#i swear i saw him in the distance and i was checking off every distinct physical feature about him

[my-thirteenth-reason]

I JUST BUMPED INTO HIM WHILE I WAS BEGRUDGINGLY MAKING MY WAY TO THE MALL WHAT THE SHITTTTTTTT. DAY HAS BEEN MADE MOOD HAS BEEN LIFTED SMILE HAS BEEN SMILEN I AM NO LONGER EXHAUSTED I AM SKIPPING TO THE MALL HAPPILY

[mariasont]

Negotiating with Mr. H - pt. 2

a/n: part two to this

god im such a shluuuut for this man anyhow happy reading

‧₊˚ ✩°｡⋆♡ ⋆˙⟡♡ ⋆˙⟡♡⋆｡°✩˚₊‧

pairings: aaron hotchner x fem!nanny!reader

warnings: 18+ mdni, unprotected p in v (DONT DO THAT, boo tomatoes), use of sir and mr. hotchner in bed, dirty talk, pet names (good girl, sweetheart, honey, etc.), idk im terrible at warnings

wc: 2k

The hours had stretched into days since you all but threw yourself at Mr. Hotchner. The morning after unfolded with him dodging your company as if you were a wildfire, claiming a day at the zoo with Jack as a shield, yet you saw it as a deliberate distance he put between you. No sooner had they returned, the call for a case arrived. Typical.

But you found no room for embarrassment within yourself; you had played your hand, and he had been receptive, at least so you thought. If he had changed his mind, that was within his right; still, you wished he'd say something about it.

Your fingers tenderly combed through Jack's hair, the soft strands slipping between them, as you gently closed the book, careful not to wake him. He had a nightmare, but you soothed away the scary bits with 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', as you coaxed him back to sleep. It was his go-to comfort read--and secretly, yours too. You eased your legs over the edge, each step a muted brush against the carpet. You flicked off the light, the soft thud of the book on the nightstand, and you stepped into the hallway--the door sealing behind you softly.

You moved with soft steps towards your room, hands outstretched as they found the doorknob, pushing it open with the slightest pressure. You froze mid-step, the distinct click of the front door's latch piercing the silence. Subconsciously, a plan formed in your mind, as if waiting for this cue. You made a beeline for the closet, fingers flying as you shimmied into your favorite panties and a cropped white long sleeve that highlighting your stiffening nipples. Listening intently for the sound of his footsteps, you slid under the sheets, the door left invitingly open, your legs peeking out as if by chance.

Was this wrong? Certainly, but the blood rushing to your cunt didn't care. You were acutely aware of each groan from the wooden steps under his weight as he made his way upstairs, and you could almost catch the hush of his breath as he lingered at Jack's room, the door's creak broadcasting his quiet check.

You snapped your eyes shut, the sound of his nearing steps triggering an automatic response. You knew he'd have to pass your room to get to his. Every sense tingled to life as his footsteps hesitated at your door. Even with your back facing him, you felt his eyes roam over you, his breath turning heavy, hanging in the air.

You exhaled a shaky breath, feeling it vibrate through the stillness as he continued on to his room. The urge to swear was heavy on your tongue, the realization dawning that your plan had left no impression on him. You turned restlessly, feeling the bite of your failed efforts. Yet, when you propped yourself up, there he was--Mr. Hotchner, standing motionless in the doorway.

"Oh, Mr. Hotchner! I--I didn't realize you were home. How was the case?" Your question floated on a note higher than usual, yet you made no move to hide your body from him, welcoming the observation.

"Really? You didn't hear me? I could have sworn I heard movement in your room as I came in," he remarked, his piercing gaze locking onto you as he casually propped himself against the frame of the door.

"Movement? Could've been the wind," you suggest, your smile bright and inviting, arms falling away to give him a full display of your hardened nipples through the thin fabric of your shirt.

His response is brief, a deliberate blink, a silent count to ten, before his gaze sharpens, a frown forming as he closes the distance between you, the door shutting behind him. "The wind, huh?" he echoed, "I've been neck-deep in a nightmare of case, and this is what I come home to?"

You maneuver closer, your legs now casually exposed as you perch on the bed's edge. "What's wrong, Mr. Hotchner? Don't appreciate the view?"

His presence fills the space by your bed. "The view," he begins, his eyes taking a leisurely journey from your exposed legs up to meet your gaze, "is more than agreeable."

You hand snakes out, catching the silk of that god damn tie, drawing him closer. "Well. Mr. Hotchner, aren't you going to do something about this agreeable view?" you challenge, eyes wide and expectant.

Assertively, he captures your chin, his thumb brushing your cheek. "You should know by now, I'm very much a man of action."

He leans down, a predator claiming his willing prey, and his mouth captures yours in a kiss that sends a surge of electricity through your veins, your fingers curling into the fabric of his suit as if the meld him into you. The way his lips were attached to yours sent shockwaves straight to your core, hands moving from his lapels to his hair.

"Didn't think you had it in you, Mr. Hotchn--," you mumbled against his mouth, but you were swiftly cut off as his teeth dug into your bottom lip.

"The next time you say my name, it's going to be when my cock is buried so deep inside you that you can't form anything else but that name."

And in that moment, you could've sworn you'd never felt desire until he said those words. He began to trail sloppy kisses up your neck, your head arching back, surrendering to the sweet attention he lavished upon the column of your throat. There was a quiet authority in his actions, as he parted your thighs, his fingers grazing closer to your clothed cunt as his other hand pushed you flat against the bed.

A gasp fluttered from your lips, a delicate sound of shock. You would've never pegged him to be like this in bed. So fucking demanding. Your thighs instinctively sought each other, but his large hand held them apart, keeping you open, vulnerable.

You looked up at him with doe eyes, wide and brimming with lust, and it reflected a beauty so intense he was sure it could halt time. He was sure he must've done something right in this life to be privileged enough to see you like this—so submissive despite your big talk, so eager to please. It sent a rush to every part of his body, specifically his cock which stretched against his dress pants, begging to be released.

He wanted to take his time, to worship your body in the way it deserved, but there was nothing slow or soft about his movements. His hands explored every inch of your body as if he'd been touch starved his whole life.

"Pl-Please, sir, please touch me," you begged, your hips bucking against the graze of his hands.

The word 'sir' triggered a slight twitch in his cock, his voice a throaty rumble. "Feel that? I'm touching you, honey," he teased, his touch a tantalizing drag against your skin, inching your shirt upward, a smug smile etched on his handsome face.

"You know what I mean," you insisted, your hand intertwining with his in a silent plea, guiding them to where you wanted.

"I can't read your mind, sweetheart," he chides softly, his touch retreating teasingly, "be a good girl and tell me where you want me to touch you."

Your mind was going blank, so desperate for him you could almost feel your arousal leaking down your thighs.

"Here?" he questioned, his hands coming to rest on your ankles as he propped them on the edge of the bed, leaving your legs spread wide in front of him. You shook your head in response, a whine leaving your lips, "or here," he said, his hands moving up to your thighs.

You wiggled in his grip. "Mmm, getting closer aren't I?" he taunted, "use your words pretty girl, tell me how to help."

"Mr. Hotchner, please, need you inside me," your words were more slurred than you intended, sitting up to lock your hands behind his neck, your breath fanning his.

"You don't need it, you want it," he corrected, his lips brushing the sensitive skin behind your ear, his arm a steady band across your back, pulling you closer. "However, lucky for you, I'm inclined to be generous."

His hands eased you back towards the bed, your hands fingering through his hair as he made quick work with your underwear before tapping your shirt. "Take this off honey."

Without hesitation, you complied, flinging it carelessly to the bed's opposite edge, shifting to prop yourself up on your elbows. 

 "God, you're so beautiful."

The words seemed to empty your lungs of air, your face turning a delicate shade of pink as you beamed at him, your smile sticky with sweetness. His fingers found your nipples, teasing and tugging as you let out soft little whimpers, arching into his touch.

"Feels so good, sir," you moaned, hands digging into the sheets, leaning towards him to close the distance between you two, your lips seeking his in a tender collision.

You could sense his mouth curve into a silent smirk against yours as his hands moved with unhurried intent to your swollen clit, eliciting an involuntary gasp from you as you writhed on the mattress. You could hear his other hand undoing his belt as his continued his leisurely movements against your cunt. In a smooth, practiced motion, he pulled out his cock from his pants.

Your mouth parted slightly at the length of it, and you had to fight off the urge to drool at the sight. Thankfully he didn't make you beg for it, sliding into you with an ease that made your head fall back against the mattress.

"Shit," he hissed, his hands finding a natural perch upon the gentle swell of your hips. "You're so wet, honey. How long have you wanted this? Hmm?"

"S-So long," you muttered, a moan pausing your sentence, "wanted you for so long."

"I know, pretty girl," he murmured, his words interlaced with the obscene sound of his length pounding in and out of your drenched pussy. 

"Feels so good, Mr. Hotchner."

He let out a soft groan in response, his hands tangling through your hair. Your name rolled off his tongue as you clenched around him. He had to move his hands to the bed beside your head, trying to resist the urge to absolutely destroy you.

Your moans heightened with each thrust causing his hand to fly over your mouth, eyes rolling back to your head. "Need you to be quiet, honey. You can do that for me can't you?"

You nodded desperately against his palm, hands reaching out to close around his shoulders as you moved to meet his thrusts, the familiar coil beginning to wind in your core.

"I know you're close, sweetheart. Need you to hold on just a little longer."

He let out a breathy chuckle at your body's reaction, desperately bucking against him. Hotch revealed in the sound of your pussy squishing around him, so wet you're practically soaking his dress pants.

Your slur his name as he reaches between you, his thumb rubbing feverishly at your clit. "Go ahead, honey, cum for me."

His words were all you needed, gushing around his cock as he continued to fuck you through your high. He let out a strangled groan of his own, pumping you full of his cum. His large body slumped against yours, his head ducking into the crook of your neck as you both attempted to catch your breath.

He slowly lifted off of you, tucking his cock back into his pants as moved to grasp your ankle, rubbing comforting circles over the skin.

"Tell me, was that personal bonus sufficient for you?"

Your giggle, light and airy, filled the space as you gingerly lifted yourself, hands laying a gentle claim on his chest, your smile blooming across your lips. It was in this moment he knew he would do anything to keep you like this--content, utterly fucked and next time in his bed.

"Well, I can't say for sure, Mr. Hotchner," you admit, your kiss on his cheek lingering a moment longer. "I work really hard around here, maybe another round would satiate me."

"I don't know think anything would satiate you, honey."

"Maybe so, but isn't it tempting to see if something can?"

"Undoubtedly."

taglist: @mrs-ssa-hotch

[dumbdemonslayertexts]

random excerpts from black girl time travel kny au

Pairing: rengoku / oc

note: lots of angst mostly. forgive me for this not being y/n format i have to work up the chops to be graceful enough to write that

tagging @dudeandduchess and @adoriable and @tengens-bunny bc they sparked the greatest muse i’ve ever had to write fictions since i was like 14 literally wtf you are my queens???!?!

even with her mind working double overtime to secure her discomfort, the serenity if the rengoku estate could not be diminished. imene tried her hardest to remember any time prior to her time shift where she saw the moon so brilliantly illuminating the earth below it. each blade of grass, every stone in the garden reflected its glow; the whole of her surroundings were accented with such a pure silvery lining, giving a beauty distinctive to the night alone. it was tranquil enough for her to eventually draw a cleansing breath through her lungs, which finally released some of the staleness of doubt and second guessing that had filled her self image lately.

“you are awake still, imene-chan?”

that voice struck her in her chest, shooting sparks of heat and flutters in her stomach. and the fact that she was hearing it meant he was home. safe. and home.

“imene,” she softly insisted, making him smile as though he were being teased.

“imene.” his voice was warmer when he said her name, she would swear to it. and it stirred in her heart almost painfully with the need to hold him forever.

“i couldn’t sleep,” she shrugged off her dilemma, far more preoccupied in the happiness of seeing him, falling into those gorgeously untamed eyes and sweet smile again… “i’m happy to see you!”

“kyojuro.”

when the depth of his rich tone interjected his name, it caught her by surprise. and, true to form, he hadn’t needed her to say a word before reading her thoughts and emotions with complete accuracy.

“wh–?”

he lessened the distance between them, tucking his chin to sustain her eye contact where she sat, “imene… would you say it for me?”

the shadow of pessimism in her brain was shouting. he was easing the lines of formality as a kindness—-it was his vibrant character and nothing more. why was she so dense as to not even understand that? why did a simple name make her world feel brighter, and have her smiling to him, lovestruck?

“kyojuro.”

he smiled. with utter bliss, he smiled at her, exhaling like she’d lifted a weight from him. “ah… i prefer that, i think… don’t you?" 

just like that, the playfulness was back in his voice and eyes. though, another element felt as though it had been added unto it. one she was far too daunted to even hope to name. so she changed the subject. 

"how’re you feeling..?” she asked, lifting herself to stand, “you’re not hurt anywhere, are you? did you get any sleep or did you come right–”

she’d closed the remaining space between them as she fretted over him. ginger, worrying hands grazed butterfly touches up his chest, and the moment she’d made the mistake of tenderly cupping his face, his grin vanished… along with the delusion of pleasant standing she had dared hoped for with anyone there. it took so very little, but reality struck her like frozen lead. 

the subtlest way she could, imene lowered her touch away from him, even as she felt stony ice fill her stomach at his reaction. she could feel how he’d stiffened just before she took her hands away. so then, at that very second with how clear things had become, finality settled into her. still, she wished he would have just lunged his blade through her gut instead; the pain would have been so much less. 

“i–” kyojuro tried his best to play off the disgust, to turn the awkwardness in any other emotional direction. the poor thing even had the courtesy to look remorseful—-very convincingly, at that. god, how noble could one man be to still be kind and gentlemanly even now, trying to play off repulsion as he so obviously was? “no, i am not injured, i am feeling well! but i wished to return home as quickly as i could once i’d fulfilled my assignment. so, yes, i made the decision to return directly. i hope you haven’t been up out of worry for me.”

he was even back to beaming a smile by then, close-eyed and cheerful. she could only give half the heart in her attempt to smile back, barely nodding to acknowledge his answer. the bolt of dejection was still scalding in her chest, trying its best to well tears into her eyes.

“what is it?”

he asked after she’d broken eye contact with him for a time. imene had needed the privacy to blink down the urge to cry. 

“i’m …ready to go back to oyakata-sama’s estate. but i was kind of worried of how much trouble it would be to ask if he would take me in a second time… i didn’t know if it would be rude to him,” she tried to sound as casual as she possibly could, asking softly, like it were nothing more than a passing thought over an inevitable eventuality instead of a conscious decision of hers. but from the look on kyojuro’s face, she may as well has torn a hole through him.

“has something happened?”

he was so concerned. kyojuro sounded so hurt and concerned that the prickling of tears threatened her lashes again. even with his aversion to her, she could not stand to see someone so sweet and kind be hurt. “no…”

“please, imene, if you were upset by anything that happened while i was away–”

“i wasn’t, kyojuro,” she insisted, pleading.

“are you unhappy?” he asked. and it broke her heart to hear just how willing he was to remedy whatever issue she may have experienced just by the tone of his voice, especially after just returning from a mission, “you don’t have to hesitate to tell me if I have failed to host you well.”

“you haven’t failed anything. i’m not unhappy. but I can–” dread made the words catch in her throat, but it was too late for her to retract anything now, “feel that I’m making everyone uncomfortable." 

she waited for him to say something, but the flame hashira only looked at her in pained confusion, stunned and churning his brain to unravel her meaning.

"your father does not want me in your home, kyojuro. i’m a stranger to him—-in fact, I’m pretty sure he can sense that i don’t belong here,” she explained. he was faintly shaking his head, but even with the urge to protest, kyojuro could not deny that truth. “and senjuro–”

“he adores you,” kyojuro desperately interjected. her lips parted to negate it, but he continued before she could. and suddenly, there was a visible glimmering in his sunborn eyes, “he’s told me. many times, everyday we spend together. you…” his face softened from the accosted state she’d frozen it into earlier, and he paused his hurried explanations, “ease him. from our father. even though it is nowhere in your responsibility, you comfort him.”

“him liking me is just going to strain things between the two of them even more,” she shook her head, trying physically to mash the stress out of her temples, “that can’t be worth it, i don’t know how long I’ll even be in this time!”

“you would be surprised at its worth, imene." 

her conscience screamed at her to look at him, and she refused for as long as she could… just for knowing how gutting it would be to do. decency prevailed over her to finally grant him enough to at least meet his eyes, though. and the way his soul cried out to her through them left her destroyed. 

"i’m so sorry to have made you uncomfortable in my home. you needn’t worry about speaking with oyakata-sama, that is my responsibility, i will take care of it.”

he was resigned and sullen. It was almost impossible to tell with how genuinely he retained a positive outlook despite anything, but imene could see the sadness shining in his fiery stare, even with how radiant his grin was. she could also note how the sure grip of his sword had lessened to self-soothing strokes with his thumb at its hilt. “In the morning, I’ll make the arrangements for you. …I hope you believe me, imene, about senjuro. It’s been some time since he’s had …a loving woman around him. he isn’t likely to remember our mother well. what you’ve given with your presence is precious to him. priceless, I would say.”

he gave her an elegiac curve of his lips, and the water blurring her sight conquered her at last, dripping tears so heavy they fell straight to the ground, without a trace left on her cheeks.

“as for our father… he has been this way for a while. it is him. or, it’s what he has become, not a result of your being here. his callousness falls onto senjuro and myself normally, but I suppose you provided a new outlet for it …” he sighed, “it doesn’t excuse my negligence, but i will speak to him, you have my word.”

when she swept her eyes free of more accumulating tears, she felt kyojuro’s palms encircling her arms. it was a touch she had been desiring from the moment these feelings for him had begun to surface, yet when she felt it, she recoiled as if she were burned.

“imene,” he begged quietly. she still tried to keep her tone even.

“but you, kyojuro.”

confusion seeped into the misery soaking his expression, and his brow curled again to search for some hidden meaning in her words. his hands were away from her, though, the instant she showed discomfort.

“you’re the most uncomfortable around me of the three of you. you’re disgusted when i come close to touching you, you can’t even stand to be near me, in the same room, you’re always double checking to see if i’m up to something down every hall and in every room, and around your brother—-i can’t stay here and make you feel like that in your own home! especially when you’re out saving people and risking your life constantly! why would you even want me here if i make you so ill at ease—why would you want to come home to that kind of feeling after all you do!”

she hated how much heat she could feel under her skin–behind her eyes, in her cheeks and nose, at her ears. even more, she hated the pinched and congested whine her emotive state rendered her voice to, like some indignant child. it was humiliating to say aloud to him—-to verbalize just how awfully her self-regard had been eaten away, and to at last face it herself. now her cheeks and chin lay adorned with sheening wet streaks. she couldn’t hide any of it any longer. stillness followed after. not a word spoken, only the amplification of her breaths rattling and struggling to calm against rengoku’s measured silence. 

when she could bear to raise her head again, imene could see him in what looked to be a deep epiphany. a terrible one. like his actions had only know processed into awareness for him, and had left him reflecting in horror. 

“imene.”

he lifted his eyes enough for her to come into view, and his own lashes were starry now, blacker with the moisture accumulating at their base, in spite of the soft grin he wore, “i’m afraid i have to correct you. you said i haven’t failed in caring for you well. but i have done exactly that.

"would you come and sit with me,” he propositioned when she said no more. he’d expected nothing less when she could only look away from him with clenched, leaking eyes, so clearly pained that it ripped his heart to shreds. kyojuro was patient to await her answer, and held out his arm for her when she surprisingly accepted. imene had assumed that they would both share the space on the engawa she’d taken before his return. instead, he lead them to a more secluded area of the estate’s garden, on a stone bench that provided ample view of the night time, and allowed an unstifled breeze to cool them both that she greatly appreciated. 

“i must apologize.”

“you did already.”

kyojuro glanced over his shoulder, hearing her delicate assurance. it surged through him, littering his skin in goosebumps. 

out of consideration of how small their shared seat would be, he had crowded himself at the corner by her side. it allowed them both room for their legs, considering how widely his sat apart, but he could admit there there was a high element of shame that made it more difficult to face her. “yes, and it is not at all adequate for how i’ve hurt you.”

every time he spoke, sounding like he cared, she could do nothing but weep more. somehow, in spite of everything, his sympathy hurt more than anything else. and made her feel horrible for not being acceptable. “you can’t help how you feel, rengoku-s–”

“kyojuro." 

his eyes met hers with stone solid conviction that she couldn’t understand. for someone who disliked her so palpably, he was intent on establishing friendly casualness between them that gave her a migraine trying to comprehend. his next words went far enough to bring a knot to her brow. "you’re right, i can’t. but to have acted on those feelings so poorly is shameful." 

"acted on them poorly?”

“you were manifested in oyakata-sama’s estate. a refugee he deemed to have been brought here for divine reason. he is our leader in this fight we have undertaken against evil. he is the head of our organization, to be honored and respected.”

“it seemed that way,” her faint voice commented.

“yes. for that reason, and more i can’t explain now. understand, if my master says to me that you are precious, to be cared for, i wouldn’t ever dishonor that, nor you.”

now he’d given her her own shocking epiphany. it was slow to unravel itself with how meticulously he explained, frustratingly peeling away with the more he revealed to her in this less than receptive state that her mortification left her in.

“i wished to fulfill the role of your caretaker as best as i could. but as a hashira, i am frequently called away for extensive periods,” he gradually began to turn himself round, now diagonally beside her rather than perpendicular, “you are out of my direct sight for so long that i force you to tolerate my overcompensating once i return. i want you adjusted well, to not be overwhelmed or confused, or grieved with being alone. i wished to watch over you closely in case you were to need me.”

“oh…”

“and your nearness…” he began again, “imene, you were brought here under my protection. not only for me to oversee your healing wounds, but for your safe keeping all together. you are my charge. but i took this upon myself before knowing you—-i was not prepared for you to be so gentle and loving, and to possess warmth that i have not felt in so many years. you emanate affection–your spirit could even bring out playfulness in tokito-san. and your strength is one i have only seen in one other in my life." 

she wanted to cry again, now. and was well on her way, hearing this perfect man speak of her so glowingly. out of nowhere. 

"your peculiar beauty was something i was prepared to disregard. i am from a family of uncommon features; i willed myself to overlook the uniqueness of your eyes as many do mine, and to not be stricken with the comeliness of your hair, or with the beauty of your delicate complexion—-one i have never seen, and that i now will never forget. i convinced myself of it only being the allure of one sent from the heavens. i was mistaken, and then overcome." 

"you—-” her voice broke, weighted with the sobs fighting to bubble out of her chest, “i don’t understand…”

“you are the most beautiful woman i have ever set eyes on, imene. my dreams could not even create anyone nearly as bewitching. and i swore to ignore it, until you showed yourself equally as beautiful in your soul.”

▷▷ part 2

[huihuiheart]

D&D Series Pt 4 - For the Crown

Summary: Heading into the haunted forest might not have been the wisest of choices for the escaping trio. Especially, when things don’t go according to plan and hard choices have to be made, the prince’s secrets are revealed, and a mischievous ‘little’ figure appears.

Pairing: F! Reader x Dark Prince! Hyunjin

Warnings: Injury, blood, falling off horses, kidnapping (kind of), use of magical abilities, unprotected sex, dom/sub themes, brat taming, spanking, biting, teasing, marking, bondage, degradation, overstimulation, hair pulling (giving and receiving), fingering, oral, heartbreak (kinda), betrayal.

Note: Series will be on a semi-hiatus until I am caught up with the special stuff you’ll see dropping on the 28th! 

Word Count: 6,518

Previous Part ______ Next Part

You had never been one to truly fear something that was haunted, but seeing how everything else in this world had made you a little uneasy about racing into the haunted forest like this. Mostly due to the fact that you were unsure what to expect, fearing the unknown more than anything else in this strange world. You had no time to contemplate it, though, as you followed behind Chan and Felix, needing to get away before Hyunjin and his men could catch up to you. Not knowing what might happen if you were caught, again, if he was as cruel as you had heard that he was, who knew what kind of future you would have if you were not able to get away. Tree branches lashing out in an attempt to snag you as you raced in, letting the boys lead the way as you had no idea where you were going or what to do if you came face to face with a threat in the forest. The deeper in you got, though, the harder it became to keep up. The other two were easily far more experienced riders than you. They could effortlessly navigate through, while you struggled to follow, it only became worse as a heavy fog rolled in. Chan and Felix, occasionally calling out to you to ensure you were following behind them, though while they could still make out your outline, they did not grow too concerned, unlike your current doubts.

__

Hyunjin had no hesitations about following your group into the forest. His men, on the other hand, came to a swift halt at the edge of the forest, causing Hyunjin to turn to look over the anxious men who were eyeing the forest as if it would reach out and swallow them whole at any second.

“Well? What are you all waiting for?” Hyunjin raises a brow, eyes burning through each and every man that was hesitating before him as his horse trotted along the edge of the forest.

“H-Highness, all due respect, but are we actually going to go into the haunted forest? Y-You much have heard the very same stories as we have about the things that happen to anyone that enters.” One of his men stuttered out, uncertain what he feared more, the forest or the prince’s wrath.

“I have, and that’s all they are....stories...myths. I do not fear anything that this forest holds, I have been through and back more times than anyone else and have yet to face any true danger, but if I am the only one. Then I guess I will just have to retrieve the princess myself.” Hyunjin huffs before guiding his horse to turn back towards the forest and racing off in the direction that you three had gone in only moments ago. Seeing shadows in the distance, fog blurring the details of their forms, but they were moving nonetheless, and that was all he needed to know to determine that he had found those whom he was tracking.

The men you followed were sure you knew what you were doing, after years of training that the princess must have had in riding. Yet you, you were no princess... you had appeared in this world with no warning and such a lack of experience in this area that you truly struggled at this moment. Hope was not yet lost though, as long as they remained in sight, you would likely find your way out of this forest alive. Your heart starts to beat in time with the pounding of hooves, though not those of your horse, the ones slowly gaining on you from behind, a single, distinct set. Something you attempted to speed up and away from, wanting the safety of being closer to the men you were traveling with. It seemed futile, though, as the same entrancing blue speck of light from the forest dances before your horse now, starting him into bucking you off with a startled yelp before racing off in the opposite direction and directly towards the figure chasing you. Chan and Felix’s shadows disappearing within a matter of seconds into the thickening fog before you, only allowing you to hear their distant calls to you. Something you would have returned if your chest wasn’t currently radiating pain after the wind got knocked out of you during the fall. A thick liquid, feeling running down your forehead from your hairline, but you hurt too much to bring your hand up to see what it was. Barely able to lift your eyes enough to see a figure approaching as the fog clears around him, slowing down at the sight of you, before stopping. Your eyes feel heavy as you try to remain conscious, knowing it could be a danger that those approaching feet hold, it seems confirmed as the figure crouches over you and finally shows you their face...Hyunjin...

“You took a nasty fall princess, just go to sleep. I’ll get you someplace safe and fix you up.” Hyunjin, gently stroked over your hair, his words seemingly casting a spell on you, finally making you give in to the looming darkness. Hyunjin lifting you carefully onto his horse before heading towards a cabin that he already knew, was hidden among these very woods.

Chan and Felix coming to a halt and panicking as they no longer heard or saw you following. Turning back to look for any sign of you, only finding some blood and then further back your horse alone. Panic setting in as they were unsure what to do. 

“Felix head to the kingdom and give them this map, I’m going after Y/N!” Chan insisted, holding the valuable item out to him, causing Felix’s eyes to widen and him to scoff.

“You can’t be serious, they would never let me anywhere near the castle. No one there knows me! You have to take it! I swear to you on my life, I’ll find her and get her back safely.” Felix shakes his head, refusing to take it and sticking Chan in a predicament. Could he trust Felix to find and save you? At the same time, Felix had a point though there was no way they would let Felix in without someone familiar with him. Making the situation only further complicated as he tried to think of what would be best.

___

The first thing you were able to do was groan about the throbbing pain radiating in your head as you regained consciousness. Feeling something cool and damp gently prodding at where the thick liquid had previously originated and eased the pain some. Hearing Hyunjin clicks his tongue disapprovingly as your stirring starts to cause too much movement.

“Hold still, or you’ll make your injuries worse. I’m trying to help, but I can’t do that if you don’t cooperate.” Hyunjin’s words were firm and would almost come off as harsh if there wasn’t a certain fondness in them. Your eyes slowly squinting and blinking as they tried to open again despite the heaviness still present until you could see Hyunjin sat beside you. His form leaned over yours, gently dabbing the blood off your head injury and other scratches he could find.

“Where are we?” Your eyes fluttered around the room, it seeming much smaller than what could be expected at the castle, much quieter as well. Finding it odd that Hyunjin seemed so at home in such an abandoned-looking place such as this, moving between you and the medical supplies a few feet away as if it were second nature.

“We are still in the woods, in a small cabin. You are not really in any condition to travel right now, so I brought you here to care for you. Once I finish this, I’ll make us something to eat so you can rest and recover. However, you may not have that much energy for a few days.” Hyunjin explains before gently pressing over your sides and abdomen, trying to feel for any further injuries, “Does it hurt anywhere when I do this?” 

You give a soft shake of your head, blushing a little at his caring nature, "It doesn't my back is a little sore, but I think that was because of how hard I landed on it. Mostly just that and my head, though.”

Hyunjin nods, “Well your head is already bandaged up, though it might bleed through, so I’ll likely have to change it a few times. As for your back, I’d like to check that and your ribs further, but I promise to provide you with decency. I can give you a shirt, something I can lift enough to see while keeping the rest covered. If you’re feeling up to getting it on, that is. I could unlace you and help you sit up. If you don’t feel up to it, I can try to think of something else.” 

“I think I can change myself just fine if I have that bit of help.” You agree to allow him to help you roll over so his fingers can gently unlace and loosen your corset top before turning you back around to help you sit up. Once it was loose enough, he wasn’t worried about it doing further damage. Hyunjin helping you to sit with pillows propped behind you. Going over to a drawer and pulling out some pants and a loose shirt to sit beside you on the bed. Your confusion must have been evident on your face because he chuckles when he looks at you again.

“You have questions, don’t you princess?” Hyunjin inquires, humming as you nod. He heads towards the door to give you privacy as he answers you, “When we’ve finished this and eaten, I’ll answer all your questions...Call me when you’re decent again. I’ll be right outside, okay?”

You nod, letting him go while doing your best to change out of the trapping dress you’d been stuck in for so long. It is a relief to have some clothes that allowed you to move more freely. Even if not for the best reason or if it was the easiest with your current injuries. 

“You can come back in Hyunjin.” You eventually call, slowly trying to ease yourself back onto the bed again, something Hyunjin rushes over to assist you with doing.

“I can look yes?” Hyunjin asks, looking to you for confirmation once again, waiting for your nod before continuing. His fingers, slowly pushing your shirt up to expose your abdomen, only touching your skin when he has to, so he would not make you uncomfortable. Careful with his touch as well, pressing gently on the bruises that are exposed, to make sure that’s all they are before gently pulling your shirt back down, to help you roll over and do the same with your back. After he has checked you over, he helps you lay on your back again, tucking you in to stay warm.

“Everything looks alright, only surface stuff other than your head. I think you’ll be alright, though, if you simply rest. I’ll go make you something to eat, but if you need anything, just call me.” Hyunjin brushes your hair out of your face in one last fleeting touch before he’s gone. 

You know you should be trying to rest, being left alone with your thoughts though you find yourself unable to. So many questions coming to mind and making your thoughts race with possible answers. Wondering why others would paint such a horrid picture of Hyunjin when here he was acting like this. More than that, though, why did Hyunjin seem so at home here? Someplace so normal looking, unlike where royalty typically stayed, and in the middle of not just any forest, but a haunted one. Deciding to test your luck, you move to get out of bed. Unable to take it any longer, needing to start getting answers before you completely lose your mind. 

“If you’re going to try and sneak out, you should just be aware that my horse doesn’t take kindly to strangers...and I don’t think you want to take another fall like you just had,” Hyunjin speaks calmly, without turning to you though. Only adding to your confusion as you wonder how he picked up on your nearly silent movements.

“I’m not trying to leave........not yet anyways. I want answers first because I’m quite thoroughly confused right now...though I can’t make promises in regards to later.” You respond as you move closer. Hyunjin turns towards you with a slightly scolding look as he moves over to gently pull out a chair for you. 

“I promised you answers. You shouldn’t have gotten out of bed. You could make yourself worse.” Hyunjin tsks softly, his attitude whinier and brat-like though. Him showing you what you more so expected from the spoiled, dark prince.

“Well, I couldn’t rest without answers, so it seems what would be best for both of us would be if you just let me ask now.” You shrug, earning a soft sigh from Hyunjin, who mumbles some excuse about needing to cook, “I won’t interfere with that. Just let me ask, and you can take all the time you need to answer. It’ll put me at ease, though.”

Hyunjin glances over his shoulder at you for a moment, debating with himself before he turns to face you again. Snapping his fingers, the spoon he had been stirring the food with moves on its own now as he steps over. Leaning on the counter across from you and motioning for you to go ahead with your questions. 

“Why do you seem so familiar with this place? It doesn’t seem like the kind of place a prince would consider home...”You’re brows furrow as Hyunjin chuckles quietly, licking his lips.

“Well, as you might have noticed, princess. There are things I can do that humans can’t. Magic I hold, that your kind doesn’t. Just because I have it, though, doesn’t mean that I automatically know how to use it, though. I had to learn. I still have to learn and practice, I never did well in the group, however. I was too volatile.  So every year, I would be sent away to find a place alone to practice. It didn’t matter how long I was gone for as long as I didn’t come back before learning something. I stumbled across this place one year and decided after that to keep coming back here every time as I learned how to control my magic, I was able to make it a little homier.” Hyunjin explains, being what you considered oddly open about his past. Though you appreciated the fact that he was at least seeming genuine with you, despite not being sure what exactly to expect from him, “I’m guessing that’s not all you’re curious about?”

"No, I'm wondering why you're caring for me like this? The wedding isn't my choice after all, so why didn't you just drag me back? Why do you care?" Your question comes out soft-spoken yet bleeding with genuine curiosity, and Hyunjin hums.

"My intent was never to harm you. In fact, under other circumstances, I wouldn't be doing this to you either. I would have tried to get your attention in another way, princess. However, I'm sure you know we can not always do what we want in our positions. For the sake of my people, I will do what I must. I'm sorry if that, in turn, brings you more pain than it already has. I have no desire to be cruel, though." Hyunjin insists, gently reaching out to brush his thumb over your cheek before getting up to physically return to the cooking, "Here, it's done, you should eat before we talk anymore. It'll give you time to process what you've learned so you won't be overwhelmed."

You nod, appreciating the logic at least of what he says, knowing you would have more time while you recovered to question him about other things. Your body was weak from all that your body had faced throughout the day. Humming at the taste of the food, Hyunjin had made, it was already energizing you some and making you feel much better.

"We'll likely stay here at least two days to allow enough time to be sure that your head especially is okay before we start to travel." Hyunjin informs after you finished, moving to help you stand up again, leading you back towards the bedroom, "I'll let you take the bedroom while I'm down here."

"Let me guess if I need anything just call you?" You tease him lightly as you accept his help under the covers again. Having to hold back your giggles as you see his skin flush a light pink.

"Well as I said, I mean you no harm....and in other circumstances, I would have preferred to try and win over your heart instead of this," Hyunjin speaks the quietest he has all day, feeling shy at the admission. He's not impossibly shy, however, as he leans down to kiss your forehead as he tucks you in, "I hope to see you in the morning Y/N."

The way he says your name instead of calling you by a title tugs at your heart. Hearing the yearning in his voice, his feelings seeming genuine. The way Hyunjin was so caring and yet so considerate of your feelings thinking that his own was entirely one-sided, making your heart hurt for him. You're too tired tonight to try and bring him comfort, already drifting off into your world of exhaustion, not able to stay up in an attempt to sneak out even if you felt you needed to. After questioning Hyunjin some, you didn't see the need to try and escape from him. Not understanding the dangers that the others saw in him. His heart, seeming pure, even if the way he went about things wasn't always so innocent. His concern, showing through again the next morning.  When you woke to him bringing you breakfast in bed, helping you to sit up. You watched curiously as he silently left you to eat alone, you taking the privacy to clean yourself up a little as well. Hyunjin is back in the room when you step out of the bathroom again, looking up at you with wide eyes looking over you like he’s checking if you’re okay. 

“I’m fine Hyunjin, nothing to worry about.” You try to reassure him with a small smile, him returning it with a tender smile of his own. He offers you his hand, guiding you to sit on the bed as he stands to bring the medical supplies over beside you.

“I’m going to clean up your head again and just make sure it’s okay,” Hyunjin explains as he reaches out to delicately undo the bandaging he’d put on the night before, not wanting to hurt you or anything. He tries to make quick work of cleaning and rebandaging it. The bandage was already smaller than the day before. His hands shake slightly, though, feeling an odd type of nervous knowing your gaze was on his face the whole time.

“Hyunjin? Do you love me?” You finally find yourself asking the question that’s haunted you since he started to care for you. Hyunjin’s skin flushing brightly at the question blinking at you in shock at the bluntness.

“S-Something like that yes, t-though I know it’s not what you want, princess.” His words are joined with that longing stare once again. His hand, reaching out to brush your hair behind your ear. The sad smile on his face was replaced with surprise as you grab his hand softly in yours before his touch could fade entirely.

“Who says?” You inquire softly, looking into his eyes without hesitation and using your grip to gently tug him closer until you can press your lips to his. Your arms, slipping around his neck to prevent him from running away from the kiss and you.

Hyunjin is stunned for a moment, entirely frozen as he processes what is happening before he returns your kiss. Soon, taking over as he puts more force into the kiss, letting his longing take over, controlling his actions. He nibbles on your lower lip slightly when he finally pulls away, looking at you with darkened eyes as his arms slip around to cradle you and gently lay you back, mindful of your injuries.

“And you were still going to leave me anyway?” He growls lightly, not letting you answer before his mouth is on yours again. His actions fueled by just a hint of anger, “Knew you were a spoiled, fucking brat, princess.”

You feel the shift in the air, dominance shifting to Hyunjin, who looks down at you with a darkened gaze. A smirk adorning his face as you squirm slightly beneath him, flustering as heat rises to your cheeks. His actions are not what you would have expected out of him after the way he had been acting the last 24 hours, but you weren't going to complain about them either.

“In a way, you are lucky you’re hurt doll, means I’ll go easy on you tonight. Of course, you’ll still be punished, considering you made me think you didn’t care about me, and you ran away.” Hyunjin tsks as his tone and touch teases you, running the faintest trail over your sides, “What will I do with you, pretty girl?” 

“You talk like you aren’t a spoiled brat yourself.” You remark back, grinning up at him in response. Your inner brat proud of the fact that you showed no hesitance in your response, despite his heated stare, “Maybe I should be the one punishing you right now, little prince~”

You watch Hyunjin visibly bristle at your condescending tone, hand smacking your clothed thigh just enough to give a slight sting, before he’s gripping them tightly, “That’s cute, you thinking that pretty, little mouth of yours can get away with saying whatever. We both know that even if I gave you control, though, you would have no idea what to do with it, princess.” 

Hyunjin’s fingers dance over your inner thighs before gripping at the hem of the shirt you were wearing. He pushed it up slowly, much like he had when looking over your injuries, though this time, his fingers brushed delicately over your skin as he did. Pulling it off entirely and letting you do the same with his before picking up on your smug expression again and raising a brow.

“You say that like you’re in control right now.” You mock him as his gentle nature shows through again, baiting him into doing worse if he dared, “Please, little prince, we both know you are too soft to actually do anything to me.”

Hyunjin hums, licking his lips as he eyes your form, “Maybe, you are right, princess.” He leans down to kiss over the expanse of your neck, gently until reaching your collarbone, where he bites down. Sucking and kissing over to leave a blooming mark and make you moan, squirming beneath him, “ But then again...maybe you’re wrong.”

You mew, feeling heat pool in your gut, you know Hyunjin would easily pick up on that if he looks at your panties. He is in no rush currently, though, leaving a trail of marks leading towards your cleavage, letting your arousal build over time. Willing to take as much time as it takes to see you finally snap, wanting you to fold and beg for him. You expect him to take your bra off next with how he teases marks along the hem of it, but he doesn’t. Instead, he chooses to move lower, creating marks leading down to the hem of the pants you’re wearing. His fingers, working to undo the tie on them, while his mouth works to distract you. Only, letting register what he had done when he was already tugging them down your legs, spreading them and exposing your soiled panties, only making him lick his lips in anticipation. He would have to wait for that still, as your resolve stayed strong yet. Something Hyunjin was not having any part of as he kissed your thigh, trailing marks lower, until he left one last fleeting kiss to your ankle before working his way up the other leg, never speeding up his actions. He knew it was a waiting game, a matter of whose patience would give out, and he was determined to win. After all, he had been a patient man thus far, holding back the whole time his feelings grew he could wait a little longer if it meant getting what he wanted. You, on the other hand, weren’t prepared to endure this level of teasing, ignorant to the possibility of the events currently unfolding before today. 

Hyunjin practically beamed against your inner thigh, locking eyes with you when he heard your soft restless huff, “You seem eager, princess. You know you could get what you want. Well, if you start acting like a good girl.”

Your eyes narrow into a glare at his mockery, still not learning your lesson. Still finding his tactics too soft to tame your brat, she was masochist after all. “Why don’t you fucking make me then? If you even can.” 

Hyunjin seems surprisingly calm at your remark this time, climbing over your form and slipping a hand around to unclasp your bra as soon as it’s off, an invisible force pulls your hands up towards the bed frame, securing them there. “You talk a lot of crap for someone whose panties have been soaked this whole time, princess. Your mouth might say one thing, but your body says another.”

"Fuck you, Hyunjin." You hiss, glare sharpening, and yet it still doesn't faze Hyunjin in the least. If anything, it makes him chuckle, finding it cute that you think you are going to be able to intimidate him.

"Oh, you could, sweetheart, if you would only cooperate." Hyunjin flicks his tongue over your nipple, loving how you gasp and wiggle again. What doesn't make him so pleased is when you start trying to squirm away so that he would not have so much control over you, wanting to hold out longer. Hyunjin, nipping at your bud with a warning growl of your name, making you shudder at the promise the rasp of it held. Your body, submitting on its own and letting the man tease your breasts, taking his time as he alternates between them much as he had done with the rest of your body.

"All you are is a tease, Hyunjin. A tease playing like he's a firm hand-" Your quip gets cut off by his hand slapping down against your clothed pussy without any warning.

"You think I'm playing princess? No. I simply know your game. You enjoy being punished. You like the pain...which is why you won't get that. Not unless you beg for it just like anything else you want from me, even if I have to tease you all night for that to happen." Hyunjin shrugs before moving between your legs to lick over the wet patch, moaning against your panties at the taste. Just a hint of the feeling passing through and letting your mind race with all the possibilities of what could happen if you just gave in already, the fact that he wouldn't even punish you the way you wanted without a beg driving you mad.

"Fine, fine, you win Hyunjin. Just stop with all the goddamn teasing already." You whimper, hips lifting slightly, and Hyunjin dares to laugh at your desperation. Hooking his fingers on your panties to drag them down and flick his tongue over your clit before circling it relentlessly.

"I don't know, princess. It didn't seem to me like you meant that. Why don't you try again? And this time, try to be a tad more convincing little girl." Hyunjin nips at your most sensitive parts, making you mewl again at finally another twinge of painful pleasure.

"I'm begging, aren't I Hyunjin? This is what you wanted, isn't it? For me to beg for you? Well, now that I am. So can't you just fucking ruin me?" You almost wish you could smack him as he pulls away, but the next second you are sighing in relief as you're flipped onto your knees, ass on display for him. Hyunjin's hands move to knead the flesh, almost aggressively despite not even being the part intending to bring you pain.

"Oh, I'll ruin so much princess, you won't be the only thing, though. No. I intend to fuck you so well that even if you go to another man, you'll think about me and how good I was instead. I intend to fuck you so well that you crave me the same way I've craved having you like this for so long now." Hyunjin emphasizes his words with the first smack to your backside, "Though if that doesn't happen tonight, then I guess I'll just have to try again and again until it does."

Your body is practically buzzing with anticipation at this point after such a long build-up, unable to do anything but moan as Hyunjin finally gives in, delivering blow after delicious blow to your ass. Increasing the strength behind them as he sees you can take more and loving how color blooms across your skin, the flesh bruising in beautiful marks that you'll be sure to feel for days after. His touch, leaving your ass to collect the wetness that’s seeping down the plush of your thighs, before lightly patting your pussy and watching how you clench around nothing with a dark chuckle and another hard spank.

“What’s this? Are you going to cum around nothing? After acting like I couldn’t even do anything? Tsk, are you really that pathetic princess?” Hyunjin acts disappointed, but the way his cock throbs in his pants tells an entirely different story, “Go on then, tell me how unaffected you are with that bratty little mouth while your body tells me the truth. While this little pussy tells me how slutty you are, begging me to fuck you until you can’t say anything other than my name.” 

Hyunjin gives you that final push you need to go over the edge by slapping your pussy, watching how it pulses for a moment before two fingers find your clit, and ride you through your high. His skilled fingers, not letting up even after your orgasm has run its course. Your attempts to squirm away mean nothing as more invisible ties lock around your form, holding you in place to take all that Hyunjin is giving you. Hyunjin’s curls two fingers into you, searching for the spot that would have you quaking beneath him, wanting to make you fall apart over and over because of what he can do to you. His plump lips, leaning down to press against your spine, not even willing to leave that part of you unmarked, his fingers drilling into you relentless against your most sensitive spots as soon as he found them. His hand, weaving into your hair to pull your face up, out of the mattress, freeing your sounds.

“Don’t you try to hide from me, princess. You wanted to run that smart mouth of yours, so now you’re going to show just how wrong you were with every perfect fucking sound you make, whether it be from your lips or your cunt.” Hyunjin’s own impatience showed in the form of his bulge, pressed against your prettied ass, grinding in time with the thrusts of his fingers, egging you on, “Do you think you will have earned this cock once you’ve cum on my fingers, princess? Be honest?”

“I-I’ve earned it whenever you say I have, b-but I want it so bad...p-please Hyunjin.” Your words show how much you have really slipped into a submissive role for him. Hyunjin’s ego growing at your words, loving every second of them.

“You sound so pretty whining my name like that little girl.” Hyunjin slips in soft praise as a result of your obedience, “Go on then princess, earn it. Fucking cum for me again, make a mess of my fingers just like you would my dick.”

His words only further tightening the knot in your stomach until it snaps, making you tremble beneath him with each scorching wave of pleasure. It, numbing you to the point where all you knew for a few moments, was Hyunjin’s fingers thrusting into your, riding you through the intense feeling. Feeling as if the bonds have loosened, Hyunjin laying you onto your back again, brushing away tears you didn’t even know were there and giving you a moment to catch your breath. 

“You alright?” He questions, caring side returning as he places a sweet yet fleeting kiss to your lips, looking over your face carefully.

“Hyunjin I did not spend all that time begging for you not to fuck me now, if it’s too much I’ll tell you. Otherwise, you better get the fuck on with it before I actually lose it.” You insist, already gently tugging him between your spread legs. Barely giving him enough time to free his cock, before trying to get him inside of you. Only then do you feel the binds slipping around your thighs to hold you still and open for him while he fully removes his clothes and teases your entrance with his tip for a moment before pushing in. His arms on either side of you, watching as your face scrunches with pleasure and relief as he stretches you open. Hyunjin, groaning softly, when he bottoms out, feeling you tight around him. You take advantage of the fact that your hands are free, seeing Hyunjin’s dark locks fall over his face, to push them away, and let you see his face as well. Feeling you tug at his hair, pulling him closer, he kisses you while giving a quick, hard thrust to tease you while swallowing your pretty little noises. Hyunjin, biting down on your bottom lip and tugging it as he pulls away, giving slower, shallow thrusts.

“Look at you, princess. You can’t stay still. Is it just too much for you to handle? Or is it not enough?” Hyunjin muses, knowing you want him to pound into you, and that you would try to take control if you could move more freely, he lets you tug at his hair though, keeping the tidbit of control you did have, making him bare his neck to you so you can leave matching marks on him. That is all you could do anyways, too far gone to answer, not that you would know what to say anyway, seeing as how it was somehow both too much and too little. All of your senses lit with bright licks of flaming pleasure, while deep down, you wanted to fuel them even more at a quicker pace.

“Just be a good girl with your words one last time, princess, and I promise I’ll give you everything baby.” Hyunjin’s fingers skim over the trail of marks he left behind before rubbing circles onto your clit. Letting each movement bring you enough pleasure to make your head spin, but still not enough to give you the relief you thirsted for. 

Your fingers weave through his hair, tugging again, “Hyunjin, I’m giving you all of me, so take it already, please. You already have me falling apart from barely anything, so show me the worst you can do.”

Hyunjin chuckles, placing a kiss on your jaw before picking up the pace. Holding nothing back down as he gave in to the desires both of you had, letting pleasure overtake you both. “Oh, I will, princess. You’re in for a long night.”

You had expected to wake up besides Hyunjin the next morning, after falling asleep in his arms the night before. Something seemed off though when you fully registered what was going on the next morning, and finding an empty bed and the surrounding area eerily quiet, slipping a shirt on to quietly peek out of the room to see if Hyunjin was simply cooking breakfast again, which he was. That wasn’t all you noticed, though, a glass orb placed delicately on the counter by Hyunjin and swirling with colors as Hyunjin spoke to it. 

“No, I’m not letting my feelings get the better of me. No matter what my feelings are for the princess, I know what the most important thing here is.” Hyunjin huffs at the little glass piece, your heart sinking as you realize he’s talking about you.

“So she has the map then? You can bring both her and it back so we can finally get on with this?” A woman’s voice echo’s through, making your eyes widen, though there is no face to make out and let you see who it could be.

“She doesn’t, but we need her either way. Besides, the ones with the map will come back for her as soon as they realize I have her again, let them come to us instead of wasting our time searching every hiding spot for them.” Hyunjin shrugs, tasting the food, still unaware of your listening in from the bedroom doorway, only barely peeking out so that you could hide again if necessary.

“Very well, just don’t let your heart jeopardize this after all we’ve done and given up. More than a crush or not, if she gets in the way and you won’t deal with it...then I will.” The woman speaks one last time before the orb stops going. You take that as your cue to slip back into the bedroom. 

Sure, Hyunjin’s feelings for you were apparently genuine, or at the least for the princess form of you. That didn’t make this acceptable, though. He was obviously up to something now, and there was no way around it, and he was willing to use you to lure Chan and Felix right back in and give him what he wanted. That being something that you simply could not allow. You scour through the clothes in the cabin, finding something you can move freely in, before slowly creaking the window open to look outside. You step away to sneak another look at Hyunjin to ensure that he was still occupied with food. Before carefully climbing out the window and closing it behind you. Sneaking off into the woods, worried first about being quiet and not giving yourself away before just bolting. Not entirely sure how you’d find Chan and Felix, but knowing that you certainly couldn’t do it if Hyunjin caught you again. The dazzling blue light, appearing for a third time now. Twirling around you before leading the way off until reaching a small stream and disappearing, leaving you to look around curiously until it flashes before your eyes again and turning into a person, not just any person though...you’d finally found Jisung.

[silverdragon-imagines-blog]

Counter Clockwise - Chapter 3 - Dawn of the Second Day

[Here’s the next chapter of “Counter Clockwise” the second fic in my “Threatening Darkness” series. Again, I’d like to remind you to check the tags and warnings before you read this, just in case. And let me know if I need to change the tags as well. I hope you enjoy ^u^]

Warning(s): description of injuries, slight body horror, lots of Dark Link being manipulative and creepy.

Read it on AO3

The next morning, Time jolted awake, eyes snapping open to see the floor at eye level, having fallen onto his side during the night. Sitting up proved to be tedious as his back protested each movement, quiet cracking of joints sounding much louder in the near-silent room. He turned to look behind him, at the bed he had given up for the still unconscious Warriors. He had refused to take one of the others' beds, having had insisted that he wanted to be there when Warriors woke up. He couldn’t help the disappointment and worry that sprung up when he saw that the Captain hadn't awoken yet.

Time could see that the Captain had put up a fight; bruises and cuts littered his hands and face, not to mention the broken chainmail he had worn when they found him. It was a miracle that he hadn’t been more injured, though Time couldn’t figure out why Dark had gone easy on him. It put him on edge, seeing how easily the Captain had been rendered unconscious and beaten. He stood, slowly as he took in the others in the room, his hands clenching as his mind spiraled into thoughts of the other missing heroes, one worst-case scenario after another.

They were running out of time...

He looked over to where Four had lain, the smaller now sitting up in bed with his knees clutched to his chest. He hadn't said anything, had barely responded to Twilight when he had asked what was wrong. It was worrying.

Time turned back to Warriors and carefully took his hand, holding it as though the unconscious hero would shatter if he wasn’t careful.

'He's fine,' he told himself, repeating it like a mantra, but it had never been so difficult to believe his own words until now.

He gently squeezed Warriors’ hand, knowing he would not get any response despite the small hope for the opposite. He let go, turning back to face the other three. Wild and Twilight looked at him expectantly.

"What's the plan?" Wild asked. Time opened and closed his mouth, finding himself at a loss.

"We need to find the others," Twilight spoke, his gaze moving between the Captain and Four, "but I don't think we should leave them alone."

"You can stop worrying about me." Four glared at Twilight from over his knees. "I can watch over the Captain. You have more important things to do."

Time knew he was right, but he felt a pit in his stomach at the thought of leaving them without anyone else to check on them. He wanted to argue, but he knew that he would need back up if he were to look for the others, especially if Dark Link was truly behind this.

"Okay," he conceded, the other's glare softening slightly, "I trust you, but please, if anything happens, promise me that you won’t do something that puts either of you in danger."

With Four’s agreement, Time left with Wild and Twilight trailing behind him. He passed the reception desk again without looking at the woman who stood behind it. She already knew that they were going to be staying for a few days if the fact that she hadn’t called them over to her yet was any indication.

They left through the East Gate again, and with a look to the imposing Stone Tower Temple in the distance, he led the way to Snowhead.

The cold was biting, though Time didn't react. He could hear the unmistakable sound of Twilight shifting to wolf form and Wild's slate activating behind him. He pushed forward, making his way to the mountain. As they passed the cabin where the two blacksmiths lived, he heard a strangled noise of distress.

He turned, expecting a monster attack, only to see Wild, shaking and staring wide-eyed at what looked like a block of ice, small yet almost big enough to conceal what was trapped inside of it. Time knew what was trapped there, it had been an all too familiar sight back then, even though Twilight seemed confused, glancing between his cub and his mentor for an answer neither would provide.

"Th-there's-"

"I know, Cub. I'm sorry that you had to see this.” Time placed a hand on Wild's shoulder, only for him to duck away and hurriedly pull out his slate.

In a flash of blue light, Wild held a burning orange blade in his hands, and with a soft puff of snow, he dropped the weapon close to the ice. Time could see it start to melt, steam lazily drifting off it. Wild, still shaken by the sight, returned to where Time stood patiently with Twilight. With a nod from the younger, they continued up the trail, and Time noticed the way that Wild pulled his hood further over his face as they walked.

When they made it to the gap that separated the rest of the path, Time reached for his bag again. He knew that he'd most likely need to don the Goron mask at some point, but before he could pull it out, he saw Twilight take a running leap at the cliff.

"Wait-" he heard himself begin to yell, a hand reaching out just a bit too late to stop his descendant.

His fear was short-lived, however, as the wolf managed to hang from the other side of the gap, claws digging into the snow and earth to pull himself onto solid ground. He shook himself off, then turned back around to face the other two, a smug look on his face that somehow was apparent even through his wolf-form.

"I swear everyone in this group is going to give me grey hair one of these days," he mumbled, fully taking the Goron mask out of his bag.

He could see out of the corner of his eye how Wild was looking through his slate, and the gleam in his eyes was telling.

"Whatever you're about to do is a bad idea," he said, but it was too late.

Wild had another flaming blade in his hands and turned away from him to set the nearby plant life on fire. He jumped over to it, unfurling his paraglider and flying into the air on the updraft. Time watched as the other glided over the chasm, landing safely on the other side. He looked smug.

Time put the mask on, feeling the pain of the transformation once again, from Hylian to Goron. His skin hardened to rock, stone-like skin overtaking his back. In truth, it hurt less than the Zora mask had. He soon found himself beginning to roll into a ball and making the leap onto the other side. He looked to both of his companions, lightly smacking them both.

"That's for the heart-attacks you both gave me," he rumbled, the deep voice of Darmani taking over his own.

Time sighed and led the way again up the trail, managing to get rid of the snow-covered boulders that would roll towards them with a single well-timed punch. It was slow going, needing to stop for each one, but soon, they found the entrance into the cavern that led to the Temple.

With a bloodcurdling scream, a White Wolfos appeared, howling at the three intruders. Twilight growled, lunging at the monster, quickly ending it with his claws and teeth.

"Good job, pup," Time said, and Twilight shifted back, rubbing at his chin where the monster’s blood remained.

They passed through a door, into a circular room with a large platform in the center of it. Wild looked over the edge to the bottom, seeing pools of lava. Time grabbed onto the back of the Warm Doublet the other wore, pulling the other back near him.

They stood on the platform, and Time could easily see the switch that he had to stand on to take them up to the room that the Boss had been in. Twilight seemed to notice it too.

"I think I could hit it," he said, and Time raised an eyebrow as his protege pulled out a heavy-looking steel ball attached to a rather long chain from the depths of his bag of items.

Twilight began to swing the ball over his head. It gained speed quickly, and with a small grunt, the ball flew through the air, broke through the metal grate around the switch, and hit it dead on. In a second, the platform rose right to where the staircase to the Boss Chamber was.

"That was so awesome, can I-"

"No. No, you can't." Time interrupted. Wild looked on in disappointment, following behind the other while Twilight laughed behind them.

====

Four sighed from his position by the bed that Warriors was still resting on. He was on the floor, leaning against the bed frame, while his mind continued to spiral. Blue and Red had been trying to get Vio to talk to them again, to get him to explain what had happened back in the Great Bay Temple. Green was the only one who could still focus enough to take control.

It felt strange to have to do this again after so long working as one. Four voices in one body, distinct yet the same. They made up one person, and yet, each attack on their psyche seemed to break them apart more and more each time. It was amazing they could still function. Taking control during each attack was difficult, each time it affected each of them differently, with the most stable one being forced to act as though there weren’t shattered inside. He had drawn the short straw this time.

He was listening closely to the quiet breaths he could hear from Warriors. It was all he could do to keep his mind away from the other three yelling in his mind. The quiet was nice, and it was almost calming.

Almost.

The air grew oppressive, as though he was being watched. He didn’t dare to try and find the source of it, knowing full well who would be lurking in the darkened corners of the room. They seemed to grow with every passing second, extending until the room became void-like and blood-red eyes shone through the darkness.

"You know, that little stunt you pulled back there wasn't very nice."

Green tensed as Dark Link stepped into view, his form shifting to that of Four himself. His grin was sharp as he stepped closer. Green sprung to his feet, sword quickly finding its way to his hand. Dark just laughed.

"Aw, scared of me, little smith?"

"Not a chance. Now, what do you want?” Green spoke through gritted teeth, and Dark's smile only grew.

"So it's one of the pieces. Tell me, how does it feel to not be whole anymore?"

Green could feel Blue's anger welling up, his want to just stab Dark and get it over with. Vio, too, seemed to be listening in now.

"Just leave, you've done enough harm."

"Oh, but I'm not here to hurt you," he spoke, holding his hands up in mock surrender. “I'm just here to offer you a deal."

"We. Aren't. Interested."

And yet, as Green spoke, the others seemed fully focused on the conversation. Vio especially seemed interested in what Dark had to say.

"Ah? But I know that's a lie," he smirked, "I can tell that the traitor piece wants to know."

Green only blinked once, and Warriors was gone. He blinked again, and he was no longer Four. He could see Blue fuming next to him, sword drawn and ready, Red behind him, clutching the fire rod tightly while his knuckles turned white. And then there was Vio at his other side, sword drawn, but no intent to use it. He still looked shaken from the events at Great Bay, but he wanted to know what Dark's deal was.

"Now that you're all together, I can get a real answer,” Dark spoke. The four looked around, trying in vain to find him in the darkened void.

"I really don’t like to repeat myself, but that Hero of the Wilds appears to have kept his mouth shut,” Dark's voice boomed, causing Red to flinch and knock into Blue.

Dark appeared in front of Green, looking similar to Wild, yet without the scars that marred the other's body and face.

"I've been around a long time, and I've seen every single one of your adventures. I know all of your secrets and-" Dark smiled wide as he got in Green's face, "-I know what it is that you desire most."

Blue swung his sword at Dark, only for him to disappear into shadows, his laugh beginning to echo through the void. Red began to tremble, getting closer to Blue for comfort. Green looked back to Vio, seeing how hard he was gripping his sword and the determined look in his eyes.

"Vio. Don't," Green spoke, snapping the other out of his thoughts.

"But there's a chance-"

"I know, but we all know it'll go sideways. There's always a catch, it’s not worth it."

"Oh my, so the little leader figured it out?" Dark mocked, and this time showed himself as a darker Four, an all too familiar form that had all of them falter. Green could hear how Vio's breath halted for a second at the sight. This was bad.

"What are your terms?" Vio asked. The other two inhaled sharply, shocked at how quickly he seemed to want to make a deal with Dark. And Dark smiled.

"I'll bring him back," he replied plainly, and held out a hand, "no strings attached... this time anyway."

Green was pushed out of the way. Vio walked towards Dark, sword lying forgotten on the ground. Blue bolted over to him, grabbing Vio around the waist in an attempt to stop him. Red was begging Vio to stop, trying to say that's not worth it. Green couldn't find the words to say.

Dark's smile only grew as Vio fought Blue's hold on him, waiting patiently. But then he stopped, his gaze looking past the four of them. There was a snap, and a flash of light exploded at Dark's feet. He flinched, surprise on his face.

A second snap and the darkness left. Four was standing, approaching the bed he had slept in earlier that morning, and behind him, he could hear loud coughing. He turned quickly, running to where Warriors was now leaning on his arm, turned towards Four.

"Captain?"

"Deku nuts," he rasped, coughing once more, "good for distractions, makes a hell of a light show, too."

"How did you-"

"Dark Link isn't subtle, I'll tell you that. The bastard deserved it."

Four found himself giggling at that, and for once, all the colors inside his head were unified. All was well.

====

The door closed behind Wild, Twilight, and Time as they entered the circular room that made up the final room of Snowhead. Time could already feel the oppressive atmosphere when they entered, putting both him and his companions on edge. They didn't know what to expect, but Time had a feeling that Dark Link would appear. At this point, it was only a matter of time.

Wild had started to walk around the room, searching for something he didn’t specify. Time merely watched as Twilight followed behind the Cub, making sure everything was fine. Time stood off to the side, keeping a grip on the Goron mask just in case.

It was eerily quiet, and every darkened crevice made him peer closer, checking to see if the damning red glow of Dark's eyes were hiding there. Of course, no matter how hard he glared at the empty pockets in the stone, there was nothing in them besides the shadows.

Wild seemed to notice how the room’s darkened pockets made the elder hero watch them closely, and he grabbed his sword as a precaution. His hand froze in place, hovering over the pommel when an all too familiar chuckle rang in his ears.

He flinched, whipping his head around to locate its source, but coming up with nothing. The other two heroes didn't even seem to react, aside from Twilight looking at him with a questioning glance. Wild merely waved him off, shaking slightly.

"Oh, Hero of the Wilds," the voice--his voice--chuckled, "it's nice to see that you still remember me, despite your faulty memory."

Wild grit his teeth, the memories of that damned deal surfacing once again. He clenched at his sword hilt again, not drawing it out just yet.

"I paid a visit to your friends earlier. Seems no one was in the mood for dealmaking," he sighed, and Wild stifled a sound of relief.

"Though I will say, the Chosen Hero and the Hero of the Winds seemed interested in making a deal." He laughed, the sound loud and dangerous in his ears. "I, of course, let them, and I gave them exactly what they wanted. Why don't I show the heroes of Time and Twilight what those two wanted?"

"Don't. You. Dare," he spat, barely registering Twilight's worried call of "Cub?" over Dark's laughter.

"You know you have no power over me, Champion."

There was an audible crack, and the three snapped to attention, the wall in the center of the room splitting open, a pitch-black portal appearing in its place. Slowly, two familiar figures stepped out, and Wild felt his breath halt as he took in the bloodied and bruised forms of his friends.

Wind's tunic was in tatters, spots of blood dotting it where he had cuts, and bruises where he looked as though he had been hit. Sky was in a similar, if not worse, shape. His sailcloth looked as though it was falling apart, and his shirt and chainmail were wrecked, blood staining the fabric and metal where his skin was visible.

The worst part, however, was how their eyes gleamed red.

Dark laughed again, and this time, the others heard it. He stepped out of the portal himself, his appearance identical to Time's own. He stopped between the two wounded heroes, a wide smile on his face as he took in the shock and anger in the other three hero's expressions. He relished in their barely concealed anger as he put an arm around Sky’s shoulders, his other hand resting on Wind’s shoulder, watching as Wild’s sword hand twitched, as though itching to grasp his blade.

"Why so upset? I brought you your missing companions, didn't I?" He smirked . "And I'll let you take them with you, no strings attached...this time anyway."

"What did you do to them?" Twilight growled, trying to hide the horror in his voice. He quickly drew his blade and glared at Dark.

"Oh, Hero of the Twilight, I merely let them make a deal with me," he chuckled, "and now they have exactly what they've always wanted."

Wild edged closer, timidly reaching out to Wind, the only thought a hope that this was temporary, that it could be fixed. The other looked at Wild, no recognition in his gaze, face blank and unchanging as the hero’s steps faltered. Dark’s smile seemed to grow.

"Here, why don't I let you have them." He snapped his fingers once, and all hell broke loose.

Wild barely had time to react, instinct alone had him unsheathe his sword in one quick movement and block Wind's blade from coming down on his head. The loud clash of steel on steel had him flinching, but Wind’s blank stare made his panic rise.

"Wind, please," Wild's voice cracked, but the other still didn't react.

Wind jumped back, landing a few feet away. Wild could see Time almost hiding behind his shield as Sky began his onslaught. Twilight seemed torn on what he should do, and Wild found himself unable to say anything, unable to call out for help. His words were stuck in his throat, his focus locked firmly on Wind as he began to launch into a spin attack, each hit on the shield threatening it to break.

"My my, whatever shall you do, Wolf?" Dark called out, appearing in front of Twilight, now taking on the form of Twilight himself. "Protect your mentor or your cub? Choose wisely, you wouldn't want to lose anyone else, now, would you?"

Twilight paled at that, thoughts running between his mentor becoming the Hero's Shade and shattered mirrors, goodbyes that never happened, and the fear of things repeating once again. The ever-looming threat of failing his cub or watching as his past becomes true with Time’s death. What was the right answer? Was there even a right answer?

Twilight heard a loud curse from Time, and a decision was made. He pushed past Dark, a chuckle echoing in Twilight's ears, and unsheathed his sword, shield slipped onto his arm. He took a swing at Sky, the other jumping back in time to avoid his blade.

"Thanks, Pup," he heard Time sigh, and he nodded.

Sky seemed to stare intently at Twilight for a moment, a flicker of blue appearing for a second before it was overtaken by red once more. The corrupted hero raised his sword, a familiar blue light causing it to shine for a moment before he swung it down.

Twilight's eyes widened for a moment. His awareness came crashing back as Sky shambled forward and he bolted to the side, knocking Time away from the beam of light. He struggled to call out to Wild, managing a strangled cry that just wasn't loud enough. He watched as the beam of light hit Wind and Wild head-on. He felt a scream building in his throat as they were obscured by the light.

Dark was cackling, though he was no longer visible, the cruel sound echoing as it slowly faded away.

There was a beat, and then the light vanished. On the ground were the forms of Wild and Wind, the latter seemingly passed out on top of the former. They seemed to be okay, and Twilight groaned with relief, the feeling replacing the rush of adrenaline. He looked back over to Sky to see him kneeling, clutching his head, with the Master Sword fallen to the ground.

Twilight raised his weapon, keeping them at the ready. But it seemed as though he didn't have to.

"T-Twi?" Sky croaked out. Time inched forward, his gaze soft but wary.

The red glare in his eyes was gone, Time noticed, and as Sky lowered his hands, he caught sight of the burns that marred his palms, the pommel of the sword seared into his flesh. Time glanced around, noticing the silence and lack of Dark Link. He slowly knelt and grabbed a potion from his bag at his hip.

"Are you okay?" he asked. Sky didn't respond, merely staring at his hands with a faraway look in his eyes.

Time sighed, motioning for Twilight to check on the other two. As soon as they were bandaged and ready to be moved, they would head back to the inn. They all needed a break.

But the idea of Dark still being around,  that he was behind all of this and that two of his boys were still missing. It did little to ease his thoughts.

There was only one place they could be.

Time hung his head and sighed again.

[remmushound]

Beyond the Bay chapter 6: Mirror Images

“It’s happening again.”

Raphael was quick to Donatello’s side, glancing over the handheld panel as it started to flash and beep a long, jarring warning that didn't let up no matter how many buttons Donatello pressed. The noise was only becoming louder, making the other three brothers rush to cover their ears to hopefully spare their hearing from the pressure of the echoing alarm.

“We get it! Turn it off, Don!” Leonardo growled, but his voice was barely heard.

“Working on it!” Donatello said, and he was, yet still the device refused to listen. It started to spark and the top of it erupted in flames while Donatello just kept repeating, “No no no no no no no—“

Raphael had enough. He grabbed the device from Donatello and shoved it in his mouth, chewing up the hard metal and jolting wires before swallowing the painful mouthful.

“There. All quiet.” Raphael breathed a sigh of relief. “No more noise.”

Donatello blinked slowly. “It took me three months to make that…”

“And it took me three seconds to eat it, so clearly it needs to be stronger.” Raphael said, clearing his throat by pounding his chest.

A vein visibly twitched on Donatello as the younger turtle seethed; Leonardo could almost see steam coming out of the softshell’s ears! Donatello took a deep breath in, standing up a little straighter and closing his eyes before brushing past the situation quickly.

“Fine. That’s fine. Everything’s fine. I can just build another one.”

“Did you happen to see where the signal was before Raph got hungry?” Leonardo asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I saw where the signals were.” At the confused looks he got, Donatello explained further. “It was picking up five different signals, which we could have followed individually if someone hadn’t have eaten the tech!”

Raphael burped. “Oops.”

“You know what? No, it’s fine.” Leonardo shook his head, “We have a few hours before daybreak, we can go check it out and find our world hoppers. Suit up.”

“You’re lucky I have photographic memory…” Donatello grumbled.

At Leonardo’s word, everyone started to reassemble their weapons, hiding shurikens in their pockets and dawning their usual protective gear and various trinkets; Michelangelo had taken to emulating his bigger counterpart, though the chains he wore were much smaller and the sunglasses had the lenses popped out so he could see better. Donatello, as usual, stacked on as much tech as he could feasibly carry without struggle, and Leonardo made a point of tying his uneven mask tails into what could resemble a chonmage.

Raphael was glad he hadn’t gotten comfortable enough to take off his prosthetic shell; though he had grown used to the heavy titanium, polishing it to sheen nightly and sharpening the spikes to dangerous points, putting it on was always a task and a half. He patted his waist to make sure his most special trinket was still there, and it was. They were ready and were already on the move within minutes.

***

Swears melted off of Raph’s tongue like butter on a hot pan. The fall hadn’t hurt, but it certainly wasn’t comfortable with all this debris collapsed on top of him! He was able to lift the wood with ease once he had gained full control over his tingling body, every plank he moved releasing a new cloud of dust. He brushed what remained of the pigeon coop off and was finally able to stand up. Raph coughed and rubbed his eyes against the sting of irritation, gathering saliva up in his mouth so he could spit and try to remove the bitter taste of dirt; it helped, somewhat.

“Great.” Raph muttered, looking around, “Where am I now?”

“Raph.” A familiar, urgent voice called out to him, “Raph!”

“Leo?” Raph looked around until his eyes settled on Leo the next building over, peering over a parapet. When Leo saw Raph had spotted him, he waved his brother over. Raph shook off what remained of the dust and was able to clear the gap between the buildings with ease. “You see Mike or Don anywhere?”

“No.” Leo shook his head. “Have you?”

“No, that’s why I’m asking you.” Raph snapped, and then rubbed his head with a frustrated snort.

Leo took a slow, loud breath and cupped his hands over his face. Then he quickly puffed the breath out and said, “It’s gonna be fine Raph; we’ll find em. Remember when the smaller us’s first came to our world? They— they were all scattered around the city. The same thing probably happened to us, right? Shouldn’t be too hard to find them.”

“Valid hypothesis.”

Raph shouted, immediately grabbing for his sai as he fell back. Leonardo began to snicker as he joined Donatello at the front of the group; Donatello was smirking at successfully scaring the larger box turtle.

“Don’t do that!” Raph snarled, and then started to laugh weakly. “I coulda tossed your ass like salad.”

“I’d like to see you try, big-buff-bimbo.”

Raph almost choked. “What’d you just call me, eyebrows?”

“Do not insult the eyebrows!”

“So y'all finally came to visit huh?” Raphael beamed. He shoved his way through Donatello and Leonardo so he could take point.

Leo and Raph had to pause a moment to fully take in the form of Raphael; it seemed every time they met up, the snapper only got bigger and bigger! Now his size would have certainly surpassed even the height of Donnie, and in musculature he was very similar to Raph, though with a much broader head and beak. The wounds he had suffered on the day they first met had long since healed, a long silver slash across Raphael’s eye and jaw; that side of his maw never seemed to fully close anymore, and every so often his tongue would slip out or he would have to wipe away excess saliva.

Michelangelo had hardly changed at all, except for getting taller, which now demoted Leonardo to being the shortest brother. His face was still plump with baby fat, his shell still decorated with stickers and paint that covered up a plethora of scars and cracks, both new and old. Donatello hadn’t changed much either; a little taller, a little bulkier, and with more tech littering his body.

Leo sucked in a sharp, sudden breath when he saw Leonardo. It was clear that Leonardo, though his face was still bright and eyes glinting with mischief, had gone through some great trauma within the past year; cut across his chest were three very distinct slash marks, deeper and much worse at the bridge of his plastron where the damage was so severe that it showed the flesh beneath that would have usually been hidden by shell. The worst of the gash wasn't very extensive, quickly thinning and leading inward to Leonardo’s belly before fading away into lightning-like cracks across the upper plastron. His arm was covered in similar graying scars that ripped across the muscles, his hand tucked against his chest like it still needed to be cradled in a cast.

“HUGS!” Michelangelo jumped across gap and into Raph’s arms, giving a series of excited clicks as Raph naturally fell to cradling the smaller box turtle.

“How you doing, little man?” Raph laughed, rubbing Michelangelo’s head, “Lovin’ the bling!”

Michelangelo smiled proudly, puffing out his chest to better show the golden chain. The rest of his brothers covered the distance, Raphael laughing as he pulled Raph into a tight hug, both of them making a show of squeezing the other as strongly as possible.

“Leo.” Leo said to Leonardo with a bow of his head.

“Leo~” Leonardo repeated with a smirk, returning the bow. “So you guys visiting?”

“Not exactly.” Leo went on to explain. “Guess me and Raph just got spit out at the same place.”

“Right.” Raphael took a deep breath as he nodded, “Right. We can— we can handle this, right team?”

Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo gave a shout of agreement.

“Right. Donnie, you remember where those other signals were?”

Donatello nodded and tapped his head. “Got ‘em all up here.” With that, Donatello led the way while the rest of the assorted turtles followed quickly.

“Hey big guy!” Raph said as he kept a steady pace with the snapping turtle. “Didn't get a chance to ask you last time, but what’s up with the fundo?”

Raph motioned to the golden and orange trinket that Raphael had weeded through his belt. Raphael looked down at it, then back up at Raph with a wide, toothy smile.

“It’s a yo-yo actually. Mike gave it to me! Said I had something of Donnie’s…” Raphael pointed back at the metal part of his shell, “Something of Leo’s…” He motioned to the scar over his eye that somewhat resembled Leonardo’s markings, “Just needed something of Mikey’s to complete the set.”

Raph found himself grinning ear to ear. “That’s great.”

The whole journey, Leo couldn’t stop staring at Leonardo and the new scars that his younger self had suffered during the period of no contact between their worlds. Leonardo was acutely aware of the stare but made no point of showing it; of course Leo would stare! Who wouldn’t stare at such a handsome stud of a mutant? Leonardo smirked at his own inner compliment and laughed which, to anyone outside of his own head, might have made him seem insane.

Donatello brought them first to an alleyway, strewn with trash and cast completely into darkness with nothing but shadows around them. Then one of the shadows melted and moved, and Donnie made himself known. After a quick reunion with his brothers as well as a meet and greet with the other turtles, they were on the move again.

They found Splinter hiding out in a storm drain just below the streets; the old rat was overjoyed to see his sons and he greeted the younger turtles with just as much sincere love. Gentle paws stroked and soothed and greeted before they were once more on the search seeking the final missing turtle.

@brightlotusmoon @selfindulgenz @digitl-art-monstr

[seb-owns-these-tatas]

Witcher of the Night (Chapter 17)

THIS IS MODERN ERA READER WHO WOKE UP IN THE DIMENSION OF THE WITCHER.

UPDATES FOR WITCHER OF THE NIGHT WILL BE PUBLISHED EVERY SATURDAY NOW IN MY TIME (GMT +8)

CHAPTER 16.1

WOTN MASTERLIST

Characters: Geralt of Rivia x small!Naive!Reader

Summary: You couldn't save everyone and it was a decision to sacrifice yourself for the betterment of a family you've began to hold dear. Your existence in the continent continues to confuse everyone, including you and Geralt himself.

Warnings: Blood? Poor Jaskier. Cusses. Implied rape from fuckin' assholes. No more glitters and rainbows. Bloedzuiger from the games? Gifs of Geralt with jet black eyes? I mean..why? shouldn’t it not be a warning? Heh.

Words: 5.9k

A/N: Anybody missed me?! Heehee! Now, I fookin miss Geralt and Midget together. Damn it. *sits in a corner and cries* I can’t believe I’ve surpassed my own curse where I only reach up to 5 chapters then keep a story unfinished due to lack of inspo and will. 😭😂 (Update has been earlier due to my uncle’s birthday tomorrow and I might not be able to use my laptop. Hehehe) We’re in the middle of the whole fic, bb’s. This is where everything’s going to happen now. Probably might earn some temple scratching somehow. Hehehe. 

TAGLIST IS STILL OPEN FOR THIS ONE! Heehee! Don’t forget to REBLOG, COMMENT OR GIVE FEEDBACK IF YOU DID LOVE THIS CHAPTER! IT’LL MAKE ME SMILE! Sorry for the grammatical errors and such because English isn’t my mother tongue! PLEASE LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER READING, BB!  

Disclaimer: PNG’s and pictures used in edits are not mine even the GIF’s too. However, the edits and this fanfic is definitely from moi. (Credits to bi-jaskier and others who deserves credit for the gifs)

MY WORKS ARE NOT NOT NOT NOT NOOOOOOT TO BE POSTED ON ANY OTHER WEBSITES. My official username in Wattpad is “TATATHEPOTATO” and that’s the only other site I have for writing aside from Tumblr. Thank you, Tater tots!

7 BILLION PEOPLE IN EARTH. YOUR DIMENSION. There was a myth that seven people might look exactly like you out of the billion that were born. Though, being identical was a once in a blue moon circumstance that held no support or proof that it happened.

Twins even had their own genetic differences, their DNA's were not even the same or even mutually identical to one another.

But, you were transported into another dimension that you didn't know about and based on their conversation and how you've perceived from what they were saying is that you have already been in their hands when it never even happened from the start.

They sounded like they've already seen you somewhere when they haven't at all.

Chevaliers circled around you with their swords sheathed from where it rightfully belongs. They've had a malicious glint in their eyes, dangerous and full of spite. Disgust even included in their humanized souls---if they were even still human. They were looking as if you were an oddball. Judgemental to the fullest; vaguely telling that you were considered as a freak for being the witcher's woman.

Forest green eyes scanned yours, listless but an anomalous situation from the group of uncharitable gallants who seemed to have similar odious characteristics. This cavalier stood out rather than the rest because his eyes held sympathy and not hostility. He was gracile, the same body built as Jaskier. But, wearing no armor just like the vampire you loathed the most. Other than a brown doublet which matches his chocolate colored hair.

He crouched before you, thoroughly scrutinizing your face under his gaze; finding something distinctive or common with the lass that they have captured three days ago, "Wasn't she the one we captured, Ty? That thief named Savia?" his tone held curiosity and astonishment when he saw the exact same face of the woman.

There was no differences except from the aura he could feel. You had her face, voice and body structure. Entirely the same for his wits to disfunction from what he has witnessed.

The scrubbing echo of gravel, dirt and leather made you turn your head to where it was. Tybalt. The fucking vampire who stabbed you on the hip and tried to sell those women away. He was there, right in front of you; grinning like a mad man like he has caught a mouse in the cage, entirely anticipating this moment to capture you once again with purposes you didn't know yet.

Kolby was nowhere to be found. After trying to protect you from the hands of Tybalt, your Hirikka was pushed back by the vampire and his strength, making you screech as Kolby loudly whimpered and growled when he'd stumbled; his back flat from the far distance before skedaddling off through the woods. The simple escape back to where he belonged pinched a your heart because he had already been a part of what made you happy with your stay in their dimension.

You didn't expect his leave to be so early; in the midst of being captured by the hands of real life monsters.

If people were scared of monsters in this world you were currently in, then they should think twice because the cruel form of life in every damn world was the humanity it thrives in; continuing to become cruel, vicious, evil and cunning because people lived to strive more with greed surging through their veins as their own demons try to conquer.

Humanity was everyone's main enemy and not their monsters.

Tybalt gave you a subtle tilt of his head, his grin utterly sinister; those teeth of his never showing the fangs that you have seen back at the marketplace when he was trying to provoke Geralt as he was butchering off his knightly minions.

The break of dawn was coming to a start. Peachy orange glow of the sun hiding began to rest beneath the mountains and clouds that looked the same back in earth. Its glow have made everything more frightening while you were surrounded by a bunch of armored men and a vampire who obviously had strength and skills to kill you in a blink of an eye.

Geralt never scared you because his heart was good. No doubt about that because he had offer you his house from the first day you've met, even treating your wounds and saving you from an Alghoul who wanted to eat your insides. But, Tybalt was different. He didn't appear to be like a person to trust even the slightest except if you were a princess in the castle.

He had his hands on his hips, eyes digging to examine your face. The way he stood held power and cruelty as he clicked his tongue, "S'not the feisty one. I know this maiden's scent. She's the real one, aren't ye', you wench?"

Tybalt abruptly crouched down in front of you, his fingers speedily grabbing onto your roots and turning them in an aching posture that had you growling, teeth barred from the feral reaction. The wrinkles of his nose shown when he defiled your space, abrasing the column of your neck that ignited an intense shiver from the disgust as you cowered away and struggled against his hold.

You've heard Jaskier's footing come to a stand, his doublet spilled with his own blood. Hair all wild and facial expression livid for their sudden visit. The golden, sharp dagger tightened around his fist as he marched heavy steps towards the higher vampire.

But, his assault came to a stop when one cavalier shielded him before he could have Tybalt within reach, strongly punching him in the gut that made him stumble to the ground in less than a second. Jaskier sputtered out droplets of blood, a pointed sword punctuating the tip on his jugular.

Jaskier's pained moans made you snarl right back at the queen's right hand man which made him instinctively tut, "But, the fragrance has a distinctive scent to it now---I don't even know what's runnin' inside the mind of this whore anymore," Pause. Tybalt huffed, scoffing with a grin as he interrogated, "---What did the witcher do to ye'?"

You could feel his terrible breath on your face. His hold unwavering from the resolute strength that he had when you lowly grated through clenched teeth, your eyes screaming elfish because of how you were trying to dillydally in hopes of seeing a white haired witcher to come running towards you with his horse. But, considering how he was probably out to hunt a monster, he was probably busy and distracted. So, expecting the worst was better than awaiting for a moment that will never come.

"Me." you fooled around despite being in the vampire's hold, "---He's doing me. I've waited for the time to say that if someone ever asks me what my lover does---so, worth it, Leonidas."

From your foolish response, Tybalt sneered before nodding off towards the paladins who surrounded both you and Jaskier; sharing an understanding to do what is needed and before you could even turn your head back to check on Jaskier, they were already beating him down to pulp. You've heard more grunts from the twink of a toubadour which made your eyesight go foggy from being hopeless and such a waste to live in their world where you had no magic to keep everyone out of danger, "No! Don't hurt him!" you shrieked out loud, the gallants never ceasing despite of your pleads.

More blood dripped out of the side of Jaskier's lip as he took another strong blow on the gut; making his body jerk that laid from the outstretched land of the meadow. You've uttered one loud scream to catch their attention, noticing the other gallant that you noticed to be standing on a corner was just watching everything unfold like he didn't want to be involved with their horseshit.

"I swear to God, he's a weakling! Stop!---please, stop! You'll have your witcher! I'll give you your witcher just stop!"

With one signal of his head, the cavaliers stopped their battering. Jaskier feebly straightened his limbs over the short grass, coughing out more blood from their corporal punishments, grumbling out a grouse from your choice of words in which you described him with, "Shit. Rat. I've stabbed three knights in the neck for you."

If Jaskier didn't acknowledge that fact and the risk which he has given to keep you alive, you wouldn't have noticed three dead bodies laying on the farthest end of the meadow where the forest began to meet its field.

You've harshly turned your head back to Tybalt, wanting to spit on his face for being one of the best imbecile in their world but decided against it to not irritate him further until Geralt was around. His eyes were livid, staring back at you and in your peripheral vision, you've seen the back door of your house slightly ajar, a slip of a pair of the prettiest blue eyes hidden behind the hatch that made you swallow from the consternation of Cirilla being found and taken with you.

If one person was needed for capture, it should be you; not the princess. If one was to leave their world, it must be you because you didn't belong to their dimension from the start.

One cavalier took his mask off, shaking his head for his black, medium length hair to fall down his neck as he curiously crouched beside you and Tybalt. Features telling you that he was stupefied from what he was seeing with his fixated gaze on your face, "There's a whole lotta' crazy we got here in the continent! The Butcher of Blaviken created bloodbath for this maiden?"

Though, astonishment isn't the only sensation he was feeling when you've felt his fingers graze upon the lines of your ear; seeming to be bawdy and suggestive from the sudden touch and you couldn't help but wrest away from his reach. Howbeit, Tybalt's hand that was yanking on your head made it difficult to.

"Though, this harlot is less feisty than the other! I would rather much have her for tonight,"

The knight's sentence was sheared off when he was strongly pushed by the shoulder from the vampire; his fingers pulling away from outlining your lips with his fingers as he fell on his ass flat on the ground. You've been pulled by the hair to stand, making you pant harsh breaths from how painful it was feeling. Hands were trying to wrench his fingers from your head but his hold was too tight for you to tweak away.

"Ingrith wants her untouched just like the other," Tybalt droned as he pulled you close to him, seeming to be tall as Geralt. His height being an advantage over your small form as he dragged you anywhere he wanted. The knight who was pushed to the ground grunted from how he was assaulted, scowling from Tybalt's shoving as he cackled in a shady manner when he heard the latter set boundaries from their current captive.

"Ye' know ye' shouldn't fuck with a witcher's tart, Allard."

"I would! The weccan' wouldn't mind, does he?" the disgusting cavalier brought his feet to a stand, dusting the grass from his flat derriere as he looked back at Tybalt with a slight tilt of his head; the longer his gaze holds, it turns even more disgusting as he looked like he was undressing you with those dark hues of his, they were the type of stomach-churning that can make you sick in no time, "Oh, she's probably a fuckin' freak like him, lad." the latter stated as a matter of fact, smirking in between his words as he nonchalantly continued.

"---Where's the freak?"

They were making your blood boil by how you could hear they were treating him. Has it been always like this in his world? ergo, he was living a life where people see him ghostly rather than a gifted human as he was seen in your eyes. You couldn't help but sarcastically giggle from their rude speech, "He has a name and it's Geralt. Don't disrespect him like that when you're actually the real freak, Edward." pause. "---You fuckers are worse than any other human." before you can even think twice, spit drizzled on Tybalt's face when you've fumed and barked back, "---More evil than the devil himself and I pray for each and one of you to go to fucking hell,"

"The devil don't exist here, ye' foolish cunt!"

Without any delay or second thoughts, a deafening sound of a slap has rumbled; it was a saddle-sore, the strong smack lingering longer on your cheek as excruciating as it can get. He probably used a little bit of his inhumane strength because of how you've descended down the ground; the side of your head hitting as your whole body fell. Your palms flat on the terra firma, receiving bruises on the edge of your lips because of how you've nosedived in it.

"Rat---!" Jaskier shouted from the background before you've heard the gallants haul him down to kick his face hard.

The asshole squat down to where you were stumbled down, his face showing no pity from what he'd done; slapping you on the face like you deserve it from being all talk and no help, "I suppose ye' don't know where he is. Fair enough then! Let's give er' a lil' bit of a chase---" pause. "---He must try and serve his purpose to the land of Kaedwen other than being a freak of a mutant and slaughtering monsters for coins,”

You spat out the metallic taste of your blood that went inside your mouth, shifting your eyes to where he was bent. You've placed your fingers on your side, gesturing towards the princess who seemed to be shaking and panicking from inside the house, seeing silver clasped around her hands as she was contemplating how to defend you both from the gallants. She had the sword that her and Geralt uses whenever they were trying to train; the weapon which has been in your hands as well.

But, you subtly gestured for her to stand down and hide. It won't be such a nice sight if she did want to help.

"You sound like the castle's loyal pet. Hilarious."

The whole scenario was a fight or flight, and the logical part of your brain screams to cooperate with what they wanted before anything ends up more badly than it can ever get. You lifted yourself off the ground, sitting on the floor while you give Tybalt the death glare as he grinned because he knew the action he did was a trigger for you to comply.

"Where's the other girl?" he chuckled, watching your fists tightened to your sides when you were on your feet. A bloody, deep gash on your cheek when some stone has scratched it and also from Tybalt's whack.

"Don't even think about it, you asshole." you immediately hissed when you knew he was talking about Cirilla. The latter also stood on his feet, tall and confident that his plans were going on the right path today.

"What? She yer' daughter? aren't ye' a child?"

"I'm no child, you fucker! Stop dissing my height like this!---and yes. My daughter. She's my daughter, so don't even think about it!"

Surprisingly, there was no tears seen in your face. They didn't deserve your tears. These people needed to rot in hell, you mindlessly thought to yourself and irritatingly bit on the insides of your cheeks which slightly drew blood from how angered you were. Peering up at the man who was giving you an obvious snicker because he could read that you were succumbing from how they've caught you in hindsight and in a weak position.

The lion cub of Cintra stood behind the doorway, crying her eyes out from how impotent she was because of how everyone wanted her to stay back. Cirilla knows she could help but people who surrounded her wanted not to use her powers as she has yet to learn and control. Hence, she couldn't do anything but watch another person in her life be in a snare or better yet, drown to die in this person's own blood.

So far, hearing those words hurt her heart because she couldn't do anything when you were unconditionally risking your life for her not to be involved because that's what it's supposed to be.

To you, she was being treated more than she can ever expect; the title of a daughter that she didn't knew she missed to need, a mother despite of being not connected through bloodline. But, a woman who would care for her well-being just like how her grandparents did loved her.

Consider herself lucky even though how unfortunate her life began. She received a father and a mother that will risk everything just for her to be safe and she knew she was crying right now because she cared for you; she was concerned like how a daughter would.

Your jaw tightened because you wanted to bash their skulls over and over again until they were dead. They probably was from how you've intellectually murdered them inside your mind since the moment they arrived. You irately peered up at Tybalt, your forehead tightly creased, mouth in a tight frown as you gave him a death stare.

"You want Geralt of Rivia right? then, take me. He'll come after if you take me, just don't kill Jaskier and my daughter."

Jaskier hurriedly shook his head and audibly muttered out his negations to himself from what you had in mind. You were surrendering yourself to them. The bard promised to the witcher not leave your side as much as he would do, but his family was prevailed over the count of cavaliers who came; thinking Geralt was probably there to fight with. But, no. The opposed held a number and Jaskier wasn't mutated nor skilled to know any form of magic for defense.

He knew today will be a loss and after hearing your next words, the humble toubadour knew that you've risked your life again for the betterment of their kingdom and theirs.

"Tell Geralt I seriously need some saving---and I promise this will be the last time I'm needing him again," you forced a smile, looking at the bard with your vermillion all drenched in claret red liquid while trying to send off the meaning that you would be okay while you were away with them.

Nevertheless, he never heard the fast, anxious beating of your heart for what will welcome you to wherever they decide to put you in.

Rough hands shoved you forward, making you look away from Jaskier as you began to take grudging steps to where Tybalt's horse awaits, the image of your smile falling was the last that Jaskier can remember before you left, "---Also, tell him I have a very important secret to say so he better hurry up!"

Scattered skeletons were buried beneath the dank ground of the gloomy swamps. Nightfall has taken its course when Geralt arrived; surprising to say that he arrived earlier than he expected to. Some trees were dead while the others have been cut-off by their limbs from inexplainable reasons. From monsters who probably lived in the area and based on how the moon aligned, it was already midnight; close to morning.

The witcher was wounded. Abnormally drained and in fatigue from using his little spells to slaughter the Bloedzuiger; his arm, back and torso currently in pain due to its acidic blood that splattered him, slightly ruining the body of his armor and the under shirt he wore.

Geralt has used Aard and Igni to fight off the beast and his energy spiked low to the point that he could sleep standing on the ground. But, the idea of his family alone made him push the plan aside because his family was more important than his life.

The latter even took a faster route to arrive and slaughter the beast earlier than his estimated days.

He was just beyond drained and parched tonight.

Long, begrudging sighs left his lips. His hair was sticking all over, eyes still black from the potion he drank, clothes all wet from being shoved under the water and a face too grubby that also held burnt patches that will surely heal in no time. Though, some will probably earn him a scar or two. He was stalking towards his horse, his silver sword that was used for monsters on one hand when the witcher has heard a tiny step of footing that broke a twig, making him slightly turn his head to the quiet noise he heard.

This intruder took more cautious steps closer and he wanted to curse out loud for all the interruptions that made his life more complicated than it already is.

Human. Geralt knew it was human. This person even had a scent to it. She was a woman who had a strong floral fragrance; rose and earthy.

"You shouldn't be here," he lackadaisically declared to no one in particular as he sighed for the hundredth time this day. Heedful of the woman hiding behind a dead tree as he strolled to where Roach waited, ignoring her as he strolled.

Thus, the woman was strong enough to acknowledge a witcher in his full form as she decided to walk towards him, talking in pure fascination to have seen one in the flesh.

"A Witcher. I've heard tales of your kind. Though, I’ve heard new wicked bavardage from town that this particular beast has slayed my own kind for the sake of saving one. Wouldn’t it be wiser to choose the lesser evil or the greater good?" she scoffed before continuing, “---aren’t you quite miserly to have done such thing by killing less or maybe more than a dozen and salvaging yours?”

Geralt dropped the loot that he has ransacked from the monster, dropping them inside his leather bag with a scowl. This woman's tone of voice perking his ears that made him cease his packing.

"You were never just a mere epic," she sarcastically laughed in spite. The timbre of her voice thoroughly distinctive and familiar for Geralt to be incorrect. He gave her a sharp side-eye, his eyes jet black when his mind went in befuddlement after recognizing a face that he managed to memorize since the moment that this certain woman came in his life.

"You're the witcher they're finding. The butcher! You were the reason I was taken! Feckin' Geralt of Rivia, aye!"

She was you.

A face that always keeps his mind going in haywires. Features that can be considered as a strong weakness for the witcher because of how he'd easily let his guard down with just a glimpse of a face that could ruin his resistance over having another woman be prone of peril in his dangerous, hindering life.

Even only hours of being away from you; half a day to be precised. With just by seeing her face tempted him to reach out for what he longed for; to touch the face of the woman who'd felt deep sensations for him---accepting of what he actually was with no judgement in her mind. The ache and worry in his chest was not helping how he yearned to never leave you alone in the first place.

He couldn't help but take a step close to the woman who also had the same height as you. His obsidian eyes staring straight into her soul like he'd seen the devil and he was happy to worship; jaw tight as his lips came with a lour.

Geralt looked utterly monstrous for a person who wasn't used to seeing his kind.

"Midget?"

The woman instinctively took a step back despite of how she was running her mouth a while ago; fear shutting her confidence that she could confront him for bothering a life she also dreaded to live in. Her eyes filled with horror and disgust in which Geralt clearly has seen without the use of his doubled up heightened senses.

She was not his tiny mortal. This woman in front of him was beyond different. The real you wouldn't look at him in sheer revulsion; no profound emotion in those eyes that he was used to seeing.

She had her brows in a tight twist, sending him a nasty glare that got him humming out in distaste from an attitude he wasn't use to seeing with a face like yours, "I'm not a fucking midget! What a shitty name you've got me! Doesn't sound too nice to hear too! Ya' fuckin' brought me ill-fate!"

Geralt was quick to turn around his heel. Brooding once again from the bafflement that got him thinking again. Why did you have a person who looked exactly like you in their world?

"You're not her." he stated as a matter of fact, sounding confident with his assumptions because the witcher knows he is right. Geralt walked over to his horse, huffing out a breath off his nose from sheer displeasure as he heard the woman jogging to where he wanted to go.

"Apparently not. You're mistaking me with another unfortunate little lady then!"

"Who are you?" Geralt didn't bother to give her a glance no matter how he wanted to relieve the longingness to see your face; to know that you were safe in their home with Jaskier and Cirilla, hoping that everybody was protected and safe from anyone.

But, this woman with him was not you. He needed to remember that.

She tightly crossed her arms on her chest, eyeing the brooding man as sharply as the woman could with her maroon colored cloak strapped around her shoulders, the hood off when she'd arrived to have seen him, "The name's Savia, witcher."

"Why are you here?" he timidly grumbled, his silver sword in a scabbard after the fight. Roach neighed aloud, huffing out a breath when Savia was an arm close to her, acting like she didn't like her.

Geralt couldn't help but raise a brow from his horse's sudden actions, bringing up a hand to shush her with his fingers brushing along her mane.

Savia can't help but take a cautious step back at that; his horse's reaction making her feel unwelcome and unwanted by the pair. Though, her blabber mouth couldn't help but run on and on, being all chatty when she was in the verge of being chased down by gallants. Savia knew she could outrun them like she wasn't even being pursued from the start because she has been doing this for years; stealing lots of valuable things then never being found after as she can always escape from the brutal hands of lords, inn keepers, and a whole lotta' more.

"I've escaped! Stolen goods from the castle? Their riches? Serves them right for keeping me in prison! Oh! I could steal yer' coins too, if you want. But, now I shan't retrieve them after telling all my plans! I'm no fool! I'm a skilled thief. Sounds professional, isn't it?"

She couldn't help but giggle, utterly blowing with the wind from the occupation she had; confident regardless of how unseemly her job was to live. Though, Geralt didn't give any negative reactions because he was the last person to judge someone who had an indecent job just to live in their world.

He kills and hunts monsters for a living. It doesn't sound too appealing for a normal human, correct? Hence, he wasn't in the position to criticize a thief especially when this poacher looks entirely like you.

"---I've killed some knights out there just to escape, ye' know? Maybe a bunch! Ye’ can still count em with your fingers!" the witcher ceased ferreting around in his bag when he'd finally given her his attention. The color of his eyes subsiding and turning back to its normal hue. Gold in the middle of the night like star light illuminating her gloom and it made Savia stare at him in awe because of how he typically looked like without the potion and all.

Well, hearing the gossips about him from the women in the brothels and men who shared their wicked tales were really true because the witcher who stood before her right now was a complete knockout who had a terrifying shadow he left behind.

Savia couldn't help but pout her lips inquisitively, catching sight of his amber heavily examining her face with a gist of feeling that she couldn't recognize because of how she has never receive nor experienced the look of love. But, the woman was sure he was only blinded by the fact that the face she had held whatever he holds dear; a person he had in mind that he swore to protect, desire and care for.

Savia has never seen a witcher look considerate and warmhearted. The opposite of what people claimed his kind to be. He was the butcher of Blaviken. Perhaps, she have been a witness of his character changing with one simple cast of a face he claimed to be important.

She knew that midget was too significant to him when his face turned back to normal, stretched in a way that has him looking anxious, bothered and utterly worried from the words he heard.

"I'm wondering how I've been involved by a witcher I never seen or met. They were weird! Got me bruises because I never knew where you were and I couldn't tell where ye' live!" pause. Savia's lips emitted an awkward scoff, "---Those fucking gallants did a number on me for days that I have been imprisoned. They were thinking you would go and save me---oh, shiver me timbers! No obsidian--golden eyed witcher would save me from my demise!"

Geralt torpidly blinked back at her, his forehead tightly creasing; trying to deliberate what was happening. His thoughts immediately skipping to bad ideas and outcomes because of the fact that you had someone looking like yourself.

"They were shitty and off one's rocker! Especially that sorceress because she wanted to cast me under her spell, trying to get me examined because I didn't belong to their world---wondering if I had some sort of magic in me for her to possess. She was batshite crazy!"

He couldn't help but irritatingly shut his eyes, mutely giving himself a talk while he kept his mouth shut; not risking to be heard nor is this woman close enough for her to know what's inside his thoughts. Geralt chose to stay silent, breathing down long heavy inhales and exhales from the drawbacks that suddenly occurred.

Here was destiny starting again.

Savia loudly huffed before him, raising a cocky brow when she hadn't heard that deep, gravelly voice that sounded unfamiliar from the ones she has always been hearing, "Are witcha's always this silent? I've been doing all the talking! It's like you're a mute!"

The Witcher heard footfalls coming from a distance. Two gallants. It was only a pair for now and if the woman didn't took her flight before the entire horsemen arrives, she would be taken again and be behind bars in the fortress of Kaedwen.

Would he save the thief who made everything more complicated by looking exactly like you? Creating a mishap by stealing jewelry from the queen?

Everything he thought about would result in an intense migraine because Geralt know you'll be accused of a crime that was never done by his midget. Therefore, taking you in for captive would end up being like hitting two birds in one stone; they get to have him running off to where the castle is and also have the accused thief who didn't need no convincing because of how Savia showed up in their lives; ruining yours.

"Fuck. Why did you need to show up now and complicate things---even had to fucking steal ornaments from the queen with a face who is utmost valuable to me."

The frustrated question was sent to Savia who stepped back from the latter; his teeth suddenly barred and feral, sharply staring down at her. Totally irritated by what she'd done. Geralt heard metal being dragged out of its scabbard and it took him one turn of his head to be welcomed by two knights who was ready to pounce on him by seeing what he was.

One of his monikers slipped out of their tongues with such disgust and a hitch of their breath. There was no use for killing cavaliers tonight because this woman hardly have been involved in his life, yet he would still save because of having a weakness that seemed unfair for her to have.

Geralt raised his hand towards the taller knight who opened its mouth to shout at his fellow horsemen who held their torches from a far distance when suddenly a string of glowing, white line shot through his head; casting Axii for the men to take despite of how the witcher was feeling low with his energy that has been used prior to hours before they arrived.

It was a simple magical sign where it compromises hypnotic effect; it can be used to calm down people or animals, manipulate their minds or be used to hex enemies. A triangular white symbol surrounded the string of line which paved its way towards their heads; passing through both as they were momentarily stunned, acting as if they were puppets and Geralt had the strings.

Thus, after a while; Savia was astonished to see both armored men attacking each other like they were in a battleground and they were both forgotten.

Yet, it wouldn't last long.

"Witcher! What did you feckin’ do?!" she squeaked, heart beat racing from the adrenaline rush.

Geralt had not taken a second before jumping on his horse, gripping onto her reigns and pulling to turn her around, quickly nudging her to gallop towards the path back to where he could go home.

He needed to come back home. The heavy and worried feeling inside his chest wasn't just the result of overthinking. Geralt knows that there was something happening now and it wasn't good. He needed to know if you were safe, all in complete set of limbs when he sees you, if ever he could even get to again because the dreaded feeling was rising higher in such a toxic amount that would make him blame himself when you're gone.

Geralt couldn't even think straight for even contemplating about the idea that you were gone and out of his reach.

"Leave before they actually kill you. It can only last for seconds due to the energy left in me,"

He'd run off before Savia can even acknowledge his kindness. The Butcher of Blaviken has helped her escape. He wasn't a murderer nor did he hurt her.

"Geralt of Rivia, right?!" she yelled out to no one in particular after watching Geralt leave with his horse. The simple yell has caught the attention of more gallants, seeing the flames of their torches walking their way through the forest and through the swamps that got her zipping her mouth shut. Those two hypnotized gallants falling on the swamps behind her from beating each other to death.

Savia couldn't help but hum in interest, whisper-yelling her next words as if the witcher can hear her amongst his troubled heart.

"---Thank you for letting me escape! you're helpful after all!"

Geralt please axii my puxii LMAO. FEEDBACKS ARE SO MUCH APPRECIATED! (Strikethough over the tags mean I couldn’t find your blog, bb’s.)

Taglist for WOTN: @alyxkbrl @himarisolace @barkingbullfrog @ayamenimthiriel @hellodevilslittlesister @vania-marie @spookypeachx @grungelovebug @fangirl-inthe-us @nympeth @amirahiddleston @gabethelobster @dreaming-about-starfleet @uncoolcloudyhead @melaninstylezz @psychosupernaturalhero @missjenniferb @dance-dreamer @marvelousell @kingniazx @angelias134 @tapismyforte @chook007 @covid-donotenter @deadlydemon @cheesecakeisapie @angelofthor @carrieannewaywardson, @plantingmum @stuckupstucky, @shesthelastjedi, @a--1--1--3, @gutfucks, @raynosaurus-rex​, @britty443, 

Overall witcher taglist: @pizza-eater-i-ate-the-pizza​, @crazybutconfidentaf​

General taglist for Henry Cavill: @agniavateira​, @iloveyouyen​, @rahdaleigh​, @silverkitten547​

[laceymorganwrites]

Proud of you

Word Count: 1,632

Pairing: Oikawa x fem!reader

Warnings: swearing

A/N: Oikawa ponders About how he deserves you and what went wrong in his past relationships when you decide to Show him how amazing he is

Oikawa didn´t want to get into a relationship after being dumped by his ex. He hated to admit it, but it depressed him more than he liked. What was it even worth?

Yeah, he´d see a cute girl, work his magic and get her. But what for? For him opening up, sharing his secrets and fears, for him allowing intimacy and for her not to give a shit. It was always this way.

And they all said they were such big fans of him, what a great player he was. And yet volleyball was always the reason they broke up with him. Because they couldn´t grasp the great amount of his life it made out. Maybe it would come as a shock to some people that Oikawa really did not like being in a relationship. He always put in so much effort and it was all for nothing, he went out of his way to organize romantic dates only to listen to his girlfriend at the time complain to him about how he played too much volleyball. He was so sick of it and so he decided not to waste a thought on girls ever again.

But you know what they say, love hits you when you least expect it.

You were with him for about half a year now, which to him was impressive. How come you didn´t run yet? He was barely there to spend time with you, sometimes he caught himself deliberately spending more time on training so that he had to postpone one of your dates. It wasn´t because he was sadistic, he really did love you, but something inside of him was still awaiting the rejection.

Something inside of him was waiting to be hurt yet again, because there was no way in hell someone as perfect as you would stay with him.

You were currently sitting on his couch together, watching some movie you didn´t pay attention to. He seemed off lately, like something was wrong and you spent your days trying to figure out just what it was. It wasn´t like Oikawa to be so much in his head, sure there were always phases, but they never lasted so long. You were really worried about him, but you didn´t want to annoy him. After all you blamed yourself for him distancing himself from you, you didn´t know any better, you thought he didn´t like you anymore and you couldn´t blame him. After all he was busy with volleyball, you were just distracting him from that. Maybe it would be better for him if he never was with you.

But you forcefully pushed those thoughts to the side, if you were the problem you´d simply better yourself and try to be the best girlfriend in the world because it was what he deserved. He was too sweet and thoughtful to be so down.

“Tooru?” you quietly asked, watching him shift his gaze to you, a soft smile on his face.

“Yes, my love?” he responded, pulling you closer to him.

“Can I come to your next game?” you asked, hoping he wouldn´t shut you out of this part of his life.

You were always afraid to ask this question since you didn´t want to control every single aspect of his life, you didn´t want to make him feel bad. You always thought that he would think you being at one of his games would be like you scolding him.

“Hm...I don´t know, (Y/N), I don´t want you to be bored” he thought out loud, sighing heavily. Every time he took some of his former girlfriends to games, no matter whether they claimed to be his fan or not, they´d always be bored and leave halfway through. And those who stayed just complained to him afterwards about not spending enough time with them.

Oikawa just wanted to have someone to celebrate with that wasn´t his team, as stupid and simple as that sounded.

“I could never get bored of watching you” you smiled at him, watching his cheeks flush.

He chuckled, kissing your forehead slightly, only with you did his heart flutter like it did the first day he saw you, you made him feel so loved and cared for and all he wanted to do was to give that back to you three times more, but he felt that if he did that he´d scare you away. He knew he was too much.

“You flatter me too much… listen, you can come if you want to, but don´t expect too much, okay?” he told you, maybe it wouldn´t be so bad if he told you that from the beginning.

But he couldn´t help it but get more nervous the closer the game got.

He didn´t want to see your bored face, it would only get him down. And neither did he want to see you leave in the middle of it.

However he didn´t have time to worry about this right now, he was leaving early to meet up with his team and train before the game started.

You got up only a little bit after he left and instantly started preparing yourself for the game.

After getting dressed you threw his jacket on. He gave it to you on your first date when you were cold, the thought always brought a smile to your face, Oikawa maybe seemed like the biggest asshole on the outside but on the inside he was a softie who always gave you his jackets at every opportunity he had.

Before leaving and checking your bag for everything you needed you made sure to pack the milk bread you made for Tooru. You wanted to surprise him with it after the game and had to hide it away from him before he could see it.

Luckily you caught the train you had to take to get there in time, but it was more cramped than you bargained for. You didnt´t know the way so you just followed the crowd, fortunately the volleyball fans and spectators were very distinctive. Somehow you felt more excited now, all of this was so special to you and people´s good moods and the whole great atmosphere just caught onto you.

You had to push some people away to get to the first row, but it was worth it, you wanted to see your boyfriend after all.

And when you saw him step on the court you felt like you were cheering the loudest and the game hasn´t even started yet, it was only the warm up.

When Oikawa spotted you, his heart did a little leap, he couldn´t contain his big smile as he saw you in his jacket. Somehow they always looked better on you than on him. You were looking so happy, it made him happy too. Maybe all his worries were just bullshit.

You blew him a kiss as you saw that he noticed you too and he caught it, blowing one right back.

You could see his teammates groaning at that, making you giggle. So what if you were the cheesy romantic couple? How could you play down your feelings when Oikawa Tooru was your boyfriend? It wasn´t possible.

And Oikawa, well, he was always a drama queen.

When the game officially started you felt yourself get more tense and your eyes were glued on the field, okay they were glued on your boyfriend but who was counting?

You tried your hardest to keep up the cheering with the fangirls, it was nice knowing you weren´t the only one who cared about him as a player, it was nice to see that other people supported him too.

During the game you realized how much you loved watching him play, how much you came to adore the sport, every time they scored you could feel a rush of excitement go through you, it was amazing. And the whole crowd felt the same which simply took your breath away.

The game was over too soon for your taste, you wanted to watch longer, wanted to see more, wanted to cheer more even though your throat must be dry by now.

You rushed down the stairs to be the first to catch your boyfriend. Of course you waited until they were done stretching not to disturb them.

“Tooru! That was amazing! Congratulations on winning” you smiled at him.

“Honestly I didn´t think you´d make it through to the end” Oikawa said, teasing you.

“Are you kidding me? I loved it! I want to watch more games” you let him know, making his eyes light up.

“Oh, before I forget this, I made something for you and I have a feeling you´ll like it” you grinned cheekily as you held up the milk bread proudly.

Tooru instantly picked you up, hugging you and spun you around like a child making you giggle.

“(Y/N), you´re the best! What did I do to deserve you?” he whined, you just laughed and hooked your arms around his neck, kissing him.

“Well, you´re busy with volleyball and you still make time for me, that´s just amazing and I don´t tell you enough how much that means to me, how much you mean to me… and because you´re so good to me and make me feel so special, I wanna make three times the effort for you! I want to support you in everything you do and if that means just coming to your games and cheering for you, well, nothing easier than that” you told him, making his eyes water a bit.

“(Y/N), what the fuck? You´re actually gonna make me cry….I love you so much” he sobbed, earning a mocking laugh from Iwaizumi who he then shot a pouty look.

“Go ahead then, princess” you laughed, holding his hand.

[ajokeformur-ray]

Let’s Stop This Pain Tonight // Arthur Fleck x Reader // so soft you’ll get toothache.

rebs-doom: hmmm something like being hopelessly in love with artie and making him dinner because u went to his house to check his mother health out and watching TV with him but you fall asleep and he watches you a lot thinking of how much he would like to kiss you  and you two happen to share the bed for that night and it’s weird because you two are only friends but being half asleep and everything you accidentally kiss him goodnight on his lips.

Female reader for this one, loves! It’s only the use of pronouns though, I think I used them once, so you can switch them out as you wish x

Arthur Fleck/Joker:  @writings-of-a-gen-z @x-avantgarde-x @mapreza1 @insomniabird @mavalenovaninagavi @itwasrealenough @morrisonmercurymalek  @rand0ms-fand0ms @rafaelina-casillas @aclownthing @rebs-doom @vivft @help-i-am-obssessed @autumnaffection @taintednihilist @vladtoly @mg-woolf99 @misstgrey92 @that-s-life @dopey-girl-blogs @seeking-dreamland @sweetheart-syndrome @heartxfdesire @xmusichealsthesoulx @0callmejude0 @the-one-that-likes-riddles @hannibalsslut​ @folliaght​ 

TW; swearing, err... i think that’s it. this one is mostly very fluffy. i had to bite into a pillow at one point to stop myself fangirling so loud i woke people up lmao.

word count: 2, 970.

It was with two quick and quiet raps that you knocked on Arthur’s apartment door, the paint flaking and the brass letters displaying his apartment information rusted so badly that the corners had been chipped down to a black that would leave some kind of residue on your hands. Oh… you wanted desperately to hold Arthur and to lift him out of everything that was holding him down, holding him back. 

The hand that you had used to knock hastily moved to support the hot, almost breaking brown shopping bag which had previously been balanced on one arm; the way one would hold a small child. You had cooked the Flecks enough food for about a week; you had seen that Arthur had a freezer so you had a lot of your own supplies at home to cook for them. You had seen Arthur topless numerous times - it was his preferred way to relax - and though you found him striking and truly, so beautiful that he seemed ethereal to you at times, the way his ribs seemed like they would rip through his skin if he stretched too fast worried you. It was all well and good, and admirable, for him to selflessly look after others, but what about himself? Didn’t he see that he was worth all that effort and more? 

A soft giggle snapped you out of your thoughts. You started, brain suddenly thrust back into reality. There you were, stood on Arthur’s doorsteps, thinking so heavily of him that you had completely missed his answering the door. He was leaned against the door frame, a smile still on his lips, as he stood there watching you.

“You have such a lovely look on your face, Y/N. What are you thinking about?” Arthur stepped back to allow you into the apartment and you made a beeline for the kitchen. Arthur and Penny were going to have a hot meal every night from now on, you would make sure of it. 

Too lost now in what you were doing - unloading the food and leaving it on the side to cool - you simply told the truth before you could apply your ill-used brain to mouth filter. “You.” 

Arthur blinked a few times before an unhappy giggle left his lips. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.” 

I just did, you thought unhappily. You turned back to the food and it was then that Arthur noticed what you had been focusing on. “Y/N, w-what’s all this?” His words came out in a rush and you looked up at him to see a huge frown on his face. Did he think that you thought it was an act of charity? Did he think you were an imposition upon his own home? Had you acted without thought, like you so often did? You were impulsive sometimes, you couldn’t help it; the thought, ah, fuck it was so often the motivation behind your actions that sometimes you couldn’t tell if you were responsible or not. Sometimes you didn’t want to know. It was just better to take every day as it came and let your future self worry about the problem. They had it all figured out, anyway.

 “Food for you and Penny. I’ve made enough for about a week. I’ll drop more off soon when I have the time.” You refrained from mentioning that you took up a few more shifts to fund this kindness, and that your own kitchen would be low for a few days until you got paid again. Somehow you figured that Arthur would take that as some kind of insult. He didn’t speak. You turned to look at him over his shoulder and you saw that he had clamped a hand over his mouth, his eyes glittering with painful tears to keep himself from laughing. 

You sighed quietly and pulled him into a hug, your fingers burying themselves in the hairs at the nape of his neck. You held him through the laughter, his body quaking hard in your hold. You didn’t say anything, you just held him, and when he choked on his laughter, you shushed him. What more could you do? You held him until the fit stopped, and then when he was done, Arthur slumped into your embrace and melted into the touch. He was so touch starved and always so grateful for every touch you gave him that it broke your heart. You had made it a point in the very early days of your friendship to give him casual touches, to let him know that he did exist, that he was real, and that you saw him and now it was as natural as breathing to touch each other.

The line between friendship and relationship didn’t exist with the two of you; it had been eradicated long ago. There was only the question of when. Tonight? You hoped so. You hoped that tonight would be the night that Arthur would finally get to taste happiness in its purest form. Not at the bottom of a pill bottle, not at the filter of a cigarette, but in a real, tangible form.

“Happy, is everything okay in there?”

You both sighed. A look of understanding was shared between you as with practised ease, Arthur swiped a hand over his face. To an outsider, to anyone who didn’t know Arthur, it’d simply look like he was scratching his nose. To you, though? Oh, you saw the way his thumb and forefinger brushed away tears, the way he sniffed, the way he swallowed against the lump in his throat and winced slightly. You saw Arthur Fleck and as he sighed again, straightened his back and went to see his mother, the final piece of you, right in the back of your head, clicked into place and settled into your new truth:

You loved Arthur Fleck.

Dinner was easily prepared; all you had to do was dish it out onto plates and then hand around cutlery. The three of you ate quietly, the only sounds coming from the television and the sounds of cutlery gently scraping against the ceramic plates. You were finished before Arthur and Penny and back into the kitchen to start washing up. Arthur couldn’t argue, couldn’t tell you off or swan you away from the kitchen by dancing with you, only for him to dart back into the kitchen with a quick, sharp laugh and a mischievous gleam in his eye that looked so right on him that it took your breath away - he had done that to you before, the sneaky bastard, and that was why you had eaten quicker than he and Penny. You wouldn’t let him do that today.

Today was all about him. The distinction didn’t make much difference, truth be told; for you, every day was all about Arthur. He was your reason to smile, your ray of sunshine, your best friend. You hadn’t noticed the day when you stopped living solely for yourself, but you couldn’t deny that you liked the change in you that loving him had caused.

“That was truly delicious, Y/N, thank you.”

You smiled. “You’re welcome.”

“Let me help you with that,” Arthur picked a tea towel up and you took it from him.

“Nu-uh. Go on, go sit down. You’ve been at work all day.”

“So have you,” Arthur frowned, opening his mouth to argue. If he really wanted to help you, you wouldn’t force him to sit down, but you could see the exhausted look on his face, the dark circles under his eyes which were growing their own bags, and the way he looked about ready to fall asleep where he stood.

“I’m not about to fall asleep at any second, Arthur,” You smiled gently at him to take any edge off your words - it never took much for Arthur to misinterpret or misunderstand things you said to him - and went back to washing up, pretending to ignore him. In reality, your entire body was trained on him. You tensed when he stepped closer to you, close enough that his chest was just touching your arm.

A soft, gentle pressure to your temple as he kissed you in gratitude. “Thank you.” He whispered, and then he was gone. 

You sighed softly, raised your eyes to the water damaged, mouldy ceiling, bit your bottom lip hard to stop yourself from squealing, and carried on with the chores.

There was nothing you could do to stop yourself from smiling, though, and it made the time until you could join him on the sofa to watch television flash by.

What had he done to you?

The thought, nothing I didn’t want him to do, kept you company while you walked the short distance from the kitchen to the sofa, flopping down ungracefully next to Arthur with a relieved sigh. He smiled, amused by your obvious display of tiredness, and Penny watched the silent interaction with a wistful look on her face. She had had that once too with her dear Thomas...

The evening was spent in this way, you and Arthur sat so closely together that you were touching shoulders, thighs and knees, old re-reruns of the Murray show playing quietly. At some point, Arthur stood up to dance with his mother, but you had already fallen asleep, emotionally and physically knackered. It was only Monday. Arthur wished you would take better care of yourself. The world was harsh; both of you were always so tired, but you both worked so hard and deserved some respite. Still, when did people ever get what they deserved?, Arthur thought bitterly.

The anger in him calmed almost as quickly as he felt it, not only because he didn’t want to feel it, but also because you snored once in his sleep. He chuckled quietly and reached out a slender, pale finger to poke your cheek. You wrinkled your nose, batted his hand away gently, and carried on sleeping.

“Look at her,” Penny whispered, not unkindly, “She’s away with the faeries.”

“I know,” Arthur’s voice was thick with an amused smile, “Isn’t she beautiful?”

Penny smiled at how happy her son was. He was practically glowing. Arthur, for his part, was only thinking of how badly he wanted to kiss you. Penny could see the love you had for each other, and thinking quickly, she said, “Why don’t you take her to bed? I’ll sleep on the sofa tonight. It’d be good for you.”

“But, mum, your back - “

“My back will be fine,” Penny laid a gentle hand on Arthur’s arm and nodded decisively at him. “Goodnight, Arthur.”

Arthur smiled without showing his teeth. His true emotions were in his eyes. “Okay. Goodnight, mum.”

Penny nodded, already getting comfortable on the sofa, as Arthur went into the kitchen and put away the now cold food into the freezer. His heart was so full of love towards you. He hadn’t eaten for days and there you were, thinking he didn’t know you were pulling extra shifts, just to feed him. He wished you didn’t have to work so hard and that you would take better care of your health, but the world stopped for nobody and he knew well what happened to those that slipped through society’s many cracks and were forgotten. 

He didn’t want the same to happen to you. He wouldn’t let the same happen to you. He’d die before any kind of harm befell you. With those thoughts giving him the strength, though he supposed the nutritious food you had made for him also helped, Arthur slid an arm under your shoulders, and another under your knees, and he lifted you. With more struggle than he anticipated did he move you into the bedroom, setting you down gently on top of the duvet.

The movement had woken you, and when Arthur came back from getting ready for bed, he saw you sitting up, bleary eyed and staring at the open doorway.

He’d laughed more today than he had in weeks. “Hello, sleeping beauty.”

You blushed. He wondered how far down your blush travelled. Did it spread across your chest like wildfire, just like it did on your face? He stopped those thoughts before they could start. He didn’t need you to see his arousal.

“Sorry I fell asleep.”

Arthur shook his head. “No. You needed it. You work too hard.”

“And you don’t?” You grinned. Everything was so right with Arthur.

Another easy look of understanding was shared between you as you both moved to get comfortable under the covers. As you switched off the bedside light, feeling a thrill run through you with the knowledge that you were sharing a bed with Arthur, you turned over to face him.

“Night.” You leaned over, kissed his mouth, and went to lay down but reality hit you like a bolt of lightning just as Arthur’s own body stiffened beside you.

“Oh my god, Arthur, I - “

Silence. It was uncomfortable, both of you holding your breath as the seconds ticked passed. Both of you were waiting for the other to make the first move.

“D-do you... do you m-mean... mm.” Arthur cut himself off, hiccuped, and you sat up straight and took his hands in yours, squeezing his hands to ground him so that he didn’t burst out with laughter. You took one hand away from him and turned the lamp back on, contorting your arm in a really awkward manner. You needed to be able to see each other in this moment. Arthur didn’t trust words, he didn’t trust people, but he trusted you and he needed to know that what you were about to say was real and true.

“Look at me.” You murmured, keeping your voice quiet, both because you didn’t want to ruin the tranquillity of the moment but also because you just didn’t want to wake up Penny. You could hear her soft snores already.

Arthur’s intense green eyes met yours and he looked like he was ready to be sick. He was scared of what you were going to say, what you were going to do, and whether or not you had meant to kiss him goodnight the way he had seen married couples do on the old films that his mother liked to watch sometimes.

You squeezed his hands and Arthur smiled, unable to help himself. “I see you, I love you, and I never want to be without you.”

His jaw dropped just a little, his grip on your hands slackened slightly, but you gave him space. You gave him the space and the time he needed for his brain to replay the entire evening - answering the door to see you standing there with a look of total love on your face, inviting you in and then the smell of all that food had greeted him, you comforting him in a way no one else ever did, including his mother, sitting with you on the sofa, and now this... He replayed your words again and again, and through it all you were patient and silent. Though you had no real way of knowing because there was no clock in the room, it must have been a good ten minutes before Arthur opened his mouth to finally speak,

“A-are you real?”

Your heart broke and you felt tears threaten to blur your vision. You blinked them back, wrinkled your nose against the impulse to cry, and nodded. “Yes. I’m as real as you are.”

Arthur couldn’t take it anymore. Here was everything he had ever wanted, and all he could do was cry. Tears, hot and heavy, poured down his face and you made a sympathetic noise as you gently wiped every tear away as they fell, lifting yourself up onto your knees so that you could press a tender kiss to his forehead. Arthur laughed quietly at the loving gesture and you smiled against his skin. He was so soft and you completely adored him.

“Oh~, I love you so fucking much.”

Arthur shook his head in disbelief. There was no way he was hallucinating. His mother had seen you, he had eaten the food and he had it in his freezer, and the way you were leaving goosebumps in the wake of your touches told him how real you were. 

“I love you too,” He grinned, the gesture free and easy, and this time you did cry. You cried for him, for all the hurt he’d been through, for all the times he’d been stomped on and beaten, torn down and left for dead, abused and manipulated, rejected and shunned. You cried because of him but, most beautifully, you cried with him. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” He repeated this phrase like a mantra, and you breathed in those three words spoken in his soft voice, and felt yourself coming home.

In the morning, you would talk about your next steps as a couple. Things would be awkward until you both settled into a rhythm, until Arthur got used to the fact that he wasn’t alone anymore and that he had someone to share all of his burdens with. But for now you would sleep. You switched the lamp off, got settled back into bed and fidgeted around to get comfortable until Arthur ended up being the little spoon; his legs curled up into the foetal position with your arms locked around him and your nose nuzzled into the crook of his neck. You could rest. 

You could rest in the knowledge that you were in love, that you were together and that, with this addictive and altogether surreal emotion to fuel your personal fires, you could take on the fucking world.

[dibidibifiction]

Criminal In My Mind: Chapter 4

Warning: foul language

Pairing: Choi Minho x Reader Word count: 1.6k

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction made for personal entertainment of readers. The writer does not ever intend to offend her readers nor does she aim to spread false information about anyone as to pay any disrespect to the real-life persons whom the characters are based on. She also does not claim ownership to any of the images that are being used.

masterlist Chapter 3

MINHO

I tend to check up on Taemin every time I see him on campus ever since he got beaten up a week ago. So far, nobody has been following him anymore. My shift at the café has just ended and now, I’m cleaning myself up a little bit for our Landscape Photography class at three, which is in twenty minutes. 

So I hurry up, grab my backpack, bow to Manager Jinki goodbye, and head out the glass doors.

I’ve been studying at this school for over a year now and no one has attempted to befriend me but Taemin. He’s the only one who bothers to ask me to hang out with him and his friends, yet I always ignored him. This may sound cheesy but I kind of appreciate him that way. I don’t know why I’m just realizing this now.

I’m just walking to class when suddenly, I feel a cold breeze touch my skin, chills down my spine follows. A man from afar reveals himself right before my eyes, wearing the hood of his jacket over his head. 

I stop abruptly. Why is he staring at me? I’m starting to sweat and my heart decides to beat faster than it should, as if telling me to panic. 

I attempt to run the other way but I bump into Taemin. He seems frightened. Was he walking behind me all this time?

“Minho Hyung,” his eyes widen. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

“I’m fine,” I lie.

“Let’s go to class together.”

I fake a smile and glance back at the spot where I saw the familiar presence, but he’s gone.

. . .

I managed to come through during class since I have a growing passion for photography. It kind of distracted me from what I encountered earlier. 

What I love most about photography is that it’s instantly still with just a click of a button on the camera. You can edit things the way you want it and create something else out of them. But something about its steadiness gets to me and calms me down. I hadn’t known that I had this love for it until I finished high school since I lived my life unhappy and meaningless. I always thought it was too late to find my passion but if it wasn’t for my mother, I’d be wanting to kill myself today.

Now that class is over, I’m back to my fear. I swear I saw him die. Was that really him? How did he find me? How long has he been following me?

I step out of the building when Taemin calls out to me, running.

“Hyung!” He catches up. “Do you have class after this?”

“Yeah, Art History in about half an hour,” I answer him, trying to hide my sinking soul at the moment.

“Oh, okay. Do you have some time later to work on our assignment? I picked you as my partner,” he informs me, smiling.

I stare at him blankly. I must have missed something since I have no idea what he’s talking about. My thoughts are running in circles right now.

“Hyung?” 

“Oh,” I come to my senses. “Yes, sure. Come by my apartment tonight at eight. I’ll text you the address.”

“Great. I’ll buy us dinner,” he says, then runs towards his friends gathered around by the grass. 

. . . 

It’s all coming back to me at the same time. The huge dark room full of barrels, the echoing cries, all the drilling, guns firing. 

And the girl. I don’t remember her face, but what I do remember is her eyes. Her wide brown eyes always twinkled with tears. Her left iris had a distinct but subtle little white spot. I tried to look for her days after I lost her that night but she’s nowhere to be found. I just hope she’s alive and well to this day. It's a shame I didn’t get her name.

I jump awake from my deep thoughts when something thuds to the floor. It’s a book that was in Taemin’s hands. He's already fallen asleep on the couch. 

I turn to my wall clock and it’s already one in the morning. How long have we been working?

I decided to go out and buy drinks from the convenience store nearby. When I’m about to reach for my jacket on the armrest, Taemin shakes awake.

“What time is it?” he asks as he yawns, wiping drool off his chin.

“Ten past one. I’m going to the store. Do you want anything?”

“I’ll go with you. I don’t know what I want but I’m kinda hungry,” he says as he gets up and puts on his college hoodie.

So we go down from the apartment and walk to the nearest little grocery store which is just two minutes away. 

“How long have you known Y/n?” I ask Taemin, hoping to sound casual.

“She started working at my dad’s flower shop about three years ago. I was still in high school then and she was about to graduate college. My dad and I never met anyone before who is as passionate about flowers as she is. She reminds me a lot of my mom. The shop was originally hers, but then she died of ovarian cancer when I was eleven.”

“I didn’t know that. I’m sorry,” I sympathize.

“It’s okay. We’re lucky to have found Y/n Noona. Aside from handling the shop for us, she has been the big sister I never ha- Holy shit, speak of the devil!” His jaw drops as soon as he sees something ahead.

I follow his eye direction and to my surprise, there is Y/n walking wobbly toward our way, the high heels of her shoes almost twist her ankles. Is she drunk? Where did she come from? And why is she alone at this hour?

Taemin runs to her and grabs her when she almost falls forward. “Noona, you’re drunk again. Are you with someone?” he says, trying not to laugh.

“Oh, there’s my little Taemin!” she shouts despite their close distance. “When did you get so strong and handsome and all grown up?”

Taemin can’t contain his laughter now. He looks my way and mouths, Watch this. “Noona, wanna come home with me?” he says to her with a matching wink.

“Fuck no! Are you out of your mind?” She pulls him away. “I’m saving myself for someone special now. Someone worth my time. Do you have any idea how many guys I’ve dated? None of them came through for me and I’m sick of it! None of them even cared about how I felt,” she starts weeping.

I can’t help but chortle at the cute sound of her cry.

Taemin frowns. “That’s weird, she usually answers that question differently.”

“Hey, Y/n!” a charming guy with short-to-the-roots bleach blonde hair rushes toward her and hits her at the back of the head. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. You got me fucking worried!” He looks out of breath.

“Kibum Hyung!” Taemin exclaims. They all seem to know each other. We’re currently in my neighborhood but I feel like the outsider.

Y/n flinches as she scratches her head at the spot where she got hit. 

“Are you okay?” I ask her in concern. 

She catches my eye and giggles. She slowly draws nearer toward me, then wraps her tiny arms around my neck so she can stand straight. 

“I might be dreaming but I think I finally found you,” she whispers as her face gets an inch closer to mine.

I swallow as my heart begins to skip a beat. I’d stare back into her eyes but they’re almost shut. Something about her scent mixed in with soju is pleasurably intoxicating. 

Before I know it, she leans in and softly touches her lips onto mine. Without a thought, I’m kissing her back after two seconds when she starts to open her mouth slightly as her tongue reaches out to mine. I suddenly feel goosebumps throughout my arms. My knees weaken and sweat starts to form on my scalp. My hands turn into fists for getting this urge to hold onto her waist but, for some reason, I can’t. I'm frozen.

At some point, she falls sideways to the ground but I come to my senses and somehow catch her.

I did not expect this at all.

. . .

I went to work at six this morning to open the café for the day. I usually almost never have a smile on my face when I wake up because I don’t really like waking up so early. But today, I can’t help but find myself jumpy and smiley. 

It is now half-past nine and customers have come in and left, minding their own perspective moments under the sun. 

The chime of the entrance catches my attention as I watch Kibum walk in. Even though he is still in his home wear and hungover, he still manages to look good. Maybe he has a natural talent for staying a gorgeous man no matter what state he’s in. With his gray shorts, plain white hoodie, and a pair of gold aviator glasses. 

He approaches the counter and sees me, “Oh, hey, it’s you. I didn’t know you work here.”

“Yeah, I do. I just started last week,” I smile back. “So what can I get you?”

“Hot low-fat latté and iced black coffee. Y/n’s coming in later. She’s still in bed moaning like a grandma,” he chuckles.

“Oh, right,” I nod. “How is she doing?”

“She’ll be fine. She’s always been like that when she drinks too much.”

“Good to know,” I am relieved to know. “Go on, have a seat and I’ll get your drinks ready.”

Chapter 5

[papipopsicle]

DOUBLE DARE

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Harrington!Reader

Genre: angst, fluff

Summary: In which Billy isn't 'King Billy fucking Hargrove' after the events at the Byers house, he's remorseful and in so much more pain than anyone ever seems to notice.

Song: Dizzy by Waterparks

Warnings: swearing, symptoms of PTSD

Words: 2.8K

feedback is always appreciated

Hawkins wasn't the kind of place a teen could take angsty strolls, look up at the sky for a while and all their life problems would be solved. Winter lasted until February, and summer started at the end of July, the months between left void of the joy of sun or snow. It was within this time that Y/N and Billy found solace in each other's chaotic existences.

They'd met a couple times before their relationship had a label, once not knowing each other, and the next, knowing too much.

The first was in the bitter winds of a November night. Y/N Harrington was forced to transfer to Hawkins High after fighting with another girl at Lakewood Academy over something nobody knew. She wasn't happy about it, after working her arse off for the last seventeen years of her life, only for the dream to be someone special and someone her parents would be proud of, to be ripped away from her.

Steve never made it any better, it was fine when he'd bring home random girls while their parents were away (which was more often than not), at least then her record player was loud enough to shut out the moans.

But Nancy had to come along and fuck everything up. Y/N was sickened at the idea of her brother dating her childhood best friend. That wasn't even the worst part though, the sick fucker had to go break his heart too.

Having Steve wallow in self pity for a few days was one thing, but hearing him cry himself to sleep days on end was entirely another.

She took her eye off the ball to make sure it was a sound that never met her ears again. And people at Lakewood began to talk, next thing she knew, Y/N was thrown out when Bethany Wyatt somehow fell unconscious and woke up with a black eye and busted lip.

Her older brother was surprisingly comforting, but the house felt all too suffocating, even without their never-to-be-seen parents around. It took six days for her to finally snap- being cooped up in the same four walls, sappy romcoms playing in the background whilst Steve tried to shrink her after getting an 'A' on his latest psychology paper.

"Leave me the fuck alone, for Christ's sake I'm not one of those kids you babysit! Go piss in Declan's cereal." Y/N roared, cartoon steam clouds escaping her ears.

She and Steve weren't close like some siblings, they didn't do hugs or say 'I love you'. They clashed and fought; the older boy thinking he's always right and that he knows everything, only setting off Y/N's explosive anger.

Steve groaned and stormed up the stairs, following his sister to her room, "His name's Dustin- fuck! You're so immature, you know that? Maybe I do need to babysit you, maybe then you'll learn to accept that you're sad about being kicked out of Lakewood, instead of biting my head off like a little bitch."

Y/N looked up at him incredulously, as if he'd just killed six puppies. She got up from her bed and stood right in front of him, pressing her index finger against his chest accusatory, "I'm not sad, dickwad, I'm furious because I defended myself against a bully and I'm the one who gets punished. It's not my fault she learnt to fight with her words and I fight with my fists. It's not my fault I'm like this, Steve!"

He stared at her for a few moments, watching his little sister's entire body move as her breathing became laboured and heavy.

She pushed past her brother and ran downstairs, "If I'm not back before you wake up, the demogorgon attacked me!"

"That's not-." Steve shouted, only to hear the front door slam shut halfway through his sentence, "funny."

It had been three months since Eleven had returned and saved Hawkins for the second time, Y/N knew they were no longer out there. She also knew it would strike a nerve in her brothers damaged soul and in that moment it was exactly what she wanted. The Harrington girl would probably regret it when she arrived back home in the early hours, knock on Steve's door and he'd tell her he was the one out of line and that it was okay. After all, he was the reason behind why she got expelled.

Y/N found herself running towards the school. In her short pleated skirt, fishnets and combat boots, the girl sprinted all the way through the woods until she found a clearing, and began walking on the side of the road. She should've been terrified to be out in the darkness all alone after the sights that had scarred her eyes, but it calmed her disturbed mind. Her problems faded to insignificance at the idea of being attacked by an inter-dimensional monster.

Her anger had dissipated after an hour or two of strolling back up and down, and she finally began to feel at ease in the cool midnight winds. That's when the sound of a turbocharged engine collapsed her serenity. She turned on her heel, letting the asphalt crunch under her foot as she squinted into the oncoming headlights.

Numbness had spread far enough over her body not to care whether the driver was Steve, a total stranger, or maybe even a creature from the upside down ready to kill her. Y/N shrugged it off and continued wandering, moving into the forest clearing so the muscle car didn't hit her if the driver wasn't paying enough attention.

Her steps became hurried as she heard the engine quieten, gaze kept forwards until the car picked up enough speed to pass her then completely stop. The air in her lungs felt trapped, feet planted to the broken up edge of the road.

"Hey!" A young yet deep male voice called, a mop of gentle dirty blonde curls appearing over the roof as the sound of the metal door opening and shutting cut away at the silence Y/N found herself stuck in. She didn't dare to move, eyes wide in a hazy mix of fear and intrigue.

He began moving around the car, closer to her frozen figure and stopping at what he deemed a safe distance. Billy looked her up and down, not in his usual 'I wanna fuck you' way towards the opposite sex; he checked over every inch of her exposed skin to make sure there were no signs of injury. When he finally met her eyes, he was stunned. They were the colour of milk chocolate edged with a deep forest-green. The two colors seemed to swirl together like moss creeping over rich soil.

Beautiful, he thought, not noticing the deep violet bags which sat beneath them. Y/N hated her eyes for them, yet they hadn't crossed his mind.

"Are you okay, Bambi?" Billy asked cautiously, taking a small step closer to her. His voice felt soft like a warm hug, yet she knew how it could easily be laced with venom. She'd seen his type before, knew how they could act so smooth then at the flick a switch be encased by rage if the word 'no' was introduced to them. She'd dated that type, been manipulated by their silver tongue and soft touch.

"I'm fine." Y/N's voice found the courage to speak, her body pushing past his and continuing its disassociated roam down the empty road ahead. She didn't feel like speaking to anyone, didn't feel like doing anything. Her mind was a wormhole of desolation and all she wanted was some peace away from home life and school life.

"If you want me to get in my car and carry on, I can. But, chances are you're feeling alone and don't-" Billy tried his best to do what he thought was right, he didn't have to stop when he saw her shivering figure at the side of the empty road. Hell, he probably shouldn't have.

"What you do doesn't really affect me, kid." Y/N snarled with no enthusiasm, her words falling hollow and getting lost in the wind.

The girl noticed he didn't speak after that, yet she hadn't heard the distinct sound of a car door opening and shutting either. She turned her head a fraction, not wanting to give him the attention he seemingly so desperately wanted from her but interested to know if she was about to get killed. Y/N rolled her eyes irritably as his taller figure appeared beside her own.

A few minutes passed as they ambled along the never ending barren road side by side without a word exchanged. Y/N felt oddly comfortable, more so than she did in that stupid private school or at home with Steve in constant seldom silence or rage filled bickering.

This silence was pleasant and held no secrets. Mostly due to the fact they were perfect strangers, no lingering expectations to be great or even good. Y/N stole another glance at him through the dark moonlight, his thick shoulder length hair appearing soft in its naturally curly state, and his flawlessly chiselled face hidden by plump cheeks and long eyelashes.

He could've committed some kind of atrocity for all she knew, but is company felt comforting and she wasn't one to judge.

"D'you just plan on following me around all night, then?" Y/N's voice sounded much more mellowed and velvety, her heartbeat no longer erratic in her ears allowing her mind some peace.

Billy sighed and rubbed a hand across his face before stuffing both into the pockets of his denim jacket to find some kind of warmth, "Haven't exactly planned that far ahead, gotta be honest with you. I don't know, I just needed to clear my head, and it seemed like you were doing the same."

"You could say that." Y/N scoffed, her numb mind somehow still managing to make her legs move forwards without stumbling. The biting cold air pricked at her paled skin, but she enjoyed the feeling. It was better than feeling nothing at all. "Fucked up shit happens a lot considering nothing happens around here."

"Did someone hurt you?" The words filled with unease tumbled from his mouth before he had the chance to catch them. Billy couldn't tell himself why he cared, why he was still walking along side this stranger in the dead of night on a Tuesday. Wednesday, now. But after the events at Mrs Byers' house, he had realised he'd become the monster he feared most- his father. If there was anything he could do to stop that, it was all he had done for the past three months.

Y/N smiled at her own stupid actions coming back to the forefront of her memories. She shook her head, still smiling, "That's too complicated to answer right now. Unfortunately, I managed to fuck things up pretty bad all on my own this time."

"I'm listening." Billy's eyes wandered across the unending tree border as he let the girl gather her thoughts and decide whether to indulge him or not.

She did.

"A couple weeks ago I overheard some skanks from my school trash talking my family; you see my brother slept with this girl named Rosie once ages ago so she put herself on a pedestal and thinks her words are gospel now. She was joking with her friends about how we're basically orphans. And then, this is the real kicker, she made up a rumour saying I'd got crabs from sleeping with the gym teacher. Which is hilarious because I'm a virgin still. So, I confronted her, she denied it, and I may or may not have blacked out and beat the living daylights out of her. Last week the dean decided to kick me out, so as of next Monday I'll be back at the shit show they call Hawkins High."

It felt easy to spill her thoughts to this oddly handsome person she'd never met before. Y/N felt like adding, 'oh and there's supernatural demons running around trying to take you to another dimension and kill you, but don't worry, our telekinetic friend saved us. Twice.' But she liked him enough in that moment not to want to scare him away.

"I would've hit her, too." Billy chuckled dryly, realising this girl was stronger than she seemed. His voice picked up after a beat of silence, "Billy, by the way."

"Y/N." She smiled her first warm, genuine smile for a rather long time, and it felt strange and satisfying all at once. Silence fell upon them once again after that, not feeling unpleasant in the slightest. They walked side by side with no destination in mind, Y/N's body bumping against his every now and again. The fist time was an accident, after that she kept on doing it to see the small smile pull at the corners of his lips from the contact.

Her combat boots halted on the torn up asphalt, kicking up small stones a few feet across the road. Without indication to her newfound friend, she switched direction and began walking back towards the other end of the endless road back towards Hawkins away from Lakewood.

"Alright then." Billy quirked an eyebrow at her odd behaviour as he followed and fell back into aimless step with her.

"Billy," she enjoyed the way his name rolled off her tongue, "could you drive me home?" She looked up at him with hope in her eyes, half feigned half real. Y/N was a shell of a person, broken and cold after what her eyes had witnessed, but she really liked the way her mind felt at ease around this boy with fluffy hair and muscular arms.

"Sure."

They made their way up to the car in silence, time running by much quicker with Y/N's spirits lifted. Billy unlocked his Camaro and the two settled into their seats, the heater almost instantly turned up to the highest setting.

"Where are you from, Billy?" Y/N couldn't help herself but ask, she had a knack for wanted to know everything and managing to know everything one way or another. She enjoyed the ever so slight accent in his voice, certainly not from these parts. His olive skin, probably once a lot more tanned and bright, gave it away too. Nobody here got enough vitamin D to look that pretty.

She told him to take the next turning, filling the space his answer was about to fall into. Y/N noticed the sounds of AC/DC playing quietly, one of her all time favourite songs. Steve would buy their albums and she'd buy Madonna when they visited the mall together, then swap when they got back to his car.

"California, my dad remarried and they both wanted a new start, so we ended up here." Billy answered calmly, voice tinged with anguish. The girl gave him another direction and told him to pull up two houses down from her own.

"If my brother saw someone giving me a lift home I think he'd murder you then me, so for everyone's safety it's best not to let him in on our little secret." Y/N grinned halfheartedly up at Billy, realising Steve wouldn't have gone to sleep yet and it was her fault. He was a real dick sometimes, but she wondered if he was the only person in the world to actually give a shit about her.

"Sounds like a real buzzkill." Billy joked with an unknown lightness to his tone, turning the ignition off and settling his gaze on her devastatingly brilliant eyes again.

Y/N nodded and leant over the centre console, wrapping her arms around Billy's much larger torso, he didn't react for a moment, not entirely sure what was happening, but he eventually returned the hug.

"Thanks for stopping earlier, tonight would've been a lot more lonely if you hadn't." Y/N unclasped her seatbelt and unlocked the door, sending the boy a truly heartfelt smile before they said goodbye to one another. He watched her walk down the road and disappear into her driveway, making sure she was safe before he left.

The Harrington girl quietly entered her house, taking off her rather muddy boots and making her way up to her brother's bedroom. She knocked quietly on his door out of politeness but didn't wait for an answer before opening it.

"Steve-" her voice was remorseful, this is how it always went.

He groaned a little from his work desk, eyes failing to stay open consistently, "I know, I'm sorry." Steve sent her a weak smile, knowing how hurt his little sister was at heart.

"Yeah," she sighed, "me too."

Y/N climbed into bed that night with the scent of Billy's strong cologne still clinging to her too, and it made her feel at ease. She slept well for the first time in a very long time, mind for once not plagued by creatures from another world.

Taglist:

@ilkaeliseb @florenceivy @annas-unicorun @astro-sweetheart @4everchrista @delicatelyherdreams @mautand @me-a-hopeless-romantic @buckysjuicyplums @lucyrocks86

Want to be tagged?? Just send in an ask!

[huihuiheart]

DnD SFW Series: Part 4 - For the Crown

Series Masterlist - For other chapters or NSFW Version

Pairing:  reader x Knight! Chan, reader x Dark Prince! Hyunjin, reader x Thief! Felix, reader x Fairy! Jisung

Summary: Heading into the haunted forest might not have been the wisest of choices for the escaping trio. Especially, when things don’t go according to plan and hard choices have to be made, the prince’s secrets are revealed, and a mischievous ‘little’ figure appears.

Warnings: Injury, blood, falling off horses, kidnapping (kind of), use of magical abilities, heartbreak (kinda), betrayal.

Word Count: 3,872

Previous Part _______ Next Part

You had never been one to truly fear something that was haunted, but seeing how everything else in this world had made you a little uneasy about racing into the haunted forest like this. Mostly due to the fact that you were unsure what to expect, fearing the unknown more than anything else in this strange world. You had no time to contemplate it, though, as you followed behind Chan and Felix, needing to get away before Hyunjin and his men could catch up to you. Not knowing what might happen if you were caught, again, if he was as cruel as you had heard that he was, who knew what kind of future you would have if you were not able to get away. Tree branches lashing out in an attempt to snag you as you raced in, letting the boys lead the way as you had no idea where you were going or what to do if you came face to face with a threat in the forest. The deeper in you got, though, the harder it became to keep up. The other two were easily far more experienced riders than you. They could effortlessly navigate through, while you struggled to follow, it only became worse as a heavy fog rolled in. Chan and Felix, occasionally calling out to you to ensure you were following behind them, though while they could still make out your outline, they did not grow too concerned, unlike your current doubts.

____________________________________

Hyunjin had no hesitations about following your group into the forest. His men, on the other hand, came to a swift halt at the edge of the forest, causing Hyunjin to turn to look over the anxious men who were eyeing the forest as if it would reach out and swallow them whole at any second.

“Well? What are you all waiting for?” Hyunjin raises a brow, eyes burning through each and every man that was hesitating before him as his horse trotted along the edge of the forest.

“H-Highness, all due respect, but are we actually going to go into the haunted forest? Y-You much have heard the very same stories as we have about the things that happen to anyone that enters.” One of his men stuttered out, uncertain what he feared more, the forest or the prince’s wrath.

“I have, and that’s all they are....stories...myths. I do not fear anything that this forest holds, I have been through and back more times than anyone else and have yet to face any true danger, but if I am the only one. Then I guess I will just have to retrieve the princess myself.” Hyunjin huffs before guiding his horse to turn back towards the forest and racing off in the direction that you three had gone in only moments ago. Seeing shadows in the distance, fog blurring the details of their forms, but they were moving nonetheless, and that was all he needed to know to determine that he had found those whom he was tracking.

__________________________________

The men you followed were sure you knew what you were doing, after years of training that the princess must have had in riding. Yet you, you were no princess... you had appeared in this world with no warning and such a lack of experience in this area that you truly struggled at this moment. Hope was not yet lost though, as long as they remained in sight, you would likely find your way out of this forest alive. Your heart starts to beat in time with the pounding of hooves, though not those of your horse, the ones slowly gaining on you from behind, a single, distinct set. Something you attempted to speed up and away from, wanting the safety of being closer to the men you were traveling with. It seemed futile, though, as the same entrancing blue speck of light from the forest dances before your horse now, starting him into bucking you off with a startled yelp before racing off in the opposite direction and directly towards the figure chasing you. Chan and Felix’s shadows disappearing within a matter of seconds into the thickening fog before you, only allowing you to hear their distant calls to you. Something you would have returned if your chest wasn’t currently radiating pain after the wind got knocked out of you during the fall. A thick liquid, feeling running down your forehead from your hairline, but you hurt too much to bring your hand up to see what it was. Barely able to lift your eyes enough to see a figure approaching as the fog clears around him, slowing down at the sight of you, before stopping. Your eyes feel heavy as you try to remain conscious, knowing it could be a danger that those approaching feet hold, it seems confirmed as the figure crouches over you and finally shows you their face...Hyunjin...

“You took a nasty fall princess, just go to sleep. I’ll get you someplace safe and fix you up.” Hyunjin, gently stroked over your hair, his words seemingly casting a spell on you, finally making you give in to the looming darkness. Hyunjin lifting you carefully onto his horse before heading towards a cabin that he already knew, was hidden among these very woods.

Chan and Felix coming to a halt and panicking as they no longer heard or saw you following. Turning back to look for any sign of you, only finding some blood and then further back your horse alone. Panic setting in as they were unsure what to do. 

“Felix head to the kingdom and give them this map, I’m going after Y/N!” Chan insisted, holding the valuable item out to him, causing Felix’s eyes to widen and him to scoff.

“You can’t be serious, they would never let me anywhere near the castle. No one there knows me! You have to take it! I swear to you on my life, I’ll find her and get her back safely.” Felix shakes his head, refusing to take it and sticking Chan in a predicament. Could he trust Felix to find and save you? At the same time, Felix had a point though there was no way they would let Felix in without someone familiar with him. Making the situation only further complicated as he tried to think of what would be best.

___________________________________________________

The first thing you were able to do was groan about the throbbing pain radiating in your head as you regained consciousness. Feeling something cool and damp gently prodding at where the thick liquid had previously originated and eased the pain some. Hearing Hyunjin clicks his tongue disapprovingly as your stirring starts to cause too much movement.

“Hold still, or you’ll make your injuries worse. I’m trying to help, but I can’t do that if you don’t cooperate.” Hyunjin’s words were firm and would almost come off as harsh if there wasn’t a certain fondness in them. Your eyes slowly squinting and blinking as they tried to open again despite the heaviness still present until you could see Hyunjin sat beside you. His form leaned over yours, gently dabbing the blood off your head injury and other scratches he could find.

“Where are we?” Your eyes fluttered around the room, it seeming much smaller than what could be expected at the castle, much quieter as well. Finding it odd that Hyunjin seemed so at home in such an abandoned-looking place such as this, moving between you and the medical supplies a few feet away as if it were second nature.

“We are still in the woods, in a small cabin. You are not really in any condition to travel right now, so I brought you here to care for you. Once I finish this, I’ll make us something to eat so you can rest and recover. However, you may not have that much energy for a few days.” Hyunjin explains before gently pressing over your sides and abdomen, trying to feel for any further injuries, “Does it hurt anywhere when I do this?” 

You give a soft shake of your head, blushing a little at his caring nature, "It doesn't my back is a little sore, but I think that was because of how hard I landed on it. Mostly just that and my head, though.”

Hyunjin nods, “Well your head is already bandaged up, though it might bleed through, so I’ll likely have to change it a few times. As for your back, I’d like to check that and your ribs further, but I promise to provide you with decency. I can give you a shirt, something I can lift enough to see while keeping the rest covered. If you’re feeling up to getting it on, that is. I could unlace you and help you sit up. If you don’t feel up to it, I can try to think of something else.” 

“I think I can change myself just fine if I have that bit of help.” You agree to allow him to help you roll over so his fingers can gently unlace and loosen your corset top before turning you back around to help you sit up. Once it was loose enough, he wasn’t worried about it doing further damage. Hyunjin helping you to sit with pillows propped behind you. Going over to a drawer and pulling out some pants and a loose shirt to sit beside you on the bed. Your confusion must have been evident on your face because he chuckles when he looks at you again.

“You have questions, don’t you princess?” Hyunjin inquires, humming as you nod. He heads towards the door to give you privacy as he answers you, “When we’ve finished this and eaten, I’ll answer all your questions...Call me when you’re decent again. I’ll be right outside, okay?”

You nod, letting him go while doing your best to change out of the trapping dress you’d been stuck in for so long. It is a relief to have some clothes that allowed you to move more freely. Even if not for the best reason or if it was the easiest with your current injuries. 

“You can come back in Hyunjin.” You eventually call, slowly trying to ease yourself back onto the bed again, something Hyunjin rushes over to assist you with doing.

“I can look yes?” Hyunjin asks, looking to you for confirmation once again, waiting for your nod before continuing. His fingers, slowly pushing your shirt up to expose your abdomen, only touching your skin when he has to, so he would not make you uncomfortable. Careful with his touch as well, pressing gently on the bruises that are exposed, to make sure that’s all they are before gently pulling your shirt back down, to help you roll over and do the same with your back. After he has checked you over, he helps you lay on your back again, tucking you in to stay warm.

“Everything looks alright, only surface stuff other than your head. I think you’ll be alright, though, if you simply rest. I’ll go make you something to eat, but if you need anything, just call me.” Hyunjin brushes your hair out of your face in one last fleeting touch before he’s gone. 

You know you should be trying to rest, being left alone with your thoughts though you find yourself unable to. So many questions coming to mind and making your thoughts race with possible answers. Wondering why others would paint such a horrid picture of Hyunjin when here he was acting like this. More than that, though, why did Hyunjin seem so at home here? Someplace so normal looking, unlike where royalty typically stayed, and in the middle of not just any forest, but a haunted one. Deciding to test your luck, you move to get out of bed. Unable to take it any longer, needing to start getting answers before you completely lose your mind. 

“If you’re going to try and sneak out, you should just be aware that my horse doesn’t take kindly to strangers...and I don’t think you want to take another fall like you just had,” Hyunjin speaks calmly, without turning to you though. Only adding to your confusion as you wonder how he picked up on your nearly silent movements.

“I’m not trying to leave........not yet anyways. I want answers first because I’m quite thoroughly confused right now...though I can’t make promises in regards to later.” You respond as you move closer. Hyunjin turns towards you with a slightly scolding look as he moves over to gently pull out a chair for you. 

“I promised you answers. You shouldn’t have gotten out of bed. You could make yourself worse.” Hyunjin tsks softly, his attitude whinier and brat-like though. Him showing you what you more so expected from the spoiled, dark prince.

“Well, I couldn’t rest without answers, so it seems what would be best for both of us would be if you just let me ask now.” You shrug, earning a soft sigh from Hyunjin, who mumbles some excuse about needing to cook, “I won’t interfere with that. Just let me ask, and you can take all the time you need to answer. It’ll put me at ease, though.”

Hyunjin glances over his shoulder at you for a moment, debating with himself before he turns to face you again. Snapping his fingers, the spoon he had been stirring the food with moves on its own now as he steps over. Leaning on the counter across from you and motioning for you to go ahead with your questions. 

“Why do you seem so familiar with this place? It doesn’t seem like the kind of place a prince would consider home...”You’re brows furrow as Hyunjin chuckles quietly, licking his lips.

“Well, as you might have noticed, princess. There are things I can do that humans can’t. Magic I hold, that your kind doesn’t. Just because I have it, though, doesn’t mean that I automatically know how to use it, though. I had to learn. I still have to learn and practice, I never did well in the group, however. I was too volatile.  So every year, I would be sent away to find a place alone to practice. It didn’t matter how long I was gone for as long as I didn’t come back before learning something. I stumbled across this place one year and decided after that to keep coming back here every time as I learned how to control my magic, I was able to make it a little homier.” Hyunjin explains, being what you considered oddly open about his past. Though you appreciated the fact that he was at least seeming genuine with you, despite not being sure what exactly to expect from him, “I’m guessing that’s not all you’re curious about?”

"No, I'm wondering why you're caring for me like this? The wedding isn't my choice after all, so why didn't you just drag me back? Why do you care?" Your question comes out soft-spoken yet bleeding with genuine curiosity, and Hyunjin hums.

"My intent was never to harm you. In fact, under other circumstances, I wouldn't be doing this to you either. I would have tried to get your attention in another way, princess. However, I'm sure you know we can not always do what we want in our positions. For the sake of my people, I will do what I must. I'm sorry if that, in turn, brings you more pain than it already has. I have no desire to be cruel, though." Hyunjin insists, gently reaching out to brush his thumb over your cheek before getting up to physically return to the cooking, "Here, it's done, you should eat before we talk anymore. It'll give you time to process what you've learned so you won't be overwhelmed."

You nod, appreciating the logic at least of what he says, knowing you would have more time while you recovered to question him about other things. Your body was weak from all that your body had faced throughout the day. Humming at the taste of the food, Hyunjin had made, it was already energizing you some and making you feel much better.

"We'll likely stay here at least two days to allow enough time to be sure that your head especially is okay before we start to travel." Hyunjin informs after you finished, moving to help you stand up again, leading you back towards the bedroom, "I'll let you take the bedroom while I'm down here."

"Let me guess if I need anything just call you?" You tease him lightly as you accept his help under the covers again. Having to hold back your giggles as you see his skin flush a light pink.

"Well as I said, I mean you no harm....and in other circumstances, I would have preferred to try and win over your heart instead of this," Hyunjin speaks the quietest he has all day, feeling shy at the admission. He's not impossibly shy, however, as he leans down to kiss your forehead as he tucks you in, "I hope to see you in the morning Y/N."

The way he says your name instead of calling you by a title tugs at your heart. Hearing the yearning in his voice, his feelings seeming genuine. The way Hyunjin was so caring and yet so considerate of your feelings thinking that his own was entirely one-sided, making your heart hurt for him. You're too tired tonight to try and bring him comfort, already drifting off into your world of exhaustion, not able to stay up in an attempt to sneak out even if you felt you needed to. After questioning Hyunjin some, you didn't see the need to try and escape from him. Not understanding the dangers that the others saw in him. His heart, seeming pure, even if the way he went about things wasn't always so innocent. His concern, showing through again the next morning.  When you woke to him bringing you breakfast in bed, helping you to sit up. You watched curiously as he silently left you to eat alone, you taking the privacy to clean yourself up a little as well. Hyunjin is back in the room when you step out of the bathroom again, looking up at you with wide eyes looking over you like he’s checking if you’re okay. 

“I’m fine Hyunjin, nothing to worry about.” You try to reassure him with a small smile, him returning it with a tender smile of his own. He offers you his hand, guiding you to sit on the bed as he stands to bring the medical supplies over beside you.

“I’m going to clean up your head again and just make sure it’s okay,” Hyunjin explains as he reaches out to delicately undo the bandaging he’d put on the night before, not wanting to hurt you or anything. He tries to make quick work of cleaning and rebandaging it. The bandage was already smaller than the day before. His hands shake slightly, though, feeling an odd type of nervous knowing your gaze was on his face the whole time.

“Hyunjin? Do you love me?” You finally find yourself asking the question that’s haunted you since he started to care for you. Hyunjin’s skin flushing brightly at the question blinking at you in shock at the bluntness.

“S-Something like that yes, t-though I know it’s not what you want, princess.” His words are joined with that longing stare once again. His hand, reaching out to brush your hair behind your ear. The sad smile on his face was replaced with surprise as you grab his hand softly in yours before his touch could fade entirely.

“Who says?” You inquire softly, looking into his eyes without hesitation and using your grip to gently tug him closer until you can press your lips to his. Your arms, slipping around his neck to prevent him from running away from the kiss and you.

______________________________________________

You had expected to wake up besides Hyunjin the next morning, after falling asleep in his arms the night before. Something seemed off though when you fully registered what was going on the next morning, and finding an empty bed and the surrounding area eerily quiet, slipping on fresh clothes to quietly peek out of the room to see if Hyunjin was simply cooking breakfast again, which he was. That wasn’t all you noticed, though, a glass orb placed delicately on the counter by Hyunjin and swirling with colors as Hyunjin spoke to it. 

“No, I’m not letting my feelings get the better of me. No matter what my feelings are for the princess, I know what the most important thing here is.” Hyunjin huffs at the little glass piece, your heart sinking as you realize he’s talking about you.

“So she has the map then? You can bring both her and it back so we can finally get on with this?” A woman’s voice echo’s through, making your eyes widen, though there is no face to make out and let you see who it could be.

“She doesn’t, but we need her either way. Besides, the ones with the map will come back for her as soon as they realize I have her again, let them come to us instead of wasting our time searching every hiding spot for them.” Hyunjin shrugs, tasting the food, still unaware of your listening in from the bedroom doorway, only barely peeking out so that you could hide again if necessary.

“Very well, just don’t let your heart jeopardize this after all we’ve done and given up. More than a crush or not, if she gets in the way and you won’t deal with it...then I will.” The woman speaks one last time before the orb stops going. You take that as your cue to slip back into the bedroom. 

Sure, Hyunjin’s feelings for you were apparently genuine, or at the least for the princess form of you. That didn’t make this acceptable, though. He was obviously up to something now, and there was no way around it, and he was willing to use you to lure Chan and Felix right back in and give him what he wanted. That being something that you simply could not allow. You scour through the clothes in the cabin, finding something you can move freely in, before slowly creaking the window open to look outside. You step away to sneak another look at Hyunjin to ensure that he was still occupied with food. Before carefully climbing out the window and closing it behind you. Sneaking off into the woods, worried first about being quiet and not giving yourself away before just bolting. Not entirely sure how you’d find Chan and Felix, but knowing that you certainly couldn’t do it if Hyunjin caught you again. The dazzling blue light, appearing for a third time now. Twirling around you before leading the way off until reaching a small stream and disappearing, leaving you to look around curiously until it flashes before your eyes again and turning into a person, not just any person though...you’d finally found Jisung.

[bnhascribbles]

Advice

Tokoyami x Reader

Meeting, Fluff; OH MY GOD THIS TOOK TOO LONG.  Please, please, please if you requested this, I appreciate you, but know Tokoyami is on my list of impossible characters to write for.

Words: 1.9K

Warnings: None

The first time you meet Tokoyami, it’s a complete coincidence.

Your eyes unconsciously dart up from your book when he wanders into the coffee shop.  His beak stands out, distinct against the backdrop of darkness the glass door provided.  It was late–well, early if you were being technical with the clock–and usually your only company was the barista that liked to pretend not to notice you skulking around every night.  Yet here he was.  

You recognize the hero easily, even without the costume.  It wasn’t every day you saw a man with a bird head and a wardrobe that boldly incorporated at least five different shades of black.  No joke, if you didn’t know any better, you’d assume he’d crash-landed at a Hot Topic and decided to buy everything in the store. Dark leather cuffs with those stubby spikes along their perimeter, chains that looped through his belt and tinkled when he walked, and rings–so many rings.

He stands at the counter, muttering something unintelligible to the barista before snagging a seat at a table in the corner.  Your breath hitches in your throat and before you know what’s happening, you’re rising from your seat.  Then you’re crossing the shop, closing the distance to him.

“Tsukuyomi, right?”  You ask when you finally get there, casting a shadow over his table.  

It’d a be a lie to say you weren’t just a little nervous, what with the way his eyes narrow when they latch onto you.  His shoulders are visibly tense.

This was a terrible idea.  You shift in place, swallowing thickly.

“Your feathers look dull,”  you say, a little too fast, “And frayed.  That means you don’t get enough Vitamin D.”

“Excuse me?”  He says, looking more confused than anything else.  And his confusion makes sense.  Because not only did this top-100 hero have a complete rando walking up to him at 3 AM, trying to stir up a conversation while he was probably trying to de-stress.  No, this hero had to deal with a 3 AM rando intent on giving him a full health evaluation before they even gave their name.

Despite your less-than-suave intro to the conversation, you continue.  “Sunlight.  I mean, you usually work at night, so maybe it’s hard to get that–aren’t you sleeping during the day?”  You immediately realize your mistake–your excessive enthusiasm in asking for information on his friggin’ sleep schedule.  “Oh god, that’s a weird question isn’t it?  You probably think I’m some sort of stalker.  I promise I’m not.  Although, I can’t see how me just telling you that is really convincing, especially considering I just waltzed up to you and started chattering and...haaaa please just cut me off before I talk myself into a deeper hole.”

Maybe it's your rambling, or maybe it's the tinge of pink creeping across your cheeks, or maybe it’s just the way you act so apologetic as you grip the sides of your face and stare up at the ceiling–like that’ll do anything to make you less flustered.  Either way, something in his expression softens, and the hero leans back in his chair, idly twisting at one of his rings.

“I assume you’re a fan?”

You inhale.  No use denying it.  “Yes.  I mean, sort of.  I saw you on the Billboard television special last week and just kinda went on a ‘Google’ spree of anything Tsukuyomi–you know, special moves, education...”  A squeaky sound suddenly escapes from somewhere at the back of your throat.  You weren’t really helping your case here.  “Oh no, I’m doing it again.  I’m not trying to be a creep, really; It’s just sometimes I get really excited and I talk a lot, and seeing you here, I’m high-key freaking out because I love–”

You stop yourself.  Because saying it out loud was not an option.  It was awkward and mortifying and you would never in a thousand years even consider finishing that sentence the way your brain wants to.

But then, Tsukuyomi is staring at you expectantly, eyebrow raised (though admittedly, you’re probably imagining that part, seeing as he doesn’t actually have eyebrows–just a little bit of fluff around his eyes) and head cocked to the side.  And you cave under the pressure, desperate to have anything but tense, anticipatory silence.

“Birds.  I love birds.”

To his credit, his expression never mocks, never once demonstrates anything other than calm, cool, acceptance.  The cackling sound emanating from his abdomen, however, makes you want to sink into the floor.  A hint of a shadow creeps out from the bottom edge of his shirt.

“Man Fumikage, Hawks wasn’t lying when he said there were some feather-freaks out there.”

The hero’s eyes widen, his shoulders trembling, hands rising off the tables and darting down to tug furiously at the dark fabric.  The laughter only intensifies, and even though you’re at least eighty-percent sure Tsukuyomi is just as horrified as you are, that doesn’t do anything to ward off the wave of nausea that courses through you.

“No, no, no,” you croak, hands darting outward all on their own, “Not in like, a weird way.  I mean I love feathers but it’s not–oh god it’s not like that, I swear.  I used to have wings.  They were really dark, kinda like yours, but then I…”  The words don’t exactly come easily, but you force them out regardless.   “I lost them a while back.”

A high pitched voice–the same from before–responds.  “Lost them?  What did they just fall off or something?”

You flinch.  “Um, no.  I’m sorry–it was a bad choice of words.  They were, um, taken from me.”

And even though it’s been nearly a year, even though you’ve made your peace with the reality of your situation–become used to the scarred nubs jutting out from your shoulder blades–the words sting.  You try to smile, but you just know that it probably looks pathetic.  Forced.

“Dark Shadow, that’s enough.”  Tsukuyomi’s tone is sharp, angry almost, leaving no room for argument.  After letting out a frustrated sound, the creature (or maybe entity is a better word) hushes up.

It’s awkward for a little while.  You just stand there, scratching at your neck, looking anywhere but at him.  He coughs, and you hear his chair creak as he (presumably) shifts in his seat.

Eager to be move on from the tense topic, you stutter out what you’d meant to the whole time–your real reason for approaching the hero.  “Um, I know some really good vitamins.  I used to take them, so I know they’re the real deal and they might help.  You know, with the dull feathers.  If you even care, that is.”

He sighs, long and heavy, then lifts his eyes and meets your gaze.  There’s no pity in the look he shoots you as he pushes one of the chairs out from his table.

“I’d love that.”  He gestures for you to sit, and it feels like some sort of dream.  Your body moves on its own–obeys and takes its seat without any thinking on your part.

“And call me Tokoyami when I’m not in my costume.  Please.”

***

You spot Tokoyami same in the coffee shop the next week and ask him if he’s started taking the vitamins yet.  He has.

Then, you bump into him again the following week and ask him if they’re working.  He tells you they are, and even though you can see the improvement in his plumage, you offer to check up with him again next week just to make sure.  He tells you he’ll be working practically nonstop for the next few nights, and asks if you wouldn’t like to meet sometime during the day–only to discuss feathers, of course.  You agree and clear out your schedule.

You stop counting the number of times you see him after that.

“Heroes don’t usually go out of their way to keep in touch with the fans they meet, right?”  You ask, trying to make the words seem mindless and casual as you pick at what’s left of your croissant.  “I was under the impression they just bumped into them on patrols, nodded politely, then went about their work.”

“I thought you enjoyed our conversations.”  Tokoyami peers at you over the edge of his straw.  You still couldn’t get used to the fact that this hero, who thrived on darkness, regularly ordered iced tea as his beverage of choice.  Iced tea from a freakin’ coffee shop.

“I do.  And I like helping out.  You know, with the feather-y things.  It almost makes me feel complete again.”

Tokoyami’s hand tenses around his drink.  You can see his veins, prominent along the underside of his wrist.  “Complete?”

“Yeah, like a whole person.”  You answer back at him.  “Like I was back when I had my wings.”

His beak opens, then closes, and Tokoyami gets this thoughtful look in his eyes.

“I know I haven’t known you long, so maybe I’m not qualified to have an opinion on the matter.  But I don’t think you’re any less of a person than you might’ve been before.”

You shake your head, smiling.  Because it was nice that he was trying, but you knew the truth–how things actually were.  Tokoyami, however, isn’t fazed by your disagreement.

“How?  How were you different.”

You opt to follow the humorous approach.

“Well, I could fly for one.”

Tokoyami is back to staring.  He places his drink on the tabletop before he speaks again.

“I can’t make you believe me.  I understand that.  Just know that–”  He pauses for a moment, looking down at his hand and twisting at a silver ring on his thumb.  “That even if it’s because you…lost something–because you were trying to cope with losing something,”  he inhales sharply and speaks quickly, “I’m glad to have met you.”

Without another word, he pulls the ring from his finger and drops it on your end of the table.  It isn’t a smooth movement; His ring nearly rolls to the ground before he curses under his breath and catches it at the last second.  This time, he places it straight into your open palm.

“What is this?”  You ask, examining the engraved circle of metal.  It’s pretty, to be sure–ornate and with an elaborate, swirly design carved into the band.

“A gift.”  He chokes out, his beak hidden behind his hand.  There’s a quiver in his voice.  “I got it from someone a couple years ago.  Someone that taught me you don’t always need wings to fly.  And now I, er, want you to have it.”

You look down at the ring again, and you can feel your heart thudding in your throat.  Sure, Tokoyami and you spoke frequently–exchanged advice when you had some to share.  But this gesture was different; there’s no mistaking the distinct, frazzled look on his face–his tense posture.  

You want to babble, to make all sorts of incoherent noises, to shove your face into your arms in a futile effort to hide your blush.  You don’t.  Instead, you go and ignore your sense of self-preservation, straightening out in your chair (although you probably look quite the sight with your tomato-red complexion), clearing your throat.

“There’s a split in your beak.”  You lean forward and let a finger on your free hand hover over a spot on the right side of it.  “Right here.  Did you know that?”

“No?”  He’s obviously nervous, his eyes never once straying from your skin.  Admittedly, this was the closest you’d ever gotten to him, at least, for longer than a second.

“Yeah.  I have a fix for that if you’re…”  You breathe shakily, “If you’re up for it.”

He nods, and you’re almost certain that beneath that mess of dark feathers, he’s blushing twice as hard as you are.  That doesn’t stop you from stretching yourself over the table, closing the distance between the two of you, and placing a long kiss to the top of his beak.

[cocobaek]

I Need U

Pairing: Taehyung x reader Genre: Angst | A bit of fluff in there too Word Count: 4.3K Warnings: Mentions of violence | Swearing Summary: It wasn’t hard to fall madly in love with Kim Taehyung, however his reputation as a delinquent gets in the way.

“Come on, seriously?” We’ve been walking for ages. Did I really have to stay blindfolded the whole time?” You laughed, leaning back against your boyfriend’s body as he continued to lead me god knows where. “Um, Yes? You think i’d show you how to get to my super secret spot?” Taehyung’s deep voice sounded, close to your ear. “That's exactly what I thought,” you replied, leaning your head back against his shoulder, smiling when he brushes his lips against your cheek. “Well sorry Angel Face, no can do,” he chuckled when you groaned in discontent and continued to lead you forwards. You were a little concerned when you smelt the familiar smell of the ocean, but complied when Taehyung got you to sit down on a ledge of some sort. Not many people could lead you 45 minutes blindfolded to a ledge by the ocean, but Tae was most definitely one of them. You felt him sit behind you, his long legs coming either side of yours. “All right, ready?” he asked, shuffling to get comfy. You nodded and bit your bottom lip as he began counting down. “3, 2, boom.” He released his hands to reveal the ocean, glistening under the setting sun and reflecting the colours of the orange sky above you beautifully. You were sat out on a wharf, which had a large scaffold structure at the end of it. “Taehyung, this is beautiful,” you said in awe, leaning against his body fully. “Isn’t it? The boys brought me here a couple of weeks back,” he said, resting his chin on your head, “Jin brings the truck right up and then goes down on the beach, it’s awesome!” He said, using the same tone of admiration as he always did when speaking about his friends. And rightly so, they were worth the praise. “You didn’t have to bring me here if it’s one of your groups special places,” you said softly, knowing how important those good moments were to him. “Hey,” he tilted your head towards him, by placing one finger under your chin, “I love you just as much, if not more than I love them, you deserve to be included in any moments that make me happy.” You smiled, giving him a quick kiss, not giving either of you the opportunity to get carried away with it, before leaning back into him, melting as he wrapped his arms around your middle. You felt him take a deep breath in and nuzzle his head into the back of your neck, “you are what makes me happy.” His words were so soft you nearly missed them over the ocean waves, but they were impactful nonetheless.

Hours passed like minutes as you sat and talked, not wasting any second you had with each other. You could’ve stayed there longer too if you weren’t interrupted by bright headlights and a car horn. “Hey lovebirds, you about done?” You heard Namjoon’s distinctive voice come through the darkness as he jumped down from the trunk of the black ute and walked over to you. Taehyung chuckled, tapping your thigh, telling you to lean forward so he could get to his feet. “Didn’t even get anywhere fun, you have awful timing Hyung,” Taehyung said sarcastically, earning a rough nudge from the older man, who then offered you a hand and helped you to stand up. “And how’re you, [y/n]? Looking lovely as always,” he said with a friendly grin. A lot of people in the neighbourhood were scared of Namjoon, hell, they were scared of all 7 of the group, but you had the fortune of actually getting to  know them as people, not just as the delinquents of the town, and you always felt welcomed, especially by Namjoon, and this was no exception. “Thank you Namjoon,” you smiled, dusting yourself off, “and I’m good! Really good! This place is beautiful.” “It is isn’t it,” he said with a smile, looking out into the distance. “We’ve had some good times here.” Namjoon’s reminiscing was interrupted by the sound of Taehyung grunting as he was tackled to the ground by Jungkook, his younger, as a rousing play fight began between the two. Namjoon smiled warmly at the pair, but more specifically at the smile of Taehyung’s face. “It’s good to see him smiling again,” he said softly and you sighed in response. It hadn’t been long ago when Taehyung had opened up to you, telling you about how he and his sister had to sit and suffer at the abusive hands of their father. He told you why you were never invited to his place, why he spent as much time on the street as he could, why he would never introduce you to his father. “Have things improved at all?” you asked Namjoon, knowing Tae confided in him, but Namjoon shook his head. “He’s just growing stronger, learning how to cope.” His eyes drifted to you, “you’re a big part of that you know.” You looked up at Namjoon, meeting his eyes and fully taking in his thankful expression. “So are you,” you responded, and he wrapped an arm around your shoulder. “It’s what we do for family,” he said just as Taehyung looked back to you. “What! I look away for like, a second and you’re trying to steal my girl!” he said, a large smile on his face. It suited him, that genuine smile. “Can you blame me?” Namjoon joked cheekily, letting Taehyung push him away and take his spot. “So quick to run away,” he whispered in your ear before kissing you, ignoring the shouting he earned from the boys in doing so. It only egged him on, as he deepened the kiss, placing one hand behind your head and using his free one to reach to the right, flashing a rude hand gesture to your onlookers, who all responded in mock offence. You finally managed to pull back with a loud laugh, enjoying the scene far too much, however, your phone ringing almost instant drained the joy from you. There was only one person who would be calling you at this time of night, and only one reason she would be calling. Taehyung caught the change in your expression, and nodded as you pulled up my phone and saw your mother’s name flash up on the caller ID. He stepped back, “take it, I’ll keep them quiet. You mouthed a ‘thank you’ and walked out to the end of the wharf. “Hi Ma,” you answered innocently. “Where are you?” She asked quickly, voice laced with anger rather than worry. “I’m studying with-“ “No, you’re not don’t lie to me,” she cut you off rudely. It wasn’t often she spoke to you like this, there was only one thing that would get her this worked up. “I had a call from our neighbour saying they saw you with him. You’re with him now, aren’t you?” “Mum, Yoongi’s here it’s ok,” you said, trying to use the name of your old family friend to soften the blow a bit. “No, that boy got you into this mess, that excuse won’t work, where are you? I’m coming to get you now.” You panicked, knowing she wouldn’t hesitate in doing so, and if she saw Taehyung who knows what she’d do. “No, Mum I’ll come home now.” “How?” You looked up to the boys, and Seokjin nodded, mouthing an ‘I’ll take you.’ “I’ll be dropped off now.” “By?” “Seokjin,” she didn’t bite back this time. Thankfully, Jin hadn’t gotten into as much known trouble as the others. “You have 15 minutes,” she said before hanging up. Taehyung came over to you instantly, “what’s up?” “Lie fell through, Mum’s pissed,” you said, frustrated that the time with him was cut short. “We’ll wait here Jin, take Tae and [y/n], I think it’ll be easier for her if we didn’t pull up with a Ute full of us,” Namjoon suggested. You smiled at this thoughtful gesture. “Thank you Namjoon,” Taehyung said, giving him their usual hand shake before Jin cleared his throat. “We should make tracks.” We nodded, not wasting anymore time in hopping into the car. You and Taehyung  took the back seat, trying to savor every last second you had. You were cuddled into his side and he stroked your hair, looking absently out the window as Jin drove along, looking deep in thought. “You ok babe?” You asked, looking up at him. “You’re going to get into trouble because of me.” You shook your head, moving to face him fully. “Don’t think this is your fault, mum’s just anal.” “But-“ “No buts, I chose to come out tonight, I chose to lie, you did nothing but make me happy.” “You never did anything like this before we dated though,” He muttered under his breath, still refraining from looking at you. He was right. Before you dated you were your average, stereotypical, normal girl. It was boring and you never realized how unhappy you were living that way until Yoongi, the son of your mother’s old college roommate, introduced you to his friends, to Taehyung. “Yeah, I never did and life sucked,” you joked, snuggling back into him, “she just doesn’t understand how happy you make me.” You felt him let out a shaky breath and kiss the top of your head. “I love you so much.” “I love you too Taehyung.” Your confessions came just in time as Seokjin pulled over. “Alright lovebirds, you know the drill,” he smiled and you climbed over the middle to join Jin in the front, taking the passenger seat as Taehyung shuffled down onto the small floor space in the back, staying out of sight. Before he fully disappeared, you leant down and stole a kiss from him. “Thank you for tonight,” you said sincerely. “Anything for you Angel Face,” he smiled, “text me?” You nodded, pinching his cheek, “you know it.” He playfully growled in response, jokingly biting at your hand as you pulled it away. You sat forwards, facing the front, “ok, ready,” you said, looking across at Jin who nodded before continuing to drive towards your house. As expected, your mother was waiting at the porch, arms crossed as she eyed the black ute. She approached you, reaching the car before you could even set foot outside. “Seokjin,” she said, looking around the car quickly, checking for any other people. “Good evening Mrs [y/n], you look lovely tonight,” he said, flashing his usual charming smile. As expected your mother was having none of it, she simply rolled her eyes and opened the passenger door. “Come on [y/n], inside, now.” You looked back apologetically at Jin as you stepped out of the car, “thank you for bringing me home Jin,” you said, turning around and talking to him through the open window. “It’s no hassle at all [y/n],” he went to continue, most likely with a ‘see you later’ or a ‘text me if you need anything’, but he was stopped by the glare he got from the woman beside you. “Sleep well yeah?” You nodded, sharing a knowing look with him before he nodded, giving your mother one last wave before putting the car back into drive and making his way down the road. The moment he pulled away your mother turned on her heels and stalked back inside, giving you no other option but to follow her. By the time you had actually stepped into the house and shut the front door behind you she was facing you, face like fire. “What have I told you about that lot?” she said, her tone low and dangerous. “Mum they’re good peop-” “They are criminals [y/n]!” she replied back almost instantly. You furrowed your brow and shook your head, “I don’t know where you got that idea, yeah, they aren’t squeaky clean, but last I checked spraying some graffiti and causing a little bit of mischief wasn’t enough to be warranted a criminal.” “They have broken the law [y/n], on more than one occasion! And each time it’s getting worse, next thing you know, one of them will do something that isn’t just fun and games and they will drag you down with them.” You stayed silent, we’d had this argument far too many times, and you knew there was nothing you could say to change her mind on the matter. She suddenly put her hand out, “phone, now.” Your eyes widened in shock, “i’m not a child mum you can’t just take my phone away when you aren’t happy with me! I need it for like, school and stuff!” She didn’t budge, “as long as you keep texting that boy things won’t change. Now hand it over, oh, and you say you’re not a child? While your under my roof and not paying rent, you go by my rules. Phone, and you grounded for a month for not telling me where you were and going where I specifically told you not to go.” You knew your mother, and arguing would only make it worse, so you took your phone out of your pocket, slapping it into her hand before brushing past her and making your way up the stairs, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of an over the top reaction, as much as you were dying to make a scene. You went and shut the door to your room before going and plonking yourself onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Unfortunately you had gotten somewhat use to this ‘grounded’ routine ever since you and Taehyung started dating. Your mum thought it was a suitable punishment, that it would stop you from repeating your actions, but all it did was make you crave him more. And thankfully, it had happened often enough that in the event where you wouldn’t send Taehyung your usual goodnight text, he had some idea what had gone down and we would make some system of communication, mainly using Jungkook whom you went to school with.  But what had never happened, was him showing up at your house. Lo and behold, a few hours after you had retreated to your room you heard a few knocks at your window. You just put it up to an overactive imagination, no way could there actually be something knocking on your window. You physically jumped as it happened once again. And again. And again. You  grabbed the small ornament that sat on your bedside table as a makeshift weapon incase it was a murderer or something, and approached the window slowly. Whipping the curtain back, you spotted the all too familiar white leather jacket of your boyfriend, flashing a sweet smile and waving. “Taehyung! What are you doing here!” you whispered as you dragged him inside. “I missed your text, and you were on my mind, I wasn’t going to wait for Jungkook to give me a message, that’s stupid,” he said, before kissing you hard. “Woah there cowboy, my mum’s down the hall, and if she see’s you here-” “Well we’ll need to be quiet then won’t we,” he growled in your ear before kissing down your neck. Taehyung was a magician with those lips, and it took everything in you not to give in to him. “No, no baby no,” you finally said, and hearing the firm no, Taehyung stopped his onslaught and looked at you apologetically. “Sorry, sorry, you’re just so hard to keep away from,” he chuckled, his voice still husky. But he was a good boy, he didn’t go in for more. “Oh you think I don’t want you? That’s so wrong, so very wrong,” you laughed, “but if she caught us, she wouldn’t just take my phone. I can’t risk you like that.” Taehyung smiled gratefully and kissed you softly, the action filled with nothing but love. He stroked the side of your face lightly and shook his head, “god what did I do to deserve you,” he said breathlessly. You reached up, cupping his face with your own hands, “you being you is enough to deserve me.” He shut his eyes and moved his hands to hold on to your wrists. “[y/n], can I asked you something?” he said softly, and you nodded in response. “Can I just stay here, only for a little while, like a few hours or so, I just want to be with you.” “Taehyung,” you said smiling apologetically, “I need to sleep.” “Then lie with me?” You couldn’t argue with that, and there was no way you were going to be able to say no to that either. “Only for a few hours,” you said, booping his nose, making him scrunch up his face. “Thank God your bed looks so inviting, not going to lie, I just wanted to get in it the moment I came in,” he said, letting go of you and flopping back onto your bed. You giggled, following suit very quickly, tucking yourself into his side, where you fit perfectly. His hands instantly circled you, bringing you into him. He kissed your forehead, lingering a moment longer than normal. “I love you so much [y/n], you’re the best thing that has happened to me,” he confessed in a whisper, the deep tone of his voice not doing you any favours with trying to stay awake. “You too Taehyung,” you replied, snuggling into him more, “we will get through this, I promise.” Your words dragged off, realising how tired you really were now you were in such a wonderful position. “Yeah, we will,” was the last thing you heard before sleep grasped you as tightly as Taehyung did.

You were rather rudely woken up by the combination of a cold breeze coming through the open window, an empty bed, and an unfamiliar ringtone coming from your bedside table. You rolled over with a groan to see Taehyung’s phone sitting there, ringing away as someone tried to call him. You understood that privacy was important, but when you caught a glimpse of Namjoon’s smiling face as the caller ID you decided to pick up yourself. “Hello?” you answered, still half asleep. “Oh thank god [y/n],” Namjoon said, his voice so filled with worry that it instantly woke you up. “Joonie? What’s happened?” You asked, sitting up and rubbing your eyes, looking out the window seeing it was still dark, it mustn’t have been too long since Taehyung left. “It’s Tae, i-i-i’ve found him on the street,” he said, trying to collect his thoughts, “he’s not in a good state [y/n], he’s basically hysterical.” Hearing that something happened to Taehyung sent you to your feet immediately, “where are you?” You heard Namjoon swear under his breath, “you know the old storage lockers in town? The tagged ones? By there,” he spat out, “[y/n], he’s covered in blood, he just keep muttering.” You felt your blood run cold, you were already shrugging on a jacket, not caring about your mother, or your pyjamas, or anything at this point other than Taehyung. Your first thought went to his dad. Had he hurt Tae? “Is he hurt? Is he ok?” you asked, rushing down stairs and exiting your house before your mother could stop you. “Hurt? I don’t know, he won’t let me touch him,” he said. “Hyung who are you calling!”  You heard Taehyung shout, the crack in his voice breaking your heart more than anything had before. “[y/n], hurry ok?” He said before hanging up, going to comfort his friend.

The very second the line went dead you broke into a sprint. On any other day, the storage lockers weren’t too far away from your house, but right now? They couldn’t feel further away. You ignored the burning in your legs as you continued to sprint, the minutes passing like hours as each step felt like it wasn’t moving you as much as it should. It took you around 10 minutes to get from your place to the lockers at that speed, and by the time you got there you basically had no breath,  but that didn’t matter the moment you saw Namjoon crouching front of Taehyung, trying to get the boy to calm down even slightly.

However, all of his previous efforts went out the window when Taehyung looked up and spotted you. “Namjoon what the FUCK!” he stood up in anger and pushed his Hyung away, “I said not to call her! You promised me you wouldn’t call her!” Namjoon, didn't flinch, he stood his ground, “Taehyung, you need her, you need to calm down.” “I can't! There's no way for me to calm down! So you've just dragged her into this mess for no reason!” he shouted, hands fisting his hair. You stepped forward slowly, “Taehyung, baby,” hearing your voice he finally made and held eye contact with you, allowing you to properly see him. He was in a state you had never seen someone in before. His expression was of pure horror, his eyes bloodshot and face puffy. You continued to move towards him until finally reaching him, placing your hands on his cheeks. The moment you did he let out a sob, releasing his emotions once more and burying his head into the crook of your neck, hugging you tightly. “I did a horrible horrible thing [y/n], I fucked up bad,” he whispered, his voice cracked and broken. You didn’t hesitate in reaching up and placing one hand behind his head, the other stroked his back in an attempt to soothe him. “What happened?” you asked, honestly a little afraid to hear the answer. He shook his head, “you'll never forgive me if I say,” his hands gripped the back of your shirt tightly, slightly shaking. You had a feeling as to what it was regarding, you knew it had something to do with him. “Taehyung, talk to me,” you egged him on, needing to hear it from him. No one else, just him. “He’s gone,” he finally whispered, “he’s not coming back I- I-” he couldn’t finish his sentence before sobs wracked his body once again. Your blood ran cold. It must’ve been an accident, it had to be, there was no way Tae, your sweet Tae, would kill someone. “I didn’t mean to,” he said, as if reading your thoughts, “I didn’t mean to, I didn’t, everything happened so quickly.” You gripped onto the back of his head, “I know sweetie, I know,” you said, looking around, “we will sort this out, but for now, we need to get you somewhere less open.” As soon as you said this Taehyung pushed back, shaking his head frantically, “no, you aren’t getting anymore involved with this.” “Don’t be an idiot of course I am, we need to help you.” “Don’t you get it!” he shouted, “there’s no helping! I can’t run from this!” You were about to ask what he meant, before your question was answered by the sound of distant sirens. Your heart dropped. You had to get him out of there. “Taehyung come on, if we go now they won’t get you.” He shook his head before looking to Namjoon, “Hyung, please find somewhere safe from her, they’ll find me eventually, might as well make their job easy for them.” “Taehyung come on man,” Namjoon went to protest, but he wasn’t budging. “Just GO!” he shouted, sending Namjoon into action as he grabbed your wrist, dragging you off. “No, no, no i’m not leaving him!” you shouted, feeling tears flow down your face as you tried to fight against the older man’s grip. “Taehyung!” You shouted in one last ditch effort. Taehyung didn’t look back as the bright red and blue lights rounded the corner, the headlights pointing directly at him. Thankfully, Namjoon had managed to pull you into an alleyway just in time, and hugged you against his body as you both watched the scene unfold. A tall policeman stepped out of the car, although he looked stern, he looked somewhat empathetic when he saw the broken teenager in front of him. Taehyung stepped forward, saying something to the man that you couldn’t make out, before the officer moved behind Tae and put him in handcuffs. You tried to fight against Namjoon, wanting to go and try to stop this, but his embrace wasn’t going to budge. “He will be ok [y/n],” Namjoon whispered, “it will be ok,” he repeated, as if he was trying to tell himself that also. Your eyes never wavered from the scene in front of you, not when the officer led Taehyung to the car, not when he opened the back door for him, and especially not when you saw Taehyung’s eyes searching for you. He caught sight of you and Namjoon in the alleyway and tried his very best to manage a smile, giving you a small, mouthed ‘I love you’. It was your turn to sob as he was pushed into the car, and you buried your head into Namjoon’s chest as you heard it drive off. Namjoon was crying too, you could feel it by the rise and fall of his chest. “We will get him back [y/n], we will find a way,” he whispered, his voice shaky. You two stayed like that for a while, not sure whether it was because you were making sure the police weren’t going to return, or if it was because you physically couldn’t, but either way, a new voice dragged you both out. “Namjoon? [y/n]?” You lifted to see Seokjin, his eyes red and puffy. “You missed him,” Namjoon said softly. Having called Jin as well as you. Jin closed his eyes, allowing a single tear to run down his cheek. He took a moment to stare at the ground before looking up, face filled with determination. “I’m going to fix this [y/n],” he said. You stepped forward, and hugged the older man, “there’s nothing we can do Jin...” He hugged you back softly, “no, i’m going to fix this.”

“I promise I am going to fix this.”

[fordanoia]

Gotham Falls [1/??]

My crossover fic between Gravity Falls and Batman: The Animated Series. 

||  Fic Tag  ||  On AO3 / Fanfic  || 

Fic Summary: At the end of his rope Ford calls Stan for help. After seeing the mysterious mess he's in Stan offers Ford to come back with him to Gotham. Inside the city the pair have to deal with whatever Bill is planning as well as criminal escapades. 

Ch 1: A Simple Call      ||    Words: 2,824     ||       CW: mild swearing

A call is faster than a postcard, and he can't waste what time he has. Ford calls his brother Stanley to come to Gravity Falls.

| |

He had gotten the number from Ma, of course. Not that he ever asked for any of the addresses she sent. Regardless, she always sent a letter or a postcard, something with his new address and whatever small update she deemed innocent enough to give him. Sometimes, all he got was a note, no address, no number. 'Your brother is in Las Vegas, how fun!’

She usually only sent letters though when there was something new about Stanley. Well, either regarding Stanley or for whatever other reason. He’d never figured that out, honestly. A slight bitter note in his head told him that Stanley would have realized, he was always good with that sort of stuff. He pushed the thought down before it could go too far though. Even when he had time he didn't like to dwell on Stanley, but lately it also seemed like a bad idea in general. Today he had a special reason not to get caught up in his thoughts. He needed to actually contact his twin today.

He got the latest postcard not long after the incident. If the whole situation weren’t so serious he would have called the timing funny, but no. It wasn’t funny. It was striking in a way that made your mind feel suddenly clear and focused, like a polished mirror or glass, if only for a moment. There was an address and phone number on the postcard this time. Ma had rejoiced at him being closer to home than before, though there was no mention of actually going to visit him. Reading the post card left a bitter note in his mouth, but any postcard with a mention of Stanley did that. Even still, it was a welcome distraction. More than just that though. Although sour, it was a distinct possibility opening up; it was something removed from Him.

Ford stood over the messy desk with the phone set atop of a rare cleared off spot, his hands planted on either side of it.

Call Stanley, that’s what he had to do.

Or that’s what he was trying to decide if he had to do. It was the best course of action, really. He’d hidden his other journals in Gravity Falls, so if he could get the final one far away from here then it really would be safe, wouldn’t it? Hell, Stan was even back in New Jersey again, back on the other side of the country. The other side of the world would have been better, but this was enough to make him actually feel like it would be safe. It would finally be safe. All he had to do was call Stan and give him the book, then maybe he'd be able to focus on a solution or better yet be left alone entirely. That second option wasn't likely, but oh how he wished it would happen. Maybe Bill would realize how futile it was trying to coerce him and give up. Maybe he wouldn’t, that didn’t matter right now though. Once he took care of his research, all he would have to worry about was the information inside his own mind. This would at least take care of the portal specific issue. He still had other issues to deal with, but on the bright side, the possibility of immediate global destruction wouldn’t be one of them just so long as he did this.

Well, this and destroy the portal, but he was just waiting to ensure the journals were safe before he did that. On the list of things to do, he assured himself. Hiding away the journals was simply more important and had to be taken care of first.

He knew he was going to call Stan for some time now. In truth he’d known the moment he had gotten the most recent postcard from Ma weeks ago. A crystal clear moment struck him when he saw the small paragraph and phone number. An instant realization that Stan was the only one. The only one removed from this. The only one he could possibly begin to…

Ford shifted his hands on the phone, holding onto the handle. He almost wished he had tried calling when he’d gotten the postcard. After all, he’d already known by that point, but what were last resources for after all? It had been such a singular outstanding moment though, he only had had a few like it, and at that only one he let himself think about. The moment Fiddleford sat up, blue light shining a short shadow to his left, and without turning around he warned him in a cryptic message. ‘The beast with just one eye.’ An obvious warning as to who. Not just that either, but the underlying intentions.

If only he had paid heed to Fiddleford's warning and his own realization in that moment. Although, if he had just paid heed to Fiddleford’s previous concerns or the explicit warnings about the summoning then he wouldn’t be in this situation now.

Both of those times, everything clicked together. Ford understood perfectly, everything suddenly in focus. Although there was a key difference between them. Seeing Stan’s number was similar to swiping off the dirt from a mirror to see a clear reflection. Fiddleford’s words had felt like cracked glass, something inherently cold and just one treacherous tap of a finger away from turning it into jagged pieces shattering out of the frame.

Yet he still brushed over the moments. Read through the paragraph at a forced calm pace. Told his old friend to get a hold of himself. He continued over them as if he hadn’t noticed them. Then within minutes he’d reasoned excuses to try to put them out of his mind. He didn’t need them, after all, so everything was fine.

They weren’t the only epiphanies he had had, but they were the ones he had smoothed over in his own mind as irrelevant or faulty the instant he had them. Believing in the rare couple he had beforehand had not left him better off though, he thought to himself. His memory dredging them up in faded still frames.

Holding onto that blue pamphlet for the first time, the one that advertised for West Coast Tech with enticing gold trim. The different studies and resources he could already see just skimming the page and the principal's words filtering across the desk.

A clean glass lit up and shining.

He wanted to go there.

Constant New Jersey Sun shining down on the beach. The boat with its mismatching wood and moth-eaten sail haphazardly lying over the side of it. The mast strung up as they wound a thick braid of rope around it together. Catching a sight blazed into his memory as they had worked around the mast in a tight circle.

The horizon of the ocean, the boat, him. Everything. Everything except for all the sand between them and the shore. The distance to the lapping waves seemed nonexistent, as if they were already out there.

A gem like lens reflecting light over everything and an image in every facet.

He was meant to go sailing with Stanley.

What a stupid-

Focus. He had to focus.

Ford let the thought slide away, not dwelling on either old memory threatening to drag him out of the present. He was going to call Stan and ask him, very simply, to come. He picked up the phone holding it to his ear and went still. The flat monotonous tone made his head buzz and scrambled his thoughts.

He sighed and set the phone piece back down onto the desk to where he couldn’t hear it, rubbing at his eyes and blinking them open again. He couldn’t even deny he was tired by this point, and he wouldn’t be surprised if he was sick too. His body felt like lead and there was so much else, but every symptom could easily be from the various conditions.

He took a breath and carefully dialed the number, putting the phone piece back up to his ear and listening to the ringing. A simple request, it was easy. The conversation wouldn’t even have to last for longer than thirty seconds. Soon enough, he heard his brother’s voice for the first time in years, crackling slightly through the line.

“Yeah, Boss?”

“...What? ” He made a face, holding onto the phone with both hands.

“Oh,” Stan’s voice paused on the other side of the line, “who is this?”

He stayed quiet for a moment, listening to the other line. It was definitely Stanley, and he could pick up on the indistinct sounds coming out of the phone as well. Wind in the receiver and rustling material. He was about to speak up when there was a quiet high pitched noise.

“Just a sec.” Stanley told him, and all the sounds were quieted, muffled up against his shirt or something, but even still he could vaguely hear Stan’s voice though he couldn’t tell any words nor the tone. He didn't sound particularly emotional one way or another though. All the background noises came back as before and his voice came out of the receiver again. “Okay, now who is it again?”

Ford swallowed before answering. “Stanley?”

There was a long pause before he got a disbelieving response. “Ford? Is- that’s not you is it?”

“Yes. I-” He couldn’t help trying to think of some explanation or excuse to ease into the conversation, ‘just calling to check up on you,’ ‘ma gave me your number,’ ‘it’s been a long time but i needed to call you.’ He decided against it. Simple. A simple conversation, no need to mention unnecessary details, this needed to be straightforward.

“You need to come to Gravity Falls, it is of the utmost importance.” He told him.

There was an initial scoff in reply. “Uhh, I’m sorry, what?”

“You need to meet me in Oregon.” He said evenly.

“Meet-Why? What’s going on?”

“I can’t explain over the phone.” Ford shook his head as he held onto the phone.

“You can’t explain,” Stan deadpanned, a second later there was a sigh.

He felt himself getting agitated, this was suppose to be simple. “It is not safe.”

“... Are you in trouble?” And there was just a tinge of- concern, disbelief, Ford couldn’t pick whatever it was out of Stan’s voice. Frankly, he didn’t care what it was. He just wanted to convince Stan to come out to meet him.

“You don’t understand who could be listening, Stanley.”

He scoffed. “Look, this line is secure, nobody’s listening to us through the wires.”

“You don’t know that. It might not even be you,” Ford muttered. Stupid, this idea had been utterly stupid.

“Okay, right. You’re the one that called. If one of us might not be us then it’s you.” Stan countered bluntly. “In fact, I’m having kind of a hard time believing this isn’t a bad joke.”

“No,” he replied harshly, “I’m being serious, Stanley. Your voice could just be a manipulation of waves to sound like you, and I don’t care how ‘secure’ this line is someone could still be listening.  Just talking aloud in of itself could be enough.”

“Okay, okay, come on. If it wasn’t me, then who else would it even be?”

Ford didn’t answer at first, definitively not willing to bring up Him. “... Any multitude of people.”

“If you don’t think it’d be me then why did you call? Hell, why are you calling me now of all times, anyways?!” Stan let the question snap out, the implied sentence unspoken in the air, but perfectly well known. You didn’t call for ten years.

“This is the only way I could reach you. It’s the only thing I have right now.” Ford admitted sullenly.

“Ford-” The sound of a door opening cut Stan off, and there was some aggressive voices and footsteps all of which were quickly muffled after a short, “Hold on.” Ford strained his ears to listen. There was struggling and the sound of shoes scuffling loudly on a smooth stone ground. He couldn’t understand anything, but judging by Stan’s tone it wasn’t anything outright concerning or dangerous. He continued to listen, but ultimately the mostly unconcerned tone of other voices settled his conscience. It’d have been preferable for nobody to be around at all, but better than- A sudden loud noise almost made Ford drop the phone, barely catching onto the slick surface and clutching it so it wouldn’t slip out of his grasp. He carefully re-positioned his hands to get a better grip to bring the phone back up to his ear.

“-rd, ya still there?” There were footsteps, clearly walking away from everyone else as the background voices were getting more distant and harder to even detect much less understand.

“Yes.” He answered quickly.

“Do you want to tell me what’s going on?”

Ford couldn’t risk it, and even if he could he didn’t want to. “... How far away are you from Oregon?” He asked.

“Doesn’t matter.” Stan said dismissively. “I’m coming on over. Whatever’s going on over there, I don’t like it.” A beat as a door closed and it was nearly silent aside from Stan’s voice. “I know you can’t really hear yourself, but trust me you don’t sound good and the whole vague not telling me anything isn’t that comforting either.”

Ford let out a quiet sigh of relief when he heard Stan’s reply. “I really can’t risk telling anything to you like this.” He insisted even still.

“Yeah, see, that? That’s like B horror movie cryptic, okay.” Stan pointed out.

“I can tell you when you get here.”

“So, you know in movies where someone gets warned about like some serial killer or whatever and get promised answers later? Then they show up or try to call again or something and oops whoever it was is dead and that first person still doesn’t know jackshit. You know, one of those really annoying parts where you just wanna scream at the characters because they could have just summed it up in two sentences and saved a whole lot of trouble?”

“Stanley.”

“Look, okay, all I’m saying here is that if you’re not going to tell me what’s going on now then at least stay SAFE. I’m scared I’m going to end up at your place and it’s going to be a crime scene.” He sighed. “Where are you at anyways?”

“Gravity Falls, Oregon. Gopher road, it’s the house in the woods.”

“You live out away in some cabin in the woods?”  Stan said in disbelief, “You’ve gotta be frickin’ kidding me.”

“Stanley-” Ford started, putting a hand over his eyes.

He cut him off appeasingly. “Right, right, right. Look okay, I’ll be there as fast as I can. It’s gonna take me a while, but just do me a favor and actually be alive when I get there.” He paused briefly, “stay safe from… whatever, just stay safe.”

“I- I’ll be here. You have to be careful, though, Stanley. Trust no one.”

Stan let out a slow breath. “Alright, got it,” he said, “I’ll be there soon.” The line died as Stanley hung up.

Ford slowly set the phone back down onto its holder, letting out a shaky breath. Even though he was relieved that didn’t shake off his doubts. It could very easily not have been Stan at all and even if it was there was still no guarantee he’d hold to what he had said. It wouldn’t have been the first time he had lied, he thought to himself bitterly.

Stanley had actively agreed to come though, and that meant there was at least a possibility of it actually happening. And if he did show then really how much could go wrong from there?

Have him leave with the final journal, simple and easy.

All Stan would have to do was take the book and get out of Gravity Falls, preferably the state itself. It'd be best if he went across the country again or to the other side of the world, but Ford would feel safe enough as long as it was two states away. Although, since he was coming from New Jersey there was a very good chance that’s where he would go back to.

Regardless, it was safest to assume Stanley wouldn’t show up. The more time he wasted waiting for him the more time something could happen. If he could just get the last journal out of Gravity Falls and Bill’s major realm of influence then nobody would be able to activate the portal again. He was sure of it. Hide the research and deal away with the portal; it’d be fine.

The only real problem left was getting the journal out of Gravity Falls… and even after all the planning and time spent hiding the other two he had still only thought of one option. Stanley.

[epiphanicsaint]

The She-Rat.

I believe it’s a rat. And a she-rat at that. I’ve only had a few glimpses of her long, tapering tail flashing across the floor, while she was scooting out of the kitchen, into the [apology of a] hole that the landlord has provided for the washing-machine inlet, before landing on the other side with an audible thud. Then silence! It’s like that Basho haiku. The-frog-jumps-into-the-pond-splash-and-then-silence one. Yeah, look it up.

I’m the only one at home who has ever seen her, the glimpse of her tail that is, but that qualifies in my opinion. K has never seen her or her tail, never even shared the same room ever; yet uses the pronoun ‘he’ while talking about the rat. I find the presumption ridiculous, not only because I have the sole claim to actually having seen the rat [or shared the same room], but for her character as well. Yes, we have a rat with a distinct character and she’s unmistakably a female.

I believe it’s a rat. Definitely smaller than a rodent and surely not of the petite, pink family of mice either. Also, if it were a mouse, it would’ve frozen upon sighting me and then may be looked up shyly, demurely at me - blame it on ‘Ratatouille’. Actually, I really don’t know what a ‘rat’ is in Taxonomy. I think any rat that lies between a rodent and a mouse is one. And if you think I’m referring to a rodential three-some, you are sick. Go-see-a-shrink sick, just to clarify. I have an 18-year old daughter and I’ve learned by now that some people would smile gleefully at the ‘sick’ insinuation upon them.

There was a nightly rat(s) last year too. We were too busy to be really bothered then, besides the occasional exclamations of annoyance like ‘rats’ or ‘shit’ or ‘fuck’ and such, whenever we walked into the remnants of chaotic rat-feasts on the kitchen floor. Once, one of them lost its way and escaped into our bedroom [duh!] from the kitchen; absolute mayhem ensued. I still haven’t figured why we all panicked so much; may be trapped rats could transfer their mortal fear on to humans from an unsafe distance. Or may be, what we felt was the same fear one would feel in the presence of stupidity - refer to ‘[duh]’.

This time it was different. The lockdown has given us much time to complain about having no time to ourselves. Also, K & I agree that its the same rat every night; well, almost every night - we even got worried when she ostensibly took a break from her nocturnal intrusions for a few nights, K was absolutely frantic, imagining the dying, famished ‘he’, helplessly trapped somewhere along the shit-ducts of our apartment block. Of course, after a few nights of unexplained absence, she was back again. I saw the relief [looked suspiciously like affection] in K’s eyes when we spotted the delicately nibbled-upon Alphonso mango on the kichen-shelf one morning. When a new box of Alphonsos arrived, I thought K counted one for the rat too while mentally dividing the mangoes for the three of us at home. Yes, we still get mangoes and the likes in our building - the residents are rich and influential and they assuage their guilt with self-shaming notes about their privilege and thank-you-oh-god-for-the-same-and-everything-else memes on the building WhatsApp group. Anyways, I’m still ambivalent about my relationship with her - the rat, but can’t deny the fact I did miss her during the period when she was, well, missing. I’m also ambivalent about my status as a rich resident or rich anything, and that spares me the rich-guilt. Besides, I like mangoes. Also, ambivalence is a very efficient way to go about life - more on that in another piece.

It all started [we are back to the rat] with a potato on the steel rack above the kitchen-shelf, after a few days into the lockdown. The rack is a very thoughtfully designed piece by the way - like a bunk-bed with separate trays for potatoes and onions and what-you-may-have; I call it ‘a dormitory for root-vegetables’ [I don’t see tomatoes or spinach doing very well in there]. K swears by it and got it along when she moved in, even threw out some of my stuff to accommodate it. So, there was this potato on top of the pile that had a tiny nibble-wound on it, tiny enough for us to have missed it, but since it was on top and the nibble was facing us, we did spot it - it was as if it was left exposed there on purpose, almost with a flag stuck on top. I thought that was so thoughtful and knew straightaway that it wasn’t any human. We checked all the other potatoes, the onions, the bananas, the garlic pods [duh me!], the half-open cabinets with munchies - nothing, nay damage. I looked under the shelf for any tell-tale signs of the intruder, half-scared to find a gigantic insect crouching there quietly, to fly in my face, but none.

Lockdown gives you much time to wonder. And to notice. Even to reflect. So K and I stood there, imagining the scene at the kitchen the previous night when the lights were off. I imagined something discreet, almost secretive, and soft-footed, with a craving for raw potatoes, tiptoeing into the kitchen, picking out the one to its liking, marvelling at the ingenuity of the design of the steel-rack while at it [I realised this when I peeped into K’s imagination], and sat there quietly, nibbling slowly and contentedly at the potato and stopped the moment its craving was satiated, glanced at the bananas and shook its head, tiptoed out of the kitchen, but not before carefully placing the nibbled vegetable on top of the pile with the nibble facing upwards for everyone to clearly see it in the morning. It might as well have written an apology letter for us, I thought. I still couldn’t quite figure the thing, the ‘it’ and that’s when I peeped into K’s imagination and I saw what she clearly saw - a rat. A nice looking rat, a well-mannered rat too at that, with an appreciation for good designs [refer to the steel-rack]. I immediately suggested it was a rat. We spent the next half-hour figuring the entry & exit routes - they were the same and didn’t take a minute to figure, most of the figuring was what to do about it actually. We figured nothing. You don’t really want to figure anything when you are under siege by a virus.

Next morning, it was the same potato - we had taken it out of the rack and kept it on top of the shelf, I still don’t know why we didn’t just throw it in the trash - with some more nibbling done to it and a few shavings of the peeled skin lying next to it, and nothing else touched or violated. We spent another half hour figuring what to do about it, me visibly baulking at any suggestion that would involve physical exertion, like sealing the loose ends of the plastic net around the washing-machine area, and K growing less enthusiastic about wanting to figure anything about it. The potato, dwindled to a quarter of its size in about 3-4 nights, now had a designated spot on the shelf-top that remains unchanged till day, surviving even K’s daily dusting miraculously.

If you are wondering where all this is leading to, I can assure you that it isn’t. I’m sorry if you thought it would. In my defence, where does anything lead to anyway? Irrfan passed away the other day.

Back to the she-rat for the final time. Then one night, I saw her or her long, tapering tail, to be precise, receding quickly in the farther-ly direction. We had started keeping the kitchen door shut, in case this one turned out to be a nitwit like the last year’s bedroom pirate; so for the sake of easy visualisation: I had to open the door to fetch some water from the fridge and had barely switched the light on, and there she was, then wasn’t, then the thud. And silence. Basho is like Newton - apply his observations to any scenario and they still come up trumps, cosmic shortcomings of Newtonian laws notwithstanding. I had to change some details of my original imagination after this first meeting though, especially the part where she was languorously nibbling at the potato while marvelling at the ingenuity of the steel-rack’s design. It didn’t seem like her now. She was too nervous to be languorous and too selective to appreciate the steel-rack design.

We had to throw the potato in the trash, it was a gaping eyesore now, despite the she-rat’s grace and manners. I blamed it on the potato. I’m sure K did too, because she replaced it with a ripe, good-looking banana - the same spot. Banana got munched and nibbled that night. Then it was a mango. Then banana again. A potato happened sometime in between. Now its a mango. K smiles proudly, like the mother of a baby who polished off its meal clean, each time she enters the kitchen and spots the neatly nibbled potato, banana or mango. And nothing else - the she-rat doesn’t touch anything else. Each night, she continues from what and where she left off the previous night, irrespective of what might be around and tempting, unless we replace the banana with a mango or the mango with a potato or so on. I saw her again - now you know what I see precisely - a couple of times after that, she must’ve seen me too since she scooted out each time, followed by a thud and then, silence. And Basho smiles each time. She went missing too for a bit, as mentioned previously. The missing part also helped K come out of the closet - she now openly declares her fondness for ‘him’, the ‘such a good boy’. We no longer spend time figuring what to do about it or her. We just use that time to discuss what else she [he for K] might like and appreciate. We have stopped keeping the kitchen door shut - out of respect for her and her superior intelligence, manners and sheer grace. And she comes most nights, just looking for what is now meant for her and leaves, taking only as much as she needs, leaving little shavings of potato or banana or mango skins to tell us she’s been there.

K still uses the pronoun ‘he’ and I have no clue why. She should know when it’s a he and when not, I would imagine.

I stick with the ‘she’ and I sometimes fancy, even though I know she’s no pink mouse, that she might, just might, stop on her tracks and look up at me shyly, demurely the next time I walk in on her. No thud, no silence. Basho might find something to smile at in that too.