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dimpled-gukkie · 3 years

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Santa Baby (tell me you hear them too)

moodboard made by the lovely @today-we-will-survive

Summary: You attend a last minute Christmas party and meet your soulmate. The catch? You don’t remember anything about them besides the fact that they were wearing a Santa suit. Turns out there were seven Santas at the party... The question remains: Can you find your soulmate before Christmas Day?

Genre: Soulmate AU/ College AU

Pairing: ???? x reader

Warnings: hand burned on hot chocolate, Jin says he’s too pretty to be a hostage, mentions and depictions of drinking, joon is described as a porn aficionado

Word Count: 12.4k

a/n: It’s a very special day for my dearest friend @purpleful! In your honor I thought I’d write you a story of your own, as you help me with a countless amount of mine. Remember all the times you asked me this month if I had written anything or had a Christmas fic? I had been working on this the whole time nshjfhn. You sent me into a panic sometimes though because I swear you guessed the plot several times without actually knowing I was even writing. Anyways I love you and thank you for being my friend ❤️

a/a/n: also Happy Holidays to anyone else celebrating. I hope you’re able to find lightness even in these dark times. And to the atheists out there, cheers to the upcoming new year

1 day, 12 hours, 32 minutes and 12 seconds until Christmas

“Don’t you think those elf costumes are hot? Like damn I wish my legs looked like that in tights.” Mina whispers conspiratorially, though her voice has a tendency to carry no matter what volume she attempts to speak in, meaning the elf you’re passing by surely hears her based off his reddened ears.

“Do you have any shame?” You laugh, tucking your arm around her own to tug her into the nearby candle store. Your professor offered to give extra credit in exchange for a present and while she’s undoubtably exploiting her students for free gifts you could really use some help in your upper division history elective.

“What’s the fun in that?” Mina giggles, reaching over to the nearest stand and picking up a candle. She gives it a good whiff before coughing, holding the offending item away from her like that will somehow save her from smelling it further despite the top still being off.

“I imagine this is what elf vomit smells like.” She groans, shoving it into your arms in an effort to make you suffer as well. True friendship.

“Winter Candies?” You question, reading the label and the ingredients it’s supposed to smell like. “Adding pecan and peppermint is probably what went wrong.” You hum before smelling it yourself and coughing from the fumes. “Oh you were right this is disgusting.”

“Have I ever lied to you?” Mina hums. “Get that one for your professor.”

“I’d like my grade to be higher not lower. Let’s just get this pine one. It’s a safe bet right?”

“If you like your house to smell like a forest I guess so.” She shrugs, following behind you to the register. “Do you think we could get something to eat? I’m starving.”

“Didn’t you eat like half of Songi’s Christmas cookies this morning? Speaking of which you’re going to get in trouble, she was whining the whole time about how long they were taking due to her lack of patience.”

“When is she not whining about how long things take? Girl has the attention span of a nat, better yet a goldfish.” She snickers, though her eyes shine with a particular fondness for one of her oldest friends. Songi is actually how you met Mina in the first place, the both of you stuck in statistics together and becoming quick friends. When sophomore year rolled around it just made sense to move in with Songi and Mina as they were already looking for a third roommate.

“Very true. Though I’m sure her soulmate will find it charming. Hopefully.”

“Do you ever wonder when we’ll meet our soulmates?” Mina sighs, looking dreamily off into what appears to be the oncoming food court. It’s a toss up whether she’s thinking about her soulmate or fried food.

“All the time but I try not to dwell on it. I just want to live you know? They’ll find me eventually.” The line for hotteok is long, but the sweet smell of pancakes keeps you placated even if your stomach is grumbling.

“When my soulmate does come I hope they’re as fine as Park Jimin. That man must be an angel or something because no one has the right to be that attractive.” You’re about to comment on where that sudden thought came from when Park Jimin himself exits hastily from a store, a clothing bag thrown over his shoulder as he hastily types on his phone. From the draw of his brows and slight scowl he almost looks a little angry, an expression you’ve never seen on him before. “Jimin!” Mina calls, and the orange haired boy immediately picks his head up and puts on a light smile before jogging over.

As he approaches the bells around you jangle, the clock at Santa’s workshop echoing throughout the mall and ringing in your ears. Rubbing your ear to try and ease the slight pain you give Jimin a small wave when he finally appears before you. “The bells are pretty loud huh?” He smiles, nodding towards the large bell that apparently looms behind you.

You agree at the same time Mina says, “I don’t think they’re that loud. Annoying at most.” Before looking between the both of you and wriggling her brows. You brush it off as her being weird before gesturing to Jimin’s bag.

“Don’t tell me you bought a Santa costume.” You say, causing him to laugh. The way his eyes slip between his plump cheeks is rather flattering.

“I lost a bet and this is the price to pay for tonight’s party. Speaking of which you guys should come. Jin’s on alcohol duty so he’ll definitely get all the fancy shit.” Jimin says.

“Well since the Park Jimin invited us, I guess we’ll have to stop by. Text y/n the address and we’ll get there eventually. No promises to be on time though.” Mina jokes.

“That is why they created the term ‘fashionably late’ is it not? Just make sure not to wear a sexy Santa costume, Jin says he wants to be the lone slutty Santa.” Jimin laughs, as if drawing a picture in his own mind before shaking his head.

“It’s a little odd to have a party on the twenty-third though. Why not Christmas Eve?”

“Most of us are going home tomorrow so today was really the only time. Everyone was strung up with finals and stuff.”

“Understandable. I’m getting last minute extra credit before grades are finalized tomorrow. Our school really kills the festive spirit with everything being so close to the holidays.”

“Exactly. All the more reason to party out our frustrations.” His phone buzzes and Jimin types a quick reply before turning back to you. “I gotta go and help Tae at the shelter but I’ll see you both tonight right?”

“And Songi! Our ride or die, our forever plus one, our favorite-“

“Alright, alright. Yeah we’ll be there.” You smile, your hand still over Mina’s mouth as Jimin turns and jogs away. When you release her she smacks the back of your head and you whine.

“What was that for??”

“For being stupid dumbass. You’re telling me both you and Jimin thought the bells were super loud and didn’t think that’s sus. He’s clearly your soulmate!” Mina practically screeches, bouncing on her heels in excitement. The spectacle draws the attention of those around you and you can’t help but shy away.

“Shut up! Besides it’s the holiday season, bells are ringing everywhere. There’s no way to tell if it’s actually your soulmate’s bell jingle. Besides Jimin didn’t seem to think anything of it either. Shouldn’t you just know?”

“I don’t know, you tell me. You’re the one with the found soulmate after all.” Mina shrugs before giving her order to the vendor. She nudges you to give your own but your mind is still reeling. Park Jimin isn’t actually your soulmate, right?

1 day, 1 hour, 37 minutes, 53 seconds until Christmas

Despite your nonchalance earlier, you feel jittery standing outside the address Jimin sent you. Shivers rack down your spine at the prospect of seeing him again, of being certain that Jimin is your forever. You can hear the music through the door, a rhythmic thumping that you try and match your breathing to. Even if Park Jimin isn’t your soulmate it’s not going to be the end of the world. At least that’s what you try to tell yourself, ignoring the way just the idea forms a pit in your stomach. “I know we’re waiting for you to mentally prepare yourself but could you hurry up? I for one would love to witness slutty Jin.” Mina says, nudging you forward lightly with her shoulder.

“Chill out Mina, give the poor girl some time. She’s about to find her soulmate after all.” Songi says, throwing an arm over your shoulder and dragging you into her side. “If it makes you feel better I’ll stay by your side the whole night. We can make fun of Mina shamelessly trying to outdo Seokjin.”

“Hey! Jimin may have said I couldn’t be a slutty Santa but that will never stop me from being the baddest bitch there.” She makes a show of grabbing her sweater and tugging it to emphasize ‘ho’ stitched across the front. Songi has a matching one with Santa losing said hos.

“If I don’t see a dance battle I’m going to be disappointed. After all you promised to do something stupid for me to film. It’s the only reason I decided to come, I mean after supporting you of course.” Songi laughs, giving you an affectionate squeeze.

“Hey I could be an idol with these moves! Ryujin has nothing on me.” Mina huffs, breaking out into the iconic Itzy choreography in the middle of the hallway. You can’t help but crack up at the serious face she makes while ungracefully flailing her limbs. “And you should be grateful to us you hermit! I hope for your sake your soulmate is outgoing because you’ll live your whole life holed up in your apartment otherwise.”

“It’s safer that way. No bugs.” Songi says, causing Mina to push her and nearly send you both crashing to the floor.

“You’re insufferable. I don’t know how I’ve put up with you all these years.”

“You love me, I mean really it’d be hard not too.” Songi shrugs, a smug smile pulled onto her face as she pats Mina’s cheek.

“More like tolerate you and to be honest I’ve reached my limit. Let’s go inside so I can ditch you losers.” Mina throws the door open and heads inside, easily weaving through the bodies crammed inside the small apartment.

“I can just feel the love.” Songi sighs, clutching onto the space over her heart. “Now come on, we can’t find him if we’re in the hallway all night.” Moving to grab your hand she drags you inside, only for you to run into a boy passing through.

“My bad, didn’t think anyone else would be coming by. I have to go get more eggnog before Jin starts screaming at us again.” He smiles, the corner of his lips forming into soft right angles.

“It’s alright.” You murmur, looking around for Mina or Songi. Surely they’re somewhere nearby. Songi is most likely tucked away in some corner, longingly looking for an animal to keep her entertained while Mina is probably at the makeshift bar. If you weren’t so busy looking for your friends maybe you’d pay mind to the soft tinkling of bells and his cardinal red Santa suit wrapped nicely around his frame. Yet even when he breezes past you, your eyes are focused on your two friends. You spot Mina first, surprisingly she’s near the edge of the makeshift dance floor, a drink in her hand and likely about halfway drunk enough to begin belting along to whatever song comes on, even if it’s a terrible EDM mashup of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

You push through the bodies to get to her, almost getting trampled twice before breaking out and grabbing her by the arm before she can walk away. “Oh hey! I got you a drink, I know you don’t like eggnog so I swiped the chocolate milk from the fridge and spiked it myself.” She smiles, shoving a green plastic cup decorated with little lights towards you. You take a sip and wince at the bitter taste, the gingerbread liquor making an interesting concoction. But it’s the thought that counts and you smile despite wanting to cough at the strong flavor.

“Thanks. Where’s Songi?” You ask and Mina curses.

“She was just over in that corner but she’s gone now. Maybe we should try to find her?”

“You know, for someone who claims to hate social interaction she goes off on her own quite easily.” You hum, pushing your way through only to bump into Park Jimin himself. “Sorry.” You say, bumping into Mina from how quickly you try to put space between the two of you. You had momentarily forgotten the whole reason you came was because of Jimin and the possibility that he’s your soulmate. Your hands are suddenly clammy and you rub them against the side of your pants nervously.

“No big deal. Good to see you though! How long have you been here? You should’ve come and said hi to me first.” He whines, his pretty lips drawing into a thick pout, brows upturned as he gives you his best puppy dog look. You can feel yourself melting and all he’s doing is staring at you. The bells around you seem to get louder, Mariah Carey’s iconic Christmas song setting the stage.

“Ahh yeah. Next time! Maybe we could-uhh even come together. If you want to that is.” You smile shyly, pulling your sleeves down over your hands anxiously. You hope he can understand the implication behind your words, and as he steps towards you the bells seem to grow even louder. Someone shoves you from behind and you stumble, body alight with nerves when Jimin catches you. You’re practically shaking, in nerves or excitement you can’t discern. The only thing you can focus on is how pretty Jimin looks cast under red and white lights, his eyes filled with little twinkles. Your breath hitches at how close he is and you look down quickly when he gazes back at you so he can’t read the pure adoration on your face.

Naturally to try and seem less awkward you rush out the first thought that comes to mind. “Your suit is orange?” He takes a step back and you wish to reverse time as the warmth of whiskey and cinnamon on his breath parts from you.

“Ahh yeah, I lost a bet so I had to wear a Santa Suit and Hobi didn’t have enough for us all. I was in such a hurry I didn’t even bother looking at it before renting it. It’s my own fault for being swindled. I should’ve known better than to rent from a halloween shop that was suspiciously still open in December. Can you believe all the other stores were sold out?” Jimin scoffs and despite being interested in his story you can only focus on the way his lips move and pout with each word. They’re a rosy pink, slightly shiny in the dim lighting like he had just put on chapstick or licked his lips. The only thing that draws you out of your stupor is a petite girl throwing her arm around Jimin’s waist.

“Baby!” She exclaims and your eyes widen as Jimin grins down at her, wrapping his hands happily around her own waist and dragging him tightly into her. His smile is the largest you’ve ever seen on him, cheeks particularly squished in utmost happiness and his expression being what you could only describe as love. You can feel your heart breaking already. “Hi I’m Jisoo!” You think you’re going to be sick to your stomach, not just because Jimin is in love with someone else but because the girl you’re supposed to hate is so nice. She smiles at you warmly like you weren’t just staring at her boyfriend’s lips and wondering what they’d taste like.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Isn’t my soulmate so cute?” Jimin asks you, his eyes sparkling like diamonds as he squishes her cheek between two fingers. Your breath starts to quicken and you smile widely to hide the way your eyes begin to fill with tears.

“You both are adorable together.” You manage to get out, impressed with how natural it sounds despite how tense you feel. The bells in your head are just mocking you now as you make up an excuse to leave, the two of them so wrapped up in each other they don’t pay mind to your absence. Clearing your throat you head to the bathroom to try and get some privacy for your inevitable break down only to run into Mina and some guy in a Santa suit stumbling out.

“Y/n!” Mina cheers, too intoxicated to notice the way small tears begin to fall down your face. The hallway is rather dark and yet you can still make out the guy next to her with a curved nose and reddened ears. He looks a little embarrassed to be caught after an obvious rendezvous in a bathroom at a party and yet his hands still wind around Mina’s waist comfortably when she pulls away from you. “My soulmate’s an elf!” She cackles and you welcome the distraction her words bring.

“What?” You ask confused. The guy beside her is wearing a Santa costume, you’re sure of it.

“Hoseok is a mall elf! You know the guy with the hot legs? It’s him, my soulmate!” She squeals excitedly, grabbing him by the arm and smiling up at him blissfully.

“How are you sure?” You don’t mean to sound so bitter, but Mina never mentioned hearing bells at the mall nor did she mention hearing bells when you caught her earlier. If anything this could just be her wishful thinking like her suggestion of Jimin being your soulmate.

“You just kinda know! Like at the mall when we passed I wrote it off as shop bells. Then when I got here and we bumped into each other I just knew it was actually him. And when we touched it was like I was struck by lightning.” Your face must show incredulity because she just smiles at you.

“I know, I know. It sounds super cliche but it’s true. Though now that we’ve touched a lot more it’s wearing down.” She giggles, winking at him and reveling in the way the blush burns brighter. He sticks his hand out to you after squeezing her waist and you stare at it for a moment before reaching out to shake it.

“Hi, I’m Hoseok. You can call me Hobi though.” His smile takes the form of a heart as he grins at you and Mina practically squeals.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’d love to talk later but I have to use the bathroom.” You nod behind them and Hoseok seems to realize he’s standing in the doorway and moves aside bashfully.

“So sorry! Didn’t realize I was still standing there.” You just give him a tight-lipped smile and nod, moving past them quickly. Your silence seems to be what draws Mina’s concern, a tentative hand coming to grab your forearm lightly.

“Y/n-“ She starts but you gently brush her off.

“I’m fine. Really don’t worry about me.” You say softly before locking the door and sliding down it. It’s in the comfort of the quiet bathroom that you allow the tears to freely fall and mourn the soulmate you didn’t have.

22 hours, 45 minutes, 35 seconds until Christmas

You finally find Songi, a random cat cuddled up in her arms as she’s squished into a small chair nestled by the kitchen. She’s a little hazy in your mind, it feels a bit like you’re looking at her underwater, and you smile at her lazily before plopping down into her lap. “Be careful!” She scolds, holding the cat up higher so it’s curled into her chest instead. You just blink slowly at her in response and she sighs. “How much did you drink tonight?”

“After I cried for like thirty minutes I stole a bottle of peppermint schnapps and drank the whole thing.” You sigh, resting your head against her own.

“Why’d you cry? I wish you would’ve told me you were upset, I would’ve suggested we leave right away.”

“Park Jimin already has a soulmate…it’s not me. I know chances were already slim because he’s Park Jimin and well, I’m me but I just thought maybe this would be it. I finally would have someone to share everything with and I wouldn’t.. be so lonely.” You murmur out the last part, your drunken state revealing the thoughts that consumed you upon meeting Jisoo. No matter how much you mentally prepared yourself for the possibility of Jimin being a fluke, you weren’t ready for just how brutal the disappointment was.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being you. Besides I’d never let Park Jimin sit on my lap and yet here you are, perched upon a throne.” You can’t help the small giggle you let out. Songi always knows what to say to cheer you up.

“You’re so weird you know that? You’re the only person I know who refers to thighs as a throne.”

“Don’t judge me and my preferences. You drool over hands and I drool over thighs, it’s perfectly normal. Anyways, I know you mean romantically but I’ll always be here if you want someone to cry with or to yell at fictional characters about their stupidity with you. You’re my best friend.” Despite her hatred of hugs and physical contact Songi retracts her arms from the cat to put them around you instead, gently giving you a squeeze. It’s a little awkward because she’s terrible at hugs but you appreciate it nonetheless.

“How about we get out of here okay?” She suggests and you nod, wincing as your head starts to pound. The alcohol must be catching up to you. The pounding is then followed by ringing, and you hold your head in your hands as church bells ring in your ears. The world is truly out to make a mockery of your life.

“You okay? Here sit down a minute.” Songi ushers you into the chair as she hovers above you, rushing off to get some water for you.

“Taehyung really shouldn’t have been in charge of the playlist.” Someone from beside you sighs but you can’t look up at them for the sake of your pounding headache. “I think I’m going to have bells ringing in my head for days.” They sigh before they seem to notice you. “Hey you okay?” They ask, a hand placed on your shoulder in concern but the electricity that runs down your spine makes you gasp. Your skin prickles in goosebumps but Songi is just near enough that she takes your gasp as extreme pain instead of astonishment.

“I’m sorry I took so long!” She says, throwing your arm around her shoulders haphazardly before hauling you up and against her.

“Hey wait-“ The voice from beside you starts, but Songi brushes them off.

“Don’t worry I’m not gonna steal your cat this time. But don’t let him roam around with a bunch of drunk people. I almost saw him get stepped on five times by idiots.” For a brief second you manage enough strength to turn your head without wanting to throw up and blearily lock eyes with a pair of chocolate brown ones. They’re swimming with something you can’t quite make out: pain, regret, longing. But then Songi calls your name and you turn away to make sure you don’t smack into the front door. It’s odd but you can feel a pit in your stomach the further you walk away and his eyes are imprinted on the back of your lids with every blink.

14 hours, 18 minutes, 22 seconds until Christmas

“Wake up bitches!” Mina screams, banging on your and Songi’s doors and you groan. Rolling over, you throw the pillow over your head and try to fall back asleep to avoid the way your head pounds. Mina throws your door open and you wince when it smacks against the wall next to it. “You can’t evade me.” She says, reaching for your comforter and trying to throw it off. However, you predicted this to happen when you flipped over and cling tightly to the fluffy bedding, expertly disrupting her evil plan. Mina huffs in annoyance and you hide your grin in your sheets before releasing a puff of air when she jumps on top of you. “Wake! Up!” She yells, jumping on top of you like you’re some human trampoline.

“You’re the worst kind of person.” You grumble, rolling over to come face to face with her smile.

“Thanks! Now I want to eat cookies for breakfast and I refuse to eat them alone like it’s a shameful activity.” True in her shameless fashion she’s only wearing a baggy t-shirt, her neck exposed and colored various shades of purple and red. Though your night was unexplainably horrible you’re glad at least someone had a good time.

“I want Songi’s cookies. Hers always look pretty.”

“You mean you don’t want to try my cinnamon bourbon toffee snickerdoodles? I saw it on tiktok and they took me two hours! I nearly set the oven on fire!” You wrinkle your nose at the memory of two days ago, and coming home from finishing up one of your last papers to her covered in flour and the counters doused in eggs. It’s like she somehow got in a food fight with herself.

“And that’s precisely why they shouldn’t exist in the first place. You didn’t even know how to turn on the oven.” Songi murmurs, leant against your doorway.

“You’re all ungrateful, uncultured swines.” She huffs, though she still proceeds to make you all hot chocolates when you emerge from your room. The three of your are sat at the kitchen counter, plates full of cookies and Songi’s mom’s homemade fudge. If anything can cure a hangover it’s gorging yourself on unhealthy food.

“Did I ever tell you one kid in high school called me an uncultured swine because I didn’t know the rat from the ninja turtles?” Songi says, munching on her own frosted sugar cookie. It was her first attempt at a 3D wreath but turned out to be more like a bush of frosting. For most it’d be deemed to sweet and disgusting to ingest but Songi happily licks away at the icing.

“What is the rat’s name?” Mina asks, and Songi just shrugs.

“I still don’t know honestly.”

“Why were you up so early anyways? Don’t you normally sleep until noon?” You ask Mina, noticing the way she turns away from you almost shyly.

“Hobi slept over and he had to go back to work early to return the Santa suits he stole before his boss found out.” The Santa suits spring a memory to mind and you suddenly recall seeing more than just one. Though Jimin did mention there being others, you only saw Hobi and Jin wearing them.

“Why were so many people wearing Santa suits anyways? I thought Jin wanted to be the only one.”

“The only slutty one, so naturally he was wearing the top of the suit like a robe and cut the pants into thot shorts. Hobi was understandably pissed about that one since they were only borrowing the suits after all. But it was some bet, he told me about it last night but I was too drunk to remember.” Looking into your drink the swirling chocolate then reminds you of eyes and the tingling feeling down your back when a warm palm rested on your shoulder.

“Holy shit!” You exclaim, suddenly standing up and running to your room. Mina and Songi are hot on your heels, watching curiously as you bounce around on one foot while struggling to pull your jeans over your thighs and hips.

“Where are you going?” Songi asks and you widen your eyes at the realization that she’s the only one who would’ve seen their face.

“Songi who did you see before you took me home? Who had their hand on my shoulder?” You ask, running up to grab her by the upper arms and shake her almost desperately. “Songi I need to know who it was.”

“What’s this all about? Did they steal from you or something?” Mina asks and you throw your head back in a frustrated groan.

“No they’re my soulmate!”

“Babe-“ Mina starts and your glare at the pity in her expression.

“I’m being serious. I felt the sparks or whatever and I can see his eyes when we walked away. I just can’t remember anything else. Songi you have to remember who they were.” You plead to the both of them and they look back at you rather sadly.

“I’m sorry but I’ve never seen them before. I think they were wearing a Santa costume but I don’t remember much else about them.” She says and you can’t help but deflate. You actually found your soulmate and got so drunk you can’t remember anything about them. Great.

“Are you sure they’re your soulmate anyways. I passed by you later that night and you seemed pretty wasted but maybe after Jimin you just thought-“

“No I didn’t make up a soulmate just because I was depressed that Jimin wasn’t mine. You know how you just knew with Hoseok? Well I just know with him. How many people were wearing Santa costumes?”

“Six.” Mina says but Songi disagrees and says there’s seven.

“A guy came in later with another suit. That’s how I found the cat, it was just following him around and I heard the little bell on the collar.”

“You-you heard a cat bell at a party filled with drunk people screaming?” Mina asks, her face twisted up in confusion. You have to admit that does seem like it’s rather unlikely that someone would be able to discern such a quiet sound with so much commotion.

“I have exceptional hearing, of course I heard it. Besides this isn’t some fanfic where we all find our soulmates in the same place. The guy did have a pretty face though, I wouldn’t mind looking at it upon closer inspection.” Songi shrugs, staring off dreamily like the cat guy is standing right in front of her.

“Do you think Hobi can give me the name of the guys he leant the suits to?” You ask and Mina sighs.

“Just don’t get your hopes up too much okay? Songi only thinks he was wearing a Santa costume. I just don’t want to see you heartbroken again.” She pats your head softly, almost motherly, and you give her your best smile.

13 hours, 45 minutes, 36 seconds until Christmas

The name Min Yoongi swirls around your brain as you stand outside of Bored and Brewed. It’s tucked between a music supply store and a flower shop, leafy plants hanging above the entrance and the large front windows blocked in by thin rectangular frames. You can see warm lights strewn across the cafe from outside, casting it in a golden hue as soft pink chairs and petal green couches decorate the inside. The bell above you jingles and you tersely smile, flashbacks of your embarrassment from misinterpreting a common sound during the holiday season returning. Hoseok gave no description of what Min Yoongi would look like, only stating that he’s a frequenter of this specific cafe given it’s proximity to your university’s music school buildings. Though Jimin mentioned all his friends were leaving today, you’re still hopeful that your soulmate will stick around long enough for you to find them. This is a matter of fate after all, the universe wouldn’t allow you to meet them before Christmas only to end up spending the day alone right? No matter how cruel the world normally seems you refuse to believe it would do this to you.

Upon entry the guy behind the counter smiles at you, then goes back to busying himself on the phone while you look at the menu. You’re not one for liking strong coffee, so your eyes naturally linger towards the sweeter drinks that are on the special menu. The bell to the shop rings again but you don’t pay it any mind, too fixated on trying to figure out what you want.

“I wouldn’t get the peppermint drink if I were you. They load it with sugar and whipped cream so it doesn’t taste like anything.” A voice from behind you says and you nod along. “I’d get the sugar cookie one, it’s not super sweet but also has a nice flavor. It’s the only thing I get that’s not actual coffee.” He hums and you decide to go ahead and order that before you make the guy behind you wait any longer.

“Make that two. I’m feeling particularly generous today.” He hands over some cash before you can say anything and you whip around to face him. Wavy black hair covers his brows, most of it tucked inside a gray beanie. A baggy hoodie and black skinny jeans adorn the rest of his figure and he gives you a tight lipped smile with the edges quirked upwards.

“Thank you. You really didn’t have to.” You say, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. You follow him to the pick up area for your drinks, tucking your hands into your pockets to try and hide your nervous fiddling.

“I try to do a good deed every day so today that’s you it seems.” His voice is low and soft, a quiet rumbling in the wind.

“Well I appreciate it.” You say and silence falls between the two of you. Your mind is searching for something to say to fill the silence but the barista comes by with your two drinks. You’re about to just leave the conversation at the polite end but the barista’s words catches your attention.

“Feel free to buy me a drink sometime Yoongi.” He laughs.

“Yoongi?” You ask and the boy with the beanie turns back to you.

“Yeah?”

“As in Min Yoongi. Hobi’s friend?” You press further and the boy’s confusion turns to skepticism.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well you see I met my soulmate last night at the party but I don’t remember who they were, just that they were wearing a Santa costume.” You murmur, following behind when Yoongi makes a move to leave the shop.

“I’m sorry but I don’t believe in soulmates. I think you should have a say in who’s right for you.” Despite the coldness of his words, his tone is still soft- sympathetic almost.

“Yoongi wait!” You exclaim, grabbing onto his wrist with your own hand. The bell above the store chimes above you and for a second you allow yourself to believe you’re the one to change how Yoongi feels about soulmates. And yet you feel no goosebumps when your skin touches his, only the slightly dry texture of his palm when he gently takes your hand off him. “The-the bells. I can’t lose my soulmate again, please.” The end comes off as a whisper and Yoongi must take pity on you because he gives you a gentle smile.

“The bells were from above the door. But I can give you the name of another Santa, his name is Jin. He’s the one who hosted the party. He works at the restaurant I play piano for, he should be there picking up his check because the manager is old fashioned. If you hurry you can probably catch him. Two blocks down, it’s the fancy place with the stupid golden archway like a high end McDonalds.” He pats your upper arm twice before walking away. Though you miss the way he turns to watch you run around the small corner mumbling a small good luck at your parting figure.

13 hours, 30 minutes, 23 seconds until Christmas

Yoongi wasn’t lying when he said the place did have a strange high-end McDonalds feel. The golden arches are spotless, reflecting the red and green lights scattered in some windows of the buildings across the street. The doors are large french ones with gold painted around the trim and a guy in a butler’s outfit opens them for you. You thank him before heading inside, observing the grandiose chandeliers and poinsettias decorating the host stand. A girl with long blonde hair smiles at you before asking if you need a table.

“Actually I was looking for Jin? He has blonde hair and really wide shoulders.” It’s the only information Yoongi offered but the girl in front of you nods in understanding and you can’t help the sigh of relief you let out.

“He just came in to get something so I’ll find him and let him know you’re waiting for him. Can I get your name?”

“Umm just tell him Hobi’s friend is waiting.” You say nervously, pulling at the strings of your sweater to busy yourself. She just nods before walking away and you stuff three of the free mints in your mouth to try and ease yourself. That is before you realize they’re peppermint flavored and instantly start gagging as the taste of last night’s peppermint liquor surfaces. With your hand over your mouth to stop yourself from gagging, Jin walks into the lobby and spots you. His eyes widen in recognition, sparkling as he gets nearer. And as he draws closer a distant tinkling sounds rings out and your eyes water with tears. Is your soulmate perhaps the sluttiest Santa of them all?

“I’d remember you from anywhere. You stole my entire bottle of Peppermint Schnapps out of my secret liquor cabinet. I’m surprised you could reach it to be honest, I have to climb on the counter to grab it myself so you must’ve done some serious spider man shit.” He smiles and you wish the ground would swallow you whole. You have no recollection of doing that. What had Mina put in your first drink?

“Ahh yes. I was hoping I could speak to you privately.” Your eyes dart to the blonde hostess, perched on the host stand and conveniently leaning toward the two of you to hear closer.

“I was going to steal some food from the back before I left. You want anything?” He asks, walking towards the kitchen with you following him like some lovesick puppy. At this point you refuse to let your soulmate be taken from you any longer.

“What do you have?”

“Anything you could ever want. I’m heading home after this so I need some snacks for the drive.” He picks up a baguette and fruit, before opening the freezer and pulling out ready made desserts and quiches. “You think the caviar is here yet?” He asks to himself before rifling through some more shelves and letting out a loud ‘aha!’

“You hold this.” He says, giving you the expensive caviar and gesturing for you to hide it under your shirt.

“You want me to smuggle it out?” You exclaim and Jin quickly shushes you.

“It’s not smuggling, it’s borrowing. If there’s any left I’ll return it.” He says, pushing you away from the kitchen and walking normally like he doesn’t have a baguette and many other foods in his arms.

“Isn’t that a health violation?” You ask and Jin rolls his eyes.

“What are you? The health inspector? Besides you weren’t worried about health violations last night.” He says, leading you towards the front. The tinkling sound is particularly loud here and you finally gather the courage to question him about your real intentions.

“Speaking of last night, I don’t actually remember much. But I do know I found my soulmate.” You start, looking towards him and Jin hums in acknowledgement. “And he was wearing a Santa suit…so as you know, you were also wearing one. So I was thinking-“

“I’m your soulmate?” Jin says and you nearly drop the bowl of caviar that’s tucked underneath your shirt.

“You are? Honestly that’s such a relief because I’ve been stressing myself out about trying to find them before it was actually Christmas so I don’t have to spend another alone. You said you were having to go to your family’s right? Would I be able to come with? I know we’ve only just met but I can’t imagine having to be alone again and-“ Seokjin has tucked the baguette under his arm, a finger pressed delicately to your lips.

“This is very flattering, truly the sweetest soulmate confession I’ve received thus far. But I have to stop you because I’m not your soulmate. You think you’re hearing bells right? The bus boys are polishing all the glasses and they always knock them into each other.” When he sees your eyes water again he gently wipes the falling tears. “I know you’re looking to find them and I want to help you. You said it was a Santa right? Lucky for you all my friend’s wore the costume because of Taehyung’s punishment. They were betting the length of time it would take Taehyung to smuggle a cat out of the shelter he works at. If you ask me I think it was rigged since Taehyung was the determinator of the bet length but my friends are stupid at best so they overlooked that. I was going to be slutty Santa anyways so I didn’t really care what they did. The only surprise was Taehyung being a freak and wearing a suit as well. Can you believe it was just because he wanted to be festive and not to get someone to sit in his lap?”

You can only sniffle and nod, internally questioning if trying to find your soulmate today was really a good idea. Mina did warn you about the potential heartbreak but you had been stubborn and unwilling to listen. The universe has had it out for you thus far, so why would it suddenly take pity on you and make things easy? “Hey, hey don’t give up. I’ll send you the shelter address and you can stop by when you’re ready. He should be there all day, his family is coming up here tomorrow so he has nothing better to do.” Jin says.

“You don’t think this is stupid? That I’m searching for something that clearly wasn’t meant to happen?”

“I don’t think any matter of the heart is something to criticize. If you really wanna find your soulmate you will, I believe in you. And Hobi must’ve believed in you too if he gave you our government names and locations. He wouldn’t give them out to strangers he didn’t trust. Or at least I hope he doesn’t, I’m much too beautiful to be held hostage.”

“Thanks Jin. That was oddly encouraging.”

“There’s nothing that a pretty face can’t fix. Now if you’ll excuse me, I must coast to the gas station and stand there until someone offers to pay for me. The sugar daddies are normally out right about now so that’s my queue. And when you find your soulmate, tell him he and his garbage truck stomach owe me groceries.”

“You know who it is?” You ask and Jin only shrugs.

“Maybe, maybe not. I’ll see you at the next party y/n.” He winks.

12 hours, 28 minutes, 12 seconds until Christmas

“Did you find them?” Songi asks excitedly when you enter the apartment and you shake your head in reply. You’re not exactly completely discouraged but you feel nowhere near as excited and prepared as you were earlier. “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” She asks, tentatively sitting on the couch beside you.

“Can we just watch a fun movie or something? i don’t really want to think at the moment.”

“How about a drama instead? Someone I know really loves Goblin.” She sings, already reaching for the remote.

“Goblin would be nice. It’s been a while since I’ve watched it.” You hum, snuggling under a fluffy blanket thrown across the back of the couch and curling up next to Songi.

“You want some popcorn? I can make hot chocolate or something if you want.” She offers but you shake your head and lean your head on her shoulder.

“I just want to mindlessly watch some dramas and pretend I’m the main characters.” You say and she merely nods before turning Goblin on.

“We can do that.” You both settle in comfortably, your body easing as the stress and emotional toll begin to weigh on you. Maybe what you needed was to just relax before putting yourself back out there. Besides Taehyung was supposed to be at the shelter all day, you had plenty of time. And even if you missed Taehyung, even if you didn’t find your soulmate by Christmas, you wouldn’t truly be alone. You had Songi right here with you, someone who had already offered to bring you with her when she saw her family tomorrow. It was with this warming realization that you finally allowed yourself to stop thinking, and close your eyes to get a peaceful sleep.

8 hours, 32 minutes, 56 seconds until Christmas

“You two took a nap and I wasn’t invited? You know napping is my favorite part of the day.” Mina whines, setting bags down onto the kitchen counter before squeezing between you and Songi on the couch. “Oo I love this scene! Though I have to say Nam Joo Hyuk’s swim scenes in weightlifting fairy were the best part of any drama I’ve seen thus far. When I tell you I almost drooled.” She sighs, batting away the pillow that Songi attempts to hit her with.

“How dare you talk about my man like that.” Songi huffs dramatically before pouting. “Besides he’s best as Nam Do San. If I could marry any character it’d be him.”

“He’s cute but I wouldn’t want him.” You say.

“Yes, yes. We all know you like your men older.” Mina cackles, wiggling her eyebrows at you suggestively.

“Hey they don’t have to be! I just- I don’t know, I want someone who could take care of me.”

“In all ways.” Mina giggles, her voice choked when you smack her dead in the face with the pillow beside you.

“None of that in my christian household!” You giggle to which she gasps, accosted.

“Then tell Songi to stop her weird thigh club thing!”

“I am part of the weightlifting club it’s not my fault we focus on squats!” Songi says, her voice rising significantly higher as she attempts to defend herself.

“Look me in the eyes and tell me you didn’t join because you heard Wonho was the president.” Mina challenges, giggling when Songi’s cheeks bloom pretty roses.

“Sh-shut up. If you can have your hoe hours so can I. Besides Wonho’s my friend now, so I don’t admire them as much anymore.”

“You’re right, you admire them respectfully.” You add, laughing harder when Songi flips you off in retaliation.

“I hate you all. I need someone who will truly love me and be on my side.” She whines, standing up and moving to put on her shoes by the front door.

“Where are you going now?” Mina asks.

“To get a cat!” Songi exclaims, grabbing her bag off the rack by the door and storming out. You know she’s not really mad, but you also know there’s a one-hundred percent chance she’s coming back with a cat despite your lease directly stating it doesn’t allow animals.

You settle back onto the couch before your eyes widen and you jump up to put on your own shoes. “And where are you going?”

“I need to go to the shelter to see Taehyung and Songi’s the only one with a car!” You shout, running out the door and after her. You sprint down the stairs, it’s the most exercise you think you’ve gotten this year, and make it into the parking garage just as Songi unlocks her car. “Songi wait! Let me come with.” You yell, crossing over to her and throwing the passenger door open before she can say no.

“If you’re also getting a cat I get first dibs. It was my idea after all.” She says, waiting patiently for you to buckle up before pulling out. “Hey can you find directions for the nearest shelter? I know there’s one on third but I have no idea where third is.”

“Yeah I have the address for one.” You say, pulling up the place Jin sent you.

8 hours, 16 minutes, 24 seconds

The shelter itself is pretty small, but there’s a large fenced-in play area in the back. It’s filled with new toys and the sight makes you smile, especially at the few puppies that topple over each other when they trip while chasing one another. Your eyes linger on them a little longer and your heart pangs a little as you miss your dog from back home. You were supposed to see your family this winter season but all the flights in your home city were too expensive so you’ll have to see them after New Years instead. While you’ll get to see your family in a little over a week, you still miss them greatly especially when everyone is talking about going home to their own families.

“Do you want a dog instead?” Songi asks and you shake your head.

“No I don’t think I’m getting any pets. I have a umm friend who works here though.” You say, tucking your arm around hers and dragging her inside.

“Do you think they’ll give me a discount?” She asks, squeezing your arm when you tense at the little bell ringing above the door. At this point you hate bells and anything that has to deal with them.

“Maybe.”

“I’ll give you them free if you get two.” A smooth voice says, a boy with a black mullet and sharp eyebrows stepping in from the back. He smiles widely at you, rosy lips drawing into an almost blinding smile.

“Two might be a bit much for us.” You laugh stiffly. “I think we’re fine with just one.”

“Cat or dog?” He asks.

“Cat. Do you have any old cats? I’d like to give an elder guy a happy home.” Songi smiles and the beautiful man’s brows pinch.

“Taehyung is more familiar with the cats, I’ll go get him so he can show you around.”

“Sweet, thanks.” She says with a nod, tapping her feet to an imaginary beat. “Do you think I’ll find one that likes me? What if they all hate me?” Songi asks you, worry painted in her features.

“I’m sure they’ll all adore you. You’re difficult to not love.” You tell her, her shoulders sagging in relief.

“I just want to give them all the love in the world.” She says. “Oh do you think they sell collars? Something’s jingling.” She comments and before you can say anything the boy you first ran into last night appears. His boxy smile graces his features, dark eyes and long lashes fluttering as his gaze fixates on Songi.

“You’re the one looking for a cat?” He asks, his baritone voice causing a blush to rise to her skin. In fact, his voice when paired with his features seems to have glitched her brain out because she’s not moving at all. Her mouth is agape, her eyes wide as she takes in Taehyung. Several seconds have passed and she has yet to even so much as breathe. You nudge her shoulder and she seems to reboot, giving him a sheepish smile.

“Yeah.” She says breathily.

“Jaebum told me you wanted one of the older ones. I’ll show you the ones who’ve been here the longest too.” He says, urging you to follow him through the door on the left. “The first section is where we keep the older ones, hoping they’ll catch someone’s eye before they see the kittens.” He explains, gesturing to a large enclosure filled with cat beds and towers.

“Can we go inside?” Songi asks and Taehyung nods, opening the gate and allowing you both to enter before a cat can escape. Songi instantly takes a liking to a white fluffy one that’s sprawled on a blue bed in the corner. It’s ears twitch with each step she makes and she pauses when she’s an arms reach away.

“Hello.” She begins introducing herself to the cat and your eyes flicker to Taehyung who gazes at her almost fondly. Your stomach sinks because it’s clear you’re much more aware that Taehyung doesn’t have a belled collar in his pocket than Songi. Seeing her so clueless to her inevitable soulmate standing so close by allows you to give yourself forgiveness for being so clueless yesterday.

“That one’s named Gucci. Named him myself because he’s a rare breed.”

“Does that mean he’s going to be expensive too?” She jokes.

“Probably, he’s an old guy after all. Sometimes they develop health complications. This boy right here is thirteen and has been here for about two years I think?” Taehyung supplies and Songi immediately frowns.

“My poor baby.” She coos, gently reaching forward to scratch behind his ear and then further under his chin. “You wanna come live at my house? I’ll sneak you all the chicken you want.”

The cat just blinks at her, rather slowly, before sniffing her palm. Songi immediately takes this as a yes and tells Taehyung that she’ll take him. “A good choice if I must say so myself. You two look cute together.” Taehyung smiles before his eyes widen until they’re nearly entirely round like he didn’t realize what he was saying until it was already out of his mouth. He doesn’t retract them or try and make them less flirtatious however. He merely just walks away with a slight blush decorating the apples of his cheeks while mumbling about leaving to get paper work and a soft crate.

“You like him right?’ Songi asks and you just shrug despite the large smile pulling at your face.

“Taehyung? He seems really sweet.” You giggle to which she shushes you vehemently.

“He might hear you! Besides he’s way out of my league, there’s no way he’d like me back. Plus I already have a man in my life and he’s right here.” She tugs Gucci into her lap, pressing a small kiss to his nose.

“I will not let you turn into a cat lady. You’re already a hermit at twenty.”

“But people make me nervous.” She whines. Taehyung enters again before you can comment any further, the soft crate draped over his shoulder with a fluffy blanket tucked inside.

“I’ll come in with you and when you’re done signing, I’ll put him in the crate. Sometimes they put up a fight when you try and get them in there and I don’t want him scratching you.” Taehyung tells Songi and she just nods along. You can tell she’s stalling because the two pages takes her about five minutes, as she pretends to care about having neat handwriting. You’re pretty sure she’s working up the nerve to say something to Taehyung so you decide to do it for her.

“Taehyung do you have a collar on you? I think Gucci would look really cute with one with like a bowtie bell.” You ask and his mouth parts slightly open, brows pulled together in confusion. It gives off a similar vibe to when your puppy cocks his head to the side when it can’t figure out what you’re saying.

“We don’t have any collars here. We don’t want the animals to get caught on anything and owners usually like to pick out their own.”

“You mean you don’t have one in your pocket?” Songi asks, equally as confused. You love her but for being so academically smart she can be so slow.

“No.” Taehyung says before turning to her with startled eyes. “You can hear bells?”

“Yeah. Should I not be able to?”

“I can hear them too!” He yells, startling half the cats but he pays them no mind as he pulls her into a tight embrace. “I’m so happy, you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you…my soulmate.” He says it dreamily even though Songi is right in front of him and although your chances of finding your own is dwindling significantly you can’t help but be happy for your friend. She’s lit up under Taehyung’s attention, smiling so wide you think your own cheeks are starting to hurt. “And you my little man,” Taehyung says, squishing Gucci’s head between his large hands. “I’m going to be your dad!”

7 hours, 45 minutes, 31 seconds until Christmas

After finally convincing Taehyung to let Songi go, only under the terms that you’ll meet him at a nearby diner to get food, you wind up back in your apartment. Mina is gone, probably either on her way home or out with Hoseok so it’s quiet when Songi enters with Gucci. It’s probably a good thing as Taehyung warned you both that moving was quite stressful for a cat and he’d want a quiet room to hang out by himself until he felt comfortable. Gingerly taking him to her room, Songi sets up his things before opening Gucci’s crate and quietly closing the door. “I hope he doesn’t pee on my stuff.” She comments suddenly.

“I doubt it. He probably won’t even leave the crate for a few hours.”

“You think he’ll like it here?” Songi asks, following you out of the apartment and back down to her car. Taehyung wanted to go to somewhere near his work since he biked there this morning and Songi was happy to oblige even if she normally hates driving at night.

“I think so, I know you’ll shower him with as much love as you can. He’d have no reason not to like it.”

“Taehyung?” She asks, laughing to herself for parroting you from earlier. “I know, you meant the cat. But on a serious note, the cat will like me better than him right? It’d be so depressing for my cat to like my boyfriend more than me.”

“Mmm that one is hard. Your boyfriend is scarily beautiful.”

“Hey! You’re supposed to be on my side.” Songi whines.

“I am, I’m just speaking facts. It doesn’t mean you’re not beautiful too.” Your phone buzzes and it’s a text from Mina asking what your plans are for tonight. You guess Mina didn’t go home after all.

“Is it okay if Mina comes along? Hobi’s probably with her too.” You ask, already typing out a reply because you know Songi will agree.

“That’s fine. But hey, can you give me directions again? I really don’t know where I’m supposed to be going.”

4 hours, 47 minutes, 27 seconds until Christmas

Songi is sidled up beside Taehyung, his arm resting on her leg while Hobi has his arm wrapped around Mina’s shoulders. You’re all crammed inside a small circular booth, mountains of food spread around the table as you joke around about nothing in particular. You had forgotten Taehyung and Hobi were close friends, having met so many of said friends that it feels like everyone is just a friend of a friend. And yet despite being the only one without a significant other, you don’t feel left out or lonely. In fact, you’re the happiest you’ve been these past two days as you listen to Taehyung ramble on about the time he had to streak across campus.

“Should I be horrified that the campus security guards know what my boyfriend’s dick looks like before I do?” Songi laughs.

“Hey they only got a preview, you get the full movie.” She giggles to which you all collectively groan.

“Gross!” Songi says, making Taehyung beside her pout.

“I don’t know why I thought finding Hobi would make you any less shameless.” You chuckle.

“Hey you all love me like this. Take it or leave it as they say.” Mina says, dipping a fry in ranch before popping it into her mouth. “You sure you can handle all this Hobi?” She asks to which he only winks. Lord help you, there’s two of them.

“I think our best moment was when we convinced Namjoon to sneak into the science labs and set all the testing rats free. Imagine this like six foot tall man screaming as a bunch of little white rats chase after him.” Taehyung giggles.

“What he didn’t know was that Jungkook had stuffed cheese into the pockets of his cargo pants so the rats were trying to get a midnight snack.” Hobi snickers.

“Where’d they all go?” Songi asks.

“They just kinda scattered around campus. I’m sure half of them live near the dining halls now.” Hobi says.

“Do you think they formed packs? Or are they like Remy from Ratatouille and are going to take over as chefs. The dining halls could really use an upgrade. Remember when we used to trek across campus just to get a decent dinner?” Taehyung asks.

“I’m not sure. Why don’t you two go and ask them?” Mina snickers.

“Jungkook.” They both say suddenly like that’s a reasonable and valid answer.

“Jungkook.” You repeat, the words somewhat familiar on your tongue. Why did you know that name? Pulling out your phone you look back to the list of names Hoseok had given you of those who wore Santa costumes and gasp. “Jungkook!”

“Yes that is his name.” Taehyung adds dryly.

“Jungkook was wearing a Santa suit! At the party. He’s one of the two left. Do you know where I can find him?” You ask and Hobi shrugs.

“He’s probably gone home by this hour. He was whining so much about missing his mom that I’m sure he left earlier this morning to go see her sooner.” You visibly deflate and Taehyung decides to offer up additional advice.

“Jungkook and Namjoon live together. That’s two of your list right? I’ll send you the address and you can see if anyone is home.”

“Don’t you think that’s a violation of privacy?” Hobi whispers.

“Nah it’s fine. A bunch of porn sights probably track their location with all the viruses Namjoon downloads anyways.” Taehyung says this so casually that you wonder if a big part of Namjoon’s personality is liking erotic videos. You really hope not, soulmate or not. You have a threshold for that type of conversation and Mina is relatively mild but even she regularly meets said threshold.

“Anyways, they’re not that far from here if you want me to walk you there. I live nearby anyways.” Taehyung offers.

“If you’re sure.”

“No problem.”

4 hours, 15 minutes, 53 seconds until Christmas

The apartment building is small, the colors muted brown and had Taehyung not pointed it out to you, you would’ve missed it entirely. The only source of light is small patio lights strewn between the buildings, the likes of which are only a few stories tall. Taehyung tells you the apartment number before riding off, leaving you to your own devices. Except, you realize too late that despite the buildings being rather old they’ve upgraded to modern systems. Which means you need a fob to get in. You could walk home and call it a night, but at this point you’re just annoyed and stubborn. So instead you meander through the convenience store for a half hour, pretending that you care about the difference between regular and kettle chips when you spot someone walking towards the gate. Abandoning the aisle, you hurry out of the store and cross the street.

“Hey! I lost my fob could you let me in?” You ask, a pleasant smile on your face to try and sway the guy. You can’t see his face well, it’s obscured by a black baseball cap but you can see the distrust in his eyes. “Please?” You try again.

“I guess.” He mumbles, holding the door for you to slip inside. You have half a mind to warn him against doing such things in the case of strangers only to realize that you are the stranger in this situation.

“Thanks!” You say, hurrying away before he can kick you out. The guy working the convenience store was definitely taking note of your blatant loitering and he didn’t seem like the type to ignore it. It turns out the building coordination here is quite complex because while you’d think 101-106 would be on the right and 093-100 on the left, 093-100 is actually the next building over. It’s like they put the apartment numbers in a random generator and just let that decide the order. You’re making your fifth round of building B like a creep when you decide to just sit in the stairwell in shame. It’s clear this apartment complex is your own personal form of hell for trying to best the soulmate system which so clearly doesn’t want you to find your soulmate before the holidays. You already have your phone out to call Mina and express your woes when you hear the door below you attached to the stairwell open. Before you can scramble out of the way a pair of multicolored chunky sneakers stand on the step beneath your own.

“You okay?” The stranger asks and you just nod. “Are you sure? You look a little lost.”

“Metaphorically and physically, yes I am very lost. I have somehow found my soulmate and forgot them within the same day, I’ve been running around the city chasing after fucking Santa like an insane person and I have no idea where the fuck apartment 387 is.” You sigh, glad to release at least some of your pent up frustration. The stranger takes a minute before holding out a hand for you to grab.

“Lucky for you I happen to know where apartment 387 is.” His smile is indented by deep dimples, nicely framing thick lips.

“Really?” You ask, slipping your hand into his own and allowing him to drag you up.

“Sure thing. If you’re this determined to meet your soulmate I’m sure they’re equally distraught at not finding you yet.” He offers thoughtfully and you just hum.

“I don’t know, don’t you think I’d have run into them by now? I’ve been all around the city today.”

“Two moving pieces are just as hard to connect as two not moving at all.” The stranger offers before stopping in front of door 387. Just as you’re about to thank him he unlocks it and looks back at you with a wide smile. “How about you come in and have a drink? He should be home soon anyways. Probably equally as frustrated as yourself.”

“If it’s not a bother…”

“Hey you’re my best friend’s soulmate, you’ll never be a bother. Besides I try and do one good deed a day, so reuniting lost lovers can be that.”

“Funny, Yoongi said the same thing.” You muse to yourself.

“Who do you think taught him? I’m Namjoon by the way.” You freeze, mind struggling to pair the apparent porn addict with the insightful, sophisticated man in front of you. He notices this pause and frowns. “What did one of my idiots for friends say?”

“Uhh…maybe just something about porn.” You mumble and Namjoon just takes a moment to deeply sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose between two fingers.

“You should know they’re the ones who asked me to download it.” He huffs. “Chamomile or hot chocolate?”

“Hot chocolate is just fine.” You say, taking a a moment to observe the apartment. It’s decorated rather warmly, rich browns and black melding with soft orange. It feels a bit like you’re sitting at the edge of a bonfire, admiring the pretty glow it casts on everything. “Your decoration is really nice.” You say, taking note of the little wooden figures strewn across the living room. A small glass bunny makes you smile.

“Thanks I decorated it myself. I double major in interior design and business.”

“You think you could decorate my apartment? It’s terribly bland because my roommates and I all have different taste in decorating.”

“Sure thing, send me the dimensions and I’ll pick some stuff out. A lot of this is thrifted or from local vintage shops, so it’s not nearly as expensive as it seems.”

“Smart shopping, very sustainable.”

“What can I say? I’m a glutton for shopping but a stickler for lessening environmental footprints.” Namjoon says and you laugh, hiding your smile behind the mug he hands you. He even went so far as to add whipped cream at the top with chocolate shavings.

“Thank you. This is the best hot chocolate I’ve had so far.”

“Cool! I got some imported Belgian chocolate and-“

“Joonie I can’t do this anymore.” A third voice sounds before their body even enters the apartment, the front door thrown open carelessly as they flop themselves onto the couch. A jingle plays itself in your head, the bells have a rather bright sound. Namjoon urges you forward and you carry your mug with you just to keep your hands from shaking. “I’ve gone all over the city for nothing and of course when I come home to wallow in pity the bells are mocking me. They’re getting louder with each passing second Namjoon!” They whine, voice slightly muffled by the pillow.

“Would you like a hot chocolate?” You ask and they sit up so quickly that you jump back, sloshing some of the hot liquid onto your wrist. “Fuck! That’s so hot.” You whine, your supposed soulmate jumping over the back of the couch and holding your wrist gently in their hand.

“Shit, I’m so sorry.” They say, but you can’t even feel the burn because your nerves are too focused on his touch. Goosebumps scatter across your skin, as he hurries you into the kitchen to run cold water over your wrist. His mouth is moving a mile a minute, murmuring apologies and yet you can only fixate on the mole on his lower lip and the way his dark hair hangs in his eyes, long lashes blinking away stray strands. His nose is strong, a pretty curve making it much too enticing for you to not kiss it at least once. He seems to notice you’re not paying attention because he finally turns to face you head on and it’s only then does he seem to recognize you.

Similarly to last time his eyes are wide, several emotions running through them that you attempt to read: confusion, surprise, relief. He almost sags against you, pulling you into him before you can even think of anything to say. With your nose tucked into his neck, you can feel his small tremors and attempt to suppress them by pulling him in tighter. “I-I didn’t think-“

“I know.” You shush him softly, taking in how warm and solid he is, how real he feels beneath your palms. He smells like fresh linen, and when he finally pulls far away enough that you can look into his eyes you kiss the tip of his nose. His cheeks flush but the hands on your waist tighten. “I’ve looked everywhere for you, you know?”

He scoffs. “I could say the same. Why’d you disappear yesterday? I thought maybe you realized you didn’t..want me.”

“That could and would never be it.” You reassure him, running a hand through his hair to push it out of his face. “I hate for this to be our first meeting but I was super drunk when we met. I couldn’t really think and my friend thought I was really sick so she took me home before I had the chance to say anything.”

“Jin did say you drank an entire bottle of schnapps. Thanks for that by the way, now I owe him a new bottle.”

“He knew?! Why didn’t he save us the heartbreak and force us together?” You ask and he turns his head towards the small kitchen window.

Scratching the back of his neck, he mumbles, “that might’ve been my fault. I was supposed to be hosting with Joon but decided I didn’t want the mess. By then word already got out so someone had to host. You could say this was my punishment that you unfortunately had to suffer through as well.”

“Next time I’m going to pour his schnapps down the drain instead. Better yet, we’ll buy a bottle, drink it and replace it with thick water!” You huff and he smiles.

“I like the way you think. But what is thick water?”

“I heard it’s the consistency of snot. I guess drinkable jello would be the closest texture.” He scrunches his nose in distaste and you smile. He’s so cute.

“I uhh-I’m Jungkook by the way. I don’t think I mentioned that.”

“Y/n.” He stares at you for a moment before placing both hands on your cheeks and placing a tender kiss to your lips. It’s soft and warm, very much like the man who stands in front of you.

“You’re the best gift I could’ve ever asked for.” He says and despite the cheesy line the sincerity with which he speaks warms you. His hand falls to your own, only when he brushes against your wrist do you hiss and the moment is broken. “Shit, I forgot. Don’t worry baby, I took sports medicine in high school, I’ll fix it up real quick.”

0 hours, 0 minutes, 10 seconds

Jungkook’s arms wrap tightly around your frame, the both of you cuddled into the thickest blanket he could find as you gaze at the city around you. Your wrapped wrist sits carefully against your chest, a heart drawn over the fabric by Jungkook himself. The city lights are so pretty at night, the sky clear enough that if you strain your eyes you can even make out a few stars. The only stars you’re concerned about though are the ones in Jungkook’s eyes, glittering prettily as the sign from the convenience store across the street illuminates them. He takes a sip of Namjoon’s hot chocolate from a thermos before handing it to you, brushing your hair out of your face that’s been displaced by the slight breeze. Despite the fact that you’re both shivering you don’t think you’ve been this warm in a while. It’s part of the reason you insisted to stay out here just a little bit longer even though Jungkook’s warm bed is waiting for you downstairs. You just wanted to be in your own world a little longer, wanting to have an excuse to mold yourself as closely against Jungkook as humanly possible. Clicking his phone the time illuminates, 11:59, staring back at you before flicking to 12:00.

“Merry Christmas Jungkook.” You murmur pressing a chaste kiss to his lips as he smiles.

“Merry Christmas baby.” He says. Your eyes fall back onto his own and he’s looking at you as if you’re his whole world. You know your own mirror the same sentiment and you press closer to connect your lips to his own, writing your future along his tongue.

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halothenthehorns · 3 years

Text

All in the Family

Chapter 32: Cornelius Fudge

Lily was the lucky one. She seemed to have landed in a large, sturdy chair that didn't even fall over as she was slammed into it. Her luck didn't hold, as Potter came stumbling right into her and landed in her lap.

"Sorry," he muttered as he blinked dazedly up at her.

"So am I," she scoffed as she pushed him off. She watched with disinterest as he fell the rest of the way to the ground before looking around. "Are we in Dumbledore's office?" She asked in surprise. It seemed to be as Harry had described, a great circular room with many portraits hung all along the wall. Most surprising of all, the occupants were all present, eyeing the students with great looks of unease.

"No, this isn't right," Potter corrected as he adjusted his glass, though he was only looking at the desk before him. "Dumbledore's desk has clawed feet. This one's not the same, and I don't know why he'd have any reason to change it."

"Plus that's not a Hogwarts view," Lupin agreed, once again at the window. An orange glow of sunset bathed his face as he looked out onto a balcony, the terrace set up for a grand dinner party, the flat lawn beyond something Lily vaguely recalled seeing on her television once.

"We're in the Minister of Magic's office," Frank managed around an awed voice, staring more closely at all the portraits around, particularly the one right behind Lily in a large ornate frame.

"Tas right!" The woman told him, eyeing the lot of them with great suspicion. She had tightly curled grey hair and tiny little specks set upon a mushroom nose. They all vaguely recognized her as their own current Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold. "And just what are you lot doing in here? Ministry never allowed tours right into my office in my day."

"Err, tours?" Frank asked eagerly, wondering if they could finally get some sort of clue of what happened to the outside world. "Exactly how long has this office been empty?"

Her face went blank in confusion, before she kept going on in a sharp voice. "Never you mind, you lot need to get out."

"Wish we could," Pettigrew sighed as he once again tried the door unsuccessfully.

An ugly old wizard who resembled a toad with a muddy brown backdrop right next to the door snapped, "wishing never got you anything, how's about you get on with it." Peter eyed the name, Ulick Gamp, committing it to memory so on his O.W.L. exams he could fill in the blank for rudest Minister.

"Right, well, I'm just going to," Black tried to edge towards the bookshelf, eyeing all the titles and looking for the one they needed. Most of them were so boring he couldn't believe anyone had ever cracked the spine open, you'd think a Minister would have a more lively office. Instead, while the place certainly had a grand feel with the domed ceiling and columns of book cases, a few even did have the same knickknacks he'd once spotted in Dumbledore's office, the place felt more like a front than if anyone had decorated with a care for themselves.

Regulus clutched a hat stand to get to his feet, which only had one lime-green bowler hat upon it. He got himself upright and found himself face to face with Artemisia Lufkin, a woman who vaguely resembled McGonagall. He sort of recalled her name as the first Minister to hold a Quidditch World cup in Britain.

"I've found the book," Potter announced behind him, the sounds of him rummaging through the Ministers desk audible. "Here Evans, like a turn?"

She scoffed, but to Regulus' surprise he heard, "give me that, I'll read it just to get us out of here. How about you not go through someone else's things for a change of pace?"

The sounds of another drawer opening stopped, and he heard a deep sigh. "Sorry Evans, can't do that, might be something important in here!" Then the rustling noises of papers being rearranged began.

The red head stormed past him out of his peripheral, and Regulus rolled his eyes for the display. Didn't those two ever get tired of antagonizing each other? "Look alive sunny," Artemisia Lufkin told him with a pleasant sort of smile now, "that's one spit fire you're in the company of."

He turned away in disgust, his eyes falling on his brother and Lupin now chatting animatedly with Grogan Stump, one whom he definitely recognized from his fathers lectures. Of course his brother seemed to like that one, the idiotic Minister who decided to classify all the differences in the sort of creatures out there, but he was also the one who created the Department for Games and Sports. He was one of the few lectures both brothers had enjoyed.

Regulus instead turned to Longbottom now trying to have a proper conversation with a Minister he most certainly did know. Faris "Spout-Hole" Spavin. His mother loved that man, always going on about the story of his attempted assassination by a centaur. "You don't have another portrait anywhere? Can't leave this room and find out if something's going on in the outside world? Merlin, you don't have a clue how we're in this mess? This has to be one of the most collective knowledgeable people in history, and not one of you-

"Oh, they're not going to be of any help," Alice interrupted with a sympathetic frown to her boyfriend. "They're of no more use than our photos you know, they can only say what their real life counterpart was most likely to have. Nothing of the sort we'd need for help, it's beyond them."

"I've never looked into how conscious the portraits are," Frank admitted ruefully.

"I have," Alice shrugged. "They're fascinating, I was thinking about taking up a class this summer."

Evans looked just as disappointed, but finally turned to the book and began reading. None of them recognized the name of Cornelius Fudge, but given their environment it wasn't too hard to put together who he was.

Regulus didn't have much care of the Potter brats worry his friend Hagrid was now the main suspect. That Riddle kid who had tried to put the blame on him was ridiculous, but then, he was from a Muggle orphanage, it was no surprise he was wrong. Obviously Hagrid couldn't be the heir of Slytherin, as far as Regulus knew he wasn't even a competent wizard. No pure-blood of Slytherin's line would be riffraff about the castle grounds.

Lily was reading all of this while trying not to chew her lip up in thought. She unintentionally agreed with Regulus, someone must have framed Hagrid those fifty years ago and then stopped the attacks knowing it would be foolish to keep going. This did nothing to explain Harry's current predicament of who was doing the same now, and why such a long wait in between attacks?

James at least was enjoying hearing of Harry discussing his options for more classes. He could commiserate the feeling of wanting to drop some, and then sat up with interest a new subject was being added.

"Divination?" Peter demanded, circling around the desk as James was now on his knees with files circling him. "Why couldn't we have had that option, do you know how much easier our life would have been to make up shit for our homework instead of Ancient Runes!"

"But you're great at that class," James looked up at him in surprise.

"Yeah, but still, I'd have liked a dozer option," Peter shrugged as he sat down beside him, careful not to sit on anything and block James' progress. "Looking for anything in particular?"

"Not really," he shrugged as he kept going. "Decided not to pass up the opportunity to see what goes on in here though. Mostly it's just his signatures on final documents about imported goods, some minor law regarding trade with Eurasia, food that needs to be shipped out to Azkaban-"

He stopped in surprise and looked around, Peter and everyone else with him as Evans read out the trashed out common room they'd currently left.

"Who on Earth would do such a thing!" Frank asked in surprise.

"Besides the Marauders," Evans agreed with a glare at the two she could still see, knowing the other two were still at it behind the desk.

"It was like that when we entered," Black said carelessly, but there was a suspicious frown on his face all the same as he tried to figure out who would have done this and why. Hermione's suggestion it could only be a Gryffindor didn't make any sense, Harry and Ron had already proved this year anyone in the castle could have gone in. The real question was, why?

They all grew uncomfortably still when they realized the object that was missing Riddle's diary!

"Well, I say good," Remus muttered as he sat down in the Minister's chair and kept eyeing James' work. "That thing was no good and didn't need to be around Harry or anyone. Whoever came and got it from him can deal with such a nasty dark object."

"I don't understand what the point of it was," Sirius was starting to pace in agitation and kicked a file right into James' lap by accident. A few papers scattered out of it while he kept going. "Was Harry supposed to find it? Was him finding it some elaborate trap? Who would care if the point of it was for Harry to see Hagrid being framed all those years ago? Anyone who knew him would know he'd never actually turn on his friend."

"Idiots about the school who don't know him well at all," Peter suggested as he went to pull the last page out from under the desk, while James tried to haphazardly put the rest back into a neat pile.

At least as Evans kept going they had the promise of a good Quidditch match to look forward too, until that was also ruined by that voice once again appearing.

Remus shivered and sunk deeper in his chair, thankful the sun was still clinging to the sky outside even if the sky was turning blood red for it. At least they weren't back in the castle having to hear of such a thing happening again.

"I swear Hermione would stop in the middle of a fight just to go look up a spell!" James laughed in surprise as she darted away again.

"Prongs, look at this," Peter suddenly hissed, now crouching very purposefully under the desk while Evans kept going. He froze in surprise and the two hardly even registered their friends grousing loudly about Quidditch of all things being canceled.

Frank and Alice listened with trepidation, holding each others hands and standing as close to each other as they could in the large office. It didn't matter they weren't in the castle, they could feel the impending doom of whatever had caused such a thing, and were horrified to be right. A double attack, and one was a girl they well knew would affect Harry.

"Oh!" Lily yelped in surprise, dropping the book as if it had scalded her as she read out Hermione's name. Her stomach heaved, she looked near tears. A prefect and another Muggleborn! She may as well picture herself there, petrified forever!

"Shh, hey, it's okay Lily," Alice was at her side then, as if she could rub comfort into her through her arm. "I'll finish this, alright, everything will work out."

"N-no," she said stubbornly at once. "I was just, surprised."

"It's alright to admit otherwise," Frank said kindly, watching her shaking hands in concern.

"Well, I don't need to because I'm not," she snapped, stepping away from both of them. She refused to be pandered too when there was nothing wrong! She was being ridiculous, picturing herself as such a thing, they'd never be getting anywhere near whoever was doing this.

The two exchanged a look of concern but didn't protest anymore, letting her work this out how she saw fit.

The mirror made no sense to anyone, though Regulus shifted restlessly as he was sure an answer was piling up right in front of them. Those school rules McGonagall was suddenly trying to enforce wasn't going to help anything. Then he scoffed in disgust how easily swayed the house of Gryffindor was so ready to blame and throw out anyone of his own house. Of course none of those idiots would recognize a frame up job when one was presented.

"What are you two looking at over there?" Sirius finally demanded when James and Peter shared a dreadful look over mention of Harry going to see Hagrid again. It seemed like a good idea to him, see what the gamekeeper really did have to say about all of this.

"That we don't think Hagrid will be there when the boys come knocking," Peter sighed.

"Why?" Remus sat up in surprise to snatch the paper away now. "Think he's going to make a run for it, that's ridiculous."

"I know I would if that was coming for me," James said grimly when Remus went white in surprise.

"Oh for the love of-" Sirius snatched it away next rather than waiting for Moony to find his tongue, and then promptly lost his own. He swallowed uncomfortably and could only breathe again when the boys did it and found Hagrid indeed still at his cabin. His state though made it clear he was now as aware of his pending doom as they were. Someone would soon be calling to arrest him and take him to Azkaban, as this order by the Minister declared.

"They can't do this!" Peter whispered in a horror mirroring Hagrid's, he'd be doing much more than just breaking teapots around his own place.

"Oh but they can," James spat in disgust, suddenly on his feet and stamping across everything now without a care. More pages scattered about the entire room now, he had half a mind to conjure up more and create a mini-tornado full of all the Ministers most precious things and cast them away forever. He would never let this stand, Hagrid had done nothing to deserve this! If they'd had proof of this act he already would have been locked away, now they were just rehashing an old suspect, and for what? To put the blame on anyone? Or the half-giant.

Dumbledore's presence was the most mild of relief, and that was ruined anyways in the next second as the Minister himself was there to fill out the order.

There was nothing but stunned silence and nasty faces as Evans told all why Fudge was there, and things still only grew worse when Lucius Malfoy arrived.

Regulus tried to look relieved, but he couldn't find the feeling anywhere in him. The pure-blood stepping in would surely make all of this better and stop all this happening to kids, he knew that's exactly what his mother would say, but then he realized he shouldn't even be wanting this to stop. It was true the only ones being attacked were Muggleborns, and who should care if a few less of them were plaguing the school?

He did.

He hated to admit it, even to himself. It left him nauseous with the feeling a knife was going to sprout in his back any second for such a thought, but he couldn't deny it anymore. It just wasn't right, this happening to kids he shared a class with! How could it ever be right to see anyone so terrified for their own life, as Evans clearly was.

He didn't know who to turn to or what to do with this news of Dumbledore now being just as forcibly departed as the gamekeeper. He really couldn't think of much of anything past the idea this had to stop somehow. He couldn't imagine how things could get any worse as they were ripped from this place once more.

#Harry Potter #fanfiction #Regulus Black #Marauders #CoS #Reading the books #Wolfstar #Jilly #James Potter #Remus Lupin #Sirius Black #Peter Pettigrew #Alice Smith #Frank Longbottom

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magic5ball · 3 years

Text

Nature Trail to Hell Arc V: Back into Hell (XI)

Chapter 11: The Super Awesome Epic Final Battle Of ULTIMATE DESTINY VS. Against Bob-Sardoth!

Take a moment to imagine an episode of Spongebob. No not one of the crappy modern episodes- an old one, the sort where you only ever saw half the episode you were so busy laughing your lungs out. Went by pretty fast, didn’t it? Now imagine a single still frame of that cartoon, flying past your screen.

It took Bob-Sardoth less than half that time to bury us five feet into a wall.

(Seriously, how well did you expect kids to do against a millennia old elder god? Well, one that isn’t an evil clown, at least.)

Anyways, Bob was laughing maniacally, surrounded by darkness as we were lodged in a wall like some crappy Egyptian hieroglyphics. Still, like my Mom always says, no matter how rough things get, there’s no reason you can’t end on a high note. So that’s exactly what I planned to do.

“Hilda, I’m sorry I ditched you at this camp with your evil Mom so I could play video games.”

And do you know what Hilda said?

She told me “Wonky Watt, I have a confession: as a space fart, I can see all things at once. Basically, I saw everything you went through, just to get back to camp. And you’re… alright, as far as boys go.”

It was the single nicest thing anyone outside of Mom had ever said to me!

Slowly, I tried to put my hand in hers. She withdrew like it was made of maggots.

“Sorry, but I can also see it’s been over a week since you last washed your hands. No way that’s happening.”

And that’s how it would have ended, with us being crushed to death by Bob Sardoth’s tendrils of darkness…

If a certain someone hadn’t chosen that particular moment to crash the archdemon’s apocalyptic party.

Light poured into the room from the massive crater that had formed in the roof. Plumes of sawdust blocked our vision. When it finally cleared, Bob lay beneath a pile of rubble. And who would be on top of this pile but

Shel. MOTHERFORKING. Silverstein!

“That’s right, Motherforkers!” Shel cried, flexing atop the rubble so hard his puffy magical girl sleeves exploded, leaving the lingering scent of smoke on his biceps.

Then he pointed a big, fat middle finger at me.

“And YOU, Watterson Tostig, are going back to Hell, and you are going to forking like it!”

I rolled my eyes. The guy was starting to sound like my Dad! (At least, what my Dad would have sounded like if he actually paid attention to me. Though little me assumed if he ever did, he would be like the ones on TV.)

And to put the moldy cherry on top of this crappy camp sundae, I couldn’t even move proper! Every time I commanded a limb, it would just shrug and go back to sleep, or whatever it is limbs do.

All I could do was wait as Shel walked over my dying body…

And pull me right out of the wall!

Next thing I knew there was only a Watt shaped hole in the wall where I’d been, my head now under Shel’s boot. It took him a bit of time to make heads or tails of why I was alive, but when he did, boy did he have a fit!

“Great! Just forking great! I track you all the way here, have you right where I want you, but now you suddenly decide to become alive again?! Now how am I supposed to get promoted back to archangel?!”

The old poet looked to his left, then to his right. He started rubbing his magical little hands together like he had an evil plan. Or was just cold.

I tried to run, only to find my malnourished, body couldn’t even do that right!

Now Shel was grinning, an ugly half-moon that could have put the devil himself to shame. “Of course, I could just kill you now, and nobody would know the difference!”

“No you can’t! In case you didn’t notice, I’ve got a friend now. And if she watches you kill me, she’ll tell all of heaven of wherever you Angelinos come from!” I bluffed.

“Nice try, Watterson Tostig, but you know adults never trust a goth girl! Especially angel adults. Which is all of them!”

“Actually, I didn’t know that.”

“Too bad, you f*cking loser. Now prepare to-“

“WAIT!”

Both of us turned to see Hilda, now dislodged from the wall, coughing up sawdust.

“Mr. Silverstein, this might surprise you, but right beneath us is none other than the notorious arch demon BOB-SARDOTH! One of the most wanted hellspawn on the planet!”

Shel spat right into my mouth. I learned a valuable lesson that moment: no matter how famous you are or how many kids books you’ve written, no matter how many planes of existence you’ve ascended or how many great battles you’ve fought, your spit will always taste like the spit of a weenie, and nothing will ever change that.

“As if that will distract me from the call of justice!” he laughed the way my Mom does after she’s pulled five all-nighters in a row.

Hilda got real stern after that. “Mr. Silverstein, I’m a big fan of yours. Read every single book you’ve written. So I know that despite your stupid pious veneer, you crave fame, just like everyone else. And imagine how famous you’ll get after everyone discovers you’ve captured the notorious BOB-SARDOTH! So don’t beat around the bush and start helping me dig!”

Shel tried to stab me, but in the end the lure of notoriety was too great for him. He flung rubble like it was Styrofoam, reaching Ms. Hoebag’s body in record time.

With one mighty fist he pushed his entire fist down the helpless counselor’s throat, yanking out what could only be described as an unholy mix of Furby and Donald Trump’s hair. Thankfully, Shel used his magical staff to exorcise the demon before its’ sheer ugliness drove me insane.

Then that same staff was lodged into my chest again.

“Now, prepare to DIE!”

“But we got BOB!” screamed Hilda, “What more do you want with him?!”

“Silence, fool! This little forking turd has been a pin up my butt all summer, and now, he’s gonna get his comeuppance! Karma’s a b!tch, a$$holes!”

Unfortunately for Shel, he was right on the money.

Because at that moment, a hideous pink mass from outer space referred to simply as ‘Salisbury Steak’ burst in, drawn by the scent of immortal poet flesh. Even if I wanted to, I didn’t have time to warn Shel as the ooze absorbed him, and in a scene that will be scarred into my retinas until the day I die, consumed his soul! The only reason I was spared I think, is because my bony was just too bony for anybody to find appetizing, not even that slimy abomination.

Hilda stood stock still right next to me, just as mind blown as I was.

But before I could do anymore internal introspection on the whole incident, there was a thunderclap of hands. A large, meaty palm gripped my shoulder.

“SALISBURY STEAK! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!”

I didn’t even need to turn around to see who it was.

“I can’t believe it! Eating without saying grace! You should be ashamed of yourself!”

First time I’d ever heard her angry. I mean, I always figured she had some pent up frustration, but thinking it in your head and seeing it in the flesh were totally different things. Somehow, the Steak took it worse. It morphed its’ gelatinous flesh into a hand, index finger pointed at yours truly!

“Why, thank you for pointing out the problem, Mr. Cuddles! I’ll have some special scented cinnamon roll stickers for you as soon as you clean up this mess.”

Before she finished, the Steak (Mr. Cuddles, apparently) was already dissolving rubble in his gelatinous body.

“As for YOU TWO, I’ll be seeing you in my office!”

#My writing #Nature Trail To Hell #salisbury steak #shel silverstein #summer camp

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makeusfly · 4 years

Text

your heart, for all the long years of your life, has been beating in the dark.

Morning dawns in Hawaii, and Juliet is home.

Read on AO3

Juliet blinked her eyes open and, snuggled into her comforter, basked in the sunrise streaming in through her window. Twenty-four hours ago, she had woken exactly the same, but with an alarm blaring and a stone of dread in her stomach. At that moment, she'd been sure the next time she woke up she would be in a posh but impersonal hotel room, staring out the window at a foggy cityscape. Her clothing, packed neatly into suitcases, would have been too bright or too thin or too loose or too skin-baring for the weather. If she sat for breakfast in the dining room, it would be assumed she wanted tea.

She smiled. She was home, and she never had to leave if she didn't want to.

She chose to enjoy it a few minutes longer before going leisurely through her morning routine. She indulged in her softest skirt, her favorite wedges, extra time playing with the lads after filling their bowls. She started to make coffee, but reconsidered.

She could have breakfast anywhere. She made her way down to the guest house.

"Higgy!" Magnum was shirtless and squinting into the sunlight, his eyes red-rimmed and his hair uncombed. But his smile was warm. "Coffee?"

"That would be lovely," she said, following him inside.

As he poured the mugs, he said, "Rick throws a hell of a party, doesn't he?"

"It was a bit much," she admitted. "But very sweet."

She sunk into the couch like she belonged there. The mug he handed her fit perfectly within her palms, the warmth of the ceramic soothing to her skin. She breathed in the scent of it - rich and fruity, with just a hint of jasmine. A local blend then.

"Yeah, well. He's really glad you're staying." He settled into the armchair across from her. "We all are."

She raised an eyebrow over her mug. "Even if it means I'm your boss now?"

"Technically..."

"Not technically," she said. "Actually."

"All right then, Boss Lady," he said, leaning forward to set his mug on the table between them. He'd already half-drained it, and now he balanced his elbows on his knees. "What's on the docket today?"

She took her first sip, closing her eyes as the warmth slid down her throat. Of course he'd made it exactly the way she liked it.

There was a time when this silence between them would have been unbearable, when she would have rushed to fill the air between them or urged him to find something, anything to do with himself. She knew him better now. She knew he was unhurried and living for the moment in ways she was only starting to practice. And yet, she knew he would spring into action and get her hands dirty the moment it was warranted.

He was watching her when she opened her eyes again, not expectant but waiting for her cue. She crossed her legs, ready to get down to business. "I thought we could continue your training with the lads."

His brow furrowed for just a moment, somewhere between confusion and concern.

"They are technically guard dogs and, as head of security, that should fall under your purview."

He relaxed slightly, but still seemed to be holding his breath. "Whether you're here or not?"

There was a quip on her tongue, but his face reflected the same guarded ache she'd seen on the beach, when he'd been so sure they would be separated for good. She couldn't tease him about that.

"Don't be silly. I'm still Alpha. But based on previous experience, I believe it would be useful for you to be able to command them, in case there's trouble while I'm out or ill or..." She groaned at the memory. "Incapacitated."

"Yeah," he said, smiling, the tension leaving his shoulders. "That makes sense. When should we..."

"After lunch?" She smirked. "Gives you time to deal with that little hangover of yours."

He winced. "Noticed that, huh?"

"I know you, Magnum."

He chuckled and stood, gesturing towards her cup. "Refill?"

"Yes please."

She followed him to the kitchen, sitting at the counter as he refilled her mug. She let her mind wander as he pulled eggs and bacon from the fridge.

He'd snuck up on her, for sure. First he'd been a thorn in her side, then a leech, and then, surprisingly, a friend.

She hadn't known what to do with that at first. It had been a while since she'd had one - even considering Robin more an ally than anything else, afraid to ask for too much in fear of alienating him.

She could handle allies. They didn't do things for her, but for a cause they had in common. Now she had Rick, who threw a massive going away party and an even bigger one to celebrate her staying. She had Kumu, who told her the truth of things but was always on her side regardless. She had T.C., who always asked her to dance and was willing to step blindly into danger the moment she needed him. She had Gordon, who might voice his disapproval of the illegality of it all but went against his training to support her anyway.

And she had Thomas. Thomas, who promised to take care of the lads, even though he hated them. Who could read when something was wrong but let her tell him herself. Who did literally everything he could think of, down to calling in favor after favor, to help her keep her home. Who always encouraged her to put herself out there but still, somehow, respected her boundaries.

"I'm glad you aren't going anywhere," he said, starting the eggs. "But do you ever miss it?"

"London?"

"Yeah."

She didn't have to think about it. "Of course I do. Sometimes."

He was nodding as he cooked, and she could tell he was listening despite the fact that he wasn't looking at her at all. Which was good, since she wasn't sure she could mask her expression as she scrambled for words to explain.

How could she make him understand just how wrong she felt growing up there? Like she was watching her schoolmates through a glass, unable to quite connect the way everyone else seemed to. How much effort it had taken to finally build a persona she could live with that allowed her to navigate her teenage years and finally find a place. How, from the outside, it looked like she fit in just fine, but she was always waiting for the day they discovered her falsehood and sent her packing.

She shook her head. Those were old wounds, wounds that had been made worthwhile when her abilities had gotten her hand-picked for MI6. Wounds that had scarred over when she became an adult and re-christened London in her own way.

Now there was only one wound that mattered.

"But it hasn't been home since Richard died," she finally said, biting her lip. "Honestly, I...I didn't think anywhere would be home again. So when I thought I would have to leave..."

She swallowed against the lump in her throat, unable to describe how frightened she'd been. How she finally felt like she didn't just fit, she belonged, and taking her away would have left broken pieces of herself in the Juliet-shaped hole she was leaving behind. Magnum, reading her silence, turned his body to face her while still stirring the eggs.

"We weren't letting you go without a fight."

She was grateful when he turned back to begin plating, as she started to tear up. She tried to blink them back, but her eyes were taking orders from her heart, which was full to bursting and no longer listening to her.

Juliet didn't fall in love with Richard so much as walk into it. Growing up in the shadow of the world's most tragic romantic heroine, she decided young that she would make her own destiny. For most of her life, that meant choosing friends carefully and crafting her role in the group and avoiding meaningful romantic entanglements at all costs.

But the life of a spy was lonely, so she chose to find someone to share it with. Richard was a good man, who made her laugh and put her at ease in ways no one else could. Besides, MI6 said "no outside attachments," she followed the letter of the law if not the spirit of it.

Juliet loved Richard on purpose, but that didn't make it any less magical. He'd made her feel safe and loved and valued, not just for what she could do, but for who she was. For the first time, she could see a future beyond her duty, a life she chose not because it was right, but simply because she wanted it.

When she lost him, her future went with him. All she could do was live, day by day, and guard herself so she never felt that much pain again. She would need companionship - she didn't want to be lonely again either - but love was off the table.

And then Thomas showed up.

Initially, she'd seen him as an overgrown child, easily distracted and always playing. Then she'd discovered how intelligent he actually was, how good, how far he was willing to go to help a stranger, how loyal he was to his friends. How gentle he was with her when she made a mistake. How much effort he put into considering her feelings. Rash and impetuous, sure, but always with the best of intentions.

She hadn't been able to stop herself. In fact, she hadn't even known it was happening.

Just as Magnum was setting the plate in front of her, she noticed her hands were trembling. She took a few deep breaths and smiled, standing.

"Thank you, but I really should be-"

"Juliet," he sighed, his hand still on the plate but his eyes locked on hers. She swallowed hard, straining to keep her expression neutral. But seeing his, vulnerable and tired, made her heart ache.

"I would have married you," he said, voice deep and thick with emotion. She smiled, nodding.

"I know. I know, Magnum. And I can't begin to tell you-"

He shook his head, knowing she was thanking him again. Knowing that wasn't the point. "No, I..." He kept the counter between them like a shield. "At first, it was just to help you out, but the closer it got, the more I realized...it was actually pretty selfish. I just...couldn't stand the thought of you being gone."

She smirked to disguise how touched she was. "Yes, Gordon did say you confessed to being useless without me."

He chuckled. "Yeah, you definitely make me better at my job. It's why I asked you to be my partner. And I would hate to give that up, but if that's what it took to keep you here, it still would have been worth it."

She hadn't been lying when she told the lads how fragile he was, and she thought it might make him the bravest man she knew. It never stopped him from opening himself up.

It made her feel like she could be brave too.

"Not to me," she whispered, and saw his face fall before rushing onwards. "Our partnership - our friendship - is very important to me, and I didn't want to strain that with dishonesty. Or risk your livelihood. Gordon was right: if we were caught, you could lose your license, and then where would you be?"

"I tried to tell you: all of those things could be figured out. As long as you were here, we were gonna work it out."

She swallowed roughly, unable to meet his eyes. "I know. I know. But also...Thomas, you're such a romantic. You have so much love in you, and I couldn't be the one to stop you from finding someone to give that love back to you. I couldn't."

Higgins had thought nothing would ever surprise her more than "We could get married," but what came out of him now beat it.

He laughed.

"No offense, Higgy," he said, coming around the counter to face her properly. "But I don't think you know me as well as you think you do."

She rolled her eyes. "Are you going to tell me you aren't a hopeless romantic?"

"No," he granted with a tilt of his head. "You got that part right."

"Then what-"

He took a step closer, raising an eyebrow as he invaded her space. "Juliet," he said firmly, his hands gently cupping her elbows.

Her breath hitched.

"Think about this way: I was willing to call in favors from Noshimuri, Robin, but when T.C. stepped up to help, I...kinda threw a fit."

"I assumed-" She swallowed. "I assumed it was a wounded ego. Yours is remarkably fragile."

He shook his head, conceding the point. "I tried to sell that to Rick and T.C. last night, but they weren't buying it. It got me thinking..." His smile was teasing but his eyes were serious. "We've come a long way, Higgy."

"We have," she agreed slowly, her eyes narrowing. "But I think...we've got a little further to go."

Nodding, he took a step back, holding his arms up in surrender.

With another man, that may have been the end of it. Or he may have doubled down and needled her until she said yes. But while Thomas could tease her relentlessly and push her in ways no one else did, she knew what he was going to say before he said it.

"I'm here. When you're ready."

On the surface, he was nothing like Richard. But deep down, he was just as good, just as steady.

Hawaii was nothing like London, but there was room in her heart for both. And while London was the past, and she couldn't say for sure what her future was, Hawaii was her present. She was going to take her time. She was going to enjoy it.

She stepped forward and briefly kissed his cheek, his gaze on her like sun kissing her skin. "I know patience isn't your virtue, Magnum," she teased. "I'll try not to make you wait too long." She meant it.

"Whatever it takes," he said, and he meant it too.

The future had been nothing but darkness for so long, but it was starting to take a bright, fluid shape, like a wave coming slowly to meet her. Or maybe the present was just shining a light on her path. Yes, she liked that image. She didn't have to see where, exactly, the light was leading. She just had to keep moving towards it.

"One o'clock," she said, making her way back through the living room. "Main house. Don't be late."

"Yes ma'am."

As she shut the front door behind her, she stepped off the porch and into the yard. Across the grounds, Kumu caught her eyes as she walked leisurely across the beach. She waved and Juliet, grinning, waved back.

She'd buried her heart away when Richard died, unwilling to hurt like that again. But with her family at her side, maybe it would be all right to expose its tender recesses to the sun once again.

#magnum pi #Miggins #miggy #magnum x higgins #my fanfic #long post

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alltheworldsinmyhead · 5 years

Photo

MAKE MY MESSES MATTER (MAKE MY CHAOS COUNT)

THE 100 / BELLARKE/ CANON DIVERGENCE SINCE S2 FINALE

AO3

{First letters come when frost finally lets go of the river. / a.k.a. clarke leaves to heal herself; it doesn't mean she abandons anyone }

This fic is dedicated to the best reviewer, best beta and best friend in the entire world - Lana, darling, I don't deserve you <3 <3.

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

I‘ll see you in the future when we’re older

And we are full of stories to be told

Cross my heart and hope to die

I’ll see you with your laughter lines

- Laughter Lines, Bastille

First letters come when frost finally lets go of the river.

It’s not spring yet, and Echo told him not to let anyone get their hopes too high- weather is unpredictable and cold can come back quickly and violently, but – fuck, winter was so hard and now there are flowers blooming in-between ponds of mud and still-remaining snow. People are laughing again, letting yellow light of spring sun kiss their pale, frostbitten faces and Bellamy slowly, very slowly lets himself take a breath. It feels as if he was holding it ever since first snows hit them, when they were so epically unprepared and if it wasn’t for Lincoln, they’d probably all be dead by Winter Solstice (what an irony- Bellamy thinks sometimes, looking at Lincoln wrestling with kids, helping Abby, kissing Octavia- what an irony indeed).

And even with Lincoln, there was nothing easy about those last few months and Bellamy’s hands are calloused and rough from digging too many graves in the frozen ground. And then flu hit them and there were too many bodies to bury, so they burned them instead. He can still almost smell it; this strangely sweet smoke smelling like meat, which was making their empty stomachs growl, which in turn would make them sick.

There was nothing easy from the beginning till the end and the hardest part was that there was a huge hole with jagged edges where Clarke was supposed to be and where she wasn’t, his ‘together’ haunting his dreams and hers ‘you won’t be by yourself’ mocking him over and over again.

But now spring is finally truly coming, days become longer and he manages to sleep more than an hour or two during most nights, so he decides to focus on positives.

Letters come when Bellamy’s on a hunting trip deep in the forests; they are waiting for him in Arkadia along with Echo. She was a frequent visitor during the winter; serving as their link to the situation between clans, telling them all about Lexa’s trial, about the fall of the treaty, about wars coming and ending and beginning ( because all this world is war, war and war, constantly. Never stopping, not even to take a breath). The only thing she wasn’t telling them about is, well.

Clarke.

Bellamy knows Echo knows where Clarke is. Or at least, has a general idea. She slipped it, once or twice, mentioning some ‘Wanheda’ in a tone living legends are spoken about, but the person she described didn’t seem like his Clarke at all. His Clarke was soft eyes and steel turned skin and blood under her fingernails because she was saving somebody, not because she strangled someone with them. His Clarke was hummed lullabies and her father’s worn-out watch and grace with every movement… but his Clarke is gone and he doesn’t know if she’s ever coming back and hearing about new Clarke is too painful, so he’d rather not know anything at all.

Echo is sitting in front of his cabin, eyes closed, facing the sun and well, it turns out that not only Sky People are done with winter. She greets him with a simple nod and tells him that she has something for him. He expects everything, but a small package haphazardly wrapped in some kind of green cloth, smooth under his fingers and tied with a piece of string.

“This went through a long journey”- Echo informs while handing him the bundle. “One of the traveling clans from North brought it to my village, asking if anyone still keeps any kind of contact with Sky People. They really didn’t want to bring it in here themselves. “

Echo draws abstract lines on the fabric of her pants with her index finger, looking down and apparently thinking how to tell him something, while Bellamy fights with an urge to smile grimly. Apart from Echo and Lincoln, they haven’t spotted a single Grounder during winter. Not that Bellamy complained about it- they certainly had enough trouble even without them- but he had found it strange, until he realized that the legend of Clarke is not only a legend of Clarke but also the legend of Sky People- Those Who Burn, he heard Echo saying one time, Those Who Burn everything standing in their way.

(what an irony)

“Just- just open it.”- says Echo eventually, raising her head to look into his eyes. “ And if you want to send anything back, let me know.”

She waves to him goodbye before he can get a chance to say anything and turns around quickly, her boots making soft, cracking noises on wet snow and mud. He is left standing in front of the hut with the package still in his hands, frozen in time and space, a good few minutes before he manages to move again.

He leaves the bundle by the doors and just - goes. To do things that don’t really need to be done, supervise people who are doing just fine without him hovering, piss off O ( ‘’What the fuck is wrong with you, Bell’’ ) and have yet another unnecessary shouting match with Abby before he’s able to come back and dare to unwrap it.

The string lets go easily, the cloth parts and Bellamy can see pile of – paper? Is it really paper?- few dried flowers, which slip from his knees and land on the ground and a greenish, nice smelling thing, which appears to be some kind of bark.

Half of the sheets of paper- which is also gray-green and there are tiny plant veins visible on their surface – turn out to be empty. The other half is full of words- words spilling on the margins, words on words, words chaotic and wild and crazy and-

II.

Dear Bellamy,

It’s been twenty –two days and I think I’m losing my mind. I bumped into a Grounder hunting party today; they just dropped their weapons and things and ran away from me, so I took their things I guess I’m a thief now, why not, actually so they had this paper and a pen, it must be from before the Apocalypse and it still works, can you believe? And I started to write this, I heard people used to write letters to their loved ones when they were away-

Dear Bellamy,

It’s been thirty –seven days, I wonder how Monty’s doing, how you are doing, how are you all doing, it’s so cold, I fell asleep on a tree branch and now I can’t feel my fingers, it hurts, Bellamy, it hurts to even-

Dear Bellamy,

It’s been fifty days, I found a bark which works miracles on frostbites you should give it to my mother or Lincoln, or I should’ve given it to them, but I’m not with you, I’m alone here, I think I’ve lost my mind-

Dear Bellamy,

It’s been exactly fifty-eight days-

I miss you

Dear Bellamy,

I’m haunted by myself.

III.

First, she catches a terrible cold. Then she slips on a thin layer of ice while hunting and injures her head and she doesn’t even remember how she manages to crawl into the cave she has been living in for some time and collapse on the fur. Her head is spinning, burning red and she sees Wells and Finn and her dad and Bellamy-

“Are you dead?”- she asks, confused and then he looks at her and she sees his body drained out blood, his eyes desperate, his hands stretched out, reaching for her:

“You told me to go.”- he says and his voice makes her shiver.” You told me to go and I went, was it worth it?”

Was it worth it was it worth it was it worth it Clarke was it worth it tell us Clarke tell us weren’t we worth it was it worth us – dead men of her life repeat and repeat and Clarke screams and screams and screams until her voice dies out and she drifts into a blackness and there’s nothing and nobody around her anymore.

IV.

Dear Bellamy,

I’m on the coast now, in Luna’s clan village. Their language is like a song on a wind; you’d love it. Luna sends her love to Lincoln. I had- rough time during winter, you can probably tell from the other letters. But those people helped me and –

Bell, they don’t seem to be afraid of me. I don’t remember them being involved in Mount Weather war, but they must’ve heard of it, heard of me. Still, nobody here treats me like other Grounders. Travelers stopped in a village and they agreed to bring my letters to Camp Jaha, even if they didn’t seem completely comfortable with it. I hope you’ll get it. It’s not much –and I don’t expect to get anything back – but that’s the best I can do now.

I just want you to know I think about you every day. All the time. And I’m so, so sorry, Bell.

Out of all the terrible things I’ve done, I’m most sorry for the ones I did to you.

I miss you,

Clarke

“She doesn’t get to do this shit!”

Octavia’s all flaming anger, standing in the middle of his hut and waving her hands.

“Not after she left. She left us, she left you; she doesn’t get to write you things like that!’’

But Bellamy’s angry too, anger to match Octavia’s, slowly burning his insides.

“Who the fuck allowed you to read it? How do you even know I get this, huh? You’re going through my stuff now, O?”

“Yes, because apparently you’re not capable of making rational decisions like burning this shit without reading! You’re probably already writing her a reply, aren’t you?”

“It’s not your damn business, Octavia!”

They circle each other like wild dogs thrown into the pit, ready to fight with their fangs and claws. Octavia’s still holding Clarke’s letters and she throws them into his face, bares her teeth and fucking hisses.

“You know it’s all her fault. Everything that went wrong, is because of her. She killed all those people- TonDC, Month Weather, it was all her. “

Bellamy sees red and he could never, ever hurt his sister, but he feels his hands fisting, muscles clenching, bloodthirst swallowing him whole and he’s just so angry.

“I killed all those people along with her, Octavia.” – he says lowly, breath heavy and head low, facing her like a charging bull. “If Clarke’s a murderer, then so am I.”

“Because she made you this way!”- Octavia shouts so loudly, that her voice breaks in half and his fists drop to his sides and he just looks at her. He feels his lungs collapsing, his heart-stopping, entire freaking world freezing for a moment.

His sister is shivering like a leaf on a wind, hands outstretched towards him and shining eyes.

“She sent you away.-“ she whispers, stuttering like a little child and then she turns around so he won’t see her crying. “She sent you away and you went for her and I could- I thought I- I could lose you.”

Her shoulders are shaking and she wraps her arms around herself, sobbing and Bellamy’s standing still, hearing white noise in his ears and suddenly coming back to the times, when Octavia had bangs and curious eyes and clean hands and he was her only lifeline, the only thing connecting her with the whole wide world bigger than two chairs, two bunk beds and endless darkness under the floor.

“Octavia..”- he wants it to sounds like an apology, but instead it comes out like a plea.

Understand. Please. I can only forgive myself, if Clarke’s forgiven too.

He hesitantly takes two steps and raises one hand to touch her back, to comfort her, but something stops him halfway. His hand’s frozen in its track, frozen in the air, hanging between him and Octavia like a blown-up bridge between two worlds which will never be connected anymore.

She hiccups, wipes the tears with the palm of her hand and turns around. Her braids are coming undone and the dark make-up around her red eyes is smudged, but she stands straight, with chin up high and says, clearly and calmly:

“She doesn’t deserve you.”

O marches out of the hut and he doesn’t stop her.

Instead, he kneels down to pick up the letters and puts them in order.

And then he takes the pen he asked Lincoln to bring him from the last trade and presses the tip of it to the clean sheet of paper.

Dear Clarke,

Winter was fucking awful and spring’s not much better, but at least it’s warmer now.

VI.

Clarke decides she likes the ocean most.

It’s big and wide and endless; silver-gray waves with white manes, cool sand under her bare feet, wild wind and the smell of salt, smoked fish and crown made of finger-cutting sharp seagrass - it’s everything she dreamed it would be, long, long time ago, and so much more and nothing less.

She wasn’t planning to stay, truth to be told. For the first few weeks she was constantly waiting for this sharp tug of ache inside just go, just go, far and far and never come back but it never came and Luna’s people are more gentle and kinder than anyone who she has ever met and they’re the only ones who seem not to be afraid of her. So she stays.

She patches up hunters and delivers children along with the old, nearly blind healer; she kisses scraped knees of kids and learns how to knot fishing nets and breathes in, breathes out, washes her face in icy, salty water.

One time, girl from the village brings her charcoals and she spends hours on playing with them, morbidly fascinated with how different they feel, when her hands are no longer soft and white, but callused and cut and scarred and short on one finger and red, so, so red.

Clarke draws sea and people and a little, chubby boy chewing his fist and before she can even notice, she draws constellations of freckles and messy hair and soft, sad eyes; brown ponytails and sharp elbows and braids; goggles and gentle smiles and she wants to weep, she misses them all so much.

She wonders about her package, she wonders if it ever reached Bellamy, she wonders if it even matters at all.

She –well, she’s healing. But she’s still aching, something is still tearing her apart from the inside and she still can’t seem to let go of so many things, so she can’t go back.

She hasn’t had any hallucinations ever since she’s been around humans again, but her nightmares still have brown eyes and are holding a little football ball in their clawed hands.

VII.

“Bellamy, Bellamy tell us a story!”

Bellamy stares at the fire as kids are chirping loudly in his ears; he keeps his hands on his knees, palms out, fingers outstretched as if he was holding something.

“Once upon a time, there was a princess-”

“Clarke! Clarke!”

“Okay, okay!” – she laughs, with her head thrown back, but her eyes sad when she says-

“Once upon a time, there was a rebel – “

“-turned queen-“

Octavia’s bright eyes, narrowed lips, sharp pain in his chest.

“-turned king.”

Flames dancing on a pile of sea wood, her voice full of nostalgia.

VIII.

By the next spring, Clarke has a baby inside of her.

She doesn’t know whose it is; she doesn’t really want to know, to be honest. There were few, men, women, nothing to grow attached to, just a tension relief, fuck and forget. She needs to get rid of it, but she spends too much time thinking about what she needs and what she wants and about Ark and Octavia Blake and then she can feel it move and everything in her screams mine mine mine.

So she lets it stay.

She lets it grow.

She lets herself grow bigger; soon enough her spine starts to hurt like a bitch and her eyes water when she sees little kids, little birds, little dogs and apparently every single damn little thing in the world. Her feet swell and her breasts ache and she suddenly craves wild mushrooms and tuna and apples.

She goes through twenty- hours- long labor, clutching Lila’s hand all through it and crying for her mom and Bellamy, delirious with pain, sweat and tears and blood and then-

A pair of very brown eyes, strangely calm; a cloud of delicate blonde hair. They look at each other and it’s like the world stops turning and for a moment there are just Clarke and this tiny alien thing covered in her blood, small starfishes of her hands fisted, small feet kicking the air.

Clarke’s daughter has long lashes, pink, wrinkled skin and a nose like a tiny button and Clarke can’t stop looking at her, won’t stop looking at her. She feels some kind of –oblivion. Everything that was messed up before, everything she couldn’t deal with, now perfectly in order and she can’t remember being in such peace ever in her entire life.

IX.

Dear Bellamy,

Her name is Julia.

Bellamy clenches the paper in his hand, head thrown back and just- breathes out.

When Julia’s eight months old, Clarke slowly starts packing.

It’s unintentional, at first; cleaning her hut, throwing some things away or giving them as a gift to those who needed it more than her anyway, packing the rest in sacks, trading with travelers for material for a travelling carrier for an infant– she does all those things before even realizing what she’s doing, until one day Aidan walks on her while she’s asking Rhea where she could get a horse, or maybe even two and how can she pay for them.

“So you’re really leaving, huh?”- he doesn’t sound accusing, but a bit sad and like he has been expecting it for some time now.

And Clarke… Clarke takes a deep breath and nods.

Dear Bellamy,

It’s been three years now. I think it’s time to go home. Would you like to meet my daughter?

The reply comes fast as the wind, two lines written on a piece of paper apparently torn from the bigger one, letter bold and honest.

Dear Clarke,

Can’t wait.

XI.

They leave at dawn, moon and stars still visible on the golden-pink sky, Julia napping in her sling. Luna hugs her tightly and then Lila and Mara and Devon and Rhea and then the whole village kissing her cheeks and touching her hair and saying thank you and Clarke has such a lump in her throat that she can barely breathe, because she’s the one that owes them everything she has now.

Aiden helps her up on the saddle and pats her thigh.

“You’re always welcomed here, you two. And I have a feeling we’ll see each other again.”- he winks, a wide grin spread on her face and she suddenly remembers why she even let this man, those people, get closer to her in the first place. “Also, I want to meet this man of yours and remind him how lucky he is. Being loved by a woman like you, Clarke- tragedy, but what a privilege at the same time.”

And to that, she can only blush.

XII.

She comes back at sunrise; appears like a ghost from between trees on the white horse, baby strapped to her chest, sacks hanging from both sides of her saddle.

He abandons his post near the gate and runs and runs and runs and she jumps off the horse and runs too, but when they’re ten feet apart from each other, they slow down.

It’s been three years -

( but when Bellamy looks at her beaming, all golden hair and blue eyes and pink-cheeked baby glancing at him curiously half-hiding his face in the crook of her neck, he feels like not a day has passed since dropship)

“Hi.”- she says, breathless, taking one tiny step closer.

“Hello.”- he responds, taking another.

She looks him in the eyes, smiling, and she has damn laughter lines on her face. God, he wants nothing else but to spend the rest of his life giving her more. He raises his hand and traces them delicately and she shivers under his touch, leaning into his hand.

“Bell.”- her voice is hoarse with emotions and low, just above a whisper. “ I missed you, Bell.”

Sun is setting, casting reds and goldens on her hair as he wraps his arms around her and her daughter and she presses her face to his shoulder and the forest is so wonderfully, wonderfully green.

And in this one moment, they are everything and nothing and Bellamy knows there are storms in the future and broken hearts and bloody hands; but right now, when he can feel her lips on his skin and her baby’s little hand fisting his shirt, all they are is right and real and exactly, where they are supposed to be.

#bellarke #bellarke fic #bellarke fanfiction #bellamy x clarke #the 100 #the 100 fanfiction

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nat-roman0ff · 5 years

Text

the rest is history

requested

---

word count: 2,390

warnings: banter, terrible memory and uncontrollable fluff.

---

Shawn remembers the day you first met quite fondly. You, however have always remembered it a little differently. Shawn swears it was his charming nervousness that swept you off your feet immediately. Meanwhile, you were convinced for the first half hour you were talking to him that he was a serial killer; all awkwardly charming, never taking his eyes off of you. Not to mention the glasses that looked like they were decades too old for him to be wearing.

It was something the two of you could never agree on exactly how it happened. And now, at your engagement party in front of all your friends and family, you were about to share the story of how the two of you first met.

“That is not how it happened, Shawn,” you roll your eyes.

You can’t stop staring at the shiny engagement ring on your finger. Shawn’s cheeks are pink from champagne, and he gulps down the last bit in the flute before turning back to the crowd of people sitting before you.

“No, no, no,” he waves his hand, “I wrote a song about it! Of course I remember what happened.”

Your friends and family laugh around you, and you grab the microphone from Shawn’s hand, “he really does think that he knows everything. For inquiring minds; this is how it all went down.”

---

Of course it had to be raining today. The one day you had off from work, the one day you had to get all your errands done, the one day you had to yourself. It’s Sunday, mid summer, and it’s hot and humid as Hell outside. The rain is probably a much needed break in the unbearable weather, but it was just so goddamn inconvenient.

You’re already running late, this was of course after the hot water in your apartment stopped working halfway through your shower, getting shampoo in your eyes, stepping in cat puke, and burning your thumb while making breakfast.

It was barely noon and you already wanted this day to be over.

You luckily leave the apartment in one piece, your umbrella barely keeping up with the pouring rain around you. You skip through and over puddles and thank yourself for wearing rain boots today. The first stop of the day was the local book store and coffee shop. It was your favorite place to go, especially when you were feeling a way about life and wanted to unwind.

Really, you were just avoiding your responsibilities for the day.

It’s crowded when you get in. There’s some type of poetry reading happening that has everyone’s attention. You step to the cafe side and wait in line, trying to catch up in the group chat between your friends. Someone’s someone broke up with them and they were ranting about the reasons why. You lock your phone and slide it in the back pocket of your jeans, not bothering to even start with all that drama.

“Next,” the drone barista says.

You approach the counter, “hi! Medium iced coffee with almond milk, please.”

“It’s a grande,” they reply.

You raise an eyebrow, “huh?”

She points to the board behind her, “it’s not a medium, it’s a grande.”

“It’s a whatever I want to fucking call it because I’m the one paying,” you retort.

The person behind you in line snorts. You look back and he’s covering his mouth to stifle a laugh, a bemused expression across his face.

The barista rolls her eyes, “whatever, that’ll be $4.”

“It’s normally $3.50.”

She squints her eyes, “there’s an upcharge for almond milk.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s supposed to be $3.50.”

She groans, “ma’am, if you’re so pressed about fifty cents then you probably shouldn’t be in a coffee shop.”

“I am not hard pressed for fifty cents,” you plant your hands on your hips, “and I don’t appreciate your attitude. But fine, it’s four dollars,” you mimic in a snotty voice.

You reach for your wallet in your purse - only to realize it’s not there.

“Shit,” you mutter under your breath, “forget it, I must have left my wallet at home -”

“I’ve got it,” the guy behind you places his card on the counter, “I’ll take a medium black hot coffee.”

The barista rolls her eyes, “it’s a grande.”

The guy smiles, “I know.”

She turns to make the drinks and you take a step to the side, “thanks,” you mutter, “I’ll have to Venmo it to you or something.”

He shrugs, “don’t worry about it.”

You’re both silent as you wait together at the end of the counter for your drinks. He adjusts the glasses on his face and you can’t help but feel like you’ve seen him somewhere before but can’t make the connection where. There’s an S-shaped curl that hangs in front of his face, like it’s meant to be there but really isn’t.

The barista practically slams the drinks on the counter before muttering, “have a nice day,” in her droll voice.

“It must be exhausting to be that miserable,” You mutter under your breath.

He hears you and chuckles, blowing on the little hole in the top of his coffee cup.

“Sorry, I’m not usually like this, I swear,” you apologize, “it’s just been a day.”

“It’s eleven thirty in the morning,” he deadpans.

Your eyes narrow, “it’s been a rough morning.”

You slide into the seat of the small bistro table beside you and take a sip of your coffee, “oh course this has fucking cream in it. Stupid Bitch -”

“What are you doing here this fine Sunday morning?” He asks, grinning across the table from you.

You glare at him, “honestly? Nothing. Avoiding life probably. What about you? Frequent the bookstore often? I feel like I’ve seen you before.”

“Probably have,” he says, “I’m Shawn,” he reaches over the table to shake your hand.

“Charmed, I’m y/n.” you return the handshake, “why are you drinking hot coffee on a ninety degree day, are you a serial killer?”

Shawn bobs his head from side to side, “surprisingly no, although I do share many of the same qualities as most.”

“That’s unsettling.”

He leans forward, “I’m also really bad at flirting.”

You grit your teeth, “oh ouch, that’s what that was? Oh honey…”, you place your hand over your heart.

Shawn bows his head, “that bad, huh?”

“The serial killer vibes were high, I thought you were going to stab me in the neck with a spork or something.”

“You’re funny,” Shawn replies.

“It’s mostly a defense mechanism,” you pip.

He raises an eyebrow, “from what?”

You take a sip of your drink, “guys in bookstore coffee shops that act like serial killers. Those glasses are straight up Jeffrey Dahmer style, my friend.”

“Are you always like this?” He asks.

Your brows scrunch together, “like what?”

“You just...I don’t know. It’s like you have an answer for everything. You always have to be the one that has the better last word.”

You scoff, “okay, Weirdo. You’ve known me for five minutes.”

“Maybe I’ve known you your whole like and you’re now just meeting me.”

You lean forward and he follows, “you see, that is some shit a serial killer would say,” you reach for your bag and stand, “have a nice day, Weirdo. Thanks for the coffee.”

You’ve almost reached the other side of the bookstore when you pass the magazine rack. A familiar face graces one of the covers; it’s Shawn. That little aha! moment happens in your head and you pick up the magazine, holding it in your sightline to compare to Shawn who is still sitting in the coffee shop section of the store.

You look back and forth a few times before deciding to go back over. It doesn’t take long for you to cross the length of the store back to him and return to your seat.

“I know who you are,” you say, plopping your coffee and purse on the table.

“Now who’s the serial killer?” Shawn quips.

“You’re the Shawn Mendes,” you wiggle your fingers for extra emphasis.

Shawn gulps, “you didn’t have to use the spirit fingers.”

“I’ve been to one of your concerts. My sister got so excited when you came on stage that she threw up all over herself and we had to go home. I want my seventy-five bucks back,” you jab sarcastically.

“Only roughly eighteen more coffees to go,” Shawn winks.

You fold your arms across your chest and lean back, staring at him, testing him. You have so many questions and you’d never met anyone famous before but he just seemed too goddamn normal to be a celebrity. Maybe that’s why people liked him so much.

“Now that that’s over with,” he starts, “what do you want to do next?”

You purse your lips together, “sometimes when I need a good pick me up, I head to the Health and Wellness section to find the sex books and laugh at them.”

Shawn snorts, “what are you, five?”

“Are you in or not?”

“I was going to be in regardless of what you said I just didn’t want to be the one that made the plans,” he confesses.

You stand and roll your eyes, “c’mon!”

A half hour later you’re in the stacks of the Sex Health section and trying to stifle your laughter with your hands. It’s childish, and ridiculous but you can’t remember the last time you laughed this hard. You also can’t remember the last time you heard a book title as hilarious as Penis Genius.

“I want that tattooed on my forehead,” you giggle.

Shawn covers his mouth with his hand, “I’d pay you so much money to do that.”

It’s then that you notice how close together your bodies are, your knee is resting against his thigh and his shoulder brushes yours every time he takes a deep breath. You feel oddly relaxed around him, like you’re spending time with an old friend instead of someone you’ve barely known an hour.

The laughter dies down and you catch him looking at you. It’s not an uncomfortable glare, it’s not like he’s staring to try and figure out what you look like under your clothes. He’s watching to mark your tics, to memorize the wrinkles in your face and searches his brain to try and find a way to describe the color of your eyes.

Or, at least years later that’s what he’ll claim he was doing.

It doesn’t make you uneasy, and you find yourself drifting closer to him despite the already limited space between the two of you. Your faces are so close you can feel his breath fan your skin, his eyes closing as he draws nearer.

“Do you always wear these glasses?” You ask, plucking them off his face.

Shawn’s left stunned as you lean away from him and put on the frames, “dude they’re fake?! Worst disguise ever, Mendes.”

“Oh so now we’re on a last name basis?” He asks.

You nod your head and push the glasses up the bridge of your nose, “guess so. Why do you wear them?”

“A defense mechanism,” he deadpans, but can’t hide a creeping smirk.

“From what?”

“Folks tend to stay away from people who look like they’ll axe murder their whole family.”

You suck the last of your coffee from the straw, “that’s very true.”

“I’m glad it didn’t work on you though,” he smiles.

Your heart is still fluttering from the almost-kiss. You can see the red in Shawn’s cheeks deepen, like he was embarrassed at what almost happened. You’re not usually this flighty - to meet a stranger in a bookstore and decide to try and make out with them within the same hour. It just felt, different with Shawn. It was a type of comfort with another human being you didn’t know existed.

Soulmates, is what he would end up telling you on your first anniversary.

“Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?” Shawn asks, pulling the glasses off of your face and putting them back on his own.

“I did.”

Shawn raises an eyebrow, “and now what?”

“Want to come over?” You blurt out, “and like...I don’t know watch a movie or something? It’s a shitty day out,” your eyes avoid everything but him, “sorry you probably already have plans-”

“I’d love to.”

You look up and he’s grinning wide at you, his honey brown eyes sparkling and that stupid little S-curl that you’ll eventually grow to love handing in his face, “really?”

He nods, “of course. Only if we get to watch shitty scary movies though. Truly the best thing to watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon.”

You clutch your chest, “be still my cold beating heart, I wouldn’t have suggested anything less.”

Shawn chuckles and stands, offering you his hand. He pulls a little too hard and you crash into him, causing him to stumble backwards into the bookshelf. Once he steadies himself he wraps an arm around you.

Neither of you speak on your way out. Ever the gentleman, he holds the door open for you when you leave. It’s raining harder now, and the two of you do your best to huddle under your small umbrella. You walk the couple blocks to your apartment not really saying much. There’s a weird anticipation in the air and you keep catching him taking fleeting glances at you when you aren’t paying attention. His pinky hooks with yours a couple times. It’s not quite to hold your hand, but more so to say hey, I’m here.

When the two of you reach your building, Shawn stops you before you take the first step onto the stoop.

“What?” You turn, he has his hand on your arm.

He takes a step closer, the step helping the height difference between the two of you now at face level. Shawn lets the umbrella drop but you’re too focused on the intensity in his eyes to care about getting soaking wet. His hand is gentle as it holds your face.

“I’ve never met someone like you before,” he says, the rain causing his hair to stick to the sides of his face.

“Ditto.” Is all you can manage.

Shawn leans forward, capturing your lips in a kiss, and the rest is history.

#shawn mendes #shawn mendes blurb #shawn mendes fanfiction #shawn mendes fanfic #shawn mendes imagine #shawn mendes fluff #shawn mendes x reader

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zebraslovescupcakestoo · 4 years

Text

Awkward Encounters While Walking My Friend’s Dog

I was in my office and just finished my paper work for the day. It was a rare occasion that there's only a minority criminal activities and we didn't had any emergency calls yet so this is a very good day so far. Fortunately, my chief told me that I can take the rest of the day off after so I'll take this chance to relax a bit at home before the kids comes home from school by Sheba's turn.

That is until I saw someone at my door who rarely wore a navy blue jacket and I knew him well enough that he doesn't wear it without a good reason. “Sam, are you attempting to shop lift right in the station?” I asked him. He shushed me. “Hey! Are you done? Kit told me that you've don't have much today. We need to get out ASAP with you.” Did he said we and with me? Who is he talking for and... why does he looked a bit bigger with that jacket that he rarely used? Lawyers do have a three piece suits but Sam had his signature yellow sweatshirts on most days and doesn't take the coat parts unless he had to.

But then I heard am animal noise and some wiggling... then it made sense.

I have a friendly dog who likes to run around You may have seen us on our daily walk

Sam have brought his dog today! “Sam, why are you hiding Tia-” He hushed again. “Félix, just finish that sh!t and let's go. I don't wanna deal with any more pot-heads today!” He really doesn't liked being with people that he gets 'bad vibes' from. I know that he's hard to get along sometimes, but I know him well that he's a really nice guy and hopefully one day he can be a bit more nicer... “Alright, just let me report these and then 'we'll' head out. That poor girl needs air.”

We frequent the river and the parks around the town When I see someone I know she'll always let me stop and talk

When we exited the station without drawing suspicions, Sam finally let out his boarder collie, Tiara. She's a very friendly and beautiful dog. I'm also her favorite human next to Sam. It might come to a surprise that I'm a bit fond of dogs but not as much since as I'm more of a 'cat' person. For some reason since I can remember, dogs liked me, even the more ferocious ones like a guard dog.

She gets a little anxious when she sees another dog But with people, she's always been relaxed

“I hate it whenever I take her for walks, there's a bunch of idiots that wanted to see her.” Sam complained. “Then why couldn't you, I don't know, take a different route?” I might not relate cause I never had dogs in my life. “Félix, I already tried it three times, I can get lost in the Amazon jungle and there's still people that wanted to talk to my dog. She's a beauty but she's not exactly that one with white gloves and worked in Disneyland.” He sighed. I know it wasn't his or Tiara's fault that people liked her, but I do understand that being in the center of attention can be daunting.

But she's not very discerning when it comes to choosing friends And there seems to be a certain type of people she attracts

“Let's stop at the local supermarket before we stop at my house. It's my turn to make dinner and I was thinking making macaronis. Would you like to join us for dinner tonight?” I'm not a five star chef but I can do more than just slapping PB and J sandwiches. It was usually Sam who covered our coffee most of the times so I thought that this would be a nice gesture in return. “Yeah, sure, at least your cousin is out of town at the moment.”

“Why?” I asked confused. “Same reason why there's less branches in your backyard.” Ohhhhhh... Alex and Sam 'helped' to get a ball back a few days ago before he had to leave a while for 'business' reasons.

Translation: Alex refused at Sam's idea because he himself is more capable climbing trees and getting the ball than him. He pulled the tourist rule about not allowed to 'work' so Sam decided to 'reason and negotiate.' By throwing him up in the tree and then tells him off with his lawyer degree skills and the loop hole in that rule.

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

We walked for quite some time and like Sam described, some people were attracted to her. If this was a dog show, she'll be winning first prize for sure. Sam was beginning to get a bit grumpier as soon as there's a few people that walked up to Tiara. “OMG! Is that your dog?” “Awww! Hey there!” “Who's a good doggie?”

They ask me lots of questions and offer their affections and I feel obliged to uncomfortably stay

I would feel a bit sad for him cause he has to deal with this, but I took that back when I looked up to him as saw that he was 'flipping' them off with both hands.

Their behavior may be crude but to ignore them would be rude and my mother didn't bring me up that way

“I found out that I could do this for a good amount of period and they still wouldn't notice it. How hilarious is that?” Sam smirked but I had to scold him and make him stop before they noticed it. All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

After they had their attention and noticed Sam's response, I had to scold him. “Sam! You can't put everybody on the hate list forever. Just because, and I know, there's bad people, there are also good people that really didn't meant any harm.” “ Félix, if I had to 'politely' accepted a salad dish recommendation and crap like a parrot for the next couple of days, you can at least let me steam off some 'pet peeves' or what I preferred to call some major psychotic f#king hatred.” I sighed deeply in frustration and rubbed my eyes. I swear sometimes that he must be related to Bendy like a long, lost elder brother. “Listen, I can hear your problems anytime over coffee if you promise not to do it again like that.” I offered so that way he's not gonna cause more damage. He shrugged but decided to agree. “Fine... Only because I trust you and when you're around.”

She's utterly oblivious to my concerns of their intent She runs to greet them with a wagging tail

Thankfully, the 'fans' soon resumed their ways without them noticing my friend's behavior. How can someone like him have a sweet dog like that? I decided to ask for real this time since I rarely ask about his past before he moved. “Hey Sam. I've never know how you got your dog since we've met. How did you got her?” I desperately search around for an easy exit point but the incoherent small talk starts before I have the chance to bail

He then told me the story. “Eh bien, Félix, it was when I returned back home from the war. After I reunited and returned with my twin brother, Simon, we both headed to our childhood home. Mind you, I didn't go back after that night he and my ex we're cheating on me at the time and before the war. That place was then passed on my brother since I didn't claim half of it. Which I didn't care for the old barn but anyways, I then soon found out that during those times I was 'missing,' they got married, had triplets which was a big surprise back home and what's more surprising but not that it's new by now, they look a lot like me at that age.” I can't argue with that cause I saw them in pictures and in persons at his birthday party. “I found they're really nice family. They are so-” “They're a bunch happy-jolly ranchers and I can only tolerate so much like my brother. They all drive me nuts but at least... they aren't bad.” He then said. I know that Sam's not much of an optimistic, but I do understand where he's coming from. “So apart from that, I did had a small apartment in the nearby town and build my career from law school. One day, they showed up on my rare days off and they gave me a puppy. She was from a litter in a neighboring farm and they wanted to give me a companion since I didn't have anyone and I was being 'cold' to almost anyone.”

My senses always tell me that I'm going to be mugged So I reach to get my wallet and my phone

“Well... maybe they wanted you to help you and wanted to give some affections? I get that sometimes from pets. I'm sure they really cared about you and wanted you to be happy.” “Félix, if I wanted some 'affectionate' companion at the time, I would have gone to a brothel.” I frowned a 'WTH' face at Mr. Sourpuss. But he then he got a gentle expression I occasionally see. “But... at least she's reducing my stress and well... comforts me.” I can imagine him sleeping and his dog snuggling in his bed. Most people wouldn't want dog hair in their beds but some would take the risk. He really is a nice guy deep down. I flinch as they utter unintelligible words And then sigh with relief when I detect a friendly tone

“Also, one of the best part is that she doesn't throw dishes at me when I called her mom's a bi-” “SAM!” Happy place is now temporary closed.

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

We walked a bit more until we hit at a winery store. It seems like they're having some sort of a wine tasting stall outside of their store. I end up in a fug of fags and stale cider breath and I try to hide my obvious dismay

Like the previous group, they notice us and they went for the dog. How can a half drunken people be out like this at this time of the day?

She seems to be a breed that has a certain appeal to types whose diet consists of bark and boos for every meal

The owner had handed out cups of wine to both of us before he joined the others to have his turn petting the beautiful dog. Sam took mine and he dunked both cups into the drain. “White wine taste better anyways.” I would have 'remind' him again, but the dog's affections can distract people. Plus, I don't drink so he get a pass just this once.

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

After a few minutes, we resumed and left those people with happy drinking. “Gee, Sam. Tiara is really is a special dog.” He laughs. “Ha! I had her for 5 years and you think I wouldn't noticed it? The kids loved her just as much.” I agreed. We already had a cat until we lost her a few years ago. The twins barely remembered him cause they were little, but our cat was so cuddly to me and he had a fulfilling life. I was pretty sad when he died and I wasn't ready for another one since then. Not to mentioned that the twins were a bit too wild to take care for one, no matter how many times they brought up the subject and I had to remind them the responsibilities that comes with it. But at least they started to learn a bit once Tiara came into the picture. “At least it's a good experience for them. Maybe one day we can have a pet in our house once they've learned their lessons.”

I do my best to avoid certain areas of the park where the druggies and the rough teenagers dwell

We then stopped at the grocery store. Unfortunately, dogs aren't allowed. Sam then handed the leash to me “I'll go. You stay here with her. I don't want anybody so something to her like tying cans to her tail.” “But Sam, I'm the one who's in charge of-” “Where do most pasta stuff is shelved?” He reminded me. “...Top. The top shelves. I'll wait here.” I forgot that time we both got in there and it was one of those tall-short problems that got 'solved.' Sam was going to grab an item that was on the top shelves but I said I was going to grab it. That smart@ss agreed, picked me up and said 'OK, you can grab it.' Oh my Ra! That was so embarrassing! Sometimes, it was better to grab my twins than tagging with him.

I rarely venture out with her when it has gotten dark lest we catch the attention of some drunk may be well

I was enjoying some alone time and dazed for a few minutes. I rarely have this type of moments so I indulge myself to clear my head. Sadly, life doesn't go the way we planned when I saw a familiar bodyguard coming towards me. It was Boris Von Wolf. Bendy's right hand man and the second command in Alfonzo's mafia. I gritted my teeth. What is he doing here? I try to keep away when there are people hanging round the benches and the sitting walls and swings on the playground

He seems to noticed me and smirked. So of course, he walked up to me. “Well, well, well. If it isn't the 'ace' detective himself. He he! Taking the night off? Well, at least we'll be sleeping better for tonight.” I just glared at him. “I'm still not falling for your dirty tricks. You two and the rest of you scums can't fool everyone forever. One day you'll pay for what you've done for the innocents.” I spatted. He then cracked his knuckles. “Oh really? Are they ALL innocent to begin with? You're just as dumb as Bendy always said.”

Then suddenly as if out of nowhere they appear staggering hands out slurring:

He then reached out at me, or at the thought of the moment at least. I winced for impact until I heard:

“BAHHH, Who've we got here?”

I widen my eyes and turned my head next to me to see the big, bad wolf being a softie to Tiara. Oh yeah, I forgot to watch her from anyone who tried to harm her. For someone like him who detested 'good guys,' he sure has a huge soft spot for dogs. If that wasn't enough to convince you, does these words that came out of his mouth sounds like it? 'Who's a good doggie? Is it you? Is it you? Dawwwww!'

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

Now this is a rare situation. It's not exactly threatening, but it isn't good either. I'm risking my friend's dog to the second most powerful man of the Chicago underworld who's infatuated with her friendly doggy charms. I was not trained for this kind of situation! As if it didn't got any worse, Sam came out of the store.

They greet me with a wink and they offer me a drink and I say thanks but it's too early in the day

He got stunned to see me and the other two. I mouthed 'I swear I didn't mean to!' He just waved and singed me to say 'I know what to do.' He then handed me the grocery bag and did a karate chop on the wolf's fedora. Hard. I choked.

Though they catch me unprepared, I've long stopped being scared I just find it hard to work out what to say

The sun hasn't set yet and they already started to light up the matched. Boris grumbled as he rubbed his head and fixed his hat. He glared up to see Sam. “Oh, what a nice, f#kng, surprise to see you here. I should have paid better attention.” He dusted himself off from invisible dust as he got up.

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

Boris then got face to face and stared at Sam like it was some sort of contest. From my point of view, they're only about a head apart in height. On one side we have a football/boxing body builder type while the other was decently built but taller person. While one is close combat expert while the other is more technique planned. It's a bit of a competition in a brawl.

And then there's me with only a dog... whom she did nothing wrong.

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

“I see that you're still working for pigeons, lamp post.” Boris 'greeted' “I see that you're still an ottoman for your bat brat, ya wolf skinned doormat.” Sam replied. Sam and Boris is like me and Bendy, we don't belong in the same room together. “You're just jealous that I don't have to work that hard to get anything I want such as money, love and power. There's nothing that you and the kid next to you can't compete with what we have.” Boris said. But Sam brushed it off. “I object, cause I found one thing that MY cat partner let me have that your 'cat' partner will never let you have.” He squinted his eyes. “Oh really? What is it, bird brain?”

Accessorized with diamond white and cans of special brew It's really very sweet in its own peculiar way

Sam then smug a big grin as he grabbed me and Tiara in both his arms, while he had both his hands free to 'flip' him off. “I get to keep my dog, B!!!!!!!!!!!!tch!”

Ok! Now we're gonna die, thank you Sam, you gave me a reason why I will die so young.

Though they may cause some alarm, they don't mean any harm They only want to come and have a play

I can see the shaking anger from Boris as if he's gonna go rampage. “Oh, by the way, I think that specific duck meat that only sells in here, you know, that one your cat person loved so much? I think I saw only one left. It would be ashamed if someone else grabs it before you do.” Sam suggested. That made Boris calm down a bit. “Dang! That's the only ones Bendy likes only for here! Fine, you win this time, but don't you think you'll get off easy next time. You're only lucky that it was today's special dinner. I bid you two losers an unpleasant day. ” He then entered the store.

All the local whiners want to make friends with my dog and I'm far far too polite to walk away

“Lucked out indeed. He can't beat me that easy and he knows it's bad luck to mess with a black cat, righty-o, Félix?” Sam teased. “You're old enough to know I don't say righty-o.”

Dad, if you're still watching me from above, what did I do to deserve a friend like him and where would I be without him?

----Author's notes-----

Haaaaaaaaaah! I'm lagging nowadays! I wanted to do stuff but I just MEH!

So at least One-shots are faster and better. So I did made a story with my personal OC fave with his dog. It's a boarder collie, so they're very eye catching.

The song inspired this was Awkward Encounters While Walking My Dog by Thomas Benjamin Wild Esq

There is also that Felix the cat catch phrase ‘Righty-o’ I bet that Felix really doesn’t like to do it for some reason. Which on the other hand, my OC was based on the fruit loops mascot with his catch phrase of ‘Just follow your nose!’ which I could see him doing that but added: cause I can smell bullsh!t with mine!

I know that Boris is loyal to Bendy and would do anything, but I bet that he wouldn't harm any dog unless it's threatening his buddy. Including police dogs if there are any in the main BBTIM AU.

So I hope that everyone is doing well so far during these times. I know that there is a lot going on including recent events these past few weeks, but I do wish everyone the best.

BBTIM humanized characters belong to @marini4 and OC humanized Sam Toucan is mine.

#bendy before the ink machine #au #humanized #Bendy and the Ink Machine #bendy #boris the wolf #boris #Felix The Cat #Felix #OC #sam toucan #fanfiction #fanfic #marini4

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siribear · 4 years

Text

they agree to leave early the next morning. alice manages a few hours of sleep before waking from another nightmare - another memory. she’s weighing a short hunting rifle in her hands when preston retrieves her from her home. surprisingly, the rest of the survivors are awake, except mama murphy.

alice eats from a box of stale sugar bombs instead of marcy’s mystery meat for breakfast. by the time she and preston set out, the sun is barely rising over the neighborhood. sturges gives her an encouraging thumbs up when they leave.

they take a familiar left turn at the red rocket. preston is quiet as he leads, carrying his musket in his hands. alice’s pistol still hangs from her hip while her new rifle rests strapped to her back. she turns on the radio to fill the silence, lowering the volume when preston looks back at her over her shoulder.

it feels... different, traveling with someone familiar with the new commonwealth. codsworth knew - knows - her. knows that she came from a time when the only danger on the road was an incoming car. preston carries himself like he’s ready for raiders to pop out of the ground to ambush them. he reminds her of nate when he came back from leave for that last time. jumping at shadows.

alice slips her pistol from its holster to carry it in one hand.

they pass by the quarry, and this time she sees a lone person moving in the distance. she steps off the road to get a better look, but preston stops her. ‘that place has been flooded forever. i’d like to help, but i don’t exactly have any radaways with me. you?’

considering she doesn’t even know what radaway is, she shakes her head.

turns out, the settlement is close to the satellite station. a giant dish looms over the hill as preston leads her to what he describes as tenpines bluff. the bluff consists of a shack near the edge of the cliff, barely bigger than the outhouse on the other side of a small pond. just outside the shack are three rows of vegetables she recognizes from abernathy farm. behind that, the ruins of a wooden house with the roof blown clean off.

for the second time, she’s greeted with the barrel of a gun. the man behind it is thin, his ragged clothes hanging off his frame. alice notices he circles her and preston, putting himself between them and a woman working the land.

‘that’s close enough. you’ve taken enough from us. we don’t have anything left to give.’

they put away their weapons, hands held aloft. preston looks to her. ‘we’re with the minutemen. we heard you needed some help?’

the man blinks once, then lowers his own pistol. ‘the minutemen? we sent word with a caravan weeks ago.’ he gestures to the woman in the field. ‘we didn’t think anyone was coming.’

alice shrugs and continues before preston can let it get to him. ‘sorry about the delay. what can we do to help?’

‘well, a group of raiders has been after us for weeks now. taking food, water, anything they can get. we know they’re holed up in that old satellite station, but there’s no way we can take them out ourselves.’

she grins. ‘you’re in luck. i just cleared that place out the other day for the abernathys.’

his jaw drops, and preston looks at her, equally surprised. ‘really? one of them had a minigun and you just - ?’ he takes a deep breath. ‘well, all right then. say, how is old blake abernathy?’

alice hooks her thumbs in her pockets. ‘he’s okay. they’re starting to grow melons this season.’ she tilts her head in preston’s direction. ‘and they’re now under protection of the minutemen.’

he whistles. ‘you weren’t kidding then. the minutemen are back?’ he looks preston over, from his hat to his musket. ‘if the abernathys have joined the minutemen, then count us in also. it’s about time someone started clearing out the commonwealth.’ he upends a pouch of bottle caps into alice’s hands. ‘and you tell blake joseph tenpine said hello.’

alice pockets the caps and clears her throat. ‘no problem. anything else we can help with, since we’re in the area?’

the woman joins the rest of them, brushing dirt off her hands. ‘i saw a group of raiders head down to the border. couldn’t have been a day or two before you took down the others.’

‘a scouting party?’ preston asks.

joseph nods. ‘anne and i think they’re expanding their territory.’

‘probably using the supplies they got from the satellite station and what they took from you,’ alice figures.

‘which still leaves us in danger,’ continues the anne.

preston turns to alice. ‘there’s an outpost to the northeast. that’s likely where they went.’

‘all right. looks like that’s where we’re headed next.’

‘be careful,’ anne warns them before they leave. ‘one of them was wearing a suit of power armor.’

preston helps her down the cliff to the train tracks below. box cars litter the tracks and the area around them, cargo long since picked clean.

‘i’ve been thinking about that power armor,’ alice begins. she remembers the beating hers took from the deathclaw in concord. but she also remembers the stories nate used to tell from the war. ‘i think that fusion core is the key. it’s a clear shot from the back.’

‘like how the brotherhood of steel burns out their armor. that could work.’

she doesn’t know who the brotherhood of steel is, but she nods. ‘it’s our best bet. unless you’ve got a missile launcher hidden under that coat of yours.’

he chuckles. ‘afraid not. think you can make the shot with that?’ he nods to her rifle on her back.

she unslings it. ‘not sure, honestly. i’m more familiar with pistols.’

preston looks toward the sky, to the sun reaching just past noon. ‘we’re probably better off attacking closer to night. harder for them to see us coming, but you can still see that fusion core.’

‘couldn’t you take the shot?’

‘i - no. i’m not sure i could. i watched you take out those raiders in the museum; you’re a better shot than i am.’ he coughs awkwardly. alice narrows her eyes, but doesn’t press him. ‘do you have any cans in your pack?’

‘hm? no, i left them with sturges.’ for codsworth, she adds to herself.

he begins gathering rocks and bricks, lining them up on the edge of a box car. together, they put some distance between them and the makeshift targets until she can barely see their blurry silhouettes. ‘well, the fusion core would be a small target anyway,’ she reasons. her first shot misses, passing through two bricks and sending sparks off the floor of the box car at the impact.

‘close. and you don’t even have a scope on that, either.’ preston corrects her stance and her shoulder placement, teaches her to hold her breath and exhale with the shot. it takes some time before she actually hits her mark, but even then it’s just grazing the edges. the first time she sends a rock flying, she lets out a loud yes! that has preston laughing.

her excitement is cut short when a figure slowly makes its way around one of the cars. its body is green and bloated, littered with open sores long since infected and begun to rot. it lifts its bald head to reveal small, yellow eyes. when it opens its mouth to rotten teeth, its scream is inhuman.

preston swears, lifting his musket. alice fumbles to reload, firing the second she can. she severs its leg with one shot and a spray of red. it collapses on one side, but the thing keeps coming. it drags itself forward, clawing the ground as it advances toward them. preston finishes it off with a shot to the neck, the laser cauterizing the wound as its head rolls to the side.

‘what,’ alice says, gasping, ‘the hell was that?’

‘you really aren’t from around here, huh? that was a ghoul. we should... keep moving. they normally travel in packs.’

alice nods, and preston leads them toward the outpost, steering them clear of the pack of ghouls congregated further down the tracks.

‘ghouls are... irradiated people,’ preston explains when they’re far enough away. ‘they’re just like you and me, but they look... different. and they live a long time. but sometimes the radiation rots their brains and they go feral.’

‘and then they turn into zombies. great.’

they reach the outpost just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. a towering pre-war relay sits atop a concrete base, surrounded by wooden and metal shacks and guard posts shoddily put together post-war. the outpost itself lies in a small bowl bracketed by two cliffs. alice spots two raiders huddled together underneath a cloth canopy. preston gestures to a turret at the edge of the camp.

anne had been telling the truth - a raider in a suit of power armor walks toward the others from behind the relay. at their angle, she can’t see the fusion core.

alice slowly moves down the back side of the cliff, away from the camp. in the faint light of her pip-boy, she gestures to preston. other side. keep an eye out. he turns away with a slight nod.

she takes the long way around, giving the camp a wide berth. the bare, fall trees near the camp give her little cover, and the piles of leaves would give her away. on elbows and knees, she crawls to the edge of the opposite cliff. the raiders are still there, though one breaks off toward one of the guard posts. still. two in one, she can do this. alice rises to one knee, braces the stock against her shoulder like preston showed her, aims for the middle of the frame where the fusion core sits, and fires.

she misses. hears the ping of her bullet ricochet off the frame and the swears of the raiders as they try to find her. in the darkness, she can see the silhouette of a weapon that makes her blood run cold.

a goddamn fat man.

flashes of red laser fire turn their attention toward preston’s side, and alice watches as the raider loads a mininuke into the launcher. alice holds her breath and fires.

something knocks her to the ground, hard. at first she thinks its the shock wave as a small mushroom cloud erupts over the edge of the cliff, but then she’s stricken in the face. and then again, and again. rifle fallen just out of her reach, alice lifts her arms and braces herself against the blows.

‘you shouldn’t,’ one punch hits her in the side, ‘have done,’ another against her bicep, ‘that,’ the last is a cut clear across her forearm, the raider’s knife glowing orange as it reflects the cloud. a bright red light knocks the weight off her chest, and she sits up to see preston running toward her.

‘i didn’t see the third one in the explosion,’ he says, carefully lifting her. she cradles her arm against her chest. ‘you okay?’

‘just got the wind knocked out of me. you?’

‘think the edge of my hat got singed, but i’m - ’

a gunshot cuts him off, and it’s too familiar. the dread, the pain. alice turns to her left, to the raider clutching her side and the rags of her armor seared against her skin, and shoots her in the head with her pistol. she turns to preston, still standing there, no bullet in his chest.

she falls to her knees, nearly dragging preston down with her as he holds onto her arm.

‘hey, hey. hold on.’

her vision sways as she watches him fiddle with the pipboy on her wrist. her vitals display on the first screen. losing blood, but not bleeding out. bullet wound - bullet wound? - in left shoulder. she’s blinded momentarily when he finally finds the flashlight. ‘when did i get shot? that wasn’t supposed to happen,’ she mutters. it’s a wonderful time to remember she’s got a low pain tolerance.

‘it’s not - ’ he tries to hide his grimace, but fails in the bright light, ‘it’s not bad. i’ve got a few stimpaks. just try not to move too much.’

she doesn’t have time to wonder before she feels the needle slide into her skin near the gash on her arm. the tightness in her chest eases, just a little. already she can feel her skin begin to heal. maybe it’ll leave a scar.

‘now for the bad one,’ he says, prodding her shoulder.

‘talk me through it,’ she says. ‘field medicine. i’ve-i’ve never had to.’ never had a reason to, not between her suburban life and autodocs in the city for the worst of it. ‘always traveled alone. never anything worse than a bandage.’

he does, every detail. from the alcohol he fishes out of her pack to the bullet extraction. she pays attention to most of it, drowning out the instinctual urge to shove him away every time her wound stings. she feels another stimpak enter her shoulder, then the paid recedes to a dull ache.

by the time he’s finished, the sun has completely set. he gives her another moment to recover before they head down to the scorched camp. the geiger counter on her pipboy ticks once, then goes silent. surprisingly most of the camp is still intact, aside from the small crater near the cliff and warped power armor frame left from the aftermath.

‘i have a theory,’ she starts, but giving preston no time to reply as she heads up a small staircase up to the relay. at the base of one of the legs, a ham radio just barely warped from the heat. she fiddles with the dials and finds a channel of static and dead air.

‘your theory?’ preston asks from below.

‘five people does not a sanctuary make,’ she says. ‘we take a station and broadcast a message encouraging people to come to sanctuary.’ she looks around at the shacks, the guard posts. ‘or wherever we can defend and call a settlement. even here, right at the border.’

he makes a thoughtful noise that carries. ‘a waystation for caravans to and from the commonwealth.’

‘exactly. there’s not much north of here, but the more areas we own and the less areas raiders own, the better, right?’

‘of course, general.’

she barely hears him as she begins recording the transmission.

#oc: alice ward #siri drabbles #had to work yesterday so my whole schedule is just thrown off #series: we will all go together when we go

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boreussia-durmmund · 6 years

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Hearts don’t break around here - Prologue

A/N: This is where we are starting with the story. Some of you probably know this already but I wanted to include this here. The first weeks there will be a chapter each Saturday and then maybe more often. Anyone who wants to be added to the taglist needs to tell me!

“Oh god, my ass hurts!” Lou complained jumping off of Lucifer.

Her and Markus had been going for the first long ride since she had hurt herself last year.

It took ages until her ribs finally healed and the doctor and more importantly Roman allowed her to go riding a horse again but she had been doing well the past three weeks, not once feeling any pain.

She was more than glad because it already was the first week of April by now and she needed to train hardly to be ready for the German Championship as well as the world cup this year.

“Well, seems like someone needs more training.” Markus chuckled.

“Apparently, I do. Though I'm surprised I already survived the past three hours.” Lou stated laughing at it.

She was happier again. At first she took her injury quite well but once the first month was over she was growing more impatient each day.

Lou would have wanted to go back to riding Luci in February already but no one let her do this because it was still obvious she was in pain whenever she had to do anything seriously and riding the horse was usually coming along with lots of convulsions making you feel the pain every time you went up and down on the saddle.

“Well, you wanted to go out for so long.” Markus defended himself while both of them took the leash of the rein's of their horses, leading them into the stall.

“I know, I know but mostly because I thought you wouldn't agree.” Lou admitted.

She was being serious. They went around more than 35 kilometres in the last hours. It really surprised her Markus let her do this.

“I trust you, when you say you can do it. You never failed me.” he explained stopping in front of Lupina's stall box.

“Sounds fair to me.” Lou said, nodded at him and wanted to go forward, towards Luci's box which was at the end of the stall.

“Louisa, can you do me a favour and bring Seraphina back from paddock? I still have to clear and clean Lupina's box. You did Luci's earlier right? ”

“Uhm, yeah right I did. Sure, I'll be back in a few minutes.”

Slowly Lou brought Luci into his box, took off his halter, gave him a carrot as a treat, pet his head a few minutes and planted a kiss onto his head before putting away her helmet and Luci's halter.

Then she walked out of the stall again, passing Markus who was busy with Lupina's shit.

It was an everyday routine, nothing which Lou hadn't done a hundred times already. She even had been the one who took Seraphina out to the paddock earlier, still she walked slowly.

There was no reason to rush right now, as it would Markus at least half an hour until he was finished and he was supposed to take her home later.

At the same time Lou was a little exhausted after the long ride, although she would have never admitted this to anyone, and therefore it was the best idea not to waste more energy on doing the things fast when she didn't need to.

The way over to the paddock was about 200 meters long, passing between a few trees of the forest to get to the the wood glade on which it was on.

At first Lou didn't even notice but when she was walking a little longer she saw someone standing on the grass about twenty metres away from the paddock. The someone had black hair, which confused Louisa.

No one who was supposed to be around right now had black hair, right? With a confused glance on her face she walked towards the guy a little faster now. If he wasn't supposed to be there, she should tell him to leave as soon as possible. No one should hurt any of their horses. But the nearer she got, the weirder this turned out to be.

The guy was wearing a white button down shirt and some pairs of ripped jeans she knew pretty well, making her believe the guy could be Roman and even suspecting what he could be doing there, or better what he was waiting for to be able to do. There was something in the back of her mind already knowing exactly what was going on.

Once she was a bit closer, there was no doubt any more.

This was Roman, dressed well so he sure as hell wasn't just waiting to pick her up. Lou kept on walking until she was only a few steps away from him, swallowing hard when she saw there was a rose in his hands.

She didn't dare to say a word, even if she had wanted to, her voice wouldn't have been working. Both of them exactly knew what was coming up.

Roman looked at her nervously and waited until she stood in front of him.

“Hello, my princess.” he greeted her, a big smile on his face now.

“I think we have to talk, or better you have to listen to me and answer a question for me then, okay?” he wanted to know.

Lou was barely able to nod, because her knees already were weak and her eyes watery.

“Our whole relationship is built on our dogs. Isn't that funny? I never thought Cliff would be the wingman to get to know the love of my life but apparently he was.

I also never thought I would say this but I'm thankful Cliff escaped that day in July 2015. It made me meet you and you were direct, funny and messed up. You insulted me and smiled it off within a breath.

Back then I was fascinated by your smile and I still am, by your warmth, your embrace, your positivity, the way you look at me...” Roman took a short breath, his eyes sparkling at her softly.

“Back then I didn't know I would like you as much as I do today.

We were only friends during this time but it only took me a few weeks to realize I needed you, need you. You have been making my life so much easier. I was a mess and you were the best friend I could ever imagine to have. You didn't just collect my pieces off of the ground but you put them back together into a masterpiece.

It only took you a few months to steal my heart and never give it back.

I didn't know how to say this to you during this time. I was in head over heels but I never was sure about you. Were you just a friend of mine or did you want me as well?

I had no idea and I didn't dare to ask, let alone do anything because I was afraid of ruining our friendship.

So I was more than glad when you dared to kiss me after Erik's birthday party. It was such a relieving feeling, knowing you wanted this as well.

However it wasn't until a few days later I really got to know what you meant to me. When you fainted and were lying on the ground, unconscious and I knew this wasn't really bad but still I was so scared. I couldn't bear the thought of you not feeling well and when you were lying in my arms this night I said I love you once you were sleeping because that day it felt true, I knew it was true.

I didn't sleep much that night. I was too busy worrying, thinking about what I would do if this was the only time I got to hold. I couldn't stand this thought, I knew I wanted to keep you in my arms forever. The moment felt so right,so pure, so perfect like the universe wanted it to happen exactly this way.

But summer came and changed everything.

Each and every day I was missing you but once again I didn't dare to say a word and you seemed fine.

I didn't know you as well as I do know, at that time, otherwise I would have been able to tell I was wrong.

So I felt betrayed, betrayed by you, by you being happy without me, your life not completely revolving around me. It wasn't right and I was aware of this. However this didn't stop me from making you feel bad for this but you were still so kind and gentle to me, making me question myself.

Then I was injured and the biggest ass hole on planet earth. I always am when I'm not able to play and you know this now but you didn't back then.

Nevertheless you stayed and took care of me, making me feel better with each second you were with me.

But then me and my dumb, self-questioning self took it too far and I was so sure I hurt you too much. You would never return but you did. You seemed to see through me and my tactics, knowing me better than I know myself.

That day, you asked me a question and I plan on doing the same with you today.” Roman took another deep breath.

Lou was ugly crying at his speech, the brightest smile on her face, tears rolling down her cheeks, her legs as weak as jelly.

“Our relationship has been growing so much ever since. You helped me through so much tough shit last year, not complaining once about me needing you so much. I don't think I could have met a kinder soul on this planet.

I was so proud of you doing so well in your tournaments last year and you scared me so much last year as well, making me think about seriously loosing you, forever and I still can't bear the thought of my life without you.

You're a part of my life, my family, me.

My whole family loves you, I mean who could they not?

But even more importantly I love you more than I could ever describe in words. You're the best and most perfect woman I could have ever imagine to be able to ask this.” There was a calming, soft smile on his face while he reached for the box in the pocket of his jeans. He knew this couldn't go wrong, he was so sure about what she would say.

That's why he knelt down on the ground, looked up at Lou, took a deep breath, smiled and went on.

“So my dear Louisa, my princess, the love of my life, I am asking you this question: will you marry me?”

By now Lou was a complete mess. Her cheeks were stained red, her breath short and heavy while she couldn't stop crying.

She knew what she wanted to say right now, she had known this before, had known this for a long time but his words made her so happy her body refused to work properly.

It was just one single word she had to say with her mouth as dry as sand and her voice as weak as a whisper.

Roman was starting to get nervous. Until a few seconds ago he was so sure he knew what she would say but when she still didn't answer he started to doubt it.

She noticed this and that's why Lou took a deep breath, swallowed and smiled at him.

“Yes, I will.”she finally could form the words her voice trembling but it was enough for Roman to hear it.

All the worries were falling off of his face, letting the bright smile and sparkle in his eyes return.

At first he handed her over the rose in his hand so both of his hands were free.

Carefully he took the ring out of the box, it was simple in silver with a diamond in the middle, looking like a flower. Lou loved it, it was exactly her style, nothing spacy but still it was beautiful.

Then he put it on Lou's ring finger but on the left hand, confusing her. Wasn't it supposed to be on the right, or was she wrong? “Roman, why-” she started but was interrupted by him chuckling.

“I thought you would notice. In Switzerland we wear the rings on our left hand because they are closer to our hearts this way.” he explained while getting up without letting go of her hands.

Lou wanted to reply something because this was a cute tradition but Roman didn't let her. He leaned in to kiss her but stopped instantly when Lou started to put her hands in his hair.

“Stop, Louisa. They are people waiting for us. I organized a little party. You should maybe stop crying for this as well.” he stated his hands gently wiping away the tears on her cheeks.

“You organized a party? How sure were you I would say yes?” she wanted to know, her voice a little stronger know.

“Did I ever give you a reason to say no?” he asked, his dark brown eyes softly looking directly into Lou's soul, warming her up.

“No, you didn't.” she admitted.

“See, let's go! We can make up the kissing tonight.” he said winking at her and taking her hand into his before they started walking back.

@be-your-own-anchorx @buerking38 @imaweirdobutyoulikeit @pichitaasensio @iuliaaa21 @hopelessdreamer11 @degea-drama-llama @team-erikdurm @ednamor @carlaimberlain

#roman bürki imagine #roman bürki fanfiction #lou and roman #hearts dont break around here

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confessionsofagaywhore · 7 years

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So I was turning 24 and I didn't want a special birthday party or gifts or any of that. I prefer the simple things in life. So I knew I would much prefer just a good fuck; birthday sex. So I hit up a friend I had met a while ago who d joys hanging out with me and getting into trouble. He was down for the birthday fun. Of course. Every now and again I meet gays that like to 420 or even smoke sTuff (as some people call it). I have tried it before and it makes me horny as fuck. My friend had some sTuff that night and offered me some. It was my birthday and I did want to have fun, so naturally I said sure. After a while of hanging out, I was ready to get fucked and just enjoy some hot sex. Me and my friend had had sex before but for some reason it just wasn't happening that night. So of course we both ended up on our phones...on Grindr. After messaging around and looking for a potential good time, a guy that I had met before, messages me. He said, hey come to my friends place, I'm with two other guys here. All tops. (I'm a Bttm) so this just put stars in my eyes and bingo I found my fun. I tried to convince my friend to come with and told him that I already knew one of the guys there. He was very hesitant and really didn't want to go or even let me go. But alas, gave me the option of going if I wanted because it was my birthday and I should have fun. That was enough for me to decide to go, since after all, that was the point of my birthday extravaganza, right? Well I went alone to meet these guys. I was very excited and horny. So when I got there, I initially met up with the guy I knew already and he introduced me to the others. Cool guys. Seemed chill. I only had one thing in mind. So I was not going to be a debby downer and ruin it. However, one of the guys clearly wasn't into me. I could smell it a mile away and he even ignored making eye contact with me. I didn't care. There was two other guys who were actually nice and made eye contact lol we ended up in the bedroom where they tried to play porn on the tv and I just knew what kind of setting it was going to be. They also enjoyed smoking. Go figure. Seems like it's very popular now. But as my experience has taught me some guys who smoke can't get it up to save their life. Just my luck. That's exactly what happened. I was devastated...horny and disappointed. Eventually we called it a night and I was just over it. So I met up back with my friend who didn't come with me and he went on a rampage of what I can only explain as passive aggressive jealousy. He was mad that I left when I wanted him to go with me and he refused and then coaxed me to go have fun. It was birthday. That was what I wanted. Not all this drama. I was like wtf? Really? Fast forward a few hours and I was giving up and just going home. When all of the sudden this hot guy messages me. "Sexy. Looking?" I instantly replied "yes" and he sent me a total of 11 pictures. He was hella hot. I was very surprised he even had in interest in me. I'm a slim guy and usually buff guys that work out are all about musc4musc must work out bullshit. Happens a lot. But I went on a limb and decided to meet this guy. So I drove to his place. We met and he could not stop telling me how beautiful I was. It made me feel so sexy and wanted. I was happy and very surprised. We quickly started kissing and I knew we had sexual chemistry right then and there. He was the one. At least for that night haha after an intense make out session and butt grabbing, he grabbed my ass with both hands, one on each cheek and lifted me up like I weighed nothing. It was so hot. Our size difference. How he could throw me around with one arm if he wanted. He took me to his room and we got naked really fast. He had a massive hard on. Beautiful 10 inch cock. I was so ready. And he was too. He gave me poppers and lubed my hole a little bit and started poking my ass, with my legs spread open, and perfect view of his torso on top of me. It felt like heaven. Watching him slide into me, stroking in and out and his whole body on top of me...pinning me down entirely. I couldn't escape if I wanted to...and I didn't want to. He fucked me so good that I started getting so wet in my ass. It was little embarrassing but so hot too. He loved it. He kepted saying my ass felt so good and warm and wet. He described my ass in one word: velvet. I laughed because I didn't know how to take that exactly. But he sure was enjoying himself. And so was I. We fucked doggie style, on the side, on my stomach, I rode his cock facing front and back, he fucked me in the air, holding my legs apart while pounding my ass. We tried everything. He would get so in the zone that he literally would lose himself and just rammed my ass so hard and deep. The look on his face when it would happen(it happened about 3 times) he even told me that he recognized that he sometimes would just go in the zone and fuck like there's no tomorrow. It was unbelievable. Watching his cock pound the shit out of my ass and just going ham on it. I wished I took a video of it. Just to watch it again. Lol We fucked for about 4 hours non stop. My ass so so wet, his covers were wet too. He didn't mind at all. I was a bit embarrassed though. I couldn't believe how much stamina he had and how much he really loved my ass. It was almost too good to be true. He finally came on my face and usually I don't like facials but this guy earned it and it just felt so right. We hung out and talked on his for a while after. I took a shower and he gave me a drink to take with me. We exchanged numbers so hopefully I'll see him again. But if I don't, i don't mind. He fucked me so good. That was literally two days ago. My ass is still sore. But it was worth it. It was my birthday after all.

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bleating-heart · 5 years

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“You deserve to let yourself live.”

There’s a rock in the pit of his stomach.

It’s not a bad feeling, he wouldn’t say. Just a feeling. Something heavy that sits in him as he stews in the darkness of his room. The rainy season has just rolled into the southern parts of the Khanlands, and they were lucky to finish up in Long Zhong and be back with the rest of their traveling party in Nitan before the storm rolled in.

Was it the rain that was making him feel like he would rather abandon everything he’s worked for and take off for Sabu Salem? Nah, that would be stupid...

But it would be a more valid excuse than what his problem really was.

Hae-Seong sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. He’s an adult and a War Cleric of the God of Death, Osmar. He can’t let something like “what if he would’ve actually died, would Agatha and Keyon have died as well?”

It shouldn’t be something for him to concern himself with. It is the very nature of mortals to die and pass to the God they devoted their life to, pass to Osmar, or to meet the archfiend in which to meet their punishment. It’s how things are, how things are meant to be, WHAT HE SIGNED UP FOR IN THE FIRST PLAC--

He shook his head; not now. Not again. He won’t let himself go down that mental road again. His wife is dead and gone, and faeries don’t pass beyond the veil. As being of magic, they just return to magic. Again, it is just the nature of things. It’s how things have always, and will always work.

Just like it is in Agatha's nature to rush headlong into danger for the sake of her friends or the people she believes are worth saving... Like it is the nature of things for Keyon to work in tandem with his Patron to fight for what he believes in right.

Like it is in his own nature to protect the living until they meet their maker and he himself will lay them to rest.

But what if he isn’t strong enough for that day? What if he dies and leaves them to die? would that have been selfish? would that have been cowardly? What if they do die, and he can’t bear to see them breathe their last? What if he can’t save them?

What if he... can’t... save them...?

The rain is pouring now, he can hear it echoing through his room as the late night lights dance wildly in the wind created by the deluge. Hae-Seong stand from his futon and walks to the paper screen dividing his room from the outside world, sliding it open to see just how heavily the rain is falling. He steps outside under the awning and leans against the wall behind him and sighs quietly. At least something can express their emotions...

He almost didn’t hear the door to his room sliding open. Almost.

He turned to poke his head back through the door, his gaze met with the visage of a small, dark skinned woman with yellow blonde hair. What was Fizz doing in here this time of night...?

“Fizz. What a wonderful surprise.” Hae-Seong mused, doing his best to give her a gentle smile. The woman rolled her eyes at him. Of course, she knew better.

“Yeah yeah... It’s not really often I come knocking, is it?” Fizz responded, sliding the door closed behind her as she takes a few more tentative steps into the room. She never considered herself the right person for emotional support. Fuck, if she was being honest, she’d rather just let things sort themselves out.

However, six months is a long time, and things happen slowly and quietly, even without her realizing it. She began quietly worrying if she would see the trio again when they left for death defying missions, though she never worried much. After what happened in the Veil in bright Autumn, she knows exactly what they’re capable of. Still... something still gnaws at her from time to time, and it’s not the Kobolds wanting a jerky snack.

“What brings you around so late in the evening, friend?” Hae-Seong asks, motioning for the fae to join him outside. She complies, wandering past the barrier of the paper divider and leaning on the wall beside him, shoulder to... well, elbow basically. She tried to think of how to approach this without it coming off as too harsh, but she knows nothing ever really gets done unless it’s actually addressed. Ask for forgiveness, not permission and all that.

“Well... You’re being more of a recluse than usual ever since you came back from Long Zhong. Did... something happen?”

And there it was. ‘Did something happen?’ Hae-Seong thinks, stalling out at the question. ti’s quiet for a few beats before a very quiet, dry laugh passes through his lips. Fizz furrows her brow and frowns, not really knowing what to do with this reaction. Was she wrong? Was he just being his normal reclusive self? Is she really becoming that soft? What in the fresh fu--

“I saw the face of Osmar as he beckoned me home... Agatha pulled me back before I passed over the Event Horizon of a final death. I supposed you could say that was something that ‘happened’.”

Oh. Well that wasn’t the answer she was expecting.

“Holy shit.”

“Yeah, holy shit.” Hae-Seong chuckled as she raised an eyebrow at his parroting of her swear.

“What happened? How did you, of all people, get so close to legitimately dying??”

Hae-Seong paused a moment, quietly replaying that moment, trying to find the right words to describe it.

“Look, Hae-Seong, you don’t have to--”

“Shang-Kai had turned into a dragon and killed Zhu Zhu. Kai, before he insisted on being Agatha’s mount, had just blown the doors off of the temple in anger before we geared up. He began to usher the monks back inside while we fought Shang Kai.”

Fizz nodded along as he explained every detail of what he saw of the battle. Agatha flying through the air, shaking the Earth with thunderous claps from Spark, Keyon invoking dark curses to keep himself strong and Shang Kai pinned, the acid beams, the teeth, the claws...

“And then it was me. In a last ditch effort to make sure I lived long enough to ensure Agatha and Keyon’s victories, I cast an enfeeblement spell that hit Shang Kai hard. The next thing I remember was opening my eyes to teeth and jowls closing around me. It went dark after that... I remember floating, panicking, trying to find my way back. I saw Osmar, holding a hand out to me, offering me my well-earned early retirement. I was drifting... I forgot all about Agatha, Keyon, and the Khan... I wanted to rest.”

“Then, I opened my eyes again, dowsed in rancid cranberry juice, and very much alive. Agathan and Keyon were bloodied and beaten, well, to shit, but very much alive in front of me. Sheng Kai was dead, and I had been brought back from the brink. Ever since we returned home, I haven’t stopped thinking about what would’ve happened to everyone if I had died. If I had failed and left them... If I couldn’t see my friends ever again because of a wrong calculation...”

Fizz let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding and shivered. That... that was too much. That was way too much. Now she was very thankful all she had to do was play babysitter to a triplet of kobolds.

“Well,” she started, finally saying something after what felt like years of silence, “You’re here. Isn’t that the important part...? You didn’t die and leave anyone behind?”

“Well, certainly, but--”

“But nothing,” she interrupts, causing him to fully open his eyes as she spoke to him, surprised, “If you dwell on the ifs and the ands and the buts, then you might as well have died, you know?”

She moves to stand in front of him, making sure to look him dead in the eye.

“You stew and rot and boil in negativity. You bring that with you until it poisons the people around you, Hae-Seong. You kept Keyon and agatha alive, you weakened Sheng Kai so he couldn’t hurt your friends nearly as much, and you made a huge move to DO that, y’know?”

He’s silent, not knowing how to follow that up. Taking his silence as encouragement, Fizz continues.

“Sure, if Keyon wouldn’t have dumped that potion on you, you would’ve died. That is the reality of things. But guess what? He DID, and you ARE ALIVE. You don’t need to make yourself miserable... You deserve to let yourself live.” Fizz concludes, reaching out to take Hae-Seong’s hand in her own. He’s silent for a long while afterwards, letting the pouring rain fill up the space around them. She was right, and he absolutely knew she was. He would let the same negativity consume him that consumed him all those years ago. Fall into the same routine, fall into the same hole, into the same spiral.

And so he spoke.

“Thank you, Fizz.”

Fizz nods, allowing the unsaid to fall away to mutual understanding. Then, a shift.

“Are you still learning primordial?” Hae-Seong asks, still keeping his gentle grip on her hand. She puffs in pride and smirks, placing her free hand on her hip.

“More like mastering with the progress I’m making!”

Hae-Seong chuckles and nods. Of course. How could he ever believe otherwise?

“Then you’ll have no trouble translating, will you?”

Oh no.

He leans over and speaks.

“Neo aleumdabda, Fizz. Gamsahabnida.”

Fizz knits her brows together and searches through her limited grasp on the ancient language to pick out anything she could recognize.

“I’m....????”

A full, genuine laugh rang out almost musically from the dragonborn at her viable confusion. Fizz snatched her hand back from the taller man and folded her arms under her small chest, scowling.

“Alright wise guy! What does that mean, if you insist on calling me something!”

Hae-Seong gently raises his hands, softly cupping her face.

“It means,” he starts, leaning until his forehead is gently resting against her’s, “You’re beautiful, Fizz. Thank you for this.”

She colors considerably, though she lets her face relax. Just a bit though! She’s still mad he was practically making fun of her!

Her hands reach up and rest softly on top of the larger hands on her cheeks. Maybe even letting him have just the hint of a genuine smile herself.

“Yeah, yeah... You’re welcome, I guess, Hae-Seong.”

#fizz the faerie #hae-seong the grim #cherry bombs tag #agatha the undying #keyon the keeper #khanate campaign #baph's babes #guest babes #dungeons and dragons #d&d

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writerspink · 5 years

Text

K-12 Words

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stance vie instill exceptional avail strident formidable rebuke enhance benign perspective tedious aloof encroach memoir mien desolate inventive prodigy staple stint fallacy grope vilify recur assail tirade antics recourse clad jurisdiction caption pseudonym reception humane ornate sage ungainly overt sedative amiss convey connoisseur rational enigma fortify servile fastidious contagious elite disgruntled eccentric pioneer abet luminous era sleek serene proficient rue articulate awry pungent wage deploy anarchy culminate inventory commemorate muster adept durable foreboding lucrative modify authority transition confiscate pivotal analogy avid flair ferret decree voracious imperative grapple deface augment shackle legendary trepidation discern glut cache endeavor attribute phenomenon balmy bizarre gullible loll rankle decipher sublime rubble renounce porous turbulent heritage hover pithy allot minimize agile renown fend revenue versa gaunt haven dire doctrine intricate conservative exotic facilitate bountiful cite panorama swelter foster indifferent millennium gingerly conscientious intervene mercenary citadel obviously rely supportive sympathy weakling atmosphere decay gradual impact noticeable recede stability variation approximately astronomical calculation criterion diameter evaluate orbit sphere agricultural decline disorder identify probable thrive expected widespread bulletin contribution diversity enlist intercept operation recruit survival abruptly ally collide confident conflict protective taunt adaptation dormant forage frigid hibernate insulate export glisten influence landscape native plantation restore urge blare connection errand exchange

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feasible teem pang vice tycoon succumb capacious onslaught excerpt eventful forfeit crusade tract haggard susceptible exemplify ardent crucial excruciating embargo disdain apprehend surpass sporadic flustered languish conventional disposition theme plunder ignore project complaint title dramatic delivery litter experimental clinic arrogance preparation remind atomic occasional conscious deny maturity closure stressed translator animate observation physical further gently registration suppress combination amazing constructive allied poetry passion ecstasy mystery cheerful contribution spirit failed gummy commerce prove disagreement raid consume embarrass preference migrant devour encouragement quote mythology destined destination illuminating struggle accent ungrateful giggle approval confidence expose scientist operation superstitious emergency manners absolutely swallow readily mutual bound crisp orient stress sort stare comfort verbal heel challenging advertisement envious sex scar astonish basis accuracy enviable alliance specific chef embarrassed counter tolerable sympathetic gradually vanish informative amaze royal furry insist jealousy simplify quiver collaborate dedicated flexible function mimic obstacle technique archaeologist fragment historian intact preserve reconstruct remnant commence deed exaggeration heroic impress pose saunter wring astound concealed inquisitive interpret perplexed precise reconsider suspicious anticipation defy entitled neutral outspoken reserved sought equal absorb affect circulate conserve cycle necessity seep barren expression meaningful plume focused genius perspective prospect stunned superb transition assume guarantee nominate

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install reticent corroborate regretfully strength murder concise cunning intention holy satire query confused progression disillusion background mundane abrupt multiple enormously introduce emulate harmful pragmatic pity rebut liberate enthusiastic elucidate camaraderie disparage nature creep profitability impression racist sobriety occupy autonomy currently amiable reiterate reproduce cripple modest offer atom provincial augment ungratefully expansion yield rashly allude immigration silence epitome exacerbate somber avid dispute vindicate collaborate manufacturer embellish superficial propaganda incompetent objective diminish statistics endure ambivalent perpetuate illuminate phenomenon exasperate originality restrict anxiety anthropology circumstances aesthetic manufacturing conventional dubious vulnerable reality precedent entity success term critical repair underscore stepmother republican hesitantly classic wary contents prediction immediate invoke notorious implicit excluding input skeptical foster element punish frank humanity profound dessert orthodox substance disappear encourage neighborhood elder superfluous naive ascertain complacent resilient deafening military tend prudent glare acceptance skillfully induce monster beam gullible conciliate vessel petty cantankerous disclose archaeology anecdote disdain electronics substantiate subjective tourism advisable joyful incredible provocative psychological ruins discipline condone indifferent misfortune judgmental industrialize tasty assume astute mission mar protective definitely escape oppress shocked virtual zealous endorse qualification hostile eccentric abstract disparate geographical scrutinize generalization tolerate activity claim dogmatic influential obsolete extol implausible subsequent resource chronic benevolent improve confidential ambiguous seriously dearth perplex hatred throughout dine contemporary evoke essentially economic flagrant obscure alleviate eloquent dreaadful clumsy sympathy victim condemn vigor condescend spontaneous quell reprehensible substantially sleeve equivocal ironic decry errand articulate progressive eradicate refreshments elicit aspiration recently exemplary bribery theoretical disingenuous partisan revere particle nostalgia self-aggrandizement debunk tyranny rhetoric hierarchy warning whimsical venerate commend assert miserable awful vibe constrain undermine explicit differentiate compliment scrupulous contempt erroneous ideal refute imply cynical rash presume insight revival vary delay renounce indignant offensive temperate circumstantial export peep logo advertise suppress distort chunk convoluted denounce overwhelming fertility rigorous acquire arrogant university antagonize profitable indulgent strategic breathing idiosyncrasy profession frugal discern accommodation adversary incredulous disturbance digress social belie roam smug continual pertinent voluntarily elite subtle blame sincerity lick horror censure involvement candid infer futile impetuous exploit bewilder sustain diligent sincere protect sealed musical empathy callous parenthetical insure acorn sarcasm seize sacrificially allege emphatic irrelevant progress diplomatic stunned improvise deride reconcile meticulous deject scientifically incontrovertible pressure justify gloomy depict supplant endurance analogous diary bolster slip contemplate pesticide glow religious advocate negligent creator lament fundamental embrace throne inherent inferior valuable thrive trivial pretense reserved capricious refresh refusal flight boost explanation coherent prevalent tenacious official royalty assassin rub poach delete

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warrant circumscribed somewhat explosive optimistic mandate previously detract opinion intuitive feasible intimate persistent humble simplicity tempt deliberate painful unethical fundamentals discrepancy remorse pessimistic possibility conclusion acknowledge impregnate soberly creation paralyze suitability oblige tranquil medal arbitrate pacify illusory susceptible vibrate vengeance infection democratic stressful grave speculative sample identification stifle obligation revenge organization namely mediocre practical scream weaken consensus affectionate deficient treacherous console isolation ingenious memory melodrama despair awestruck composition regret recommendation celebrity decision devoid opaque ornamentation longevity participate dread restore interrogate aid accordingly mislead embarrassment optimism domestic apt funds virtue geography fundamentally thoroughly press despite horrible chilling rental esteemed disappointment innovative contemplation assign popularize haunt deafen serene percent estrangement suffer extravagant throng estimate comment priesthood mass dreadfully promote periphery animated saying relate clarity triple derivative succeed distortion register suicide improvement discreet inquisition probable curative incident praise convenience baffle covet dreadful genuinely weary undisturbed disgruntled humility renown nonchalant monopoly comedy vague decisive inconsequential announcement fabricated nevertheless vigilant scarce neglectful hushed attainment tedious explode snatch pslm agency sentimental tension adhere meanwhile sacred avert conformity likewise challenger accessible responsibility peril contact event roast fallible catastrophic competitor violate resolute deceive exaggeration discredit intolerable approve paste dimly novelist demeanor norm politician satisfaction obvious vehicle reservation defer involve restoration crush audible assistant backpack attain inanimate commemorate confrontation emigration parasite disperse quantitative laughter policy vulgar occasionally repay effective eulogy starvation empty therapeutic overall immortal encompass inappropriate opportune engagement illustrate turmoil observatory classification expression reminiscence comedian invention depress remedy protagonist gesture texture diplomatic election prolong conducive emotional invigorate curiosity expressive %

K-12 Words was originally published on PinkWrite

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