#old fucker and when he tries to get out of this whole thing he manages to summon the Worst Demon Ever. like i Know that the main characters

[togamey]

thinking about my good friend alois tracy on this day

[taintedcigs]

labyrinth sounds super sweet 🥹 do you per chance have a snippet you might be willing to share with a poor commoner such as myself? 🙏🏼

oh you sweet lil angel OF COUUUURSE!! i actually was gonna make that a little mini-series buuuut i have decided to make it a oneshot (probably a very long one, wooops), i still don't know what direction it will take but it has a stupid meetcute ? i keep gushing abt <33

it's basically steve being fully pessimistic abt love, after many failed dates robin tried to set him up on. and JUST when he thinks he lost all hope, you swarm into family video, making a little offer steve can't refuse <3

its still a very VERY rough draft but snippet under the cut that might be a teeny tiny long <3

Robin, leaning against the counter with an air of annoyance, “Already turning into a miserable old man I see?” She quipped, a playful glint sparkling in her bold icy gaze.

With a roll of his eyes, Steve chose to ignore her jests, fingertips grazing against the tape in his hand before he pushed it next to the others. “Anyway, I’m just saying I don’t want to do this whole love bullshit anymore, so, I can and will shut myself off,” he grumbled.

Miserable old man. Robin thought to herself. “Whatever you say,” she mumbled, conceding to his stubbornness.

“But,” She leaned further onto the counter with a sheepish smile, “you never know when true love is gonna find you!” Her attempt to inject a bit of optimism into Steve's newly cynical outlook fell deaf on his ears.

A bitter huff escaped from those otherwise sweet lips. “If it comes looking for me I’ll be here fixing the damn horror section, thanks to those idiotic kids!”

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disapproval before she went back down to counting the stocks, scribbling down some nonsense to avoid Steve. 

“I swear if I ever see those little fuckers again—” Steve’s little rambling to himself was interrupted by you. Like a sudden burst of sunlight piercing through his gloomy clouds.

“Hi! Sorry for bothering but—” Such a soothing voice usually would've made him melt. But, with such bitterness filling his body, it only made Steve snap.

“What?” He asked, rather rudely, body jerking back with the annoyance of dealing with another customer. That was until he faced you, regret filling his skin faster than the caffeine still swimming in his veins. 

“Oh—uh, sorry, didn’t mean to—” You muttered, startled by his semi-rudeness, yet once he saw you his demeanor, that stupid ice wall melted quicker than he built it up. 

“No, shit, I’m sorry, I mean not shit— fuck, ah.” He rambled, embarrassed, a salmon pink color rushing to his cheeks, almost knocking over the trolley he was standing next to. 

Thankfully, you let out a sweet giggle, saccharine, charming. “Don’t worry, I totally get that, the whole anger and cussing thing.”

“No, no, I swear I’m not like an angry person—” He tried to reassure, and you were quick to give him another smile, one he felt he didn't deserve. 

“I get it. Customers aren’t always right, you know?” You gave him an understanding shrug, almost comforting him, and Steve felt that giddiness again, the one he thought he had fully lost. 

He really was pathetic. 

“Yeah,” he breathed. 

“I just started working in that coffee shop down the street, and shit, indeed. These people can be mean,” you further related, and Steve couldn't help but get a better look at you—chocolate gaze getting caught onto the crescent moon necklace clasped around your neck, Levi’s jeans hugging your curves in the best way, and a graphic tee to pair it with. Effortlessly stunning.

Still out of breath, and attempting to seem collected, Steve managed to ask, “Merrill's?” 

The worst coffee in town. The only coffee shop in Hawkins. Toilet water quality type of coffee, and always the stalest pastries. But, shit, if you were there, Steve was more than willing to chug a gallon of their coffee. 

[cyberrat]

80th Batch Of Fics: 14th Fill

Alastor/Vox – Part 1/2 – shibari; degradation/humiliation kink – Alastor wants to make sure that Vox stops watching him at every turn, but he might just shoot himself in the foot with this one.

---

“Where is he? Where the fuck is he?!” Vox slams his fist down on the keyboard, eyes frantically scanning the screens filling the wall.

They all show every single inch of the Pride ring in rapid succession, but one notable fucker is yet to be seen. He saw him leave the premises of that stupid, fucking hotel, but he vanished in the blink of an eye and has yet to reappear.

“Where are you, you slippery little-”

“Are you talking about me, per chance?”

Vox has only a split second to register that fuck awful old-timey, staticky voice before his world is upended, as black tendrils grab him and rip him into the air. White hot pain lances through him as panels along his body are pried open and delicate cables inside are ripped out into the open.

He can feel his face glitching out, a shrill whistling noise briefly filling his audio receptors as the pain overwhelms him for a moment.

When the flare up dies down and he manages to bring his surroundings back into focus, he’s hanging awkwardly, helplessly in the air, bound by his own cables. His information center around him is dead, not a single spark of electricity running through it. All the light in the immediate space is coming from his own face, wildly moving about and causing the shadows to dance as he tries to find his bearings.

All in all, the whole maneuver has taken maybe ten seconds at max. It was swift and smooth and so Alastor that it immediately brings his blood back to a boiling point.

Alastor.

That prick is standing an arm’s length away, fingers tapping jauntily on the crown of his cane and a satisfied smirk plastered across his face.

“How the… how the fuck did you get in here?!”

Alastor’s smile widens. It looks like it could split his goddamn head in two, which is not that bad of a look, to be honest. He takes a step closer, lifting his cane and putting it beneath Vox’ screen to tip it up a little.

“That is a good question, is it not? I think I will keep that little secret to myself. It is quite… useful if I need to talk to you. Like I do now. So prick up your… ears, I suppose, and listen up good, hmn?” He does not wait for an answer – which would have been filled full of rage and vitriol anyway – and continues: “I very much do not appreciate you snooping around behind me, my dear… friend.”

He speaks the word with such gusto that it makes Vox shiver. He tries to pull away from Alastor’s cane, but that only manages to make him lightly rock inside his own bindings, sending more shockwaves of pain through his systems.

“I do neither enjoy the feeling of your little zippy-zaps, nor do I like your eyes constantly on my person. It makes things a tad difficult. You have to understand that I am a busy person and do not have time to constantly play with you, yes?”

Vox grits his teeth, body feeling hot and prickly from the condescending tone Alastor has chosen to take with him. It is as if the asshole is talking to a damn child.

“I am going to crush you beneath my heel once I get my hands on you,” Vox hisses at him.

Alastor cocks his head, eyes briefly flicking over Vox’ person.

“What heel, my friend? You are quite exposed at the moment, I assure you.”

Vox halts at that. It takes him a moment to realize that Alastor is… right. What little clothes remain on his person are ripped to shreds, probably during the brief attack that had so thoroughly incapacitated him that he is in danger of blue screening from the sheer rage just thinking about it.

Vox looks at Alastor – and Alastor looks back at him, his head steadily starting to cock to the side yet again, heavy lidded eyes sliding from Vox’ face down along his body.

There’s a twitch in his brows and his sharp grin looks a little stiff as he says: “Forgive me for my ignorance, but this seems grossly unsuited for the current situation, does it not?”

Vox has no idea what he is talking about until he starts to extend his cane, his facial expression pinched and on the verge of downright disgusted. Vox knows what he is talking about just a split second before the end of his cane nudges his cock slightly.

He’s sporting a fat erection. Had been the whole morning during his search of this very fuckhead currently standing just a claw-swipe away.

Heat suffuses him and the faint smell of burning plastic starts to permeate the air.

Vox reacts in the only way he knows how: by aggressively pushing forward.

“Oh fuck you, you old timey piece of shit! Just because you can’t get it up anymore- I mean it’s not because of you, don’t get it fucking twisted, okay?! I’ve been pent up because Val’s been out and not putting out, and-”

“Disgusting. You really are excited right now, are you not?” Alastor’s voice is quiet. He speaks like he has not heard a word that Vox had said, his eyes still trained on the long, vaguely curved cock.

It’s one of Vox’ favorites; ribbed along the shaft and the tip glowing a cool blue ooze of pre-cum whenever he gets excited like he is now.

Vox hates his reaction go the asshole. How electricity fizzles through his body and he can feel a small glitch forming on his face. He turns his head away so Alastor wouldn’t see, but his voice his already beginning to get away from him.

“It’S noT bEcause of You!”

“Hm.” Alastor doesn’t say more, but there is so much in that derisive little sound, letting Vox know that he’s been way too fucking transparent, that he’s about to combust.

He begins to struggle again, trying to rip himself down from the vines holding his cables like a puppet master. He only manages to get himself even more twisted up, his heels almost touching the backs of his thighs and his arms twisted more behind his back. He’s a neat little package at the complete mercy of the Radio Demon.

The thought comes straight out of his nightmares.

Alastor nudges Vox’ erection once more with his cane before pulling it away and lightly tapping it into the palm of his hand. His expression is one of… mild entertainment at best, and his next words prove just that: “I had been planning on a nice breakfast with an old friend of mine, but I might have to postpone that to see where this farce is going.

It interests me: just how far are you depraved animals willing to go for a kick? How long will you keep this pitiful little display-” here he jerks his chin in the direction of Vox’ desperate erection, “up, I wonder. I had known you to be pathetic, but this is a quite fascinating new low that I am willing to explore instead of a truly delightful little dinner date.”

Vox just stares at him, horror slowly dawning on him as he realizes just how deep he’s in shit right now; especially feeling how obediently his body reacts to Alastor’s undivided attention.

Alastor huffs a little laugh. A black chair materializes behind him and he sits down without looking for it, crossing one leg over the other.

“Well then. What show are you going to offer me today, Vox, dear friend?”

[mister-eames]

You really do be out here blessing us with all your headcanons 🥺 I’m thinking though... what about the first time Arthur and Eames make each other laugh? I am literally so about all those small and seemingly inconsequential moments that lead to the ‘oh’ moment 🥰

The Snort.

It's been an hour. A whole goddamn hour of listening to Edmund the Extractor droll on about their planned heist, circling around and paraphrasing it in so many different ways and Eames has had enough.

"...and so, if we can just reiterate the outline..."

That's it, he's zoning out.

Settling back in his chair he allows his gaze to roam around the rented office space. He catches Arthurs eye from across the room, who, if possible, looks even more bored than Eames does. At least it's not just Eames then. He tilts his head towards Egghead Edmund and makes a face, crossing his eyes and scrunching up his nose.

Arthur's lips purse as he supresses a smile, but his cheek indents, giving him away. Then, while Edmund is turned away, Arthur raises two fingers to his temple and mimes shooting himself, tongue lolling out for a moment as he plays dead, only to straighten when Edmund turns back.

The playfulness catches Eames so off guard he can't help the snort that escapes his nose.

The dirty stare that their extractor sends him is worth it.

2. The Snicker.

Generally speaking, Arthur believes in just desserts. He doesn't hold egregious grudges and tries not to interfere in matters of revenge too much. People who deserve it will get what's coming to them.

Except, Arthur also happens to have an inner thirteen year old that is not above petty pranks in the name of being the arbiter of said karmic justice - and Eames, that thief, that fucker, has been riling Arthur up all job. Little things here and there, stealing his pens, his keys, standing in front of the coffee pot in the kitchen and refusing to move when Arthur wants to make a coffee -- and on one memorable occasion, sketching dicks all over his paperwork. Dicks on his dossier.

Eames does this all the while looking at Arthur with an infuriating expression that somehow managed to be both blank and smug.

Well, that's it. Arthur has had it. He doesn't know how Eames manages to be so annoying to the point of Arthur breaking his composure, but he's achieved it.

The opportunity for a bit of pay-back comes at the end of long day, near the end of the job. It's only them and the architect left in the warehouse.

Eames goes to sit but Arthur, seeing the opening, kicks out at the base of the chair at the last second, wheeling it away. Eames drops to the floor with a heavy thud.

The startled look at his face is hilarious.

Arthur looks down at Eames with the same smug look he'd received these last few weeks.

"Messing with a mans chair," Eames grumbles, getting up, rubbing his rear with his hand as he does so. He nods Arthur. "I'm going to get you back for that, just you wait."

"You've got dust on your ass," Arthur says politely.

Eames looks back and down at his slacks, the dark fabric indeed imprinted with dust. Then he shrugs and jauntily walks away, hips swaying with an exaggerated swagger, the dusty handprint shifting with the bounce of his derrière. The architect barks a laugh at the sight.

Jesus.

Arthur swivels his chair around so Eames can't see him snickering into his palm.

3. The Giggle.

This has been the most boring job in the history of jobs.

They've been stood upon this rooftop observing the dreamscape for snipers and other assassins for hours. Worse, Eames isn't even here in the dream to forge, to be an acteur, he's here because Arthur called him and asked if he would like something to do and Eames was stupid enough to say yes. This mans mind is 'mildly' militarised, in Cobbs words, hence the need for extra manpower. At least Arthur is with his to keep him company.

It hasn't been all bad though. The boredom, after several hours, has clearly gotten to Arthur too.

"That projections' name is Brenda," Eames says. "She looks like a Brenda."

They've been playing this game for the last thirty minutes.

Arthur peers over the ledge at the projection, cigarette hanging out of his mouth, brushing shoulders with Eames to get a better look. Arthur nods, continuing their game.

"She works as a corporate receptionist by day."

The projection walks down the pavement in a respectable two-piece, talking on her phone. Eames asks, "and by night?"

"She works at a strip club."

"Oh, how saucy."

Arthur adds, "Also as a receptionist."

"Do strip clubs have receptionists?"

"The classy ones do."

"You would know, would you?"

Arthur shrugs. "It's how I got through senior year of high school."

The mental image of a barely-legal Arthur sat in the shady shrouds of a subterranean strip-club sends Eames mind to a strange place. The moment is silent, pensive. Arthur's face is solemn, like he's stuck in an awful memory, brow furrowed, lips twisted in consternation.

"You wouldn't believe how out of order their taxes were," Arthur says suddenly, shaking his head in disgust.

An embarrassing wheeze-giggle expels itself from Eames chest.

He thumps it with his fist when Arthur turns to him with a surprised smile, cheeks creasing with dimples Eames has yet to see up this close.

Oh Arthur, he thinks, grinning back as butterflies swarm in his belly, never change.

4. The Regular Laugh.

The email catches Arthur off guard. For one, it's delivered to his personal email address, the one he's had since the internet was a thing (arthur_is_king69) and secondly, it comes in the midst of a drought of work. A drought so severe that Arthur has been stuck home so long that indubitably become domesticated.

The email is brief.

at a bar for my mates 30th. they have a drink here called the king arthur. reminded me of when i stumbled across this e-male addy of urs LOL. embarrasing.

Attached is a picture. It's Eames, holding up an actual goblet and pointing to it proudly, like he's just caught a big fish. He's grinning widely, all-teeth, his eyes hazy with intoxication and good cheer.

He looks loose and happy and so dumb.

If Arthur laughs and saves the picture, well, no one is around to see it.

5. The Full-Body, Belly Laugh.

The couple next door have been going at it for an hour and Arthur is starting to get seriously pissed off.

Not that he would begrudge anyone a sex life and honestly, besides criminal activity, that's mostly what he assumes these motels are made for, but it's two in the morning and Arthur is tired, alright, he's been up for forty hours thanks to a job gone bad and has to lie low, has to share a room with Eames who snored the last two nights and it's two in the fucking morning.

"Yeah, baby," a woman moans through the wall, "so good. You fuck me so good."

Arthur stares in disbelief across the room at the other twin bed as the sounds of mattress springs squeaking rises in volume. Eames, tucked under the covers, is staring right back at him.

"How is this our life?"

"Better question is how are they still going?" Eames mumbles into his hand, eyes wide. He looks as traumatised as Arthur feels.

"Fuck yeah, slap my ass!"

Their eyes widen in unison as the headboard begins pounding against their shared wall. They say nothing for a long time, listening to the occupants next door having the most enthusiastic intercourse he has ever heard. If only the motel had working had working hot water, god, he'd get in the shower and try and drown himself - at least he wouldn't have to listen to this or Eames' snoring ever again.

"Do you think they're using a condom?" Arthur wonders idly, his will to live wilting at a rapid pace.

"Probably not, given the squelching."

A man grunts, "Oh, oh!"

For some reason that makes Eames snicker. "Fucking hell. Did you hear that bloke?" He imitates the sound. Arthur cringes at the accuracy.

"Stop."

"Fuck my ass," Eames says breathily, snickering when again when Arthur throws a pillow at him.

Arthur purses his lips together when they threaten to spread wide in amusement. "She said 'slap my ass', not fuck."

"Oh, did she?"

"Yeah."

"An important distinction, my liege."

The moans next door escalate in pitch, getting more excited and loud until its a cacophony of passionate screaming and wall-banging. There's a wailing crescendo as the occupants seem to reach completion and then --

Finally.

Silence. His shoulders relax and he slowly removes the hands that have somehow made their way to cover his ears during the climax. It's quiet. It's blissfully fucking quiet.

And then--

"Oh yeah," Eames whisper-moans, high and feminine, a grin on his stupid face.

It bubbles up and erupts unbidden. Arthur can't help it - he's so fucking tired and Eames is so annoying. He throws the duvet over his head to muffle his laughter, Eames' wheeze-laugh setting him off all the more, his stomach muscles straining with unbridled mirth.

+1. Laugh so hard they cry.

The next morning they leave their room at the exact same moment the couple next door appear to be checking out.

The woman with the mutant lung capacity steps out first, slinging a duffle over her shoulders. She's very pretty - tall, leggy and blonde who looks like she's got every inch of beauty sleep, amongst other things, that he and Arthur did not.

It's the man the steps out afterwards that has them all pausing.

He hates this man. He hates him so much he didn't think he could hate him any more before last night. A quick glance at Arthur's rigid posture, fists balled at his sides, would suggest the same sentiment.

"Edmund!" Eames greets, smiling brightly. "What a coincidence."

The extractor seems to shrivel into himself upon sighting them, as if sensing this. His fair-faced paramour has no such instinct, affectionately winding her arm around his waist.

Edmund clears his throat. "Arthur, Eames," he returns the womans embrace. "We work together," he explains to her.

"Oh, at the MoMA?" The woman looks impressed.

"And who are you?"

"I'm Brenda."

Out the corner of his eye, Arthur stills.

"What do you do for work, Brenda?"

"I'm a receptionist."

Eames bows his head, looking down at his feet, jaw positively burning with how hard he's clenching it to suppress his laughter.

"We gotta to check out," she says, disentangling herself and heading to the front office, waving. "It was nice meeting you!"

As soon as she disappears through the doors Arthur, who has not slept more than twenty minutes of microsleep in the past two days, plants his hands on Edmunds chest and shoves him, hard.

"Arthur---what??"

"If I ever have to hear you fornicating like a wild animal again I am going to shoot you. In the dick."

Fornicate, Eames recites internally, slapping a hand over his face as a hysterical snort escapes his nose.

"Wait--"

"Go."

Eames looks up just as Edmund skedaddles, sneakers squealing against the pavement in his hasty departure.

"And have some fucking decorum!" Arthur snaps after him. He turns to Eames, hands on his hips once Edmund is out off earshot. "Jesus."

Decorum. At this point his shoulders are shaking with laughter. Arthurs face.

"Brenda--" he wheezes helplessly, losing the words to laughter.

Arthur's whole body crumple into laughter at the same time Eames' does. And he doesn't know if it's the exhaustion, the situation or the utter delight of Arthur's disarming sense of humour, or all of it, but Eames can't help but follow, loud, braying guffaws breaching the containment of his body and out of his mouth, eyes burning.

Even through his tears Arthur looks both pleased and hysterical, even as he attempts to compose himself and Eames finds himself utterly charmed, stomach swooping, by the wrinkles pleating at the corner of Arthur's eyes as he fails to control his smile.

They head to breakfast once the laughter has petered out into the odd snicker. Noisy neighbours and jobs gone wrong aside, Eames is going to miss the easy camaraderie of the last few days once this is all over, if he must admit it.

In the meantime, he observes the fellow patrons at the diner whilst they're in the long line to order and starts making stories about them.

Arthur grins openly, leaning into him.

[evita-shelby]

Memories

Modern!Jack x Eva

Tropes I've combined for this one: modern au, spy au, reincarnation au and soulmate au

Also i this au, the Nelsons are the Kennedys so JFK is JFN

It was exactly as it had been when the famed Nelsons were born.

Everything from the pot on the stove to coats they used to wear.

It was the birthplace of Jack Nelson Jr, the youngest and, so far, only president of Latin American descent.

The house turned museum was a perfect shrine to America’s most perfect president.

And yet the sense of Déjà vu was so fucking strong he felt as if he’d lived here.

Not as JFN nor his identical twin brother as some quacks have claimed, but as something far worse, John Fitzgerald Nelson Sr: the alleged gangster and patriarch of the Nelson Family.

Whatever shit they put in his drink before sending him here was making it worse. A drug to allow as many memories of his previous life to go from vague feelings to the moments he lived.

The Agency needed to know if he was the real thing, and for that he needed to live for a weekend in the house he may have lived in during his past life.

Only he isn’t here alone, the reincarnation of Mrs. Eva Nelson is getting the same treatment as well.

After all the two of you were soulmates, the power couple that birthed the greatest people ever and knew the code to several millions left to the reincarnations of Jack and Eva Nelson.

Granddaddy Lawernce had never forgotten how the Nelsons screwed over his mother, Gina, in the inheritance and that was why Jack Gray was born.

Jack figures Eva Riley was born for the same thing, the Rileys were richer than God and needed this to cover up the numerous scandals the sexy heiress had racked up over the years.

He’d seen her handiwork, when she wasn’t playing the fucked up socialite, Eva was a covert ops agent. So good at it, Jack had gotten hard from watching her take out a mobster disguised as a dominatrix.

To think she was the Catholic and tame wife of his past self.

“Here.” She said offering him Irish Whiskey old enough to have been drunk by Jack Nelson himself. Good shit too, same way he liked it to boot.

“Gotten in character, I see.” Jack notes as he takes a good look at her in an old timey nightgown that left little to the imagination. “If the real one dressed like that every night, no wonder they had nine fucking kids.”

“The OG Eva left everything as it was the day JFN was born and then some more. The pamphlet says it helps jog the memories.” She poured herself a glass and joined them on the kitchen table. “You’d be surprised what I found; they were some kinky fuckers. Surprised OG you only managed to knock her up seven times.”

Nine children, four had been twins and the other five hadn’t. If he didn’t hate kids he’d like to see if he too would make twins on the first try.

“Fancy way of saying we’re roleplaying as them, princess.” Jack grumbled and tried to look at the bright side of it:

A whole weekend of good fucking.

[stampy-offical]

STAMPY AS AN OVERLORD AU!

Due to being Alastors age he's well aware of how hell works and people know him well minus the younger sinners but due to him living in cannibal town Noone wants to go near him out of fear of rosie and alastor.

The Vs think he's mental because he apparently saw an angry Zesteail and Carmella and only sighed about how the fool messed up. Noone knows who the fool was.

He's natural to everyone and due to that Noone tries to attack him. Though the Vs do insult his lack of understanding of electrical stuff.

Husk never did that whole betting his soul thing cause in this timeline Alastor was busy with Stampy. They were drinking water. (Stampy dosent drink on the job and alastor is being friendly.)

Him and Husk spend most of their time at the meetings not talking and doing their own thing. Only Vellette comments on this as Husk will immediately shut her down like a whiney child (Husk in Canon is good with kids.) And stampy will just stares till she stops.

Stampy is often called the info overlord due to the amount of information he knows. But he's just the mailman and mechanic. He's not a tech wiz but like pretentious he's making vehicles. Though his are just a large car with a printing press or a plane to air drop supplies.

Like every version of himself. He still can't work a TV.

Stampys souls look like him. They're all dressed as paper boys and secretarys to manage the news and the factory near his office.

Somehow manage to have the safest area for children in hell due to his own trauma. (Being a child labor worker who almost died in a mine and lost all his elbow and knee skin chimney sweeping he's not letting that happen again.)

All of hell was shook when someone found out he had a partner. (Wait the old fucker has a wife? Thought he was like the radio man-Vel)

His shops have goods from the other rings of hell. Noone knows how other then the sins.

A rumor is spreading he's got souls in other rings.

He has killed overlords like Alastor has.

When mad all the radios in his office will start playing The song Run Rabbit Run.

The dress code for his factory is strict because of his own past. But in a quote 'power move' all the women are allowed suits.

Stampy dosent want Valentino or Angel on his grounds because of the sexual remarks. But after Angel got to become Husk's (a common trait of Husk overlord aus is Angel works for him) he might loosen up.

Stampy's real name was lost to time but the therapist he goes to says he knows it but dosent want to tell.

Stampy's contracts are all signed and stanped by him and are hidden somewhere.

Stampy is a business partner of Carmella.

His main factory makes basic machines. The others make paper products. The warehouses meanwhile all have fight rings underground. Only rule is no attacking the staff or you will get shot.

If stampy is presenting at a meeting its because of beef with another overlord. Nothing else.

[honeybadger118]

"Maybe we're fools"

BROK X MIMIR

Happens after the events with the fates and Mimir has been feeling down about what they said about him. Brok comforts him. Btw Mimir has a body here to make this a little more normal.

With Kratos and Freya gone to Asgard and Tyr away, Mimir has taken to sighing to himself every hour or so. He offered to go with them but having his body back and still getting used to now moving on his own he knew he would slow them down. 

Brok looked up from his work to see Mimir sighing again and looking at the window. 

“ What the hell’s his problem?” he gruffly gestured at Mimir. 

“ I don’t quite know but ever since they came back from seeing those fates he’s been acting like that” whispered Sindri as he cleaned the kitchen

“ I didn’t think that old goat had any insecurities considering he’s the smartest man alive and whatnot ” he remarked

“ Well, whatever it is, it’s been bothering and he hasn’t said anything to anyone”

Brok didn’t think it was any of his business what Mimir got up to but when Sindri stepped out to sweep the outside he found that the silence and Mimir’s obvious upset mood were suffocating

Damn Mimir, fucking making me all distracted so I can’t fucking work.

He decided to try and at least ask Mimir what happened out there. So, he set his tools down and walked over to him. Not one to beat around the bush or be subtle he said “ Well what the hell has you in the dumps?” 

Mimir stopped looking at the window and turned to Brok with sad eyes. 

When he said nothing Brok continued “ I figures you’d be celebrating and fucking jumping from joy at the copy of your old body that Freya made or something”

“ Well, I didn’t think you cared about my well being enough to ask Brok” Mimir chuckled

It was obvious to Brok,though, that the laughter did not reach his eyes and he was obviously trying not to answer.

Brok loses what little patience and remarks “ Alright, what the hell’s your problem? It’s obvious whatever those damn fates said bothered you”

“ Alright, you got me there. It's just that ever since we traveled to the dwarven realm I’ve been seeing with my own eyes just how terrible I was while working under Odin. Those fates said that after all this time I haven’t changed and as much as I hate to listen to them. Deep down ‘i'm inclined to agree” he said looking away

He felt embarrassed admitting this to the one person he'd been constantly arguing with since this whole mess started.

“ While Odin imprisoned me on the tree I never truly sat down to think about how many lives I’d affected trying to please that one-eyed fucker” he spat

“ Listen, I’ve alive for a long time and I’ve pissed off more fuckers than weapons I’ve made” he said

“ If I were you I’d do my best to fix whatever shitshow you caused, feeling guilty does nothing for anyone.You do what you can and then some.” he said while looking Mimir right in the eyes. That comment made Mimir look at Broke in a way he never had before. He was grateful that despite their obvious differences he tried to make him feel better.

 “Besides you’re probably gonna fuck up again in the future so don’t dwell to deeply in the past ” With that, the tender moment they had was broken by Brok’s comment.

Mimir’s eyes widened before bursting out into a hearty laughter as he slapped his knees ( yk that thing old men do) from amusement. 

Brok never really got a chance to see Mimir’s face while he laughed considering he was always strapped to Krato’s ass but as he saw the color rise to his cheeks from laughing so loudly he felt his own get red( or purple since he's blue) for a whole other reason. 

A few hours later Sindri came back having finished sweeping the front. As he put his cleaning supplies away and started disinfecting his hands he noticed that the tension had dissipated. Instead he saw Mimir curled up reading while setting a chair facing Brok and Brok kept working on a shield. He managed to peek at the smile Brok wore. 

He’d have to ask him what happened later.

@wafflesfan I hope you enjoyed this

[warystares]

FULL NAME mikaere ezra kahn NICKNAME(S) mika GENDER / PRONOUNS genderfluid / he + they AGE/ BIRTHDAY fifty / january 31st OCCUPATION retired hitman / owner of cabinet of curiosities AFFILIATION / ROLE unaffiliated ORIENTATION / STATUS pansexual / single STRENGTHS unconventional + persuasive + intelligent WEAKNESSES cruel + temperamental + greedy

HISTORY.

trigger warning for mild gore + child neglect + child death !

so, the fuckin' WORLD, huh ? that's a rough one, innit ? pretty dark place. arguably kind of scary, too. NOT FOR MIKAERE KAHN, THOUGH ! no, 'course not. they've always been one of the fuckers making the place SCARY for everyone else ! well, not a l w a y s. they've been a young lad once, too. many moons ago. not so scary then, if only on account of their small stature. but trust what they lack in height — at least in their early years, until they shoot up nearly a foot one summer just before their teens — mika makes up for in PISS & VINEGAR. ( and they're still full of it to this day, matter of fact ! ) a grubby little street rat's what they were, a no good pest made to be by FATE and her fickle hand ! no home , no family , no prospects. no, mika is raised by the STREETS, by the ( not always so ) kind strangers that inhabit them. they learn how to fight, how to SURVIVE ― which dumpsters are safe to scavenge for your next meal and which ones will get you SHOT before you can even make it your last ; how to protect what's yours and ensure no one else tries to FUCK AROUND and has to FIND OUT.

with an upbringing akin to that of a FERAL animal, it's truly no wonder mika grows up quite so DANGEROUS. but for all his rough edges, the first time he TAKES A LIFE is an accident. he doesn't m e a n to ! it's self-defense, and though he'd never admit it aloud, with the sharp silver of a stranger's blade pressed to his throat, mikaere feels FEAR for the first time. he's only fifteen years old and not ready to DIE. not here, anyway, not in the corner of some stinking, piss-soaked alley where the RATS will find him before anyone else does. so he doesn't. mikaere kahn is not fuckin' rat food. ( though if they operate on an eye for an eye, mika owes more than a pound of flesh for the vermin he's scavenged into meals of desperation. ) the coat he lifts off the man who'd come at him, the sad sack of meat crumpled in a heap on the street, it's still WARM when he puts it on. it's a warmth mika's never felt before, not truly, but it's one they will continue to seek for years to come.

with these years ( and a smattering of several more close calls ! ) comes a stark realization for the muddy, mop-headed urchin : it wasn't about the coat. of course it was never about the BLOODY COAT ! that scrap of fabric wasn't what made them feel good, was it ? the sooner they learn this, the better ; what was once an act of DEFENSE becomes one of DEFIANCE. ( against what, mikaere isn't entirely sure ― against the parents who couldn't be bothered to raise them better ? couldn't even be bothered to KEEP them ? or maybe against a society that cast him out to the GUTTERS to fend for himself ? ) and, more than that, it becomes a means to not only their SURVIVAL but their L I F E. at the start of their career, mika is RUTHLESS ― almost IGNORANTLY so, even ; they accept contracts with zero heed and full RECKLESS ABANDON. an entire d e c a d e is lost to a greedy, almost HEDONISTIC addiction to his ❛ career, ❜ to bloody nail beds and nightly BLACKOUTS. ( at least they've somewhere to slink back to now come dawn ! no more curling up under benches, behind dumpsters ! )

the funny thing about MORALS is that, if he's being honest, mika doesn't know how the fuck he managed to develop any or, moreover, where they fucking CAME from. have they just been growing there this whole time, a FUNGUS filling up his chest cavity with SENTIMENTAL ROT ? has he simply not noticed ? mikaere accepts another contract. he is thirty-five years old ; the sheen of a blade that has taken HUNDREDS of lives reflects the eyes of a person MUCH OLDER every time it is unsheathed, though the same familiar crooked smile remains. but he doesn't use the blade this time, does he ? no. no, this time he uses a GUN. and let it be known that mika has NEVER enjoyed using a gun. not once. it's impersonal, SAVAGE. but he's BORED, thinks that maybe he can scrounge up a little excitement if he flips the script and tries something DIFFERENT. turns out, that was a mistake. all of it, the whole damn thing ― just one BIG FUCKING MISTAKE !

if he'd known the target was only FIFTEEN years old, mika never would have taken the contract. if he'd gotten close enough ― FUCK, if he'd just been near enough to catch a glimpse of the kid's face, he wouldn't have ― LOOK, it's an unspoken fucking rule, okay ? you don't kill kids. YOU DON'T KILL KIDS. doesn't matter what they did, who they're related to. none of it. and the only reason it's unspoken to begin with is because it shouldn't even HAVE to be said. but he didn't know, did he ? and he didn't get close enough because for some fucking reason mika chose to use a GUN. maybe it's a long time coming. maybe not. the only thing mika knows for certain ? this is their fault. they've gotten lazy, lackadaisy. it was on them to know their mark, to do their RESEARCH and they didn't. they killed a kid. no, they'll take it back, actually, there's two things of which they're UNWAVERINGLY sure. and the second, perhaps most emphatically : it's time for mika to get the FUCK out of this game. N O W .

so he does. and to be fair, it's not actually as DIFFICULT as he'd expected. two decades of lucrative work means he's got a fairly sizeable read : pretty fuckin' FAT ) nest egg he's been sitting on. SLEEPING ON, actually ― it's just CASH in a MATTRESS. tonnes of it, though ! enough that the thing's actually rather lumpy, not much good for a sleep anymore. the only logical thing's to SPEND it, right ? mika finds a small, vacant storefront on the outskirts of the BRONX ― but small's not true, as it's deceptively long and S P A C I O U S once you're inside. well, AT FIRST. it doesn't stay that way for very long. the shop quickly becomes haven to nearly all the delightful clutter, the incredible JUNK they've collected over the years, trinkets and gadgets and miscellaneous odds & ends. an ECCENTRIC assortment, but strangely enough, one that seems to suit them. and so, the bronx becomes home to a place of myth and mystery:

THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES.

fifteen years have passed and mikaere now LIVES in an almost loft-like addition they've built into a corner of the shop so they can stay there FULL-TIME, tinkering and organizing and keeping an eye over their TROVE OF UNUSUAL TREASURES. if there's anything you should need to sell or pawn off ― and truly, mika does mean ANYTHING ― there is no better place to find a deal ! there's not an hour of any day ( or night, especially if you bring them a drink for their troubles ) that you can't drop in.

CONNECTIONS.

to be added soon !

OFFICIAL FILE.

*     ◟    :    〔   taika waititi  ,      genderfluid    +   he + they    〕    mikaere 'mika' ezra kahn , some say you’re a  fifty year old  lost soul among the neon lights. known for being both passionate and  vindictive, one can’t help but think of the westerner by falling in reverse when you walk by. are you still a jack of all trades / retired hitman at the cabinet of curiosities / self-employed, even with your reputation as the the saturnalian ? i think we’ll be seeing more of you and a tailor-fit vintage leather jacket with hand-sewn patches, a heavy pour of dark liquor in a faux crystal wine glass, and a crooked, whisky-soaked grin, although we can’t help but think of lemon ( bullet train ), hans ( seven psychopaths ), and billy butcher ( the boys ) whenever we see you down these rainy streets.   

[incarnateirony]

Nobody said it's conspiracy Patrick. We said you're a con artist. You have gone out of your way to try to attack anyone that gives away scripts for free. Coincidentally you always manage to trade money for yours. And then you claim that your obsession with other Scripts is just for comparative drafts but you delete the other drafts so it's not about that either with you it's just about how many scripts you can get in your hand and how much money you can get we figured you out mother fucker

The only grifter is the man who has pulled tens of thousands of dollars out of fandoms to mostly put scripts in his own closet. He just wanted real real bad for everyone to believe that the person who had chosen to do it for absolutely free for their entire fandom life was somehow the one grifting

That's why it bothered you so bad whenever anyone had a script that they gave away for free and why you had to immediately scream it was fake. We figured you out dude. You can't have an audience and you can't have people to con money out of if people are giving away scripts for free. That's what your whole damn problem with me is

It's all so very adorable that he says that's all I have. Oh I mean I had the entire prequel. I had the original ending yeah I had a lot of it. I also have videos and fanfiction and an actual server that likes me as a person rather than as an infosource which is probably foreign to you. And of course there's my meta which you are inferior on. And my ratings which you fail at. I mean I could keep going if you want me to list all of the ways you have tried and failed to be me. But we would be here for a while. No the only thing you have is scripts that you always manage to get after I do LOL. You don't even have meet and greets you got blown out of the water there dude

Stop projecting your grifting, empty garbage at everyone else. Get some real content. Make videos. Make meta. Do something. Don't just sit here grabbing duplicate scripts so you can steal people's money and then say that's all anybody else has. No that's all you've got left dude

Nah man you blew it. The second you deleted the old draft while claiming to be an archive several dozen new heads not even from my server turned. You let your petty bullshit dominate that account so the dupe script looks even dumber, now people are asking questions why they should keep paying you for duplicate scripts or releases a year behind me.

good question.

Your uncritical accusations of grifting and cult on others become clear as you lie to them and pull thousands from them for your own tangible, material gain. Your readiness to say "conspiracy" when someone just simply calls you a con man, because you want to find ways to devalue your critics, but it's running out dude, you've fucked up too many times too quick, people are catching on. claiming to give a percentage to charity doesn't protect you from the skimming and hoarding you've been doing. "I give to charity" shouldn't even be a shield you use. That's some corporate american virtue signaling right there. what's next, gonna file the scripts on your taxes?

[beaversatemygrandma]

Randomly thinking about that time this fuckboi started working with me. Now, he didn’t originally come off as a fuckboi, he was rather sweet and just plain pretty. But then came the time when he was flirting/sleeping with three of us there. All at once.

One of them was an old friend of mine and while i was fwb with him (he was nice to have around, okay), she admits to me that she has a crush on him. And I’m like “oh.” bc i had a crush on her. Then there’s the third girl, she was close to this old friend and they started hanging out a lot. This third girl started dating the fuckboi. Now, here’s where the fuckboi really shows his fuckboi colors. My old friend started flirting back with him and tried to date him bc he never told any of us that him and the other girl started dating. Those two stayed talking for a while, we’d do group hangouts together just the four of us. Still. Unaware. That those two started dating. One night he invites me over, I stay the night, etc etc. (Long story, there’s more.)

The next day, my friend comes up at work like ‘Something’s off about those two’ and starts talking about how he still wouldn’t turn her down but seemed like he was avoiding the whole idea and spending a lot more time with the other girl.

A few days later, me and the fuckboi were working side by side and had a whole lot of time to chat. At the worst possible point during the lunch rush, he looks to me and says ‘by the way, me and that girl are dating now.’ (Keep in mind, this was apparently a couple months after they actually got together) So, of course I’m there like ‘what the actual fuck man. I literally slept with you last weekend.’

THEN, a week or so later, my friend comes over outside of work and tells me about how his gf told her that he cheated on her a month before. And me, putting the pieces together slowly but surely through the conversation, realizes, he cheated on her with me. And she didn’t even know about the most recent time that he had. It was definitely more than once bc that fucker was being all secretive. After that, the girl group split up for a while due to different jobs. The fuckboi moved in with his gf. Me and my old friend keep up a casual friendship with oddly homoerotic flirting that goes right over the head of our incel friend who acted as our ride 90% of the time so he casually joins in thinking its just a bit we’re doing even though both of us are subtly telling each other that we’re down to get together. Yadda yadda, six months pass Somehow. I Still Can’t Get a Girl. Which is funny bc she explicitly told me she was into girls too during that time. Fuckboi’s gf finally has had enough of his shit, allegedly he got another girl involved, and dumps him, leaving him without a home. He comes crawling back to me, but i no longer had my apartment and wouldn’t just let him crash with me. There was a whole thing and eventually he finally managed to get a new place to live after I pointed him to our incel buddy for a place to sleep, who, being the kind weirdo that he is, let him stay with him until he could finally move on.

After all that, the girls are reunited again. The three of us would spend whatever time we had outside of work at the beach. (I lived with my granddad at the time and he had a BEACH HOUSE so BEACH.)

The fuckboi brought three bi girls* (*I’m not a girl anymore tho) together and managed to get the weirdest homoerotic friendship between all of us over the unification from this guy, which none of us acted on bc apparently there wasn’t enough evidence for any of us to make a move on another.

Now, the girls started living together after the fuckboi vacancy, alongside another girl, my other old friend’s beard, and the incel buddy. It became this small lesbian coven with the token small man with weeb shit all over the house who’d give me tips on how to flirt with that one girl i had a crush on bc she had him wrapped around her fingers but zero interest in him, but he was like ‘yeah, i’ll get you the girl, dw’. So, i had all the inside tips on what she liked and what kind of gifts to randomly drop on her. It was a Solid Plan. To which, she slowly figured out and literally told me that she was telling him the most expensive things to buy her bc she really did have him wrapped around her fingers. And there i was just thinking she had an expensive taste. 

Then sadly, i ended up hitting the bricks and ditching town not but a few months later due to granddad-related situations. Shortly after that x-mas party we had where i was basically flirting with her the entire time as she kept making me her usual Dark and Stormy cocktails.

I really want to start talking to that girl again. She’s that type of friend you can just pick up without any of those years taking a toll. (Bc somehow an acquaintance i had in high school turned into a best friend that i was crushing on as an adult) I hear she’s still living with the weird lesbian coven and the incel is finally no longer an incel and has a gf and still THERE. (Plus, i think he finally started wearing deodorant. He smelled a lot better last time i saw him. His girl is doing him some good.) Anyway. I want in on that group again. It’s been too long. I need to talk to her at some point soon.

Anyway that was the unification via fuckboi. His ex-gf left the group and went off with a new fuckboi to Texas so who knows where she’s at. But the REST ARE STILL THERE.

I need to get back to my hometown already. I’m ready for a new bout of fuckery, this time excluding our favorite fuckboi. Well. Hopefully.

[legacysagas]

I Need To Vent

I feel like I need a break from Tumblr but I also want to have fun. My mood keeps dying because of all the things in my life. Things have been difficult at work, the United States Navy to be exact. I think I will tell you all what has been happening. I don't care if this is sensitive information. I need to voice this out.

[[MORE]]

From Day one since I got on board the LSD 49 Harpers Ferry, a BM3 (who is presently a BM2) named Evers has always yelled, degraded and downplayed me.

At first I thought it was him not liking newcomers but I have been here for two years now and he still treats me like garbaged. Even when other officers/chiefs acknowledged that I have been working hard, that I am a team player and have even congratulated me on things. Yes there have been tiring and rough work days, yes even my time working on the Mess Decks had its rough moments but I was not harassed or even flat out bullied by them except for him. I have never seen BM2 Evers treated anyone they way he treats me.

I have confronted him about it, wanting to know why. He apparently sees me as rude and disrespectful and will continue to treat me like shit till I change. But he has never given me any form of respect at all. And on top of that he is a hypocrite as he has undermind authority. There was a time I was given a order by a BM1, someone who outranks a BM2 and BM3, and he flat out said, "Fuck that, get over here!" I of course didn't and continued my duties.

Seems like the moto is "Do what I say not what I do."

Then there is Seaman Sablan, who at first I didn't exactly paid any mind. But it wasn't until I had accidentally left my things on his rack. The reason being because I am on a top rack and I don't really have a place to put my belongings while managing my inventory, I'm talking they are super tall and I barely reach. At first I didn't treat it as anything and that I need to keep better track of my things. But then when it had happened again he yelled at me and threatened he would mess my whole rack. I didn't take the yelling well but I accepted it, let him blow off steam. Even everyone else thought it was ridiculous of Seaman Sablan.

Fast forward, still getting yelled, still feeling I have to walk on egg shells, still getting unfair sleep and work hours, people blatantly disregarding the rhythm of watch hours that the captain made. Still no friends because I am not a rough and tough person who wrestles in the middle of the berthing or is a loud idiot who keeps everyone awake. All the way till Fleet Week at San Francisco this year.

On Friday, October 7th, me and a few others needed to clean our birthing space. It keeps getting trashed because everyone leaves garbage around, half empty bottles and everything.

If you think your house/room is bad, it's unbearable with such a small living space where I am and people keep trashing it.

So many belongings were left out of racks and we tried to return everything but most were locked. We can't have dried hanging towels out so instead of throwing them away we decided to put them into the dirty linens locker, that way people can still get to them.

Seaman Sablan apparently didn't like that. So he decided to mess up everyone's, who was involved, racks. He ripped sheets off, and tossed them, blankets and pillows into dirty linens. When I returned from my night out we got into a argument. I thought we was being immature, defended my case that we can't have those towels out and that I was just doing what I was told to do.

He only insulted me by saying how even if I was older than him, I was a five year old cry baby, that I don't work, and I am so stupid that I need to be told what to do. No matter how many times I tried to defuse the situation he kept talking. Eventually he started pushing me against the lockers, making me want to fight. I really wanted to, you have no idea how much my blood was boiling that I wanted to rip his throat out and send him back to his family in a body bag. Apparently this fucker is a family man too.

But I held back because I know there are better ways to handle it.... at least I hope.

Now to present day, as in today, and I am just cleaning. I had talked to chiefs and BM1s about Sablan and even offered to double me work and making sure the birthing is clean if he is moved to a different ile. On my way back to the garage, which isn't far at all, same area as the boat deck, I was putting my ear bud in to continue listening to music. But then BM2 Evers saw this and started to yell.

That is where I decided I had it. I had enough of all of this crap. Me doing my job and all I get is unfair hours, yelled and assaulted, hell if I wasn't married I would be making less money than my old job! I went to medical and talked to them about everything. That I am being bullied for the pettiest of things. I want something to be done and they will talk to the chiefs about it. Hell I am even talking to a outside Officer named ENS Spratt, who saw me have a mental breakdown at the pier before we went to San Francisco, and he is going to look in on the ship when we return to San Diego.

But I don't know how much more I can take this! I have done nothing wrong! And yet I am treated like this! I told them that if this happens again I will defend myself but even then I feel if I get anywhere close to those two I will lose it. I will snap. I will break! I will kill them and make them suffer! I want them dead!

....... As you can see my mental health is reaching its limit. I am going to do what I can to get out. I am just done with all of this. I don't care about the benefits anymore if this is the price to pay.

[blahandwhatever]

Somehow even on the weekend, up at a reasonable time, I can’t get my timing right. Yesterday I didn’t manage to leave the house until around 5:30, and, needing to be back by around 7, I didn’t have time for much. Granted, the weather wasn’t great anyway. Again I scrapped some of my plans, drove around, made a stop by Lake Osborne, which felt peaceful as always, and went to the Sephora downtown, for which, it turned out, it was about the worst day, given some sort of festival going on and a traffic and parking nightmare that left me barely scraping by before closing time. But I stocked up on some stuff with some of the money my parents left me for housesitting, so that was good.

My brother was gone most of the day, did not want any home-cooked food, certainly did not want any vegetables, and just barely touched the large selection of fruit and snacks I offered him. I worried a little about his eating habits, among other things, and looked forward to being free of these worries again.

Meanwhile, I missed a call from my grandmother and tried to call her back a few times over the course of a few hours to no response, leaving me wondering if I should go over there and check if something happened. I texted the aunt she has the most contact with, who’d talked to her earlier that day and assured me that she probably just had her phone on silent. Today I tried calling once more, again to no avail.

Overnight, my cousin in Poland got married, my parents sent me pictures, and I remained skeptical about the whole thing, and hoped I wouldn’t get hit with another wave of Disappointment About My Life when they returned.

The garage door situation was fixed easily with a reset button, and I thought about getting a metal detector to help me fix the lost key situation, until I checked the prices of metal detectors (and reviews for the rare cheaper ones).

Some of the flowers seem to have taken a turn for the worse under my care, and I don’t know what to do. I tried watering less, I tried watering more; either way, they got worse. I wonder if skipping watering on a day when it rained, but relatively early, did most of the damage. But honestly, the way these shits will start dying after a single day of suboptimal conditions is baffling. Like how do you fuckers survive in the wild. How do you have no adaptability.

Today I woke up to my brother being gone again. I, meanwhile, had my own list of plans to make dents in. Wasn’t sure if a cloudy day like this one was the best one to go to Oak Lawn, but I had time, I was in the mood, and, after all, it matched the feeling of much of my time living there, so I did.

I hadn’t visited since before I moved to Arlington Heights, as the distance from there is even longer and never quite felt worth it. The drive was nice and surprisingly smooth, save for the obstacle of an accident, free of the traffic I used to encounter when I’d drive my brother to tennis on Saturdays. The place was largely as it had been, an Amazon Fresh in place of Chuck E. Cheese the only notable change. I drove by all the major landmarks - the library, hospital, Target; the old home and schools and prime walking/biking spots; St. Xavier. I walked in the prairie by Moraine Valley.

Though it was all nice to revisit, sentimentality was relatively low. It’s a chapter of my life that by now is comfortably closed. Mostly, there is just a sense of peace about it all. At home, the desire to reminisce also hasn’t been as strong as I’d expected; mostly, I’m just trying to enjoy the present.

In the evening I craved Aurelio’s pizza, which I also hadn’t had in years, and my brother was down to have some, so I ordered us one, and that was good. Tomorrow he goes back to college, and then I have less than a week left alone before my parents’ return.

[lubdubsworld]

⋆⋆✵ Perfect Imperfections ✵⋆⋆

Chapter 1

Genre : Arranged Marriage AU! Angst! Explicit Sexual Content.

Rating : 21+

Warnings : Ableism , Chronic disability. OC has limited use of her left leg, Emotional infidelity? Mild Cheating ( nothing very physical.. a kiss or so )

Summary : Marrying Jungkook is a mistake. Falling in love with him? Definitely the worst exercise in masochism .

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2

No one tells you how easy it is to imagine yourself in love with a beautiful man. Especially when you don’t have a clear understanding of what love actually is. 

When I met Jungkook, even knowing he was in love with my sister hadn’t done much to douse the flames of hope and attraction. He was a lot of things that other men in my life weren’t. Kind without being pitying. Concerned without being overbearing. He took care of me without making me feel helpless. And there was always such a thin line between these things that I found myself impressed by his ability to toe the line so well.

Jungkook took care of me without making me feel like a burden and I suppose, some part of me had assumed that this could, in due time turn into love. But I was clearly wrong.

Jungkook and Liza had been kissing in the hallway of their hotel room and someone had taken pictures. My father and his had managed to get them taken down but the news was already out, spreading like wildfire . My phone began ringing sometime around eight in the morning and hadn’t stopped. It was now a little past one in the afternoon and I felt queasy, despite the assurances that it was all being taken care of.

It was the pity in everyone’s face that I couldn’t bear.

I wasn’t hurt. Angry, yes? Upset? Of course. But I wasn’t hurt because there really was nothing to be hurt about. Jungkook didn’t love me. He was in love with my sister . He had made it clear, through his words and his actions, over and over again. At this point, I could see this debacle as nothing more than a possible way to get out of the marriage. Perhaps, my father would approve of a divorce?

I glanced at the article again.

The photo is just so annoyingly clear, I thought with a grimace. If it was a little blurry, I could convince myself it wasn’t him and her. But it was clear. That was my husband with his lips locked with my sister’s. Against my better judgment, I read the article again. It was a gossip column, of course there would be nothing good in there. But sometimes curiosity can be a persistent thing.

I felt my skin crawling as I realized that the phrases were all pretty true. There was no gossip here. Just plain facts.

And then my eyes reached the end of the article.

Of note is the fact that Jeon Jungkook’s wife is disabled and perhaps the virile young man is merely looking for pleasure he can’t find in his own marital bed.

I swallowed, quickly exiting the page and tossing the phone on the bed, away from me. I stared out of the window of our bedroom, the large doors left open to let air and sunlight in. There was a tall sycamore tree right outside out bedroom and the branches almost reached in and I stared at the rustling leaves, trying to scrub my mind clean of the words I’d just read.

But it was impossible.

It wasn’t something I hadn’t thought of. The stark difference between me and Jungkook, physically. He spent five days a week in the gym and they were right. He was a young man with healthy sexual appetites.

I’d never cheat on you. Jungkook’s voice from a week ago still echoed somewhere inside my skull.

I sighed, playing with my wedding ring.

I wasn’t a virgin when I married Jungkook. Hadn’t been one , when I got into the accident either. My then boyfriend, a tall strapping lit major had been a very sexual guy as well and our libidos had matched pretty well. But I’d been an athletic nineteen year old, able to bend like a pretzel at his whim and there was just endless time and endless stamina and just a whole lot of attraction . We had spent hours, exploring each other the way college kids do. Weekends in bed spent trying every possible permutation of sex positions and kinks and I’d discovered all the things I liked. All the things I didn’t.

But then the accident had happened and well, when you’re in crippling agony, sometimes sex takes the backseat. I’d been focused on my recovery, on making sure that I came out of this at least with the ability to walk and I’d succeeded. Burying the part of me that craved a man’s touch, it wasn’t easy but it was necessary.

And then Jungkook had happened.

Sex with Jungkook hadn’t been difficult. Not really. I wasn’t completely crippled after all but it was also nowhere near as exciting as it could be with someone who had full use of her legs. I knew that. It was kind of obvious. But I hadn’t dwelt too much on it because to be honest, Jungkook hadn’t looked like he’d minded. He had seemed to enjoy himself .

But then reading about how he probably hadn’t enjoyed it definitely stung.

Worse yet, probably half the country was reading it with me. I felt nauseous. Did no one think that they should have left the last part out of that article? It was terrible enough without adding that bit about me.

A faint buzzing made me turn to the bed.

I glanced at my phone as it rang, my father in law’s name prominent on the screen.

Showtime, I thought with a grimace.

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

“I suppose it was too much to hope for , expecting that boy  to keep his dignity. This is outrageous.” Mr. Jeon’s loud voice rang through the foyer of the house and I flinched, gripping the edge of the futon as Sana jumped a bit . She sat next to me, holding my hand carefully. Moral support I supposed but I was feeling entirely too blasé about the whole thing. None of this was unexpected, I thought miserably and I wasn’t feeling up to pretending otherwise.

“I still wish they’d talked to me about this.”

My brother in law’s voice broke me out of my thoughts. The man looked like he’d been dragged through hell and back and I felt a pang of genuine sympathy. He looked wrecked and it was obvious she was in love with my sister. Resentment coiled thick and deep inside me. Resentment and envy.

With no effort at all she had charmed both the Jeon brothers, I thought bitterly.

Jeon Jihyun looked absolutely stricken at the thought of losing his wife.  

“I’ve asked Lisa to take the first flight out. She called me this morning, hysterical. It was something done in the heat of the moment. She .. She’s very apologetic. I believe her and I’m willing to forgive her. We’re…. We’re thinking of starting a family together. ” He said softly and my stomach turned.

I felt my skin go ice cold as I wrapped my arms around myself. Shivering just a bit, I lightly squeezed Sana’s hand. She looked at me in askance and I had to swallow to get my voice out, throat dry. The words made me want to retch. I could imagine how Jungkook would take this news.

“Can you get me my shawl? It’s in the green room.” I said hoarsely.  She bowed before moving away from me and when I looked back up, Jihyun’s gaze caught mine.

“This must be hard on you.” He said softly and I flushed, staring down at my knees.

“Not like I can run from it. Literally or figuratively.” I smiled without mirth.

“Jungkook is …he’s just confused. He needs some time to sort himself out. I’ve asked him to take a break and come back to Seoul after a couple of weeks. The separation would do him some good.” Jihyun said quietly and I sighed before nodding. What else was I supposed to say to that anyway? There wasn’t much I could do, my influence on things almost nonexistent at this point.

“Are you going to give the boy a break, Jeon?” My father demanded, staring at Jungkook’s father who sighed.

“Yes. I’ve been trying to get these damned reporters off our back. They’re all over the place. And yes, I think Jungkook should stay in Japan for a while.  We’re starting a new distribution branch there and I wanted him to scout places and possible vendors. I’ll tell him to hash out all the details before coming back.”

His phone rang again and he excused himself . I watched him leave the room, trying to make sense of his words.

How long would it take to build a whole branch in Japan? I had no clue. But it could hardly be done in a few weeks, could it?

“That’s.. That’s a long time.” I said hesitantly and my father frowned.

“is that a problem?” he asked.

I sighed. There was no point keeping this to myself. I was supposed to go to the doctor’s tomorrow. And well, it would be better if they heard it from me first.

“I.. I’m pregnant.” I said quietly.

The silence that followed was deafening. I stared at the carpet, not able to bring myself to look up at them. I could guess, what I’d find there. It was what I always found in people’s faces.

“Oh, sweet child.” My father’s sigh made me look up and there it was. The pity. I felt sick to my stomach. Sana returned, settling the hand knit shawl over my shoulders and I wrapped it tight, before glancing at her in some desperation. She smiled reassuringly, settling next to me and gently taking my fingers in hers. The warmth grounded me for a second and when Jihyun growled, I stared at him.

“I… I didn’t know. Fuck, I’m going to kill Jungkook. This fucker…” Jihyung swore and my father sighed, clearly thinking hard.

“you can’t be staying alone now.” He said softly, sitting up and cracking his knuckles, and I swallowed. I wouldn’t bear it if they tried to take me back home. I had hated it there.

“ You must come back home with me.” He said softly but I quickly shook my head.

“ No.. No I won’t. I … Please.” I begged, the mere idea of going back to my childhood home a nightmare. My mother would kill me with just her sharp and vindictive words. I was in no shape to put up with her verbal and emotional abuse. It was one of the things that had made me agree to marry Jungkook in the first place.

“Well, you can’t stay here by yourself.” My father protested. I’ve been by myself my whole damn life, I wanted to scream.

“I’ll be fine. I have Sana and the others to help me.” I said tiredly. My father shook his head before turning to Jihyun again.

“Is Namjoon still working on his book?” My father asked him and Jihyun frowned. The name elicited a tug in my memory and I turned to stare at my father, confused.

“You remember him? He used to tutor you when you were hi High School.”

I had a brief flashback to dimples and almond shaped eyes. I remembered him vaguely. Very vaguely. But nowhere well enough to want him to live with me, alone or not.  

“Dad…” I protested but he held a hand up to silence me, nodding at Jihyun .

“Namjoon? Kim Namjoon? ” He shook his head. “ I’m not sure. Why?”

“I think it would be good if he moves in here. His father was telling me that he was looking for a place to stay, now that he’s moved back to Korea. ” My father said softly, staring at me and I stiffened.

“Father…” I began desperately and my father shook his head.

“Don’t argue. He was a dear friend of yours. I don’t think you should be alone at a time like this. And I think Jungkook would approve. Like Jihyun said, the kid needs some space to sort himself out. Let him finish whatever business is going on in Japan.” My father glanced at Mr. Jeon who looked at me with guilt.

“I owe you an apology , on behalf of my idiot son.”

I looked away, not sure what to say to that. I hated the man quite passionately. Jungkook wasn’t perfect… far from it. But this man had taken a sledgehammer to my husband’s mind and heart at every turn. The disdain, the condescension, the sick way he favored his brother over him, the way nothing Jungkook did was ever good enough. It had all taken a toll on my husband. I had watched it chip away at Jungkook’s self confidence, at his mental health.

“I think more than anything, you owe an apology to your son. You knew he was in love with Lisa and yet…. You forced him to marry me.” I said quietly and the room went eerily quiet. My father rounded on me , eyes blazing.

“Leah!!! Apologize, now!” He roared and I looked away.

“You’re all the same. Ungrateful and entitled.” Mr. Jeon said sharply, before turning to his son. “ I’m leaving Jihyun-ah. Tell me when that wife of yours get home. I want to talk to her.”

He shared a half hug with my father before stalking off and my father grabbed his jacket as well.

“I’ll leave as well. Your mother is being quite hysterical. Apparently, all her friends are hounding her about the article.” He sighed and I nodded , watching him shrug on the jacket before nodding at Jihyun and then following his friend out to the front doors.

Jihyun stayed standing , watching my father’s form disappear through the door before turning to me.

“ Are you alright?” He said quietly, moving to kneel in front of me. Sana stood up, bowing before leaving and I watched her disappear into the hallway leading to the kitchens. Jihyun’s fingers wrapped around mine, brushing my knees and I stared down at him.

“The question is, are you alright?” I brushed the hair off his face. He sighed.

“No. No I’m not. I’m angry and jealous and very much filled with resentment towards my brother.” He said honestly and I laughed, tugging on his hand and patting the seat next to me. He straightened before moving to settle next to me and I leaned on his shoulders, sighing as he wrapped on around me, the warmth of his body comforting .

“Are you going to give your marriage a chance?” I asked carefully.

“She told me she was going to break things off for good. We.. We’ve been talking about it. Starting a family, making this work.” He said quietly. I nodded. It was understandable. Unlike Jungkook and I , Jihyun had a responsibility. He would need a son and even though people liked to act like they didn’t care much about gender, like they didn’t care much about having children , it was sort of an unspoken rule. First son of the house ? You had to have a male heir to carry the family name.

I wondered how that conversation had gone between Jungkook and Lisa. It didn’t really match the photo I’d seen.

“I suppose Jungkook probably put up a fight. He genuinely wants to end up with her. He… He tells me often that he loves her and can’t love anyone else. ” I wondered if I ought to feel embarrassed or insulted.

But the truth was, I was numb to a lot of things that had once hurt quite a lot..

The conversation with Jungkook about my pregnancy had definitely cleared things up for me. There was nothing there worth salvaging. Chasing something that wasn’t real , that was foolishness. Especially when I had a very real baby to think about. A child that counted on me to make the right choices.

“I don’t think he did. She spoke to me last night and said that he agreed. Of course that was before the article came out. I’d like to think she didn’t lie to me but I’m not sure.”

I sighed, settling in closer to his chest. He was warm and firm, solid and reliable. I wondered if it would have been easier, if my father had just married me off to Jihyun instead. Jihyun and I …we were alike. We had been friends , even from childhood. Had watched with fond adoration as our younger siblings had fallen madly, wildly in love. Jungkook and Liza had been drawn to each other from the first. Inevitable.

Jihyun and I were more carefree. We didn’t feel things that intensely and perhaps that was why we could sit here in the calm of the afternoon air, quiet and introspective when we ought to be furious and raging.

“ Should we run off together? You and i?” He said suddenly making me laugh.

“Very much incapable of running.” I reminded him with a grin and he squeezed my shoulder .

“I’d carry you.” He said simply.

“Where would we go?” I asked curiously, indulging the fantasy for just a few minutes.

“Somewhere far away. Maybe India? There’s so many people there and we could get lost in the crowds.”

“That does sound appealing.” I smiled and turned to look up at him. His face inches from mine, not as handsome as Jungkook but strong featured and kind. “ But I’m not alone anymore. I have a child.”

His gaze dipped to my lap.

“Yes. Jungkook’s child.” He said thoughtfully.

“No. Mine. Nobody else’s . Just mine.” I said quietly. Jihyun’s gaze softened. He pressed a quick kiss to the top of my head.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered, echoing his father’s words.” On behalf of my idiot brother, I’m sorry.”

And where Mr. Jeon’s words hadn’t made any sort of impact, Jihyun’s made my heart clench and ache in the worst way. Self pity was something I loathed but sometimes, being handed the short end of the stick at every turn in life makes it impossible to not feel sorry for yourself.

Tears stung, welling up in my eyes and spilling over my lashes like water bubbling out of an aquifer.

I blinked slowly, not bothering to wipe them as they traced a path down my face, dripping into the fabric of my shawl. In a moment of clarity I wondered what Jungkook must be going through now. Nothing good for sure.

It definitely said something, that I still worried for him. Sighing, I let Jihyun hug me closer. I would take advantage of his kindness for a few more minutes. It had been a while since someone had held me like I mattered.

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

I called Jungkook that evening.

It wasn’t an easy choice but my heart ached and my mind raced with unanswered questions. I didn’t want to get lost in my own thoughts so I didn’t overthink it. We were still married. I was allowed to call him.

He picked up on the third ring.

“Where are you?” I asked quietly and Jungkook’s groan made my face heat up a little.

“I… Leah?” He sounded groggy. I glanced at the time. It wasn’t late.

“Are you sleeping?”

He didn’t reply for a few minutes.

“I’m sorry about what happened. We.. We didn’t do anything else. It was just.. it was a kiss. Just that.”

“Are you still in the hotel?” I asked quietly ignoring his words.

“ For tonight, yes. Dad wants me to stay with a friend of his. I’ll be going over to their place tomorrow morning.” He replied .

Silence followed for a few seconds.

“Namjoon is moving in tomorrow.” I said stiffly.

Jungkook didn’t respond for a minute or so.

“Yes. Father said it’s a good idea. And I agree. You shouldn’t be alone while I’m here. He’s right. Hyung’s a nice guy. He’ll help you out.” Jungkook said softly.

“Liza came home. She wanted to talk to me.” I said quietly.

Jungkook didn’t reply and I sighed.

“I told her I wasn’t going to talk to her before I talked to you. I don’t… I don’t want to say anything to her that I haven’t already said before. But I still want to know your thoughts on all this. Your plans, that is. I take it you weren’t happy with her ending things.” I said stiltedly.

Jungkook didn’t reply for a few seconds.

“Things between us ended a long time ago, Leah. It was over when we both agreed to marry other people. Maybe even before that, I don’t know… I … I guess I just didn’t want to acknowledge them.” He said quietly. “ She’s different, now. Even that kiss felt so wrong.  She’s moving on. I’m glad in a way. She deserves better than me. She deserves someone like hyung. He’s better than me in everyway and-”

God I wanted to strangle him.

“So why did you kiss her?” I snapped. “ If you’re so generously letting her go why would you…” I stopped.

“I didn’t kiss her. She kissed me. It was barely for a second.” He muttered. “ whoever it was must’ve been videoing us for a while.”

I had to remind myself that in the grand scheme of things, this little detail made no difference.

“Right.” I sighed. “ So, you won’t be home for a while?”

“Six weeks at least.” He said quietly.

I tried to keep the disappointment down. I still wanted to see him, just to make sure he was okay. But I knew that was just the pregnancy hormones talking.

“Okay.” I said simply.

“How are you? Did you go see the doctor?” He asked softly and the question surprised me. I was half sure he had forgotten.

“No, not yet. Maybe in a couple of days.” I scratched at a small stain on my skirt. Lime juice and baking soda, I thought absently. That should get the stain out.  

“Its pretty late. You should go see the doctor, Leah. I.. I looked stuff up. They say you have to be on pre natal vitamins, folic acid and iron supplements  and you have to have  a balanced diet. I called Sana earlier and told her to speak to our doctor and get a diet chart for you. She said she’ll do it soon. So , please take care of yourself.”

Jungkook sounded entirely serious and as always my brain felt muddled, unable to process why he did the things he did. He had looked things up about the pregnancy and that implied some sort of interest, didn’t it? But ….. he had also kissed my sister so what was I supposed to do with this?

“I’ll call you.” I said shakily, drained. I was done for the day.

“Right.” He said softly. “ Namjoon hyung will be there tomorrow right? Should I talk to him? He could take you to the doctor.”

“No.. That’s fine. I’ll manage.” I said quickly.

“You’re sure?” There was genuine worry there.

“Yes.” I sighed.

“Alright.”

Silence again. I exhaled shakily.

“Should I hang up?” I asked quietly.

“Yeah. Good night. ” He breathed.

“Good night, Jungkook.”

Click.

I stared at the wall, gently lowering the phone and placing it on the bed next to me.

She deserves better than me, his voice echoed in my head.

Well, so did I.

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

Namjoon looked nothing like the twenty one year old college student I’d seen a decade ago. I knew he was a successful novelist and I’d read all his books. They were mostly philosophical or commentaries on life and emotions. I enjoyed the way he wrote : melancholic and deep but also clear and easy to understand. It was like staring at a particularly deep pool, being able to see all the way down to the bottom because of how clean the waters were. But once you put your feet in, the depth  always surprised you.

“That’s a lot of books.” I laughed, gripping the edge of the door frame as I watched him stumble under the weight of a crate full of bound books. Namjoon’s messy brown hair peeked over the top, and when he adjusted the huge load to stare at me, I caught sight of his handsome face stretched in a dimpled grin, eyes glinting.

“Research.” He grunted, straightening himself up and I watched the flex of his muscles as he carefully moved to place the crate down in one corner of the large bedroom that I’d had cleaned for him. It was on the west wing of the house, parallel to my own bedroom that I shared with Jungkook . Namjoon had spent three years working as a professor somewhere in Indonesia. And I knew that he’d spent a year backpacking all over Scandinavia. I stared at his tall strapping figure, watching him set up his writing space carefully, sorting out boxes and electronics.

He had driven here in his Range Rover and I knew all his clothes were still there in the back of the car.

“Should I ask the footmen to get your clothes?” I asked and he glanced up at me, frowning.

“Footmen?” He looked confused and I rolled my eyes.

“Namjoon…” I said chidingly and he grinned again.

“I keep forgetting you’re filthy rich. Makes me wish I should have beaten Jungkook to the game and bagged myself a rich wife.” He winked. It was a joke but there was no mistaking the hint of interest in his eye. Or maybe it was just wishful thinking on my part. Being married to Jungkook had definitely made me question the attraction I held for men so it felt good, having someone as handsome and whole and successful as Namjoon look at me like that.

“I’ll ask them to get your clothes. You should shower and settle in. We’ll meet for dinner tonight.” I said quickly and he nodded.

“You’re going to be okay heading back to your room? Let me know if you need help.” He pointed at my feet and I nodded. It was sweet of him to offer.

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

Dinner was surprisingly not awkward at all. Namjoon had a lot of interesting stories to share and I found myself clinging to ever word in rapt attention. He spoke about all the folklore he’d run into in different places, how he thought that no matter the culture, there were always some common things you could find in every one of them. He also talked a little about his next book, which he hadn’t named yet.

“It’s about second chances. Forgiving and moving on.” He said, taking another bite of his braised pork and moving to make another lettuce wrap.

“ Heavy stuff.” I said thoughtfully. “ Most of my writing is commercial. I just try to sell stuff to reluctant people. It’s not much but it keeps me occupied and it’s always nice to make money that you can call your own.”

“It’s because you don’t write for yourself. When you start writing for yourself, you can truly be who you are.” He said firmly and I nodded in agreement.

My writing in college had been vivid and bright and filled with life. But after the accident, it had turned grey and gloomy. The words seemed to drip with loss and longing and  I didn’t enjoy it, because it was a reminder that I was no longer the vibrant, attractive fulsome girl I once was.

“Maybe that’s what I’m afraid of.” I smiled. “ Being who I am. I would rather pretend I’m at least a little alright.”

Namjoon stared at me, thoughtful.

“You used to run track.” He said softly and I grinned.

“You remember.” I said, pleased.

“Of course I do and you were captain of the volleyball team as well. You used to organize all those hikes and treks and stuff.”

“Yes I did. I loved the outdoors.” I stared out of the window.

“Loved? Past tense?” He tilted his head. I stared at him, shaking my head.

“What kind of question is that.” I shook my head. “ Look at me. I’m not trekking anytime soon, considering how the last time ended.”

“You can still go out.” He frowned. “ When was the last time you went somewhere?”

I shook my head.

“Oppa…”

“Listen. You know me. You’ve known me for more than a decade. Do you honestly think I’m going to let you rattle around this old house like a ghost when you should be out there taking in all the sunshine you can get?” Namjoon placed his chopsticks down and linked his fingers together, staring at me.

I stared at him, and it was definitely there. The concern, the affection. Not that different from when I was sixteen and struggling to understand what pathos meant.

But now there was a definite undercurrent of attraction. Back then it had been childish, the wild crush of a teenager on her hot tutor but now, now I knew that he was so much more than just a hot guy.

“I’m pregnant.” I said softly, more a reminder to myself than anything else.

Namjoon grinned.

“We’ll steer clear of horse riding and alcohol. Anything else you can just let me know.”

“Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack.”

“I think I’m getting one now.” I deadpanned.

“Because you’re nervous.” He grinned.

“Because your dimples look too adorable.” I retorted.

He laughed.

“I’ll talk to Jihyun and we’ll go see your doctor first. Then we’ll go out and have  a nice picnic.”

“Namjoon, I can’t…”

“You don’t know that.” He said firmly.” You don’t know if you can or can’t because you’ve never tried. Listen I love picnics and I love going out and I want company. I’m agreeing to be stuck with you for a while and the least you can do is  give me company at a picnic. You know how big a loser I’d seem like if I went by myself?”

It was like I was sixteen again getting brow beaten into things by a tutor who just hated the idea of not getting his way. I shook my head fondly.

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

Fourteen weeks. Three and a half months.

I stared at the ultrasound, feeling a multitude of things, not all of them good. The baby was growing well and I had all my prescriptions filled. Namjoon had offered to come with me but I had refused. It was too intimate and he was still a stranger. I did take a photo of the ultrasound and sent it to Jungkook.

/Jungkook called me back almost at once.

“You went to the doctor?” He asked, sounding a little breathless.

“Were you running?” I asked, surprised.

“Not really. I’m supposed to be meeting one of the vendors for lunch and I thought I could walk to the restaurant but its farther than I thought.” He huffed.

“Everything’s fine. Baby’s due in July.” I said quietly.

“Summer. That’s good.” He replied. “Right?”

I hesitated. What did that mean? What did it matter when the baby would be born?

“Because winter would mean it being too cold . Summer we can take the baby out and stuff without worrying too much.” Jungkook said softly.

Oh.

“How’s work?” I asked awkwardly. The non conversation was getting tedious. There was just so much to talk about and it was obvious that both of us weren’t in the mood to actually ask or answer anything worthwhile.

“Did dad say something?” Jungkook asked quickly and I frowned.

“No. Why?”

“He wants me to join hyung in the corporate office. Leave the smelter units.” Jungkook sounded subdued and upset and I felt sympathy well inside me.

“Join him? As what?” I asked quietly.

“Head of the marketing department. I’ll be reporting to Seokjin hyung.” Jungkook had clearly started walking again, breath coming in little exhales.

“You don’t want it?” I asked confused, not sure if this was a good or bad thing.

“I mean… I have a degree in Business and Finance. Hyung’s the CEO , I was hoping I’d be the CFO.” Jungkook sighed, “ But I suppose I should be grateful he didn’t disown me altogether after what happened earlier.”

I stayed quiet and so did he.

“We need to talk . When you get back. You … I know you don’t like sharing about what you feel but you owe me an explanation.” I said firmly.

“I know. But I meant what I said when I left. I’m going to be there for you and the baby. You’re still my wife. That’s not going to change.”

I ran my fingers over the ultrasound.

“Did you also mean the part where you said you can’t stand me.” I said bitterly .

Jungkook didn’t reply.

“I… You know I didn’t. That was just something I said on impulse. I’m sorry. You’re… You’ve been nothing but good to me. And honestly, just the fact that you’re carrying my child is proof that I can definitely stand you.” He sounded just a little hoarse.

I bit my lips, staring up at the door when I heard a knock.

“Leah? I’m going to have some tea in the garden … You wanna come with?” Namjoon’s voice rang through the room and I froze.

“Oh.. Oh.. yes. I’ll be down.” I said quickly, nodding . Namjoon pointed at the phone and gave to thumbs up before moving back out.

“Was that Namjoon hyung?” Jungkook’s voice came over the line.

“Oh… yeah. Yeah, he’s… he wants me to have tea with him in the gardens.” I said awkwardly.

“That’s nice.  You should go. Get out of the house once in a while.” I didn’t know what to say to that so I stayed quiet.

After another minute or so of silence, Jungkook cleared his throat.

“ I got that form you sent in for me to fill, about my medical history. I’ll fill it up and mail it to the doctor’s office. Is that alright?” He asked hesitantly. “ If not I can fly back home. If they need me in person or something.”

I frowned a bit.

“They don’t need you in person, Jungkook of course not. Mail it, that’s fine.”

Another pause.

“This is really happening huh? A baby. We’re having a baby.” The exhaustion in his voice was palpable and I wondered.

“Yes. We are.” I said simply, not having anything else to elaborate on. It was happening. I was torn between pleasure at having something to look forward to and guilt at forcing Jungkook into a role he wasn’t ready for. But , for better or for worse we were married. The child was his. It would be a Jeon.

“ I’ll do better.” He said quietly. “ With the little one. I’ll be better.”

Tears these days, sprung up out of nowhere I thought miserably, furiously swiping at my face.

“Leah?” His voice came over the line. “ Leah are you there?”

“I need to go.”

“Alright.”

“Take care of yourself too, Jungkook.”

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

Loneliness .

It’s such an odd sort of feeling. Sometimes you get used to it so much, that you forget all about it.

It stays , a part of you that doesn’t make much of an impression on you until one day, suddenly it becomes unbearable,

Until you get a glimpse of what it’s like to not be lonely.

And then suddenly it’s like a deep chasm of longing and desperation just opens up inside you, craving love and warmth and company with a hunger that feels like it can never ever be satisfied.

I’d never paid much mind to the fact that my life revolved around myself, my writing and the flowers in the garden. Not until Namjoon had come, demanding to be felt and seen and heard .

 Namjoon hadn’t joked about not letting me rattle around the house. Our days were spent sprawled on the lawns of the Jeon estate, each of us occupied with our own writing . Namjoon typed away on his laptop while I preferred my leather bound notebook. It was oddly soothing, lying there on the clean cut grass, the sharp blades rubbing against my bare legs, as I leaned back against a tree trunk, watching Namjoon’s furrowed brows as he wrote.

Namjoon had changed in a lot of ways and yet he was still somehow just as I remembered, focused and often lost in his own head. He was a contemplative man and seemed to spend as much time reading as he did writing.

“There’s a poetry club that meets every Tuesday in Gangnam. Would you like to come with me?” He asked casually, about a week after he’d moved in and I considered it. The paparazzi had finally stopped hanging about the estate and Jungkook had called the previous night with a ETA for when he would be back.

Four weeks at most, he had said firmly and I wasn’t sure if I was feeling all that excited for his return anymore. Days spent with Namjoon were more exciting. He included me in every little thing and I was addicted.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew this was probably wrong. Namjoon was sweet and kind but I was still married. But on the wake of that thought came the bitter reminder that there was nothing between Jungkook and I. He was in love with someone else. Why should I deny myself the joy of Namjoon’s company over a relationship that really wasn’t a relationship at all.

Namjoon treated me as an equal, teased and flirted like there was nothing wrong with the two of us living like this, together and away from the rest of the world and I liked it. It made me feel like perhaps happiness wasn’t such an abstract, unreachable thing after all. That perhaps I could find happiness like this. In friendship and mindless conversation with a man who didn’t see me as a burden.

“I’d love that.” I said with a smile, letting my fingers knit together with his.

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

“Scorned wife getting even? We spotted the recently cheated on Mrs Jeon getting cozy with a strapping, buff hottie in a private restaurant last Friday and we can’t help but wonder if perhaps the reclusive lady is trying to get back at her husband by flashing her own boytoy.” Namjoon read cheerfully from his phone, looking way too entertained as he showed me the zoomed photo of us holding hands over the dinner table .

“That’s quite the description they’ve put for you.” I grimaced, sipping my chamomile tea slowly. My father and Mr. Jeon had reacted with their usual anger, threatening to sue the gossip rag for libel but it was pointless. They would keep being intrusive rats. There was nothing much to be done beyond enduring them.

“My agent’s losing his mind. He’s been at me trying to get me to agree to book signings and public appearances and he’s pissed that this is the way I get introduced to Seoul’s High society. Poor guy.” Namjoon chuckled and I felt guilt churn.

“I’m sorry, Namjoon. I really didn’t think they’d be following me. I mean… usually they’re only tailing Jungkook but I guess with the whole thing with Lisa , they’re just looking for ways to make things worse.” I said hesitantly.

Namjoon hesitated, staring at me for a few seconds.

“We never really talked about how things are.” He said quietly. “ Between you and Jungkook, that is.”

I ran the edge of my chopsticks on the brim of my soup bowl.

“ There’s not much to say. He’s…. He’s still sorting things out. With my sister.” I smiled a little. It ached a lot less, I realized with surprise.

“They loved each other deeply.” Namjoon said softly. “ that sort of thing doesn’t go away that quickly.”

I nodded.

“Of course. And I’ve been …understanding of that. I like to think.”

“But its unfair to you. You deserve to be loved too. Fully and well .”

I leaned back to stare at him.

“Are you offering?” I laughed, teasing.

Namjoon didn’t smile, leaning forward instead.

“Depends. Will you ever consider leaving him, for me?” He said seriously.

My heart turned over inside me.

“Namjoon…” I choked out and he reached out and lightly touched my palm.

“I know how marriages work with people like you, so I think I should draw boundaries now, if I want to keep myself safe.” He smiled a bit.

“I’m pregnant. With his child.” I swallowed and Namjoon’s brows went up.

“I thought it was your child. Yours and no one else’s.”

I felt torn, staring at him and wanting to say that I didn’t consider Jungkook as the child’s father, not in the way most people did. But I also remembered my husbands determined voice, the way he kept insisting that he wouldn’t neglect the child.

“Its not about Jungkook or the child, Leah. Its about you. You married Jungkook knowing he was in love with your sister and that tells me that you listen to your parents. You don’t want to stand up against the rules set by our parents and I don’t fault you for it. But I can’t let myself fall for you, knowing you’re going to be bound by your obligations to yurr family.”

I shook my head.

“Don’t fall in love with me.” I said easily. “ You’re right. My family comes first. And whether I want to be or not, I’m bound to Jungkook for life. So don’t fall in love with me.”

He smiled and nodded.

“Alright then.”

“Do you want to move out?” I asked bitterly and he looked genuinely surprised.

“What?”

“You clearly think I’m trying to seduce you or something when really, I-“

“Hey. Hey, Leah…no. No alright, that’s not what I meant. These two weeks, it was amazing. I love your mind and you’re easily one of my favorite people on this planet. We’re friends. And we’ll stay friends no matter what but you must know why I said what I said. You’re a beautiful woman and I’m a lonely guy.” He smiled a bit, “ I just don’t want to make it hard for myself when you want me to leave.”

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

Jungkook arrived back in Korea on a cold, rainy morning and against my better judgment I let Jihyun and Lisa drag me to the airport. It was some kind of publicity stunt, that much I could fathom but I didn’t know if Jungkook was in on it. I hadn’t spoken to him in a few days, he had been busy wrapping things up with the new branch in Japan.

It was another bad day for my leg and I found myself leaning heavily on my sister, her arm wrapped around my waist as we walked over to the waiting area. I could already identify a few men with cameras staring at us discreetly. Paparazzi . I saw them move their cameras down to the now obvious curve of my stomach and I swallowed. I could already imagine the articles wondering who the father was : Jungkook or Namjoon.

“You alright?” My sister asked worriedly and I nodded, not looking at her. Lisa hadn’t been discouraged by initial refusal to speak to her, keeping at it till I finally caved and let her visit me at the estate. She didn’t love Jungkook anymore, she insisted . It was over. They were over . She wanted to give her marriage a chance. Very sweet and nice, that. And it was obvious that she wasn’t lying, what with the way she and her husband kept

Jihyun and Lisa had made amends with each other and it annoyed me that they seemed to be madly in love with each other all of a sudden. Like the past couple months hadn’t even happened. I stared down at my wedding ring feeling stricken. Was it unfair that I resented them for this? Why hadn’t the two of them thought of this, of breaking things off and moving on before the damn wedding. And then maybe Jungkook and I would have had a real marriage too.

Bitter and hormonal was definitely not a good combination I thought with a wince, fingers splaying on the curve of my lower belly. It was so odd, being pregnant. The extra weight somehow foreign but also …so soothing. The last scan had shown that I had an anterior placenta and that meant that I may not feel movements for a while. I didn’t mind, having found comfort in just tracing my palm over the bare skin of my stomach.

“There he is.” Jihyun’s voice made me look up and ure enough there he was.

It wasn’t the longest we’d been away from each other and yet, I felt my heart leap at the sight of him. He truly was a very handsome man, I thought miserably. And no matter what people said, it was infinitely more difficult to hate your husband when he looked that good.

Jungkook’s eyes caught mine first and I saw the way his gaze dipped straight to the curve of my bump. Even from the ten feet between us , I saw hi lips part in surprise , eyes going wide. It probably hadn’t felt real to him till now, I thought biting my lips as he carefully handed his bags over to the two chauffeurs who had rushed to help him.

Jihyun wasted no time in bounding over and hugging his little brother tight.

I glanced at the man who had been taking photos, pleased to see the surprise in his face. Was he hoping that the CEO would punch his little brother in the face ? Idiots. Lisa stayed by my side and I exhaled shakily.

“ Dad told me something and I want to know if its true.” I said quietly.

She didn’t reply.

I took a deep breath, still watching the two brothers embrace each other, Jungkook’s face buried in Jihyun’s shoulders. I could see him shaking just a little and I felt my gut clench.

“He told me that …that you never told him that you wanted to marry Jungkook. That when he suggested Jihyun you agreed at once.”

She looked away.

“Lets talk about this later.” She said quietly.

“Does Jungkook know?” I demanded. “ Because he spent that first month of our marriage cursing our father out for forcing you to marry Jihyun. Forcing. And dad says that he did no such thing. So what is the truth.”

Lisa didn’t respond.

“Jungkook  knows.” She said finally, “ I told him… the truth. When we were in Japan.” and I laughed in disbelief.

“Was that before or after you kissed him?” I snapped and she looked genuinely pained.

“Leah, I never meant to hurt you or Jungkook.” She said shakily.

“My God.” I shook my head. “ I always knew you were a selfish, greedy person but I didn’t take you for being a liar and a deceitful coward. ”

She stared down at her feet.

“Yes. I’m greedy..”  She whispered “ And you may not understand it now but I did it for you and for Jungkook.”

She moved away and I watched as Jihyun pulled away from Jungkook, still holding his arm as he held a hand out to Lisa. The smile on her face seemed genuine as she took her husband’s hand and I shifted my gaze to mine. Jihyun and Lisa walked away to their car and Jungkook stepped closer to me, his face stoic and impossible to read.  

“Leah.” He said quietly, dark hair falling into even darker eyes.

I didn’t reply, merely stepping up to gently press my palms on either side of his face.

“Welcome back.” I said softly, before reaching up and kissing him full on the lips. Jungkook’s entire body went stiff as a board at the gesture but he didn’t pull away , thankfully. It felt cold and impersonal and barely lasted a few seconds but hopefully the man had gotten a few good shots. I closed my eyes for effect, running my thumb over the clean shaven curve of his jaw, before pulling away slowly.

I peered over Jungkook’s shoulder, just to make sure and sure enough, the man was moving closer to get better angles. I smiled a little. Good. That should hold these vultures off for a while. I turned back to Jungkook and his eyes followed my gaze catching sight of the man with the camera and his entire body seemed to go stiff with anger.

“Why did you do that?” He growled and I bit my lips.

“You know why.” I made to turn away but he gripped my arm, hard. So hard that I winced.

“What are you doing?” I asked panicking, glancing at the man who was still watching.

“Since when did you start pandering to those pigs?” He whispered angrily and I flinched.

“Your father wants to introduce you to the Board of directors this weekend.” I whispered quietly, “Most of them read the news Jungkook. The last news about us can’t be about you cheating on me.”

“That’s my business. And I’ll deal with it. We’re not doing this, Leah. I’m not putting on some kind of act just to please my fucking father.” He looked furious and the taut line of his jaw made me flinch.

“I’m sorry.” I said quickly, guilt churning inside me. He was right. I shouldn’t have done that without talking to him about it but I knew that the scandal with him and Lisa wouldn’t go down well with the Board. And the Board generally had a direct say on who got hired to top managerial positions.

“I just want you to get that job.” I said softly and he stared at me, stiff body relaxing marginally.

“Let’s just go home. Yeah?” Jungkook said tiredly and I bit my lips.

Less than fifteen minutes since he came home and we were already at odds with each other.

The most ill suited couple in the universe, I thought with a grimace as he stepped right next to me and wrapped a hand around my waist.

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

I had a very terrible tendency to forget taking my pills. So I generally left them by the bedside table. Stepping out of the shower, I found Jungkook sitting on my side of the bed, examining the bottle carefully. I tugged on the white t shirt I had on, suddenly embarrassed because it was Jungkook’s

I’d asked to borrow a couple over the phone,  simply because I no longer fit into my own and the ones I’d ordered weren’t here yet. Jungkook had agreed but still, it felt awkward when he was wearing the exact same t shirt himself.

He turned around when I moved to the vanity to put on moisturizer for the night and through the reflection I saw his gaze linger on my attire.

“Aspirin? Didn’t know that was part of pre natal vitamins?” He said seriously and I blinked., surprised. I turned around to stare at him, licking my lips nervously.

“How much research did you do?” I asked, genuinely curious and he flushed.

“I had a lot of free time. “ He said defensively. “ These six weeks.”

I frowned, before turning back to grab the small pot of night cream from the draw.

“My blood pressure is a little elevated. My mother had pre eclampsia with my sister and they just want to be careful.”

“Pre eclampsia?” Jungkook’s voice was fraught with nervousness and I turned back to see him almost white as a sheet.

“Jungkook…I.. its nothing serious.” I said hastily and his jaw went even more taut.

“What do you mean its not serious? Do you even know what it is?” He demanded.

“Do you?” I snapped back, annoyed at being treated like I was an errant child.

“I know that it’s the leading cause of maternal death during birth.” He all but shouted and I flinched.

“Okay…that’s only in extreme cases.” I held both my hands up. “ it’s a bit too premature to be panicking over that.”

Jungkook opened his mouth, as though to argue but then seemed to calm himself down.

“When’s your next check up?” He asked casually.

“This weekend. But its okay, Namjoon is-“

“I’ll come with you. I.. I want to come with you.” He said quietly.

I stared at him, feeling too awkward to outright refuse.

“You have the meeting with the Board. This weekend.” I said softly.

“So?” Jungkook shrugged. “ I’ll just tell them your appointment and health is more important to me. Besides isn’t that what you wanted? The reason you kissed me at the airport? You want the board to think we’re happily in love. I think that would be an excellent way to show them that. ”

Jungkook stared at me , head tilted curiously, daring me to deny what I had old him myself.

Sighing, I nodded.

“Alright.” I managed a weak smile. “ You can come with me.”

“Namjoon hyung left today, you said?” He asked casually.

I nodded.

“I should send him a bottle of his favorite wine for taking care of you so well. You look good.”

“He did it because he wanted to. Because he enjoyed it.” I retorted, his words rubbing me just a little wrong.

Jungkook smiled although it was more of a smirk.

“I’m sure he did. But I’m here now. And I did promise you that I’ll be there for you.”

“For the baby.” I said sharply, not liking the way he looked. The things he seemed to b implying.” You promised me you’d be there for the baby.”

“And right now, said baby is inside you.” He grinned now and I felt my pulse quicken at the sight. Jungkook didn’t smile with me. It wasn’t something that happened. At all. “ So I’ll have to take care of you.”

I stared at him, biting my lips.

“What are you doing?” I demanded. “My sister told you she never wanted you so now you want to start fucking me again?”

It was cruel. A terrible thing to say and I regretted it at once.

The smile faded.

“What?”

“ I…fuck Jungkook.” I groaned.

“is that what you think of me? Need I remind you that you were the one who came to me all those months ago? I never…. I would never force myself on you, Leah.” He looked like he’d been stabbed and I heart clenched.

“Jungkook , I…”

“I’ve been honest. Through all of this I’ve been honest to you. I lied to your sister, I lied to my father and fuck I even lied to myself. But I’ve been honest with you , Leah.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?!” I cried out, despairing. “ You were in love with my sister and –“

“And she wanted to marry my brother.” Jungkook yelled, standing up and turning to me, eyes blazing. “  All along. Know what she told me Leah? That it was never supposed to be me. That five years of us being together…it was because she was in love with my brother and she couldn’t bear the thought of being alone. She started dating me to make him jealous and when she saw that I spent so much time with Jihyun she stuck around . So she could spend time with him.” He shook his head.

I stared at him, horrified.

“Jungkook….”

“I thought I could never feel more pathetic than when I stood there listening her tel me how she never felt a single thing for me. But wow…. Thank you for proving me wrong. Because right now, standing here begging you to let me a part of the child we both made knowing you only see me as some kind of pervert just looking to get into your bed….” he shook his head,” I feel worse. I feel dirty.”

My throat went dry.

“You know what?” He moved to the closet and to my horror he grabbed a bunch of his clothes and a small suitcase. “ I’m going to go get a Hotel room.”

“What? No… Jungkook, wait!” I rushed to his side, grabbing his arm but he threw my hand off quickly.

“Ask Namjoon hyung to move back in. Better yet, tell dad the truth. That you think I’m disgusting. That the thought of me being in your life makes you sick. Tell him you want a divorce and-“

“It’s a girl.” I exhaled sharply.

Jungkook went completely still.

I swallowed, my heart racing so fast I couldn’t catch my breath.

I took a deep breath and moved to lightly touch his back, fingers splaying on the broad expanse of his shoulder blade .

He turned around at that and my heart lurched at the tear tracks down his cheeks. He looked wrecked.

“ A girl?” He whispered.

I bit my lips, nodding.

“We’re having a little girl.” He looked a little shell shocked.

“Yes. And hopefully, she isn’t as dramatic as her father.” I said softly, grabbing the dozen or so t shirts he’d pulled out of the closet and pushing them back into the shelves.

Jungkook didn’t protest, still staring into space, probably just taking the news in. I felt awful for one second because I hadn’t even cared all that much when the technician had told me.

I closed the closet door and moved back to the vanity trying to process all that had been said in the last five minutes, only to feel a headache come on. I would think about it tomorrow.

I finished braiding my hair when Jungkook’s voice came from the bed.

“If you don’t want me to intrude into your space you can tell me. I’m okay with only getting information about the baby.” He said quietly.

I stared at myself in the mirror.

I turned to him slowly. i took a deep breath, considered that what i was going to say would likely change everything between us. But i had to. 

I’ve always been honest with you Leah, He had said and I decided that perhaps he deserved some honesty in return.

“I think I’m in love with Namjoon.” 

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

Author’s Note : these two are such a mess istg. 

ooh i don’t have a taglist for this so please comment if you wanna be on it. 

[papergirllife]

Yuta Nakamoto ,

Mark Lee

Chapter 2

Venom! Yuta x human! Mark x human! reader

Synopsis :

Mark thought he’d never find love with Yuta living inside his body, having his life turned upside down when he met the alien, or more accurately, was ‘chosen’ by Yuta during an afternoon of a very normal university tour which turned out to be a tour to the biotechnology company he had to destroy to save the world.

So definitely, with the hero duties and school, and the fact that he's no longer your typical university kid, love was sort of out of the picture for him. But what happens when he stumbles upon a girl who loves him and his alien buddy?

Before Mark could react, Yuta had taken over, transforming his body into Yuta’s alien form, his senses further heightened as his limbs stretched and flesh morphed into the familiar dark royal blue.

Yuta jumped onto the edge of the bridge, one hand holding onto the ledge while the other extends like ropes, catching the girl a few feet before she falls into the water, heaving a sigh of relief, Yuta slowly reels the girl back up, placing her gently on the ground before transforming back into his human form, which earned a complaint from Mark who thought he was going to have his body for the whole day.

“She seems to have nowhere to go,” Yuta says as he observes the way the girl’s bags were by her side, not many, three backpacks worth of belongings, whatever you’re going through did look kind of suicidal at plain sight, but from the way you had retaliated that asshole, you probably weren't thinking of doing it.

‘I don’t think she was planning on jumping, she just seems to be thinking then the guy was drunk as hell, fucker even tried to rape her, disgusting.’

“She looks good enough to eat,” Yuta muses, observing your beautiful body under the moonlight.

‘Dude, how many times have I told you that you can’t eat people?’

“I know, not eating in that sense, not once in all these months I've been with you that you had actually managed to get a girl in your bed, Markie, all you do is study all the time,” Yuta retorted, offended that even after so long Mark is still a newbie at deciphering Yuta’s emotions when Yuta is a pro at his, they literally just ate.

‘Stop reminding me that, and what should we do? Leave her here until she wakes?’

“We’ll just have to take her home, we can’t leave her out here, you human men are all disrespectful species,” Yuta said before transforming back into his alien form, sighing in delight when he no longer needs to be fitted into Mark’s tight clothes.

‘How can you just decide to bring her home? She’s a stranger,’ Mark argued as he sees Yuta taking the familiar route home.

“She obviously needs help, you helped me find a home too, Mark. Everyone deserves a home,” Yuta said as he slinks into the open window of their home, placing her bags down before he extends his arm to lay her on the sofa.

Yuta retreats from Mark’s body, letting Mark have the reins as he recharges. Mark shakes his head slightly to adjust back to seeing things back to his normal perspective. Mark leans against the wall, watching you silently, like Yuta did just now, noticing how beautiful you are after he had calmed down.

‘She’s your type, isn’t she?’

“Knock it off, man. I don’t even know her,” Mark says before carrying your things into his aunt’s old room before retreating out to carry your things into the room, placing you onto the bed.

‘You could get to know her, isn’t that how human courting works?’ Yuta says sarcastically, ‘don’t miss our shot, Markie.’

Mark is slightly weirded out by how he technically has to share with Yuta, the ever picky Yuta who has since disapprove of the girls Mark has tried to date, but what could he do? He’ll just have to get used to having Yuta sharing when the time comes.

When you woke up, you could hear the sound of pots and pans as you roused from your slumber, shocked when you realise you don’t recognise the four walls surrounding you. Have you been kidnapped?

Just then, you remember last night’s events, recalling how inky blue tentacles reached out to you before you lost consciousness. Was that Venom? Seoul’s infamous hero?

You crept to the door, twisting it slowly to open it, jaw dropping when you see a man around your age, but what made your jaw drop was how his arm extended to an inky blue tentacle to retrieve eggs from the fridge.

“Dude, stop doing that. She might wake up soon,” the man chided, his back still facing you.

“I’m definitely awake after that,” you spoke up from behind the door, opening it wider to reveal yourself.

“Um, breakfast?” the cute guy says, holding up a plate of steaming hot eggs and bacon strips.

“So... You’re Venom? Don’t try to lie, I caught you red handed,” you said before taking a bite at the eggs, not the worst eggs you’ve had, but still acceptable for a newbie?

Just when Mark opens his mouth to reply, his body transforms into the Venom that you’ve only seen through screens, the sight sending chills down your body, eyes trained on his, spider-like, but much more fleshy, just like the rest of his body which was a dark royal blue colour.

“Technically, I’m Venom,” Yuta says.

You were surprised that this voice was different from the boy previously.

“Hi,” you squeaked, but your lips turned into an o when he transforms once more, into a dashing young man who was a stark contrast from the boy before, sharp features and large eyes greet you, a teasing smile on his face.

“I’m Yuta, the other guy is Mark, and this is my human form,” Yuta said, arms wide open to let you observe.

“Cool,” you said, what else could you say? That the hottest man you’ve ever laid eyes on is technically not a man? And his lips are so pouty, how is this even possible?

Yuta could tell you were drinking him in, eyes wandering all over his body. Yuta doesn’t get this sort of attention because he has to hide his identity, so now he’s relishing in this newfound attention, and from a pretty girl like you nonetheless.

“So, what leaves you homeless?” Yuta asks, taking a bite of his first bacon strip in his plate of dozens, chewing on it quickly as if it was just a tiny little pretzel, before reaching for the next one.

“My ex and I use to live together, until there was a huge fight, we broke up, he kicked me out, 5 years down the drain, but I saw it coming, about time now,” you explained easily, as if you were just teaching someone how to take the train to Gangnam.

“I’m sorry,” Yuta said sincerely, he’s watched enough dramas to know break ups aren’t an easy feat.

“It’s alright, so sorry for bothering you guys, I’ll leave after breakfast, and thanks for the food,” you said before getting up to wash your now empty plate at the sink.

“Here’s your chance, Mark,” Yuta whispered under his breath before he retreats back into Mark’s body.

Yuta, is although resting, has Mark on his feet, walking towards you before Mark could object.

“Um, you could always stay with us, that’s my aunt’s room, and she moved in with her new husband in Vancouver, so it’s empty,” Mark said nervously, gesturing at the room you slept in just now.

“Really?” you couldn’t believe your ears, they saved you once and now they’re helping you again, you would’ve never thought the person behind an image like Venom would be so welcoming.

“Yeah, stay as long as you like,” Mark offered.

“Thank you!” you said, throwing your arms around the nervous boy, silently smirking when you feel his neck heating up.

Yuta is chuckling at Mark’s reaction, knowing that this is going to be a hell of a ride.

[khaleesiofalicante]

“So. We all agree we are going to pretend Magnus studied while Alec was away?” Izzy asks.

“Agreed!” Clary raises her glass. 

“I don’t even know we are pretending,” Jace says, scratching his daughter’s new puppy behind the ear. “It’s not like Alec is going to be mad at you.”

Magnus manages a chuckle. He holds David’s new cat firmly in his hands. It soothes him. He suddenly misses Chairman fiercely. They shoulds have bought him here.

“They are here!” Clary yells when they hear a car pulling up outside. “David is home!”

She almost trips and falls as she runs to the entrance. Jace yells after her to be careful.

“She is getting attached,” Izzy says into her wine. “Be careful.”

“It’s fine,” Jace says, even though he looks unsure. “David doesn’t have any living relatives. It’s fine.”

“Except for his mother,” Magnus points out. 

“It’s fine,” Jace says again, pointedly. 

Max comes running to him, wearing wet clothes. He has a habit of putting on clothes without drying himself. “Oh my god! Kitty! It’s so freaking cute!”

“Freaking?” Magnus chuckles. “That’s new.”

The cat hisses at Max wildly. Max frowns. “He hates me!”

“He doesn’t hate you, Max,” Magnus smiles. “He is getting used to you.”

The cat hisses again and tries to scratch at Max. 

Max raises an eyebrow. 

“Okay. He hates you,” Magnus giggles. 

Clary walks back in, holding David’s hand. “Magnus! Alec made the kids eat ice-cream before lunch!”

“It was yummy!” Max confirms. “David. Chopin hates me!”

“That’s not true,” David says and gently picks up the black sphinx from Magnus. “Mon ami. Ne soyez pas méchant avec lui. Il est tout pour moi.”

That makes Magnus smile. He gives Max a kiss. “How was swimming, my love? Did you have fun?”

“So much fun!” Max cheers. “David pushed someone into the pool!”

“David!” Clary gasps. 

“He was mean to Max, Miss Fairchild. I’m sorry,” the blonde child says, staring at his feet. 

“Who was mean?” Jace asks. “Max. What happened?”

“Don’t know,” Max says, focusing on trying to impress Chopin. “Some old man. He had eyes like bapak.”

Magnus’ body goes cold. Before he can say or do anything, Alec walks into the room. “Magnus. We need to talk.”

Max is dramatically narrating the whole thing, telling how David pushed the man and how cool it was. Magnus is frozen on the spot. He feels Alec’s hand curled around his bicep. “Come on. Come with me.”

He is pulled away into the garden. He doesn’t know how he got here. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Alec asks. He smells like cigarettes. “Why didn’t you tell me he was reaching out to you?”

Magnus bites at his lip. He didn’t know why he didn’t say anything. People alway assume you have a reason for making stupid decisions. 

But you don’t. 

That’s why they are stupid decisions. Because there is no reasoning behind it. 

“Baby,” Alec whispers. “It’s okay. I handled it. He is gone.”

The words that come out of him is not what he expects to come out. “How is he?”

The last time Shinyun had talked to him, which was months ago, she had told Asmodeus was getting sicker. That’s probably why the man kept reaching out to Magnus. 

For one last chat. 

Alec is quiet for a moment. “He was okay, I guess. Wet.”

Magnus manages a chuckle. “Did David really push him into the pool?”

“Yeah. Kid’s got fight,” Alec smiles. “The fucker called Max an idiot and David got triggered and then-”

“He called Max a what?” Magnus bristles. 

Max hates being called an idiot. Magnus has noticed the way the little boy’s face falls every time Rafe uses the word. He has been meaning to talk to Rafe about it. 

He had only met Asmodeus once. Just once. 

And he will never forget it. 

The things he had said. The things he had made him feel. 

He’ll be damned if his children have to suffer through this. 

“Magnus,” Alec pulls at him gently. “It’s alright. I handled it. Just…Just next time, talk to-”

“There won’t be a next time,” Magnus says seriously and takes out his phone. “Excuse me.”

She picks up on the third ring. “Magnus. I wasn’t expect-“

“What were you thinking?” Magnus demands. “You know how I feel about him. You know I don’t want him near me or my family. How could you, Shinyun?”

She is quiet for a moment, which is new. “I’m sorry. He forced my hand.”

“You are not a child anymore!” Magnus says in frustration. “You cannot let him manipulate you or coerce you into hurting other people. This isn’t just on him. This on you.”

“Magnus-”

“At least you could have warned me,” Magnus groans. “You could have told me-”

“You know he watches my every move!” She groans right back. “If he had know I would betray him like this, he would have-”

“I don’t care, Shinyun! I don’t care what he would have done!” Magnus yells. “There is nothing I care more about than my children and the safety of my family. You jeopardised it by bringing him to New York and-”

“There is no need to be so dramatic, Magnus!” She sounds frustrated now. “He didn’t hurt your children!”

Children. 

Children. Plural. 

He needs to talk to Rafe. Now. 

“He just wants to see his family,” Shinyun says now. “You might not want anything to do with Edom. But your children might. Asmodeus is only ensuring the future of Edom and-”

“I’m going to be very clear. So, listen carefully, ” Magnus interrupts her, his voice firm. “If Asmodeus ever tries to contact my children or seeks them out in any way, I will come down to London and burn Edom to the ground. That’s a promise. He wants to hear from me? That’s what I have to tell him. Tell him I said that.”

“Magnus-”

“And you,” Magnus whispers, his voice low. “If you ever betray me like this, I will burn our friendship to the ground too. Don’t think I won’t do it.”

“Magnus. Plea-”

He hands up the call and goes back to Alec. 

- Sundays are for deleted scenes and easter celebrations. Happy easter!

Cute and beautiful moodboard by @all-the-cool-ones-are-gone

[izusun]

Headcanon: Izuku is into DIY.

Hot Take: Izuku would create a long furby. He has a collection of various eldritch creepy long furbies. Katsuki absolutely refuses to go into his room because of them. He would've exploded them by now but that would make Izuku cry.

Other CursedTM Things that Izuku does that makes Katsuki die inside and that Katsuki tries to hide from the rest of Class 1-A:

He's a part of the Vulture Culture community and collects roadkill and dead animals to turn into bones.

He has a collection of shitty All Might hawaiian shirts.

He has a collection of stuffed animals. They all have names ripped from Lovecraft such as "Yawgsathoth" and "Mother of Pus"

He writes fanfiction of the heroes.

He has a giant worm on a string plush, and his room is also decorated with Worms on Strings (you have no idea how much Katsuki had to bribe him not to add worms on strings to his uniform blazer)

He does have a plague doctor mask and will regularly just go out in a cloak and his mask

He cosplays exclusively female heroes, and crossdresses the worst dresses

He basically does art makeup, on his face and the face of Katsuki

"Hey what are you reading?" "Oh, this book on how to cook frogs."

He will eat anything. Including stuff that is on the ground. He has an iron stomach.

The actual reason Izuku hangs up All Might everywhere (it used to be a mix of all heroes) is because once in middle school Katsuki accused him of being straight, so he put him up everywhere and continued the habit, Katsuki hates his room now

- Goblin Anon (otherwise known as Goblin anon projects everything she does or wants to do onto her fav)

HI GOBLIN!!! GENUINELY SCREAMED AT THIS AU BECAUSE WTF

even i would not want to enter the beloved’s (izuku’s) room because of his shit.

i’ve searched up long furbys and i am, simply put, traumatized. i had a collection of furbys when i was a kid but we had to give them away because there’s too much of them. but long furbys? i am very much scared.

there’d be a picture of a long furby under the cut, and i’m genuinely terrified of the fucker.

also, can i just say that izuku writing fanfictions is the least cursed thing that he does? because like, reading the rest is like looking at that picture where you can’t decipher a single thing because, again, wtf izuku.

but they’re also funnier? creepier? because i can genuinely see izuku doing those dhekdoowks

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this shit would probably be snaking around the frames of izuku’s door. or he probably has one at the corner of his wall, the one that meets with the ceiling, and when a visitor looks up, they’re greeted by the sight of this centipede looking furby that has additional four eyes that izuku lovingly and carefully sewn on. it’s so nightmarish :’)

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the vulture culture part started when they were young. his interest started when he saw a documentary on how to pin butterflies and he was like, “you know what? thats actually something i want to do!” but! BUT!! he cannot catch a butterfly, thus he settled for mounting dragonflies which he collected in the nearby stream (where katsuki fell).

fun fact about mounting dragonflies: they lose colours when they’re dead. you can use acetone to not only help preserve its colours, but also to stop its decay. they decay so quickly, it’s terrible.

anyways, izuku does not know that and instead followed a youtube video of how to mount dragonflies, using an old picture frame as the case.

inko comes home, sees his son doing his stuff and is just happy that izuku’s not rewatching that loud all might video. she helps him pin the other wings and they are fascinated at how pretty they look. well, the next day, the wings are now transparent and the belly side of the dragonflies are black. it also stinks so they had to throw the whole thing plus the case.

izuku’s fascination grows from there.

a failed experiment, after all, instigates the desire to right them.

so that’s where he starts: butterflies, moths, beetles, another dragonfly case.

katsuki is fascinated and disgusted because, “why would you want dead insects in your room, deku?”

the rest began when the bakugou’s and the midoriya’s have road trips. inko doesn’t have a car so the bakugou’s drive along with them, and it’s a good day. the kids are having fun and getting along, and the parents are chilling and enjoying their vacation. life is good.

then on their drive home, izuku, who is sitting sandwiched between katsuki and inko, lets out this blood-curdling scream. it wakes katsuki up and almost had masaru swerving the car out of the highway.

“maru-san (because my boy izuku cannot say masaru) can you please stop the car! i wanna get that!” he screams, pointing at something indecipherable by the side of the roads.

masaru does anyways because it’s so rare for izuku to request something, but also his heart’s still pumping so fast after izuku’s scream.

masaru wasn’t even done stopping the engine when the car doors are opening, and katsuki and izuku are tumbling out, hand-in-hand. masaru and inko follow them closely, while mitsuki stayed to watch over the car.

katsuki’s excited for an adventure, but then izuku just. stops them. in front of a skull.

masaru chokes from behind them and katsuki lets go of izuku’s hand so fast, running back to his dad because, again, “deku what the shit?”

izuku ignores him and gestures at the deer skull, one that has moss growing by the teeth and around the jaw, turning to inko to ask, “mama? can we bring that home?”

masaru feels very faint, but doesn’t say anything when inko easily agrees, laughing at her boy and patting his untameable hair as if your child asking you for a carcass’s skull is normal.

inko picks it up and they go back to the car. mitsuki does a double-take on what inko’s holding, but shushes up when she saw izuku bouncing happily. katsuki hesitantly sits beside izuku, but when izuku began yammering about all might, he forgets about the skull and nerds out with izuku.

inko explains to mitsuki and masaru about her son’s newfound interest, telling them that it’d go away in two years, don’t worry.

it didn’t. instead, his interest and his collection grew. so for his subsequent birthdays, along with hero merch, he has vulture culture collections gifted to him.

when he moved to the dorms, they’re more packaged than his hero merch and katsuki wants to get angry because he’s been looking for those limited hero merch and yet there they are, chilling beside izuku’s many many skulls and bones.

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IZUKU STARTED COLLECTING THE ALL MIGHT HAWAIIAN SHIRTS WHEN HE WAS TWELVE

he ransacked for the very first edition, often saving his allowance just so he can buy the retro versions of the all might hawaiian shirts. sometimes he’d barter, but that’s only when he’s really desperate for the shirts. usually he’d just be in an auction site and buy just those.

he’d take katsuki with him and katsuki is very careful in what to buy, often researching the things and having a very long pros and cons list to narrow down what he’d buy, then his best bud izuku just out there buying all might hawaiian shirts.

funniest thing too is that those are the first to go because they? don’t value much? and they’re ugly, tbh, and yet izuku’s slurping them all up.

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the first time class 1a were talking about plushies, izuku dropped the names and they’re confused because-

“bro did you name your plushies with lovecraft names?” OR “bro? do you perhaps have personalized lovecraft toys?”

it’s the earlier one but izuku would want to buy personalized lovecraft monster toys.

ok but? he names them as per the appropriate lovecraft characters? like:

a purple octopus plushie is called azathoth.

a green gecko plushie is called bokrug.

a fish plushie (literally nemo) is called dagon instead of nemo.

a pink jellyfish plushie is mother of pus.

he has other plushies that have normal names (well, as normal as naming a plushie “cheese grater”), but he has a collection of specific plushies that align with lovecraft beings.

he writes all might x reader fanfictions, i’m sorry ;v;

he only writes them because he doesn’t want other heroes with all might, but also the reader pairing gets more views than all might with other heroes.

katsuki caught him writing a slowburn, enemies to lovers all might x reader fanfic and proceeded to proofread it for him.

synopsis of the fanfiction: reader is a villain with a sound quirk (tailored to present mic’s quirk) and all might met them in a hero gala where the reader pretended to be a worker so that they could infiltrate the gala’s holder’s office for a specific banking access that is linked to the world’s bank. all might manages to sniff them out and proceeds to fight them, but when a beam is about to hit the reader, all might swoops in and saves them. cue the reader developing unwanted feelings for their greatest foe, all might.

aND THEN!!! all might knows the reader outside of their villain persona and is actually very much taken by them. so it’s a painful surprise that the reader is a villain. but he is willing to save them.

it is still incomplete despite having 102 chapters. by chapter 78, katsuki asked for payment because shit was too long and too angsty.

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HEISOSL IZUKU HAS A WORM ON A STRING DOOR CURTAIN

he genuinely likes them but creating the door curtain kind of extinguished that interest because that’s just too much worms and too much strings for a single curtain, and it was very much tiring.

he has a tiny one stitched on his blazer and inko heaved this really big sigh when she saw that her son’s crisp UA uniform got a worm by the chest pocket.

aizawa eyed it once and was so close to expelling izuku just because of that.

shouto, when they became friends, sends a box of them to izuku because he thought that those are izuku’s favourite. katsuki had not stopped cackling when he saw the huge box of them.

to punish katsuki, he made a furby with worm hair and left it by katsuki’s door. katsuki’s scream woke everyone up.

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the moment he walked out with a plague mask, tokoyami was exiting his dorm room too and they made a long eye contact.

tokoyami does not know if he is amazed by izuku’s plague mask or he is terrified because why does it look authentic.

for halloween, he was a plague doctor.

he stowed them away after saving eri.

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his first women hero cosplay was in third grade when they had a play about different heroes. the girl who was playing ragdoll got sick and everyone’s already strapped in as their hero and unwilling to change. izuku, himself, is present mic (katsuki’s all might).

the girls don’t want to give up their heroes and izuku, the bestest boy, goes and says he will become ragdoll.

their teacher agrees and helps him strap in as ragdoll and you know what, izuku loves it.

from then on, he tries to cosplay as much women heroes that he can afford. inko loves helping him and katsuki thinks he is adorable but! dont tell deku!!!

OK BUT he wore the dress that broke the internet once and katsuki almost exploded the dress off him. almost because izuku dodged and warned him that if he ever breaks that dress, katsuki will have to pay (either monetary or revenge, katsuki doesn’t know so he behaved).

FOR HALLOWEEN, HE WORE THIS AND KATSUKI HATES IT

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izuku painting star freckles on his face!!!! or heart freckles!!!! or flowers!!!!

izuku in fairy makeup, pleaseee!

he also loves giving katsuki his own freckles because something about blonde hair and red eyes with pale cheeks kissed by freckles is making izuku gay panic.

izuku putting concealer on his own freckles once and his classmates are looking at him weirdly, wondering why he looks off?

like he still looks amazing, but something’s missing. it’s fucking them up and katsuki isn’t helping them so they’re trying to piece what’s up.

it takes monoma sneering at izuku and asking where his eight freckles are that 1a realizes why he looks different.

ok but denki asking monoma why he knows how much freckles izuku has and monoma spluttering, bright red and embarrassed, until he just walks away.

(answer: he’s crushing on green bean).

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IZUKU HAVING A COLLECTION OF LIKE ARCHAIC? BREWING? STUFF? BOOKS.

i dont know how to explain it but my friend has this specific book about poisons, detailing recipes and ingredients.

it also talks about the use of frogs, lizards, snakes. the benefits of different flowers (ones with toxins) and how to use them during tea time.

it’s bizarre but the book looks pretty so i think izuku would have a handful of those in his room.

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izuku eating grass? flowers? trying dandelions and complaining that it’s furry

izuku wandering what a twig tastes like so he just sucks on it like a lollipop.

inko gave up on stopping him because her son would just eat anything but his broccolis, and she’s very much tired of thinking if izuku would have an upset stomach. he never had.

first time mitsuki saw izuku do that, she forced him to drink cola and eat candy to cleanse his palette.

katsuki goads him on eating more.

izuku’s favourite is chewing on maple leaves. he’s just a weird boy.

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OK BUT THE FINAL ONE ABOUT HIS ALL MIGHT POSTERS?? I HAVENT STOPPED LAUGHINGF

izuku wanting more all might figurines than posters. he only has some chemistry stuff (periodic table) on his wall, a little tapestry that matches inko’s, a canvas of monet’s water lilies (again, matching inko), and some cosmic facts that he bought online.

and yk katsuki sees those and thinks that it’s so weird that izuku has those posters but not all might?

his first thought was, “he doesn’t like all might as much as i do.”

the following one is, “he’s straight so he doesn’t want a guy’s face on his wall.”

katsuki’s mouth so happens to say the second one and the next week he visited izuku’s room again, each surface of the wall that is not taken by pinned insects and his frog-book stuff, plus his other existing non-hero posters, is covered in just all might posters.

he belatedly realizes that his own face is also on izuku’s wall, but that’s for later musings because for now he’s jealous that izuku managed to scourge the limited all might posters, but also is disgusted a bit because that’s too much all might.

katsuki walks out before his interest in all might plummets.

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ps to my beloved: ﹤୨♡୧﹥

GOBLIN I LOVE YOUR AUS ALL THE TIME AND IM SORRY FOR RESPONDING SO LATE! YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE AND I LOVE U!!!! you’re genuinely so precious pls dont stop your ramblings!!!!