#i think they both just stare at angel in horror whenever they grab the water to spray them

[hiwelcometothemonstersancturary]

I can imagine angel having enough and spraying both with water saying "are you cooled off now"

KASKIASKIOSAKIOSA, OH MY GOD-

i think Mommy Long Legs and Catnap are SO offended by that they immediately shut up in horror. They full on expected to be shut up by going into time out (prison) or for Angel to grab them and yeet them out of the house. Not THAT.

[lonely-lost-soul]

1,000 Follower Special

Members of the DreamSMP simping for you:

Dream, GeorgeNotFound, Sapnap, Technoblade, Phil, Wilbur, and Fundy

~No minor members obviously~

Dream: 

When the both of you started dating he knew he couldn’t let anyone know about you.

The only two people who he trusted to know about you were George and Sapnap, solely because they knew who you were before the both of you dated.

Dream met you during Wilbur’s revolt against the SMP, you were a member of one of the villages he frequented.

Dream would constantly trade with your grandparents for ender pearls. They happened to sell the cheapest ones.

One day instead of them you were standing in their place.

The both of you clicked instantly, you laughed at his jokes, and were filled with a certain spark and fire, that had him hooked.

It was safe to say he was addicted.

He adored you, when the time came for him to cut off all the things he loved he couldn’t leave you behind.

Therefore you were the only person he’d allowed himself to have when he had to get rid of all personal attachments. 

To him you were a goddess who could do no wrong, he’d kill for you.

If anyone hurt you all their lives would be gone in an instant. 

He still remembered the first kiss the both of you shared, he had just gotten back from a rough battle. 

Dream was practically bleeding out on your floor, you were screaming at him calling him an idiot. 

You were fretting over him like a mother hen, he just felt so warm and cared for, he took off his mask to give you a crooked smile before falling into your arms. 

He couldn’t help but think you looked gorgeous in your grey sweatpants, hair all messy, eyes glassy from sleep.

Another string of curses fell from your mouth as he leaned forward and captured his lips with yours. 

He felt fireworks pop against his lips and you for sure tasted the blood staining in his teeth. 

He then promptly passed out in your arms.

Dream woke up wrapped in your arms and on a cushy bed. 

He knew you tended to his injuries he also knew when you woke up you’d beat his ass.

At the moment, he felt nurtured and tended to, Dream buried his face in your chest and smiled to himself. 

You were his good girl.

GeorgeNotFound:

Waking up in the woods to a girl standing over him was certainly not how he envisioned the next stage of his life going. 

She glared down at him and he hesitantly adjusted the glasses on his face, he greeted her meekly and she huffed. 

She introduced herself to him and called him a pretty boy in such a condescending manner that it made his stomach wrap up in knots. 

Oh no she was mean and hot. 

You apparently lived very far from the SMP and had no idea how he got to where he was, maybe he slept walk or something. 

You knelt beside him and grabbed his cheeks between your fingers eyeing him like you were trying to see into his soul.

He passed whatever test you had because you helped him to his feet and offered up your home to him. 

Having no other options he agreed to go with you.

As months went by he realized you weren’t all that bad. You could cook, and let him sleep all he wanted. 

(Mostly to try and get his energy back, but still)

He learned you knew a lot about nature and loved animals probably more than anyone else he knew. 

You really were soft under that tough exterior and George loved that it was him who could make you like that.

As much as he enjoyed himself he couldn’t help but miss Sapnap and Dream.

Were they even looking for him? Dream had to care at least...right?

He felt guilty for being happy here, for being happy with you.

It took another month for George to recognize his feelings for you and as soon as he did Sapnap and Dream found him. 

They both seemed to like you after he clarified that, no you didn’t kidnap him. You were a kind soul who opened your home up to him.

Dream and Sapnap looked at one other with a smirk and George’s face turned red. 

The two of them left the house to let the both of you say goodbye to one another. 

George wrapped you in a hug and pressed a soft kiss against your lips, much to his surprise you kissed him back. 

It was hesitant and he could feel the nerves radiating off you. 

He pulled away and rested his head on your forehead, he loved the flush on your face. 

“Don’t be a stranger, pretty boy.”

“I won’t my savior.” 

Sapnap:

At first, his flirting was just good fun, after all, he flirted with everyone. 

What he wasn’t expecting was for you to flirt back just as hard and confident as he did.

It was Karl who pointed out that he’d get a faraway look in his eyes whenever he talked about you. 

Sapnap didn’t get his point and Karl glared at his denseness. 

“You like her Sappy Nappy.”

“What no I- Oh shit.” 

That’s how Sapnap knew he was fucked, cause now all he could ever do was think about his crush on you. 

Sapnap at first tried to avoid you and Karl had to knock some sense into him, saying that, that was not the way he would win you over. 

Ironically, you pinned him to a tree and confronted the fire demon about his behavior.

Out of pure panic, he pressed his lips to yours, when you kissed back he was so flustered his hair caught on fire. 

You had to help him put it out with water because he couldn’t calm down enough to stop the flames from shooting out of his head. 

He was so flustered when you said you’d never let him live this down, but got over it the moment he felt your lips on his cheek (His hair almost went up in flames again).

From that moment on the both of you started dating.

You never minded his constant flirting with other people, he was glad too that was like some weird form of a love language to him. 

When Dream betrayed George and him you were there to comfort him. 

You assured him that you’d never leave his side no matter what happened. 

You would kiss him all over his face and whisper sweet nothings to him whenever he looked too lost in thought. 

He loved it. He loved being spoiled rotten.

When Karl and he moved to the Konoko Kingdom you were right by his side, you helped build your shared home from the ground up. 

You were his little Firecracker. 

Technoblade:

You were Phil’s little helper.

For as long as Technoblade knew his old friend you were by his side, you were quiet and tended mostly to the angel’s flock of crows. 

At first, The Blade thought nothing of you just the girl who always followed Phil around. 

Until he saw you stab through the chest of one of the Butcher’s army soldiers like they were butter. 

The blood that splattered your face and the unbothered look shook him to his very core. 

Oh no, you were hot. 

Technoblade was shaken out of his stupor by you handing him one of the weapons he had lost in the fight. 

You softly asked if he was alright to which he responded with a soft nod, his face was red and you raised an eyebrow.

He noticed a cut across your shoulder blade and reached out to touch the wound. 

You flinched at the touch and cradled the wounded shoulder with your hand, with a soft grumble he offered to patch up your shoulder. 

In the bathroom of his house he stitched up your shoulder, you let out of whines of pain.

The voices liked that way more than they should’ve and it made his face turn beat red. 

You looked up with him through your long lashes and he melted, the voices assuring him that he was ‘down bad.’

Phil came home and caught the both of you staring into one another’s eyes and he gave Technoblade a knowing smirk.

 The glare he sent his old friend was piercing. 

As days rolled into months his feelings for you never faded, especially since the both of you had grown closer. 

Eventually, Phil had forced Technoblade to at least ask you on a date, you dropped the birdseed at your feet and flushed up to the tips of your ears. 

You agreed eagerly and Technoblade was relieved. 

He had kissed you that night under the stars, it was a spur of the moment thing, the moonlight illuminated your best features. 

The voices couldn’t help themselves and he just listened impulsively 

Technoblade was relieved when you kissed him back, he’d protect you from all the horrors of government. 

You were his Princess. 

Philza: 

He’s lived for decades, seen those he loved grow old and pass away. 

That’s why he liked Technoblade, he lived as long as he had, had the same experiences as the angel of death. 

Phil swore he’d never love again, then he met you.

You lived next to him when he was living in New L’manburg and thought you were very pretty as well as very friendly. 

He didn’t know much about you only that:

You were fond of Ghostbur and he seemed to be fond of you.

It made Phil happy that someone else was looking after his dead son when he couldn’t.

Ghostbur had officially introduced the two of you a few weeks before Technoblade’s execution. 

After that moment, you both were practically inseparable.

You bonded over your love for building and all things shiny, he broke his own rule. 

He fell in love with you. 

When he caught wind of what the butcher army was planning on doing to Technoblade he frantically sent a crow to his companion. 

He was promptly placed under house arrest. 

You snuck in through his window once everyone departed for Technoblade’s retirement home and helped Phil disable his ankle bracelet. 

Phil pleaded for you to join him when he went to check up on Technoblade and you agreed wholeheartedly. 

The both of you flew towards Techno’s but it was already too late, they had him. 

You and Phil didn’t intervene. 

After the execution, he introduced you to Technoblade and he seemed satisfied with you sticking around.

Anyone who helped Phil out was a friend of his

You both acted like an old married couple.

Technoblade was dumbstruck to find out the both of you hadn’t had a first kiss yet let alone started dating. 

Phil hit him upside the head for that comment but it urged the old man forward to make his move on you. 

He set up a lovely dinner date, a homecooked meal by the fire was just what the both of you needed. 

You kissed him at the end of the night. 

It was soft and sweet just like you were, his hands tangled in your hair as he pressed close to you. 

You were his angel

Wilbur:

After Sally, he was sure he’d never love again.

That mantra lasted years, but after he won freedom for L’manburg, he had met you. 

You were a crew member of Captain Puffy’s ship and he always did love watching the boats come and go from the ocean. 

You had arrived in L’manburg alongside Puffy and he fell for you hard and fast.

He was a blushing, stuttering mess as you smirked over at him. 

You were strong and tough and he wanted nothing more than for you to pin him against a wall. 

After talking with Puffy you decided to stay in L’manburg and get a feel for the country, Wilbur was ecstatic. 

He showed you around all proud of what he created, you interlocked your hands with his and he felt faint. 

The two of you were an item not soon after.

Fundy approved, happy his father was finally moving on plus he loved your take no shit attitude. 

They both loved when you sang the best. 

You always had a wide assortment of sea shanties to share, and a plethora of stories to tell. 

You had taught a few of them to Wilbur so he could play them on his guitar, another great bonding moment he remembered fondly. 

When you sang it was the only time he ever considered you soft. 

Before Wilbur announced the results of the election you had done the very thing he hoped you would do when he first met you.

Grab him by the hair, pin him against a wall and give him a heated kiss that made his knees weak.

“Go get them, Wilby.” 

“Yes ma’am.”

Losing was not something either of you foresaw. You ran away with him and Tommy to join Pogtopia. 

You were by his side in his slow descent into his eventual madness and stayed by his side up until his inevitable death. 

As he slowly died in you and Phil’s arms you sung to him one final time.

He told you he loved you on his last breath.

You were his muse.

Fundy:

Being left at the altar was one of the most horrifying experiences Fundy had ever had the displeasure of going through.

You’d been there when Dream left with George, you had threatened to stab out the man’s eyes. 

You stayed beside him the entire night, you refused to take no for an answer. 

Fundy had never been more vulnerable than he was with you that night.

He was embarrassed at first but you shushed him and assured him it was alright.

Fundy flushed and felt guilty for doing so, he shouldn’t feel that way around you. 

Your hand reached up to pet his ears and he began to purr loudly in your arms. 

Eventually, Fundy realized he had feelings for you.

Much like Sapnap, he went to immediate Panic Mode.

He didn’t want for this to end up like Dream again, not that you were anything like him, but at the same time, he didn’t want to ruin your friendship. 

However, much to his surprise it was you who confessed to him. 

Fundy said he felt the same before you even finished your confession. 

His tail was wagging rapidly and he had to physically hold it down to stop it from wagging 

Which was something you laughed at but he felt embarrassed about, you had to assure him that you thought it was the cutest thing in the entire world.

He whined at that but you kissed all over his cheeks so he had to immediately forgive you. 

Fundy introduced you to Wilbur who grilled you about your love for Fundy, he wanted to kill his dad. 

You assured him that you loved Fundy, and would never want to hurt him. 

Wilbur seemed satisfied with your response and wished both of you well. 

After Wilbur left, Fundy kissed your lips softly, his tail once again wagging rapidly.

As he pulled away you leaned back in and kissed him back, your hand gently stroked his ears and he purred again. 

He knew for sure he was going to marry you, and it wouldn’t end up like Dream and his wedding.

However, that was still a long way away.

For now, he just had to settle for you being his dream girl.

~~~

Hey guys! Thank you so much for 1,000 followers??? I am honored and shocked thank you all so much! Thank you to everyone who send me supportive messages and my amazing anon’s who member fail to cheer me up. Many more stories and projects are in the works but I wanted to do something special and different for the big 1,000. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy 😊

[aetherarf]

omg im love w your blog!!! 😭😭😭 (you won me the moment you said you like heavy angst bc i LOVE it. 👌🏻) can you write something angst with childe, zhongli, kaeya ​​and diluc where the reader finds out shes pregnant and is happy and excited to tell her partner but he doesn't take it very well? as if the baby was going to spoil his plans or they were not comfortable with the idea. (and yes, please, you can exaggerate the sadness if you want)

> and as im a lover of sad and painful things, if you can skip a time later where the reader loses the baby and how they would react to it. (It's ok if you don't want it!! I'll love what you can give me!) anyways, have a nice day and be safe!! 🥺<3

Of course! However, I'm going to have it be AFAB!Reader, and using gender neutral language... not everyone who can get pregnant is a girl, you know? Plus gender neutral language can refer to anyone ever.

But ty for your kind words, and here you go <3!

[[ WARNING: ANGST, PREGNANCY, MISCARRIAGE, INJURY ]]

[[ Summary: You're pregnant! And you're so happy to be bringing a little bundle of joy into the world with your lover... but they aren't so happy. Worse still, it turns out that little bundle of joy never get to see the light of day, not even for a moment.

Total Word Count: 2'521

Childe Word Count: 680

Diluc Word Count: 809

Kaeya Word Count: 528

Zhongli Word Count: 504 ]]

Childe

When he had come home, there was a meal cooked, his favorite alcohol, and you were dolled up, dressed up to look perfect--He could tell you were preparing something. Seeing you standing there, back to him, he walked over and wrapped his arms around you, resting his head on your shoulder,

"So, what's the occasion? Or are you just so madly in love with me you have to spoil me?" He teased. You grabbed one of his hands, pulling it down to your stomach, leaning back a little bit into him--his eyes widened before you spoke, and you confirmed the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind-

"You're going to be a father."

In a fit of excitement, he scooped you up, holding you close and pressing kisses to your face, nuzzling up to you in excitement--"I'm gonna be a daddy!" He chirped, "Oh, oh, if it's a boy we're calling him lil Ajax, promise me he'll be my little Ajax Junior?" He asked, excited.

Through the night, the two of you had already been gushing out with countless ideas, about names, about the possibility of twins, more than a few crass jokes from Childe, until the two of you went to bed...

And when you were sound asleep in his arms... he was given a chance to think.

And it hit him.

He was not only making you more of a target to anyone who despised the Fatui, or himself personally... But...

Was he ready to be a dad?

He was gone all the time.

Was he... ready...?

His excitement turned to dread. Only after the initial shock, did he realize that... no, no, this was awful.

As quietly as he could, he sobbed into your shoulder, desperately trying to not wake you up. He was... terrified.

He had not known terror before, because this was not something he could kill and be done with.

Desperately, he tried to delude himself into thinking everything would be okay, to keep a smile on his face. When you called him out for his oddness, he confessed only a fraction of the truth, "I guess there's just.. a lot of feelings going on, you know?" He asked, the shrugged to himself. "I just need a little time before I'm settled with the idea."

He wasn't sure if he'd be okay with it at all. He felt like a child himself... Could he raise anything without destroying it? Even his own siblings... he stayed away just to keep them sane. He was nothing but a danger to them. He couldn't neglect his own child...

One day, he came home...and you weren't there. Probably just doing something on your own, he didn't really care, just sort of minding his own business, doing some cleaning since there was always something he could at least polish up when trying to burn time.

And there was a knock on the front door. He opened it, and there was a panicked Fatui messenger.

"Your-Your, uh, partner. They-They got into a bad fight, and they were... hospitalized."

Never had he run so fast in his life to find you. When he saw you, you were covered in bruises, black and blue, and a few bandaged cuts. He sat beside your bed, holding your hand, "... Talk to me," he pleaded, unable to hide his cracking voice.

"It's dead," you said, weakly. He shook his head, not understanding,

"What do you mean?"

"I'm... okay. But... Ajax," you whimpered, looking at him, having already cried every tear out of your body, "Our baby."

It hit him.

"I got hit in the stomach."

"Oh... Oh no, babe, love... nono..." He tried to hug you as best as he could without hurting you...

But... was it bad of him to be relieved? He knew this would happen... he knew you were in pain, but... he'd rather have an unborn infant he had never met die compared to a child he held and loved.

He'd still stay there with you, but he only wished he could fix it. Not everything could be killed with brute violence.

Diluc

"Diluc... I'm pregnant. You're going to be a father."

Diluc's face paled. The first thought that hit his head was his death, leaving you and your currently unborn child to suffer alone... or worse.

He couldn't be a father, he-he... He wasn't mean to be part of a family. He lost his father, his mother, Kaeya... Even the Knights, that at one point he could have called family, have left... Or he left them, knowing that he simply couldn't exist around them.

Your once ecstatic and happy face fell... Sure, the two of you only, idly, had spoken about the possibility of children... and you didn't mean to get pregnant, but you wanted a child.

It seems Diluc did not exactly share your feelings.

"I'm going to bed," he said, standing up suddenly, feeling like he was about to fall over.

"Is this news... really so horrible?" You asked, no small amount of pain... and he sighed.

"I... don't know how to deal with it. I need time to think."

You knew it was a big thing... you'd give him time. After all, in the end, Diluc was a good man. He did the best he could and took care of those he cared for, even if he didn't want a child, he would take care of them... and, of course, you.

The next day, he was no better, he looked at your sleeping form, your stomach, and from pure distress and terror, he had left to go to the bathroom, just to vomit pure acid, trying to hide how tears poured under the guise of being sick, of being in pain.

How could he be a father?

The next few weeks were tense, and his gaze would linger on your stomach...

By the end of the first month, he set his hand on your stomach... with a small, vulnerable smile.

"I'm excited," he finally said, rubbing your stomach that was barely any larger than normal... "I'm afraid, but... I'm excited for our baby."

You cried, and he did too, holding each other as you cried. Exciting, concerning... hopeful, there was so many emotions, but in the end, you slept happily.

Things would be okay. Diluc would make a family he couldn't lose.

Each month, Diluc would fuss more and more. He desperately tried to help when you were sick, from morning sickness, giving you massages when your body was aching from the new weight, the new life inside you.

Whenever he was sitting next to you, or lying beside you, especially as your stomach grew, he always had a hand on it. On the fifth month, when he felt the baby kick, he looked at you with a smile wider than you had ever seen before, excited like a young child getting its first toy.

He spent the next two hours pressing kisses to your rounded belly, whispering to the baby as though it could hear him.

By the sixth month, was when it happened. The two of you were talking, standing in the kitchen as you talked about what to make for dinner, and you felt it-Water flushing from you, soaking your clothes and making a mess on the floor. Diluc stared at you, shocked, and you felt the worst pain in your life--

"Diluc," You half collapsed in his arms, "I-I think I'm in labor," you said, with no small amount of horror.

It was supposed to be three months, but Diluc didn't question that, even if he was aware something very, very wrong. He brought you all the way to the Cathedral, and the Sisters, too, were in shock when you had told them. Moved to a back room, away from prying eyes, Diluc didn't let go of your hand as you tried to push...

For hours, you sat there, tears in your eyes, "Diluc," you sobbed, weakly, "I'm so tired."

"You can do it," he reassured, "I promise you, you can do it."

Finally, the baby was out. However, the sisters had taken the baby somewhere, you and Diluc sitting there, you exhausted, and Diluc terrified. Finally... Barbara walked in, tears in her eyes.

"... Your baby is dead." She said, "I'm sorry for your loss. Would you-Would you like to see them, or..."

You only began to cry, weakly.

"No," Diluc said, not wanting to look at the corpse of the child he failed to father, "But... can the Sisters arrange a burial?" He asked, trying to stop himself from losing it. Barbara nodded.

"Of course," She said, "I will leave you two be." She walked off, leaving the room as she tried not to cry for your loss.

He held you, and you both sobbed.

Once again, the Family that Diluc could never have, one he fought for with tooth and nail, was taken from him again.

At least he still had you.

Kaeya

"Fucking paperwork," he grumbled, detesting how everything had an absurd about of work to do. No wonder they were always overworked...

He'd rather be, who knows, hunting some monsters or getting some time off, sitting in the Angel's Share with you on his lap...

Huh.

That sounded really nice right about now.

Just as he returned to his work, ceasing to think of you, you knocked on his office door and practically burst right in, an excited look on your face.

"Oh, what's got you so happy?" He asked, leaning back in his seat and he grinned, watching you walked around his desk, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"I have some news~" You said, in a singsongy voice, and he tugged on your hips, pulling you onto his lap. "So, tell me, don't make me wait with baited breath, I'll probably suffocate," He teased, sweetly.

You tugged him close, speaking in a low whisper right into his ear-- "I'm pregnant."

He was glad you weren't looking at his face, with the horror on his face. He was able to put on a mask of excitement, as fake as it felt, when you leaned back, looking at his expression, and he held you close, pressing his lips to yours.

"I'd say let's go celebrate, but I guess you can't have wine anymore."

You huffed, "We can celebrate in a different way."

In the end, the two of you went to the Angel's Share, the two of you deciding to keep it a secret for a little longer.

That night, while you cuddled up to him, he lie in bed, unable to close his eye, staring blankly...

Terrified.

As time passed, you had hit halfway through your second month. Kaeya still insisted that you keep it a secret-- "It's more fun if some people have a suspicious feeling, and then it's so exciting when you do tell them."

He was just too afraid to tell the world thus far. You had mostly agreed, but you were excited... you wanted to tell.

"I want to talk about this more," you admitted, "But I need to get a check-up for our little baby," you patted your tummy gently, and he pressed a kiss to your temple,

"Alright," he dreaded that conversation, "You go be safe."

"I will."

He sat silently, on the bed, blankly staring forth. What was he supposed to do...? To even think?

He was so scared.

He was able to hear you before he saw you, hear the sounds of your sobbing, and as he turned to see you, you jumped into his arms, openly crying. Somehow--he could tell your stomach was... smaller. If only a little.

"You were right to not tell anyone," you whimpered, weakly. He gently rubbed your back,

"What do you mean?" He asked, softly.

"I... I had a miscarriage."

He felt elated, but also so, so terribly guilty.

But he knew, with everything... It was for the best.

"I'm so sorry," he said, softly, holding you close, "Tell me--what can I do to make this better?"

"I don't know, I don't know," you sobbed, broken and weak.

For now, he'd just hold you.

Zhongli

With a wide smile and bright eyes, you told him: "I'm pregnant!"

Zhongli gasped in surprise, for a brief second, he was only pleased, his hands almost touching your stomach... then he recoiled, pulling back, hesitant... And he looked down and away.

"... Love," he said softly, "You are aware I am still an adeptus." He said, gently. You didn't understand,

"Of course, but... there's Ganyu, and Yanfei, they're both half-adeptus, half-human... Isn't this fine?"

He was quiet for a moment, sighing. "Yanfei's and Ganyu's adeptus parents were mammals. I... Was not-You understand, I was one a dragon of the earth, correct?" He asked,

"Of course, I wouldn't forget anything like that."

"Normal half-adeptus children already have problems, but one who is a dragon..."

He looked away, thinking.

"Are you sure you're not just afraid? It's okay to be afraid." You reassured, reaching out and holding his hand.

He was not afraid.

He was simply certain. The idea-The idea of having a child, a little bounding bundle of joy that would giggle as he tickled them, seeing their beautiful, adorable little smile that held features of you and himself...

How idealistic. But he had endured tragedy before, and he will endure it again.

This will only be another agony. If, perhaps, he was in his original mating season, having gone through it delicately how it was meant to, rather than pure chance and accident... Then there was hope.

He pressed a kiss to the back of your hand.

"Perhaps I am."

The days passed, and he would admit, he was shocked to see that your menstruation cycle had stopped--oh, period. People called it periods more commonly. Good to know.

And your stomach grew, you demanded him to touch your stomach, of which he would not argue, listening to your hopeful words.

You felt a pain in your stomach--naturally, you would be in pain.

You had left to go get it checked, to see why there would be pain, and what issue there would be for your child.

Alone, he curled up in bed and sobbed, unable to save you from this tragedy, sobbing pathetically in desperation, where no one, not, even you, could see his pain.

You did not come back that day, but you returned the second, pale and sickly, with bandages around your stomach. You collapsed into your arm,

"They... they had to do an emergency surgery," you wept weakly, too exhausted to sob, "It was... dead... and hurting-killing me."

He nodded. He knew this.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, softly, "I'm sorry, love."

"I just... I just want a family... Something to call my own."

Zhongli was quiet for a moment. Both of you had time before his original cycle would come in line...

Maybe-maybe, through an odd union of human and dragon, you could give him this family. But it would be a long, long conversation, and you would need to wait well beyond your wounds.

Oh, but your pain... how could he endure.

He would have to find a way.

[muffindaddystyles]

READER WITH POTS.

Y/N was 17 when one day she went to pond for a swim with her cousin; that unfortunately the few hours later she was exposed to a news that was as painful as it was to swallow.

Y/N have POTS.

Her body felt unfamiliar to her when the mere swimming had her heartbeat spiking up inflamingly high causing her to black out against the slippery rock.

It was horror. Yeah, but something more horrific than this stupid disease was her every date yeeting away from her the moment they used to hear about it.

In her eyes. She isn’t a babe from a rom-com who has a chronic illness and a lover, she's almost normal and average with a tiny malfunction in her internal factory.

Y/N had it all control. She did! Trust me! Please?

Until, one day she was on her part-time job at this shop in her block when a cute dude with his cute marble eyes stepped inside, all the 8 eyes were on him, yes except Y/N there were 3 more employs since it’s pretty empty all the time.

Call it silly. But, Y/N was so endeared as he wiggled around the narrow aisles carelessly -- but it felt like he had his scrutiny on her and her heart thought it was the best time to go kooky over a guy and embarrass her for lifetime.

She passed out against the racks and Harry was baffled, mouth closing and opening fish like, he rushed to help her up but like a slime she was all sprawled onto the floor and her fellow workers came to rescue, gave Harry awkward smiles and pulled her from armpits like a potato sack into the staff room.

It’s been 5 years and Y/N thinks she hasn’t loved anyone with this much faith and devotion before.

On their first date he didn’t made her feel like she deserves to hangout certain group of people only, he was gentle and so respectful towards her condition. He still has the cups of peanut butter ice-cream they had after their date that night, “I read that peanuts are good f'you.” He said with a soft little smile that day and got kissed in return – because gosh! Nobody has ever done that for her ever.

He used to send over salty dry fruits and banana chips to her until the next they’d be able to meet, when cuddling he always made sure they had the perfect layers of blankets and that the heat wasn’t too high and that he isn’t squishing her too warm.

Y/N would always giggle and peck him upon seeing his fridge littered with sticky notes having the little facts about her illness.

Y/N was scared -- well not scared but bit hesitant to do anything more intimate than making out, Harry made sure she was comfortable enough to trust him to do it with him and he was the sweetest angel while making love to her.

He had it all arranged himself. Silk bedsheets so she doesn’t sweat alot, the heat was very minimum, he had a tall cold glass of water on nightstand and salty granola bars for her – all of it made her cry into his chest.

He's always such a honey.

Even now when she has it all in control (Harry has helped her alot through breathing exercises different therapies and meditation, he just wants to see his sunshine happy and healthy as ever) he’s always grabbing onto her wrist to help her stand up even she assures him with a kiss that she’s alright, he always puts a pillow under her spine and makes sure to give her breaks while having sex, to adjust back the shower temperature whenever he takes one (she had an incident and it proper frightened Harry to core).

He never forgets to tell her how proud he’s of his brave and strong-headed baby.

The only time Harry didn’t fret out and giggled continuously when they went on a fun fair and Harry won this giant, 4x bigger chunkier fluffier unicorn stuffie for Y/N and she got so overly excited and joyous that she started feeling dizzy but before the damage Harry was hugging her to himself and laying them both on the ground not caring if people stared, “You’re so cute lovie,” He pecked her hair and she just grumbled into his chest at the fact she ruined the moment for them.

To this day it’s Harry’s one of the favourite memories.

Harry was reading and she was making a little sweater for their puppy when she started feeling light-head and tingly in her limps, apparently it’s happening because she has been sitting crossed legs for too long on the floor else she has rarely gotten her episodes since she turned 22.

“Harry ..” His head perks up at the weariness of her voice and she pats the mattress, eyes fluttering close as she counts the seconds in her, “’M gonna faint don’t panic okay bubby —-,” Before that Harry’s leaving his spot and skidding closer to her and laying her in his lap, his palm against her forehead and he smooches a kiss to her lips when she blacks out smiling.

He waits for her. Like he had always for her.

Her softie of a boyfriend.

She's grateful to have him in her life and surroundings.

He towers over her to block the sunlight to not to let it hurt her and his heart revives back into his bones when she comes back to him, she raises her hand to caress his face and out of habit he brings it down to her kissing her sweat fingertips.

“Hi.” He whispers with glimmering pupils and she gives out a hoarse giggle, “Hiya me most loved pillow.” Adorable smooching noise filling in the air as he exaggerated his ‘mwah' against her drumming pulse along with ‘I love yous'

“Y'wanna go for peanut ice-cream rolls?”

“Yupppp.” Y/N could never be more in love, Harry lives in the hiccups of her heartbeats.

[mondstadtbreeze]

Under the Windtree

Word count: 2.5k

Genre: Hurt/comfort

Aether returns to Mondstadt only to find that Venti hasn't been seen in a few days. He can't shake the feeling that something isn't right.

~

Aether and Paimon come back to Mondstadt after a long time of traveling the country between Mond and Liyue to collect ingredients, artifacts and looking for more clues of the whereabouts of Lumine.

Everyone is happy to see them and he's immediately roped into helping out here and there, despite being tired.

Paimon eventually tells him to stop because she knows he's exhausted and he goes to stay at the Angel's Share.

He was really hoping to see Venti before retiring for the night, but the bard is difficult to get a hold of on the best days, since he doesn't have actual residence in Mondstadt.

He wishes Charles a good night and goes to end the day after a good meal.

~

Aether wakes up the next morning with Paimon gone, probably to get breakfast somewhere and gets ready for the day, happy for the access to a good bath with warm water after weeks.

He finds Paimon at the counter talking Charles' ear off who seems happy to entertain her and Aether sits down with them.

They talk and Aether finds out after asking (he tries to sound casual when he asks, but Charles looks at him a bit too knowing) that Venti hasn't really been seen by anyone around for about 3 days now, which is somewhat rare, but it happens.

Aether cant help but feel worried despite Charles being calm about it but he, better than anyone, knows Venti can take care of himself.

He doesnt look for him.

He goes talk to jean to see if she needs help and to lighten the load he knows she has on her shoulders and then sneaks off with Kaeya to take a break in which they see who can catch a slime faster.

Aether wins and Kaeya promises to smuggle him a drink later.

Kaeya pulls him into a half hug-half headlock and ruffles his hair, dodging Paimon who playfully swats at his head to 'defend' Aether, before they go off to continue their jobs.

Aether finishes some commissions and sinple tasks asked by the citizens until Paimon tells him to go sit for a while.

Venti still hasn't shown his face and Aether is getting anxious now.

He knows the bard is often busy with his own mischief and isn't always around but whenever Aether goes back to Mondstadt he's been there at least a day and most of the time immediately sought him out, as if he knew he was in town.

Which, as the archon of wind, is very likely.

So why hasn't he visited yet?

Was he on a trip?

Did Aether do something wrong the last time he was here?

The thought of that sits like a stone in Aether's stomach, adding to the heavy weight of his anxiety.

He can't sit around and wait.

Something tells him to go look for Venti instead of waiting.

"You really are like a mother hen sometimes, you know?", Paimon says when he asks her to come along.

"Paimon would love to come but...."

They look at the food that's still on the plate.

"Paimon is tired from getting up early and being busy all day."

"I can carry you."

Paimon puffs her cheeks and huffs.

"No way! Paimon isn't a little kid OR a pet! Noone carries Paimon around! Why don't we go look for him tomorrow? He's probably with that dragon anyways. Paimon will come if we wait until tomorrow."

She looks at him a little pleading and Aether can see a hint of concern bleed through.

"You should sleep, too, Aether."

He knows he should.

Aether sighs.

"I'm sorry Paimon, I need to check on him. Something feels... off."

Paimon pouts but nods.

"Paimon will save you a snack for when you come back."

Aether is out of the city faster than he planned to, worry and the growing knot in his stomach bite at his heels and drive him forward.

He decides to go to Starsnatch Cliff first to see if his friend is there but realizes quickly that it was pointless.

He does his best to avoid fights and obstacles on his way back to Windrise.

If Venti isn't there he'll look at Dvalin's Lair and then return to Mond.

He is already making a plan on how to get to Dvalin the fastest when he reaches the statue at Windrise.

He immediately knows that something is wrong.

Looking over the area it seems the same, nothing unusual, not even slimes or hilichurls.

But as soon as Aether steps up to the roots, his foot touching it's tip, the anxiety he'd had the entire time turns into cold, clawing fear.

His throat closes up and he gasps in shock of the sensation as it washes over him.

Aether stumbles back and has to lean against the statue, hold on to it, to keep himself upright.

He knows they aren't his own emotions, has experienced this once or twice before when connecting to statues of the Seven and somehow that knowledge makes it worse, because it means Venti is terrified.

He has to find him, quickly.

Aether fights to push the feelings into the back of his mind and concentrates on the foreign feeling of wind rushing through his body as he leans closer to the statue, closing his eyes.

He can feel it flowing through him, around him, into the statue and back out and-

An image flashes up in his mind, blurry.

He sees the blue sky vaguely and a lot of strings and roots that obscure it. He can also see the river.

Aether let's go immediately and rushes around the tree to where the water would be visible, heart pounding.

He doesn't find Venti right away, mostly because the fear doesn't ebb off but becomes stronger the more he searches.

When he realizes why, he stops moving.

"Venti!", he calls.

No answer, but the fear spikes.

Aether has to blink, to get the tears out of his eyes from the intense feeling.

"Venti, it's Aether!"

He keeps searching and shortly after this he feels the fear lift a little and can think more clearly again.

"...ther.."

Aether freezes and turns to where the voice came from.

Carefully he approaches a spot overgrown with roots and bushes.

Venti is practically invisible behind it, with his green clothing.

He's pushed himself into a hollow at the tree's trunk behind them, like a miniature cavern. Aether can't see a lot with the gloomy lighting but Venti looks like he's slumped against the bark.

"Hey... Traveler", he greets and the faint glow of his braids and half lidded eyes shows just enough for Aether to realize there is blood on his face.

His heart almost stops.

He tries to get closer, but the roots make it impossible for him to reach, almost as if they'd grown there just to protect anyone from getting to Venti.

How did he even climb in there?

"Venti, what happened?", he asks softly, copying the soft tone the bard had used before. Venti looks at him as if he only heard half of it.

"Wait no, don't answer that. I'm here to help, can you move?"

Aether doesn't wait for an answer and instead starts pushing roots aside with more force.

Venti watches him the entire time, sometimes blinking rapidly as if to stay awake, so Aether continues to mumble what he's doing for Venti to concentrate on.

Finally, he reaches out but Venti shakes his head.

"Don't think I should move... right now."

"I can't get a look at you or help you in here", Aether explains and grabs for him anyways.

Before the bard can do anything against it, Aether has shoved his arms under his legs and behind his back and lifts him out of the hole.

He almost drops him when Venti screams in pain.

"Down! Aether!", he yelps right after, but Aether carries him further.

When he puts him down, it's in a spot he can prop Venti's back up against a large rock.

The bard is still holding onto him, fingers clawed into Aether's shirt, but let's go tohold his sode when he moves too sudden.

And then Aether finally catches sight of what happened.

He gasps in horror when his hands come away from Venti's stomach stained in red.

There is old blood plastering his shirt to his body and new that now seeps further into spots that used to be white.

Aether realizes that, whatever this wound came from, he just opened it up again.

But there is no time for blaming himself now.

"Venti. Venti look at me."

The bard is staring at his stomach, breathing heavily, and Aether has to practically force his head up to get his attention.

"Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Venti blinks. He looks tired.

He nods.

"Good. How long have you been here?"

"A day... maybe", is the quiet answer and Venti seems to struggle with even just that.

Aether's mind is racing.

A day with a wound like this would've killed any normal human.

Which Venti is not.

Should he leave him here? For the tree to heal him?

Venti answers the question before he can ask it.

"Isn't working. Not... healing."

He moans in pain when he tries breathing in deeply and then... doubles over, coughing and gasping for air.

Aether yells his name, doing his best to hold him upright, so he doesn't hit his head.

Venti coughs one more time, wheezing painfully, before he slumps against Aether.

He stops moving.

The blood in Aether's veins freezes.

"Venti! Venti, wake up!"

He doesn't think he's ever felt this cold.

Venti isn't responding and his breathing is too shallow.

The fear Aether feels is his very own this time.

He does his best to swallow around the panic, checking Venti's pulse and, upon finding it, lifts him up again.

Venti is so much lighter than he looks and Aether has to hold back a sob, when he feels the blood run down his hand.

Before he knows it, he's running.

He knows he shouldn't move someone with a wound like this, but he doesn't have any other choice to help him.

This way there is at least a chance of reaching Barbara before... before...

Aether concentrates on the wind around him and sprints.

Barbara is just about to leave the church when there is a ruckus from outside and the doors burst open, splintering in their hinges at the same time as Aether yells "HELP! I NEED HELP!"

She's at his side within a second and flinches in shock when she recognizes who Aether is carrying and what state the bard is in.

There is blood all over both of them and the look Aether throws her is one of feral desperation.

Barbara gets to work.

~

Venti had stopped breathing right when Aether had reached the steps of the Church of Favonius.

Aether still feels the dread and panic sit in his throat, which is why he hasn't taken his eyes off of the bard since Barbara told him to lay him down in the churches backroom.

A few hours ago, Venti had woken up, feverish and in pain, repeatedly mumbling what Aether believed to be the word "Himmel", before slipping back into a fitful sleep, brows furrowed and face screwed up in pain.

Eventually Aether starts switching between carding a hand through Venti's dark hair and running a finger along his brows and forehead as if to ease the creases out of it.

It works for a while.

Venti wakes up feeling like he got stomped on by a geo vishap.

His vision is blurry, everything hurts and he's still tired.

What keeps him from going back to sleep, however, is the body next to him.

When Venti looks down, he finds himself face to face with Aether.

He's snoring lightly, eyes moving behind closed lids.

A few lose hair strands hang into his face.

When Venti moves a little, Aether hums and then buries his face in the crook of Venti's neck.

He holds his breath and when he moves again, he realizes that Aether's hand is on his hip, holding him losely to his body.

Venti lets out the air he's holding in a stutter, doing his best not to disturb the other.

His heart is thumping loudly against his ribcage, fluttering every time Aether's breath hits his skin.

He almost forgets his own pain.

Almost.

He groans loudly when he tries to turn and suddenly Barbara is right next to him.

"You should move him if it hurts you", she says quietly without greeting but Venti shakes his head softly.

"I'm fine. Promise!"

Barbara smiles gently as she puts her hand on his forehead, nods a little and holds a straw towards him.

He drinks and makes a face at whatever medicine she's just given him.

She gives him another glass with straw and only water and he drinks it greedily.

"You were hurt pretty badly. Who attacked you?"

"Noone who will ever hurt anyone again", Venti replies cryptically and Barbara nods, although a little disapproving.

Then she nods to Aether.

"You were lucky he found you on time. You weren't breathing when he got here."

Venti swallows.

Not breathing? That was close.

"O...oh. Guess I'll have to thank him for that."

"You better. A lot of us would be in trouble without him. It's no surprise that he'd end up helping you out eventually as well."

Venti giggles softly.

If she only knew just how MUCH he owed Aether for.

Speaking of...

"What is he doing here still?"

"He insisted on staying. He was very distraught when he arrived and only calmed down when he was able to see you were breathing again."

She clicks her tongue disapprovingly when she add: "Ripped the church doors out of their hinges when he arrived."

Venti gapes at her.

"That's... kind of h-"

Barbara puts her hand over his mouth faster than he can finish and tries to look upset.

"I will not have this kind of conversation in our Lord Barbatos' church. What if he hears! Such frivolous words, bard."

Venti chuckles.

"Oh, I'm sure he'd agree with me."

"Blasphemy!", she hisses playfully and he laughs lightly and sticks his tongue out.

"You seem to be recovering well. I'll leave you to sleep some more. Kick the honorary knight out of bed if he hurts you."

She pauses shortly.

"I'm glad you're better, Venti. Don't go off alone next time."

With that she leaves.

Venti lets out a shuddering breath as he relaxes.

Aether mumbles something against his neck and Venti shudders under the sensation.

He experimentally runs his fingers over Aether's spine.

The other hums in his sleep.

Venti swallows his nerves.

He could let himself indulge in this.

This one time.

He closes his eyes and, as far as he can, curls closer into Aether, who's quiet snoring and slow breathing lulls him into a soft daze.

He turns his head to bury his nose in Aether's hair, feeling nothing but comfort and safety, before he fell back asleep.

[crystallinecrimsonmoth]

Mornin’ Coach!

Author’s note: Heyo, here’s a lil bit of fic to go with a moodboard requested by @carl-sweet-serial-killer ! Hope y’all enjoy! Remember I’m always open for requests for both fic and moodboards if you wanna request them :3 

Negan Miller rubbed his eyes to get the sleep out as he switched on the lights in the gymnasium, yawning and watching as each of the overheard strips lit up one by one. They illuminated the practice equipment he’d set up before going home the night before, everything in its right place where he left it, an air of peace and quiet surrounding it all until the sound of rubber soles squeaking against plastic flooring filled the hallway behind him.

‘Weak form today, Walsh, you and Anderson get up to something that’s making you limp?!’

‘Shut your mouth, Greene, I’m faster than you!’

‘Yeah, right!’

‘Beat you to the locker room, bitch!’

The coach snorted in amusement at the words of his students, wandering down the closed off hallway to follow them all to the locker room. As he put his hand on the door, he heard the familiar squeak and scuff that always came a bit slower behind the rest of the group, pushing lightly on the wood to watch his favourite student shuffle up the corridor with his hands tucked into his hoodie and his hair down since he wasn’t yet in the gym.

Negan watched him in silence through the gap, not expecting him to notice his eye on him. When the teen had passed by without a sound from his mouth, the coach followed behind, waiting outside of the locker room door for them to get ready.

His best six gymnasts consisted of four boys and two girls, an odd ratio in the field of gymnastics but for his little group it seemed perfectly normal. The one student he couldn’t seem to stop watching, though, was Carl Grimes. The kid was perfect on every jump, every move, every twist, and at the end of the day when he took his hair plait out and let his brown waves fall down his shoulders, his coach couldn’t help but admire his beauty.

It was a problem that Negan pushed to the back of his mind. His star gymnast was nineteen, he didn’t need an old man thirsting over him from the side-lines, so Negan kept his gaze away whenever Carl looked back, focusing on one of the other teens when that perfect one stared back at him too hard.

‘Mornin’, Coach!’

The man broke out of his thoughts when Ron Anderson passed by him with a nod and a smile. Negan smiled back, patting his shoulder when he got close enough and leaning off the wall as the group of them entered the main hall. Carl and Michonne passed him without a word, chatting amongst each other while the other four fooled around by the balance beam. With a sigh, the coach followed the two quieter students to the other group.

‘Okay, Hawthorne, you’re on beam, Grimes on rings, Greene on floor, Anderson on parallels, Walsh on A-bars, and Rhee on the horse. Rules are the same as every practice, you know how I feel about foul play so watch your ass.’ He warned the group, waiting for everyone to break off to their respective equipment before he made a beeline for the rings where Carl was chalking his hands.

‘Mornin’, kiddo.’

‘Hey, coach.’ The teen turned to him with a bright smile, his brown hair already braided as he stood between the rings, waiting for Negan to help him up.

Negan did so like he always did, sliding his hands onto the younger’s soft waist and pressing his thumbs into the plump skin. Trying not to get distracted by the silky flesh of his student’s body, the coach lifted him up with ease, helping him grab onto the rings and stepping away to let Carl begin practising.

‘Thanks, coach!’

The next few hours went by without a hitch, each student of his taking their turn at each station and passing his daily tests. Negan hated how his eyes would stray to watch Carl train every time he was distracted, gaze focused on the way his stomach muscles moved on full display in the crop top he always wore to practice.

He wasn’t defined in the torso department, not like Negan himself or the other guys on the team, but the older coach liked him that way. He was slim and fit but still soft, and Negan had seen him put away burgers and fries like a lion would a zebra without putting on weight. The teen just kept on giving him more reasons to obsess over his body and mind, looking like an angel and showing off his skill like a pro.

After three hours though, his need to take a piss was stronger than his desire to watch Carl move on the A-bars like a snake twisting on vines. Standing up, he stretched his arms and yawned, nodding to Michonne.

‘Hawthorne, you’re in charge. I’ll be back in five.’ He told her, disappearing through the doors to find the restroom.

By the time he had finished emptying his bladder and started walking back down the hallway to get to the gym, he could hear voices in the hall, making him wonder if they’d taken a break from practice. He wasn’t a dictator coach, so he didn’t mind them taking breaks if it meant they worked better, but as the voices became clearer he didn’t like what he was hearing in the slightest.

‘Your daddy’s gone now, faggot, no protection anymore!’

‘No stopping us from beating your sissy ass!’

‘He went to the toilet, assholes, he didn’t leave the school. If… you… beat… me… half… to… death,’ Negan heard a thump as Carl landed on the mat after swinging between the bars with each word, ‘he’ll know it was you and he’ll kill you for it.’

Negan smiled at that, leaning on the wall outside of the gym as he listened to Carl to defend himself, not wanting to go in until he was done. He didn’t need him to make his point, he was doing that all on his own.

‘You’re right, he would kill us. It’d be worth it, though, slut.’

‘I think you mean yourself, Ron.’

Ron fucking Anderson. As if he could judge Carl if he were dating Negan when that little shit was fucking his best friend every chance he got. The group seemed to go silent after that, so the coach waited a moment before entering.

When he did, he regretted not doing it sooner. He found Carl swinging on the A-bars to avoid dodgeballs being thrown at his body by Ron and Shane, moving swiftly to dodge each one as they kept coming. The other two gymnasts seemed determined to kill him from what Negan could see, throwing balls constantly while Carl continued to swing between the two bars.

He never faltered, moving with the same ease that made him an exceptional gymnast, but Negan wouldn’t stand by and watch what could turn deadly in seconds.

‘ANDERSON, WALSH, STOP!’

At the sound of their coach’s bellowing, the two bullies halted in their actions, but not before one last ball was launched at Carl. The younger gymnast also stuttered in his movements at the sound of Negan’s yelling, failing to avoid the last ball and taking it to the head.

The man watched in horror as Carl fell from the bars onto the edge of the mat at an odd angle, landing with a thud with his head hanging down far too close to the solid wood floor underneath. Negan ran over faster than he’d ever done for a student, lifting Carl’s head onto his thigh carefully and checking him over for visible injuries.

His heart broke when a pained groan came from the teen’s lips and his endless blue eyes looked up at him, watering already.

‘My wrist, I- it hurts, coach…’

His words forced Negan to look down at his wrists and take in the bruising appearance of his right one. It looked like a closed break and made him wonder how high the kid’s pain threshold was if he hadn’t passed out yet.

Looking up from Carl for a moment, he sent a scathing glare at both Shane and Ron.

‘You’re out of competition season for this. You don’t go near equipment until he can, understand me, you little pricks?’ He hissed, keeping his glare even as they nodded then looking back at Carl with his gaze completely softened.

The teen had passed out now, his head limp against Negan’s upper arm as he breathed softly against his skin. He’d probably looked at his injury and fainted from being so squeamish – after all, the coach had once seen his favourite student vomit at the sight of a dead hedgehog on the running track.

Careful not to move his wrist too much, Negan unwrapped the bandage he kept covering his forearm, not caring much if his students saw the scar on his skin if it meant helping Carl. Securing it around him so his injury was immobilised, the coach lifted the teen up from the ground, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his lips briefly to prove a point to the assholes that had caused his broken wrist.

He glared at the boys once more.

‘Practice is done for the day. See yourselves out. Come on, darling.’ He sighed down at Carl who was still unconscious, carrying him out of the gymnasium with the intention of heading for the hospital.

[fantastic-bby]

Maive

Pairing: (F)Reader x Chan

Word count: 2.7k

Genre: Fluff || Guardian angel!Chan

Summary: As your guardian angel, Chan’s supposed to protect you. Rather than hiding himself, he becomes your best friend instead of simply hovering around you secretly. Only when years pass does he realise that maybe you’re more important to him than he thought you were. 

Warnings: Demons bcs there’s fallen angels

A/n: Hi sorry I’m posting the start of the angel series so late but like heyyyy here it is uwu. Happy October, everyone! 

Masterlist || Minho - Kira || Changbin - Skye || Hyunjin - Nova|| Jisung - Blair || Felix - Lia || Seungmin - Raisha || Jeongin - Avia

It’s a simple task; one that Chan is so used to. He just has to watch over a human and keep them safe. His human just happens to be you. Chan uses one of his typical approaches which is hiding his wings and becoming your best friend. He remembers the first day he popped into your life; it was the middle of the school year. You were 16—the age where humans are unknowingly assigned their guardian angels. 

Chan did the approach of sitting beside you. Knowing well how to interact with humans, the angel was quick to become your friend. Chan made it a point to hang out with you everyday and was soon acquainted with you and your best friend, Lia. It took a year later before another person was added to your friend group. The fourth addition being a guy from Lia’s class—Chan knows him as Lia’s guardian angel.

“Felix! Stop!” Lia squeals as he picks her up bridal style and runs straight into the swimming pool. You and Chan laugh as you watch from the side of the pool, legs swishing around in the water. Lia and Felix had seemed to form a different kind of bond compared to you and Chan, but it didn’t change your friendship even after you all moved into college. Felix and Lia ended up in a different college from you and Chan. 

You’re still amazed that the both of you had gotten accepted to the same university which meant that you could both just move in together since you’ve known each other for so long. You certainly weren’t expecting having to accompany Chan jogging every morning. 

“Come on, (Y/n), it’s just a little more,” he chuckles when he sees you struggling to keep up.

“Easy for you to say,” you pant, “you have muscles the size of my face.” He lets out a laugh. 

“Would you feel better if I carried you back to our apartment?” Chan suggests. You look at him and nod, outstretching your arms and making grabby hands at him. He never declines whenever you ask him to carry him around. Honestly, Chan knows that even if he really was a human, he would still be best friends with you. You’re one of the few humans that he actually enjoys protecting. 

You make it easy to be around and you’re fun. The time Chan’s spent with you is nothing compared to his many centuries of being alive, but he finds himself enjoying your company more so than any other human. 

“Look at those stars,” you point towards the sky, bringing Chan’s attention to the stars that scatter the night sky. 

“What about them?” he hums questioningly. 

“Those constellations tell stories of Greek mythology,” you turn to him and he nods. “Do you think they’re real?” Chan can’t help the smile that breaks on his face. He finds you so unbelievably adorable that he can’t stop himself from feeling all giddy and happy around you. “What?” you ask when you just see him smiling at you. 

“I mean,” Chan looks up to stars that scatter the night sky, “myths have to come from somewhere, right?” He turns back to see you looking at him with a pleased smile. He likes your smile a lot, but he’s a guardian angel—your guardian angel to be exact. Guardian angels aren’t supposed to fall in love with their humans. The ones that end up pursuing their humans get their wings ripped off. 

Chan doesn’t think much of it. He pushes aside whatever feelings he has, blaming it on the connection he’s allowed himself to build with you. No matter what happens, Chan is supposed to protect you until your time comes; nothing else. That’s why when he comes across a fallen angel trying to stray you away, Chan’s mind goes into panic. How is he supposed to sneak out and fight the fallen without you being suspicious of his sudden disappearances. 

“I met someone,” you announce shyly as you step out of your bedroom. Chan looks up from the cereal he’s eating to give you a questioning look. “His name’s Minho.” The angel stops moving completely at the mention of your new friend. Minho. Minho. Minho. He knows that name too well; the name of the fallen angel who almost pulled Chan down with him. 

“Is it that dance major from the dance club?” Chan doesn’t want to show that he’s bothered, but how is he supposed to keep you away from a fallen if he’s already got you falling. You nod, lifting your phone to show your best friend Minho’s Instagram page. 

“He seems nice,” you hum as you watch him scroll through Minho’s posts. 

“I get a bad vibe off of him,” he mutters out as he hands your phone back to him. You give Chan a weird look. “I don’t know, (Y/n). I don’t think he’ll treat you right.” Your expression doesn’t change. 

“It’s not like it’s anything serious... yet…” you trail off. You find Minho really cute. He had somehow managed to win your heart just by working at the coffee shop you usually go to before your morning classes. 

“Yet,” Chan points out. You roll your eyes as you take your phone away from his hands, scrolling through Minho’s Instagram on your own. 

“He can’t be that bad,” you stubbornly mutter as you stop to look at a picture of Minho and his cats. “See? A cat man! Cat owners aren’t bad,” you show your best friend the picture like it’s evidence. 

“(Y/n), just because he has cats doesn’t mean he’ll be a good partner,” Chan claims. You turn to him and scowl, bringing your phone away from him. 

“You don’t know that,” you grumble. 

“You don’t know that either,” he pushes himself off of the counter. “(Y/n), please think about this. You can’t just go around flaunting your heart around for people to just play around with. You’re smarter than that, and you deserve more than what half of these dumbasses have to offer. Please, trust me this once—I just don’t think this guy will treat you right.” Chan’s eyes are pleading. He honestly wants to tell you the real real reason he doesn’t like Minho, but how are you supposed to believe that Chan comes from a world of angels and gods? 

“I’ll try to stay away from him.” Your words cause relief to wash throughout his body. “But he’s very charming and I can’t make any promises.” Your followup only makes Chan chuckle. 

“I can see why he’s charming. At least try and stay away from him. I get really bad vibes.” You nod with a small smile. Chan really does a huge influence on the decisions you make. But his influence just isn’t enough to get you to fight off Minho’s magic. 

Chan can tell something’s off while he’s sitting in his bedroom, shirt off with the door locked. His wings move around behind him. He can feel a shiver running down his spine when he feels the vibe in the apartment shift. The moment Chan hears it, he’s dashing out of his bedroom and slamming into yours. Not only had he woken you up, but he had caught Minho off guard, sending the fallen angel out of the air and to the ground out of shock. 

“Get out,” Chan growls. Minho hisses at him before turning back to you, your face holding pure horror as you look between your best friend and the fallen angel. 

“C-Chan?” you stutter, torn between staying in bed or running into the arms of your best friend who has wings. A pair of big, white wings are hanging from his back as he stands at your doorway, staring straight at the man that asked you out for dinner a few days before. 

“Do anything to her and I’ll bash your head in so hard that even Satan wouldn’t recognise you.” Chan’s tone is the scariest you’ve ever heard and you’re not sure whether you’re more scared of the intruder or him. 

“C-Chan.” Your voice has resorted to a whimper out of fear. Even through the whole situation, your instincts still reach out to Chan for comfort. 

“I’m here, (Y/n),” he soothes as he carefully makes his way over to the side of your bed, all the while keeping his eyes on Minho. Once beside you, Chan grabs onto your arm and pulls you behind him, guarding you from the fallen angel. 

“You can’t protect her forever, Chan,” Minho snorts. “Humans are fragile beings. I don’t get why the angels just can’t let us feed off of them. What’s the point of protecting them?” The fallen angel chuckles darkly as he rounds your bed, stepping closer to your guardian. “May I remind you of Kira? How fragile she was to just slip past your fingers so easily,” Minho giggles gleefully at the memory. 

“Kira’s a lost cause,” Chan mutters, his grip around your hand tightening. “Get out or I’ll banish you instead.” The threat makes Minho’s face contort in annoyance before his form disappears completely. You’re still shaken when Chan turns around, his hands moving to cup your face gently. “Are you okay? He didn’t get to you did he?” His brown eyes flick across your skin to make sure you’re okay, but you don’t answer because your eyes are glued to his wings. 

“W-Why do you have wings?” you question softly as your eyes meet his. 

Chan lets out a frustrated sigh as he shuts his eyes tight. He’s only then realising the weight of what he’s done. “I can explain, but I don’t think you’d be able to understand. You’re quite shaken up.” 

“Of course I’m fucking shaken up,” you scoff, “the guy who asked me out to dinner appeared in my bedroom and you have wings. What a totally normal Friday night.” You roll your eyes as you sit on your bed. “So, what? Are you just not going to explain that?” you gesture to his wings. 

“Well, I’m your guardian angel,” he simply claims. You blink a couple times before sighing and sitting at the edge of your bed, hanging your head. 

“There’s no way I can’t believe that since you already have the damn wings.” You look up and watch as Chan takes a seat on your bed beside you. 

“I was assigned to protect you when you turned sixteen. I chose to show myself and protect you because you were sleeping a lot during class and I didn’t want you to fail,” he sheepishly confesses. “I decided to just stick around since you were pretty fun to talk to. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually connected with a human like this.” Chan turns to you with a small smile. “But now that I’ve revealed myself, I’ll just leave so you can calm down.” The angel stands up, his eyes reassuring you softly before he heads to leave your room

“Chan,” you stop him. He turns around and gives you a questioning look. You don’t want him to leave. The fear that runs through your veins yearns for the comfort of your best friend. “A-Are you going to disappear, too?” Chan’s features soften. “I don’t want you to leave.” 

“No, no, (Y/n),” he quickly moves back to sit beside you. “I meant that I was just going to head to my room to give you time alone to process it all.” 

“Minho’s not just gonna pop up out of nowhere again, right?” Your eyes are scared and that much Chan can tell without having to look into your thoughts. 

“I’ll keep him away from you if he ever tries to come back,” he gives you his signature smile, “I promise I’ll keep you safe, (Y/n).” You know he’ll keep you safe. You’ve already concluded in your mind that he’s the only person that makes you feel as safe as you do. 

“Can you stay here with me?” Your request is simple and Chan understands why you’d be scared. It’s not exactly an everyday thing when your best friend has wings and someone from your college appears in your bedroom in the middle of the night. You climb into bed with Chan, his wings protectively caging around you while his arms hold you close to him. His embrace is as warm as it usually is, but the added warmth from his wings wrapping around you just makes his hold more comforting.

“Just stick with me and I’ll keep you safe,” he hums softly as his hand runs up and down your back soothingly. 

“What did Minho mean when he said humans are fragile?” you question as you look up at him. For a moment, Chan doesn’t speak. He stays silent and you know that he’s debating whether or not he should tell you about it. 

“About...2 humans before you, I was protecting a girl,” Chan starts. “Her name was Kira. Like every human, they’re assigned an angel when they turn sixteen. She was one of the first few times I chose to show myself. The only reason I did was because I was still learning the ropes of being a guardian angel and one of the few ways I hadn’t tried yet was showing myself without giving away my identity.” He pauses for a moment, his hand still running up and down your back calmly. “But Minho showed up that time. He got into Kira’s mind and took her away from me. He corrupted her and now she works in the Underworld because of him.” Chan’s hand stops moving, his hands balling into fists before he calms himself down. “She was the first human I ever lost to a fallen angel.” There’s many things he doesn’t tell you about her. 

The first being that Kira was the first human he had fallen in love with on duty. He would never tell you how happy she made him even when he was hiding his feelings from the higher ups. Chan thought about dating her secretly. It was when Minho came around that he realised he was in bigger shit than he thought. The fact that he had not only thought about courting a human, but he had lost one to a fallen angel. 

The second thing he would never tell you is that you make him feel the same exact way Kira did. He sees only purity inside of you, bringing your smiles to light and your laughter to life. Chan doesn’t know when he did, but he’s fallen in love with you. As he lays in your bed with you in his arms, Chan can’t help but wonder just when did he fall for you. 

“Chan, your mistakes can’t be repeated,” the deity advises. “We’ll let it pass on one condition.” Chan looks up at the omnipotent being. “If (Y/n) is good enough, we’ll make her an angel. Because Lia is good, we’ve made an agreement with Felix. He has to make sure she’s good enough to become an angel only then can he romantically pursue her. Felix has been an exceptional guardian, which is why we’re granting him this one opportunity. You, on the other hand, not only have you lost a human to a fallen, but you had secretly pursued her.” 

“I-I tried to fix that,” Chan stutters as the memory replays in his head. “I was so close to saving her.” 

“Yet you failed,” the deity cuts him off. “This is the same fallen angel as then. Prove that you’re fit to protect (Y/n) and only then will we have a discussion on your romantic interests.” Chan returns to his bedroom with trembling hands. He can’t lose another human—not to Minho again. Chan makes it a point to stick around you. Being a guardian angel, he just manipulates the world around the both of you to make it easier for him to keep an eye on you at all times. 

“Is it necessary for you to change your major for me?” you ask softly. To say that Chan’s announcement of him changing a whole major just to be with you is a shock is an understatement. 

“I can’t let Minho get to you,” he gives you a reassuring smile. “Either way, I’m an angel. I won’t be affected by any of these decisions. I just do what I can do to protect you.” You purse your lips into a straight line as you take it into thought. Chan could honestly just do whatever he wanted with his magic, he just wants you to be his. By being your guardian, he’ll make you an angel; an angel that he can finally love. 

[cedric-stories]

Swear You’ll Never Hurt Me (Cedric x Reader)

       Warnings: Angst, talk of some verbal abuse, suggestive towards the end (but in a cute way)

           Word Count: 2,180

Reader pronouns: she/her

      Pot: Cedric had just started dating you and he noticed something weird. Every time he tries to initiate affection, you seem to not want it. One day, you come over to help him make a potion and he tries to kiss you. You backed away and when he asked what’s wrong, things are more complicated than they looked.

     So, this is a more self-healing fanfic than anything. I have some emotional issues I believe are because of things my parents had told me when I was young. I just felt like if I wrote this, it could give me come closure. My ex never quite understood my problem with affection, so I never got a loving gesture like this. I guess when you never get to have love you write a fanfic about it, lol. Okay, now into the actual story and not my sob story…

                                          Swear You’ll Never Hurt Me

         Cedric had been working on potions all day. It was one of the busiest times of year. He had recently gotten an order in from the king of about 20 different potions! While most of them were easy, there was one that needed his full attention. It required him to cast a spell on someone he was in love with. He had called his girlfriend and asked you this morning if it was okay for you to help. You happily accepted.

      It was about 2pm when he heard a knock.

“It’s me!” you shouted cheerily from behind the wood.

    Cedric got up and headed for the door when Wormwood started squawking.

Cedric signed. “Wormy, I know you can talk now, what is it?”

   Wormwood fixed his feathers and looked him strait in the eyes.

“Well, it is that woman. She’s always here.”

   Cedric’s expression turned cold. “Wormwood, if you are going to complain about her today you can kindly leave.”

The raven spread his feathers and rolled his eyes. “Gladly.”

    “Hello?” you called again.

Cedric once more turned to the door. “Coming! I’m very sorry.”

   He unlocked the door and ushered you to come in.

“Thank you so much for helping, potions like this requires a…certain person to activate.”

    You smiled shyly at the last few words, not quite understanding what he meant. “No problem, I always want to help you.

    After coming in, you put your stuff down by his table. As he began putting in items, you could smell the potion start brewing. It was a lovely smell. Something like a vanilla and mocha coffee.

    Cedric watched you place your things neatly together on top each other and he wanted to help. Walking over, he put his hand on your spine.

“Oh, god!” You barely got out between breaths.

   “I-I’m sorry, I did not mean to scare you, sweetheart.”

     You turned around to face him and flattened yourself against the wall. A look of fear and embarrassment creeped onto your face.

“I-It’s fine, I promise.”

     “Are you sure you’re okay, my dear?” Cedric asked. Things in the past like this happened between the two of you. Every time he tried to even so much as put a finger on you, you would back away or appear frightened.

“Yes, you just scared me was all.”

      After watching you for a few minutes, Cedric finally decided you were okay and headed back to the cauldron. About five minutes later, it was beginning to simmer. He bent down and smelled it with a smile.

“Alright, Y/N, I think it’s ready whenever you are.”

      Once you had gotten over to the table, you looked up at Cedric and awaited instructions. He cleared his throat and began.

           “Y/N, I will need you to stand about three feet from me, okay?”

    You nodded and started walking away from him. When you were in position, he started speaking again.

           “Now, I will need you to stand still and close your eyes. It will not hurt a bit, but it does take a minute to finish. When I am done, I will tell you.” He had his teaching voice on until he looked at your big Y/C eyes and gave a small giggle. He had almost forgotten how cute you looked. Your cheeks a light shade of pink, your nose giving a slight twitch as you smelled the potion. He just couldn’t believe he had found a person like you. You were his dream girl, his everything. The day he met you he fell in love, but he never expected you to feel the same. Now, looking at you gave him a sense of pride. You were his. You wanted to be his. The very thought of it made his heart swell.

           After taking a minute, he grabbed his wand and took a deep breath.

“Ready, Sweetheart?”

           You smiled. “Ready, Love.”

           Cedric lifted his arm to his chest and closed his eyes. He said a few words and flicked his wand. A white glow appeared on the tip of the magical instrument. The light started streaming towards you and began circling around your body. The light grew brighter and you shut your eyes tighter; trying to shut out the brightness. With a small crack, and a small jump from his girlfriend, the light stream topped into small sparkles and disappeared.

           Your boyfriend dropped his wand. “Alright, Lovely, it’s over.”

     Cedric immediately walked over to the vat of boiling liquid and placed his wand over the side. He said two words and a ray of golden sparks poured into the cauldron.

           You looked into the pot and noticed how the potion’s smell turned into pure vanilla.

“Cedric?” You asked.

           “Yes, darling?”

“What is this for?”

           Cedric brushed his hair through his bangs. “It is for the king’s friend. He is dying and the only way to save him is by giving him this. It’s a potion that is quite hard to create, if I do say so myself. It requires…” He contemplated saying it. “It requires true love to form it.”

           Your eyes stinged as they began to water. “Really?”

       “Yes, that’s why I asked you to help.” Cedric looked to his side and noticed a mug sitting on the bench next to him. “Y/N, would you mind staying for coffee?”

           “I’d love to.”

     Cedric made a pot and brought a cup back for you. The two of you sat down on the couch in the living room and began talking.

     “I-it’s been such a wonderful month, Y/N. I truly do believe I have found the one I love. Well, I know I have.” Cedric wiped a few tears from his eyes and looked into yours. Oh, how your eyes gleamed. The light coming in from the window reflected off of your skin and made you glow. He was completely fixated on your beauty.

     “Y/N,” he paused.

“Yes?”

     He hesitated a moment, “May I kiss you?”

                    You looked at him stunned. He could see the wheels turning in the back of your mind as you contemplated the idea.

                       “If it is too soon, we can always- “

           “Yes.”

                        His eyes were wide. “Yes?”

           “Yes.”

                       “Aright,” he took a breath. “Let’s give this a try, shall we?”

           You nodded.

           He started to lean towards you. His hand raised up and cupped your face and his body started to shift towards yours. He knew this was a big step for you both, so he didn’t want to mess it up. He was about to lean in when he noticed the terrified look on your face.

           “Lovely, what is wrong?” He asked again kindly, putting his fingers into your hair.

                       You just stared.

           “Y/N?”

           Tears filled your eyes, and you couldn’t help it anymore. You collapsed into your arms and started sobbing.

           “I’ll mess it up! I’ll mess it all up! Everything I have worked for with you. I’ll ruin it!”

Cedric wrapped an arm around you and rubbed your back.

“Lovely, what are you talking about?”

           You looked up at him and shifted your body away.

           “They’ve always told me I’d mess it up. I know I will mess it up. You can’t date me; you’ll never be happy!”

           “Whoever told you that?”

You locked eyes with him for a minute then broke the gaze in a flash.

      “M-my parents.” You breathed. “You see, ever since I was a little girl, they’d tell me just how wonderful I was, only to tear me down in the next sentence. They told me I’d never be enough for someone. All I’d do is treat them miserably and he’d leave. I’d end up alone with my cat. Sometimes they’d treat me like I was an uncontrollable monster. All I did was hurt people. And in the beginning, I believed they were wrong, but as I got older, I started thinking maybe it was true. Maybe, I am a monster. Now, I see it is all I am. I know this is what I’ve become. I will only destroy you. I will make your life a living hell.”

      Cedric looked at you in horror. At first, he did not believe it.

“Lovely, if you do not desire to be with me, you are under no obli- “

           “Not desire? Do you know what my desires are? My desires are for you! I want you. I want you so badly. But if I let you give me love; all it’ll do is give me fulfillment. I’ll never fulfill you. All I’ll do is tear your poor soul apart. I am a being that should be hated, not loved. I do not deserve to be happy and feel a loving touch. Who am I to think I deserve love? I’m nothing.”

           Cedric had no idea what to say. You had been deeply hurt as a child. Finally, words appeared into his mind and he began to speak.

           “No, they are wrong.” He lightly grabbed your hand, and when you tried pulling away, he followed. “No one deserves to be alone. You do not deserve to be alone. You are not a monster; you are an angel. An angel that has been ripped down by people who tried to destroy you. You are worthy of love and affection, you are worthy of being cared for, and nothing would fulfill me like knowing I have fulfilled you. I want you too. I want all of you. Not just the beautiful parts, I want everything. Every ounce of you is what I crave. I love you. Do not ever let anyone tell you otherwise. Y/N, if what is holding you back is fear that I will not be happy with you, let that go. I know for a fact you are all I need.”

You looked at Cedric with a tear-stained face and felt a warmth inside you’d never felt before. For the first times ever, you felt at home with someone.

“You mean that?” You questioned.

“With my whole heart, yes.”

“I love you, Cedric.”

“I love you too, Y/N.”

           Without another word, you started leaning towards him and closed your eyes. Cedric followed suit and wrapped his arm around you. You put your hand on his leg and continued moving forward. Then, you felt soft lips touching yours. It was something so gentle, something so kind, something you had never felt before. You felt safe and secure for once in your entire life, and you loved it.

           The kiss began light, but a few seconds later, the spark turned to fire. You felt his hand firmly grip your side and your arms wrapped around his neck. You began running small fingers through his thick hair. Cedric tried sliding backwards onto the couch when you pulled away.

           “Y/N, I’m sorry if I scared you. I just thought that maybe you were somehow- “

“Are you enjoying this?” You asked him bluntly, looking him in the eyes with all your emotion while your chest pounded up and down.

           Cedric’s eyebrows shot up. “Yes, of course I am enjoying this. How could I not?”

“You promise? Be honest.”

           Cedric’s upper body shifted towards yours, his face only inches from yours.

“I’m enjoying this more than you could imagine.” He said, starting to blush.

           You were so close to just letting go and giving into your needs, but you still restrained yourself.

           Cedric could sense you were still trying to control your actions.

“Y/N? Please tell me what you are thin- “

           “Oh Cedric, swear you’ll never hurt me, like, on purpose. But also swear you’ll never stay with me unless you want me. Please, I beg you to swear it to me.” You finally let out.

           Cedric immediately kissed you. “I swear.”

Suddenly, you snapped. You weren’t afraid of yourself anymore. You let your lips crash hard against his and the two of you fell backwards. You ended up laying on top of the sorcerer, his arms sliding around your waist and pulling you close. You sat up slightly and looked down at his clothes.

           Tugging at the strings to his robe you looked down at him.

“My I?” You asked.

           His face turned bright red.

“I-I-yes.” He answered, coughing out a laugh. “I’d love that.” He broke eye contact and smiled sheepishly.

           “Promise?” You asked him once more, using your hand to guide his face back to your glance.

He gave another small laugh. “Yes, I just-I didn’t think you’d-well, I guess I just- “

      You cut him off with another kiss, only this time you tried opening your mouth slightly. Cedric caught on and the two of you started up again. You traced around his chest down to his waist and pulled on the strings to his robe. Once the tie came undone, you slipped your hands up his sides and pressed down onto his body. You hungerly kissed the man once more and then looked into his eyes. His expression was somewhere between shocked, dazed, and drunk.

“You know, Cedric…I think I could get used to this.”

He gave a silly smile. “I think I could too.”

The End

           Okay, author’s note: I really, really, really wanted to keep writing this last scene, but I thought I’d save some of that stuff for the next ones. 😉 I know it seems like it was cut short (that’s because it was, lol).

[writemywaytoyourheart]

Onsra-  Chapter 21: Hearts and Souls

pairing: vampire!jungkook x female reader

genre: drama, romance, angst, horror

warnings for this chapter: none!

word count: 4.7k

tag list: @jjungkook99 @rubinora @ditttiii @fekitza @xxxanimangxxx @mygukandonly

Onsra: ML, Previous

ok enjoy ;-; 

-------------------------------------------

“Did the little angel actually fall for me?”

You stare at Jungkook for a few seconds, the reality of the situation not fully clinking in your brain. Jungkook just keeps your gaze, amusement shining from his eyes as one of his eyebrows lifts in mock surprise.

“Oh sweetie. Did you really think I fell for you?”

That’s when it registers in your brain, and you slowly pull away. You only make it a few inches before Jungkook’s hands, that were resting gently on your waist, pull you back in; successfully trapping you against him. He chuckles darkly at the expression on your face, trying to decide which is more amusing, the complete shock or the raw hurt.

Your heart feels like a thousand knives punctured it, his words pushing the knives in deeper, one by one driving them in to stay. You can’t form a coherent thought as Jungkook searches your face. All you want to do is run, but your legs feel like jelly and your mind won’t stop spinning. You pull away from him once again, relieved when he lets you go with a laugh. 

“Sorry, y/n. It was just too fun to stop playing the game.” You can tell he’s anything but sorry with the way his voice is tinged with mirth.

Game?

This whole thing…was a game to him?

You suddenly feel sick to your stomach, the humiliation of the situation hitting you right in the face like a cement block. You look back at Jungkook and see him trying to hold in a laugh, his dark red eyes still searching you. You can’t believe you almost kissed him. Him.

You can’t believe you wanted to.

You can’t believe you’re this hurt.

You honestly can’t believe you fell for it…

Jungkook takes a step closer to you, a pain shooting through your heart with each step he takes. Your legs stutter for a second before you feel your control over them come back.

Turning from him before he reaches you, and stumbling on your feet, you walk as fast as you can to the hedge. You push the branches aside roughly and shove your way through, not paying attention to the twigs snapping back and hitting your face and arms. Once you stumble out of the hedge you start to run, as fast as you can away from the place you once considered to be an escape.

Now all it would be to you is a despicable reminder of the stupid naïve little pawn you played in his heartless trick.

“This has to be a nightmare. This has to be a nightmare.” 

You keep repeating it to yourself, over again in a broken whisper as you make your way back to the house. Soon enough, the green and brown of the forest start to blur as your eyes fill with tears of anger and embarrassment, but most of all, betrayal. 

One tear slips down, and that starts the waterfall of all the rest of them, one after another until your entire face is soaked. You don’t stop though, you keep tripping your way through the undergrowth, tearfully convincing yourself it was all just a bad dream.

“It has to be. It has to be. Please wake up, y/n. Please wake up.” You plead to yourself desperately, never wanting something so bad to be a dream more than this. You pinch yourself on the arm as hard as you can while you force your legs to keep moving before he decides to catch up with you and cause more humiliation.

It isn’t enough.

A hard slap rings in your ears and stings your cheek when you connect your hand with your face. 

You trusted him.

You trusted him.

A choked sob leaves your lips when you realize how stupid you were, how stupid and naïve to believe that he could ever care for you. Seokjin was right. That boy could never care about another soul besides his own.

Seokjin.

It’s a good thing you never told him Jungkook’s old self was coming back.

You hate him.

All he is, is a disgusting monster that finds amusement in hurting others. You feel sick that you ever cared for him at all. You have no sympathy for that boy anymore, not a single ounce. All you want is to get as far away from him as possible.

When the tree line is in sight, you make your legs go faster, stumbling your way out of the trees and running full speed to the house that you can see in front of you now. When you’re almost to the steps, you see Hoseok come around from the back of the house, his hands full of flowers as he whistles a merry tune.

“Y/n?” He stops in surprise at the sight of you stumbling toward the stairs, tears pouring down your reddened cheeks. Hoseok drops the flowers and walks toward you, “Y/n, what happened? Are you okay?”

You ignore him and run up the steps of the porch, throwing the door open and taking the stairs to the second level two at a time before anyone else can catch you crying. When you make it to your room, you slam the door shut and grab the chair from the little vanity, dragging it to set it under the doorknob to prevent anyone from coming in. 

After you’re sure no one can get in, you fall onto your bed and sob your heart out into your pillow, letting yourself finally feel all the pain.

~                             ~ ~                                                                                 “What could have happened?” Seokjin asks anxiously. 

Hoseok had alerted the eldest of your state half an hour ago, when he first saw you crying. They’re sitting in the living room, trying to figure out what could have caused your distress. Every single person and vampire in this house had tried to go into your room and help you, deciding to stand and knock on the door when it became clear you’d locked them all out. 

After several minutes of you not answering any of their questions, Seokjin told everyone but the girls to leave you alone for now.

That didn’t stop everyone from worrying about what could have possibly caused you to break down like that.

“Where was she before she came back crying?” Seokjin asks no one in particular. Jimin sits on the couch, fiddling his fingers and trying to fight the urge to get up and go upstairs to try and comfort you again. Taehyung is on the floor, his head in his hands as he tries to remember all the times he saw you today. Hoseok stands by the wall next to Yoongi, completely at a loss to what could have happened.

Namjoon is the first to speak up from his seat next to Jimin on the couch, “I saw her at breakfast. After that I went to the library to find a book, and I saw her through the window. She was walking towards the forest, that’s all I know. I never saw her again until now.”

Everyone else nods, indicating they hadn’t seen anything different since breakfast. Taehyung lifts his head from his hands, his eyes red from rubbing them while trying to think clearly. He looks at Seokjin in confusion.

“Why would she go to the woods alone?”

Yoongi speaks up from the side of the room at Taehyung’s question, “Maybe one of the girls went with her.” Taehyung shakes his head at that, “Ga-In and I were in the back.” Jimin pipes up from the couch as well, “Yuri and I were in my room talking.”

Yoongi shrugs and splays his hands out in a gesture meant to indicate he has no idea why you went to the woods alone.

“Wait.”

Everyone looks at Seokjin, his eyes narrowing as it looks like he comes to an understanding. He shifts in his seat and scans the room once again.

“Where’s Jungkook?”

~                              ~                      ~                                                                             “Y/n, please let us in. The boys are gone, I promise.” Ga-In pleads outside the bedroom door.

“Yes, y/n. It’s only us.” Yuri speaks up beside Ga-In, worry lacing her words as she stares at the knob and prays you’ll open up to them.

They both jump slightly when there’s a scraping on the other side of the door, then the knob turns and the door opens. You stand there with a dry face, your eyes puffy and red from the tears you cried earlier. Ga-In is the first to move, walking inside and wrapping her arms around your waist, hugging you tightly.

“Let’s sit down.” Yuri urges as she comes in and closes the door behind her. Ga-In leads you to her bed, making you sit and taking a seat beside you. Yuri sits on your other side and leans her head on your shoulder. Ga-In watches you anxiously, noting how you just stare ahead, no evidence of sadness apart from the red eyes. 

You just look…bored.

“Y/n? Do you want to tell us what happened?” Yuri asks softly with her head still on your shoulder.

“Nothing happened.” You state immediately, your expression completely blank and your voice emotionless. The girls look at you in confusion as you stand up and walk to the vanity to dunk the rag in the bowl of water and place it over your eyes. 

The coolness from the rag feels good on your sore eyes, you wish you could put a cold rag on your aching heart to soothe the pain.

After it feels like the swelling has gone down, you take the rag away and place it on the vanity. The other two still sit on the bed and watch you warily, unsure what to do now.

He’s just a stupid boy. You barely even knew him.

Get yourself together, y/n.

You walk to the door, only turning back when Ga-In calls your name.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m hungry.” You state simply.

Yuri and Ga-In watch you in bewilderment as you leave, no signs of having just sobbed for twenty minutes.

~                    ~                                  ~            Taehyung flinches in surprise when you come down the stairs, blocking his path up them. You give him a small smile and he scrutinizes your face in confusion.

You move to get past him and he finally finds his voice, “A-Are you alright, y/n?”

You nod and step past him, “I’m okay, thanks.” Tae watches you walk down the hall towards the kitchen, his brows furrowed at your nonchalant behavior.

The kitchen is empty, thankfully, so you walk as quietly as you can to the pantry. You know Seokjin keeps snack in there, and he said you could help yourself to them whenever you wanted. You just hope Taehyung doesn’t sound the alarm that you’ve come out of hiding.

You’ve never had your heart broken before.

Every time you think about what happened, you want to curl into a ball and let the pain in your heart take you. The only reason you’re not in your room crying your eyes out still, is because you know it would cause more worry and that means more prodding. You need to come up with an excuse for your actions, so once they stop prying you can hide away and lick your wounds by yourself.

It’s taken all the strength you have for you to even open the door for Ga-In and Yuri. You needed to get them off your case, along with everyone else, so you’ll convince them of something different entirely.

If they find out what happened, you’ll never escape it. And at this point, that’s all you want to do.

“Y/n?”

You jump, then turn around reluctantly, your mouth stuffed with a bite of granola bar as your right hand grasps the rest of it tightly.

Seokjin stands at the entrance to the kitchen, his posture much like one you would see with someone that just found a scared and injured animal about to bolt.

“Yes?” You mumble around your mouthful of food. The bite suddenly feels very dry in your mouth as you try to swallow it, your eyes avoiding Seokjin’s piercing gaze.

He frowns at you; his brows creased with obvious worry. When he steps a little closer you feel the tears pricking at your eyes again.

Stop it, idiot.

That thought brings the image of Jungkook scolding you in the forest those few weeks ago, and you swallow thickly. You can practically hear his disapproving tone at your childish tears.

“Can I please talk to you?” He asks slowly, still advancing.

You nod and sit at the table, mind already racing to come up with an excuse. Jin sits down next to you and takes a deep breath.

“Will you tell me what happened? Did you go into the forest alone?”

You nod and set the granola bar down on the table, “Yes, but don’t worry I didn’t go very far. I’m sorry I scared you all, I didn’t mean to. I was in the forest and I tripped and got hurt, I kind of had a panic attack thinking about what happened before, but it turns out it was only a scrape.” You smile awkwardly, hoping beyond all hope that he buys it.

Seokjin stares into your eyes, making you twitch unconsciously. Then, he nods slowly before scratching the back of his neck, “As long as you’re sure everything is okay.”

“Everything’s fine. I was just embarrassed about my outburst so that’s why I didn’t open the door. I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head, “You have nothing to apologize for, I’m just glad you’re alright.” He smiles when you nod your head, then he gestures for you to keep eating your snack.

“I’m sorry I interrupted you. Go ahead and ea-“

“Hey, Hoseok hyung said you wanted to talk. What do you need?” 

The voice that interrupts Jin sends chills down your spine. You desperately fight the urge to throw yourself under the table for cover, settling for gripping the granola bar like a vice and sending up your thanks that Seokjin is standing between you and him, blocking your view and hopefully the view of you.

“Ah, Jungkook. I was just going to ask you what you were doing today.”

“Why?”

You stand, not being able to hear his voice for another second, knowing you will hurl all over this table if you stay here. Jungkook’s eyes are immediately drawn to your presence when you shuffle out from behind Jin. You see something flash in them, but look away quickly, not giving a devil’s inch about what he’s thinking.

Seokjin looks between the two of you, his eyes narrowing at Jungkook in suspicion when he senses your discomfort. “Jungkook.” 

The tone of the eldest’s voice takes you by surprise, halting your attempt to squeeze past them and escape. You decide to stick to hiding behind his broad shoulders when Jungkook’s eyes snap away from you and straight to Jin’s gaze.

Jungkook cocks his head to the side as if to say, what?

“Do you have something to do with y/n being so upse-“

“No!” Both vampires look at you when you exclaim and grab Jin’s arm. You swallow the lump in your throat before continuing, “I haven’t seen Jungkook all day. It’s really how I told you, Jin.”

You can sense the tension in the vampire’s shoulders as he seems to struggle with believing you or just throwing a punch at Jungkook. You really don’t want a fight to break out between them because of you. Seokjin looks into your pleading eyes for a minute before exhaling slowly.

“Ok, go and get some rest before dinner y/n.” 

You nod and move out from behind him, making eye contact with Jungkook and sending him your best glare before leaving the kitchen.

You overhear Seokjin saying something lowly and you can’t help but catch what he says.

“If I find out you’ve been doing something, Jungkook.”

“What? You’ll send me to my room? Grow up, hyung. I have no interest in that girl, I never have, and I never will. So, stop blaming me for her constant whining and tears.”

It feels like someone sucker punches you in the stomach when those words leave his mouth. It doesn’t seem like any trace of a lie is behind them, confirming the fact that your friendship with him was all one big joke to satisfy his twisted humor.

That night you silently cry yourself to sleep, one hand clamped over your mouth to stifle the sobs so Ga-In and Yuri don’t wake up.

You dream of blackness at first, then you see Komorebi, its beautiful waterfall rushing down the rocks and splashing into the pond. You’re leaning over the water to look at the three little fishes swimming in it, then a hand grabs your shoulder and pulls you back. 

Before you can turn and see who it is, the same pair of hands shove you forward, causing you to slip and fall into the water. You feel the bitingly cold wetness hit your face and the water rush into your nose and throat, cutting off any attempt at breathing.

You jerk awake, your eyes shooting open and seeing nothing but blackness. You can feel the cold dampness on your pillow from your tears. The quiet snores of Yuri do nothing to help you lull back to sleep like they usually do. 

You just sit in the darkness and stare, letting the tears fall quietly, slipping over the bridge of your nose and tickling you before landing on your pillow to join the rest of them. You make no move to wipe them away.

~                        ~                           ~            

The next morning, you kindly decline Seokjin’s invitation to breakfast. You feel bad after seeing his disappointment, seeing as he made omelets today, but you don’t think you can stomach anything right now. And sitting at the table with everyone after yesterday’s events feels suffocating, to say the least.

Instead, you decide to go on a little walk by yourself. You don’t plan on going anywhere near the forest knowing that’s most likely where Jungkook is, doing whatever the hell he does every morning. Your heart feels numb with pain right now, and you’re certain you’ve used up all the tears your body had in store for the next fifteen years.

You don’t even know where to begin to process everything in your mind, so you’ve been avoiding it. You hate how much you feel, you wish you could just turn your heart off for a minute and catch a break. Falling for Jungkook was the worst mistake you’ve ever made, and you’re ashamed of yourself for it.

The words of everyone in your past scolding you for being so sensitive, are all coming back full force. It isn’t fair. You can’t help it if you feel things deeply.

You find yourself a couple hundred feet from the house, standing by a patch of wildflowers. Crouching to the ground, you reach your hand out to pull a couple up, bunching them together in your hand and smiling widely at their cute yellow coloring. You scoot along the ground on your knees to another patch of flowers, purple this time. You gather a few of them, adding them to your mini collection, then you crawl farther to a patch of dandelions.

“You guys are weeds, but you’re still pretty. So, you can be in my bouquet.” You smile and pluck a few, letting them join their new family. After you’re finished gathering a few long pieces of grass and putting them in your bouquet, you sigh in satisfaction and hold them out in front of you.

“Beautiful.” You whisper softly.

This is the happiest you’ve felt since yesterday. You love flowers, and these little ones are so simple yet so lovely it sends a warm feeling through your aching heart.

A dark chuckle behind you makes your throat constrict. You stand slowly, not planning on turning to face your visitor, you just want to make it back inside before he has the chance to do anything. You start walking but a hand grabs your arm, tugging you back a few steps.

“What do you want, Jungkook?” You sigh and swallow the lump in your throat before turning to face him.

“Just thought I’d see what my favorite girl was up to. Talking to flowers again, angel?”

You just stare at him, clutching the stems of your little friends tightly in your sweaty fist. Jungkook shakes his head, amused by your silence.

“Have you run out of comebacks? How boring.”

You don’t give him the satisfaction of an answer, just look into his eyes, unflinching.

“Come on, are you that big of a baby?” Jungkook seems to be showing irritation now, and you feel a sick twinge of satisfaction that you can upset him. You turn to walk back to the house, wanting to get your little flowers into some water before they get too thirsty.

“I wasn’t done talking to you.”

Yeah, like you care about that.

Jungkook jogs over and stops in front of you, effectively blocking your path to the house. You step to the side to pass him, and he does the same.

“Still have nothing to say? You’re not going to scold me for hurting your fragile feelings?”

You bring your head up to look at him again, then you realize something. Yeah, he hurt you. But, you can move on with your life and you have your own friends that love you. You don’t need him.

“You know what Jungkook? I pity you.”

He was definitely not expecting that. You can tell by the way his eyebrow twitches that you hit a nerve. His eyes narrow as you continue, “I guess you’re just too pathetic to have friends. All I wanted was to be your friend Jungkook.” 

Yeah that might not be entirely true but it was partly true. Jungkook scoffs and you go on, “I have my own friends, I didn’t need another one. I just thought you might want one, but I guess you’re too self-absorbed to even think about anyone but yourself. It’s really sad if you think about-“

You get cut off midsentence when you feel the flowers you gathered yanked out of your hand. You stumble forward a little and look at Jungkook angrily, “Give those back. They’re mine.”

“Look like I care?” Jungkook glares at you, then looks down at the flowers in his hand and chuckles, “You have friends, huh? Seems like they care more about something else than being with you right now.” Your skin feels like it lights on fire at his words, anger bubbling in your stomach.

“Want to know when my game started?” He asks tauntingly, and you just glare back at him. He doesn’t seem to care and tells you anyway.

“It was back in the forest, when you first hurt your ankle. You kept struggling when I was going to clean it and I decided to try another approach. The way you reacted when I smiled at you was too funny to stop there. I wanted to see how far I could go to make you fall for me.”

“Then why stop there? And why would you even help me before that?” You ask bitterly, your heart sore from his words. The fact that you were carried on his back through that forest and never knew it was all a plan to humiliate you makes you sick.

“I only helped you because I knew Seokjin would never let me hear the end of it if I didn’t.”

Ouch.

“And why stop? I guess I got bored. You’re not very fun, ya know.”

Double ouch.

“Oops, did I hurt your feelings again, angel?”

The way he calls you angel now only makes your stomach lurch, thinking about how your heart fluttered only days ago at that same word.

“So tell me, why did you tell Seokjin I wasn’t the one that hurt you? I think he knows it’s a lie.”

“I just wanted to forget about it. I didn’t want anything to start between you two.” You mumble, your eyes still glued to the flowers in his hand.

“Are you sure you weren’t protecting me? I think you still have feelings for me. Who’s the pathetic one now, angel?”

You stomp past him, having heard enough of his taunts. Then you turn to face him again, your mouth twisted in anger when you remember he still has your flowers.

“Give me my flowers back and leave me the hell alone. I don’t give a rip about you so stop deluding yourself!” You growl angrily. Jungkook just holds your flowers up, scrutinizing them carefully, then he looks at you and cocks his head to the side.

He rips the petals from the stems, tossing your work on the ground and looking back at you, his red eyes gleaming with hatred. All you can do is stare at the pile of your beautiful flowers, their bodies all torn and tattered as they lay in the dirt by his feet. 

Your body suddenly feels deflated. Tears prick at your eyes and you feel that little sting in your heart again, seeing how your little friends look just how your heart feels now, you’re sorry you ever took them away from their home, only to be ruined by him.

That’s when you see his boots.

Your shaky breath stutters and stops, stuck in your throat when something clicks in your head.

You know those boots.

They’re laced up to the second to last holes.

It’s him.

The boy that you ran into all those months ago when you were rushing to get to math class. And again when you were in the cafeteria. The one that kept stuttering apologies when it was your fault for being so clumsy.

You never saw his face, but now that you see those boots and think about that shy and concerned voice, you know for sure that it’s him. How did you never notice this?

A single tear slips down your cheeks when you look back up at him.

“What happened to you, Jungkook?” You whisper hoarsely, your voice shaking with sadness.

He just glares at you suspiciously, not understanding what caused your change in behavior. You wipe your eyes and take a step closer to him, to which he unconsciously takes a step back.

“When? When did you become so heartless?” You ask, tentatively taking another step. Now your heart aches, but it aches for him.  

The vampire. It had him too long. None of his old self is left. Seokjin’s words ring in your ears.

Your question seems to trigger something in him and he laughs bitterly, walking closer and grabbing your hand. He roughly pulls you to him before you can get away and puts your hand on his chest, where his heart is.

Except, there’s no heartbeat.

You look up at him, bewildered. Jungkook shoves your hand away and sneers, “You’re smarter than I thought, angel.”

You move back, Jungkook advancing with each of your retreating steps.

“Why do you look so surprised? You said it yourself. I’m completely heartle“

The sound of a car pulling up the side of the hill distracts you, your stomach turning in a horrible way. Jungkook watches your face blanch as you look over his shoulder, your eyes focusing on something behind him. His body tenses, then he turns slowly to see a blue mini van pulling up about twenty feet from the pair of you.

Who the hell is that?

You’re frozen in your place, fear coursing through you at whoever sits behind that wheel. Nobody should know about this place. Your anxiety only grows when you hear Jungkook inhale sharply, his hands clenching in fists.

“Shit. Shit shit shit.”

It looks like Jungkook can tell who’s in the car from the way he’s cursing. So, you whisper quietly, trying not to move your mouth, “Who is it? Jungkook?” The fear is clear in your voice. 

He just keeps his back turned to you, his shoulders tense. You can’t see who is inside the car, the windows are tinted and Jungkook is between you and the vehicle.

“Get in the house, now.”

Jungkook turns to look at you for a split second when you don’t move, his eyes flashing as he hisses, “Get in that house and tell Seokjin everyone needs to hide. Now!”

a/n: yayy hope you guys like it :)

[godofevrerything]

Agape

Pairing: Eliza x Dayra

Synopsis: One rule broken leads to so much.

@fairylightsandthings

Part Four

————————————————————

Time passed. To angels, time wasn’t much. They lived for all eternity, so time was a small concept. Except for guardian Angels.

As long as their charge lived, they had to keep track of the time. The human time, not their own.

And for Eliza, it was hard. She hadn’t been born a guardian, only a filer. And as a filer, she had no reason to keep track of human time. Only if she wanted to see something be made down on Earth. Other than that, she could let time slip through her fingers and blow away in the wind.

But still, she kept track. However hard it was, however difficult her tasks seemed, she knew that it was nothing compared to the horrors Dayra went through daily.

Eliza had of course expected being Dayras GA to be a difficult job. But she had not expected the sheer amount of violent, nearly psychotic fury that Nick had towards his small niece. It was more than anger, a sort of burning bitter rage that seemed to consume him whenever he saw Dayra.

Eliza couldn’t understand it, not one little bit of it.

As she read more and more, observed more and more, despair started to creep into her head. Perhaps Nick was a lost case, maybe she shouldn’t have tried so hard to help Dayra.

Maybe this was a mistake.

But she knew it wasn’t. She wasn’t going to give up, it wasn’t in her nature, and more importantly, even if it was, she wasn’t going to let a child suffer and perhaps someday turn out like the monster who dared to call himself her uncle.

So Eliza watched. She made frequent visits to Earth, daily in fact. It was so often that sometimes she felt as if she lived on Earth, not in Heaven.

She did her best to rein in Nicks temper, but it was like trying to calm a wild, bucking and psychotic bull. But she managed. A bit of magic here and there, even though it drained her, this was her job. To help and protect Dayra no matter what.

Time passed. Six human years, to be exact. Seven years of grueling work and research, flying down to Earth whenever possible, giving both Dayra and Kira sweet dreams and good rest, learning and growing alongside Dayra Sawyer. Learning different things, yes, but at the core, Eliza and the girls existence wasn’t much different.

They each had to survive. Dayra through physical hurdles, Eliza under the strict laws of Heaven. And they grew together.

There were no major incidents, none at all. Until there was.

Down on Earth, the sun was low, a wind blowing. Fluffy cumulus clouds dotted the vanilla sky.

A beautiful backdrop for a tragedy.

Three girls stood on the quarry. Dayra, Kira and Winnie. The last’s fists were clenched, glaring furiously at Dayra.

And with a swift movement, she shoved Kira aside and grabbed Dayras shirt.

“Winnie- STOP- she can’t- She can’t swim!” Kira yelled, trying to push herself up from the gravel.

Winnie tilted her head, silent for a moment, then spoke softly, coldly. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

One shove.

“No!” Kira cried.

She managed to snatch Dayras hand, grey eyes wide with terror.

Dayra held onto her hand tightly, grip slipping more and more by the second. “Kira, I can’t- I can’t-“

There was a sharp crunch, and Kira screamed and Winnies foot slammed down on her arm.

“Dayra, hold your breath-!”

The girl fell, plunging into the dark waters, holding her breath.

Up in Heaven, Eliza was reading, take a few seconds of a break before diving into another file.

A sudden rush of ice seemed to pour into her heart, and she jumped, book falling from her grasp. Blue eyes wide, Eliza looked around, panic filling her.

What-?

Her crystal ball was red.

“Dayra-!” she cried.

No- no no no no this couldn’t be happening, not this soon! No, no, crap- what had- god, no this-

Dayra!

She snatched her key up, flying down to the door to Earth, nearly smashing into a few columns on the way.

Hands trembling, she opened the door, then dove. And fell, through the sky.

In a mortal body.

It was a strange sensation, being in a mortal body. Even in her horrified panic, Eliza could feel the icy wind slashing through her thin dress. Goosebumps came up on her skin, and her breath made clouds as she fell.

When she hit the water, pain exploded. Red hot, burning pain filled her, and her lips opened in a silent scream. Water came rushing into her mouth, her throat, liquid ice that only worsened her panic.

Did angels die? Could they die? In human form?

She couldn’t die, no, not like this-!

Somehow, Eliza twisted her body around. Miraculously, she wasn’t injured. Insurance from Heaven she supposed.

Dayra, where was Dayra?!

A speck caught her eye. A golden speck, the same color as Dayras hair.

She twisted around again, and there Dayra was, falling through the water. Hurriedly, Eliza swam over. Her body seemed to be superpowered, she couldn’t feel the cold of the water anymore, or maybe she had just numbed to it. But she swam fast, hugging Dayra to her chest as she kicked, swimming to the surface.

The air was warm, or at least seemed that way as Eliza and Dayras head broke through the surface. Her lungs seemed to be on fire, and she gasped for breath, yelping and gagging as her head went back under. She swam quickly towards the quarry, limbs seeming to move in slow motion. It was as if the water was quicksand, trying to drown them both.

Finally, she reached the shore, setting Dayra down then crawling next to her, gasping in pain. Fork- everything hurt. But it didn’t matter.

Eliza felt for a pulse, relief flooding her as she felt one. She shook Dayra, wishing that she had known more about how to wake a human up.

If as by a miracle, Dayras eyelids fluttered slightly, and she coughed, making Eliza jump. She turned the girl over, patting her back; Just in time as she vomited water onto the ground, gagging.

“Uhhh..” Dayra groaned.

The girl twisted back around, eyes widening as she stared at Eliza.

“Who..?”

Eliza flinched. No- crap, why was she always so bad at this?!

Charges weren’t supposed to see their GAs, no matter what. Even a small glimpse could mean disaster. It was one rule that must be obeyed at all times.

And she had broke it.

Panic filled her, and she ran, right back into the water. Eliza squeezed her eyes shut tightly, not knowing how she would get back. Please, please get back!

Clenching her key tightly, she thought of Heaven. The gardens, Risk, her office. Bits and pieces of imagery streaked through her mortal brain, the cold, oh goodness, the cold-!

And then it was warm.

Her eyes snapped open. She was back in her office, dry and warm. Eliza’s breath came out in shaky puffs, and she ran her hand over the papers and files, eyes wide with shock.

It was that simple? Just think of Heaven, hold the key, and you were back?

But Dayra!

Panic seized Eliza again, and she grabbed her crystal ball, relief flooding her again for the second time in mere minutes.

Kira had found Dayra, and was wrapping her cousin up in her cardigan. Picking the small girl up and carrying her, presumably back to their house.

Oh, thank goodness-

“Eliza!”

She jumped, nearly falling out of her chair in alarm. “Huh?!”

It was Risk, bright smile fading as she took in her cousins disheveled appearance. “Um... you okay? You kinda look like you’ve been through somethin.”

She pressed a hand to her chest, smiling weakly. “Well, yeah, you could say that. But uh, what’s up?”

Risk’s smile grew again, nodding down the hallway. “I was just gonna check out that new cafe. Heard they sell boba! You wanna come?”

She paused, lowering her voice. “And... then maybe you could tell me what’s got you into such a panic.”

Eliza glanced at her desk, eyes lingering on the crystal ball. Dayra... would be fine, right? Kira would take care of her for a bit. And surely an hour of a break wouldn’t hurt.

She hesitated, then turned back to Risk, smiling as she stood. “Yeah, I’ll come. Boba sounds good. And I could use a chat.”

Her cousin beamed, linking arms with her. “Great!”

Dayra would be fine, Eliza told herself. And for now, she had to make sure that she was fine.

[floralguccistyles]

Hello all! While I am very happy to share this chapter with you, I am also aware that a lot of my social media feeds and timelines have stopped highlighting the BLM movement, which is so much more important. This fight is not over. It will not be over until there is justice for every single black mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, aunt, uncle, friend that has been killed by police brutality and violence. Please don’t allow the people we follow to sweep this under the rug. If you do not have the means to protest, there are several other ways you can donate and raise awareness to this issue. Here is a Twitter thread of donations that still haven’t reached their goals. Here is a compiled list of petitions you can sign, numbers you can text, and causes you can donate to. Here is a Twitter thread of Youtube videos you can watch that gain ad revenue and donate all money made to the BLM movement. Please do what you can, especially my fellow non-POC users, to help with this issue. It is so, so incredibly important.

wildflower :: chapter two

...and stays up with you all night

There was a tradition between the Horan-Fairbrough clan that once a month, we would all try and get together and have dinner. It usually ended up with Greg’s son Theo falling asleep while I held him and Violet spewing on about something she learned in college before we all settled down to watch a movie. We had an ongoing rotation on who picked the movie, and this month it happened to be Niall’s turn.

Which was why I was so shocked that it was a horror film.

I didn’t like scary movies. And neither did Niall. But when he sat between Lily and I (on the floor since our parents took the couch while Greg and Theo took the loveseat), I realized his intention. Lily hated horror films even more than I did. And when the first jump scare came around, Lily hid her face in Niall’s side and squealed a little.

Smart boy, that Niall.

“You’re an asshole for picking this film,” I told Niall as I held the popcorn bowl between us. Niall and I hadn’t spoken since last Monday, when he’d dropped off his stuff at my house. Everything had been in a nice neat pile except for my necklace. When I had inquired about it, he had told me that he hadn’t seen it, but he would look again. I think the look of panic on my face told him how serious I was about that particular piece of jewelry.

“Why would I give up a chance to hold both my Fairbrough girls while they scream bloody murder?”

He wasn’t wrong. I found myself jumping right alongside with Lily whenever something frightening happened, so Niall just grinned at me, called me a baby, and then offered his hand for me to hold. 

I gripped it like it was my lifeline. 

The day had started off normally, waking up in Lily’s bed to her arm strewn across my neck, quite close to choking me. Though I may have snored in my sleep (according to she and Niall, I was still doubtful), Lily tried to kill me in hers. Her alarm went off approximately three minutes after I untangled myself from her comforter and I went to work on making us coffee and breakfast while she took a shower. I was expecting Niall to show up at around seven-thirty, since that was normally the time Lily was done taking a shower and I was expected to keep him entertained. When the door opened and I saw him in a salmon-colored dress shirt, I smiled.

“Morning,” I said, blinking against the bright smile he gave me. “Want a cup?”

“God, you’d be an angel.”

“I’m always an angel, what are you talking about?” I stuck my tongue out at him, but started to work on his coffee. The eggs were frying in the pan, so I quickly added some garlic salt to them (because I knew Niall liked it) before I poured his drink into a to-go cup. I watched him sit at the barstool, tossing his sunglasses on the counter as he watched me make breakfast. “So, it’s your pick for movie night tonight. Any contenders?”

He shrugged. “Hadn’t thought about it much, to be honest. I’ve been dealing with some stuff at work.”

Rummaging through some drawers, I found a Sharpie and uncapped it. “What’s up?”

He sighed. I didn’t like this look on Niall, the defeated kind of look that made him look at least three years older. He looked like he was carrying the weight of something heavy on his shoulders. “Hey,” I said quietly, reaching across the counter to grab his forearm in what I hoped was a comfort. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

His other hand reached to grab my fingers, moving my touch on his arm to hold my hand. His fingers interlaced through mine, examining them for a moment. “One of my boys...a girl came forward and made a sexual assault claim yesterday.”

I tried not to freeze. I wasn’t sure if he noticed when my hand suddenly went limp, but his eyes were still locked onto our hands as if he were contemplating much more than just how large his were compared to mine. “Oh. Shit, I’m sorry, Ni. What...what’s happening?”

His nose wrinkled. “They’re getting him off the team, that’s what. I’m not going to have someone like that representing our team. He’ll go to the dean next week to talk about expulsion.”

“And the girl?” I asked softly.

“I don’t know, Rose. She’ll have to...Christ, she’ll carry this around for the rest of her life. I’ve assured her that his place on the team is nonexistent, but she didn’t look like she believed me.”

“So you didn’t think...she was pathetic or anything?”

“Pathetic? Jesus, Rose, no. I just feel like shit that she was even put in that position at all.”

I squeezed his hand tightly. He didn’t know why my fingers turned from a caress to a grip, but he squeezed my fingers back even so. 

The truth was, his words meant more to me than he’d ever know. But it also made me sad. For the girl, for me, and for anyone else who ever had to deal with something like that. I knew I didn’t deserve to place myself on the same caliber as the girl Niall was talking about. She’d been assaulted, and all Kent ever did was corner me in his office to exchange a promotion for sex. Still, knowing how Niall felt about it made things a little easier. There was no question on whether the player would still be on the team. He would just be...gone. No questions asked.

“You’re a good guy, Niall,” I whispered softly.

“It’s not a matter of being a good guy or not. It’s a matter of being a decent human being.”

Lily appeared in the kitchen before either of us could continue with our conversation, which was probably for the best. “Morning. Smells good, Rose,” Lily commented, coming over to stand by Niall. She wrapped her arms around the back of his shoulders and gave him a squeeze, kissing his cheek. “You smell good,” she mentioned to him.

He didn’t blush, which was weird because Niall always blushed when someone complimented him. He just grinned and let out a little chuckle. “Thanks, Lil. You’re dripping all over me.”

Lily usually let her hair air dry while she ate breakfast and then ran the dryer over it. It locked in enough of her curls to make it stylishly wavy, but not dry it enough so that they straightened out. She had it down to a science. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly, pulling away and lovingly wiping off a bit of water droplets from Niall’s shirt. The salmon color darkened to a burnt coral with the water, but it would be dry in a matter of minutes, so Niall didn’t look like he minded terribly. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Eggs, coffee, and I was going to cut up some of that fruit,” I announced, grabbing said fruit from the fridge. Lily usually kept her fridge pretty stocked with fruit, so she had several berries and a couple of assorted melon slices. 

“Where’s the bacon?” Niall groaned.

“We have some microwaveable bacon, but I doubt you want that.”

He wrinkled his nose. If there was one thing Niall hated, it was the shitty pre-cooked bacon Lily bought. I didn’t mind the taste of it, personally, and appreciated its convenience. Niall was a firm believer that bacon should take time and love. “I’m fine with eggs and fruit.”

“That’s what I thought.” Cutting the fruit and not cutting my finger proved to be a task, but I accomplished it and put all the berries and melons on a plate. The eggs, which had been taken off heat during my fruit-cutting, were still warm, so I put them onto individual plates and handed them off to Lily and Niall. “Bon appetit.”

“A meal fit for a king,” Niall exclaimed. He was always too generous when describing my cooking. I wasn’t terrible and my food was almost always edible, but I wasn’t going to become a chef anytime soon. “Thanks, Rosebud.”

The morning continued on as usual, with Lily leaving Niall and I to keep each other company while she went about her morning routine. There was no more discussion on the girl that had come forward about Niall’s student athlete, but I could tell by the duller color of his eyes that it was still weighing heavy on his mind. Which was why when he was looking away and getting things situated for his day at work, I took the Sharpie and scribbled out “you’re a great role model for the students” with about a thousand x’s and o’s underneath it. He grinned and pressed a kiss to my hair when he saw it, and claimed “he’d keep the cup until the end of time, Rosebud.”

But Niall couldn’t hide his disappointment and sorrow. Which, in retrospect, might have been the reason that he had chosen a horror movie. It was probably a last minute decision.

I wasn’t sure what the title of the movie was, but it was some gory and bloody thing with demonic possession. Our families had varying reactions to the film. Greg was falling in and out of sleep, while his parents on the other side of him were cringing at the film. My parents, who had grown up with horror films, seemed to be genuinely enjoying it, letting out little ohs and ahs when something interesting happened. Violet just stared at the screen with the indifference of a Gen Z child, typing away at her phone whenever the plot got too boring for her to handle.

It was only about forty minutes into the movie when Violet nudged my foot with hers and gestured towards the kitchen with her chin. Things had been back to normal between the two of us, the vulnerable night of sleeping by her side long forgotten. I was honestly thankful for the usual attitude. If she started treating me like some frail thing, I might have burst into tears. I had always prided myself on being a strong person, and I was obsessed with Violet and Lily seeing me in the same light. So when we had woken up the next morning, Violet with drool down her chin and my hair in a wild disarray, I wished she would say something normal.

I believe her exact words had been “Jesus, you have bad morning breath,” before she had promptly rolled over to face away from me.

Still, I followed her to the kitchen, Niall’s eyes on me questioningly when Violet and I walked away from the family. I shrugged my shoulders, unaware as to what Violet wanted as much as he was. Unlike Lily and Niall’s apartments, my childhood home had a kitchen separated by a thick wall, so maybe Violet wanted some advice on Selma and Eric and needed privacy. 

When we arrived to the kitchen, however, I did not expect the turn our conversation took.

Without saying anything, she walked to her purse and pulled out a slip of paper, handing it to me. 

“Am I supposed to know what this is?”

“It’s the health specialist at my university. She has a practice outside of the school, so I asked for her office number.”

I stared at it, a little more than confused. “Alright. Cool. What am I supposed to do with it?”

“She’s a psychologist.”

The paper suddenly felt like a weight in my hand. I gaped at her, mouth open like a fish as she stared at me, almost daring me to give it back to her. Which I tried to do almost instantaneously. “I don’t need this, Violet. Save it for someone who actually does.”

“Seeing a therapist isn’t a bad thing, Rose. She can help with the whole Kent thing. She’s been helping me a lot and I really like her, so I think you will too.”

“I’m sure she’s a wonderful lady, but I don’t need to see her.” I crossed my arm over my chest, only after setting the unwanted phone number on the countertop. “This was a little invasive of you.”

“It wasn’t invasive. It’s me trying to help. You’ve got some shit you need to deal with, as do I, and she can help. I mean, she’s no miracle worker, but it would be nice to talk to someone about what happened.”

My mouth went dry. “Violet, nothing happened. People have had it much worse than I have.” I thought about this morning, about Niall’s defeated face when he told me about the girl at the college. “He didn’t...he didn’t assault me or anything. He just made some lewd comments. It isn’t enough to see someone over, trust me.”

“Rose, you’re nearly twenty-five and you have to sleep with someone else in the room.”

I knew deep down that Violet was coming from a place of love, just like all her other jabs and pokes did. But this felt too personal for me to brush off. I had opened up to her that night at Lily’s, and she was throwing it back in my face. “You didn’t have to come into my room that night,” I said defensively, and I wondered if she could tell my voice was ten times icier than it had been before.

“I’m not trying to attack you or anything—”

“That’s what it feels like.”

Lily must have sensed that Violet and I in a kitchen alone would stir some trouble. She came in only seconds later, raising an eyebrow at the two of us. “Having a party in here without me?”

“I gave Rose the therapist’s number and she’s refusing to take it,” Violet commented. 

“Keep your voice down,” I hissed.

“You gave it to her in the middle of the Horan-Fairbrough family night?” Lily asked incredulously. I was happy that she seemed to be as confused as I was, but then her words actually caught up to me.

“You knew?” I asked, turning to face my big sister. “Did you tell her what a bad idea it was?” Lily looked at me, her lips pressed together in a thin line. When she didn’t speak for a few moments, I knew. Maybe it was stupid to feel the stab of betrayal, but I did. “You told her to do it.”

“She was mentioning how much her therapist has helped her with college and I thought it might be beneficial to you. I didn’t know she was going to give it to you during family night.”

Lily never went behind my back. About anything. She and I were always open books with one another. So hearing that she had gone out of her way to ask Violet do this made me feel like shit. “I thought you were fine with me staying at your place?” I couldn’t keep the childlike whine out of my voice. I had never thought that Lily disliked having me in her apartment, but maybe she did. Maybe she had asked Violet about this because she wanted to get rid of me.

“Of course I am, Rose! That’s not the point of this,” Lily was quick to assure me. “I just think talking about it might help.”

I felt like someone had just pulled the rug out from under me. They were asking me to see someone, like I was a giant burden. I would have expected this from Violet, who was always blunt and truthful, but I would have never expected it from Lily. Lily would have sat me down, brought it up, asked my opinions, and then let it go when it seemed like it was something I didn’t want. “Right. Well, I don’t think it will, so let’s drop it and go watch the rest of the movie.”

“Okay,” Lily said, reaching out to rub my shoulder comfortingly. “Yeah, we’ll go back out.”

“No,” Violet mentioned, her posture hard and defiant. “I’m not letting you walk back out there until you take the phone number. Lily may baby you about this, but I’m not going to.”

“Violet,” Lily chastised.

“You let her get away with so much shit, Lil. And then the one time we dare request she do something to help herself, you act like her word is final. You’ve got some serious shit going on, Rose. You need to let it out before it eats you alive.”

“Right now, all I need is to exit this conversation. A conversation, might I remind you, that our parents and Niall don’t know about,” I snapped angrily.

“What don’t I know about?”

Perfect. When I turned, Niall was standing in the kitchen, hip leaning against the counter with the empty bowl of popcorn in his hands. His hair was tousled, most likely from Theo running his fingers through it playfully earlier on in the dinner portion of the night, and he was wearing a flannel that looked soft to the touch. He also looked adorably confused at our conversation.

“Nothing, Ni,” Lily commented, sending a quiet look towards Violet to remind her to keep her mouth shut. Violet huffed impatiently, but luckily shut her mouth. “Need me to get more popcorn?”

“Yeah, Greg’s fat arse ate most of it.” Lily took the bowl from him and got another bag from the pantry, placing it in the microwave. “What are my favorite girls discussing?”

“Rose’s job,” Lily deflected, sending a blinding smile towards Niall, as if that was going to stop him from asking questions. “The hotel’s offering her a couple of free rooms and she was going to use them for our parents’ anniversary. She wanted it to be a surprise, so you can’t tell them, got it?”

“That’s sweet of you, Rosebud. I won’t tell them, promise.” 

“Thanks, Ni,” I breathed out. Violet rolled her eyes.

I knew this conversation was far from over. Violet was glaring at me and Lily was looking at me like she was apologetically about to burst into tears, but all I wanted to do was curl back up on the floor and finish the stupid movie. I knew there would be no more getting scared tonight, due to the fact that I wouldn’t be paying attention to the rest of the film, so I was safe from any nightmares I might have had about a possessed demon child. But the tension hung from the three of us like albatrosses, and it continued as we slowly made our way back to the living room.

“Need me to hold your hand again, Rosebud?” Niall joked. I mustered up a small smile, putting the popcorn bowl between us again. I ignored my sister as they sat back down, Lily for once not cuddling up to Niall’s side. He stared back and forth between the two of us. “Something wrong?” he whispered towards me.

“Nope.”

“That wasn’t very convincing.”

“Drop it, Niall.”

He seemed taken aback by my shortness. His jaw ticked, a sure sign that I knew he was either embarrassed or annoyed, and nodded at me, leaning back against the couch. He didn’t look in my direction for the rest of the film, and while I felt shitty about being so snappish, I couldn’t bring myself to stop. My sisters had somehow ruined my night in one fell swoop.

There was a reason I didn’t talk about what happened at Barkley’s. On top of me being completely done with the situation emotionally, I was also incredibly embarrassed. How had I not noticed that Kent seemed to favor me simply because he thought I was cute? All of the times he had complimented my work ethic, made me feel like I was one of the best employees, and the consecutive months of being employee of the month (which wasn’t a feat because there were only three of us and the other three hardly made their goal sales), he had just been doing it because he wanted to have sex with me.

It made me feel useless.

And if there was one thing I hated most in the world, it was feeling useless.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to Niall, trying to keep my voice soft so my parents wouldn’t overhear. “You caught me in a bad mood, and I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

“No,” he agreed, “you shouldn’t.” But he held up his palm, an invitation. I relaxed immediately, threading my fingers through his and cuddling up against his side. 

He didn’t let go the entirety of family night, his little reassurance that we were okay.

~

I was willing myself not to leave my bed. 

Like usual, I had woken up about three hours after falling asleep. The apartment was quiet and a little chilly, so cuddling up next to Lily’s side would have solved all my problems. But my head continued to revolve around the conversation with Violet and Lily, and now I felt like I was just going to be a burden if I went into her room and bothered her.

The ride back to the apartment from the Horan-Fairbrough family night had been quiet. Lily had kept the volume low so I could talk to her if I wanted to, but there hadn’t been anything to say. Knowing Lily as well as I did, I knew she was feeling guilty. But I couldn’t bring myself to talk about the night’s events with her.

Now, sitting alone in my bed, I wished I would have. 

I shifted my weight, moving so I was laying on my side and facing the door to my room. In the year that I’d been here, I’d made it my own. I had pictures and plants on my shelves, I had brought in a bookcase, and there was art hung on my walls with command strips so I wouldn’t have to put a nail through the wall. This room was my safe space, like nothing bad from the outside world could ever get me when I was in here.

Violet’s words rang in my head.

My hands were on my phone before I could really process what was happening. I scrolled through the Facetime app until I came across Niall’s information, clicking on the silly little photo I’d set as his contact photo. On bated breath, I waited for Niall to answer the phone call. I should have known better than to feel nervous. Niall was the type of guy to always answer, no matter what time of night it was.

Which was why I was staring into a grainy version of his bright blue eyes only seconds later.

“Rosebud,” he grumbled, groggy from sleep. His hair was mussed, his eyes half closed, and he was shirtless. I couldn’t see much because the blanket covered most of his chest, but I still grew a little warm. “What time is it?”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, shaking my head, feeling incredibly foolish. “I shouldn’t have woken you up.”

There was something in the tone of my voice that had him sitting up, eyes opening a little wider. A cute yawn escaped his mouth, but he looked more awake than he had when he had initially picked up the phone. “Don’t be stupid,” he said softly, “what’s up?”

“Has...has Lily ever talked to you about not being happy I’m at her place?”

Niall’s eyebrows furrowed. “No. She loves having you there.”

“You don’t think I’m a...a burden?”

“Rosebud,” he said, and his voice was so soft and sweet that it made me want to cry. “You could never be a burden. Where is all of this coming from?”

The tears came faster than I thought they would. I hated crying in front of people. I could probably count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times I’d done it and all of them had been in front of Lily. Lily, who I knew wouldn’t judge me for it. Niall wouldn’t judge me either, of that I was sure, but I still felt like a stupid little kid when the first tear spilled over.

“God, Rose, please don’t cry. I can’t handle it when you cry.” At the look on my face, he let out a small laugh. “Not because you’re a burden, Rose. Just because seeing you cry honestly breaks my heart.”

“I’m sorry,” I managed to stutter out.

“Don’t be sorry, Rose. Just dry those big brown eyes and talk to me. What’s going on?” I couldn’t answer for a few moments, still trying to stifle my cries so I wouldn’t wake Lily up. I saw Niall start to move on his bed, before I heard his voice. “I’m coming over there.”

“No,” I said immediately, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t call to bother you.”

“When are you going to get it through that thick head of yours that you aren’t a burden to me?” he asked, rolling his eyes. “I won’t come if you don’t want me to. But I’ve got to know what’s going on, Rosebud. You’re worrying me a little.”

Once I calmed my tears a little, I sniffled so I wouldn’t look like a complete fool with snot dripping down my nose. “In the kitchen earlier, Violet made a subtle dig that Lily might not like having me here. Like I’m a burden to have. I just...I know you know her better than anyone, and maybe she felt like she couldn’t share her real feelings with me. So I wanted to ask you and see if she’d said anything. You know Lily. she wouldn’t tell me to my face if that’s how she felt because she’s too nice.”

“She is too nice. But she wouldn’t lie to you about something like this, Rosebud. I know for a fact that she doesn’t hate having you there, though. You’ve got to know that.”

I nodded hopelessly, rolling my eyes at myself. “And I just feel so stupid because I can’t sleep unless I’m with someone. That’s why I asked you to stay at your apartment. The idea of sleeping alone terrifies me. But Violet has me paranoid that Lily doesn’t want me here, so I don’t want to wake her up and bother her.”

“Lily won’t mind,” Niall said softly. He was leaning back against his pillows. Sometime during my crying, he had turned on his lamp and basked in the soft yellow light. No one looked good in that awful yellow light, but somehow Niall managed. “But I could stay on the phone with you until you fall asleep, if you want,” he continued. 

“I don’t want you to pity me or think I’m pathetic, either.”

“Rose, I don’t think I’ve met anyone stronger. You take everything in stride and still have a smile on your face. It’s more likely that I’m going to be in complete awe of you.”

My breath caught in my throat, stuck in the center like I needed to swallow it down. His words filled me with the kind of reassurance and comfort I needed at this exact moment, and I sighed when the warmth of his words hit me. “You always know what to say, Niall.”

He laughed. “Not true. I feel like I’m a bumbling mess around you most of the time.”

Frowning, I shook my head. “You’re one of the most eloquent and well-spoken people I’ve ever met. I always value your opinions and advice.” I moved myself back against my pillows, laying on my side and propping my phone up on my nightstand so I didn’t have to hold it up while I conversed with Niall. “You’ll make someone a very happy girl someday.”

I saw the way his eyes softened, like he was lost in a memory. They were the color of the sky in the morning, right when the sun was rising and it was cast in a warm yellow glow. “I don’t know,” he said, raising a hand to the back of his neck. His cheeks, like they normally were when someone complimented him, were an endearing pink. “There’s...there’s really only one girl’s opinion I care about.”

I wanted to sit up straight and demand he tell me more, but I refrained. I knew that acting suddenly might spook him into not telling me. “I didn’t know you liked someone.”

“Like…” he trailed off, shaking his head and letting out a little laugh. It sounded like the word wasn’t sufficient enough for what he was feeling. “Yeah. Yeah, I like her.”

“Tell me about her,” I encouraged, my voice as soft as I could make it.

“You don’t want to hear about this, Rose.”

“I always want to hear about what’s going on in your life.”

He groaned, running his hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t have even said anything.”

“Don’t make me pull the Fairbrough puppy dog eyes.”

“Not the Fairbrough eyes,” he gasped dramatically, clutching his hand to his chest as the both of us let out small laughs. Then, he sobered up, his smile turning a little more soft and caring. “She’s great. Driven, strong, stubborn. She’s got this crazy loyalty to her family, like no other. And she’s probably the most gorgeous fucking girl I’ve ever seen in my life.”

He was describing Lily almost perfectly. I felt the smile growing on my face. As Lily’s sister who wanted the absolute best for her, I knew that Niall was it. He was kind, almost to a fault. He would never hurt her intentionally. The way he revered her...it was how I’d always wanted someone to look at me. “She sounds incredibly special.”

“She is.”

The question was burning on the tip of my tongue, begging to be asked. But these things took time. I didn’t want to scare him away from his feelings for Lily by discussing them, so I let the subject drop. “She’d better get ready to be a babysitter for Horan-Fairbrough family nights. I think Greg passed Theo onto me the second I walked through the door. How that man became a father, I’ll never know.”

He laughed, but there was something off about it, like he was disappointed in the subject change. “Must be because you’re so good with kids.”

“I’m shit with kids. Greg’s just fucking lazy.”

That seemed to bring the smile back to his face and he let out a chuckle that sounded like melted chocolate and sunshine and everything else good in the world. Lily would never be lacking in the husband department when she and Niall got married (because let’s be honest, it was an inevitability). He was the entire package, gifted in every area. He would be the kindest, the handsomest, the funniest. 

I didn’t expect the pang that went through me.

I’d always wanted what Niall and Lily had. The easy friendship and the fiery passion (I imagined there was fiery passion, I’d never personally seen it) and the desperate longing. I wanted someone to look at me the way they looked at each other and talk about me the way Niall talked about Lily now. It was how Patrick and Niamh looked at each other. It was how my mother and father looked at each other.

It felt so impossible, so far away for me, that it made my heart curl in my chest. 

“Tell me what’s going on in that head,” he whispered, and he must have thought I had fallen asleep by the look on my face. I blinked, giving him a soft smile.

“Just thinking.” I heard another voice, something grainy and staticy and narrowed my eyes. “Are you watching TV? I didn’t know my company bored you so much.”

Niall shrugged. “It’s Dawson’s Creek, Rosebud. You’d do the same thing.”

I laughed, snuggling up further against my pillows. “What episode?”

“The one where Joey and Pacey kiss for the first time.”

“Okay, but the car kiss or the fireside kiss?”

“The fireside, obviously.”

“That’s not technically their first kiss,” I pointed out.

“It’s the one that matters,” he countered. “Can you believe there are some idiots who would prefer Joey with Dawson?”

“The horror,” I agreed, rolling my eyes. “Say some of the lines for me so I know what’s going on.”

“I’m not going to talk over one of the best scenes in television history.” He took one glance at my pleading face and groaned. “I hate you, you know that?” 

“No you don’t. If it’s the fireside scene, I have this one memorized. You be Pacey and I’ll be Joey.”

He rolled his eyes, but turned back to the television. His voice came through just seconds after Pacey’s did. “The only reason that you don’t have the answers is because you’ve been too scared to ask yourself the right questions.” I recognized the line right away. 

“What are you talking about?” I replied, grinning when he gave me a look, as if asking do I really have to do this?

“Look!” he suddenly exclaimed, making me laugh and stifle it into my pillow so I didn’t wake up Lily. “I know how I feel. You know how I feel. That much is obvious by now. But during this whole process, we’ve managed to miss the point. Because the point is not how I feel, it’s how you feel. So how do you feel?”

“It’s so obvious she loves him back.”

“Oi! If I have to do the lines, you have to do the lines too.”

“Awful!” I copied his exaggeration and heard him chuckle. “That’s how I feel Niall—”

“We’re supposed to be Pacey and Joey!”

“I’m adding flair! That’s how I feel Niall, I feel awful.”

“So do I. When I was kissing you tonight, I don’t think I’ve ever felt better and worse in my entire life. I mean, the very idea that...who should be Dawson and Andy?”

“Patrick and Niamh.”

He raised a brow. “Hopefully Niamh and Patrick aren’t cheating on each other with the two of us.”

“Just finish it!”

“The very idea that Niamh or Patrick could find out about us is killing me. It is tearing me up on the inside to have these feelings for you, but I can’t get rid of them. I can’t keep on kissing you, Rose.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean just that. I can’t keep on kissing you. Alright, I’ve done it twice now! I can’t be the one who’s always initiating this. I can’t be the one who’s always giving you all the answers. Look at me, Rose.”

“Shit I forgot the next line.”

“What a shit Dawson’s Creek fan you are. I thought you knew all the lines.”

“Shut up,” I laughed, pausing the Facetime so I could look up the exact scene lines. “I can’t,” I said dramatically, finding the lines easily and returning to the Facetime so I could see Niall giving me a deadpan look. 

“Please,” he recited. I went to go find the script again but he protested. “You’re supposed to be looking at me! You’re not a very good Joey.”

“It’s your line anyway.”

“If you felt even one shred of what I feel for you...then we wouldn’t be standing here having this conversation.”

There wasn’t another line for me to reply with, as Pacey and Joey had finally kissed, so I looked at Niall with a grin on my face. He was staring at me, something unreadable in his eyes. I knew that our game of reciting lines was over in the way that his eyes burned and his mouth turned downwards at the corners. I wished more than anything that he was here so I could reach out and embrace him, reassure him that there was no possible way that Lily didn’t love him back. He didn’t have to be heartbroken anymore.

“Unrequited love is a bitch,” I said in a whisper.

“I thought you said it was obvious that Joey loved him,” he replied.

“It is. I just meant...in general. It’s a bitch. But we should still tell the people we love that we love them. Life’s too short.”

He swallowed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

It was silent between us. I didn’t ask Niall to recite any more lines and he didn’t ask me to join in. He just sat and watched his TV and I just sat and watched him. Eventually, my eyes slowly closed and I drifted off into sleep.

I heard him whisper a “goodnight, Rosebud,” before I completely fell.

~

I woke up, for the first time in the past year, alone in my bed. 

When my eyes opened, I blearily glanced at my clock. If waking up by myself hadn’t surprised me enough for one morning, then I would have been surprised at how late I had slept in. Most days I was up around the same time as Lily, since I could never go back to sleep if she started making lots of noise. Looking at my clock now, my eyes widened a little bit when I saw it was just four minutes past nine, which meant Lily and Niall had already been at work for an hour. 

I allowed myself only five minutes to stay cuddled in my blankets before I stood, rubbing my eyes and making my way to the kitchen. The coffee was still out, though it was probably cold. Since I usually didn’t eat much for breakfast, I just popped bread in the toaster and poured myself a cup, shoving it in the microwave to heat it up.

Since Lily and I hadn’t really gotten a chance to talk about what had happened, I regarded the little pink Post-It note with hesitance. I knew that she was apologizing. But I still felt a little sad. The betrayal and anger had left me last night, as I was falling asleep with Niall humming something in the background. I was still furious with Violet and probably would be for the foreseeable future, but it was hard to be mad at Lily when she meant so much to me.

Dinner on me tonight. We’ll hang out and talk. Stopping by the bundt cake place after work and getting white chocolate raspberry. Your fave!! Love you.

I set the note back on the counter and retrieved my cup of coffee. I didn’t have much to do today since it was one of my days off, but I felt too antsy to stay in the house. Deciding to get ready for the day and see where it took me, I headed back towards my room with my plate and coffee cup in my hand.

I wondered how Niall was doing. Today was the day that they were meeting with the dean to discuss the expulsion status of the sexual assaulter. Knowing him, he would be incredibly stressed and worried about the whole ordeal. 

Which was why I found myself standing in the donut shop thirty minutes later.

“Rose!” The owner, Matilda, said. She was a larger woman with pretty dark skin and incredibly white teeth. “Nice to see you. Day off?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“You here for Lily and Niall’s favorites?” 

“Just Niall today. I’ll get four of his favorites. He’s meeting with the dean at his job about a student and I thought he could use the pick me up.”

Matilda grinned at me. “You are too sweet. Niall’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one,” I responded. And it was true. I was so incredibly lucky to have Niall in my life.

She walked back towards the display cases, grabbing a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting donut, sprinkled with coconut shavings. Niall could devour three of them in a minute. As she loaded up the to-go box with the donuts, she added in a maple bar for me. “How long have y’all been together?”

It took me a moment to process her question. I blinked at her, giving her a confused smile. “Oh, Niall and I aren’t together. He’s in love with my sister, Lily.”

Matilda’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “No shit? I could have sworn he was all moon-eyed over you. When you used to come in here with him back when you in school, he would stare at you with the most adorable look on his face.”

I laughed. “Knowing him, he was looking longingly at the donut I was holding. He and Lily are soulmates. Our whole family has a bet on when they’re going to get together.”

She handed me the box, accepting the tenner I passed over the counter. “You know, my David just got married. Nice girl. They moved to New York, so they’re too far away, but I just found out she’s pregnant.”

“Grandma Matilda. It’s got a ring to it,” I joked. 

“I could have sworn he was going to end up with his childhood friend, Zoe. They did everything together when they were younger. They’re still super close. In fact, she and Clarissa, the new wife, hit it off. Zoe was the maid of honor.” I didn’t really realize the point of her story, but I didn’t care. I could listen to Matilda talk for ages. She was just someone you wanted to listen to. “If I had made bets on Zoe and David, I would have lost.”

“I might lose because of the timing,” I countered, shuffling with the change she handed me, “but they’re definitely getting together.”

Matilda shooed me out of the shop with a wave of her hand and a threat that if I didn’t come visit her soon, she’d drag me out of the apartment by herself. I just grinned and got another Uber to take me to the college. 

Niall’s coworkers knew Lily like the back of their hands. They were always wondering who it was that Niall was taking out to lunch. However, they didn’t know me. Which was why when I walked into the athletics building of the college and asked to see Niall, the secretary looked at me a little strangely. 

“Sure,” she said hesitantly, like she didn’t think Niall knew anyone else besides Lily. “Just fill out this sign-in sheet and let me print you out a visitor sticker.” I filled out the sheet and handed it back to her. The second she saw my last name, she understood. “Oh. Fairbrough. You Lily’s sister?”

“Guilty.”

“He might still be in the meeting with the dean, but feel free to wait in his office. If he is still in the meeting, it won’t be long. Ten minutes tops.”

Offering my thanks, I made my way through the building. It was decorated with sports jerseys from the college, as well as professional jerseys. I realized I had never been in Niall’s office before, so when I walked in, I was a little surprised to see how open and spacious it was. Obviously I didn’t think he worked in a tiny little cramped space, but there were large windows on one wall and his desk only took up a quarter of the room, meaning he still had a good amount of space for filing cabinets and things of the like. I sat in one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk, admiring the pictures and little knick knacks that littered his space. Just like in his room, the frame he had next to his computer had pictures of he and his family and my sisters and I. 

The door opened and slammed shut. Niall hadn’t noticed me yet, but he was pinching the bridge of his nose and looked like he had the headache of the century. I heard him let out a tiny curse before he opened his eyes and all anger melted away from his face, leaving only confusion.

“Rose?” he asked softly, like I was a figment of the imagination.

“Hi Niall!” I greeted cheerily, ignoring how wrong it felt when he didn’t call me Rosebud. “I brought donuts.”

He ignored the proffered white box, instead marching forward with purpose and wrapping his arms around me. A surprised grunt left my mouth, but he clutched me like I was a lifeline and I immediately wrapped my arms around his back. I let him cling to me, sensing it was something he needed. Honestly, I probably needed it too. It was nice to be held and know that Niall wanted to keep me safe from any harm.

“That bad?” I whispered into his shoulder.

“They had us talk to the girl afterwards. She had a meltdown. It was horrifying to watch.” His grip on my waist tightened.

“I figured it would be bad. I brought donuts,” I said again, weakly. 

“Don’t need donuts,” he stated, “just need you.”

“I’m here.”

I couldn’t begin to fathom the moments we stood there, just gripping onto one another. Occasionally, his hand would move from my waist to my hair, tangling there and drawing me even closer, like he couldn’t believe I was there. My forehead pressed into his shirt, a pretty lilac color. One of the many things I loved about Niall was that he wasn’t afraid to wear color. The purple soothed me a little bit, even though I hadn’t come into his work wanting to be soothed.

Eventually, he pulled away. His eyes were red and he looked on the verge of tears. “What’re you doing here?” he asked gruffly, his voice low from emotion.

I reached out and grabbed his hand, not wanting the contact between us to end. He laced our fingers together immediately. “I knew today would be tough. And you were so supportive and...there for me last night that I wanted to do the same for you.”

“You don’t have to pay me back for last night, Rose. I wanted to.”

“And I wanted to help today,” I argued, shoving the box of donuts at him once more. He smiled and took them. “Matilda has threatened to come hunt us down if we don’t come in more often.”

“I don’t need to be seeing Matilda on a daily basis unless she wants to roll me out of the building.” He sat at his desk, across from me, and dug into his donuts. I wondered if he had been too nervous to eat anything that morning, despite the fact that Lily made them breakfast. 

“I realized I’ve never been in your office,” I commented as he ate. “I love it. It’s bigger than I expected.”

“Yeah, it’s a pretty decent setup. I can give you a tour of the campus later, if you’d like.”

 I nodded enthusiastically. Though I’d known Niall nearly all my life, I’d never really been around the campus he worked at. I’d been once or twice for a class that they offered when spots at my own college were limited, but that was it. 

He reached into the  box and handed me my maple bar, along with a couple of napkins so I wouldn’t get his desk sticky. We ate in comfortable silence, him looking over some documents and me just enjoying being in his presence. Once I had taken my last bite and he had shuffled his papers around, he cleared his throat and gestured towards the door.

“C’mon, we’ve got a pretty decent coffee place and I know the pot was probably cold when you woke up. Microwaved coffee is shit.”

“It was fine.” I shrugged. I hadn’t minded it that morning, more focused on my plan to comfort Niall. 

“Bullshit,” he said, giving me a grin that for some reason did weird things to my heart. Holding out his hand, I laced our fingers together as he led us out of his office. The secretary’s eyes nearly popped out when she saw us together, leaning over to whisper something quickly to a coworker that was sitting at the front desk. It made me a little uncomfortable, but Niall pulled me along quickly so I didn’t have time to dwell.

The college was gorgeous. I could admit that. It was even prettier than the own college I attended. When Violet had been applying for colleges, this had been one of her main contenders because of how gorgeous it was. Ultimately, it didn’t have a veterinarian program like the college I attended. Therefore, she was at my alma mater. Still, as Niall pointed things out with the hand that wasn’t holding mine, I made sure to comment on how pretty the layout of it was.

“Hey, Mr. H!” I heard someone shout when we started walking towards the little coffee stand outside of one of the buildings. Niall blushed a little at being called “mister” in front of me; it was as endearing as every other time he blushed when he was complimented. The kid walking towards us waved his hand enthusiastically.

“What’s up, Jordan?” Niall asked, grasping Jordan’s hand and pulling him into that guy hug I’d seen him do many times before to his brother. “Aren’t you supposed to be in Styles’ class right now?”

Jordan was a muscular kid with shoulder-length brown hair and pretty dark brown eyes. “Nah, he cancelled today. My girlfriend and I were going to get some coffee and then see a movie. She’s technically got Payne in twenty minutes, but they’re just doing an optional extra credit quiz.” I saw his eyes wander over to me, wondering who the girl with Mr. H was.

“Jordan, this is my friend, Rose. Rose, this is Jordan. He’s probably one of the best baseball players this college has seen in a while.”

I didn’t know shit about baseball, but I smiled. “Nice to meet you, Jordan.” His hand engulfed mine comically when he shook it. “I’ll give you a tenner if you call him Mr. H again. He got so red.”

Jordan laughed. “We call him Mr. H until he tells our coaches to push us harder. Then we call him names behind his back.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Niall said, waving off Jordan’s comments. “What are you and Poppy getting? I’ll buy.”

“Mr. H, you don’t have to!”

“It’s pointless arguing with him,” I told Jordan, shrugging. “I usually just relish in the free stuff.”

Jordan laughed. “In that case, just a vanilla latte and a caramel macchiato.”

Niall didn’t bother asking me for my order, since he knew how I took my coffee. He stepped forward to the cart to order, leaving Jordan and I a little ways back. “So, what’re you studying?” I asked Jordan.

“Kinesiology,” he responded. I was impressed. I could never get into the big sciences. “You?”

“Graduated a couple years back with a business major and marketing minor.”

“Cool. You’re lucky to be such good friends with Mr. H. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve met. Told me he’d give me a letter of recommendation for my masters program in the fall.”

“Sounds like him,” I agreed. And it did. Niall wouldn’t hesitate to help his athletes. Plus, I imagined for Jordan’s sake that a letter of recommendation from the athletics director of the school was nothing to scoff at. 

Niall returned with our coffee, handing Jordan his two drinks. “We’ve got to take off, but come visit me sometime, yeah? Have fun with Poppy.”

“Thanks, Mr. H. I’ll see you later.”

Jordan walked off, leaving the two of us to enjoy our coffee as we made our way through the courtyard of the school. “You really make an impact in these students’ lives.”

He shrugged. “A lot of directors are removed from the teams. They let the coaches do all the work. I want to be involved in the careers of the athletes. Feel like I helped them in some way.”

I grinned, taking his hand and wrapping his arm around my shoulders. He squeezed me into his side. “You help everyone in every way. It’s pretty much impossible to meet you and not be affected in the best of ways.”

That blush came again and I smiled at the sight of it. “You’ve got to stop complimenting me. It’ll all go to my head.”

He wasn’t expecting the shove, but after he finished being dramatic about how I could have killed him, he wrapped his arm around me again and I caught him smiling.

I realized I hadn’t thought of the situation with Kent, my lackluster job, or my sisters once.

[myluciferiscody]

Dancing With a Stranger P.1

@iits-mikha asked: n a recent interview they asked Cody if he could have the opportunity to play another character he would had chosen to be the Countess, So my request is this: an AU where old!Michael where he’s not the antichrist but is the owner of the Hotel Cortez, please!! 

I’m really nervous about this since it’s my first time writing for our boi Michael. I hope I delivered! I decided to make Michael 34 as, I am not too familiar with the Older!tag, but this seemed like a popular range.

pairing: Older!Michael x Reader

word count: 1,973

warnings: au!, language, seductive-boi, there will be a 2nd part!

part 2

October 29th, 2019

You stood next to your best friend, Winter Anderson, as you both stared up at the Hotel Cortez. You two were going to spend the next few days at Halloween Horror Nights, and this was the only hotel you two could afford. Universal was expensive, plus you knew you'd only be here to sleep, that's it.

"Are you ready, you seem kind of nervous," Winter asked, raising a manicured eyebrow at you. You smiled, nodding while tightening your grip on your suitcase.

"I'm fine, we can go inside," you said. You followed Winter into the hotel, gaping at the wonderous exterior. You had never seen so much red in your life. The lobby was huge, and you were slightly taken aback at how empty it was. 

You stopped at the front desk, peering around it. An older, slightly plump woman sat in the chair, a worn-out romance novel in her hands. She was so entranced in the book that she didn't notice your arrival. 

"Excuse me?" Winter piped up.

"OH!" she gasped, a hand flying to her chest. It startled you, but you managed to contain the laugh that bubbled in your throat. "I apologize, I didn't- yeah," she laughed, standing up. "I'm Iris, can I have the name for your reservation?" 

"Anderson. Winter Anderson," 

Iris flipped open a folder, running a finger down the names before stopping. "There you are," she whispered. You frowned, wondering why they didn't just use computers like other hotels did. Iris reached behind her, grabbing a key from the shelf behind her. She handed it to you.

"Let me show you to your room," she said, smiling. You liked to see the good in people, but there was something off about the look in her eyes. Winter seemed to have gotten the same vibe because she kept pace with you instead. 

The elevator ride to the fifth floor was claustrophobic. You tugged at the neck of your shirt, praying for the moment you and Winter were alone. Maybe you'd spend the night out instead of catching up on sleep, you had to be up early for your flight here from Michigan. 

The doors slowly opened, before Iris led you down just a few doors. "Room 537," she said, before unlocking the door. She gestured for you guys to go first, and you smiled and thanked her.

The room was nothing too special, but you get what you paid for. Since you and Winter wanted to stretch your money as much as possible, you settled on sharing a bed. Winter set her stuff down, as Iris mentioned some of the things the hotel offered, including a bar downstairs.

"What brings you two lovely ladies to Los Angeles?" Iris asked kindly, and you felt your nerves from earlier slowly disapparate. 

"We're going to Universal Studios, we're ready to get our asses scared, right, y/n?" Winter looked at you eagerly. 

"Of course! Have you been there, by chance?" you asked Iris. 

"Oh, years ago, I took my son Donovan," Iris exclaimed, seeming to be truly happy for the short length of time you knew her. "I'm sure lots have changed since then..." 

Awkward silence.

"Well, I must get back to the front desk. If there's anything you two need, give us a call," Iris said, already turning towards the door. She set your room keys on the table, then she was gone. 

You and Winter spent the next hour organizing your stuff. You usually left your things in your suitcase while staying in a hotel, but since you'd be here until November 2nd, you didn't want your clothes to be wrinkled. 

"I think we should go down and get a drink, those seats on the plane were not comfortable," Winter complained as you organized your toiletries. 

You glanced at your phone, seeing it wasn't too late. You and Winter planned on getting to the park first thing in the morning. "Who is buying? NOSE-"

"-GOES!" Winter said, whirling at you with a finger to her nose. You squinted at her before you spent the next few minutes trying to touch your nose before Winter. 

Finally, you humored her and said you'd pay for drinks the first night. 

Since you both had dressed comfortably for the flight, you changed into more acceptable clothes. Your favorite jeans and an off-shoulder top. Winter tied her blonde hair up into a half-down, half-up bun, and you set on your way. 

There was only one other patron at the bar, and he didn't seem to pay you much attention. At least at first. 

A tall woman with a shaved head and makeup talked to him, her eyes lightening up at everything he said. You and Winter took the seats farthest away, not wanting to seem like you were eavesdropping. 

"Hilarious, Tristan," she gently scolded. "Hang on, my services are needed elsewhere," she laughed another time before approaching the two of you. "And who do we have here?"

"My name is Winter, and this is y/n," Winter said proudly. 

"Welcome to the Cortez, I'm Liz. Liz Taylor," she offered her hand to the both of you, and you shook it with a smile. "Now, you seem to be old enough to drink, but I need to see your ID's. I am a woman of responsibility-"

The guy named Tristan laughed aloud at the end of the table.

"Ignore him, he drinks," Liz smiled as you and Winter laid your ID's out. "Perfect, what can I get for you?" 

The last thing you wanted was to wake up with a hangover, so you kept it simple. Winter didn't have the same concern since she ordered a Screwdriver. 

Liz was very enjoyable to talk too, and eventually, Tristan felt left out. He sat at the stool next to him, and you found out they had been dating a few months now. They were totally in love, and it showed whenever they looked at each other.

"I wish somebody loved me like that," Winter sighed.

"You will find someone, love. The both of you will." Liz smiled. 

The energy in the room suddenly changed. 

Everyone else kept talking and laughing, but you could feel it. You knew it wasn't the alcohol, this drink was more juice than anything. The sound of the elevator beeping, and the doors sliding open finally piqued their interest.

"Oh boy," Liz said flatly. Tristan chugged the rest of his whiskey before looking at you. You smiled briefly, wondering why they both seemed so on edge. 

You and Winter seemed to be in a trance as a man slowly stepped out, his lean figure in perfect posture. He kept his hands behind his back, and you wondered if it was really comfortable walking like that. His hair was close to being strawberry blonde, and it reached his shoulders. This mysterious man kept his focus ahead, his gait elegant and intimidating. 

"Who is that?" Winter asked.

"That's Michael- uh, the Count?" Tristan said, stuttering when Liz shot him a warning glance. 

"What is this, Seasame Street?" Winter snorted. You couldn't help but laugh a little too loudly, but immediately stopped when Michael- the Count, turned his head in your direction. 

From the side, you could see his excellent bone structure, but it didn't prepare you for getting a good look at him. His cheekbones, his jawline, his eyes immediately drew you in. Michael stared at you for what seemed like an eternity before he broke your gaze. He continued on his way, a smirk now prominent on his lips. 

"Ooooooooh, he was looking at you," Winter teased, bringing her glass to her painted lips.

"Hush," you whispered. Tristan and Liz were still staring at each other, almost like they were having a conversation entirely in their heads. 

"Who is he again?" you questioned.

"He owns the hotel," Liz sighed. "He can be nice when he wants to be, but for the most part, he is a pain in my ass," she continued. "I can't talk shit for long, he saved my life, and Tristan's here."

"For sure, babe," Tristan hiccuped, patting the hand Liz had on the countertop. "I used to be a model, but that environment was so fucking toxic, Michael- shit! COUNT got me out of it, got me help, and here I am," he giggled, before leaning his head on your arm.

"I think that's enough for you, mister," Liz said, taking the empty glass and replacing it with water. Tristan pouted, taking a dainty sip. You and Winter watched with amusement, and you could smell his cologne. It was quite nice. 

"Do you think he'd talk to y/n?" Winter continued with her teasing, and you couldn't hide the blush on your cheeks. "I'd totally tap that if his hair was a bit shorter-"

Liz laughed, "Oh honey, he hasn't had short hair since ninety-nine, and he was a kid back then," 

You looked at her with a confused look, "Wait, how old is he?" 

"I'm thirty-four," you froze at the sound of a velvety voice. "Don't you know it's not polite to ask a man his age?" 

You and Winter shared a quick look, before slowly turning in your stools to face him. Tristan cleared his throat, taking a deep sip of water this time. 

Michael smirked at you, a glint of mischief in his eyes. You tried to laugh with him but found you couldn't make a sound. Winter was still gazing at you with a sense of excitement and an "oh shit, you're in for it now," look. 

"I uh, I'm sorry, Mr...?" 

"Langdon," he finished for you. A smirk still plastered on his face, "However, I do find it rather endearing that two complete strangers seem to fret so much about my life," he said, his eyes now sliding towards Winter, who looked away in embarrassment.

Liz had made you another drink while Michael occupied your time, making this one stronger than the first. You'd need it after this. 

"You have such great eyeshadow," Winter said randomly, "It's perfect, really compliments your face,"

Michael's lips curled at this, but he found his eyes still trained on you. You were uncomfortable under his gaze. Like most of the human population, you hated being stared at. 

"How long are you two ladies staying?" he asked. 

"We leave Saturday morning," you answered without hesitation. Michael raised his eyebrow at your confidence. He assumed you were a bit of a hermit. 

"Interesting... I'm going to extend an invitation to you, y/n," he said. You didn't bother to ask how he knew your name. "Halloween night, You're going to join me for dinner. I don't do this often, as you know," he said, directing this part to Liz.

Liz didn't say anything until he widened his eyes at her, and that's when it clicked. "Oh, yes, never does this, never," she shook her head. Michael rolled his eyes before bringing a hand to his head. You noticed the large rings adorning his fingers, wondering if you could pay off your bills with those things. 

"I dislike when people talk about me, especially strangers," he smirked at you, "I find it rather rude, wouldn't you agree?" Michael pressed, waiting for a chorus of agreements.

And of course, he got them.

"Good. I'll have Iris keep you updated, y/n," Michael's eyes ran over you before he nodded towards the others. "And don't break anything, the other ones learned the hard way."

Michael walked off, still poised as if he were meeting royalty. You remained quiet as you swirled back in your seat, taking your new drink and chugging it. Winter grinned at you. 

"Is he always like that?" you asked the couple beside you, who continued to stare at you.

"Weirdly arousing and complex? Always." Liz replied before taking a shot of Vodka. 

*if you want to be added to this taglist, you know the drill.*

[wifeofkimtaehyungofbts]

Chapter 6

>> Pairing: Taehyung x Y/N, Taehyung x reader

>> Words: 1785

>> Notes: I’m going to upload a new chapter whenever possible until I feel like I have built up enough thrill to leave my readers curious and desperately wanting more 😉 You may leave asks and let me know what you think of my writing (:

Synopsis: You run into a rather strange man one night. He seems terrified, as if fighting battles only he can see. He seems detached from the world, talking only to a voice inside his head. Oh, another strange fact: he keeps talking about angels. You discover later that you were the angel he was praying to.

>> Previous / Next

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunlight seeped in through the thin sheets hanging over the windows. I stirred, contemplating whether money was really worth my sleep, and just as I was about to sleep after deciding that sleep was obviously more worth it, my best friend jumped on me.

“Good morning baby!” she shouted cheerfully. I was in no mood to return the energy. I rolled onto my side and continued to sleep.

“Wake up!!!” she screamed in my ear.

“Ugh!” I threw her off me and she fell to the floor with a thud. “Why why why why just why!” I whined, looking at her grinning at me from the floor despite the redness in her knee from the fall that I know must have hurt.

“It’s my last day!” she exclaimed happily.

I just then remembered why today meant so much for her. She was going home on her longest vacation from the university. Unlike my family, her family was very warm and welcoming, so she always looked forward to going back.

“Oh yea... I’m taking you to the station before you leave me by myself for over a month” I pouted before I broke out into a huge smile and hugged her from where I was. I got off the bed, grabbed my towel off the chair and headed to the bathroom. After brushing my teeth and having a shower, I put on a pair of denims with my black tank top and wore my hair in a pony tail.

“I’ll help you with that” I say reaching for her hang luggage. My arm nearly pulled out of its socket because of the weight. “Yah! What did you pack in this?” I ask in horror. Kim Leah grins at me sheepishly. “You do know you are coming back in a month, right? Why would you pack so much?” I ask exasperated.

“Because! I don’t want to take photos in the same clothes so I packed 2 changes of clothes for everyday” she says matter-of-factly. Kim Leah indeed has an obsession with taking pictures everywhere she goes. She states her Instagram profile is her biggest pride. It drives her insane if she had two pictures of her in the same outfit.

I sigh at her and we make our way out. We get into a parked taxi and ask the driver to take us to the station. As we round the corner, I see the space between the two buildings where I ran into that man 3 nights ago. I unconsciously search for him, but he isn’t there.

“Is something wrong?” Kim Leah asks. “You look worried”

I shake my head and smile at her endearingly. How can I tell her I’ve been worried about some stranger I don’t even know the name of? It was those eyes. His big eyes were pleading, desperate for help. I feel an ache in my heart as I remember the way they looked at the burger bag and at me. I have the sudden need to know whether he ate well for the past few days but there was no way I could know. I continue to stare out the window as I my thoughts drift off to his eyes every now and then.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

“Okay then, this is it” Kim Leah says holding onto her luggage.

“Yah! Don’t say it like it’s the last time we are going to see each other!” I shout at her.

She laughs and hugs me tight. I hug her back just as tightly. I watch her get onto the train and wait till it starts to move and vanished out of my sight. I smile sadly knowing I was going to be alone. I didn’t mind being alone, but I worry too much so it’s nice to have someone who would distract me from my worries or listen to them. Especially if that someone was as lovely as Kim Leah.

As I walk out the station, I see a big crowd of people gathered in one place, making a big commotion. I intend to walk away quietly like I normally do, but something tells me I should check it out. Maybe someone is hurt?

I walk over to the crowd of big people and try to peek through to get a glimpse. My short height does not help me so I get down on all fours and look from under everyone’s legs. My eyes widen and a loud gasp escapes my mouth as I stare at him.

It’s him!

His body lay limp on the ground, his hood pulled down revealing unevenly outgrown dark brown hair falling over his face. I push past everybody and get to the body. A man nearly shoves me away with his big arm. “Hey, move! Don’t crowd him! We don’t know who he is!”

“I do!” I blurt.

There was a hushed whisper from the crowd and the big man stared at me questioningly. I ignore their doubts and try to throw the lifeless man’s body over mine. He was heavy. “Help me get him to a taxi please” I plead. Instantly, the big man and two other men standing in the crowd come over and lift him up. A woman stops a taxi for us and the men put him inside. The driver looks at me worriedly and I smile. “We have to get home. This is my address” I show him the location on my phone screen which he quickly types into his GPS. I turn around to the men who helped me, bowing to them in gratitude.

“He was walking around aimlessly for the past 3 hours. I was suspicious of him so I kept tabs on his behaviour. He suddenly fainted and when I rushed over, his body had already gone cold” the big man tells me.

“Thank you for the information. I will keep it in mind when I’m treating him” I smile gently. I get into the taxi and we drive away. Not going to lie, but he stinks. He smells foul and sweaty, like he hasn’t washed in weeks and there was dirt all over his face. The wounds I noticed that night by the McDonald’s were still there, almost infected and looking very itchy.

When we arrived at my apartment, I pay the driver and get out. As I struggle to move the man out of the taxi, the driver offers to help. “Ma’am let me help you with your friend over there”

He’s no friend. My actual friend will kill me if she knew I brought a random man home the moment she left, I thought to myself.

The driver and I attempt to not breathe as the man’s stench envelope us both. I thank the driver and open the door to my room as swiftly as I can and drop him to the floor. He hits the floor with a thud. I lock the door and bend over him. I keep two fingers to his neck. Okay he’s breathing.

That’s one worry out of the way.

I stare at his face, now being able to get a proper glimpse of it. He looks young, maybe only a few years older than I. His lips were cracked and blue. I reach over to touch his face. I immediately retract my hand as I feel his cold skin. This is not good.

I take off his black jacket and throw it in the empty laundry basket. And yes, it is empty because I now do my laundry regularly. So proud of myself for the progress.

I move to his feet and take off his shoes and socks. His socks were so old and torn at so many places, I doubt it could even keep a rat warm. It reeked terribly so I immediately threw it into a bucket of water in the bathroom. It is with the greatest difficulty I take off his thick sweater. How the hell did he survive wearing this in this heat? I thought to myself shockingly.

As I unbutton his green shirt, he suddenly grabs my hands. I bolt backwards, but I cannot remove my hands from his hold. He slowly opens his eyes and looks at me.

“I-... I...” I stammer. He continues to stare at me through hooded eyes.

“I found you fallen on the ground” I begin, “Actually no. Some people found you and I recognized you so I brought you to my place” I correct myself. He still stares at me without blinking. “You smelt really bad so I figured...”

That’s when it hits me. What was I trying to do?! Take off his clothes?? Wash him??

I regain my composure and continue, “I figured you might need a shower so I was going to set the water and take off most of your clothes”

He still continues to stare at me, his grip strong. I squirm under his lifeless stare. His hands loosen their grip on mine so I quickly pull away and waste no time in hooking my arm under his head and gently lift him up. Thankfully he doesn’t put up a fight.

“You can go shower. The water heater is on and you can use the shampoo and soap already on the counter” I say. He doesn’t look at me as he staggers to his feet. He takes in the room as I go to fetch him a towel and toothbrush. His eyes settle on the box of colour pens and pencils on my study table.

“Kim Leah, my best friend, is very talented at art. She lives here with me so her belongings are here too” I say, noticing the objects that seemed to catch his attention.

“Do you draw?” the man asks, without taking his eyes off the box of colour. It’s the first time I’m hearing his voice, but that’s not the reason I am shocked. His voice was deep, the words booming from somewhere inside his throat. It did not match his innocent face. His voice was, to simply put it, very attractive.

I quickly shake my head, embarrassed with myself for thinking such incredulous thoughts. I stretch my arm out at him, holding the towel to him. He takes it slowly and heads to the bathroom. I stop him in his tracks. “How did you know the bathroom was there?” I ask suspiciously. He shrugs and continues to stare at me. I tilt my head to the side, pouting in suspicion. I then step aside and let him pass by.

What a strange man. Does he have a sixth sense? I wonder.

I make my way to the kitchen to prepare something for him to eat when I hear the shower turn on.

[serpienten]

the one (i / iii)

Pairing: College!Bucky x Reader

Summary: Y/N is in love with Bucky Barnes. Bucky Barnes is not in love with Y/N.

Word Count: 2.2k

A/N: Phew, this is the longest thing I ever posted and it took me so freaking long I can’t even tell you. This is part one of a three part mini-series, so let me know what your thoughts are on this one. Feedback is always very appreciated. Anyways, this one is for @irndad because she’s the awesomest of the awesomest and I’m really really happy everytime I get to talk to her. I hope you like this lilah, angel <3

PART II // PART III // PLAYLIST

She thinks he’s perfect.

In her eyes, Bucky Barnes is complete and utter perfection, with all his flaws and all his mistakes and all the baggage and everything about him he looks at with disgust in his eyes. To her, he’s it. He’s the one she wants to wake up next to in the morning, with sun filtering through the curtains and her head on his chest, or a soft, chilly breeze drifting in from the outside that makes being tucked into his side, strong, muscled arms tightly wrapped around her feel even more like home. He’s the one she wants to hug from behind when he makes coffee in the morning, face pressed into the skin between his shoulder blades. He’s the one with whom she wants to watch silly comedies or awful horror movies or the documentaries he likes so much. He’s the one she wants to see smile, the one she wants to hear laugh so hard it makes his eyes water and belly ache of happiness, the one she wants to hear giggle like a little school child and the one she wants to be happy.

God, she wants to make him happy.

She’d tear herself apart and bring him the world if that’s what it took. She’d do anything for him to just be happy because if anyone deserves peace and order and a mind at ease, it’s Bucky. Bucky, who’s the most wonderful and considerate and brave and caring person she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing. He’s smart, too, insanely clever and witty and occasionally a real jerk – but, alright, who wouldn’t brag about grades like that? – but he makes up for it by helping her study for things that don’t come as easily to her.

He even makes tea for her and Bucky hates tea. Hates the taste and the blandness of it without a, even for him, concerning amount of sugar. But when he sits down with her, in their cute, little and very efficient kitchen to study, he still pours himself a cup. It makes her smile every time and sometimes Bucky catches it and blushes, a sheepish smile twisting his lips before he clears his throat and begins to quiz her about things that make her head spin due to their complexity.

She adores and cherishes and appreciates every single piece of him, even the broken, darker, heavier ones. Y/N always notices when his self-control starts to dwindle when his mind starts to spiral out of control and she always tries to help. Even when he pushes her away. Over time she’s learned to give him his space when he’s in a state like that, but she still sometimes can’t help but knock on the door of his room that he locks behind him when he comes home to see if he’s okay.

She doesn’t always get an answer, but it always calms her heart when she does.

And if she doesn’t see him during those times, she certainly hears him.

The walls aren’t the thickest and his room is right next to hers and when he thrashes in his bed in the middle of the night and wakes up with strangled, pained noises leaving his mouth in between sharp exhales, she hears everything. She’s lost count how many times she’d blindly rushed to his door only to find it still locked and him out of reach from her. Her heart had cracked and splintered every single time her hands and forehead had pressed against the cool, smooth wood, unable to bear the thought that he was alone in there with his demons. Gladly, though, he always seems to find his way back to her and somehow, he always thinks he has to apologize for his emotions, lets her hug him and press little kisses to his temples and his forehead.

Y/N doesn’t mind his darkness.

Light wouldn’t shine so bright if there wasn’t darkness always lingering a few steps behind, catching up from time to time and then falling back behind again.

God, he’s it for her.

Keys jingling in the lock of the front door make her snap out of her thoughts and back into reality. The door swings open with a creak they’d meant to fix ages ago but never did and the bundle of keys lands on the designated shelf. She turns around with a frown, brows creasing. 

“Home so soon?”

She really is surprised to see him home. He’s away more often than not lately, skips movie nights and study sessions and dinners with her and sometimes when he cancels, telling her he’s running late at the library or whatever, he doesn’t come home at all. It’s not like she’s snooping or anything, not at all, but when she gets up at six in the morning and his shoes and bag are nowhere to be found and the smell of his usual coffee is notably missing, it’s sort of apparent.

And it’s not hard to guess who he’s with when he doesn’t come home either, he’s been with Natasha for close to five months now, but it’s certainly not as easy to accept. She has to, though. Because not accepting it means having to come clean about her feelings, risking everything, and she’d rather live with standing on the sidelines and being his friend than to not be with him at all.

Maybe that makes her selfish. Bucky deserves the truth, her honesty. But no matter how much he means to her and how her skin starts to tingle whenever he so much as brushes against her and how her chest bursts with longing for him, she’s not quite ready to break her own heart just yet.

When she turns, she finds Bucky setting down his bag and thumbing through the mail before he grins.

“Hey, roomie.”

“If you’d told me, I would’ve cooked,” she mumbles, propping up her chin on the cushioned backrest of their grey couch.

He scoffs. “Thank god I didn’t. Your cooking is terrible.”

Y/N lets out a sound of mock offence that earns her a teasing wink from Bucky.

“No, no, no, no, no.” He throws down the mess of envelopes, magazines and advertisements on their kitchen table, strides down into the living room and crouches down in front of her sitting form. “What we’re gonna do, is I make the popcorn, you pick the movies and we have one of our typical evenings,” a soft smile tugs the corners of his lips upwards as he speaks. “How ‘s that sound?”

There’s something off about that smile. Y/N doesn’t quite know what it is, but something is clearly different. She can’t place it so she pushes it to the back of her mind for now. Instead, she concentrates on the flutter in her chest at the realization that for the first time in so long, she’d get to spend time with him again. Like they used to before he’d started to inch away from her, bit by bit. 

She draws her bottom lip between her teeth, a smile blooming on her lips now as well. 

“Sounds good,” she eventually answers. When Bucky gives her his signature million-dollar grin, Y/N actually feels like crying because of how beautiful he is. He’s beautiful and soft and gentle and sweet and not at all hers to find beautiful and soft and gentle and sweet. For a split second, her smile falters and she’s thankful he doesn’t seem to notice. 

Not twenty minutes later, they’re on the couch, legs tangled comfortably and a thick, fuzzy blanket thrown over the both of them. Carefully propped up between their legs is a bowl filled with warm, salty popcorn in which they reach rotatory. 

It’s practically heaven to have him to herself again, heart singing at his close proximity. She wishes he were even closer so she could run her fingers through his hair, breathe in his scent, have it envelop her and feel the soothing, comfortable weight of his body against hers, but as per usual, that's a wish that wouldn't come into reality anytime soon. Or ever.

Y/N doesn’t really know Natasha, but what she knows, is that the red-head must be the luckiest woman on the planet. 

Spending time with Bucky feels good after all that time away from him. Amazing, even. Everything almost feels normal again, normal like before Natasha had coiled her perfectly manicured red fingernails around his heart and pulled it away from Y/N. Well, not that it'd ever belonged to her in the first place, but her best friend had become distant nonetheless.

He smiles at her occasionally, when their fingers touch in the popcorn bowl or when she moves her legs and her knee bumps against his and it’s becoming hard to ignore that it looks forced. And it sort of puts a damper on her happiness to see the person making her happy, faking their own.

It’s hard to concentrate on whatever they’re watching after that realization comes to her. It leaves her stomach in knots that make her appetite vanish, so for the rest of the movie she’s staring absentmindedly at the TV and fidgets with the fringe of the blanket.

When the credits start to roll, she’s imagined about every scenario that could’ve made him unhappy with her. Maybe she was too clingy and that’s why Bucky had avoided spending time with her lately and had felt obligated to tonight. Or perhaps Natasha had cancelled their meetup tonight and he’d had nothing better to do. Or Bucky’s finally realized she’s not that interesting and fun to hang out with after all.

“Okay, what’s up,” Bucky’s looking at her, confusion evident but the smile is still on his lips when her gaze moves up to lock with his.

“I could ask you the same,” she says, defensively crossing her arms in front of her chest, pulling the blanket up higher in the process.

He’s silent for a moment before he grabs the empty bowl and sits up.

“What do you mean?”

Y/N watches him stand up and walk to the kitchen. She gets up as well and follows him, leans against the counter and watches him place the bowl in the sink.

“Do you have to ask?” she replies.

The muscles under his plaid shirt move when he sighs and puts his hands on the edge of the sink to lean against it. The want to put her hands on his shoulders and to ease the tension that’s flowing off of his hunched form in waves flits through her mind for a moment and makes her arms wound tighter around her chest.

“You can tell me if something’s bothering you, Bucky. You know that,” she continues, “So if I did something that upset you, just kno-” 

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “Y/N you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then talk to me,” she pleads, taking a step closer. “What’s wrong?”

Bucky turns around to face her and when he does, the forced smile is gone, replaced by, what she thinks is even worse, an expression of guilt and sadness. He looks at her like he’s about to say something he’s going to regret, like he’s about to say something that’s not only going to break her heart, but also his.

“Natalia and I have been talking about moving in with each other,” he finally confesses and if there was another noise in the room aside from the quiet noise emanating from the television, she’s sure she would’ve missed it.

And despite their faintness, the twelve words boom around her head like he just screamed them at her. 

“You’re moving out?” she asks breathlessly, frozen in place. She’s looking at him like a deer caught in headlights and she really does feel like she’s just been hit by an airplane car.

Y/N thinks she sees Bucky’s eyes glisten but she isn’t sure when he lowers his head.

“Yeah,” his reply comes out shorter and harsher than he intended and when he sees her eyes well up from the corner of his eye he fights the urge to reach out to her, comfort her. It’s not his place right now.

“O-okay,” she lightly tilts her head up and nods. She really feels like crying now, a sob bubbling its way up her chest that she’s now desperately trying to keep from tumbling out of her mouth. Because now he’s really not hers to find beautiful and soft and gentle and sweet. Soon, he wouldn’t be hers to find anything at all. They’ll go from roommates and best friends to best friends and then to friends and then to just acquaintances. She’s sure of it. And it breaks her heart to know that he’ll always be more to her than she’s ever been to him.

She takes a deep breath.

“It’s getting really late, I should... I should really...” she feels his gaze on her again when she looks away, feels it burning holes into the material of her sweater.

Y/N shakes her head. There’s enough pressure on her chest to bring her to the brink of a panic attack and all she’s left to do is flee. “I’m sorry.”

She quickly turns around and is gone before Bucky has a chance to speak.

[thesarcasticramen]

Down Came the Rain (and Washed the Black Cat Out)

Sequel to Rain Rain Go Away (Come Again Another Day)

“What’s wrong my little sunshine?” his mother asked as Adrien padded towards her chair in the Master’s bedroom where she sat. With tears falling and lips quivering, he climbed unto her lap.

A flash of lightning and the rolling of thunder jolted the four-year old and he snuggled closer to Emilie. “I’m scared,” he wept.

His mother fixed the blanket and wrapped it around them both as she hushed him. She rocked him back and forth and hummed a melody that she would sing whenever he was in distress.

Soon, Adrien was being lulled by the calming heartbeat of his mother. There was a kiss on his forehead that engulfed him in so much warmth and content. “It’s alright to be afraid, young one. I will always be here.” And he believed her.

—

There was a storm inside of Chat Noir raging more than the one he was caught in. Running a hand through his sodden hair, he closed his eyes and gripped the railing in disdain. Chat Noir knew he had a flair for theatrics and from a different point of view, he probably looked like an angsty hero in a noir (pun, unintended) film under the gloomy weather. Most of the time, he would scramble to escape but now, he was filled with so much emotion he couldn’t bring himself to care. He stayed hunched over the terrace for what seemed to be hours until he realized that the water stopped trickling down on him.

“You’re gonna get sick if you don’t stop trying to imitate those emo protagonists in films you know,” somebody stated. Chat Noir was dumbstruck to find out that he unconsciously relocated himself down the streets next to a lamppost. What he was more surprised to see was Marinette standing next to his crouched form, her umbrella pinched at the crook of her neck to prevent it from dropping as she held out a long green cargo jacket—no doubt, it was hers judging by her thin layer of clothes—above his head.

“Princess, what—” He didn’t get the chance to finish that thought when she unceremoniously dropped the coat on him, concealing his face with the hood. When he managed to poke his head out of the article of clothing, he saw how she clutched her umbrella properly and held the paper bags in her other hand. She ruffled his hair with a smile. “See you around chaton.”

Then she walked away and disappeared into the rain.

—

The pitter-patter of the rain against the roof was what roused him. The smell of bread, soup, and Marinette’s detergent invaded his nostrils and he stirred on a toasty bed. Gone was the rain dripping onto his face and the hardness of the concrete his sore limbs were lying on earlier. Something cold was pressed against his burning forehead and he was being bundled under the covers tighter. His hearing was the last to come to him. The person speaking sounded as if she was out of the water while he was deep under it.

“…idiot. Coming all the way here when he’s in the worst shape. I am so gonna kill him when he wakes up,” the angelic voice murmured, obviously distraught.

Blinking the fuzzy sight away, he was greeted by an agitated Marinette fussing over him at the edge of the bed. She was still in her pajamas and was pressing the cloth she had placed over his forehead. She stopped when their eyes met. His heart automatically hammered and he was filled with jubilance. Her shoulders slumped in relief before her eyes glazed over with annoyance. “Marine—”

“Not a word you darn cat,” she sharply ordered, glaring at him intensely.

Chat Noir zipped his lips up and sniffled. He forgot how scary Marinette can actually be. He watched her sigh and massage her temple as if to prevent herself from yelling at him.

“You are gonna be the death of me.”

Guiltily, Chat dragged his eyes downward. He knew what he did was irrational and impulsive. He should’ve listened to Plagg and stayed home. His kwami will most definitely strangle him the moment he detransforms. But he knew he couldn’t stand to be detained in that house a second longer.

“I’m sorry princess,” Chat rasped and broke into a fit of coughs.

“Yeah? Well you should be," an all-too familiar voice piped up. Chat Noir choked and stared at his kwami floating above Marinette’s shoulder mirroring the same expression of the girl next to him in horror. He looked down on his clothes and saw that he was in the same black jacket he wore before he transformed meaning he wasn’t Chat Noir right now but Adrien Agreste. Holy sh— That’s it. He was doomed. He was absolutely utterly screwed. Ladybug is gonna annihilate him but Marinette will probably do it first.

“What were you thinking?!” Marinette berated. “What you pulled off was dangerous! You could’ve—" she looked away then closed her eyes, crossing her arms as if to protect herself from the terrifying idea that keeps foraying into her mind. "What if I wasn’t the one who found you, huh? What if it was Hawkmoth or anybody at all who wouldn’t hesitate to let you be in harm’s way?" Marinette opened her eyes and trained them on him. Chat Noir cowered under her. "For God’s sake Chat Noir! You’re not just putting your identity and life in jeopardy but also your family’s! What has gotten into you?!”

Adrien could only bite his lower lip in remorse. Marinette was right. What he did was all the levels and degrees of stupid. He doesn’t deserve to bear the miraculous. Now Plagg will leave him to find a more worthy holder and he would lose his only chance to freedom. Now Marinette knows he was Adrien and she will never want to have any affiliation with him ever again and—Wait, she didn’t call him Adrien. She called him Chat Noir. He touched the skin around his eyes where his mask resided and found that he still wore one, not his real leather one but a homemade felt mask. His golden locks were also hidden under the hood of his jacket.

“After what you did, I didn’t have enough energy to maintain your transformation. I had no choice kid,” Plagg explained. He and Marinette shared a knowing glance as if sharing a little secret. For a moment, Adrien was afraid that Marinette finally knew who he was but it was...something else he couldn't put his finger on. For now, he was just glad that neither betrayed his trust while he was incapacitated.

“Your girlfriend here—” Marinette sputtered denials and Adrien’s face reddened. Plagg flew in circles around both teens which made Adrien even dizzier. “—was understanding enough to keep your identity under wraps so you have nothing to worry about. I told her all about what I am and how your miraculous works yada yada yada. Oh!" He stopped right in front of Adrien's face, making the boy cross-eyed as the kwami grabbed his nose with its tiny paws. "She also happened to feed me Paris’ best cheese danishes ‘cause they’re all out of cheese apparently. Boo. It’s not as good as camembert but I’ll rate it a nine out of five.”

Marinette giggled, all lividity dissipating away from her stance. “I’ll make sure to tell my papa your feedback then, he’ll be flattered. As for the cheese, we’ll be restocking soon.” Plagg flew to hover in front of her. She leaned and winked at the kwami, “I’ll pack you some danishes later before you guys leave.” Plagg gasped and turned to Adrien. “Kid, I love her already. Plagg approves.” Adrien just shrunk under the covers.

After an argument between kwami and holder that was resolved by Marinette’s bribery, Plagg relented to transform Adrien. His identity was still vulnerable to being exposed the longer he was out of the costume. Without Plagg’s remarks that eased the tension, Marinette was left to nursing a sick Chat Noir in an awkward atmosphere.

She helped him sit up with pillows supporting his back and situated a small table in front of him. Marinette reheated their dinner earlier— her mother’s wanton soup and made tea to help with his cold. Upon his insistence to be left on his own devices, Marinette made a quick trip to the bathroom downstairs to fetch some medicine for him.

Chat Noir tried to stomach the hot broth and noodles but all he wanted was to throw it all up but he was too shy, knowing that Marinette’s mother has gone through a lot of trouble to prepare the meal and Marinette made an effort to serve it to him. He was half way through the soup when he felt the bile rise to his throat and he couldn’t keep it in much longer. Good thing, as if sensing it, Marinette was already back and she took one look at him before promptly shoving a bin for him to empty the contents of his gut as she rubbed soothing circles on his back. He grimaced at the stench and situation.

He was humiliated to say the least, having her be an audience to his state and overstay his welcome but Marinette only tenderly smiled and handed him a glass of water, advising to finish the soup because he needed to eat something first before he could take his medicine. Once his bowl was devoid of the food, he popped the pills in his mouth and washed it down using the tea.

It was thirty minutes past midnight when Chat Noir was once again nestled under the enormous pile of blankets and Marinette was building herself a place to sleep on the chaise below. Chat Noir felt ashamed for occupying her bed after all she did for him but he just watched as she got ready to sleep. “Wake me up if you need anything! Good night,” she called before facing the opposite direction.

Chat Noir didn’t let his eyes stray from her immobile figure for a while. He waited for any signs of movement but there was nothing. Sighing, he focused on the skylight above him as the rain drizzled on the glass pane and his eyelids slowly drooped to a close. Maybe he should try to get some sleep.

“Adrien…your mother…she’s gone.”

“I’m sorry but your father can’t make it today, Adrien.”

“I’m in love with you!” “I’m sorry Chat Noir.”

“He’s nothing but a pathetic excuse for a superhero that mangy alley cat.”

“You’re putting her life in danger. What if Hawkmoth discovers how much you care about her? What if something happens to her because of Chat Noir?”

Chat Noir’s eyes snapped open as the nightmares plagued his mind once again. The patter of the rain was deafening. He immediately sought for comfort as his eyes darted everywhere around the room and once they landed on Marinette, he relaxed. Calm down Adrien. You're at Marinette's home. You're safe. She's safe. You're okay. Everything's fine.

“Marinette, y-you still awake?” he asked. His hopes were not met by a reply. She must be sleeping by now and he didn’t want to disturb her but he also couldn’t bottle it all up anymore. The glass was cracking and the words were pooling in his mouth. He needed an outlet, a release. “I…” he started, clutching at the blankets tighter. “I hate the rain.”

“It’s cold and wet and gray a-and…” he trembled but kept going. “…it brings back a lot of memories you know?” Fiddling his clawed fingers together, he rested the back of his head on the pillow and observed the globules of water that threatened to hit him if it weren’t for the closed window.

He swallowed the lump. “It was raining when my mom left. It was raining when Ladybug rejected me,” he wanted to say but he bit down on his tongue hard enough. He’s never been this honest to anyone before. But now, he had laid his guard down and stripped himself of whatever pride he had left. “It’s just that…everything hurts.”

The tears spill and his voice cracks into a hiccup. “I try to forget about everything. I try not to let the sadness get to me. But all of it is just too much sometimes. There are mornings when I wake up that I can’t find the strength and will to get up anymore and survive another one. I-I feel like the weight is crushing me and I can't— I can’t do anything about it. I’m just so useless and—and worthless. I'm, uhh, a disappointment, a—a failure and…I’m—" He could feel nothing, but he could also feel everything all at once. "Nothing...I'm nothing.”

He drapes his arm over his eyes and he sobs. “Sometimes, I crave for jumping off the top of the Eiffel tower without catching myself, just…" He remembered standing so close to the edge just the other day. It scared him more to realize that he's not afraid of the height or falling, but of the fact that he's not scared at all. "I know it’s wrong but there are instances when I get those terrifying thoughts and I wonder, what if? Nobody would care, right? My father definitely wouldn’t. The world would resume to rotate and revolve without me in it and I won’t have to endure another rainy day in my li—”

Chat Noir broke, finally voicing what his heart was screaming out the most. “I just want to be loved." Chat Noir was pathetic, Adrien thought. "I’m so tired of begging for it again and again, from the people who can’t give it, from my father, from Ladybug. I…” His breaths became controlled and shuddering, the melancholy crawling all over his heart and soul and wedging it in every nerve and vein he had in his body.

God, Chat Noir hated the rain.

He didn’t notice that the edge of the bed dipped and there were hands that were cradling his head. Instinctively, Chat’s arms wove around Marinette’s small and petite frame and pulling her under the covers into an embrace. Her fingers carded through his locks in a coaxing manner while she whispered reassurances in his ear and the tears continued to stream down his cheeks. Neither spoke, Chat buried his face in the crook of her neck and cried and heaved.

He clung to her like a lifeline. He was drowning and her warmth was the only oxygen he had. He needed her and she was more than willing to be there right next to him so he wouldn’t feel alone, so she could help him through this together, so she could walk through hell with him.

Marinette disentangled the knots in his hair and massaged his scalp every time he would flinch at the lightning and thunder. He didn’t know how many hours passed while they were in that position. His ear was lodged against her chest and the steady thrumming of her heart sedated him.

Not long after, Chat Noir drowsily started to blow slackening breaths and he felt sleep creeping up to him, his eyes screwing shut. There were soft lips that pecked his forehead and a gentle voice. “Then it’s time to stop begging from the wrong people. I know I’m not much but I’m not going anywhere. I love you Chat Noir, every beat of my heart belongs to you.”

Chat Noir was floored, awed at the amount of affection her words held. What good did he do to have such a sweet, selfless, and most amazing girl—Marinette to still see the best in him despite all his shortcomings and flaws, to still love him for all the good and bad things he possesses? He was struck by how much she meant to him. Her friendship, her love—her. They were all most prized and precious and he wouldn’t know what to do if he loses any of it. It hurt him to hear her think of herself as “not much” because to him, she will always be more than enough. He loved her, he loved her too much.

Chat Noir’s lips curled into a smile and for the first time in years, his heart was finally free. He whispered something unintelligible and he wasn’t sure if she heard him but she only encased him in a cocoon of her love and protection. “I love you too, princess.”

Tomorrow, they would have to deal with the repercussions of their late night, he would have to face Plagg’s vexation for making him use up all his energy to stay transformed for the rest of the night (and pestering: “What? Had fun cuddling with your girlfriend you clingy and needy kitten?” “Shut up Plagg.”), he would have to face Nathalie’s wrath when she finds his room vacant in the morning. But tonight, he would sleep as the rain carries on outside. For as long as he was sheltered in the arms of the girl he loves, he was home.

Maybe the rain isn’t so bad after all.

***

this wraps up this fanfic. hope you all enjoyed it as much as i did. i love marichat and i felt like they would have such a fun and loving best friend dynamic. the last part was kinda vague so it’s up to you whether the “i love you” bit was romantic or platonic, it can be either. i’m sorry if i was clearly projecting while i wrote adrien’s confession. whoever is experiencing sadness, may it be a simple bad day or depression, don’t be afraid to seek solace from somebody you hold dear and trustworthy and don’t hesitate to find a friend in me. thanks for reading! iloveyouall!

[chrisindabuilding-blog]

Rock Paper Scissors | Bang Chan AU

Summary: A memorable night with Bang Christopher Chan~

Pairing: Stray Kids Bang Chan x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Word Count: 3.1K

A/N: Hi this is my first try writing here and oof this my first longest story that I have ever wrote on all my tries. Uhmm thoughts? Pls be nice to me and bear with me if this is not good🥺

-------------------------------------------------------

You and Chris started from strangers to classmates to frenemies to lovers. A lot happened. Funny how fate works. You didn't believe in destiny. Those sweet scenarios on dramas? Those dreamy scenarios on books that others were wishing for to happen and were going crazy for? You were skeptic about those things happening in real life. Although, look at both of you now, you deeply fell in love with each other and had already been dating for a few months now. Everything is going well among your relationship. You can proudly say that it's a type of relationship that you would never trade for anything. It is what others who sees you would call GOALS. You and Chris were happy and contented.

As every relationship is, yours is not perfect as well. Tho it seems like it for those who doesn't know what's happening behind the scenes. You had petty little fights, annoying bickering, and major ones as well but both of you resolved it as soon as possible. Heck! Both of you couldn't and wouldn't even go to sleep if you know that there's a quarrel that should be resolved.

Chris and you always loved to cuddle before you sleep. It's a must! You felt warm and safe in each others embrace. It felt comfortable. It felt healing. It felt like home. Soft kisses and small praises. Lovely lullabies and Tight hugs. Sweet promises and big dreams in which the both of you are involved. A daily routine that you two never forgot to do at least every night.

It's amazing and surreal how even after a few months...

The love, passion, and want is still as strong as it started. You were never bored with each others company. You still love how you felt blessed whenever you would wake up to his peaceful sleeping figure. How his strongs arms would pull you closer to him. His closed eyelids hiding those gleaming orbs which you really loved. His fair complexion which other girls and boys would kill to have. His red plump lips that were as sweet as strawberries. His nose, how they would scrunch up when you tried to kiss him teasingly and repeatedly to try and wake him up. His husky morning voice greeting you sleepily with a soft blinding smile on his face. His fluffy messy curls which were scattered everywhere laying softly among his face. His tousled waves that was perfectly styled in an imperfect way for you. His sharp jawline that you loved to caress and trace. He really looked like an angel. Well I mean he is one. You feel your heart flutter everytime this moment happens. Also, the way he would peck your cheeks early in the morning if you had to wake up. The way he would get up really early just to prepare breakfast in bed for you. The way he takes you to shopping just to pamper you. The way he comforts you and try to lift your spirits up whenever you were feeling or beating yourself down. They say that there is no such thing as perfect but you disagree on that, cause for you he is perfect. Your moments are perfect. Every kiss, every hug, every single second with him is perfect.

You guys were inseparable. Work was never a challenge for the both of you. Since he always makes time for you and fetches you after your appointments (school/work etc.) to go to the studio with him and bond as he works. He was your comfort zone. You were fine as long as you were with him. When both of you are free from work, you either spend the whole day together or let each other enjoy with their friends or family. Even if it's a boy or a girl. Psychotic tendencies cause of jealousy? Pfft... never heard of her. You both trust each other so much that jealousy rarely happens. It's either others were flirting with you and that's why he's jealous and vice versa. You never made one another feel like they were unwanted. You always secured each other with words and actions to build this trust that can't and won't be broken easily.

It was a chilly Saturday evening. You and Chris already finished all the works that should be done. What better way would it be than to spend your free time with each other planning to stay up all night and doing different activities that you both love and enjoy right?

You started your night by cooking dinner. You mean him cooking a scrumptious dinner for the both of you and you trying not to burn the house down. He prepared all the tools and ingredients needed for what he was about to make. You offered to help and He kindly asked you to chop the onions and you obeyed. Then after a few minutes you stopped. He only noticed that when he couldn't hear the sharp knife grazing on the wooden cutting board anymore. He gazed at you intently from behind, your back facing him, and he heard your quiet sobbing and noticed how you were looking down while rubbing your eyes. He got worried thinking that you cut yourself with the sharp knife. Chris called your name softly with a hint of worry evident in his voice. You didn't respond so he stopped whatever he was doing and quickly made few large steps to reach you. He softly grabbed your chin and directed your head towards him to face him. He let out a hearty chuckle as he carefully wiped your tears because he saw you bawling your eyes out most probably because of the onions. He poked your sides teasingly and told you to sit on the stool and just watch him cook. You nodded and positioned yourself comfortably on the high stool. You watched his movements keenly. Your stare lingering at him way longer than it should be. You gulped as you noticed the way his muscles flexed whenever he grabbed or reached our for something. The way his Adam's apple moved whenever he was drinking water or when he tasted whatever he was cooking. The way his protruding veins on his hands captured your whole attention when he continued your unfinished task of chopping the onion and the other ingredients. You felt how your throat went dry as the desert. He subtly glanced at you and caught how you gulped while you were staring intently at his hands. He smiled at the thought of you day dreaming about him and even though he was yours. He brought you a glass of water and that was when you snapped back to reality. The reality that he caught you. You don't know why or what for but you felt your cheeks heat up. You got shy and drank the water. Too much thoughts on your head made stupidly you choke on your water. He laughed. His nose scrunched up and his cheeks went up high cause of laughing. You felt your heart flutter and soften at the view in front of you.

As you noticed that he was about to finish cooking, you prepared the table. You placed the plates neatly and carefully. As well as the untensils. Chris placed the steaming food on the table. The delicious aroma circling all around the kitchen. Both of you sat down and started eating together. The food was delicious and phenomenal. Exactly like the one who made it. Ehem. Anyways, you and Chris took the dishes you used and placed them on the sink. You grabbed the gloves and wore them. You grabbed the sponge and made it wet with some water and soap. It was very bubbly. You found the bubbles very cute and that is one of the reasons why you loved washing the dishes. While you were cleaning the dishes, you felt strong arms hug you by the waist. Chris was giving you a back hug as he swayed you a bit. He rested his chin at the crook of your neck. He smelled your hair and planted small kisses on your neck. You laughed at him being clingy and cuddly as usual and sprinkled him with some water. As we all know, You're totally down for clingy and cuddly Chris. You smiled over you shoulder and pecked his nose. Which he brightly smiled about.

You finished doing the dishes. You grabbed a dry cloth and started drying the dishes before placing them back. You felt Chris detach himself from the hug and started skipping towards his massive fridge. He opened the freezer compartment and took 2 tubs of ice cream. He went to another cabinet and took some of your favorite chocolates, some chips, and two spoons. You understood what this means. You smiled and ran towards him tackling him with a side hug. He bended down and told you to hop on his back. You wrapped your arms around his neck and your legs around his waist. He gave you a piggyback ride and carefully dropped you on the couch. You made yourself comfortable. He then went upstairs for a moment and came back down with lots of pillows and your and Chris' favorite warm blanket. He sat beside you and made himself comfy as well while wrapping you both on your warm shared blanket. He placed his arm around you and you placed your hand on his chest leaning your head against his shoulder. Your heart fluttered at his affection.

Now both of you were cuddling on the couch at the living room with a shared warm blanket and a lot of soft pillows surrounding you. You started choosing three different genres in which you both are interested in. Romance, horror, and lastly, comedy.

"Bet you're gonna cry watching titanic~" He said playfully. "Nope." You answered emphasising the letter p with a pop. Of course you both of you knew otherwise.

You were gobbling up all the food until you got really absorbed into the movie. Then, you started crying and sobbing while watching Titanic and Chris was teasing you for that while he was comforting you. Your cheeks and nose were tinted red from crying which he found very cute. You collected yourself and asked him to start the second movie. Which was ugh the anticipated horror and thriller. Halfway through the movie, both of you were screaming your lungs out and and was smacking each other with the pillows around you. Ending up in a crazy, messy pillow fight and both of you not paying much attention to the movie that was playing in front of you anymore. When both of you got tired, you looked and scanned each other and your hairs were uhmm let's just say that a mess was an understatement. Both of you chuckled and somehow remembered about the movie. You ended up trying to scare one another so you could and would end up cuddling each other mainly just for the heck of it. Then the last movie on your list, comedy! Yey! You were feeding each other. You fed Chris a spoonful of ice cream and through the movie there was a joke which made Chris laugh way too hard. And guess what happened? He choked cause he's lowkey dumb and a baby. Your baby at least. You were just beside him laughing at him like it was the last time you could ever laugh while he's choking and giving you a death glare.

Time really flew fast without you noticing it. You glanced at the wall clock and it showed that it was almost 11:53 PM. You heard water droplets trickling down the roof. You moved the curtains to look outside and it was raining. You went back to the couch and you can hear the raindrops hitting the glass windows. Creating a more serene atmosphere. Not to mention that you and Chris really loved the rain especially on cold nights like this. You were there to keep each other warm.

You guys had just finished watching movies and you were also amazed how you finished all the snacks. Both of you had nothing to do now. So you decided to play games until you were both sleepy. You sticked with games like snake and ladders and jenga. Funny how both of you were competitive against one another. Both of you pulled dirty tricks and were trying to distract each other and win the game. He would give you sudden playful hugs making you lose your balance and making the jenga tower tumble down. For you? You tickled him whenever he was focusing on getting a piece out. You decided to play snake and ladders after you were done playing Jenga. You noticed how Chris was letting you win on purpose and you don't know how to feel about it cause one, you know that he doesn't want you to get sad and feel bad if you lost against him and two, he's lowkey insulting you by letting you win on purpose. After a few more rounds, he went quiet for a few seconds and suggested playing truth or dare. In which you thought was a brilliant idea.

You and Chris got up from the floor after collecting all the snake and ladder and Jenga pieces. You both made yourself comfortable on the couch again and faced each other. You played rock paper scissors and you won. You grinned widely. You started playing truth or dare and you were very giddy that you got the chance to ask him first.

"So Chris, truth or dare?" You asked smirking at him. "Hmmm truth?" Chris replied back playfully using his tone. "Hold on. Let me think of a question that could ruin your life BWAHAHAHA!" You said. "My baby seems to be having a lot of fun huh?" He said squishing your cheeks and started peppering your face with butterfly kisses. You felt your blood rush up to your cheeks and you felt that your heartbeat raced fast. He noticed the subtle reddening of your cheeks and smirked. He loved knowing that he had that effect on you. You saw how he smirked and so you acted quick to lift yourself up and stole a quick kiss from him which got him all flustered and riled up at your sudden boldness. It was your turn to smirk. You also loved the effect you had on him. "So babe are you gonna ask me a question or are we just gonna start a heated make out session?" He joked while smiling goofily and both of you laughed. Him because of his silliness and you because of the honesty you felt deep within his tone of voice and his joke.

You concentrated and thought for a moment. Meanwhile, Chris was gazing at you trying to suppress a smile since you were so focused and he found that really adorable about you. He loved how you look so fierce and focused whenever you were concentrating. You looked hot for him. "On that note, let's just ditch truth or dare since we know each other like the back of our hands and play rock, paper, scissors!" You excitedly told him with sparkly eyes while grinning widely. That goofy grin which he adores and cherishes so much. "I like that idea but care to tell me what's the catch?" He looked at you curiously while smiling. A smile that showed uncertainty, nervousness, AND his cute ass dimples. You cooed and extended your hand to poke his dimples. You giggled since he looked so adorable and confused. Plus you were having evil ideas for the game. You knew that Chris SUCKS at rock paper scissors.

"If you lose, I'll slap you~" You suggested while smiling innocently. "Okay but if I win, I'll get to kiss you on the lips. Deal?" You thought about it. "Fair enough. Deal!" You exclaimed excitedly.

You started playing and and for the first round, He revealed a rock while you revealed a paper. He lost so you slapped him. You know your limits and you wouldn't want to hurt him so you did it lightly. For the next three rounds, he lost. You teased him for sucking at this simple game called rock paper scissors. He competetively told you that he'll win the next round and he did!

He smirked all cocky at you at first, but then you noticed how his gazed softened when you made eye contact. His eyes traveled from your eyes going down to your lips and back to your eyes again. He caressed your face lovingly before he cupped your cheeks gently. He held you like a porcelain doll that was very vulnerable. Like you were a precious gem that would break if he held you carelessly. You felt his warm touch brush along your cheekbone carefully. You cherished his warmth and let yourself melt under his touch. He stared straight deep into your eyes. His eyes were the most beautiful for you and you knew that you were gonna drown in them but you let yourself sink and drown. He leaned forward to kiss you. You were feeling and hearing the defeaning thumping of your heart against your chest. You never broke eye contact. 3 inches left. 2. You closed your eyes. You felt his warm breath against your lips which signalled that he was really close to you. An inch left. He closed the gap between you and him. You felt his soft and warm lips press against yours. Chris gently claimed your lips. Your felt your heart skipped a beat and he felt like his heart was going to burst. The kiss was very sweet and gentle. You can feel that he poured his emotions on the kiss that he gave you. Both of you could tell that it was shared and filled with overflowing love. No lust. Just pure love and adoration. You felt him smile into the kiss and a few seconds later, he broke the kiss. He rested his forehead sweetly on yours. Both of you smiled at one another lovingly as he gently pulled you into his lap. He was hugging your waist tightly. You leaned on his chest and felt his heartbeat. You listened to his heartbeat dancing and felt like it started to get in sync with your own. It sounded so calming and that was when you felt your eyelids started getting heavy. You felt Chris kiss the top of your head as you listened to the soft rain outside. You listened how the gentle wind blows. His heartbeat, the rain, the wind, his voice humming you to sleep. It was all very soothing. He ran his fingers through your hair which made you more sleepy than you already are. You buried yourself against him more. Before falling asleep in Chris' warm embrace you heard him mutter "I love you so much." In which you hummed "me too Chris. I love you so much." back.