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hawksugarbaby · 3 years

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Todoroki x male reader- Caramel and Honey

Fluff + Au where todoroki rebelled and never became a hero

Todoroki hummed to himself laying out the ingredients in front of him with his mixing bowl in the centre of the counter top, the mix of ingredients in organised lines from first to last except he was missing one ingredient.

It was soon to be your birthday, and todoroki being the gentleman as always was desperate to make you a cake as his local supplier. You deserved it for the kind smile you wore dropping of his orders at the back of the shop and hovering around for a few minutes to talk before disappearing into the wind again driving away in your van with (y/ln) Produce, stamped on the side of the van in big, black cursive.

He took over the shop from his mothers side of the family before she fell ill and had to go to hospital. not wanting anything to do with his disgusting father he chose to stay and manage the store of light pinks and pure whites. He heard your tires pulling up outside on the gravelly path and he opened the door for you to drop off your produce inside on the counters by the door.

"Hey Roki! How's it hanging, making anything special today?" you asked hauling a crate of freshly picked fruit for the season in and dropping it onto the steel top, wiggling under the weight and scooting forward a millimeter. "What do you consider special?" he asked bluntly helping you carry the boxes into the kitchen and put the items in their respective places.

Finally you brought in the cardboard box layered in bubble wrap filled with decorative jars of golden honey pockets of air suspended in the viscous liquid and Todoroki nodded happily in receiving everything he asked for. Sometimes you'd forget the blueberries, or the tea leaves or the bananas grown specially by your quirk. You grabbed a glass of honey flicking the lid open and dipped your finger into the glossy amber tasting it yourself.

"Something special? I would love a rustic honey cake. Just the way mum used to make it with our honey. Not the dumb store bought stuff, the stuff we make ourselves. With the bee's we lovingly care for, for a reason!" you shout but it was muffled by you sucking the honey off of your finger.

Todoroki wiped his chin and cleared his throat "you've got some... there's uh... like a little" you looked up at him and touched your chin the sticky threads of honey clinging to your hand. "Shit" you tutted and wiped it away with the heel of your hand getting that just as sticky as the rest of you. "Well this is embarrassing" you sighed and todoroki exhaled quickly, which was close enough to a laugh to make you smile. "Here" he ran a tea towel under the warm tap and wiped it over your chin and pressed it into your hand for you to clean your hands yourself.

He felt his own face light up red and grabbed a cup of blueberries in preparation for the blueberry muffins he would bake today and you blinked a few time's rebooting your brain after the short interaction making you flustered.

You wiped your hands down and neatly folded the towel over the side of the sink and shook your head clearing the busy, buzzing thoughts from your head and drew your eye's away from him focusing on the calendar hanging next to the wall. Delivery, nothing, delivery, nothing, delivery + (y/n) Birthday. You grinned and pointed to the red circle around the familiar number on the calendar and twisted your neck to watch him stir ingredients together into a pale yellow batter.

"You remember my birthday?" you quizzed and he nodded furiously beating the whisked eggs into the mixture and poured in the cup of indigo berries fresh from the bush. "Hey are you busy right now?" Todoroki asked moving on from the topic of your birthday and lifted his eyes from your strong arms he'd seen carry so many boxes of fruit, to your joy filled (e/c) orbs sparkling happily at the prospect of him. HIM. remembering your birthday.

"I can be not busy?" you raise your palms to the popcorn roof and flick out your phone calling a coworker. "Hey Bro, could you perchance come get the van from the Todoroki Bakery and deliver the rest of the products?" you ask and pushed the phone to your ear with your shoulder and mouthed 'frozen fruit' to todoroki and you quirked an eyebrow. He nodded to the bottom drawer.

"No I dropped a crate on my foot carrying the peaches into the shop and It hurts to walk on it I dunno how driving would go" you chuckle nervously and wink to todoroki who just looked back down at his muffins filling the white, paper cases not quite understanding. "No, I know it's so unlike me! But it's okay, Todoroki said he'd give me a lift home but can you just do the rest of the rounds?"

Your brother agreed and you said your bye's on the phone. "I now have the entire day off" you said proudly and leaned your elbows on the counter admiring todoroki's fluffy hair straying further from the style it was originally in while he pushed the baking tray into the oven. "Wait but I should check your foot if you hurt it" he said crouching down and pressing his cold hands against your ankle making you flinch "no I didn't really hurt my foot I just needed to get out of work" you chuckle.

"Oh okay. Will your dad believe that, aren't you supposed to be the big strong son?" Todoroki craned his neck up to look at you still resting with one knee on the floor and the other pulled up like he was going to propose. You lost yourself in your thoughts again imagining that instead of his hand on your foot he was holding out a small grey box with a gleaming band tucked into the cushion.

"Hey what the fuck is this?" your brother laughed at the scene in the kitchen and you whipped your head up to see him leaning against the door frame uncaringly. "Uhh todoroki was checking if my foot was swollen or anything. No evidence of broken bones yet! So you should just get going with the van here are my keys!!" you said hopping over like a professional actor and shoved the keys into his hand. "Mhm i'm sure that's what it was. OUTSIDE!" he shouted at you pulling you round the corner clipping your arm on the wooden pallets leaning against the wall out back scraping up inside your elbow.

"Hey what the hell, that hurt!" you shouted lightly tapping the bleeding scratched that didn't seem to want to stop bleeding. "Look I know you like that todoroki kid but you can't just skip work to spend the day with him!" your brother turned around and looked at your face, mouth agape and eye's furrowed into annoyance and he shrugged "what i'm just being hon-" "ARE YOU BLIND OR STUPID!?" you shouted back thrusting your profusely bleeding forearm in his face.

"Oh shit what! are you feeling okay?" he panicked suddenly drawing Todoroki's attention and he poked his head out the back door. Being the observant boy he was, his eyes went wide and he jogged over to where you were standing and wiped the blood away with the already honey covered tea towel but the crimson immediately started pouring out again. "He needs an ambulance" the dual haired baker tightly wrapped the tea towel around your arm which was quickly soaked in red.

You moaned in pain and annoyance feeling your head spin. "What could he have cut his arm on?" your brother asked and you held your hand out in front of his face snapping your fingers closed against your thumb shutting him up. "There's a huge fucking rusty nail... on the pallet you dragged me past you dickhead" you huffed. The ground span and swayed around you and the brightness in your vision was turned down so you could barely see the outlines of the boys surrounding you.

And then you were on the floor.

And then you were in the hospital. Staring at the white plaster ceiling at midnight with no one by your side. "Huh" you hummed and checked your phone hissing at the brightness lashing the dark hospital room.

todoroki was in the shop with a bowl and cake pan next to him. The jar of honey you scooped from open and his phone laying open waiting for your answer to his text.

You replied to the questions he asked and Todoroki's phone buzzed on the steel countertop and he perked up immediately reaching for the electronic, slowly running out of battery.

Roki 💖🍰

Hey are you okay?

Fri 12:18

Do you like pistachios?

Oh also raisins, do you like raisins?

Probably not, no one likes raisins

I like raisins...

Anyway. Text me when you see this

Fri 18:35

Roki 💖🍰

I hope you wake up.

I wasn't supposed to get a delivery from you today

But I wish I was cause I like seeing you

You make my heart feel... weird.

Good weird

Sat 8:44

Still don't know if you like raisins and pistachios

Sat 12:27

Roki 💖🍰

It's your birthday tomorrow you know.

Sorry I didn't text yesterday but you were sleeping anyway

How can you catch tetanus so quickly

It's supposed to take 4 days dumbass.

You got it in like 1. You fainted because of the blood btw

Mon 13:21

Please just wake up for your birthday.

I have something special for you

But I need to know if you like pistachios and raisins

Mon 14:56

Roki 💖🍰

Happy Birthday (y/n)

Tue 00:00

You chuckled to yourself at the sweet messages todoroki sent you over the course of the days and glanced at the clock. "I wonder if he's still awake" you croaked and wiped your eyes from sleep then yawned filling your waterline with unnecessary tears.

Bumblebee 🍯

Hey Roki. I'm up

I like/don't like pistachios

And I like/don't like raisins

Sorry for worrying you. Promise I won't get anymore tetanus

I'm going back to sleep

Come visit tomorrow

today*

Sent

Tue 4:13

"You better not be awake dumbass" you mumbled and turned over on your pillow burying your face into the uncomfortable pancake for your head.

Seen

Tue 4:15

The baker smiled and finally started working on his surprise for you chopping his toppings and thinly slicing/ throwing away his toasted pistachios and crunching on a few raisins while working.

At 2pm he walked in and went to visit you with his surprise balancing carefully in your hand. He carefully tiptoed to your bedside and pushed your side slightly. You snorted and rolled over, opening your eye's to an amused todoroki settling himself into the chair next to your bed. "Something smells great" you muttered pushing your face back into the pillow and smiling. "Thank you for visiting" you muffled and todoroki chuckled nodding.

"Happy birthday" he smiled pulling the foil off of the top of your surprise. You peaked your eyes open and sat up smiling brightly. "I didn't know how your mum made it but I made my own recipe" he scratched the back of his head and moved to sit next to you on the mattress. He wrapped his arm around your shoulder and kissed your cheek lightly before you could take off the handheld slice you were slowly lifting to your mouth.

"My heart feels weird around you" he sighed and thumped his forehead against your shoulder and you snickered, taking a soft bite of the sticky, nostalgic cake in your grasp. "I know. Thank you for the little updates by the way, very sweet of you" you emphasised the sweet as a pun on the honey cake but of course, it flew over todoroki's head. "But yeah. Thank you for the cake it's delicious" you complimented and leaned your head on his. "Can I go back to sleep now?" you joked and he smiled and pressed you down by your hard chest and lay on top of you. "Just don't sleep for 4 days again" he mumbled nestling into your t'shirt.

You stared down at the parting in his hair with huge, round eye's and put your hands on his back, grasping them together in a hug-ish type thing. "Okay"

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curekibouka-writing · 3 years

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Thread and Thunder (chapter 1/3) (Twst fanfic)

Summary: (Spoilers for Silver’s birthday personal story) Lost your ways in horrid weather, but follow the thread, you’ll find each other.

Genre(s): Family, mild angst

Word count of chapter 1: 1020

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A/N: A 3-chapter fic revolving around young Silver finding out he is a human, unlike Lilia. Chapter 1 focuses on Silver, chapter 2 on Lilia, and chapter 3 is a resolution for them both. Will probably update weekly. Enjoy! ^^

Also posted on ff.net, quotev and ao3

Chapter 2 here Chapter 3 here

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Chapter 1: Unhear

That all too familiar baritone voice bursted out in a booming fit of laughter, “Ahahaha Silver, my boy, don’t tell me you never noticed?! Well, I suppose it is beyond a wee thing such as yourself. Hmm, perhaps I should’ve made it clear...”

The child gawked blankly at the man whom he had called father for the entirety of his young life, his fingers still hanging on the round edges of his ears. His eyes asking the further question that his lips had forgone.

“You’re a child of man, a human!”

“A ‘human’?” he repeated the alien word.

“Yes, and I’m a fae. You are not of my kin, dear, I took you in when you were a tiny newborn.”

The continuous laughter blended with the thunderclaps outside, sending a tingle through the poor child’s already jumbled mind. Without taking a moment to think, he sprinted out into the raging storm as fast as he could.

The thunder muffled what came after the laughing, though Silver didn’t know if he had the capacity to hear anything more.

He ran without stopping, exposing himself to the weather. As if expecting the gales to sweep away this knowledge he didn’t want, as if hoping the rain would wash away the question he regretted asking.

Yet the adrenaline only took away the strength in his legs, not the storm in his mind. He plonked himself down next to a sizeable tree trunk, now deep in the vast woods after dark, panting, lip quivering in the cold.

The truth still echoed in the thunder. It clamoured everywhere, so very deafening, striking into him a cacophony he barely understood. He creased his brows, huddling up tight.

Human. Human. Human. Human. Human. Human. Human. Human. Human. Human—

His eyes shot open to a tickly sensation on his ankle. A rabbit, braving the downpour, nuzzled against him. He gingerly picked it up in his hands, now noticing a sprig of berries between its teeth.

“.....for me?” Silver inquired. The rabbit uttered an affirmative squeak.

“Thank you...” he couldn’t help but crack a small smile. Soon, more critters gathered at his feet, piling up acorns, twigs, and even a rare Luminous Flower so that he could see in the dark, all in the hopes that dismay would cloud their friend’s iridescent eyes no longer.

“Thank you everyone. But you should return to where you belong. Look, you’re all drenched now because of me.” Silver petted them one by one, grateful to their kind gestures and sending them away.

His right hand paused on a fawn’s head, his fleeting smile now gone as he felt around the its ears, pointy ears.

The animal stared back at him, anxious. Was the gift it offered unsatisfactory?

Silver ran his hand down its neck tenderly, putting it at ease, reassuring the young deer that it was nothing of the sort.

It poked at his cheek with its snout, seeking a reason for his distress.

“Well… if you all belong in this forest,” he mumbled, “I wonder where I belong.”

The fawn’s countenance lit up, biting on his sleeve and yanking him to the direction from which he came. But its eagerly swishing tail soon drooped when it realised he wouldn’t budge.

Silver shook his head laggardly, his eyes glancing down to avoid the fawn’s expectant gaze.

It backed off from Silver’s sleeve, about to bleat its query, instead came the bleat of a doe demanding her young to return to their thicket.

He can see his reflection in the little deer’s eyes, but he chose not to look as he petted it once more, gently stroking its pointy ears, “Run along. Back to your family.”

It trotted to its mother, a spring in its steps, reminding Silver of how he had tackled his father in a hungry embrace after returning from picking berries just yesterday.

The doe nudged her fawn beneath her, sheltering it from rainwater. Now flashing before Silver’s eyes were the countless times in which his father made sure his sparring wounds were tended to, his shimmery hair was clean from dirt, and his growling tummy was fed generously.

In the shades of the thicket, the young deer slumbered snugly against its parent’s torso, no doubt conjuring up lovely fantasies in its dreams. And how would Silver’s borderless dream world be whole without father’s vibrant and curious tales?

Nothing but happy memories flooded his mind — but how much of them were lies?

‘Father and son’ was a lie. What else?

He didn’t want to find out. No matter how pleasant a dream is, it will fall apart the moment you realise you’ve been dreaming, cracking like glass to reveal reality little by little. The more your sight lingers, the more fabrications you begin to discern.

Then run.

And ran he did. Once again, the wind in his hair and rain in his face, plus a Luminous Flower in hand.

If he had never looked, he would’ve never doubted it. Happy memories can remain happy memories. Lies can remain as truths that were just never exposed, never questioned.

Clawing at his ears, his breathing grew more erratic as he sped up.

Then look no more. Linger no more. So that nothing more would fall apart.

The thunder rumbled, yet it sounded somewhat distant now, and so did the laughter that echoed with it. He could’ve sworn that voice was blaring and daunting not too long ago, yet it seemed like little more than a thread slipping through his fingers now.

He tried to hold onto it, then it was as if the fawn yanked on his sleeve again, jolting his feet to a halt.

It bleated, then came his own voice, interrogating, “Why aren’t you going home?”

“Because…” he choked on his breath, perhaps he was exhausted from running.

Because that was not home?

Because he was not family?

Because a fawn belongs with a doe, and a human does not belong with a fae?

The droplets that rolled down his cheeks were warm. “I… don’t know…”

The flower’s light faded. Now he had lost his way.

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End of Chapter 1

#twisted wonderland #twst silver #Lilia Vanrouge #twst fanfic #twisted wonderland writing #twst fanfiction #twisted wonderland fanfiction #diasomnia #twst writing #diasomnia fanfic

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cherrynojutsu · 3 years

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Title: Like Silver

Summary: A companion series for Like Gold.

Sakura misses him so much. She misses the faint smell of woodsmoke and sage, and mismatched eyes captivating in their intensity and unfathomable depths. The Rinnegan is beautiful, soft lavender ringed by hypnotizing layers of circle and tomoe, but flecks of silver dance in his right, tiny asterisms bewitching in nature, if one gets close enough; she’d first noticed it when they were children at the Academy. She knows they're Itachi's now, a slightly different scattering of luminaries aglow in the deep pitch of obsidian, but they're still as enthralling to her as they had been back then. She dreams of that silver sometimes, recalls it any time she sees something similar in color or reflet.

Blank period, canon-compliant, Sakura-centric, some expanded plot points from Like Gold, fluff and pining, eventually becomes a smut fest with feelings.

Disclaimer: I did not write Naruto. This is a fan-made piece solely created for entertainment purposes.

Rating: M (eventual nsfw-ness)

AO3 Link - FF.net Link - includes beginning/ending author's notes

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Chapter 1/?: An Introduction to Electrocardiography

Sakura gazes out the window of her office, a pile of paperwork set aside for a poetic sort of procrastination, trying to indulge for once in a Konoha spring, though she's finding it arduous.

As pretty as it is this time of year, all she can manage to feel is wistful.

Hanami has come and gone already for the most part, though there are a few stubborn cherry blossom trees lingering at the tail end of their blooming. She can see one here from her window, up on the hillside that slopes towards Hokage Rock, clinging to the uneven land. She’s sure its roots have to be all twisted, a labyrinth of gnarled wood clinging to any scrap of land it can wind itself around as its branches and petals try against all odds to reach upwards into the open sky that she can’t take her eyes off of.

There’s a metaphor in there somewhere, but it’s one she doesn’t care to unpack.

This year was her twentieth viewing of her namesake, though Sakura obviously doesn't remember the first few. Her parents take great pride in the retelling of tales from those first few years of her life, the ones she was too little to remember. The highlights come up annually on her birthday without fail, how she grasped at the petals like they were something precious, clutched in her sticky little hands the entire day.

A framed photograph is perched on one of the built-in shelves of her parents' living room, of her and her father on her first birthday. He was holding her up on unsteady legs, ridiculously proud and pointing towards the camera where her mother had been trying to get her to look. Her short pink hair was flying absolutely everywhere, matching the fluttering petals and in-bloom cherry blossom tree in the background, chubby hands grasping upwards. Strawberry cake and frosting were smeared all over her cheeks. They’d had a picnic for her, at the park nearest to their house.

“We came home and cleaned you up, and then your father helped you water your tree for the first time, in the little pink watering pail you unwrapped earlier. You were so cute.” That’s what her mom says every year. Sakura has the sentence memorized at this point, could recite it on cue, if she needed to.

Her parents had planted a cherry blossom sapling in their backyard a few days after they brought her home from the hospital as a newborn, so the tree is around the same age she is. She used to spend time under it often, as a kid, and some of her earliest memories involve sprawling beneath it to study the heavens while her mother gardened. She would also sneak berries from the patch when her back was turned. Sometimes her dad would join in her pilferage, and they would sit beneath the tree like a couple of bandits with stained lips, though those first few years she can remember he barely fit underneath it, as tall as he is. Many a tickle fight had been had, shaded by those branches. She would read books there on nice afternoons, when she was a little older.

The tree is fully grown now, also on the final cusp of its blooming for the year, floriferous wood expanded outwards to drape her childhood stomping grounds in a sea of soft pink. They have a picnic under it every year, in her family’s backyard, when they celebrate her birthday together. Her actual birthday has come and gone, but her birthday dinner is two days from now. Her parents swung by her apartment on Sunday afternoon for a bit with outlandishly large cupcakes, but her mom had mentioned they’d do dinner and a gift on their usual night, Thursday, since it works so well with their schedules every other week.

“We have to have your picnic, under your tree, like always. It’s a tradition! My beautiful girl. I can’t believe you’re twenty. It seems like just yesterday you were only yay high,” her dad had told her, gesturing below his knees before hugging her too tightly, ruffling the hair she'd inherited from him before they left. The cupcakes were strawberry with cream cheese frosting, one of her favorite treats. They’d left her with four extra to enjoy between then and Thursday, one for each day if she wanted it, turning her birthday into more of a week-long affair than a one-day celebration.

She and Ino had demolished two of them while watching some of the terrible movies they love to hate together, later that evening. It had been a smorgasbord of strawberries, really, because they'd washed them down with strawberry daiquiris, sugary sweetness topped with ridiculous amounts of whipped cream. They'd sat on her balcony, after, sipping a little tipsily and just looking.

"You should try to enjoy your namesake more this year, Forehead. You're so busy that I'm not sure you've realized, but you've really grown into it," Ino had said, beckoning vaguely towards a Konoha beginning to bloom, renewed with a warm breeze, spring ushered in by a fluttering of pink petals. Ino likes to give compliments in roundabout ways, she’s learned over the course of their friendship; crass as the blonde can be, she does have her moments. Her words meant a lot to Sakura, so she’s trying to take them to heart, to stop and smell the cherry blossoms, so to speak. It won’t be long before Konoha crescendos into the sweltering heat of the summer.

She loves her parents and her friends. She really does.

But birthdays are weird, Sakura thinks.

Last year, Sasuke had sent her a letter on her birthday. She’s reread it so many times that she has it more than memorized; it’s stitched into the muscle tissue of her heart at this point, or maybe scarred into the lining of her aortic valve, sempiternal markings adorning the tunnels that sustain her, causing her breath to catch every time.

Sakura,

Hanami has come to the wilderness in the Land of Honey. Bees are awakening and foraging for the first pollen of the season, with which to begin again. Cherry blossom petals are everywhere, lining the pathways and floating on the water.

Happy birthday.

-Sasuke

It had been short, simple, and even a little poetic; she had cherished it, as she does all of his other letters. She’d cherished the pressed flower with it just as much; a cherry blossom, neatly flattened with a precision that screamed Sasuke, near exactly the same shade of pink as her hair.

Sakura had started crying when she unfolded the paper to reveal it sitting atop his words. His hawk had waited patiently at her office window for a response to be written and tied to its leg, perched atop the windowsill and watching the goings-on of the village below, absolutely no concept in its predator brain of how much she delights in seeing it fly, a graceful tether to the boy - now man - she has been in love with for ages.

Cherry blossom petals are everywhere. Is there a hidden meaning there, or is she making a mountain out of a molehill?

She’s tried not to read too much into the letters. She's not sure if he sends any to Naruto or not; she's too afraid to ask, because she'll either get a heart-pounding hope if he doesn't get them, or a soul-crushing disappointment if he does. She can't imagine him sending a yellow flower to Naruto, but he may very well have sent him a different gift for his birthday.

Maybe he just thought she would like a flower, which she did - it’s pressed for safekeeping, along with all of his other correspondence to her, sporadically and chronologically throughout a book she keeps on her nightstand, An Introduction to Electrocardiography. It is her take on an album of small things she holds close to her own heart, things she wishes she could read in his. Sakura didn’t want to buy an actual album for such a thing; that felt too formal, for something as ambiguous as her ties to Sasuke, overflowing on her end as they may be. So she’d settled on a book about deciphering the heart’s tells based on science only, electrical impulses and repolarization, the sizes and positions of the chambers, how to diagnose conditions utilizing one’s findings. It’s one she doesn’t need access to anymore, extremely familiar with EKGs after years of study. She’d wanted it to be something no-nonsense, all hard facts and data on how to read activity plotted over time.

Evidence-based. Are letters evidence, though? She’s not sure that would hold up as empirical proof in any of the scholarly journals she’s studied or submitted work to since beginning her research. She thinks wryly, though, based on what she has witnessed get published, that scientific verification doesn’t always matter if you know the right people.

She’s thought many times sifting through it that perhaps it is too optimistic, too hopeful of a book subject for such a thing. Sakura has agonized over it, frankly, wondering whether it was an inappropriate choice.

...But now that they’re in there, it might ache worse to move them somewhere else.

It’s the last day of March now, and she didn’t get a letter this month, which is unusual, because she’s gotten one near each month in the time that he’s been away. She’s paged through the book a few times over the past several days, rereading and admiring the preserved sakura blossom, frozen in suspended animation indefinitely on a page about precordial leads.

Sakura hadn’t really expected anything from him for her birthday, other than a monthly letter like he usually sends... but this year she didn’t even get that. She’s trying really hard to not be disappointed. She has so much to be thankful for, in the grand scheme of things...

...But the petals of the cherry blossom from last year have faded over time, she’d evaluated yesterday, sitting in her bedroom. It might be like her, always pressed in a book, fading whilst stuck indefinitely between the boundless teeth of academia. There is always more data to record, more evidence, with which one can prove or disprove their findings.

No letter this month, though. Nothing to record, no new evidence.

It might be time to move the letters somewhere else, she thinks pensively. Maybe a place where she’s not tempted to look at them all the time; their placement in the book, small scraps of paper that stick out in only a couple of places, makes it easy to go back and reread them. She’s pretty sure she has an empty shoebox in her closet that she could move them to, in a pile rather than catalogued between pages rife with information and a fragile sort of hope. Maybe she’ll do it tonight, put it up in the far right corner of the upper shelf, shoved towards the back so she can’t reach it without the stool, so she’s not tempted whenever the next bout of heartsickness slams into her like one of Tsunade-shishou’s fists used to. She needs to go by the library after work first, to return some things, but maybe when she gets home, she’ll do it. She could eat a cupcake, too; that might make it a little easier.

She dreams of that silver sometimes, recalls it any time she sees something similar in color or reflet. There’s an extremely unique necklace in an antique shop she visits with Ino and Sai from time to time, and occasionally on her own, over on the northeast side of town. It’s a salt-and-pepper diamond, dark grey with inclusions, dainty and set in what must be a hand-fabricated setting. It hangs from a silver chain, towards the back of a display case filled with other vintage and distinctive pieces, but it’s the only one she ever finds herself drawn to. It is so similar to his right eye, dark smoke near black, speckled with beguiling silver startling in its clarity. The bevel cut reveals new flecks dependent on the angle at which you view it.

Sakura studies it closely on each visit, because it is so hauntingly breathtaking and it reminds her of him.

Ino has said it’s not her color, and that she should stick to warm tones and gold, for which she is better suited; Sakura has not confessed to her why it catches her eye so much. Sai has agreed with his girlfriend on the coloring note, sensitive as he is to such things, but the way he studies her every time she tears herself away from it makes her suspect he knows exactly why it captivates her so. It’s been sitting there for years at this point; she has to mentally talk herself out of buying it on each visit. It’s beautiful, but she would spend far too much time gawking at it, and it might hurt more with extended study than the gentle tugging at her heart she experiences when she’s in that old building throughout tiny fragments of lackadaisical afternoons.

Sasuke has been gone for a long time. She hopes he's finding the peace he's been seeking, that he's seeing the world with new eyes just as he'd imagined. She thinks of him every day, sends out little orisons like petals in the breeze in the hopes that they’ll find him, wherever he is.

I wonder where he is now.

Try as she does to enjoy the breath of spring Konoha is right now, and her namesake as Ino said, all she can seem to do is shift her vision to the sky, hoping against hope for a glimpse of a familiar bird-of-prey that will stay an ample amount of time for her to craft a response, before it abvolates away for another month.

Sakura smiles, then, close to laughing at the absurdity of it all, because she is so predictable. She loves this village despite its many flaws and challenges, despite the things about it she and Naruto and Kakashi-sensei and Ino and even Tsunade-shishou, off in the Land of Wind, are trying to change, but even after so many years, she’s still pining for something beyond it, something in the wilds of the sky just beyond her reach.

There’s always next year, she supposes, pupils drawn again towards the outstretched branches of the cherry blossom tree on the hill, before trailing her eyes along further. She can grow a little more to try to reach him. When she was little, she had wanted to grow tall so she could try to touch a star, like the branches of the tree in her backyard did when she and her father laid beneath them on balmy summer nights. He would tell her ridiculous stories about all of the constellations, things she knew had to be untrue, even at the ripe age of five. Precocious, he’d always called her, but in the loving, joking manner he had.

Her gaze follows the horizon, leisurely taking in the rest of her home. It really is a lovely day, despite her yearning. Spring is here again, and today's is a gentle sunset, one last little bit of sunlight with which to conclude March. The temperature is already spiking, unusually warm for early spring, but summers in the Land of Fire are always hot. She really should finish her paperwork, but it’s hard to find the motivation just yet.

Something possesses her, then, to turn her neck more, take in more of the skyline's continuation. She wants to see all of it.

And then Sakura’s eyes fall on an achingly familiar figure cloaked all in black, perched only a roof away and observing her, and she thinks she must have nodded off, because she has to be dreaming.

She subtly pinches herself in the millisecond of time that follows, but she is very much awake.

The words are blooming out of her throat before she can even process what’s happening, exultation sinking into her every vein. “Sasuke-kun!” She moves to crank her window open the rest of the way, and he hops from the neighboring roof down into her office, all nimble legerity that she still thinks has to be a mere mirage conjured from her memories. When he straightens to his full height, she muses that he has to have grown taller. The mere sound of his footsteps on the tile flooring, as familiar a refrain to her as if he’d just walked out of the village yesterday, are a treasure beyond price.

“Sakura.” His voice is a rich timbre that she has desperately felt the absence of; hearing him say her name almost makes her want to cry. She smiles wider instead, to the extent that it almost hurts, and her gaze latches hungrily onto the very eye she was just daydreaming about. A storm of soot and silver, beveled into countless fragments like some kind of dark, rustic diamond, and so staggeringly beautiful that she’s pretty sure she’s blushing just from beholding it. Gods, it's not fair for someone to be so handsome.

“When did you get back?” She asks, utterly overcome with joy. This is better than a letter or any birthday gift she could have received, brighter than any star she’s beheld.

“Just now.” He’s smiling, a small and subtle upturn of lips that is so characteristic of him. Then his words hit her, and her face must be getting redder.

Just now? As in…

“I’m sorry I missed your birthday,” he adds before she can simmer on that for too long, and she has to blink in bewilderment, because that is the absolute last thing she expected him to say. Sakura wonders how much heat can creep into one’s face before they spontaneously combust.

Then she realizes she should probably respond, as humans tend to do in conversations. “Oh! Um… it’s okay.” She folds her hands in front of her shyly, grinning like an idiot. “Thank you for remembering.”

There is a lengthy moment in which she just soaks him in, hoping he can read in her eyes how much she’s missed him. He is still so beautiful, prized eyes and aristocratic angles that have solidified a bit more into the face of a man in the time that’s passed. His hair is different now, covering his Rinnegan eye. His cloak is a little more threadbare, too. He’s tall.

His expression, normally unreadable, is calm. Content, even.

There’s a question nagging at her that she knows she needs to ask. She tries not to bite her lip as she asks it, braces herself for the possibility of not liking the answer.

“Are you… just back for a little while?”

Did you find what you were searching for?

He gazes at her for so long that she thinks he may be glimpsing her soul, peeking into her ventricles to see his own words immortalized there, seared into her core to be felt each time her blood pumps.

“...For more than a while.” And she smiles the biggest she ever has. Oh, this is so much better than a letter or a gift.

“Well, welcome back, Sasuke-kun. It’s… very good to see you again.” It feels as if a piece of her heart has been returned to her, something of the divine stitched back into her chest and full to bursting in omneity.

There is a pause, and then he’s reaching his hand out towards hers, initiating physical contact with a touch that is feather light, so gentle she thinks she is going to start sobbing.

She can’t help it; she pulls him into a hug, tinged with elation. She hopes he doesn’t mind too much; he stiffens for a brief moment, but then settles, wrapping his arm around her and settling his head atop of hers, and she could die happy right there, embracing him with feelings momentarily set free from where they’ve been whelved into her chest.

He smells faintly like sage and smoked cedar, just as she remembered. She can hear his heart thumping, a strong cadence, and it grounds her. Oh, she’s missed him.

“...I’m home, Sakura.” Soft words float above her head, and she can feel the vibration of them through his chest, right by her ear.

Oh, she’s crying.

Sasuke lets her embrace him for a long time, for which she is so grateful. She knows he’s not one for physical contact; it’s a privilege to be allowed into his space even for a single second, let alone for an extended period.

She draws back eventually, glancing up at him again through the tears still collecting in her eyes. Her face blazes when he reaches to wipe them away tenderly with a calloused hand, careful and with a lenity that she’s always known was there, hidden under the surface.

She could just stare at him for hours, she thinks as he lowers his hand. He’s still looking down at her with one of the softest expressions she has ever seen him wear. She really hopes she’s not dreaming.

It’s tremendously hard to get it together, but she tries, because she doesn’t want to spend the entire time crying, not when he's finally back. There are so many questions she’d like to ask him that she’s finding it a challenge to pick one with which to lead.

He surprises her by speaking first, quietly. “I… had something made for you.”

It takes a moment for the words to compute.

Made for me?

Her processing speed must be exceptionally slow, stuck in the utter mush her insides have become, because he adds, “...For your birthday.”

Sakura blinks, and furrows her brows in confusion. “Made… for me?”

He nods. “...I’m sorry it’s late.” The way he speaks it is cryptic, like the apology weighs more than one needed for a tardy gift. Doesn’t he know she doesn’t care? He could have showed up in July with something for her, and it still would have made her knees weak and her heart thump furiously in her chest.

Made for me? She’s still stuck on that sentiment as he breaks eye contact and turns to rummage through his satchel, beneath his cloak.

Sasuke pulls out a medium-sized flat box, a simple white, and she doesn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t that. Something that comes in a box is a lot more formal than a pressed cherry blossom, something more… permanent.

She reaches out to take it on autopilot, and is stupidly distracted by the way his hand brushes against hers, a small spark that makes something in her quake. She wonders if he felt it, too.

Sakura clutches the box with both hands like her life depends on it, murmuring softly, “Thank you, Sasuke-kun.” She’ll wait until later to open it, after he’s left; whatever it is, she doesn’t want to embarrass him, and she also isn’t sure she can tear her eyes away from him just yet, anyways.

Is it just the lighting in her office, or are his ears a little flushed? She didn’t notice that before; maybe he’s had a drawn-out journey back. She wonders how much ground he covered today, if he’s still winded. He might need to rest.

But then he mumbles, voice husky with what she assumes is disuse, “...You should open it.”

His words echo in her head again. I… had something made for you.

“Okay,” she answers in a hushed voice, so she doesn’t scare him away, shifting slightly to set the box on her desk carefully. Suddenly she is very nervous, anticipation settling into her gut.

When she lifts the lid, she swears her heart ceases beating.

The most exquisitely intricate uchiwa fan she has ever laid eyes upon is placed in the box before her.

It’s carved into a likeness of a cherry blossom tree, branches twisting lissomely into bamboo framework, impossibly fine. A different set of words is reverberating in her head now.

You should try to enjoy your namesake more this year, Forehead. You're so busy that I'm not sure you've realized, but you've really grown into it.

Made for me?

“O-oh.” Sakura is not sure what she expected, but it wasn’t this. She fights back the tears, biting her lip and wide eyes soaking it all in, enjoying her namesake in a way that is entirely unprecedented in its sheer severity. The amount of time it would have taken for someone to sculpt and bind and sew is unimaginable; every detail is finely wrought, flawless down to the silk and stitching, lacquered and carved pale wood shifting effortlessly into eighty slivers of bamboo, intricately webbing silk together with the lithe grace of gossamer. It’s a cherry blossom tree, petals and all, pearlescent thread shifting slightly, gorgeously in the light, unimaginable detail. She has stitched people back together countless times over the course of years, but even her expert dexterity would look like a child’s first embroidery stitching in comparison. The stamen within the petals are nearly more detailed and finely milled than an actual, real life cherry blossom, plexure sutured in a fashion so baronial that it’s impossible to believe human hands were even responsible for it.

The silk. Oh, the silk. The color shift bears a striking resemblance to the Uchiha insignia. This is not a gift one gives to a teammate.

Oh, she's crying.

This has to be a dream, some kind of paracosm her heart thought up to give her brain the high of a lifetime. Hope burgeons and unfolds in her chest cavity, bleeding into her extremities like the pale pink shifting into red before her eyes. She’s never, ever going to forget this, not even if she lives to be one hundred years old.

Made for me?

She picks it up with disbelieving hands, grasping it more carefully than she’s ever held anything in her entire life, as if she’s going to wake up at any moment and it will dissolve into synapse, lost in the hazy juncture of morning the way one tends to lose awareness of the contents of a dream upon coming to lucidity. To her absolute bewilderment, it stays solid in her hands, a finery made even more unbelievable by touch. The grooves of the carving are as gentle as his hand had been on hers earlier. She thinks it would have had to be commissioned at least a few months in advance, outlandishly expensive. She’s never seen silk like this. She doesn't know; she's smart, but she's no artisan. Maybe she should ask Sai. She's crying.

She adores it.

Tears won’t stop welling in her eyes; she thinks they may be escaping from a tender spot inside her chest that’s been reserved for him since she was a child, a leak in a metaphorical dam. She takes a steadying breath, blinks, almost has them conquered. Get a grip, Sakura.

Then Sasuke’s hand is on hers, gently turning the handle over.

Her name is carved into the pale wood, on the back in formal calligraphy, Sakura daintier and more perfect than she could ever write it, as if it had just been uncovered in one of the inner layers rather than whittled there manually. Sasuke presses her fingers to it before loosening his grip, and in that second it feels as though his lost hand is in the wood, caressing her from split atoms in the grooves from the other side.

The tears spill over her cheeks - she admits defeat - intricacy of the entire thing blurring out of focus but still somehow burned into her retinas for all eternity.

Made for me, made for me, made for me-

Her voice finds her after a few more tears fall. “It’s beautiful.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, overwhelmed with complete and utter awe, trying desperately to choke down a sob. “Thank you, Sasuke-kun. I… I’ll treasure it. Always.” She cradles the fan closer to her chest, her heart - maybe An Introduction to Electrocardiography wasn’t a poorly-chosen book, after all; there is much to be read from something this precious - and regards him with watery eyes. She wishes she wasn’t crying; the distortion of the tears is making it hard to see the silver she’s loved and missed so much.

His hand lifts to her face after a moment, and to her surprise, he wipes away her tears again. She barely catches the something-more in his eyes, then, through the waterworks, precious metal flashing and pouring into the words scarred into her ventricles to live there forever, fortified in silver, but he is looking at her so -

“...Always,” he agrees, voice a little breathless, sparking scintilla near hypnotizing her in their luster, and he seems so happy -

Then he leans down to press his lips gently to hers, and this is better than her heart stopping, like when she opened the box. This time, her heart soars, and she touches a star she’s been dreaming of for eons.

#naruto #sasusaku #ssfanfiction #cherry writes #like silver #fanfiction #i'm really out here with just hundreds of pages of fanfiction in my google doc drafts huh

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everlarkbirthdaygifts · 4 years

Text

Happy Birthday, alepaolvi!

Apologies for the delay on your birthday gift, @alepaolvi! We hope you had a wonderful day on October 2, and got exactly the presents you were hoping for! To bring your party back around, the lovely @norbertsmom has written a story just for you!

Author’s Note: Happy belated birthday, @alepaolvi. Sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoy your arranged marriage fic with a jealous Gale. This is set in Panem au. The revolution happened a few years before it did in canon. You may notice several lines are taken directly from the book, and tweaked to fit this new timeline. Special thanks to my bestie, @mega-aulover for her help. Rated T.

A Different Kind of Reaping

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When I wake up, I reach out for Prim but find the other side of the bed is empty. Prim has her own bed now, but sometimes I forget we’re no longer in the Seam. I prop myself up on one elbow. There’s enough light in the room to see that she’s not in her bed. Of course not. She’s been so excited to help me get ready for today. I’m sure she and mother are up prepping my clothes and making breakfast.

The two of them are so alike, with their blond hair and blue eyes and perky attitude. At fourteen, Prim is fresh faced and as lovely as the primrose for which she was named. My mother is still beautiful, if not a little weary in her grief at the loss of my father. Even seven years later, his absence is still felt, especially today.

I get out of bed and pull on trousers, a shirt, and tuck my long dark braid up under a cap. I slide my stocking feet into my leather hunting boots and grab my bow and sheath of arrows along with my foraging bag.

On the table is a feast fit for celebration: eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice. All luxury items just a few years ago, before the war. Now a gift to me on my reaping day.

Reaping day is so different now. Before the revolution, reaping day was the day all district children between the ages of twelve and eighteen had their names put into a drawing. In punishment for the failed first uprising, each of the twelve districts had to provide one boy and one girl, called tributes to participate in the Hunger Games. The twenty-four tributes would be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena to fight to the death. The last standing tribute won.

“Sit down for breakfast, Katniss,” my mother says. “You’ll need your energy today.”

I set my hunting gear down and sit, loading up my plate and tuck into the meal. I want to go out into the woods one last time before the ceremony. Who knows if I’ll be able to go back out after today?

Prim plops down in the chair beside me. “Are you excited, Katniss?” she asks as she loads up her own plate.

“Um,” I hum around a mouthful of food because I really don’t know how I feel. “A little scared, I guess.”

When the revolution was won by the districts, the Hunger Games were abolished. But soon after it was discovered that the population was critically low, and at risk of extinction after all the loss during the war. The new senate that ruled the country with one representative from each district, came up with a plan to help repopulate the nation: arranged marriages.

They decided to reclaim the reaping day as a day to bring new families together. That first reaping day after the war, men and women eighteen and older were matched to form new families. I wasn’t old enough then, but I am now. I don’t know how I feel about having my future decided for me.

I think back on all of the questionnaires we had to complete in our last month of school. We also had to list the names of those we would be happy to be matched with. We weren’t allowed to leave it blank, so I wrote down the one name I secretly wish for, but I’m sure I won’t get.

I may not even be matched this year. Not everyone is matched in their first year, so they have to go through it again the next year. Special deferment was granted for those who fought in the war to put off their reaping a year or two.

“Leave your sister alone, Primrose. She has a big day ahead of her,” mother says as she joins us at the table. She pours herself a large mug of coffee and cups it with both hands, holding it under her nose to breathe it in. She closes her eyes before taking a sip.

I’m the first to finish and get up to leave. “Thanks for breakfast,” I tell them as I grab my gear and head toward the door. I’m in a hurry. My old hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne is back in the district today. I haven’t seen him since he went away to fight in the rebellion. After the fighting was over, he stayed in the military and moved to district three so he could study under the victor Beetee Latier.

“Don’t forget your cheese,” Prim says as she gets up from the table and hands me a perfect little goat cheese wrapped in basil leaves. It’s been a tradition since she started making goat cheese to give them as gifts on special occasions.

“Thank you,” I tell her with a hug as I pocket the cheese.

“Don’t stay out too long, Katniss,” mother says. “You need to report to the Justice Building by one thirty. We need time to get you ready.”

“I won’t,” I tell her as I slip outside.

Our part of District 12 is the merchant quarter. My mother and Prim run the apothecary, but we didn’t always live here. I grew up in the part of the district nicknamed the Seam, where the miners live. The apothecary had been vacant since my grandparents died when the mayor’s mansion was bombed at the start of the revolution. After the war, my mother applied for and was granted permission to take it over.

As I’m skipping down the back steps, I look over to the bakery next door. Peeta Mellark is walking toward the trash bin with a bag in his hand. He looks up at the sound of our door closing. “Hey Katniss,” he says with that contagious smile of his. “Heading out to the woods, I see.” He nods to my hunting gear after placing the bag in the bin.

“Yep,” I tell him with a smile of my own. “Gotta catch dinner for tonight.”

“Ooh. Wild game, that’s one advantage you have over the other girls in the reaping today,” he says, crossing his arms as he leans against the small fence that divides his yard from mine.

“Whatever you say, Mellark,” I tell him, shaking my head. He’s always teasing me about how different I am from the other girls who live in town. Not because I’m from the Seam, but like I’m some unique creature he’d never encountered before.

As I walk down the path I wonder who Peeta will be matched with. He’s such a kind person. He was the only person to help me and my family after my father died. He gave me bread that helped us survive and gave me hope to go on. I’m sure he’ll have no problems finding a match today. Lots of girls will be hoping to be the next baker’s wife. Peeta lost his mom at the start of the war. She was one of those lost in the bombing of the mayor’s mansion.

Even though there’s an entrance to the wood close to home, I make my way through town toward the Seam to the entrance by my old house. It makes me feel closer to my father. That’s where he would take me into the woods when I was a child.

The streets of the Seam are empty today. Usually, the workers would be out heading to their morning shift at the mines or the medicine factory, but the ceremony isn’t until two. Might as well sleep in if you can.

Our old house was almost at the edge of the Seam. I only have to pass a few gates past it to reach the scruffy field we call the Meadow. The barbed wire loops that used to top the high chain-linked fence that separates the Meadow from the woods are gone. The fence remains to keep the wild animals out of the district, but gates have been installed at several locations around the perimeter to allow citizens access to the woods.

As soon as I’m in the trees, I look around for signs of a threat, like packs of wild dogs, bears, venomous snakes, or rabid animals. Inside the woods they roam freely, but there’s also food if you know how to find it. My father knew and he taught me some before he was blown to bits in a mine explosion. There was nothing even to bury. I was eleven then. Seven years later I sometimes still wake up screaming for him. But since Dr. Sidney, the head doctor, came to the district after the war, I’ve learned how to deal with my grief. My nightmares aren’t as frequent. Dr. Sidney helped my mother as well. She no longer lies in bed staring at the walls.

Before the war, trespassing in the woods was illegal, and poaching carried the severest of penalties, but the woods belong to us now, the citizens of District 12. Still, most people aren’t bold enough to venture out unarmed. My bow is a rarity, crafted by my father along with a few others that I keep well hidden in the woods, carefully wrapped in waterproof covers. If my father was still alive, he could have made good money selling them, but before the rebellion, if the officials found him selling weapons, he would have been publicly executed for sedition. Which is kind of ironic since the mine explosion that killed him was one of the catalysts for the rebellion.

We were never prosecuted for poaching back then because most of the Peacekeepers had turned a blind eye to the few of us who hunted. They were as hungry for fresh meat as anybody. Now we get food shipped in from other districts regularly, and I can sell my game openly to the other merchants at their back doors, and at my booth in the open-air market called the Hob.

In the woods waits my hunting partner Gale. I feel myself relaxing and quicken my pace when I think about seeing him again. I only got a quick chat with him yesterday when he arrived, mobbed by his family. He asked if we could meet up to hunt this morning like old times. I climb the hills to our rock ledge overlooking the valley. A thicket of berry bushes keeps it hidden. The sight of him brings on a smile. We used to be the best of friends before he went away.

He looks different than I remember. Not just older; he stands different, ridged and yet alert as if he is waiting for an attack from a wild lone wolf. He’s wearing gray uniform pants, and a faded black shirt. His eyes are sharper; they scan the area, before settling on mine.

“Hey Catnip,” says Gale. He knows my real name, but I had whispered it when we first met so he thought I said catnip. It stuck as a nickname even after all this time.

“Look what I shot,” Gale says as he holds up a loaf of bread with an arrow stuck in it. I let out an uncomfortable laugh. It’s fine bakery bread, the kind used during a toasting ceremony.

I’m not sure if he’s trying to impress me with what he can buy with his fancy new job, so I take the bread in my hands. I pull the arrow out and hold the puncture in the crust to my nose, inhaling the fragrance that reminds me of the blond haired, blue eyed son of the baker.

“Mm, still warm.” He must have been at the bakery at the crack of dawn to buy it. “Prim gave us cheese,” I tell him quickly as I pull it out of my pocket.

“Thank you, Prim,” Gale says as he pulls out a shiny knife from a sheath on his hip. I watch as he slices the bread. He could be my brother, same straight black hair, although his is cut short in a military style, same olive complexion, we even have the same gray eyes. We’re not related, at least not closely. Most of the families in the Seam resemble one another this way.

That’s why my mother and Prim, with their light hair and blue eyes used to look out of place when we lived in the Seam. They were. My mother’s parents were merchants. They ran the apothecary. That’s why she got it after the war. Now I’m the one out of place. I have the look of the Seam, but I live in town.

My father got to know my mother because he would collect medicinal herbs and sell them to her shop. She really loved him to leave her home for the Seam. Back then, the homes in the Seam were nothing more than shacks really. We had to boil water from the spigot in the yard if we wanted it hot. After the war, all of the squat gray houses in the Seam were replaced with new homes that are well insulated with running hot and cold water and reliable electricity.

Gale spreads the bread slices with the soft goat cheese, carefully placing a basil leaf on each slice while I strip the bushes of their berries. We settle back in the nook in our rock. I don’t eat much, since I already had breakfast, but it’s a nice treat. Everything would be perfect if all this day off meant was roaming the woods with Gale for a casual family dinner tonight, catching up on how our lives have changed since the war ended, but instead it feels awkward, like I’m here with a stranger instead of my old friend Gale.

“What’s it like in District 3?” I ask quietly to break the awkward silence between us. It was never like this before. He would rant about the unfair treatment the citizens endured, and how we should rise up against them. But now that the revolution is over and won, we don’t really have much to say.

“It’s alright, but I’ll be moving to District 2 after the ceremony. You’ll love it there. Mountains bigger than these. Lots of woods to hunt in.”

“Why would I want to go to District 2?” I ask. The idea is preposterous. I can’t leave my sister. Before the war, the fantasy was to run off, and live in the woods, but this conversation feels all wrong now. There’s never been anything romantic between Gale and me. When we met, I was a skinny twelve-year-old, and although he was only two years older, he already looked like a man. It took a long time for us to even become friends, to stop haggling over every trade. Then he went off to war and moved to District 3 as a hero. His hero status gave him the option to postpone his reaping until this year.

Gale’s good looking, strong from his time as a soldier, and he has a good job in another district. He will be a desirable match at the reaping today. I don’t know why he would want me.

“Forget it,” he snaps.

I let out a breath and ask, “What do you want to do, hunt, fish, or gather?”

“Let’s fish at the lake,” he says. “We can leave our poles and gather in the woods. Get something nice for tonight’s betrothal meal.”

Tonight, after the reaping, everyone is supposed to celebrate, but I’ll be betrothed. I’ll be spending time with my intended. He and his family will come to my house so we can get to know one another. Does Gale hope it will be him?

We fall into the comfortable silence I remember from hunting with him before he left. By late morning, we have a dozen fish, a bag of greens, and best of all, a gallon of strawberries.

On the way home, we swing by the Hob and trade half the fish and greens for fresh vegetables. Greasy Sae gives us a nod as we walk by. Even with the beef and chicken coming in from other districts, her wild game soup that she calls beef is always a hit. The customers around her booth are talking away about today’s reaping.

When we finish at the Hob, we go to the back of the mayor’s home to sell half of the strawberries. The mayor lives in a modest house not unlike the others in the district. After the war, the residents of the district realized that the old mayor’s mansion was just another tool the Capitol used to keep us in the district divided. The poor people of the Seam resented the wealth the mayor and the merchants had. So when the mayor’s home was rebuilt, he had it built the same as all the others.

The mayor’s daughter Madge answers the door. She was in my year at school, and my closest friend since Gale left. Her everyday outfit has been replaced by an expensive white dress, and her blonde hair is done up with a pink ribbon. Clothes fitting for the betrothal reaping.

“Pretty dress,” says Gale.

Madge shoots him a look, trying to see if it’s a genuine compliment. He used to antagonize her when we were younger, but now that he’s been gone for a few years it’s hard to tell. She presses her lips together and smiles. “Well I have to look nice for my reaping today, don’t I?”

“I’m sure you’ll have the match you want,” Gale says with a scoff.

Madge’s face has become closed off. She puts the money for the strawberries in my hand. “Good luck, Katniss.”

“You too,” I say, and the door closes.

I turn to Gale, “What did you mean by that?”

“Her father’s the mayor. People in power can influence the outcome of the reaping,” Gale says.

Madge’s father isn’t just the mayor. He was quite influential during the war. He was able to convince the residents of District 12 to join the revolution by bringing in Annie Cresta. Then he became our district’s liaison with the rest of the rebels.

Annie Cresta was the last Victor of the Hunger Games,and the spark that started the rebellion. She won the summer after my father died in the mining explosion. During her interview, after winning her games, she started screaming about her father and brother who were lost at sea with a whole ship full of fishermen just before her games. The Capitol played it off as her going mad. But during her victory tour she was more subdued, she would compare her district’s loss to the loss each district had suffered from a tragedy that same year.

The rumors started that perhaps the mine explosion that killed my father wasn’t an accident, but a sabotage to take out the rebel miners who had been planning an uprising. While in District 11, she talked about the silo collapse, in District 10 the stampede, and so on until she had rallied half the country behind her. Before her tour reached the Capitol, District 13 re-emerged from the ashes to sweep her off to be the face of the rebellion.

District 12 was one of the last districts still neutral to the rebellion even though the mayor tried to get our residents involved. He asked Annie Cresta to come back, to rally us to join the cause. Most of our Peacekeepers were recalled to the Capitol to fight off the uprisings in other districts. Those who stayed behind were sympathetic to the districts’ plight. The residents of District 12 wanted to wait out the war. If we didn’t join in, nothing would happen to us.

After the rally, while most of the residents of the district were at home debating why we should join the rebellion, the mayor hosted a dinner for Annie with the most influential Merchants and Seam residents. After the dinner was over, the mayor, his daughter Madge and a few others were seeing Annie off to her hovercraft back to District 13 when the mayor’s mansion was bombed by the Capitol. All those still inside were killed, including the mayor’s wife, his staff, my grandparents and many others.

The rally that day, along with the bombing that took out the mayor’s mansion, is what finally convinced the residents of District 12 to join the rebellion. We couldn’t stay neutral. The war came to us. Gale, among others old enough, went off to fight in the war. Not everyone came home. The baker’s oldest son died. Gale stayed in the military.

As we walk back toward my house, I glance over at Gale, still wondering why he came home this year. He could have participated in the reaping in his new district. I hope he didn’t come back here for me.

Gale and I arrive at the divide between the Seam and town and split up our spoils.

“See you in the square,” I say.

“Wear something pretty,” he says flatly as he walks towards his mother’s house in the Seam.

When I get home, Peeta is in the yard next door, feeding the pigs. “Hey, Katniss,” he says. “Good day hunting?”

“Yep, got some fish and greens for tonight,” I tell him.

“I’ve got a few recipes you can try out on your new family if you want?”

“Sure, that last one with the nuts was nice.” Curious I get closer. “So are you ready?”

He stops feeding the pigs. “I’m nervous,” he confesses.

“Nervous?” Peeta has nothing to be nervous about. He’s good like my sister Prim. Any of the women today would be lucky to have him.

“Well, what if the girl they pick for me doesn’t erm,” his face turned pink. “Well, like me.”

What he is saying is impossible.

“My parents didn’t have the best marriage, you know.”

I nod. I can see why he would be anxious. His parents did not get along; they hated each other but miraculously, had three boys.

I wish I had the words to be able to tell him that he had nothing to worry about. But nothing comes.

"Listen, I'll see you at the reaping. I've got to get ready. Don't want to scare my bride away by smelling like a pig pen."

I shake my head and laugh. When I go inside my mother sets aside her knitting and jumps up from her chair. “There you are,” she says as she helps me remove my hunting gear. She hands my bag to Prim and ushers me into the bathroom. “Get yourself a shower. You need to start getting ready.”

I scrub off the dirt and sweat from the woods and wash my hair. When I’m done I find my favorite dress from my mother’s collection laid out on my bed. A soft orange, with white lace insets near the collar, and a tie at the waist. “Are you sure?” I ask.

“Of course. I’ll fix your hair,” she says.

After I’m dressed, I sit at the vanity as she towel dries my hair and I watch as she braids it up into a crown on top of my head. I hardly recognize myself in the mirror.

“You look beautiful,” says Prim in a hushed voice.

“And nothing like myself,” I say as I hug her. Things are going to be so different after the reaping today.

Prim and mother get dressed. We have a quick lunch and then it’s time to go to the Justice Building to check in.

As we head toward the square, we are joined by others headed that way. Attendance is not mandatory like it was for the Hunger Games reapings, but most people show up anyway.

Mother and Prim hug me goodbye when I go into the Justice Building. After checking in, I’m ushered into the women’s waiting room. I find Madge and join her at the refreshment table.

At precisely 1:45, our escort, Effie Trinket, comes into the room. Miss Trinket was on track to be an escort for the Hunger Games, but she was actually a rebel working inside the system to help bring it down. After the revolution she became our escort for the betrothal reaping. Her bright pink clothes and makeup, while much more flamboyant than what those of us in the district would wear, is nowhere near as garish as the makeup and outfits worn by our last Hunger Games escort.

“Ladies, it’s time to follow me out onto the stage,” Effie says and we all line up to follow her out.

As we go out onto the stage, a cheer begins to rise from the crowd gathered in front of the Justice Building. Effie escorts us to the several rows of seats arranged on the left side of the stage. Madge and I sit next to each other.

Once we are all seated, Effie goes back into the building, but comes out a few minutes later followed by the group of men for the reaping. She escorts them to the seats on the right side of the stage. They are all wearing their best suits. Peeta gives me a wave before he sits in the second row. Gale sits in the front row in his military uniform.

At precisely 2 o’clock, Mayor Undersee steps up to the podium and begins his speech. He talks about the history of Panem: the dark days, the first failed rebellion, the 70 years of the Hunger Games, and then the revolution that freed Panem. He talks about how we have to rebuild Panem, the population lost from the Games and the war. Which brings us to today, the Betrothal Reaping. He then introduces Effie Trinket.

“Welcome, welcome,” Effie says. “It’s such an honor to be here, to help bring together the families who will be the future of our country.” She goes on to explain how the selections are not random. The answers we gave in the surveys taken during school, as well as our DNA were used to determine the matches. “Now, onto the pairings!” she says, and with a flair of her hand pulled out a stack of envelopes.

She plucks the first envelope from the stack and calls out, “Delly Cartwright!”

Delly jumps up from her seat, and quickly walks up to stand next to Effie. Delly is practically vibrating in anticipation. I wish I could be that excited. I just hope I get someone I can stand.

“And your match is,” Effie pauses dramatically, “Thom Davison!”

Thom, one of Gale’s old classmates who didn’t get matched in his previous two reapings, looks around bewildered. He gets a nudge from the person sitting next to him before he gets up and walks up to the podium to formally meet Delly.

Delly and Thom are ushered to the back of the stage where they stand next to each other whispering, with big smiles on their faces. I guess that means they are happy with that match.

“Very good,” says Effie. “Our next match is the mayor’s daughter, Madge Undersee.”

I squeeze Madge’s hand and she stands and gracefully walks up to stand next to Effie Trinket.

“And your match is… the local hero, Gale Hawthorne!” Effie exclaims. A quiet murmur goes through the crowd. That pairing was unexpected. I think everyone expected me to be paired with Gale, but I know it would have never worked out, we’re too alike.

Gale doesn’t look very happy at his selection, but stands and walks up to meet Madge. They stiffly shake hands, then walk back to stand next to Delly and Thom. It’s quite the contrast between the two pairs.

“Wonderful!” Effie says with a little too much enthusiasm. “Next up we have, Katniss Everdeen.”

I stand up slowly, then stiffly walk to stand next to the podium.

“And your partner is… Peeta Mellark,” Effie calls out.

My eyes go wide as I think, Oh, it’s him, my neighbor, my friend. The boy, no man, I correct myself, who saved my life and gave me hope. The man who reminded me that I was not doomed. The man who’s name I wrote on my questionnaire. I feel a smile come across my face as I watch Peeta get up and walk toward me. The smile on his face matches mine.

When he reaches me we stand and stare at each other for a moment before Effie Trinket clears her throat. “Go ahead, shake hands,” she urges. Peeta's large warm hand engulfs mine, and he gives me a reassuring squeeze. “Go ahead,” she tells us, nudging us toward the back of the stage.

When I drop Peeta’s hand, I feel the loss of warmth immediately, but I feel his hand at the small of my back as he escorts me to join the others. “Told ya I’d see you at the reaping,” Peeta whispers in my ear, and I can’t help but laugh. After that, I’m in a bit of a daze and miss most of the remaining matches.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Effie dismisses the few remaining people who didn’t get paired up and calls the matched pairs to the front of the stage. Delly and Thom lead the way, arm in arm. Madge and Gale walk stiffly side by side. Peeta takes my hand and leads me toward the front of the stage, and the couples behind us follow suit. When we are all lined up, Effie calls out, “District 12, I give you your new couples. Please join us in the reception hall for family introductions.”

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

That’s the end of part 1. This will continue as a work in progress.

A few notes: Dr. Sidney is named after Dr. Sidney Freedman from the final episode of the TV show M*A*S*H. He helped the main character work through his PTSD. Thom Davison is named for Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame, who seemed like such a sweet man. The character Thom in canon is only mentioned a few times, but he is such a great guy. Gale’s friend who helps carry him back after the reaping, and then after the war Thom comes back and takes on the task of clearing away the debris so the district can rebuild.

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #everlarkbirthdaydrabbles #everlarkbirthdaygifts #fan fic #by norbertsmom

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munofsilver · 4 years

Text

Stuck In Between Chapter 7

Summary: Today is Gaara's birthday and on this day Gaara always does the same thing. This birthday is different because Lee is with him and Gaara likes the idea of having Lee so close. Read on Ao3. Couple: GaaLee Trigger Warning: None.

Late in the evening, Lee wakes up while Gaara is still sleeping. As careful as he can, Lee slips out from under the maximum fluffy tail and exits the cave. He returns a couple of hours later. Gaara is still asleep as Lee creeps in and slides back under the tanuki’s huge tail. It’s not long until the sneaky humans fall back asleep with a gleaming smile. The same smile that is still on his face in the morning.

“Based on the look on your face, you must like my tail. Why?”

Gaara’s words woke Lee up. Once again, he was hugging Gaara’s tail. Unlike last time Lee was also petting it and playing with the tip. Lee only tightens the hug as he nuzzles the tail. He turns up the smile a bit.

“How could I not like something so fluffy and cute?”

Gaara feels the heat on his cheeks. “D….did Lee call me c….cute?” That question repeated in Gaara’s mind all through him making breakfast. Lee did insist on him making it, but Gaara told Lee that it wasn’t his turn. Lee decided to make some tea instead. He would make coffee, but he doesn’t like it and doesn’t know if Gaara does or if there are any beans for coffee. Lee remembers the smell of fresh coffee in the morning. His father loves to start the day with black coffee. Same with some of his students through a few did like to add sugar or milk.

When Gaara places a plate in front of Lee, he comes back to the cave filled with the smell of cooked fish, rice, and blueberries. Wait a minute, when did they get rice? Can Gaara transform leaves into food? Lee chooses not to question it anymore and digs in. The rice has a buttery, salty taste to it, with no butter or salt on it. The fish is not like the ones Lee caught in the lake outside. The fish is a large tuna. Lee has blueberries but looking at Gaara’s plate; there are strawberries instead.

Once again, Lee falls back into another memory of his father, like how after his students leave for the day, if it’s the right time of year and the weather is fair, they would go out into the forest to pick all the berries in the area. Gai would share the berries with Lee and his students. During breakfast, Lee enjoys the sweet taste of the berries. Like always, Lee likes to talk during meals and most times. This morning’s topic is birthdays.

“Is this meal some yokai birthday tradition? Where did all this food come from?” Lee asked between the berries he pops in his mouth.

“You can get all kinds of human food in the yokai world. My sister would bring me some exotic foods from there every morning on my birthday. Then she would stay and visit until noon. Now that she’s with child, my brother dropped off the food and left. He doesn’t like the human world. Clams it’s too loud, even though he is loud himself,” Gaara takes a huge bite out of the tuna.

Lee noticed while looking at Gaara’s half-eaten fish that there are no bones. Lee shrugs; it must be a yokai thing.

“Are there any yokai birthday traditions?” Lee finished eating and enjoying what’s left of his tea.

“Yokai’s don’t have birthdays. Since they are immortal, it’s for the best they don’t celebrate it. Since I’m half, I guess my siblings think I should,” Gaara shrugs, “Since we have no idea what humans do for birthdays, my siblings and I just make up our own traditions.”

“There isn’t a set birthday tradition with humans but giving gifts and cake,” Lee educated Gaara, “Some humans like to have a party, and some just like to lay low and have dinner with a few close friends and family members.” Lee’s smile is beaming once again.

Gaara doesn’t return the smile; he gathers up the dirty dishes and transforms them back into leaves. Instead of the usual box, Gaara leaves them on the table. He looks outside. The rain has lightened, but it’s still pouring out. A clunking sound draws Gaara’s attention to Lee. In front of Gaara on the table is a box wrapped up in some cloth-like material. Gaara pokes at it, that is cloth from some clothing. Gaara looks Lee up and down. It’s not from the clothes Lee’s wearing. It has to be from the old ones Lee was wearing when he entered the cave.

Gaara stares at the box and pokes it again. He looks up at Lee, full of confusion. Lee, still smiling, only lets out a big laugh. He slides the box closer to Gaara. The tanuki taps it a few more times.

“Happy birthday Gaara! It’s a gift,” Lee cheers.

Gaara picks up the box; he knows what gifts are. No one has ever given him one. His siblings do bring him things, but they are never wrapped, same with Matsuri. Shukaku likes to share a drink with Gaara, but he never gives him anything but advice. Gaara slowly unwraps the box. The box itself is made of sticks and more cloth. Gaara opens the box without breaking it the best he can. With claws, it’s hard, and some of the cloth did rip.

Inside the box is something Gaara has never seen before made out of bone. It’s small and has some design carved into it. Gaara does think it looks quite lovely but unsure of what it is.

“It’s a comb for your hair,” Gaara looks into Lee’s eyes as the human continues to speak, “I notice you have a brush for your tail but not the hair on your head. I made you a comb. At first, I was going to use some bark from a tree until I saw the remains of a deer. I think it was from a recent predator kill. I had to clean the bone before I could carve it.”

Lee isn’t going to tell him that he had some help with the carving. He wasn’t expecting to run into another yokai while out. The human doesn’t know the yokai, but it did know about Gaara claiming to be a friend. Since Lee only saw the yokai in human form, he’s unsure what kind of yokai he was. Lee knew he wasn’t human when his hands turned into sharp claws to help Lee make the comb’s shape.

Gaara was unsure what to say. He never thought of brushing his hair before. Shukaku did try once when he was younger, but since Gaara refused to stay still, the older tanuki gave up. Gaara decides to try the comb out. Slowly he brushes his messy, curly, frizzy hair, full of snarls. It took a while, but Gaara finally got all the snarls out. His hair is still spiky but now less messy. Still a bit frizzy, though.

“How does it look?” Gaara asked, putting the comb on the table.

Lee had to hide his blush; he was thinking how cute Gaara looks but didn’t want to tell him that.

“You look very handsome.”

“We should get ready to leave,” Gaara stands up and hurries off, so Lee can’t see his blush.

Soon Gaara returns wearing black priest robes like the ones Matsuri made for Lee yesterday. Now he knows what Gaara meant by getting ready. Lee rushes off to change as well. Gaara is waiting for him holding two umbrellas. One is held out towards Lee for him to take, which he does. The rain has lightened up, so they can at least see where they are going.

“Follow me and stay close,” Gaara tells Lee as he opens his umbrella.

Lee opens his and stays close to Gaara; he’s tempted to hold onto his tail for safety. Holding hands would be better, so Lee quickened his pace to walk besides Gaara and grabbed the tanuki’s clawed hand. Gaara stares at Lee, and the human only smiles in return. Gaara leads Lee while holding hands to a small clearing in the woods hidden by some bushes and a tall willow tree. One that Gaara asked the forest spirited to make.

Behind the tree is a small rock in the shape of a gourd with a bar above it. Moving closer Lee can see there is writing on it; sadly, he can’t read it. This stone has the same writing as the scroll Gaara used yesterday. Gaara stops in front of the carved rock with Lee still at his side. Gaara places his free hand on top of the stone.

“This is my mother’s grave. It reads, “Beloved sister, wife, and mother, Karura.”

Lee looks at the grave. Now he knows Gaara’s mother’s name. Sadly it doesn’t ring any bells. He would be surprised if it did since she died 98 years ago. If he knew the village’s name she’s from, then maybe Lee can see if he can get more info on her for Gaara.

“She’s not buried here. When a human dies in the yokai world, they have no afterlife. They fade away from body and soul. No one knows where they go,” Gaara kneels in front of the grave.

Lee decides to do what Gaara does. He doesn’t want to bother the birthday boy by asking a ton of questions. Kneeling beside him, making sure his tail was not in the way. Gaara’s tail is wrapped around his legs; Gaara did that so Lee can be next to him. Gaara is holding a box; Lee doesn’t remember seeing Gaara holding a box on the way here.

Gaara’s hands is a colored box of blue, silver, and white. Lee can tell that it’s painted. He’s not sure what the box is made of, but he does remember seeing somethings in the palace made with the same material. He does know that the lock is made out of gold.

Gaara speaks in a language that Lee doesn’t understand. Lee was about to say something when Gaara’s ears twitched, and there was some rustling noise behind them. Gaara doesn’t move; he puts the box back in his pocket. Lee, on the other hand, stands up and turns around his hand on his knife.

“Hello, Shukaku. Glad you could join us today,” Gaara says, staring at the grave.

“Guess again, little bro.”

Gaara’s eyes widen from shock as he slowly raises to his feet, “Kankuro, what are you doing here?” Gaara asked, turning around to face his older brother.

Lee sees another yokai; this time, he isn’t in his human form. He looks like a human shadow, but with yellow orbs for eyes and odd purple markings on what seems to be his face. When he talks, nothing moves, but Lee can see an outline of a smile and bright white teeth when the smile opens. When he moves, he looks like a puppet, with the moving parts turning into a lighter shade of grey until they fade away, not returning until the yokai stops moving, which Lee finds creepy.

Kankuro shuffles over towards Gaara. Each movement makes Lee want to back away from the shadow thing. Kankuro wraps an arm around Gaara’s shoulders and pulls him close.

“It seems your human friend here finds my real from disturbing,” he laughs, “You’re a lucky kid. No human has ever seen me before.”

Gaara takes Kanuro’s arm off him and gives Lee a black shell with a hole on the left side. Lee takes the shell in confusion, starting at the shell Lee gets it. He holds it up to his eye, and when he looks at Kankuro, he looks like a normal human, only naked. Lee makes sure not to look down. Good thing Gaara looks the same through the shell.

“Shukaku gave me the box,” Gaara broke the awkward silence.

“Cool. Did you open it yet?” Kankuro walks towards the grave.

Gaara walks next to him with Lee on the other side of Gaara. He is taking out the box once again as he sits on his knees. The other two join him.

“I was about to when you came. Did it belong to my mother?” there is a nervous yet hopeful tune in Gaara’s voice.

Kankuro laughs, “She painted the box herself. Keep it close to her. That box or whatever is inside was very important to her.”

Gaara puts the box away; he continues to pays his respects to his mother in prayer. Kankuro and Lee join him. All three leave the area; everyone is quiet as they walk back to the cave. Gaara will admit it was nice that his brother joined. Temari did a few times, she never brought Shikamaru with her, even after they got married. Thinking about that makes Gaara wonder if she would bring her child with her next year if she comes.

Kankuro left as soon as they returned. While Lee was making dinner, Gaara sat at the table, staring at his mother’s box and wondering if he should even open it. Part of him wants to since he knows very little about her. Lee noticed Gaara was playing with his tail again. By now, he knows what that means; his friend needs him. The pork that was brought over this morning will take some time to cook anyway. Lee will keep his eye on the rice and other food cooking.

“What are your plans for the box?”

Lee’s voice brought Gaara’s head up as he let go of his tail. The birthday tanuki boy taps the box a few times with his claw.

“To be honest, I’m not sure. I want to see what’s inside, but I’m not sure if I should,” he whispers with a low sigh.

“Don’t you want to know what your mother kept inside?” Lee asked calmly.

“You heard my brother. Whatever is inside was important to her. There is a reason she keeps whatever it is in this box,” Gaara glares at the box like it’s about to attack.

“Think of it this way. Knowing what’s in the box can help you find out more about your mother. Knowing what’s important to her can tell you a lot about her. I have a feeling you don’t know much about your mother,” Lee coos as he places his hand on Gaara’s shoulder.

“I know nothing about her, but what I was told by my sibling and a few things from Shukaku,” Gaara still whispering.

“If you want, I can leave,” Lee stands up.

Gaara grabs Lee’s arm causing the human to stop mid stand and to sit back down.

Releasing his arm, Gaara returns his hand on the box. He uses his claw to unlock it and opens it slowly. Inside is a leather book and a pen. There is a bookmark in the book towards the end of the book. Only a few pages left; if she’s reading this book, she’s almost done and never got to know how it ends. That thought saddened Gaara as he opened the book. Looking at the first page, it’s handwritten. Every page is indeed handwritten. In between the last page and the back cover is a photo.

It shows two humans, a male, and a female, posing. The female is sitting on a chair with her hands folded on her knees, while the male is standing next to her with a hand on her shoulder. On the bottom in black ink are words, “My brother Yashamaru, age 16. Me, age 20.”

Tears form in Gaara’s eyes. He has never seen a picture of his mother before. He never knew she had a brother. Holding back his tears, he looks at the book; the handwriting is the same as the picture.

“My mother wrote in this book,” Gaara whispers in a raspy voice.

Glancing at the words, Gaara and Lee both guess it was a diary. Turning a few pages, there are also some drawings she did. Gaara slams the book shut and puts it back in the box. Then he hands the box to Lee.

“Take this with you and go into the room. Someone wants to pass through,” Gaara states as he stands and opens the way for Lee.

The human holds on to the box tightly and dashes into the room, and waits until he’s able to return. Wiping the few fallen tears, Gaara opens the portal, and a familiar yokai enters the room. He looks down at Gaara with his big dark eyes with yellow pupils. His eyes are narrow, and his fangs are showing. This yokai is mad, and his anger is aimed at Gaara. The young tanuki simply looks up.

“Hello, father. What brings you here?”

#gaalee #LeeGaa #Gaara #Rock Lee #Kankuro #naruto fanfic #Birthday #Yokai

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insfiringyou · 4 years

Text

BTS - Home Again (J-Hope x Nana)

Hoseok and Nana spend an evening together following his discharge from the military, reflecting on the events a week prior at a group dinner and on their love for one another.

This fic is set about a week later after ‘A Reunion’, where Jeong-Sun (Suga’s girlfriend) is introduced to the whole group for the first time. There are mentions of events relevant to the fic that may not make sense if you haven’t read it. Mentions also of Young-Soon, Min-Seo and Jeong-Sun within.

Contains: Fluff and brief mentions of sex.

You can find out more about our headcanon universe and ongoing storyline here and more about our headcanon girlfriends here.

To read each member & their girlfriend’s headcanon universe fics in order, follow the links here: RM / Jin / Suga / J-Hope / Jimin / V / Jungkook & our full masterlist can be found here

Content below the cut

Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Hoseok turned the key and silenced the engine. Despite her insistence that she would only be a few minutes, it had been several, and he wondered what kind of errand his girlfriend had suddenly had to do in this part of town. He had thought at first that she had mixed up her class’ assignments, before remembering that her bag was sat in the backseat and had been noticeably lighter than usual. She had asked him to come up to the third floor without explanation; his worry vanishing at once when Nana’s distinct, squeaky laugh echoed from down the hall along with one that was soft and familiar.

“Hi, Hoseok.” Young-Soon regarded him warmly as he approached, her bare face glowing with amusement. Her dark hair was tied in a messy braid over one shoulder, and she clutched her loose cardigan to her waist. She had clearly been enjoying a day off, looking vastly more comfortable in her casual home attire than she had a week earlier at the restaurant. The chemical smell of lemon cleaning products drifted from the open door of her apartment.

“Oh, I didn’t realise you lived here! Wow, there’s a lot of stairs.”

“I’m sorry, the elevator is usually out of order…” She smiled, eyes flickering mischievously back to the taller woman.

“She was just telling me about how they caught some teenagers jamming the doors yesterday.” Nana grinned, squeezing her boyfriend’s fingers as they curled automatically around her own.

“Yeah. Apparently it’s a hot make-out spot.” She smirked. “I could hear the boy’s mother yelling at him from across the building when the engineer finally managed to open them. I don’t think she approves of his girlfriend very much.”

“Kids always find a way around their parent’s rules…” Nana sighed knowingly. “It’s usually better to just let them lose interest on their own.”

“Much less fun that way, though.” Young-soon grinned, and Nana giggled in response. Hoseok smiled, a little nonplussed, at the two. The conversation had clearly lost him, though it was apparent now why she had been taking so long.

“Anyway, I have them here …are you sure you can manage?”

She nodded in response, her auburn curls springing forward as she reached for the smaller of the two boxes, resting it against her hip. “Can you take the other one?”

“What is it?” Hoseok eyed it with suspicion, the weight surprising him as he picked it up. “Where’s JK?” He asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“He pulled a muscle. He’s sleeping it off.”

“How did he do that?”

She apparently didn’t hear, but met the other woman’s eyes with an impish look that said otherwise. A pink blush had crept up on her cheeks; Nana returned her shy smile, hoping that she hadn’t been a nuisance in dropping by unannounced.

She pressed on. “Are you sure you don’t want anything for them? I feel kind of bad just taking them without paying you.”

“I’ve been trying to get rid of them for ages.” Young-soon answered dismissively, toying with the end of her braid. “There’s only so many times you can give your friends a candle for their birthday or Christmas before it becomes embarrassing.”

“Thanks, I really appreciate it. We’re going to head off now.”

“Bye Young-Soon! Take care of Jungkook.”

“Of course. See you later.”

“Please be careful,” Nana pleaded, shutting the front door awkwardly behind herself. There was a soft tinkle as she dropped her keys into the dish on the console table beside her.

“I’m trying.” He steadied himself, edging a little more cautiously through the narrow hall, having almost tripped over an umbrella. She nudged it aside with her foot, knowing he was likely to trip over it again later. He had to duck to avoid the overhanging leaves above his head. “Your tree got so big.”

“It’s a Yucca. I’ve been meaning to trim him down a little bit but it seems a shame. He’s got beautiful leaves.”

“It’s a he?” Hoseok asked with amusement as he edged into the kitchen and set the box with a relieved sigh on the nearest, slightly rickety chair.

“Don’t worry. You don’t need to be jealous.”

Nana set her own box down and opened it up, searching through the meticulously bubble wrapped contents, extricating a large glass jar filled with pink fragrant wax. She uncapped the lid with a satisfying pop, inhaling the sweet scent of peony. Hoseok frowned slightly in bemusement; he wondered whether the recent stormy weather had been causing power cuts in her neighbourhood too. “What are you going to do with these?”

“Plant them.” Nana replied dryly, capping it once again. “There should be some space under the sink.”

“Are you sure? It seems full to me.”

“I’ve been meaning to make some jam…” She muttered in weak explanation, eyeing the open cabinet.

“There’s enough jars here for the entire of Seoul.” He teased, lips curling with incredulity.

“Don’t exaggerate Hobi, it’s not that many.” She said softly, getting to her knees as she started to rearrange the haphazardly stacked glass. Hoseok leant back against the table, equally impressed and surprised that she had somehow been able to fit the contents of the smaller box in the space. It seemed she had admitted defeat on the larger, pushing the chair more snugly against the table.

“Maybe I should make some for Young-Soon, since she gave me all these.” Nana mused,tucking her hair back behind her ears. It’d been years since she’d made jam, but she thought she could remember how. Her father had a habit of buying too much fruit from the market back in Gwangju, which they’d have to find creative ways to use. “And maybe Min-Seo might like some…she mentioned she’s been craving sweet things.”

“I think she’d like that. I just can’t believe they’re going to be parents.”

“Me neither. I can tell they’ll be great though. ”The younger woman had looked both overjoyed and embarrassed following the announcement shortly after dessert. Her voice had wavered slightly as she looked to her husband, Jin’s own expression soft with pride as he finished the sentence she had been struggling to say. Nana had hugged them both as they left for their taxi, Min-Seo thanking her with a shy, but delighted smile as she drew away from the sharp edge of her collar bone.

She flicked on the kettle, selecting a few empty marmalade jars as she began to stack them on the side. “I thought so ever since their wedding.”

Hoseok’s eyes followed her lovingly as she moved about, searching for a clean tea towel. “Did you like Jeong-Sun?”

“She seems really nice. It’s good to see Yoongi with someone.” Nana smiled, pouring boiling water in each jar before drying them thoroughly and laying them upside down on the draining board. The couple had visited the older member’s apartment a few times together prior to his enlistment, and it had always struck her how eerily empty and un-lived in it had felt. Bachelor life hadn’t seemed to suit Yoongi, and she hoped sincerely that he was happier now. “Do you think I should make some for her too?”

Hoseok cocked his head. “Will there be enough?”

“As long as it doesn’t burn.” She confirmed, eyeing up the various cartons of purple and scarlet berries in the fridge. “I only have enough fruit and sugar for four at most…”

“Can I help you make it?” Her boyfriend was already hovering closely behind her as she chopped up strawberries and plopped them into the pan. She twisted the hob to a low temperature, handing him a wooden spoon, caressing his hand deliberately as she did so.

“You can stir, if you like.”

Hoseok was attentive as the concoction reduced slowly to a lumpy, burgundy pool, allowing Nana to edge around him to find ribbon and attach labels. Her heart swelled unexpectedly in the comfortable silence between them, wondering what kind of good deed she had committed in her past life to have found him. The past week since his discharge had been a blur of overslept alarms, tangled curls and forgotten suppers. It’d all passed in a frantic haze, and she couldn’t help but appreciate the simple happiness she felt now in just knowing he was close by.

Tenderly, she snaked her arms around him, resting her cheek into the crook of his neck as he stirred. His cologne reminded her of lemongrass and potted herbs after the rain, his body slender and long to match her own. He shifted against her, his lips tugging into a smile as he reciprocated, pressing his cheek against hers. The absence of his hair tickling her skin still felt strange.

“I really missed having you around, Hoseok.” Nana whispered quietly, her voice tinged with emotion. He gently entwined his fingers around her own with his free hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“It was really hard…” he admitted, and she knew that he too was thinking about how much he had missed her. Their moments of bliss when he was able to visit had always seemed far too brief. Already short, they had been cut even shorter by her commitments at work, leaving a sunken, aching feeling in her chest whenever he had to leave.

“I realised how much I love you. “ She continued. “And that I want to be with you for as long as I can.”

His eyes found hers, and she wasn’t surprised to see them wet at the corners. “Me too, Nana.”

They both turned into each other, their lips coming together. He sank into her touch as she ran a hand to his shoulder and lovingly brushed the prickly patch of hair behind his ear. His breath was warm and inviting, their kiss unbroken as both hands grasped desperately at her waist. The forgotten jam bubbled slowly, and Nana felt for the knob on the stove, awkwardly twisting it as the sickly sweet smell of it boiled up.

“Oh, shit..” Hoseok whispered, remembering the saucepan as he pulled back slightly, giving it a token stir once more.

She grinned, her face hot as she moved it to the back burner. “I think it’s done, anyway.”

“Phew.” He exhaled in obvious relief. He pulled her close once again, their hips pressed together, and she could feel that he was already hard beneath his sweatpants.

“Hoseok...” Nana breathed. “Take me to bed.”

***

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charredbrie · 5 years

Text

Kurobas Valentine’s Day Event 2020 Day 1: MuraHimu

Decided to participate just because I feel inspired. Thank you so much @vanilla-daydreams and @theuglycrybaby for making this possible. So yeah for Day 1, I have decided to do my ultimate ship, MuraHimu. Also, thank you @tastytatsu for your support *cyber hug* <3

DAY 1 Prompt: Chocolates/I don’t remember having these many hickeys, but I don’t mind.

Summary: Atsushi is at lost on how to make Muro-chin happy this coming Valentines’ Day until a certain baked good catches his attention.

Word count: 3, 855 words

Rating: T

Atsushi is lost. Why, you ask? It’s because v-day is approaching fast and being in a relationship with the one and only pretty boy, Himuro Tatsuya is enough to make his knees go jello but he is totally lost on how to please him. He may appear to be a monster on the court but he must admit that he is at lost on how to make his Muro-chin happy. After all, he is in his first-ever relationship with a guy, and a pretty one at that (did I say it twice?). He has this gut feeling that once v-day comes, Muro-chin is gonna be swarmed with lots of delectable chocolates that he won’t even notice his. He sighs in defeat as he put his hands on his pockets. He is currently loitering around Yosen’s hallway after class, trying to think of something to do. He knows that Muro-chin doesn’t really like sweets so giving him a chocolate bar or any sweet confectionaries is out of the picture. And now, he is more than reduced to aid in his dilemma.

He has seen his sister make a big fuss about v-day and chocolates for his boyfriend but is it normal for him to make a fuss though? He cringes at the thought. He isn’t a girl to give out chocolates. He is standing at 208 cm for goodness’ sake. But at the same time, he wants to do something for Muro-chin since he knows that the boy loves spoiling and indulging him a lot. He isn’t stupid per se, he just doesn’t want to think about unnecessary things and he is just lazy to exert any effort or energy to every single stuff that doesn’t concern him. And he knows that Muro-chin’s effort means a lot to him so for the first time in his life, he actually wants to do something for the boy. He tries to think of more options. He has seen Sachin’s hand made a scarf for Kuro-chin’s birthday way back when the Kisekis has their meet up. He tries to weigh his option of doing that but actually gives up on the thought knowing that v-day is gonna be in a week and there’s no way in hell he can finish that.

And thus, out of options, he clutches his hair in frustration and just decides to go to the convenience store and grab more snacks. His brain cells are burning him alive and he’d rather eat more snacks than pass out because of damaged brain cells.

Upon arriving at the convenience store, Atsushi wastes no time to grab all his favorites and place them on the basket hanging on his right arm. He passes by the magazine stand and browses from magazine to magazine thinking that it might give him some good ideas until his purple irises catch one particular article.

‘Hm, interesting. It’s a pain to do this but whatever.’

He carefully reads the article and an idea had struck him like thunder. He grabs the magazine and goes straight to the counter to pay for everything. He then proceeds to the nearest grocery store to purchase the stuff that he will need to practice on but not before fishing out his phone to send a text to his older brother. He needs a hand to obtain something that underage kids can’t.

-x-

February 14th, Friday. The day has finally arrived and Atsushi couldn’t be more excited because he has perfected this particular recipe that catches his attention after several attempts of learning it. He gets a little bit guilty because these past few days, whenever Muro-chin wants to do something together, he has usually declined it for the sole purpose of practicing his baking skills. He doesn’t want to look at the rejected face of his pretty boy because he knows he’s weak and he will just give in to him and in the end, he can’t make any preparations. And thus, he steels his resolve just to this day. After all, he is doing this for the sole purpose of surprising and making Muro-chin happy.

He wakes up really early to prepare for it since it will also be good for breakfast and Atsushi has put into mind that if he’s gonna join the battle called V-day, it might as well attack early. At least he knows that whatever comes after it, it will be pretty bland for Muro-chin compared to what he has to offer. He hates losing after all.

Silently, he tries to tiptoe and moves carefully as possible so he won’t wake Muro-chin who is sleeping peacefully on the other bed. He bends underneath his bed and reaches out for the package that he has received yesterday from his brother. Slowly, he slips off the room and proceeds to the dorm kitchen and starts his work, starting with pre-heating the oven to 165 F.

He is going to do Kaiserschmarrn - an Austrian dessert that is meant to be destroyed into bite-sized pieces but he decides that it should be good for breakfast in bed because it is just actually a pancake with some complicated baking. He gathers his purple locks into a small ponytail first and takes Muro-chin’s light blue apron with a seahorse print, he then proceeds to work. He needs ten eggs, the whites should be separated from the yolks. One by one, he starts breaking and separating it. He puts the egg whites in the fridge since he learns by now after practicing that egg whites are better whipped when cold. He measures the flour and baking powder and dumps all of them in a bowl. He takes the yolks and whisks it and then mixes in the sugar and heavy cream. He goes to his package that his brother has sent him and pulls out a bottle of Contreu (orange liquor) and rum. Thank goodness for his brother who is always been supportive of him that he has his hands on this adult stuff. The recipe only calls for a shot of both liquors but Atsushi decided to put thrice the amount because he just assumes that Muro-chin likes alcohol since he is from America.

After all the wet ingredients are mixed and done, he takes an orange and zests the skin directly to the wet ingredients bowl. The moment he catches a strong whiff of the orange aroma, he stops zesting and just eats the rest of the orange. He folds the dry ingredients to the wet ones and sets it aside afraid that he might overfold it again, he takes out the egg whites adding half teaspoon of sugar one at the time and starts whipping it until it reaches the stiff peak stage. He folds the finished mixture again with the egg whites in three parts while throwing in the rum-soaked raisins in the last part that is once again, from his brother’s package, as not to over mix it because it will just result to a stiff cake.

When he is finally done with the batter he carefully mixes, he takes out a big nonstick pan, opens the stove and melts the half stick of butter that he has. He pours all the batter in there and waits for the bottom to cook a little bit before putting it in the oven. He sets the timer for 30 minutes. And thus, while waiting for it to bake, he checks his plum jam in the fridge that he has concocted yesterday and tastes it again. Feeling satisfied with the taste, he then pulls out his own milk chocolate bar and meticulously melts the chocolate in a bain-marie and adds a little bit of heavy cream to make a ganache because it will be used for dipping purposes together with the plum jam.

Deciding to kill time while waiting for the Kaiserschmarrn to finish, he cleans the kitchen and washes all the baking utensils that he has used. As he is putting everything away, he hears the timer and sets the oven temperature again to 200 F to get the browning that he desires and sets the timer for another 8 minutes. As the final preparation is coming to an end, he starts to whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks as well as caramelizing the sugar with melted butter for the final touch. And since Muro-chin loves his morning coffee so much, he brews some too.

Finally, after his painful minutes of waiting, Atsushi finally hears the timer and happily pulls out the baked goods all the while filling the kitchen with a delectable smell and starts to rip it into bite-sized pieces and pours the mixture of the caramelized sugar and butter on top of it. He tastes it and he feels proud that he actually pulls this off really well and he actually can taste the rum and the Contreu a little too much but all in all, he can say that it is a success.

Delicately, he arranges it prettily on a circular white plate together with the chocolate ganache and the plum jam in little saucers as he puts the freshly whipped cream on the side diagonally the dips and finishes it with assorted berries for more color appeal. Feeling satisfied with work, Atsushi pours the coffee into Muro-chin’s own mug and sets it on the tray together with the Kaiserschmarrn. He takes a photo of his plating and he makes sure that he gets all his alcohol to put back in his room or else he will get in trouble with his dorm head.

I hope Muro-chin appreciates this because I woke up too early just for this! He silently thinks. But whatever, he feels satisfied by everything.

-x-

Atsushi carefully opens their room while struggling just because he is also carrying the package underneath the tray. Slowly, he walks going to their center table and puts the tray on top of it then pushes back the box underneath his bed. He looks at his phone and sees that it is already 6:30 in the morning. He opens the blinds to let the morning light seep through their room with the intention of waking Muro-chin up. A few seconds after, the said boy shuffles on his bed and tries to wake up probably not because of the morning light but the sweet scent of the baked goodie, as well as the coffee, is wafting all over their room. He sees Muro-chin trying to stretch underneath his blanket and looks upon him with his exposed eye. He yawns when he greets him with a sweet smile.

‘’Morning, Atsushi. Happy Valentines Day. You’re awake pretty early.”

He forces out a smile as once again, he finds himself drowning on that smile of his. Probably also for a fact that he’s quite nervous about Muro-chin’s reaction whether or not he will like what he has to offer. He is rooted in his position by the window as he is still lost for words. When Muro-chin sits up, that’s when his exposed eye widens, meaning he finally sees what is on the center table. The pretty boy looks at the table then to him and vice versa again. Suddenly, he gets startled when he feels Muro-chin’s weight on him as he attacks him with an embrace. He looks down on him awkwardly as he hears the boy mutters his thanks. Muro-chin lets go of his body as he looks up to him, happiness is obviously oozing out of his face and that makes Atsushi calm.

“You did this for me, Atsushi?”

He blushes as he scratches the back of his head all the while avoiding the pretty boy’s gaze. “Yeah...”

The pretty boy chuckles as he takes his hand and leads him towards their center table and motions him to sit. However, instead of Muro-chin sitting opposite him, he sits on his lap and he’s not at all complaining. He looks at him with hopeful eyes and asks “Can I start digging in? Because the sweet smell is making it hard to resist.”

He nods and says, “It’s for you, Muro-chin. Happy Valentines Day.”

He receives a kiss on his cheek as Muro-chin starts eating. On his first piece, he puts the plum jam and some whipped cream on top. He closes his eyes whilst savoring the taste. When he opens his eyes, he looks at him with a newfound respect for his baking skills.

“This is so good! What is this?”

“Kaiserschmarrn or Emperor’s Mess. It’s an Austrian dessert. Though the chocolate is actually not included in the original recipe, I just added it since it’s Valentines'.”

Atsushi watches, feeling proud and satisfied, as Muro-chin takes bite after bite, alternating between the plum jam and the chocolate ganache as his accompany for his Kaiserschmarrn. He sips his coffee happily too and watching him, it makes Atsushi feel all warm inside knowing that someone actually appreciates his effort because believe it or not, though the pretty boy is not really into sweet stuff, he almost finishes the pancake. He suddenly gets pulled out of his thoughts when he sees Muro-chin lifting up his fork going to his mouth loaded with the pancake and the chocolate ganache almost covering the entirety of it. He happily opens his mouth and waits for the food to reach his cavern since he especially likes it when Muro-chin feeds him. But the next action after the food reaches his mouth startles him.

Muro-chin suddenly attacks his mouth with a kiss. A few seconds of freezing on his spot does nothing because of the fact his pretty boy is enthusiastically kissing him as if there’s no tomorrow with his arms wrapped around his shoulders. Languidly, they let go of each other to gasp some much-needed air and he gazes on Muro-chin’s face, his exposed eye is glassy and he feels like his pupil is dilated and his face is all red. Not the red when he blushes but something else. Atsushi tilts his head in question on his state but he can’t deny that he looks so alluring right now and his little Atsushi can’t help but react.

“M-Muro-chin, are you alright?”

The guy in question just purrs as he bites his lower lip in a very sensual way that Atsushi has never seen before.

“A-Atsushi, I feel funny.”

“W-Why do yo-“, his eyes suddenly widen in recognition as it hits him. Ah, the alcohol. He panics a little as he fusses over the pretty boy and carefully stands up with him on his arms as he gently lays him on his bed. He bends down to plant a kiss on his forehead before he decides that he can get some rest but unfortunately, he is pulled down on top of Muro-chin with his hand supporting his weight as not to crush the fragile boy underneath him.

“Ne, Atsushi...” Muro-chin calls him seductively. “Since it’s Valentines', we can start early...I know a good way to use whipped cream and chocolate.” He mischievously grins at him and Atsushi gulps thickly but not in fear. Hell no. Muro-chin might be smaller than him but he is actually worried about his virtue. When the smaller boy pulls him closer to lean in for a kiss, Atsushi has resigned to his fate.

-x-

So in the end, they both miss their classes because after they do the dirty deed, Muro-chin actually passes out and Atsushi comes to a conclusion. He has gotten Muro-chin drunk. Should I be worried? It’s not at all surprising because he has added like three shots each of those alcohol plus throws in the fact that the raisins are rum-soaked. He looks at the smaller boy who is sleeping peacefully with a happy expression while clinging into him. He actually wants to get out of his arms and take a shower because he feels really sticky right now. They mess with the chocolate ganache and the whipped cream a little bit too much. He takes his phone on their shared bedside table and types his message for Masako-chin that they will not be attending the morning practice and classes because Muro-chin is not feeling well and that he will look after him. As he hits the send button, he puts his phone back where it belongs. Sighing in defeat, Atsushi just leans into Muro-chin’s hair and smells it for comfort as his lids get heavy.

-x-

Himuro suddenly jerks awake no thanks to his phone vibrating. His head is pounding as well as his lower back is so sore. While trying to make himself fully awake, he feels a warm body embracing him tightly. He smiles as he runs his free hand on Atsushi’s purple locks. He must admit that this is the best Valentines' Day ever. To think that his big, lazy baby actually bakes something for him is enough to make his heart do somersaults. Atsushi can be overly adorable when he wants to. Cautiously, he tries to remove himself from Atsushi’s clutch and tries to sit up from the bed. He can still feel the constant pounding of his head but tries to ignore it because the continuous vibrating of his phone is annoying him more. Reaching for his phone, he sees that caller id and panics a little because it is Araki-kantoku who is calling him. Composing himself, he tries to answer the call as normal as possible.

“Hello, Araki-kantoku?”

“Himuro!!!!” He automatically moves his phone away from his ear to save himself from getting deaf. He cringes as he can see that the coach is really mad.

“Where the hell are you and Murasakibara?! We’ve been trying to reach you for a while now. He sent me a message earlier that you both are skipping practice and classes. Are you feeling better?”

He whips his head at Atsushi to see that he is already waking up because of all the noise that Araki-kantoku is making. The big baby looks at him with his adorable purple irises as he reaches his hand to his purple locks and pats him.

“Sorry, coach. We are in our dorm room. We fell asleep. I feel a bit better now. We’ll come to practice and school tomorrow.”

“Why is Murasakibara skipping practice and school when he’s not sick?”

Himuro tries to rack his brain with an excuse to save Atsushi from the coach’s wrath. “A-Ah, he has colds...I spread my virus on him. So I told him not to come to school and practice too as not to spread it more.” Fuck Tatsuya, what a lame excuse. He chides himself.

He sighs in relief when he feels that the coach accepts his excuse. “Okay, I’ll double your training when you guys get better. Take care both of you.”

“Thank you.”

He ends the call as he puts back his phone on its initial place and faces Atsushi.

“So,” he starts, “...what did you put in the dessert Atsushi?”

The big baby sinks himself deeper into the blanket and mumbles incoherently.

“I can’t hear you.”

“Rum and orange liquor.”

“Atsushi....” The purple head pokes his head from the blanket so he can finally meet his gaze but Atsushi being himself, he averts his gaze like a child getting caught for something.

“I thought Muro-chin is a strong drinker since you told me before that you drink some of your Dad’s beer back in America. But the recipe actually calls for a shot of each, I just added a bit more.”

Oh. That’s why. He might be from America but he can only handle a beer or two and not strong liquor like rum. He thinks for a bit.

“Wait a minute, how did you even get that alcohol?”

“My big brother helped me. He sent me a package containing that.”

Okay. There’s no way in hell that Atsushi can get his hands on those by himself. He might be too tall for his age but he is still a high schooler. He sighs in defeat. True, it’s not good to miss classes and basketball practice because of something stupid as getting drunk but he can’t find himself getting pissed off at Atsushi, he can never will. He loves his big baby too much. Plus, his effort of making him something out of his comfort zone, it really touches him deeply. Deciding that he’ll let the big baby slide today, he tries to stand up but to his horror, he jerks back to the bed because his lower back is hurting too much. Just how much did Atsushi pound on me for me to feel like this? Sensing his uncomfortable state, Atsushi sits up on the bed and helps him.

“Are you okay, Muro-chin?”

“Ah, yeah. My lower back hurts. Just how much did we do? I don’t really remember much.”

Atsushi smiles lazily at him and says, “Three.”

Himuro gapes at him, “Three times?”

“Uh, yeah. You were insisting to do more.”

He blushes out of embarrassment as he facepalms all the while avoiding looking at Atsushi. He nervously let out a chuckle, “..I..did that..?”

Atsushi looks at him mischievously as he stands up and walks towards their bathroom in all his naked glory. He halts his steps as he looks back at him and utters with his mischievous grin still present on his face, “Yeah. It’s okay Muro-chin, I enjoyed it as well. Do you want to take a shower now? I feel sticky all over. Muro-chin really enjoyed playing with the whipped cream and the chocolate ganache. Don’t you feel sticky too?”

And with that, Himuro is left alone contemplating what his sweet and innocent Atsushi has said. It gives him the shock of his life and reduces his life span for 16 years that he is actually the one who has tainted his big baby unintentionally.

Omake

When it is Himuro’s turn to take a shower, he gets the shock of his life when he looks at the mirror. Hurriedly, he opens the bathroom door only to see the big baby sitting on his bed while eating his maiubo.

“At-Atsushi!!!!”

The big baby looks at him with wonder as he struts in front of him with heavy steps.

“I don’t remember having these many hickeys!”

“Eh? But Muro-chin you said that I should bite you the way I bite on my snac-“, he doesn’t let him finish as he smacks him with next available thing his hand can reach - a pillow.

“Really, Atsushi. You are really unbelievable.”

“Eh? Why me? It should be you.”

He clicks his tongue in annoyance but leans on Atsushi and gives him a sweet kiss. “But I don’t mind. It’s the best Valentines' Day ever. You made me happy. I love you, Atsushi.”

The big baby gives him a genuine smile and said, “Love you too, Muro-chin. I win though.”

“Win?”

“I get to keep you all by myself for today unlike last year, girls were flocking all over you.”

He just chuckles at his boyfriend’s childishness. Really, there is never a dull moment when your other half is one Murasakibara Atsushi.

NOTES: Kaiserschmarrn is a traditional Austrian dessert. The one in this story is the traditional recipe based on what my co-chef from Austria has taught me. It usually comes with a plum jam minus the chocolate ganache. I just included it here since the prompt is chocolate. And yeah, knowing that this recipe is full of alcohol, I just decided to use this with a poor attempt on humor. *don’t kill me please*

Thanks for reading! <3

Also, you can read it now on Ao3

#knbvdaychallenge2020 #murahimu #murasakibara x himuro #Murasakibara Atsushi #Himuro Tatsuya #Kuroko no Basuke #prompt #headcanon #my poor attempt on humor #drunk tatsuya #innocent mura #tainted mura #ahhh im blabbing #fanfic #knb fanfiction

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obscuritas-est-lux · 4 years

Text

Mira Self Para Currently in a coma:

Mira woke up just like she had any other day to the sun shining in the windows. She could hear the birds singing in the trees outside. Their songs made her smile. She got up and stretched. “My goodness. I got up so late today.” She murmured to herself as she draped her feet out of the bed. Her mother must have left early this morning.

Mira got dressed and looked around her room. It wasn’t a giant room but it was her own. She smiled as she saw all of the paintings and drawings she had done since she was a small toddler. Mira walked over to the window and opened it letting the fresh air inside. She looked around at the land she was supposed to stay away from. She always wished she could go outside. Of course what her mother, Lilith didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

“Did Mother Lilith leave early today?” Mira asked to her best friend Wes, the worlds nicest fox. He was laying casually under a tree. Next to him was his little sister Gianna. Mira was never going to tell Wes that Gianna was adopted seeing as she was indeed a hedgehog. Wes nodded his head at her and Mira smiled. “Yes!” If Mother Lilith wasn’t around she was able to do whatever she wanted. Mira grabbed snacks for her two friends and climbed out the window. She climbed down the stone tower and onto the soft grass.

“Hi guys!” She smiled and plopped down right next to Wes and Gianna. Wes walked over and curled up right next to her side and Gianna climbed into her lap. Mira sang songs and fed them snacks. “What are we going to do today?” She asked her best friends. They looked at her. She smiled at them and listened to their ideas. “Hmm we could go on a small adventure.” She nodded and gently placed Gianna off her lap. “Let’s go!” Mira and her friends skipped through the forest pretending to be all types of adventures. Mother Lilith brought Mira all kinds of books to keep her busy.

There was only one rule. Don’t leave the tower. Mira broke that rule all the time. She did a really good job hiding it though. Finally it was time to go back to the tower before Mother Lilith arrived home. She said goodnight to Gianna and Wes and then climbed back into the top window of the tower. She straightened up their cozy tower home before starting dinner for her mother.

“Mira!” Mother Lilith called from the ground. Mira tossed the basket over the ledge and pulled her mother up into the tower. “Hi Mother. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to you this morning.” Mira frowned as her mother stepped of the basket. Mira nearly out of breath leaned against the wall. “Oh Flower. I just couldn’t bare to wake you.” She cooed coming over and brushing her fingers over the backs of Mira’s hands. “What did you make for dinner?” She asked walking towards their kitchen.

“Your favorite soup. Remember you brought me the ingredients yesterday.” Mira called after her taking a deep breath. “Oh of course.” Mother Lilith nodded and sat at the table. They enjoyed their dinner in silence. Once everything was put away Mother Lilith called Mira over to her chair. “Flower. I would like for you to sing to me.” She smiled and placed Mira’s hands on her face. She couldn’t reject her mother. So she began to sing the song she was taught as a small child. Her mother use to sing it before she could.

She continued to sing as the light went from her fingers and into her mother’s skin. Mira watched as her mother smiled. All of the worry lines and faded marks went away. Mira smiled feeling so proud she could help someone stay healthy. Mother Lilith told her all about how she had to save her from her father and aunt. All they wanted to do was abuse her power. She was kept in the tower to protect herself from them.

After using her power Mira always grew tired so she said goodnight to Mother Lilith and went up to sleep. She was surprised to find an asleep Gianna on her pillow. “How did you get here sunshine?” She whispered and tucked the little hedgehog in with her. She told Gianna the story of how she had met them, obviously because Gianna wanted a bed time story. “It was about a year ago. I was sneaking around in the ya know where and I saw a poor fox all hurt. I ran over to him and secretly used my power to heal him. Shortly after you came out from your hiding spot and we became great friends.” Mira gave a soft kiss to her forehead and fell asleep.

The next day was the best day it was Mira’s birthday. She got up and quickly went downstairs. Her mother was already sitting at the table waiting for her. “Good morning Mother” She smiled and grabbed the breakfast bread putting it next to her. “Isn’t today lovely?” She asked trying to drop a hint.

“Oh yes dear it is.” Mother Lilith half heatedly said eating her scone. “You know today is my birthday.” Mira said shyly.

“Oh I distinctly remember that happening last year.” Mother Lilith chastised her daughter standing up from the table. “Oh but mother remember birthday’s are kind of an annual thing?” Mother Lilith rolled her eyes. “Oh alright. What would you like for your birthday?” She sighed and looked at Mira.

“Well you know that island that’s in the distance? The one that always releases those lanterns?” She asked pointing out the window. Mother Lilith tilted her head. “What about the island?” She knew where this was going and Mother Lilith was not happy not one bit. “I want to go there.” Mira sighed. “Please?”

“You want to go outside?! To that island? Don’t you remember all the trouble I had to go through to get you off the island?!” Mother Lilith was enraged. How dare this child ask such things of her. “No. You will not. Ugh I’m tired. Come sing me a song.” Mother Lilith called Mira over. “But Mother....” Mira begged.

“NO” Mother Lilith yelled at her daughter pushing her down. “I never want to speak of this again. I have to take a trip. I’ll be back in four days.” Mother Lilith grumbled. She wouldn’t tell Mira this but another child she had kept from their father was locked in a tower far from here. She had to go check to make sure that daughter was still alive. Lilith grabbed Mira’s hands and placed a soft kiss on them before heading out of the tower.

Mira sighed. All she had wanted was to go to that beautiful island. She could see if from her window. Every year on her birthday they lit up the sky with beautiful lanterns and fireworks. It was like a party but just for her. “You know what. I can do this myself.” Mira said stomping her foot. She ran upstairs and packed a bag. 4 days had to be enough to visit the island and come back. Right?

Mira climbed out of the tower and down to the grass. Wes and Gianna were right by her feet. How did Gianna get back down? Oh well. Mira told them her whole plan. Which since her only plan was to somehow make it to the island it didn’t take very long to explain. “Alright. Let’s go!” Mira said. She was just heading into the forest when she saw two men walking towards her tower. She instantly hid behind the trees to watch.

“I don’t know if Lilith is here. Are you sure she’s hiding someone here?” The older looking of the two men said. Lilith? Did they mean mother?

“That’s what Apollo said. He said Artemis sent out Hunters and they tracked Lilith to 3 other towers. This was just the closest to the island so they said to check it first.” The younger one said looking up at the tower.

“How do we even get up? There’s no doors.” The older one rubbed his hands over his hair.

Were they bandits...were these the bad people her mother always warned her about. What was she going to do? Mira pulled out of her bag the slingshot she had secretly made. She didn’t have any rocks so she grabbed a berry from the bush. “These pass as rocks right Gianna? Wes?” She asked her friends. They simply shrugged at her. Mira crouched down and got closer to the two men. They were now at the base of her tower looking up.

“Freeze or I’ll shoot you!” She called from her hiding spot in the woods. The two men jumped and spun around at the sound. “We don’t want to hurt you!” They called out holding their hands up. Mira got closer to them. “What do you want with my tower?” She asked them peaking her head out.

“Your tower...wait...” The younger one tilted his head.

“We don’t want to hurt you. Your father sent us to save you!” The older one called out with a big smile on his face.

“My Mother says my father wants me dead.” Mira questioned them. “Or he wants to steal my powers.” She wasn’t sure who to believe. She had to believe Mother Lilith. That was the only parent she had ever known.

“Look I promise we won’t hurt you. We....we’re Lilith’s sons.” The younger one said almost sadly. Mother Lilith had other children?

“Her what?!” Mira jumped out of her hiding spot. “Sons?” The two men nodded at her. “How?!” The two looked at each other and then back at Mira.

“Well...um that part...” The older one started.

“We’re older than you.” The younger one interrupted. Mira saw the look of appreciation on the older boys face and was confused.

“I’m Finn.” Said the older boy smiling at her. “I’m Noel.” The younger one added. “We really don’t want to hurt you. We want to take you to the island. It’s your birthday right?” Noel smiled at her pointing in the direction of the island.

“You’ll take me to the island?” She smiled wide all thoughts of the men being murders disappeared. Finn and Noel nodded. “That’s why were here!” They said almost at the same time. Mira leaned down and started talking to Wesley and Gianna. “What do I do?” She asked sighing. Mira nodded her head as Wesley told her that siblings were important but she needed to be safe. “Will you go with me?” She asked Wesley and Gianna. They noodled telling her that they had already planned to travel with her.

Mira popped back up. “Okay I’ll go with you.” She nodded. The men looked at her like she had lost her mind. She had just been talking to a fox and a hedgehog. What was happening. They headed over to her. Together the 5 of them traveled through the forest. They talked all about their favorite things and how much Mira loved the forest. It had been 2 days and Mira was almost worried that they wouldn’t make it back in time for mother’s return. She had to put it out of her head.

Finally they made it to the edge of the land. Sadly there was a 2 person max on the boat that took people across to the island. They decided to send Finn along with Gianna and Wes across first. Mira would not allow her best friends stay and wait for her on this side. She wanted to go by herself with them but Finn and Noel didn’t want her running away. So they made a deal. Mira waved to her friends as they crossed the water. Now it was just Mira and Noel.

What they didn’t know was that Mother Lilith made very good time at her other tower. She arrived home to surprise Mira and found it empty. She immediately started a search. It wasn’t long before Mother Lilith caught up with Mira and her two sons. She sighed. Of course those boys would try and hurt their wonderful mother. They just didn’t understand. She couldn’t let them take Mira to that island. Once she was there the God’s powers would protect her and Mother Lilith wouldn’t be able to use her healing powers anymore.

Mother Lilith went searching. Finally she found the perfect helper. A Minotaur. She offered them whatever their heart desired if they brought her child back unharmed. Of course Mother Lilith couldn’t remember the name of the child she had wanted since she only called that child Flower for her whole life. She said it would be the child with dark brown hair. The Minotaur was off.

Noel and Mira were sitting waiting for the boat to come back. A crowd started to form, apparently there was some type of event at the island that day. Everyone from the surrounding villages were going to get on the boats to head over. It was then that Mira and Noel heard the screams. A Minotaur came racing through the crowd plowing through everyone. Mira and Noel both without thinking starting helping people. Noel used up all of his energy to hit the animal with a lightening strike. Unfortunately he wound up gravely wounded. Mira had been healing as many people as she could when she stumbled on her brother laying on the ground.

“No!” She yelled. She had just met him. He seemed really nice! Mira decided she couldn’t let him die. Mira did everything she could to save him. She was so angry at the groups of people that she yelled at them. She heard the voice of the boat captain tell everyone to back off. The boat captain told Mira he was going to help her get Noel into the boat they were going to take him to the hospital. Whatever that was. Mira couldn’t pay attention to him. Her vision was fading. The last thing she saw was Mother Lilith standing on the edge of the forest glaring at her. “You will never survive there.” How could she have possibly heard that. She felt Noel’s heart beat under her fingers. She stopped. She was done. Her eyes closed.

#mira|selfpara #I just needed Mira to have her disney princess moment #also excuse how long it is

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bbrandy2002 · 5 years

Text

The Baby Shower Pt 1

Part of the Two Men Series

Book: The Royal Romance/Heir

Summary: Maxwell throws Riley and Liam an impromtu baby shower that leaves guests feeling...unwell.

Characters: Riley, Hana, Olivia, Madeleine, Maxwell, Drake, Bertrand and Liam. All of them belong to Pixelberry.

Profanity Warning.

Only tagging those who requested to follow the series, just in case this isn't your thing. If you want removed (I promise its fine) or added, let me know.

@gardeningourmet @dcbbw @crookedslimecreatorpasta @moonlightgem7 @katedrakeohd @emceesynonymroll @romanticatheart-posts @carabeth @kimmiedoo5 @ladyangel70 @burnsoslow @sirbeepsalot

You are cordially invited to celebrate in the upcoming birth of a little Prince. This Saturday at 7:30 PM-Beaumont Estate, Ramsford

Contact Maxwell Beaumont to RSVP

Riley looked over the invitation she received to her own baby shower, being held tomorrow. Hana had thrown an official shower last month, however, Maxwell, being Maxwell, wanted to throw one last hurrah with only friends and Madeleine.

Riley, propped up on pillows in her bed, places the invite back on her nightstand.

With a week left until her due date, the Queen was feeling anything but in the mood to party. Her feet were swollen, her back ached, insomnia kept her up most of the night, she just wanted to relax.

Maxwell, insisted, much to his chagrin, it would be fairly low key, or at least by his standards. She was hesitant, however, she has never been able to resist the pouty lips and puppy dog eyes of one Maxwell Beaumont.

While deep in thoughts, she places a hand on her tummy, watching her white, oversized cami contort in odd shapes. "You are rolling around a lot today...You should just come on out and give your mommy a break".

"Little guy full of energy today, Love?", Liam asks with a wide grin, standing in the doorway. He walks over to her side of the bed, removing his robe, before leaning in to kiss her.

"He's always a ball of energy, which I would love more if he would just come out". She raises her voice as she lays her head back with a huff, "...We've tried everything, spicy foods, herbal teas, walks....sex...what else is there?"

Liam climbs in bed next to her, cupping her cheek, "You still have another week, just give it time".

She rolls her eyes, Liam typically is her voice of reasoning and reassurance, however, lately she has been trying to figure out, more and more ways, to 'snip the berries' while he slept.

She sighs loudly, before going off on a tangent, "Time? That's easy for you to say, I've peed my pants twice this week already from sneezing, I'm fairly certain poor Mara won't be walking so closely behind me anymore after last nights supper, and Drake got an eye full when both breast started leaking during our walk this morning".

He starts to laugh, but, the evil stare she shoots him, stops him quickly. He composes himself, while massaging her thigh absentmindedly. The stare doesn't stop as she then moves her glare to his hand on her thigh....she's going to kill me...stop touching her now Liam...

Liam quickly moves his hand away and stretches while yawning, "Ahhhh, okay....I'm just going to move over here on my side, place a few pillows between us, and see you in the morning". He leans in for a kiss, but, the scowl on her face makes him hesitate, as he opts instead to just pat the top of her head.

Liam rolls over, places his hands between his legs for protection and prays silently to himself..."God, spare my life tonight and my...'you know", he says while gripping himself tighter," ...if there is anything you can do to get the baby out sooner, for me...I mean for her...it will be worth it. Also, sorry for using your name in vain three times today while talking to Neville and lying to Madeleine about not noticing the five extra pounds in her ass..err...butt...um..amen".

The next day....

"Do you have to do that?", Riley grunted, as she shook her head, sitting next to Liam in the limo to Ramsford.

Liam looked at her quizically, trying to be patient with her, "Do what, love?" He knew she was about to tell him some ridiculous annoying habit, he was unaware of doing.

She reached over and placed her hand on his, "Tapping your hand on your lap".

-I wonder if exorcism would work on her?

He smiles back at her sympathetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't even realize I was doing it."

She removes her hand, turning away from him to look out the window, "Of course you didn't....I"m sure your loud ass stomach growling for the past thrity minutes was no doubt distracting you".

-Nope, she's too far gone.

The limo driver lowered the partition and yelled back, "Your majesties, we are pulling into the estate now".

"OH THANK GOD!", Liam suddenly yelled out with both fists pumping in the air, eyes closed, taking in a relieved breath. He then looked over at his wife who did not seem amused with his little outburst. He rubbed her arm gently, "Thank God for you, Love", he said with a sly grin.

The limo stops in front of the estate and the driver walks around, opening the door for them to step out. Maxwell runs out the door and greets them almost immediately. He starts to pull Riley into a hug, pretending he can't fit his arms around her. She laughs at him and swats playfully at his arm. Liam watches as his wife smiles and carries on with Maxwell, trying to figure out what happened to her between the limo and the door. Whatever it was, he was ecstatic there would now be six other people for her to berate besides him...of course...that could also mean six other people to annoy her and he would have to deal with it later. This baby needs out now!

The Beaumont Estate Ballroom was beautifully decorated with baby themed displays, a wide spread of delicate treats, sparkling lights and lovely floral arrangements.

Riley and Liam were impressed by the amount of work Maxwell had put into this baby shower, it was emaculate. They had feared, perhaps, this might turn out similar to the birthday party Maxwell threw his brother two months ago. Bertrand was not impressed with the topless belly dancers, nor, the one named, Lusty Lawny, who insisted on giving the birthday boy a lap dance for 20 minutes as he was handcuffed to a chair.

Drake's birthday included a mud wrestling ring, where Maxwell's friend, Bertha cracked two of his ribs and gave him an atomic wedgie.

Hana's birthday was a seance in a local cemetary that gave her nightmares for six months.

Then, for Olivia s birthday, he took her skydiving, in which, he had to piss so bad. He thought it would stream downward instead of spray back up on her.

The last thing either of them wanted was something disasterous to happen. Liam pulled Maxwell aside, as Riley spoke with everyone else.

"Maxwell, I want your absolute word that you don't have anything strange taking place during this shower, and by that...I mean strange for me and not strange for you".

Maxwell wrapped an arm around Liam's shoulder with a serious look, "Liam, I give my word that I have planned no strange activities this evening, just good friends hanging out together before you two enter parenthood".

Liam let out a large exhale, still a little leery, but, hopeful Riley would leave happy and in one piece when it was all over with.

He leaned into Maxwell, speaking in a hushed tone, "It's just...Riley's a little on edge wanting the baby to come right now and I want to keep her as comfortable as possible...it would really help me a lot".

Maxwell nudged him slightly in his side with a smile, "Hey, it'll be fine Liam...plus, I have a really good feeling that tonight is the night the baby will be born."

Liam furrowed his brow, "why do you say that Maxwell?"

Maxwell started to say something when he notices that Olivia has arrived, "Hey!Everyone's here now, so lets get this par-tay started."

Liam tried to yell back at Maxwell, but, he was gone. Did he just call this baby shower a 'par-tay'.

Drake makes his way over to Liam, stands face to face with him, a look of confusion plastered on his face, "There's no booze here."

Liam gestures to his wife sitting at a nearby table, "Since she can't drink alcohol, she insisted no one else can....It will be okay Drake, it's just a few hours."

Drake's face scrunches up, "You've got to be kidding me? I can't do it man, that's how I survive these little Maxwell gatherings."

Liam gripped one a Drake's shoulders as they walked to a nearby table, "Hey, listen....Riley's really short with me right now and nothing can go wrong tonight. Will you just keep an eye out for me and make sure Maxwell doesn't have something planned that would...i dont know...cause me to miss the birth of my first child due to my untimely disappearance".

Drake wanted to laugh, but, he understood his friends plea when it comes to Riley. "I know what you mean, when we were walking the grounds yesterday, she was talking about how denim makes me look tubby. When I pointed out her her own stomach, she called me a son-of-a bitch and kicked me in the nuts. That got her breast leaking and I never want to see that again.... Trust me, I got your back, I'll keep an eye on Beaumont".

With a nod and a smile of relief, Liam sat down next to Riley.

All the guests seemed to enjoy their appetizers, non alcoholic punch, and scrumptous blue velvet cake. Maxwell planned games afterwards, in which, Hana guessed the exact number of 1285 tiny plastic babies in a jar. He had them decorate sacks of flour as babies and diaper them, Hana's was voted the best. Drake rolled his eyes, "of course she won, she's used to decorating socks to use as playmates".

Hana shifted in her seat taller" Well, at least I didn't just write Jack Daniels on the front of my baby in large letters....by the way...your baby is stupid".

One hour later....

Hana looks a little uncomfortable, her stomach is rumbling and she excuses herself quickly. Not to long after her, Bertrand has a pained expression on his face and is grabbing his stomach, he stands and shuffles with urgency out of the room.

Drake is sitting with Liam and Riley, she is continuing to call him a little bitch over his comment yesterday, but, he doesn't even realize it. He starts to sweat and feels a little flushed; his breathing becomes ragged as he clutches his stomach.

Liam notices his change in demeanor and becomes concerned, "You okay Drake, you're not looking so good".

Riley raises a brow, "See....I told you, you little bitch".

"I don't know what's going on", Drake says as he tries to steady his breathing, "it's my stomach".

Riley crosses her arms unconcerned, "....and a fat ass too".

Liam motions to Madeleine, "Sweetheart, I heard Madeleine telling Olivia you have cankles, you should really go talk to her about that".

Riley sat in up in her chair and glared at Madeleine. She started taking out her earrings, "Oh did she now, hold these earrings Liam, I'm about to shove a color coded binder up that bitchs giant ass".

Riley wanted to walk to Madeleine with an attitude, but, the most she could manage was a small waddle.

Liam leans into Drake with a sympathy, "Sorry about her...anyway, you really do look rough Drake, what's going on?".

Drake still clutching his stomach, "I dont know...like my stomach hurts really bad all of the sudden. The only thing I ate was a few tea sandwiches, cake and punch".

Liam thought for a moment, "Yeah, nothing that should cause you to feel this sick. You know...I saw both Hana and Bertrand leave out of here in a rush...neither of them have returned either".

Drake weakly lifted his head and scanned the room for Maxwell. He was at that moment, jumping up and down with excitement watching Riley yell at Madeleine.

Drake took a deep breath before yelling, "BEAUMONT!".

Maxwell stopped when he heard Drake call out his name, he skipped over to Drake and Liam with a big, giddy smile, "Man....she is really giving what for to Madeleine...Im so glad I invited her, Riley made her cry...hahaha!!".

"Maxwell", Drake muttered, "I think the food is making people sick...my stomach is killing me....wait...oh, I gotta go now!!!!". Drake stood up quickly, clenching his backside as he ran out of the room.

Liam looked at Maxwell for a moment. "Maxwell, there is something going on. Three people now have ran out of this room, holding their stomachs or in Drake's case, butt...you did something to the food didn't you?".

Maxwell glanced around the room, nervously. He didn't think his concoction would affect other people, only Riley. He remained silent, contemplating whether there was a connection. His gaze fell on Olivia, who was now looking a little distressed and reaching for her stomach.

"Maxwell, answer me", Liam demanded.

"I just thought it would help her go into labor", he said sheepishly.

"What did you think would help her go into labor?".

Maxwell hesitated, but, Liam grabbed his arm and gave him a commanding look.

He gulped, "Castor oil....I put it in the punch".

Liam, stunned, placed both hands over his face, before opening them again, "So they all have.....the shits?".

How will Madeleine handle her predicament? Part 2

#the royal romance #choices trr #trr fanfic #liam x riley #drake walker #liam x mc #olivia nevrakis #choices trh #bertrand beaumont #trh #the royal heir #maxwell beaumont #trr #trr drake #trr liam

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galfridus1 · 5 years

Text

Happy Birthday Sam!

@jacklynnfrost I love you, I love this AU you have developed. Thank you for sharing it with me and for letting me write with you. I hope you have a day filled with joy.

@yuleira drew this amazing picture to go with it. Thanks for collabing with me Keshia - you are amazing to work with 🙂

“Remarkable!”

Slugorn rubs his hands together, his pudgy face split with a grin as he stands over Elizabeth’s caldron, taking deep breaths of the indigo smoke that rises in curling plumes from its depths. The professor wafts his hands around, guiding the aroma towards him as he takes another appreciative sniff. Tentatively, Zeldris shuffles forwards a little in his seat, peering over the bench as he too tries to catch a glimpse of the mixture. But he fails. All he can see is the back of Elizabeth’s head, her long, silver hair shining in the sparse light that leaks from the green-glowing torches placed around the dungeon. He does get the smell though: wild berries, geranium, mint and something else he cannot quite place but which makes a shiver run down his spine.

“In all my days, I have never, ever, known a first year student manage to brew a perfect healing potion,” whispers the potions master, awe trembling through his tone. “Remarkable, Miss Liones. Simply remarkable.”

“It was nothing,” the girl replies shyly, and Zeldris feels a rush of pride. His friend is remarkable. That is a fact he has come to realise with an increasing certainty over the past several weeks, ever since he and Elizabeth had become more than passingly acquainted. With a twist of the mouth he looks down at his own caldron, which is simmering gently; the faint hint of fruit and herbs is there but their concentration is in no way comparable to Elizabeth’s. Once, that knowledge would have made him feel wretched, and he is surprised to find he does not care. This time, his friend’s success feels as good as his own.

“Ten points to Hufflepuff,” Slughorn declares with another huge grin at Elizabeth and Zeldris does not need to see her face to know she is blushing. The back of her ears are a distinct shade of red. “Now,” Slughorn says brightly, rubbing his hands together once more as his kindly eyes rove over the room, “let’s see how the rest of you have done, shall we?”

Slughorn makes his rounds, observing and testing each of the students’ concoctions. He gives Zeldris a beaming “Well done” followed by a hearty “Keep up the good work” before sweeping along the bench, dispensing advice and tuts to those of his peers who have fared less well in their task.

His legs wobble a little when class is dismissed, and he hops down from his stool with a slight stumble to pack up his things. It is lunchtime and he hopes to catch a few words with Elizabeth on their way to the great hall. He wishes wholeheartedly that students did not have to sit at their house tables. A Slytherin he may be, but he has nothing in common with the others who wear stripes of green on their robes, and nor does he wish to.

He makes his way with the others up the stairs from the dungeons, and is on the point of calling a greeting to Elizabeth when a boy steps in front of him, then another, and another. He stands firm, his hand grasping his wand. Every muscle in his body is tense. This time, he will be prepared for the attack. This time…

“Where do you think you’re going, shrimp?” The largest of the boys blocks his path, the others moving to flank him on either side, and Zeldris grits his teeth as he assesses the gameplay. The bullies have out-foxed him. If he attacks out here in the open, he will be the one to be reprimanded - most of the teachers are in the dining hall and will hear any disturbance - but if he does nothing he will be called a coward. Either way his non-existent popularity will plummet even further. He is trapped.

“Zeldris!” He starts as Elizabeth runs towards him, a slight smile on her lips but her blue eyes cold as frost. “I need you to help me with something.” Before he can protest, she grabs his hand and starts pulling, dragging him in the opposite direction from both the thugs and their lunch. “It won’t take long,” she says brightly to the bullies who are staring hard, their arms folded across their chests. “Excuse me.”

He turns and lets her lead him away, his heart pounding. He is on high alert, straining to hear any footfalls behind them. But as they move away from the throngs of students, the cacophony of chatter lulls to a hum and it is only their own footsteps that echo through the corridors.

Zeldris swallows. He knows he should thank Elizabeth for saving him - again - but the words stick in his throat. His eyes dart to the floor, to the ceiling, to the portraits on the stone walls whose occupants wave and sing and roll their eyes at the pair of small students striding along, black cloaks billowing out behind them. None of it helps. Embarrassment clenches at Zeldris’s stomach, and he wishes fervently he was someone else.

He nearly bites off his tongue when Elizabeth turns towards him, her face wreathed in smiles and all the anger gone from her features. “I want to show you something,” she whispers. “Follow me.” And follow he does as his friend leads him up staircases he has never used to the upper floors of the castle and through the labyrinth that is Hogwarts School.

He stops short when they reach a grey-looking door, its once white paint peeling off in ugly strips. “I can’t go on there,” he protests as Elizabeth places a hand on the doorknob. “This is a girls’ bathroom,” he says, horrified, as she cocks her head to one side.

“Oh!” Elizabeth laughs, then pushes the door open so hard it knocks against the wall with a soft thud. “Don’t worry. No one ever comes here.” She pulls Zeldris over the threshold. His feet feel like lead, but reluctantly he takes a few steps, though only to maintain his balance. The room is enormous: four sinks line the wall, gold taps gleaming in the sunlight that streams through the dusty window and onto the marble tiled floor.

“But it’s for girls,” he protests again, gooseflesh creeping along his skin.

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. “I told you, no one ever comes here,” she says with a little chuckle. “That’s why I can grow these.” She beckons to a stall at the far end of the room, Zeldris shuffling along as he follows.

What he sees within the toilet makes his mouth pop open. There are rows and rows of pots of various sizes filled soil and the first beginnings of bright green shoots. He recognises some from Herbology: there is mandrake, gillyweed, snapdragon and yarrow, along with some specimens he has not seen before. “What do you think?” Elizabeth asks shyly.

He does not answer and she continues into the silence, “I’ve been experimenting, trying to breed stronger varieties. This mandrake, for instance,” she says, her voice becoming more sure. “Usually they take several weeks to mature, but this will be ready in a few days. I planted it yesterday. Isn’t it exciting?” she asks, her voice tinged with hurt.

Zeldris clears his throat. “It is. I’m sorry, it’s really exciting. I was just so… taken aback. This is incredible. You’re amazing!”

Elizabeth gives him a full on grin. “Thanks. I feel like I can make a lot of improvements, you know? I come here when it gets a bit much. And now you can too! This can be our little hideout.”

“But…”

“But what?” asks Elizabeth, her head cocked a little to one side.

“I don’t understand. How come no one comes here. It’s a toilet…”

“Oh!” Elizabeth’s eyes light up with understanding and she starts to back out of the stall, Zeldris preceding her. “I’m so sorry. You haven’t met…”

He nearly jumps out of his skin when the wailing starts. “What was that?” he hisses. His wand is in his hand, and he turns slowly to survey the room. “Show yourself,” he commands as his grip on his wand tightens.

“Peekaboo!”

He whips round, pushing Elizabeth behind him, but all he can see are sinks and mirrors. His rapid breathing sounds through the space. “Elizabeth,” he whispers, “move to the door. I’ll hold off whatever it is.”

“It’s only a boy.” He whips round again, teeth grinding as his gaze once more falls on nothing at all. “How very… disappointing,” the voice continues and Zeldris swears he can hear an audible pout in its tone.

Elizabeth sighs. “This is why no one comes here,” she whispers softly into Zeldris’s ear. His eyebrows raise into his fringe. He has not once, ever, heard Elizabeth be anything but welcoming and friendly, enthusiastically nice to whoever she is talking to. The note of annoyance is one he would not have expected.

“Hello Myrtle,” says Elizabeth more loudly and brightly.

Zeldris sucks in a sharp breath. “Myrtle? Moaning Myrtle? I thought she was a myth…”

A piercing scream rings, the metallic rasp bouncing off what Zeldris suddenly realises must be the many copper pipes. The noise is deafening and he has to suppress the urge to cover his ears. Elizabeth shakes her head slowly, placing a finger over her lips. “He meant Myrtle,” she placates, “and of course you are a legend. Your role in the second wizarding war is…”

“I. Saved. Everyone!” The ghost materialises, her pudding bowl haircut and glasses pushed right into Zeldris’s face. “You will treat me with respect. Ooohhh,” she coos as she looks more closely at him, and he lowers his eyes under her knowing gaze. “But you must be the brother of that one, the dangerous one,” she practically purrs. “You look just like him, only less handsome. Can you introduce me? I was so upset when Meliodas was expelled. It was so unfair! I miss him. He was so handsome.”

“I… um…” stammers Zeldris.

“He used to come and see me all the time,” the ghost gloats as she lies on her back in the air, her arms resting behind her head. “Now it’s only her,” Myrtle says rather waspishly in Elizabeth’s direction. “You know it happened right here, in this bathroom,” she adds conspiratorially, her attention fixed on Zeldris once more. “I saw Meliodas kill that girl…”

“Yes Myrtle, whatever you say,” Elizabeth murmurs as she backs towards the door. “My apologies. If you’ll excuse us we need to head down to lunch. See you soon!”

Before the ghost can reply, Elizabeth bundles Zeldris out into the corridor. “That’s why no one goes in there,” she explains a little breathlessly once the door has shut behind them. “Myrtle is… an experience. I try to be nice but she keeps going on and on about Olive Hornbeam! The poor woman’s been dead goodness knows how many years, get over it!”

She places a warm hand on his shoulder. “She’s constantly exaggerating,” Elizabeth assures. “Every time I see her, Myrtle tells me something different, makes herself out to be more heroic. Don’t take any notice of her.”

“Yeah… sure…” he mutters past the lump in his throat. His brother never had told him why he had been expelled, leaving Zeldris to fill in the gaps with rumour and speculation. But deep down he suspects, has always suspected, that the role his brother played was far from an honourable one. The thought makes him sick, and he swallows hard as a splash of bile coats the back of his throat. He had always looked up to Meliodas and now...

“Come on.” Elizabeth says quietly, taking his hand and interrupting his brooding. “Let’s go get lunch. Not in the hall,” she adds quickly, obviously seeing the reluctance in his face. “I have some friends in the kitchens.”

“Why am I not surprised you get on with the house elves?” Zeldris says with a chuckle, Elizabeth joining in with his laughter as they head down the stairs. Zeldris feels a warm glow smooth over his fear. An outcast he may be, and his brother may no longer confide in him, but he has a friend. A real friend. And she happens to be the best one in the whole school.

#nnt #hp #nnt hp au #zeldris #elizabeth #slughorn #moaning myrtle #happy birthday sam #i hope you have an amazing day #you are a wonderful person and a wonderful friend #thank you #long post

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tsukishima44 · 5 years

Text

The Other Side of The Storm

Warnings : child abuse, starvation, self-harm

The day after Green's failure, Daisy almost never saw her brother in their home. She only knew that Prof. Oak locked Green in his room and there was nothing she could do other than placing a tray of food outside. After a week, she knew Green was never allowed to go outside ever again.

Daisy saw it all. She was afterall, Green's (the shortest champion ever) sister and also one of the famous Prof. Oak's grandchildren. So she knew the immediate change in what remained of her family.

In the night, she couldn't help hearing the muttering from the wall beside her where Green's room was. Even when she was awoken at three a.m, Green's incessant murmur still continued. It lasted until 6 a.m and Prof. Oak awoke her at 7 o'clock, Green at 6.15.

The next time she saw her brother was when the Professor went to an event in Unova, two months after Green's "study" started. She bravely asked a neighbourhood's ferrow to fly her to Green's window. Daisy gasped a loud when she saw how thin Green was. She saw black bags under his dimmed green orbs, Green's ginger spike was depleted like he didn't care much about appearance anymore, and the purple shirt he loved so much looked baggy on his stature. Daisy knew it was his favourite shirt because she had bought it for him on his 8th birthday. It was supposed to fit his brother's body. But now it hang loosely on one shoulder. The little fat Green had had disappeared, like he hadn't eaten anything while she always refilled the empty tray with new food everyday.

Did he vomit it? Or throw it away?

Daisy felt tears rolling her cheeks when she saw Green's wrists. The lavender sleeves was rolled up, so she could see the aftermath of Green's decreasing mental status.

He was not only went into starvation, he had depression. A deep one as the suicidal tendency was on sight.

She knew she had to do something.

The next day, she went to their neighborhood's house. Daisy was greeted with Red's mother cheery smile but her own lips could only lifted itself a bit before they turned into a frown again. It might be her mother instinct, but Daisy was immediately ushered to the small house cozy living room. Andrea didn't bother to offer Daisy a drink. She sat on the sofa opposite her and gently asked

"What happened Daisy and how can I help?"

She broke down there.

She told her everything, about their family's circumstances, the dynamic changes, Prof. Oak cold attitude, Green's well-being, anything she had withold for 7 years long. Andrea had embraced her and softly rubbing her back, patient when she went into another outburst when describing her brother's physic and mental.

When her crying had subdued, Andrea gave Daisy a box of tissue and a glass of water before sitting back beside her.

"I-I really am sorry for my earlier crying"

Daisy felt the warm arms enveloping her being again

"Oh, honey. You should never apologize for it. I should have met you and Green since a long time but I never had the courage" then Andrea's arms migrated to her shoulder "I will help you filling a complain to the police about this and I will be there to see him went into jail"

Daisy was taken a back by her determined and protective side.

She shook her head.

"Thank you for the offer. However-" Daisy stopped for a breath "I just n-need one thing"

"What is it?"

"I need Red's contact"

-chapter break-

Mt. Silver, the living place for many wild pokemon, has never been a place for human. Many trainer had tried to capture some strong pokemon in the snowy mountain. Until now, only few of them survived. Red, the current Kanto region champion, has been living in Mt. Silver for two months. He had told her mother, Andrea, about him leaving once again because he couldn't handle the sudden attention upon him. He was never an extrovert since his child phase and he will never be one. Red had felt guilty for leaving his mother once again, but Andrea had understood him. She gave him a hug and made her only child promised her to call whenever he could. Due to her DNA, she couldn't stay long in the cold area. So she prepared a pidgeotto to deliver food and supplies once a week. Sometimes a letter because they were one of those family who saw the effort and aesthetic behind a handwriting. His mother never once told anybody about his current living nor cracked under journalists who went to their house for his location. All they knew was the pokemon champion had disappeared and nobody knew about it. Red was happy and glad for his mother.

Currently he was training a lapras he found injured a week ago near a small lake. He had addressed the small gash and gave her potions. In a night she was good as new. Today he had released her from his pokeball, but the lapras kept trailing him to his cave. Red smiled at the increase companion on his team. Snorlax had let Lapras leaned on his side, Charizard and Venusaur played cautiously, Pikachu helped her hunt some berries, and Blastoise often helped her learning a move or sparring. All of Red's pokemon had learned that he was selectively mute and steadily saw his small quirks in commands. This not only gave them advantage in battles as their opponent didn't know what his move, but also enhanced their instinct to small movement. They lived in wildness, they must always on their guard.

As he gave the sign 'waterfall', he felt vibration coming from his cell phone. Red took the small device from his pants pocket and saw her mother's number. What's wrong? They had just exhanged letter two days ago.

With an eyebrow lifted, he took the call.

"Mom?" He asked

"Red, this is Daisy"

Red's memory immediately recognized her voice. It was his best friend's sister name and voice.

"Is something wrong?"

Red was sitting in the snow as he heard Daisy's story. Lapras had went to his side as soon as she realized her trainer was busy with something. When she felt her trainer's hand tensed, she immediately surged into defensive position. Her trainer realized and quickly petting her neck, his arm slung on top of her. Several minutes later, Red stood. His hand made a signal to come back to their home. The moment Red stepped through the small cavern, his pokemons attention was on him. He only spoke one word, one word and everyone understood.

"Green"

-chapter break-

Green didn't know what had he done to deserve it. He had been a good boy since his parents died in an accident and they were placed under his grandfather, Prof. Oak,'s care. He had learned everything about pokemon the morning after the funeral. He was the next successor in line. He had limited his friend to one, the neighborhood kid who has selective mute. The three of them, Red and Green and Daisy, had been friends. Green realized early that his grandfather had preferred Red more than him. He was jealous and angry at Red. So he went to become a pokemon champion. Unfortunately for him, Red also went to a journey. They had clashed again and again and Green always asked for a match. Never once had he came out as the winner. Even when he had chosen Charmander to Red's Bulbasaur. Speaking of Charmander, he wondered what had happened to his Charizard after Red beaten him at Indigo League. He really hoped he didn't died in his grandpa's hand, just like his raticate.

Ever since he had lose his title in a matter of minutes, Prof. Oak demeanor had changed even colder. The next day, he had been locked up to his room. At 6.15 he would be awoken, 8 a.m to eat breakfast, 1 p.m for lunch, 7 p.m for dinner. The rest of the hours were spent on studying. Each day he would be given one book to read and understand for a whole day. At 10 p.m Prof. Oak would come to give him 20 questions from the inside of the book. Each false answer meant a strike, and if he had 10 mistakes, he wouldn't had breakfast until he could answer all questions perfectly. However, the lack of food meant lack in focus and lack of studying. Green forgot the last time he touched the rice Daisy had prepared for him because his stomach had stopped grumbling after two days. At first he had tried to whisper while studying as not to disturbed his sister. After a while, he didn't bother anymore. The reading and his own voice kept him from falling asleep. When he had received his 238 hits, Green was tired. His back had lacerations, fresh and old, littered and still he had to read the same book, which meant no dinner, again. He had cried of course, but his tearducts had dried after his first week. He never wanted to look into the mirror ever again, afraid to see a human failure as his reflection. When he saw a small swiss army under his sink, he was happy. He could finally ended his torture. But suddenly he heard the laughter from outside. His eyes glanced at his sister lithe body playing in the grass with other neighbors he didn't bother to know. His sister. Daisy. He must live for Daisy. If he leave her alone, he was afraid his burden would transferred to her shoulder and Daisy, his beautiful sister, should never felt this. He would do his best to protect her smile, even if he needed to sacrifice his own happiness. That day, he tucked away the device and bandaged his wrist. When he almost lost hope, he would placed several slits, never to deep, redressed the wound, and hidden everything again.

Yesterday, Prof. Oak had told him that he was going into a conference in Unova and will be back in three days. He had placed 6 books on top of his unread books (3 books; 2 thick 1 thin) to a total of 9 books, his current book excluded. He wondered what would happen if he didn't finish everything. Would it be more belt strikes? Maybe no more food for a week? He wondered when will he died out of starvation? If he die, would Daisy cry for him? Would anybody cry for him? A piece of human garbage chosen to be the genius Prof. Oak's successor. No wonder he couldn't do anything. He would never surpassed Red, he was afterall just a trash.

When the moonlight shone upon his bedside, he was on his third book. When he opened the next page, he remembered the last page was about the weakness of a pokemon...which pokemon was it?...he heard a knock on his window. He looked to see a blurry figure on top of....a flying pokemon. The pokemon looked familiar, but he had forgotten what its name. Green tried to rub his eyes, it might clear the fog in his sight. But to no avail, he still needed to squint. Then he saw the red hat. Oh he knew that. It was Red's hat. Years of growing up with his friend had made him easily distinguished Red's signature hat from the others. What was he doing here? Wasn't he gone? It also seemed like he tried to open the glass window.

So Green had tried to stand, only to fall to the floor. His head hurt and everything spinning, even if he closed his eyes. He knew that Red had frantically knocked on the glass now. But Green had no more strength to walk, not even to sit. All he could do was lying on the floor and seeing Red's figure hitting his window and slowly slipped into darkness.

-chapter break-

Red was shaken when Green just lied there unconscious after trying to stand. He could see how little energy left upon Green's battered body. Daisy had been right about everything. Green had been suffering and he knew nothing about it. As he was helplessly calling for Green from outside, Prof. Oak had left with Green's room key, he realized that Pikachu had poked his shoulder again and again. He looked to his precious pokemon to see him pointing to a small opening of Green's other window. Red understood and without directing, Charizard had moved them. Red helped Pikachu slipped to the small space and the mouse pokemon managed to open the window latched. Red came in through the medium window space to Green's side. He placed a finger to his friend's neck to find a weak force pushing into his finger. He gave a relief sigh. Then Red took Green's old sling bag and stuffed several clothes inside it. He ran to the toilet for a first aid box beneath the sink. Some bandage and medicines he deemed worthy was placed inside the bag's pockets while the box was left behind. Red slung the bag on his body before taking Green's fluffiest blanket on the cupboard to cover its owner's body. Red easily lifted Green's body to his arms, realizing how thin the man was. After everything was ready, he climbed back, this time slowly as not to lose his hold on Green, into Charizard's back. The fire pokemon descended them to the ground. Daisy had been waiting for them there and hugged her pale brother for awhile. Then she kissed his cold cheek before Red moved him back to his earlier position, head on his shoulder.

Daisy then handed him things, another bag and pokeballs. The bag turned out containing light foods and the pokeballs, as Red predicted, was Green's pokemons that had been kept in Prof. Oak's room. Red gave her a sad smile and Charizard lowered his neck so Daisy could placed the bag on his neck while Pikachu holding the pokeballs which placed in another bag. His mother was also there, giving both boys hug and then Charizard flew back to their home in Mt. Silver.

Red exhaled as he felt the usual snow on his skin. He was adapted to Mt. Silver's extreme weather. But the figure on his arms trembled and curled itself in attempt to chase the cold. Red murmured an apologize. His hold on Green's body tighten as they neared the cavern.

-chapter break-

Green felt warm. His mind still loading from the overwhelming warmth which was enveloping his body. He slowly recognized the soft material of his blanket. His eyes glanced down to see green clothe surrounding him. Did he fall asleep? He still had 7 more books to read and the Professor was going home tomorrow! He didn't have enough time to sleep!!

His body caught up with his brain and he managed to twitch his hands. But his body. Wouldn't. Move. At all! What-What happened? His body wouldn't cooperate at all and he was afraid he couldn't even sit. Why didn't he fallen sleep on his desk, preferably on top of his book. That way he could still read it. Maybe, maybe the answer would come from there. He might be able to eat! But no! His treacherous body had decided to stop working. He felt tears pooling before they poured to the clothe in front of him. His body shuddered from his fear and he curled, trying to hide his tears.

"Green?"

Green's silent cry stopped. That was Red's voice. What?

"Green, are you awake?"

Then a hand cupped his hollowed cheek and lifted his face to stare into a familiar face.

"Red?" He called.

Was he dreaming? Or dead? Because Red had been missing for two months and nobody knew where he was. Was he finally kicked the bucket?

Green felt a thumb swiped his tears away.

"I'm sorry"

Then Green was embraced, the warmth was from his favourite blanket and Red's body covering him. Green could only laid there while Red rubbed his back through the flannel.

After a while, Red helped him sat in front of him, Red's leg on each side, his head tucked on Red's neck crook, and his back could lean on Red's warm body. Green sighed contentedly.

Then he saw a yellow figure stumbling to them from the corner of his eyes. Green felt Red took something from the pokemon, he guessed pikachu, fumbling with it, and Green's nose smelt Daisy's miso soup. It smell heavenly. Unbeknownst to him, his stomach gave a pitiful sound at the stimulate. His cheek immediately redden in reply but Red just gave him a smile, pecked his forehead, and spooned some of it. Green saw the plastic spoon moved to the front of his mouth and continued up away from him. Atop him, Red blew for a bit then lower it down to Green's lips. Green opened his mouth and the liquid poured gently into his parched throat. It felt good. Before he knew it, another spoonful of miso had arrived again. Green obediently closed his lips on the spoon and let Red's deft fingers took it again. It continued until half of it was gone. Even though it was a small portion, it had been awhile since his stomach had food inside. He still ate pieces of crackers and small cup of water Red offered. Feeling content, Green slipped into another sleep.

Their routine continued for a month before Green's mind finally cleared enough to work. That day, Red retold Daisy's story while Green laid beside Red on Snorlax stomach.

"Since then, you have been asleep and woke up to eat for 28 days. Prof. Oak had went into custody two weeks ago and jailed after his trial two days later. Daisy had moved into my house. We had been keeping in touch"

Green nodded slowly.

Does that mean Green was free? He didn't have to study anymore? He was allowed to eat when he was hungry? Did he have to go back to the 'house' after he was healthy?

"Daisy told me-" Green halted his mind "-to take care of you. Whether you want to be here or in my house in Pallet Town is up to you, I will still take care of you whichever you choose"

Green thought for a bit. If they went back to Pallet Town, he would finally be able to meet his sister and give his gratitude to Red's mother. Yet his body still trembled thinking he would be near Prof. Oak's house once again. It was quite obvious.

"A-Am I allowed to be here?"

He could see Red frowned at him. Did he ask wrong? Was he tricked? Afterall this time and Red didn't want him to add his burden. Oh, how wrong he was to think everything Red did was because he care. Red himself should've realized how big their difference. Red DID beat him along their journey and-

Red pulled his body to him

"I want you here"

It was the second time Green breakdown in front of Red.

The days after, Green slowly build back his physic, he still loved to make Red fed him, and mental (Red praising him when he learned new things when they were sparring). His pokemons had hugged him the second they were released from pokeballs. Charizard followed his original trainer since day one. Each day, Red taught him how to live in the cave. Unexpectedly, the place was quite homey. You need fire? They have Charizard. Water to drink or bath? Blastoise to the rescue, and lately they found a hot water source on the deeper side of the cave. Some earth type pokemon had helped them build a pool after Red healed their injuries from other trainers. Food was readied by Pikachu, Venusaur, and others to pick near the forest when their supply had diminished. Not to mention they have a weekly parcel of food and potions and two pieces of letters both eagerly wrote back. Their bed was several rugged clothes on Snorlax side to protect them from the wind near Charizard and whoever pokemon wanted to gather near. Green had shared his blanket for they both use. Red had refused at first, saying Green hadn't adapted yet. But the previous champion was stubborn and Red reluctantly use it. Each day their body had migrated to each other and Green often found himself spooned by Red. Sometimes his eyes opened to see Red's black shirt in front of him and Red's arm slung over his waist. When he realized the condition he was in, he couldn't help the blood rushing to his cheeks and even more when Red awoke to kiss his nose, muttering a 'good morning, Green'.

He doesn't have to study excessively anymore, he eats and sleeps regularly, his sister safely living with someone he can trust, and he is always near his Red, his champion, and his partner. He is free. Green has never been this happy in his entire life and he is proud of who he is.

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thegalacticmoth · 5 years

Text

Sanders Sides: Tangled AU (LAMP/CALM)

Chapter 10

I sure do suck at updating don’t I.

Well, I’ll try to update again soon, I’m sorry for the long wait.

-The next morning-

Roman hummed softly as he shifted, slowly beginning to wake up due to something wet dripping on his face that stirred him from his slumber.

He sluggishly blinked his eyes open, quickly shutting them with a small grunt as the the bright shining sun burned his eyes.

After a few seconds he opened his eyes again, squinting in the sunlight this time.

He felt something shift against his chest, prompting him to look down, ignoring what had originally woke him up.

His face flushed bright red at what he saw. He even blinked a few times just to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

There was Virgil, his back pressed to Roman's chest with Roman's arms wrapped around his waist and hips, with his face pressed up against Patton's neck, tucked under the other teen's chin.

both of them still sleeping soundly, and they looked so cute that Roman could have been happy to just lay there and look at them for the rest of the day if that wasn't slightly creepy.

His eyes caught onto a pair of pale arms wrapped around Patton's waist from behind the small male, and he smiled, knowing it was Logan, the taller teen most likely having wrapped his arms around him in his sleep like Roman probably had to Virgil.

He felt another drip of water fall on his face, followed by a huff that prompted him to look upwards.

He turned his head, only to meet the snout of a dripping wet horse, who was huffing and puffing at him angrily, the trickle of water from his snout dripping onto his cheek every few seconds or so.

Roman -his better judgment nonexistent in his sleepy and content state- stared up at the horse for another few seconds before snuggling closer to Virgil.

"Well I hope you're here to apologize." He mumbled softly as he closed his eyes and held the still sleeping Virgil tighter, burring his face into the younger boy's soft hair.

Patton was startled awake by a, unfortunately, familiar shriek cutting through the crisp morning air.

He jerked up into a sitting position and looked towards the source, his eyes widening as he saw Roman shrieking and being dragged away by the horse that had been chasing them the day before, his boot gripped firmly in the horses mouth.

Both the shriek and all the moving had woken Logan and Virgil, who also quickly sat up and watching as Patton scrambled forwards, grabbing onto Romans arms, prompting the the other two to quickly move forward try to help as well.

"Let go of him!" Patton said as he pulled Roman with the help of Logan and Virgil, grabbing his forearms while both Virgil and Logan each grabbed one of his hands.

The horse didn't budge though, only pulling harder until Romans boot popped off, causing him to jerk forward and knock both Logan and Patton down as he crashed into them.

The horse spat out the boot and reared up with the horses equivalent of a battle cry.

But suddenly Virgil was there, standing in front of the horse with his hands out, trying to block him from getting to the others while also trying to calm the horse down.

"Woah woah woah woah woah woah," he said with wide eyes as he moved around jerkily so that he was always in front of the horse, despite it trying its best to get around him to the other three.

He hadn't been thinking, and just sort of jumped out and in the way. He only realized after how stupidly lucky he was that the horse didn't slam down and practically crush him.

"Easy, easy," he muttered softly as the horse finally calmed down somewhat.

"That's it." He said quietly as he slowly lower his hands.

He glanced back and saw the three standing a few yards behind him, Roman standing in front of Logan and Patton in a protective manner, despite the, although well hidden, fear on his face.

Virgil turned to look back at the horse, who was glaring over Virgil's shoulder at the three thieves.

"Okay..." Virgil glanced down at the name printed across the horses harness.

"Okay, Thomas," he said slowly."you seem to be a very smart horse, so I'm going to offer you a deal." He said slowly, not taking his eyes off the horse as the much larger creature turned to look at him.

"Today is, well, it's really important to me," he began."and I kinda need these guys to help me, so I sorta need you to not get them arrested." He said, trying to sound as sweet as he could, although he'd never been good at that, or at least father had been good as not succumbing to Virgil's pleading and desires when he tried to sound overly sweet and used puppy-dog eyes as a child.

The horse, Thomas, huffed at him and returned to glaring over his shoulder at the other three.

"But," Virgil quickly added, regaining the horses attention."If you don't arrest them, then we'll get you, um, apples and carrots? A-and, um, anything else that you might want." He said with a weak shrug.

Thomas seemed to be slightly tempted by the offer, but wasn't near convinced enough.

"And, it's uh kinda my birthday and all, so I'd, um, I'd really appreciate it if you didn't you know, ruin the most, um, the most important day of my life." He added, looking at him hopefully.

Thomas stared at him as he weighed the pros and cons in his head, before closing his eyes and sighing as he sat down like a dog, nodding his head in agreement.

Virgil relaxed and sighed in relief and muttered a small thank you to Thomas before turning to look at the other three behind him.

"It's okay now, he's not going to do anything for at least the rest of the day." He said as he gave them a small smile, which Patton returned, although his was bigger.

"Oh good," Patton said. "that makes getting to the kingdom easier." He said.

"Agreed," Logan said. "Now that we are no longer behind chased by, erm, Thomas, we will have a much easier and quicker time getting to the kingdom." He said, nodding in agreement.

"Um, not that I'm not happy with the whole 'no longer being chased thing', but could I get my boot back?" Roman asked as he looked at the boot that was behind Thomas.

Said horse huffed and moved out of the way so Roman could get by.

They eventually began to continue walking to the king dorm, after Roman had gotten his boot, after they'd all eaten a small breakfast of black berries, and repacked all of their stuff.

They walked in silence for the most part, chatting a bit every now and then, and also pointing out new things to Virgil just like they had the day before.

Eventually, after making it out of the woods, they came up to a very large and sturdy stone bridge, across from which towered the beautiful kingdom of Corona.

Virgil's eyes lit up as soon as he saw the glittering city in front of them, both excitement and anxiety coursing through him as he and the others stepped on to the bridge and began to cross over.

The other three followed him, each smiling fondly at his excitement, although they were also sticking close to one another and keeping their eyes out for any guards, still worried about the threat of being arrested.

They followed Virgil into the bustling streets, the air filled with excitement for the day of festivities before them.

Patton, as the group walked, spotted a group of girls braiding each other's hair, and then looked back at Virgil before looking at them again, before a large grin split across his face as he noticed Virgil looking at them as well.

Virgil startled slightly as he felt Paton wrap both his arms around Virgil's left arm, pulling him to a stop. He looked at Patton curiously with a small frown. "Is something wrong?" He asked.

Patton beamed at him and shook his head. "No no, nothings wrong, but I was just wondering if I could braid your hair?" He asked turning to glance back over at the little girls braiding each others hair.

"Um, s-sure I guess?" Virgil said as he also glanced back over at the girls, blushing a little bit.

Patton's grin somehow managed to grow bigger, and he turned to Roman and Logan.

"Can you guys go find some ribbons and some flowers please?" He asked. "Maybe some purple or yellow colors?" He added.

The other two agreed to go look for some flowers and ribbons for Patton to use as decorations for Virgil's hair, while Patton lead Virgil over to a small stone wall to sit on.

The two sat down, Virgil crossing his legs while Patton sat on it the same way you'd sit on a horse.

Patton began to fiddle a bit with Virgil's hair, smoothening out any tangles that had formed with his fingers, while also picking out a few bits of moss or twigs that had gotten caught there with all the excitement from yesterday.

Virgil seemed to relax a bit as Patton messed with his hair. He kept his eyes open, and didn't lean back against Patton this time, but he seemed to relax, his previously stiff shoulders dropping down as he snagged forward slightly while still tipping his head back for Patton.

They waited a few minutes, quietly chatting, before Roman and Logan came back.

They hadn't managed to find any ribbons, but they'd found some purple, white, and yellow crocus flowers, the two of them blushing and wearing flower crowns as well, Roman also had a few more looped around his arm.

Patton giggled softly as they both came up to them. "Where'd you get the crowns?" He asked as he accepted the ribbons and flowers from Logan.

"The man who gave us the flowers also gave us a couple of crowns for much less than the others he was selling, saying that they were from the day before and that he'd just throw them out if we didn't want them, since they're gunna start wilting soon." Logan explained as he and Roman sat down on the ground. "We brought you each one as well, although Virgil might not need it, since I'm assuming the flowers are for his hair." He added.

The flower crown Logan was wearing was rather simple, only having a few daisies woven through a couple twisted rings of sticks, along with a few stems of forget-me-nots strung through them as well.

The one Roman was wearing has a couple of orange roses with some small-sized sunflowers and some yellow, red, and orange marigolds, along with long twisted yellow grass wrapped around the frame of the crown.

The other two crowns, which now sat in Romans lap, were purple and blue. The blue one had forget-me-nots like Logan's, along with a few blue irises, white daffodils, and a few bits of caraway here and there.

The purple one had mostly large patches of lilacs on it, with a few stems of lavender, some white colored hyacinths and grape-style hyacinths, along with caraway flowers like the previous one.

Patton smiled as he turned back to face Virgil's back, running his fingers through his hair again.

"That was very kind of him." Patton said. "and I'll make sure to only add a few of the crocuses so that Virgil's hair won't look to cluttered with both them and the crown." He added as he began to get to work on Virgil's hair, separating it into chunks and using the bits of string Virgil had brought to tie each braid instead of the ribbon since they didn't have any.

The end result was of four braids, two on each side coming backward and joining together to form two buns on the back of his head, along with a smaller third bun above those two made up of some not-braided hair. It looked very pretty, especially after Patton carefully placed the multicolored crocuses in his hair, tucking the delicate flowers into the braids.

Virgil had sat still while Patton worked, quietly chatting with the rest of them as he let Patton braid his hair. They talked about some of the other things that they'd do while they were at the festival, and where they'd go to watch the lanterns later that evening.

Roman, as soon as Patton finished, stood up with a flourish and crowned the two for them with their flower crown once they'd finished, the blue one for Patton and the purple one for Virgil. The two blush and each smiled, Patton practically beaming as bright as the sun while Virgil on smiled shyly.

"Two crowns for two beautiful princes." Roman joked as he smiled at them.

"You're the real beautiful prince here Roman." Patton said."I remember when we were kids and you'd always beg to play the part of the heroic prince." He said with a laugh.

Roman only blushed a tiny bit at that, as he admitted that that was in fact true, before brushing it off and ushering the group of them to go and look at the rest of the festival.

It was later that evening when they came Up to a nice while open area, people bustling around the edges of the space as they looked at carts or bought stuff in stores.

A group of musicians were playing off to the side, and Patton squealed excitedly before latching onto Logan's hand and dragging him out into the open space to dance with him, much to the taller males surprise.

Roman laughed softly before turning to Virgil and offering out his hand.

"Might I have this dance?" He asked as he bowed slightly, being the theatrical man Virgil had grown used to him being.

Virgil blushed brightly and smiled a small bit as he nodded and accepted his hand.

"It would be my pleasure." He said, making Roman bean at him before excitedly pulling him in to join the dancing, a decent amount of other people joining in now as well.

Virgil, although very nervous at first, picked up the dance rather quickly, and was soon laughing and smiling widely as he danced around, switching partners every now and then as the dance called for it.

He eventually got partnered with Patton, who beamed at him as they began to dance together, Patton taking the lead with a small nod from Virgil.

As he danced with Patton he began to remember earlier that day as they had been exploring the festival.

___

At one point they had all gotten separated and Virgil and freaked out a bit, trying to spot at least one of the other three men as he began to panic, thinking he would never be able to get back home again.

Then he stumbled into Patton, literally.

He hadn't been paying attention to where he was as walking in his increasingly panicked state and accidentally ran right into him, rocking them both back a step and throwing him off balance, only for Patton to quickly grab his arm and pull him back up before he could fall over.

Virgil began spilling out apologies as he took large deep breaths, Patton quickly leading him to a bit more secluded and quiet area, tucking them into a small corner.

"Hey, it's alright, I wasn't looking where I was going." Patton said as he sat down and carefully sat Virgil down in front of him, frowning softly as Virgil took another shuddering breath, finally having stopped with his apologies.

"N-no, I wasn't paying attention, I'm sorry, I almost made you fall over." He said as his breath hitches again.

"I already said it was alright Virgil, I'm not upset or anything, I'm just glad you didn't get hurt." He said, before gently curling one of Virgil's cheeks. "You've been crying," he said softly as he wiped away some of the tears with his thumb."I didn't hurt you did I?" He asked worriedly.

Virgil closed his eyes and shook his head before leaning into the touch slightly.

"N-no," He said with a sniff."I'm fine, I was just...just panicking a bit," he admitted as his cheeks turned red with embarrassment."I-I couldn't find any of you guys, and it was just getting to be to much." He said as a few more years slipped out.

Patton cooed softly and lifted up his other hand to cup Virgil's other cheek, using his thumbs to brush away the newest set of tears.

"Hey, it's okay." He said."there's nothing to be embarrassed about." He said.

"To be honest, I was also freaking out a bit, wondering if one of the others had gotten caught, or if you had gotten hurt or lost." He said.

"But we're both okay and I'm sure Logan and Roman are alright as well." He added as he smiled at him reassuringly, his smile widening a bit as Virgil peaked his eyes open to look at him.

The smaller male took another deep breath before nodding slightly."Yeah, yeah you're right." Virgil said softly as he slowly leaned forward and pressed his face against Patton's shoulder, relaxing as the other male wrapped his arms around him and rubbed his back with one hand, holding him securely around the waist with the other.

They sat there quietly for a while, feeling content enough to just sit with one another, relaxing in each other's presence.

But, they did have to eventually move.

"Here, you stay right here and I'll be right back with something that'll make you feel better," Patton said as he slowly stood up."I'll also keep an eye out for Logan and Roman." He added.

Virgil bit his lip and nodded hesitantly.

"You'll be back right?" He asked.

Patton smiled and knelt down in front of him.

"Of course I will." He said as he gently cupped the back of Virgil's head, pulling him closer.

"Nothing can keep me away," he added as he gently pressed a kiss to Virgil's forehead, before slowly standing up again, blushing a bit.

Virgil blushed bright red and nodded before watching Patton walk away, lifting a hand to his forehead as his blush darkened.

Patton came back a few minutes later, his hands behind his back.

"I didn't see them," he said with an apologetic smile as he sat down in front of him again. " but I bring treats." He said as he beamed at him and held his hands out, two small cupcakes being presented. They both had simple white frosting, but looked good.

Patton held one out to Virgil, who smiled shaking and thanked him as he looked down at the small cupcake, a warm feeling swelling up inside him as his stomach fluttered.

Patton grinned and gently tapped their cupcakes together, making a pretend 'clink' sound as if they'd just tapped two glasses together.

"Happy birthday." He said softly before both he and Virgil ate the delicious treated, his words making Virgil blush all over again.

___

Virgil was brought back to the present as the dance called for them to switch partners again, him and Patton splitting apart in order to continue the dance.

After a couple of rounds Virgil found himself partnered with Logan, who had grown out of his awkward stiffness and was now smiling as well.

He and Virgil danced for a bit, moving around one another and linking arms and clapping in sync with the rest of the people dancing.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Roman and Patton dancing together, the pair smiling brightly.

He turned back to looked at Logan, who was still smiling as he danced with Virgil, and Virgil began to think back to earlier that day when he and Logan had split off from the group for a bit.

___

After Patton and Virgil had found the other two, Mitch to Virgil’s relief, they began to wander throughout the festival yet again, doing their best to stick together this time.

And they were doing a pretty good job at it, that is until Virgil and Logan spotted a bookshop, the two of them becoming curios and even a tiny bit excited. Virgil had been re-reading the same books over and over and over again for almost his whole life, so the thought of there being so many more books he could read excited him.

He and Logan told the told the other two what their plans were, and the four of them agreed to meet int the market place when they were done.

Then they split up, with Logan and Virgil heading into the bookshop, and with Roman and Patton heading off to go continue exploring.

The two stepped inside and Virgil couldn’t believe the vast number of books he saw, his eyes filling with wonder and curiosity as he saw books as think as his pinkie, to as thick as some of the cakes he’d made.

“Anything in particular that you’d like to look at?” Logan asked as he turned to look at him, smiling at his wonderstruck expression.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” he said. “There are so many books...” he said softly.

“Just wait until you see a library.” Logan said before leading Virgil forward into the tall shelves of books.

“What’s a library?” He asked as he followed Logan.

“Its a large building filled with hundreds upon hundreds of books, ranging from fiction to historic or mathematic or scientific, any genre you can think of.” Logan said. “But you can’t buy these books, they’re only for borrowing or reading in the library.” He said.”maybe we can take you to one tomorrow morning before we bring you back home.” He added softly.

“I’d...I’d really like that.” Virgil said softly as he blushed a tiny bit and smiled at him. “It sounds wonderful.” He added.

The two of them continued to comb through the shelves, looking for anything that peaked their interest.

They eventually found a book about flora and fauna, that Virgil began to flip through, curious about all the plants and animals in the world and around them hat he had never seen or heard of before.

Logan, with his own book of astronomy in hand, lead Virgil to a comfortable place to sit, where the two of them began to read through their books, sitting in comfortable silence, except for when Virgil would ask Logan a question.

"Who does a spider walk up walls?" Virgil asked as he looked through a section dedicated to spiders.

"Well a spider has more than half a million of these little setules, all of which end in a triangular tip on the spiders 'foot'. These are flexible hairs though, not pickaxes, so spiders don't actually dig into the wall as they climb. Rather, their setules trigger a reaction that helps them adhere to a flat surface, allowing them to climb." Logan explained, closing his book as he moved to look at Virgil's book.

"That particular spider is a wolf spider, they are incredibly common and live almost anywhere in the world." He said. "They are hunter spiders, where they'll either ambush or freely hunt their prey instead of catching it in a net. They are appropriately named because they powerfully pounce on their victims, like a wolf." He said as he pointed to the little drawn picture of a wolf spider.

"Another fact about wolf spiders is that they do not live in the classic style of web, and instead reside within burrows which have a thick carpet of web covering the walls." He added.

Virgil listened to him intently, soaking up the information like a sponge as Logan continued to talk about spiders, nodding along when needed.

They eventually continued to go on through the book together, going through the pages and discussing the new creatures as they came up in the book. Virgil knew some of them, but there were a whole lot he didn't know, and Logan happily told him about them, giving him little bits of information the book didn't include.

Thirty minutes turned into an hour, which then turned into two hours, of the two just sitting there and talking.

Eventually they needed to leave though, not wanting Patton and Roman to worry about them, and began putting the books away from where they'd gotten them, albeit a bit reluctantly, seeing as they had both been enjoying their time together.

Logan told him to wait outside for a second, saying he was going to ask the shopkeeper a question, and Virgil agreed to wait outside for him, if only a little reluctantly.

Logan joined him outside a few minutes later, holding his hands behind his back.

Virgil smiled at him, looking relieved to no longer be alone.

"What did you ask the shopkeeper?" He asked.

"Well, I was curious to see if he had any blank journals, and he did." Logan said as he brought his hands out and showed a thick leather-bound book with a beautiful sun design imprinted into the front of it.

"I thought that you could, well, that you could make you're own little book." Logan said as he looked away."about all the new things you've seen and learned, and anything else you see and learn in the future." He said as he held the book out to Virgil, blushing slightly. "Happy birthday." He added softly.

Virgil blinked at him in surprise for a few seconds before blushing and shyly accepting the book.

"T-thank you," He said softly as he hugged it to his chest."you didn't need to get me anything, and how did you know it was my birthday?" He asked curiously.

"Well, earlier this morning when you were talking to the- talking to Thomas gave me a pretty good idea," he began. "and Patton told Roman and I on our way back from, ahem, collecting firewood." He said, and he's cheeks darkened even more, which confused Virgil a little bit, but he brushed it off due to his own embarrassment.

"A-ah," He said as he nodded slightly,"Well, thank you for the book, and for sitting and talking with me." He said.

"It wasn't a problem at all, I enjoyed my time with you." Logan said. "We should probably go find the other two before they get into trouble." He added, before leading Virgil down the street.

___

Virgil switched dance partners again, spinning around Logan and to his next dance partner, a young lady with brown braided hair that went down to her waist.

He danced with her for a round before switching partners again, and then again,

Before ending up with Roman again.

He saw Roman smirk, and found himself smirking back as the two of them danced, now moving much smoother than their first dance had gone, due to them no longer being nervous and actually knowing the dance now.

As he danced with him, still clapping every now and then with everyone else and twirling around when need, he began to think about a few hours ago, when Roman had excitedly dragged Virgil away from the group.

___

Virgil reluctantly let Roman drag him away.

"What do you think you're doing princey." He asked as Roman dragged him, nick naming him in reference to the story Patton had told earlier.

"Princey?" Roman asked."giving me a nick name now huh." He said with grin, making Virgil flush slightly.

"S-shut up," he muttered as he continued to let Roman drag him away, until they wound up in an semi-packed space, kids and adults all scattered about with colored chalks, shrieking and laughing as they drew on the ground and rubbed the colored dust on one another.

"I know, or well I assumed, that you liked to paints and stuff," Roman began. "So I thought that you'd like to draw with some chalk." He said.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." He quickly added.

"No, I'd like to." Virgil said as he smiled at him. "It'd be fun." He added as he walked over to one of the many buckets of chalk, and grabbed several shades of purple, pink, and yellow, before heading over to a large open spot, Roman following and making himself comfortable on a barrel off to the side from where Virgil was, planning on watching him draw.

Virgil immediately got into it, letting his hands move without any real idea as to what he was doing. He grabbed colors at random, and smudged them on the ground to make it look more blended, getting chalk all over his hands, pants, and even his face.

His drawing just kept getting bigger and bigger, and a few people began to watch, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the large and beautiful drawing.

It took a while before Virgil decided he was done, the sun sinking lower in the sky but not quiet sunset yet.

He stood up and rubbed his face a little, getting even more chalk there, as he looked down at his drawing, smiling brightly.

Roman walked over and smiled.

"Looks pretty good Verge." Roman said.

"Verge?" Virgil asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey, if I get a nickname, you get a nickname." Roman said with a grin.

Virgil scoffed and reached forward to smear purple chalk on Romans face, gaining a small shriek in response that made him laugh.

"How dare you," Roman said as he reached into a bucket and covered his hands in red chalk dust.

"This means war." He said, before teaching out for Virgil, who quickly ducked away and out of reach, a game of chase ensuing.

Patton and Logan eventually found them, both covered in chalk and panting softly, grins splitting across their faces.

Then they all began to wander around again, Roman and Virgil occasionally smearing the remaining chalk dust on either one another, or the other two.

___

Virgil looked up at Roman as the dance picked up speed, his eyes tracing over his face and the remains of purple and red chalk smudged on his cheeks and chin.

He smiled, and continued dancing, spinning around and clapping when needed as he felt the final of the song coming up, finishing with a slight flourish a before being pulled against Romans chest, one of the other males arms wrapped around his waist and the other still holding his hand, while Virgil's other hand was on his shoulder.

They both panted softly as they looked at one another, neither of them moving for a few seconds, before letting one another go, both of them beginning to blush.

They met up with Patton and Logan, who where both red in the face as well, and heard a man call for everyone to head to the boats cause the lanterns would be set off soon, seeing as the sun was now setting behind the trees and it was growing darker.

The four of them, plus Thomas and Remy who had been following them around throughout the day, made their way down to the docks, and got into a small yet sturdy boat, leaving Thomas behind with a bag of apples and carrots, as promised.

Virgil, while the others were distracted, slipped the satchel into the boat, tucking it under one of the seats.

Logan and Roman rowed then out to the middle of the lake, farther out than the rest of the boats were, before settling them to a stop on the still water.

The talked softly as they watched the sun continue to set, the sky growing darker and the stars coming out, both Logan and Virgil pointing out the constellations as they appeared.

Remy made himself a perch on the edge of the boat, huddling in on himself as he watched the four of them contently.

It soon became night time, the sun now gone and the world dark around them, a little chilly but none of them really minded, but Patton and Virgil did scoot a little bit closer two Roman and Logan, who had already pressed a little closer to one another as well.

"All those days watching from the windows

All those years outside looking in

All that time never even knowing

Just how blind I've been" Virgil sang softly.

The waited another few minutes, before they noticed a small light begin to move across the sky, and then watched with wonderstruck eyes as thousands of lanterns began filling the skies, slowly floating through the air and around them.

"Now I'm here blinking in the starlight

Now I'm here suddenly I see

Standing here it's all so clear

I'm where I'm meant to be." He continued to sing, looking up at the sky.

Virgil was the most amazed out of the four of them, his eyes wide and mouth slightly opened as he looked around them at all the swirling and beautiful lights.

"And at last I see the light

And it's like the fog has lifted

And at last I see the light

And it's like the sky is new

And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted."

He watched one sink towards the water, and jerked out across the boats edge in order to left it back up, not rely caring anymore about the cold or that he got a little bit wet in the process.

He turned back to look at the other three, and watched as Logan pulled out several bits of folded paper.

"All at once everything looks different

Now that I see you."

He seemed to barely touch them before they puffed up into large lanterns like the one in the sky, passing them out to the other two before lighting them so that they'd float.

Patton held out one of the lanterns to him, but he didn't take it yet.

"I have something for you too." He said, before reaching under the seat and pulling out the satchel.

"I-I should have given it to you before, but...but I was scared." He admitted. "scared you'd leave me all alone or hurt me." He said.

"But, well, I guess I'm not scared anymore." He said softly as he smiled at them.

He passed the satchel to Roman, who held it for a second before, setting it on the ground and smiling at him.

"All those days chasing down a daydream

All those years living in a blur

All that time never truly seeing

Things, the way they were." Roman sang softly as Patton gave Virgil his lantern.

The four of them carefully sent the lanterns up into the sky, watching them until they couldn't tell them apart from the rest of the lanterns in the sky.

"Now he's here shining in the starlight

Now he's here suddenly I know." Patton sang as he looked at Virgil, before glancing over at the other two, who nodded at him.

"If he's here it's crystal clear

I'm where I'm meant to go." Roman sang, getting a bit louder as he did.

"And at last I see the light." The four sang together.

"And it's like the fog has lifted." Logan sang softly.

"And at last I see the light." they sang together again, smiling at one another.

"And it's like the sky is new." Virgil sang, blushing the smallest bit as he leaned closer to Roman.

"And it's warm and real and bright

And the world has somehow shifted." They sang softly, Roman and Virgil slowly meeting one another's eyes.

"All at once everything is different

Now that I see you

Now that I see you..." they finished singing, Virgil even closer to Roman now than he was before, his face flushed red.

They stared at one another for a few seconds.

"Can I kiss you?" Roman asked softly.

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yastaghr · 5 years

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Grey Chapter 12

This chapter took a lot longer than it should have. I finished it yesterday at aroung 11:50pm my time. I was up worrying over the second surgery I’ve had in 2 months. It went well (I say this while I’m still on painkillers, mind you). I’ll likely be having another surgery in March or April for a completely different problem. I make no promises about kicking up the pace of my writing (because of pain, painkillers, and sleep). I hope I can, but no promises.

That being said, please enjoy the new chapter of Grey!

Warnings: Manipulation

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16555439/chapters/54226327

Stretch sat back on the couch and groaned. His head still hurt something awful, and he was not happy about it. He and Honey had been working on the machine, everything was fine and dandy, when a particularly bad throb of his head made him groan. Honey had jumped on it. He’d asked if anything hurt after his ordeal. Stretch, acting like the idiot he was pretending to be, answered truthfully. He’d told Honey about the concussion. The other had insisted he go upstairs to rest and eat something.

He hadn’t even been allowed to make his own food. Honey had texted his brother and asked him to fix up something for their guest. Stretch could hear the noises coming from the kitchen. He still hadn’t seen his other host, but that was about to change.

The sudden silence should have warned Stretch that the other Underswap Sans, Berry, was about to appear, but nothing could have prepared him for the shock of his appearance. Berry was over 2 feet taller than Blue. His bones were bigger and thicker, with a few badly healed breaks as the only marks marring them. At least, they were the only visible marks. Berry was wearing a pair of grey shorts underneath a huge blue t-shirt. The top part of some shoulder padding was strapped over his shirt. The padding had stars painted on the cauldrons. His arms were bare except for his wrists which, as well as his hands, were covered with a pair of short blue gloves. His boots were the same shade as the gloves, a dark blue that matched his bandana. His shirt matched the color of his eye lights which were lit up bright with stars, something Stretch hadn’t seen from Blue in years.

The thought of those eye lights only served to make Stretch mad. They hadn’t even been for him. They’d lit up when Alphys complimented his special attack. That was the last time Stretch had intentionally let Blue go to a training session with enough magic and physical stamina to actually practice. Blue should only be that happy around him. Nevermind that he just never seemed to be happy like that anymore. It was the principle of the thing.

Rather than let his anger out in anything resembling a healthy way Stretch saved it all up to be used against Blue the next time he saw him. He forced himself to put on a bumbling smile and brighten his eye lights. If he wanted anything resembling something decent to drink then he’d have to play his part perfectly.

“hey there, bud. you must be berry, am i right?” Stretch said as he staggered his way to his feet.

Berry smiled at him. “OH, YES! I AM. AND YOU MUST BE STRETCH! THESE MUST BE FOR YOU. PLEASE ENJOY!”

Stretch stared at the plate Berry proffered at him. It was covered in badly burnt sparkly tacos. Now, what would a stupid, gullible idiot like he was pretending to be say? Something nice, definitely, but he would know that those were inedible. He let the nervous sweat drop down his skull and gulped. “um...yeah! boy, those sure look good. i can’t wait to try them!”

Berry’s eyes narrowed, studying him closely. Stretch kept up the image of someone trying to lie who had no skill at it whatsoever. Good. He’d pegged that right as a test. Now all he had to do was hope that Berry was kind enough to spare him from eating them.

When Berry’s face cleared and he pulled a second, edible plate of tacos from behind his back Stretch didn’t bother to hide the relief. Stupid Stretch wouldn’t. “THAT’S SWEET OF YOU TO LIE FOR ME, BUT I’M NOT THAT BAD A COOK. HERE, EAT SOMETHING EDIBLE. I’VE BEEN USING THESE TO TEST PEOPLE FOR 20 YEARS.”

That did make Stretch pause. He wasn’t supposed to just admit that, and… “20 years? you’ve had a kitchen to store those in for 20 years?”

Berry tilted his head. “YES? THIS WAS MY FATHER’S HOUSE BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT FROM HIM. HE’S MOVED BACK INTO THE CAPITOL NOW TO GIVE HONEY AND I SOME PRIVACY.”

Stretch was really shocked now and he couldn’t hide it. All thoughts of spicy honey water vanished before it. “you lived with your dad? really?”

Now Berry looked worried. “AND YOU DIDN’T? WHO RAISED YOU, YOUR BROTHER?”

“yes, he did?” Stretch was genuinely confused. “we grew up hopping from house to apartment to condo in the Capitol. We slept on the street sometimes, too. our dad is in no position to take care of anybody. he’s, uh… how do i say this? he can’t remember anything after his 18th birthday for more than 10 minutes. there was an accident at the labs when i was 5 or 6. total amnesiac.”

Berry set the dummy plate on the table and came over to the couch. He sat down and motioned for Stretch to join him with his empty hand. “PLEASE, SIT. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A DREADFUL WAY TO GROW UP. WHY DIDN’T THE QUEEN DO SOMETHING FOR THE CHILDREN OF HER ROYAL SCIENTIST?”

How could this be called the same thing as his universe? “um, sorry? our dad never made it that far, and the queen sure as h...eck wouldn’t do anything for a rulebreaker like blue. he-”

Berry’s mouth dropped open. “YOU MEAN SHE STILL CARES ABOUT THOSE OLD RULES? OUR QUEEN ABOLISHED THEM AFTER MY… INCIDENT. I WAS HURT BADLY AS A VERY SMALL CHILD AND I HAD TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL FOR WEEKS. THAT MEANT I HAD TO BREAK THE CURFEW FOR CHILDREN OR ELSE I WOULD DIE. SHE HEARD ABOUT IT. NEXT THING WE KNOW SHE’D PAYED THE HOSPITAL BILL AND ANNOUNCED TO THE UNDERGROUND THAT THOSE RULES NO LONGER APPLIED. SHE ALSO FIRED THE FORMER ROYAL SCIENTIST FOR WHAT HE HAD DONE. THEN SHE APPOINTED DAD IN HIS PLACE.”

Stretch gaped at him. “you mean the first time you got raped? blue did, too. my brother. but that didn’t change anything. tori didn’t care. any crime is the fault of the victim for not taking adequate precautions.”

Berry looked like he might throw up at any moment. “I’VE ONLY EVER BEEN RAPED ONCE, AND I WASN’T QUITE YET 6. THERE’S NO WAY I COULD HAVE STOPPED IT. I SCREAMED, I BIT, I THREW MAGIC ATTACKS. NOTHING WORKED. DO YOU SERIOUSLY EXPECT A 6 YEAR OLD TO BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST A FULL GROWN ADULT?��

Stretch almost let his anger get the better of him. Of course he didn’t, but if the 6 year old had been following the rules and their parents had any ability to judge character at all then they shouldn’t be in a position where they had to fight back against the grown adult. But if he said that he was pretty sure he’d give the whole game away. So he ran with the angry expression on his face and said, as if he was insulted, “of course i don’t, but those are the rules. i’m the judge, i have to know them back to front. it’s not my fault that they’re in place.”

Berry sighed. “I KNOW. I’M SORRY. BOTH FOR INSULTING YOU AND FOR YOUR WORLD. IT MUST TRULY BE A HORRIBLE PLACE. HOW ARE RULEBREAKERS TREATED?”

Stretch hummed. “well, they don’t get paid as much, i know that. most of the stores raise their prices for a rulebreaker. most places won’t rent to them, so they all live crammed together in ghettos. there’s a lot of jobs they just can’t do. some people won’t serve them, like doctors and-”

“DOCTORS WON’T SERVE THEM? BUT WHAT IF THEY’RE HURT?” Berry demanded with his eyes bulging out.

Stretch shrugged. “i don’t know. it’s never come up for me before. blue always handles it when he gets sick. maybe there’s other rulebreakers like blue who tried to become doctors? but without a license even getting care from them would be illegal.”

Berry shivered. “THEN WE’D BETTER GET THAT MACHINE UP AND RUNNING SO YOU CAN BRING HIM TO SAFETY BEFORE HE’S TOO BADLY HURT. I’D SAY YOU CAN BRING HIM HERE, BUT WE HAVE SO FEW DOCTORS. MAYBE WE SHOULD SEND YOU ON TO THE TALE BROTHERS. THEY’RE ON THE SURFACE, AND THEY’VE GOT PLENTY OF DOCTORS. THEY EVEN OFFERED TO SEND US SOME OF THEIR OWN, BUT WE FELT IT WOULDN’T BE RIGHT TO ASK THEM TO LEAVE THE SURFACE AFTER WAITING SO LONG. WE’RE TWO SOULS AWAY FROM BREAKING THE BARRIER.”

It was Stretch’s turn to have his eye lights bulge. “you’re that close to the surface? the queen won’t even tell me how many souls we have, and i’m her judge. she says that, if i knew, i’d be too sad to do my job. it’s ridiculous.”

“IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN GET YOU TO HELP CONSOLE YOU TO YOUR LOSS?”

Stretch sat up straight. He had given up on getting his spicy honey water, but now… “i could definitely go for something to drink. you probably don’t have my favorite, but really any honey water will be good.”

Berry frowned at him and shook his head, clearly disappointed in him. “NOTHING WITH THAT MUCH SUGAR. IT WILL RUIN YOUR APPETITE FOR GOOD, HEALTHY FOOD, AND THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO GET OVER YOUR CONCUSSION. NOW, EAT YOUR TACOS AND I’LL GET THE GUEST ROOM SET UP FOR YOU TO SLEEP IN.”

Stretch watched him go with genuine shock. That move always worked on Blue. Why didn’t it work on Berry?

=====

Blue stared down at the battlefield with horror. There were so many injuries on both sides, and fresh dust floated in the air. The healer in him was screaming at him to stop this. But how could he? He was a horrible fighter and so extremely fragile it was ridiculous. He would be dust before Edge even noticed he was there.

It was a blow to the head of one of the bunnies by Greater Dog that inspired Blue. The blow didn’t kill the bunny, but it did knock them out. Blue could do that. He had a deep well of magic and the training to sedate any monster he needed to. His teachers had even said he had excellent control. The only tricky part would be avoiding knocking Red, Edge, and the Canine Unit out. Maybe he should just aim to keep Red and Edge awake. The dogs probably wouldn’t mind a little nap, and they could be so… enthusiastic. He didn’t want anyone to die or be hurt because of him.

Blue quickly closed his eyes. He reached out with his magic, seeing everyone on the battlefield as little balls of color. Edge was a deep burgundy, and that ball Blue carefully shielded. The dogs were a mix of yellows and oranges, and those he left alone. The bunnies were shades of blue. Finally Blue isolated the ball that must be Red. It was a bright, light red, the color of one of those red wagons children liked. He shielded that ball as well. Then he set up the sedative spell in his magic. It looked to him like a dry watercolor drawing of some Valerian. Then he sent out the spell to every ball within reach. His shields, which looked like greenhouses, deflected the spell. One by one here saw every ball of magic on the battlefield drop flat, the way he always saw an unconscious monster.

He opened his eyes when he felt the prick of something sharp at his throat. Red was standing in front of him, scowling, with a sharpened bone held to point at Blue's neck. The differences between them couldn't be more obvious. Red towered over Blue's fragile 3'3" self. He guessed Red might be 4'6"-5'0". His bones were thick, not just with scars but with the solid, healthy growth that Blue had never had. His teeth were sharp but clean, and he had black and red bone paint around his eye sockets. His jacket looked so warm with its fleece lining and leather exterior. Blue shivered in his simple, thin clothes.

Red growled at him, drawing Blue out of his curiosity. Here looked deeply suspicious and not at all happy to see Blue. "who the hell are you, and what the fuck did you do to those monsters?"

#grey fanfic #underswap #underswap papyrus #underswap sans #underfell #underfell sans #see ao3 for triggers please #yastaghr

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chimchimdumpling · 6 years

Text

Blue(berry) Days

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, they did. (BTS’s Manager! AU)

M.List

Warnings: Angst, mentions of sex, pregnancy stuff, some cursing

Word count: 8,9k

A/N: Happy, happy birthday to Min Yoongi, the biggest inspiration in my life. And don’t worry, this is angst with a happy ending!

You buried your hands in your hair, desperately gripping on to the roots as if they could anchor you and keep you from crying.

He hadn’t even come home yet and you already felt the tears stinging away in the corners of your eyes.

It was an hour and a bottle of wine later when Yoongi finally stumbled through the door, looking more dead than alive. In the hallway’s dim lighting the bags under his eyes looked almost black and not even his favourite pair of Doc Marten’s could keep himself from losing his posture anymore.

You could tell he was trying to be quiet, trying not to wake you. Too weak to even announce yourself you waited until he stepped into the living room, stopping in his tracks upon seeing you.

The moment your heavy eyes met you both knew you wouldn’t be able to continue like this.

“Fuck.”

He sighed. At least he knew he had missed a date of yours.

You didn’t blame him though, and that was the problem.

“I’m so sorry.”

For a moment he didn’t know what to do with himself, where to go, and after watching him with fear-filled eyes you patted the spot on the carpet next to you and poured a big glass of wine.

He plopped down beside you, taking a deep gulp, and for one last moment you could still pretend that it was all okay.

“I don’t even remember the last time we really spent time together.”

You finally spoke up.

And there they were, the tears. It almost felt like a literal dam breaking somewhere inside of you, along with your heart.

“Are we even...”

You took a deep breath, trying to give your voice at least a bit of strength.

“Are we even still good for each other?”

You failed, miserably so, and started sobbing.

Yoongi didn’t say anything.

He knew just as much as you did that your question didn’t need any answering. So instead he placed an arm around your shoulders and pulled you close. It took you a few seconds to realise that he was crying, too.

“I hate that you’re always right.” he smiled through his tears after pulling away.

The fact that he was trying to lighten up the situation made you love him even more and a new set of tears well up in your eyes.

“Why do we keep on hurting each other?”

He messily wiped over his eyes before cupping your face, ghosting his thumbs over your worryingly sharp cheekbones.

“Because meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me but...”

He let out a breathy laugh that sounded like he was trying to cover up a sob.

“We had shit timing, baby.”

You didn’t wait for Yoongi to wake up the next morning. You had always been the weakest for each other in the early morning hours and by staying next to him any longer you would only hurt you both more. After getting dressed you dragged yourself into the kitchen, risking a look to the fridge where your favourite pictures were pinned to the door. Yoongi had practically lived with you during the past months, always on the run from the loud mess that bangtan‘s dorms were. Just the imagination of soon being completely alone in your apartment and having no one to come home to made your heart clench already. Suppressing a deep sigh you looked at the beautiful diamond ring on your left hand for the last time and pulled it off, placing it on a note on the kitchen counter. All the little paper said was_, I’m sorry’_ and you felt like they were the only words that fit the situation. As quiet as possible you made coffee, filled it into your thermos cup and left the apartment, feeling as awful as after a bad one night stand.

Worse, actually.

But this was for the best. During the past weeks you two had done nothing but hurt each other by overworking yourselves, ignoring each other and then proceeding to be angry with each other. It was a vicious, frustrating cycle. And you didn’t even want to know what would have happened if you both hadn’t put your feet down.

You spent the whole ride to work trying to mentally prepare yourself for the days, weeks, and months ahead of you. Breaking up was one thing, having to see your ex at work every day was a whole other thing. This was probably why people always said workplace relationships were anything but a good idea.

Finally arrived outside bighit’s building you considered smoking a cigarette for the first time in years, but decided against it after a few moments. The attempt at getting over Yoongi alone was already going to harm you in many more ways than you could fathom. There was no need to put yourself under any more stress. You took a deep breath and entered the building, planning to hide away in your office as quickly as possible. Under normal circumstances you could go days without seeing the boys at work, but before and during comebacks your schedule as one of their managers was fully packed up with meetings with them. Trying to keep your breakup a secret was already going to be hard enough as it is so there was no need to additionally rub it in their faces by waltzing around the building and giving out orders, as you normally did. You and Yoongi hadn’t talked about telling anyone, so you decided to leave it to him.

His bandmates, his news to tell.

Even if they were bad news. Throughout the three years of being one of BTS‘managers not only Yoongi but the rest of the members, too, had become like family to you. In the beginning, only your work life had revolved around them- but with their kind and fun personalities your private life had been very quick to follow.To you it wasn’t just Yoongi who you’d lost yesterday night.

It was also a part of their friendship. You were close, yes, but they would always choose their hyung, their brother, over you. You hadn’t even realised you had been staring out of the window instead of doing any work for the past few minutes until your phone went off, reminding you of the meeting you would have to attend in less than ten minutes. You had completely forgotten about it, the prospect of being confronted with everyone so soon completely scaring you out of your wits. Nervously fixing your pencil skirt you grabbed your laptop and took the elevator one level down to where the conference rooms were located. So far only Bang PD was there, greeting you with a friendly nod. He had been sceptical about your relationship with Yoongi in the beginning, worried it would cloud your judgement as one of the people being responsible for the well-being of all of BTS, but eventually he had come to terms with it.

In your head you sadly added him to the list of people who would inevitably have to be informed of your breakup. Now that you came think of it, you were actually the most anxious about him finding out- he would probably see it as a bigger problem than your relationship in the first place, afraid it would influence Yoongi in any bad ways.

Despite the mess of thoughts in your head you set up your presentation with proposals for schedules and important deadlines for the upcoming comeback. Soon the rest of the meeting’s participants filled the room, Jimin being the last one as always. Despite trying to avoid the boys’ eyes you couldn’t help but risk a glance at Yoongi.

He looked even worse than last night, if that was even possible.

“(Y/N)? Would you be so kind to show us what you prepared?”

Grateful for the distraction you nodded in response to the CEO’s plea and got up, grabbing the file you had prepared in the process. At least for a moment you could forget about everything and completely immerse yourself in the job you loved so dearly. But when the beamer’s lighting hit your left hand in a way that, normally, would have made your ring reflect the light and Namjoon widened his eyes for a second you knew your short moment of peace was over. Fortunately, the meeting was wrapped up within half an hour and you made sure to slip out of the room before any questions could be asked.

It was only during lunchtime that you were ultimately confronted with one of the members. As the leader of bangtan and a well-respected person in all of Bighit Entertainment he probably just felt responsible for everything going on but it still warmed your heart when Namjoon stumbled through your office door, packed with two takeaway bags.

“Hey.”, he greeted you calmly and closed the door behind him.

“Are you free right now?”

You tried to smile.

“For you and greasy food? Always.”

With a chuckle he sat down on the carpeted floor and started unpacking the food. He had even thought of your favourite beer. Sighing, you got up and went to join him.

“I take it you’ve heard the news?”

As if it was some kind of peace offering RM shoved a bowl of Jajangmyeon into your direction before answering.

“He just told us.”

The sudden confirmation that it truly was over once and for all felt like a stab to your heart and suddenly your throat tightened. Glad to have the food as an excuse to keep you from talking you dug in and for a few moments a more or less comfortable silence enveloped you. You could feel the rapper’s gaze on you while you ate, watching you trying to hold back the tears.

“Are you sure it was the best choice?”

The question was one you had been asking yourself all morning long. You hesitantly placed the bowl of food next to you and leaned back against the wall to look at him.

“I...” you took a deep breath.

“I wish I could say it was for sure but I still love him way too much to do that already. All I know is that the past few weeks have been hell and that we couldn’t have possibly carried on that way. I mean, Joon, even you told us to get our shit together more than once.”

Now it was his turn to sigh.

“I probably should be mad at you for not listening to me. You’re idiots, you both. And I really wish you could’ve still somehow made it. Jimin even cried a bit talking about how great you were together. And PDnim looked a bit like he had lost all faith in love.”

You couldn’t help but let out a light chuckle.

“Do you think you’ll be okay? Especially with having to interact with him?”

You shrugged indecisively.

Very probably not, not when your heart strings still felt so connected to his. But there had been a time when the two of you hadn’t been the best of friends, back when you had just landed the gig of managing them during a longer stay in America. Later you would always jokingly call it_, your summer with bts’_, but between bus trips to the next concert’s city and late night food raids it truly could have been material for a road movie. With Namjoon, Jin and especially Taehyung you had bonded extremely fast, the rest had followed somewhere along the way, Yoongi being the very last one.

While Namjoon very openly guided bangtan through hardships and the occasional English interview, Yoongi had always been something like a silent guardian of the group. He might not have landed in it completely voluntarily but had still grown to love them and even consider them family.

He mostly watched from the sidelines, always ready to fend any unwanted intruders off, only springing into action when absolutely needed. To him, you as someone from a different agency and a completely different background than him had, for a while at least, posed a possible threat to his members.

A year later he had admitted to you that he’d tried to keep himself from warming up to you for the longest time yet couldn’t resist doing so after catching you and Taehyung in a cypher rap battle one late night. You had catastrophically messed up his parts and probably butchered all the other ones, too, but still, for some odd reason that apparently had been the moment he’d become smitten with you. And then all the weird tension between the two of you had been resolved one late night in New York.

_You closed your eyes and inhaled the cold night air in relief. _

The party going on downstairs had become way too stuffy for your liking and as soon as the opportunity to flee the scene had come up you’d gladly taken it. Normally you didn’t have too much of a problem with socialising but today just... hadn’t been the best day. You made your way to the edge of the roof and let your gaze sweep over the city. The lights were trying their best to replace the stars in the sky and from above it really did look beautiful. Maybe one day you would come to understand why people loved this chaotic city so much. For now all you did was sit down on your jacket, feet dangling through the reeling. Deciding to cease the moment you opened your clutch to receive your cigarettes from it, putting one between your lips. You weren’t really a big smoker, but throughout the years you had discovered that they could be quite helping with the jitteriness of anxiety. Just as you were about to light it a voice behind you spoke up.

„I didn’t take you as the type to smoke.“

Recognising the lazy daegu drawl as Yoongi‘s you turned around with a careful smile, putting your cigarette between your fingers for the moment.

„I try not to, but it helps me with nervousness and everything.“

You would have loved to snap back a snarky comment since up until a few days ago the rapper had always seemed to have a problem with you, but something seemed to have shifted in his behaviour towards you recently. Maybe he had decided to tolerate you after all.

„Can I?“ , he asked hesitantly while stepping closer, signalling his intentions of sitting down next to you.

You answered with an ,of course‘ and watched him while sitting down.

„Do you mind if I smoke this one?“, you asked after he had made himself comfortable.

„No, not at all.“

With that a more or less comfortable silence spread between the two of you, both seeming deep in thought. After a while though you couldn’t stand the silence anymore and lifted your head to look at him. The city beneath you didn’t do much to light his features and yet, the soft glow it gave them made it look like it was him shedding the light. Of course you had thought about how handsome he was before, his aura wasn’t something you just shrugged off, but here sitting next to you with tired eyes you realised how beautiful he truly was. The now messy bleach blond hair, the strong brows and soft cheeks, the delicately swung lips... he was composed of contradictions, painfully human and awfully real. Something in you itched to take a photo.

Luckily you managed to shake the momentary daze off. After taking a deep breath you opened your mouth.

„What did you mean with you didn’t take me as the type to smoke?“

Seemingly caught off guard he just stared at you with his mouth slightly opened for a second.

„I just...“

He seemed to be looking for the right answer.

„I thought people like you don’t smoke.“

„People like me?“ you lifted an eyebrow.

„I don’t know... you’re just always so perfectly organised and polished and seem like you have your shit together... but from the way you said it it’s different I guess.”

You scoffed.

“Oh yeah, it’s different, believe me.”, you muttered, lowering your head to pick at a thread on your dress.

“Listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t really make an effort to get to know you and I don’t think I made your job any easier either.”

You lifted your head to look at him in surprise. His words had been uncharacteristically soft spoken.

“It’s okay, not every-“, you started to speak but he interrupted you.

“No it’s not. This whole tour long you’ve been doing nothing but a great job at managing us and that’s really not easy. The rest of the gang adores you and even asked Sejin to keep you. I just... you know, so many people already tried to harm us and give us shit that I have a hard time trusting anyone new in the crew, but I made it unnecessarily hard for everyone by trying not to like you. Which I failed at, by the way.”

_Throughout his little speech your eyes had gotten bigger and bigger and by the end of it questions upon questions swirled through your head. The boys wanted to keep you as their manager? You weren’t a complete catastrophe at doing your job? Min Yoongi liked you? _

Unable to find a coherent answer to his words you just continued staring at him like a deer caught in the headlights. With the lightest smile on his lips he turned to you.

“I really hope Bighit decides to hire you.”

Still too confused to do anything you watched him getting up and leave. It was only when he had almost arrived at the door to the staircase that you were able to snap out of it and get up yourself.

“Yah!”, you exclaimed, causing him to turn around.

“You can’t just say stuff like that and leave.”

His lips twitched as if he had to actively keep himself from grinning.

You walked up to him until there was almost no space left between you, trying to muster up as much confidence as you could. But as soon as you found yourself just that much closer to him than ever before you felt your confidence and irritation evaporate, leaving behind nothing but a heavily beating heart.

Why did he have the power to affect you this much when so far he’d done nothing but ignore you?

You thought about Taehyung’s constant teasing grin whenever the two of you had been forced to interact and suddenly you kind of understood where he’d been coming from.

Yoongi was still looking at you a bit confusedly, seemingly waiting for you to do something.

And you did.

Following that one weird voice inside your head you eliminated the little bit of space still left between you with a step and pressed your lips against his. You felt him stiffen in shock for a moment, making you already regret your decision to go for it, when he suddenly cupped your face to pull you closer.

At one point you both had to stop and catch a breath and upon breaking apart you just looked at each other in disbelief. A slight blush had bloomed across Yoongi’s cheeks and yours probably too, judging by the heat on your face.

“We... we just kissed.”

You stammered. You had thought about how kissing him would feel like but you really hadn’t expected it to feel so oddly right. You now were officially more confused than before. His lips parted in the brightest gummy smile you’d ever seen while he kind of awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair.

“Oh yeah we did.”

His smile became sheepish.

“Do you think... we could do that again?”

You couldn’t help but giggle and nod.

Maybe you’d be able to return to a professional relationship with Yoongi again, but there was a whole broken engagement sitting between you now. “God it’s gonna be so hard.” you groaned, leaning your head against the wall and squeezing your eyes shut. Namjoon gave you an empathetic smile and a pat on the shoulder.

At the moment there weren’t any soothing words for him to speak. All he could do was to wish that things wouldn’t become too hurtful and messy for you both during the next weeks.

And for a few weeks, things had been going as smooth as possible regarding the situation at hand. You, constantly feeling like a corpse walking, tried to avoid gatherings with all of the boys at the same time, didn’t eat your lunch at yours and Yoongi’s favourite spot anymore and when confronted with the prospect of talking to your former Fiancé you kept it quick and professional. However all these things hurt like hell, and it wasn’t just you who noticed the lingering stares you and Yoongi gave each other whenever you thought the other one wasn’t looking. You had tried your damned best to keep the rest of bangtan out of your breakup but it had been foolish to think all of the boys would just let you slowly retract yourself from their lives. The maknae line had made it their personal mission to, make you smile at least once a day’, Jin kept showing up at your doorstep to cook for you, Hobi had declared himself a, healing hug generator’ and even Namjoon had started to not very subtly look out for you. Their endlessly kind attempts at trying to make losing what had probably been the love of your life somewhat easier for you actually made it just that much more difficult to move on for you. You couldn’t blame them, but the boys kept you from taking your much needed alone time to lick your wounds and as the weeks passed it only got worse instead of better. It seemed like your body was collapsing under all the emotional stress and you felt yourself slowly going insane among the lack of sleep and nausea. At night you laid awake and over and over again thought about if there hadn’t been a way to fix things after all, during the day you put on a smile and acted like you were okay so your friends wouldn’t have to worry. You were convinced that you could keep on bottling everything up forever in that jar of self-loathing of yours, but even the hardest of glasses can burst under pressure.

And it did one evening, god it did.

Things had just become very, very messy.

In a desperate nightly search for comfort in the form of ice cream you had made the trip down the street to the small convenience store, only to stop dead in your tracks in front of the aisle with the pregnancy tests. At first, it was only because you had to think of how one day, maybe, you and Yoongi could have been standing in front of these shelves together, happily giggling at the prospect of possibly becoming parents.

And then the thought hit you like a freight train.

During the weeks leading up to your breakup yours and Yoongi’s sex life had been non-existent, so you hadn’t really cared to keep track of your birth control. You were in the middle of losing your fiancé, there were more important things than swallowing a pill every evening. And then the night of the actual breakup had happened, your last desperate act of devotion to each other. You had been drunk on wine, he had been drunk on his sorrow, of course none of you had thought of protection. Oh god, you could be pregnant. The realisation triggered a feeling you had never known before, a feeling of pure fear. Shaking all over and trying your hardest to keep your breathing steady you reached for your phone and called the only person you could possibly confide in right now. It took a few rings for him to pick up, but finally his fatigue ridden voice mumbled a confused “hello?” into the speaker. You took a deep breath in the hopes of it stabilising your voice.

“I’m... “Your voice already faltered.

“I’m in the grocery store down the street and I’m scared and I don’t know what to do canyoupleasepickmeup? “At this you started sobbing, having never felt so helpless in your life.

„I’ll be right there. “ The now slightly more awake sounding voice at the other end of the line stated and hung up. And luckily it really didn’t take him long to show up, enveloping you in a tight hug the minute he had spotted you.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, to which you only answered by shaking your head and further burying your face in the soft coat he liked to wear so much.

“Tae...” you finally whispered after having slightly calmed down and looked from him to the assortment of pregnancy tests right beside you.He furrowed his dark brows until the realisation dawned on him, too. But instead of overreacting, like you had done, he pulled you closer and took some tests from the shelve.

“It’s gonna be okay, snowflake.” Taehyung whispered into your hair and slowly led you into the direction of the cashier.

It was certainly not going to be okay. The waiting time given to you by the manuals was over, and the three tests you had bought were staring back at you with bright smileys and crosses and double lines on their displays. Taehyung, alarmed by your quietness, carefully entered the bathroom and scanned firstly your expression and then the tests. He huffed out a sigh and sat down next to you on your bathtub’s rim, leaving you the slightest bit of personal space. An uncomfortable silence spread in your bathroom, mostly due to you staring at the results in front of you like they could still somehow magically change back to negative. A thousand thoughts were going through your head at the same time and you very much felt like screaming to stop it all.

You had always been sure that one day, you would be a mom and happily so, and ever since getting together with Yoongi you had always hoped that it was going to be him you would embark on this journey with. But not like this, certainly not like this. This sick twist of fate made your dinner rise into your throat and even though it was still too early on for morning sickness you thought you were going to throw up.

“Oh fuck.”

Were the first two words you finally said after remaining quiet for what had certainly felt like hours. You put your head on Tae’s shoulder and breathed in his familiar scent, grateful for having him there.

“What am I going to do?” You whispered, afraid your voice would fail you when used at a louder volume. Taehyung shrugged.

“The decision is entirely up to you. You do know that you don’t... have... to do this?” He had difficulties saying it and you had difficulties imagining it. Straightening up you looked at him with wide eyes and for the first time in this whole situation you knew something for sure. That baby, that innocent little life growing inside you, had been created out of love. Pretty fucked up love, of course, but the little guy was still part you, part Yoongi. And you knew you could never live with yourself if you decided to terminate this pregnancy.

“No...” you murmured once, only to repeat it more vehemently. “This has probably happened for a reason, right? And also, if it wasn’t with Yoongi I think I’d never want a family so this is kind of my only shot at it right? But can I do this Tae? Oh my god I’m going to be a single mom I don’t know anything about infant care and my job!! What about my job?”

Taehyung knew that your little rant was you trying to reassure yourself, so instead of interrupting you he pulled you close and waited for the end of your soliloquy. Once you had finished he squeezed your shoulder and got up.

“Come on. I’m going to make us a nice tea and then we’re going to book you a doctor’s appointment and look at adorable baby stuff on the internet. This baby is going to be spoiled as hell.”

Amidst all of the chaos your life had suddenly been thrown into, there was one thing you knew for sure: You did not deserve to have a best friend like Kim Taehyung. Even though he was working himself into oblivion with the band’s comeback he still made time to remind you of doctor’s appointments, send you articles on single mum’s and dietary guidelines during pregnancies and all in all be the exact support system you had needed. At work you had found into a rhythm of detachment, burrowing your entire existence beneath professional matters until after work hours, when you would open the gates and let your problems flood back in.

Many would expect joyful, outgoing Tae to have the secret keeping skills of a three year old, but when it came to serious... situations like yours he was more trustworthy than a rock. No one seemed to suspect a thing and for you, things could have continued that way.

But of course morning sickness had to come and ruin basically your entire life. You could barely keep anything down and even the slightest odd scent sent you running for the toilet (or a nearby trash bin). It was somewhere around your third month of pregnancy when your condition made itself known to BTS’s mother hen herself, Seokjin. You had already been on your way to the toilet, your breakfast rebelling in your stomach, when you ran into Mister Worldwide Handsome in the hallway. He greeted you brightly and tried to start a conversation with you, seemingly not noticing your problem. But when you rushed past him without returning his greeting, into the nearby toilet, he of course sensed something was wrong.

You were kneeling on the cold, hard bathroom tiles, your stomach painfully contracting around nothing after having already emptied itself when you felt someone hold your hair and rub your back.

‘For fuck’s sake, I left the door open’ was the first thing that went through your head once you were able to think properly again.

“How far along are you?” Jin murmured, revealing his identity. Too weak to come up with a proper lie you just shook your head and protested. “I’m not-“, he immediately interrupted you. “Please, (Y/N), I’m not blind. I’ve been watching you these past weeks and I know morning sickness when I see it.”

Sighing in defeat you leaned against the now welcomingly cool wall and closed your eyes. “Where the hell do you know stuff about pregnancy from?”

He sat down against the other wall of the bathroom, facing you with a careful glance.

“A friend of mine from university got knocked up after a one night stand.”

“Oh.”, you muttered, not used to his blunt honesty. Jin had this thing where he always kept himself room to surprise people, sugar coat words with a charming wink until suddenly, he didn’t.

“How did she deal with it?” you asked, desperate to hear something positive.

“She didn’t.”, he answered instead, making your heart sink into your stomach. “She decided to not have the baby.”

“Great.” You murmured. “That’s just great.”

A short moment of silence spread between you, only to be interrupted by Jin.

“Does Yoongi know?”

You scoffed. “Yeah, sure, hey Yoongi I know we broke up ‘cause we were slowly transforming into a toxic relationship and you’re in the middle of conquering the world but now I’m kinda pregnant so hey’? I don’t think so.”

“(Y/N)...” he sounded like he was about to scold you but decided against it. “He has to know at some point. You don’t technically owe him anything but with this... you kind of do.”

“Do you really have to go all wise on me right now?” You grumbled and managed to send the faintest smile across his lips.

“I guess I do.”

With the help of Tae and Jin you somehow survived the horrors of morning sickness and with your first trimester ending it also finally came to a halt. You were slowly coming to terms with the fact that, holy shit, you were going to be a mom, and you were even slowly growing to like it. Of course you still didn’t have any idea of how to handle anything but somehow you knew that you and little peanut were going to be okay.

You punched in the code to Yoongi’s studio and gingerly opened the door. There he was, sitting in his office chair, immersed in his music. You stole a glance at the small sofa close to his desk, where you had spent many a night helping him with music, talking, eating and of course fucking. During the good parts of your relationship you had never been able to keep your hands off each other.

Finally you returned back to reality and made your presence known with a cough.

“Hey... sorry to disturb but PDnim wants you to revise this.”

You handed him a file and a USB drive. He nodded and took it, his expression all too neutral.

“Thanks.”, he muttered and you turned to go. Only when you had almost reached the studio’s door did he speak up.

“(Y/N)!” he said, making your heartbeat freeze up for a moment. You slowly turned around to see that he had stood up from his chair.

“Are you... okay? You look really tired.”

If you hadn’t been such a coward you would have answered ,No, I’m not okay because I fucking miss you and your baby in my belly won’t let me eat anything’ but instead you just sent him a sad smile. In the next seconds your brain seemed to stop working because suddenly Yoongi closed the distance between you with a few quick steps and then he was kissing you, he was kissing you so desperately and god you had missed his lips.

For a moment the usually so loud thoughts in your brain grew quiet and everything seemed alright again. But then your conscience switched back on and you took a step back. You both looked at each other, scared of what was going to happen and finally, you broke away.

_“I’m sorry, I can’t do this.” you whispered and fled from his studio. _

Well, except for that little moment of weakness your life somehow balanced itself back into normality and the last big threat looming over your head was how Yoongi was going to react once you got yourself to tell him. At least that’s what you thought.

“You know, I think Yoongi is actually going to be really happy about becoming a dad.”

You looked up from your chocolate cake and sent him a look. Taehyung and you were currently in your favourite little French café in Hongdae and you hated him for interrupting your serenity.

“What, and then we’re going to magically get back together?”

He rolled his eyes.

“How am I friends with such a pessimist? (Y/N), honey, Yoongi was and most probably still is crazy about you. Most of the songs in our recent albums written by him are about you. You won’t know until you tell him.”

You tried to avoid answering him by giving your attention to Yeontan on your lap but Tae just shot you a dark look.

“I don’t think I can do it, Tae. I really thought Yoongi was... it and it still blew up right into my face. If things go to hell again... I don’t think I’d make it. I mean okay, maybe there’s the possibility that he’s going to be happy, but he could also get really mad. I could lose my job over this, do you really think BangPD is going to be happy about a damn baby during comeback season? I actually keep on trying to figure out a plan for how to do all of this and I think...”

You took a deep breath.

“I think I’m going to ask PDnim to release me from my contract.”

Taehyung flinched.

“What?”

“I have no real family here in Seoul and I’m going to need all the help I can get once peanut is here. And I think my mom would be really happy about having her grandchild close, I don’t know...”

You looked up to meet your best friend’s gaze and swallowed.

Congratulations (Y/N), you had fucked this up, too.

“And what have I been doing all this time? What has Jin Hyung been doing? Is that just nothing to you? Or is our help not enough? You have never been close with your family, do you think a baby is just going to suddenly change that? Ever since you and hyung broke up I’ve been doing nothing but trying to help you get back on your feet but now I’m slowly starting to think you don’t even want to. You know what? I’m done with this, I can’t keep on watching you beat yourself up and keep yourself from being happy again. Don’t talk to me until you told Yoongi.”

He stood up, took Yeontan from your lap and left the Café in a hurry.

You had never experienced Taehyung angry and god you hated it. Great, you had officially ruined your life completely on your own. And the worst thing was that Tae was sturdy in his anger, he didn’t answer any of your calls or texts during the next few days and for some reason Jin, too, had made himself sparse. So when Seokjin finally texted you the following Friday, asking you to come by the dorms for dinner, you were way too relieved to suspect anything.

Imagine your surprise when you entered the spacious apartment with a bottle of wine in your hands (just for Jin of course), expecting to see just Jin and maybe Hobi, but actually being confronted with the sight of Jin, Taehyung and… Yoongi. Your stomach twisted in fear and out of reflex you placed a hand on you still relatively flat belly.

“What’s… going on?” you asked a bit densely, knowing exactly what was happening. Jin shot Tae an almost guilty look and directed his gaze to the floor. When Tae refused to speak up he decided to do so after all, probably remembering that Yoongi was about as speechless as you right now.

“All of us, even the ones who don’t… know, are convinced that you two really need to talk. And since you’re both cowards and had no intentions of managing that yourselves we thought we would help you out a little bit.”

“You know that once we’re done here I’m going to kill you both, right?” you hissed, but Jin and Tae just smiled sheepishly.

“We’re sorry, (Y/N), but this was necessary.” They both turned to go, but not before snatching the bottle of wine out of your hands.

“There’s blueberries in the fridge!” were the last words they said, and then Yoongi and you were alone. An awkward silence ensued until your former Fiancé cleared his throat.

“You know, they do have a point. We really have to talk.”

You felt the fear already creeping up on you, but when your frightened eyes met his uncertain yet still calm ones you relaxed slightly.

Without further words you followed him into the kitchen, which was apparently was going to serve as the stage for your tragedy. You sat down, just to be sure, and watched Yoongi get the aforementioned blueberries from the fridge. He placed them in front of you and the act alone made you want to sob. Yoongi loved to have pancakes for breakfast on Sunday mornings, and you loved them even more if there were blueberries included.

“I honestly don’t know where to start, but I feel like it should be me talking first. Well, less talking and more apologising, _shit _I have no idea how to do this.”

You sent him a small smile that hopefully looked encouraging and hoped that he would actually continue talking. Him making the first steps was the only thing that was currently keeping you from running away, every single fibre in your body was already protesting against being in the same room as him.

“We were so fucking great together until suddenly we weren’t, and we kept on thinking that we had hit the wall of a one-way-street, but what if it was actually just the corner of an alley? I keep on thinking that maybe we could still fix things if we’d just change our perspective and go around that corner and the more I do I’m convinced that we can work this out… we can work on this, (Y/N). I still love you, so much, and if I look at everything that’s been going on these past weeks I can’t help but hope, think, that you still love me, too. Why do we have to complicate everything? We’re still us, we still love each other. That used to be enough. What changed?”

During his little rant Yoongi had spiralled into a monologue and you couldn’t help but stare at him in wonder for the glimpse of a second. For someone who always claimed not to have a way with words except for when it came to lyrics he really did. And you hated the fact that you were about to kill off all the hope he had managed to keep inside of him ever since your breakup.

“I did.” You almost whispered.

“What?”

“I changed. I wish I could just agree with you on everything, believe me, I do, but things aren’t as easy anymore. We can’t just decide to work on things and then let things get back to the way they way before, I don’t want that for either of us. And it’s not just about us anymore, Yoongs, we have to-“

“Then who is it about?!” Yoongi interrupted you with a slightly raised voice and you flinched in surprise. You had never seen passion like this on him outside of music.

“Since when is our relationship anyone’s business but ours?”

His logic starkly contrasted with all your frantic attempts at trying to talk your hopes down and for a moment you were efficiently shut up. This was probably your last chance at fixing things and coming clean, and with Taehyung’s angry face in mind you took a deep breath.

“In fact, it is someone else’s business. If you’re really serious about wanting to try this… us… again it really needs to work. Because it’s not just me I have to think of anymore” He furrowed his brows in irritation and you sensed that he was about to speak up again, so you decided to finally go for it.

“Yoongi, I’m pregnant.”

You had expected many reactions, but certainly not this one. Instead of lashing out, or even worse, leaving, Yoongi stumbled back a few steps and slowly sank into the kitchen chair across from you.

He looked worryingly pale all of a sudden and for a moment you thought he was going to pass out.

“I don’t… understand… a baby?” He whispered and finally looked up to lock his eyes with yours. His widened eyes made his recently so stress-ridden face clear up like the sky after a long rain and your heart clenched. Unable to give a coherent answer you just nodded.

“Whose is it?” he asked and hadn’t you been so caught up in the moment you would have probably rolled your eyes.

“It’s yours, of course, do you really think I could even look at someone that isn’t you that way?”

His eyes grew impossibly wider.

“So the night we broke up…”

“Yup. Apparently breakup sex really does the do, they should tell that to couples that are _actually _trying for a child.”

“Oh god (Y/N), and you’ve been dealing with this alone for more than three months?”

“I wasn’t really alone.” You tried to protest but Yoongi shut you up with a look.

“You know what I mean. And I know that you might think that this will complicate everything, but to me it just makes things so much more clear. I still want you so bad, and I want this. I need this, us, back, you have no idea how lost I was without you to ground me during the past months. I won’t let things get back to the way they were before, I promise (Y/N).” He got up from his chair to kneel in front of yours, sending you a pleading look. “I’ll work less, you can go into motherhood protection or whatever it’s called a bit earlier, we’ll figure something out. I just need you back by my side.”

Tears welled up in your eyes and you looked at him sadly.

“But what if we get in the way of ourselves again? What if everything just goes to hell again?”

He took your hand and pressed a kiss to its knuckles.

“You just have to trust me that it won’t, and have some faith in yourself again. You know damn well how to keep me in check when I’m acting up, and besides all that, holy shit I’m going to be a dad.” He laughed a breathless gummy smile that awfully resembled the one he had shown you after you had said yes to his proposal. You allowed yourself to thread your fingers through his silky hair and studied his expression for a moment. Then you took a shaky breath.

“Alright. But one wrong move, one fight, and peanut and I are gone.”

You couldn’t even finish your sentence before he tackled you into a hug, burying his face in the crook of your neck. He was crying, and suddenly, so were you.

“Your nickname for our baby is peanut?”

He asked after breaking away.

You nodded with a shy smile.

“The doctor didn’t really have a chance to see whether it’s a he or she yet so I thought for the moment it was still fitting.”

He nodded a bit dreamily, slowly wiping at his eyes.

“But hey, Yoongi?”

He looked up and your eyes met.

“We need to take this slow, okay?”

He smiled.

“Okay.”

“Are you at some point this evening going to tell us what’s going on?” Hoseok grumbled, frustrated by the secretive looks Tae and Jin had been throwing you and each other all night. You just shrugged with a grin and leaned back against Yoongi, who was having a very deep conversation about steaks with his brother. While talking he casually slung an arm around you middle and placed his hand on your belly, the table hiding his gesture. Smiling in content your gaze wandered from the gleaming silver ring on his left hand through the spacious living room of your apartment. Taking things slow, per yours and Yoongi’s definition, apparently was eloping a month after getting back together and then buying a new flat together. You had expected yourself to be more anxious about how quickly things were changing, and maybe you should be, but somehow things had fallen right into place. You had both stopped blaming each other for your jobs, you now had an at-least-one-date-a-week rule and all in all the happiness to have each other back overshadowed your old problems by far. Yoongi had gotten his own mini studio in the apartment, stuffed with musical equipment you didn’t even know the use of, and finally he was starting to spend more time there than at his studio in the bighit building. You both knew that he couldn’t just stop working, and that had never been what you had wanted anyway, so for now it seemed like the perfect compromise. Of course your job wasn’t exactly un-stressful either, but for now you were allowed to take it easy- doctor’s orders. No stress for peanut, who was now mostly referred to as baby Min. He or she, you still didn’t know, was going to have a beautiful, spacious room in the new apartment, and to maybe, one day expand your family there was even two more rooms there- one of which you had insisted was going to be a guest room to which Yoongi had just grinned (great).

And tonight was finally going to be night you were going to enlighten everyone on what had happened between you during the past months. You were almost five months pregnant now and even though there was certainly a belly now, it was still relatively easy to hide. For now, the official excuse for inviting everyone, including his family from Daegu, was a housewarming party slash casual belated wedding reception- you both were low maintenance like that.

Pressing a kiss to your now husband’s cheek you decided to get up and join Mama Min and Namjoon in the kitchen (despite his clumsiness he actually wasn’t too bad of a cook and Yoongi’s mother had recruited him to help her). They both smiled at you upon your arrival and made some room around the kitchen island for you to join.

“There she is, my beautiful daughter in law. Even though I can’t believe you didn’t even have a real wedding. And I wasn’t invited!” she squinted at you and continued to chop paprika. You chuckled at her bluntness, being used to it from her son, and shrugged.

“I wish we could have had you all there Mrs. Min, but it was actually still very beautiful.”

Namjoon looked up from whatever he had been doing and looked almost happier about your wedding than yourself. Him and Hoseok had been there as Yoongi’s best man and eyewitness, yours had been Taehyung and a close friend of yours. The only guests had been the rest of the boys and one of your cousins who had been visiting at the time, your dress had been a vintage short dress from the sixties you had found online. The wedding had been intimate, personal and uncomplicated- exactly what the two of you had needed.

Mrs. Min looked at you in a playful scolding manner and then sighed.

“At least there are photos.”

Indeed there were, Jungkook had done an incredible job at captioning the exact right moments. Your favourite picture was now pinned to you guy’s fridge, a black and white picture of the moment you and Yoongi had excited the administration office. There actually hadn’t really been a grand exit, just a moment of stopping in your tracks and admiring the rings on your fingers. The resulting pictures were stunning.

But in a way, both you and Yoongi had felt like it was time to let your close friends and family join you in your little bubble as well if there was no popping it. After dinner had been served and everyone was talking again you exchanged glances and nodded. Yoongi got up to get a small envelope from the kitchen, then he clinked his fork against his wine glass. Unusual but effective, since everyone’s undivided attention was now on him.

He cleared his throat.

“Don’t worry, we’re not doing long wedding speeches today, even though I feel like Jimin would have loved to hold one.”

Everyone laughed, including Jimin who chuckled out an offended ‘hey!’.

“I just figured that at some point we have to tell you guys what happened. It actually isn’t that difficult either, (Y/N) and I were idiots and broke up for three months, but thankfully there was a little blessing in disguise that helped us realise that we really belonged back together. And we also have somehow apologise to you, Mom and Dad, for not telling you anything about spontaneously getting married. So we figured we’d get you something and…” he looked at you and for a moment you were both insanely nervous.

“Uhm, we really hope you’re happy about it.” You spoke up and sent a smile into their direction.

Yoongi handed them the envelope and then there was a short, expectant silence.

Until his mother started laughing and sobbing at the same time and his dad just kind of sat there with a warm smile. Apparently unable to speak she got up and first embraced Yoongi and then you in a tight hug.

“Oh (Y/N) I’m so happy for you both! And thank you, thank you for giving yourselves another chance. You really do belong together.”

Her words made your already due to hormones weak resolve crumble and then you were tearing up, too, and Yoongi, too and for a moment it all felt like a scene from one of those sappy romcoms you and Yoongi liked to boycott by continuously mocking them. During that moment you also forgot that everyone except now your in-laws and Tae and Jin still had no idea of what had been in the envelope.

“Dad, do you think you could show everyone else the picture?”

His dad grinned.

“Happily so.”

He turned your most recent ultrasound picture around and held it up for everyone to see.

Chaos ensued, and among the shocked and smiling faces your gaze met Yoongi’s.

Maybe this hadn’t been at all how you had expected your life to go, but somehow it had turned out the one thing you hadn’t expected it to: better.

#yoongi #happysugaday #min yoongi #min yoongi x reader #yoongi x reader #yoongi dad #yoongi weddig #bangtan #bts #kim taehyung #taehyung x reader #taehyung best friend #jin #seokjin #seokjin x reader

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