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livlocus · 9 days ago

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Love Buzz (Jason Grace x Fem!Reader)

Characters: Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Leo Valdez, Percy Jackson

Requested by @jgraceluvr: Hello may o have a Jason grace fic when the reader had a huge crush on him but don’t make a move because he is the ✨mighty son of Jupiter praetor✨ but in reality he is the biggest softie ever and he is like. Man I want I to ask her out but she is intimidated ? With a piper and Leo match maker ? Please

Summary: Jason Grace has a crush on you, but after a sparring incident, he is much too afraid to talk to you. Unknown to him, you also have a crush on Jason, so Piper embraces her parentage and forces Leo to play matchmaker with her for you and Jason.

Warnings: my grammar, cursing, kissing, crack fic vibes ??? genuinely lost track of where this was supposed to go about halfway through, and now we are here i fear

Word Count: 6.6k (it literally would not stop)

Liv Yaps: heeyyy... so i hope that this has the vibe that you wanted! i'm realizing that this accidentally turned into a crack fic... idk how it got so dramatic but i just could not stop so i fear it spiraled a bit haha i tried my best and it took me a while to fully conceptualize this but then it all like, word-vomited out of me haha. (yes i was in fact listening to love buzz by nirvana while i was making the post so that is the name now, the bassline has infiltrated my brain) i tried to make jason seem all praetor-y but also the true awkward jock-nerd hybrid that we have come to love, i feel like it's kinda ooc.... idk i was on a lot of caffeine when i finally pumped this out haha. i fully made up what the training area at chb looks like, i genuinely have no idea if they ever describe it in the books (im sure that they do and i just don't remember lmao) i also have to apologize for that entire sparring sequence because i have absolutely no clue how to write physcial fighting scenes lmao but i hope that you like it :)

Piper was annoyed. She had just spent the past three days convincing Jason to talk to you, and now here you all were. Jason at the Zeus table eating an embarrassingly plain waffle and stealing glances at you, so quick that they might as well not have been there. His blue eyes narrow and darting from his waffle to you and then back to his waffle.

Piper was ready to get up from the Aphrodite table and drag Jason from his waffle to you, over at your table, sitting with your siblings. She felt like she was living in one of those sitcoms that her dad just got cast in, watching you two exchange longing glances from across the dining pavilion without the other one noticing.

You had told Piper about your crush on Jason months ago after you practically tripped over your own two feet to get away from him at the campfire when he tried to sit next to you and Piper. When Piper hit you with a “just talk to him, he literally sat next to us on purpose,” you almost choked on your own tongue trying to explain all of the reasons why the son of Jupiter could never like you like that.

You knew of Jason Grace, but you didn’t know Jason Grace. He was one of the seven demigods who defeated Gaea, not to mention that he used to be a praetor when he was at Camp Jupiter before the war. He still had that air about him now, even when he was just a camper here at Camp Half-Blood. His shoulders constantly squared, his posture always perfect, that little scar on his lip so rugged, his sky blue eyes gleaming with an inherent authority, like just his gaze demanded your attention and your obedience. It was obvious that his father was Jupiter, the air seemed to practically buzz whenever he was around, and it made your cheeks flush.

Jason had killed titans with his bare hands, or so you had heard. He apparently almost caused absolute chaos in New Rome when he tried to change the name of the Twelfth Legion to the First Legion when he was elected as Praetor. The stories of his quests were practically on level with Percy Jackson, saving the world every summer on the other side of the country, and you didn’t even know about it until the whole Jason and Percy switching debacle a summer or two ago.

But for right now, you were doing exactly what Piper saw, avoiding Jason’s gaze so that you could steal a few glances as you picked at the remains of your breakfast. Each time your eyes met, you practically jumped and averted your line of sight to look at anything else. Suddenly, your now soggy toast seemed to hold the secrets of the universe as you tried to stop the creeping flush that tried to spread across your cheeks. You couldn’t stop thinking about how Jason probably looked at you because of your own staring, that he somehow felt your gaze on his perfect, perfect—stupidly perfect face.

Piper could scream. She could, and maybe she actually would scream if this kept going the way it was. She waved at Leo from across the dining pavilion, a signal to meet her after breakfast.

She had a plan.

-_-

The mid-afternoon sun was high in the sky, beating down on you as you sat on the ground, gulping water. Piper somehow managed to get your sparing block switched with Leo’s so that you could spar with her. She didn’t tell you that’s why, but that had to be the reason, surely there was no other reason. This did just so happen to be the block that Jason had, but you tried not to think too hard about that, or else you would have fallen flat on your ass the second that you and Piper started to spar with your wooden sword and dagger.

Piper had exhausted you with endless maneuvering and different kinds of tactics that left you winded and already sore as you held on to your water bottle. You were on the sidelines now, with Piper on your left, watching the other pairs practice different moves and weapons. Three pairs usually went at a time; there were three circles sprayed in the grass, all encompassed by a larger oval. Each pair stayed in their circle, and bystanders weren’t allowed to cross into the oval for “insurance reasons” or whatever Mr. D had said. Right now, there were only two pairs, leaving one of the rings open.

Percy was standing on the other side and ran over to quickly claim the empty ring. He stretched his hand up high in the air, looking off to the side for a specific someone to join him to spar. When you saw that Jason was the one he was waving over, your breath caught in your throat.

When the others saw that Jason was the one that Percy had waved over, they let out a series of sighs and grumbles, and maybe a few people let out excited murmurs. Whenever Percy and Jason sparred, it always turned into an… event, to say the least, which is why the pairs in the other two rings quickly finished as Jason made his way into the circle with Percy. Their sparring sessions had a reputation for getting out of hand; people always said it was a combination of Percy’s ability to function off of pure spite and Jason’s inability to let himself lose. To say that the two boys had a competitive streak was the understatement of the century.

Before Chiron had to give them limitations to their rounds of sparring, they would exchange blows for upwards of an hour, taking up the entire oval that encompassed the three sparring rings with water splashing, wind blowing, and an occasional clap of thunder somewhere off in the distance whenever Percy got in a good hit. Their matches tended to end in draws, with other campers complaining about how they were taking too long and that others needed a turn.

You watched them as they started to spar, both with wooden swords. Your eyes were glued to Jason, unable to look away from his perfect posture or his sharp eyes. Percy was lunging forward, making the first move with his wooden sword pointed at Jason. As always, Jason’s shoulders were squared, and his face was steady when he dodged Percy’s skillful attempt at him. The only indicator of any physical effort was how his glasses slid down his nose just a bit and how that scar on his lip stretched as his breathing got a bit heavier. That’s how it usually was; no matter how long Jason spent at Camp Half-Blood, his years of Roman training were always blatantly obvious. He was the poster child of restraint, barely even grimacing as Percy threw snarky remarks at him that you couldn’t quite hear.

They went on like that for around twenty minutes, mist started to gather around Percy’s feet, and wind seemed to start picking up around Jason, blowing around not only the hair of the two boys, but also your own. There was that faint buzz in the air that seemed to appear whenever Jason had that look in his eyes. They exchanged blow after blow, neither of them appearing to be slowing down anytime soon. That was, until Jason somehow made eye contact with you from across the field.

-_-

Jason was freaking out. He knew that he shouldn’t have been freaking out, but that wasn’t helping him at the moment as he jumped out of the way of Percy’s wooden sword.

He needed this sparring match to go well. No, scratch that, he needed it to go better than well, he needed this to go perfectly. This couldn’t be one of those days where he and Percy hit their forty-five-minute sparring limit and had to end in a draw. No, no, he needed to beat Percy, preferably while you were still watching him. Jason had a plan; in his mind, it was a brilliant plan. He was going to win this match and then walk up to you while he was still basking in the glorious win over Percy and ask if you wanted to sit next to him during the campfire tonight.

You would have to say yes, especially because he would have beaten Percy already. You would say yes, right? Jason knew that he was out of his depth here, he truly had no idea what to do, and that scared him. He was always supposed to know what to do, always supposed to have a next step or a plan B. But whenever he thought about you, his brain short-circuited, all of his functioning brain cells died violent deaths, and his heart just about stopped. You had to say yes. Jason didn’t know any other way to go about this, in all honesty.

When he had gone to Piper in a frenzy, pacing anxiously around the Aphrodite cabin, trying to explain these feelings that he had in his chest whenever he looked at you, Piper literally laughed at him. She had gone, “Jason, that’s either indigestion, or you have a crush on her, maybe it’s both?” Then, when Jason had run his hands over his face and groaned in frustration because why was Piper always so right? She suggested throwing a match with Percy, purposely losing, because she somehow had a vibe (whatever that meant) that you were a teensy bit intimidated by Jason. That it would make him seem less… “Praetor-y.”

Frankly, Jason had never heard anything so ridiculous in his life. He understood why some people would be intimidated by him; some of the legionaries back at Camp Jupiter still gave him that look when he would visit, remembering how he had killed Krios, how that had made him Praetor. But you had never seen that side of him before; you had no reason to be intimidated by Jason, or so he thought. Wouldn’t losing a match against Percy make him look bad? Sure, he had absolutely no idea about how he should ask you out, but that was the last thing he wanted to do right now: look bad, or even worse, weak in front of you.

And, it was going pretty well, Percy hadn’t managed to land a single hit on Jason. He was going to tire Percy out until he became just a little bit more sloppy, then that would guarantee his win, and that would mean that you would say yes—

You. Jason had managed to dodge another one of Percy’s swings, and the first thing his eyes latched onto was you. Of course, it was you. The gods had a cruel sense of humor sometimes.

Was there a god of making eye contact with the wrong person at the worst time imaginable?

If there was, Jason was sure that he had done something to piss them off because why did you have to look at him like that. Like he was holding up the sky, like he was holding up the sky for you. Gods know that he would, though he’s barely even had one full conversation with you, and he would switch places with Atlas in a heartbeat for you. The way that the wind was whipping your hair around your face, how it stuck to the thin, gleaming layer of sweat on your skin—Jason couldn’t help but stare. He really couldn’t help it, that and the way his breath caught in his throat, he couldn’t help it. You might as well have been glowing.

That was his first mistake—although Piper would later claim that it was his fourth—letting himself lock eyes with you for a millisecond too long. Percy undoubtedly saw that Jason was distracted, which was a rare sight in and of itself, and used it to his advantage. He swung his wooden sword at Jason while he was too busy looking at you like some sort of lovesick puppy.

Jason stumbled for the first time in the twenty minutes that they had been sparring, and he cursed under his breath, calling Percy a donkey in Latin. The grunted “asinus,” barely audible over the sound of the wind whipping around his head, filling his ears with the hollow sound of his own loss of self-control. He couldn’t help that either, he was going to look bad in front of you.

Jason needed to gain control of this match quickly, he knew that, he really did, but he couldn’t stop looking over Percy’s shoulder to try and steal another glance at you. The already loosened grasp that Jason had on his composure was rapidly slipping as he tried to do too many things at once—make sure that Percy didn’t manage to pin him down, think of a quick strategy to somehow win this match, steal a few more quick looks at you, all while trying to stay composed enough so he didn’t look like a complete idiot in front of the entire camp.

A distant crack of thunder made it unfortunately obvious that Jason was not doing a good job at multitasking at the moment. But then again, maybe he was, because now he had a strategy that he could focus on instead of how your eyes were watching his every move. It was simple, something that he’s done too many times to count in battles that were much more stressful than this. His feet slid in the grass, the dirt having turned into mud. Percy. The mist that was gathered around his feet had soaked the ground, turning the once solid sparring ring into mushy mud that made Jason’s feet unsteady.

Jason leaned to the left as Percy brought his wooden sword towards him, successfully dodging the swing. Jason continued to move, a fluid motion as his composure returned now that he had something besides you to focus on. He lunged at Percy, finally landing a blow to the top of his arm, right below his shoulder, knocking Percy off balance just enough for Jason to get back on level footing with him.

He did his absolute best to focus on the grin that Percy was giving him instead of the wide-eyed look that you were giving Jason over Percy’s shoulder. Jason was trying so hard to stay concentrated on the way that Percy’s feet were shifting in the mud, like he was about to lunge at Jason again. His eyes darted from Percy to you, back and forth so many times that it almost made him dizzy.

Stop that, she’s watching.

The more that Jason tried to concentrate on the sparring match—the dodging, the swinging, the not slipping in mud—the more he tried to look for you. He wanted to see your face, see what you thought about him. His body was on autopilot, dodging and swinging and blocking without a second thought. The familiarity of his movements allowed him to divert just a sliver of his focus to you, looking for your face among the other campers watching.

It was a splash of water on the back of Jason’s head as he swung his wooden sword at Percy’s leg that forced him to concentrate, really concentrate. Chiron had made a rule for Jason and Percy when they were sparring: no godly given abilities. No water, no lightning, no wind, no storms, nothing. Jason always tried to follow those rules, he really did, but when Percy decided to disregard Chiron’s rules, Jason was usually left with no choice but to follow suit if he wanted to win.

Maybe I could manage to focus enough to get a gust of wind to knock Percy off balance? Or maybe even enough to knock him over?

Another spin around the ring and a bout of eye contact with you derailed his train of thought.

Focus, focus, focus—

Another block.

One more swing.

Maybe a little too much static gathering on the tips of Jason’s fingers—

Two more seconds of his eyes looking for yours.

Focus, focus, breathe—

A quick lean to the left.

He didn’t even notice the buzz in the air, how the hair on his arm started to stand up just enough to mean something, but he was too worried about you watching him to realize what it meant.

Maybe sweep out Percy’s feet? No, too much mud for that—

A clap of thunder somewhere behind him.

Half a spin to duck out of the way of Percy.

Three more seconds of brief eye contact with you as he blocked with his sword.

A swing of Jason’s sword into Percy’s.

Tiny sparks snapped across his fingers, up his arm.

Negligible.

Jason’s heart was beating so hard he thought it would beat out of his chest. This match essentially had no stakes, no one here was going to die if he lost, no one was going to try to end the world if Jason missed the next swing of his wooden sword.

But she was watching.

Jason needed you to see him win so that you would say yes, and then he would get to sit next to you at the campfire and then—

Then, he made eye contact with you again.

And it looked like you were… blushing?

Why is she blushing? Did I do something weird? I’m holding my sword the right way, I always do, so it’s not that—

The electricity snapping along Jason’s arms was audible now, the sharp crackling breaking through the thought-spiral he was constructing in his head.

Shit, shit, shit, that has to stop, shit, shit—

Jason could feel himself spinning out, like a spinning top that was losing its speed and was about to fall over and roll away. Percy hit the inside of his knee, and Jason lost his balance.

One last glance at you before he fell into the mud. One barely audible curse in Latin before all of his dignity left his body, before he accepted his fate of being forever alone, never even able to sit next to you at the campfire.

One last glance at you before that buzzing in the air and that static dancing across his fingers became a problem. One last glance before that iron grip Jason had on his self-restraint crumbled to dust. One last glance before there was a crack, and there was a patch of burnt grass less than ten feet in front of you.

Jason’s entire face went hot, and he didn’t get up from the mud. He couldn’t get up from the mud, he was going to die here. He was going to pray to Hades that the earth swallow him whole right now. He was going to die of embarrassment before he even made it back to Cabin 1. Jason didn’t even flinch when Percy held the tip of his wooden sword at Jason’s neck to show that he had won. Jason didn’t even raise an eyebrow at Percy when he told the son of Jupiter that he just fried the training grounds like an overcooked fish stick. He was going to let himself grow old and die in this patch of mud. He could practically hear Piper stare at him from across the field.

That was not how this was supposed to go.

He waited a minute before he turned his head to the side, to see just how horribly he had messed up, but you weren’t even there anymore. Jason let himself sink further into the mud with a sigh that Reyna would have called “pitiful.”

-_-

You didn’t mean to run back to your cabin after almost being hit by lightning, but you needed a nap after that. Maybe a cold shower, too.

It didn’t really scare you, per se, you had been a summer camper at Camp Half-Blood since you were little, so you were used to having multiple near-death encounters every summer. But it was a little unnerving that your mega-crush had just accidentally sent a bolt of lightning right at you as he lost his sparring match.

It was obviously an accident, anyone with eyes could tell. Honestly, today was probably going to go down in history as the day that the Jason Grace, son of Jupiter, ex-Praetor of Camp Jupiter, champion of Juno, lost his composure during a sparring match. You didn’t really know why he started sparking like an electric candle lighter, but the fact that he looked right at you when it happened only fed into your delusional fantasy that he might like you back.

As a reward for not melting into a puddle from all of the eye contact that Jason made with you during his match with Percy, you flopped onto your bed. You nuzzled into your pillow, not even bothering to get under the covers in your training clothes. It was gross, but you wanted to fit in this nap before anyone noticed you were gone.

You drifted off without much trouble, the smell of ozone still fresh in your nose.

-_-

“Get up! I need you to help me with something,” was the first thing that you heard as Piper shook you awake from your nap.

“Wha—“ your voice was still a bit raspy from your nap, and you had to blink the sleep out of your eyes as Piper practically dragged you upright.

“Wipe your face off, you drooled all over,” Piper was already going through your desk. You didn’t really mind, that was just how being friends with Piper worked. She barged into your cabin and went through your things sometimes, and in exchange, you got one of the best friends you could have ever asked for at camp. You ran your hand over your cheek, effectively getting rid of the dried trail of drool Piper had so gracefully pointed out.

“Oh!” She tossed two tubes at you from your desk, “Put these on before you come and help me.”

Looking down at the two tubes in your hand, you quickly realized that one was mascara and the other was lip gloss.

“Do I really need this, Piper? What do you even need help with?”

“Just trust me! Put it on and then follow me, I need your help!”

You weren’t sure if she was using her charmspeak or not, but regardless, you reluctantly got up from your oh-so-cozy bed and swiped on your mascara and lip gloss. It felt silly to do this now, right before the campfire, where no one would even be able to see your face in the dark. But you let Piper win this one.

“Care to mention what I’m going to be helping you with?” You slipped on your shoes and followed Piper out of your cabin.

“No, not really,” she responded to you, head over her shoulder, tone a bit too matter-of-fact. You pressed your lips together into a tight line and huffed out a breath through your nose in defeat.

Piper led you all the way to her cabin, the Aphrodite Cabin, and right to where her bed was, stopping in front of her closet.

You looked around, not noticing anything out of the ordinary.

“Are you going to tell me now?”

“Yeah, yeah—just look in there for me, do you see that?” Piper reached across you, opening the closet door. The slotted French doors folded open, revealing the clothes and shoes that you had come to know as Piper’s. She pointed to something in the far corner of the closet, but it was too far, too dark to see anything there.

“What are you talking about?” You took a step closer to the closet, leaning in just a little bit to try to get a better look.

“Right there—you’ll see it better if you get a little closer,” Piper insisted, pointing her finger at the corner again, “trust me, you’ll know when you see it. Yeah, see, right there!”

You looked behind you at Piper, making a face as if to ask “literally what the fuck are you talking about?” There was nothing. Piper just shrugged at you and pointed again, telling you to look closer.

“Piper, I don’t see anything,” you complained, stepping closer to the closet. You might as well have been stepping into it now. You even leaned in, trying to get a better angle to see the corner of the closet, “What are you talking abou—“

That’s when Piper pushed you into her closet.

“I’m so sorry about this,” Piper mumbled as she shut the doors.

“Dude—Piper—what are you doing?” You tried your best to push the doors back open, but there was an audible click.

She locked me in her closet?!?

“Trust me, I promise you’ll be thanking me later!”

“Piper, you just locked me in your closet! There isn’t even a light in here!”

“Give it five minutes, and then you’ll be happy that I locked you in my closet!”

You threw up your hands in disbelief because literally what?

It was dark, and the slots from the French doors didn’t let in much light. The closet really wasn’t that big either. You were standing between Piper’s tank tops, and your feet were on top of a pair of boots.

“This better be good, Piper.”

-_-

Jason was face down in his bed. He was sulking. He was rarely allowed to sulk back at Camp Jupiter, there was too much to do. Because of that, he never got used to sulking. But now, at Camp Half-Blood, there was time to sulk, so that’s what he was doing. Jason Grace, son of Jupiter, ex-Praetor of Camp Jupiter, the champion of Juno, was sulking face down in his bed. With a pillow over his head to muffle the sounds of his own breathing and the sounds of the outside world that leaked in through the cracks in the marble of Cabin 1.

To say that Jason was embarrassed would do the blood pooling in his cheeks a disservice, it would be an insult to his teeth that he clenched just to say that Jason was embarrassed.

Jason was mortified.

He had finally figured out how to ask you out, finally—and then he almost fried you like a vendor at a county carnival would do to an Oreo! Jason was never going to leave Cabin 1.

I am never leaving, I’m going to rot here, never going to see the light of day ever again, never, ever, I am one with my mattress, never going to—

“Hey, Big J!”

Jason just grunted into his covers in response as Leo interrupted the downward trajectory of his inner monologue.

“Why do you look worse than that time Piper had to charmspeak you back to life?”

Jason rolled over on his bed, flopping his arms dramatically.

“Leo, I almost fried her. She definitely hates me now.”

“Dude, you’re not looking at the bigger picture.”

Jason lifted his head from his bed to look at Leo, raising an eyebrow at him, almost willing him to continue and explain this “bigger picture.”

“You didn’t almost fry just her, you almost fried like, ten other campers that were standing there! So don’t worry about singling her out.”

Jason groaned and put the pillow over his face, blocking out the light.

“You’re not helping me right now, Leo.” Jason’s voice was muffled by the pillow.

“What?” Leo asked in a voice that was probably two octaves higher than his usual voice, “J Man, it’ll be fine. And anyway, Piper needs your help with something.”

Jason lifted the pillow from his head and sat up. Anything to not think about how horribly that had just gone.

“She needs someone who can reach all the way up in her closet to change the light bulb or something,” Leo made a strange face, but the overwhelming need to be useful was overpowering Jason’s better judgment, and he stood up from his bed.

“Yeah, I can definitely do that,” Jason ran his hands over his face and through his hair. He didn’t really care that it stuck up, making it look like he was the one who almost got fried.

“Alright,” Leo smiled, it was small and impish. It made Jason do a double-take. “Come on, Sparky, to the Aphrodite Cabin!”

Leo walked out of Cabin 1 with a little too much pep in his step. Jason followed anyway.

-_-

Jason really didn’t think that Piper would have been able to shove him that hard into her closet, but here he was, face-planting into her graphic t-shirts. And he was stepping on shoes, probably Piper’s shoes, except—except they were your shoes.

Jason’s brain couldn’t keep up with what his eyes were seeing as he adjusted to the dim lighting in Piper’s closet. He heard the door lock, though. It was a clicking noise, followed by some mumbling from Leo about how he had “reinforced the locks” and then some metal clanking.

He could see you now, the light coming through the slats of the closet doors in thin lines on your face, outlining all of the high points of your face. Jason couldn’t help but stare. Again.

You didn’t know what to do. Piper’s grand idea was to lock you in her closet with Jason Grace? You simply stared at the now locked closet doors, then at Jason, and back to the doors.

“Have fun in there, you two!” Piper said from the other side of the French doors, “We won’t be back until after the campfire—“

“Yeah, so make yourselves busy!” Leo interrupted, and the two of you could hear Piper tell him to shut up from inside the closet. The two of you flushed at the implications.

“—So figure out whatever it is you two have going on before we get back,” Piper continued, “come on, Leo.”

“Hey—don’t grab me so hard!”

Their footsteps and bickering faded away, and you were left locked in Piper’s closet with Jason Grace.

Even in this lighting, while he was struggling to speak coherently, the poised and proper son of Jupiter, now stuttering, was looking almost too good. The flush on his cheeks gave him an adorable boyish look on his usually commanding, stony face.

“Uh—hey… uhm—“ Jason sputtered, his face getting warmer than he would have liked it to be, “I—I’m really sorry about earlier, it was a total accident! I wasn’t even aiming for you, I just couldn’t stop looking at you—er, I mean, I just—“

“Well—you know, I just—it’s okay…” You spoke quietly, afraid that if you spoke any louder, your voice would crack from the nerves.

He couldn’t stop looking at me.

You and Jason stood in Piper’s closet in an awkward silence. Every time you bumped your elbow into one of her sweaters, it shocked you. You didn’t say anything else, too scared to somehow embarrass yourself in front of Jason. He was just too perfect. The two of you stood there, cramped by hangers and boots, too nervous to speak further.

“Really?” Jason finally found his words, a bit surprised that you said it was okay that he almost electrocuted you, his voice was probably a little bit too high, “but I—I almost got you—“

“Yeah,” you interrupted him, half expecting Jason to just keep talking because he seemed like when he had an idea, he finished it, but he paused when he heard your voice. Your heart wasn’t threatening to beat out of your chest like it had that one time Jason had tried to sit next to you and Piper at the campfire. He seemed less… formal. Softer, even. It made your cheeks blush.

He wants to listen to me.

“I mean, you didn’t ‘get me’ and besides, I practically almost die every summer here anyway. Trust me when I say that I’ve come a lot closer to getting killed at camp than almost getting struck by lightning.”

Jason let out an awkward laugh. It was like someone was squeezing his lungs in a vice and squeezing out the pathetic sound the same way you squeeze out toothpaste from an almost empty tube.

That sounded like a duck, he thought to himself. Jason wanted to shrink down to be small enough to climb through the minuscule slats in the closet door. I bet she thinks that I sounded like a duck just now—

“So you don’t… You don’t despise me for almost—almost electrocuting you?” Jason’s voice was small, almost timid, as he asked you. He was scared, scared that you would say that you were afraid of him, that you didn’t want to be so close to him.

“Oh gods, no! I didn’t—I don’t despise you,” the idea of despising Jason for anything made you almost laugh, but you were too nervous to laugh right now. He sounded too vulnerable, almost… imperfect. “I’m not upset at you for that.”

Jason did his best to search your face in the dark, using the tiny lines of light that filtered in through the closet door, looking for any signs that you weren’t telling the truth. A wrinkle on your forehead, lines on the outside corners of your eyes, a slight tilt to the corner of your lips.

He couldn’t find any of those on your face, he couldn’t find any indicator that you were lying to him. You really didn’t hate him for what he did during the sparring match with Percy today. Jason had never been so shocked and so relieved at the same time before. He let his eyes travel back down to your lips.

A mistake.

Jason should not have looked at your lips. They were perfect, and they were glossy. Jason didn’t know how you made them look like that, and when he thought about it too hard, he blushed. This was a bad, bad, bad idea because now that’s all he could look at. All he could focus on now was your lips. All of those years of perfecting his willpower, of chiseling his impeccable composure to be exactly what it needed to be, a perfect mask of marble, wasted. Utterly wasted because you were right in front of him.

The face that Jason was making, brows furrowed, bright blue eyes wide, lips parted just enough to see the glint of his teeth, the scar above his lip catching a bit of the light that filtered in through the doors, and that blush that crept up his neck all the way up to his ears, it all made you weak in the knees. He was looking at you, his eyes boring into your face, drinking up every detail outlined by the thin rays of artificial light that streamed in through the slats of the doors.

This was real, the way that he was looking at you. Almost too real, you had to remind yourself that you were less than a foot away from each other in Piper’s closet, not some dreamland. That the two of you were stuffed uncomfortably between clothing hangers, shoes, and random sweaters that had fallen on the floor. But you two were so close. That strange, irrational fear you had of the Jason Grace seemed to fall away. He was just a boy, after all. Maybe Piper was right… You wouldn’t tell her that, though.

“I just—I never do that,” Jason admitted, sounding a bit dazed, still looking at your lips. There was a faint buzzing in the air. Not quite like the buzzing from earlier, not the buzz before a lightning strike. No, this was more mundane, more homely. This sounded like the buzz of a light bulb right before it’s about to blow out, more of a hum, really.

“That’s alright,” you whispered, feeling a matching flush creep up your neck and make its way to your ears. Your voice was quiet enough that Jason leaned in a bit more so that he could hear you. The humming noise was louder as he got closer to you. That buzz, the humming noise, was coming from Jason.

You looked up at his face, wide eyes meeting wide eyes. Your hands moved first. They didn’t even have to move that far; the closet was small. A few inches of movement,” and your hands were on his chest. You could hear his breath hitch in his throat, like he was about to jerk away. But he didn’t. Jason just leaned in a bit closer, his hands hesitantly finding their way around you, to your sides. You could feel his breath on your skin.

“Are you okay if—is it alright if I—“ Jason’s brain was melting out of his ears, and his tongue felt useless, “can I please kiss you?”

The tip of his broad Roman nose brushed against yours as you nodded your head. The Jason Grace was about to kiss you. Your heart was fluttering, and your stomach might as well have been doing parkour. He was so close to you. Jason still smelled like ozone, and you both ignored the humming.

Jason’s eyes flickered from your lips to your eyes and then back to your lips. He moved in to close the gap between the two of you. He could taste the lip gloss you were wearing, but he barely noticed. Jason didn’t even know what planet he was on anymore. You could have told him that he was on the moon for all he cared, as long as this moment never ended.

His hands traveled slowly up your body, grazing along your t-shirt as his hands found their very natural position on either side of your head, holding it closer to his. You never wanted this moment to end, but unfortunately, your lungs decided that the moment was over. You had to pull your head back just a little bit, enough to suck in a quick breath.

You could see Jason’s eyes, they were almost entirely black, that sky blue nearly engulfed by his pupils. Both of you were breathing heavily, but that pull was still there. The ever-present, almost magnetic pull that made you reach back up to Jason, connecting your lips for another kiss. It was addicting, filling your brain with fizz, like someone had carbonated your blood.

When your lips were about to meet for a second time, right before they touched, not even millimeters apart, there was a snap, and you pulled away. It felt like you had gotten one of the worst static shocks of your life, but it was from Jason.

“I’m so sorry—I have no idea what’s happening to me—“ he stuttered, his face going even redder. His glasses were crooked now, skewed a bit to the left.

You cut him off with a giggle, because how was this real?

“It’s alright,” you told him, moving your head to the side. You planted a kiss of reassurance on his cheek, leaving a sticky outline of your lips with lip gloss.

Never in a million years would you have thought that you would be the one to reassure Jason in any scenario. But here you were, hands on his shoulders, smiling at the boy you had thought was almost a god himself, telling him that it was okay that he accidentally gave you a static shock while trying to kiss him.

-_-

Piper and Leo eventually returned to the Aphrodite Cabin after the campfire to let the two of you out of her closet. They were very pleasantly surprised when Leo undid the overcomplicated lock he installed and found that the two of you had, in fact, “made yourselves busy.” The lip gloss stains on Jason’s lips and cheeks were more than enough to tell Piper that you ended up happy after she locked you in her closet.

Maybe Piper should play matchmaker more often?

tags - @jjsblueberry @somewhereincairparavel

(i know that i don't have an official tag list, i just know that i told you guys that i would tag the two of you when i posted this haha)

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fakescenariosbeforesleepblog · 7 months ago

Text

I want my daddy.

Reader x Cod characters. (König/ Soap)

You're the mother of a beautiful brilliant girl/boy who enjoys your company until it's bedtime, that's daddy's turn and tonight, daddy's not at home on time.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used nor do I claim to own them.

Warning ⚠️: None, just grammatical and spelling errors, maybe not so good but work drained my brain.

König.

Your daughter has been looking through the window the entire evening, waiting patiently for her father who promised to arrive on time to sing her to sleep.

She already took a bath, brushed her teeth, she's waiting and asking about the time.

- What time is it, mom?

- It's 19:30 pm baby, daddy has 30 min to arrive or we will have to get ready for bed without him.

- No, he promised it! He will make it!

Your little girl is getting anxious since the sky is getting darker and there's no signs of her dad so you decide to call him, maybe he will not respond but you will leave a voice message.

To your surprise, he responded.

«Mein Leben (my life), I'm in the middle of something, what's up?» (shooting noises were in the background)

- You will not arrive tonight I assume.

«Nein, we had trouble and we haven't arrived at the rendezvous... (More shooting) Scheiße! (Shit!)... Tell my Kleine (little one) I'm deeply sorry, Ja?»

- I will, but you will have to win her pardon. Stay safe and come home in one piece, okay?

«Ja! I will. I'll be there in the morning Meine Liebe (my love) Ich liebe dich so sehr (ILYSM)»

- Okay, wir lieben dich auch (We love you too)

As soon as the call finishes, your daughter runs to you with some tears In her big Blue eyes.

- Daddy is not here yet! Can we wait five more minutes?

Kneeling down and cleaning her tears you explain to her why König hasn't arrived yet, needless to say she wasn't happy.

«But I want my daddy!»

You tried to fix her night by letting her sleep with you, she stayed at König's side of the bed, you also let her put some of her daddy's cologne to her teddy bear so she would feel her father's fragrance all night.

But the most difficult part was to sing her special lullaby, your German is not very good.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf,

Der Vater hüt' die Schaf,

Die Mutter schüttelt's Bäumelein,

Da fällt herab ein Träumelein.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf,

Am Himmel zieh'n die Schaf',

Die Sternlein sind die Lämmerlein,

Der Mond, der ist das Schäferlein.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf,

So schenk ich dir ein Schaf,

Mit einer goldnen Schelle fein,

Das soll dein Spielgeselle sein.

Schlaf, Kindlein, schlaf.

By the end of the night your daughter slept as well as any other night, but still she missed her dad, she murmured his name a couple times, you weren't upset with your husband, it wasn't his fault but you weren't happy either, your daughter wasn't the only one who missed his presence.

The sun and the sweet smell of melted butter and homemade strawberry jam woke you up, your daughter ran to the kitchen and there he was, her daddy was preparing his special Austrian breakfast. In a way to apologize for breaking his promise. Holding and squeezing both of you between his arms was the best moment of his life after all the horrors he lived before you, he never had faith or believed in a god's plan until you appeared on his way, now he feels blessed and thanks every time he successfully finishes a mission, the best reward he can obtain is arrive home to hug and kiss both of you.

Soap.

Your son is a stubborn child, a mini version of your husband. Every Friday, Soap appears at the door with a bunch of food and candies to start the father and son's weekend.

So, from Friday to Sunday night, your little boy forgets about you, his attention is all for Johnny, you sometimes feel jealous, but mainly, you feel proud of this kind of relation between them. The problem is when Johnny can't come home.

And tonight, that's what is actually happening, your son is waiting at the doorframe, he refuses to leave his vigilance spot.

- JJ, Dinner is on the table!

- Where's dad?

- He will arrive any minute, leave that door and come here now, please.

- No, I want to receive him... He said he will bring a surprise.

- McTavish! You have five seconds before I...

Your phone rings before you can start a discussion with the little boy.

«Hey gorgeous! How's everything going over there?»

- Thank God you're calling, your son doesn't want to leave the door, he's waiting for you. Hey! JJ, Dad's on the phone!

«That's why I'm calling, there's an emergency here so I will not go home tonight...»

- Wait, you're on speaker.

- Dad!? Where are you? It's Friday night!

«Hey buddy! I know, but I'm still working... Uncle Simon needs me for a mission so... I will not arrive tonight, but mom and you can spend time together»

Your son's face is red as an apple, anger is filling his little body.

- But you said we will play videogames all night!!

- Videogames All night?

«(he laughs nervously) Don't say that in front of mom, I'll be in trouble.»

- You promised it!

He hits the table with his hands and leaves the kitchen while you and Soap in one voice yell at the boy «Don't hit the table!». After some minutes discussing, your husband convince you to give your son an extra hour of playtime. You, not so happy agreed, you're against rewarding him every time his father can't be with him.

Going upstairs you can hear your son playing, clicking the mouse and keyboard hardly, once you're there in the doorframe you can see him playing but not enjoying, then an idea popped up.

- JJ... Do you want me to play with you?

He observes you from head to toe, looks again to the PC and simple mutters.

- Do you know how to do it?

Scoffing and clearly offended you sit at his side.

- Of course I know, your father is not the only one who played all day when he was young,huh.

He lets you try, you're nervous since it was almost 8 years ago when you played for the last time. Technically since your son was born. But you quickly understand the game, instantly you're killing and dominating the game, your little boy is amazed, time later, both are yelling, laughing, cursing, clicking the keyboard as fast as both can, time ran and none of you had noticed how late it is and you haven't heard the principal door opening until Johnny scare both of you.

- Well, well, well, What we have here?

- DADDY!

- Fuck! You scared us! I thought you would be here tomorrow evening.

He laughs loudly while is hugging your son.

- Sorry love, I wanted to be here so badly to surprise JJ I ended that mission as fast as I could.

- Dad! Mommy is amazing! We've been winning! You never told me she beat your ass when both played videogames.

You're sitting there looking at your husband proudly while his jaw is almost hitting the floor.

- Buddy, mommy learned all those moves from me.

- No, that's not true, she's better than you.

- Okay, gentlemen playtime is over for tonight, it is almost 3 AM.

Both men start to complain about you ending the funny time, but in the end lights are out, Johnny takes your son to bed and reads him a story, while you're changing your clothes. After some minutes your husband closes your bedroom door and looks at you with a playful look.

- What?

You say looking at him through the mirror.

- You'll have to pay for revealing my secrets love.

He approaches you slowly while you're turning back to him.

- It's not a secret honey, You're not as good as me in videogames.

Suddenly you're between his arms, both kissing and starting a different kind of games.

- Oh Lord, How much I love to be at home.

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forestclan-clangen · 4 months ago

Text

MOON 8 (Part 1)

<< FIRST | < PREVIOUS |

Cloudthunder is pregnant! This surprises a few cats, but they always knew her to be adventurous. Cloudthunder grooms herself bashfully, feeling pressured to explain herself, but Redstar decides to step in. She reinstates a law that she knew existed before Lakestar's reign - the Queen's Law. No parent has to disclose the parentage of their kits, if they chose not to. Cloudthunder is relieved.

(Cloudthunder, warrior, female, 41 moons) (Redstar, leader, female, 66 moons) (Hopechase, warrior, female, 90 moons)

Cloudthunder won't say it out loud, but deep down, she wonders if she could just...pretend it wasn't happening. That way it won't hurt when the woods come for the kits. Iciclepool sits down next to Cloudthunder quietly, providing support that didn't require any words.

(Cloudthunder, warrior, female, 41 moons) (Iciclepool, deputy, female, 64 moons)

Branchkit is asking Tree interesting questions, and the warrior is happy to entertain her. Branchkit thinks that Tree is really cool!

(Branchkit, kitten, female, 3 moons) (Tree, warrior, non-binary, 39 moons)

Perchkit keeps comparing herself to Morningpaw. Morningpaw thinks that Perchkit is acting increasingly annoying and uncomfortable, and she tells her off firmly. Perchkit doesn't understand, and doesn't like that Morningpaw yelled at her.

(Perchkit, kitten, female, 3 moons) (Morningpaw, apprentice, female, 10 moons)

Redstar is stress from being bound to camp with her broken bone, the wound getting infected. She can't keep wasting time. She knows the woods need to be fed. She should be out there, not in camp. In her anger, she makes snide comments at Tree and hisses at Cloudthunder about what kind of sire would want to give a Clan cat kits. Both cats are taken aback, given her usually kind nature. [STRESS EVENT: MELTDOWN]

(Redstar, leader, female, 66 moons) (Cloudthunder, warrior, female, 41 moons) (Tree, warrior, non-binary, 39 moons)

Windfur and Shiverpaw get into an argument that leaves them both feeling tense and upset. Neither of them apologize. Windfur is afraid that Shiverpaw isn't being honest with him.

(Windfur, medicine cat, male, 22 moons) (Shiverpaw, medicine cat apprentice, female, 8 moons)

---

"And you're adamant that you didn't touch it?"

"No, Windfur," Shiverpaw repeated defensively.

Windfur felt a twitch of annoyance surge through him. "Are you absolutely certain?"

"I said I was sure!" Shiverpaw protested, her voice angled with frustration. "Why are you so mad about this?"

"Because they cause hallucinations, Shiverpaw," Windfur retorted. Shiverpaw shrunk under the harsh emphasis of his words. "Talonpaw said you came into contact with the Nature's Mockery. For everyone's safety, I need to know if something happened to you during it."

"Nothing happened, Windfur! We found it and Talonpaw said we had to go back to camp. I swear that nothing else happened!" Shiverpaw pressed, her blue eyes filled with anger.

Windfur's tail twitched. He bit back on a hiss and stopped himself from saying that she was lying to him. He wanted Shiverpaw to confess what Talonpaw had told him - that she was stuck in a trance and muttering something that he didn't catch.

This wasn't the first time this happened, and while he hoped that it was all just a coincidence, a kit's hyperawareness of the forces around them, now he was getting anxious. First, Shiverpaw seemed to be aware of things she shouldn't have known when she was a kit - reports from Redstar and Talonpaw where she knew that Living Tendrils could force their way into dens, and there was a hungry eye she was worried about. Then, there was the night Warblerkit was taken. The entire camp was in heavy disarray, and Windfur had just finished looking over Olive's condition and removing the water that flooded the nursery. Shiverkit stared at the dark, rainy sky. Her eyes held an intensity that bore through the fabric of the sky above, as though she could see beyond the veil.

He would never forget her final words - whispered and unnaturally cold.

"The vessel floats into the maw. The jaw unhinges."

He wanted her to tell him what she saw and felt. He wanted some kind of reassurance that her words were from StarClan, or were her own. But still, she denied it. And that scared him.

StarClan did everything in their power to shield ForestClan from the Iris' gaze, but what if it had found a loophole? What if it found a way to observe them in the waking world? Did it even have that ability? Could Shiverpaw have somehow become the beacon? Did he just doom ForestClan by agreeing to take her on as an apprentice, allowing something to see into StarClan? Did she even know? Was she aware that it was happening? Which answer was worse - ignorance or deceit?

He must have been giving Shiverpaw an intense stare, as the young cat's ears flattened and her tail was tucked between her legs. "W-Windfur?" Her voice was meek.

Windfur closed his eyes and turned away from her roughly. "Just…nevermind. Forget it. Sort the herbs you collected."

The tense silence that followed unnerved and upset him. It took everything in him to ignore Shiverpaw cautiously tip toeing around him with a basket in her mouth, then removing and sorting every herb as though they were delicate, newborn birds. He should've enjoyed the silence, but he didn't. He liked silence. He liked working alone. Now his silence was filled with the permating presence of a child who may or may not doom the entirety of ForestClan, and it would be his fault if she did.

A foreign emotion broke from its seed, and sprouted. He was reminded again of his dead mentor, of how she seemed to know just what to do, and felt like he was left with nothing and no one to rely on. In his den, right now, was possibly a threat to all of ForestClan, and he was alone with determining the truth.

He couldn't do it. Windfur stormed out of the medicine den and found himself heading towards the gates.

Hopechase was standing guard this time, and as he approached, she twitched her ear.

"Going to the graveyard," he grumbled.

Hopechase merely nodded at him before letting Windfur stride past her.

He journeyed past the west of camp, scaling up the slope of cold ground and dead leaves. He stepped on every leaf in his path, not caring about the noise he could possibly make. He just didn't care anymore.

Finally, as he crawled up the top of the hill, he stared at the large clearing around them, lined with stones and one, singular oak tree branching out to shield the graves in dark shade. Windfur stared listlessly at the tree's large trunk, with rows and rows of scratched lines engraved into its bark, encircling it over and over. After the storm, he had scratched one more line for Olive's unnamed kit. One line for every unnamed cat and unknown stranger whose bodies were lost to the woods.

A monument to all of their pain and suffering.

Windfur stared at the towering oak for only a moment longer, before his eyes fell on a dark, slated stone with dried chicory resting upon it.

With a heavy heart, he padded towards it and sat down.

"...Hi, Chicoryglint."

Only the wind replied to him. Windfur's dark blue eyes locked themselves on the grave. A squirrel shuffled up a tree in the distance. For a moment, Windfur let himself sit with his thoughts. He failed to parse them into separate subjects. Why was he even doing this? This wasn't going to help. A grave wasn't going to tell him what was wrong with Shiverpaw. So why?

You're here to confess your failures, he thought.

"...I've made a horrible mistake, Chicory. I really have." Windfur's throat tightened. "I…I brought something into StarClan's skies. I thought after the last moon, that maybe, Shiverpaw was normal. Maybe she just…had a stressful episode during greenleaf. Maybe she had potential, and she could have a good bond with StarClan. But…" He trailed off into silence, his thoughts swarming around him like gnats.

"...Look, I know…I know you don't like talking a lot. I…I get it, I'm the same. But, I could use my mentor right now."

Chicoryglint wouldn't answer him. Not at a grave…and not in his dreams. Even after moons of waiting for anything from her, after they held a vigil, and ate her favorite meal, and shared their memories…

He had visited the Half-Moon Dome ten times since her death. Ten times she could've visited him.

"Look, I know I've driven us all into fox-dung, the least you can do is tell me how to fix it!" He lashed out all of a sudden, his tail thrashing. "I've brought StarClan some kit who may or may not be linked to…to that thing up there, and you won't even bother to tell me if she is, or isn't, or just - "

Windfur spiralled and started snarling when he realized what he was doing. This wasn't about Shiverpaw, was it? He thought it was, but maybe it never was.

It had been ten moons now. Ten moons since Chicoryglint was seen alive. Ten moons of silence. Ten moons of her not visiting him at the Dome.

Why? Was he a failure? Did Chicoryglint see a prophecy that spelled him as a harbinger? Was she ashamed of him?

"Why won't you see me, stars damned it all!" He yowled and furiously scratched at the gravestone. He felt his eyes stinging with pain. "I don't want to fail us! I can fix it, if you would just tell me! What is wrong with her? Is she connected to the Iris? Have I brought the Iris into StarClan's abode?"

Windfur glowered at the gravestone with pale scratch marks now stretched across it. The dried chicory was now crushed, the petals scattered. The woods were silent.

"At least my father told me where he was going when he left," Windfur hissed. "At least he asked me to join him. He gave me a choice. I…I turned him down. I stayed, because you asked me to. And then you left. You just gave me my full name and…died." Windfur stopped. A feeling of dread crawled up his legs and surrounded his heart. "...You…you died."

An intrusive memory broke through his defenses. Iciclepool was speaking to Redstar in her den. Windfur had just brought back herbs and passed under the High Rock. He was going through the motions, not thinking, not feeling. He couldn't accept that she was truly gone. And his ears picked up on something that made his blood turn cold - more than any monster or beast of the woods could ever inflict on him.

"She isn't dead, you know."

He froze. He wanted to keep moving. He didn't. His ears strained to listen.

"Redstar, we don't know that."

"I was a part of their little in-group for moons, Icicle. She was a walking contradiction. Unwilling to hurt others, but willing to protect her own life more. Windfur's story about how she told him to head back to camp and she'd catch up…how she had given him his name before vanishing…"

Windfur bristled. He couldn't turn away. He couldn't leave.

"You're suggesting she ran."

"I am."

"Why didn't she leave with everyone who abandoned us when Lakestar died, then?"

"The same thing that's always motivated her."

Windfur clenched his teeth. He felt the taste of bile and dandelion.

"Fear."

Windfur yowled as he broke free of the memory. He slammed his paws into the dirt and started digging, his claws dragging every inch of grass and mud that housed Chicoryglint's grave. He dug until he felt the stone wobble uneasily. He ripped it out of the ground, and he felt like it held the weight of a mountain. He sobbed, his face burning with indignation.

"Tell me you're dead! Tell me you're actually dead! I don't care if you're mad at me! Just - " Windfur's dark blue eyes stared at the stone pleadingly, as though it held all the answers. He closed his eyes firmly, and bit back a screech.

He hoped. Pleaded. For so many moons that she would show herself to him when he went to the Half-Moon Dome.

But he realized something.

He realized that if he died tomorrow, even if Shiverpaw was linked to the Iris…he would have visited her, at least one last time. One last time to say that he was sorry, and that if she really did doom cat-kind, it wasn't her fault, it was his. It was his fault for agreeing to mentor her and bring her to StarClan's abode. It was his fault for not figuring it out sooner, and not stopping it.

He would still visit her, and he didn't even know her.

Windfur pushed the rock with his head, shoving it over every other gravestone and monument with his paws. He hissed as he kept getting snagged and stuck, and eventually he grasped the flat rock in his mouth, ignoring the pain of the stone dragging down on his teeth. Finally, he made it towards the edge of the clearing, which gave way to a sloped hill.

He dropped the stone and watched it tumble down thrashing against every branch and tree before finally landing flat, dragging a layer of dead leaves and flattened twigs with it.

Windfur stared at the stone at the bottom of the hill. Pain throbbed in his paws and teeth. He felt numb. As the sun continued its path, shifting the shape of shadows below, Windfur focused on the rise and fall of his chest. His anger cooled, and he stared sadly at the stone thrown across the forest floor.

A drop of guilt sat at his paws.

That was still his mentor. His teacher. The one who sang him rhymes and taught him the value of patience and precision. The same skills he was trying - maybe failing, but still trying - to teach his apprentice.

But he still felt betrayed.

“If,” Windfur swallowed, “if you come to visit me. If you apologize. If you tell me what to do, I’ll bring it back up. I’ll put it back. Do you understand?”

He heard the sound of dead branches falling from a tree somewhere.

He breathed deeply, then slowly turned away and padded back down the hill, back to the only home he'd ever known. He felt the pain jab at his paw pads. He stared at them briefly, and saw bruising. He scowled as a melody for soothing bruises appeared in his head, and he pushed it aside as he allowed the pain to anchor him to reality.

He was an adult cat now. He wasn't a fresh, young apprentice. He wasn't a newbie healer. He was ForestClan's sole medicine cat.

He...he couldn't keep doing this. He couldn't keep relying on the memory of someone he thought he knew.

If only it was easier on his heart to embrace. If only.

---

Talonpaw clears up a misunderstanding with Shiverpaw. He only told Windfur about the Nature's Mockery, and doesn't know why Windfur is acting out. Shiverpaw believes him. Unfortunately, Talonpaw lied - he did tell Windfur about the trance Shiverpaw had. Talonpaw feels really guilty, believing that he got her in trouble. But...what else was he supposed to say? Shiverpaw scared him.

(Talonpaw, apprentice, male, 12 moons) (Shiverpaw, apprentice, female, 8 moons)

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too-much-tma-stuff · 7 months ago

Text

Happily Ever After (part 27, final)

First | Previous | Masterpost

They did go suit shopping the next day, they tried on tons of stuff, laughing at some of the obnoxious patterns they tried on just for kicks. They did find ones they really liked though, Danny nearly cried when he found one that was dark blue with patterns that made it seem like he was wearing the night sky. The problem was that it was too big for him and there was no way that they could get it tailored in time for the courthouse wedding tomorrow! So they would have to keep it for later, Danny was happy to wear it to their ‘cape wedding’ anyway.

Jason found one that he liked as well and they agreed to get those tailored and wear them to their big wedding. They had suits already, ones that Dick had gently insisted they but just in case they ever felt up to coming to one of Bruce’s galas or anything, and since they obviously never had those suits had remained entirely unworn. This was a good excuse to actually wear them for the first time! And if Dick tried to get them to go to one again any time soon they had the excuse of not wanting to wear their wedding suits to just any party! It would take him a while to get them new tailored suits, it was much easier to make excuses for fitting after all.

Danny reluctantly left his new star suit at the tailor and went home, where they found Roy and Lian waiting for them outside their apartment door. Lian looked tired but pretty happy, and Roy looked stressed and maybe a bit annoyed.

“It’s about time you showed up,” Roy groused at the same time Lian shrieked; “Uncles!” And came hurtling at them. Throwing herself into Danny’s arms who laughed and scooped her up easily, tossing her gently up in the air and catching her as she giggled. “We’ve been waiting for ages,” Roy complained, just to Jason this time since Danny was clearly not listening.

“We didn’t know you were coming,” Jason said passively.

Roy sighed, his shoulders drooping a bit. “It was the only flight we could get for the wedding. Lian wanted to surprise you both.”

“And a fabulous surprise it is! It's always great to see the two of you!” Danny cheered, now holding Lian upside down as she giggled and squirmed. “We just don’t have the pull out couch set up or anything but we can figure all that out quickly.”

“That’s what you get for the short notice! I haven’t even had time to plan your bachelor party and you won’t be a bachelor anymore,” Roy accused, punching Jason’s shoulder in rebuke.

“We’re still going to do our parties,” Danny insisted. “Before the big public wedding, there’s just some bullshit that came up that made us want to have this only on our own terms you know?”

“Ya, I do know,” Roy sighed a little, his shoulders slumping as he turned towards Danny. Jason fumbled with his apartment keys to let them all in. He couldn’t entirely remember the state they’d left their apartment in that morning and he really hoped it wasn’t too much of a mess. “Jason explained it to me as much as he could over the phone. A political wedding huh? At least it’s between the two of you and they aren’t trying to convince you to marry for an alliance or something.”

“There’d be no point in that,” Danny snorted, shaking his head as they stepped inside and Jason closed the door after them. “They couldn’t make me no matter how hard they tried. And since my kind already follows power I wouldn’t be king if I wasn’t already the most powerful being around.”

Roy whistled softly and went to flop on the couch, his daughter quickly joining him as Jason went to the kitchen to start doing the abandoned breakfast dishes and Danny did a quick sweep of the apartment to make sure nothing embarrassing had been left out. It didn’t take him long, he was very fast after all.

“If they can’t make you do anything why did you agree to the big wedding thing in the Realms anyway?” Roy asked casually, as if he hadn’t only just found out about the infinite realms with the information his best friend's fiance had become a King. At least he had been told some of it before having to see the coronation in the bloody rubble of a destroyed city on TV with the rest of the world. That would have been one hell of a way to find out really.

“Because they had logical arguments for why it was a good idea and I can see their points,” Danny said with a shrug. “I have no intention of being an unreasonable ruler. It’s stupid, and I never wanted to be king, but I’m sure as hell going to do a better job than the last one did, you know? There are good people there, they deserve to have a peaceful afterlife.”

“Spoken like a hero,” Jason said, catching Danny in his arms and hissing his forehead. Danny blushed and muttered for him to shut up without much feeling as Lian cooed at them and Roy gagged playfully.

Danny bit back a comment about how Roy never minded when he was in the middle of the affection as well! They had only had a few threesomes and didn’t want to mention anything like that in front of Lian after all.

“You would do the exact same thing for Crime Alley and don’t claim you wouldn’t,” Danny accused right back. “We both want what’s best for our homes and we’ll do what we need to do to make sure it happens. Sometimes those methods have to be.. Unconventional.”

Jason shrugged, he couldn’t exactly argue with that. His patch of turf just happened to be a lot smaller than the entire realm that Danny now ruled.

“Thank fuck for time dialation, I should be able to get a decent amount done in the Realms without neglecting my responsibilities here too much,” Danny sighed.

“You know you can take a step back from helping me run things if you need to,” Jason pointed out gently. “I did it alone before we got together and I can do it again. I don’t want you to overwork yourself.”

“Like hell I am! I care about the Lanes too and I like working alongside you as Hyena,” Danny said indignantly.

“What’s time dilation?” Lian cut in, derailing the conversation as Danny tried to explain it to her.

-----------

The next day Jason and Danny didn’t arrive at the courthouse late, but in service of both of their dramatic flare they arrived just in time so everyone else would be there first. It felt great, walking in, arm in arm in the tailored suits Dick had got them with Bruce’s money, preening as everyone turned to look at them. Dick already looked like he was about to cry, and honestly so did Bruce. Tim was almost as excited as Jason had ever seen him and was holding his big fancy camera, snapping pictures all the way of them and the family.

“Thank fuck we didn’t hire a photographer huh?” Jason asked softly and Danny gave an affirmative hum.

Dan and Ellie were there too, standing with Roy. Dan and his arms crossed and a stoic look on his face but Danny wouldn’t have expected anything different. Ellie was in her ‘human form’ and wearing a frankly adorable light blue dress with a full skirt and was bouncing on her toes excitedly. Danny broke into a smile as soon as he saw her and as soon as she saw that she came running towards him, hitting him with enough force it would have knocked the wind out of a human and Danny hugged her just as tight.

“You look absolutely breathtaking Starlight, you’re going to outshine me and my groom,” Danny joked and Ellie gave a slightly thick laugh. “And don’t you cry unless those are happy tears.” He added, knowing that tone in her voice.

“They are, but also, so much is changing recently you know?” She asked without looking up.

“I know, we’ll talk about all of it after the wedding okay?” He asked, he really did understand her feelings, but now wasn’t the time and she was a smart girl, mature enough to realize that. Besides he could hear footsteps quickly approaching him, too light to be Bruce, so they needed to move on for now. She nodded and pulled back, wiping her eyes and smiling up at him, he smiled back.

Right on queue Harley all but collided with the both of them, catching both of them in a tight hug. “I should have known you two love birds wouldn’t be able to wait to get hitched,” She crowed as she hauled Jason into the hugs as well and let Ellie squirm free. Hiding behind Roy who had wandered over to join them at a more casual pace. “But ya couldn’t even wait until after the bachelorette party?!”

“That’s what I said!” Roy agreed in exasperation. “But we’re still going to do them right?”

“Of course we are! It’s too good an excuse to party to pass up,” Harley scoffed, and Danny cackled. Jason shook his head at both of them fondly.

Bruce started making his way towards them, and when Roy noticed he hurried to shoo them out of the room. He knew that even though their relationship with Bruce was much better now then it had been, they still didn’t see eye to eye and the last thing anyone wanted was spoiling this important day with a fight. “The officiant is ready,” Roy told them, ushering them towards the ceremony room, leaving the rest of the family to hurry along after them.

Roy was right about the officiant being ready, it wasn’t someone they knew but the woman smiled warmly at them regardless. For their actual wedding they had decided Diana would be the officiant, Jason would be at the altar with Dick and Roy as his best men (yes Dick had cried when he was asked). Dan would walk Danny up the aisle, along with Harley and Ivy as his ‘bridesmaids’ and Lian and Ellie as flower girl and ring bearer respectively. Tim would be the photographer because he had insisted he wanted to be (Though they had also hired a professional for that day as well) And Bruce would be… there, he could give a pre-approved speech.

Their wedding day was well planned out, and it was going to be delightful, but that didn’t matter right now. There were no prescribed places or priorities, just their friends and family clustered around them in a disorganized huddle, so close Danny could feel their warmth. He wouldn’t have had it any other way as he snuggled against Jason, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes as the officiant led them through their vows to one another. Promising to forsake all others and be loyal to one another with a touch of sardonic amusement since they definitely would not stop having threesomes. But they would be loyal, always, to one another, that part true.

They signed the certificate with Jason’s beautiful looping hand and Danny’s messy scrawl made even messier by the fact his hands were shaking slightly. Dick and Bruce ended up being the ones to sign as witnesses since Tim was too young and everyone else present had… complicated legal identities to say the least, but that didn’t matter, they had their witnesses, they had their stamp! They were officially married and told they could kiss, which they were happy to do, too happy to do, Ellie and Lian ended up breaking them up while miming gagging, making everyone present laugh.

“Now let's go celebrate! I know a good bar that doesn’t card,” She told them conspiratorially since Danny was still just a few months off his 21st birthday now and they all agreed the American drinking age was dumb.

Dick cleared his throat loudly and jerked his head towards the city worker who was graciously pretending she hadn’t heard that comment. “Let’s go get dinner! It’s on Bruce,” He said a little too loudly. “I think we have to clear out soon anyway right? It’s only like a 20 minute booking right?”

“Photos first!” Tim broke in insistently as he followed them out of the ceremony room. “We can go to the lobby and then the park nearby, Then dinner. These are important memories!”

“Right right, sure kiddo,” Jason teased, reaching to ruffle his hair just to make him squawk indignantly and duck away before it could be messed up. “Are you actually going to be in any of these ‘important memories’?”

Tim flushed and stuttered, it seemed he hadn’t really made a plan to be on the other side of the camera at all today, so Jason took pity on him. “Why don’t you call Connor? He might not have your eye but I’m sure he can take a few group photos of all of us.”

“I can try but he’s not always listening to me,” Tim agreed dubiously.

“Do you want to bet?” Danny asked with a crooked smile. “Because I bet he’s listening to you basically every waking minute.”

Tim blushed cherry red and Danny cackled triumphantly. Hearing his laughter Harley bounced up to them and draped herself over Danny’s back. From anyone else Besides Jason that level of contact would have been uncomfortable, but that was just Harley. “Ooo I’d know that expression anywhere! Does the baby bird have a crush~” She crooned and Tim scowled fiercely at them with his cheeks still flushed.

“Shut Up!” He muttered again, and Jason couldn’t help but smile at how young he sounded. So much more his age than he usually did.

“Then call him,” Danny encouraged with a crooked and smug little smile.

Tim muttered something under his breath and then sighed. “Connor? If you’re not busy would you mind coming here?” He all but muttered, as if he didn’t want to actually be overheard.

There was a woosh of air, and a moment later Connor came around the corner smiling at Tim, dressed in civilian clothes. Danny and Harley practically fell into each other as Harley gave a broken wolf whistle which set Jason and Ivy (who had wandered over to join them in the meantime) off as well into a fit of less manic laughter. Connor gave them a politely confused look and walked over to Tim, who was standing with his shoulders tense and his fists clenched, blushing brightly and refusing to look at the laughing trio.

“What’s up with them?” Connor asked, bumping his shoulder lightly against Tim’s.

“Ignore them, they’re being stupid and teasing me,” Tim sulked.

“Okaaay, what did you need?” Connor asked curiously.

“Hey Loverboy, would you mind helping him with the pictures? You can stay for the after party,” Danny practically catcalled.

“Loverboy?-” Connor cut himself off and shook his head, turning to smile at Tim. “Of course I’ll help.”

“Great! Thanks,” Tim said slightly too loudly. He took charge to save himself from further embarrassment, bullying a still cackling Danny to a place the light was better and pulling Jason in for couple photos first before expanding out and pulling in family. Handing the camera over to Connor so he could take the photos with him involved and running over after almost every single shot to check his work. Connor took his fussing with good-natured patience and bemusement.

When they finished pictures in the courthouse there was discussion of going for dinner now, and again Tim insisted they go to the park because it was almost ‘golden hour’, whatever the fuck that was. But Tim was stubborn, and now he had Connor to back him up, they all decided to just go along with it. Besides Harley and Ivy, who had a prior commitment and weren’t planning on coming to dinner. They came to say goodbye and kiss Danny’s cheeks, hugging Jason and heading out before they made the other people in the park any more nervous.

Tim didn’t let them leave the park until the sun had set, but that was alright. Then it was time to call a few cabs and pile in to head to the restaurant. Bruce offered to drive Jason and Danny, but somehow ended up with Connor and Tim in his car instead, leading their little caravan to the restaurant they had let him pick out for the evening, it was only fair since he was paying.

The night was too joyful to be awkward as they ate the too fancy food, talked and laughed at Connor trying to figure out how the fancy fucking cutlery was supposed to be used (as if Danny was any better). It was a good thing Bruce had already booked the entire restaurant because otherwise their noise would definitely have disturbed the prissy patrons that usually frequented this place. Bruce was just a bit of a killjoy though and refused to let any of the under age folks order drinks, that had Danny texting Harley about that bar she mentioned under the table.

The night ended when Harley and Ivy came roaring up in a convertible with a hastily scrawled ‘Just Hitched!!!’ sign on the back to steal Jason and Danny for some real fun! They made a break for it before Bruce could stop them and peeled away from the curb as Dick, Ellie, and Dan cheered them on.

Before they could go Bruce did grab both of their arms, holding them for just a moment, an almost desperate look on his face. "I know you two have been avoiding me tonight, I understand! But I want you to know, I'm glad you're happy. I-.. I hope you'll let me be part of your lives. Just, be safe."

"We will, B," Jason said softly. It was the best they were going to get from Bruce, and he was grateful for it.

He pulled back, and Danny, without the history Jason did with Bruce and with a more affectionate nature, pulled Bruce in for a quick but tight hug. He laughed when Bruce froze which gave Jason and Danny the perfect chance to make a break for the car. When Jason looked back Bruce was looking fondly exasperated before turning to lecture everyone about making such a scene in public.

Danny convinced Harley to stop by home so Jason and Danny could change clothes and mask up and then went out for a proper party with their rogue friends. And to get really fucking drunk from all the congratulatory drinks people kept buying them. It was crazy, it was perfect, it was so fucking them.

By the time they got home they were stumbling and leaning on each other and Danny couldn’t stop laughing. Jason locked the door after them with clumsy hands and poured Danny onto the couch.

“Okay, we need to eat and drink somethin before bed or we’re gonna feel like shit tomorrow,” He slurred a little and headed to the kitchen.

“You got it Boss! No! Wait! You got it husband!” Danny said, voice slightly too loud. “Fuck it’s so good to be able to call you that! You’re my husband! We’re fucking hitched! We’re maaaried.”

“You’re damn right we are!” Jason said as he contemplated the glasses, grimaced, and grabbed some plastic cups they had for nights like this, and immediately validated his choice by dropping one and cursing as it fell to the counter.

“You’re never getting rid of me now~” Danny laughed flirtatiously.

“I’d never want to. We’re stuck together Moonlight, you’re the only one for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even if you’re a sloppy-ass drunk.” He teased as he filled up both glasses of water and stumbled over to Danny.

“I wouldn’t either,” He purred, leaning against Jason’s shoulder as he accepted the cup. “Cheers to eternity.”

“Cheers,” Jason chuckled, knocking their plastic cups together before chugging the water and shaking his swimming head.

“Can we order pizza?”

“That’s the best idea you’ve ever had,” Jason laughed and grabbed for his phone.

“Nooo, best idea I ever had was breaking into your office that first time,” Danny sighed, closing his eyes and snuggling against Jason’s side.

Jason felt his heart flutter and kissed Danny’s cheek sloppily. “Actually, you’re damn right. I don’t even want to think of where I’d be without you.”

"Me neither," Danny sighed, resting peacefully against Jason's chest.

#dc x dp #jason todd #danny phantom #my writing #dead on main #wedding #under age drinking #Hyena!danny AU #kon el kent #tim drake #harley quinn #bruce wayne

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krispycreamcake · 1 year ago

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Diabolik lovers x reader (various)

Guys don't bully me this is my first post istg i'll bomb your family

A symphony of explosions ruptured through the sky as the angels above blew their mighty vessels of war. Forks of lightning licked through the heavens, warning those near and far of the impending eruption soon to blast their ear drums. The cascading shower hydrated the manor's old stone walls, grasping at whatever cracks they could get into, only to slip away from the house's embrace at the last second. The moon nor its many luminous companions could be seen as their everlasting beauty was hidden behind storm clouds. A whirlwind soon picked up, shaking the trees like a damned mad woman, soon to be lobotomized. Amidst all this eternal chaos however, was a girl simply trying to survive. She was just dropped off at a glorious mansion that ironically, seemed to hold a sort of deathly allure to it, despite it being right out of a romance novel. She was currently sitting on a royal blue sofa of the finest quality, a strange and perplexed looking man with spectacles adorned the couch opposite her. He had raven black and white ombre hair. Regardless of their contrasting colours, it seemed to take well on him. He gave off a sophisticated but yet also suffocating aura that seemed to envelop the entire room. He looked at you in a bit of a shock after hearing your story, no matter how hard he tried to remain stoic, the words you spoke completely baffled him.

"Would you please further elaborate on what you mean by 'caretaker'?" The man asked, the words barely leaving his tongue.

"Well uhm, like I said, I'll be staying here until an heir to the Sakamaki name is made and then I'll be their caretaker. Mr. Karlheinz specified that he'd prefer I raise the child because well.... He didn't technically state WHY I'm supposed to basically mother your child, besides I-I mean you seem perfectly capable! It's just that, well that's what I was sent here to do". You said, trying to explain your task as quickly as possible. You couldn't pinpoint why, but an urge to leave planted itself in your gut and you felt the need to end this interaction as soon as possible.

The man stayed silent for a second before humming out an acknowledgement to your statement. The air was tense as he stood up and spoke.

"Well then, I'm not sure why we weren't aware of something like this, however, let me be the first to greet you to the Sakamaki manor y/n." Just as he said that, a young man with a head of scorching flames entered. His appearance was tattered and unruly. A pant leg was up, while the other remained down, his shirt wasn't fully buttoned and his tie was worn tied around his neck like some sort of odd fashion statement. As soon as his emerald eyes locked onto yours, a smirk creeped its way onto his face.

"Oi Reiji, you didn't say nothin about us having a guest over." The boy spoke, his voice gnarled and sharp.

"I was unaware of her arrival, that man apparently sent us a.....babysitter." Reiji sighed at the end, his imminent frustration growing.

"Uh no no- it's not like that! I'm just here to take care of your child..well future child. I didn't know you had a brother though, Reiji.." You piped in, your brows knitting in a slight confusion as you weren't informed of Karl having more than one son. You originally thought that his son and daughter-in-law were too busy to take care of a child, so that's why you agreed to this whole thing. But now that you were thinking about it, where exactly was the girl? Your thoughts were interrupted as the ruby haired boy let out a mocking snort.

"You mean to tell me that the old man didn't mention there being six of us? pfft- hah!" The boy spoke. Your heart almost plummeted into your ass as your mind slowly processed his words. Six??? There were six of them?

"Yes I'll have to agree with Ayato. It's odd that man didn't mention there's six of us." Reiji said as he fixed his glasses. "Well in that case, it seems an introduction should be made as soon as possible." As he finished speaking, a slight gush of wind hit you from all different angles. Suddenly four more men appeared out of what seemed to be thin air. They watched you coldly despite them all seeming to have different personalities. Silently judging you...no- not judging, but instead sizing you up. You've been in this situation enough times to know what men's stares mean, and these men wanted nothing good. The boy with purple hair spoke first.

"Teddy- what do you think of our new plaything? Doesn't she look lovely? I wonder what she tastes like, certainly not as good as Yui, but I'd still like to try." For the third time tonight you felt like you could scream. He wasn't being serious was he? This has to be some sort of persona, why would he even say that?? You inched behind Reiji, hoping the man could provide some form of shelter.

"Tsk. Go on and introduce yourself, or do I need to do that for you as well? Hiding behind me like a coward, slinking away the minute things seem to get too troublesome for you....honestly I have no idea why you were selected to come here in the first place. What does that man even see in you?" Reiji said with a scoff, his cold words leaving a shiver down your spine and a dent in your self esteem. You felt embarrassed as you sheepishly crawled away from Reiji to introduce yourself.

Once formalities were finally over with a few weird remark here and there, you were shown to your room. It was quite large, but you expected nothing less after seeing the size of the mansion. Truthfully, you were hoping to have a nice room this entire time. A dome glass ceiling sat right in the middle of the room, illuminating it with a blueish hue. The positioning of the bed was a bit odd, yet it captivated those who were to occupy in the residence. It was a circular bed that was laid with golden satin sheets and a marble platform which held up the delicate mattress. It stood right under the dome which would serve for lovely stargazing. There were many fine intricacies and details done to the bed's platform which made it seem much more compelling than a regular bed. The room was oddly laden with bookshelves and hanging plants. This seemed to soften up the room's regality and tone it down for someone of a more modern time. But you admitted that you wouldn't of mind sleeping in a princess like bedroom. Once you were done unpacking, you made your way downstairs since no one would be up at this hour. Instead, you were met with all brothers and a young blonde. She was delicately beautiful like a rose garden after a storm. You could feel her personality seep through from her meek behaviour. You did wonder though, who'd be the father if there were six of them? But before you could ponder the situation anymore, you noticed they were all in uniform despite it being night. You do recall that Karl mentioned they kept a bit of a peculiar schedule, but even so, is this really what he meant? School at night? You supposed it wasn't too weird for people of such high status to be so busy during the day that they'd have to go to school at night. But even so, how could a human possibly function like this? They'd all be braindead zombies by now, strange was definitely one of the many words to describe this lot.

"As we were late to know of your arrival, we hadn't planned for you to be joining us. Since you lack proper attire, you'll be staying back tonight." Reiji spoke almost exasperatedly. You almost felt a bit scared to stay in such an usual place by yourself. Reiji caught the look on your face and clicked his tongue.

"You truly think we'd let you stay here by yourself? One of us is going to remain here with you until the others are back." Reiji said bluntly. Who was it that was going to babysit you while they were away? Maybe this was your chance to learn more about your new housemates. Your eyes scanned the room, looking for your possible sitter. Then, in an instant you both made eye contact. Both orbs absorbed in each other as the others in the room seemed to be nothing more than an afterthought.

Ok so this is just part one of the series I'm planning. I'll let you guys vote on who it was that caught the reader's attention. TY for reading this btw :( I've been obsessed with this franchise since I was 11 so I'm insane currently.

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linkemon · 9 months ago

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Nandemonaiya (Haku x Reader)

Friendly reminder that English is not my first language. You can check my Masterlists both in English and Polish here. Consider supporting me on Ko-fi. You can also check out my commissions if you’re interested.

Other oneshots can be found here.

ɪɴ ᴏʀᴅᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛᴇᴍᴘʟᴇ ꜰɪɴᴀɴᴄɪᴀʟʟʏ, [ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ] ɪꜱ ᴀꜱꜱɪɢɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀᴛʜʜᴏᴜꜱᴇ. ꜱʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴇᴍᴘʟᴏʏᴇʀ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴀ ʀᴇᴀʟ ᴡɪᴛᴄʜ. ꜱʜᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴀᴠᴇᴅ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋᴅᴏᴡɴ ʙʏ ʜᴀᴋᴜ. ᴀ ʙᴏʏ ᴡʜᴏ ᴅᴏᴇꜱɴ'ᴛ ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ᴡʜᴏ ʜᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴀɴᴛꜱ ʜᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ᴀᴠᴏɪᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀᴍᴇ ꜰᴀᴛᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴀʟʟ ᴄᴏꜱᴛꜱ…

[Reader] casts one last glance toward the shrine. A black roof covered in moss. A red tori gate standing out against the greenery. A few sisters heading to one of the rituals. Everything was as usual, except for the man standing at the top of the stairs. He emerged from the evening mist, looking off into the distance. He stroked his long beard thoughtfully.

The current kannushi was so old that she had only seen him a few times, at major events. He could barely handle his work. None of the young men wanted to replace him. He had no children either. He had placed all his hopes in orphans like her. But for several years now, there had not been a single boy of the right age to learn. Several had passed away before his health failed and the only one left was only three years old. The fact that the monk had come out to see her off seemed oddly suspicious to her.

She adjusted her bag, trying to understand what had happened last night. Right after dinner, the man had called her over. He didn't say much. It was mostly Annaisha-san explaining the situation to her. [Reader] had always respected the eldest miko. But she couldn't stop the angry and frustrated words from the bottom of her heart. Why did she have to leave? And she was the only one? Everyone else would stay here in peace and do what they always did. Meanwhile, she was going to change her entire life to work at some bathhouse, for a woman she'd never heard of before. That wasn't what she meant when she said she wanted adventure.

— How long will I stay there? — the girl asked, trailing behind Annaisha.

—As long as will be needed — the woman replied. She didn’t turn to look at her once. — Did you pack everything I asked you to?

— Yes. — [Reader] thought back to the stinking ball in her bag. Did her employer have a moth problem? All she had been told was to smell good and throw in another one just to be on the safe side.

The sea of green gave way to a sandy path. The tiny grains were still slightly damp from the humidity. She had been in this area many times but it seemed as if she had never seen this place before. A tunnel loomed before her, from which darkness peered out. The statue of a minor god seemed to bore into her with a piercing gaze.

— Listen. — Miko finally stopped and gently grabbed her by the shoulders. — I know it's hard for you but it's the only hope to save our home. I don't know my parents and neither do you. This place has been my haven my whole life and I believe you feel the same way, so on behalf of everyone, I'm asking you for help. When you were little, you said how much you wanted to travel. Think of this as a chance to learn something new. I'm sure your work will help us all get back on our feet and you'll be with us again soon.

[Reader] didn't know what to say. She hugged the older woman, wishing she didn't have to let go at all. The woman silently patted her on the head, then led her deeper into the tunnel.

On the other side, she was greeted by something resembling a train station. She thought she could hear a train but she couldn't see the tracks anywhere. She hurried past dusty benches and four-coloured windows. Outside, she was greeted by the clearest sky she had ever seen. It was a bit odd, considering it was long past noon. Blue reigned over her head as she crossed the green grass. She had to admit that the place, full of flowers and crisscrossed by tiny streams, was breathtaking.

— Is this an open-air museum? — she asked, curious, seeing a row of buildings in the distance.

— Something like that. — Miko’s response was quiet.

[Reader] walked past the abandoned buildings, feeling a growing unease. She looked around, trying to find anyone selling tickets or tourists but there was no sign of anyone. Maybe the place had gone out of business? But if that was the case, why did she still see steaming delicacies at one of the stalls?

— Don't touch anything! — the woman warned her as she saw her approach the skewers. — That's why I told you to take our onigiri. — She looked anxiously in the direction they had come from. — It's getting late. Listen to me carefully. In that direction — she pointed — there's a bathhouse. It's only a few buildings from here. Wait until it gets dark. Then eat anything. Fruit, a leaf, grass, it doesn't matter. Just remember not to eat anything from the stalls. Then go inside the building right away. Look for Yubaba. She's the one who's supposed to hire you.

— Can't you take me there? — The girl felt fear creeping up on her.

— No. It's... a tradition — Annaisha finished awkwardly. With that, she turned around and quickly began to walk back.

[Reader], alone in the large square, looked around uncertainly. Maybe it was just her imagination but it was getting colder. The sun seemed to be setting unusually quickly as she searched for her future workplace. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ward off some of the cold. As dusk fell, panic gripped her. The lamps were slowly turning on and she still didn't know where she was. Fortunately, a moment later she breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of a wooden plaque announcing that she had come to the right place. She leaned over one of the herbs growing from under the concrete and picked a tiny leaf. It didn't taste good, so she swallowed it quickly. However, when she raised her head, her scream died in her throat. She instinctively backed away, clinging to the brick wall. A monster was moving a few meters away from her, in the pale light. The creature was black. It seemed to be crawling over the stones. Right behind it, a whole row of something that looked like ghosts was wandering. Transparent bodies glided over the ground. They were lined up to the bathhouse she was about to enter. Terrified, she wanted to go back. But when she looked back at the place she had come from, she noticed that it was covered in water. She shook her head. She had to pinch herself. It was definitely just a dream. But no matter how many times she blinked, the image remained the same. The stairs ended in something like a wide river. In the distance, on the other side, something glowed that looked like the abandoned train station she had passed earlier. Suddenly, Annaisha's nervousness made sense. Had she known something like this would happen? Was that why she had left her alone in such a hurry?

— What are you doing here? — The quiet but firm voice seemed genuinely surprised to see her there.

Terrified, she wanted to scream but a hand stopped her. A boy appeared before her eyes, about her age. He was wearing work clothes. To her relief, his form was completely human. Seeing that she had calmed down, he removed his hand from her mouth.

— You shouldn’t be here. — He looked at her closely. Her clothes told him a bit about who she was dealing with. Just to be sure, he followed the strange scent. He reached into his bag, pulling out an herbal pill. Just as he expected. — Are you from the temple? — he asked, wanting to finally confirm his suspicions.

She nodded, afraid to speak.

— It's not safe here. Come with me. — He stood up and held out his hand.

He looked around the area anxiously. He paid no attention to the ghosts, though. He stared at the increasingly darkening sky.

— What are... Who are...? — The girl didn't know how to ask about the strange creatures. However, her interlocutor understood in the blink of an eye.

— Didn't the temple tell you where they were sending you? We have gods, spirits, demons and many others. People like you are rarely seen here.

— I'm looking for Yubaba. I heard she runs this bathhouse. — [Reader] felt like her voice sounded unfamiliar.

— I work for her. You came to the right place but at the wrong time…

Whatever the employee wanted to say, he didn't have time. A black silhouette passing by turned a strange head in his direction. He blew in response. The air was filled with the beautiful scent of cherry blossoms. Pink momentarily obscured the world. The mysterious stranger quickly pulled [Reader] after him and disappeared into another dark alley. The girl could swear that she had never run so fast in her life. She didn't even know she was capable of reaching such speed. It was as if she was racing against the wind.

— I just bought us some time. No one can find you for now. Not until we get you a job. I'll cast a spell on you and you'll become invisible. The only place you need to be careful is the bridge. When you step on it, take a deep breath and don't breathe until you step off. Meet me on the other side. Is that clear?

— Can you say that aga… — She didn’t have time to ask. Another wave of tiny flowers blocked her vision.

When she opened her eyes, she was standing only a few steps away from the huge red bridge leading to the bath house. When had she even traveled that distance?

Her guide had already stepped onto the wooden planks, weaving between the various figures. She wanted to cry but she held back her tears. She didn't have time for that now. She took a deep breath and ran after him. She didn't look back. A frog was loudly conversing with those entering. She was about to pass her when a giant loomed in front of her. Whatever he was, he was several meters tall. His rusty body resembled a shapeless mass with holes for eyes. He settled in the middle, filling the entire space. The creatures began to speak to him in strange languages she didn't understand. Her lungs seemed to be burning as she tried unsuccessfully to squeeze past. She had to do something and do it quickly. She looked around frantically. There was a branch lying nearby. It must have fallen from one of the few trees. She picked it up, praying that whatever was in front of her wouldn't turn out to be a god. She didn't want to displease him. She stuck the stick into the red mass. Something gurgled and shrank as if in pain. She rushed forward, finding the black shag.

— You did it. — He whispered. — Follow me.

Contrary to appearances, they didn't go inside. He led her down a small path next door. Then they started down the stairs. In contrast to the splendor that greeted her from the front, this one was much dingier. They passed machinery. A series of pipes that probably carried water. Some of them hissed, others leaked slightly. They went outside again. This time they headed up. At one point, she stopped and looked down. It was a mistake. She hadn't realized how high up she was. She crouched on a narrow step with her head between her knees. It was too much.

— Are you okay? — A warm hand rested on her shoulder.

— Not really. What am I even doing here? I'm a few hundred meters above the ground. If not higher. If there's even ground down there! And we just left. How is that even possible? There are things around me that you only read about in fairy tales. You can do magic. And I was only supposed to work for a nice old lady. Everything is wrong! — Tears flowed thickly, disappearing somewhere in the strange space beneath her feet.

— Come on, come on...— He hugged her and patted her head. — It's always hard at first. When I got here, I didn't know much either and I was alone. And you have me. — He gave her a reassuring smile.

— But… I don’t know you — she stuttered, trying to calm down.

— Call me... call me Haku.

— [Reader]. — She wiped her tears with the sleeve of her robe.

Sniffling, she followed her new acquaintance, who never once let go of her hand the rest of the way. She was grateful for that. She wasn't sure if at some point she wouldn't just start running back to the entrance, just to look back at where she had come from.

She should have been prepared for Haku's familiarity to be just as strange as the rest of the magical world but for some reason she expected a figure similar to him. So when something like a giant spider emerged from the warm air, she hid behind the boy's back. Eight arms worked in superhuman symbiosis, feeding coal to the furnace.

— [Reader], meet Kamajī. He'll find you a job…

[Reader] grabbed a warm bun and stuffed it all into her mouth. She wrapped the rest carelessly in a white scarf. Her boss — a giant rat — added his latest baked good to the mix, then went on a break. He showed his not-so-clean teeth in what she assumed was a smile. He seemed pleased with her dishes today. She nodded to a few of the workers and ran downstairs. She couldn’t understand any of the cooks. They probably couldn’t understand a single word she was saying either. They were a motley crew of different species. It was hard at first but somehow they managed to work together. The longer she thought about it, the less she could tell how long they’d been together. Time seemed to flow differently here. She felt like she’d been working long hours, although the days seemed to drag on, too.

Getting the job was harder than the job itself. Just thinking about her first days in this world gave her the shivers. Meeting the head of the bathhouse was something she wanted to forget. She would never in her life displease her. Yubaba was a witch. In the literal sense of the word. A huge head and big eyes, as if staring into her soul. She didn't want to hire [Reader] for anything.

In the old days, when she was still starting her business, she needed workers more than ever. People who were more familiar with the spirit world than others would come to her place. Some shrines or temples would deliberately send their miko there to receive payments or blessings in return. But over time, everything grew. And the owner stuck with her promise to give work to anyone who asked for it. Now, however, she did it reluctantly. So she tried to scare off interested people in every way possible.

[Reader] couldn't just leave where she came from. She didn't really have anywhere to go back to. Yubaba had said she wouldn't pay the shrine anyway, which would mean ruining her home. She also didn't want to look into the faces of the people who had placed such high hopes in her only to be disappointed. Even if she was angry at Annaisha, she still remembered the years she had taken care of her. Besides, she had prepared her as best she could, even though she had lied. She had given her bullets that would mask the scent of humans among the inhabitants of this reality. She had also prepared a wooden tablet. On it, she had carved her name in kanji. As it turned out, so important.

So she begged for her job with annoying persistence all evening. The boss's opulent office provided ample opportunities for her to show how strong she was. The witch worked her magic stubbornly to get rid of the young girl. She started by throwing a stack of papers at her face, ending with strange folding birds that wanted to peck her. Then she corrected it with a blazing fire from the fireplace and three heads that constantly jumped on the colourful, fringed carpet. Finally, irritated, she threatened to turn her into a pig. This made [Reader] turn her head toward Haku. The boy had warned her that they had to act like strangers. But she hadn't expected him to be so cold. He seemed like the complete opposite of the person she had met earlier. He didn't even blink when she screamed when she saw the pig's tail sticking out of the back of her robe. Accompanied by shrill laughter, she screamed that she needed a job. This caused Yubaba to close her powerful mouth, sighing loudly. She waved her hand and the tail disappeared. She gave up and handed her the contract with boredom, complaining about the ill-mannered youth. Help in the kitchen in exchange for room and board. She had little choice. As soon as the girl's name landed on the paper, she changed it. Several characters flew into the air, leaving her with a new identity. The boy had warned [Reader] that this would happen. That was why the tablet she had brought with her was so precious. Since then, she had written her old name in places she visited regularly. So that she could remind herself of it. The witch gained power over the employees because she stole their names. Over time, they forgot who they were, only to stay forever and work as long as they were able. Just like Haku.

— Faster than me, as always. Do you even sleep?

— Sometimes. — Haku smiled mysteriously.

She had never seen him sleep or doze off but he had a lot of responsibilities. His job was one of the most responsible in the entire bathhouse. He was always on his feet from the crack of dawn until dusk.

He hid in their favourite spot, in the middle of the flower maze. The azaleas and oleanders were a mosaic of pink and orange. The rising sun coloured the white camellias, which still had dew on them. The boy was just finishing watering the plants. It wasn't part of his duties. He simply liked doing it. Ever since she learned that he was always here at this time, she had come to visit him. She leaned against the dark hedge. She closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the cool air.

— What’s for breakfast today? — he asked, looking into the basket.

— For gods magic goo, for demons magic goo and for spirits…

— Let me guess, also magic goo? — Haku finished for her. — Good thing all I see here are buns. — He bit into one as he said that.

Food for the creatures of this world almost never looked tasty. It was usually gruel or soup. They had flavours and many of them reminded [Reader] of ingredients she knew but what she put into the huge pots looked unfamiliar. Only magic could turn liquids into dishes that resembled home-cooked food. She was still learning it. It wasn't an unattainable skill but it required time and focus. Something that the kitchen lacked during meal times, when she could practice it. Haku, as Yubaba's apprentice, helped her a lot. She couldn't count on a rat boss. He showed her gestures with his paws and what the end result should look like but he couldn't explain in words what she should do.

— How are you? — She leaned against Haku's shoulder.

— Very good. You’re getting better and better. — He reached for another piece.

— I think I’ll be promoted soon — [Reader] mused.

The boss liked her. Magic was getting better and better. Plus she had friends around her. When she first found herself in this world, she was terrified. Now she had her life in order.

— I made you a new tablet — Haku said, pulling a piece of wood from his robe.

Carefully carved kanji characters. Beautiful calligraphy. So perfect. Almost too perfect.

— Another one? I told you to drop it.

The boy kept insisting that she repeat her old name. It irritated her. It was enough that she did it once a day. And he produced such reminders and left them in various places so that she would come into contact with them as often as possible. She left the orphanage and the temple behind. In that world, she was practically a nobody. Here, she had a chance to be somebody. She really mattered to someone. She didn't need to constantly think about the past.

— It's important. You'll get out of here someday, and then...

She didn't let him finish. She abruptly stood up, irritated.

— Again with this! We've been through this before. There's no escape from here. Yubaba knows everything that happens here. There's a slim chance and I'm not going to take it. I know you're hurting because you don't remember who you are but I'm not you!

A shadow of resentment crossed his warm face. Barely noticeable but still. She felt a pang of guilt but she knew she was also right. He was projecting some of his resentment onto her. He had made a decision long ago that he now regretted. He didn't know himself and for years it had been eating him up inside. Who was he? What did he like to do? Where was his home?

— It's true. I regret becoming Yubaba's apprentice. That's why I want to save you from what I myself can never escape. What happened to your dreams? When I met you, you said you wanted to see the world. Are you going to give up? — Haku gently grabbed her by the shoulders, as if to talk some sense into her.

— Dreams change. I have a new life now. You're one of the reasons I don't want to leave here. You should be happy. — [Reader] smacked his hand away.

— Me? — Haku's face showed shock.

— Is it so strange that I love you? — The girl seemed to not immediately realize what she had said. But once she did, she did not intend to take her words back.

The boy didn't answer. He simply hugged her tightly. It wasn't like he hadn't seen how their relationship had begun to go beyond friendship. It had happened a long time ago. Subtle smiles. Holding hands. Spending every free moment together. Thoughts of her that haunted him while he worked. He had put the pieces of the puzzle together a long time ago. But hearing those words from her alone seemed to finally seal what was between them. He couldn't just leave it like that...

Haku said goodbye to Yubaba with a stony face. The witch draped herself in pitch-black feathers. She looked at him longer than usual but he held her piercing gaze. Had she guessed?

— I'm leaving the business in your hands. See to everything. — With these words she took to the air and flew out through the open window.

He let out a long-held breath. The festival was no problem. Everything was practically ready. A wealthy client had simply fallen from the sky. Ever since he had requested a big event, the entire bathhouse had been trying to prepare one for him. Yubaba would have liked to have been rushing the workers all evening but for some unknown reason she had left the bath house in a hurry.

Haku walked out in front of the building. The usually empty booths were still filling up with new guests. The bath attendants were just starting their shift, rushing through the line of people gathered in line. Luckily, [Reader] was already finishing up. She was standing next to the boss, nibbling on the food on display. He waved hello to them. Then, without a word, he grabbed the girl's hand and headed for the stone steps.

— Where are we going? — She looked pleased as she munched on the magic skewer.

— To one of my favourite places. It’s almost always flooded but today the water level was low enough. — With that, he led her through the crowd of ghosts.

He hoped the workers would manage without him for a while. The streets were swarming with capricious gods.

They crossed a flowery meadow. The buds closed from the lack of sunlight. Shadows seemed to thicken around the buildings without light. Haku felt a tighter grip on his hand.

— Are you sure we can go this far? — [Reader] looked around uncertainly.

— We'll be fine. Yubaba left and it doesn't look like she'll be back anytime soon.

The further they walked, the further they got from the baths. She passed places that had long since faded from her memory. This was where she had walked when she first came to this land. If she looked closely, she could even make out the abandoned train station. The one she had passed through long ago.

It was only when she saw the lights that she understood where they were headed. In the middle of the meadows was a tree surrounded by thousands of fireflies. It was huge. Its spreading branches reached high into the air. It had completely dried out. She could still see the empty riverbed that had once flowed here. The birds that had once lived here had left behind only empty nests. The sight might have seemed eerie but to her it only brought sadness.

Haku felt connected for the tree for some reason. He didn't remember it. But he felt like he had seen it in his previous life. The sight of its death filled him with sorrow, though he couldn't imagine what it might have been like in life. [Reader] didn't interrupt his story. She laid her head on his lap, as she had done for a long time and let him speculate. Stories of how he imagined himself before. What might have happened to him in the past. A cool wind with the scent of cherry blossoms carried his stories across the meadow. They flew away towards the dark sky, surrounded by the glow of fireflies.

He would miss these moments. The peace her presence brought him. But he believed he was making the right decision. He hoped she wouldn't be mad at him. At least not mad enough to erase him from her memory entirely. Would she even remember him when she will leave this world? How wrong was it that after what he was about to do, he still selfishly wanted her to love him?

He wanted to visit this place with her under different circumstances because in some way it was a part of him. Even if he didn't know how. It was like sharing a piece of the past. If he forgot, she would still know. He wished they had more time.

He prayed to the gods that Yubaba would not find out it was him. If she discovered the truth, he would probably say goodbye to his life. But it was a fair price for the risk. One life in exchange for another.

— I love you [Reader] — he whispered one last time.

[Reader]. Yeah, right. That was her real name before she came here. The words came to her slowly. She didn't even notice the moment her eyelids grew heavy. Something that was probably a kiss rested on her forehead. She felt a nice warmth. She wanted to say the same thing but she didn't have the strength. She fell asleep.

— [Reader], [Reader], [Reader]! — Yumeka happily jumped around her. — You must see the river.

The woman adjusted her hat, smiling. She offered the little girl her hand. She was pleased with how much good she had done. This was an example of a happy child. The orphanage she had founded was doing well. Unlike the temple where she had grown up, no one forced the little ones to follow one path. She had found people who were willing to support them in choosing a career when the time came.

[Reader] wanted to repay the good fortune she had experienced. The couple who had found her in the woods a few years ago, gave her a home. The doctors had determined that she had suffered from partial amnesia as a young girl. Whenever she tried to explain to them that she had grown up in a temple, they said it was impossible. Her adoptive parents took her there so she could see that it had been abandoned. It was only after several years of work, when she had been awarded the title of a top chef, that she managed to make enough contacts to look at the guarded documents. Some of the people she had grown up with were still alive. When she asked them about her disappearance, they told her that she had simply left one day. Supposedly because they had found parents willing to adopt her. What didn’t add up, however, was how much older she seemed compared to them. She couldn’t explain it but she felt as if there had been a gap in her life. A much longer one than anyone around her suggested.

Over time, she gave up digging into the past. There was little she could do and no one knew the answers to her questions. So she set herself a new goal. She travelled the world. She cooked for many different celebrities but also for ordinary people. She was hailed as a magical cook. Guests claimed she could do magic. According to critics, the dishes she prepared seemed to have a taste of something they had never been able to taste from anyone else. When her parents began to fail, [Reader] returned to her hometown. There, she came up with the idea of opening an orphanage. Only, it was better than the one she knew. Raised as a future miko, she felt no happiness. She wanted the children to choose their own paths in life. After the deaths of their mother and father, she began to visit the building more and more often. The bond that developed between her and the children was something special. They were the only ones who didn't laugh when she told stories that the adults only shook their heads at. That for years she had been dreaming of a distant land. And in it a colourful bathhouse and magical creatures. Above all a terrifying witch. More often, however, a boy with a gentle smile and green eyes. One day, however, he stopped appearing there and did not want to return for anything.

— You’re saying that out of nowhere a river started flowing here? — [Reader] looked curiously at the lazily flowing water.

— Yes. My friend Chihiro said it just showed up here one day. She came here recently with her parents and they were the first to discover this. Then the neighbours came. Everyone was surprised.

She nodded, staring into the clear surface. It seemed familiar for some reason. Like she had seen it before but that couldn't be possible since the stream had appeared only weeks ago.

She took off her sandals and dipped her feet into the cool current. The world seemed to stop for a moment. Silence surrounded her. The scent of cherry blossoms filled her nostrils. She stood under a blooming, spreading tree surrounded by fireflies.

— You're so stupid, Haku! — The girl clenched her fist.

She looked helplessly at the water that was now flooding the entire area. He had fenced her off. He had fenced her off from that world. He had the nerve to carry her right up to the station and disappear while she was sleeping. On the other side. When she woke up, it was already morning. All he had left behind was a letter, which she opened with a trembling hand.

Dear [Reader],

I know you're angry. You have every right to be. I know that what I'm about to do will hurt you deeply but I can't let you spend the rest of your life here and forget who you are like I did. In time, it will start to bother you, just like it did me. You'll start to forget about the people, places and dreams you've had. Knowing that I'm the main reason you don't want to try to escape from here is one of the worst thoughts I've ever had. If I didn't do anything, the guilt would eat me up inside. Knowing you, you're probably wondering if it's possible to wait here and go back to the bathhouse. I'll answer your question. It's impossible. You can't step into the same river twice. You only have one path and it leads home. I love you. That will never change. That's why I'm selfishly asking you for one last favour. Go through the tunnel. Don't look back. Do every single thing you've ever wanted. I hope that one day we'll be able to meet again. Even if it will be just in our dreams.

Forever yours x͕̪̙͓̟ͯ͒́̕x̵̛̯̭̒̆̿͘x̴̡̬͇̼̙͋̀̂̋ͮx̷̬̙̍̉͊́̕x̷̨̫̹͉ͤ͒̔̓͋͞x̶̫ͦ̇̽̎

She thought she saw the kanji forming a signature but it seemed to spill and dance before her eyes. Kohaku? No… The correct one would be…

— Nigihayami Kohakunushi. — The words seemed to escape her lips on their own.

— [Reader], are you okay? You were completely out of it for a moment. — Yumeka waved her hand in front of her eyes. — How did you know what we named the river? You said it was the first time you’d heard of it.

— It's nothing. I got lost in my thoughts. One of the neighbours probably told me and I just remembered. — She cast a last, lingering look at the river. — Let's go for dinner. I was going to wait a bit longer but I actually came to tell you the good news. If everything goes well, I'll be able to start the adoption process soon. What do you think?

— Really?

— Really. — She smiled, grabbed her hand and together they walked away from the shore. Cherry blossoms were still dancing in the air.

#haku x reader #spirited away x reader #sen to chihiro no kamikakushi #chihiro ogino #kamaji #yubaba #nigihayami kohakunushi #angst #bittersweet

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4urvalidation · 4 months ago

Text

A CASE OF LIMERENCE | Chapter Twelve

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

A/N: Oh we went deep for this one folks. Lots of callbacks and realizations and if you think this is bad, well - prepare for it to get even worse 😃 Hope you enjoy.

TW: Mentions of violence, alcohol, drug use, guns and finally - Rafe being a violent piece of work. Mild sexual and suggestive content, mostly implied and shown through the form of texting (aka characters are horny again and doing stupid things because of it)

The places where Rafe’s fingers brushed her skin burn; his crass words echoing in the back of her head as Leni moves through the busy restaurant. Like some sort of broken record, the moment plays before her - his stormy blue eyes, stupid smirk and the way he called her baby.

Especially the way he called her baby;

Set her entire body aflame;

Promised to make her feel good.

Real good.

A shiver runs down Leni’s spine and then, she spots JJ.

He sits alone, gaze focused on the empty table before him, tufts of messy blonde hair stuck between a tightly clenched fist. When he sees her, something shifts behind his eyes - the usual calmness, that perfect clear blue sky disappears and is replaced with something alien; something dark.

“What did that bastard want?” JJ asks, practically spitting at her and she can’t. His name escapes her lips in a form of a tired, borderline bored sigh because that’s exactly what this whole sudden machismo thing of his is - boring. “Leni!?”

“This is ridiculous. You are being ridiculous.” She says, ready to leave, but JJ is springing from his seat; chair pushed back so aggressively, it screeches against the floor with such vigor, the sound echoes across the entire restaurant and stops Leni right in her tracks.

“What did he want?”

“I told you! He’s looking for Rose!”

“And what do you have anything to do with that?”

“She’s my Godmother?”

“Right.“ JJ swallows, his cheeks suddenly red. “Still - that doesn’t explain why he gotta hound you like that.”

“Hound me? He’s never-” Just then, her mind almost instantly reminds her of that night; the pressure of Rafe’s body against hers; his fingers curled around her wrists; his bloodied face and haunting stare… She thinks of all the times he’s shown up unannounced; practically forcing himself inside her orbit and turning her entire existence inside out.

JJ is right.

Ever since she’s arrived on this island, all Rafe has ever done is hound her. His unnerving presence; the callous way he speaks to her - it enrages Leni; makes her want to tear at her skin and yet, all she wants to do is be around him. To feel the weight of his stormy gaze on her body and be the reason why he keeps on making that stupid smirk…

“Baby,” The gruffness in JJ’s tone disappears. So does that strange look in his eye and he’s walking towards her now; fingertips gingerly brushing the skin around her elbows, “I’ve seen the way he looks at you-”

“The way he looks at me?”

“Yes. Leni, he-”

“I see. This has nothing to do with Rafe, does it?”

“It has everything to do with Rafe!”

“Why? Cause he just happens to be a guy who’s talking to me and you don’t like that?”

JJ’s mouth falls slack. “You don’t get it.”

“Oh, I get it.”

“No, you don’t.”

“I actually do.”

“No! You don’t! I’m not saying this cause he just happens to be a guy that’s talking to you! I don’t give a shit about that! You can talk to whoever you want!”

“Just not Rafe?”

“Just not Rafe.” JJ echoes, his voice suddenly defeated, shoulders slumped. “Leni… he’s… he’s bad news.” Pieces of all the conversations she’s had with Rose over the years flash before her eyes like a weird case of deja vu. But that’s not the worst thing. The worst thing is her insatiable need to defend Rafe; find some kind of proof to show JJ that the person he’s warning her about is different now.

“Cause he’s a Kook?”

“He could be a Pogue and I’ll still tell you the same thing.”

“That’s ‘cause you don’t know him.” Leni’s breath catches in her throat and she can feel an onslaught of tears slowly fighting their way into the corners of her eyes. The last thing she wants is for JJ to see her cry so, as gently as possible, she moves away from his touch, but he holds onto her even tighter.

“No. You don’t know him. At least not the way we do. You might’ve spent all your summers on that plantation and played a couple of pranks on him when he pissed you off, but you don’t know Rafe Cameron the way us Pogues do!”

“I have to get back to work.” She says, pulling away; her voice hoarse and weepy and the tears are really threatening to come out now.

“Has Sarah told you about all the things he’s done? (“Jay…”) Has she told you about the time he almost ran us off the road? Or how he and his friends beat Pope to a fucking pulp? Or how he told Sarah she is the reason for their dad’s death? D’you know anything ‘bout that? What about him kicking her out of their home? All those months he spent humiliating her publicly? Showing up at the Chateau hopped up on coke and with a gun only to OD and have the people he wanted dead rush him to the fucking hospital? You know anything about that?!”

Leni is crying.

Silent, bitter tears topple down her face as her entire body begins to shake uncontrollably.

He’s insane.

Rose was right.

Rafe’s insane.

She’s crushing on an actual insane person.

JJ’s grip softens and the second she no longer feels his touch on her skin, she makes a run for it. It’s a cowardly thing to do - leaving without an answer or a proper goodbye, but what the fuck is she supposed to say to all of that? He made his point. Just like every other person in her life apparently has and she hates them all of it, but mostly - Leni hates herself.

Knowing Cleo is swiftly on her way, calms Leni down a little, but that doesn’t mean the prickling in her fingertips is willing to stop anytime soon. Her mind’s in a swirl; a whirlpool of ever changing emotions and… Rafe.

Rafe and that haunted look in his eyes; his soft smiles; his rough fingers soft against her skin; his shit eating smirks; the way he says her name; the feeling he creates in both her chest and between her thighs and finally - that night.

The memory washes over her like the gentlest of waves; the smell of the ocean and his cologne permanently stuck behind her nostrils and if Leni were to close her eyes just now, she’d immediately find herself transported there: on Rafe’s boat. She’s got her gaze glued stubbornly on the ever growing sunset; quietly watching as the fading sun paints the ocean a strange orange hue. Rafe is right behind her, steering the boat and allowing the silence between them to grow deeper and deeper. It’s a comfortable one; the kind she hasn’t experienced in a while and she’s surprised - who would’ve thought that moments like these could’ve been experienced with someone like him.

When she finally decides to glance over at Rafe - subtly and past her shoulder - his gaze is already there, resting steadily on her. Her heart skips a beat and the corners of his lips perk up and almost immediately she feels the spread of a warm fuzzy feeling all across the pit of her belly.

The feeling repeats and Leni opens her eyes. She’s lying there, comfortably sprung on her bed; the sound of the rumbling ocean miles away, but the weight of Rafe’s soft gaze still ever present on her prickling skin.

How could it be that the person on the boat and the one JJ is so adamant she keeps away from, be the same?

The question swirls inside her brain until it’s completely lost its meaning; until she’s fourteen again and there’s a fist around her braid. She finds herself being yanked backwards and then slammed recklessly against the cold refrigerator door. Before her - with his face pressed inches away from her own- stands Rafe. His pupils are blown out, dark; darker than the night sky behind him and he’s sweaty, almost out of breath and reeking of weed and whiskey.

“If I ever catch you pulling that shit again, next time you wake up it’ll be with your braid in your mouth!”

Back then Leni had convinced herself she deserved it. The hurt his words caused Sarah faded away, but the smell of dog piss in his room didn’t. As a matter of fact it lingered for the next couple of days, much like the bruise she got when he shoved her against the fridge. It took her an entire year to tell Sarah about it and now, Leni sits there wondering just how much time does it have to pass in order to finally admit to herself that he is the reason why she skipped the past two summers.

He was drunk, she tells herself, but the prickling in her fingertips continues. He was drunk and he was high and you pissed him off! A shiver runs down her spine, causing at least a hundred dozen goosebumps to erupt all over her skin. He was just trying to scare you. It’s not like he was really gonna do it and yet, there he was - doing far more awful things.

But he was probably drunk. Or high. Or both. She reaches for her loose braid, gently throwing it over her shoulder and ignoring the numbness in her brittle fingers. The Rafe she’s come to know now is clean. Calm. Measured. Still as haughty and full of himself as always, but there’s a certain charm that comes with all that straightforwardness and-

Fist.

Her very first night on the island flashes before Leni’s eyes; the sound of Rafe’s clenched hand colliding with Tannyhill’s facade echoes loudly inside her head. But loud as those harsh words of his do.

Stupid bottle blonde ass whore.

The memory of the bitterness in his voice is so strong, she can taste it on her tongue.

He knows where she lives now.

And can hound her anytime he fucking wants.

Leni swallows and practically jumps out of her skin when she hears a faint knocking on her door.

Trembling, she moves towards it - her heart stuck in her throat - and almost collapses from relief when she sees Cleo’s smiling face through the peephole.

“Hey.” She breathes, voice barely sounding like her own.

“Damn girl, you could at least pretend to be happy to see me.” Cleo hugs her, but when their eyes meet, the usual sparkle in her eye is suddenly replaced with worry, “Hey, what happened? Why’re you all white as a ghost?”

Leni swallows, that awful taste finally out of her mouth, “Can we at least get some alcohol first? And then I’ll tell you everything.”

“Can I be honest?” Cleo says, her mouth full of pepperoni pizza. They’re lying on Leni’s queen sized bed, snacks and junk food all around them as an old Friends rerun is quietly playing in the back, “And a little mean?”

“Please! This is a mean free zone!”

“Okay. So, this isn’t the dump I thought it’d be.” Her exclaim makes Leni spring up a little, eyes wide in surprise, “I’m only saying this because… y’know, there have been rumors (“Rumors?”) Yes, rumors… You do realize you’re living in a hump and dump, right?”

“A hump and dump?” Now it’s Leni’s turn to talk with a mouthful. Except hers is filled with delicious sour candy and a large gulp of cheap rose. “What the fuck is a hump and dump?”

“Oh you know! A hump and dump! A place where you go to fuck. And never see each other again.”

“And how does Princess Cleo know about this hump and dump business?” Batting her eyelashes, Leni puts on her best sultry voice, teasing her friend relentlessly which in return earns her a nice playful punch in the elbow.

“You’re a menace.” Cleo laughs.

“So I’ve been told.”

“No, but really - isn’t Rose like this bigshot real estate agent? How come she didn’t get you a nice condo or something?”

Leni snorts, “I’ve actually been asking myself the same thing.” She takes another long swig from her drink, letting it burn all the way down her throat before realizing the possibility that Rafe might as well had the exact same question running round his mind earlier today.

But why didn’t he ask?

Why was her next move more important than Rose’s actual true motive?

And did Rose even have a motive to begin with?

“I think… “ She stares at the half-empty glass in her hand. The rose burns holes in the pit of her stomach. So do the Sour Patch Kids. And pepperoni pizza. “I think she might’ve done it to spite Rafe. One last fuck you before taking off for good… or something.”

“Okay, but there are other ways she could’ve done that. Like - far more creative ones.”

Like taking his baby sister and disappearing without a trace.

“Yeah,” Leni’s throat goes dry.

What if…

What if her Godmother needed something believable? A perfect coverup of sorts in case Rafe or anyone else were to peruse through all of her transactions before that big exit? Now that the idea has been planted inside her brain, it actually makes sense. No guise is more perfect than the one belonging to Rose’s beloved goddaughter. The one she oh so eagerly flew in every summer for the past nine years. Well, seven if she were to get technical, but Leni would rather not remind herself again of the two years she chose fear over Sarah.

She swallows.

The possibility that her Godmother might’ve used her doesn’t sit quite right in her stomach.

Neither does the cheap rose.

“Hey, we don’t need to be doing this right now.” Cleo says with the gentlest of smiles and Leni agrees. Tonight is supposed to be fun; she’s supposed to let go of all her crippling, menacing worries and spend time getting to know her brand new friend.

“You’re right.” Mimicking Cleo’s smile, Leni takes another long swig from her drink, emptying her glass and pouring herself another.

“Now, tell me about Rafe. What’s going on there?”

The sole mention of his name is enough for her to once again lose the feeling in her fingers. “Nothing.” She says, her face suddenly contorted in a painful scowl.

“What do you mean nothing? He came to see you at work. Left you a hundred bucks worth a tip. Promised you a birthday present, or wait - was the tip the birthday present?” Leni shakes her head, “Then what is it?”

“An orgasm.” She belches and Cleo’s mouth falls slack.

“A what?”

“You heard me, I’m not repeating it.”

“And?” Her friend wiggles her brows, a bright expectant look on her pretty face that unfortunately only manages to elicit a single, head throbbing eye roll from Leni. “He hasn’t given it to you yet?! Girl! What are you waiting for!? That man is crazy about you!”

“Or… just crazy in general.”

Cleo blinks. “Hold up. Is this about how he almost ran the boys off the road and the incident at the golf course with Pope and the time he was tryna be all gangster, brought a gun to a party and then blamed Sarah for their dad’s death?”

“Yes. That. All of… that.”

“But… he was like blitzed out on coke. I dunno about all those other times, but he definitely was on something when he showed up at the Chateau with guns blazing. Literally. And! Then he started dying on us and Sarah and John B had to rush him to the hospital or whatever.”

“So, he really did OD.”

“Yeah. Like, I genuinely believe that’s the only reason why he went to rehab… among, y’know… all the others.”

Leni nods and the room falls quiet.

Rafe’s violent past scares her. The memory of his fist tightly wrapped around her hair even more so, but not as much as the fact that if he were to show up at her door right now, she’d jump into his arms almost immediately.

What the fuck is wrong with her?

How can she have the sweetest, kindest boy at her disposal and still pine for the one that’s most likely to blow her entire life to fucking smithereens?

Is Rafe’s craziness that contagious?

Has she too gone completely and utterly insane?

“Speak of the devil.” The words leave her mouth through a long, tired sigh; the bright screen of her phone illuminating her face and half the room before she tosses it back on the bed.

“You gonna reply?” Cleo looks at her expectantly.

Leni shakes her head, but her fingers itch. Every single atom in her body is screaming at her to text him back. Tell him about the awful day she’s had and let him take her out on his boat and do everything in his power to make her good.

Make her feel real good.

With bated breath she waits for Cleo to go to the bathroom.

Then, she grabs her phone.

The sound of a flushing toilet has Leni rushing back on her feet and swiftly pulling her pajama pants back on. Her heart is racing, underwear practically dripping with desire and she knows she’s asked herself the same question plenty of times before but what the fuck is wrong with her?

Talking to Rafe.

Flirting with Rafe.

Sending him those kinds of photos.

Now she knows for a fact that his craziness is contagious because what else would be making her behave like this?

Her phone’s screen lights up - his name once again popping up next to a needy text and thank god for Cleo because she would’ve done something stupid again. She would’ve actually listened to him; made up some elaborate excuse or in this case, just told her friend the truth and gotten herself at Tannyhill as fast as possible. Shamelessly she would’ve let him strip her; kiss every achingly desperate part of her body and finally -finally!- get what she came for: her long awaited and well deserved birthday present.

Leni swallows.

Throws her phone to the side for the millionth time tonight and lays her head back on the pillow.

“I’m gonna tell you something, but you gotta promise not to tell anyone.” She says suddenly, her voice quieter than a whisper.

Cleo groans, “Again with the threats?”

“No. No threats this time. I promise.” She chuckles, “My stay here runs out on August 31st. The next day I’m supposed to be out of this room by twelve. And… I’ve been thinking about… leaving this place altogether.”

Cleo’s brows furrow. “This place? What do you mean, this place? Like the island or? (“The island.”) What about your gap year?”

“I’m still gonna do it just… not here.” Leni sighs, her eyes suddenly prickling with tears, “Things are so… different now. Before Ward died, Sarah and I… we had plans. We were gonna share an apartment together. Work a silly breezy job at some lala boutique and spend our weekends sunbathing by her pool.” She smiles, but that doesn’t stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks. “Now I barely even see her. I’m constantly at The Wreck, all my clothes smell like burnt food and I’m barely even making any money! Not to mention-”

Rafe.

It’s not what she wants to say.

At least not originally, but her mind has already gone there and before she knows it, the rest of her senses have been completely clouded with images of his stupid smirk and those unforgettable stormy blues.

Leni swallows.

This stupid crush she has on him - it really is going to drive her insane. Never in her life has a person ever made her feel like this; made her heart feel like it’s going to explode, crack her chest wide open and leave her body in shambles. The thought of him makes her feel dizzy. The thought of him touching her, devouring her - sends her into oblivion.

It’s embarrassing just how bad she wants him.

How bad she wants to be with him.

Wake right next to him.

Feel the warmth of his body on the other side of her bed.

Another set of tears fall down her cheeks.

Fuck.

She needs to leave.

She needs to leave this fucking island before her heart is still capable of holding onto its pieces.

“Does Sarah know about this?”

Leni’s heart skips a beat.

She can’t imagine the way her best friend would react if she ever finds out about all the feelings Leni has for Rafe.

Would she be mad?

Confused?

Disappointed?

All of the above?

“I haven’t told her yet. But… I’m going to. I just need to make my decision first.”

Cleo nods, taking her hands into her own and gently squeezing them, “Well, whatever you decide to do… I’m here. Always.”

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#rafe cameron fanfiction #rafe cameron #rafe obx #rafe outer banks #rafe cameron smau #rafe cameron x oc #obx fanfiction #original character #a case of limerence #rafe fic #outerbanks rafe #rafe imagine #rafe fanfiction #rafe angst #obx rafe cameron #rafe cameron fic #rafe x oc

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inkedwithcharm · 6 days ago

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The Sunflower Next Door | Kim Seokjin

Chapter 11: “Healing, With You Beside Me”

The morning of your scheduled tests arrived quietly, the sky outside still tinged with soft gray. You’d barely slept, your thoughts wrapped around what-ifs and possibilities. Your fingers played nervously with the edge of your hoodie as you sat at the kitchen table in Jin’s apartment.

He moved around the kitchen with calm familiarity, slicing apples and warming leftover soup, trying to coax your appetite back.

“You don’t have to eat everything,” he said gently, setting a bowl in front of you. “Just enough to help you through the blood work.”

You nodded, offering a small smile.

“I still can’t believe she called me herself.”

“She sees you,” Jin said simply. “Not just the illness. You.”

At the hospital, everything felt both familiar and different. You’d spent years in places like this — pale walls, soft footsteps, the distant beeping of machines. But today wasn’t about stabilizing what was breaking. It was about starting something that might finally change everything.

Dr. Lee welcomed you herself.

She met you and Jin just outside the consultation room, her white coat crisp, her smile warm.

“Y/N-ssi, Seokjin-ssi — I’m so glad you both could come,” she greeted.

You bowed politely, trying not to fidget.

“Thank you again for calling,” you said. “It meant a lot.”

“I read every word of your file before I made that call,” she replied, leading you inside. “And I meant every word when I said you deserve this chance.”

Inside the consultation room, she sat across from you and opened her tablet. But before diving into charts or test schedules, she paused and looked you in the eyes.

“I know your story, Y/N,” she said softly. “I’ve followed your labs, flare reports, ER visits. I know how long you’ve been asked to endure — to manage instead of treat. You’ve carried more than most. That’s why this trial matters.”

The words struck something deep. Jin reached for your hand under the table, holding it steady.

“This medication,” she continued, “has shown promise for patients like you — rare subtypes, unpredictable flare-ups. It’s not a cure, but it may offer real relief.”

She explained how L-32, the trial medication, worked — its goal to calm your immune system without weakening it entirely. Twice-weekly visits for a month, then follow-up assessments. Common side effects: fatigue, low-grade fevers, temporary inflammation.

“We’ll be monitoring you closely. If anything feels off, you contact me directly,” Dr. Lee said firmly.

“What happens if her body doesn’t respond to it?” Jin asked, voice careful but serious.

“Then we stop and reassess,” Dr. Lee said. “But we don’t walk away. You won’t be left wondering.”

The next few hours passed in a blur of labs and procedures.

Bloodwork. Vitals. A baseline physical exam. Nurses moved with quiet efficiency around you while Jin stayed at your side, murmuring soft encouragements and offering his hand when they inserted the IV.

“You’re doing great,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from your forehead.

You gave him a tired smile. “You say that like I ran a marathon.”

“You kind of did,” he whispered. “A medical one.”

Later, Dr. Lee returned to go over next steps. You would begin treatment in one week. She handed you a soft blue folder labeled L-32 Clinical Trial Participant Guide, with your name printed at the bottom in quiet, reassuring letters.

You stared at it for a moment.

“This makes it feel real,” you said.

“It is real,” she replied. “And you’re not alone in this.”

By the time you stepped outside into the hospital rooftop garden, the sun was slipping lower in the sky, casting golden light over everything.

You sat on a bench in silence, the guide still in your hands. Jin stood for a moment, then slowly sat beside you, his shoulder pressing into yours.

“I’m scared,” you admitted.

He nodded, then tilted his head toward you. “I know.”

“What if it’s just another false hope?”

“Then we take the next one together,” he said.

You looked up at him, searching for doubt.

There wasn’t any.

“I’m not going anywhere, Y/N,” he added softly. “Not for this, not for anything.”

You leaned your head against his shoulder.

And when he pressed a soft kiss to your temple, you closed your eyes and let yourself believe — not just in the treatment, but in the life you might still have waiting beyond it.

One week from now, the first dose would be administered.

And while you weren’t sure what would happen next, for the first time in a long time — you didn’t feel like you were stepping into the unknown alone.

One quiet week slipped by.

The morning light was gentle, filtered through pale curtains that swayed ever so slightly from the breeze coming through the half-open window. Jin had been up before the alarm, moving softly in the kitchen so you wouldn’t wake too early. But you had.

You always did on mornings like this.

You stood by the doorway, watching him stir porridge on the stove, the sleeves of his hoodie pushed up, hair still messy from sleep.

“You didn’t have to cook,” you said quietly.

He turned and smiled — not surprised to see you awake, not annoyed. Just… calm. Steady.

“I needed to do something with my hands,” he admitted. “And you need something in your stomach before the dose.”

You nodded.

The nerves had been there since last night — quiet but persistent, sitting under your ribs like a second heartbeat. Today was the beginning of something new. Or something uncertain. Or both.

At the hospital, the nurse led you into a smaller private room, furnished with a recliner, a monitor, and soft lighting that tried its best to be gentle. Jin sat beside you, a book in his lap that he had no intention of reading.

Dr. Lee entered with a clipboard and a soft smile. “Morning, Y/N-ssi. Ready?”

You exhaled slowly. “As I’ll ever be.”

She went through her usual steps — vitals, a quick checklist of symptoms, and reminders about what to expect. A fever, maybe. Nausea. Fatigue.

“It may take a few doses to feel anything different,” she said, gently pressing the stethoscope to your back. “Don’t rush yourself.”

Jin leaned forward, watching closely, but never interfering. Just listening. Holding space for you.

“Have you had anything to eat?”

“She finished about half a bowl of porridge,” Jin replied for you when you hesitated. “And tea.”

Dr. Lee nodded, then held up a small pre-filled syringe. “This is it. L-32.”

You watched her flick it gently with her fingers. A tiny thing — a small, clear vial holding so much of your fear, your hope, your waiting.

“Okay,” she said softly. “One small prick.”

You didn’t look at the needle.

Instead, you looked at Jin — who reached out and held your hand the moment your fingers twitched.

The injection itself was over in seconds.

But the weight of it lasted longer.

Afterward, they monitored your vitals for an hour. Jin helped you recline the chair, brought you your water bottle, and tucked your sweater around your shoulders. You leaned into him with a sigh, your body relaxing just enough to notice the tension leaving your spine.

“I feel okay,” you whispered.

Jin kissed your temple. “Good.”

An hour passed. Then two. No severe reactions. A low-grade fever was expected, and it came — faint warmth on your skin and a heaviness in your limbs. The nurse took your temperature, offered you a cool compress and ginger candy.

Jin stayed with you the whole time.

He helped you sit up when your arms felt too weak. He massaged your hands when they cramped. He didn’t once check his phone.

Later, when Dr. Lee returned to check on you, she smiled.

“First hurdle, cleared,” she said. “You’ve done well, Y/N-ssi.”

“I didn’t really do anything,” you said sleepily.

“You showed up,” Dr. Lee said. “That’s everything.”

You smiled faintly, your fingers still laced with Jin’s.

By the time you got home, the sun had begun to dip, casting golden warmth across the windows. Jin made you lie down while he brought soup to the couch, set your favorite show on low volume, and placed a cold towel on your forehead.

You were drowsy. Tired in a deep, strange way. But not in pain.

And not alone.

“Tell me if you feel anything new,” he said softly, brushing your hair from your face.

You reached for his hand and kept it there. “I feel safe.”

His eyes softened.

“Then I’m doing something right.”

He sat on the floor beside you, back leaned against the couch, never letting go of your hand. You dozed off at some point, your fingers still curled around his.

That night, long after the city fell quiet, Jin wrote something in the margins of your notebook while you slept.

6. Go through something hard… together.✔️

And beside it, he scribbled a line only you would understand one day:

You were brave. And I was proud to be beside you for all of it.

The ache settled in before the sunlight did.

It wasn’t sharp or dramatic — just a heavy, pulsing fog behind your eyes, a throb in your joints that made even the softness of the blanket feel too much. You were half-awake when it started, drifting in and out of shallow sleep, trying to will your body back to stillness.

Your mouth was dry. Your hands were tingling. Every muscle in your body felt like it had run a marathon in your sleep.

You shifted slowly, turning your head toward the faint light slipping through the curtains.

The apartment was quiet.

And then — faintly — you heard him.

Jin’s voice came from the other room. Low. Calm. Steady. But serious.

“I won’t be in today.”

“No, reschedule it. Move everything to Friday.”

“…I know, but I can’t leave her alone right now. She had her first dose yesterday. She’s burning up.”

You closed your eyes.

The guilt hit fast. And hard.

He had told you he’d stay. But hearing him actually cancel work — his meetings, his deadlines — because of you felt like too much.

You hated this part of yourself: the part that felt like a burden. The part that wondered if loving you meant constantly choosing you instead of something else.

He returned to the bedroom a few minutes later, soft footsteps and the familiar scent of coffee and something herbal. You pretended to be asleep at first — not to deceive, but because you didn’t know what to say.

Jin sat on the edge of the bed and reached out, brushing your hair back from your damp forehead. His fingers were cool, comforting.

“You’re warm,” he murmured, more to himself.

You blinked slowly, your voice barely above a whisper. “Sorry.”

His hand froze.

You opened your eyes.

Jin looked at you — brows drawn together, jaw tight in a way you didn’t often see.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I heard you,” you said. “On the phone.”

He sighed softly, but not impatiently. Just tired — not of you, but of how much you thought you had to carry alone.

“I told you I’d be here.”

“I know,” you whispered. “But it’s your work, Jin. Your job. You—”

“I know what my job is,” he cut in gently, his fingers now tracing slow circles against the back of your hand. “It’s making sure you’re okay. Right now, that’s all I care about.”

“But—”

“Y/N,” he said, leaning closer. His voice was still soft, but his eyes were serious. “If the roles were reversed… if I were the one sick, would you leave me alone for meetings?”

You shook your head, eyes already welling.

“Then don’t ask me to do something you never would.”

You didn’t answer.

Instead, tears slipped down the corners of your eyes silently. You hated this part of being sick — the part where your heart was louder than your pain. The part where someone loved you so well it almost hurt.

Jin reached over and wiped them away gently.

“You don’t have to be strong with me all the time.”

“I know,” you whispered. “But sometimes I still want to be.”

“I know you do.” He smiled, just barely. “But right now, let me be strong for you.”

The rest of the morning passed in a soft hush.

Jin made you tea with honey and ginger. He pressed a cold towel to your forehead, propped you up with pillows, and read parts of a book out loud even though you barely processed the words. You dozed off somewhere between chapters and woke to find him still sitting beside you, scrolling through his phone on silent, your hand resting in his lap.

By late afternoon, the fever began to ease. The aches softened into something dull and manageable.

You sat up with a groggy sigh, realizing you hadn’t eaten. Jin appeared with soup already warming on the stove.

You leaned your head against his shoulder while he stirred.

“Thank you,” you whispered.

“For what?” he said lightly. “You didn’t even throw up on me.”

You let out a weak laugh.

“For staying,” you replied. “For still choosing me.”

He turned his head and pressed a soft kiss to your temple.

“There was never a version of this where I wouldn’t.”

That night, as he helped you brush your teeth and walked you back to bed, you felt the guilt lessen — not disappear, but loosen its grip.

Because maybe being loved like this wasn’t about being perfect, or strong, or never needing help.

Maybe it was just about being seen — fully — and still being held anyway.

The worst of the fever passed in the early hours of dawn.

When you finally stirred, blinking slowly against the gray light of morning, you were still tired — but no longer drowning in heat and aches. Your limbs were heavy, but your chest didn’t feel like it was caving in anymore.

And for the first time in two days, you could breathe a little easier.

Jin was still beside you, sound asleep on the small couch he’d dragged to the edge of the bed. His head tilted back, arms crossed — one of his socks half falling off. His phone was face down on the floor, ignored. His body curled slightly toward yours, like even in sleep, he needed to stay close.

You watched him for a while, your heart pulling tight in your chest. You didn’t deserve this. Or maybe you did. You weren’t sure anymore.

You just knew that love — real love — wasn’t grand declarations or perfect timing.

It was this.

Staying. Even when it was hard.

Jin stirred around mid-morning when he noticed you trying to sit up.

“You’re awake,” he said, voice low, sleep still tugging at the edges.

“I feel a little better.”

He rubbed his eyes, sat up fully, then smiled. “Good. I told your immune system to behave.”

You laughed, then winced. “Still sore.”

He helped you adjust your pillows, brought warm water and soft rice porridge, and insisted you stay under the blankets while he did the rest. The day passed in quiet rhythms: soup, warm compresses, spoonfuls of honey. A low playlist humming through the apartment. Jin humming along absentmindedly while folding laundry nearby.

The quiet was comfortable. Healing.

In the late afternoon, while Jin stepped out to take a call in the hallway, you reached for your diary.

You flipped to the last page and started to write.

“It’s strange, how someone can come into your life and make the worst days feel less terrifying.

I thought this treatment would make me feel alone — like I was stepping into something no one could understand. But then there was you.

You stayed through the fever. Through my guilt. Through the way I sometimes try to push people away when I’m scared.

You stayed.

I love you.

Not just because of how you take care of me.

But because when I look at you, for once, I don’t feel broken.

I just feel… me.”

You closed the notebook quickly when you heard his footsteps returning.

“Hey,” Jin said, reentering the room. “Dr. Lee texted. She said to keep tracking your temperature, but you’re doing well.”

You nodded. “Thanks.”

He smiled and went to check the soup on the stove.

What you didn’t see was the way his eyes caught the notebook you left on the couch as you shifted to the bed again. He didn’t open it intentionally. He just meant to move it out of the way.

But the last page was slightly open. And your handwriting… unmistakable.

He didn’t read the whole thing.

Just a few words.

“You stayed.

And I love you.”

His breath caught.

For a second, he didn’t move.

Then he closed the notebook gently — no smile, no sound, just a soft exhale and the way his hand lingered on the cover a second too long.

That night, he tucked you in without a word about it.

He didn’t say he read the note.

He brushed his lips against your temple, heart aching in the most beautiful way.

And with your hand still in his, he closed his eyes — and whispered “ I wouldn’t go anywhere. Not now. Not ever.”

Sunlight.

Real, warm, golden sunlight.

It poured in through the windows like a quiet miracle, touching everything in soft glow. You hadn’t noticed how long the apartment had felt gray — dimmed by fever and silence — until now, when you finally opened your eyes and didn’t feel the familiar fog pressing against your ribs.

Your joints still ached, but not enough to stop you from moving.

You sat up slowly, blinking at the light.

Jin was at the kitchen counter, pouring water into a glass. His hair was still damp from a quick shower, and he was humming — softly, tunelessly — the way he always did when something in him had eased.

He turned the moment he sensed you awake.

“You’re up,” he said, his voice already smiling.

You nodded. “I think… I feel almost human again.”

Jin walked over and crouched by the edge of the bed, holding the glass out to you.

“No fever. You’re not shivering. And you haven’t called me by the wrong name in twenty-four hours.”

You laughed, taking a slow sip. “Wait — did I really?”

He grinned. “You called me Seokie. And once… Yoongles.”

Your eyes widened in horror. “Oh my God.”

“I forgave you,” he teased, brushing his thumb over your wrist. “But only because I’m feeling generous.”

You sat back against the pillows, letting out a long, full breath.

“I missed this,” you said. “Talking. Breathing. Not melting.”

He watched you quietly for a moment, like he was memorizing your smile.

Then he said, “You want to go out for a bit? Just somewhere light. I thought maybe lunch.”

You looked at him, a little surprised. “Out? Like… outside-out?”

“If you feel strong enough,” he added quickly. “Some fresh air. A short walk. Nothing heavy.”

There was something else behind his voice — a flicker of hesitation.

“And,” he added more carefully, “Jungkook wants to meet you.”

Your eyebrows lifted. “Really?”

Jin rubbed the back of his neck. “I told him about the trial… and about you. He’s been checking in, even if he doesn’t message you directly.”

You smiled slowly. “He’s protective of you.”

“He’s also just nosy,” Jin muttered. “But yeah… he’s someone important to me. I want him to meet you — if you’re ready.”

You thought for a moment.

And then you nodded. “I’d like that.”

You changed into something simple — soft jeans and a white blouse, your skin still warm but manageable. Jin insisted you wear a cap and tucked a small water bottle into your tote bag like he was preparing for a hike, not a ten-minute lunch.

The drive was short. The air smelled like spring and Seoul and something quietly alive.

You arrived at a small restaurant near the Han River, tucked between rows of cozy buildings with sun-faded signs and blooming planters. Jin chose the seat by the window — closest to the breeze — and ordered gimbap, grilled fish, and miso soup before you could even look at the menu.

“Something light,” he explained, eyes twinkling. “Doctor boyfriend instincts.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You’re not a doctor.”

“I am in this house,” he said. “Especially when it comes to you.”

Jungkook arrived not long after, mask around his chin, hair damp and unstyled like he’d just rushed from the gym.

When he spotted you both, he broke into a soft grin.

“Whoa,” he said, sliding into the seat across from you. “You actually exist.”

You laughed nervously. “I get that a lot.”

Jungkook offered his hand. “I’m Jungkook. Friend, adopted younger brother, and occasional chaos in Jin-hyung’s life.”

You shook his hand gently. “Y/N. Frequent hospital visitor and chaos in Jin’s schedule.”

“Perfect match,” he said brightly, before glancing at Jin. “She’s prettier than you said.”

“I never said she wasn’t,” Jin muttered.

You blushed.

Conversation flowed easier than expected. Jungkook had that ability — to disarm, to soften tension with humor that didn’t press too hard. He asked thoughtful questions about your trial, about how you were feeling, but never pried.

“I think you’re really strong,” he said after a pause. “Hyung… doesn’t look at anyone the way he looks at you. That’s how I knew this was different.”

You glanced at Jin, who looked mildly betrayed.

“Jungkook,” Jin warned, clearly flustered.

You just smiled.

The lunch ended with light laughter and warm soup, the sunlight lingering over the plates as the day stretched on. You parted ways with Jungkook after a brief walk down the river path, where Jin laced his fingers with yours gently — like he wasn’t sure if it was too much, but you held tighter.

“I’m glad we did this,” you said as you both paused by the edge of the water.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

You looked at him for a long moment.

And though the words didn’t rise to your lips just yet, you knew something deeper had shifted again.

You were slowly stepping back into the world.

And Jin was waiting — every step, every small piece of your healing — with his hand already outstretched.

Chapter 12

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cowgurrrl · 2 years ago

Note

Okay this is soooo very out there in actual probability of this being logical but the idea of a pool in Jackson or like people are allowed to go out to lake or something or they dig a lake like idek but something that involves reader in a swimsuit and Joel like 😳 in public so maybe a lil bit of jealous Joel in there, I just think it would be so cute and fun and spicy and idek if this makes sense hahaha, I’m so sorry for being awful at explaining ideassss🤦‍♀️🤣

The Snake River actually runs through Jackson so it’s entirely plausible (yes, I did do research for this)

Surprise

Pairing: Joel Miller x fem!reader

Author’s note: I didn’t go into this wanting to write smut but it happened and I don’t hate it?? Please be nice to me I’m just a girl

Summary: Joel has something planned for you [3.3k]

Warnings: language, murder jokes, Joel being a little insecure, Joel the Menace making a return, smut (18+ MINORS DNI), fingering, dirty talk, sex in a semi-public place??, almost getting caught, brief mention of a safe word

Joel Miller is not a spontaneous person. It was one of the first things you found out about him. He hates surprises almost as much as he hates planning them. He's someone who likes to know what's happening and when. He loves a plan. But he loves you more.

Everyone has gone back to school, and the seasons are in a neverending battle of when one begins and the other ends. The hazy August heat permeates the windows of your house as you lie in bed, hiding from the sun and the rest of your responsibilities. This time of year makes you especially grateful for your early morning patrol shifts. You get to finish up your work before the world has the opportunity to finish preheating, and then the town is quiet after that, with people shuffling off to work or school. Maybe that's why Joel wanders into your shared bedroom with your backpacks in hand.

"Are you doin' anythin' for the rest of the day?" He asks, and you give him a confused look.

"Besides waiting for our daughter to come home from school? No, I didn't have any major plans." You tease, and he rolls his eyes before tossing your bag at you.

"Meet me downstairs in five minutes." He says.

"For what?"

"It's a surprise."

"Are you finally going to kill me?" You ask, and he scoffs.

"Honey, if I was gonna kill you, I woulda done it a long time ago."

"Fair point. Suspicion always points to the spouse first," you say, sitting up in bed. "Where are we going?"

"Does the word 'surprise' mean nothin' to you?"

"Only when it's coming from your mouth."

"Downstairs. Five minutes." He says, effectively ending the conversation by turning on his heels and walking away. You groan in protest but get up anyways. If it's something he planned, it's probably worth getting out of bed for. Still, you shuffle your feet lazily as you put more distance between yourself and an afternoon nap.

He's almost giddy as you walk out of the house and into the blaring sunshine. Ellie still has a few more hours of school left, and even then, she's gotten over you and Joel walking her to and from class. She's becoming more independent as she gets older, which is fine, but seeing her not need you as much hurts. You talk about it on the way to wherever you're going. Joel says he's noticed the same thing but doesn't want to pry too much and risk being labeled "uncool." You have to literally bite your tongue to keep from asking when he was ever cool.

When you're far enough outside Jackson's walls, Joel grabs your hand and intertwines your fingers, swinging them a little as you walk through the fields. Rock jasmines and asters shake in the window around you, painting the world in shades of white, blue, pink, and yellow. Sometimes it's easy to forget just how beautiful Wyoming can be, but when vast meadows stretch out to the mountain slopes, and the sky is unbelievably clear, you remember. You look over at Joel with his long, graying hair and scruffy facial hair and smile. It's also easy to forget just how beautiful he can be with his gentle hands and crooked nose. He turns to meet your eyes, taking away your view of his side profile, and gives you a look.

"What?" He asks, and you shake your head. "You're starin'."

"I just like looking at you." You admit, making him scoff. Joel is probably the only person in this world who's unaware of how attractive he is.

"Needa get your eyes checked." He mumbles under his breath.

"Big talk coming from a man who refuses to wear his glasses even though he desperately needs them."

"I don't desperately need 'em."

"Really?" You ask, and he hums. You lift your free hand away from your body and hold up three fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?" He tugs on the hand he's holding and pulls you against him until your chest collides with his. The wind gets knocked out of you, either because of the impact or because you can see all his freckles when you get this close to him. He smirks as he stares at you, glancing between your eyes and fingers.

"Three." He says easily, leaning in to kiss you. You move back enough to make him huff in annoyance.

"That's cheating."

"Mm, I think it's called bein' resourceful."

"Is that right?" You ask, and he hums as he finally kisses you. You indulge him for a second or two before moving back again. "Could you really not see that far?" He sighs and mumbles your name, but you refuse to let it go. "Joel, if your vision's that bad, you need to be wearing them on patrol. I don't want you to make stupid mistakes because you can't see six feet in front of you."

"Look, I hear you. I do. I just..." he trails off, and you raise your eyebrows at him. "It's stupid."

"Stupider than not wearing them at all?" You ask, and he rolls his eyes—the drama.

"They make me look old, okay? That's why I don't wanna wear 'em," he says. Once again, you have to bite your tongue to stop yourself from making a snide comment. "I'm already one of the oldest guys on patrol, and that's enough for the younger guys to make fun of me. If I start wearin' 'em on patrol, I'll never hear the end of it, especially from Tommy."

"You really care what they think about you?" You ask.

"No," he starts, but quickly shakes his head. "Yes. It didn't bother me, but then they started sayin' they didn't know what you see in an old buzzkill like me, and I just... I don't know." He says. You take a deep breath and wrap your arms around his neck.

"Does this have anything to do with you suddenly planning surprises for me?"

"I told you it was stupid." He avoids the question, but you still find an answer. He tries to hide his face in your shoulder, embarrassed, but your hands find his jaw and stop him.

"I don't think it's stupid. I think the other guys on patrol are stupid for saying that and making you think I'm anything but grossly in love with you. I think they don't know what the fuck they're talking about," you say, your thumb brushing against the patches in his beard. "And I think you don't realize just how hot you look wearing glasses," he scoffs, but you don't let him wiggle out of your grasp. "I'm being serious, Joel." You assert, and something behind his eyes shifts.

"Really?"

"Are you kidding me? It's, like, annoying how good they make you look," you say, and he smirks. "It's also sexy for you to try to stay alive. So, it's a win-win." He laughs, the sound making the sun shine a little brighter.

"I mean, who am I to argue with my wife?" He asks, relenting, and you hum.

"Exactly," you say as you kiss him. It was supposed to be quick, a passing kiss to remind him you love him, but when you try to pull away, he's back on you. His big hands snake their way into your hair as he kisses you like he's drowning and trying to pull the air from you. The buzzing bees and chirping birds of the field disappear, and all you can do is hold him. His body is firm against yours, and the soft flannel of his shirt feels perfect beneath your palms. "Was my surprise making out in a meadow? That's pretty romantic, even for you, Joel." You ask as you break away to take a breath that's not his. He groans and rolls his head back to look at the cloudless sky.

"Almost forgot bout the surprise," he says, looking back at you. "You're distractin' me."

"What did I do?" You ask. He grabs your hand and starts leading you through the flowers.

"You were tryna use your woman powers on me."

"Please, explain to me what 'woman powers' you think I possess."

"If you don't know, I can't tell you." He says like he's answering a riddle, and you laugh. The rest of the walk is spent hand-in-hand with his shoulder bumping yours occasionally as your feet walk over the summer grass. As soon as you hear water lapping over smooth rocks, you look at Joel, who pretends not to hear the same thing. He smiles when you hit the break in the trees, and the crystal water of the river sparkles in the sun.

You've heard rumors about the water being safe to swim in, but you didn't trust it. Not that it mattered. You and Joel have swum in way dirtier water than the winding blue river in front of you. Still, you were sure that it was a set-up by Raiders. But now, with Joel by your side, in the daylight, it's taking everything in you to not jump in the water. "I thought it might be nice. Just the two of us." Joel says. You nod and rest your head on his shoulder, looping an arm under his and holding his bicep.

"It is nice," you agree. "But we don't own swimsuits," you say, immediately clocking the excited expression on his face. "You're a menace."

"What? I planned a very nice day for us, and I just... forgot we needed swimsuits."

"Oh, you forgot?" You ask, and he nods.

"I told you, I'm an old man. I forget things easily."

"Give me a break." You roll your eyes before letting go of his arm and walking over to a big tree. You bend down to take off your boots and socks, and Joel quickly follows suit. His eyes stick to you as you pull your shirt off your head, faded scars catching the sunlight. Once you're left in your bra and underwear, you pause and look at Joel. He's stripped down to just his underwear, too, and you have a full view of his broad frame.

His muscular chest is littered with scars, some old and silver against his tan skin and others new and still raised and angry. Your favorite is from where he got caught under some fence a million years ago. It vaguely looks like a thunderbolt striking from his collarbone to his shoulder. You can see the goosebumps rising on his thick biceps from where you're standing. His hands are relaxed and open at his sides, visible veins thrumming blood through his body. His belly has rounded just a little since you've settled in Jackson, something he grew insecure about while you reminded him every day that you loved the softness of his body. His strong thighs are a little paler than the rest of him, considering his patrol schedule in the summer, but they're still freckled and scarred like the rest of him. Your breath catches in your throat when he pulls down his underwear and stands fully naked in front of you.

I guess we're actually doing this, you think as you unclasp your bra. You leave your clothes in a pile under the tree before darting into the cold water together. He ducks his entire head under while you tread, letting yourself get used to the temperature and laughing when Joel comes up with a sharp gasp. "Oh, you think that's funny?" He asks before shaking his head in your direction, frigid water droplets landing on your skin. You shriek and splash at him to get him to stop. He splashes back, making huge swells with his arms, and you have to dive under to swim away.

Once you call a truce on the water fight, you just swim together. You alternate between floating on your back, watching the clouds float by, and diving deep under the water to see what might be down there. After a few minutes, your bodies adjust to the water, and you can actually enjoy the river currents working against you. It reminds you of all the summers you spent in pools, the ocean, rivers, and lakes before the Outbreak. The memory presses on a familiar bruise in your chest, but it doesn't hurt. At least, not as much. Not when you're here with Joel, making new memories in a new world.

You swim over to where Joel is standing, his long curls touching the water as he looks up at the sky. You wrap your arms around his shoulders and your legs around his waist once you're close enough, and he meets your eyes with a smile. His hands grip your thighs and trace patterns into your skin, the warmth of his touch a welcome relief in the cold. You play with the hair at the nape of his neck as you stare at him. "This a good surprise?" He asks, his voice low in his chest, and you nod.

"I like doing things like this with you," you say. "But I also don't want you to worry about keeping me interested in you," he sighs at your words but doesn't break away from you. "We've been together for years now. We went halfway across the country together. We have Ellie. You're it for me. I don't care what the younger guys on patrol have to say about it."

"You don't think I'm an old buzzkill?"

"Not all the time."

"Alright, smart ass."

"I mean, I don't know a lot of buzzkills who go skinny-dipping with their wives."

"See? Gimme a little credit here." He says, pinching your thigh, and you laugh. As the sound dies in your throat, his gaze hangs heavily on you. Suddenly, you're all too aware of his sturdy body under you and his hands on you. You get a little closer to him, and his stomach brushes against your core. A quiet, shaky breath leaves you, and Joel hears it. His lips ghost over yours as his hand dips down, a deft finger grazing your clit.

"Joel," you cry softly, clinging to him tighter when he presses a little harder. He shushes you as his middle finger ventures lower and just barely pushes into you. More. You need more, and he knows it. Asshole, you think to yourself, but your brain shuts off when he inches a digit into you so fucking slowly. You can feel his smirk when he leans down to mouth at the column of your throat.

"That good?" He rasps in your ear, and you nod as his hand adjusts to thumb at your clit. You jump a little at the molten pleasure pulsing through you. He chuckles lowly and nips at your earlobe. "I've barely touched you, honey, and I can already feel you squeezin' me." You can't even formulate a response once he starts moving. The slow drag of his finger against your walls is enough to drive any sane person insane. You whine when he pushes another into you and claw at his shoulders.

Your heart is fast against his chest. Everything you breathe, hear, and feel is Joel. You can't think about anything other than the weight of his hand working you over in the broad fucking daylight. You're close enough to the shore that anyone would be able to see you, but you hope you just look like a clingy couple enjoying a mid-day swim. It's a long shot, especially since he's mumbling absolutely filthy things to you. "You always sound so damn pretty." "Gonna let me fuck you like this?" "You're so good for me, baby." Every syllable makes you feel like you're burning from the inside out. His fingers languidly move in and out of you like he has nothing better to do before stopping completely, and you whine in protest.

"You're f," your sentence breaks off when he quickens suddenly.

"What was that, sweetheart? Where's that smart mouth now?" He asks. Your hips start moving in time with his ministrations, and he watches you like a man starved. You can feel yourself getting closer and closer as his fingers move faster inside you. You think your blood is thundering through your ears as bliss overtakes your senses, but you quickly realize it's hooves. You don't know if Joel hears it, but if he does, he doesn't stop.

"Joel, I think, fuck," he rubs at your clit with more fervor, making you see stars. "Someone's coming." You breathe, and his teeth scrape under your jaw. It's all too much. You moan and drop your head to his shoulder, losing all motivation to get him to stop.

"You gonna come for me?" He asks, and you nod. "C'mon, I know you can do it. Come for me." He hooks his fingers, nudging that spongy part inside you, and that's all it takes. Your mouth falls open, and fuzziness takes over your senses. You hold Joel closer as he works you through your orgasm with encouraging words and gentle strokes. Finally, you have to reach for his wrist to stop because you're so overstimulated, and he would live between your thighs if he could.

"Y'all alright?" A voice comes out of nowhere, and you jump. You and Joel turn to see one of the patrolmen from Jackson, James, on his horse a few hundred yards away. He's far enough away that he wouldn't be able to see you're both naked, but he can clearly see your clothes and backpacks on the shoreline.

"Yeah, we're alright. Just... havin' ourselves a date." Joel says, his voice annoyingly even. James looks confused, so you nod in agreement even though Joel still has two fingers knuckle-deep inside you. If he doesn't kill you, embarrassment just might.

"Well, then," James says awkwardly. "Y'all don't stay out too long. Maria'll have your ass if y'all come back hurt or somethin'." Joel shifts his hand as he nods, and you choke on a moan but try to play it off as a cough. Still, James gives you a look. "You good?"

"Yeah, are you alright, honey?" Joel asks in a mocking tone. You grit your teeth and dig your nails into his arm before nodding at James.

"All good. Just had a little tickle. We'll start heading back to town now. Thanks for checking on us." You quickly dismiss the patrolman, who is more than happy to get the hell out of Dodge. Even if he didn't suspect anything was happening, you know he's terrified of you and Joel. His ideal patrol is not having to deal with either of you and now he just got the whole package plus some. As soon as he's out of earshot, you smack Joel's arm.

"Are you fucking insane? He could've heard us!"

"Us? I'm not the one who was screamin'!"

"Okay, first of all," you start, holding up one finger. "I was not screaming. Second of all, I told you someone was coming, and you kept going!" He doesn't exactly look apologetic, but then again, you're not really mad.

"You know the safe word just as well as I do, sweetheart. I woulda stopped if you said it," he says, and you sigh. He's right. You hate it, but he's right. You try to hide your smile and shake your head as he kisses you. Slowly, he pulls his fingers from you, swallowing your over-sensitive whines down with gentle licks. A stupid thought wiggles its way into your brain, and you laugh against Joel's lips. Once you start, you can't stop, and Joel looks at you like you're a crazy person. "Now, what is so goddamn funny?" He asks, and you compose yourself enough to look at him.

"Think they'll still tease you over being old after you just made your wife come faster than they ever could?"

#can you tell I’m queer because all my smut is focused on female pleasure #mom June’s being a lesbian on the internet again #the last of us #the last of us fic #the last of request #joel miller requests #joel x reader #joel miller x reader #joel miller smut #joel miller the last of us #joel miller #joel miller fluff #joel miller fic #joel miller one shot #joel the last of us #the last of us fluff #the last of us smut #the last of us x reader #joel tlou

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singledarkshade · 5 months ago

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Stargazers

Summary - Daniel was sitting leaning against the small wall, with his back to the fires and staring up at the sky. Sha're wants to know why.

Author’s Notes - Stumbled across the @gateathonworks prompts and decided to see if I can do a story for each month. Just made January by a whisker. If you can't guess, I chose the prompt 'Stargazing'. Hope you enjoy.

The day’s work had ended, and the fires had been lit around Nagada as its citizens settled down for their evening meal.

Sha’re hummed to herself as she finished making the stew for herself and husband. It still amazed her that, not only was she married, but her husband was from a completely different world.

Looking out the tent for her wayward husband, she spotted Daniel sitting at the edge of the town. He was sitting leaning against the small wall, with his back to the fires and staring up at the sky. Ensuring their meal would not spoil, Sha’re left the tent and walked over to her husband.

Daniel had his knees pulled up to his chest, lost in thought he didn’t see her approaching.

“Can I join you?” she asked, making him jump slightly.

Daniel smiled and offered his hand allowing her to gracefully sit. Settling at his side, Sha’re smiled as Daniel wrapped his arm around her.

“Is there a reason you are sitting here instead of coming home for dinner?” she asked, enjoying the way he absently stroked his hand along her arm.

Daniel sighed softly, “I’ve been here for a moon.”

“I know,” Sha’re smiled, “Because I ensured we were eating alone tonight.”

He chuckled before pressing a kiss to her hair, “Sorry I doubted you.”

“You have not answered my question,” Sha’re reminded him.

Daniel rested his head against hers, “I’m just thinking. How far away I am from the world I was born on.”

Worry filled Sha’re, “Do you wish to return to your home?”

“I think about it every so often,” Daniel confessed before continuing quickly, “But I know there is nothing back there for me. And I’m not just talking about my career or a place to live.”

He gently touched her chin so she would look round at him, “I was completely alone and here I have a family, friends, neighbours all because of you. I could never leave you, Sha’re. You’re my world.”

Sha’re shifted so she could kiss him, “And you are mine.”

Daniel’s eyes closed and he rested his forehead against hers for a moment allowing her to see the deep love for her in his beautiful blue eyes. After a moment, he shifted so they were cuddled together once more, Daniel looking up at the sky.

“Why are you sitting here?” Sha’re asked again.

“The stars.”

Sha’re rolled her eyes, “I can see that but why?”

“When I was a child,” Daniel explained, “You know I lived in a place similar to Abydos.”

Smiling at the thought of her husband as a child, Sha’re nodded.

“Every night after dinner, I would sit by the fire with my parents,” he continued, “We would talk and stargaze. My father would tell the stories behind the constellations, and we would draw them in the sand before we would make our own constellations with stories behind them. After I lost them, whenever I could, I would look at the stars and remember the stories they told me. When I went back to Egypt, each night after dinner by the fire, I would draw the constellations in the sand. Once one of the students on the dig saw me and, asked me what I was doing. I gave a half answer about the constellations and suddenly I had an entire group listening to me telling the stories behind them.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Sha’re said.

He smiled, “It was,” licking his lips, Daniel sighed, “I just looked up tonight as I was coming home and it hit me.”

“What?” worry filled Sha’re.

“That these are different stars,” he replied, “That the constellations I have known all my life are nowhere to be found. And that the only connection to my parents I have left is gone.”

Sha’re wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged him tightly.

“If you wish to return to Earth, I will come with you,” Sha’re told him.

Daniel pulled out of her embrace, turning to stare at her, “What?”

“I love you,” she reminded him, “And if being there will make you happy then I will come with you.”

Daniel kissed her, resting his forehead against hers when they parted.

“I would never ask you to leave your home,” Daniel told her, “And I don’t want to go back to Earth. I love being here with you. You’ve given me everything. A home, a family, a partner who for some bizarre reason loves me.”

“You are a good man,” Sha’re told him with an amused smile, “Kind, caring, smart, and you understand me. I always felt like I didn’t quite belong. The caves fascinated me all my life, and no matter how often my father told me to stop having my head in the clouds, I couldn’t stop going there. When I showed you it, I knew I’d met someone just like me.”

Daniel shook his head, “Who knew I only had to move to another planet to find my other half?”

Sha’re cuddled into him.

He sighed, “I just felt adrift for a moment not seeing the stars I know.”

“Then we need to acquaint you with the stars of your new home,” Sha’re told him.

Daniel stood and took her hand, pulling her to her feet, “After we have dinner together.”

Smiling as he wrapped his arm around her, Sha’re walked with her husband to their home knowing they would stargaze another night.

#stargate sg1 #fic #daniel jackson #sha're #daniel/sha're #pre-canon

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reijukisser · 9 months ago

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Part 1 of One piece hcs that no one asked for!!

(this one is purely Sanji centred bcs she's my princess, literally)

★ Sanji is bigender.

He thought he was exclusively a woman at first on kamabakka, since wearing a dress made him feel the most confident he ever had, and he loved the idea of long hair a lot. He was finally slowly letting go of his internalized homophobia, and also finally accepting himself as bisexual, but he soon realized that he still felt comfortable in his masculinity, and he was basically having an entire gender crisis before iva-chan explained to him that he could be literally anyone he wanted to, that he could be a man, a woman, both, neither — whatever he felt most like himself in. After some research he found out that he's probably bigender, and goes by he/she :3

★ Sanji has heterochromia.

His right eye is brown, the color he inherited from his father, but was too afraid to hide his entire life, because it displayed his identity to everyone, how he was nothing but germa's failure, not enough flesh and bones to be human and not the lack of empathy and metal skin he needed to be a heartless soldier. Not enough, never enough, (this ties into how he has imposter syndrome, probably. feels like a thief, to have stolen his mother's life, her hair and her eyes from her, to have stolen zeff's fighting style, his goddamn leg, only to be inadequate, useless, weak.) after some well needed therapy on kamabakka, (it didn't really change anything, but Sanji liked to pretend it did) and literally running away from his problems, his desire to pretend he was nothing but a cog in the machine, a sacrificial lamb good for nothing but to give away his life so high, that he literally learned to fucking fly, Sanji embraced his identity, if only the slightest bit. So now, he shows off his crystalline blue eyes, waves of the ocean and reflections of the sky, of sora encapsulated in them, and that makes all the difference, even if sometimes, (all the time) when he looks in the mirror and all he sees is his mother, he feels like the shittiest person on earth, who does not deserve the life given to him, does not deserve life at all. This is also why he decided to grow out his hair, at first he was very against the idea, to replicate his mother's appearance so closely, put on a facade of a heart nearly as pure, as kind as hers, (he is, but he'll never understand) but I hc that Nami once said he'd look pretty with long hair, and he never let go of that. In a way, slowly, very, very slowly, it's helping him accept that he isn't a monster like he thinks. But he still is covering up part of himself. I think Sanji achieveing true inner peace would be him showing off both his eyes, the good and the bad. (It'll never happen though because he is literally the incarnation of angst sjsjjs)

#sanji #one piece headcanons #black leg sanji

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silver-the-pendejo · 4 months ago

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Multiverse Madness

Linked Universe & The Zelda Multiverse Crack Dedicated to: @chopistuff (why would u make me suffer like this) No reader this time. Words:856

The sun hung low in the sky as ghe Chain found themselves standing in an unfamiliar landscape. It was a mixture of towering stone ruins, lush green hills, and a distant mountain range—nothing they had ever seen before. There was a sense of strangeness in the air, like reality itself had been bent in ways they couldn’t understand.

“Where... are we?” Twilight muttered, looking around with narrowed eyes.

“I’m getting that déjà vu feeling again,” Time grumbled, scanning the horizon. “This is too weird.”

“Maybe it’s just a new place we haven’t explored yet?” Four suggested, although the doubt in his voice made it clear he wasn’t convinced.

Before anyone could respond, a figure appeared on the horizon, a lone silhouette against the glowing sky. Another figure appeared beside them, and then another. The Chain went still, the tension palpable as their hands instinctively moved toward their weapons.

“Stay alert,” Legend warned, his voice low. “We don’t know who they are.”

They didn’t need to wait long to find out. The group of strangers approached, and the Chain saw them more clearly. A woman with long brown hair, standing tall and composed, walked ahead of a group of green-clad figures—each one with a familiar face.

“Well, this is... unexpected,” the woman said, her voice calm yet cautious. “Who are you?”

Time took a step forward, eyes scanning each figure. “Who are we? That’s what we’re asking you.”

The woman arched an eyebrow, her gaze flicking to each of them. “We’re here trying to figure

out what happened with the rift.” She glanced behind her at the green-clad figures.

The woman gave a slight nod toward the Links standing behind her, each one with varying expressions of confusion and curiosity. “You’ll see.”

“Wait a second,” Twilight started, narrowing his eyes. “Are those... us?”

The new Links exchanged confused glances. “What do you mean?” one of them—this one with blue eyes and blond hair—asked, tilting his head.

“It’s... hard to explain,” Time said, eyeing the newcomer skeptically. “But you all look like versions of us... and that’s unsettling.”

One of the other Links, wearing a slightly different tunic but still unmistakably familiar, stepped forward. He glanced between the Chain and Chopi , trying to make sense of the situation. “Okay, I’m getting the feeling we’re not in the same world, are we?”

“I think that’s the understatement of the century,” Four muttered under his breath. His eyes flicked to Chopi, who was standing in front of them. “And your name was??”

The brow-haired woman gave him a nod. “Chopi and that’s right. And it seems like you’ve all are also different versions of Link. So maybe we should compare notes?”

Warriors stepped closer to one of the Links—a younger one with messy hair and a sharp look in his eye. “So... are we really the same person in different worlds? Because this is way too weird.”

The new Link grinned sheepishly. “I’m starting to wonder if we’re all just some kind of... Link Club.”

The entire Chain blinked in confusion, but Sky spoke up, a bit more seriously. “This is no joke. You’re all wearing green... just like me, but with... different accents, tunics, and personalities?”

“It’s not just about the tunic, buddy,” the older Link said. “It’s about the adventures.”

Legend, standing a little apart from the others, finally crossed His arms and said, “This is madness.”

Time couldn’t hold back a small chuckle. “It is, but it’s also kind of hilarious, don’t you think?”

Legend shook his head, still in disbelief. “If I’m being honest, I’m having a hard time grasping the concept of multiple me’s running around in different timelines. It feels... wrong.”

“Tell me about it,” said another Link from the new group. “I’m used to seeing only one me, and now there are... way too many.”

Twilight sighed. “This is like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.”

Sky, meanwhile, looked over at the Link closest to him. “So... do you have a bird companion, too?”

The Link nodded, scratching his head. “I do! But... do you have a giant bird?”

The group laughed awkwardly. It was the first real moment of levity in the whole exchange, and it felt like a brief respite from the confusion. But it didn’t last long before another Link piped up.

“Well, if we’re all the same, what does that make us?” One of the younger Links asked, looking around at all the others. “Like... what is the difference between us?”

“That’s the real question,” Legend muttered, his gaze shifting between everyone in the group. “Why are we all here?”

Chopi stepped forward again, her voice steady. “It seems different universes collide, bringing us together. And we need to figure out how to fix it. But for now, it’s best if we try to get along.”

“Easier said than done,” Time joked, glancing at each Link. “This is... a lot to process.”

“Tell me about it,” Twilight grumbled. “I can’t even tell who’s who anymore.”

“Hey!” One of the younger links finally said with a chuckle, “It’s good to see that you guys aren’t taking yourselves too seriously.”

Im tired why did i make this (I lost my sanity today ngl) Anyways request and ask's open as always fuck myself I guess

Linked Universe

#linked universe #linkeduniverse #self insert #the zelda multiverse #crack fic #crack

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borathae · 2 years ago

Text

↳ Index [Chapter 37 - Heilmittel]

• Heilmittel (German, cure)

Warnings: scary dark underground tunnels, violence in the form of stabbing, so many tears too

Wordcount: 8.1k

a/n: i don’t care what anyone says, writing OC acting like that is so much fun. we stan a slightly mad queen, she’s so hot for that hahahah

“Sweetest, you are back”, Taehyung greets you atop the marvel stairs, hurrying down in light steps, “you look well-rested. How were your days by the coast?” he asks.

Jimin is atop the stairs as well, appearing after having heard Taehyung call out for you. He is still in his painting clothes, cheek covered in the remnants of a light sky blue.

“Yeah, yeah they were good. Really good. I can’t stay for long, I have to test something out”, you dismiss him, slipping out of your coat quickly with his help.

Taehyung, who wanted to lean in for a sweet kiss, gets denied as you hurry past him with nothing but the cellar in mind.

“So…it didn’t help”, Taehyung says with utter heartbreak in his voice, dropping your coat on the ground as his body sinks into itself in defeat.

“Don’t run away! Taehyung asked you a question”, Jimin calls out, placing a protective arm over Taehyung’s shoulder. He even tries to make himself bigger by puffing out his chest.

“What?” you stop, looking over your shoulder, “oh no, they helped. I finally figured it out, Tae. I know what to do.”

“What?”

“I know what to do. I can save Yoongi”, you say and smile before turning away to hurry to the cellar.

The vampires follow you.

“How did you figure it out? Where are we going? What are you doing?” Taehyung asks.

“The cellar, I have to test it out before I actually do it”, you tell him, unlocking the door with the keys you keep in the dresser just next to the heavy door.

“So that is where you keep those keys. How is that possible? I looked into those drawers a dozen times before and they were always empty”, Taehyung mumbles.

“Protection spell. I hid them for everyone but me”, you explain, lighting the torches with a snap of your fingers. They flicker to life one by one until the entire staircase is lit, now guiding your eyes into the blinding darkness down below.

“Why would you hide them?”

“Because I couldn’t have you guys finding them and taking them away from me. I know you would have tried something like that.”

“I wouldn’t-“, Taehyung stops talking when you send him a look over your shoulder. Flustered, he fixes his gaze to the side, “-I would have had very good reason for doing it”, he gives in, “just like I still do. I told you to find relaxation by the coast and what did you do? You continued thinking about it.”

“Technically we didn’t go to the coast”, you explain, lighting the torches in the cellar as well. They flicker on one by one, guiding the way to the heavy iron gate at the end of the long corridor. Groaning of your captives greets your ears as you pass them. Like always you stop in your steps to cast your eyes on the wall behind which – and three more heavy doors – Namjoon is living out his eternal sentence. Like always you lower your eyes in pure hatred, but today, only today, you dare to add just a hint of glee in it. You found a cure. Namjoon lied. You didn’t lose everything. You fucking won.

“What do you mean by that?” Taehyung rips you back to reality by gripping your shoulder tightly to turn you to him. His worried eyes meet yours, “where else did you go?”

“Back to Meredith and then my grandmother’s house.”

“What?” Taehyung gasps, looking over his shoulder at Jungkook, “did, did you know about that?”

“It was my idea”, Jungkook says, “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t give up Yoongi either.”

“Well, neither do I! I want Yoongi’s return just as much as you do. But I trusted in you to keep her distracted. She needed some time away from all of this and you dragged her right into it again”, Taehyung’s voice is raised. He points his finger at Jungkook, “when you told me that you will take her because you can see how stressed I am, this was a lie wasn’t it? You didn’t want me to have some distance from her, you wanted to take her to Meredith. You, you deceived me.”

“I didn’t deceive you. I just…I wanted you to have some time away from all of this, I really did and then you had that idea for the trip and I knew that I could combine it with my own plans. My initial plans were to take ___ and leave one night without telling you guys.”

“Oh my god”, Taehyung stumbles back, “you are all a bunch of deceiving liars.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to lie to you. I really didn’t”, Jungkook insists, stepping closer to take Taehyung’s hands but Jimin stops him with a firm hand on his chest.

“This is close enough”, he grumbles with a grim expression.

“Seriously?”

“Yes. Seriously.”

Jungkook studies Jimin’s face and gives up with a sigh, “Tae baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, but I did and I’m sorry for that. I really am.”

“No. I’m too upset to forgive you right now”, Taehyung says, turning away from Jungkook and you, “I’m leaving. I can’t take another one of your lies.”

You stop him.

“My darling”, you say calmly, touching his chest. He is breathing heavily, letting you know just how upset over your betrayal he was, “I know you feel hurt and betrayed right now, but please stay with me for a little while longer. I promise you, it will all make sense soon.”

“No. I can’t bear to watch you fall further and further into madness.”

“Please trust me”, you insist, “I need you with me on this one, please.”

“As did I”, Taehyung wipes your hands off his chest on a swift and angry movement, “I needed you to go to the coast and relax and yet you didn’t.”

“I did. I relaxed, I promise you. I, I slept and ate and talked to my grandmother and I feel refreshed.”

Taehyung scoffs, shaking his head, “you told me that she died years ago.”

“Yes, but we saw her. I’m serious. We actually saw her.”

“More lies. How wonderful”, Taehyung exclaims, throwing his hands over his head in defeat, “now you’re thinking me a complete fool.”

“Tae, hey look at me”, you cup his face even if he flinches back at first, “I’m not lying to you. We saw her. We visited her in this weird world somewhere between my memories and the spirit realm and we spent two days at her home and once we woke up again, two days actually passed, but my body didn’t feel tired. It felt as if I truly took a vacation at her home.”

“I never even heard of this being possible.”

“Neither did I. But it happened and, and she finally gave me what I needed all this time. She gave me an answer, Tae.”

“I don’t believe you. You, you most definitely passed out again and, and hallucinated. You’re losing your mind to the research, please ___ just relax for once, please.”

“I will. After I freed Yoongi, I will finally relax. I promise you”, you say, “please trust me. One last time. Please.”

“I don’t know if I can”, Taehyung whispers with heartbreak in his voice and his shoulder sagging from all the weight of emotion dragging him down.

“Please? Just one more time.”

“And if it won’t work?”

“It will, trust me. It will work. This time around it will work.”

“And if it won’t?” Taehyung insists, furrowing his brows in desperate anger.

“Then….I don’t know”, you say, whispering your next words with trembling in your voice, “then you get the satisfaction of telling me that I have gone mad.”

“I wouldn’t find satisfaction in telling you that! Each word I speak about your madness pierces my heart with glowing blades”, Taehyung’s eyes fill with tears, “I’m dying slowly because of the pain, ___. Seeing you fail again would bring me no satisfaction.”

“I know”, you take Taehyung’s trembling hands, “trust me, I know and, and I don’t want to hurt you. I just…need you to come with me one last time, please.”

“Fine”, Taehyung gives up, hissing the word at you, “I will come with you, but I won’t find enjoyment in it. Know that much.”

“Thank you”, you whisper, guiding his knuckles to your lips to kiss them softly, “I don’t take your support for granted.”

Taehyung pulls his hands free and takes a step back, “just take me wherever you want to go”, he says coldly.

“Come. Follow me, I’ll lead the way”, you say and after grabbing a torch you turn to strut away in big steps.

Taehyung draws close to Jimin. You hear the latter ask him if he was okay to which Taehyung gives him no answer, but you figure that he either shook or nodded his head. You may know the answer already, feeling too guilty to dwell on it any longer. You really do feel for Taehyung and you understand where he is coming from, but you are so close to making everything right. You are so close to making your family whole again and to bring Yoongi back. You can’t fix the thing with Taehyung when the solution to fixing everything was so close.

Jungkook tries to hold Taehyung’s hand, but the latter merely pulls his hand away before that could happen. So Jungkook walks next to Taehyung with sagging shoulders and a big pout on his lips. He feels really fucking guilty too. He never wanted to hurt Taehyung.

You stop when you reach the iron gate, pulling out the big black key to unlock it.

“Are you out of your mind? You can’t go in there”, Taehyung gasps, reaching out to stop you but too late.

The gate opens with a loud squeak.

“It’s okay. I know my way around.”

“What? How?”

“I spent too many nights down here.”

“What?” even Jungkook sounds surprised at your confession.

Yes, you will go there. You will reveal your greatest secret to them. Perhaps you are acting irrationally and perhaps you are making a huge mistake, but you have never felt as much hope as you do right now. If anyone can solve your problem then it must be your grandmother. She must be right with what she told you. And because she was right, you feel confident in revealing your greatest secret to them. You won’t be needing it anymore after today. Because you will have Yoongi back.

“How is this possible? We told you to stay out of those tunnels. They are dangerous.”

“Oh I know, trust me”, you say and laugh breathily, “I met the danger, but they’re not here anymore.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means”, you look over your shoulder. Shadows swallow half of your face while the other side is illuminated by the fading shine of the torches way, way back. “it means that they’re not here anymore.”

“How can we understand that?” Jimin asks.

The three vampires take a small cautionary step back upon watching your lips curl into an almost menacing smile, “I made them safe”, you say and snicker darkly.

“Oh.”

You turn your face away from them again and continue your confident walk.

“Careful of that one though”, you say, pointing down a dark tunnel of nothingness, “there’s water in this one. It reaches up to my chin at the third step. I think that there’s a whole system down there which will never be entered by people again.”

The vampires look into the darkness. You were right. You may not be able to see it, but those steps lead into deep, cold water. It sends shivers of fear down their spines. Sometimes seeing what the darkness hides is scarier than the darkness in itself.

“Where are we going anyway?” Jungkook asks.

“The round room.”

“What?” Jungkook’s loud exclaim echoes throughout the entire system, bouncing off the walls and returning to your ears as loud and messy voices, “why would we go back there?”

“Because this is where it is.”

“Where what is? What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see. It’s not far anymore.”

“You’re seriously giving me the creeps”, Jimin murmurs.

“Don’t be scared, it’s just me”, you assure him with just enough mindlessness in your voice that it sounds dishonest.

“Yeah fucking exactly”, he whispers just quietly enough that you can’t hear him. He intertwines his fingers with Taehyung, holding his hand as tightly as possible.

“What were you doing in the round room?” Taehyung asks you, following you as you take a sharp turn into a side tunnel. The air smells like rotting flesh.

“Careful now, there’s some…” you let out a scoff, shaking your head, “just be careful with what you breathe in.”

“What did you do?”

“It’s not far anymore”, you ignore Jimin’s question, “oh, I’m so excited. You guys won’t even believe how excited I am. This is everything I fucking wanted for months. Fucking victory. Yes!”

Jimin actually yells in shock because of your loud exclaim, hiding behind Taehyung.

You whip around, grinning at them. The flames contort your face into a mask of madness.

“I’m fucking winning. Namjoon was wrong, I didn’t lose. He did”, you laugh loudly, pointing your finger into the direction of where Namjoon is captured far far away, “today is the day where he will finally see that he was wrong.”

“What, what do you mean?”

“Victory, my friends”, your lips curl into a crazed smile, “victory will be ours today.”

“O-okay?”

“What’s wrong?” you ask, tilting your head to the side. You step closer, “what’s wrong?” you repeat your question, squinting your eyes as you study them. “Why are you all holding hands?”

“We uhm, we aren’t”, Jungkook stutters, releasing Taehyung’s hand which he previously almost crushed from holding it so tightly.

You furrow your brows, “don’t be scared, it’s just me. You know that”, you say and whip back around to continue your fast walk, “you guys should stop worrying about all this silly stuff when there is much more pressing matters to take care of. Come, it’s just down that tunnel.”

The vampires exchange a weary look with each other. They can still see you. Far in the distance, walking with not even an ounce of fear in your steps. The shadows swallow you more and more until it even smothers the shine of your torch. They blink in surprise. How are they unable to see you? What happened?

“Are you coming?!” you call out from the darkness.

“Coming!” Jungkook answers you and then drags Taehyung and Jimin with him.

You wait for them to join your side. The shine of the torch has returned, illuminating your features weakly.

“You guys can’t see shit, can you?” you ask them.

“No, we can’t.”

“Good.”

“What do you mean good?”

“We’re close.”

“Close to what?”

“Victory, good Jimin.”

“Can you talk like you’re normally talk? You’re being creepy.”

“I’m not creepy”, you say, shining the light into Jimin’s face, “what do you want me to tell you? Stupid fucking stories about myself? We don’t have time for that.”

“Why can’t we see in the darkness?”

“A curse, duh”, you say, leading the way again.

“A curse?”

“Yes. Stay close”, you tell them, taking a turn to the right, “it’s cast all over that stupid system. I think Namjoon’s stupid coven cast it to mask the entrance to the round room. It starts by those two statues we passed.”

“We passed statues?” Jungkook gasps.

“Yes. Two demons. Ugly bastards, if you ask me. I think they’re the beacons for the curse”, you say, “it ends right under the university by two statues of angels. It’s hilarious isn’t it?” you say and laugh, “the university is so close if only you know where to walk.”

“We’ve been walking for too long. You’re only imagining that it’s not taking long.”

“Perhaps. Now quiet and stay close. There are rats nearby.”

“We can handle a few rats.”

“You don’t wanna meet those rats. The curse made them different. Trust me”, you say.

“How do you know?”

“Who do you think cleared out most of those tunnels?” you hiss, sending him a dark look.

“Who are you?” Jimin asks.

“I am me”, you answer him and stop, “we’re here.”

“Fuck. I can smell the ammoniac”, Jungkook says, swallowing heavily.

Taehyung, who notices how he begins to shake, intertwines his fingers with Jungkook.

“It is going to be alright. We are right here with you”, he whispers.

A smile tugs at Jungkook’s lips. He squeezes Taehyung’s hand.

“Thank you”, he whispers and Taehyung simply leans in and kisses his cheek. No words need to be exchanged between them afterwards for both of them to know that the fight of before was forgiven and forgotten.

“Okay, it’s done”, you pull their attention back to you.

“What’s done?”

“I lifted the barrier spell. You should be able to enter now.”

“Barrier spell?”

“Yeah. To keep you guys out and them in.”

“Them?”

You open the door and step inside. The three vampires follow with a lump in their throat.

You snap your fingers to light the torches at once, revealing the round room and your captives chained to the wall. They hiss and groan at the sudden light, cowering away in fear upon laying eyes on you.

“What the actual fuck?” Jimin exclaims, “why the fuck do you have guys chained up here?”

“Not guys. Vampires”, you correct him.

“What?” Jimin’s voice is squeaky in shock.

You look over your shoulder. You are already by your captives, currently removing one of them from the wall chains.

“Superiors. Don’t worry, they’re not just any vampires.”

“That still doesn’t explain why you have vampires chained up in, in this awful room surrounded by demonic curses and a, a barrier spell”, Taehyung is the one to speak up.

“Research obviously”, you answer him, “follow me, don’t fucking fight me”, you hiss at the vampire you are currently dragging to the chair.

“Research?”

“I mean, I couldn’t have done it on you guys, could I?”

“Done what?!”

You slam the vampire down in the chair, holding him down with strong magic so you can chain his limbs tightly.

“What are you doing to him?” Jungkook asks you, feeling taken back to the time he was chained up in this awful room.

“I’m making sure that he doesn’t escape. Those chains are enchanted because unlike Namjoon, the moron, I don’t want my vampires to fight themselves free”, you explain, patting the vampire's shoulder, “there we go, now you can’t escape.”

“Guys please help me, she is fucking crazy. She killed Melanie and, and Rich and Eric and now she is going to kill me”, the vampire begs, looking over his shoulder at the others.

“Way to snitch on me. The fuck?” you gasp, stealing his voice with one swirl of your wrist.

The vampire opens and closes his mouth fruitlessly, looking at your friends with scared eyes.

“What did you do to him?”

“I stole his voice. He was ruining the conversation”, you explain nonchalantly as you grind up the wood.

“Is this true? Did you kill people?”

“Yes. They failed the research”, you explain, stepping closer to the vampire.

“What research? What are you talking about?”

“The search for a cure. How did you not figure that out?” you hiss, “isn’t it obvious yet? I’m trying to find a bloody cure.”

Their eyes flit to the bowl of ground wood in your hand.

“___ what are you going to do with this wood?” Jungkook asks.

“Force it into his lungs. Just like Namjoon did with Yoongi.”

“What? Are you insane? This is going to kill him”, Taehyung gasps.

“Only if the antidote fails, but it won’t. Not this time. I know it won’t”, you say and grab the vampire by its throat, “this is gonna sting for a little, I’m not sorry about that.”

Taehyung lets out a sound which was a mixture of a scoff and a gasp. You lift your eyes from the vampire, cocking your brow at Taehyung.

“What?” you ask him.

“Who are you?”

“I am me! How often do I have to tell you that?”

“No, no you aren’t you. I, I barely even recognise you.”

“Well, get used to it because this is who I am.”

“No”, Taehyung shakes his head, “no, this isn’t you.”

“It is!” you yell at him.

The room is dead silent instantly.

“This is who I am. This is me”, you dig your finger into your own chest, “all my life I spent feeling weird and different and like something was wrong with me, but not anymore. This?” you light your hand on fire with nothing but a thought. It was solely to make a point, “this is who I am. This is the fucking reason why I felt different and I won’t let you tell me that this isn’t me when I spent twenty five fucking years of my life searching for who I am.”

“Killing vampires for fun is not who you are”, Taehyung says. His voice is raised as well.

“I’m not doing this for fun. I’m doing this to save Yoongi. I find no enjoyment in this. Do you think I get off on failing over and over again? No. I want this to be over”, you hiss.

“Killing them is still not the answer.”

“I’m not even killing vampires. I’m killing monsters!” you throw back, grabbing the chained vampire by his hair to tug on it harshly and in the process, force his mouth to open, “they’re no different than those cursed rats outside or the demons lurking in those shadows. They’re monsters.”

Taehyung shakes his head, “no, they’re not. They’re like us.”

“They are nothing like you. They’re nothing but Namjoon’s ugly scum. You are my family.”

“We were once Namjoon’s scum too”, Taehyung says, “how are you so certain that they wanted this life for themselves?”

“I know what you are trying to do here. I know that you want me to see the better of myself. But this is the better version of me. I have never felt more like myself than I do right now.”

“No, it’s not. This is madness.”

“Do not speak to me of madness, Kim Taehyung, when I stumbled into this life because you and Jimin wanted a snack”, you growl, finally releasing the vampire's hair to instead, pull out the dagger of your grandmother.

Taehyung closes his mouth, staring at you with widened eyes.

“The madness started long before all of this, but it will end tonight”, you say.

“___ please”, Taehyung tries only to be silenced by you with a lift of your finger.

“Trust me. I know what I’m doing.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way.”

“It does. Now look away if you don’t want to relive how it was to lose Yoongi”, you tell them and blow the wood into the vampire’s face.

There is nothing for a second and then he begins writhing and squirming in agony, crying out silently because his voice was still gone.

“Holy fucking shit, you’re actually crazy”, Jimin gasps, stumbling back because he thought that he would never have to watch something as gruesome as a vampire choking on wood splinters again and yet here he was, having to watch it again.

You can’t react, you have to concentrate. Have to do what your grandmother told you to do. Have to safe that vampire from dying.

“Esrever”, you begin chanting the word she told you to speak until the blade glows golden. And then, only then, you ram it into the chest of the dying vampire, deep enough that you can feel the blade touch the ribs at his back.

“No. I’m fucking out”, Jimin says and turns away, “you’re actually fucking insane.”

“Please don’t do this”, Taehyung begs with his hand thrown over his mouth.

Jungkook just stares wordlessly, feeling his stomach twist while deep down a glimmer of hope begins flickering.

Despite the blade in his chest, the vampire stops squirming in agony. He stops squirming. He actually stops squirming. Until finally it is gone.

You pull the blade out, staring at the vampire with your entire body shaking in emotion.

“Holy shit”, you whisper shakily, staring at the blade in your hand. It is covered in black blood. Runes have appeared on the metal. The golden glow in them is consuming the black wood splinters trapped in the blade, “holy shit.”

With a swirl of your wrist you give the vampire his voice back.

“H-how, how are you feeling?”

“Like, like myself. What, what did you do to me?” the vampire stutters and although his voice is terribly ruined as a remnant from his death fight, he looks healthy.

“Holy shit”, you press out, stumbling back and dropping the knife in the process, “it fucking worked”, you manage to get out and then nine weeks of pain, heartbreak and hopelessness come crushing down on you, dragging you to your knees as you break down in relieved tears.

You have no recollection of the minutes which follow. You don’t know if you cried or screamed or laughed or perhaps fell victim to a mixture of everything. You don’t know what happened because your brain didn’t keep any of those seconds as memories. Perhaps the cry was as much trauma as it was relief. Perhaps having to keep the memories of this cry would have been too burdening to do. Perhaps however you couldn’t remember anything, because for the first time in seventy long nights, you don’t have to think of anything. No new loss to stomach, no new seconds of self loathing, no new moments of grief and no new fear of more hours spent researching the hopeless. You don’t have to think of anything anymore, because you finally won.

“I fucking won”, you wail, laughing just as much as you are crying, “I goddamn fucking won!”

You think that you jumped up and flipped the table in happiness. You can’t really remember a lot, because it all happened too fast.

“Fucking take that Kim Namjoon! I won!” you scream, ripping the door open to yell it into the endlessness of the tunnels, “I won! I beat you! Holy fucking shit, I beat you!” you screech and overtaken by your emotions, you retch only to empty the entire contents of your stomach on the ground.

“Hey, it’s okay”, Jungkook is by your side instantly, rubbing your back. He is crying just as much, “it’s okay. You did it, baby. You can rest now.”

You don’t even mind that you threw up. It is over as fast as it happened. Your body minds as you feel terribly dizzy and out of it afterwards, but you fight through those feelings, lifting your head.

“___”, Taehyung gasps, hurrying to you, “you are bleeding.”

“I fucking won”, you croak, barely registering when both Jungkook and Taehyung try to wipe the blood from your nose, “I’m getting Yoongi back”, you press out, head pounding like crazy, “okay fuck, I..feel…I, I need help”, you say, vision going black and head hitting Jungkook’s chest.

Someone is holding your hand. Both of them. Two pairs of hands hold them. So two people are holding your hand. Fuck, your head is pounding. Every inch of your body feels heavy in exhaustion. Did you fall asleep? Where are you? What happened? You open your eyes. It is bright outside. It’s the typical brightness the day gets when it is about to snow. What happened? Why are you in your bed? You try to sit up only to have the sharpest pain in humankind shoot through your brain.

“Fucking shit”, you press out, pulling a grimace of agony. Your head is pounding like crazy and breathing is so goddamn hard because of your stuffy nose.

“Darling?”

You turn your head where the voice came from, watching as Taehyung lifts his forehead from your hand.

“You’re finally awake”, his voice is heavy in tiredness, “oh god, I was so worried”, he presses out as his eyes fill with tears, “Kook, she’s awake!”

Someone stirs beside you.

“___?” Jungkook gasps.

You turn your head to him, watching as he props himself up on his elbow. He scoots closer, letting go of your hand to instead touch your cheeks.

“You’re finally awake”, Jungkook presses out, spilling tears just as Taehyung does, “I’m so fucking relieved.”

“What happened?”

“You passed out. It’s been ten hours since”, Taehyung explains.

You look at him, “ten hours? What? I don’t understand.”

“You were bleeding out of your nose and then you passed out against my chest”, Jungkook explains, “we tried to get you to wake up again, but you didn’t want to wake up anymore. We, we were so worried. We kept managing your heartbeat and, and even called Hobi to take a look at you, but you were out cold.”

“I passed out?” you try to sit up, but get stopped by both Jungkook and Taehyung pushing you back into the sheets.

“Don’t get up yet. Rest”, Taehyung says sternly.

“Okay?” you blink the sudden dizziness away, “I don’t understand what happened.”

“You were overwhelmed. The magic and the release of stress most definitely did it to you.”

“I see. Fuck”, you touch your forehead, “my head’s killing me.”

“Should I get you some pain medicine?” Jungkook offers.

“Yeah, maybe”, you say.

“I’ll get the others too”, Jungkook says, pecking your cheek, “don’t leave this bed until I’m back”, he orders and then disappears to get everything you need.

You turn your head to Taehyung, eyes closing halfway when he begins running his fingers over your forehead and temple. He is still holding your hand, clutching it so tightly you wonder if he will ever let you go again.

“I’m sorry for ever doubting you”, he whispers.

“Don’t.”

“No, I want to apologise. I was being unfair to you. If I knew how much you actually did, I would have never yelled at you.”

“Don’t apologise. You had every right to doubt me. And for yelling at me. I’m sorry for making you worry so much.”

He shakes his head, “I already forgave you. I understand now. All of it. You wanted to save Yoongi and you wanted to stop at nothing. Not even at killing…”, he hesitates with his choice of words, “monsters”, he decides in the end.

“I didn’t want to kill them. I really didn’t. But I had to. They were the only choice I had.”

“I know. I understand, I think. I don’t know, it is still a little difficult to come to terms with everything you hid from us.”

“I only did it to protect you.”

“Protect me?”

“Just…from what I became. You were right a little. I’m not a killer and I hadn’t noticed it, but I think that I did go a little mad.”

Taehyung doesn’t say anything, but the fondness in his eyes lets you know that he wasn’t angry at you. Not anymore.

“But I won’t apologise for anything else. I haven’t felt more like myself than I do ever since I found my powers and, and I won’t hide them. Not anymore.”

“I never wanted you to hide them. Oh darling”, Taehyung cups your cheek, “the only thing I wanted you to do was reconsider your choice of killing the vampire. But even that turned out to be an unnecessary worry”, his lips curl into a smile, “you found a cure.”

“I know”, you get out, eyes filling with tears, “I can’t believe that I did it. I want to cry.”

“I know, me too”, Taehyung says, kissing your tears away. He rests his forehead against yours afterwards, “I’m proud of you”, he whispers “you are a true fighter and I won’t ever doubt you again.”

“Thank you”, you whisper, crying silent tears, “and I want you to know that I would do the same for you. If you were the one with wood in your lungs I mean. I would do the same for you and, and the others too. I’d fucking fight until I’ll find a cure. Especially now that I am finally actually helpful. You, you are all my family and I can’t lose-”

“I know”, he interrupts you in a soft voice, cupping your cheek, “you don’t have to tell me. I know.”

“So you don’t think that I gave up on you when you were still imprisoned?”

“No, I don’t. I should have never said those awful words.”

“Thank you”, you get out, releasing your breath shakily as your eyes fall closed in relief. He isn’t angry anymore. This feels so good to know.

“I also learned not to mess with you. You frightening me a little in those tunnels”, he jokes, “I don’t even want to find out what you could actually do to us poor, weak vampires.”

You laugh, “no please don’t be scared of me. I would never hurt you.”

“I know, I was just making a silly joke”, he chuckles.

You snicker, moving your head away just enough that you could look into his eyes. They race between yours, glimmering in fondness.

“Thank you, Tae darling. I know it wasn’t easy to trust me, so thank you for still following me.”

He dismisses you with a shake of his head, “I’m just glad that you are finally awake again.”

You give him a small smile, nodding your head in agreement.

Taehyung takes your hand, tracing your knuckles slowly.

“___darling”, he begins, “my sweetest, Kookie told me about your panic attack”, he lifts his eyes, looking at you with great regret, “and I want to apologise. It should have been obvious to me that sending you away would trigger panic in you, but it wasn’t obvious. I am so incredibly sorry.”

“I went out of my own accord.”

“Did you truly?”

You hesitate and lower your eyes.

“See? Oh my sweetest darling, I have been awfully unfair to you. You stayed by my side when I grieved Jimin, tolerated my heartbroken stupidity and here I was acting like I had any right to turn you into a villain.”

He scoots closer and places his other hand over your hand as well.

“I understand your grief. I always did. But I think in my own heartbreak and frustration, I forgot for a second and I am sorry that I did.”

“No, it’s okay. I acted like an idiot.”

“___, just take the apology.”

It feels peculiar. You didn’t even think that you needed an apology and yet it feels good to hear it. While the beginning of the trip felt like unfair punishment, it ended in you finally finding the cure, so all the terrible feelings you had in the beginning were forgotten by you. The wounds still seemed to have remained however, because hearing Sorry from Taehyung felt healing. You think that you were the angriest at him. Subconsciously, but angry nonetheless.

“Thank you for the apology”, you say, “I could never explain why I felt so wronged by you in particular, but now I can, so thank you for apologising.”

“Of course, this is the least I can do.”

“And for reassuring me that you understand my grief.”

“Of course, oh my darling of course.”

“You won’t have to understand it anymore”, you smile, “really soon”, you add and squeeze his hand, “really, really soon.”

Taehyung gives you a smile and nods his head, “yes, very soon.”

“___”, Jungkook calls out for you as he enters your room, followed by Hoseok and Jimin, “I’m back, I got you everything you need.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. You’re actually awake”, Jimin says, carrying what seems to be a bowl of food.

“Hey there, I’m glad that you’re awake”, Hoseok says, hurrying to the bed with his doctor bag in his hand.

Taehyung stands up from the chair for him, letting him close to you so he could look at you.

“How are you feeling? Tell me everything”, Hoseok says, checking your temperature with the back of his hand.

“My head hurts and my nose is stuffy and I just feel…sick. I don’t know, I feel like I’m having the flu or something.”

“Mhm, I see”, Hoseok furrows his brows as he gets into his serious mode, “I’ll take a quick check up if that’s okay with you.”

“Yeah sure, do your thing”, you allow him, trying to sit up.

Jungkook is on the bed instantly, helping you and keeping his hand on your back afterwards to support you. He holds your hand for good measures, eyes racing over your face in worry. All while Hoseok checks your body for any signs of a more serious illness, asking you questions about how certain spots and places feel.

“Okay, I think we’re done”, he says, lowering his stethoscope after checking your lungs.

“And?” Taehyung asks, having watched the whole scene whilst completely ruining his fingernails by biting them vigorously.

“I’m pretty sure that you caught the nastiest flu as a result of your body finally burning out”, Hoseok tells you, looking over his shoulder at Taehyung for just a quick second.

“So she got burn out, is that what you’re insinuating?”

“Yes, very much so. I can’t say if it’s human burn out or magical burn out, but it’s definitely one of those if not both.”

“What? But that’s impossible”, you gasp, “I didn’t even do anything.”

“Yeah sure”, Hoseok scoffs, “you didn’t work yourself into madness these past nine weeks. Be for real, ___. You’re lucky that you only burned out instead of just dropping dead.”

You lower your eyes in shame. How far did you lose yourself?

“So what can we do to help?” Jungkook asks.

“We should let her rest”, Hoseok says, “do you hear me, ___? Rest. That’s all you need right now. To rest and to recover”, Hoseok explains, storing his tools in his bag, “and to actually eat something again. You look starved.”

“I know”, you say.

“Here. I made you some stew”, Jimin says, presenting the bowl of hot stew with rice to you, “there’s lots of veggies in there for vitamins. You should try it.”

“I’ll try it a little later, I have to do one more thing.”

“___”, Hoseok warns in a stern voice.

“It’s not going to take long, I promise”, you insist.

“What do you even want to do?”

“I just…” you hesitate.

“You want to use the knife on Yoongi, don’t you?” Taehyung asks.

“Maybe?” you whisper.

“But it made you bleed last time”, Jungkook protests.

“Yes, but that was because I didn’t sleep and I, I was emotional. I know how to control myself now. It’s not going to make me bleed again.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do. I slept and I feel good.”

“You said that the last time as well”, Taehyung protests, “I didn’t want to be angry at you anymore, but you are not making it easy not to. Didn’t you hear what Hoseok just told you?”

“I, I did and I’m planning on taking the biggest and laziest rest afterwards. I just have to know that Yoongi is alive and well. I can’t relax beforehand, even talking to you guys makes me anxious because I could already be with him, saving him.”

The four vampires exchange looks. They seem to be lost for words. All of them.

“See? You guys know that I’m right. So let me do the one thing I have been aching to do for the past seventy days.”

“And afterwards you will finally rest?”

“Yes, I will. I promise you guys.”

“Fuck. Then do what you must, it is not like we can actually stop you”, Taehyung gives up.

“Yes, you really can’t”, you say, “Kook, help me out of bed, I need to get up.”

“I still don’t think it’s a good idea. Yoongi wouldn’t want you dying for him, you know that he’d rather die with you than wake up and have you be dead”, Jungkook says, lifting you out of bed. He sets you down as gently as possible, holding your hands as support.

“I know, but I’m not going to die. The magic isn’t even that strong. I can handle it”, you assure him, “thank you”, you thank Hoseok after he helped you slip on your morning robe.

“I’m on Jungkook’s side by the way. I really think that you should rest for at least a day or two.”

“I will”, you give him a reassuring smile, “after I saved Yoongi. Now follow me guys, let’s get Yoongi back”, you say, taking the knife from the bedside table to finally get your love.

“This is such a bad idea, I can’t believe that I am letting her do this”, you hear Taehyung talk to Jimin, but ignore it. Your head may be pounding like crazy and your every step feels like too much, but you have a job to finish. Even if it is the last thing you will ever do. You won’t abandon Yoongi.

“What happened to the captives?” you ask Jungkook as you hurry to Yoongi’s wing together. Hoseok is by your other side, holding your other hand. Jimin and Taehyung follow right behind you, eyeing you with suspicious worry.

“We put them back into their original cells”, Jungkook tells you.

“Okay. Good. And the vampire I saved?”

“He’s still alive. The stab wound healed and he says that he feels the same.”

“Good. That’s good. I can’t believe that it actually worked. Holy shit, I’m getting Yoongi back”, you murmur, opening the door to his wing.

“If it works. I’m telling you, if I see you beginning to die because of the spell, I’m stopping it. I can’t lose you too.”

“It won’t fail, I’m sure of it.”

The bedroom door opens swiftly. You quicken your steps now that Yoongi was so near.

He looks like he always does.

“Hey there, my love”, you greet him, cupping his cheek, “holy shit, since when did your skin get so grey?”

“It’s always been this grey.”

“It has?” you run your eyes over his features. Sunken in eyes, prominent cheekbones, purple lips and grey skin and hair which has lost every shine and life. He doesn’t look healthy. He looks sick. How have you never noticed?

You feel emotions well up in your chest. How blind to his state were you? Clutching the handle of the knife, you force control back into your chest. You can’t become emotional now. You have to save him. It is right here, in your palm. The solution to his current awful state lies within your palm. You just have to step closer and push the blade inside his chest.

“What are you waiting for?” Jimin asks.

“I’m scared”, you confess, “what if I do it wrong?”

“You won’t do it wrong. I’ve watched you do it to that vampire like you’ve done it a million times before.”

“Yes, but that was because I didn’t care if he died or not. What if I mess up now?”

“If you start doubting yourself, you will talk your body into messing up. It’s best to just do it.”

“I know”, you tighten the grip on the knife, gaze switching between Yoongi’s sick face and his chest. You can get him back. You have done so much. You fought the most terrible of nightmares in the tunnels and you won. You won. You won against Namjoon. You found a cure. It worked on his creation and it will work on Yoongi.

“I love you, my prince. I’m getting you back”, you whisper and then you begin chanting the words as the knife pierces his chest.

The silver glow around him fades more and more. The knife feels like burning coal between your fingers.

“Okay wait, it’s actually working. Keep going”, Jungkook gasps, touching your back for support, “you’re doing it, baby. You’re actually doing it.”

Your vision is blurry from the pain of your head. Your voice can barely produce the right words without struggle for air. Blood drips from your nose.

“___ you? Wait, stop, you’re bleeding again. Wait.”

“Darling please stop right now”, Taehyung begs.

You only begin chanting louder, drowning out their begging. You can feel it working. The knife may be burning your flesh to the bone but you are getting him back. You are actually lifting the curse.

“Ah!” you exclaim, ripping your hands away as the knife begins melting in your fingers.

“It’s melting?” Jimin gasps.

“No, Yoongi” you exclaim, pulling it out of his chest even if you have never felt such pain before. You drop it afterwards, staring at your ruined hand with tears of pain in your eyes.

“What did you do? Your hand!” Taehyung gasps.

“I’m fine”, you croak, “what, what happened?” you stutter. You can taste the blood in your mouth as it runs out of your nose.

“It didn’t work, please let’s rest now. I’ll heal your hand and then rest with you”, Taehyung insists, trying to pull you away from Yoongi’s bed.

“No! No it should have worked! It, it worked on the other vampire!”

“Maybe it worked because it was regular wood.”

“No!” you yell so loud your voice bounces off the walls, “no, it should have worked! Why didn’t it work?!”

“Let’s just rest, please darling.”

“No”, you shake yourself free of his grasp, “no, why didn’t it work? It, it should have worked!” you scream, grabbing Yoongi by the collar of his shirt, “wake up, Yoongi! Please my love wake up!”

“Don’t do that. Your hands are ruined, you have to let me heal you.”

You can’t hear what Taehyung is saying. It didn’t work. After everything you did, it didn’t work.

“Please Yoongi, I’m fucking begging you, please come back to me.”

“Let’s just go”, Taehyung whispers with heartbreak in his voice. It pains him that you failed. He wanted for you to be successful. He really, really did.

“Let go of me, I have to try again. Where, where is the knife?” you fight him, crazed eyes scanning the ground, “there. No!”

Taehyung lifts you before you can bend down.

“Let me go! What’s wrong with you? Let go of me!” you protest, fighting him with nails and feet.

“You have to rest, it didn’t work and, and you are hurt”, Taehyung says.

“No Yoongi! Let me go! Yoongi please wake up, please!” you beg as you get carried away further and further.

Taehyung turns you so you couldn’t look at the bed anymore.

“Let me go! I hate you! I fucking hate you so much! Let me go!”

“I’m sorry”, Taehyung whispers shakily, swallowing down the painful sob he wants to let out.

“Yoongi, please wake up! Don’t fucking go where I can’t follow, please!” you beg, clutching the doorframe even if your fingers ache like the never ached before, “let me go!”

Taehyung wins and manages to get you out of Yoongi’s bedroom.

“Yoongi! Let me go! Yoongi!”

You lost. You lost. You lost your Yoongi. You lost.

“No”, you wail, “I want to die, I want to fucking die. Just kill me, please.”

“Please stop, please just-”, Taehyung begs only to be stopped by Hoseok screaming your names.

He appears in the doorframe a second later. Jungkook screams your name in the background, begging you to come back.

“Come back. Yoongi! Something’s happening!”

“What?” you push yourself away from Taehyung, overwhelm him and fight free. Your feet drop on the ground hard and rough, shaking you through so much that you feel dizzy as you run, “Yoongi! I’m coming!”

“___ come here, quick come here”, Jungkook stresses.

You fall into him from just how quickly you ran to the bed. But neither you nor Jungkook feel the impact, holding each other as your teary eyes are focused on Yoongi’s face. Jimin and Taehyung appear behind you a second later.

“What’s happening?” Taehyung asks.

“Holy fuck”, you press out. You can barely see what is happening as your vision becomes darker and darker. Everything aches so terribly. You feel so weak. And yet you keep looking, watching with tears streaming down your face, as Yoongi’s features morph into the healthy face you have fallen in love with. His hair changes from a dull silver to dark black, the grey of his skin becomes less and less.

“It worked”, Jungkook whispers, “holy fuck, it worked.”

His cheeks gain in softness again and his once sunken eyes move back into place. His once purple, chapped lips become the soft, pink lips you will always love to kiss.

“It worked, you-”, Jungkook stops upon seeing the state you find yourself in, “___, are you okay?”

Yoongi’s eyes open just as yours fall closed.

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