#and once again excuse the background noises... living in a dorm is like that sometimes

[ruelpsen]

The sounds that resulted from me getting the most stuffed I've ever been. Eating an entire pizza is something I've done so many times before with no issue, but throwing a liter and a half of bubbly orange soda on top of that had me maxed out! Enjoy my belches, moans, and other sounds of pleasure and pain all thanks to one terrifically stuffed gut.

Comms are open and tips are always appreciated!

[nct-lian]

nct 127’s relation to lian

TAEIL + LIAN: IL-LI

taeil used to wake her up for school when she was still a teenager :((

such a soft but overlooked duo

will appreciate each other forever and ever

lian teaches him roasts in english that he can say to johnny

remain each other’s hype man and woman

taeil was the first to suggest he and the other nct members react to the trailers of her dramas on video so they can boost them in popularity

promotes the HELL out of lian’s solo career over twitter

lian loves coming up behind him and just giving him hugs because he’s soft (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

they watch movies together a lot! but taeil has to come down to the fifth floor because lian hates it up on the tenth one

he was once able to grab her hand in an airport and they held hands the entire time :(( a few pictures went a little viral

they share hoodies NSHDHSHCJA

lian keeps bugging him to get an instagram

taeil will ALWAYS take her side in silly arguments she and the other members have sometimes

he makes fun of her height because she’s shorter than him-

he also used to help her with her homework :(

cried when lian went on her first date

“my child is growing up (´∩｀。)”

had to do a background check on the guy before he even allowed him to come in contact with her again, though

JOHNNY + LIAN: JOANN

johnny is her dad, period

no questions asked he is her father

will give her piggyback rides all the time

he was once woken up by her jumping on his bed and asking if they could go shopping

at 6:00 am

he actually got up, got ready and took her shopping but since it was so early, the stores were all closed

he took her out for japanese fluffy pancakes, though!

whenever lian is sick, johnny makes her his mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup recipe :((

speaking of johnny’s mom, she loves lian to death and always asks johnny if he’s taking good care of her

if they’re not being asked any questions or having to translate anything during interviews, they always whisper jokes in each other’s ears to try and make the other one laugh

because of how lian dies during the trailer of her new drama, johnny cried in front of twenty-two other men while they reacted to it

he was NOT embarrassed

“how are you guys not crying? this is so sad. what a cruel world we live in ໒( ˵ •̀ □ •́ ˵ )७”

kept screaming at lian’s “dream of you” performance video

“WHY ARE YOU ON THE GROUND DANCING LIKE THAT?!” “JISUNG COVER YOUR EYES-“

he once effortlessly picked up lian and moved her somewhere else because she wasn’t standing where she was supposed to be

everyone says that their ship name is something a white, suburban mom would be named. now nctzens pronounce joann like “joanne” ･x･

it was said on the zach sang show that johnny used to measure her height every month to see if she grows or not, and that’s the only reason why he has her height memorized

TAEYONG + LIAN: LIYONG

has lost lian in so many airports it’s not even funny

“hyung, what happened to lian?” “oh, you have GOT to be kidding me-“

whenever he doesn’t see her he goes into panic mode and starts asking if anyone has seen his little sister

“about this tall with really shiny hair? her cheekbones are insane, i swear. OH OH OH SHE WAS WEARING JOHNNY’S HOODIE- you don’t know what johnny’s hoodie looks like.. okay, well thank you for your help.”

one of the first members that she was comfortable with

lian said that he was her role model :’(

as the leader, he’s always taking care of her and will not sleep until he knows for sure she’s eaten

because of how lian never participated in any of nct’s first bit of promotions due to being too uncomfortable around them, she was allowed to skip out on the viewings of their relay video letters

but she was still required to make one for somebody and that somebody was taeyong ˵ ຈ ︿ ຈ ˵

she said that she was glad he was her leader and that she hoped to become closer one day

he cried

declares that he will take care of lian till the day he dies

taeyong had yelled at lian’s former manager until he voluntarily quit working for her- he had found out that lian was being overworked to the point where she collapsed during their dance practice and he wasn’t okay with it

always cheering her on backstage when she performs solo

he always tries to include her in guiding the members for their dances because he knows how happy it makes her

instead of having her carry her glasses around with her, he does it instead :D

“nana, do you have to wear your glasses now?”

taeyong tucks her into bed every night he can ᕕ( ཀ ʖ̯ ཀ)ᕗ

YUTA + LIAN: YUN

totally doesn’t have feeling for her, yeah

yuta is obsessed and when i tell you he’s obsessed, he’s obsessed

did i mention obsessed?

he’s jealous of everyone :(

yun stans insist that the only reason yuta is so touchy with winwin and mark is because he’s trying to cover up his feelings for lian

bye if that’s true-

hyuck wanted to give her a hug (a rare occurrence) and yuta straight up just said,

“mine. go away”

i have proof guys :// johnny recorded it and literally posted it on instagram

lian died internally when yuta cut his long hair because she couldn’t put it into ponytails anymore :((

but his hair is growing back now so she’s able to do it again :)

yuta teaches her japanese every tuesday and thursday!

we don’t bring this up because it’s pretty embarrassing but,, when nct 127 were backstage before performing kick it, yuta asked doyoung (who was in a direction where he could get a clear view of lian’s face) if lian was staring at him

how do we know this, you may ask?

it was caught on camera and everyone made fun of him for a solid week straight

he’s caught staring at her from afar way too often for comfort

lian says that he’s very pretty

much like the other memebers that have instagram, he makes story countdowns that he posts about a week before lian plans to release her solo music

DOYOUNG + LIAN: LIDO

another member of the lian protection squad

doyoung was the first to start calling her cupcake

it all started when doyoung was sick and lian made him cupcakes to make him feel better

will slap anyone who makes a flirty remark towards lian

was embarrassed for yuta when he asked if she was staring at him

said “no” and walked away

lian is the only one who ever shows him any mercy :’)

they have very similar taste in decor so they often go shopping together for things to put around the dorm

doyoung said that he spends the most time in lian’s room because it smells like vanilla all the time

he spoils her SO MUCH

like so much

half the plushies she owns at the moment were gifts from doyoung

has a tendency to watch over her and make sure she’s content at all times

“cupcake, are you hungry? i can make you some food if you’d like” “oppa, it’s 3:00am-“ “and?”

they take such pretty instagram pictures :((

at one point in time, doyoung was jealous of his older brother because lian used to crush on him a tiny bit :0

not because doyoung likes her or anything, she just couldn’t stop talking about how nice he looked in revolutionary love

disapproves of the staff giving lian such short clothing sometimes

“um, excuse me, she can’t wear that. are you crazy? go get her a new outfit, please”

JAEHYUN + LIAN: JAELI

not many people bring this up because we know it’s honestly a sensitive topic :|

but he lowkey has deep feelings for her (he makes it so obvious sometimes it’s kinda disappointing to see how oblivious lian really is to it)

jaeli + yun love triangle anyways

jokes aside, though, jaehyun loves lian so so much

once cried to johnny about how he doesn’t know what to do and that he didn’t want to make anything awkward by confessing to her

makes sure to be near her as often as possible

once scared away a whole kim taehyung from talking to her during isac ╰[ ⁰﹏⁰ ]╯ (let’s pretend bts were there for 2019 pls)

“jungkook, keep your friend away, please :D”

didn’t work, though, because they ended up having a conversation later in the day either way

*in the 97’ liner groupchat* “HYUNG IM SORRY HE RAN AWAY I DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DOl

it was uncalled for but what can you do amirite ┐(´～｀)┌

lian pokes his dimples a lot and squishes his cheeks

just randomly hugs him but he’s not complaining

johnny isn’t picking sides but he became team jaeli after jaehyun broke into tears in front of him for the first time since they were trainees about how much he loves lian

sad,, i know

lian judges jaehyun for not sleeping with sheets

continues to believe he is not a human being, but a robot created in a lab

jaehyun smiles at her for no reason

JUNGWOO + LIAN: LIWOO

an instant bond formed between them when they first met!

jungwoo learned a lot about her and has developed so many ways to deal with her anxiety :(

gave the staff a guide on how to keep her calm when he went on hiatus because he couldn’t be there with her

buys her colouring books because he knows that they calm her down well!

liwoo went viral and become a popular ship when lian accidentally changed the nct 127 instagram profile picture to a jungwoo icon

she got scolded but it was iconic orange haired jungwoo with a chain-

an untouchable duo when they do double aegyo

nctzens think jungwoo is her favourite member

maybe because lian said he was

“ “who’s your favourite member?” hmm i’ll have to say woo-oppa!”

*cue jungwoo laughing at yuta’s face because he was that shocked*

they share secrets with each other so now they probably know the other like the palm of their hand

even though he’s off his hiatus, he still has to guide the staff members through lian’s little moments because sm staff suck at their job sometimes

they’re the two members who go grocery shopping together

more like jungwoo dragging lian to the grocery store with him but okay

jungwoo loves kissing her cheeks (〃▽〃)

their vocals mixed together are confirmed to be noises from heaven

lian misses his blonde bowl cut :/

MARK + LIAN: LIMARK

leader of lian’s natural length hair committee

like when i tell you mark hates her extensions-

mark was the first friend lian was able to make in nct!

they bonded over canada and it was very rare to see them speaking in korean

mark goes into straight panic when he’s with her sometimes

has to remind himself they’re like siblings

lian ans mark covered “your eyes” by hoody and jay park during a vlive!

it was adorable :((

lian had him saved in her phone as “android user” but now she doesn’t know what to change it to

they had a fight in 2019

mark let’s her call him the weirdest freaking nicknames ヽ ( ꒪д꒪ )ﾉ

mars bar, markie, mork, marko

AND IN RETURN HE CALLS HER MARIJUANA-

he says it’s because czennies consider her to be addicting and since marijuana is addicting as well he thought it’d be a good fit

someone on twitter absolutely ENDED HIM though and wouldn’t stop making fun of him (；⌣̀_⌣́)

they can read each other’s mind just by looking at each other

“dude i hate this shit why does she keep asking us who we wanna collab with?” *cue lian laughing hysterically*

“what’s so funny (゜-゜)” — interviewer

HAECHAN + LIAN: LIHYUCK

haechan makes fun of her kissing scenes in dramas

calls her short all the time

“lian give me a high five- oh haha nevermind it’s too bad you’re so short”

they’ve actually been so close to fighting each other and i’m not even joking

they’re the two members who fight the most out of all of them

but despite this, they love each other very much

hyuck says he’s the only one who’s allowed to make her mad

and if anyone else makes her mad he’d kill them

limark 2019 fight flashbacks where haechan kept threatening mark

there are actually moments when they’re clingy with each other-

haechan loves her hugs :((

like ??????? one minute they’re at each other’s throats and the next, they’re all lovey dovey hugging each other make it make sense ?????

lian could be speaking english and he’d say, “korean, please. i can’t understand canadian”

“shut up <3”

hello haechan cried and wouldn’t let go of her during her and mark’s graduation ceremony in 2018

she makes fun of him for it but never takes it too far

he goes to her for dance advice

during their nct 2018 weekly idol appearance when they were doing the random kpop dance thing, they beat everyone أ‿أ

[knit-wear-it]

Bloom

A/N: Happy Pride! Here’s some Crossbow Canary to celebrate 🏳️‍🌈❤️🏳️‍🌈❤️

They met at a Halloween party. Helena was half-listening to a group of fellow freshmen discussing the politics of TokTok when she noticed her— a petite, athletically-built blonde wearing a yellow hard hat and a slick of red lipstick. It was a shade too dark for her, standing out stark against her pale skin; the mark of a makeup novice. She was laughing with a small group of friends, her smile radiant. She was radiant.

Then, as if she could feel Helena staring, the blonde looked straight at her.

There was a faint flush in the apples of her cheeks as she offered a tremulous but encouraging smile, and Helena practically bolted across the room toward her.

***

Her name was Dinah.

They met again a week later, by accident, at a small martial arts studio off campus. Helena arrived just as Dinah was leaving, her face shiny and blotchy with exertion, her ashy blonde hair plaited back in a sweaty French braid. She wore black Lycra gym-gear beneath her pea coat to stave off the approaching New Jersey winter. Her coat was a vibrant cornflower blue, reminding Helena of the rich pigments Italian Renaissance painters used for Mary Magdalen's robes. Without the dark smear of lipstick, she could see the graceful curve of her prominent Cupid’s bow, giving her face a sweetness that belied the clear-eyed maturity few their age possessed.

“Oh,” Dinah stopped short on the sidewalk, her face lighting up. “Hello,” she grinned.

“Hi,” Helena grinned back at her, suddenly giddy as if she’d eaten a gallon of corn syrup. She could feel excitement fizzing in her veins, propelling her closer like a moth to the flame.

“Do you train here?” Dinah asked, re-shouldering her gym bag.

“They have a Krav Maga class I like,” Helena explained. “You?”

“Jiu Jitsu,” Dinah shrugged, smiling. “My old trainer swore by Krav Maga, but it doesn’t have the same…” she pursed her lips as she took her time to search for the word. “Grace,” she settled on.

“Grace?” Helena smirked. “Are we talking about ballet or fighting?”

Dinah laughed easily. “My first sensei would say they were the same thing.”

“Wow, how many senseis and trainers have you had?” Helena teased. She immediately regretted it when Dinah visibly tensed, her expression abruptly becoming guarded.

“I was fostered at a dojo for a little while when I was a kid,” she explained haltingly, her brown eyes darting off to the side. “And uh, then I was in a group home until I was eighteen and they… let me keep taking karate to give me some, uh, stability I guess.”

Helena’s eyes widened at this revelation, delivered so candidly in passing on the sidewalk—that she’d grown up in foster care; that she was an orphan. She could feel Dinah’s uneasiness, and it inspired a desperate need to comfort or reassure her, a wholly unfamiliar impulse.

“My dad sent me to a Swiss boarding school when I was twelve,” Helena blurted out. “After my mom died. It was kind of like a group home just with, you know, rich kids and archery. And a castle.”

As the words came tumbling out of her mouth, she knew she was being horribly rude by being so flippant about her privilege, but it seemed to lighten Dinah’s mood, her kind smile blooming again.

“Well, just because there was archery doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard to be away from everything you knew,” she said, meeting Helena’s eye meaningfully.

She understood loneliness, Helena realized. She understood the pain and anger of abandonment. Yet she didn’t carry bitterness around in the same way Helena did; bitterness that didn’t taste as bad when Dinah was standing here proving there was a way beyond it. It gave Helena hope—something she wasn’t well acquainted with after repeated tragedies.

A squat city bus puttered past behind them, catching Dinah’s eye. She glanced at Helena apologetically, a sliver of vulnerability slipping into her otherwise confident counternence.

“Maybe I’ll try Krav Maga sometime,” she offered, almost shyly.

“Maybe we could get coffee afterward,” Helena suggested, beaming.

They exchanged numbers before Dinah ran to catch the bus.

***

A week later, they kicked the shit out of each other at the studio and went for coffee. Helena had expected Dinah to pick up the Krav Maga moves quickly since she was well-versed in Karate and Jiu Jitsu. She even indulged in a stupid fantasy about helping her find the right techniques and positions, a blatant ploy to be physically closer to her.

But when they began sparing, Helena quickly realized she was wildly outmatched. Dinah did not need her help—she already knew Krav Maga even if she hadn’t quite mastered it. Then the minute Helena got the upper hand, Dinah gave up on the prescribed moves the instructor gave them, and took Helena down with a few quick karate strikes she couldn’t counter effectively.

Helena’s back hit the mat hard, knocking the wind out of her. Her eyes widening as Dinah pinned her down with a steady hand flat over her heart, the heel of her small hand grazing the top of Helena’s breast through her sports bra.

Dinah released her and sat back, looking smug.

“You cheated!” Helena laughed, accepting a hand to pull herself up to sitting.

“What’s the point of fighting if you aren’t going to win?” Dinah shot her a knowing smirk.

“What happened to grace?” Helena demanded, her eyebrows raising when Dinah faltered but quickly recovered.

“You’re right,” she agreed, her face softening like she’d come to some internal revelation. “It’s not about winning. It’s about the practice, and finding balance.”

“Alright, sensei,” Helena rolled her eyes but she couldn’t stop smiling—another unfamiliar impulse. “You can buy me a coffee to make up for cheating.”

“It’s called mixed martial arts for a reason,” Dinah insisted as they headed for the changing rooms. “I was just mixing in more martial arts”

“Yeah, yeah.”

***

For the rest of the semester they trained and went for coffee at least once a week. They would tell each other which parties they were going to, what events their friends were discussing attending. It went unsaid that they were leaving breadcrumbs for each other, a trail that would lead them back together.

Their social lives began to blend. Helena became friendly with Dinah’s carefully cultivated group of scholastic overachievers and misfits. Meanwhile, the gang of loud, kittenish gay men Helena surrounded herself with fawned over Dinah. They showed her how to do her make-up properly and cheered when she paraded around the dorm in high heels for them like a clumsy newborn colt.

“She is gorgeous,” one of Helena’s friends hissed to her.

But it never went any further than a lingering touch or look as Helena restrained herself from making the first move, but not because she feared rejection. She’d taken a gap year after boarding school, a boozy thirteen months during which she’d travelled across Southeast Asia—Vietnam, Cambodia,Thailand, Bali, Singapore—and then on to Australia. The youthful hedonism that characterized backpacking made it easy not to be shy or ashamed of her attraction to both boys and girls. But she resisted making the first move with Dinah— she wanted Dinah to come to her.

***

Helena stayed at Princeton over the holidays, just like she’d done throughout boarding school. The only place she could feasibly go was Gotham to be with her younger brother, Pino. He was seventeen, and Helena had just enough contact to suspect he was already involved in the ‘family business,’ which she tried not to think about. They mostly kept in touch via Snapchat and Instagram, a selfie and meme-based relationship that removed the painful edges of reality.

Dinah returned to Gotham for Christmas to visit another member of the orphanage she’d grown up in. She wanted to see how they were getting on without her, she said, though she wasn’t looking forward to being back in the city.

But something obviously went wrong while she was away, because once they were back at school she began determinedly avoiding Helena. She made excuses about being busy with classes and other friends needing her attention. Weeks went by and Helena started to feel crazy, like she was missing something obvious, which meant she was either blind or too stupid to be able to see what was happening.

Then out of the blue Dinah showed up at Helena’s dorm, her hair freshly cut in a cute, girlish bob that brushed the collar of her cornflower blue coat, her tawny eyes glowing determinedly.

“Helena,” she breathed, searching Helena’s face. “Will you go out with me?”

***

They went out for dinner, something Helena had never done with a girl before. She’d slept with women, but she struggled with the idea of going on a date with a woman. She was disappointed in herself, that she hadn't evolved beyond worrying about the perception of others when she knew what she wanted.

But those worries were relegated to background noise when Dinah showed up on her doorstep, wearing a candy-apple-red shade of lipstick that suited her perfectly.

“Hey,” she greeted Helena, her smile radiant. Excited.

***

After dinner, Helena walked Dinah back to her dorm. When the moment she’d been waiting months for finally arrived, Dinah tucked a loose piece of Helena’s hair behind her ear, then tentatively laid her palm across the curve of her jaw. Her eyes fell shut as she drew Helena's mouth down to hers.

Her lips were eager and curious, but clumsy. Helena paused to draw back, the thick fringe of her eyelashes brushing Dinah’s nose as she opened her eyes. Dinah’s hand was still resting on her cheek, while Helena’s hands had found Dinah’s waist. Her eyes were heavy and her lips parted, the red lipstick faded.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Helena said slowly. “But... have you ever kissed someone before?”

Dinah’s face split into a rueful grin, without a trace of shame. “I have now,” she pointed out playfully.

Helena mirrored her grin and gave Dinah’s waist a gentle tug, pulling her closer as their lips met again.

***

They went on more dates, and eventually they found their way into each other’s beds. They got to know each other’s bodies, bringing them closer in a way Helena hadn’t realized was possible. She’d only experienced sex as a blurry, rushed encounter, but with Dinah she was overwhelmed, drunk on how badly she wanted her.

Their friend groups continued to cross pollinate with the queer communities on campus, and they slowly began to build a chosen family together since neither of them had one of their own. Helena was thrilled to see Dinah slowly shed the armour she’d built to protect herself, becoming more open and accepting of her own feelings and desires. But Helena found it harder, in part because she was lying to Dinah by not telling her the full truth of her past.

Her family and their ‘business’ was a dark, shameful secret she had never told another person, and she couldn’t decide how Dinah, with her strong moral compass, would react. It was like an invisible blockade between them, one Helena knew could destroy the delicate fabric of their blossoming relationship if she didn’t resolve it.

About four months after their first official date, it became impossible to keep it inside any longer, especially because the words “I love you” were constantly threatening to spill past her lips. It was only when she couldn’t keep it to herself any longer that she found the courage.

“You can tell me anything, Helena,” Dinah insisted, holding Helena’s hands between hers. They were sitting on a blanket on the quad, the sun shining bright overhead as the first vestiges of spring bloomed around them.

Helena felt physically sick. She’d imagined every way this conversation could go, and she usually settled on Dinah being horrified once she learned the terrible, violent truth.

“It’s about…” she swallowed thickly. “My family. I haven’t been… completely honest with you. My dad. He wasn’t really a businessman. Not in the traditional sense.”

Dinah’s eyebrows raised, but she gave Helena’s hands a reassuring squeeze.

After a few false starts, Helena explained that her family wasn’t like other families. That her father and his brothers and generations of Bertinelli men before them hadn’t had… normal jobs. They were criminals. Successful, powerful criminals whose influence manipulated the very fabric of Gotham society.

Dinah listened, her expression becoming more and more guarded as Helena ploughed ahead. She could see what she was thinking. That Helena’s family was partially responsible for the corruption and crime that plagued Gotham. That the city was a shithole because of men like her father. It was all true, or at least it used to be, before the masked freaks took over and made everything worse.

She explained that a man named Mandragora tried to usurp her father when she was twelve, killing her mother, aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends in a blood feud. She was shipped off to Europe for safe keeping while her brother Pino, just 9 years old at the time, was sent to live with extended family in Central City. Ultimately her father’s associates and friends ran Mandragora out of town, but not before the damage was done. Helena remained in Switzerland, and Pino returned to Gotham, where he was raised by what extended members of the Bertinelli clan.

There was one more piece of information Helena couldn’t bring herself to share, because just thinking about what happened to her father made her blood boil—anger frequently outstripped grief when she thought about what Harley Quinn did to her Papa.

She hunted him. Tortured him. Murdered him.

But she couldn’t say the words. Mobsters were bad enough. Harley Quinn was an entirely different kind of villain, one Helena didn’t want her family — who she loved deeply despite their flaws —associated with if she could help it.

By the time she’d finished, Dinah had taken to playing with an errant daisy springing up from the grass, her attention wholly focused on the little white flower as she worked through her thoughts. When she finally looked up at Helena, she was cautious, still uncertain, but eventually her lips curved into a smile—kind, open, generous, and reassuring.

“I have to tell you something too,” she shrugged helplessly. “I love you, Helena... and you aren’t responsible for the choices your family made. You still loved them and lost them and I know how much that hurt you.”

Helena’s eyes widened, shocked that Dinah was speaking these words to Helena. For Helena.

“I—“ she faltered, searching Dinah’s face. “I love you too.” She sprung up to her knees and pitched forward, grabbing Dinah’s face with both hands and making her shriek with laughter as they fell back on the grass together. “God, I really really love you, Di.”

Dinah laughed again, her eyes closing as Helena urgently kissed her. She felt as if she’d never be able to properly express how much she felt. This was the polar opposite of the grief and anger that plagued her. This was the beginning of something beautiful and powerful and safe.

Dinah would save her from the darkness, she decided.

She was the only one who could.

***

A/N: I know you’re all here for Jarley, but in the same way I wanted you to love Ed, I’m hoping you’ll simp for this ship. I loved writing Dinah through the eyes of someone who sees the best in her since she’s been pretty limited to her own self-punishing point of view and Harley’s warped vision of the world. And it’s a relief to see Dinah begin to grow up now that she’s around people her own age she relates to… Even wearing lipstick is like an indulgent act for her that she’s finally allowing herself to take part in. Yes, Dinah! You deserve love and lipstick and self care! ❤️🎉

[biggirllifestyle]

Ducks in the pond.

Summary: Being friends from the beginning does get its perks, but it's also such a heartbreaking scene when you’re a background character or so you think.

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x OFC(Original Female Character)

Word Count: 4k+

Warnings: Small cursing, this got away from me so sorry.

A/N: I found my next victim Chris Evan characters, I’ll do better I swear.

Being surrounded by the elite is not something many can say they have experienced especially if it’s something you have been doing since a very young age when you were not even part of that social group. My mother did not come from a wealthy background, she didn’t come to the country with any knowledge of the language and without a penny in her pocket but thanks to a faithful day where she had met Harlan, he had offered a helping hand for my mother and from there on she became his lived in housekeeper.

The first time I ever met Ransom I couldn’t say that I wasn't tempted to punch him in the face, we were children when we met and everything that came out of his mouth was rude and condescending. Ransom was older than I and I knew he was Harlan's favorite and least favorite grandson, he was a rude snotty kid who used to pull on Megs and I’s pigtails every time he could get away with it.

I didn't know when it started but at some point, Ransom began to follow me around never leaving my side, I think it began the day that I finally gave in to my urges and punched his perfectly handsome face. My mom was mortified when she found out what I had done, Ransom's mother Linda was pissed and had demanded her father to fire my mother as a repercussion for what I had done but instead, he laughed and I had to apologize begrudgingly to him and from then on I had my shadow. That was how it was for the next few years, him following me around until we became inseparable, we were still coming from polar opposite sides of the societal spectrum even if he never treated me any differently from his rich friends.

While he was out partying with his private school friends I was working part-time jobs and doing homework to pay off my tuition, Harlan had offered many times to pay off school as a thank you to my mother's service through the years but I never accepted feeling guilt at his kind offer. There were times when my friendship with Ransom was tested as his rich dick persona would come out and he would sometimes disrespect my lack of social standings when he would hang out with his friends, I always hated that side of ransom because I knew that the words that he said were partially true, we were from different backgrounds his way of living was different from mine where I was dressed from thrift stores and low-grade shopping centers he was dressed to Gucci and Balenciaga but that didn’t seem to matter to him.

The only times that any of those comments bothered me was when it came from Ransom's weekly conquest, they were all beautiful women who seemed to have walked out of a photoshoot they were all thin and beautiful women who just oozed money from their pores if they even had pores since all of them seemed to be flawless. I always wondered what it was that I did for Ransom to be so faithful to our friendship never once did I have to compete with others because, in the end, he would always choose me this was also another reason why his conquest didn’t last long since their cruel remarks on my appearance and social standing was an ending point on the relationship, maybe it was the fact that I was always the one who saved him from doing something stupid like getting kicked out of his family or him ending up killing his grandfather.

Things changed when Ransom left for college he had gotten accepted to Princeton and off he went, our communication was limited since he was always so busy with school and me with my part-time jobs. I had forgone going to college to stay close to my mother and in the process, Harlan had offered me a small position in his publishing company which his son Walt was not too happy about. Everything was going well for me. I was living an adequate life. I had finally moved out and gotten my apartment, my work was going great and I had finally made some great friends.  Ransom seemed to be doing well as he was passing all of his classes, he even became friends with his dorm mate, which he was forced to have if he wanted Linda and Richard to keep paying his tuition.

Everything was going well for both of us. Our friendship was thriving through the long-distance even if I was hiding a deep dark secret from him, the fact that I have been in love with him for a long time now. This has been a raging issue that I had been hiding for such a long time but I never thought of doing anything about it since most of the time I was fine with being his best friend, I relied this to Claire my friend from work after I hanged up on Ransom on our call of the week.

“That is the saddest and dumbest thing that I have ever heard,” Claire said as she sipped on her wine, “and I am saying this with a lot of love but if you don’t feel like it would work between you two maybe you should try to give yourself a chance with someone else.” I turned back towards her as I took out the popcorn from the microwave, she made a shrugging gesture before turning on the tv.

“I am just saying Eric from accounting seems to be interested in going out with you, and hey I haven’t heard anything shifty about him from anybody else.” She browsed through a few movies before finally choosing one. I sat next to her setting down the bowl of popcorn in front of us as we settled down, “I’m just saying we big girls deserve some love so if that means you having to go on a date with a guy just so you could be able to get over your childhood friend, then so be it.”

I couldn’t help but think over what Claire said and I knew she wasn't wrong but a small part of me still wished that maybe Ransom felt just a little of that love that I felt for him but I knew it was probably a far cry, so I gave Claire a nod agreeing for her to set me up with Eric she squealed before reaching for her phone as she started texting someone after a few moments she put her phone down and mine began to go with off, it was Eric I gave a panicked look to Claire who just shrugged I sighed before answering.

“Hi, Eric how can I help you?” I said acting dumb, Claire swatted at my arm but I hit her back focusing on Eric who seemed to be having a conversation of his own.

“Yeah I heard from someone that you wanted to go out, and well I just wanted to know if the upcoming Friday was good for you I know this great Italian place that just opened up we could go after work if that works for you,” I was about to respond but I felt my phone going off again I pulled it away seeing Ransoms name on the screen, I debated on answering before ignoring it and returning with Eric.

“Friday sounds great”

After hanging up with Eric, Claire and I continued our movie before she had to start heading home as soon as she was gone I began to tidy up, after ignoring Ransom's call I thought about my friendship with a man who looked for the very best for his life. At some point, I had silenced my phone in the chance that if Eric were to send me a text I could just use the excuse of not answering, and that is how I had left it as I went to sleep since tomorrow started our winter break so there was nothing I had to worry about so with that thought I went to bed.

When morning came I finally had the chance to finally take a break and just lay in bed, everything was silent no noise whatsoever just the random drive of cars on the street and that was it after a while I finally got myself ready to get out of bed reaching for my phone I noticed that Ransom had called me nine more times leaving enough text messages that I worried that something might have happened. Dialing his phone as I began to get ready just in the chance if I had to rush out at any moment to meet him after the second ring he finally answered.

“Where have you been? I’ve been calling you all night do you know how worried I was,” Ransom said as he began to chastise me, I couldn’t believe he was doing this after we had talked before he started calling me liked a maniac I was about to tell him off and let him know that I didn’t think very highly of his little outburst before he stopped, “Now ducky this is what’s going to happen do you hear me your gonna finish getting ready, put your shoes on and come outside so we can go eat some breakfast do you hear me.”

I huffed out at him but did as he said as I finished getting ready, Ransom always did this ordered me around expecting me to follow his every whim without any form of repercussion from my part but I knew I would never really fight Ransom since all in all I was his only true friend. After finishing getting ready I rushed out of my apartment locking behind me before taking the stairs two at a time I soon as I got to the lobby I couldn’t help but take a small breath the small exertion from my actions after composing myself I walked out seeing Ransom's car, I couldn’t help the giddiness that came over me this would be the first time I would be seeing him after his no show for Thanksgiving so I was very excited to see him again as I got closer to his car ready to greet him excitedly I couldn’t help but notice that he wasn’t alone.

“Ducky it’s so good to see you I missed your pretty face,” Ransom said as he stepped forward to hug me but a hand stopped him from moving forward as I was left standing awkwardly from where I stepped forward to meet him, his companion stepped forward putting out a slender and manicured hand so I could shake.

“Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Caroline, Ransom's girlfriend, you must be the friend.” The way she said the word friend made me flush entirely it sounded so mocking when it came from her but I ignored it as I gave her a small smile. Ransom was watching our interaction before clapping his hands together, “Right so let's be on our way then.”

He walked over to the driver's side as he got in Caroline opened the passenger door and motioned me to get in first, I couldn’t help but look at her with a questioning look, Ransom seemed to have caught on to what she was trying to do as he motioned towards Caroline, “Caroline maybe you should ride in the back that way I can also have time to catch up with Ducky.”

Caroline huffed and crossed her arms like a child, the words that came out of her mouth made me feel so shameful I wanted the floor to swallow me whole, “I think she can fit in the back if we push the seats all the way forward I mean I wouldn’t mind moving it since I don't take up much space.” Ransom was about to protest against her but I moved forward pushing the seat forward as much as I could so I could squeeze myself through.

“It’s fine don’t worry about it, this might be the only opportunity I might have to feel as if I’m being abducted or something,” I joked as I positioned myself into the tight space of the back, Caroline seemed smug by her win as she got into the passenger seat Ransom turned to look at me as I avoided his gaze as I looked down at my phone he turned back around as he started the car, the drive to the restaurant was quite from Ransom and I’s point Caroline was going off about some friends of her who were currently on a break or something of that sorts.

When we arrived at the dinner I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm, this was Ransom’s and I’s regular place we used to go to back when we were in high school, I used to work part-time here and sometimes he visited me as I sneaked him fries when I could. Ransom looked back at me with a soft smile I couldn’t help but to return until I heard a scoff Caroline seemed to not like our choice of location and she seemed to want to protest but Ransom ignored it and got out coming to her side as she opened the door for her, that seemed to placate her as she took his hand to get out. I huffed out a little breath as I began the agonizing task of getting out of the car without making too much ruckus where I would be noticed, when I finally got out I noticed that Ransom and Caroline were waiting for me I flushed hard realizing that they saw my struggle but I gave them a small smile before walking in front of them into the dinner.

Louise was at the counter and the moment she saw me she couldn’t help but let out a shout of excitement she called to Adam who was at the grill in the back as they both came forward to greet me, they saw Ransom and the excitement grew they’ve known us for a very long time so of course, they were glad to see him as well. Louise gave us a small shove as we went to our usual seat which was a booth at the back, when I was young I was scared to go anywhere near the booths but the good thing was that the seats here were spacious so there was nothing to worry about, Ransom scooted in but Coraline seemed to hesitate to look disgusted before sitting down at the corner.

“So how’s school? Are you having any problems with your classes, any subject you might be struggling with?” I asked as I moved around the salt and pepper shake, Ransom laughed as he beat an with a tirade of his Lit professor who loved to throw existential questions into the lesson as if that would help them finish their assignments on time, I couldn’t help but laugh at his whining as our server finally came to our table. There seemed to be a small tension coming from Ransom and Caroline but I chose to ignore it as I moved my attention to our server, he seemed to be about our age, and from what I could see he was new since I could sense his small hesitancy as he took our orders, I gave him a small smile as I tried to give him some reassurance of what he was doing.

“Don’t worry about it you’re doing a great job let me tell you when I used to work here back in the day it was hard, to say the least so no pressure and just take it one step at a time,” Tom as his name tag said relaxed as he gave me a cute and flirty smile that made me blush as I sent him a small shy smile as he walked into the kitchen to put our orders in when I turned back to Ransom he seemed to have a frown on his face at our interaction I made a funny face at him as he rolled his eyes before returning to his tirade. Caroline seemed too quiet so I ignored Ransom as I tried to make conversation with her,

“Are you also at Princeton Caroline?” She gave me a look before turning her nose at me.

“Yes I am in school at the moment but it's not like it matters I’m just doing it to pass the time while I inherit the family business,” she said as she moved around the straw in her drink, I gave her a confused look at her words because I couldn’t understand what she meant by “passing the time,” she must have seen my confusion before she gave a huff before continuing, “Daddy is paying for my tuition so I can go but I don't do anything besides hanging out with my friends or taking trips, there’s no point for me to be going to classes if there is no point to it since I’m just going to inherit my family’s estate and wealth.”

I looked at her with a mildly disturbing face at her words, how I wished I had the opportunity she had to go to college but that option was never one to be considered since it was much too expensive to pay off and I didn’t want to accumulate debt when I was trying to help out my mother with her immigration situation so I said nothing, Caroline seemed to have caught on to my reaction because she gave me a scathing look for even looking at her in that way.

Before anything further could be said Ransom butted in to alleviate the tension that had just arisen between Coraline and me, “So Ducky how’s work Uncle Walt said that he was giving you your team to manage Grandad’s new book, how's that going for you?” I gave him a small smile as I began to tell him about the work that we have been doing and how I’ve been getting along well with everyone except an older editor who keeps trying to override my directions every time I make them to the team. Ransom nodded along at that moment Tom came back with our orders setting them up on the table before turning to me with a small smile, “Do you need anything else, anything I could do for you?” I smiled at him as I was about to respond Ransom butted in,

“No, we’re good.” I looked at Ransom with a pissed look at the rude tone he had used on Tom, he didn’t seem to care as he glared him down until he walked away. I was confused by Ransom's attitude I’ve never seen him act this rudely to people without a motive so his change of character made me wonder what was going on with him and if it had to do with the woman who was sitting right across from me poking at her food uninterested to us.

“So you remember Claire?” I asked him as I ignored his previous way of being with our server, Ransom seemed to be focused on his food so he hummed as confirmation, “Well we were talking last night and she set me up with one of our colleagues, and well now I have a date next Friday!” I said excitedly, Ransom began to choke on his food and I panicked as I started pushing his drink closer to him, Caroline had left just a while ago to the restroom and still hadn’t been back, after he had calmed down Ransom looked at me very differently almost as if he was mad at me for what I had said.

“Are you serious do you even know this guy, how could you put yourself in that situation you haven’t dated anyone ever and you think that going out with this guy is your best option,” he stopped himself his hands balled up into a fist on the table, I couldn't help the tears that welled up this was new to me Ransom had never spoken to me like this before never in such a way as if to shame me not when I decided to go to not go to college and not when I told him about my accident from high school.

“Are you that desperate? if you were you could have just told me and I would have shown you a pretty good time.” The shame and mortification that came over me at his words were so great I let a tear slip from my face, Ransom seemed to realize that his words were far too harsh because he reached out to grab my hand I flinched away from him not wanting him to touch me at all, “I want you to take me home, right now Ransom.” He seemed to hesitate before he clenched his jaw before scooting out of the booth he set a few bills on the table and began to walk out I sat there for a few minutes before finally walking after him Louise gave me a wave and I saw Tom give me a smile and a wave until I was out the door.

Ransom was sitting inside the car already waiting for me to go in, I didn’t see Caroline anywhere and I almost went back inside to go get her before Ransom spoke up again, “She already left her friends came and picked her up half an hour ago.” I nodded before getting into the passenger seat, on the drive back to my apartment everything was quiet, only the hum of the car providing sound. After a while we were finally there Ransom parked but didn’t turn off the engine we sat there quietly for a bit before I finally turned to him, “I’ll see you at the Lagoon okay, I think you and I need some time apart to think about what happened,” I paused as I looked away.

“I love you, I’ve always loved you and I want you to give me the chance to grow from those feelings so I feel like this is the best option for me,” I stepped out stopping before looking down at Ransom who was still so stock still, I knew that my words were probably still processing to him but there was no turning back I finally said what I needed to say and I was ready for everything that was coming, “Patito, I need you to understand that no matter what I would choose you over everybody else.” And with that, I shut the door.

My date with Eric had occurred and it was the worst thing I have ever been on, believing that maybe this could be my chance to grow out of my love for Ransom I looked at the bright side but Eric was the worst he was rude and snobby and made comments about my appearance making it seem like I had to give him a thank you for even looking my way and I hated it. Ransom and I hadn’t spoken to each other since the day we went out and I hadn’t been able to think about it, so that night after my date I cried letting out the pent up emotions I had thought about the fact that maybe me falling in love or being loved would be a notion that could never happen.

During my little outburst, I heard my phone going off and without looking I answered it, the other person on the line was quiet before I heard an outburst, “What the hell happen where are you?” I was confused for a second before realizing that it was Ransom on the line, “Did that son of a bitch do something to you tell me where you are before I go kill him.”

I gave a few hiccuped breaths before Ransom calmed down with the softest tone I have ever heard from him, “Look Ducky I just want to make sure if you’re okay? Tell me where you are and I’ll meet you there in a heartbeat.” With that tone I was able to calm myself down as I told him I was at home, he gave a confirmation telling me he would be here soon as he ordered me to drink a glass of water before he hanged up.

Fifteen minutes later and an empty glass I heard knocking at my door when I opened it Ransom dressed in some plain sweats and the sweater I had given him for Christmas last year no matter what he wore he always looked handsome and this time I couldn’t help the tears that dropped. Ransom crowded me as he began to wipe the tears from my face. Here I stood my hair and makeup a mess dressed in the nicest dress that I had as the person I loved wiped my tears off my face.

“Did he do anything to you Ducky? Tell me and I swear that I will find him and kill him with my bare hands if I have to.” I laughed at his words nut I gave him a shake of my head telling him that nothing had happened. Ransom seemed to let out a breath before he moved us to the couch, we sat there in complete silence as Ransom held me close after what seemed like hours even though it was probably minutes I finally calmed down enough that I had stopped crying altogether.

“I called you today because I knew you had your date with that guy, I was mad, at you, at me, at that prick, and at fucking Claire for setting you up,” he took a deep breath before sitting up and pulling me away from him so we could be facing each other, “I thought of your confession and I am sorry for not calling you sooner but there was so much on my mind I have to tell you.”

I looked up at Ransom seeing that he was being completely serious and I couldn’t help the pull in my chest at the way he looked in that moment how much he has grown from when we were young and how much more he could do in the future, “I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time now but I haven’t been honest with you at all, I don’t want to be your friend anymore and I haven’t wanted us to be friends since high school after we went to different schools,” I pulled away completely when he said that the tears were coming back and I felt as I couldn't breathe anymore Ransom could probably see my upcoming panic attack, so he did something I never thought would happen. He kissed me.

He kissed me.

That was the only thought that was going through my mind as my brain short-circuited, I stared up at him surprised not believing he did that Ransom stood before he started pacing rubbing at his neck before turning towards me, “This is not how I wanted to do it so I feel like I am already messing up but,” he paused as he took a deep breath before he came before me and kneeled so we were at eye level, “I have been in love with you since we were kids I think from the moment you punched me in the face and Grandad forced us to hang out, but I think the moment I knew was when I saw you at the dinner you were talking to some customers and I remember how you reached towards their little girl as you wiped something off her face and made her laugh.”

He leaned towards me just a little until our faces were just inches apart, his eyes darted down to my lips as I wet them, “I knew that if I could I would do whatever it took to keep you at my side even if that meant us only being friends, but I am done being your friend.” With that, he surged forward kissing me much softer than I thought my lips tingled at the contact after a few seconds he darted his tongue to swipe onto my bottom lip as I parted them for him before he began to kiss me a little bit deeper. When he pulled away I couldn’t help but let out a whine he chuckled at I flushed hotly at his laugh giving him a soft smile,

“Ducky you’d don't know how long I’ve been waiting to do that, I love you so much.”

“I love you too Ransom I always have and no matter how annoying you are with your little designer clothes and your dumb car,” he gave an offended scoff which I giggled at, “but I will always love you no matter what.”

Tags: @rmtndew​

[comicgeekscomicgeek]

Tales of Their Hero Academia: What’s in a Name?

Presenting another look at the background of my next gen MHA-verse, Their Hero Academia!

My works can be found here

At twenty-one years old, Eri should have been perfectly happy.  She had two loving parents, she’d graduated from the most prestigious Hero school on the planet, and was set to graduate medical school later this year. She’d long ago gained mastery of her Quirk and she’d used it to help a lot of people already.  There were few nightmares these days.

And she had a boyfriend who loved her and who she loved back.  She had a boyfriend who’d asked her to marry him.  

Which left her with a choice that she wasn’t sure how to handle.  

No, not the choice of whether or not to marry him.  That choice was easy.  She loved Kota with all her heart, even if he was hot headed and reckless and drove her crazy sometimes.  He had a heart as big as all of the outdoors and a desire to help people that was nearly as strong as her own.  He understood her, understood her pain and loss, and understood what drove her to make sure no one ever felt as helpless as she once had.  Some of the same demons that drove her, drove him.

No, her choice was something different.  Something that brought her to her childhood home: her parents’ apartment on the U.A. campus.  She had her own key and let herself inside.  As Dad had often said, it wasn’t rational for her to knock.  It was always going to be her home and she should feel free to come and go as she pleased.  Still, she would usually call first if she was going to stop by.  But she hadn’t this time.  Some things, some things had to be said in person.  

She wasn’t surprised by the sight that greeted her: Dad engulfed in his yellow sleeping bag, curled up on the couch.  The TV was on low, the volume barely audible, and Mom was likewise on the couch, Dad’s head on her lap.  She was lightly dozing, but not nearly as asleep as Dad was.

Mom’s eyes widened when she saw her, before she broke into a grin.  “Eri!” she shouted, arms up in the air.  Dad didn’t wake up.  She didn’t completely understand it, but Dad could sleep through almost anything, except he somehow always woke up when he was needed.  Mom swatted at him rapidly. “Shota, wake up!  Eri’s here!”

Dad’s eyes snapped open and he shifted into a sitting position instantly, though he did not yet come out of his sleeping bag.  “Eri,” he said.  To anyone else, it might well have sounded flat.  But she would hear the warmth in his voice.  He looked tired.  Then again, he always looked tired.  But a smile did tug at the corner of his eyes and lips.  “You didn’t call.  What’s wrong?”

“Why would something be wrong?” Mom asked.  She brushed a strand of green hair out of her face.  “Can’t our daughter visit just because she missed us?”

“She’d call first, Emi.”

Mom’s attention snapped back to her. Concern replaced joy. “Is he right, Eri?  Is something wrong?”

Eri took a seat in one of the room’s comfortable armchairs.  There hadn’t been a lot of furniture here when they’d first moved from the teacher’s dorm.  But little by little, they’d filled the apartment with furniture and love.  “No,” she said.  She shook her head.  “…Kind of? I’m not sure.”

She took a breath to steady herself.  This might not have been the way she’d planned on telling them, but it was still good news.  A smile spread across her face.  “Kota asked me to marry him.”

“OH MY GOODNESS!” Mom shrieked, jumping up from the couch. Dad winced at the noise.  “Eri, that’s amazing!  Congratulations!  I told you he was planning something, Shota!  I told you!”  She was practically vibrating, waving her hands excitedly.  Just as suddenly as her outburst had started, it stopped.  She blinked slowly.  “Wait… then what are you…   Are you pregnant?!   Shota, get out of that sleeping bag right now, we’ve got to go kick some ass!”

Dad closed his eyes and sighed.  “Calm down, Emi.”  He shook his head.  “Eri. Tell us what’s going on.  I can tell you’re happy, but there’s something else going on.”

Eri let out a small puff of breath.  “I’m trying to decide what to do about my name.”

***

Certainly, she must have had a family name when she was born.  She’d had a biological mother and father, neither of whom she could recall. Eri knew that she had accidentally unleashed her Quirk as a child and rewound her biological father out of existence. And she knew that her biological mother had abandoned her after that.  Dad had been honest with her, once she’d been old enough to ask.  She wished she could know if they had loved her.  Her biological mother must have been near mad with grief, but it was still no excuse, not with what had happened to her after.  She sometimes found herself wondering, in her darkest hours, if the woman was even still alive.  And she could not bring herself to dwell too long on whether or not she would ever like to meet her, or what she might say if she did. https://www.instagram.com/p/CKmismZpuRr/

She had a grandfather too, her biological mother’s father, now long dead, his true name unknown, just called the “Boss” by his underlings in the Shie Hassaikai.  From all accounts, he might have loved her, or at least wanted her to have better control over her power.  But he had trusted the wrong man and she… she had paid the price.   Paid the price in trauma and scars and nightmares… At least Chisaki, long may he rot, had not tried to force his name upon her, for all his pretense in public of being her father.

Whoever she might have been, whatever past she would have inherited, that past was gone.  Thanks to Izuku, Mirio, Dad, and so many others, she’d been granted an opportunity for a much brighter future, a future that had started when she was rescued, and a future that had been solidified when…

***

She’d been seven years old and had been living at U.A. for a year, under Aizawa’s guardianship.  He’d held her when she’d had nightmares, helped her when her Quirk threatened to rage out of control.  He’d made her feel happy, safe, and loved.  It had started as the most logical guardianship, given his own Quirk, but even to her young and naïve heart, it had quickly become apparent that his fondness for her was something much greater than the simple affection for a child by a caretaker.

Before she’d really understood what it meant, she’d known that she’d been his child.

“Eri,” Dad had said one day, crouching down so he could talk to her on her level.  “I have something important I’d like to talk to you about.”

She’d looked up from where she was laying on the floor, coloring a picture of Deku and Lemillion fighting the bad guys. It had been rendered as messy sticky figures that had been little more than barely distinguishably blobs of color.  “Yes, Dad?”

She’d been calling him that for a little while now.  She’d heard the word and asked Izuku what it had meant. He’d hemmed and hawed, before explaining it as an older male who took care of you, loved you, and made you feel safe.   In her little mind, she’d immediately decided that that was what her caretaker was and had called him that at her earliest opportunity, in front of Uncle Mic and Aunt Nemuri.

Uncle Mic had nearly fallen off the couch.  Aunt Nemuri had laughed out loud.   Dad had looked away, with both of the other adults claiming he was crying, something he’d vehemently denied.

Dad had smiled.  “You’ve been living with me for a while now,” he’d said.  “And I’m very happy about that.  You make me very happy.”

“You make me happy too,” she’d said.  

“And I’m happy to be your dad,” he’d said.  “Which means if I’m your dad, then you’re my daughter.”

Daughter.  She remembered that word.  When she’d gone to the park with Dad, a few women had told him what an adorable daughter he’d had.   She hadn’t remembered to ask about it then, but it came back to her now.

“Uh-huh,” she’d said, her head bobbing rapidly as she’d nodded.

Dad had gone on.  “I want to make it official.  I want to adopt you, so that everyone knows you’re my daughter, and I’m your dad.”

She’d looked up, confused.  “What does that mean?” she’d asked.  “Is something going to change?”  She’d started gripping her crayon tighter and had started to tremble.  She had thought she’d been safe, stable, but…

Dad had put a hand on her shoulder, giving it an affection squeeze. He’d smiled reassuringly.  “For you, almost nothing.  You’ll still live with me and I’ll still be here for you, just like always.  It’s more about what I can give you.  I can give you my family name, so everybody knows you’re my kid.  You’d be Eri Aizawa.”

Eri had known that family names were a thing.  She’d even asked once why she didn’t have one.  Dad had explained as best he could to a still traumatized six year old, but she hadn’t completely understood.   But she had seen Deku with his mom and all the other kids with their parents and she had known that there must have been people out there to whom she belonged, people who had not wanted her.  It had been enough to make her cry.

But Dad did want her. He’d made that clear then, holding her tight until the tears had stopped.  He loved her in a way no one else did.  In a way she didn’t remember anyone ever loving her before.  And now, he wanted her so much that he wanted to tell everybody…?  He wasn’t ashamed of her.  He didn’t want to hide her away like a monster kept in the closet.

Tears had started to form in her eyes.

Panic had sent in Dad’s eyes.  “Eri, what’s wrong?  Did I say something to upset you…?”

She’d stood up and thrown her arms around him.  “Yes,” she’d said.  “Yes.  I want to be Eri Aizawa.  Always.”

He’d held her so tightly and hugged him back at hard as he could.  “I love you, Eri.”

“I love you, Dad.”

***

“Your name?” Dad asked. Dad didn’t do “confused” but his expression was as close to it as he came.

“What about it?” Mom asked.

“I’m just deciding what to do about it when I get married,” Eri said.  “I know some people, like Momo or Kyoka have kept their maiden names.”

“Not me!” Mom piped in. She put an arm around Dad.  “I wanted everybody to know I finally got him to marry me!  Hell, I even took out billboards announcing it!”

“I think I’d remember if you did, Mom.”

Dad just shuddered. “She did.  Around Ketsubutsu.  I made sure you didn’t see them.”

“Right,” Eri said, desperate to move on.  “And I know plenty of women like you or Ochaco are happy to take their husband’s last names.”

“Or he could take yours,” Dad said.  “That also happens.”

Eri shook her head. “His name’s all he has left of his parents.  I can’t ask him to do that.”  Kota had been orphaned young.  The fact that both of them had endured so much loss so young had been something the two of them had first connected over, long before they’d dated or been lovers.

Concern started creeping into Dad’s face, but he otherwise kept silent.  She could tell he was thinking, but she couldn’t tell what.  If experience had taught her anything, it was that he would speak when he was ready.

“Then what’s the problem, exactly, kiddo?” Mom asked.

“It’s just…” Eri began. How did she put it all into words? How could she explain?  She frowned.  “Aizawa is the name you gave me, Dad.  You said you wanted the whole world to know I was your daughter, no questions asked.  I didn’t have a family when I came to you, didn’t have a family name.

“You wanted me.  You wanted me to be your daughter.  Someone wanting me like that, belonging like that… I’d never felt like that before. After Mirio and Izuku gave me freedom, it was one of the greatest gifts anyone’s ever given me.”

“What does Kota think about this?” Mom asked.  She liked Kota, she knew.  Liked him a lot.  Kota was terrified of Dad, of course, but she knew he was more fond of him than he let on.

“I haven’t told him,” she admitted.

“You should,” Dad said. “No secrets in a marriage.”

“He’s right,” Mom agreed. “And a hypocrite.”

“How am I a hypocrite?”

“You won’t tell me where you keep that extra strong coffee you guzzle!” Mom said, crossing her arms.

“That’s not a secret,” Dad told her flatly.  “It’s a precaution.  You’re hyper enough without caffine.”

“Okay,” Eri said. That argument would last all night if she didn’t interrupt.  “I’ll talk to him to.  It’s just…  I feel like… if I take his name, I’m throwing away everything you gave me.”

“That’s not rational.”

“Shota!”  Mom gave Dad a hard swat across the chest.  He winced.

“It’s not,” Dad insisted, giving her a dirty look.  “But it is understandable.”

“It is?” Eri asked. “I know I was being a little crazy but…”

“It’s a big life change,” Dad said.  He finally unzipped himself from his sleeping bag and crossed the room, to kneel by her chair.  He took her hands in his.  “But no matter what you decide, even if we don’t have the same last name, you’re always going to be my daughter.  We’re always going to be family.  And nothing is ever going to change that. Do you understand?  You’re one of the greatest things to ever happen to me, Eri, and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about how adopting you was the best thing I ever did.”

“Even better than marrying me?”

Dad shot Mom another annoyed look.  “Yes.”

He turned his attention back to her.  “This is your decision.  But I raised you, Eri.  You, me, Emi, we’re family.  And nothing changes that.  Not names, not distance, not anything.  Do you understand?”

She nodded.  “I do.”  She pulled him into a hug.  “Thanks, Dad.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I love him, Dad.  So much.”  Eri closed her eyes and smiled.  “He’s… home.  He’s kind, he’s brave, and he knows all my faults and flaws and baggage and stays with me anyway.  He’s seen me at my absolute worst, when the nightmares and the trauma get so bad I can barely get out of bed.  And even knowing that, knowing that if I make it as a doctor and a Medical Hero, I’ll barely have time to think straight, let alone think about him, he still asked me to marry him. If I had to do things again, I’d choose him every time.”

“Aaaaw,” Mom said. Eri looked over in her direction. Mom’s eyes were wet with tears. “That was so beautiful!”

“It sounds to me,” Dad said, “like you’re already making up your mind.”  He turned his head away.  Eri was certain he was tearing up too, even if he’d never admit it.  

“I think I have,” she said.

***

They had, of course, gotten Uncle Mic to DJ the wedding reception.  Mom and Dad were there, Kota’s aunt and the rest of the Pussycats, Aunt Nemuri, and Izuku and all his friends.  It was one of the happiest days of Eri’s life.

“Heeeey!” Uncle Mic called out, his voice overpowering all the others in the room.  “Let’s give it up for the happy couple!  We’ve all known them since they were kids, but give a shout and say hello to Mister and Doctor Izumi!”

[advicewithkali]

Mistake, Maybe (Chapter One Draft)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“What’s up guys, today we’re visiting Woodhils University to surprise a girl name Aubrey and her friend, who say they’re my biggest fans!” David sayid as he yelled into the camera.

He then turns his camera off and holds it in his left hand.

“David, how big of a fan are we exactly talking?” Jason inquires while chewing on green mint-flavored gum.

“I have to show you guys the video she sent me on twitter, I think she’s literarily my biggest fan. Check it out!” He said as he rummages through the slender small pocket of his black jean.

“You too, Jeff! You’re not going to believe this!” He yelled excitedly.

Jeff trudged over to the duo reluctantly, not really interested in the video David was about to show them or the visiting the university at all. David then pulled out his phone and opened the Twitter app, immediately going to his DMs. He scrolled through the messages for a second, before he landed on the video.

“Are you guys ready for this, it’s literally insane.” He said with pure excitement in his voice.

“David, come on just play it already,” Jason responded.

“Okay, okay, give me a sec.” He said as he turned his phone horizontally so that all three of them could see the video clearly. David then clicked on the video and let it play.

“My name is Aubrey and uh-sorry I’m a little nervous and excited uh.” She said as she began to fidget on her wooden chair. “Oh, my God David! Please, please, please come visit my school! I’m literally your biggest fan.” She abruptly blurted out quickly and loudly.

“She really is!” A female voice yelled in the background before quickly coming into the view of the camera.

“She’s literally obsessed with you, David. It’s bad. It’s so bad that we even have a “David Jar” in our dorm room. Anytime she mentions your name- mind you which is like every other sentence she has to put a dol- “She said before her explanation was interrupted by a slim hand muffling her speech.

“Sophie, shut up! Don’t say all of that shit. He’ll think I’m crazy! I’m trying to get him to visit us not run away, stupid!” Audrey yelled in slight frustration.

“Heh, sorry David uh, sometimes Sophie just says too much. Ha, you guys know how it is.” She said slightly nervous again as muffled noises began to come out from behind Audrey's hand.

“But anyway, David if you would come to visit me-us at Woodhill University dorm room 274 I would literally die, well no- but yes, okay gotta go bye!” She said yelled slightly frazzled and waved bye to the camera, along with a still muffled Sophie.

As the screen faded black, David turned around to face Jason and Jeff. “Can you guys believe that shit?” David asked still feeling ecstatic.

“David, I then she might be a little- off.” Jason trailed off and stopped chewing his gum.

“Ugh, Jason. Jeff please, please say you’re siding with me on this.” He said looking towards Jeff.

“Hell no, David. I’m siding with Jason on this one. You go there and you’re dead.” He said not sounding entertained with this idea.

“Well, if the two and the rest of the guys go, then I won’t be alone, no chance. Besides this will make some sick vlog footage! Jason told me it wouldn’t!” He said trying to convince them.

“It would but not if our lives at risk, David,” Jason said sounding slightly worried. “It’ll be fine. We’ll call up everyone and we’ll be all set. Nothing’s going to happen, Jason.”

Jason let out a deep sigh, “Alight, David. Let’s do this.

“Yes!” David said sounding thrilled. “What about you Jeff?” David said looking in his diffraction once again.

“I’m gonna pass. I don’t want to get murdered or risk going to prison again.” He said as he started to walk away.

“Wait, Jeff! If you don’t go how will you ever get that girlfriend, you said you wanted.” David said knowing that he had reeled Jeff back into his plan.

Jeff stopped abruptly in his steps, regretting a few months ago when he told the whole squad that he had been looking to find a serious relationship because now it was backfiring on him.

“Come on Jeff, at least one of those girls had to be your type!” Jason teased as he continued to chew the gum in his mouth.

Jeff smirks small as he turns around quickly, “Really, Jason? I pegged them more of your type don’t you like them young.” Jeff said as he was alluding to his tumultuous relationship with notorious Youtuber Trisha Paytas. They were twelve years apart.

“What?!” Jason yelled trying to act as if he didn’t know what Jeff was referring too. “That’s what you’re going to do old man? Act like you have no clue what or WHO I’m referring too.” He said as he chuckled.

“Of course, I do! I just don’t want to think about the past at all.” Jason said as he tried to make up an excuse.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell the truth Jase, is it because you don’t want Tris- “He said before he was cut off by a series of objections coming from Jason.

“No, no, no! Don’t say that name! I don’t want any more drama!” He pleaded. Jason, then took his eyes off of Jeff and glanced to his right and saw that David was filming their whole conversation.

“No, David! Do not put that in! Delete it!” He screamed as he waved his hands in front of the camera trying to block it from recording any further.

David just giggled as he blocked all of Jason’s attempts to shield his camera. “Are you kidding that clip was too good not to put in! Think of the views Jason, the views!” He said jokingly.

“David, no. I’m going through this all over again with her, I’m begging you not to put that clip in.” Jason said feeling exhausted.

David stopped moving and lowered his camera as he pondered for a bit. A few moments later, he began to speak, “How about this?” He said with a smirked.

Jason, looked into David’s brown eyes, “Really, you’re betting on my life right now.” He said knowing too well that, that statement followed by that smirk never meant a good thing. Jason knew from the past that meant that David was thinking, plotting really, and it sucked to be on the other end.

Jason let out a slow sigh, “What is it?” He spoke in a defeated manner.

“Nothing, much. It’s nothing much just two small things.” He said.

Jason gave him a look of disbelief knowing that when David meant small, he really meant large and at times very extreme.

Jeff moved closer to the duo as he began to take interest in something regarding the vlog for the first time today.

“The first part includes Zane- “

“Oh God, I’m screwed!” Jason shouted out.

Jeff’s left eyebrow raised as he took more interest in the situation unfolding before him.

David laughed as he continued to speak, “So Zane has to come out of this party without hurting himself, breaking anything, or hurting someone else.” He said.

“I’m doomed,” Jason said weakly.

Jeff chuckled as Jason began to panic waiting for David to announce the second part to his “wicked” plan.

“The second part involves Jeff,” David said laughing harder as he observed Jeff’s facial expression.

“Me? Why the hell am I involved in this!?” He questioned loudly.

“I’m glad you asked Jeff, because if you don’t find a genuine connection with a girl tonight then I guess Jason will be on Drama alert this week.

“Yeah, and how are you going to be able to tell if I made a genuine connection or not? You gonna stalk me like your little super fan?” He said in a brazen tone.

“Ha, no. I’ll ask you some questions, see if they add up and if they don’t well… It’s Killer Keemstar for Jason.” He said as he tried to imitate Keemstar.

“Wow, David. You’re crazier than I thought. You sure you aren’t part of the Slovakian mob or something?” Jeff asked.

“Nope, just doing it for some content.” He said casually.

“Jeff please tell me you got this. Please.” Jason begged again. “What am I saying, of course, you do. Look at you, the real problem is Zane. I’ve got to call him!”

“Don’t worry Jason, I’ve got your back.” He said but for the first time in years, he wasn’t confident about the words that came out of his mouth. After all, it had been so long since he’s made a genuine connection with anyone, let alone a girl. He’s a thirty-year-old man, with a lonely apartment, a dog, and a group of wilds friends, could he really get real and open with someone at this point in his life? Let alone in one night?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“What’s up guys, so the squad and I are right outside of Aubrey’s door and we’re about to knock.” He whispered slightly as he filmed the members of the vlog quad, which insisted on Zane, Heath, Mariah, Jason, Erin, Carly, Toddy, Jason, Jonah, and Jeff. Then turned the camera back on the door room, 247.

David smiled brightly as he began to knock on the door. The door instantly and swung open, slamming into the bedroom wall. The squad was greeted with the sounds of loud squeals and jumping up and down coming to a brown skin girl with dark brown long hair and a slim thick body and a bright smile from an olive-colored girl with long black hair, dark brown eyes, and freckles.

“You must be Aubrey, right?’ David said with his well-known smile. “Yes. Yes! That’s me!” She said as she switched from jumping up and down to bouncing on the heels of her feet.

“Can I- Can I hug you, David?” She asked.

“Of course!” He yelled as he pulled her in for a hug. The pair hugged for a few moments before David pulled away.

“And you must me Sophie?” He asked.

“It’s Sophia actually everyone usually calls me Sophie or Soph. I really don’t care which one you call me by I’ll still respond.” She said chucking.

“I think you guys should come in before Audrey explodes. Plus, it’s Taco and Tequila Tuesdays and you don’t want to be outside for that.” She warned.

“Mhm, that sounds so good right now!” Zane yelled from the back of the group.

“Zane!” Jason grumbled under his voice as he elbowed Zane on the left side of his ribcage.

“Right, right. I forgot.” He responded back as he retreated slightly from the conversation.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jeff’s P.O.V

David was the first one to walk in the dorm room. Followed by everyone else. I was hesitant to walk in. I can’t really say I feel comfortable being on a college campus filled with people- kids about a decade my senior. And David really expects me to find a genuine connection with one of them. He’s clearly lost his mind.

As I walked into the cramped and small room, I noticed how differently each side was decorated. On the right was a very bright, pink, and girly side, it had to be Aubrey’s side of the room. It was pretty much like any other college dorm you’d see. While the other side was decorated in an alternative way. It was darker and had stacks of books, CDs and records, and band posters. I wonder who’s side it was. Not, Sophia’s. It doesn’t seem to match her personality.

I continued to analyze the room as everyone gathered around Aubrey’s bed. I then spotted a small shuffle out of the side of my left eye. I looked closer and saw that it was a girl. She was stunning. She had the most beautiful smooth brown skin and pillow-soft curls. I continued to stare in her direction as I observed her reading a book.

I guess I stared too long because she looked up in my direction before quickly turning away, huddling down in her book further. I was taken back slightly; I had never had that reaction before from someone. I guess she was just shy. I didn’t really know but I wanted too.

I kept looking in her direction a few moments longer, hoping she would look up at me again. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen as I was knocked out of my trance by Toddy when he elbowed me in my right ribcage.

“Dude, you alright? You zoned out for a while there.” He questioned. “Yeah…. I’m fine.” I said back, still not fully paying attention to him.

“Well then come on, Audrey’s about to answer some questions and prove that she’s David’s number one fan!” He yelled at the top of his lungs. Before he could move, he glances back at the girl in the corner and saw her twitch slightly and move closer into the corner as she turned her back towards him.

With that, I finally joined the rest of my friends. I didn’t sit.  I told everyone that I felt better standing but in reality, I was uncomfortable being in this room. Not only was it a room for college kids but something was very off about the vibes in this room.

I left my train of thought to try and pay attention to what was going on before me. I tried my hardest to be entertaining and put on the “Jeff character” but I was so distracted by the girl in the corner. Every second I spent in this room I just wanted to turn my head and peek over at her even if it was for just a second.

“Okay, okay! Next question, “What sport did members of the vlog squad play that eventually lead to a kiss between Heath and me? I heard David ask.

“No way she’s going to get this one!” I heard Heath scream.

“Baby, it’s a wrap you ain’t getting this one!” Zane yelled in agreement.

“If she gets this one, I’m done I’m just- I can’t!” Toddy yelled right beside me.

I then looked up at Aubrey and saw a look of determination on her face followed a smirk and small glimmer of some something I couldn’t put my finger on, in her eyes.

“Beer Bottle Frisbee.” She said with all the confidence in her voice. Her answer was met with extremely loud cheers. As everyone was distracted, I turned my head quickly in the direction the mysterious girl was sitting and saw her getting up. I immediately turned my head back around, this time looking down in hopes of seeing where she was off too.

To my surprise, she ended up leaving without anyone noticing. While everyone was still cheering, I took this as an opportunity to go speak to her. I waited a few seconds before I slipped out of the room quietly and followed the direction, I saw her go in.

As I walked down the hallway, I saw piles of garbage, toilet paper streamers, and drunk guys getting loud in the hallway. This gave me even more of an incentive to find this girl. She doesn’t seem like the type to be safe in this environment.

I followed her for what seemed like an hour. I made sure to keep my distance. I didn’t want her to know that I was following her. I guess I could throw that thought right out the window because this is when she completely stopped walking.

“P-please stop following me.” She said with her back still turned to me.

I just continued to stare at her for a second before I spoke, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted to talk to you.” I said, trying to find the right words to say to her. For some reason, my confidence with this girl was swaying.

“Why?” She mumbled lowly.

I walked closer to her until I was a few inches away from her.

“I can’t really come up with an excuse right now. There really shouldn’t be an excuse to talk to a pretty girl, so I won’t say one. I’ll tell the truth. There’s- there’s something about you something different that drew me into you and I just wanted to get to know you.” I said as I smiled.

“I’m Jeff,” I said as I held my hand out and continued to smile.

She turned around fully after I said my name. I could’ve sworn I stopped breathing for a second as I took in her full appearance. I felt wrong in away because I knew she was too young, but I pushed those thoughts aside because this opportunity was too perfect to miss.

I continued to hold out my hand and smile but her facial expression never changed, and she never made and moves to shake my hand. I looked at trying to predict what she would do. She then began to shuffle on her feet and moved her arms to wrap around her body.

“I know.” She whispered lowly. I wasn’t quite sure how to react to her reactions. She seemed so scared and guarded.

“Uh, so you watch the vlogs then?” I asked trying to then of something to get relive some of the awkwardness.

“Um, yeah sometimes. Mostly when I have free time form classes and studying.” She said with a little more pep as she looked up at me.

I smiled small. She finally said something more than one word.

“Not like your roommate, right?” I said as I chuckled lightly. Her face faltered at the mention of her roommate.

“No.” She said quietly again.

“So, I didn’t get your name,” I said.

“It’s ah Kamora. Kamora Maxwell.” She said facing me again with those big brown eyes. Even her name matched her.

“Everyone usually goes crazy for David and the vlog squad and you left? Not your type of YouTubers?” I asked trying to get her to speak more and refraining from personal or sensitive topics.

“Um, I’m just not much of a social person. And I do like you- um you guys but I like to see you guys as normal individuals. I don’t want to separate the human qualities from you guys just because you well know.” She said.

She’s attractive and smart, the full package.

“Believe it or not, I’m not social either,” I said being completely honest.

She looked at me intrigued.

“Yeah from the vlogs and my channel I look like this super social guy, but I hate it. I like to be independent and do my own thing. Don’t get me wrong I like my group of friends but sometimes I just need to retreat to my cave and recharge.” I said just blurting out how I felt. For some reason, I felt completely safe confiding in her.

She nodded her head in agreeance with me.

“So where are you from? You kind of have an accent but I can’t pinpoint it.” I said.

“I’m from New York City, actually.” She said.

“You’re lying!” I shouted getting a bit excited. She shook her no.

“What part?” I asked, knowing it wasn’t Staten Island.

“The Bronx.” She responded back.

“The Bronx, huh? I know a couple people up that way. They’re cool guys. I outta visit them when I head back home again.” I said reminiscing slightly.

“Since you watch the vlogs then you probably know that I’m from Staten Island- “

“The Forgotten Island,” We said in unison.

I chuckled at that and smiled at her.

We stood in silence for a few moments before I began to speak again. “It’s funny how we both ended up moving from one side of the country to the other. It’s crazy to think about how bad my life was going. The decisions and the people I were hanging out with put me right in prison. But, I’m so glad I was given another chance at life and I’m finally able to live a decent life.” I said as I opened up to her.

“For some reason, I feel like you weren’t like me. You needed up her for some reason and I-“I said before she interrupted me.

“I- I’m sorry. I-I can’t do this!” She yelled as she took a few tentative steps back before bolting past me.

I stood there in shock for a few moments. What did she mean that she “couldn’t do this”? Did she mean socializing in general or just talking to me? Was it something I said? I didn’t really know what to say or do at this moment all I knew was I had to find her and I had to make things okay.

[randomkpopfaketexts]

Baby Don’t Stop | Nine

Baby Don’t Stop | Lucas X Reader | Idol!AU | “After I first saw you, I got a feeling that I needed no other reason. Like magic, I felt each hundredth of a second. For every detailed one minute, all of my nerves are on edge... I want to get to know you.”

Purple = Japanese

You didn’t understand it. Why? After four years! Why had she contacted you?

Had she spoken with Wooseok? Had he told her just how broken you had been when you two had first met? And why didn’t he tell you she was a trainee at Cube?

Maybe it was to protect you. He had expressed his disgust countless times after he found out just how broken you were... it had to be that. Protecting you.

You know that if you had known sooner you probably would’ve marched into Cube to pick a fight. And you couldn’t do that to her, even after all she had done to you.

Maybe meeting with her was your one way to get closure.

Maybe.

And as you sat, ten minutes early, you contemplated leaving. What if you couldn’t do it? What if you could face her? After four long years...

It was too late. Five minutes before the set time the door to the cafe chimes signaling another customer entering. You eyes immediately make contact with the familiar, yet strange dark brown eyes you were once so familiar with.

“Hi.” She said breathlessly, a shy smile on her face. Yet you remained stone. Cold. And unsure of how to feel now that she was actually sitting in front of you. “Do you still drink the same thing? Earl Grey? With a little bit of cream and two sugars?”

Your eyes widened in shock, clenched jaw slacking as she giggled at your expression. “I remember. How could I not? It was like your drug when...” she trailed off, noticing your jaw clenching again. “I’ll just go order-“

“Here you go ma’am. One Earl Grey, cream and sugar. And one large iced americano with hazelnut flavoring.” The waiter smiled, bowing and disappearing a moment later.

“You remembered mine?” You nod, stiffly. But still, you finally responded. “Even after I hurt you.”

“What do you want? I didn’t come here for you just waste my time Jaewon.”

“I want to give our friendship another chance. And if I can get you to forgive me then I can get the others to forgive me-“ you scoff.

“So that’s what you want.” You look at her, your arms crossed over your chest, one leg crossed over the other as one heeled boot tapped against the floor. “You don’t even care about me-“

“Don’t say that! I do care! I care about all four of you!”

“Then why did you leave us?” Tear brimming your eyes as you stared at her. “Why did you leave me? I needed you unnie.”

“Debuting was taking too long-“

“And you don’t think I didn’t want to quit? I wanted to give up so much and go back to Osaka! But I didn’t! I made a commitment to Jimin, Jisoo, Hwayoung, and even you! And I held through!”

“I’d been a trainee for seven years.”

“Jisoo trained for ten, Jaewon.” You spat at her, not taking her excuse.

“Well I’m not Jisoo.” You roll your eyes at her response, even when you were friends, her responses were similar during arguments. You hear chimes again, but you can’t even focus as your head begins to hurt.

“And yet here you are,” a third voice enters the mix and you tense even more when you hear your brother speaking. “You’re debuting four years after you left, and three after my sister. So how well did your plan of debuting sooner work?”

Yuta stood over the two of you, eyeing Jaewon.

“I don’t remember inviting you.”

“Well my sister has a concerned boyfriend, something I’m sure you don’t understand either. Just like you don’t understand how much you abandoning my sister killed her.” Yuta grabs your jacket, forcing you to stand as he tugs you toward the door. Once at the door, after forcing your mask over your face and his over his own, he turns to Jaewon again. “Stay the hell away from her.”

—

Yuta slams the front door to the NCT dorm shut, causing the loud commotion from within to cease. He angrily shoved his coat and shoes off, before storming through to the leaving room trying to get to his bedroom before he was stopped by Taeyong.

“Yuta? What’s going on?”

You had flinched when he shut the door and now you entered the living room quietly as the attention turned from your brother to you. You weren’t expecting all of NCT to be at the 127 dorm, but here they were.

Lucas stood up and went to approach you, but Taeil - a witness to the many Nakamoto sibling fights - held him back, forcing him to sit. Forcing him to watch as you seemingly wanted to make yourself smaller.

“Yuta?” Taeyong asks again, the seasoned mediator of the Nakamoto fights.

“Ask her.” He jerked his head in your direction, glaring as he did so. His gaze softening almost unnoticeably as you flinched.

“Y/N?”

“I met with Jaewon.”

“Not only did you meet with her, you were on the verge of a full blown panic attack!” Your eyes widen, you hadn’t expected him to call you out on your little episode.

The members say quietly, Lucas on edge as he wanted to jump up and defend you from your brother, but he didn’t know what he even said, nor was it his place to say anything at all.

“She said she wanted to talk,” you voice cracked.

“How naive do you have to be?” Yuta laughed, turning on his heel to head down the hallway, shoulders hunched.

You watch him for a moment before following after him, stopping the bedroom door from slamming as you enter and shut it behind you. “You’re supposed to support me!”

“I can’t support you if you continuously go against what I advise!”

“Yuta! You can’t always protect me!” He stayed silent at that. “I know you hate it, but sometimes there are things that I need to learn on my own! You’re not always going to be there to protect me from the scary and bad things that hide from the light. I have to learn to do that myself.”

“I can’t see you like that again. Not the way she left you, it killed me. It killed me to see how broken you were- you’re my baby sister, Y/N. All I want to do is protect you.” He stepped toward you, his arms wrapping around your shoulders and bringing you into his chest.

“I know, Yuta.”

—

You and Yuta exit his room after a long and serious discussion. Which primarily included you promising to let him know when Jaewon contacted you and for him to allow him to sit in on the meetings.

He had given you some clothes that you had left from previous nights you’d stay with your brother. Both of you in fresh clothes, your makeup removed, and back in a regular routine, you head into the living room.

The amount of members had died down considering Taeyong, Kun, and Doyoung sent the Dreamiest back to their dorm, minus Mark and Donghyuck. So that left the entirety of NCT U and 127.

“Are you two done fighting?” Donghyuck perks his head up. “It got quiet about ten minutes after you disappeared and we assumed that Y/N had killed you, Hyung. I was prepared to help her hide the- STOP!” He takes off running as Yuta begins chasing him, throwing various miscellaneous items at him.

You laugh at them and tip toe over Johnny and Mark, who lay on the floor arguing over something in English, to sit between Taeil and Lucas. Your head hurt, your day had been long, and you were tired. But you knew better than to fall asleep before Johnny or Donghyuck. But yet you couldn’t help the comforting feeling of leaning your head against Lucas, who was dressed comfortably, similar to that of Kun and Jungwoo.

“What are you guys doing, having a sleep over?”

Taeil laughs and you give him a tired smile, “Yeah. Lucas, Kun and Jungwoo are staying over tonight.”

You shift your head to look up at Lucas who hadn’t taken his big brown eyes off of you since you reentered the room. The boy was whipped, your heart sang when you saw the way he looked at you. He moved his arm, causing you sit up, but quickly wrapped it around you prompting you to lean into his chest instead of his shoulder.

His attention was completely drawn from Jungwoo, who smiled at the site of the younger boy being so loving towards you. Jungwoo simply placed his attention on Doyoung and Sicheng, letting you two be.

Lucas pouted at you as you made eye contact again. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Promise?” You nod, grabbing his free hand and placing a small kiss against his wrist. His ears turn pink, and he simply wondered what it would feel like for your lips to be pressed against his lips instead of his wrist.

That’s right. You two hadn’t kissed yet. He wanted to, but he didn’t want to rush you. He didn’t want to push you into an uncomfortable situation. So he waited, and he would continue to wait until you initiated it or expressed that you wanted him to kiss you.

As the night progressed, you remained wrapped in Lucas’s embrace, neither one of you wanting to leave the other. Movies were played, junk food was eaten. You and Lucas shared a milkshake or two. And each member slowly began to leave to go to be. Starting with the two youngest, followed by the grandpas, Taeil, Kun, and Taeyong.

Doyoung, Johnny, and Jungwoo were the next to leave with Jaehyun, Yuta, and Sicheng.

Soon, it was just you and Lucas. Curled up on the couch, the tv still on with a low hum to simply act as background noise as you two stared at the drama playing but never really paying enough attention to catch what the plot was. The tv the only source of light in the room.

“Y/N?” You shift your head up for the umpteenth time that night. He meets your tired gaze and reaches a hand up to brush your hair out of your face. Your gaze travels down to his lips, and you quickly avert your eyes.

He catches this and smirks, “Why are you acting so shy, baby girl?” You groan and hide your face in his chest. He laughs, his chest shaking and you can hear his heart pounding as it beats faster.

“Can I kiss you?” You mumble into his chest and he takes in a deep breath, ears burning again.

“What was that?”

You sit up and push yourself out his arms but his hand that previously held your shoulder now rested on your knee as you stared at him, your face burning bright red. “Can I kiss you?”

He only nodded his head in response.

You scoot closer to him, hair falling in your face again. He smiles his big cheesy and raises a hand to brush it away again. He leaves his hand to rest against your face as you lift one of your own to cup his cheek.

You lean in, your lips pressing softly against his and your eyes flutter shut. Your first kiss with Lucas was nothing but pure magic.

Okay, that may be a stretch. The minute your lips pressed against his, he turned into a giggly baby laughing loudly, having to pull away and clapping his hands together as he stared at you from behind his bangs which fell into his face and a little behind his glasses.

You pout at him and he giggles loudly again, surely waking someone in the dorm up, but he didn’t care. He sat up, leaning his forearm against the back of the couch and leaning towards you again.

His smile stretching, probably wider than you have ever seen before. “Kiss me again,” he whispered like an excited school girl.

“I barely even kissed you the first time you big baby!” You scold him, but smile as he leans closer to you.

His soft lips meeting yours, this time remaining there as he presses you closer to him, one hand finding your waist and the other you cheek. You hands find his waist as you attempt to pull him closer, only resulting in you nearly falling in his lap. Giggling coming from both of you this time as you break the kiss, only to reconnect seconds later. This time, your eyes had fluttered shut. This time, it was magic.

[moonmunson]

dorm rooms

¡ok so this is my first fic bear with me!

I didn’t want to be at this party. It was the Friday before school let out for the Summer, and ideally, I’d be in my room packing right now. My roommate, Maggie, wouldn’t let up until I agreed to go with her. Something about needing to get laid before the school year ended. I told her that I didn’t have time. Which I didn’t. The hustle and bustle of the big city with schoolwork added on top didn’t give a hardworking person any time to socialize. Even if I did have time, I still wouldn’t be going out. I’d be binge watching something on Netflix.

And yet, I found myself wandering an unfamiliar apartment with bass thumping in the background. Maggie ditched me as soon as we walked in, going directly to the drink table and then to her closer friends. I had tried to befriend Maggie, but we were completely different personalities. We lived fine together for the year, except when she would bring her conquests back to the dorm and kick me out. Regardless, I was at the party now and had no choice but to indulge Maggie’s wishes and socialize.

After making my way around the small space a few times, and refilling my drink a few times more, I was feeling bubbly and confident. However, it was getting too stuffy and loud with the smoke and chatter of the party-goers. I needed some fresh air, so I made my way to the roof of the dorm building. NYU dorms had the best view. Ever since I was old enough to have ideas of what I wanted to do when I was older, I was always in New York City. Something about the streets felt magical to me. The day I got accepted to NYU was the best day of my life. Leaving my family and friends behind was difficult, but they all understood what the city meant to me.

Heights usually bothered me, but the walls of the roof towered above me, still having space between the bars to peer out and gaze at the cars below. There were people up here partying as well as downstairs, but the fresh air made the noise much more tolerable. I pulled a cigarette out of my bag when a deep voice cleared his throat, causing me to jump, releasing the lighter in my hand.

“Excuse me - oh, sorry pet,” he said, bending down to retrieve my lighter for me. Gentlemanly, I thought. I looked up at him, and was met with beautiful emerald eyes. He was wearing a silky light blue shirt, patterned with green leaves.

“It’s no problem, you just startled me.”

“Mind if I bum a cig?” he asked, and I could tell he was as tipsy as I was, maybe a little stoned as well.

“Are you sure?”, I replied. “They cause lung cancer you know.” He chuckled at this. His laugh was like honey.

“We all die sometime, don’t we?” He was right, we do. Once again I reached inside my purse to go for the pack of cigarettes, grabbing one for the handsome stranger.

“May I ask your name?” I was fumbling with the large purse, so I might as well ask his name while he waits for me to get my life together.

“Harry,” he responded. He had an accent but I couldn’t quite place it from just listening to it. “Do you need help?” He seemed genuinely concerned for me because of the way I was struggling.

With a breath I got a hold of the carton and said, “No, I’m fine. You just -” I faltered, struggling to make eye contact with Harry.

“I what?” I looked up at him, and tried my hardest to compose myself before answering.

“You make me nervous. I don’t even know you but you make me nervous for some reason. Maybe it’s the booze, or the city lights, I don’t know.” We made eye contact again and his features softened before he spoke.

“You have no reason to be nervous around me, moppet,” at this, he reached a tattooed arm up and his hand clasped the nape of my neck. By now we had both forgotten about the cigarettes we were meant to smoke, and were just looking at each other.

“Do you want to go somewhere private?” He asked, and I held my breath. “I ‘ave a feeling more people might come up here”. I agreed. Something about him made me feel safe, and in the moment having no experience didn’t matter.

“I would love to.” With his response, he grabbed my wrist, not too tight, but just tight enough for me to feel secure. He led me through the drunken college students down the stairs to his dorm. On the way out the door, I looked around and Maggie caught my eye. She looked at me too and cocked her eyebrow, asking if everything was good. We weren’t close, but she still looked out for my safety the way any girl would. I answered her with a curt nod and continued out the door. I knew she’d have questions for me later. Once we got to his room, he turned his key in the lock and led both of us inside the small space with two beds for Harry and his roommate.

“Would you like some water or something? I know I need to sober up.” The way he asked sent butterflies flying throughout my stomach. He’s hot and he knows when he needs to take things seriously? I’m gonna have a lot to tell Maggie later.

“I would love some water, thank you.” I awkwardly made my way to the small couch in the empty corner of the dorm. The space was cozy. On what I guessed was Harry’s side, there was a Fleetwood Mac poster, a guitar case, and since the year was ending, suitcases and boxes with clothes and his belongings sprinkled about. When he brought me the water, I could tell he knew I was holding my breath. He sat down on the bed across from the couch and just started talking about himself. It wasn’t until he told me a story about the time he asked someone if their drink was straight vodka, and they replied that no, they were gay, that I loosened up and let a laugh out.

“Ah! There you go. I knew you had it in you.” That was just the beginning of a very long night of discussing everything from favorite color to the names we’d like to use on our children.

“I believe I’d like to use a unisex name, like Alex or Casey, so that whatever gender my child chooses they want to be, they’ll be comfortable with their name.”

“That’s very generous of you, Harry.” Most people nowadays were having difficulties accepting their children for their authentic selves, and I was proud of Harry for acknowledging it.

We both knew then that it was the start of a very long and healthy friendship. Our conversation lasted throughout the whole night into the morning. By the time we were having trouble thinking of new topics, I noticed the first golden light rays of the sunrise were peeking in through the window.

“Harry, you might think this is stupid, but -” I stopped in the middle of my sentence. Most people thought going outside in the morning just to look at the Sun rise was stupid. I didn’t want to embarrass myself.

“What is it?” He asked.

“Do you want to -” I paused again. “Can we go up to the roof and watch the Sun rise? It’s one of my favorite things to do and I just -” At this point I was rambling and didn’t notice a smirk appear on Harry’s face.

He cut off my rambling with “Of course we can go up and watch the sunrise, love.” I could get used to hearing that.

By the time we got up to the roof, I realized how tired I was because of all the stairs we had to climb. When we opened the door that leads to the upstairs common area, I knew it was worth it. It almost felt like the sky knew that I had to say goodbye to this place today and it wanted to make every moment of my last few hours count. Again, I didn’t notice Harry’s intent focus on the way I was looking at the sky.

“Wow.” He whispered.

“I know!” I said. “Every morning I come out here just to see this. It’s magical.”

“No,” He said. I looked over at him, and cocked my head to the side, confused. “Wow, you. I’ve known you less than what,” He glanced down at the watch on his wrist. “Ten hours and you have completely captivated me."

[groundsnow]

フツカ

"Ah classes are finally over!"

"Yeah! Today was tiring, isn't it? But at least we're done with the dreaded quiz!"  I exclaim.

"Indeed! I didn't sleep last night just to study. Ugh."

"What? You didn't sleep at all? You ended up sleeping in our Biology class though." I laugh.

"Yeah. I can't afford to fail the quiz." She says with a sad look. I try to console her.

"Try not to cram next time, okay? You can absorb information and learn better if you study regularly with time intervals between sessions." I explain.

"Whoa Aki! You're not only hardworking but also intelligent. I wish I had even 50% of your brains. Thanks for the tips! I'll try to follow them." She looks at me cheerfully and smiles like a child. I smile back at her.

"Any submissions for tomorrow?" She asks.

"We just finished with the homework today as well as quizzes this week, so there aren't any." I smile at her.

"Oh great! This week has been tiring." I can see her face light up.

"Yeah, I can tell. Take some rest then once you get home."

Minami is my blocmate with whom I share the same class schedule this semester. We've talked to each other via Facebook group for our bloc before classes even started. I guess I'm luckier than most people, because some don't even know anyone in their classes.

"Aki, I'm going ahead! My mom just texted me and I have errands to run. See you next week!" She smiles and waves her hand then runs off. This girl is just too energetic.

It's Friday again. A week really goes by so quickly. I check my watch and it's already 5:13. I need to get some dinner then head back to the dorm. I wonder if Horikawa is already home. She usually goes home late, often just before the 10 pm curfew, and has never gone home ever since the semester started. There are lots of questions in mind, which makes me realize that there's still an air of mystery about her.

I take out Chicken Fillet with Rice from Mcdo then walk to the campus dorm. I like walking while listening to music through my earphones. The university is situated between lush green forest reserves so the landscapes are breathtaking. Walking around the campus after an exam is enough to relieve stress.

It's already 5:34 pm, so a lot of students can be seen walking in the campus grounds. The noise they make while talking to their friends fill the atmosphere. It's what makes the campus lively at this hour. Since it's Friday, the roads are busy as students rush to go home to their respective provinces. As for me, I don't have a home to go to. This university is now my home.

and fit in a crowd instead.

I arrive at our dorm and It's been two weeks since classes started, so I've adjusted well. I usually walk alone when I'm not with Minami, and I've gotten used to it. I'll probably be in a more uncomfortable situation if I was forced to join enter the gate. The guard greets me with as smile and I smile back at her. As usual, there are a lot of students at the TV area. Some are studying while some are chatting with their roommates while the TV serves as a background noise.

Our room is in the second floor of the dorm, so I have to take a flight of stairs, which frankly, is too tiring. I put in the key then turn the knob. I open the door and see that it's dark inside. Horikawa probably hasn't arrived yet. I turn on the light. I place my bag on my desk then look at my bed. Eh? She's asleep? She's wearing a t-shirt and a pajama. A pillow is also blocking her face. Does she even have enough oxygen in that position?

Our beds are placed side by side and against the wall, so it's really easy to observe her even when I'm lying down. She's facing the wall, so I can only see her hair. I wonder why she's back at the dorm so early? It's Friday, doesn't she have plans to go home? I lie down on my bed and check my phone. There are a number of friend requests from some of my classmates. I accept all since I've met them personally.

I put down my phone then close my eyes for a bit. The exhaustion is only sinking in now. My eyes feel so heavy. At this rate, I'll fall asleep. No, Aki. You can't let it happen. I sternly tell myself. I still haven't changed into comfortable clothes, and the food I'm supposed to have for dinner is in the paper bag. There's a lot of things I need to do, but my bed just won't let me get up. I let out a sigh.

Horikawa starts moving and changing positions. Is she still asleep? She slowly gets up. She's awake now. She runs her fingers through her hair then walks to her desk. She's really strange. She doesn't even look in my direction, as if I'm invisible. I want to call her, but I can't. I'm too shy to do so.

There's suddenly loud sounds of footsteps nearing our room. Someone barges in! What in the world is happening? Is this the dorm thief who has been stealing gadgets? Did I fail to lock the door so he was able to enter? I can't even let out a scream because of how fast things happen.

She throws a punch to the guy's face then kicks him. He loses his balance. He tries to regain his composure, but my roommate quickly pulls his one arm back. He shouts in pain as she restrains him using handcuffs. What? Where did she get those handcuffs? That's really strange.

The university police force rushes to our room and quickly takes custody of the thief. She runs her fingers through her hair again then blows air upwards which makes her fringes move. I'd be lying if I say that she doesn't look cool. She really looks like Mirai. Ikemen, it is. She looks at me. I freeze.

"Aki." I look at her.

"Yes?" No words are coming out of my mouth? This is so strange.

"Aki." Her voice sounds much louder and clearer.

I open my eyes and see her sitting on my bed. Wait, what? It was all a dream?

"Hey, are you okay?" I've been trying to wake you up for 15 minutes now, but you're a heavy sleeper. I even tried pulling your hair, you know?" She says with a straight face. She does look scary when she's serious.

"Eh? So it's all a dream?" I say, still sleepy.

"What dream?" She asks. I get up and sit on my bed to face her.

"I dreamt that the dorm thief barged into our room, but you stopped him and even handcuffed him! You have great hand-to-hand combat skills in my dream! You're so cool! Everything just seemed real." I exclaim. She laughs.

"Your dreams are weird, Aki. You're probably too tired." She pats my head then ruffles my hair. Why does she seem like an older sister or something? We're both 16, right? The way she acts makes it seem like she's older than me.

"Oh, by the way, you haven't eaten your food here." She points the brown paper bag on my desk.

"Indeed.. I haven't eaten." I say. I get up then start eating.

"How about you, have you had dinner?" I ask her.

"Yeah, I went to the cafeteria while you were asleep." She smiles at me. I smile and nod at her.

She goes back to her bed then takes out her laptop. I go back to eating as well. There's actually only one desk in our room, and we just agreed which side each of us will take. A lot of papers are on her desk and they look quite messy. There's one thing that caught my attention though — an organization application form. It reads, "Yokohama University Psychology Circle (YUPC)". But aren't freshmen students prohibited from joining an organization? I didn't know that she is a rule-breaker.

"Horikawa."

"Yeah?" She answers.

"Ah— nothing." Am I stupid? I shouldn't ask her about it. It'd be awkward. Besides, it's none of my business if she decides to join an organization.

"What is it, Aki?" She insists.

"I forgot what I was about to say." I make an excuse just so she'll let it go. She laughs.

"You're really funny, Aki." She says with a grin. I smile and nod. My phone vibrates. There's a message from Hiromi, one of my blocmates.

"Hi, Aki :)"

I haven't finished eating yet, so I won't reply to him. Maybe later. I put down my phone then take my last few bites. The disposable food box and paperbag goes to the trash bin.

It's Friday, 8:28 pm. I'm just glad that I can take some rest from a busy week.

I still can't stop thinking about Horikawa. I feel like she's hiding a lot of things. She's doing a lot of contradicting actions as well. Sometimes, she's cold and distant, then she'd be friendly and warm towards me. Weird. What's even stranger is the fact that I'm curious about her. I guess it can't be helped; she's the first roommate I've ever had and I've never been forced to share a room with anyone. It's like I'm compelled to know things about her since I have no choice but to have her in my personal space.

"Aki." She calls me.

"Yes?" I respond.

"Are you going home this weekend?" She asks. Her face looks serious.

"No. Why?" I never expected her to initiate this conversation.

"Aight then. I thought you're going home." She says with a grin.

"How about you? Are you going home?" I ask.

"Nah." So that's why she didn't go home last weekend either. I wonder why. Is she also an adopted student like me? This is a story for another day, I guess.

[bananashemmo]

When We Collide (Part 18)

Pairing: Assistant!Y/N/CEO!Luke

Rating: NC-17

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17

Summary: He is the definition of high class smart ass, swimming in Dom Pierre Pérignon champagne and has never seen the shadow of poverty. She is underprivileged, lives in a messy dorm room on sale and struggles working as an assistant after being thrown out of college. But how will they collide when Luke makes Y/N pregnant after a drunkenly one night stand?

When We Collide on Wattpad

“I heard your date wasn’t even close to a success?”

Looking over your shoulder to see Ashton stand in the door frame to your office you smiled brightly by his presence. He was standing with a bouquet of lilies in his hands and knocked twice on your door frame just for fun.

“You have no idea. Come in.” You giggled and nodded your head in confirm, his contagious giggle filling the room once he walked fully inside.

You could tell that he was on the job, his uniform was tight to his body and he also had a gun attached to his belt loop. It wasn’t often that he showed up at the office, mostly doing it when he had a break or it was around lunch time. 

“I bought these for you. Not really sure if it’s your favorite but I love lilies. They kind of make the room look refreshing.” He explained and watched you stand up from your chair to go find a vase.

“You really didn’t have to do this.” You opened the door to one of the cupboards by your shelves and scanned the area for something. 

“It’s the least I can do after what you’ve told me. So this Tim guy wasn’t really fond of the pregnancy?” He waited patiently for you to find a vase and watched you walk back to your desk after finding a white one with black dots. 

“Let me just tell you his reaction was a whole lot worse than I expected.” You smiled gently when he stood in front of the table and helped you along to fill in the powder that was attached to the bouquet from the flower shop. 

“He was out like a light. Worse reaction than everyone else I’ve told. He could barely form a proper sentence but I don’t blame him to be honest. We’ve known each other for years and suddenly out of anyone in his friend group I’m the one to become pregnant.”

“Was the reaction worse than the father?” He was gentle with asking and by your reaction he could see it was a bit of a sensitive subject. 

“It was similar.” You were a bit quieter and it took you some time to answer, “He was more shocked I guess. Startled. Maybe a little bit scared.” 

You couldn’t avoid looking towards the glass door that leads into Luke’s office. You hadn’t seen him all morning, after cleaning his office he had been walking around in confusion since meeting up. It was almost as if he was nervous about something. 

“I completely understand.” Ashton nodded his head in agreement and watched your face carefully. He didn't want you to become sad, he couldn’t help his curiosity. 

“Don’t be nervous, it’s not affecting me as much as it looks.” You admitted and took a deep breath. 

It wasn’t that you got angry now, or frustrated. It was just hard when being asked about this because you had settled down by becoming a single mom. Dating boys clearly weren’t a thing so you might as well stop there already. 

“Sometimes I just want to push him to the back of my mind but it’s hard because no matter where I go I will be reminded of him.” You looked up from the flowers with a sad smile just to show that you were alright. 

“Especially because you know the man will be a part of your life for the rest of your days even if you don’t want to?” He was saying it as a question but he wasn’t expecting confirmation from you or anything.

You nodded your head in agreement with your lips pointed into a straight line. It was amazing to see how easy Ashton was with reading people. You almost didn’t have to say anything to have him read your mind. 

It was nice at times. He could tell when you were feeling down and you didn’t have to drag yourself to say something. He could just tell. By the way you weren’t as smiling as you used to be.

“Ashton you really didn't have to.” You repeated your voice after glancing down at the flowers again. His sweet gestures were too good to be true. 

“No but I wanted to.” He winked, “I can take them back if you want? They’d look great at my office even though I don’t have a desk or anything for it to stand on.” 

Rolling your eyes by his words knowing that he was only joking you headed over to the table to check the mails from today. Nothing much and nothing less, it was just a couple of builds and the new script coming in every week for Luke to see.

“So what are you doing today?” You asked causally, it was a sunny day outside even though it was fall. The leaves were slowly falling from the trees and creating this amazing combination of warm colors on the streets. 

“Why, did you have something in mind?” He asked with his hands in his pockets and watched you head towards the water machine to get a drink. 

It was amazing to see how well you had become when it came to walking in heels. You had sucked big time at first and always managed to trip when taking the short walk to the water machine. You had gotten so much better. 

“I was just thinking of a walk.” You shrugged and pointed at the glass of water if he wanted something as well.

“Sounds nice.” He nodded his head in agreement but declined on the water. You weren’t sure for how long he would be here anyways you didn’t have the same breaks during the working day. 

“I’ll just figure out when I’m off. It kind of depends what Luke has in mind and trust me he’s not in a good mood today.” You explained and moved the mouse on your computer to get the black pause screen away.

Ashton nodded his head in agreement and waited until the sound of his walkie talkie made a few noises, someone wanting to get into his reach. 

“Irwin speaking.” He announced once he had the walkie talkie in his reach, moving it up to his lips and waited for a response.

“Hood here,” The voice was hard to predict and with the noises coming from the background you couldn’t recall who it was, “We’ve got a situation 16 on floor three. Decisions have to be made.” 

“I’ll just call you over the phone.” Ashton explained and turned off the walkie talkie, looking over at you in apologize.

“I’ll just go fix this it will take a minute or two.”

“Don’t worry it will be fine.” You were quick to say. This was his job after all and when someone needed his help he had to hurry. You weren’t sure if he was the actual leader but his colleagues were very fond of him. 

He smiled by your words and made a small wave with his phone before walking out of your office and left you in silence. 

Well not for that long because a beep from your phone seemed to grab your attention. It was a reminder from your calendar and you almost lost your breath. 

“Appointment at Dr. Sullivan, 12 o’clock.”

You remembered back to the day the appointment had been discussed but days after you had completely forgotten about it. So many things had been going on at once it had slipped to the back of your mind.

God how you felt so stupid. You hadn’t even made sure to talk to Luke about it just to get a day off or something. And with his mood you weren’t so sure he would allow you to leave on such quick queue. 

You had less than an hour to be there and with the buses it wouldn’t match up. The scanning was also important because you both needed to hear the heartbeat again and make sure nothing was wrong with the foster. 

Standing up from your chair in a hurry you managed for the first time in weeks to stumble on your feet, almost breaking the heel on the shoe but who could care now. 

It almost couldn’t get any worse when opening the door to Luke’s office because Holly was there sitting in his jacuzzi excitedly with him. 

So much for being angry all morning. His mind seemed to be completely off now and they were laughing over some sort of bobbly champagne.

“Y/N!” He announced almost surprised and you placed a hand to your hip.

“Luke can I speak to you? Now?” You almost wanted to roll your eyes by the goofy laugh he had, it almost sounded like he was becoming drunk. Not really the thing you needed right now. 

“I’ll be back.” He winked over at Holly and stood up from the water, at least he was wearing something on his private parts today. 

“What’s going on?” He questioned once he was standing in front of you, using a towel to stop his hair from dripping with water.

“I’ve got a scanning today.” You announced not wanting to come up with many ridiculous excuses at once.

“So?” He quivered an eyebrow confused not fully understanding what it had to do with him, “What’s my part in this?” 

“I need to leave now, the appointment is at 12. I need your permission even though I’m not done with the tasks you have assigned me to do.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me you had an appointment?” He changed the subject completely and furrowed his eyebrows. 

“I didn’t feel obligated?” You shrugged your shoulder and crossed your arms, “Besides you’ve never really showed interests in the scanning I have you just want to hear whether or not it’s a boy.” 

“Well what if you find out about that today? Then I won’t be able to find out before you tell me and that’s not the same as hearing it when it comes from the midwife!” He explained, completely forgetting Holly in the background paling with the soap bubbles. 

“If you want to come then so be it! I need a ride anyways so I don’t understand why you’re making such a big deal out of this.” You baffled your arms in the air to show your sudden frustration. 

“Well where I got Holly comes along. She’s here until she’s got some acting classes down by the theater.”

You widened your eyes by his words and looked over his shoulder. There was no way in the world you would allow that, the last thing you wanted to hear was how many plastic surgeries your baby needed just by looking at the scanning pictures. 

“No she will not come along I won’t allow that!” You almost scolded like he was being insane and he opened his mouth to protest. 

“She’s not that bad okay and I can make her shut up at least for five minutes! She can even wait on the hallways if that’s what it takes for you to accept it.” 

You lifted your eyes by his use of “not that bad.” and shook your head in disbelief. It must have been the money talking in his head because there was no hint of logic at all.

“Oh my god, you guys! I just had the best idea ever!” Holly interrupted your little argument and leaned her arms on the top of the jacuzzi. 

“We could say to the press that Y/N is our surrogate and carrying around our unborn child!” 

Silence fell upon the office in a way you had never felt before. Holly was having the most excited look on her face as if she was having the best idea possible, you were too shocked to say anything. 

You gave Luke the look that said, “What in the world is going on.” before deciding to leave. That was your straw and you couldn’t stand the sound of her voice anymore.

Luke didn’t say anything but you could tell that he was thinking the same thing as you but not expressing his opinion. 

You didn’t need to hear anymore because it would just end up in an even bigger argument and you knew that if you started to freak at Holly she wouldn’t understand your sudden outburst. 

She was clearly living in her own bobble and didn’t have any sense of situation awareness. It was just getting too much for you and you didn’t need that, not right now.

Ashton had come back when you were out of the door and standing with your phone trying to figure out which bus to take. 

“Sorry I was just caught up someone was trying to steal a purse from one of the shops here in the building and I had to do something about it-, Wait what is going on?” 

He could tell by the way you were standing that you were clearly upset. You were red in the face like a tomato and the puzzles in your play didn’t seem to have a proper ending. 

“It’s just...” You were unsure whether or not you wanted to pull him into the sudden drama. You had always been standing alone but now he was here offering himself. 

“I have an appointment scanning thing and the father just... He’s not coming. And since all of my friends are at college studying they really don’t have the time to join me. I just want to go alone.” 

“If you want I can tag along?” He was quick to reply and find a solution to this. He didn’t like seeing you on the verge of crying and he understood the struggles of being alone. 

“You don’t have to out of sympathy.” You shrugged your shoulder but he shook his head in disagreement. 

“I’m doing this because I wanted to. Because you need it. I can just expand my break.”

“You sure Luke won’t mind?” You asked carefully. You didn’t want him to get in trouble because you knew how harsh Luke could be at times especially when after arguments. 

“On the contrary.” He explained and you weren’t sure what he meant of that. You still didn’t look that convinced but he fished out his car keys to prove he meant it.

“Come on,” He encouraged with a waiting arm, “I’ll drive.” 

You smiled generously by his words and hurried towards him. What he did was so out of the ordinary and so nice you had no idea how to thank him. It was hard finding guys like him but you appreciated it so much. 

The streets were busy in New York but with his personal security car he was allowed to drive past through the cars without any trouble. It was nice considering of the traffic and you didn’t have to worry the slightest about being late for your appointment. 

He was also insanely funny behind the wheel and cracking jokes just to make you smile and laugh. It was also very nice to be away from the office at once you felt it was trapped sometimes to be at. 

After parking at the hospital lot you followed each other towards the entrance and walked inside. You assumed it to be the same room as usual and it would be nice to see Dr. Sullivan again. 

She was somehow like a magic god mother fairy. Always telling you some sort of good news and making your day a lot brighter. You couldn’t avoid being paranoid more times a day than you could count. She seemed to soothe it away. 

“Hello?” You poked your head inside before opening the door fully just to make sure that she was there.

“Good afternoon Y/N.” Dr. Sullivan smiled behind her desk and stood up to greet you.

You opened the door fully to walk inside, Ashton being the one to shut it and smiled politely at Dr. Sullivan.

“This is my friend Ashton, he will join us today if it’s alright?” You were a bit careful with your words you weren’t really sure of the rules but you expected for it to be okay. 

“That’s completely alright. Hello Ashton.” She politely shocked his hand and took a glance down at his outfit. Because of it he could have been a little bit intimidated but she seemed to shrug it off.

“He’s not my bodyguard if that’s what you think!” You giggled to help on her confusion, “We work at the same building so he’s a part of the security system we have.” 

“Oh now I understand.” She nodded her head and pointed towards the bed for you to take a sit, “I just thought my car was parked wrong.”

“How funny,” Ashton shook his head but still had a smile on his face, “It’s not the first time I hear that.” 

Dr. Sullivan smiled and took a seat down on her chair to roll over to her equipment. You nodded for Ashton to take a seat on the chair next to the bed and you were both ready to listen carefully. 

“So Y/N the usual question. How are you feeling?” She asked and opened your journal on her computer, “I can see you've started to glow.”

“Yes, it’s pretty amazing.” You commented excitedly and out of habit rubbed your stomach. Every time it was mentioned you would do it automatically. 

“I’m feeling okay. My morning sickness have become better, I barely do it now. With cravings I’m really into pizza and so that’s pretty simple. Still haven’t come across any food the makes me vomit yet.” 

“See that’s a great pregnancy already.” She smiled and turned off her machine to start the actual magic. 

“Have we talked about your due date?” 

“No not yet. But I’d love to hear obviously.” You grinned at last and leaned back on your bed to rest your head on the pillows. You didn’t like hospitals that much but their beds were very comfortable. 

“Well let’s see you’re 12+3 so that means you’re close to the second trimester. You’ve almost survived through the first one and as we can tell it’s growing fast inside.” She nodded for you to lift up your shirt so she could spread out the cold gel. 

“And when it comes to your due date it seems to be on April the 3rd.”

You looked over at Ashton excitedly in reaction. You honestly didn’t care which day it would be born but just hear to hear the simple thing of a month was enough to make you more excited than ever. You could finally count down the days. 

“So that’s really cool. Now I think we should see how healthy we are inside of mommy now.” She smiled and leaned over to grab her transducer. 

You nodded your head in agreement and leaned back to look up at the screen. You were also looking forward to see how Ashton would react, it was something different for him and now that he had tagged along he was gonna be a part of a very special moment.

“Is possible to see the gender?” You had to ask just to be sure. The last couple of days you hadn’t thought of anything else and you really wanted to start go look for baby clothes. 

“Well I’m not sure we usually do a scanning in your second trimester so I about we will be able to see anything,” She explained, “But of course we can be lucky. We’ll never know but if you look up at the screen now you will be able to see a very beautiful baby.”

It took you a split second to look up at the screen with big eyes, the image from back screen quickly being changed into the inside of your stomach. 

“Oh my god it doesn’t look like a peanut anymore.” The comment flied out of your mouth so quickly you weren’t even supposed to say it out loud.

“Indeed it doesn’t.” Dr. Sullivan giggled and moved the mouse around so you could follow her instructions.

“Pretty obvious but here we’ve got the head. Following down we’ve got arms here, hands, the baby’s spine and the feet. We’ve got everything healthy; there are still ten toes and ten fingers.”

“That’s amazing.” Ashton was the one to speak up, his eyebrows furrowed but it was because he was so concentrated looking at the screen.

It was definitely something different to him as well. To see the baby growing inside of you every single day and the fact that nothing was wrong. With such worries you had it was probably the best news you had gotten all week. 

“And just to prove the realness more let’s have a sound shall we?” Dr. Sullivan asked and you couldn’t say yes fast enough. 

The sound of your baby’s heart blasting through the speakers was sweet music to your eyes. It proved, once again that life was inside of you and it was such an important thing. You could listen to it all day you almost wanted to record it on your phone. 

“I can never get tired of that.” You admitted and had to baffle your hands in front of your face to not start crying. At least it was happy tears. 

Dr. Sullivan chuckled lightly by your words and did a few checkups. Just to check the baby didn’t have any brain problems, that the heart was okay and that the spine was growing correctly. She couldn’t point out anything wrong and it was just... Fantastic. 

“You want some pictures to go?” She asked just to tease you and you couldn’t say yes fast enough. 

She rolled her chair over to turn on the printer and rolled back with a few papers on her hands.

“I’d suggest you read these Y/N. With your second semester coming up with such things like the gender, kicking, childbirth classes and aches plus pain I think this will pep are you until our next scanning.”

“Which will be the gender scanning right?” You asked after getting the papers, Ashton getting the pictures of the baby meanwhile. 

“Yes the next time you will see me we’ll check what’s hiding under there. As you can tell on the pictures right now we aren’t really able to see anything and if that’s the case next time we will use a few methods to try our best and get the sex reveal.” 

“I will be looking forward to that.” You clapped your hands together and used some tissues to remove the gel from your stomach and stood up.

Ashton was having the same excited face just like yours, totally on your behalf. he was happy that you were happy and to hear that everything was alright was really the best. 

“Is there more I should know?” You asked after Ashton gave you the pictures, looking over at Dr. Sullivan in curiosity. 

“Enjoy your pregnancy until we see each other again.” 

You smiled widely by her words and nodded your head in agreement. It was nice to know that the day could only go better from now even if you had to go back to work. 

“Are you happy?” He asked once he parked out of the parking lot.

“Insanely happy.” You giggled and clapped your hands in excitement again, looking over at Ashton with the biggest smile possible. 

[...]

Luke hovered tiredly over his desk with a hand going through his hair and yawn ready to be pressed out of his mouth.

He had been sitting here for longer than intended, that’s what came out of goofing it out all day. Silence had fallen upon the room and he was fully alone to himself, something he did in fact enjoy at times like these.

He loved working late but he was lacking on concentration and right now he just wanted to go home. 

It was coincidentally he looked over at the end of his desk where a pile of mails were resting. He was always so bad at scanning them through, most just went straight to his trashcan.

But something different was on it. It was brown and unlike the rest. Completely standing out. 

Leaning over to grab it he quivered an eyebrow confused and looked at the front part. It didn’t have a stamp and neither the source of sender. He had no idea what it was.

Opening the letter with curious eyes he pulled up a small scanning picture. At first he was confused but when he realized what he was looking at his lips parted slowly. 

“Healthy and fine.” It read on the backside of the picture and he couldn’t help the smile growing on his face by the secret gesture from you. 

[artificialqueens]

Lipstick on coffee cups {chapter 2} (Trixya) ~ Evelyn°c

AN: THANK YOU FOR THE LOVELY COMMENTS I LIVE!! Looking back on the first chapter i spotted a couple of mistakes, alot of repition of words and all that, so my apologies. This chapter is out pretty close to the first one cuz im in the middle of exams. I wanted to develop the story at least a bit more before i die of maths revision and cant write for a while.

Also “chugging at their piping hot bean water” is probably the best thing ill ever write. Thats the best you’re gonna get. Enjoy! ( ˊ̱˂˃ˋ̱ )

Trixie had tried to forget about last nights encounter. She really had. Part of her was wondering if Katya was even real (she did look pale enough to be a ghost.)

Alas, after replaying the scene an unnecessary amount of times in her head she landed on the conclusion it was real. An odd Russian woman had come in before closing time, drank her cappuccino, winked at her, then floated away into the night.

The next day Trixie rolled into work particularly early, wondering if Katya would keep to her words and return. Just for the coffee of course. And maybe a chat if Trixie was lucky.

She scanned the room, noticing a few customers huddled in the cramped booths, shivering and chugging at their piping hot bean water, ignoring the pang of pain that came with it. The weather was less than friendly, pelting anyone who dared step outside with buckets of rainfall.

If the decor looked bad at night, it looked hideous in the day. The carpets were something right out of an 80’s film, and the walls were plastered with a damp wallpaper. It had once been a neon red, now it was rendered this sort of blood orange after years of bombardment from latte steam.

Day shifts were nice. Theres just enough customers to avoid going insane from lack of human contact. Plus she had Kim, who was fun enough to talk to. They had attended art school and shared a dorm together for a good number of years.

“Kim?” Trixie murmured, leaning on her hands gently to avoid smudging her makeup.

“What is it Trix” Kim responded from the stockroom behind the counter, a clear lisp softening her tone. Her head peeked out from the door as she hoisted a fresh bag of coffee grounds to the machine.

“I think I’m going insane” Trixie responded in a distressed voice, flopping her head to the counter with a small clunk, her wavy hair splayed out around her.

“Im aware” Kim giggled, loading the machine with the bitter grounds, pausing momentarily to flip thick strands of black hair out of her face.

Whilst Kim was a morning person, Trixie certainly wasn’t. Then again, she wasn’t a night person either. Sometimes she’d consider what type of person she was at all. Trash person?

“Is this about that weird German lady you felt the need to text me about at 11:00pm”

“Russian” Trixie corrected, propping herself up on the counter, shooting a look at Kim as she did so.

“Do you get the hots for all the customers with accents?” Kim joked, slapping Trixies arm with a perfectly pedicured hand. How Kim managed to do so much manual labour whilst maintaining her perfect appearance was baffling to Trixie.

“Ok firstly, rude. Secondly, she was funny! I just want to talk.” Trixie protested, she had managed to convince herself that Katya was just intriguing. ‘I may of just murdered a man’ kind of intriguing.

If she dug deep down however, part of her would say Katya looked downright stunning. A jawline that could cut steel, two smoky eyes, wide and crazed, and calves crafted from stone by the gods themselves. But she wouldn’t admit that to Kim.

“Anyway” Trixie continued, glancing over to Kim who had an equally bored expression at this point. “You’re in no position to talk, how about the way you act around Naomi?”

“Miss smalls happens to be a very good friend with ideas for this branch” Kim said matter-of-factly whilst poorly concealing the creeping red around her cheeks. “Whatever, i have to go do a stock check. For the love of god, DON’T BREAK ANYTHING”

“When’s the last time i broke something?”

“You smashed 2 mugs and a plate just yesterday”

Trixie gave a brief wave of her hand, eyes half closed. “Noted” she grunted before turning back around to the counter. Once she’d heard the clip clop of Kim’s heels fade into the background noise of working machinery and boiling water, she fixated her stare on the counter, tracing circles on the table with her nail.

To be honest, Trixie wasn’t sure what to think. She certainly wasn’t infatuated with Katya by any means. She’d never been prone to having crushes, why start now? Trixie tried to mimic Katya’s enthusiastic laugh in her head. It was manic and uncensored. Her whole face would probably scrunch up into a big toothy grin.

Maybe Trixie wanted answers. Why come into a coffee shop so late on a monday night? Did you move here from Russia? How old are you? Whats with that last name? It almost sounds fake…Are you real? Have you been sent here from Russia to assassinate me under a false identity?! Unbeknownst to Trixie, somewhere between the second and third question, a customer had walked up to the counter. They gave a small cough to try and grab the blondes attention whilst she gawked at the counter, lost in thought.

“Can i like, order something?” The voice piped up, startling Trixie to the extent where she jumped a bit.

Breathing a sigh, she looked to the person ahead of her. She was a taller girl, blonde hair curved elegantly around the frame of her face, sporting a golden nose ring that glistened as she shifted.

“Y-yeah what can i get you?” Trixie mumbled, not quite in it completely.

“Just something strong” the tall girl spoke, almost disinterestedly. She seemed pre-occupied staring into the corner of the café at another customer.

“Well, how about the-”

“Yeah yeah sounds fine.”

Trixie huffed, pursing her lips. “One ’yeah yeah sounds fine’ coming up.”

The customer rolled her eyes at Trixie’s comment, yet she was still utterly fixated at the other girl in the corner. Trixie was almost intrigued enough to ask who she was looking at, but her social anxiety would never allow this.

A few minutes later and she produced a steaming cup of caffeine, warm to the touch. “Want your name on the side?” Customers always loved that feature. Looks good on social media posts, and that never hurts publicity.

“Pearl” She spat back, finally focusing on the matter at hand as she produced the correct amount of change from her pocket. Trixie began to scrawl against the side of the paper cup.

“Actually, there was something else i was meant to do” Pearl drawled on, picking up the cup and bringing it to her lips. She rustled into her pocket and grasped a small slip of paper. She slid it along the table over to Trixie who just gawked.

“Your number?” Trixie inquired, examining the slip further.

“Excuse you, I’m taken!” Pearl spoke, mustering the most disgust she could in her voice. Though by anyone’s standards it was still monotone. Pearl looked over to the corner and waved at the girl, who was presumably her girlfriend. That made sense.

“So then who’s?” Trixie said holding it up to her eyes now, squinting slightly.

“My colleague over at the fashion agency, Katya zamoblamowhammo or whatever” Pearl recounted. She almost threw the money against the table before beginning to walk away.

Trixie had to do a double take.

“Wait wait wait pearl did she…give you an explanation?”

Pearl looked like Trixie as if she was the biggest inconvenience she had ever experienced. She paused for a moment, rubbing her forehead before letting out a drawn sigh. “Yeaah something about being ‘sorry she couldn’t make it today. She wants to talk’…other gay stufff….”

Trixie was no doubt bright red by now. “Thanks pearl” She quipped half sarcastically. A small bit of her was grateful, thanks to pearl she had Katya’s number.

She had katya’s number. That felt good to say. Was this first base? Maybe she was overthinking it. Lots of friends meet by showing interest in each-other then exchanging numbers, nothing special.

Of corse Pearl was sat down with her girlfriend by now, giggling away, taking contented sips at her drink. Trixie hoped the caffeine would wake her up at least a bit.

“Everything alright back there?” Kim yelled from the back room.

“Fine” Trixie squeaked.

Well, not really. She was freaking out.

The rain hammered down on Ru’s coffee place. It made the noise of pindrops falling on a sheet of metal, covering the noise of Trixies heart pounding out of her chest.

[scummy-writes]

We've all read MC catching the RFA cheating scenarios.. but can you do a RFA + V & Saeran catch MC cheating on them scenario?

Yoosung

- He couldn’t breathe.

- The two of you weren’t supposed to hang out today, you said you were hanging out with a friend, but. Friends didn’t hold hands like that, with the arms tangled together, sharing a few fleeting kisses and giggles

- He wanted to puke.

- The last time he had managed to kiss you was about a week ago, just one single chaste kiss, and he had respected you since you didn’t want more. He just thought you didn’t want to be touched, again, that day.

- But this other guy was getting all your attention? Hugs, kisses- Oh my god, he was slipping his hand into your back pocket.

- Nope. He forced his shaking legs to move before they gave out. Move from the busy street, move away from the shop he was going to visit, move away from buying that gift he was saving up money for you.

- Coffee dropped, chest constricted- It’s a wonder how he managed to get home, especially without sobbing, but thankfully he managed to not lose it completely until he hit the steps for his small dorm room. 

- Then he just sobbed. Sobbed on the steps- First propping himself up with his hands, falling halfway up the stairs, and it took a good five minutes until he could continue up them, stumbling into his room, crumbling against the door and wailing

- He doesn’t want to admit it, what had happened, at first, but when he calls Zen crying about it, Zen wisely tells him he needs to not follow you like a puppy anymore- That it’s obvious you don’t care about him.

- Then its Zen and Seven over at his dorm, trying to console him, trying to let him drink just a tad to let him get rid of some of these horrible feelings

- He’s not the one to send you the “Don’t contact me again,” text, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t wish he never had to send it in the first place.

Jumin- He rarely felt jealous. He could count the times he had, and all but two could be connected to you.

- Jealous with how you would give the others more attention than him, jealous at how some other men looked at you, jealous whenever you laughed at another party-goer’s jokes. But  at the end of the day, he knew the two of you belonged to each other.

- His love would never stray from you, and you had promised the same in your vows. Why would he ever doubt you? You had proven yourself worthy of trust over and over again, and he knew better than to follow in his father’s footsteps.

- Apparently, you did not.

- After one RFA party, the crowd slowly dispersing, he couldn’t locate you. There were still a few guests here and there, but most were leaving. Were you trying to convince a guest to come again to the next party?

- In the ‘back’, a hallway that guests weren’t supposed to really go to, seemed empty, until he heard a few breathy groans.

- Ready to put a few guests on a ‘Do Not Invite’ list, he opened the closet the noises were coming from, taken aback by seeing you tangled up with a guest.

- The man darted past Jumin as he stared you down, a frighteningly cold look in his eyes.

- “What- No. Why?” He couldn’t find the right words, anger and betrayal mixing together, confusing him.

- “He… He’s not so empty like you are.”

- He slammed the door shut, anger finally winning him over.

- He didn’t tell the other members, just a harsh remark that someone else needed to handle the guest list for next year, before he up and left.

- In the car, however, when Driver Kim asked where you were, the rest of his emotions finally got to him. He threw up the divider, trying to focus on anything other than the pain in his chest.

- Empty. Had Zen been right all along? Granted the man had stopped saying such things a while ago, once the marriage took place, but…

- Perhaps he had been right. Because he certainly felt empty now.

- Home, he locked himself up in his study, trying to come up with all the reasons why this happened. He had bought you gifts, bought you clothes, cars, anything you wanted.

- And with slow horror, he realized he had let himself be played, just as his father always had been.

- Empty… He could certainly become that, if it meant preventing such agonizing feelings from appearing again.

Jaehee- She had her doubts with the relationship at times.

- I mean, she’s never dated a woman, she’s never really felt this way in a relationship before. While she’s had relationship experience, but… This was completely new.

- She wasn’t used to being too scared in public at times. Granted, the place the two of you lived wasn’t too against this kind of relationship. The most they got was confused looks, or being mistaken as close friends.

- But in bigger places? Or around the workplace? She kept it as quiet as she could- Too scared of what might be said. She’s seen how some couples get treated, and she never wants to risk that with you.

- Of course, it kept her worried at times. Waiting for coffee to brew, for pastries to bake- Those quiet moments where she was forced to do nothing but wait, entertain herself, those thoughts creeped in.

- Was she good enough for you? You said you were happy, but were you? The two of you couldn’t kiss in many public places, couldn’t go hand in hand everywhere. Such simple happinesses were taken away, so easily.

- But your actions always quieted those thoughts, made her forget them.

-  Except for now, as she saw you walking down the street with a man who’s arm you were entangled with.

- Her breath stopped as your eyes met, and the man, oblivious, asked who she was.

- “Friend of yours, honey?”

- It didn’t leave much to question. She could be wrong, assuming too quickly, but your reaction and unable to speak confirmed it all.

- “No,” She said, putting her sunglasses back on. “Sorry, I thought you were someone I used to know.” And she left it at that.

- When she got home she put everything you had left in a box. Numbly, coldly, just folding your clothes and wrapping your cups in paper. When a single box was filled, her house void of your things, she drove to your house and left it on your front steps.

- Back at her house, she just leaned against her closed door. 

- All those thoughts, those worries…They had a reason for existing, didn’t they?

Zen- He’s the perfect man, how could you even consider doing such a thing to him?

- That’s usually how he quelled any worries. Attempts at an inflated ego, showering you with as much love, doing everything romantic in the book.

- That’s why, as he watched your hands slip into the back of another man’s pants to give a firm squeeze, he couldn’t understand where he had went wrong.

- His coworkers liked going out for drinks. Usually he didn’t go, but when he did, he always tried to get you to come along. He enjoyed spending time with you, even at shitty bars. 

- He didn’t think that you might fancy one of his coworkers, and that’s why you agreed. Didn’t think when he excused himself to the restroom, that you might have exchanged numbers with one. Or two.

- God, was it just this guy? More?

- Zen was supposed to be rehearsing right now, with another member, but he forgot his script, only to find you fiercely making out with another man. Who didn’t even compare to Zen

-…Did he?

- “Mc?”

- The two of you froze, you looking dumbstruck as the guy untangled himself from you and left as quickly as he could. In the past, Zen would have grabbed the man and threatened to beat him within an inch of his life, but now that he was older, calmer, he knew to try to push that need as far away as he could.

- He knew that you were to blame, not the other man.

- “Why?” That’s all he could manage out. His throat was aching, his eyes stinging in such a ridiculous way. He knew he probably sounded pathetic, but he deserved some answer, some kind of fucking answer.

- But, at first, you didn’t respond. You tried to just shake your head and walk off, but instinctively he grabbed your wrist.

- “Mc–”

- “You really think you’re the greatest man ever, don’t you?”

- What?

- “Do you want another rumor against you?”

- His heart stopped. FInally pulling his hand back, he watched you grab your purse and leave.

- Was…Was he really that bad?

- The rest of practice was done for. He couldn’t focus, couldn’t keep his emotions straight, and kept missing his queues. By the time he had gotten home, his numbness shattered.

- Finding comfort in alcohol was something he never wanted to do, but it was the only thing that felt right.

Seven- He didn’t feel secure in the relationship. He wanted to be, god he wanted to be, but the self depreciating thoughts always came back.

- You were so much better than him. So much kinder, so patient. Hell, you were putting up with him and his brother, and even then he couldn’t deal with him at times.

- Sometimes, rarely, he slipped into his shell again, wanting to push you away, push you away so you could live your live and be happy somewhere else. You deserved more than him, you deserved so much better than all of this stress you were constantly engulfed in.

- So, when he found your online dating profile, he almost agreed that this was probably for the best. Granted, he shouldn’t be snooping around anyway, but you were always latched to your phone now. Not in the RFA messenger, not chatting with potential guests (they never made your face light up like he had witnessed). He needed to know who was making you so happy, who was doing what he had failed to do so many times.

- And, of course, it was a funny guy. He scanned the messages, his heart sinking further and further as he read them. He was like 707, not Saeyoung. Silly. Goofy, weirdly sweet.

- Not how he was. Not how he really was.

- He looked up every bit of info about the man without thinking twice, just studying up on him, soaking up every little detail

- And he couldn’t find. One. Damn. Thing. Wrong.

- He was perfect. No history of any mental illness, no complicated background. A normal, funny, guy. Normal job, even had his own place and a car. 

- Normal.

- Something you needed.

- He didn’t even bother to get angry. In fact, he almost offered to let you just take one of his cars and go meet the man, go rid yourself of these bastard twins and go.

- Instead, when it was obvious that he knew, he resorted into numbly going back into his shell, pushing you away so you never thought about coming back.

- It’s what you needed. So why did it hurt so damn much?

V- In the back of his mind, he knew that this was revenge for betraying Rika.

- Though, everyone would argue that he never betrayed her, or that she deserved it, he couldn’t bring it within himself to agree with them. He loved her. He loved her so much, and in the end he gave up.

- He stopped trying, and let her go.

- He watched as he saw you with another man at a cafe. Laughing, holding hands, leaning in as much as you could without being awkward. He knew how you flirted, and it was obvious you were doing so.

- And when the other man kissed you, he just chuckled to himself.

- Of course. Why would anyone love him? 

- He had too many flaws. Too, too, many. He held things back from people, kept secrets, god knows all of Yoosung’s anger was completely justified. 

- He just… Didn’t think this would happen so quickly. He thought he would get a few more happy moments with you, before things fell through.

- Wanting to avoid you seeing him, he continued down the street, stopping somewhere to throw away the gift he had just bought for you. You probably wouldn’t want to be near anything that reminded you of him, right?

- He didn’t deserve you. He didn’t deserve anything, just hardly his name.

- It takes him a bit to get home. He keeps losing himself in his negative thoughts, just walking and walking until he snaps out of his thoughts and realizes he was supposed to turn a few blocks back. But when he does get home, he just stands and stares at the ceiling for a bit. It takes a lot, so much more willpower than it should, to finally pull out his phone and end things.

- Ending a relationship through texts is so horrible, so cold-hearted, but obviously he must be like that for you to do this, right?

- It hurts, so much, but he knows he deserves it.

Saeran- You were so sweet, so beautiful. His personal angel, someone who had helped him see how good the world could be.

- Your laugh helped him, your lips brushing against his had him feeling as though nothing could ever harm him again. Nothing.

- Except for you.

- It wasn’t a good habit to spy. He shouldn’t be. Saeyoung did it at times as well, and sometimes they both joined in when you had been gone for much longer than promised- Their worry eating them up to ignore morals for a few moments of relief.

- This time, instead of finding random security footage of you buying groceries, or walking down the street, the found you hand in hand with another man, getting ready to walk into a restaurant.

- Saeyoung tried a flimsy excuse. Maybe it was an old friend? Was Saeran sure she didn’t text him? Maybe she mentioned this guy before? But everything fell short as Saeran stalked the security cameras more, watching as you held the man’s hand on the table, how the two of you shared a kiss that was definitely not friendly.

- He lost it. Anger hit him first.

- How could he have trusted you? Of course you were going to be like all the other women in his life- Abusing him in all different forms, using him just for your benefit. Of course his therapist was lying to him, about how you seemed like a sweet girl, and how you were helping him. Was this really help?

- He threw everything of yours outside. Everything. Saeyoung eventually gave up trying to stop him- Because why should he? He just silently watched, his heart aching for his brother

- The twins locked you out, and Saeran couldn’t help himself from trying to destroy your phone remotely, as much as he could.

- A few days later, no calls or texts from you, he ended up finding a shirt of yours that he missed

- He couldn’t bring himself to toss it. Instead he curled up around it, trying his best not to directly sob into it. 

- You were his angel. Why did you have to hurt him so bad?