#my sister fainted and hit her head then took a nap

[whimsyprinx]

apparently you’re not suppose to lay down after hitting your head which is news to me

[readychilledwine]

Crawl Home To Her

Summary - While Ruhn is being tortured by Lydia, his brain starts to force him to escape by replaying memories of the girl he left. Only in each memory, a giant golden thread starts to appear glowing brighter each time.

Warnings - torture, angst, smutish

A/N - I had to get this posted before baby daddy changes this song for me completely. He sings it to our daughter when he's trying to get her to settle in for a nap, he dances to it with her in the kitchen when he's trying to calm her down. It's their song ❤️

Ruhn could barely feel the strikes from the female he had given everything up for. The one he had left her for. His head whipped as pain exploded through his jaw but was quickly numbed as his brain took him somewhere else.

Music blared through the speakers at the house party Bryce's friend was throwing. Ruhn, Dec, and Ithan had agreed to go at the mention of her friend's ability to manipulate plants and how she had managed to grow and harvest a mirthroot strain that made Bryce feel like she was flying. Hunt had rolled his eyes at the mention of her friend. As if there was something they weren't telling the rest of them.

Ruhn smiled as his younger sister ran, squealing to a gorgeous female. Hunt chuckled softly at the look on Ruhn's face. The prince was trailing his eyes over the female's long thick muscled legs, her ass his hands were twitching to squeeze, the small curve of her stomach, her trim waist, her pushed up breasts threatening to spill from the black lacy shirt she was wearing. "I get you like what you're seeing, Ruhn, but I'd appreciate you not drooling over my little sister."

"That's your sister?" Hunt nodded as the female began to wave at him, bright white teeth on display as she smiled. "She got a husband?" Hunt immediately shot Ruhn a tight glare.

"No."

"Does she want one?"

Ruhn groaned as he was thrown back into his cell and curled up on the ground. He knew at least one rib was broken, his jaw burned, he tried to squeeze his hands in silent confirmation of the damage there as well. It was also definitely broken. He willed his mind back to the night he met her.

Ruhn had continued to stare at Bryce's friend as the two girls smoked and talked. He, Declan, and Hunt had only gone over there long enough to steal some mirthroot from the long-haired beauty and then made their way to the couch. Bryce was beginning to fade softly into her friend's chest before fully giving in and leaning into her solely for support.

"Hunt," Ruhn's ears twitched at her voice, it sounded like soft spring rain, "are you and Bryce staying the night?" Hunt barely moved his eyes to acknowledge her or Bryce. Ruhn had rarely seen the Umbra Mortis this fucked up. "Yeah, you're all crashing here." Ruhn watched as she moved Bryce gently up the stairs. A faint silver thread was attached to her. Right at her heart.

Ruhn came back to reality as someone gently touched him. He looked up at the face he'd been drifting off to. A gold thread was attached to her. He reached up to touch her face and felt a sob hit him when his hand went through her like mist. "I'm not physically here, honey. I'm just here Astrally trying to figure out where you are. We're coming, we have some.. interesting help. Hold on okay?" She stroked his bruised face causing another memory to flash into his mind.

Ruhn had grown increasingly close to the female he had met at the house party 6 months ago. She was currently in his lap, their lips attached as his hands roamed the curve of her ass. She pulled away from him and leaned their foreheads together. The two of them were nothing more than friends. At least, that's what he told himself. Friends who almost weekly had very intense make-out sessions to help Ruhn release tension. He stroked her face lightly before pulling her back into him.

The reality of how desperately he wanted her set in once he fisted her hair and pulled it hard enough to make her moan softly. He picked her up and groaned as her muscled thighs wrapped around his waist. He walked her up the stairs of his house and kicked his door shut after they entered the room. He pulled away from her before tossing her gently on the bed.

She watched as he ripped his shirt off and climbed on top of her. "Ruhn," he growled at the sound of his name on her lips, "I've never done anything like this before."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Something about your brother literally being the angel of death kind of scares most people off.." Her face was glowing red with embarrassment.

"He doesn't scare me, kitten. Let me take care of you."

A faint silver thread had become to turn golden as he dove back in to kiss her.

He opened his eyes again and she was gone. He smiled the best he could at the memory of her moans and cries as he pulled her apart piece by piece, igniting his soul, his heart, his mind on fire. But what was that thread? The thread he had noticed twice now.

They came back a few hours later, pulling him by his arms back to the room they had been beating him in for 3 days now. He stared at Lydia. His love for her was gone. It had left him like dust floating off into the wind, unseen and as quickly as it came. The thread connecting them, the one who made him believe they were mates was gone.

She leaned down to look at him and her eyes widened when she realized he held no more love for her. He watched her reach up to touch the ear piece she was wearing before pressing on it lightly to communicate, "The witch broke the spell. We need to move them before she tracks us-" a loud explosion broke through the air. Sparks of black and red magic, her magic, flooding the empty space. Ruhn felt himself slumping over as his vision filled with black spots and lightheadedness set it.

"Did I do something?" Her voice was breaking as he held her at arms length.

"No, just. This just isn't working." His voice was soft as his own heart was breaking.

"There's someone else." He froze as she silently told him what he feared. That she knew. "You promised to never lie to me." She moved away from him. She opened the door to her home and motioned for him to leave. "I'll light a candle for you tonight, Ruhn. I hope your soul finds the peace it needs.."

"Y/n."

"Please go."

Ruhn watched the golden thread appear and flicker, it connected them briefly before smoke and darkness covered it hiding it from his view.

Ruhn came to on a familiar couch, Hunt was laid on the opposite conch with Bryce holding his hand. Ruhn watched him waiting for any sign of life in the other male and released a silent breath as he saw his chest move.

"She's not breathing-" Ithan's voice was distant and panicked as Ruhn fully came to. Ithan and Declan had a figure laid out on the table in the kitchen.

"No fucking shit? I couldn't tell. Bryce! We need help!" He watched in slow motion as Bryce and her red hair ran into the kitchen, three winged males Ruhn didn't know watched the whole scene. One of them turned and looked at him and it was like staring into a mirror. Or at his mom. This male REALLY looked like his mom. They stared at each other as he felt a clawed hand reach into his mind. He immediately grabbed onto it in his mind while glaring at the male.

"Rhys! Help!" The male broke eye contact with him before walking over to the table Bryce was at. Ithan moved over to Ruhn and sat down next to him.

"How ya doing, Rue?" At the sound of the nick name, the name only she called him, he was instantly pulled into another memory.

"Please, Rue," she begged softly below him, "Please don't stop." Ruhn groaned as he wrapped his hand around her throat. He had broken up with Feyra a month ago in favor of Agent Day but constantly found his soul begging for the dark-haired female. The warmth of her cunt welcoming him with each thrust. Her breathy moan and pants were growing louder as her walls began to flutter around him. He reached his arm around her back as she arched off the bed, nails digging into his back.

"You feel so fucking good baby." He kissed the point on her neck that always drove her wild before licking the column. "Need you to cum baby. I need it. Can you let go for me?" She whimpered in response, nodding eagerly. He released his hold on her before pulling her hips to follow him as he sat straight up, he then moved to put one of her legs over his shoulder. Her cock drunk eyes met his, begging for release, begging to be made his fully. "Such a good girl." He whispered before beginning a punishing pace on her already over stimulated body.

Her cries became loud and consistent as the heavy drag of his cock filled her, slamming into her over and over. Ruhn's name began to fall from her swollen lips like a prayer, like he was her God. A faint golden glow started happening between them. It sparkled, breaking through the mist and darkness trying to hide it. "I'm right fucking there pretty girl," he leaned into her pressing his forehead against hers, "come with me. Walk over the ledge with me." She came for him the second he pressed a heated kiss to her lips. He groaned following her over as he leaned his forehead back against hers watching her eyes.

The golden glow had filled the room. It connected them at the heart. It pulsed with excitement and joy.

Ruhn snapped back to reality to yelling voices. Hunt was up at the table now as well. "What the fuck happened?"

"She was using so much magic and she had several of the guards and Lydia showed up . Lydia cast something on her and now it's like her mind is just gone," Bryce's voice fell.

"Y/n, sis come on." Ruhn heard Hunt gently zap his sister, "Are we sure she's there anymore? How long has it been since she responded last?"

"She's there. I can feel her running through something. I can't tell what yet though" a smooth deep voice responded. Ruhn went to move only to get held back by the two winged males. He began to fight against them, scared of who was lying on that table as everything came back to him. "Azriel, Cassian, keep Ruhn away from here." The two nodded as he began to fight against them. Long dark Brunette hair fell over the side of the table as Hunt electrocuted the body.

"Should I colour it?" He watched her in the full-length mirror. "It's just boring." He scoffed before moving to stand behind her and trapping her facing the mirror.

"There is not a single inch of you that's boring. I happen to fucking love your dark hair." He leaned into her kissing her temple, "especially when it's tangled in my fist as I'm fucking you from behind."

"Ruhn!"

He heard the door open, pulling him from the memory, and went into shock as his mom entered the room. "Ruhn!" She froze at the sight of the two males holding him back before covering her mouth with her hand.

"Momma," he sobbed before turning back to the table. Her eyes followed his and she ran over to the table. Her and the unknown male stared at each other as she began to heal the female laying down. Her arm hand had fallen over the ledge and twitched as a deep broken breath filled the air.

"Y/n! Honey, look at me, you need to keep your eyes open, okay? I need you to stay awake, sis. Let me see those eyes, baby," Hunt began pleading. The two winged males had let go of him, the one with scarred hands backing away slowly while looking at his mom. "No. No. No. No. Do not close your fucking eyes. You have to fight, y/n. Think of fucking Ruhn. Of Bryce. Of me. Fight, sis. Fight."

"We're losing her, Rhys." He heard the male chuckle at his mom's soft voice.

"It's funny how you think this is going to get you out of a LONG conversation, Velaris." Who the fuck was Velaris? Why was this Rhys dude calling his mom Velaris.

"I don't think I owe you an explanation. We did what we had to do to keep mom and I alive. That's the end of the story. Heal my son's mate. Or, take your hounds and leave."

Mate. Mate. Mate. The word began to pound into Ruhn's mind as Ithan sat him back down. "Breathe man, you gotta breathe."

He swayed you in your kitchen as the two of them danced to a song that fell far from the normal music Ruhn listened to.

"I love you," he whispered into her hair and froze. He had just dumped her. Why was he doing this? Why couldn't he leave her alone?

"Y/n, fight!" Hunt was screaming at his sister.

She pulled away from him and looked up at him with a tight knit brow. "Then why did you dump me?" Ruhn froze at the question. He looked away from the scene, playing in front of him long enough to see a blooded version of the female he had just confessed his love to.

"NO. NO. NO. YOU FUCKING BITCH. YOU ARE STRONGER THAN HER! FIGHT!" Bryce's cries echoed as she yelled at her best friend. They ripped him from the memory as his head snapped back to the table.

"She's trapped in a void, we can't pull her out. I can't even fully tell if it's a memory void or just darkness with glimpses. Something painful is holding her there." The deep smooth voice caused Ruhn to pause. She's trapped in a void.

"Ruhn, help." Her voice came into his mind. His eyes immediately went over to her, then the radio. "Help me."

He ran over to the radio and speaker system, ripping his phone off the table as he went. The song. He had to find the song. Their song.

"Ithan, you two like the same music. Name that tune. It's a love song, it's soft, it's a male singer. It almost sounds like a hymn in nature?"

"Do you know any of the words?" Frustration hit Ruhn. He had just heard it in his mind. In the memory. Why couldn't he think of a line?

"Something about crawling out of a grave to get back to lover?" The male with scarred hands snorted and laughed darkly from the opposite couch while staring at Ruhn's mother whose face instantly fell in guilt.

"Oh I know what song you're talking about. Like one of the lines is like My baby never fret none bout what my hands and my body done? It's a really good song!" Ruhn's eyes narrowed at Ithan as the young male racked his brain.

"Do you know what it's called?" Hunt yelled from the kitchen as he electrocuted you again, "if I have to fucking shock her system one more she's not going to make it. I swear if you fucking die I will bring you back to kill you myself."

Ithan began humming the song to himself while staring at the bloodied body of the female who had begun helping him heal. "WORK SONG! IT'S CALLED WORK SONG!" Ruhn instantly typed the name into his phone and clicked the first result. Deep humming and clapping filled the air. Her hand twitched again. Ruhn moved to be by her, to hold her hand. Her nose was bleeding, the corners of her mouth were bleeding. She was covered in deep bruising. The tips of her fingers and her nails were still an inky black from letting her raw magic loose. Ruhn took the seat closest to her head and grabbed her hand that had fallen. He slipped back into the memory he knew she was trapped in.

"I don't know why I did. I just. I need to see what happens between Agent Day and I." Ruhn had pulled away from Feyra. She leaned against the kitchen counter while he stood on the opposite side of the room, arms crossed against his chest. He watched himself play with his lip ring as she nodded.

"You mean the female you've never met who SOMEHOW got past your iron clad mental shields?" Ruhn flinched. "The one who showed up after you had been drinking at a party with people you hadn't met before? After Danika suddenly wasn't around to keep an eye on Bryce anymore?"

"You know, you're a fucking ugly person when you aren't getting what you want. You turn into a real spoiled cunt." Ruhn froze as the words left his mouth. He didn't mean them. He'd never mean that. He felt a deep pain radiate in his chest at her free falling tears.

"Get out." The blooded you watched the scene with the same look you had on your face as it was happening. A look of absolute devastation. Ruhn watched himself, His past self's eyes widened as he moved to try to touch you.

"I didn't mean that. I swear I did not mean that. I do not know where that came from."

"Get. Out."

He walked behind his younger self and whispered in his ear, "Stay." He took over the mind of the version of him in the memory.

"No. I'm not leaving." He moved to grab her by her arms and backed her against the counter again. "I didn't mean it, y/n. I have no clue where that came from. I love you. You just heard me say I love you. I did not mean that." The you in the memory was replaced with the bloodied one he knew was dying on the table in reality. "I won't let this be the memory of us you die thinking about. I don't want the last time we saw each other to be the memory of me that wins over everything else."

She didn't respond as tears began to flow. He cupped her face and stroked her cheek. He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. "I want to worship you," he whispered. "I want to worship your body, your mind, your soul. I want you. I never truly wanted her. It was you. It was always you. It always will be you." He tugged the glittering golden thread. "You're my mate. My first true love. The first girl I brought home to my mom. I love you."

A shattering noise caused the walls of her house to fall apart breaking into little edged pieces around the two high fae. Water took the place of her wooden floors, and the open sky replaced the ceiling.

"Thank you."

A loud sobbing breath broke through the air as y/n shot up clutching her chest in pain. Bryce and Hunt immediately held her while the male Ruhn had just met and his mother picked him up to move him. He was breathing heavily and exhausted from tapping into his magic so soon.

Her inconsistent breathing was slowing down as her lungs began to sing with joy at the increase of oxygen. Tears streamed down her blooded face as Bryce pulled her into her chest. The last few rhythmic claps of the song played in the background.

"Do you need water, sis?" Hunt's voice was soft and gentle. Bryce had already grabbed a water bottle and Hunt began to hold it to her lips.

"Ruhn-"

"Is fine. His wounds were all easy to heal. Drink the water." Ruhn watched as Hunt pulled his little sister into his arms. His cheek rested on the top of her head. "You almost died." She nodded. Her eyes shutting softly.

"The bitch shot me. She fucking shot me."

"I know."

"Ruhn."

"My love."

"I want to stay with you." Ruhn forced himself out of his mom's arms. Hunt moved to allow Ruhn to pull you to his chest. Ruhn slipped his arm under her knees before lifting her. He left the room wordlessly and went up the stairs.

He entered his room and shut the door behind the two of them before sitting on the bed with her in his lap.

"I'm never leaving you again. Do you hear me?" He kissed her temple sealing the promise.

"So tired." Her voice was soft.

"Go to sleep, baby. I'll be here when you wake up."

"I love you." His heart squeezed at how softly she said it. He felt a deep tug in his chest. The mating bond. She tugged the mating bond.

"I love you too." He laid her down before beginning to softly sing in her ear. "When my time comes around, lay me gently in the cold, dark earth. No grave can hold my body down, I'll crawl home to her."

[atinyfeels]

All About You [ 1 ]

pairing: Y/N ( she /her ) x Jung Jaehyun

warnings: none in this chapter

genre: fluff, angst. enemies to lovers

info: After being cut off by his father, spoiled rich kid, Jaehyun, has to learn the hard way to grow up. Being forced to move in with his sister and her roommate, he has to learn how to get a job, save money and live the life like every other adult. Will he be able to get his act together to inherit his family's business or will he fail and lost everything?

A/N: I'm coming back after a very long hiatus so this is a little rusty, please take it with a grain of salt.

The end of the semester always felt like weight being lifted off of your shoulders. The stress from final exams basically ruined your body yet now it felt like you were finally seeing sunlight for the first time. The cold breeze hitting your face made you shiver as you set foot outside and onto the campus pavement. The campus was filled with students rushing inside to finish their evening exams, others pushing their way outside to finally leave.

“Y/N!” A faint voice from behind you called out. You didn’t have to turn around to see who it was. Ignoring it, you started walking down the steps only to hear it again. “Y/N! Y/N wait up!”

A hand on your shoulder made you stop but you didn’t look behind you. Your roommate walked around you with a giant smile on her face. Jung Nabi. Nabi has been your roommate for the past two years and the only person you would call a friend. Even though you don’t go out with her to events with other classmates or chat with her about the girl she has a crush on, she still talks to you pretty often.

“Did you hear me calling you?” She asked, trying to catch her breath. She shook her head, already knowing your answer. “Are you headed home? If you are, could you take my backpack with you? The guys are going to the internet cafe and I really want to play this new game that came out! It’s called-“

You stared at her, tuning her voice out as she continued to ramble on and on about a new Gacha game that game out on PC. That was the thing about Nabi, behind the fact that she was the biggest girly girl when it came to fashion, she was also the biggest gaming and anime fan ever. She had gone to every convention dressed up as her favorite character from anything that was huge at the moment.

“I’ll take it home for you,” You say cutting her off, she smiled widely then handed you the bag before running off.

Nabi didn’t mean any harm when she asked you to do stuff for her. 9 out of 10 times you didn’t really mind doing stuff for her, she was too nice to say no to. Nabi is a bit clingy once you get really close to her but she understands when to give you space. You may have fought once or twice over her not giving me space before but she’s gotten used to the boundaries now.

Once you walked through the door of our apartment you placed her bag by the door to her bedroom before heading into yours. Sighing, you placed my bag on your bed before walking over to you desk. Finals were over and you had 3 semesters left of college, but it still felt like it was never ending. You placed your head on your desk and closed your eyes only for a slight minute.

The sound of the front door slamming startled you. You sat up and looked at the time, 7:37PM, that slight nap was over 5 hours. Standing up, you made your way into the living room to find Nabi on the phone arguing with an expression you've only seen when she was really pissed off.

“You can’t be serious! Why does he have to come to my school?” She shouted into the phone, running her fingers through her hair. “He took time off to go to the military and suddenly he decides he wants to do the same major as me? You told me I was the next heir of the company and now that he’s coming back i won’t be anymore?” She stayed silent for a minute before plopping down onto the couch with a sigh. “Fine, whatever it’s not like I have a choice anyways. Yeah, okay. Bye.”

“Everything okay?” You ask after she hung up the phone and placed it onto the coffee table in front of her.

She sighs again and looks up at you. “My father thinks that I am incapable of working in the company because I’m too distracted with childish hobbies. Because of that my brother is going to start school here since he just finished his service even though he was supposed to be moving abroad.” You continued to stare at her, unsure of how you should comfort her. “He’s more childish than me! How should he know how anything about Law when he doesn’t even care about our family’s company? I don’t know what he told dad but it’s certainly not even close to being true.”

You bite your lip and make your way over to her, placing an arm around her waist. “It’s okay Nabi, we’ll find a way to prove to your dad that you can handle this. Your hobbies have nothing to do with your work life. We can do this, okay?”

She looks up at you, “We can start with shopping?”

“No,” you say almost immediately.

Nabi was the 2nd and youngest child of the J Law Firm. One of the most prestigious Law Firms in the country. Most people try to befriend her for all the wrong reasons but she’s not dumb, she could spot those type of people before they even say hello. She was one of the top students even though to others it looked like she slacked off and didn’t belong. She wasn’t as weak as everyone made her out to be.

The beginning of the semester is the beginning of a new headache. Nabi had her arm hooked around me although you kept your arm to your side. You were halfway up the steps when somebody stepped in front of the two of you. People were glancing your way and whispering but you kept your eyes focused on the person in front of you.

“Nabi, you didn’t come see me when I returned,” the man said with fake frown. He was the copy and paste version of Nabi, the only difference was the height and the gender. He was wearing dark jeans and a black sweater that looked more expensive than it should be.

Nabi rolled her eyes and let go of your arm, “Im sorry i was just too busy doing exams to accompany you, your majesty.” You chuckled at the ton of her voice which resulted in the man flickering his eyes to you. “Now if you will excuse us, we have to go to class.”

The man held his hand out in front of you, “I’m Jaehyun, Nabi’s brother. You must be Y/N, my father has told me about you.”

You ignored his stretched out hand and stared at him, “Weird, i haven’t been told about you. Guess family’s only talk about important stuff.”

Nabi looked over at you with wide eyes, trying to hide her smile but failing. Jaehyun’s expression didn’t change as he continued to stare at you. You broke off your staring contest with him and grabbed onto Nabi’s arm before pushing past him and up the stairs.

“Where are you going?” Jaehyun called after you as you headed towards the door.

You rolled your eyes but didn’t turn back to him, “We have class to go to, if you haven’t noticed, this is a college campus.”

“I’ll see you later tonight at home then,” his voice made it sound more like a statement than a question.

“We have more important stuff to do,” Nabi tells him, actually looking back at him.

“And what could that be?”

She turned away from him, “anything that doesn’t involve you.”

The stares from bystanders didn’t stop even after you were inside the building. You walked into our classroom with glances from everybody, whispering about how Nabi was related to the famous Jung Jaehyun. Apparently everyone knew about him, everyone except for me. Although you majored in Law, you didn’t care too much to know about the children of CEO’s. The rest of the day felt long as it seemed like the Jung family was all adults could talk about in law school. Once you reached the inside of my apartment, you pushed your shoes off and slipped your slippers on with a sigh.

“Welcome Home!” A cheerful voice calls from the living room as you past by and head towards your room.

“Hello,” you mutter back in a monotoned voice. You quickly stopped your tracks and turned around to find someone who is definitely not your roommate standing in front of you. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Jaehyun gave you a wide smile, “Nabi didn’t tell you? I’m going to be staying with you until there’s an opening in the dorms.”

You didn’t know how to respond. It was bad enough that a male was going to be living with you but it’s not just any male. It’s Jung Jaehyun. You hadn’t even had a good conversation with the man and You already knew that you weren't going to get along with him. Why wouldn’t he stay in an apartment with friends? Male friends? Or even try to get his own apartment? The sound of the front door opening and closing, made you look up to find Nabi just getting home.

“I’m home!” She’s says with a cheerful tone, looking up to find you and Jaehyun standing in the middle of the room. She let out an awkward giggle and rubbed the back of her neck. “I guess you found out.”

Closing your eyes, you took a deep breath before looking between the both of them. Nabi was still giving you her awkward smile that had ‘I’m so sorry’ written all over her face while Jaehyun was giving you a mischievous smile. You have got to be kidding me.

[haechanniesunflowers]

y/n slaps yandere!Ateez during an argument

Warnings: this kind of behaviour is sick and you shouldn't take inspiration from it. I do not support it, none of us support it or should support it. It is wrong in every way.

Mentions of blood, rage, extreme violence, gore, brutality

Requested by @btsxgx

Hongjoong

He has one rule you must remember all the time, you are not allowed to touch him without his permission, he hates being touched

You want to hold his hand? Ask him. You want to wake him up from a nap? Call his name. But you do not touch him without his permission or else he will punish you and he's a masochistic psycho so you better keep your hands to yourself

Today was a bad day for him and he was taking it out on you. He was humiliating you for no good reason even though you were on your best behaviour for him. His words were getting unbearable and then you snapped and argued back

He was stunned because you never raise your voice at him so he got physical and started pushing you harshly

In an attempt to stop him your palm landed across his jaw and suddenly everything was quite, all you could hear was your heart thumping because you had just touched him

He grabbed you by your neck and shoved you to the ground on your back and stepped on you with one foot on your ribcage

He was putting too much pressure

Hongjoong made you look at him and "you want to hurt me? That's why you hit me? Your weak hands won't do it, let me do it for you" and he started hitting his face

You tried stopping him and apologized but he wasn't having it

You had touched him and now this was your punishment, he'd hurt himself and blame it on you

Seonghwa

He's a possessive yandere so don't even think about meeting your friends

But you still kinda wanted to meet your friends so you did that, without him knowing because he was busy at work

y/n's luck really ran out today huh? Because you just came back home after having the time of your life catching up with friends and umm... is that Seonghwa in the kitchen? yes honey and I'm so sorry

"you're home early" you started the conversation and back hugged him

"yeah my students finished with their vocal lessons early so I decided to come home to spend some time with you but I guess you were out whoring around with those pathetic sluts you call friends" he said in a sweet voice but you were taken aback by his words

You let him go and tried distancing yourself from him but he grabbed your wrist and pulled you to his chest and kissed you

You resisted and accidentally hit his face and you could feel him staring to breathe heavily

He stopped kissing you and pushed you towards the counter and grabbed your hand and smashed it on it several times

You were screaming your head off so he chocked you with his other hand

By the time he was done, your hand was purple, yellow and blue and two of your fingers were bent the other way, the joints completely broken. You felt dizzy and threw up

"oh no sweetheart are you okay? you should go sit on the couch I'll make some soup for you maybe you'll feel better" he cooed as if he didn't just violently break your hand

You screamed and begged for him to take you to a hospital and he took your hand in his and squeezed it while staring at you lovingly and said "of course sweetheart, afterall your stupid friends hurt your beautiful hand and I'll tell the doctor about that, maybe he'll tell you not to see them again. And then I'll report them to the police, look at how brutal those bitches are, did they really have to break your hand?" he said and took you to the hospital (yikes)

Yunho

Remember that episode of powerpuff girls in which the girls time travel to the future and the whole town is ruined because they weren't there to save them and everyone's old and keeps saying "it's your fault". That's Yunho. Everything is your fault and he'll cry over it and if you deny or leave, he'll end up in the ER.

Please explain to him why you were excitedly thanking the cashier for the store restocking your favorite moisturiser because girl you were obviously cheating on him like that *rolls eyes*

You guys got in the car and drive off and suddenly Yunho inquires about the incident with tears in his eyes "you're going to leave me for him aren't you"

He starts whining and crying and you're scared because he's almost overspending so you slap him to bring him to his senses and ge stops the car

"y-you hit me? It's because you hate me now isn't it? You love that man and now you're going to hit me to make me feel worthless" he says but you answer with a wth because you're fed up of his jealousy and he presses the gas pedal and starts driving recklessly

You start apologizing and reassuring him that you aren't going to leave him and that you love him too much to do so, even though the relationship was exhausting but you had to say this to save your life right now

Yunho stopped the car again and hugged you and smirked to himself

"haha works every time" he thought to himself

Yeosang

His silence speaks volumes

He's the unpredictable kind

So when you slapped him for constantly scolding you for saying no to his stupid plan of going to Jongho's house to watch movies he left you alone and went on his own

But he didn't come back home for the next couple of days

You were ecstatic because "yes finally now I can have some time to myself" but days turned into weeks and now he hadn't contacted you or come home for a month and as much as you hate to admit it, you were worried so you called Jongho and asked him about your boyfriend but Jongho said he hasn't spoken to Yeosang for over a month and revealed that he didn't come to his home to watch movies the day you had the argument with him

You called all his friends but they all said they didn't know where he was

You were scared and guilty and cried

You went to the police station to file a missing report and a search for Kang Yeosang began

The police searched everywhere for him for a few weeks but there was no sign of him

Until one day, a month after the search began and you were starting to lose hope, he came back home

You asked him where he was and he told you he was home

You told him to stop playing with you and demanded to know where he went and why he left you alone

"I just told you I was home, I saw how worried you got and how you cried for me. I saw you sleeping on the couch and in our bed, waiting for any lead for me"

You were terrified of what he said because all of that was true but you knew for a fact that he wasn't home so how did he know all this

"what's going on Yeosang?" you ask him in fear

He just smiled and sat on the couch and turned the TV on

You came to sit next to him and there was silence for some time until he said "y/n? Next time try to hit me, there will be a search party for you"

San

The brutal sadist

You knew better than to get on his nerves because he switches from his usual sweet doting personality to a violent mad man

But you were on your period and everything was making you angry

San was feeling horny and wanted you but you didn't want him to come near you

You were beyond angry when he didn't stop and kept kissing you and trying to undress you, so you slapped him

San caressed his cheek and laughed a little and you knew you've done fucked up

You instantly start apologizing but San kept laughing with his hand still on his cheek

"kinky. do that again" he said

But you didn't want to do that again so you kept telling him how sorry you were and that you wanted him

He looked at you and smiled and said "I said, do. that. again." you were crying at this point

The next thing you knew, San was dragging you out the room by your arm and took you to the basement where he kept his tools. You were still apologizing in hopes of him going easy on you

He fixed your arm in one of the machines (the one which Ester uses to break her arm in the movie Orphan) and kept going until you heard the sound of your broken bones

San started slapping you and you were begging for mercy at this point

He was completely out of it and looked like he would kill you right then and there

You woke up in a hospital bed and heard the doctor telling San that "your girlfriend needs to see a psychiatrist because if she has hurt herself like that now, who knows what she would do to herself in the future"

The doctor came to check you and San held your hand "honey I was so scared! why did you hurt yourself like that. You didn't even think what I would go through, you know I can't see you in pain"

You felt tears escaping

Mingi

Mingi had just insulted your sister for visiting you and kicked her out of the house

You were furious and argued with him about it and he just said "I hate her, so she shouldn't come here where I can see her"

You said "well I hate your bitchass friends and family too, they shouldn't come here either where I can see them"

He started using slurs against your family and you slapped him out of anger

He quickly pushed you towards the wall and punched you

Your lips were bleeding but he wasn't done

He said he'd do the same to your sister she ever comes here again

You protested and called him out but he punched you again, this time drawing blood from your nose

You really didn't think Mingi would ever hit you like this but he just did and you wanted to run out of the house, away from him

But he grabbed your leg as soon as you tried to get out of the room and got on top of you

"you're really getting on my nerves today bitch"

He punched you one more time and you fainted

Wooyoung

Wooyoung is the brat tamer kind and that's what you were being right now, a brat

You wanted to leave the house and go shopping but he wasn't in the mood to go out and you weren't allowed to go without him

So you started whining

He was getting annoyed and warned you

But you had a death wish of some sort and kept whining

He had had enough and started being rough with you to stop you

You protested and accidentally slapped him

You really outdid yourself and now you were in for it

He dragged you to his room, tied your limbs and ripped your clothes off

"now I'm going to punish you for what you've done baby girl and you're going to count for me"

You tried to keep yourself composed

The whip stung your back and you screamed

"that isn't a number I hear, let's start again"

Jongho

Jongho didn't like to use his strength against you under any circumstances

He loved you too much and felt that he needed to protect you

You were happy with him but sometimes he was too much

He just told you that you are forbidden from seeing your male friend again because Jongho got the vibe that he was interested in you

You told him he was thinking too much and that your friend didn't really like you like that

But he said "no means no, you're not going to meet him again"

You were angry at him because you had to meet that friend in less than an hour "how am I going to explain this to him"?

"tell him you don't want to see him, if he's smart he'll get the message" Jongho replied

"Jongho you're being unreasonable and stupid" you said and he came to stand in front of you with his arms folded on his chest

You hated that he was challenging you right now so you slapped him

He didn't even budge because your slap was nothing compared to what he could do and he didn't want to slap you

But as payback, he forcefully took your phone and called your friend

"you make my girlfriend uncomfortable, don't ever try contacting her or meeting her again if you know what's good for you" he said on the phone

You were embarrassed and annoyed

[kiame-sama]

Could you do a Yandere Silva where the reader is getting hit on by a butler with a death wish and Silva freaks and it ends with rough sex where reader won’t be able to walk👀🍵

Warnings; lemon, rough behavior, yandere relationship, yandere behavior, mentioned non-con, reader gets threatened, reader has female parts, oral (female receiving), oral (male receiving), 69, peak into the yandere mind of an assassin,

~~~~~~~~

You sat quietly in your room, relaxing back on the large couch and idly listening to whatever was currently on the TV. It had been a fairly quiet day, but most days were quiet (other than when Silva decides he needs attention). You were rather bored, slightly considered taking a nap or even calling for Silva just for some kind of entertainment.

Just as you were in the middle of deciding what to do, the door slowly began to open. This immediately put you on guard since the only ones who would enter your room tended to fling it open despite how unbelievably heavy the door actually was. You were quick to retrieve your panic button, a distress alert Silva had given you just in precaution for someone getting to your room. It only happened once that some fool decided to kidnap you without anyone knowing until you were already gone, but he made certain it would never happen again.

You fiddled with the small device nervously, watching the door with great anticipation for whoever it was on the other side. You were surprised to see a man you had never met before. He wore a suit identical to that of the butlers that worked in the manor, but all of the butlers should know better than to even come within twenty feet of your room.

"So you're the famous Zoldyck treasure. I can certainly see why."

He looked you up and down, making you feel far more exposed than you actually were. The man was blond and had bright blue eyes that seemed to glimmer in the light of your cell. He was fairly tall, though not as tall as Silva, and he had sun-kissed tan skin. The way he looked at you like a piece of meat made your skin start to crawl, so you subtly pressed the button and hoped that this man wouldn't have the time to do anything to you.

"You're quite the big mystery. Most here don't know what's in this room, and It's even one of the most enforced rules; don't go near this room. I can see why you're considered a treasure, a lovely thing like you would attract a lot of attention. But, I don't see why you're kept away from everyone like this. Can you tell me?"

"..."

"It's okay, I don't bite, unless you want me to. You must be such a fragile little thing, being locked up like this for your safety."

"I'm not locked up for my own benefit."

"Oh?"

"I'm here because my husband doesn't like sharing."

This, instead of making the man back off like you thought it would, the man only seemed to become more interested in you due to your words. He began a slow approach towards you, making you retreat until your back was pressed against the wall and he was mere inches away from you. You tried to turn your head away from him, keeping as much distance as possible between the two of you, knowing just how Silva will react.

"He doesn't have to know... Isn't it exciting, though? Sneaking around like this."

"No."

"Oh come on, live a little, sweetheart."

"Leave me alone."

"Nah, I don't think I will. In fact, no one even knows I'm here, so no one will come check on you. I could do so many things to your tight little body with the time I have... And no one would even hear you cry for help."

"Stop- Stop it."

"So scared. Good. I like 'em scared. You're gonna be so much f-"

He was suddenly cut off by the door slamming open with enough force to make the walls shake, him turning on his heel to confront whoever just arrived. You were quick to slide past the stunned man as he turned away from you, hurriedly making it to Silva's side and hiding behind him. The man had a look of pure terror on his face, clearly not expecting the terrifying assassin to appear.

You gripped tightly to the back of Silva's shirt, pressing your forehead against his broad back as you hid from the intruder that had threatened you so gleefully. The small glimpse you got of Silva's expression was enough to tell you everything you needed to know. He wasn't just mad, he was furious. Luckily, none of that fury was directed towards you.

Not only were his burning blue eyes filled with pure hate, they seemed to glow in the light of the room with a predatorial glint. He never really seemed to smile anyway, but his expression wasn't his usual scowl, it was akin to the stone-cold expression of a wild animal ready to kill. There was a palpable hate in the air that made it quite clear Silva had no intention to let the man live.

"Did he do anything to you?"

"He threatened me."

A low hum that sounded more like a growl rumbled from his chest, clearly displeased. The man had yet to move from his original spot, frozen in terror at the intimidating visage of your furious husband. Had the situation been different, and had the man not threatened you, you would have felt pity for him, but you felt no pity now.

"Explain."

"Wha-What?"

"Explain just what you are doing in my wife's room."

The man had already been terror stricken, but now all of the color disappeared from his face as he realized just how stupid his decision had been. He had assumed you were just another family member, maybe a sister or daughter. He only began to now realize just how fucked he was. Even though he was a relatively new butler, he knew of Silva's infamous temper and he also knew to never talk about Silva's wife, lest he wish for the most painful death possible.

He had seen Kikyo around, and since Kalluto was always trailing behind, he had assumed that she was Silva's wife and did his damndest to stay away from her and stay out of her path. He had heard stories about what would happen to anyone who took any level of interest in Silva's wife, but he had just figured it was meant as a basic warning about the woman herself. Yet here he was, staring at the most terrifying man he had ever encountered after just having threatened and attempted to force himself onto the very woman he was warned to never speak of.

"Well?"

"I- I didn't- I hadn't- but-"

"You've already exceeded my patience, filth."

"I'm- I'm sorry! I didn't know who she was! I wouldn't have said those things to her if-"

"Said what 'things'?"

"..."

You pulled away to look up at your towering husband, seeing him glance over his shoulder at you, his eyes far more gentle and loving. The glance was a clear prompt to speak, and you'd rather not push Silva's buttons at that moment, given his unyielding rage about to overflow.

"He threatened to rape me and said no one would hear me scream."

There was a sudden change in the entire room the moment you finished your sentence. It was a crushingly heavy pressure that seeped into every corner like a rolling miasma, consuming everything. The pressure quickly lifted from you, allowing you to breathe though it was clear the intruder did not receive the same kindness as he choked and dropped to his knees.

If you thought Silva was mad before, he was as tame as a kitten in comparison to the rage that now consumed him. You were well aware of Silva's knowledge in ways to kill a man, but it seemed more like he was interested in a slow drawn out slaughter. He never once looked away from the terrified man, even as he spoke in a gentle tone to you.

"(Y/n), go wait in our room. Don't come out until I tell you to."

"Alright..."

Quickly scrambling to the room you two shared, you caught a glimpse at Silva's expression and felt your heart drop into your stomach. Even though you knew he was not angry with you at all, that look alone sent fear running down your spine and into your very being. You closed the door and sat on your bed, hearing a sudden shrill voice begin screaming.

It wasn't hard for you to guess the kind of mood Silva would be in once he was done dealing with the man. There was no doubt in your mind he was going to be rough as well, knowing how he got when jealous. You also knew he would be jealous as all hell due to the man being in your room. It may not have been your fault and the man may be dead, but with Silva, jealousy didn't fade away.

There were few things you could do at that point to soften Silva's mood, and honestly him being rough wasn't that bad (so long as he doesn't break your bones). Given how terrifying just a glance at him was, you figured you'd do something that should brighten his mood and help soothe his jealousy a bit. You dug through your clothes picking out your white and blue lingerie- Silva's favorite for obvious reasons- and waited on the bed.

The screams had yet to stop, though they certainly took on a more gurgling tone the longer it went. You shivered slightly, wondering just what Silva was doing to the man, since he was an expert at torturing people. Though he has hurt you in the past- most being accidental- you know just how strong he is and just how deeply his few emotions impact him. Looking from the outside, he feels nothing, but with you he is extremely expressive in everything he does.

You lay back on the bed, thinking about how much you truly impacted him and how much your wellness meant to him. Hell, the man would move heaven itself if you wanted him to. He was the dominant partner, but he was also a slave to your every emotion.

While you let yourself get lost in thought, you slowly slipped off to sleep with Silva's pillow cuddled in your arms.

Movement on the bed drew you out of your peaceful slumber, letting out an upset whine at being woken. You were slightly disoriented from your sudden awakening and blearily blinked the sleep out of your eyes. As your brain began to fully wake as well, you realized that Silva was right above you, his large hands on either side of your head.

There was a faint feeling of surprise as you noticed not a speck of blood on the giant man. You figured he would have been soaked in the blood of that idiot butler, but not a single fleck of red marred his flawless skin.

"Trying to cheer me up?"

There was the slightest of smiles pulling at his lips as his eyes slowly dragged over your barely covered figure, letting out a low hum of pleasure and licking his lips slowly. He seemed almost too calm at that moment, but you knew the beast that dwells within would easily come forth once he began.

"It certainly does help..."

"I thought it would be nice to surprise you... but I guess I fell asleep before you came back."

"You are a wonderful creature, (y/n), did you know that?"

"Well, there has to be some reason you keep me around."

"Sassy thing."

His tone was teasing, but you knew he wouldn't be teasing you for very long, not with the way his sharp blue eyes roamed your body. He sat up, now letting his hands roam your soft body and squeezing every few seconds. No matter what mark may be on you- be it a scar, a birthmark, a mole, didn't matter- he adored you and held such reverence for you. Even when you gain or lose weight, you are a Goddess in his eyes, and he made sure to treat his Goddess well.

"Mmm, you do know how to rile me up."

"Lots of practice."

You reached up to run your fingers through his hair, watching his eyes narrow in bliss from your gentle touch. When you suddenly tightened your grip and tugged on his long hair, that calm expression changed in an instant. He was now less of a man than he was a beast, moving you suddenly so your legs rest on his shoulders, your back against the pillows.

He didn't say a single word as he gripped the lacy panties you wore between his teeth, pulling back in one smooth motion and ripping the delicate fabric with ease. You were about to whine at the destruction of his favorite set but you didn't even manage to get a single word out before he buried his head between your thighs, tongue easily sliding through your soft folds. He didn't bother with being slow in working you up, he just slid his tongue as deeply into you as he could to slurp up your juices.

The noises coming from him were obscene as he sucked on your soft pussy, low moans vibrating against you as he gripped your legs tighter, pulling you closer to his mouth. You ran your fingers through his hair, gripping tightly and tilting your head back with breathy moans. He held your hips still, making it so you were unable to do anything other than writhe in the pleasure he gave you.

It was clear that him holding you still was more of a dominance thing to reassure himself and soothe his burning jealousy more than it was to show his dominance over you. He was using your presence and your sweet moans as his own validation of being your one and only. Reminding himself- and in some ways, you- that you were still his and he had no intention of sharing you in any way.

You truly have only had honest social interaction with three people on a consistent basis and your five children on the odd occasion for more than twenty years. If that didn't give you a good visualization of how deep his jealousy runs, then it would be the contempt he has for his own children. As far as he was concerned, you only truly needed him in your life and no one else would have the chance or ability to get between the two of you.

He was much like a religious zealot with how fiercely he coveted you and everything about you. His tongue was as deep in you as possible while his large thumb rubbed your clit, blue eyes closed in bliss as if he truly received deep pleasure from taking care of you and pleasuring you like a wild animal did its mate. You were his everything, and he wanted your everything desperately enough he had you kidnapped only days after meeting you, already in deep obsession and fanatical adoration for you.

Continuing with endless stamina, he brought you up to mindless pleasure and kept you there, every whining cry you made only served to fuel his desire and increase blood-flow to his achingly hard cock. In typical Silva fashion, he completely ignored his own needs to not only ensure your pleasure, but to test himself to see how long he could listen to you moan before snapping and giving in to the starving beast within him. He was quite the dominant masochist when it came down to it, always adoring every scratch and mark you make on his fair skin but also making sure he was the one on top and in control.

With a loud sucking sound, he pulled away from your soaked pussy, licking his lips with hazy bliss filled eyes never leaving your shaking form. He was completely lost in his desire to possess all of you, and he gently trailed his warm hands up your soft front until he lightly gripped your chin, holding your mouth open. You were faintly worried about what he planned on doing while in such a blissed out state, yelping when he moved you down the bed with both hands before moving so his muscular legs were on either side of your head.

He slid his large cock slowly into your mouth, your jaw stretching a bit further to accommodate the rock-hard length. A deep moan rose up from his chest as he thrusted his hips a few times before returning to digging his tongue into your slick heat. He did the majority of the work to pleasure you both, ensuring to keep himself from making you deep throat him just yet. You reached up to rest your hands on his hips for your own sake should he unintentionally begin to choke you, but to Silva the contact of your gentle hands on his pale skin was overwhelmingly intense.

He was extremely touch starved when it came to you due to his distant and cold upbringing despite how much physical contact he actually had with you on a regular basis. Just another reason for him to be obsessed with the touch of your skin and the feel of your body against his. Each small brush of your hand anywhere on his body sent intense sensations running through his very being. To feel not a hint of affection during the critical developmental beginning years of his life left him distant and made him believe all outside touch would bring only pain.

Of course, when he met you, his entire world changed drastically. Your touch was gentle and brought no pain with it, only the sweet sensation of honest care and empathy. He had to have you, and only you. Only your touch brought him such calming pleasure and consuming affection. Even as he bucked his hips into your warm mouth, he was past cloud 9 in absolute bliss, sinking his tongue into your extremely wet pussy and almost desperately trying to bring you the same level of pleasure that he felt even when simply in your presence.

That's what he always tried to do.

He felt so much from and for you that he couldn't help but attempt to reciprocate that pleasure any chance he got. His addiction to your touch was likely why you two were still so sexually active even after decades together, that and Silva used that intimate connection to soothe his own mind consuming anxiety. It was why he became so irritable whenever he is away from your side for more than 24 hours. His mind drowns him in anxiety with every outcome of you being attacked while he is away.

It would destroy him to know something hurt you or you were unwell in some way while he was gone. He would feel like he failed you as your husband and that he failed you as your protector. He refused to fail. The cost would be too great.

You, on the other hand, happened to be lost in the feelings of pleasure running through your veins, to the point you didn't honestly notice much other than the warm cock in your mouth and the hot tongue on your pussy. Every moan you made only made that large length twitch and throb, feeling the slide of your tongue against his flesh as you let your fingers slide over his hips. It was clear he enjoyed it as he let out deep moans and growls of pleasure, holding himself back as long as possible.

Just when you felt the pulse of his heartbeat flutter, he pulled away from you, leaving you confused and slightly dazed. He was watching you try to collect your thoughts, proud he made you so delirious with pleasure that you needed time to return to awareness. His movements were slow and methodical as he positioned himself between your legs, raising your hips up so he could slide through your soft folds.

"Look at me, (y/n)."

His deep voice drew your scattered attention, staring up into his intense blue eyes in an almost questioning way. There was a moment of silence as he stared at you in adoration, not looking away from you as he slowly slid his firm length into you, watching the way you gasped and writhed on the bed. He gave you only a moment to adjust to his size once more before he began to thrust into your welcoming body, drowning in the tight embrace of your warm insides.

You moved up and down on the bed with each rough thrust, clawing at the sheets beneath you. Silva pound into you with such intensity you could barely draw in a breath before it was being forced back out with another rough thrust. He leaned over your writhing and mewling form to start pressing open mouthed kissed against your neck, biting down a few times to hear you yelp and whine. You wrapped your arms around him and let your nails bite down on his fair skin, shivering from his rumbling moan directly against you ear.

As you felt your orgasm creeping up with alarming speed, you reached up to his hair and gripped on the long locks, tugging hard enough to remove his lips from your neck. You had to stop tugging on his hair and just cling to him as his thrusts became rougher, pressing one of his hands against your soft stomach and feeling the way he moved inside of you. The increased sensation of his large cock rubbing against your tight walls practically made you scream in delight, your pleasure overwhelming and consuming you as your orgasm flooded your body.

"So tight..! You are mine. You will always be mine. I'll never let you go. I'll never let you forget."

You barely registered his crooning words due to your overstimulated nerves sizzling in your brain. He adored the hazy look in your eyes as you were consumed by the pleasure he provided you. That sweet expression on your lovely face was enough to push him over the edge, his hot cum painting your soft insides with every intense pulse.

When he finally pulled out of you, you were still trying to catch your breath and clung to his body with all of the remaining energy you had. The low humming chuckle that came from him was a soft and soothing rumble that was quite like the purr of some feral beast. You curled close to his warm body, snuggling down into his grasp as he pulled the blanket over the both of you, kissing your forehead gently.

"Mine."

[sincerelyella]

Infinity & Beyond

Book: The Royal Romance/Heir (AU)

Pairings: Liam x MC (Ella)

All characters belong to Pixelberry except for Ella Brooks Rys who belongs to yours truly 🌺

Summary: Liam is even more protective than usual.

A/N: I’d like to thank @gkittylove99 and @sfb123 for your softness prompt requests. I hope y’all enjoy! Prompts will be in bold.

To my nakie twin/soul sister @burnsoslow -> I love you for not complaining when I send you these things and reading them 🥺💜 I love you a butt ton!

Warnings: Adult language, descriptions of body injury, fluff

Words: 1169

Every couple of minutes, Liam would wander into his bedroom and peek at his wife taking a nap. After he was satisfied that Ella was getting some rest, he would make his way outside onto the large balcony connected to their quarters.

“Why do you keep going over there to stare at her?” Drake asked as he flipped a burger on the grill.

“I don’t stare,” Liam bent down to pick up Malia and kissed her cheek.

“Daddy was looking at Mommy!”

“Smart kid,” Drake kissed the hand that his niece offered to him and she squealed in delight. “You hungry Lia?”

Malia raised her arms in the air. “I want pizza, Unka Dwake!”

Drake furrowed his brow and stuck out his bottom lip in pretend hurt. “Not burgers?”

“Party is hereeeeee!” Maxwell barged onto the balcony with bags in his arms. Olivia followed him out with a disdained look on her face.

“You’re always so … cheerful,” she brushed an invisible piece of lint from her red shirt.

“Auntie Liiiiiv!” Malia screeched and squirmed in her father’s arms until he put her down.

Drake nodded toward Olivia and Malia, now chattering away about how Lia wanted red hair like her favorite aunt. “That’s the woman’s way, Li,” he added slices of cheese to the almost cooked meat patties. “They abandon you when someone else catches their attention.”

Liam cringed when he heard Olivia tell his daughter she would dye her hair red when Lia was older. “Okay, I’m going to … check on Ella.”

“You don’t stare my ass,” Drake mumbled as he shook his head.

Liam walked towards his bedroom just like he had every ten minutes for the last hour. He peeked through the door that was cracked open and saw Ella drinking the tea he brought her a little bit ago. He pushed the door open all the way and shoved his hands in the pockets of his green sweater. “Love? You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I am resting, and drinking tea,” Ella lifted her mug in the air with a smile. “What kind is this?”

Liam bit his bottom lip as he let his eyes rove over her. Her pajama shirt hung off one shoulder, exposing her soft skin and her hair was tousled from sleep. The white bandage wrapped around her head contrasted her bronze skin. "I knew you wouldn't go to sleep willingly, so I brought you some chamomile tea and a blanket. Twenty minutes of shut-eye, okay?"

Ella pouted. “I slept already.”

“That wasn’t even an hour!”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, maybe if my husband wasn’t opening and closing the door every ten minutes, staring at me, I’d be able to sleep longer.”

Liam walked into the large bedroom and sat across from his wife with a stern expression. “You fainted walking around downtown,” he clenched his jaw at the memory. “You hit your head on the concrete and have a concussion. You’ve been doing entirely too much, Ella.”

She flinched at him saying her name. He must be really mad. “I was just-”

“Doing too much,” he finished for her. “You’re going to rest and you’re not going to do a damn thing until you’re cleared by the doctor.”

“He cleared me!”

Liam arched his brow at her. “He said don’t overdo it, don’t overexert yourself or do any exercise. Which is the entire reason why we aren’t having sex!”

“That was your doing not mine,” she mumbled and he narrowed his eyes in response.

“Love, you scared the shit out of all of us,” he took her small hands in his and ran his thumbs over her knuckles. “Maxwell wouldn’t stop screaming on the phone and Drake had to carry you to the ER. Even Olivia, of all people, was trembling when I got to the hospital! I thought you had died.”

“But I … I’m …” Ella reached up and felt her bandage, remembering part of that day, the blood, the screams, then someone lifting her easily and running. To where she had no idea. Then, everything went black. Ella was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease which meant her heart rate was always too high and she lost weight at an alarming rate. When she does too much, she notices she gets really short of breath and dizzy. She never told Liam about it because Lord knows what he would put in place so she didn’t go anywhere alone. Her fainting just ruined everything and now he was acutely aware of all of her symptoms.

Liam walking back and forth to check on her to make sure she didn’t die in her sleep was something she should have expected. Add on the fact that she was six weeks pregnant, and that equals super protective Liam. He wasn’t there with them downtown, he was at the palace in a meeting with the French ambassador. He’s never going to let me go anywhere by myself again. “Okay,” she whispered.

Liam cupped her cheeks with his hands. “Please,” he whispered back. “I need you, our daughter needs you, our friends, our little one ...” he looked down at her abdomen and back up to her face. “Just, stay here and rest.”

Ella nodded. “Promise. Now, what’s that?” She pointed to a large pink bag behind him by one of the closet doors.

Liam turned and followed her finger, then turned back to face her. “Oh! I found this in the mall, I figured it might be something you like.”

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You … went to the mall?”

“Drake wanted to get some high-powered thing for the BBQ grill, Max and I tagged along. Each store has a theme?” Liam gave her a confused look. “Is that the rule? Because some stores had random things that didn’t make sense. Why did book store have candy in them?”

“Those are … questions for another time, sweetie,” Ella cackled. “Can I have my gift now?”

Liam stood to grab the bag and set it on the bed in between them. Ella pulled out all the pink tissue paper and reached in to pull out a stuffed animal. “Ohmigod!” She squished it against her chest in a hug. “It’s Grogu!”

“After we watched The Mandalorian I wanted to get something for you,” he pressed his finger to her nose. “Boop!”

“Mommy!” Malia ran in and hugged Ella. “Wow! Pretty, mine!” She pulled Grogu into her arms and walked out into the hall, yelling for Uncle Max.

“What … just happened?” Ella looked from the door to her husband, who was trying his best not to laugh.

“Our daughter is just like you, taking everything that isn’t hers.”

Ella shrugged. “What wasn’t mine that I took, Your Majesty?”

Liam counted out everything on his fingers. “My sweaters, shirts, basketball shorts? Ring a bell?”

“What’s yours is mine …” she prompted, waiting for him to finish the sentence.

He rolled his eyes. “And what’s mine is yours. Fine, you win. I love you.”

“I know,” Ella grinned.

“A Star Wars reference? I see what you did there. Okay, my turn,” he cleared his throat. “I love you … to infinity and beyond!” He smirked, thinking he won until Ella let out a loud laugh.

“That’s Toy Story, not Star Wars!”

“Oh shit,” Liam shrugged. “Well, same difference.”

[dragons-bones]

FFXIV Write Entry #1: Delayed Gratification

Prompt: foster || Master Post || On AO3

IT BEGINS.

The Jewels and Java cafe is the brilliant brainchild of my friend @catpella and was used with permission. :3

--

“Again, I am so sorry,” Synnove hissed, mortified, as they walked down one of the many hallways of the Arcanists’ Guild.

“It’s perfectly all right, my love,” said Aymeric fondly, squeezing her hand. “If we miss the ferry, we can simply teleport.”

His lady sighed heavily and muttered, “But I like the ferry ride…”

He laughed and raised her hand to kiss her knuckles, and satisfaction purred in his chest at the way Synnove’s golden cheeks rosed with pleasure. Galette, in her usual position draped around her mama’s neck, didn’t bat an eye. Ivar, behind them, made a disgusted noise, followed soon after by Tyr’s annoyed elder brother huff; he ignored them, well used to Synnove’s sons’ idiosyncrasies.

It was not the first time one of their getaways had been temporarily delayed by a work-related emergency; their friends and colleagues were normally keen on ensuring the pair of them got to take vacations, but sometimes matters arose that absolutely could not be handled by anyone else. This one, thankfully, had occurred while they were still in the city and easy to reach. Very easy; they’d been merely around in the corner from Mealvann’s Gate in the Jewel and Java café, enjoying sweet treats before they planned to wander over to the ferry quay for the journey to Bloodshore and the cabin, when Thubyrgeim’s emerald carbuncle, Din, scurried in with a note from the Guildmistress.

“Oh, she’s playing dirty,” Synnove had muttered as she read the note. Din had twitched an ear in her direction, but he had clearly been in the midst of gossiping with Galette and Tyr, their noses and ears and tails moving in the way of creatures who didn’t need sound to communicate.

(Aymeric had, not for the first time, suspected that Synnove’s carbuncles’ aetheric harmonic matching capabilities were nowhere near as common as his lady implied they were. Certainly, he’d never ‘heard’ any other carbuncles speak, but he also knew Synnove’s quintet limited their direct communication to Synnove’s immediate social circle, and it would not be out of the realm of possibility that other carbuncles had similar preferences…)

Aymeric had peered over his shoulder, setting down his fork with its piece of rolanberry shortcake on his plate, and shook his head in amused exasperation at the sight of the Guildmistress’s shorthand, which was as atrocious as Synnove’s. “What seems to be the problem?”

“One of the fourth-years needs final approval for her thesis project’s spell changes,” she had said, refolding the paper, then pinching and dragging her nails along the crease to sharpen it. A chip of her bronze nail lacquer ended up left behind. “Yamomo—” the chair of the aetherophysics department, he had recognized the name immediately, “—had to ‘port out to the Range. It’s either an unscheduled detonation or one of the Squadrons fired on a part of the island they’re not supposed to, Thubyr’s writing got a bit sloppy there.”

A bit sloppy?

Pointedly ignoring his look, his lady had continued, “Solkthota’s presenting her thesis project at the next conference, and guess where that is?” Her voice had turned as dry as the Sagolii.

Aymeric had giggled even as he had fished Roksana out of her bowl of melting ice cream and absently began cleaning her face with a napkin as the white carbunclet had purred. “Does it start with ‘Radz’ and end with ‘Han,’ by chance?” he said.

“Oh, you’re good,” Synnove had said with a rueful laugh, and waved down one of the café’s waitresses to get their desserts packed to go.

Now, they approached one of the warded workrooms in the Guild’s north wing. As they did, Synnove carefully smoothed out her expression from huffy and annoyed to professional interest. For all that she did want to be vacation right now, enjoying the lazy trip around the southern coast of La Noscea to sightsee or nap or cuddle, she would never take out that frustration on one of her students.

She dropped his hand—reluctantly, though she quickly skimmed her thumb over his knuckles first—and opened the door to the workroom, stepping inside, with Aymeric following just at her heels.

The workroom was large and well-lit, the early afternoon sun streaming in through the many windows. The part they immediately walked into was a small observation area, with a setup of desks similar to a small amphitheater leading down to the main floor; this must be one of the practical demonstration workrooms, then. Two students were off to the side, a dark-skinned Highlander lad and a tiny grey elezen girl who had yet to hit her growth spurt and could have been anywhere between sixteen and twenty-one summers old. At the front of the workroom, pacing nervously, was a gangly Sea Wolf young woman, skin the color of storm clouds and hair such a shocking shade of daffodil yellow he would have thought it was dye if her eyebrows hadn’t been the same color.

All three students’ head whipped up and around when Synnove entered, and Aymeric saw the two sitting ones’ jaws drop as he took a seat at one of the other desks, Ivar and Tyr jumping into seats next to him as the twins tumbled down his arms to the desktop. The presumed Solkthota paled and stammered out, “Professor Greywolfe! You’re supposed to be on vacation—”

Synnove waved a hand and closed the short door on the partition between the observation area and the presentation area. (Briefly, as the latch on the door clicked into place, he felt the faint snap of a ward activating.) “Hadn’t left yet, Solk, and an emergency means Professor Yamo has to put the fear of the Twelve into someone,” she said absently. Her voice had gone from her usual faintly Ala Mhigan and Lominsan accented lilt into the crisp tones of a Gate arcanist on duty. “Remind me of what your thesis was covering? Professor Yamo hasn’t given me a copy yet.”

The young Sea Wolf took a deep breath and launched into a technical diatribe that almost immediately had Aymeric’s eyes glazing over. He recognized a few words and phrases—Shotamian manifold, harmonic oscillation—and knew just enough from listening to Synnove’s explanations over the years that this project didn’t seem to be carbuncle focused, but otherwise it was all Allagan to him. Instead, he made sure Amandina and Roksana hadn’t taken a page out of Galette’s playbook and hadn’t gotten into the bag of treats sitting beneath the desk at his feet, and leaned back in his seat to observe. Faintly, he could hear the other two students murmuring to one another, but about what, he was too far away to tell.

(They weren’t looking at him as they did, at least, so if he was the subject of their conversation, they at least had better manners about it than most Ishgardian nobles.)

Solkthota finished quickly, nerves clear as day on her face, and Synnove nodded, reaching up to pet Galette’s tails. “All right, no time like the present to test this.” She gestured towards one of the person-shaped targets at the end of the room. “Let’s see what this modified Ruin can do.”

The student took another breath as she unhooked her grimoire from her belt, opening it and quickly turning pages to the correct one. Solkthota removed her channeling stylus from the strap on the grimoire’s back and held it up in the air, the tip pointed towards the target, and began to cast.

The bolt of power had barely left the stylus before Synnove was roaring “DOWN!” and tackling the Sea Wolf to the floor. Aymeric grabbed the twins just as the word began to leave Synnove’s lips, and was on the floor beneath the heavy ironwood desk, the shrieking carbunclets tucked close to his chest, just as the echo of it was overtaken by the roar of an explosion. Tyr was on top of him and his little sisters as a bright light blinded him, blocking it out, but having an enormous topaz carbuncle atop him did nothing to muffle the sound or the feel of the room trying to shake apart.

The silence in the aftermath was nearly as deafening as the explosion had been.

Tyr rolled off his head, shoving past Ivar, who hung from the desk, chittering in excitement because big boom and, of course, he had watched. Aymeric crawled out after Tyr, and as he stood, the girls immediately pulled themselves up onto his shoulders and tucked into his neck, shivering. He absently stroked first Roksana, then Amandina, and hurried to the other end of the observation area to where the other students had been. As he walked, he noted that the ward on the partition was flickering oddly, like cracked glass, but the spell still held—barely.

The Highlander boy had covered his elezen classmate’s head with his torso, and she was shoving at him now, her voice muffled by his bulk, saying, “Tyon, gerroff, you’re heavy!”

Aymeric bent over to help Tyon keep his balance as he pushed himself up and crawled out from the desk. “Are you all right, you two?” he said.

Tyon rubbed at one ear, and accepted his proffered hand to get to his feet. “Ears’re ringing,” he said while also blinking rapidly. His tiny classmate popped up next to him, patting her dark blue hair back into place and scowling faintly.

Synnove, meanwhile, was lowering her arm; the right one, upon which she wore the ring denoting her as a master arcanist. The glimmer of a shield fell away as she did, and then she was standing upright and helping Solkthota to her feet. Galette’s ears were pinned back and her nose was twitching, but otherwise she seemed utterly unperturbed.

“I am so, so sorry,” the Sea Wolf was saying, her whole body shaking and her eyes wide with mixed shock and horror. “I know I did the math right, I know I did—”

“Honey, take a deep breath,” Synnove interrupted, hands on Solkthota’s shoulders and her voice firm as she looked up at the young woman. “In for seven, and hold, hold, hold, little more, and now out for seven. That’s it. And again…”

As Synnove calmed her student, Aymeric and the other two began righting chairs and wiping plaster dust from the tops of the desk. Tyr came over to headbutt Tyon’s thigh, and the Highlander gave his head a firm rub; as he did, an emerald carbuncle that appeared more vulpine than the standard manifested, yipped what was likely a hello, and then went to sit on the elezen girl’s foot. She immediately bent down and scooped the creature into her arms, tickling under its chin.

Soon enough, Solkthota’s breathing was under control, and Synnove gave her a grin. “There we are. Now, what’s the first rule of science?”

Solkthota’s answering grin was shy and watery. “It’s not science until you write it down.”

“Very good,” said Synnove, her green eyes glittering. “So let’s do that first. Next, we’re going to go through your arrays page by page; your working theory is sound, but the math fell through at some point.” She suddenly pointed towards the young elezen, without looking. “And no helping her, Atreanne!”

“Oh, come on, Professor G!” Atreanne said in a high, nasally whine. Her carbuncle added its own whine as emphasis. “I’m the best at it!”

“And Solkthota will learn better if you don’t feed her the answers,” Synnove said, her voice wry in the way of someone who had. “But you and Tyon are welcome to stay and observe, both of your physics work could do with some polishing.”

Tyon and Atreanne exchanged looks, wide-eyed, and then bolted for the partition.

“I’m glad now it wasn’t Professor Y today,” Aymeric heard Atreanne whisper to Tyon. “Professor G’s way more patient with screw-ups.”

“Professor G likes screw-ups,” Tyon whispered back. “They’re more fun, she says.”

“They are more fun, now hop to it, kids!”

Solkthota was dragging over the desk that had been pushed up against a wall, and Tyon and Atreanne grabbed chairs from the observation to bring over and sit with their classmate and teacher. Synnove, meanwhile, looked at Aymeric as she walked backwards towards the slate chalkboard.

“Can you get me some fresh chalk?” she said, a rueful grin on her face.

Aymeric laughed and gave her a sweeping bow, the twins peeping excitedly as they held on. He righted them as he straightened, and turned to head to where he knew one of the storage rooms were.

It was a good thing he had remembered to pack a few books to read.

[even-after-a-millennia]

Ending on Canvas

Fic for @nilefreemanweek2021 and the prompt Art!  Nile thinks about Jay and Dizzy while sketching.  Joe helps distract her and she finally says goodbye. You can read it below or over on my ao3 account here.  Gen | Rated G | 1.4k

The safehouse was quiet.  Andy and Quynh had left for a hike earlier that morning and hadn’t returned yet.  Nicky was reading at the dining table, occasionally flipping his page.  Booker was napping in one of the bedrooms, though if Nile concentrated enough she could hear his faint snores.  

She and Joe both had their sketchbooks out and were drawing separately on the couch.  Some day, they would challenge each other to recreate portraits or scenes and see how their art styles differed, but today, they were both in their own worlds.

Nile hadn’t had a plan when she had sat down, but she found herself pulling out her phone and flipping through the pictures until she found the one that she wanted to recreate.  Now, it was slowly coming together, the features of her former friends becoming clearer as she worked.

Finally, she finished drawing the picture of Dizzy, Jay, and her posing for the camera.  

And sat there, staring at it.  At them.

She didn’t realize that she had started rocking in place, trying to expel the emotions she was feeling, until she felt Joe’s hand on her shoulder and stilled.

“Nile?  Are you alright?” he asked softly.

It shouldn’t be so hard to shake her head, to tell him she wasn’t, this was Joe after all, but it felt like all the muscles in her neck were rebelling against her as she forced them to move.

“What is it, little river?” he asked.  

She watched as his eyes fell on her drawing.  He picked it up and examined it, his eyes taking in the scene.

“Former sisters in arms?” he gently prodded.

“Yeah,” she said, her voice raspy.  “That’s Jay,” she said, pointing to her.  “And that’s- that’s Dizzy.”

“You look as if you were close,” he said.

She nodded.

“They were my best friends while I served,” she admitted.  Every word felt like barbed wire being pulled out of her, barbs digging in as they went.

“You don’t have to tell me, if you don’t wish to,” Joe said.

Nile smiled, a sad, small thing.  “I know.  I think I want to though.”

Joe nodded, settling in.  Out of the corner of her eye, Nile saw Nicky close his book.

She took a deep breath, then let it out.  “Women in the service are always together, on base and on assignments.  That can lead to some interesting dynamics.  But I was lucky when I found them.  Jay was a year older than me, showed me the ropes.  Dizzy… Dizzy was there.  My first death.”

Joe shifted closer to her, but didn’t reach out.  She huffed then grabbed hold of his hand.  He squeezed it, then nodded.

“We got a lead that a man who had been responsible for the deaths of soldiers as well as civilians was holed up in a village near our base.  He was using women as a living shield.  We were tasked to talk to the women and engage if we found him.  We did,” Nile said simply.

She could still remember the moment that Jay had kicked the door in, when Nile had entered and instinctually shot the man when she saw his gun.  Two taps, right to the chest.  It wasn’t even until afterward that she had realized what she had done.

“I tried to save him.  But he didn’t want me to.  Dizzy got distracted and he- he had a knife and,” Nile broke off, holding Joe’s hand so hard it probably hurt.

“We saw,” he murmured.  “We felt it.”

It was almost a relief, to not have to describe what came next out loud.  That they understood.

She nodded.

“After, when I came back, Dizzy didn’t want to be around me.  She had held my throat together.  Probably left a lasting impression,” Nile said, making a face.  “It still hurt, though.  They all turned away from me.”

Her eyes fell to her drawing.

To her friends.

“Even Jay.”

“Were you two…?” Joe trailed off, leaving the question open.

Nile shrugged.  “Like I said, interesting dynamics.”

“Ah.”

They sat there, still holding hands, though their grip was much looser than before.

“I have an idea,” Joe said slowly.  “But I want to check that it is something that would be good for you right now.”

“Kay.  What is it?” Nile asked.

He explained his plan and Nile found herself grinning despite herself.

“Hell yes,” she said.  “I’ve always wanted to do that.  I loved Princess Diaries.”

Joe looked momentarily confused, but rallied.  “Nicolò!” he called, as if his husband wasn’t already paying attention.  “We need to go to the store!”

Nicky got up without a word and came back with their car keys.

They ended up at the dollar store, throwing supplies into the cart with abandon.  Nile threw in some chocolate for good measure, enough that there would be some left for Andy.  She bounced on the balls of her feet at the check out and Nicky and Joe smiled at her enthusiasm.

It took a while to set up in the backyard of their safe house, but once the tarp, canvas, and balloons filled with paint were in place, Joe turned to Nicky.  

“Just one thing left,” he said with a smile.

“One moment,” Nicky said, going back into the house but not before he sent a smile back.

He emerged soon after with his arms full of a box.  It was only when he set it down on the grass before Nile did she realize that it was full of knives.  Not kitchen knives, either. 

“Oh ho ho ho, this is going to be fun,” she said, reaching in and grabbing a throwing knife.

“Need a tutorial on throwing these?” Joe asked.

Nile pinched the tip of her knife, hefted her arm beside her head with her other arm extending before her, and then pitched forward, the blade spinning through the air until it sunk into a balloon and its paint began to drip down the canvas.

“Impressive,” Nicky said, his eyes twinkling.

Nile shrugged.  “Something I picked up.”

Joe gestured to the canvas.  “It’s all yours.”

“Nah, I want your guys’ help with this,” she said, handing them knives of their own.  “And I wanna see who is the better shot,” she said, teasing.

“You first, my love,” Nicky said.

Joe sent him a look that made him snort, then his knife was spinning through the air and blue paint exploded across the canvas.

Nile gave a little cheer.

Nicky stepped forward and threw his as well.  His knife hit the balloon next to Joe’s nestling into the canvas side by side.  Nile huffed at the look of unabashed love that Joe gave Nicky and the smile Nicky gave him in return.  Then they focused, and took turns throwing.

They had only put purples, blues, and black in the balloons, and soon, the canvas was covered in color and they had no more balloons to pop.

Going to the canvas, Nile smeared the colors together a bit more in places, more to make sure the canvas wasn’t showing any more.

“It will be a bit of time until it dries,” Joe said, looking over her shoulder.

Nile nodded.  “That’s okay.  I have an idea for once it does, if you don’t mind me taking it over.”

Joe lifted his hands, acquiescing.  “This was for you, Nile.  Do with it what you wish.”

She smiled and didn’t even have to put effort into it.  “Thanks, Joe.  Both of you,” she said, looking over at Nicky.

He shook his head.  “This was all Joe’s idea.  But I am glad that it helped.”

“Where is everybody?” Nile heard Quynh’s voice say from inside the house.

“Out here!” she called.

Andy and Quynh emerged into the backyard and took in the artistic carnage there.  Andy started laughing.

“I’m almost sorry I missed whatever the fuck this was,” she said.

Quynh entwined their hands.  “Almost,” she agreed.

They cleaned up, Nile taking the canvas inside to dry.

It did take a while to dry with all the paint on it, but once it did, she sat in front of it with a paint brush and white paint.

Slowly, she turned the multitude of colors into an alive night sky, complete with stars shining.

Her final touch was to add three figures to the bottom, etched out in white against the black that had spilled there.  No prominent details, but they stood there together, looking up at the sky awash with color.

It was the best ending she could give to her two friends and the woman they used to know.

[musings-from-mars]

@pollinationweek 2021: Day 1 - Band AU

They had been stranded here on the side of the road for a while now, and Ruby was not handling the fact that their van was seemingly broken down well, all while they were still hours away from their gig. “What do we do?” She asked for perhaps the twentieth time as she paced, her boots thump-thumping against the asphalt.

“We buy a new van,” Weiss grumbled, content with just staring at her girlfriend’s butt as Yang draped herself over the front of the van to check under the hood.

“About a week too late with that idea,” Blake said, also content with staring at Yang’s butt.

“Hey now,” Yang’s voice echoed from inside the van’s inner workings, her feet kicking up behind her. Her jeans were getting caught on the metal, revealing the top few inches of her plaid boxer shorts. So attractive… “I can fix this, don’t worry. I know Big Berty inside and out.”

Big Berty was an early-2000s era transit van with two hundred thousand miles on the odometer and a chipping coat of black paint. It was practically held together by Yang’s very hopes and dreams, and a liberal amount of duct tape.

“Yang, we’re in the middle of nowhere,” Weiss said as she stepped closer, glanced down into the van skeptically, diligently avoiding getting any van dirt on her white runners jacket. “Unless you can do magic, we’re not getting anywhere. We should just call a tow truck.”

“How much will that cost,” Blake asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” Weiss assured her, alluding to her ability to still access her rich family’s fortune despite being disinherited. It would require a couple calls to a sympathetic butler and a particularly tech-savvy groundskeeper at her family’s manor, but she could acquire funds in an emergency.

“Okay, but how long is it going to take?” Blake added, pulling out her phone. “Because wherever we are, it’s nowhere close to a cell tower, so I don’t think a tow trunk is nearby either.”

“Ye of such little faith,” Yang said, then she tried to shift her position, yelped with pain, fell backwards and bumped the top of her head on the hood of the van. “Fuck!”

Weiss was the one closest by and caught Yang in her arms. “Careful, you dunce!”

Yang gritted her teeth as she rubbed her head with her hand. Then she sighed as she looked at Weiss, their faces close. “Heheh…okay, I’ll admit it. I think Big Berty is taking an impromptu sabbatical.”

“You mean it finally clunked out and we can get a new van?” Blake asked hopefully.

“I didn’t say that!” Yang said defensively, then stared at Weiss a little more. She sniffed and started to feign tears. “Don’t make me give up my Big Berty Baby, Weiss.”

“Someone catch her, I’m about to drop her,” Weiss deadpanned.

Blake volunteered to assume Yang cradling duties as Weiss sighed dramatically and turned to Ruby. “Hey, we’ll be fine. This is why we leave for long trips a day early, remember?”

“But it’s almost nightfall,” Ruby said, looking up at the orange dusk. “Even if we make it in time, we’ll have so little sleep. Gods, this is gonna suck, we’re gonna suck, I’m gonna suck…”

Weiss stepped closer, taking Ruby by the shoulders. “We’ll be fine, don’t worry so much.”

Ruby’s cheeks turned a faint pink, but she shook her head. “I just don’t want a repeat of last time.”

Weiss looked to the side and pressed her lips together. She remembered the last time they’d had a mishap. It wasn’t a big performance, just a local set at a club back home. But a combination of equipment mishaps, some rowdy club goers, and Ruby being on two hours of sleep at best made for a rough night. “This will be different, Ruby,” Weiss assured her. “We’re far better prepared now. We’ve got this.” She punctuated her point by leaning forward and giving her a light kiss. “Now come sit down while Blake calls the tow truck.”

“I just said I don’t have service,” Blake called while slowly lowering Yang to the ground since their drummer seemed to refuse to stand up.

Weiss pulled her phone from her pocket and threw it to Blake with a tremendous amount of trust that she would catch it. “I have service.”

Blake caught the phone with one hand and looked at her phone. “Full bars? How?”

Weiss didn’t answer, instead turning back to Ruby, who was calmer and more flushed-faced now. “Come sit on the tailgate with me. Maybe if you play something for fun that might help you settle a little more?”

Ruby’s shoulders rose and fell with a deep breath, but she smiled and nodded. “Yeah, good idea.”

While Blake called a towing company, Yang stayed on the asphalt for a little floor time, and Weiss and Ruby sat on the back of the van. Ruby had her acoustic guitar in her lap, strumming random tunes and chords as Weiss sat with her, her head on her shoulder. She chuckled as she listened to Ruby play. “You know what would be funny?”

“Hmm?” Ruby turned her head toward Weiss, pausing her playing to listen.

“What if we recorded a song right here? Like, on our future album or something, just out in the middle of nowhere?”

Ruby blinked and looked where she was looking. Besides the road, there was nothing but grass and trees as far as the eye could see. “It is pretty quiet,” Ruby agreed.

“Once we hit it big time, you know?” Weiss continued. “It would be a cool way to remember moments like this, just us in Yang’s shitty van. But hopefully by that time, we’ll have a bus or something.”

“Aww, but then we wouldn’t have to sleep in a pile like we do in the back of the van,” Ruby said with a giggle.

“Says who?” Weiss joked, smiling and kissing Ruby’s cheek. Ruby smiled and leaned against her, then returned to strumming on her guitar, playing a few chords from one of their songs that sounded a bit odd on acoustic, but was nice to listen to either way. Weiss even joined in and sang softly, though it was nowhere near her performance level register, like a soft lullaby. By now, Ruby’s worries about arriving on time had faded. Sitting here while Weiss sang was just fine with her.

Soon, Blake rounded the back of the van and sighed. “Tow truck is coming, should be about an hour-and-a-half.”

“That long?” Ruby asked as she stopped playing abruptly. Weiss sat upright as she looked up at Blake.

“We really are in the middle of nowhere,” Blake said, taking Weiss’ phone from her button-up flannel’s breast pocket and handing it back to her. “I also called the hotel and told them we’d be in late.”

“Should we…cancel the hotel to pay for the tow truck?” Ruby asked like it pained her to say. She set her guitar aside and hopped to the gravel ground, straightening her plaid skirt.

“I told you, I’ve got it handled,” Weiss assured her.

“Sorry, I’m just…” Ruby took a deep breath. “I’m anxious about us missing our gig, or running out of money…”

“Yang,” Blake called out, cupping her mouth with her hand. “Stop taking a road nap and come comfort your sister.”

A few seconds later came the thump thump thump of Yang’s boots, followed by her capturing Ruby in a hug. “Don’t worry sis, it’ll be alright!”

“Egh…loosen up…” Ruby grunted as Yang proceeded to lift her up and crush her rib cage.

“Whoop, my bad.” She gently placed Ruby down and patted her head. “But seriously, though, we’re going to be okay. This isn’t the only gig we have lined up, we have savings, we have, erm, a rich girl.” She gestured at Weiss, who rolled her eyes at her. “We’re good, okay?”

Ruby sighed and looked down, shuffling her feet on the gravel shoulder of the road. “I guess you’re right. I just worry too much…”

Blake stepped up and hugged her from behind. “Hey, while we wait, what do you say we put on some music, raid our snack stash and have a chill sesh until the tow truck arrives?”

Ruby smiled and leaned back into Blake’s arms. “Yeah, let’s do that.”

Yang grinned and pulled Weiss into a rough side hug. “Yeah, let’s have a chill sesh!”

Weiss grunted and tried shove herself away from Yang. “No sesh is chill if you’re involved, and you smell like the inside of Berty.”

“Aww come on, you love me,” Yang said as her strength overcame Weiss and pulled her into a proper hug.

“That’s irrelevant!” She claimed feebly, failing to hide the smile that was overtaking her face.

Blake hummed with amusement, then kissed the top of Ruby’s head. “How bout you pick that guitar back up. Maybe that’ll calm them down.”

“You think so?” Ruby asked with a giggle, watching as Weiss still flailed in Yang’s embrace.

“Worth a shot.”

~~~

An hour later, Weiss had fallen asleep in Yang’s arms. The two had laid down in the back of the van on the mattress, and after Weiss got through with her complaining and Yang had pared back her teasing, they’d settled into a close cuddling position and were asleep soon after. Ruby’s soft playing probably helped, as did the gentle breeze that had begun to blow through. The sun was almost set by now, bathing the sky in a deep graying blue.

Blake sat behind Ruby, holding her around the waist she she played with her legs to the sides. She was playing a slow, light tune, low in pitch and a careful rhythm that came and went like a tree swaying in the wind. Blake had said it many times to her before and Ruby never believed her, but Ruby really was the best guitar player Blake had ever met. Even while casually playing while stranded on the side of a road, her music was masterful. Blake felt so lucky to just get to hear it. “I love you,” she whispered.

Ruby hummed and smiled, continuing to play as she spoke, “I love you, too.”

“Thank you,” Blake said, kissing Ruby just above the temple.

Ruby chuckled quietly. “For what?”

“I mean,” Blake said as she began to reminisce. “You’re kinda the reason this is all real. If you hadn’t been crazy enough to convince us all to abandon our sensible career choices and form a rock band, I never would have gotten the chance to fall in love with you three.”

“I did kinda ruin all of your lives, huh?” Ruby said with a giggle. Her playing was slowing and getting quieter.

“Hardly,” Blake said, tightening her embrace around Ruby a little. “Because of you, Weiss got away from her dickhole father, Yang escaped the fate of becoming some bored shop mechanic, and I, well…I’d be in a shitty apartment doing nothing.”

“You’d still be writing,” Ruby pointed out.

“Maybe. ADHD doesn’t do well without motivating factors,” Blake said and Ruby nodded knowingly. “This band, though? My girls? That’s all the motivation I need. I’ve never been this happy.”

Ruby smiled, now no longer playing, her hands frozen in playing position. She didn’t realize she had stopped. “We wouldn’t even get to be stranded here in who-knows-where if not for me, huh?”

Blake giggled and kissed her head again. “Exactly.”

They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the wind blow. It was properly nighttime now, stars dotting the sky.

Ruby yawned, finally setting her guitar aside. “Honestly…I’d be okay just sleeping here tonight.”

Blake hummed, turning her girlfriend so she could cradle her sideways in her lap. “Sounds inviting. But a hotel room with a bathroom sounds even more inviting.”

Ruby shuddered. “Don’t say that, I’m trying not to think about needing to use one of those bushes for cover.”

Blake snorted, looking down at Ruby’s face. “You’re such a dork.” She leaned down and kissed her softly, cupping the back of Ruby’s head with her hand. Ruby hummed into the kiss, then placed a hand on Blake’s shoulder and pushed. Blake slowly leaned back until she was lying on the mattress as well, with Ruby parting from the kiss and adjusting to lie on her chest.

“So you’re really happy?” Ruby whispered, her hand resting in the center of Blake’s chest with Blake covering it with her own, she stared up at the Edison bulbs they had strung along the upper trim of the van’s interior, bathing them in warm light.

“Ruby, being in this band is a dream come true. Being in this polycule is a dream come true. Hell, being here right now is like a dream,” she smiled and tugged Ruby a little closer. “I’m more than happy.”

Ruby snickered. “Sappy.”

“I know.” She turned her head to look towards her other two girlfriends, Yang on her side and facing towards them, face partially obstructed by blonde hair, with Weiss held close to her chest, the girl’s back to Blake and Ruby and her face tucked against Yang’s shirt. For a pair who loved to bicker, they sure knew how to cuddle.

Ruby noticed Blake staring and smiled. “I’m happy, too. To get to do something like this with my sister and our girlfriends, I just…” She took a deep breath and sighed. “Dream come true, like you said.”

“Sappy,” Blake teased.

“You started it,” Ruby joked, tucking her nose closer to Blake.

They faded into a natural silence, and soon, Ruby was asleep on Blake’s chest. Blake figured she’d try to stay awake so she’d notice the tow truck arrive, but no way was she moving from this spot until then. The music, the performances, the travel was all fulfilling and exciting, but these moments with her girlfriends were what made it all truly worth it.

Even if Yang was kind of a snorer. And Ruby was kind of a drooler. And Weiss was…Weiss. They were her girls. She loved them with every inch of her sappy heart.

[peterxwade24]

Safety Found in Red Sleeves

This is something I’ve been planning for a long time and I hope you all enjoy this story.

Also, what do you think of title of the fic? Should I change the title or is it good?

Prologue

Thana, all of two years old and already so smart, laid awake at night, every night, listening to her mother pry open her bedroom window and slip out into the night. Thana, a spry little slip of a girl, would lie awake all night waiting for her mother to come home.

Thana took several naps during the day, knowing she’d need to be awake to listen for her mom.

---

Thana, all of three years old, stared up into the blue eyes of the man her mother claimed was her father. She took in his features, seeing only slight similarities between his face and her own. She saw her mother’s tense form hanging in the doorway, observing the interaction. She focused all of her attention on the man, Tetch. She narrowed her eyes and straightened her shoulders. “I don’t like you and I don’t like what you’ve been doing to my mom.”

Tetch’s face broke out in a face-splitting grin. “She’s definitely mine. Oh my dearest Alice,” he turned his attention to Thana's mother and made to take a step towards her but was stopped by Thana, “she’s just like you but just like me.”

Thana stared at the blue eyed man and continued to glare at him. “No I’m not. I’m my own person.”

---

Thana, a few months past her third birthday, refused to let the tears fall over her rapidly bruising cheek. She held her head high, feeling blood trickle down over her lips, as she bared her teeth to the man who called himself her father. “You can hit me as many times as you want, you will not break my spirit. You will not make me into one of your Alices.”

Jervis Tetch’s face split into a manic grin. “Perfect.” His voice was full of a dark glee and would have sent shivers down Thana’s spine if she hadn’t already desensitized herself to his particular brand of dark glee.

---

Thana, a few months shy of four years old, stood behind their apartment’s door her hand still raised to wave her mother off. Thana felt Tetch’s hand land on her shoulder, his grip tightening to an almost bruising hold.

---

Thana, barely four years old, picked up her mother’s cell phone in her shaky, blood covered hands. She dialled the number for the GCPD and waited anxiously for someone to pick up the phone.

“Gotham City Police Department. This is Stacy. How may I direct your call?”

“My mommy’s dead. I don’t know, I didn’t know who else to call?”

“Oh sweetheart. Give me one second. Can you stay on the line while I connect your call to one of our detectives?”

Thana nodded before remembering that she was on the phone. “Yes ma’am.” Thana waited all of maybe a minute before a second voice sounded from the phone.

“Hi. I’m Detective Donald Peak. Can you tell me your name?”

“My mommy’s dead. Can you help?”

“Sweetheart, what’s your address?”

Thana rattled off her address, something her mother had made her memorize in case of any situation.

---

Thana, a month past her fourth birthday, packed her belongings into a backpack she found in the back of her mother’s closet before she climbed out of her bedroom window. She clung to the side of her building as she slid her window closed before looking down at the alley under her feet.

Thana let go of the building and successfully landed in the, thankfully, full dumpster that had, conveniently, been left open. She scrambled out of the dumpster and flung herself at the pavement beside the dumpster. Thana glanced back up at her bedroom, remembering all of the days she spent playing with her mother in her bedroom, before she turned around and dashed into the night.

---

Thana, eyes wide to what goes on in the world, knew there was someone following her as she ducked in and out of alleyways. Thana shrunk back into the shadows and waited for him to get close enough for her to control the situation.

The boy, because he couldn’t be too much older than she was, ducked into the alleyway she was hiding in and walked right in front of her. She stuck out one of her legs and tripped him, because he hadn’t been expecting it.

“Why have you been following me?” Thana planted her foot in the middle of his chest, fully aware that he could break out of her hold.

“You’re so small. How old are you?” He looked up at her with his eyes searching her face in the limited light streaming into the alley from an oddly placed window.

“Why. Have You. Been. Following. Me?” Thana growled out before her body froze and she hauled the boy to his feet and pushed him back into the shadows. Thana turned to glare at the boy when he made a noise.

“Oh Alice! My little Alice! Come out come out wherever you are! Daddy wants to play!” Tetch’s voice bounced around the alley, causing Thana to sink back deeper into the shadows, and unconsciously into the boy’s arms. “Wherever did my little Alice run off to?!”

Thana waited until she couldn’t hear his voice anymore before she grabbed the boy’s hand and ran out of the alley in the opposite direction that Tetch had walked in.

They ran the length of three city blocks before Thana turned and dragged them into a different alley.

Thana slumped against a wall beside a dumpster, pulling her knees up to her chest and forgetting the boy was there for a moment, until he opened his mouth.

“Your name is Alice?” The boy asked as he crouched in front of Thana. “And Mad Hatter is your dad?”

“My name is Thana, and Jervis Tetch is just the man who knocked up my mother.”

---

The boy, who Thana learned was named Jason, stuck around and helped her with her homework. He even shared his last name with her, Todd, and said he was okay with her using it as her own.

Thana walked the streets of Gotham unafraid with her brother at her side.

---

Thana smiled up at her big brother, happier than she’d been in a long time. She wrapped her arms around him, feeling him wrap his own arms, encased in the red sleeves of his hoodie, around her in return.

“I love you Jay-Jay.”

“I love you too Pixie.” Jason smiled and pulled back from his sister. He pulled out a bag from some hidey-hole and his smile grew as he handed the bag to his sister.

“Is this?” Thana opened the bag and looked up at her brother with tear-filled eyes. She gently lifted the red hoodie out of the bag and pressed it against her chest. “Jay-Jay?”

“Surprise.”

---

Thana walked out of the elementary building late one night, and was surprised when she didn’t find her brother. She simply shrugged, he had been missing the day before too, but startled when a boy in a cape landed beside her.

“A little birdie told me that you would need my assistance.”

She smiled and nodded. “Yeah, my brother usually walks with me but I’m not sure where he- you’re not Robin. Who’re you?”

The boy in the cape awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck with his green glove covered hand. “I’m Robin, just not the original. He decided to go out on his own.” He held out his hand and in the faint star light exposed the red sleeves covering his arms.

Thana looked from the red sleeves up into the face of the boy in th- Robin. “Jay-Jay?”

Robin’s eyes widened and he quickly looked around. “Pixie. You’re not supposed to be able to tell who I am.”

Thana smiled and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Only Jay-Jay knows that I trust people in red sleeves more willingly than people in sleeves of any other colour.”

---

Thana screamed and cried, punching and kicking the adults dragging her away from her brother.

“We’ve found a relative of your mother’s! Isn’t that exciting?!” The lady was overly cheerful, ignoring the heart-wrenching sobs pouring out of Thana’s tiny body.

“No! I want to stay with my brother!”

---

Thana stared up at the Asain woman who had introduced herself as Sabine Cheng, a cousin of her mother.

“My husband, Tom, and I run a bakery in Paris. We’d like you to come live with us. We’d like to take care of you.”

“I don’t get an option here, do I?” Thana looked from the Asain woman to her husband, a large man with a mustache. “Why’d you even drag me down here if you weren’t going to give me an option?”

---

Thana, now called Marinette by her French family, adjusted the straps on her book bag as she looked at herself in the mirror. Thana, dressed in clothes her new parents approved of, tried to smile. “Hi. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng.” Thana let the false smile fall from her face and shook out of her hands.

Thana walked down the stairs, a smile on her face to appease her new parents, and grabbed the box of macarons Tom made so she could impress her new classmates. “Thanks.”

Thana walked out of the bakery, the box of macarons held in her arms like a precious package. She walked to the school and counted the sidewalk blocks as she walked. She let out a breath as she reached the entrance of the l’école élémentaire Tom and Sabine had enrolled her in.

Thana’s first impression of the school was that it was too big and scary. Her second impression of the school was that she was terrified that she was starting a new school and her brother wasn’t at her side.

“My name is Marinette now. I need to stop referring to myself as Thana.” Marinette thought to herself as she walked into the courtyard. She glanced around the courtyard, saw all of the kids, and felt her fear return full force. She gathered up her courage and walked into the courtyard and instantly felt all of the students’ eyes on her.

Marinette let it wash over her, pushing her fear back as far as it will go, and straightened her shoulders. She strode through the courtyard and into the building, hoping to find the principal’s office without having to ask anyone.

Marinette strode into the principal’s office and smiled at the man. “Hello. I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I believe my parents Tom Dupain and Sabine Cheng called you and enrolled me in your school?”

---

Marinette didn’t make a lot of friends while enrolled in the l’école élémentaire, but the ones she did make were ones she was planning on keeping.

The first friend she made was a boy named Lê Chiến Kim. She only befriended him because he wore red sleeves and reminded her of her big brother.

The second friend was a boy named Nino Lahiffe. He played music that reminded her of home, the street music in Gotham was very similar to the music Nino played.

The third, and final, friend she made was a girl named Chloé Bourgeois. Chloé reminded Marinette of Robin, her brother’s alter ego, with the way she commanded respect.

---

The four ten year olds pushed through the glares directed at them by the other students, they didn’t care. They had each other and that was enough.

---

Marinette’s eleventh birthday came and went, and for the second year in a row she didn’t receive anything from her brother in Gotham. She put a smile on her face for the sake of her new parents and her new friends, despite the fact that she felt like she was dying.

---

Marinette had just turned thirteen, Jay-Jay was sixteen, and she searched the internet looking for anything that would let her know what her brother had been up to. Marinette shut down when the biggest trending news story was the death of “Billionaire Bruce Wayne’s sixteen year old son”, no one could get her out of her depressive state.

---

Chloé, Nino and Kim helped Marinette through it all, the arrival of Lila Rossi and the appearance of tiny gods called Kwamis.

It was the strength of that friendship which allowed the four of them to succeed in everything they set their minds to, the strength of the love they shared that allowed them to tackle any situation in front of them.

Taglist

@southamericangothamite @maribat-is-lifeblood @mystery-5-5 @our-preciousss

[odetogyus]

wait

↳pairing/s: idol boyfriend!yugyeom x fem!reader

↳genre: angst (w/ a happy ending lol), idol!au

↳warnings: profanity, mentions of alcohol consumption, trust issues

↳song: wait by maroon 5

✎author's note: idk what I was going through when I wrote this but this was from my 2018 archive and I think this baby needs to see the light of day,, so here it is!

—

"The concert should be done now," you thought to yourself while staring at your phone.

Since your brother's wedding was in 2 days, you didn't have time to fly to Toronto to see your boyfriend and his group perform. You've been on a few tours with them– sometimes working as a stylist for Yugyeom and the whole team. JYP himself even sends you an extra ticket to every single country the boys go to just in case you wanted to come with, but this time however, you had to stay home to help out with your brother's wedding.

It's been almost 3 years since you started dating Yugyeom. What started out as a very unexpected interaction at a dance showcase, later bloomed into something so beautiful. Your relationship wasn't always pretty. In fact, it's true what they say about the first year; it definitely is the hardest.

You've seen them grow, not just as artists but as people, too. You've built such tight relationships with each and every one of them, even the staff members. GOT7 was a family and you were over the moon to be a part of it.

After a few hours of waiting, you decided to take a hot shower before taking a nap. It was a tiring day for you and your family. The wedding was in 2 days and there were a lot of things left to do. You also knew very well that the boys come out exhausted after every show, and so you fought back the slightest feeling of worry in your head and fell into a deep sleep.

–

You woke up to the sound of your phone going off.

BREAKING NEWS

MEMBERS OF THE KPOP GROUP– GOT7, WERE SEEN AT A CLUB IN TORONTO AFTER THEIR CONCERT. MEMBERS MARK TUAN, JACKSON WANG & KIM YUGYEOM WERE SPOTTED HEAVILY INTOXICATED WITH 3 UNKNOWN WOMEN JOINING THEM AT THEIR TABLE. NO OFFICIAL STATEMENTS REGARDING THE INCIDENT HAS BEEN RELEASED BY JYP ENTERTAINMENT.

People you knew and didn't know were tagging you everywhere. Every photograph, every article, they all had their eyes on Yugyeom, and they all had their eyes on you, too.

Your brother's fiancée barged into your room shortly after the news broke out. She was always there for you, and the relationship you shared was a very special one. You trusted her, and you never hid anything from her after the first time she saw you cry.

"Y/N," your almost sister-in-law cooed. You both knew that it was very unlikely of Yugyeom to act that way, but then again, the people surrounding them aren’t always angels. No one really is.

Just then, the name you've been waiting to see finally popped up on your screen, but this time, you weren't sure if you had the guts to answer him.

"Should I answer?" You asked, sounding miserable as ever. Tears escaped your eyes, glistening like broken glass when the sunlight hits the surface.

"You need to hear it from him, Y/N. I'll be in the kitchen, let me know if you need anything."

Accepting the call, you swallowed hard enough and prepared yourself for what could either be the most painful truth you had to hear, or the biggest lie ever you had to believe.

"Y/N.. hey, please let me explain," Yugyeom's voice was incredibly raspy and shaky, and you knew damn well that he was in tears. It's only been a few hours since the incident, so it was safe to say that he was still quite hungover. You knew they were well taken care of, but what happened cannot be rewritten again. What's done is done.

"Go ahead," you answered. Holding back your tears is always the hardest when you know that you have no choice but to endure the pain.

"We had a few drinks, and we had fun. We had so much fun. The boys and I, the staff. Me and Jackson hyung tried the hose thingy, it was so– cool– but, but I'm sorry babe, I'm so sorry–"

"Do you just.. wanna talk when you’re not like.. this, Yugyeom? Because if you're gonna keep doing this, I might as well just hang up and talk to my fucking wall–"

Oh, the theatrics of a brokenhearted beast.

"No.. stop, listen to me, I'm trying to explain!"

"Okay, then do it," you said angrily. The tears from your eyes were flowing down uncontrollably. It was so painful that you couldn't even hear anything else but the sound of his lies breaking you continuously.

"Mark hyung joined us, and we got so drunk, and next thing you know, these random girls sat with us at the table. I don't remember a lot but– I think one even bit my neck– it hurts, and she– I think she sat on my lap but I think I tried to push her off but I passed out. I don't really remember anything else–"

"You know, Gyeom? Sometimes, I wish you knew what it's like to be the one that patiently waits for you to come home, hoping that the worries in your head just disappear. How could you be so irresponsible? Man.. how could you do this to me? To us?"

"Y/N, you know I love you more than anything else but for fuck's sake, will you please believe me? My head hurts so much and you're acting up! Jesus!"

Yugyeom knew not to push your buttons, but in that state of his, he pushed it all, not missing one.

"Well, if that’s the case then I’m sorry. I’m sorry for caring too much, and for being all up in your business all the fucking time. Have fun remembering how you got that stupid hickey of yours, I’m done–"

"No, you are not hanging up on me, Y/N. It was a mistake, okay? God, my head is killing me and I just.. need you to believe me. I drank too much, and I know it’s bad, but I swear to fucking God, I didn’t do anything to hurt you. I would never hurt you. But you need.. to stop being difficult.. you’re making things worse here–"

The tension grew even more. You were both screaming your lungs out at each other, thousands of miles away from the other.

"Really now?" You spat bitterly. That was it for you. The last straw. "Well then, I know my brother invited you to the wedding, but don't bother showing up. I don't want to see you."

Your harsh words must've hurt Yugyeom so much, that his screams of anger just managed to slip out of his already worn out body.

"You're really throwing this all away– huh? Almost 3 years worth of memories? Just because I made a mistake, just because I don't remember everything that happened to me while I was intoxicated? You think I wanted those girls to come close to us? You're so– Y/N, you really think I wanted to hurt you, don't you? So now.. you do this? You're really breaking up with me? On the phone? Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Trust, Yugyeom. Trust. You broke the most important thing we built. Do you know how hard it is to do this? To date someone like you? People send me death threats, Yugyeom. Just because I decided to be with you. Do you even know how I feel? Do you know how Mark's girlfriend feels? How Jackson's girlfriend feels? Because I do. We all fucking get it!"

"Okay, trust. But let me ask you Y/N, if things were so difficult, why are you still here? Why date me when you could've left? That's what you wanna do anyway, right? You wanna leave, you wanna be free, right?"

But it’s not freedom if it’s not with you.

The bitter taste of surprise was too much for you. It was never meant to hurt that much, but it did.

"Wanna know why I'm still here, Yugyeom?"

"Why," he spat coldly.

"Because I thought that– loving you, oh god, I thought that that was more than enough to believe that we'd make it. But at this point, maybe we're both just better off alone. Separate ways, Gyeom."

Yugyeom let out a faint laugh. The most painful laugh one could ever laugh. A laugh of defeat.

"You're really doing this, huh? This is what you want? You're really doing this to us–"

"You don't need to show up at the wedding.. I'll just, tell them about us after. We'll meet when we're both ready to talk. Be safe."

"Fuck this, Y/N. Fuck–"

And with that, you hung up.

Your heart was broken once again, not by the same person, but because of the same reason you kept your heart safe and hidden in the first place.

Trust.

Yugyeom was your true love. The man you believed to be was your person. The person you entrusted your fragile self to. The person you needed.

But maybe he doesn't need you.

Putting your phone on silent, you cried yourself to sleep, wishing you'd never wake up.

—

wedding day.

Your eyes were still tired and gloomy, but you were better. You haven't heard from him since the fight and although it hurt you too much to be that person to hang up and end things, you knew better than to mope all day and question your existence.

"You look so beautiful in that dress! I'm so happy you chose that style! It's just perfect," your brother's soon-to-be wife exclaimed. She was the one who held you tight when your heart broke for the wrong guy, and she was also the one who held you when Yugyeom couldn't. It's safe to say she's the sister you never had.

"Thanks, I'm happy to be here. I'm so excited for you and my brother. I don't know what you see in him but I'm thankful you stuck around."

The bride smiled with tears welling up in her eyes. "You stick around for the one you love, Y/N. Even when the storm hits and everything falls apart, wait it out, then love again."

The wedding venue was everything you imagined it to be. A beautiful pathway to the garden, red and white roses everywhere, and photographs of your brother and his soon-to-be wife hung from the stringed lights wrapped around the tall trees to create the most beautiful ambiance.

Your quick peek of the venue ended since it was almost time for the actual ceremony. You were one of the bridesmaids, and you had to be wherever the bride was.

From afar, a tall figure walked towards the venue in a red suit. His dark hair complemented his outfit, and his handsome face was the cherry on top of it all.

Yugyeom showed up to the wedding a few minutes before it actually started. He took his time exchanging words of happiness and support to your brother. Yugyeom's relationship with your brother started out like any other brother – boyfriend relationship, but the two ended up being very close friends. A few moments before announcing the beginning of the ceremony, Yugyeom found his way to his seat. He sat close to the front, but in the corner.

The ceremony began, and every second felt longer than it should have. Closing your eyes, you took slow, but steady, steps to the podium where your brother was. You both agreed to welcome the bride with your whole family present next to him.

dirty looks from your mother

never seen you in a dress that color, no

it's a special occasion

not invited but I'm glad I made it

He looked at you like it's the first time he's ever laid eyes on you. His heart thumped like crazy, seeing how your hair fell perfectly down the length of your spine, in a red dress that exposed most of your back. Yugyeom couldn't resist every urge to kiss you. Every thought of you possibly breaking up with him completely made the poor boy pale. He was madly in love with you, in every possible way, that losing you meant losing everything to him.

The moment you stood next to your brother, your eyes met his. The eyes you hated to look into, but missed the most. Yugyeom stared at you for a long time, before you both snapped out of the trance only you two were in. You saw him mouth a "wow" before facing the bride and giving her a hug.

Walking to your designated seat, your mind went crazy just imagining how hard it would be to keep your composure when Yugyeom would literally be inches away from you.

"Beautiful," Yugyeom said in awe as you sat next to him. "You're beautiful, Y/N."

Without looking at him, you extended your gratitude. "Thank you, Yugyeom," was all you could say.

You both tried so hard to focus on the wedding. For the most part, it felt like no one else was there. You were in the moment, and so was he.

The exchange of vows was definitely something. Every word your brother and his wife exchanged was pure love. And deep down, you prayed that the love you needed was Yugyeom's.

oh, let me apologize

i'll make up, make up, make up, make up for all those times

your love, I don't wanna lose

i'm begging, begging, begging, begging, I'm begging you

As if on cue, Yugyeom held your hand without looking at you. His hand was shaky, and so was yours, but you didn't pull away. You held onto him, too. You held onto him like your life depended on it, and you held onto the person that longs for you the most.

"I do," your brother speaks into the microphone, looking at his woman. Yugyeom holds your hand even tighter, saying the same words your brother said, loud enough for you to hear it. Only you.

I do.

The bride reciprocates, and tears immediately stream down your face as the rush of emotions take over you.

Not wanting to lose the love of your life ever again, you follow suit, and said the same words the bride said. Only for you and Yugyeom, it meant something else. Only something the two of you could understand.

I do.

You both stood firmly, not letting go of each other, when the officiator finally said the words everyone wanted to hear.

You may now kiss the bride.

Not wasting a precious second, Yugyeom pulled you into a tight embrace, holding your head against his chest. His lips planted kisses at the top of your head, and suddenly everything was right in the world.

The scent of his perfume was home to you, and it made you feel so much better.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm so stupid, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry," Yugyeom whispered, still keeping you in his arms.

"I'm sorry, too, Gyeom," you answered, trying hard not to let the tears roll down your cheek and ruin your makeup.

Yugyeom finally kissed you.

He kissed you without stealing the spotlight from the newly weds. He kissed you softly, but it was clear that he longed for it. For you. He kissed you just the way you needed to be kissed, reminding you that he is yours in full surrender.

"I love you, Gyeom."

You finally meet his gaze. The prettiest eyes you've ever seen, and he really was the best thing that's ever happened to you.

"I love you, Y/N. I love you."

Wait it out, then love again.

[pengychan]

[Coco] Nuestra Iglesia, Pt 22

Title: Nuestra Iglesia Summary: Fake Priest AU. In the midst of the Mexican Revolution, Santa Cecilia is still a relatively safe place; all a young orphan named Miguel has to worry about is how to get novices Héctor and Imelda to switch their religious vows for wedding vows before it’s too late. He’s not having much success until he finds an unlikely ally in their new parish priest, who just arrived from out of town. Fine, so Padre Ernesto is a really odd priest. He’s probably not even a real priest, and the army-issued pistol he carries is more than slightly worrying. But he agrees that Héctor and Imelda would be wasted on religious life, and Miguel will take all the help he can get. It’s either the best idea he’s ever had, or the worst. Characters: Miguel Rivera, Ernesto de la Cruz, Héctor Rivera, Imelda Rivera, Chicharrón, Óscar and Felipe Rivera, OCs. Imector. Rating: T

[All chapters up are tagged as ‘fake priest au’ on my blog.]

A/N: Well, both the events in this chapter and the update were a long time coming. I promise you won't have to wait nearly as much for the next update. I am not sure that is a good thing.

Art is by @lunaescribe​ and @swanpit​

***

Later on, if he’d been in a joking mood - and he most definitely wouldn’t be - Ernesto may have joked that while many were saved by the bell, he was quite literally saved by the bull. Namely, by an especially unimpressive bull who seemed to be unsure as to what to do around a cow, no matter how absolutely eager said cow was to answer nature’s call.

“González wants us to go all the way to his farm and bless a bull, am I understanding this correctly?”

Juan spoke with about as much contempt as he was able to fit into each word, which was a fair lot of contempt. As Ernesto coughed into his hand to hide a laugh, Sofía shrugged.

“Don’t shoot the messenger, Padre. I am simply relaying the message González sent.”

The gringo scoffed, reaching up to rub his forehead. “Does he believe the church to be a joke, that he can call upon us to give a blessing to a bull who believes itself an ox?”

Ernesto chuckled. “Well, to be fair - don’t look at me like that, hear me out! A bull that cannot mount cows is a problem to anyone who makes a living out of their cattle. And the poor hombre spent a lot of his savings on that bull, so if it cannot do its job, that’s a loss he may not recover from anytime soon.”

His words seemed to make Juan marginally less offended, but the frown on his face did not entirely fade. “It still seems rather brazen, asking the church to get involved in such-- matters, Ern-- Father Ernest.”

“Desperate men will ask for any help they can get. Things have not been going all that well for anyone lately. And he does provide milk for the children in our care on Sundays,” Ernesto added, and mentally patted himself on the back when Juan’s scowl softened another fraction.

“... Fair enough. He has shown charity, at least. I cannot entirely fault him for being ignorant of what is and is not beneath the notice of God,” he declared. Behind him, Sofía pointed at her mouth and pretended to gag. Ernesto bit the inside of his cheek to remain serious, but any inclination to smile faded when Juan spoke again. “Well then, I suppose you may go and give this bull your blessing.”

Wait, what?

“Wait, what? Me?” he protested. That was not a turn of events he had expected: the gringo knew any blessing he may give was entirely worthless, and-- ah, the pendejo. That was probably the point, giving González some peace of mind without anyone really giving God’s blessing to an impotent bull. 

Juan met his gaze with a raised brow, and for a moment Ernesto could have sworn he’d seen the barest hint of an amused glint in his eye. It almost distracted him from the broad grin on Sofía’s face as she watched the scene. Some friend she was.

The gringo nodded, folding his hands. “You spoke of this man’s plight with such fervor, it seems fair I let you go help him - if anything for his peace of mind.”

Ernesto groaned. To say the González farm was out of the way was an understatement: it was quite a way beyond the first hill south of Santa Cecilia. Truth be told, they tended to consider it part of Santa Cecilia only because it was no closer to any other village, and the family attended Mass and the market each week without fail. 

“But it’s almost an hour each way!”

“Two hours, most likely,” the gringo replied with a serene smile. Now the amused glint was… a lot more obvious. Oh, that bastard--! “Doctor Sanchéz borrowed the horse to send his assistant to buy some medical supplies in San Luz. You may have the donkey, though. Don’t push the poor beast, you know it’s elderly. If you get going now, you should make it back by sundown,” he added, making Ernesto rather wish he could grab the closest chair and slap him with it.

“But I-- I mean, surely it is not that urgent--” he tried to backpedal. He really was not looking forward to several hours riding a donkey under the merciless summer sun. Maybe on another day he could get a horse, or ride with the González family’s cart next time they--

“You should definitely be the one to go, Padre Ernesto. You have such a glowing track record with fertility blessings,” Sofía quipped, causing Ernesto to nearly choke on his spit and any words he’d been about to utter to die in his throat.

Entirely unaware of the meaning behind Sofía’s words - if rather taken aback to see one of the sisters taking his side over Ernesto’s in a discussion - Juan nodded. “See, Sister Sophie agrees,” he said, with a decisive nod that made it clear the matter was sealed. 

Sofía grinned. Ernesto forced a smile. Oh, he thought, I am going to kill her.

“... Of course. I will be happy to,” he spoke through gritted teeth. Sofía took that as her cue to disappear out of the door with one last grin in his general direction. As the door closed, he allowed himself to groan, no longer having to keep up the pretense of keeping up the pretense in front of Sofía. “Bastardo,” he muttered. 

Juan clicked his tongue, wagging a finger at him. “Language,” he chided. “If it is of any comfort, this also means you will be spared Latin for the day.”

“Does this mean you’ll make me study through the night once I’m back?” Ernesto grumbled, and the gringo gave a startlingly sincere laugh. Those had always been rare to come by, even more so after he learned the truth about him. Ernesto’s annoyance faded a little, and just a little.

“Hah! I thought about it, to be entirely sincere, but no.” He stood, giving his arm a light pat. “I will not put you through it tonight, either. We’ll both get to sleep.”

Somehow, he was both absolutely right and disastrously wrong at the same time.

 ***

Just as a very disgruntled Ernesto de la Cruz disappeared down the first hill south of the village on the back of an elderly donkey, Commander Santiago Hernández rode up the first hill north of the village at the head of a column of sweaty, angry men.

Fewer men than he’d have liked, truth be told. They had succeeded in pushing through the territories under the control of Zapatistas, but resistance had been fierce and their advance hadn’t been without sacrifices. The oppressive heat and the talk going around - they were losing the war, Huerta was going to fall any day now - did nothing to improve morale. 

But they had made through the worst, the scum who’d planned to ambush them had been tricked into waiting for them somewhere else entirely, and they had almost reached Santa Cecilia - where they would take supplies and some fresh recruits to replace their fallen comrades. Those things were occasionally offered, far more likely taken, but it did not matter. The end result was the same, and he let his men deal with it. 

What he usually kept himself occupied with was taking a very good look at every man he could find and asking everyone if a-- deserter traitor murderer -- man called Ernesto de la Cruz had sought refuge among them. He’d been lucky until then, evading detection, but his luck wouldn’t last forever, Santiago was certain of it. He didn’t allow himself to think he may be forever beyond his reach.

If only I had a photograph of that traitor, Santiago thought, not for the first time, but he chased away the thought. He did not have one; his name and a description was all that he had to work with, and it would have to do. 

Santiago frowned, and spurred his horse the last few yards of the way to the top of the hill. He stopped his horse, allowing himself to breathe in the faint breeze caressing his face.

Below him, in the merciless heat of a summer afternoon, lay Santa Cecilia.

***

If only he hadn’t been asleep, Miguel would think later, they would have never caught him. 

Granted, a tree branch is not a great place to take a nap. He wasn’t supposed to be asleep, they were playing hide and seek and he was really determined to win that round, so he’d climbed up a large tree at the base of a hill.

It was a really good hiding place, because the branches were wide enough for him to sit comfortably, back against the trunk, while the leaves beneath him hid him from sight. They hid him so well that he got bored of waiting to be found or for Felipe to give up, and he eventually dozed off. 

At least until he was startled awake by shouts and rancorous laughter, and the steady clap of more horse hooves than he’d ever heard at once. Somehow, he had enough presence of mind to understand who it had to be - Federales! - but not nearly enough to remember he just so happened to be on top of a tree branch when he tried to stand up to run back and warn everyone. 

“Aaaagh!” Miguel fell with a cry, hit a branch on his way down, and somehow managed to grab onto another before he had a very unpleasant meeting with the ground below. There were yells somewhere below him, and he knew he had been spotted. 

“Oye!”

“What the-- what are you doing up there, muchacho?”

“Odd bird, that!”

“Oh, bet I can get him down with one shot…”

“What?”

“Hey now, it’s just a kid--”

“A lookout, more like, and there may be more.”

“Put that pistol down, Mendoza, or God be my witness you’ll hang from that branch!” 

A voice rose over all the others, and the entire world seemed to go quiet. Miguel looked down, still reeling. A dozen men on horses were a short distance away from the tree, including a squat man quickly lowering a pistol, and more were coming down the hill. The men’s eyes were not on Miguel, however: they were looking at a tall, slender man with a closely trimmed mustache as he spurred his horse to walk beneath the branch Miguel was hanging from. Not a huge drop, but more than he’d like to risk.

“That doesn’t seem comfortable, niño,” he said, and it was only then that Miguel realized the thundering order not to shoot had come from him.  

I was almost shot. They almost shot me, Miguel thought. His blood ran cold, and he suddenly understood why Ernesto had been so scared. He’d always known, of course, but seeing them up close - finding how quickly a soldier could joke about shooting a child off a branch like ripe fruit - suddenly made it so real.

It could get me killed, Miguel, Ernesto had said. You must never say it aloud again.

“I… I was…”

“Keeping an eye out for us to come, all the way out here?” the man, clearly someone in command, asked. His voice was cold and Miguel swallowed, still holding onto the branch for dear life. If he so much reached up from atop his horse, he could pull him down by the legs. 

“N-no, señor,” he managed, his voice so small. “I... we were playing hide and seek. I hid.”

The man’s cold gaze remained fixed on him for a moment more, then it seemed to soften. “Well, if you hadn’t fallen, I wouldn’t have known you were even there,” he said, and smiled.

It was not an insincere smile, Miguel would think later, but there was something so fundamentally broken about it that he felt all the sweat on his skin had suddenly turned into frost. But at least, he thought, he’d stopped one of his men from shooting him dead. Was it because he balked at the idea of murdering a boy in cold blood? Was it because he thought there may be an ambush and a shot may alert anyone laying in wait of their presence? Miguel would never know, and at the moment he had no time to think about it. The man moved his horse closer, and held out his arm. 

“Come then, your arms look ready to give out,” he said. “We’ll take you back to your village.”

No, no, no. Keep away from there. Keep away from Santa Cecilia.

Miguel swallowed again, his own heartbeat thudding in his ears. “I…” he began, but he could think of nothing to say, and his arms finally did give out. The man caught him, his grip surprisingly strong for someone so slender, and pulled him to sit astride his horse as well. Miguel held onto the mane with shaky hands, looking down. He found himself thinking of the day he and Ernesto had met, when he’d saved him from the stream and let him ride on his horse - except that then he’d been elated, and now he was just terrified. 

Please God, make them go away. Make them go away without hurting anyone. 

“... Gracias,” he murmured, mostly to try and not anger him, and the man let out a noise that seemed almost a chuckle as he spurred the horse into moving again. He shouted an order for his men to get moving again, entirely ignored Miguel’s wince, and spoke again. 

“And what is your name, niño?”

“Miguel,” he mumbled. His throat felt like sandpaper, but the soldier kept talking like he hadn't noticed, or did not care, that the hands clenching the horse’s mane were shaking. 

“Just Miguel?”

“Sí.”

“Very well, Just Miguel. I’m Commander Santiago Hernández.” His tone was light, but the grip on the reins was tight, the arms at either side of Miguel unyielding. “So, hide and seek? With friends?”

“S-Sí.”

“A good hiding place. I was never much good at hiding when I was your age. Alberto always found me. Now I am the one doing the searching for him.”

Miguel blinked, confusion overriding the fear for a moment. He craned his neck to look back. “Searching?” he repeated. The man’s gaze was like steel, but as he looked down it softened… only a moment. Then the coldness was back, and something in the pit of Miguel’s stomach twisted. He looked away again. 

“For traitors. For one in particular, but any traitor will do.” A brief pause. “You seem like a smart boy,” he added, but Miguel didn’t feel smart at the moment. He only felt so stupid for just falling in the Federales’ hands as he had and so very, very scared. 

“I-- try to be.”

“You know many people in the village?”

Nearly everyone, but he knew better than to say it. Maybe he had some smarts left, after all. “A few. Not all that many, the Sisters keep us in the church,” he added, hoping it would make a good excuse. To his relief, Commander Hernández hummed in understanding. 

“Ah, nuns. I know what you mean. Does the name Ernesto de la Cruz ring any bells to you?”

Oh. Oh, no. Oh God, no.

It could get me killed, Miguel. You must never say it aloud again.

Miguel’s eyes stung with tears, but he was able to keep his voice from shaking too much as he spoke. “No, señor. I don’t think it does.”

“Are you certain? He is a deserter, and a dangerous man. A murderer. It is best for everyone that he is found and taken care of, don’t you agree? If he is here, your village is in danger.”

We are in danger now. If he finds him, he’ll kill him. If he knows we hid him, he’ll kill us all.

“Then I hope you find him,” Miguel managed, fighting back more tears while he watched the first houses of Santa Cecilia drawing closer as the column of men entered the main road in.

***

“... I still can’t believe we each thought the other was the one leaving behind the instructions.”

“Heh. And to think I knew your handwriting is better than… that.”

“Likewise. But I imagined you may have tried to disguise yours.” Imelda frowned a little, emptying the donation box into the basket - not a lot, few had much to give those days, but it would do and keep the poor fed - before returning it to its place. “It still irks me that we don’t know who it was.”

Héctor chuckled. “Maybe it was Cheech all along,” he said, knowing full well that despite being somehow able to read music sheets, the old gravedigger was damn near illiterate. Which was exactly the point Imelda made next. 

“Chicharrón doesn’t know how to write anything but his name, Juanita’s, and a few choice words he had the bad taste of teaching my brothers,” she muttered, then she paused, and raised an eyebrow. “... What is it?”

“Uuuuh,” Héctor managed, mind entirely blank of anything he had been thinking. Their church was small and not much to write home about, but it did have one stained glass window thanks to a glassworker who had died almost twenty years prior and who had made it to thank God for saving the life of his son after a bad accident with an angry pig. 

A claim doctor Sanchéz had hotly debated, that, considering that it had been him and not Jesus Christ to painstakingly sew torn flesh back together and throw iodine into any open wound, but his protests had been mostly ignored and their humble church now had a beautiful stained glass window, letting in soft light that made Imelda look like an angel straight out of-- well, no. Angels in the Bible were the things nightmares are made of, so not that. 

But God, she really was the most lovely being in all creation. 

A moment of silence, and then the most lovely being in all creation tilted her head on one side. “... Are you well? You look--”

“Beautiful,” Héctor blurted out, and Imelda let out a chuckle, a smile curling her lips.

“Well, I’ll admit you are a sight for sore eyes…”

Wait, what? Héctor shook his head, taken aback. “Wha-- no, not me. I mean, you. You-- beautiful,” he stammered. 

The songwriter, señores y señoras.

As his face made a valiant attempt at reaching the same temperature as the sun, Imelda laughed. “I know what you meant,” she said, and the smile on her face widened just a little. She reached to take his hand, and Héctor let her pull him closer as though in a dream. “I think I can get used to hearing you say that. Once this is all over.”

Ah-- ah, of course. Yes. Once this was all over, and Hurta and his Federales were gone, he would ask her to marry him, and she would say yes, and they would leave the Church - only to return for their wedding to be officiated, and… and…

The thought of seeing Imelda in her best Sunday dress standing beneath that same window, as his bride, made Héctor’s heart skip a beat. Imelda let go of his hand, and he immediately reached to cup her face.

You may now kiss the bride.

“I’ll tell you every day,” he promised. Oh they were so close, and alone in the empty chapel. Or rather under the eyes of God, but Héctor felt no shame over it. God would understand, and if He didn’t-- well, it didn’t matter. “Starting now.”

The coy expression on Imelda’s face had faded a little, her lips parting. She placed her hand on his arm, but didn’t try to push him away. Héctor dared lean in, she tilted her face up, and her eyes fluttered close, and--

“WHAT IN GOD’S NAME!”

“Gah!”

Héctor and Imelda came apart with a yelp, and turned towards the source of the voice. Said source was marching up towards them as though filled with the wrath of God, face somehow even paler than usual and eyes ablaze. “Brother Héctor! What is the meaning of this?”

Oh God. Face quickly turning a deep shade of purple, Héctor cleared his throat. By his side Imelda looked down in a way that may have looked demure, if not for the way the corners of her mouth curled upwards despite everything. It made Héctor struggle to keep himself from laughing. 

“Padre Ju-- I mean, Father John!” he exclaimed with a wide smile, hands clasped together. “I can explain.”

“Oh?” The gringo came to a stop in front of him with a huff, arms crossed full of judgment for someone who had been doing… the kind of thing Ernesto claimed they had been doing. “Then please, do explain yourselves!”

“Well…”

“Oh, I’m curious to hear this one,” another voice rang out, insufferably smug and awfully familiar. Héctor looked past the gringo to see Gustavo leaning on one of the front pews, a grin on his face. Had it been him to tell Padre Juan that he and Imelda were alone in the chapel? Of course it had been him, he only needed a look at his face to know it. That cabrón--!

Héctor opened his mouth to tell Gustavo exactly what he thought of him, but before he could spew out a series of expletives that would have probably resulted in his excommunication from the Roman Catholic Church, the chapel’s door was thrown open and someone ran in screaming. Felipe. 

“Federales!” he cried out, skidding to a halt on the polished floor. He was panting, hair sticking out in all directions and glasses askew, the sling holding up his broken arm having left an angry red mark on the side of his neck. “The Federales are here!”

Héctor’s blood ran cold and, for a moment, no one moved or spoke. All four adults stared at the panting boy, stunned incredulity on each of their faces. 

Just when it was beginning to look like Huerta is done for. Just when we thought we may have escaped them entirely. 

“Impossible!” Gustavo almost cried out, reaching to grab the boy by the shoulder. “They can’t be here! They were going to go through San Luz!”

How would you know?, Héctor thought, but he didn’t get to voice the question. The next moment Imelda was no longer by his side: she pushed past a still silent Father John to tear her brother from Gustavo’s grasp, and look at him in the eye.

“Where is Óscar?” she asked, fear plain in her voice. Her horror seemed to grow when Felipe swallowed and shook his head. 

“I-- I don’t know. They’re at the plaza, rounding up people--”

“What do you mean, you don’t know! You’re always together!” Imelda crouched before him, even though he was already taller than her. She looked like she was begging him for a different answer. “Do you know where he may be? He needs to go home. He needs to hide.”

“No, I-- we were playing hide and seek, and Miguel--” Felipe let out a shaky breath and looked over at Héctor, eyes huge behind his glasses. “Héctor, their leader has Miguel.”

No. No, no, no, no, no. Not Miguel. Please. 

The world around Héctor seemed to fade for a moment, and he seriously thought he may be about to faint; his ears were buzzing and his tongue felt too large. Children were not spared in that war, the Federles would take anyone who could hold a gun and make them fight.

I’ll fight. I’ll go. Just please, not Miguel. 

“Very well then.” Father John’s voice rang out, impossibly calm, the full weight of his authority behind it. They all turned to look back at him as though puppets pulled by the same string. His hands were clasped tightly together, his mouth pulled in a thin line; a grim resolve was etched on his every feature. “It seems I need to speak to their leader, then. Philip, you go home. I will handle this.”

Gustavo groaned, rubbing his face. “With all due respect, Padre,” he said, everything in his tone making it clear he didn’t think the respect he was due was all that much, “it may be best you don’t try to confront them.”

“How come?”

“They have a bone to pick with Americans after Veracruz. More than everyone else, I mean.”

The resolve on the gringo’s face did not waver. “Surely, the cloth I wear will mean something to them.”

“Well… I suppose, at least for some, but they don’t love the Church all that much…”

“Then it will have to do.” Father John turned to Héctor and Imelda, who was still kneeling before her brother. “... Do ensure the children here are safe. Your brother may already be safe, if he saw them coming. Philip, you go home. I will do all I can to… smooth things over.”

You were never able to smooth things over with any Mexican ever, Héctor thought, but didn’t get to say as much aloud. The gringo turned and marched out of the church, immediately followed by Gustavo, who was probably thinking someone should make sure he didn’t mess it up too badly. Too bad he was probably the second worst pick for the job. Or the third, if they counted in Cheech. As they walked off, Imelda looked back at her brother.

“... Keep to the back roads, and go straight home. Maybe Óscar is already there. Go out back, through the sacristy - quick!”

Felipe disappeared at the back, and Imelda turned to look at Héctor. She was pale as ash, but her jaw was set; all the terror that had filled her moments earlier had been pushed back. “... I’ll tell Sofía to try and hide the supplies in the basement as well as she can. I’ll go gather all the boys and bring them back to the orphanage. You… you get Miguel away from them.”

“I…” A shaky breath, and Héctor nodded. “Do you think… what if they’re looking for Ernesto?”

“Then thank God he’s all the way out there to bless a bull. We’ll all tell the truth - none of us knows anyone called Ernesto de la Cruz.”

“If someone mentions a Padre Ernesto…”

“It’s a common enough name, and no one would think a deserter and our parish priest are the same person. His plan may have really been stupid enough to work.” She squeezed his arm. “Now think of nothing but Miguel. I’ll see you both later.” A pause. “I love you.”

Héctor swallowed, and leaned for a quick brush of the lips before he tore himself away from her and ran down the church and outside, down the steps, heart hammering in his throat and only one thought in mind: find Miguel, and keep him safe. 

Whatever it takes.

***

“No one move, and no one will be harmed.”

Santiago’s voice rose over the plaza, met with almost complete silence from the people of Santa Cecilia - or at least those among them they had caught outside, at what looked like their weekly market - and seemingly went unheard by his men, who were busy taking as much as they could from the stands full of food and produce. Santiago did not try to stop them; they were fighting for Mexico, after all, and taking supplies was well within their rights.

If anyone was unhappy with that, they were smart enough not to voice it. 

“I am looking for a deserter,” Santiago spoke again, circling the small crowd, still atop his horse. The boy, Miguel, sat frozen before him. Part of him, the man he had been before the war, felt sorry for the situation he was in, but the much colder man he had become, the one who had survived this far, knew it was a matter of practicality. 

Having one of their kids on the horse with him made it… less likely for anyone to think of doing anything rash, such as pointing a gun in his general direction; it was a lesson he had learned after a bullet shot from a window had grazed at his right temple, leaving behind a rather unsightly scar.

Sorry, muchacho. I cannot afford to die. Not until Alberto is avenged.

“His name is Ernesto de la Cruz,” Santiago spoke the name loud and clear, so that all in the plaza could hear. “A large man, doesn’t go unnoticed. Black hair, brown eyes,” he added, painfully aware of how vague that was. “He had a beard, but he may have shaved it off. He is a murderer who did not hesitate to shoot a man in the back, and he’s dangerous. He needs to be put down as the rabid dog he is. If any of you is harboring him, you are not only committing treason - you are putting yourselves and your village at risk. So I ask you all--”

A sudden cry cut him off, followed by a laugh and a man’s furious voice. “Hey! Get your hands off-- agh!”

“Javier! No!”

Santiago turned to the source of the disturbance, as did the rest of the nervous crowd. A glance was enough to tell what had happened: one of his soldiers was still brandishing his rifle like a club, standing above a young man bleeding from the mouth while a girl with a torn blouse knelt over him, crying. He sighed. “... Mendoza. What did I tell you all about what you are and are not allowed to take from the towns we pass through?”

A grin. “Not my fault, Commander. This one was giving me the eyes. You know what I mean, no?”

Santiago gave him a frosty smile. “I understand. It has been a long march, hasn’t it? I believe you have dropped some cartridges.” 

“Huh?” Mendoza looked down, searching for cartridges on the dusty ground. Santiago pulled out his pistol. “Cover your ears, muchacho. And close your eyes,” he told Miguel, and did not wait to see if he’d obeyed: he just lifted his pistol, aimed, and pulled the trigger. 

There were a few cries, mostly covered by the loud bang, but Mendoza made no noise: he was thrown to the ground and jerked just once before he lay still. As those closer to the body tried to shift away without making themselves targets, Santiago put the pistol back and turned his gaze around, to his other men, who had stilled and were staring back in silence. 

“I trust you will need no more reminders to keep your hands to yourselves,” he said. Miguel was shaking on the saddle, hands on his ears. Santiago gave his head a reassuring pat before turning his horse to the side, so that the boy didn’t have the body in his line of sight. “Now - do any of you have any knowledge of the whereabouts of Ernesto de la Cruz?”

As the soldiers around them resumed taking all the supplies they could take, he stared at the face of every villager. They all avoided his gaze, and they all shook their heads. Santiago scowled, anger beginning to stir in his chest. So he wasn’t there, either? Had he once again failed to find him? Where had that bastardo gone?

“We need men, and any men we need we will take!” he screamed, circling them once again, and gesturing for some of his men to leave the plaza and search the houses around them for anyone trying to hide. Young children held onto their mothers’ gown, elderly people huddled together, women held onto the arm of grown men, and somehow that just infuriated him more. They looked at him like he was a monster, but it was all wrong. He was hunting for a monster. 

He was doing his duty, fighting for Mexico, risking his life - seen his friends die - and he’d even just protected one of theirs from his own man. Why did they look at him like that? What right did they have? How dare they? “If he is here, hand him over and none of yours will be taken! If you’re hiding him, you will all regret it!”

“Oh, quit yelling, will you!” a voice suddenly snapped. “There is no one by that name here. Now let the kid go.”

Santiago turned his horse, and found himself glaring down at a short, squat old man with a peg leg and a scowl on his face. “Cheech--” Miguel began, his voice shaking, but the man silenced him with a wave of his hand. 

“Grownups are talking,” he muttered, and looked back at Santiago. “Listen, we got no deserter here. No one moved in recently, and there are three Ernestos in all of Santa Cecilia. One is old enough to have been at Montezuma’s court, the other is a cobbler wider than he’s tall, and the third is a priest. There is no one called de la Cruz. If the man you’re looking for was here, we’d hand him over in a heartbeat to save our own. I know I would.”

That was true, and Santiago knew it; it was the reason behind his offer, after all. He had grown up in a village much like that one, and he knew how close-knit the community was. The choice between the safety of a newcomer and that of their own people was no choice at all. Still-- ah, it was infuriating. He kept slipping through the net, people looked at him like he was the monster, and it was all wrong. He had left home with Alberto trying to do the right thing. They had wanted to be heroes. Now Beto was dead, Nando was dead, and he… he...

If you think I’m the monster, then I intend to deserve it. 

“... Very well,” Santiago sneered, and dropped a heavy hand on Miguel’s shoulder, causing him to wince. “We need thirty able men. Twenty-nine, as it seems I already have a volunteer. Who else will join us and do their duty as Mexicans?”

The old man’s wrinkly face twisted in fury. “Miguel didn’t volunteer for shit!”

“Oh, but he did. Here he is, no? Boys younger than him have fought for the glory of Mexico. I’ll teach him all he needs to know.”

If looks could kill, Santiago would have probably dropped dead off his horse. He found he did not care - even if in the back of his mind he knew the boy was too young to make a decent soldier, even though part of him balked at the thought of forcing him into the front line. Maybe he would make himself useful as a messenger, something not as dangerous as fighting. Santiago would mull on that later; right now, he had to make a point - what the army needed, the army would take.

Not that the old bastard seemed to care for the point he was trying to make. “He won’t even be able to lift a gun. I know how to shoot. I’ll take his place.”

There were murmurs in the crowd, but Santiago laughed. “You? You’re missing a leg and look like you’re one step away from the grave. I said I need able men--”

“Get off that horse, and I’ll show you just how able--!”

“Commander! A word, if you please!” 

A voice called out before Santiago could seriously consider pulling out his pistol and blowing off the idiot’s bald head. It wasn’t just any voice: this one had a strong, distinctive accent. Slowly, he turned back to face the man who had spoken and, for a moment, he thought he must be dreaming. 

Before him, clad in black priestly robes, stood a gringo.

***

“Well well, what have we got here?”

Sofía froze, the box full of cartridges still in her arms. She slowly turned to see a soldier of the Federal army at the door, rifle in hand, looking around the cellar. 

How in the world had he found his way there? Were there more? Had Imelda managed to get the children to safety on time? Feeling as though her stomach had turned into a block of ice and mentally cursing - she had almost managed to move everything! - Sofía managed to smile. “Good afternoon. I am afraid you may be in the wrong place. This is the parish’s--”

“I am here to requisition supplies,” the man cut her off. “What is in there? Food?”

Well, that was it. She needed to come up with something quickly, because if the man so much caught a glance of what was really in those boxes, she and probably the entirety of the parish would end up before the firing squad before the sun had time to set. 

I can’t believe I saved Ernesto’s life by having him sent off to heal a bull’s masculinity.

"These donations are for the house of God to help the poor, I am afraid. I cannot let you take them,” she said in her best apologetic tone. “I am certain you understand, our mission--”

"Move aside."

Ah, so that was how it had to be. "... No."

"It is for the glory of Mexico."

"What of the glory of Heaven?"

"You want to go meet that glory, sister?" The soldier snapped, and raised his rifle so that Sofía could stare right into its barrel. It looked impossibly large, impossibly black. If those men held no respect for the Church, there truly was no defense left. "What about now?"

"... It seems I misspoke."

"Of course you did."

"What I meant to say is, absolutely not. Have you no shame?"

The man glared daggers at her, and Sofía could only hold her breath, praying that he did have at least some reservations over shooting a nun after all. He hesitated, so maybe her gamble had paid off. Maybe she could still find a way--

“Ah, here you are! I thought I had seen one of the heroes of Mexico coming in here!”

Gustavo’s voice caused Sofía to blink and the soldier to turn, rifle up. On the doorway, Gustavo held up his hands with a smile. “No need to shoot, I am here to offer help,” he said, as though having a rifle pointed at his face was not bothering him at all. “As the sister correctly said, these are the supplies for the church - but we do have some food and medical supplies aside I am sure you could use.”

“Hhm. Do you now?”

“Of course. I am the sexton here, and I have been keeping some supplies aside just in case you happened to come through our humble village,” he added. The soldier slowly lowered his rifle, and Sofía blinked. She knew Gustavo was a cabrón, but a supporter of the Federal Army of all things? God, had he been working for them all along? How much did he know--

“Now, sister Sofía, we’ll leave you to finish your good work,” Gustavo added, taking a step towards her and taking her hands. “You were always such a tireless servant of the Church, may God bless you.”

Sofía opened her mouth to ask if he’d hit his head, but promptly shut it when she felt something being pushed against her palm - a folded piece of paper. She looked up and shared a long, serious look with Gustavo before he let go of her hands and led the soldier outside, all smiles and questions about his bravery in battle.

Only once she was alone again, heart hammering in her throat, did Sofía unfold the piece of paper to read the message hastily scribbled on it, in the same handwriting she had seen several times. It looked identical to the one in the instructions Imelda had been receiving for months, coordinating their help to the revolutionaries and their cause. 

Once they have left, ring the bell to a death toll and don’t stop. Help will come. Tell them to follow the trail. They’ll know.

***

Truth be told, Father John Johnson knew he had very few chances of succeeding.

Gustavo was right: Americans were particularly hated since their attack on Veracruz, and there was little love between Huerta loyalists and the Catholic Church. However, most if not all those men had been raised to go to Mass, and respect God’s servants; the presence of a priest still inspired at least some measure of deference, if the way the soldiers moved aside to let him pass was anything to go by.

And within moments it was obvious, just from the furious glare he received, that the cloth he wore was the only reason why their commander hadn’t shot him on sight. 

“What is a gringo doing here?” the man scoffed, and moved the horse to tower over John. Gripping the horse’s mane, Miguel looked down at him with wide, terrified eyes; John gave him what he hoped was a reassuring smile and looked back up at the commander.

“I serve at this village’s parish,” he said, his voice quiet. “Most call me Padre Juan. I am here to see if there is anything I may do to assist you, and protect my flock at the same time. Certainly an arrangement can be made.” Anything, he thought, anything to save my flock.

The commander scowled. “Protecting them is what we have been doing all along,” he snapped. Around them soldiers were dragging in more men and boys they must have torn out of their homes, forcing them in the plaza, separating all men from the women, the elderly, and children too young to hold a rifle. A few people cried out, but most were silent and still under the threat of firearms. “It is time they do their part for their country. This war may have been over already if not for your kind, sticking your nose in places where it doesn’t belong!”

John drew a long breath. “I do understand. The attack against Veracruz was unfortunate--”

“THE ATTACK AGAINST VERACRUZ WAS SLAUGHTER!” the man screamed suddenly, causing John to wince - but he did not turn, did not flee. He couldn’t, no more than the shepherd can run from the flock and leave it at the mercy of wolves. There was something in his voice that went beyond anger, raw and full of pain. 

“... It was. I pray for all the lives lost that day, that God may take them in his glory,” he said, bowing his head. “Anything I may do would be a drop in the ocean, but if there is anything you require of me-- please, do tell me.”

The man paused, seemingly taken aback by the humble response. The scowl remained etched on his face, but the fury in his eyes burned a little less brightly. After a brief silence, during which one could hear a pin drop across the plaza, he spoke again. 

“... You said you serve this parish. You must have heard confessions. Know everything about everyone.”

“I do, sir.”

“Do you have any knowledge of a man called Ernesto de la Cruz hiding nearby?”

Ernesto.

A cold, cold hand grasped John’s hand, and squeezed. He wanted to scream, to cry, to curse at the choice put before him - one he had hoped he would never have to make. He was relieved he had sent him away at a distant farm; he was horrified he may now have to be the one to give him away. Would that man be sated, if he got his hands on him? Would he leave the rest of Santa Cecilia alone? Could he trade the life of one for the lives of many?

There is no place in Mexico that is safe, Ernesto had said. I’m done for the moment you speak.

If the Federal army finds me, I’ll hang. 

For all the turmoil in his soul, John managed to let nothing show. He looked up again, hands clasping together. “This man’s crimes must have been grievous--”

“He is a deserter, and he murdered a man far better than himself to escape.” The pain was in the commander’s voice again, a bleeding, open wound. “He must hang for it.”

They won’t give me the kindness of making it a clean fall with a broken neck, he’d said.

“... I see,” John said, and drew in a deep breath. He let his gaze wander around, across the faces of the men gathered by the soldiers - oh Lord, young Óscar was among them, eyes wide and scared behind his glasses - as he silently begged forgiveness from each of them. Anything to save his flock, he’d sworn to himself and to God, but this - this he could not do. Ernesto was of his flock too, the lost sheep. Whatever the consequences, they would be his own to live with. 

Finally, he looked up again to meet Miguel’s gaze - and to his utter astonishment, Miguel met his gaze… and shook his head, so slightly. 

Don’t tell him.

He knows.

Shock was almost great enough to make John lose his composure, but just almost. He sighed, and shook his head. "I am sorry, commander," he heard himself saying, his own voice distant. "I know no man by such name."

All at once, any humanity that has seemed to have returned to the man’s eyes was gone. “I see. Well, thank you for your useless intervention. Twenty-nine more men!” he screamed, turning to the soldiers. He turned his horse and John acted out on instinct, reaching up to grab the reins.

“Miguel is only a child!” John exclaimed, holding onto the reins despite the commander’s effort to tear it from his grasp. Only a child who reminded him of another he’d been forced to leave behind so long ago. 

Michael was so young, I don’t know if he even remembers me. I don’t even know if they’re all still alive. It’s been so long.  

But Miguel was there, alive, in need of help. “He’s only nine - and the boy over there with the glasses - they are still too young for this war. In God’s name--”

“God cares not for what happens here! Go preach to someone else, gringo! Let go!”

“For your own soul, if not for their lives! They’re children!”

“Let go, or I’ll shoot the boy in the head right now!”

“You monster! What sort of beast--”

“ENOUGH!”

There was the gleam of metal in the sun, a deafening bang, and screams. A terrible force knocked John back in the dust, tearing all breath out of his lungs. The sun filled his eyes for just a moment, impossibly bright, before cobwebs of darkness clouded his vision. He felt a terrible heat, something filling his mouth and soaking through his clothes. Thoughts ran through his mind like galloping horses, disjointed and increasingly muddled.

Is this it? Is it the end?

I will never see them again.

I am going to Hell, aren’t I?

Oh thank God, thank God he didn’t shoot him.

More cries, and a voice above all others, crying out Miguel’s name, full of the anguish only a father can feel. Hector's voice.

I am sorry, John tried to say, but all that left him was a gurgling sound. I couldn’t do it. 

Yet even now, as he slipped out of consciousness, as he begged for God’s forgiveness and for those boys’ safety, he knew he could not regret his choice to give Ernesto a chance to save himself. If it cost him Hell, so be it. He would take the punishment.

Keep them safe, John begged without words, and dropped his head on the cobblestones, letting himself fall into nothingness as the screams around him faded into silence.

***

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A/N: Have some additional art by @whattimeisitintokyo​ to, uh, lighten up the mood, I guess?

[jarienn972]

Weathering the Storm - Part Four

For a multitude of reasons, it has been ages since I've been able to update this story. I had the chapter all plotted out, but never seemed to be able to find time (or sometimes just motivation) to write. I appreciate those who reached out to me asking if I planned to update it and I thank you so much for your patience! I absolutely plan to finish it and right now, there are 2 more planned chapters to close everything out.

For now though, since it has been a few months, here’s a quick recap of where we left off in the last chapter: Emma braved the elements to investigate the abandoned Sheriff cruiser, and after seeing the dashcam video, knows that her husband is injured after the disastrous traffic stop. She's made the assumption that Killian would try to make his way to the closest dwelling to the lonely stretch of highway - Zelena's farmhouse. We're going to pick up at that same farmhouse as the unrelenting thunderstorm continues. 

If you’d like to catch up from the beginning, you can find all of the current chapters on FF.net and AO3. Tumblr: Part One  Part Two  Part Three

Despite the warm glow from the flickering orange and gold flames in the fireplace behind her chair, the lingering dreariness of the day was wearing heavily on Zelena's mood. The sky was still laden with dull, grey clouds unleashing unholy torrents of rain upon the farmhouse's metal roof and continuous gusts of wind threatened to blow away the fluttering blue tarp which was only barely protecting them from the elements.

Oh, what she wouldn't have given right now if she could still possess the ability to poof them all away from this isolated outpost deep in the forest. Maybe she shouldn't have been so hasty and rammed that beat up old jalopy of hers into the Black Fairy. She wasn't particularly good at driving the beast but perhaps she could have managed to get into town… Oh, heavens...who was she kidding? In this weather, she wouldn't have made it to the end of the drive, and anyway, the ugly, metal death-trap was still sitting on a lot in town, rusting away as it awaited repairs. It hadn't been a high priority to fix when she'd had electricity and a working telephone to call Regina who'd pop in with supplies and whatever if she needed a hand with something. If she couldn't solve the problem with magic from a distance, she'd drive out to help her sister and niece, but she certainly couldn't do that right now.

At least, she could be thankful for the simple fact that Robin would sleep through almost anything when she had a full tummy. She couldn't recall the exact time she'd put her daughter down for her afternoon nap, but she estimated that it had been about an hour and a half, meaning her child was going to awaken soon and Zelena would have to figure out a way to entertain a cranky toddler in a dark, drafty house. For now though, the exasperated mom was enjoying the quiet reprieve from this stress-filled day before Robin was awake and wanting to play ,and then Zelena would also have to figure a way to keep the baby from bothering their guest.

Their guest.

How long had it been now since Hook showed up sopping wet on her doorstep? Two hours? Closer to three? Surely Emma would have realized that something was amiss if she'd not heard from her husband by now. How long might it take before someone realized that he was lying on her sofa right at this very moment? He was still semi-peacefully slumbering after taking a swig of the children's pain reliever which might have taken enough of the edge off to allow him to rest - or he'd just passed out from sheer agony and exhaustion.

Either way, she tried to distract herself with a little bit of reading by the firelight. The dancing flames cast odd shadows across the pages making the text difficult to see at times, but then she wasn't fully paying attention to the prose before her. She could scarcely recall a thing she'd read from the prior chapter, much less the last paragraph. She just needed something - anything - to keep her weary mind occupied during this brief reprieve. She was going bloody stir crazy, even beginning to believe she was hearing things that weren't there. She'd swear she just heard something rapping on the kitchen window, but quickly dismissed the thought, figuring it was just the swirling wind rattling the creaky door.

Until she was certain that she heard the sound of her name being called over the howling of the storm.

**********

Emma had briefly considered poofing herself right into the center of Zelena's kitchen, but decided against it at the last second, instead materializing from a cloud of pale grey smoke on the front porch instead. While she was somewhat protected from the storm by the narrow extension of the roof, rain water poured over the eaves in sheets. Considering that the gravel driveway leading up from the road had morphed into a shallow, muddy lake, the porch was relatively dry in comparison, although Emma wasn't certain just how protected she was from Mother Nature's fury when a bolt of lightning lit up the darkened skies. The tin roof above her head probably wasn't the safest right now…

She took a long stride closer to the door, wiping away some condensation from the glass with her sleeve as she peered through the window. She couldn't make out much inside the empty kitchen as it was fairly dark with a faint orangish glow in the distance. Zelena probably had a fire burning to provide some light and heat to stave off the chills with the power still out. She couldn't hear any voices emanating from the interior of the house, but it was possible that the noise of the rain striking the metal roof was drowning out any sounds from inside. But in the dim backlight provided by the firelight, Emma could make out a dark mass draped around the back of one of the ladderback chairs - a shape that looked decidedly like the collar and shoulders of a coat. A dark coat that had enough of a sheen on its surface to reflect the warm hue of the flames. Just like a certain black leather coat that her husband had been wearing when he departed for the station this morning.

Please, let that be Killian's coat, she begged of whatever higher power might be listening as she knocked anxiously on the window. Not noticing any movement inside the farmhouse, she rapped again, but this time on the wooden door instead of the glass as her sight fell upon a ruddy stain upon the white paint. Was that blood?

"Zelena?" she shouted, hoping that her voice would carry louder than her knocking. "Zelena? Are you in there?" Well, that was a stupid question...Of course she had to be inside. Most people wouldn't leave home with a fire still burning and where exactly would she go? Even if she'd managed to get her crappy car running, there was no way she would have made it into town in this downpour. She probably wouldn't have reached the end of the driveway… "Zelena!" she cried out even louder this time.

Seeing the familiar hue of the former witch's wild auburn hair through the steamed up glass, Emma's nerves abated momentarily and she let out a relieved exhale as the door was yanked open.

"Emma?" a startled Zelena muttered as she found the drenched, blonde sheriff standing at her doorstep, but her mood instantly lifted. "I am so happy to see you! I was hoping that you'd soon figure out your husband came here to seek help."

"Thank goodness. There weren't many places he could have gone, so I was really hoping he made it here. He recorded the whole thing on the dashcam, so I know he was shot. Is he alright?" Emma tried to keep her nerves in check, but as she rambled on, she knew she was failing miserably.

"He's in on the sofa. He's sleeping right now. Well, at least I think he's sleeping… He's been in and out of consciousness," Zelena explained as she waved Emma inside. Emma brushed past the redhead who closed the door quickly before the wind blew any more of the never-ending precipitation into the kitchen. Zelena continued detailing all she'd done to help, even though she doubted Emma heard half of it. "I've tried my best to get the bleeding under control. It isn't near as heavy as it was before, but he still lost a lot. The bullet that hit him went clean through and I don't think anything too vital was struck, but I really don't know for certain. He's still a bloody mess and a bit feverish. I tried giving him some of Robin's baby ibuprofen to help with the pain too, but I don't have a bloody clue how well that worked..."

Half-listening as she rounded the corner into the living room, Emma made a bee-line over to the sofa where she discovered her husband curled on his side with a woolen blanket draped over him. Even with the golden glow cast by the flames, his skin bore a deathly pallor. "Oh, Killian…," she sighed as she dropped to her knees on the floor beside him. She cupped her palm around his cheek, finding it cool and clammy beneath the warmth of her fingers. A muted, but guttural moan escaped his throat as he stirred at her touch. He blinked twice in the low light but as his sight adjusted, his eyelids parted fully to focus on the unexpected, but magnificent face of his true love.

"Swan?" he mumbled, his muddled brain trying to determine if she was real or just a cruel hallucination.

"It's me," Emma smiled, happy to find him conscious and communicative. "I'm here and I'm going to get you help…"

"Now that you can heal him, it'll all be fine," Zelena spoke up. "I would have already done that if I still had my magic, but now Emma can get you all fixed up," she gave a nod to Killian but the expression that crossed Emma's face confused her.

"Unfortunately, it isn't quite that simple…," Emma groaned in frustration. "Because this situation involved criminals from outside of Storybrooke, I had to have David notify the state police and put out a bulletin to watch for the vehicle. They'll have questions about the shooting, and if the deputy who they can see being shot on dashcam footage is suddenly, miraculously healed, those questions are going to get uncomfortable and weird and cast doubt on the whole thing. I don't even think that saying Killian was wearing a bulletproof vest would hold up under the circumstances…"

"So, what does that mean?" Zelena questioned.

"I'll have to get him back to Whale - transport him directly to the hospital…"

Emma was cut off mid-sentence as the storm unleashed a tremendous gust of wind that blasted through the broken window, billowing out the tarp until the nails could no longer hold and the resulting gush extinguished the fire. Swirls of raindrops, leaves and other debris were forced through the opening as the tarp floundered and flopped about the floor. Without a moment's hesitation, she spun around and raised her hands. In a split-second, a magical wave of bright light filled the room, vanquishing the tarp and all of the storm debris as it repaired the damaged window, restoring it to its original state like its twin further down the living room wall.

Zelena breathed a sigh of relief as the threat of further damage subsided for the time being, even though the room was plunged into darkness without the flames illuminating it. She wasn't going to miss that ugly plastic sheet, nor would she miss the drafts and rainwater that seeped in around its edges.

"Thank you for fixing that awful eyesore," Zelena said as Robin let out a terrified wail after being awakened by all of the commotion. "I'm coming, my love," she assured her daughter but she also gave Emma a quizzical look before heading over to the play yard. "Do you think you're going to have to explain that one?" she asked Emma with a gesture towards the repaired window.

"Hopefully, it won't come to it, but I suppose I'll think of something, if necessary," Emma replied as she turned her attention back to her wounded husband while Zelena scooped up a whimpering toddler. "Okay, one crisis averted," she whispered as she gently squeezed her husband's bicep through the blanket. "Let's get you into town so we can get you fixed up too."

Killian gave a weak nod and allowed his eyes to fall closed again as he steeled himself for teleportation, never knowing how rough the landing may be when they re-materialized. The commonplace of magical transport was something this grizzled mariner was still getting used to.

"Take us with you," Zelena interrupted. Unprepared for such a request, Emma glanced upward into the pleading eyes of the redhead who was still bouncing a teary-eyed toddler on her hip.

"What?" Emma stammered, her brow knitted in confusion. Had she heard that right?

"Please… Will you transport us there with you? I promise, we will be out of your way as soon as we get there. I'll call Regina to come pick us up, but I can't stay isolated out here in this bloody storm with no power and no way to get in touch with anyone. I hate not having magic anymore… I don't want to be a bother, but please…?"

"Um...sure, I guess," Emma responded. "For everything you've done for Killian today, I suppose it's the least I could do."

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" the former witch gushed. "Let me grab Robin's things. I'll be less than a minute!" She scurried into the bedroom to collect Robin's diaper bag as well as a jacket for each of them, then quickly darted into the kitchen to grab the baby's pre-made evening bottle, which the little one eyed greedily as they returned to the living room. Her final task was to toss a pitcher of water onto the smoldering remnants of the fire to ensure it was completely out before they vacated the farmhouse. Returning to Emma's side, Zelena gave her daughter a tight hug and exclaimed: "All ready."

"Then off to Storybrooke Hospital we go," Emma stated, swishing her wrist before the magical cloud enveloped them.

[photorose11]

An Unbreakable Bond Ch. 12

Here is the latest long awaited chapter! This is a pretty long chapter and I spent a pretty long time writing and editing it. I’m sorry for any spelling errors I may have missed. This chapter is titled after a song called ‘Changes’ by Hayd. 

__

Chapter Twelve: Changes 

The room was silent as Karin lay on her bed, looking up at the ceiling. She thought back to what her and Tōshirō had talked about as he laid in the clinic bed before falling back asleep. He had told her about Momo and how for the last two years she had been stable but in a coma, until a week ago her status turned critical and she was unable to breathe on her own.

He told her how Unahana had broken the news to him and told him it was up to him to make the decision. Unknowingly to the 10th Division Captain until that moment, Momo had written a letter before the war; leaving it in her pocket. The letter detailing what she would want done if she were to become severely injured. He explained to Karin how Unahana had told him she had found it in her pocket when she arrived to her after she was critically injured, and had kept it from Hitsugaya to spare him more stress and pain; that is until Momo started declining and it was up to Hitsugaya to make a very hard decision. Her letter clearly stated she wanted him to make the decision, if the time came.

Karin rolled onto her side, gripping the bed sheets under her. She couldn’t get the look of his teal eyes out of her mind when he had told her what exactly had happened to his childhood friend during the war. How it was he who had severely injured her, due to Aizen’s illusion. He told her how Ichigo was the only one not effected by it and was the only one to see him stab her. Karin remembered the strong grip he had on her hand as he told her everything, his voice thick with emotion as she tried to keep hers at bay, for him. She had to be strong for him.

Now that she was back home, as he slept his exhaustion off at the clinic, Karin could not help but cry at everything he had told her. She felt so much pain for her best friend. She was so angry at Aizen, and was happy he was dead. She was so lost in her thoughts she did not hear the bedroom door open and someone walk over to her bedside.

“Karin? What’s wrong?”

Karin opened her eyes to see her twin sister kneeling next to her, a concerned look on her face. Karin wiped at her face, before slowly sitting up. Yuzu sat next to her on the bed, laying a hand on her sisters shoulder.

“What happened?”

Yuzu was shocked to see her sister in this state. It was rare for Karin to cry, this was not normal for her. Yuzu was surprised when Karin grabbed her hand before letting out a teary sigh.

“Tōshirō is here. He collapsed in the living room and Ichigo had to take him to dad at the clinic. He’s been pushing himself the last few weeks and he’s extremely dehydrated. His childhood friend.. the one I had told you about. She passed away.”

Karin heard her sister gasp, and watched as her other hand went to cover her mouth in shock. Karin felt more tears in her eyes but blinked them away in frustration. She hated being emotional. She knew she was stronger then this. Before she could think to say anything else her sister enveloped here in a tight hug, rubbing soothing circles on her sisters back.

“Oh Karin. I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to see him collapse like that.” Karin grateful for the comfort, hugged her sister back and for a long moment they stayed like that; the room silent. Eventually Karin pulled back, rubbing at her swollen eyes from crying.

“I know he was happy to see me. I can’t explain to you the look in his eyes, he just..” Karin trailed off, remembering the moment her eyes had met his in the living room. A chill ran down her spine at the memory, as she shook her head as if to shake the memory away. Yuzu gave her a certain look, leaving Karin confused.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Karin asked her twin, an eyebrow raised. Her sister only smiled before she spoke.

“Karin, you love him.”

Not expecting those words to come out of Yuzu’s mouth, Karin stared at her wide eyed; completely flabbergasted. Yuzu could only give a small laugh before folding her legs under her and facing Karin on the bed.

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, Yuzu.” She shook her head at Yuzu’s statement. There was no way.

“Yes, you do Karin. It may not be obvious to you or to him, or even to anyone else. But I’m your sister, your twin sister. In some aspects I know you better then you know yourself..” Yuzu trailed off, meeting her sisters gaze with a knowing look still in her eyes.

“And you love Tōshirō Hitsugaya.” Karin was left speechless again. She wanted to deny it. She really did. There was no way she could love him. He was her best friend. He understood her better then she understood herself at times. They shared a bond, one she refused to ever let go of even when over two years had passed without seeing or hearing from him. Because she..

Before Karin could utter a word, she stood up quickly from the bed; surprising Yuzu in the process. Yuzu watched as her sister paced the room, obviously deep in thought as she looked at the floor, ringing her hands in the process. Deep in thought she definitely was.

‘There is no way.. I can’t.. no, no, nope.. no way in hell... that is absolutely insane..’

Yuzu watched her sister the next few minutes as she battled with her thoughts before she suddenly stopped in front of the bed, her face pale and her eyes wide. She looked back at Yuzu in alarm as she finally realized it. Karin covered her mouth in shock, as a loud gasp left her lips.

“Oh, no. Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit!”

She took several steps back before her back hit the bedroom wall. Yuzu quickly stood up, walking over to her sister and placing her hands atop her shoulders. “Oh Kami.. I....” she couldn’t form her words let alone think clearly. But she knew now. Without a doubt in her mind she knew.

“Karin, it’s okay. This isn’t anything to be afraid of. It’s normal that you feel this way, you’ve always had a connection to him. You know that. It’s not a bad thing.” Yuzu watched as Karin’s hand fell away from her mouth, which was still agape before she shut it. Her eyes somehow grew even wider as she looked up at her sister.

“I love Tōshirō.”

Yuzu could only smile at her sisters words before nodding her head in agreement. Karin felt faint, she felt sick. This couldn’t be happening. But it was. She knew now there was no denying it. Before she could process what she was doing, she ran out of the bedroom and straight to the bathroom; making it to the toilet in time before she threw up.

—-

After Karin’s realization and her embarrassing run to the bathroom; Yuzu urged her to sister to lay back down and nap it off. Karin wasn’t sure how but she eventually was able to fall asleep.

When she awake and opened her eyes the first thing she noticed were teal eyes looking back at her. Jumping in shock, she went to sit up and hit her head on the wall next to her bed. She let out a curse, as she sat up quickly; blankets still over her waist as she stared wide eyed at Tōshirō who was sitting next to her bed. They stared at one another in silence, and Karin noticed he had the same look in his eyes as before when they were in the living room before he had collapsed.

“I’m sorry, I did not mean to scare you.” He said softly, as he watched her place a hand over her heart. Karin’s heart was racing, as she looked at him wide eyed. “I woke up to you staring at me as I slept.” She said in an accusing tone. He rolled his eyes at her reply, as he went to stand up and sat next to her on the bed; leaning his back on the wall.

“I was not watching you sleep. I was waiting for you to wake up, you were muttering in your sleep before you awakened. I thought you may have been having a nightmare.”

She looked over to him, seeing his eyes focusing on a corner of her room. She was amused to see a slight blush on his cheeks and almost snickered at that. “Weird. I don’t remember.” She thought back to it but she could not remember having a dream or a nightmare. He looked back at her, his blush gone.

“Do you usually remember them?”

His voice was soft and curious as she stared back at him. She went to lean her back on the wall.

“Yeah. Always have.”

It was true. Some days Karin wished it was not. Pleasant dreams she did not mind remembering, but some nightmares she would love to forget. Her mind instantly went to a particularly awful one where her best friend laid dead at her feet as well as her brother and Rukia. She remembered waking up sobbing from that one as Yuzu tried her best to calm her down. That had been a year after the war with Aizen. It still haunted her.

“Are you okay?”

Karin blinked, meeting eyes with his again and was surprised to see his hand on her knee. She tried not to flush at that, while silently urging her heart to settle down.

“Yeah. Sorry, spaced out. How are you feeling?” Tōshirō noticed her gaze on his hand and quickly pulled it away before clearing his throat.

“I’m feeling better. When I woke up, Isshin said I was okay to move around now. But I still need to take it easy. He said I may feel fatigued again once I leave my Gigai.”

Karin nodded her head at his words. She wondered when he would be returning back to Soul Society. She wondered if Momo’s funeral would be soon. She furrowed her eyes brows then, confused at a part of what he had just said. “Why do you call my father by his first name?”

Tōshirō’s eyes widened at her question, as he thought it over; wondering how he could tell her.

“Did your father tell you everything when he told you about Soul Society?” Karin noticed he sounded curious and wondered what he was getting at.

“He told us about Ichigo’s involvement and how his powers were awakened. He told us about the war with Aizen. He did tell us that he used to be a Shinigami too.. which really should not have surprised me.”

Tōshirō’s eyes were wide at her reply as he watched her speak. A moment later he turned to sit cross legged in front of her, as she looked at him questionably. “Your father was my Captain when he lived in Soul Society many years ago.” Karin’s mouth dropped open at that. How could her father leave that very important detail out?

“My father was a Captain?! He was your Captain?” Karin said in shock, pointing a finger at his chest. Toshiro only nodded, a smirk on his face. Her surprise was amusing to him. Adorable even.

“Yes, he was. He was a good Captain. We were friends. He was one of the first people I befriended when I joined the 10th Division.” Karin mulled over his words as he spoke with a small smile on his face.

“Between you and me, he was like a father figure to me. He was always taking care of everyone else, even whenever he acted like an over eccentric man child.”

Karin would have laughed at that last part if it wasn’t for the fact that her mouth was agape in shock as she stared at her best friend. She was finding it hard to wrap her head around this. Toshiro could only watch on, before slowly looking down at the space between them on the bed.

“This is why I was very surprised when he disappeared. He had went on a mission to The World of The Living, due to strange activity happening in Karakura town. He never came back. Soul Society could not find any trace of him. We thought he was dead. A few years ago, when I saw him again during the war with Aizen, I was shocked. But I was happy to see he was still very much alive. Only hiding in a Gigai all these years.”

Karin was left speechless, watching him look at the bed as she thought about everything he had just told her. Her father had been a Captain. Had known Tōshirō for probably decades and they had been close.

‘How ironic is that?’ she thought, dumbfounded.

“Wait, why did my father never return back?”

Tōshirō looked up at her then, a smirk tugging at his lips again. She frowned at his smirk, wanting to know the answer. He gave her an incredulous look then. “Karin, you know the answer to that.”

“I really don’t.”

Tōshirō rolled his eyes, before folding his arms over his chest and staring at her. She sat and waited, heart racing.

“Because he met and fell in love with your mother. They married, and had children. Two children with incredibly strong reitsu I must add.”

The room was silent, as she flushed from his answer. Of course that’s what it had been. He was giving her another one of those looks that made her heart feel like it would beat out of her chest and had to look away; gaze turning to her lap. They sat in silence, a somewhat awkward silence before she cleared her throat.

“Thank you for telling me, Tōshirō.”

“You deserve to know everything.” Was his quick reply as he looked at her, a curious look upon his face.

“I should have known he was your father from the start, considering how strong you and Ichigo’s powers are. I can tell yours have grown stronger in the last few years. Has their been a spike in Hollow activity?”

Karin nodded silently. It was true her powers had grown, almost as soon as Ichigo had lost his after the war with Aizen. It only annoyed her due to all the spirits she would see now. She almost always felt like someone was there.

“I figured there would be. Your reiatsu is as strong as Ichigo’s when he was your age, if not stronger. Which is astounding considering his powers after meeting Rukia were mostly due to her transferring her powers to him. But your reiatsu is all yours, without the help of a Shinigami. Ichigo’s powers only grew once he started training.”

Karin knew her powers had grown, but did not realize they could be equal to her brothers when he was her age. It left her speechless.

“I want to try something. Put your right hand out, your palm facing upwards.” She quirked an eyebrow at him questioningly but did as he asked. Her breath hitched as he gently grabbed her hand, lifting it a little higher before pulling away.

“Good. Now take a deep breath.”

Their eyes met as he took a breath with her.

“Now let it out, and focus on your reiatsu.” She did as he asked, feeling the swirl of her reiatsu flow around her. He gave a small smile before nodding.

“Take another deep breath, but focus on your reiatsu as you breathe out. Imagine it flowing through your arm and into the palm of your hand.”

She kept her gaze locked with his as she took a deep breath before slowly letting it out, feeling her reiatsu flow through her and trailing to her arm. When she felt it forming in her hand she moved her gaze down to her hand and saw it form into a small ball above her palm. Her eyes widened, she almost gasped and pulled her hand back when she felt his hand softly grab her wrist to keep her hand in place.

“It’s okay, don’t be afraid. Keep breathing.”

Karin nodded, continuing the flow of her reiatsu into her hand as it formed a slightly larger ball above her palm. She focused on her breathing as she watched Tōshirō’s eyes widen as he watched the reiatsu ball grow in size. After a few moments, he cleared his throat; before speaking softly.

“Now the next time you breathe out, slowly close your hand into an upward fist and imagine the reiatsu  vanishing.”

Karin once again did as he asked, trying to ignore the fact that his fingers were still softly wrapped around her wrist. As she slowly closed her fist, the reiatsu  dispersed around them; the slight force of it making her breath hitch as it created a slight breeze and sending a chill down Karin’s spine.

The two remained silent, Karin’s eyes wide staring back at him as he looked at her in awe.

“What the hell was that?” She whispered out, staring at her closed fist. The 10th Division Captain remained silent before slowly unwrapping his fingers from around her wrist, moving it the top of her closed fist as he lowered her hand to the space between them on the bed.

“That is proof of your powers growing. I don’t even think that is something your brother could have done before meeting Rukia. But he’s also always been terrible at controlling his reiatsu, but it is the opposite for you.”

Toshiro continued to stare at his his hand which was laid over her closed fist. He knew Karin had strong reiatsu but for her to be able to do something like that was anything short of incredible.

“There are Shinigami in the Soul Reaper Academy that begin to learn how to do that in their first year, many struggle with it. You are human and you can successfully do it the first try.”

Karin watched as he stared down at their hands, his eyebrows furrowed as he thought.

“What does that mean?” She asked him, a lace of concern in her voice.

“It means the strength of your power goes beyond what I thought. I’ve never heard of a human being able to successfully do that. I’m sure it is because Isshin is your father and he was one of the strongest Captains in Soul Society. Does your brother or father know your powers are getting stronger?”

She shook her head no, her lips pursed in a firm line. It was not something she had talked with either of them about. It wasn’t something she even liked to think about. He nodded his head, before pulling his hand away from hers and crossing his arms.

“What are you thinking?” She asked hesitantly. His face was growing more concerned by the minute and she could see he had a grimace on his face as he looked down at her hand that was still in a fist between them on the bed.

“I am wondering if Soul Society knows your powers are increasing. One of Soul Society’s duties is to keep an eye on The World of The Living, not just for Hollow Activity but any person that may have strong Spiritual Pressure. Karakura has always been a hot stop for Spiritual Pressure. For instance, a few of your brothers friends have strong spiritual pressure and have developed powers over time due to it. But yours is..” he trailed off, wondering how he can word this to her. He did not want to concern her by her growing powers. But he was very curious.

“It’s what?”

He looked eyes with her, the look of awe shining back in his eyes. “Your power is definitely strong enough for Soul Society to notice. I’m rather curious why they have not sent someone here to keep an eye on you. Powers such as yours can be incredibly dangerous, but you seem to have a good handle on yours. I’m not worried about your powers getting you hurt. But I am worried about the spike in Hollow Activity from it.”

Karin’s heart sank at his words. She did not want him to worry about anything regarding her. He was going through enough as is. She let out a sigh before leaning her head back on the bedroom wall.

“This is not something I should tell your family about, or even Rukia. It is not my place to do so. But you should know I do need to speak to your brother, but not about this.. at least I’m hoping it doesn’t have to do about this.” Karin lifted her head off the wall, turning her gaze to Tōshirō who still had his arms folded over his chest, a frown on his face.

“What about?” Karin was scared to even know at this point. She could barely wrap her head around the fact that Tōshirō was so shocked about her increasing powers.

“Before I came here, I had to talk to the Captain Commander to get his approval. He had known about Momo passing. I told him instead of sending a Hell Butterfly to Rukia about Momo’s passing, it may be best I come down here myself to tell her in person. To my surprise, he agreed to it. Before he dismissed me he told me to tell Ichigo that he is wanting to speak to him as soon as possible and to come back with Rukia and I before Momo’s funeral.”

Karin gaped at him, as Tōshirō stared at her with clear concern in his eyes. He did not want her to worry about this. She was still young and still a human, she should not have to worry about such things as this.

“I think it may be the Captain Commander wanting to thank him for what he did during the war with Aizen. He knows Ichigo has his powers back. It’s not something he is against. Who knows when another enemy may arise and another war may happen. Hopefully never. But if it does, your brother would be on our side and his power is one that can’t be ignored.”

The more Tōshirō thought about it, the more he grew concerned. It’s true Ichigo was strong, Soul Society knew this when he saved Rukia from her execution years ago. But Karin was strong too, if not stronger. What would Soul Society do if they knew about this? He did not know. He knew one thing though. Karin’s powers were increasing and there was no stopping it.

—

Ichigo Kurosaki was unsure how he made it through the Chappy movie that Rukia had literally dragged him to.

It had been three hours long.

Ichigo had a migraine. Yet he couldn’t be mad, because Rukia had smiled during the whole movie. She was happy, and that made him happy. He had even gotten her an extra large limited edition Chappy cup the theater was promoting for the movie, her eyes had lit up when he had handed it to her while they got their snacks before the movie started.

They were now on their way home, Rukia hugging her beloved cup to her chest as she walked next to Ichigo. Ichigo had his hands in his pockets, a grin on his face. He couldn’t ignore the fact that life was great. Amazing, ever since Rukia had returned his powers to him. Ever since their new relationship had formed. He was lost in thought when he heard a beep, signaling a text message. Rukia looked over to him, curiosity spiking as she watched him pull the phone out of his pocket. He was silent for a moment before putting the phone back in his pocket.

“It was my dad. Tōshirō is awake, dad said he’s fine to walk around but he needs to take it easy the next day or two. Apparently Yuzu went to talk to him after she talked to Karin after she got home. Karin got sick in the bathroom and Yuzu pushed her back to bed to sleep it off.” He rubbed the back of his neck, looking up at blue sky. He couldn’t deny he was worried about his sister; as well as the white haired Captain.

Rukia sighed, lacing her fingers through Ichigo’s as they continued walking. They could see the Kurosaki house in the distance.

“It’s only because she’s upset, Ichigo. She’s worried about Tōshirō, I am worried as well and I know you are too.” He nodded his head somberly. He couldn’t help but let his mind drift to that terrible moment during the Winter War when Aizen had created the illusion that had fooled everyone, other then Ichigo. The look on his friends face as he realized what he had done was a look that had always stayed with Ichigo. It made him sick to think about.

“Ichigo.”

Hearing her voice, Ichigo stopped and turned his head to see Rukia had stopped in her tracks and was looking up at him.

“There is something else that worries me.”

Ichigo frowned, confused as to what else she could possibly be worried about. “Do you remember when we ran down the stairs earlier when Karin screamed?” Ichigo nodded, still unsure where she was going with this. Ichigo couldn’t help but notice how Rukia was biting her bottom lip, something she only did when she was deep in thought.

“When you saw Karin holding Tōshirō up did you happen to notice the spiritual pressure around them? Particularly around your sister?” He quirked an eyebrow up at her questions, scratching the back of his head.

“Ah, honestly not really? I was so shocked by what we were seeing with him practically freezing the floor I wasn’t really able to focus on anything like that.” Rukia nodded at his words, she was expecting an answer like that. He had only just had his powers returned, she did not expect him to catch a change in spiritual pressure during a crisis.

“I didn’t think you noticed. But I did. Ichigo.. when we made it to the bottom of the stairs the first thing I noticed aside from Tōshirō’s spiritual pressure was Karin’s.”

Ichigo arched his eyebrows, looking down at his girlfriend who was still biting her lip.

“She’s always had spiritual pressure, same as me. It just runs in our family I guess.” Rukia shook her head, he was not understanding why this worried her. She squeezed his hand so he would look back down at her.

“Exactly Ichigo, it runs in your family. Because your father was a Shinigami. A powerful Captain. And when I noticed Karin’s spiritual pressure when we made it into the living room.. her powers are growing Ichigo, at an alarming rate.” Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows, unable to comprehend what she was telling him. “How did you know?” He asked her softly. He looked in the distance, noticing their home only a few minutes walk away.

“Because when I met you when you were her age, before I gave you my powers.. your spiritual pressure was nowhere near as strong as hers is.” Ichigo couldn’t help but look down at his girlfriend, a shocked expression on his face. How was this possible?

Before he could say anything to her regarding it, they froze when they felt none other then Karin’s reiatsu flare. The couple looked at one another before bolting to the Kurosaki house.

—

Once they arrived, Ichigo unlocked the front door; slightly out of breath. Rukia followed him afterwards, grabbing his hand before he could run up the stairs. “Slow down. It’s okay. Her spiritual pressure is back to normal now. This could just be because her powers are increasing over time.”

Ichigo let out a large sigh before leading Rukia to the sofa and sitting down. She took a seat next to him, leaning her head on his arm.

“What does this mean for her, Rukia? My powers didn’t strengthen without your help..”

Rukia could tell by the sound of his voice that he was worried about his sister. This was something she unfortunately did not have the answers to. She knew they needed to talk to Karin.

—

“Dammit. I need to talk to Ichigo about this.” Karin put her head in her hands, letting out a frustrated sigh. She was unsure how her brother would take this. She knew he would more then likely be concerned though.

“Will you be there when i talk to him?” She asked Tōshirō as she lifted her head up to look at him.

“Yes. I will do whatever you need me to do, Karin.” His eyes softened as he looked at her, and Karin felt comforted by it. Tōshirō then stood up from the bed, offering a hand out to help her up. As she took his hand, they heard the front door open before shutting. She stared at him eyes wide, as he nodded before helping her up. She stood next to him, as their gaze stayed connected before he gave a small smile and he laid a hand on her shoulder.

“You’re not alone in this.”

His words were all she needed to gain the courage to talk to her brother. She nodded, before he lead her to the door and walked out, heading downstairs. He walked behind her and as they entered the living room, they saw Rukia and Ichigo sitting next to each other on the sofa. They turned there heads once the two entered the living room. Before Ichigo could say anything, Karin spoke.

“There’s something I need to talk to you both about.”

Karin couldn’t help but notice the understanding look on her brothers face.

—-

Karin struggled to tell her brother and Rukia what her and Tōshirō had discussed in her bedroom. Any time Karin had difficulty explaining it, Tōshirō was there to help her find the right words. It was something she was incredibly grateful for. Eventually, their conversation led to Tōshirō telling Ichigo what the Captain Commander had said which left both Rukia and Ichigo with shocked expressions.

“I have no idea what he is wanting to discuss with you. My first guess was he wants to thank you in person for defeating Aizen since he never got the chance to in the past.”

Ichigo nodded his head at Tōshirō’s words, his elbows propped up on his knees, hands holding his chin up.

“Do you think Soul Society knows about the increase in Karin’s spiritual powers?” He asked Tōshirō, a far off look in his eyes. Tōshirō looked at Ichigo, as he sat on the floor across from him on the other side of the coffee table. “I think it is a high possibility. But usually a Captains meeting is called when things like this arise and they know about it, and there has not been one.” The room was silent as they thought over the 10th Division Captains words. Until Ichigo lifted his head up from his hands, turning his head to look at Karin who was sitting next to Rukia on the sofa.

“How strong are your powers now, Karin? I just got mine back and I’m still not very good at controlling mine or sensing others.”

Karin pursed her lips, unsure how to answer that. She knew the best way would be to show Ichigo. She looked over to Tōshirō, silently asking him if she should. He nodded, and with that she stood up and went to sit cross legged beside Tōshirō. Ichigo lifted an eyebrow.

“What are-“ Karin lifted a hand up to silence him and he complied. He was now very confused.

“I will show you. But Ichigo, I need you to NOT freak out. Do. Not. Freak. Out.” Her tone was firm, almost accusing as she pointed a finger at him. He lifted his hands up in understanding, urging her to continue. Rukia gave him a sideways glance, hoping he would catch it. He did, and almost scooted away from her. His girlfriend had such an icy glare.

The two sat on the sofa and watched as Karin laid her palm upwards as Tōshirō had showed her. She took a deep breath in, before letting it out and focusing her reitsu through her arm and into the palm of her hand; exactly how he had shown her how to do. When the ball of reitsu began to form, Ichigo’s eyes widened as Rukia’s mouth dropped. Ichigo ended up laying a hand on Rukia’s knee, holding on to it as if to keep himself upright. The ball slowly began to grow larger, Ichigo’s eyes practically popping out of there sockets.

“What the fu-“

Rukia slapped a hand over his mouth to get him to be silent, glaring at him before looking over to Karin; telling him to shut up and watch. He nodded before she pulled her hand away and watched in amusement as he put a hand over his mouth to keep silent as his sister concentrated.

When Karin slowly closed her hand into a fist the reiatsu dispersed around them, once again creating a rather large breeze this time around the room. A chill ran down each of their spines as Rukia and Ichigo starred wide eyed at Karin. Both her and Tōshirō watched the couple, an amused expression on both of their faces. Ichigo seemed to be frozen in his spot, hand still over his mouth. Karin leaned over to Tōshirō, a smirk on her face as she whispered to him “Give him a few seconds, he is about to flip his shit.”

Sure enough a few seconds later, Ichigo removed his hand from his mouth and shot up from his spot on the sofa, his knees ramming into the coffee table. He gave a hiss of pain before pointing a finger at Karin.

“What the fuck was that?! How did you do that?! You- you.. WHAT?!”

Rukia stifled her laugh behind her hand, watching as her boyfriend freaked out. Karin folded her arms, rolling her eyes at him.

“How long have you been learning that, Karin?”’the question came from Rukia, Karin met her eyes.

“The last half hour.”

Rukia’s mouth dropped open again as she stood up and stared at Karin in shock before looking over to her white haired friend for confirmation. He nodded his head.

“She learned in one try.”

Rukia’s eyes went wide as saucers as she moved to stand in front of Karin and Tōshirō. They both stood up, meeting her eyes.

“One try? ONE try?” She practically shouted, before a hand went over her mouth. She turned her head to glare at Ichigo before removing his hand and elbowing him in the stomach. He knelled over gripping his stomach.

“Rude ass Midget.” He whispered in between his pain.

“Insufferable fool.” She hissed at him as she sent him an icy glare.

Tōshirō and Karin watched on in amusement, both thinking how the pair certainly did act like a married couple.

“I wanted to see how strong her powers had grown. I knew that was an exercise that first years do in the Shinigami Academy.”

Rukia was still wide eyed, as Ichigo recovered and looked at his sister who seemed to be staring off into space.

“The fact that she can do that..” Rukia trailed off, unsure of the correct word to use to describe it.

“Incredible? Extremely rare? Both are equally good words for this.” Tōshirō said softly before turning his gaze back to Karin. Karin snapped out of her trance, looking at each of them.

“What happens now?” She asked them.

“Well. Momo’s funeral is the day after tomorrow. Maybe we will know more once Ichigo meets with the Captain Commander.”

They all nodded in agreement, wondering what the next two days would bring. Karin held in her sigh, trying to ignore the worry that was igniting like a flame in her.

A part of her was telling her nothing would be the same after today, and it scared her. 

[kuronanox]

Captains harem ft. Julius

(Your name) didn't know why but today all the captains and Julius were asking for attention, it creeped her out because she was nothing special. It was as if they were all fighting for her.

Nozel invited her out for tea.

Fuegoleon offered to take her to a nice hot springs

Kaiser didn't he have a wife???¿¿¿

Rill told her "draw me like one of your French girls."

Jack was just a psycho but wanted to cook with her.

Charlotte suggested taking a girls trip to shop.

William wanted to watch the little birds and nature and even offered to show his giant tree.

Yami straight up just asked her to date him.

Dorothy wanted to take a long nap.

Julius followed her around like a little stalker he is for his own amusement

Mereoleona also threaten to beat some sense in her head if she didn't want to drink with the royal.

"Why are they all so pushy today? I've rejected all of them can't they take the hint? I mean.... I'm sure they don't like me!" (Your Name) tells Marx as they sat in his office.

"Oh thanks captains for not doing any work today, unbelievable. But you are a pretty lady. I can't see why not?" Marx tells her while separating some papers.

"Yami asked me to date him but I'm sure Charlotte is in love with him so no thanks." (Your Name) states leaving the office bored out of her mind. "Maybe picking one of their offers wouldn't be to bad."

Strolling down the hall she comes across Julius. "Yo!" She calls out running towards him. "(Your Name)!" He cheers!

"Come to the captains meetings today! We have lots to discuss!" Julius tells her with sparkles in his eyes. "Ugh are you sure?"

"Yes of course! Other members will also be there!"

"Okay! I'll see you later then!" She smiles as Julius pats her head and watches her leave.

Going back to her room she laid in bed thinking about all the invites she got today.

"Hmm Nozel and Tea? That doesn't sound bad but boring, I'm not even a royal. I'm sure he invited me out to talk some smack.

Fuegoleon and hot springs?! I get to see his abs and hair wet. Count me in!

Kaiser just no.

Rill is cute but I can't draw maybe he can draw me instead?

Jack.... what would we cook? Sweet offer though I would actually like to.

Charlotte is so pretty, I would look like the maid if I went out shopping with her.

William is a little simp, maybe I could use that? Seems tempting.

Yami, no? Charlotte would kill me.

Dorothy would not wake up if we took a nap together.

Julius?¿ would he be considered my Sugar daddy? AHH!

Drinking with Mereoleona seems fun! Drinks on her though, I don't got that salary."

After thinking about everything she walked into the Captains meeting and took a seat next to Asta, Noelle, Leopold and Yuno. "Why are we here?" She asks them.

"Maybe we are moving up in ranks!" Asta yells excited to see all his hard work pay off.

(Your Name) looks up to see Nozel looking dead straight into her eyes. "Noelle, has your brother always had a staring problem?"

Noelle blushes and flips her hair. "Nii Sama would never do something like that!"

"I guess so, dude has been looking at me for the past 5 minutes." (Your Name) states looking away to catch Jack licking his lips.

"O.o" she reacts and looks away awkwardly.

"Why is all the Captains trying to get your attention?" Yuno asks her as she sighs and laughs holding her head from getting a headache. "I'm not sure, Maybe it's a game they're playing because I'm just the joke!"

William kindly bids her a hello and takes a seat.

"Yer got an answer?" Yami asks now as she looks up to him and back at Charlotte.

"Uhh, no. I mean yes?? NO! My answer is no!" (Your Name) says while looking back and forth. Charlotte was highkey listening to their conversation.

"So you don't wanna date me?" Yami speaks up as all the captains perk up.

"Nonsense, (Your Name) has class and a acquired taste of course she didn't say yes!" Fuegoleon shouts standing on his two feet.

"I don't see her saying yes to you either." Nozel butts in as Yami just deadpan behind them.

"No need to fight! We all know I'm the perfect match for (Your Name)!" Rill exclaims throwing his body to her and embracing it.

"You wish kid!" Jack laughs next to Yami as they argued on who could win her over after.

Charlotte was a mess as she contemplated what to say because Yami liked a girl. "Y-y-yami a-actually li-likes so-som-some one!" She screams fainting.

Mereoleona busts the door open and folds her arms. "Oo I heard my little brother and I are competing to get (Your Name)!"

"Mereoleona, I won't loose to you. I'm the gentleman that will sweep her off the ground." Fuegoloen defends as they shared the same hot passion. "Woah woah woah, older sister and Aniue likes you! I have to tell parents they are fighting over a girl!" Leopold laughs on the floor because his older siblings were acting ridiculous.

Nozel scoffs and removes Rill off (Your Name). "(Your Name) is now my girlfriend." He tells them all as Yami and Jack laugh.

"Nice try bug braid."

"What did you say?!" Nozel furries as William gently slips past them and grabs her hand. "(Your Name) you seem flustered, I can let you escape this mess?" He offered with a mysterious smile under his mask.

"No no William, I see everything." Julius cuts in as he entered through the door.

"I guess Dorothy is out of question, she's been asleep." (Your Name) thinks just staring at all of them argue.

"Am I even pretty?" She asks Asta as he seem overwhelmed with everyone yelling for her attention. "I didn't know you were this popular! SO COOL TEACH ME YOUR WAYS!"

"Bakasta!" Noelle says hitting the little boy. "WHAT DID I DO?!"

(Your Name) was getting a headache from everyone screaming and yelling she jumped onto the table. "HEY! I'M NOT GOING TO GO OUT WITH ANY OF YALL! I GOT A BOYFRIEND!"

"Bo-bo-boyfriend?" Julius says pouting as the other captains settled down.

"What fool do I have to beat?" Nozel cuts in as Fuegoleon cuts in. "What must I do to change your mind."

"What a simp." Leopold whispers, looking at his older brother.

"And who may this nice gentleman be?" William asks clearly intrigued to take the spot away from the man.

(Your Name) looked around the room to think, she didn't have a boyfriend, but she just yelled that to get them to shut up.

Jack was out with his blade and Yami already had his sword ready for action. "Bro."

Getting fluster she stuttered a bit till Marx walked into the room, uneducated about what was happening.

"MARX! He's my boyfriend!"

"HIM?"

"MUSHROOM HEAD?"

"MARX THE ONE WITH NO CHILL!"

"How could you Marx?" Julius says in betrayal.

(Your Name) gives him a stare that made him understand to play along. "Oh! Yeah! I'm her boyfriend!"

"I'll kill you." Yami half jokes as the other captains grumble in disappointment.

"Well let me know when you wanna switch genders." Mereoleona says with a grin before heading out.

"One way or another a royal will get their way." Nozel says.

"I agree, I'll be the man to have you." Fuegoleon added taking Leopold with him.

"Ahh my tree house is always open to you." William invites her with a sly smile.

"Kitchen is open too, I'll cook." Jack says leaving as Yami shakes his head. "Let me know when your mind is changed brat."

"I'll still be checking up on you!" Rill cheers with a big smile.

Charlotte and Dorothy were passed out so no last words came from them.

"Marx, we got lots to discuss." Julius says before taking his leave.

"So the point of this meeting was for?" Yuno says clearly amazed to see how immature the Captains were acting. "Exactly." Noelle agrees taking Asta back to the base. "REMEMBER TO TEACH ME YOUR WAYS!" He yells before out of site.

(Your Name) breathes a sign of relief. "Thanks Marx!"

"Jeez, now they are out for my throat!" He yells not amused he came to the rescue.

"Sorry!" She says sticking her tongue out and running out.

"Where are you going?!"

"To mess with them some more!" She jokes as Marx just signs.

(Author notes: I personally like Fuegoleon the most! :D, this was fun to write! But lowkey idk wtf I just wrote, Not edit yet!)

[kaeyas-beloved]

Katsuki’s Born {Bakugou Family Scenario}

I originally wrote this for a Bakugou Sister Scenario Book awhile ago but I’m not really doing that anymore... Still, I though to post this since it’s finished and all :)

~

"A-auntie please, calm down a little..." I pat my mother's friend, Inko Midoriya, on her back gently, trying my damnedest to have her breathe a little. At the moment, both myself and Mrs. Midoriya, that I address as Auntie, are sitting in the waiting room at Musutafu General Hospital, patient as can be, awaiting news on my mother's condition.

"Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl (Y/N)?" Auntie asks, shaking in her seat. I slouch a little further in my chair, pondering my answer. I really wouldn't mind either, but if I had to choose...

"Boy, I like the idea of having a brother. Plus, he could be friends with your child when they both get a little older" She smiles at me, seeming to like the idea of her soon to be born and my sibling being friends. Most likely since both her and my mother are friends themselves. Auntie doesn't say anything after that, so a silence is laid out between us, the only noise being the computer at the front counter and some light talk between other visitors.

It's crazy how pretty soon I'll have either a brother or a sister. A sibling. One that I can talk and play with a little, one that'll probably make the house even more lively than it already is. So many questions come along with the baby's arrival too, will they have a quirk, if so what is it? Will they want to be a hero or not? Boy or girl? What kind of personality will they have... Oh god... will they pick up on mom's swearing like I did...? Doesn't really matter though, I'd love them either way, even if they were to become a villain in the superpower society.

"Mrs. Midoriya and Ms. Bakugou?" the sound of a nurse calling us snaps me out of whatever question filled daze I was in. Bolting up from my seat, I eagerly wait for what the nurse has to say. Briefly a negative thought crosses my mind, like someone didn't make it, but I shoo it away, not wanting to even think of that possibility. The nurse clears their throat, getting ready to talk.

"The deliver was successful, everything went smoothly. And visitors are now allowed in, please follow me." I help Auntie stand up and we both trail after the nurse. It doesn't take us that long to make it to the door of my mothers room, Auntie knocking softly, only opening it when a faint 'come in' is heard.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited, I mean who wouldn't be?? Though I'd also be lying if I didn't say how it's going to be a little bit of a weird process with adding a sibling to our lives. I've been an only child for about 13 years, now suddenly I'll probably have to share stuff which is never fun but oh well.

As the hospital room door opened, my parents come into view. Mom is laying up right on the blinding white bed while dad is seated right beside her, as close as he can get. They smile towards us and we both smile back.

" (Y/N), Inko, there you are. We were worried something might have happened, thank you Inko for picking (Y/N) up from school on such short notice." Dad says. Auntie nods, spewing how it was not a problem. Dad then turns to me. "Come here honey, come meet your baby brother"

My eyes widen, I get a brother. A little brother...

In this moment my chest feels light and my heart skips a beat. I think it's finally hitting my brain and heart fully that, yeah, I'm a big sister now. I step forward slowly, almost afraid to somehow mess something up. I didn't see before, but now that I'm standing beside dad I can. Mom's holding him, my new brother. He's wrapped securely in a small blue blanket with a little blue baby cap too. He's so small too, I can't help but just stand there and stare in awe.

Mom chuckles, "would you like to hold him, though I advise to be careful. The brat has already poked me in the eye and when your father went to hold him he somehow managed to kick him in the chin. Already born and he's so full of energy, I can just tell he'll be a handful as he grows older." I laugh softly with my parents at that. I can agree with mom though, if he's already acting like this I can already imagine what he'll be like when he's my age.

"Can I really? Hold him, I mean?" I check, wanting to make sure it's completely okay for me to hold him. Mom and dad nod, mom handing over the baby gently to me. She places him in my arms and I set him in a good position, his head up and in the crook of my one arm. Not going to lie, I'm a little scared that I might drop him, though I'm pretty sure I won't...hopefully...

All the moving around must have stirred the little one because as soon as I stopped moving him around in my arms he opens his eyes and looks up at me. I gasp slightly, his eyes are red like moms, even having the fieriness in them like her. But at the same time, there's a calm and gentle look in them like dad.

My brother and I, we just look at each other, eyes connected, red meeting (e/c). A sense of calm and ease falls over the room, for the first time I feel more at peace.

"Hey there little guy," I coo at the baby, "my name's (Y/N), I'm you big sister..." I smile down at him, what catches me by surprise is that he smiles back. He wiggles a little bit, taking out his small and chubby baby arm. I bring my own hand up, gently booping his nose and dragging the pad of my finger along his cheek. The arm that he took out reaches up and latches onto my pointer finger. My smile widens, now I'm thinking that mom lied, he's so precious I have no idea how he could be a brat. I giggle, rubbing his little hand with one of my fingers.

"What's his name?" I ask, not taking my eyes off the small infant.

My parents hum in thought. Did they not pick a name before hand?? I thought they did!?

"Your mother and I decided on the name Katsuki. What do you think?"

Katsuki. Katsuki Bakugou. I like it.

"I love it, it suits him" I tell them, but immediately go back to playing with the baby, who now has a name. Katsuki smiles up at me and I smile back. After a few moments I calm down a tad, though I'm still incredibly happy and filled to the brim with joy.

Suddenly another emotion floods my chest. It feels like a sense to protect the little happy bundle in my arms. I look around the room, Auntie Inko has since left to go home herself, mom feel asleep about half an hour ago and dad went to get some food for him and I. That means I'm alone virtually alone and it's just the company of Katsuki. I stare back down at the red eyed child, who's looking about ready for a nap.

"I promise to protect you, for all eternity, until the day I die" I whisper. My heart's beating in my ears but my chest has a light feeling to it. Katsuki gurgles, shuffling around into a better position. I laugh quietly.

I spot a free chair by the wall and go to sit on it. I make myself comfortable along with the baby. I watch him for a little longer. Katsuki yawns and his eyes start to flutter shut, hiding away the crimson coloured hues that resemble my mother's.

Moments later he falls asleep in my arms and when I know I'm holding him in a way that he won't fall or get hurt, my own consciousness slips, dragging me into a peaceful sleep, my new little brother tucked safely in my arms.