#bless the others with your presence he says. i’ll always be here he says. we have forever after all he says.

[myrkulitescourge]

the way that one line from the new epilogue in an astarion romance is going to HAUNT me

just. what a profoundly intense thing to confess to someone.

like, just these six months of newfound happiness with you exerts a force on his heart equal and in direct opposition to two centuries of endless torment, the gnawing hunger and exploitation. this flashbulb-bright fraction of his long life holds the same gravity to him as years upon years of darkness and suffering.

in all likelihood, he hasn’t even known his lover for as long as his worst memory lasted, that year sealed away to go mad from starvation and sensory deprivation, yet he still tells them this brief time has been so fundamentally and powerfully important that the weight of even that unimaginable hell is vanishingly small compared to this present he has now and the future ahead of them both.

how am i supposed to act normal about this.

[locallixie]

it’s a sign! — jongho

> summary . an unexpected romance was still able to blossom despite the silence between you and him.

> genre . fluff, high-school au, mutual pining, deaf!reader, reader and wooyoung are siblings, gn!reader.

> warnings . none

(wc) > 3.6k

(sunny’s note) ☆ description of hand movements (signing) will be in korean sign language (ksl), i’ll try my best to be as general yet accurate as possible to not offend anyone. i felt exhausted these last few weeks, so i apologize for slow uploads.

Quiet, it has always been so quiet. Never heard the sounds of calm waves, or the voice of your loved ones. You didn't even know how your name was pronounced. However, you liked how quiet it was. Your ears naturally already tuned out everything, easier to sleep peacefully that way, easier to focus since there wasn't any loud sounds bothering you. It was a blessing in a curse, being deaf for you.

Your family predominantly used sign language to communicate, but speaking was still a big part between your parents and your older brother, they didn't want you to feel left out. Cochlear implants were put in consideration before, however, they were quite expensive and your parents were unsure if you were ready for it yet. So for now, you would stick with the pre-existing silence.

Of course, going to school was a struggle when you have a disability. You couldn't rely much on your peers, the pacing of each subject was different but all were equally difficult to keep up when you weren't able to listen in with the lecture. It was scary going into middle school as a deaf kid, yet, it was another kind of terror to go into high school.

"You okay?" Wooyoung asked verbally while signing at the same time. Though this was your third year already, the sound of your heart felt like it was the first day of school. Riddled with anxiety, you hesitated to leave your brother. But you nodded nonetheless, half not wanting to further bother him, half just wanting to get everything over with.

"Text me if you need anything." Your brother signed to you before bidding goodbye. There was a new homeroom teacher this year, and some of your classmates from last year were also changed around. Which meant you were back in the position of having to familiarize yourself with everyone, and having to inform people that you were deaf all over again.

Your friend changed homeroom this year, you wouldn't be able to see him too often then. You barely know anyone here, either because some of them were newcomers or you just haven't met them before. The new people looked oddly intimidating, maybe it was the anxiety talking? But there was something about them that made them seem unwelcoming.

Laying on your desk, tired from the night before since you didn't get a good night sleep. Too anxious to go to school, worried that you might overslept, or ruin your uniforms. All the worst case scenarios kept popping into your head, not letting you rest until you worn yourself out and fall asleep.

A subtle vibration sent across the surface of your desk, gently notifying you of something, a presence. You weren't expecting anyone to approach you, since everybody were occupied with their own businesses, you minded your own too. You saw his lips moving, but you could not make out anything he was saying. Terrible at reading lips, and the other person wasn't aware that you were deaf.

He was confused as well by how you were not responding, if you were intentionally ignoring him while maintaining eye-contact. You placed a single notebook on your desk, 'communicating book'—it said on the cover, written in black marker ink. This one was your fifth or seventh one, you have lost count after going through several during middle school up until recently.

'Hi, my name is Jung [Y/N], and I'm deaf so I apologize in advance if I don't response to you immediately. We can talk through this notebook!'—Holding up the notebook to him, the first page was written beforehand. You slid a pen over to him, implying that it was his turn to 'speak'. That was how most of your conversation usually begin, on very rare occasions, you might be lucky enough to meet someone who could speak sign language. But for the majority, you spoke through the pages in your notebook.

The other wrote down something on the next blank page, he then showed it to you, 'Sorry, I didn't know. I'm Choi Jongho by the way, I don't think we have met before.'

Jongho was a new student, he spent the last couple minutes at the assembly to meet the other classmates, he must have missed you back there. Though you did leave with Wooyoung right after the opening ceremony this morning, so you two wouldn't meet either way. You couldn't understand what they were saying, why would you stay there any longer?

You two seem to clicked well, he even invited you to join him for lunch already. It was a bother having to write out everything you wanted to say to him, there were just way too many topics you wanted to share. Yet, he sat there, writing down every single sentence, every thought he had on his mind to keep the conversation going until the bell would eventually break you apart.

"Mom made you lunch, be sure to eat it. Do you want to sit with me and my friends?" Wooyoung spoke along with his hands. Your brother could be quite protective at times, it made sense since you were a deaf kid running around school without one warning sign. If something were to happen to you, he might blow up.

You replied, "No need, I'm sitting with a friend." Taking out the lunch box from your bag, wrapped up delicately in a light blue plaid cloth. You could already smell the pleasant aroma of the grilled chicken your mother prepared.

"You made a friend? That's good. I'll see you later!" He pat you on the shoulder, before leaving your classroom. Jongho was sat at a table, waiting for you by the time you got down to the cafeteria. You spotted him easily by the warm brownish colour of his hair—which stood out from a majority of natural black. You sat down across from him, placing your items on the table. The lunch today didn't look all too bad. Normally you would eat the lunch provided at school, but home-cooked lunch box was a thing your mother did every first day of school, a good luck ritual of some sort.

'You brought your own lunch, what are you eating?' The words displayed on Jongho's phone screen. You shrugged, not knowing for sure. You smelt chicken, and eggs, and stir fried vegetables, that was all you could guess.

Gosh, she went all out with the presentation, you felt bad eating it now that the bear head was made out of brown rice. The vegetables were cut out like stars and hearts, decorative picks were included on top of fruits. You appreciated the effort, but a bit of embarrassment stuck in your stomach. Would the other kids make fun of you for still having your mother make you adorable lunch boxes? You wouldn't know, but you wouldn't enjoy the teasing nonetheless.

Jongho smiled, he even giggled at the sight of your lunch box. "Don't laugh!" Signing towards him, a bashful expression stood on your face.

'It's just so cute~!' He typed out on his phone, chuckling at your pouty face at his comment. At least he didn't make fun of your lunch, its childish appearance simply asking for talks. You got out your utensils that was wrapped with napkins, finally began to ease your empty stomach.

Mid-conversation, Wooyoung came by to disrupt your peace. His intentions were clearer than day, you knew him far too well to be suspicious. He came to check out your new friend, having to meet his approval to continued hanging out with you. As a compromise, he bought you the soda you liked. Though, Wooyoung could freely be as skeptical and disapproving of Jongho all he wanted. Because you, yourself, felt Jongho was genuine.

You let out a dragging sigh, 'Don't mind my brother, he acts up every time I befriend someone new.'—Explaining to the other person after you were sure your brother was a far enough distance from the table you two were sitting.

'You two seems close.'—To which you just nodded and returned to eating. Wether or not these were intrusive thoughts, unwilling to admit the fact that he found you cute when you are frustrated. All pouty and grumpy, your cheeks protruding as they were stuffed with meat, rice, and vegetables. An angry chipmunk was the only suitable comparison.

Though you established many good relationships with your peers, you mostly spent your time hanging out with Jongho. After Jongho's multiple requests of being seated next to you, your homeroom teacher finally agreed to arrange you two together. Would it be better anyways? He could assist you with academic matters when he is closer to you, win-win situation!

‘You’re learning fast!’ You excitedly complimented. Recently, he has been picking up sign language to less burden you with always having to write as your only source of communication. You were glad to help him since he was learning on his own. Again, you slowly signed each character of his name with your hand, getting him familiar with the alphabet.

“Like this?” He asked as he started moving his fingers to sign.

‘Did you just sign my name?’ Jongho only smiled after reading your text, admiring the stunned look on your face. He knew more than you had originally thought, at this pace, he would be fluent in no time!

Feeling a strong vibration ran through your forearm, his phone lit up in a split moment. It was Wednesday afternoon, which meant you had clubs to attend. Jongho held his fist under his mouth as if he was holding a microphone, he was off to practice his singing for the upcoming school festival that his band will be playing at. Before he went, he turned around to look at you one last time as good luck. You just gave him a gentle smile, while moving your opened hand in a circular motion above your fist.

You were contented with the never-ending silence you had been born into, even so, there were definitely times you wished you could hear. After you met Jongho, you have never stressed over your disability more than you were now. Every-time you passed by one of his rehearsals, seeing all the girls and guys cheering him on with so much amazement in their eyes, you couldn't help yourself from feeling left out from the crowd. You have never heard your best friend's voice, and you desperately wanted to.

"[Y/N]!" He couldn't hide his excitement when he spotted you at your desk, calling out your name as he began running towards you. Taken back by how your immediately turned your head to him, like you heard every syllable that he had just now produced.

Jongho leaned on your desk, "Did you hear what I said?" Actually, not quite. Sounds were all over the place, you have never heard your name be spoken up until recently. You took a good week to recover for your cochlear implants, during it, you had gotten a little more used with your family members' voices and the way words were pronounced. However, you would need a lot more time to learn how to talk, and learn to live with all the noises of life.

You have never knew how loud life could become, like how the sound of rain was strangely calming, but the summer of cicadas were annoying. The most pleasant sound to your ears was Jongho's voice, soft and mellow, and full of fondness. That was one of your many exceptions.

"I'm not used to this quite yet." You continued to speak with your hands. You wanted to take your hearing devices off but your mother insisted you keep it on during school, she didn't realize how much that overwhelmed you with all the new noises everyday.

Jongho brought his hand out towards you, opened and asking you for something. A bit stuck, hesitating in seconds before you took off both of your hearing devices and placed them on his palm. Instantly, every and all sounds cut off, washed out and silenced.

Solely his gentle aura remained, smiling at you with the same look as the first time you met. Though you were able to hear now, there was just this special type of noiselessness around Jongho, a comfortable silence where you didn't have to speak to keep things moving. You liked that, you liked that quiet atmosphere when you were with him. Not entirely quiet, your heart kept beating violently, making your whole chest vibrated in an inexplicable excitement. It was calling out his name, and you couldn't even talk.

You were fine with being deaf, but you adored his voice way too much to remain living like that. You would happily trade any and all other noises to only hear his in your ears. As it echoed in the depth of your heart, you wanted to push yourself more with your hearing devices just to listen to him talk and sing to you.

"Better?" He asked in signs.

"So so." Replying, fiddling with the two devices in your hands. There were so much you wanted to say to him, but you couldn't quite express them neither verbally or through signing, they were all too complicated to be accurately translated.

The day of the school festival finally came, and you were most looking forward to Jongho's performance with his band. You came with your brother at first, but then he dipped to go with his friends—which left you wandering alone around school grounds. There were many vendors in the courtyard, selling handmade goods and delicious food items—most of them were operated by clubs, and some were from sponsors that the school invited.

Seeing some of your seniors selling sandwiches, you decided to came by as support. Yeosang was one of your brother's friends who was on the working shift that hour, he immediately greeted you upon seeing your arrival at his food stand. "[Y/N], how are you?"

"I'm good. What kind of sandwich is this?" Yeosang understood sign language quite well, you didn't know how he did, but he did. He was the some of only seniors that you were friends with—though many knew you due to your connections with Wooyoung.

"Just a grilled ham sandwich with cheese and strawberry jam, do you want one? I'll make you a new one." Yeosang put on a pair of disposable plastic gloves. What an odd combo, but it could be one of those rare gems for all you know.

As you were digging into your wallet for money, Yeosang stopped you. "It's okay, it's my treat. Just don't tell anyone." Though you tried paying, Yeosang kept refusing to take any money from you.

Despite the weird mix of ingredients, it was surprisingly tasty. You might ask Yeosang for the recipe to make some at home, or some for Jongho since you couldn't leave him out from experiencing good food. And speaking about Jongho, you haven't seen him at all. You figured that he was caught up with practicing and final rehearsals since his band was the only other performers besides from the indie singer that was invited for a gig.

A song suddenly erupted from your pocket, pulling your phone out as you saw Wooyoung's name above his number, he was asking to face-time you. You placed the phone on a bench before answering, since you couldn't quite speak well and would definitely have to rely on your hands to communicate.

"[Y/N]! Where are you? I'm with Jongho if you want to talk to him!" Wooyoung's face was very close to the camera, almost shoving his nose to screen.

Hearing noises from phones like calls was still a difficulty, and sometimes those darn glitches occurred and messed up everything. You had to tell him to move the camera farther away because you couldn't quite listen in with his voice blasting in the mic, and he all-together looked stupid. "I'm sitting in the courtyard, you left me, asshole!"

"Sorry, sorry, but Seonghwa came to visit so I had to see him." Wooyoung pouted, signing an apology through the screen.

"I want to see Jongho, put him on." You told.

The camera shook violently as your brother ran to Jongho, putting the phone in front of the boy for you to see. There he was, sitting with his lyrics in hand and warming up his vocals. His chestnut hair was styled nicely, he was dressed equally more stylish than he usually was, was that really your best friend? "Jongho, say 'hi' to [Y/N]!"

"[Y/N], I'm glad you came! Are you going to see my performance later?" Enthusiasm obvious through the glints in his sweet doe eyes, under that bad boy exterior which he had on today, your Jongho still shone through.

"I'll be cheering you on in the crowd!" You assured him of your presence during his stage performance soon later. "Good luck!" Before ending the call, you moved your hand in a circular motion above your fist as something extra that you wanted to tell him. Then the call ended, as they could only see your contact flashed on the screen for a split second and fading away afterward.

Jongho turned to his senior, "What did [Y/N] sign at the end? I haven't learn that one."

Wooyoung let out a giggle, patting the younger's shoulders before dropping a bomb. "They said they love you." He gathered with his friends, "Anyways, good luck on your performance, I'll see you!"

Oh...Oh! Jongho was shaking, in a good way. The pressure wasn't about pleasing the crowd, it was about impressing you now—which was so much harder, he really wanted you to have the best of everything. Each step he took leading to the stage, you were the only thing on his mind. This performance have to be perfect, because the one he love was going to be there cheering for him. Though he couldn't spot you between the sea of people, and he was running out of time to do so. Yet, he knew you were there, somewhere. Wherever you were, please know that he felt the same.

"Everyone, let's show some support for our performers!" The crowd began sending applauses throughout the gymnasium, band members pouring out onto the grand stage with their instruments. Taking a few short minutes to get plugged in and in tuned, sound checking the microphone and amps on stage. For the first time in your life, you got to experience your first concert.

It was an original song, God, the lyrics was so him. Jongho did have quite a stage presence there, and oh did his voice sounded amazing. You hated to admit, that hearing him sing was worth all the waiting you did before you got your implants. The sound made your heart vibrated, and everything as well. Speaking metaphorically, it was love, tugging on your heartstrings as some might put it.

After the performance ended, the stage entertainment was on hold for the next ten to twenty minutes to get the other set ready. You used that free time to go find Jongho. When you found him backstage, he was already helping his other bandmates with packing their instruments and bringing amps and cables back to the music room. Not wanting to distract him since those things were heavy, you waited outside for him to finish up with post-performance stuff.

The bassist, a senior that you only have seen in school and have yet to talk to, she spotted you outside. "Are you waiting for Jongho?"

You nodded simply, a bit shy to communicate with new people today. Even though you two have never spoke to each other before, she knew that you were Jongho's friends, because of how often he brought you up in conversation during practices and rehearsal. About how he desperately wanted you to hear his songs, how he wanted to know what your voice sounded like and if you would be a good singer, and how in love he was with you.

"Jongho, hurry up, your lover is waiting for you outside!" No warning, none at all, she yelled out. Filled to the brim with embarrassment, praying that he didn't hear the last part, or wishing that your device was malfunctioning back then so you wouldn't be caught in this situation.

After a few minutes, your heart pacing in your chest, trying your best to remain calm and not lose your mind. Finally, Jongho walked out. You were on the floor, contemplating wether or not you should take off your hearing device after what happened earlier. How could someone caught you lacking like that?

"Hey, sorry for making you wait." Jongho spoke up, scaring you with the sudden emerge of sound after it was quiet for a long while.

"No! Not at all! Should we go check out the vendors together?" You awkwardly asked.

He looked a bit on edge, as if there was something he was concealing away. The smoothies didn't help out with easing him much, and you were unsure of how to bring it up to him. Did the performance not go as planned or something? The silence between the two of you was never uncomfortable like it was now.

"So...um...I love you too." He spilt out. Quietly, lacing his fingers with yours as both your hands hugged each other.

You wanted to sign in reply, but he wouldn't let go so you had to sign with an extra weight. "Who told you?!"

His pointer finger slightly curving against his middle finger which stood up straight, the others curled in. "Wooyoung?! How could he?!"

Jongho technically saved your brother from getting killed, pulling you into his embrace before you could burst and go beat up Wooyoung. He felt nice, like a cuddling bear—at least if you could ignore the studded leather jacket he was wearing. You were hinting him all this time, confessing all of your feelings through sign language. Was it obvious? Definitely. Did he know that it was a sign that you liked him romantically? Eh.

"I love you." He signed back to you.

[aaesuki]

every summertime

pairing: miya atsumu x f!reader

genre: fluff, childhood friends to lovers

cw/tw: none

wc: 2.7k

summary: atsumu meets a young girl at five-years-old and spends endless summers with her. but they do end and he resorts to missing her until they meet again.

Atsumu wouldn’t say he was a particularly lucky person, but he did have his moments here and there like being blessed with his love of volleyball, a happy family, and most importantly, a brother that would always be there for him.

Though he wouldn’t say he was a particularly lucky person, Atsumu would say that meeting you in the summer at the age of five was one of his luckiest moments. You were walking up the steps to the house next to his and Atsumu’s five-year-old brain was excited to see a new kid in the neighborhood. Though Hyogo was a relatively large city, Atsumu had only traveled so far as the corner store eight blocks away so when you told him you moved from another prefecture, he was amazed, and his competitive side told himself that he would travel farther than you had.

“Why’d you move here?” asked Atsumu.

You nervously looked to the front door of your house, hoping that you mother would come out and save you from this pestering kid, but to your misfortune, the white door never swung open. “My mom got a new job here, so we had to leave,” you muttered.

“You’re gonna love it here! We have so many things to do in Hyogo like swim in the lake and of course I have to teach you how to play volleyball!” To Atsumu, a new neighbor was one of the most exciting things other than watching volleyball matches on tv.

Overwhelmed, you cried, “I won’t wanna play volleyball!” You burst into tears, frustrated with Atsumu and your mom for uprooting your life and moving to an entire new prefecture. While you sniffled and sobbed, Atsumu stood dumbstruck. Sure, there were kids at school that would tease him for his affinity for volleyball, but none of them had ever said they didn’t want to play volleyball with such sadness and anger.

“But volleyball is so fun! If you set the ball perfectly, you can make the spiker look super cool!” Due to his lack of vocabulary, Atsumu couldn’t describe his feelings clearly.

Before you could retort with a petty insult, Atsumu’s mother exited the house to see her son and the new neighbor’s kid in a heated staring contest.

“Oh, hello, dear,” greeted Atsumu’s mother in a warm voice. “You must be the new kid! I’m Atsumu’s mother. I apologize if my son has been giving you trouble.” She tightly gripped Atsumu’s head and forced him to look down, fixing him into a bow.

Despite Atsumu’s mother’s kind words, you were flustered by her presence. “It’s no problem Ms. Miya. It was my fault for being upset when Atsumu was just trying to be nice.”

“Oh my, you’re so mature!” Ms. Miya smiled tightly, no doubt directing her comment to Atsumu who was whining about his neck hurting. “Well let Ms. Miya know if you need anything, alright? I’ll leave you to unpack! Welcome to Hyogo, darling!” With that Ms. Miya dragged her son back into their house, leaving you on the steps of your new abode for the next couple of years.

Even though your first meeting with Atsumu turned out to be quite sour, you eventually made amends with him and since there was no Atsumu without Osamu nearby (barring your first interaction with him) you soon became friends with the twin.

Summer came again and Atsumu was somehow still as excitable as ever despite the intense summer heat and humidity. Osamu, on the other hand, was lying next to him and staring up at the ceiling. You were sitting on the floor of the twin’s room, absentmindedly fiddling with their toys when Atsumu stood up with a newfound vigor.

“Be my girlfriend!” Atsumu exclaimed.

With the volume of his declaration, you weren’t sure if it was a question or a demand, but you shook your head anyway. “My mom said I can’t date until I’m old enough to pay my taxes.”

Ignoring your comment, Osamu shot up and grabbed onto the back of Atsumu’s shirt. “’Tsumu, you bastard, I was gonna ask her!” Atsumu and Osamu had recently learned that their cousin had a girlfriend and, not ones to be outdone, were determined to ask the only person they were close to other than each other. You. Thus ensued the fighting.

“Listen to me you idiot twins! I can’t even date!” you yelled.

“Then just don’t tell your mom,” Osamu stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

You looked down at their hardwood floors and internally debated if it was a good idea. Sure, eight-year-old you thought the twins were cute, but the complications of romance weren’t something you thought about when the most important thing to you was what snacks you were going to eat later. “Fine, I’ll be your girlfriend, but no fighting over me or I’m breaking up with both of you!”

After a beat of silence, Osamu spoke up. “What do you do with a girlfriend anyway?”

“You’re supposed to kiss her and make her happy!” Atsumu spoke. They both looked to you, waiting for your response.

“No way,” you said firmly. “I want my first kiss to be romantic, not with two barbarians that can’t think of anything other than volleyball.”

“Those two barbarians are your boyfriends,” Osamu deadpanned. “Are you sure you should be talking to the loves of your life like that?”

“Ma said I was a handsome, thought I can’t say the same for ‘Samu. It’s not my fault you can’t see true beauty when it’s right in your face,” teased Atsumu.

Irritated, you lunged for Atsumu, and Osamu joined you in your effort to pummel him six feet into the ground.

In the blink of an eye, more summers passed and soon enough Aran made his entrance into your life. You admired the older boy for his patience with the twins and his caring nature towards them despite their annoying ways. However, Atsumu had also learned that the world wasn’t as kind as he thought it’d be. Soon enough, the kids at the volleyball camp had shut him out and refused to play with him due to his competitive behavior.

Of course, where the twins were, you were, and you joined the camp even though you weren’t particularly fond of or good at volleyball. Even though you wouldn’t admit it to yourself, you would’ve been lonely without the twins badgering you every day, so you decided to ask your mom to let you go wit them. Maybe it was a good thing now that you saw how much the other kids didn’t like him.

Atsumu practiced setting the ball by himself while he was sitting at the entrance of the gym, oblivious to your presence behind him. Deciding to be a good friend, you softly called out his name and took a seat next to him. If Atsumu was saddened about his banishment from the other kids’ playtime, he didn’t show it.

“’Tsumu, do you wanna know a secret?” you whispered. At the mention of a secret, Atsumu stopped tossing the ball and leaned in eagerly. “You’re my favorite twin, but don’t tell ‘Samu I told you.”

Atsumu deflated at that. He knew you were saying that out of pity, but Atsumu never minded the fact that the other kids didn’t’ like him. All he needed was his brother and you. Seeing his disappointment, you tried again to make him feel better.

“I’m serious, ‘Tsumu. Even though the three of us always hang out together, you were the first person to talk to me when I moved here. You got me so angry that I couldn’t remember why I was crying in the first place.”

“The way you say that makes me sound like a bad person. Can’t you be a little nicer when you’re trying to comfort me?”

You chuckled. “Even though you guys are twins, ‘Samu could never replace you.” Atsumu huffed, but you could see he was feeling a little better. Then, out of nowhere, a volleyball flew straight into Atsumu’s head, disturbing the peaceful moment.

Atsumu angrily shouted at Osamu, getting up to chase him around. “Good aim!” you yelled to Osamu. You could only laugh at the scene, wishing to never grow up. However, more summers came and went and with every year, came more responsibilities and unrecognized feelings. Eventually at the age of 13, Atsumu overheard his mom talking on the phone with your mom about a move. He didn’t know what to do with this newfound knowledge and decided that he wanted to see you immediately.

Carefully sneaking out the house, he eventually reached the tree he climbed so many times to get to your bedroom window. After one knock, you opened the window and let him in, no doubt unable to get any sleep yourself. The two of you stood in your bedroom in silence, afraid to acknowledge the sudden news.

“Why didn’t you tell us? Why didn’t you tell me?” Atsumu was visibly upset. If anything, he thought he would’ve been the first one to know.

Assuming that he was accusing you from keeping it a secret, you angrily whispered, “I just found out too. It’s not like I want to move!”

Being Miya Atsumu, he couldn’t hold his tears in any longer. He was frustrated that one of the most important people in his life would leave just like that. He was frustrated that your mother had to move. He was frustrated that you couldn’t do anything about it. He was frustrated that he couldn’t do anything about it. You took a step forward and wrapped your arms around him, your own tears falling down your face. He held you tightly, figuring that if he had to let go soon, he would take this chance to engrain the way you fit in his arms into his memory.

In a rush of emotion, Atsumu blurted, “I really like you.” What a sight he must’ve been. He had tear streaks on his pink cheeks and snot coming out of his nose. His hair was wild from tossing and turning in his bed. Despite all this, you realized that you didn’t want anyone else to be comforting you.

“I like you, too,” you whimpered softly, afraid to disturb the moment. Atsumu’s knuckles brushed over your cheeks, his face coming closer by the second. His lips gently hovered over your own, silently asking for your consent. You slowly moved forward and closed your eyes. Your lips softly connected with his in a tender kiss.

Atsumu had his first kiss at the age of 13 with his best friend he met when he was five in her bedroom that was only dimly lit by the moonlight just days before she was supposed to move away, and he wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The two of you eventually fell asleep in your bed with the covers a mess and in the morning, your mom found him cuddled against you, still not letting go.

As it turns out, declaring his love for his neighbor at 3:09 AM wouldn’t stop her from moving away, as Atsumu soon learned. He rarely spoke to anyone other than his brother for three weeks before asking his mother if your mother had contacted them from your new house. His mother had shaken her head sympathetically, knowing the news would disappoint him. Neither of you had phones of your own so upon hearing that the only way of communication had been lost, he spent another three weeks in silence. The only thing that gave him peace of mind was the fact that no one ever tried to move into the house next to his again. That meant a part of you still lingered there.

Eventually, Atsumu made peace with the fact that you weren’t coming back and as he grew older, placed his memories of summer with you in the back of his mind. Even so, he would never forget the girl he fell in love with that summer.

During his off season, Atsumu would visit Osamu at his shop to grace his younger twin with his wonderful presence. During his visits, they would reminisce about the past. Most of their conversations would linger on their high school years though they would occasionally talk about their elementary school years and inevitably, you would come up. However, every time Atsumu asked about you, Osamu would reply that he hasn’t heard anything about you visiting and Atsumu would huff good naturedly. Atsumu knew that he’d have to have incredible luck to ever see you again, but a part of him still hoped that one day your paths would cross once more. To him, you weren’t just a part of his childhood. You were the girl he had fallen in love with and has loved ever since.

After a typical uneventful visit to his brother’s shop, Atsumu trekked home – his childhood home. Whenever he had games near his hometown, he would stay at his parent’s house for old times’ sake (and because Atsumu liked to cling onto his mother). Upon arriving home, Atsumu didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. His mother’s house was still the same shade of gray, albeit a little darker from years passed by. However, when he glanced upon the neighboring house out of reflex, he noticed the real estate sign that was posted on the fence was missing. At first, he felt bittersweet, like the removal of the sign was confirmation from the world that he should give up.

However, just as Atsumu was going to accept his fate, the familiar door swung open to reveal an even more familiar face. Atsumu had imagined many times what you would look like all grown up and matured when it was late at night and he was feeling lonely. Despite Atsumu’s wild imagination, none of his fantasies could ever compare to the real thing. There, you were standing on the very same steps as the ones where Atsumu first saw you. Your head tilted in confusion before you excitedly exclaimed, “’Tsumu? Is that really you?”

Despite years of his brother, his family, and even some of his friends calling him by his endearing nickname, the way you said it washed over him in a wave of nostalgia. He lightly whispered your name, afraid that if he made any sudden movements the moment would reveal itself to be an illusion. You hurriedly rushed down the steps and threw yourself at him. Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around you, feeling your flesh under his skin. You were really in his arms and Atsumu had never felt more alive.

“You moved back?” he tearily asked.

You let out a light chuckle. “Yeah, I thought it would be romantic to move back to my childhood home. To be honest, I didn’t think hard about it. It was mostly just on a whim. Though now it’s definitely starting to feel like fate."

"I can’t believe you’re really back,” Atsumu sighed. “Why didn’t you ever try to contact me?” Atsumu wasn’t angry. Not at all. After having you in his embrace again, he couldn’t really be angry at you anymore.

“Sorry, I just figured that you were too busy, and I didn’t know how to approach you after – y’know – that night.” You shyly looked away from him, the memories of the night before your move rushing back.

“Well, I hope you haven’t cheated on me in the years we were apart,” Atsumu teased, referring to the agreement you made years ago.

“Are you sure you’re the one that should be saying that? Miya Atsumu is known for being a lady killer. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve had a couple of girlfriends in the past.”

Atsumu groaned. “Please don’t tell me you believe all that crap.”

You lifted a finger up to your lips. “Hmm. I don’t know. I think I’ve read a couple of articles about Miya Atsumu bringing an older lady out on dates,” you hummed, knowing full well Atsumu had just been accompanying his mother to the supermarket.

Atsumu smiled at you with glossy eyes. “I think there’s only ever been one person for me.” You grinned widely at him, thinking the same.

Though Atsumu wouldn’t consider himself a particularly lucky person, meeting and falling in love with you was definitely a stroke of luck.

[sassy-ahsoka-tano]

ASG - Part Two: Burnin' Love

Character/Fandom: Elvis - Elvis (2022)

Requested: Yeah, by me 💀

Prompt: Elvis sweeps Bird outside to the lake to cool down on a hot day. Spoiler, she doesn't cool off, but it’s not the temperature that has her sweating. [ Fem!OC ]

TW: Nothing tbh? this is vanilla af

Rating: M     ||     Word Count: 4442

A/N: this might be my favorite smut that i've ever written...

This is Part 2 of ASG. Find the rest of the series here!

🦋 mila

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She happens to be passing through the living room when a knock on the door comes. She's suddenly very pleased to be the one who opens it since Elvis is standing on the other side. It's been a week or so since their little walk and they've managed to see each other a couple of times. Mostly, he would walk her home after work. Paranoid that someone would see her and tell her father, Bird hasn't let anything happen that would have been too scandalous. Elvis respects her wishes and she appreciates it.

“Elvis?”

“Hi baby, how ya doin’?” he asks, smiling and stepping inside the house.

She curls her fingers into her palms and then grabs him by the shirt sleeve.

“This a nice house ya got he-”

He cuts off when she harshly drags him into a corner of the room, behind a bookcase.

“Thank you, but I’d appreciate it if ya didn’t alert my daddy your presence,” she responds, glancing out from behind a stack of books to see if her father is anywhere near. When she swivels back around, she jumps back at how close Elvis is to her face.

“Why not, baby girl?”

His arms wind around her waist and start to pull her toward him. She sucks in a breath and clenches her jaw, trying to keep his hands off her.

“Because he’ll probably kill ya,” she responds, glancing around again. “He don't like greasers or singers. Or anyone who ain't a devout Christian.”

“Well good news for ya daddy, I am a devout Christian.”

She raises an eyebrow.

“Not nearly devout enough for my daddy. ”

“Well if we ain’t gonna have any fun in this house, let’s get outta here then,” he says, nuzzling his face into her neck. She stifles a giggle.

“Stop that! What would we even do?” she asks.

“We could go for a walk,” he says, kissing her jaw, “or look at the record store,” he kisses her neck, “I don’t care where we go as long as I’m with you.”

She finally manages to release him from her neck and smile.

“It’s too damn hot for all that,” she replies, feeling a streak of bold lust. “We could go down to the lake? That oughta cool us off.”

“Ain’t nothing in the world that could cool you off, mama.”

“Just go,” she says, flushing. She pushes him toward the door. “Before daddy sees you. Or worse, sees me with you.”

He holds up his hands defensively and walks toward the door. She pauses with her hand on the knob and inhales a sharp breath.

“I’m goin to Bible study with the girls, daddy!” she shouts. “I’ll be back round dinner time.”

And she shuts the door as quickly as she dares. She grabs Elvis’ hand and pulls him along.

“What are we runnin for?” he asks and she can't help but laugh.

“Cause I shouldn’t be doin this!” she shouts back.

The heat is suffocating. Even though it's a short walk, she's sweating profusely by the time they get to the lake. Coming up the hill, she strains to get a glimpse of the chilled water. She knows that even seeing it will make her feel cooler.

“Oh god bless,” she shouts as she finally reaches the top of the hill, where she can overlook the water. Her mouth is practically salivating at the beauty of the cold water blowing in the wind.

“This is gonna feel nicer 'en heaven,” Elvis says, quickly pulling his shirt off.

As he lifts it off his head, she sneakily eyes his torso, taking in its beautiful curves and muscles. Her eyes flick back to the water quickly when his face reappears. She's never seen a man’s torso before. Every man in her life has always been buttoned up to the jaw, or her daddy would have killed them the moment she brought them home. She gasps, throwing her open palm against her forehead.

“Somethin wrong?” Elvis yells from halfway down the hill.

“Elvis, I don’t have a swimsuit,” she shouts back. He laughs and waves his hand dismissively.

“Well, why didn’t ya bring one?”

She pauses for a moment, overcome by what she's done and the situation she's gotten herself into.

“I forgot,” she finally responds.

“Well you’re in luck, baby. You don’t need it. Just get down to ya underwear,” he smirk.

She scoffs, shaking her head, and placing her hands on her hips. She gnaws on her lip nervously as she looks out over the water. The heat is causing her to sweat in places she didn't even know existed. She's been too distracted to notice that Elvis has walked all the way back up to her.

“Lil Birdie, earth’s calling. She wants you back on the planet. And so do I,” Elvis’ voice next to your ear snaps your attention to him. 

She smiles at the use of a nickname. She likes it.

“I’m 'ere. Just tryin to decide what to do.”

“I already told ya. Underwear!”

His fingers dance along the hem of your top and you slap his fingers away.

“Elvis Presley, I am not strippin down to my underthings. Especially not in the middle of the woods with you,” she replies, poking his chest with a finger.

“Aw, come on, Lil Birdie. What’s the difference?”

She says nothing, so he starts to stretch his arms out over his head. Her eyes nervously glance between the lake in front of her and his naked skin. She can see the sweat shining on every curve of his body.

“Man is it hot out 'ere,” he says. "Bet that water would feel nice on our bare, hot skin."

He runs his fingers through his hair and lets a few strands fall into his face. His biceps flex when he intertwines his hands behind his head.

She feels frozen. The heat mixes with lust in the air, and she can't breathe. Her heaving chest is the only part of her body she can access at the moment. She doesn't even know what to do with herself. Sure, she's dated boys before, but she's never felt like this. She doesn't even know what these feelings are.

“Aright, fine,” she finally chokes out in a voice much weaker than she anticipates.

She nervously starts to undo the buttons of her white blouse. She feels his eyes on her, watching her fumble with each tiny circle. She finally has them all unbuttoned and gulps before shrugging the blouse off her shoulders and letting it drop into the grass below her. She glances up at him to see Elvis staring at her intently, his eyes dark. She feels like she's about to faint, but she somehow manages to untie the string to her skirt and let it fall alongside her top. She immediately reaches to cover her body with her arms, but he's already walking toward her.

He smiles softly and tilts his head. She knows he's coming in for a kiss, but she's scared. Everything in her body tells her to let him touch her, kiss her, do whatever he wants to her. But her mind is screaming to get out, run away. Escape. Her brain and heart are in an impossible tug-of-war until he reaches out for her cheek. Panic sets in, and she turns and runs for the edge of the cliff.

“Lil Birdie, what the hell you do-”

She misses what he says after that because she's jumped over into the water. As she resurfaces, reveling in the feeling of cold water on her suffering skin, she's mortified. What just happened?

“What in the Sam Hill…” she hears him murmur from above the cliff.

The lake is more of a pond really, not too deep that she can't stand. She pushes herself back against the rocks in the shadows, where he can't see her. She's both embarrassed and angry with herself. She knows she overreacted but she isn't sure how to handle these situations. Her daddy’s face just keeps popping into her mind. She hears a holler and freezes in the shadows before a giant wave of water splashes onto her.

When Elvis' head pops up above the water, he's laughing. She freezes again, wishing she was dead. He swims over to her and props himself up on a rock.

“You’re fuckin crazy, girl. You know that?” he says, breathless.

It's too much for her. The way he looks, how he speaks, his body, it's all too much. The way he said it with such a deep, raspy, labored voice and the fact that he used that word. That swear word she's never heard anyone say in real life, not even her own father.

He sits, staring at her with water droplets gracefully rolling off his skin. The sun on the water reflects in his blue eyes and makes them seem even bluer than possible. His hair is pushed all the way back, curling around his ears. His muscles are taught, holding his weight against the rocks. All of that is distracting, sure, but her eyes can't - for all the money in the world - tear themselves away from his lips. Wet with the water, they are parted and pouted out, waiting for her to say something. Waiting for her to do something.

“Birdie, you aright?” he asks, reaching out for her arm.

She must look quite the picture, sitting there heaving like a caveman with her mouth hanging open. She doesn't respond, the embarrassment increasing. He plops down into the water and grabs her shoulders gently.

“Hey, Bird, are you okay?” he asks, pronouncing every word slowly.

Her gaze has fallen to the water, but he hooks a finger underneath her chin and tilts her face up. Concern is written all over his features. She finally finds her voice, what little she can squeeze out.

“Y-yes, I’m jus fine,” she replies and watches as his shoulders visibly relax.

“Gave me a scare there, Lil Birdie,” he says, letting a smile break.

“Sorry, I…” she trails off, not knowing what to say.

“Damn this water feels good don’t it,” he says, flipping onto his back and floating for a moment. She's still trying to recover from her own lustful panic when he opens an eye and throws her a mischievous smirk.

“What are you thinkin?” she asks, a smile finally spreading across her face.

He looks her up and down for a quick moment and then splashes her with a ton of water. She wipes her eyes down with her mouth open in shock. When she can see him again, holding his stomach with laughter, she laughs herself.

“How dare you!” she yells and splashes him back.

He splashes her again and then grabs her ankle, pulling her toward him. She yelps and screams, fighting him and laughing. He grabs her all over to bring her to him - her hips, her waist, and finally both of her wrists. They both stop to laugh, and when the laughing fades, there they still are. She's helpless in his grasp. He holds firmly, not painfully, just firmly onto her wrists. And he holds them close to his chest. Their bodies are touching, from her hips all the way down to her toes. There's a moment of tense silence, both of them eyeing each other's lips. Something in her face must have changed.

“Y'afraid of me...” he says.

He means it as a question, but it comes out more like a statement. She gulps, searching his eyes, and then shakes her head.

“Good. Cause I ain’t gonna hurt ya. I ain’t even gonna touch ya if you don’t want it,” he says, starting to release her wrists.

Panic sets in again, and she catches one of his retreating hands by the finger. His eyes immediately follow it and he just barely grins. He gently turns her around and folds her arms into his own. She's facing the tiny waterfall draining a thin stream of clear water into the lake. It's incredibly relaxing. Elvis’ soothing embrace also puts her at ease. His thumb rubs her palm sweetly, and she closes her eyes feeling her strength slowly come back.

“Elvis Presley, you are somethin else entirely.”

His head rests on her shoulder, and she can feel his breath on her neck. It tickles, and she only tenses for a moment. But that's long enough. As her muscles flex, so do his. Their bodies press together. And something she's only heard about, never seen, presses itself against her backside. She can't stop her mouth from falling open with a distressed gasp slipping out. All the feelings that are just beginning to fade suddenly return with fire. She feels his fingers brush the hair off her shoulder and he presses a surprisingly chaste kiss to the skin. Her eyes close and her head leans back.

“How you doin, lil mama?” he says in an impossibly low voice and she sucks in another breath. “Is this aright?”

She says nothing but breathes out a quiet moan and grasps his hand tighter. He continues to press soft kisses to her shoulder, neck, and ear. And she continues to wriggle in his strong grasp. He stops by her ear, his cheek pressed against her temple.

“Tell me what ya want,” he mumbles and his voice seems somehow even deeper.

It takes everything in her not to moan out her answer. She knows that if she opens her mouth, all her sins will be released. So she keeps it shut, saying nothing.

“Tell me, mama. I wanna hear you say it to me,” he says again, but she presses her lips closed even tighter. 

He laughs breathily in her ear, and his fingers grip her waist, pulling her deeper into his body. When she still doesn't say anything, his hand starts to press lower down her body. She starts to convulse with all the energy trying to keep herself in. The minute his fingers pull on the inside of her thigh, she's done. She loses all control of her body and moans. Loudly. Everything about him is immoral, illegal, sinful. And she wants more than anything to become a criminal, a sinner.

“I want you,” she breathes out and twists around in his arms. “I want all of you right now.”

That's all he needs. He grabs onto her face with both hands, holding her lips to his until she almost can't breathe. His lips move hungrily, lustily, without control all over her. Her fingers get lost in his skin, grasping onto his chest, his back, his hair. Anywhere they can touch each other, they do. He grabs her jaw and moves her head to the side, biting and sucking on her neck. She yelps and moans again, digging her nails into him. He holds out one of his hands and starts to walk her back toward the rocks. She moves wherever he directs her, letting every breath go with a moan attached to it. He gently presses his body against hers on the rocks. It isn't the most comfortable place, but the gentleness with which he guides her and the way he curls his arm around her to protect her from the sharpness of the rocks only makes her want to stay there forever.

He releases her neck and she knows she's marked. But she banishes the thought and grabs his face to kiss him again. His hands slide under her thighs and hoist her up onto his hips. Wrapping her legs around him, she squeezes him and moans at the feeling of him against her. He traces her top lip with his tongue, and she opens wide for him. She doesn't know what she's doing, but it doesn't take long for him to show her what to do. Her jaw starts to ache and she puts a hand on his chest, pushing him back.

“Y'okay, baby girl? Is it too much?”

She laughs and bites her lip.

“No, no, it’s good. I just can’t breathe.”

“Let’s slow down a lil bit. How’s that sound?”

She nods and takes a deep breath. He smiles and slides his hands behind her back to effortlessly unclip her bra. After he's gently pulled the straps from her shoulders, he kisses the naked skin. He leaves her bra on a flat rock near them and looks up at her. He gently cups her breast and glances into her eyes. She nods and runs a hand through his hair. He smirks and goes to work on her but much softer this time around. He gently massages her breasts and peppers them with hot, sticky kisses. He nips at her nipple and she gasps. She doesn't even know they have feeling until then. He can tell that she likes it and buries his face in her chest, licking, biting, and sucking every part of the skin that's there. She leans her head back against the rocks and closes her eyes.

“Oh, Elvis…” she breathes out, and he moans into her nipple.

As he keeps working her breasts, she feels his thumbs fall down to her hips and hook into her underwear. He pauses, waiting for permission and she pushes his hands down, taking her underwear with them. She lifts her foot up to help him, but the panties get tangled in the holes and she stumbles forward. He releases her breast with a chuckle and she smoothes her hair back and laughs. He tries again and manages to get her underwear off, without issue this time, and piles it onto the bra.

“Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable. I don’t wanna knock ya head on no rocks over here,” he says and she nods.

He takes her hand and pulls her across the water to the other side, where there's a small sandbank. He pushes her up onto the bank and climbs on top of her, brushing her hair out of her face. The shallow tide covers her legs like a blanket. She's about to lean up for a kiss when she catches him looking at her intensely. His eyes travel up and down her figure, and he smiles.

“Goddamn,” he says, biting his lip. “I ain’t never seen a body like this before. Why you keepin all this covered up, girl?”

She laughs and thinks of a quick-witted response.

“If I didn’t, boys would be all over me all the time. You don’t want that do you?”

He runs a hand down her naked body and she shudders.

“Hell no, I don’t want that.”

He starts to kiss her neck again and then trails kisses down her stomach. He grabs her back to lift her hips up toward his lips and nips at the bone. She bites her lip and squirms. He props up one of her legs and kisses the inside of it, starting with the knee and trailing down her thigh. Her body takes over, and she reaches down to tangle her hand in his hair. As he gets closer and closer to where she needs him most, she starts to convulse under his touch. He looks up at her through his eyelashes, smirking.

“Do it,” she says without hesitation. “Right now.”

She can tell her commands surprise him, but he wastes no time sliding his tongue into her folds. Her hands fall beside her ears and grasp at the sand she lies on. He makes every shape imaginable around her pussy and she curls her toes to keep from moving too much. Her moans are so loud that anyone within a five-mile radius could hear her but nothing in her cares enough to silence it. Her moans get faster and quieter and her back arches further and further into the air.

Suddenly, nothing. She's throbbing, but there is no stimulation. She's literally writhing around the sand and opens her eyes to see Elvis standing above her, hastily removing his underwear with labored breathing. She pushes herself further up onto the sand, and he kneels between her legs, giving her sloppy kisses all up her stomach and chest. When he returns to her lips, she can taste herself on him. His mouth is warm and wet with her juices, and she wraps her arms around his neck to bring him closer. He snakes an arm under her and repositions his legs so he's gently laying on top of her. His hand slides down her side and presses gently on her stomach, squeezing out another moan. She doesn't know what's happening until his finger is sliding into her. She grasps and grabs onto his shoulder.

“Did I hurt you?” he asks, freezing, eyes going wide.

“No, no,” she smiles. “I jus never know what to expect with you.”

He returns the smile.

“I’ll go slow and give you time,” he says. “You jus tell me when you’re ready for more, Lil Birdie.”

He returns to kissing her and leaves his finger inside her pussy for a few minutes so she can adjust. It doesn't take long, since she's already so hungry for him. She gently bucks her hips and he responds by slowly and steadily pumping in and out of her folds. Her toes curl again, and she grasps onto his hair. Her hips fall into a rhythm with his finger and just when she's starting to feel too much he pulls it out.

“W-what are ya doin??” she asks, and he gives her a grim look.

“Listen, I just wanna explain somethin to ya,” he says, brushing some hair behind her ear. “This is usually the part where…”

“Where what?” she asks, sitting up. “I’m not afraid no more, Elvis. You can tell me.”

He nods and then laughs.

“Well, this is usually the part where I fuck ya brains out,” he says, and she flushes furiously. “But there’s this thing called a condom…”

“Elvis, I know what a condom is,” she says nodding. Her father has refused to give her sex education, but knowing she would be safer with basic knowledge, he has told her a few things.

“Well god forbid you should have sex with anybody but me,” he continues and she giggles nervously, “but you should always use one. It stops the babies from comin. Now I’m not sayin I don’t want a baby with you, cause maybe I will one day. But I don’t wanna ruin our lives right now.”

She nods.

“So Imma finish makin you feel good, and I don’t want you to worry about me, aright? You’re doin plenty for me by bein so goddamn sexy.”

She bites her lip and pulls him down to kiss her. He slides his finger back into her pussy, and she releases a contented breath. She's ready quicker this time and bucks her hips to get him going. After a few minutes of pumping in and out, he adds another finger and then one more. Her moans are back, and they're filling the air, one after the other. Relentless. She can sense her stomach churning, and it feels like she's climbing a mountain of ecstasy. Every step forward is like a wave coming to its peak only to raise even higher above the sea.

“Goddamn, you’re so loose, baby,” he mutters. She doesn't really know what he means but she likes the way he says it, the approval in his voice. His thumb goes to her clit and starts to rub circles on it. She hasn't realized it could get any better and arches her back even more.

“You like that, mama?” she moans louder and he speeds up. “Yeah, I know you like that.”

The next few moments feel like a whirlwind, and she loses track of everything. Her body starts moving in ways she isn't in control of. His hand is upright above her head and she reaches up to grab it. He intertwines his fingers with hers and pins her hand there, stretching her arm out. He kisses her neck again and her eyes flash open. She cries out and convulses, gripping hard into his fingers. She's reached the top of the mountain, and it's more beautiful than anything in the world.

As her orgasm starts to wind down, Elvis removes his fingers and presses his palm against her folds. When she's finally back to normal, her arms go limp and she lies perfectly still like a vegetable. There isn't a word spoken and the air is filled only with her mixing breaths, the sound of the waterfall, and the birds.

“You doin okay, baby?” Elvis asks, reaching for her hand.

He holds it so gently now that she can't have imagined he's capable of grasping it as tightly as he was just a moment ago. She nods, the feeling coming back into her body. A euphoric smile spreads across her face, and she feels more beautiful than ever. If this is what sin feels like, she wants more of it. He brushes some of the sweat-stuck hair from her forehead. After a moment, she speaks up.

“You know my daddy says condoms are the devil at work,” she says, unable to stop the thought from popping out. After a moment of silence, Elvis laughs and laughs. She smiles, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“You know what, Lil Birdie,” he says, leaning over to kiss her forehead, “sometimes I think maybe ya daddy’s the devil.”

“Well that’s cause he is,” she responds and Elvis’ smile grows bigger. “I didn’t know any uh that was possible. It was…”

“Good, I hope?”

“Elvis,” she says, propping herself up on her elbows. “I have never felt like that in my life. I feel like a different person. I ain't afraid. Of nothing, I don’t think. I suddenly wanna try new things, run through the grass with my shoes off, do somethin crazy.”

He laughs, flopping back onto the sand and rubbing her back.

“Don’t worry, Lil Birdie, I’ll show you what real sex is like a different time,” he replies, laying back on the sand.

She leans over to kiss him. He pulls her on top of him and wraps his arms around her back. These kisses are gentle, warm, and maybe even a little bit loving. When she pulls back, they just stare at each other for a minute.

“It’s a date,” she finally agrees, kissing his forehead. “Now, I may feel bolder but I ain't going home without no underwear on. Go fetch my underthings, Presley.”

“I’d worry less about the underwear and more about those marks all over your neck,” he says and her mouth falls open.

“Fuck."

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**If you notice any triggers or grammatical errors that I missed, please let me know! :)

[marblemoonstones]

🩵 catharsis ~ chapter six

I apologize if there are any minor holes or grammatical errors. feedback is welcome, but please be respectful. :)

*any similarities to other fics are accidental*

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*warnings: ❗️any characters in the story have nothing to do with their real life counterparts❗️f reader, reader with glasses, reader almost gets slapped, curse words, flipping someone off, bullying, mean girls*

hey 👋. so, I finally got an update out! I’ll try to update more frequently but class is starting up again and I’m going to be busy. I also lost motivation to write this for a while, but writing this brought it back! thanks for reading 🫶🏼🩷

word count: ~6k 

Goodnight Jimin.

I drift off after giving Jimin the soft kiss, my heart warming. 

I wake up in a dark, damp room. I can’t see much. But the atmosphere makes it feel like a distant memory of some kind. “Stupid!” The word rings in my ears, over and over again. What’s going on? The overwhelming feeling of panic sets in, even if in the back of my mind I know it’s a dream nightmare. A hand comes dangerously close to my face and I flinch, expecting the blow when-

I wake up in a cold sweat, my heart beating out of my chest. My vision is blurry and I can feel someone touching my arms. It’s not him, It’s not him, I tell myself, but still shrug them off. I focus on calming down my heart but I still feel the slight tears leaking from my eyes. 

I fumble around for my glasses, and after I put them on someone flicks on a lamp. I blink to get my vision to focus and see that it’s Jimin. That’s when I remember I’m in the living room. And Jimin and I were sleeping together on the couch. 

“Y/n…it’s just me. I’m assuming you had a bad dream?” Jimin’s voice is soft, quiet as he speaks to me. 

I try to speak but my body shudders as I inhale. Jimin grabs a Kleenex for me and I wipe my eyes messily as I try to slow my breathing. 

Jimin just sits next to me on the couch, not touching me or trying to speak to me. I appreciate his presence as it gives me a small sense of calm. 

After I start to breathe more normally, I try to explain what happened to Jimin. 

“I-“ sniffle, “I had a bad dream…” I want to tell the whole story but somehow can’t bring myself to say it. 

“It’s okay. You don’t need to explain to me. I’m here for you,” Jimin says, eyes full of sympathy. 

“I’m sorry I woke you up,” I whisper. 

“Don’t apologize. I’m just glad you’re okay,” Jimin responds, moving slightly closer to me and draping a blanket over my lap. 

“What time is it?” I ask, turning my head to look outside. The full-length windows don’t have the blinds pulled down, telling me the boys forgot to shut them yesterday after the movie.

“Around six in the morning. The sun should be coming up soon,” Jimin replies.

“Oh!” I know it’s cheesy, but I’ve always loved sunrises and sunsets. The beauty of nature is something I’ve always admired. Whenever I complained about getting up early for dance practice my mom would always point outside and say, “Be lucky that you can see the blessings of nature.” 

“Should we go watch it? We can go to your balcony. Up there’s a perfect spot to see it!” Jimin says, starting to sound a bit excited. 

“Okay,” I agree, both for Jimin and I’s hearts.

After grabbing more blankets, we go tiptoeing across the hardwood floor we sneak up the stairs and past the other boys’ rooms. Jimin slides the door to the balcony open and gestures for me to follow him. 

Shutting the door silently behind me I settle into one of the wicker chairs, pulling the blanket warmer around me. Jimin sits next to me.

The ethereal shades start to appear and I am once again in awe of nature. How is it that the sun can make such gorgeous tones?

Jimin and I sit in silence for a while, enjoying the show in the sky. After the sun is mostly up, the door slides open again. We both turn around and it’s Namjoon, still in his pajamas.

“What are you two doing up so early?” He asks us, still looking groggy himself. 

“We wanted to watch the sunrise!” Jimin chirps, thankfully omitting how I had a nightmare. 

Namjoon shakes his head fondly, smiling at us now. 

“That tracks. Mind if I join you?” He asks, stepping onto the balcony.

“No, of course not. C’mere Joonie,” Jimin says, making grabby hands at him, “I want to sit in your lap.” His clingy mood must be appearing.

“See y/n? He’s our baby, whether or not he admits it,” Namjoon teases Jimin, making him whine and stand up.

“Just come on!” 

Namjoon chuckles but obliges, sitting and pulling Jimin (and the blanket) into his lap. Jimin immediately cuddles into him.

“You’re always so warm Joon,” he half mumbles, practically melting into Namjoon. 

I almost coo at them, their soft sides clearly showing in the early hours. 

It’s not long before Jin wakes up, dragging a dead looking Yoongi with him as they join us on the balcony. 

“Morning you two,” I say, a faint smile on my face while I look at Yoongi.

“Morning y/n! And Jimin. And Namjoon.” Jin greets us brightly, and then, mimicking Namjoon, pulls Yoongi to sit on his lap. 

Surprisingly, Yoongi doesn’t put up much of a fight. It’s probably because he looks like he didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.

“Yoongi,” I ask carefully, “How much sleep did you get last night?” 

Groaning softly, he buries his head into Jin’s shoulder, effectively avoiding the question. 

“What he means to say is that when I woke up he was on his computer in his room, sneakily working.” Jin scolds the soft boy on him, but said soft boy just cuddles deeper into Jin.

“Oh, Yoodles, you shouldn’t do that to yourself,” I say, concerned about how frequently he can’t sleep.

“Mmm sorry,” Yoongi murmurs into Jin’s broad shoulder. 

“Yoongi? Apologizing? Wow, you must really be magical, y/n, because he’s usually just a grump.” Jimin says cheekily, earning the middle finger from Yoongi. 

“Is that so? Well, I’ve never seen him be grumpy, Jimin, so I’m not sure if that’s factual,” I say, still looking at the cat-like boy. 

“Yeah, so shut up Jimin,” Yoongi drawls, slowly turning his head so we can all see the smug look on his face.

“Okay, okay. Let’s just relax and look at the sunrise, you two,” Namjoon says with a tired voice. 

We relapse into silence, the breeze adding a slight chill to this autumn morning. The trees are starting to change, showing hints of their gorgeous crimson leaves. Autumn means about two and a half months since leaving him behind, and about two and a half months of being with the boys.

Eventually, double trouble joins us, Taehyung sitting in Jungkook’s lap. Uh oh, this seems to be a pattern. Which means-

“Hey, Hobi-hyung, you should let y/n sit in your lap!” Jungkook blurts out, seeing him linger in the doorway. 

I feel my cheeks color, and turn to Jungkook, about to say something, but Jin beats me to it.

“Kook! That might make y/n uncomfortable. Please try to consider how she would feel about this.” 

Poor Jin looks exasperated at the bunny, so I quickly say, “It’s okay! I know he didn’t mean anything about it. He probably just saw everyone else doing the same thing. I’m fine with whatever, as long as Hobi is okay with it.” 

I turn and see a Hobi that I can only describe as fluffy. Fluffy hair, fluffy clothes, fluffy slippers. (based off of a sleepy fluffy hobi I saw in an instagram reel :))

“Yeah, I don’t care either,” Hobi says, so I stand up and let him have my chair and then sit down (tentatively) in his lap. 

“Let me know if you want me to get up,” I say quietly to him, trying to ignore the blush that’s appearing on my cheeks again.

“It’s fine y/n. Besides, we’ll both be warmer this way,” Hobi says, draping the blanket over both of us. 

I’m scared of leaning back and try not to feel awkward as the boys start to talk quietly amongst themselves. 

“Hey, y/n, I don’t bite, I promise. You can lean back and stuff, it’s fine. Unless you don’t want to, because I’m not going to force you to,” Hobi says, making me more flustered. 

“Okay…” I say, and then lean back slowly into his warmth. After I get more comfortable, I realize that Hobi’s practically a heater.

“Hobi, how are you this warm? You’re practically radiating heat,” I say in wonder.

“I think that it’s because he’s blushing~” Jimin singsongs. 

I look at Hobi, who’s currently glaring at Jimin. Is he blushing? There is a small tint across his face. 

“I am not. And it’s not my fault that I’m warm. I’m just this hot,” Hobi says, now grinning at Jimin, making him roll his eyes.

“Yeah, whatever hyung.” 

Taehyung breaks in, “Well y/n sure looks comfy over there.”

All eyes look to me and I cover my face with my hands.

“Guys, please don’t start,” I beg, “I’m just keeping myself warm. It is autumn after all.” 

“Suure,” Yoongi drawls, “It’s totally normal for a girl who Hobi used to hate to now sit on his lap.” 

Well, when he puts it like that, then yeah I guess it is a bit weird. But now we’re fine! And besides, Jungkook is the one who basically forced us to sit together.

“Y/n blushing! And so is Hobi! Even more than before!” Jimin calls out, a devilish look on his face. 

Having had enough, I sigh out of embarrassment.

“Alright, well I think I’ll be going now, I do have class today, and I’m sick of your taunting.” I’m semi-joking about being annoyed, but not really. I just want to escape this awkward situation. 

I go to stand up but Hobi doesn’t let me go, his grip on my waist strong.

“Hobi. What are you doing?” I question, confused. 

“Yeah Hobi, what are you doing?” Jimin the brat asks, still smirking. 

“Just stay for a while longer. You’re warm,” Hobi complains. 

He must still be in a sleepy stupor. There’s no way he actually wants me to stay, especially on his lap of all places. But, he looks exhausted, and I don’t mind the warmth either.

“Okay, fine.” I give in, sitting back down. 

“Thank you,” he murmurs into my ear, and I feel a small shiver go down my back at his voice. 

“Okay, I’ll admit, this is super cute to watch,” Jin says, ignoring the glares Hobi and I send to him. 

“Can we please stop talking about y/n and I?” Hobi asks, exasperated. 

“Fine, fine.” 

~

After much time spent snuggling, we all have to (reluctantly) get up and get ready for the day.

“Oh shit, it’s already 7:15! I’m going to be so late!” Namjoon exclaims, hastily having Jimin get off his lap and rushing inside. Jimin pouts, but then realizes he had to be at the studio fifteen minutes ago. 

“HOBI-HYUNG WE HAVE TO GO!” Jimin screams. 

“You have to go. I don’t have class until 10:30 today, remember?” Hobi brags smugly. 

“You bitch. Whatever!” Jimin leaves the door wide open. 

The remaining boys (minus Hobi) are also starting to freak out. 

“I have class soon…should I just skip? I don’t really want to go…” Jungkook rambles.

Taehyung is stressing too. 

“I have a meeting with my manager but the sketches for the designs aren’t even done yet!” 

Jin doesn’t look too worried, but something is bothering him because I hear him say, “…hope the order comes in today. If not, I guess I’ll have to reorder from a different company. One maybe like…”

Yoongi is just face planted into Jin’s broad shoulder. I know he’s trying to ignore his problems, and honestly, I don’t blame him. 

“Well, y/n, seems as we’re the only ones who aren’t late for something, unless you have class today,” Hobi says to me.

“Nope. I do have class, but it doesn’t even start until 9:30, so I’m all good, unlike these idiots.” I gesture to the rest of the men on the balcony. 

He and I laugh, only slightly enjoying the chaos.

“Loves, why don’t you go get ready? Y/n and I will help you in any way that we can,” Hobi suggests. 

Taehyung and Jungkook head inside quickly, but it’s a small struggle to get Yoongi off of Jin. 

“C’mon Yoodles, you have to get ready,” I plead. But all I get is more groaning. 

“Jin, can you just carry him inside?” Hobi finally asks, frustrated with Yoongi.

“Yeah, sure.” 

Jin carries Yoongi inside bridal-style and Hobi and I gather the blankets to take back to the living room. 

Heading inside it’s a mad house. All of the boys are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, and it’s almost comical. 

“Have you seen my other sock?”

“Why would I steal your tie, Namjoon?” 

“How would I know where your sock is? Learn to keep track of your clothes Jungkook!” 

“I don’t know, Jimin. Maybe it’s because you like to play pranks constantly?!” 

“Wow. Is it always this chaotic?” I ask Hobi, my eyes widening as Jungkook slips and almost falls on the floor. 

“Only when they’re running late,” Hobi responds. 

“Should we help them now?” I ask, wanting to help them before they embarrass themselves further.

“Yes. You start and I’ll go take the blankets downstairs,” Hobi says, already taking the remaining blankets from my arms.

“Okay,” I say, already walking to a struggling Namjoon. He’s stuck by the stairs frantically trying to put on his found tie.

“Here, let me.” I quickly knot it and button the cuffs on his shirt. 

“Thanks y/n!” He gives me a quick peck on the top of my head and speeds down the stairs, hardly aware of what he just did. 

Must be an instinctive thing, I think. I don’t have time to dwell on the kiss before I divert my attention to Taehyung and Jungkook, who are currently looking for the latter’s lost sock in his room. 

“Jungkook, can’t you wear other socks?” I ask, going into his room. I audibly gasp at the mess that is his room. 

“If you would clean your room maybe this wouldn’t happen!” I exclaim, making Jungkook roll his eyes as he looks under his unmade bed.

“Can it y/n. I don’t want to hear it right now. Now, are you going to help or stand there gaping?” 

“I don’t even know what the sock looks like!” I complain, throwing up my hands.

“It’s this,” Taehyung says, holding up a basic white Calvin Klein sock. 

“Seriously? Jungkook! You can wear another pair!” I say, looking for another pair in his dresser.

“Actually I can’t,” Jungkook says, stopping looking for a second to cross his arms at me. 

“And why not?” I retort.

“Because all my other socks are dirty,” is the proud response. 

“Jungkook!” I throw my hands up yet again, amazed how a grown man can act like a teenager.

“Hey you two, stop arguing! Y/n, just look for the damn sock, okay?” Taehyung asks me, annoyed with our banter. 

“Fine.”

After deep searching for a bit, Jungkook finds it under a pile of black tshirts.

“Found it!” He cries triumphantly, rushing to put it and the other one on. 

“Great,” says Taehyung, “Now I’m going to go get ready. Kook, if you leave without me I’ll burn your favorite bucket hat!” He hops over piles of clothes and dashes to his room.

“I’m going to go help someone else now,” I say, starting to walk out. But Jungkook grabs my arm.

“Wait, y/n. I wanted to apologize for earlier. On the porch. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable with the Hobi-hyung lap thing. I really didn’t think about it,” he says, doe eyes apologetic.

I don’t respond for a moment, body heating up at how close Jungkook is.

“Hey, y/n? Hello? I’m sorry?” 

I snap out of it. They’re just cute men and I’m just getting over my ex. 

“What? Oh, yeah. I forgive you silly.” I manage to get out.

“Yay! Thanks y/n!” Jungkook hugs me for a brief second, pulling away far too quickly for my liking. He looks into my eyes after, evil-looking smile starting to form.

“What?” I ask, nervous.

“Nothing. I’ve got to go, see you later y/n.” With that, he runs out, screaming “Tae hurry up!” 

I sigh after he leaves, tired of my little crush getting in the way of a good friendship, and confused about Jungkook. Pushing down my thoughts I run out to go help the others. 

Looking downstairs, I see Namjoon and Hobi talking, Namjoon tapping his foot. Who would he be waiting on? 

I decide to head to look for Jin to see if he needs anything, but pause after passing Yoongi’s room. There’s Jin, sitting with Yoongi at the foot of the bed.

“Hey Jin, how can I help?” I ask, noting how Jin is only half dressed, his patterned pajama pants still on. 

“Help Yoongi. Please. Get him to go to work.” 

Yoongi still won’t go?

Jin continues, “I have to go or Namjoon will kill me. Thank you y/n!” He leaves quickly, leaving me with a dead Yoongi. 

“Hey Yoongi. How can I help you?” I ask, sitting down next to him.

“Can you go to my work? I don’t want to produce music,” Yoongi complains, putting his head on my shoulder, much like he did with Jin earlier. 

“Oh Yoodles. I know work isn’t your most favorite thing in the world, but don’t you find some joy in it?” Surely there must be a reason for his job.

“I guess…”

“You get to work with amazing and talented people and help them to achieve their dreams!” I try to hype him up, which semi-works.

“I guess so…” he says reluctantly. 

“You’re a dream maker! So, get on up and go help make dreams happen!” I cheer. 

“Damn. You really have a way of making me feel guilty y/n,” Yoongi says, slowly getting up and moving to his closet. 

“Great! I’m glad it worked,” I say happily, leaving to let him have his privacy. 

Now, who else is left? Namjoon and Jin left, Jungkook and Taehyung are almost ready, Yoongi’s finally alive-ish…that only leaves-

“JIMIN-HYUNG!” 

I whip my head to the loud shout coming from downstairs. Sure enough, there’s Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jimin. Jimin’s tickling Taehyung on the floor and Jungkook’s recording it. Hobi is nowhere to be seen. 

I dash down the stairs, putting my hands on my hips.

“Guys, you’re already late as it is. What’s the point of this?” 

Jungkook just grins, enjoying the show, while Jimin says, “TaeTae here decided that it was a good idea to dye my sweatshirt neon orange.”

“I-I’M SORRY HYUNG!” Taehyung screeches out, breathless.

“Mmm…” Jimin just ignores him and Jungkook just keeps recording. Looks like it’s up to me to save poor Tae. I know I can’t physically pull Jimin off of him, but if I could get Jungkook to stop him…

“Jungkook, how would Professor Choi feel if you were late to class?” I ask him, raising my eyebrows. Professor Choi is a stickler for punctuality, and if Jungkook was late this would get him on Choi’s bad side.

“Shit, I do have Choi today. C’mon Jimin, let Tae go. Choi’s going to have my head!” Jungkook is frantic now, pulling Jimin off a tired Taehyung. 

“Hey, you’re no fun Kook.” Jimin pouts, but Jungkook just drags Taehyung out the door.

“Bye y/n!” 

The door shuts. 

“What just happened?” Hobi says, coming out of the bathroom, “It sounded like someone was dying.” 

I turn to Jimin and say, “This rascal was tickling Taehyung and not letting him and Jungkook leave.” 

Jimin sticks his tongue out at me. 

“Tattletale!” 

“Yeah yeah whatever. Jimin, you need to leave now or else you’re going to be more late. Go.” Hobi says firmly. 

“But-“

“No buts. Go. Now.”

“What if I don’t want to?” Jimin says cheekily, crossing his arms. Wow, he must really not want to go teach. 

Hobi’s eyes become slits as he takes a couple steps to Jimin, making him slightly nervous. Eventually Jimin’s backed up into the dining table. Hobi has his hands on either side of Jimin, effectively trapping him. 

“You will go to work. Or else I will make you. I will drive you there myself and sit in your class to watch you.” Hobi’s voice is fully darkened now, dangerous look in his eyes.

Jimin just shudders slightly, his confidence gone. 

“Be a good boy for me.” 

This command makes Jimin swallow and say quietly, “Yes, Hobi-hyung.” 

“Good.” With that, Hobi steps back and lets Jimin leave. 

What did I just see? I must look shocked because Hobi turns to me and laughs.

“Don’t look so scared y/n! Jimin’s just a brat sometimes and needs to be taught to listen to his elders.” The happy Hobi is back?

“Jimin’s always a brat, Hobi,” says Yoongi, coming down the stairs in a nice button down and slacks, foregoing his usual comfy clothes.

“Yeah yeah, I know. Someone’s got to teach him a lesson sometimes,” Hobi says, going to put him arm around Yoongi’s shoulders, “By the way, looking good today, babe. Not the usual sweats I see,” He teases. 

“Fuck off. I have a meeting today and I have to dress nice,” Yoongi says, trying to shove Hobi’s arm off but failing.

Hobi just laughs and pulls Yoongi into a kiss. 

“Love you too babe.”  

I divert my eyes, feeling like I’m interrupting a sweet moment. 

“Hobi, I love you too, but I have to go,” says Yoongi, pulling away.

“Okay fine. But I want to kiss you lots when you come home today, okay?“ Hobi says, pout evident on his face.

“Okay, my sunshine. I’ll be back tonight around five, just for you.” Yoongi leaves with one last peck. 

It’s quiet now, only Hobi and I in the house. I collapse on the living room couch, appreciating how I sink into the beige cushions. 

Hobi sits in an armchair, looking tired as well.

“Well, now it’s just you and me. For a while, anyway,” he says, closing his eyes.

“Yep. I still have about an hour before I have to leave, so I guess I’ll go get ready,” I say, but don’t move. Why is this couch so comfy? 

“Cool.” Hobi closes his eyes, ready to fall back asleep. 

I lie there for a couple more minutes before I force myself upstairs. 

Jimin’s orange-dyed hoodie lies on the floor outside his room, forgotten. I pick it up and decide to put it in his room, as to not have clothes just lying around. Opening the door I turn on the light. Stepping inside I lay the hoodie on a chair, and turn to leave, when I see a notebook open on his desk. It looks like he’s written out choreography. 

Taking a step I look and indeed, it’s choreography for a beautiful contemporary dance. It’s a partner dance, with plenty of lifts and moves done together. Huh, I wonder who Jimin made this for. The only other person I can think of is Hobi, but he mostly dances hip-hop. 

Then I see the title on the top of the page. 

Y/n’s dance

Why would Jimin choreograph a dance for me? And is he the partner? 

I rush out of the room, confused. This seems to be a very intimate and special thing, so why would Jimin do this for me? Why not one of his boyfriends?

I go inside my room and get ready, the dance still on my mind. After throwing on random clothes (that I hope are clean) I grab my backpack and go downstairs. 

Hobi’s seems to be sleeping again on the armchair, so I quietly open my laptop and double check that I have my homework done. I’m anxious to distract myself from the questions swirling inside my head.

After confirming that I finished my assignment, I stand up to go. After putting my sneakers on I realize that I have to catch the bus today. Usually one of the boys (most likely Jungkook) drives me to class, but they’re all gone and I don’t want to wake Hobi 

Just as I’m about to leave, a rough voice says, “Wait, y/n, I’ll drive you.” 

I turn and there’s Hobi, rubbing his eyes as he stands up, stretching.

“Oh, Hobi, it’s okay! Sleep a little longer before you have to get to class,” I say, feeling bad that I woke him up.

“It’s fine, y/n. I should probably be there soon anyways, so let me get my shoes on.” Hobi puts a cap on and pulls on his high tops.

Grabbing his keys and bag we head out. 

The drive is nice, peaceful. The radio plays quietly in the background, but it’s at a comfortable volume. 

Pulling up, I grab my backpack and hop out.

“Thanks for the ride Hobi!” I say, waving as he drives off.

“You two seem to be better,” remarks Hwasa, who’s standing there with Felix and Jackson. 

“Oh! Hi guys, I didn’t see you! And yes, we’re better now,” I say, thinking back to the fateful day at the studio. 

“Mhmm…interesting. I thought you hated each others’ guts?” Jackson asks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

“Shut up Jackson,” I say, turning to Felix, “Anyways, how are you?”

“Hey!” 

“Shut up Jackson. And I’m fine, I guess. But I had a shit ton of homework this past week. Like, who assigns three different research assignments for a week? That’s barely enough time!” Felix complains. 

“I know, right?” I say, feeling for Felix. 

But then I look at my watch. “Crap, I’ve got to go. Foundations of Ed awaits!” I feign excitement, but it’s sarcastic.

“Let me walk with you. My class is near there, remember silly?” Hwasa says, linking arms with me. 

“Oh yeah, I forgot. Bye boys!” We wave goodbye to Felix and Jackson as we walk down the brick pathway.

“Okay, now that they’re gone, I have a question. What really happened between you and Hobi?” Hwasa immediately jumps to the point.

I sigh. 

“Hwasa, nothing happened. We just so happened to agree to get along. I guess you could say we’re friends now, but nothing more.” 

“Suuure,” Hwasa says with a roll of her eyes. 

“Oh! I wanted to ask you something,” I say quietly, making sure no one is super close to us.

“Hit me girl! I’ll answer to the best of my ability,” says Hwasa, matching my tone.

“Well…you know how you said earlier that the boys are into girls too? What did you mean by that?” 

“Exactly what I said! They might not look it, but they def swing both ways. The maknaes especially. But, don’t let that fool you. The older ones also are a sucker for cute girls like you,” Hwasa teases, us now approaching my building.

“Shh! Don’t say that. I was just curious is all,” I say, nudging her. 

“I’m sure. Now, you have fun in class and don’t think too hard about the boys!” Hwasa leaves me with a wink.

I sigh before heading to class. 

Going to my far corner seat, I see that the chair beside me is still empty. That’s not uncommon, as Seungmin is usually almost late (much to Professor Shin’s dismay). 

Sure enough, two minutes until class starts Seungmin comes sliding in, looking as tired as he normally does.

“Hey, Seungmin,” I say,pulling out my assignment as he rests his head on his desk.

“Hey y/n,” He murmers, closing his eyes.

I hit him on the head with my (now) rolled up paper and he whines.

“Why did you do that?” 

“Because! Professor Shin is going to be really mad at you, once again. Just sit up and act like you’re paying attention. If you do that I’ll give you my notes later.” 

This compromise makes the boy sit up and actually look alert for once. 

I laugh at how easy that was.

~

After class Seungmin and I walk downstairs together. 

“I’ll send you the notes this evening, okay?” I say to him.

“Okay, thanks again y/n!”

We reach the door and he opens it for me, ever the gentlemen. 

Now’s the time where we normally part ways, but Seungmin stops me before I can say goodbye.

“Hey, y/n, I have to tell you something,” he says worriedly.

My brain immediately starts running a million different scenarios. Does he not want to be my friend anymore? Does he not want to be desk partners anymore? 

“So there’s this rumor going around that you’re just using the Bangtan boys as your sugar daddies and don’t actually care about them-“ Seungmin starts rambling. 

A rumor? Who in the world would be crazy enough to make a rumor that I’m a sugar baby? And with the boys of all people! 

“-but I don’t believe it because you’re so nice and always letting me copy your notes but that’s what it is and-“ Poor Seungmin is still going. 

“Seungmin,” I reach out to place my hand on his arm, “Slow down. Please. Who told you this?” 

“I heard it from Chan who heard it from Han who heard it from Solar who heard it from Hwasa who heard it from Haneul.” Seungmin is now slightly breathless from all the names.

So it is Haneul. I had my suspicions but needed to confirm. That girl! I’m not trying to get into drama but she just keeps creating it.

“Thank you for telling me Seungmin,” I say, giving him a side hug. Why didn’t Hwasa tell me?

“Of course, y/n,” says Seungmin as he accepts the hug. He smells like a candle, warm and strong.

We pull away and I try my best to smile. 

“I really do appreciate it,” I say genuinely.

“You’re welcome. And trust me! I don’t believe these rumors and I tell everyone who believes it that it’s not true. I promise I defend you y/n!” 

“Thank you. That means a lot. I wish my other friends would‘ve told me.” My brain still wonders why Hwasa didn’t tell me. 

“Well, I’m glad I could make you aware. I have to go, Chan’s waiting, but see you later!” He waves goodbye and goes to a handsome man who I assume is ‘Chan.’

‘Chan’ gives me a look as he leads Seungmin away, and it seems like he doesn’t like me. Guess I’ll have to add him to the list.

I’m walking to go eat lunch and text Hwasa on the way there.

me: why didn’t u tell me about the rumor?

It’s on sent still when I reach my usual picnic table. I sit down, waiting for Jackson and Hwasa. Then I get a text from Jackson.

jackson: Hey sorry to skip lunch but Hwasa and I are working on a project :(

There goes me being able to question Hwasa in person. My only hope is that she replies to my text.

I pull out my lunch and am about to eat when I see Haneul and her friends walking up to me. Great. 

“Hey y/n!” She says cheerfully, stopping in front of me.

“Hey Haneul,” I say, trying to not show any emotion.

“How are you today?” She asks sweetly. 

But her friends blow her nice girl cover, giggling behind their hands.

“I’m fine. How are you?” Hopefully if I act disinterested she and her friends will leave.

“Fine. How’s being a sugar baby?” 

I can’t believe she can so blatantly ask that, but with her track record it’s not surprising.

“Haneul, I’m not a sugar baby. You of all people should know how kind the boys are,” I say, giving up a quiet lunch. Maybe I can go hide out in an empty classroom until my Psych class? 

These words send Haneul over the edge, as she suddenly shouts out “Just shut up you bitch!” Her hands are balled into fists and her eyes burn into me. 

“Just admit it! I don’t understand how some people can’t see what a gold digger you are! You just so happen to stumble upon the boys and live with them? I say it’s not a coincidence! Stop pretending to be a good girl and drop the act! Admit it!”

Hanuel’s practically screaming by now, and many heads have turned to look at us.

I am trying to think of something to say, but freeze. Too many eyes are on us and I don’t want to provoke her more in case she gets violent. That’s what always happened with my ex. I thought that I escaped these situations.

“I’m sorry for anything I did to make you feel this way,” I finally whisper, trying to not draw more attention.

“You’re so fucking stupid, thinking no one would find out.” Haneul utters this sentence and I feel the start of tears form in my eyes. I swallow, attempting but failing to lose the lump in my throat.

Trying to escape, I grab my stuff and make to go anywhere but here. Haneul isn’t done, though.

“I think you’re just sleeping with them in order to live with them! What else would a poor, stupid, gold digger do?” 

I force myself to start running, even with the heavy weight of my backpack. I head in a random direction as best as I can.

“Fucking loser!” Haneul shouts behind me. 

I’m just grateful that she’s not following me.

Finding a secluded corner under a tree I finally drop my stuff and sit. I feel the tears trickle down my cheeks slowly, my resolve crumbling now that I’m alone.

Why is it I always end up in these situations? 

Maybe I should go live in the dorms. That would solve this problem. I should try to distance myself from the boys, so then hopefully there won’t be any more rumors.

My whole body is still as I sit underneath the tree. The tears are dried on my cheeks but my glasses are smudged, and I know I’m getting my clothes dirty. 

It all doesn’t matter right now.

I sit there for a while, lost in my thoughts.

After a bit, my phone dings and I check it, grateful for a distraction. 

Opening my messages, I hope that it’s Hwasa.

Instead, it’s Jungkook. 

jungkookie 🍪 : What the fuck just happened between u and Haneul?

thanks for reading! 💗

[anangelwhodidntfall]

Intimacy Challenge: Day (1)

30-Day Intimacy Challenge Masterlist 

word count: 4k

Day 1: A love letter is an expression of love in written form. However delivered, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation and description of feelings

Jake: He had written his very letter, the other night while you were out with a few of your friends which gave him enough time to get his thoughts out on paper and to make them make sense. After he finished writing it, he stashed it into one of his military boxes wanting to give it to you at the perfect time. He was gonna be gone for most of the day on a hunt with some of the members of the clan, so he made your breakfast and set his letter next to it for you to read when you got up.

"I love you ma y/n." He said placing a kiss on your forehead before leaving.

You ended up waking up a few hours later and frowned remembering Jake was off on a hunt. You stretched and walked over to the table where you saw that he had made your breakfast before he left which made you smile and then you noticed a piece of paper with your name on it sitting next to it. You sat down and opened it as you ate curious about what it said.

To my one and only love,

I'm writing this while you are out with your friends, which is good because I know I could never write this with you around because I would mess up my words or thoughts. I've been waiting for you for so long, and now that you are here with me, I will never ever let you go. We both know that life is not always fair. We know that there will come a time when we have to face trials in our relationship, but we will overcome because our love will see us through. They say promises are made to be broken, but I say promises are meant to be for as long as we believe in the power of love... I know in my heart you believe it too. I am so thankful and so very happy that I have found my destiny in you.

You are my happiness, a very special blessing Ewya has given to me. I'm so excited to spend my whole life with someone that Itruly love and care about, spending each special day with all the love in ourheart of hearts. I love you so much and will always love until forever. That'sa promise that I'll surely going to keep forever in my heart.

I know that I am not an easy person to deal with and I feel so lucky to have someone in my life who loves and cares for me even when I don't deserve it. I love you so much ma y/n.

Love,

Your Jake.

Your heart swelled at his words and you quickly dried your eyes, hoping he would be back soon so you could thank him for such a sweet letter. The second you heard the horn signaling the hunting party was done, you made your way toward him with your letter clutched in your hand. Jake smiled when he saw you sprinting towards him with the letter in your hands.

"Thank you! Thank you so much for my letter. I love it and you so much." You said wrapping your arms around him as Jake swore his heart was gonna burst.

"Your welcome sweetheart, Im glad you love it." He said placing a kiss on your forehead.

Neteyam: He wasn't used to writing his feelings out like he was expressing them to you verbally so he had gone to his dad for some help. After seeing and reading some of the ones that his dad had written his mom, he felt mom confident with writing one, so he wrote it while you were out with Kiri just so he could actually focus and not be distracted. And once he started writing the words just poured out of him.

My Love,

Good evening to you. You are the essence and charm of my life. You mean music to my ears, concern to my heart and add value to my life. You are worthy of all love and praise from the bottom of my heart.

I have never been lucky much in life and the world has not been so loving and caring to me. But your presence has brought fragrance to my life and I have started loving life as never before. You have added meaning to my life. It has never been like this before.

You are the loving companion I always wanted and adored in my life. You are the most beautiful woman on pandora and any man would love being with you. I appreciate you have chosen me.

We will always be with each other in every mode of life, in all ups and downs, and in all untrodden paths of life. I promise to give you the life you always dreamt of. We will surely make the best couple on earth. We will have several adventures of life together and even promise you the most wonderful intimate time. You too will remember me always. I love you more than any other man on Pandora.

I want you to promise to be with me always. I cannot survive without you. You are the one whom I trust and with whom I can share the most loving and most bitter experiences of life. I long for the time you will be in my arms and we will spend hours together.

The most important thing is that when one has a loving friend like you becoming a life partner, what can be greater than that. You are the one who can understand me, know me, be with me, help me, love me ...

You will soon realize how strongly I talk from the bottom of my heart. I promise to share all the burdens of life together and have a wonderful time together. I promise to be a good and responsible partner and the best father in the future. . Love you sweetheart.

I have so much to offer you and I have been holding the feelings deep inside my heart. I have tried to open up a little but there is a lot more in the pool for you.

Your eyes reveal the feelings from the bottom of your heart though you are always shy to speak them out. You can take your own time to order your words.

Love you, Neteyam.

He smiled re-reading over what he had written and folded up the letter and set it on the table for you to find as he heard his father calling for him. After helping his parent's out he returned to yall's tent where he found you at the table with your back to him while you read over the letter which made him nervous.

"What do you think my love?" He asked wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his chin on your shoulder.

"I love it. It's so beautiful, thank you so much for this. I'll cherish this forever." You said.

Tsu'tey: Tsu'tey wasn't used to expressing his feelings through words, sure he would tell you that he loved you or missed you or would compliment you but you never knew how truly felt regarding you or ya'lls relationship. You never held it against him, it was just the way he was and you still loved him for it. So it was a surprise to see a letter with your name on it and one of your favorite flowers next to it, one morning while Tsu'tey was off doing his daily chores.

To my Love:

Where to even begin? I am writing to you today to remind you of how much I love you.

Yes, I know it is not your birthday, or Valentine’s Day, or any other special occasion. It’s just an ordinary day; a Thursday to be exact.

I’m writing to you today because I just came to the realization that life has been extremely chaotic lately and I have been selfishly choosing to focus on myself instead of you and our relationship.

I would first like to start off by telling you that never in my life had I thought that I would ever find someone who loves me the way you do. Not that I believed that I was incapable of being loved, but I simply could not fathom finding someone who could ever appreciate and cherish me the way I dreamed about. That is, until you walked into my life. Even when life gets in the way, I still love you more than words can describe. You are constantly on my mind as I go about my everyday business, either directly or subconsciously in the back of my head. You are with me in every single thing I do, and everywhere I go.

You are my one and only; my past, present, and future; my soul mate.

What exactly is a soul mate? Does every single person in the world have one? Do each of us individuals only get one shot at being matched up with one other person in the entire world? I may not have all of the answers, but I know one thing to be true. You are my soul mate. You make my soul happy. You are my love, companion, and above all, my best friend. I truly believe that there is not one other person in the world who gets my humor, my mannerisms, and my heart like you do. If you are not my intended soul mate from the Maker, then I don’t ever want to meet the one who was instead intended for me.

I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I may not tell you enough, or show it. You do so many little things for me that go unnoticed. I want to apologize for the moments when I was blind to see what you do for me; I want to apologize if I have ever overlooked you. I want you to know that even when I am incapable of seeing how lucky and blessed I am to have you, I still am forever thankful.

I want you to know that our friendship means everything to me, and that I simply could not survive in this crazy world without you. You give me the truth when I need to hear it, courage when I need confidence, and love when I am flawed. There is no one else I would rather lay up at night and talk with about crazy things that only the two of us could even think of. There is no one else who I would rather travel with, see the world, and experience new adventures with. There is no one else who simply could ever get me the way you do.

You have given me a safe haven to be myself and not be ashamed of all of the parts that make up my soul. You give me security that makes me feel safe and centered; a shoulder to cry on when needed and a hand to hold when I am lost in the dark. I know that whatever life throws my way, I will be able to handle it because you are at my side. There is nothing that we could never face together. Without you, I am weak. With you, I am strong and capable of anything I set my mind to.

I want to thank you for giving me love when I am undeserving. For your forgiveness when I make mistakes and hurt you with my daggering words and actions; for your unwavering faithfulness to our relationship. For your kind and gentle touch when you comfort me; for your ability to apologize when you are in the wrong and take responsibility for your actions. You have taught me so much about tenderness and unconditional love, even when it is hard to give.

I want to thank you for your continued support and faith in me as I journey through my endeavors. You have never once doubted me, told me I should give up, or told me that I could not do something. Your positivity and confidence in me continue to baffle me each day. I know that if I ever need a pick-me-up or someone to tell me, “Keep trying,” or “Don’t give up,” I know I can turn to you. You are my support system and my fan club; my motivation to push myself and always reach for bigger and higher goals. You have taught me to believe in myself and to appreciate my own worth, a task that is not always easy.

If I were to suddenly leave this world sooner than later, I would be overjoyed that I experienced such a rare and honest form of love. To have been loved and cherished by someone wholeheartedly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our relationship is my most treasured possession, and I will take this love with me everywhere I go.

If you ever feel like I am taking you for granted, please open up this letter. Let it be a reminder of how I feel about our relationship and its worth to me. Please remember how much I love you. I loved you the minute our eyes first met. I love you deeply, and I always will.

Your heart swelled at the words on the paper, you never knew that Tsu'tey had felt this way towards your relationship and it honestly made you love him more for noticing you and everything you do for him. You debated on whether or not you should go seek him out from whatever chore he was doing and thank him or wait until he got home. You decided to go find him which wasn't hard to do since he was training the new warriors, you kind of stood off to the side while he finished his lesson not wanting to distract him or the warriors. Tsu'tey noticed you and the piece of paper in your hand and smile a bit before walking over to you.

"Sorry to interrupt...I just wanted to say thank you so much for this...you don't know how much it means to me." You said to him.

"No need to apologize you are always welcomed to interrupt but did you like I tried my best to express to you how I felt about us." He said lacing his hand with yours.

"It was more than perfect, I could tell how you felt with the words. Thank you so much Tsu, I really do appreciate it." You said to him.

"You're welcome, I love you and appreciate you so much yawne." He said placing a kiss on your lips.

Tarsem: Tarsem had gone to his mentor Tsu'tey for help with his letter and thought his mentor was for sure gonna laugh at him or something but he didn't, he actually helped Tarsem work out his thoughts and what he wanted to say and then showed him the one he was working on for his own mate and that helped Tarsem who thanked him and promised not to tell anyone. Tarsem worked on his letter in between breaks in seeing you, wanting to surprise you with the letter which he did while he went out to gather some food for your guys.

My Sweet Lover,

From the moment I heard your voice I felt a connection to your soul. I can still remember exactly how you looked the day we first met. Your beautiful eyes captured my heart and your smile erased any and all doubts that I had ever experienced. When you opened your arms I stepped into your loving, kind embrace and knew that I was "home" right where I had always belonged.

You knew just the words to say to put me at ease and when your hand reached out to hold mine, I realized that I had found my future, my soul-mate and the love that I had always dreamed of discovering. We spoke for hours about every possible subject and never ran out of words to say to each other.

I could see the longing and passion in your eyes and I am sure that it was a reflection of the incredibly intense desire that I was feeling at the same moment. The world had ceased to exist and there were only the two of us sitting next to each other, holding hands and experiencing emotions that we had never felt before.

When you first whispered the words, "I love you," into my ear as we walked along the beach, it was the happiest moment in my life. My joy was deeper, richer and more intense than I had ever dreamed possible. I can remember the tears in my eyes as I turned to look at you. The kiss we shared that night was one I shall never forget. Having to tell you "Good Night" and return home without you was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do in my life. Even knowing that you would call me on the phone later to wish me goodnight once more made our parting no easier to bear.

You are the only person that could cause my heart to skip a beat with just a sidelong glance or a gentle smile. I gaze into your eyes and lose track of where I am, and even who I am. Your voice stirs a deeply intense longing in every fiber of my body and your caress makes me feel as though I am melting inside. These are feelings that I never knew existed and now I never want to lose these feelings, not even for a moment.

Ever since you came into my life I have known what true love and desire really are and these are emotions that many people will never know. You appear to me in my dreams and even these imaginary kisses rock my world and thrill me to the very core of my being. I can barely wait until the night is here when I can lie in bed and dream of you once more.

You are the one true love of my life and I am only sorry that it took us so many years to meet. Now that we have found each other and are making a life together I will never again know the empty feelings of loneliness. You have made my life complete and I shall cherish your incredible gift of unconditional love and devotion until the moment that my body takes its last breath on this Pandora.

I love you, my darling. No matter what the future holds for us I will love you until the end of time, and beyond. These words are my promise to never take you for granted or doubt the love that binds us for now and all eternity. -Love Tarsem.

You smiled at the letter, Tarsem always knew how to make you feel loved and you felt so lucky to have someone like him as your mate. You went to change while he was gone gathering breakfast and you had heard return.

"Ma love, I'm starting breakfast." He said.

"Alright my love, I'll be out in just a minute." You said.

You finished changing and walked over to where he was cutting up something and wrapped your arms around his waist.

"Thank you for my letter, it meant a lot to me." You said making him smile.

"No need to thank me, it was a little hard to start at first but once I started writing it just poured out of me, I just want you to know how much I love you." He said turning towards you and wrapping his arms around you.

Z-dog: Zdog had never been good with expressing herself sure she could flirt easily but to actually tell somehow she felt maybe her clam up so how she ended up dating you was still a shock to her. You knew Alicia had trouble communicating and expressing herself but you knew she loved you in her own way. So you were shocked to see a letter from her sitting on your desk when you went to work that morning.

My sweetheart,

I hope you know how much our relationship has come to mean to me. Getting to know you over these last few months has changed my life. I'm happier than I have ever been, and I owe that joy to you. Before I met you, there was an emptiness in my heart that at times seemed to consume me, that threatened to break me--but now my life is full of meaning and purpose. I can see my future more clearly now--you are light in the dark that guides my steps to where I want to be. When the entire world was once overcast by subtle shades of gray, when I seemed caught in a perpetual winter, you brought vibrant colour to my life, and in my heart I felt the renewal, the warmth, and sunlight of spring again.

I adore your kind smile and your gentle eyes. You have so much good in you-you treat me so well. I love your quiet strength, and your desire to do right. You have such a love for others, and your example makes me want to be the best that I can be. You can always make me laugh, even when I don't always want to. When I look into your eyes--those gorgeous eyes--I see a reflection of my own soul. And in your arms, I know there is no place on Pandora that I would rather be.

You must know I can't stand being away from you much longer. I hope you feel the same way. Tell me when can I see you again!

I love you.

Yours Alicia

You smiled after you finished reading quickly asking if your co-workers knew if the recoms were here or on a mission. After finding out that they were still here and probably in the mess hall, you quickly made your way over there with some paperwork that your boss needed to be signed by the Colonel.  You walked in and saw Mansk and a few others talking who all said hi to you before pointing you in the direction of the colonel.

"I feel like I'm signing my life away y/n." He complained making you laugh.

"Sorry sir, my boss needs these so you guys can continue your missions." You said as the doors opened and your girlfriend walked in giving you a small smile.

"Here you go and Zdarkisnk make it quick with her." He said to your girlfriend who nodded her head as she walked out with you.

"So I got your note, you said to her once you guys were outside.

"you did? What did you think?" She asked you.

"I loved it alot and was going to see if maybe you wanted to have a movie night in my room tonight if you are free?" You asked her.

"I would love to. But seriously you loved my  note?" She asked shocked.

"I did. It meant alot that you wrote it for me." You said smiling up at her as you heard the Colonel call for her.

"I love you and I'll see you tonight." She said quickly placing a kiss on your lips.

"Love you too!" You called after her.

[demonslayedher]

How do you think the Hashira’s interaction is with their younger selves would be ?

What a fun prompt. Hand me your heartstrings, Anon. I want to put them on a guitar to shred.

----

K Y O J U R O

Kyojuro found himself in a world completely black. His footsteps felt like they touched nothing, nor did they make noise. Was this like being in another dream like that demon created? He stayed alert for it, but did not sense any presence of a demon, nor the usual flow of his blood through his veins or even air circulating in his lungs. Perhaps it was a side effect of the Breath techniques he used to saved all those passengers at once, but more amused, he felt great wonder for how the force of that train crash had thrown him clear outside the flow of time. “Seven… eight… nine!”

He wasn’t alone here. There was a familiar rhythm to those strikes, and an even more familiar head of hair on the boy with a wooden blade. The boy was just as quick to notice him, and stopped his practice to face him. When Kyojuro saw the boy’s face staring back, he was stunned by just how well he knew this child.

The child inquired, “Are you perhaps a cousin of mine?”

“Yes. You could say I’m a distant relative come for a visit. How are you, Kyojuro?”

“That haori! You must be acting as Pillar in my father’s stead! Thank you very much!” the child bowed stiff and low.

“Is your father well?”

“He’s… bereaved.”

“I see. Then your mother must have passed,” replied Kyojuro, the outline of his mother sitting in bed, the scent of her medicine, the ring of some clean sound in her room dimly coming back to mind. “Things may become more difficult for your father now. It may be harder for him to take care of himself and train you.”

“That’s alright! I’ll train myself and Senjuro! My father can depend on me, I was born very strong. It’s my responsibility.”

“Haha! You’re very right. We must never forget that.”

“I’ll make sure Senjuro grows up just as strong as me!”

At this, Kyojuro took pause. Looking back at his younger face and comparing it to Senjuro’s, whom he could always call to mind vividly even without the help of a vivid dream, he saw a difference. Even his younger self’s face was sturdy and unbreakable, unlike Senjuro, whose delicate expression often seemed on the verge of breaking. It never did, though. Even if Senjuro wasn’t blessed with the same strength and abilities that he was, his wishes to live up the expectations of others were just as strong.

With his expression turning a shade gentler like Senjuro’s, Kyojuro squatted down to his former height and gave his childhood self a smile. “Would it be alright if Senjuro does not become as strong as you?”

The child fumbled, looking for a truthful answer he could say out loud. None came to him, for all the anxieties he buried seemed ill-fit to give form to.

“You’ve been given the path of someone who was born strong, but there are many other wonderful paths he could take as well. With a big brother like you supporting him, I’m sure Senjuro will grow to have his own strength of heart.”

At this, the child’s shimmering eyes glimmered brighter, wetting with tears, and then hid his eyes in the crook on his elbow and sniffled. Even knowing who this boy was, Kyojuro welled with pride for him.

“You’re doing very well. Live with your chest held high, and no matter how frustrated you might be with your own weakness, grit your teeth, set your heart ablaze, and keep moving forward.”

“—Yes!—” he shouted with a sniffle.

“Umu. Good,” he nodded at himself, then stood and turned with so much force that it stirred a wind in that black space without time, causing his haori to lift and trail through the air. “You’ll be fine, Kyojuro. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some other juniors to go check up on.”

------

S H I N O B U

“Hnngh… hnnnghh!!”

Shinobu came across an even tinier version of herself, pushing for all her skinny worth against a stagnant rock many, many times her size. The uselessness in all that tearing her kimono and scuffing her hands and scraping her feet deep against the dirt made Shinobu cringe. What a waste of effort. “What do think you’re trying to do? Give me a break.”

“I’ve got to… HNNNNGH…. Move this rock before---hhhnnghh! Hnngh!!---Himejima-san comes home!”

“You’re never going to move that rock,” she rolled her eyes and looked away, then another thought hit her. She looked this way and that. “Where’s Neesan?”

“She hurt her knee—hnngh!—I’m keeping at it---while she—”

Knowing her younger self was busy at a lost cause she thought to leave her there and go stop Kanae while she had the chance, but her younger self could read her mind too well.

“—she’s only taking a break to treat the wound, and then she’ll be right back. Don’t even try to think of stopping us, Obasan!!”

“O-Obasan? ‘Auntie’!?” she was agape. Was that how she looked to herself? Had only a few years of demon slaying aged her that much?

For being so young and baby-faced, Shinobu’s younger self crinkled her features threateningly with rage. “Neesan and I are going to be Demon Slayers. We’re going to enter the Demon Slayer Corp and cut off as many demons’ heads as we can.”

“Don’t make me laugh. With arms like that? You’ll never even cut the head off of one.”

The child’s face unfolded with shock.

Shinobu went on. “Train all you want. You’ll never be strong enough to keep more of the people you love from dying, you’ll watch more and more demons rip to shreds anything that’s ever precious to you. Himejima-san is right, what you’re doing is foolish. You’re a fool to think you’ll ever have less reason to feel angry.”

“Then I’ll make them suffer! If I can’t cut off their heads, I’ll find some way to make them suffer!”

Shinobu, thoroughly interrupted, allowed the more stubborn of her two selves to speak. The child had her back to the boulder, shaking with fury and tears she tried to hold back.

“They don’t just die when they’re heads get cut off. There’s other ways to kill them, if only you can get them out in the sun. Neesan and I aren’t strong, but we’re smart. We’ll find other ways to kill them, as many ways as it takes. No matter what.”

“No matter if it takes you from each other?”

“We promised each other.”

‘---if it saves one more person from suffering what we did---’

The Insect Pillar felt her heart echo with the childhood words exchanged with Kanae. It hurt and it was hollow, because even in a place like this she’d never hear Kanae again. That promise still echoed so deeply it hurt. How much more pain did she think she felt now than the child who stood before her? That anger had never changed a bit, it was every bit as vivid now as it was then. Waste all the effort she’d want trying and failing to get stronger, she’d never work it out of her system, like she was overflowing with maggots and no end to them, crawling around on her skin and burying her.

“Obasan?”

The child looked concerned for her. Concerned for both of them, maybe.

“Stop pushing at the rock. Dig a hole in the dirt, and then find a strong rod.”

The child’s eyes grew wide. “A fulcrum.”

“You better keep that promise,” she warned her, “even if you can’t take their heads, kill as many as you can. For every demon you kill, that’s a person you’ve saved from having to go through the pain you did.”

“Neesan!” the girl ran off. “Neesan, we’ve got to find a rod!”

Shinobu held back her own tears of fury, knowing she couldn’t follow or warn that girl of all the futility she had ahead.

------

G I Y U U

Giyuu found himself locked face to face with a child, who had big blue eyes over her a limp mouth, dropped open as he stared, never sure what to say when he was under someone’s gaze. The child waited for Giyuu to say something first.

Giyuu identified the reddish clothing the child wore. That meant Tsutako was already gone. “Where are you now? Have you found Urokodaki-sensei?”

The child’s eyes lit up, so bright that they it startled Giyuu; he could hardly imagine himself capable of such a look. “Yes! And Sabito!”

“Sabito!” his chest seized. “Are you at the Final Selection? Where is he?”

“Niisan, we’re on Mt. Sagiri. Do you know Sabito?”

“Don’t let him run off alone, stay alert! You should be the one to keep fighting on. Where is he?” he looked this and way and that for him.

“You’re not making sense. What are you talking about? Sabito’s not alone, we’re always training together.”

“And for what? So you can abandon him on the first night?”

“I’m not abandoning anybody…”

“Easy words from someone who hid in a closet while his sister was murdered. Now where is—”

“Don’t badmouth my sister!!”

Giyuu never felt the sensation of hands spread against his chest. It was something else that blew him backwards, some force of will from that apparition of the past. He found himself on his rump and forearms, staring up at the child, who was as upset as the surface of boiling water.

“She chose to give up her life for mine, don’t insult her memory! And don’t insult Sabito by saying he needs my help, Sabito is the manliest person I’ll ever meet!”

Giyuu was now the wordless one under someone’s stare. Had he been like this before? Was this the boy Sabito knew him as? No, this was only the boy he became under Sabito’s influence, Giyuu knew that. But he felt small and ashamed in this boy’s presence anyway. “I’m sorry…”

“You better be.”

“I wish I could be like you.”

“Huh?”

The boy was confused to wide-eyed silence again, and Giyuu flushed, knowing he was being confusing. He was never good at explaining himself. “How can you have so much hope? I don’t deserve to call myself his friend now, or stand among the Pillars…”

“You’re a Pillar!?” the child gasped. “And you want to be like me?”

“…what I mean is, I’ve lost the person I was, after losing someone I cared about…”

“Niisan, so have I. I wanted so much to have been the one who died instead of my sister. But because she chose to save it, my life is tied to hers now. It’s precious, and I have to keep taking care of it. The people you couldn’t save probably felt the same about you.”

“You can never go back to being the little boy she knew, though.”

“And you can’t go back either, but you can pick yourself up and keep moving forward, like the people who cared about you would want you to. That’s how you carry them with you.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…You don’t talk much, do you, Niisan?”

“Only went I’ve got the right thing to say, apparently. Thank you. This has been a strange experience, but I’m glad I met you.”

“I didn’t do anything…?”

------

M I T S U R I

Mitsuri was beginning to wonder what she got herself into when she spotted a child all alone and instead wondered what this child had gotten herself into. She did not seem bothered to be all alone. Probably because she had a big plate of sakura mochi at her side, it would hard to feel lonely or scared with that for company. After a big bite, the child in long black braids and a kimono kicked her feet and peeked up at Mitsuri with round, brown eyes. “Neesan!” she gasped, “your hair is so pretty!”

“Ah? Is it? You think so?” Mitsuri flushed and looked to the pink and green braids hanging down either side of her breasts.

“Do you want some sakura mochi?” the child offered.

“Would I ever! Thank you!” she said and took a seat next to her. They found themselves silently munching together for some four or seven morsels. The sakura mochi was oddly tasteless though, it didn’t even have that nice chewy texture in her mouth. For that matter, she couldn’t feel the bench she was sitting on. She wasn’t so lacking in delicacy to not even notice things like that, right? She wondered if the child felt something off too and looked to her at the very moment a bright green started pouring from the child’s head. Mitsuri screamed, she was so startled. “Kya!!!”

The child looked up at her with eyes which had turned the same color, and then pink started pouring after the green. The color caught the corner on her eye, and then she looked down at her own hair. “KYAAAA!!!”

“KYAAAAAAA!!” Mitsuri stood and fretted and screamed with her.

“KYAAAAAA!!!” the child hugged her hair to herself. “What’s happening to me? Why did my hair change colors?”

“It—um—it may have been the sakura mochi, if you ate a lot at once…”

The child frantically looked at the plate next to her, and then at all the empty boxes stacked up on the ground behind her. She shrieked again, and then started to cry. “I’m always like this… I eat so much without even thinking…”

“Ahh, ahhh, ahh! It’s alright, it’s alright, I know what that’s like!”

“I’m always breaking things—hic!—and I’m so unladylike—sniff!—and now I look like this!”

The words felt deeply familiar, as though they’d left Mitsuri’s own lips. As she tried and failed to wipe the little girl’s tears away, she noticed two moles below her eyes. “There, there,” she said more softly, as the truth of the situation dawned on her. “Being strong is nothing to be ashamed of. There are a lot of people who will be very grateful to you for being so strong.”

“But look at me! My hair changed colors. Will anyone want to marry me like this?”

The child stared up, her lips quivering as she waited for words that might decide her fate. Mitsuri’s heart dropped clear into the deep, deep pit of her stomach. She drew her hand back from the child’s face and scrunched her own lips to keep them from quivering, and she couldn’t answer.

“--!” the child gasped with heartbreak.

She’d have burst out into a wail if Mitsuri didn’t so suddenly give her a cheerful smile. “Why would you want to marry someone who doesn’t like you the way you are?"

“…but…”

Mitsuri playfully waved the ends of her braids. “You said it yourself, didn’t you? You think these colors are pretty.”

“…y-yeah…”

The Love Pillar couldn’t help but smile. Not that she ever wanted them in her hair, but she did like those colors. “Chin up! You’re going to find lots and lots of people who love you, I’m sure of it! Don’t ever try to hide who you are, or they’ll have trouble finding you, won’t they?”

“Mn-mnn,” she shook her head.

“That’s the spirit! You keep enjoying those snacks, your strong muscles need you to eat lots! As for me, I'm off to work-,” she was interrupted by her stomach growling, “-I’m off to go get dinner and then get to work!!”

------

G Y O M E I

Gyomei heard the far-off cries of a baby. They were harsh like it was sick, and he wasn’t surprised when coughs were interspersed. He wasn’t surprised by anything anymore, not since he started fighting demons. Something was off about that child which made Gyomei suspicious, and he decided not be lured to it.

In another direction came other cries. An older child, one who couldn’t get a hold of himself. There were words interspersed, ‘how could this happen’ … ‘it’s so cruel’ … ‘Namu’… ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ …

How many times had Gyomei repeated those words—

“Ah! I’m very sorry, sir, I’m afraid I almost ran into you!”

Gyomei was just as startled. “No, I’m sorry, I’m blind and I didn’t see you.”

“Are you? Then we narrowly missed each other, I’m blind too! Usually I’m better at avoiding these incidents, but I didn’t sense you there at all.”

“Is that so?” he found himself smiling at the rare sound of someone who could relate. “I could say the same myself. You must mask your presence well, if you weren’t talking to me I wouldn’t know you were there at all.”

“Yes, it’s as strange as though you don’t exist!” the youth sounded like he meant to laugh, but he suddenly hushed. There was a moment of understanding between him and Gyomei that they shouldn’t be experiencing this strangeness. “Sir, are you perhaps an apparition of myself?”

Gyomei’s mouth fell open, and he pushed his ears to listen for the crying children he had passed by. They had been himself in even earlier years, hadn’t they? “Namu Amida Butsu. What would make something like this happen?”

The youth had a breathy smile. “Perhaps it’s so that I can seek your guidance. I have a new undertaking starting today, after all. Do you recall the temple up in the hills where we used to take donations? The old monk has passed away, and I’ll be taking care of the children now. I may not be able to do much for them as I am, but…”

Gyomei’s heart would had sunk if it wasn’t so buoyant on his inner sea of tears. It was bloated and tossed around, and it didn’t work right anymore, he couldn’t get it to be kind and sympathetic when someone needed it most. It was like he was on a boat in that sea of suffering and next to someone in the waves reaching out their hand, but all he could do was bid them a swift sink. He let out a hefty sigh and encouraged him dryly, “You’re stronger than you think.”

“Am I? I’ll take that to heart. But…”

“But?”

“What’s made you like this?” the youth asked earnestly. “You sound very… we sound not sad, but lifeless. Has something happened?” He paused and waited for Gyomei to speak, then draw a sharp gasp. “Do we lose the children?”

“Yes. Only after they betray and abandon us.”

“They what!?” he cried out, hurt and shocked. Though Gyomei couldn’t hear his movements, he felt certain the youth fell to his hands and knees. “Namu Amida Butsu… Namu Amida Butsu…”

“You’d best leave your naivety behind you now. The hearts of children are dark and weak, and yours is no different. You’ll be hurt and you’ll resent them for it. You’ll feel sorry for yourself.”

“What will happen to make them make such a choice? What terrible thing will they undergo?”

Gyomei’s grip on his prayer beads tightened. “Did you not hear me? You’ll find yourself a victim.”

“Is it not something I can protect them from?”

At this, the Rock Pillar’s mouth went dry. Would it change anything to tell him? Could keeping the incense lit that one night somehow had kept everyone one in that temple innocent another day, another year?

“Sir, I believe children are inherently good, but their hearts turn wicked under suffering. I cannot keep them from suffering, but can I not teach them to undergo it with goodness? Surely, even the roughest children have the purest hearts…”

Not Kaigaku, Gyomei thought to respond, though he thought back with regrets to all the times that boy was starving for attention and Gyomei hadn’t the ability to satiate him. He was as malnourished in spirit as in body, and maybe if Gyomei had given the boy more of his time…

‘I’m not leaving until you make me your Tsuguko!’

A voice gruff and tattered by suffering beyond his years rang back to through Gyomei’s mind. If there was any child who was rough, it was Genya. He was stubborn and didn’t care that he already had a bad reputation among the Corp. But that wasn’t why he had come to mind, was it?

“Purest hearts, hm?” he found himself saying through a wry smile. “None of the teachings of Buddha could make some purer. In many ways, the spirits of children are beyond our power. Don’t waste your Breath on that, Gyomei. You’ve got a different calling.”

------

T E N G E N

The presence was very, very masked.

Tengen only picked up on it by the slightest shuffling of fabric, the tap of a fingertip against metal, and a heartbeat that a ninja had not yet mastered stopping. What gave the presence away most was the unmistakable sense that someone was out for his life.

When the ninja charged at him, Tengen twirled out of the way and deflected the attack against his Nichirin blade, but he found it strange that he felt no reverberation from it. The ninja hit the ground with a slide and changed directions to attack him again, and Tengen leapt straight upwards out of his reach. “Give it a break, I already see you.”

The boy knew his planned tactics were spoiled, and stood to face Tengen with a silent glare to size him up for a weak spot. His eyes were a dull red.

“Oh, for crying out loud,” Tengen threw his head back and groaned. “This is going to get annoying. What are you right now, huh? 13? Still skinny in the upper arms, getting scolded for those arms all the time, aren’t you?”

The boy showed some shock, the display of emotion being a clear sign of him still being considered an imperfect ninja. Around that time, he’d had been putting himself through ridiculous training to try to beat the emotions out of himself—better he do it than let his old man decide how.

“Don’t you think it’s dumb, huh? Attack a ninja you don’t recognize on the spot? We disguise ourselves, I could be your family and you wouldn’t even know it.”

“Even family must be killed if they’re an enemy,” the boy glared and readied a kunai.

Tengen curled his lip. “You were willing to spout dribble like that? Gross. Put that thing away, you’re really stupid if you think you can take down someone my size with that.”

The boy tried not to show it, but he was bad at hiding his thoughts. Clearly he thought, ‘what is with this guy? He sounds like an enemy but he’s not attacking?’

“DO I LOOK LIKE I ENJOY BEATING UP LITTLE KIDS!?” Tengen shouted, and the boy involuntarily dropped the kunai and covered his ears. “I know that wasn’t even your hobby back then, you never liked roughing up even the little sibs who could take what the old man dished them.”

“It’s not a matter of liking something or not. My father’s orders are absolute.”

Tengen heaved a sigh. He knew himself well enough to know how impervious he’d have been to words against his father back then. He folded his arms and tilted his head this way and that to size his old self up, and his old self was more and more ill at ease about what to make of this enemy. Tengen did always enjoy it when someone pondered his appearance, and softened up. “You like the headband? I think you started wearing it around this time.”

“I wasn’t staring at your headband!”

“You were totally staring at the headband. Makio thinks it’s cool, you know.”

“What do I care?”

“Ugggghh, you’re so annoyyyiiiinnggg,” Tengen dragged his fingertips down his face, then pointed straight at the boy. “Listen!! I could tell you to run and go do something really flamboyant right this instant, but it’s not going to mean a thing until you start to ask the real questions!”

By the look on the boy’s face, he was already thinking of questions. Do the targets on their missions always deserve to die? Is his life really worth more than his sisters'? Is his father always right?

“WHAT DO I LIKE? WHAT DO MY WIVES LIKE? WHAT DO WE THINK IS FLAMBOYANT!?”

The ninja boy was unprepared and fell tumbling backwards after being blasted with sound to the face. Tengen huffed and growled and stomped off to go deal with demons instead.

------

O B A N A I

The instant they caught sight of each other’s eyes, they understood. By the state of the wounds on the child’s face and the hairpin in his trembling hand, Obanai understood everything. “How far have you gotten? Has anyone noticed?”

“I don’t—it can’t---I’ve barely made a dent. Is this going to work? Is it even going to work?” he latched onto him as the only being in the world whom he could trust, and he was in desperate need of trust. “Please, please tell me it’s going to work.”

“You have to spend every waking moment at it! No, you can’t even afford to sleep! You’re not going to get another chance if anyone sees.”

“She’s watching me, though—I can always tell she’s watching—ahh—nghh!—aa-a-ah!”

“Keep at it! Don’t stop for an instant!”

“My arms… my arms are already so tired, I’ve been carving for days, I’m never going to make it out of here—”

“You will! I’m living proof you will, but you have to keep going! This is going to be nothing compared to all the training we’ll undergo in the future, but you have to hurry at this first, please!” he hissed at the crying child, and then a hiss he expected wasn’t there. Its absence made him shutter. Kaburamaru wasn’t there with either one of him in this place, he was really, truly alone.

What had he expected Kaburamuru to do, hissing at him like that? It would probably had been his way of telling him to stop berating himself and offer kindness instead. After all, being back here, Obanai had completely forgotten his Breath; his heartbeat was synced with the child’s and it was beating so fast it fluttered in a way that made him ill.

But who was he to deserve kindness, whether as a child or as he was now?

“--!” he gasped.

The child’s glance darted upward. “Is it her?”

“No. No, if you escape…”

“Will something bad happen?”

“No, if you just—maybe if you just stay put, Rengoku-san will be on his way—no! But he might not had made it time!”

“Wh—which is it? Do I stay here, or try to get away?”

Obanai held his hands to his head, thinking of his cousin about to have her mother and sisters ripped to pieces before her eyes. His chest rose and fell and he swallowed hard, and the hairpin in the child’s hand jingled with his tremble, but stood still against the wood. “If you stay…”

“D-do I stay? But—but if I stay---that woman—what—what do I do? Please—which is it?”

Obanai hastily swallowed air and gasped out in full knowledge of his decision, “You have to go. You have to leave.”

------

M U I C H I R O

Well.

Muichiro had been used to wandering around in a fog, but this dark space was something new. It didn’t feel particularly threatening, but he knew there was something abnormal about it.

“Hmm-hmm-hmm, lala la… la la… hm, hm…”

The tiny child sprawled out on his belly and folding papers, kicking his legs and humming a song, didn’t find it a threatening place either. Muichiro found him very familiar and wandered closer, and the child looked up with big bright eyes and said, “You look like my brother!”

Muichiro found himself smiling. “I look like you, too.”

“Hahaha! You’re funny. You’re right.”

The Mist Pillar took a seat, the ends of his sleeves and hair slowly settling on the pitch-black ground around him. “Can I join you?”

“Yeah! I’m making origami.”

“That looks like fun.”

The little boy with bare arms shuffled over some of the paper to his new playmate, and Muichiro took one sheet in his hand. It was odd to manipulate it without feeling its texture, so he had to concentrate on the folds more than usual. For the last few years he had made origami without thought, going by the texture in his fingers alone, so it was a nice change of pace to have to work at it.

After a couple minutes, he got the child’s attention by saying, “How’s that?” and then he gave the folded vessel a toss through the air.

The child had a long gasp as he trailed it with his eyes. “It flies!!”

“Hmm. There’s no wind in here, but it seems it’s going to fly forever. There it goes.”

“I hope my brother sees it too!”

“I wonder what he’d think? Haha, he might not be impressed.”

The child puffed his cheeks. “He’s never impressed. He’s always telling me I can never do anything right.”

“Not good at doing chores, huh? That’s alright. I’m not good at doing chores either.”

“But you’re really good at origami!”

“Some might say I’m a genius,” he shrugged with a smile.

“A genius?” the child sat up and faced him closer, “A genius! Wow! A real genius!”

“Do you know what a genius is?”

“Uhh… um… no.”

Muichiro tilted his head at him for fun, letting all of his hair fall to one side. The child mimicked him. “That makes sense. You’ve never met anybody but your own family out here.”

“That’s alright. My brother is grouchy sometimes, but I’m not lonely.”

“Are you happy?”

“I’m happy,” the child replied plainly. It seemed a silly question, like asking him what color clouds were or where acorns come from. “Are you?”

Muichiro found the question more ponder-worthy but was well-assured of his answer. “Yes. I’m happy, too.”

“Really? Because you can make origami well?”

“I may not have a family like you do, but I do have friends. Lots and lots of friends. One of them wears a funny mask, and he can do things even more amazing than folding paper. And another one acts grouchy but is really easy to tease, and another one wears funny tiny clothes. There’s one who reminds me of Tousan, too. There’s so many other amazing people I want to get to know better now, and a man who… he’ll never be like Tousan, but he’s very important to me, and considers me his child. There’s sad things too, but there’s so much happiness than I can’t even contain it. I smile so wide now that my face hurts half the time,” he illustrated by stretching his cheeks wide and making a face at the child.

“Hahaha!” the child laughed, and tried to make the same face, but he was laughing too hard. He changed tactics and pulled his cheeks down low. “Niisan looks like this.”

“HA HA HA!” Muichiro burst out laughing. He wiped a tear out of the corner of his eye, but felt the sting of more tears rushing in behind it. He noticed the flying paper coming back, and as it came by, he gave it a nudge to float straight into the hands of the child, who received it with great curiosity. Muichiro stood up and straightened out his clothes. “Can you give that to your Niisan for me? Maybe it won’t make him smile, but it would be nice if it makes him happy too.”

“Alright. See you again sometime!”

“Yup. See you again.”

------

S A N E M I

“Go away! You’re not welcome here!”

Sanemi stared with taunt eyes down at the pipsqueak who stood before him, scrawny and battered arms stretched wide. He wore as much of a scowl as a face full of baby fat was capable of. Laughable, really. “What are you talking about? I don’t even know how I got here.”

“My old man’s not home, go find him somewhere else if you want a fight!”

What sort of messed up Demon Blood Art was this, he had to wonder. Sanemi was never that good at sensing the presence of demons when they were being crafty, he only had a gut reaction like his belly was full of rage when they were around, so it was weird to feel so calm about this oddity. “No, see… I’ve got a hunch I live here.”

“No, you don’t. Get lost.”

He stared up into the blackness and addressed it loud and plain, “Whatever you’re trying to do, it won’t work. And it’s real sick when you demons try to mess with people’s minds, you know.”

“I-I knew it. You hate him so much you call him a demon and you’re here to kill him.”

“If your dad’s a demon, then yeah, that’s what I’m here to do.”

“I already told you, he-he’s not here!” the child spat back, stretching his arms wider. They trembled like mad, and even at that age, pride kept him from squeezing his eyes tight in fear. Sanemi hated that this was getting to him.

“Listen, kid, you’re not scaring anyone like that.”

“I’m not scared of you. I will mess you up if you set one finger in this house.”

“Look at you, you’re the one already messed up. It’s not as if I don’t know where those bruises came from. Now listen, your old man’s a monster, but I’m only here to kill him if he’s a demon. You’ve gotta  understand the difference. I’m one of the good guys.”

The child glowered and studied him up and down. “You don’t look like it.”

“I’ve been through a lot, alright? Most good guys have. I had to give up on people thinking I’m a good guy a long time ago, but you know why that’s fine?”

“…”

Sanemi squatted and pointed to the child’s chest so close that he might give him a hearty jab to the sternum. “Because I know I’m a good guy in here. Doesn’t change a thing what other people think, I’ll still do what the good guys do. And you’ll do that too, got it?”

“…” he pursed his lips and wanted to talk back, but he was frustrated he didn’t know how. His face flushed red.

“There’s gonna be a lot of people who think you’re a bad guy. Sometimes that’s gonna hurt, but you’ll be fine as long as you’re doing what’s right, got it? You’ll get a bunch of scars, but don’t worry, you’ll put on a bunch of muscle too. Someday nobody’s gonna be able to hurt you, so you can fighting all the demons out there without being scared of anything.”

“Sanemi?”

The Wind Pillar jolted at the sound of a woman’s voice. He ran pale as he looked up to the person who appeared behind the child, her hair neatly bound, and her striped kimono stretched to its limits around a big belly.

“Kaachan! Go back inside, I’m telling the bad guy to leave! I’ve got it handled!”

“Sanemi! Don’t be rude!” she turned red and snatched him by the wrist. There was more fear in her tone than anger, but she masked it instantly with a polite and apologetic smile to her adult son, the Wind Pillar. “I’m so sorry for him causing you trouble.”

Before she finished speaking she had tried to pick her child up and remove him back into the pitch-black house, and she was stopped by both of them.

“Kaachan, no! The baby!” “Please stop! Please don’t lift anything heavy!”

She did stop, for at that moment she took a better look at Sanemi’s face and was surprised by his scars. Her eyes went softer and wider, and her hand hovered toward his cheek. “Goodness. What have you been through?”

He cursed whatever demon was doing this, for how effective it was. He choked and his eyes stung. “It’s nothing,” he replied, then stomped away.

[katnissmellarkkk]

hi bestie! any drabbles of everlark in district 13, assuming they were both originally rescued that you could bless us with?🥰 maybe along the lines of Katniss going to visit Peeta’s bunk during the Capital’s bombing on 13 bc she knows his family isn’t there to share his space with him (and also bc she’s in love with this boy & starting to realize that)? :)

P.S omg pls never doubt your skills as a writer. I’m a big-time rhetoric major & think that your characterization & writing in general is one of the best!!! (and I’ve read A LOT of everlark stuff hahah, but they never hit the same as yours always seem to!) 💖

Hi, anon my bestie!!!! Okay so I started writing this like forever ago and it got lost in my drafts so I just found it again 😭😭😭. But better late than never, am I right? Please say I’m right 😅. Well anyways, I hope you enjoy this! I got a little carried away but I think I generally followed your prompt. And I can honestly say this is my favorite thing I’ve written in a while 🥳. And I don’t say that lightly. So I hope you and anyone else who reads this likes it too 😘❤️.

Oh and thank you for the compliment, you’re so sweet 🥲.

-

That's when the first bomb hits. There's an initial sense of impact followed by an explosion that resonates in my innermost parts, the lining of my intestines, the marrow of my bones, the roots of my teeth. We're all going to die, I think. My eyes turn upward, expecting to see giant cracks race across the ceiling, massive chunks of stone raining down on us, but the bunker itself gives only a slight shudder. The lights go out and I experience the disorientation of total darkness. Speechless human sounds--spontaneous shrieks, ragged breaths, baby whimpers, one musical bit of insane laughter--dance around in the charged air. Then there's a hum of a generator, and a dim wavering glow replaces the stark lighting that is the norm in 13. It's closer to what we had in our homes in 12, when the candles and fire burned low on a winter's night.

I reach for Prim in the twilight, clamp my hand on her leg, and pull myself over to her. Her voice remains steady as she croons to Buttercup. "It's all right, baby, it's all right. We'll be okay down here."

My mother wraps her arms around us. I allow myself to feel young for a moment and rest my head on her shoulder.

Out of the corner of my eye though, another figure captures my attention. Broad shoulders and strong back muscles — that not even the food rationing here in Thirteen could make lanky — look unusually hunched in the bunker’s dim light.

I wait for a long moment, anticipating another bone rattling explosion to sound. When none do though, my legs act on their own accord. I slip out from beneath my mother’s arm, murmuring to her and Prim that I’ll be right back.

Neither of them humor me with an answer. They both are well aware of what direction I’m heading towards. Of who I’m heading towards. And they know I probably won’t be back any time soon.

Ever since being rescued from the Quarter Quell, I’ve become more and more drawn to Peeta than ever before. He visited our home in Victor’s Village often enough after our first games, at first to just keep up appearances for the cameras, and then later on to keep me entertained while waiting for my foot and tailbone to heal. But not even his presence then compares to how clingy we’ve become to one another now.

My mother doesn’t even keep up pretenses anymore, always biding me a sleepy goodnight as I tiptoe by her bed. At this point, she is well aware of my tendency to slip into Peeta’s room after dark, to crawl between his sheets and into his arms whenever my nightmares come knocking. And she doesn’t even bother hiding this knowledge.

Not even Gale can pretend to be oblivious at this point. I sense his gaze on me now, his eyes locked on my back as I reach Peeta, sitting alone under the giant M, with not a single family member in sight. All others who share his initial are grouped off with their loved ones, leaving him to sit in this damp bunker in total solitude.

“Peeta,” I say quietly, alerting him of my presence. He jumps at the sound of my voice, clearly lost in the quiet his isolation provided.

But he recovers relatively quick and wordlessly reaches for me, wrapping an arm around the small of my waist as I sit down on his lap. Before he can say anything though, President Coin’s voice bleeds through the intercom system.

She thanks us for making a swift and orderly trip to the underground shelter, despite being given only a two minute evacuation warning. She also orders everyone to please stay with their assigned groups, beneath their initials.

“Oops,” I murmur dryly, shooting Peeta a guiltless look.

He snorts loudly, earning us some strange glances from the people nearby. Either because of our disruption or because Katniss Everdeen— who everybody in Thirteen knows by full name — is sitting with the M’s and clearly breaking protocol. I wonder if any of these citizens in Thirteen have ever even broken the rules themselves. Or even bent them a little. It’s hard to guess, with the way this place is run. It seems like no one, not even men three times my size, have the nerve to challenge their leader.

Which means to them, we must look like complete rebels.

But neither Peeta nor I care at all. Coin has never been the biggest fan of me and the feeling is completely mutual. She did like Peeta originally. From a distance, before they ever met, that is. Before any of us knew District Thirteen was still alive after all these years and someone named President Alma Coin even existed.

But Peeta and Coin’s first meeting soured him almost immediately on her leadership. I don’t know if it was her insistence that the hospital release us both to film propos before we were ready and recovered — me from the aftereffects of the concussion Johanna Mason gave me, Peeta from the knife wound he sustained as he snapped Brutus’ enormous neck — or if he just didn’t like her point blank, after finding out she tried to get the hovercraft to leave me behind in the arena. But either way doesn’t make much of a difference at this point.

Coin’s feelings for either of us one way or the other doesn’t affect where we are right now. Sitting in a dim bunker, hoping that Thirteen is as prepared for a brutal, nuclear attack as the president claims.

And if there were any issues with me sitting in the M section, I’m sure my upcoming wedding date would help clear them up.

I must be shivering — out of anticipation and dread or from the chilled underground air seeping through the material of my standard issue jumpsuit — because Peeta’s hand subtly moves from my waist to rub circles on the small of my back. “What’re you thinking about?” He asks a few seconds after Coin’s voice fades out from the audio system.

And I know I could make up an utter lie but I don’t even have the wherewithal to think of one. So instead I just blurt out the truth. “I’m trying to think of just about anything besides my father.”

His brows knit together in utter confusion. “Your father?”

“He died in an underground explosion,” I remind, watching as comprehension flickers quickly across his features.

“Katniss,” he murmurs empathetically. “I didn’t even think about that.”

I shrug it off though, wanting to move my mind further away from images of collapsed mines and mangled bodies stuck underground with no way out.

I never actually saw my father’s dead body, of course. After the mines exploded, they told my mother there was nothing left of him. That’s why for months after he died, a part of me couldn’t accept that he was really gone. My eleven-year-old brain couldn’t wrap itself around the idea that he would never again walk through the front door at nightfall. That he would never again sneak into my room in the morning to kiss me goodbye before he left, making every attempt to never actually wake me up. That he wasn’t there to take me into the woods, to hold my hand as we walked through the Hob together, to sing Prim to sleep at night.

My attempts at not thinking about my father’s death have only served in reminding me how much I miss him in life. I’m about the change the subject to something else entirely when a realization hits me like the tidal waves in the clock arena.

The reason Peeta is alone in this bunker in the first place lands on me, like a brick falling from the sky.

“Oh, Peeta,” I say in a tone so unlike myself. “I didn’t even think about your family.”

I know it probably was the least helpful thing I could have said, that my wording inevitably just made him feel worse if anything at all but I don’t even try to rectify it. I’m suddenly too overcome with heartache for the boy who lost his whole family in one fell swoop.

Their cause of death being me, of course. All because I blew out the arena. Snow decided to bomb the entire district and killed every single member of Peeta’s family — alongside the rest of the merchant class, save a couple handfuls — in a matter of moments.

And he doesn’t even pretend that his mind wasn’t already on the subject, even before I spoke. “I just hope they died quick,” he says before giving me a sheepish look.

He doesn’t look ashamed of his wording though. Because he knows of all people, I would be the one to understand.

And I do. I’ve had the same thought about my father in the mines countless times. I’ve always hoped he died before he could realize just how bleak his fate ultimately was.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper as I feel the bunker shake again, as I feel Peeta’s arm tighten around me, squeezing me against him hard enough to leave a bruise.

We wait for the explosion, all of us locked down here behind the steel doors, but it doesn’t seem to come. At least, if it did, I must have missed it.

“Katniss, don’t apologize for what you did in the arena,” Peeta murmurs, as if we didn’t just pause the conversation to wait for a bomb explosion. “And do not apologize for what Snow did to Twelve,” he adds on, his voice turning a shade darker than I’m used to, even now after everything.

I nod, only half listening to him. My mind is still fixated on the explosion that never came, that was more than expected after the initial impact. “They must have missed by a wider distance this time. That’s why we didn’t feel it as much,” Peeta rationalizes, practically reading my mind. But I still don’t turn to meet his eyes. Just like all those times in the arena, I know Snow isn’t going to stop until he gets what he wants, until he hits his desired target. I know there’s more coming. And until it does, I’m stuck, frozen in place, waiting for the explosion to hit me.

“Come on,” Peeta insists, pushing me out of his lap, succeeding in finally breaking me out of my trance.

“What’re you doing?” I say in a voice that comes across more irritated than I am. My stress leaks out as anger half the time. Peeta ignores it anyway. I didn’t even realize until now how good at ignoring my ire he’s become.

I watch as he pulls a mattress onto the ground, situating it as far as possible from the others grouped off in the M section. No one seems to be paying us any mind, thankfully. The last thing I want is an audience peering at me as I take Peeta’s proffered hand and crawl into the makeshift bed alongside him.

I lay my cheek against his heart as he tucks a blanket around us, listening to the faint, consistent beat through layers of fabric. Hoping it’ll soothe me now. Hoping it’ll lull me into even the faintest sense of relaxation.

“Are you still cold?” Peeta whispers, his mouth right by my forehead. Before I can give him a shrug, he’s already unzipping his jacket and waiting for me to scoot closer. And I oblige, without hesitation. I press myself against him, wondering for a second why this moment feels so very familiar.

“Remember when you shared your jacket with me on the cornucopia?” I say, as he fastens it around us.

It doesn’t take him long to recall. “Yeah, I remember. Kind of.” Off my look, he says, “I’d lost a lot of blood at that point. All I vividly remember is you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” he repeats, a little sardonically. “I remember thinking you were so beautiful. That I was so lucky to be there with you. And I just wanted to get you home alive and in one piece.”

I chuckle a little at that. I have to ignore the compliments, because I don’t know what to do with those. But I emphasize deeply with the last part. “I just wanted to get you home in one piece.”

“You almost succeeded,” he says, and then we’re both laughing. We’re both laughing unironically, our chests pressed together, one big huddle of anxiety and sleep deprivation and hysterical giggles filling our corner of the bunker.

But our reprieve is abruptly chopped off at the knees, as a wave of impact catches us both by surprise, the walls vibrating without warning. And then an explosion follows this time, only a second later.

Unlike the last time, this explosion is absolutely impossible to miss. It rattles me down to my core, bringing forth once more the definitive, gut-wrenching assertion in my mind that this whole bunker is going to give in and we’re all doomed.

The tears in my eyes must be visible, at least from a couple inches away, because Peeta starts to whisper soothing words to me now. He leans down and places an open mouth kiss on the side of my neck, and tries to calms me down. “Coin was right, this compound is made for this. There’s no way any of Snow’s bombs can touch us here. We’re safer than we’ve ever been.”

“I know you don’t think Coin is right about anything,” I say absently, searching nervously over my shoulder for Prim and my mother. I see them both faintly, underneath the E on the wall. They both seem unharmed, though their blue eyes are wide with fear, and I feel a wave of guilt for not being there to comfort them.

But I don’t want to leave Peeta and I find myself — much to my utter remorse — glad that I’m here, wound up tightly in his arms, instead of over there with a hissing Buttercup blowing stinky cat breath in my face.

“They’re okay,” Peeta promises, his eyes on my family as well. “Unlike us, Prim’s actually gone to class here. She knows better what to expect.” He’s joking again, trying to cut the tension pulsating so strongly within me, it’s bound to overtake my entire body, until I combust. “Katniss,” he murmurs, his voice more serious now. “Sweetheart, you need to calm down.”

“Distract me,” I say, knowing it’s a pretty impossible task. The shaking and shuddering of the bunker though seems to subside and that helps marginally to alleviate my nerves.

A rather melancholy look crosses his features as he opens his mouth to speak. “Have you heard any more of the details about our wedding?”

That does the trick. I let out a shaky laugh, feeling just as unhappy about our upcoming marriage ceremony as he appears to be.

Of course, we both should have seen it coming. After all, it’s only natural that the rebels would want to show the “Star-Crossed Lovers” tie the knot, in a national propo for their side of the war.

At least, it’s only natural for Coin.

I shake my head though, trying for once to keep our conversation light. Trying not to dwell on the fact that no matter where Peeta or I are, no matter who’s in charge, we’re always mere pawns in their eyes. We’re always pieces in someone else’s game.

“They offered to try and scrounge up a seamstress here to make the dress.” I make a face at the memory. “I said no.”

“Of course,” he agrees instantly, sounding rather certain. “You should wear a dress Cinna made you. Even if it’s not a wedding dress. Like that red one you wore in Seven.”

“I knew you liked that one,” I shoot back wryly, but my cheeks flush pink in embarrassment. I burrow deeper into his chest before he can notice. “I grabbed everything Cinna made me when the hovercraft took us back to Twelve. Told Plutarch to have someone else decide which one I’ll wear.”

“So the wedding dress will be a surprise for us all?” Peeta says, a clear attempt to make me laugh again. And it works, just a little. I let out a small chuckle just as Coin makes another announcement over the intercom. She explains something about missile attacks and that we could potentially be stuck down here for the next four or five days.

I feel Peeta sigh against me, not loving the idea of being trapped here any more than I am. Any more than Finnick or Haymitch — wherever the old drunk even is — must be.

Being trapped any place is never fun, in even a normal person’s book. But it’s infinitely worse for a victor. It’s infinitely more terrifying when you’ve been trapped before and it was also related to the threat of imminent death.

I unconsciously run my fingers up and down Peeta’s side, trying to soothe him the way he has so many times me. “We’ll be okay,” I promise, though I don’t even know what I’m talking about. The only people who know are Coin and her higher ranks. And something tells me they wouldn’t tell us, even if the bunker was about to collapse in on itself.

“Yeah,” he pretends to agree and presses his lips to my forehead for a long moment, letting them linger there. “We’re going to be just fine.”

And I guess because there’s nowhere else to go, and because I’ve been wanting to say it for weeks now and just haven’t had the time or the courage, I suddenly blurt out, “Peeta? I really am sorry.”

His bleary eyes grow wide for a second, as my abrupt change in demeanor registers. “For what?”

For blowing out the arena. For starting this war and throwing both our lives into chaos. For not faking being madly in love well enough to satisfy Snow. For getting his whole family killed. For the wedding we’re both now being forced into, for Plutarch’s stupid propo.

For all the things I never said and everything I didn’t do. For everything I didn’t understand until it was far too late.

Instead of reiterating any of this back to him though, I simply murmur, “I’m sorry for everything.”

I feel his arms tighten around me and his heartbeat speed up a little. He doesn’t reply right away and after a couple minutes pass, I just assume he’s not planning to. But then, in the quiet buzz of the night, as the generator lights flicker for a split second, he murmurs, “Katniss, listen to me.”

I lean away from his embrace, trying to catch a better look at his face. “What?”

“I know neither of us are having a great time right now.” He can’t even finish that sentence with a totally straight face. The panic attacks, hospital stays, gruesome nightmares, the constant filming of rebel propaganda and arguments with the district leaders themselves, all likely flashing before his eyes. “But I want you to know that I am happy about the wedding.”

I give him a puzzled look, not believing my ears. “You are?” I thought we were both dreading our wedding, the same way you dread getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.

He chuckles at my expression. “I’m happy that I’m marrying you,” he continues, the corners of his mouth lifting up. “I’m not excited about anything else but… I do feel really lucky that you’re going to be my wife.” He punctuates the sentence with a real smile now. A happy smile, with the slightest hint of shyness. Visible to maybe only me.

And I don’t have the words to respond. Peeta’s gift isn’t just the way he can paint pictures in people’s minds with the stories he tells. It’s the way he can reduce me to a dumbfounded seventeen-year-old with just a couple sentences.

He really deserves a wife who can tell him how she feels, who doesn’t do a pendulum swing nearly every other week. Who doesn’t tell him she needs him the night before she thinks she’s bound to die, and then refuse to speak about the instance for over a month in a foreign district.

But instead he’s stuck with me. Me and my nonsensical statements, that come pouring out of my mouth before I can stop myself.

“I promise I’ll keep you safe,” I vow, because that’s the one thing I know deep in my veins that I can guarantee. The one thing I can swear by for the rest of our lives, whether spent here in Thirteen, in a free country or in Snow’s personal torture chamber. I can promise to defend him with everything there is inside me. “I’ll always protect you,” I say, my eyes boring deeply into his now.

“I feel safer already,” he says and then forces a smile that doesn’t touch his eyes. He’s still trying to make me feel better. “I’m going to be the safest husband in all of Panem.”

“Shut up,” I retort, rolling my eyes but he got to me. And I’m smiling once again.

I’m smiling way too much for someone hiding in an underground bunker during an air raid. For someone who has the biggest target in the country on her back. And for someone who’s marrying the second biggest target in almost no time at all.

Peeta catches me by surprise once again. His leans in, closing the minuscule space between our faces and presses his lips to mine in a quick kiss. I catch myself even more by surprise though, my mouth instinctively returning his kiss. And I don’t regret it either, I realize.

“Go to sleep, Katniss,” he instructs, pulling me closer into the circle of his arms again as our lips part. “Close your eyes and go to sleep.”

I let out a sigh, breathing in a scent so familiar to me, in a place that still feels so completely foreign.

I do find myself dozing off relatively quick, as with my eyes shut nothing feels any different from falling asleep at night, curled up in Peeta’s bed.

His fingertips even run up and down my spine, repeating same motion I was doing to his side minutes ago. And it does the trick. Slowly and gently, he lulls me to sleep.

“Peeta,” I whisper as my dreams — more like low-grade nightmares — begin to pull me under.

“Don’t worry. If anything big happens, I’ll wake you up,” he promises, his cheek pressing against my hair.

But that’s not the only thing I wanted to ask. “And you’ll stay?” I ask, not wanting to wake up here, on this cold stiff mattress, without him by my side. “You’ll stay with me?”

I barely hear the word as sleep overpowers all else. But I catch it at the very last moment.

“Always.”

-

[ninapi]

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┊┊┊✧ ⁺ ⁺╚══ Osamu Version ╝

Premise: Fighting his own blood for what he wanted had always been an everyday thing for Osamu, but this time was different, he wouldn't let anyone have you, not even his twin brother. Before you, mating was just a concept of survival for them, but love can change someone to unimaginable lengths.

Word Count: 3336

Chapter 2: True Love

True love has different meanings to different people.

What is it even? It’s a really complex question.

To some it could be something as simple as a kiss good night, to others something as complex as a true sacrifice. 

To Miya Atsumu, it meant choosing his family over his selfish wishes. 

To Suna Rintarou, sharing what he had to make the one he loves and his best friend as happy as possible, even at the cost of his own happiness. 

To Kita Shinsuke, fighting his birth right to defend what the woman he loved wanted, fight for her happiness, even when it didn’t involve him at all.

To Miya Osamu was as simple as to look in your eyes the first time you opened them the first time you met. Simple yet complex, a bond was created that day, one that couldn’t be broken regardless of the efforts of multiple foxes. The purest form of it all, simple, inexplicable, teenage love.

As for you, true love wasn’t something you could define, but feel. You felt home in Osamu’s arms, safe, happy, needed, wanted. Just sharing a meal together was a wholesome experience, holding his hand felt like needles piercing your heart and filling it out with pudding. Not an easy thing to explain, mind you, but just as pure as his love for you was.

Defining a way to find true love was as hard as trying to explain why we live in this era and not another, the answer was simple, but it explained nothing.

So when you were told the only way of saving you was finding it, you were sure you wouldn’t make it in time. Some look for it their entire life and end up old and gray, alone in their room until their last breath.

But the way you were glowing like some sort of weird goddess of a fairytale was most likely an indication that you have found it.

It is still not clear if it was the decision to help you and Osamu from the other three young foxes, or Osamu’s intense dedication, it could have been even your own will to not give up and wait for your beloved. 

Regardless of how it was obtained, Inari’s blessing was no longer a myth.

“Kita-sama, what’s going on?” you were visibly distressed, not only glowing but somewhat levitating from the bed you were currently in.

“I think…I think you made it (Y/N)…I think this is the blessing…” he ran to the bookshelf in the corner of your room where he had placed a few books for you to entertain yourself a few days back. One of them had the story of the blessing, a curated version of course, the one mothers tell their pups during bed time, but that should do. “And love was then visible as the glow of the goddess was bestowed on the wielder of such pure love.” he looked at you awestruck, even if his grandparents were the actual protagonists of this love story, it felt so surreal to be in the presence of such beauty. It moved him to tears.

“That’s what the story says? I was supposed to glow like this? What does it mean?”

“Well my grandpa became a fox not long after that, then he got his human lifespan extended as one of us. I think…I should go call Osamu…but I don’t want to leave you alone like this…” it was almost comical how you were just floating over the bed with a panicked look in your face, but there was so little information about this said transformation, he wasn’t sure if it would be painful or how long it would even take, he didn’t want you to be alone during this process.

“You can go, I’ll wait here~” the soft smile on your face at the mention of his name was all he needed as confirmation that he was doing the right thing, but it tugged at his heartstrings, “I’ll send someone to look for him and stay with you…” in all truth you appreciated the comfort he always brought, he was a gentleman and it was clear to anyone that he really cared for you, as sad as that was, he did make you feel like everything would be alright, and that was exactly what you needed at the moment.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Osamu came rushing through the door in a matter of minutes, not even he knew he could run that fast.

“Baby…you’re still glowing, what’s going on? Are you in pain?” unlike Kita, Samu got in your bed and pulled you down in his arms, the levitation sort of spell breaking at the contact of his skin on yours.

“I’m actually feeling great, my strength has been returning slowly since I started glowing.” he just nodded, turning his attention to Kita. “Does that mean she’s safe now?”

“I can’t say for certain, we need to keep a close look on her and see how things develop, I would say tonight will be crucial.” not even five minutes later Atsumu and Rin came running past the door as well, heavily panting and glaring at Osamu for getting there faster.

“What does getting this blessing even entail? I know the old man got a few hundred years on his belt after that, but does it come with any other perk?” the story was the favorite bed time story of many, but not the one for the Miya house hold, meaning the twins didn’t know much about this whole thing.

“It didn’t do more than that, honestly. But it came with a prophecy. The next time it was granted would be to Inari’s heir, a baby born out of humans to bring peace and prosperity to our village.”

“So that means it was in her destiny to meet us and choose a fox to bring ‘prosperity’ to the village…? That’s insane…even for this place.” Suna wasn’t easy to convince, but the partly golden aura leaving your body was already pretty nonsensical to him.

Kita just nodded to his statement, while you and Osamu just snuggled closely under the bed covers. He wanted to make sure you were fine, while trying to control his urges of kissing you right there and then, excitement covered his normally dull eyes at the thought of being able to grow old with you by his side.

“Get a room…jeez…” pouty Atsumu was your favorite Atsumu, hence it made you chuckle, “This is my room, silly fox.”

“Oh..yeah..right…then ugh…don’t do that in front of us…makes me want to decapitate my brother…” 

“Chill dude, we need to figure this out before going at our throats again... So she won’t be sick anymore as long as she brings pups to the clan, is that how it goes?”

“Well not sure if there’s a set of rules in place, there’s nothing more to the prophecy. I would say she’ll be fine as soon as she turns into a fox which I’d say is…happening rather quickly…” his eyes turned to two fluffy tails entwined together on top of the bed covers, it happened so naturally not you nor Osamu even noticed.

“Oh my god! It’s that mine??” you were pulling at it from your bum, wincing in pain as it was indeed part of your body now. “How is this possible???”

“Babe…” Osamu was now nuzzling his face against your head, a new pair of fluffy ears now adorning it beautifully. 

The squeal that left your lips made the servants run into your room.

“I’m a fox!!” 

“Mhm…the prettiest one…” his lips were peppering loving kisses to the side of your face, holding you as close to him as he physically could.

“Oh my, are you in heat or something?”

“Don’t know never had one of those before…”

“I’d say he is….”

“Yeah, I must agree with the statement…”

Their comments made you blush, you knew Samu better than them, at least this side of him, this was his normal self but it was indeed weird he was showing them what you normally do behind closed doors.

“Something’s off guys…I mean he is always like this but ummm…not in public?”

“Could it be the blessing? He’s your mate after all…”

“Oh…’Prosperity’…I get it now…”

“God, you’re so slow..” Suna was facepalming himself, dealing with Atsumu at this time wasn’t ideal. “I’d say we should give them some space, otherwise we’ll end up watching something none of us want to see…” nodding, Kita left immediately, that was a terrifying thought, he didn’t need to know what you guys did in bed…that was for sure. While Atsumu in the other hand was quite intrigued and had to be removed by the guards. 

“So…prosperity, huh…?” as the night went by, the golden glow deemed down and by morning you were fully a fox. An inconvenience rather, to the elders at least, as once a fox is claimed physically there’s no turning back.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Mama Miya presented the claim officially the very next morning to the council, demanding things to be processed accordingly. The bond has been made, both emotionally and physically, it can’t be undone.

“She is Inari’s heir, I will not allow you to involve me in the doom of the village, if she’s with me we won’t have any pups, she’s been claimed as mate already, and bestowed with a blessing…Isn’t that what you wanted? The village to be swarming with pups?” the elders where whispering things to one another, clear distaste shown on their features at the leader’s outburst, this was unheard of.

“Inari’s heir? Where did you get those fables from, boy? That’s all in your head, she’s just another fox now, she must obey our rules and traditions.”

“Exactly, the rules and traditions say once a claim has been properly consummated, there’s no way back, an unbreakable bond is made. And that bond was done with Miya, not with me.” the whispering just intensified in the room, your ears were still too sensitive, not yet used to the enhanced hearing they acquired the night before.

“Do you not wish for her to be the mother of your pups, your lordship? I’ve seen the way you look at her…” this made Osamu recoil, he’s seen it too and it’s been a constant reminder of how he had to act quick before a higher claim was made.

“Since when do you care for what I want? This is quite new, you always want what’s best for the village, and right now that’s (Y/N) having pups for our future generations, doesn’t really matter if they’re mine or Miya’s, we are both royal blood.” to this they weren’t able to say anything, he was right, in reality they were both descendants of pure bloods, this wasn’t to be discussed, it was plain outrageous that they kept on pushing it when they were the ones to chose lady Suna for him as mate.

“My lords, please…I just want to be of service to the village just as much as you. I’m now part of the community officially and I wish to live my life to its full extent, with the fox I love. Our bond, has been made, I can assure you it is true.” your rosy cheeks didn’t lie, they were able to see it in your eyes and in Osamu’s overly touchy behavior, it had been done.

“You said the last time you didn’t want to bring war to the clans and that’s why you weren’t breaking the leader’s current engagement. But I can tell you this much, if you keep getting in our way, I will bring war to you. Nobody will steal my mate from me, is that clear?” Osamu was snarling at this point, his canines out shining with pride, ready to bite someone in the throat if they even dared to breathe. But your soft touch over one of his hands brought him back into your embrace, turning him into a soft ball of mush in seconds. The display was too much of a show for them to ignore it, you were clearly in control of the situation, the claim was made officially and the bond has been proven to them just now.

“We do not wish for war, young master. All we want is for our legacy to continue. If you manage to bring at least one pup to this world within twelve moons time, the council will allow the formal union of the Miya clan with the heir.” it wasn’t ideal, but at least it was something.

“Twelve moons? Isn’t that too soon? A pup takes nine to come out…If it was this easy to conceive them we wouldn’t be in a pinch right now…Seems to me like you’re setting an impossible task to set them up for failure. You know I dislike treachery, even if we are foxes.” there has never been such an honorable leader in this village, he was certainly promising, a bright future with equal rights and mutual respect for every one.

“We can do it, no worries. For all we know, there might even be one in her already.” you slapped his arm softly, his mother was starring at you with a blushy slightly embarrassed look, he needed to start filtering what he says and does in public, is becoming overwhelming.

Fox hormones are no joke.

“We will do our best to fulfill the promise, I can promise you that much. Would it be too much to ask for a petition on one of the hill top cottages? We need our own space you know to ‘make’ the pups and all.”

“He’s in heat…” Atsumu whisper-yells at the audience while pointing at his twin, trying to cover for his brother’s constant outbursts, making you want earth to swallow you whole.

“The motion is approved. However, if you fail to deliver results, the cottage will be taken away from you as well.” nodding, you brought Samu with you, out of the council room before they changed their mind.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

The hilltop cottages were the newest expansion of the village, they had been there waiting for new families to live in them for a few years now, yet due to the lack of pups, new couples were a rare occasion.

Yours was the very first one of them to be occupied, hence you got the best one of them, the one at the very top.

It was big, had three bedrooms, a large kitchen and living space combined, even the bathroom was connected to the local hot springs, a dream house really.

But the best part was the view. 

You could see the entire village from your kitchen window, and it had the best sunset viewing spot you could ever wish for.

Overall was a great deal, not only was the cottage lovely, but the area was completely deserted, which meant absolute privacy. Something you two had never had before.

Saying the ‘pup making’ process went full speed ahead was an understatement.

Not even a minute after touring the cottage, it had already been tainted by the relentless fox who couldn’t keep his paws to himself. But of course it didn’t stop there, you were finally allowed to be together, to do as you please without time limits, without spectators, just you and him, no one else. 

It was thrilling, enticing, irresistible. 

He just wanted you everywhere, all the time, and you thought he was the twin with less stamina of the two, turns out you were very wrong. Your fox was really in heat apparently, but so were you.

Two souls addicted to the other, living up a mountain on their own…let’s just say it wasn’t as hard of a task as they all thought it would be.

While the council did ask for that as a way of breaking your relationship for good, they thought it was just not possible to conceive this fast, that’s why they were declining in numbers after all, fox pups from the clans of the south were rare. For you two it was clearly an easy task. 

Your round belly was seen parading around the council building a few moons after the initial request, turning the village upside down with excitement. The first pups in such a long time, lady Suna had been the last one to arrive and that was already such a long time ago. 

Having multiples was easy for majority of their kind, but for the foxes from the south… they came out on their own, that was of course until the twins came around, identical at that, even more rare. The foxes from the north were known to deliver four, even five at once, the ones in the west had similar numbers, though the east and the south were the complete opposite. 

High expectations were set for Inari’s heir, you might even be able to bring five at once! So exciting! Those were the rumors going around the village. Yet reality was very different. Having been a multiple himself, Samu had more chances than others of making this rumor come to life, but it didn’t at least not with the first pup.

A beautiful little pup came just in time a moon before the deadline, bringing not only joy but also a bountiful harvest like no other had been seen before.

Inari herself represents so much more, and prosperity as a whole ended up being more than just little ones. 

The village was thriving in every way, even new comers from other fox villages were planing on moving to some of the hilltop houses. Before Kita Shinsuke, it was forbidden. Every clan should stick to their own village and never leave, but thanks to all his efforts, he was able to sign an agreement with the rest of the villages for trading and came with other perks. 

He didn’t want to be part of that secluded village everyone feared, the only way to not let the village die couldn’t depend on a single fox and how many pups she can carry. More villagers were needed, new faces and old came to live in harmony with the current ones to bring the village back to how it was years back.

Aran was allowed back with his family, his beautiful wife had two pups already, hybrids weren’t a taboo anymore, they were welcomed back home to bring more diversity and love to the once closed-off village.

As for the council, Kita decided to build them a resort of some sort for them to retire and leave them alone at once. The seats of said council being replaced by no others than the twins, Sunarin, Aran, Omimi and you, the first female to sit in a council chair. A new generation working towards progress and prosperity. 

Love did end up saving said village. Not how they expected it to play out, but without you, things would have never change. You were the key to prosperity, they all learned so much thanks to you, they learned about kindness, teamwork and of course, love.

The fox village would never be the same. 

And that was a good thing.

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Note: And that's it, the last chapter for this long, long series! I'm thankful to those of you who still read my Haikyuu stories. I appreciate you a lot. As for what's next...TsukkiYama is all I'm gonna say~ 👀

Previous Chapter Masterlist

[timelessduet]

For Victor: 4th Entry

Happy birthday to our grand miracle in life, Victor Li.

Sweet Serenity

How does one get rest? Most people get it by sleeping… some by doing what they are passionate about… and others by just being in the presence of their beloved.

What about Victor? How does LFG’s successful CEO find time to rest despite being known as probably the most workaholic person in Loveland City?

MC: Knock, knock. How is Mr. Victor doing?

Hearing the girl’s voice, Victor turned off the monitor with interview questions before turning his attention to her.

Victor: A certain dummy seems to be slacking off today. I believe she told me she’d do her best to be more productive as a New Year’s resolution. 

MC: I am being more productive, my dear CEO. I’ve been out and about these past few days and… is it wrong to miss you? 

She was teasing in her tone but Victor didn’t mind indulging her every once in a while.

Victor: Mmm so you do admit that you’ve become a workaholic instead of working at a healthy pace. Who was the one who told me to get some rest more and not work like a horse?

MC: That’s… hmpp maybe this was a bad idea. Goldman told me you didn’t have anything on your schedule this afternoon so I decided to visit but… I’ll probably leave then.

Why does it seem like Goldman is becoming more of her secretary than mine? Victor silently thought before letting out a soft sigh.

Victor: And here I had already planned a bountiful dinner later this evening at Souvenir. Maybe I should just cancel that and have Goldman reschedule my meetings for today then.

He knew everything there is to know about this one girl and there is no question that she will always have a soft spot for food… specifically his cooking. MC stopped in her tracks and gave him a hopeful look.

MC: On second thought, I am an understanding girlfriend aside from being an amazing producer. I don’t mind the least waiting for you no matter how long it takes.

MC: How I missed the great chef of Souvenir’s cooking! And of course, pudding.

Victor: The gluten is full again. I’m glad. 

Rest… Peace… Tranquility… Maybe it was when she eats everything he cooks happily despite claiming she needs to go on a strict diet. 

MC: I am not a gluten. The food is just too delicious. We should never deny blessings as the elder say, right? But Victor… 

There was a long pause before it was continued.

MC: Did you know a friend got in touch with me today? She’s from Loveland Business Magazine. 

Victor quietly listened to MC as she spoke already having an idea where the conversation was headed.

MC: She asked me if you don’t mind answering the question they gave you for an interview? If the question was a bit intrusive, they said you didn’t have to answer it. I wanted to know what the question was but my friend told me it was up to you if you’d share it with me. 

Victor: That friend of yours must be smart to not let you know. A dummy shouldn’t be too nosy. 

She was just too kind and oblivious sometimes. Victor knew people would try whatever they can to get close to him whatever means necessary even if it meant going through the people he loved her. But then, even if he worried, there was no doubt in his mind MC could handle herself. The trust they had for one another was built in this lifetime.

Victor: About the sample question… it has something to do with how one rests. 

MC: That question does suit a workaholic capitalistic tyrant such as yourself, CEO Victor. I’m sure the citizens of Loveland are also indeed curious about how you rest while handling a business empire.

MC can’t help but let out a small giggle. Even though she is coquettish at times, she spreads happiness and light into his days life.

Victor: Not going to ask me what my answer is?

MC: After knowing you for so long, I’m sure you’ll let me know if you want to. It’s fine I suppose. I’ll just have to buy the magazine to know. My friend and their magazine will have a boost in sales thanks to a certain greedy cat.

Victor: A dummy through and through. If there’s anyone who knows the answer to how I rest, that would be you.

Hearing this, the girl’s face reddened before thoughtlessly shifting the conversation to another topic. 

MC: CEO Victor is his own person. What I think may be different from yours. It’s always been that way but of course, not all the time. Anyway, he should really also stop asking me too much. After all, I still have a lot to learn from the most successful person in Loveland.

Victor: I believe I need to learn more from you on the aspect of birthday surprises that are not as subtle as to speak. Indeed there is still a lot of you to learn including the element of keeping surprises a secret. 

Victor was the one who had an upcoming birthday surprise but it seemed as though MC was the one left in shock. There really was nothing that the girl can hide from Victor. 

Gazing tenderly to MC’s flabbergasted form, Victor always knew the response to that question.

Rest could be obtained through various forms. Sleep, relaxation, hobbies, work, passion, travel, love… Every single person has their own kind of rest.

Looking back, there was a time where his rest still involved working himself to the bone. Maybe throwing in some hobbies from cooking, equestrian, and fencing. 

But for Victor now? Rest is a person. 

Rest is her. Her scent, her voice, her feelings, and her love.

The serenity in his life.

[Author’s Note]: It’s been a long while since I’ve written stories for him. Although a day late, I wish my favorite mlqc guy a happy birthday. May our little Vic, MC, as well as all of you guys stay happy today and every day. 

[yawnzznbear]

may i present to you, TXT ⭐️ as things my teammates and or coaches have said and or done 💫 (i’m a cheerleader) part 1 💘

⭐️ disclaimer: none of the boys have actually said any of these quotes, this is just for funsies! i’m also not shipping any of them, my friends joke around with each other while saying this stuff lmao. ENJOY!

beomgyu: i feel like i might pass out

⭐️

kai: i feel like we should all bark at the end, but like a puppy, like roof!

⭐️

yeonjun: i’m gonna get taehyun to kill my ex. taehyun how do you feel about murder if it’s justified?

⭐️

soobin: there’s ten minutes left of practice and he wants us to go full out? is he nuts?

⭐️

taehyun: there are about 700 note cards shoved under my door... what the hell did i miss last night?

⭐️

yeonjun: come to room 606 now. I SAID NOW! WHY AREN’T YOU HERE YET?

⭐️

kai: HELLO? ARE U DEAD? can u please confirm ur not dead bc like… ur my ride.

⭐️

taehyun: i need new friends.

beomgyu: *screams in the distance*

taehyun: yeah… really need new friends.

⭐️

beomgyu: or... how about we cancel practice and have team nap time? sound good?

⭐️

kai: we’re all gonna die tonight! how fun! some very effective team bonding.

⭐️

taehyun: you know, you’re supposed to catch the foot with your hands, not your face. that might help with the bloody noses.

⭐️

yeonjun: W is for the Way you turn us on ;)

⭐️

taehyun: i’ll literally strangle her if she doesn’t watch herself

⭐️

beomgyu: *animated story telling* this is the time i got four avocados instead of four limes and taehyun told me i was a menace to society

⭐️

kai: HELP ME OUT HELP ME OUT

soobin: FOCUS KAI

⭐️

soobin: are we about to kiss right now?

yeonjun: yes. don’t question it.

⭐️

beomgyu: don’t put a question mark where god put a period

⭐️

kai: I’m very confused right now. let me get back to you in about 3 to 5 business days

⭐️

yeonjun: the diggity dogs are about to body ALL OF YOU. y’all didn’t even see it coming.

⭐️

beomgyu: i’m like... an insecure narcissist. sometimes i think i’m ugly, sometimes i think i’m god’s gift to the world. currently, you’re all very blessed to be in my presence.

⭐️

yeonjun: you’re my husband soobin

soobin: i mean, yes of course. b-but when did we-

⭐️

beomgyu: *gets hit by a car* whoop there i go!

⭐️

beomgyu: you all would be so bored without me.

⭐️

yeonjun: i’m literally quitting. this is my last practice. see you all never!

soobin: aw thats so sad. see you tomorrow.

⭐️

yeonjun: WHERE THE ARE YOU GOING? YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE OVER THERE!

⭐️

taehyun: *glares from above* i swear to god if you drop m- *smiles brightly at audience*

⭐️

beomgyu: it wasn’t my fault!

taehyun: you literally stood there and watched as the stunt fell-

⭐️

taehyun: what do you think they’d do if we just like... walked out? it’s not like they can stop us-

⭐️

kai: *shows presents labeled “to yeonjun from yeonjun”* christmas is the season of giving, but if you’re yeonjun then christmas is the season of receiving

⭐️

beomgyu: *in disbelief* that was a red light- he just ran a- GO! WHY AREN’T WE GOING? 1 2 3 GO! I HAVE PLACES TO BE!

⭐️

taehyun: i have a very dark sense of humor. it’s black like my soul.

beomgyu: as if you have a soul

taehyun: that was mean :(

⭐️

yeonjun: good morning! you look lively.

taehyun: *glares* shut up

⭐️

kai: my cry count is up to 17 this year :) 16 was because yeonjun and soobin were nice to me :)

⭐️

soobin: stay safe and stay sober

beomgyu: i’ll stay sober!

soobin: *concerned* um- alright-

⭐️

taehyun: *on the phone with beomgyu* where are you going?

beomgyu: i don’t know

taehyun: alright... who are you with?

beomgyu: uh i don’t know...

taehyun: when will you be home?

beomgyu: bet! *hangs up*

taehyun: but-

⭐️

beomgyu: i say we blame yeonjun if kai’s ceiling fan falls

taehyun: but he isn’t even in the room-

beomgyu: that’s fine. we always blame everything on him anyway. 

⭐️

taehyun: IM NOT JAYWALKING AGAIN! IM 18! ILL LITERALLY GO TO PRISON!

⭐️

yeonjun: it wasn’t good but it was better… but it still wasn’t good

⭐️

beomgyu: fuck

soobin: BEOMGYU

kai: BEOMGYU NO

beomgyu: oh my god WHAT?

⭐️

taehyun: *gets hit in the nose by kai*

kai: OH MY GOD I THINK I HIT HIS EYE

soobin: you good taehyun?

taehyun: *holding his nose* oh. i’m bleeding

kai: OUT OF YOUR EYE?

⭐️

kai: *messes up their handshake and walks away without redoing it*

yeonjun: *the it boy was too stunned to speak*

⭐️

kai: hey soobin, when is practice?

soobin: 10!

kai: ok

kai: *20 minutes later* hey taehyun, when is practice?

taehyun: 10

kai: ok

kai: *a few hours later* hey beomgyu, when is practice?

beomgyu: uhhhhh 10 :)

kai: ok

kai: *shows up late to practice*

yeonjun: did he not… ask us all what time practice was? everyone told him 10 right?

beomgyu: yeah

kai: hi guys! wait… did practice start? i thought it was at 10:30…

taehyun: *noises of disbelief*

⭐️

kai: i have a lot of funko pops :)

soobin: what are funko pops?

beomgyu: what the funko?

⭐️

beomgyu: y’all are so FAKE

⭐️

kai: i don’t get it why is everything better at 4am? i feel AMAZING!

taehyun: it’s called being delirious and overtired

kai: okay? so i should be delirious and overtired all the time? got it! thanks taehyun!

taehyun: oh that’s not-

⭐️

yeonjun: alright everyone grab a reindeer!

⭐️

soobin: We need to sing kai a happy birthday, as he is 18 today!

taehyun: *enthusiastically* Wow 18! you can officially be charged as an adult and go to prison!

kai: *blinks*

⭐️

yeonjun: *is on the ground from getting hit in the head with a ball*

taehyun: i can’t tell if he’s laughing or crying

beomgyu: he’s definitely laughing

kai: no no he’s definitely crying

soobin: *the only one helping him* hes doing both.

⭐️

yeonjun: i hope you get a real ostrich as a flyer

⭐️

soobin: *falls* merry christmas! *uses it as a curse word*

taehyun: w-what?

⭐️

beomgyu: *falls* that was a W!

taehyun: *flabbergasted*

i’ll post more as things happen but this is it for now. I hope u got a laugh out of it!

[devilmayfamily]

Day 2 - "I'm proud of you, you know that right?"

You were struggling. Ok, you were really drowning. College papers were piling up everywhere on your desk, homework for said college classes were approaching their due dates and that's excluding the crazy family you had to take care of still. You were working towards your master degree and if your mom warned you about anything, it was the load of work you’d be doing. And boy was it a ton of work.

You sat at the kitchen table, laptop in your lap as you typed up another essay for the week, knees resting on the table where the rest of your papers and notes sat out. Highlighters, pens and other stationary filled in the gaps between the papers and notebooks. An empty coffee cup also sat nearby, a ring forming underneath the mug onto the table and a piece of paper.

Your husband had come home from picking up your child from school, kicking their shoes off and walking into the room but went unnoticed by you as your focus was elsewhere. It wasn’t until your son screamed out a “hi mommy!” that alerted you to their presence.

“Oh! Hi baby”, you say. You put the laptop on the table, switching it for your son. “How was school?”

“I got to see a cow and I pet a chicken and then we colored all day”, Nero rambled, the boy giving you every detail of his day.

“That sounds amazing sweetie”, you say.

“Are we having mac & cheese for dinner tonight mommy?”, Nero asks with hopeful eyes.

“I’m sorry baby but I don’t think we’ll be able to”, you reply.

“But we haven’t had mac & cheese in forever”, Nero exaggerates, leaning back in your hold.

“I know baby but mommy’s been busy.” You were trying to very gently get the boy to give up on the creamy side dish he’s been obsessed with for months lately.

“Stop being busy then”, Nero says, a little upset.

“Nero.” Your husband gives your son a stern glare, the boy giving you an apologetic look.

“I promise I’ll make you mac & cheese tomorrow”, you say.

“Pinkie promise?”, Nero asks, holding out his little finger.

You smile and link yours with his. “I pinkie promise.” You both seal the deal by kissing your thumbs.

Nero smiles, sliding off your lap and running off to his room, tapping his dad as he passes him.

You sigh, leaning back in your chair. The exhaustion finally starts to catch up to you as your last cup of coffee begins to wear off.

“How long have you been sitting here?”, Vergil asks.

“Only since 7”, you reply.

Looking at the clock, Vergil shakes his head. Almost 9 hours. The numerous empty keurig cups on the counter told Vergil you’ve been running off of the substance since then as well.

“Alright you, time to get up”, Vergil says, coming up behind you and picking you up off the chair.

“Oh but I’m almost done”, you whine.

“No, it’s about time you had a break”, Vergil says. He carried you to the couch, setting you down and draping a blanket over you.

“Can I at least have my computer?”, you ask.

Vergil shakes his head no, handing you a book from your to read pile that was slowly taking over a shelf on the bookcase behind the tv.

“You don’t need to be staring at a screen anymore today”, Vergil says. “You just need to rest and I’ll take care of everything else this afternoon.”

“Oh hun, you don’t need to do that”, you counter. 

You were always bad at taking breaks or asking for help. Since meeting Vergil, he’s really helped you relax more and think about yourself every now and then. Your mom always tells you it’s a blessing that you two met or you’d be 6ft under coffee cups and papers by now.

“As your husband and someone who cares about your well being, I’m taking care of you tonight”, Vergil announces, having now moved to clean off the kitchen table.

He stacked all your notebooks together, making sure that papers went into their respective notebook and put all your stationery back into the little pencil bag you owned. He took the pile of college work and your laptop back to your office, setting them on your desk. Vergil came back to the kitchen, heating you up some herbal tea, adding lemon and honey to it. He handed you the mug, tucking you in and fluffing the pillow behind you.

“Relax honey, you’ve worked hard today”, he says, placing a kiss on your forehead.

You watched him for a moment, as he went around tidying up things here and there. Eventually you opened up the book he’d handed you and fell into the fantasy world and all its characters. You were able to get away from reality, not noticing as Vergil and Nero walked around you, mumbling and talking to one another and themselves. At some point you recognized your mother-in-laws voice as she’d called her son to see how things were and catch up.

Soon the smell of her beef stew began to fill your nose, Vergil having brought the recipe home one afternoon after picking Nero up from spending time with his grandparents.

 You put your bookmark in, setting the book on the nearby coffee table before sitting up to look at Vergil who was humming to himself as he made dinner. The oven dinged, the clock on the microwave read 5:30 pm and Vergil turned off the stove.

“Dinner is ready my lady”, Vergil says, pulling a casserole dish out of the oven and setting it on two oven mitts on the counter.

“What did you make my lord?”, you ask, getting up from your spot on the couch and approaching Vergil in the kitchen.

“Beef stew, rice and some mac & cheese”, Vergil replies.

“Mac & cheese?”, came a voice from the stairs.

You both look to see your son peeking out from around the corner, his eyes wide as he looks to see the mentioned side dish cooling on the counter.

“That’s correct my boy.” Vergil walks over and picks up Nero, carrying him into the kitchen.

“Want to help mommy set the table?”, you ask. Nero nods, Vergil handing him to you.

You and Nero pull plates and silverware from the drawers and cabinets, setting the table with glasses and napkins for everyone.

Vergil sets down the food, now in easier to get to bowls, in the middle of the table along with a pitcher of sweet tea.

You all sit down, thanking Vergil for cooking and soon digging in. Once Nero had finished, the boy was extremely sleepy. After debating with you about it, Vergil took him to his room, tucking him in as Nero quickly fell asleep.

“He didn’t fuse?”, you ask.

“Out like a light”, Vergil replies.

You smile, glad Nero was content and sleeping soundly. You normally took him to bed because he seemed to only go down when it was you tucking him in, mama’s boy, but tonight mac & cheese seemed to do just the trick.

“I’m proud of you, you know that right?”, Vergil asks, walking over to you.

“How could I not? You tell me every single day”, you reply.

“And you know I mean it?”, Vergil asks. Vergil was very bad at emoting properly but you always seemed to know how he felt about everything, especially you.

“Always”, you reply.

Vergil smiles, leaning down to kiss you on the lips.

“I’m proud of you too”, you say.

Vergil smiles, placing a kiss on your forehead. You join Vergil in cleaning up the dishes and putting away leftovers. You both then retired to your shared bedroom for cuddles and eventually sleep.

[mysteriousanderfels]

WIP WEDNESDAY (sunday late)

Thank you for tagging me @sillyliterature. 

So since @sillyliterature is the only interaction I have with someone in the Dragon age fandom on Tumblr and she decided to tag me in something, I can’t let her invitation go unanswered.  

So here’s my wip. From the next chap of my on-going story Dangerous Obssessions. 

When Lane stumbled into the Darktown's clinic – open at last – his eyes fell first on a sight that almost made him want to turn back on his heels.

Anders was nonchalantly sewing a man's arm back onto his shoulder.

His long fingers were blood-spattered and the thread between them seemed to gleam from what Lane could see from the threshold of the clinic.

The mage noticed his presence as quickly and called out a “Yes?”

“Hello,” said Lane, taking a small step onward.

“Lane? Is that you? I didn’t recognize you! Come on in.”

So Lane got closer and saw that, indeed, the thread the man manipulated gleamed blue with what could only be guessed as magic.

“What’s with this new dark look?” Anders intoned with a quizzical smile that rapidly turned to a grimace, “Please, tell me Fenris isn’t rubbing off on you.”

“... I wanted a change of clothes.”

“Oh. That’s fair. I guess bloodstains are hard to wash out from white, huh. Though I was a bit fond of your whitish apparel. Especially the boots. How have you been?” Anders asked while his eyes stayed focused on the gruesome surgical procedure. Lane, instead, choose to focus on the dirty bandage that held Anders’ right boot together.

“I... tried to come here yesterday. But it was locked.”

Anders glanced at him. “Oh, I’m sorry, I said I’ll come back the other day but… my... business took longer than expected.” the last part curled his lips in disdain, strangely.

Lane watched him.

“So what did you do? Hand me that,” he told the seated man with a pot full of balm in his lap.

“I met Ser Fenris in the tavern and he offered me to stay the night in his house.”

Anders turned to face him, surprised. “What? You mean last night?”

“Yes.”

“You... spent the night in Fenris’ compagny?”

“He offered me a room because his house is big.”

“Not his house,” Anders muttered. “So, how did you find the slaughterhouse color scheme?” He sneered, “I mean, I know all about stones and glass-houses but at least I have light and a broom.”

“... It was a bit unsettling...”

“Aw, you’re too kind. If you were going for a bit ‘sinister’ or a bit ‘depressing’ just blink once, I’ll understand.”

Having no interest in refuting, Lane kept silent which made Anders whisper a conspiratorial ‘exactly’. “Speaking of depressing, what made him do such an uncharacteristic gesture?”

Lane lightly twiddled with his wool-clothed fingers. “He offered me to go with him because of the rain.”

Anders tsked. “He would’ve offered you squat if he knew you were a mage.”

Lane’s eyes flung to the seated man in panic.

Seeing his reaction, Anders placated. “Don’t worry, Armand is a good friend. And more or less numbed right now.”

“Maker bless you,” sighed Armand in response.

“He’d soon see you freeze to death if he knew. He wouldn’t even show pity on your young age. Trust me, I’ve seen it first hand,” Anders bit as he recalled the elf’s comments on that mage boy Fenryiel at the hands of slavers. Anders snapped the thread. “Anyway, you don’t have to feel the need to be friendly around someone like him. It won’t serve you much in the long haul.”

Lane didn’t know what to say. He wanted to say that Fenris told him about his possession but the blond man seemed quite irked already.

“… I don’t think I’m a mage,” he mumbled the consistent sentence for the umpteenth time so much it started to sound dull and barren of conviction.

Anders smiled down at him like Lane was a naive schoolboy. “I’ll be the judge of that. Which remind me; didn’t we agree on continuing our little trainings?”

I have no one to tag but I’ll always answer your moon call @sillyliterature ;) It’s the least I can do!

[thecaptainwithperfecthair]

my father in law slipped away in his sleep, in the early morning as the sun was just beginning to rise on monday. there is solace in knowing that he was in no pain when he went and that he will no longer be in pain. yet there is still the hollow, numb, carved out pain that remains; the moments of forgetting reality and thinking he may still call to ask us to come play a game of crib or watch mamma mia and sing along with abba.

my heart is broken - for the pain my partner is experiencing, for the keen loneliness my partner has mentioned feeling now that their only remaining family has passed, for the time lost, for the pain my father in law felt in the days before he passed, for the echos of memories that right now bring both comfort and pain and that may one day be a source of solace and love.

i wish, in many ways, that i could carry all this pain for my partner, to spare them from this heartache. logically, i know all i can do is be there, remind them that we are a family still, that their dad was, and will forever be, proud of them and has always, and will always, love them.

i wish i knew what to say or why i was writing this. does any of it make sense? i genuinely don’t know. words have always been a solace for me and i find myself lacking words for the first time in many years.

this will all take time. that’s what they all say. yet time rarely feels more finite and uncertain than during times like this.

the others we’ve lost in our lives, their memories keep popping up, as if trying to tell us they’re here for us too during this. my father in law has definitely already been visiting in spirit - fleeting glimpses of comforting love that tell us he’s here however he can be right now.

next steps seem insurmountable, attempting to figure them out draining energy we didn’t even know we had until it was already lacking.

you’ve only been gone a day, my darling, amazing, kind, and loving father, and your presence is already missed beyond measure. i know if you were still here, you’d start rattling off bad dad jokes to try and make us laugh. i know you’d prefer if we were laughing and joyful and you would do anything to make sure we were happy - i promise we will be again one day. for now, we need to rest in our nest of sorrow and cherish all the memories you gifted us and everyone whose lives you touched - and you touched the lives of so many. your friends have been a steady stream of compassion, love, and strength, and we are all doing our best to honour your steadfast, loving, generous, and blessed memory.

does this make sense? i don’t know. nothing makes sense right now. the only thing that makes sense is that you were, and are, a truly loved and amazing man and i can never thank you enough for raising a person as amazing as my partner, for your unwavering support as we built our lives together, for the joyful memories you gifted us, for all the generosity, love, and more you showed not just us, but everyone you ever encountered in your life. i promised this before and i’ll promise it again - i’ll do my best to take care of your child/my partner. they will always be loved and never alone. you can rest now, we’ll play crib again with you when we can.

[faroreswinds]

Anon asks! My fingers don’t hurt anymore so let’s goooooo!

I’ve seen people saying Claude’s ruthless actions in the later part of his route make sense because killing his brother broke him/had a heavy effect on him or something, what do you think of that?

Hmmmm. Maybe. But I don’t think so. 

Claude seems ruthless even in other routes too. He just wants Rhea fucking dead. He’s willing to commit a lot of heinous crimes just so his people don’t suffer. I don’t think this Claude was “broken” by any act other than feeling guilty about sacrificing Caspar’s uncle. 

But I am going through the routes slowly now. I’m on SB and I’m editing my recordings as I go for a large super-cut. Then, I’ll have a single giant story to watch and observe carefully. 

Might make a video on my thoughts if I don’t burn out first. 

I’m actually really mad now seeing all the supports because it made me realize byleth didn’t NEED to be silent or an exposition dump since their background is already interesting enough, hell, the s supports can be kept but I was so mad at intsys for wasting zach aguilar and jeannie tirado’s talents, I really like hearing them in character! Quite soothing and soft actually. I think intsys drank the persona koolaid (i don’t like persona characters being silent either but you don’t see people hating on them as much) and wanted to copy that intsead of letting their protagonists’s background that they gave them shine! Shez is fun but wasted on nopes too

I’m loving Byleth here and yeah, it bums me out they are such a non-character in Houses. They have no sense of humor (in a cute, clueless way), are considerate, thoughtful, and quiet. I like them a lot. 

What a waste. 

Shez is alright. I find them a nothing-burger than just so happens to talk.

It feels like 3 hopes like 3 houses before it, wants to have its cake and eat it too. It kinda wants to be in the anti 3 houses in the sense of reducing/getting rid of the academy phase and downplay Byleth's presence but it also doesn't want to invalidate Byleth. It's nice fanservice, but I feel like this game ultimately proves that you shouldn't always listen to fan feedback if it's going to compromise/contradict your original vision.

The devs listening to feedback is both a blessing and curse.

We finally get Ashe and Yuri supports! But who is this Claude?! 

I was really pissed at first but I’ve calmed down a lot. For a few reasons.

I knew it was going to be fan service but ALSO try not to invalidate Houses from the moment it was announced. I just... I knew. I’m old enough to catch these patterns. The reason I was pissed wasn’t because of these things but because I didn’t except the blatant character assassination we are seeing. But when I just view it as a fun game to play, I feel a lot better. 

That’s why I ultimately still bought the game. It’s still fun!

Dumb, but fun.

Also, I don’t think this is the same writing team entirely, which is why things probably feel WAY off. 

The writing is so odd (have seen some people play SB and GE but but not finished.). Seems like overall character interactions are poignant, but story is obtuse? Sometimes I can’t follow the flow of lines in story. Compare Edelgard’s war declaration in the 2 games. It was coherent in the original. Had to reread it 3 times to make sense of it in Hopes. Thoughts?

Like I said in the last answer, I don’t think this is entirely the same writing team. 

But so far, in some ways the writing is REALLY good and solid, but taken as a whole is a disaster. 

I’ve already reached a point in SB where I’m scratching my head. Like, girl, you installed your phony pope, and now we are... rescuing Lonato? Ok.... This is kinda boring, ngl. Why do you want Rhea alive so damn badly? Why are you pretending you just want the Church gone when in reality you want everyone united?

Be honest for 5 seconds, Edelgard. 

It’s these little things that make the story fall apart. But the little stuff like rescuing Dimitri in AG is solid af. 

I know a lot of people don’t like Byleth but I really liked their supports with Jeralt and Shez plus how Zach Aguilar and Jeannie Tirado voiced them plus their voicelines with Sothis and then I got mad and I think devs shafted their own protagonist in Houses! Their story could’ve been so much more interesting! Like they’re already mysterious and weird from the beginning but it sounds like devs had too little time and too much on their plate.

People don’t like Byleth because they are messy and boring in Houses. But here, they are actually kinda interesting. I think some people are going to see Byleth in a new light.

I never hated Byleth, but I was always disappointed in how they were handled and how they ruined the story. So seeing them here is actually really nice like this. 

At least they used this chance to (somewhat) make them something worth caring about. 

Warning: long rant about GW Claude

I guess the problem with GW Claude’s characterisation is that the idea of his negative development in an alternate world is only good on paper. It would have been a compelling story if the writing team had successfully pulled off “an alternate Claude letting his own biases get to him,  leading to him unknowingly becoming the villain” while keeping true to Houses Claude’s core personality. Something like “Houses Claude spending a year working closely with Rhea opened his eyes” and “Flame Emperor’s actions made him realise that Edelgard is impossible to work with and there really IS a line that you should not cross”, but Nopes Claude doesn’t experience these events and remains unaware of his own flaws and prejudices.

Claude’s most important traits are his curiosity and open-mindedness, but it seems these traits have been completely ignored in 3Nopes. Nopes Claude obviously doesn’t really understand how Fodlan works and what kind of people his enemies/possible allies are. It’s clear based on how he established the Federation with him being the King, completely disregarding the problem that pretty much every Alliance lord except his hard core stan (Holst and Judith) would be against it. It would be one thing if Claude does try to learn the truth about Fodlan but gets manipulated by Edelgard/TWSITD and ends up being the unwilling villain, but Nopes Claude makes zero effort to do that!

Oh, and the fact that the story-telling of Claude’s route in Houses was not very good certainly didn’t help either. I am happy with all the little bits of history lore they have added in Nopes, but Claude and Edelgard’s character assassination just irritates me to no end. Imma gonna pretend GW is only 8 chapters long and stick with AG for dimidue content.

Nothing to add at this time, anon. Just love the rant. XD 

There is still stuff to enjoy so I hope you like Dimidue!

[wrathfulmercy]

[ FAREWELL ]:     a letter written to say goodbye to the recipient, where the writer knows there’s an extremely high chance that they’ll never see each other again. -- for rosita bc i crave angst

Letter prompts from here @unheald

My sweet Rosy (I know you’ll hate me for this),

Please believe me when I tell you that I never planned to write you this and that I only do so cause I saw no other chance. The herd we talked about is actually closer and moving faster than we expected and when I found out, there was no time to wait for all of you to arrive. I told Daryl and it was me who begged him not to say a word to you so you wouldn’t come after me (and let’s be honest I’m just super scared of you) so please forgive him if he kept his word. The truth is: I need you with the kids. I need you to raise Judith and Carl for me when I can’t be there cause you’re the mother they need in their life as you were the wife I needed in the time I’ve got to spend with you. You have no idea how much I adored you every day. How many nights I lied aware next to you just to watch you sleeping cause you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met in my life. You’re brave, you’re strong and you’re so damn smart that it actually scares me cause I know that I couldn’t be as half as good as you are as a parent or role model. I’m blessed that you came into my life and the life of my kids. That you made me fight and love again. That you allowed me to marry you. Right now I’m looking at the wedding band I found for us and I know that whatever may happen to me, that I’ll not give up what you gave to me and hold onto it as long as I breathe. I love you and I assure you that nothing will break this love apart. No force of nature. No fight. No enemy. Not even Death. I will love you far and beyond and wherever you will go I will watch you from above. I regret that we didn’t meet sooner, but maybe I couldn’t have been the man you need when we had met before the fall. I needed to become what I am today to be worthy of you but thing is: you never needed me to impress the world with your presence cause you’ve been already perfect all your life. I adore you and I know that the kids are safe with you. Please keep watching them and raise them with the love we were lucky to find for each other and know that I’ll be by your side with every step just as you are always in my heart. I love you.

Your husband Rick