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legitalicat · 5 months

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Out of Time

Chapter 5 - "Oh Brother, I've Returned"

an: While it does not fit this chapter entirely, I listened to "Brother" by Madds Buckley a lot during this chapter. As an older sister who moved out when my younger sibling was under 10, I feel the guilt of being gone while your siblings grow up without you. I highly recommend that song.

If you love this header go check out zaldritzosrose for more amazing work! She is tagged on the series masterlist and on my welcome post!

Find the series Master list here!

Summary: "It is not a ridiculous notion to fear what we do not know. Yet you cannot let your fears keep you from them."

TW: Anxiety, profanity, angst, dead daddy issues, literal bone crushing hugs, substance use, fear of addiction, detailed descriptions of Viserys I death, descriptions of severe pain, Vizzy is not a good parent, Aemond and Jace making a scene at dinner AGAIN, very large and physically intimidating men, Jaehaerys being very much a brother, Joffrey and Luke being little shithead brothers,

Romantic Pairings: Very brief focus on Aemond Targaryen x Velaryon!Reader, Very brief focus on Jacaerys Velaryon x Twin!Reader, Aegon Targaryen ii x Velaryon!Reader.

Other characters shining in this chapter: Ser Erryk, Jaehaera Targaryen, Lucerys Velaryon, Joffrey Velaryon, Aegon iii, Viserys Targaryen ii, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Alicent Hightower

Word count: 6.6k (oops)

The fuzzy feelings disappeared by late afternoon. A bright side was that I was absolutely starving when dinner time came. When I stood from my bed, I found I still had no pain. It was great to be able to walk across the room in less than five minutes.

I met Ser Erryk just outside my room. He greeted me as he always did, cheerful and just seemingly grateful. He spoke to me of the apparent menu for the night. We were to have braised goose with roasted chestnuts and cabbage.

“You like goose?” I asked him as we walked.

“I do, princess. It is greasy, so unappealing to some. I believe your mother is among them,” he said, smiling at me.

“It was a joke of sorts, between her and my father. A discussion they had before they were married. She likes to have it every so often as a way to remember him,” I told him.

It was true enough. The reason why Ser Laenor was who claimed us was apparent to me when I thought of him. He was never without the company of a male companion. When we first went to Dragonstone, he brought a young knight. Joffrey is named after a knight he knew in his youth, whose death devastated him in unimaginable ways. He loved them both deeply and in a way he could never love Mother.

It was known to her before they married, so when she spoke to him of the marriage, she assured him it would not impose on his life. She equated it to taste, saying like her, he preferred roast duck to goose. There was nothing wrong with that. Some people just like things and that was that.

After his death, I found Mother would request goose for our dinner. When I pointed out that he had never picked it out himself, she told me that was the point. The goose was meant to represent their effort in marriage, and for her it was a way to honor him. She had so much love for him, and he for her, even if it was not the type of love she shared with my blood father or even Daemon.

I truly believe they were soulmates. Most believed that soulmates were romantic, that it always ended with love and sex and all those things that made people gooey inside. There was not a person alive, though, that could convince me Mother and Laenor did not belong together in life even though they were not in love. You cannot have a best friend like that and tell me that the gods did not design you for that person.

Often I think how there was nobody better than Laenor to have been with her. Yes, my father and her loved one another in a way most wouldn’t understand. Yes, Daemon seems an equal match for her now. And yes, Laenor had loved his male companions the way he perhaps should’ve loved the one he married. But they understood each other on a fundamental level. They never begrudged one another, never showed anything to us that wasn’t pure love and respect for not only us but one another. Even if it were not romantic love, they were made to love each other.

“Ser Laenor was a good man. I think he would be proud of who you are,” he told me. “I truly believe that.”

Sometimes I didn’t know how to feel about Ser Laenor. He was not my blood. His opinions on me truly held no bearing in the grand scheme of things, as he was never who I had to impress. My inheritance would’ve never come from him.

But anytime I heard he would be proud of me, I wanted to beg for more. Blood or not he was my father. He was the man who claimed me. He loved me. How could I not want him to be proud of me?

“Thank you, Ser Erryk. I appreciate it,” I whispered, trying to not let my voice crack under the emotion.

We continued walking along without speaking any further. I could hear music and laughter as we approached the Small Hall. Don’t let the name fool you, though. Located in the Tower of the Hand, it had to be smaller than the Great Hall where the Throne sat, but this hall still held over two hundred people if so desired. With a family so large, it made sense to have our dinners here.

Erryk went to open the door but I reached out my hand to grab his before he could. The sounds of the ones I love being happy on the other side of this door terrified me. We were all mostly happy that night, the night I disappeared. At least we were for a moment in time.

My finger tips went numb and my bottom lip was trembling. It had been hard enough just being alone with those I’ve had time with already. But to see all of them, all at once, felt like it was an impossible task.

I had yet to speak to any of my brothers other than Jace. Trying to face the very distinct possibility of Little Aegon and Viserys disliking me felt like my stomach was being tied in knots. Joffrey was fourteen now, what if he didn’t like me either? Or if Luke was angry with me, somehow blaming me for being gone, I don’t think I could take it.

So much time had been lost. I was newly eighteen when I disappeared, now Jace and I were fast approaching twenty four. Aemond had been nineteen, Helaena twenty, Aegon twenty two, and Luke just fifteen. We all had so much time together. But Joffrey had only been nine, Little Aegon four, and Viserys only two. I had missed such a grand portion of their lives, even more when thinking of the year I was in King’s Landing beforehand, I didn’t think I could fit.

“We can go back if you wish,” Erryk said quietly to me. “I will make some excuse as to why you remain in your rooms. They needn’t know.”

“What kind of person is scared of their family for no reason?” I whispered to him, looking at him as a tear slowly rolled down my cheek.

It would maybe make sense if they had been terrible to me. But even the worst among them treated me as though I was golden. Alicent, who had undoubtedly been abhorrent to Mother and my brothers to the point she demanded all of us be brought to her when Mother was fresh from her labors, had loved me. I could distinctly remember sitting on her lap as a small child while my grandsire told Jace and I about the Kingdoms the would one day be ours.

“The first time Arryk and I went home after we were appointed to the Kingsguard, I was certain our parents would shut the door in our face,” he told me. “How could they not? I mean we were the only two heirs to our house and we both took an oath that forbade us from having lands, having a wife, having children. We effectively ended our house with us. But all our parents cared about was that we were happy and safe. It is not a ridiculous notion to fear what we do not know. Yet you cannot let your fears keep you from them.”

I could not look him in the eye. Part of me was so ashamed to feel as scared that I did. To me, it was a ridiculous notion. I’m the blood of the dragon, how could I fear anything?

He put his other hand over top mine, that still held onto him like my life depended on it. That was what let me meet his gaze. He truly looked at me with nothing but kindness in his eyes.

“When you were a girl, it is not that you were fearless. It is that you have always loved so fiercely your own fears did not stop you. When you sabotaged the soil stores so that the garden bugs would not die, you faced your mother, Queen Alicent, and your grandsire with tears in your eyes. You were scared of being in trouble, of having done something wrong. Even so, you held Helaena’s hand and explained why you did it. The night of Aemond’s injury, you were scared to anger everyone in explaining what happened. Yet, what mattered to you was the truth and so you told the truth,” he explained to me. “I offer again that I can take you back to your room and I will tell them you were not feeling well.”

The faith he had in the person I am felt comforting. At least there was one person who knew truly who I am. He had no reason to make me fit a certain mold. It was not like with Aemond or Jace in which he needed me to be this perfect representation of a person. He did not need me to understand the darkest parts of him like Aegon did. It was truly like he was a friend.

“Do not stray far from me,” I said quietly to him.

Releasing his hand, I stood straight and readied myself. He opened the door and stood to the side.

When I stepped into the room, for a moment nobody really noticed me and I just got to watch. Viserys, Little Aegon, and Maelor were all running around the room in a game. Mother and Alicent were speaking to one another, smiling. Jaehaerys and Jaehaera were animatedly discussing something with Aemond and Helaena. Luke, Jace, and Aegon were all hunched over the table as they laughed about something. Joffrey was in the corner of the room sneaking a little cake.

They were all so happy. Was this truly what it was like all the time now? Had the wounds of the past been so forgotten we could live like this?

Surprisingly, the first to notice me was Jaehaera. She very obviously lit up upon seeing me and got up from her chair near immediately. Wasting no time, she went to the empty chair in between Mother and Alicent and grabbed a bouquet of flowers that had sat in it. It was then others took notice of her movements and all their eyes shifted from her to me.

When I began feeling the fear bubbling up inside me again and my fingertips once again felt numb, I just focused on Jaehaera. This little girl who was so happy when she noticed me, a little girl I adored so much, was now running to me with these flowers in her hand. They were a pretty assortment, consisting peonies, tulips, and lilies.

“Mumma says you like flowers so I picked the prettiest ones,” she said happily when she stopped in front of me. She very proudly held out her bouquet so that I could admire her work.

I smiled softly at Jaehaera as tears welled up in my eyes. “They are lovely, thank you little one,” I said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. Carefully I took the bouquet from her and held it in my hands.

They were not flawless flowers. One of the peonies had not fully bloomed while another had already begun to lose its petals. The lilies had been slightly crushed against the weight of the other flowers. I noticed the tulips had little teeny insects crawling around on them, which Helaena and her children no doubt saw as an added benefit, and as such there were teeny holes in some of the petals. But there was not enough gold in the world that could convince me to rid myself of this bouquet. Despite the flaws, I could not think of it as anything less than perfect. Erryk took them in his own hand before he arranged for a serving girl to take them to my room and put them in water.

She took my hand in hers and began pulling me along to the table. Even in her excitement, she also seemed to be careful with me like everyone else had been.

“Do you want to sit next to me??” Jaehaerys said loudly when I was in arms reach of the table. It caused Jaehaera to stop her path, therefore stopping me.

“Inside voice, bubba,” Jaehaera said softly to him before looking at me. “Excuse him. He forgets we all have ears.”

“That’s okay, Luke was like that too when he was little,” I said to her. It caused them both to grin from ear to ear.

“Did you hear that Jae Jae? I’m like Luke,” he said, noticeably quieter this time, but just as excitedly.

“I am just glad someone else knows about brothers,” Jaehaera said with a giggle.

“I would like to point out that I had no choice but to be loud to make sure I was heard over Jace’s big mouth,” Luke said as he stood from his seat.

When Luke stood I realized he was taller than me. Not near as tall as Aegon, but a noticeable few inches. It caused a great stirring of emotions in my chest. I had anticipated my brothers growing taller than me, in fact it surprised me that Jace was only my height and not taller. Yet, not being here to notice it happening caused an ache.

Especially with Luke. He was only three years younger than me, so I did not remember his birth or his little years quite like I remembered Joffrey’s, Little Aegon’s, or Viserys’. That didn’t keep me from remembering bits and pieces, though. Like, I used to help Mother pick out the clothes he wore as a baby as though he was a doll. I snuck out of bed one night when he was a newborn so that I could sleep next to his cradle. I could remember the first time he got sick and, instead of going to Mother and Laenor, he crawled into bed between Jace and I and leaked snot all over my chest.

The bad parts, the good parts, all of it was not something I would trade for the world. Despite having more conscious thoughts when the younger three were babies, Luke was my baby. To me there was nobody better. He was as good and pure as a person could get. If Mother thought I was the best parts of both my fathers, Luke was the best parts of me. He was every good thing in this world rolled into the sweetest package.

“Now you can’t hold sweets over my head and keep me from getting them,” he said playfully.

“No, but I can still sit on your head until you cry,” I responded. My own ear to ear grin spread across my face. I did not care that it hurt my lip as the skin stretched. Luke was worth it.

“I cried one time! You were crushing my ear!” he defended adamantly.

“I maintain to this day that you should not have taken my book,” I told him with a shrug.

“Hadn’t he already handed it back to you when you sat on him?” Jace asked me.

“I don’t recall asking for your input, Jace,” I said quickly causing Luke to laugh.

Luke was truly a man now. His laugh was deeper, as was his voice. He was twenty now and by no means could he be confused as a child.

He wrapped his arms around me in a near bone crushing hug. Even with the pain shooting through my ribs, I could not ask him to ease up. The world felt right the moment he hugged me. Like the years had not passed without me.

I noticed he smelled like the sea. Salt water and open sky, with just a trace of the smell of the wood the ships were made of. If I had to guess, he spent a lot of time in Driftmark now, preparing himself for when Grandsire Corlys was no longer able to hold the Driftwood Throne. When he was little and we suffered the loss of both Ser Harwin and our Aunt Laena, he feared becoming Lord of Driftmark as he knew the death that would precede that moment. If he had been able to move past that fear, I was grateful.

“Are you a sailor now?” I asked as I pulled back from him.

“Only sometimes. Grandsire has spent two years teaching me how to,” he answered. He had a shy, goofy little smile on his face.

“And I would imagine he regales you with stories of the Velaryon blood ruling the seas every moment of it,” I joked.

“Would he be him if he weren’t the proudest man alive?” he asked.

My three Velaryon brothers and Mother all chuckled at that. Genuinely speaking I could not think of a prouder man alive. Our grandfather had held House Velaryon miles above any house, including Targaryens. I think it was because the Targaryens were dragonlords making him think we were handed power, whereas Velaryons seemed to build everything themselves. There was a pride to be held in that, of course. But Westeros was not conquered by shipmasters, now was it?

With this laughter, I took a moment to look around, turning around the room, and settling to look at Joffrey. Fourteen certainly was not the age of a man but compared to the nine year old I left behind he might as well have been. My little Joffrey, whose birth was the first I truly remember, making the three of us older ones so excited. We were downright annoying when it came to him.

Jace had decided we needed to pick the egg for him ourselves. Without uttering a word to anyone, we snuck away from the dragonkeeper charged in teaching us our lesson that day and delved far into the Dragonpit. Luke excitedly picked the egg from one of Syrax’s clutches. As the three of us had been given one, with only mine not hatching, we had to give the baby an egg that came from Mother’s dragon. Our father found us as we were trying to carry the red hot cauldron to the Keep. With his help, and the enlisted help of a few keepers, we awaited the arrival of the baby eagerly.

We took turns stoking the flames underneath it to keep it warm while we waited for Mother. And when she returned, followed closely by Laenor with the baby boy in hand, Luke and Jace both desperately wanted to get close to him. Laenor and father had to practically bat them away so that our baby brother could meet our father.

For myself, I can only remember looking at my perfect family. While in that moment I had not been told the truth of my birth, I knew. It was not so much a moment of realization that none of my brothers or I looked like Laenor, instead favoring Mother’s sworn shield. It was not even hearing the rumors and embodying them as a sort of self fulfilling prophecy. No, all it took was me seeing how Laenor yielded in that moment to Harwin and seeing the way this mountain of a man became so soft when gazing upon Joffrey for me to know. He was a man who was granted love in undeniable ways and he was a part of our family.

Joffrey looked the most like our father. The four of us all had his hair color and his complexion, of course. Jace and I got his eyes, according to Mother, and I could agree. The colors were the same on all four of us, yet we got the shape. I could see on Jace the little crinkles in the corners that our father had. Luke had his smile to the point that when our father died, I desperately worked to make Luke smile for days so that I could feel the embrace of the man who created me. Yet Joffrey had it all. His eyes, his nose, his smile, even the height and bulk of him. There were traces of Mother, like in the angles of his jawline or the placement of his cheekbones. But one could be forgiven if they thought Harwin Strong walked the halls of the Red Keep again when seeing Joffrey.

How cruelly ironic. The one who only got a few meetings with our father was the one who looked to be a trueborn Strong and not the dirty little secret I always felt like. The one who would never know our father or Laenor and the way they both loved us, who was robbed of the perfect family I loved so much, was everything I begged to be. A perfect embodiment of the father I prayed returned to me sat before me in the form of the last of his children.

“Joffrey, I believe Y/N would appreciate if you could come closer,” Aemond’s voice said from somewhere out of my view. I believed he may be behind me, with Jaehaera on my left and Luke still to my right. I could not be bothered to check.

Joffrey nodded and placed the sweet down on a nearby table before walking closer to me. He wiped his hands against his pants, highlighting to me that he was wearing Targaryen colors of black and not Velaryon ones. I could see the crumbs fall to the floor as he walked. It was almost enough to make me laugh.

“Have you been so short your entire life?” he asked when he stood in front of me. He was taller than Aemond even, wider around the middle, broader along the shoulders than Jace. It was terrifying when one realized most of that was probably muscle, and most likely he had more growing to do.

“I would like to point out I am perfectly normal height,” I said, huffing a bit. “You are just tall.”

“To you. To me, you are short. Perspective, sissy,” he said.

My heart caught in my throat. It wasn’t that I had anticipated him to forget me or all the time I had spent teaching him of the world. But hearing him call me sissy and confirming that I still had a place in his heart made my own ache in unexpected ways.

Wrapping my arms around his middle, I pulled him into a tight hug. It was a hug he returned eagerly, holding me as tight as I held him. Just as with Luke, I couldn’t be bothered to care about any of the pain coursing through my body.

Luke and Joffrey had so much of me in them. Luke was my baby and Joffrey was my sidekick. Where one clung to me the other did just the same. For the longest time you could not find me without them. I did everything for them to ensure their lives. Luke and I spent hours just standing on the deck of our ship so that I could help him overcome his fear of the sea. I was the one who taught Joffrey to read, and then taught him as much as I could of politics and history. Both of them spent so much time with me in the gardens of Dragonstone as I tended to the flowers.

When I finally convinced myself that I could let go without him disappearing, I pulled away from his hold. Concern drew itself onto his face. If the empty yet extraordinarily heavy feeling in my head and the fire spreading through my chest had caused me to look as I felt in this moment, I would imagine I’d look much the same as he did. In truth I could not care to look at everyone else. Leaning forward to lean against Joffrey, I tried to steady my breathing.

“Let’s sit you down,” Luke whispered from behind me. I can only assume I nodded as he and Joffrey both supported me to sit me in the chair between Alicent and Mother. The last note of music that filled the room just moments ago echoed from every wall before the room fell into silence.

“Y/N, you mustn’t overdo it, sweet girl,” Mother said quietly, pressing a cooled rag to my head.

“I couldn’t tell them to stop, mama. My babies still love me,” I whispered to her, gripping her wrist to still her hand. The suddenness of my movement caused me a blinding flash of burning pain.

“Perhaps we should order some milk of the poppy,” Alicent suggested, looking between Mother and me.

“No, no,” I begged her, tears springing to my eyes.

Let me be clear and say I understand the benefits of the medicine. It is extremely effective in easing pain and in large enough quantities, could incapacitate an entire Dothraki horde. Though I dare anyone to watch their grandfather wither to be but a living, skin covered skeleton and he can’t even acknowledge his breathing because he is so addled by the shit.

I am not stupid enough to think back on his life and legacy and think him a good King nor even a good father. But I do know, factually know, that he was a man who loved his family dearly. A man who was taken advantage of in his deepest grief and never fixed the mistakes made in those times. A man who deserved more than to die so slowly while his brain, his very capable and beautiful brain, wasted away because of the only treatment for his pain.

When you watch a man go from being able to tell you about the Kingdom he loves, that one day you will rule, to not even being able to remember your existence, it changes things. When you watch him become so frail and thin that being turned the wrong way breaks his bones, yet remain so puffy under the eye and in his fingertips because of the poison, you may refuse it too. His younger children may not have cared, of that I will not speak on. But I cared, and it terrified me.

Would he have been in so much pain constantly if he hadn’t taken it so regularly? What if he was being treated for an ailment that was caused by milk of the poppy? And if that was true, how much would it take before I could not exist without it?

“Y/N, you cannot live in this pain,” Mother said to me.

“I cannot live like that,” I corrected her.

“Your grandsire was very sick for a long time, you will heal in mere weeks. But you cannot heal if you live in this pain,” Alicent said. Her voice was just as quiet and soothing as Mother’s as she petted my hair.

Very slowly, I adjusted my body in my chair to look to Aegon. He was watching me with silent tears in his eyes. But when our wet gazes locked together he understood what I needed. He did not need anything else from me. He understood my pain as I did his.

After pushing himself to a stand from his seat, he wasted no time in getting to my side. All the while he was reaching in his sleeve to pull out the pouch with the biscuits. Within a moment he was by my side, kneeling to be able to look up at my face.

“Stars?” he asked me. It took me less than half a breath to know he was asking how severe my pain, if it was enough to make me see stars. He knew it went beyond feeling knives in my body but he could not tell further.

“Lightning,” I muttered to him.

He had once theorized the lightning that extended from the sky during the worst of storms would be the most painful thing to be hit by. It was on a late night adventure, one that quickly turned into a two day adventure, that he had dragged me on not long before I had Vhaela. We mounted Sunfyre together and flew to Harrenhal. Quick enough flying on Sunfyre, though it took nearly all night. When we had arrived, a storm had come overhead, and we watched as lightning struck the large castle no less than three times. The stone was surprisingly mostly unscathed, save for the burn marks permanently etched on its side. When we spoke of a human withstanding just one strike, he said you’d nearly die from the pain alone.

It was how I knew he would understand. This was not the pain I experienced falling from my bed when I was six. This was a burning, pulsating pain that caused me to lose parts of my sight. A pain so severe I could not breathe properly.

He helped me eat a significant bit more than what I had earlier. Mainly because every time I moved myself I was hit with another flash of pain. It was just easier to allow his help.

“The larger portion may not quicken the effects but it will help manage your pain better,” he said quietly to me. “Tell me what I can do in the meanwhile.”

“Stay right here and have everyone return to their joy,” I whispered to him as I took his hand. “At the least I wish to see everyone smile.”

He nodded softly and looked to Alicent. Within a few minutes, the music started back up and not long after that the chatter started up again. I would have to be oblivious to not notice the worried looks Mother and Alicent still gave me. Though those looks were nothing compared to the way Aemond and Jace were glaring at Aegon.

Genuinely speaking, it was a lot like watching children. It was as though Aemond and Jace had never once considered that anyone else would want to play their game. They only considered each other and knew what to expect from them. But now they viewed Aegon as a competitor.

Was Aegon a competitor? Sure he had said earlier how he loved me, that I was the only woman he loved. But he did not put his hand forward. He did not express a desire to be with me despite the love he held for me. I could no more count him as a contender for my heart as I could Ser Erryk.

Where Aemond and Jace looked on at him in anger, Aegon paid no mind. His eyes were focused solely on me. And every time I met his gaze, I gave him a small squeeze in the hand.

Six songs passed before I felt any relief. At first it wasn’t noticed until I could take a full breath. It was when I turned my head to watch as the food was brought in that it became clear that I could now manage. It seemed it became clear to Aegon, too, as he left my side and took his place back across from Luke.

Luke, Jace, and Aegon took the seats on the end of the table nearest the windows. Luke and Aegon on the very end, Jace beside Aegon. Joffrey took a spot next to Luke. Then beside Joffrey sat Aemond, and beside Jace there was Helaena. Next to Aemond was Alicent, with Jaehaera across from her. Then you had me and I was sat across from Jaehaerys. To my right was Mother, and across from her sat Maelor. There was two empty seats on Mother’s other side, and across from them was Little Aegon and Viserys. Then a singular chair that looked down the whole of the table sat on the very end, also empty, and that was closest to the kitchen.

Alicent lead us all in prayer. Truthfully, I probably should’ve paid more mind to the words she was saying. It mattered a lot to her, Helaena, and even Aemond. Yet, when I looked down the table and saw Aegon watching my every move, every thought from my head left. So instead, I looked directly at my plate.

The juices that flowed from the goose glistened in the candlelight that danced against every surface in stunning opposition to how the dark gravy absorbed light. The cabbage and roasted chestnuts sat to the side of it, looking decently appealing on their own. There was a basket of bread placed down for every four people. All of the adults, save Aegon and I, had a large cup of wine sitting in front of them. If Aegon and the children had the same as me, we all had water. Once Alicent was done saying her prayers, the only sound to be heard was all of us eating our food.

It was delicious. Though it was not a surprise to me, as the cooks here in King’s Landing had always been phenomenal. Maybe it was the fuzziness in my head that made it more apparent. Yet, it seemed more complex than normal. The meat was almost sweeter, the gravy with a level of saltiness that counteracted it perfectly. The chestnuts were almost like velvet in my mouth, creating a feeling akin to butter. Even cabbage, that I normally did not like, was something I would pick again and again.

“Did you try to come back?” A small voice asked. I looked up, only to see Viserys staring at me.

“Viserys,” Mother said firmly. It was her warning tone. Perhaps she did not think it proper for him to question me.

“I can’t remember,” I said quietly. “But I cannot imagine a reality in which I did not fight to return back to you all.”

“Is that why you are all beat up?” Little Aegon asked me.

“Aegon,” Mother said with the same firmness. I reached to take her hand in mine and gave it a small squeeze. She needed to understand that they were allowed to ask me, I could not fault them for being confused.

“Possibly. But I do not remember,” I told him.

“Do you remember anything?” they both asked at the same time.

“Not from when I was gone, no,” I whispered. “But I remember before I was gone. I remember loving the two of you so much. I am sorry I disappeared, and I am sorry that you both grew up without me.”

All of that was mostly true. I hated my disappearance, as it did take me away from everyone I loved. Yet to say I do not remember anything from the time I was gone may not be true.

In my thoughts, I could wade through the fog that the biscuit causes. Only in this feeling did I get any information from my brain. When I tried desperately to remember the last five years, there were only two things that my mind could conjure up. A glowing vial of shimmering red fire that I am near certain was a potion swirled in and out of my mind’s eye. And there was a distinct feeling loneliness, of knowing that where I existed was not where I belonged.

The shade of red of the potion was eerily familiar. While equating it to fire would be the right way to imagine the way that the liquid flowed, it was poor in grasping the color. One could tell me that someone was able to melt rubies into this vial and I would believe them. That was the only physical thing that was colored correctly.

Until I could explain more or had more answers, I would not say anything. With how desperate Mother and Aemond were for vengeance, giving them half answers could cause more damage that it would repair. It was not worth it.

“Do you want to come to our dragon lessons tomorrow?” Little Aegon asked.

Unable to verbalize my answer, I nodded. Spending time with my two littlest brothers felt like exactly what I needed. They may not be quite sure about me at all, but they were willing to give me a chance. I suppose that is all I could ask for.

The sound of a chair scraping against the stone floor brought my attention to the left side of the table. Aemond stood with his cup raised. My jaw tightened. The last time he gave a toast, he managed to call my brothers bastards while ignoring that it meant I too was a bastard. It caused a fight to break out, with Jace punching Aemond and Aegon slamming Luke into the table. I was not wanting a repeat and I doubt anyone else did.

“A toast,” Aemond said. “To the return of Ali. The Keep had truly existed in a darkness without you.”

A heat rose to my cheeks with his words. It was tame, I suppose, with what he could say. Although, I do wish he would just have not brought any further attention to me. I don’t think I would be able to say anything to him though.

“I wish to take this moment to make it clear,” he said. As always there was a confidence he held that I couldn’t shake. “Byka zaldrīzes, no longer do I wish to hide my affections. It is here and now that I am declaring my intention to marry you.”

My heart started skipping beats. While he had said it aloud to me, he had not voiced it to anyone else. And it wasn’t entirely like it was a secret, as he had always been rather obvious. With this declaration there was no longer a doubt about where I stood with him.

Jace stood up quickly, slamming his hands on the table as he did so. “She is my twin, Aemond, my betrothed. You do not get to decide such a thing,” he said angrily.

Aegon grabbed Jace’s shoulder and pulled him back into a sitting position. I was aware of Aemond smirking as he watched Jace. Leave it to him to make this a little game, a game which he is certain he will win.

“It is not your decision, either,” Aegon told him as though he were spitting poison at him. My jaw dropped slightly. It was not usual that I saw him actually angry.

“And you think you get any say?” Aemond asked his older brother.

“I think the two of you are so focused on this pissing contest that’s been going on since we were children you fail to realize that she is hurt,” Aegon shouted, standing up. Despite being shorter than Aemond and not as broad as Jace, he somehow made himself look larger. He made himself an unmoving force.

“I better than anyone know that she is hurt,” Aemond said darkly, to which Jace voiced the same sentiment.

“Are you both so truly lost in your desires that you are ignoring the anguish she is in? She caused herself so much pain she was barely conscious just so she could feel as though she still has a place! Do not pretend this is about anyone other than the two of you,” Aegon shouted.

“And what of you? What is your plan, dear brother?” Aemond asked, moving himself to appear larger.

The difference between them in this moment was fascinating. Aemond wanted to prove his dominance. He felt he had some claim to me just because of the love he and I share. With Aegon, though, it was because he wanted to prove nothing more than he was capable of protecting me.

Aegon turned to look at me. I could see him ease up almost immediately. It was like just the sight of me was enough to calm him.

“I am here however you choose to have me,�� he said softly, addressing me directly.

#dividers by benkeibear #aegon targaryen ii #out of time #jacaerys velaryon #aemond targaryen #hotd #aegon targaryen ii x reader #aemond targaryen x reader #jacaerys velaryon x reader #house of the dragon

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alyhorse6 · 5 months

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I’ll See You Sunday

AN: I promise I’m working on any requests I have rn, but this hit me and I needed to get it down. This fic was 100% inspired by the fanart above by @lightsintheskye 🫡

AU Context/synopsis: Annette and William are both renowned medical professionals. Annette is a cardiothoracic surgeon, William is a cancer researcher, Wesker is still the captain of S.T.A.R.S. (except he's loyal and doesn't have ill intentions), and Y/n is a S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team Member. Y/n and Wesker are particularly close. One night Annette & William have a highly honored banquet/award ceremony to attend and need someone to look over little Sherry for the evening. Surely Uncle Albert would be willing to help them out…

Warnings: These characters are nothing like their in-game personalities, but it’s my AU and I do what I want, intense fluff🤧

————————————————————————

It was around 3:30 in the afternoon when Wesker received a text from his stepbrother William asking him if he would be available to watch his niece. He didn’t open the message at first, instead, he panicked and texted one of his closest friends for help.

•*•*•*•

Are you available tonight?: Wesker

Y/n: Yeah… why?

I have an emergency: Wesker

Y/n: What happened?

William asked me to babysit Sherry, but I have no clue what to do with a kid: Wesker

Y/n: Albert Wesker. Are you kidding me.

What??: Wesker

Y/n: You said an emergency!

This is an emergency!: Wesker

Y/n: Whatever. What do you need me for?

I need you to come help me :): Wesker

Y/n: Aye aye, Captain🫡

Don’t mock me😑: Wesker

•*•*•*•

After speaking with Y/n, Wesker agreed to do it. William instructed him to arrive no later than 5:30, giving Wesker only 20 minutes to fly across town from the Police Station to the Birkins’ penthouse. In all honesty, Wesker dreaded this whole experience. It had nothing to do with Sherry, she was an angel, but something told him that it would be a long night.

He made it to the complex at 5:25 pm, relieved that he hadn't encountered any traffic police on his route. To meet his deadline, he drove at 35 miles per hour, which was 10 miles above the speed limit, through the bustling and chaotic streets of Raccoon City. In a hurry, Wesker dashed through the opulent lobby and made a beeline for the elevators, frantically hitting the up button. As soon as the elevator chimed, he strode in, elated to find it empty. He punched the button for the top floor, relaxed his body, and leaned against the back wall. Gradually, the elevator began its smooth ascent to the desired floor. The elevator came to a stop with a low hum, and the number "35" glowed brightly in the top right corner on a small screen. Wesker stepped out of the elevator and found himself in the entry room of the penthouse.

•*•*•*•

When do you think you'll be here?: Wesker

Y/n: I should be at the complex in ten

I'll see you when you get here: Wesker

•*•*•*•

Wesker waltzed up to the elaborate double doors that led into the home. He breathed in and held it as he knocked firmly, desperate to just get in and get his step-brother and his wife out and on their way to their banquet.

William greeted Albert with a warm smile as he answered the door, "Hey there, Albert! It's great to see you again!"

Wesker forced a smile, deeply unappreciative of the use of his first name, “Hey Will.”

Will leaned in to whisper, “Annette has been freaking out over this whole thing. I don't know if she’s more worried about leaving Sherry for this long or the event in general. This will be the longest we've left Sherry since she was born, but it’s been four months, it's gotta happen sometime.”

“I've got this Will, don’t worry. Plus I'll have help.” Wesker smirked

William narrowed his eyes, “Help? Who've you wrangled into helping you this time?”

“This time?? You say it like I never do anything on my own.” Wesker griped

“Just tell me who it is.” William huffed

Wesker rolled his eyes, “I asked Y/n to help me out.”

“Y/n? Is that the chic from S.T.A.R.S. that you’ve got a crush on?” William snickered

Wesker responded, but not without his jaw dropping slightly, “I do not have a crush on her! Crushes are for kids, which I am not.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever you wanna tell yourself,” William smirked

William eventually moved aside and allowed Wesker to enter. As they walked through the front doors, they found themselves in the luxurious living room that could have easily been featured in an exclusive millionaire's catalog. Wesker’s basic apartment looked like a shack compared to this singular room. He'd been here hundreds of times, and yet it never failed to slap him across the face every time he saw it. The room was filled with pretty potted plants, glorious gold detailing, and a coat of the finest beige paint on every wall.

William and Wesker stood around for a few minutes until Annette appeared from the hallway, holding little Sherry in her arms, looking like a munchkin.

“Here she is” Annette greeted with an open-mouthed smile.

Wesker reached a hand out to Sherry, “Hey there! It’s me, Uncle Albert.” The only time Wesker willingly used his first name was with Sherry. She was a weakness.

Sherry cooed a bit and then smiled when she saw her Uncle. Wesker grinned at the little person being so happy to see him. Annette passed the baby to him, and he cradled her softly, swaying back and forth.

“You two better get out of here, your banquet starts at 6:15.” Wesker shooed

William checked his watch and sighed, “I suppose you're right.”

Annette waved Wesker and Sherry goodbye and walked out to the elevator. William quickly turned back around to get one more little jab, “Good luck with your crush Weskie!” He smirked and ran off to join his wife.

Wesker huffed and looked to Sherry, “Don't listen to your silly goose of a father, I do not have a crush.”

Wesker walked toward the living room and sat down before feeling a buzz from his pocket.

•*•*•*•

Y/n: I'm in the lobby coming towards the elevator, make sure I can get in😘

Don’t you worry your pretty head: Wesker

Y/n: Awe you think I’m pretty?🥺

Definitely not.: Wesker

Y/n: And here I was thinking I’d get a date😪

•*•*•*•

About 10 minutes passed before a few soft knocks passed through the door. Wesker got up and opened it greeting Y/n with a kind smile, always unable to help but to smile with her around. Y/n smiled back and waved gently to the man, before giving a little wave and a grin to the adorable baby in his arms.

“Hello there Sherry! I’m Y/n, your Uncle’s friend!” She spoke softly

The infant giggled and smiled at the young woman in front of her. Y/n looked up to Wesker, “Has she ever laughed?? I don’t wanna steal that from her parents!”

“She has don’t worry. She was an early giggler.” Wesker soothed with a small smile. His favorite woman as caring as ever.

The two walked into the penthouse and sat down on the sofa side by side. Wesker would be a lying man if he failed to admit that being with Y/n in this type of setting made his face feel warmer, it was such a rare occasion for him to see Y/n outside of work or a work group. He wanted more of this.

The two sat and talked for a while, Sherry occasionally making sounds from Wesker’s arms, before eventually slowly starting to cry.

“Oh sweetie what’s the matter?!” Y/n fretted

Wesker handed her over to the woman. She didn’t smell, she didn’t seem sleepy, must be hungry. “Hey Wesk, could you heat up a bottle for her?” Y/n asked doe-eyed with worry

“Got it!” Already making his way to the fridge

Y/n followed behind him to the kitchen, delicately bouncing the little one on her hip. Both of the girls watched as Wesker tapped his finger on the counter waiting for the bottle warmer to ding. By now Sherry’s cries had died down some, but she still sniffled and shook in infant distress. Finally, the ding sounded through the room and Wesker removed the bottle, then tested the temperature on his hand. It passed the test so he handed it off to Y/n. She walked back over to the sofa and laid Sherry back in her arms, tipping the nub of the bottle to the baby’s mouth. Wesker joined the two and watched as Sherry started eating. Once she seemed content both Wesker and Y/n relaxed back into the cushions. Y/n faintly grinned at Sherry, while behind her Wesker happily grinned at the sight of her and his niece. Sherry stared brightly at Y/n’s face and grasped at her top, satisfied with her bottle.

Some time passed before Sherry finished. Afterward, Y/n burped her and then passed her back over to her Uncle. Wesker let her lay in his arms while the pair talked for a bit. At some point along the way Sherry got a little squirmy in his arms, so Y/n came up with an idea.

Y/n smirked mischievously at Wesker before asking, “Do they have something to play music on?”

“Yeah- why?” He eyed the young woman

“Can you turn on some Disney songs?”

Y/n asked, batting her eyelashes

Wesker handed Sherry back over to Y/n and got up to silently do as he was asked. He couldn’t bring himself to say no to any request Y/n asked of him. The music started, ‘Un Poco Loco’ from the movie Coco playing throughout the room. Y/n stood from her seat and started to bounce and slowly spin around the room while Sherry giggled. Wesker leaned on the counter and watched the two, giggling softly when Sherry slightly kicked her sock-clad feet. Y/n laughed while they danced to the music.

‘A Whole New World’ from Aladdin came on and Y/n looked over to Wesker, “Come dance with us.” A sweet smile on her face

Wesker couldn’t argue. He walked over to the pair and they swayed back and forth. Sherry stared up into her Uncle’s eyes and smiled. He smiled back at her and held her small hand as they swayed. Y/n admired Wesker as he watched his little niece. She couldn’t deny the crush that had formed on her Captain over the years working with him. He was always so kind to her, listening to her every word when they conversed, making her coffee throughout the day, and always greeting her with a smile. She couldn’t help but fall for the handsome young man when he was just so kind to her.

The song has long since changed, but the swaying continued. Over time Sherry grew sleepy, her blinking becoming slow and heavy. The two decided it was time to call it a night for the little one, carrying her to her nursery. Y/n changed Sherry’s diaper and clothes before swaddling her slowly. Wesker watched every step from over Y/n’s shoulder. It might’ve sounded weird to other people, but Wesker wanted something like this with Y/n. He wanted to spend each evening like this. He’d known the young woman for around 5 years now, and although he’d never admitted his feelings or made any moves on her, he liked her a lot. Maybe all the jokes about him crushing were true. He knew he felt differently about her, he just didn’t want to call it a crush and allow it to seem like some childish flit of life. He wanted so desperately to invite Y/n out to dinner, or the movies, or maybe even to stargaze on the outskirts of the city, but he got nervous anytime he thought about it.

Y/n slowly lowered Sherry into her crib, brushing some stray hairs out of her face once she relaxed into the mattress. She stepped out of the way and allowed Wesker to give her a small kiss on her forehead before they left the room. The two walked down the hall back out to the living room, opting to sit out on the roof to enjoy the warm evening air. They sat next to each other in the cushioned chairs and talked. They talked about work, their personal lives, anything. Eventually, it started to get a bit too windy to sit outside anymore, so they went back into the living room. They watched whatever random movie was on, but eventually, Y/n got sleepy too, her head slowly slipping down onto Wesker’s shoulder. He noticed as soon as it happened, looking down and smiling at the tired woman next to him.

They stayed like that for a good while. Peaceful, Sherry sleeping soundly in her room. Somewhere around 12:30, the hushed sound of the front door being unlocked could be heard. Annette and William quietly walked in, not wanting to wake their daughter. Annette immediately went to check on her baby girl, while William just silently smirked at his stepbrother. Wesker waved him off, and he left the two to join his wife in the nursery. Wesker sighed lowly, dreading the thought of waking Y/n up and this moment with her ending. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head softly, before quietly calling her name to wake her. The woman stirred lightly, slowly opening her eyes and looking around.

She came back to the present when she spotted Weaker and smiled gently, “Hi”

“Hi” he whispered back with a small grin

Y/n sat up slowly, stretching her arms and yawning along the way. She looked back over to Wesker, dreading the idea of getting up.

“I'll walk you to your car,” he murmured

Y/n hummed lowly, “Yes, please.”

The two stood from the sofa and walked out to the elevator. The ride down to the lobby was slow. Wesker chewed on the inside of his cheek, debating on whether he should ask Y/n out to dinner. The elevator dinged, signaling their arrival to the lobby. They walked over to the garage elevator and descended to their cars. Wesker walked Y/n to her car, he could tell she was still kind of sleepy.

“Do want me to just give you a ride home? You're sleepy and I want you to be safe,” he offered

Y/n looked over at him and blushed, “I'll be okay, thank you though.”

“Well… could I at least maybe take you to dinner? Just you and me,” he mumbled sheepishly

A smile spread on Y/n’s face as her blush grew, “I'd like that a lot”

Wesker smiled giddily, “Sunday… pick you up at 5:30?”

“It's a date!” Y/n cheered, turning to face the man next to her as they reached her car door

“It’s a date” Wesker mirrored

The two smiled at each other for a minute. Y/n speaking up first, “I suppose I better go home and get to bed…”

“You get your rest Y/n, sleep well.” Wesker agreed

Y/n smiled up at him, “You sleep too Wesk. I need you rested for our date”

Wesker grinned back at the young woman in front of him, “Bye my dear, I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Bye Wesk, I’ll see you Sunday.”

————————————————————————

AN: Should I continue this AU? And if so, if any of you guys have any name suggestions for the AU either comment them or send them in my ask box. Bye Angels!🤍

#soft albert wesker i repeat soft albert wesker #i need more soft wesker #please #resident evil x reader #resident evil wesker #resident evil #resident evil au #wesker x reader #albert wesker

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yanlei-a · 11 months

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How is Zed's sense of self? Does he view himself as more of a weapon than a person sometimes? Or does he have a good grasp on his own identity?

— @bells-of-black-sunday

first of all!!! this is such a good question thank you sm for it...

but getting to finally answer... it's complicated.

i think his sense of self is actually better now than it used to be. even then, i also think it's something so deeply tied to his sense of worth and being acknowledged as a person and how, for several different reasons, he doesn't always have that.

zed's background as a peasant, someone who came from nothing and who had nothing, definitely ensured he wasn't treated as a person when he was younger. like. the fact he stays in thanjuul for two whole years as a servant and no one even know who he is or what his name is until kusho makes him fight shen... to me it comes across as deeply dehumanizing, especially for a child (he was like, 13, meaning he had been there since 11). and that definitely fucked up with his perception of himself, too, and with his identity and sense of self.

it's still plain to see in how he acts nowadays. during his final confrontation with his master, he says 'a man without honor is not a man', and kusho viciously retorts talking about how he feels he has to be respected and mocking his origins. and even though what kusho does to him is disgusting, i do think it's terrible in a way because it hits the mark. because he holds on to his ideals of honor and respect because it's only through them he feels he is seen and is truly a person. but of course, considering his story and the fact he killed his master, most would judge him honorless; and when it comes to that it's only the knowledge of the full, true story that ensures this doesn't strip him of all sense of really seeing himself as a person rather than a thing or worse.

despite that, i do think he sometimes sees himself more as a tool and a weapon than a person, something to be used until it doesn't have an use anymore, and to eventually be discarded. he lives for his goals, and there are seldom moments that are in any way about who he is as an individual. i mentioned kayn the other day to talk about how important his presence is to zed, and i think even in that it makes a difference, because it's a deep genuine bond, a connection that keeps him human.

but i also think as he got older and got to see things differently his sense of self became... better. his situation, being despised by those around him but knowing (in his eyes) he did what he had to do for a greater good, definitely helped in the sense it made him rely a bit less on other people's perceptions. he knows his truth, and he knows his worth, even when he doesn't think particularly highly of himself. he knows he fights for people who are what he once was, nobodies and nothings, invisible to everyone else, and they're still important to him and they're still people deserving of respect, and i think that also helped him be a bit more oh maybe i'm also a person deserving of respect regardless. he is in a pretty isolated position where he isn't only a weapon, but also a leader. there are people relying on and looking up to him. and i think he understood to stand for them also involved a degree of standing for himself, and seeing himself as more than just a weapon.

this is a confusing mess of a rant, but i hope i got the point across. basically i think he has a much better sense of self nowadays than he used to have, and in part that's because of the role he embraced and the need to know who he was to stand up for himself and others. but that doesn't erase sometimes he does still feel like he's just weapon, and that there's nothing more to him than what he was forged to do. i think deep down that's a feeling that always sort of stays.

#» out of character — ⌜main sup irl.⌟#» character study — ⌜the shadows have enlightened me.⌟#my head is all over the place but i really wanted to answer....#i typed a whole answer the other day then ctrl+z and lost all of it............#it was a lot better than this one but. alas #aksnfjkasdf #either way!!! thanks sm for the ask spuk

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but-first--tea · 1 year

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G - Growing - How have they changed over time? How has their self-image changed? Are they more or less of a risk-taker? Has their approach to romance changed?

P - Philosopher - Are they particularly philosophic? What do they believe is the purpose of life? Do they have any particularly strong convictions or ideologies?

R - Rebel - Do they follow rules, bend or break them? Do they find rebelliousness in others attractive? - Miqojak!

One, two, thr-- NINE? Well, pull up a chair, and I'll put on a pot of tea 'cause I've been writing this character for three years and this is going to take a while. (I think I'm going to have to put the second two in their own posts LOL )

How have they changed over time? How has their self-image changed? Are they more or less of a risk-taker? Has their approach to romance changed?

Once upon a time, Ferthur was a little girl without a name of her own, and who loved to dance… but was trained in combat and deception, instead. That's what you do when you're raised by shinobi after all, and disobeying her mother who sacrificed everything, including honor, to keep the two of them alive… well suffice it to say that honoring and obeying her mother in all things was the only true north her moral compass pointed to. It was them against the world. Her mother became an Imperial Shadow to keep them alive when the first Doman resistance failed, and survival and deception became the only things she knew. Never leave evidence. Never be prey. Never become attached to anyone, or anything you can't carry on your person if you have to swim across a river in the dead of night and disappear.

Everything changed when her all too inquisitive fingers curled around a soulstone she should absolutely not have known about, much less stolen, and definitely should not have unlocked. Fane lux Verinus [NPC] was intelligent, charismatic, ambitious… and, unfortunately for Ferthur, quite the manipulative narcissist. He earned her trust and affection by covering up her theft, encouraging her growing obsession with the magic within, and twisting her still-young and idealistic mind with rhetoric shared by Aulus mal Asina: that if Garleans possessed the capacity for magic, the division between Garleans and Eorzeans could be broken down, and the world would be a better place. Ferthur foolishly believed that this might mean Garleans would no longer feel compelled to conquer, and things might actually change for the better. Once Ferthur had reached a key point in her research, Fane promptly stole it and used it to further his own ambition by contributing it to the Resonant project.

When the scope of how deeply Ferthur had been used and manipulated became obvious, it also became obvious that Ferthur was now a loose end for Fane, and no longer safe. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Ferthur's mother was overprotective, ruthless, vindictive, and capable of extreme violence-- especially when it came to the safety of her child. Under cover of Doma's liberation, she targeted the Omori Clan, who had made their fortune providing highly conductive ores used almost exclusively for Garlean magitek weaponry. With the entire clan assassinated and assumed casualties of war and rebellious Doman retribution, Ferthur's mother gave her the identity of the family's sole surviving daughter, Omori Kaya, who 'managed to escape the rest of the Omori Clan's fate by being away from the city when Lord Hien liberated Doma.'

So it was that 'Lady Omori Kaya' took refuge in faraway Ul'dah. Obedient as always to her mother, Ferthur kept up the act as Lady Omori to the best of her ability. Faced with the guilt and deep regret for the series of events her obsession with magic had put into motion, she set aside her magic and fell back to her shinobi training. She became an angry, thieving magpie trapped in a gilded cage, hiding behind the mask of a perfect, demure Doman noblewoman afraid to go home. It went about as well as you'd expect.

Somewhat free for the first time in her life, half a world away from her mother, she was both exhilirated by possibility and desperately unsure what to do with herself. So, she decided to do what she thought her mother would have wanted her to do: utterly destroy the next man who tried to bully her and help the Doman refugees still adrift in Eorzea in the process.

She convinced, bribed, or outright bought and paid for a team of people [various OCs] to help her topple a kingpin name Eadmund Fowler [NPC] who had not only been preying on refugees, but had also (and maybe more importantly), been an absolute asshole to her. Once motivated by curiosity and idealism, the woman was growing more and more motivated by anger and spite. Once trained for calculating caution, she now wielded chaos as weapon and shield. Once completely under the control of others, taking impulsive risks for no other reason than because she wanted to felt like retaking ownership of herself. She was, after all, very much her mother's daughter, and becoming more and more dangerous in her own right.

Ferthur succeeded in toppling the kingpin. However, nearly the entirety of the team she'd recruited to help her betrayed her immediately after. Rather than a fellow comrade, the saw her as Lady Omori Kaya, just another rich noblewoman playing power games at the expense of everyone else. She'd hid her true self too well.

However, the high-profile fall of Eadmund Fowler, and the name Omori Kaya being tied to the scandal, brought Fane back into her orbit. When Fane's next ambition required access to the Omori mines and he sought out Lady Omori Kaya… only to find Ferthur, instead, things became… complicated. With Garlemald's destabilization, Fane tried to use his leverage over her to force her to help him become a Resonant himself. Ferthur's refusal prompted him to provide proof that he had captured her mother, and she was within range of the towers that had tempered so many Garleans, and her mother was very likely one of the tempered herself. He offered to return her mother to her, but of course he'd need to become a Resonant in order to do it. Fane, however, was unaware of two things: firstly, just how angry and dangerous Ferthur had become, and secondly… that she had another skilled magitek engineer in her pocket: Eligos Venator. When she asked him if, provided the plans, he would be able to build the Resonant machine and he admitted that he could, Ferthur's course of action became clear. It was then that Eligos gave the woman who had never had anything other than aliases her own name: Ferthur. It was then that she became far more than just a contract to Eligos.

Her morality having been influenced by Eligos, Ferthur killed Fane and turned over the plans to Eligos. While he worked, Ferthur meticulously hunted the shinobi that had been working for Fane, collecting their aether to fuel the Resonant process. Having never killed anyone herself at all before, much less over a dozen, Ferthur recognized that something in her had changed, even though she hadn't known the precise nature of what Eligos had done. She only knew that these were her actions and she felt… nothing. It was then she let go of much of who she had been, let go of the foolish idealistic girl who thought she could make the world a better place and had only gotten played by everyone around her over and over again.

She had Eligos turn her into a Resonant and went to Garlemald to extract her mother her damn self. Aided by an Ala Mhigan named Valentin Greywolfe, she fought her way through the wreckage of Garlemald and hordes of tempered… only to find that Fane hadn't mentioned one detail: he'd turned her mother into a biomech war machine out of spite. Ferthur was forced to kill her mother to free her from her torment and return her soul to the lifestream.

Having to kill her mother wasn't the only loss she would face in Garlemald, however. Eligos Venator's other contracts called him to Thavnair, where he met his apparent end upon a Blasphemy's claw. Due to their connection, she felt his violent death even a distance away. Crushed by grief, Ferthur went to the worst place she could have possibly gone: the Omori estate in Doma, where any number of people could easily out her as a fraud. If nothing else, she knew that sheer survival, as well as wanting to unravel the mystery in the Omori mines, would be something to focus her mind on other than grief.

What she hadn't expected, though, was a viera showing up at her front door a few weeks later. Having barely survived due to unforseen circumstances, once Eligos had recovered enough he had begun looking into any and all leads in order to track her. He refused to give up, and eventually found himself on her doorstep with a briefcase full of contracts, and and a bottle of soup stock from Pennyworth. The pair were reunited, and settled into recovering from all that had happened and figuring out what their life was going to look like moving forward. Since then, Ferthur has begun to fight some of her fears, and some the instincts to run and hide that her mother instilled in her for the sake of survival alone. Both of them finally began to truly live, and slowly Ferthur has begun to believe that he is hers to keep, and not everyone would betray her in the end.

Although she's still very much an oft-impulsive risk-taker, Eligos's consistent presence tempers that to a certain degree, and grounds her with his calm practicality. He is the one thing she will NOT risk, and Eligos's own cautious and long-term approach has seen him carefully snipping loose ends where Ferthur has simply left them and vanished. How things might continue to evolve as the two begin to work together more going forward remains to be seen!

Wow, did someone actually read this whole thing?

Thank you for the Ask!

#longest Ask answer ever #ffxiv rp #Ferthur #the doman magpie #Omori Kaya #Eligos Venator

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ardenssolis · 4 months

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@dayrisen said (inbox):

[ kingdom au uwus ] ❛❛ I believe you're obsessed. ❜❜ Though she speaks like this, though her words flow, there is a clear joy in her features. A joy that he has found something so deeply relaxing in her land. ❛❛ Then, I shall build another royal garden. This one, my dear friend, is yours now. From the grass, to the camellia bushes, to the lotus pond & to the tallest wisteria & ginkgo, they are all yours. ❜❜ Fingers press onto the ground as she begins to settle down, knees following along & soon, she allows herself to plop down again his lap, head resting comfortably as she smiles up at him, long tresses flowing over his lap & surrounding her akin to a painting. ❛❛ What do you think of that, Ramses ? That this garden & these trees you love so well are now yours. You may request to have done whatever you like to this garden, I can even expand it. I will have a great statue erected here for you & a poem upon said statue. Ramses, the Pharaoh whom loved wisteria. Hehe. ❜❜

HE BLINKED, A BIT taken aback by those words as his gaze quickly shifted in her direction. ❝You are…giving me a garden?❞ It was highly unexpected, and yet…how very like Koto to do this. She must have noticed how much he enjoyed being among these flowers and trees so foreign to him – how he would look upon it all with such a relaxed expression, soothed by the beauty of it. ❝Oh? Will you upkeep this when I am not here, then?❞ He already knew the answer to that. It would be kept immaculate so that when he came back to these lands, aside from new growth, it would be as it was before he left. As Koto’s head came to rest upon his lap, he huffed, amused smile in place as he shifted a little to make her more comfortable. Well now, he supposed he wouldn't be able to move for a while. Koto was going to basically keep him glued here until she felt like getting up again.

How cheeky.

❝I believe you already know the answer to that. As for your other words…❞ he paused, lifting his hand and flicking her forehead gently, but playfully nonetheless, ❝I will leave it as is. The garden does not need expansion, nor does it need a statue in my honor…even if I am quite sure you would have loved to have my image here at all hours of the day. A given with how incredible a ruler I am.❞

#dayrisen #;dayrisen : koto #[AAAAAA THE GARDEN #that's going to be like the first place he goes to when he visits #spends a lot of time over there just vibing]#;v: ???#;;au (fantasy)#answered #;;inbox

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forkingandcunt · 1 year

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Hello this idea came to me while doing laundry and i would love to share it with others who have had their brain, heart, and soul rotted by the locked tomb series.

Soooo originally i was thjnking the setting high school but further ruminations leade to believe this could be completed as like college freshman/sophomore and would make somr shenanigans significantly easier to construct.

Here is what I got so far:

John Gaius - corporate bastard is the bosses bosses boss idfk

MercyMom and Augustine are also corporate

Teacher - manager and over worked under paid adjuct in philosophy and english literature.

Pelleamena amd Priamhark - regional managers and own laundry mat

Ortus - theater major

Crux

Aiglamene

Gideon - Butch lesbian. Pronouns: She/He line cook and prep cook. Rugby player (pro or amateur). Kinesiology major wants to do Physical Therapist. Bad Catholic girl

Harrow - bi/lesbian. Pronouns: she/her. Assistant manager. Server. Host. Banned from the kitchen. Anthropologist. Goth. Wears alot of makeup. Also Bade Catholic girl, the original.

Judith - bi. Pronouns She/Her. JROTC. Takes herself very seriously. Has good grades. She is nice and very rules oriented. She will hit you with the malevolent compliance if she thinks ur being a shit.

Marta - straight? Pronouns she/they. ROTC sergeant person idk but she runs the program at the high school.

Coronabeth - pan. Pronouns she/fae. The queen bee of college itself. College isn't a popularity contest because she is there. Highly charmastic. Captian of the volleyball team or Waterpolo. Double Major Psychology and political science. Old money

Iathe - pan. Pronouns she/ze. Medical student specializing in plastic surgery. Femdom. She is fashion. Always shows up to her sisters games. Too mean to TA. Old money.

Naberius - bi/pan. Pronouns he/him. Captian of the Fencing team. Kinesiology major. Pretty boy. Beats up guys who try to prey on girls at frats parties.

Issac & Jeannemary - could be straight could be bi its whatever. pronouns: he/him & she her respectively. high school juniors or seniors. JROTC. Theater kids.

Abigail - straight and deeply in love with her husband. Pronouns: she/her. History professor. All her students love her. Her class is hard but fair. Does student retention. Is firm and will write you a great letter of rec if yoj have the opportunity to work under her.

Magnus - straight and deeply in love with his wife. Pronouns: he/him. Owns a bookshop. Does alot for the community. Host fundraisers. Helps keep the local library running and engaged with. Host the best dinner parties.

Palamedes - pan. he/they. Medical Students specializing in??. Is a med student because he saw Dulcinea guest lecture at his high school for recruitment and decided then and there what his aim in life would be. Writes fanfiction on smut and runs a discord server for his fan base.

Camilla is his best friend partner in crime they are inlove your honor. Bad muslim boy

Camilla - Ace. She/they. Loves romance music. Her aesthetic is fall. Double Major biology and political science. Martial Artist would have went full international pro but followed pal to school, now she doesnt compete past the national level. Is also deeply platonically in love with Palamedes. Bad muslim girl

Dulcinea - pronouns She/Fae. Loves trashy reality tv and romance novels. PhD student in public medicine, Healthcare for all. Will probably run the CDC in a few years. Uses mobility aids. Hates hospitals. Sex positive. She would probably fist fight you. Jewish mom friend

Protesilaus - pronouns he/him. Registered Nurse and professional Gardner. Has a thumb greener than Gods. Runs a booth at the farmers market selling a variety of plants. Been taking care of Dulcinea since she was 13. They are thick as theives. Jewish dad friend.

Silas & Colum - pronouns: he/him for both. They are missionaries. Colum is a full on priest tho. Wtf do they keep showing up to the diner? They are probably jehovah witnesses.

AU highlights

-Sports!

-Homecoming

-Spring Festival

-Magnus hosting a community BBQ/fundraiser for??

#locked tomb #locked tomb spoilers #gideon the ninth #gideon the ninth spoilers #harrow the ninth #harrow the ninth spoilers #locked tomb AU #waffle house AU #i love this series sm #i hope yall find this inspiring

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giving-brain · 2 years

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"Collector of the Lost, I have finally discovered a familiar befitting of you after eons of search!” This time it was Gundham coming through the classroom door, thankfully with far more control than a certain mechanic had just a few days before. His hands are tucked under the flap of his coat, the fabric of which is wriggling slightly as he came to a stop before the man with a grin that not many people got to see. “Behold! The latest addition into my empire!!!”

Pulled out with much more care then what his enthusiasm would suggest, the overlord presented a very small and very grumpy looking Bengal kitten to the man, it looking just barely old enough to be on its own. “I discovered her upon my return from the realm of angels, trapped by the great metal bars of the rushing tides.” A cat trapped beneath a sewer grate he found coming back from his mother’s then. Nothing was ever simple with the breeder... “With assistance from the Tamer of Automatons, we were able to rescue her from such a hellish prison with little surrounding chaos, our power level is truly unmatched when allied together!” Which meant they cut through the bars to get to it, fantastic...

Oh well, at least they were finally getting along now, no doubt in thanks to Miu knocking their heads together from time to time...

“I cannot say as to why, but she called a recollection to you when I saw her, so I wish to allow you the honor of bestowing her a title!” The great Overlord of Ice allowing someone else to name one of his precious pets!? No one would ever believe Adam if he told them of this... //hey,,,,bengal cats kinda look like ocelots dont you think,,,,,hdskadfh

Adamska swore to himself he would never get another cat. Never, never, never. Not with his heart break. Still now, as he is presented with the little animal. Never, never, never. He freezes up, it telegraphs on his face, but he did not want to hurt the man who became his son. Still, he outstretches his hands, his body moving on its own. Of course he wanted a cat. But was he... allowed? Who on earth would tell him no? Who did Adamska fear, like a child?

"Kiddo..." He said quietly, like the creak of a wooden attic floor. "It's... good to see you boys get along, finally." Cradling the small cat in his hands, his whole disposition softens. What a ridged and sharp body could return to when feeling human and sentient... "How is the 'angel' anyhow." Adam hadn't met Gundham's mother, but he spoke highly of her. He sat back in his desk chair, supporting the cats bum, propped up on his chest like a baby. He seemed to be thinking rather deeply about a name for the little bengal, studying her like he might make an incorrect judgement.

"I am vexed by the name 'Jenavive'." He states, holding the kittens head with his finger, as to which the cat turns away, before attempting to crawl onto his desk with shaky legs. The bought of a kittens drunken walk always made Adamska chuckle.

#from across the stars #him #instincts of war? or fatherhood? [adamska answers]

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ragingbookdragon · 2 years

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Behind A Warrior's Heart

Kotallo x Reader One-Shot

Word Count: 2.1K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: This train is getting longer and longer and none of you can stop me. Enjoy! -Thorne

**********************************************************************

“When we get inside, let me do the talking,” he muttered as they walked past the guards at the entrance of the Memorial Grove.

She rolled her eyes and adjusted the cloak at her neck, so part of her body was showing. “You do recall I’m the right hand of the Sun-King, yes? I know how to be diplomatic in front of foreign leaders.”

Kotallo glared over at her. “I’m not worried that you won’t be diplomatic. I’m worried that you will put your foot in your mouth and end up with a bloodied face or worse, dead.”

“Perhaps I may,” she agreed with a firm nod. “But it won’t be my blood and I won’t be the one dying.” Passing him, she walked up the steps, coming to a stop when the man sitting on the throne rose and took a single step towards them.

The Tenakth beside her gave a sharp salute. “Chief Hekarro, I bring you the Sun-King’s—”

She stepped in front of the Chief, holding out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chief Hekarro. I work closely with His Majesty, Sun-King Avad.” She smiled. “I came of my own accord to offer Carjan assistance to your war effort.”

Hekarro took her hand, heartily shaking it. “King Avad hadn’t sent word of your coming. The last we heard was a message from the Sundom after the massacre of the Embassy.”

“A tragedy,” she answered. “We lost good soldiers on both sides.” Shifting her gaze to the other Tenakth around, she added, “Fashav seems to be missed amongst the Marshals here just as much as he is in Meridian.”

“He was a good Marshal,” he said, pulling his hand away. “One that cannot be replaced.”

She met his eyes. “Agreed. But his death shouldn’t be in vain. We should be doing all we can to maintain good relations with the Carja and Tenakth.”

“And that’s where you come in?”

“It is. I go where King Avad and his soldiers cannot. I do what they cannot.”

Hekarro regarded her with a vaguely suspicious look. “What exactly does that all entail? From what I’ve heard of you, you are a spy.”

She tipped her head side to side, not exactly the nature of denying it. “The correct term is infiltrator. My job is quite simple. Get into places that are crawling with enemies and escape with whatever it is I need unscathed and unseen. Word is being sent back to His Majesty that I’ll be here fostering relations amongst Tenakth and Carja. I’ve no doubt that when his response comes to me, it will not only be given permission but highly encouraged.” Giving him a firm nod, she said, “I’m here to offer my services to you, Chief Hekarro. In whatever form you need them to come in. Spying, fighting, diplomatic association. I’m a woman of many talents.”

“I sense that you hide a warrior’s heart behind subterfuge,” he noted and glanced at Kotallo who was watching her with stoicism. “You won’t find many Tenakth willing to trust a woman of the Carja.”

At that, a devious smirk came across her lips. “Then I guess it’s a good thing that I’m not a Carjan, Chief Hekarro. I just work for one.” She turned, looking to Kotallo. “Your Marshal here has said he’d put in a good word with you, Chief.”

“Has he now?” Hekarro mused and Kotallo looked ready to murder her where she stood.

He growled silently and met his Chief’s gaze. “Aloy’s faith deeply resides in this woman. I’ve seen her abilities in battle myself. She fights honorably and speaks truthfully—when the moment calls for it,” he finished under his breath. “It would be wise to have her foster relations between the Carja and our people.”

“Kotallo rarely speaks such praise,” the man noted. “I do think it would be valuable to have you here.”

“Excellent choice, Chief Hekarro,” she agreed. “What shall I do first?”

Hekarro nodded to them. “There are rebel camps in the area. Helping the clans secure them from the rebels will be the first step in arming ourselves from Regalla.”

She tapped at her Focus bringing up the camps. “It seems Aloy’s taken out most of them in the eastern region but there are still quite a few in this area and west of here.” She swiped along the holograms. “I can take out these two within the next few hours and start on the rest in the week.”

“I admire your tenacity to get started, but you won’t be doing this alone.”

“Beg your pardon?” she replied, glancing at Hekarro. “Who are you going to send with me? A Marshal?”

“My thoughts exactly,” he said and gestured to Kotallo. “Since he’s already in Aloy’s service, I see no harm in him helping you.”

“Chief Hekarro—” Kotallo started but the man held up his hand.

“Our relations of peace are rocky as they are, Kotallo. We cannot allow ourselves to be beggars in moments like these. We must take what we are given and use it to the best of our abilities.” Hekarro looked between them. “Fashav was the best bridge we had. Now, it falls to you two.”

They looked between each other, and she leaned over into Kotallo’s space with a grin and chirped, “You and I are going to be the best of friends, Kotallo, just you wait.”

The Tenakth warrior glowered at her and through gritted teeth, hissed, “I cannot contain my joy.”

Hekarro smiled. “You two had best be off. Night will fall soon, and those two camps will be ready for you.”

She was already turning on her heel, marching down the steps. “I bet I can beat you to the first camp, Kotallo! Tell you what, I’ll even give you a ten-minute head start!”

Kotallo was still glaring at her back and then he glanced at Chief Hekarro. “This is a terrible idea.”

“So you’ve expressed,” the Chief said calmly, knowingly. “I beg to differ. Go on.”

He wanted to argue but the Chief’s expression booked no room for argument, and he sighed. “As you command.” Kotallo turned and hurried after her.

When he caught up to her, he griped, “You did not have to cut me off in the introduction.”

She barked a laugh. “Trust me, big guy, the day I let a man introduce me, is the day you scatter my ashes to the four winds.”

Kotallo glared at her back as she walked. “Let us hope it will be tonight.”

***

By the time they made it back to Memorial Grove, they were both ready to collapse in exhaustion. While they were successful in their mission, the two camps they hit turned out to be larger machine holds. Two fire-bellowbacks in one camp and a set of grimhorns in the other. The armor had held on her back but she knew there were burns somewhere along her shoulder and left arm along with various cuts to her right leg and thigh, probably a deeper cut somewhere else but she was too concerned with getting to a bedroll that she didn’t care. Kotallo didn’t fair much better and was sporting a few new scrapes and bruises, but they did note that he wasn’t missing anymore limbs, so there was an upside to the struggle.

She could barely see straight she was so tired and at one point stumbled and went down on one knee, bracing her hands on the floor. “Sorry,” she muttered. “Just give me a moment to catch my breath.”

Expecting a sharp word, she waited, but Kotallo merely bent down and curled his arm around her waist, picking her up and forcing her to put most of her weight onto him. “I will help you.”

“Thank you,” she said, ignoring the snickers and comments from the Tenakth they passed by.

Kotallo brought them to a secluded area near a fire where there were already bedrolls set up and he set her down. “Sit there and remove the top of your armor.” Before she could even ask, he added, “You’re bleeding all along your back.”

She saw the smear of crimson along his chest and armor. “Shit, I am, aren’t I?” Already pulling the cloak away, she undid the clasps of her top armor and let it fall, nudging it to the side with her foot. She pulled the tunic off and laid on her stomach, watching with careful eyes as Kotallo disappeared behind a curtain and reappeared moments later with what looked like a small jar. “What’s that?”

“A salve made by our medics. It will help with the burns and cuts.” He sat down and twisted the top off the jar, and she leaned over and looked into it with a grimace. “Lay still,” he commanded lowly, and she felt the cool salve touch her wounds. She bit out a grunt and put her face in her arms, muscles in her back and shoulders flexing underneath the pain. “It will subside in a few minutes. Bear with it.”

“Working on it,” she griped into her arms. “Shit burns worse than the cuts do.”

“You took the cut, you can take the healing.”

“You’re a right ass about things, you know that, right?” she retorted, turning to glare at him. “I know I took the cut. But it still hurts, and the medicine isn’t stopping the pain immediately so maybe cut out the mocking?”

Kotallo paused and met her gaze, something unsure in them as he said, “I…apologize. I am trying to be kind.”

“I—you are?” she doubted, brows furrowed, but she shook her head then laid her cheek on her forearms. “Then…keep going, please.”

His hand was rough against her skin, calloused fingers and palm swiping sticky, green salve over her back and shoulders, but she didn’t make anymore noise, simply watching him. His eyes were focused on the task at hand, ensuring that he didn’t leave any wound uncovered. “You fought well today,” he murmured.

“Thank you,” she replied softly. “You did as well.”

His gaze found hers for a moment. “May I ask you something?”

“My answer will depend on how invasive your question is,” she joked, and the corners of his lips curled upwards for a second then fell.

“Throughout our fights today, you kept looking back for me. Why?” She blinked and shifted her gaze; Kotallo thought she was looking at his arm, well, the lack of it and he scowled. “Did you think I wasn’t going to be able to fight?”

“Quite the opposite,” she said. “I wasn’t worried that you wouldn’t be able to fight. I was just keeping my eye on my ally.” She looked down. “I understand why Aloy prefers to fight her missions alone. It’s easier to focus on the mission if you do not have an ally with you. You are preoccupied with the worry of them falling in battle if you do.” She looked back at him. “I kept looking back to check on you that you were okay. If you took it as doubt in your abilities, you’re sorely mistaken. I know full-well that you can handle yourself in combat, Kotallo. Better than most men who have both arms.”

Kotallo snorted low in his throat and wiped his hand on his thigh, screwing the top back on the jar. “I appreciate your vote of confidence.” He started to move, and she reached out, placing her hand on the top of his thigh, causing him to jolt, startled at her touch.

“Kotallo, thank you.”

The calmness and true thankfulness of the words caught him off guard and he felt heat rise to his cheeks; he looked away with a cough. “You’re welcome.” Gently, he pulled her shirt down over her back. “You should rest,” he murmured. “I’ll be back in a few moments with something to eat and drink.”

“Take your time,” she replied and nodded at him as he rose from her and disappeared behind the curtain.

By the time he returned, she had already fallen asleep. The heads of the bedrolls were near one another around the edge of the fire, and he couldn’t help but smile as he saw her hand outstretched over her head, resting on the edge of his bedroll. Kotallo set the food and drink beside her, and he laid on his bedroll, freezing when her hand shifted, fingers brushing against his forehead and he turned his eyes up, gazing at the peaceful look on her face before he shut his eyes and let sleep overcome him.

#kotallo x reader imagine #kotallo x reader imagines #kotallo x reader #kotallo imagines #kotallo imagine #kotallo #kotallo hfw #horizon forbidden west imagine #horizon forbidden west imagines #horizon forbidden west #hfw imagine #hfw imagines #hfw #HFW #hekarro #aloy #aloy of the nora #aloy hfw

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velvetfoxgames · 2 years

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hi hi! for the fantasy au could we get some bodyguard rory with royalty mc? maybe a little hurt comfort hehe thank you !! 💛

I decided to go a non-action route, hope that's okay!

CW: Minor injury, mention of blood, it got a little angsty.

***

You took the hand that was offered to you and looked up to meet the face of a handsome man. Dark hair, pale blue eyes, strong chin. This was the Prince from the country southeast of your father’s reign. You had met him once before, and any bit of interesting conversation you offered forth, he immediately turned around to talk about himself. Arrogant.

“An honor to be your first dance,” the man said, doing a slight bow.

You politely nodded, having no need to respond. He looped an arm around your waist and set off in lead to dizzying orchestral music. He grinned a wide, open-mouthed grin, thrilled to be the first one to accost you. You were, after all, the heir to the most powerful kingdom.

Rather than stare at the man’s wolfish teeth while you danced, you searched the ballroom, skimming over glinting chandeliers, attendees wrapped in fashionable and expensive fabrics, and tables filled with swathes of finger food. The room brimmed with shiny opulence, and yet, every time you were spun around, your eyes caught on a particular corner of the room. There was a man standing there, arms crossed, dressed in dark clothing. He was meant to be in the background, but his red hair always made him easy to spot, even in a dimly lit corner.

Rory, as you tended to call him by his first name, had been appointed your royal guard months ago. Thinking about it now, you were initially offput by his rough demeanor. The first time he spoke out of turn and called you a rather unsavory word, you almost had him banished on the spot. But, he had been hired as your guard for a reason. He was even better at his job than the highly ranked ex-military official he had replaced. Over time, you grew accustomed to his short temper and snide remarks and had taken to intentionally provoking him. It was refreshing to have someone speak to you uninhibited. You had also found out that despite the choice words he held for you, he could be quite gentle with you, even when you tried to mask certain emotions.

From here, you couldn’t see what expression Rory had. For the past week, he had been unusually quiet and moody.

The music came to an end. The man you were dancing with let go of your waist and bowed deeply. Before he had a chance to utter a single word, another man appeared beside him. “May I have the next dance?” And thus began the carousel of suitors, one after the other, face after face. As you were swept closer to the other end of the ballroom, Rory’s features became clearer, but you still couldn’t tell where he was looking.

Was he looking at you? Of course he was. He was always watching. And now he’d watch you be courted by an entire room. The current suitor’s hand pressed into your back, much too firm to be comfortable, and he held you far too close. The one previous to him had arms like wet noodles, flimsy and careless. They all made you feel like a doll being passed around.

The thought crept in. What would it be like if Rory was in front of you? Did he know how to dance? He would surely say no if you asked, even if you were the only two people in the room. But imagining your hand in his…his other hand on the small of your back…face close to yours…

You were reminded of moments when he held you close because he knew you were scared, or squeezed your shoulder when you were unsure. Small gestures that showed you he cared, or so you thought.

You shook your head. Rory had been the main feature of your thoughts lately. Thoughts you tried not to entertain. The current song ended and you said a quick “Pardon me,” to the looming faces wishing to dance with you next. You ignored them all as you made your way to the banquet area, glancing over to your elderly father in deep conversation with other kings and diplomats. Later, he would discuss who would be best to rule alongside you, who should carry your family’s lineage. It would be a strategic decision.

You sat down at an empty table set with dishware and glass goblets already prepared with water for when dinner began. You took a sip and held the cup in your hand, thumb rubbing against the rim. The thought repeatedly raced through your mind – that everyone in this room viewed you as something to be achieved. Any vague notions of romance or courtly love you had ever indulged yourself to dream of firmly vanished. You thought you had accepted this as fact. But now, any semblance of your future appeared to be bleak and lonely. There was a popping sound and a sharp pain in your thumb. You looked down to find you had pressed too hard on the cup, and a piece had broken off, the sharp edge injuring your finger. A small stream of red dripped onto the table. It was a minor cut, but it still hurt. A perfect way to sum up the evening.

You heard footsteps behind you and had half a mind to whip around and shove your bloody thumb in the face of whoever was coming to ask you to dance. But someone grabbed your wrist, and suddenly, Rory’s face was only inches from your own, inspecting your hand.

“Why’re you smashing cups?” he said, annoyed.

“I…it’s not smashed.”

He sighed. “At least the cut isn’t bad.” Rory dragged your chair out and pulled you up. His hand met the small of your back, just like you’d imagined, to guide you through the outer edge of the room. He kept you to his left, as if to shield you from the crowd on his right and brought you to an empty sitting room, where he lowered you into a chair.

“Wait here.” Rory left the room without even looking at you. The music from the ballroom lulled through the wall. Being alone with him right now was only going to make it worse.

When he returned holding a small pouch, he knelt down before you. “Hand,” he said.

You offered it forth and he went to work cleaning the wound with supplies from the pouch. His fingers worked nimbly, his touch soothing to you.

“It’s just a minor cut,” you said. “It’ll stop bleeding on its own.”

“It could still get infected. What were you trying to do in the first place?”

“I was just…thinking.” You didn’t exactly want to tell him what you were thinking about.

“Thinking? Must’ve been some thoughts to put your thumb through a glass.”

You didn’t respond, and he didn’t ask any further questions. With his focus on your hand, your eyes freely searched his face – the rosy complexion to his skin, green eyes reflecting low light, lightly freckled nose. The more subdued expression he wore now was difficult to read. Besides the obvious emotions he usually displayed, there were times like this where you could barely tell what was going on his mind.

“…Staring at me?” he mumbled.

You quickly adjusted your gaze to the fireplace beyond, but soon your eyes roamed back to him, this time to his hair. Tousled and soft looking. It wasn’t the first time you had wanted to know what it felt like. How would he react if you ran your fingers through it? Would he say you were acting stupid or recoil from your touch? Would the only person in the entire palace you wanted…want you back? You had never touched a man like that before. This might be your last chance to with someone your heart chose, and not one of the men you’d be forced with. And you not only wanted to know what he would do – you needed to know.

Your stomach flurried as you raised the hand not being tended to and slowly threaded it through his hair. It was soft, light. Rory stopped wrapping a small bandage around your thumb and tensed. You wondered if he could hear your heart beating. His eyes drifted up to meet yours.

“What are you doing?”

His tone wasn’t particularly happy. Your hand fell, the illusion shattered. This wasn’t the reaction you had hoped for. He didn’t want you, and there was really no explaining what you just did, besides telling him you had a moment of weakness and suddenly wanted to longingly stroke his hair.

He waited for your answer. Your throat tightened. All that came now were tears. You squeezed your eyes shut, not wanting to see his face. Truly, what were you thinking? You knew what your destiny was to be long before this night. And now, you’d completely embarrassed yourself.

Your name was spoken in a soft whisper, followed by the feeling of a warm hand on your cheek. “Tell me what’s wrong. Why are you crying? Did one of them do something to you? Say something?” Your eyelashes fluttered open to meet his intense gaze as he wiped away your tears with his thumb.

“No.”

“What happened?”

“Does it bother you to see them with me?” you said quietly, unable to stop the words. “Do you wish it was you?”

He stared at you for a moment as you anticipated his response, then he looked away as his hand dropped from your cheek. “…I can’t answer that.”

Your tears freely spilled. “Rory…” There had to be something there. He avoided your gaze, and you still couldn’t read his face. “Please.”

“I have nothing to say.”

“Then why did you bring me to this room over a small injury? Why not treat me in the ballroom?”

He was quiet for a while. The silence grew the tension, cut only by your sniffles.

“It bothers me,” he said finally, his words barely audible.

“What does?”

“You…dancing with them.”

So it did.

“Why?”

Rory turned away from you, but not enough to hide his dark expression. “Why do you think?”

A bittersweet feeling churned in your heart. You hadn’t imagined it. Everything melted away, and the only thing you could see now in the room was him, like a dream.

“Then let it be you.”

He looked at you, processing what you were saying. Your words hung in the air. It was up to him, now.

“Is that what you want?” he said.

“It’s what I’ve been wanting.” Your pulse beat even quicker.

Rory took a deep breath. You could tell he was battling himself over what he should do. Or was he nervous?

“It’s what I want, Rory. I want you.” You had to tell him before it was too late.

He rose from his kneeled position and lightly pushed your shoulder to the back of the chair so he was hovering above you. Rory’s cheeks were tinged with red as his fingers graced your jaw and lifted your chin. His lips met yours. He kissed you deeply and lingered there, turning seconds into what felt like minutes.

He pulled away, and you immediately missed him. His flushed face matched the heat on your own as his eyes pierced yours.

“Again,” you said breathlessly.

Rory acquiesced.

No matter what happened after tonight, in this moment, you were his, and he was yours.

#infinite blue #fanfiction #rory #prompt

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beccascribbles · 4 years

Note

totally inspired by ur omegaverse manager going into heat it is literally a masterpiece!! could you maybe do the same prompt but for seijoh in honor of oikawa's ear making an appearance🥺been thirsting for seijoh content lately sos

a/n - writing this a little (sorry, a lot) later so it's in honour of his ear and his 5 seconds of fame. also i'm really pleased you enjoyed it!! i had a great time writing it (first time in a while that i finished a fic in one sitting). hope you enjoy this one :)

Managing Seijoh was an experience, one that you were sure you would look back on with fond memories in the future. However, at the moment, it was borderline undesirable. A group of omegas and betas surrounded you, pressing letters and gifts into your arms.

"Please give this to Oikawa," one of them begged, placing a carefully wrapped parcel on the top.

You forced a smile onto your lips, peering around the stack in your arms to look at the people surrounding you. Voice filled with false kindness, you spoke, "I'll hand deliver these to him straight away. I'm sure Tooru will really appreciate it."

That last sentence was a lie. It had been a while since the gifts Oikawa received hadn't been shared between the team, particularly the food which was likely to feature heavily in the pile. A chorus of thanks followed you down the corridor, and your smile dropped as soon as you turned the corner.

"Dumb fan club," you grumbled, fighting the urge to throw the pile of gifts into the next bin you saw. You couldn't understand why they always came to you, why they begged you to hand him the gifts when he would likely appreciate it more if they were given to him in person. You kicked open the door of the gym, yelling out, "Delivery!"

Heads turned in your direction, volleyballs hitting the floor as everyone stopped practicing and jogged towards you. Iwaizumi removed a majority of the gifts from your hold, going to place them on the bench, and shooting Oikawa a glare, jerking his head in your direction. Begrudgingly, Oikawa took the last few gifts from you and placed them where Iwaizumi had placed the others.

"There any food there?" questioned Kyoutani, picking up a parcel wrapped with a teal ribbon. He sniffed it, nose wrinkling as the scent of an omega filled his nose. Then, he threw it to the side and grunted, "Tell me when you find the food."

"They smell a bit sickly, don't they?" you giggled, giving him a nudge with your elbow. Kyoutani simply nodded, moving away to sit on the floor, back leaning against the wall. You turned to Oikawa, hands resting on your hips. "I expect adequate payment for the hassle this caused me."

"Does my love and affection forever count?" he beamed, wrapping an arm around your shoulder and tugging you into his side. You simply glared at him, arms crossing over your chest. He chose to ignore your clear displeasure at his reply.

"You think way too highly of yourself, Loserkawa," smirked Iwaizumi, throwing a gift his way. Oikawa caught the item, cringing at the small piece of fabric that dangled from his finger. It was dainty, a delicate lace.

"Clearly that one was just meant for you," snickered Hanamaki as Oikawa held the item upwards, taking it in from a different angle.

"y/n?" he questioned, holding it out to. "Could be a good addition to your wardrobe."

"Fuck off," you snapped, turning away from him to grab a bin bag. You shoved it towards him. "Throw it in here."

As Oikawa disposed of the item, Matsukawa could be heard opening a parcel. He pulled out a DVD from the remains, peering at what was written on the case. He mumbled, "Watch when you're alone?"

"Oi, Oikawa!" he called, drawing his attention. Oikawa skipped over, clearly expecting something good. "I think someone sent you a video of themselves. Send us your reactions, yeah?"

Oikawa snatched the DVD from Matsukawa, throwing it into the bin, his nose wrinkled in disgust. He whined, "Where's the food? Why have they all got so much worse?"

With a sigh, deciding you had tortured Oikawa and delayed practice enough, you clapped your hands together. "Shoo. Get back to practice and I'll sort this shit out. All offending items will be binned. Only food will be kept."

By the time you had sorted through all the items, the bin bag was full, full enough that it required you to take it out. Only a small pile of food had been found, barely enough to share between the team. You supposed you would forgo your portion in favour of ensuring the first years got something. They were always hesitant to dive in, letting the third years take control. Kyoutani was also threatening, growling at any who got too close to the food he had acquired. You stood up, grabbing the bin bag and hefting it over one shoulder.

A sigh escaped from your lips as you pushed the door open. Maybe Oikawa could start requesting food, you contemplated, shifting the bin bag into your other hand. The weight was surprising considering the items you’d had to dispose of. Honestly, a part of you still couldn’t wrap your head around what Oikawa had received. How could they think Oikawa would appreciate that?

You grunted, swinging the bag into the larger bin around the back of the gym. Stepping back, you dusted your hands off, stretching slightly. As you turned to head back to the gym, a sharp, unfamiliar scent filled your nose. It burnt your nostrils, reeked of aggression and anger. The rational part of you told you to leave, to return to the safety of the gym. But the other part of you, the part that told you to help others, kept you rooted in place.

"Hello?" you questioned, inhaling deeply as you attempted to pinpoint their location. Judging by the strength of the scent, they were close to your location, somewhere to the left of you. You stepped in that direction. "Are you okay?"

A growl cut through the air, and you halted, eyes widening as you saw an alpha leant against the wall, hands clenched into fists. He was panting, nails cutting through the skin of his palm. He looked up, catching your eye and pleading with you. "Stay the fuck away from me. Please. Stay away."

It clicked for you then. The sharp scent growing more prominent, the aggression, the desperation with which he pleaded with you. Immediately, you clamped down on your scent, tugging it in as much as you could and ensuring it didn't head in the alpha's direction. You had to question whether bringing more alphas to him would be an aid. Knowing Oikawa, he would feel the alpha going into rut was a threat and would act aggressive in return. Matsukawa and Iwaizumi would likely be no better if they perceived them to be a direct threat to you. Kyoutani was usually aggressive at the best of times. It went against your better judgement to involve any of the first years. They were too young to be exposed to such danger. Actually, it went against your better judgement to involve any of the team. All you should do, you reasoned, was inform the coaches quietly and keep it hidden from the team.

The longer you stood there contemplating, the weaker you could feel yourself growing, a steady heat rising through your body. You cursed under your breath, a quiet fuck, before raising the volume of your voice. "Just stay here, okay? I'll send the coaches out to help you."

Slowly, you backed away, careful to avoid sending your scent towards him. Your scent was slowly growing sweeter, more enticing. It would cause him to lose his control, a situation neither of you wanted to be in. Judging by the tightening of his muscles and the way he launched a fist into the wall, he had caught a whiff of your change in scent.

"Get away," he growled, a low threatening sound. The spike in his scent told a different story, pheromones strengthening in an attempt to weaken you further.

Your throat felt tight, knees weak as you continued to retreat. Even at the door to the gym, his scent was overpowering. A desperate sound escaped your throat, a high-pitched whine as you collapsed against the door. Footsteps, quick and hurried, echoed from inside, the door being yanked open to reveal Oikawa, the rest of the team on his heels. His lips were drawn, teeth bared at the danger that was hidden from sight. A ferocious growl ripped from his throat at the smell of the alpha in rut.

"Coaches," you gasped, pointing in the alpha's direction. "Alpha. Rut. Get him. Safe."

Iwaizumi shot you a concerned look, picking up on your condition and the overwhelming scent of alpha around you. Oikawa's reeked of possessiveness, rising up to fight against that of the other alpha. Kyoutani's scent was pure anger. He was eager for a fight, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Matsukawa's scent was calm, but domineering enough to add to the scents already assaulting your nose. That was without mentioning the bitter smell of panic drifting from all the first years as they watched in fear.

"For fuck sake," he sighed, kneeling down to pick you up, cradling you to his chest. His soothing pine scent flooded your nose as you buried your face in his chest. A helpless sound escaped your lips as your hands curled into his top. Greedily, you drew in a deep breath, craning your neck up to brush your nose against the scent gland in his neck. Iwaizumi drew in a sharp breath, holding you closer. He looked up, making eye contact with Hanamaki and Watari, and jerking his head towards Oikawa and Kyoutani. "Keep them away from that alpha. I'm taking y/n somewhere safe. Yahaba, get the coaches. Kunimi, Kindaichi, head back into the gym and tidy up."

Iwaizumi didn’t remain long enough to see if the commands he had barked at the team had been followed. In his arms, you were slowly growing more feverish, your breathing coming out in heavy pants. All he could focus on was you. Your nose tickled the scent gland in his neck as you nuzzled against it, finding comfort there. It was a sharp contrast to the scents that had surrounded you previously. Iwaizumi had been the only one to not give in completely to his animalistic urges, his eyes immediately falling on you, his nose sensitive to the change in your scent. His first instinct was to take you to the medical room. However, he knew that you would feel safer at home, within the confines of your nest.

It was fortunate this wasn’t a usual heat. Your body had reacted to the overpowering scent of a young alpha’s rut, preparing you for what may have happened had the young alpha not had so much restraint. It was a defence mechanism, one meant to protect you from what could have been a traumatic experience. Therefore, your body would calm down once you were removed from the situation. As he turned towards the gate, you let out a whimper, “Locker room, Haji. Smells good.”

That whimper was all it took for him to change direction once again, heading towards the room. It wouldn’t be comfortable, but it was clear you craved the scents within there. After all, the team was your pack. You felt safe with them. His mind whirled as he tried to think of how to make it more comfortable. Iwaizumi knew Oikawa had some spare tops in his locker which could help form a cushion. He supposed he could place a couple different training jackets on the floor for you to rest on. His own he would use as a blanket.

Carefully, he placed you on the floor, leaning you against the wall and wrapping his jacket around your form. He brushed a kiss to the top of your head. “Just give me a second. The nest will be ready soon.”

“So hot, Haji,” you whined, tugging at the material of your thin t-shirt. Iwaizumi let out a sigh, scanning the locker room for anything that might cool you down. When he turned back around, you had removed your top and were curled up against the wall. He felt a flush rise to his cheeks, ducking his head as he finished laying the jackets down on the floor. Before moving you, he placed a hand to your forehead, feeling the heat radiating from you.

"Um, do you need a cold flannel?" he questioned, and you shook your head, reaching out to hold him, burying your face on his chest.

"No, just need you," you mumbled, pausing for a second before continuing. "And Tooru. And Issei. And Kentaro. And..."

"I know," he soothed, running a hand down your back, feeling the warmth of your bare skin against the roughness of his palm. "I know. The team will be here soon."

"Okay, Haji," you sighed, letting him pick up your weak body and lay you down on the nest of clothes he had prepared. You turned your nose into the t-shirts acting as your pillow, inhaling deeply when the scent of Oikawa hit your nose. Your hand reached out, grabbing loosely onto his top, stopping him from moving away from you. The continual tugging of his top hinted to him what you wanted. He lay down behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you back against his chest. As you felt yourself relax, felt your body steadily returning to normal, the door was thrown open.

Oikawa stormed in, coming to a halt when he saw you and Iwaizumi curled up on the floor together. He needed no prompting, joining you on the floor and draping an arm over you and Iwaizumi. Oikawa pressed a kiss to your forehead, then your cheek, letting out a pleased purr at the smile that tugged at your lips.

"Sorry about earlier," he mumbled, nuzzling his head into your neck. "Shouldn't have lost control. Should've been there for you."

"I had it handled, Shittykawa," grunted Iwaizumi. "Some of us can keep our alpha in check."

"You're so mean to me, Iwa-chan," whined Oikawa.

"He's not wrong, Tooru," you mumbled, though the kiss placed to his forehead showed there was no ill-will behind your agreement. You understood how hard it was to control your instincts, having fallen afoul to them yourself.

He stayed silent, letting his scent weave through the air around you, twining with Iwaizumi's. Just as you were settling in again, the door was thrown open, revealing the rest of the team. Matsukawa and Hanamaki collapsed onto the floor at you feet, the first and second years surrounding you. Kyoutani laid out behind Iwaizumi, partaking purely to help you and make you happy. Kunimi and Kindaichi curled up on the floor beside Matsukawa, while Watari and Yahaba laid down beside Oikawa. You let out a content sigh, breathing in the various scents.

Matsukawa traced patterns on your ankle with his fingertips, shooting you a lazy grin. "Feel better?"

"Much better," you said, another pleased sound escaping your lips. "Thank you."

"No need," said Kyoutani gruffly, rolling onto his side and propping up on one elbow so he could see your form.

"What are you accepting the apology for?" piped Yahaba, shooting a teasing smirk in Kyoutani's direction. "You did fuck all except getting angry."

"Shut up," growled Kyoutani, though he made no move to throw himself at Yahaba, mindful of you.

You felt a smile appear on your face at their interaction, the familiar sound of their arguing reminding you everything was normal and that you were safe.

#haikyuu omegaverse #haikyuu x omega reader #haikyuu x omega manager #hq requests #seijoh x manager #seijoh x reader #oikawa x reader #iwaizumi x reader #matsukawa x reader #hanamaki x reader #kyoutani x reader #kunimi x reader #kindaichi x reader #seijoh omegaverse

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hopeless-ro-simptic · 3 years

Text

Familiar Cerulean Eyes- pt 20

Click here for my Masterlist. Part 21

Warnings: NSFW, terrible smut, lots of fluff as well, cliffhangers. The usual.

Word Count: 4.9 K

I’m sorry for how long this took.

TAGLIST: @superblyspeedydragon @jparra4587 @flyingowls @emrysaf @imuziawi @sheedaabee @peculiarinsomniac @littlelovebug98 @plutoneu @giftofwonder @kitty-kat-ash @fukyouthink @anarchys-bnha-mess @threbony @orenjineki @toobsessedsstuff @bamf-barnes @x-a-delama-x @inanabsentia @reallyshey @godsblesstheboi @drownedbytears @emilymikado @fluidfandoms @mikasackrmann @bohica160 @andrastesbeard @percabethismyotp14 @celestiallustre @moon-spirit-yue @hecatve @bakugoshrimp @vanillanjin @toshiuwuu @rxinbowrena @kamisamaundercover @callmepopcorn @xxdumb-bitchxx @medicinalkiwis @kat-unzel @headfirst-halo @capricorn-nightmare @annie-daetris @skumtrash @totorotoni @kst-chernish @itsmysticalmystery @the-occasional-artist1125 @beautifulparisiangirl @stanzastic @helena-way07 @aurorahoneybuns @cth-l @nightlygiggless @filledasaf @hailstorm888 @ozzy-bozzy @girrawr13 @hawkssnugget @dabilittleslut @over-grown-emo-kid @sasageyowrites @littledustyflame @h0wab0utw3d0ntd0that @thefirewasfriendly @babayaga67 @kiegosbby @foxes-and-arrows @confessorkahleesi @nosequeponeraun @warcrimesforsumcoochie @zea-is-amazing

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To say that the beta’s of the pack were excited was an understatement. Both Toga and Twice had taken it upon themselves to separate you and Dabi immediately, much to Dabi’s complaint. There was even hint of happiness radiating off of Kurogiri, no matter how faint his scent was.

After whisking you away to her room, Toga had immediately set into riffling through her closet, chattering away at top speed as she did so.

“I had picked this up awhile ago, I was saving it for something special and I think this works.” You eye’d her suspiciously as she pulled out a short white dress, simple in design but still gorgeous in your eyes. It was something you would have picked out yourself.

“And you just so happen to have picked out a white dress for me?” Her smile only widened at the accusation clear in your question. You couldn’t help but wonder just how long the Beta’s had been discussing this idea.

“Oh and one more thing!” She pulled out a shoe box and you could only groan, fear of what was inside making you pull away from her a protest on your tongue.

“I promise they aren’t that bad! You only have to wear them long enough to walk down the aisle.” You only narrowed your eyes at her before sighing and peering into the box. God those were high, but it wasn’t like this was your first time walking in heels. Rei had made sure you had learned how to manage in fancy clothing, insisting that one day it would come in handy. You knew that she had meant it in a different way, so that you could be comfortable at the many balls and gala’s that heroes attended. That you would have attended had you of stayed at Shoto’s side.

Still… she was right. It was useful information regardless.

You didn’t put up too much of a fuss as Toga flitted around you, insisting on helping you put on the dress and heels before she sat you down in her bathroom on an old rickety chair and started to pull out makeup products and hair products. You were surprised to find that she had a whole slew of makeup stowed away just for you, like she had been hoarding it just for this moment. You couldn’t help but feel your heart stutter at the sight, noticing the blush on her cheeks grow at your warming scent.

You let her expertly handle your makeup, surprised at just how adept the teenager was, to which she only stated she watched a lot of videos in her free time. And after everything was completed on the face, she went to tackle your hair, grooming it to perfection just the way you liked, until finally she stepped back and let you take in what was facing you in the mirror.

It was very rare that you truly felt pretty, especially within the last few years. Shoto had never outright told you if he found you attractive or not, and even though Touya told you several times when you were kids, you sometimes didn’t believe him.

Looking into that mirror, all dolled up, with the tought that Touya, your Touya was alive and waiting for you just in the other room…

You never felt prettier.

“I never thought I’d get to do this…” Toga was rubbing her eyes, like she was trying to keep herself together. It dawned on you just how important this was to the beta. Sure, you were the one getting married, but for the head beta in a pack, which without a doubt you knew was her even without anyone coming out and saying it, setting up a wedding or a bonding party was one of their highest honors.

You turned and reached towards the beta, pulling her against you and wrapping her in a tight hug, nuzzling her scent gland and letting out a contented purr.

It was something that Shoto had mentioned that some of the UA kids did with the Beta’s in their class. He had been so shocked when he came home from school one day, explaining that he had accidentally walked in on one of the stand-offish alpha’s of the class, scenting the class’s most outgoing beta. You had been confused asking if this was out of the normal, only for him to look at you with equal confusion before clarifying that no, it was a normal show of acceptance, a show of friendship, something that packmates did quite regularly. It was only shocking because this particular alpha was known to be extremely rude and insisted he hated all of their classmates, including the bubbly beta and when Shoto had announced his presence the alpha immediately blew up on both him and the beta, figuratively and apparently literally.

At the time you had thought it was weird, the thought of being that close with someone other than your alpha. Of being comfortable enough with someone else to actually want their scent on you, in seeking comfort from that person and providing comfort back.

But holding the Beta in your arms, inhaling her scent and pushing out yours, feeling the exact moment that she stopped being a statue and melted into your arms, returning your purr with one of her own, one that sounded like she was holding back tears, you completely understood.

“Thank you so much.” You whispered into her ear, feeling the beta let out a pup like whine to which your omega only purred back to.

The two of you only separated once a loud pounding on the door shattered the moment, Twice’s head sticking through the door with his hand covering his eyes as he spoke.

“Are you guys ready yet? We’ve been waiting forever- Oh my gosh are we having a cuddle sesh? Can I join?.”

You didn’t get a word in before the tall beta was in the room wrapping the two of you up in a bone crushing hug as he hummed in delight. You couldn’t help but laugh, enjoying the bubbling scent of the beta’s surrounding you.

All at once Twice pulled away, looking you up and down letting out a low whistle as he rested his arm on top of Toga’s head, leaning against her. You noticed the annoyed look she sent him and had to stifle your laugh, his face possibly more serious than you had ever seen it.

“Are you ready? Cause we’ve got alcohol to get to and a wedding to drink.”

“In the armmms of an angellll .” Twice’s voice rang out loudly through the bar as he wrapped an arm around Shigaraki’s shoulder’s serenading the leader who just rolled his eyes and accepted the Beta’s attention with his ever-present frown, drink in hand.

“fly away…“ Dabi’s low singing voice in your ear had you curling further against him on the couch, laughing slightly as you nuzzled into his scent gland inhaling deeply.

The actual ‘wedding’ had gone by in a blur, Twice insisting that he was ordained and was able to legally pronounce the two of you married, which you highly doubted but it wouldn’t matter. You doubted the two of you could get the paperwork notarized without getting arrested anyways. Still the Beta’s had insisted that everything was done according to the book, even going as far as having Toga be your maid of honor, Shigaraki begrudgingly being Dabi’s best man, and most hilariously, Spinner being both the flower girl and the ring bearer. Kurogiri had even escorted you down the aisle before taking his spot next to Shigaraki.

And Twice had in fact convinced Dabi to at least put on his nicest pants, a black button up that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a loosely done black tie. As close to a suit as you were going to get.

Though no one could stay serious for the vows. You hummed happily at the memory of Dabi’s mischievous eyes glittering as he vowed to always provide his services while you were in heat. To which you responded with a vow to give him the attention he needed when he was being clingy. His pout in response as well as the scoffs of laughter from the other alpha’s had you preening.

Now two hours later, everyone was sprawled out around the bar. Toga laying down face up on the counter swirling her drink as she drunkenly sang out with Twice, who currently had Shigaraki in a lose choke hold as he sat with his back to the counter, ignoring the beta and lost to a conversation he was having with Spinner about the mechanics of a newly released video game and how they were ‘mind blowing’. Even Kurogiri was leaning against the counter, staring down at his drink in his hand with what seemed like a smile.

After about five whole minutes of dancing, which was way more than you ever thought you would get out of him, Dabi had sprawled down ontop of the couch, and drug you down ontop of him, wrapping you up in his cacoon of warmth, as he hummed along to the songs that were coming from someone’s phone, each one taking a more depressing turn than the last but still hyping everyone up.

And that is where you all had sat for the last hour or so, drinking, laughing, chatting and singing. Having the best time that most of you had had in a long time, the mixed contented scents of everyone making a delicious concoction that kept the mood going.

You could feel the deep rumbling of Dabi’s purr underneath you, starting to lull you to sleep, responding only to your own softer lighter purr of contentment as he took a drink of his whiskey before setting his glass back down on the floor beside the couch, his fingers cold from the ice as he slipped them into your hair, playing with the strands as he spoke.

“You smell like the Betas.” It wasn’t an accusation, more of a question resting in his voice as he watched you with peaked interest in his eyes.

You knew he had to have been stewing on the question for a minute now, curiosity burning at him, and you let that curiosity burn as you hummed softly in response.

“And they smell like you.”

“Mhm.” Was your response, nudging your nose against his neck again, feeling Toga’s stare from across the room even with your eyes closed, could hear her shift up into a sitting position.

“What? Are you cheating on me with the betas now? And on our wedding day?” His question was met with a snort, amusement lighting up his face as you lifted your head to peer at him.

“You mean to tell me I can’t scent the beta’s of my own pack?”

You felt it more than heard it. The way that everyone went quiet, their attention shifting to the two of you, even if they weren’t actually looking. The only one out and out staring was Toga, a look of reigned in hope crossing her face. Anxiety creeping softly into the scents of everyone in the room.

You mentally rolled your eyes, somehow knowing everyone’s thoughts. You knew no one had out and out said it yet. They didn’t act like a pack, not most of the time, and several of them would probably argue against the mere idea, but you knew deep down that’s what they were. Even if they didn’t scent each other and have a big pack nest. Even if they kept secrets from each other and fought.

Even if they were all a bunch of villains.

“Pack?” Dabi repeated the word softly, his eyes only focused on you, too many emotions to count running through those eyes as his thumb stroked your cheek, his fingers tangled in your hair.

You just simply nodded, laying your head back against his chest and closing your eyes, releasing more of your contented scent as you snuggled against him.

And everyone seemed to have relaxed with that simple answer. Moved on from that conversation and continued with their celebrations. Everyone other than Toga who was still staring at you with awe, only becoming distracted when Twice maneuvered his way over to her and pulled her off her perch on the counter and spinning her into a clumsy dance, laughing as she started to belt out to lyrics with him.

You just melted against Dabi’s chest, purring away as he played with your hair, feeling nothing other than pure bliss as you were surrounded once again with the happy scents of your pack.

You were giggling like a lunatic as you beat your fists against Dabi’s butt as he walked. After awhile Dabi had suddenly gotten the idea that the party was over and it was time to take his new wife to bed. Something he had very loudly announced. At first, he had tried to pick you up bridal style, but after about five steps into the hall he had decided that was no longer fun and instead threw you over his shoulder, one hand sliding around your thigh and the other wrapping across your butt to hold you in place as he marched his way back to your shared room.

It wasn’t until the two of you were finally into your room with the door closed behind you that he finally set you down on your own two feet, his hands not leaving your hips as your laughter all but drying up at the hungry look in his eyes as they raked along your body. You couldn’t help but shudder, your mind wandering back to when you had first woken up in his apartment weeks ago, the look that he had given you so similar to the one he was giving you now. You didn’t recognize the look at the time, but you did now.

Like he was seeing you for the first time after years apart.

“Da-“

“Touya.” His right hand moved up to cup your cheek as he continued to look at you, blue flames burning in his eyes as he drank you in.

“I mean I can’t promise I’ll be quiet..” Your little joke had his lips quirking up at the edges, shaking his head incredulously at your ability to be shy one minute and bold the next.

“I told them … everything, while you were getting ready. Well other than Toga, but Twice has probably filled her in by now.” Your heart stuttered at his words, a smile blooming on your face as you looked up at him. Your fingers playing with his hair on the back of his head. He trusted them. The two of you finally had a family that you could trust.

You didn’t answer, instead lifting up on your tip toes and pressing your lips against his, his fingers at your cheek moving back into your hair, pressing you closer against him and deepening the kiss. He let you up for air for the briefest of moments, you barely letting out a giggle only for the sound to immediately be consumed by his mouth again as you felt him slowly walk the two of you backwards until the end of the bed hit the backs of your knees. At feeling you stop his hands dropped down to lift you up, wrapping your thighs around his waist as he crawled onto the bed, softly placing you down, not letting his lips leave yours, his tongue pressing against them for entrance which you willingly granted, running your own against the cool metal ball that had you clenching your thighs around him.

The low rumbling growl that escaped his throat had your omega purring back in response, wiggling slightly as his left hand roamed down your body, finding the edge of the white dress, and hiking it up, up, up, his right hand fisted into your hair as he broke your kiss, moving his lips down to your neck causing you to arch your back into his touch and rubbing his face against your scent gland. It was only after he had fully covered your scent with his own, his fingers finding your ass and digging in only to earn a chirp of protest that had him grinning wildly, that he finally pulled away from you, sitting back between your legs on his knees looking down at you, ignoring further chirps of protest from your lips as his hands moved up to loosen his tie completely. Your eyes hyper focused on the movement, your heart stuttering.

You stayed still, watching in awed silence as he pulled his tie from around his neck, leaning over you with his signature smirk as he gathered your hands above your head, sliding the silky tie around them and pulling it tight, earning a soft whimper from you that he hushed with his lips against yours for the briefest of seconds. He cupped your chin between his thumb and his finger, using his other hand as an anchor to keep him steady above you as his molten eyes latched onto yours, making sure your complete attention was on him before he spoke.

“I need you to be a good girl and be quiet and listen. I know that’s hard for you.”

You had a retort ready on your tongue, your face pulling into a frown and your eyes turning into daggers that only made him chuckle, leaning down to drag his tongue up your throat making your words die before they even had life. His lips stopped just above your own, his breath fanning across your face, the smell of cinnamon whiskey and smoke enveloping you completely which you couldn’t help but take a big inhale of, your eyes latched onto his lips, watching the way they twitched into a smile as he spoke.

“I love you, (y/n)” Your eyes snapped up to meet his, feeling your body warm up at the words, sounding foreign coming from his lips but like home at the same time. You wanted to repeat them back to him, but he continued speaking without giving you a chance, pausing only to litter small kisses and nips across your face as he did so, slowly moving down.

“I know I don’t say it enough, and that I am a complete asshole most of the time… and that you deserve so much more than what I can give you.” He paused at that one, his voice catching as he buried his nose against your scent gland again, taking in a deep inhale of your combined scents before he continued, his mouth moving down your chest as he does. You wanted to speak, to reassure him and tell him that he was everything you wanted, but you also wanted to hear what he had to say, so you stayed quiet, only purring softly to him as he spoke.

“And I’m sorry that I can’t promise you things that an alpha should be able to promise on their wedding day.” You started to cut him off this time, but he only placed a harsh bite at the flesh peaking out of the top of your bra, his fingers pulling the top of your dress down as he did so, a short gasp leaving your lips as he sucked on the spot, your hands twitching where he had them tied up. His other hand slipped back under the bottom hem of your dress, kneading the back of your thigh roughly, pressing his body further against yours caging you in as he let out another low growl. This one a warning, a threat. A promise. If you weren’t going to be quiet on your own, then he would make you.

“I can’t promise you that we will never spend a night apart again. I can’t promise you that there will always be food on the table and a roof over our heads. I can’t promise you that we will ever be able to have kids or that I would even be a good father to begin with.” He kissed down your chest as he spoke moving towards your stomach, pressing his lips to the bunched up white fabric of your dress until he reached skin again, his lips igniting a fire in your blood, making you squirm under his touch. He paused right under your belly button, his eyes catching your own once again as he peppered light chaste kisses in that area, an apology in his eyes that made you wonder if he felt the same burn behind his eyes that you did at that thought.

“I can’t… I can’t promise that you will ever be safe.” You could feel the warmth growing in his hands as he talked, could smell the tinge of burning anger inside his scent only for it to dissipate as he pressed his nose against your hip bone, inhaling deeply. His hand that was kneading your thigh guided you to bend your knee so he could just turn his head and press his lips against it, nipping at the skin as he did so causing soft whines to leave your lips. His hand moving around to grip the outer side of your thigh, holding you in place, his other hand lightly fingering the scrap of fabric that was the waistband of your underwear.

You didn’t know why he was saying all of this. It was all things that you already knew, that the both of you had already talked about. Things that he already tried to use to get you to run, to get far away from him. To push you away. But it didn’t work. It didn’t work then and it wouldn’t work now. So why?

He didn’t give you time to verbalize your question, blue flames licking across your skin with only a feeling of mild heat, the fabric of your underwear burning away, the flames controlled with precision so not to burn anything else. You couldn’t help but hold your breath, your body tensing at what was to come as he let out a quiet hum of appreciation at the scent of your arousal, at the slick that was building between your legs. You watched with anticipation as his lips ghosted across your core, a wave of hot air spreading across you making you bit back a groan as his lips latched onto the inside of your opposite thigh instead, sucking harshly, teasing eyes watching your back shift off the bed temporarily.

There was an audible pop as he released the skin of your thigh from his lips, his canines glinting as he smirked up at you before he dipped his face down, blowing cool air right into your center causing you to close your eyes with a low whine, begging for him to stop teasing.

“But,” His raspy voice rang out, forcing you to open your eyes again, watching him as he licked his lips slowly, the metal piercing in his tongue shinning as a taunt, his fingers digging into your hips in bruising grips, as if preparing for you to buck him off.

“I promise that I will make life hell for anyone who tries to keep us apart.” All of the air was ripped out of your lungs leaving you gasping as he slid his tongue up your clit, circling it once before pulling it into his mouth with a sharp suck, his teeth lightly grazing across it before he released you only for his tongue to drop down to the gathering slick, coating himself in it before returning back to the already swollen nub with a groan of satisfaction.

“I promise that I will do everything I can to make sure you are taken care of, even if I’m not there.” His lips brushed against you as he spoke, his thumbs rubbing circles into your thighs, and his tongue returning its attention to your clit as soon as he finished his sentence, taking his time with you, dragging his piercing back and forth across the sensitive area like he had all the time in the world. The only thing keeping you against the bed was his grip on your hips, and the tie keeping your wrists bound to the headboard above your head.

“I promise that I will kill” his growl vibrated against you as he nipped your clit, causing you to buck against him with a loud whimper, a moan escaping your lips as he slammed your hips back down to the mattress, using his forearm across your hip bone to press you further into the bed as his other hand shifted to stroke his thumb against your entrance, spreading your slick around his rough skin. “anyone, that tries to hurt you.”

You probably shouldn’t be as aroused by the idea of that as you currently were, but you didn’t let your brain linger on that, couldn’t, as he slipped a finger inside of you, curling it to rub against your spongey insides, his tongue soothing the ache that he had created skillfully. You strained against the tie around your wrists, his name, his given name, leaving your tongue as you attempted to grind up against him, only for him to insistently hold you still to continue his ministrations, making sure you were dripping from his spit and your slick before sliding a second finger in, pushing pressure on your sensitive spot from the inside as he rubbed along your walls.

Your mix of moans and whimpers only edged him on, and every time you closed your eyes or tried to look away, he would reward you with a sharp tug of your clit with his teeth causing you to refocus on him with quivering lips. The fire in his eyes feeling like it was spreading throughout your own body, radiating through you and making your skin hypersensitive.

“I love you, (y/n).”

You could feel a familiar building in your core, a coil that was winding tighter and tighter at his every touch. One that had you gasping for air, trying to remind yourself to breath as you pushed your hips against his arm desperate for more, more, more. He gave just enough pressure on your clit to make you see stars the second that he removed it, his tongue languidly rolling across it, flicking his piercing like a pro and soothing any pain that you felt before he again pulled your nub between his lips, sucking harder and harder until you felt like he was sucking your soul out, only to release again and start the process all over. His fingers staying in perfect time with his mouth, long enough to reach all the right places, thick enough to stretch your walls in a way that had you panting and writhing underneath him. He was building you up and up and up with no regard to how far the fall would be.

“I love you, and I am completely, irrevocably yours.”

You vaguely realized what he was saying… the wording of it. The fact that the alpha between your thighs wasn’t claiming you in that moment, that he was doing the opposite. Submitting.

That realization tipped you over the edge.

For one brief airless moment, you were at the top of the rollercoaster, the view in front of you terrifying in its beauty, the knotting feeling in your stomach sudden as you realized you had no option but to hope you would survive the next few seconds. Then you were falling. Plummeting towards the earth at a speed that had you screaming out, not in fear but in ecstasy.

His name was a prayer on your lips as he guided you through your climax, helping you come down down down until you were a panting mess, pulling at the bonds holding you in place and arching away from his touch with a different kind of whine. Only then did he stop, placing soft kisses to your hips, your thighs, your stomach, messaging away any remaining tension in your body as he coo’d to you, telling you over and over again that he loved you.

Minutes later you bonds were off, and you were on your knees in front of him on the bed, purring away as his hands fisted into your hair as you returned the attention he so happily gave you. Enjoying your mate to the fullest.

---

Your eyes fluttered open and you glanced over to Dabi’s phone, haphazardly tossed onto the side table in your shared room. You reached over glancing at the time which was both way to late and way too early at the same time, a groan on your lips as you pushed yourself up and out of bed, smiling when Dabi reached out for you with a soft groan of his own trying to get you back into bed, into his arms. You shifted your dress that had surprisingly stayed on the entire night, Dabi insisting you keep it on and that he loved you in white, before moving into the bathroom, taking care of business and finding a clean pair of underwear sliding them on. Your mind was on the fact that you really needed to clean up y’alls room, the bathroom especially, when the all too familiar sound of a wall being knocked in with some kind of explosionn rang throughout the air, panic shooting through your scent as shouting ensued, Dabi sitting up with a start eyes finding yours one word on his tongue.

“Run”

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alluringjae · 3 years

Text

until dawn; pt. II - ljn

part I | part II

⤑ summary: basic number one rule of the museum is not to touch the art. but no one told jeno that falling for one of them isn’t allowed either.

⤑ pairing: jeno x female reader

⤑ word count: 12.2k

⤑ genre: ANGST, fluff, romance, smut (f receiving, dom!jeno waow, dirty talk, wrap it everyone) | broke architecture major!jeno, historical figure!reader, enemies to lovers!au, college!au, night at the museum-inspired!au

⤑ warnings: references to actual historical figures, explicit language, graphic details, major heartbreak caused by another party, expect time jumps too

⤑ author’s note: happy jeno day!! i’ve been so excited to post this part, and i’m happy we’re here!! perhaps, this is the last long fic i’ll write for a while so i can rest, but i’ll still be posting short stories within the weeks to come! i’m excited for may to say the least hehe

btw, for the smut scene (indicated with **), i highly recommend you listen to strange (feat. hillary smith) by kris bowers!! this song is from the bridgerton soundtrack, and oh man, the feels!!

with that, enjoy!

italicized text either means they are personal notes or flashbacks.

this was meant to be more angsty, but either way, i screamed every time i wrote something gut-wrenching.

⤑ taglist: @renjunniehome

⤑ ctto above!!

⤑ leave me some feedback, constructive criticism, or hellos!

“You ready to get your butt beaten by me, Lee?”

“Prepare your final words when I win instead, (Y/L/N).”

Mischievous banter exchanged between you two became a new norm. Almost every night, someone within the art pieces established a contest over anything and it released the competitive sides of you two. So far, Jeno has been winning. Not like it hurt your pride, but maybe just once, you could conquer one game to feel better. Not only that, there’s a mini penalty for the loser. So far, you’ve cleaned up the lobby yourself and acted cutely to everyone the entire evening (or aegyo as Jeno called it).

Tonight, a game of archery was held by the Greek gods. They pushed away any extra pieces away, leaving the whole room vacant with two boards right beside Zeus’ throne. Numerous arrows were produced and sharpened, Zeus in the center announced to everyone participating.

“It’ll be 1 on 1 games. First to go are Jeno vs (Y/N), followed by Athena vs. Hermes, Cleopatra vs. Freddie, and last would be Hades vs Aphrodite.”

Cutting the chase, you didn’t expect Jeno to be that good at archery. Sure, he told you that he took classes with his friends for fun when he was younger, though it showed that he’s a fast learner and even hit one bullseye in the middle of the game.

Not slightly threatened until the last rounds, you fixed your aim and lessened your overthinking when preparing to shoot. Thus, you scored 2 bullseyes shot. It was a close fight, having the audience on the edge on their feet again because it’s the two of you. Your dynamic with the night guard always elevated the mood, shifting their bets over and over again.

By 1 point, you received your first victory against Jeno. Unlike you, he showcased his sportsmanship sweetly without any comments of disbelief. He’s never bragged about anything big in his life, not unless it’s a high grade for his plate. Normally, he celebrated wins in a laid-back manner. But don’t be fooled: he loves giving penalties.

“This is why I don’t make bets with my friends because I really go for their weak spots.”

“You’re cynical, Lee Jeno.”

“Only if you’re close to me, (Y/N) (Y/L/N).”

“Aren’t we already past that stage?”

Almost halfway through his job, he sustained a meaningful friendship with you. Out of everyone, you were his default person to hang out within the nights he had a shift. If he wasn’t present, he made sure to give you small treats or gifts as much as possible. An innocent friendship, it was that the world would’ve never believed in.

Or was it?

“To celebrate your win, what do you want me to do?”

“You’re too kind for me to play around with, even if you’re the complete opposite of me.”

“I’ll make it simple and worthwhile since I don’t know when I’ll win a game again.” As your finger tapped your temple as you pondered deeply, a smart idea came through. “Grant me 3 wishes.”

He chuckled, lowering himself to view you better. “Am I like some genie now to you?”

“No room to complain, I won, didn’t I?” You grinned, raising one brow to show your dominance.

“You’re petty in your own way, aren’t you?”

“Perhaps. Now come on, I want to use my first wish.” You shrugged it off like no big deal, loving the high feeling of triumph. You lead him to the center of the lobby, where a beautiful grand piano only selected people get to play during exhibits. “Open the museum piano.”

Ever since you were brought to life, you never used it. Tempting but because people from the outside might here, maybe it’s time to try something new. A new challenge, and besides, you missed entertaining people through it. The last time you touched the delicate piano keys was to your family before you ran away.

It’s a good thing that in the shackle of keys Jeno held, the needed key was there. Unlocking the lustrous black instrument, you sat by the matching black bench. Crackling your fingers, you tested by pressing a few keys to get the hang of it again.

“What are you planning to play, (Y/N)?” Jeno leaned against the side, his arms crossed.

Humming the first notes of your piece, the nostalgia ran through your veins. “Nocturne No. 2 in E flat by Chopin.”

Your fingers took off and played each chord slowly and calmly. This piece reminded you the most of your mother, who sat by the couch in front of your old piano with your father while guests from the party they hosted crowded around you. Being the youngest, they often requested you to perform as entertainment so you always put your best foot forward. Or so you tried.

Nevertheless, no one else in your family was capable to play this piece as perfectly as you. By the way your eyes closed and your body swayed to the mellow tune, Jeno observed how you memorized this piece by heart. A passionate flame you were, outshining every pianist out there.

He wasn’t surprised at how multi-talented you were, though there’s a different kind of aura you present when you played the instrument. From your hard and tough front, you could be soft and sweet to the right people.

In a way, you showed your comfort toward the boy by serenading him with the piano. Sketching him with him in the past was one thing, but this was another. You’d sketch with people you’ve grown used to, but you play piano to people you want to cherish in your life. As dangerous as it seems, Jeno was someone special to you, only wanting to have good moments with him.

Junmyeon will always have a huge part in your museum life, but Jeno filled the emptiness that he left behind. This loneliness for a human friend vanquished thanks to Jeno, and you didn’t want to jeopardize it at all. Sure, whenever he acted like a gentleman around you, let you inside the Foreign Art Room, or brought you food sometimes, you couldn’t help feel honored.

Though lately, every time he showed off his strength when he defeated Zeus and Hades during an arm wrestle game the god held again. You seriously had to catch a breath at every flex his arms made, like the goddesses. Maybe how he pushed his black hair back when he’s drawing another plate, you’d give yourself a few extra seconds to see his long fingers skim through them. He’d bit his lower lip when he’s in too deep with his creativity, wondering if he’d bite the lower lip of the girl he’d ki-

All right, (Y/N), relax. Maybe you’re thinking this way because it’s been decades since your last relationship. You wouldn’t want to fall for another possible trap and hurt yourself again, right?

Ever since this job, Jeno’s university life drastically changed. Yes, he still hung out with his friends and performed extremely well in his classes, though he prioritized anything related to the museum wherever he was. If they were drinking out, he’d buy an extra bottle of soju for you on his way back to the dorm. Rarely does he get shitfaced anyways.

If he and Renjun visited the bookstore to purchase pens or any art-related materials, he always bought either an extra sketchpad or set of pens. Even if you were simply a figure to everyone else, he appreciated the bond you both developed.

Every night, he’d tell you about his day from the start. Normally, it consisted of a lot of schoolwork and coffee, some stories about his roommates too. Speaking of them, he’d insert a lot of humorous words about his entire group of friends, whom you learned their names too.

Mark, Jaemin, Renjun, Jisung, Chenle, and Donghyuck, each of them presented a different color in their group. Jeno, who’d admitted to being shy and quiet, grew out of his shell because of them. A friend of Jeno’s would automatically be a friend of yours, if only you were allowed to leave the museum or become a human.

Jeno learned more about your past explorations that never got documented because you no longer had an interest in jotting them down. They were adventures you’d kept to yourself, memories only close to you then would know. Except now, Jeno was another addition. You’re not the type to instantly open to people, though again, a sense of relief surrounded him every time you encounter each other. It grew gradually like a warm hug, softening your heart and breaking your walls.

The more he spent time with you, nothing feared Jeno the slightest. He’s always maintained himself intact, avoiding lines to be crossed and giving respect to those who deserve it. However, he began to question himself where exactly his feelings lie with you after Jaemin tried to set him up on a blind double date just so the best friend of his date wouldn’t feel left out.

He’s rarely one to get crushes on people, even when other girls in his college openly showed their affection towards him. Valentine’s Day or his birthday, several girls sent him chocolate or flowers. Jaemin and Renjun got sick of girls reaching out to them first so they could reach him. It’s not because he’s not the dating type, but because he’s so goal-oriented that unlike his roommates, he doesn’t have a slight clue about dating.

Though one-night stands while at a party and dating were completely different, he’d still say he had experience with girls. Plus having an older sister, he never took advantage of them. He’d rather tell them in person that the feelings weren’t mutual than ghosting them. He’s not like Jaemin anyways.

With that, he’s so lost when his heart beats twice as fast the second you’ve woken up from your posing slumber. He doesn’t comprehend how flustered he’d be when you highly insist to help him with his plate or how cute he finds it when you’re playing fetch with Mochi. On top of it, when you chose to sketch each other for one of your sketching sessions, he’d take a longer stare at your visage before he drew some strokes.

A lot of historical accounts mentioned how your beauty was the standard of the Victorian era, wherein you were the jewel of your neighborhood and numerous men wanted your hand. Women envied you, especially having high intelligence skills that were equivalent to a man. That time, that felt like a threat to most men. Though surprisingly, it turns out there were men who liked intelligent girls.

Jeno knew he liked you as a friend, though liking you past that he didn’t intend. Nor was it allowed because it’ll break one of the golden rules. Before he’d go beyond contemplating, he had to stop himself. This was so unlike him. The feelings will fleet away, he’d repeat to himself. Don’t waste a great friendship because of your silly emotions.

Individually, both of you swallowed these harboring feelings down your guts and simply kept your friendship status safe. Doing your typical activities or whatever else you could think of, none of you minded to change it whatsoever.

Unknown to you though, it was obvious to the other art pieces ones that you two practically passed off as young lovers. Although they know that pushing one towards the other went against the rules, Aphrodite begged to differ.

“Holding them back from expressing what they really feel just because of the law here is a tragedy. They should at least try, you know?”

On another typical night, Jeno invited you to the Theater Room for a movie marathon. After finding out that you’ve never seen any moving pictures, he wanted to be there to introduce it. Luck was on his side to not have plates or requirements due for the week and everyone was behaving themselves, so he started with rolling out short films from the 88mm projector. Having premade popcorn and drinks, the two of you shared roars of laughter and emotional tears.

Switching to the cd player for longer and clearer films, you’d opt to believe that you were born at the wrong time. With all these advancements, it came with a lot of new beliefs. One of them was allowing women to study and work. Then again, she was a pioneer according to historians. Without her, it wouldn’t help shape society as it is today.

Nonetheless, this movie Jeno played on the big screen was what he defined as “one of the classics”, 10 Things I Hate About You.

This outspoken character named Kat was presenting a poem to her class, trying to hold in her raw emotions towards Patrick, the boy who broke her heart. Too engaged, you didn’t notice how Jeno stretched his arms out so he could wrap one around your shoulder. Not that you were complaining, his warmth reassuring you safety.

“I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair. I hate the way you drive my car. I hate it when you stare. I hate your big dumb combat boots and the way you read my mind. I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme. I hate it, I hate the way you're always right. I hate it when you lie.” The way she attempted to keep her strong ground only reminded you of where you were weeks ago, especially once she excruciatingly broke down.

“I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry. I hate it when you're not around, and the fact that you didn't call. But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you. Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.” Only when you leaned back to the chair, you felt his arm. His thumb caressing your covered shoulder, you peeked him a little bit. His eyes fixated on the screen, absorbed in the acting and how Kat’s tears weren’t scripted as she stormed out of the classroom.

Not that you were her, but it sparked the past memory of how you merely disliked him because of his job. But as a person, not even close, not even once did you hate him. How blessed that he never judged you for it, staying patient all this time.

Right before he could look back at you, you moved your face back to resume your watching. Jeno definitely noticed what you did, though not sure as to why. Whatever it was, it wasn’t harmful.

Once the film ended, Jeno checked his watch for the time. 4 am, he wanted to do something else now instead of film viewing. You were on par with it, wanting to walk it out after being seated for hours. As you both cleaned up and bid the posters outside goodbye, the doors to the museum were locked unexpectedly. Impossible on Jeno’s half because he had the keys for every room, but he double-checked his bunch.

Alas, the keys for these doors specifically were missing. But there was no other way anyone could’ve gotten it, plus it’s not like the last person he talked to, which was Aphrodite, would need it.

Or did she?

Rather than putting any blame on each other, your only wish now was to return to your section before sunrise. You and he could just relax momentarily before yelling for help.

“Maybe we should watch another film first?”

“Alright, you choose while I return the rest.”

As Jeno inserted the cd of Cinema Paradiso inside, the background music of the opening played. He hummed the first notes, already feeling the love from this film. Another must-see classic as recommended by Renjun, he wanted to rewatch it with you.

Slowly returning each cd and film roll to their respective drawers, the melodious theme had you waltzing in the small space. Even beyond your life, classical music never gets old. Aging like fine wine, sounding spectacular as time passes because of people’s creativity.

Jeno gazed over your sudden movements, smiling uncontrollably at how immersed you were as you multi-tasked. However, you took a wrong turn by the desk and almost dropped a priceless film roll. But before you fully slipped and fell, a pair of strong arms caught you at the right time. Panting from the nerves, mostly when he was inches from your face. Never has he pressed his body this close to you to protect you, and never have you seen his captivating eyes this up close.

As enchanting as the background music of Ennio Morricone was, it only became noise once Jeno took ahold of the film roll on your hand and placing down on the desk. Taking another step closer, you were backed up by the edge. Not to mention how his height dignified his impact on you, your arms were still situated by your side with nowhere else to go.

That was until his finger elevated your chin so he could meet you on eye-to-eye level. His other hand gripping your waist, you became brave enough to place your hands by his broad shoulders. Licking your lips, you glanced at his lips quickly. But he noticed it, and as risky as this was, it was a leap of faith to take.

“May I kiss you?”

Always such a gentleman, even when he already knew how much you desired him through your returning affections. Calming your breath patterns by the speed of everything occurring, you came back to your senses. He’s the one who constantly told you not to forget your roots, so you were going to take this one.

You trust him, and he does too.

“Yes.”

Since the first film, some kind of tension increased the closer he moved or intimate his actions were towards you. You kept pushing it back in hopes not to ruin what you both have. But it only turned out to be mutual, especially how none of you held back as soon as his lips passionately clashed yours.

Tangling your arms around his neck, you stood on your tiptoes to press even closer to him. Feeling his lively heart pumping against your hollow chest, you bit his lower lip. Something you’ve secretly craved to do, he growled from the pleasure. He hoisted your waist to the desk, his impatient hands earnestly traveling all over your body. While your legs locked around his torso, your feisty nature leaned back so your entire body lied on the small desk.

Jeno was on top, placing one hand down to hold himself while the other squeezed your waist firmly. Even if you’re made of wax, you’re like an actual living woman at night. Everything about you becomes real until dawn. You emitted vulgar moans, giving him more access to your neck. Peppering a mix of soft to hard kisses, your hand teasingly snaked under his shirt. He really wasn’t joking when he bragged that he was quite ripped since he enjoyed sports and going to the gym, cupping a part of his toned abdomen.

“If you want something, all you have to do is ask.” He sluggishly sucked the area between your ear and neck, one of your weakest spots. “What’s on your mind, baby?”

The growing moistness in between your legs left a stain in your panties, trying to close your legs out of embarrassment. It’s been decades since you’ve been stimulated like this. However, Jeno beat you to it as he trailed the hand that was on your waist and lowering it right above your covered sex. He cupped it agonizingly slow, making you folding your leg from the pleasure. For a man who doesn’t date around, he knew exactly what he’s doing.

“I just kissed you, and you’re already this soaked. Can you handle me, baby?”

As the strong woman that you present yourself to be, it would selfishly take the right touch from the right man to weaken you. With his savage lips back on yours while your hands clutched on his shirt, he was simply waiting for a verbal answer, yet driving you completely mad. Everything was happening so fast, and here he was to please you in anywhere you seem fit.

You were deprived, and oh, you needed it more than ever.

However, seconds before you replied, there was loud rumbling from the main doors which stopped your devilish antics. As Jeno moved back from you to see the ruckus, you lifted yourself back up, pulling back your dress sleeves and flattening out the creases. The last thing you wanted was a trail of familiar red marks from the aggressive male, finding any reflective surfaces to check.

“I wouldn’t be that dumb to leave you hickies now, would I?” Jeno ended your worries as he placed his hands by your side again. His face leaned towards yours again, reliving the warmth in your cheeks. His lips were plumper, catching traces of your coral lipstick smudged there down to his jaw. He slotted himself again between your legs, grazing a hand on your waist and the other to your warm cheek. “The door’s unlocked now, and it’s 5 am. Do you want to clean up now?”

You playfully scoffed, aware that neither of you had plans to do that yet. Such a player while in the heat of the moment.

“Spare me 15 more minutes with you first.”

Hiding the romance you’ve both built failed without trying. Aphrodite spotted all the signs from your open physical affection and words of admiration, calling you two out in front of everyone without shame. She is the goddess of love, after all. You couldn’t fool her even if you tried.

Plus, she’s the one who locked the two of you up in the Theater Room that night. But neither of you know that.

“Sketch my ideal home?” Jeno bent down to the table, testing out his newly bought pens so they wouldn’t spill.

“Isn’t that why you decided to pursue Architecture in the first place? Come on now!” You pestered across him, opening your new sketchpad since your last one ran out of pages. As expected, Jeno bought you one when he went to the bookstore. As much as you insisted not to because he should use the money somewhere else, he did it anyway. He loved your works, encouraging you in any way he could.

When he was reminded of his humble beginnings of his passion for architecture by you, never had he envisioned exactly how his perfect home would be like. Settling down was so far beyond his mind, only focusing to graduate university then study for the licensure exams. However, he did miss drawing something for fun, not as a requirement. He also was the one who took charge of designing his dorm.

“Fine, only if you draw what your ideal home would’ve been if you never left London.”

Now as lovers, the only addition to your relationship were the public and private exchanges of affection. Deep conversations, film viewing, back and forth banter, you’re both still the same competitive duo everyone expected to be together. In public, the two of you held hands, hugged, kissed each other cheeks too when it felt right. Cleopatra’s face of fake nausea was priceless every time, while Princess Diana, Anne, and Katherine enjoyed it. It’s been years since they’ve seen this glow of adoration in you. Bit by bit, you’re going back to the old you. Except now, you’re a lot stronger.

Perhaps, this version of you proved wrong for the need for romance. Even if you made the choice not to settle down then, it would’ve been different if Jeno was in your universe then.

“Are you done there?” Jeno asked while you were finishing up your masterpiece. Life in London sounded fun when you were younger, having all these ideas on interior design and the like. An innocent time.

Instead of replying, you strode to his side and compared your pieces together. He pictured a two-story home, with a backyard and rooftop area. He definitely wanted to stay in the city as his whole life was based there. Although you preferred living in the countryside more for more freedom, you gave it a shot by pinpointing every detail of a wealthy typical Victorian-era home you liked. You desired a spacious lobby with a grand staircase in the middle, a crystal chandelier there too. The living room would have a small library and a grand piano, where wide doors leading to the grasslands were beside it.

Considering you two lived from different times, in a way your ideal homes were similar. Somewhere private, surrounded by nature and minimal furniture, you’re curious as to how it would look if the two of you fused them together. A mix of old and new, will it look pretty?

“What will look pretty?” Jeno questioned your random thought, looking back and forth at your sketches. “You know who’s pretty though?”

“If you say what I think you’re going to say, I’m lea-”

“You.”

Jeno has gotten flirtier since that night, always finding the right opportunity to flatter you. Although you denied them out of embarrassment, the butterflies in your stomach can’t lie to you.

You’re so smitten, and so was he.

Jeno’s always one to follow the rules, but so far, he’s been breaking some of them already.

Just last night, he gave Renjun access to the lively museum because he needed more research regarding you. Initially, he practically interviewed Jeno for every piece of information he gathered because he used to be so deep in the books to study everything about you. Now in the past, Renjun still couldn’t forget how Jeno drunkenly admitted how crazy he was going to be over you and your coldness whilst sobering up in the dorm.

He didn’t understand one bit by that, especially when you’re technically dead. But by the sight of the first piece Renjun saw alive, which was Zeus, he almost passed out. Piece by piece, he viewed these artworks come to life from his fresh eyes. Right before he could’ve screamed when Athena shot a lightbulb in their exhibit, you happily called out Jeno’s name.

Renjun froze on the spot upon seeing your wax figure come to life. He’s browsed through this museum numerously due to the new exhibits, but lately, he checked your section out to find any tiny details that were linked to your life. Aside from the sketchpad, compass, and hairpins, he wanted to know if there was more to your life as an explorer.

As human interactions except the night guard weren’t allowed, Renjun needed help for his project in Women Studies. Just like Jeno’s assignment, you aided him. Fruitfully answering every question he gave you, Athena popped out of nowhere to inspect Jeno.

“I see you’re breaking another rule.”

“I’m sorry, Athena. He was desperate, and it would be selfish of me to let him fail.”

“This is the last one I’ll let slide, alright?” Athena huffed, not impressed by the reckless behavior Jeno acquired over time. She saw this coming, but for a change, she couldn’t punish him. He was a young adult, still learning more about life. Only will she step in if things turn for the worst. “I can’t believe I’ve gained a soft spot for you.”

Jeno laughed, hugging the figure like his older sister. “You love me though!”

Glad to say, Renjun aced his project and kept his word of not telling anyone about the happenings in Jeno’s job. Jeno even made a makeshift non-disclosure contract so Renjun wouldn’t spill the slightest details.

Lately, so much has been happening in the museum that having alone time with each other was rare. And when you did, the two of you made sure to maximize it and make every intimate moment count. From each touch, each longing kiss, each moan, and groan, never were you left hanging whether you’re at the Theater Room, Jeno’s office, or the Foreign Art Room.

The only time the two of you went beyond the boundaries was at the indoor garden. Jeno managed to get the key to it, lighting up some candles before you invited you inside. Thanks to the magic of the Greek gods, the cameras were bewitched to display fake imageries when security checks in the morning after.

Upon your deep conversations, you’ve mentioned once or twice about the indoor garden. It was the latest addition of the museum, opening in the early 2000s. Because it was a sacred place, no art piece was ever allowed inside.

Yet again, Jeno challenged the rules again when he invited you inside. A few minutes before, he set up some lights along the hallway of the garden, where he placed a blanket, a picnic basket, and his laptop right at the end of it. The best place to view everything, he just knew you’d love it.

He was undoubtedly right once you gasped at such a pretty sight. Seeing the silhouettes of various flowers and plants together with the night sky with all the stars sparkling, it was like you’re attending another ball with your sisters, who were looking for suitors then.

Once Jeno leisurely led you until the end, he brought out all the delicacies from the basket. One of them was this Italian savory dish of dough with toppings such as cheese and pepperoni, or pizza as they named it. The next ones were fresh strawberries and melted chocolate, followed by grape juice.

“I’d drink actual alcohol with you again, only if I didn’t get shitfaced and do my job properly.”

“Point taken. Besides, this is close enough. So pour me a drink please.”

Perhaps this was the closest to a date Jeno could ever ask you out to. With the restrictions and being constrained with time, he brainstormed all sorts of ways to bring the outside world to you. From simply letting you wander around this fascinating room, he unleashed the inner romantic in him. None of his friends would’ve thought since they never asked him about it, so he kept it to himself only. Finally, he’s satisfied with what he prepared. After eating, the two of you would watch more films before the sun rose again.

You’re just the right person for him at the moment he can act that way.

After your quiet stroll and sitting back down, Jeno surprisingly handed you a tiny box.

“A gift?”

“Open it.” He sipped on his juice, paying attention to your actions. Gently untying the box, the amazement in your eyes couldn’t fathom such a lovely present. No words were required to verify that Jeno outdid himself again, just your facial expression alone is enough.

When Jeno said that he pays attention to the tiny details, he doesn’t bluff. Throughout your growing relationship, you’ve cited how you wanted another special flower in your life. Just because you couldn’t view lavender roses the same way ever again, it didn’t mean you wanted to kick them out of your life. Flowers were one of nature’s beautiful creations, so you’re wishing to find the love you once had for lavender roses in other ones.

Thus, you came across what you thought held the highest form of meaning: red roses. Despite its thorns, it’s still a marvelous flower. Innocently, you told him that just because of the memory of your father giving them to your mother on her birthday yearly.

Red roses represented true love and romance, a discreet message only those eager would know.

Jeno was one of them, which was why he reserved this gift for this very moment. It was a necklace he found through a college fair recently, a subtle red rose pendant in the center. Since he couldn’t give you huge gifts, he settled for something light. Something none of the guards or the director wouldn’t pinpoint out when they do their inspections.

“Do you like it?”

Not one utter from your mouth since you’re so hypnotized, your lips quirked up in a charming smile. “Is that even a question? This is astonishing, Jeno.”

After you attempted to put it around your neck, Jeno sighed and stepped in to help you out. “Turn around, (Y/N). Let me.”

The tension gradually heightened once you held your hair up so Jeno accessibly viewed your clean neck. Clasping the lock, it took all his might to hold himself back from you. Even from behind, your silhouette was attractive to him. The lights he set up weren’t helping the slightest of what he’s thinking to do with you.

“Done.” He breathily whispered in your ear.

If he thought he was the only one feeling something powerful, he’d be more than wrong. The lingering sensation of his slim fingers gracing your décolletage area unhinged another kind of want, the one you’ve only imagined in your mind when you were needy and alone. It shouldn’t be a sin unless you’re with the person you’ve fallen for, right?

Facing him again, the eye contact didn’t last long when you were the first one to strike a move. Jeno kissed back right away, his hands pulling you closer by your waist. Whatever sultry music Jeno played, it gave you the perfect momentum to grind on his lap. He groaned against kisses, adding his tongue. His thumbs sensually rubbed your hipbones, one of your hands toying around with his hair while the other one balled up his shirt by the chest. None of you cared if anyone caught you.

The last time you’ve been this aggressive was at the Theater Room, which eventually increased the hidden lust you’ve had towards each other. Taking things slowly at first, it’s about time to delve in for more. The mood was already set from the start, even if Jeno didn’t plan this to happen here. But being the prepared man he is, he did have a condom in his back pocket.

Your fingers trailed from his neck until his crotch. He was hard, sensing how suffocated he must be. But he kept himself in control. Locking eye contact, you sweetly spoke.

“Grant my second wish, Jeno.” That same hand of yours held one of his, planting it in your breast. “Make love to me.”

Giving the go-signal, he crashed his lips on yours while stripping you off your dress. Carefully, he turned you around to untie your tight corset. Once it fell, your neck leaned sideways as his lips attacked it madly. Your breaths were tremulous, placing both his hands on your freed breasts to knead with. His touch felt like fire on your skin, yet you couldn’t stop.

“Jeno,” Obscene moans from your lips choked out. You desired more, shifting back to face him again to attack his lips. Slowly feeling one of his hands laying you down, you spread your legs with ease just for him. He parted after your head landed on the cushion to unbutton himself. The way your mouth dropped to selfishly stare at his bare body, flexing them before getting back into position. He was fit and toned just as Cleopatra predicted.

As much as Jeno knew how wild your thoughts were getting, he was more taken aback by your perky chest.

“Fuck, you are divine.” He sucked one nipple as his fingers ventured to slip your panties down. So much was going on, you didn’t know which stimulated you more. You tried to close your legs around his hand, but he slapped your inner thigh to stop you.

The cool breeze shivered you, especially from your core. Jeno’s fingers adventurously grazed from your hip area to your lower lips. He teasingly rubbed it up and down in your essence, his index finger settling it right at your needy clit. Another moan escaped your lips, an opportunity for Jeno to slide his tongue in your mouth. Enjoying the moment, his fingers dipped inside you. A gasp broke your kiss, making him giggle in your ear.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

“Oh, angel. The things I want to do with you.”

Sliding them back and forth, curling it even, you squirmed for more. Dropping himself to meet your core, Jeno placed your legs on his shoulder. Pushing you closer, his steamy breath felt like friction. Your hips grinded against it, so he gripped on them so you stay put.

“Angel,” He chuckled darkly, his crotch tightening at how powerless you looked. “You’re so pretty.”

You were drenched from arousal. But to Jeno, you were glowing under the lights. He wanted to take his time to admire what he had done to you. His independent girl, only weak for him.

His fingers unfolded in your lower lips, diving in to your orbit. You could hardly speak from his skilled mouth, especially his tongue savagely lapping your clit in numerous paces. You’ve only daydreamed about what it could do aside from kissing, and it exceeded your expectations. By the heated sensation that had the heels of your feet digging his back deeply, you affirmed to have seen more stars than the night sky above you.

Your back arched uncontrollably while his hands grasped your hips to stay in place, the tears in your eyes formulating while tugging on his hair. Your thighs clenched around his face, but his broad shoulders widened it to taste more of you. No use of pulling away when his grip on you was tight, so you could only cry out from the pleasure.

“Fuck!”

The ringing sounds in your off were going off, your throat drying up from moaning once another orgasm was about to hit. Once the knot in you snapped, nothing could hold back your screams of pleasure whilst panting for air. Sensitive as he licked every remaining essence he caused, he smirked as he got up to unbuckle his jeans.

Oh, boy. He got quite a package behind his boxers.

Even while you were overly sensitive, you had to grasp it in your hands. He was yours, and you were his.

The way you clenched around his protected length, pausing to readjust yourself to the feeling. The foreplay deemed helpful, though the girth of him overwhelmed you. He stretched you out so good.

“Are you okay, (Y/N)?” The stunned face you made was expected, still feeling worried that it may be too much.

Biting your lip, you moaned once everything felt bearable. “You can move, Jeno.”

None of you could track exactly how many rounds you went through. Even in the semi-public area, it didn’t hinder either of you. There’s that thrill, and surprisingly enough, you both shared the liking of it. Always switching the positions, you decided to call it quits after another sloppy round in missionary. Something seeing Jeno on top, fully submitting yourself to him, made you feel calm to be vulnerable. It’s really the trust you’ve established from the start, making you rely on humans again once you’ve let the past be.

Jeno brought out another blanket, initially meant for cuddling. It was still applicable though, curling your body into a spoon towards his racing chest. Music was no longer noise, the intimacy creeping back instead of lust this time. The afterglow of Jeno, sweaty and knackered as his legs sprawled under the sheet, was a sight for sore eyes. He’s always been handsome while on duty, but post-sex gave him an extra boost.

Plus there’s pride from the red marks courtesy of you on his chest, grazing over it softly.

Jeno chuckled softly at your smooth fingers, lifting them up to kiss them tenderly before kissing your lips again. Only humans were capable of and to love, but you’re some kind of an exception. Regardless of the magic from the plate, you’d be able to love too if it weren’t for your background.

There’s so much love Jeno wanted to offer you, even if he hasn’t said it out loud yet.

Perhaps one reason was because time was beginning to tick. Finals were a few weeks away, then the one-month long semestral break until a new semester kicks off. Time really flew by, and his bank account and heart expanded too. Enjoying the now was all he could think of doing, but those uncertainties bothered him.

The biggest would be where you and he would stand when his job ended.

Jeno was too absorbed in his internal debate, as portrayed by his eyes staring off in space and running his hand in his hair repeatedly. Something was disturbing him, and you’re concerned as to what it was.

“Jeno,” Around his arm, you tapped his chest to get him out of it. “What’s going on in your head?”

Jeno approached every obstacle he faces straightforwardly, not wanting to let him hold back. Rarely did he keep secrets, especially from you. Instead of hiding away, he voiced it out.

“(Y/N), will we work out?”

“What do you mean, Jeno?”

You’re so occupied in the present that thinking of the future was never in your field. Like him, you’re just enjoying being in the moment. Though after tonight, it’s making you wonder if there’s a future.

“Well,” He placed his hand on top of yours, affectionately observing you. “Times flies faster when you’re having fun, and well, the semester is ending.”

His last words crushed a part of your heart, remembering his initial plan. None of you expected your friendship to bloom into what it is now, but life was just full of surprises without a schedule. At the same time, none of you wouldn’t have it any other way.

It may have been a few months since you two committed to each other, but the spark was still strong. It wasn’t like a summer romance kind of feeling. Time was not a determinant of love either, which you were certain of it with Jeno. A lot more than Junmyeon.

It should’ve frightened you when you realized your love for Jeno, but it didn’t. Even if you didn’t age physically, your mindset did. You’ve learned to forgive your younger self, and through Jeno, you let your guard down completely. From that, you let love in. Platonic to your fellow art pieces, and all of the above to Jeno.

Throughout your relationship, you regained all confidence in yourself and everything you set your mind to.

“I wouldn’t want to worry too much about it if I were you.” Your body flipped to lie on your stomach, resting your head on your palm.

“Why shouldn’t I, angel?”

Gazing back at him, you left a velvety kiss on his lips to rest his thoughts. His hand wrapped your neck, deepening it. But you pulled away with a giggle, all too knowing of his secret intentions as his cock began to harden again. His eyes narrowed down and his lower lip stuck out at your attempt of being a tease.

But enough about sex, you wanted to address a point.

Lee Jeno was going to be the biggest risk you wanted to take and fight for, and no one should try to stop you.

“I’ll ask Circe for a potion. For me, for you, for us.”

If it weren’t for insistent questioning towards every art piece, who kept their mouths shut, only Circe herself banished him from his suffering. Her series of potions varied, and the one you requested years ago which you threw out was capable of turning any art piece into a living human. No potion of Circe ever failed, so you entrusted your life for the day you do drink it.

“Are you sure, angel?”

Jeno knew about that one specifically, and as great to hear that you never threw it out, he never put pressure on you. He wanted you to do whatever felt right, even if deep down, he wished you’d use it. He was only worried about how the flow of the entire museum would be disrupted.

Typical Jeno always looking out for you, but you saw right through his concern. Here you were, caressing his check as reassurance. With an honest smile,

“I’ve never been more certain with anything in my life here until you came, Lee Jeno.”

Jeno opened up more to his life outside the museum, telling all sorts of experiences not just his days as a university student. From his childhood, his family, his travels, heck you even want to meet his friends at this point!

Newly, he shared with you how the sunrise and sunset looked like in Seoul with much vivacity. It’s a luxury as a human to witness as day breaks and ends, so you could imagine by yourself how it would look like. Sure, you had drawings and all, but that was from the real (Y/N) (Y/L/N).

This version of you wanted to live more; that’s your greed now.

“You’ve never touched snow too, right?” Jeno, who had his arm wrapped around you, silently watched the first batch of snow from inside.

“Yup, that’s the thing when you’re imprisoned in this place.” You sulked by his side, earning a chuckle from him who pulled you in closer.

“Don’t tell me now that you despise this place.”

“I don’t, but it hinders me to experience new things. The whole pattern of being awake at night by a plate gets tiring, Jeno.”

All Jeno would do when you’re frustrated was placing your head on his shoulder, listening as you talk.

“I know, angel. But it won’t be long until you leave this place with me, right?”

“You know it!” You interlocked your hands with him, eyes trained at every falling snowflake.

Sometimes, moments in silence with Jeno were all you needed for the night. Being within each other’s presence, focusing or admiring something from afar, it was all the peace you’ve needed from the bustling art pieces.

This week was the last of the semester, and Jeno’s off duty for tonight to focus on his exams. You’ll see him tomorrow night, which was his last shift ever, and also yours too.

Perhaps the biggest milestone you’re committing to without any regrets.

However, it took an unnecessary conversation you accidentally eavesdropped on to rock your decision.

You needed more ink after running out mid-way of sketching the sculptures as a secret parting gift. Before you could take a single step inside your exhibit room, a series of voices were full-on arguing. Booming back and forth, you peeped your ear out whilst hiding against the door.

“Athena, how dare you did to her?! She’s done so well from moving on from it, falling in love even! And now you’re telling me this?!” The distinct voice of Princess Diana, who spoke sweetly most of the time, boomed towards the Greek god. “You’re heartless.”

“I did what I had to do for the sake of this place, Diana!” Athena raised her voice, the lightning in her hands holding back from lashing out. She hated it when anyone argued with her, especially when she does things according to what she believed was necessary. Out of everyone, she had more leadership. “She had to know that her place is here as a wax figure, not outside. Talking Junmyeon out of it was for the best, plus it’s ideal when he drank the potion of memory loss from Circe.”

“But it tore her apart when he left her, and it’s going to tear her again if you do the same with Jeno.”

“How else are you going to approach the situation then, Diana? Those two have broken the highest golden rule, so they need to wake up.”

Right when she celebrated within herself for healing, hearing the unbearable revelation behind the past devastated you. This whole time, she internally blamed herself for being ageless and lashed out at others. The scary past barged back in, and you couldn’t handle it anymore.

Somewhere in the corner, you wept without a trace. You could care less about Athena’s opinions, but you found yourself agreeing to some of her words. You had a role to fulfill, and leaving that behind would be selfish and it could make the museum go topsy-turvy. As painful for Junmyeon to leave you, it was because the truth hurts. Nothing could change it, even if Circe could be your solution because it’ll leave a lot of questions. You didn’t want Jeno to be seen as a suspect.

Oh, Jeno.

There’s nothing wrong with falling in love either, you didn’t intend it to happen. But it becomes unfair when it compromises with your purpose, and that’s not how you are. You’ll always remember Jeno as your biggest risk, though it’s time to end things. Treacherous as it was to accept for you, risk-takers have boundaries too.

Fast forward, on the night of Jeno’s last shift, you’ve cherished every second with him. Playing around, chatting with other art pieces, kissing in private, you made it count. Before dawn broke, that’s where you chose to come clean by the garden, your sacred place. Not even your self-reassurance could prepare you to witness the hurt and confusion Jeno felt.

“You’re a mortal, and you still get to choose your path. Mine is already predetermined here as a wax copy of a historical figure.” You advised as you held both his hands, your voice shaking at the reality.

A few days ago, you were beaming with exhilaration at a new journey but now you’ve permanently backed out. Jeno couldn’t comprehend, and as much as he tried, he couldn’t. A life without you by his side would be empty and dull. “Even so, there are things about you that the original person didn’t have.”

Arguing with him wasn’t your favorite, and it’ll leave the two of you in a bad mood. But there is no way to negotiate this; you’ve already made up your mind. “We must end this, Jeno. You need someone who can grow old with you, and I can’t be that person for you.”

“But we can make it work!” His hands gripped on your slumped shoulders, whilst your face avoiding his to spare yourself from the heartache. “There’s still Circe.”

“I know, but recently, I found out that she’s an indirect cause of my misery.” Pulling away from his touch, you belted with frustration. “I cannot do this anymore, Jeno.”

You’ve always fought for whatever you wanted in life, and Jeno knew he was one of them if it weren’t for you telling him that. So he did the same, thinking of ways to make you feel whole. Now, he couldn’t tolerate the sudden crumbling of his heart from your outburst, and all he wanted to know was why you felt this way. How could he help you?

You don’t keep secrets from Jeno, but the truth behind your harsh actions cannot be revealed for the sake of the museum. Plus, you didn’t want him to despise this place he admired. Causing him pain wasn’t on your list, but keeping him safe was. It may be shown differently and he may not understand it now, but over time, he will.

“Jeno, you’ll find someone better out there. Someone with their whole life ahead of them, who’ll love you for everything that makes you who you are.” Repetitive punches in your guts urged you to barf at your half-lie, but you held it in.

“Why are you pushing me away? What happened to taking risks, (Y/N)?” Jeno interrogated, taking your hands in his hands again. They unconventionally quivered, like his lips. Jeno has never cried in front of anyone, not even when he was younger. Though for you, he just might. “Am I not worth it for you?”

Dear heavens, he was wrong. You internally screamed that, but you can’t let your selfishness seize the night. As Athena said, you had to wake up from your dream. “Committing to you was my biggest risk of them all, Jeno. Everything else that went along with it, I don’t regret it one bit. But time’s really up for us, and we must resume our normal duties.”

“I can’t lose you, (Y/N).”

“You never will, Jeno.”

He crouched lower to meet your height, his finger moving your head so you’d look at him back. Weakly enough, you did. “I want you to be a part of my normal life, angel.”

“I’ll always be here, you know. I’ll be standing in my usual spot upstairs, and you can drop by whenever you can.” You pressed your lips, lifting your head to avoid incoming tears. Meanwhile, he began shedding a few. You’ve hurt him big time, and you’ll never forgive yourself for this. “I still have one wish, right?”

Jeno’s sorrow was beyond his capacity, leaning his forehead against yours to kiss it. No matter what he could say or do, he already knew it won’t be effective. You’re affirmative in your choices, yet he still wanted to challenge it. All he wanted to know was why you’re doing this.

“Let me walk you one last time to your section.”

The black night sky had remnants of blue, motioning that dawn was approaching. Other figures gave their goodbyes to Jeno earlier, cleaning up their areas before they pose. Though none of them anticipated such a cold atmosphere between you two, they could only spy on what was bound to happen.

“My last wish is for you to let me go, Jeno.” You avowed, blinking your eyes with faux positivity. Your hands patted his blazer so it wouldn’t crease. “I already have a role to fulfill here, and you’re on the way to yours, future architect.”

“I love you, (Y/N) (Y/L/N).” Only tonight did he muster his courage to finally admit it to you after giving himself more time to analyze it. Timing was always crucial, and the badness of it showed.

Deep in your heart, you resonated the feeling. But it’ll make things more complicated, and it was the final thing you’ve wanted to occur. Someone had to be the strong one, and now, it should be you. With one more compassionate kiss on his lips, you stepped inside your section and readied your position.

“Goodbye, Lee Jeno.”

The sunshine brightened the room, and you’ve frozen to slumber again.

All Jeno could do was drop on his knees, sobbing over your rash actions. Unknown to him, a single tear left your eye as you posed.

Regardless of what status you were in, the pain of it all remained.

Jeno spent most of his semestral break with his friends to travel or whatnot, trying to forget it all. Even if he aced all his finals, his efforts felt like nothing if he never had you by his side to celebrate.

The sting over his short-lived romance with you never diminished the slightest, no one whom he could express his pain about it to especially when Renjun drank the memory wipe potion that Athena initially left for Jeno by his desk.

Forget it all, and live a peaceful life. You have so much potential, my mentee.

- Athena

Perhaps this was the same thing Junmyeon drank all those years ago, but unlike him, he didn’t have the guts to. He still wanted another chance.

So every day since the new semester began, he spent every afternoon break at your section. He’ll be seated by the bench, doing his assignments and talking about his day while sometimes stealing a glance of your figure. Some habits don’t change.

He never got sick of the same smile you exemplified, falling even more for you. He’ll often wonder what you’ve been up to.

What are your new sketches?

Are you taking care of Mochi well?

Have you apologized to Sanghoon yet?

Speaking of him, he surprisingly scooted over to Jeno’s side. This was the first time Jeno met the man, and politely enough greeted him. Sanghoon interviewed the boy, asking all sorts of questions that Jeno had every answer to. The biggest change that Sanghoon noticed since he left was your personality. You no longer bite, but treat everyone kindly without bias. You’re always active to help him out in cleaning the lobby, and you don’t go easily defensive.

Once he found out that Jeno was the reason for that, he was overjoyed at the start and wanted to meet him some way. You were a tough cookie, but now you relaxed. That was all that mattered to him, hoping to know more about him from you. That was until Diana stepped in and told him everything that happened. Mostly, the bad.

Playfulness eventually bore love. The last time you fell in love was in the 80s and Junmyeon pushed you away, he recalled. This time, you’re pushing Jeno away because you simply agreed with Athena’s points.

This wasn’t right, but it wasn’t his place to interfere.

But then again, he finally caught Jeno for the first time today and this time, he was open to hearing his side of the story. Lessen his misery too.

“No matter how stubborn she is, she loves you.” He advised him, bringing out one of your full sketchbooks. As Jeno opened it, the majority of the portraits were him. Sleeping, smiling, laughing, you drew him from every minor detail you could spot like the mole near his eye and his crescent eyes.

A handsome face I would never get sick until the end of time. Someone I want to wake up to every day in the morning if it weren’t for that plate.

- (Y/N)

Towards the end, a sketch of a house unfolded. The interior was a fusion of modernity and old royal design due to its white walls, wide space, and the placing of less furniture, plus an open backyard. There’s another tiny comment on the side from you.

I was right. Joining our varying designs together is pretty. Maybe Jeno and I could live in a house like this one day.

- (Y/N)

If you loved him so much, why did you let him go then when you had all these plans with him? Even if he tried to understand, he just didn’t.

“Don’t give up just yet when she told you to.”

“Are you just saying this or something?”

“Well, Princess Diana passed this message on but after everything, I believe that she’s right.” Sanghoon gave his opinion, but Jeno was reluctant to accept it.

“I never got a proper explanation why she suddenly changed her mind, Sanghoon.” He ranted, raking his hand through his hair from puzzlement. “Did I do something wrong?”

Sanghoon pitied him, having the upper hand and questioning himself whether to reveal the truth. However, since this boy took the job, he’s succumbed to secrecy. Without any transparency, it could drive someone mad. He’s too young for that, so Sanghoon breathed in defeat and placed his hand on Jeno’s shoulder.

“Promise me you won’t be mad when I tell you because I was when I found out; almost screamed even.”

Jeno nodded, listening to whatever Sanghoon had to say.

Of all people, he never would’ve expected Athena to do such a brash thing. Someone he respected and trusted, only to betray him by doing something she believed was good for all. Except it wasn’t, and it ended up hurting you all these years. The woman he loved, now he’s a clearer understanding of why you did what you did. Yet, it can’t fix his excruciation.

Heartbroken was an understatement; he had no one to rely on. With Sanghoon, he finally had a proper breakdown. The older man could only comfort his quietly, picturing him like one of his sons going through a hard time in school. But if it involves the heart, it’ll take more time to recover.

“You’re always the one adjusting, Jeno. But I think this time, you’re the one who needs space.”

A Year and a Half Later

“Jeno Lee!!!” Jaemin roughly wallowed his best friend in a hug when he arrived in their dorm room for the first time in a long time. “You dyed your hair blonde again!”

Renjun, who was behind the two of them, only rolled his eyes as he helped carry Jeno’s bags. “God damn it, Jaemin! You’re supposed to be helping me first!”

“I know, but give me a few seconds! I’m just happy our group is back together!”

Jeno laughed at his friends’ annoying yet silly dynamics, giddy to be back home. For a year, Jeno spent his 3rd year of university in Rome, Italy after one of his professors brought up to him about a scholarship program there for his course. At the time where he needed a change of scenery, he sent his application form and got interviewed.

Acing it, he had the opportunity to fly across the world to study and travel. His English skills surely improved, even picking up Italian words along the way due to a required class for it. He studied the history of different locations and how they were built.

He also went on field trips almost every day if it weren’t for the Italian students assigned to tour him around, academic and non-academic. Nights he spent on drinking wine on the rooftop of his dorm with them, screaming his complaints in the world with them.

It didn’t hit him that his stay was reaching its end until he submitted his final plate. His goodbye party didn’t even feel like one, but a see you later in the next few years after he becomes a licensed architect with money. His goal of it felt more realistic, motivating him to excel in his remaining years in university.

After unpacking half of his things, he was reminded of an email from one of the head professors, who requested another copy of his confidential documents from the Italian university he went to as soon as he’s back on campus.

He raced to the department with a folder of them and luckily encountered the said professor. Handing it to him, this professor questioned how he was and what experiences he gained from the trip. With excitement, Jeno spoke all sorts of tales from his adventures, highlighting how determined he was now to be an architect.

“That’s great to hear, Jeno!” He celebrated, checking on his watch, and widened his eyes. Frantic at his colliding schedules, he asked Jeno for a favor. It turned out that at the same time as his emergency meeting, he’s supposed to tour the new transferee student around campus.

“Only if you have time, Jeno! I could always ask another student, plus you just came back and need rest.”

“It’s not like I left for a decade, sir. No worries, I’ll do it.”

“Oh, bless your soul.” He put his hands together in prayer position, bowing back and forth with gratitude. “Wait, she’s right outside! Go ahead and introduce yourself.”

Jeno nodded, exiting right through the department doors. This girl had her back turned, inspecting her surroundings. She wore a black and white tweed blazer that matched with her skirt, black high heeled boots, and a black handbag. She must be a foreigner, Jeno thought.

“Excuse me, are you the transferee in the department of Architecture?”

Jeno didn’t brace himself for the surprise he’d face once this girl reacted to him calling her out. Her face was one he could never forget, no matter how many times he told himself to. The same face he convinced his heart to stop beating for, yet it lied.

This radiant face was none other than yours.

Jeno almost dropped his phone. He tried his best to hold on to your promise, but he failed. It was the main reason he studied abroad; to forget and focus on his career path. So the least thing he could’ve done was to study hard for his dream career.

Just a glimpse of you projected back every single memory you’ve had together. Beautiful yet heart-wrenching, he kept his emotions to himself.

You even wore the rose necklace he got you. Could it be?

“It’s been a while, Lee Jeno.” You took the metaphorical scissors to cut the tension, trying to contain the crushing feelings. The faculty center was a public place, yet it’s like the two of you were on the main stage.

“Do you remember me?” Astounded, you nodded. Every single detail.

Jeno could’ve ran away, but didn’t. He could’ve left you hanging, but didn’t. He can no longer count how many times you’ve appeared in his dreams, only to be disappointed when morning comes to not have you in his arms. He took one step closer, taking his time.

“How do you know me?”

“You’re the boy whom I helped with his assignment, argued with me over Romeo and Juliet,” You mimicked his move, making you one step nearer to him. “And most of all, the boy I once gave my entire heart to.”

Another step, leaving a few inches between the two of you. His heart palpitated without caffeine. What if he was napping in his dorm again? It was all surreal. “Is it really you, (Y/N)?”

Hearing your name from his lips lowered your guard, you pleased him with a hopeful grin. “I’d be dust by now if I didn’t drink Circe’s potion, right?”

That’s where Jeno unchained himself from his emotions. He engulfed in a warm hug, one that has no plans to let go when his chin planted on your shoulder. You returned the gesture, dropping all your worries away along with your bag and papers as your arms snaked through his neck.

You knew you had to part ways for a while after everything, though you were unsure how he’d feel about it. You recalled every time he visited you after his job ended up until his intense chat with Sanghoon, where he bawled his heart out. You couldn’t take it anymore after trying to stay strong, crying as soon as you woke up that night.

All your fellow figures could do was soothe you down like before to the best of their abilities, yet this time, it was unsuccessful. You’re filled with misery, realizing later how much of a big mistake you’ve made.

You’ve isolated yourself again for a while, but less rudeness and more silence. It was until Circe visited you. She doesn’t like getting involved with drama, though now was different. She, alongside Hera and Aphrodite, couldn’t withstand you tolerating the heartbreak again. So they went behind Athena’s back on this one time and created a potion together just for you. But with a compromise.

“This potion can turn you into a human. However, there’s only a 10% chance you’ll regain all your memories from this place.”

“So I’ll forget everyone and him?”

“Yes, unfortunately.” You’re about to shoo her away, not in the mood to do something drastic as that. But Circe grabbed your arm again. “I strongly believe that if you and he meant to be, then there will come a time these past memories will suddenly surge at you.”

“Must I need to forget to live properly?”

You’re stubborn, and Circe expected it. “You’ve broken so many golden rules, (Y/N), so it must be done. I’ve gone against Athena for this potion, and rarely have I done that. So rather than wallowing up in misery, you should focus on yourself. Do what makes you happy because this place is trapping you from every great thing out there.”

Those were the word that the actual (Y/N) (Y/L/N) lived by, nevertheless, you’re unique from her. You built a separate identity from her. “But Jeno-”

“At the right time, (Y/N). Pull yourself together and do all the things you’ve dreamt of before he came into the picture. I just know he loves you that much, and that he will wait for you.”

That same night, you gathered all your senses and drank it. The transition was fast as lightning speed, and behold, you were like a new person. You’re back in London, with a family that closely resembled your former one; only 3 older siblings, making you the youngest. You also had a new set of memories, from childhood until your adult years.

From (Y/N) (Y/L/N), you became (Y/N) Edwards.

It took one drunken night out with your university friends for the unlikely surge of old memories to speedily hit through your intoxicated state. Way beyond a dream, you’ve dropped your shot glass and broke down in the bathroom of your dorm room. You left something unaccomplished, and you had to do something before it’s too late.

Thus, you rushed to Seoul thanks to your parents’ support as they agreed that exploring outside your home country was a great experience. The only excuse you gave to your friends for the sudden transfer was you finding a new calling.

Sure, studying abroad was an exciting thing but you’re more determined to reunite with him. Even if this encounter was unforeseen, it was bound to happen one day. It so turned out that you had the same major in your former university and this new one.

Head to toe, you remembered everything.

“I’m so sorry I took so long.” You cradled your head on his chest, unaware of how your new life left Jeno so troubled.

“That doesn’t matter anymore.” Jeno tightened his grip, scared of releasing you again. Those two years felt like a breath of fresh air and a punch in the gut. “I tried to live up to your last wish, but I really can’t.”

“I want to take that wish back, Jeno. I wasn’t thinking right and only ended putting you through so much.”

“Oh, angel. I slowly understood why you did it.” Before he got too fragile, he softened his grip on you and showed his face again to you. He wanted a better look at his pretty girl, his fingers brushing strands of your hair behind your ear. Heart-fluttering, you bit your bottom lip. “What would you want to wish for instead?”

“Instead of you letting me go, I wish you could take me back and love me again. I can’t undo the past, but I’d still like to think I’ve tried my best.” That was the only wish you could ever think of. As huge as it was, it was something he may not accept. Yet you gave it a go, risking it all. “I don’t deserve you at all, Jeno.”

“Don’t say that, (Y/N).” One of his hands grabbed yours, putting it on his cheek. Cupping it, “I’ve never stopped loving you, you know.”

Oh, love. An all-too familiar emotion that either makes or breaks you. Of all the times you could’ve said those words, you held back, especially that wretched night you two broke it off. Although you showed it, being able to say it to someone felt more empowering.

This was finally the chance you’ve unconsciously waited for.

“I’m stupid for not saying this sooner.”

“What is it?”

With intimate eye contact, you drowned in the comfort of his brown orbs. You trusted him then, and you trusted him now. “I love you, Lee Jeno.”

Secretly, Jeno anticipated for the day you’d say those meaningful 3 words. Just like you, he showed more affection through actions than words. He only admitted when he lost you, and never would he do the same mistake again. If he felt that the love was strongly present, he will say it aloud.

“I love you still, (Y/N).” His arm around your waist tugged you in further. “I loved you as (Y/N) (Y/L/N) and I will continue to love you as (Y/N) Edwards.”

He peeked on your ID earlier, but regardless, he stood by his truth. You’re still the same (Y/N).

Finally, he closed the limited space between your lips. The memories of your past romance replayed in sync of every touching kiss, popping one leg up like in the movies. The Princess Diaries, specifically. Like in the museum from your unbearable parting, one warm tear freed itself down your cheek.

The sweetness of being reunited with you again beat the torturous wait of Jeno. Time really made your hearts grow fonder. As everyone said, if the love between two people is real, then it’ll find its way back to each other.

The world must be on your side too because no professor called you two out on your public display of affection. Jeno pecked your lips one time before stepping away, picking up the things you dropped.

“Now come on, I have to tour you around as instructed.”

You stomped on your feet, rolling your eyes from being left hanging. He’s still the same tease from before. “After that kiss though, I would’ve thought we could reschedule it.”

“No can do, Edwards.” Passing over your things, he wrapped one arm around you as he escorted you out of the building. The university was huge, with more buildings and green fields surrounded everywhere. “Left or right? There are a lot of places you missed out on all those years.”

“Point taken. Then you lead the way, my love.”

343 notes · View notes

sunlightwoo · 3 years

Text

Come Back Home

☀︎ pairing: hidden king!Sunwoo x queen!fem.reader

☀︎ genre: there’s fluff for a small part of this, but there is more angst because of the inspo that I got this idea from hehee. WARNING: there are mentions of blood, wounds, and killing in terms of it being a war and a major character death will happen in this.

☀︎ wc: 4.7k

☀︎ plot: The king that the people see in the kingdom that is ruled by him is not the true king, but rather someone else. However, when the life of the king that has been playing the role for his friend’s life is endangered at the stake of a war, what will Sunwoo choose when he knows that he’d have to come back home to you unscathed somehow?

☀︎ a/n: i’ve had this idea back when the music video dropped for Come Back Home by Oneus last july, and loved it as this plot has been collecting dust since then from the switching and changing characters to stopping the kingdom come series that this originally would’ve been for. however after watching the road to kingdom stages i thought that this was fitting after their mama stage too and decided to post it for Sunwoo. anyways happy sunwoo day and hope you guys enjoy this one!!

[ gina is listening to: Come Back Home - Oneus ] [ the spinoff ]

Here comes the king!, the familiar four words that he was used to hearing all the time when he looks over to the man that was walking towards the throne that was on the other side of the ballroom. He watches from a balcony up above, watching the grand man closely as he waited for today’s round of laws to pass by for today.

As though, he was the true king after all hiding in disguise.

His eyes are cast upon his companion, Juyeon who regally sits on his throne for him and connects a short gaze as he goes on with his day helping him out with more laws to go through and be signed. The reason for it; his own safety from the general public.

Ever since the early days of the previous king and queen’s announcement of the regal heir that was yet to take over their place when they passed, nobody knew who the individual was as it was kept a secret in fear that the enemies would use him as a leverage. It was up until he had turned the age of 18, a month after a war that his parents bravely fought in and died in honor of the kingdom that he had to step up and play the role of the king.

However, he couldn’t risk his own identity just yet because he knew that there were enemy lines speculating his friend’s true identity. Hence why he had never revealed his true identity as the king with the royal bloodline that ran in his name, nor had he acted like he was the king whenever he was in the castle since he disguised himself as the royal guard to keep an eye out on the front lines of the kingdom.

Until he had met you.

It was quite coincidental that you, the adopted sibling sister of a friend of Juyeon’s, had walked into the office one day to overhear their plans of making Juyeon play the role as the king until his time was done and you were the least to say shocked. Your reaction to finding your brother negotiating with the true king, Sunwoo, was rather confusing considering you had no other input towards the matter after being in the same room as the man that you had thought to be the royal guard.

Truth be told, you had always thought of him very highly from afar as you thought that for a person that had such high standards and sight in the kingdom, he was rather playful and had lots of charisma for someone that was raised as a king in secret. It took him three months since then to finally court you and eventually marry after having to somehow find a way to have you be Juyeon’s fake queen for the kingdom to rely on when they needed one.

All of the plans were perfectly planned to the brim and executed well, where Sunwoo was rather happy with where he was in the present today, even if he had to hide in secret like he was at the moment on a balcony. It wasn’t until hours later when Juyeon finishes that he looks out the window, noticing how the sun was already on the brink of sundown that he remembers today’s plans with you as he rushes to your bedroom almost immediately.

He makes it into your bedroom after knocking first, hearing a soft hum to allow him inside while he enters to see you sitting on your balcony with a smile on your face as you look at him. Sunwoo lets out a soft chuckle at your idea of a date for this evening as he walks over to where you were sitting on top of a blanket that you had prepared, a quiet picnic just for you two to enjoy.

“You seemed to have remembered about our date this time.” You say as he playfully rolls his eyes at your words and the raised eyebrow look that you were currently giving him.

The golden yellow hues of the sun setting were perfectly reflecting against Sunwoo’s skin, you thought to yourself, as you admired how he looked at this hour. You weren’t sure how you had gotten lucky with having to marry the king, as you were once a noble woman that came from a family that wasn’t as well off as the other ones that you had known of. However you could recall that night when he was supposed to pick who he had wanted his queen to be, as though the flower festival of the week for him to get to know all the other women had been tossed to the side as he chose you that night.

“I was helping Juyeon wrap up the last of the laws that had to be seen out tonight. Have I kept you waiting long?” He asks sitting as you shook your head in response, smiling as he already found purchase in laying his head into your lap, curling his body up into a ball as you were finding yourself playing with his hair out of habit.

“Long enough for my stomach to grumble because I wanted to be nice and wait for you,” You grin and look down at him as he was already staring back up at you with a soft smile on his face, “But I guess I can make some exceptions for you, your majesty.”

For whatever reason it may be, whether it was the stars and fate or even the coincidences that you both were given, Sunwoo felt as though everything was perfect even if it may be a bit misfortunate on his end. Although he could not properly tell the world that you were his, he knew that he was still yours in moments like these when it was just you two and the golden hues of the sun that were setting on you both.

“I love you.”

His random confession of love takes you off guard while heat is already rushing to your cheeks as you look at him, looking into his lovestruck eyes that were boring right into your very own gently but deeply. You think that this must be what it was like to fall in love with your soulmate, feeling happy that Sunwoo was the one person that you could only want in this life and the next. However, it had caught you off guard because he was rather someone that showed his love language through touch instead of words of affirmation, which made you confused at the sudden confession.

“I love you too, my love. Why the sudden confession?” You say to him teasingly with an undertone of confusion, continuing to play with his hair as he lets out a soft breath while holding your hands that were now no longer playing with it.

“Moments like today makes me really want to tell you, rather than just showing you that I do since I don’t say it enough. I love you, Y/N, and I’d rearrange the stars and the universe into your eyes and heart if I could to show you that I do.” He says, leaving small kisses right on your knuckles until he reaches your ring finger and leaves a soft, but lingering kiss right on the ring that he had proposed to you with just about a year or two ago.

There was a warm feeling in your chest as his hand was still holding onto yours, as if you were to leave at any moment now but you felt like you were at home. With him you felt like you were continuously falling in love with him more than the last sunset, and with the warm golden hues that the sun was giving off at this time, you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else if it wasn’t with him by your side.

“Cheesy.” You mumbled jokingly and suddenly felt your weight being shifted to where you were now sitting in his lap, his arms wrapping around your waist securely as he rests his head on top of your shoulder so that you wouldn’t go anywhere.

“That may be true, but you love it anyways,” He says while grinning widely and you turned your head to give him the same look that you always gave him when he started to get greasy, up until he suddenly steals a kiss from your lips that made you blink from the spontaneous act.

“Come on, let’s finish up the food before it gets too cold and the sun leaves us alone in the dark.”

He was the gift that you never expected to receive in your life.

Today you felt as though there was a heavy feeling on your chest. You were currently sitting at the throne next to Juyeon, listening to your scribe explain to you what has been going on with the surrounding kingdoms around you both from the last few weeks and you could’ve sworn that you were going to give out from boredom right in that moment.

It was one of the rare occasions that you had to be seen with Juyeon, considering you had finished up your financial affairs with the ambassadors that came from those foreign kingdoms days ago after your picnic date with Sunwoo. However you weren’t sure what this could mean for the future of your own kingdom, considering the events of then did not exactly end up on completely good terms.

“Your majesties!”

The sound of the door being barged open to the chambers echoed as the person who had interrupted your meeting, not that you had minded, came in rushing in with hurried feet. You notice Juyeon rise to his feet with a stern look on his face and grabbed his wrist as it made him turn to look at you with a confused look, however you made a small notion for him to leave it as a gesture of boredom was passed onto him from the thoughts that were forming in your head.

Your eyes turn back to the individual rushing in and you noticed that it was one of your generals and good friends, Changmin, and you knew that he wouldn’t have arrived frantically if it weren’t an emergency. His eyes screamed urgency as he attempted to catch his breath and you were almost concerned for how crazed he had seemed, which meant that this was bad.

“King Hyunjin has declared war on us.” He breathes out and there was silence as your stomach churned at the words he had mentioned.

War.

You were almost certain that you had been allies with the kingdom that King Hyunjin had ruled, knowing that he had been a good friend of yours with the rest of the Hwang family. However, an unexpected war seemed almost conspired as you turned to look at Juyeon with a scared look on your face. He seems almost taken aback had he not composed himself from the sudden news, eyes looking off to a distance that you knew was a hidden balcony for Sunwoo to sit in and listen.

But there was no telling what the two could think of, because it was all so sudden.

“Did he say why, or have sent for someone that he wants to declare a war?” You say while standing up from where you were sitting, not caring about how improper you might’ve seen at the moment because of how fast your mind was already racing at the speed of light.

It wasn’t until he motions for you to go with him that you realize it must’ve been even more serious, and you could only assume the worst from the situation. Bidding a muttered excuse from Juyeon and the scribe, you head out of the royal chambers to head out and walk with Changmin towards your office quarters knowing that you could only get privacy there, even with the rambling inevitables that were making you spiral from how anxious you were progressively getting.

With the door shut behind you, you noticed that Sunwoo had already met you there as he stood in front of the chairs that were in front of your desk with his arms crossed in front of his chest. Both of you looked over towards where Changmin was still looking distressed and it wasn’t until he locked eyes with you that you knew why.

“He knows about Sunwoo’s true status, doesn’t he?” You whisper quietly and he nods in response, nervously looking between you both with so much stress that you could’ve sworn he would’ve exploded right then and there in front of you.

“He wants the war to happen in a week’s time.” Changmin whispered, and that was when the atmosphere fell into a deadly silent room, if it were even possible from how much tension that was also being put into it.

Sunwoo’s identity wasn’t meant to be exposed, which was why you felt a wave of emotions that included fear and betrayal from how someone would stoop so low that they would risk a king’s life for their own. You knew that, and there was also the acknowledgement of Sunwoo having the urge to leave as well knowing that his pride wouldn’t let him just sit back and let the war happen because of him.

However you had your reasons this time around for him to not leave, and you were adament on him not leaving, especially after Changmin mumbles to himself that he was going to dismiss himself after the loud silence engulfing the atmosphere.

“Sunwoo, you can’t go out there into the war, no matter how serious it may be.” You say, sternly looking at him the moment that Changmin shuts the door behind him while crossing your arms in front of your chest assertively.

“Y/N, I know you’re scared-”

“No, I mean it this time, Kim Sunwoo. At all costs, I’m not going to let you go out there and risk your life dying, when you could be safer here. What if going out there is a trap to get you to get into your coffin?” You retort and you could tell that he was thinking about it from how quiet he was being.

The war was due in a week’s time, and only time could tell what could happen in a span of a week because of everything. You blink for a second to realize that Sunwoo is walking up to you with a heavy heart in his hand, the same hand that cups your face momentarily before stroking your cheek for a moment and it took everything in you to not give into his warm and gentle touch. No matter how much you loved him, you still had to stand your ground and be selfish by telling him to not go.

“I won’t go, only because I love you.” He concludes, making your heart feel a bit at ease in the moment as you looked into his eyes for that clarity that he had meant it.

However it was in the time that he kisses you with the same amount of love and passionate that you were so used to feeling everyday that surpassed all the negative thoughts and placed them onto a shelf. He was here now, the kiss seemed to express, and you wanted to hold onto that grain of hope that was filling into your thoughts, but you could only wish that it were true until then.

“I love you too, idiot. Just stay here a little longer… with me.”

“Do you think she’d actually let me go?”

Sunwoo looks over to Changmin with a pained look on his face, one that expressed how dangerous the plan that they had in mind was going to be, but it had to be done. It had been three days into the war that King Hyunjin had declared onto your kingdom and it wasn’t until one of the soldiers that was a close friend of theirs, Jacob, had come back scathed to tell that Juyeon had been killed off after being ambushed during the first night full of snow.

“I don’t think we have a choice… He won’t stop killing our numbers, unless you’re there.” Changmin says as the written paper that was in Sunwoo’s hand felt heavier than earlier.

The written note that he recognized to be Hyunjin’s handwriting demanded that he should show up, along with the additional information that had passed on by Changmin that he had Juyeon at hostage in the snow. The thought of his friends’ lives being put on the line of life and death made him sick and guilty, knowing that this war was specifically targeted towards him and that he wouldn’t be able to do anything if he were to stay back and watched it all happen from the sidelines as he usually would.

“Give me an hour and I’ll meet you outside with my gear.” Sunwoo mumbles almost inaudibly, avoiding the eyes of his best friend with his head in his hands as he could hear him let out a hum in response, feet heading towards the door of Sunwoo’s office while leaving.

In that moment, he felt as though he had just been set up for inevitable death. There were hundreds of thoughts as to how betrayed he had felt about the fact that the war was happening, along with the mourning emotions that filled his heart because he knew that Juyeon might die because of him. However there was still you, who was still waiting for him to fall asleep with you in bed because it was nearly three in the morning.

He was fearful, scared of the fact that he would lose you in the end of all this.

He knew that you didn’t want him to go because he would leave you alone with a king to rule by your side, and that wasn’t seen to be fit for any kingdom whatsoever considering it would be considered unruly. Yet he also felt as though he had to go off and stop the war once and for all against Hyunjin, to find the real answer as to why he was so insistent on exposing Sunwoo’s status to the rest of the kingdom as it was.

The stuff that Sunwoo would’ve needed was just in the room next to his office with a letter that was ready to be addressed to you, everything already having been packed since the first day of war in case Juyeon had died, and he felt his chest grow heavy at the thought of it. He gets up from where he sits in his office to head over towards the room when he flickers on the light to see you standing next to all of his packed gear with the letter opened in your hand.

“You almost forgot something.” You mumbled quietly and tossed him a small item that was in your hand over towards him, and it was the sight of it that made his heart drop into his stomach as you were already on your way to leave the room.

“Love, wait-”

“When were you going to tell me that you were leaving, Sunwoo? Before or after I had found out that you took off the ring and left without another word?”

The ring that was in his hand was accompanied by the one that he had once placed on your hand, both small objects having such a large impact on how everything was going downhill from here and it was like he was caught red handed. You were beyond livid at the fact that he had taken off the ring in the first place when you had gotten up to get a drink of water, seeing as though a letter of his writing saying that he had to make things right had accompanied it, and you felt it get worse as your thoughts were everywhere because of the anger and hurt that you were ready to unleash onto him.

“I thought we trusted each other enough to the point where we could tell anything, Sunwoo, but you lied to me. You said you weren’t even going to leave, but here you are getting ready to go ahead and hurt yourself because you’re scared-”

“I’m not scared of anything-”

“Then let’s just skip our excuses and divorce, if you’re willing to give up your ring so fast.”

Tears had already been glossing in your eyes as the evident twisted pain in your heart was pounding loudly in your chest, your breath not even wavering in the slightest as you looked at him. In his eyes, he felt as though he had already been stabbed in the heart because of those three simple words, because he never would’ve thought that you would actually want to divorce him after everything that the two of you had gone through.

“You wouldn’t-”

“Then don’t leave me here alone without you,” Your voice cracked, tears finally streaming down your face as you could already feel yourself slowly breaking away from the fact that he was going to go anyways.

“If you leave right now, then don’t bother coming back home if you lived to see the light of day.”

Sunwoo wants to reach out to you, to wipe away the tears that were falling down the apples of your cheeks because of the pain that he had caused. He wants to tell you that he was going to make it home safely and that he promises to come home, but he couldn’t find it within himself to hold such an empty promise as he moves almost past you to hoist his bag over his shoulder and turns to look at you with a heartbroken expression on his face.

He takes in every inch of your face one last time, every curvature that he has kissed once in this lifetime and the eyes that he came to love every time that they looked at him with such love, outlasting the entire galaxy and universes that could possibly shine brighter than yours. With a heavy breath that brushes past his lips, he walks over to you with a shaky movement of his hands holding your cheeks with fragility, fear as he is scared for himself.

He knew was going to lose you to the universe in this life, and he doesn’t want you to be taken away from him.

With a final kiss against your lips, he lets out a final breath as he leaves while placing both rings into your hands as he closes the door behind him, blocking out the sobs that he was able to hear from you in the closed room that he just left. He meets with Changmin outside on his own stallion and leaves with him as the two went off into the wintery night to where the war was yet to be finished in this night of time.

He didn’t even say ‘I love you’, when he had left for good.

“Y/N, we need you to make an announcement today.” You hear Chanhee, one of your close friends say from behind you and there was a beat of silence as you were staring off past your window to look at the crowd of people gathered in front of the palace.

“He’s going to come home soon, I know it.” You muttered back, more toned to convince yourself that he was actually coming back as you hugged your stomach closely to yourself.

A week has gone by since he had left, you noted to yourself since then as you had been awake for endless nights waiting for the soldiers to come back home; at least someone to make sure that they were alive. You grew anxious as you fumbled with the necklace that was around your neck, a simple string with a wedding band attached to it as the growing fear of him actually not making it back home continued to settle in your stomach.

It was over, you remember hearing as the scribes from Hyunjin’s kingdom had come to say as you were on the edge waiting for any sign of life. However, nobody has come home as you could feel the tears prick at the corners of your eyes. He had to be alive, you tried to convince yourself as you turned to look at Chanhee, who had been giving you a solemn expression on his face with something in his hand.

“Y/N…”

The feeling of dread suddenly fills your heart as you noticed that the letter in his hand was addressed to you in a familiar handwriting, one that you never wanted to see once again. There was a sharp intake of a breath that you made, realizing what it must’ve been considering there were blood stains on it as you looked up at the latter with teary eyes.

“Changmin was the only survivor… He came back home last night when you slept, and wanted me to give you this.” Chanhee says, walking over towards you with caution as you glanced between both him and the letter.

He leaves you alone in the room with the letter in your hand, your own instincts debating on whether or not you should open it as you knew what this had meant. Your hands were shaky as the weight of the light parchment felt heavy in your own possession, not wanting to open the blood stained letter that can only mean one thing.

Sunwoo’s last words.

The moment that he had written them was one of the most unforgettable memories that he would definitely remember in his next life. The night that he had faced Hyunjin in the snow, the strength that he gathered from the anger of seeing his friends and soldier’s brave deaths because of him, he went down in pride and in pain knowing that he had used you as a way to unleash the last few moments of life and death between the war.

“It’s a shame that you won’t be able to see your beloved queen again, Kim. Maybe she’d be better if she were with me, wouldn’t it?” Hyunjin’s words taunt him just as Sunwoo finally paints his blood onto the snow, his breaths uneven as he finishes him off and looks at his lifeless eyes staring back at him.

“Never in a million years, will I ever lose to you again, Hwang.”

Sunwoo stumbles back to his tent, seeing Changmin already there healing and his friend was ready to treat his injuries when he shakes his head in response. Both Changmin and Sunwoo share a glance of unspoken words that were exchanged, until Sunwoo grabs a sheet of parchment and ink to write down everything that he had been meaning to say to you even if he was bleeding out on that winter morning.

“Sunwoo, you have to save your energy and let me-”

“I’m bleeding out too much, Changmin… Just let me do this and die in peace,” Sunwoo murmurs, already feeling his life being taken away from him as he grew weaker while ending his letter that was supposed to be addressed to you.

“Just make sure that she gets this.”

To you who has always been the golden highlight of my life, the hues of love and adoration in the confinements of the yellow sun to my dark shades of the moon…

I knew what I had forgotten that night., and I should’ve said it before leaving.

I’m not coming back home, my love… and I’m sorry.

We won, and I know that if I were to see light of day tomorrow, you would still let me in despite the fact that you probably hate me at the moment. But you have my ring and that’s all that matters, because only Changmin will come home, and I made him promise that he would take care of you no matter what.

You don’t need a king to prove that you are strong, Y/N, and I know that you are the greatest queen that this kingdom will be ruled under, because you are the strongest person that I’ve ever met in my life.

I don’t regret loving you, marrying you, spending all of our picnics in the hues of the golden sunset in secret, because I knew that I was yours, just like you knew that you were mine.

But don't miss me too much, please. For us.

And I knew what I forgot to say,

I love you.

We will meet again.

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