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crimsonedquill · 1 year

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Hey! I'm in great need of angst right now. :) Would you like to write Sebastian x f!reader (not Mc) fic where reader is a friend with Seb and Ominis for years and has feelings for Sebastian as long but now is hurt/jealous of Mc being so close to him? Sad or happy ending up to you, thank you!

Lost Love (Sebastian Sallow x Jealous f!reader)

WARNING: Angst ahead

Did I stay up all night to write Sebby angst when I was supposed to be sleeping? Why yes, I did! Let's be real, since MC is basically a gaslighting bitch for most of Sebastian's questline, that angle was too good to pass up. Thanks for the prompt 🖤

“What do you think of them?” you asked your friends as you made your way back to the common room, your bellies deliciously filled with food from the start-of-term feast.

“The new fifth-year?” Ominis asked. “I can’t say I envy their position. Starting this late must be rather daunting, especially in a completely new environment.”

Sebastian chimed in, “I’m quite eager to get to know them, actually. Did you hear they got attacked by a dragon on their way here?”

“Somehow I find it hard to fathom that to be the only reason for your curiosity,” Ominis responded, the skepticism audible in his voice. “You probably couldn’t keep your eyes off her during the sorting ceremony.”

“My, the slander. Y/N, you didn’t see me looking, did you?” Sebastian turned to you with a grin.

Your eyes shot up, the question catching you a bit off guard. “Uh, no, I don’t think so –”

“See?” Sebastian said, turning to Ominis triumphantly. “Now, of course, were she to actually have caught my attention, I’d say you can’t blame a man for having good taste –”

The two continued bickering, but you didn't hear them. Something inside you stung, and you knew what it was. The truth was that you had seen Sebastian looking at the new fifth-year – in fact, you were pretty sure you’d witnessed him practically undressing them with his eyes. You wouldn’t put it like it bothered you… after all, you’d known the handsome Sallow boy to be a flirt ever since he was chasing girls back in Feldcroft – but still… it bothered you.

Entering the common room, the three of you stood in front of the fireplace. “Well,” Ominis yawned, “I’ll be taking my leave. I will see you two at breakfast, if you manage to be out of bed before then.”

“Sweet dreams,” Sebastian said with a chuckle, and he stretched his arms as Ominis disappeared off to the dormitory, causing an involuntary twitching in your stomach.

“I should probably be going as well. See you tomorrow?”

“Of course,” you nodded. You watched him walk to the archway, doubt scrambling your thoughts… then you suddenly opened your mouth: “Sebastian?”

He turned around to face you. “Yes?”

The words lingered on your lips. You had been planning to tell him, and now that you were, you suddenly didn’t know what to say. His gaze bore into you, causing you to blush.

“I –” you stammered, “it‘s good to be back, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” he smiled gently. “I’m glad to be here again, with you and Ominis. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

You nodded. “Yes. Eh, goodnight.”

The tension escaped you in a sigh after he left. This shouldn’t be so difficult. After all, the two of you had known each other for years; you had shared everything with each other, from tears and grief to dreams and laughter. Yet in some way, you figured this to be the exact problem – what if the things you wanted to tell him would change all of that forever?

As the days passed at Hogwarts, you found yourself consumed by doubt and disappointment. You had spent the entire summer psyching yourself up to confess your feelings to Sebastian, but now you were starting to wonder if it was worth the risk. Despite your attempts to focus on your studies, thoughts of him kept creeping into your mind – imagining his reaction, the way his eyes would light up if only you had the courage to speak up.

Finally, you decided to take the leap and walked up to him after Defence Against the Dark Arts. Shifting your books in your arms, you flashed him a smile and complimented him on his impressive duelling skills.

“Prewett must have thought I’d gotten rusty over summer break,” he scoffed, “I honestly wasn’t even trying.”

“Sure you weren’t,” you playfully nudged him. “So… uhm, I was thinking – perhaps we could go over our Potions homework this evening, someplace quiet?”

“Fine by me. Did you and Ominis already have some ideas?”

You noticed your throat getting dry, making it more difficult to speak. “Well, actually… I believe Ominis has been otherwise occupied, so I thought it could be just the two of us –”

“Ah, so it’s a date then,” he chuckled, not realising how your cheeks were turning red. “Well, count me in.”

“Great! So –”

“Oh, hang on, I’m being stupid.” He stopped in his tracks, facepalming himself. “I forgot I already have plans this evening. I promised the new student a little clandestine tour of the Restricted Section.”

“M-my, already spreading your bad influence, aren’t you?” you said, your smile masking the pain you felt in your chest.

“Force of habit, I’m afraid,” he shrugged. “It’s all rather exciting actually. I’m supposed to be helping them on some kind of quest – they haven’t exactly told me any details yet, but I’m convinced it’s something truly astonishing.”

“Well, keep us posted, will you?” You pretended to suddenly realise that you’d forgotten your quill in the classroom and told him to go on without you. The pain in your chest lingered throughout the day, like a relentless curse, refusing to release its grip even in the refuge of slumber.

— — —

At first, you tried convincing yourself that it wasn’t anything malicious. Sebastian had always been protective, mainly owing to his sister’s condition, and he was probably just putting in an effort to make the new fifth-year feel at home. Yet you couldn’t help but notice that they were spending more and more time together, to the point where even Ominis started taking notice. You ended up discussing the subject one day on your way to the Undercroft to practice some spells you’d recently learned.

“I suppose it’s a bit curious,” Ominis confessed, following the red glow at the tip of his wand down the stairs. “He’s been rather absent-minded lately – even more than usual, if that is what you mean to say.”

“That’s exactly what I mean,” you agreed. “It’s like he’s forgotten all about us – all he cares about is spending time with that… girl.”

You noticed Ominis turning his head ever so slightly in your direction with a frown on his face. Shit, you hadn’t meant to put it like that –

“Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but you haven’t sounded quite like yourself either lately. Is everything all right?”

“Of course,” you hastily said as you turned the corner to where the entrance to the Undercroft was. You noticed the hidden door of the clock swinging open and were momentarily thankful for the interruption, but your gratitude was quickly evaporated when you saw the person stepping out. MC’s smile disappeared just as swiftly as they saw you. “Oh, er –”

To your own surprise, it wasn’t you who lashed out at them. “Who are you? What are you doing here?” Ominis demanded.

Your heart sank when you saw Sebastian climbing out of the clock. He quickly jumped in front of MC, putting his hands up. “Ominis, it’s all right, she’s with me –”

Ominis cut him off, “You brought her here? What right could you possibly have had to do that without telling us?”

Sebastian's voice rose as well, “Oh come on, I would have told you eventually! You’re acting as if I couldn’t tell whether someone is trustworthy!”

“It’s not about trust, Sebastian. This is our special place. You should have consulted us before bringing someone else into the fold.”

“I think you’re a bit overreacting, to be honest.” Sebastian turned to you now, clearly looking for some help. Yet the only thing occupying your mind right now was the sight of MC behind him, their infuriatingly smug expression making your blood boil. You shook your head. “You should have told us, Sebastian.”

Sebastian's expression hardened. “Unbelievable. I expected more from you. Come on, MC."

He took her by her arm and pushed past you, leaving you and Ominis in a charged silence. Your heart felt heavy as you watched them disappear down the hallway, wondering when everything had started to change between the three of you.

— — —

Sebastian had been ignoring you for weeks since the incident at the Undercroft entrance. You had tried to reconcile with him, not because of your feelings, but because you hated the thought of losing your friend. Even though you eventually ended up making up more or less, it became painstakingly clear something was blossoming between him and MC. They were basically sitting together in class all the time now, and after some time he even took them to see Anne without telling either you or Ominis.

It left you feeling like something within you had shattered permanently. Worst of all was that you were utterly incapable of doing anything about it. Ominis was still looking out for you, but you were too embarrassed to talk about your feelings even with him. All that was left for you to do was to let the itchy pain of jealousy keep eating away at your insides.

Then, one day, you found Ominis in a quiet corner of the common room, pale as a ghost and on the verge of tears. After some effort, you managed to learn that he had been convinced by MC to take her and Sebastian to Salazar Slytherin’s scriptorium, and it had demanded a terrible price. Initially, you were just shocked. Then a wave of hot anger washed over you, stifling all other thoughts. Fuck your feelings – this wasn’t just about you anymore.

You stormed out and didn’t stop until you had found MC. They seemed surprised to see you; even more when you backed them into a corner, looking ready to tear them apart. “Y/N, what –”

“What were you thinking?” you seethed. “How did you have the audacity to put Ominis through something like that?”

MC was lost for words. “I – it wasn’t my intention! Sebastian told me it would be perfectly safe –”

“But you don’t know him, do you? How could you, you’ve only been here for a few months! And is it true you cast the Cruciatus Curse on him?”

MC’s eyes widened. “He… he asked me to!”

You didn’t know what you were hearing. However, before you could give them the verbal punch in the face they were so obviously begging for, you heard a familiar voice say your name. You swerved around. Sebastian was standing behind you, but he might as well have been a completely different person; he was clutching his side and his eyes had an unrecognisable darkness in them. “Y/N, leave her alone.”

“Sebastian, you’re hurt –” you said, taking a step toward him, but he interrupted you, “I’m fine. No thanks to my dear friend. Can you honestly believe Ominis would actually have let us die down there? Thank Merlin MC was there –”

“What are you talking about?” you asked, your attitude now a mix of indignation and anger. “He’s tearing himself apart in the common room because of what you put him through!”

“He’ll get over it,” Sebastian huffed, though you could see him shuffling his feet. “It was a necessary evil. I’ve never this been close to finding a way to cure Anne. Y/N, I can’t give up on pursuing this,”

Despite your anger, you couldn’t help but feel some compassion for the Sallow boy in that moment. Perhaps it was just your feelings talking, but you forced yourself to calm down, taking a deep breath before you looked him in the eye. “But Sebastian, is all of this really worth it? For Merlin’s sake, look at what it’s doing to you –”

“I said I’m fine,” he insisted, growing harsh again. “And in fact, I think it would be better if you stayed out of our way from now on.”

“But I could help you –”

“Oh yeah? Tell me, would you have casted Crucio on me if I’d asked you to?”

You fell silent, knowing you couldn't have ever put him through that kind of pain. “No,” you said softly.

“That’s what I thought,” he said. “Look, Y/N, I appreciate your concern, truly. But I know I can rely on MC here to do what’s necessary. It’d be best for you and Ominis to keep your distance until we’ve been able to figure this out. Do you understand?”

Doubt plagued your mind. Perhaps it would have been easier to believe him if he didn’t have that strange look in his eyes – that deep hunger of a predator which had smelled blood and would stop at nothing to reach it. But either out of love or some naive belief that you could save him if he got too close to the edge, you just nodded.

— — —

You told yourself that it wasn’t you. That it was just some wild goose chase, a hunch he was chasing after in the hope that it could finally be the miraculous means to save his sister. When he was done with her, he would simply cast her aside and come back to you. But you knew he wasn’t that cruel, and it also didn’t explain why it felt like he was slipping away from you as the days went by, to the point where you weren't even sure if you could call him your friend anymore.

Every now and then, you would hear about his escapades. Apparently, he had gotten into trouble with his uncle when he got caught using Dark magic, and he had been banished from seeing his sister after that. It broke your heart to see the handsome boy you used to harbour a secret crush on turn into a mere shadow of his former self, an obsessed mind constantly whispering to himself about revenge and “showing them”.

And then you reached the edge.

A few months had passed when Ominis came up to you, looking completely disheveled and out of breath. “Y/N – we need to get to Feldcroft, now.” he said urgently.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, feeling a foreboding sense of dread.

“Anne sent me a patronus. It’s Sebastian – he’s gone down into the tomb with MC and that infernal artifact. I fear he’s planning to use it.”

You wasted no time in summoning your broom and helping Ominis to mount it. The two of you flew to Feldcroft as fast as you could, fears about what you’d find there running through both of your minds. As soon as you landed in front of the tomb entrance, you both drew your wands and stepped into the darkness, determined to find Sebastian as soon as possible.

You were horrified to find a battalion of Inferni waiting for you down in the cavernous corridors. The two of you fought ferociously, and eventually you managed to battle your way into the final tomb chamber. You saw Sebastian standing in the middle, seemingly captivated by the artifact in his hands. MC was standing a few feet behind him. Upon seeing her, your vision went red around the edges.

“You!” you screamed, leaping forward. “You let him on! All of this is your fault!”

You disarmed them without much effort, all of the rage you’d been keeping inside bursting out in a loud roar. They had taken everything from you, and they would pay for it. You lifted your wand, prepared to cast a curse at them –

“No, leave her alone!” Sebastian yelled, and suddenly everything happened at once. The only thing you remembered was something striking you in your side and the world around you going dark.

The next thing you knew, you woke up in a bed, surrounded by an collection of pastel colours. You groaned and sat up against the pillow, causing a figure sitting next to the bed to turn his head towards you. “Y/N, are you awake?” the voice of Ominis asked.

“Just about,” you said through gritted teeth as you felt the pain radiating from the sore spot in your side. “How did I get here? Where’s Sebastian?”

Ominis took a deep breath. Clearly he had not been meaning to tell you all the details so soon, but to his credit, he wasn’t sparing you from them either. “It was all really chaotic. Sebastian hit you with a Blasting Curse, and you were knocked unconscious. Then the situation quickly spiralled out of control. His uncle arrived and attempted to take the artifact from him… he didn’t take that well. He… ended up casting the Killing Curse.”

Your head started to spin. That couldn’t be, right? Your best friend, the one you’d known all your life… a murderer?

“Where is he now?” you asked. “What happened to MC?”

“Don’t you worry, I warned her to keep her distance if she wanted to avoid incurring my wrath. As for Sebastian – Anne and I discussed what to do about him and… well, we decided not to report him. What he’s done is unforgivable, but the guilt alone will be enough suffering for him to bear.” He paused for a moment. “Of course, I couldn’t fault you for disagreeing.”

You stared up at the ceiling. Everything felt so surreal – it was like you were living a bad dream, struggling to wake up. In the end, all you could muster was a sigh. “Oh, Sebastian…”

Ominis put his hand on your bed. You shifted your own hand towards him, the tips of your fingers touching his. “You cared for him as more than a friend, didn’t you?” he asked.

“I think I still do,” you confessed. “Even after everything… I don’t know. I was going to tell him, that I’d had this crush on him for the longest time, and that I wanted us to be more than friends… it pains me now to think I might have been able to prevent all this.”

His grip on your hand was tight, and his voice was heavy with sympathy. “You couldn't have stopped him,” he said. “Don't blame yourself. He chose his own path, and nothing could have changed that.”

You turned to him, tears brimming in your eyes. “I know,” you whispered. “But it still hurts so damn much.”

He didn't say anything else, but he didn't have to. He leaned in and held you close, and you finally allowed yourself to break down. Your tears flowed, a mourning of not just lost love, but also a broken friendship.

#hogwarts legacy #harry potter hogwarts legacy #harry potter #sebastian sallow #ominis gaunt #sebastian sallow x reader

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boujeeceo · 2 years

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Corporate Barbie Files- Begin

When I was kid I didn't know what an executive was but I wanted to be one so bad. Now that I know I've decided to aim a bit higher- Chief Financial Officer day job and small business tycoon. ✨🧿

Please do your own research, I'm no expert and I don't want to lead anyone down a weird path

Planning (business plans)

You can get an LLC for less than 200$, 500$ MAX. What makes LLC's expensive are the licenses, fees you pay when registered, and the state you register.

Sole priorerships (depending on your state) don't need to be registered but you forgo the protections that come from having a government recognized business.

Any small business template online is a great resource.

Plan it out for 3 years minimum but think of this business plan as a living document. As you operate your business it will have to change.

Business research!

You need to do your own research on each business you want to start if you want to succeed.

Topics/questions to research

Researching competitors (Strengths & Weaknesses/marketing strategy/Pricing/products and product features)

Market share

Strengths and weaknesses

Your window of opportunity to enter the market

The importance of your target market to your competitors

Any barriers that may hinder you as you enter the market

Indirect or secondary competitors who may impact your success

Customers

Who are your customers and why are they interested in buying your product or service?

What characteristics, interests, desires, pain points and needs do they share?

Where do they live?

How old are they?

What is their education level?

What is their income range?

Which types of websites do they frequently visit?

Where do they currently buy similar products?

Which languages do they speak?

What industry do they work in?

License needed

Growth projection

Assessing the legal aspects of your industry

Can you reach your target audience? If you're selling inline skates, are you opening in an area with a population of the right age and disposable income?

Is the market saturated?

Your Brand

Questions you wanna ask

Here are a few methods you can use to do direct research:

Surveys

Questionnaires

Focus groups

In-depth interviews

Ask potential customers

Questions you wanna ask and answers

Demand: Is there a desire for your product or service?

Market size: How many people would be interested in your offering?

Economic indicators: What is the income range and employment rate?

Location: Where do your customers live and where can your business reach?

Market saturation: How many similar options are already available to consumers?

Pricing: What do potential customers pay for these alternatives?

Best ways to reach customers

Suppliers, quotes and budget

Sources of funding, uses of funding

Prep

Finding funding, type in your demographic 'black woman/LGBT black woman, ect' and your state + small business funding. Apply for everything. Find space for inventory. Think up promotional material- Vistaprint is amazing for just cheapy slapping your brand on something that others want (candy, notebooks, pens, cute tote bags).

Skills you may need: Negotiation, Manipulation, Marketing, Social media handling, Emotional intelligence, Personal emotional control, Leadership and delegation, Networking, Memorization (names, position and places you met this people), Self discipline, Conversation, Communication.

Just do it

If I wanted until I felt 100% ready I wouldn't have two functional businesses at the moment.

Low risk low reward business ideas

These may not make you rich unless you market to high heaven or get lucky. But they are a great passive income opportunity/place to start.

Vending machine

ATM

Selling books on Amazon/Audible/Printing on demand services

Selling on a ready made sale site- Shopify/Amazon/Esty

Direct sales

High traffic blog for ads

Affiliate marketing blog/social media

Mid-Tier business ideas

Can be scaled up to make 7 figures but after taxes and fees will probably make a steady 6 figures yearly. (Please note that 6 figures can be any where from 100k to 999k. I've noticed a tendency to see 6 figures as only 100k.)

Cafes

Small bar

Small restaurant

Ice-cream truck

Food truck

Website with subscriptions

A clothing line

Makeup or skincare (especially if it has mostly black women in mind- think Black Girl Sunscreen or Fenty Beauty)

Natural hair wigs (as in 3b-4c pattern, its not super common and the ones that are aren't very good nor last very long)

Small hair and nails salon

Haircare product line

Do your own research please, these are just the most common and least expensive I've found entrepreneurs start. They may not work with your skills/personal brand/time constraints/experience ect.

Advice

Have a vanity business!!! A business that matters because you like it so much. One where the success is not based off just money but personal satisfaction. This will keep you from getting bored, too frustrated or purely money driven. Of course a business is money driven but at some point you look up from your work and get distressed from dissatisfaction from being stuck working for money instead of pleasure.

You should be interested in each business you make/engage with a least a little bit.

Break down how much you need to make per day and per week to get to your goal amount. This has helped me mentally, I no longer freak out about the big picture when I'm focused on the main goal of the day/week.

Have a reading list in these 5 categories: Emotional intelligence, Your field of study (finance, tech, medical, beauty), Manipulation/Negotiation, Beauty/Dating/Self-esteem, and Money.

Don't try to build up more than 2 businesses at a time if you're doing it alone. You will drive yourself insane and burn out quickly.

If you do direct sales on the streets make sure you have an incentive for people to actually stop and look at what you have to offer. Something free pretty with your logo or information and matches your brand image. It can be hand made!

Mistakes I made

I relied on one business too much when my goal isn't to scale it too big

I didn't have a workable marketing campaign. People are tired of ads. I'm tired of ads, I had to get creative or rather make the ads less invasive.

I relied too much on online sales. There is way too much competition- I now make 90% of my money from in person sales, there's a 'rush' factor because the pop up shop won't be there tomorrow, and I can make a human connection before I make a sale.

I put too much money into some businesses and not enough into others. Now I have a budget of 200$-500$ for each new business unless I'm buying large equipment that I will own (vending machines, massive printers, ect).

I didn't have enough different types of products. I need variety but I shouldn't panic and make too much or else I'll lose money and have too much inventory.

My mentor had told me to make decisions quarterly (every 3 months) rather than weekly/monthly. This has helped her build her real estate business.

My journey

My motto when it comes to dealing with my businesses is Slow Progress Is Still Progress.

I’ve always wanted to be a higher up in a company- an “executive woman”- I would eat up all the songs and tv shows made for kids about business (Biz kids, Schoolhouse rock mostly). I started my journey with my vanity business because I tired of waiting to get published by a major publishing house. Why not be a major publishing house? As I've come into my own I've realized I want more- more money, more experience, better titles, more power ECT.

My method is to work smarter and never harder: I create a company, place 100% of my attention on it and create systems that make the work I have to do minimal. 1-2hrs of work per day max. Borderline passive income. Then I move on to creating another business when I’m comfortable leaving the previous ones without my direct attention for a while. Being a CEO is all about creating sustainable systems that are efficient, reliable and profitable.

I have 2 functional businesses at the moment, they have been planned out for 2.5 years (I started them at the beginning of the year). I have two more I’m working on both in the ‘finding a reliable vendor’ stage. Once I’m past this part I’ll be ready to launch. I don’t advertise online, I work with the areas I’m in and the small businesses around me. It’s easier and more effective than to interrupt other people’s days by doing online ads. No one likes them and a lot of people will straight up avoid your brand out of spite. I’m in the middle of a rebrand and expansion so that eventually I can reach my goal of making 5k a day from my small business empire.

My journey is a work in progress.

#corporate barbie files #corporate barbie #corporate baddie #motivation #inspo #start a business #business advice

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wantsobadminsung · 6 months

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Guilty 😓 ❤️‍🩹 🌩️

I stood at the edge of the kitchen, the nervousness coursing through my veins like a turbulent river. My heart pounded loudly in my chest, threatening to give away my secret. I couldn't believe I was about to do something so reckless, so impulsive. But the truth was, I couldn't help myself—I was hopelessly in love.

Minho, with his charming smile and contagious laughter, occupied my thoughts day and night. Every time I saw him, my heart skipped a beat. His presence alone had the power to make me weak in the knees. And then, there was Jisung—gentle, considerate Jisung. His warm hugs and comforting words always made me feel safe and understood.

But there was one thing standing in the way of my happiness: both Minho and Jisung were in a committed, loving relationship. They had found solace in each other's arms, unaware of the storm brewing within me. I found myself torn between hiding my feelings and risking it all for a moment of passion.

As the scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the kitchen, I took a deep breath, summoning all the courage I could muster. Minho stood beside me, flipping through a cookbook, oblivious to the internal battle waging within me. My heart raced as I watched him, his eyes sparkling with excitement over the upcoming meal.

Unable to resist any longer, I leaned in closer, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks. In a swift and timid motion, I pressed my lips against Minho's, our mouths meeting in a fleeting, stolen kiss. Time seemed to freeze in that moment, and I could taste the sweetness of his presence on my lips.

But as quickly as it had happened, the guilt washed over me like a crushing wave. I had crossed a line, violating the trust that Minho had placed in me as a friend. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I stumbled backward.

Panicked, I scurried away, finding solace in the safety of the living room. Jisung sat on the couch, engrossed in a book, oblivious to my internal turmoil. My heart raced once more as I recalled the overwhelming affection I held for him. I knew deep down that he deserved so much more than a stolen moment.

But the siren call of my emotions grew too strong to ignore. I approached him hesitantly, my hands trembling with anticipation. Leaning in, I pressed my lips against his, the taste of his softness and warmth engulfing my senses. The kiss felt electrifying, yet bittersweet, as I knew it was a forbidden act.

But as soon as our lips touched, a rush me. What had I done? I had betrayed their trust, violated the boundaries of their relationship. My cheeks burned with shame, and I quickly pulled away, averting my gaze.

Jisung looked at me with wide, confused eyes, his brows furrowed in concern. "Y/N, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

I stammered, unable to find the right words to explain my impulsive actions. My shyness had taken over, rendering me incapable of expressing the depths of my emotions. The weight of my love for both Minho and Jisung felt suffocating, and I felt overwhelmed by the consequences of my reckless choices.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I muttered an apology, my voice barely audible. "I'm... I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I never meant to... It was a mistake."

Jisung reached out, gently cupping my face with his hand. "Y/N, it's okay," he said softly. "But you need to know that Minho and I are in a committed relationship. We care about you, but what you did was not right."

His words pierced through my heart like a dagger, intensifying the guilt that consumed me. I nodded, my throat tightening with a mix of remorse and shame. What I had done was selfish; I had disregarded their feelings for my own desires.

In that moment, I decided to confront the truth of my emotions and face the consequences of my actions. I needed to respect their relationship and focus on finding my own path to happiness. It wouldn't be easy, but I owed it to them, and more importantly, I owed it to myself.

With a heavy heart, I left the living room, seeking solitude to reflect. The lessons learned in that moment of vulnerability would shape my growth, reminding me of the importance of honesty, respect, and self-control. Perhaps someday, I would find love that was meant solely for me, but until then, I would cherish the friendship I shared with Minho and Jisung above all else.

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readitreviewit · 4 months

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Are you tired of the same old boring meals? Are you looking for a way to eat healthy while still enjoying delicious food? Look no further than The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners! This cookbook is jam-packed with over 1800 mouthwatering recipes that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. And the best part? These meals are not only delicious but also incredibly healthy. The Mediterranean Diet is all about consuming fresh, whole foods that are rich in nutrients. This way of eating emphasizes the consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil. Meat and dairy are consumed in moderation, while fish and seafood are eaten more often. In this cookbook, you'll find recipes for every meal, including breakfast options, vegetable mains and meatless dishes, fish and seafood, poultry and meats, salads and soups, grains and pastas, desserts, and snacks. There's truly something for everyone! If you're looking to lose weight or just adopt a healthier lifestyle, this cookbook has a 28-day meal plan to help guide you. The recipes are simple and easy to follow, so even if you're a beginner in the kitchen, you'll be able to whip up these tasty dishes in no time. And let's not forget about the health benefits. Following a Mediterranean Diet has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Not to mention, you'll likely see improvements in your energy levels and overall wellbeing. But let's get back to the food. Some of our favorite recipes from this cookbook include the Mediterranean Veggie Omelet for breakfast, the Grilled Shrimp Salad for lunch, and the Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken for dinner. And for dessert, the Chocolate Banana Bites are a must-try! Overall, we highly recommend The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners to anyone looking to shake up their meal routine while improving their health. With so many delicious recipes to choose from, you'll never feel bored or deprived. Pick up a copy today and start enjoying the flavors of the Mediterranean! "Don't wait! Dive into this captivating story today by purchasing the paperback version of the book or starting your 30-day trial of Audible. Trust us, you won't be able to put it down!" Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details)

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risu75fifthblog · 5 months

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VIRTUAL LUNCH

:: SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2001 ::

The Possum

I just found out that I have an opossum (North American: "possum") living in my back yard. He (or she) snuck in to eat the cat food in the bowl by the back door the other night as I was reading in my comfy chair in the kitchen.

I heard a crunching sound, and assumed that it was one of my cats snarfing down food. To my surprise, it was a cat-sized critter, with snaggly grey and black fur, a pink face, a long naked pink tail, and so on. Definitely not one of my cats.

I think I was more startled than scared, when I looked down and saw the possum, not two feet from MY feet, snarfing cat food. I reacted with an audible intake of breath (what's the opposite of a sigh?) and scared the possum (one of the most scaredy-cat/possum animals), who ran out the door.

Surprisingly, twenty minutes later, it came back inside, checking if the coast was clear. Upon seeing me, still in my chair, I guess it figured that the coast was definitely NOT clear, and ran away again.

Later, I researched opossums on the net, and found out that they don't carry rabies, but they do carry fleas and ticks. Also, they consume almost anything, including "roof rats" (whatever they are), cockroaches, ants, decaying fruit (they especially like persimmons), and so on. So now I have a fourth "cat" named "Possie".

Oh, well.

:: POSTED BY JZAHN AT 1:05 PM ::

:: FRIDAY, JUNE 01, 2001 ::

The opossum has adopted me. Well, at least he/she has adopted my house.

I live in a brownstone in Jersey City and have a back yard garden. I often leave the door to the garden open so my three cats can enjoy the outdoors in the fenced-in garden. The cats are smart enough not to stray from the back yard, because they know where their food is, and they are would HATE to find the door shut.

The possum continues to inhabit my, and several other, back yards, but has turned out to be a delight rather than a pest.

After doing some research, I found out that possums (1) do not carry rabies, in fact their metabolism is set up to REJECT rabies — one has a higher risk from a dog, cat, racoon, or HUMAN bite than from a possum.

(2) Possums eat all the icky vermin: mice, roaches, ants, slugs, etc. So, they're like little bio-vacuum cleaners.

(3) My cats get along with the possum and don't attack it, even when it comes in the back door to eat their food. They, evidently, think it's another cat and part of the "family." The cats don't like squirrels, though. Felix and Rodentia families just don't mix.

:: POSTED BY JZAHN AT 8:15 AM ::

:: FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2004 ::

Back to Broaddyke

Here I am, back in my OLD neighborhood, BroaDyke (and I didn't make that up). That's the intersection of Broadway and Dyckman Street (200th) in Manhattan. It's almost as far uptown as one can travel in Manhattan without falling off the Island.

I used to live near here when I first moved to Manhattan 20 years ago. Mark (my then-partner) and I bought a co-op apartment in Park Terrace Gardens (on 215th St. at the top of The Hill), after having moved here from Cleveland, Ohio. (The story about the Park Terrace Gardens apartment and my relationship with Mark will be in my book, Climbing Home, someday to be available on Amazon.)

Re-visiting the old neighborhood has been both strange and weird.

Strange: Many of my favorite stores and restaurants are no longer here. Some are still here, but have changed their names, proprietors and staff. There are lots of permanently-shuttered storefronts where once-thriving businesses used to be. Evidently, landlords decided before the crash that commercial rents could be raised to the roof — which drove many formerly-successful businesses out of the neighborhood.

For example: I learned that the old "Golden Rule" diner/restaurant on Broadway near 207th St. closed down after their monthly rent was raised to $6,000. The "Golden Rule" was a place that old Irish ladies went for breakfast and had tea and toast.

I remember buying their "Thanksgiving Special" (a complete turkey dinner) for $11.95 and smuggling it into St. Vincent's Hospital for Jorge (another book), where he was confined in the first stages of his eventual demise from AIDS.

The restaurant is still open, under a new name (they didn't bother to put up a new awning, just pasted the new name over "Golden Rule") but I don't think I'll be going there anytime soon.

Weird: Eerily, some store owners have somehow remembered me from many years ago and know exactly what I want before I ask for it. At 211 St. and Broadway, there is a bodega where I used to buy cigarettes and newspapers before heading to the subway for my daily commute. The same South Yemenese guys are still working there and they recognized me from 6 years ago.

The neighborhood is an interesting mix. It's Manhattan, but it smells and looks like The Bronx. I'll expand the following essay later, but here's the breakdown:

West of Broadway/North of Dyckman: Relatively inexpensive rents (compared to the rest of the Island) attract lots of Columbia University students, recently graduated and newly-employed professionals, young married couples (straight and gay), musicians, actors, singers, dancers, etc. who find that they can afford the fabulous pre-war (II) apartments and still have relatively quick and cheap transportation (30 minutes by subway A-train) to all that the city has to offer. And lots of old Irish retirees.

People actually own cars (rare in Manhattan) and can easily find parking on the street. It's also easy to get here from New Jersey, Upstate, New England, and Long Island via car, so some people live here and commute to those places.

East of Broadway: Lots of old, run-down tenement apartments formerly occupied by subway workers at the MTA Yard at 10th Avenue. Primarily occupied by Dominicans and Puerto Ricans (mostly Dominicans) who hate each other. Drug sales on the street. Tacky stores. Poor people who literally live in refrigerator boxes.

Also, there is a mixture of the "West of Broadway" that keeps seeping in as the various micro-neighborhoods become more gentrified.

West of Broadway/South of Dyckman: is the fabulous Fort Tryon Park, including The Cloisters and Fort Washington the highest point in Manhattan, from where our Revolutionary War troops lobbed cannon balls to attack the British ships in the Hudson River.

Anyhow, I'm repeating my NYC Inwood/Broadyke experience at a higher level of the spiral and it feels like home...again.

:: POSTED BY JZAHN AT 2:03 AM ::

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kellysbookblog · 6 months

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With This Woman by Jodi Ellen Malpas is now live!

The Manor—the heartbeat of hedonism and pleasure, the place where Jesse Ward lost himself for years in women and alcohol, escaping his past—was his life. His everything. Until the day Ava O’Shea walked through the doors and Jesse discovered something else to live for.

Her.

Their love affair was passionate, intense, and all-consuming. She became his heaven. His escape. And eventually, his downfall. When Ava walked away from him, he was destroyed, even more broken than before.

But she’s come back, and Jesse vows never to lose her again.

Except Ava’s only scratched the surface of his broken soul, and as their relationship intensifies and their love deepens, Jesse’s pushed to the brink of insanity when his past creeps into his present and risks destroying everything.

They will never survive his truths, and Jesse will never survive losing Ava again.

So he’ll do anything to shield her from his dark, soul-destroying past.

Absolutely anything.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo!

Amazon: https://geni.us/Gf3T

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Audible: https://bit.ly/3MdfnDo

Narrated by: Shane East

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/40W6AKo

Meet Jodi

Jodi Ellen Malpas was born and raised in England, where she lives with her husband, boys and Theo the Doberman. She is a self-professed daydreamer, and has a terrible weak spot for alpha males. Writing powerful love stories with addictive characters has become her passion—a passion she now shares with her devoted readers. She’s a proud #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, a Sunday Times Bestseller, and her work is published in over twenty-five languages across the world. You can learn more about Jodi & her words at www.jodiellenmalpas.co.uk

Connect with Jodi

Website: http://bit.ly/JEMWebsite

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JEMGoodreads

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fjw6Cn

Facebook: http://bit.ly/JEMFacebook

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1756448714573353/

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Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jodiellenmalpas

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lilyalazzy · 7 months

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What The Lean

Startup by Eric Rise talks about

Eric Ries ground-breaking book

The Lean Startup has completely changed how entrepreneurs think about starting profitable firms. The lean startup methodology, which fosters quick experimentation, verified learning, and iterative product creation, is introduced by Ries.

The typical approach to startups frequently entails business owners devoting a large amount of time and money to developing products without taking market demand or consumer feedback into account. Ries contests this strategy, contending that it results in high failure rates and resource wastage. Instead, he is in favor of a methodical strategy that emphasizes ongoing learning and adaptation and views companies as experiments.

The Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop serves as the foundation of the lean startup technique. This cycle entails creating a minimum viable product (MVP), assessing how it affects users, and taking note of user input. Startups can swiftly iterate their products based on actual data and user insights by repeating this cycle.

Validated learning is a crucial component of the lean startup technique. Ries emphasizes the significance of recognizing and testing assumptions via the formulation and testing of hypotheses. Startups can lessen uncertainty and make choices with greater certainty by validating or refuting these assumptions.

The book "The Lean Startup" also looks at numerous methods and equipment that business owners can utilize to successfully apply the lean startup methodology.

These include of creating useful metrics to track progress, testing hypotheses through split testing, and putting continuous deployment into practice to quickly iterate on products.

Ries explores the difficulties faced by new startups as well as how larger companies may apply lean startup concepts to promote innovation, reduce risks, and maintain competitiveness in a market that is changing quickly.

He emphasizes the necessity for big businesses to develop an internal ecosystem that fosters innovation and supports entrepreneurship.

Overall, "The Lean Startup" provides entrepreneurs at all phases of their business journeys with useful insights and concrete guidance. Ries proposes a paradigm for enhancing the likelihood of producing successful goods while decreasing waste and maximizing possibility for growth by stressing consumer feedback, continual experimentation, and learning.

It is still advised to read the entire book to obtain a thorough grasp of the lean startup methodology and its practical applicability in a variety of business scenarios, even though this summary gives a more thorough review of the book's key topics. For anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation, "The Lean Startup" is a must-read.

Click here to listen to many books on audible

#reading #success

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bronzewool · 2 years

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This book took so long to finish I actually managed to read two other books in-between taking breaks from this one, and I'm not ashamed to admit I got the audible version just to get through the first 200 pages.

The Priory of The Orange Tree is set in a world where an ancient evil Wyrm called the Nameless One threatened to devour the land but was sealed away by Saint Galian Berethnet, weilding the mythical Sword Ascalon and becoming the first King of Inys. Nearly a thousand years later and signs begin to emerge signalling the the Nameless One's return. It becomes a race against time to stop the rise of the Fire Wyrms and slowly piece together what really happened all those years ago and how to defeat the Nameless One for good.

The novel follows four POV protagonists from different corners of the world. Eadaz uq-Nāra is the most prominent of the POV characters, a fire mage sent by the secret Priory of the Orange Tree to the western Isles of Inys to infiltrate the royal court and guard Queen Sabran IX, King Gallion's descendant, from several assassination attempts following a prophecy that says should the line of Berethnet fall, the Nameless One shall rise again. Ead has lived in Inys for eight years now, slowly rising through the ranks of the ladies in waiting and becoming one of Sabran's ladies of the bedchamber.

Lord Arteloth Beck is the childhood friend of Sabran and exiled to Yscalin at the begining of the novel due to their closeness and the court fearing Sabran's fondness for Loth would distract her from marrying a suitable Prince. His presence in Yscalin leads to him discovering the ruler of the Draconic Kingdom has become gravely ill and a puppet to the Nameless One who is raising an army, and Loth cannot return home without risking being infected by the deadly plague.

Tané is a member of the High Sea guard in the East continent of Seiiki where the water dragons are worshipped by the citizens, as opposed to their fiery western counterparts who are feared and hated. Tané wants nothing more than to become a dragon rider and be partnered with a dragon of her own. In order to ensure her success in the upcoming water trials she makes a selfish decision with lasting consequences that quickly catch up with her when her Dragon is stolen from her.

Niclays Roos is the last of the POV characters and the most morally ambiguous. A surgeon and Alchemist who failed to brew the elixir of life for Queen Sabran and has been exiled to Seiiki ever since. Desperate to return home at any cost, Niclays continues his research to uncover the secrets of immortality that will lead him to a crew of pirates searching for a fabled tree said to produce fruit that will grant the consumer eternal life.

The Priory of the Orange Tree has dense lore with a rich history and character politics surrounding the religion their kingdoms are built on and differing opinions of how the Nameless One was originally defeated. This divide in history is what causes the most conflict in the book and you understand each character's stance as their interpretation is seen as blasphemy to the other.

Going into this book I did not know this was a sapphic love story and was pleasantly suprised by the growing romance between Ead and Sabran, and the world's positive views on same sex couples in general despite having a medieval aesthetic. Ead and Sabran's romance isn't about whether they'll be accepted for what they are, but how their duties to the respective countries prevent them from ever being together.

Despite how perfectly woven each plot point was I couldn't help but think this book could have been split into two parts, with the first half focusing on Ead and Loth in the west, the return of the wyrms, the coup against Queen Sabran, and the involvement of the Witch of the Woods and her mysyerious connection to the royal family and the orange tree.

While the second half focusses on Tané and Niclays in the East, with the West attempting to form an alliance with the Emperor, Tané being blackmailed by Niclays for bringing an outsider onto the island, Niclays risking the life of his comrad just to obtain Dragon blood and scales, the pirates kidnapping Tané's dragon, the mystical stone in her possession and the search for the fabled mulberry tree.

Tané in particular feels underutilised despite having as much importance as Ead. She is present for most of the book but her story doesn't really take off until the second half when she is separated from her Dragon, banished from her home, and discovers the truth of her heritage. I would have prefered a slightly longer story split in two parts just to give Tané more focus.

Overall it was a well developed book with attention to detail regarding the character's speech, clothing, food, environments, politics, and interpersonal relationships. I can see why it's regarded as a feminist Lord of the Rings given the similarities in writing styles. The only aspects that let it down for me was how dry the first 200 pages were, and the not so memorable villains besides the Witch of the Woods.

Rating: 4/5

#long review for a long ass book #i'm gonna go and read something more lighthearted now #charl's book journey

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strangeradventuresofp · 4 years

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second thoughts (legolas x reader)

The Fellowship of the Ring - Part 3

masterlist

warnings: fighting, character death

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

a/n : part 3!!! i have so much fun writing this story and im so glad that i get to continue writing these chapters for you guys. thank you so much to everyone who is reading and showing support, it honestly means so much to me you have no idea. anyway, without further ado, here’s chapter 3! i hope you enjoy<3

“Are we lost?”

“No.”

“I think we are.”

“Shh! Gandalf’s thinking.”

“Merry?”

“What?”

“I’m hungry.” Pippin and Merry whispered between each other. They were sat opposite each other, their voices flowing through the space. Sam was sat up against one of the rocks near Frodo. Gandalf had perched himself upon a rock. He lifted a pipe to and from his lips, blowing out smoke when necessary. You were sat beside Boromir, who was beside Aragorn. Legolas was stood, his back leaned against rock, close to Aragorn.

“I miss home.” You mentioned. Boromir smiled, wrapping an arm around your shoulders and pulling you gently into his side.

“After the journey, we will return. We will drink and feast and celebrate. And everything will go back to normal.” He assured and you gave a small smile. Though, you were unsure of whether you wanted that to be your reality when you were to finish the journey. You had quite enjoyed the thought of travelling with Aragorn and then when his time had come… Well, you had not thought that far just yet. Anyway, this was all hypothetical, of course, as it had much started to dawn on you that you might not get the chance to return. Luck had been on your side thus far but for how long would it continue to come to your aid?

Legolas noticed the worried look that fell over your features and his brows drew together, wishing that he could read your mind to know what troubled you. He was about to pull you to the side to ask how you were when Gandalf let out a loud noise.

“It’s that way.” He pointed with his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips as he looked at Frodo who was sat beside him.

“He’s remembered!” Merry said with a grin, pulling the pipe from his lips. He pushed himself to his feet.

Gandalf stood with the aid of his staff. “No, but the air doesn’t smell so foul down here. If in doubt, young Meriadoc, always follow your nose.” He led the way, holding his staff up so that the light exuding from it would reveal more of the path. Legolas held back to walk with you. You smiled at him and he returned it. Each member of the Fellowship stepped down the decreasing concrete.

“Let me risk a little more light.” Gandalf muttered. His staff brightened the way. “Behold, the great realm, the dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf.”

Your lips parted almost immediately in awe, breath drawing from your throat. There were pillars hundreds of feet tall, all so intricately designed and decorated. Somehow amongst the darkness all of the stone seemed to turn from a dull grey to a shimmering silver. Dips and grooves were so perfectly sculpted that it seemed surreal.

“Well, there’s an eyeopener, make no mistake.” Sam said. His eyes were glistening with wonder as well as everyone else’s.

“It’s beautiful.” You whispered. It seemed as if the words were forced from your mouth. There was so much beauty and brilliance in the world that you had yet to see; the sort of the thing that excited you.

It did not excite you for long, however. Once you had been walking for a while again, Gimli paused. His eyes quickly scanned over skeletons leading to a room. He took an audible breath, running into the room. Your eyes widened and you quickly followed him. Your heart ached at the sight of him. His face was stained with more tears, his eyes flooded. His wails were unforgettable. A series of sobs left his lips, his chest heaving up and down as you gently placed a hand on his shoulder. You could feel tears begin to pool in yours eyes. You had not noticed that the others had joined you until the sound of extra footsteps echoed off of the walls.

“Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.” The wizard took a breath. You moved away from Gimli, standing beside Legolas with a small sniffle. “He is dead, then. It is as I feared.” He handed his things to Pippin, delicately moving a skeleton to pick up a dusty book that it had been holding, once. A shiver ran all the way up your spine, your skin prickling in goosebumps. You snapped your head around to look through the door behind you, anxiety growing within your frame.

“I have a bad feeling about this place.” You hissed into the elf’s ear and he nodded, leaning into Aragorn’s ear slightly.

“We must move on. We cannot linger.”

Gandalf turned the page. “They have taken the bridge, and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums. Drums in the deep.” He turned the page. “We cannot get out. Shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming—”

Suddenly a loud noise captivated the attention of everybody. The noise came from beside Pippin, who was stood looking extremely guilty beside a headless body. Before you knew it, the body fell flimsily down the hole beside it and the weight that it was attached to quickly followed. If you wanted not to be noticed then perhaps bringing Pippin along was not the right idea, for the noises echoed loudly around the space. After a little while of silence, Boromir let out an audible breath of relief.

“Fool of a took!” Gandalf snapped, tossing the book to the floor. “Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity.” He snatched back his staff and hat and Pippin looked to the floor.

There was a faint bang in the distance. If anyone’s eyes had wondered, they were now firmly back on the hobbit. Breathing was audible from everyone in the room. You looked worriedly at Boromir, he, too, looked anxious. Your breath quickened, turning around to face the door but turning back when Sam spoke.

“Mister Frodo…” At his words, Frodo pulled out his sword which was glowing blue. Your eyes widened at the sight. He had told you before that his Uncle Bilbo had gifted it to him before he left Rivendell. It glowed blue if there were—

“Orcs.” Legolas confirmed at the overwhelming sound of energetic screams and shouts. Boromir turned, running to the door.

“Boromir!” You warned, gasping sharply when two arrows landed not even an inch away from his face, protruding out from the door. Sprinting to him, you helped him shove the door closed. You could make out Aragorn saying something to the hobbits over the vicious pumping of your heart. Instinctively you turned your back to the door, holding it shut whilst Legolas threw an axe to you. It threaded through the handle of the door kindly and you stepped away from the door slowly, pulling out your knives. The door began to wave outwards and inwards, like it was victim to an angry storm. Weapons were cutting through the wood at speed and soon enough the doors caved to the Orcs’ will. They came flooding through the space like they were on a water current. Legolas and Aragorn shot their arrows but there were too many. They continued to pour through until they reached you.

With a roar, you brought your knife up to counter a sword, plunging your other into the face of your attacker. You dodged an oncoming axe, dropping the floor to swipe its legs before heaving its own weapon into its chest. Swiftly you sliced through the flesh of one’s neck, spinning to punch another before you stabbed it in the heart; if they had hearts, that is, you did not really know. Your fingers tightened around the hilts of your knives, searching around. You quickly sheathed your knives, picking up an axe from one of those that you just killed. As you made for one about to attack Boromir from behind, you swung the axe over your head, burying it deep inside its skull. The body fell to its knees and you struggled to pull the weapon out, forcefully kicking the body to release the axe. Shouting, swinging at one’s knees before slicing its head clean from its body.

You shielded your face as rocks came flying from where the door was once. Sheer horror smacked you in the face at the sight of a cave troll. It had chains around its neck and a huge mallet in its hand. It came bounding right up to Sam after Legolas shot an arrow into the centre of its chest.

“Sam!” You cried, breathing as he managed to crawl out of the way. When you turned around, an Orc landed a punch straight to your nose. You fell, startled, wincing slightly at the pain. Your eyes widened as it swung its axe towards your head. With barely inches between you and the blade, you managed to roll out of the way. Suddenly the Orc let out a cry of pain, and you used the opportunity to ram your knives into each of its legs before pulling one out and driving it into its chest. When it fell to the floor, you managed to take a quick glance at the body. There was an arrow sticking out of the fleshy part of the side. A small smile tugged on your lips amongst the madness, your eyes searching.

Your smile faded when your gaze landed on Legolas. The troll swung its chain at him with ferocity, causing rocks to fall from the pillars and the walls.

“Legolas!” You screamed his name, tears in your eyes. He managed to swerve from all of the troll’s attacks. You did not see much of what happened next, for the number of Orcs seemed to increase again, but you cut down all of the Orcs that came your way with much frustration, the tears of worry in your eyes turning to those of anger.

When you next got a chance to look at the troll, it was attacking Frodo, Merry and Pippin. You began to make your way towards them, lunging at each creature that came to attack you, carving into their skin as if they were meat for dinner. The cave troll grabbed Frodo by his foot, and you called to him, raising the aggressiveness of your attacks unintentionally, frustration consuming your entire body. Frodo managed to slice something from the hand of the troll, giving Aragorn the chance to stick a spear just under its breast. It smacked Aragorn to the side and he hit a rock before his body tumbled lifelessly to the floor. Frodo desperately tried to run around the troll but to no avail. The troll pushed the spear into the hobbits chest.

A sob was forced from your throat, your chest heaving for breath. Merry and Pippin jumped on the troll, stabbing at its neck relentlessly. It managed to shake Merry off, dropping him to the floor from a height. Gimli ran at it, attempting to smack it with his axe but got kicked to the side. As you screamed, your knives tore and shredded through its thick skin. You swung an axe from the ground up to land firmly in the back of it. Legolas drew an arrow, aiming carefully before shooting it. The arrow buried itself in its mouth. It let out a noise. Then it fell to the ground, spreading the dust over the other bodies that lay there.

It took you no time at all to run to where Frodo’s and Aragorn’s bodies were. A few tears fell down your cheeks while you sprinted. You sighed in relief to see Aragorn crawling toward the hobbits body, but you frowned, noticing that Frodo still had not moved. The lump in your throat grew. Your breathing felt restricted, a small sob falling from your lips. Aragorn rolled Frodo’s body over into his lap.

A series of groans came from the mouth of the hobbit and your eyes widened, thinking that your ears had deceived you. The hobbit was stabbed, surely, he was dead! But Sam ran to your side, taking a deep breath before he looked to the rest of the Fellowship.

“He’s alive.” He confirmed. Everyone seemed to breathe at that.

“I’m alright. I’m not hurt.” Said Frodo, clutching his chest.

You smiled. “But how?”

“I think there is more to this hobbit than meets the eye,” Gandalf suggested with a knowing look. When you looked back towards Frodo, he pulled the fabric of his undershirt down, revealing a glimmering white chainmail material.

“Mithril.” Gimli whispered, a smile on his face. “You are full of surprises, Master Baggins.” Y stood, laughing breathily before turning to those behind you. Your gaze landed on Boromir and you smiled, wiping a bit of blood from his cheek comically. He chuckled, engulfing you in a hug. He gently pressed his lips to your to the top of your head and you smiled. Boromir left you to check on Merry and Pippin and you turned to Legolas, smiling.

“I was worried for you, mellon nin.” You avoided his gaze.

“And I for you.” He said. You could hear the smile on his face when he spoke, and your smile widened. You were about to say something else when more manic screams and shouts were heard, identical to the ones that were heard before the Orcs attacked you. Your eyes widened, turning to Gandalf.

“To the bridge of Khazad-Dum.”

And with that the Fellowship took off down the stony halls of Moria. You were all sprinting at full speed. It was a little surprising that the hobbits could keep up, but they had proven many times by now that they could hold their own and should never be underestimated. Screams echoed behind you and you turned to look, slowing when you noticed how many Orcs there were. This was a battle you were destined to lose. Fingers wrapped firmly around your wrist and you snapped your head forward again to see Boromir holding to you with one of his arms, pulling you along. Orcs started to pop up out of the floor and crawl down from the ceiling and quite quickly it was easy to see that there were way too many of them to even fathom fighting. The Fellowship slowed to a stop and you created a circle, pulling your knives from their sheaths and staring down the Orcs that surrounded you. The circle seemed to get smaller and smaller and soon you were shoulder to shoulder with Legolas and Boromir. The Orcs smiled maniacally at you. You took a sharp breath, ready to lunge at them when a very loud rumbling noise came from the end of the corridor.

Immediately, the Orcs turned frail, squeaking with fear and soon they scattered off just as quickly as they had appeared. You were alone again. The noise reverberated through the halls.

“What is that?” Somehow you had the nerve to ask the question.

“A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world.” You watched Legolas’ eyes widen slightly at the wizard’s words and you swallowed dryly. “This foe is beyond any of you. Run!”

Gandalf made for the opening that you had all meant to go down originally, the rest of you darting to the end of the hall to keep up with him. He stopped at the open archway, allowing the others in front of him. You ran just behind Legolas and Boromir was now leading the way. He moved down the newly presented set of stairs, not noticing the empty chasm that lay before his feet. He wobbled on the very edge, dropping his torch down the space as Legolas lunged forward, wrapped his arms around his chest and pulled him back.

Behind you, Gandalf clutched hold of Aragorn’s shoulder. “Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near.” When Aragorn tried to help him, he pushed on his shoulder, forcing him away. “Do as I say! Swords are no more use here.” You raced down the numerous flights of stone stairs until you came to a halt. A part of the staircase was missing. Legolas jumped over it carelessly, landing perfectly on the other side. He held his hand out to you. You took a breath before leaping over the disparity, grabbing his hand tightly as he safely pulled you into his chest.

“Gandalf.” He gestured for the wizard to come next. Gandalf jumped and you gasped as an arrow missed your face by just a few inches. Legolas frowned, aiming and shooting, his arrow hitting the Orc archer right between the eyes. You ushered Boromir down and he nodded, grabbing Merry and Pippin before diving over the gaping chasm. You caught Merry in your arms, setting him down with a head pat before Aragorn tossed Sam to you. Catching him, you gently set him down beside Merry whilst Legolas dealt with Gimli. Once Gimli joined you, however, the rock that Frodo and Aragorn were still perched on began to crumble. You gasped, squeezing Boromir’s hand in anxiety as you watched. A huge roar echoed from where you had just come from, causing the archway to shake and break. A large piece of stone plunged from the ceiling, crashing down onto the very staircase that the man and the hobbit were situated on. Your heart stuttered as the rock destroyed what was in its way, falling into the abyss below. The stem of the staircase broke.

“Be careful!” You cried, biting your lip so hard it pooled with blood. Aragorn pulled a very terrified Frodo into his chest. You watched with complete anxiety yet confusion; you could see that the man was calculating something.

“Lean forward!” He instructed to the Ring-Bearer and as the two did so, the faulty staircase began to lean under their weight. Slowly, it moved towards the stable one, crashing into it and you let out a breath with Frodo in your arms. All you wanted was to sit and hug him and make sure that he knew everything was going to be alright – even though you weren’t entirely sure it would be – but you knew that could not happen. Legolas had safely caught Aragorn and the next thing you knew, the ten of you were rapidly rushing down the numerous flights of trembling stairs.

Eventually you got to flat ground but none of you stopped running. Your thoughts wandered to Gandalf, wondering if it was wise that he should be running like this, for it seemed he was far too tired even earlier.

The bridge was near. “Over the bridge! Fly!” Little attention was paid to the roaring fires acting as gates toward it. Whilst everyone ran, Gandalf made sure to lack behind and just as he turned around, slowly, a giant creature emerged from the fire. It had black tattered skin and horns, terrible teeth and bright white eyes. Its mouth opened, and it created sound unlike any other on Middle-Earth, its mouth mirroring hot embers. Gandalf turned once it had taken a step, fleeing towards the group of you who also began to scurry away from the creature. You sprinted, heart jolting each time you heard – and felt – the Balrog take a step. In single file, ushering the hobbits in front of you, you crossed the bridge. Boromir held you for a moment once you had crossed, making sure that you were alright before he let go, eyes widening at the sight of Gandalf still in the centre of the bridge.

“You cannot pass.” Gandalf yelled, facing the beast with his staff out in front of him, his long sword settled in his other hand.

“Gandalf!” Frodo screamed. You inhaled sharply, eyes filling with tears in worry. Aragorn squeezed your hand gently as the beast stood tall, erupting into a ball of flame.

“I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun!” A great light emitted from Gandalf’s staff when he held it up, but the Balrog created a weapon of his own. A flash of lightning spewed from the connection of Gandalf’s staff and the Balrog’s sword of flame. You grasped Aragorn’s hand tighter, feeling all of the moisture from your mouth dissipate. The sword melted down into the abyss and the creature moaned ferociously at the wizard once again. “Go back to the shadow.” He said behind hooded eyes. It stepped toward him, creating a fiery whip which he cracked against the stone.

“You shall not pass!” As his voice echoed, Gandalf thrust his staff into the stone, white sparks flying from the collision. The beast raised his arm, stepping mightily towards to wizard, but the stone crumbled under its weight. He plummeted into the abyss. You let out a breath you did not know you were holding. Gandalf turned to step towards you.

However, as he did so, an orange-yellow string secured itself around his ankle, pulling him across the stone until he barely hung from the edge.

You gasped, shaking your head incredulously. “No…” Frodo ran for him. Boromir grabbed him, holding him close before he could reach. Your eyes were wide with anguish, Frodo’s screams painfully ringing in your ears.

“Gandalf!”

He looked amongst you. “Fly, you fools.” Was all he said before he spread his fingers out, giving in, and he fell. Tears pooled in your eyes, an aching sensation pounding in your chest, throughout your entire body. A few choked sobs escaped you whilst Aragorn, still latched to your hand, pulled you along, shielding you from the many arrows that were being shot your way. The final set of steps lay in front of you, and as Aragorn gently dragged you along, you found yourself looking back, filled with a sorrow that everyone was experiencing.

Upon exiting Moria, you found that Boromir was holding back Gimli, from going in there and no doubt trying to murder the Balrog that had taken Gandalf. Sam was sat on his own, crying into his hand. Pippin was sprawled out on the floor in pain, Merry holding onto him, both of them with tears gushing down their faces. If your heart was not already broken from the loss, it certainly was shattered now from the melancholy faces that lay before you. Slowly, you made your way over to Sam, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder as you knelt beside him. He looked up and threw his arms around your body, sobbing silently into your shoulder. You closed your eyes, tears streaming, hugging him as tightly while he clung to you.

Legolas looked around, it seemed as if for the first time that he was unsure of what to do. His chest ached, even harder when his eyes landed upon you, and how you quickly swiped your tears away before talking to Sam, wanting to be strong for him and the other hobbits.

Aragorn cleaned his sword with his clothes. “Legolas, get them up.” He came close to you and Sam and you shook your head gently.

“Leave them.” You sniffed.

“Give them a moment, for pity’s sake!”

“By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the Woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir. Y/N, Legolas, Gimli, get them up.” Aragorn pulled Sam up from the floor. “On your feet.” Boromir made his over to you, wrapping a comforting arm around your shoulder. You smiled weakly at him, and he kissed your temple softly. “Frodo?” You heard Aragorn call, your eyes wandering to try to find the hobbit. Once you had found him, you sighed.

“It is hardly fair, that they do not get a chance to lament.”

“I know, but Aragorn is right. We must hurry to avoid the Orcs and another potential loss.” You nodded and Boromir’s words, hugging into his side, your eyes never leaving Frodo.

~~~

You had all been walking for a long while, but it was still light. You had been walking beside Aragorn, listening to him talk away about where we going and then after that and after that. It was not until he mentioned again where you were going now, that a faint memory flooded into your head. Your brows furrowed together whilst you tried to remember the details of the memory.

“What is it, Y/N?” Aragorn asked, concerned.

“Lothlorien. It sounds familiar.” You gave him a knowing look and his eyes widened, only slightly, in surprise. You both knew what that could mean. Legolas, however, did not, but he wanted to. He felt awful for eavesdropping yet again, but you intrigued him more than one ever had before, and his curiousness was getting the better of him.

Aragorn started to jog toward the forest, and you joined him, stopping once you were inside. Your eyes widened when you looked around, your breathing staggering only slightly, your heart thumping in your chest.

“Aragorn,” you whispered. “I have been here before.”

taglist : @falcor-thee-luck-dragon @entishramblings @beakami @biscuit-buddy

(send me an ask if you want to be added to my taglist<3)

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missdreamsalot · 4 years

Text

The Queen’s Guard- CH. 3: City of Angels

A/N: I would first love to thank @lordofhorizons for helping me with this chapter and tolerating my craziness! Love you! <3

And a huge thanks to my amazing readers who continue to motivate me!

Happy reading~ *ヽ(◕ヮ◕ヽ)

Book: The Royal Romance

Main Pairings: Leo x OC, Liam x OC

Future Pairings: Maxwell x OC, Bastien x OC, Drake x Olivia x OC

Summary: A rotten apple in the family threatens their lives and there is only one way to get rid of bad blood.

Masterlist

Series Warnings: Violence, Language, Sexual Content, Angst, Dark Situations, Character Death

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of The Royal Romance, or Rules of Engagement; they belong to Pixelberry. I only own my OC’s.

Please let me know if you would like to be added or removed:

Tags List: @riseandshinelittleblossom, @hopefulmoonobject, @lordofhorizons, @gkittylove99,@kingliam2019, @amandablink, @cordonianroyalty, @cordonianprincess, @marshmallowsaremyfavorite

Ch. 3: City of Angels

“What exactly will happen when this is through?”

Liam peeked over his shoulder. Madeleine was standing behind him, arms crossed rigidly, as he shuffled the papers on his desk. After settling them into neatly placed stack, he faced her while placing his phone in his coat pocket and leaning back against his desk. He had just told her about Tariq and Los Angeles, and the certainty of seeing Elle once again.

Honestly, he didn’t know what was going to happen when the scandal was cleared or how things would go with Elle.

“I need a reply, Liam.” she demanded. “If my position as Queen is at risk, I need to know.” She pushed firmly.

“My intention was to merely confront Tariq to clear Elle’s name. I wasn’t expecting Val-”

“Val? That punk-looking woman?” Madeleine inquired sternly. “You two certainly have a thing for peculiar women. Trashy at that.”

Liam’s eyebrows furrowed in anger. “You want to know the truth? Yes, your position as Queen is hanging on a thread. I am going to L.A to remedy the chaos my father created and win back the woman I adore with all my heart.”

Hurt unmistakably crossed her face as he continued. “And if she will accept me back into her life, I will, without hesitation, make her the queen she was meant to be.”

Madeleine smoothed out the sides of her dress as she collected herself. “Well then. That’s all I needed to hear.” With her chin held high, she closed the space between them. Her slender fingers wrapped around his tie and tugged him forward, forcing him to stare down at her. “Good luck on your trip, but I hope you come to understand what’s truly best for this country....” Pristine nails glided up his neck and as she cupped his cheek, she pressed her red-stained lips against his. He only waited until she pulled away. “…Me.” she affirmed with usual poise.

Satisfied with having the last word, she turned and exited the room, but not before bumping into Drake who suddenly appeared at the doorway.

“Oh, uhh, sorry.” He sidestepped out of her way, allowing her to pass. She said nothing as she moved on. “Always a charm to be around…” he muttered sarcastically. “Ready to go, Liam? Everyone’s waiting out front.”

Liam sighed heavily at having just dealt with Madeleine. “I’m ready.” And to be gone for as long as possible.

Two days have passed since his discharge from the hospital. He felt mostly well, but the aches and pains returned with a vengeance every so often. Regina insisted that he give himself at least a week to recover, but Liam didn’t want to delay his departure any longer. He was eager to get to L.A and see Elle again.

However, he was overburdened with the situation of the bombing. Everyone wanted answers, but he couldn’t give them. The only link that they had was slaughtered by a 100lb direwolf, according to Bastien. Several questions remained about the group she affiliated with and how she escaped her cell. The cameras had been hacked into and disabled and, following that, the two guards keeping a look out were also killed.

In addition, there was no further word from Val.

Once Liam and his group made into the jet that was arranged for them, he took a seat across from Leo.

“Anything?” he asked his older brother, who stared solemnly out the window.

“No.” Leo pressed the balls of his hands into his eyes. “Christ, she drives me insane!” he exasperated. “She is so careless and selfish. Then she goes and disappears without saying anything!”

“Sounds like you’re talking about yourself, Leo.” Drake interjected, which was followed by a glare from the rebellious ex-prince. Those two always seemed to have it out for each other, but Liam couldn’t deny the truth in Drake’s words.

He added amusedly, “Perhaps this is karma? The world has finally caught with you.”

Leo groaned. “This woman…”

“Guess who has the bubbly!” Maxwell burst into the cabin happily. “Pre-celebration for clearing Elle’s name.”

“We shouldn’t get our hopes up.” Drake said, “There are half a dozen places we have to eliminate and who knows if Tariq hasn’t already up and left.”

“Pre-celebration for reuniting with Elle!”

“I don’t think I feel up to it. Sorry, Maxwell.” Liam stated softly. Dejected, Maxwell turned away with a slump in his shoulders.

“Oh, what the hell. Give it here, buddy!” Leo reached forward and Maxwell cheerfully obliged, handing him a glass.

“Valentina apparently had a run in with our father. Under what circumstances, I’m unsure.” Liam stated calmly as Leo chugged down the champagne.

Leo stayed silent, staring down at the empty glass. “I always had my suspicions. I just didn’t want to believe father would go that far… but if he was willing to ruin Elle’s reputation, it wouldn’t surprise me if he said or did something that forced Val to cut things off.”

He chortled half-heartedly. “I feel kind of stupid. She knew who I was, I don’t know for how long or why she never said anything… I would steer clear of the details if she asked and all this time she knew. I just don’t understand why she didn’t just tell me what was going on?” He paused thoughtfully. “I don’t know how I feel about all this…”

“There must be more to it.” Liam reckoned, in an attempt to ease Leo, but it only seemed to irritate him.

His brother gave an audible tsk. “Yeah, her job. That was always her excuse. Spy, hitwoman, whatever she is…Now, I could care less.” He stood up sharply.

“Leo-”

“I could use another drink or two.” Liam looked after his brother worriedly as he walked to the back of the jet’s luxurious cabin. He understood why Leo felt so frustrated with Val. He just hoped he didn’t do anything stupid.

The rest of the flight passed on uneventfully, three men brooding about the current happenings while Maxwell was seemingly optimistic about well…everything. They arrived in Los Angeles early afternoon the next day, and after settling into their rooms for a bit they reconvened in Liam’s suite.

Everyone, except for Leo.

“Is this really a surprise?” Drake said, combing a hand through his visibly damp hair.

Maxwell eyes lit up excitedly. “OooOooh, I saw him walking out of the hotel with a smoking hot babe in his arm.”

Liam berated his older brother internally. Dammit, Leo. He was definitely doing something stupid.

><><><><><><><><

Leo entered the building that pulsed with pounding drums and lively shrills from electric guitars. Lights of vibrant colors twirled over the dancing crowd whose excited feet quaked the floor.

“C’mon!” The busty blonde pulled him towards the bar with an enthusiastic laugh. “How lucky am I to have snagged a prince?!”

“Ha.” He clenched his teeth. ‘Probably not your best idea; going out with a zealous fan…’ But he was aching for a night out and needed to get his mind off a certain someone, and ironically, here he was thinking about not thinking about her.

As the band ended the last remnants of their song darkness consumed them until the room glimmered back to life.

Turning back to the bar, he froze in place.

‘Just how much damn smaller could this world be?’

From the looks of it, Val must’ve been in the dancing mob near the stage. With tousled hair and a visible sheen of dampness along her face, she was speaking to another woman near the bar. The blonde didn’t look happy while Val, who appeared laid-back, played off what her friend had said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Val’s gaze glided along the crowd, half listening to her. Until finally, she met his. The piercing kick of an electric guitar cut through the air as the band sparked back to life.

“Here’s your drink, handsome!” His date flashed the cocktail in his face. Breaking away from the surprised look on Val’s face, he refocused his attention on cute Andrea.

“Just what I needed.” He grinned roguishly. “Thanks, beautiful.” His fingers tangled in the back of her hair and he leaned in, capturing her luscious lips. Was he being petty? Undeniably so, and Leo wasn’t afraid of putting on a show.

She moaned as he kissed her deeply and their lips moved sensually against each other. He opened his eyes and allowed his teeth to scrape her bottom lip as Val watched.

A shadow fell over her face, eyes darkening dangerously. Val turned away and reached behind the bar, dragging out her classic black leather jacket. He caught sight of something twinkle underneath the lights but she was quick to hide it away. The bartender acknowledged her with a grin. “Have fun!” He shouted.

Val only responded with a thumbs up and took the stairs to the second floor, her companion following behind.

“Let’s rock out, Leo!” Andrea draped her arms around him, insistently guiding him toward the jumping crowd.

“Whoa!” He took the opportunity to purposely spill his drink. Andrea shrieked, leaping away from the liquid.

“Why you don’t go ahead? I’m going to go grab another one. I need to be able to keep up with you.” He winked. Captivated, she nodded obediently and got lost in the sea of dancers.

Leo traced Val’s steps up to the next level and caught her going through a door at the end of the hall as he reached the top. He maneuvered his way through the swaying bodies, eventually coming face to face with it. On the front it read: ROOF ACCESS. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.

He sauntered through without hesitation and up the next set of stairs carefully. The brick cobbled walls braced a steel door at the upper end. It was slightly ajar, tendrils of moonlight and a stream of words seeping its way in.

“…isn’t going to bode well for anyone…for Danielle especially, and she is in no condition to fret.”

Leo peered through the crack. Both women had their back to him. They were speaking to a middle-aged man with spectacles.

“Why are do you feel so inclined to know?” he asked Val.

Leo couldn’t make out Val’s next words as they flowed in a soft, delicate whisper.

The man’s shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, Valentina. I truly am. All I can say now is to go to your father.”

Val responded. “He’s no help. He practically begged me to never bring it up again, or anything related to their deaths.”

His lips pursed, then he sighed. “There is a distressing reason behind that.”

“Will you tell me?”

“I’m in no position to, but…” A passing breeze concealed his next words, and Leo unconsciously leaned forward causing the door to groan against his weight.

Before Leo knew it, there was a sudden flash of silver and a metallic clang from behind him. The blonde had, without warning or hesitation thrown a fine narrow dagger in his direction. Assuming they were professionals, Leo surmised that it was a warning shot. She seemed more than capable of hitting her target; aka his head.

He pushed the door open with his foot, revealing himself with hands up in surrender. He stared intently at the trio, his eyes eventually resting on Val. Her eyes tore through him with a coldness he never saw before, causing more damage than any other blade could.

The man addressed Val, “Another contact of yours?”

“No. I don’t know who that man is.” Val deadpanned. The blonde began to reach under her coat, but she intervened quickly. “Zinnia, I’ll take care of him.”

“I suppose we’re finished here then?”

“Yes, Thompson. Thank you.” Val bid him farewell.

Thompson passed him with a friendly grin. “Good luck.” He muttered under his breath. Zinnia said nothing but gave him a passing glance as she went back inside.

As soon as the door closed, Leo heard the unmistakable sound of a gun cock.

“Are you serious?” His eyebrows furrowed irritably.

Val took aim and fired… the concrete by his foot split and was left dented by the bullet. She gave a cunning tilt of her head.

“I’m really tired, Leo, and I don’t think I have the patience to deal with you right now, especially after your little stunt in there…” Val said, pointing the smoking pistol at him.

Standing his ground, Leo examined her. Rigid yet calm, her eyes, though blazing with ferocity, also carried a sadness with them. He noticed the dark circles settled underneath and if he wasn’t mistaken, she’d lost a bit of weight.

“I’m sorry, okay? But could you blame me for being angry? You left without a damn word.”

She sighed, “I meant to get back to you but I’ve been busy with-”

“Your job?” Leo spat. “It takes just a minute to send a message saying-I don’t know- anything, Telling me that you’re okay?!”

She withdrew her weapon as if the weight was too much to bear. “I don’t have time for this.” Her steps were quick as she attempted to make her way past him, but he blocked her path.

“Please, just talk to me!”

Val gazed somberly at the ground. It was clear that something was bothering her. He was conflicted with whether or not he should push the matter, but he was tired of being left in the dark.

His words were soft. “Help me understand. I don’t want to feel this way towards you, but you’re not giving me much options.” He gently took her arms in an approach to comfort her, but she remained motionless.

When he felt her tremor in his hands, she swiftly clasped his wrist. He observed her with concern. Whatever that was, it wasn’t from the cold. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head as her eyes welled up with tears. “I have to go.” She choked. Allowing her to remove his hands, he stepped aside. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”

And Val was gone, leaving him with more unanswered questions and a hollow feeling in his chest.

The rest of the night seemed to move in a haze. He found his way back to the bar, had a couple more drinks, and eventually reunited with Andrea. He indulged her with lustful words and sweet caresses, driving that pitiful cloud above his head away for the night.

Stumbling contentedly into her apartment, clothes found their way to the floor as he lavished her with eager kisses and tantalizing bites. He grasped the heated flesh of her thighs wrapped around him, pressing their bodies firmly together in a tangled mess.

Walking to her bedroom, Leo tripped suddenly, losing his balance. Andrea squealed as she collapsed on the soft, plush carpeting with him on top and they erupted in a fit of drunken laughter.

She pushed him onto his back, climbing over his chiseled body. Her fingers raked down his chest while her lips discovered the tender skin of his neck. He groaned, shutting his eyes.

When he opened them again, Val swam in his vision. “Val…” he sighed longingly.

She smirked, arching her back seductively. “I’m going to take great care of you tonight.” Her hips shifted and he grabbed them tightly as she began to move enticingly against him.

His head fell back as the feel of her enraptured him and he lost himself in the warmth of her touch…

><><><><><><><><

*Knock* Knock* Knock*

Liam stepped away from the door, glancing back at the address Val had given him. He seemed to be in the right place. The apartment complex was well-built and stood strongly despite its vintage-styled architecture. The fourth-floor walls were adorned with antique light fixtures and historical portraits against white panel walls. He recognized the painting closest to him as Rene Magritte’s ‘The Lovers’. The couple in the photo had their faces covered in cloth; a scene that held more significance more than he realized.

He heard sudden movement in the inside and his anxiousness increased. Was it a mistake being here? Should he come back later? It was a bit selfish to assume she was available, but when would it be the best time?

He exhaled heavily.

The elevator dinged down the hall and as the doors opened, a woman’s laughter spilled free. The melody propelled him to turn as it ignited his heart and the feeling only intensified when the sight of Elle invaded his mind.

She stepped out, smiling brightly up at a man who followed behind her, carrying a bag of groceries.

She stopped short upon seeing him, her green eyes widening in disbelief and face becoming considerably pale “Liam?” His name fell breathlessly from her pink lips.

However, his attention was fixed on a part of her that bulged out considerably; round and swollen.

That could only mean one thing: she was pregnant.

#choices leo #choices fanfiction #pixelberry #choices liam #choices liam x oc #choices liam x mc #choices the royal romance #choices trr #prince leo #king liam #trr liam #choices leo x oc #trr leo #trr fanfic #leo rys

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cindyburman · 4 years

Text

and every day is like a battle (but every night with us is like a dream)

ao3

Summary: At school, Cindy always has to be in control: of her emotions, of her powers, or her so-called "friends." If she ever let her guard down she'd be stabbed in the back before she could say, "Et tu, Brute?" So it's only outside of the oppressive confines of Blue Valley High and in the presence of her two favorite people (and the only ones she fully trusts) that Cindy allows herself to relax and truly be herself.

Notes: title is from "new romantics" by taylor swift. the only explanation i have for this spur-of-the-moment fic is that one tumblr post that says something like "fandom seeks to create what the original source material is missing." and i'm just filling the voids of "gay characters/relationships" and "the characters all being happy and safe" recently on stargirl. anyways @ geoff johns make them girlfriends or else. go check out my ao3 for more of me believing that pretty much all of the girls on stargirl (and pretty much any other show) are gay with little to no proof!!!

Cindy drives through the meandering streets of Blue Valley faster than is really necessary, but that's not her fault. The driver that her father created usually drops her off at Courtney's (or at a location nearby that Cindy walks to Courtney's from once the driver's out of sight so as not to make him suspicious about how often she goes there), so it's only when he's busy performing other various nefarious tasks that Cindy is allowed to drive herself. These times are so few and far between that Cindy doesn't even know the speed limit here--she thinks that it ends in a 5, though, so she took a wild guess that it was 45 miles per hour and tacked on another 5 for good measure because everyone knows that going 5 over the speed limit is technically allowed.

She's pulled out of her thoughts by the now-familiar sight of the Whitmore-Dugan household. Cindy slows down to turn into their driveway, grateful that it isn't trash day and that she doesn't have to risk a repeat of last time, and parks next to the grass on the left side. Getting out of the car, she locks the doors and tosses the keys into her purse before striding purposefully toward the front door. Cindy's barely finished ringing the doorbell when the door abruptly opens, startling her and (for some reason) Barbara, who was the one to open the door in the first place.

"Hey, Courtney's mom," Cindy recovers smoothly, pasting on her most charming smile.

"Hey, Courtney's friend," Barbara replies bemusedly, stepping aside to let Cindy into the house. "She's upstairs in her room."

With that, Cindy starts up the stairs, her anticipation already building. At school, Cindy always has to be in control: of her emotions, of her powers, or her so-called "friends." If she ever let her guard down she'd be stabbed in the back before she could say, "Et tu, Brute?"

So it's only outside of the oppressive confines of Blue Valley High and in the presence of her two favorite people (and the only ones she fully trusts) that Cindy allows herself to relax and truly be herself. Speaking of...

Cindy opens the door to Courtney's room and steps inside, immediately spotting Courtney sitting against the headrest of her bed and seemingly studying.

"Hi, babe," Courtney says cheerfully without looking up from her textbook. Cindy frowns at the lack of attention--and for some boring school book?

"How did you know that it was me?" Cindy prompts, attempting to get Courtney to look at her. "Or do you just greet your family members like that too?" Courtney's mouth twitches into a smile, and she finally looks at Cindy.

"My family members knock before coming in," she remarks dryly, watching Cindy set her purse down on Courtney's desk and then turn back towards her. Looking directly at Courtney, Cindy slowly stalks towards her, putting far more sway in her hips than usually would.

Courtney falls for the bait hook, line, and sinker, and Cindy can't help her victorious smirk as her girlfriend looks at her with renewed interest. Unfortunately for her, though, Courtney has one more card to play before she puts aside this facade of disinterest.

"So." Courtney presses her lips together in an attempt to contain her smile, but it doesn't matter--her mirth shines from her eyes, as bright as the sun. "Ready to start studying?" Cindy rolls her eyes but can't help herself from smiling, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, how about we start with chemistry?" she suggests playfully. Courtney snorts at the double meaning before catching herself and scrambling to revert to her faux-seriousness. She pretends to consider Cindy's words for a moment before nodding decisively, shoving her book off to the side.

"Excellent." Cindy grins and scoots further onto the bed, throwing one of her legs across Courtney's hips and settling into her lap. Courtney's hands rest on Cindy's waist almost automatically and Cindy settles her arms in their customary place on Courtney's shoulders, her fingers tangling in Courtney's hair and scratching at her scalp. Ever the tease, Cindy leans down as slowly as she can manage, drawing this moment out as revenge for Courtney's (successful) attempts to rile her up. It lasts for a solid few seconds before Courtney grows impatient and, in a somewhat surprising (because Courtney's deceptively small and lean frame often leads Cindy to forget how powerful she really is) but definitely exhilarating show of strength, flips them over so that Cindy is lying on her back, her legs still bracketing Courtney's hips, and Courtney is leaning over her with a shit-eating grin, one hand holding herself up while the other loosely pins Cindy's wrists against the pillows.

"Did I forget to mention that I'm really more of a hands-on learner?" Courtney murmurs, so obviously pleased with herself for continuing the joke. Cindy wants nothing more than to lunge forward and wipe that self-satisfied smirk off her mouth (preferably with her own mouth), but this time it's Courtney who leans down and connects their lips.

Cindy's eyes flutter closed as she allows herself to melt into the kiss, to feel the all-consuming fire that's been licking at her insides since Courtney showed up in Blue Valley. Being with Courtney is like an roller coaster she never wants to end, and kissing Courtney makes her feel like she can do anything. There's only one other person she's ever felt anything like this around, and she's--

"I don't know if I'll ever get used to this sight." Yolanda's voice breaks through their reverie, and Cindy and Courtney stop kissing and look up to see their other girlfriend, who's just entered the bedroom and is now looking on them both with affection.

"Yolanda! C'mere," Courtney encourages her, patting the bed emphatically. Cindy reaches out for Yolanda as well, giving her the best "come hither" look she can muster, although it's not really necessary--unlike the two of them, Yolanda's less about playing the world's most homoerotic game of Chicken and more about simply being honest and open about her feelings and wants, which is honestly the only reason the three of them finally got together in the first place (although to be fair, it did take Yolanda quite a while to figure out her feelings)--and Yolanda easily acquiesces. She sits down next to them, her knees tucked under her and her hand seeking out Cindy's own to intertwine their fingers.

Wordlessly, Courtney and Yolanda lean toward each other and share a sweet, lingering kiss. Cindy watches them through hooded eyes, worrying her lower lip with her teeth as the bubbling heat in the pit of her stomach rises to a boil once more. She instinctively squeezes her legs together, forgetting that Courtney's still between them.

"Needy," Courtney chides, running her hand up Cindy's thigh as she breaks away from Yolanda, but there's no venom to it. And as both Courtney and Yolanda look at her, nothing but pure, unadulterated fondness in their eyes, Cindy feels more loved than she's ever felt with anyone else and can't help but think, How did I get so lucky?

"I mean, can you blame me? I do have the hottest girlfriends in the world," she replies earnestly. Yolanda snorts.

"Flatterer," she says warmly, flopping down next to her and beginning to pepper kisses all over Cindy's face except her lips.

"I don't know if that's completely true, though," Courtney says with a wide smile, her fingers tracing small, repetitive circles on the skin of her stomach where her shirt's ridden up. Judging by the matching grin Cindy can feel Yolanda pressing against her cheek, it's a buildup to another one of their bad jokes, and she prepares herself accordingly.

"There's this really attractive girl at school, right, babe?" Courtney continues, directing the last part of her statement to Yolanda.

"Oh, yeah, I know exactly who you mean, Court," Yolanda says, hamming it up as she momentarily pulls away from Cindy. "I think her name is Sandy or something?" Ugh, so that was where it was going, Cindy thinks, letting out a loud groan and pinching the bridge of her nose. Unfortunately, her audible disapproval doesn't deter the two at all--in fact, it seems like it only serves to spur them on.

"Really? I thought it was Sydney," Courtney says, faking confusion.

"Actually, I'm pretty sure it's Candy," Yolanda corrects her.

"No way, it's totally Mindy!"

"Close. It's Linda."

"Is it Cindy??" Cindy blurts out exasperatedly. Her girlfriends look at each other and nod with faux-thoughtfulness, muttering yes, that's it, absolutely, and Cindy dramatically covers her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You two are the worst," she grumbles halfheartedly.

"Come on, you have to admit that it was at least a little funny," Courtney wheedles as Yolanda gently tugs her hand away from her eyes.

"If I do, will you promise never to do it again?" Cindy asks, only half kidding. Courtney and Yolanda laugh but shake their heads, and so Cindy shrugs haughtily and attempts to remain aloof. However, she can only withstand the power of both of their beseeching gazes for so long, and she breaks faster than she'd like to admit.

"Fine. I guess it wasn't the worst joke you've ever told," Cindy concedes, allowing her lips to curl into a rueful grin. Courtney pumps her fist and cheers theatrically at this hard-won victory, finally extricating herself from between Cindy's legs in favor of lying next to her instead.

"High praise," Yolanda murmurs teasingly before finally giving in and pressing her lips to Cindy's. Yolanda's tender kisses and hands oh-so-carefully cradling Cindy's jaw, like she's something precious that might break if she's treated too roughly, are the perfect juxtaposition to Courtney practically mauling her on her other side, leaving a ragged trail of kisses and nips across her neck because she knows that Cindy can take it, knows that deep down she wants to. Yolanda makes her feel safe and so, so very loved, and Courtney makes her feel brave and alive. These are the reasons why she fell for both of them in the first place, the reasons why she could never just choose one--and thankfully, she didn't have to.

Cindy's train of thought is derailed when Courtney bites down particularly hard right on her pulse point, causing her to let out an undignified, breathy moan into Yolanda's mouth. Yolanda's grip on her jaw tightens slightly at the sound, the change in pressure so minute that Cindy doesn't even think Yolanda knows she's doing it. But then Yolanda's tongue slips into her mouth, and yeah, she definitely knows she's doing here.

When they finally break apart, both of them are breathing hard and flushed. Courtney detaches from Cindy's neck, where she's been trying to suck a bruise into her skin (key word: trying. Her healing factor doesn't make it that easy to leave hickeys). All three of them lay there quietly as they allow heartbeats to return more or less to normal until Cindy sits up and breaks the silence.

"I miss you two," she confesses in a rare moment of vulnerability. "Not now, obviously, but at school. Hanging out with other people just doesn't feel the same." Her girlfriends quickly move to sit up as well, arranging themselves in something resembling a close-knit triangle.

"I'm sorry, babe," Yolanda says simply, squeezing her hand in support.

"Me too. I hate that we can't always be together," Courtney adds, hugging Cindy tightly. Yolanda joins in only seconds later, and although Cindy knows this won't change things, she still somehow feels better--Courtney and Yolanda always manage to do that. Suddenly, Courtney gasps and breaks the embrace, looking... angry?

"Wait, is Henry being a jerk again? Because I can totally go kick his ass if you want," she declares. Cindy and Yolanda share an amused glance--this isn't the first time that Courtney has offered to go beat up their ex-boyfriend on behalf of one or both of them, and they know it won't be the last.

"Not any more than usual," Cindy replies dryly. The JSA and Cindy have had a tenuous alliance with Henry ever since he figured out their identities (but in all fairness, he could literally hear their thoughts), but considering that he's one of only three people who knows that Cindy, Courtney, and Yolanda are dating (the other two being Beth and Rick), it was best for them to focus more on the 'alliance' part rather than the 'tenuous' considering he hadn't done anything truly heinous (yet). They hadn't even wanted to tell him, but mindreaders and secrets don't go very well together, as was evidenced by how he found out--Courtney couldn't stop thinking (very loudly, Henry had noted), Don't think about the fact that you're dating both of his ex-girlfriends whenever she saw him. "He's mostly just pissed because he thinks that either he 'turned us gay' by being a horrible boyfriend or that you 'turned us gay,' specifically, to spite him."

Yolanda scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Why do men always think that it's about them?" Cindy laughs, high-fiving her and nodding.

"Did you somehow gain telepathy too?" Courtney asks, confused. "Because I highly doubt that he would just tell you all of that."

"No, Henry's just still learning how to use his powers," Cindy explains. "So sometimes he accidentally projects his thoughts into my head--and other people's too sometimes, I presume--without realizing it. And this was one of his tamer thoughts."

Courtney shakes her head with a grimace. "I don't even want to know."

"Yeah, gross," Yolanda says, wrinkling her nose up. "I still can't believe I ever dated him."

"Join the club," Cindy sympathizes, nudging her shoulder in solidarity.

"Now that's one organization that I hope I'll never join," Courtney laughs. "Honestly, I'm simultaneously kinda flattered that Henry thinks I could 'turn' both of you and kinda terrified that people still think that's a real thing that happens."

"Straight boys: can't live with them, can... actually really easily live without them," Cindy says thoughtfully. The other two chuckle.

"While we're on the topic of straight boys... where's Rick?" Yolanda wonders aloud.

"Date night with Beth," Courtney supplies promptly. "I think they said something about bowling?"

"Ooh, that sounds like fun," Cindy says, perking up. "Wanna go crash it?"

"Depends, are you any good?" Yolanda teases.

"I'm good at whatever I apply myself too," she says smoothly. There's a long pause, and then...

"You've never gone bowling before, have you?" Courtney asks suspiciously.

"Maybe..." Cindy hedges. Her girlfriends gape at her in horror.

"Well, now we have to go!" Courtney exclaims, acting as if Cindy having never bowled before is a personal affront to everything she stands for. "Come on, Cindy, you can drive us." She gets up and starts grabbing her stuff, and Cindy and Yolanda follow her lead.

"Mom! We're leaving to go meet Beth and Rick!" Courtney yells as they head downstairs.

A muffled "Okay, stay safe!" comes from somewhere in the house, and Courtney opens the front door and holds it for Cindy and Yolanda with a dramatic half-bow.

"Why, thank you," Cindy says as she bats her eyelashes exaggeratedly.

"What a gentlewoman," Yolanda adds, giggling.

"Shotgun!" Courtney calls out once they're all outside, jogging a little to catch up.

"And just like that... chivalry is dead," Yolanda deadpans, clasping her hands to her chest and staring off wistfully into the distance. "Where, oh where, did you go?"

"Oh, shut up," Courtney says, punching her lightly in the shoulder with a bright smile. "Do you really want shotgun or did you just want to make that joke? Because if you're so attached to it you can have it."

"No, I just wanted to make that joke." Yolanda grins and plants a kiss on her cheek, leaning into her side as Cindy rifles through her purse for her keys.

"Here we go!" Cindy declares when she finds them and unlocks the car.

"So, what's the speed limit again?" she asks, only half joking, as her and Yolanda get into the car and Courtney goes around the the passenger side.

"You're kidding, right?" Yolanda says, sounding vaguely alarmed. "It's 25."

"Yeah, I was totally kidding," Cindy reassures her with a nervous laugh, because there's no way she's telling her that she was doing twice that on the drive here. Courtney gets in and begins fiddling with the radio, nodding in approval when she finds a station she likes as one of the presets.

"Okay, babe, since you've never bowled before, we're going to have to go over all of the basics," Courtney instructs. "Some of it we can talk about on the way, but most of the teaching has to happen at the bowling alley, like proper stance and how much run-up distance you need."

"Yes, I think you'll need a lot of help with stance in particular," Yolanda confirms from the backseat as Cindy pulls out of the driveway.

"I think you two just want an excuse to stand really close behind me and maneuver me around," Cindy teases them, smirking.

"Well, stance is actually really important for knocking over the maximum amount of pins and making sure not to injure yourself," Yolanda explains, and the thing is that Cindy actually believes her--it's a very Yolanda thing to do, to care so much about other people and their well-being (Cindy took advantage of that many times before. Yolanda has since forgiven her, but Cindy still doesn't know if she'll ever be able to forgive herself for all of the torture she put Yolanda through). Then, her voice turns mischievous and although Cindy can't see her, she knows that she's smiling as she continues, "That's just a fun bonus."

"And someone has to," Courtney reasons. "Wouldn't you rather it be us than Beth or Rick?"

"True. Beth and Rick are nice, but I'm not going to put out on my first date with them," Cindy says, chuckling, and then, sultrily, "You two can adjust my stance all you want, though." Both of her girlfriends laugh, but Yolanda leans forward to lightly slap Cindy's arm semi-reproachfully--she still hasn't quite overcome all of her Catholic upbringing.

"Okay, but I'm going to hold you to that," Courtney warns her with a grin. "Just a heads-up, bowling can get pretty, well... intense with us, but really, what doesn't? The competitiveness is strong in the JSA."

"Yeah, but bowling isn't all about competition, it's also just plain fun," Yolanda says. "Knocking down the pins is actually really therapeutic, you'll love it. Bowling is one of my favorite sports because I get to throw stuff at other stuff in the same way that boxing is one of my favorite sports because I get to hit stuff."

After that, Courtney and Yolanda begin to debate exactly how far bent over you should be by the end of your throw for maximum pin-hitting potential, and Cindy half-listens to their good-natured bickering, a big smile on her face as she drives through the streets of Blue Valley (this time at the actual speed limit).

I love them, she thinks, not for the first time. Even Cindy isn't brave enough to say it aloud--none of them have yet--but she knows deep down that it's absolutely true. Of course she's managed to fall in love with two of her father's worst enemies: Stargirl and Wildcat, impulsivity and stability, her better wholes (because really, neither of them are half a person).

And she wouldn't have it any other way.

Notes: this was meant to be like 2k words but ig my creative juices were just flowing!!! anyways i love these three w my entire heart and would both kill and die for them, so chances are i will be writing more for them, either by making this part of like a series of oneshots or maybe i'll be making a multichapter fic sometime soon idk 👀 once again, check out my ao3 for more like this!! please leave ur questions/comments/concerns below, i thrive off of others' validation :') and of course, here is the blm carrd, please do what you can to support, whether it's protesting, donating, or even just signing petitions!!

#cindy burman #shiv #courtney whitmore #stargirl #yolanda montez #wildcat #starshiv #shivcat #starcat #starshivcat #fanfiction #stargirl fanfiction #starcat fanfiction #starshiv fanfiction #shivcat fanfiction #starshivcat fanfiction

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powermaknae · 4 years

Text

In the Dark Part 2

Incubus! Yuta x Witch! Lily

Yuta leaves a life of wild partying and long nights to be with Lily, a witch with growing power.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Word Count- 2.7K~

~Fantasy!au, sexual themes, some angst, blood play, power complex, choking(not a lot), alcohol

A/N: This one is a little shorter but its fiiiine. There’s a bit more Doyoung, less Johnny, and more Lily than Yuta. And I kind of set it up weird so I had to rethink how I was gonna write it, but here ya go, part 2 is up and running. Part 3 is on its way.

She was shaken awake by a familiar figure dawned in black cotton. His kind face was such a sight for sore eyes.

“Doyoung, what’re you doing here?” Lily was so excited to see him after so long.

“Johnny called me after he brought you home. He said you were with someone.” His expression changed as he watched her nose scrunch at the thought of last night.

“Wait. What happened?” Her head was pounding. She felt dehydrated and starved in the dimly lit room covered in the grey of approaching storm clouds.

“All I know is that Johnny had said you’d gone to see him yesterday and he followed you and another man to a club, where you passed out. He brought you here and called me. Lily, what were you doing?” His words were slow and his voice was filled with concern for his younger sister. She was the only other sibling he had, and he cherished her deeply.

“I- It was kind of hectic. Doyoung, I found something. I went to see Johnny for information, but there was something else.” Her voice trailed off as she looked for comfort in her brother’s big eyes. “The Book of Spells, it called to me…”

Doyoung eyes grew wide at the statement. He was much wiser than her and had studies the history of witchcraft. He knew what it meant to be called upon by this book.

His reaction made her nervous. She only knew the book from the stories.

“Lily, this means something far greater than you or me. Father died trying to protect us from it, but it was too powerful. I don’t know why it would call to you, but it is extremely dangerous.”

They sat in silence for a moment, considering each other’s words.

“Who is he?” Doyoung broke the silence with a soft, barely audible voice.

“I don’t know yet. That’s why we went to see Johnny.” Lily didn’t want to give Yuta away, knowing Johnny couldn’t tell what he was. He was her secret, for now. At least until she had some more answers.

“How about we go get breakfast and catch up? It’s on me.” It had been years since Lily had seen her brother. He was always busy with studies and working to become a healer like their parents so he could take over the family business. She nodded, shifting to get out of the soft bed.

They left in Doyoung’s sweet little Toyota Avalon, and arrived at a nearby coffee shop, only three blocks away from Yuta’s apartment building.

The two of them shared the neutral space, sipping their tea and chatting. Lily suddenly felt a vibration in the back pocket of her jeans, pulling out her phone with swift grace, to check the notification. It was a message from an unknown number reading:

Hey, princess. Meet me at 2pm behind the convenience store on 10th. ~Y

She checked the time at the top of the screen. 1:46. She glanced back up to her brother who was watching as civilians passed the window. “I should probably get going. I have some shopping to do in town.” She stated rather plainly.

Doyoung was concerned for her safety. He had noticed that the energy in her house had been tampered with recently and he felt reluctant to leave her with no protection.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you? I could take some time from work and stay for a few days.” He was genuinely concerned.

“I’m alright. I’ll call you if I find anything knew, ok? You don’t have to worry about me.” He nodded in hesitant approval, standing from the wooden chair.

“Thanks for breakfast.” They shared a large embrace before parting outside the front door. Lily pulled out her phone once more before taking off to the meeting spot.

On my way now. Was all she replied before making her way behind the convenience store. There she found Yuta leaning up against the concrete wall, looking absolutely stunning in a dark printed button up tucked into the front of his white pants.

The sight of him sparked a sudden fury inside her. She hadn’t heard from him since she fell unconscious the night before. She stomped towards his taller figure and gave him a good shove with more force than she intended.

“What the hell happened?! Did you fucking drug me?!” She spat in his face.

“Hey hey, it wasn’t me. I don’t know but when I came back, you were unconscious on the stairs.” His tone was sincere and calm as he threw his hands in the air in surrender.

“Then why did Johnny bring me home??” “I spotted him in the club and he helped me get you home.” Her tense body softened, understanding what had really happened. She wasn’t used to using this much magic, and it had taken its toll on her body.

“So why am I here, then?” She was still defensive with him, but less aggressive as she backed away to a safe distance.

“I did some research of my own.” His words had peaked her attention.

“There is a spell known as the protector, an extraordinarily strong force that protects a living soul from forces of evil. It can only be placed by a being of magic equivalent to that of a god and is found in the ‘Book of Spells’.” Lily’s eyes grew large when he spoke the air quotes around the title.

This explained everything. The spell must have been traded for her father’s life. That is the only fair trade for a spell of that magnitude. He risked his life to protect her.

Lily was no ordinary witch and she certainly wasn't a healer; she had become well aware of that. Something about this didn’t feel right. She never wanted protection, especially if that meant Yuta could never touch her. She wished she’d had the decision to herself, to be free to pick a side or not. Her expression grew dark and solemn as she pondered the idea of her freedom.

Lily’s father was never viewed as a hero. Many who were familiar with the Unspoken War only referred to him as a traitor, giving into the dark magic that had consumed their world. He did sacrifice himself, but he was not a soldier or a great power fighting to protect the world. Lily looked down on his memory thinking that he was just a silly fool for giving in so easily.

She was nothing like him. She didn’t carry his features or personality; she was an oddity to her family. Doyoung was the golden child, but he would fight for her in a heartbeat. She simply didn’t belong in that world.

She was snapped out of her headspace by a swift snap of Yuta’s fingers. “You alright there? I know it’s kind of a lot, but can you make any sense out of it?”

“Yeah, it makes a lot of sense actually.”

“So, what do we do now?” Yuta was completely lost, not following Lily’s thought process.

“I need to go back to the vault. If that book has the spell in it, it can surely tell me how to remove it.” It was a lot to consider. This spell could have easily been keeping her alive for all these years, but she also knew that if she were to turn dark, it would tear her apart.

“Are you sure you want to remove it? I don’t know if I could control myself.” Lily rolled her eyes at his seductive demeaner and walked toward the opening leading back to the street, gaining her bearings, and shifting to the left, heading down the sidewalk at a purposeful pace. Yuta caught up with ease, his long legs allowing a larger stride.

They arrived at the small entrance to find that the room behind the door was dim. Johnny wasn’t there. He was always there, day or night. Odd.

Lily brushed it off, gripping the knob of the door tightly, watching it glow in her grasp. It swung open in a gust of wind.

“Nice going but don’t you still need the key?” Yuta’s voice was smug as it echoed through the empty space.

“Johnny is always here. He hardly ever leaves this place in case people like me need his help in the night. I wouldn’t be surprised if he left the key behind the counter.” And just like that, she grabbed it from under the countertop, where it hung from a miniscule hook.

The glow of light in the staircase wasn’t nearly as bright as it had been the day before. It was more of an eerie ambiance as they descended. The room felt larger to Lily, as if it had been expanded by a few square feet, but still bustling with energy.

She paused after stepping under the archway, closing her eyes and taking in everything she could. She took a single step and was startled as the Book of Spells slammed into her chest, knocking her slightly off balance. Yuta put out his arms to brace her, but his effort was in vain.

Lily spent no time looking for other books today. Everything she needed was concealed behind the cover of this dangerous entity. She just had to figure out how to open it and her power would be free.

She placed her palm over the cover where the lock was glowing bright. It felt like every action she was making was from another being, like the book was taking over her body, telling her how to open it.

She closed her eyes, directing her energy through her palm. A strong wind swept through to open space, flipping loose pages and blowing her hair around her face. Lily’s ears were filled with noise, objects, howling, voices, all calling to her.

To Yuta, the room was still. He watched as Lily’s feet had been picked up off the ground. He remained still, knowing not to disturb the inner powers of Lily’s mind.

The voices grew louder, and her hand grew heavy on the rough surface. In a low soft growl, she could make out, “No~ Turning~ Back~.” And “It~ Can~ Only~ Be~ You~.” The voices were ominous and, frankly, frightening. But she was not compelled to pull her hand away. She held it there and endured.

The voices continued to grow, morphing into a much clearer, high pitched snarl, until finally, they came together in a booming screech, warning “BALANCE IS KEY!” followed by a piecing “DEATH IS CURTAIN!”

She landed like a cat on the floor, on the balls of her feet, still in a state of shock, but holding the book with strength she wasn’t aware of. Yuta jumped as a shockwave rippled from the middle of the floor.

“What was that all about?” Lily was silent, trying her best to collect her thoughts and make sense of what she just experienced. Yuta now filled with questions, was the only voice in the room.

“What just happened? Did you figure out how to unlock it? What do we do now?” he prodded.

Lily opened her eyes slowly, looking immediately down to her hand. A glowing blue mark was left where she had placed it on the lock. It burned in her palm, radiating inflammation. The lock no longer shined against the leather cover. A notch had been released as it swung freely against its home.

A dull ache formed against her skull as the toll of magic set in. “I’ll meet you upstairs. I just need a minute.” She held her head low as her voice came out a little weaker than she’d intended.

Yuta disappeared in a flash leaving her in an empty room. Her inflamed palm was starting to deescalate, turning the flesh a darker shade and leaving a permanent mark. She could feel the book’s power, even as she held it at a distance.

Her mind was almost hazy with all the energy of the room mixed with her own emotions. It made her dizzy, but her judgement was clear. This book was not going to let her leave without it again.

She reached for her bag, unzipping it and placing the book right down the middle, candy wrappers crunching underneath it. Johnny wasn’t there so who would know. Besides, this book had chosen her, clamed her, compelled her to take it.

The store was quiet, still dark as before. She carefully locked the cupboard door and placed the key back in its exact resting place as she looked around for any sign of Yuta. Where had he gone.

PING.

I’m outside when you’re ready.

His unworldly speed was surely an advantage. He sat in his luxury vehicle, waiting promptly for her company. The scent of death was less prominent as Lily sat in the familiar passenger seat. She noticed a new decoration around his rearview mirror- A stick of cinnamon.

“Where are we off to now, princess.” “Can you just drop me off at home?”

His face shifted to a concerned look.

“Are you sure you’re ok? What exactly happened?” His voice was soft and sweat.

“I don’t exactly know yet. I need some time to… figure some things out.” She was avoided contact at all costs now. Something had changed when she held that book, and she was unsure of what it would bring. “Balance is key,” “Death is certain.” What did they mean?

They were silent. Yuta didn’t prod. He was more worried about her than anything. Lily noted that his driving had improved, less weaving around other cars. He almost seemed not quite himself.

She watched the sidewalks full of busy people through her window as they drove. Every once in a while, she would spot a miscellaneous bystander at the cross walk or bus stop and she would get the sense that they were watching her, following her every move.

When they arrived, the colors of the flowers seemed less than impressive. The aura around the house was dull. Not even the windchimes danced. All was simply quiet.

Yuta was the first to break the silence as she pulled the lever to open the car door.

“Hey, Lily.” She turned around in her seat to face him.

“I’m sorry about last night. If it’s any consolation, I had a lot of fun.” The truth was, he had never experienced something so invigorating in his time in the city. “I’ll be out, again, if you ever want to join me." He smirked to himself, but his tone was sincere.

“Thank you,” was all she said before straightening her back as she rose from the vehicle.

Inside, all was quiet, nothing was out of place. It almost seemed unusually ordinary, for a witch’s residence. She took the time to replace some of the suspended spices and water her flowers with mint water before sitting down and pulling out the burden in her bag.

She placed it on the coffee table in front of her, staring at it, willing it to tell her what to do with it.

The lock had repositioned itself into a state of security but was not anywhere nearly as difficult to open. All Lily had to do was wave her hand over the cover and the notch would appear with a CLICK.

Small droplets bounced against the dusty windows all around her as the sky grew darker with every pitter patter. She removed the lock completely, setting it next to the cover. As if a gust of wind had entered through a cracked window, the pages rustle and settled on a spell. The Protector.

The ink was smudged on the page. She barely had time to read it before the letters started moving, forming new words right in front of her.

We’ve done you a favor. Now it’s time to pay it back.

The pages rustled again to a different page among the last few. The Dark Soul.

The feeling that was growing in her stomach felt unnatural. She had only every felt it the night she ran away. It was unnerving.

Only beings of great power may behold. If the book has chosen you, read no further, for you bear the mark of darkness. Use the power you will come to embody with great care.

In red splatters along the bottom wrote, THE WORLD MUST ALWAYS BE IN BALANCE.

Then the cover slammed shut, startling the witch, and relocked itself on the small table.

“Now, I suppose I wait,” She murmured to herself, watching the rain pick up covering her windows in a sheet of water.

#big brother doyoung #Incubus #incubusyuta #nctx #nct fanfic #nct fantasy au #Yuta #nct yuta #witches #fantasy #nct doyoung #nct johnny #demons #dark magic #book of spells #the protector #lilybennett #oc

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