#and being however odd feet in the air above meant they could just let gravity to most of the work with their range

[bibbykins]

Thrills Found On Solid Ground (M)

A/N: I snagged a work at home job! (yay!) Less hours though, which is bittersweet. I will be a little strapped for cash, so I will link my ko-fi below and anything helps, really. I am considering opening up comisions, if anyone would like that, let me know! Less hours means way more time to write so color me a happy camper. As way to celebrate positive changes, and in honor of me putting in my two weeks at my current job, enjoy the next installment in the Soft Yandere BTS fics! Let me know how you feel about it, and I hope you enjoy. 

Genre: Fluff, smut, angst if you squint a bit

Word Count: 9.4k

Pairing: Soft Yandere! Namjoon x Reader

Warnings: yandere tendencies, toxic traits, obsessive and posessive male, subtly unhealthy relationship, vaginal sex, cunnilingus

Summary: You had always been an idiot, you mistook this as being a risk-taker, a wild adrenaline junkie. As a result, you found yourself on some dating app, then on a bad date, then on a skywalk 1,000 ft above ground. Looking down, you felt impending doom, clutching to anything, or anyone, you could. You couldn’t have known the stanger you clutched onto, in the middle of two skyscrapers, too high above solid ground, had no plans to let you go.

The sky was clear, the wind combed through your scalp gently, and you watched the world below go about their daily routine. It was a cool day with an overcast, especially for summer, and you would have much rather stayed inside to witness it. 

The sky was an ocean to drown in, the air was unbelievably thin, and the people below just looked like little ants to squash with your body hurling to the concrete. 

What the fuck were you doing up here?! 

You never take risks like this. The harness was choking you out and all you wanted to do was lay down in bed, but here you were: 2,000 ft above your comfort zone and shaking in the middle of log suspended in the sky, the next step looking farther and farther. 

It was a dumb idea to put adrenaline junkie in you online dating profile. It was even dumber of you to try and live up to it.

Namjoon, on the other hand, was making his merry way along the gapped bridge. He was in black slacks and a gray button-up, feeling a bit silly with the harnas as well as he walked along in his Oxfords. It was the perks of being a PR head, enjoying the more wild attractions sponsored by the company he was executive for. However, this time, he was to see if this was worthwhile to put the company's name on. Ever the stickler, he only ever trusted his opinion on the matter and not a subordinate's. 

He hopped along each log with a small smile, dimples prominent. Yes, he was enjoying himself, but he did feel quite ludicrous in his work clothes hopping along the city skyline. He was still having a good experience, it was serene yet daring, he could see the prospective hype. He felt almost like-

“I'm gonna die!” Namjoon jumped at the pure panic less than five feet behind him, causing him to turn around and bear witness to the scene you hadn't intended to make.

There you were, lip quivering, knees shaking, body quaking entirely as your hands searched desperately for something to hold you steady, “I'm the biggest fucking idiot!” You wailed as staff members began to strap themselves in to retrieve you. However, when the bridge shook with one of their jumps onto the bridged, you begged them to stop, the tears pouring from your face in a way Namjoon had never seen, or bothered to look at before.

It was a pitiful sight, really. You were a pretty girl, and judging by your presentation, only did this as a way to boost confidence. In his study of you, Namjoon hadn't noticed the way you hopped onto his log the moment he was about to turn around. You grasped his hand and he could feel the gravity of your fear.

“Hey, hey.” Your eyes were screwed shut on the log as you held this strangers hand, his voice trying to bring you back to reality, “You… alright?” You shook your head.

For the first time in his life, Namjoon had no knowledge of what to do. A girl was shaking violently and looking to him, of all people, to soothe her. At work, most people avoided his eyes in fear of being reprimanded. He was domineering and had a demanding presence, but here you were, demanding some comfort from him.

“I'm stupid.” You mumbled as you pushed your head into his chest, making a blush of shock and embarrassment bloom on his cheeks. He wasn’t used to such skinship, let alone from a woman. This was more intimate than his run-of-the-mill tussle in the sheets with one-night stands. He should be shoving you away, but you were so, so, soft.  “This is why I never leave my house.” 

There was something endearing about the odd scenario that Namjoon fought down. He had been through such a song and dance. He's been the love at first sight guy and it never went well. He was not a boy anymore, he was a businessman, one of the most intimidating executives, and yet, you clung to him like a ledge keeping you upright.

Namjoon didn't know what else to do but comfort you as he embraced you shaking form in his arms, “I doubt it,” He spoke softly, “What's your name?” He didn't know what he was doing, but this felt right enough.

“Y/n, you?” You jumped when you felt the bridge move, squeezing the stranger before you a little harder, making yourself cringe at how unsightly you were being, sighing out in a labored cry, “I’m so annoying.” You whimpered.

In reality, Namjoon should let the workers come retrieve you. The logical part of him knew this much. This was more than likely not an uncommon occurrence and they were trained to do this sort of rescue mission. Even so, he wasn't ready to relinquish his rights as safe haven to someone who carelessly shook the bridge and you to the very core.

Namjoon glared to the worker, gesturing to the sign that demanded only two people on the bridge at a time, to which the worker retracted, “Namjoon.” He felt a wave of inexplicable panic crash through him when he felt your grip loosen from his shirt, “Are you ready to walk-”

You shook your head, “I'm an idiot for even getting up here.” Evidently, you couldn't think straight.

“You certainly don't seem like an idiot.” His deep voice soothed your racing thoughts, “Maybe a little naive but-”

“Tell me about it.” You breathed a shaky laugh, “Would you believe me if I told you I was on a date?” 

His jaw tightened. Who in their right mind would consider this a good date idea for a recluse? He scanned the area only to see an irritated guy shaking his head before proceeding to the exit. Good. He would only get in the way. 

“First one too, so I don't see a second one happening.” You chuckled a bit, enjoying the feeling of the mystery man rubbing your back, “Considering I look more like yours.”

Mine. Mine. Mine. It didn't have a bad ring to it. Maybe the isolation kept his sanity at bay as the smell of your hair grew more and more intoxicating.

“And especially since you've found a new date during it.” You could hear the smirk in his voice and the flirting distracted you from the way he picked you up ever so slightly and took a step towards the next log. His legs were long enough to walk over the gap of sky you so feared.

“What a terrible date you're on then.” You giggled a bit, eyes simply closed as opposed to slammed shut.

“I beg to differ.” He took another step as you were none the wiser, “I've known you for less than an hour and I'm already thinking of where our next one will be.” Now the only thing keeping your eyes closed was the embarrassment of the effect his deep voice had on you.

“H-Hopefully not stranded in the middle of two skyscrapers.” You offered a chuckle as Namjoon made it across to the last step.

“Who's stranded?” His smug voice prompted you to look down only to see concrete. Sweet, sweet concrete.

The shriek of joy you let out when you noticed the stable ground under you was reward enough for Namjoon. When you wrapped your arms around his neck to engulf him in your form, it was bliss, “You're a magician!” You gushed, “I didn't even notice! I barely even felt it! I can't believe I'm alive!” Never in his life had Namjoon seen someone so expressive and fearlessly full of emotion. You went as far as kissing his check, “My fucking hero right here!” You squealed.

Namjoon's body almost seized when he felt your soft lips on his face. You were indeed naive, however, he quite enjoyed what it meant for him. The feeling of your body against his and lips on his face was addicting. He didn't want to let you go. Ever. You were a feeling he had been chasing for what feels like years and he didn't even know it. You were a missing chunk to a fulfilling life he thought he had. He could not let you walk to ground level without a promise to see you again, and again, and again, and-

“Holy moly!” Your gasp snapped Namjoon back to the present. Your eyes were wide as you scanned his face, “You're so pretty!” Your hands cupped his face, “You're like straight out of a romance novel.” You mused mindlessly, you evidently had no filter or sense of personal space. He wondered if you grew up deprived of personal touch or with it all along. Namjoon lost himself in the wonder you held in your eyes. You had a certain innocence that he couldn't quite understand, so trusting. It was in his starlorn gaze that you shook yourself back to reality, “Oh my, I am making a terrible first impression.” You murmured, hands beginning to robotically retract only to have Namjoon hold them in place, “Just touching on you like that, so creepy.” You scolded yourself.

“I beg to differ.” He mused and you realized how well his voice fit his adonis-like face. His smile was warm, making you forget the chill of being up so high. His thumb stroked the back of your hand, “You're hands are… soft.” It was a warm smile with two of the cutest dimples you've seen to accompany it.

“I'm a sculptor-artist-uh-person.” You fumbled through the sentence, not wanting to seem like you're bragging or assigning a title to yourself, “Hence the touching, your facial proportions are really pleasing to the eye and-”

“So are yours.” The giggle that left your mouth was embarrassing to say the least. Never had you been this blatantly flirted with. Never had you liked flirting this much.

“You’re trying to make me swoon right off this roof, huh?” You smiled as you wiped the dried tears around your eyes, trying to salvage whatever makeup was left.

“If there’s anything I've proven today,” He leaned down to look you in the eyes, “It’s that the only way I’m letting you fall,” He brought his mouth to your ear and you shivered, “is if it’s for me.”

“You’re silly.” You broke out into a contagious smile.

----

“And just like that, he enchanted me.” You sighed willfully, “He’s really such a prince.” You mused, eyes closing to envision him, “We've been kinda seeing each other for a little over three months, and it’s been great, so I’m trying to surprise him today with a cute coffee break at work, but I’ve never seen him in action in the serious business world, so I’m nervous.”

The barista at the counter gave you an uneasy smile, “That’s nice, ma’am, so uh… would that be with cream and sugar?” 

Your eyes snapped open, “Sorry, right, coffee,” You smacked your cheeks lightly.

“You’re holding up the line!” A man groaned behind you as the other two people behind him avoided eye contact.

“Like yelling at me is gonna make me go faster!” You retorted before turning to the barista, “Yes, please, sorry.” You smiled and he returned it before handing you your tray with two coffee cups and a scone accompanied by a chocolate croissant, “Thank you!” You called as you walked out of the shop, throwing a glare to the man, “Have a great day.” You quipped to him before making your way into the main floor of the skyscraper.

The secretary seemed to assume you were Namjoon’s assistant and informed you that he was on floor 27 and in meeting room 2. You didn’t bother to correct her, instead, you sent her a bright smile as you made your plight to the 27th floor. Your stomach was churning and you couldn’t tell if it was because of the climb or the impromptu date you were trying to have. What if he was embarrassed by you? He was evidently out of your league, even if he never made you feel like that was the case. He was the most gentle and kind man you had ever encountered, but he did say he was different at work. Would he not want you here? Were you being too clingy? He did say he missed you this morning, but he also could have been just saying that. It had only been a couple weeks since you have been dating and he hadn't even kissed your lips yet. Maybe he saw you as more of a friend instead of what you wanted. Maybe you should just go home.

The ding of the elevator told you it was too late to turn back now. 

You put on a brave face as you turned a couple of corners to find meeting room 2. You opted to wait until the meeting was over prior to going on. At least that was the plan, until the door swung open to hit your head reveal a string of stiff men and women all leading up to a very straight-faced Namjoon. The man who opened the door seemed to be sweating with a fearful look in his eyes as you rubbed your head.

 “Ow, sorry.” You murmured, “Definitely my fault for standing so close-”

“Hwang, what is the matter now…” Namjoon's stern voice quickly trailed off as he met your eyes. The hardness in his eyes immediately softened, only to harshen when he noticed one hand rubbing your head and a look of pain crossing your face, “Meeting is adjourned, we will continue after lunch.” Namjoon spoke up to the bewildered room as he strode to your side, replacing your hand with his as he swiftly took the carrier from your other hand, “Maybe then you will have something worthy of my time to show me.” He quipped as he walked you wordlessly to his office. You took note of the shiver that ran down each of the employee's spines, none of them even taking note of your experience with their heads down in shame or fear, or both.

Namjoon's office was spacious to say the least, most likely half of your apartment. He was so silent you had wondered if you made him angry too. However, as soon as the door shut, he placed the tray on a coffee table and pulled you into a hug, placing a kiss on your head, “Joonie-”

“Are you alright?” He mumbled on the small bump you were developing. You were bewildered at the sudden affection. It was a definite switch from the scary businessman you encountered earlier, “Sweet pea?”

You snapped out of your thoughts with a small jolt, “Yeah, it's just a little dink.” You smiled softly against his chest, “Nothing to fret over.” You sighed softly in his embrace as a smirk grew on your face, “Sweet pea, huh?”

His chest vibrated with a small chuckle as he loosened his grip to look at you properly. His hands cradled your face as he stared at you with a genuine smile, the one you knew and loved, “Sweet pea indeed.” He hummed, “I find it suits you well.” You felt your face heat at this and your face told Namjoon the situation on its own as his smile grew more smug, “So, what has you gifting me with your presence today?”

Namjoon was always happy to see you. Admittedly, too happy. He felt himself falling into a certain love for you that he found to be timed way too soon. He felt his emotions begin to scare him, and he felt a strong need to fire the idiot that hit you with the door. However, when you were with him, everything was okay, just like you said it was. You were the master to his emotions and it terrified him.

“I wanted to surprise you with a small coffee date.” You chirped, “Surprise?” You presented the coffee on the table with a small smile.

Namjoon sat the both of you down on the white leather couch he had in his office, “Thank you.” He was the first to break the silence and you returned it with a quaint smile, “However, I can't help but feel like you're muting yourself.”

You were stiff as a board when he said that. Initially, it was a surprise date, but the elevator ride gave you time to doubt everything. Ideally, you wanted to get clarification on what Namjoon wanted from you, but the words were like a lump of clay in the back of your throat. If you said one, they would all come out.

“Well, it's stupid, really.” You nervously let out a small chuckle, “Childish, possibly?” Your eyes were transfixed on the leather below you.

His hand went to grip your chin and pull your eyes back go him. Your gaze was a drug, “Give me your thoughts, sweet pea.” 

You shivered as you looked into his eyes, “I just want to know if… you like me, like I like you.” You forced out, only to try to turn your head away in vain due to his grip, “Oh, I feel silly.” You struggled for a moment, only to huff, "What do you think about me?"

Namjoon fought the urge to clench his jaw. The truthful answer to your question wasn't healthy. He needed more time to work through his intense emotions for you prior to acting on them. He wanted nothing more than to kiss you roughly, pin you to this couch, and have you feel what he thought about after each of your dates. However, he should not, by any means, feel the need to do such. And yet, he did. The way you made him feel so needed and the way he craved you so intensely in return was intoxicating. 

He, instead, gave you a polite smile as he took a sip of his coffee, "I think you're adorable." Not technically a lie, but not the full truth you wanted.

Namjoon looked down at the scone, missing your dejected face. What the hell did that mean? Did he not see you as a woman? Were you just his cute friend? Had you been that childish, pining after a man who did not feel the same? You quickly shook the thoughts when Namjoon looked at you and you returned the smile. He noticed how it wasn't nearly as bright as usual and your eyes didn't hold its usual sparkle. Had he done something wrong?

The date, you were less and less sure whether or not to even call it such, went on just as all your others had. 

"So how is your exhibition coming along?" He asked as he sipped the coffee.

You smiled and melted at the dimples that came when he returned it, "It's a process," You droned, "Being an artist is all fun and games until you have to pick which snack table won't clash with your work, and don’t even get me started about the business-y things, so boring." You rolled your eyes, "I know what I’m doing, and I know I’m good at it but I almost wish I had a manager, but isolation has become a part of my aesthetic at this rate." 

"Well, you always have me," Your heart tugged, "I could help you, always, even just picking a snack table." 

You shook your head politely, "I wouldn't wish that on you, Joon." You joked, "You'd think doing the art would be the hardest part of an exhibit, but the stuffy details are agonizing." You droned on, you always felt so comfortable with Namjoon, even if his unofficial rejection weighed in the back of your mind, "Like, who cares about the champagne or dress code, just buy or enjoy my art." You huffed, "I understand I'm lucky to have a career, but sometimes my passion can feel like such a...job." You sighed, "I sound like a spoiled brat."

Namjoon placed his hand on your head delicately, "As someone around stuffy people, and a stuffy person, I understand it's exhausting." He gave you a reassuring smile, "You're not a brat, you're an artist." He placed a hand on your knee, "You put so much whimsy into the world and deserve to experience that in return." 

You giggled at this, "Thank you, but you're not stuffy, Joon," You hesitated for a moment, "Heck, you're the coolest guy I know." You offered in favor of your thoughts swarming around. The pain getting harder and harder to ignore.

You made Namjoon laugh, he made you laugh. You both talked about work, but you chose not to comment on his work persona, less and less confident about what to even say anymore. You said goodbye to Namjoon with a small hug, as you always did, and left wordlessly.

Namjoon couldn't help but have a bad feeling as he watched you step into the elevator. Your lip quivered right before the doors shut. Something happened during your date, and for the first time, he had no idea. He surely had to be blinded by his own feelings for you to properly read you. Suppressing these feelings were evidently affecting him, but it was what he had to do to play the long game. 

You began to cry when the elevator doors closed, eyes screwed shut as your shoulders shook with your sobs. Namjoon showed you that you wanted a relationship, and yet, it didn't seem like he wanted one, let alone with you. 

"H-Hey, don't cry," A hesitant voice caused you to jump, face detaching from your hands as you turned to face the man from this morning.

"You're that...meanie." You sniffled, evidently confused.

He smiled awkwardly, "I'm sorry I was such a prick earlier." He looked uneasy, hand scratching the back of his neck.

You sniffled again, "No, it's not you, I just…" You choked on a sob.

"I doubted it was, but I also doubt I made your day any easier." He spoke softly, "I was visiting my sister at work and she's a nightmare, so I was just taking it out on other people."

"Nobody's perfect." You smiled a bit, before it quickly fell, "Especially me." You whined before sobbing again. 

Your sobs were cut off when the man put a hand on your shoulder, "Bad breakup?" You shrugged and he sighed sympathetically, "I know this cry, I do have a sister, ya know?" You lifted your head a bit and his hands wiped the tears that nearly dried on your cheeks, "I can just tell you're a good person." He smiled a bit and you mirrored it, "Any other person would have smacked me sideways earlier, I would've." You breathed a small chuckle that only grew when he grabbed your wrist to make your hand hit his face, "Here, ow." He only ceased when the elevator doors opened to a busy lobby, eyes all on him.

You broke out into full laughter as you both stepped out of the elevator, "Sorry." You giggled to the people in the lobby.

"Nothing to see here." He smiled awkwardly as you both made a bee-line for the exit. When you breached the building you let out a hearty laugh.

"You're funny." You couldn't suppress your laughter.

"Yes, but I'm also Seunghyun, actually." He bowed dramatically.

Your laughter finally died down into a smile, "I'm y/n." You curtsied in response with a chuckle, "Thanks for making me forget about my morning." 

"Why don't I give you a better afternoon?" He offered slyly and you paused for a moment. You were more than ready to say no. You had Namjoon after all, right? "I can take you to a nice lunch place and you can take as long as you want to order, I promise." You looked back at the skyscraper. Namjoon was always above you, wasn't he? "I may even pay."

You smiled graciously at Seunghyun, "Of course you will, you owe me." You playfully said, skipping ahead of the stuttering man.

Namjoon sat at his desk, back facing the window where his worst nightmare would be in clear view. Instead, he scrolled lovingly through the texts you both shared. He carefully thought about how to bring up dinner for tonight. Despite not even asking yet, he had already fantasized about what you would wear. Maybe tonight would be the night he would get a kiss from your lips. He sent the text in the midst of his fantasies. Would you wear lipstick-

You said no.

You rejected him.

You said you had a date.

Namjoon stood promptly to avoid crushing his phone with his bare hands. Never in his life had a woman rejected him, and when the one he craved so desperately did, he did not react gracefully. Not that anything he had done upon meeting you had been graceful. Even so, they were merely fail-safes, and he had failed. 

He sprung into action immediately, opening his personal laptop to scroll through the contents of your phone. His company owning your phone provider did wonders for your accessibility levels. Even so, you hadn't received any texts. There had been no one else added to your contacts. How did you have a date? Did you lie to him?

Why would you be with someone else? What did he do? He groaned in frustration he didn't understand your more zany emotions.

He lifted his head up in realization. That's it! He needed to understand your emotions. You were one of a kind, but he was as much of a disaster as Yoongi, and Yoongi has a girlfriend. 

Namjoon quickly dialed Yoongi's number. The older male answered with a bored, "What?"

"I need to talk to your girlfriend." Namjoon spoke with urgency evident in his voice, time was running out.

"No-"

"Min Yoongi!" The aforementioned female's voice could be heard in the background.

"Sunshine, he doesn't need to hear your voice- hey!" 

There was an evident scuffle, "I'll put him on speaker, you big baby." She quipped before taking a breath, "How can I be of assistance?" 

Namjoon sighed out, unsure of where to begin, "I have this girl I really, really like, but I know I shouldn't like her this much, so I'm trying to take it slow." He frowned, "But today, I don't know what I said wrong, and now she has a date with someone else."

There was a long sigh, "You guys are terrible with being honest." Namjoon could tell she was glaring at Yoongi, "You evidently said something dumb, did she ask you anything?"

Ask him anything? You asked him about his day. You asked him if he liked the coffee. What else is there to ask? Until it dawned on him.

"She asked what I thought about her and I said she was adorable." Namjoon explained, "I don't see what's wrong there, she is-"

"Yoongs, hold the phone, I might just smash it." The female was rolling her eyes evidently.

"What's wrong, Sunshine?" Yoongi spoke, "I don't get it, he complimented her."

"Ugh, of course you don't." She retorted, "Why did you think I almost went out the night we...got together? You weren't," She put her mouth close to the speaker to prove a point making Namjoon miss when she was still timid around him with the frown he deepened, "Being honest with me." She accentuated each word, "Poor girl can't read your mind, she doesn't want to waste her time pining after someone who doesn't pine back properly." The female sighed again, "Seriously, the seven of you are nuts, I know, but come on," She groaned in frustration, "You all have the looks and the status, maybe use your brain while you're at it."

Namjoon slumped in his chair. Yoongi's girlfriend had a point. Namjoon should have made it painfully clear you were his. Not just to you, but everyone else. Maybe he was crazy, but that didn't change the validity of his emotions for you. You were all he could think about anymore. He just wanted to have unrestricted access to you, but he took it slow, and now he's falling behind. You were trying to leave him. He couldn't let it happen. 

He wouldn't.

This was a bad idea. You slumped against your seat as you twirled your straw. You were unamused and Seunghyun was becoming less and less funny and even less charming as time ticked by.

This date was going terribly. Seunghyun was undoubtedly obnoxious. You were agonizingly bored as you sat in the dimly lit restaurant which you were ill-dressed for. It was far too fancy for lunch, and you could not read the french on the menu, so you ordered a sandwich and a water. You watched Seunghyun with a tired face. He really thought you took long to order this morning? It had been 10 minutes of him asking about the wine menu. Namjoon always knew-

No, no, none of that. Seunghyun was a nice guy, everyone had their quirks.

You gave the waiter a sympathetic smile as he stalked off, "So," You drawled, catching Seunghyun's attention from his phone, "What do you do for a living?" 

"I am a pharmaceutical rep." He stated, all too proudly, "I go to medical offices and get the doctors to prescribe the meds I'm in charge of, making a pretty hefty commission over some phony drops with a fancy label." Your jaw clenched at this. You had your time as a receptionist. Some were nice but most of the reps were pushy assholes with name brand and expensive meds.

Be nice. You chided yourself, "Shouldn't doctors prescribe what is best, not what is sold to them?" So much for that. You really didn't know how to shut your mouth, "Pharmaceuticals are a very controversial field." You pondered aloud.

Seunghyun seemed to pay you minimal mind, eyes already geared to his phone, he wasn't listening, "And what do you do?" He was on autopilot.

"I'm an artist." You spoke politely, “I do mixed media, but my favorite thing is to sculpt with clay.”

This made his head snap up, "Oh, and here I was going to see if you want to split the check, but I guess not." He laughed a little too hard and you blanched.

Okay, he's an asshole. 

No, maybe you're misunderstanding.

"Why not?" You offered him a shovel to dig his way out through clenched teeth.

"Well, you know," He suddenly was a lot less cute, "You're an 'artist'," You wanted to bite the finger quotes off his hands, "Unless you, ya know, dance, then maybe you can pay for the meal." He dug himself deeper, and yet you felt stuck.

Nope, definitely an asshole.

You ate in silence, and you wondered how such a crappy sandwich could cost so much. Namjoon always took you to a variety of places with great food.

Namjoon. You missed him. You missed his soft touches and kisses on the forehead. You missed the way he made your heart flutter. You missed how he spoke to you, how he would profusely apologize if he had to take a phone call. You missed the way he was as equally interested in what you had to say as you were with him. 

You felt dejected at the very thought of his name. God, you really were naive to think someone like him would just come to you. You needed to confess properly and move on if he rejects you. You would move on, but, your eyes flicked to Seunghyun as you watched him stare at his phone as he ate, you would be more mindful of who. This date was a waste of time and money on both parts.

When the check came, Seunghyun paid it in the most obnoxious way as he joked with the very uncomfortable waiter. Before leaving, you took out cash for a good tip, doubting Seunghyun had the decency to leave one.

Namjoon drove to your house and used your spare key to get in. He was not thinking as clearly as he should as he set up candles and dinner for you. You were his, though. He had to make it up to you for not proving it sooner. He could only hope you would be back from this date soon. He was beginning to get antsy, not even entertaining the thought of you not coming home. Never in his life had Namjoon felt such a sense of urgency. 

After setting up the dining room, Namjoon sat in the living room, facing the door on your frilly sofa. He had been to your place several times. It was nice, and coincidentally, one of the complexes he bought when he was into property acquisition. However, he could hardly wait for your lease to end and you could live with him. Surely you would want to? His place had more space for your art and it was a more convenient area. He could give you the world if you just gave him another chance.

Namjoon jerked when he heard a key unlocking the door. All he could do now was hope you were alone. He had no idea what he would do to any man you brought home.

You closed the door with a defeated thud as you leaned your head against the door, back to the rest of the apartment. You heaved a sigh before removing your shoes. You shook your head at today's events. You should've just stayed home.

You rolled your shoulders back before turning to put your purse away… only to scream upon seeing a male figure on the couch, "What-I… Joon?" You cocked your head as he stood, making his way to you, "What are you doing here?!"

He gave you a small smile, walking closer to you, "Apologizing." He stopped a hair short of being pressed against you as he towered over your form.

"F-For scaring the shit out of me?" You gasped when he ran his nose along your neck, inhaling your scent, thankful to find no one else's, "Joon, what has gotten into you?" You spoke shakily as you took a step back only for his strong arms to wrap around your waist, pressing you against him.

"I don't just think you're adorable." He breathed as you shuddered at his voice in your ear, "I'm so absolutely smitten, I was too cowardly to say anything." Your eyes would've shot open had his lips not fanned over your neck, making them close in bliss, "But I can't stand by and watch someone else try to take you from me." His voice came out as a growl and you felt yourself tingle at his sudden dominance.

"Take me away?" Realization dawned on you as you recalled your last message to him, "The date was a mistake." You blurted out and Namjoon pulled away from you ever so slightly, "He was super boring, annoying, patronizing, but what mattered most to me," Your hands locked behind his neck, "He wasn't you." You mused, and Namjoon leant down to catch your lips between his own without missing a beat.

You immediately responded mirroring his desperation as you clung closer to him. The kiss was soft at first as he massaged your lips with his plump ones. You gasped when he nibbled on your lower lip, giving his tongue one of the openings he craved to feel. His tongue entered your mouth with a delighted groan on his end that made your knees week. 

Namjoon was high on the feeling of your mouth as he explored every crevice. He groaned upon stroking your tastebuds, his own picking up how sweet you felt for him. You moaned out when he sucked on your tongue and you felt his teeth graze the pink muscle as he let out a short grunt.

Never in your life had you been kissed like this. He was soft yet rough and you craved him. You took the initiative to take his tongue into your mouth and return the favor, suckling on the muscle only to have his hands grip your hips harder while he grunted. You understood why he did it to you first, it felt good. It was oddly erotic, and the feeling only furthered as your lips were against his. The hand gripping your hip squeezed and you let out a small groan, the anticipation between your legs only growing as you felt you knees buckle, thighs clenching.

Your sounds were putting him in a nearly hypnotized state as his hand went to stroke your thigh and you shuddered with anticipation. He let his fingertips drag across the skin while both of your mouths melded to one another. You whined when his hand teasingly dipped towards your core only to quickly move to the back of your thigh. 

Namjoon couldn't help the smile that grew on his mouth at your brattiness. You wanted him. You wanted him so bad. He was the center of your desires and the feeling was the only aphrodisiac he needed. He held the key to everything you want. He was in control.

"Joon, I want you." You breathed, air dripping with lust.

"Whatever you want, baby," He dipped his tongue into your mouth for just a moment, "Just say the word, and I'll give it to you." One of your hands trailed down his toned body as your eyes were hooded, head clouded with lust.

You glanced up at him just as you hand made contact with his prominent bulge through his undoubtedly Armani suit pants. You watched, tongue peeking out of your mouth, as his head lolled back a rumble in his chest as he grunted when you squeezed the outline of his base, "Give it to me," You gave another squeeze, reveling in his deep moan, "Please." You nearly moaned the magic word before breaking from his hold to prance ahead of him to the bedroom.

Namjoon couldn't suppress the laugh that left him as he watched your ass while you plopped on the bed. With an extra pep in his step, he followed you to the bed, loosening his tie as he made his way to you.

He was in control, but you knew just how to bend him to your will.

The gravity of the situation hit you like a train as Namjoon unbuttoned his blazer, eye contact unwavering as he tossed it on the couch. The white dress shirt outlined his sculpted body ever so slightly and you let out a shaky breath, letting you head hit the bed as you leaned back, panties mindlessly showing from beneath your sundress. 

This wasn't a fantasy or a dream, it was your life. This man was about to fuck you into oblivion and you had no idea how to make him feel good. Your previous experience did not prepare you for this at all. Your previous lovers had all been both ugly inside and out idiots who could barely get themselves off, let alone you. Not that you were a sex god yourself. You never sucked their dick before, nor did you have any idea how to effectively. Not that they ever went down on you. Oh shit, did you shave? Does he care? How does your breath smell? How could you not have considered-

"Fuck!" Your back arched as Namjoon pulled your underwear to the side, tongue licking a stripe up you bare slit.

Namjoon hummed in delight of your taste, dark eyes making contact with yours. He was warning you. He was telling you not to wander away from him. While he loved your overactive mind, he required your full attention. He needed you 100% with him in this moment, "You taste divine." His voice was heavy, "More." It was almost primal the way he slipped your panties down your legs, enjoying the way the dainty dress looked framing the bare sex. He elected to keep the dress on for now as he pushed the flowy fabric up to your hips which he leaned into your pussy.

Your eyes rolled back at the sensation of his tongue licking a deeper stripe, parting your lips with the muscle as he gather your juices on his taste buds blissfully. Your body shuddered at your own pleasure, "J-Joon." Was all you could manage as each short lick went deeper making you squirm.

"You're so fucking sensitive, fuck." He grunted, the dress fabric he held at your hips wrinkling under his closed fists as he went to work on your clit, sending your over the edge as you came quickly and with minimal effort on Namjoon's part. 

However, instead of stopping him, the flow of juices only further spurred his as his mouth went to pay more attention to the very hold he couldn't wait to have for his out as his tongue lapped up the liquid, the lewdness and oversensitivity making your body jerk in vain. Namjoon had your hips held firmly in place as he enjoyed his meal. His tongue entered you and he let out a moan against you at how tight you felt just from his tongue fucking you.

"Too much- it- I came already- shit!" You attempted to roll your hips against his mouth as he overstimulated the brain function out of you. His tongue fucked you better than anyone in your past had as his nose nudged against your clit. When he pushed his tongue as deep as he could he could feel you squeezing. With this encouragement, he began to move his tongue ever so slightly, sending you over the edge again as your back rose from the bed, chest to the heavens, "Joon!" You moaned wantonly before deflating as Namjoon slowly withdrew his mouth from you, "Fuck me." You were breathless, fingers weak as he watched you attempt to unbutton your dress. He hesitated, but nevertheless assisted you as your dress was now spread, your body nearly bare until you unhooked your bra, "You'll give me what I want, right?" You pouted as you gossed the bra off your body and he felt his mouth water as he soaked in your body.

"I'll always give you what you want, my love, but you should rest a bit-"

"But I don't just want it." You struggled to catch you breath in the lusty atmosphere, "I need you, Sir." 

Never in Namjoon's life had he stripped himself bare so quickly. Your words sent him into a frenzy until he was just as bare as you. You outstretched your arms and he leaned down so you could run your hands over his toned chest and stomach. He guided in and he hissed as your nails scratched his muscular body at the stretch. Despite this, you were nearly drooling at the pain, Never had being stretched felt good, but you couldn't get enough. You wanted to be full.

You shifted your body down and both you and Namjoon moaned out in harmony as you were now wrapped around his entire length. He cursed, "Fuck you're so tight for me, sweet pea." His moans were low as he moved ever so slowly, shallow thrusts as you went wild beneath him, "Look at you, squirming, stretching, such a brat." He thrusted hard and you squeaked, "You can never have enough, huh?" 

Another hard thrust shook your bed as Namjoon leaned over you, his forearms on either side of your head as your arms clawed at his muscular back, "Never enough of you, Sir." You could hardly consider your words, but they struck Namjoon as he caught your mouth in sloppy kiss as he sped up. You made him alive as the pleasure only added to the high. The ruthless pace shook the bed even harder, much to your delight.

"I love you, baby." He was beyond fucked out as he chased his climax inside of you.

You were even more fucked out as you felt another orgasm approaching, and quicky, "Fuck, fuck, I love you Joon, I-" You cut yourself off with a scream as you clenched around Namjoon's girth.

This, along with your confession, sent him over the edge as he came, deep thrusts slowing down as he painted you from the inside with warmth you enjoyed. He slowly slid out of you and groaned lowly at the suction you provided until he was fully detached from you. He let out a heavy breath as he leaned over your form, placing a kiss on your neck before burying his face in it. You welcomed his weight as you both gathered yourselves.

Ten minutes must've gone by until Namjoon broke the silence beyond bated breath, "I meant it." He murmured and your heart squeezed. 

The fear of your next words dissipated the moment pushed himself up to look at your face. He looked as though he was about to back track, but you didn't let him, "I did too." You gave him one of your signature smiles, "I love you, Sir." You teased and gasped when you felt his dick twitch ever so slightly.

"Brat." He playfully seethed before attacking your face and neck with soft kisses, making you giggle.

----

You made your plight up the skyscraper for the second time with a less nervous aura. It had been a couple months or so since Namjoon and you had sealed the deal, so to speak. Things had been going great. He was the best boyfriend you could've asked for. He was supportive, kind, attentive, and all good things between. Recently, however, he had been extremely busy, and you had been extremely bored. You were in between exhibitions and had already beat deadlines for the next one, so you were left with cancelled dates and your hand. Of course you helped him with work with your limited skills.

The tray of drinks and a bag of food occupied your hands as you took a peek at your watch. Another day of overtime for your loving boyfriend. You just about had it eating alone for these past couple weeks. He fucked your brains out and then abruptly had no time to after a short two weeks of domestic and euphoric bliss. It wasn't fair. Thus, you took matters into your own hands. He had a strategy meeting which, as he explained, would consist of him scolding his employees. Logically, you would hate to intrude, but selfishly, you wanted to see him. 

Surely he wouldn't spend over two hours overanalyzing his subordinates' work and scolding them?

Right?

"...Turn to page 13 of the report and see where I've highlighted the blatant misinformation on line 7." Namjoon's voice was sharp despite being as exhausted as his employees. Monday was a big presentation he had to entrust to the newer employees and upon reviewing the handouts to accompany a good-enough pitch, he was severely disappointed. There had been typos, incorrect graphs, and blatant lies littered throughout. To top it off, the slacking managers signed off on it prior to it reaching Namjoon. This left him no choice but to cut hours in the week to make time for this colossal scolding for lack of attention to detail, "It's beyond me how anyone expected this to be remotely acceptable to present in front of me, let alone investors. This fairy tale book was a grandiose waste of my time, and for what? To save some of you managers a couple minutes of revision?" The department heads shrunk in their seats under his razor sharp gaze. The booklet was littered with yellow and pink highlighter marks along with red pen notations, making them feel like school children. Even so, Namjoon had been known to terminate and replace entire teams in the span of time he spent revising the proposal. With this in mind, the workers were just thankful to have a job to speak on.

The atmosphere was tense, filled with anger and shame among the employees until, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, it's like the principal's office in here." Your cheery voice sliced through the tension as you clicked your tongue playfully, "Nothing like a good scolding from the boss man." 

"Sweet pea?" You flashed a smile and the employees attempted to shield their whiplash from Namjoon's suddenly cheery tone, "What are you doing here?"

You held up the food, "Being selfish." You winked at him before addressing the sweating office workers, "Hello! My name is y/n, nice to meet you!" You politely bowed and were met with wary smiles. The workers glanced to Namjoon only to see an uncharacteristic smile on his face, “I’m Namjoon’s girlfriend, and I have heard so much about you,” You beamed, “Mostly good things, believe it or not.” You winked as you nearly skipped your way to the aforementioned boss man, “Don’t mind me, dear, I can wait for you.” You smiled cheekily as you sat next to an extremely sweaty employee.

“Well, darling, I imagine they have heard quite enough of me today.” Namjoon mused as his hand went to pat your head affectionately, not caring about his stunned subordinates, “I’ll let you decide what I should do from here, because I still have some materials to go over, but I’ll make an exception in favor of your judgement.”

Hopeful eyes darted to your form. The employees studied you. You were dressed in colorful clothing, playful earrings hung from your ears as your nails shined with the glitter you gleefully painted on them. Your eyes were bright, eager, ready to take on the world it seemed. The employees couldn’t help but wonder when they used to have that shimmer. Some of them had bitterly determined you were some gold digger or mindless trust fund baby. You hadn’t been the sharp, calculated, female version of Namjoon they would’ve pictured his girlfriend to be. That, plus Namjoon was very evidently in love with you. Never had they seen him cut a meeting short for anyone, even the other directors had to wait outside the meeting room. 

You leaned your chin onto your palm, tapping your cheek in thought. Namjoon would occasionally ask for your advice, your minor in business management finally coming into use. You were definitely the good cop to Namjoon’s drill sergeant, especially when it came to this proposal, “Well, what say you all get an extra credit opportunity?”  Your voice was melodic as you stood, “I was initially coming up here to redo the proposal myself, since Joon was going to… uh…” You trailed off, unsure how to put it.

“Y/n here was the lovely pink highlighter, has been offered the position of Co-Director by the CEO herself, and she has the credentials to replace all of you.” His voice made the crowd of office workers flinch, while some of them eyed your gleeful form in shock while you gave another smile, “I had been debating whether to suspend the lot of you without pay or terminate you, but it seems y/n is your savior tonight.”

“You give me too much credit.” You lightly slapped his bicep shyly as the employees held in a gasp at someone coming in contact with the ruthless and cold director, “Why don’t you all redo the proposal, hm?” You flicked your wrist to look at your watch, “You have about three hours before it becomes alarmingly late, it’s not safe to be in garages that deep into nightfall.” You showed them actual concern, “I’ll be more than happy to look it over when you believe you're done before it gets to the big boss man, here, but I hope you all will carefully check your own work too.” You were met with thankful glances, “I’m much more forgiving than Joon here, but if I find you squander this chance, not even I can save you, okay?” Frantic nods were tossed your way and you beamed at them with an infectious smile, “Great!” You clasped your hands together, “Joon and I will be in his office eating, I brought some little snacks for you all too.” You mused placing the plastic bag you had in your purse on the table, “Good luck!” 

The moment the door shut to Namjoon’s office, you were in his arms, “Why don’t you talk sweet to me instead, baby?” He murmured against your ear, “I don’t like how they look at you when you smiled like that.”

You pulled back to place a quick kiss on his lips, “I don’t like how you don’t look at me when things like this happen.” You countered with an irresistible pout which he quickly kissed away, “Plus, they only look at me like that because you’re so spooky.” You pointed out as you sat on the plush leather couch.

"I have been pretty absent, huh?" He scratched the back of his neck as he plopped down next to you.

"We've only exchanged business emails about that dumb proposal basically." You huffed, "Then, you make me all flustered in front of the poor souls by-"

"Pointing out how amazing and capable you are?" His eyes flickered to you as he took a bite out of the meal your brought him, "I could see the way some of them looked at you, like you didn't know what you were talking about." He seethed, "Not to even mention how some of them looked at your body. It's so disrespectful, I had to let them know that if I had it my way you would be the only one in my department."

You placed a hand on the clenched fist Namjoon had. He always got extremely worked up each time you were treated as anything less than royalty. You could only thank the stars that he didn't know you while you were beginning your career as an artist, who knows what he would have done to the countless creepy property managers and haughty curators. Surely, it would be a bloodbath. Figuratively, you like to say. Namjoon would never hurt a fly, but when it came down to people who looked at you with anything he deemed an ill-intent, he would just about see red. You couldn't say you hated this trait, because an extremely selfish part of you enjoyed his undying love, and proved to reciprocate his resolve when the tables were turned. However, you were thankful you could quell the fire he stoked with rage. You were thankful he told you such emotions before they got out of hand. 

You watch as his hand relaxed, gripping yours tenderly as he smiled, "Well, as long as they know you're not just mine, but you're the most invaluable asset I could ask for." 

You chuckled at this, "You need to work on your sweet talk, it seems you're still in director mode." You placed as short kiss on his lips, "But I love you for it anyway." You giggled a little, "But if I go another stretch of time without attention again I'll be much more impulsive than a late night dinner." You couldn't call Namjoon the crazy one when his affection proved to be a drug you needed constantly, a drug you could feel the withdrawals from. Just like any addict, you could get unhinged without it.

Namjoon nodded, understanding better than anyone what you meant before bringing you in for a longer kiss. He knew better than anyone what neglect could do to the human mind, especially when the attention was so addicting. He knew what crazy meant, and he would never dream of making you feel as he does all the time. His skin pricks when your hands aren't on him, his hands tremor without your own within them, and he finds his mind wandering to darker places at the thought of all the people who look at you just as he can. He had too much power, too many resources at his disposal to be devoted to you. Maybe you knew this. Maybe you both had too much to loose if it meant losing each other. 

Maybe being with a man as potentially dangerous as he could be was the adrenaline you needed all this time. An addictive thrill. Your constant fix of dopamine and you, his continuous flow of serotonin. 

The both of you junkies for one another.

Masterlist  Ko-Fi

[starr-fall-knight-rise]

Humans are Space Orcs, “Sand and Stars.”

This should get interesting quickly 

The GA council chambers were silent. Many alien races stood in solemn silence as they watched the footage.

The Rundi chairwoman averted her eyes as the last wreckage of the ship vanished into the void leaving behind only its jettisoned parts.

“Commander Vir has been announced Missing In Action.”

The Council chamber glanced between each other, sure that he was more than just missing. The human representative, seeing the looks on their faces lowered his head, “It is a human tradition that a man or women be presented only as Missing in Action until a body is found.”

“But…. That will be… forever.”

“Then commander will be forever known as missing in action protecting his planet, protecting your planets , and everything he loved…. We would ask, in human tradition that we…. Have a moment of silence for Commander Vir.”

Off to the side, Lord Celex stood atop his pedestal eyes fixed on the repeating footage before him, watching as the ship carried a great warrior into blackness. A great warrior and a good friend, someone that lord Celex had always respected and come to admire though he had never told the human that. Around the room others were thinking the same.

The Drev councilor had known the commander’s ties to the Drev nation, known his membership in two separate clans. And to him it was as if he was losing one of his own.

The Rundi chairwoman felt similarly…. As if she too had lost a friend, an who had always been more than willing to meet her people on their own level, to speak with them the way they spoke among themselves, and to follow their traditions to matter how arbitrary.

“The UNSC  is declaring war against the Burg. We do not expect the GA to understand, to care or even to participate, but we do ask that you do not impede our progress….” The human paused eyes narrowing slightly, “You will NOT impede our progress.”

There was silence around the room as some of the council chamber shifted.

Eventually Lord Celex hopped forward, “We will not impede your war human, but what of those who wish to stand with you.”

That seemed to surprise the councilor who turned, “Lord Celex?”

“Commander Vir was an ally, and a friend. He has treated the Celzex nation with not but respect and friendship. Humanity has stood behind this council since the beginning, since the Drev war.” He turned to look at the Drev councilor, “I feel that it is only fair my people do the same…. I find that it would be the best way to honor a man who honored us.”

There was a pause before the Drev councilor stood, “Commander vir is one of our own, a Sentinel of the Wandering tribe, and a declaration of war on him and his is a declaration of war on us and ours.” He slammed his spear against the floor, “Let humanity and the Drev stand beside each other in war, as we once stood against each other, and let the galaxy tremble before our assembled might.”

The Gromm stood next, “We owe the commander a great debt for saving our people, first form illness, and then from the Burg invaders as they first attempted war upon us. We will join in the fight, though supplies are most of what we can offer.”

A Tesraki stood, “We will join sides with the humans.” Turning to look at the FInnari who stepped up to add.

“As shall we. Commander Vir saved our species from extinction.”

The entire council chamber didn’t stand, but those who did were more than enough. The warriors and the arms dealers, and the politicians.

For the first time in thousands of years a majority of the GA council chamber was going to war.

***

Landing in a human life-pod is not an experience Dr Krill had ever wanted to experience, but un luckily for him, his entire life had been about things he had never ever wanted to experience ever in his entire existence.  IT had all started when he insisted on staying behind until all his patients were put onto life pods or moved onto a different part of the ship. Dr. Katie had gone with a few of the critical cases and he had seen his last human off before realizing that there was no room left in the life pod for him. Oh well, those sort of things tended to happen but what was he to do really so he moved his way over to another one of the pods.

Obviously it had occurred to him the gravity of what was going on. The Commander had initiated a protocol which would seal on contained units inside the ship and then break it into pieces violently throwing the backwards and out of reach for the black hole, or.... whatever it was.

However, the med bay was in a position very close to the command structure of the ship, s it would be one of the last to be jettisoned. However, that didn't look good for their options of escape, so he had ordered the others out as quickly as possible and stayed behind to put the last things together before getting himself to his own life pod.

When he did, he strapped himself securely in.

IT had taken a bit longer for him to figure out the controls than he would have liked, but with a press of a button, he had been rocketed off into space.

The view hadn't been all that great, in fact Krill had almost lost his cool upon seeing the debris of the ship being shot away from the massive black swirling vortex which had caused a rift in the very fabric of space itself. Krill nearly lost his cool, or let’s be completely honest, he did in fact lose his cool and he did so very violently and very suddenly freaking out silently inside his pod where nothing and no one could hear him. He watched as the last segment was shot off past him and towards the still warring battlefield of Kree airspace.

IT seemed odd to hi that that part of the ship would be going so much faster than hi, that was until he realized what was going on. Beside him The command deck of the UNSC Harbinger was slowly gaining speed towards the swirling vortex, and so was he. HE squealed in surprise and panic, and tried everything he could to get the shuttle moving faster, but it seemed as if he had gone to far already. Dr. Krill was being sucked into the event horizon of a black hole. Of course not that Krill knew much about black holes. I mean it was black and it was a hole in space so he sort of assumed that is what was going on, though he couldn't really have said for certain.

Did it matter?

He was going to die.

HE had never thought it was going to end like this, but looking over at the other ship, he realized he wasn't entirely alone. Commander Vir was aboard that command deck, probably watching fro his captain's chair as doom rose up to meet hi. Dr Krill wished there was some way to contact him, maybe to bring a little bit of comfort before the two of them died, but he knew that was impossible, so he sat, and hoped that maybe the commander wouldn't notice him there. It was probably better if he thought it was only him as he plunged into the darkness.

They began moving faster and faster and faster towards the opening. Krill turned away eyes noble to look.

The closer they got the more the air seemed to warp around in until the very essence of space itself seemed to tear and break. He felt himself being pulled in many directions all at once, not all that unlike a warp.

At any moment he expected himself to be torn in half.

The world went black and then it went red, and then everything around him went white. He was swirling, his body trembling.

He felt sick, horrible, as bad as any warp on a human ship had ever been for him, and then suddenly everything was silent.

Krill waited for an inevitable death that never came. He opened his eyes and looked around expecting to see nothing but black, but instead, a delicate blue light was filtering in towards him from the outside. He turned in his seat blinking in surprise when, instead of death, he saw the glassy blue surface of a planet with delicate lines of clouds swirling over its face, deep blue water, and the brown and green, almost like earth though, he could tell by the landmasses that it wasn't.

Keill turned to look back behind him, but found nothing to be there. The black hole just have collapsed in on itself.

But no, that wasn't right, it wouldn’t be a black hole at all but some kind of warp tunnel, which made more sense. Now that he thought about it other than being black, the hole hadn't looed much like a black hole.

He turned to his other side, though if that meant that HE had survived, than maybe it also meant....

He didn't see the other part of the ship just now, but it’s not like he had 360 degree vision.

There were also more important things to think about right now, the number one being how he was going to survive all of this. The lifepod only had a few hours of sustainable air before he was going to die, and that meant he had to land the pod quickly. Luckily for him, he wasn't expected to pilot. It had a protocol for this, and he only hesitated for a second before pressing the button and holding tight as the shuttle began it's slow descent towards the face of the planet.

It had been an almost tranquil approach for the first few minutes, maybe the first half hour.

That was until they hit upper atmosphere and little tongues of flame began licking at the side of the the windows.

KRill rattled in his seat being shaken like  juice in a jug as he careened from the sky..... not slowing down as he could.

HE did not like this at all.

WHy wasn't he slowing down?

Why wasn't he stopping?

The fire outside his window grew up until he could see nothing. He was pushed back in his seat screaming as he plunged from the sky going from one horrendous death straight into another. he clasped the sides of the seats as the ground rose up at an alarming rate. A few hundred feet above the ground and its engines fire suddenly jolting him so violently that he completely backed out. Luckily he wasn't awake for the next part when the padding was deployed and he hit the ground, the shuttle bouncing and tumbling for a moment before coming to rest in the shallow waters of an inland sea.

And there he lay unconscious as the star above him curved over the horizon and vanished down into nothingness.

***

Stars spun in the night sky overhead as smoldering pieces of wreckage burned. Hot oil melted into the sand along the side of the beach as the native animals ran for cover in whatever direction they could find to save themselves from the great and intense heat. A set of vibrant white rings orbited the planet cutting over the sky above them.

There was a crashing off in the distance, and under the glow of the stars, a panel of metal crashed to the ground, and a hand clawed upwards towards the sky glowing gently in the cast white light from the planetary rings.

The hand bent down to grasp at the metal before it, pulling the body up and from the interior of the smoking wreckage. It fell to the ground with a thud sending up a wave of sand in all directions. Overhead stars winked and fire crackled. The silhouette lay prone for a long moment before weakly clawing at the sand, pulling itself away from the wreckage and across the open sand of the beach dragging its body towards the glittering surface of the water which reflected like a mirror the stars above.

It reached the edge dipping a hand into the water’s surface sending ripples out over the starry night sky.

It lay there for a long moment under the stars with the fire burning distantly at its back.

The ripples dissipated over the glassy surface dissipating to turn the sky and the water into one seamless whole.

Commander Adam Vir Rolled onto his back one hand still resting lightly in the water clothes singed and smoking as he stared up at the stars overhead turning to reflect off the glassy surface of his eye.

The vastness of the universe stretched out before him spinning overhead in a slow churn of eternity as he fell in  and out of consciousness, the stars his only companion in the darkness.

He shivered slightly, not from the cold, or the chill wind pulled over to him from across the water, but eventually his eyes closed and he slowly faded out his mind taking him somewhere safe and warm as he lay, just another piece of the wreckage on an alien planet.

[impishnature]

Breaking Point

Thanks for waiting guys! This was 3.9k in the end so yeah haha! Which while normal for me, isn’t going to be attainable daily throughout October. 

Imptober Prompts so far

AO3 Fandom: Gravity Falls Rating: T+ (Warning for possibly graphic details on injuries.) Prompt: Broken Down/Broken Bones. Summary: Accidents at sea happen, however careful you may be. Unfortunately for Stan, some can dredge up memories with them.

.

It was strange, quite how quickly the world could turn upside down.

All it takes is one wrong turn, a blink, an exhale of breath, and suddenly all the air is punched out of your lungs and the open sky spins like a fairground ride you never meant to take. Off kilter, ready to take you down as the ground crumbles beneath your feet.

At least, that's how it always seemed to be for Stan. The world was always ready to throw him in the deep end at a moment's notice.

He'd hoped that after everything, the universe might stop trying to push him around.

He'd been quietly humming to himself, a serene smile on his face, tapping calloused fingers on fraying trousers as he sat, staring out to sea. There wasn't a cloud in sight, the sun beaming warm and bright against his arms and back, and the small bobber on the end of his fishing line was all that really kept him linked to reality. Otherwise, his mind was elsewhere, a peaceful static drone buzzing through his blank mind, as seagulls screeched overhead, hoping to snag his catch before he did if he wasn't careful and prepared. Behind him, he could hear his brother as if in the far distance, soft footfalls padding along as he absorbed himself in whatever anomaly had brought them here in the first place.  

One moment, under the bright blue sky, Stan felt at one with the world, like all the planets had finally aligned, the puzzle pieces had fallen into place and finally he was living the life he was always meant to lead.

The next second, a loud crack tore through the air and the folding chair he'd been sitting on jerked to the side, toppling, as the boat lurched beneath him. Something hit the metal railing of the boat with a long clattering ring that ricocheted around his ears as he promptly smacked into the floor shoulder first, head bumping slightly after with another flare of pain. 

Amidst this, another softer, though no less unpleasant crunch filtered through his disorientated senses. He felt something solid give beneath his fingers, breaking sharply in two and any air in his lungs choked out of him as a flood of pain washed over him. He curled up into a ball on the ground, breathing shallowly, heart thumping rapidly as his brain overloaded with sensation.

"Shit, that was- Stanley?!" 

Stan let out a hiss of a response, unable to open his mouth further than the gritted grimace it was locked in. He'd felt this kind of pain before, years and years ago, of course he had- young, homeless, running for his life, still, despite that it didn't really prepare him for a repetition. It was the kind of pain that your mind slowly forgot the true taste of, time taking the edge off. The body, however, never truly forgot. Like, that gut feeling not to put your hand near a flame even if you couldn't quite recall how much it had hurt the last time. And so, adrenaline pumped abruptly through this system, nerves sparking, his body trying it's best to keep him level-headed. His hands clenched tightly at his thigh, pushing down around the wound without being able to look at it. The memories from the last time this had happened were rising from the depths to greet him, skewing reality as all the interlocking recollections, that had quite never made their way to the surface since his 'lapse in memory', were now exposed to the light. 

It had been a baseball bat that time, a sudden solid snap to his leg that had made his eyes smart and black dots fizzle across his vision. It had knocked all the air out of him, a wheeze all that he could pull forth from his lungs, even though he felt the need to scream through the agony. Looking down had not been his most sensible idea. As soon as he saw the damage, his vision had blacked out, his muscles going limp. Even now, he had no idea how long he passed out for. It could have been minutes or mere seconds before he joltingly came to again, still locked in a terrible situation he'd found himself in with little means of escape. 

But now he was smarter, his body reacting to the pain as if it were an old adversary, a familiar routine that his muscle memory knew how to respond to. 

He turned his gaze away, eyes tightly screwed shut and took as steady a breath as he could muster, reminding himself that this time- this time- he wasn't alone to deal with it.

"F-Ford?" The word barely made it past teeth and a pain addled tongue. Heavy footfalls vibrated through the wooden floor, rattling around his skull where it lay. They should have made him flinch, would have if he'd had any sense to spare through the pain. But as it was, the much heavier, louder thump right beside his head of two knees hitting the deck without a care and the warm hand that fell atop his shoulder, instead caused a swell of relief to muddle into the mix of heady adrenaline coursing through him.

"I'm here. I'm right here."

Stan tried to relax under the slow soft movements on his forearm, the reassuring warmth that ran soothing circles across his skin, tried to lock on to the comforting voice, the familiar safety that he hadn't been able to rely on the first time. But the bolts of pain that snapped all the way up his spine, and the bright flare of his injured leg outweighed any optimism he could latch on to. All he could do under the tidal wave of agony was ride out the storm, curling up even further and pulling his leg in tighter to his chest.

"Stan? Stan, can you hear me?"

Ford's voice was an echo of worry at the back of his skull. As much as he couldn't respond to the frantic urgency his brother was trying to urge him with, the cold release of his arm as his brother moved away almost made him sob. 

No- no, please don't leave me. 

He hadn't even realised he'd latched onto the warmth to keep him tethered. The storm held him in it's thrall and the knowledge that someone else was there with him had been a rope, a life line that connected him to reality even if he couldn't quite break the surface of the water.

I can't do this alone.

He was drowning, water muffling his ear drums until all he could hear was the dissonant ring of a metal bat being swung, over and over with every pulse of pain, a death knell growing louder with every stuttering heartbeat. A distorted laugh bubbled through his skull, bouncing and splintering, increasingly scrambled until it became a cacophony of all the people he had double crossed. Scornful, mocking sounds, jeering at his plight. All of them shadows that surrounded him in the darkness, pushed him deeper and deeper into the water, flashes of yellow sparking up to fill the empty spaces in between that he might have somehow escaped through.

And the one person who might have been willing to help him, the light that might have helped him resurface, was on the other side of them all, pulling further and further away the more he let him, fading from his view with every sinking second.

If only he could open his mouth, if only his jaw wasn't locked and his entire being trembling. If only-

I'm sorry, I can't- It hurts- I'm sorry, I'm sorry-

"Stan."

The word was solid, determined, laced with a hint of fear but none of the anger that he was so despondently sure would follow. 

Pull yourself together. What are you? A Child? 

"Stan? I'm here. Whatever's happening in there, I need you to focus on me."

It was weird after so many years to hear his brother and father in the same vicinity, even if that vicinity was his own mind.

Especially when they seemed so at odds with one another.

"Please. Please open your eyes."

The warmth from before returned, now resting on his cheeks, small circular embers that dotted across his temples and his eyelids. The heat pulled him from the dark eddies, dragged him out of ice cold waters- but it was the edge to his voice that cut through him. That fear, that urgency, the thought that Ford needed him right that instant. It hushed the laughter, the mocking cries, until with all the energy he possessed, he squinted his eyes open.

The sunlight burned.

But he found solace in Ford's face above him.

Ford's shoulders slumped, arms shaking in tremors that Stan felt travel across his cheeks, but he held him fast, still continuing the soft motions against his skin. "There he is. Welcome back."

"For-" Stan grunted, close to uttering his name but without enough mobility to get his tongue to move in the correct pattern.

"Shh, it's OK." Ford's eyes became focused, quick fleeting glances at the rest of him even whilst his hands continued to soothe and his gaze so obviously wanted to latch to Stan's face. "Just- just tell me what hurts- if you can- whatever you can manage." His words were soft, sharply urgent but with no actual bite to them.

Stan didn't know whether it made him feel fragile or protected but either way he couldn't help the gratitude welling up inside him as his brother stayed at his side.

"Leg." 

It was probably pretty obvious with the way he was clutching it, but if he knew Ford, then he'd want to be sure. Either way Stan knew he was in capable hands even if he couldn't quite bring himself to try and struggle out of the foetal position he'd managed to curl himself into.

"Your leg?" Ford nodded, relief awash in his eyes at Stan's utterance. "OK. We can deal with that- we will deal with that, OK?" Stan wasn't sure which one of them the words were for exactly but he took comfort in them nonetheless. "I'm going to take a look, is that alright? I just need you to stay with me." 

Stan swallowed, the lump in his throat, solid and unyielding. He nodded once, a sharp tense motion as he braced himself for more pain.

"Easy. Easy- just, stay calm." Ford kept one hand on his face, moving it to act as a divider between his head and the floor. The other hand slowly pulled away, moving to cover Stan's hand on his thigh. "It's OK, Stan, just let me take a look." The hand slowly pried at his fingers, insistent and gentle, urging him to pull away from the pain. Ford's eyes found his again, reassuring and calming. "You trust me, right?"

And just like that it was as simple as breathing. 

Stan hissed, an annoyed sound that would have made them both laugh in any other circumstance at the low blow Ford had levied. Instead it did at least lighten the mood ever so slightly, relaxed the tight coil of his muscles enough that even if he couldn't move it himself, Ford could slowly pull his hand away and lay it gently on the floor after giving it a tight squeeze of thanks.

"That's it, you're doing great, Stan."

Stan didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the sentiment. 

He didn't feel like he was doing good, let alone great. When he'd been younger...

Well, younger him hadn't had Ford to take care of him. It was deal with the situation or get a much more fatal blow to the back of the head.

So hopefully he'd be forgiven for allowing himself to give in, now that he was a lot older, and greyer, and his brother was knelt beside him, offering to do whatever he could to help.

The soft push on tender flesh snapped him from his desolate thoughts. He whimpered, biting down on the noise almost instantly as Ford's eyes snapped back to his face, watching every subtle change and he couldn't help but try to turn away from it, not wanting to be seen this weak.

"Stan. It's OK." Ford's hand moved, running over his forehead and into his hair before reclaiming its spot around his neck. "It's just us, no one's judging you on how well you deal with this. Besides-" His mouth twisted up into a smile that didn't reach the concern gleaming in his eyes. "I'm the one that's had to patch you up after you've got yourself into fights before. So, out of everyone I think I know your pain thresholds." He kept their eyes locked, hoping to distract as his hand gently pressed again, following the line of his thigh, testing the waters with each ministration. "And I know that you aren't one to let pain get the better of you like this unless it's serious."

Stan tried to scoff, each lance of pain stopping his progress as he took deep breaths in and out. "Y-you say that like it's only me who gets us into fights."

Ford's smile brightened, more genuine than before. "True. True." He hummed, happy to divert attention as Stan's eyes focused more and more on his face. "Then again I've also seen you cry when the twins manage to send us a care package. Remember? That sweater you refused to take off for like a week? So, maybe I don't know what I'm talking about. Maybe you have gone soft in your old age."

Stan's breathing hitched, a half chuckle escaping him. "Shut it, nerd." 

"Never." 

Ford shifted back onto his haunches, relief marring his expression as he smiled down at Stan, hand moving away from his injury to find his shoulder. "Well, it doesn't seem to be broken, so that's a relief." 

Stan blinked blankly at him, the pain a dull ache in the background as he stared at him. "Wha-?"

Ford frowned, glancing back over as Stan's hand moved once more to cradle his wound. "There's no break from what I can feel. No cuts or blood either... It's a strange place for a sprain but there's obviously something going on. If you can sit up, I might be able to get a better look?"

The world was becoming fuzzy around the edges again, his ears ringing, as Ford continued to talk. Not broken? What does he mean not broken? I felt it- And even as he got lost in his thoughts, Ford was slowly pushing and prodding him to move, his body letting him take the reigns as his mind succumbed to the confused buzz of pain still fizzling through his system.

"There we go. Still with me?"

Stan flinched back to reality, the hand on his shoulder tight and firm as it shook him ever so. He nodded, staring down at his own legs, trying to find the source of the pain, to visualise the break he'd felt beneath his fingers. His vision doubled for a second, black spots forming as his leg deformed and reformed, superimposing memory and present day before realigning every time he blinked. His hand trailed down but Ford caught it, putting it back beside him with a few small taps.

"Let me. I'm the Doctor here, remember?"

Stan snorted. "Not a medical one though." His head felt heavy, exhaustion tugging at his every movement as he watched Ford continue his examination. Sparks of pain still zapped through him as he was checked over but it felt strange, on his peripherals. Like it was just out of sync, each flare of pain linked to what he was seeing instead of as soon as the touch physically came. "What happened?"

"Hmm?"

"To the boat, what-?"

"Oh." Ford glanced back at him before continuing his ministrations. "We hit something. Nothing too serious, just an outcropping we hadn't picked up on when we chartered the course by the looks of it." He grinned sheepishly. "Guess that'll teach us for relying on autopilot."

Stan let his head fall back against the railing he'd been propped up on, eyes drifting shut, too heavy to hold open. "Ehh, once in a while we're allowed to make a mistake."

"Quite right." Ford hummed back. A few more moments passed before he finally sat back, turning to Stan once more. "There really doesn't seem to be a break. Can you stand?" 

Stan pushed himself up, staring wide eyed at him.

Stand? On a broken leg?

Sure, he'd hobbled on one before. The pain had been excruciating as he stumbled agonisingly away from captors that wanted him dead, biting on his knuckles to keep from making any noise as he all but dragged himself through dark winding corridors. But - well, there was a time and place for that kind of foolhardy response to a broken leg.

And now didn't seem like one of those times.

"But it broke."

Ford frowned, eyebrows furrowing as Stan spoke. "What?"

"It broke. I felt it break."

"You felt it-" Ford's frown deepened, alarm flashing in his eyes as he took in Stan's expression. "Stan, I really can't find a break, are you sure?"

Stan nodded, own mind racing as the dull throb persisted in his leg. "I had my hand on my knee and I felt it-" Nausea flared up then, thick and fast, his entire body listing to the side as he felt the need to heave. His fingers tingled with residual feeling, the unnatural creak and bend of his bones still lodged inside his grasp.

"Whoa, whoa, easy-" Ford's hand propped him up again, gently sitting him upright as he coughed on air. The next words out of his brother's mouth were hesitant, worried, but in a way that suggested he was scared to start an argument. Which didn't make any sense at all to Stan given the circumstances.

"Now, Stan. Are you sure... and don't get mad at me- but are you sure you didn't feel, well... that?"

Stan followed the line of his pointing finger, frowning in disappointed irritation- why didn't Ford believe him- before they finally alighted on what Ford was trying to show him. He stared, uncomprehendingly, at the strange heap of fibreglass and string that he was sure hadn't been there when he sat down earlier that day. 

It took a few long seconds to realise it was actually his fishing rod- or what was left of it.

...Oh.

It was neatly snapped in two, held together only by the fishing line that ran through it's eyelets. A line that was now also impossibly tangled around his folding chair and the railing he'd been propping it against. 

"Stan?"

He couldn't speak. What could he say?

"Stan... have you broken your femur before?"

"Hmm?"

"Your leg. Have you broken your leg before?"

Stan's head was turned back to the conversation, Ford's face holding a different kind of worry, one that by now he was used to, what with everything they had been through before they'd left on their journey across the sea. It didn't, however, make him feel any better, his heart sinking to rest in his stomach, in a churning mass of shame.

The pain in his leg was dissipating, like clouds dispersing once a storm has passed. As if nothing had ever happened in the first place.

"But I really felt it."

He hated how small his voice had gone, how pleading and childish he sounded. He just needed his brother to believe him- it had to have happened.

Because if it hadn't-

Stan swallowed, lump once more firmly lodged in his throat.

If it hadn't...

"I know you did, Stan." Stan scrunched up his nose at the pity filtering through his brother's voice. "But whatever the memory was that latched on to you, I need you to know you're safe. You're alright." Ford tilted his head to catch his eye, guilt swirling in his gaze and Stan wasn't sure if he hated it more or less than the pity. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Stan let his head fall forwards, hiding his expression from Ford's inquisitive gaze. His fingers fisting in his trousers, above the old wound, the old scar that pulsed in tandem with his heart but only as if to remind him of the memory. "It's not broken?"

"No." Ford's voice was genuine, a doctor letting someone know they were completely healthy and could face the world again.

He didn't feel like he could face the world though.

Stan laughed, a hollow sound as he covered his eyes with his hand. When had he started to well up? How much more shame did he have to go through today? "Great. Brilliant. Fantastic."

"Stan-"

"So, it's just my head that's broken then?" Stan dropped his hand to stare at his brother, almost wishing he hadn't said anything as he physically saw Ford's heart break across his face. Stan tried for a crooked grin, heart hammering in his chest in guilt. "What? It-it's not a new observation, now is it, Sixer?" 

"Lee." The old nickname cut off his dark laugh, sobering him up from whatever hysterical road he'd been about to wander down. Ford's eyes were harder, sharper as he came closer and for a second there was fear. That awful paranoia that Ford was about to up and leave, snap at him for being a nuisance and go back to whatever he was doing before he got in his way like he always did. "Lee, don't you ever talk about yourself like that."

"What?"

"I can't listen to you do that. Not anymore."

Ford sat beside him, arm curling around his shoulders before tugging him in against his chest. Stan felt him breathe heavily against his hair, puffs of air that felt and sounded shaky as they sat against the railing together, the boat peacefully bobbing in the water. 

"You're not broken, Stan. Anyone whose been through what you have-" There was a definite swallow as his voice cut off, a tightness to his words that Stan couldn't help but blanch at. 

Had he made Ford cry?

"Ford-"

"No one's been through what you've been through, Stan." Ford rested his head against the top of his skull, taking a deep breath in and tightening his hold, as if scared that by letting go, Stan would vanish entirely. "You've been through so much and done so much and no one will ever be allowed to judge you, least of all me."

Stan's throat constricted all the more as he struggled to regain control of the conversation. "Ford-"

"I won't hear it." Ford kissed the top of his head. 

"You're not broken."

A tear fell then, one that Stan couldn't hold in any longer. He turned, pushing himself into the hug that was being offered and choked out a soft protest as he did so. 

"It's alright." Ford muttered above him, slowly rocking them as they sat safe in their own little bubble, their small slice of home gently swaying on calm seas as the empty blue sky stretched far above them. "I promise you, everything's alright."

Warm water hit Stan's scalp and he tightened his hold, a physical apology for making his brother cry, but Ford just gently shushed him, rubbing a hand down his back. 

"You don't ever have to feel broken again."

[onewaigu]

From Space

Genre : Alien!au

Theme : Slight fluff(?)

Pairing : Kanghyun(Onewe) X Reader

Description : Y/N accidently got pushed into the Earth's atmosphere and sent crashing into an unsuspecting Earth boy who was busy stargazing.

“I don't know, what if someone catches us?”

As much as you enjoyed getting on your parent's nerves by going on your dangerous adventures without telling them beforehand, you knew very well that if you were to go on this one particular adventure with your dear twin cousins, you would not only have to deal with your parent's wrath but you would have to deal with the High Council's too. 

After all, Earth had been out of bounds since eons ago. Anyone who dared to step foot on the planet, would be sent into exile without any hesitation.

There were many known theories as to why this rule existed in the first place, but nobody knew what the real reason was behind the need for it.

Tiny shivers ran down your spine at the thought of being exiled. From the stories you'd heard when you were little, exile didn't sound like a pleasant experience at all and because of that, you actually found it quite incredulous that your two younger cousins would even consider risking their lives just for the sake of-

“But Y/N, wouldn't it be cool to have Earth as our view while we play dodgeball? Like could you imagine just how beautiful that view would be..”

Those kids were going to be the bane of your life. However, they did have a point. Earth was truly a beautiful planet to anyone who had ever set their eyes on it and being close to it would definitely be an opportunity that would only happen once in a lifetime.

No. You really shouldn't.

Shaking your head as you placed both of your hands on your hip, you firmly told your cousins, 

“As a responsible adult, I don't think we should”

You expected to see sad frowns on your cousins' faces but instead you were met with mischievous grins. Oh no..

Dongmyeong, the older of the two twins, kicked his feet off the ground and began to circle around you in a playful manner while Dongju, the younger twin, decided to float horizontally in front of you, propping his head with his hands while looking at you with the most innocent-looking expression.

“That's too bad..”, pouted Dongju.

“We'll just have to go near that forbidden planet without any responsible adult supervision then”, sulked Dongmyeong as his shoulders slowly drooped.

A look of exasperation was plastered all over your face. You wanted to reason with them again and maybe lecture them on the consequences of going near the Earth but before you could say anything, the most dramatic gasp interrupted you. 

Dongmyeong who was busy circling you had suddenly stopped, his eyes widened in fake fear.

When did this kid become an actor, huh?

You mentally rolled your eyes, but gestured your hand at him begrudgingly, encouraging him to finish whatever nonsense he planned to say to convince you to change your mind about going near Earth.

“But what if something terrible happens to us, Dongju? There won't be any responsible adults there to save us from such tragedy!”, exclaimed Dongmyeong with utmost exaggeration, both of his hands were on his head.

“You wouldn't want that to happen, right Y/N?”

Dongju's question made you speechless because he was right. You wouldn't dare to let anything bad happen to your twin cousins. Not only were they like your own brothers, but Dongmyeong and Dongju were the crown princes of your home planet. It's true they were troublemakers but they still held some power in their name and status.

An irritated sigh escaped your lips. Your uncle and aunt would be seriously pissed if they knew you let the twins go off on their own.

“Fine, but we better be playing two metres away from the Earth's ozone layer”, you grumbled.

While both of your cousins were busy hollering in excitement, you were already making a move towards Earth.

“Hurry your butts up before anyone sees us”, you groaned in frustration.

-

Dodgeball wasn't a term native to your people. It was actually said to be derived from Earth. It was a game where players tried to throw balls and hit opponents, while avoiding being hit themselves.

The only difference was that people from your home planet would charge up ordinary rubber balls with some of their own energy and that meant that whoever got hit by a flaming ball of energy would be instantly thrown back by the huge impact and left with a stinging mark. Fun.

“Alright, here we are”, you said to your cousins who were following you from behind.

All three of you stood or rather floated in place as you marvelled at the planet in front of you.

Words could not possibly describe its heavenly beauty. Earth was truly an incredible wonder to the eyes. How could this be a forbidden planet?

“Y/N, look out!”, you turned around in confusion but unfortunately you weren't quick enough to realise that the ball Dongju had thrown was coming straight towards you at high speed.

It was too late.

As soon as the ball of energy touched a part of your abdomen, you were instantly thrown back by the huge impact, it was impossible for you to even divert your direction to anywhere else other than the planet behind you.

The faces of your twin cousins changed in absolute horror as they helplessly looked on at your figure slowly growing smaller and smaller, entering the Earth's atmosphere. They honestly couldn't do anything else to save you without endangering their own lives and because of that, they remained where they were.

-

“Why didn't you signal Y/N first that we were gonna start the game?”, Dongmyeong was the first to break away from the initial shock, his eyes widened in panic.

“What do you mean "signal", we always played dodgeball this way!”, shouted Dongju in frustration as he kept shaking his head in denial of what had just happened to you.

“..true”, mumbled Dongmyeong, letting his head drop.

The two princes fell into uneasy silence.

“We're doomed, aren't we?”

“Oh definitely..”

-

You were falling. You don't fall, you float but you were falling at that moment. When will the falling stop?

Maybe it was gravity that was pulling you down. You'd learnt about it in a lecture that Earth was the only planet that had this force that could pull you down towards the centre.

Despite being in a terrifying situation, you forced yourself to close your eyes, to let all the fear and panic inside you fade away. Hugging the energy ball tightly to your abdomen, you could feel a wave of peace washed over you. 

“I really hope the landing's soft”

-

Life could be tiring sometimes without a doubt. That's why people have hobbies, to distract themselves, to find an escape from their routine.

Hyungu's no different.

His fascination with astronomy started way back when he was younger when he used to have intricate dreams about asteroids, stars, and just about everything related to the universe above.

When he got older, he never once missed an opportunity to go stargazing. Lucky for him, he'd stumbled across this lonely hill one night while taking a longer route back home during his first year of university. 

The view from it was like no other. Hyungu would simply lie down on the plain grass and admire the map of stars twinkling above him. If he stayed a little longer, he might even catch a shooting star or two. 

There was a whole universe out there, and he could only watch it from his tiny little planet. Even so, he was still happy because stargazing truly felt like an infinite bliss for him.

-

On the 24th of November, he decided to visit the hill to meet his twinkling companions. He was also hoping he'd come across a few shooting stars to make some wishes. It was, after all, his birthday.

The path he took had cherry blossom trees lined up all the way to the hill, but their branches were bare without a single pink flowery beauty on them as winter was slowly approaching. Wisps of the cold wind blew on his face, sending tiny shivers throughout Hyungu's body. He hugged his white parka tighter around him to keep himself warm.

He had expected the night to be freezing which was why he came prepared with a huge thermos filled with delicious homemade hot chocolate tucked away safely in his tote bag. The night's stargazing experience would be just wonderful, he was sure of it.

Taking slow careful steps up the hill, he could already see his stars welcoming him. Regulus was shining brighter than ever which made Hyungu smile dearly in adoration of his favourite star.

After finding his usual spot, Hyungu immediately plopped on the grass with a soft thud. When he looked up into the sky, he could see dozens of beautiful stars scattered all over, looking as though they were like freckles on a person's face.

He started to search for constellations that he could remember off the top of his head and with each success, he bumped his fist in the air in victory. 

“I probably looked funny when I did that”, he chuckled to himself, his ears turning a faint shade of red. Thankfully, no one was there to witness it.

This went on for about a few minutes before something that was moving very fast caught Hyungu's attention from the corner of his eye. Turning his head sharply towards the source, excitement rose from inside of him.

A shooting star!

Normally, he would close his eyes and clasp his palms together as soon as he saw a shooting star to make a wish, but this time, he hesitated.

 He noticed something odd about it.

Firstly, it was slightly bigger than an average shooting star. Secondly, it was glowing purple. The second part was what shocked Hyungu the most, he had to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming. When did shooting stars become purple? Did he miss some kind of unforeseen phenomenon which caused them to change colours? Whatever it was, Hyungu was confused to say the least.

To make things even weirder, the shooting star had stopped moving halfway across the sky and was now directly in front of Hyungu's line of vision. It also seemed to be getting bigger and bigger as time passed by. Unfortunately, that's when he finally realised that the so-called shooting star was actually heading towards his direction, and it was moving fast.

Hyungu's eyes widened but he was frozen in place, too scared to move an inch from where he was. All he could do was shield his face with his padded arms, hoping that it would be enough to brace the impact.

He stood like that for a few minutes but when he heard nothing from the other side, he slowly removed his arms from his face. He really didn't expect to meet a pair of luminous gray eyes staring back into his own black ones, much less a whole person hovering above him.

Hyungu shared the same shocked look as the mysterious person. He didn't quite understand how this person could possibly be off the ground without having anything attached.

-

“What the-”, you whispered in confusion.

The fall took a while before it came to a stop. When it did, it didn't feel like you'd landed on something. Instead, you felt like you were still suspended in mid-air. Curious to know why, you slowly opened your eyes for the first time since you entered the Earth's atmosphere. Immediately, you were taken aback by the sight in front of you— or rather, below you because there was literally someone else, a boy, sitting on the ground below you. Before you could take a good look at him, you felt an invisible force push you in the back and send you crashing into the Earth boy.

His jaw hit your nose, and your forehead hit his.

The both of you were groaning in pain, lying a few feet away from each other after you had instinctively pushed yourself off of him upon impact. 

“Well, that was certainly a soft landing”, you said sarcastically as you got up from the cold ground while still rubbing your nose bridge to relieve the pain. You even had to blink a few times to adjust your blurry vision to your new surroundings.

The flames of the ball that you were hugging all throughout your fall down to Earth had already been extinguished and it was now resting against the Earth boy's foot. 

The Earth boy..

For a second there, you had forgotten all about him. You were a bit concerned though. Poor him probably didn't expect someone to crash into him from outer space.

With shy steps, you gingerly approached him. Just like you, he was also rubbing his nose bridge as he sat up from the ground and stretched out his legs. His eyes were closed too.

Once you were beside him, you crouched down to his level and lightly tapped his left shoulder twice. 

-

Hyungu was trying so hard to ignore the pain on his nose but it felt like he had just been hit hard by some type of metal. He was busy rubbing it when suddenly, he felt two light taps on his shoulder. 

Opening his eyes, he turned his head to his left and saw that the same mysterious person was smiling at him. Hyungu couldn't help but gape at this odd stranger's appearance. With hair of regal purple and eyes illuminating silver radiance, the person truly looked otherworldly. 

So aliens don't really look like E.T.?

-

Behind your smile, you were feeling kind of awkward because the boy had stopped moving once he laid eyes on you.

Is this Earth boy broken or something?

Not sure what made you do it, but you decided to reach your finger out and poked his forehead with it. You were glad that it took him out of the trance that he was in. Now, you could finally try asking him some of the questions that had been bothering you since you arrived on Earth.

“Hi, do you know where I could borrow a bio-ship? I really need to go back home as soon as possible”, you asked the Earth boy politely, pointing a finger upwards towards the sky.

Unfortunately, you were met with silence. 

“You do have bio-ships here on Earth, right? You know, the ones that are organic and make you look really cool when you take them for a spin”, you elaborated, assuming that maybe bio-ships went by another name on Earth and this Earth boy might be confused by that.

However, when he continued to give you confused expressions with no replies whatsoever, realisation finally hit you. 

“Oh no no no, please no, it can't be”, you shook your head furiously, desperately trying to reassure yourself but failing in the process.

Grabbing the boy's padded shoulders and shaking them back and forth gently, you hoped that your assumptions were wrong when you asked him, “Do you understand what I'm saying?”

From confusion to concern, the Earth Boy replied back, but unfortunately, not a single word was understood by you. Whatever he said was too foreign to your ears, you couldn't even guess the meaning of anything he was trying to say to you.

You stood up from where you were crouching and moved a few steps away from the Earth boy. With your back facing him, you placed a hand on your chest and tried to calm yourself down with slow breaths. Panicking wouldn't help your situation, so the best you could do right now was to proceed with a clear mind. Maybe then, could you think of something that could help overcome this language barrier.

 -

This definitely was the weirdest encounter Hyungu had ever experienced in his whole life. Who would've thought that a shooting star that turned out to be an actual person would be talking to him in some kind of alien language right now. 

Of course, he didn't know how to respond so he just kept quiet but the moment the mysterious space person started panicking and stood up from beside him, that's when Hyungu decided to pack his stuff as fast as he could and attempted to run away as quietly as possible. He had had enough of weird things happening to him in one night.

Tiptoeing down the hill, Hyungu kept looking back to make sure that the person was still there. Once he knew he was much further away from the hill, he slowed down his pace and leisurely strolled along the path that would take him back home to the dorms.

-

Did the Earth boy honestly think you didn't notice his retreating figure? His footsteps weren't as quiet as he probably thought they were.

While you were still unsure of what to do, you still followed him from behind because he might be the only one who could help you. Besides, there weren't any other Earth people around anyway.

You raked your brain to search for some solution. You could've sworn there was something you could do to learn a foreign language in an instant. There was a lesson around it when you took Earth Studies as an elective last year. You just had to remember what it was.

A low rumbling sound interrupted your thoughts. Clutching your stomach, you sighed in annoyance. It's been a few hours since you last ate or drank something. Moments later, another sound came from in front of you, this time it was a low gasp. You slowly raised your head to see that the Earth boy had finally realised that you were following him all this while. His eyes were wide open and his cheeks were tinted with a faint shade of red.

In a blink of an eye, he started to run. You were dumbfounded by his action but at that moment, something clicked in your mind and you began to chase after him.

“Wait, hold up! I need to do something”, you called out to him despite knowing that he couldn't understand anything you're saying.

He was fast but you were faster. When you heard the rustling of his clothing growing quieter, you took this chance to pick up your speed. Once he was already an arm's length away from you, you reached your right hand out and grabbed the sleeve of his padded clothing, causing him to halt.

You turned him around to face you. Not giving him any time to comprehend what was happening, you immediately landed a small peck on his rosy cheek. When you pulled away, the Earth boy blinked his eyes a few times before falling limp on the ground. 

Hmm Earth people faint when we do that? 

Even after you did that, you weren't completely sure if you had already absorbed the language of the Earth People. The only way to check was to wait for this Earth boy to wake up.

Folding your arms in annoyance, you began eyeing the bag that he was carrying. As if on cue, your stomach rumbled one more time. Touching your abdomen, you wondered if he had anything on him right now.

Isn't that stealing? 

You shook your head reassuringly.

It's "borrowing"

Satisfied with your own logical reasoning, you took a step closer to the purple bag that was still slung on the Earth boy's left shoulder. You lifted his arm up and removed the bag, leaving his arm to fall back to the ground with a thud. You peered at his face for a second and saw that he was still unconscious.

“How long before he finally wakes up?”, you stifled a laugh.

Holding the bag in your hands, you began to rummage through it, searching for anything that could stop your stomach from making any more embarrassing sounds. 

Eventually, you found something. It seemed like a mere metallic cylinder at first but when you shook it near your ear, you could hear some type of liquid swirling inside. Eager to know what it was, you unscrewed the lid and brought the brim closer to your nose. When you inhaled, a strong rich sweet-smelling scent greeted you.

Bringing the cylinder to your lips, you downed the chocolate-coloured liquid in one shot. You let out a happy sigh as you could feel the silky smooth texture of it against your throat. It was absolutely delicious, you had never tasted anything like it on your home planet. It was gone in an instant!

Setting the cylinder aside, you lazily turned your head towards the Earth boy's direction to see him staring back at you.

“Oh great, you're awake!”, you smiled at him.

“Did you finish all of that?”, he pouted, “I didn't even get to taste it and it's gone”.

“Aww I'm sorry about that”, you apologised while looking guiltily at the empty metallic cylinder.

“Oh no, it's okay- Wait a minute!”, he exclaimed halfway through his sentence, pointing a shaky finger at you. “I understand you!”

Your whole face suddenly lit up when you heard those words, “You do? You understand what I'm saying?”, you asked him excitedly.

The Earth boy nodded his head enthusiastically. He too, was smiling in excitement, though he wasn't exactly sure why.

“It worked, I can't believe it worked!”, you whispered to yourself in glee. Now, you're one step closer to finding a way back home.

The sound of someone clearing their throat echoed into your ears. You figured it came from the Earth boy so you just hummed back in response.

“I don't mean to offend, but are you..an alien?”

Upon hearing that, you turned your head sharply at him which caused him to look away shyly.

Tilting your head a bit, you shrugged, “Well if being an alien means I'm from up there then yes, I'm an alien”, you told him nonchalantly.

“Oh w-wow, that's uhm nice”, he stuttered back awkwardly while scratching the back of his ear.

Even though you're extremely curious to know what life was like on Earth, you had to abandon any thoughts of exploring it. 

“Anyway, do you know where I could borrow a bio-ship or any type of spacecraft? I really need to get home”, you asked him in a serious manner. 

The Earth boy repeatedly tapped a finger on his lips in concentration, trying to think of an answer. However, when he looked like he had one, he gave you an uncertain smile. You were a bit worried to listen to what he had in mind.

“There is a place which has those..”, he trailed off.

Why did it seem like there would be a 'but'?

“..but normal people can't just go there and borrow a spacecraft, it's government property”, he furrowed his eyebrow at you in empathy, “I'm sorry”

You felt your heart shatter into a million pieces. Assuming that this so-called government was like your home planet's High Council, there was no way you would ever be able to leave Earth any time soon. Heaving a sigh, you waved your hand dismissively at the Earth boy.

“No worries, I guess I'm stuck here for a while”, you mumbled defeatedly while raising your head up to look at the night sky. You hoped that your twin cousins were at least busy finding a way for you to get back home.

From the corner of your eye, you could see the Earth boy visibly contemplating on something.

“Uhm..do you have a place to stay?”

A low gasp escaped from your lips. You hadn't thought about that at all. “No, I've never been to Earth before, so I don't know anyone here”, you frowned deeply as you hugged your elbows. All of a sudden, you felt alone and you wanted to cry.

But then, you could hear a soft kind voice asking you in the most gentlest way, “Do you maybe want to stay at mine? It's actually a dorm with a few other people but I'm sure they won't mind it”

“I don't want to trouble you..”, you already felt bad for being such a burden to this young Earth boy.

“Trouble? Helping someone else who's in need isn't a trouble at all”, he beamed at you reassuringly.

You hesitated for a while before accepting his offer. Something about this Earth boy made you feel like he was someone you could trust. 

Soon after, the two of you began heading towards the Earth boy's dorm, walking side-by-side each other. Your eyes were wandering everywhere the whole time, soaking in the beauty of Earth.

“I'm Hyungu by the way”

You stifled a laugh but quickly tried to hide it by covering your mouth with your hand.

Hyungu looked at you in confusion, not understanding why you thought his name was funny.

“Sorry, it's just that I've been calling you Earth boy in my head the whole time since I landed here”, you explained to him apologetically. You could feel the heat rushing to your cheeks so you looked away, hoping that he didn't notice it.

“I'm Y/N”, you told him.

“Aren't you cold, Y/N?”, he shivered as a cold breeze blew on their faces. Hyungu kept tugging at his parka to try and stay warm but he noticed that his new alien friend was completely unfazed by the freezing weather. In fact, he was bewildered when he first saw you because you weren't wearing any thick warm clothes.

“Nope”, you simply replied back.

He nodded and the both of you went back to walking silently beside each other.

At that moment, Hyungu finally accepted that he probably wasn't dreaming anymore.

[a/n]

hi hi! yes, this was lowkey inspired by starfire and robin's first meeting where starfire kissed robin to understand and speak English ^ ^

hope you had fun reading this!

also don't forget to stream parting ;)

[anistarrose]

Ford in Amphibia

Summary: Anne and the Plantar family take in an eccentric new guest.

Word Count: ~2100

Warnings: none

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19375102/chapters/46100365

Part 1 of… 2? 3? Probably somewhere in that ballpark, but it really depends on if the still-progressing canon of Amphibia throws me anything new. 

This chapter doesn’t require much Amphibia prior knowledge to read, though — as long as you’ve seen the first pair of episodes, you’ll be fine!

***

“Anne! Anne? Anne, you gotta wake up! It’s an emergency!”

“Ugh, what?” Anne sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes as she checked the time on her phone. “Five A.M.? What the heck is going on, Sprig?”

“The whole town’s outside our door! And they’re asking for you, and saying it’s urgent!”

Sure enough, a muffled slamming noise sounded from aboveground, followed by of a chorus of distressed ribbits.

“But… I didn’t even do anything bad yesterday! What do they want with me?”

“Doesn’t matter! We can’t afford them bringing out the battering ram to bust down our door again, so c’mon!” Sprig grabbed Anne by the hand, and dragged her upstairs.

There was thankfully no battering ram in sight when Anne threw open the door to face the citizens of Wartwood, but it looked like Sprig hadn’t lied about the whole town being outside. He had, however, neglected to mention that nearly all of them were wielding torches, pitchforks, and other staple weapons of angry mobs.

“Here she is, the girl of the hour!” Sprig offered weakly. “… Please don’t kill her?”

One-Eyed Wally sprung forward, and Anne flinched — but rather than attacking, he cast his pitchfork to the ground, and took her by the hands. He gave a quick bow, and Anne realized his one golden eye was wet with tears as his head bounced back up to meet her gaze.

“Thank goodness you’re here! You’re the only one who can save us now! Please, my lady, I beseech you!”

“Uh… not sure I’m following what’s going on here…”

“Another foul beast has been spotted roaming these parts,” Mayor Toadstool explained, pushing his way to the front of the ground. “Go on and tell them what you saw, Wally. Be brave.”

Wally’s hands trembled as he spoke. “It had a haggard gray mane, and its eyes reflected red light brighter than the moon itself! It loomed over me like a mountain, and it — it —”

He rummaged around in his pockets, and pulled out a few charred pieces of what must have once been a tree branch. “It fired bolts of lightning out of its arm! It just barely missed me, but it reduced a mighty old oak to ash in a single strike!”

“But since we’ve tamed a loyal beast of our own, she can drive it away for us!” Toadstool finished. “Then the town will be saved, and none of us will have to risk our precious lives fighting it!”

“What?!” Anne gasped. “You really think I could chase off something like that? And — and even if I could, I’m not your attack dog!”

A murmur went through the crowd, and Toadstool looked seriously ready to debate the attack dog comment, but Sprig spoke up before he could say anything.

“Anne, wait! You should hear them out — you know how everything gets overblown whenever Wally’s the one telling the story. Maybe it’s another lost human, and this whole situation is just a misunderstanding!”

“Look, I accepted a while back that I’m the only human in this world,” Anne shot back. “If there were more, we would’ve crossed paths by now for sure! But… I guess Wally is kind of prone to overblowing things…”

She sighed. “Okay, tell you what. I’m not fighting that beast, but tell me where you last saw it, and I’ll do some recon on it for you guys.”

Wally immediately burst into tears. “You’re a hero!” he blubbered. “This town will owe you a debt for the rest of your days!”

“Oh, I don’t know about that —” Toadstool cut in.

It was only then that Hop Pop walked into the living room, stifling a yawn. “Kids? What’s all this commotion about? Anne?”

Anne darted past him, back into the basement, and emerged a minute later wielding her tennis racquet.

“No time to explain! Gotta go risk my life for strangers by hunting a lightning monster!”

“See you soon!” Sprig added as the two of them sprinted off into the early morning light. “Maybe we’ll bring back another monster from the woods, and let them live in our house too!”

***

Ford’s patience for the frog dimension was wearing thin.

It had felt (quite literally) like a breath of fresh air at first, after spending close to a week consorting with unsavory characters in the alleyways of a sprawling, smog-filled metropolis — but limited signs of civilization meant traipsing through long swaths of muddy terrain, and mud meant that new boots would be ruined and silent movement would be nearly impossible, and… well, he could go on and on about why he hated swamp environments. The list of inconveniences just never seemed to end.

Ford didn’t actually mind amphibians — in fact, they accounted for some of his favorite anomalies back in Gravity Falls. He didn’t even mind the anthropomorphic frogs that watched him from afar and then fled before he could approach them — directions would have been convenient, sure, but he still had faith in his navigation abilities.

No, what he hated were the frogs that crept up behind him at the earliest hours of the morning, and nearly gave him a heart attack because they just happened to have BRIGHT YELLOW EYES. Or worse, in the case of today’s encounter, just ONE bright yellow eye. Why couldn’t those frogs be the ones who minded their own business?!

A branch snapped behind him, and he whirled around, gun in hand.

“Come out where I can see you!” he barked. “I’m willing to resolve this peacefully if you are, but try anything funny and I won’t hesitate to shoot!”

A bush a few feet away let out a small whimper, followed by a series of hushed whispers like it was having a conversation with itself. Finally, the culprits peered out, hands above their heads…

Human hands, in one case.

“There are humans in this dimension?” Ford asked, just as the girl blurted out: “Wait, are you a human too? How did you get here?”

There was an awkward pause, before Ford replied: “Even if we are of the same species, there’s no guarantee we come from the same dimension.”

“Are you some kind of space pirate? Am I on another planet?” the girl asked at the same time, speaking over him. “Or a time traveler? Have I been in prehistoric times all along?”

“Uh… not exactly either of those, but closer to the first one,” Ford told her.

This didn’t feel like a trap. The human girl seemed genuinely inquisitive, and her frog companion looked scared out of his wits, not scheming. “I apologize for being so hostile before. I’ve just been on guard lately.”

“It’s fine. I did pretty much the same thing when I got here too,” the girl assured him. “I’m Anne Boonchuy, and this is my buddy Sprig. Nice to meet you!”

“Likewise. I��m Ford.”

“Just Ford? What, no last names on your planet?”

Ford sighed. “No, I just don’t like sharing personal information. You never know what identity thieves might lurk in unfamiliar worlds.”

It was his go-to lie when dealing with kids, since it sounded a lot less intimidating than there are a lot of extremely ruthless people after me and the less I tell you about myself, the less likely they are to be a threat to you. He didn’t think Bill’s minions would have much influence here, but it didn’t hurt to err on the side of caution.

He and Anne shook hands, and he couldn’t help but cringe slightly as she looked at his fingers and frowned in confusion.

“I can’t help but notice you’ve got, uh, more than the normal number of fingers… or is six fingers normal where you come from?”

“No, I carry a rare genetic mutation that causes polydactyly. I’ve always been something of an anomalous case, even in the world I hail from.”

“Wow, you sound like a pretty smart guy.”

“Well, I would hope so! My eleven PhD’s didn’t earn themselves.”

“Dang, you are smart!” Anne’s eyes lit up. “Hey, want to come back home with us? I’ve got some, uh… weird odds and ends from my world that I want an expert opinion on.”

“I dunno,” Sprig piped up, speaking for the first time since his exchange with Anne in the bush. “It worked out well when I brought you home, but… are you sure he’s not gonna eat us? He feels like the type of person who would eat us — he’s too fluffy for it to be anything but a trick, to make him look less threatening!”

“Oh, it’s just my beard that’s scaring you?” Ford asked, pulling a lighter out of his pocket and squinting as he held it just beneath his chin and flicked the wheel. “Because I can get rid of this real quick if I just — ah, here we go!”

He let the blaze travel up his face for a few seconds before patting it out, ignoring Anne and Sprig’s slack-jawed expressions.

“Dude,” Anne gasped. “Did you just set your face on fire?”

“Well, how else am I going to get rid of a whole beard in under thirty seconds? Not by shaving, that’s for sure.”

***

Anne motioned for Ford to sit down, and he did so as she unfolded the cloth concealing the object resting in her lap. The Plantar family had been surprisingly charitable towards Ford, feeding him breakfast and insisting that the couch was always available if he needed somewhere to sleep — just as charitable as they’d apparently been to Anne, when she’d abruptly been tossed into their lives not two weeks before.

She’d given the summary of her story over breakfast, and in return, he’d explained the very basics of his story to them: that he seeked to eventually overthrow a tyrant who threatened many parts of the multiverse, and that he traveled from dimension to dimension with very little control over where he would end up. Anne had seemed disappointed to hear that second part — presumably because she’d been hoping Ford would have a way to get her home.

But maybe, not all hope was lost in that regard just yet.

“This is the music box that brought me to this world,” Anne explained, tossing aside the cloth. “When I opened it for the first time, it flashed all colorful and I woke up here, but it hasn’t worked since.”

“Peculiar,” Ford muttered. “Where exactly did you find this music box?”

“Just a weird knickknack shop,” Anne answered, a little two quickly.

“May I hold it for a moment?”

“Sure.”

She handed it to him. It was metallic and oddly cold, far colder than anything should have been on this sweltering day — almost as if it was magically draining the heat from Ford’s hands. He held his wrist in front of it and pressed a button on his watch, and a grid of laser dots were projected onto it, signifying a scan in progress.

“Those gems were more colorful when I first found it,” Anne explained. “But they’ve been gray ever since I got here.”

“Hmm. Well, here’s your problem: this box was once a vessel for a large amount of magical energy, but that energy has since been depleted — presumably when it brought you to this world. That’s probably why the gems lost their color, and why it can’t transport you back anymore… but if you were able to recharge that supply of magical energy somehow, I think there’s good odds it would take you home. Either that, or it would take you an even more foreign dimension of even weirder creatures. No way to know for sure unless you try?”

“Well, that’s the best lead I’ve got by a long shot,” Anne told him. “How do I recharge it?”

Ford shrugged. “Good question. I’ve got no clue.”

“What? C’mon, aren’t any of your PhD’s in cursed music boxes?”

Ford shook his head. “Magic is a fickle thing, and it works differently in almost every dimension. In one world, you might learn how to cast a spell that rains bolts of lightning down on your enemies, but in another, you might barely be able to summon a spark using the same ritual. Even if I’d encountered a relic like this before, there’s no guarantee that yours would obey the same rules.”

“Oh.” Anne’s face fell. “Well, thanks for your help anyway.”

“Keep you chin up,” Ford told her. “Your search for answers has only just begun — there’s still plenty more research to do, and plenty more chances to have a eureka moment! And if you have any questions of the scientific sort… well, I’m not sticking around forever, but while I’m here, don’t hesitate to ask me anything.”

“Thanks. Will do.”

[davinciandwilde]

God of Dust and Paper

I try to imagine you, on occasion

I am not unique in this; we have been trying to depict the God of Creation

For generations. Paintings by Michelangelo, Giovanni and so on

Show an old man with flowing robes and white beard drawn

With that near blinding backdrop of light that washes out any details

This is consistently the image that prevails

How much is interpretation or carefully sculpted commissions doesn’t matter I guess

They are all piss poor pitiful representations that can’t capture your essence

I wonder if paintings and sculptures aren’t the only places where your essence gets missed

But that’s a different conversation so let’s not drift

Consistently you have been depicted passive and watching with bold sharp strokes

I remember the first time I saw a version of you when I still went to church with my folks

I was still a kid, listening to a fire and brimstone sermon under your sketchthin narrow eyes

Only true believers get through the narrow gate to make it to that place in the sky

Make sure you are one by following the rules and properly-staying inline

I remember my crooked bare feet and straight back spine

Trying to understand all those lines and keep away from any one side

All of these laws I was scrambling to obey and categorize

Imagine my anxiety and fear when I couldn’t fit in any of this unyielding framework

It wasn’t until years later when I started ironing out these odd quirks

That even you couldn’t possibly fit in the form or proportions of this visage

If we were created in your image

I wonder if there is any flesh to you that yields under touch

I wonder if there is any fat to you that I could clutch

Any softness I could press into and find some small amount of comfort

Do you bruise or ache from the work suffered

Or are you some Adonis from muscle and stone

Unyielding, omnipotent, omniscient creator on an equally hard throne

I think about hands hard enough to leave craters and impressions on this earth

And question if we, your creations, leave any impression on you, any at all since the first birth

Created in your image. But what shape of eye, what color, what form would be worthy to mimic you?

Is it even possible to touch you, assuming your form isn’t a light that’s too bright to see through

Or a fire that just burns like searing stars or sweltering suns

Or a live coal pressed to the lips to cleanse an unclean tongue

I imagine you drifting across the cosmos, expanding universes, decorating galaxies,

I try to imagine the world before it understood the meaning of causalities

Like a child, exploring color, heat, gravity, these cycles and rings, and halos

Breathing stars and gathering them on the tips of your fingers, refracting the light just so

These particles of darkness warping around the pureness of your light

Even black holes, insatiable for something hearty and bright

Do not have the audacity to reach for the hem of your cloak

I imagine your finishing touches on this solar system you invoked

The Spirit moving over the face of the waters

It was here you decided to add to your titles: The Potter

These particles not yet formed, but you saw our shape

And decided yes, in this nothing, I will create

A being with purpose and meaning and love and in my image

Not even the angels of heaven had such a privilege.

I wonder what the angels were thinking or if they wanted to ask your reasoning

When you swept up a pile of dust and dirt and decided it was worth something

May I be honest with you, can I leave it all on the floor?

I swear that there is an atom, some lingering molecule deep in my core

That knows that this is what we were formed

This clay, this dust, this dirt it is just transformed

We were meant to be kicked up and pushed aside

Swept and collected into the trash to be tossed outside

Cleaned and scoured away in a great flood

Staining clothes and smudging skin we were meant to be washed away

We were meant to unwanted, to be less than nothing

But you gathered all these atoms up and decided that we could be something

Collected the dust of the ground and created Adam. The first person  

Created knowing that we would be stupid enough to listen to a serpent

So, you formed these bodies and called them temples

Created in your image, these were assembled

Honestly, there are days when that feels like blasphemy

The audacity that holiness could be mimicked in this anatomy

You knew we wouldn’t house you in here either

You knew we would turn to smaller gods, creatures, and clever deceivers

Easier ideas and concepts that we could comprehend

Things that took less time and energy to love and tend

Can we be honest? There are days you hard to understand and hard to love

There are days when this world you created is hard to love

When your people, your precious children, are hard to love

When this body of Christ, this temple that is supposed to be peace and grace gifted from above

Is really hard to love?

Be honest with me, tell me we are hard to love.

Can we be honest that love is hard

Why did you think we could handle the ability to love?

But you did it anyway, only you know why

Broken bones, dust, clay, maybe kilned in holy fire or stardust, I’ll ask when I die

You created these temples then made it an option to house you

Some of us try to create a place worthy enough

For our Creator, Worldbuilder, and celestial maker who causally breathes star stuff  

When we can only work from that which we were created

Insecure and fumbling, arguing to understand the basics of the sacred

Do you hear the joints creek, these stones grinding under thin plaster

Do you feel the columns sway sometimes with natural disasters

Do you know why there is no ceiling

I am constantly looking up to see if there is any sense to my kneeling

The only thing stable here is the dirt floor

The impression of our knees side by side the only thing I have of your presence to account for

I try to imagine the temple erected by Solomon gilded in gold and bronze and iron

I think about your throne, of cherubim, ophanim, and seraphim choirs

I think about how if ethereal beings of light and star and fire are beneath you

If the Holy City will be paved in gold and thousands of precious stones imbued

What does this temple of mine have to offer?

What devotions, what praises, what love could I possible sing

There is nothing on this earth worthy enough to bring

What could I possible place upon this flickering heartsized alter

These graceless inadequate words that the fill air isn’t even mine to take

I’m just filling it, filling it like all these empty pages with essays and poems I make

These prayers acting more like letters and conversations

Is there any worth to these lengthy exchanges?

Hoping that something of value might span the generations

There were offerings here: lacethin smoke deliberations

The curlcrush edge of careful consideration and investigation

But even these will fade, reaching back to where they began

Dust back to dust, before there was earth, sun, moon or man

The temples of old were stained with blood and mine is as well

But the blood is not mine, and I could not conquer hell

Smeared on the altar and the door frame

Your lion turned lamb son sacrificed and slain

Dark skies, earthquakes, resurrected saints, weeping angels, is this how you grieve?

Was it you tearing your own cloak, when the curtain of the temple was cleaved?

There are days when I wonder if the tears that dot these floors are yours or mine

If maybe there is a reason one of the best known miracles was turning water into wine

Are there days when you really look at what we are and what we’ve done

And the reflection it makes, however distorted, about you, the holy spirit, and your son?

Made in your image and I’m told you never regret it

That you love us still, no matter if we do or do not commit

The only thing I have to offer is my life, my heart, my soul and mind  

To a being that literally, not even in images, can be confined

All temples will fall. To ruin, to destruction or to time

Even Moses, David, and Elijah left only blueprints behind

I’d like to think, after this temple of mine falls

No imprints in the sand, just shelves filled in the walls

That somebody might still pass over and say

“This is holy ground, this space of paper, dust, and clay

Love lived here, and though its alter is cold

The offerings and gifts given have been increased a hundredfold”

When they run their hands over the edges now flush

And the corners powdersoft in the climbing brush

I hope they find the core of you and all the details you adorned

I hope they say that I was well-loved and not well worn

You are a God of Love and Creation and Majesty

Glory be to the hands that weaved the tapestry of humanity

But you are also my God, a God of dust and paper

And I wonder what will happen when the efforts of my labor

Are blown away as softly as golden sand in the blazing desert

Will you collect those pieces as delicately as Adam in the dirt

Made in your image, but if I am completely honest

Of everything we have spoken of, may I have one small promise

If, in the end, I only return from that which I was created

Dust back to dust, it would have been worth it if I just could be designated

These particles of mine just placed in your brilliant light

To dance and float and shine. It would be worth every fight

Made in your image, let me see what that meant

Until then, I will do what I can with what little I understand, to represent.

[bgn846]

Satum Novum Chapter 2: Distraction FFXV Gladnis

<Previous Chapter 1

The sound of seagulls woke Ignis, he was warm, and finally felt rested.  A second later his brain kicked into gear, figuring out what hearing birds really meant, he was near the shore.  They had arrived in Altissia.

In what Ignis would later classify as a stupid move, he attempted to bolt out of bed.  A number of things happened as a result.  Gravity was a greater force than he’d remembered, and his sweatpants weren’t as snug as they should have been.   The advisor was not allowed to suffer alone, as Gladio had been reading in his hammock.  The dark haired man had witnessed him waking, and was thankfully ready to catch Ignis, preventing him from falling to the floor on wobbly legs.  

The feeling of a strong tattooed arm around his waist, made Ignis’ breath catch.  Gladio was silent as he held him upright, his hold never loosening.  Ignis quickly grasped his pants, effectively keeping them from slinking down his hips.  After a minute the shake in his limbs had gone and Ignis focused on standing up straight.

“I know you’re in a hurry, but you gotta give your body time to adjust.  You’ve been without proper food and rest for over two days.   That has an effect.” Gladio chided.    

“I do realize that, but I have to deal with more pressing matters than my health.”

“Sure, but you keeling over prematurely isn’t gonna help the prince.”  

Ignis sighed.  “What do you suggest I do?” He lamented.

“Move a little slower until you get your strength back.  Accept some help.”  Gladio offered.

That statement made Ignis think.  This man had saved his life, surely there had to be a way to repay him? “How shall I repay you for your kindness?  I do owe you my life.”

“You don’t owe me anything; just don’t throw away what you almost lost.”

Ignis was silent, Gladio was correct, he couldn’t waste this opportunity.  He needed to be smart about his next move.  “Did my clothing make it?” He queried hopefully.

Gladio nodded and finally released him.   Ignis watched as the tall man strode across the cabin, and retrieved a stack of clothes.   “They are clean; I’ll be up on the bridge when you’re ready to go.”  He announced handing off the bundle to Ignis.

The advisor found he was staring as Gladio turned and left the cabin.  He wished they’d met under different circumstances, Ignis was intrigued by Gladio.  However, now was not the right time to be exploring new friendships.  He needed to find Noct.  Thankfully his legs had decided to work properly, and after a few minutes he had freshened up and was ready to go.

Fifteen minutes later found Ignis in the middle of a rather odd discussion.  Gladio and Prompto were both arguing, about letting him go alone.  It appeared that the blond felt he would need their help, and wanted to tag along.  Gladio on the other hand didn’t want to interfere.  Ignis was slightly disheartened by Gladio’s opinion.   Despite the fact, that he knew full well, he would decline the help.   Ignis didn’t want to get either of them involved, unless it was utterly necessary.  

Finally, the only way Prompto would let the matter go, was if Ignis promised to check in with them later.  Phone numbers were exchanged and Ignis was finally able to say goodbye.

Walking down the ramp at the dock felt odd, almost sad even.  The advisor worked to push his feelings aside, he had work to do.  He needed to find a secure line of communication to contact the king, and see if Drautos had made any demands.

--

“Why didn’t you want to go?!” Prompto huffed.  “Someone tried to kill him and you let him go off on his own.  That’s not fair Gladio.”

“Kid, He works for the crown and I don’t want to get involved okay.   He wanted to go by himself anyway, so no matter what you said would have changed his mind.”

“Still, it sucks!  I wanted to help and you ruined it.”

Gladio scoffed.  “I didn’t ruin anything Prompto.  Ignis didn’t want us to come, get over it.”

“What happens if he gets hurt or killed, won’t you feel bad?” The blond tried.

“Prompto, I’m done with this discussion.  I gotta go get more supplies for when we leave again.  Try not to worry.” Gladio offered as he left the bridge.  Telling his younger companion to calm down wasn’t helping his own nerves.  Admittedly Gladio was worried for what awaited Ignis in Altissia.  If he was dealing with traitors there was no telling how deep it went.

--

Noct’s timing was terrible.  He had managed to get the air vent loose in his cabin, and was currently stuck in the duct work.  Stupid action movies, they always had people crawling in air ducts.  Real life was different; the spaces were small and didn’t fit a body at all!    He barely heard the door to his room click open as his head and shoulders were wedged in the wall.

Lazarus’ hearty laugh was what actually caught his attention.  Before he could kick out, two hands had roughly grabbed his waist and pulled him from the vent.  The glaive then slapped him roughly in the head after he was freed.

“Good one highness.  Too bad Drautos has the remote to your collar; otherwise I woulda shocked your arse.”

Noct huffed and held the back of head where Lazarus had smacked him. “I never did anything to wrong you, why can’t you let me go.”

“Doesn’t matter, your kind is what’s wrong with the Eos these days.   Too much power for your own good.  Now get up or I’ll make you.”

“I thought you said Drautos had the remote, so make me.” Noct retorted angrily.

“Fucking punk.” Lazarus spit out as he roughly grabbed Noct by his shirt.  “Get up.”

Before Noct could put up a fight, the glaive had pulled him up and pinned him against the wall.   The next thing he felt were his hands being secured behind his back.  “Hey!  Don’t do that!  What if I fall overboard or you push me. I won’t be able to swim.”

“Not my problem, now get moving.”

Noct was nervous again, he had no idea what they were planning.  If Ignis truly was dead then no one knew what had really happened.  The thought of his best friend not having survived made him start to panic. Unable to stop his body from shaking he focused on breathing.  Lazarus shoved him upstairs to where Drautos was waiting.

The captain of the guard looked over and smirked.  “Welcome to your new home highness, I do hope you like the great outdoors.” Drautos offered as he craned his neck towards dry land.

“Where the hell are we?” Noct asked bewildered.

“It doesn’t matter to you.  The message I’m aiming to send is for your father alone.  We are going onshore and if you so much as look at me wrong I’m going to hurt you.  Is that understood?” Drautos asked.

Normally Noct would have had a flippant response for that kind of statement, but he was afraid.  “Does-does that mean you don’t intend to harm me?” He asked weakly.

“If you do what you’re told, then the chances of your survival increase greatly.”

Noct stayed silent and concentrated on not falling in the water as they boarded the dingy.  Having his hands bound behind him was bad for balance, and he nearly went over the edge once.  He felt Drautos’ large hand grip his jacket and pull him back.  If the captain was willing to save him then maybe he wasn’t going to kill him.

The boat ride was short and no one said anything as Lazarus steered towards shore.  Once the craft was beached, Drautos grabbed him and pointed in the direction to walk.

The rocky outcropping they all headed towards, seemed familiar to Noct but he couldn’t place it.  The view almost looked as if it came from some old engraving in the archives.  Where were they?  A small opening came into view and Drautos shoved him towards the chamber beyond.

It was a tomb or an ancient chapel, Noct wasn’t sure, but he was immediately worried when he saw chains hanging from the ceiling.

“String him up.” Drautos ordered once they’d all entered the small space.

Noct worked hard to stay silent; he didn’t want to piss Drautos off.   He was shaking again as his body dealt with a new adrenaline rush.   This wasn’t going to be comfortable.

Lazarus untied him and pushed Noct over to a chain.  The glaive secured his left wrist above his head with the chain, and then tugged him across the small space to secure his right wrist in a similar manner. However, the spacing was wrong and he couldn’t reach the other side.

“Captain, it won’t reach. I gotta hold him up while you secure his other wrist.” Lazarus announced.

Noct didn’t want that to happen, that would hurt a lot.  One could suffer permanent damage from being suspended like that.  He watched as Drautos stomped over, from where he’d been messing around with a radio. The prince was worried; he didn’t know what the captain’s views on torture were.  This was surely some form of it.  Opting to stay silent Noct waited to see what Drautos would say.

He stopped a few feet away and stared at the prince.  Noct managed to maintain eye contact as Drautos glared at him. Knowing the terrified look he had sprawled on his features was plain as day, Noct focused on breathing.

“Help me.” Lazarus tried again. “I’ll hold him or you can.  I can’t reach the other chain; his fucking arms are too short.”

“That’s too much work, there are empty supply boxes near the entrance, have him stand on one of those.” Drautos ordered.

Lazarus looked like he was about to complain but Drautos flashed the glaive an angry look.  Lazarus opened his mouth to speak but shut it a second later.  Noct could feel his knees going rubbery; the intensity of the situation was taking its toll.

It only took a minute for Lazarus to come back with a wooden crate.   He threw it on the floor and ordered Noct up.  He didn’t fight back for fear of having the platform taken away.  Feeling truly helpless once his right wrist was secure, Noct stared at the floor.  He wasn’t comfortable but he knew it was better than hanging from the chains.

The sound of an imitation shutter clicking caused him to look up.  “What did you just do?” He asked worriedly.

“Collecting proof highness, nothing you need to concern yourself with.”  Drautos answered as he pocketed his phone.  

“What happens next?” Noct asked as he pulled slightly on the chains, they were tight.

“Now you wait, highness.” Drautos offered.

“What are we waiting for?”

“No, you alone are waiting.  We are leaving.   Hopefully your rescue party arrives before you die.”

“No one knows where I am, how is that even fair?!” Noct yelled in a panic.

“I’m merely testing the mettle of the crown, let’s see if they can crack the case of the missing prince.”

“Please!  Don’t leave me here alone!”

The captain smirked and shook his head.  “You don’t have a say in the matter.  Try not to cry, you’ll need to retain as much water as you can.   Lazarus, grab the radio we’re leaving.” Drautos finished.

Noct didn’t have a chance to add anything more, as the two older men briskly turned and left.  Now he was really scared, he was alone and had no idea how anyone would find him.

--

“Now for the setup.” Drautos announced once they were back on the boat.  “Pegasus to Sol, come in.” He barked into the handset of the encrypted radio.

After a minute the radio crackled to life. “Sol here, report your status.” A voice answered.

“Code dark azul.” Drautos replied.

The line went silent again, and another few minutes passed.  This time, the voice that came back was recognizable, it was Clarus.   “Status?”

“The prince has been kidnapped.”    

“Repeat that!” Clarus urged.

“Prince Noctis has been kidnapped. We are in pursuit.”

“How?” Clarus asked worriedly.

“We were ambushed by fucking pirates, they outnumbered us and were able to take the prince.”

“Where is your location?  We will send reinforcements.”

“Unknown, the attack destroyed our navigation system.   As I stated we are in pursuit but we are losing ground.”

“Casualties?” Clarus asked gravely.

“One, unfortunately Scientia didn’t make it.”

The line stayed silent for a moment, Clarus finally came back noticeably distraught.  “Was there any other identifiable information on the attackers? Did you see any markings indicating were they were from?”

“None, it appeared they were a standalone operation.  Have you received any information on your end? Any ransom requests?”

“Silent on our end. Do you know where your closest port is?” Clarus pondered.  “We can meet you there to regroup and plan a rescue.”

“We were nearest to Altissia before the attack.  We won’t be able to follow the attackers much longer.  Once I lose sight I’ll figure out where we are and work on going to Altissia.” Drautos lied.

“Men will be enroute shortly.  Keep me posted with updates.”

The radio went silent.  Drautos turned off the device, and steered the boat towards Altissia.  “Once we get close enough to pick up internet again, I’ll send and untraceable ransom request, with the pictures I took earlier.”

‘Think they’ll find him in time?” Lazarus asked.

“They should, otherwise he’ll turn into another forgotten Lucis Caelum, lost to the realms of time.”

“Remind me to never get on your bad side.”

Drautos merely smirked at the younger man.   The captain had to be careful how he played things from now on.  He’d put something in motion that wasn’t easily stopped.

--

Ignis couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being followed.  He’d only gotten a few blocks from the dock and was in search of a safe house nearby.  The only way to ensure the information he was about to deliver wasn’t traced, was to use a secure line.

Deciding to turn left suddenly into a small alleyway, Ignis waited to see if anyone would pass by. No one came, but he heard the scuff of a boot from behind.  Spinning around revealed a problem.

“Scientia!  Hot damn, you made it out alive!”  Tredd Furia exclaimed. “We all figured you were a dead man, getting lost at sea like that.”

Ignis was thinking fast.  He needed to determine whether or not this glaive had turned or not.  He’d obviously been in communication with Drautos, or maybe not.  He had no way to tell where his information came from.  “The report you were given was mistaken.” He offered.

“Huh – well that’s good.  Where ya headed?”

“Top secret business I’m afraid, I must be on my way.” Ignis replied coolly.

“Right, no worries.” Tredd smiled.  “See ya around then.” He waved noncommittally and walked away in the opposite direction.

Ignis waited until he was out of sight, around the corner, and went to return to his original path.   Then a noise caught his attention.   The faint crackling of what sounded like magic and a soft grunt.  He’d heard Noct make that noise when he warped.

Turning around quickly, he saw Tredd warping directly at him with a dagger in his hand.  Ignis was barely able to throw his body out of the way, as the glaive attacked.  He’d trained with Noct before so he had some practice in dealing with an opponent that could warp.    Tredd clearly had intent to kill, so that was a tougher issue to handle.

The advisor called his daggers from the armiger, except nothing appeared.  He was still defenseless, and Tredd wasn’t stopping to ask him about his lack of weaponry.  The full implication of what this meant finally hit Ignis.  Noct’s magic was gone.  That would only happen if he was dead.

Ignis tried to clear his head to focus on the fight at hand, but he was ill prepared, and stuck on the idea that his prince could be dead.   Noctis had given Ignis access to his magic years ago, and the removal of such a connection meant Noct was surely dead.

Tredd went to attack a second time and Ignis did the only thing he could, run.  When your opponent could warp this made things tricky.  The advisor felt as though he was playing a child’s game, as he dove left and right trying to avoid the glaive.   Things were looking grim as he continued to evade Tredd’s blade.

The man came at him once again and Ignis tried to dodge the attack.   He didn’t make it, and he felt the tip of the glaives dagger connect with his side.  It was painful, the cut was deep, and he knew without proper treatment he might bleed out.    Clutching his side Ignis staggered sideways working to stay upright.

As it stood though, he was going to get taken down by a six damned traitor.  What a way to go, he’d wasted his second chance brilliantly.   Tredd sneered and crouched down for a third attack.  However, he didn’t make it.  The man was about to spring forward when an empty beer bottle connected with his head.

The shock of it caused the man to stumble sideways, but he didn’t go down.  “What the hell!” Tredd yelled as he turned towards the other end of the street, about fifteen meters away.

No one was there.

Then a whoosh of air passed Ignis and Gladio appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, tackling Tredd to the ground.  The glaive went down hard, and Gladio easily got him in a choke hold.  The following minutes were a blur of blue flashes, as Tredd warped to get away from Gladio’s grip.   Since they were touching Gladio went along the man each time he warped.

The first warp seemed to disorient Gladio and he lost his grip briefly.  Tredd took this opportunity to try and stand.  However, Gladio quickly came back to his senses and spun them around, slamming Tredd into a nearby wall.  A terrible metallic scrapping noise erupted, causing Ignis to look around for the source.   The two men had hit the release mechanism for an escape ladder, attached to the back of the building, and it had moved slightly.

Tredd continued to warp them around the small alleyway.  Gladio appeared to have gotten over the initial shock of being thrown around via magic.  Ignis watched as the larger man tightened his hold.  

The advisor knew that consecutive warps were exhausting, and at some point Tredd would have no choice but to stop.  Finally, the frantic moving ceased, and the pair was left writhing on the ground under the fire escape.

The sound of footsteps pounding tore Ignis’ attention away from the fight and he saw Prompto running over.

“Prompto you came too?” Ignis rasped as he winced holding his side.

“Yeah, of course.” He sputtered as he stared at Gladio and Tredd on the ground.

Gladio maintained his grip, even when Tredd began tapping furiously on his arm.  The traitor passed out a minute later.

“How?” Ignis asked weakly.

“Later, we need to get back to the boat and get that treated.” Gladio huffed as he shoved Tredd aside, and rolled over to stand.  “You’re bleeding pretty bad we need to get moving.” Gladio urged in between heavy breaths.

“You both followed me?”

“Not exactly, I went out by myself to follow you, and blondie went out to follow me.  The difference being, he sucks at following people.   So we teamed up to save time.” Gladio offered as Prompto walked over.

“Hey, I did really good hitting that guy in the head.  That was a long throw.”  Prompto exclaimed but he was suddenly distracted when he saw the blood on Ignis’ shirt.  “Shit, Ignis you need help.”

“I fear it may not matter.” The advisor sighed.  “Noct’s dead.”

“Whoa you don’t know that for sure!” Gladio replied as he bent over to look at the open wound in Ignis’ side.  “You’re bleeding a lot we need to put pressure on it.”

Ignis watched speechlessly as Gladio took off his t-shirt and rolled it up.  Momentarily distracted by the wall of muscle, and giant tattoo in front of his face, Ignis wavered in place.  He realized a second later that two arms were being threaded around his waist.  Gladio was tying the shirt around his body to put pressure on the wound.

“Come on we don’t have much time, we need to go.” Gladio insisted as he took Ignis’ left arm and slung it over his shoulder.  

Suddenly the fire escape mechanism squealed to life, and the ladder came crashing to the ground.  Prompto yelped and Ignis could feel Gladio suck in a breath.  The ladder had landed squarely on Tredd’s head.

“Is he dead?” Prompto whispered as he stood frozen in place.

“Kiddo I urge you to look away and keep walking.” Gladio suggested seriously.  “We need to go now.”

“But – he’s been hit in the head – should we do something.” The blond tried again.

“It was an accident.” Ignis added with a strained voice.  “We can’t help him.”  The advisor watched as Prompto struggled with his conscious.  The younger man seemed to come to terms with the situation, a few seconds later, and bolted from his spot running out into the street.

Gladio followed and Ignis started to protest when they turned away from the safe house.  He knew there were potions there, and he still needed to call the king.  Though it didn’t matter, Noct was gone.   Whimpering out loud at the thought, he tried to pull away.

“NO, we can’t go that way, the boat is the other direction.”

“The safe house.” Ignis lamented as he pointed with his free hand.

“The safe house isn’t safe anymore, if loser glaive is hanging around to kill you.”  The taller man cut in.

Unable to put up any resistance, Ignis let Gladio drag him back to the boat.  Maybe he could throw himself overboard later, no one would notice.  He’d failed his prince.

The walk back was a blur, his side throbbed in pain, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Noct.  Turning sideways to get back up the gang plank, Ignis asked helplessly.  “What are you doing?”

“Saving you again.” Gladio retorted as he went straight to the common area.

Ignis was deposited on the table in the room, and Gladio forced him to lie down.   The feeling of lightheadedness was steadily taking over Ignis senses.   He’d lost a lot of blood and was feeling the effects.   The table wasn’t big enough to hold his entire body, so his legs hung off the edge past his knees.

“Prompto go get that box I tell you to never touch.” Gladio ordered a moment later.

All the advisor heard was a quiet yelp, and the sound of boots shuffling away.  “Don’t bother with me.”  He whispered.

“Will you shut it, you still gotta catch the bad guy who set this up!”

That factoid registered with Ignis and he snapped his eyes open again.  When had he closed them?  Astrals he was tired.  Maybe not getting enough rest before he took off to save Noct was a bad idea.   Prompto finally returned clutching a wooden box like his life depended on it.

“Bring it here kiddo, I need something out of it.”

Ignis watched as Gladio opened the box and removed a potion.  “How did you get that?” He asked in awe.

“My dad gave me a bunch over the years.  He was always worried about me and my sister getting hurt.  So I keep some on board in case of near death situations.  Like this one.” He announced dryly.   The dark haired man didn’t wait for a response, as he took Ignis’ hand and helped him break the potion bottle.

The throbbing pain in Ignis’ side ebbed and died out.  He still felt exhausted, but gaining relief from the pain was a welcome change. Closing his eyes once more Ignis tried to calm his breathing.  However, the feeling of fumbling fingers near his stomach caused him to flinch.

“Sorry.” Gladio mumbled.  “I gotta check the wound to see if you need another potion.”  He worked the knot in the t-shirt loose, and tugged it away.

Ignis chose to keep his eyes shut as Gladio worked.  He could feel calloused, warm hands, pulling his dress shirt up and away from the now closed wound.   The sound of the water running in the sink came next, and a warm rag was soon cleaning his side.    

Gladio’s deep voice broke the silence.  “Hand me another one Prom.”

Ignis heard the cap to the potion bottle come loose.  He felt the effects immediately, as Gladio poured the contents over his now healing wound.  

“Thanks buddy, you can put the box back now.” Gladio said quietly. “Now it’s your turn.  Time to get rid of that blood soaked shirt.”

Barely registering that he was being spoken to, Ignis pried his eyes open again.  “I still need to call the king.”  He uttered weakly.

“Your phone works, why can’t you just make a call?” Gladio asked.

“I don’t know how deep the plot goes, and if my phone is tapped then it won’t help us catch the bad guys.”

“Ah, gotcha.  Do you happen to remember any of the codes for the encrypted radio channels?  I’ve got an older radio around here we could try.”

This bit of information got Ignis’attention right away, and he tried to sit up.  A sudden wave of dizziness washed over him, and he threw out his hands to try and grab the table.  Gladio’s arm was around his shoulders a second later guiding him up.

“You really suck at taking it easy don’t ya.” He chided.

Sighing heavily Ignis slumped into Gladio’s shoulder. “I – I’m not myself right now, I do apologize.”

“I didn’t mean anything bad by it; now let’s get you cleaned up before we try our radio experiment.  I’m assuming you remember some of the codes since you got all animated there for a second.”

Moving to the bench instead of the table top was an improvement.   Gladio helped remove his ruined shirt, and found a blanket to wrap around Ignis’ lean frame.  Prompto came back into the room, and stood smiling, waiting for instructions.

“Wanna sit with Ignis while I clean the table?” Gladio asked.

The blond hopped over and plopped down next to the advisor.  “What’s the plan? What did I miss?”

“We will be trying to reach out to the citadel via radio.”  Ignis replied around a yawn.  He still couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness that gripped him.  Was it really true, was Noct gone?

Gladio finished cleaning the table and left to retrieve the radio.   Prompto took this brief break to speak again.  “I’m sure your friend is alright, there must be another reason why you can’t communicate with him right now.”

“Hmmm.” Ignis hummed.   “I do wonder how that glaive knew I was here.”  He pondered aloud.

“We have a good crew of men that work with us, but they all saw you getting plucked out of the sea, in the middle of nowhere.  I’m sure that’s a difficult thing to stay quiet about.”  Prompto added.  “It doesn’t take long for news to spread unfortunately.”

“Oh.  Are they coming back aboard?”

“No, we won’t need another full crew like that for another month or so.  It’s just Gladdy and me for now.  And you of course.” The blond corrected.

Gladio came back in the room before Ignis could craft another question.  “Ok lets’ give this a try.  Code please?” He asked, as he sat down on the other side of Ignis.

“Shit.” Ignis swore suddenly.

“What?!” Gladio asked.

“This won’t work, the person who betrayed the crown is high enough up in the ranks to have access to all of these codes.  Damn, why didn’t I think of that sooner.”  he lamented.

“Be happy you didn’t make it to the safe house, I’m sure your big boss would have had access to that line as well.”

Sighing through his nose Ignis nodded.  “Why must I be thwarted at every turn!”  

“Wait, if the bad guy can hear what you say on those encrypted lines, does that mean he’s using them too?” Prompto asked suddenly.

Ignis perked up again.  “Oh, that is a good point.  Perhaps we could listen in.”

Gladio reached over to a nearby shelf and grabbed a pen and paper.   “Write down as many of those encrypted codes as you can, we’ll go through them and see what we can hear.”

Ignis paused.  “You do know we will be breaking several laws doing this.”

“It’s a matter of life or death so I think that makes up for it.” Gladio offered.

Ignis hoped he wasn’t doing the wrong thing as he wrote down the codes.  The idea of Gladiolus Amicitia being a bad guy was a hard pill to swallow.  He had to go with his gut and trust Clarus’ only son.   Prompto was a mystery but Gladio seemed to think he was on the up and up.  They were his last avenue of help so what choice did Ignis have?   “Here you go.” He said quietly sliding the paper into the middle of the table a few moments later.

“Have at it blondie.” Gladio announced looking at the younger man.  “He’s the tech guru not me.” Gladio admitted.

“Um – what names should I listen for?” Prompto asked meekly as he set up the radio.

“Mine, Noctis, and perhaps Titus.” Ignis answered.

“Ok I’ll cycle through the channels and see what we pick up.” The blond began fiddling with the radio and after a minute he had the first channel live. They listened but nothing came through but crackling.   “Guess I’ll try the others.”

After fifteen minutes Prompto had gone through all the codes and but no one was transmitting anything.  Ignis was still huddled in the blanket from earlier.  He was warm, but he felt like he was about to pass out.    Leaning forward on the table, Ignis rested his head while he listened to the radio static.

Unaware of how much time had passed in this manner Ignis’ body involuntarily jerked to stay awake. “What’s happened?” He asked groggily.

“Nothing yet, we’ve been listening for over an hour.” Prompto offered.

Gladio sighed from beside him.  “You should go lie down Ignis, I’ll stay and listen, but you need to rest.”

“No – I’ve got to be here in case something comes through and you two don’t understand it.”

“We’ll take good notes I promise, but you need to sleep.”

“Hmmm.” Ignis really was exhausted, but he desperately wanted information about Drautos.  He had to find that traitor and make him pay.  The advisor wanted to believe like Gladio, that Noct was still alive, but it was so improbable.  His magic was gone.  He was about to add more when the radio crackled to life.

“ading to altissia – caught fish.”  A broken voice announced.

“I thought you said these were private channels?” Prompto asked in confusion.  “Why are they talking about fishing.”

Gladio held his hand up for them all to wait.  “These people, the traitors to the crown have the same problem as us.  We are all using the same lines of communication.  It might be code.”

“Which encrypted code did you use to get this channel?” Ignis asked quickly.

Prompto showed him and Ignis instantly knew this wasn’t a mistake.   “Keep listening, please.”  It was one of Drautos’ encoded lines.  He’d seen this encryption code by mistake ages ago.  He’d been in between meetings at the citadel, when a glaive had come up and hand delivered a file folder.

Ignis had opened the folder and realized it had been delivered to the wrong person.  It had actually been meant for Drautos, the captain of the guard. The glaive had come running back a few minutes later, requesting the folder, citing their mistake.

The only piece of information Ignis had remembered, when he looked in the folder was a single encryption code.  The advisor didn’t recall it being one of the regular codes, so he’d committed it to memory.  He’d planned to check it later but he never had the time.  Instead he’d written it down and filed it away.  However, now given the current situation this could be the break he needed.

The radio came back to life again.  “Did you throw it back?” The unknown voice asked.

“Nope – strung it up.”  The first person replied.  The voice sounded familiar, Ignis wasn’t sure if it was Drautos talking or maybe Lazarus. The radio channel was too crackly to tell for sure.

The radio voice laughed suddenly.  “Did it put up a fight?”

“Of course, though it wasn’t strong enough to win against me.  Fitting that it’ll die where it all started.”

“ETA?” The voice asked.

“Few hours.”

Then the radio went silent.  The conversation was over.

“Oh man I’m so confused right now.” Prompto wailed.  “Please tell me why this dude’s creepy fishing conversation was important?”

“Well I think that confirms the prince is alive.” Gladio announced relieved.  

Ignis barely registered the talk going on around him.  He was hung up on the last sentence, ‘fitting that it’ll die where it all started’.   What did that mean?   There was a clue in there about Noct’s location and he had to figure it out, fast.

>Next Chapter 3

[wolfe-in-wonderland]

Fireteam

Dear lord, this was harder than I thought. It took me like all day to do this and it's not even good. I'm sorry, so so sorry. For @destinyweek Fireteam Knight is, just like any other fireteam, a group of friends who have been broken and forged in light together. They have faced many tribulations with one another, but in the end they always come out on top. Like other squads, this one consists of a warlock, a titan, and a hunter. The team's warlock is a human, and a tall one at that. 6’5” to be exact, and he likes to be exact. His name name is Connor Strauss, and he is a hard core perfectionist as well as a sass master. He likes everything pristine and in its place, and if it's not it'll urk him until he fixes it. He was awoken in a collapsed building on Venus, and from the little evidence he was able to gleen, it had been some sort or research facility. Maybe it was something from his past? Why was he here when he died? He'll probably never know, and that thought of not knowing something slowly eats away at him. His accent is that of a proper and highly educated Englishman, and his hair is short, dark brown, and well kept. He's often clean shaven, except when he gets too into research and studying that he forgets to take care of himself. As much as he hates to admit it, he does that often, leaving dark circles under his chocolaty brown eyes. His ghost is called Dirson and the two differ, quite a bit. Whereas Connor is quiet and keeps to himself, Dirson is a social butterfly and tends to get loud often. “He's a pain and I wonder how I put up with him, but I don't think I'd make it long without him.” “Awe that's so sweet… wait…” - Next up is the dear titan of the group. Oh, my heart goes out to this poor soul. He is an Exo and his name is Louis-77. Yeah, seventy-seven. He has lived a long life, and not a happy one at that. Well, that's if he remembers any of it. He's been around as long as anyone can remember and he's become somewhat of a curse among the Guardians. Louis-77, having his noggin scrambled so many times, can't really form words anymore and take a minute for him to process things. That's why, until Connor and Aryia-1 came and accepted him, the others avoided him like the plague. Due to his impairment, he's liable to snap in battle and hurt and ally, and because of this no one wanted to deal with him or try to teach him. He tries his hardest though; he's even trying to learn sign language to talk easier, although it's going to take him awhile to memorize the hand signs if he's capable of it. For now, though he'll rely on simple gestures and on his ghost, Freight. Freight, much like how his name suggests, has a very… forceful personality. He's not one to stay quiet for long. “Lou says, ‘Defend. Friends. Death.’ He means to say, ‘I'll defend my friends until death.’ Right, Lou? You can't see but he's nodding.” - Last but not least, is the hunter of the squad. She happens to be an Exo as well. She… well, she's what you'd expect from a hunter. She's reckless, hard headed, and likes to be on her own from time to time. She really likes cloaks and knives, like really likes them. She has about ten knives on her at all times. Don't ask where they are though. She also tends to try and be the groups titan when she's obviously not meant for it. She sometimes forgets that she's squishy compared to Louis-77 and will charge into battle with him, only to end up dead or in the process of retreating. She also has a habit of being selfless. There were times where her teammates were supposed to die but she took their place instead, seeing as she's not detrimental to the team. That's what she thinks anyway, and boy would she be wrong. The others love her shenanigans and they all care for each other deeply. As you can tell she has some darker views on her worth but that's what her ghost, Ember, is for. Ember is sort of a mother figure, as odd as it sounds. She looks after and cares for not only her Guardian but the rest of the team and even their ghosts as well. “It's all in a day's work, looking out for these kinderguardians. Sometimes- wait, no! Aryi! Lou! Leave Connor alone! No-stop! Look, I have to deal with this. Have a lovely day, my Guardians and make sure to eat three meals a day and get at least eight hours of rest!” ~~~A little scenario that I don't know if I like but here it is anyway, to heck with it.~~~ A hail of projectiles rained from the weapons of the goblins, and powerful bolts streaked from the rifles of the hobgoblins. The sky above is darkened with the forever storm that looms over the planet, and vibrant blue lava slowly seeps from the volcano in the distance with the ground rumbling and shaking with the seismic activity. Ancient, gravity defying ruins from before the collapse are overgrown with vegetation, seeing as mother nature is reclaiming her land once more. It is here that we meet fireteam Knight on a mission to destroy a navigation pylon commonly used by the Vex. “Louis, take the aggro. Aryia, disrupt them. Keep them confused. On my mark.” Connor Strauss is crouched behind a broken down and rusted car, giving orders to his fellow Guardians. He pulls a sniper from the holster on his back and begins to take aim. “Mark.” With a burst of speed, Aryia-1, darted from whatever safety the rusted car provided, and threw a poison gas grenade into the horde of enemies. Although the Vex did not need to breathe, the gas from the grenades were special. It has corrosive properties to it as well as the good ole fashioned poison. The Vex goblins shuddered with dismay. The cries of the dying pierce the air as they fall to the ground in a heap of lifeless metal. Aryia-1, using her double jump, gained even more altitude and let loose another grenade. This time the grenade detonated on impact with the ground and produced a wall of void flame, effectively cutting the hoard in half. As she descended to the ground, a bolt from an unknown Hobgoblin nailed her in the chest, putting her off balance. The bolt took over 75% of her over shield and her hard and unpleasant connection with the ground took half of the remaining shields. Without a word, Connor turned his sights to where the bolt had come from and eliminated the assaulting Hobgoblin. “Can't stay on your feet for five minutes, huh? Psh, hunters.” “Those are some fighting words, sir!” Louis-77 burst forth from the cover, shotgun in hand, and charged toward his fallen comrade. The distant sound of a hammer striking an Anvil rang throughout the battlefield as Louis-77 activated his fully charged super. His heavily armored body was bathed in flames as he summoned the hammer of Sol to his left hand. There, it did not stay, for Louis-77 let loose his fury. Fiery hammers flew from his hand like there was no tomorrow. By the time his energy was depleted, there were no more Goblins left to speak of. “Thanks, Lou.” Aryia-1 began to stand up with the help of Louis-77. She let out a grunt of pain and rubbed her chest. “I owe you one.” Louis-77 moved Aryia-1's small hand and placed his larger one on her chest. He was quiet and tilted his head towards her chest, where his hand lay, before looking back up to her face. “Yeah, I'm good.” Aryia-1 gives a nod of thanks and places her hand over his, pulling it off her chest. “Guys, incoming Vex. I’d take cover, if I were you. I mean, unless you want to catch a minor case of death.” The ever calm and level headed Connor spoke over the linked helmet communication system. Without a moment to lose, Louis-77 picked up Aryia-1 and threw her over his shoulder as he sprinted out of the area in which the Vex were teleporting to. Gray fog laced with vibrant blue arcs of electricity began to form where they once stood and soon more Vex replaced the ones Louis-77 had destroyed earlier. However, this time it's wasn't goblins and hobgoblins. This time it was a flock of harpies and pair minotaurs. “This is all they have? Guys, let me handle this.” Connor holstered his sniper and stood from behind cover. Aryia-1, knowing her friend's plan, jumped into action as well. Using the rusted car in front of him, he jumped up and pushed off of its roof to gain more height. Seeing this, Aryia-1 immediately called upon her connection to the Void and summoned her void bow. She focused her energy into one powerful shot that tethered and disabled the Vex caught within its range. Once over head, Connor harnessed the raging storm within him and used his landfall perk to his advantage. The Vex stood no chance when the two supers combined into such an effective pair. Skillfully channeling his powerful connection with the Stormcaller subclass, Connor easily overloaded and fried his enemies where they stood. His enemies lay dead at his feet as his charge ended and his feet touched the ground once more. He used his foot to nudge a dead Vex corpse. “Hmph. Good riddance, I suppose.” “Not gonna lie, I want lightning hands… Think I could win it off you with a bet?” “...” “What? Don't look at me like that.” “I worry for you sometimes.”