#but letter from the refuge still happens <3

[boygirlctommy]

anyways ctubbo as jack and ctommy as crutchy

[curvingsunsets]

If your requests are open still, would you be willing to write a little something for Jamie taking care of a sick reader - I feel like at the beginning of the relationship he’s very “pls be sick somewhere else” but as time goes on he’s such a caretaker

I ADORE your characterization of Jamie so even if you don’t end up writing this (I know how life enjoys making things difficult), then just think of this as a love letter to your writing <3

a little blurb for the boy!! Hope you like it :)

The sound of pounding on your door was the first thing to wake you up that day. The alarm you’d set “magically” never went off, causing you to sleep in way later than you should’ve. You slug yourself out of bed, the feeling of sleep never really leaving your head. Making your way to your front door, you almost wince at how loud and persistent the banging on your door was.

The annoyance was interrupted as you swung the door open, a concerned Jamie revealed to be on the other side. You couldn’t get a single word out before he was flooding you with questions.

“What’s goin’ on? Why haven’t you answered my texts? Why are you soaking wet?”

The last question made you raise your brow. “I’m no-“ the gravel in your voice taking you aback. “I’m not soaking wet. Just woke up in a sweat is all.”

You watch as Jamie takes a very large step backwards, the hood of his sweatshirt now covering his mouth and nose. “Are you sick? Don’t get me sick! We can cancel our date just don’t get me sick!”

“I’m not si-“ you’re cut off by a sneeze. A moment of silence rings between the two of you before you catch his arm, urging him not to go back to his car. “Please stay! I’ve missed you and the thought of lying in my bed alone all day is my worst nightmare right now.”

“We’ve got a game soon! I can’t get sick!”

“You gave a game in three days, Jam! Please stay with me. I’ll let you pick the movie.”

He makes eye contact with you, easily succumbing to your request when he sees your puppy dog eyes. “Right, I‘ll stay. And i love you, but don’t you dare come any closer to me,” he extends his left arm, keeping you as far away as he can while following you inside.

——

The two of you made refuge on the couch, Jamie glued to the opposite end and stealing glances at you from across the room.

“It’s not that bad, you meanie,” you teased.

“Babe,” he started, “my body is a temple. I can’t risk even the slightest bit of illness or i’ll throw off the entire game. You really want Dani to make the winning goal?”

You groaned, falling back into the pillows of the couch. “I couldn’t even get a little kiss?”

He nearly jumped off the couch. “And let you poison my immune system?!”

You sighed, missing the affection your boyfriend would usually shower you in. “Could we at least hold hands?” you pout, extending your palm towards him.

That he couldn’t say no to, and rubbing soothing circles into your knuckles.

——

Time went on, and whatever it was that was slightly bothering you in the morning only got worse. Your voice was almost entirely gone, and you were simultaneously sweating buckets and shivering. The two of you were laid out on the couch after he went out to get some soup.

He came back, fully anticipating to keep away, but when he saw your sleepy face he changed his mind. He looked down at you, bundled up in your fluffiest blanket, a tissue in your sleepy hand. You hadn’t even realized he had come back you were so easily drifting off.

He put the soup down on the coffee table and sat down on the couch next to you. “C’mere, love,” he mumbled, pulling your head into his lap.

You barely knew what was happening since you were so sleepy. Once Jamie started playing with your hair, though, you were out like a light. Your slowed breathing was what made him pause the TV and look down at you with adoration. “If you get me sick, you’ll never hear the end of it,” he placed a sweet kiss to your temple.

[m-jelly]

Oh ok sorry, can I request an omega verse one than? Can I leave the plot up to your imagination?

So, I got a little carried away with planning this. This will be a long fic eventually because I fell in love with the idea so much, but it will be hybrids and omegaverse instead of just the omegaverse.

@ladycheesington <3

Destined Mate

Pairing: Alpha Levi x Omega Fem Reader

Genre and tags: Omegaverse, Royal AU, fluff, romance, drama, protective Levi, falling in love, loving Levi, almost forced marriage, happy ending.

Concept: Hidden away as a priestess for the Luna God, the King of your land demands that all Omegas be rounded up and offered to him as brides. You manage to avoid it but as a precaution, you write a letter to Emperor Levi asking for help as he is renowned for providing sanctuary to hunted Omegas. You get found out by the King and dragged to the castle. On the day of your wedding, Emperor Levi arrives and rescues you and takes you to his palace. You both feel a strong connection and realise you're fated mates.

Not tagging as I know not everyone likes omegaverse.

Part 2

You released a long sigh as you stared at the letters delivered to see there was still nothing from the Emperor. You longed for him to contact you and offer you refuge. You clasped your hands together and mutter a prayer under your breath. You shivered when you felt the presence of the Luna God.

You opened your eyes and looked up at the Luna God floating above you with his long white locks and golden eyes. "Why is the land like this? Can't we be free of this? Why must Omegas suffer?"

He cupped your face. "My poor sweet moon ray." He kissed your forehead. "You are all blessed with your roles. You are very blessed."

You turned your head away. "I don't feel blessed. You made me an Omega. I have to use medicine to suppress it. I have to hide here from Alphas."

"You are blessed."

You turned from him. "I wish I couldn't see you."

He chuckled and floated after you. "Moon Ray, you are my most blessed."

You covered your ears and rushed away from him. You found a peaceful spot in the gardens and gazed out at the land. You hugged your legs tightly and hoped that Emperor Levi would save you. You didn't want to be the bride of the King of this land. You wanted to be free and you wanted to find your fated mate.

You flinched when you heard someone call your name. You stood up as your terrified friend ran over. "What's wrong?"

She grabbed your hand. "The King's guards are here for you. Someone told them about you. You have to hide!"

You ran with her. "They might kill you."

"I won't let them take you." She gasped when she ran into the guards. "Oh no..."

The next moments and days were a blur because you felt so scared and broken. You were dressed up and fawned over by different maids. Tears always stained your cheeks. You ignored the Luna God trying to talk to you. You felt like you wanted to disappear. You felt like the world failed you and most of all, the Emperor of the other kingdom as well.

You gazed at yourself in a wedding dress and hated what you saw. You had dreamt of a wonderful Alpha saving you and marrying you as you stayed at the temple, but it never happened. You wanted your wedding to be a happy day, but instead, it was full of pain and heartache. You just wanted the ground to swallow you up.

You gripped your flowers as you were moved through the castle to the grand hall. You felt panic set in when you saw the King waiting for you with a disgusting grin on his face. You started to hyperventilate as thoughts of what was going to happen to you tonight filled your mind. You didn't want to be a breeder for a wicked King. You wanted love.

The King grabbed your upper arm and pulled you close. "What a delicious Omega you are. You've been hiding for some time, but now you're all mine. You'll make me many children."

You welled up and whimpered. "I don't want that. I won't want you."

He squeezed your arm hard. "You have no choice." He jumped as the double doors to his hall slammed over. "What!? Guards!"

You gasped in delight when you saw a raven-haired beauty with glorious royal robes and a sword with the most stunning blue eyes. "Levi." The emperor had come.

Levi shouted your name with eyes filled with adoration. He raced down the aisle. "I'm here!"

You looked at the King and clawed his face causing him to release you. You dropped to the floor and moved away from him as he screamed in pain. You screamed when he growled at you and dove for you. You held your arms up but didn't feel his touch, only something wet and warm followed by a scream.

You moved your arms down to see one of the King's hands on the floor. Levi had cut his hand clean off. You gazed up and the King screaming and crying in pain before he vomited all over the floor. Your heart raced when Levi gazed at you with such care.

Levi put his sword away and got down on one knee. "I'm sorry I took so long."

You gazed at his outstretched hand. You welled up and dove into his arms. "Thank you for coming."

Levi held you tightly and inhaled deeply. He held back a moan as your scent washed over him. He couldn't believe how delicious and wonderful you smelt. When he got your letter days ago he became so intoxicated by your scent on the letter. He had admired your writing and inhaled your scent and knew in that moment that you were his destined mate. You were his wonderful omega and he was your alpha.

You shivered in Levi's arms, but not from fear, it was arousal. You inhaled deeply and knew this man was your destined mate and would be the love of your life. You pulled back a little and just gazed into his wonderful eyes. You smiled as he played with your hair a little. You giggled as he tapped his forehead against yours.

Levi scooped you up into his arms. "I've never taken a bride before on her wedding day. This is the first and last. I very much want to keep you as mine."

You gazed at him. "I sense you're my alpha, my destined mate."

He smiled. "Me too. My omega." He walked out of the castle to a carriage. "I intend to court you though. I want you to be wooed, cared for, adored and loved. You deserve to be worshipped."

You hummed and rubbed his chest as he sat in the carriage with you on his lap. "I want to do the same for you."

He purred at you. "I cannot wait." He leaned closer. "Forgive me, but my instincts are demanding for me to kiss you. May I?"

You nodded. "Please do kiss me. I'm desperate for it."

He smiled before crashing his lips against yours. He growled against your lips as you moaned in delight. You clung tightly to Levi as his tongue slipped into your mouth. Levi hummed in delight as his tongue moved with yours. You both felt a fire burn through you both. You both could sense that this was meant to be, that you both were meant to be together and you were destined mates. You were meant for love.

[spinningerster]

idk if the newsies fandom is still active on here bUT I saw the new London production on Saturday (Dec 3rd) and need to share my thoughts bc THIS SHOW -

apologies in advance for the amount of fangirling i'm about to do. also this will probably be very long so prepare yourselves

so newsies is my absolute favourite musical and I actually can't believe I got to see the first professional UK production - not only that, I also got to finally meet my best friend who I met through the show! we also made a new friend whilst in the merch line - and another two at stage door after the show. it was so cool to be around other fans of the show!

and wow - I was completely blown away. guys, the choreography for seize the day and king of new york is out of this world, I was in awe the whole time. and the end of once and for all, oh my god. 3 standing ovations as well! (two in seize the day, and during the curtain call/bowsies)

the talent in this show is unreal; michael ahomka-lindsay and bronté barbé were really great as jack and katherine, I really enjoyed their portrayals of the characters and they both have great voices. moya angela was amazing as medda, she wore this beautiful outfit during 'thats rich' that matched what the bowery beauties were wearing, which I really liked, and she had a really nice voice. matthew duckett was great as crutchie, and yes letter from the refuge made me cry. my favourite character portrayal was probably ryan kopel, there was just something about how he plays davey that i loved, and he understood the assignment with poor guys head is spinning which made me very happy.

there were also three swings performing; bradley trevethan as elmer, jordan isaac as romeo, and zack guest who made his finch debut, and they were all amazing!

honestly I could watch those boys dance forever.

the cast made great use of the large space they've been given, there were some walkways that were used in various parts of the show, such as during brooklyn's here with the different boroughs, and the cast going into the audience (such as going up/down the main stairs) makes the show really immersive.

brooklyn were all girlsies. and they had a dance break during brooklyn's here. there was one brooklyn girlsie who had her arm in a sling and her name was splint.

new things they added/details I noticed and really liked were:

• les was actually involved in king of new york

• katherine wore a lady liberty crown made out of spoons at the end of kony which I loved

• race's cigar actually smoked

• there was a little bit at the start of the show, before santa fe prologue, which showed the newsies trying to sell papers

• jack had a small photo of santa fe in his pocket which he was looking at during santa fe prologue, it was a small detail they added that I absolutely loved

• during the 'world will know' scene where they're going on strike, katherine is on one of the walkways (the one closest to where we were sat) watching, which I really liked as her then wanting to help the newsies made more sense as she watched them declare their strike

• there was (at least to me) a small homage to the 1992 movie - during seize the day, they knocked over one of the newspaper carts and started ripping up the papers

• jack did a full on like tarzan swing from a rope (that seemed to appear from nowhere) during the fight scene, les went to do the same thing but davey was like 'um no get down'

• jack was in the seize the day dance break, and he was really good!

• he gave katherine a newsie cap in the finale it was so cute

the newsies were used for a lot of scene changes, specifically for when props needed to be brought on stage. my favourite one was when katherine said 'thank you' to the two newsies who brought her desk and chair on for watch what happens. (sidenote, if you're sat in manhattan, you walk under the stage and get to see all the props which was so cool)

we stage doored after the show and it was so cool, we met michael & bronte (who we actually also met before the show), matthew and ryan, and they were all so lovely!

the best piece of live theatre i've ever seen, it was like nothing i've ever experienced.

[bugsbenefit]

the Creel attic/the Wheeler basement

okay i'm still thinking about the fact that Mike's basement and the Creel attic are major narrative foils because it's driving me insane. they have so many parallels and are such a clear antithesis of each other

for 1) the parallels between the two alone are already so much to think about:

both are the respective "hubs" and planning locations of the two opposing fractions (Henry and the Party)

both are repurposed storage areas and not usually rooms that are considered to be an active part of a house/used as a normal living area

both are also not frequented by the general household at all and just get assigned to one person in the house. Henry hiding from his family and society at large in the attic constantly and Mike spending so much time in the basement his entire family comments on him being down there all the time, even in the earlier seasons. the rest of the family stays away. Victor only goes up to attic to check the demonic happenings out and Karen only sticks her head in the basement when Mike doesn't respond to her shouting for him. (the actual first time a another family member enters either space for no greater purpose is when Nancy makes plans with the party in s4, which Mike also isn't present for)

both of them are safe spaces on top of that. the party consistently hides in the basement throughout all seasons. both emotionally, like when Mike thought he saw Will's body in s1 or when him and Will think they're going crazy in s2, but also physically, when they use it to hide El from the "bad men" or when Max is actively cursed. and Henry not only retreats in the RSU attic to draw and explore his powers but also chooses the UD attic as the place to motionlessly and defenselessly suspend himself from the ceiling

and from a visual perceptive: both are only accessible by de-/ascending a narrow wooden staircase, include multiple vertical wooden pillars supporting the ceiling, and have walls covered in wooden panels

but 2) the contrasts are literally just as wild to be honest:

the basement being a communal hangout spot, it's Mike's basement in actuality but often gets treated as the Party's basement. people even feel comfortable going there while Mike is on the other side of the country. while Henry's attic on the other hand is only for him and the one time someone else enters it is when his father looks for what's wrong with the house and gets spooked horribly

and how the basement is exclusively Mike's space in the house filled with his belongings, Will's drawings on the walls, games and dnd intended for the whole party all over the place, with no typical "basement clutter" to be seen - it feels homely. while the attic is filled with junk from the whole house, a true storage space, with only a small clear area Henry can keep his own stuff in and later also suspends himself above in the UD

also the attic being on the top floor of the large family house and a basement on the lowest

and the attic being illuminated by a single light-bulb as the only light source that gives dim and eerie lighting. while the basement Also doesn't have very strong light sources and looks glum at times but is filled with a ridiculous amount of lamps that are usually ALL turned on, making it seem warmer and cozier than it actually would otherwise (i tried to count them at some point and it's at Least 9 separate lamps which is genuinely overkill)

and then 3) there's also just some really out there events that contrast each other so much it's uncanny:

Henry spends his time in the attic studying spiders, drawing MF designs and tormenting his family with visions. while Will in s2 seeks comfort in the basement after seeing the MF and suffering now-memories which manifest themselves in the form of inescapable visions

Max seeks refuge in the basement and tries to sort her thoughts out via the letters after being targeted only to ultimately die in the attic the same day

and Max in general: writes her letters on her own terms in the basement, sets boundaries and tells her friends not to stare at her, and overall takes charge of her fate as much as she can by deciding to hand the letters out in the first place and do it herself. when later on, in the attic, she becomes helpless, Vecna ripping her deepest fears out of her, making her belief Lucas hates her, putting her in the center of attention and turning literally all eyes on her (including taking her own eyes in some awful twist of irony), and ultimately taking all her agency

the two locations are incredibly SIMILAR at times but also INVERSES of each other. they're the two main locations and safe spaces the pro-/and antagonists use. they're the two center locations in general:

the basement is a literal heart, lively and the pulse of anything happening plan-wise. people meet here, bond, feel safe, and come by for a breather. Will called Mike the heart but Mike's basement is the physical manifestation of that. the location is a shared comfort space, and literally keeping the party together if you want, which gets all the more obvious when we see everyone still using the basement to hang out even when Mike isn't in town

on the opposite side, the attic is Vecna's central location. it's his main planning hub, and he uses it to keep safe and spy on the RSU Hawkins. but even the visuals play into this as we have vines connecting to a suspended Vecna, like veins or neural pathways, that then proceed to spread over the entirety of the UD with Henry's attic is the center of these vines where he connects to the hivemind directly -> because of this connection you could interpret the attic as the brain of the UD OR a heart, it's either another contrasting theme or another parallel (we're either looking at two hearts or a heart and brain a la classic heart vs. head, depending on how you want to approach the vines. i'm personally leaning more towards calling it a brain? but it's open for interpretation)

and i want to know what that means for the story SO bad

but i actually think it's probably not very god news for the basement in all honesty. there's a whole trope of taking safe spaces, or familiar locations away in final installments to make the threat and sense of being lost and overwhelmed all the more real. and given that the two locations Are paralleled so consistently, the fact that the attic already got "destroyed" as Henry's safe space doesn't really bode well (because not only did the gates rip the attic open. any safety it gave Henry is also gone after he was shot at and set on fire in there on top of that)

they already started ripping people's safe locations away from the characters. the basement is still holding up by the end of s4, but given general writing methods and the fate of it's insane antithesis in form of the attic it's... not looking too good for it honestly

a real question would be how they would go about it though. if they'd choose a physical approach by damaging or destroying it or making it inaccessible with the witch hunting townsfolk going after the Hellfire members and making it impossible for them to get to the Wheeler house at some point. OR if they'd chose a more emotional angle and HURT someone in the basement. which really hasn't happened until now. the narrative, until now, consistently only made Vecna attack or target people shortly before entering or shortly after leaving the basement, starting all the way with Will's disappearance in s1

but if it was an actual person getting hurt or getting their feeling of "safety" in the basement taken from them it would most likely be Mike himself. after all, it's still all around acknowledged to be Mike's basement in the first place, and a lot of other character like Max or Will actually already Avoided a BadEncounterTM in the basement so they're in a bit safer territory. Mike having some bad experience in the basement would also close the parallels of the attic/basement with both "owners" of the locations having them ripped away against their will

i'm not sure if they'd fully destroy the basement but what i can absolutely see happening is them twisting the "safe feeling" into fear or horror, either by something Really bad happening down there or it possibly being the location for a vecna vision to corrupt the "happy memories"

but whatever path they'll continue on with the basement, the chance of something seriously Not Fun happening there in s5 is insanely high with the way the story and narrative developed it and now majorly paralleled it to the Creel attic, and i need to SEE

[no-side-us]

Letters From Watson Liveblog - Aug. 2

Black Peter, Part 1 of 3

I love little real world "cameos" like these; they really make the mind curious about what happened. Did Holmes happen to be in Vatican City when a cardinal died? Or did the death happen elsewhere and the Pope messaged Holmes for help? Does this mean the Pope reads Watson's works? Or did he read about him in the news?

Holmes having "at least" five refuges, assuming they're somewhat well-maintained rooms with resources inside, must be quite costly. And it's a good way to look at how far his operations have expanded compared to the first story where he needed a roommate to split the rent with.

Peter Carey was by all accounts a terrible person to his family, servants, and the general populace. But there's still something sad about this cabin, that he built himself, where he slept and lived, made to seem like the captain's room of an old ship. Like he couldn't just let go of his time as a seafarer in his old age.

Based on what Holmes was doing in the beginning of this story, I'm going to guess ol' Peter wasn't actually pierced by a harpoon. Still, at least his death was thematically appropriate. Maybe the murderer was a whale?

I'm enjoying Holmes' teacher/mentor relationship with Hopkins in this story and others. We don't really see Holmes as a mentor to anyone else. Watson's more a friend and partner than a student, despite how much he learns from Holmes, and the Baker Street Irregulars are basically his servants, so seeing Hopkins as a student trying to impress Holmes and fail and be upset, it's all kind of unique.

Look at that! It really is kind of funny how hard he's trying and how much he's failing. You wouldn't see this reaction with any other character in the canon. Other detectives would be frustrated, Watson would be put off, but Hopkins is genuinely upset with himself.

Well, if there's anyone who can still find a clue a week after the crime, it's Holmes. I'm surprised he didn't already go out there himself; I feel like the harpoon pig-stabbing is an indicator that he found the case sufficiently interesting enough.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

[rebelliousstories]

I’ll Never Forget You

Relationship: Robert “Bob” Floyd x Adelaide “Honey” Corbin OC

Fandom: Top Gun: Maverick

Warnings: Slight Angst, Fluff

Word Count: 1,481

Part of the Young Love and Old Money Series

Chapter 10//Chapter 12

Main Masterlist: Here

Summary: No matter how far you stray from people you love, eventually, you find your way back to them.

January 1st, 2018

Another year, another party. If there was one thing that the Navy knew how to do, it was throw a New Year’s party. Bob was sitting and observing his co workers who were drinking and having fun. He checked his watch; 3:00 AM. Three hours into the new year and he was wishing he was home. Holidays just didn’t feel the same here in Washington versus home. For starters it was actually freezing outside, versus the cool forty degrees outside in his home town. He decided that it was finally time to turn in for the night, so Robert bid his farewells and left the party.

He walked to his barracks and enjoyed the cold night air. His mind drifted to his family and what they were doing this day. Tomorrow was going to be back at work for him, but tonight he could just be himself. As Bob made his way back, he admired the snow falling around him. Even after living there for six months, he couldn’t get over the snow and the cold.

The warm building was a stark contrast to the outside. Bob pulled his coat off, and made his way over to the communal coffee pot in the common area. He was going to need a tea if he wanted any chance of going to bed. The tea was brewing, and all he wanted was to go to bed. Once he finally had his drink, Robert went to his room only to discover a letter on his bed. It was from his parents. Someone must have delivered the mail while he was out for the day. Anyways, he eagerly tore open the envelope to see what awaited him. But the handwriting wasn’t that of his mother, father, or even his siblings. No this was handwriting he hadn’t seen in almost seven years.

Dear Robby,

I know I haven’t spoken to you in years. But I need your help. I’m trapped.

~

October 23rd, 2017

One of the few times Adelaide was allowed off of her leash, and could go where she pleased was when she went off to the bookstore. It was her favorite place to be in the world. There was no one to bother her, ask her invading question, or even expect anything out of her. She was allowed to be herself. On this particular day, Adelaide found refuge in the bookstore to get away from her husband. The questions about children, and her family just became to much.

She needed out, in more ways than one. Stuck in an unhappy, loveless marriage. Stuck in the same old town with no one that likes her here. All she wanted was out, but the universe wasn’t that kind. It kept her here, in this sad town, with people that couldn’t care less about her. The only reason her husband cared was because she came with a hefty dowry as the last available daughter of the Corbin family.

“Addie? Is that you, hun?” A soft, sweet voice touched her ears. The young woman in question pulled her nose out of the book she held, and saw a woman that she never expected to see again. Mindy Corbin. Her mouth hung open for a minute or two, in utter disbelief of what she was seeing. Why was she willingly coming up to Adelaide.

“Oh Addie. It is you darling!” Mrs. Floyd exclaimed, coming closer to the young girl. Adelaide stood up quickly, and was promptly tackled by the older woman. Mindy squeezed Adelaide tightly. She didn’t know what to do.

“It’s good to see you, Mrs. Floyd.” She was still a little confused as to what was happening. The older woman pulled back sharply.

“It’s Mindy to you, hun. You know this. My God. It’s been a few years since I’ve seen ya, baby.” Mindy took her time looking over Adelaide. The younger woman looked beautiful for her age, but there was something older and more pessimistic in her eyes.

~

I met with your momma recently. She’s just as gorgeous and sweet as ever. I wonder where you get that from?

~

“Right. Sorry Mindy. But yes, it’s been almost ten years since I’ve seen you in person.” Adelaide gestured for Mindy to sit down across from her at the table she occupied in the cafe. A look of shock and realization came across the older woman’s face.

“Ten years? Are you sure that’s right?” Her books were set on the table next to Adelaide’s.

“Yep. Ten. I’ve been married for six of those so, yeah. Ten.” The sad smile that seemed permanent came onto her face. Her parents kept her from going outside without supervision when she was fourteen, so she was only able to see Robert in secret every so often.

“Oh yeah. How’s your husband? We heard all about it in the local paper.” Mindy looked excited to hear about the information; Adelaide wasn’t so keen.

“He’s… good. Umm- how is…how’s Robby? I saw he made it into the aviation program.” She tried to change the subject fast to one that would be pleasant for both woman. But nothing got past Mindy Floyd. After having five children, her ears and eyes sharpened to that of a hawk.

“He did. He also graduated from Weapons Fighter school. But now he’s stationed over in Washington for the time being. He should be moving to Lemoore sometime in the next year. Bobby could never handle the cold to well.” The pure joy that crossed her face to talk about her son was refreshing to Adelaide. She loved being around someone that wasn’t afraid to show their emotions.

“That’s great. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you being so nice to me? Did Robby never show you the letter that I sent?” Adelaide questioned. She was still confused at this whole interaction.

“Oh that. Well Bobby knew that you wouldn’t say none of those nasty things. Sure he was angry for a minute cause he thought they was true. But me and his daddy sat him down and explained that your writin’ wouldn’t have been that shaky if you did that willingly. Plus there were tear stains so I just knew. He wanted to contact you but by the time he came home from basic, you moved and we had no clue where to find ya. We didn’t even know if you were still in the state.” That made a little bit of sense. Mrs. Floyd talked so fast that Adelaide had a hard time of processing the information. He didn’t hate her. Thank goodness. Mindy was still talking but Adelaide didn’t listen. He didn’t hate her. He knew that she was lying in the letter. And he was successful in the Navy. She couldn’t be more proud of him.

~

I found out that you didn’t hate me for what I said. One of these days I’ll have to tell you about it. I couldn’t believe my ears when your momma told me that. These last few years, I spent them thinking you hated me and never wanted to see me ever again.

~

“Addie? Baby? You okay? You in your head over there.” The older woman put her hand on Adelaide’s, pulling the lady out of her thoughts.

“Mindy, do you think you could help me out? I need help getting out.” She begged, looking hopeful at the woman who became more of a mother than her own.

“How can I help ya, baby?” And the plan was set in motion.

~

Your momma is helping me get this letter to you. I can’t do it by myself. Austin reads any mail that comes out to me. So if you respond I won’t know till Mindy tells me. I can’t give you my number to call me, because of the leash I’m on. I’m truly trapped Robby, and I need help. You’re the only person I can think of to help me. Please. If I continue along this path… well, I don’t think I can take it much longer. Please send any letters to your folk’s house. I miss you everyday Robby. I’ve never forgotten about you. I’m so proud of the man you have become in the Navy.

I love you.

Your Honey,

Adelaide Elizabeth Corbin

~

Robert couldn’t believe what he was reading. Adelaide was still in that same town. She never left. He sprung from his bed and grabbed a piece of paper, a pen, and sat back down with his phone on the nightstand. He looked at the clock; 4:00 AM. Robert had the day off tomorrow. He’d be damned if he didn’t write this letter. He was always going to be there for Adelaide. Even after all these years, if she needed help, he was going to provide anything and everything he could.

He was going to answer her call.

Tag: @blessupblessup

[spottedenchants]

ehehehe truth or dares for youuuu

🛼🥤💌🍄🔪

Truth all the way down :3

🛼 ⇢ describe your latest wip with five emojis

🥰🛋😳🛏🥺

(Stay Here Beside Me aka the first time fic)

🥤 ⇢ recommend an author or fanfic you love

Is it cheating to recommend eyes like coin of gold; lips a reddest rose by vietbluecoeur again? Yes? Okay, how about:

Strange Happenings in the Waters of Bisaft by HurtComfortInSpace

Jester is having a Rough time emotionally and takes a swim with a new fishy friend :3 too bad said friend has ill intentions :,) I am patiently awaiting the comfort half of the hurt/comfort >:3

💌 ⇢ how many unread emails do you have right now?

Work emails don't count until I clock in, so I will say zero :3

🍄 ⇢ share a head canon for one of your favourite ships or pairing

Non-romantic, Yussa and Marion are same-town pen pals after C2.

Marion sent him a letter thanking him for his hospitality and kindness towards her daughter and her friends (spinning the Nein taking refuge from Trent by going to Yussa's tower in a Very Nice light considering how Yussa was in the middle of his astral nap, all 'they trust you, you have my gratitude'), and Yussa, not wanting to spurn someone of Marion's high standing and reputation amongst the Nicodranan commonfolk (i.e. she's not with the Concord or the Uludans xD) by ignoring her outright, sends a reply about as terse-yet-kind about the Nein as you'd expect. Marion is amused that the unreachable mage of Tidepeak Tower has a soft spot for the Nein and sends another letter, maybe with a genuine but tongue-in-cheek compliment about his interior design or something. Yussa replies again and the rest is history. Wensforth is glad Yussa has made another friend and enjoys chatting with Marion when he stops by to deliver a letter.

(also have you read letters to a figure on the horizon? you should read letters to a figure on the horizon)

🔪 ⇢ what's the weirdest topic you researched for a writing project?

'History of pencils' was a fun one for We Should Explore Other Things! I wanted to know if graphite naturally occurs in forms compatible with pencil use (It does! There are deposits (a deposit? there's a huge large one in England somewhere at least) that are pure enough to just chop off a bit and use, but I think I also saw a thing about graphite powder being reconstituted with clay for use or something like that?)

Also for Touching Sentiments as a whole, one thing I personally don't think it's weird, but 'love', maybe? Etymology, translations, fiction and non-fiction books, essays, book chats, forums, discussion blogs- there's no end to people defining and describing their own individual and communal understandings of love and it's such a fun thing to get in the weeds about, but it always strikes me as something others see as strange, saying 'oh yeah I've been researching love' idk xD I'm still mucking about with it though xD

-

Thank youuuu :3 💜

Writers Truth or Dare Ask Game

[lynnslight]

Job Class

Part of @ladyramora's FFXIV Prompt List Part 3

Lynn sat seiza atop at the center of the stone dias at the edge of The Last Vigil. This spot was perfect to see the city of Ishgard beneath her. It was fine as a place of meditation and reflection, as few would take the time to disturb her here. The nobles were too busy with their own movements, and those of House Fortemps knew this was a place of reflection for the dragoness.

She rarely found herself in Ishgard, as to say her relationship was complicated with the city-state was far too simple. They had been very hostile to her when she had first arrived, and even more so when she had returned in the manner she had. Not that this was everyone within the stone walls, but the culture was hostile towards dragons even now. It was not so easy for a culture to move past a war that had waged nigh on a thousand years. A war only recently ended, a peace that was still fragile. 

This city contained much of her pain, many of her regrets were born here as well. She had taken refuge in this city after the events of the Bloody Banquet; someone dear to her had pleaded with his family to give her refuge. Even granted access, she had been constantly watched by many different parties, despite the aid she had already rendered to Ishgard. Fighting and defeating Shiva, aiding on the Steps of Faith and stopping the massive dragon Vishap from breaking into the city proper. These were insufficient at first to show her true nature.

Eventually she had been arrested for aiding others, healing people deemed unworthy, protecting those whom the law abused. However, she too claimed Halone as her patron. She could demand a trial by combat, such was her right. She had fought her way out, her magic enough to defeat her accusers. Still, she learned much during her time in Ishgard. It had been her initial goal to help the people of the Brume that had led her to learn some of the skills of the Dark Knights. That crystal that had since broken had brought forward her own desire for self-preservation. Self-Care was a fairly new concept to the dragoness, who ever gave herself for others. Such things were only expected of the Warrior of Light.

She stood, and took six steps towards the end of the stone dias, and found herself looking into her own eyes. She could never quite get used to the feeling of her Esteem taking form. It was a part of herself that desired more self-satisfaction than she allowed herself to have. Despite her waist carrying the twin eastern blades she was accustomed to most using, her doppelganger made use of a claymore with a dark purple aura and red stitched lettering down its fuller. The twelve paces separated them. Was this moment of meditation in her mind? Or did it truly happen, only the onlookers could tell, few that would be here in the bitter cold of the morning. Perhaps if the Red-Maned knight were to chance upon this path during her morning activities, or perhaps her newly resurrected Lord. Still, that man was still recovering from all the activity he found himself in upon his return. 

The pair bowed to each other, before taking a stance with their respective weapons. This type of training was something she often took advantage of, she could not always spar with her partners, and unless she was sparring against multiple Scions, it just did not have the same effect. The rules were simple, using only one’s skill to disarm the other, they both had to remain in the stone dias. When the exercise ended, she’d gain experience from both sides. The two fought, but were one and the same. It was a difficult thing for her to explain. She never really wished for an explanation for it either, she just knew that this was somehow a kind of self-love. That, and if one of her lovers happened to be lucky, perhaps double the love.

[foxghost]

Joyful Reunion

Translator: foxghost @foxghost tumblr/ko-fi1 Beta: meet-me-in-oblivion @meet-me-in-oblivion tumblr Original by 非天夜翔 Fei Tian Ye Xiang Masterpost | Characters, Maps & Other Reference Index

Book 5, Chapter 49 (Part 3)

“And I would be Duan Ling.” With a turn of his wrist, Duan Ling reveals the dagger in his right hand. “This is the token of friendship Borjigin Batu entrusted me with years ago. Cai Yan, would you like to check if this is it?”

“Why would you have it?!” Cai Yan cries out in terror, “I clearly … no …”

“When I arrived in Xichuan, I had wanted to pass it to Wuluohou Mu so he could see it,” Duan Ling says. “I never expected it to end up in your hands. You would have recognised it for what it is.”

Helian Bo and Tenzin Wangyal both look rather pleased with themselves; they’d spent most of the night looking, and finally found the dagger Cai Yan hid.

“My dad named me Li Ruo. I am the real Li Ruo, Cai Yan! You shameless lout — you will get off that seat this instant!”

As soon as Duan Ling shows his anger, Cai Yan feels a shudder through his whole body, and he says, trembling, “You promised me, you promised me …”

“All of these people are my witnesses,” Duan Ling says. “And if someone can retrieve any of my memorials, army dispatches, or work reports, and compare the handwriting to the exam paper, it would be obvious at a glance that they match.”

The scribe brings Duan Ling’s official correspondence and displays it on the tray side by side with Duan Ling’s exam paper, showing them to the officials as before.

"Back then, I narrowly escaped death and made my way to Xichuan. Cai Yan had already taken my place, so I had no choice but to find refuge with Wu Du. He and I went through Tongguan, Jiangzhou, and Hebei together — and after coming all this way, uncle and I had already acknowledged each other as family, yet we were caught off guard when Chancellor Mu sent assassins after him.

“By the will bequeathed me from the late emperor and His Majesty, I hold the jade arc of the realm and lead Great Chen’s imperial court! I hereby charge Mu Kuangda with colluding with Han Weiyong in the murder of the late emperor! Mu Kuangda sent assassins to murder my father! I present correspondence between the two as evidence!”

Duan Ling produces the letters and puts them on the tray in the scribe’s hands.

“And which act are we putting on now?” Mu Kuangda laughs in spite of himself. “My apprentice, if you think everyone here would believe in your babbling nonsense, then you are far too naive.”

“The merits of this case,” Duan Ling says smilingly, "are already laid out clearly before you, and the evidence is irrefutable — black is black, and white is white. Will you still not plead guilty, Master? I have more evidence still.

“These are the secret correspondence between Han Bin and Mu Kuangda, evidence of their conspiracy against the state.” Duan Ling produces the second stack of letters, handing them out to everyone. They are the letters he found that night in the Mu estate.

Everyone is thoroughly stunned before Duan Ling once more, as this is all happening far too quickly. They may have long surmised that Mu Kuangda had been colluding with Han Bin, but within this short quarter of an hour, it is rather difficult for them to accept the crown prince’s identity, Mu Kuangda and Han Bin’s treason, as well as the story behind it all.

“Everyone,” Duan Ling says. “Think it over. If you lay down your arms now, I can overlook your past misdeeds.”

“Rubbish!” Han Bin howls with laughter. “You all really believe this? Let me tell you then.”

Shouting and cries of fighting have reached the forum outside the throne room. Those inside are suddenly getting restless.

Han Bin bellows, "There was never a real crown prince to begin with! Emperor Wu never had an heir! And the only Duan descendent brought to Shangjing was nothing more than a meticulously fabricated con!

“That’s right. Even the original ‘Duan Ling’,” Mu Kuangda says unhurriedly, “was also a facade deliberately created by Wuluohou Mu. Look at his face. What part of him resembles the late emperor?”

“You reacted rather quickly, master,” Duan Ling says. “But scheme as you might, you missed just one thing.”

“Well, show us the evidence then.” Mu Kuangda says unhurriedly, “How are you going to prove that your father is Li Jianhong? If you can prove it, then without you having to say so, I will cut my own throat as an apology to the realm. My lords, Yao Fu has long desired to stage a rebellion, and he was the one who conspired to assassinate His Majesty. Then, he framed me for the deed. And now that His Majesty is dead, he got this apprentice of mine to impersonate the crown prince.”

Han Bin sneers, “Who do you people trust? Will you trust him for his mere words and some jade arc that came out of nowhere?”

Duan Ling shouts, “Here stands the true Son of Heaven! Who still obstinately clings to these falsehoods?!”

Zeng Yongnuo looks at Duan Ling, then he turns to Cai Yan. Cai Yan’s face is ashen, in drastic contrast to Duan Ling at the foot of the steps, and Zheng Yongnuo finds himself momentarily at loose ends.

After briefly contemplating in silence, he says, “Yes, you are the real crown prince.”

“Shidi, you …” Huang Jian says shakily.

“Shixiong,” Duan Ling says, “make your own decision. Heaven, earth, ruler, relative, teacher — ruler comes before teacher.”2

Huang Jian finally rises and comes to Duan Ling’s side to face Han Bin with him. Suddenly, all the officials are moving, and the civil officials are exceptionally unanimous — they’re all standing behind Duan Ling.

“Very good,” Mu Kuangda says. “To think such a clumsy lie would be able to fool an entire court of officials and officers. My apprentice, you have been scheming most carefully indeed. You must have been planning this for a long time.”

“All the diplomats and officials here are lies?” Duan Ling actually ends up smiling back at him. “My handwriting is a lie? Even the person next to the throne is a lie?!”

Lang Junxia walks down from the dais and comes to Duan Ling. After a long moment of silence, he gets down on both knees.

Duan Ling bows his head to look at Lang Junxia. There’s no longer anything more he needs to say.

“The Black Armours have stormed into the palace —” Outside, on the drill grounds, the Northern Command troops are shouting.

“Seize the lot of them!” Han Bin says.

At his word, soldiers of the Northern Command draw their weapons and rush at Duan Ling and the officials from every corner of the throne room. Lang Junxia quickly steps in front of Duan Ling to shield him.

“My lords, you’d better make sure you’re ready to die for the crown prince,” Duan Ling says. “If you want to renege right now, it’s not too late yet.”

“Han Bin, suppose you don’t believe that the one in front of you is the real Son of Heaven, and stubbornly decide to kill him anyway,” Chang Liujun’s voice is saying, “Well then, what you consider to be the last of the Li’s lifeblood is also done for.”

Mu Jinzhi lets out a scream as Chang Liujun drags her into the main hall through a side door behind a screen. A group of Black Armours soldiers charge into the room at the same time; they take over the dais, at once forming an opposing force against the Northern Command.

“Jinzhi!” Mu Kuangda says with great alarm.

“Chang Liujun!” Han Bin snarls, “You’d sell out your own master?!”

Chang Liujun continues, “If you dare touch him, then I dare kill her. Take it or leave it. That way nobody gets to be emperor anymore.”

“Stay your hand,” Mu Kuangda says immediately.

Han Bin’s lips move, spitting out the words, “Kill them.”

Within a split second, the throne room falls into chaos. Lang Junxia turns abruptly; Mu Kuangda throws himself at Mu Jinzhi to protect her; Chang Liujun seems briefly stunned at first, but then he pushes Mu Jinzhi away and draws his sword to protect Duan Ling.

The diplomats and the Black Armours soldiers are both well ready for this, and they charge ahead to engage in melee with the Northern Command. Chang Liujun leaps in from the Northeast corner, while Lang Junxia runs in from the centre of the hall, both aiming right for Han Bin. But Han Bin lets out a rage-filled snarl and pushes his chair over, buying himself enough time for the Northern Command troops to charge fearlessly in his direction and put their armoured bodies between the assassins’ swords and Han Bin!

Unable to kill him in one strike, Lang Junxia and Chang Liujun back out of the main hall. The other officials can’t run away fast enough, and as arrows start flying every which way in the throne room, as does the screaming. Someone is hit by an arrow before falling to the floor.

“Let’s go!” Guarding Duan Ling, Lang Junxia takes him out of the room.

Out before the Meridian Gate, the sun had just risen. The Black Armours with Xie You at the helm had already made it all the way to the gates of the Imperial City, and the Northern Command is putting up a last-ditch resistance.

More soldiers are coming at them from every direction. Duan Ling shouts, “Retreat towards the southern gate and rendezvous with the Black Armours!”

Zheng Yan charges over on horseback with several cloth-wrapped bundles in tow. With one backhanded toss, he shakes the bundles open and weapons fly up in the air. Everyone grabs a long sword.

Duan Ling shouts, “Heed my call! Take Han Bin’s head!”

The diplomatic delegation led by Batu and Helian Bo rendezvous with the Black Armours, and after each member obtains a weapon, they fearlessly charge ahead to clash with the Northern Command.

Duan Ling only has several hundred warriors at his side, but the longer they fight the more courageous they become; they escort Duan Ling through a continuous retreat to the main doors of the throne room. Duan Ling has a bow in his hand, and he’s firing arrows constantly; every arrow hits its mark, and with every dull thud as each arrow hits, another body collapses to the floor.

“How much longer is Wu Du going to take?!” Zheng Yan shouts, “We can’t hold them off much longer!”

“He will come,” Duan Ling says. “He will come!”

Arrows fly every which way in the chaos. Batu dashes in and pushes Duan Ling down to help him dodge a stray arrow. Duan Ling rolls on the floor, and as he gets back on his feet, he notices Mu Kuangda supporting Mu Jinzhi, stumbling as they attempt to escape from the throne room. Duan Ling nocks and draws, firing an arrow in their direction.

The arrow draws an arc that rises from the ground, crossing a distance of several hundred paces as it flies towards them like a shooting star. Mu Kuangda shouts, “Jinzhi!”

Mu Kuangda wraps himself around Mu Jinzhi. The arrow hits him in the back. He falls, and does not get up again.

There is a great boom as the main doors to the palace are hit by a battering ram, the sound vibrating all way to them through the ground. For a brief moment, everyone stops moving.

Han Bin steps out of the throne room in full armour, looking majestic with his cape fluttering behind him. His underlings file into two ranks to either side of him and blow a signal horn.

Suddenly, Northern Command soldiers are rushing in from every direction, close to ten thousand men in all. They form square formations, and raise their shields and spears, letting out shouts in unison as they point their weapons at Duan Ling and the several hundred guards at his side.

Boom. There is another great bang from the doors. Outside the Merdian Gate, the main doors to the palace are close to collapsing.

Han Bin raises a hand, and then, he puts it down.

At the third great booming noise, the Northern Command soldiers bend down and launch their assault.

The main entrance to the palace collapse at the sound and Black Armours soldiers pour in like a tide, spreading out in ranks. One horseman takes point, riding Wanlibenxiao, dressed in black armour of dragon-scale, wielding the sword of the realm — Zhenshanhe.

As though seeing Li Jianhong reborn, even Han Bin can’t help but take a half step back the moment he sees this black armour and the Zhenshanhe.

“Warriors of our land, who do we fight for?!” Wu Du’s voice shouts.

“We fight for Great Chen’s true Son of Heaven!” The soldiers of Black Armours bellow in unison.

Bow in hand, Duan Ling stands just outside the Meridian Gate, bathed in the myriad rays of brilliant golden light as the sun is born.

“Men of Jiangzhou,” Xie You’s voice says, “who do you fight for?”

“We fight for His Highness the crown prince of Great Chen!” The soldiers of Black Armours snarl in unison.

“When you’re in the presence of the Zhenshanhe, you’re in the presence of the late emperor!” Wu Du shouts, “Emperor Wu of Great Chen had bequeathed me his last wish, to bring death to the traitors! Lay down your weapons and your life will be spared! Charge!”

In a flash, the world starts to shake; like the edge of a wave as the tides roll in, the Black Armours move the earth for a thousand leagues around, transforming the mortal world as they launch themselves towards the ten thousand Northern Command soldiers in front of the throne room!

Duan Ling puts down his bow and turns back to look at Wu Du. Shimmering golden sunlight glints off his emperor’s armour, and a rustic sheen reflects off of the Zhenshanhe. This moment is like a long-lost dream, so unreal that it gives him bouts of dizziness.

With the sword of the realm in hand, I would point you the way.

He recalls that certain someone, who once made him a lifelong promise.

Peach blossoms which bloomed luminously in Fifth Month Shangjing; the magnificent sight of wild geese returning on the plains as spring dawned and the flowers started to grow; flecks of light that brushed him by in a dense forest like shooting stars; a single lit lamp in the Illustrious Hall’s library deep into the night …

Outside the city of Luoyang, that bout of gentle snow that blanketed everything; in Tongguan, the river of stars above the city wall; outside the White Tiger Hall, a rainstorm that tossed the leaves about in the night; in the city of Ye, the beacons that shone like a reflection of the night sky …

As a whole army is rushing towards him, he reaches out a hand to the dazzling sunlight. Wu Du bends down from Benxiao’s back, sweeping towards him.

Duan Ling’s hand gently brushes against Wu Du’s hidden beneath his iron gauntlet. Like an arrow, time had moved the seven-star constellation to the other side of the night sky, yet the fervent body underneath that armour is touching him with blood that would never run cold, as though neither of them had ever forgotten that vow.

Even if the stars should tumble to dust, the Silver River should perish, and the universe returns to the inception of chaos.

The world shudders around Duan Ling as Wu Du pulls him onto the horse.

“Charge —!”

The roaring of the Black Armours troops sends a tremor through the heavens. With Duan Ling against his chest and Zhenshanhe in his hand, Wu Du charges into the Northern Command formation. As soon as the two armies meet, the Northern Command is retreating, utterly routed before the Black Armours’ overwhelming might and conviction.

Benxiao leaps past their defensive perimeter and steps onto the throne room’s white marble stairs. More and more Black Armours soldiers are rushing in, covering the ground outside the Meridian Gate in the blood and viscera of their enemies.

Outside the main hall, her hand coated in blood, Mu Jinzhi pushes against Mu Kuangda’s shoulder as she tries her best to crawl aside.

Wu Du steers Benxiao, leaping over the tops of their heads, and charges into the main hall with Duan Ling. The Black Armours pours in like a tide and takes control of the spacious throne room.

Han Bin faces Wu Du and Duan Ling.

“Even if you kill me,” Han Bin says, gasping. “It would be of no avail. You won’t be able to prove to the world that …”

“Why don’t you turn around and see who’s behind you?” Duan Ling says.

As soon as he turns to look, Han Bin finds himself instinctively weak in the knees, almost at once collapsing to the floor. He turns around incredulously and stares at that man.

The Black Armours now control the battlefield. They usher the officials back into the throne room.

Clad in a black warrior’s robe, Li Jianhong sits on the throne in silence, not saying a word, just staring at Han Bin.

Zheng Yan had caught Cai Yan, who’d escaped from the throne room earlier. He tosses Cai Yan to the floor.

“Wasn’t watching closely enough and almost let him get away,” Zheng Yan says.

The battle has already finished, yet Cai Yan is seeing a nightmare he is even more frightened of.

“Cai Yan,” Duan Ling says. “Did you ever think that this day would come?”

“I’ll talk … I’ll talk.” Upon seeing Li Jianhong seated on the throne, Cai Yan is so petrified that he remains limply on the floor, and for a long time, he can’t even form a full sentence. “I … death would not be enough for what I’ve done …”

Duan Ling steps up, reaches under Cai Yan’s lapel, and pulls his jade arc off Cai Yan’s neck.

“Han Bin,” Duan Ling says. “What about you?”

Han Bin stumbles backwards. His countenance ghastly pale, Li Jianhong sits on the throne indolently with his elbows resting over the armrests, his fingers steepled before him as he stares at those in the hall.

The sun has gradually risen over the throne room, and it shines down through the skylights as though gathered, and beneath this shaft of sun from above, he looks like a demon. Some sinister forces seem to have brought this dead man back to the mortal world. He is silent without words, and silently, wordlessly, he passes judgement on every person in this room.

The officials of the court fall trembling to their knees. Even those who’ve never believed in the supernatural cannot explain the phenomenon before their eyes.

Duan Ling and Wu Du approach him. Duan Ling hands the jade arc to Li Jianhong. Li Jianhong takes it from him and reaches out to caress his forehead. With his fingers over the edges of the jade arc, he hands it to Wu Du.

Wu Du looks startled and stares at Li Jianhong.

“It’s for you, so take it,” Duan Ling whispers.

Wu Du’s breath hitches in his throat, and tears spill from his eyes. He bows and takes the jade arc, wrapping his fingers over it.

Then, Duan Ling twines the cord that holds the other jade arc around his own fingers and turns to the officials.

“Long Live Your Majesty!” The officials kneel down one after another.

“Cai Yan,” Duan Ling says quietly, “How do you plead?”

“I plead guilty, I … I plead guilty!” Cai Yan says, “Don’t send me to eighteen layers of hell … I plead guilty.”

This translation is by foxghost, on tumblr and kofi. I do not monetise my hobby translations, but if you’d like to support my work generally or support my light novel habit, you can either buy me a coffee or commission me. This is also to note that if you see this message anywhere else than on tumblr, it was reposted without permission. Do come to my tumblr. It’s ad-free. ↩︎

It’s the order in which one makes sacrifices. ↩︎

[noxthemonke]

The Queen in Burgundy Red (part III)

ACT III

Matthew 13: 42

“They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.“

Right after that day. The kingdom of Dewyth declared war against the Xenians, the moment the queen’s son Prince  Aldr had been the one who declared the war. Albeit being at a young age, he had sent a spear flying across the army killing one or two men. 

And so forth, the war continued on. One region at the time, Queen Adna managed to reign every single one of them without fail. Those who had surrendered decided to peacefully accept their defeat, as they paid their tribute to the Dewyth. 

The surviving Xenians could only run away and sought refuge in their capital city Xoybury. After losing half of their people, the Xenians were living in despair but still tried to defend their capital city. 

Many times Queen Adna and her army tried to take over the city, but the Xenians constantly repelled their attacks. For it is their only chance of survival, so the Xenians resisted, and would do so until the end. 

“Mother, why are they so reluctant to give up the capital city? What is the use of this war when other regions are finally at peace?” Aldr questioned his mother one day. 

“I do not have the faintest idea son.” Queen Adna answered. “Is it pride? Is it fear? For them to be still alive until now is still quite the shock.” 

“Then what will you do now mother? The war has been going on for a year.” Aldr frowned at the prospect of having to continue onto war. “Didn’t you and father agree on neutrality?”

“If our people do not violate our general law and tribute. This would not happen in the first place.” The Queen sighs, “and the Xenians just happened to break the highest law ever.” 

Aldr gulped, still not used to talking about his father’s death so nonchalantly. Silence sieged the room as both mother and son continued their afternoon tea time. 

“Do not worry Aldr.” The prince turned to his mother, who had given a warm smile, “This will end soon. “

“How would you know that?” 

Yet, Queen Adna gave no indication of answering his question. The following afternoon they both spent time discussing the kingdom’s economic state and their defense, and soon Prince Aldr bid goodbye to his mother leaving the queen’s chamber. 

The Queen waved and smiled at her son leaving. As soon as the door went shut, she dropped her arm as the air seemed to be still. 

“Calliope, enter and report.” At that moment, the queen’s courtier entered the chambers with a letter in hand. 

“Your Majesty, they have answered your previous message.” Calliope bowed curtly and reported to the queen. 

“And what of it? Are they still persistent on surviving?” Queen Adna said as she stirred another cup of tea. 

“Quite the opposite, My Queen.” Calliope handed the letter to the queen, “The current leader agrees on making peace, and paying tribute. But they are completely born-dry out of their money, and not able to pay even a quarter of the tribute.” 

Calliope flinched when Queen Adna suddenly laughed. Her laughs were never this boisterous, nor has the Queen ever laughed this loud. It was not filled with joy, nor happiness. The Queen was laughing at how pitiful the Xenian people were. 

“This is wonderful news Calliope. Hurry! Bring me paper and a quill immediately!” Calliope rushed out of the queen’s chambers. Not thinking twice of hesitating, leaving the elevated Queen. 

It had gone on just like this. Soon after, the Queen’s courtier brought the paper and quill. The Queen wrote a letter. Stating that she would like to negotiate with how the Xenians will pay their tribute. From every family, 3 pigeons shall be sent as tribute, and nothing more. The people of Xoybury were delighted to hear the good news and rounded up 3 pigeons of each family immediately. 

All of the birds were carried back to Dewyth. One of the Queen’s advisers had questioned Queen Adna on what to do with the pigeons. 

“Tie a cloth of sulfur onto each pigeon leg, and release them as they go back to their homeland.” The Queen had commanded. Everybody in the palace had gotten to work, carefully handling the flammable powder. 

It had been in the middle of the afternoon when the huge flock of pigeons was sent free onto the sky. The people of Dewyth saw every pigeon flying in the direction back to Xoybury, confused as to why there was a large flock of pigeons in the sky. 

The people of Xoybury were not expecting the sudden crowd in the sky. One guard who was posted in the highest tower had signaled a horn, warning the people of an unexpected threat. The people marched up with armors ready expecting to see the army of men. Yet, there was nothing on sight on their borders. All of a sudden, they heard a shrill scream. 

The blazing hues of orange and red sieged the city, lighting it up ablaze. There was no chance of survival, had they tried to water down the flames but it was futile to even stop it when it had begun. Queen Adna once again led her plan out perfectly as the city and the people who killed her husband were finally turned into dust and ashes. For she has finally avenged her husband. 

Since that day. The Kingdom of Dewyth was known for its power and its great ruler. Rumors have it that even the neighboring empire tried to seduce the Queen. Yet, again Queen Adna manages to shock the people another time. 

“His Imperial Majesty, The Emperor of Slyphix. I beg your pardon.” The Queen said sharply at what her guest had suddenly proclaimed. 

“I am not.” Emperor Allich said proudly, “Why don’t you come and join me. Rule this empire with me. We will have the world in the palms of our hands!” 

Not only did the Emperor claim that Queen Adna should marry him. He had said it right in front of a court meeting, where almost all politicians, nobles, and advisers were. This only showed discrimination to the Queen, as if she was a lower being than the Emperor. 

Prince Aldr had glared at Emperor Allich, his hand reaching to the sheath of his sword. But was stopped by his mother. 

“Emperor Allich, we might have a misunderstanding here.” The Queen chuckled, “would you mind negotiating it over a cup of tea perhaps. Without an audience would be preferable.” 

The Emperor of Slyphix agreed and decided to come back much later in the day. As soon as the emperor left court, everybody burst into a rage. 

“Your Majesty, what shall you do?” Calliope asked, worrying at the fact this was not something light to handle with. While they had annihilated a region, an empire was a much bigger foot. 

“Do not fret Calliope.” The Queen smiled wryly. “I have burned cities and regions to the ground. What makes you think a man like him knows what I know?” 

As the evening started to set, The Queen invited the Emperor for dinner. The Emperor of Slyphix was delighted and attended early. Their conversation had been all small talk. The servants picked up the fact that both the Queen and the Emperor were able to uphold their conversation long till the night. 

Then all of a sudden the Emperor decided to leave abruptly, saying that there was trouble back in the palace. Nevertheless, the Emperor never stepped back into the palace. The people in the palace were confused as to why the Emperor who tried to pursue the Queen stopped so abruptly. 

“It is nothing. I found something interesting in my father’s chamber. Nothing big to fret about.” Queen Adna had reassured her son, but Aldr knew from the smile it meant to not push it through. For there is stuff that doesn’t need to be known to the people. 

Queen Adna of Dewyth’s popularity skyrocketed across the world. Became the number one bachelorette amongst the women, and had gotten the title directly by the holy priest themselves. Let it be known that Queen Adna’s ruling period had been the most peaceful and cultivating era. 

---

“Calliope, have I done well?” The question had stunned the courtier, speechless at the sudden question. 

The Queen had asked Calliope to join along for tea time near the castle’s lake. They both settled down at the side watching the sun slowly setting. Calliope slightly glanced at Queen Adna before sighing fondly. 

“My Queen, you’ve done everything perfectly.” 

“Do you think Jona would finally be at peace?” Queen Adna slowly closes her eyes, feeling the winds coming from the north. There was an eerie quiet, the leaves were slowly falling to the ground, as the crickets sang their songs into the evening. 

“He is, My Queen.” 

“Right,” The Queen sighed, “Tomorrow prepare my sword and polish my armor Calliope, I would like to spar with Sir Kon next morning. Remind me of my duties later, Aldr can handle all of my duties.” 

Queen Adna soon began walking, as Calliope walked behind her. Calliope begins to see why the Queen has her nickname. Even with the black luscious hair, and ebony black eyes. She dons the outstanding red dress perfectly. Everybody in Dewyth remembers the time Queen Adna came back from Xenian. It had been in the newspaper headlines, and everybody even outside of Dewyth had known about it. 

“Calliope? Are you coming?” 

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

What’s left on the table by the river had been a newspaper. Writings about how the latest trend has been or the business world. The pages were slowly flipped by the wind, as it came to the front page. 

‘Long Live the Queen in Burgundy Red’

[kudosmyhero]

The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 3) #12: Anywhere but Here

Read Date: June 14, 2023 Cover Date: March 2015 ● Writer: Dan Slott ● Penciler: Giuseppe Camuncoli ● Inker: Cam Smith ● Colorist: Justin Ponsor ● Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos ● Editor: Nick Lowe ◦ Devin Lewis ◦ Ellie Pyle ●

**HERE BE SPOILERS: Skip ahead to the fan art/podcast to avoid spoilers

Reactions As I Read: ● even though we only got Spider-Monkey's death in silhouette, it's still horrific! ugh. I'm … past ready for this arc to end. it's starting to feel like an excuse for Spidey snuff at this point. ● heh, Silk webbing herself up in a hazmat suit

● Jurassic Park Avenue. heh. good one, Spider-Gwen! ● I've suspected for a while that the Master Weaver will turn out to be another Spider-Man ● at least it feels like we got a decent chunk of forward momentum ● 👏👏👏

Synopsis: On Earth-13, Solus and Morlun have reclaimed the Scion, Benjy Parker. The Spider-Totems surround both Inheritors and Spider-Punk says they are screwed. Otto shuts him up and tells him that killing Captain Universe might have weakened him and it might be their only chance to attack their leader. May protests since Morlun has her brother but the Spider-Totems charge at Solus, who mocks them for thinking him weakened while he had consumed the greatest life force of that dimension and never felt more alive, killing the Prince of Arachne and Arachnosaurus easily as Morlun tells the Master Weaver to spin him a way home. May tries to stop him but Morlun punches her away and goes through the portal with the crying Benjy, much to May's horror. Spider-UK calls Spidey and tells him that they lost the Safe Zone. He tells him that they are coming but had to do some stops and Uk asks him where he has been. Then Peter, Gwen, Anya, Mangaverse Spider-Man and Spider-Man J arrive, and Anya and Gwen tell him that they were in three different Japans. UK asks why and Peter tells him they got a strong reading on a totem and then opens a portal to Takuya Yamashiro, the Spider-Man of Earth-51778… who happens to have a giant robot: Leopardon, which Takuya charges against Solus.

The Inheritor is unimpressed and with the Enigma Force he absorbed overpowers Leopardon. He rips its arm off before it can counter attack while UK tells them that they have to pull back. May tells him that they have to stop Solus, who knows where her brother is. They open the portal and Otto congratulates Peter for making a choice like leaving a man behind for the rest. Peter tells him that he has a plan and swears to May that they will find Benjy but that it's not safe there anymore. As they leave, Solus tells him that it's not safe anywhere.

Meanwhile, Silk has arrived to Earth-3145 on her run from Brix and Bora. The radioactive air starts to affect her and the Inheritor twins arrive. When Brix steps out of the portal, he screams in pain as radiation is lethal to his kind and Bora gets him out. Realizing that the irradiated world hurts them more than her, Silk decides to take it. She covers herself in webbing and realizes she knows where to go.

The Spider-Army arrives on Earth-8847, which is full of prehistoric animals. Spider-Man says he transported them randomly since the Inheritors won't know where they are if they don't know themselves, until they find a new safe zone. Otto tells him that he has cost them his base, their refuge and both Leopardon and Supaidāman. The latter, however, appears from a portal and tells them that he escaped at the cost of Leopardon. Mangaverse Spider-Man and Spider-Man J console him in Japanese and tell him that he is not alone. Spidey tries to talk to May but she tells him that she is done listening to them and that there's only one real Spider-Man, her dad, and he is dead. Peter then gets a call from Spider-Woman, who has infiltrated the Inheritors' house by impersonating her Earth-001 counterpart. She tells him that she had to change devices with Silk after she damaged hers and doesn't have enough charge to talk for long or to make a portal big enough for her. Spider-Man asks her if she needs one of them to come for her but she tells him that she is good and that her Earth-001 counterpart is part of the Inheritors' help. Peter comments that it is very convenient and the Master Weaver comments that it's almost like if it were planned as part a grand design. Peter loses her signal and contacts Miles and asks him how the recruitment is going. He responds that he has no words as he, 67's Spider-Man and Earth-12041's Peter were joined by a cowboy Spider-Man, Mini Marvel's Spider-man, an unknown Spider-Man and a sentient Spider-Mobile. The Spider-Mobile tells him to open the portal as Earth-12041's Peter calls them the Web Warriors, much to Miles' annoyance.

Peter calls Miguel and Lady Spider at Earth-928 as they dissect Daemos' corpse while he is trapped by Alchemax. Miguel tells him that if the Inheritors have a weakness, they will find it and that they have discovered more of their cloning process. Before he can tell him more, Jennix cuts the transmission from Earth-802 and tells Peter that he can hear everything that they have been saying. Jennix explains that they have been moving and speaking across the dimensional threads of the Great Web and his family mastered this centuries ago. Peter asks him why would he show his hand and Jennix tells him that watching them has been amusing but he can't have them share tactical info. He sends Verna their coordinates and she arrives with her Hounds Rhino, Ox and Hammerhead. The Spiders battle the Hounds as Verna wounds Spider-Girl (Betty Brant), to Sp//dr's horror.

In Loomworld, Earth-001, the Master Weaver tells Jessica that Solus has forced him to reveal skeins that are yet to come, knowledge that has helped them gain dominion of reality, but small acts of rebellion, seemingly insignificant threads he altered when no one was looking, can change the design, like that very moment and Spider-Woman's counterpart, all made so that he can give her a set of prophecies. These contain all they need to know of the Other, the Bride and the Scion and something else. The Master Weaver tells her that his master's plan is to do more than kill all the Spiders and to hurry as they approach. Morlun gives Benjy to Brix and Bora, causing the latter to protest. Morlun mocks their failure to catch the Bride and tells them to hold the Scion. He salutes Jessica, who transported away the scrolls the Weaver gave her.

At Earth-8847, Peter receives the scrolls during the fight attached to Spider-Woman's teleporter. Otto and Anya ask him what's their next move and Silk calls him. She tells him to get to Earth-3145 before Jennix blocks her. Peter opens the portal and they follow when they notice that Verna won't get near it. In Earth-3145, Otto tells Anna to give him an atmosphere reading and she tells him that the radiation is extremely toxic. Otto screams at Peter for bringing them there but Spider-Man India notices webbed arrows left by Cindy. They follow the trail to Earth-3145's Sims Tower. They go to the bunker of the tower and Peter tells them that it's designed to hide them form the Inheritors. Inside they found Silk, who tells them the Earth-3145's spider-totem was already in there when she got there. The totem is then revealed to be Uncle Ben.

(https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Amazing_Spider-Man_Vol_3_12)

Fan Art: Spider-Gwen by SanyLebedev

Accompanying Podcast: ● Amazing Spider-Talk - episode 12

[amaranthhiding]

A Metal Pursued by the Witless Chapter 2 is online now!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43389420

Excerpt of chapter 2: She climbed into the bed and under the covers, throwing one last glance at the old-fashioned bedside table and lamp, once more struck with intense disbelief over the fact that she was a witch seeking refuge in a Men of Letters bunker, with one of their last two surviving American members currently symbolizing her last glimpse of hope. A man who also happened to be the one prophesied to kill her permanently. Before she could either laugh or sob again, she switched off the light and closed her eyes, struggling to keep her breathing calm when the darkness reminded her of what awaited her. Would the moment of death hurt more or less than what came before, during the progression of the curse? The kind of person that she was, how she'd lived her life, there was no doubt over where she would go in the afterlife. And whatever pain she may have suffered in life or death, it would pale in comparison to the eternity that lay ahead of her. She dug both of her hands into the fabric of the shirt, trying to ground herself in the present, in the calm before the storm that were her last days on Earth, surrounded by small comforts and the semblance of safety. Given the choice, there was probably no other place she'd rather be, though that had little to do with this sparsely decorated bunker and its wardings. Her grip on the shirt tightened. She tossed herself from her back to her side and back again, but no matter how exhausted she was, limbs heavy and eyes stinging from a day spent crying far too much, sleep refused to come to her. The ticking of the old clock on the bedside table was its own kind of torture, loudly announcing every second she'd lost of the few she still had. When flashes of remembered sensation replayed her last death in her head, sharp bolts of pain interspersed with the smell of her own burning flesh, choking her even now, she gave up on sleep entirely.

Pairings: Sam/Rowena, also Sam&Rowena friendship Rating: so far undecided Words: 9,565 so far Tags: post-ep 13x19 “Funeralia”, Adventure & Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Action, Humor, Magic, Witchcraft, Curse Breaking, Travel to Exotic Location, Soft Rowena, Protective Sam, Mutual Pining, Sam POV, Rowena POV Written for the prompt “Fool’s Gold” of the SPN RarePairTober, which I’m hopelessly late for.

Summary:  Rowena shows up at the bunker after she has been targeted by a lethal curse with the sole goal of destroying her. Under the shadow of this ticking timer of doom, she and Sam are left with a  handful of days to prevent a slow, painful death. The search for a cure  sees them on a last-minute flight to Central America. (Or my attempt to escape the cold and gray of real-life winter by traveling to exotic places in my mind.) Notes: I roughly expect this story to have a total of 30 or maybe 40k words, but  we'll see. I'm planning on posting chapter 3 tomorrow. Read the story here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/43389420

[dailychapel]

Revelation 1:1-20 NLT - 1 This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. 4 This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; 5 and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him--even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega--the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come--the Almighty One." 9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God's Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. 10 It was the Lord's Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. 11 It said, "Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." 12 When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. 13 And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. 14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the living one. I died, but look--I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. 19 "Write down what you have seen--both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen. 20 This is the meaning of the mystery of the seven stars you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

God of strength and protection, I turn to you because I need help. I long to be free enough to trust that I can lean on you.

But I become afraid. Help me to trust in you, Lord. Your strength and power are a gentle place of protection.

Be a safe refuge when I am being trampled. I long for your help, your protecting care. Help to deliver me from the cold loneliness of these dark nights.

[favoniuscodex]

HELLO could i pls uhh “I’m never going to leave you again. I promise.” + gorou?? o__o - 🌸

pairing: gorou x gn!reader. inazuma spoilers.

a/n: i have no idea how long the resistance has been fighting so we’re estimating two years. inspired by that cute little seaside house that sits by itself on that one tiny island with the sword beside it. :3

the war between the resistance and the shogun’s army ends due to foreign interference. the fatui theft of the raiden shogun’s gnosis leaves her in a weakened state, forced to comply to the inazuman populace’s wishes, lest she be ousted and removed from her throne. fewer prayers in the street can be heard to baal as inazuma is rapidly thrust into a state of change. borders open, food pours in, trade reignites, and in a short period of time, inazuma erupts into an unfamiliar land of prosperity, yet without the guarantee of eternity.

the general of the resistance knows where his own personal eternity lies. a small, oceanside cottage calls his name, yet gorou is forced to stay in the resistance base months after the war ends by order of her excellency. everything does not fall into place overnight and gorou faithfully believes in her excellency’s judgement. urged by the glowing amber of the vision strapped to his clothing and the gnawing guilt of a broken promise, he stays by her excellency, yet sends a single letter to the waterfront abode that his soul longs for.

when gorou finally steps foot off the resistance base and watatsumi island for the first time in months, he is surrounded by chattering colleagues who cheerily weigh their options of where they’ll go first.

“inazuma city. they’re sure to have had a resurgence in their economy by now!” one cries. another rolls their eyes, staring at their peer judgementally.

“inazuma city? i’m using my funds and hightailing it out of here on a trip to mondstadt. after everything that’s happened in the last few years, i think a taste of freedom - and dandelion wine - are in order, don’t you think?” they scoff before receiving a playful nudge from their fellow comrade.

but, for gorou, he doesn’t need to debate about where he’s going next. even her excellency could read the carefree happiness that shined in his eyes at the prospect of a reunion with his true home. she had laughed lightly, the sound cutting through the air like a gentle wave rolling onto the shore, and gave him one final order. go. safe travels, general gorou.

instinctively, his feet guide him from the sandy shoals of the resistance base to a waverider that cuts through the ocean waves at an alarming speed. the salty scent of the water permeates through the air, yet gorou cannot find himself to care about the way the salt clings to his skin from the water that splashes over the edge of the boat or the way his hair is mussed by the winds of freedom as he hurtles towards his true refuge. the second the familiar cottage is in sight, gorou’s heart clenches in his chest. night has fallen by the time he arrives, yet gorou cannot help but feel comforted by the stars above being privy to the fulfillment of his promise.

a flicker of candlelight in the window fills gorou with giddiness as he steps on shore and approaches the building. good, he thinks. you’re still awake. he walks up the steps calmly, not wanting to startle you with a frenzy of hurried footsteps, yet his heart wants nothing more than to sprint directly into the cottage and see you for the first time in over two years. nervousness stops him from doing such a thing and, instead, he knocks on the door, electing for the secret knock the two of you once used when the resistance operation was just getting its feet off the ground. the seconds he waits for you to open the door feel like agony and his breath catches in his throat as he sees the doorknob turn and the door creak open.

“hello, darling,” gorou breathes nervously, hands worriedly fiddling with the fingers of the other. as he sees your dimly lit face, gorou is hit with the realization that he should have brought a present, but the wide grin that splits across your face stops any negative thoughts in their tracks. instead, gorou loses his breath once more as you wrap your arms around his neck and launch yourself into his embrace. a loud laugh escapes you as you bury your head into the crook of gorou’s neck. his arms encircle around your waist as your laughter turns into loud sobs, all while he clings to you for dear life, tears welling in his own eyes.

eventually, you pull back to look at him, hastily rising the backs of your palms to wipe away at the tears that now stain your face and let out a relieved laugh. instinctively, gorou cups your face in his hand and wipes away your tears with his thumbs. he holds you as if you are made of glass and it is far different than how he has held you before. gloveless callouses of an archer brush against your skin, yet the same teal eyes look into yours, albeit a bit weathered by the enduring storm of the shogun.

“hi,” you finally manage to choke out, causing gorou to laugh. “you returned. you kept your promise.”

gorou nods and the overwhelming feeling of hot tears bubbling behind his face threaten to spill over, much like yours just did. you always say he held the crystal oceans of a land far away in his eyes. as you initiate a gentle, passionate reunion kiss, gorou finally lets the salted waters of his eyes escape, rolling down his cheeks in hot tears. his lips grow desperate against yours as his hands press further into your cheeks as he holds onto you for dear life. his grip is far harsher, yet a tender carefulness pours through his fingers and through the movement of his lips. when the two of you finally break, gorou resists the urge to chase after your lips once more.

“i’m never going to leave you again. i promise.” he says, voice strained from his recent tears. you smile at him and nod, moving to take one of his hands from your cheek and intertwining your own fingers through it. you press a kiss to his knuckles.

“you’ve always kept your promises, sweetheart. i know.” you say and gorou fights every urge to simply collapse into your arms. instead, he offers one more potential promise to you with utmost certainty.

“marry me,” he breathes and you giggle. underneath the moonlight, gorou realizes he’s never seen anything more beautiful than the mirth-filled gleam of your eyes.

“i’ve been waiting these past years for you to ask,” you laugh and gorou flushes slightly at your words, yet lets out a giggle of his own. “yes. i’d have said yes years ago, i’ll say yes now, and even if you decide you want to wait, i’ll say yes ten years from now.”

“i don’t think i can stand to wait any longer.” gorou confesses and cuts your laughter off with another kiss, thriving in the way your eyes widen in surprise before fluttering closed and succumbing to the kiss. for gorou, home is no longer a faint wish that motivates him to continue onward. instead, he finds his home in your embrace, excitedly holding you close as the two of you kiss once more.

for his own sanity, the former resistance general only hopes that you don’t see the way his tail is wagging.

[joyfulhopelox]

The Weasel and The Serpent

Summary: When Yoongi, a halfblood, enters Hogwarts he lies about being a pureblood and is welcomed into the elite of the Slytherin House. Yoongi spends the whole of his school life upholding this lie, terrified of being exposed. Until one day, Jimin's cousin, the loud and rambunctious Y/N enters his life and gradually breaks down the walls that he had tried so hard to build. Can the weasel and the serpent learn to co-exist?

Pairing: Slytherin!Yoongi x reader (Hogwarts!au)

Genre: fluff, angst

Warnings: light swearing

Word count: 13.2k

Rating: pg

A/N: Welcome to the first instalment of the Hogwarts for @homeofbangtan collab!

I want to thank everyone in the collab for being amazing and patient and incredibly lovely! @mochi-molala for being the catalyst of this fic, @min-yoon-kween for being an amazing support and beta reader and @ttaetae for this amazing banner. @delacyrose224 @alpacaparkaseok @joheunsaram @sunshinejunghoseokie @ggukcangetit for being an amazing squad!

Copyrights @joyfulhopelox

As always please leave feedback and/or talk to me as i love to hear from you! Enjoy <3

Who would have thought you would end up here? Knees bruised on the cold wet tiles, bent over, heartbroken and desperate. If at the beginning of the year someone would have said you’d be in this position, you would’ve laughed at them. But there you were, on your knees, watching helplessly, as the person that had become your everything suffering on the wet bathroom floor. The mournful sobs wrecking his body echoed through you, rendering you speechless. If it weren’t for the fact that it was Yoongi’s sobs you were witnessing, you would’ve thought it was Moaning Myrtle doing her usual rounds in the bathroom.

You willed yourself to move. The sound of your robes trailing through the murky water were muffled by the anguished cries and heart wrenching sobs. You felt powerless and it scared you. The feeling gripped at your heart tighter and tighter until you felt like you could not breathe.

How ironic is it, you thought, that when you first met him you were in the exact same position that he was in now. Yet, at the time, he knew exactly what to tell you, as if you’d been friends for a long time. This trait he possessed; the ability to read someone so well and yet be so detached from everyone, had made him popular in your year.

Everyone liked Yoongi, his aloof personality a complete contrast from his soft looks. With his coal black hair and pale white skin a contradiction to his soft lips and plump cheeks, it was hard to not be intrigued by him. Yet, for some reason you chose to keep him at an arm’s length. He became your cousin’s friend quite quickly. It was Park’s gift; having the ability to make friends and break hearts left and right. However, being the rising star of the Slytherin house, he made enemies just as quickly. But the relationship between him and Yoongi developed so quickly, you didn’t even see it coming. One day Jimin was loitering around the corridors being his dramatic self with only Taehyung to keep him in check. Next you run into him and Taehyung and Yoongi. They were whispering secretively to each other and you couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to intervene.

“Oi, Cocky Park, why are you acting like a bunch of gossip girls?” you shouted at him across the corridor. The three of them jumped apart in surprise and glanced at you, each face looking similar to a kid’s having been caught with his hands in the cookie jar. Satisfied at the reaction you got, you sauntered over to them.

“So, what’s the deal?” your grin intensified when Jimin’s flustered face morphed into an annoyed one. It meant you had done your job. You were cousins on your father’s side, but in reality you acted more like siblings. You grew up together, always around each other, your father and his attending meetings together. So of course in true sibling fashion, it was necessary to rile up the other.

Taehyung glanced at the both of you, knowing that if he did not intervene there would be bloodshed. “Hey, Y/N, uhhhh, we were just talking” he tried to distract you from the situation at hand. You tapped your foot impatiently, an eyebrow raised unimpressed and urged him to continue. “About what?”

Before Taehyung could say anything, Jimin stepped up, “Nothing that concerns you lesser Park, so run along to your clique” he smirks at you, his hand gesture dismissing you. You huff in annoyance.

“Cocky Park!” You warn glaring at him stepping closer to his frame. He was by no means tall, only a few inches taller than you, and you liked to remind him of that every single day knowing that it drove him up the wall. “I’ll tell mother about that one time you set the family portrait on fire just because-” Jimin instantly covered your mouth, not wanting to be exposed in front of his friends like that.

“Ok ok ok, enough,” He pleaded, your laugh muffled and your eyes displaying the satisfaction you felt at his distress. You had won this battle and you savoured every moment of it. “Take a chill pill J-Park.” Noticing the third person next to the double trouble of the Slytherin house you paused. “Oh, new friends?” You pointed towards the silent man behind them. During the whole interaction between the three of you he hadn’t said anything, his dark eyes meticulously observing the scene before him.

You decided it was rude of you to not introduce yourself. You may have a loud personality and be opinionated to the point of aggression sometimes but you couldn’t forget the etiquette that your parents instilled in you. Especially in front of a fellow Slytherin, so with a confident grin you stepped around the two clowns of the house and extended your hand out.

“I’m Y/N.” The stranger looked wearily at your hand before hesitantly extending his. You don’t wait for his hand to reach yours, grabbing it mid rise and waiting for him to tell you his name. Only for a drawn out silence to ensue. You give his cold hand a small encouraging squeeze, urging him to say something. Noticing the shift in atmosphere Jimin stepped up next to you grabbing your forearm.

“Y/N, Yoongi. Yoongi, Y/N” he quickly said whilst pulling your hand away from the hold. You eye your cousin suspiciously but decide to not say anything. Instead you look at Yoongi and offer him what you hope is a friendly smile. “ Nice to meet you Yoongi. Well I have to go back now, I have practice” you turn on your heels prepared to leave. But before you could rush off you stop abruptly as if you’ve remembered something. Turning back, you point to Yoongi’s hands, making the boy take a small step back at your abruptness. “Make sure to wear gloves Yoongi, it may still be autumn but the castle is cold and your hands are freezing.” With a wink you then turn your attention towards Jimin, pointing threateningly at him.

“And you, you better not be late for practice, Outdated Park. We can’t afford to lose in front of Jeon again so get your ass on the pitch on time or I'll tell Sunny about your massive-“ Jimin’s cheeks turned red instantly and he almost shoves you down the corridor desperate to not let you finish that sentence.

“I get it, now move your troublesome ass out of here,” he pleaded. Laughing you wave at the three of them one more time before you rush down the corridor to meet up with the rest of the Quidditch team.

That was the first time you saw Yoongi, not as tragic as the second time; where he stumbled upon you in a dimly lit corridor. You took refuge there after receiving an unsettling letter from your parents. Said letter, now suspiciously damp, dangled from your hands when he found you. Even though your face showed no sign of distress, if there was someone who could read emotions well it would’ve been apparent. Yoongi was that someone.

He approached you silently, cautiously. As if he was afraid his presence would set off the feelings you were trying so hard to suppress. He observed your blank face for a second, his face not giving away any of his thoughts. You knew he was there and yet, you did not move. You couldn’t, the fear and pain gripping at your heart making you immobile. The letter you had just read replayed in your mind constantly.

‘Our daughter,

As this year happens to be the last year of your studies, we have decided that it is time for us to think about your future. Your father and I have decided that once you have finished your exams you shall be coming back home to Murkwood Manor where you will be spending the summer attending galas thrown by esteemed families. We are pleased to have come to the conclusion that for your sake and progress into the pureblood society, a convenient marriage is the best option and what better place to find such connections than there?

We hope that you can see how much we are thinking about you and understand our worries about your future.

Your everloving parents.’

You tried to forget the words staining the white paper, but it proved to be difficult. You knew the day would come, you and Jimin having been primed for this since you were children. Unlike Jimin, who would have more freedom of choice as he was to inherit his parents’ manor, you were doomed to enter an arranged marriage. As a pureblood it had always been your duty. Before you understood what that meant, as a romantic, you used to be excited at that prospect. Your brain came up with scenarios similar to ones in books about wizards in arranged marriages and living happily ever after.

Once you grew up, the excitement morphed into apprehension. The prospect of being tied to someone you did not willingly choose was daunting. To receive a letter informing you of your imminent fate crushed you.

Yoongi let out a soft breath, the sound loud enough to break the silence between the two of you. You knew you had to acknowledge him and yet, you could not bring yourself to. You barely knew each other, but as soon as he crouched next to your slumped form, a hesitant hand reaching out for yours the dam broke. You didn’t know or care if his touch was the push you needed or if the tumultuous feelings running through you became too much. You let yourself weep, not caring about the man tightening his grip on your hand witnessing it.

Normally your mother’s voice would be ringing in your head, telling you that your behaviour was unladylike, that someone of your status should not act like this. But the cold touch enveloping your trembling hand offered you the comfort you needed to let go.

Though only a few minutes had passed they felt like an eternity to you, your violent sobs dissolving into sniffles, too tired to carry on. Unknowingly, your hand sought out the reassurance of Yoongi’s hand, your fingers now intertwined. He let you cry it out, not saying a word, but his mind was running at a hundred miles an hour. Had he not been an expert at hiding his feelings, you would have been able to see the sadness he felt displayed across his face. He could not fathom why you would be sitting on the stone cold ground, knees drawn to your chest, shivering and looking so...broken.

When your sniffles ceased you looked up at him, your face red and blotchy from crying. He didn’t ask, his understanding eyes only watched you as you tried to gather your thoughts. He didn’t ask and yet, you couldn’t help but tell him. Tell him of the fate that waited for you once you graduated. There was something about the way he looked at you, a comfort you found in his gentle gaze that you couldn’t help yourself. Hiccuping you let it all spill out, his grasp on your hands becoming your strength to carry on.

“Your parents don’t define who you are, you define who you are. Whatever you are feeling, going through and your future, your parents will not be with you forever. And if you spend most of your time pleasing them, when they are gone you will start resenting everything that you have become.”

With that Yoongi wordlessy let go of your hand and slipped out of the bathroom leaving you with a tear stained grubby face slumped on the bathroom floor.

For a few days after that you tried avoiding Yoongi like the plague. Too embarrassed at your outburst you found yourself leaving the Great Hall when he would enter, turning your head the other way when you happened to make eye contact in class and avoiding any conversation that brought him up. If anyone noticed your odd behaviour towards him they did not say a word. He didn’t try to approach you, and no one in your House mentioned anything about it, and so after that first week you relaxed. Your cousin, however, did notice and when he tried to approach you about it you dismissed it as not having enough free time with the Quidditch game around the corner.

“Y/N, you do know I am on the same team as you right?” Jimin’s use of your full name indicated he was serious about the conversation. Sighing your shoulders slumped, you were feeling tired of hiding around. After letting it all out in front of Yoongi, it felt like all your body wanted to do was shout out to the world how exhausted you were of being a member of a pureblood family. No one would understand you better than Jimin would.

“I’m just tired, Chim.” Jimin faltered, his seriousness melted into worry at the sound of your voice. You sounded meek, the exhaustion clear on your face. Jimin was never one for emotional display, but he was your cousin, he was your family, he was like your brother. He offered you the comfort that you sought, placing his arms around you. You didn’t wait for him to speak, the unasked question hanging above you like the ghosts roaming around the castle.

“I’m getting married.” At your words you felt Jimin stiffen. He knew what you were talking about, it was a long tradition in pureblood families. Arranged marriages were not uncommon, if only to keep the bloodline pure; so it was only a matter of time before this happened to you as well. He was lucky, as the male of the family, he had more freedom than you but that also didn’t mean he could marry just anyone. “Who?” Was all he asked and you took a moment to recollect yourself, wondering if the mention of the rival School in the tournament would be a bad idea. “Who, Y/N?”

You stepped away from him, your eyes glossy with unshed tears. “Someone from Beauxbatons. I don’t even know his face. Just his name. And I am supposed to live the rest of my life with this person.” You felt the tears gather in your eyes but you knew you couldn’t cry. Even if it was just Jimin, the rest of the courtyard was completely void of students, your pride stopped you from letting all your emotions flow. Yoongi caught you at your most vulnerable and since that day you swore to yourself you would never let it happen again. If anyone were to witness it and your parents to get wind of it, you would be reprimanded, possibly even punished.

Jimin felt the shift in you, your vulnerable demeanour instantly covered up by a cold emotionless wall. He tried to say something, anything to prevent that shift but he couldn’t bring himself to. He understood why you would do that; as a pureblood the expectation to be impeccable was high, and the slightest slip would end in punishment. Not wanting to push you towards an emotional breakdown he did what he normally did best and distracted you from your misery. Gripping your shoulders he smirked at you, “come on Park 2.0, we need to get on that pitch today and win.”

The sight of the Quidditch pitch along with your peers cheering and chanting, instantly calmed you. This was your home, on your broom, ready to kick some ass. Today was the game against the Gryffindor team and the contrast between the green of your House and the red of Gryffindor House formed an enchanting colour palette. The Team Captain was yelling instructions left and right, discussing the strategy once more but you didn’t care. All you wanted was to be up in the air and hit a few Bludgeons to vent your frustrations out. As soon as your Team is given the go ahead you kick off onto your broom. The feel of the air brushing your face and the sound of your teammates yelling encouragement to each other giving you the adrenaline that you needed to get your head in the game.

The chants fuelled you, dodging a Bludger here, slamming your bat into it, sending it into the direction of a chaser, your head never left the game. The dynamics of the group, the teamwork, they all made you proud to be part of the team. From time to time, your eyes would wander towards the bleachers, taking in the crowd. Your fellow Slytherins were cheering as loudly as they could, chanting everyone’s name. You rolled your eyes, of course the loudest yells would come from the Gryffindor side. Kim Seokjin and Jeon Jungkook were favourites and so, their names would be on every lion’s lips. A quick break from the referee allowed you to catch your breath, high fiving with your fellow beater. You were crushing this. Taking in a deep gulp of air to calm down your heartbeat you scanned the crowd once again, only to make eye contact with a dark haired Slytherin who seemed to be watching you intently. You smiled hesitantly, confused at his presence, Yoongi had never been the one to watch the Quidditch games, but his presence gave you confidence that everything would be alright.

The game wasn’t going in your favour, Gryffindor had a good chance at winning, everyone on the edge of their seats for the end of the match. Suddenly you saw Jimin and Jungkook diving towards the ground, neck to neck and you knew that they'd spotted the Snitch. Breath caught in your throat, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Jimin turns at the last minute, rising back up leaving Jungkook behind. In his hand he held the Snitch. The triumphant yell of the crowd switches from the Slytherin crowd towards the Gryffindor team and you lower your head dejected. Jimin may have caught the Snitch, but Gryffindor House had already won enough points to win the game without it. Sighing you turned towards your team, their hopelessness could be felt throughout the pitch. It wasn’t their fault, they’d played a good game, so in an attempt to cheer them up you started clapping. Soon, the crowd all caught onto what you were doing and joined in and quickly, what could have turned into a disastrous end for the team morale ended up quite the opposite. You turned yourself towards the crowd, the smile on your face widening at the sight of your fellow Slytherins cheering for you. In that moment you swore you didn’t look through the crowd for a particular person, but your eyes found his and your grin widened. Yoongi was clapping along with everyone else, his reassuring gaze never leaving yours. Suddenly you didn’t feel like you lost anymore, instead, you felt like a winner.

Under normal circumstances, the days after the game were the hardest to endure. This time however, the atmosphere felt lighter than even before the match. After the game ended and the team went back to change out of their uniform, your Team Captain held a speech about pride and defeat. That, along with the cheers from the crowd, lessened the sting of the loss and you promised yourselves that you will do better for the next one. However, classes and your professors waited for no one. With only a few weeks left until Christmas break the number of assignments kept rising, and the pressure of your N.E.W.Ts looming above your head forced you to spend every possible waking moment inside the library, your head stuck in a book. Despite being a Slytherin and not a Ravenclaw, you did enjoy studying. You were never alone whilst in there, especially now that Jimin and that Hufflepuff were spending more and more time in the library together. You got first hand experience of their budding relationship. Both of them being very much interested, yet both of them being very much oblivious.

It was during one of those days in the library when Yoongi approached you. The library was already full with students trying to cram a last minute essay. You were no better, your Potions essay due that afternoon, you tried to get as much done as possible. Writing about the properties of Amortentia was not a pleasant experience. Scribbling furiously, you bit your lip in concentration, not even noticing the silent dark haired man that sat down in front of you.

“You’re going to break your quill if you carry on writing like that.” His remark made you jump out of your skin, dropping your quill to the ground and knocking your ink over the sides of the table in the process. “Ah, shit.” You muttered as you tried to blot your parchment with your robes. Yoongi jumped out of the seat, hurrying to help you salvage your work, muttering his apologies to you incessantly. “It’s okay, no problem.” You smiled at him, you were not really upset, you knew your essay could be done better and maybe a restart is what you needed. “You actually did me a favour.” Confused, Yoongi glanced at your paper. “Isn’t it due today?” He motioned towards how much you’ve written, “and that looks like a lot of research to me.” Waving him off you sat back down and got out another piece of parchment.

“It wasn’t that good to begin with. Potions is not my strongest suit so I could probably do with rewriting it. There’s only so much, ‘and boom they fall in love’ that you can describe.” You laughed at Yoongi’s expression. He looked offended at your statement, and you took the time to admire his expressions. Never one to express too many feelings, at least not in your presence, it felt like a breath of fresh air. You couldn’t help but wonder what caused the change in behaviour. “Wait, a Slytherin, not good at Potions?” He mock gasped at you and you laughed. He looked a lot younger, freer this way and you couldn’t help but take in this carefree Yoongi. As you stared at the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled; his wide grin making his round cheeks puff out, you felt your heart speed up, and butterflies start fluttering in your stomach. “I know right?!” You carried on with his joke, not wanting this lighthearted atmosphere to end. “Appalling.” He nodded trying to look serious. You tried to hold in your laugh but when your eyes met, you couldn’t stop yourselves and burst out laughing.

“Shhhhhh.” The angry librarian loomed over the both of you and you bowed your heads in apology still trying to stifle your laughter. “Well, that is that… now you know my darkest secret.” So absorbed in getting your books together, you didn’t notice the way Yoongi stiffened. “I am bad at Potions, and it’s my final year and there is no way I can do anything about it now.” When you carried on, Yoongi relaxed a small smile thrown into your direction. “Would….you don’t have to, but would you like some help? I may not be the best….” You perked up instantly as soon as he said that, not even letting him finish you quickly grabbed his hand and nodded. “Nonsense. You are one of the best in our year!” You noticed the slight redness that crept up Yoongi’s cheeks and you smirked. “And I heard that you are going to be interning for the Auror Office at the end of school! I would be honoured if you helped me!” Sensing his hesitation, you paused for a second, trying to think of a way to make him feel more comfortable about it when an idea suddenly hit you. “How about an exchange?” You looked at him hopefully, his eyes roaming over your face trying to understand what you were proposing. “As in, is there anything that you may need help with?” You clarified and Yoongi nodded, finally understanding what you meant. He didn’t reply for a while and you started to get uncomfortable under his gaze. Shifting uneasily in your seat you cleared your throat, “of course, you don’t have to, I just thought it may make things a lot fairer if-”

“Defence” Yoongi interrupted abruptly. You stared at him for a second before your baffled expression turned into a smile. “Deal.” You took the deal, even though you knew very well that Yoongi was more than good at the subject, having managed to be one of the few people who could produce a Patronus in class. Deciding not to mention having observed his wispy Weasel Patronus almost starting to attack your Serpent one, you nodded at him extending your hand to seal the deal. Startled, Yoongi took a glance at your hand before hesitantly grabbing it. His warm hand enveloped yours and you gripped it, immediately finding comfort in his warm grip. Staring at each other for a second, the silence that settled over you wasn’t uncomfortable. There was a remnant of something that felt overlooked, as if there was something left unsaid between the two of you. Yoongi opened his mouth and your breath caught in your throat.

“Oi, Park!” Your cousin’s voice broke the comfortable bubble that you and Yoongi were in and you immediately dropped your hand on the table, pretending nothing had happened. You knew Jimin, and you knew he would not let you live it down if he noticed the position you and his friend were in. You schooled your face in a sneer and turned towards your obnoxious family member. “What Outdated Park?” You sneered at him, annoyed, then settled your eyes on the person hiding behind him. Sunny looked uncomfortable, so to ease the tension you smiled at her. It wasn’t that you didn’t like her, yet, you would not go out of your way to get to know her. “Are you ready for the Yule Ball?” Jimin airly said, dropping his arm over Sunny’s shoulder in such a casual way you could tell it was something he did often. At the thought of the Yule Ball, your mood instantly soured. Jimin knew there was no way you were excited about it, you glanced at Yoongi, who was doing his best to look at anyone but you. “Uhm, yeah, I guess.” You shrugged, the disappointment in our voice quite obvious.Yoongi chanced a glance at you, and you smiled sadly at him. “We will have to wait and see.” You broke eye contact, turning around to look back at Jimin, whose sympathetic eyes took in the interaction between you and his friend.

Yoongi felt his heart drop and his hand twitched. The sadness that he could read in your eyes made him want to grab your hand again, to reassure you, yet he stopped himself. He was nothing for you, and he could never be something. He would just stay as a friend and tutor, even though all he wanted to do was ask you to be his partner for the dance.

Staring at yourself in the mirror you took a deep breath in, your hands twitched at your sides. You were trying hard to not wipe them on your ball gown, your parents would kill you if you appeared less than perfect in front of anyone. Yoongi’s words rang loud and clear in your head. Refusing to acknowledge the truth of his statement you focused on your appearance once again. Tonight, you would be meeting your fiance officially - the thought as appealing as that one time you fell off the broom during the match against the Gryffindor team. You threw one more glance at yourself in the mirror before you acknowledged your friends calling your name.

“Coming! Wands out your asses.” You walk out of the dormitory into the Common Room. The dark atmosphere broken by the languid emerald flames coming from the fireplace, enhancing your satin dress. The lights caught in the folds of it giving it the fluidity of a crystal clear lake, the silver diamond like colour reflecting the green sheen cast around the room.

“Y/N, you have outdone yourself. Your partner is extremely lucky.” Your heart sped up at the thought of having to face your supposed arranged marriage partner. After you received your letter and had your emotional slip-up, you’d pushed the thought of your future fiance to the back of your brain. However, what you hadn’t realised was that with the Tournament happening at Hogwarts this year, you were going to meet your future husband sooner than intended. A pureblood from Beauxbatons; he was amongst the students chosen to be part of the visiting party. So, it didn’t surprise you when one afternoon, during your study session with your friends, he approached you. After he introduced himself, he immediately asked you to be his partner for the Yule Ball. No one else had dared to ask you to the Ball. Mouth agape you struggled to respond to him, knowing full well you couldn’t refuse, when you spotted Jimin and Yoongi making their way towards you.

“Hey Annoying Park.” Jimin greeted you, but at the sight of your discombobulated expression his face darkened, and he glanced between you and the Beauxbatons guy. “Who are you?” He narrows his eyes at the stranger and you would’ve laughed at his crassness if not for the conflicted feelings coursing through you. A small cough behind Jimin caught your attention and your eyes made contact with Yoongi’s. He shifted under your gaze as if uncomfortable and a sudden rush of embarrassment came over you. There was no reason to be ashamed of the situation you were in. Your future fiance had asked you to a ball, it was a perfectly normal situation. Nonetheless, the thought of Yoongi witnessing it made you squirm.

The tension was so thick you felt as if you were trapped in the darkness of the Forbidden Forest. The Beauxbatons student took a step forwards, placing himself in front of you in a protective manner. “Luc Millefeuille the Third.” He announced proudly, puffing his chest. Yoongi stiffened drastically at the name. He had heard it before, in newspapers. His great grandfather, the famous patissiere, was known for the serial mass poisoning of a group of muggles. The thought of you being chained to such a name made his skin crawl. If Jimin recognised the name he didn’t show it, instead he eyed the male with a steel gaze. “Nice to meet you.” Glancing at you he motioned with his head. “Red, we have practice to go to.” Taking the chance to get out of the situation you mumbled a goodbye to Luc before you hurried after Jimin.

In the end, Luc cornered you once more and you had no choice but to agree. Your parents were bound to have some harsh words for you if they found out you refused him. You knew of the family name, Jimin had made you aware of it. Despite your inherited indifference towards muggles, the thought of mass murder disgusted you. You didn’t know what your parents were planning and you couldn’t find out as your letters home had not been replied to.

“Y/N, are you ready?” You snapped out of your reverie. Turning to look at your friends, your smile grim, you nodded at them. “Yes, I guess so.” Patting your skirts once more you prepared to exit the dungeons just as the entrance opened, revealing a dashing Yoongi dressed in black robes, with a dark green sash around his torso. You faltered as you made eye contact with him, his eyes trailed down your form, darkening to the colour of tar. You felt yourself flush under his gaze, a slight tingle underneath your skin making you shift in discomfort. You couldn’t break eye contact with him even as your friends greeted him, his shocked gaze keeping you in place. “Y/N.” He whispered, taking a step towards you, you’re prepared to reach out to him when your sight is cut off by the abrupt entrance of the blonde Frenchman who barged past Yoongi.

“Y/N. You look delicious.” He smirked at you and you had to fight the urge to grimace. Grabbing your hand forcefully he doesn’t even acknowledge Yoongi as he dragged you out of the Common Room. Having to pick up your pace so that you didn’t trip over your dress, you looked back, your desperate eyes making contact with Yoongi’s dark ones once more. However, he’s gone from your sight the next second as Luc turned the corner.

Not being part of the Champions, the two of you had to wait near the entrance to the Great Hall, so you took your time observing the Christmas decorations that littered the gradious hall. The theme was a dark blue, with stars sparkling above your heads bathing the dance floor in an ethereal glow. You spotted Jimin and Sunny waiting to the side for the signal to start the dance. You could tell she was nervous by the way she gripped at Jimin’s robes, whispering animatedly in his ear. You laughed to yourself, you didn’t know her very well and you weren’t her biggest fan per se, but their relationship was adorable. Both of them were so oblivious to the other it was almost endearing if not borderline annoying.

Luc’s grip on you hasn’t softened since you entered the Grand Hall, it was starting to make you feel uncomfortable. You stepped to the side as you tried to get him to loosen his hold on you. When you were unsuccessful, you stomped your foot near his. “Let go.” You warned him through gritted teeth. Not only did he ignore you, but he tightened his grip on your arm as he dragged you forwards towards the rink. You didn’t even notice that the Champions had finished with their first dance, and now it was open to everyone to join in. You knew you’d regret it later, as you missed the opportunity to witness your cousin’s marvelous dancing with his clumsy partner, but you had more pressing matters to sort out. Your partner pulled you onto the dance floor and with a sneer he glanced at you, “I hope you know how to dance, I don’t want to be embarrassed.” You bit back a remark, you knew you couldn’t cause a scene in the middle of so many people, no matter how loud you normally were. Instead of answering you tighten your grip on his shoulder, your eyes coldly staring past him.

As you glided in a waltz across the floor you took your time scanning the room, taking in all the couples, the decorations and most importantly, your eyes were searching for the sole person you wanted to see that night. You spotted him in a corner near a table, his eyes already on you. The intensity with which he was watching you made a shiver run down your spine. This time, it didn’t feel uncomfortable, on the contrary Yoongi’s gaze on you felt reassuring. The whole dance you kept your gazes locked on each other, Yoongi not even glancing away as his partner got pulled from him for a dance. Even though you were apart, and you were dancing with the man meant to be your husband, it felt like it was just you and Yoongi in the room.

You stepped away from Luc as soon as the dance ended. Muttering an excuse about needing refreshments you fought the urge to gag when instead of offering to get them for you, he burdened you with his own refreshments. Taking any excuse that you could to get away from him you nodded and hurriedly made your way towards the tables where Jimin greeted you.

“You could’ve done worse.” His mocking tone irked you and you resisted the urge to kick him in the shin. Instead you angrily grabbed a glass of mead and downed half of it in one go. “Woah there, slow down.” Jimin backed away from you. “If you tell me it’s unladylike Park, I swear on Peeve’s dung bombs you and Sunny will not have any children.” You grumbled under your breath at him, not caring that said girl was also next to him, both their faces now beet red. “I am close to murdering him.” You sighed, the drink and reprieve you had from your French fiancee finally calming you down. “Oh Merlin’s beard, here he comes.” You spotted Luc making his way through the crowd with a pompous stride, heading straight towards you. Grabbing Jimin by his robes in a desperate attempt to hide, you didn’t notice the other man that reached you before your fiance could. With a yelp, you stumbled straight into Yoongi’s chest, his hands wrapping around your waist in an attempt to steady you. “You’re good.” He whispered in your ear. Your stomach clenched at his low voice and his breath hitting the sensitive shell of your ear. Mumbling a thanks you stepped away from him, your eyes never leaving his. You could feel your heart speeding up and you had to resist the urge to grab onto him for support once more.

“Y/N, where are the drinks?” Luc’s voice broke you out of your daze, and you turned away from Yoongi to face him. “I- uh- forgot.” You mumbled causing the Frenchman to scoff at you, a look of pure disgust on his face. “I can’t believe my wife is this stupid.” He spat at you. You could feel your blood boiling in anger, but before you could reply Jimin stepped in front of you. “She is not your wife and she is definitely not stupid.” You could hear the anger in his voice. Luc sized him up, knowing that he couldn’t have an argument with the head of the Park family, that would ruin any chances. Instead he sneered at your cousin whilst grabbing your arm tightly. “Come on.” He glared at you, but having had enough you stood your ground trying to pry your arm out of his grip. “Let me go.” You said through gritted teeth, you were close to hexing his ass and no one would have been able to stop you. Pulling at you roughly once more trying to get you away from your friends, he suddenly tripped over his robes. You yelped feeling yourself start to fall down along with him, when a hand grabbed you and pulled you towards a familiar chest. In the corner of your eyes you noticed a wand being placed back into the black robes that Yoongi was wearing.

“What happened?” Luc looked around confused, picking himself off the floor and you realised straight away what Yoongi had done. “Your robe’s dirty.” Yoongi pointed out with a monotonous voice, and you fought back a laugh. You could see the change in Luc’s eyes, the anger making him explode. With a flurry of curses thrown around in French, he stormed out of the Great Hall. You stared after him in silence for a second before you couldn’t help it anymore and you burst out laughing. “Oh, wow. Who would have thought?” Jimin finally calmed down enough to speak. “Now if you’d excuse us, Sunny needs to polish her dancing skills.” Saying that he grabbed said girl by the arm and led her towards the dance floor. Still chuckling to yourself you turned towards Yoongi, a sparkle in your eyes that made his heart burst with warmth.

“Confundus eh? Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you for that.” You smiled kindly at him, waiting for a response. But when he silently extended his hand towards you, all you felt was the blood rushing to your head, making you dizzy. “You could dance with me.” His tone was calm, not once giving away the nervousness that he felt beneath his skin. You didn’t even hesitate, you placed your hands in his. He led you towards the dance floor, wrapping his arm around your waist, whilst you daintily placed your hand on his shoulder. As you slowly started to glide along the dancefloor between the couples, your eyes locked onto his. The charmed stars twinkling above you, your heart fluttered in hope.

Needless to say, Christmas holidays came and went, your trip home cut short by your desire to be away from your obnoxious family, and the excitement of continuing your studies alongside Yoongi. With his help, you started making progress with your Potions, and you would have long chats about anything and everything during the hours you were meant to be studying for Defence. Yoongi felt happy, it felt like everything was finally going right. Until that one fateful day when a curse and a fight would change everything for him. He never thought that by being himself just once in his life, would cost everything he had managed to build over the past seven years at the school.

Yoongi’s heart dropped. He’d been found out. He could tell just by looking at everyone’s reaction. The friends he’d managed to make, had found out about his blood status. If not certain, they are suspecting him now. Suddenly, flashbacks of his father degrading him- calling him a dirty blood traitor, whilst making sure the skin of his wrist was raw and blistery, plagued his mind. His thoughts filled with his father’s harsh words, accompanied by his mother’s cries; the symphony of Yoongi’s life. He stood frozen on the spot, the adrenaline coursing through his veins causing him to enter the fight or flight mode. His wide eyes took in the faces of the people that have always supported him for the past few years he’s been at Hogwarts.

But then again, could Yoongi even call these people friends? Could he say they have always supported him? He glanced at Jimin.

Jimin, the person whom he thought was a stuck up pureblood. The person who approached him, offered him not only a seat at the Slytherin table, but also a group to belong in. He could vividly recall the day he got put into his house. He was terrified when the Sorting Hat sealed his fate with a simple holler- “SLYTHERIN!” Yoongi was aware of the house's reputation and fame. Full of purebloods, prejudice and pride; his mother had warned him to stay away from them. But how could he, now that he was one of them? In a split moment, he decided then and there that he would not allow anyone know about his status, he would take it to his grave if he had to. So with a strengthened resolve he created Slytherin Yoongi. Gone was the boy who would openly smile until his cheeks hurt, the boy who dreamt of happy endings, the boy who would innocently sit by the lake, his eyes following the murtlaps chasing each other. In his stead, a coldness settled over him. He knew that in order to make it he had to avoid being too close to anyone. Becoming friends with people would only make it harder for him to hide who he was. So he hid in the shadows on his own, keeping himself away from activities that would force him to interact with people more than necessary.

Until Jimin came along. Under the pureblood facade, Jimin was charismatic and flirtatious with everyone and that made him very popular amongst his fellow Slytherins. Yoongi stood no chance against his charms, and when one day he felt himself pulled down, to sit with the most popular Slytherin boy and his best friend he did not know what to make of it.

“You look terrified,” Jimin laughed at Yoongi’s expression.

Being aloof and stiff with most of his peers made Yoongi very good at reading people. However, there was one person he could not read at all, and that was himself. Conflicted most of the time, the battle between the soft hearted boy who would try his best to make everyone happy and the new indifferent one mirrored in his eyes. Jimin was not stupid by any means, Yoongi found that out along the way. The internal battle that he was going through was not unnoticed by the pureblood Slytherin. Thinking about his friend and their journey into their friendship caused an old wound to reopen, a new wave of pain washing over him.

Then there was Jin, his neighbour Jin, who had stuck with him through thick and thin since childhood. Jin was there to pick him up when the other muggle children started calling him a freak. He never thought that Jin would end up at Hogwarts, not until they both got their letter when their mothers met up during their weekly cooking sessions. Getting excited over the letters, their mothers gushed at the two of them being best friends forever. Having Jin be there with him when they both entered the grand halls of the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was a comfort he knew he shouldn’t indulge in. After all, they would probably not end up in the same house, and having read enough about the School, he knew there were rivalries, stereotypes. He couldn’t bear the thought of Jin becoming his enemy. So he kept his distance. But as usual, Jin had an innate ability to jump in and save the day, a stubbornness only characteristic to Gryffindors. So, Jin stayed by his side. The boy was smart enough to not reveal their friendship to everyone. Until this day, that is.

Then there was Red, you were the sole reason his cold facade melted. For you he became the person that he used to be. Warm hearted and ready to jump to anyone’s aid. He tried his best to not let his wall crumble, and for the most part he succeeded. But in his heart, something changed, something shifted. Your loud and honest personality paired with your stubbornness and your laissez faire attitude drew him in straight away. Yet, you were Jimin’s cousin, born as a pureblood, with the values of a Slytherin. You were loud and proud about being who you were. Never obnoxious about it, but there would be times when you would slip in one insult or another towards fellow ‘mudblood’ students. Yoongi knew then that as enraptured as he was by you, he had to keep you at a distance. He could not let you find out who he was, so he denied himself the intimacy with you that he desperately craved.

He got caught in the web of lies he has created around his persona. The Yoongi that everyone knew was a facade, he was not and he would never be that Yoongi. He wasn’t the pureblood genius that everyone knew, and he certainly was not the pureblood that could ever hope to win Red’s heart. At the thought of you his eyes honed in on yours. To his surprise he couldn’t see any animosity in them, instead the sheen that glossed over your eyes spoke of pain. The sight of you there, amongst the people who have witnessed his comeuppance was unbearable to him and so with one last wistful glance at you, he turned on his heels and ran.

“Yoongi!” The chorus of voices calling him was drowned out by the desperation in your voice.

He ran as fast as he could, stumbling into people, his eyes filling with hot tears. His legs were starting to hurt, and as he passed students, teachers, statues, Peeves who tried to pelt him with water - all he could focus on was the scene that had sealed his fate. The punches, his innate reaction to help his friends. The way Jin and Jimin had thrown meaningless words at each other. Something so unlike Jin that he did not know what to do, he acted instantly to break up the fight. Seeing his childhood friend, his brother, this aggressive triggered something in him he had not felt for a while. Fear.

He feared that Jin may have snapped, the trials of his life finally catching up to him at one word sputtered by Park’s mouth, so he acted out of pure instinct. He got in between the two, but to everyone’s surprise, Jimin was not the person he first reached out to. It was Jin who worried him the most. Talking to him in front of everyone as if he was an old friend, saying things to him that he shouldn’t have known, raised an alarm in everyone’s minds. When everything finally calmed down, Jin calmed down and Park, constrained by Taehyung. Yoongi was the only one left in the middle of the crowd, exposed and afraid.

Seeing him stand like that, his nervous countenance so unlike the cool composed man you’ve come to know, spurred you on. Cautiously you approached him, your hand extended towards him. “Yoongi?” You tried to get his attention however, your voice came out softer than you’d intended. Clearing your throat, you tried again, this time with a lot more conviction. “Yoongi, are you...ok?” To your credit, you settled for the safest of questions. There were a million thoughts running through your head, how did he know Jin? Most importantly, how did he know Jin so well? You have never once witnessed any contact between him and the Gryffindor Head Boy, other than the occasional nod in his direction. But this, everything you’ve heard, it seemed like their relationship ran deeper than Hogwarts. Purebloods and muggles in your head did not mix, especially Slytherins, unless there was something there that you were missing. That thought now in your head, you threw a hesitant glance in Jimin’s direction. It was easy to spot him amongst the rest, his face the only calm composed one out of all of them. Taehyung, Sunny, Nerd- the surprise was clear and apparent on their faces. Jimin’s calm composure told you all you needed to know- he was aware of the situation. Promising yourself to question him later, you turned your attention back to Yoongi, who as time passed looked more and more like a cornered animal, and you knew that at any moment he would flee the scene. Without thinking you took three rushed steps towards him, your eyes locked onto his. You read the sheer panic in them and before you could react his feet had carried him halfway across the hallway. “Yoongi!”

Without thinking you ran after him, ignoring your cousin’s shouts for you to return. You did what you normally did best, acted rashly and ignorantly. As a beater on the Slytherin team you had the athletic advantage and so you quickly caught up with his retreating form. Reaching out for his arm you stopped him dead in his tracks. “Yoongi. Stop.” Your voice sounded harsher than you’d intended, so desperate to get him to listen to you that you did not consider how your tone would affect him. You waited, not even phased by the sound of the other students milling in the corridors, the sight of his back being all you could see. The sound of his laboured breathing all you could hear. You uttered his name again yet, he did not turn around to face you, and for a second your composure crumbles. You squeeze his arm trying to get his attention, trying to get him to respond to you, trying to get him to do something. Caught up in your own thoughts and worries you yelped in surprise, you didn’t even notice his sharp intake of breath before he suddenly yanked his arm out of your hold.

“What do you want now?” The tone of his voice is as cold as the corridor you are both in. Your heart clenches at the sound. You were expecting him to be hurt or scared, but the anger that you could read in his voice takes you by surprise. How Slytherin of him, you thought, and how Slytherin of you to assume he would be anything but angry. All your life you’ve been indoctrinated to believe that anyone is below you, no matter who they are, all your life you were taught to assume you could read everyone, and you would always be right in your assumptions. Prejudice is not a winner in this case, you realised, not when it comes to love. Because all the nights you have spent in your dark room mulling over what had transpired between the two of you since that day in the bathroom, to the Yule Ball where you could barely think of dancing with anyone else but him. You didn’t see it coming, like a Bludgeon to the head, but your heart did. You tried and tried to tell yourself that it was not love, but it was already too late.

“Yoongi, please don’t shut us out.” You haven’t pleaded in your life, the sound of your voice a surprise to your ears. Before you could think too much into it, Yoongi’s response hit you like the Cruciatus curse.

“Why? Why would I not? Why would I let you use my situation to fuel your pureblood pride?” He spat and you recoiled instantly from him, you’ve never heard such venomous words coming from him. “Yoongi,” you whispered, the fire in your heart dwindling. “Why are you like this? I’ve never....why,” you tried to find your words but the hurt and shock running through your body made it difficult. “You’ve never been like this.” You finally settled. Yoongi narrowed his eyes at you, his fierce expression made you tremble. The shivers running down your spine didn’t stop even as he carried on. The malicious tone of his voice bleeding through your veins like ice cold water. For a second you wonder if this is what Jimin’s felt like as Sunny pulled him out of the Black Lake. Cold and scared.

“What do you know about me?” You open your mouth to respond but he stops you dead in your tracks. “Nothing!” he hissed. “You don’t know anything about me. You know Yoongi, the Slytherin. But you don’t know anything about Min Yoongi the person.” His words cut through you and in that moment you’d rather be stuck with an army of Dementors than hear the accusations thrown your way. You knew he was right, you knew nothing of him. You hadn’t tried to even after your brain finally accepted that your heart belonged to him. Ashamedly, you cower away from him, your heart stuck in your throat, the sudden feeling of nausea hitting you as if you’ve had more Butterbeer than needed. You couldn’t speak, your words falling short of your own feelings. You wanted to tell him you wanted to know him, the real him, pureblood or not, it was him you have fallen in love with. You wanted to tell him the extent of your feelings, yet nothing would come out. The silence that settled over the two of you was pressing and your senses were telling you to run, to get away from the uncomfortable feelings coursing through you. There was a reason you were sorted in Slytherin, more than your pureblood status, the need for self preservation ingrained in you since birth.

Yoongi’s laugh brought you back to the present, the despair you could discern in it made your heart break. Once more, the need to yell out your feelings, to comfort him like you did that day in the bathroom, willed you to move, and so you did. Taking a small weary step, the need to be closer to him overriding your cautiousness you softly whispered his name.

Scared and confused, Yoongi knew he had shut himself in. He was aware of what his words were doing to you, yet he could not bring himself to care. Not when all he could feel was the rejection that had trumped over his entire life, not when the hurt he has carried since birth which was not even his own doing, fuelled his emotions. His heart was screaming at him to move away from you before he did more damage, to remove himself from your vulnerable form, something he had only witnessed twice, your pride never allowing you to show anything less than perfection. However, what he did was the complete opposite to that. The hand that was extended towards him, in an attempt at reconciliation, made him bristle, and so, acting like a cornered Hippogriff, he took the bite in the form of words. Words he would come to regret later, but at that moment, it did not matter to him.

“Stop, just stop.” His voice was loud and clear, the hardness of it washing over you. He could have cast a Stupefy spell over you and the results would have been the same. You froze, the feeling of dread gripping at your heart. “Do you think you can come here, with your pretty words and make everything better?” He spat, his eyes blazing with anger. “You don’t know anything about me, and you wouldn’t care to know.”

Finding your voice, the anger he is throwing at you fuelling yours, you narrowed your eyes at him. “Yoongi, stop. I never said I did not want to know you. I will never shut you out like you are now. Stop being a coward. Don’t shut us out,” The anger in your voice dissipated, leaving the desperation that you felt to seep through. “Don’t shut me out.” But Yoongi is relentless, his anger blinding, he knew he needed to protect himself from what was to come and so, he chose to do it in the only way he’s known how to, by distancing himself from people and his own feelings. “So what, are you implying you’d be friends with a mudblood?” He scoffed, and for a second you couldn’t find the will to speak. Taking it as an agreement, Yoongi carries on, his voice more spiteful than before. “See what I mean? You are not going to shut me out? That is a lie, and you know it. What would your parents think about their perfect princess being friends with a dirty blood traitor huh? What would they say if you brought something as disgusting as that and presented him as your friend? You couldn't, could you? Your perfect status is too important to be tainted” He took another step towards you, but this time instead of meeting him in the middle, you took a step back. The fire in his eyes, and the hatred in his voice terrified you.

“But you’re not a mudblood, not…” You couldn’t continue, your heart stuck in your throat, and the taste of bile invaded your tastebuds once more. You could feel the tears pricking, waiting to come out. Yoongi stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide as if you’ve burnt him. And maybe you have, because the next second he groaned in frustration, “see what I mean, Y/N? Full mudblood or not, blood status will forever matter to you. And this is why you need to stay away from me. Forget I even existed in your life.” With that he turned around and left in a hurry his robes billowing behind him, not even bothering to glance back at your broken form. He knew he shattered you, his words pierced through your heart, he could’ve used an Unforgivable Curse on you and it would have been kinder than this. Yoongi tried his hardest to not break down in front of you but as soon as he turned the corner and was out of your sight he crumpled to the ground, his silent sobs a mirror of your echoing ones.

He didn’t know how long he’d stayed there, he didn’t know when his legs carried him to the bathroom that Moaning Myrtle normally did the rounds in, yet he wasn’t disturbed by anyone. He didn’t even notice you entering and trying to talk to him again, all he could hear was the yells of his father, the abuse he suffered because of what he was, all to the soundtrack of his own sobs. He could feel his body begging him to stop, to stop crying himself to exhaustion. When he eventually calmed down he found himself unable to move, and you were nowhere to be seen. His body stiff from sitting in one position for so long, his head pounding with the effort of crying, he felt empty. Helpless. He didn’t know where to go from there, aware it was late he willed himself to move. He knew he needed to return to the dungeons, it would be around this time that Jimin would start his rounds as Prefect and he didn’t want to risk getting points taken away from them if anyone else but Jimin found him loitering in the corridors. Though, that wouldn’t be unlike him, a disappointment to his house.

Luckily for him, the way to the Common Room was deserted. Before entering, the growl coming from his empty stomach reminded him he missed dinner and so at the last minute he took a detour towards the kitchens, hoping that one of the Elves could make him something to eat. Standing in front of the painting he tickled the pear. Entering the kitchens he greeted the House Elves but to his surprise, he found himself staring at Jimin. Muttering his name Yoongi went to turn around and leave, the sight of his friend a painful reminder of what happened a few hours prior. “Yoongi, wait.” Jimin’s voice sounded stern and by habit, Yoongi stopped dead in his tracks. He didn’t want to face his friend, the friend who always thought he was something he wasn’t, something he could never be, and something that Jimin valued above anything else. The thought of you crossed his mind and he closed his eyes tightly in grief. How could he dare face the cousin of the person he’s hurt the most?

“Jimin.” He couldn’t say anymore than that, his feelings clear in his voice. He felt angry, he felt ashamed, he felt like a fraud. No one said a word, the hustle and bustle of the House Elves the only noise that could be heard around them. Finally, Jimin sighed as he sat back down, motioning for Yoongi to join him. Yoongi hesitated, he shouldn’t. He didn’t know what Jimin would do now that he knew his friend wasn’t what he said. “Please sit or I'll have to report you to the Headboy for being out this late.” Yoongi narrowed his eyes. He wouldn’t put it past Jimin to do such a thing so he complied, and sat down further away. Once again Jimin sighed,”look, I won’t discuss what happened today unless you wish to.” Yoongi’s eyes widened, unable to believe what he was hearing. It was so unlike Jimin to make a pass at someone in such a way.

“Then why am I sitting here?” Yoongi bit back, too exhausted to lash out at Jimin, even though that is all he wanted to do. “Because you are my friend.” Yoongi couldn’t help but scoff at Jimin’s words, “Yes, you are my friend Yoongi, nothing can change that, especially since you are in love with my cousin.” Yoongi froze, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His brain was yelling at him to deny it, how could he love you, when all he’s done was hurt you, yet his heart wholeheartedly agreed with Jimin. Confused by his own feelings, he didn’t say anything while waiting for Jimin to continue. Seeing that his friend was not going to react to his words Jimin sighed and continued. “Look, I knew who you were, I've known since 4th year.” Yoongi snapped his head round to look at Jimin, his eyes wide in surprise. “You...knew? Why then...?” he whispered and Jimin nodded. “Yes, I knew. Why, then, did I not say anything or why have I stayed your friend?” Yoongi nodded at the latter, he wanted answers for both of those questions but he would take whatever Jimin would give him. Jimin sighed once more, he never realised how broken his friend actually was, and it broke his heart to see it. “Because no matter what, you are who you are, not what your blood status is. Yes, there is prejudice, and I apologise if I've ever made you feel like I would shun you because of this, but I frankly don’t care. My family does, but I don't care what they do either.” Yoongi couldn’t help but laugh, relief washing over him. Jimin didn’t care. It felt as if a rock had been lifted off his chest. Jimin smiled grimly, “I will fight until the end with them if it means I get to live the life I want.” Yoongi nodded in understanding. “Is this about Sunny?” Jimin hummed in agreement. “I will tell my parents after graduation.” Yoongi shuddered, he knew where this was going, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse. “I will consider.” He said and got up to leave; suddenly he wasn’t hungry anymore.

“That is all I am asking of you.” Yoongi smiled grimly at Jimin but didn’t reply. Jimin continued, “And Yoongi, what I just said about not caring what you are? I know Red doesn’t either. So please consider that too.” Yoongi left without uttering another word, his heart pounding in his chest.

The sight of the looming manor made Yoongi stop dead in his tracks, his blood ran cold and he fought the instinct to Disapparate back to his home. He was here for Jimin’s sake, he needed to be there for his friend so with a sigh he dejectedly made his way towards the entrance. With the last bit of his strength he prepared himself to knock, only to be startled when the door opened for him as soon as he raised his hand towards the knocker. Confused, he took a cautious step inside, expecting someone to yell at him for trespassing. When only silence greeted him, he glanced around, taking in the intimidating vastness of the corridor. The mahogany theme of the door continued inside, the tall ceiling supported by wooden beams displaying various carvings. Yoongi took his time observing the paintings displayed above his head, the intricacy and detail told him they were an expensive artifact. Taking a few more hesitant steps, he came face to face with a grand mirror, its frame made out of solid gold and Yoongi couldn’t help but huff at the thought of a Slytherin owning something else apart from silver. But then again, Jimin has never been your usual Slytherin. Before he could wonder further into the house, his ears picked up a murmur carrying over from the right hand side.

Determined to not make himself appear like a muggle, he took a deep breath in and with a determined stance, straightening his back he prepared himself to fully enter enemy territory. He was a lithe person, normally living in the shadows, he was used to not making a sound as he walked. Sometimes that would be a blessing and sometimes it would be a curse. As he approached the location where the voices were coming from he decided it was the former rather than the latter. Turning the corner, his heart stopped for a second. With her back towards him, in full dark green robes, bent over, whispering cautiously to a house elf, stood Red. He hadn’t seen you since that last argument, the two of you making it clear you wanted nothing to do with each other. You played this avoidance game throughout to the end of the year, it wasn’t hard to do so.

With your N.E.W.Ts around the corner, you both got stuck studying for your respective classes. Fortunately for him, aside from Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts you two didn’t share any other classes together. So for the rest of the year, you two didn’t have any unnecessary meetings. At first, Yoongi felt relieved, the way he treated you at that time was a painful memory, not having the chance to face you about it eased his mind. He wasn’t wrong when he told you during your dance at the Yule Ball that he was going to hurt you, you adamantly refused to believe him. That night in the corridor when he degraded your status as a pureblood with all the hatred he could muster, he saw the heartbreak in your eyes. At the time, he couldn’t care less, the painful memories of his childhood completely blinding him, the shame hit him a few hours later when he talked to your cousin. “She has the right to love whomever she wants, what she doesn’t have is a choice to have whomever she wants. Yet, she’s fighting for that choice, and her choice is you. She couldn’t have found a better cause to fight for.”

Those words stayed in his heart until the end of the year, he didn’t know how or when, but he’s slowly come to terms with his feelings. He suspected his talk with Jin about it also helped. Jin, who came to apologise about the situation he put Yoongi through, however, contrary to his first reaction, Yoongi was quick to assure him it didn’t matter. People were bound to find out regardless, it wasn’t as if the situation ended up that way due to Jin’s malicious intent. The discussion with Jin made him realise that people haven’t treated him differently. He’s managed to make friends during these years at Hogwarts, and the friends he’s made liked him for himself, not his status in society. The only people who may have had a real issue with it were the first people to find out, the people who accepted him without a doubt.

At the sight of you, crouched to the House Elf’s level whispering instructions, his gaze softened. You were one of those people, and yet, he treated you horribly. As a Slytherin pureblood you had your faults, pride being one of them, but you’ve never treated anyone differently based on their blood status. You tended to stay away from what would be deemed as ‘impure blood’ but that wasn’t a choice, the rivalries and prejudice between Houses made it difficult to overcome that. Suddenly his ears picked his name out from the conversation and he took a step back, assuring that he was hidden from view.

“Make sure Yoongi doesn’t realise, ok? Honestly, how can he Disapparate in front of the Manor and come knock like a muggle?” Yoongi’s heart clenched at your words, maybe he was wrong, maybe you did avoid him on purpose. Before his thoughts could take over his actions, you carried on, “this family would not only suspect him, but go to the depths of looking into his family history. Make sure no one realises he didn’t Floo himself here, Harvey.” Yoongi unknowingly took a few steps closer to you, his body now in full view. Straightening up, you turned to leave the room when you caught sight of Yoongi’s frozen form.

Your surprised expression instantly turned cold, as you nodded at him in acknowledgement. “Yoongi.” Said man couldn’t find his words to greet you, the discrepancy between your cold words to him and what he’s heard earlier making his head spin. Your face may have been stony cold, but your heart bled for him. You’d missed him- playing the avoidance game had been the hardest thing you’d ever had to do. Seeing him now, looking fresher and healthier than he was the last time you saw him, hurt. Because you knew that it was you who’d managed to bring him to despair. You may have done it subconsciously, or maybe you weren’t even a part of it, but the guilt gnawed at your inside nonetheless. Your world was not healthy for him. You knew that. You shouldn’t have even thought about bringing him into it, this wasn’t a fairytale, and it would never be. You needed to let him go. Defeated, you prepared yourself to leave. But just like Jimin had stopped him that night in the kitchens, Yoongi decided that it was time to stop being a coward. He needed to face his demons, and most importantly he needed to make sure you never left his side again.

“Y/N.” The tone of his voice made you stop abruptly, your eyes widened in panic. This was not meant to happen, you weren’t ready to face him on your own just yet. Putting on the most cordial face you could, you nodded at him in acknowledgment. “Yoongi. How have you been?” He hated it- hated this politeness towards him. Where was the woman who put him in his place more than once? Where was the woman whose pride meant she had to have the last word. “I-Fine.” He was so caught off guard by your behaviour that he found the words he’d prepared stuck in his throat.

Staring at him for a second longer, you nodded. “Well-“ Yoongi knew what you were going to say so with a last surge of courage he plunged. “I love you.” You froze, your brain trying to wrap itself around the confession that Yoongi just hurtled at you. “What?” You whispered, you needed to make sure you heard it correctly. Yoongi took a deep breath in, the cat was already out of the bag, and he would be as truthful with you as he could without drinking any Veritaserum. “I love you, I may not be the best for you, by Merlin, I am not even a possibility for you, but I wanted to let you know. I’ve run away too much, and you were right, I’ve been a coward. But if I want to stand any chance against your family, I need to stop hiding behind my hatred and cowardice.” His words were said with such conviction they brought tears to your eyes. Unknowingly, your feet carried you closer and closer to him, until you broke off into a run, not caring about how unladylike you may have looked. You threw yourself into his arms making him stumble. “I love you.” You whispered into his shirt, the tears flowing down your cheeks washing away the pain you’ve garnered in your heart. There was nothing else exchanged, there was no need to. You both knew how you felt, you both knew the other knew how you felt. You were both aware it will be a tough ride for the both of you, but your hearts were mending and that was all that mattered.

“What about the French bastard?” Yoongi broke out of your hold and looked at you in confusion. “What about him?” Your eyes are twinkling like the night stars, and Yoongi swore he saw galaxies in your smile. “My parents don’t want a son in law who ditches their daughter at a ball.” You chuckled as Yoongi’s eyes widened. “Plus,” you grabbed his hand and led him out of the drawing room towards a grandiose, intricately carved door. Behind it, Yoongi could hear murmurs and he assumed that is where the party was being held. “Jimin can be very convincing when he wants to.” You winked at him playfully.

“Let's hope he’s more than willing to be convincing today too.” Yoongi smirked and he looked at you. “You ready?” At your nod, you both waved your hands whispering Alohomora and watched with your hearts in your throat as the door opened. It was now or never.

As Jimin announced his relationship to Sunny, your hand gripped Yoongi’s subconsciously. Your heart threatened to beat out of your chest in fear. Fear for Jimin and his relationship, but most importantly, fear for yourself and your own chances at a happy relationship with Yoongi. You glanced at said man, he looked terrified as if he was the one under scrutiny, you could notice his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. The silence in the room felt heavy and you turned your attention towards your parents. You knew it was selfish, it was Jimin you should be worried about and yet, all you could think of was the man next to you. The man who managed to brave this manor, and these purebloods despite his adversity to them. All for your cousin. You could see the tick in your parent’s jaw, you could see the tension between Jimin and his father, so thick you could cut it with a knife. No one dared to say anything for a while, and just like that, with the sounds of a platter dropping to the floor the tension was broken like a spell. Everyone’s heads turned towards the source of the noise. There in the middle of the fireplace, stood the fashionably late Taehyung, having Floo’d in straight into a House Elf serving a platter of wine. “My apologies for the lateness!” He exclaimed as he took in the mess he’s managed to create. With a wave of his hand he mumbled “Reverte” under his breath, not giving the House Elf another look as he made his way in between Jimin and his father. “Mr. Park, lovely to see you.” He bows his head in respect, not giving Jimin’s father any time to react, Taehyung turns quickly towards Jimin. “Jimin, you are needed in the Auror Office today as soon as possible.”

If you wouldn’t have known those two rascals from a very young age you would’ve thought it a coincidence, a bloody godsend, but because you have been around them since diapers you didn’t miss the slight turn at the corner of Taehyung’s mouth, or the way Jimin subtly nodded at him. They have planned this from the beginning, and with a small relieved laugh you acknowledge Tae’s greeting with a wave of your hand.

“They planned this all along didn’t they?” Yoongi’s whisper in your ears makes you shudder. Still chuckling to yourself you nod, “of course they did, it’s the double trouble of Hogwarts, well I should say the Auror’s Office now shouldn’t I?” Turning towards him, you don’t miss the amused glint in his eyes. You barely notice the commotion of the party carrying on around you, your fingers intertwined with Yoongi’s, your gazes locked and silly smiles on your faces. If Jimin could do this and get through it, then so could you. You weren’t going to let Outdated Park beat you at that too.

“We will be fine.” You said determinately, a surge of courage and hopefulness running through you. Chuckling at your expression, Yoongi nodded.

“Yes we will, Red, yes we will.” You could get through this, especially if it was with Yoongi by your side, it was all worth it.

Main Masterlist