#hello. in other words. i am alive and writing the second chapter right now

[aldeanotes]

i love taoc!reader like only they would say shit like this to OTTO of all people and also in front of alicent and aemond like the absolute insanity of it all

[beauty-and-passion]

TMA - Chapters 41-50: Everyone is Michael

Hello people, welcome back to the beginning of TMA season 2! Ten more chapters are waiting and I am ready to find out if this season is gonna start with a bang or not.

I have high expectations.

<< Main Masterlist < Previous post 

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MAG 40.1 - Season 2 Trailer

Oh, a trailer! And it was… absolutely incomprehensible and cryptic af. All I got is that a trapdoor should’ve been locked, which translated from author-to-reader means: “The trapdoor is open and some weird supernatural shit will come out of it during the season”.

Well played, Mr. Sims. Now I really want to know more.

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MAG 41 - Too Deep

Ooooh, statement of Jonathan Sims? And it’s about the recently discovered tunnels! I love that we start season 2 directly from where we left in season 1: Jon is recovering, Jane Prentiss is recently dead (I suppose they burned her, considering the ashes) and there are a shit ton of tunnels to explore.

Also, Jon is now paranoid. Great, that’s exactly what he needed.

Jokes aside, this is an amazing choice from a writing perspective, because it’s perfectly justifiable. Jon got assaulted by Jane Prentiss and her worms on July 29th, now it’s September 2nd. It’s been a little more than one month, of course he’s still haunted by the idea that Jane (or other things) might be alive and spying on him.

Even if the feeling of being watched is not just paranoia. I bet everything that it’s Big Brother’s fault for that.

And just to confirm my words, it seems that the Archives have been built on part of this ex Millbank prison, which was built by following the idea of the Panopticon. You know, the prison centered around the idea of making the prisoners feel like they’re always watched, thanks to the central tower.

I love the idea of the Panopticon: it’s extremely cool and I’m very happy to see it here too… but it also proves I am right and Big Brother is some supernatural shit who watches everyone and has something like one million eyes or whatever.

The goddamn weird tunnels. And what about that incorporeal voice telling Jon to leave, right after inviting him to go down? I am extremely curious now, I want to know more! Who was it? Big Brother? Another supernatural shit?

Ah, so Jon will now add supplements to the statements, hide them from his staff just like he hid the existence of the second tape recorder and will put these parts away with precise instructions for his replacement, in case he dies. Great, so he’s this paranoid. Basically one step away from being pathological.

Fine, from one side, I can understand him because he faced some heavy shit not too long ago and he cannot trust anyone. So his sentence “Trust can get you killed” is understandable.

But I also watched Gravity Falls and I’ve learned that “trust no one” doesn’t help, especially if there is a demon watching/haunting you. So please, Jon: please. Be safe. Don’t pull a Dipper Pines on us. Don’t force me to start calling you Jon Dipper. Or Jipper.

And trust someone before some bad shit happens. You’re trying to find Gertrude Robinson’s killer and we all know it was Elias (don’t “first suspect” me and yourself, we both know it was him). So, since Elias already killed one person and he’s in cahoots with the Lukas family, you REALLY need as many allies as possible.

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MAG 42 - Grifter’s Bone

Here we are, back with simple, meh statements. This time, it’s “weird supernatural band kills with their weird supernatural music”. It’s a shame we don’t see how they do it, I would’ve loved to see the whole process. But I also understand that leaving this to the reader’s imagination is a good choice to make something scary.

Also, Alfred Grifter looking up after the massacre and asking “Encore?” is probably the most badass move of the series until now. He might be some minor supernatural shit, but that was a real power move. I respect him a little bit after this.

Glad to notice Jon’s skepticism is back too, but after the end of season 1, now I know why he does it and I understand. Also, his skepticism doesn’t seem as “stubborn” as before and that’s another great writing choice because it shows how all these supernatural shits are affecting him.

Also, since Jon is in Paranoia Land now, I suppose that emphasizing skepticism helps him hide his true intentions, which are… sigh, controlling Martin. Seriously, can this poor guy take a vacation? First the worms, then Jane Prentiss, now Jipper. Martin can’t even be competent, that his boss will question it - all while insulting his poetic skills. The paranoia made Jon even more of an asshole than before.

What? Martin is worried about the others finding out he’s been lying? Lying about what? Jane Prentiss? His supposed incompetence? His poetic skills? His need to go on vacation? In any of these cases, don’t worry, Martin: just take your stuff and go as far away from this Institute as possible.

I still dream something like this for Martin.

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MAG 43 - Section 31

I feel Basira will be a recurring character from now on. I mean, she is currently working on Gertrude’s case and she is a Section 31 - i.e. she dealt with supernatural shits before. But she’s not the only one: we also have Alice “Daisy” Tonner, who came in contact with “spider husks” and, for me, that means one thing only: “Spider Mom & gang”. So I bet these two women will probably be involved again with any other supernatural shit happening in this Institute.

It was also very cool to find out the name of the guy from MAG 12: Diego Molina. And I remember that, when he and Gerard were brought to the hospital, Gerard asked if Diego had “a small book bound in red leather and a brass pendant with an eye design”. The eye pendant is probably related to Big Brother, while the red book basically confirmed it was one of Leitner’s chaos books. I already suspected this considering Gerard was after that, but glad to see an implicit confirmation.

Speaking of the supplement, Jon gained access to the tapes in Gertrude’s room and I’m glad about that because we will surely find something cool and scary. But I’m also sure that’s the easiest way for Jon to get himself killed, so I’m a bit scared for his life.

Also, how weirdly cute is this part?

“I only ever spoke to Gertrude once or twice during her time as archivist. I-I was very new. I don’t remember what her voice sounded like.”

Jon sounds so young, here. Almost like a child. I mean, I imagined he was in his thirties or something, but I actually have no idea how old is he. Is he younger? How old is he?

Also, it’s just nice to see this little moment of him being so… soft and human, with his predecessor. He barely knew her, he barely spoke to her, he probably looked at her and saw just an older, stern figure. But now, he’s in the same position. They became a lot closer than they ever were. It’s fascinating - and there’s a lot of potential for angst too, so I’ll brace myself for it.

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MAG 44 - Tightrope

A statement recorded by Gertrude! it was such a pleasant surprise to finally hear her voice! And she sounds amazing <3

As soon as I heard it was a statement from a guy in Algasovo, I felt it was connected to something I already knew. I remembered there was a circus mentioned in season 1 and, after a little bit of research, I found it: MAG 24, Цирк другого: the Circus of the Other. Ringmaster Gregor Osinov and organist Nikolai Denikin - whose granddaughter recorded the abovementioned statement.

Sure, here it’s called Другой Цирк, which is correctly translated as “Another Circus”. So my question is: which is correct? Did the circus change its name? MAG 44 is from the 70s, while the photo mentioned in MAG 24 was from 1948. Maybe the circus was called Цирк другого, then it changed its name after Denikin left and became Другой Цирк. Anyway, it was very interesting to read and I was so sure it was the smae circus mentioned before (despite the different names). So when Jon mentioned Gregor Osinov, my smile grew bigger than ever :D

Speaking of Jon, he asks some very interesting questions: Gertrude knows a lot more than it seems. And she didn’t finish recording everything in the archive. Why? Was that her way to oppose Big Brother/the Lukas family/the “crimson curse”? Maybe Big Brother can “eat” these statements, so by stopping her recordings, Gertrude was voluntarily leaving it hungry, as a sort of “fuck you, I won’t get eaten by you” kind of thing.

Or maybe she just wanted to not do her job anymore, thus provoking the Lukas family to fire her for not doing anything. Or maybe she was just too busy trying to find a way to escape, to record statements like an insane you-know-who who keeps recording stuff because he wants to find out the truth even if the truth can get him killed.

Did someone find Jon’s tapes? Or is he in full Jipper mode and maybe the drawer wasn’t even ajar? In any case, now he’s hiding them too, which reminds me of Gertrude and her secret hidden library and I don’t like the parallel at all. I don’t want to see Jon dead on a chair, in a room, surrounded by his secret library.

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MAG 45 - Blood Bag

Another meh statement, even if this time I’m quite perplexed by the weird turn of events.

I mean, once Dr. Thompson sold his syringe, there was a sudden spike in heat, the ‘haemoglobish’ became real blood and the mosquitoes decided to wait for their moment to kill the doctor. They’re a lot of weird consequences and they don’t seem too connected either - especially the heat. Why is there always some heat involved?

While speaking of the mosquitoes planning revenge… yes, this is the most plausible thing. These little bitches always plan revenge on everyone.

So, the doctor’s buyer is “Indonesian, I think, or Samoan”. It’s Salesa, isn’t it? Yep, Jon confirms it. Well, I suppose he will be another recurring character. And if Gerard can smell Leitner’s book, Salesa can smell any supernatural shit and make a profit from it. In this case, I suppose the syringe was a real lucky charm or whatever, considering how everything degenerated once the doctor got rid of it.

“Can’t stand mosquitoes. Horrible things.”

You and me, Jon. You and me. Glad to know that, even if he’s in full Jipper mode, he can still be very relatable.

I know Jon was super paranoid with Martin, but he might have a point about Tim. I mean, a guy with this resume decides to work in a place that isn’t so appreciated by normal people? And he doesn’t seem too interested in the supernatural either. Why is he here, to bribe people to get info and do whatever the fuck he wants? If that’s the reason… honestly, mood. I loved him before, I would just appreciate him even more for the power move.

Jonathan Sims, Master at Hiding Things, gets caught by Martin in 0.2 seconds because he’s so clever to record his paranoid thoughts in the middle of a working day, in a place where everyone can enter. A genius.

But now I’m curious to know where he will go to record these statements. I can almost see him, all crammed up into a closet, while Martin searches for him with a cup of tea in his hand.

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MAG 46 - Literary Heights

Oh gosh, I LOVE this chapter.

First of all, as soon as Michael Crew was mentioned, I immediately checked the previous chapters and here he was: MAG 17, the Boneturner’s Tale. Also, if my last theory is correct, Michael Crew and Supernatural Micheal are the same thing. And you know what? I think this statement confirmed it. But one thing at a time.

Second: my man Leitner! Ex Altiora my beloved! We finally know where it was and what it is! It’s a poem and I ADORE the plot. It’s such a perfect mix of weird, suspense and desperation… uuuurgh, I’m so mad I can’t read it, because this plot can be developed into a fantastic story.

And now, let’s put together all the pieces we have:

Michael Crew is interested in the Leitner.

Michael Crew has “a branching pattern of white scar tissue” on himself.

Jon reminds us that, in MAG 4, Mr. Swain said there was a “woodcut of the dark night sky, with the branching, arching design of the Lichtenberg figure” inside Ex Altiora.

This drawing isn’t mentioned by Mr. Knox here.

Lichtenberg figures have a branched shape, similar to the shape of lightning discharges, and appear on the surface/inside insulating materials during dielectric rupture. But they can also appear on lightning victims.

They are also “natural phenomena which exhibit fractal properties”.

In MAG 4, Mr. Swain says Michael Crew got struck by lightning when they were kids.

Michael Crew is surrounded by smells associated with lightning and electric discharges.

Michael Crew has been followed by a tall, thin figure, “its limbs angular and branching”.

Supernatural Michael has angular and branching limbs.

Supernatural Michael Is associated with fractals too.

The figure also “crackled and fizzed, lit by a strobing white light, as though the lightning was within the room itself”.

When Michael Crew reaches the bell tower, the prays something with the words “altiora,” “vertigo,” and “the vast”. then he says “I’m yours”, leaps through the open window and disappears.

Now, here’s my explanation:

Micheal Crew was followed by a supernatural shit. This supernatural shit was the same immense figure mentioned in the poem of Ex Altiora.

Micheal probably came into contact with it when he was a child and got struck by the lightning. Since then, he started to resonate with Vertigo/the Vast just like Jane Prentiss started to resonate with the Hive.

(Also, since Jane Prentiss’ supernatural shit was “the hive”, I think I’ll call this one “the vast” because it was a bit odd that he specifically said “the vast” with a definite article)

So, since Michael Crew came into contact with the Vast and started to resonate with it, he was accompanied by smells associated with lightning/electric discharges and he started to search for all kinds of magic books, trying to find a way to properly connect with it/being consumed by it, just like Jane Prentiss did with the Hive.

In Prentiss’ case, she connected through the wasps’ nest and got “consumed” by the Hive. Michael Crew tried to do the same by using different methods mentioned in the books, but failed. He had to find something stronger to connect to the Vast. And that something turned out to be a tale featuring the Vast itself, told by my man Leitner.

So Michael got it and waited for a storm. And as soon as the storm came, he ran towards it, calling for the Vast. And when the Vast appeared, it looked like that figure similar to an actual lightning.

Michael sang/prayed for it (please notice how Mr. Knows refers to his words like a chant first and a prayer later, just like Jane Prentiss talked about the song of the Hive. These little shits truly talk through songs) and closed his invocation, by saying “I’m yours”, which can be also read as “I give my body to you”.

And so, he jumped. And by doing that, he gave his body to the Vast and the Vast became him. And that turned him into Michael the Supernatural Shit, also known as Best Boyo of this series.

If all of this is true, then:

it’s very cool

his name isn’t Mr. Distortion, but Mr. Vast. Still cool, but Best Boyo is better :P

And if this is true, that also means my previous Leitner theory was completely wrong. His books don’t turn you into the protagonist: his books are about the real, actual supernatural shits living in this world and by getting the right one, it’s easier to connect to the supernatural shit in question. They’re like… facilitators, in a way.

That also puts into question Gerard’s work. What is he actually doing, by searching and destroying all Leitner’s books? Maybe he’s saving the world, because without books it’s more difficult to connect to these supernatural shits. But destroying the books doesn’t mean getting rid of the supernatural shits themselves and these books might actually be useful to recognize all supernatural shits and “catalog” them. I don’t know, I need more info about these two guys and what they’re actually doing.

And yes, there’s also Spider Mom taking possession of the hidden tunnels of the institute and she’s probably the one who opens the door and maybe she even walks around in her human form and that’s very cool too. Just… how fricking cool is this statement?! I think it’s among my top favorites, along with MAG 2, MAG 5, MAG 20, MAG 26 and MAG 39.

(Now that I think about it, I should probably do a top of my favorite statements once I finish the whole series. It would be fun.)

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MAG 47 - The New Door

Holy shit. Just holy shit.

I thought this was just a simple statement. A statement featuring a tall blonde guy. And yes, I was 200% sure it was Michael. But I just though he appeared and did some weird supernatural shit.

For a while, he did it: he made a door in that house, Mrs. Richardson got lost inside it for three days and escaped just because one of the mirrors was “empty” and didn’t reflect Michael. So she did what everyone who met a supernatural shit did: she went to the Institute. My theory about “hiding behind a bigger predator” seems even more convincing.

I loved the little moment when Mrs. Richardson asked Jon if he believed her and Jon admitted that yes, he believes her. It’s a tiny exchange of words, but it’s enough to show the massive change in Jon from season 1. Before, he would’ve been more stern and showed more skepticism (fake or real whatsoever). But now, after all he went through, he’s showing a softer, more empathetic side. Jon is truly evolving as a character.

And speaking of characters, time to talk about the real shit and time to overanalyze everything:

*

Michael’s voice is perfect

First of all, I ADORE Michael. Sorry Tim, you deserve the world, but Michael’s soft laughs and the way he gently mocks Jon because he’s this powerful supernatural shit while Jon is just a mere human it’s just too adorable. His voice is too adorable. And the distortion effect makes him very creepy - but still extremely adorable. I love him so much.

*

Domains?

This part about domains is very fascinating and, in a way, it confirms my theory about the supernatural shits having territories like mafia bosses.

But it seems like they don’t simply take a place and own it. It’s a bit like they are these places. As if these domains are an appendix of them. So I suppose Michael doesn’t simply “make doors pop up”: he is the doors and the corridors. such a cool concept, it makes these supernatural shits look even more eldritch and… well, supernatural. Love it.

But also: if my theory about Big Brother is correct, does that mean Big Brother isn’t just hidden in the Magnus Institute, but is the Institute? Mmmh, I need more details.

It’s also very interesting how Michael refers to Mrs. Richardson as “the Wanderer”. Since it doesn’t seem like Mrs. Richardson is a supernatural shit, I suppose that “the Wanderer” is a name to identify the people who enter the domain of a supernatural shit and become food. But since calling them “food” isn’t nice, Michael (and maybe other supernatural shits) opted for a more sophisticated name, like “the Wanderer”.

Also, Michael reconfirms he’s a poet and I love him so much.

*

The concept of identity (and maybe my theory already failed?)

That’s another interesting part. Michael considers itself a “what”, because “it requires a degree of identity I can’t ever retain”. And this connects to its domain: since it’s so huge and can “overlap” reality by creating new spaces inside it (inanimate spaces), it was probably easier for Michael to identify itself as a “what” rather than a “who”.

But this distorted appearance made me think: wait, probably my brand new theory about Michael as Mr. Vast is completely wrong.

If Michael’s power is being distorted and making weirdly long, distorted corridors (that confirms Michael was probably the voice who told Jon to leave, when he explored the tunnels in MAG 41), that doesn’t line up with the previous statement, where the Vast’s power was related to lightning and to being this colossal figure.

At the same time, Michael laughs with a weird, distorted effect as if it’s more people in one figure and this detail seems coherent with my theory.

So I think there are two possible solutions now:

my theory is correct and Michael can both be hugely vast and very distorted

my theory is wrong and Michael Crew just offered himself to another supernatural shit

Or maybe the correct option is:

3. Mr. Sims is the biggest troll of all mankind and he made a series in which every supernatural shit is named Michael and this explains why everyone is named Michael and why Michael is such a familiar name. If this is true I would respect him even more.

Jokes aside, I really need more information now. Especially I need Michael (this one at least) to talk about itself and its powers. And maybe all other Michaels should talk a bit about themselves too. At least enough to confirm if my theory is right or wrong.

*

A war?!

No, wait, you cannot drop this bomb, tease us like this, then leave. Stay here and explain!

Okay, so the Institute is important. It should stay where it is, because losing it would bring imbalance in the hidden war that’s going on - between supernatural shits, I suppose.

In MAG 41, Jon said the Archives stand on an ex-prison, built around the concept of the Panopticon. This could explain why this place is needed: a place from where you can spy on everything and everyone is a great leverage in a war.

My question is: what are the sides of this war? I suppose that one side is Big Brother and maybe the weird supernatural fog of the Lukas family, but the other? The supernatural meat? And the spider gang? On which side was Jane Prentiss with the Hive?

And what are they all fighting for? To take over the world? To eat as many humans as possible? Or maybe the “All Michael theory” is correct and since all these shits are named Michael, they decided that the last one standing will officially take the name Michael and all others will have to choose another name? All while Best Boyo Michael decided “fuck this shit, I’ll keep this name anyway because it’s just a name and my identity is more than this”?

You know what? I love the All Michael Theory. It’s stupid and yet it somehow works. If it’s true, it would immediately turn the whole series from dramatic to comic, but I love it.

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MAG 48 - Lost in the Crowd

Oooh, a statement settled in Italy! Never visited Genoa, but now it deserves a visit. After all, I already think about this goddamn series every time I see a spider and have to kill it, so why not going to Genoa and fearing weird supernatural shits? Apparently, they love to go anywhere. Was this one taking a vacation?

Speaking of vacations: honestly, I never expected to see my man Gerard, rebel punk and goth, chilling in Italy with a bright shirt on. I hope you’re also wearing some nice shorts, Gerard. And no combat boots. Or sandals with socks. The Italian fashion police can be way worse than any supernatural shits.

So, my man went to Mrs. Nunis, told her she was “marked” and told her to think about her mother. To remember her. To, you know, feel less alone. I immediately thought about Naomi and how she too felt alone, when the mysterious fog tried to “eat” her in MAG 13.

But this time there wasn’t really a fog: the sunny day simply became overcast. So maybe the fog isn’t supernatural but… the clouds are? But then, what about the weird fog from MAG 33? Or maybe, the fog simply hides the real supernatural shit, which is this weird faceless crowd. And this time the fog was on vacation too.

Or maybe Italy’s weather is too warm for the thick UK fog, so the fog dispersed and left only the crowd. I’ll admit it, it would be hilariously funny if a supernatural shit is simply an atmospheric element end you can get rid of it by traveling far enough or by using, idk, an electric fan.

So one question remains: what was Gerard doing in Italy? Was he truly searching for a Leitner? Or maybe he was really taking a vacation? I like to think it’s the second one: unlike Jon “Trust No One” Sims and Martin “Self-preservation is overrated” Blackwood, my man Gerard knows when it’s time to get the fuck out and take a vacation. So he left all the supernatural shits and books to chill on a beach, take a cafè and eat some real food.

Great choice, Gerard, Genoa is a beautiful place.

Speaking of the supplement, Jon realized Michael was warning him about Sasha! But unfortunately, thanks to Not!Sasha’s evil powers, Jon cannot understand what the problem with her is. Damn you, evil imposter! Give Sasha back!

Jon “Jipper” Sims, Master of Secrecy, after being caught by Martin in 0.2 seconds, got caught both by Martin and Tim again and they both immediately realized Jon was spying on them. So they reported him to Elias.

See? See where “trust no one” brings you, Jon? Please, stop spying on them like a creep. why don’t you start spying Elias, instead? He’s the most suspicious guy that ever walked on this planet, why the fuck are you wasting time with your team when you have him?

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MAG 49 - The Butcher’s Window

I read the title and I immediately was: “The meat is back, isn’t it?”

But it’s not just the meat, it’s our old friend Jared! And he does incredibly weird creepy things! And I like them, because they’re creepy without being gorey. You know, it’s just too easy to use gore: scaring without gore is harder and I appreciate it.

Also, what the fuck is the weird… underground superleech he’s feeding? Is that the boneturner? Is this the name of this supernatural shit? After all, every supernatural shit seems to have a name that starts with the definite article: the hive, the vast, the boneturner.

And if we add up all the things we discovered until now, that means that Jared became the Boneturner/the body of the Boneturner thanks to the Leitner’s book that “facilitated” the connection and, since he became that thing, that thing also became him. So the underground creepy superleech is still part of him and by feeding it, he’s feeding himself too.

You know, the whole process of feeding it was creepy, fine, but it made me smile too because… come on, it looks like a guy throwing snacks at his dog. That’s funny.

But not as funny as the mental image of this weird superleech I got, that resembles something like this:

This is a sea lamprey. It’s not a leech, but it’s the closest animal to represent what I imagined. And yes, this is a real living creature on this planet. You’re welcome, glad to know this will haunt your dreams too.

A-ah! We finally got more info about Elias! I knew it was weird that he managed to go from filing clerk to head of the Institute, but I had no idea he became head of the Institute just in five goddamn years. What did he do, did he kill everyone else? Did he kill James Wright too? Did this man also “die on the job” as Gertrude?

Also, how absolutely, insanely funny is it to think that Elias was a pothead? I read it and I was like… what? This guy?! I always imagined him like a posh guy and now you tell me he was smoking crack or whatever? That’s too funny, I love that and it would be hilarious if that’s the reason why he killed everyone else: not because of the Lukas family, not because of the supernatural shits: just because he wants to hide his past.

_______________________________

MAG 50 - Foundations

Oooh, another old statement addressed to Jonah Magnus! I suppose that’s how the Institute started: with this guy walking back and forth inside his house, surrounded by creepy stories. A bit like Jon now. And nope, I don’t like this parallel.

The story itself is very meh. It’s not really creepy nor scary, just “mysterious guy appears outside an office” and “fingers on a stone uuuh”.

This statement probably served to remind us about Robert Smirke’s existence. Jon probably forgot, but I remember that in season 1, he said Tim mentioned him an architect he was obsessed with and this architect was Robert Smirke. So I suppose this guy is important.

We also have Sir George Gilbert Scott now. When Mr. Kempthorne said Scott’s projects had odd symmetries and seemed claustrophobic, they reminded me of the underground tunnels of the Institute. Is it possible that one of these guys is responsible for the construction of the ex Millbank prison? I suppose only time will tell.

I died laughing when Tim thought Jon was hitting on Basira. How he went from “That woman is weird” to “Good job boss, get her”. He’s the best, I love him.

_______________________________

In conclusion

Oh my, what a start for season 2! We have more Michaels than ever, too many theories and lots of mysteries I still can’t grasp.

I want more. I want to know more about Michael, I want to find out which theory is correct. Is Michael Crew one of the many identities of Best Boyo Michael? Is Michael vast and distorted or they’re two different Michaels? Is every supernatural shit named Michael? Is Elias just a pothead trying to survive in a world full of supernatural shits? Is Gerard still on holiday?

We’ll meet back soon with ten more chapters.

>> Next post

(How about a coffee? ☕)

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[stephstars08]

Still Alive ~ Chapter Four

Ethan Landry x Reader

Warnings: Murder, Violence, Weapons, Adult Language, Parent Issues, Nightmares, Trauma, Death Threats, Angst, A tiny bit of Fluff, Blood, Ghostface Attack, and Stabbing. (Sorry if I forgot any!)

Word Count: 2,540

Author’s Note: Hello Again Everyone! Happy to say that this chapter is finally when the action starts to begin!!! I wanted to tell you all now that I am currently writing another scream fanfic however this is in a universe where there is no ghostface! It takes place in high school. It’s based off the song called Teenage Dirtbag. It’s a Ethan x Reader story again. I will say it won’t be ready to post for a while since I’ve got a lot going on in my personally life so my writing process is slowed at the moment. I have a Jack Champion one shot in mind that includes some of the Avatar cast. I do want to write some Avatar stories as well which I know will be a challenge that I’m up for! Anyways, thank you to the ones who are reading this and the story! I hope you enjoy this chapter and next chapter will be posted Sunday!

When Chad brought Sam into the apartment Y/N was sitting with Ethan on the chair while Quinn was sitting on the couch with Mindy and Anika. Tara was sitting on a different chair by herself. Everyone had a worried gaze on the TV. A guy who lives downstairs followed Sam which Quinn noticed right away. “Cute boy. Nice!” Quinn said to Sam with a nod of her head. “What’s going on?” Sam asked with worry in her tone. Chad just pointed at the television.

 “I’m standing in front of the apartment building where the mutilated bodies were found.” The reporter said. Everyone in the room had their eyes glued to the screen. “Their names have been released by the police. Jason Carvey, and Greg-.” The reporter said but before the group could listen to the last name of the other victim Mindy spoke.  “Holy shit, that’s that chod from our film studies class! The one obsessed with Orchento.” Mindy said to Tara in a surprised tone. “Also found at the scene were various Ghostface costumes, the character popularized by the ‘Stab’ movie franchise.” The reporter said.

 Y/N felt her whole-body tense up. She quickly thought back to the party. That guy who was dressed as Ghostface. Could that have been one of them? Did they go and kill those guys and head right to the party acting like it was nothing? She jumped a little when she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders but quickly relaxed when she realized it was just Ethan. He gave her a comforting smile which helped her relax. She returned the smile but also felt a strong glare on them. When she looked over, she noticed it was Quinn looking at them with a glare. When their eyes met Quinn looked away and back to the television. Y/N is close to everyone in this room but Quinn. She feels like Quinn has a huge problem with her and she has no idea why.

 “Pack a bag, we leave in ten.” Sam told Tara in a stern tone and walked out of the room. “Sam! Wait, Sam!” Tara called out as she quickly stood up. “We’re getting out of the city.” Sam called out from the kitchen. “What?” Cute boy said with a mixture of confusion and concern in his tone. “Thank you, very much suspicious new guy, but I think we can handle it from here. Have a good night, get home safe.” Chad said as he pushed the guy out of the apartment and shut the door.

 Tara called out to Sam again. Sam grabbed a knife and walked back into the living room. “Sam wh-what, hold on.” Tara said with panic in her tone because of her sister holding a huge kitchen knife. “Come on.” Sam said to her, acting all calm. “Hold on, wait, let’s talk about this for a second.” Tara started. “Cause’ this-this might not have anything to do with us.” Tara explained stumbling over her words again. “Are you serious?” Sam said she was starting to get annoyed with her sister again. “You knew him!” Sam hissed pointing at the TV. “Barely.” Tara hissed back.

 “Chad, Mindy, Y/N, back me up.” Sam called out to them trying to get some sense into Tara. “I mean it is a little bit- “Chad started to say shuffling his feet around. “Close to home.” Mindy said finishing Chad’s sentence. Everyone then looked at Y/N which made her sigh. Why does she have to be a part of this fucked up situation? “As being the daughter of a former Woodsboro cop who went through this shit like a hundred times. This can’t be just a coincidence.” Y/N explained to Tara with a serious look in her eyes. “See!” Sam told Tara.

 “Quinn, your dad’s a cop, right?” Tara asked looking over at Quinn. “Can you call him and find out what’s going on?” Tara added on. “Before you make the unilateral decision to abandon my college education and flee the fucking state!” Tara snapped looking back at Sam with a nasty glare in her eyes. “I’m calling him now.” Quinn said, putting her phone up to her ear. She stood up from the couch and walked into a different room.

 The room was all quiet till Sam’s phone started to ring, making the whole room tense up. Sam walked over to her phone that was on the dining table. “Who is it?” Y/N asked trying to not sound scared but didn’t do a very good job. “Your mom.” Sam said relieved seeing the name ‘Gale Weathers’ flashing on her phone. “Hit fucking decline!” Y/N hissed now angry and annoyed.

 Sam did exactly what she told her to do. Y/N knew her mom just called Sam to ask her for a comment about the latest murders. Y/N feels like her mom cares more about her stupid ass career than anything. Quinn came running back into the room. “Sam, my dad wants to talk to you.” Quinn said, handing her phone over to Sam. Sam let out a sigh as she took the phone.

 As Sam talked on the phone with Detective Bailey the whole room was silent which made Y/N slip deep into her thoughts. Of course, she was thinking about this new Ghostface, but she was also thinking about her careless mother. A normal mom would call her daughter up to ask if she and her friends are okay. Not to call up one of them to ask them questions about the fucking murder. Y/N really wished that her dad was here with her. If he was here, she knows she would feel a whole lot safer. Y/N broke out of her thoughts when Sam spoke.

 “Detective Bailey needs me to come down to the station.” Sam said giving the phone back to Quinn after she changed her shirt really quick. Sam grabbed her phone putting it into her back pocket. She also grabbed her jacket and keys and walked out of the apartment. Tara grabbed her jacket and quickly followed Sam.

 “I’ll be right back.” Y/N said as she stood up. “Where are you going?” Ethan asked her. “I need to go give my mom a special call.” Y/N said, taking her phone out of her pocket and walked into the kitchen. “Expect to hear some yelling.” Mindy warned everyone as she let out a sigh.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

It was the next day and Y/N was completely exhausted due to the lack of sleep. Right when she and Mindy got back home to their apartment, they got a call from Tara saying her and Sam got attacked by Ghostface. She reassured them that she and Sam didn’t get hurt and were at the police station for questioning. That was one of the reasons why Y/N didn’t get enough sleep. It was like every time she closed her eyes, she had a nightmare, and they were worse than before.

 Since she knew that they would continue to the point where she wouldn’t be able to sleep at all she gave Sam a call when she got up this morning asking for the number of the therapist she’d been seeing. Sam gave her the number and then mentioned to her that they had a run in with her mom outside the police station which had her fuming. Why won’t her mom just fucking listen to her? After she ended the phone call with Sam, she gave the therapist a call and was able to get an appointment this afternoon since he had a cancellation.

 Y/N was sitting in the plaza on the school campus with the whole group. Y/N was sitting in between Ethan and Tara. Tara was sitting next to Chad while Sam, Anika, and Quinn sat on a bench together. Mindy was standing in front of everyone. “Already nerds, listen up!” Mindy said as she clapped her hands together.

 “As terrifying as this all is, I’m actually glad I get a chance to redeem myself for not calling the killers last time.” Mindy said with disappointment at the end of her sentence. Y/N rolled her eyes. She didn’t even want to be there, but Mindy made her. “It’s fine.” Mindy said quickly, changing her mood. “The way I see it, someone is out to make a sequel to the requel.” Mindy told everyone. Anika raised her hand. “Um, what’s a requel?” Anika asked in a curious and innocent tone. “You’re beautiful sweetie, let’s hold questions ‘till the end.” Mindy said to her girlfriend as Anika put her hand down. “Stab one took place in Woodsboro, Stab two took place in college.” Sam chimed in. “Do we think that the killer is trying to copy the movies?” Tara asked in a curious tone. “That is one possibility.” Mindy said, pointing at Tara.

 “Hero’s now in college, check. Suspicious new characters brought in to round the suspect list and/or body count, check, check, and check.” Mindy explained by pointing to Quinn, Anika, and then Ethan. “I don’t like this!” Ethan said with a mixture of fear and nervousness in his tone. Y/N could tell that his heart was racing so she took one of his hands into hers and gave it a light squeeze. “Hey, it’s okay. Relax.” Y/N told him in a calm tone as she gave him a smile. “Okay.” Ethan said with a nod as he looked into her eyes, which were helping him calm down. “Hey lovebirds.” Mindy called out getting their attention. “May I continue?” Mindy asked with a stern look in her eyes. “Yes, please continue.” Y/N said in annoyance as she shot a glare at Mindy. Mindy was really getting on her nerves today.

 “As I was saying, it can’t just be about Stab two.” Mindy said, getting back to her lecture. “Why not?” Tara asked her. “It would make sense if that were just a sequel, because nobody just makes sequels anymore!” Mindy said as excitement started to build up inside of her. “Don’t say, don’t say, don’t say it!” Y/N mumbled out. “We’re in a franchise!” Mindy said, throwing both of her arms up into the air. “There it is.” Y/N said with a groan. “And there are certain rules to a continuing franchise.” Mindy told them. “I had a feeling.” Sam said with a sigh.

 “Rule one, everything is bigger than last time! Bigger budge, bigger cast, bigger body count, longer chases, shoot outs, beheadings, gotta top what came before to keep people coming back.” Mindy said starting to list off the rules of horror movies. “Beheadings?” Chad asked looking up from the notebook he was writing in. “Beheadings.” Mindy told him with a point of the finger.

 “Rule two, whatever happened last time, expect the opposite. Franchises only survive by subverting expectations, and if the killers last time were whiny snowflake film nerds with letterboxed accounts instead of personalities, you can bet the opposite will be true here.” Mindy said explaining rule two. Mindy was starting to give Y/N a headache.

 “And rule three, no one is safe.” Mindy said in a stern tone. “Legacy character, cannon folder at this point. Usually brought back only to be killed off in some cheap bid for nostalgia.” Mindy said it in a much nicer tone than before. “It’s not looking good for Gale and Kirby.” Mindy said with sadness which made now made Y/N’s heart rate speed up. “Woah, hold on!” Y/N said before Mindy could continue.

 “You’re telling me that my mom is on the list to get butchered.” Y/N said in a worried tone. “Like I said, no one is safe.” Mindy told her which struck Y/N’s last nerve. “You know what, I’m done!” Y/N said standing up which made her let go of Ethan’s hand that she actually didn’t even realize she was still holding onto. “Y/N, I’m just- “Mindy started to say but Y/N immediately cut her off. “NO!” Y/N yelled making everyone in the group jump.

 “I lost two family members because of this Ghostface shit!” Y/N said with anger as she picked up her bag from the ground. “This isn’t a fucking movie, Mindy; this is real fucking life. I’m not going to fucking sit here and let you tell me I’m going to lose more people, especially my mom.” Y/N told her in a snappy tone and walked away from her friends. Yes, she may be super pissed at her mom and doesn’t want to talk to her but she’s still her mom and doesn’t want to see another family member killed. Ethan wanted to follow her, but he knew that she most likely wanted to be alone to cool off. Everyone was in complete shock because they had never seen Y/N like that before. She finally let her friends see all of the anger and frustration that had been building up inside of her.

  ~~~~~~~~~~

Y/N went back to her apartment to cool down and take some medicine for headache. She relaxed a little bit till she had to go to her appointment. Y/N decided to just walk since it really wasn’t that far of a walk. When Y/N got to the address she saw the front door was wide open and a body was just lying there. As she walked closer and closer to the door her heartrate kept speeding up. When she got to the door she gasped in complete horror. The therapist was laying on the ground. His face was all bloody, it looked like he was stabbed through the face.

 Y/N stepped into the house to get a better view but that turned out to be a huge mistake because she was grabbed from behind. As Y/N struggled she noticed the familiar black sparkly gloves holding onto her tightly. “Get off me you motherfucker!” Y/N hissed as she used all of her strength to back Ghostface into the wall which made them let go of her.

 Y/N ran into what seemed like the living room to find some kind of weapon. Before she could grab anything, she felt something sharp going into her shoulder making her scream in pain. She fell to the hard wood floor after Ghostface took their knife out of her now bleeding shoulder. Ghostface kept trying to stab her legs, but she kept kicking them away as she held onto her shoulder wound.

 Ghostface finally had enough of her, so they grabbed her by the neck and pushed her up against the wall. Y/N struggled to breathe as they held tightly onto her throat. “Say hi to daddy for me!” Ghostface said into their voice changer as they raised their knife. Before Ghostface could stab her with the bloody knife a gunshot rang out. Ghostface dropped her and quickly fled the house. Y/N groaned in pain as her ass hit the hard wood floor.

 “Hey Y/N.” She heard a familiar voice say. When she looked up, she saw Kirby. “Kirby!” Y/N said in a relieved tone. “It’s okay, I got you.” Kirby said walking over to her helping her up from the floor. “Where did they get you?” Kirby asked with concern. “In the shoulder.” Y/N answered in pain as she let Kirby help her out of the house.

 *Tags*

@sweetirilly @aqellano @igotmajordaddyissues @athenalive @hotweeb @ghostlyboiii @marshallowy

[cookiesuga55]

Hello my lovelies! Here is the second installment of 🍪Cookie Jar🍪 prompts that has been in the back of my mind for some time. This is my first attempt at writing something Horror? So I wanted to release it for Halloween to feed into the sPoOkY vibes. If this goes over well it could just be the first chapter of something larger...

A Seed of Doubt

Tags: Sugar Cookie Horror, Mad scientist AU, FBI classified experiments, Crazed scientist Namjoon, Wholesome botanist Jungkook, Little Shop of Horrors Inspired, carnivorous plant, Plant vore, tentacle-adjacent limbs, friends to enemies, mind corruption, dumbification, fear, vomit, disturbing themes uwu

6.3k words

"Strength and growth come only through continuous pain and struggle.”– Napoleon Hill, author.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jungkook peered through protective glass up at the enormous plant that thrummed and pulsed. All of the readings of the biome’s heat signatures were coming across on the screen perfectly. It was disturbingly active in a way that they had never seen before.

“Do we have camera footage to see what happened…?”

Jungkook asked his partner who stood beside him, staring with the same awe and fascination at their test subject of nine months. Namjoon's lab coat sat slightly askew on his shoulders and his hair was rucked from the haste that they had both rushed into the lab well past midnight. Both scientists had gotten the notifications on their phone of an anomaly in their data, and had raced over as fast as possible despite the late hour. 

“I'm pulling it up right now-”

Namjoon squinted down at the UV readings. Right in the core of the plant was a bright red heat signature, hotter than the quivering leaves, but much too cold to still be alive. A small part of Jungkook wished that he could have been here to see it happen, as sick as it was. As Namjoon always said, sacrifices were a necessary evil of science. But Jungkook wasn't sure where the line was drawn on what sacrifices entailed. He and Namjoon had very different limits on ethics, despite working together for years.

The plant ominously swayed its stalks and its leaves rustled, more movement than the typical slow sentient swishing that they were used to, accompanying the ever constant thrumming that pulsed in its core. 

Namjoon tilted his head in fascination as they both watched the grainy video footage of the horror that had forced them to come to the lab. They squinted at the screen and caught a glimpse of a portly janitor enter the completely restricted room. There was a dark flurry of leaves thrashing in front of the camera, and a scream. Dark foliage covered the camera like the plant was obscuring their view and… knew where their observation points were.

Jungkook glanced at Namjoon, feeling uneasy. Namjoon's expression showed nothing of the sort, just a studious enthrallment at a potential discovery.

"We need to see this footage from another angle. Or watch it live."

Jungkook gulped and took a small step away from Namjoon, who radiated as much excitement as the plant within the large confinement of the greenhouse. Sometimes his lab partner scared him at his lack of empathy for others.

Watch what happened again? In person?

“Hyung, you’re not thinking…”

“What you’re thinking?” Namjoon typed data signatures into their log sheets to document what was happening as he watched the footage again. “Yeah, Jungkook-ah, I am. We watch it for real this time. Call in another maintenance repair for the greenhouse lights. Get clear footage and send it off as evidence in the morning. Let's see who's on night shift...” Namjoon's hands were unnaturally steady as he picked up the phone. 

Jungkook couldn't believe what he was hearing. Absolutely not.

“Hyung, we can’t. That's... unethical.” Jungkook pushed Namjoon's hand down to shove the security phone back into the receiver. Risking another person's life for 'science' wasn’t an option. Was it? Namjoon would probably say it was. 

“You’re right. Sorry for supplying a suggestion that would give us actual answers.” Namjoon didn't sound sorry at all. Jungkook ignored the snide remark and the implied message of his tone: you always hold us back from making real discoveries. Jungkook pushed those feelings down and poured over the readings for the thirteenth time, trying to make sense of it. He and Namjoon stared through the huge observatory window at the massive thing inside. 

Unlike the plant usually looked, there was a large bulge in the middle of the thick tree-trunk stem, right where the cooling heat signature was on their scans. Namjoon clenched his jaw as he eagerly analyzed their specimen. They both stood quietly in anticipation of... anything? Jungkook didn't know what they were waiting for. But they watched for nearly an hour, on edge to observe any change. At the slightest movement, Namjoon smacked Jungkook’s arm like the other’s concrete, undivided focus wasn’t also glued to their million-dollar research project. 

“Jungkook-” The middle of the plant began… pulsing. They could see it squeeze what was inside, and then expand, puffing outwards until the casing of the stem was pulled tight, then contracting again. The two scientists stared, transfixed. The thick middle continued it’s methodical movement, and it looked like it was… massaging what was inside. Jungkook realized it was like a giant stomach. 

“Oh- oh god-” Jungkook gulped, queasiness ramping up. He felt too hot in his middle, skin clammy, but his limbs were also vibrating with feelings he couldn’t label. Adrenaline. It was too much.

A large offset of gas bloomed out of the plant's top bulbous flower, and Jungkook’s mouth fell open in horror. “This is so wrong.” 

“Did it just… burp?” Namjoon pondered. Slowly, the bulged stem of the plant settled, and all of the leaves shivered like it was experiencing pleasure. 

Jungkook might be sick. He was definitely going to be sick. Namjoon was completely unphased next to him.

A few large stalks from the plant slowly moved down to the glass where Namjoon and Jungkook stood safely behind. They’d never seen it move like this before. The leafy vines nudged the glass barrier, like it wanted through. Jungkook and Namjoon both instinctively stepped back. The plant pawed over the glass surface and it shook like it was angry. 

“H-hyung…” Jungkook took another step back. His hands were shaking. “I think that…”

“She wants to eat us? Yeah- me too. How interesting.” Namjoon watched in fascination as the plant caressed the protective glass and tried to nudge against it again where the two of them were. Jungkook was immensely thankful that there were six inches of thick, bulletproof protection between him and that thing. With the impenetrable glass completely solid, much to the plant's disappointment, the swaying limbs drooped back down to the earth and slithered around towards the base of itself. 

Jungkook swallowed hard, his stomach churning. This wasn't what he had signed up for when he was offered a classified job working for the government. He should have known that the pay was too high to not be mentally scarring. Jungkook watched the plant cradle itself. The sentient leafy limbs stroked over the bulge in the middle, and a few wound around the entire circumference base and squeezed like it was greedily feeling the size of it’s meal. Jungkook accidentally whined- with what might have been fear. Was definitely fear.

“Hyung-” He swallowed hard, determined to not be sick and taking another step back as Namjoon continued to log in data.

“She’s fascinating,” Namjoon cooed. Jungkook glanced over and saw admiration on his hyung’s face instead of the terror that he was feeling. “So, it's carnivorous,” Namjoon scribbled a few things down in one of their binders. Jungkook couldn’t help but respond instinctively in defense to try to make sense of what was happening.

“But it hasn’t done this to any of the animal tests. It didn't... eat them. It ignored them.” They had released multiple different species of both flora and fauna into the containment as a part of their initial tests, but the plant had done nothing for months. What had changed? 

Namjoon was tapping on their computer, speedily looking up the work timetable and seeing who had been scheduled for tonight. Jungkook didn't want to know what Namjoon was thinking. Namjoon clicked through the profiles until he found the same man that had somehow managed to wander past all of the restricted signs and get through numerous locked access points to end up in the carnivorous plant’s greenhouse. It takes 4 different keys to get past all of the security checkpoints. This couldn't be a coincidence, could it? Jungkook wondered if there was something bigger going on that Namjoon and him hasn't been informed of.

“Oh… I've found it.” Namjoon glanced up at Jungkook, snapping him out of his problem solving flow. Jungkook couldn’t help being curious enough to come back to Namjoon's side and see what was so interesting. “Kookie… look at this-” Namjoon quickly pulled up the results from all of their tests. The plant had completely ignored their releasing of a mouse, cat, snake, all insects, and a dog. Namjoon tapped on all of the BMI indexes, and then on the profile of the unfortunate janitor. “It prefers fatty meat.” Namjoon grinned with the high of a new hypothesis. 

Jungkook gulped, sick and intrigued all at once. “T-that’s a really far claim, hyung. Maybe it just likes humans.” 

Namjoon was in full-brain mode. How could he be so unaffected? How late was it? Jungkook could feel the lack of sleep in his bones.

Namjoon waved him off. “No, I don’t think so- if I’m right…” Namjoon began typing again. 

Jungkook needed to get out. He needed air and a break and a moment to digest everything that was happening. A bad choice of words. He felt sick. He backed up, mumbling, “...coffee,” and spun on his heel. Namjoon didn’t even acknowledge his disappearance, and Jungkook all but ran to their breakroom and locked the door. He collapsed onto a chair and tried not to hyperventilate. 

-----

Namjoon didn’t feel the need to wait. He launched the next test, impatient to see if he was correct. They were all set up to release more mammals this week for their tests. The plant had been labeled as “hazardous,” and it was his and Jungkook’s job to figure out exactly what every single detail of this new species was. Namjoon relied on Jungkook for much of the technical side of phytology and terminology, but the botanist had been holding them back for weeks, and Namjoon wouldn't let Jungkook stand in the way of a breakthrough this big.

Namjoon clicked through controls, too curious for his own good. He wanted to test his ideas. Everything was worked out in his head. The theory was in place and now he needed evidence to buttress it.

He opened the gate from the control room and was pleased to see a pig amble out into the enclosure with the plant. Namjoon quickly scrolled over into their next set of switches and opened the cage for a bonobo. Namjoon stared and waited with bated breath. He checked the BMIs of each and grinned. The pig was nearly the same ratio of fat to meat as the night-watch employee had been, though how or why someone had gotten into the restricted greenhouse lab made him very suspicious. The vines began moving. One slinked towards the bonobo. “Still hungry, darling?” He murmured as he watched. The bonobo was strong and hearty as human's closest primate relative. One vine snaked around the primate, squeezing its middle, and the bonobo curiously tugged on it. A few more slithered over and wrapped around different parts, making the primate begin screeching and thrashing.

Disappointment filled him. Maybe Namjoon was wrong. Maybe the plant did just like meat. 

The plant lifted the thrashing, near-human animal a few feet off of the ground, like it was testing it’s weight, and Namjoon squinted as he analyzed the scene.

Much to his surprise and delight, the vines loosened their hold, and almost gently set the primate back down on the earth. Namjoon's eyebrows shot up. How interesting.

Oh. Oh. Namjoon was right. He eagerly turned his gaze to the pig. The plant's tentacle-like vines finally made it, and one wrapped around the middle of the snuffling creature. It squeezed, and the pig squealed. Namjoon leaned forward in anticipation.

Instantly, in a flurry of foliage, vines shot out, wrapped around the pig, and lifted it high into the air. Namjoon followed the movement with his gaze, intent on not blinking and missing anything. The squealing animal was hoisted up nearly to the top of the greenhouse, and a large budded flower unfurled.

Namjoon’s jaw dropped as the inside of the massive tulip bud was lined with sharp nettles, facing the inside like shark teeth. A defense mechanism to make sure that whatever entered went down smoothly, but would be skewered alive if it tried to claw its way out. Genius. The plant was genius. The pig was dropped in and Namjoon watched the bulge of the meal slide down the stem just like a throat, only to drop into the center where it pulsed and inflated. The flower furled back up again tightly, and vines circled around the base once more like it was cradling it’s belly as it swelled and contracted in what must have been the beginning of the digestion process. 

Namjoon scribbled down pages of notes in a frenzy, high on the success of his hypothesis being affirmed.

The angry bonobo ambled away back into its cage, unharmed. One test was successful. Now, the next one needed to be conducted. Namjoon released a human-sized chimpanzee all alone, and watched for a long time as the plant got more curious and confident with the potential meals. However, after some playing, it set the primate back down. This was too good to be true. Namjoon was ecstatic.

Just to solidify his theory, a pudgy squirrel was released and gobbled up upon first squeeze where the vine sunk into fat. Namjoon grinned. Two was chance. Three was a pattern. He was high on the endorphins that came with making a new discovery, clouding his mind and making him want to plow onto the next, next, next. 

The plant's limbs were exploring the openings of cages that the animals had come out of, particularly interested in the pig’s containment, like it was searching for more.

Namjoon had a thought. A risky one.

He eagerly pulled up Jungkook’s profile within their system and searched for his BMI. His lab partner was incredibly fit. It was one of the lowest numbers he’d ever seen on a human: 12% fat, less than his own 18%, less than their leanest wolf predator in the mammal tests, and much lower than the bonobo and chimpanzee had been, averaging 24%. Namjoon wouldn’t be able to find anyone with a lower BMI to test. It was a safe option. The only option.

Namjoon licked his teeth, pulled out his pager, and sent Jungkook a message to meet him in the cage room, immediately. He flicked off the lights and opened the door, but didn’t leave.

_____

After a long time with his head buried in his arms, Jungkook’s heart rate was finally down. He was just steeling himself and pulling it together when his pager rang. The screen flashed with the code for the test animal cages and the letters PIG, followed by the emergency hash from Namjoon. Jungkook exhaled nervously and acknowledged it. Something must be wrong. A spike of fear went through Jungkook. If Namjoon was alone in the cage room with the test animals, he might be paging for help. 

He threw the breakroom door open and glanced down the hall to where their operation control room was. The door was left carelessly ajar a few inches, because Namjoon never remembered to close it behind him. The small window in the door revealed that the lights were off. Fuck. Namjoon must have gone to the cages, and something was definitely wrong. 

Jungkook spun on his heel and ran in the opposite direction, nervous for his friend. When he arrived, Jungkook instantly noticed that some of the animals set up for tests this upcoming week were gone, and sure enough, the pig’s cage was empty, with the door open on his side.

Jungkook called out for Namjoon before investigating, but there was no response. He searched around the dimly-lit room for the pig in case it had escaped, but couldn’t find it. Past animals had gotten stuck in a passageway to the containment greenhouse, and maybe the same had happened here. Namjoon wasn’t anywhere to be seen, so he must… be on his way?

Jungkook rolled his eyes with convinced relief and he exhaled the anxiety out of his body. Of course Jungkook had been worried for no reason. Everything was fine, aside from the escaped animals. Namjoon got so easily distracted. He would probably turn up in a few minutes with a million things to say about some new hypothesis that he had conjured on the short trip from the control room to the cages. Chuckling at the scatterbrained genius, Jungkook did what he had seen numerous of the zoo workers that came when one of the animals got stuck. Jungkook had been trained to ethically handle their specimens. There was no reason to call one of the workers when it was still so early. Not when Jungkook could easily do it himself. He checked his watch. 4:30 am. It was much too early to call someone at home with their families. 

He crouched through the low metal entrance to peer into the passage. The caged door to the greenhouse beyond was open, and it definitely shouldn’t be. There was a loud clang of metal behind him, and Jungkook whirled around. The cage door had slammed shut behind him. But- there were no keys to these cages. Everything was operated electronically… from the control room. Jungkook tugged up at the metal, irrational fear spiking again. Tonight had been too much.

Jungkook hadn’t seen Namjoon in the control room on his way here to answer the emergency message. He’d been… Jungkook didn’t know where Namjoon was. He whipped out his pager and sent back his own emergency code. The message said that it was received and acknowledged by Namjoon. Jungkook breathed a sigh of relief. Namjoon would be on his way. Gods, think about how stupid he would look once his friend found him. They needed to get the electricians to come tomorrow. There must be issues in the circuit boards with the doors opening and closing on their own accord. That was a major issue, as proven right now. 

Jungkook was going to have words with the health and safety department. He would need to book another therapy appointment this week just to process this night.

Jungkook impatiently checked his watch, wondering what could be taking Namjoon so long. He was getting nervous standing in here. Jungkook exhaled hard again and tried to count in his mind to calm himself down. Tonight was too eventful. He just needed to go home. He impatiently yelled Namjoon’s name in hopes that it would echo down the hallway, and he paged him again. Acknowledged. 

Where the hell was Namjoon? Something cold and wet circled Jungkook’s ankle underneath his pantleg, and he yelped and jumped on instinct. He looked down to see a dark, leafy vine reaching through the long passage from the greenhouse. It shackled around his ankle. Jungkook shrieked now out of fear and tried to kick it off, stomp on it, and rip it off of him with his hands. More vines slunk through the opening and eagerly wrapped around his wrists. They were so strong.

No. No, no, gods no.

He yanked and screamed for Namjoon, but they only circled tighter. Jungkook’s stomach roiled as the vines gave a curious little tug on him, pulling him a few feet towards the greenhouse tunnel. Jungkook turned to the side and threw up the contents of his stomach, too much fear flooding through his body and making it contract and convulse from being overwhelmed. The plant pulled harder.

Jungkook whined as he was jerked forwards by his bindings. He was going to be sick again, but there was nothing left in him. His feet were forcefully wrenched, and Jungkook slammed to the ground of the cage. Tears blurred his vision. He screamed again in fear as he could feel his body being dragged across the cold metal towards the light of the greenhouse. He tried grabbing onto the wire floor but they just tore at his fingers, the metal woven too small to properly grasp. Tears cut down Jungkook’s cheeks as he was dragged by the ankles from the dimness of the testing cages into the artificial sunlight of the greenhouse. He clawed at the loose earth as he was dragged, but there was nothing to take purchase on. Jungkook was lifted upside down by his feet and hoisted into the air. All of the blood rushed to his head as he came face to face with a huge mass of green. The plant that they had been studying for months. Up close and personal. The one that had ate the janitor tonight. Jungkook shouted out Namjoon’s name again in terror, desperate for help.

Oh God, he was going to die. Jungkook thrashed and tried to bend up in half to tear his raw, bloody fingers at the vines around his ankles. He was thankful for his core strength as he latched onto them and started climbing like at the gym. The leaves around him shuddered and whipped across his skin, scratching him. Jungkook’s arms were circled and yanked to each of his sides, so he was restrained and spread out so tight like a starfish that his joints hurt. His ankles were hoisted higher over his head and all of the blood flooding his brain made his vision prickle. His labcoat hung off of the back of his shoulders and his sweater rucked up to his chest.

Defiance flooded Jungkook. He was not going to die and be eaten by a fucking plant. He growled and twisted his wrists, vision blurred and head pounding. He grabbed onto each vine holding his arms out and yanked as hard as he could. He kicked and thrashed and put up the fight of his life.

------- 

Namjoon watched as the plant played with Jungkook almost curiously. It held him aloft and shook him a few times, vines shackled around each limb. Already, Namjoon could tell that the plant was having fun. Its leaves rustled excitedly and more vines rose to play with its new toy. This was very interesting. One even nudged at his hanging lab coat until it fell off of Jungkook and fluttered to the ground where vines pulled at it until it tore, curious about the fabric. Namjoon wondered if the plant was just going to play with Jungkook, or if it was ever going to test if he was pudgy enough to eat.

------

Jungkook writhed as more and more vines rose up to him. He yanked as hard as he could, flailed, even bit, and they tugged back with much more power, pulling him this way and that. Three wrapped around his bare middle and began squeezing down on his ribs.

Jungkook freaked out even more. They tightened around his abdomen like a snake, and Jungkook almost blacked out. There was so much blood in his head and his vision was unfocused and tunneling. Vines dusted over his skin. They stroked across his tummy and up his chest, nudged his thighs and biceps, and one even came around his neck and rubbed at the underside of his chin. The plant was clearly feeling him up and restraining him completely immobile at the same time. Jungkook sobbed, frozen in place as he was held some thirty feet up in the air by a sentient plant that was seconds away from eating him. How had this even happened? How had Jungkook even gotten here? 

The plant shifted Jungkook in its grip, and leaves pet down his back too, following the muscles. Jungkook felt seconds away from blacking out. His inhales were restrained with how tightly the plant was binding his chest and stomach. Maybe this was how it snuffed it’s prey, by squeezing him like a snake and then eating him. Jungkook wasn’t sure what he preferred if he had to pick how to die. Affixiation wasn’t the worst, but there were clearly better options.

He gasped for breath, only able to inhale shallowly and not nearly enough. Jungkook shook his head, fighting to stay conscious as black danced across his eyes. A familiar baby blue color swam in his blurred vision.

Jungkook blinked. That blue. That was the color of Namjoon’s shirt. The plant had turned Jungkook around, now interested in his back and thighs, winding up underneath the fabric of his trousers to feel his skin, and in the process, it had given Jungkook a clear view of the control room, where Namjoon was safely standing behind the bulletproof glass, watching. Jungkook blinked again and yelled for Namjoon’s help over and over, vision and head swimming.

He begged and tried pulling again at the tight vines, but with little success. One slithered across his lips, and Jungkook choked on Namjoon’s name, sobbed for help, pleaded for him to do anything except just stand there and observe.

Jungkook’s brows furrowed as his vision narrowed even more and a vine curiously parted his lips. It pushed against his tongue.

Namjoon was watching him and… taking notes. He was fucking taking notes as Jungkook was about to die. Jungkook howled in frustration and betrayal around the vine feeling his tongue. Fresh tears welled in his eyes. He thrashed once more, using up the last of his strength in an attempt to fight free, now full of anger instead of fear. How could Namjoon do this to him? His vision focused on the goddamn baby blue shirt but his field of view got smaller and smaller until it pinpointed into a little blue speck. The darkness closed all color out and Jungkook’s entire body fell limp as he blacked out. 

------

Namjoon observed the plant play with his friend, and Jungkook’s hazy eyes fill with fury as he caught sight of him. Of course it wasn’t going to eat him, but the plant did seem to like him. Its UV levels were rising as the plant played and had…fun. Namjoon always knew that the plant wouldn’t eat his lab partner. The tests had cornfirmed it. The plant was only interested in consuming plump prey. Jungkook had next to no fat on his strong, lean build.

Instead, the plant seemed much more curious about feeling the firmness underneath Jungkook’s skin, which must have been a new sensation for it. It was very intriguing to watch it play. Namjoon hadn't expected the plant to open up Jungkook’s lips to feel inside of his mouth. The leaves rustled happily as it enjoyed Jungkook while he thrashed and yelled and looked at Namjoon like he wanted to murder him. However, when Jungkook blacked out and went limp from being upside down too long, and therefore no longer engaging in the game by fighting back, the plant froze. 

“Clever girl,” Namjoon praised as he watched it loosen its hold and lower Jungkook to the ground. “Be careful with him. Don’t break your new toy,” Namjoon tilted his head to watch as the plant gently laid Jungkook on his back in the soil, and it pet a few vines softly down his bare chest and stomach, like it was trying to soothe the limp boy. Now this was fucking fascinating. The plant continued the gentle petting until the blood circulated normally back in the human, and Jungkook’s chest began to softly rise and fall. A few little flowers furled and unfurled, and Namjoon stared in awe that they were pumping out oxygen as the levels in the greenhouse started to rise.

The plant pressed a delicate white flower to Jungkook’s lips, and breathed oxygen right into him. Namjoon stared, transfixed.

Jungkook’s lungs expanded with breath, and another vine continued to pet down his chest and stomach. Jungkook’s eyes slowly fluttered open and it took him a few minutes to focus and regain full consciousness. When he did, he screeched against the flower laid over the lower half of his face like a suffocating mask, and the plant wriggled in what might be delight.

Jungkook scrambled back on his elbows and legs through the dirt, but the vines just chased him, wiggling and playfully tugging at his clothes and ripping them, then happily sneaking into the rips to wind around his thighs and middle again.

Namjoon smiled.

“Learn your lesson, darling, don’t squeeze too tight.” Namjoon whispered as he watched. The plant lifted Jungkook again, but it seemed to cradle him with multiple vines, keeping him laying like he was in a hammock. “That’s it. Kookie is delicate.”

Jungkook stayed frozen still, staring up at the plant in frightened confusion as he was no longer bound and jerked around, but held almost tenderly. The vines lifted the boy up high, bringing him to a large bulbous tulip. The first wave of uncertainty washed through Namjoon. No. He had to be correct. It couldn’t eat Jungkook. The tight petals unfurled, but instead of being lined with nettles to devour him, a large, yellow bloom was inside of it. Namjoon stared, fascinated, as the petals opened to reveal a fat sticky pistil inside of the flower, surrounded by long fleshy stems that were shimmery with some sort of secreted liquid, possibly for pollination.

“Oh. Oh wow.” It was beautiful. They had never seen this part of the plant, didn’t even know that this plant had this. Jungkook was delicately lifted up and propped up by more of the vines. The flower tilted down and completely smothered him. Namjoon bit his lip, feeling a pang of nervousness again as Jungkook was engulfed in the plant, but confident in his own research.

All he had to do was wait.

-----

Jungkook stared, petrified, as he was cradled and brought into the heart of the foliage, only to be presented to a huge yellow flower. Jungkook wouldn't be one of the leading botanists in the world if he didn’t even know his basic plant anatomy. The golden petals wrapped around him, and he trembled as the massive stalks that were glossed with slick nectar followed suit and curled around him.

Maybe this was how he was going to die. But something told him that what was happening wasn’t malicious. It didn’t feel like he was being treated how the plant had ate the previous prey, all flurried limbs and pain.

Jungkook tilted his head as he studied it. This wasn’t a mouth. This was… the plant’s reproductive system. Jungkook’s cheeks heated, and he didn’t even know why. It was a flower for God’s sake. Three weighty, sticky-looking filaments drooped towards him and thudded heavily against his chest and tummy. A warm, glimmering secretion oozed out of them and coated his skin. It was cooling and tingly. 

“Wh-what in the-?” Jungkook gawked as they slowly dragged down his body, coating him in the stuff. Thick flower slick was slathered all over him, and one almost shyly came up to his lips, smaller than the rest. 

“H-hello-” Jungkook said awkwardly. It nudged, almost nuzzled against his mouth, and for some reason, for some weird, absolutely inexplicable reason, he breathed, “o-okay-” and opened his lips for it.

The entire plant shivered around him, and pushed the thick stalk into his mouth. Sweetness exploded across his tongue like honeysuckle, and Jungkook’s eyelids fluttered. This was- this was so weird. And weirdly… intimate? Jungkook had no idea what to think, and began instinctually suckling on the honey. What he didn’t expect was for it to push deeper and slide into his throat.

He gagged and squirmed, not expecting it to breach into his throat. Jungkook’s eyes watered and he whimpered around the plant keeping him open. More of the plant’s gooey floral limbs came down and poured the slippery stuff on him, stroking repetitively down his stomach. He was finally able to relax his throat as the plant stopped pushing into him and stilled. What the fuck was he supposed to do now? He was impaled on it. Jungkook breathed through his nose and tried to gently pull himself off, but the vines that he forgot were holding him up clamped around his arms and legs, keeping him bound there. He whined again, his fear beginning to ramp back up and his heart rate accelerated, pounding with anxiety in his chest.

Yes. He was definitely going to die, and he was a fool for thinking that- maybe for a minute- he would stay alive.

The sticky shaft in his mouth pulsed, and Jungkook made another panicked little noise as something thick and warm poured into him. He could feel it settle in his stomach. He was being pumped full of… something- possibly more of the goo that was coating his skin. Jungkook couldn’t even squirm because of being bound in place, but the weight in his middle increased as his belly swelled. It bloated with the flower’s slick as the plant continued to pet down his rounding middle almost reverently. Jungkook’s skin stretched as his abdomen grew, filled full, and the plant slathered more secreted goo over his distended belly. Jungkook’s eyes burned with tears as he felt like he was going to pop from whatever it was pumping into him. 

By some miracle, the plant pulled out of his throat, and Jungkook wilted back and coughed until he could breathe again. He was almost too scared to look down at himself, but he couldn't help it.

Jungkook whimpered at the sight. His belly was swollen, pumped full of the plant’s liquid. And he was completely coated in the gloss, all of his ruined ripped clothes soaked, and his skin and hair saturated with it. The slick was thankfully cooling on his hot, stretched belly.

Jungkook tried to think but something was wrong with his mind, his thoughts felt slow like he had been dipped in molasses. Like his mind was waterlogged along with the slick stuffed into him.

Tight, leafy vines around him loosened. Jungkook wilted back into the strangely comfortable cradle of plant, and the yellow flower petals began pulling away from him. The artificial sun of the greenhouse hit his eyes, too bright, and he whined and turned into the leafy safety of the plant, which immediately curled around him and supported the heaviness of his poor tummy. Jungkook nervously brought his soaked hands up to his belly. He was so full that it hurt, like he had just chugged gallons of water.

What in the actual fuck had just happened?

Jungkook was deposited safely on the soft soil of the ground, and could only lay there and try to pant for breath, staring up at the monstrously huge plant as the yellow flower closed back up. The curled tips of vines tenderly stroked his cheeks and over his belly, before pulling back and leaving him to cope.

His limbs were trembling as he laid in the dirt, clothes torn, rucked up, and soaked. And his stomach. What in the fuck had the plant fed him? Jungkook couldn’t even get up if he tried. He felt pinned in place. His mind was hazy and not working correctly, like there was a disconnect between his logical thoughts and overwhelming emotions. His rational mind wasn't working. All he could do was feel.

He felt overstimulated and too full to move. But also… strangely craving the vines back around him. He felt cold now that he wasn't being hugged.

A loud scrape of metal sounded to his right, and he lolled his head to the side to see one of the test animal’s gates were open. A pig waddled out, and Jungkook blinked, wondering if he was hallucinating. Something pulled at his arms, slowly dragging him to the edge of the greenhouse, and Jungkook dumbly stared, slow in his mind, as vines whipped around and snatched up the fat animal. The pig squealed as it was lifted it up to a flower just like Jungkook has been and-

Holy fuck it had teeth. The plant that had just been wrapped around Jungkook lifted the prey and swallowed it whole.

A hoarse screamed ripped out of Jungkook and his legs flailed. Pain flared in his belly and a fresh wave of fight or flight poured through him.

Overwhelmed, his head lolled back to see Namjoon above him, tugging at him and dragging him across the dirt, the explanation for how Jungkook was moving further away from the monstrous plant.

Jungkook was flooded with so many emotions, his brain couldn’t process them all. Namjoon was going to let that happen to him?! He had done it on purpose. Anger dominated the cacophony swirling inside of him and poured out. Jungkook's voice came out so much slower than normal he tried to speak, like he was drugged. Maybe he was? His mind wasn’t working right, his limbs weren’t working right, and his voice was scratchy and slurred, overworked from screaming so much and raw from having the plant shoved down his throat. Still, the spite tumbled out of Jungkook directed up at Namjoon as he was pulled back onto the safety out of the greenhouse and dragged onto the cold tiled floor, even if everything around him was blurred and dumbed down from his traumatized state. “I… hate y-ou-”

There was an uncomfortable tugging deep in the base of Jungkook's skull, like an invisible cord tethering him that got tighter as he was dragged away from the plant. His muddled thoughts rearranged themselves like a whisper creeping through his mind. Jungkook’s eyes fluttered and nearly rolled back as tingles flooded out from his head down his spine, making his limbs twitch and spazam, thoughts feeling outside of his own body.

Now you belong to me, pretty. We’re going to have fun together.

[multi-fan-dom-madness]

Chapter 23: Oyayc (Second Chances - Hunter x reader)

Oyayc. adj. alive

Chapter Summary: You receive a strange message while on an errand.

Chapter Warnings: gets a little suggestive so minors be gone, angst, hurt/comfort, talking about feelings, author is exhausted and their brain refuses to work properly, thank you DJ for the ending divider! &lt;3

Word Count: 3,702

A/N: hello hello I am back I am here I am excited to be writing this again after my week off. not totally sure how I feel about this chapter bUT the next few are gonna be fun (for me) so strap in!

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As you lower yourself to the bare floor of your brand new bedroom, you sigh, crossing your legs. In front of you rests a holorecorder. A breeze puffs through the open window; the joyful sounds of children laughing and playing wafts to you with the scent of baking bread. It’s early afternoon, the kids are out of school for the day, and your new houses are finally ready (with the exception of furniture).

You’d promised the others you would join them at Shep’s for dinner, but you’ve been lingering in your new abode for close to an hour now. You’re not sure what is stopping you from simply recording the message, pressing ‘send,’ and rejoining your family, but every time you’ve set the recorder down and turned it on, the words stick in your throat. Echo hasn’t been online since he departed during your...brief exile, and despite Hunter’s assurances, you worry for Echo. You worry you won’t get the chance to see him again—and the pressure to get this message ‘just right’ presses on your chest. 

Surveying the space that will become your own personal hideaway, you chew at the inside of your cheek. The walls are pale, smooth clay; the floors consist of neatly-planed planks of hardwood; and the window faces west to catch the sunset, your favorite view. It’s why you’d picked this room for yourself. The kitchen overlooks the shared courtyard, but this, the near-spiritual feeling of watching the sun paint the sky and kiss the horizon, becoming subsumed by it, this is something you wanted to keep to yourself.

But you’re procrastinating. Inhaling a deep breath of warm sea air, you press the record button on the small device. A red light blinks on.

“Hey, Echo,” you begin, a smile twisting your mouth. “I—kriff, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried recording this. Can’t figure out where to start, I suppose.” Trailing off, you fidget with the hem of your pants, sifting through the various pieces of information that you want him to know. “I.... Thank you for what you said in your message to me. Things have gotten better between us all here. We’ve skipped town, hiding somewhere new. I’m sure your brother could send you coords whenever you want to come visit. There’s plenty of room for you here.

“The kid is doing great,” you say, making a deliberate decision not to name names in case this falls into the wrong hands somehow. “She misses you, but we all do. It’s different without you here. I hope wherever you are, you’re happy. Or at least not miserable. The others told me a little about what you’re doing, and as much as I worry about you, I know you’re doing a good thing. The right thing, even.”

You swallow, tears suddenly springing to your eyes, blurring your vision. In the gathering dark, the room around you seems to fall into deeper silence, shadows ushering in a blanket of stillness that sets your emotions plainly in view for you to see. You wipe away the wetness that spills down your cheeks. 

“Sorry,” you say with a hiccup, “just...I don’t think I’ve taken the time to actually process anything in a long time. I spent so much time running from my past that I ignored the future I wanted. Arien, losing the squad, getting them back.” You sniffle, trying to regain composure. “That, uh, thing that you always teased me about? It’s real. It’s so real, Echo. He makes me so happy, and I like to believe I do the same for him.

“Anyways!” Clearing your throat, you give the recorder a tight smile. “I don’t want to keep you. Let us know that you’re safe when you can. If you need anything, I’ll be there. Miss you, vod.” You click the holorecorder off, holding your smile until the light flickers off. 

A choked sob breaks through. Hugging your legs to your chest, you drop your forehead to your knees, a tightness in your chest that you haven’t felt in a long while. You’ve been on the move for so long, running from the Empire, from your actions and your feelings, from the fear of the unknown, and now you’re at a standstill. The dust is finally beginning to settle.

“Cyare.” Hunter’s voice is as soft and gentle as his hands as he slides you back across the floor into his warm embrace. 

You give a squeak of surprise, craning your neck to look at him. “H-Hunter? When did you—”

“Came looking for you when dinner started,” he says. “Thought I might find you here.” 

Face warming in embarrassment, you hastily dry your face. “How much did you, uh, hear?” 

“Ah.” He sighs, offering you a crooked smile. “I didn’t mean to listen in.” 

“You heard all of it.” 

“Yeah.” He presses a kiss to your temple. “You do make me happy, cyare.” 

Silence rests easy between you. You know you should get up and join the others at dinner, but you can’t shake the sudden discomfort that arises at the thought of doing so. There’s no way the others don’t know, or at least suspect, what’s going on between you and Hunter. But it’s one thing to assume they know, and to tell them outright. 

“Do you think we’re moving too fast?”

The words slip out without you really thinking about them, but as soon as you say it, you realize it’s what makes you so uncomfortable about actually telling the others that you and Hunter are entertaining a relationship.

Hunter hums, the vibrations tingling across your back where you lean against his chest. “I’m not sure I follow.” 

“Just...” You shake your head. “I was in a prison cell two weeks ago.” 

“And there was a war just last year,” he says. “I have accelerated aging. A lot has changed and a lot will keep changing. I care about you. I care for you. That’s what matters to me.” 

You breathe in his natural scent as you digest his words. You can’t say you disagree; you’ve wanted to move faster this entire time, but there’s still something that you can’t put your finger on that continues to worm doubt through you. 

He tightens his arms around you and continues, “I’ve forgiven you for what you kept secret. I’ve forgiven myself for being an ass about it afterwards. You did what you had to do to protect yourself. If you’re worried about any of that, don’t be. We both could have handled it better.” 

Understanding clicks into place. That’s what your brain has latched onto. He’d given you an ultimatum, and then revoked it, but you hadn’t yet had a concrete conversation about where things stood since then. Now you know; and if he’s sure, then you’re less worried with the others.

Turning in his grasp so that you’re face to face, you study his features in the light of dusk, muted purple sunlight draping his skin. He gazes back, even and calm and sincere.

You lean forward and kiss him.

His palm is large and warm against your back as he presses you closer, his other hand cupping the back of your neck. Tilting your head, you lick at his bottom lip. He groans softly as he opens for you, his tongue hot where it slides against yours, his entire body sighing as you devour him. You slide your hands under his shirt. His skin is smooth; you revel in the way his muscles flex under your touch as you map his body with your fingertips. 

He breaks the kiss first, eyes fluttering open. “Better?” 

You laugh, playfully tickling at his sides. To your delight, he yelps, shying away from your touch.

“Yes, better,” you say, filing his ticklishness away for another time. Withdrawing your hands, you sigh. “We should go eat.”

“Food,” he agrees. “And then we figure out how to get us some furniture. I’m tired of sleeping in the ship.” 

You and Hunter take the winding path up to Shep’s home side-by-side, hands intertwined, warmth settling comfortably in your bones despite the nerves gnawing at your stomach. You try to tell yourself you’re just hungry. As you near the gate, Hunter gives you one final, searching look, his gray eyes twinkling in the approaching firelight, before swinging the gate open.

Phee notices first. She coughs on her drink, but a grin, lazy and smug as a loth-cat that got the cream, spreads over her lips. “Welcome back, you two.”

Leveling her with a glare, you can only shake your head. Hunter releases your hand, only to slide his arm around your waist and tug you closer. You catch the smirk on Tech’s face, the one that very clearly means that his hypothesis has just been confirmed and no further data will be needed. 

“Wha—” Wrecker follows Tech’s gaze, and his jaw drops with a gasp. “Oh! About time, you two.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” you ask. You detach yourself from Hunter’s side to sink into a seat next to Wrecker. The fact that none of them so far have expressed any negative reactions serves to calm your worries. 

“You and Hunter have clearly been attracted to one another for quite some time,” Tech says. “I will alert Echo that I owe him credits.” 

Aggrieved dismay flashes over Hunter’s face as he draws up a seat on Wrecker’s other side. “You...placed bets on whether Nav and I would get together.” 

“Duh,” Wrecker says with an eye roll.

“Only on the timeframe in which you would, ah, ‘get together’,” Tech clarifies. 

Dropping your head into your hands, you groan. “I should have known.”

“Where’s Omega?” Hunter says. 

“Inside with Lyana,” Phee answers. “I’ll go get her. She wanted to wait to eat until you came back.” 

Following Phee with your eyes, you can’t help the smile that threatens to overtake your features. You can’t fathom now why you were worried at all. The squad is your family; they want only the best for you the same way you only want the best for them. Letting that thought fill you with soothing comfort, you reach across the table for the jug of berry wine and pour yourself a cup. 

Two sets of footsteps come pelting out of the house behind you, and a moment later, Omega and Lyana launch themselves into their respective chairs, breathless and in the throes of giggles. Savoring the explosion of fruit across your tongue, you sigh in contentment, gazing around at the people you care about most.

Well, you’re missing one or two, but that’s alright. 

“A toast,” Phee says as she returns, as well. Lifting her cup of wine with deft fingers, she inclines her head towards you. “To health, luck, and love. To (y/n) and Hunter.” 

Wrecker cheers, clapping Hunter on the back. Thankfully, you’re spared Wrecker’s physical enthusiasm, and instead down your drink, keeping an eye on Omega. 

You catch the exact moment the lightbulb clicks on for her. Her eyes widen, smile growing almost impossibly bigger. She throws herself at Hunter and wraps her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

He glances at you through her curls, a carefree smile curling over his face. You raise your cup to him. 

As it turns out, most of the furniture on the island was either brought by the villagers when they fled their homeworlds, or was smuggled in after the fact. Standing in the midst of the shared courtyard, you cross your arms over your chest, only half listening to Phee and Tech go back and forth about where is the best place to acquire second-hand furnishings. 

Instead, you watch in silent amusement as Omega flits between the three houses. She still hasn’t picked which room will be hers. In all honesty, you’re tempted to give her the idea to have a room in each house—there’s plenty of room, even when you factor in holding a few rooms as spares for Echo.

Wrecker beats you to it. “Hey, kid,” he calls. “Just pick one in each.” 

She pauses on the threshold of the centermost home. “Great idea, Wrecker!” 

She disappears into the house with renewed energy. 

“We are going to have to furnish all three of her rooms now, Wrecker,” Tech informs with his finger raised. 

Wrecker shrugs. “I decorated her room on the Marauder. I can handle three more rooms.”

“So long as she keeps them all clean,” Hunter calls, loud enough for his voice to carry into the house that Omega is currently exploring. 

You chuckle. But the moment of mirth fades as a thought occurs to you. “We don’t have enough credits for three rooms for her, let alone one.” 

“I thought that might come up,” Phee says. She detaches a satchel from her belt and tosses it to you. You catch it in one hand. To your surprise, the bag makes a pleasant tinkling sound as you handle it; opening the drawstring, your eyebrows raise at the sight of so many credits. 

“Phee, we can’t possibly—”

“Ah, ah, ah,” she interrupts. “It’s the least I can do. That should be enough for the essentials. You’ll get more the longer you’re here.” 

The longer you’re here. The credits in your hand are a promise of a stable future, one spent in peace, growing old with your family and raising your kid. You hope you convey the depth of your appreciation as you meet Phee’s caring eyes. 

“You should get going,” she says. “Brown Eyes, I made a list of nearby systems I’ve stopped at before for this kind of thing.” 

“That won’t be necessary,” he says, adjusting his goggles. “I am quite—ow!” 

You deadpan at Tech, pain blooming in your big toe where you kicked his shin. 

He huffs. “Fine. Thank you, Phee. I will take a look at the list.” 

“We should take one ship for now,” Hunter says, cutting off the sarcastic jibes about to be traded between Phee and Tech. “Until we know exactly what it is we’re looking for.” 

“The Redthorn has more cargo space,” you say. 

“But if we end up in a tight spot, we’re in trouble,” he counters. 

You shrug. “We did alright that one time.”

“You weren’t on the ship when we fled Nixor,” he says. There’s something in his tone that tells you to drop it. You frown, searching his face, but you can’t find anything there that gives away what he’s trying not to say aloud. 

“Fine.” You gesture to Tech. “The Marauder it is, then.”

As Tech maneuvers the ship down across the icy planet, your first stop of many today, you peer with suspicion through the front viewports at the dark clouds gathering on the horizon. The cold has never agreed with you, and from the looks of the brewing storm, it’s about to get a hell of a lot colder out there. 

The one thought bringing you comfort is that this iceball is as backwater as Pabu. The risk of running into the Empire here is near zero. 

Hunter seems equally uncomfortable at the prospect of getting caught in poor weather. “Tech, what’s the status on that storm?” 

Tech scans something on his datapad. “We have approximately four standard hours before the storm reaches us. That should be enough time to locate the merchants Phee indicated were trustworthy, negotiate prices, and set furniture aside for retrieval at a later date. If we have to, we can stay in town.” 

You frown. Four hours isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things. A memory, one you’ve mostly forgotten about, drifts to the front of your mind of the time when you and Arien went hunting for a couch for your shared apartment. What you expected to take an hour, two tops, turned into a full-day affair—and that was just for one piece of furniture. Now you have three full houses.

Hunter’s brow is furrowed; so is Omega’s, in a near spitting image of her elder brother. She senses you looking, and her face splits into a grin. 

“I’ve never seen snow before,” she says. 

“Yeah! We can have a snowball fight!” Wrecker’s enthusiasm is almost enough to melt your worries. Almost.

Hunter sighs. “We’ll do what we can and try to get out before the weather turns.”

Wrapping the scarf you’d bought for Echo around your head and face, you try to steel yourself for the blast of cold air awaiting you. You’ve still not been able to get past the fear that claws up your throat when you try to put on the plastoid helmet, so you’ve opted to wear the body pieces on top of your warmest clothing. Your head and face will have to make do with the scarf. Nodding once you’re ready, Hunter signals Tech. 

The ship ramp lowers. Your eyes sting in the cold, the air biting at your nose as you breathe. Tech parked the ship a short ways away from a town, in the midst of a barren, ice-coated forest. In an oval around the ship, the snow has melted to reveal a carpet of wet, brown grass underneath. Beyond that, snow blankets the ground in a thin layer. 

During the short walk to the town, you already have to fight to keep your teeth from chattering. You shove your hands under your armpits to keep your fingers warm. More than once, you nearly lose your footing on a slick, hidden stone or other patch of ice, but Wrecker’s steadying hands are always there to catch you from where he brings up the rear of the group.

The town comes into view suddenly through the break in the tree line. Single-story buildings crowd around a central street, with one structure rising another floor above that. Through glass windows, cheery fires and candles flicker, offering the promise of warmth. A shiver wracks through you. You pull the scarf tighter across your face, hoping your exhaled breaths will heat your cold nose. 

“There are two merchants,” Tech calls over his shoulder. “One is Zure, the other is Channi.” 

“Wrecker, take Omega and Tech to Channi,” Hunter orders, his modulated voice slipping easily back into the sergeant role. “Nav and I will find Zure.”

“Stay focused, you two,” Wrecker teases.

It only takes you a few moments after splitting up to find Zure’s shop. A crudely painted sign hangs from squeaky hinges on the outside of one of the nearby buildings, announcing the structure as “Zure’s Furnitures.” The fire in the hearth gutters as the door opens with a pleasant chime, resuming its cozy crackling only after the door is shut once again. Exhaling gratefully into the heated room, you tug the scarf down as Hunter lifts his bucket off his head.

All sorts of furniture pieces are crammed into this tiny, peculiar showroom. Tables of various sizes are topped by chairs, stools, and even beanbags; next to them, cushioned and upholstered recliners lounge, overflowing with multicolored blankets and pillows. Your initial impression is messy, followed closely by dusty. But you spot at least a few pieces in just this cursory glance that you’d like to inspect closer.

An Ithorian emerges from a backroom, a curtain of beads swinging and clacking together in place of a doorway. They speak in their two-mouthed language; a second later, their translator device speaks up. 

“Welcome! New faces are always welcome here at Zure’s,” they say. “I am Zure, of course. How can I help you?” 

You and Hunter exchange a glance, and he gestures for you to take the lead, having had more experience in this realm than he does. 

“Thank you,” you say, stepping forward. “We just moved to a nearby system and were told this was the best place to come for home decor.” 

“How magnificent!” the Ithorian says. You think they smile at you; you can’t really tell with their anatomy. “You heard right. Are you looking for anything in particular?” 

“Oh, we need everything,” you say. “For three houses.” 

The Ithorian makes a trumpeting kind of sound that the translator device offers no explanation of. “By the stars above! What an exciting project. Come, come, I have many styles for many rooms, yes, yes.”

Several hours later, head swirling with entirely too much information about local styles of wood carving and weaving, you stumble out of Zure’s Furnitures, Hunter in tow. Both of you emerge onto the main street, only to come to a halt at the sight of fat, fluffy flakes of snow drifting lazily from the sky. The nearby forest creaks as the wind whips through it, cutting through the protective warmth of the shop you’ve just left behind.

“We need to find the others,” Hunter says, slipping his helmet back on.

You nod. Drawing the scarf over your head once more, you frown in confusion at the blinking light on your vambrace. Had the others been trying to contact you? You hadn’t realized you’d put the comlink on silent. 

Pressing the correct button, you flinch as a piercing emergency signal beeps to life. 

“Kriff!” Hunter settles into a battle-ready stance immediately, drawing his vibroblade. “What—”

“Shhh!” You hold up one finger to silence him, listening intently to the erratic beeps shrieking through your comlink.

Except...it’s not erratic. It’s a message. You concentrate, brow furrowed, until you’re certain what the message reads. 

It’s just five characters on repeat to infinity. S.O.S. 88. S.O.S. 88. S.O.S. 88. 

“What does that mean?” you say, peering up into the darkened visor of Hunter’s bucket. “S.O.S. 88?”

He freezes, as if the cold air and slow-falling snow have hardened his body into an ice sculpture. Several long moments go by as you wait for him to respond, but when he doesn’t show signs of reacting, you rip his bucket off. 

“Hunter?” you say. 

His eyes flit to yours, wide and shocked. “The others.” He shoves his vibroblade back into its sheath. Grabbing your hand, he tugs you back in the direction of the ship. “Need Tech to trace that signal.”

You follow wordlessly, an idea already forming in the pit of your stomach.

Taglist: @the-hexfiles @fjordg @idoubleswearimawriter @skellymom @thorsterstrudle @dystopicjumpsuit @clonemedickix @freesia-writes @littlemissmanga @wolffegirlsunite @anxiouspineapple99 @wings-and-beskar @sinfulsalutations @523rdrebel @sunshinesdaydream @moonlightwarriorqueen @blueink-bluesoul @starrylothcat @deejadabbles @starqueensthings @mandos-mind-trick @idontgetanysleep @eyeluvmusic21 @wizardofrozz @mythical-illustrator (if you'd like to be added or removed, click here!)

[danceswithdarkspawn]

1 and 13.

Hello, and thanks for the ask! Oh my god I've forgotten how to be articulate this morning. I hope this doesn't sound unhinged lol

1. What is a piece of symbolism in your fic?

I use birds a lot in my writing, so much that they're a symbol, a motif, and maybe just a particular quirk I have (because my god do i love birds)

anyway, a direct example that comes to mind is a rosebush. This rosebush has absolutely no business being alive after the village gets razed to the ground by the canonical symbol for the Hubris of Man. Like there's no signs of life anywhere (aside from some survivors found in the church, the only building left standing, make of that what you will).

anyway, rosebush. Ariel finds herself in this decimated garden with her romantic interest, who shows her the rosebush, which has two roses blooming upon its branches. The roses in themselves symbolize a number of things; faith, rebirth, love and even the two characters themselves. I'll drop the passage itself under a readmore because words are escaping me.

13. Is there a transition in your fic you're proud of?

I'm not sure if this is a transition exactly, but I think about a slight segway that Ariel does in one of my more recent chapters a lot. Basically, she ends up accidentally injuring herself, and her LI is helping her patch it up (as one does, obviously), and Ariel says something to the effect of, "It's ok you don't have to." You know, "why are you doing this" basically. The LI responds with "Well, we're friends right? Friends help each other."

And Ariel just kinda...blue screens for a second and recalls a traumatic event from her childhood in which she nearly drowned and says at the end, "that's how I feel right now, I feel like I'm drowning" before going on with the rest of the patching-up scene.

From Chapter 10, The Dragon in the Chantry

“Before I stepped out of the cloister, I had a dream,” Leliana says, drawing me along. “In it, there was an impenetrable darkness, and a terrible, ungodly noise. I stood upon a peak, and watched as the darkness swallowed everything.”

“You dreamt of the Blight?” Her eyes flash over to me before going back down. “I’ve had dreams like that.”

She lets go of me to carefully gather her covering as she picks over debris. “I suppose I did. That is what the darkness was, no?” I reach out to offer support, but I stop myself short, snatching my hand back. I fold them behind my back instead. “When I woke, I came here as I always did. And I saw this.”

She motions with her head towards a corner of the garden. At first, I’m not sure what I am supposed to be looking at. Whatever greenery once decorated this place has long since been reduced to ashen sticks and branches. Ravaged and blight-riddled, unwilling to support life.

But two splashes of carmine rest amongst tangled and thorny branches. 

All the ugly emotion I feel—all the doubt, fear, anxiety; all of it flows away like water. Bewilderment blooms in its place instead. My lips part with a soft exhalation as I step closer to the bush. “Oh, wow.” The words tumble out and drift away on the morning air. 

A glove twists off. I thread my fingers beneath the sepals of one flower and tilt it lightly for further examination. Frigid dew collected amongst its labyrinth of petals trickles into my palm and down my wrist. I let my thumb swipe against its face, reveling in a texture akin to rich fabric. 

Leliana drifts into my periphery. She lets an index finger trail along the face of the other flower. “If you think it looks ungainly now, you should have seen it before the horde came here.” I watch silently, unsure of what she means. “Everyone knew it to be dead. It was grey and twisted and gnarled—the ugliest thing you ever saw. And yet there it was; a single, beautiful rose.”

“And now there are two of them,” I manage. I wipe my hand across my pant leg and stuff it into my pocket. I clench my fist tightly, digging my nails into my palm to distract myself from the stinging sensation lingering across my skin. “How can something like this survive the Blight?”

When I look back at Leliana, I find her watching me with a contented look on her face. Her chin dips when our eyes meet.

Her makeshift hood comes down, hair spilling forward. It catches sun rays, etching lines and shadows across her skin. Her hair is nearly golden in the early morning light, falling gently around her face. It’s textured and messy from days without washing, but it does nothing to detract from how beautiful she looks.

And it is her again, I come to realize; the too-beautiful woman I recognize. Soft, innocent and carefree. I know somewhere in my stifled heart that she’s anything but. Somewhere below rests a facade cut from steel and replete on calculation. It speaks of a life before the Maker, of a world I could probably never understand. 

My stomach flips, my throat tightens, and I look away to anything except her.

How, indeed.

“Who is to say?” Her tone is a whisper, almost reverent. “Perhaps it is the Maker stretching out a hand as if to say, ‘Even amidst all this chaos, there is hope and beauty.” She weaves an arm into mine, fingers gripping lightly. It’s a simple tether, but it dredges up and soothes some ache I did not know I possessed. “‘Have faith.’”

[jpeg-dot-jpeg]

questions for a fic writer ask game ask!! 5 for Having a Me Party, 7, 33, 42, and 44 please!! <3

5. What do you wish someone would ask you about Having a Me Party? Answer it now!

Okay, honestly, it's been so long since I posted this?? It was one of those things that was more of a writing exercise than anything else, and it blew me away how much people liked it. To this day, it is one of my most popular fics and I want to ask, what is it about that story that people like so much? Is it the angst? The drugs? The relationship between Jason and Tim? I'd love to know!

7. Any worldbuilding you’re particularly proud of?

Besides all of my corefour stuff (which is soooo much fun to write and I'm pretty proud of it) I'm giddy about a fic I haven't actually posted yet, but will be coming up very soon, which is an urban fantasy BatFam fic ft. vampire Tim. Here's a sneak peak <];)

He took extra care to ensure his undersized fangs went in at the right angle. There was her soft hiss of pain, the rush of venom out through his fangs into her body, then he began to drink. They let out twin moans, Tim from the flood of hot liquid over his tongue, Stephanie from the high of vampire venom hitting her system. “Ahhh, that’s the stuff,” she groaned, melting like butter into the couch cushions. The venom did its work triggering her muscles to relax and her brain to release a wave of oxytocin. The extra erythropoietin proteins would encourage the stem cells from her bone marrow to become red blood cells to replace what she had lost. With that extra kick to her system, it would be safe for her to give blood again in just a couple weeks, as opposed to the 2 months it would take without venom. As much of a parasite as he felt like depending on others to keep him alive, the benefits of his venom were undeniable. They kept vials of it in the batcave specifically for times when grievous injuries on patrol resulted in extreme blood loss. Vampires’ natural immunity to most blood borne diseases also came in handy. Tim wasn’t opposed to weaponizing his biology either. Whenever someone - usually Bruce or Dick - refused to take a much needed break, Tim would be sent in. He’d bat his eyes and say, in the most bashful, sheepish way possible, “I’m really hungry. Could I, umm, feed from you? Just a little bit?” And his dear family members would fall for it every time, offering their arms to him without hesitation. Then, the second the venom hit their systems, they’d be out like a light.

33. If you write chaptered fics, what’s your ideal chapter length to write? Is it different from your ideal chapter length to read?

My ideal chapter length to read is as much as the writer is willing to shove into my gaping fic hungry jaw (though I generally hope for anything upwards of 2k words). My ideal chapter length to write is probably 3-5k? I get really proud of myself whenever I manage more than that, but at least 2k is what I shoot for.

42. Have you ever received a comment that particularly stood out to you for whatever reason?

I love and appreciate every single comment that comes my way, even if it takes me 3-5 business months to respond to them lol. It always makes me excited to get a comment from another fic writer, bc that is some top notch validation right there. I really love any comment that engages with the content of the story and asks for more details, my thought process, or what I'm going to do next.

My most memorable comment, however, was one a long time ago for a fic I can't remember, but the commenter saw a chapter update and was like 'lol its 2 am and i have to get up at 5 to drive somewhere but i saw this update and had to read it immediately' and i was like 'lol thank u i love actively making my readers lives worse <3' and then the next day they were like 'i crashed the car.' I was like hello??? but then didn't receive a follow up comment on that, so that exchange just lives in my head rent free

44. If you take/write prompts: do you prefer dialogue or scenario/narrative prompts?

I think I'd prefer more general prompts. I like encouragment that gives me lots of wiggle room, especially if its enough to work the prompt into a story I already have going. I have sooooo many wips and ideas, so I really appreciate the motivation to focus on a specific one at a time <3

[joontier]

Subliminal in Scrubs | V2; report xi

pairings: dr. jeon jungkook x female reader

chapter rating: NC-17 | genre: humor, workplace relationships

warnings: mentions of explicit themes, curse words

word count: 2.6k

g/n: Send me your thoughts?

[taglist]:  @nottodayjjk @ditttiii @zeharilisharaban @btsbunny07​ @turquoiseandplaidinautumn @aamxxrii @codeinebelle​ @btsmakesmehappy​ @stargukkie​​

Subliminal in Scrubs (the records) |  navi. | m.list

As soon as you get out of the elevator, you rush to the slot where your car is parked, checking your surroundings before sending a quick text to Chohee. 

You fall silent, remembering the events that transpired last night, and having to see the cause of it all just this morning.

You barely make it out of the basement with the eight-year-old family Camry you borrowed from your parents and as you exit your apartment building, you make a mental note to have it checked one of these days. 

Thankfully, you reach Woocheon alive and in no time, considering the current state of your car. There are only thirty vacant slots left when you reach the hospital’s basement. Sighing, you keep your eyes open for any vacancies. When you spot one just beside the space reserved for motorcycles and bikes, you speed a little towards it, hoping that no one else will beat you to it. 

Just next to you, a scooter arrives, and as a familiar mop of blonde hair greets you, you knock on your window, excitedly waving at Jimin as he lifts up the scooter seat to retrieve some of his things inside. “Jimin!!” 

“Hello, _______, good morning to you too. You seem...bright-er today.” 

“I’ll tell you all the deets later with Soomin, but ackkk can you believe it? Our first day!!” Jimin laughs at your enthusiasm as he waits for you to get your stuff from the passenger seat. 

“You want me to help you with that?” Jimin eyes the duffel bag hanging by your shoulder. “I’m okay, no worries,” you reply, reassuring Jimin and waving him off with a free hand. 

“_______, it seems as heavy as it looks...” Ah, maybe the strap straining against your shirt was a little too obvious then... but you don’t have the heart to burden Jimin with your own belongings so you politely decline one more time. 

Jimin, however, isn’t convinced one bit with your statement, especially when he sees your knuckles turn white as you adjust the strap of your bag. “How ‘bout this instead? You carry my bag, and I’ll carry yours because mine is definitely lighter than that...baggage of yours, ________.” 

He doesn’t budge from his spot, raising his eyebrows as he gives you an offer you can’t deny. “Fine, but this is only for today, okay?” Pouting, you hand your bag over to Jimin who accepts it with a smug smile. He then proceeds to jokingly topple over due to the weight of your bag. 

“Jimin!” you exclaim, tugging the strap back towards you. “I’m kidding! It’s fine _______, don’t worry about me,” he smirks, doing weird poses as you both make your way out of the basement parking lot. Just a couple of minutes later, and Jimin entertaining you all the way through, you both arrive at a small restaurant just beside the hospital where the three of you agreed to meet for breakfast. 

With brows furrowed in concern, Jimin waves his fork in front of you to get your attention, “_______, you okay? You’ve been staring at that bottle for quite some time already...you think maybe you can ketchup later instead?” Jimin snickers quietly to himself, while you and Soomin have similar expressions, staring blankly at Jimin who instantly turns quiet after seeing your reactions. Jimin sinks slowly in his seat as he clears his throat. “Uhm, sorry...I’ll just shut up...for now...”

“Mustard you do that this early in the morning?” Soomin looks at you then squints her eyes at Jimin while she fights the grin playing on her lips. Jimin’s face lights up like a little kid on Christmas day. The two share a high five as they bond over their equally awful jokes as you quietly rejoice in your seat, glad that they seem to have come out of their shells after their awkward first meeting. 

You wish someone else in particular would have at least made an effort to rectify your rather unpleasant first meeting too. 

“You two would make a cute couple.” You make sure your observation is loud enough for them to hear, disguising half of your sentence as a cough to distinctly express your amusement. 

The two instantly part at your remark - Soomin going back to picking at her food while Jimin takes a sip of is drink. Your eyes widen a little bit, realizing that you might have celebrated a little too early for that. “Anyways, like Jimin here mentioned, you do seem a little distracted today...you alright?” 

You close your eyes for a bit, trying to lose the image of Jungkook greeting you in your own corridor this morning. You’re certain it’s not just your sheer pique against Jungkook that continues to bother you, but half of it is definitely the humiliation that came with realizing he was the same person that had indirectly brought you to your high last night - and your own dignity could not take the veracity of it all. 

“Okay, remember when I told you guys recently that my neighbor was leaving and that she’s looking for a new tenant, right?” 

“Mhmm.” 

“And do you also remember the time I mentioned that I am...uh...displeased with a particular human being named Jeon Jungkook?” 

It’s Soomin who makes a second murmur of affirmation. 

“Ah, yes... you meant you hate him. Am I correct?” seconds Jimin. 

“That is affirmative. Yes.” 

You take a deep breath before starting, “Well...” 

“Hang on, let me just backtrack a little bit...we’re talking about the same Jeon Jungkook from Yonsei right? The one you tied with at the boards?” 

“That is also a yes.” 

“Well... I think he might be my new neighbor.” Grimacing, your face crumples in disappointment while you imagine just all the possible things that might happen having Jungkook as your neighbor...and all the nightmares that will accompany his moving in. 

Jimin purses his lips in a poor attempt to control his snicker. “You have an insane amount of bad luck following you around, ________.” Courtesy of Chohee divulging yours and Jungkook’s history all the way to your first encounter with him, Jimin is well aware of your resentment towards Jungkook. 

“In all honesty though, he seems like a normal dude. Just leaning a bit towards the cheeky side, but nothing too atrocious really...and if I do say so myself, you really, and quite literally, just got off on the wrong foot.” 

“Jungkook...Jungkook...Jeon...” Soomin is looking somewhere else, clearly focused on trying to recall a memory as she repeatedly taps her nails against the table repeatedly. “There’s something about him that I’m forgetting but,” she says, looking at her watch, “but shit!! We’re going to be late, we gotta leave!” 

The three of you get up from your seats abruptly, the sound of your chairs scraping against the floor startling the other customers in the restaurant. “Come on! Quickly!” 

The locker room is full by the time the three of you arrive that you have to squeeze through rows of interns before a female WMC employee in uniform comes through the door with an announcement. “All interns, please proceed to the lobby for your hospital tour and orientation. Chief Park Daejung will be with you momentarily.” 

Your trio scrambles to look for free lockers while the rest of the interns start to file out of the room, so when Jimin finds a free one for the meantime, he hurriedly grabs both yours and Soomin’s stuff and stashes them inside before ushering you all out of the room to catch up with the group. 

At the lobby, the HR assistant from earlier, Narae (the same reason you’re convinced majority of the male interns are paying more attention than expected) is already making a roll call of all the interns that came in this morning and your trio just makes it in time to hear your names getting called. 

Even from the back row with all the disadvantages of having average height, you’re practically buzzing in your spot and just like a crazed woman, you’re powerless to shake off the smile that seems permanently etched on your face. 

“Excited?” Jimin nudges your side as he looks at you with an equally warm smile. “Yeah...” you murmur, marveling at the sheer size of the hospital, “I have studied my ass off my whole life for this moment...” 

Opening the information booklet handed over by Ms. Narae earlier, you slide your ballpen off your lanyard, deciding to write your name both in Korean and English on the first page and officially claiming it yours. As you get to your surname, someone bumps into you, causing you to scribble a line throughout the entire page. 

You take a deep breath, internalizing your annoyance and drilling it to the far end of your brain. Nope, you weren’t going to let this bother you, not today at the least. The name Chief Park Daejung class out however, makes you look up from the booklet. 

“Jeon Jungkook? Glad to have you join us...fifteen minutes after call time.” 

“I am sorry, Sir. Something came up. This won’t happen again.” 

The chief turns to Narae, who’s been nothing but professional the whole time, ignoring all the ogling from all the other interns, “Didn’t know we actually got him. I’d recognize this kid anywhere. He’s the spitting image of his father - plus, they both make sure to make strong first impressions,” adds the chief, handing over a clipboard back to Narae. 

Even though the voice coming from your right is unmistakable, you still close your eyes in fervent prayer, hoping that the person the chief was referring to isn’t the same number one person on your fight-on-sight list. Slowly, you pry one of your eyes open just to see Jungkook already staring you down with a smug grin on his face. “Fancy seeing you here, smally.” 

Soomin, who’s standing on your left, leans toward your ear. “Ah, that’s what I was going to say earlier this morning...Jungkook was on the intern list.” 

With the smallest smile your face muscles can muster, you look at Soomin, eye to eye. “Thanks for the warning, Soomin. I...really appreciate it.” She winks at you as she replies, “You’re very much welcome, dear.” 

Jimin, who seems to have overheard the entire conversation, looks over and waves at Jungkook. “Hey bro, didn’t know you applied for Woocheon too! This is awesome!” 

You’re starting to question if your so-called friends are really on your side or not. 

Taken aback by Jimin’s questionable enthusiasm, Jungkook scratches the back of his head before voicing out a reply, “Oh yeah...surprise! I guess...” 

Surprise indeed. 

“Well, shall we start then? We’ve got a long day ahead of us!” Chief Park clasps his hands together, “Everyone, welcome to the Woocheon Medical City.” 

Woocheon is going to be hell. 

Miss Narae continues to walk your group around the hospital’s main building - through the lobby, cafeteria, outpatient clinics, as well as the different departments. “Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t the orientations usually come before the tours?” you ask Soomin, going over to the page of the booklet showing the hospital map.

“Yeah, but there’s a lot of foot traffic in the hallways starting from ten onwards so it’s not recommended to have the tour during those times…” Soomin replies. 

“Oh… I see…” Your group finally arrives by the operating rooms and you close the booklet, focusing on Miss Narae’s guidelines. Suddenly, the automatic doors open and out come two doctors talking to each other with the taller man stretching his arms. “Interns, may I introduce to you our surgical residents, Dr. Min Yoongi and Dr. Kim Namjoon, specializing in general surgery and neurosurgery respectively.” Your group bows to the senior doctors, likewise greeting them a good morning. 

“You all sure about choosing medicine as your career path?” The smaller one of the two, who you assume to be Dr. Min, says with a straight face. 

“Hyung, don’t scare them away! But just so you know,” Dr. Kim adds, then takes a step closer to your group, “...there’s still time to back out, kids,” he whispers, earning nervous chuckles from the group. 

“Ah new babies!!” Someone from behind your group announces. With the blue scrubs he’s wearing, you assume he’s another surgeon (and an insanely handsome one too). “Apples keep the doctors away but the hospital can’t really keep its patients away can it? Else we wouldn't have such a magnificent hospital such as the Woocheon Medical City, right?” Laughter erupts from the group as he passes through, making a beeline towards Dr. Min and Dr. Kim. 

Miss Narae clears her throat, gathering everyone’s attention once more, “I’d also like to introduce to you Dr. Kim Seokjin, also a surgical resident specializing in general surgery.” 

“Oh don’t believe her! With looks like these? Sheesh! We’re actually newbie actors filming season 3 of Hospital Playlist...but you know...between us three, it’s obvious who sets the bar, right?” This earns eye rolls from both Dr. Min and the other Dr. Kim. 

Pushing Dr. Seokjin towards the operating room, Dr. Yoongi turns to your group again, “Please ignore him. We’re actual licensed doctors…Hyung just…” Dr. Min sighs, rubbing at his temples, “...he says he doesn’t like attention but he keeps on doing humiliating things like these…” 

Dr. Seokjin, who’s already inside the operating room hallway, overhears Dr. Min’s words. “Hey! Why do you keep outing me like this?! Also, this appendectomy will just take a while - wait for me! I’m craving kalguksu today!”  

“Soomin...is it just me or everyone here has got to be damn attractive?” 

Jungkook leans in from behind, raising his eyebrows at you and Soomin. “Oh you guys weren’t aware that it was one of the qualifications before getting accepted into Woocheon? Kind of an unspoken rule really…” Jungkook remarks as he crosses his arms over his chest and you swear on your life you hadn’t taken a peek at the very distracting outline of his arms. 

Jimin who seems to agree with the idea wholeheartedly, places his fingers under his chin and wriggles his eyebrows wildly. 

Boys. 

Rolling your eyes at them, you retort, “You do realize that that only means we’re hot too.” likewise raising your shoulders at them. Soomin gives you a high five before flipping her hair towards the two. Jungkook gives you both a lopsided smirk in reply, “I’m not going to deny that.” 

Soomin grabs you by the elbow, turning both your backs to the boys behind you, “You sure you hate him, or you just can’t take the way he’s flirting with you?” 

© joontier 2021

[20moonchild21]

𝗦𝗲𝗵𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵𝘁 [𝗯𝘁𝘀]

⇉ 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 4

[pairings]

bunny!JK x female!oc, Hybrid!Jungkook x Human!oc, Leopard!Jin x female!oc, Hybrid!Jin x human!oc, JK x Jin x female!oc

[warnings]

violoce, mentions of violence, mentions of teasers, abusement, traumatic actions, force, forceful behaviors, forced fightings, illegal fightings, mentions of death, angst, corruption, injuries, sexual harassment, fainting Jin, scared Kookie

[words]

4.6k

[author]

Hey there! I hope you allem are doing fine. My next updates will only be out on Sundays, because I have a lot of exams coming up at school. Hopefully I will find the time to continue writing, but I am optimistic. Wish me luck!🥺

Don’t forget to check out @starlightauroras-writes and her story Inferiority complex. She puts so much effort and passion in that story, and that’s why it deserves to be read by as many people as possible. Also, check out my other inspirations and recommendations below this chapter. They all wrote amazing stories!

Leave a like or comment or reblog if you like this chapter. There is nothing more motivating for an author! Of course, if you have criticism or other remarks referring to the story, I am always open to hear! Don’t hesitate do write me.

Stay healthy and safe!

Mꨄ

[ chapter 3 ||| chapter 5]

The big, black collar was strapped way too tight around the boy’s neck, as he was pulled through the huge crowd of people. He didn’t know where he was going, he was just stumbling behind his owner, who was forcefully and careless pulling him by the leash, not caring if he was chocking or running out of air.

Sometimes, when the crowd was especially tight squeezed, he felt a hand or two on his body. They were either petting his bum, or pulling his fluffy tail or squeezing his sensitive ears.

“Come on, my bunny. We don’t wanna miss the fight.” The man was tugging the leash hard, gesturing for Jungkook to go faster.

His heart was beating in his chest, though it was not the first time his owners had taken him with them to one of the ‘Zoo Meetings’ how they called it. He was not there to fight, but he was there to be shown off in front of his owner friends, while they sat right in the front row and watched the fights.

A shiver ran down his spine when he thought about the last time. The woman who had sat next to had an awful laugh, and every time she had opened her mouth, showing her way too white teeth, it would made the poor Hybrid’s ears hurt.

She had been scratching her long fake nails over his thighs all evening, pinching and squeezing it from time to time, or going way too hight with her bony hands.

“Ladies and Gentleman…” A loud voice rang through the big boxes, and Jungkook knew what was coming next: They were announcing the next fight. “Please take a seat and make yourself as comfortable as possible, for the very last fight of the eeevvveeennniinngf!”

Jungkook pressed his ears flatter onto his head, hoping to block out the loud voice that made his ears hurt, but the volume and the cheering crowd were too loud.

“In the right corner, we have a very special fight. Please cheer and clap for our black Panther!” Though the crowd cheered, Jungkook knew that their intention was not to motivate the poor Panther, it was meant to scare him even more, so he would fight with all his animal instincts. “And in the left corner we have our well known champion, the one with the lovely owners Mr. and Mrs. Chefferson…” Mrs. Chefferson, his female owner, shot up from her seat and waved wildly in all directions, enjoying all the cheer for her like she was a celebrity. Her way too short skirt and cleavage were making a terrible job to hide something. “Please cheer for our Leopard!”

The woman next to Jungkook was screaming so loud with her shrill voice, while lifting her campaigner glass in the air.

“Jin.” The bunny whispered, as he watched his older brother being shoved into the fighting ring.

The ring was a big square, maybe about 5x5 meters each side. The floor was made out of hard stone, that would make the fighting Hybrids feet sore when they would push themselves over it. It was also the reason most Hybrids die while fighting, because they fell into the hard floor and hitting her heads open. Around the floor was a big metal grid, that would protect the visitor from the Hybrids if they wanted to break free.

Jin was never the type to fight. He was an Amur Leopard Hybrid, one of the peaceful breeds. The only reason he had won so many matches was because he was pumped full of doping liquids, that would make him stronger and faster. At the Zoo Meetings, no one cared about doping or other illegal medicaments that would push a Hybrids, the visitors were here for fun and entertainment.

While the crowd was still cheering and screaming, Jin turned his head wildly into all directions, as if he was looking for something. When he looked over his shoulder, he suddenly made eye contact with the thin bunny Hybrid.

They were staring at each other eyes, before the older one nodded his head, almost unnoticed.

Jungkook knew what he was saying in his head. He had told him about his plan the previous evening, when the younger one had brought him food to his cage. Yes, Jin was caught up in a cage in the basement, and beside the fights, he was never allowed to leave it.

Jungkook gulped but nodded, too. Even though every part of his body told him to not do it. The plan wasn’t bulletproof at all, and even if he would make it out alive, they would probably catch him out in the streets.

The loud ringing of a clock ripped him out of his thoughts. The game master had declared the fight to begun, and now there was now way back, for Jungkook and for Jin.

Once a fight has started, the two Hybrids had to fight until the very end…and with very end he meant that one of them had to die. If both of them refused to fight each other, they would both be killed. There was no way out for them.

The room had fallen silence after the clock had rang, watching expectantly at the two Hybrid who were standing opposite of each other. Both were waiting for the other one to make the first move.

“Come on, you stupid tiger.” The man next to Jungkook whispered angrily. “I bet a lot of money on you.”

After another few seconds of silence passed, when with a sudden movement the Leopard shot forward, but not because he wanted to attack his opponent. Instead, he had turned around with an enormous speed and with a clinging sound he threw himself against the heavy metal grid, right were Jungkook and his owners sat.

Scream broke out among the people sitting in the front row. Woman were jumping up from their seats, throwing away their glasses, men were cursing and standing up, calling to get the security guards. In all the mess going on, Jin’s plan went exactly like he want it to go.

Mr. Chefferson, as well as the others, got scared so much that he let go of the leash which was connected with Jungkook’s neck. When Jungkook noticed the piece of leather hanging loosely by his feet, he lifted his head, looking one last time at his older brother. When their gazes met, he mouth ‘Run Jungkook’ towards the younger one, before he was sent to the ground by an electro shocking stick.

The bunny felt paralyzed. He wanted to help his brother. He wanted to rip all those people away from him, but he knew he couldn’t.

Jin risked his own life to save him. He wanted nothing more for the young boy to be free. Jungkook knew that it was selfish, but he needed to move now, or else someone would notice him being unleashed.

With tears streaming down his cheeks, he pushed himself through the crowd of people that were in great turmoil because of what was going on in the fighting ring.

Finally out of the building, he kept running and running, pushing his feet stronger into the ground. He don’t know how long or where he had been running, but he didn’t look back once.

The night air was cold against his naked upper body and face, and the hard floor was scratching up his bare feet. He passed buildings and woods, houses and fields until his lungs were burning and screaming for him to stop running.

When he looked around, he saw that he stood in the middle of a street, surrounded by many big houses and shops. He panicked. Many houses meant that there were many people that would call the police when they saw a strolling Hybrid on the street.

He needed to hide somewhere.

He pushed his feet in the ground once again, running over to a small dark passage. No one would willingly go in there, meaning that he would at least be safe for a few days. He walked further down the allay until he reached a dead end.

With his sensitive eyes, he spotted a small gap to the left side. He bent down and crawled between the dumpster and the wall, curling himself against the wall. When he realized that he was completely on his own now, with his brother probably dead by now, he began to cry.

Small cries and whimpered left his mouth for several hours, until a soft voice filled his ears.

“H – Hello? Who are you?”

With heavily shaking legs the girl made her way up the well maintained driveway. She stumbled a few times because of those damn high heels, and the short skirt was sliding dangerous high up her thighs, sometimes.

It had been two day since Jungkook broke down in front of the TV in the living room. He cried and whimpered, crawling away from the girl as she tried to help him. He had sat there in the corner of the living room, shaking and mumbling this name for several minutes.

Hope had been crying as well. She didn’t know what was going on with him, and why he suddenly was scared of her again.

Eventually, they both had managed to calm down after 30 minutes. Though Jungkook had still be shaking, he had allowed her to come near. She carefully had wrapped her arms around the boy’s trembling body.

It had been the very first time that they had such an intensive physical affection, but they both needed that.

Jungkook had told her about his older brother Jin. Jin actually wasn’t related to the bunny, but living together for several years he saw him as his brother. He had told her about the illegal fights that his owner had forced the Leopard to go, and about the night, when Jin had told Jungkook his plan.

She was shocked when he told her how good he was threatened in comparison to the Leopard Hybrid. She didn’t want to imagine what the poor cat must had gone through and what his current state of health was.

Jungkook had told her, how he had watched the people shocking his older brother down to the ground without hesitation, and how he had found his way into the allay that night she had found him.

They both had cried that night, hugging and holding each other.

When the next morning had arrived, Hope had decided to save Jungkook’s bother, at any cost.

She didn’t know how she had come up with that plan, but it was the only idea that could save Jin without anyone getting hurt. She didn’t want to risk the Hybrids safety by a stupid idea…if he even was still alive.

She gulped. What if Jin wasn’t alive anymore? What would she tell Jungkook? He would be heartbroken forever if his older brother would be dead. She quickly shook her head and tried to not think about it.

If she left again, then with another Hybrid. An that’s it.

Jungkook could weakly remember where the Cheffersons had their residence, so he could guide her the way.

So right now, she was dressed in her most expensive clothes. Why? Well, Alice and Bill Chefferson were one of the richest families in the whole New York. They have so much money, that probably the doorknob by itself was worth more than her entire apartment. If Hope wanted to let an impression, she needed to pretend to be someone.

She tugged the hem of her black dress down one last time, before she put the black sunglasses over her eyes and lifted the purse on her arm higher. The she rang the doorbell.

A few seconds passed and she thought that her heart would jump out of her ribcage, when suddenly, the door was pulled open.

In front of the small girl stood a tall woman, maybe in her 50’s. She wore a tight red skirt that almost reached her knees, along with some expensive looking heels. She was thin. Under the white and really revealing blouse, her collarbones stood out sharply.

When Hope looked up into the woman’s face, she wanted to take her heels and run far away. With her lips pressed straight onto each other, the extremely straight nose with the sharp top, the strict tied braid and eyes looking arrogant and disgusted, she looked like she could destroyed the girl with one word.

“Yes, please?” She asked with a bored and cold voice.

“I – ehm…” Hope coughed. If she wanted to sound authentic, she needed to pull her act together. At least this one time. She coughed again and began to talk again, this time with a higher and shriller voice.

“Good morning, Mrs. Chefferson.” She smiled with her lipstick covered lips, holding out her hand.

The woman didn’t even move an inch. She stood in the half opened door and watched the girl up and down.

“What do you want? If you are some of those company chicks that want our money, go away!” She didn’t even waited for an answer, before she turned around and kicked the door shut. Hope reacted quickly, she took a step forward and stopped the heavy door with her feet.

“Oh, no. How could I?” She fake laughed. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Hope Carson. My father owns one of the biggest Hybrid breeding stations of the New York. I heard that you own that – ah, what breed was he? Oh, yes. You owned that cat that won the last Zoo Meeting in downtown, right?”

“He is an Amur Leopard and yes, my husband is his owner.” Mrs. Chefferson had pushed the door open again. “But he is a good-for-nothing. Believe me, it is a waste of time to try to train him. Good day.”

She was about to shut the door close again, and once again, Hope blocked it with her foot.

“Oh believe me, I know he is good for nothing. I saw him fighting at the last Zoo Meeting. A pathetic little creature.” Lie. She had never been a visitor of an illegal fight club, nor did she really think what she was saying right now. Though, she put as much disregard as possible in the tone of her voice. “The only thing he could be useful for is to do some researches on him. That’s why my father sent me. I wanna take him with me.”

For a few seconds, the woman looked like she didin’t believe the girl’s act. Once again, she eyed her up and down, before she fully pushed the door open.

“What can you offer for him?” An evil smirk formed on the woman’s lips.

Hybrids did absolutely not worth anything to human. Though there is a law that made it illegal to deal with Hybrids, they were sold for so little money that it didn’t worth to most courts to initiate a proceeding. Especially not, if buyer and seller are clever, and exchange the Hybrid’s deed of ownership, because with official documents, it was no dealing. At least that’s what most of the judges justify their verdict.

A deep of ownership is an official paper, which every Hybrid got from the moment he was bred, and what every owner got once he adopted his Hybrid. It was mostly used for owners to prove that they are in charge of the Hybrid, or to assign a free strolling Hybrid. It is comparable to a human’s birth certification.

“I can offer you a lot of money for this worthless animal.” Hope forced an evil smile back, even though she wanted to throw up.

She followed Mrs. Chefferson into the living room, where also her husband was sitting. In his one hand he hold a glass of what looked like Scotch, and in the other hand he was reading a newspaper, not even bothering to look up.

The living room was huge and cold. Though the wall were white, there was not the tiniest piece of…love and effort that would make this house a home. Instead, they had placed a huge, hard looking sofa in the middle of the room, along with a giant chandelier hanging directly above it.

“Honey, who was at the door?” He mumbled while flicking the page, still not looking up. His voice was deep and careless, like his wife’s voice, bouncing around the naked walls.

“Darling!” Mrs. Chefferson squeaked with a shrilling voice, as she sat down next to the man, placing her bony fingers onto his chest. “This woman offers us a lot of money for that cat in our basement. She said that she would pay 1500 $ for him. She says that the only thing left to do with him is to do some researches on him.”

Finally, the man looked up. His gaze was piercing sharp when he met Hope’s. The girl wanted nothing more than to turn around and run as fast as her feet could carry her, but she stayed still with her lips presses hard against each other. She needed to stay strong. For Jungkook and Jin.

When Ms. Chefferson had eyes the girl for a few seconds, he sighed and turned his attention back to his newspaper.

“Save your money, Miss.” He said bored, not even looking up. “We still earn much money with him at the Meetings. Why would we sell him?”

Miss Chefferson, who somehow seemed to have a strong urge to sell the Hybrid, was about to say something towards her husband, but Hope was faster.

“Mr. Chefferson.” She said loudly, making him look up from the piece of paper. “I offer this one time chance to sell me that Hybrid. I saw him fighting. He won’t do it much longer, believe me. Soon, you will loose a lot of money because of him, and no one will be there to buy him from you, because he will has no worth at all. So why not taking all you still can get for him?”

“She is right, darling. Think about it. Who will buy such a weak Hybrid?” She leaned further into his, before whispering something into his ear.

Hope’s heart felt like it would be exploding any moment. She had prepared for any scenario that could have possible take place, but what would she do if he would say no? What –

“Alright, Honey.” He signed again, before closing the newspaper. He stood up from the sofa and smoothed his beige trousers. “You can have him. But you won’t see him just yet. Either you sign his papers and pay for him just now, or never.”

The girl didn’t have to think about this condition long. The sooner she would sign the papers, the less high is the chance that he would change his mind before she can leave with Jin.

“That is fine by me.” Hope said, as she pushed her glasses higher onto her nose. "The sooner I am done here, the sooner I can spend my energy in much more important things. After all, I am a busy woman.”

Together, the trio made their way into another room. On the way, Ms. Chefferson had asked on of his housekeepers to get the papers from his office. She arrived a few minutes later with some sheets of paper in her hand, lying it on the big desk in the middle of the room.

Ms. Chefferson pushed the deed of ownership over the table, gesturing for the girl to read it.

Name: Kim Seokjin

Gender: male

Breed: Amur Leopard

Generation: 04.12.2024

Laboratory: Seoul, South Korea

“Where can I sign?” Hope asked, as she laid the paper down on the desk.

Ms. Chefferson gave a few papers with conditions and legal protections to read and sign. To her luck, she had been studying law for about 3 year, she knew how to read a contract and what dangers it could bring, but the Chefferons really seemed get rid of the Hybrid. She signed everything and put the deed of ownership into her purse.

Her heart stopped for a moment when she realized what she just had done. She had practically adopted a Hybrid, a living being that needed to be provide and cared for. She didn’t even had a steady job, nor did she had a college degree.

Her mother, who had died a few years ago, inherit her a lot of money she had saved over the year, and in addition to that, Hope worked parttime in the college’s library, but with three people that needed to be provide, they would need to be really economical.

But it had been the only way to save Jin, and that was the only thing that mattered.

“Well, then congratulation miss Carson, for adopting such a lovely Hybrid. I think you will have plenty of fun with him.” He waited a second, before breaking out into a loud laughing. “Follow me and you can finally take that worthless animal out of my house.”

Once again, the trio waled through the endless hallways of the mansion. They passed several doors that lead to several rooms, but as they crossed the front door, something caught Hope’s attention. Next to the black door, on a small hook, hung a long, pink leash. The leash was connected with a big collar at the end, on which two capital letters were printed with big gemstones:

JK

“Jungkook.” The girl whispered under her breath, unnoticed by the couple.

“That leash belonged to our bunny Hybrid.” Ms. Chefferson has caught her looking at the leash for too long. He walked past the girl with shaking head. “Annoying little rodents. Always made a mess and never listened to what he was told. I am kind of glad he ran away. He probably died the first two hours being out there alone. We gave him up for adoption though, should he be someone else’s problem.”

Hope balled her hands into fists, wanting nothing more than to punch this man. But she needed to focus on Jin now.

They walked down a long staircase, downwards towards the basement. A shiver ran down the girl’s spine. Down there, it was dark and cold. The sound of their feet hitting the cold, marbled floor bounced around the wall, and for a moment Hope thought that she would never leave this house again. This was the start of a horror movie.

Ms. Chefferson stopped in front of a big, metallic door. He pulled out a key and unlocked the door, before pulling it open.

“Don’t worry.” He said as he took a step inside. “He is cuffed up.”

Hope’s legs started shaking again. She didn’t know what scenario would be waiting for her just around the corner. She made a few careful steps forward and walked into the small cell, immediately, she wanted to cry out.

The room was small, maybe 3x3 meters each side. There was no window, or bed, or table, or anything. Just walls and a hard stone floor. The only source of light was the beam of light from the open door.

In the corner of the room, on the cold floor, sat Jin. His thin body was only covered by a pair of dirty pants and a ripped and blood stained shirt. His head was leaned against the gold wall and his eyes were closed, while his angles and wrists were cuffed with a heavy metallic chain, like he was a wild animal.

“Stand up!” Ms. Chefferson screamed at the poor boy, while walked over with a black leash in his hands. “I said: Stand. Up!”

He had reached the helpless boy and bent down, before hegrabbed his right ear forcefully, pulling him up. Jin cried out in pain, but with is hands bound together there was nothing he could do to defend himself.

“I dare you to touch my Hybrid!” Hope lost her temper at this point. “This is my Hybrid, and I don’t want you to touch him. Now, get out! I want to inspect him properly.”

The older man let go of the Hybrid’s ear abruptly, making him fall to the ground again. A small whimper left the Hybrids when his bum hit the hard floor. He tried to push himself as far away as he came with his angles cuffed.

Ms. Chefferson looked confused in the first moment. He struggled to say something, but eventually, he gave her the keys for Jin’s cuffs, before he left the room, leaving the two young adult alone.

Immediately, Hope let her purse fall to the ground. She let out a small cry, before she covered her mouth with her hands to not cry out louder. She took some deep breaths and tried to calm herself down a little bit. When she opened her eyes again, the Hybrid was staring directly into her eyes.

“H – Hey, Jin.” She whispered with her normal, soft voice, as she kneeled down on to floor. Her voice cracked a few times from the shock that was still running through her veins.

She crawled closer towards the boy. When she was just a few inches away from him, she lifted her hands to unlock the cuffs around his neck. Jin, on the other hand, misunderstood this gesture. He closed his eyes and turned his head away from the girl, as whimpers left his mouth.

“No – No don’t be afraid, please.” She fiddled with the key around his neck. The collar snapped open and the metal chain fell to the ground with a loud clinging sound. She then uncuffed his wrists and angles. “I am here to help you. But we have to hurry, Jungkook is waiting for us.”

As she mentioned the younger boy’s name, Jin’s head shot around.

“Jungkook.” He whispered with his raspy voice.

“Yes, Jungkook is with me. He is all safe and sound.” Hope threw the key away. “Listen Jin, you need to play along with me. I need to strap this leash around your neck, but only for a short moment. Please, don’t be afraid of me. Okay?”

Jin didn’t put up a fight as she strapped the collar loosely around his neck. She helped him to stand up on his feet, and he wobbly followed her out of the cell. Hope changed some more words with the couple, before she and Jin left the house.

The girl just wanted to leave as quick as possible, but was always careful to not tug on the leash too hard. When she turned around, she gasped.

In the light of the sun, Jin looked much worse than in the dark cell. His face way thin and bony. The dark circles stood out of his pale skin, and his full lips were bruised and crusty from all the dust and dirt. His deep brown hair, as well as the fur on his ears, was greasy and falling over his forehead.

As he walked behind her, he had his head sunk down, not looking up at anything.

It took Hope anything to not turn back and punch those two disgusting creatures that called themselves human. How can they be even sleep at night, knowing that in their basement a living being was starving and bleeding to death. How could they watch themselves in the mirror every day, knowing that they live in luxury while Jin laid between dirt and dust.

“Almost there, Jin. Just keep going a few more meters.” She took his bloody and icy hand carefully, leading him the way to the car, where also Jungkook was waiting for the both of them.

“Jin!” He yelp, as the girl opened the car door and carefully pushed Jin onto the back seat. “Jin Hyung! Oh no, Jin! Are you okay Hyung! You are safe now, don’t worry Jin.”

The bunny was calling Jin’s name all over again, as the older one just had his eyes closed and his body lying weakly on the backseat.

“Don’t worry, Jungkook.” Hope had walked around the car and was already staring it.

“He will be okay now.“

[inspirations | recommendations] ⇉ 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀!

@wishesunderthestars @agustdakasuga @ditttiii @angelicyoongie @starlightauroras-writes

[thefallenbibliophilequote]

This Love

Loki x Reader

1989, chapter 11

"Timing is a funny thing"

Summary: It's hard to find the one, but even if you do find him it's always going to be a daily struggle to make it work. Can you even make it work after he broke your heart? The answer to that is complicated, but it all started when you found each other again in the stark tower- and that's where our story begins.

Word count: 6,196

Warnings: angst, nightmares that include: panic attacks/catcall with a light fight, fluff finally!

A/N: I love this song so much! We are so close to the end! I got into a writer's block when I started this chapter, so it took me a while to get to writing it, and in the end it turned out into my favourite chapter that I have written! I hope you'll like it, comments are appreciated! Also, there is a literary reference here, if you notice it you're awesome!

A/N2: thank you @chrissquares for the beautiful dividers! And @nacho-bucky for beta reading!

No one is allowed to repost my writing or steal or copy my work! Reblog on tumblr is fine.

Series masterlist

Song on Spotify and YouTube

The darkness in your room was darker than you remembered. Usually when you were awoken in the middle of the night, it was because of Loki.

But now as you realized Loki wasn't in your room, you got up and walked sleepily to the hallway from your room, then you heard it- and you knew that the heavy footsteps you heard on the floor of the living room were not Loki's.

You held your breath, feeling the panic take over you but you refused to let whoever was in there hear your short intake of breath. Padding quickly into the bathroom, you closed the door and locked it.

Then you let yourself breathe.

The beat of your heart was ringing in your ears, you tried to breathe but all you could think about were the possibilities of whoever or even whatever is in your house right now. Loki had told you all about the magic of the universe, but you also saw him getting back from battles with nasty scars and he wouldn't tell you about the creatures that made them.

You looked around the room, which proved to be difficult when your watery eyes blurred your vision.

You forgot your phone, you couldn't call anyone. Fear took over you again, it felt as if you were drowning, your own tears were making you weak and you couldn't seem to control it.

Hiding yourself in the corner of the room, you took the first thing that resembled a weapon and held the hair straightener protectively as you made yourself as small as possible when the sounds outside of the door got louder.

All you wanted was for Loki to show up just in time and get you out of here.

The fear took over you yet again and the door was knocked down. All you saw was a blue creature at your door. You screamed in fear and your vision went dark, all you felt was fear.

•

Loki watched your body lying there motionless besides the minute movements behind your eyelids that he was sure only he and the supersoldiers could see. Doctor Cho and Doctor Banner were running every test they could on you. It wasn't long before they figured out what Hydra did to you.

Barnes was the first one to figure it out. He was stuck inside his own mind for so long, he saw you going through the same thing. But for you, for you they trapped you using your own powers against you. Capturing you and keeping you awake by horrible emotions that you felt.

Loki stood next to you, wiping a tear that escaped down your cheek.

Sitting down at the edge of the white bed you were lying on, he tried to calm his nerves enough to leave his physical form and feel you, feel your powers, search for a way in.

And he found you there, just barely within reach. He could almost touch you, he could feel your powers caressing his own- that was before he was thrown back into his own body with such force that he regretted giving you such powers.

"I gave them to you, and now you won't let me in?" he grumbled and rubbed his eyes. He looked at you bitterly, but no it was not at you but rather your aura that surrounded you, your powers keeping you in place- supposedly trying to keep you safe.

All he wanted to do was to keep you safe, that was why he got here in the first place. He knew though, he knew that this love he has for you will eventually overpower any ancient spell there could be. He couldn't doubt it.

Your love died and was brought alive back from the dead, fate brought you back to him like the tides, and now currents swept you out again from his reach but you said so many goodbyes before that surely you will say hello again. He held onto that hope. Hope was such a ruinous thing, he never dreamed of having it or accepting it into his life.

When he was in the darkest of places, with the most horrid torment being forced upon him- you were the one thing that kept him sane even when you weren't there. You were the permanent mark on his heart that no torture could wipe off.

And now he was sitting right next to you, and he couldn't help ease the torment that you were in.

So he sat next to you, his fingers on your temples as he tried to somehow reach you, if merely for a moment. But all he got was resistance, and he was growing tired.

"Loki? Cho wants to run some tests." He saw the captain standing at the door, the bags under his eyes were dark and noticeable even for a super soldier. "Would you mind joining me?"

The captain tilted his head to outside, and Loki merely nodded.

•

Steve stood in front of the floor to ceiling windows in the common room, waiting as Loki came and looked outside next to him.

He was at a loss of words as they stood there in silence, not knowing how to approach the conversation. Steve knew his backstory, he knew what drove him to attack New York- but he still attacked it. The man who stood next to him was still the man who terrorized earth, brainwashed his friends, killed 80 people in 3 days, and hurt you twice. Steve wasn't there to protect you from the hurt the first time, but he was there the second time when he had to hold you in his arms.

Then you got taken away and Loki came back to help him, to get you back.

"Just say what you want to say, don't mewl it over." Loki simply said in his elegant but impatient voice. Was it impatient now, or nervous?

"Is there any progress in getting through to her?" Steve cleared his throat.

"As of right now, no there isn't. The witch is trying to lower her defenses but even she can't reach her." Loki knew his options, and for the slim chance that you would be okay and take him back- he knew he needed to be on the good side of the captain. He wasn't one to reveal his thoughts and intentions, but he knew the captain means a lot to you, and for you he would do anything. "I am still trying, Captain. I'm not going to stop until… we get her back."

He kept looking forward even when he felt Steve's gaze turning to look at him. He let Steve analyze his words, and then he matched his gaze. It was quiet before Steve spoke up again.

"Thank you."

"I'm certain that if we have one thing in common it's that both of us would do anything for her. I recognize my mistake of leaving her." He leaned away from the window pane when the captain turned to face him.

"While I appreciate the help, Loki, I had to sit with her while she cried after you left her. Hurt her again, and I assure you that not even Thor will be able to protect you from me."

Seeing the dark look in Steve's eyes made Loki want to scoff at Captain America's threat, but he couldn't blame him. Watching you cry the first time almost made him stay.

"I already deserve worse, so I won't fight you if that were to happen." With his hands clasped behind his back he, with certainty, stated. "It won't."

Then he went around the captain back to the room you were in.

•

With a reluctant and a little frightened Helen Cho, Loki brought you back to your room, enchanted the door shut and put your limp form on the bed, with your back on the headboard and your head lightly lulled back onto a pillow he put behind it.

Sitting next to you, he took both of your hands in his and suddenly he got reminded of that fateful night in your apartment when he held you scared in the dark.

He let his green light shine and he saw a soft purple aura surround your body. He closed his eyes and tried to reach you.

Focusing on the feeling of you, touching him with your aura, he let you take his all.

Then your head fell onto his shoulder and he saw you.

You were in a crowded street, walking towards where Loki stood now watching you.

You faltered in your step and looked to your right when you heard the sentence that was uttered by a guy that was half leaning on a red building brick, blocking the passage of a blonde girl who tried to step away from his frame.

"Oh come on, don't play coy, you wouldn't have worn this tight outfit if you didn't want the attention." His smirk disgusted you and you changed your pace to go to where they were standing.

"I told you to go away." She replied to him, but he didn't budge.

"Sweetheart lighten up, I'm complimenting you, so come on got a smile for me?"

"Hey, she told you to back off so back the hell off and stay away from her!" he laughed at you.

"Maybe you should stay out of this conversation, I am talking to the pretty girl here-" he sent a hand to grab her arm but before he could catch it you threw him back and twisted his arm.

"Do not touch her." Your voice was dark, and while Loki didn't know what he was seeing, he couldn't help but smile at your actions. You pushed him back and muttered, "I really wish the worst for you."

Thinking it would get him to go away, you were about to turn to see if the girl was alright when you felt pain in your stomach as the man hit you and threw you onto the curve where people cleared away from the fight. You looked up at him and you felt something different inside you, it was probably the adrenaline. But the second your eyes met his, you watched his eyes go wide and he started to let out screams, they never stopped, you never stopped looking at him. He fell to the floor, curling in on himself and you went to stand up.

The feeling inside you was strange now, you could feel the anger subside and now you watched him still breathing hard on the floor.

"Stop it, stop it- please." He tried to look up at you, your heartbeat sped up and you felt sick- Was he talking to you? He looked up at you and tears were on his face.

You looked around at the people that where watching you and suddenly like dominos they began to sink down onto the floor, crying and shuddering. Your heartbeat got faster with each scream you heard and they only got louder.

"What is happening?" your voice was shaking and you couldn't move.

Loki realized what scene he was looking at in your life, then he watched the girl in the black suit next to you, she seemed to hold her own against the pain that he knew you affected her with and she pulled out a black device. He recognized her, but he knows you didn't so he didn't put his attention on her.

He went back and looked at you, going forward to try and calm you down but before he could touch you, you collapsed on the floor and he was sent back and out of your dream.

"Please stop this, I don't know what's happening." He heard you cry from a distance.

•

Steve sat in the kitchen alone with a cup of hot tea. It was hard for him to see you that way and being so helpless because he couldn't help you. So he tried to stay away. But as he stared down at the mug, he couldn't help but think about the first time he met you.

Steve was walking out of the elevator at the ground floor of the Stark tower with a file in his hand, he looked up and saw four men with weapons surrounding a girl in civilian clothes and Sharon walked with her. When the blonde saw Steve she dismissed the guards and walked towards him with the girl.

Steve studied you now that you weren't blocked from his view. Your y/h/c hair fell lightly on your face and he noticed you keeping your eyes down on the ground even when you were near him already.

"Hey Steve, did you get updated on the new mission?" Sharon asked him and when he nodded she saw him looking at you partially.

"Yeah, I did."

"This is Y/N. Y/N, meet Steve." Steve put out his hand to shake your hand and it took you a moment before you raised your hand to his.

"Hi." You said to him and when you finally looked up at him he sent you a smile.

"What are you doing here with Sharon?" Steve didn't ask about the guards and he tried to maintain eye contact with you, it seems to be a struggle for you.

"Oh, she just-" you looked over at the agent looking for some help but she only nodded at you. "Found me, I accidentally ruined her operation and she took me here to- to help me."

You hated the way your voice stuttered, then again you couldn't really blame yourself, your day took a turn you weren't expecting, you didn't even know what happened.

Steve's eyes proved to be nothing but comforting though.

"Well, is there anything I can help you with?" you began to shake your head and Steve thought he lost you when you looked back at the floor, shutting your eyes for a bit.

Heavy steps came behind Sharon then.

"Agent 13, we need to get the girl to the lab now, she cannot be here." He heard the guard say and saw you flinch momentarily at his voice and the weapon he held. He did not like that reaction.

"Everything is fine here. I'll protect her." He straightened up and looked at the guard.

"She doesn't need protection captain, she needs to be contained." He chuckled but Steve's features stayed stern.

"The captain said we are okay here." Sharon dismissed the guard.

She started to take you away and towards the elevators when Steve stopped her.

"It's alright, I'll walk with you Y/N is that okay?" he smiled when you looked up at him and nodded.

"Yes, thank you Steve." Sharon told you that she will come to check on you in the lab later, and you entered the elevator with Steve.

"Don't you have other stuff you should be doing?" you asked him, breaking the silence and he laughed.

"Maybe, but you seem much nicer."

"He was right though, he was there to protect other people from me."

"Well," he turned to you with a slight smirk. "I don't know what happened but I doubt you are going to hurt me, besides- I'm sure I can take you down myself."

You scoffed at him, suddenly forgetting about what made you end up in this situation.

"Well how can you be so sure? I can be dangerous when I want to be."

"Is that so? I do not think so." You raised an eyebrow.

"What if I am a super assassin? You can't know!"

"I'll still win."

"Oh fuck off." You huffed at him but a small smile played on your lips.

"Language!" he said and silence took over the small elevator as you looked at him in shock and he looked at you, before you started laughing at him, unable to control yourself.

Steve let himself smile a bit as you laughed beside him.

•

You didn't know where you were. All you knew was the pain in your heart and the rain drenching you as water surrounded you. You were drowning and it was never ending.

The wet wood of the ship floor under you turned ever so darker in the midst of the storm and rain. You looked around you only to see nothing but rushing waves you tried to shout for help but it came out as silent screams with the sound of the thunder, the sinking ship you were trapped on tilted to the side as you tried to get to the top of the deck.

You clung to the closest wooden poll you could find, trying to get to the figurehead on the deck when the ship rattled and tilted as it sank farther.

Then you saw him.

"Loki!" you called out to him, momentary relief flooded you when he showed up just in time. You tried to reach out to him, grab his hand when he offered his hand forward, but it was out of reach.

"Jump to me, I'll catch you." You heard him tell you, you clung to the poll before taking a leap and reaching out as much as you could for him.

But you couldn't reach him, and he let you fall. You didn't know what pained your heart more. But all you felt was pain.

•

Loki lied in your bed. He had taken over it while you were in the med bay for the last couple of days. It wasn't a question, and he was not one to ask permission.

He tried to get some sleep, tossing and turning, there was always a new struggle sleeping through the night when you weren't next to him. He turned to face your side of the bed. You weren't there but he still smiled to the ghost of you. Sometimes in a flicker of light he thought he could see you, but you were still gone.

You were laying in bed with Loki, turning out the lights and then jumping back on the bed, getting under the covers and cuddling to Loki, putting your head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"So, you still haven't answered me."

"My response is clear then." He shrugged off and you playfully slapped his shoulder.

"I am really asking, we have been dating for a long time now and my birthday is soon so don't you think I deserve it?"

"You can't play the birthday card with me, darling." He chuckled into your hair and planted a kiss there. "How do you even remember that? It was so long ago and it is just nonsense."

"You said that you will take me one day for a ball in Asgard, now I am taking you on your word. That silver tongue of yours that got you me will also be the one to take you down. I want an Asgardian ball." You poked his chest

"I said that I will one day, I did not specify when, so I am well within my rights to turn your request down, darling. You should know better than to argue with a trickster god." He poked your side which made you giggle. "We have an eternity together, why rush it?"

You looked up at him and the love in his eyes seemed to glow in the dark room. You only smiled at him.

"What's in that pretty little head of yours, petal?" he stroked your arm and looked down at you.

"I feel like I'm falling in love with you all over again." You whispered.

"You're already in love with me." He chuckled and nudged his nose with yours.

"I fell in love with you once, I can and will fall in love with you again." He couldn't help the grin on his face, oh the things you did to him.

"Well then, I'll always catch you when you fall."

•

Loki was back where he started, in the cold med bay. He wasn't cold of course but he saw the goose bumps on your skin.

"I'll get you out of there, petal." He brushed his thumb across your cheek when yet another tear slipped.

He leaned in to kiss your cheek before he cradled your face in his hands, focusing on your energy yet again.

You were in your apartment with your head down as you listened to Loki talk more and more.

"I just can't understand why are you leaving me like this?" you lifted your teary gaze to look at him, but he was cold.

"Mortals are so naïve," he darkly huffed at you. "Did you really think you meant something to me? Pathetic."

"We had such a good time together, you're my best friend, my lover and I-"

"I am none of those, it was simply interesting to study the humans, to pass the time with one of them. But you're not interesting anymore."

"So, you're just throwing me away? You promised you'll stay with me!" you sniffed, trying to wipe the tears away but they just kept pouring. He was breaking your heart like all the other promises he made and you couldn't find any emotion in his eyes. "Have you ever even loved me?"

"No." it was a simple word, and you hated the small smile on his face. "I'm just being honest with you now, don't you think that is rather kind of me? I am a god after all, and you're just a puny mortal, a mess of a dreamer with the nerve to adore me and think it is returned."

"You're not being nice, Loki, no. you're just being so casually cruel in the name of being honest." You fell to your knees, with a new fresh wave of tears.

Loki stood behind you as he watched all of the things that are being said to you- from him, you think he is saying those things. You were on your knees in front of him, believing he could ever hate you.

You were paralyzed in time, frozen by his words. You couldn't stop the tears, you've never felt this hurt. It felt like the room was filled with invisible smoke.

Then you felt a hand on your shoulder, grabbing you fiercely. You dropped the hands from your face, hopeful Loki will take you back. But when you looked up, he was still standing, sneering at you. You felt a new wave of pain but then the hand on your shoulder tightened and you turned back to see-

"Loki?" your voice was low and it almost broke his heart.

"Yes my love, I'm here you're okay." You turned your head and saw Loki still standing above you.

"I'm sorry Loki, please stay with me, you're all I have." You cried to him, then the hand on your shoulder turned you around fully and you saw Loki yet again, he was crouching down next to you.

"No, don't listen to him. I love you, I'll always love you. You have to believe me, I will get you out of this- you are not alone anymore." You shook your head at his words, your head was feeling fuzzy.

"No, you hate me." You said it with certainty. And Loki had to clench his jaw, he needed to treat this delicately if he wanted to get you out.

"Don't listen to what he said, he is not real. I'm sorry I left you, but it's different now, just let me show you." Loki begged to any gods out there that your powers will let him get through to you and alter them. He put his fingers on your temples, closing his eyes for a second, he focused on you- fighting every barrier your mind was posing in front of him.

When he finally found you, you could suddenly breathe again despite still having a headache. You looked around you and saw you were now in a different living room. You looked back and the other Loki was gone, the only Loki was the one in front of you and looked at you with so many emotions in his blue eyes.

"Loki, what is-" you still felt another pain in your chest and Loki was back at getting through to you.

"Let me show you why this is different," he gestured to all the people you saw laughing and having conversation on the couches in the room. "You have me now, I'm not going anywhere. And you have a family now."

One guy on the sofa suddenly raised his beer towards you and smiled at you.

His name is Steve. You knew him. You smiled back at him a bit.

Then you heard a small laugh followed by a giggle.

Her name is Natasha, and that's Wanda next to her.

New tears streamed down your face.

"I don't understand." You looked to Loki, who was now standing up.

"You have a family now, and you have me and I'll never leave you alone." He extended his hand to you, looking down at where you still sat on the ground. "Come back to me, love."

You kept looking at him, and then back at the people who seemed more and more familiar.

You took his hand and slowly you got up, he was right beside you, holding you up.

Now that you were standing and could see him better, he looked like the Loki you knew, the real one.

"Help me hold onto you." You begged.

"I'll catch you, just come back to me."

With another step you fell forward onto his chest, the next second it was gone and your eyes blew wide when you rose up from the bed you were in.

Before you could get your bearings, still in shock, you felt Loki's comforting embrace take you.

"You came back to me." His voice was but a whisper murmured before he lightly kissed your cheek. You noticed his heaving breath matched your shocked one.

Your mind couldn't wrap up around where you were or what was happening, but all you knew for certain now was that Loki was here with you, holding you, and so you knew you were safe.

•

"So that was all me?" you asked Loki.

He nodded and still kept you close to his chest for comfort, he didn't know whose.

"What they did to you, I assure you they will pay for it. Each and every one of them will know that they should not have laid a single hand on you, my love."

He sealed it with a kiss to your forehead. But you didn't respond to it, still lost in your own head.

"No. It was all me, my powers did that." He took your hand in his and traced circles with his thumb on the back of your palm.

"Your powers are my fault." He admitted, Loki let the feeling of your skin on him ground him before he said the next words, "That night a long time ago, I casted an ancient spell on you- to protect you- but I must have got something wrong or I didn't think about how it would affect a human, and now you got the powers."

"I know, Loki. They used your wand to control my powers so I assumed my Asgardian powers were related to you." You then, to Loki's dismay, lifted yourself up on one elbow and looked sternly at the god in front of you. "You protected me, don't you dare blame yourself. Not even a bit."

You were met with a smile, his clear blue eyes were caressing you softly like water.

"What?"

"I missed you." He leaned up to reach you. "You came back to me."

You looked at your entwined hands.

"You are the one who came back to me, into my life." Loki kissed you shortly when a cough came from the door.

Steve stood there with wide eyes, and his hands clasped together. For his huge form he looked so little. You sent a smile to Loki who reluctantly got up from the bed and walked past the captain.

Once the door was closed Steve rushed to you as you got up from the bed and walked to him, meeting him halfway. He enveloped you in his tight embrace, you wrapped your hands around his neck and let him hold you, and you could feel yourself being slightly lifted from the ground.

You let your tears fall, you didn't know you needed to cry until he hugged you, you missed his comfort.

"I am so glad you're okay, I was so afraid," He said, and you could hear the strain in his voice.

"I was too, but now I'm here." You remembered flashes of what Loki showed you when you were stuck in your head. "I'm home, with my family."

He nodded and pulled you back to look at you.

"You are, of course you are Y/N- you're with me." You smiled, he wiped the tears from your face, and you put your head on his chest. "Kid, you mean so much to me, you know that right?"

"I do, and you mean a lot to me too, old man." He tickled your side and you laughed.

"That is not a way to talk to your elders."

The two of you swayed, you were still cradled in his arms when he broke the comforting silence. You could hear the hesitation in his voice.

"He is okay." You pulled back and looked into his eyes- he was serious.

"Really?" he closed his eyes and nodded with a groan. "I can't believe it- my big brother and my boyfriend getting along. And all I had to do was get tortured."

"Y/N, don't push it." You shrugged him off and went back to use his chest as a pillow.

"Oh give me a break, my ex kidnapped me." You could feel him glaring at you at the comment. "Sorry."

•

After sitting with all of your friends, you went back to your room, not surprised to see Loki lying on your bed, all ready to go to sleep.

"You could've joined us. I heard you and Steve talked. It would have been nice if you were with me." You changed from your clothes, Loki had healed your physical scars already, but you could still feel them.

"I figured you would want time with them, with your family." He stretched a hand out to you as you got onto the bed and under the covers.

"Well, are you-"

"Yes. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." You leaned in to kiss him before settling on your side next to him, facing him.

"You still didn't actually tell me why you left in the first place. You changing colours is not an excuse." You smiled a bit teasingly, his eyes left yours then- afraid of your reaction. "Tell me."

You asked him and he had to obey.

"Just before I left you, right before Thor's coronation,"

"Yeah I remember we talked about it, you said it'll be soon."

"Yes, well I decided to test how worthy he is of being a king, and then it turned into something bigger that I couldn't control and-" he stopped to take a breath, you put a hand on his cold cheek. "Then I found out I am actually a frost giant, a monster. Don't say I'm not, my love, let me finish."

You stayed silent and let him continue, tracing patterns on his skin, where you remembered the markings on his blue skin were.

"After that, I knew I had to let you go- to keep you safe. And with everything that happened afterwards- everything I went through- I don't regret leaving you when I did. It was the right choice."

You tried not to get overwhelmed by the new information he was giving you, and while it hurt- at least he told you, and you could somewhat understand.

"You didn't have to break my heart when you left."

"I'm a monster, Y/N you don't know what my kind is like." He raised his eyes to yours now.

"It doesn't matter at all, you are your own person- well god- you are Loki. You are mischievous and funny, cunning and loyal to those who are worthy of knowing you. I still know you Loki, and you are not bad- you're good. The fact that you hide it doesn't mean you're not."

He lowered his eyes again, and you knew he was holding himself together now, but you didn't push it. Apparently you weren't the only one who went through a lot. You knew there was so much more to his story, but that was for another night.

"Darling, we separated all those years ago, and it might have been for the best. I never thought I'd see you again." He brought you closer and held your chin so you will look up at him. "But timing is a funny thing; sometimes you never know what will find its way back to you again, so maybe now the timing is right. Maybe we weren't meant to be back then. The timing back then wasn't right, but maybe now, after we both grew, the timing is right."

You couldn't help but smile at him while you pondered his words.

"So, did you write that all down? Or was it just off the top of your head?" you teased and he laughed, you could swear that it was glowing in the dark.

"You're forgetting my silver tongue, dear." He smiled brightly at you and wondered what he could possibly have done right for him to have you in his arms again. "All I'm saying is- maybe these hands had to let it go free, so now at the right time you, my love, came back to me."

You knew those smiles and those laughs were reserved just for you, in the intimate moments where he let all of his guards down, and found his old happy self, when the two of you were alone.

"I love you Loki, so much." You connected your lips for just a moment and let yourself relish in the warm feeling that swept through your body as the soft touch. "This love that I have with you left a permanent mark on my heart, Loki I'm forever yours."

"I assure you then, my love, that it is returned. I'm yours." He said it so simply that it made your heart soar and you moved closer to kiss him again, this time fiercely. You pulled him down to meet your lips, pulling at his hair to stay close to you- not that he needed it, he will be damned if there was any space left between the two of you now.

He sucked on your bottom lip, biting on it just the way he knew you liked, and you moaned softly, letting his tongue slide past your lips. You felt the growl in his chest that was pressed against your own when he tasted you, and it only ignited the fire within you that only he could spark.

"Loki," you moaned and then he deepened the kiss further, making sure you felt everything that he was feeling, tasting every love he held for you- only you. He would stop the entire world, all the galaxies, so this night with you could be longer. He will make time stand still and make this last forever, let every god know that you were his and that he was yours and that a simple thing like time will not be able to keep you apart.

Your love was eternal, you could feel it with every beat of your heart with every touch of his skin with yours, and you could never doubt it. Oh if only the gods would lengthen the night so you could catch up with Loki about anything and everything.

Getting impatient by the second, you put your hands on his hips as he hovered over you and slowly lifted them up his torso and under the thin white shirt he wore. You let your hands wander, pulling him towards you and exploring him as if you didn't have every inch of him memorized in your very soul. You started dragging your hands lower and lower until Loki pulled back from you slightly, you couldn't help the whine that you let out.

"Loki, I need you." He caressed your cheek.

"Darling, you need to rest now. I said I will take care of you, so I will."

"You're not taking care of me now…" you pouted and tried to bring him closer, but he only fell onto his side and turned you around so your back was pressed against his chest.

"Get some rest now, I promise you will need it later." He whispered in your ear and with a kiss to your neck he murmured a good night into your hair.

"Good night, Loki." Your heart was still beating fast, but you were smiling like an idiot as Loki's steady rise and fall of his chest eventually made you match his breaths.

You were home. You were safe. You were loved.

Sleep took you easily once you realized that.

•

Tags: @ayybtch @buckys-other-punk @chaoticpete @madcrazy50 @mishkatelwarriorgoddess @the-departed-potato @rogerrhqpsody @onceupona-happilyeverafter-love @percabethismyotp14

[jisungsplatforms]

[Chapter I: Let’s Party!]

Pairing: Producer/Music Major! Han Jisung x Photographer! fem! reader

Genre: NSFW! Smut; non idol au, college au, strangers to lovers

Warnings: strong language, use of alcoholic beverages, drunken antics, ?? jackson wang is throwing a party?? (jk he’s not aljsks. changbin is tho), nothing filthy in this chapter, unfortunately :/ just plot build up

Chapter word count: 2.6k words

Taglist: @hyunjeongins @seungstarss @es-kay-zee @hyunjinsplaything @formidxble @freckledquokka (want to be added? send an ask or a dm! <3)

Haven University; school of the elite. From the academically inclined to the artistically blessed, only those who were gifted with such talents are accepted to augment their potential. The perfect school for the sensational.

...And like every other school with young hormonal adults, also the perfect school for a good fuck.

“Another outstanding submission, Y/n! Keep up the great work!”

You smiled at your photography teacher, Mr. Kim, bowing humbly as you thanked him. You were proud. Praise after praise for your picture taking skills only heightened your motivation to be the best even more. Photography has always been your passion. Ever since you were given your very first camera at the age of 5 years old- which, in retrospect, was actually a toy camera, you already knew that it is something you would want to pursue.

In the middle of your teacher’s praises with another student, the bell rang. “Looks like we ran out of time, folks. Great job again, Seungmin. Everyone, class dismissed,” he said, jokingly using shooing gestures. “Now hurry up and get out of my face, you delinquents. Lunch time awaits. Go replenish your life force.”

You began gathering your belongings, slinging your precious DSLR camera around your neck. “Outstanding submission, young photographer.” You heard someone say. You turned around to see Seungmin grinning at you.

You snort out a laugh. “Thanks. Great job to you too, Seungmo.” Seungmin was about to respond when your instructor’s voice interrupted.

“Oh. Except Y/n. Please stay a little bit after class, for me, dear.” You and Seungmin shared a glance, nodding for him to go ahead without you. He pats your shoulder, bidding you goodbye. You continued packing your things into your bag. As the rest of the students left the room, you walked towards Mr. Kim’s desk, waiting for his word. “Hello, Y/n.”

“Hello, sir. You wanted to talk to me?”

“Ah yes. I wanted to ask you this,” your instructor paused, sitting on his desk. “How much do you love photography?”

You paused, wanting to convey the exact feelings you wanted to express. “Photography is an escape for me,” you answered. “It’s another form of art that helps people convey the emotions and stories people want to tell. Some people express their emotions through music and lyrics, others through paintings, and others through dance. For me, personally, I’m not all that good in any of those aspects, sir. That is why I work so hard when it comes to this class, and in photography in general.” You unconsciously caressed the camera slung around your neck. “And to me, the stories behind a photo is a lot more intimate in a way that I just can’t explain.”

“Because...this is the only way for you to express yourself? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?” You nodded. Mr. Kim hummed in thought. “I see.” He stood up and walked to you, placing his warm hands on your shoulder. “I admire you, kid.”

“You...admire me?” You were confused. The teacher admires his student? Isn’t it usually the other way around?

“Oh yeah. Is that hard to believe?”

“Uhm...Kinda, yeah.”

Mr. Kim laughed mirthfully, amused by your bewilderment and doubt. “Well, believe it. You have spunk. Soul. Your work impart emotions I have never seen from my other students before. You’re passionate about what you do, and I like that. You take digital arts very seriously.”

You laughed awkwardly, the amount of praise your instructor was giving you made you happy. “I do, sir. Kinda a shame not a lot of people even consider it an art.”

“Indeed,” he replied, sitting down on his desk. “Which is why I wanted to give you an impromptu assignment. I want to assign you a story telling type of assignment; to write a story using your photography skills, if that makes sense.”

“Hm, yes? I think I get a jist of what you're trying to tell me.”

“Excellent. I just want to use this to monitor your skills, Y/n. You’re a very talented person, the most talented I’ve ever had even. I just want to see how much of that potential you really have so I can help you blossom it into something greater.”

“Oh,” you draw out, somewhat understanding why he picked you. “I see, sir. I’m honored that you’ve picked me.”

“You should,” he joked. “Now, I want you to photograph the following- write or type this down before you forget.” You hastily whipped out your phone from your pocket. “Ready?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Okay. I want you to capture the perfect scenes. Give me something that gives you joy. Something that makes you emotional, good or bad or even both, if you can. Something you fear, and finally, something that you love unconditionally. These are all supposed to be different photos, by the way. Got that?”

You finished typing a few seconds later. “And...got it.”

“Awesome!” he smiled. “Just know that I’ll be giving you only 3 months to complete the assignment. I hope that this isn’t too much to ask of you, but I’m sure someone as ambitious as you doesn’t mind, right?”

“Nope, sir! Everything will be a-okay!”

“I’m glad! Now move along and get to the canteen already. I’m sure you’re just as hungry as I am.”

You giggled, making your way to the door. “Thank you sir! I’ll see you tomorrow!”

“Oh, finally! There you are! We were starving waiting for you!” You rolled your eyes at Minho, who immediately decided to pick on you the second you entered his field of sight.

“Shut up, you could’ve eaten without me you know?”

“Nah, cause what kind of friends would we be if you ate without you?”

“You just want to steal some of my food, don’t you?”

Minho scoffed and went quiet, prompting Hyunjin, Seungmin, and Jeongin to laugh. “Caught you red-handed, Hyung,” Hyunjin teased, which backfired immediately causing him to chant an apology after Minho gave him a look.

“So why did you take so long, Y/n?” Jeongin asked.

“Oh, Mr. Kim wanted to give me an extra assignment.”

“Extra assignment?” Seungmin questioned. “What for?”

You shrugged, sitting down. “Uh, to test me? I’m not sure but I honestly think that there’s something more behind it. Not in like a bad way, just to clarify. I mean, he did acknowledge that I’m the best in his class after all.”

Seungmin snorted. “I just know you meant that unironically.” You jokingly blew a raspberry at him.

“Of course Y/n is the best!” Hyunjin stuck his chin up. “Let’s be honest, anyone could be the best if they use me as their model!”

“Hey, Hyunjin? You wanna eat this straw?” Minho threatened, making Hyunjin shut up.

“No...?”

“Good. Get off your high horse, prince charming.”

The three of you laughed. “Poor Hyunjin,” Jeongin sympathized sardonically.

“Hyunjin please stick to dancing and uh- not dying,” you said. “I still need you alive for some more upcoming projects.”

“For me too,” said Seungmin. “I might start using you as my model as well.”

Hyunjin fake cried, “Y’all just like me for my looks!”

“I mean, there’s no denying you are incredibly handsome but we like your personality too, Hyunie, don’t worry,” you cheered him up, then turned to Jeongin. “What about you, Yeni? How’re you holding up now that Lix is gone?”

Jeongin gasped. “I miss him! I’m so lonely now, especially when I have theatre! I feel so awkward now that girls swarm up to me instead- and you know I’m a shy boy!”

“Hey! At least you’re more popular now!” Minho laughed.

“Well, now we have no choice but to remember Felix in our hearts,” Seungmin replied.

“I’m not fucking dead. I just switched majors!” the four of you turned to see Felix pouting at you all.

“Well, you’re dead to me!” Jeongin wailed. “Going from a theatre major to a dance major. How could you?!”

Felix chuckled, sitting down between Seungmin and Jeongin. “I’m sorry! You know I’ll still see you though, buddy!”

“Why don’t you just switch to a regular vocal major next semester, Yeni?” you asked.

“Nah. I originally did want to go for just regular vocal studies but, you know, even if I did accidently sign up for the class, I ended up finding something else I wanna do. Plus, theatre is surprisingly fun! You know, find something new that’ll change your life every day.”

“Yup! Especially since they often collab with the dance majors so we get to see each other a lot!” Hyunjin beamed while Minho nodded in acknowledgment.

“Oh, speaking of dancing,” Minho chimed in. “You guys wanna go to a party I was invited to?”

“No,” Seungmin immediately responded.

“No, not you, I knew you would say no. I meant the others.”

Hyunjin nodded, “I was invited to the same party you’re talking about, so yeah.”

“Can’t,” Felix replied. “I’m still getting used to my new major and I still have a few assignments to catch up on.”

Jeongin hummed in agreement. “Same here. We have a play coming up soon and I’m a lead this time, so I gotta stay home to rehearse as much as I can.”

Minho made a stank face, “Aww. Lame.” He turned to you. “What about you, Y/n? You down?”

You thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, sure. Why not?”

“Really?” All 5 boys looked at you incredulously.

“Yeah. I might find some inspiration while I’m there. Besides you know I’ll just be leeching off of Hyunie and Min the whole time.”

Minho and Hyunjin high-fived, cheering a quiet ‘yes!’ Hyunjin giggled. “This is great cause we might need a designated back up driver in case I get drunk and Minho-hyung abandons me!”

“Now that you’ve said that, I might seriously consider that,” Minho grinned. “We’ll pick you up at 8 sharp! Y/n!”

‘8:53pm’ You wanted to go home already.

The boys, true to their word, picked you up at 8:00pm. With little to no traffic- and the fact that Hyunjin actually got ready early so that they wouldn’t be an hour late- the three of you made it to the party around 8:20pm. Even then there were already a lot of people there.

“What the fuck. This house is huge!” you gawked. “Can you even consider this a house still?!”

Hyunjin shrugged. “I’d say this more of a mansion at this point.” All you do mutter a constant chant of ‘what the fuck. what the fuck’ over and over again. “Who’s house is this again, Minho?”

“Changbin’s, remember? Jisung said they’re celebrating in his house,” Minho replied.

“Well this Changbin dude is LOADED,” you mused. Even in the dim lighting, you could see the elegance of the house, which most likely costs more than your entire tuition. “I’d hate to be the one who has to clean up the place.” The boys lead you to the kitchen, helping you avoid the crowd cause, in your words, ‘ew yucky people’. There, they brought you to two men wearing all black, who were hanging out on the island counter. Their names were Changbin- the handsome rich boy who owns the house, the lucky bastard- and Chan- another handsome rich boy with the cutest laugh and dimples, both really sweet and hilarious men, whom you very much enjoyed talking to...

That was the last memory you had before it went downhill.

It took 33 minutes and 4 soju bottles later for Hyunjin to get drunk. Chan and Changbin were back at the booth, manning the song list for the night while Minho was somewhere with some guy in a red beanie doing absolutely nothing, so here you were: stuck babysitting your best friend. “Y/n! Y/n!”

You sighed hearing Hyunjin drunkenly call you. Again. “Yes, Hyunie?”

“I looove you~!” he sang while giving you finger hearts, rocking on the balls of his feet. You sighed again, rubbing your temple.

“Yeah yeah. I know. Love you too.”

“Y/n!” Your left eye twitched. You whipped out your phone from your bra to text Minho.

Me: You bitch.

Help me

Minho ho ho 😼: Hi

No

You glowered. You quickly glanced up to check Hyunjin, who was now sitting on the carpeted floor in front of you, counting his luscious black hair.

Me: He’s-he’s counting his hair… Please get him. It’s like watching a bird repeatedly hitting glass

Minho ho ho 😼: At least he’s not making any trouble now, is he?

He fucking jinxed it. Hyunjin stood up with a shocked look on his face. “What’s wrong, Hyunjin?”

“It’s my favorite song!” he cheered, starting to dance along. You have to admit, even when he’s drunk, he’s still an exceptional dancer. Texting Minho a quick ‘fuck you’. You put your phone back between your breasts to go back to monitoring him, preparing yourself in case you needed to tackle Hyunjin down.

“Heyyy, Y/n!” Minho suddenly draped his arm around your shoulder. Taking your eyes off of Hyunjin, you glared at your lazy, backstabbing friend, shoving his arm off of you.

“Asshole, you’re ten minutes late.”

“Oh I'm not here for Hyunjin. I need your phone.” You look at him audaciously.

“What the- why?”

“My-uh-phone died?” he said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. Your eyes briefly flickered towards Minho’s friend, who, in return, looked down bashfully, red faced. Hm. Weird. You rolled your eyes, nonchalantly reaching into your shirt to get your phone. Minho didn’t even hide his grimace. He cringed, “It’s warm...and wet?”

“Shut up. I’m sweating, okay? And I don’t have any pockets on me.”

Minho nodded, going back to his little friend. Before you could scold him, you heard Hyunjin screaming. You turned around to find him running to the front door. Oh shit. You started pushing people to run after him

You groaned in disgust, wanting nothing more than to get the hell out of here. You pushed your way out of the crowd, cringing at the feeling of touching numerous dirty, unknown people. Where in the world is the fucking exit? In the midst of the sweaty, drunken bodies, your eyes met. It was like time had stopped; no one within the vicinity seemed to not have mattered anymore. With just a smirk and a flirty wink from the chubby-cheeked boy in the red beanie, you knew…

...you just had to fuck him

Hold on, Y/n. Your friend might get fucking ran over! You snapped out of it. With a flustered face, you continued shoving your way through, wrangling Minho on the way. “Come on, fucker. You’re helping me. Let’s go,” you sneered while Minho complained.

After 30 minutes of chasing and wrestling, the drunken beast was tamed. The night ended with Minho driving you all home instead while you and Hyunjin cuddled in the backseat against your will. Minho took great pleasure in knowing that he wasn’t Hyunjin’s cuddle buddy, laughing every time you tried unlatching yourself from him, which made the long haired boy cry. Your sadistic friend dropped you home first, apologizing for not being much of a help tonight. “To make it up to you, I have something for you,” he suspiciously said, wiggling his eyebrows, before giving your phone back and driving off.

You relaxed on your bed, happy that you were rid of those dirty, smelly clothes. You grabbed your phone to text Minho. Assuming that the messages app was left on your conversation with him, you started texting, not paying any mind to the fact that the chat was blank.

Me: Thanks for taking me I guess. I didn’t get anything other than unwanted kisses from Hyunjin ew but it’s aight.

Speaking of aight…Do you think you can give me your friend’s number? 👁👁 The one with the red beanie.

Cause sir, not to be nsfw or anything but he is one fine ass man that I’d like to fuck

Almost immediately, the three bubbles appeared. You were surprised that Minho would reply that fast, thinking we was still on the road with Hyunjin. The reply you got, however, made your heart drop.

Min’s hoe: uh...hi? 👋🏻

this is minho’s “fine ass friend with the red beanie” 👁👁

Shitshitshitshit SHIT

[NEXT CHAPTER]

A/n: Sorry no smut in this chapter just plot build up :(( (which i’m a sucker for) and a lot of dialogue. But Trust me. Everything written in this chapter will fall into place with the future chapters. And who know, next chapter might be 🥵

[a-small-batch-of-dragons]

Nightmare

Prompts: nonny: i just wanna say i LOVE your writing!!! if you’re still taking prompts, is there any way you could do something for (un)wanted? like maybe virgil having a nightmare and coming to janus for comfort? if not, that’s just fine!! 

Crazedcartoonaddict: I keep re-reading (Un)Wanted, it’s so good and is now one of my all-time favorite fics EVER. I was wondering if you would ever be interested in writing the scene where V gets his first Oliver hug, I just reread Remus’s chapter and it popped into my head.

Thank you for the prompts, babes! Oh, it’s been fun to get back into this universe...

Read on Ao3 

Find the first chapter of (Un)Wanted here! And the masterlist!

Pairings: LAMP, DLAMP, DLAMPR, can be platonic or romantic you decide, only janus, remus, and virgil are in this section tho

Warnings: Implied/Referenced torture, child abuse, and self-harm, nothing super explicit. Sympathetic Deceit and Remus. Panic attacks, anxiety attacks.  

Word Count: 4811

V has a nightmare. A horrible, horrible nightmare. So horrible it tugs at the threads of reality until a snake is summoned into the garden.

Set between chapters 3 and 4 of (Un)Wanted.

Janus blinks. There’s something wrong.

 Instantly he flits right to the garden, searching, scanning, a quiet force in the dark that no mortal's eyes could see. He shifts, stretching, reaching…

 It’s nothing. Not here. There’s nothing here.

 The gateway is closed. Patton is elsewhere. The borders to their forest are secure.

 Janus takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. Focus.

  V.

 His eyes flare gold and he appears at the side of V’s room, out of harm’s way, out of the sight from the windows, but close enough to hear the quiet murmurs from inside. He closes his eyes and listens, reaching…

  “N-no, leave—leave me alone let me go—pl-please let me go—“

 Unbidden, a pulse of magic springs to his fingertips and he bites it back, taking another deep breath and carefully walking closer, willing his aura to brighten.

 The gasps inside come to an abrupt halt.

 V’s awake. He can feel it. His fear rolls across the clearing in waves, buffeted back by the thin gold lines connecting them. The clearing grows silent, save for the rustling of leaves and the far away steps of the deer in the night. Janus reaches out and gently tests one of the gold lines, sending a quick spark along it.

 A second later, there’s another hitched breath.

 “V,” he calls softly, just loud enough to carry along the strands, “can you hear me?”

 He waits, hearing nothing save for a little shift inside.

 “I’m not angry with you, little mouse,” he murmurs, sending a few more little pulses along the strands, “I’m just worried.”

 A little longer. He glances around, checking to see if the others have sensed it. Probably not. He’s taken those precautions. Never hurts to be too safe.

 “I felt you were scared,” he continues, looking back at the room, “I’m outside. You don’t have to come out if you don’t want, nor do you have to do anything. But I’m here, right here, if you’d like me to be.”

 Something inside the room shifts again. Then he hears V’s voice.

 “…how do I know you’re real?”

  Hallucinations. Gaslighting? Trauma response?

 “Do you remember when I showed you your aura, little mouse,” Janus asks instead, waiting for the quiet affirmative from inside, “if I show it to you again, will you believe me?”

 “…yeah.”

 He closes his eyes and wills the strands to brighten, just a little. “Open your hand, V. And look.”

 V’s little gasp brings a smile to his face, looking to see the strands thrum with energy. He wiggles his fingers, making the glow shine a little brighter.

 “I’m right here, little mouse, right here.”

 “…J?”

 “Yes, V, it’s me. I’m just outside,” he says softly, turning his hand a little to let the light glow, “I’m here if you want me.”

 There’s a shift from inside. The strands shudder a little. Another spike of fear.

 “I can’t—I can’t see you.”

 Janus looks. “I’m not in line with the window, would you like me to move so you can see me?”

 “…please?”

 How polite, little mouse. Janus smiles and takes a few steps to the side, coming into view. Because of the glare from his hand, he can’t see V very clearly—well, he could if he used a little more power, but he needn’t do that—except for the matching glow on V’s hand. He lifts his own glow and waves.

 “Hello. Can you see me now?”

 “Yeah. Yeah, I can see you.”

 “Good.” They stand there for a little longer, Janus shifting his hand ever so slightly to keep the glow alive. Then he feels another pulse coming from V. “Little mouse, what’s the matter?”

 “What?”

 “I could feel you afraid,” he says softly, “that’s why I came. You’re still afraid, little mouse, what’s troubling you?”

 “…’s stupid.”

 “Nothing that troubles you is stupid, little mouse,” he insists, sending another warm pulse along the strand, “and especially not to me.”

 V’s glow in the window twitches. “…nightmare.”

 “A nightmare? I’m sorry to hear that,” he says softly.

  The Duke, the Prince, the Heart…they would undoubtedly want to…interfere. But mortals need to be allowed to deal with things for themselves, at their own pace. That’s how you did it, isn’t it?

 Go away. You’re gone.

  I am not, little thing. As long as you are here, so am I.

 Janus pushes the voice away and sends another pulse of warmth.

 “Darling,” he calls softly, “may I help?”

 “…help?”

 “Yes,” he repeats, “help. If you wish to talk about it, if you do not wish to talk about it, or even if you just want someone to be here…I’m happy to do that too.”

 There’s a pause as V thinks, the glow tingling every so slightly. Then a small breath.

 “…can I come out?”

 “Of course, little mouse, would you like me to wait here?”

 “Yeah, but—“

 “But,” he prompts gently when V doesn’t finish.

 “…how will I know you’ll still be there?”

 Janus bites back a growl and wiggles his fingers again. More of the strands become visible, coming together slowly to form one line, winding from Janus’s hand through the clearing, to the door, through the door, connecting to V’s hand.

 “Follow the line, little mouse,” he coaxes, “I’ll be right here.”

 “Okay,” he hears V mutter, “okay.”

 A moment later comes the soft creak of the floorboards, then the glow moves from the window. Janus tugs gently on the string, encouraging V to move freely through the room, to the door, out into the warm night.

 The glow of V’s hand appears accompanied by the slightly shaking silhouette against the outline of the house. Janus waves again, the line gleaming brighter. He holds still, a small smile on his face until V edges close enough that their glows meet. He wiggles his fingers again, letting the glow spread until it covers V entirely, bathing the clearing in golden light.

 “Whoa…”

 “Pretty, isn’t it?” V turns his head back and forth, looking at his glowing limbs. “It’s always there, little mouse, even when you can’t see it.”

 Something shifts in V’s expression and he lowers his arms back to his sides. Now that he’s here, he looks a little better.

 “Hello, little mouse,” Janus says softly, “thank you for coming to see me.”

 “Hi.” He shuffles. “Sorry.”

 “There’s no need to apologize, you’ve done nothing wrong.”

 “I—“ V shakes his head. “Never mind.”

 “…are you sure?”

 He nods. He looks back down at his hands, turning them over. “Can I ask you a question?”

 “Of course.”

 “You said—in the garden, you said you were the Gatekeeper.”

 “That’s right.”

 “How does…” V looks up at him. “How does this tie in to being the Gatekeeper?”

 “This—“ Janus indicates the glow—“is something all of us can do. We—our magic interacts with you this way, just not in a way that’s always visible.”

 V’s eyes widen. “Wh-what?”

 “Easy, little mouse,” Janus soothes, his brow furrowing as V takes a little step back, “shh, it’s alright…what did I say?”

 “I—you—your magic can do things to me without me seeing?”

 Oh. “Yes,” Janus says softly, quickly shushing him again when he inhales so sharply it’s almost a whine, “but only in very, very small ways. None of which are happening right now.”

 “What do you mean, ‘right now?’”

 “This glow,” Janus says, letting it disperse a little, “is just a visual way of showing the Claim, that’s all. There’s nothing being done to you right now. That’s all the magic can do without being visible. Make the Claim known.”

 A tiny bit of tension bleeds out of V’s shoulders. “So…”

 “All that you cannot see is a powerful magical warning sign to anything that would try to hurt you.” Janus lets the magic pulse through his fingers, wrapping protectively around V. “That’s all.”

 “O-oh.”  V looks at his hands again. “And you—you can all do that?”

 “Yes.”

 “That might…that might not be so bad.”

 Oh, this little mortal is lovely. Janus smiles, letting the glow flare up a little more. It brings a soft wonder to V’s face.

 “So…” V lets his hands fall to his sides. “What about the other stuff?”

 “The other stuff?”

 “The…the lines and the strings and those things.”

 “Ah, I see. Those are things that only I can do.”

 “Is that how…you were able to tell that I was…?”

 “Afraid?” V nods. “Partly. Because I was the one to claim you first, you are…I am the one who connects you to the others. I feel it first, then they do.”

 V glances behind him. “So why aren’t they here?”

 “Because overwhelming you with more of us may not be the best idea right now,” Janus says, then smirks and reaches out to trail a finger lightly along the edge of the glow, “and I may be a little…possessive.”

 “Possessive?”

 “Over you, little mouse.” He chuckles as V blushes. “There’s that pretty little face.”

 “No…”

 “Alright, alright…I won’t.” He reaches out to offer V his hand. “I’m done, little mouse, I’m done.”

 V rubs his eyes a few times and scrubs his hands over his face. Janus frowns, looking at him, seeing his bare feet, thin clothes. Even in the warm night, it’s not that warm.

 “Are you cold, little mouse?”

 “…little.”

 He opens his arms, letting the glow warm his chest. “Would you like a hug, then?”

 V steps forward, timidly wrapping his arms around his waist. Janus cuddles him gently, one hand coming up to cup his head, gloved fingers easily reaching through the soft hair. The poor little mouse is shivering now, pressed up as he is against Janus.

 “Shh, shh,” he soothes, holding him a little tighter, “I have you. Nothing will harm you here.”

 “How are you this warm?”

 “Magic, little mouse, that’s all it is.”

 “…can you all do this?”

 “If we try, yes.” Janus lets his chin rest on top of V’s head. “But I believe the Duke and the Prince run the warmest of us all.”

 V hums sleepily from inside his grasp, his head resting against the crook of his neck. Janus chuckles, stroking up and down his back.

 “Are you falling asleep, little mouse?”

 As soon as he asks, V tenses. Another spike of fear courses through him, leaving him awake even as Janus is quick to gentle it away.

 “C-can you tell me about the other stuff now?”

 Lamenting the loss of sleepy V, Janus nods. “I am not just the Gatekeeper, little mouse, the other aspects of my abilities aren’t related to maintaining the separation of our world from the outside world. Not directly.”

 “…so…” V shifts in his grasp. “What…is it?”

 Janus takes a deep breath. “…may we sit, little mouse? This may take a little while and I…you’re already trembling a little, my darling.”

 V nods, going to pull away when Janus simply sits where they are. He holds on tightly once he realizes what’s happening and nestles comfortably in Janus’s lap.

 “…it also might take a while to…figure out how to say this.”

 “’S fine.”

 “Thank you, little mouse.”

  You shouldn’t tell him, should you? You remember what mortals do, don’t you?

 Go away.

  Now, now, little thing, that’s not very polite.

 I see no reason to be polite. And don’t call me that.

  Come, come, there’s no need to be so guarded. Not with me. I know you, remember?

 Not anymore.

  Now we both know you haven’t changed all that much, little thing.

 I am no longer what you made me. I am something else.

  And yet with every word you speak, little thing, you only become more and more of what I gave you. Why must you be so stubborn? Certainly you realize that I’m only trying to help you, help you with this new little one.

 He’s not yours.

  Isn’t he? Is he not yours in the same way you are mine?

 I am yours no longer. You are not here anymore. You left.

  Come now, are you still so hurt?

 You made me this way. You had your chance. You had your say. I was good to you. For you. And still, you left.

  Things change, little thing. Nothing lasts forever.

 That’s no excuse. Not for you.

  I am still here in many ways, little thing. I am here in the five of you. That was the purpose, was it not?

 You left us. Left them.

  And I left you with the power to protect them, did I not?

 Janus swallows. “Reality.”

 “What?”

 “Reality,” he says softly, “that’s…that’s my job. Controlling the gray areas between worlds, the soft shadows where things are and remain uncertain.”

 “…control them how?”

 “I can shield the garden from those I do not wish to see it. I can sense the connections and ties that hold things together.” He gives V a little squeeze. “And I can protect those I want to be protected.”

 “...me?”

 “You, little mouse.”

 The glow brightens around them again, pulling in more and more light from the golden strings wrapping tightly around them. As he holds V close, the—the voice in the back of his head starts to fade.

  Careful now, little thing…mortals can be fun to play with but they are very, very breakable.

 I’m not playing. I’m not going to hurt him. He’s not my pet, not my slave, not mine. Not like I was yours.

  You were simply mine, little thing. Seems there are still a few things you won’t let go of. And as much as you deny it, he is yours. And you want him to be.

 Not like that.

  Are you sure you know the difference?

 I know enough.

 Janus lowers his head and gently presses a kiss to V’s temple. “Does that answer your question, little mouse?”

V nods. “I think so.”

 “Anytime,” Janus promises, “anytime you need to reach for something, for me, find the little golden thread and give it a tug. I’ll come.”

 “…always?”

 “For as long as you’d like me to be here.”

 V’s quiet. A low rumble starts in Janus’s chest, working to warm the little mouse from the inside as well as the outside, gently stroking his free hands up and down V’s sides. Something worries in the pit of his stomach, perhaps a tiny bit of residual tension from his…musings. Whatever it is, it keeps snapping V awake every time his eyes might close.

 “Would you like to talk about it, V?”

 V shakes his head, his hands clutched tightly at Janus’s cloak. Janus holds him tighter, letting the poor thing bury his head in the crook of his neck. He closes his eyes and gently tugs this way and that at the golden strings, trying to make sure he’s warm and safe and sure that Janus isn’t going anywhere.

 “You’re safe now, my darling,” he murmurs, “nothing can hurt you here.”

 It’s not working. Janus’s gut clenches when V keeps snapping himself awake, over and over, the tremors growing more noticeable.

 “…J?”

 “Yes, little mouse, I’m right here.” Janus runs his hands along V’s arms again. “There’s no need for you to worry.”

 “I—I can’t sleep.”

 Something dark pools in the pit of his stomach as V admits that.

 “I’m sorry.”

 “There’s no need to apologize,” he assures quickly, “I know it’s only been a little while since you felt comfortable enough to sleep at all.”

 V shifts. He relaxes his grip a little more to let him pull back, scrubbing his hands over his face again. His hands hook into claws. Janus’s breath catches.

 “Don’t, my darling,” he says quickly, catching V’s hands in his own, “don’t scratch, little mouse…you’ll hurt yourself.”

 “They won’t go away,” V says in a strangled whisper, “they won’t—they won’t stop.”

 “What won’t stop, darling?”

 “The—the voices.” Janus’s heart clenches. “I can’t—they won’t leave me alone.”

 Janus knows the feeling.

 “Oh, my darling,” he murmurs, reaching out to gently stroke V’s face, “is that why you can’t sleep?”

 V nods miserably. “I can’t—I don’t—“

 “Take your time, little mouse, it’s alright,” he soothes, cupping V’s cheeks, “don’t push yourself so hard, my darling, there’s no rush.”

 He can’t stop another soothing noise when V whines, be it voluntarily or involuntarily, curling the rest of his arms around the poor thing and rocking him gently back and forth. He shushes another cry, putting his mouth to V’s ear.

 “I know, my darling, I know, you’re alright, my sweet one.” He trails kisses down the side of his jaw. “I’ve got you, little mouse, I’ve got you.”

 “P-Pat said I could—I could sleep anywhere—anywhere I felt—felt safe,” V manages against the hollow of Janus’s throat, “but I—I—“

 The knowledge that V doesn’t feel safe anywhere isn’t a realization, but it rushes over Janus in such a wave that it presses his mouth to V’s cheek again.

 “I understand, my darling, and that’s alright. No, no—hush, little one, come here, it is, you’ve not felt safe for a while now, it’s not going to happen overnight.”

 “B-but it’s been many nights.”

 Janus smiles sadly. “I know, my darling.”

 He cuddles him close, holding him tightly as the tremors continue to shake the poor thing. Hushing and gentle reassurances begin to fill the golden area. Every so often V will grumble to himself—either out of frustration or exhaustion—but he never raises a hand to himself again.

 “You’re tired, little mouse, even if you can’t sleep, aren’t you?” Janus asks after a while, running his hands through V’s hair. “I can feel it…”

 “I can’t sleep.”

 “Do you want to try and do something else to get your mind off of…everything?”

 “Like what?”

 Janus glances around. The doors are still closed. The stars overhead have not moved enough for them to worry about it getting light anytime soon.

 “Shall we go for a little walk, my darling?”

 “…where?”

 “How about to the lake,” he suggests, pulling back to look at V’s face, “to see who else might be awake?”

 “What?”

 “Have the prince and the duke told you about the creatures that sleep during the day and are awake during the night?”

 V nods.

 “Would you like to go see them?”

 “…can we?”

 Janus smiles. “Of course, little mouse. Come on…let’s stand you up, hmm?”

 V clambers shakily to his feet before Janus can help him, putting at least a foot of distance between them. Janus frowns, letting the glow settle around them still, adjusting the strands to hold it in place. He nods toward the path that will take them there.

 “Shall we?”

 V nods, walking alongside him. He tries to keep looking forward, to avoid fretting about whether or not he’ll be able to get to V quick enough if he has another attack, but after a few steps he breaks and wordlessly holds out his hand.

 V’s cold fingers wrap around his and he hides a smile, gently tugging him closer.

 “I’d hate for you to trip, he says, pushing a little more warmth through the strings,  “and I’d hate for us to get lost.”

 “Can I—“

 They’ll have to work on getting V to stop cutting himself off.

 “Yes,” Janus says softly, “you can do what you’d like, my darling.”

 After a few more steps, V presses himself up against Janus’s side.

 “…thank you.”

 “Of course, you’re always welcome.”

 Out of the corner of his eye, he sees V glance up at him.

 “Yes?”

 “Sorry, it’s just…” V swallows. “Can I…the others said…”

 He rolls his eyes fondly. “Let me guess, they warned you that I don’t like to be touched?”

 “…how’d you know?”

 “Because it’s true.” Before V can yank himself away, Janus wraps two more arms around him, one around his shoulders, one around his waist. “But you are exempt from that rule.”

 “I—uh—“ V glances at the arms suddenly around him— “why?”

 He pauses, leaning over to kiss V’s forehead. “Because you’re special to me, my darling,” he murmurs, “and I will never mind being touched by you.”

 In the soft golden glow, V’s blush still looks as adorable as ever.

 “Come on,” he murmurs, “the lake isn’t far.”

 V keeps a tight hold of his hand as they walk, only relaxing his grip once they make it to the lake. The water is flat, gleaming with the light of the moon, the trees around them sparkled silver in the light.

 ���Pretty,” Janus muses, “isn’t it?”

 “Mhmm.”

 “What the fuck are you two doing awake?”

 Janus turns, spotting Remus rising out from the depths of the foliage. His tentacles writhe as he shakes off the water. Next to him, he feels V flinch for a moment from the sudden appearance and step behind him.

 “Good night, Duke,” Janus remarks, giving V’s hand a gentle squeeze, “and I could ask you the same question.”

 “I don’t need sleep the same way you do,” Remus says easily, frowning at Janus.

 “Then perhaps,” Janus says pointedly, fixing Remus with a look, “you wouldn’t mind us being here.”

 Remus makes an ‘ah’ sound, finally looking at V and plonking himself down on the ground, crossing his legs.

 “Hey, little monster,” he says, opening his arms, “you wanna come here?”

 “…can I?”

 “Sure can.”

 V glances up at Janus, who gives his hand another squeeze and lets go. Remus thrums contentedly as V edges closer, letting him pull him down into his lap and cuddle him.

 “Mm,” Remus hums, nuzzling his head into V’s shoulder, “much better.”

 “You’re warm,” V murmurs, “really warm.”

 Janus smiles privately as Remus wraps his arms more tightly around the poor thing. The lake is often colder than the other parts of the forest, which is perfectly nice during the day, but not necessarily at night. Judging by the way V turns his own cold nose into Remus, he’s realized that too.

 “What brings you here, little monster,” Remus asks quietly, “just wanted a walk?”

 “…nightmare,” V mumbles, “couldn’t get back to sleep.”

 Over V’s shoulder, Remus glances up at Janus. Janus shakes his head minutely. Remus nods.

 “You’re shaking, little monster,” he says, turning his attention back to V, “I gotcha. You’re safe, safe, safe…”

 Remus’s litany of ‘safe’ melts a little more of the tension out of V’s shoulders as he grips tightly. Janus glances around, wondering if that means the rest of them are awake as well.

 “Snakey,” Remus calls after a moment. Janus looks back to see Remus jerk his head to beckon him over. He comes, kneeling down in the soft grass and resting a hand on V’s shoulder. “You wanna tell me a little bit?”

 “…I felt something spike,” Janus says after a moment, “traced it to the clearing. V was afraid of something.”

 “And he told you it was a nightmare?”

 “He did.”

 Remus nods, curling his arms tightly around the poor thing. Something in his expression makes a little darkness settle in Janus’s stomach. Something he’s not saying.

 Not now. Not with V here.

 The water stirs. Janus looks over to see ripples spreading out, disrupting the serene reflection. They grow larger and larger as a dark shape begins to rise from the depths.

 “Ollie,” Remus calls as the kraken’s head appears, “what’re you doing awake?”

 V lets out a small huff against Remus’s shoulder. “When does he sleep?”

 “I don’t really know,” Remus confesses as the kraken begins to swim closer, “but I do know that I often end up waking him in the morning.”

 Oliver, oblivious to the contribution he’s making to the people-who-aren’t-asleep-when-they-should-be group, swims closer, water pouring off of his tentacles as he moves through the lake.

 “Be careful,” Remus chides as he gets closer, “now is not the time to beach yourself.”

 Oliver clicks softly, hovering just out of the shallows, until he spots V curled up in Remus’s arms. The kraken trills, lifting a tentacle out of the water and laying it on the grass.

 “Hi, Oliver,” V mumbles, reaching out his hand to pat the tentacle. The kraken taps him back with a gentleness that almost takes Janus by surprise.

 “You should be asleep,” Remus scolds when Oliver reaches for him too, “you have things to do tomorrow.”

 The kraken burbles.

 “Wait, what does he have to do?”

 “We’re cleaning out the dead kelp tomorrow,” Remus explains, “which means he should be resting.”

 Oliver harrumphs, the water around him fizzing and bubbling with the force of the vibrations. Janus hides a smile. Then the kraken rumbles again, reaching out.

 “We can’t play right now, Ollie. You know that.”

 The kraken rumbles insistently, still reaching. V looks back and forth between Remus and Oliver, trying to figure out what’s going on. Janus does the same. Oliver is rarely one to misbehave, especially by Remus’s standards.

 Remus stares hard at the kraken for a moment, before looking down at V in his arms. Realization dawns on his face and he shakes his head fondly at Oliver.

 “What,” V says quickly, “what is it? Did I do something?”

 “No, little monster, you didn’t do anything.” Remus shifts his grip. “Ollie wants to hug you.”

 V draws back a little.

 “Because he’s one of mine, he’s kinda tied to the same stuff I am,” Remus explains, “so he can…he can probably tell you’re not real happy right now.”

 “Am I…hurting him?”

 “No, little monster, like I said earlier, I don’t think you could hurt him if you tried.” Remus nuzzles into the crook of V’s neck as V holds onto him tighter. “He’s just worried.”

 “…I don’t want him to be worried.”

 “He’ll calm down.” Indeed, as Oliver lies in the shallows, one of his tentacles still on the grass beside them, the kraken burbles again, his massive eyes blinking lazily. “See?”

 V doesn’t look away from the kraken, his hand still resting on Oliver’s tentacle. His other arm, still around Remus, begins to loosen his grip as he leans to the side. Remus glances back and forth between them.

 “…V, do you want Ollie to give you a hug?”

 “Can I?”

 Remus chuckles, opening his arms. “For sure, little monster, just make sure you tell him when you’re done. Otherwise, he’ll just keep hold of you.”

 “I will.”

 Janus watches as V crawls carefully out of Remus’s lap towards Oliver. Oliver clicks excitedly and holds still, before carefully wrapping his arm around V.

 “Be gentle,” Remus says before they get too far away. Oliver rumbles, still curling his arm around V.

 “You’re certain he knows what he’s doing,” Janus mutters to Remus as Oliver starts to lift V off the ground.

 “He won’t hurt him.”

 Indeed, Oliver gently brings V close to his head, holding him firmly in his arm. V reaches out to rest himself against the kraken’s broad forehead, his cheek resting against the warm skin. The kraken rumbles again, warm and soothing, cradling V amidst the mass of arms. Janus feels little echoes of warmth running along the strings connecting them.

 “Aww,” Remus chuckles next to him, “that’s real cute.”

 “Quite.”

 Oliver keeps humming, letting V rest against his head. After a moment, Remus presses himself against Janus’s side and turns to mutter in his ear.

 “He said nightmare?”

 Janus turns his head. “He did.”

 “Was he lying?”

 The darkness in Janus’s gut twinges. “I didn’t sense one.”

 “Neither did I, but that’s your business.”

 Janus risks a glance at V. He’s still resting against Oliver’s forehead. “Why do you ask?”

 “Because I can tell when he has nightmares. That’s my business,” Remus mutters, “and he didn’t have one tonight.”

 Janus tenses. But that—so that means…

 “…so…”

 “I dunno,” Remus says, sitting back, “but whatever it is, it isn’t his.”

  Something is coming for him. Something still has its hooks in him. Something is still trying to hurt him.

 V is safe on this side of the portal.

  Can you be so sure?

 “Yes,” Janus murmurs, watching Oliver set V gently back on the ground, burbling happily as Remus sweeps him into another protective cuddle, “he’s safe here.”

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[butteraway]

when time runs out | v

⋆ summary:  A young girl has fallen deeply ill with an unknown disease in her, so with all her free time spent in an empty hospital room, she spends it online playing video games. That's until she meets her cousins friends, one spiking her interest with his extremely vulgare language.

pairing: bakugou katsuki x reader

word count: 6.3k

warnings: none

authors note: HERE IT IS!! A whopping 6k chapter can you believe this lol :’) I plan on making the chapters this long, so that means it’ll take a little longer for me to write,,, But enjoy this guys!

Y/N was laying on her bed, twirling the bottle of pills that captivated her interest. Sitting up, she slowly opened the cap and took a pill out. She examined it, liking how the yellow and green color meshed together. The pills didn't look like anything special, just your basic average pill.

Her conversation with doc was a bit unnerving though to say the least. The doctor was acting a bit off if you asked her.                                      ______________________

Y/N looked at Receen with uncertainty painting her face. What was the meaning of this? Was it really possible for her if she took these pills? He wouldn't try to kill her? They've known each other for almost two years, so he wouldn't try anything.

Right?

"C'mon Y/N, you trust me right? You can see your family again, just take them!" Doctor Receen urged the girl with an enthusiastic smile. Though the look in his eyes seemed a bit desperate for her to take them. Weird.

"Say, Doc, I don't wanna sound ungrateful or anything, but-" she was cut off by a soft laugh. It sounded more forced.

"Y/N, there's nothing to worry about! You had professionals work and conduct these small things! Here! Just take them and think about it!" Receen tossed the bottle to Y/N, who barely caught it with both hands. "I'll have someone bring in some fresh clothes just in case you do want to try these things out.”

And just like that he was out the door.                                     ______________________

Y/N scratched the back of her neck as she put the pill back in the bottle, wondering why the doctor was pushy with her taking them. Her eyes wandered around the room until they landed on the new pile of clothes sitting on the edge of her bed. A kind lady bought it a short while ago, giving her a small smile before leaving.

Though, Y/N decided she'd play a game before calling her parents to tell them the wonderful news. It still felt odd for her to just get pills for her sickness right then and there. Even if it wasn’t a permanent solution. She wasn't even informed about the making of her medicine, despite what Receen had told her. All that she knew was that they were trying to keep her alive. Turning on her console and taking her controller, she glanced at the bottle. She didn't close it of course, wanting to see that they were actually real. 

Putting on her headphones, she put on Fortnite and waited for other players to join. She really hated this game, but it was hilarious to see people rage. Seeing someone join, she tried to talk to them, but got no response. Briefly closing her eyes for a few seconds, she snapped them open after hearing a familiar gruff voice. King Explosion Murder!

"We better win this or I'll look for all of you and kill you." That was literally the first thing the dude said as the game began. Y/N let out an awkward chuckle, a sweat drop appearing on her forehead. This'll be interesting. She cleared her throat, slightly catching the attention of ‘Explosion Murder'.

"Hey! Do you remember me? We played together a few nights ago, with this other guy called Tape Dispenser on OverWatch!" Y/N decided to take a friendly approach, trying not to blow a fuse with this guy. I do not wanna be on this guy's bad side again. Silence filled the air, making Y/N feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Who the fuck are you?" Said girl nearly choked on her spit as she doubled over. She began shooting at random people as the game began, taking them down and moving with her small team. She once again felt her eyebrow twitch.

"What do you mean 'who are you?' Y/N asked, lowering her voice to mimic Murder's voice. She made her character shoot a person in front of her. Headshot!

"I have no idea who the hell you are, so shut the hell up!" Murder's voice rang through her ear as she winced at the volume. So loud! Her other teammate was shot down and killed, making Y/N sigh.

"You sure dude? I'm the one who almost won the game, but like, died at the very end?" Y/N didn't even know why she was even trying to talk to this guy. She just felt like she wanted to know him better. Or her. Could be a girl with a really deep voice? Murder was quiet before a growl like grunt was heard.

"So you're the damn girl who did that." Murder's voice was low and Y/N didn't know whether or not to feel scared for herself. "Haha! Yeah, that was me." She awkwardly laughed, not sure if he was going to blow a fuse because of that.

Murder was quiet, with the exception of his breathing being heard through her headphones. Y/N just came to the conclusion that Murder was, in fact, a dude. She didn't want to believe that a girl had that deep of a voice. It was possible, she thought, though she couldn't picture a female with that voice. She'd die if she did. The thought made her stifle a laugh.

"The fuck you laughing about?!" Y/N looked at his kill counts and her eyes widened. 7 already?! Goddamn! She looked at her own and only saw three. "Well aren't you curious now?" Murder let out a huff, as if he were trying to contain his inner rage. "I was asking for a goddamn reason." 

Y/N swore she could feel his irritation through the screen. The two met up and began to continue to go to the middle of the map. 6 kills. Cool! She once again looked at Murder's kills and felt her confidence deflate once again. Way to make me depressed dude. As she was shooting a player, Y/N looked at the kill feed and almost spit everywhere.

"MOTHER FUCKING FUCKER!" This dude exploded, and by the noise, she assumed he threw his chair. This dude! Suddenly, an idea came in her, oh so beautiful, head. "Yo yo yo, bro! I gotta deal!" This caught Murder's attention as he let out an aggressive 'What.’ She smiled wide as she continued to play the game, knocking down and killing another player. 

"I carry the team and win, you accept my friend request!" 

"What if you don't win, huh?" That's what Y/N was scared of. She let out a defeated sigh and surrendered. "I'll give you the most rare skin I own." There was silence as she took some damage from another player. 

"Which is what?" She swallowed and opened her mouth. "It's the skin that was only given to 5 players from the event last year." 

"Deal." He said it so fast that Y/N was actually scared to give him it. But she always kept her word. Looking to see how much other players were left, she felt her heart speed up. Why am I freaking doing this?! The girl continued to focus on the game at hand and began skillfully killing the other players. She got hit a few times, but never went down. When it was finally one player left, besides herself, she began to be cautious. At last, she took down the final player and yelled out in joy!

"Oh yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about baby! Sweet sweet victory!" Y/N cheered while throwing her hands up in the air and slightly jumping on her bed. She had no idea why she was even this excited to win. Maybe it's cuz I like him. Y/N stopped mid cheer, before she burst out with laughter as she wondered why she even thought that. She doesn't even know the guy!

"Well, looks like you're gonna have to accept me!" Murder let out a couple of grumbles and snide comments as he accepted her request that she sent. "It was only fucking luck. Don't get too cocky."

Y/N gave a toothy smile that he couldn't see and giggled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night." The small girl looked at the time and decided this was enough for the day. "Well Mr. Explody, I gotta go! It was cool playing with you!" 

"Yeah yeah, whatever. Get off now, you're starting to piss me off." Y/N laughed at his sour attitude and decided to fuel the flame some more.

"Y'know, you should work on your gaming. You suck." The girl quickly got off the game and turned off her console, but not without hearing him yell at her. The smile never left her face as she fell on her back and looked at the ceiling. Gosh, he's so weird. She continued to replay their interactions before turning her head and looking at the phone. She sighed and sat up. 

All her happy feelings went down the drain. Something just didn't feel right with the medicine the doctor gave her. Whatever. It's probably because I always thought I'd be cooped up in this room for the rest of my life. Y/N blinked and walked to the phone and dialed her parents number. She stood anxious, hearing the phone ring and her hands trembling with excitement? Fear? Who knows.

"Hello? Y/N? How are you!" Her mom's cheery voice sounded through the phone and once again, the girl smiled. "Hi Mommy! I'm fine, perfectly fine actually. What about you?" She decided to keep things smooth and simple. The laughter of her mother brought Y/N back to reality.

"Oh Y/N! No need to be so formal! I'm your mother, no need to act like that!" Y/N let out a chuckle and brushed her hair away from her face. "Yeah, sorry Mommy." 

"And to answer your question, I am doing amazing!" She let out a hum, letting her mother know she heard. "Well, I have some kind of big and important news. So basically, Doctor Receen made some kind of medicine. For my, y'know, 'sickness.' Crazy right?"

There was a small pause before the cheerful voice of her mother sounded in her ear. "I know! The Doctor had already told your father and I beforehand! I was so ecstatic, and I still am for you-"

"Wait, you already knew? And you didn't tell me?" Y/N’s voice was filled with confusion. Why didn’t mom tell me? Was she keeping it a secret? Did she try hiding it from me? Was she ever going to-

“Well I wanted it to be a surprise for you from the doctor!” Said the older woman happily, leaving Y/N to feel embarrassed. She let out a small ‘Oh’, and rubbed her neck. Why did she even think her mother wouldn’t tell her something so important? Shaking her head, Y/N continued.

“Well thank you! I’m still, uh, just still a little skeptical of the pills. I’m not sure if they are actually going to work…” The clear doubt was heard in the girl’s voice. Her mother furrowed her eyebrows.

“But sweetie! Of course they’re going to work! I would’ve thought you’d be more excited about this!” Glancing up to look at the bottle, Y/N could only let out a short ‘yeah.’ 

“So when will you be coming! Your dad and I agreed that we would pick you up after you took one of the pills, so you could come home for a while!” Her mother’s voice continued to rant off about what they were going to do when she came back home. While the voice continued, Y/N drifted off into her head.

How am I going to tell Denki this? Should I like, surprise him when he comes back from school? Hmm, I swear if he cries, I think I will too-

“Y/N! Y/N honey are you there?” Zooming back into reality, she let out a chuckle from her mother’s worried voice.

“Yeah mom, sorry. I was just thinking about some things.” M/N hummed in understanding. It grew quiet quick, but soon was filled with Y/N’s sweet voice. “I think I’ll take the pill on Friday mommy. You can come pick me up at around three. This gives you some time to prepare for everything, heh.”

Her mother let out loud cheers, happy that she will be able to see her daughter face to face again. It’s been so long since she had last seen Y/N, not being able to take it, seeing her child confined in a spacious room. 

The two talked for a short moment more until they decided to hang up. Placing down the phone, Y/N sighed. Dragging herself and the IV back to her bed, she sat in silence. Who knows how long she stayed in that position, all that she knows is that she was snapped out of her daze after a brief knock to her door. She hummed, loud enough for the person to hear. Opening the door, the woman walked in, boots squeaking against the clean floor. The short spray in the air filled the silence as the doctor walked over to Y/N’s IV bag.

Watching her check and adjust the fluid bag, Y/N’s big eyes snapped to the doctor’s face when she began speaking. “You’ve been moving a lot. The needle is off center from where it’s supposed to be.” 

As she said that, the girl felt a slight pinch on her arm and saw the doctor putting the needle back into its rightful place. Satisfied with the placement of the needle, she hummed in acceptance and patted Y/N’s arm with her gloved hand. Moving her arm around to get used to the feeling of it back inside her body, Y/N wondered when it had fallen out. Huh, I didn’t even notice. 

Feeling the need to fill the silence, Y/N spoke. “Well, today was an exciting day, haha. Received amazing news and had a wonderful conversation with my mom.” Y/N chuckled in false amusement, but the doctor could only narrow her eyes at the small girl. “Mm, you sound so excited, I could tell when I first walked in here.”

Now Y/N did laugh at that. Who knew the scary doctor lady could go along with her sarcasm! With now gleaming eyes, the excitement was now visible in her eyes. Now that she knew the doctor was ‘nice’, she definitely was going to have fun talking with this doctor. Seeing as she turned around and went to head towards the door, Y/N was quick to stop her. 

“Hey! What’s your name?” The doctor’s eyes widened in shock and turned fully to the girl who had now stood up.

“What do you mean ‘what’s your name?’ I’ve been one of your main doctors for two years!” The woman exclaimed in exasperation, unbelieving of the situation she was just put in. Y/N could only weakly shrug.

“Sorry about that! I just, uh, like was too nervous around you to remember your name?” As pathetic as the excuse was, she was telling the truth! I am so sorry Ms. Doctor! The older woman could only shake her head in amusement.

“My name is Doctor Shuzenji Kumiko, but call me Doctor Kumiko. Now you better remember that, this will be the last time I tell you my name.” Y/N nodded her head with such affirmation, Doctor Kumiko thought the child would accidentally hurt herself. And right now she did not need that happening. While she shook her head though, Y/N couldn’t help but feel a strike of familiarity at her name. But what about it is familiar? Cranking every gear in her head, she failed to notice Doctor Kumiko looking around the room.

Doctor Kumiko was never able to get a proper look around the sick girl’s room, seeing as her mission was to go in, check if Y/N was ok, and then get out. Though she immediately noticed how empty her room was. Only one big bed, a flat screen tv perched on a small table, and the medical equipment were all that occupied the room. Though now that she started paying more attention, the room was a different color. Bland white walls were now full of a bright color, something not too dark, but not too eye bleeding. It was a nice appealing color that suited the girl standing in front of her. That’s when Doctor Kumiko’s eyes landed on the small table next to the grand bed. They slightly widened as they caught eyesight on the small bottle. 

“I can’t believe he gave them to her.” Kumiko hissed silently just as Y/N snapped her fingers. Staring at the doctor, she tilted her head. 

“Did you say something?”

“Huh? Oh no, it’s nothing! Just remembering something is all!” Doctor Kumiko rubbed her neck, putting the momentary problem in the back of her head for now. Y/N shrugged her shoulders, curiously looking at the doctor in front of her. Clearing her throat, the doctor shifted the focus off herself.

“So were you going to say something?” Slowly fiddling with her gloved hands, the Doctor could only sigh in relief as Y/N eyes popped open quickly.

“AH YES!” Y/N quickly wobbled to the doctor forgetting to take the IV that weighed her down with her. The doctor let out a small gasp, stepping behind the girl and rolling it next to Y/N who didn’t pay any attention to that.

“I finally recognize where I heard that last name from! And no, I didn’t just remember your name you supposedly told me before.” The lady’s sharp eyes rolled, letting her continue.

“RECOVERY GIRL HAS THE SAME SURNAME! ISN’T THAT INSANE?! I HONESTLY FIND THAT SO COOL! I wish I had the same name as a famous person, oooo like All Might’s name, or or even Endeavor’s!” Doctor Kumiko cringed at the sound of Endeavor’s name but paid no mind to that. Right now she had to deal with a hero fangirl. Just then Y/N abruptly stopped her rapid talking, moving closer to Doctor Kumiko’s face.

“Wait. Are you like-” Y/N looked around the room as if there was someone else watching them. When she was done, she leaned closer to the doctor’s protected head and whispered the following words. “Are you Recovery Girl’s daughter?” The woman could only sigh and stared into the girl’s shining eyes. When Y/N got no response she determined her answer by herself.

“Oh my gOSH!!! WAIT LIKE FOR REAL?! LIKE YOU’RE ACTUALLY HER DAUGHTER?? YOU LOOK A LITTLE YOUNG TO BE HER DAUGHTER BUT I’M NOT COMPLAINING! WOW THIS IS SO CRAZY, ALL THIS TIME YOU WALKED IN HERE AND I HAD NO IDEA WHO YOU ACTUALLY WERE!! I HAVE TO TELL DENKI HE’S GONNA FREAK OUT-” Doctor Kumiko bellowed a laugh so grand it had Y/N laughing along as well. After attempting to wipe away her tears soon realizing she couldn’t due to her helmet, she let out more bubbly laughs. 

“Aahhh, you’re pure gold!! I can see why Receen likes you!” She smiled brightly down towards Y/N who gave her a beaming grin of her own in return. “But yes! You’re right, though not entirely.” 

Y/N trying to keep up with Doctor Kumiko’s pace to her bed, they both sat down and got comfortable. “Since you basically found out my family tree, to answer your question fully, I am related to Recovery Girl. I’m not her daughter, but her granddaughter instead.” 

The small girl’s eyes widened in shock. No way. She actually met someone who’s related to one of the greatest heroes of all time. Don’t fight her on this, she knows what she’s talking about. As she stared at the doctor with such admiration, Kumiko could only give her a weak smile. She knew what the next question would be. Her answer would always leave people with disappointment. 

“Wait! Does that mean that you have a similar quirk to Recovery Girl? After two generations, wouldn’t your quirk be more evolved at this point? Or do you have a mixture of both your parents quirk, seeing as your mom could’ve inherited some of Recovery Girl’s quirk or something like that!” Doctor Kumiko only shook her head leaving Y/N confused.

“Then did you get a quirk similar to your dads?” Once again shaking her head no, Y/N was beyond confused. Until a thought passed through her head.

“Are you… are you quirkless?” Y/N didn’t really consider a descendant from a nationwide known hero to be quirkless. It’s possible, but very unlikely. After all, only 20 percent of people in the world aren’t born with quirks. Me included. Y/N’s eyebrow twitched at the truth of her thought train. Once again though, the doctor shook her head and went to explain to the young girl.

“I do have a quirk, so that’s not the problem. The problem lies in how efficient my quirk is.” Y/N listened intently, ready to store this useful information in her memory. Ohoho Denki is gonna be sooo jealous, heheh. “My quirk is actually quite weak compared to my grandmother.”

“My mother was born quirkless, meaning that when she had me, many doctors had thought I would be too. But instead, I got a similar quirk to my grandmother. Since my mother had direct DNA from her, part of that DNA was transferred to me, to her granddaughter. Everyone was ecstatic to learn I had gotten a quirk similar to my grandmother, some even thought my quirk would be even greater than hers.

“But alas, I was handed the remains of the quirk from my mother, so I only proved to have a much much weaker quirk compared to Recovery Girl.” Soaking up the information, Y/N looked to Doctor Kumiko. Despite sharing not so amazing information, she didn’t seem to be too bothered by sharing it. In fact, she looked perfectly fine!

“I’ve come to terms that my quirk will always be a weak one, but that doesn’t stop me from using it all. I help as best as I could, using my quirk to help young children when they scrape their knees, and just replenishing as much energy into those who need it the most. I think the biggest wound I’ve healed was a large burn! I was so proud of myself, but I was just so exhausted! So I mostly conserve energy when I need to.”

Y/N nodded, happy that the doctor was sharing so much with her. She didn’t care if it was ‘improper’ or something, she was just glad to be able to talk to someone who wasn’t Receen or Denki.

“You seem quite happy with what you do. How much people have you helped?” Y/N smiled happily at the doctor. “ I’ve helped so many people. And just with my quirk!” Sighing happily, Doctor Kumiko got up and headed towards the door. 

“Do you visit Recovery Girl often?” Y/N had a small favor she would like to ask the doctor, though she needed to make sure she was able to do it first. 

“Of course, she is my grandmother after all. She would spam call me if I hadn’t visited her in over a week.” Doctor Kumiko deadpanned at the thought of that, having experienced that before. Y/N giggled at the thought, phone constantly ringing for who knows how long!

“Makes me deliver her food too if she forgot it. That lady is too much work sometimes.” The doctor rubbed her head, a headache already rolling in at the thought of all the things her grandmother makes her do.

‘Well since you see and visit her~” Y/N smiled sweetly at the woman looking at her with suspicious eyes. “Then that means you have access to the U.A. building!” Now Kumiko was narrowing her eyes at the girl at this point.

“Yes, I’m also a helper at the school too. What cards are you playing right now Ms. L/N?” Said girl chuckled mischievously, quickly moving to grab a small note pad in the drawer of her small table. Ripping out a piece of paper and quickly scribbling words on it and folding it, she handed the paper to the doctor who stared at it in confusion.

“GREAT! I need you to deliver this to my cousin that goes to the school! Since you have access to the school, which I don’t know why you didn’t tell me sooner, this makes your little journey for me easier!” Sharp eyes flew from the paper in her hand to the young girl’s face, back to the paper. Sighing, she silently agreed.

“Thank you!!! Ok, so his name is Kaminari Denki and he’s a first year in the hero course! I don’t know which one, but he’s in one of them if he didn’t lie to me.” Chuckling, the doctor nodded and stood up from the bed. 

“Well I spent too much time in here. I think it’s been the most since the two years I’ve been checking up on you.” Walking to the door, she paused for a moment, turning around to look at the girl who had sat back down on her bed.

“I’ll be sure to get these to your cousin as soon as possible. Also, I’m sure you’ll be able to help so many people when you’re out of here. But please be careful with those pills. They’re very strong so consume them with caution." And with that, she left, door opening, closing, and the familiar sound of the air purifier turning on. 

Chatter filled the classroom in the early morning, the students excited for another day in U.A. Ever since the recent villain attack, many of them were still filled with fear, though their determination to grow stronger overshadowed any negative thoughts. The days passed by since then and many of the young heroes have made it their goal to be stronger than they were before.

Which leads us to a blonde boy with a black lightning streak in his hair, sitting nonchalantly in his chair. He listened to his rambling friend, the red head mentioning something about Crimson Riot, or something like that.

“And ever since then, I always followed his words! He’s my number one inspiration after all-” A grunt was heard next to him, the boys’ eyes turning to the ash blond boy sitting next to them.

“Yeah yeah, we heard this story already, why don’t you talk about something new?” His gruff voice didn’t knock down the red head’s bright mood though, only pushing him to talk more.

“Alright Bakubro, if that’s what you want!” The boy grinned, his sharp teeth on display for everyone to see. And even despite that, no one was very afraid of his appearance, seeing as his personality shone out like the sun outside. “So what did you guys do this weekend? I’ve been training for hours! Ever since U.S.J, I’ll admit, I was still shaken up!” 

At the mention of what happened at U.S.J, more people around them joined in on their conversation. “Tell me about it, my parents didn’t want me coming back because of that.”

A few murmured in agreement, everyone now talking about their experiences at home. “You don’t know how long it took me to convince my mom to not call the school. But if anything, I’m still surprised Midoriya is still here. He was at the core of all the attacks!” 

Said boy turns red at the mention of that. I mean, his mom was really really worried about him, so he couldn’t really say anything. Scratching the back of his neck, he could only let out a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah, luckily All Might managed to come and save the day!” Excited chatter began to fill the room once again with everyone retelling each other how cool All Might was busting through the doors of U.S.J.. Ururaka jumped in as well, her voice filled with awe.

“Don’t forget how All Might even knew we were in trouble! If it weren’t for Iida speeding his way back to UA, who knows what could’ve happened!” Even more people agreed on that, some of the guys even patting the tall boy on the back. Clearing his throat, and trying to make the blush disappear off his face, Iida fixed his glasses and began talking.

“Well of course I did that, any sane person would have done it. After all it was the right thing to do, especially in our dire situation!”

“Ah there goes Iida humbling himself again!”

“Give yourself some credit dude!”

“It was still super cool how you managed to run that entire distance!”

Covering the raising blush on his face at the rapid compliments with his fist, he spoke once again, the others around him listening to his words. “It would have been more preferable if we were able to contact the school directly, help would’ve come much more quickly then.”

“Oh yeah! Too bad Kaminari couldn’t contact the school though, those villains really knew what they were doing!”

At the mention of his name, Kaminari faced Mina and gave a tight grin. “I didn’t even know that there were people who had quirks that can block out signals!” Some laughed, while others chuckled at the exasperation in the blonde boy's voice. An annoyed sigh cut through their laughter, everyone looking to the blonde spiky haired boy who interrupted their laughing fest. Just as he was about to speak, a knock was heard throughout the class, leaving the boy to grumble to himself as the door slid open.

A tall lady walked in, her straight posture already showing the students she meant business the moment they laid eyes on her. Her long, sleek black hair flowed behind her as she stepped more into the classroom, sharp eyes observing the kids in front of her. Immediately her eyes landed on a boy with narrowed red eyes, noticing he was giving her the stink eye.

Inwardly rolling her eyes at the boy's attitude, she went back to looking at the small crowd in front of her. “Hello, my name is Dr. Kumiko and-”

She was so rudely cut off by a very short boy who stood in front of her, the purple balls on her head making Kumiko furrow her eyebrows. “Are you our substitute? Wow you are gorgeous, has anyone told you that?”

As the boy continued talking, Dr Kumiko could only try and step around him in order to avoid his beady gaze. Cringing slightly, she turned her attention back to the class and watched as they curiously gazed at her. Clearing her throat sharply and loudly, that effectively shut the small boy up.

“First of all, no I am not your substitute, though I am aware you aren’t even getting one. Second of all, before you interrupted me, I was going to say I have a delivery for someone. The other hero class said I would most likely find him in here, since he was not one of their classmates.”

With that being said, murmurs erupted between students, all of them wondering what this delivery could be, that such a beautiful woman was sent to give it to one of the boys. 

Looking down at the piece of paper that was folded into an envelope, Doctor Kumiko’s eyes furrowed a little more as she tried remembering the name Y/N gave her. Uh, something like Kamayama? Kamayari? Kama- oh whatever! Straightening up, she decided that she wouldn’t attempt to damage her pride and decided to read what was written on the paper instead.

“Is there anyone who recognizes the phrase ‘electrifying baby, electrifying’? A choked cough sounded throughout the now quiet room, everyone’s eyes trailing to the blonde with a black streak in his hair. Doctor Kumiko wondered if he had dyed his hair like that.

“Uhm I recognize it?” Kaminari was too nervous to even consider how this random lady even knew him and his cousins inside joke. It became a joke when Kaminari had accidentally used his quirk when he got angry at a game both of them were playing. He went into his dumb mode and that was the first thing he said just to show Y/N he was alive. He’s still embarrassed to this day because of his slip up.

“Here you go, I was told to hand this letter to you. I’m sure you know who it is though.” Giving the teenage boy a smirk, the doctor walked closer to him, placing the piece of paper in his palms.

“Alright, since that’s all I needed to do, I’ll head off now. Don’t you give any trouble to your teacher when he arrives.” With a stern voice, Kumiko exited the classroom, sliding the door shut and leaving the students in a stunned silence.

Looking down at the smooth, neatly folded paper in his hands, Kaminari goes to open it with furrowed eyebrows, only to have it snatched from his secured hands.

“Whose this from?! A secret girlfriend we didn’t know about?!!” Inspecting the letter, Mineta’s fingers itched to open the letter himself. No way could Kaminari have a girlfriend! There were better options out there, like him for example! Cue eye roll.

“What?! No of course not dude! Just gimme the letter-” Reaching down to take back the paper, a pink hand stopped him from getting it. 

“Kaminari! There’s no need to be shy about it! You know we wouldn’t judge you, no matter how you managed to get a girl to agree to go out with you!” Mina turned around to Hagakure and Tsuyu, the pink girl’s eyes shimmering with delight!

“Wow, do you think this could be one of those romantic letters couples send to each other!” Giggling, Mina and Hagakure began to try and unravel the paper, only to be stopped by another hand delicately taking the paper away. 

“Yah! I was going to open that!” Turning around, the pink haired girl faced Aoyama, who looked at the letter with slight curious eyes.

“Did you know Paris is actually known as the city of love? I like to say I’m an expert in that station!” A deafening silence rolled throughout the class, Mina and Mineta deadpanning at what the purple eyed boy said. Quickly jumping towards him, both the students wrestled Aoyama for the letter, making a ruckus around them.

“Hey why are you- Just give me the piece of paper, it’s mine!” Soon joining their hustling, Kaminari rushed to try and retrieve the letter from who he knew was his cousin. Why do they go touching things that aren’t theirs!, Kaminari thought.

Soon, the now wrinkled paper flew away from their little cluster, floating all the way to another students desk. That student's desk being Bakugou’s. Staring hard at the paper that laid on his desk, he drew his hand near it to pick it up. Kaminari began to grow even more worried.

“H-hey Bakugou, uh could you give me my letter?” Kaminari suppressed the urge to shiver as he made eye contact with Bakugou’s piercing red eyes. His gaze then shifted to the small wisps of smoke that began appearing in the hand Bakugou clutched the letter in.

“You idiots are really screaming at each other. Because of a paper?” Adding more to his irritation and annoyance, more smoke began appearing around his hand. Now he was angry at their stupidity.

“C’mon Bakubro, don’t be like that! Just give Kaminari his letter.” Kirishima tried coaxing the angry blonde, but that only seemed to irritate him even more. Planning on just setting the damn paper on fire so his classmates would shut up about the stupid love letter, he clutched it even harder in his hand. Only to have it ripped away from him by something sticky. Glaring at the short black haired boy, Sero quickly yanked the fragile paper towards himself. 

Right now, Kaminari was panicking outwardly, rushing towards Sero to cradle the now ruined letter. His annoyance shot up quickly, sending clear glares to the four who wouldn’t give him his letter. Mina, Mineta and Aoyama looked away with guilt painting their faces, while Bakugou growled at Sero. Growled.

“Ugh look at what you guys did I- '' Taking a deep breath in, he allowed himself to cool down. They were just too curious, he told himself. Walking back to his seat, with Sero following him, he sat down and put the delicate paper on his desk. The once smooth paper was now crumbled and burnt around the edges. Resisting the urge to rub his eyes, he turned to Sero once again.

“Thanks bro.”

“No problem.” Their exchange was short, yet Sero knew Kaminari’s words were genuine. 

“Sorry about your letter Kaminari, I was just too excited thinking about you having a girlfriend.” Mina awkwardly chuckled, Mineta and Aoyama following in suit with quiet ‘yeah’s’. Giving them a small smile, he waved them off.

“I guess it’s fine. I got excited too. But I don’t have a girlfriend, this letter is from my cousin.” Nodding, she still let out a meek sorry, embarrassed that she got the whole story wrong. Mineta and his words, ugh.

Looking back to Bakugou, said boy could only let out a grunt and look away from Kaminari. Snorting, he turned his attention to the letter and began carefully unfolding the folds that had formed an envelope shape. Kaminari let a smile grace his face. She used to like making origamis. I could never have the patience to fold these kinds of stuff.

After finally opening every fold with utmost delicacy, he squinted his eyes to read what Y/N had written for him. It was hard reading due to some of the paper being burnt and blackened. He managed to read what she wrote though.

Surprise on Friday :)

Kaminari didn’t even have a second to even dwell on what that could mean, jumping slightly in his chair when he heard the door to the classroom slam open. Golden eyes widening, he quickly stuffed the paper into his bag and watched as Aizawa entered the classroom. Those who were standing quickly rushed to their seats to avoid getting called out by the fully casted and bandaged man.

Listening to his teacher’s muffled voice, he reminded himself to ask Y/N what she meant later when he got home. It was very vague, but Kaminari didn’t dwell on the fact too long. After all, he had a full and exhausting day of school ahead of him!

[lemonmeringueprincess]

The Mind of  a Broken Soldier (Leave Me Be, Chapter 2 )

Hello People of Tumblr ! It’s ya girl Hazel ! I am back again with another chapter which i am 100% sure NOBODY request it because nobody requested this story in the first place but i’m still continuing it because i feel like it. I was planning on continuing this story and give sly nods to WandaVision and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier here and there along the way. Not in this chapter but... maybe on future chapters. But I’ll see how this one goes and where my idea leads me to.

So you need to read Chapter 1 to be able to understand this chapter properly because this chapter is solely Bucky’s point of view of the reader and some random thoughts. I love reading novels and love their style of writing hence i aspire to write a decent and proper story fanfiction. I mean when you read some books, there will be several chapters viewed from that other characters’ perspective so i decided to implement that style to my story. 

So once again, thank you so much if you decided to pop by, read it and love it. Don’t be shy to pop by my message box to share some ideas you have or maybe you just wanna vibe together, I’d love to do that with you guys too. But please please please don’t be mean if you don’t like it. FYI, this chapter is slightly shorter than the first chapter. Love, Hazel .

Disclaimer: No disclaimer or any warnings. But definitely do me and yourself a favour and check out Chapter 1 so you can properly comprehend this chapter with ease :) 

Characters : Bucky x Reader; teeny weeny mention of Sam :)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Look man, I know we don’t really see eye to eye but I call to check on her…How’s she doin’?” Sam heaved a sigh of empathy from across the line.

I tightened my grip upon the thin, slick and smooth communication tool which now known as smartphone that I hadn’t had the chance to acquaint with. I let out a sigh of desperation, desperate of ways to haul her from the rabbit hole she’s now falling into. My fingers combing through my unruly long hair that’s bundled up in a disheveled bun. A bad habit of mine when I’m in desperation and anxiety.

“It’s been a week since Steve walked out from her life and if I’m being honest, Sam, she’s not doing very well. She’s…she’s been nestled up in her room since then.” I heaved another sigh of despair, my right human arm gripping the kitchen counter tightly in effort to prop myself while the other man-made hand still latched onto the phone.

“I even had to force feed her just to keep her alive for god sake.” I asserted whilst rubbing my right eye with the heel of my right human hand and quietly strutting towards her door. Leaning my side against the stark beige wooden door, plopping my ear against it to silently eavesdrop, just like how I had done countless times to check on her well-being without having to barge into the door. Soft whimper gradually shifted into muffled sobs. I closed my eyes, let my head hung low as if my neck was already tired enough to brace the weight of obstacles and desperation that merge into one and let out a long exhale.

“Gotta go, Sam… I’ll call you back.” I lowered my voice into mutter and hung up.

Even though I had known Steve for so many years, sometimes I still couldn’t decipher what’s in head. Recalling back to the 40s, way before he and I even considered enlisted into the army, women would always prefer me over Steve to take me out as their dancing partner when we’re at the bar. I felt bad for him and he’d sometimes complained that if only there’s the one out there who would see him through his frail and tiny stature. Seventy three years later, he abandoned the woman who’s been through with him through thick and thin, put up with his stupid decisions and god knows what more for eight years, for Peggy.

The woman whom he knew for only two years and only dated briefly.

The woman whom he’d share his infatuation and obsession with.

The woman he met at the army who didn’t even spare him a glance…not until after he’s gone through physical changes then eventually decided to give him a chance.

I wouldn’t even consider that as official if they only exchange flirting and longing glances at the office…

bar… 

and even Howard Stark’s Lab.

Clasping my hand upon the door handle, I levered it down and pushed open the door generating soft creaking from the hinge. I tiptoed my way in and left the door ajar. There she was… dressed down in only white camisole and panties while curled up in a fetal position upon the bed which was a bit too spacious now for a single person. Her back facing towards me, shoulders quivering from muffling her own sobs into whimper. 

Oh Steve… what have you done…

I slowly crept my way towards her and slowly sank myself on the bed. I was hesitant to lay next to her but I tried to push that thought away considering her mental health was already at stake. If I left her untended, she might eventually spiraled into deep depression and she’s already halfway there. So I laid next to her, draped my arm over her frail, delicate and small body to hold her close as if sheltering her from her own whirlpool of emotions . While offering her the comfort of silence, my mind wander off to how on earth Wanda dealt with her own grief… poor kid not only lost her significant other but also her twin brother and parents as I was informed by Sam. My train of thought was halted when I heard her croaked a rhetorical question, 

“H-h-he’s not coming back, is he? Did that prick even try second guessing his decisions?”

I wish I could do more than being her shoulder to cry on and dragging Steve back by the ear. That punk really took all the stupid with him. I contemplated whether I should say something decent to comfort and lift her spirit but I retracted. “I’m sorry, Doll… “ Were the only words I could muster from my still-healing disrupted mind. After Hydra’s infamous torturous events and being sent away to Wakanda to get my mind fixed. I found that I had difficulties of expressing my thought and feelings emotionally from the years of being over-electrocuted and memory-wiped conducted by Hydra, more strenuous than my old self. Not that I couldn’t do it but I realized it took more time to do so.

But even so I still try to rack my brain, dig deeper to find something nice to say; to make myself feel a tad better for at least doing something good in my life for once after the horrendous past, to at least counteract all those gruesome dirty work I unconsciously did to the others.

“I tried talking some sense into him, but he was very adamant of his decision. That punk…I’m really sorry…” i tried to string those words together carefully, worried that one step further or slight wrong move might set the fire ablaze even more. At this point, I was scared considering I had never connected to women emotionally. Sure I’d dated many women back in the 40s, but never considered them seriously… Now I know how it felt to wear their shoes, to know how it felt to be ditched and forgotten, even though I didn’t experience it firsthand.

Running out of options and words to say, I scooted closer whilst tightened my embrace and inhaling her scent, a hint of fresh bed linen and lavender; Steve hates it when women used too much perfume to the point it’s suffocating. I remember he’d always complained about the atrocious penetrating smell of perfume whenever we walked past the women at the bar.

“Doll… tell me what to do… I can’t bear seeing you breaking apart like this and I am running out of ways to numb your pain…” I consoled.

I used to be a good pep talker, a great one even; constantly spewing encouragement and lending a piece of advice or two to Steve. But I guess I had to shift my roles and be the good listener instead.

I did not expect her to open her heart and confide everything, as if she was confessing everything to me. I could only fervently listen to her anguish secrets that had been tormenting and keeping her awake. I felt really bad for the insecurity and self- doubt she had to endure these past years. Constant comparison with Peggy and doubting herself; nevertheless, she still fought her way to prove her worth… such strenuous and tenacious effort just to keep Steve’s attention to her…

Oh Steve… if only you’re in my position now, you’d know how much effort it took for her to keep up with your fantasy. They said love is full of sacrifices but not as much sacrifice from one side, both sides needed to make equal sacrifices to make things work, if one sacrifices too much, they’d weaken because they’re giving out too much and eventually died, just like her.

I knew Steve was always oblivious with things, but never as horrid as this. My heart sympathized and mourned for her. Eight years of relationship that she fought so hard to keep slipped out of her hands just like that.

“I-i-i-it h-h-h-urts, Buck… it hurts…He’s my first love, first kiss and…”

I felt her body shook under my embrace. No longer able to withstand her emotional suffer, I tried to soothe and lull her to sleep.

“I know, Doll. But I promise you’ll get through it, I promise to be with you every step of the way. We will get through it. I am not going anywhere. I am not going to walk out this door, not until you kick me out because you’re so sick of looking at my face. You have my word, Doll. I am staying.” I promised.

I promised myself I’d be there to pick up the pieces regardless of any circumstances, because it’s the right thing to do. I’d be there to hoist her up when no one else could. i’m doing what a good friend would do... It’s the right thing to do … Right? 

[misterewrites]

Intro to.....????

Hello everyone! Been awhile. It's been busy and really hot for me so it's hard for me to sit down to write sometimes.

But it's here!

E here with the next chapter and the final intro character chapter! The intro chapters were supposed to introduce everyone to the main and important characters of the story, who will be driving the main plots and stories though sometimes i might use new characters or different background characters. So beyond this chapter will be more worldbuilding, story arcs and oneshots. just stories about this world and its characters. I might even use some of my friends ocs i accidentally convinced them to make for my world. It was so much fun!

Alright that's it for me! Stay safe, wash your hands, wear your masks, take care of your loved ones, get vaccinated if you can, push to release the vaccine worldwide and have a great week! Enjoy! feel free to leave likes, feedback *I love feedback and comments even if it's just a line you liked or a scene you found awesome or funny* reblogs and tell your friends! Promoting myself still feels weird haha. E is out! Byeeeeee

If you want an easier time to read the story and since I’ve been shadow banned from tumblr for like ever now, here’s the newest chapter on ao3 right over here! 

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30599756/chapters/82583164

If you are interested in my work and want to read from the beginning check it right here  https://archiveofourown.org/works/30599756/chapters/75486005

Interested in my full catalog? https://archiveofourown.org/users/MrE42/works

Summary: Jackdaw is a powerful crime lord in the magical side of Newton Haven. He is feared more than respected and he doesn't care who he has to crush to accomplish his goals. So when his lucrative club is burned to the ground with his guards piled neatly outside, battered broken but alive, he takes it personally. Of course who is crazy enough to burn down a club of a notoriously dangerous crimeboss? A mercenary paid to do so. 

Obviously.

----------

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

The sound of footsteps pacing back and forth thundered throughout the silent room.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

No one said anything. No one could say anything given the disastrous failure of the night. It hadn’t mattered if they were physically present at the site of offense or that they were scattered across town in one of many locations vital to the boss’s business: Someone hit them and the boss was itching to hit back.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

“Alright” A voice spoke up, smooth yet cold.

The room was already quiet but now the air filled with a frighten tension.

The boss whirled around from the massive window he’d been staring out of, eyes narrowing on the defeated group of guards who averted their gaze from his.

The few still conscious were in varying states of dishevel and injured: Broke bones, nasty bruises, clothing ruffled and torn in places. Not a single one had gone unscratched from the assault on the club earlier that night.

Jackdaw was not pleased.

No one in the room knew much about their boss despite devoting their lives to his cause: He was in his mid 30’s, his nose uneven after being broken in a fight though no one could agree what he had been fighting. Long wavy raven black hair ran down his shoulders while his dark brown eyes glanced about, icy and piercing.

“I’m a little confused.” Jackdaw said with a menacing drawl as he approached the closest guard “Mind answering a few for me?”

The guard nodded shakily.

Jackdaw smiled, patting the guard’s cheek in a mocking manner “Good, good. Now let me paint the picture: My club is currently a smoky, charred corpse of its former self. Yes?”

The guard gave another timid nod.

Jackdaw puckered his lips thoughtfully “Okay, okay. How many guards on duty?”

“8.” The guard murmured fearfully.

“Okay. How many standing?”

The guard shot a nervous glance to the other three. They found the floor more interesting.

“F-four.”

Crack!

The guard’s limp body tumbled backwards and laid still on the ground.

Jackdaw flexed his fingers “Wrong! I count three. You!”

The next in line flinched but stared their boss in the face “Sir?”

“Since that one.” Jackdaw lazily motioned to the unconscious man “is sleeping on the job, you tell me what happened.”

“O-okay.” The next in line mumbled “Well the night started same as any other….”

----------

The Gray Waves nightclub brought in a decent crowd for a weekday: Dozen or so people lost in the dim shadows with only a disorienting array of ever changing lights for company. Drinks served and the booming, thundering sounds of music set the chaotic mood clubs thrived on.

Nice peaceful night.

Floyd, the current storyteller, had been watching from the second floor landing when he noticed the gathering of guards below. The eight guards on duty were often out and about performing their different duties ranging from gate keeping the door to making sure nothing disturbed the vibe of the club. The fact five of his coworkers were huddled together should’ve been the first red flag.

The group talked in hushed tones despite the deafening bass and techno music the DJ’s speakers blared out. Once or twice, someone glanced to the far end of the club. Floyd looked and found the source of meeting.

Someone in their forties was loudly drinking at the counter tucked in the shadowy part of the club: It was impossible to tell who they were from this distance but they clearly were enjoying themselves: Head tiled back with messy, wavy salt and pepper hair. They gestured to the bartender (A wonderful woman named Carolyn who unfortunately had school debt to pay off and mob work was the best paying.) excitedly as their drink spilled onto the floor. They wore a large, tattered dark green trench coat that had seen better decades with faded worn out blue jeans. Their black boots were caked with grime and dirt that dirtied the floor. The only thing remotely new was their black t-shirt with some words in white font.

Floyd understood what the problem was: Clubs thrived on their popularity and image. People wanted to feel like they were special, all access stars to the hottest place in the city. With such a reputation came a mighty need to uphold said rep. No offense to whoever was having fun over there but with that look, it might send the wrong message and no amount of cash would ever change that.

Evidently a plan was reached as the meeting broke up. Two guards remained behind, returning to watching the room as the pit boss made his way over to the hapless customer, flanked with back up.

It was oddly satisfying watching the pit boss work: He gracefully slid in and out of crowds, slipping through the lost dancers like a snake treading through water. He motioned to the others to wait then made his way to the person.

The person was singing something at the top of his lungs. Drink, clink or something like that. Maybe it was the song playing at the time but Floyd hadn’t been paying attention to that at the time.

Trench Coat slipped Carolyn something and she laid a bottle of alcohol on the counter beside them: Vermouth? Absente? Vodka? One of those probably.

She nodded gratefully and disappeared into the back.

Floyd frowned at the red flag number two he had just seen: Carolyn was a pretty woman and was told more or less to just do as the customer asked be it answering questions or a reasonable request that wasn’t too out of the ordinary. Of course this was with the strict rule of not to leave the counter unattended.

At the time Floyd thought it was weird, not yet realizing what was about to unfold.

The person poured the bottle directly into their mouth, shaking their body to the catchy beat poorly. Whoever they were could not dance to save their life.

The pit boss, Malcolm, closed the distance between himself and his prey. He snuck closer and closer, the unaware customer too lost in their antics to noticed. Malcolm reached out for their shoulder and…

The thud was loud enough to cut through the noisy club and got the attention of everyone present.

Before Malcolm could even tighten his grip, the person struck: They whirled around, grabbing Malcolm’s head and smashing it into the counter. As Malcolm sunk to the floor, limp and unmoving, the person turned to shoot a smug grin towards the guards.

“I’m on the floor, floor! I love to dance!” They sang, one hand outstretched to the sky, the other gripping the bottle upside and draining its contents onto the counter.

The back up drew their weapons, standard issue nightsticks, and made their way forward.

“So give me more, more, till I can’t stand.”

They emptied the bottle, their green eyes never leaving the approaching guards.

“Get on the floor, floor, like it’s your last chance.”

They chucked the empty bottle into the wall of drinks, broken glass and different alcoholic drinks spilling onto the floor and mixing together.

“If you want more, more, then here I am!”

They pulled a match from within their coat pocket and lit it with the backside of their boot. Without looking, they threw the match over their shoulder and smiled as a raging flame broke out behind them.

The club goers were slow to realize what was going on but the remaining guards, Floyd included, mobilized to action.

Before anyone could react, however, an unexpected shrill shrieked throughout the building: The fire alarm designed to be the most annoying and loudest thing you’ve ever heard.

Even though it had been a slow night and only a dozen or so people were here, the customers panicked with a surge of three times that number.

Screams and yells filled the air as bodies shuffled about in a mad dash. The guards were thrown about, tossed this way and that while the lights, alarm and music worked together to confuse everyone.

Luckily the club was deserted within moments, leaving only security and the troublemaker.

The person hadn’t moved an inch despite the increasingly raging blaze behind them.

The back up pair approached carefully, unsure what this person was capable of.

All of them really had no idea.

The person raised their hand to the sky, belting with full force “LET’S DO THIS ONE MORE TIME!”

Without warning, silence and darkness filled the club: The fire alarm and music died suddenly. The lights followed a moment later but the raging flames, growing hungrily, remained. Floyd’s eyes watered with a sharp pain, the stuffy air and sudden shift in lighting too much for him

Floyd paused his story, uneasy growing at the sight of Jackdaw’s tightened jaw. The poor lad could actually see the veins pulsing with barely contained rage on his boss’s forehead.

“And why did the power go out?” Jackdaw asked through clenched teeth “No one was watching the power? Or the fusebox? Not a single person was guarding what I pay them to guard?”

Floyd remained silent, unsure how to answer that. He was just one of the lower rank and file guards: He got told what to do and he did it.

“Well? I’m waiting Floyd my boy! Why did the power go out?”

Floyd felt the beads of sweat run down his neck.

“Umm sir?”

Floyd nearly collapsed as one of Jackdaw’s techies nervously stepped forward, a loaded video on a tablet in hand.

Jackdaw blew a loose strain of hair out of his face and took a moment to slick back his hair. The vain gesture was enough to allow him to regain some level of composure as he snatched the tablet from the techie. With a grunt, he pressed play.

The video was short: It was a camera feed set up to watch over the fusebox to prevent tampering. Two guards were gesturing to the box, idly chatting with somebody in a red jumpsuit with a clipboard in one hand and a toolbox in the other. The back of uniform had the words “Newton Haven City Maintenance” scrawled across it in some rather hard to read font. The guards laughed out loud, jokingly patting the stranger’s shoulder before leaving frame. The city worker opened the fusebox and began tinkering without anyone stopping him.

The tablet crunched nosily as Jackdaw’s grip sent a ripple of cracks across the screen.

He turned to the techie.

“It was a routine check up.” the techie sputtered out “Our guards called it in this afternoon. Said there was an official letter with stamps and signatures and everything!”

“Did you check with me?” Jackdaw snarled “Because I pay the city specifically so they don’t send anyone to the club. Because of my illegal business practices that I perform there.”

Floyd could see the techie’s shoulder slump, whispering quietly “You were in a meeting….”

Jackdaw growled furiously but returned his attention to the nearly broken tablet.

It hadn’t taken more than a few minutes for the mysterious city maintenance worker to finish. They slammed the fusebox closed, doing a little jig before checking the contents of their toolbox and went on their merry little way.

Jackdaw’s blood froze as the figure gave a cheeky wink to the camera, knowing exactly where it was despite the magical wards in place to keep it invisible.

“Savant.”

An eerie emptiness replaced the hostility in the room.

The fight disappeared out of Jackdaw, leaving only an intense sense of dread and paranoia.

All this was lost on Floyd, who saw the troublemaker’s face and couldn’t help but blurt out “That’s them! The one who beat up Malcolm and burned the club down!”

Jackdaw chuckled darkly “Oh. Oh this makes sense. No one wonder you all get your ass kicked six ways to Sunday. Someone sic’d Savant on me. Ya’ll never had a chance against them.”

Floyd shuddered, the memory of how brutal and efficient Savant had been against them: Grown men dragged kicking and screaming into the shadows, the crunchy noises of bones broken, bodies falling down and yells stopped mid-shout. He still remembered Savant standing over him, nightstick in hand, whistling cheerfully as they brought down the weapon and sent him into unconsciousness.

“Alright!” Jackdaw clapped his hands “Lock it down!”

Everyone glanced towards one another, unsure what exactly the boss meant.

“LOCK IT DOWN!” the snarl that escaped Jackdaw’s lips sent goosebumps down everybody’s spine “NOW! I WANT THIS PLACE SEALED UP NICE AND TIGHT!”

“But we’re 14 stories up...”

Techie flinched as Jackdaw whirled around, eyes blazing with unrestrained rage and impatience “You deaf? I said lock down the building or so help me I’m going to use you as a human shield when they start coming for me.”

Techie opened his mouth when an unexpected sound filled the silence: A muffled, cheeky yet tacky melody of a cellphone ringing.

Glances and gazes looked about trying to find the source of the disturbance. Floyd was baffled when he realized it was coming from inside his coat pocket. Nervously, he reached within and slowly pulled out a palm sized flip phone, the kind hadn’t been used in decades.

Jackdaw’s eyes widened with fear and alarm as he snatched the phone from the poor guard with inhuman speed.

“It’s them!” Jackdaw’s voice was manic “IT’S THEM!”

The mobster was torn about what to do next: Answering meant playing right into Savant’s hands and whatever the mercenary had plan. On the other hand, not answering would no doubt annoy them into far worse retaliation.

With a hard shallow, Jackdaw answered with an uncharacteristically shy “Hello?”

He could feel his heart screech to a stop when a bored, almost nonchalant voice replied “S’up.”

Jackdaw threw as much charm and cheer into his voice “Savant, buddy! Pal!”

“Don’t.” the voice sighed tiredly “It’s pathetic when the begging start. You’re a big, bad mob boss. Act like it you dumbass.”

“Fine” Jackdaw let go of any sense of civility “Good old threats: if you so much as show your face around…”

“Ugh too much in the wrong direction” Savant replied, seemingly uninterested in what the mob boss had to said “You people are all the same: False bravado and overcompensating. It’s embarrassing. Just say you’re scared of me and we can move on.”

Despite the severity of the situation, Jackdaw couldn’t help but feel irritated “Oh is that what you want? Get your jollys when powerful people admit they’re afraid of you? You think you can….you can…”

Jackdaw paused, unsure if his ears were working correctly.

“Are you eating?”

“Hmm??” the sound of smacking lips and chewing was the mercenary’s response for a few moments “Oh yeah. Get hungry when working. Normally I’d be all for the theatrics but it’s been a long night what with fucking with your fusebox, burning down your club, planting the phone on a guard. It’s like 3 in the morning dude.”

Jackdaw bit his lip angrily, a single drop of blood running down his chin “It is 3 in the morning and I’m very tired so I’d very much like to conclude our business. How much?”

“To hire me?” more lip smacking “An amount. You could probably afford it.”

Jackdaw let his shoulder’s sag with relief “So it’s agreed? I’ll hire you and we can all be on our merry way.”

“Sure!” Savant said cheerfully.

Bullet dodged.

“You can hire me after I finish this job. By the way did you like the gift I sent you?”

Gift?

Jackdaw was a powerful and feared member of the illicit side of the magical world. He climbed to his position through sheer force of will and power. He left countless of his enemies broken and defeated in his wake.

To see him reduced to a flailing, paranoid mess would be a story no one would believe.

“GIFT?!” Jackdaw screamed, unable to keep the high-pitch whine out of his voice “WHAT GIFT?! SOMEONE FUCKING ANSWER ME!”

The techie was the first to shake off their stupor “Well there was a box that came in today. It was empty and we detected no magic so…”

“Box?!” Jackdaw spat as he wildly searched the room before landing on the seemingly innocent box just sitting on his desk “You brought it the fuck here?”

Everyone backed away.

“I…”

“Wait” Jackdaw cut off the techie’s answer “Maybe they were hoping you’d take it somewhere or get rid of it. No, no this is good. We’re outwitting the fucker.”

“Sir, the box was empty. And you told use you personally wanted to inspect any and all….”

“You hear that asswipe!” Jackdaw grinned ear to ear “My people are the best! We’re ahead of you. Your game is over, you hear me?”

“My man.” Savant’s voice was infuriatingly calm “It’s just a regular old box for a boring ass mobster.”

“Stop lying!” Jackdaw roared angrily, instinctively bringing down his fist on the closet object in the room.

Which of course was the box.

The parcel collapsed under the mobster’s supernatural strength with little effort. As the box was smashed, the two inert glyph drawn in an invisible ink on both ends collided and activated each other.

The room erupted in an array of dazzling, blinding lights.

The light show hadn’t lasted long but no one knew that as they stumbled around, disoriented and lost, the display still burned in their retinas.

Jackdaw howled violently, swiping at the air blindly with long talon-like nails. Any calls for explanations or help were lost under the raging mobster unleashed.

Jackdaw didn’t hear the window break, the sound of glass shattering as it rained upon the floor. He didn’t see the muzzle flash that flared across the street, Savant’s sniping perch. He knew nothing but the sudden searing pain that filled his shoulder without warning.

Everything drained out of him, he slumped to the floor like a doll. He weakly clutched at his shoulder, steam wafting off the wound as the sliver bullet dug itself deep in its new home.

It didn’t matter what kind of werebeast you were: Wolf, bear, rat or even a raven like Jackdaw. All them were deathly weakened by sliver. The mere smell could cause nausea, touch burned worse than third degree burns and any injuries could take weeks, maybe even months to heal.

Jackdaw wheezed, the room spinning in a messy blur.

“Right.” the phone landed by his ear but Savant’s voice sounded far off like it was echoing down a long tunnel “Sorry I got the paper right here.”

Muted sounds of pockets being turned inside out: Scraping of metal on brick, shuffling papers, even rustling fast food wrappers.

“Got it!” Savant beamed “Quinn says stay the fuck off his turf. Mind your lane or the next time he sends me I won’t be aiming for your shoulder.”

“How did you know I was...I was… no one knew...?” Jackdaw murmured incoherently.

“Your heart.” Savant explained “It’ll be your heart. Okay well I gotta go so take these next few months to reflect on any sort of ill advised turf wars, domestic disputes and fighting with your rivals. If you’re still interested in hiring me for revenge or whatever, you call me at my business payphone. Bye little birdy!”

----------

Savant dropped the phone to the floor, crushing it under their boot while rubbing the tension out of their neck. Around them was the standard stakeout gear: high powered and totally illegal sniper rifle, a neatly piled trash heap and a sniping pillow (Sniping’s hard on the stomach and knees.).

They packed away the gun, kicked the trash heap to make it look more like natural rooftop garbage and went downstairs.

Savant yawned tiredly, not at all concerned with the guards that were pouring out of Jackdaw’s hidey hole. They glanced around, trying to get their bearings when they noticed a hot dog vendor across the street.

“I really shouldn’t” they pursed their lips “Especially after paying for someone to set up the pyrotechnics spells. But I am hungry. Stomach wins!”

Savant made their way over, patting their stomach lovingly “One hotdog please. Everything on it.”

“You got it!” The vendor nodded before eyeing the commotion “What’s with that?”

“I don’t talk business.”

“O-kay. Umm here’s your hotdog. That’ll be two bucks.

Savant reached into their pocket and shoved a hundred dollars into the waiting vendor’s hand. Without a second look, Savant gratefully took the hotdog and walked away.

“Hey buddy! BUDDY! You gave me way too much!”

“You too!” Savant replied, took caught up in the rapture that was their meal.

This was a really fucking good hotdog.

[itgetsdarksometimes35]

Love in True Form II

Warnings: Non-con, dub-con, A/B/O, loss of virginity, breeding kink, lactation kink, multiple pregnancies, multiple children, birth, maybe more, 18+

Word Count: 2,720

Pairings: Dark Alpha! Steve Rogers / Omega! Reader, Dark Alpha! Bucky Barnes / Omega! Reader

Summary: Reader moves to the country side to live a slower life she’s not used to after living all her life in the city. She meets two men who can’t seem to get out of her life, and she sees them everywhere. What happens when their instincts get the better of them?

Chapter summary: Reader starts to settle in and has her first meeting with a new client. 

- indicates POV change

~ indicates a time change

A/N: WOW this is completely overdue. Hope everyone enjoys, my masterlist should be working soon. ALSO the POV will stay first person, so sorry if you’re not into that. I’m trying to interoperate different writing styles, and I have plenty of other fics in 2nd person (3rd person will be next at some point in another fic) 

xxx

When I got home, I was still a little shaken from the two guys I had encountered. Their crystal blue eyes made me feel unsettled, yet I couldn’t shake the familiarity I got from them. Had I met them before? Were they there when I was scoping out this place a few months ago? Questions racked my brain, but it was impossible. The only person I had met was my real estate agent. Nobody had been around for miles, and today was the first day I had traveled into town. 

I decided not to think about it any longer due to the countless emails from patients trying to set up virtual appointments. I opened them up and started working my way through each person, delicately reading and responding appropriately with a time that worked for us both. 

-

Steve slammed down the supplies he had bought at the store into the shed. Bucky was inside working on the fire to keep them warm for the night. Steve’s body tingled as he remembered the omega they encountered, as he remembered her faint scent, saw her beautiful body. He felt his blue jeans get a bit tighter at the thought of having her as his own. It’s what they’ve been dreaming of for years, him and Bucky. 

Steve ventured back into the house to find Bucky pacing about with his hands behind his back. When Steve shut the door, Bucky turned to him, halting his pacing. 

“We have to find her.”

“I know,” Steve sighed, moving to the kitchen to start dinner. 

“She smelled magnificent, Stevie, I never thought I’d find someone. She was an omega. A real omega. They don’t exist anymore!”

Steve nodded along. He wasn’t ignoring his friend, quite the opposite actually. He was devising a plan to get their omega. He wasn’t sure how he would, but he wanted it to be as sweet as possible for her. But he also thought of possible reasons she was alive. It didn’t make any sense. Like Bucky said, omegas didn’t exist anymore. 

In their day, there were thousands of them. Steve was a beta then so he had no chance at them, but Bucky was always an alpha. From both of their understanding, omegas had died off while they were still in ice. The omegas had bred with alphas, nothing else was possible, but their offspring seemed to be only beta. Now, nobody really knew what alphas, betas, or omegas were; they were just humans. No special category to go into. 

“Steve?” Bucky was sweating at this point, the worrying for the omega was bringing his alpha out of him. He was looking at Steve with wide, blown out eyes. Steve smiled sweetly before clapping his hand over Bucky’s shoulder. 

“Buck, I know. Her scent hasn’t left me since we saw her in town, and I’d be lying if I said this all made sense. We’ll get her, though, don’t worry. I have a plan.” Bucky nodded his head and glanced at the ground as he put his weight on another foot. 

“When?” he asked impatiently yet gloomfully, meeting his eyes again.

Steve sighed and removed his hand. “We have to ease her into it, Buck. We can’t scare her or force anything, it’ll just make everything that follows way harder than it needs to be.”

Bucky nodded at Steve’s words. He knew what he said was true, but he needed his omega. Their omega. The thought of sharing an omega would typically never be an option for him, but with Steve it was different. 

Steve knew this girl had no idea what he or Bucky was. Hell, she didn’t even know what she was! She was going to be scared and reluctant, and she’d fight them until the end. They were going to have to shape her into an omega. No doubt she wasn’t taught properly how to be one, but Steve could be patient. He had waited this long, he could wait a little longer. 

Bucky switched from foot to foot one last time before retiring to the kitchen. Steve looked at his friend and shook his head. He had a feeling his Bucky wasn’t going to be as willing to wait as him. 

-

I was jerked from my dreams with a loud snore. I looked around and saw my small home completely dark, save for the little moonlight coming through my living room curtains. I sat up from my couch and grabbed the book that I had been reading, that had fallen to the floor, before making my way into the kitchen where my laptop sat. 

I pressed a few keys to wake up the monitor, and I looked at the time--when the screen lit up--to see it was half past 1. I scrolled to my email tab and saw a new email request from someone who wanted to set up an appointment. I clicked on the email and quickly typed in a response for a time to talk that suited us both. 

This Steve Rogers seemed nice. 

~

My hands ached as I planted the last cabbage plant into the ground. So far I had a garden of carrots, cabbage, broccoli, and celery. This new vegetarian diet was something I had never tried before, nor were these foods something I was particularly fond of, but I was more than willing to give it a try. 

I dusted my hands off and ventured inside the cabin to where my only two pieces of technology lay. I checked the time on my phone before setting it back down. I still had 15 more minutes before my online meeting with Steve started, so I walked to the fridge to cool down with water and have a break. 

I looked at my bookshelf and decided I needed more books. All I could fit in my car was about 30 books, but I had already read most of them. It wouldn’t take long to get through the rest, but thankfully Molly told me she had some I could have. I smiled to myself at the thought of being met with a bunch of planting books when going to retrieve the older woman’s stash. Not that I wouldn’t use them, though, Lord knows I certainly need to get better at this whole gardening thing. My hunger kinda depended on it. 

I was brought from my thoughts when my computer started ringing from the Skype app, causing me to frown at the screen. Who could that be? No patients were scheduled right now, and nobody else would want to call me; my family and few friends seemed to be shunning me on my choice to leave. Maybe they believed if they shunned me enough I’d come back to the city. I scoffed at that. Not a chance.

I pushed myself from the counter I was leaning on and walked to the screen to look at the ID. “Steven Rogers.” I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at the clock at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. We still had 10 more minutes. Regardless, I reluctantly pressed “answer”; what else am I doing right now?

Skype connected us, but Steve’s screen was completely black. I checked my connection, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t hear anything, so I decided to wait a few more seconds for him to connect. His internet must be bad. 

“Steve?” I smiled at the dark screen, and hoped he could at least see me. Putting a face to a name and voice could really help someone who’s going through something; it can help them realize other people do care. 

“Hello?”

“Hey! Oh, erm- can you see me? Your screen is black, so I can’t see you.” It got silent for a second. 

“Oh, yeah I can see you. I don’t know why you can’t see me; I’m sorry it’s probably me. I’m not good at this technology stuff. I had a hard time turning on my mic, that’s why I was silent at first.” He gave a dry laugh.

“Don’t apologize, it’s okay. I had a hard time getting used to this when I first started, too, so don’t worry! You’ll get used to it soon.” I smiled at the dark screen, I was glad Steve could see me. “I should apologize for my appearance, though, I was working in the garden.”

“Oh, you look lovely, don’t worry.”

I blushed at his compliment and reached for the bag leaning against the table’s leg. Inside was a notebook that contained details about my patients. I didn’t like discussing much over email or text--I liked talking about it face to face, or face to black screen in this case-- so that’s why Steve’s section was mostly empty. All I knew was his name and that he lived about 10 miles from me. 

“Well, enough about me. What did you want to discuss today?”

~

Steve and I ended up talking about how he felt different from everyone else. He felt he couldn’t relate with everyone else and that he just felt alienated. I nodded the entire time he spoke, stealing glances at my notebook to take notes every few seconds. 

When he was done I asked him a few questions. Any reasons he may have as to why he felt this way, when did he start feeling like this? Was there any dramatic change in his life? He answered he used to feel normal, in his early years, but one day he just woke up and felt unable to relate to the people around him anymore. He even felt he lost family and friends. My heart broke in my chest as I jotted down more notes. That was something I could sort of relate to, I thought.

We talked about ways he could enter outside of his comfort zone, finding hobbies that others enjoyed in order to feel a bit more connected. Go to stores that, not many people shopped at, but enough to let him ease into a life that involved other people again.

I asked him if he had any social media. If he wasn’t comfortable with doing social things in person yet, there were plenty of groups to join online that incorporated fun activities and joined people together virtually. It could also be a good way to connect with lost connections and maybe make new ones. 

“Oh, no Doll, I can’t say I do. I’m not really into anything like that. I don’t even have a tv, and, as you can already see, have bad internet.” He chuckled again and I joined in a bit. 

“Oh yeah, I understand.” I had sworn off phones--except my cell that was stripped of everything except my contacts list-- and tvs, so I understood where Steve was coming from completely. “Well hey, no harm in that. Social media can be good, but in my opinion the best contact can be made face to face. No offense.” I laughed at the irony and Steve did, too. 

“Thank you, and I agree.”

I hummed in response and pulled out my calendar from my bag. I looked for a free spot next week, and saw an opening on Thursday at 3:45. 

“Alright, Steve, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you, but our time is up, sadly. I’d like to reschedule an appointment with you, if that’s okay, next week. How does Thursday at 3:45 sound?”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Great! Okay, remember what I said. I look forward to our next chat. Hopefully I can see you next time,” I added with a smile and a small giggle.

“Me too, talk to you soon, Doll.” There goes that nickname and my blush again.

“Bye!” The call ended and I made a few more notes in my notebook before closing it. My next appointment wasn’t for another hour, so I thought maybe I could go to town to get some stuff I couldn’t grow myself--or at all.  

As I went to shower and look presentable, I couldn’t stop thinking about Steve. He was a charmer, and for someone who felt disconnected was able to connect with me fast. I tried to destroy the barrier I tended to feel with patients that had been made. They sometimes saw me as a figure, but I wanted them to feel as if I were a friend they could confide in. I was there to help them, yes, but I didn’t see the need in them calling me Miss. My name would do just fine, or any other nickname they picked up along the way, but Steve chose “doll” fairly quickly. He even asked me a lot of questions. Where I lived before, where I lived now, where I went to college, things like that. We had a lot more in common than I thought we would, though, so maybe that’s why we just clicked better. Everyone moves at different speeds, and I needed to remember that.

-

Steve pushed the laptop further down the table, away from him. He had a giant smile on his face, and he couldn’t deny the hard on he was sporting from just hearing her voice. He couldn’t believe the tape and microphone trick had worked. He felt bad about lying, but he didn’t want to scare her off by seeing him. Plus, he needed to hear her voice and her breathing for a bit, just before he started speaking. 

When she introduced herself to him, it took him everything not to repeat it over and over like a love poem his mother used to read to him. He wanted to draw her in her “messy” state, her hair sticking up in wild places; some strands sticking to her forehead from sweat. He wondered if that’s what she’d look like under him.

He disappeared into his room and shut the door. Bucky went back into town after he found they had forgotten something at the store. Steve had a while before he got back, and he decided to take advantage of it. 

Steve laid down on the bed and shimmied out of his suddenly tight jeans. He gripped his member through his underwear and groaned at the feeling. He stroked his member over the fabric a few more times, teasing himself, before removing himself from his confides completely. Steve’s rock hard cock sprung out and hit his stomach, slightly bobbing. He sighed in frustration yet relief at the feeling. The tip was fiery red with precum oozing out from the slit. He spit into his hand before grabbing the base firmly. 

Steve stroked himself, slowly at first, up and down. He moaned and panted as his hand got him off, his mind on the woman and her sweet voice the entire time. How her boobs would look when they were released from the tight black shirt she had worn in the meeting. How she’d look begging for her alpha’s fat cock to plunge into your tiny cunt, milking him and bringing on his knot. How’d it feel to claim her and ceal you both in a bond. How she’d look carrying his pups, her tits leaking for milk he’d happily drink up. Steve took a break from working himself to tease his tip with his thumb, shuddering a bit before he pumped himself faster as his moans got louder and more desperate as his need to cum became greater and greater. He was whining the omega’s name like a chant as his other hand reached down to start playing with his balls. His hips were rising, fucking his fist harder and harder. He moaned a few more times before he felt the sweet swell of his cock as his knot grew. Spurts of cum flew from his pulsing member as he worked himself through his orgasm. He continued to roar and growl her name as he came down. 

When Steve was satisfied, he just stared at the ceiling, a smile still playing at his lips. He couldn’t remember the last time he had cum that hard. Hell, he couldn’t even remember the last time he was that hard! As he waited for his knot to subside, he started cleaning up his mess and headed into the shower. Bucky would be home any minute now, and he had to tell him everything that he had learned about you. 

xxx