#i'll just print out some kids homework

[gin-juice-tonic]

guy who doesn't miss college: I miss college

[silent-raven13]

Flower Shop Across the Music Store

(AU: Miles works at a flower shop. Hobie owes his music Store.)

The sound of the machine printing out a long list of receipts had the young man ripped it off to had to the customer. "Here's your receipt. Remember no returns if it's open." The Punker said in a serious tone before going back to reorganizing some CDs.

The customer left with a nod before taking his leave with his skateboard in his other hand. The front door opens with its bell ringing, a group of three teenage boys wearing Y2K outfits; large baggy pants, and oversize shirts. Very old school style of New York, with Jordans, and timberlands.

Hobie glances over, "Manny, did you do your homework?" At a brown teenage boy wearing bright red oversize t-shirt, baggy pants and Jordans. The one called Manny had a buzz cut with one earring in his left ear, he sucked his teeth in with an eye roll.

"Man," Manny frowns at his adopted older brother, "I was."

"Oh yeh? Let me see it?" The owner of the shop asked.

"Come on, bro." Manny grunts.

"Don't give me that. Go to the back and do your homework. Those are the rules." Hobie crosses his arms. "Unless you wanna go back to yer mama?"

Manny groans, "No. But can I just go skate for a bit. I swear I'll be back at five and do my homework!"

"Alright. But I better see you here before those lights turned on." Hobie pointed at the lamp lights on the street. "I'm gonna make jerk chicken and rice and peas! So you better get home by dinner time."

"Ight, bro! I will." Manny walks out with his friends going to the park to skate and hang out.

The punker merely rolled his eyes, he felt more like a dad to this kid than a brother at times. He heard the boys calling all at once, then one of them said, "Aye, look over there! it's a gonna be a Flower shop."

"Nah, mane. Who goes buy flowers?" A friend of Manny said.

"Who knows but it's better than that wack ass junk store."

"Ya that place was cover in dust."

Hobie saw the boys walking away laughing, he peeks over the shop across his store to find a flower shop being set up. Huh, he never noticed that. The Grand Opening show it's today with a free rose.

Two older Latina women went inside the shop to buy some flowers, coming out with their own bouquets. The punker arched his eyebrows being interested in the shop, during his lunch break he decided to go check it out.

Of course, by the looks on the Flower Shop it look a bit to posh for the neighborhood of Brooklyn. So he wore his black leather jacket and went full Punk on his aesthetics to see if the owners would freak out. He's biggest worry if it's a rich white owner trying to take over a black and brown neighborhood.

"Not on my watch!" He thought to himself before going over to the flower shop.

The door bing with an automatic ringer whenever the door open. The flower shop is small, but had many beautiful flowers with decent prices. "Coming." Hearing a male voice.

Hobie checks around seeing a lot of roses, so many in different types from white to pink to yellow to the iconic red ones. Then, he heard footsteps behind him. He turns around as he heard, "Sorry about that. I was setting up the vases behind the counter."

The moment Hobie's eyes saw the young man, it felt like love at first sight. He never seen anyone so beautiful in his life. The young cashier had big hazel eyes with a cute wide nose and dimple wide smile with those plump lips. The young man have dark skin and coily tapered Afro, with earrings on both ears. He wore an apron over his sunny yellow collar shorts and overalls that have Sunflower embroidered and OG Jordans.

"Uhhh..." Hobie felt like he was styling a sun by the way this man's face glows so brightly.

"Hm?" The cashier tilted his head to the side with those big doe eyes.

The punker saw the cashier's name tag, "Miles. Um, are you the owner?"

"Me? Nah, this is my aunty's shop. I'm working here part time." He looked worried, "Oh do you need to speak to her? My aunty and Uncle will be here tomorrow!"

Hobie never thought he would see someone this cute. "No. No-no!" He raised his hand up, "It's all good. I just wanna say I own a music shop across the street."

"OH! I always wanted to go there! You're the owner! Wow, you dress so cool." Miles' big hazel eyes gleams with excitement.

"Heh, I guess so. It's pretty crappy."

"Oh, I don't think so." Miles giggles, "I think it gives a bit of personality."

"Oh yeah?"

"Mmhmm."

"Never thought it that way." Hobie crosses his arms then slowly asked, "So, what you got for sale?"

"We got twelve dollar bouquets roses." Miles pointed out, "They are small but enough to be romantic." He to hold a bequest of Sunflowers, "Sorry, I need to fix this." He wanted to have the Sunflower flowers their own attention.

"Huh, you look like a Sunflower." Hobie's hand reach out to touch Miles' cheek, "Sunflower." There eyes met.

The young man felt his body heated up by this handsome Punker. Seeing him so tall and having Heterochromia eyes made him look so damn cool and attractive. "Oh, no one ever called me that or any flower."

"I think Sunflower fits you perfectly. Anyway, I like to buy that Sunflower." He offer.

"Oh this one?" Miles is holding it with great care.

This is what Hobie wanted to hold Miles and the best way was that Sunflower. He casually chuckles, "I like that one."

'Okay, I'll ring it up for you." The cashier nodded heading to the front desk to charge the flower. The two stay quiet it until Hobie couldn't take it anymore.

"Here, luv. Maybe you need a discount from her." He slid his phone number on a piece .

"Ehh?" Miles felt his cheeks warm when seeing the phone number on a piece of paper. "Don't you think that's old school?" His hazel eyes onto the punker.

"So? I wanna make my point across." The Punker flirted.

"Okay... but I didn't catch your name." The cashier went to wrap the sunflower.

"Hobie. Hobie Brown." He grins at Miles. "Let me take you out for a cup of coffee."

"I do like coffee." Miles flirted with him, having this warm smile. He could stare at Hobie's one silver blue eyes and the other being brown.

"Yeah." Hobie flirted back, "Hopefully, you and I can go further like dinner or a movie."

"Hehehe," The cashier giggles, "I would like that if things go well."

"I think you and I both know, luv, that we're gonna get along super well with each other." He smirks at him.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

The two were staring into each other having big smiles on their faces. Miles couldn't help but be attractive to the punker. "What about tonight?"

"Cup of coffee?"

"Maybe or a movie, since you already said we fit goo together." Miles hums having to charge the Sunflower. "That'll be five thirty five."

"Heh, alright." Hobie grins having to pull out his wallet to pay in cash, "How about this? I take you to a nice Dominican restaurant down there, and see where it goes."

"OKay. I do like Dominican food." Miles' eyes on him, they were interested.

"Alright, when you get off?"

"Around five. My uncle comes by to help close the shop." Miles said, "I'll be ready by then."

"Okay, I'll come by. I normally close shop early too." Hobie grins at the cashier. "See you then, Sunflower."

"See you, Hobie." He smiles at him watching him leave the store.

Hobie could only fantasize about Miles and the smell of Sunflowers just reminds the punker of him. His heart race thinking about it, then he remembers about his adopted brother.

He quickly texted him.

Hobie: Yo, I got a date at five. You can hang out with your friends longer.

Manny: Sweet, can I stay over at Luis till ten?

Hobie: Sure. Do your homework!

Manny: Sure thing bro.

Hobie smirks with that. Now he gotta think what to wear for this date. God, he knows this is the one. His soul mate, he could feel it in his bones!

[cave-of-horrors]

Flickering Sunshine

Summary:

While Papa is busy at work, you decide to play where you're not supposed to.

Pairing: Sunny Day Jack!Professor AU/Reader

CW: Mentioned non-con drug use, forced age regression, brainwash(?)

A mountain of boxes tumble out of the shed, crashing to the grass. You put your hands over your mouth as you gasp, watching things spill to the floor. Seeing the mess you've made, you giggle, knowing Papa is going to scold you when he gets home. But you think he secretly likes it when you're bad anyways!

Plopping down in the grass, curious hands pull open a box and grab the items that litter around you now. Most of them are thick books and binders. You try with all your might to remember how to read. Papa usually does that for you, but when you really want to, you can read for yourself. After a few moments, you can tell these are psychology textbooks. They must be Papa’s! He's a teacher at a university! You have the smartest Papa in the world. 

You continue to snoop, opening binders with handwriting and printed pages. There's a name at the top of some of the pages you instantly recognize. Your name! Actually, your name is on lots of stuff here. That's weird! Grabbing one of the loose pieces of paper, you put your nose right up to it, trying to make out the squiggles.. You manage to make out your name and the phrase "dorm eviction notice."

A thread of pain laces through your skull. The paper flutters back to the grass as you hold your head.

"Ahh," you wince in pain.

Blinking rapidly, it's almost like a picture show playing behind your eyelids, like the view-master toy Papa gave you.

You see yourself holding the paper in your hands. You grip it tightly, almost tearing the edges as it starts to spot. Tears. You're crying on it.

The memory ends and the pain fades. When you look around, you suddenly find it easier to read. It’s mostly homework, assignments, papers, all with your name on them. But… but you’re only… you’re just a little kid, how can you… Your eyes catch on your folded legs.

Staring down at your body, it looks wrong. Long limbs, suddenly aware of hair in places there shouldn't be. Should there? Looking around with new eyes, you wonder how you went from living in a dorm to this beautiful house with Papa. Papa…. That’s not his name. Who is he again? Who is he to you?

A nausea not from your stomach but the back of your skull rocks you. Pushing up onto shaking legs you hold your head, swimming with memories you struggle to parse.

"Sunshine!" You're shaken out of it, Jack here now. You didn't hear the car engine driving up or his approach, but from the way he's panting, you can guess he ran to your side from the car. 

"Jack?"

His look of concern crashes into fear that is only made worse as he notices what's been strewn across the lawn. His attention is only brought back to you when you groan, another throb in the back of your skull. He pets your hair.

"Oh, Sunshine, I told you not to play with the shed." He pulls you into him with an arm around your waist, "come on, I'll make it all better."

Tucking an arm under your knees, he lifts you princess style, a hand guiding your head to rest against him. Taking you inside, he sits you side saddle in his lap on the couch. You continue to whimper and tense in pain. You try to hide from it by pressing your face into the crook of his neck, but the closer you are to him, the more sick you feel.

“Shh, relax, you’ll feel all better soon.”

He starts to hum. Combing his hand through your hair, he sings to you.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray.”

His voice lulls the pain in your head, the questions slowly turning to dust in your hands as he rubs circles in your back, the one on your hip doing the same.

“The other night dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms. When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken and I hung my head and cried.”

A kiss to your forehead briefly interrupts the singing as a hand moves from your hip down your thigh. He drags his hand up and down your thigh before palming the underside of it, for now just pressing circles with his thumb into your inner thigh. You feel the warmth from his hand spread under your skin and feel your mind not only calm but… drift? 

Sink.

He continues to sing the pretty song and when his hand drifts to the ticklish tingly spot between your thighs, you giggle.Feeling even more warm as the singing ends, his thumb carefully stroking your calm down area.

“See, Papa can fix anything.” Looking up, you can see his smile, soft and loving, like his voice and the touch between your legs. “You understand why you suddenly felt bad, right?” You shake your head no… can you even remember what you did? 

“Sorry Papa, I dunno.”

“Because you were thinking too hard about old memories. Sad and scary ones.”

Thinking back on the traces you have left of what happened before Papa came home, all you can remember is the fear and crying. You bury your face against him again, knowing he can protect you from all the bad feelings. He chuckles and rests his head on top of yours, shielding you like you knew he would.

“You just need to listen to Papa, I know what’s best for you. I’ll take care of you.” His movements become desperate, the soft look in his eye almost manic with a panicked under layer to them. He practically pleads with you as his hand slips under your clothes,and you shiver, “my little ray of sunshine, you don’t need to think of anything besides what makes you happy.” The hand at the small of your back tense, fingers digging into the skin.

Papa’s firm touch to your special place makes your legs tense with a whimper as the warmth turns into twisting shocks to your tummy.

“Papa will deal with all of the hard stuff for you, so just play and have fun, okay?” His arm moves from your back up to around your shoulders and tucking under your chin to tilt your head up. You know he wants an answer.

“Okay Papa, I won’t think of those kinds of things anymore–” you’re cut off with a gasp as Papa’s fingers tease your hole. He rests his forehead against yours, all you can see are his eyes reflected back to you. You know he won’t fill you this time, he never does when you’re bad. Being stretched and filled by Papa and his love is for good Sunshine's. But he still makes you mewl as he teases and touches you with practised ease.

He watches you with adoration as you cum against his hand, body shuddering in his lap. It wasn’t a strong orgasm, but he finds these soft gentle ones on you just as amazing. You’re little pants after making him unable to resist scattering kisses across your face, his heart overflowing with warmth and love at your smile. 

You yawn.

“Papa, I’m all sleepy now.”

“I bet ,you've had an eventful day!” Chuckling, he picks you up again and carries you to your room. It’s colorful and filled with stuffed animals, coloring books, and other various toys for you. Along with a few hobbies you’ve always had, long before you were his little Sunshine. That was always one relief, that even in this state, you were able to continue the hobbies you loved. It would have crushed him if that was lost in the process.

He tucks his Sunshine into their bed, sitting on the edge to give them a lingering kiss, tongue darting out to taste theirs and explore their mouth before pulling back and giving one final sweet kiss to their lips. 

“Alright, eyes shut now, Sunbeam.” He waits for you to fall asleep, his gentle presence guarding you until you do.

He can’t risk this happening again. You can’t wake up from this fantasy. Maybe he should get a few more pills for you from Rory like when he first brought you here. Just to make sure you don’t start waking up again.

Removing your bottoms, he caresses your thighs, down your calves, placing kisses here and there. He gets to work in cleaning you up and puts on a clean pair for you. He places a last kiss just above the hem of your underwear between your hips. You’re just so perfect. 

And so much healthier than before, he thinks as he pressed his face against your stomach.

It still brings an ache to his heart to remember those times. When you were his student. You’d needed a bit of help outside of class time with your psychology studies and in those times when you’d sit in his office, he’d easily fallen in love with you. He’d also seen how hard college life was on you. Keeping up with classes, along with your work, trying to hold onto hobbies and relationships, you’d gotten dark bags under your eyes and worryingly thin.

You needed someone. 

He knew he could be that someone.

But his gentle persuasions and offers of help were all turned down. Of course it made sense, even with a respected professor like him, student-teacher interactions that went beyond the professional may be seen as questionable. 

Having you expelled and evicted from the dorms without you ever knowing it was his fault was easy. But when he showed up to be your hero, to offer you a place to stay and take care of you while you got back on your feet, you’d rejected him. Rejected all help, really. Maybe it was pride, maybe guilt, maybe depression. It didn’t matter. What mattered is you still refusing any kind of aid while working yourself to an early grave.

What you didn’t reject was food. No college student, or suddenly ex college student, rejects free food from a trusted source, and with a little help from the chemistry professor, Rory, that was all he needed. The drug, making your mind more vulnerable and relaxing your defences combined with his own skill in psychology, it was easy. He still couldn’t manipulate your mind to accept help and to depend on another person, him or otherwise. So he changed his approach. 

An age regression, of sorts, partially to the state of a child. And you finally let him take care of you. Of course you did, it’s only natural for a little one to depend on their Papa, isn’t it?

It was odd for him at first. Being a parental figure isn’t exactly what he was going for, but if it meant making you healthy and happy, he’d accept that. It was a welcome shock when you still expressed sexual desire. No matter how he molded your mind, your body was still that of an adult with adult urges. And he only ever wanted to take care of you in every possible way.

And now you’re here. Safe, healthy, by his side, and happier than you ever were in college, not an iota of stress in your life. Laughing everyday, sitting in his lap whenever he sat down like a toddler who’d never known touch starvation, having all the time in the world to indulge in your hobbies. This was the perfect life for you, surely.

He’ll need to put some proper locks on that shed. Or maybe burn the evidence of the past. He can’t lose you, and he’s certain you can’t lose him.

[laffy-taffy-creations]

Whumptober day 28!!!!

This fic was cross-posted on AO3 here

Copy That, Copycat

Bloody Knife | Sacrifice | "You'll have to go through me first"

Fandom: My Hero Academia

Words: 885

Warnings: kidnapping, manipulation/lying, implied/referenced torture

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

"Hey uh… Vee?" Izuku asked.

"Hm?" I said, looking up from my homework.

"I know that you are busy and came to the common room for a sense of relaxation but uhm… We're gonna need one of your special skills…"

"Midoriya."

"...Yeah?"

"Just spit it out."

"Jirou, Mina, and Tokoyami were kidnapped!" He blurted. "The only lead we have is a photo, and I remembered you saying you had a knack for tracking stuff without your quirk so uh… I was wondering if you'd-"

"Why the fuck is that even a question, show me the photo." I looked him dead in the eyes. It shouldn't have been a question if I would at least try to track them.

He slid over a printed picture of them being dragged unconscious off to someplace in whatever building they were currently in.

"It's from an anonymous source, I managed to swipe a copy of it cause when you track successfully its usually quicker…"

I scanned it for every detail in the environment then pulled out a scrap of paper and wrote down the address.

"Woah, that was quicker than I thought…" I heard him whisper.

"It's a more zoomed out shot than most so there's a lot more environment for me to analyze and pinpoint."

"Okay, thank you, I'll, uh-"

I folded and pocketed the paper. "You won't do shit. I'll take care of it, they'll be back by tonight."

He looked at me stunned.

"Just trust me on this one alright?" I said.

He nodded and walked away, letting me return to my homework.

The villains who took them were the LOV, who else, and luckily I had a separate persona for dealing with them.

I finished my homework and made my way to the base.

"Hello Copycat."

"Heyo Shigs! Quick question, I heard about some new hostages in our grasp…"

"Hm? Oh, they're all in the 4th room."

"Nice. Are we perchance trying to get any info out of them? Or…."

"Leverage."

"Ahhh, I see. Well then, you don't mind if I pay them a quick visit, do you~?"

He shook his head. "Go on in. Should I get you a drink in the meantime?"

"Just vodka! Regular amount, please and thank you~," I said, and skipped on into the interrogation room. "Hhhoooo-kay, there you 3 are."

Mina perked up instantly. "Wha- WHO ARE YOU‽" she screamed.

"Chill! Chill, I'm an agent on the inside okay? I work with the villains to benefit the heroes. Now, you three are in kind of a tight spot so we're gonna figure out how to work around this okay?"

Had it not been for the handcuffs looped around a bar I'm certain all 3 of them would be backing as far away from me as possible. I noticed a bloody knife that had been used on them was laying on a nearby countertop. Probably Toga's.

"Alright, here's what we're gonna do, first I'm checking you all for injuries." I approached slowly and checked as quickly as I could, mentally noting every laceration and wound I saw.

"Now for the fun part," I murmured to myself. I got out my lockpick set. "Once you give me your wrists, we're all in agreement that you follow my instructions until we're out, is that clear?"

"I don't think you'll have much time for that, Copycat."

I turned around. Toga. Of course.

"Oh, won't I?" I challenged, picking up her knife and lunging.

While they were all distracted and it seemed I was preoccupied with fighting Toga, I broke the handcuffs from a distance using one of my quirks. Using my birth one, I sent a telepathic message, 'you three need to run NOW, I broke the cuffs, get out of here.'

Toga seemed to notice but that's where she faltered, giving me an opening.

"You're not gonna touch those fucking kids, you understand me?"

She nodded, and somewhat afraid expression crossing her face.

I left and went to find the others, in time to take a hit for one of them from Shigaraki, whose quirk did not work on me. Not when my others were active and negating his.

"You'll have to go through me first, bitch," I said.

"Why are you even helping them‽" he demanded.

"They're my friends. And the real Copycat looks a little something like this." I removed the illusion surrounding my body.

The revelation was disorienting enough for me to kick him back and herd the others out the door.

"Welp, looks like I can't use that disguise anymore around them…" I muttered to myself leading them to a public area so we could take the transit back to campus.

"OV? Is that actually you? Or are you still that Copycat person posing as them?" Jirou asked.

"It's me alright, I was posing as her to get info. I don't have the time to explain, let's just get back to campus please," I told them.

"I'm sending you a list of all my questions and I expect some answers," Mina said playfully.

"Yeah, that's fair…Nobody tell Deku. He'd be all over me."

"You mean because you kicked ass or because of the ability to sneak into the villian's team?" Jirou joked, breaking the tension for me. I laughed, managing to relax on the train ride back.

[littlegodzilla]

You can write a smut where Daryl is in love with Sebastian's girlfriend in season 11. Maybe, she's totally different from Sebastian (sweet and gentle kind) and Daryl is crazy about her. (With an age gap, pls). PS: I love your fanfics <3

Hi Anon!! Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself reading my stories 😊😊

I loved the idea, I could't watch the 11B yet, but I tried my best to write what you want. I don't know Sebastian either but I read somewhere he is a prick so...

I really enjoyed writing it. I hope you'll like it too!

Thanks for your request!

The Librarian.

Daryl Dixon x FemReader.

Anon Request.

Warning: Fluff. Protective Daryl. Relationship breakdown. Smut.

Summary: You don't like Sebatian, you don't want him. Daryl knows that.

In that community you all have a role to play. You are all selected and placed in a specific place before entering the Commonwealth, Pamela needs to know that the new members of her community are useful. You are one of them, you arrived with your parents many years ago, almost when it all started, you were selected and it was up to you to take care of the library. You made sure to select, catalog and relocate all the books that soldiers and scouts brought with them on missions. Little by little some books were losing value, and others were even written about the evolution of the new world. The community had a small and rudimentary printing press that took care of that. The main idea of this was to educate the children with as much knowledge as possible, both old and new.

Usually your day to day life is quiet and sometimes even boring, but others....

The door opens then, through it a couple appears, a woman with long white hair and a kind smile and a grown man, scruffy, brown hair, and intense blue gaze. You smile as your eyes connect with his and feel your cheeks redden a little. You stop what they are doing and walk up to the main counter to greet them there.

"Good morning, Carol, Daryl." You smile at them both and they mimic your gesture.

"Morning."

"How can I help you?"

"M here to get some books for Judith and RJ." Daryl says and pulls a list out of his inside vest pocket. "They need them to start school."

"Of course. Here, I'll get them." You offer and he nods giving you the paper, you walk out from the counter looking at the list.

Carol gives her friend a little shove and looks at him raising her eyebrows meaningfully. Daryl swallows hard. He doesn't trust what might come out of his friend's mouth.

"Why don't you go help her? I'm going to walk around and see what I need." She says winking at him. Daryl grunts, but you stop looking at the soldier.

"You coming?" You look at him curiously, Daryl gives you a nervous look, but nods and follows a few steps behind you.

The community has expanded a bit more a few months ago, when people from Alexandria arrived there asking for help. Their intention is not to stay permanently, they want to rebuild their own community, make it safe again, but for that they still need help, and the safety behind the walls of the Commonwealth helps them to continue day by day, the children have started a routine as if they were back in their real homes. Studying, going to school, making new friends, homework. Many children in Alexandria know how to defend themselves, fight, understand the countryside and how to avoid the Walkers, but there the main mission of the youngsters is to learn and just be children.

You walk along the shelves until you find the schooling area and put the list aside as you begin to pick up books for Judith. The one thing you have never seen right in the Commonwealth is the class distinction, there are still rich and poor, some have the books and some depend on your library to be able to study. It seems absurd to you, but unfortunately you don't make the rules.

"How are the kids? do they like school?" you try to make conversation with the man.

"Not much." He laughs softly and you catch it. "They've never been to school, not like this, we teach them ourselves, they have the basic knowledge, but... they like self-defense more." He jokes, but you nod. It's practical, it's necessary. The world is dangerous and hostile, learning to defend yourself as a child is a good way to survive.

"I get it, a lot of these kids were born here, they don't know what's out there." You say picking up one more book leaving it on the cart next to the others.

"Yeah... What about ya?" he asks watching you from a safe distance.

"Me? Well, I wouldn't know how to shoot a crossbow either, or a gun in general." You laugh but get a little embarrassed. "Before we came to the Commonwealth we lived in another shelter, but Pamela found us, she was friends with my parents and we fit in here quickly." You look at him fiddling with another book in your hands and smile a little sheepishly.

"I see... So that's why ya and Sebastian?" Daryl regrets his question a little, he knows it's personal, that you don't have to answer, he's messed up, but he finds it amazing that you're dating a person like him.

"That was... Sebastian 'chose' me." You make quotation marks with your hands. "Out of all the girls who wanted to be with him, he chose me who wanted nothing to do with him, my parents were overjoyed, and Pamela took a load off from having to watch her son." You sigh turning your focus back to the books.

"But he..."

"He's a dick, I know, I've tried talking to Pamela about it, but she won't listen to me, or won't accept it." You shrug.

"And ya dun mind that he's with other girls at the same time he's with ya?" There's surprise and doubt in his voice and you deny turning to look at him.

"Oh no, he and I don't...we never...well you know, I don't..." You stammer feeling your cheeks redden violently. "I've never let him touch me..." You whisper that last and turn your focus back to the books looking for a math notebook for RJ.

Daryl watches you curiously, he was sure your relationship had an explanation, Sebastian was spoiled and mean, he didn't deserve to be with you. The archer bites his lip and moves a little closer to you. His hand touches your waist and the book you are trying to reach slips from your fingers. The object falls hitting you both in the head.

"Ouch." You protest.

"Shit..." You hear Daryl mutter behind you.

"S-sorry, I didn't know that..." You try to apologize by leaning over to pick up the book, Daryl does the same at the same time and your foreheads collide.

"Fuck!" you two exclaim at the same time as both fall backwards remaining seated in the middle of the library aisle.

You look at him feeling your cheeks redden violently and a laugh scratches your throat as you snort and cover your face with both hands letting the laughter wash over you, washing away some of the embarrassment you feel at this very moment. Daryl smiles letting out a small chuckle as well, looking sideways at you. He didn't intend for the situation to end up like this, but he has to admit he likes hearing you laugh. He gets up from the floor picking up the book as he goes, luckily it's not a very thick book, so the blow hasn't killed too many brain cells, it's just knocked your dignity a little. Daryl holds out his hand helping you up. You smile and take the book leaving it with the others.

"Thank you, Daryl, that's very kind of you." You tell him and he looks sideways at you smiling.

"Yes, Daryl, you're quite the gentleman, thank you for helping my girl" Sebastian's voice tenses you both up, the man stands there folding his arms with his crooked smile plastered on his face. "What are you doing here soldier?"

"Leave him Sebastian, he came to get some books for his nephews."

"Good old Daryl, everyone's certainly raving about you." There's an acid tone in his voice, you notice it and want to stop him, but Daryl doesn't flinch, or so it seems.

"I was just helping me with a book, either..."

"You shouldn't try so hard, Dixon, it's her job, that's all she's good for, if that's what she needs help with too..."

"She ain't yer girl." That's all he says and you feel your heart racing.

"Oh no?"

"She ain't an object." He says matter-of-factly and you feel a little disappointed.

"It's okay, Daryl, don't worry, if you have work to do, I'll finish this and then a partner will take it home for you." You tell him trying to calm the mood, you don't want to get in a fight there.

"You heard her, soldier, get back to your duties." He smiles victoriously and now yes, Daryl visibly tenses his jaw, but says nothing, he walks away from there with his fists clenched.

He doesn't even wait for Carol, he slams the door hard to leave and get lost in the streets of the community until he gets home. Carol however runs after him.

"Daryl wait!" She calls out to him and receives a grunt in response.

"Not now, Carol." That's all he's able to say, but it's not enough for the white-haired woman.

"Daryl!"

"I said not now!" He yells looking at his best friend with a scowl on his face and his breath hitching, Carol stops and Daryl walks away again.

Of course Daryl's anger doesn't last forever and now he finds himself in his room, locked up like a little boy, not daring to come out, confront his friend and apologize, because he knows his retort has been too much. He shouldn't have taken his frustration out on her, it's unfair. But he is unable to understand why you put up with the way Sebastian treats you. You've told him yourself that you have no interest in him, neither sentimentally nor physically, so why are you still his girl? Daryl grunts at the memory, he feels the words get stuck just thinking about it. The real answer he would have liked to tell her was that you were his, but he's not stupid, Daryl knows he has no business, that you wouldn't notice someone like him. Anger and frustration got the better of him and he had taken it out on the one who least deserved it.

He sighs deeply as he leaves his room feeling like a little boy, as he walks down the stairs to the kitchen he hears the pleasant and pleasant conversation of the rest of the inhabitants of that house. He closes his eyes for a second and peeks out the door. His companions then fall silent and their gazes are fixed on him. There is silence and concern, but no hostility or anger and Daryl can't tell if that relieves him or not.

"Are you better?" Rick asks his friend raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah..."

"Are you okay?" the sheriff wants to emphasize and his friend grunts a little.

"No, but I'll survive..."

"Are you hungry?" Carol asks him then getting up to go get her silverware.

"Yes..." He whispers sitting down in his seat, Judith and RJ smile but continue to eat oblivious to the atmosphere, Carl looks at his father and Michonne before looking at the archer again. Carol returns to her seat with a plate of food and Daryl's stomach roars, "Thank you..."

"What happened this morning?"

"Nothing..." He shrugs, it's the truth, really, he hasn't even been able to talk to you like he'd like to. He tells them that Sebastian showed up and the conversation you two were having was interrupted by his stupidity and absurd comments. "I hate the way he talks to her and treats her..."

"That can only be solved by you Daryl, it's obvious she has no feelings for him, and Sebastian is only bothering her because he knows he can. She needs someone to stop him."

"And what am I gonna do? I can't just tell him to leave her alone just like that. Besides I doubt she's interested in me. I'm older than her and..."

"Come on, it's not about age, not anymore." Michonne insists and the rest of the table nods in agreement. "She needs a real man. I'm not saying she needs constant protection, but someone who really values her. I've never seen you hurt anyone on purpose, Daryl."

"You didn't know me in my best years..." He mutters.

"That doesn't matter, you're not that person anymore...besides you're attractive, I don't know why you're always less preening yourself." Rick's gaze falls on his wife raising his eyebrows curiously. "What? Even Ezekiel felt threatened when he started his relationship with Carol."

Daryl lowers his head sheepishly, he's never thought about it, true there has always been some tension between them, but Daryl never considered himself a threat, he was happy for his friend. He doesn't eat too much dinner, he's not hungry, the words of his friends still haunting his mind.

"I'm telling you for the last time, Sebastian, leave me alone." You warn him for the thousandth time, moving between the library shelves.

"I just can't believe you actually like that guy." He snorts, his voice laden with malice, you tense at the sound turning to look at him. "You think I haven't noticed? Every time you see him you make that stupid face like he's the whole world." He grimaces and you feel yourself blush. "What's so special about him? He's an old man!"

"He's not that old..." That's all you're able to say. "Besides, he's not just that, he's a man, no offense, Sebastian, but we're both the same age, but you still look like a kid." She charges him and he raises his eyebrows in surprise.

"He could be your father! Is that what turns you on? Come on! I'm sure he's frigid. I on the other hand am young, energetic, I could make you very happy."

"Sure you could... but it's not just sex, you know? In life, in a relationship there's more to it." You try to defend your position again.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Well... trust... Daryl..." You mute for a moment as you're aware that you've given yourself away, but Sebastian's smile widens verifying his doubts. "He's good, he's kind to people, he cares about his friends and God takes care of some kids who aren't even his blood family, but he loves them like they really are. He's brutish and grumpy, but..."

"He's old." Sebastian insists and grimaces. "And he's full of scars and wounds, have you seen the scar on his face? And his back?" You deny and shrug. You don't care.

"No, I haven't seen it, but it's logical, don't you think? They've lived out there, they've outlived the dead. They're real survivors."

"Oh my God, you talk about him like you're really in love." He says with derision and shuts up when you don't retort. "You can't be serious..."

"Stop it, Sebastian, I'm serious, I don't want to be your babysitter anymore, keep having fun with your friends, but I have the right to be happy too. So stop it."

"Look..." he advances several steps towards you in a threatening manner.

"Is anyone there?" you hear a voice in your same hallway and you freeze in place, yet you feel relief that you are no longer alone.

"Speak of the Devil." Sebastian growls but you ignore him by walking out to greet the archer.

"Hello, Daryl." You greet him with a small smile. "Something wrong?"

"uhm no, I..." He starts to speak, but falls silent when he sees Sebastian as well.

"Soldier."

"Sebastian, please, we've talked things over, go away."

"I really can't believe you're humiliating me like this for..."

"She told you to leave." Daryl interjects and you feel the hair on the back of your neck go goose bumps.

"You don't get a vote here, soldier, you're at my command so..."

"Actually, here I am at her commands." He says looking at you. "She's the head of the library and I obey whatever she needs me to. So if she says she wants ya to leave and ya ain't, I'll take care of kicking ya out myself if she asks me to." He shushes him and advances toward Sebastian a few more steps, his fists clenched tightly.

Sebastian faces off against the soldier, tensing his jaw tightly staring him down. The two men have a staring contest for a few seconds, but finally Pamela's son gives up. He knows he can't fight Daryl, the man is more skilled in hand-to-hand combat, not to mention he's quite a bit bigger and taller than he is. He hisses angrily, but leaves the room with quick steps, closing the library door violently. You stand quietly letting the tension of the moment slowly fade away.

"Sorry for the show." You dare to speak at last. "Sebastian has never been told no and sometimes it's hard for him to understand."

"Has something happened?"

"Nothing important, I just told him what I should have told him long ago. I've grown tired of being his puppet." You sigh and see Daryl stare at you, but then nod. "Anyway, do you need anything else for Judith and RJ, Carl?"

"Uhm no, it's just... I was going through the books they left me at home and..." He pulls a book out of the back of his pants and holds it out to you. "I think...uhm it's not for RJ's course."

"Oh, gee, sorry." You take it and head towards the school area like you did this morning, Daryl following close behind you staying at your back as you reach the section.

"Never mind, RJ still doesn't want to go to school." He tries to joke and you laugh quietly. "Are ya okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I feel calmer now." You admit and then look at the book and frown. Yes it is the one that corresponds with the child's grade, you have not been confused.

You bite your lip and turn to look at Daryl and explain, but fall silent when his intense gaze bores into you. You shudder. His eyes shine brightly and there's a smile on his face that tells you he knows more than you think. Your breath hitches for a moment, does he even know what you were talking about with Sebastian? God you just hope not.

"Daryl..." You start to say when you realize he's a lot closer than you first thought. "You've said before... here you obey my orders..." You whisper feeling your cheeks redden when he comes a little closer.

"Yeah..." His forehead sticks to yours, the book trembles in your hands for a second. You close your eyes.

"Kiss me..."

You sigh nervously as Daryl's nose brushes your cheek before you feel his lips on yours. Just a gentle brush, he pulls away, but doesn't pull away completely. You open your eyes to find that he hasn't looked away from you at any time. You know you will regret it tomorrow, but you drop the book to the floor and wrap your arms around his shoulders, standing on tiptoe to kiss him, and this time for real. Your lips catch his, you gasp as his hand rests on your waist and on the back of your neck tangling your hair in his fingers. Your back crashes against the bookshelf just behind you, your fingers dig into Daryl's clothes and his mouth becomes dominant against yours, his tongue making its way into your mouth. You kiss with desire, you bite his lip hearing him growl, the hand on your waist goes down to your ass squeezing his form lifting your leg up to his waist. You moan low as you feel his mouth on your neck, just below the line of your ear, giving you goosebumps.

"Da... Daryl..." You call out, Daryl pulls away from you slightly to look at you, biting his lip to control himself. "Did you... Did you hear what I was talking to Sebastian...?"

"Yeah, I came in for the book and I heard ya two talkin'... I stayed close in case Sebastian got stupid, I-I didn't mean to..." He looks away sheepishly, a little red, you laugh quietly and shake your head.

"Never mind, you're always around when I need you." You smile again and he looks at you with intensity again. "I-I meant what I said, when I said what I said, or well what Sebastian has said and... and I don't think you're old and... and I know you have a past, like everyone else, I don't care, but I'm aware that..."

"Stap." He shakes his head at you and holds your cheeks. "I dun think ya understood; I came with a book without being wrong, I just wanted to talk to ya, I would have beat that asshole out of here if ya had asked me to, Ain't ya think we're both on the same page?" There's a small smile forming on his face that rubs off on you and you laugh quietly again.

"D-do you want to come home? The night shift is going to start now..."

"Sure." He agrees with a nod of his head.

Your heart is pounding hard inside your chest, you feel your breathing is also racing, but you try to calm yourself, that he doesn't see you trembling walking beside you. Neither of you has said anything since you left the library. The streets of the community are calm, the soldiers who are watching over the peace of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth resting in their homes oblivious to the outside world. Some of his companions greet Daryl as he passes by, the hunter shakes his head in greeting, but doesn't raise his voice. You glance sideways at him as his shoulder brushes yours, his fingers caress your hand and you dare to hold his hand, his fingers tighten against yours making you smile.

You two arrive at your apartment and let him pass behind you. You leave your shoes at the entrance, Daryl mimics your movements by following you into your living room. Now you don't know what to say or what to do. You've invited Daryl into your home, but now you don't know how to follow.

"Yer shakin'." You hear Daryl say and you mentally curse yourself. "Maybe I should go home, I dun wanna ya to feel awkward"

"No, it's not that, Daryl, it's just..." You look at him biting your lip, clenching your hands, unsure. "I want you to be here, I want you to stay, but I don't want you to think this is all I want..."

"Yer thinkin' too much again." He stops you once more. His hands clasp yours and he brushes your knuckles with his lips. "I wouldn't have come all this way if I didn't wanna to be here, but I ain't gonna pressure ya into anythin', we can take as much time as ya need."

"Believe me I've already taken all the time I needed." You joke and Daryl snorts in amusement. He releases your hands placing them on his own waist, touching your cheeks and leans in to kiss you.

Your fingers tighten on his vest putting you on your tiptoes again, kissing him eagerly, sighing as you feel a thrust of his mouth against yours, encompassing your lips completely, your tongues tangle, Daryl growls and you groan as his hands tighten on your ass. You pull apart to get some air, your cheeks are red, you're still clutching at his vest, your fingers brush the edges of his shirt wanting to pull it up, caressing his skin. Your gazes connect, pupils dilated, lips reddened, desire flowing from your pores. You take his hand wordlessly leading him to your room. Daryl grunts and takes a deep breath, he himself closes the door behind his back and glues his back to your chest.

"I wanna ya see somethin'..." He whispers in your ear and you nod.

You feel him pull away and hear the leather fabric of the vest brush against each other before falling to the floor, you turn to look at him, swallow hard as you see him take off his black shirt, which ends up on the floor next to the vest. Then you understand what he wants to show you. His chest is full of wounds, more recent red marks, scars that have a long history because of how old they look, but you don't need to see them, you don't care about them. You walk towards him, place your hands on his bare chest caressing the skin under your fingers. His skin is not smooth, too many wounds on it, plus the fine fuzz of black hair that decorates it. It's something else that matters nothing to you. You both are in a broken world, body hair isn't an inconvenience to you.

"I don't care, Daryl, I understand."

"No, ya ain't, a lot of these scars were when I was a kid, I...I was...I'm just a simple grumpy, moody redneck. I ain't good at a lot of things. I've never been in a relationship..."

"Me neither." You shrug and redden. "I've met guys, but never... and when all this started... men weren't my priority." You joke and Daryl snorts with a nod. "But... we can try it together, see how far it takes us..." You mutter, lowering your gaze.

"I'd like that too, yeah." Daryl doesn't raise his voice too much either, both of you too shy.

You hesitate for a few seconds, but finally you get rid of your blouse too, letting it fall to the floor as well. It's been a long time since you've been with a man in this situation, Daryl's gaze is intense and he stares at you, not missing any of your movements. You unclasp your bra, after all he is bare chested, so you want to be on equal footing, but as you fasten your suspenders, Daryl stops you once again.

"Let me." He asks you, voice in a growl.

You nod, his hands caress your shoulders, he moves closer, his lips touching the skin of your neck, your shoulders, collarbone. The tip of his tongue brushes against your nipple which immediately reacts hardening against his touch. A moan escapes your mouth and that's all Daryl needs. His mouth closes over your nipple, he licks and sucks your little button, his hands don't stop leaving you completely naked, you allow yourself to watch his body, you bite your lower lip, Daryl hisses as you hold his penis which starts to get hard, you rub it up and down without taking your eyes off him, watching him gasp, watching him hold back. You kneel in front of him, your hand closes over the base of his cock and your tongue licks his glans.

"Oh fuck, woman..." He grunts lowering his gaze, not wanting to miss anything you're doing. Your tongue runs up and down his entire length like ice cream, you close your lips around his glans and suck.

Your lips run up and down his entire length, Daryl moves his hips slowly against your mouth, never taking his eyes off you. You begin to follow his stomach tightening and his balls a tug as a warning. He holds your hair to get your attention, you look at him sideways, your cheeks hollow again as you suck his cock, you try to take in your mouth as much as you can and Daryl pulls harder on your hair.

"Stap..." He says in a husky voice. "Yer bed. Now." They're vague commands but you feel yourself grow wet at the sound.

Before you get up, you allow yourself to lick his cock one more time, you stand up feeling your knees tremble and obey Daryl by laying down your bed. You bite your lip as he approaches you in turn, your fingers caress your clit feeling it needy and aching, but Daryl holds your wrist.

"Ain't touch yerself. That pussy is mine. I'm gonn make it quiver." He assures you and you roll your eyes at his words.

You spread your legs further apart leaving him room between them, your feet resting above his shoulders as he settles in, holding you by the inside of your thighs, his thumb stroking your folds, wet, shiny, wanting someone's attention. Daryl's tongue grazes your clit and your whole body shudders. He starts slowly, tempting you, his tongue runs up and down your slit, but when he's near your clit, he pulls away again, you moan in frustration and can almost feel him laughing against your skin.

"Daryl..."

"What? Tell me what ya want, woman." The smile is wider now and you almost feel like you hate him.

"Please..."

"Ya want me to eat this pussy of yers?" Again his voice sounds husky and his hot breath falls right on your needy clit.

"Yes, please, make me shudder..." You whisper embarrassed by your own words, but they have the effect you were looking for in Daryl.

His mouth focuses on your clit instantly, licks, sucks, presses your nub with the tip of his tongue making little circles that make you gasp and moan. Your fingers tangle in his hair as he kisses your pussy with his mouth open, trapping your folds between his lips. He sits up a little to look at you as he licks two of his fingers before slowly inserting them into your pussy. He moves them slowly, in and out, little by little the resistance is lessened by how wet you are, he opens and closes his fingers inside you, stretching your tight walls, his mouth drops back down on your clit. Pleasure surges through you and his legs begin to tremble, you feel the knot of pleasure quickly forming in your stomach and your breathing quickens.

"D-Daryl...!" Is all you can say before arching your back and cumming. His fingers keep moving fast inside you, his mouth doesn't leave your clit at any moment, prolonging your climax, getting your whole body to shake violently.

His tongue runs along your folds a little more before he sits up to look at you. You gasp loudly, your heart pounding and your cheeks red with excitement. Daryl crawls over you, his body leaning against yours, you kiss each other again with need, your arms wrap around his shoulders and your hands caress his back, you can feel him tense as you brush against some of his scars, but you don't pull away from his mouth.

With a small movement you guide him to lie down next to you and you get on top of him. You kiss again as you move your hips rubbing your pussy against his cock, making you both gasp in the kiss. Daryl holds your waist to intensify the friction and growls biting your lip. You straddle him and lift your hips, Daryl holds his cock and helps you sit on it. You close your eyes as you feel it working its way inside you, its size and length tugging at your walls that are still sensitive from your previous orgasm. You sit up fully and open your eyes again looking at Daryl, he is biting his lip, his gaze is glistening and he is doing control not to move under you until you let him, you feel his cock throbbing inside you. You start to move your hips slowly, resting your hands on his chest, looking for the right rhythm. Slowly you move faster, Daryl starts to thrust from below at the same time, his fingers tighten on your skin and the rhythm starts to get fast and deep, every time Daryl moves his hips up you feel him thrust deeper inside you, hitting that exact spot that gets you to throw your head back and moan loudly. Daryl gasps under your body enjoying you, watching you move over his body, your tits bouncing in a hypnotic rhythm that gets the man even more aroused. He jumps up abruptly grabbing your ass and starts to move faster, you wrap your arms around his neck and reach for his mouth kissing him eagerly.

"Daryl... I'm going to..." You moan against her ear.

"Gimme it, girl, let me feel ya cum again." He says in a husky voice and you continue to move on his cock rapidly.

Your body reacts again your climax engulfs you, you moan loudly hugging Daryl's body as your own body doesn't stop trembling, you clench and tremble around his cock, Daryl moans in your ear and moves you so you are lying on the bed and he is on top, he holds your legs and starts moving faster again looking for his own release. You sigh and close your eyes as you feel him stop inside you as his seed fills you, he thrusts a couple more times, but finally lies on top of you trying to catch his breath. Your fingers stroke his hair and back, you feel him tense again, but he says nothing.

Slowly he sits up and lies down next to you, you settle next to him using his chest as a pillow, Daryl wraps his arm around your shoulders and caresses your skin lovingly.

"So... Ya ain't Sebastian's girlfriend anymore?" he asks after a few minutes of silence and you shake your head.

"No, not anymore."

"Yer my girl now?" His question makes you smile and you even feel your cheeks redden a little.

"I'm your girl." You concede and lift your head to look at him, he smiles, his eyes sparkle with intensity, he holds the back of your neck and you share a tender kiss.

[gayacademicwriter]

you wanted asks so uh. A villain whose powers comes from a demon they have inside of them. The thing is, they didn’t summon the demon on purpose. They were just trying to do their latin homework and whoops. suddenly a lot of stuff is on fire and there is a demon. However they’re a poor college student and need the money so they just kinda go with it.

But because they’ve summoned a demon everyone assumes they’re some sort of evil cult leader.

this uh. ended up longer than i thought it would. hope you enjoy!

The student blinked. Her kitchen was a little bit on fire.

Okay, maybe a lot on fire.

There was also a demon standing in the middle of said kitchen.

At least, she assumed it was a demon. It was made entirely of something that wasn't smoke and wasn't solid and had appeared after she had recited a questionable line in her latin textbook that she had bought at a secondhand store for a ridiculously cheap price that she'd wheedled out of the storeowner.

This was seriously making her question whether she'd bought a textbook or a spellbook.

"I am blaming the college tuition fees and the shitty pay at Addie's," she declared decisively to the not-empty room. "Put that out, will you? Since you brought it with you."

The demon blinked. The fire went out, leaving her kitchen more or less unharmed.

"You have called upon me. Due to an unfortunate small print line in a millennia-old contract of mine, I am duty-bound to perform your will. What is it you desire?" Its voice was somewhere between a rasp and a growl.

"Uh. Money?" She furrowed her brow. "I am very broke."

"Not specific enough," the demon huffed. The student closed her eyes and sighed, the acrid scent of smoke causing her to hack up her lungs. Not fun.

"I dunno, demon. I can't think about this right now. I have a latin assignment, two history projects and a creative writing assessment due in four hours. Do whatever you want. Make yourself at home. I'll tell you later."

"Not funny," the demon said.

"I wish I was kidding," she shot back as she went back to the textbook on the dining table.

—

Two days later, the student had figured it out to a T:

Money. Enough of it to get her through college and the first five years of adulthood outside of school. In small enough installments that the police wouldn't come knocking on her door.

A lot? Maybe. But she may as well make the most of... whatever situation this was.

What do you call a situation where people think you're a cult leader but are too scared to ask and where you make a lot of money out of doing nothing and where there's a demon that showed up in your kitchen at eight pm while you were doing your latin homework?

The student didn't really know.

A week later she returned home to a bundle of cash on the kitchen counter totalling a thousand dollars in twenties and fifties. The demon was lounging on the sofa, flipping through TV channels that were all bad reality show reruns.

"What's this?" She fanned the cash out.

"Money," the demon answered.

"Do I want to know where it's from?"

The demon gave a movement that she had long since interpreted as shrugging and returned to flipping through channels. The student decided that no, she didn't want to know, and that she didn't care enough to push it. She put the money down on the table, and eyed it for a minute before she picked up the phone.

Maybe she didn't need her shitty part-time, night shift at Addie's anymore.

—

The weeks turned into months.

She still wasn't definitively sure of what the demon was doing to get this money, exactly. Sometimes it was a cheque. Sometimes it was just another six hundred dollars to her bank account.

She could guess, though. The apartment smelled like bleach a lot when she returned to it after classes. Maybe the demon had learned that one from a true crime documentary. She'd figured that giving it entertainment was the least she could do.

That night, over another awkward dinner where she shoved spaghetti into her mouth and the demon watched her with apathy, she mumbled,

"Where do you get the money from? My wild guess is that you're killing people."

The demon shrugged, eyeing her spaghetti. "People pay to have other people killed. Your world has not much changed since I visited it last."

"Oh?"

"I have been called on many times," it said flatly. "Never by a tired, broke college student using a spellbook so ancient it should have died with the splitting of the English church, but called on many times nonetheless."

"Weird."

"Never by someone so unbothered by the origins of their finances, either."

"Look, demon." The student sighed. "I'm a broke college student slaving away under a capitalist society in an overpopulated world. I'm morally grey enough to let a few murders slide. As long as you're not killing totally innocent people, fine by me. I'll call it payback from the universe."

"I am not sure that is morally grey," the demon said, with all the expression of a raised eyebrow in its tone.

"Morally wrong. Whatever. I'm tired and I need money."

The demon tilted its head, almost sighing as it looked up at the ceiling.

"At least I'm stuck for the next few years with an interesting one."

[sorryimananti-romantic]

Mist | Choi San | Chapter 3

Pairing: Choi San x OC (Seohyun)

Genre: supernatural (ghost), romance, high school

Trigger Warnings: paranormal, death mentions, violence

Words: 9.9k

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except my original character and the story. I do not own any gifs or pictures used.

Full story on Wattpad (don’t spoil here if you read there too)

chapter directory

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"But I want to sleep..." Seohyun complained.

"Is sleep more important to you than us?" Wooyoung asked.

"Of course it is. Is that even a question?" Seohyun raised her brow and Wooyoung gaped at her.

"We've been friends for long now, Wooyoung, I thought you knew better not to ask questions like these," Yeosang said, laughing.

It had been more than a month now since that incident with San. Seohyun looked at each of them slowly, smiling. Despite herself, she had gotten quite used to the company of these boys. And they were EIGHT. It was hard to not be alone. Even if some of them were busy, the rest would always fool around after school as well.

Seohyun had gotten to know them well now too. She knew that Hongjoong, the oldest, also acted like one. He had a thing for fashion, and had reformed her navy blue cap that she always wore, embroidering a cat on it.

Seonghwa was the mom of this group for sure. He was always keeping them in check, always stopping them from doing something stupid (which was most of the times) and always helping them with homework. He was very caring, and he couldn't hide that part of himself.

Yunho was the clown of the group, and surprisingly, she was getting along with him and Yeosang quite well. Yeosang and her had the savageness in common, which mixed well with Yunho's humor. Since the three sat next to each other, they would always pass a joke or two to her even during class, and she had to beg them to stop one too many times.

Wooyoung and Mingi were quite funny too. There was just something contagious about their smiles. Seohyun found herself smiling a lot in their company. It didn't help that Wooyoung laughed like a hyena; even when she had no reason to laugh, she'd burst out laughing when she heard Wooyoung laugh.

She was getting along well with Jongho too, especially because they were paired for a project. She hadn't had the chance to talk to him much but once she did, she found that he was actually quite witty despite his dad jokes, and that he loved singing and... breaking apples. Which was weird but it was fun to see how strong he was.

"All you do is sleep, Seohyun. You have to come with us now," San insisted.

Seohyun stared at San. She was glad they were out of danger -for now. The old ghost had finally moved on after realizing that killing Seohyun was not worth it (thanks to Jiwoo). San had gotten close to Jiwoo as well. When she was not hanging out with the boys, she was with San. He liked being in her company because apparently 'he didn't want to look stupid alone staring at the distance'. He could see all sorts of ghosts now and Seohyun was helping him practice differentiating between the living and the dead.

"All right, but if I see something stupid, I leave. Okay?" Seohyun locked eyes with him and he nodded assuredly, smiling and showing off his dimples.

Hongjoong had been insisting that she finally come to their 'second home'. Apparently it was a warehouse that Hongjoong's father owned but had no use for so Hongjoong turned it into a place for him and the boys to hang out. She had no idea what they did there, and they finally wanted to show her the place because they all 'approved of her now and accepted her as one of them'.

The warehouse wasn't far from school so they decided to walk there. The black cat was walking with them now. San bent to pick her up, patting her head.

"Still didn't come up with a name?" Seohyun asked.

"You rejected Shiber. I don't want any other name," San pouted.

"I told you you could call it Shiber, I'll just... call it whatever I call her... hey what do I even call her?" Seohyun wondered.

"You never actually call her, do you?" San laughed a little, caressing the cat's neck, "She sticks to you, and you didn't even give her a name. I'm disappointed in you."

"I couldn't find the right name," Seohyun mumbled, frowning.

"Still, she's been your friend for what, like a year now-"

"FINE. Shiber. That sounds like a male name though."

"It's my plushie's name, but she reminds me of it," San admitted.

"You're naming my cat after a plushie? SAN!" Seohyun punched San's arm, making him laugh out loud. Wooyoung joined them, grinning.

"San's had that plushie since he was a kid," Wooyoung said. "I'm not surprised that he couldn't come up with any other name."

"You should've told me before, I would have never allowed him to name the cat then..." Seohyun shook her head but grinned.

"We're here!" Hongjoong announced, and Seohyun took off her sunglasses as she looked at the large warehouse, the sun reflecting harshly back at her, making her eyes water.

They went inside, Seohyun stepping in last and she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. Mingi turned the light on, and she ran her eyes around.

"Woah," she breathed. It really did feel like a 'home'. The place had everything they could think of; sofas, couches, tables, a fridge for snacks, a basket for basketball, and so many musical instruments and equipment. "Are you guys secretly famous musicians or what?"

"Nothing like that," Seonghwa laughed, "We just really like music. Hongjoong is always making songs though. We fool around."

"I wouldn't call this 'fooling around'," Seohyun said, walking towards the equipment, stopping mid-way. "Can I?"

"Of course," several of them replied, nodding. She smiled as she ran her fingers across the piano, looking at the speakers and the mics. She saw some pages, probably lyrics scribbled on them, lying on the table near.

"So you guys... make music? Do you want to be idols or something?"

"For now, we're just exploring," Jongho replied, "Who knows? Maybe some of us might want to go into the musical side."

"So you all sing?"

"I'm the rapper," Mingi said, "Hongjoong raps too."

Seohyun made an impressed face. She pressed some of the piano keys, and something clicked at her mind. She looked up at Hongjoong as a grin spread across her face. "So that's why your fingers are always tapping at the desk. You make music!"

"Oh? I'm surprised you noticed," Hongjoong admitted.

"It's hard to not notice when you're sitting in my vision with fingers tapping nonstop while I'm trying to focus in class. You were doing something like this today, weren't you?" Seohyun said and played the keys that had unintentionally been printed in her memory.

"Woah, I'm more surprised that you remembered it!" Hongjoong clapped in disbelief and then narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you... know how to play?"

"The piano? Not much. But I have a drum set at home," Seohyun said and she saw as the boys looked at each other, applauding her.

"What?" Seohyun asked.

"We knew there was something about you," Wooyoung went on dramatically, waving his hands as he said "who knew we had a shared passion for music?"

"I wouldn't call it 'passion' per se, it's more of a... hobby. A stress-reliever, if you will. And stop ogling at me like you guys won a jackpot. I know what's going through your heads, and I say no."

"But you can play!" Mingi wailed, "We need more people to play the instruments! These guys-" he pointed at the boys one by one, "-they never learn!"

"Hey, hey, hey, look who's saying! Didn't you want to learn drums? What happened to that?"

"I don't have a drum-set!"

"I can play too!" Jongho and Yeosang complained.

Seohyun watched as the boys started arguing among themselves, and she shook her head. She had never imagined they like making music this much. If she had known, she might not have told them about her drums, much less her room full of instruments at a time like this.

"If you don't shut up, I'll never bring any instrument here."

"You mean you will if we shut up?" San asked, followed by Seonghwa who said, "You have more than one instrument?"

Seohyun sighed. "This is overwhelming, okay? Like I respect what you do, but I'm still new to being friends with you all, and it would take me some time to open up to you guys about the instruments. It's just... I have some memories- I don't really want to go back there."

"Oh..." San raised his brow and she bit her lip. She hadn't lied. She had some memories attached to those instruments that she would rather forget. It had been about two years since she'd played. She wanted to shut out that part of herself. She wanted to throw those instruments, but she hadn't been able to.

"Can you just... tell me which instruments you have, other than the drums?" Hongjoong asked cautiously.

Seohyun rolled her eyes. "Drums, bass, electric-"

"WOW!" Wooyoung gasped out very loud.

"-and violin. And I can play piano and guitar too. But it's been like two years since I last played so I'm probably very rough now..."

"Is one of your parent a musician or what?" Yunho asked.

"No, the drums were my mom's. The rest, I bought them when I was going through a phase."

"A phase. Wow," Yeosang snickered, earning daggers from Seohyun.

"Alright, we won't pressure you or anything. But you're free to play the piano if you want to," Yunho suggested, "and you're free to do whatever you want."

"Thanks for understanding," Seohyun muttered, smiling at him.

"But I wanted to learn the drums..." Mingi wailed.

"Who knows? Maybe I'll be the one to teach you," Seohyun said nonchalantly, making him smile his famous gummy smile.

"So anyways, what's with those mirrors?" Seohyun asked.

"Oh, that? We like to dance too," Jongho said.

"Oh my god. You guys should stop watching all those idol videos..."

"But we're good at it!" Wooyoung laughed, "And anyways, even if we don't go down that route, we love doing it anyway. It's our way of releasing stress."

"Sure," Seohyun nodded.

"Don't tell me you can dance too," Seonghwa narrowed his eyes at her.

"Oh no. I don't think I can," Seohyun admitted. Unless you could count those random 3 am sad twerks as dancing. The boys watched as she suspiciously tried to avoid their gaze, looking around.

"So now that we've told you so much about ourselves, how about you tell us something that we don't know?" Jongho suggested.

"I don't know what's there to tell," Seohyun said, her eyes unintentionally falling on San who lightly shook his head.

"Anything. Something. It's just that we'd like to know you more," Seonghwa smiled warmly at her.

"How about you just ask me and I'll answer? Because it feels like I'll never be able to start myself..."

"Or how about," Yeosang started, a devilish smile spreading across his face, "we play truth or dare?"

"Oh no..."

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

Yeosang made everyone sit in a circle, and though very reluctant at first, Seohyun had to sit down too (after being dragged by Wooyoung). They discussed the rules; they could choose between truth or dare, and if a person didn't want to answer a question they should just say so instead of lying, which would earn them a penalty.

Hongjoong spun the bottle, and Seohyun prayed it would never land on her. At least not today. She wasn't feeling it. She still thought that the eight of them were well knit as they were, they didn't need her between them.

The bottle landed on Yunho, and he laughed nervously. Jongho asked truth or dare, and he replied with dare. Not fair, Seohyun thought. She wasn't sure she would ever choose dare. She had no idea what sort of dares they were gonna give.

"Alright, show us your golden retriever! You haven't done that in a long time!"

"Golden retriever?" Seohyun asked. She had heard them talk about it once or twice, but she had no idea what it was about.

"Ah, I'm getting nervous~" Yunho laughed awkwardly. She supposed it was because he was gonna do it in front of her for the first time.

"Come on, don't be shy," Wooyoung teased and he nodded, taking in a deep breath. He turned his head back, then looked forward, his eyes a bit wide as he made a paw out of his hand and flicked it, barking in the cutest way possible.

Seohyun was silent for a moment before she burst out laughing. She was howling at this point, making the rest of them laugh too.

"At least I made her laugh!" Yunho said proudly.

Seohyun wiped tears from the corner of her eyes. "That was hilarious. You really do look like a puppy, Yunho."

"Thanks?" Yunho said and laughed.

"Alright, next!" Jongho said, spinning the bottle, and to Seohyun's relief, it stopped at Hongjoong who was right next to her. He wailed.

"I choose... dare."

"You all are gonna end up choosing dare. I'll be the only one choosing truth it seems," Seohyun groaned.

"You know what to do," Yeosang said, locking eyes with Wooyoung who nodded. "Michael Jackson impression."

"NO! I CHOOSE TRUTH!"

"It's too late to turn back now!" San said.

"It's embarrassing enough to do it even in front of one of you, and now there's EIGHT of you. Alright. Here goes nothing." Hongjoong got up and straightened his clothes. He took a few steps back so everyone could see. He made the famous pose and sang Billie Jeans, attempting to mimic Michel Jackson's style. It would have been okay if everyone hadn't burst out laughing, making Seohyun laugh a little too.

"How did you even come up with this?" Seohyun asked in disbelief.

"I don't even remember now..." Hongjoong pouted. He spun the bottle, and it landed on Wooyoung.

"Truth," he smiled rather proudly, folding his arms.

"Who do you love more, Hongjoong or Seonghwa?" Yeosang asked. The rest of them laughed as Wooyoung's eyes went wide in panic.

"That's like you're asking if I like mom or dad more! Isn't this unfair?"

"Who did you like more though?" Jongho asked.

"Mom-"

"You like Seonghwa more. Alright, next!" Hongjoong concluded, leaving Wooyoung attempting to explain that it was not like that anymore and he liked both of them equally, but everyone was ignoring him. Seohyun thought it must be an inside joke too.

"Your turn," San smirked at her. Seohyun, who had been distracted and hadn't seen the bottle spin, eyed them suspiciously.

"I move my eyes off the bottle for a second and it lands on me. Are you sure you didn't cheat?"

"We did NO SUCH THING," Wooyoung huffed.

Seohyun locked eyes with each of them. "Fine. Truth."

She watched as the boys looked at each other, suggesting questions while Seohyun tried to calm the rumbling storm of nervousness in her stomach. Should she have gone with dare?

"Can we ask... anything?" Mingi looked at her and Seohyun shrugged.

"I mean, we're friends now, right? So go ahead. If I think it's too personal, I'll say so." Seohyun nodded and the boys looked at each other before finally turning to her.

"What's the real reason you don't have friends?"

Seohyun's eyes unintentionally went to San's, and the boys noticed, looking between the two of them. San shrugged, as if saying 'I tried.'

"Does... San know something?" Seonghwa asked cautiously.

"You don't have to answer, you know that right?" Yeosang added.

Seohyun sighed deeply, nodding. She looked at San again, who nodded back, pointing behind her and mouthing Jiwoo. Seohyun sighed in relief now. She might as well give it a try.

"Since you guys shared something today, I will too. But it's kind of... weird. Unbelievable. You might think I'm lying. You might think worse things. Whatever you think, do tell me, because I can prove it."

"Don't tell me you're some sort of a secret agent," Yeosang said, earning a slap from Hongjoong who shushed him.

"Alright, we'll hear you out," he said.

"I... can see ghosts. The dead."

There was a moment of silence before Jongho raised his eyebrow. "What? You mind saying that again?"

"I said I can see the dead. I can see ghosts. I can touch them. I help them move on."

While the boys exchanged looks, still in disbelief, San smiled at her and Seohyun nervously laughed. She had finally said it out loud.

"So you can... see ghosts? Like in the movies?" Mingi asked.

"Yep. They're just like us. Unless they're old."

"How do we believe you? I mean, you could be joking," Yunho asked.

"Well, San knows," Seohyun said, and everyone looked at San, who nodded, then looked back at her.

"How does he know?" Wooyoung asked.

"Long story. He got caught up in something, which led him to discover my secret and eventually led him to seeing ghosts too."

"You both are mad." Wooyoung laughed nervously.

"You want proof?" Seohyun challenged.

"Sure. I can do with that," Wooyoung folded his arms, anticipating.

"Alright folks, you're in for a surprise," Seohyun heard Jiwoo say. Jiwoo rubbed her hands and went near Seohyun, picking her hair and making it look like it was flying in the air.

The boys... shouted.

"MEDUSA!" She heard someone shout amidst them. San tried to calm them down but it was no use. They all were... freaking out, to put it simply. Half of them were gasping while the other half was laughing in disbelief.

Jiwoo dropped her hair down and they watched as she pulled the sunglasses off her shirt and the glasses magically disappeared.

"Where did the glasses go?" Wooyoung asked.

"Ji- the ghost. Her name is Jiwoo. She's a friend of mine. So when she takes something of mine, it would disappear once I'm not holding it anymore. But-" Jiwoo handed her the glasses back and they watched it appear out of thin air, "when she gives them back, here they are."

"Is this... magic or really a ghost?" Jongho asked.

"It's a ghost, believe me," San finally said.

"So you can see ghosts now too? How?"

"Let me explain," Seohyun said, and narrated the events, giving a little backstory about how she was born with this, and that she actually helped ghosts move on.

"That's kind of cool though," Yunho commented.

"Wouldn't call it cool," Seohyun muttered and Seonghwa noticed.

"It must not be easy to live like this..." he said, and she hesitantly nodded.

"Is that why you changed schools so often?" Hongjoong asked and she nodded. The boys looked at each other, trying to figure out what to say.

"Well, you won't have to worry about that again," Yeosang said, "We'll help you. You won't have to move again if something happens."

"It's not that easy, Yeosang. If something unexplainable happens, I won't be able to hide it."

"Oh don't worry about that," Mingi laughed, "unexplainable things always happen to me. We'll cover for you, trust me."

Seohyun was, for the first time, touched by how earnest they sounded. They really were a weird group of friends.

"I'm kind of jealous that San can see ghosts now too," Hongjoong sulked. "Can't we see too?"

Before Seohyun could answer, everyone else burst into complains too about how they wanted to see too. "Hey hey," Seohyun began, "first of all, it's too risky. I almost died and then San was able to see."

"WHAT!"

"You forgot to tell them that part," San muttered.

"Ah, right. So when I had to teleport San, we ended up in the other dimension, right? So I had to teleport again, and I had a massive nosebleed plus headache. I passed out too."

"Oh..."

"Even if it was easy, I would never do that to you. And I wish I could take it away from San. I wish it would fade," Seohyun said, and San looked at her, shocked. He had not expected this.

"It's not about it being cool, San," she locked eyes with him, "Being able to see ghosts mean you're attracting danger every second. Thank god you can't touch them. That means they're not able to touch you, not directly. I want you all to be safe, that's why I won't ever do that to the rest of you."

There was a moment of heavy silence, then Seonghwa broke the ice. "I understand. It's okay, you don't have to do that. We want you to be safe too, so if you're ever in some sort of danger, don't hesitate to ask for help."

"Thanks Seonghwa, I really appreciate it." Seohyun smiled.

"It's really unbelievable though. What does this ghost look like?" Wooyoung asked, eyes brimming with curiosity.

Seohyun grinned a little. "Well, she's a girl. Jiwoo. She's about my height, has long black hair with red streaks. Has a mole on her cheek. Also, she's weird-"

Jiwoo kicked Seohyun's back lightly, but she just continued. "She died in a car accident. A ghost with amnesia. Unbelievable is the right word, Wooyoung."

"Woah. She sounds familiar though..." Wooyoung looked towards Hongjoong who shook his head. Seohyun noticed but didn't comment on it.

"So you're waiting for her to remember so she can move on?" Hongjoong asked.

"Yeah. She's been sticking with me for months now, and I got used to her."

"Ah... that's understandable," Hongjoong looked at his wristwatch, "Anyways, we should go home now. it's late."

"I thought we were playing truth or dare. This turned into a horror show. How will I sleep at night!" Mingi wailed dramatically, making them laugh. Wooyoung called him 'scaredy cat' and San said, "Like you're one to say."

Seohyun smiled at Jiwoo. This had been an unexpected night, and she had never expected them to believe her and not make fun of her. She looked at the boys, bickering, and smiled at them.

She felt comfortable.

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

The next few days at school had been... annoying, to put it simply.

The boys were very excited at the new discovery about their friend they had made. They simply couldn't contain themselves- save for San, and Seohyun found her patience wearing off day by day.

It wasn't that she was ungrateful for how things had turned out. She simply hadn't expected this sort of a behaviour. Secondly, she did not know how to deal with 7 excited boys who couldn't stop asking her the most stupid of questions.

She had to admit some of the questions did make sense. Like Yeosang asking if a ghost's touch and human's touch was any different. Seohyun shook her head as she thought of how the question had shook her.

"What do you mean?" Seohyun asked.

"Do you feel different when a ghost touches you? Like, Jiwoo. Does her touch feel different than a regular human's?"

Seohyun inhaled sharply as she was reminded of the time she had spent in her music room, laughing, with him, holding his hand, touching-

"I'm sorry, was it a wrong question?" Yeosang finally asked and Seohyun realized she had been staring at him too long.

"Uh, no. I'm sorry I zoned out. I suppose it is- it is a bit different. I don't know how to explain it. It's not... warm."

Seohyun shook her head as she waved off the memory. Another memory made its way....

"This friend of yours, Jiwoo," Hongjoong asked, "is she here right now?"

"She may not find the idea of dying twice appealing," Seohyun muttered.

"What?" Hongjoong furrowed his brows in confusion.

"Now why would a ghost attend school? Surely she doesn't wish to die of boredom. AGAIN."

Hongjoong laughed. "So she's not here? Do you know her full name?"

"Ahn Jiwoo, I think," Seohyun replied. She noticed Hongjoong's eyes gleam as his mind worked.

"How old do you think she is? And can you describe how she looks like?"

"Playing detective, are you?" Seohyun raised her brow.

"Just answer. I may have something."

"Well, she looks our age, maybe a year older, she has an average face, honestly I haven't noticed much. She does have red hair."

Hongjoong nodded slowly, and Seohyun asked when he was going to let her in.

"I'll just check something. If it's true, I'll tell you."

Seohyun shook her head again. She should really be focusing on class. But her mind went back to think of the stupid questions. Yunho had asked if 'ghosts could eat' and when she had replied no, he said he was just wondering if they did eat, did they excrete as well. And if so, was the ghost realm full of-

Shit, she thought as she heard Yunho giggling. "You keep shaking your head. What's wrong?"

"Believe it or not, I was actually thinking about you," Seohyun admitted.

"Oh?" Yunho turned a bit towards her, smirking. "And what scandalous thoughts made you shake your head so much?"

"How in the world could your brain wonder if the ghost realm was full of ghost shit?" Seohyun almost shouted, but clearly she hadn't been quite as well. She earned a warning glance from her teacher and sunk in her chair as Yunho shook with silent laughter.

After the class was over, Hongjoong made his way to Seohyun.

"Is Jiwoo here?" He asked.

"Again, no. Why are you so interested in her?" Seohyun folded her arms and Hongjoong snatched Seonghwa's seat from his spot, sitting near her and placing a book on her desk.

"This is last year's yearbook. We have some photos from an event, and I want you to tell me if you spot Jiwoo."

Seohyun raised her eyebrows. Jiwoo- she could have been a student here?

She supposed it was possible. San turned too, muttering how he can recognize her too, and they flipped the pages, checking each one carefully until finally San pointed at a person and looked at Seohyun, who had paled.

"That's... Jiwoo. How did you know, Hongjoong?"

"I guessed when you told me her name. San told me how she had died of an accident and had amnesia, and I could remember hearing something about a senior here who had died in a car crash. So I put 2 and 2 together and here we are."

"But, this doesn't help much, right? We only know that she was a student here. What's this got to do with how she died, and why she is still here?"

"There were rumours circulating her death," Hongjoong sat back, "Her father was a prisoner falsely accused of some crimes, and she was trying to get justice. I talked to some of my senior friends, who had been her classmates, and they told me that she had started receiving some threats."

"And they must have given all this information to the police too?"

"Yes," Hongjoong nodded, "Now you know her identity. You can talk to her friends, go to her home, and finally help her move on."

San felt his heart sink as he looked at Seohyun. They both were thinking the same thing. Seohyun had grown very attached to her and she did not want to do this. She gulped, and nodded slowly.

"Of course. I guess I should thank you..." As the words left Seohyun's mouth, Hongjoong heard something bitter in her tone.

"Did I do something wrong?" Hongjoong asked, and Seohyun didn't reply, only shook her head no, and San shushed Hongjoong, mouthing that he'd explain later. Seohyun got up abruptly, her bag falling off from the chair. But she didn't hear it. She couldn't see anything, couldn't hear anything.

"I need some air," she muttered and rushed out of the classroom, leaving the boys staring.

"Shit," San clicked his tongue, "You did the right thing, Hongjoong, but you have to understand. Jiwoo is her friend. A sister to her. If she moves on... I should go after her."

"Are you sure I did the right thing?" Hongjoong asked him as he gave him space to move. San nodded and went after Seohyun.

"It looks like there's more to the story than she lets on," Yeosang commented. Hongjoong only looked at the door. It did seem like it.

San ran around the 1st floor where their class was, then went downstairs, hoping she was somewhere here. After checking the empty rooms, he went outside, towards the lawn, and found a figure sitting near a tree, staring in the space. He narrowed his eyes, then spotted the cat wandering around her, and his shoulders sank in relief.

He wasn't sure if he was the right person to be there. Surely Seonghwa could comfort her better. Or Yunho. But he was the only one other than Seohyun who would miss Jiwoo. He could relate to her, somewhat. So he decided to sit down beside her.

As he did so, he realized she was shaking. San looked at her worried. "Seohyun? Are you alright?"

Seohyun couldn't breathe. She was having some sort of an attack, like the ones she had about two years ago. She heard San alright, but she was afraid if she spoke, she'd cry.

"Here, have some water," San uncapped the bottle and closed her hand around it, and she managed a sip then handed it back to San.

"This is about Jiwoo, right? She's your friend, and you don't want to let go of her. I understand, Seohyun."

Seohyun sighed, fisting her hands. It wasn't just about her. It was the flood of memories that had come crashing without a warning when she thought of Jiwoo disappearing.

San put his hand on hers, caressing it, hoping it would give her some sort of comfort. He looked at her. All her walls, her strong walls she put around her were breaking down. Her lips were parted and wobbling. She looked like she might cry any second.

"You want to talk about it?" he whispered, and she sighed, nodding, taking deep breaths. She wouldn't cry. Not right now.

"You know it. I have grown attached to Jiwoo. Hell, she practically lives with me. I shouldn't have allowed this in the first place. I knew she was going to move on someday, yet I grew emotionally attached to her. I'm so weak."

"You're strong because you helped her too. She had no memories. How do you think she would have felt if not for you? She couldn't even go to her family or friends. You became that for her."

"I know," Seohyun bit her lip. "It's not just that. It's... I- I had someone. Like her. He and I... We were close. And one day, he was gone-" She bit her lip again, taking a deep breath.

"It's okay. You had no one then, right? You have us now. You have more friends than you could have ever thought of. You're so brave, Seohyun," San said, putting an arm around her shoulder, rubbing her back as he smiled. "You're one of the strongest people I know. We're both going to miss Jiwoo, but we have to help her move on. You don't want her to stay here too long now, do you?

Seohyun shook her head. San smiled again as she looked at him, making her smile a bit too. "There. We'll send her off with a celebration, okay? No more sadness. Okay?"

"Okay," Seohyun smiled. She could do that.

"Let's get back to class," San said, getting up first then helping her up. She dusted off her clothes and they walked in comfortable silence back, though San had to admit he felt weird. His heart... wasn't acting right.

Hongjoong casted a cautious glance at Seohyun as she entered, but she passed a little smile as she settled. Yeosang looked curiously at her, and she made a face.

"Is something bothering you?" Yeosang finally asked. He watched as Seohyun sighed. Sometimes it felt to him like she was carrying the weight of the whole world on her shoulders. Like she would bend under the pressure.

But she was strong too. She passed a little smile and said, "Yes. I'll talk about it later."

Yeosang just nodded, watching her curiously as she stared at her notebook. And then she sat back in her seat, staring at San.

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

"You're telling me that I was a student here? That this is a big, big 'coincidence' that you had to transfer, of all the schools in the city, right here?"

"For the hundredth time, Jiwoo, yes. I know you think I transferred here on purpose, that I somehow found about your life and didn't tell you, but believe me, this is a big, big coincidence." Seohyun replied, looking at San for help.

San shrugged, saying, "The way you're always hanging around Seohyun, when do you think she even had the time to plot this?"

Seohyun clapped her hand, smiling approvingly at San. "See? I told you he isn't that dumb. That is a great point, San." She watched as San shook his head, the faintest trace of smile on his lips.

The three of them- with the cat, of course, had this meeting in the same park that Seohyun and San had once teleported in. It had took a few days for Seohyun to finally settle with the fact that yes, Jiwoo was going to move on. But it won't be like before.

Seohyun found herself thinking of that time. The piano. His slender fingers gracefully playing music. His hands guiding hers across the keys. His contagious laugh. His deep eyes, covered by dark tendrils of hair-

"Earth to Seohyun?" Jiwoo was clapping in front of Seohyun now and she blinked. She cast a quick glance at San, who was watching her more confused than curious.

"Yeah. I'm back. What are you planning?"

"I suggested we show her the photo. She might recognize some people from the photo." San said.

"Also, I walked around the school building a few times, and it did feel familiar. I thought it was just because it was a school and schools are, you know, pretty much built the same. But I would have the strongest of headaches when I walked there," Jiwoo admitted.

"A ghost having headaches? Here's something to tell Yunho," Seohyun thought out aloud, "Though one might think that death would relieve you of all worldly headaches..."

"It's probably because of my amnesia. But yeah, San's right. I'll have a look at the photo. I'll come to school tomorrow."

----------

"Wow, that's me," Jiwoo gasped.

"Of course it's you," Seohyun muttered. Jiwoo ignored her and continued to stare at her picture. Seohyun cast a look at the boys. They were watching the book flip pages on its own, their mouths slightly open in surprise.

"She can hear us, right?" Wooyoung asked Seohyun, who wanted to make fun of Wooyoung but wasn't quite in the mood. She was more busy thinking if Jiwoo would indeed remember something.

"Come closer, Jongho. We're still in class, no one should see the book moving on its own," Mingi motioned with his hand.

"No one is looking unless you start acting weird," Yeosang commented.

"I'm having the worst headache right now. Is this normal?" Jiwoo asked.

"You're a ghost, unnie. Nothing's normal about you."

Jiwoo tsk-ed at her and then looked at Hongjoong. "He should know something about where exactly I died. If it was an accident, I might be able to remember something."

"Not sure if that would work," Seohyun's mood was very gloomy. San shook his head at her, and she sighed before asking Hongjoong if he knew something about where she had died.

Hongjoong, to Seohyun's dismay, said he'd find out in a minute. It looked like he texted one of his friends, and while they were waiting for an answer, San told the boys what was happening just so they would stop asking after each second.

Seohyun caught Hongjoong glancing at her, as if trying to convey a message. Seohyun understood and casually checked her phone, indeed finding a text from Hongjoong, which read:

There's a possibility that her death might not have been an accident

Seohyun frowned. Was she murdered? Or did she commit suicide? She felt as if it would hurt Jiwoo no matter the answer.

What do you mean?

Hongjoong replied:

I'll tell you later.

With that, Hongjoong told Seohyun out loud that his friend would have to ask around for the address, and that settled it. Jiwoo announced that she was gonna roam around the school again, and maybe that would make her remember something too. She asked San to remind Hongjoong to find out her home address too. That would certainly spark a bulb, if nothing else.

As soon as Jiwoo walked out of their classroom, Hongjoong brought everyone closer. "My friend gave me the address. It's near a restaurant here."

"Why didn't you tell Jiwoo?" San asked.

"When Jiwoo passed away, her friends were told that it was an accident. But according to my sources, they say she was out with some of her friends. They had somehow gotten in an argument, causing her to flee and accidentally crash with a car."

"So it is an accident, right?" Seonghwa asked.

"That's the thing. Some people say that one of them pushed her in front of the traffic, and that they are all covering it up. We have got to find out what happened. Before we tell Jiwoo."

Seohyun pursed her lips. This is not how she thought it would have turned out. Sure, most of the ghosts she dealt with had usually been murdered. But that didn't make hearing any of this easier.

"Alright, we will find out. We need to distract Jiwoo. San, you'll help me out, right?"

"Of course," San said, sitting straighter. Seohyun laid out their plan; they were gonna divide into two. San, Wooyoung, Yeosang and Jongho would lead Jiwoo to a false address, somewhere far from where the rest of them were going to go and actually investigate what really happened. If she had died in a car crash, however that happened, the people around would remember and would be able to recall the incident.

After school, they told Jiwoo that she would go with San to check if that was the right place, since Hongjoong's source could be 'unreliable'. Meanwhile the rest of them were going to find out her home address by asking around. Jiwoo didn't suspect them thankfully, and gladly went along with them.

"I have the home address too," Hongjoong said, "It's on the way to the restaurant. We should pass by there too."

"Yeah," Seohyun muttered. "Do you think I should talk to her family too?"

"I think you should, but after we visit the restaurant. That would certainly give us more information. because all you have now is nothing about the real Jiwoo."

"Point." Seohyun thought it was kind of ironic. She knew nothing about how Jiwoo would have been when alive. The thought of it made her heart twist with pain.

As they walked to the site, Seohyun was so lost in thought that she didn't see the rest of them exchange nervous glances. They all realized that Jiwoo had been her only friend for a good while. And they could definitely see how difficult it was for Seohyun to let her go.

"Can I ask you something?" Seonghwa finally said.

"Whenever someone asks me if they can ask me something, it's usually going to be something about my personal life. Go ahead, shoot."

Seonghwa shook his head. "How many ghosts friends did you have to let go of?"

Seohyun stopped in her tracks. It took her a second before she started walking again. "That is a very good question, Seonghwa."

Mingi and Yunho exchanged looks. They knew she always made remarks like these when trying to avoid something. "Jiwoo has been your friend for a few months. It must be hard for you."

"It is, actually," Seohyun admitted. "And most of my friends, sadly, have been ghosts. They're a better company. I sharpen my dark humor on them. I make a lot of dead jokes, if you haven't noticed that already."

"I did," Mingi raised his hand, smiling sheepishly. "Knowing you can actually see ghosts makes them more funnier."

"I know," Seohyun smiled back.

They finally reached the restaurant. It was a traditional one, with tables set outside as well as inside. Potted plants made for most of the décor, a stark contrast to the mauve and white theme, and the scent of spices filled the air.

Seohyun's eyes traced what could have been a possible path; Jiwoo walking out of the door, a car speeding forward-

"How do you suppose we're gonna find some information? We can't just go and ask them to show us the CCTV footage or something," Yunho said, looking pointedly at the camera.

"We won't have to," Hongjoong said, "We just have to make up a good story. Come on, we're eating something from here."

"Really, Hongjoong? Do you think we have the time?" Seohyun asked.

"Trust me. Come on," Hongjoong said, not waiting for them and walking inside. They seated themselves in the corner, and a waiter came to take their order. After ordering some barbeque, Hongjoong told them that he was going to ask for water while they would be in the middle of eating, and they would start talking about the incident. When the waiter comes, he would hear them talk about it, and provide his comments on the topic without asking.

"If I was the waiter, I'd kick you out," Seohyun said, sitting back and folding her arms, making the rest of them snicker.

"This works every time," Hongjoong said, his eyes glinting with challenge, as he mirrored Seohyun's pose.

"And what if he doesn't talk?" Seohyun asked.

"In that case, I have a backup plan. I don't come unprepared." Hongjoong said, and Seohyun rolled her eyes, looking at Yunho who was sitting beside her.

"Is he always this confident about himself?" She asked.

"When he's sure, yes," Yunho nodded.

"Don't tell me he's a secret investigator or detective or something," Seohyun muttered.

"I could make some similar assumptions about you," Hongjoong muttered back.

"Shut up, blueberry."

"You should, you old-"

"Just because I have grey hair doesn't mean I'm old-"

"Stop it, you both," Seonghwa laughed. Hongjoong pouted. "But do you dye your hair?"

"Yeah. Some years ago I went blonde. Now I prefer the more... dead tones, if you will," Seohyun said, and Mingi grinned. "How's the drum learning going, Mingi?"

"Ah," Mingi sighed, "I still make do with boxes and plates. I think I could do a good freestyle if I had an actual drum set."

"I used to air drum all the time. You should drum along to some songs you like. Really helps."

"I'll try that," he smiled.

"When do you think you're showing us your music room?" Hongjoong asked.

"Not anytime soon," Seohyun said. Before Hongjoong could ask something, they saw the waiter come with their food. Hongjoong muttered ''play along' and started speaking.

"I've been wanting to try this place for a while now. But I heard there was some sort of accident here, so I couldn't come." Hongjoong widened his eyes in signal and Yunho began, "Oh I've tried, and I'll tell you, it's really good."

The waiter set their food, and Seohyun watched Hongjoong and Yunho go on about the restaurant, slightly amused. As soon as the waiter went, Hongjoong frowned at them.

"The three of you could have said something."

"This seemed more natural," Seohyun said. "Two guys raving about food. Nothing suspicious about that."

After a few bites of the amazingly juicy barbeque beef, Mingi asked for water. Hongjoong cleared his throat.

"I heard a girl died somewhere around here. They're saying it could be murder. People these days!"

"I'll tell you, sir," the waiter, a middle aged man with wrinkles around his eyes began, surprising Seohyun, "it was an accident. A bunch of students. The usual crowd. Had an argument and the girl went out in a rush- nobody followed. A few seconds later, we heard a horrible sound and screams. The people out there witnessed it."

"But why would people say she was pushed?" Seonghwa asked.

"People make all sorts of stories, girl," the man said, shaking his head in disapproval. "I was inside. I know none of the friends went after her. The crowd outside was too absorbed with their food. Nobody saw anything until the crash happened."

"Ah.. I see. So I guess since this was an accident, the matter cleared up quickly? With the police and all?"

"Of course," the man said, "they saw the footage. Nobody pushed her. A pity that people had to spread rumors like that. Didn't help us. Nobody came here for days."

"I'm sorry that happened," Yunho said, and Seohyun felt that he actually meant it. "I hope more people are coming here now, for the food."

"Oh we're getting back now. Enjoy," the man smiled at them and went away. They all looked at each other.

"So it's an accident. But this doesn't make sense," Seohyun said, "if she died because of her own mistake, why is she still hanging around?"

"Unfinished business?" Mingi suggested.

"Usually happens when someone is killed, but yeah. She must have made it to the hospital and lost her memories during treatment. That must mean she's holding a grudge, or actually has something so important to do that despite her memories being lost, somehow she stuck to this world."

"That makes sense," Yunho said.

They finished the food lost in thoughts, and decided that is that was the case, it was wiser to not talk to her family. She could be holding a grudge against them too.

Though they now knew how Jiwoo had died, and they were one step closer to sorting this all out, Seohyun felt dread creeping upon her.

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

"I can't believe you sent me to the wrong address!" Jiwoo exclaimed.

"It wasn't on purpose! Hongjoong's friend confused you with someone else. It seems like he deals with this kind of stuff often," Seohyun was nodding her head along, as if that could convince Jiwoo. "And anyway, at least it wasn't all a waste. We're going to the place where you died, are you sure you're ready?"

"Born ready," Jiwoo said, pumping her fist in the air.

"Born ready but-"

"Don't, Seohyun, just don't" San cut her off, shaking his head. Jiwoo laughed. Seohyun pouted but stopped.

The three of them were going to the place where Jiwoo had her accident. It was only yesterday that Seohyun had come with Hongjoong, Seonghwa, Yunho and Mingi, and had falsely led Jiwoo to someplace else with the rest of the boys. Now, upon constant insistence of Jiwoo, the two of them decided they'd better take her.

It wasn't because Jiwoo threatened to summon a bunch of revengeful ghosts. Nope. It certainly hadn't been that.

"We're close now," San said, pointing ahead, "It's right across the road. You should start looking on your own now. Without distractions."

"Don't look at me, San," Seohyun muttered.

"You're right. You both can... wait for me here. I'll see if it rocks a memory," Jiwoo said, and went ahead, leaving the two of them watching her go.

"Do you think we should be there for her?" Seohyun finally asked, "The memories might be painful."

"I think she should just walk down memory lane. We'd only distract her. Going on her own is sure to bring back some memories."

"I still wonder what made her stay," Seohyun said, and San looked at her. It was one of those moments when she was not wearing a filter. San felt like he was intruding- it was rare to see her so... present. There.

"Have you dealt with many murder cases? Or suicide ones?" San finally asked.

"You think it's one of the two?" She asked.

"I think it could be something simple. I know if I died today, the only reason I'd hang here would be to say a final goodbye. That is, if I die suddenly."

"Believe it or not, those are the hardest," Seohyun turned towards San, "With other cases, it's usually finding justice, or personal satisfaction. But goodbyes are difficult. I wouldn't want that for anyone. It's harder for those who are living."

San narrowed his eyes at her for the briefest moment. It felt like sometimes she meant more with what she spoke. Like there was a backstory he did not know.

"It looks like you've had some experience with that," San asked cautiously. Seohyun bit her lip and he saw the slightest of tremble in her hand before she closed them in a fist. She was suddenly reminded of San's hand on hers comforting her.

"You're right, actually," Seohyun finally said, surprising San, "I'll tell you. I need to move on too."

"You don't have to," San assured, but she shook her head.

"His name was Joon Hyuk. It was two years ago. He and I used to go to the same music academy. We were only friends then, not close, until he passed away suddenly. He had a heart problem."

"I'm sorry to hear that," San said. He truly was. He couldn't imagine how he'd cope if one of his friends met the same fate.

"I was shook, but that wasn't the end of the story. He was hanging on because he wanted to say goodbye to his family. It took him a few days, and I helped him come to terms with his death. That's when we grew close. I used to be home alone, and we'd just sit in the music room and talk all night. He told me all about his life. I told him about mine. He taught me to play the piano." Seohyun shivered a bit but continued. "He said his goodbye, but he still didn't move on."

"Does that usually happen?" San asked.

"No. It was because he found something to stay for. Me."

The breeze made San shiver too as it settled in. His heart twisted with emotions he couldn't recognize. He wanted to comfort Seohyun somehow, but he stood frozen.

"Ironic, isn't it? He found something to live for when he had already died." Seohyun's lips quivered. She stared at the light bulb near her, hoping it would force back her incoming tears. This wasn't the time to cry. She looked at San and smiled, "I knew it was wrong. But I was so alone. I craved friendship. I craved love. And I got it for a while. It was short. He started to change. You remember the old man?"

San nodded. The man because of whom he could now see ghosts too.

"It's like the process sped up. He started to become bitter. It would come and go. When he was sane, I finally told him to move on before he became- that, before I had to force myself to send him away. And he did. Without a goodbye this time. I guess that was the only way he could manage it."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, Seohyun. I-"

San wanted to say so much but they heard a scream which was unmistakably Jiwoo's, and with a look at each other, they rushed to the source of the sound. They found Jiwoo clutching at her head, down on the ground

Seohyun rushed to her, sitting down and hugging her, muttering comforting stuff that San couldn't make out. He just stood and provided cover, hoping no one would notice Seohyun hugging the air.

It took a few seconds for Jiwoo to calm down, and when she did, she sighed loudly, looking at the sun.

"It's coming back," she announced. "I remember how I died. My own fault. How dumb is that?" She laughed.

"Glad to see you're back in your spirits," San scoffed.

"You, boy, have been making unintentional puns," Jiwoo scoffed back, making Seohyun grin.

"So how much do you remember?"

"It's coming back. You guys should go your own way. I'll just wait for it to come back. I think I know where to go too. I remember my home. I think- I think I know why I'm here too."

Seohyun and San shared a look. "You wanna tell us?"

"I gotta check something first," Jiwoo said, getting up and helping Seohyun up too. "Off you go."

"Weirdo," Seohyun muttered and Jiwoo just waved at her before she started walking. Seohyun was resting her hands on her hips, tapping her jeans, watching her go with a frown.

"IF YOU MOVE ON WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE I'LL HUNT YOU EVEN IN THE AFTERLIFE OR WHEREVER IS IT THAT YOU GHOSTS GO!" Seohyun shouted at Jiwoo, startling San and the couple walking past.

"YOU BETTER HOLD A FREAKING FAREWELL PARTY THEN!" Jiwoo shouted back. Before Seohyun could retort, San took her by the arm and dragged her in the opposite direction, laughing and telling her she should stop before the whole neighbourhood comes out.

"I'll walk you home," San said. He wasn't sure if now was the time to leave Seohyun alone.

"If you insist," Seohyun said, and they walked in silence. San wanted to say something about how she had been wise to send Joon Hyuk off, something to comfort her, but he couldn't find the words. He was sure Seohyun would be too busy thinking about Jiwoo. He decided he'd walk in silence and let her sort her thoughts.

When they finally reached her home, Seohyun looked at San. "You wanna stop for some coffee? Maybe a snack?"

"Oh no, don't bother," San waved her off.

"I have chocolate chip cookies," Seohyun wiggled her eyebrows.

"That's not fair. Lead the way," he said, and Seohyun smiled in victory, letting him in.

Though the house looked plain from the outside, it wasn't such inside. It was well decorated, the brown and white reflecting the walls and the floor, and had an overall homey feel. Plus, it was quite spacious. No wonder she had a music room here.

San sat on the table in the kitchen, looking around while Seohyun made two cups of coffee. The refrigerator had fruit magnets with various lists sticking. Grocery, things to do. Doodles. San smiled. It really did look like Seohyun lived here. His eyes fell on her figure as she rocked back and forth, mixing the coffee. Her hair created quite a contrast with her navy blue shirt. The soft grey hair looked fluffy.

Seohyun turned around, catching San staring at her, and he shifted in his seat as Seohyun set the two cups and the cookies. San took one and bit into it.

"Oomph, that's delicious."

"Thank you. I made them."

"No way!" San was genuinely surprised. "I didn't know you liked baking."

"I like making food," Seohyun admitted, sipping the coffee.

"That sounds so mundane now," San laughed.

"What do you think I did at home? Made talismans?" Seohyun scoffed and San almost choked on his coffee.

"You surprise me everyday, Seohyun. We must look quite boring to you," San said.

"Well," Seohyun munched on the cookie, "You aren't boring. None of you are, actually. Why don't you tell me something I don't know about you then?"

"Well," San imitated Seohyun now, "I collect plushies. And I know taekwondo."

"That's... interesting. Taekwondo and plushies. Wow," Seohyun laughed. "Poor Shiber, I guess."

"HEY!" San frowned. "Your turn."

"I didn't realize we were taking turns?" Seohyun raised her brow but thought about it. "My favourite colour is blue."

"Mine's purple," San said. "I hate vegetables."

"Hard not to notice," Seohyun commented, biting into the cookie and thinking. "I want to be a musician."

"Cool. You can compose for us," San smiled and Seohyun smiled back mockingly.

A thought struck her. "Wanna see the music room?"

San raised his brows. "Can I?"

"If you want to?" Seohyun shrugged. "It's okay. That room needs air anyway."

"Alright then," San finished his coffee. Seohyun got up, her heart thumping. She was right. It was about time she opened that room for someone else. About time she let go too.

"Here we are," she said and fished out keys from her pocket (San thought she must carry them everywhere) and opened the room, turning on the light

It was gorgeous, San thought. A piano in the corner, a drum set in the other, couches as they entered, three different guitars hanging by the wall, a violin case resting on the table. The dim white lights made everything seem a bit eerie, but it smelled like roses, and indeed San noticed a scented candle on the table. It felt like a room full of memories.

"I do come in every now and then, but I don't really play anymore." Seohyun looked around.

"Can I see them?" San asked, and Seohyun nodded.

Seohyun watched as San examined the guitars then walked to the piano, running his fingers on the keys and making some sounds, then off to the drum set.

"I'd pay to see you play," he grinned.

"Oh you won't have to. I'll do that for free one day," Seohyun smiled.

"So you don't play anything anymore?"

"Just the violin sometimes. Or drums when I'm angry."

"Can I hear the violin?" San asked and Seohyun looked at him.

"Pretty please?" He made puppy eyes and Seohyun scoffed. "Now how do I reject that?"

Seohyun opened the violin case, saying something about how it's gonna be short. While she tested the strings and the bow, San sat on the piano stool nearby. Seohyun flipped her hair back and inhaled.

And then she played a tune so melodic, a tune so haunting that San wasn't sure if seconds had passed or minutes. He only saw her face, etched with the most emotions he'd seen on a single person. It was as if she was telling him a secret, baring her soul to him, and he just couldn't decipher it.

When she did stop, San felt short of breath. He just stared at her in awe and she came closer, already having put the violin back. "How was it?"

"That was... breathtakingly beautiful. You were amazing," San said and immediately felt like he should have said something more.

But she seemed to understand. "Thank you," she said. She was leaning against the piano. San got up and came closer.

"Thank you, Seohyun," he said, touching the tendrils of hair that fell on her shoulder, "For everything."

"I- I've done nothing," she almost whispered. San locked eyes with her, still playing with her hair, now his thumb caressing the soft skin of her cheek.

Seohyun stared back at the dark orbs, his gaze so sharp that a part of her wanted to run away but the other part wanted to never look away. San blinked once, then slowly, painfully slowly brought his face closer and kissed her cheek lightly, leaving her out of breath.

Thank you for playing for me," San said, "I'll never forget it."

And then he drew back, and Seohyun came out of the trance.

"If you sugar coat it so much I'll never bring you here again," Seohyun was smiling.

"Nah. Now I'll wait for the day you're angry," San winked, pointing at the drums. "I should give pointers to Mingi."

"HEY!"

prev - next

[mandoalorian]

Life Is Good [Maxwell Lord x Reader]

Summary: you find Max Lord talking to his own reflection in the mirror, and help him prepare for a speech.

Warnings: None, just fluff.

Rating: Suitable for all

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Submit a request ~ (don't be shy, ask me to write some more Max Lord. Grr I love him so much).

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~ gif by @santigarcia

It was a normal day when you had come home from work, plopping your purse down on the sofa in the entryway and walking into the lobby. Checking the time on your wristwatch, you knew Maxwell would be home by now, but you were surprised to see he hadn't come downstairs to greet you like he normally did. You imagined him cooped up in his office, reading glasses perched on the curve of his nose, reading through contracts or files. He'd been doing a lot of hard work recently, and with his assistant on maternity leave, he had been really struggling.

You figured you'd make him some coffee and bring it to him. Heading into the kitchen you grabbed one of his favourite mugs and set it down under the espresso machine. Maxwell was weird. He liked his coffee black with no sugar. After his coffee had been poured out, you wrapped your hands around the mug, smiling as the rich scent filled the air and the ceramic warmed your hands. You carefully padded up the stairs and along the corridor.

Your hand was just about to reach down to the door handle when you stopped, hearing Maxwell's voice. "Life is good," he said. You scrunched up your nose in bewilderment. His voice sounded… different. "Life is good!" he repeated, this time, exclaiming the phrase like he was surprised. "Life...is...good!" he said again, this time sounding suspenseful. "But it can be better," he said and you furrowed your eyebrows together. "But! It can be better." Who was he talking to?

You slowly and quietly opened the door to his office, nursing the cup of coffee in your hands. You leaned against the doorframe watching your boyfriend stand before the full length mirror. He was all dressed up— hair perfectly styled and wearing one of his best suits. He turned to face the wall and then dramatically spun around on his heel, pointing a finger at his reflection in the mirror. "Life is good!" he charmed, his eyes wide and lips curving into an excited smile. "Life is good." he repeated, his movements becoming even more animatronic.

"But it can be better?" you asked through a giggle, your presence making Maxwell jump.

"How long were you standing there?" he asked, his voice going a little high and his cheeks flushing pink.

"Long enough," you laughed, handing him the coffee. He took it from you and placed it on his desk before pulling you into a warm hug.

"Missed you," he mumbled into your neck, sending a shiver down your spine. He placed a quick kiss into your jaw and pulled away, but still holding your arms tightly. "I have great news!" he beamed, a sparkle gleaming in his chocolate brown eyes.

"You do?" you smiled.

"The president has asked me to do a speech that will be broadcast internationally!" he grinned and your heart melted seeing how excited he was.

"The president?" you gasped. "Maxie that's great! Think about what this will do for the company. You can finally get sales from all over the world… oh this is so fantastic. You've wanted this for so long." You pulled him into another tight hug, nuzzling head into his chest.

"I'm so happy you're happy for me." he admitted sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. He went to sit at his desk and you followed, shuffling onto his lap. You handed him his coffee and he took a sip before placing it back down.

He loved you. He loved the way you sat on his lap and nuzzled into him, playing with the straps of his surrenders or running your fingers through his dark blonde hair. He loved the familiar scent of you that he had missed all day. It made him feel safe. It made him feel at home. He picked up his reading glasses, sliding them on his face and you couldn't help but smile at how adorable he was. He scrambled around a stack of papers, looking for something.

"Maxie?" you cooed.

"Hmm?" he replied.

"Are you going to tell me why you were talking to yourself in the mirror?" you chuckled, rubbing his back in a comforting manner.

You felt him stiffen up underneath you. "Yeah, I was hoping you hadn't seen that…" he trailed off, feeling just a little embarrassed. "Since the speech is going to be broadcast internationally, I figured I should make a new infomercial. One that kinda explains what Black Gold Cooperative is all about and, adresses a global audience. Rather than just our current US demographic." you nodded your head understandingly.

He finally found the piece of paper he had been waiting to show you. Printed was his writing in a neat calligraphy style. You always admired the way he wrote, he had told you his parents were very strict about it when he was younger. That a person's handwriting says everything about a person. "What's this?" you asked, tilting your head and examining the paper.

"I was preparing my speech for the president," he told you and a small 'oh' escaped your lips. "Could you help me?"

You couldn't help but smile. The esteemed Maxwell Lord asking you for help. "Of course I can, but I'm not sure if I'll be any good at this."

"Are you kidding?" Maxwell sighed, giving your side a little squeeze. "All my best ideas come from you."

You felt your cheeks radiate heat at his compliment and you started reading the speech. You cleared your throat. "Ladies and gentlemen," you scrunched up your face.

"You don't like ladies and gentlemen?" he asked curiously, biting his bottom lip.

"Hm, it's not very… Maxwell Lord." you shrugged, picking up one of his gold company fountain pens and crossing it out.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" he chuckled, a false look of offense sprawled across his face.

"You know…" you laughed. "It needs to be something memorable. Everything you do is memorable. It needs to be big and bold and it needs… zazz."

"Zazz?" he raised his eyebrows, amused.

"Zazz." you confirmed with a small smile. "Also, it's 1984. Ladies and gentlemen just feels sooo 1983."

"I completely agree darling," he nodded his head. "What about this?" he cleared his throat. "Citizens of the world!"

Your mouth formed a perfect O shape in pure surprise. "That's great Max," you laughed, writing it down above where you had scribbled out 'Ladies and gentleman'.

You read the next part. "I'm here to change your life." and you nodded your head in approval. "See? This part is good! You're showing that you have the power to make change in the world."

Maxwell beamed like a child getting 10/10 marks on their homework. You continued to read. "As the founder of Black Gold Cooperative, I promise to ensure that, by purchasing shares of my oil fields, you will be earning money-" you paused, furrowing your eyebrows together. "I'm going to be honest Maxie," you gulped as Maxwell prepared himself for the worst. "I know you're enthusiastic about oil… but I'm not sure the rest of the world is." you scribbled out his words. "I see that you're trying to lay down the fundamentals of your business, and that's good, but, a lot of people… might zone out. Might get, and I mean this in the nicest way possible, bored."

"I understand." Maxwell replied, nodding his head slowly. "So what do you suggest?"

"Something that will engage them… awaken their minds and make them want to know more. Everyone in the world wants money. Everyone wants power. Max, you can give it to them." you whizzed, biting the tip of his pen in your mouth. "You need to play on what they want."

You both spent a moment in silence, pondering, until you finally saw the lightbulb appear over Maxwell's head. "How about this?" he straightened his posture. "Citizens of the world, I'm here to change your life. Everything you want… everything you've dreamed of you can have it."

"Nice!" your lips curled into a proud smile as you pressed an encouraging kiss into his cheek. "You're illustrating that they should trust you because you have the power. That you can make all their dreams come true."

"I love you so much," Maxwell revealed, taking the pen from your lips and kissing you himself. He was intoxicating. "Thank you for all your help." he said, pressing his forehead against yours.

"You came up with all of this yourself." you giggled. "Proud of you."

"But I couldn't have done it without you." he admitted.

You spent a few long moments cuddling each other, taking in each other's warmth and feeling nothing but adoration and gratitude for one another. Then it hit you.

"What was all that 'life is good' stuff you were talking about earlier? It wasn't in the speech." Maxwell winced at your impression of him.

"Do I sound like that?" he sighed.

"It's a little dorky, yeah." you laughed.

"That was for the infomercial." Maxwell informed.

"Oh, well, no need to change your voice!" you teased. "Just be yourself Maxie. Everyone will love you."

"I don't know how I ever lived without you." Maxwell admitted and you rolled your eyes, kissing him once again.

[butterflies-in-dust]

So I found this... while scouting for Au's to write . And I don't know who this was as the person messaged anonymously.

But I'm still gonna do it.

Nico was tired. He knew that a tattoo was a important and symbolic one ; especially, when the tattoo was of a younger sibling who just passed . The boy he had just inked it on had started to sob mid-way.

Such things also needed a lot of detail work like getting the proportions right , the shading and the expression right. It had drained Nico and the fact that he was ADHD made it worse. He liked being a tattoo artist but when he picked up on big projects like this, he would fixate himself too much into it.

Numbing himself to everything else and his concentration fixtured directly at what he was doing.

The worst part was, he knew what it was like to lose a sibling. His older sister Bianca had died to an accident when he was just ten . He had pictured himself bringing her back to life but then he had realised that death was final and was not to be played with.

That might also be the reason why he never got a tattoo of Bianca's face on his body.

Now you'd except him to be completely covered in ink and colour, but he wasn't. He found it aesthetically pleasing to see his olive skin clash with the beautiful etched designs. Why to mess up the beautiful colours that nature had created in her time .

His tattoos were like doodles you would make on a maths homework. Some on the left, some on the right. Not quite covering the whole thing. He had made them in those places where he had self harmed.

His birth date tattooed on his left wrist in roman numerals , a skull on his right one, a raven on his right thigh and a obsidian sword on his shoulder ; spreading across his shoulder bone to his bicep . And lastly a dragon on his left shouder. All the places where self harms cuts had earlier been was tattooed now.

The only one out of place was a sun tattoo. It looked like mavi's tattoo from moana that hazel had pointed out ( why would Nico ever sit to watch a Disney movie???) . The tattoo was on his left pectoral and it did not match his aesthetic. But what could he do? It had appeared when he was fifteen . The day his soulmate had gotten his first tattoo. Nico had never gotten a tattoo earlier and he was still self harming then. He guessed his soulmate was older than him of about a few years. Definitely a fifteen year old or younger wouldn't get that big of a tattoo.

When he first met Percy, Nico had thought he was probably a person who would get a sun tattoo on his chest. Swimming in the ocean all day , sunbathing and teching kids surfing . Yep ,Definitely has a sun tattoo. That also got his hopes up higher.

The shop bell chimed on his left and a blonde boy walked in wearing a shirt and blue jeans. Nico hadn't seen him earlier in town and now he was down to get laid . He noticed the blonde's blue eyes and slightly visible biceps.

Perfect body. Just nico's type.

"Hey"

"Hi" Nico replied

"Umm... i came for a new tattoo on my waist. You're the main tattoo guy?" The blonde boy spoke while scanning the room.

"Yes I am , you look nervous , if this your first tattoo?" Nico questioned.

"Oh no" he explained. He had gotten tattoos earlier. It's just he was studying to become a doctor and he was really concerned about getting infected and stuff. The tattoo parlors in his town aren't that clean for his liking so while he is visting his friend in this town get thought he might just get a new tattoo.

Nico nodded at his explanation and told him that all his equipment was strelized and wiped. He definitely didn't wannna infect that hot boy.

"So ? When's it gonna be?"

" The store is free at twelve pm tommorow, come after taking a bath without any sweat or dirt on you," Nico answerd " -And please write your name and phone number in the booklet on the desk. I'll calk you if you're late " he stammered the last lines.

As soon a the blonde left , Nico stopped doing whatever he was doing to get his name.

William solace.

- The next day-

Nico was hurriedly wiping the benches and sterilising his needles . He had given him an appointment at 12 pm because he knew no one would come disturb the conversation between them and he would have the free time to hit on William.

The door chimed again,

" Hi William "

"You can call me Will"

" okay so , wanna start?"

"Yes sure"

"Take your shirt off " Nico said and turned his back towards will . As much as he wanted to check him out , he knew he shouldn't be a creep . Anyway he would get a chance to touch his body when he was tattooing him.

Will walked forward and sat on the bench. Nico looked at his face and noticed the very prominent and well noticed Sun tattoo on Will's left pectoral.

Nico was trying to hide his stammering when he asked how many tattoos William has.

Will looked up and opened his watch, underneath were Roman numerals printed ,as it a copy of what nico had.

XXVIIII

28 and 1

28th of January

Will looked at Nico's wrist and gleamed at his face.

"Yea it's my birthday today" nico explained.

[privilege-archives]

KY MCCARTHY ➝ FIFTH SIBLING

I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN

❖ FULL NAME: Ky Michael McCarthy. ❖ PRONOUNS: He/Him. ❖ AGE: 19. (September 23rd). ❖ BIRTH ORDER: Fifth. ❖ GRADE: Sophomore. ❖ MAJOR: Performance (Drumming). ❖ SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Homosexual. ❖ ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Demiromantic. ❖ FACECLAIM: Josh Dun.

I'LL FOLLOW YOU UNTIL YOU LOVE ME

Fifth born to Samantha and Clark, after the twins, Ky was easily the most energetic child out of the five. Always running around, getting up to no good, so difficult to get him to settle in school, to get him to focus on homework, to get him to complete simply chores, to get him into bed at bedtime. It wasn’t something he did on purpose, in fact, he tried tremendously hard to calm himself down and behave like his Mother wanted, but he just couldn’t. He was full of energy and he needed to get it out.

Not to say, though, that at times where there wasn’t all of that expected from him, that his energy wasn’t contagious. When people were around him, they always had a smile of their face. He was upbeat, optimistic, and could be funny when the time called for it, and people loved that about him. People never had a bad word to say about him. He didn’t have any enemies. Throughout school, he made friends with everyone, his best friends in high school, before the big Hollywood move, were the most popular kids in school, the resident asshole and the QBIC, captain of the cheerleading squad. And despite that, he still spent some lunches sitting with what most would refer to as nerds. He paired himself with burnouts and jocks for projects in class. He couldn’t help it. He liked being liked by everyone.

And the fame of his parents, both famous artists, didn’t faze him in the slightest. In fact, he aspired to have fame like theirs. Since the early age of 6, he knew he wanted to be a drummer, a successful drummer, one who’s name was known. He practiced and practiced until his hands ached and his arms burned. And it paid off, by the time he was 17, Divine High released an EP, one that was surprisingly successful, bringing them new fans, attention for labels, everything he dreamed of. They started playing shows that were a little bigger than before, in clubs and venues that had bigger capacities. They were getting known, and it was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to Ky.

A year later, they were signed to Evolution Records located in West Hollywood, and 9 months later they released their first studio album, an album that was a huge success among the alternative music community. And then everything changed. They were being stopped by people in the streets for autographs and pictures, they were playing bigger shows, in actual music venues and not just bars and clubs. They were getting big, and as the past year has gone, Ky’s loved each moment of it more and more, and hopes his parents are proud of him for following in their footsteps; despite his tendency to smoke a little mary jane too often or get wasted when he’s yet to turn 21. Those are all just part of the fun.

BABY, THERE'S NO OTHER SUPERSTAR

Ky’s look is a lot like that of Josh Dun. His hair is untamed and messy, a pink that’s bordering on bright red and usually covered with a snapback. His wardrobe mainly consists of skinny jeans, flannel, basketball shorts, oversized sweaters and oversized t-shirts with alien’s printed on them, and he sports a sleeve on one arm and a few random little tattoo’s on the other and his chest. His only piercing is a small silver ring in his nose. His on-stage look is a little different– he mostly goes shirtless, and usually sports red makeup around his eyes and his patented alien mask on occasion.

YOU KNOW THAT I'LL BE YOUR PAPARAZZI

Samantha and Clark are two famous singers, part of a classic band called Walk The People, which has been famous since the mid nineties and still holds it’s fame. Their aunt was a sound tech for a record company in Canada, and has toured with plenty of notable names.