#people eating anything if they're hungry enough. or his nightmares even after he comes back from the dead

[llycaons]

in hindsight I was extremely burned out on shonen in 2020 because when I watched cql I remember such intense relief that I wouldn’t have to sit through a training montage. like oh they’re already fully trained cultivators. thank god

[mdzs-owns-my-ass-i-guess]

I hope I don't murder me (I hope I don't burden you)

AU in which Lan Wangji stays in the Burial Mounds with Wei Wuxian and the Wen remnants

idea here

Living in the Burial Mounds isn't easy - not that Lan Wangji expected it to be. He's known what he was getting into, and his expectations have been correct - but this isn't about the shoddy houses, the cold, damp cave he shares with Wei Ying or the scarce food.

Lan Wangji is fine with those. He doesn't care about comfort and luxury, and as long as he can be by Wei Ying's side, he doesn't need anything else.

What is difficult is watching Wei Ying grind himself near into nothingness every single day. His cultivation is eating away at him, no matter how much he argues otherwise. Perhaps it's not in the way Lan Wangji thought it to be - Wei Ying is very much still lucid - the corruption comes more from his lack of oversight for his own existence.

He works himself into exhaustion inventing spells and talismans every single day, and he fights off the Burial Mounds' whims every time they shake with resentment and threaten the little settlement's fragile safety. He doesn't eat much, if at all, always arguing he isn't hungry, and he sleeps only when he can't keep himself upright anymore. Lan Wangji gets why he doesn't like to sleep - he has nightmares every time he does, and Lan Wangji struggles to bring him out of them every time, for hours on end, breaking away at whatever horrors the Burial Mounds have conjured for him.

To put it bluntly, Wei Ying is wasting away. And Lan Wangji can do nothing but watch - Wei Ying still won't tell him why he's given up the orthodox path of cultivation, he waves away any concern and though he seems to be appreciating any attempts Lan Wangji makes to bring him food or take him to bed (not like that, they're still on a very limited touch basis), he doesn't seem to be getting that much better.

And Lan Wangji doesn't want him to die. Not now, not like this, not ever. After all, the only reason he left the Lan was so he could take care of Wei Ying, protect him, and perhaps even love him, if he'd be allowed. There must be something he can do to make Wei Ying even just a little bit happier than he is now, even if just for a day, even if only to see him smile - smile again, like he used to before the world turned against him and he found his home with the dead, bright and beautiful and sincere.

--

Wei Ying returns from the markets with Wen Ning in tow, flinging about two empty baskets of radishes. They've had a miraculously profitable day today - turns out, some parasite has ruined the radish harvests in the nearby region, making Wei Ying's radishes the only viable ones around.

"People are going to think you cursed the fields to sell your yield." Wen Qing laughed as she counted the large coin pouch Wei Ying's so proudly given her.

"You know what, I could do that. Technically. It sounds like a very Jin thing to do, but the profits would be massive."

Wen Qing shoves at him playfully. "At least there's Hanguang-Jun to reel you in, you get the most chaotic ideas."

"You're one to talk." Then Wei Ying looks around, pouting slightly. "Where's Lan Zhan?"

"I don't know, around probably?" She shrugs. "To be fair, I haven't seen him at all today now that I think about it. He left just after you two did, and he was carrying something."

"Did he tell you where he'd be going?"

"No."

Wei Ying's expression falls. "Oh... Maybe he's finally had enough of this place and he left..."

"Where to? He's not allowed in the Cloud Recesses anymore."

"He's still talking to Zewu-Jun, so..." A sad smile, "I mean, if you didn't have to, would you willingly stay here of all places?"

Wen Qing sends him a sympathetic look, and reaches to poke his forehead lovingly. "He's not the type to just up and leave like that. He'll be back before you know it. And if he really did leave, I'll hunt him down and gut him alive for you."

Wei Ying tries to laugh at that but he can't, not really. "I wouldn't blame him if he did leave... I just..." He swallows, hard, "I don't know... I'm going to... work or something."

He leaves before Wen Qing can say anything, and gratefully walks out into the harsh winds announcing an upcoming storm, his tears lost in the wisps of cold air and resentment.

--

His cave is lonely as he has forgotten it should be. He hates that he has forgotten it - why did he allow himself to get used to somebody always waiting for him at the end of the day, ready to listen if he had anything to say, or just sharing in the silence? Of course it wouldn't last long.

Normal people don't live in mass graves. Normal people don't - they don't love the people living in the mass graves.

Not that Lan Zhan would ever love him, but...

Wei Ying lights up the candle at his work desk and decides he's not going to be thinking of anything but his talismans and his arrays. They don't give him false hope, they don't make him feel like he matters and then leave out of nowhere. They don't pretend like they care when they actually don't.

A tear messes the characters on his prototype for a cleansing talisman and Wei Ying angrily throws it away over his shoulder, his vision blurry. He's angry and disillusioned and hurt - and he doesn't know why! Of course Lan Zhan would go, why would he stay? What's there for him to stay in this wretched place for? What would even keep him tethered here, to this hellhole?!

Wei Ying flings a hand over his desk and everything falls haphazardly around, tears sliding freely down his face.

Why would Lan Zhan - why would anyone even fucking stay - stay there?! Stay there for... for someone like...

Wei Ying folds his hands into a makeshift pillow on the rock he uses as a table and buries his face in it, crying silently. How could he have been so stupid? Lan Zhan is a good person, but... there really is nothing keeping here, there never has been. And... and it's better if he's gone.

He doesn't deserve to live the rest of his life in the Burial Mounds, around someone that he probably doesn't even really like all that much. He probably just wanted to help cause he's righteous and felt bad for the Wen remnants and A-Yuan... but there's a limit to everybody's kindness, probably. Maybe he got sick of the poverty and the struggles, and having to wake up to Wei Ying's screaming every night, maybe he got tired of being around someone that's... more dead than alive.

Maybe... maybe it's better this way. Wei Ying's probably been an unnecessary burden to Lan Zhan anyway. Even if he tried to keep quiet as he worked at night, even if he tried not to take much of anything for himself so as not to seem greedy, even if... even if...

Wei Ying bought something for Lan Zhan from the markets today. He made so much money selling vegetables that he figured he could surprise the other with a little trinket, switching their roles for once. He would be the one to give Lan Zhan a gift this time - he's helped everyone so much, and of course a little item doesn't balance any of it out, but Wei Ying thought it would be... cute. He thought Lan Zhan might like it... It's an ornament for his robes, two white jade bunnies hanging off a beautifully embroidered blue ribbon.

But now that Wei Ying looks at it, he realizes Lan Zhan would probably hate it. He'd never say it outright, but why would he even like it? It's just a stupid thing that cost too much money.

What has Wei Ying been thinking buying it? Wasting money? Thinking it would mean anything? Trusting? Believing? Hoping? Loving?

What has he been thinking?

---

Lan Wangji returns so late in the night he's quite sure he's about to fall asleep at the boundary of the Burial Mounds. He's carrying a lot of things, including food and alcohol that he must be careful not to spill, fragile items and, of course, his own very sleepy self.

He really hasn't expected all that shopping to take so long, but then again he hasn't done much of it himself until now, so perhaps this is how it should be. Lan Wangji is tired, but grateful - Lan Xichen sent him a lot of money, as he requested, and he could get everything he could think Wei Ying would like.

Lan Xichen doesn't agree with his brother's decision to live in the Burial Mounds - nobody in their clan or sect does. But unlike all the people that have renegaded him and forbade him from ever returning home, Lan Xichen still loves him and helps him with everything that he can, risking his relationship with the elders' council and even his sect leader position to send him money and gifts secretly.

Lan Wangji needs to thank him properly for all that he does, though he doesn't know how. It's through his kindness that Lan Wangji has been able to prepare all these things for Wei Ying. And though nobody will notice the money missing, it's still a risk to take.

The Burial Mounds are jarring to walk into, even more so at night. It's just rained as well, and the smell is even more pungent now, rot and petrichor intermixed with the faintest trace of blood, both fresh and old.

The ground beneath Lan Wangji's feet has softened into a formless mass of mud, and he has to use Bichen's glare to see what he's stepping on, the beings living in it ready to grab at him. They reach their... hands towards him, grunting and growling with resentment, and though he isn’t exactly scared (he’s a cultivator, after all, he can’t be scared), he wishes he could just mount his sword and fly his way home. But the fog of resentment overhead is so thick he doubts he would be able to maneuver, and if he gets lost in it, there will be no way out for him.

He can’t use much of his cultivation knowledge either – that only serves to attract the dwellers of the Burial Mounds, all ready to devour some new flesh, feast on living souls and bring another into their ranks.

So all that Lan Wangji has left to do is focus on where he is going, ignore the bellowing screams in his ears, the terrifying apparitions, the phantom pains – and imagine he will soon be safe, home, with Wei Ying, and he will give Wei Ying a nice, relaxing evening to enjoy after a long day’s work.

He pointedly refuses the laughing voices of resentment that tell him he is not wanted here, that he will only bring trouble, that Wei Ying doesn’t love him, that he should just give up, come join us, come to us, be with us, be one of us...

--

Lan Wangji feels like he’s been born again the moment he steps into the protective array that Wei Ying’s set up to guard the Wen settlement. He can finally breathe fresher air, his mind clears immediately and he’s overcome with a sense of relief that settles pleasantly into his stomach, his limbs only a little bit unsteady with the feeling.

Exhaustion catches up to him as well, and he knows he won’t be able to be awake for much longer – bit he knows Wei Ying is, and Lan Wangji wants to brighten up his mood right now more than he wants to rest.

There will be plenty of time for that later.

With a much lighter heart, yearning almost, Lan Wangji walks into Wei Ying’s cave, barely suppressing an excited smile. Wei Ying is going to be so happy!

--

He finds the cave in disarray, and Wei Ying hunched over his table, asleep, surrounded by a mess of notes, ink and broken brushes. The side of his face shines with fresh tears, his cheeks wet, features drawn into a pained expression.

Lan Wangji’s brows furrow, and he places all the items he’s brought near the sleeping mats, walking up to Wei Ying slowly so as not to startle him.

“Wei Ying?”

Resentment materializes out of nothing, blocking his path.

Leave!

Lan Wangji is tired of this already. He’s heard every variation of that on his way home and he’s running out of patience for it.

Leave him alone! You’ve hurt him!

Now that’s new. He has done no such thing - he’s been so careful to respect Wei Ying’s boundaries, took care of him, did his utmost to help him... the Burial Mounds may be horrible, but they love Wei Ying and they’re merciful to those that are kind to him. And Lan Wangji has been just that, kind and devoted to the point of leaving his whole life behind for Wei Ying, no holds barred and no regrets.

This has never happened before, either. The Burial Mounds have received him... well, if one could say that. He never got attacked before, now that he thinks about it, and though he put tonight’s unrest on the resentment just being more active in the dark, he's realizing that there be more to it than that.

He wants to see what's wrong with Wei Ying, though, resentment and the Burial Mounds be damned. And if he has to physically fight this thing, he will - it's not like that would be new.

Lan Wangji draws out Bichen and decides he's just going to go right through this thing if it refuses to get out of his way. And perhaps this is not a very wise choice, but he is tired, worried and still jarred by all the horrors he's encountered in the way here - but he's charging at it before he gives himself the time to really calculate. It's almost like an instinct, wanting to get to Wei Ying and comfort him, and he won't let anyone or anything stand in the way of that.

Bichen's blade pierces through the mass of resentful energy, and it only disperses enough so it dodges the hit. Before Lan Wangji can realize, pain overcomes him from everywhere inside him, as though all his organs have ruptured all at once. He doesn't want to scream, but it's ripped out of him before he knows it, and, for a moment his vision blacks out. He distantly notes that he's never faced resentment this strong, and wonders whether this is the kind of thing Wei Ying had to live through in the three months that he was away. He hopes not. He hopes that this is just the Burial Mounds deciding to hate him in particular, and that it was different for Wei Ying back then.

He coughs out a mouthful of blood and realizes he's dropped his sword at some point. He tries to summon it, but he can't find enough spiritual energy in himself to do it. Is this how he's going to die? Will Wei Ying have to wake up and find him dead? Maybe there will be nothing left of him for Wei Ying to find, that would be easier to deal with, right?

The world is starting to become fuzzy at the edges, or maybe it's just Lan Wangji's tears blurring his vision. He wants, selfishly, his last image to be Wei Ying, and he makes the herculean effort to move his eyes towards where he's still asleep.

Perhaps Lan Wangji is indeed dying - because he thinks he sees Wei Ying jump awake and scream.

--

There is a song.

Lan Wangji recognizes it, it flows around him like a soft, gentle warmth, beckoning him towards... somewhere. He doesn't know where, he doesn't even know where he is right now - doesn't even feel like he is anywhere or anything at all. But even as he is, formless and incorporeal, he's compelled to follow the song, beautifully played on a flute.

It's his song, he made it. He made it for the person he loves, even if he didn't know it at the time and even if it is that person that doesn't know it now.

Slowly, like waddling through deep, heavy waters, Lan Wangji returns to his body. He feels warmth around him, and realizes he's leaning against someone's chest, their heartbeat rhythmic in his ears. The knowledge makes him smile, the movement difficult but inevitable.

"Lan Zhan, are you awake yet?"

"Mn..."

He feels Wei Ying kiss the top of his head, running a hand down his back comfortingly.

"You feelin' better?"

"Mhm."

There is a pause. Lan Wangji can hear the heartbeat underneath his ear quicken, and Wei Ying takes in a deep, shaky breath.

"I'm sorry." he says, at last, his voice soft. "This is all my fault... I thought you left and... you know resentment responds to my emotions so it thought... it was-"

"Trying to protect you." Lan Wangji interrupts, "I get that."

"Lan Zhan... you almost..." another deep breath. "This shouldn't have happened..."

"Wei Ying-"

"No, listen, I-I found... the things you got for me... You're always so good and so kind to me and to everyone else, and you've sacrificed so much for us, we all really don't deserve you. I don't deserve you."

Lan Zhan finally manages to open his eyes, blinking to adjust to the faint lighting in the cave. "Why are you talking like you're wanting me to leave?"

"Because I do."

Lan Zhan lifts his head, confused, to look at Wei Ying, and sees his eyes glisten with unshed tears.

"It's dangerous for you to be around me, Lan Zhan. You shouldn't be risking your life living here, and if you ask Zewu-Jun, maybe he'll convince the elders to-"

"I don't want to leave you, Wei Ying."

"And I don't want you to die because of me."

Lan Wangji reaches a hand to hold the side of Wei Ying's face, wiping the tear that's just fallen down his cheek. "Don't make me leave, Wei Ying."

"Lan Zhan..." Wei Ying covers Lan Wangji's hand with his own. "I had to - I had to put your soul back into your body... You died. I held you as you died. What if I fail next time and I lose you forever?" Wei Ying holds him tighter now, a slight shake to his body as he cries. "I'd rather let you go alive, than live with the knowledge that I-"

It takes all of Lan Wangji's strength to lift himself up enough to leave a soft kiss over Wei Ying's trembling lips. "I love you."

It feels so freeing to say it that Lan Wangji wonders why he held onto this confession for so long, why it took him so long to say it.

"I love you." he repeats, and the words taste sweeter than any dessert he's ever had. "And I don't want to be away from you. I want to share my life with you."

Wei Ying leans down to kiss him back, and Lan Wangji realizes he's never been happier than right now, nothing he has ever achieved has ever felt like the fireworks Wei Ying's lit under his skin.

"What if there will be no life to share, Lan Zhan?" He asks, smiling, tearfully, as he traces the seam of Lan Zhan's lips.

"Then I'll come back to you in the next one."

[ikemenomegas]

Ooh that poly au piece was so cute! Maybe its because their dynamics with the alpha is cute but maybe its also bc if they're in a poly rs, it means that nobody died which is great! But i was also wondering what Suguru or Satoru would do if they felt possessive or jealous

Was it cute XD, am I cursed to forever be cute even when I am really trying. Maybe I need to try harder...

Let's say it out loud: Suguru is the kind of person to expressly lure you into fucking him on every plausible surface in the house. Satoru is the kind of person to fully imply that you are going to fuck him in the next five minutes just to let other people he's taken and so are you.

Here's the bit nonnie, they're always possessive, and they're the most jealous people you've ever met. For someone with the bad fortune to be a little too aware of this, it's a nightmare lol. This alpha is either oblivious to or unconcerned by or both when it comes to a good portion of their behavior, and the rest of it they probably agree with.

Alpha is perfectly capable of handling themself when it comes to oglers and flirtatious people who can't take a hint. It will never mean anything to them, it barely even registers because their mind is always elsewhere and never decided on finding someone to date before Satoru and Suguru happend. You have walked away in the middle of someone trying to ask you out on a date because Satoru called your name or you caught sight of a snack.

As you get older though, your tolerance for disrespect goes down lol, especially after you bond with them. It sort of makes sense because you can tolerate a lot of insult, but when it comes to Suguru and Satoru there are days where your patience is on the floor. So... people who don't believe in omega rights or respect personal space should be wary. It's a shame because Suguru won't let you beat anyone up and Satoru's so obvious and huge that when he's around mostly he can loom and interlopers will go away.

They're unbearable about it afterwards though. Suguru pretends to be disappointed in you for losing your temper even though the only reason he's holding you back is so he can get to your target first. Satoru sulks around and baits you because he thinks its kind of hot when you actually release your inhibitions but also he knows being directionlessly angry eventually makes you sort of blank so he diffuses the emotion.

Satoru overall will put on a show. He scents you in public, he pulls you right up against his body, if he's feeling particularly irritated, he'll punish you with a bit of public (or private) humiliation. Spicy rules this week so - that means he'll make fun of you for being so hungry for him while he's gripping your hips and making you ride him or using your body in whatever way he wants, alpha is just a sex toy for his amusement, and he doesn't share except with his other half. He'll also do silly petty things like pull whatever you're reaching for out of your reach. If you ask him for a bit of food he'll make you chase it and eat it from his fingers. There's been a handful of times when he's gotten very possessive for some reason and during these times he won't let you take missions - you don't know it, they just stop requesting you and suddenly look at that you have a whole day to spend with him.

Suguru is more insidious with his possessive behavior lol. It doesn't read like possessive from the outside, not unless you can hear the things he's saying. He will insult anyone of any dynamic who he doesn't think is good enough for you, either in a way they won't notice until the two of your are long gone or out loud, but acting like he's talking to you so he has plausible deniability. He will actively guilt trip you about whatever made him jealous. He'll slowly bring up the details of an interaction or imitate a behavior you know he finds particularly irritating to witness and then you know, Suguru is upset and he expects you to try and fix it. And he'll draw it out too. Suguru experiences sexual desire in a way that's very different from Satoru, mostly because he finds you sexually very appealing. There's times Suguru comes at you like a man starved. When he can press the advantage, he does. He knows he has your full and undiluted attention while you seek his forgiveness and better humor. This place where you're fully focused on him is a place he finds interesting to engage with. Expect pillow princess behavior, edging (of you), overstimulation (of you but not so far you lose focus on him), but it always ends in an intense kind of love making that probably makes you forget your own desperation until the next time he gets like this.

All jokes aside, I like poly au for the same reason, it means things are fixed (ish) and fine (ish) again.

[one-piece-aus]

La Seine

Law x Skypiean!Reader | Music 100 Milestone Event

Law + Classical Music + Slow Burn + Love Connection | Requested by: @chocolate-n-cheese

2 weeks have passed since Law had escaped White Town. The boy had visited every hospital he could find, not one had a cure for his amber lead disease, and what made it worse had been the very fact he was treated like a monster. Cast out, chased down by authorities, and terrified everyone that crossed his path. Law couldn't even find a decent place for shelter, he didn't have cash but even if did it's not as if any inns would welcome him.

So there he sat in an alley, wrapping himself in rags that were scattered around near the trash. The place he rested was damp from the specks of snow that managed to fall in the narrow area, and the temperature was low enough for him to be able to see his breath. Shaking like a leaf, he pulled the fabric closer to his body when laughter and music began to play from inside one of the buildings.

The sound almost made Law cry, it had been a long time since he listened to music and it reminded him of the festivals that White Town once held. He missed his home, his family-

"[Y/n] where do you think you're going?"

"I'm just taking out the trash."

A door to the back alley opened, a soft light shade poured into the outside and you stepped out, tugging a black trash bag behind you. Law sucked in a breath and slowly back-crawled, not wanting to be discovered. The boy was already out of energy from escaping the marines that hunted him earlier that day, he didn't want to run again. However, it's as if the world hated him because of a bag of bottles that chined against each other when he back into them.

You heard the noise and glanced over to where it came from. You were met with wide eyes staring into your, Law flinched and ducked down. Concerned, you placed a stone in front of the door so it wouldn't close, you cautiously crept towards the boy.

"Are you okay?" You asked, your voice softer than a pillow as to show you meant no harm.

"Go... go away." Law barked, burying his face into his arms so you wouldn't see the white spots on his face.

"Why?" You innocently inquired.

"Because... because I'm a monster, people like you are scared of me! You'll just scream and call for help."

Small giggles were heard, causing Law to look up with an irritated expression. Was this girl laughing at him? Before he could ask what was amusing, you spoke.

"If you're a monster then what does that make me?"

Law lifted his head to see what you were talking about when he thought an angel was standing in front of him. Easy mistake because you had white feathery wings on your back, at first Law concluded they might have been a fake prop but he scraped that when he witnessed the wings shake off the snow that collected on them. You smiled at him and one of your wings gave him a wave. Law stared at you in awe, having not seen anything like this before.

You held out a hand for Law, he glanced at it and back at you nervously. Hesitantly, he reached out and grabbed your hand. Quickly, he wiped his head to the side, not wanting to see the scared expression you'd give once you saw the little white spots on his hand.

Seconds passed and he didn't hear any gasp or horrified cry. Puzzled, Law looked at you wondering why you didn't say anything. He frowned his brows and pointed at one of the small white spots, he thought you might've not seen it because they were so small. Was it stupid to do that? Probably but he didn't want you to realize later and be given false hope.

"Don't worry, I have marks too," you reassured him and lifted the side of your shirt to show a bruised spot on your ribs. Law winced, seeing the discoloured spot on your skin. "Rocks hit hard, I think it's better when they're tomatoes." You looked back at Law, unfazed by what you showed him and kept your smile. "Come on, let's get out of the snow."

The boy took your hand a propped himself onto his feet. Carefully, you glanced around to make sure no one was around before taking Law under your small wing and leading him inside.

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

"Law, psst, Law!"

The said boy blinked his eyes opened to see a little girl waving a hand in front of his face. Rubbing his eye to wake up, Law recollected what happened earlier in the night. You had snuck him inside to the attic where you stayed, a nice gesture though he was still worried he'd be found. Fortunately, you, and only you, discovered there had been a little hidden room in the attic behind a small door. That's was your secret hideout and now it's being used as Law's home.

"I managed to grab some food for you," you exclaimed in a hushed tone and held up a pouch. "I don't know about you, but I know I was hungry back when I was sleeping in alleys, so I figured you might be too."

"Yeah-uh... yeah, thank- thank you, [Y/n]-ya." Law didn't want to admit it but he was starving. A smile grew on his face when he opened it to see cheese and grapes.

It had become a routine the next few days; you left during the day and came back later in the evening with food you managed to snag for Law. Neither of you had to worry about water because you had a stash of bottled water in the attic. The evening would then be small talk between the two of you until one yawned and call it a night, you'd go back to your part of the attic and he'd snuggled in the makeshift fort of blankets & pillows. However, almost every night Law would wake up from a nightmare of his old town, he never told you about it... then one night-

Law jolted up, breath racing and tears falling from his eyes. He pulled his hat over his eyes and hugged his knees, sniffling and cursing the marines under his breath. The night slowly grew still as Law calmed down, yet he could catch the faint sound of something when he did.

Curious, Law crawled over and pressed an ear against the small door. He concentrated on the sound he had heard, but it wasn't a sound. It was a voice...

"She's resplendent, so confident~"

A voice of an angel.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

The singing was soft and soothing.

"I realize, I'm hypnotized~"

The voice intrigued Law, and slowly he opened the door.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

He peaked out, searching for the source.

"I hear the moon singing a tune~"

That's when his eyes landed on you, engulfed in the moon as she sat on the ledge of the attic window.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

Your gaze rested on the view outside the window, unaware of Law.

"Is she divine, Is it the wine~"

A small warmth filled in Law's chest and his cheeks became dusted with red.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

He watches in awe as he listened to the most beautiful thing he ever heard.

"I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I

I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I..."

The stinging memories of the past were now no longer on Law's mind, replaced by the angel he saw before him.

"Wow..." Law muttered unconsciously out loud, which caught your attention. You turned your head towards him, a blush erupted on Law's cheeks and he glanced away. "Sorry, sorry-"

"Uh- no I'm sorry," you apologized waving your hands in front of you. "I just sing when I... when I can't sleep. I didn't mean to wake you."

"Don't worry, you didn't wake me. I just... couldn't sleep."

"Oh..."

The room grew quiet, silence walking by the two who both averted their eyes from each other. Once it passed, you spoke up.

"Would you like to sing with me?"

"I don't know if I'll be as good as you," Law said and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Heh, singing isn't about being good, it's about what you feel in your heart."

When Law look back at you, you were now in front of him, a gentle smile on your face. Delicately, you grabbed his hands and lead him to sit by the window sill. From there you taught him the song you were singing moments ago. Law fell asleep on your shoulder that night, and for the first time in a while, Law was able to rest easy.

~~~~~~~ 11 Years Later ~~~~~~~

Arriving at Saboody, the Heart pirates had decided to visit a restaurant for something to eat. Entering the place, Law couldn't help but notice the stage and currents in the dining area. He turned to the waiter escorting him and his crew to their table.

"What kind of performances does this place have?" Law inquired as he sat down at the table.

"Mostly travelling singers," the waiter answered, handing out the menus. "Though we do have a few who perform regularly. Our most popular attraction is the infamous Angel [Y/n]."

Wait a minute, could it be? The same- no, it was impossible after what happened. Yet as Law became distracted by his thoughts and tuned the waiter out, his eyes drifted to a familiar set of white feathered wings going behind an employee-only door.

"I'll be right back," Law stated to his crew, abruptly getting up from the table and made his way to the door. Glancing around, he stealthy slipped in and found himself in a hallway. He didn't know what he was doing but, he felt as if a red string of fate tied around his hand and pulled him towards the direction of where the winged figure went off to.

Searching for the needle in the haystack, Law began to lose hope that you were actually here, though just as he passed by a door he heard a faint voice. Retracing his steps, Law pressed his ear to the door, listening carefully.

"She's resplendent, so confident~"

There it was, the singing angel he had been searching for.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

No other person could ever hold a candle to your soothing melody.

"I realize, I'm hypnotized~"

Law leaned back on the door, not ready to face you just yet.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

But his lips tugged up as he remembered the song.

"I hear the moon singing a tune~"

And he couldn't help but try to sing with her.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

He carefully wrapped his hand around the doorknob.

"Is she divine, Is it the wine~"

Mentally he braced himself.

"La Seine, La Seine, La Seine~"

Slowly opening the door, he noticed you stopped singing to see who it was but that didn't stop him from continuing.

"I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I

I don't know, don't know, so don't ask me why

That's how we are~ La Seine and I..."

"Law..?" you breathe, feeling as if this was a dream.

"It's been a while [Y/n]-ya," he replies, gazing into your beautiful eyes that stared at him in awe.

"This is real, right?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Law chuckles.

"I see you have tattoos instead of spots now," you comment, gently taking his hand and peering carefully at the ink design.

Law's cheeks become coloured with red as your delicate hands held his. Even after all this time away, the feelings he had for you still stir in his winter heart. You were one of the few people left in this world he was able to connect with and love, however, with you, the love he felt had been more than what he felt with family.

"But you're still someone with few words," you tease, glancing back into his silver eyes.

"And I still mistake you for an angel with those wings."

You giggle but a blush dusts your cheeks, feeling flattered by the tall man in front of you. He has certainly grown into a handsome fellow. You both smile, feeling content with the presence of each other, but that goes when he frowns.

"You don't have your marks, do you?" His voice was cautious, not wishing to remind you of any unpleasant memories.

"Um... there's still one left but I can't really do anything about it..." You subconsciously rub the back of your neck where the celestial symbol was burned into your back just below.

"Unless it gets cover..." Law tells you and takes your hand in his. "By a tattoo... or another mark."

"What would I even get?" You smile at him, wanting his opinion.

"My jolly roger," Law answers. "Join my crew [Y/n]."

This took way longer than I thought it would to make this, and most of the time it was spent on finding the song xD

Anyway, that side, I hope you enjoyed and thank you for your request and follow

[wychive]

𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 — 𝙡. 𝙟𝙮. (#𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙠𝙛𝙣)

fic type // oneshot — 3.9k

prompt // when an individual is born, their magic aura makes itself present indicating what magic they would be using. very few were born with a dark magic aura and died within their first breaths, you were one of the two recorded births that made it. now you were searching for the other one

pairing(s) // juyeon x gn!reader (pltn.)

genre(s) // PG18 & adventure, fluff, angst

warning(s) // knives, stabbing (in a dream), nightmares, mention of food, depiction of anxiety, description of smells, being drunk, deceased major and minor characters, blood, corpses

author's note // it's finally here! i've been working on this for a few weeks already and that's why it's so late :'( thank you to @omigogames for proof reading this ily queen 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 this was for @kpopficsnetwork' s halloween event that they held last october <3 please read the rest of the member's works on the event! i recommend listening to wandering and as the world caves in (at the angsty parts) while reading this as it really sets the mood. i hope you enjoy!!

you wiped the drop of sweat off your forehead as you approached the top of a hill. you sat down on the grassy floor and took out a flask still full of drinking water. you downed a quarter of it, feeling your body re energize as you do so. you never thought it would take this long to search for them.

how many months has it been? five? six? you've lost count, having to travel miles across the world just to find the hidden treasure you've been seeking for years. see, you were born with a 'unique' aura. everyone has their own which determines what kind of magic they would be using for the rest of their lives. your family had the common ice or water elementals but you turned out to be the black swan in a ballet full of snowy white ones.

you were born with an aura that was powerful enough to cause a black out, in other words, you had a dark magic aura and somehow managed to survive throughout the years. your mother was no different from the rest but she tried her best to guide you on controlling your powers or even combine your magic powers with hers to make an elemental combo. she died two years before you went on this journey to find the one only other person who successfully survived their own birth of having this magic aura. the only things you knew about them were that they were at least 20 years older and that they were born as a female.

the fact that only you and one other person have this magical ability made you think about them day and night. were you their soulmate? or did they think of you too? were they a kind or evil person? did they ever confuse people like you did? were they affected by society's comments that they're now shut away in some dungeon? you could go on and on for days about this special person even though you haven't met them yet. you were eager to find them, even if it took you years to do so.

as you wondered about the unique person, you stared into the dark abyss with shining dots, not realising your eyelids were shut soon after. that night you dreamt of all the possible outcomes this journey would end, mostly happy endings where you would find the person and be their friend or you get to spend the rest of your life with them. you did not want to think of the sad ones, yet your mind wanted to see you suffer. nightmares were common as they came with your dark powers but you still hated it when they disturb your perfect sleep. with that, you woke up from a nightmare just as the person was about to strike a knife in your chest.

the pain felt so real that as soon as you woke up, your hand clutched onto your chest. luckily (or not so) you heard the uniform paced heartbeat from your eardrums. this caused you so much as you did not even see that the sun was just above the horizon, greeting the earth a good morning. you sighed in relief as you thank the universe for not getting you eaten by a wild animal.

you stood up, stretching your arms and legs after another night of sleeping on a thick cloth. you packed up your things and placed your sturdy backpack on you before starting your trekking journey. you checked your phone for any updates or news of the world that was not so boring as you began to walk south towards a small town. once approaching the main road, you slipped your phone back into your front pocket before following the flow of cars.

a smile appeared on your face, looking at how idle the town was at eight in the morning. it wasn't so noisy as most of the cars had stopped at diners or cafes for a tasty breakfast. the only things you could hear were people greeting each other with a simple 'hello' and the birds that had just been awoken from their slumber.

you checked the amount of money you had left; apparently, it was enough for you to last three days for all three meals and then it was downhill from there. you shook your head, thinking of ways to earn at least a little bit of money before moving to another town (if you needed to). your eyes drifted from the trees to the bakery that was on the opposite side of the road.

you could see the silhouette of a person placing buns in their respective containers. the person was in chef whites, with their sleeves rolled above their elbows. you really didn't want to catch feelings for anyone at the moment, especially in this state of being homeless and short on money. nonetheless, you were hungry and so you decided that you wanted some fresh baked buns on a saturday morning like this.

as you walked into the cozy bakery, you noticed a variety of desserts and buns arranging from croissants to baked pizza buns. the aroma in the air made your stomach growl. you took one of the pick-up trays and a pair of tongs and immediately went for the custard and red bean buns.

"oh my god," a voice exclaimed followed by a bit of coughing. "why do you smell so bad?"

you brought an arm to your nose, smelling yourself. you actually didn't smell half-bad. it only has been a day since you showered properly, how could it be that bad? you rolled your eyes as you looked in the direction of the voice. ah, it was the silhouette from earlier.

"is this how you greet customers?" you shot back, raising one of your eyebrows.

"no, of course not," the person said. "but your stench is unbearable." they scoffed and shook their head, giving a smug expression.

"well, i'll only be here for just a bit. don't worry about it, i'll be out before your regulars arrive," you said, assuring that you WOULD be out before anything else happened.. but you did not. as you didn't expect the prices of food to be that high.

"look at this place," the employee said, leaning his palms against the edge of the counter. "what did you expect?"

he was right, the place looked like it was straight up from a renaissance painting with its mini chandeliers and pink roses on the sides as decorations. it did look like a modern cafe twisted with some hint of the classics.

"is there anything i could do? to pay for this i mean," you asked them, hiding your embarrassment of the lack of money.

"depends… what kind of element do you use?"

"...ice," you lied. no one would want a rare dark element in their place.

"hm.. i guess we could use some ice making help," they thought, then looked back at you who seemed desperate for the job. yes, it would hold you back on a few days but you really needed the money.. and a place to stay if they let you.

"okay, then. you're hired," they said as they lent out a hand for you to shake. it was covered in leftover flour and smelled like yeast. you grabbed his hand and shook it.

"the name's juyeon, and you?"

"y/n… i'm guessing you're a fire user?" you replied. it was obvious as he was cocky, yet a charming fella. you could say a demon in disguise.

"clever, i like that in people," he smirked, his face looked smug and it really pissed you off- but he might be your new manager or boss so you stuck up to it and let out a simple fake chuckle. "any other questions?

"do i get a place to stay along with the job?"

"no but you could stay over at my place," he acknowledged. your eyes dart around the room before they landed on him, as you let out a laugh.

"excuse me?"

"you heard me. i have a spear bed and everything," he said. you were baffled, it seemed like he didn't care if you were a serial killer, plus, he only knew your first name and what 'element' you responded to. what were you going to do?

"fine," you said, already looking forward to the comfort your body was going to feel once you finally sleep on a mattress.

"alright then, let's get to work barista."

as you both get to his apartment, you gazed at your surroundings. everything looked neat, and not a spick of dust were to be seen. you look at the mini hallway in the studio apartment of his and see two doors, opposite of each other and another at the end of it. before you could even step foot in the kitchen, the male pulled you aside. your reflexes almost caused you to punch his stupid face when you remembered that you were just a guest at this comfort place of his.

"rules," he said, in a stern voice. "one, not too much noise between eleven at night to six in the morning. two, don't use too much of the hot water because i'm touched starved too-"

you rolled your eyes at his last remark, acknowledging that it was a cruel true joke. "-three, save some snacks for me if you're planning to eat it all and four, we leave the bakery together and come back together. i'm not sure who your guardian is but, i'll make sure you're in one piece once you return to them"

"i'm my own guardian, excuse you."

"still, your safety is guaranteed when you're with me," juyeon claimed. you thought it was rubbish but still, he had a bigger brother vibe with the way he spoke and so you went with the flow.

"the left one's mine, the last one's the bathroom," he said, referring to the hallway of doors you were staring at. the muffled sound of news reporters from the television drowned itself in the background when you close the door behind you. a smile appeared on your face as you got to have your own room, without juyeon ever bugging you.

you place your heavy army backpack beside the door as you lay on the bed that was neatly made. you smiled, finally having a proper place to sleep. you thank god for the (annoying) co-worker that you met that day. you didn't even have a chance to shower before your thoughts drifted away, causing you to sleep.

the next morning, juyeon woke you up by shouting your name from the kitchen multiple times. you groaned at the sound of his voice at seven in the morning when you were used to waking up at nine. you sat up and started your day from there. thankfully, it wasn't too exhausting.

a morning walk to the cafe bakery was thankfully peaceful with the both of you not being the big social type nor the small talk type. the warm rays of sunlight made your morning so much better. you began working at the bar, where you produced many types of tea and other refreshing drinks. you managed to conjure up ice easily with some tricks your mother taught as a child.

you introduced yourself to the regulars as a new employee at the place and they politely welcomed you to the town and cafe. their smiles were genuine and sweet, they gave off a motherly feel whenever it appeared. yours, too, was genuine. you missed being in a community like this, so dearly that you almost teared up at the sight of a child being kind to you.

the night was better. the walk back to his place was filled with stories about the regulars that juyeon had been told. you had inserted some dull dad jokes here and there, making him let out a chuckle at least once.

once you both arrived at the apartment, you immediately went to get your shower supplies and headed to the bathroom. while showering, you thought of ways you could find her faster. you have tried multiple ways but still couldn't find solid proof of her whereabouts. you sighed scrubbing the bubbly shampoo onto your scalp. you could ask juyeon for help but your identity would be revealed and he might just kick you out for that. maybe, just maybe, you could keep this act up? for a little longer. at least until you get enough money to live on your own.

that was what you did for the next few months, keeping your act up for the rest of the world. you were careful not to reveal too much of yourself, not spreading too much information across to other people, not even juyeon. even if you had secrets, he still treated you as normal as everyone else. though, he did seem weird at times as if he could read your thoughts. this scared you as it wasn't impossible to learn occlumency even if it took time. over time, you and juyeon developed this best friend bond with each other; protecting and having each other's backs when needed. of course, he was the same person as the one you met on your first day around town which left a sense of comfort in you.

a nightmare dressed as a daydream was what you were as you would sneak out on nights before non-working days. you had to let out a piece of your dark powers out somehow. even if you knew how to conceal them, it didn't mean you could control them forever. you found a cave in the far east where no one would hear nor see you, and so that became your little relaxation cave.

not so long after, you found out that there was a man who could find things you couldn't. some say he had connections to the deeper net or even that he was related to some who were part of an underground gang. nonetheless, it didn't stop you from seeing the fella once a week or two. this method made itself a purpose as he gave you more information than any general person could; her hometown, her family members, and so much more.

it seemed like a miracle, though you never thought that she would have children, more than that of a son and a daughter. a fact that surprised you was that she had the same surname as your roommate. that was all the information he had, it was not much but you still thanked him for it. your night-ventures continued on, exploring the town and gathering bits of information through drunken folks at the tavern.

you would get home just before dawn and sleep until noon. of course, the male you lived with would nag you on waking up late but he never really cared either. he loved to see your bite back with your poor choice of words. everything felt right and everything felt okay, you were in peace with the world.

"where are you going?" his voice emerged from the darkness, causing your body to jump.

"i'm just gonna get some drinks," you answered, in a confident tone as you bit your inner bottom lip.

"are you going to go see him again?" juyeon asked, snickering along with his words. "don't think i don't know what you're up to."

his statements and questions made your mind run wild; how did he know? why didn't he ever stop you? did he understand what you were doing? did someone tell him? you became a still worried mess, not knowing what to say nor do. you were stuck in a pose as if medusa were to turn you into stone.

"please, just tell me where you're going tonight, or bring me with you," he said, his voice groggy as if he had woken up from a short sleep.

"no, i'm sorry, juyeon," the words flew out of your mouth as your thoughts re-organized themselves. "you can't"

"why not?" he asked, once again. at this point his questions seemed like an endless stream of cloth.

"because- you just can't," you sighed, relaxing your shoulders and going up to him. you didn't have any excuses because you weren't used to lying so much to someone who you cared for. "it's dangerous if you do, please just listen to me."

he sighed deeply as he always does before he nags. "i want to listen to you, y/n, but you going off in the middle of the night and coming home late isn't… so you. do you need to talk? or something. i know i'm not good with comfort but i'm here for you if you need to let out anything at all."

you felt broken, because you knew how much he longed for this type of relationship. he had told you about his sister that passed not so long ago and how much he adored her. you were about to say something when he placed his hands on your arms and gripped them, as a sign to not leave him.

"could you just tell me? please? i promise it would be a secret," he pleaded, truly worrying about what became a routine.

"you should sleep, juyeon. you have work tomorrow," you tried to avoid answering the question as much as possible but he made it so hard.

"i just want to know-"

"juyeon, you don't need to know. it's nothing important. you don't need to worry about me, alright? i promise i'll be okay," you said, in a sensible tone. you heard sniffles from the male that stood before you, as his grip on your arms loosened. he cracked a smile which held in pain mixed with joyful memories.

"you sound just like her," he said, in a shaky tone. he sounded weak, and you could see the pool of tears around his eyes. in that moment, you felt your breath turn shallow. you closed your eyes and immediately embraced the bigger man into a tight hug. you knew who he was referring to as he would do it so often when you opened your mouth to say anything. "you're like her" or "you act like my mother, you know that?", he always stated these in a cheery manner, but seeing him shatter like this made your heart wrench.

you decided to skip your night shenanigans when you lead him towards his room. you've never been in it but stepping into it, felt so cozy as if it were a cold breeze on a hot summer day. you sat him down on the edge of his bed, seeing his tears turn into a gold-ish colour. you sighed, seeing this side of him. you always saw the bright sunflower yellow but not this burnt out maroon red. you sat in silence as his sniffles calmed down.

the balcony door let in a ray of moonlight which shone on the boy beside you. you turned to look at him, and saw a grin emerge from his lips.

"thank you," he said in a whisper-tone. "for being here, y/n."

juyeon stared at the pale full moon that was on display for the people of the earth. "i'll always be here," you say, holding his hand. it was a nice intimate moment for the both of you. the state of serenity made you think about the things that led up to this right here and it was all because of a person whom you've never met.

"y'know.. she had the same powers as you," juyeon said, sipping his hot chocolate. you both were seated at the kitchen island with hot cocoas and mini marshmallows. it was almost four in the morning and so you both decided to stay up a little bit more, as if the sands of time didn't take precious hours of rest.

"she was a frost user as well?," you asked him, eager to know his family background.

"no," he said, chuckling before stuffing a few marshmallows into his already rich drink. you sat there, with one lifted eyebrow. "what are you talking about exactly?" you asked, warming your hands as it cupped the mug in front of you.

"you know what i mean," he said, holding in a deceiving smirk. your eyes widened and your hand gripped onto the mug handle. it wasn't the fact that he had discovered your hidden powers nor how he had hid the information that he knew your powers but it was the fact that the person that you were looking for all this time had died.

all the traveling and suffering lead you to this moment had been for nothing? you did all of this for her, and yet you turned into a sobbing mess when you visited her grave. juyeon held you close as you weeped when you saw her headstone. it absolutely broke you even if you've never even seen her nor heard her. he stayed strong for you when your head was buried into his chest. he could even feel the mix of rage and sadness as your powers seemed to leak from your tears.

"i miss her too," he spoke up, still caressing your weak state. "i'm sure she would have adored you so much, y/n"

your feelings got the best of you and soon every noise stopped, with only an ever-lasting ring in your ears. your tear-filled eyes opened to see a ring of dark purple surround you like a globe with your feet dangling in the air. it was a new, unspoken sight to see but what had happened outside the bubble was a new horror to you.

juyeon was laying on the ground, upon the many other graves. his skin covered with burnt marks of some kind, and his chest area covered with blood spots which may came from bullets. your bubble disappeared as you jumped down on the ground, going over to his lifeless body as fast as you could.

"y/n.." he said, breathless. "i'll be okay."

"but.."

"they'll be here soon."

you were confused on what he was referring to - not until you heard police and ambulance sirens coming from a distance. you cupped his face which managed to give you a small grin even in his hurtful state. "don't leave. don't leave me please."

"you need to run, y/n"

"stop. stop.. saying that," you pleaded, with some of your leftover tears dripping onto his burnt clothing. you could hear his last breaths too, which made it harder for you to ever leave his side.

"i'll see you later.. alright?" he asked, as his final words. his body fell to limp in your arms, when your tears started flowing like a never ending river. the sirens were coming closer at the scene of the crime, and there you sat, clutching onto him with your last hope of humanity. you didn't care about the police nor the property you destroyed, you lost him. you lost HIM.

in that moment, the world stayed still with no promise that it was going to spin again. your head felt dizzy as your limbs felt numb. you knew it only had been a few minutes but it felt like centuries with your silenced screams. you didn't want to be outcast, you were already alone in the world with no one else you could call for help. everyone else had their counterparts but all you had was yourself. you hated the thought of being lonely and so you stayed there, weak, just to feel something worth living for.

[nyxwordsmithwrites]

60. "You'd be a great dad."49. "Let's have a baby."72. "They're going to love you, don't worry." Analogical

 So I’ve had this one saved in my drafts for a while, and it was much longer than this, but it was a potential AU I didn’t really want to continue (I have so many as it is).Characters: Virgil Sanders, Logan Sanders, RemyDad/Foster AUWarnings: Anxiety Mention, Nightmare Mention

_______

 Virgil didn’t like surprises. To his dying day he would profess how much he hated surprises. And yet, Logan was a constant surprise. There was always something new he’d learned and wanted to gush about, something interesting he wanted to share. Some cool new thing to show Virgil, even if that meant he’d deconstructed and reconstructed something in the living room at four a.m.

 He didn’t mind Logan’s brand of surprises. They were quirky, odd, just perfectly nerdy. Never like Roman’s surprises...ever since childhood they’d been extravagant affairs that made Virgil embarrassed on Roman’s behalf and wish the world would just eat him whole.

 Virgil thought he’d suffered enough of that when the boys accidentally double-proposed to each other. He still couldn’t forget how happy Patton and Roman had been about that...gushing at Virgil and Logan at different times of day...then they’d had the wedding and that was a whole different mess of surprises and second-hand embarrassment…

 So, yeah, Virgil hated surprises. And this one might damn near kill him.

 “I...I’m sorry, what?”

 Logan was beaming at him, that wide toothy smile Virgil had yet to see Logan flash at someone else, his nose scrunched up at little so his glasses sat too high, his eyes bright and shining with little stars. He was excited, that much was obvious to even a passing bystander, but Virgil had just woken up.

 The nerd chuckled as he tried to get his own mop of crazy hair under control with his fingers, “Let’s have a baby.”

 Virgil couldn’t help but stare at Logan in disbelief, his eyes shining excitedly as he managed to get his hair completely under control and searched Virgil’s face.

 Either Logan was really, really excited, or he hadn’t fully processed Virgil’s blinking, shocked stare, because Virgil didn’t snap out of it until the coffee machine pinged softly behind him.

 “How much have you thought about this?” he asked softly, and Logan bounced a little on the toes of his feet, trying to smooth his tie down.

 “A lot.” he whispered, taking Virgil’s hands in his own, “I know it is a lot to take in first thing in the morning-”

 “You proposed to me over morning coffee.”

 “-But...I would really like you to think about it.” he said softly, squeezing Virgil’s hands in his gently, “I think...I think our own child would…”

 Virgil squeezed Logan’s hands back, “Firstly, you gotta stop having amazing, life-changing ideas in your sleep.” Logan flushed a little and giggled, eyes still shining when they met Virgil’s again, “Secondly...does it have to be an infant?”

 Logan blinked a few times, the cogs whirring away behind his eyes, his excited grin softening into a warm and gentle smile, “No.” he answered softly, “No, it does not.” he reassured, “Perhaps phrasing it with ‘baby’ was not my brightest idea.”

 A disbelieving but infinitely fond chuckle escaped Virgil, pulling his husband in for a warm, slow kiss, “Let’s talk about it more.” he offered gently, “Take it slow?”

 Logan beamed back at him, the excitement back in his eyes and Virgil couldn’t help but smile back fondly, “Just like us.” Virgil’s smile turned into a grin as Logan gently kissed the skin just behind his wedding band, flushing as Logan looked back up at him.

 “I am basically a small woodland creature.” Virgil teased and Logan laughed warmly, pulling Virgil in for a warm embrace.

 “My little rabbit.” he teased softly.

 ***

 The conversation had been officially shelved for a few months, save for a few harmless musings between the pair, and though Virgil worried that Logan hadn’t really meant it-

 He kept catching Logan longing for a child.

 It was true that Logan was not exactly...what many considered paternal. Patton easily held that over him, being warm and bubbly and brimming with Dad jokes, but Logan was...definitely pining for a child.

 He’d found a poorly hidden catalogue for children’s furniture in the living room, come across Logan’s laptop with child behavioural research, caught Logan scanning the living room...clearly considering how he’d have to babyproof it…

 And if the proposal, engagement and wedding was anything to go by, Logan was waiting for Virgil to bring it up.

 So, Virgil managed to corner Logan in his study. He hurriedly tried to hide the book he was reading, offering a sheepish smile and blushing, pushing his glasses up his nose, “Virgil!” he chirped, clearing his throat, “I did not hear you knock.”

 “That…” Virgil stepped in, “Would be because I didn’t.”

 Virgil sidled over to his desk, gently pushing things aside to sit on it, legs spread in front of Logan, feet on his chair.

 His expression fell into one of very slight disapproval, “Virgil, I believe I requested-”

 Virgil slid down into his lap, silencing Logan and fishing the book out, “Baby names, huh?” he teased and Logan fell silent, blushing brightly and clearing his throat, “Oh, and child psychology.”

 “Well- uhm- you see-”

 Virgil cupped his cheeks, kissing him gently, “I have some stipulations.”

 He could count on one hand the amount of people who managed to stun Logan, and Virgil himself was on the top of that list, “Oh?”

 “For our first kid…” Logan lit up, “No newborns.” Logan’s face schooled into something more serious as he listened, “Preferably school age and...we take it all slow...learn everything and...make sure we do this properly.”

 Logan’s hands settled on Virgil’s hips, squeezing gently, “I can agree to all of those, if you hear out one of mine?”

 “Hm?”

 “Our second one is a baby.”

 Virgil chuckled softly and nodded, “So...are we-”

 Logan nodded and beamed as Virgil rested his head in the crook of Logan’s neck, “Yeah…” he whispered.

 “Would you hate me if I said I’m scared?”

 Long, strong fingers slid through Virgil’s hair, “Considering the severity of your anxiety and ptsd, I have come terms with the fact that you are fearful most of the time.” he assured gently, “Though, by no fault of your own and no less real whenever  you bring it up.”

 “So...no?”

 Logan chuckled softly, “No.”

 He sighed into Logan’s neck, “I’m just...worried, ya know? What if...they hate me?” he asked softly, “Or...I do it all wrong and I’m a bad Dad and-”

 Logan squeezed his hip and Virgil sat up, meeting Logan’s eyes. Those long, strong fingers of his gently stroked along Virgil’s jaw, “You’d be a great dad.”

 “How do you know?” Virgil asked softly.

 He playfully rolled his eyes with a slight, fond smirk, “You would have me believe otherwise?” he asked, “I have plenty of evidence to the contrary.”

 “Lay it on me.”

 Logan chuckled, pressing a few buttons on his laptop, “One moment-”

 “You didn’t.”

 “-and-”

 “It’s the wedding all over again.”

 “-there it is.”

 A powerpoint was open on the computer, simple in design, but it was clear Logan had taken pointers from the wedding and proposal powerpoints...considering they had been plain white and Virgil’s eyes had started hurting after a while.

 In the sidebar were clear comments and sections and Virgil couldn’t help but smile at one slide, aptly marked ‘To-do list’. Another one of Virgil’s pointers, a short summary so Virgil could see what needed to be done and what had been...so he didn’t get overwhelmed.

 Logan had learned that one the hard way with the wedding.

 “How many slides is this one?”

 “Fifty-seven.”

 “Fifty-!” Virgil exclaimed.

 “To be fair, twenty of them are infographics or cute photos.” Logan explained, “Now, may I?”

*

 Virgil wasn’t sure how to explain how this felt. A death march? His wedding all over again? Walking down the aisle had been downright terrifying...even if he’d been able to see Logan at the end, eagerly waiting with his hand out. This was different...there was no goal in sight, even if it was in this building specifically.

 Logan rounded the car to him, hand slipping expertly into Virgil’s like it was made to be there. His skin was warm against Virgil’s, squeezing lightly as Logan pulled him closer, “It will be alright.” Logan reassured gently, kissing his cool skin, “Breathe, my love.”

 Virgil forced a deep breath, barely able to tear his eyes away from the building to meet Logan’s, “What if they-”

 “They are going to love you, do not worry.” Logan’s warm voice interrupted Virgil.

 “I wasn’t-”

 “Sure, you weren’t.” Logan teased back gently, kissing the tip of his nose, “It is only the one major concern you have had throughout the process.” Logan continued, his voice teasing and light, “And the source of many nightmares, I presume.”

 Virgil huffed, “I didn’t tell you for a reason.” he pouted and Logan smiled gently.

 “And that is why I did not ask.” he answered lightly, pulling Virgil in for a slow kiss. It started out chaste and gentle, intended as nothing more than a few seconds of contact to try and reassure his husband. But when Logan tried to break away, Virgil pulled him back. Hungry for more reassurance, afraid of what would happen inside.

 And as always, Logan heard his cry. He knew that sometimes it was hard for Virgil to say what he needed with words...but touch was another language altogether. And Logan had tried hard to learn Virgil’s particular dialect.

 His arm slid around Virgil’s narrow waist, pulling him flush against him as the kiss slowly deepened, Logan’s touches firm and reassuring. Confident, even, while Virgil’s felt more frantic and nervous, shaky and hungry.

 And in time, as Logan held him close and let Virgil search for the touch he needed, Virgil calmed. Finding the reassurance and drinking it all up.

 When they parted, they were panting softly, sharing breath that smelled of toothpaste, mint and a trace of coffee, Logan’s eyes glowing warmly down at Virgil’s, their foreheads pressed together.

 “I’m ready now.” Virgil whispered, blushing a little as Logan grinned at him and guided him inside. He couldn’t quite recall what happened after that. This was more Logan’s territory, speaking with multiple strangers, answering questions, filling out paperwork.

 It was, quite frankly, one of Logan’s jobs.

 But it all flew over Virgil’s head. He was too busy trying to get acquainted with a room before they were shipped into a new one, over and over, new offices, new waiting rooms...it took several hours but it felt like a blur for Virgil.

 Finally, Logan pulled Virgil into another waiting room. This one was brightly coloured, reminding Virgil of the pediatrician’s waiting room when he was child. He’d hated it then too…

 It was quiet, save for a television faintly playing a children’s television show on the other end of the room, and Virgil followed pliantly as Logan pulled him into a plastic seat.

 “Not long now.” Logan reassured softly, “Do you need help centering?”

 Virgil blinked at him, “I- Logan, I’m-”

 “You are pale, love.” Logan assured, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket, “And sweating.”

 “Oh, ew.” Virgil took the thin fabric, gently wiping his face.

 “I know that was a lot of movement and faces for you.” Logan assured, keeping his voice low in the near silent waiting room, “But try and relax now.” he kissed Virgil’s cheek gently, “You need not look so afraid.”

 “It’s okay if I say I am afraid, right?”

 Logan nodded, “Yes, it is.”

 Gentle and slow, Logan started to tap on Virgil’s knuckles, the pair silent as they waited. Virgil slowly calmed, resting his head on Logan’s shoulder and sighed deeply.

 “Tired, love?”

 Virgil chuckled softly, “A little.”

 “Already a perfect Dad.”

 “Dad joke.”

 “Sh-”

 “Logan and Virgil Lewis?”

 Logan got to his feet as Virgil’s head snapped to the voice, “That is us.”

 The warm woman beamed at them both, looking just as excited as Logan did, “Just through here.”

 Of course, walking across the waiting room, Virgil’s fears naturally preyed on him. He remembered rooms like this himself, though...they were never intended as permanent homes.

 And Virgil knew enough about this child that he would expect the same from them.

 Hopping from home to home, listing several different issues, but none seemed willing to settle on the same cause. Bully, manipulative, rude, poor behaviour, difficult, problem with authority…

 It depended on who they asked, apparently.

 But Virgil knew what that really meant...it was a kid who was scared and probably angry or sad, lashing out at a system that insisted on keeping them moving and unstable.

 These people fostered troubled kids, expecting fear to make them angels...but even Virgil knew that wasn’t how kids worked. And Logan knew that wasn’t how foster kids worked.

 The meeting room was the same gaudy colouring as the waiting room, clashing shades of green, orange, red and yellow with some blue for contrast, making Virgil almost sick at the memory. What was it with brightly coloured but clashing rooms for kids?

 There were various toys scattered around, no doubt fiddled with by other kids who’d been in that day, all spreading out from a box at a far window.

 But Virgil’s eyes slid along the room, even as Logan chatted to the social worker until he found him. The child they’d come to take home.

 Sitting at the other large window overlooking the city, his brown hair was a greasy mess, flopping into his face as he stared out at the cityscape before him. His shirt was too big and ratty in some places, no doubt a hand-me-down from a family some time long ago, and his jeans were worn through, the knees completely torn open and the ankles worn away into tatters.

 Virgil looked to where his belongings were being kept for the time being, and frowned at the single plastic bag waiting for them. It didn’t even look full...twelve, and this kid had already learned to pack light.

 “How long has he been in the system again?” Logan asked quietly.

 The social worker sighed as the boy shifted uncomfortably. Ah, he could hear the whispers.

 “Six years.” Virgil answered softly, “On average two homes per year.” he added and Logan’s face twisted with pity.

 He asked more questions to the social worker as Virgil peeled away, making his way slowly across the room toward the child. Early puberty hadn’t kicked in yet, still round and soft features as he sat curled in a ball, staring out at the cityscape and passing birds.

 Virgil caught a wary glance as he folded himself down beside him, looking out at the city in silence for a few moments. He knew the kid was getting uncomfortable...even Virgil knew most families expected the typical ‘run-into-your-arms’ scenario like they had a hero complex…

 “It’s quiet up here, huh?” Virgil asked softly and the kid jerked in surprise, eyes wide as Virgil leaned closer to the window, “All those people...seem so small from up here.”

 The kid nodded slowly, choosing to keep quiet, though Virgil caught disdain hidden in his eyes. He was fidgeting with a pair of shades in his hands, grimy from his fingers over the lenses.

 “Can I clean those for you?” Virgil asked gently, hand open and palm up on his knee but not encroaching on the kid’s space.

 He was wary, pale green eyes wide as he looked from Virgil’s open hand to his face and back again a few times, before hesitantly relinquishing his shades. Virgil cleaned them carefully with the hem of his shirt, smiling when they were clean and inspecting them.

 “Hmm, they’ve been loved a lot, huh?” he asked quietly, offering them back, “You’ve got a screw loose, maybe Lo could fix it for you.” the boy took his sunglasses back but left them in his lap.

 They were quiet a few more moments, the soft murmur of Logan’s and the social workers voices providing a soft hum to fill the void.

 “I’m Virgil, by the way.” he spoke softly, smiling gently when the boy nodded slowly, “I know I’m supposed to say I’m your new dad…” the boy tensed a little, “But I’m happy with just cool uncle too.”

 He knew that would throw the kid for a loop, his shoulders dropping and head snapping to his, eyes wide in disbelief, “You’re not...like, forcing me too?” he asked quietly.

 Virgil met his eyes, careful not to look too intimidating, “I’ve been in the system, I know it’s...weird.” The kids face screwed up a little, “Meeting a parent for the first time-” Virgil looked back out the window as the kid kept staring at him, “-and being expected to call them Dad or Mom…” he sighed, “Especially if you already had those.” The kid swallowed hard, “So...you can call me Virgil, if you’d like.”

 “Virgil…” the kid tested it out in his mouth, looking out the window. More silence fell over them for a time, though the social worker left and Logan milled about with the file. “I don’t like the name on my file.”

 “Oh?”

 The kid nodded, “Call me...Remy.”

 A warm smile split onto Virgil’s face, “Remy...I like it.” he nodded and saw the slightest tinge of pink from Virgil’s approval, “Tell me...Remy…” the kid tensed again, “Is that all you brought with you? That bag?”

 Remy nodded slowly, looking down to his shades and fidgeting with them, “It’s all I got left.” he whispered, “Sometimes...they didn’t gimme enough time to pack so…”

 “Things got left behind…” Virgil finished for him, frowning as he looked out the window. A few minutes of silence passed and Remy eventually realised he didn’t have to stare at his shades, looking back out the window again.

 Logan moved a little closer, keeping a fair distance and Virgil smirked as Remy regarded Logan suspiciously, dodging his gaze and tensing when Logan met his eyes with a warm smile.

 “Hey, Remy.” Virgil spoke softly.

 “Yeah?”

 “Why don’t you put your shades on?”

 Remy fidgeted, “They...said I’m not allowed to.” he answered quietly, “I’m supposed to...look parents in the eye.”

 Virgil huffed, “Who’s to say you can’t do that with your shades on?” he smirked when Remy lifted his face to Virgil, “I also know you’ve got some photosensitivity.”

 Remy frowned, “They make me take medicine for that.”

 “But it doesn’t make it go away, huh?”

 Remy shook his head slowly, looking down at his shades. The kid was seriously considering it, fidgeting with them for a little bit, “You...don’t...mind?”

 Virgil’s heart broke at the hesitation and fear in his voice, like Virgil would take it back or break them if he did without making absolutely sure. Virgil had hoped no kid would live through what he did but...here he was.

 Another example of a broken system.

 “I don’t mind.” he assured softly, smiling as Remy slowly slid the shades on.

 Virgil let the quiet fall over them again, giving Remy time to relax and adjust. It was clear for a few minutes that Remy didn’t believe he could wear them repercussion free, not until Virgil huffed and stretched his legs.

 “Ya know, the colours in this room are gross.” Remy’s face twisted in agreement, “And I wanna get out of my suit.” A slight smirk threatened to pull on Remy’s face, “You wanna bounce?”

 Remy shifted, clearly torn...but he knew he couldn’t stay there. Sure, if he said no, the office would put him back in another facility but...the facilities sucked even worse than homes.

 He got up slowly and Virgil groaned as he got to his feet, “I’m getting too old for floors.” Remy stifled a giggle behind his hand, “Can I introduce you to my husband?”

 “Hus-band?” Remy asked, glancing nervously to the door and back, “You’re gay?” he whispered.

 Virgil snickered, “Flaming gay.”

 Remy gasped and followed Virgil as he moved toward Logan, who glanced up from his file.

 “Remy, this is Logan.” he spoke warmly, as Logan offered his hand to shake, “He’s my giant nerd.”

 That earned a surprised giggle and Remy shook his hand, calming and relaxing a little even as Logan got to his feet, “I am a giant nerd.” Logan countered warmly, earning another giggle from Remy, “Now, I am led to believe that bag is full of your belongings?”

 Remy shifted on his feet and Virgil realised how worn out his sneakers were. And it wasn’t just that the shirt was too big...the kid himself was too small. Had they fed him at all?

 “Yes, sir.” he answered softly.

 Logan shook his head, “You may call me Logan.” he reminded, “May I carry your bag?”

 Remy had clearly never been asked that before, looking nervously up at Virgil for some kind of guidance, “Yes or no, kid.” Virgil teased with a slight smirk, “Your choice.”

 Remy blinked behind his shades, considering his options, “I...um...yes, please…?”

 He nodded, moving over to the bag and easily picking it up into his hands. Logan’s eyes flashed with concern at how little was in the bag and Virgil raised his eyebrows. The kid was in school. He should have had books or a backpack to make it heavier…

 Virgil hummed, “Remy?”

 “Yeah?” Remy clearly struggled with swallowing the ‘sir’ that time.

 “Do you have a jacket?” he asked quietly, “It’s kinda cold out.”

 “Um, no.” he answered, rubbing his arm as Logan’s wide eyes met Virgil’s in alarm, “It got...stolen...I’m-”

 Virgil shrugged off his blazer and winked to Logan, “Here.” Remy jerked in shock as Virgil set it over Remy’s shoulders, “That’ll help a little.”

 “But, sir, I-!”

 Virgil crouched down to his level, “Can I carry you to the car?” he asked quietly, “I know you’re twelve-” he reminded Remy, “But those shoes look painful to walk in.”

 Remy hesitantly slid his arms through the sleeves, clearly surprised that Virgil didn’t reprimand him, “I...guess?”

 Virgil grinned, pulling Remy up onto his hip, “How’s that?” he asked, smiling warmly when Remy only nodded and rested his head on Virgil’s shoulder, the sleeve of his blazer pressed to his mouth.

 Logan led the way out and Virgil couldn’t help the smug pride that filled with his chest at the surprised looks from social workers and secretaries. Clearly Remy had fought before, and probably with good reason, and Virgil feared what they’d find once they got Remy home…

 But he already knew Remy was a good kid. Somewhere beneath the shell he’d had to make and the twisted lessons he’d learned in the system...there was a good kid. He just needed a safe place to come out.