’t sure whether to humour the man for a few more seconds, or take his chances with running.

“You don’t want an explanation?”

Gavin shook his head, pupils blown wide with fear. “I’m not going to say anything. S’probably better if I don’t ask questions, then. Y-you do whatever you like, you’re not gonna hear a peep out of me. I’m going to leave.”

He wasn’t sure where that last wave of bravado had come from, but before the vampire-wannabe could say anything further, Gavin turned tail and sprinted down the road. His lungs threatened to burst, but his stampede didn’t end until he was safely inside his hotel.

Gavin reached for his wallet, fingers trembling so bad he couldn’t get a grip on it. And -- wait, his wallet wasn’t in his bloody pockets at all.  He pissed around with his pockets for several long minutes, hoping beyond hope that he was just a minor idiot, not a major idiot; one who had left his smegging wallet, with his ID, keycard, and personal information at the site of a crime, and in the presence of a vampire-themed serial killer.

No, surely he wasn’t that much of an idiot.

But the wallet wasn’t there, and if his heart hadn’t been racing before, it sure was now. The killer would have his name, his address, and access to all his personal information.

“Gavin, you bloody idiot…” He muttered, hands splayed across his face as he contemplated the possibilities. He couldn’t get into his room without his key, or his identification; and even if he somehow managed to convince the front desk to let him in, it wasn’t safe - Not with a killer in possession of his key. Fortunately, he hadn’t been enough of a moron to lose his phone as well, and with mild trepidation, he dialed one of the numbers in his contacts. This wasn’t going to go well.

He heard the dial tone, and then -

“The fuck do you want? It’s fuckin’... one in the morning, Gav. Did they kick you offa that shoot, or whatever?”

“Geoff, I’ve had a hell of a night, and I’m locked out of my shitting hotel room. You’re not going to believe this story, but… I need you to come get me.”

He heard a groan on the other line, but knew well enough that Geoff would do so - Even if it was an hour or so drive. “Man, I was havin’ this really awesome sex dream, and--”

“Geoff, please.”

The chatting on the other line came to an end, and then Gavin heard Geoff sigh. “...Fine. You sound like you’re in dire straights, dude. Text me the address, I’ll be there in a while.”

“Thanks, Geoff.”

~

Ryan had not intended on getting caught that night. Feeding was an inconvenient and messy part of his lifestyle, but he’d never been so sloppy in the execution. Leave it to a gangly disaster of a British boy to catch him in the act; and proceed to make conversation with him as though there wasn’t a bloody body between them.

He could deal with the police, should the boy choose to call them; that was a mess he’d have to deal with later. First and foremost was the body. As he stooped down to pick it up (planning on dumping it in the ravine several miles out of town), when his sharp gaze was drawn to a lump of brown fabric on the ground. Was that… a wallet?

Had the British kid actually managed to leave his wallet here? Ryan snorted, hardly believing the misfortune the poor kid was having that night, and he snatched it up.

“Gavin Free, hmm?” He mused aloud, eyeing the ID card with mild intrigue. He’d have to take care of the boy eventually, but for now, he’d give him the night to wallow in fear and debate over the right course of action.

Gavin Free… A nice name. I’ll inevitably be seeing more of you.

[sevenbirdsinflight]

Tres Hero Boys

@questbedhead’s post inspired me to write arcswap fic because it’s such a great concept. this was definitely supposed to be short and then it spiraled out of control

Their first mission goes pretty terribly.

The man they’ve been asked to subdue doesn’t look like much. He’s tall and thin, dressed in the most ridiculous costume – a shimmering black cloak over a long, purple dress emblazoned with a black spider symbol. The staff in his hands also has a spider at the top of it, and Taako has to give him points for sticking to his theme even if it does look tacky as hell. (Not that the matching red spandex uniforms they’ve been forced into are much better.)

The man himself doesn’t look like a threat – he’s even smiling and waving at them as they approach – but behind him stands a massive, black spider with dozens of angry, red eyes, and Taako takes one look at it and thinks fuck this.

He signed up to get super powers, not get eaten by a giant spider.

Luckily, Magnus looks enthusiastic enough for the both of them, so while he and Merle rush towards the man, Taako hangs back. The captain reminded them that they have to stay in range as they were leaving, so he sticks around instead of running, but he keeps as much distance from the fight as he possibly can. 100 yards is pretty far, though; he figures as long as he keeps them within sight, it should be fine.

Magnus leaps straight into the fight and tries to literally wrestle the giant spider to the ground while Merle sends some tree roots at the man. The spider manages to push Magnus away, and he slides a few feet across the ground and into the side of a parked car. He jumps up quickly, then picks up the entire car and holds it over his head, ready to swing down on the spider as a makeshift weapon.

Taako can’t help but grin gleefully from his spot on the sidelines – this is one of the most ridiculous things he’s ever seen, and Magnus may be a hotheaded dumbass, but he sure is entertaining. Taako steps back to lean against the wall behind him so he can enjoy the show more comfortably, but the minute he moves backwards, he feels something inside him snap.

The little bundle of power he’s felt inside himself ever since the transformation vanishes instantly, and then he hears Magnus start yelling as both he and the car topple over, the weight suddenly too much for him to handle.

“What happened?” the captain asks. The three of them sit across from him in his office, still dressed in their stupid red uniforms. Magnus has a sling around one arm and an entire half of his body is purpling into a painful looking bruise. He has some dried blood smudged under his nose. Merle has a black eye and fairly bad road rash down one arm.

Taako’s absolutely fine.

He feels several eyes drilling into him, but he ignores them, studying his nails. The polish has chipped, so he resolves to repaint them when they’re done. Maybe blue this time? Or should he match it to their uniforms?

“I would have had him if Taako hadn’t run away,” Magnus says, and both his teammates bristle in response.

“You would have?” Merle barks. “I was there too!”

“I didn’t run away,” Taako argues, because he might be a coward but he doesn’t appreciate Magnus accusing him of it. “I was giving you the space to do your thing, my man.”

“Yeah, too much space,” Magnus says, his voice much too loud in the small office.

The captain pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. “I told you your abilities wouldn’t work if you weren’t within 100 yards of each other.”

“Well, I didn’t bring a yard stick with me,” Taako says. “I misjudged the distance.”

“Then I have a suggestion,” the captain says. He lowers her hand and directs a steely-eyed stare at him. It’s more intimidating than Taako would admit, especially since the captain is like half his height. “Stick closer to your teammates next time.”

It doesn’t take Magnus long to get over the whole incident. He grumbles and glares at Taako for the rest of the day, but by breakfast he’s smiling and cheery again, describing the dog he saw recently with great excitement and wondering aloud whether the captain’s “no dogs in the ��Burg” rule has any exceptions while Taako tries his best to ignore him.  

It’s far faster than it would have taken Taako to get over it, but he suspects Magnus might actually be incapable of holding a grudge – though he does insist Taako do everything he can’t do one-handed as an apology. He accepts this without argument, because opening a few jars is far better than having to actually apologize.

When Magnus’s arm finally heals, the captain forces them through more training before he sends them out in the field again. They get paired off against Team Sweet Flips, and surprisingly manage this fight a lot better than they had the real one.

They still lose, but at least they manage to take out Carey before Noelle grabs their flag.

Taako gets more involved in their second mission, but it’s only partially because of the captain’s orders and mostly because he really enjoys taunting their opponent.

“Can you do anything?” he laughs as Jenkins fails once again to hit him. “Because I can do this!” He lets his body grow and stretch, reshaping into a new form that towers above the man before him, and he hopes his smug grin remains even as a T-Rex.

Jenkins pales, and Taako lashes his sharp teeth a few times just for the affect. He feels powerful and badass, and it doesn’t even matter than Magnus and Merle are focused on subduing the monsters Jenkins create instead of helping him, because Taako’s got this. He’s good.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he sees Magnus dart away from the rest of them, charging determinedly towards something Taako can’t see, and dread pools in his stomach as he realizes what’s about to happen just a few seconds before it does.

Taako tries to yell at him to stop, but forgets he can’t speak in this form. Magnus keeps moving, and then there’s a snap, and Taako’s back in his normal form.

Jenkins stares at him in surprise for just a moment, before his mouth pulls up into a delighted grin. “Who’s a shitty superhuman now?” he taunts as another monster appears behind him. Taako can’t even duck before a massive, meaty fist punches him right in the face.

The black eye is almost impossible to hide with makeup, but Taako still tries. He’s pulling out a new shade of cover-up to try when there’s a knock at his bedroom door. He doesn’t even look up to yell, “Go away, Magnus!”

His teammate had been far guiltier about getting Taako hurt than Taako had been after their first fight, and he’d been hovering over him since they got out of their debrief with the captain, until Taako yelled at him to leave him alone and barricaded himself in his room. If he hears one more apology, he’s going to scream.

The door swings open anyways, and he turns to yell at Magnus before he realizes it’s Lup.

“Woof,” she says. “That’s quite the shiner.”

He deflates as she jumps up on his bed. “Yeah, Maggie got out of range and let me get my ass kicked.”

“That’s the one that calls himself ‘The Hammer’, right?”

“That’s the one,” Taako says, then sighs and throws the cover-up down in defeat and moves to sit next to his sister, dropping his head down onto her shoulder.

“You guys still having trouble staying in range?” she asks as she brings a hand up to card gently through his hair. “What happened this time?”

“Magnus saw someone in trouble or something and ran after them.”

“Well,” Lup says. “Can’t fault him for that, I guess.”

“I can,” he says stubbornly, and Lup snorts, then flicks him on the forehead.

“You’re still beautiful, babe. Don’t worry.”

He smiles at that, then asks, “How’s your group?” Lup groans dramatically.

“They paired me up with two nerds, Koko. I don’t know who’s worse. Mr. I-Wanted-To-Be-A-Conductor wants to play classical music during our training, but Barry thinks ketchup is spicy. Ketchup, Koko.”

She sounds truly pained by this, and Taako can’t help but laugh.

“Barry’s pretty good in a fight, though, even though he really doesn’t look it, and we’ve been kicking ass so far, but Kravitz yelled at me after the last fight for starting a fire. He gets that’s like my whole thing, right?”

“He sounds like the worst,” Taako tells her, hating the guy just on principle.

“And Magnus sounds like a dumbass,” Lup adds.

“They should have just put us together.” It’s sort of a joke, except that he means it with his whole heart.

“Nah,” Lup says, grabbing his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You couldn’t keep up with me.”

Their third fight is successful.

Taako stays with the group this time, though he still hangs back as much as possible. Turns out that as long as he stays within range, Magnus still does most of the work. Merle sort of helps, though the vines he sends at Marvee seem to trip Magnus up more than the bad guy.

Still, they manage to successfully subdue Marvee with relatively no injuries. Magnus get a few cuts on his face, but they’re more superficial than anything and he actually seems pretty proud of them.

The captain even tells them, “Good job,” after their debief.

It actually feels pretty good to come back victorious, and Taako goes to find Lup to rub their victory in her face. Looks like hers isn’t the only team that can kick bad guy butt.

The next time they get sent out, they’re supposed to track down a giant worm. Taako’s not even kidding. A fucking giant worm that spits fire and has been terrorizing the city’s citizens. What the hell has his life become?

They track the worm to the subway tunnels it’s using to get around, and Taako takes one look at the stairs down to the subway and changes his mind about being a team player.

“Okay, here’s the thing,” he says from the top step. Magnus is already almost to the bottom, Merle not too far behind him. “I’m not going in there. You chucklefucks have fun. Taako’s good out here.”

“But Taako you have to come with us,” Magnus argues.

“Nope. Uh-uh.” He folds his arms over his chest and points his face stubbornly in the air. “You do what you want, but I’m not going down into a dark, underground tunnel to get eaten by a worm. Taako’s not going into that walking death trap, no thanks.”

“How the hell are we supposed to fight it then?” Merle asks.

“I don’t know, throw some vines at it?” He shrugs. “Or whatever you do? I’ll stay within range so you can do your thing, but I’m not going down there.”

“That doesn’t even make any sense!” Merle starts to argue, but Magnus storms up to the top of the stairs and grabs Taako before he realizes what’s happening, throwing him over his shoulder.

“Hey, what are you doing!?” he yells as Magnus starts walking back down the stairs. “No! Put me down! I said I’m staying out here!” He pounds his fists on Magnus’s back, but the man doesn’t even flinch.

“And then he picked me up like a sack of potatoes and just dragged me in there, even though I told him I wasn’t doing it.”

Lup laughs so hard she nearly snorts the soda she’s drinking out of her nose. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened. “Oh, that’s great. I gotta meet this guy.”

Taako flicks a piece of potato across the table at her. “Whose side are you on?”

“He’s an action first kind of guy. I can appreciate that. So did you find the worm?”

“Yeah, we found the worm,” Taako exclaims. “And it tried to eat us! And we had to all run away because, surprise, it was much stronger and bigger than us!” His voice goes up a full octave as he talks, getting squeakier and threatening to crack. “And I nearly died because Magnus rushes in!”

first TAZ fic I’ve written, so I’m still getting used to everyone’s voices

so headcanons for this little au:

Taako is a shapeshifter and doesn’t have a hero name or secret identity. Magnus has super strength and goes by The Hammer. Merle controls plants and I’m not sure what his hero name is yet. They have red uniforms.

Other teams are the Reaper Squad who wear black uniforms. Lup can control fire/turn herself into fire and goes by Phoenix. I haven’t decided on Kravitz’s powers yet, but he goes by “Reaper”. And Barry can turn into a spectral spirit, and I haven’t figured out a name for him yet.

Team Sweet Flips wear blue uniforms. Killian can transform into essentially the Incredible Hulk, though it’s by choice; no clue what her name is. Carey can turn invisible and goes by “Rogue” because I couldn’t come up with better. And Noelle can control electronics (and her catchphrase is “hero time!”)

[hale-of-stiles-heart]

A prompt for Valentine fic, if you don't mind c: So: first time Stiles gets a date for Valentine, detailed plans and all, but that morning he's being stood up and shit goes down with a new baddy, so he's kind of freaking done, and he also gets hurt (but not too much) so Derek, feeling how much he's sad and angry, since Der called him there, decides to make up for it even with his awkward social skills and angry eyebrows. Cool date (and sex, if you're up to) ensues. HAPPY ENDING yeah c: Thanks c:

Also on ao3!

Stiles brought the bat down on the kelpie’s head again with a sickeningly wet thud. He raised it only to slam it back down on the creature’s pulverized cranium, bone cracking under the overzealous assault.

The rest of the pack looked on in a mix of horror and morbid fascination as Stiles continued to literally beat the dead supernatural horse. Black blood seeped out of the kelpie’s many various wounds, painting the rocky riverside with dark gore, the moss stained by the dark blood.

After a couple hikers had been reported missing in the preserve earlier that day, the pack had spent hours trying to figure out what had happened, attempting to decide whether or not there was a supernatural component or not. Their suspicions had intensified when the hiker’s dead bodies were found downstream, pre-mortem slashes and bruises covering them, fluid in their lungs indicating that they had drowned.

It was Stiles who had come to the conclusion that a kelpie was responsible for the deaths of the couple, pointing out the hoof shaped contusions on one of the men’s chests. Derek deeming it very plausible, the pack had taken to the preserve, searching the area in which the hikers had gone missing for any sign of the kelpie.

After over two hours of canvassing the area, searching for the creature, it had made its whereabouts known by bellowing out a deafening roar when Isaac got a little too close to the river where it was residing. In response, Isaac had thrown his head back and howled for reinforcements while trying to fight off the crazed kelpie.

The rest of the pack had arrived in time to save Isaac from getting his skull crushed by one of the kelpie’s hooves, Derek tugging him out of harm’s way with a ferocious roar of his own. The alpha had received a lash to his face from the kelpie’s whip-like tail of seaweed for his troubles, a line of blood smattered across his face as he flashed his bright red eyes at the kelpie.

With the pack surrounding it, the kelpie had become even more aggressive, lashing out at them whenever one of them so much as breathed, leaving almost all of them wounded, dragging a few of them into the river with it as it attempted to escape. Crawling out of the frigid water, Stiles had ended things with one fell swing of his bat, the kelpie collapsing on the riverbank with a loud thump, but once Stiles started, he couldn’t stop.

He was pissed. It was Valentine’s Day and there he was in the middle of the preserve, soaking wet with his side throbbing from where the kelpie had scratched him with the sharp edge of one of its hooves.

He grunted as he continued his assault on the kelpie’s skull, the rest of the pack wincing each time he landed a blow on the kelpie’s head, eyes riveted to the gut-wrenching scene. Eventually, after several excruciating minutes of the violence, a hand shot out to grab the bat, sparing the kelpie corpse another hit and stopping Stiles in his tracks

“What?!” Stiles growled, snapping his head up to meet Peter’s eyes, baring his teeth in a human snarl, panting heavily as he tightened his grip on the bat. Peter just rolled his eyes at him with a snort.

“As much as I am a fan of unnecessary violence, this―” he waved his hand to indicate the kelpie’s dead body, black blood seeping out of its demolished skull “―is just plain excessive,” Peter drawled with a judgemental grimace. He dropped his right hand, wrinkling his nose at the sticky black blood covering his palm before wiping it off on the side of his designer jeans. Turning back to Stiles, he casually suggested, “Now, why don’t we just wash up and spend the rest of the evening having rough, wild sex, hmm?”

“In your dreams,” Stiles spat viciously, straightening up and squaring his shoulders, narrowing his eyes at the smirking werewolf. He was in no mood for Peter’s perverted little teasing.

“Well, yes. But that doesn’t quite answer my question,” Peter pointed out, raking his half-lidded eyes over Stiles’ body, not bothering to conceal his blatant interest. Stiles rolled his eyes, freezing stock still when Peter tacked on, “One would think that after getting stood up this morning you would be more than happy to jump into bed with someone as good-looking as myself.”

“Fuck you,” Stiles snarled, though he wasn’t at all surprised at Peter’s words, not surprised by the fact that the werewolf would so callously throw the little tidbit back in his face after Stiles confided in him. He shouldered passed him to crouch down by the river, dipping his hands into the algid water to wash the kelpie blood off his hands, feeling the eyes of the other pack members boring into him.

For the past two weeks, he had talked all of their ears off about the cute guy he had met at the local coffee shop, the one who had ordered the same exact latte as him, both ordering chocolate cherry muffins too. They had all been excited for him, except maybe Derek who had just nodded indifferently when Stiles had told him about meeting Eric.

After texting back and forth for a few days, they had agreed to go out for coffee together on Valentine’s Day, planning to meet at the same coffee shop where they had first bumped into each other. Stiles had been absolutely giddy in the days leading up to their date, unable to keep from breaking into a wide grin at the very thought of seeing Eric again.

That morning he had waited for over two hours for him to show up, going through several large cups of espresso and a few red velvet muffins before he just gave up, coming to terms with the fact that Eric had stood him up. He had run into Peter on his walk home, leaving his Jeep at home due to the unseasonably warm weather that day, on pure impulse admitting that he had been stood up. Peter had actually been rather sympathetic, offering a gentle pat on the back and a few choice words about Eric being an asshole.

And now the rest of the pack knew, probably looking at him with pity in their eyes and trite words on the tips of their tongues. If he hadn’t been pissed before, he certainly was now, bracing himself for one of them to say something about his failed date.

But what he heard instead was the telltale jingle of keys and Derek’s voice firmly instructing the betas, “Go home and get some rest. I’ll take care of the body.”

Stiles heard the crunch of the underbrush as the betas headed back to the Camaro, their footsteps fading away as he focused on cleaning the blood off his bat. He waited patiently for Derek to say something, chewing his lip and ducking his head, feeling like an idiot.

He had let his emotions get the better of him, his frustrations taking over the much more reasonable part of him. Derek was sure to chew him out for it.

“Do you still have a can of gas in your Jeep?” Derek asked instead, much to Stiles’ surprise, the sound of his voice making Stiles jolt and nearly tumble back into the river again, steadying himself with a hand braced on a large mossy rock. Stiles whipped his head around to gawk at Derek, raising a curious brow at the werewolf who just gestured to the dead kelpie, placidly explaining, “We need to burn it.”

“Oh. Uh, yeah,” Stiles mumbled, digging around in the pocket of his hoodie for his car keys, finally finding them and yanking them out of his pocket with a triumphant half smile. He tossed them over to Derek who caught them without batting an eye, turning on his heel to jog through the woods back to where Stiles had parked the Jeep earlier, leaving him to finish cleaning up.

Derek returned a few minutes later with the bright orange gas can just as Stiles rose to his feet, drying his hands on his jeans. Derek motioned Stiles over with a jerk of his head, encouraging him to move further away from the kelpie’s body as he began dousing the corpse with a generous amount of gasoline.

Stiles moved away from the river, resting his bat on his shoulder as he scurried over to stand behind Derek, watching as the alpha emptied the can over the kelpie corpse, coating its leathery hide. Pulling a silver Zippo lighter out of his pocket, Derek took a few steps back, dragging Stiles along with him, and grabbed a dry, brittle stick from off the ground. He lit the end of the twig with the Zippo and tossed it onto the kelpie.

They watched as the creature was engulfed in a bloom of flames, dark flesh burning away to ash in mere minutes, bones crumbling into dust. A cloud of sickly green smoke rose from the kelpie’s disintegrating body, rising up into the night air where it was whipped away by the wind.

They waited until the fire died down to cinders, Derek kicking some dirt onto the remaining ashes, before turning to leave, Stiles still waiting for Derek to reprimand him for his downright cruel behavior earlier. But it never came. Not when they walked back to the Jeep, not when they climbed into, Stiles not saying a single word about Derek driving, not when they drove out of the preserve and back into town.

“Umm… My house is that way,” Stiles piped up, hooking a thumb over his shoulder, when Derek missed the turn that Stiles usually took to get back home after a night of monster hunting in the preserve. He couldn’t think of any reason why Derek would be driving him anywhere else. It didn’t make much sense at all.

“I need to check your side,” Derek announced in response, not taking his eyes off the road for a second, driving in the opposite direction of Stiles’ house. Flicking his eyes over to Stiles, fixating on the shredded fabric of his t-shirt, his skin covered in blood from both himself and the kelpie, Derek elaborated, “It’ll be easier to do it at the loft. And I don’t think your dad would appreciate it if we woke him up in the middle of the night.”

“Afraid he’s gonna shoot you?” Stiles managed to joke, relaxing back into the plush cushion of the passenger seat, resting his forehead against the cool glass of the window. He sighed contentedly when Derek turned up the heat, welcome warmth seeping into his chilled skin.

“Yeah,” Derek unabashedly admitted, making another turn in the direction of the loft, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. With another glance over at Stiles, he added, “I have a feeling he might if I wake him up after working a two day straight shift.”

“You’re not wrong,” Stiles conceded with a crooked grin of his own, well aware of how cranky his dad could get when woken up early. He had made that mistake more times than he liked to think about.

They didn’t talk much for the remainder of the drive back to the loft, Stiles coming close to nodding off as he hummed along to the radio under his breath, cold and tired. Derek startled him out of a light doze with a hand on his shoulder when they arrived at the loft, Stiles nearly smacking Derek in the face when he flailed in surprise.

Still in a bit of a daze, he fumbled his way out of the Jeep and followed Derek into the building, groaning aloud at the arduous sight of all the stairs that they would have to scale just to get to the loft. He already felt like he was about to keel over from exhaustion and he and stairs had never gotten along too well anyhow. He turned to Derek with an exaggerated pout, inquiring, “Would it be weird if I asked you to carry me?”

Derek cocked a brow at him, resting a hand on Stiles’ lower back to lead him towards the elevator, stepping inside and waiting for Stiles to join him. But Stiles just gawked at him incredulously, face blanching as he scanned his eyes over the rickety old box of death.

“What?” Derek prompted, folding his arms over his chest as he looked at Stiles like he was the crazy one for not wanting to climb into the elevator. “You said you didn’t want to take the stairs.”

“Uh, yeah,” Stiles conceded, scratching the back of his head as he looked back at the flights of stairs which suddenly looked very appealing in comparison. Turning back to Derek, he waved his hand around wildly, announcing, “But I’d rather take the stairs than that thing!”

“You’ll be fine,” Derek insisted, rolling his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose, shaking his head at Stiles’ insufferability. Dropping his hand, he met Stiles’ eyes, swearing, “I promise, you’ll be fine, Stiles. If anything happens, I’ll be right here. Now, will you please just get in the elevator?”

“Fine,” he reluctantly capitulated, taking a cautious step into the elevator, jumping with a high-pitched yelp when Derek yanked the grate closed behind him, rolling his eyes again. He practically clung to Derek’s arm as the elevator climbed to Derek’s floor, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as he mumbled under his breath, “I swear to god, if I die in here I will haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Stiles couldn’t be sure, not seeing it for himself, but he was pretty sure that Derek rolled his eyes again, breathing out a deep sigh at Stiles’ panicked little half-hearted threat.

Once they made it to Derek’s floor, the elevator jolting to a jerky stop, Stiles hopped out of the elevator and rushed over to the heavy steel door of the loft, feeling a bit nauseous. He tugged the door open, letting himself in, not bothering to wait for Derek, making himself right at home by plopping down on the couch.

“Get up,” Derek ordered, following him into the loft, slipping out of his leather jacket which he draped over the back of his favorite recliner after closing the steel door. Stiles looked up at him, offended, crossing his arms over his chest as he frowned. But Derek just strode over and shoved his feet off the couch and snapped, “Go take a shower before you get blood all over the couch. It’s new.”

Stiles pushed himself to his feet with a fair amount of grumbling, kicking off his soaking wet Converse that had been squeaking incessantly since the kelpie had knocked him into the river. Still muttering to himself under his breath, Stiles padded down the hallway to the bathroom, closing the door himself as he quickly and efficiently stripped out of his sopping wet clothes.

He could hear Derek moving around in the main living room while he turned on the hot water, probably gathering things he would need to patch up the bloody scratches on Stiles’ side. Testing the temperature of the spray with his hand before stepping into the stall, sighing at the hot water that sluiced over his cold skin, Stiles silently thanked whatever gods were responsible for perfect water pressure.

He used an obscene amount of Derek’s expensive body wash that smelled like a refreshing blend of cedarwood and jasmine, sure he probably smelt like a rancid swamp, using an ample amount to wash his hair with. Very carefully, he used some unscented soap to scrub away most of the blood on his side, wincing at the gnarly sight of the ragged scratches, the cuts throbbing a bit under his ministrations.

After lingering in the shower for a few extra minutes, soaking up as much warmth as he possibly could, Stiles begrudgingly turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around himself. He nearly jumped out of his own skin when he heard a knock at the bathroom door, clutching the towel to his chest in a half-assed attempt to cover himself.

“Um, yeah?” Stiles called, trying to calm his pounding heartbeat, pressing a hand to his chest over the fabric of the towel. He let out a deep sigh, hoping Derek hadn’t noticed just how frightened he had gotten.

“It’s just me,” Derek responded, his tone even and placating so as not to startle Stiles any more than he already had. After a few brief moments of silence, he murmured, “I brought you some clothes.”

“Oh, okay,” Stiles answered, fumbling to wrap the towel around his waist as he crossed the room to the door, opening it just enough to peer out at Derek. He was holding a stack of neatly folded clothes in his arms, a soft looking maroon Henley and a pair of baggy black sweatpants, hands outstretched in offering. Stiles accepted them gratefully, murmuring, “Uh, thanks, dude.”

Derek offered a tight smile, a flash of red high on his cheeks, and pulled the door closed him, leaving Stiles to finish drying off and getting redressed. He was quick to dry himself off, scrubbing the towel over his wet skin until he was dry enough to not track water through the loft, shaking his head to help dry his thick hair.

Feeling a bit of a chill again, he quickly tugged on the warm Henley and sweatpants, glad to see that Derek had enclosed a pair of boxer briefs with the pants. He didn’t bother lingering in the bathroom much longer, draping the damp towel and his wet clothes over the shower rod to dry before leaving the room and heading back out to the living room where Derek was sitting on the couch.

“Hey,” Stiles greeted, absent-mindedly fidgeting with the hem of his borrowed Henley, nodding his chin at Derek as he took a seat beside him on the couch. He glanced at the coffee table where there was both a first aid kit and a box of pizza from his favorite takeout place, the mere sight of the box enough to make his mouth water, his stomach rumbling loudly.

“Hey,” Derek returned. Indicating the pizza box, he said, “I thought you might be hungry so I ordered your favorite.”

“Ooh, meat lover’s with curly fries?” Stiles asked, impatiently lifting the lid of the pizza box, licking his lips at the glorious sight of five different types of meats and four different kinds of cheeses, curly fries liberally sprinkled over top just the way he liked. Grabbing a big heaping slice, greases dripping down his fingers to the inside of his wrist, he enthusiastically announced, “Dude, you’re the best!”

“How’s your side?” Derek questioned, leaning forward to grab himself a slice as Stiles took a few large greedy bites of his own, looking a bit like a chipmunk with his round cheeks as he chewed.

Swallowing heavily, Stiles nodded, voice a little muffled as he reported, “It’s okay. Still hurts a little but it stopped bleeding.”

Derek nodded and took a bite of his own slice, folding his piece of pizza in half so as not to lose any toppings, grabbing a napkin to mop at the corners of his mouth. Pausing for a moment, he gestured towards the first aid kit on the coffee table, claiming, “You should put some antiseptic on it. And a bandage.”

Stiles just nodded and gave a little salute, too preoccupied with stuffing his face to provide a more formal response, a little disappointed that Derek wouldn’t be treating his wounds himself. He was only drawn out of his pizza-fixated haze when Derek clicked on the TV, a Batman movie already queued up on Netflix.

Choking down another mouthful of pizza, Stiles turned to Derek, raising an accusatory brow as he declared, “Y’know, this feels suspiciously like a date.”

“I…” Derek trailed off awkwardly, licking his lips and setting his slice of pizza back down in the box, eyes on his shoes. Scratching his cheek, he reluctantly admitted, “Uh, yeah. That’s kind of what I was going for.”

Stiles stared at him, aghast. He couldn’t believe his ears.

“I’m sorry, it was stupid,” Derek muttered, squeezing his eyes shut while he shook his head, shoulders slumping as he curled in on himself a bit. He opened his mouth, probably to apologize again, but Stiles wasn’t having any of it. He cut off whatever Derek was going to say by pressing their lips together, abandoning his pizza to clumsily scramble into Derek’s lap.

Stiles crashed their lips together without any real finesse, looping his arms around Derek’s neck as he swiped his tongue over Derek’s bottom lip, nipping it a bit. It took a moment for Derek to respond, the hesitation terrifying Stiles until the alpha wound his arms around Stiles’ waist and pulled him in closer.

Reluctantly pulling back from the kiss that he had returned with equal fervor, Derek laid a few kisses to Stiles’ cheek, the curve of his cheek, his cheek. Voice husky and rough as Stiles kissed his stubble-studded throat, he confessed, “So glad Eric stood you up.”

Had it not been for the fact that because Eric had stood him up he was now making out with Derek, Stiles probably would have been offended, but considering the fortuitous turn of events, he couldn’t help but agree. Guiding Derek’s lips back to his own with a firm hand on the back of Stiles’ neck, he concurred, “Me too.”

After a few more heated kisses, Stiles spreading his legs to straddle Derek’s lap more comfortably and Derek’s hands having somehow migrated to under the hem of Stiles’ borrowed shirt, a thought occurred to Stiles. This time, Stiles broke the kiss, preening at the needy whine Derek let out when he did, and joked, “Guess we should send Peter a fruit basket, huh?”

“Please don’t talk about my uncle when we’re making out,” Derek requested, panting a bit against Stiles’ wet lips, a small smirk curling both of their mouths. He swooped back in to scatter a small series of quick kisses to Stiles’ lips, smiling into each and every one.

“So, I guess that’s a no to a threesome, then?” Stiles wondered, pouting in faux disappointment as he rubbed his hand over Derek’s chest, running the pad of his thumb over the row of buttons on the gray Henley that Derek was wearing. Derek responded by throwing his head back and laughing deeply before capturing Stiles’ lips in yet another deep kiss, sure to throw in a bite to his lip and a possessive squeeze of his ass.

Yeah, they were definitely going to send Peter a fruit basket.

[itsiotrecords-blog]

http://ift.tt/2v4myaM

To be fair, not every celebrity on this list ended up choosing their final resting place, but in spite of that, they are, to be sure, strange and/or incredible places all the same. Below is a diverse list of TV writers, novelists, actors, martial artists, musicians, fathers of musicians, royalty, journalists, businesswomen, and the creator of likely the biggest entertainment company in the world, if not at least the best known entertainment company in the world. Each of these men and women— and one special dog— have either been made the lady of the lake, been given a gigantic new prescription for their glasses, stolen a man’s heart… literally, snorted or been smoked, traveled to outer space (or at the very least been blasted across the desert), and have appeared dead on screen… not to say they simply looked dead on screen, but the last anyone saw of them, they were on screen, and actually dead. So here are fifteen weird places celebrities have found themselves in death.

#1 The Game Of Death True, Bruce Lee‘s actual final resting place is in Seattle’s Lakeview Cemetery, where thousands of people go to visit him and his son, Brandon Lee (buried alongside his father), but there is a creepier, much more exploitative resting place of sorts for this martial arts master. Dying, shortly before the famed Enter The Dragon hit the box office, Bruce Lee appeared in several other films, post-mortem. Surely this is not an unusual occurrence, with partially shot films continuing production with stunt doubles, or just cutting with the footage they have, like in Brandon Lee’s final film The Crow, but there is something more sinister behind Bruce Lee’s final shots as a film star. The Game of Death, famous for the yellow jumpsuit that Uma Thurman similarly wears in Kill Bill, and for the epic fight between Lee and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, got away with using actual shots of Lee’s corpse, from funeral footage, being cut into the film. So if one is ever looking for Bruce’s final film resting place, one need only watch Game of Death.

#2 The Field Where Music Died Buried in the Lubbock Cemetery in Texas, one might not know of Buddy Holly’s final resting place for all of the commotion over the Clear Lake, Iowa memorial, looking over the site of the infamous crash that killed Ritchie Valens, Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly, on February 3, 1959— the day the music died. Along the sorrowful site, which includes an engraved guitar and record memorial, there is a gigantic tribute to Buddy Holly by way of his signature glasses. If one didn’t know any better, one might think that Buddy Holly wasn’t buried elsewhere at all, but left no remains in the crash and therefore had erected an enormous structure to remind people of the significance of his poor eyesight. Smack dab in the middle of farmer’s fields, one has to wonder if this symbol of tragedy is not taking up valuable real estate for the continued growth of that “American Dream” so readily believed in circa 1959.

#3 Princess Diana’s Monumental Memorial Park Buried in an Althorp estate in Northamptonshire, Princess Diana has become the mythical Lady of the Lake. Her resting place is on an island in Round Oval Lake, in a gigantic park (that the general public is allowed to visit one day out of every year), dedicated to the, for some reason, still adored face of the royal family circa the nineteen nineties. It’s not all that weird to have a resting place in a park, but in a park that people can visit only once every year; an enormous park, dedicated solely to her, with its own lake, riddled with ducks and four, specially placed black swans, topped off with an almost palace-like Grecian structure overlooking the island resting place from the mainland of the park… If not weird, it is at least a bit overzealous, to understate the enormity of the memorial. The royal family has not had any great significance since before the Great War, and Diana of all, was loathed by the majority of the royal family when she married into it anyway. Seems a bit weird.

#4 George Harrison Takes A Dip In The Ganges  Once described as “liquid love of life”, the Ganges is a supposedly mystical river in India where good karma flows through the bodies of those who bathe in its waters; a gift from the almighty, graced upon believers and skeptics alike. Never quite escaping the Hare Krishna phase of the Beatles’ legacy, like the rest of his band mates had after the LSD wore off, George Harrison, after being cremated by the friendly folks at Hollywood Forever (facilitators of perhaps the most frequently visited cemetery in the world), was taken to the sacred river, and cast about its waters, as well as at Allahabad, where the Ganges and two other holy rivers converge. The Hindu belief is that spreading one’s ashes about holy waters aids in the process of releasing the soul from one’s body, and escaping reincarnation, to make the final journey to Heaven. Who knows where Harrison is now, besides mingled with the ashes of many others, but My Sweet Lord, he did go peacefully.

#5 Blasted Across The Desert One of the most famous funerals of the twenty first century, to be sure, after taking care of the planning, taking interviews about how his funeral would be carried out and how his remains would be disposed of, and then finally setting the phone down after chatting with his wife and blowing his brains out with a .45, while she was still on the line, Hunter S. Thompson ended his life, but not the significance of it. Shortly after his death, actor and good friend of Thompson’s, Johnny Depp set out to foot the bill for the great tower, atop which sat a double-thumbed fist, holding onto a button of peyote, and through which a cannon would fire the famed journalist’s ashes. With a fabulous fireworks display of red, white, and blue, Hunter’s remains went out the very same way he did: with a bang! The unfortunate missing part of the above video is the moment where, as the cloud of smoke and ash billows over the cheering crowd, one of the onlookers tells his friends to “breathe deep… breathe deep!”; so badly did he want Thompson to be a part of them.

#6 You Know I Snorted My Father, Right? Alright, so this isn’t a celebrity resting place by any direct means, in that Keith Richards has not yet, however surprisingly, been found dead. That being said, this is still the case of a celebrity resting place because while his father was no celebrity, Keith certainly is, and he is now, himself, at least partially, the resting place of his father. “I opened my dad’s ashes and some of them blew out over the table, just because of the suction of the lid, you know what I mean? I looked at my dad’s ashes down there and— what am I gonna do? ‘Do I desecrate them with a dustbin and broom?’ So I wet me finger and I shoved a little bit of Dad up me hooter.” That’s right! Keith Richards snorted his father with, upon further elaboration in an interview, a bit of cocaine because let’s be honest, if you’re already a drug fiend, and you’re already putting your father up there, you may as well get a fix at the same time. Not having snorted the entirety of his father’s ashes, Richards put the rest “round an oak tree, which is coming up a treat.” So a celebrity resting place in a sense, Keith Richards continues to boggle minds.

#7 Just About As Ugly As Ichabod Crane… Making it all the way to the ripe old age of eighty seven (well past ripe in her case), Leona Helmsley was once as big a mogul in the business world as Donald Trump, if not even bigger. Instead of bankrupting herself so many times as Trump, she was caught evading taxes, since “Only the little people pay taxes” according to her view of the world. This billionaire, dubbed “The Queen of Mean” for her incredibly bitchy persona, Helmsley only served twenty one months of her sixteen year sentence, paid her seven million dollars in fines, and had her employees do her pot-prison community service for her. Amazingly not dying of a heart attack at her sentencing in trial, she did eventually suffer from heart failure, leaving twelve million to her dog, and nothing for her grandchildren. Where would such a monster end up? Well, many likely wishing her headless, and absolutely more hideous to look at than Ichabod Crane, Helmsley was laid to rest in Sleepy Hollow, in a 1.4 million dollar mausoleum. It’s doubtful that Washington Irving ever expected such a hideous creature to truly come to the little township North of New York City.

#8 In The Vault, Like So Many Classics What’s weird about this one, is how very not weird it is. The lavish, luxurious Marilyn Monroe, known the world over by men and women alike (and known very well by a number of famous men), after all of her flash and pizzazz, was laid to rest in the Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery, and while she is accompanied by some greats like Dean Martin, Peter Falk, and Frank Zappa, it does seem like a less than lavish way to go, being stuck in a wall of vaults, surrounded by other corpses of former glory. That being said, Monroe’s presence along the crypt wall has certainly raised the price of real estate there, causing a bidding war that jacked the price of the vault above her to a staggering 4.6 million dollars. Surely many wanted to be on top of Marilyn in her time, but in death it seems a steep price to pay for such an honour. All the same, visitors to the site adorn the vault with well-plied, lipstick kisses, which makes one wonder… were there that many women who really loved her, or are there that many men willing to make a last impression?

#9 Shelley & Her Lover’s Heart It’s not so much the resting place here, as it is what is in the resting place. Famed author Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein), was buried in St. Peter’s Church in Bournemouth, U.K., way back in 1851. Nothing weird about that. What is weird, however, is what Mary took with her when she died. Having drowned many years before Mary’s death, the famed poet Percy Shelley was cremated… all but his heart turned to ash. Unscathed (speculating calcification from TB saving it from the flames), the heart was turned to Mary, who kept it with her in a silk shroud. Unfortunately here is where the story deviates, depending on who is telling it, but the story once went that, wrapped in paper, Percy’s heart was placed in the casket with Mary Shelley. Unfortunately this incredibly romantic story turns out to be a poetic fantasy as the poet’s heart was interred with his son’s body, wrapped in the pages of Adonais (one of Percy’s last poems) in the family vault. So in a sense, his heart was reunited with his wife, but not until some time after her death.

#10 Sewn Into A Pillow After an incredible number of years, toting around a jar of ecstasy pills, snorting cocaine off any surface possible, and indulging in a big breakfast of anti-depressants, it’s no wonder that Michael Hutchence of INXS fame was found dead, hanging behind the main door of his hotel room. Whether auto-erotic or not, Hutchence died of asphyxiation, and thus ended an incredible career of excess. After very publicly and dramatically accusing ex-husband Bob Geldof of murdering Hutchence, and declaring that she would dye her prospective wedding dress black for Michael’s funeral, love Paula Yates attempted suicide, hooked up with a heroine addict in rehab, then fought for the ashes of Hutchence. Split between three urns: one for his mother and father respectively, and one for Paula, Hutchence was morbidly carried around everywhere that Yates went, until she finally sewed his ashes into a Gucci pillow of hers, so that she could still sleep with him. And who knows: maybe some of the prozac, booze, cocaine, and prescription meds are still in the ashes to help comfort her. As for the rest of poor Hutchence, he remains in his mother’s home, and in the ocean blue in the Sydney harbour in Australia.

#11 To Infinity And Beyond Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, as well as, eventually, actor James Doohan (Scotty), had the journey of a lifetime, after their deaths, continuing as they did in their work lives: among the stars. Celestis, a company that capitalizes on the grieving families of the deceased, offers the chance for the dead to “experience” space travel. Of course services are given on a sliding scale starting from “missions” to space that then return to Earth ($1,295), to Earth orbitals ($4,995), to Lunar orbitals ($12,500), and finally journeys to deep space ($12,500). Again, these prices are all “starting from”, so the more money you pay, the more fun your loved one’s ashes will likely have in space. Regardless of the ridiculously priced comfort people pay for in terms of grieving, there is certainly no better way for the likes of Roddenberry (his wife also) and Doohan to go than out into deep space, where they spent so much of their lives pretending to be. Though one might wonder what becomes of all of this space junk (especially to those in orbit), since what goes up, must eventually come down, as society has learned one too many times with satellites, and the like.

#12 There’s No Place Like Hollywood… The lovable Terry (Toto), was a Cairn terrier, with a not-so-original name, likely based simply on her breed. That’s right, HER breed. Born at the outset of World War II, and dying shortly after its end in 1945, Terry had performed in nearly a dozen movies with Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy and, of course, the tragic Judy Garland. After her death, Terry was buried behind owner Carl Spitz’s property, where a number of other four-legged stars were laid to rest (Spitz being one of the forerunners for animal training in Hollywood). During the expansion of the Ventura Freeway, the property was purchased, and the burial grounds were destroyed, and one can only hope that the pet cemetery haunts motorists to this day on the massive freeway. Regardless of the fact that Terry’s remains were disturbed, and covered over with concrete, she remains immortalized as her most famous, male persona with an erected monument to Toto in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

#13 Give Me To The Highest Bidder Novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and actor Truman Capote, one of America’s most celebrated (especially for the renowned Breakfast At Tiffany’s), is perhaps one of the first deceased celebrities to be able to claim (if he were alive) to have had his remains sold off. Yup, Capote, after his death, was given to best friend Joanne Carson (Johnny Carson‘s ex-wife). Carson died only last year, and plenty of items went up for auction, including the remains of Truman Capote, packed neatly away in a beautifully carved Japanese box. Not wanting to merely sit on the shelf in death, it seems Capote will be getting his wishes, as the successful bidder for his ashes intends to travel with him, for sure. After his cremation in 1984, Truman was valued at $6000, but just last year was sold at auction for $45,000! A number of other Capote items went on the block as well ranging from clothing, to ice skates, and even prescription bottles that Carson had for some reason, that left the auction for $5000. Always living large, it seems that Truman Capote is still worth quite a bit to people, and will not find some new home in the arms of an anonymous bidder.

#14 Tupac Got Smoked… Literally Tupac‘s remains went just as Tupac himself did: he was smoked. Granted, when Tupac died it was because he was smoked by bullets in a drive-by shooting, but this grandiose hip-hop artist, riding with Death Row Records run by the absolutely, certifiably insane Suge Knight, was hit four times: twice in the chest, once in the arm, and once in the thigh, as he stood out the sunroof of the car he was in. The crime still remains unsolved, and while Notorious B.I.G. was accused of being involved in the shooting, he denied everything, swore he was in the studio recording that night, and was himself, a year later, shot and killed in a drive-by shooting. Dealing with the thug life, as well as the drug life, it’s no wonder that Tupac Shakur, upon being cremated, was partially divvied up among friends, rolled up with some primo ganja, and smoked. Made ever closer to his friends, Tupac went out in both the thug life and the drug life, smoked both ways in the end.

#15 A New Meaning To Disney’s Frozen Resting in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, it is indeed very sad to learn that the claim that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen is in fact false. How perfect would that have been? That being said, the reason that there are so many claims about Walt being frozen is because of the claims of Bob Nelson, president of the California Cryogenics Society. Before Disney died, rather quickly, of lung cancer, it is claimed that he was in discussion with Nelson about wanting to be preserved until such a time that he might be cured, and then continue to live on (in spite of how shady the workings of cryonics are, even to this date, never mind how they were in 1966). Realistically, Walt Disney Sr. was cremated, and not frozen, no matter how perfect that would have been for Disney today, given all of the hype, even still, over Disney’s Frozen. I suppose we’ll just have to “Let It Go”.

Source: TheRichest