#so he had to whip up another thing specifically to return his voice to a regular human level just so people stopped running away from him

[giantkillerjack]

Why is Wilson the only male character in Don't Starve Together who can grow a beard so magnificent it keeps him warm?

I'm so glad you asked! My wife has a theory and it is the correct theory and I will accept no substitutes:

You see, Wilson is Trans, and despite having other ways he could have accessed testosterone, he considered himself enough of a scientific genius to create his own Super Testosterone (patent pending) to speed up the process!

The good news is, it worked!

The bad news is it does bring about what Wilson dubbed "Super Puberty," and he still has the acne scars to prove it!

Also, he now grows such an intense beard that it can keep him warm in the cold!

Which was mostly just a nuisance that involved spending a lot of time and money on high-quality shaving kits, but it became a lot more useful once he suddenly had to survive in the wilderness!

[myfictionaldreams]

Day 15: Spanking/Flogging - Poly! Marauders

Summary: Sirius, ever the one to explore the kinky side of life, has bought a new toy which you're a little apprehensive about.

Tags: 18+ readers only, smut, foursome (F/M/M/M), polyamory, dom/sub, spanking, sex toy (flogger), punishment, discussion of safe words(!), pain play, overstimulated, begging, crying, praise kink, subspace, aftercare

masterlist 📚 

kinktober masterlist😈 

AO3 Link 

“So where did you buy this?” was your first question as you stared at the opened package in the middle of the bed.

“I don’t think you want to know, Darling”, Sirius answers suspiciously as he sweetly kisses your cheek. You give him a deadpan look, not liking the answer at all.

“It looks like something from the dungeons, a torture device or something”. Reaching forward, you picked up the object Sirius called a flogger or whip. It had a black handle with a wrist strap and many thin leather strips coming off the end that swayed when you moved it. Inspecting it closely, you weren’t sure what to make of it, especially the leather material, making it seem almost barbaric.

“So what are you supposed to do with this? Swat flys away?” Your wrist twisted and turned as you pretended to swat an imaginary insect, earning a low chuckle from the three men scattered around the room.

Sirius, the closest to you who was sitting next to you on the bed, edged closer to your body until you could feel his warmth against your arm. Gently, he took the flogger from your grip and moved so that his handsome face was only an inch away from yours. His silky voice dropped an octave, “It’s for a certain naughty girlfriend and boyfriends who need a telling-off on their pretty little arses”.

Hearing this, your eyes zone back to the item, eyebrows furrowing as you bit your lip. “I don’t think I’ll ever be naughty enough for this”. Apprehension settled heavily in your stomach as you weren’t sure if you liked the thought of being spanked with something that looked so medieval.

“You know, we’d never use it on you if you didn’t want us to, right?” Remus reassures from where he is leaning against the bedpost with his arms crossed. Your shoulders drop in relief, giving him a thankful smile and nodding your head.

Keeping to their word, the Marauders did not use it on you. However, you were able to watch the flogger being used on the other, more specifically Sirius and James; however, it was mostly the long-haired Marauder that seemed to enjoy it to its full potential.

It was a rare occurrence for one of your boyfriends to receive the punishment in the form of being spanked, but over the recent months, it seemed that Remus, James and Sirius were willing to permit the punishments to each other and not just for you. Usually, it was because Sirius had done a prank without consulting the others, and hence, the rest of the Marauders got into trouble. For James, it was falling behind on his schoolwork because he was too busy practising his quidditch. Everyone tried to rally together to enforce the rules that were in place. It may have seemed like a strict regime to others, but it all returned to the dominant and submissive relationship the four of you shared.

You were the submissive of the group and enjoyed the dynamics more than anything, whereas the guys were more dominant, with rare occasions to switch when feeling particularly needy. There were always safe words in place to protect one another, and aftercare was the most crucial thing - next to communication - so all punishments were prediscussed to make sure they were consented to. They always end with sexual rewards or a feeling of euphoria due to the dopamine released with the mixture of pain and pleasure.

James was the first you got to witness with the flogger. He’d started with spanks to the back of his perfectly sculptured thighs that left red hues in the shape of Remus’ palm against his skin. When checking in with him during the punishment, James informed his boyfriends that he could take more, so Sirius took over with his new flogger. You sat cuddled into Remus’ lap, watching with fascination and morbid curiosity as to what the flogger would be like as you’d been thinking about the toy a lot recently.

It didn’t look or sound as scary as you thought, but James still flinched further up the bed, especially as the leather strips had caught the edge of his balls.

“Holy shit”, James grunted, fisting the shits and burying his face into them.

“Colour?” Sirius asked in a steady, clear voice.

“Green”, James confirmed, glancing over his shoulder with a broad grin.

“Good boy, count with me”, Sirius encouraged. James counted each hit with the flogger, suffering and grunting with each of the impacts but then relaxing into the bed in between during his breaks. By the time he reached number 15, James’ arse was streaked pink, and he was now slumped onto the bed, saying his safe word and that he’d probably had enough. Sirius agreed with him, and they proceeded to give him a lot of comfort and aftercare, being careful to tend to his spanked arse.

The following few times that you’d witnessed the flogger in action was with Sirius, who had been showing James and Remus how to use it properly and how much pressure to put between each hit to ensure it wasn’t too painful for the receiver. He even offered to show you how to use it, but you didn’t feel comfortable giving us punishments of any kind; it felt counter-intuitive, especially as all you wanted to do was cuddle and nurture them when they were crying out through the punishments.

Watching Sirius have a punishment was a special experience in of itself. He was so prideful and addicted to his pain kink that he continued to egg his boyfriends on whilst in the midst of having a punishment. After receiving the spanks delivered by a palm, he would boast and say it wasn’t nearly hard enough. This part of him sparked something in Remus, determined to show him that he shouldn’t be so mouthy. Sirius loved to push people, testing them and himself to see just how much he could take before breaking.

This has its own warnings as it could push the limit of the punishments, becoming dangerous, which is why it was crucial for all four of you to be present during these moments, and if someone deemed anything was going too far, it would stop immediately.

This happened the last time that the flogger was used. Sirius’ arse was perked into the air, the skin warm from the spanks and beginning to deepen in colour, but the palm wasn’t enough, and all he kept doing was mock Remus. “You think that’s a punishment? That was more like a love tap”. Remus soon fell for the teasing and found the flogger, using it on each of his round arse cheeks, the sound of the leather strips was louder than when James had experienced it, but from the noises Sirius was making, it was evident he loved every second. The red areas soon began to raise with hints of swelling from the impact, but Sirius continued to beg for more, needed it as if his life depended on it.

It was James who finally stepped in and said it was enough as he was observing Sirius’ face and could see that his eyes were glazed, even though he was grinning, showing all of his teeth. He looked drunk, and it scared the hell out of you as he was rolled onto the bed, body flopping as his mind was lost in his floating consciousness. However, he kept repeating how good it felt, which was then that you noticed that he’d came on Remus’ thigh just from being spanked.

Following this, your curiosity was peaked. Wondered if you would get the same euphoria that Sirius had experienced, and even though you hated the premie and thought of being punished because you were such a people pleaser, the idea of any of the boys being upset or angry with you shook your very core. However, you did like it when they spanked you during sex; when done right, the mix of pain and pleasure always felt so elating, but you were unsure how much pain was too much.

So, one late evening, the four of you were in the library finishing off the latest essay for Charms. Sirius was sitting to your right, James opposite him and Remus to his right, opposite you. You hadn’t written anything down for the last 15 minutes because you kept contemplating a question over and over in your mind until you couldn’t keep it contained anymore.

“Could you spank me with the flogger tonight, please?”

Many things happened at once. Sirius’ head snapped up to face you so quickly that he, in turn, knocked over James’ ink well, which coated his work. On the other hand, James kicked his legs and bashed into Remus’ shin, who then began to wear and rub his shin whilst looking at you like you had two heads.

Your eyes widen at the reaction, looking between the three of them confused.

“Love, you can’t just say things like this in a public space”, Remus chastises as your face heats in embarrassment with his words, looking over your shoulder, forgetting that you were, in fact, in the middle of the library and hadn’t whispered your words at all.

“Sorry”, you mumble, now deciding to be quiet, hiding your face to look sheepishly at the table, hoping none of the other students have overheard. As you stared at the table, you could see James waving his wand over his work, the spilt ink disappearing as he looked disappointedly at Sirius opposite him.

“Thanks for that, Padfoot; now I’ve got to write that entire sentence again”, James grumbled, annoyed, but he didn’t continue with his writing as he looked in your direction, making you look up to meet his stare, which was when you realised that they’re all looking at you.

Trying not to flinch under their intense stares, you lowered in your seat as Sirius leaned closer, his arm circling around the back of your chair. “Were you being serious about the flogger?”

“I thought you were Sirius”, you quip back with a small smile, earning an eye roll from the long-haired man and a ‘nice’ from James. Sighing, you sit further up in your seat and shift closer to Sirius’ side so you’re beneath his shoulder as his hand moves from the back of your chair to your shoulder, drawing idle circles through your white school shirt. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently. I don’t want to try the punishment side of it, but after seeing it used on you, Sirius, I kind of want to try it. Maybe I’ll like it, and if I don’t, I’ll just shake my head or say red like I usually would.”

Sirius grins broadly, his eyes blazing as he glances towards Remus and James, who are nodding in contemplation.

Shuffling in your seat, you continued, “So yeah, I just wanted to let you all know because I couldn’t stop thinking about it”. Picking up your quill once more, you move to continue your essay, “Sorry, I’ll stop interrupting your work”.

Of course, your boyfriends couldn’t return to their essay so quickly as Sirius’ hand landed on your thigh, pushing beneath your skirt so that you could feel the bare skin of his palm and the slight calluses on them from where he held the bat in his Beater position in Quidditch. His plump lips dipped to be near your ear, “Oh Darling, if you think we’re going to go back to work after this, you’re sadly mistaken.

You try holding back your smile by biting the inside of your lips, but Sirius doesn’t need your mouth as his head tilted so he could kiss delicately along your jaw. Your body melted into the touch, eyes fluttering closed as you held onto the hand, squeezing the flesh of your thigh.

The two of you were abruptly interrupted by an obnoxiously loud cough, which forced the two of you thoroughly away from one another; however, Sirius kept his hand steady on your thigh. Next to the table stood a sharp-looking woman with your eyes fixed on a spot on the table as the librarian seethed at you and Sirius. “I don’t want any of that nonsense in my library.” Her eyes flick from an ashamed you to a grinning-ferally Sirius, whose eyes sparked with the confrontation. “Pack your things and get out. All of you”, she adds, looking at the other two Marauders.

The librarian leaves as James grumbles, “Thank Merlin for that, " as he packs his parchment and quills away. 

You’re feeling unsettled as you pack away your bag, slinging it over your shoulder and waiting for the others, but then Sirius is at your side again. “I don’t know why you’re looking so glum. I want to get you back to our room and have some fun”.

Before you can even react, he’s spinning you on the spot and hoisting you over his shoulder, causing your bag to drop to the floor and a scream to leave your lips. Thankfully, Remus picked up your bag and placed it over his shoulder as Sirius laughed loudly as he rushed out of the library with the librarian screaming after the two of you.

Eventually, you begged him to put you down as his shoulder dug uncomfortably into your gut, and you were pretty sure that the back of your skirt had lifted enough that you were flashing people. This didn’t stop Sirius from basically dragging you the remainder of the way, his hand clasping yours in a tight grip as you struggled to keep up with his long legs.

However, once in the Gryffindor Common room, you’re once again being lifted onto his shoulders as he raced up the stairs, his strong arms wrapped around your thighs as you have to stare at the stone floor, gripping the back of his shirt for dear life.

You’re then indelicately thrown onto the magically enlarged bed in the dormitory that you shared with the three men. You squeak in shock as you bounce on the mattress a few times.

“Careful with her Pads, Jesus Christ”, James warns, closing the door behind Remus before locking it.

“She’s okay, aren’t you, Darling?” Sirius assured as he wrapped his long fingers around your ankle and tugged you closer, making you scream in shock and then giggle as he crawled between your legs, kissing the space where your shoulder and neck meet. His arms rest on either side of your head as your fingers run through his hair, brushing it out of his pretty face. His mouth opened further to press sensual kisses along the slope of your neck.

James and Remus smile, watching the glee and happiness on your face from where they had moved to sit on either side of the bed. Remus brushes the back of his fingers against your temple, drawing your attention away from Sirius for a moment. “How do you want to do this? Do you want to get straight into it, or do you want to play first?” Remus asks.

Releasing your hold on Sirius’ hair, you grab Remus's hand and play with his scarred fingers before linking them together, squeezing them for comfort. “I think I want to have some fun first, then when you think it’s appropriate, you can start spanking me”.

Remus nods in understanding, squeezing your hand back in response. James then catches your attention as he dips his face so it's the only thing in your eyeline. “So, when you say you want to play…”, he begins to taunt, but his glasses start to slide down his nose, making you laugh and release Remus’ hand to push the frame back up his nose. “Thank you”, he noted before continuing, “Anyway, does that mean I get to have a taste?”

“Be my guest”, you declare, spreading your legs further underneath Sirius, who is still on top of you. Not for long, though, as James tackles him out of the way and drops to his stomach on the bed, face between your legs as he pushes up your skirt.

Each slowly took turns stripping an article of clothing from your body so their mouth, fingers or cock could draw orgasms from you. Your blood warmed with each one, thighs trembling and drenched with sweat and bodily fluids; your most sensitive areas were throbbing and on the edge of being overstimulated, hole arching from clenched so many times and clit thumping with your pounding heartbeat.

Your face was currently slumped against the silky sheets, mouth open and greedily sucking in air against the material. Sirius was behind you on his knees, cock delved deep into your pussy that was suffocating him to perfection. His hands were massaging your arse cheeks, feeling the soft skin, admiring how they moved and testing how ready you were with some light spanks. They jiggled with the impact. A high-pitched squeal bursts from your lips as well from the sharp skin, but you soon rock back onto his cock, melting into the bed so far that you thought you’d fall right through and onto the wood floor beneath.

Sirius smirked arrogantly at your reaction, doing the spank again with more pressure, causing your shrilled tone to lower. “More, give me more, Siri, please!”

“Your wish is my command, Darling”. With increasing strength, he continued to lay spanks to your arse. It felt so good to have the sharp sparks of pain to the fleshy area and the continued poke of his cock stretching your walls.

Not that you were aware of it, but Remus had rummaged through the box beneath the bed that held all of the naughty items Sirius seemed to have collected over time. Sirius held out his hand for the flogger, accepting it and then running the strands over your naked back for a second as a little warning as to what would occur. Arching your back further, you waited for the first blow as Sirius reminded you of what was discussed earlier, “Remember, shake your head or safe word if it's too much or you need a break”.

“Yes, sir”. Just to be safe so that he didn’t accidentally hit his cock, Sirius eased himself out of you and helped you to lie down with a pillow beneath your hips so that they were elevated and pushing your arse further into the air.

“Relax for me. James is just going to touch you a little to keep you in the right mood”, Sirius advised whilst cupping your warm arse cheek. You remained placid on the bed as your boyfriends moved around you. James appeared first, sitting next to you as his hand pushed between the pillow and your mound until he was cupping over your clit, applying the slightest bit of pressure for you to find some pleasure. Remus sat above your head, gently repositioning your head so that it now rested on his naked thigh.

Your thoughts were only consumed by the fingers resting on your bundle of nerves as your hips rocked hard against James, moaning and increasing your arousal.

“That’s it, good girl. Get yourself off on Prongs’ fingers”, Sirius praises before adjusting his position and readying the flogger. It connects with your left arse cheek. You flinch and squeal at the sharpness of the sting but relax down quickly as it wasn’t as painful as you’d first thought, as Sirius had made sure to go lightly on you. However, the burning pain did deepen into the muscle.

It was better than you thought, so a smile stretched across your lips as you nuzzled further into Remus’ thigh and rubbed your clit harder against James’ fingers.

“Well done, you took that so well, Sweetheart. See, it wasn’t that bad, was it? Let's go for a few more”, Sirius encouraged.

The man on his knees flicked his wrists and spanked both of your arse cheeks one after the other in quick succession. He rotates his hand in circles so that the sharp slaps continue to reign down as you moaned and then whined, the pain getting too much in one moment. Noticing the change in your noises, Sirius gave you a break to rub his large hand over the tender area that was hotter to the touch.

“She’s soaked”, James comments, still massaging your clit in slow circles with four of his fingers. The longer that time went on, the further the warmth in your body spread, creating a satisfied, buzzing sensation throughout your limbs and head.

Sirius continued with the strokes, the strings increasing with each whack of the

 flogger, and with each tap, your hips dug in harder to James' fingers. Sirius made sure to give each of your cheeks equal attention, the surface area deepening in shade and raising in slight swelling.

Your gasps weren’t as deep anymore. Instead, you were sucking in quick, shallow breaths to try and keep yourself stable, but it was doing the opposite as you became more light-headed. Sirius had stopped at this point as Remus began to rub his large hand down your spine in long circles. “Slow your breathing down; you’re going to get lightheaded”, Remus instructed with an authoritative tone. You breathed in through your nose until your lungs were full of air and slowly breathed out through your mouth. Eventually, it helped enough that you began to calm down again, not feeling as lucid as before.

“Keep going, please, Siri”, you mumble against the softness of Remus’ thigh. Sirius looked between James and Remus to see if they agreed that you could or even should continue, but they all nodded as you smiled lazily over your shoulder.

‘Smack. Smack. Smack. Smack’,

Sirius’ wrist continued to rotate, bringing the flogger’s leather strips to contact against your arse. You’re cringing away more, but the burn and the fingers on your clit felt so good it was almost impossible for you to explain how you felt. It was like a perfect balance; the drenching of the sheets beneath your pussy was evidence enough as to how much you were enjoying it. 

Further, you fell into the floating sensation, as if you were weightless. Even though the pain was still increasing, you didn’t want it to stop; you could keep going at this for hours and hours and hours.

“That’s enough”, Remus's voice cuts through the repetitive throughs repeating in your mind as you frown.

In a pathetic whimper, you begged, “No, don’t stop”. You try and wiggle your hips to entice the boys in, but your body is depleted of energy.

“Love, you’re crying. It’s enough”, Remus explained.

‘You were?’ you thought, having previously mistaken the wetness on your face for sweat. Opening your mouth, you tried to take another deep breath like before but realised that your chest was raking with quiet sobs.

James removed his fingers from beneath you and moved off the bed as Remus cradled your face lovingly with a calm touch with his thumb against your cheekbone. “Shhh, you’re okay. The pain is going to stop. You’ve been so good for us”. Remus continues to speak but at a much softer tone, hoping it will calm you down.

“But, I don’t want it to stop; it feels so good”, you say in a bratty tone, all high-pitched and whiny. “I feel so warm and floaty”, a hiccup bubbles from your throat.

“Ah”, Sirius begins talking from behind you, “Should have anticipated this - Oh, thanks, Prongs” he moves aside and allows James to place a wet, cold cloth onto your arse cheek, which causes your body to olt in shock. Shiving from the touch, it also helped scare you into a small reset, the cries stopping.

Remus begins to move out from underneath you, replacing his wet thigh with a soft, comfortable pillow for your head to lie on. Sirius shuffles up the bed so he is lying beside you. “You feeling a little bit spacey, Darling?” Your eyes were closed as you nodded, referring to the submissive headspace you quickly slipped into that made you feel this way, not knowing when something was becoming too painful and needing the others to help you through your vulnerability. “I thought you were”, Sirius continues whilst cupping your cheek, which you immediately nuzzle into.” “Hey, can you drink this for me? It’s ok, I’ll help you; I’ve got a straw”.

Opening your mouth, Sirius directed the straw for you to drink the glass of water Remus had gotten for you. “Well done, you wanna open your eyes for me?” Sirius asks once you’ve finished drinking.

“Too tired”, you say in an exhausted voice.

“Okay, well, how about you eat this chocolate for Remus before stares a hole through my head and James is going to rub some lotion onto the sore area. Afterwards, we’ll try to get some sleep; how does that sound?”

You’re now officially too tired to reply, so just resort to nodding your head. Opening your mouth, Remus feeds you the rich, thick chocolate he has stored in his bedside cabinet as the wet cloth is removed, and James carefully wipes some cooling gel into your arse.

“It’s ok, you’re doing so well”, Sirius encourages, still lying beside you. “Here, let’s get you covered up”. From behind him, Sirius finds a blanket that he folds in half and carefully places over your back, being careful not to be ruined by the lotion. As you’d finished the chocolate, you almost immediately passed out. You’d be sore in the morning, but certain lotions and potions could aid with this that one of the boys could go and steal from the supply cupboard, and you were more than sure that this whole night had awakened something new within your submissive, kinky brain.

[incarnadinedreams]

This isn't really new or anything but the more I reread random passages the more convinced I am that there's something very unique about the way Jiang Cheng reacts to Wen Ning and it's just so interesting!

I'm convinced it's more than just being angry. It's more than just hating him, or blaming him for Jin Zixuan's death or his sister's life. It's more than being a Wen, and it comes long before so many of those tragedies unfold anyway.

There's a sort of urgent, visceral reaction to Wen Ning's presence that just has this different feeling to it than how he reacts to any of the other characters. Even characters he has strong emotional responses to, it's never with the same panic or recklessness. It's not the same as the whole "vengeful wrath, fathomless hatred, or raving ecstasy" situation he's got going on with Wei Wuxian (sexy as that might be).

When it's Wei Wuxian, it's all "...well, well. So you're back?" and "Haven't you got anything to say to me?" Even when he's not being very nice, even when he's throwing teacups and furious at Wei Wuxian, there's still an edge of calmness in the way he lashes out. He's fucking mad but he's had more than a decade to think about this and he's got things to say and he's trying so hard to get a reaction from Wei Wuxian that he just won't give him.

But he can't tolerate having Wen Ning anywhere near him. Much of the time he instantly lashes out, physically, in ways to create space between them. He's mean to Wen Ning, but he doesn't really have much to say to him; he just wants to get away from him.

It really stuck out to me how instinctive and instantaneous and emotional that reaction is when I was reading this passage from chapter 81 (ExR translation since I've got it on hand in digital text form), when Jin Ling returns Zidian and rushes back into the fray during the Second Siege:

When Jiang Cheng was unaware, he stuffed Zidian's ring back into his hand and sprinted toward the crowd, all the way up to the most dangerous area before the mouth of the cave. Jiang Cheng was about to chase after him when he managed to slice a few corpses, staggering. He felt that Sandu was no lighter than hundreds of pounds. Two female corpses threw themselves at him from both directions.

Jiang Cheng cursed. As he lifted his sword again, another pair of hands tore the two corpses into pieces, "Sect Leader..."

Jiang Cheng lost his temper as soon as he heard the voice. He kicked Wen Ning away and cursed, "Get the fuck away from me!"

Obviously that is not very nice and poor Wen Ning didn't deserve a kick for being legitimately helpful there, but the point is that not only does he lash out - the reaction happens even when he's clearly got higher priorities going on in a chaotic situation. Throughout that entire event he reacts in a somewhat more even-keeled way to almost everything except Wen Ning being in his vicinity.

And it's not just after Wen Ning's death, not just after he became Wei Wuxian's greatest weapon, not just after he was forced to kill Jin Zixuan - it's specifically a pattern established from the moment he woke up in the Supervisory Office without a core:

Before he could say anything, those sun robes reflected against Jiang Cheng's eyes. His pupils suddenly shrunk.

Jiang Cheng kicked Wen Ning, toppling over the bowl of medicine. The black liquid all spilled onto Wen Ning. Wei WuXian wanted to take the bowl of medicine. He pulled up Wen Ning as well, who had been shocked speechless. Jiang Cheng roared at him, "What's wrong with you?!"

At this point he doesn't even know how he was rescued, since he was unconscious for all of that, and thinks they're in a Wen trap and likely going to die (or worse). But there's so many echoes of that interaction again, and again, and again between them.

And combined with Wen Ning's remarks during the scene just before this, where he tells Wei Wuxian about the discipline whip injuries and how Jiang Cheng 'should have other injuries as well', the way the narrative is so deliberately ambiguous on what exactly occurred, it all makes me want to crawl up the walls and gnaw on the light fixtures wailing WHAT DID YOU SEE, WEN NING?! WHAT DID YOU SEE?

At a minimum, Jiang Cheng knows that Wen Ning was there at Lotus Pier prior to his capture by the Wen guards, because they'd both seen Wen Ning examining Jiang corpses on the training field before they fled for Meishan.

But everything after that is only implication and subtext and suppositions and speculation, not directly stated in the text. But based on his reaction, you can pry my headcanon from my cold dead hands that that Wen Ning probably witnessed all or much of what happened to Jiang Cheng after he was captured, and Jiang Cheng knows it.

I've also posted before how I think there's an at least nonzero chance that Jiang Cheng was never directly told that Wen Ning wasn't actually there with Wen Chao when they saw him early on, but came later to try to help (because when Wen Ning gives Wei Wuxian that information Jiang Cheng isn't conscious, and nobody tells Jiang Cheng anything. I don't think that headcanon changes much either way, but there is a slight difference, at least emotionally, between 'I helped you while I was there to slaughter your clan and destroy your life' and 'I came when I heard my crazy cousin was slaughtering your clan and tried to help you' and I think it's a juicy thing to add to the pile of misunderstandings they each have of the other's motivations and actions).

Which, if I go with these two ideas together, really drives home what a bespoke and specific nightmare the way the Golden Core reveal played out - not only the substance of the reveal, but the fact it was Wen Ning who revealed it.

He was already furious that they were even there at Lotus Pier, particularly Wen Ning. But the way it all happens it feels like it's not just echoes of the amplified emotions of the confrontation with Lan Wangji & Wei Wuxian in the Ancestral Hall, it's not just Wen Ning being a Wen, or even Jin Zixuan's death, the way the narration calls out. It feels like there are deeper layers to it.

I also feel a bit stupid for not noticing before this probably extremely obvious to literally everyone else who isn't a dumbass like me parallel of Wen Ning getting a gruesome scorching whip mark across his chest at Lotus Pier in the course of saving Wei Wuxian (more or less, sort of - we know as readers Jiang Cheng was intentionally trying not to hurt them with Zidian, but I don't think Wen Ning knew that when he jumped in).

Jiang Cheng looked to find that the uninvited guest was Wen Ning. Immediately, he raged, "Who let you inside Lotus Pier?! How dare you!"

He could manage to tolerate others, but definitely not Wen Ning, the Wen-dog who put his hand through Jin ZiXuan's heart and ended both his sister's happiness and her life. Just a look, and he felt the urge to kill him right there. How dare he step foot on the earth of Lotus Pier—he really was looking for his death!

Because of the two lives and many other reasons, Wen Ning had always felt guilty, and so he'd always been somewhat scared of Jiang Cheng, consciously avoiding him all the time. Right now, however, he blocked Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi as he faced him, taking the hard lash. A gruesome scorch climbed across his chest, but still he didn't flinch.

I don't know that it actually means anything but it's making me FEEL THINGS incoherently at this specific moment, so. Also I find it legitimately sad that Wen Ning has to live with guilt over things that happened when he was controlled by someone else, though the scene before the Ancestral Hall when Jin Ling starts crying on the boat is probably a better example of that. Anyway.

It's just there's so, so many layers to how uniquely horrible it is for Jiang Cheng that he not only finds out about the Golden Core transfer this way, but also that Wen Ning, specifically, directly witnessed this life-shatteringly huge deception and sacrifice too - while Jiang Cheng was unconscious, no less.

And, well, we know how everything got capped off in that scene...

Obviously the shock of the information was going to get a huge reaction no matter what, no matter who or how he found out. Even without the Wen Ning element, it already hits every one of his deepest weaknesses and insecurities and fears.

But to come from the guy who'd witnessed his family being slaughtered, who'd witnessed who-knows-what humiliations heaped on him (who also happens to be the same fucking guy that Wei Wuxian thought it was worth leaving Yunmeng Jiang for, breaking his promise for...), the guy he blames for his sister's tragic fate (whether that blame is misplaced or not), the guy he exhibits a panic response towards even decades later, and goddamn.

There are just so many layers to this perfect little nightmare reveal on so many different levels aren't there?

There's just SO much meaty stuff for these two to dig into post-canon and all we get is an extra with a 'oh yeah sometimes Jiang Cheng yells on night hunts and Wen Ning is there' about it?!

I should probably just shut up and go read some Jiang Cheng and Wen Ning focused fics or something (whether romantic or platonic that's probably an area I really haven't explored enough vs. the amount of sheer interesting hints and material the novel gives to work with! If by some miracle anyone made it to the end of this beast feel free to drop any recs that explore them, especially that 'what did Wen Ning see?!' aspect of the whole situation because that is the current little brain worm haunting me right now).

[soulofapatrick]

Birthday Surprises - Pedro Pascal x Reader

Summary: Oscar gives you the task to distract Pedro so they can break into his  apartment and set it up for a surprise birthday party - both you and Pedro get more than you planned for

Words: 2.4K

Warnings: none I think

Notes HAPPY BIRTHDYA TO THE BEAUTIFUL AND HUMBLE MAN THAT IS PEDRO FUCKING PASCAL

--------

Y/N’s POV

My heart pounds in my chest as I knock on Pedro’s door, Oscar having given me his address with one specific detail: get Pedro out of the house by 1pm and keep him out until 6pm. It’s his birthday and we want to surprise him with a small gathering, knowing he’s been stressed recently with The Mandalorian and The Last of Us press tours and the fans wanting to know his every move. 

Before I can have any doubts about this the door swings open and a very sleepy Pedro appears. He looks fucking amazing in just his shorts and a loose lakers tee shirt, fluffy hair standing up in all different directions as if he’s just run his hands through it. He seems to light up when he sees me, the frown slipping from his soft features as he ushered me in. The door shutting with a soft click and he’s herding me to the kitchen where I see a massive stack of pancakes ready to slide off the plate. 

“Happy Birthday Pepsi,” I laugh softly, turning to face him and pull him into a hug. I’m not much of a hugger but Pedro… I will never say no to a Pedro hug. His chest rumbles with laughter as he wraps his strong arms around my shoulders and rocks us on the spot as he presses a smiled kiss to my temple. I don’t know how long we stand there but we only separate when Pedro suddenly lets me go with a cry of ‘save the pancakes’ and I’m just watching him race around the island and steady the pile with one fatality. 

He’s laughing and pointing towards a cupboard for me to get another plate, “Come on sweetheart, we’ll share the birthday pancakes. I made too many for myself anyway!” 

“Alright but I have an afternoon planned for us and you can’t say no.” I shoot back, grabbing another plate and helping Pedro dish out the pancakes before both plates get placed on the island. He buzzed around the kitchen, grabbing all sorts of things like whipped cream; sugar; lemon juice and syrup before joining me, “That’s a lot of sugar.” 

“It’s my birthday.” He grins around a mouthful of pancake and whipped cream, bright and bubbly like a child. I can’t keep the fond smile off my lips, shaking my head fondly at him as he giggles. Fuck me he’s so cute and I wish this was everyday life for me, getting to wake up and have breakfast everyday with him and be able to kiss the bit of whipped cream from the corner of his mouth but this isn’t my life. I’m just here to help a few friends out and before I can stop myself I’m swiping the cream from his lips, going to wipe it on my jeans when those very same lips wrap around my thumb and his tongue darts over the pad of it before he’s pulling back with a ‘pop’ and a cheeky grin, “I’ll go get dressed.” 

*

Despite being spring the breeze was still cold and harsh, rustling hair and tugging at our coats that are tightly wrapped around ourselves. Pedro is telling me how last year he had a quiet birthday with his family who came to visit him and he made them a traditional chilean meal, it was apparently his mother’s favourite meal. My hand found his when he told me that, the sadness in his voice evident despite how hard he’s trying to hide it, gently squeezing his large hand comfortingly and getting that softest smile in return. 

I had definitely had reservations about becoming an actress when I had seen how pompous and self-centred they could be, scared I would end up just like them but I quickly found my group of people who I couldn’t live without. I met Pedro through Oscar Isaac after being an extra in Star Wars, not sure why Oscar decided to become my friend but here we are now years later. I owe a lot to Oscar as he got me my role as Bobbi Morse aka Mockingbird in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and it was my breakout role really. I wouldn’t be where I am right now, having worked with major stars I could only have dreamt working for, and currently walking along side the most humble and warmhearted celeb I have ever met. 

Pedro is currently eyeing up a cafe across the street from us, eyes flicking between the cafe and me with his bottom lip jutted out in a pout and his honey eyes all wide and innocent as he flutters his eyelashes at me. A simple look would have gotten me to say yes but what he’s doing in making me weak at the knees so I just fake sigh and pull him towards the cafe, hearing the triumphant sound he lets out. 

The coffee shop is a cozy haven tucked away on a quiet street corner. Pedro moving closer to me in excitement as we step inside, the sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling my senses, instantly calming me. The shop fills with natural light streaming through the large windows, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere and none of that fake brightness lightbulbs give in quaint places like this.

The walls are adorned with local artwork and framed photographs, giving the space a personal touch. The wooden floors creaking underfoot, adding to the charm of the place. The furniture is an eclectic mix of cozy armchairs, wooden tables, and benches that looked like they had been there for decades. Behind the counter, a barista greets us with a smile, ready to take our order. The menu written on a chalkboard, which I take the time to look art despite knowing exactly what Pedro and I will have to drink. We get the same things every time so I go ahead and order.

“Hey! Could we get a caramel macchiato and an iced quad espresso with extra ice and six shots please.” I tell him and he raises an eyebrow at Pedro’s six extra shots but a warm smile replaces it when he sees Pedro staring at the pastries and small cakes with his face and hands practically pressed to the glass. It catches me off guard as it’s the smile you give a couple when you see them do something cute and deeply romantic. I should correct him and tell him he’s wrong but instead I add to my order. “Could you add two caramel doughnuts to that.” and I don’t regret it when Pedro’s face lights up even more. 

Pedro is practically bouncing on the spot as we wait for the coffee and doughnuts, watching the barista prepare them with such love and care while I scan the cafe, It’s quiet and calm with the only other occupants being a group of friends huddled together in a corner, chatting and laughing and a couple sat across the cafe, lost in conversation. The sound of clinking cups and spoons fill the air as I thank the barista and grab our cups while Pedro practically snatches up the doughnuts, having already taken a bite out of one of them before we can sit down. 

“Mmmmm, so fucking good, we - me and you -“ He waves a hand between us, almost knocking his coffee over, “We are coming here very often.” 

“I can get behind that.” I agree as I take my first sip of my macchiato. It’s the best macchiato I’ve tried, the rich and complex flavours making me groan lightly into my cup and I don’t miss the way Pedro’s honey eyes sparkle with amusement. It’s too damn good to care, I’ve made my fair share of coffees as a barista before I became an actor and no way have I ever been able to make one this good. The smooth and velvety texture of the steamed milk adds a layer of creaminess that beautifully balances the espresso's bitterness. It is like a dance between the two flavours, with each one complementing the other perfectly. But the real star of the show is the caramel syrup. It is sweet and slightly nutty in flavour which adds such a warm and decadent sweetness that lingered on my taste buds. 

“You’re making out with that coffee.” Pedro smirks and I’m spluttering. 

“Just because I have actual coffee and not six shots of hyper,” I retort, sticking my tongue out at him, “Whatever this barista has done it’s really fucking good. Like a fucking work of art, a symphony of flavours perfectly crafted and blended to make this-“ 

“You’re cute when you nerd out. You know so much about coffee.” 

“I was a barista before I became an actor.” 

The afternoon continues like that, Pedro and I finding topics to discuss or bicker over but each of us avoiding the topic of our shows and movies. We have an agreement that we talks about normal things, like we aren’t famous or noticeable. Pedro tells me all about his family and I always listen intently as they’re such great people and he seems so close to them it makes me a little jealous as I broke a lot of bonds with my parents when I became an actress. I think out of everyone in his family I would love to meet Lux as she is crafted by the gods themselves and she just seems such a strong and passionate woman with a lot to say and no fear in saying it. She seems dedicated to what she does and seeing pictures and videos of her and Pedro I can see an unbreakable bond that I can’t wait to see in person if Pedro would ever allow me. 

I had told Pedro about my parents and how they had reacted badly to it all. My dad wanted me to become a machine and sit at a desk doing a nine to five job until I get old and die. My dad kicked me out while my mum had shook her head and let me pack my bags, not knowing that I had sent a message to my older brother. My brother had become my pillar of support and Pedro had sat there with pain in his eyes and a hurt look on his face when I had told him everything. He  had promised me that he would always be there for me and I could always find him if needs be which really solidified the growing feeling I have towards him. 

We were on our second round of drinks when my phone buzzes with a message from Oscar. 

‘Mission birthday boy is go.’ 

Then another comes through before I can text back, shielding my phone from Pedro despite the small pout on the older man’s lips as I never hide my phone from him, I could never as I have nothing to hide from the man I am head over heels for but right now Oscar needs me to be secretive. 

‘That means get your asses here now.’

‘Be there in 10.’ 

*

Pedro turns his key in the lock and swings the door open to darkness. He frowns at me, raising an eyebrow in question as we step inside but I stay silent, seeing the smallest amount of movement as I shut the door. As soon as the door clicks shut the room lights up and erupts with cries of “SURPRISE!” 

The birthday boy lets out a shriek of surprise before accepting the hug Oscar pulls him into, the pair laughing and hugging. I think they probably would have stayed like that for longer if Sarah hadn’t wrangled Pedro out of Oscar's arms. All I can do is watch: the apartment filled with weighed down balloons; birthday banners strung up and a small feast of food spread out upon the kitchen island while Oscar joins me leaning against the wall by the door. 

“You did good,” He bumps my shoulder and I laugh softly, taking the beer he’s holding out and leaning my head on his shoulder. There’s not many people here, around 25, and they’re all giving their birthday wishes to Pedro who is practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. I can’t stop the fond smile as he is so happy, eyes sparkling and hands flailing excitedly while Oscar turns his head and presses a kiss to my hair before mumbling, “There’s a surprise for you too.”

“For me?” I frown up at him but I don’t get to pry more when Pedro makes his way back over, a grin so wide I think his face may split into two. He pulls me away from Oscar who takes my beer from me, shrugging with fake innocence when Pedro stops us by the floor to ceiling windows he has in his top floor apartment. His large and soft hands slide up my arms, stopping when they’re cupping my jaw. 

“You organised this for me?” His voice is low and gentle, eyes wide in awe and I go to protest but I realise what Oscar meant so I just nod, scared to see his next move. His ducks his head a little, nose bumping mine a little and I can’t stop the squeal of surprise when his nose is cold and the feel of his warm breath ghosting my face is almost overwhelming. My heart jackhammers in my chest, my eyes slipping shut at the first brush of his pillowy lips in mine. It’s a gentle kiss, full of tenderness and love, nearly knocking me off my feet and how he can make it feel like nothing else matters as I melt into his embrace. It’s just him and me, lost in the passion that comes with a first kiss. 

But the cheering and whooping brings me back to reality, my face heating up and I’m hiding in Pedro’s shirt as he chuckles. Mixture of emotions fill my chest: excitement, nervousness and a rush of adrenaline. His heart is racing just as fast as mine, a small moment of pure intimacy despite the many people observing our interactions. The hug is long and lingering, and as we pull away, I look up into his warm honey eyes and see a mix of emotions there as well. It’s like we both know that something special had just happened between us, and we are both feeling the weight of the moment, knowing we’re in this together and all of our friends couldn’t be happier for us. 

“Happy Birthday Pepsi.” 

“Best birthday present mi cariño.” 

----------

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[wntrnghts]

the bigger cat ✦ p. sunghoon.

✦ your recently adopted kitten has been a distraction thanks to its overflowing energy. maybe sunghoon can help you with it. pairing: sunghoon × reader genre: romance; fluff. word count: 1,112 before you read/warnings: sunghoon’s a snow-leopard hybrid. note: hybrids won't be a recurring theme in my works, it's just that thanks to @moonlighthoon I've been introduced to snow-leopard-sunghoon and I had this idea while playing with my foster kitten; I almost had a cuteness-induced heart attack. anyway, enjoy.

It had been 15 minutes since you decided to leave your school assignment aside and committed to entertain the kitten you brought home on your walk back. It was white with beautiful blue eyes; you settled on the name Echo. To your surprise, the calm looking creature was a demon in disguise. After bathing her and letting her sleep for an hour or so, she came to ambush every one of your limbs that moved ever-so-slightly. If she wasn’t biting your feet over the blanket, she was jumping onto your hands, making it harder to finish an essay you had decided to specifically work on that same day. So you made up your mind; in order to work in peace, you needed to drain the energy out of her first.

Choosing an old shoelace as your weapon, you were determined to finish your new task fast, but as you shook and pulled and stretched your arm to actually keep the kitten’s attention on the shoelace, you noticed how difficult it would be. Your arm was already feeling sore about seven minutes in, and your movements became flabby, while the kitten seemed to have even more energy than before.

You laid on your belly at the edge of your bed when soft knocks were heard outside your door. You let them in and it’s only after you feel another weight fall onto the bed that your eyes diverted to Sunghoon, although your hand was still entertaining Echo. You smiled at him, and he left a quick peck on your lips as a greeting.

“Oh, by the way, this is Echo.” You introduced the kitten to your boyfriend, which you previously talked about with him via text, attaching a photo of her sleeping.

“I figured.” He pressed his lips together and nodded slightly, as if the mere presence of her bothered him.

“What’s that?” You asked looking at the book between his hands. Distracted enough, you lowered your hand, which the kitten unintentionally scratched during one of her attacks. You whined as your eyes looked back at the cat and the fresh wound started stinging.

Before Sunghoon could answer, he took your hand in his and gently pulled it towards him. “It’s a book for my literature class” he replied as he got a closer look at the scratch. Even though he made sure you were alright, he continued holding it. Your eyes stayed focused on your hands, sending you into a trance. Small things that proved his affection towards you and reminded you of your big fat crush.

“Didn’t you say you had an important essay to finish?” He asked, raising his eyebrows, and using a scolding tone in his voice. For some reason he even sounded annoyed, and you could feel his tail whip against your leg. Coming out of your daze, you slowly glanced at him, only to confirm by his ears facing outwards and the grimace on his face, which he tried to change into a smile that only looked painfully uncomfortable.

“I did,” you chuckled at his actions. “But little miss Echo here, thinks of my fingers as some type of worms to hunt, and even if I push her away, two seconds haven’t passed before she’s biting them again. So, now I’m trying to get her tired so she goes to sleep, and I can continue working.”

He softly nodded looking at the cat. “Although, to be honest,” you continued, making his gaze return to you and his ears perk up; you felt cupid’s arrow for the umpteenth time at the adorable sight. “I’m not even sure if it’s working. I’ve been doing this for almost fifteen minutes, and I think I’m more tired than her.” You regained your playing position with a sigh, hurting a little to let go of Sunghoon’s hand. “How nice would it be to have a third arm?” You voiced your thoughts. After a moment, you looked at him with a mischievous grin as he and yourself realized of a great idea– the worst idea you ever had if you asked him.

“Oh no. No, no.” He stood up and took a few steps back.

“Come on, Sunghoon. Please.” You sat on your heels, clasped your hands together and put on a pleading expression. “I’m in distress and am losing hope.” Exaggerating a bit wouldn’t hurt anyone, but you weren’t lying; you really were tired and needed to make major advance on the essay that day.

“No. I need to finish this for tomorrow. And I need my hands to turn pages and stuff.” He lifted the book and his voice lowered as he explained but couldn’t really come up with a better excuse. For some reason, Sunghoon wasn’t very fond of domestic cats– which you would’ve thought the opposite since half of him is a close relative to them.

“Please.” You insisted.

“No.”

“Sunghoon.”

“Y/N.”

“Please.”

“I’ve made up my mind. I won’t do it.”

Your hands fell to your sides in defeat. Letting yourself to be petty, you gave him a nasty look, and as you scanned him, another realization hit you. “Who said anything about using your hands?” You regained your smile, sparking a feeling of uneasiness in your boyfriend.

You were finally free. At the end, your boyfriend –practically forced– had agreed to help so you could focus on the assignment you were meant to undertake all along. You would check on Sunghoon as he sat on the floor leaning against the bed, the shoelace tied at the end of his tail; and with its natural movement and flinching Echo was having the time of her life.

“See? It isn’t so bad.” You scratched your boyfriend’s head. His ears twitching as a response.

He wasn’t actually bothered by it, just the occasional scratch that triggered a whine or groan; but his pride didn’t allow him to admit that and had him continue with his act. And you knew it, this pettiness wasn’t uncommon in your boyfriend, which made it easier to not feel guilty about making him do it. Aside from the scene being something that could make you go into shock from a cuteness overload.

You giggled and laid on your stomach on the bed, so your head was beside his, and gently kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Hoon.”

Sunghoon’s dimple peaked as he tried to retain his content, but said pride was no match to your affection displays and it started crumbling as he let his head hang low and a flustered smile formed on his lips. He sheepishly turned his head and locked his gaze with yours for a moment before doing the same with your lips.

© wntrnghts on tumblr. I do not consent translation, publication on other platforms, editing, or use of my writing for other than reading.

[ahundredtimesover]

Belong (3.5: Rewind) | MYG

Pairing: Yoongi x (f.) Reader

Genre/Tags: exes-to-lovers-to-exes-to-lovers; actress!OC x basketball coach!Yoongi; summer romance; “long” distance relationship; parallel timelines; angst, fluff, smut

Chapter (Series) Warnings: foul/explicit language; alcohol consumption & passing out, family drama, sport injury; dreams & moving away; implied depression; basketball and acting talk; 2014 and 2022 Yoongi; shy and nonchalant cocky whipped Yoongi; almost drowning, explicit sexual content (kissing, fingering, oral, penetrative sex) (18+)

Chapter Word count: 7.5k

Series Masterlist

Status: Complete

Series summary: Being an actor has always been your dream. Pursuing it meant many things - leaving the town where you grew up, distancing yourself from your family that had fallen apart, and saying goodbye to the man who made you feel what home was like. When you decide to finally return after being away for so long, you meet Min Yoongi again, and you’re reminded of the summer romance from 8 years ago with the college basketball superstar whose broken dream pushed you away. As you find yourself spending time with him, you’re left to wonder if love changes, if it gives second chances, or if it’s just another illusion that will hurt the both of you the second time around.

Listen to: Oceans Apart by Secret Nation; Let it Go by James Bay; Already Gone by Sleeping At Last; All I Want by Kodaline || Playlist 🎶

A/N: This one’s a pretty hard one. Please take care and reach out to anyone if it gets too much. So Far Away and Snooze would be good companions for this chapter as well.

7 years ago 

You stand in front of the mirror and gaze at the woman looking back at you. Donned in a blush dress, pearl earrings, and a cream-colored scarf as a headband on your hair, you think you look pretty great. Elegant is a word you could use; you always took after your mom’s style and people described her as such. Some of your instructors think the same, but all that matters is what one specific man thinks. 

Your phone beeps to tell you he’s arrived, so you grab your bags and head out the door. 

“Going out again?” Your father’s voice stops you, but you sense only curiosity in his tone. 

“Yup, and I’m sleeping over at Tae’s,” you lie; he’s the perfect alibi, really. “Bye!”

You turn away and skip outside, towards the car that’s parked across the street. Routinely, Yoongi drives away immediately in case your father decides to check who’s picking you up, and it’s on the first stoplight right as you exit your neighborhood that you turn to the man next to you and kiss his cheek. 

“Happy anniversary, baby,” you smile. 

Yoongi’s eyes trace your face and your body as he smiles back. “Happy anniversary, jagi. You look really beautiful.”

You feel the heat rush to your cheeks. Your boyfriend usually compliments you when his head’s buried in your neck since he tends to get shy, so when he says those words while he gazes at you, you can’t help but feel flustered, an effect he just has on you. 

It’s been a year since you both admitted your feelings for each other and you get to celebrate that today with a stay-in movie afternoon and dinner at the restaurant where he took you on that first fancy date. 

Yoongi says he was supposed to cook for you for lunch but decided instead to go to the cafe you went to after that spin-the-bottle make-out session. 

“It’s where it all started,” he says as he pulls up at the place. 

“Where it started was actually Jungkook’s apartment,” you correct him. 

“Technically, it started in the gym where we had our game,” he counters. 

“Right. Where you got hit by the ball because you were so smitten by me,” you tease. 

“Yah,” he pouts. “You have broken my trust because you told Taehyung about that.”

“It makes me giddy, I couldn’t help it,” you giggle. 

You go through lunch with your usual stories and banter and then head to his apartment, which looks much cozier than you remember it being 2 days ago when you were last here. There’s a vase with marigolds on the dining table, throw pillows on the floor, and comfy blankets on his tiny couch. There’s even a popcorn machine and mood lights that he got for the occasion.

“Baby, what’s all this?” You smile, pulling him close. 

Wrapping his arms around your waist, he shrugs. “Just thought I’d clean up a bit.”

“It’s perfect,” you say, embracing him for a deep kiss. 

You make yourself comfortable on the couch as you curl into him. You finally decide your choice of movie to be Love and Other Drugs, which makes you bawl your eyes out, and that’s followed by Yoongi’s choice of Love and Basketball, which makes him quite emotional. 

Once you’ve both sorted your feelings out and kissed until you ran out of breath, you head to the restaurant for dinner and eat something fancier than what you had the last time. When Yoongi asks for the bill, the server informs him that one Mr. Min has settled it. 

“My dad?” He wonders out loud. 

“Yes,” the server replies. “We just called him as instructed and it’s all been paid for. He wishes both of you a happy anniversary.”

Yoongi smiles to himself and sends a message to his old man. A simple thank you would do even if there’s more for him to say. 

“That’s so sweet,” you gush. “I’ll visit him tomorrow and give him the biggest hug. I just love how supportive he is.”

Yoongi agrees and thinks of the times his dad let him off work early or not at all to be with you when you’d visit or when he’d go to Seoul for you. He remembers the small smiles and words of encouragement when you’re mentioned. He remembers all the ways his dad has shown that he’s happy for his son who’s found someone who loves him the way you do. Yet even then, there’s a bit of sadness at the thought. 

“He’s like that with my brother and his girlfriend, too,” Yoongi shares. “I think he’s just happy that we get to have a relationship like this, you know? Maybe it reminds him of what he lost. He constantly tells us not to screw it up.”

His mom grew up at a farm and worked hard at their family’s business. But she always dreamed of the big city life as a career woman and always wanted to be somewhere at the center of things. She wanted the fast pace and glitz and glamor and little luxuries that she couldn’t have here. She put those desires on hold when she met his dad; fell in love immediately and made a life here that seemed to override whatever dreams she had. 

He did his best - worked extremely hard at the shop, built her a house she wanted, took her to Seoul regularly for the thrill she sought. She did his best, too - returned his love and affection, took care of the family they created, and stayed every time he asked her to, even if she wanted more. He didn’t want to let go of his life here. Neither did he want to lose her, but he eventually did, after the last time he asked her to stay and she said she no longer couldn’t.

Yoongi doesn’t know why his dad didn’t do more, but then again, he thinks he shouldn’t have asked her to stay that first time. If she wanted him at the end of it all, then losing her temporarily would’ve been better than trapping her in this life where she wasn’t completely happy. Being with someone while dreaming of another - better - life just isn’t sustainable, and Yoongi wishes he was old enough to tell that to his old man. 

“Well, if we’re adding to your dad’s joy, then that's wonderful,” you say. “At least we’re not the only ones happy.”

You finish the sumptuous meal and head back to Yoongi’s apartment to continue the celebration. There’s a gift you want to give, you say, and he says that so does he. 

You sit on the floor with him and retrieve the Yamazaki whiskey from your bag to his confusion then delight, saying that you snuck it out of your dad’s liquor cabinet and it’s one of many. 

“This isn’t the gift though,” you say, as he pours each of you a glass. “This is.”

He opens the box that you hand him and softly smiles. He stares at it for a while before feeling the material, smelling it, and then unfolding it. 

It’s the vintage Allen Iverson jersey he said he’s been saving up for, and you’re glad that your few months’ salary from acting and being the assistant to the production assistant of the show you did an extra for were enough to afford this. The way his fingers trace the threading and the hem tells you he likes it. 

“I love it when you talk about basketball even if I don’t always understand it,” you smile. “I hope you keep sharing it with me.”

“Thank you, jagi,” he whispers, feeling like there’s more to say that he can’t find words for, so he kisses you tenderly instead. He knows he’ll be wearing this as often as possible. “Now, I went a bit personal with my gift,” he says, placing a box on your lap. 

You excitedly open it to find a floral silk scarf that looks incredibly elegant, and you squeal in joy at how pretty it looks. 

“Baby, this is so beautiful. I’ve been looking for something like this.”

“Good,” he giggles. “There’s one more thing, though.”

You remove wrapping paper and see a notebook underneath. The cover looks pretty ordinary, but you feel the tears form once you flip through the pages. 

It’s like his diary for the past year, with as little as one-sentence entries to as long as a whole page. 

We watched A Moment to Remember for the 5th time and she cried again. Wish I got to hug her 

She fell asleep on video call and talked in her sleep. Cute 

She spent our whole drive to Busan talking. Some stories she’s told me already but it’s okay. I can listen to her talk everyday and not get bored 

I arrived at her apartment late and she was upset with me even though she kept denying it. I knew because she didn’t kiss me until the second hour. But I should’ve kissed her sooner 

She rushed from her filming to get to my graduation on time. I wish I knew the right words to express how much it meant to me. I’ll always remember it 

I told her I love her first and she giggled. Yah, I couldn’t stop smiling! 

You use the notebook to cover your tear-stained face; you’re ugly crying by now and you’re too shy to show him, but he’s why you’re like this in the first place. 

“Jagi, that gift is supposed to make you laugh because it’s cringey,” he says, pulling your arm so he could see you. “Is it really that embarrassing?”

“What are you saying?” You cry some more. “It’s the sweetest thing ever. Baby, you don’t tell me these things.”

“Exactly,” he chuckles. “I get shy and weirded out so I just write them down. Being away from you is hard and I don’t know if I get to express enough when we’re apart and even when you’re here, so… yeah.”

“Baby, you express enough in other ways,” you assure him. “But this is so, so special. I will read this everyday and imagine it in your voice and your soft, shy smile.”

Yoongi groans. “Just don’t show Taehyung, okay? That’s a super-secret, for-your-eyes-only, once-in-a-lifetime thing.”

You laugh at the way he pouts, and it prompts you to position yourself on his lap and wrap your arms around his neck.

“You won’t be doing this for our second anniversary?” You ask. 

“Well, my plan is to say more this time,” he mumbles, “and not just write them. I… I know you need to hear the words, too.”

“However you want to say them is however I need to know them,” you respond, kissing him deeply. “You love me, that’s what matters. Whether I hear it or read it, as long as I feel it,” you continue. 

You nibble his lip as the tension starts to build. With desire in your eyes, you kiss his cheek down to his jaw. “And I really wanna feel it.”

The words affect Yoongi immediately, and he pushes against your clothed cunt to tease. “Well, do you feel it?”

You giggle your yes in his ear, a sweet sound he likes hearing no matter how turned on he is. 

Yoongi lays you on the floor, ensuring there’s a blanket to rest your head on. Propped up on one arm, he kisses you, soft and teasing the way he likes, while he unbuttons your dress. He cups your cheek like he always does, his thumb detouring to your mouth for you to suck gently, and his dick throbs at the sight. But he pushes on - pulling down your bra, flicking your nipple, and smirking when your back arches already when he hasn’t even done that much yet. 

His fingers reach your sopping cunt and they play you like his favorite game - skillfully, confidently, revealing that cockiness that only comes out when he does something he knows he’s good at. 

You smile through the pleasure, pulling him for a kiss in between your moans. You try to reach for his dick, mumbling how you want it in your mouth so he switches positions, kneeling to your side to be swallowed by you while still pleasuring you with his hand. 

The sounds you make are obscene while he maintains his groans and hushed curses. He just wants to ingrain this image in his mind to remind him of how perfect you are for each other. The way you make each other feel isn’t something that can be replicated. Even with barely any words, he knows that you know how he feels, especially once he shifts again to enter inside you now, letting you feel how hard you’ve made him. 

It’s slow but intentional at first. He wants it intimate, with him hovering over you and kissing down your jaw. But as your moans intensify, so does his pleasure, so he gets on his knees and pulls your legs apart, giving him the perfect angle to thrust into you roughly. 

“Fuck, baby, ye—” you keen. “Don’t stop. Fuck, don’t stop.”

Yoongi doesn’t. He lets himself get lost in the feel and sound of you, gripping your waist as he pushes deeper and deeper. Your shaking legs signal that it’s close to too much, and with a few flicks of your nub, you come crashing, and at your pleas for him to come with you, he crashes as well.

He lays next to your side and pulls you in his arms. 

“Oh, baby. You’re such a freaky romantic,” you tease, cupping his cheek this time and planting a soft kiss on his lips.

His look softens. “Day 1, year 2. We came so hard and then she giggled and kissed me,” he narrates, causing you to laugh again. “She’s so adorable when she looks so soft. I love her so much.”

Summer ends too soon for you. By the middle of it, there were less of the lazy days at Yoongi’s apartment and more of the cafe runs before his training with a developmental team. It’s the usual next step, as the draft for the professional teams is still a few months from now, and this is where players get scouted. It’s basically their time to show the big league what they’re made of; the media hypes the players up as well and that adds to the anticipation of their eventual debut on the national stage. 

Your support for Yoongi didn’t waver. Once he passed the tryout for the best team in the area, he spent a lot of time on the court. You’d wake up to an empty bed next to you because he’s off to morning training; some afternoons were spent in another city where the game was being held. But whenever he was back at home with you, it was all cuddles and kisses and inside stories and excitement from him.

There’s this joy he has whenever he plays. It’s not as obvious because unlike his teammates, Yoongi doesn’t react much. But since you watch him and not really the game, you notice how he always looks around the court before every match. You see the tiniest of smiles whenever he makes a shot or a good pass. You feel his focus when he’s seated on the bench, watching his teammates and then whispering something to them after. 

He was their college team’s captain not because he was the most vocal, but because he was the most observant. He knew every team member’s individual strengths and highlighted those, and this time was no different. He always said he’s a student of the game and would spend entire days just watching play-by-plays and analyses. 

But you enjoyed every day you got to watch him train or play. You snuck in a smirk or two when you’d caught his attention, and he took his revenge by gazing at you after a made-shot until you felt hot all over. He really is a confident one when he’s on the court. 

You left in tears as you did the year before. You knew it was gonna be harder this time - he’d be more focused with training and getting drafted while you’d be in your final year of university. But you promised you’d still see each other as much as you could and you stayed true to that.

Months pass and though less frequent and shorter, the visits continue. So do the regular calls and texts, even if your exhaustion shows more and his frustration over losses hits harder. But the care and love remain.

He assures you of being fully with you after he gets drafted - wherever that may be; he said he hopes he’ll be based in Seoul - and you assure him the same after you graduate. The life you never even thought you’d want is slowly shaping up. You imagine the nice house in the big city and days of his basketball games and your movies. You imagine the mornings and evenings together, all the talks and the lovemaking, and all the hurt from your past being let go. 

It was all good until it wasn’t. All it took was one bad fall, a broken kneecap, and a shattered dream to change everything.

6.5 years ago 

The bell over the door rings, signaling a customer, and Yoongi smiles at the sight of you entering.

“Hey,” you greet, kissing him as you walk behind the counter, careful not to hit his casted knee. “I’m sorry I’m late. The agents took a while to inform us on who got the extras for this series. Couldn’t leave until then. Are you okay?”

“Did you get a role?” He asks, wanting to know how you are instead of him constantly saying how he’s been, which is pretty much the same this past week.

It’s been 3 months since the injury. He got a steal and went for a fast break, got inadvertently hit by an opponent, and then fell on his knee. It was a serious one, he’d been told; it would require weeks of bed rest and more of physical therapy. The mental side of it wasn’t something the doctor warned him about, though, and Yoongi thinks it’s been the worst.

He spent \days in bed with nothing to do, wishing he was on the court to train and play as draft day neared. He had this crazy thought that he’d still make it on time, but when his coach visited one day and told him bluntly - as Yoongi requested - that no professional teams are willing to contract an injured player, he felt his life crash down. It didn’t help to learn that the Seoul Thunders planned on signing him; that would’ve been the perfect path for him so he could be with you. 

He moved back with his dad, a knot forming in his heart every time because Yoongi doesn’t like being taken care of, especially when as an adult, he feels like it’s his job to watch over his old man. 

He loathed himself for not being there for you, too. Agencies usually start getting senior acting students, and you got rejected from your first 4 choices. You tried to mask your dejection during your video calls, asking instead how he’s been doing. He shrugged things off, saying he was okay, the same thing you were doing, and he felt that both of you were just trying to protect the other, or even yourselves, knowing that the comfort you both badly needed wasn’t an arm’s reach away. 

When you finally got that call from a small agency, which you became ecstatic about after learning that they really seemed to care about their talents, he celebrated with you through the screen. He felt you play it down, though, and he knew you didn’t want him to feel bad. The restrained smiles hurt him more than he could say, though, and he wanted badly to just see your joy again.

“I got a role, just a small one,” you smile now. “And you, Mr., why are you out of the house? Being in a cast and cleared to move doesn’t mean you should be doing it all day.”

Your crossed arms and pouty face endears him, and he can’t help but chuckle. 

“I’ve been stuck in my old room for months, jagi. I’m sick of the bed and staring at the NBA posters on my wall and all the awards I’ve won,” he says, his voice and his face falling. “It’s… it’s not a good place to be.”

“I’m sorry, baby,” you say, kissing his hand. 

The front door opens and Mr. Min enters, who’s just as surprised to see his son manning the shop. 

“What are you doing here!” He scolds. “You’re supposed to be resting at home!”

“I’m trying to get the business going so we could earn and pay for my medical bills,” Yoongi answers, his face hardening now at the reminder of the sacrifices of his dad just so he could get the best care. 

The developmental team and the insurance could only cover so much. Jungkook and Namjoon even gathered their friends to raise funds just to help, and much as Yoongi didn’t want to accept it, he knew rejecting the offer would bury his dad further in debt.

“That isn’t your job, son,” Mr. Min counters. “It’s mine.”

“It is, after I made that fast break knowing I’d get fouled. It was unnecessary. I shouldn’t have.”

“It’s a play you’ve done so many times before. You wouldn’t have known how it would end. There’s no one to blame for this,” his dad huffs.

You can tell this conversation has happened before, and as you look at Yoongi’s dejected eyes, you know that he’s feeling much more than he’s been telling you, and you curse at yourself for being too tired and preoccupied to see behind his smiles. 

“I just…” he starts, then shakes his head. “I just wanna do something else that isn’t lying down and feeling sorry for myself. I need to be productive. I’m just sitting here on the counter; I can stay here while you work on some pieces.”

“Fine,” his dad sighs. “But you’re off by 5.”

You stay with Yoongi until then, talking about how your days have been. He insists you tell him stories and you do, indulging him for now. Mr. Min drives both of you to their house and prepares dinner, and you notice that as time passes, Yoongi gets more quiet.

You remember the date and your heart breaks for him even more.

“Mr. Min, I’m sorry to ask but is it okay if I stay with Yoongi tonight?” You say, as you help him clean up in the kitchen. “It’s draft night and I don’t want him to be alone.”

The man stops his movements and glances at his son whose eyes that have lost the life in them stare at the ceiling. As a father, there’s no such pain like this. He thought that witnessing his sons lose their playfulness after he couldn’t get their mother to stay was hard enough, but it wasn’t as painful as seeing his child lose his drive and passion over a crushed dream. He knows there’s not much he can do but you do, so he agrees.

“Of course, my dear,” he smiles sadly. “Thank you for being patient with him. I know it hasn’t always been easy.”

“It’s all I can do,” you hum. “I just wish he doesn’t keep all the pain to himself.”

“I remind him that he shouldn’t, but it’s something he just does,” Mr. Min sighs. “Just give him some more time.”

“I will,” you nod, walking back to your boyfriend who smiles faintly when you say you’ll be staying the night. 

You watch a rom-com and curl into him the entire time, laughing against his chest, intertwining your fingers with his, and nuzzling his neck to give him some form of comfort and distraction from what’s going on in some hall in Seoul. Wrapped in his arms as you prepare to sleep, you whisper words of love and encouragement, relaying what his dad had told you - that it isn’t the end, that he’s too young to think it is, that he has time after he recovers, and that he’ll be back strong soon enough.

Yoongi hums, kissing your forehead to tell you that he appreciates your positivity, that he wants to believe in your words, that your love has been the only light during these past 3 months of darkness. He lets your soft breaths sing him to sleep and he kisses you again - in apology this time, for keeping all his pain from you, for letting you see him suffer, for not loving you as he should, and for thinking that despite all the support you’re giving him, he’s not quite sure how to get through all this.

6 years ago 

The pain from a broken dream is something that’s hard to comprehend. You tried to understand it once, when your mom told you about her own injury that had her retire from ballet early. It wasn’t just the physical pain, she said; the way the heart and soul hurt is indescribable. It wasn’t as simple as trying again after recovering; the fear of a re-injury is paralyzing, the missed opportunities are haunting, and the unwanted encouragement was jarring. 

“It crushes something inside of you and you’re just lost,” she told you. 

You think about her words as you look around Yoongi’s room, void of the love for the sport that used to burst out of him. You’ve just arrived from Seoul after a day of celebrations after your graduation yesterday, a milestone that your boyfriend wasn’t a part of because he hadn’t been feeling well; he’ll celebrate with you back home where it’s just the both of you, he’d said, not feeling like he’s ready to be around other people.

He's been feeling that since the injury, you sigh to yourself. Even after he removed the cast and could walk and run again, you two have barely gone out of the house every time you’ve visited, which is almost every week. Never mind the auditions you missed and the late nights; you had to go see him every time because he couldn’t, and you’re not sure if he was more upset that he’s not able to go to you, or that you were the one who had to see him every time. You can’t really tell; Yoongi hasn’t been open and expressive in a while.

The walls are now bare, with tape markings from the posters that were once displayed. There’s a trash bag next to his bin, and you find all his trophies and medals thrown inside. You fold the clothes on his bed and put them in his cabinet, finding that all his school and NBA jerseys are messily placed at the back, including the Allen Iverson one that you gifted him over a year ago, the one he once wore almost everyday.

“You don’t need to do that,” he hums, closing his closet door. “It’s fine.”

“Is it?” You bravely ask. “Are you?”

“I don’t know how else I can answer that differently from the way I did last week, or the week before that, and before that,” he says too dryly. “You ask every time and I answer the same way.”

Yoongi watches your eyes lose their sparkle that was already faint in the first place. It’s been like that for a while. He supposes it’s the exhaustion from having to take the long trip every weekend to see him; once, you even came here for just a day because you learned he had a breakdown and wouldn’t stop crying. He doesn’t tell you that it still happens every few days, knowing that it would worry you even more. 

You’re also probably just tired of having to deal with him - of missing out on the little things that he used to pick up so easily, of not telling you much about his empty, monotonous days, of not initiating or barely returning your affection. He can’t blame you, and though he knows of the extent of your love that would weather all this for and with him, he also knows you don’t deserve this broken version of the man who’s been unable to love you the way you’ve been needing him to. 

It wasn’t always like this. He was optimistic at one point, but the hope of getting back on the court slowly faded when the healing process took longer than expected, as the presence of his friends and family became too suffocating, as the love he once had for the sport turned into fear. 

He was cleared to move around and do light physical activities the other day and he decided to head to his favorite court at the park for a shoot around. Everything was unfamiliar. The feel of the ball in his hand didn’t feel the same, the movement of his legs were off, the open space made him claustrophobic. 

But he pushed through. He tried to take shots but would freeze whenever he had to jump. It’s like he couldn’t move, and that’s when he knew that the fear had taken over - he’s afraid he’s no longer the same, that he’ll get injured again, that the sport he committed himself to no longer has space in its world for him. 

The breakdown wasn’t intense like the first few times. It was silent but heavy, controlling his limbs to go back to his house, rip the posters from his wall, throw all his trophies in a trash bag, and hide everything else that reminded him of basketball. He slept well that night, thinking that it’s how it is to let go of a dream, but he woke up the next day feeling all the pain and fear and regret and sadness over something he’d lost, and all he wanted was to be able to hold you.

But he’s hurting you and he knows it, and he doesn’t know how to stop. He doesn’t know how all the broken parts of him could comfort and love you when he’s hurting himself. He doesn’t know how his broken dream could support you. You loved him for his passion, for his kindness, for the way he looked at life; he doesn’t know what’s left after all of those have gone. 

“I’m sorry, I just don’t really know what to say,” he continues after the tense silence. “But you’re here and we’re celebrating your graduation. This is all about you. I had food delivered. It should arrive soon, let’s go.”

“Okay,” you whisper, turning away and walking ahead. 

He sees you try to engage but your smile fades quickly. You feel distant at night when you don’t curl into his body like you normally do and he knows why, as he sees through the light from outside - you’re crying in your sleep, and for the first time, he doesn’t think he’s enough to make all your hurt go away. 

The next few weeks fly by in a blur. After the trip back home where you tried to celebrate your graduation with Yoongi, only to feel helpless at not being able to comfort him like you used to, you’re unable to visit until the next month. The roles you’ve been trying to scoop up just to get exposure and build networks have been taking much of your time, including the hostess job at a restaurant that you decided to take just so you could pay the bills.

Yoongi doesn’t seem to mind though; he doesn’t look for you the way he used to. You’re unsure if it’s the time spent apart, if it’s him getting tired with this arrangement, or if it’s that part of him that’s still suffering that’s why your relationship is suffering, too.

Much as you want to just confront him about how everything’s affected the both of you, he doesn’t seem to be open. He’s detached most times, disinterested in what’s going on in either of your lives, and just drained of energy. It’s hurting you more than you’d like to admit because this can't possibly be more difficult for you than it is for him. 

So you keep it all in - how you miss his smile and his kisses, how you wish he could let you share his pain, how you want to just pause your life in Seoul so you could be with him until he’s better, until he’s able to love himself again, until he can love you again the way he used to.

You cry on the morning that his dad calls to tell you that he’d found Yoongi at 3AM, asleep in his car that was parked near the court where he used to play. Mr. Min had been so worried and drove around town to find his son who wasn’t picking up his phone, and Yoongi had only muttered an apology and barely spoke after they got home. 

You take the first train you could back to Daegu, rushing to his room once you arrive. You hug him tightly, tempted to express all your anger and disappointment and apology and desperation over how things have been for him and for both of you. 

“Talk to me,” you beg, looking at him with tears in your eyes. “Baby, talk to me. Tell me what’s going on. It’s been hard tiptoeing around you, guessing what you’re feeling and not knowing how to comfort you. Let me know how I can help.”

Yoongi merely looks away, seeming as if even as you plead for him to let you in, he just doesn’t want to. 

The silence is deafening; it never felt this heavy, this scary, nor this painful. 

“How did it get so hard to love you?” You finally cry out, feeling your heart burst out of your chest at the words that have been swimming in your head. 

You never thought it would ever get this bad. You know he needs you and you’re willing to be there even if there’s so little of you to give, but the distance has gotten too much; no matter how hard you reach your hand, he’s just not willing to take it. 

“Then stop,” he says pointedly, surprising you. “You’re not the only one having a hard time.”

“You don’t mean that.”

“I do.”

He does, in ways he can’t explain. Maybe in ways you won’t ever understand. It’s hard to love someone when he knows he’s lost himself; it’s not easy to believe he still deserves you when he can’t give you everything you deserve. 

“It’s hard but you still do. You still love me, I know it,” you argue. 

Yoongi looks away. That’s how you know you’re right. It’s in the longing in his eyes that he doesn’t want you to see. His quivering lips tell you he’s holding back, that there’s more of that pain in the rubble of the dream that was once so strong and so real. 

“This hasn’t been working out,” he says, a thought you’d only let live in your head for fear that voicing it out would signal that you’re giving up on a love that’s meant the world to you. “It’s a miracle we even made it this long after what happened. I had plans for us - playing for a team, living with you, sustaining us… But all that’s gone down the drain and I can’t… I can’t keep living like this - being so far from you, worrying about you worrying about me, waiting for the day that I’ll get over myself just so I could give you a fraction of what you give me. The distance has just made everything so fucking hard.”

“So ask me to stay,” you tell him, walking towards him so he could see in your eyes how serious you are, that you’re willing to give things up for him so you could love him better, so that could make him heal faster. “Let me stay here with you. Let me be with you.”

Yoongi gazes back at you and so many memories flood his mind.

He remembers the first time. The first conversation he’d overheard when his dad asked his mother to stay. And how she did. 

He remembers the second time and the third. 

He remembers how the joy was fleeting, and how miserable she looked days later, like something was missing. Like the people in the home they built stopped being enough. 

And he remembers the last time - the last time his dad asked her to stay, and how for the first time, she said no, and she took her bags and walked out the door. Yoongi remembers the tears in her eyes and her whispered apology, but that she looked like something he’d never seen until that day. That day, she looked free. 

“I can’t ask you that,” he says in a hushed tone as he looks away, like the words aren’t his, like the words hurt just as much. “I can’t ask you to stay. I won’t let you.”

“But you’re here. I belong where you are.”

“Not here. You never belonged here.”

“If you think that pretending you don’t want me anymore will convince me that you don’t, then you’re wrong. I know that’s not true. Just ask me to stay. I need to hear that you want me to stay.”

“I’m not pretending. I do want you. So much. But so will the rest of the world, and that’s what you deserve,” he answers. “There’s nothing for you here, ___. One day, I’ll stop being enough and it will be too late.”

“You don’t know that,” you insist.

“I do.”

“I’m not your mother, Yoongi. And you’re not your dad.”

“Exactly. You dream of something more than just living in the big city. You dream of something you can and you will achieve because you’re destined for it. You’re not her. And I’m not him. Because I’d never ask you to give up anything to keep you here.”

“Then come with me,” you plead. “Seoul is big enough for the both of us.”

“It is. But you’ll be bigger,” he says, cupping your cheek now. “You belong there while I… I have my own broken dreams that I need to piece back together. And I can only do that here. I won’t let them hurt you like they’re hurting me. I can’t love you right with the broken parts of me. So please, ___. Don’t stay. You and I both know you won’t be happy here.”

You remember your mom’s words as she described what emptiness felt like after she stopped dancing. Not only did she lose her capability but she lost her drive, too; she lost herself in the pain of it all. And that haunted her. It was like a ghost that she let live with her even after you and your sisters came along, and you all had to suffer because she forced herself to be okay and love the people around her even if everything else hurt.

You’ll never know what it feels like but you understand. And so you concede, dropping your head to rest on his chest and hugging him as you sob.

“I’m so sorry, jagi,” he whispers in your ear. “I thought I was strong enough for this but I’m not. What’s left of me just can’t… it just can’t love you the same way anymore.”

You hold onto him tighter in response, not able to say just how much it hurts, but that you’ll suffer through it on your own and let him go like he wants. 

Maybe this is what he needs. And loving him the way you do, maybe giving him up is how you could love him even more. 

5 years ago 

The start of spring usually brings with it new beginnings, with the colors coming back and the sun shining a lot brighter this time. You’re finally able to take a day off from your hostess job at the restaurant after working there for 6 days, with your last acting gig having wrapped up just last week. It’s still tough starting out, and while your extra role had you in ⅔ of the season’s episodes, it’s still nowhere near the break you badly need.

You’re looking forward to today though, as Jungkook and Namjoon promised to treat you to a fancy lunch after their game against each other; they were drafted by the Seoul and Incheon developmental basketball teams respectively, in time for the draft in a few months. You’ve seen them at least 3 times since they both moved out of Daegu, and every time has been full of laughter, with both of them asking to be set up with your actor friends.

The topic of Yoong still comes up, with you asking how he’s been doing. He’s been fine, they say. He showed up at their graduation and joined the celebration after they got drafted. It’s a far cry to how their captain was not long ago - distant, angry, and completely rid of anything that reminded him of the sport. 

Both men show up at the restaurant with their usual smiles, and after ordering so much food that you wouldn’t have been able to afford, you have your usual chat - about life back in Daegu, about your friends, and about basketball.

“And Yoongi?” You ask. “Is he still doing okay?”

Jungkook blinks at you repeatedly before nodding and downing his soda. “Uh-uh,” he hums. 

He doesn’t follow it up and instead nudges Namjoon, who adds that yes, their captain is doing better; they visited him the other month after they both went home for the weekend. 

You eye both men as they hyper focus on their food and try to change the subject.

“You’re both terrible liars, you know that, right?” You frown at them. “I know we’ve been broken up a while but I’d still appreciate it if you told me how he’s really doing. Is… is he feeling down again? Did something happen? Is it his dad?”

“No. Yoongi’s, uh,” Namjoon sighs. “He’s doing really well, ___. He’s just…”

“Namjoon,” you huff, “you’re scaring me.”

“He has a girlfriend,” Jungkook blurts, earning him a shove from his friend.

“You could’ve softened the blow,” Namjoon groans.

“You were stuttering,” Jungkook argues. He turns to you and gives you a sad look. “It’s… it’s been going for like, a few months. She’s a local musician and she’s nice. She seems to be treating him well. I’m… I’m sorry.”

“Hey, nothing to apologize for,” you smile, meaning it. “As long as he’s doing okay, though, right? And I’m really glad that he is.”

The men sigh in relief, perhaps thinking you’d take the news worse than this. 

You try to maintain your composure and control the tears that are about to fall as the meal goes on, a skill you’re close to mastering. You’ve wanted nothing more than for Yoongi to heal and feel alive again and he seems to be; maybe finding someone who could be there for him physically and emotionally was what he really needed. Clearly, that wasn’t you. And clearly, it wouldn’t take long for him to realize that. You have no doubt that your breakup hurt him, but you also didn’t think he’d move on from it like this and this soon, considering how it ended. 

Hoseok, your agent, calls and cuts your lunch short, as he says he got to book you a walk-in audition for a supporting role in a mini-series, with the directors wanting someone new and having a certain innocent, youthful look about them.

You bid your friends goodbye, with them hugging you a little more tightly than earlier, saying that they wish you all the happiness in the world and that maybe, this audition will get you closer to what you’ve always wanted. 

You wait a few hours for your turn to audition, reining in all your emotions so you could translate it during your few minutes of time in front of the panel. You’re not sure if it’s the best thing for your heart that the scene is one where you’re watching the man you want to be with be with someone else, but after you put in your all and notice the small smile of one of the woman in front of you, you think that maybe allowing yourself to be this vulnerable wasn’t so bad.

Hoseok treats you to a late dinner and tells you that it seemed like you did well. Maybe the payoff to the hurt from today will materialize one day, maybe it won’t. But nothing changes the way your heart breaks at the thought of Yoongi moving on. 

You cry yourself to bed and decide that it’s time for you to move on, too. You wake up the next morning and tear the photo of the both of you that’s still on your bedside. 

What’s left of you has nothing left for him, too. You hope you’ll get over this soon enough.

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[c0ffinshit]

(i have to show u this pic before i request btw)

HOWEVER ASIDE THAT...I am desperately BEGGING for a Nathan x reader, and reader is sort of like the star to his moon? (I can fix him /j) More specifically where they meet as coworkers and reader is the school librarian helping bratt write his book. Maybe even helping him out at his house after work?? (You can escalate it to smut or not, I just need this man.)

first off, thank you for the new reaction pic i will use to annoy all my friends. second off... THAT. IS. SO. CUTE.

i love the idea of having them work together and having a little meet cute moment kinda thing. soooooo enjoy this little thing i whipped up in my nathan bratt infested brain

warnings: like vaguely angsty, just brain rotting fluff

Most people think it's easy being a high school librarian. In its most basic state, the job is simple enough if you’re good with numbers and organizing. Fortunately for you, you are pretty great at both of those things.

But with all that, the job can still be stressful, especially during the end of a semester. Usually, every student comes in and returns any books before Christmas break. And because every student checks out at least one book every year, you suddenly get flooded with books that can take hours to put back. Luckily, some years, you have people who help you put all the extra books along with any cataloging you didn’t complete.

Every year is always a different face, except for one. The only teacher who ever came and helped was Nathan Bratt, most commonly known as Mr. Bratt. Whenever he helps you with your books, you help him write his.

You never consider yourself a writer or involve yourself in the writing community very often. Sure, you respect the people who do it for an actual job, but it was never what you saw yourself doing. But when you sit down and spitball ideas with him, something just sparkles inside you. It's all laughter and lightbulbs when you two work together.

You’ve even gone over to his home before. He was shy when he asked, but when you happily said yes, his eyes lit up, and his voice became a soft butter.

He was just a fucking great guy. And when he kisses you for the first time, your spine shiver from top to bottom. Nathan’s lips were a bit chapped, but winter was coming upon Port Lawernce quicker with every day. When you spent the rest of the winter with him, it was like dying and going to heaven. All of your Christmas-related dreams came true in a week. Whenever he sees you around, he always smiles softly and waves hello. You indeed wish you had another night like that, to feel his arms tight around you as the fireplace shines dimly.

It felt like you were the star to his moon that week you were with him. All you have to do is ask. Maybe he’ll invite you over, and you’ll fall in love with him again.

[local-starry-catboi]

𝐀𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧

Title : "As The World Caves In"

Fandom : Honkai Star Rail

Characters : Aventurine, Seth (OC); mentioned: Sunday, Express crew, Acheron

Genre : Hurt/comfort

Content Warnings : character deaths (not overly graphic), spoilers for 2.1 TB quest ending! (and a little bit of hurt/comfort and fluff here), might be hecka rushed

Word count : 4,248

Character count : 24,724

Synopsis : Aventurine is smithing a plan of a grand final gamble and encounters various obstacles he may have to overcome, including himself.

A/n : I NEED SOME MORE COMFORT FOR THIS GUY AAAAAAA QAQ There's one specific scene I wanted in this, but I feel like this should be in a separate one, just solely comfort/fluff between Caged Hound (Seth×Aventurine) °^°

A/n 2 : Will be crossposted on Ao3 when I get around to it •3•

A/n 3 : Chapter 1 on > Page 1 for more context between Seth's and Aven's relationship (and more fluff :3)

Fic under the cut for length ✨️

Kakavasha and Seth were out on a meeting with some important figures on Penacony. Or rather, they had just come out from said meeting. The Stoneheart's bodyguard felt the watchful gaze of the Family members on them. Despite carrying his twin pistols in his chest holsters hidden under his suit jacket, he wouldn't hesitate to use them if he had to. Seth noticed that something about his boyfriend was off, though.

“What's wrong?”, he asked, lifting an eyebrow.

He was walking right next to Aventurine, if just half a step behind him, at most.

“What? Me? Wrong?”, the blond’s body was still hot with the adrenaline rush from winning the last hand in the discussion.

It was like when he’d play poker, his heart raced until the last second. Did anyone notice? Did the other players at the table notice that he was sweating? That his heartbeat was going rapidly?

“I’m fine, silly. I’m just thinking. I’m thinking of things.”.

Things like how to spoil Seth. He was going to take Seth out later and buy anything that he’s been eyeing on.

Rolling his eyes, he let out a low huff.

//Of course…//, he thought.

Shaking his head, he pulled the blond around the next corner. His brown, jagged bangs fell over his eyes. Glaring at his lover, crimson eyes piercing the other's purple-teal ones, he pinned him against the wall.

“Are you sure that you can deceive me? I've known you for long enough to notice. You may fool them, but you can't say the same for me.”.

His voice rather a low growl, warning his employer to spit it out.

Sometimes, Seth wasn't sure whether his Lycan blood or his identity as a Masked Fool were shining through. Especially in moments like these.

The suddenness of his lover's action caught him off guard. Aventurine stiffened, trying to get away from the wall. His eyes widened, a lump in his throat almost clogging up entirely. Aventurine was a bit surprised that Seth could see through him like that, but he wasn’t going to show it. Not yet.

“You know me so well…”, he said in a low tone.

“Of course I do!”, the other man huffed, with his ears pinned back, shaggy dark grey tail whipped from one side to another.

A few moments later, though, he took a deep breath. Seth leaned his forehead against his boyfriend's.

“I told you that I'd share every burden I can with you, for I am your sword and your shield. So tell me. Please.”.

There he goes again. Acting all charming after threatening him with those crimson eyes. How is this man so good at manipulating his heart, he didn’t know.

Aventurine softened, leaning back into his embrace. He was safe here. He could let his fears and insecurities flow free without being judged. He could show his true self because Cerberus was always there to see it.

The blond swallowed hard before finally answering: “I’m scared, Seth.”.

His jaw clenched visibly, even though he gently returned his partner's hug. Gently pulling the smaller man closer, he supported himself by resting his forearm against the wall. This way, the Lycan also shielded him from prying eyes. Nobody ought to see Kakavasha this vulnerable but him. Seeing him show his insecurities so openly made him feel appreciated, loved, and most of all, trusted.

Cerberus sensed how hard this was for the blond to admit.

“No need to be, for I am here to watch over you and protect you.”.

Pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of his head, he hugged the other man tightly to reassure him.

The wolf’s words pierced through him, so calm yet powerful. Aventurine held onto the Lycan as if he was a shield. Because he is.

The Sigonian hated to admit how scared he was since he was the type of guy that everyone saw as the confident and brave kind of guy. But it was the truth. He was scared. And he hated himself. Deeply.

“Promise you’ll never leave me”, he muttered beneath his breath, eyes squeezed shut while wrapped firmly in the wolf’s embrace.

Seth could feel hatred bubble up inside of him. Not directed towards Aventurine, no.

Far from it.

This white-hot mix of anger and hate searing inside of him was for the IPC. They were the ones responsible for making his one and only feel like this, even though they had given him this opportunity to be 'free' albeit in a golden cage with a glimmering guillotine hanging above his head, waiting to fall.

“I vow to never leave you. I'll follow you to the end of the cosmos, till the death of the stars, and even beyond. For I have pledged to be by your side forever.”.

With that, he cupped his boyfriend's cheek, gently lifting his chin in the process. He sealed his promise with a kiss on his forehead before his lips found a way down to Kakavasha's.

Seth’s kisses always made him shiver, even though they were gentle and full of tender love. The wolf’s kisses always gave him the kind of butterflies that would make him feel like his heart was about to burst out of his chest.

The kiss on the forehead made him feel safe, as if there was never such a thing as problems in the world. And finally, the last kiss sealed a promise neither of them would ever break.

Only the two of them were relishing in this moment.

Seth knew about the blond's insecurities way too well. And yet, instead of looking down on him for them, he'd repeat as often as necessary that Aventurine was much better than what the angry, evil, little voice inside his head said. Much better than what he thought about himself.

Since they were standing in a rather dimly lit alleyway clearly not used by any people around them, he could freely kiss him outside the bounds of a closed room. Bonus points could be given since it was a one-way street, and his large figure would cover the blond's smaller frame.

After what felt like an eternity, the Lycan broke the kiss.

“How about we head back to our room and order some room service?”.

He wasn't in the mood for an overly fancy dinner. This way, they could also talk about what was weighing on Aventurine's mind.

The Sigonian leaned against the muscular man, his head resting comfortably against the broad shoulders. He had no idea how his partner had already figured out that he needed time away from the fancy dinners to talk about it.

Because he really did.

“Sounds good to me. But first, can I ask you something?”.

The blond looked up and met his partner’s gaze, a hint of nervousness in his stare despite being close to the wolf.

“Promise you won’t laugh? No matter how weird my question might seem to you…?”.

Gently caressing his head, Seth's hand ran through the other's silky golden locks. With a nod, he confirmed his words to both of his remarks and questions.

“What is it?”, he quizzed, lifting an eyebrow and gazing down much more softly than before at Aventurine.

For a few seconds, he remained quiet before eventually speaking up: “…Can I have a piggyback ride..?”.

The blonde knew how corny his question was and how goofy it made him look to ask for such a thing at his age. But he didn’t care, not with his partner standing right in front of him.

Aventurine knew how tall the man was and how it didn’t matter at all, because he’d still feel safe and comfortable in his arms.

Sure, that question was not what he had expected to hear, but he didn't laugh, at least. Seth just blinked at him for a moment before nodding and turning around. The Lycan crouched down, so Aventurine would have an easier time getting on.

“S'ppose you're tired, hmm?”.

With a nod of his head, he signaled his partner to hop onto his back.

And once the Stoneheart had climbed on, he headed back to the hotel.

As soon as they had returned to their room, Seth ordered something for dinner for both of them.

He looked over to the blond and sat him down, breaking the ice: “Okay, so, what's your plan?”.

He knew that his partner was coming up with something as he set down the tablet with food and drinks the staff had brought in front of them on the little table. He knew that specific glimmer in his eyes, the way his brows furrowed slightly whenever he was coming up with a bigger plan.

Aventurine had a smile on his face that could only mean that he was thinking. The blond glanced over at the big man in front of him, who seemed so calm, with barely any signs that he was thinking hard. It was something the Sigonian wished he could be right now.

He took a sip from his expensive wine, his eyes darting at the Lycan in front of him. Seth had a calm exterior, but the man was anything but that, judging by the way his tail was wagging slightly and his ears perked up at attention.

“So…”, he began, putting down his drink, “I have an idea.”.

“Something to do with the Family, right? The way they avoid mentioning 'death' is suspicious…”, he scoffed quietly, but awaiting his love's response.

He also began eating his steak, curious about what the other's plan might entail.

The blond was surprised that his partner knew him that well. Albeit, they'd been together for a long time now, so it shouldn't actually be a wonder.

“You really do know me too well….”.

“Certainly I do.”.

A lazy smirk graced his lips, his crimson eyes glimmering as he looked at Aventurine.

Before he could answer the wolf’s suspicions, he leaned closer, his hands grabbing Seth’s.

“I have an idea. But I’d like to ask you something first.”.

“Ask away.”.

He was awaiting the other's idea and question.

The blond played with one of his partner’s fingers as he continued to speak.

“Do you trust me enough to go through with the plan I have?”.

He waited for the wolf’s answer before he could say anything else. The blond wanted the big man to trust him and believe in him.

“Well, I do trust you with everything, so... Yes. Even more so, if you don't keep me in the dark, but I don't think I need to remind you about that.”.

A husky chuckle left his throat. If he didn't trust him, why should he have chosen Aventurine as his lover? It would make little sense otherwise.

“I have an idea, but please hear me out first. I know how crazy this must sound. I know it does, but…”, he swallowed hard, his breathing becoming shaky as he continued, “I want to try and test out my theory of permanent death in the Dreamscape. I want to know if it’s possible to actually die here or not.”.

Upon hearing and processing his lover's request and plan, he almost choked on the piece of steak he was about to swallow.

“...What-? Kakavasha, you can't be serious-”, Seth eventually brought out, albeit still out of breath from his coughing fit.

“Don't you think this is a little risky?”.

He trusted Aventurine, he truly did. He just didn't know what to do with a proposal like this.

The other male laughed at his partner’s reaction, but it wasn’t a mean or arrogant laugh. It was the laugh of someone who had just proved a point they were trying to make.

The blond shrugged, as if his plan is just a normal one and not a risky one at all.

“What’s the worst thing that could happen?”, he tilted his head to the side, a genuine innocent smile plastered on his lips.

Realizing that his employer was serious about it, he let out a heavy sigh after thinking over it for a while. Sipping from his beer, he eventually ran a hand over his face.

“Well. I for sure know I can't stop you from anything once you've put your mind on something. Especially if it involves a high-stakes gamble.. I'll just pray for our survival.”.

When he decided that he wished to stir the peace under the Elation's name, he didn't reckon it would amount to a crazy plan like this one day.

“Well, you don’t really have a choice”, he teased, still maintaining that innocent smile on his face.

He was aware of how risky and dangerous this plan was even though he didn’t sound like he did.

“You’re coming with me whether you want it or not.”.

He smirked at the man’s comment regarding survival.

“And don’t worry. We’ll survive. I don’t mind putting my life on the line for the sake of proving this theory.”.

Seth let out a small grunt, practically meaning something along the lines of 'Figured as much'.

“Can't leave you alone in this one then. I'll join you for this experiment then. Two makes for a higher chance in probability. Did I.. get that right?”.

Aventurine smiled and his eyes lit up. Seth’s words were exactly what the blond wanted to hear. Two was indeed better than one. The chances would increase and they wouldn’t be alone in this experience.

“You’re right. There’d be a higher chance for us to survive together”, the blonde agreed, still holding onto the big man’s hand, “So, are we ready to start the experiment?”.

“Of course. Ready whenever you are”, he replied.

It meant that he wouldn't let Kakavasha do this unsupervised, and if it failed, he'd simply join him. After all, it was a shame if he failed his duty, letting his partner and employer die. Truly a shame for a bodyguard.

Even if they were meant to find a tragic end.

Aventurine stood up from the dining table, his body feeling more antsy with every minute that passed.

Was he really going to do this right now? Put his life at risk for the sake of a theory?

His eyes wandered to his partner, and he could tell that Seth looked just as anxious.

He reached over to him and took his hand, squeezing it gently.

“Ready?”.

The wolf nodded, before he reached for his gun, pointing it to the blond's chest and pulling the trigger.

Click. Bang. Splash. Clank. Thud. Then sparkling bubbles. Then silence.

Seth just had watched a peculiar scene: Once he had shot Aventurine, instead of blood that was gushing, it was some kind of blueish pearlescent liquid.

The bubbles and sparkling lights were from his partner's form dissolving into them as he disappeared.

His jaw clenched.

Immediately, Cerberus returned to reality through the same means as he had just done to the Stoneheart. There, he found the Sigonian sitting next to him in the Dreampool; gasping and panting from the shock, but unharmed. A heavy breath of relief fled from his lungs.

Pulling his boyfriend into a tight hug, he let out another shaky breath: “You're okay-”.

Aventurine wrapped his arms around the man, and he was the first one to break the silence after a few long heartbeats: “I’m okay…”.

The blond gulped down hard. His entire body was shaking and he could barely remember how to breath. The only thing that made him feel better was the wolf’s embrace, and even then, the blonde couldn’t shake off the fear that was taking over him.

“I…didn’t die”, he gasped as he buried his face in the big man’s chest.

Nodding quickly, he pulled Aventurine closer. He buried his face in his hair, his tail wagging and splashing the water everywhere. The emotional distress from shooting the blond and himself was lingering on his mind, but their embrace slowly seemed to soothe both of them out of it.

“Looks like one truly can't die in the Dreamscape..”.

Seeing the way Seth buried his face in his hair and his tail wagging made his heart calm down and beat slowly.

“Yeah…”, the blond finally said, after several tense moments of them holding each other, “We definitely can’t die in the Dreamscape. I wonder why that is…”.

“Good question. You want to investigate more?”. Seth asked in a low hum.

It actually piqued his interest, as well.

“Yes. I do”, he said, sounding way more relaxed now. His whole demeanor changed from tense and afraid to intrigued. He had several questions that he wanted answers to as soon as possible.

“So, why is it that we can’t die in the Dreamscape? Is there a reason? And if there is a reason… what is it?”.

His thoughts were slowly turning into theories.

Over the course of the next 48 hours, the two continued to investigate the questions at hand, as well as people who could possibly be linked to the issue.

But also, upon learning a thing or two in the process, Aventurine suggested teaming up with the Astral Express crew, which Seth figured could be a good move since they also might be able to figure something out.

Meanwhile, Welt and the others arrived at the decision to join forces with Aventurine.

The Stoneheart and Dr. Ratio played their 4D mind chess, being in on each other's plans for supposed betrayal, especially after uncovering the two murders.

And considering that Aventurine was present at the scene of Robin's murder, it would be the smartest to directly meet up with Sunday.

Although, their meeting certainly did take an unprecedented turn towards the end of their conversation.

The Harmony's powers were restricting the Sigonian, setting the moment of execution 17 system hours from that point.

Sometime in between, Veritas handed Kakavasha a vial of sorts with a ‘doctor's prescription’, as he called it.

And together, the couple made their way to the final stage of the plan.

The announcement invited everyone to witness the spectacle at Clock Studio Theme Park.

And exactly there, albeit a while later, a group of five finally stepped through the curtains and into the stadium-like structure.

Acheron, Welt, Himeko, March, and the Trailblazer readied their weapons.

“The dice are cast - Ladies and gentlemen, ready to unveil your cards?”, Aventurine greeted through a projection onto the massive screen suddenly lighting up.

Glancing out from under the rim of his fedora, he smiled slightly: “The Architects’ flawed stone…”.

Straightening his posture, he started laughing.

Now that the camera had zoomed out a little, Seth also got visible behind him, reloading Crime and Punishment whilst mockingly grinning into the camera: “You better run while you can, little rabbits..~”.

Aventurine threw a set of dice, they ended up actually rolling over the ground in front of the Express Crew and the supposed Galaxy Ranger.

“Of no value at all.”.

The green and golden dice all ended up with the spades symbol facing up; even the one that bumped into the Trailblazer's shoe.

“I'm putting down the bet. I'm taking the gamble. I'm claiming the win.”.

Bathed in a blinding, golden light, the Sigonian descended from the top middle frame border of the screen, having activated the Aventurine stone's powers.

His form had changed a little consequently; with his fedora being a top hat now, a golden, blue and turquoise mask covering his face, claws on his hands, and an upside-down, heart-shaped cutout on his chest, among others.

“I'll let fate spin the wheel, a daring gamble. Walking the brink of death… for rebirth. All for the Amber Lord!”.

Whilst he was speaking, he seemingly crushed his Cornerstone in his hand, and the cutout on his chest began to glow in a blue light.

The next moment, Trailblazer charged forward, dashing at Aventurine to attack him. Alas, he pushed them aside with ease.

Instead, Seth shoved himself in front of his partner, firing at the Express crewmember inhabiting the Stellaron to keep them back.

A red light flashed high above their heads, cutting through the dark clouds of the night sky. A massive laser beam was fired focused on the duo’s current position. The huge explosion kicked up dust and dirt, sending debris flying. Himeko hoped that her satellite had hit its mark.

Cerberus had reacted just in time, giving his partner a little shove into the direction he ought to evade before he’d leap out of the way himself. He returned the fire and just barely missed her from a full-blown hit instead just a little scrape on her side.

“Ah, so close… Pretty tricky with this handicap.”.

“Always hide your ace with a straight face…”, Aventurine sighed and with a swipe of his arm, the smokescreen seemed to clear up.

He grinned behind his mask for a moment when he noticed that his watchdog positioned himself in front of him, kneeling and yet pointing his guns at the Astral Express crew. His left hand found itself on top of the wolf’s head, akin to how proud fighting or hunting dogs would pose with their pet.

With the other hand’s extended index finger, he was pointing at the group in front of them, he clicked his tongue in irritation: “I’m starting to get a bit impatient with you all.”.

Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed to illuminate the darkness once the dust and smoke had settled. It showed the worry and fear in the Express crew’s eyes. What a beautiful painting.

As he rose further into the air, he chuckled arrogantly. Aventurine held onto his mask for a moment, his head tilted back. He spread his arms shortly before he was as high up as he had planned. The coat tails fluttered in the strong winds at this altitude.

“Friends, to fully relish this- I’m betting every last chip!”.

Playing with a golden and green coin, he eventually lifted the arm he was holding it with until he threw it higher up into the air.

“Only by casting aside reason does one truly gamble..”

Even though Seth’s expression had been rather cold and aloof, yet somewhat tense before, it relaxed a little bit now. He trusted his partner. Cerberus was prepared to die here tonight if fate had planned it this way and they’d lose the gamble.

Coincidentally, he had never seen Aventurine use these powers before either, so it was a first for him too. He had to admit that the glittering gilded sphere extending around and above them with golden-white chips was quite the breathtaking sight, even if the wind blowing could be compared to a storm rather than a breeze.

He simply relished in the apparent fear displayed on Trailblazer’s and March’s faces at this point.

“Haha! ‘Emanator’ - I know you’ll match my wager. Right~?”.

Laughing, the blond launched the various stacks of chips at the scene before him. He didn't care what the collateral damage would be.

When Himeko lifted her satellite for another attack, accompanied by Welt summoning a quasi-black hole, with each of them having one of the young ones behind them, Seth took the chance to shoot at them in an attempt to distract them.

“Don't focus on just one target.”.

After all, they were both equally lethal.

Crime and Punishment both spat out shell after shell that landed on the ground with a quiet clink, practically drowned out by the loud bangs and rumbling around them.

Cerberus used the descending chips and other objects as jumping pads to elevate his position all whilst he continued to shoot his projectiles as their opponents. He intentionally missed his mark by just a millimeter, just as planned.

That is until Acheron stepped forward.

Time felt like it was slowing down. Something sinister yet melancholic sent a shiver down everyone’s spine.

“I wish to mourn the departed, weeping like rain, to swell the crossing stream…”.

Her voice sounded calm, her steps alike. Her hair turned white, her arm red, skin paling. She raised the arm she held her sheathed sword with. A bloody tear rolled down her right cheek as she drew the blade.

“...as the tide arrives, leading you back home.”.

Red static crackled in the electrified air, a black domain swiftly extending with her in its center. The crimson blade dragged across the ground with a metallic clink, until she aimed a vibrant red slash mainly directed at Aventurine. The impact created a shock wave, and a bright white light blinded anyone present.

The slash cutting through the massive gilded dome also sliced through the ground and any buildings in its path, wreaking havoc and leaving destruction in its wake, blasting a thick smokescreen through the area.

Only once Acheron pushed the blade back into its scabbard, time seemed to flow normally again, heavy rain falling and drenching everything.

Alas, for the two men, everything went black. Pitch black.

Seth didn't feel nor see nor hear anything. He could barely form a coherent thought. He didn't know where he was, nor whether they were alive or dead. It simply felt like a void.

As for Aventurine, he found himself in some kind of pocket dimension, standing in front of a black sun, as he bidded farewell to a projection of his own self as a young boy before striding towards the sun where he’d expected to be reunited with his beloved wolf or find his salvation.

Or rather, the barrier’s end, appearing a subspace that requires to be either shattered or breached, at least, as according to Acheron’s information.

[osric-giroux-ffxiv]

Shattered

It’s only once things shatter that they can be rebuilt.

Boots against cobblestone, bitter cold whipping winds sweeping through the streets, and pouring snow - a typical Starlight for the denizens of Ishgard, and as was typical on a cold and snowy day - few were out and about. 

That didn’t keep Osric within the confines of the Cress estate. The building was limited to just himself and the staff as it was. 

Valeria was off with Damien Gray for the holiday.

Edalene was still deployed on the Sirensong - and while the ship was likely on it’s return trip, or should be according to it’s schedule, he and his sister were barely on speaking terms as it was…he somehow doubted she would have wanted to spend the holiday with him.

And his wife…Vahalia…well, after their last discussion - if one could even call it that - he hadn’t been surprised to learn of her departure. 

Not surprised, but that lack of surprise hadn’t made the news sting any less. A poignant reminder of the state of things.

Osric stopped, staring up at one of the looming statues of the Knights Twelve that lined the Pillars as he adjusted the files under his arm - thinking back to the last time he’d stood in that very spot - the number of times he’d stood in that very spot, contemplating the choices he’d made.

He did not regret them. He would not apologize for them, regardless of the number of people who chose to doubt him or how loud their voices were. 

They were welcomed to their opinions - they mattered about as much as the cobblestone under his boots.

He scowled up at the statue for another long moment before adjusting the files under his arm and continuing on his way. 

It had been in his best interest to keep himself busy, from over thinking, and so that’s exactly what he’d done. 

There were recruits that needed to be seen to - basic training was well underway and while the recruits of House Cress were well paid and provided for there was nothing kind about the training they were undergoing. The number of individuals who quickly realized that they were not cut out for the work they were going to be asked to do - or that he determined were not going to be adequate, was quite significant. Not that it mattered - he needed those who were up to the task, not just bodies who could fill the spot. 

He didn’t care whether those recruited were from the Convictors, the Temple Knights, or fresh from the Brume and had never held a weapon. They would all be assessed, they would all go through a specific set of drills to determine their skill levels, and a certain level of basic training. It was not up for debate, and he would  not be questioned. 

After the last several weeks he didn’t have the tolerance for it. But there were some who wanted to press, some who believed they knew better…

“You treat me as though I’m some fledgling who has never held a weapon and -“ Osric’s eyes narrowed, his temper was already primed and dealing with some former Convictor with an ego the size of a great wyrm was doing nothing to improve his irritation. “I’ve seen your lot fight, I’ve had to clean up after enough of you, and I treat you, and every other individual recruit, as you need to be treated. All recruits are assessed and trained as required. You will do as you are ordered to or you will no longer be employed by this house. This is not up for debate.” His hand tightened around the handle of his lance.  The rest of the group was already mid-exercise…only this one individual had dared to challenge him, the rest had sensed his foul mood from the beginning of the morning. And yet…  “Fucking Dragoons - think you all know everything, like only you all have ever killed or fought anything worth fighting. Well I can fight just as well as any of you jumpy bas-“  That was more than enough. All it took was one swipe of the lance and the man was knocked to the ground, Osric’s boot on his throat, the blade of his lance held over the man’s chest.  “Let me make this perfectly clear and for any who feel the need to make this same mistake, let this clear up the doubts you have. For those of you who feel that you are owed more respect than you are being given - you will earn your place here. Take care of us, and we will in turn take care of you. Show us loyalty, and we will in turn show you the same. But for those of you who choose to disrespect those of House Cress, those of you who choose to betray or endanger House Cress in any way, the punishment will be severe and swift.” He pressed his boot down a bit harder, the man underneath struggling, though not excessively as the blade of his lance hovered just above the man’s chest.  Osric’s gaze turned down towards the former Convictor, dark eyes flashing dangerously, “Do I make myself clear?”  A chorus of ‘yes, sir's' was his response to which he offered a curt nod and a simple, “Back to your drills.” before once again turning back to the man under his boot.  “Now then…let’s decide what to do with you, shall we?”

There might have been a time when he would have given the man a second, or possibly a third chance, - the opportunity to prove that he had understood, that he could do better -  but he was tired of being disrespected. Tired of being tolerant of other people's misconceptions - and so he simply hadn’t been. He’d resisted the urge (barely) to snap the man’s knee or plunge the lance into some other joint that would have left him maimed and unable to work as a mercenary any longer - though the urge had been palpable. 

The former Convictor’s pathetic whimperings and attempts at apologies as he’d been dragged off the property had been…somewhat satisfactory. But it wasn’t enough, and Osric knew he’d have to keep an eye on the rest of the recruits as the group progressed. 

He shrugged his coat from his shoulders as he stepped through the front doors of the Cress Estate, handing the coat off to Wyland, but not responding to the older man and his attempts to get him to perhaps stop for something to eat, or to rest…or anything besides continuing to work.

It had been the same pattern that he had fallen into for days. 

Osric simply shook his head, giving Wyland a firm hand on the shoulder before continuing towards his chambers, files in hand. 

The estate was empty, his family was gone - all he had left for him…was work. 

It was only after things had shattered that they could begin to be rebuilt - something within him had shattered, the only question that remained was what would be rebuilt in its place.

[nebulousnajm]

“in a snowglobe” – a scarabedo fic

G rating - 2,979 words. ao3 link at the end.

Summary: Scaramouche convinces Albedo to go to the festival he's been wanting to visit for years but has never had the time for. Banter, disguises, a bit of introspection, and fluff ensue.

––

The winter holidays are usually meant to be a carefree and joyful time, but for Albedo it's one of the most stressful times of the year. Which is saying a lot, considering that there are many things that regularly stress him out.

Dropping temperatures and decreasing hours of daylight make the residents of Mondstadt slow and more predisposed to curling up beside the hearth with a spiced hot drink, and for all the knights’ attitude and posturing, they’re no different. It leaves Albedo to pick up the slack his lab team leaves behind in favor of less demanding activities, and while he doesn’t mind, it’s not something he’s exactly grateful for.

He’s always thanked profusely after the frost melts and the sun-adoring flowers open their petals for longer, but a bitter voice in his head (that Albedo tries his best to keep quiet) tells him that gratefulness won’t bring back the lost time he could have used to do the winter-exclusive things he actually wants to do.

Like following through on his promise to Klee of building a snowman together. Or trying the hot chocolate drink that Angel’s Share only serves during the holiday season. Or conducting his environmental experiments that need cooler temperatures. Or painting the Mondstadt square when it's dusted with snow and the fountain has frozen over. Or or or. The list is endless and Albedo stops himself from dwelling on it further as it will only worsen his mood.

Still, it’s hard not to when the cheery and festive sounds of the Knights of Favonius’ fundraising festival are carried over to him by the wind, as if taunting him. He’s on the base of the mountain to collect some samples he needs, and he can easily spot the stalls and ice rink set up across the river, reminding him of yet another thing he wants to do but can’t. Sighing and shaking his head, Albedo quickly identifies and gathers what he needs, and swiftly makes the return trip back to his camp.

He’s so caught up in quieting his thoughts that he doesn’t even take note of his visitor standing by the easel.

The visitor watches in silent amusement as Albedo deposits the items in his arms on his already-cluttered desk, muttering to himself something indiscernible but no doubt about what he plans to do with everything in front of him.

But something makes the visitor pause. Though Albedo’s face is the calm pond it usually is, today, its placid surface belies a disturbance beneath. There is the slightest frown pulling at his lips and eyebrows, and his movements are snappy and impatient rather than methodical and unhurried.

“So who pissed you off today?”

Albedo almost messes up his writing and whips his head up towards the source of the voice, shoulders tense.

He immediately relaxes upon recognizing who it is, even if a voice in his head tells him that he really shouldn’t have that reaction towards this specific individual.

“Scaramouche,” he greets with a relieved laugh. “How long have you been there?”

Humming in faux contemplation he says, “not long, but long enough to notice that something has disturbed your peace.”

You and your theatrics, he thinks, not unkindly.

“You picked up on that fast.” Albedo hasn’t yet mastered reading Scaramouche the way the other has for him.

“Resentment is an old friend I’d recognize anywhere.”

“Always so dramatic,” he remarks, maybe fondly.

It occurs to Albedo that it is probably a testament to whatever strange and likely unwise thing he shares with the (ex?) harbinger that the latter didn’t immediately glare at him for the comment.

“‘Resentment’ is a strong word for it but…” he trails off with a sigh. How can he put this kindly.

As Albedo is thinking, Scaramouche approaches the desk, pushes a few things aside, and lifts himself to sit on it.

“Have you ever said anything without thinking a hundred times about it?” He asks teasingly.

Raising an eyebrow, he returns, “of course I have, but you clearly have more experience.”

Scaramouche sticks his tongue out at him and turns his head away, but stays silent while Albedo puts his thoughts together.

“The holiday season is when my lab team… does the least amount of work even though we still have the same deadlines to meet, so I end up completing their work for them. My assistant always offers to help, but I don’t want to burden her. I don’t mind it per se, but it leaves me little to no time for my own leisure.”

Looking outside, he sighs. “Take today for example. I’d like to visit the small fundraising festival that the knights set up for the week, but I’m too busy.”

When Scaramouche remains silent for a too-long moment, Albedo turns to him only to find that he’s staring at Albedo with an unreadable expression on his face.

He’s about to ask if he said something strange when Scaramouche says, “just go now.”

Albedo stares at him in return. “I just told you I’m too busy.”

Shrugging, he simply says, “aren’t you busy all year? I’m sure you can leave this paperwork for an hour or two.”

I guess that’s technically true, he considers, surveying the work on his desk. But while he can leave the paperwork for a while… “Sure, but where would you go? I wouldn’t want to just leave you here.”

Mischief stretches a smile on Scaramouche’s face. “Who said anything about leaving me? I’m coming with you.”

His eyebrows rise in surprise. “Are you sure?”

He tilts his head. “Well if it’s caught your eye then it must hold something interesting.”

“It’s a very human festivity, and you don’t tend to like humans,” Albedo reminds him.

“Leave the conclusion for me to reach.”

He hums, turning the idea in his mind. He’s not opposed to it –quite the contrary actually– but it does raise a problem.

“Then we’ll need to disguise ourselves. All the people there know me and you’re not exactly inconspicuous.”

Scaramouche looks around the camp. “I don’t see a closet anywhere. What’s your plan.”

“You’ll definitely have to leave your hat behind,” he starts as he makes his way towards a wooden chest tucked in the back. “And while I don’t have a closet, I do have something useful.”

Albedo opens the seldom-touched chest and finds the neatly folded coats, sweaters, and scarves right where he left them. He takes out a black, light coat and a purple scarf for Scaramouche, and a white turtle-necked sweater for himself.

Scaramouche inspects the chest’s contents over Albedo’s shoulder. “Why do you even have all this stuff? I know you don’t get cold.”

Turning to hand him the coat and scarf, he says, “Yes. You know that, but not the knights; I need something to fool them. And most of the time they need an extra layer anyway because they’re the ones not dressed appropriately for the climate.”

He scoffs at the second part. “Why does that not surprise me.”

It draws a quiet laugh out of Albedo as he goes to leave his short-sleeved jacket on the desk chair and pull on the sweater. The knights have good intentions –most of the time– but they do have their short-sighted moments.

An idea occurs to him. He takes out the tie holding his braids together and works the hair loose before tying it back into a small ponytail. He figures that everyone has seen him with the braids often enough that they won’t expect to see him without them.

Glancing at Scaramouche, he finds that he’s propped up his hat against the wall and put on the coat and buttoned it all the way, but the scarf lies forgotten in his hands as he stares at Albedo for a reason he can’t fathom.

He takes advantage of this distraction to approach him, take the scarf from his unprotesting hands, and wrap it snugly around his neck. Stepping back, Albedo surveys the disguise he’s chosen for him and decides that it’ll do. All fatui imagery is hidden away and people tend not to recognize someone if they’re not at all expecting them to be there.

Scaramouche gathers enough of what he lost to say, “I look ridiculous.” His voice is slightly muffled by the scarf covering his mouth.

Albedo can’t help but smile. He looks unthreatening and dare he say cute like this. “Maybe. But no one expects the Balladeer to be dressed like this, so I believe it will work.”

“You better be right.” He hears him mumble as they exit the camp and make their way towards the foot of the mountain. This is going to be interesting.

~

Strangely enough, it seems like Scaramouche doesn’t hate the festival. – much to Albedo’s surprise.

After paying the entry fee, they decided to walk around first before picking something to do. Albedo knew he wanted to go to the ice rink, but not immediately.

Sticking close to his side, Scaramouche’s eyes are narrowed at almost everything, but if Albedo is reading him right, then there might be curiosity glinting in them too.

It’s hard not to be drawn to the atmosphere after all. Jewel toned tents sprout like blooms from the snow-covered earth; children weave between them and the seating areas with frost kissed cheeks; and a certain joy seems to emanate from the strategically placed braziers, which upon closer inspection, he realizes are actually contained pyro seelies.

It’s difficult to find something derogatory to say about any of it – until he spots three of his lab team members huddled over a table with coffee cups on it and a card game laid out.

“Ah. Of course they’re here.” They seem to be in the middle of their game, completely absorbed and ignorant of the world around them (including the work they left behind).

His companion follows his line of sight. “Are those the assholes that dumped their work on you?”

He suppresses a smile. “I wouldn't say that exactly... But yes.”

“I’ll say it for you then.”

“Is your work ethic this strong all the time?”

“There’s no room for being lazy with the Tsaritsa; she’d have your head for it,” he wears a cryptic smile, “or worse.”

Albedo raises his eyebrow at the comment but doesn’t say anything, though he mentally files it away for later. It wouldn’t be smart to discuss this in such a place anyway.

His gaze returns to the outdoor cafe that his unsuspecting team members are sitting at, and is pleasantly surprised to see that it belongs to the Angel’s Share. Maybe he’ll get to try out that hot chocolate after all.

“How do you feel about hot chocolate,” he asks Scaramouche while looking at the queue. They’ve caught it in a rare lull, so it shouldn’t take long to order at all.

“It’s not bad,” he answers with suspicion clear in his voice. “I prefer it when they use dark chocolate.”

Albedo glances back at him. “‘Not bad’ is high praise coming from you. Let’s go see if they have that.”

Seven minutes later, they’re leaning by the fence bordering the festival and sipping their drinks (an extra sweetened hot chocolate for Albedo and a dark chocolate one for Scaramouche). They have a decent view of the entire place from here.

Chancing a glance beside him, he finds Scaramouche lost in thought with both hands holding his cup.

Albedo can’t contain his curiosity any longer. “So what do you think of the festival so far?”

Scaramouche looks at him before sweeping his gaze once more across the grounds.

“It’s not torture… but I don’t get it. What are all of these fools so happy about? It’s just snow and cold and food they can eat at any time. Why do they restrict these things for themselves to this specific time of year?”

He remembers wondering the same thing a few years ago, and smiles at the thought. “The cold of the winter months tends to draw people to sources of warmth, both literally and figuratively. They huddle around fireplaces and campfires with family and friends, and pass the time with things they’ve delegated to the holidays.”

Meeting Scaramouche’s eyes, he continues. “Sure they can eat Honey Moon Pies, Pumpkin Soup, and have hot chocolate at any time, but by only having them in winter, they bring a unique joy that makes people look forward to this time of year. It can keep them going.”

“You’ve thought about this a lot.” A begrudging fascination peeks between his words.

“Yes; humans are very complex, but also deceptively simple at times.”

“And it doesn’t make you feel isolated?”

“Why would it?”

Scaramouche’s expression goes deadpan and he pointedly looks at where his diamond birthmark would be, were it not purposefully hidden behind his sweater’s collar.

“Mondstadt doesn’t care about what or who you are. As long as you are in its borders, you are a child of the wind. Barbatos is very accepting in that manner.” As long as you are not a threat to his people, that is , he adds to himself in his head.

He only gets a hum in return, though he doesn’t move away as they continue to drink their beverages in comfortable silence. Albedo gives him the time to consider their conversation; he’s rarely seen Scaramouche so contemplative.

After a few minutes, he turns his head ever so slightly and stills at the soft smile on Scaramouche’s lips and the bittersweet melancholia in his eyes. It’s a world’s difference compared to the fury and resentment he so often holds on to.

He’s looking at something a small distance away, and he follows his line of sight to a slightly older child helping what seems to be his younger brother build a snowman.

Never had Albedo wished he had his sketchbook on him more; he feels a need to preserve this precious moment of peace, if only to remind its subject that it is possible to achieve.

Scaramouche blinks and the moment ends. Catching Albedo staring at him, he raises an eyebrow.

Panicking, he remembers his primary reason for wanting to visit the festival in the first place. “Do you want to go ice skating?” At least the rink is big enough that they can stay relatively undisturbed.

“Do we have to?” Scaramouche asks, wary.

“No, of course or not, but–” Scaramouche's expression gives him pause.

He tilts his head with an amused smile. “Have you never ice skated before?”

When he looks away with indigence, Albedo thinks he may be better at reading him than he thought. “No. Why would I have.”

Humming, he says “I guessed that maybe you’d have some experience from Snezhnaya since it's freezing for all but one month of the year there.”

“As if the hag ever allowed me a moment of peace,” he scoffs.

Referring to the Tsaritsa as “the hag” is certainly something, but he’ll just have to file that away for later as well.

“It’s not too difficult, I’ll help you on the ice too.”

Scaramouche narrows his eyes at him. “I can learn to skate by myself, thank you very much.”

Albedo shrugs and keeps his smile to himself, knowing what comes next. “If you say so.”

~

Scaramouche has Albedo’s forearms in a death grip.

“I swear if you let go–” He’s faintly wobbling and focusing on the ice beneath them like it’ll tell him the meaning of life.

Laughing, he says “I won't, don't worry. And I couldn't even if I wanted to.”

As soon as their skates hit the rink, Scaramouche fully comprehended just how out of his depth he was. He had immediately latched onto Albedo’s arm next to him as he tried to balance, and didn’t protest when Albedo moved in front of him to take hold of his other arm and guide him around the rink.

“You said this wouldn’t be ‘too difficult.’” Scaramouche remarks, almost affronted.

“Is it?”

He glances up at him for a fraction of a second, “This is like learning how to walk all over again.”

“Most people don’t remember that” but then again…

“I thought we established that both of us aren’t ‘most people.’”

“Hm. We can do something else if you want,” he points out.

Albedo thinks he probably imagined the slight tightening of Scaramouche’s hold on his arms. “No. This is fine.”

His balance becomes noticeably more stable the more minutes they spend on the ice. The speed of his progress is surprising, but maybe it shouldn’t be, considering everything.

It’s almost peaceful like this. Not many people are on the rink, and faint laughter and carefree chatter tangle with the snowflakes in the air and float over to them on the wind.

Eventually, with Scaramouche’s improving balance, his hold on Albedo loosens but doesn’t relinquish. When he skates without any mishaps for a little while, Albedo loosens his own grip and starts moving away.

But when their hands make contact, Scaramouche holds onto them and doesn’t let go.

Blinking in surprise, Albedo looks up to find him staring at their joined hands as if he, too, is caught off guard by his own action.

A quiet laugh escapes him and Albedo squeezes his hands before pulling him along slightly faster, which causes Scaramouche to hold on tighter to stay upright – but it draws a laugh out of him too.

The whole evening had felt surreal, but this, especially, feels like a moment they’d have in a universe where they weren’t what they are and where everything didn’t seem to inevitably lead them away from each other. And yet here they are, holding hands and skating serenely.

Well, as serenely as they can with Scaramouche still almost losing his balance every now and then. But Albedo doesn’t mind; he knows that with patience and time, all things eventually come into fruition.

––

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43556802

[hollyoongs]

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐉𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐒𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 || (𝗲𝗻- 𝗰𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀)

"Maybe your army comes and maybe it's too much for us but it's all on you. Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be damned well sure we'll avenge it."

SYNOPSIS: 7 guys that have the power to change the world for good in a unique way, sure they can mess the whole city they are battling or end in another universe, but one thing is sure, they will always comeback home for some love.

PAIRING: Iron Man!Jay x Park Industries CEO and wife!reader (the reader is fem bodied) || GENRE: smut, crack || W.C: +7.8k || TRIGGER WARNING: Oral (f), breast play, emotional intimacy, dirty talk, petnames (slut, pretty girl, baby and more), dom Jay, unprotect sex, pregnancy sex, cum play, breast milk play, lots of eye contact, Jay is so down bad for you and your daughter, mention of Nick Fury and Jake's appereance.

The morning welcomed the whole city of Seoul, casting a golden hue over the skyline and stirring life into its bustling streets. Jay looked at the view, feeling a sense of calmness. He sipped his coffee, contemplating the day ahead. It was rare for him to find a moment of peace, but when he did, he cherished it. He looked at a specific picture on the wall a few meters next to him and smiled at the view of you and your daughter at your daughter's first music recital, feeling it his heart and not the piece of metal he had—that warm sensation of love.

"Friday, what's on the agenda today?" Jay asked, his voice crisp and clear.

"Good morning, boss. You have a meeting with the board at 10 AM, a tech presentation at MIT at 3 PM, and dinner with your wife at 7 PM." Friday's smooth voice responded.

"Cancel the board meeting, move the dinner to 21:00, and tell MIT I'll be fashionably late; I need to buy an anniversary gift." Jay said it with a smirk.

"Understood, boss. Anything else?" Friday inquired.

"Yeah, where's my daughter?" Jay started to walk to the door of his room as he was speaking.

"She's having breakfast."

Jay made his way down the hallway, the sounds of the city gradually fading as he approached the kitchen. As he entered, he saw his daughter, Ella, seated at the counter while you were serving waffles for her, her plate piling up as he decorated her pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries. She looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Daddy!" She jumped where she was from where she was, and you look at your husband; he couldn't help but smile at the view of you and your 6-month pregnant belly. You were glowing.

Jay walked over and wrapped his arms around you from behind, planting a gentle kiss on your cheek. "Good morning, love," he whispered, his eyes full of affection.

Ella bounced on her seat and said, "Daddy, look! Mommy made my favorite!" She pointed at her elaborately decorated plate of waffles, her enthusiasm infectious.

"Well, it looks like Mommy's outdone herself again," Jay said. "What are those? Crickets wrapped in a blanket?"

You laughed, rolling your eyes at Jay’s playful comment. "Waffles, Jay. Not everything is an exotic dish from your latest adventure."

Jay chuckled, giving your belly a gentle pat. "Alright, alright. Waffles, it is. Just making sure you two aren't plotting to expand your culinary horizons without me."

Ella giggled, her eyes wide with admiration. "Daddy, you're so funny! And I know why it is."

Jay got near your ear and asked, "Does she know I use sarcasm and humor because of my traumas?"

"Jay, she's five. She doesn't even know what trauma is."

"And can you tell me what my secret is?"

"You're Iron Man, daddy!"

Jay raised an eyebrow, his trademark smirk returning.

"Before coming to eat, I found her playing with your masks." You pointed at the mask that was sitting on the counter. "You can imagine my heart attack."

Jay went to the mask, kneeling down to her as the little one avoided his gaze, just like he does when he does something wrong.

"How did you find... this?" He kocked on the mask that was actually not his but a gift for you, but you shouldn't know that. Yet.

"The garage…"

"Oh really?" The playful tone in Jay's voice was very obvious as he was looking at his child. "Were you looking for it, or did it simply happen to be in the reach of your naughty hands?"

"No way! I just found it, though."

Jay looked at you, seeing a playful smile on your face at the scene they were creating, having our trip in memory land when you two had that type of situation.

"Yep, she's my daughter." He grabbed the little girl in his arms as he took a piece of waffle off Ella’s plate and popped it into his mouth, earning a playful swat from you.

"Hey! Those are for her!" You chided, trying to sound stern but failing to hide your smile.

Jay winked at Ella, then turned to you. "Don’t worry, love. I’ll get my own in a minute. But first, let's have a quick family meeting. How are my two favorite girls feeling today?"

You leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "We're good. Ella’s excited for her playdate this afternoon, and as for me, well, I’m just trying to keep up with this little one and work." You placed a hand on your belly, feeling the gentle flutter of your growing baby.

Jay’s eyes softened. "You're doing an amazing job. Both of you." He turned to Ella. "And you, princess, are you ready for our big day?"

The little girl nodded with happiness. You gave a small kiss to the little girl and a peck to Jay's lips, your lips lingering in his for a moment.

"Everywhere but the garage."

Jay chuckled, giving Ella a conspiratorial wink. "Alright, I'll make sure to lock the garage from now on. No more secret missions in there, okay?"

Ella giggled, nodding vigorously. "Okay, Daddy! But can we play superheroes today?"

Jay feigned deep thought, tapping his chin. "Hmm, superheroes, you say? Well, I just cleared my schedule for some crime-fighting fun. What do you think, Mommy?"

You smiled, watching the bond between your husband and daughter with a heart full of love. "I think that sounds like a great idea. But first, you need to eat your breakfast, Ella."

Ella eagerly returned to her waffles, and Jay pulled out a chair to sit beside her. "So, princess, what kind of superhero are we talking about? The flying kind, the super strength kind, or, I don't know, maybe the genius inventor kind?"

Ella pondered, her face scrunching up in concentration. "I want to be like you, Daddy! A genius inventor!"

Jay’s smile widened. "That's such a genius inventor's answer. We'll start with some inventing after breakfast, then."

As Ella finished her meal, Jay turned to you, his expression softening. "How are you feeling, really? Anything you need?"

You reached out to touch his hand, appreciating his concern. "I'm good, Jay. I'm going to some meetings and see the company."

Jay nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. "Well, make sure you rest today. We’ve got everything under control here."

"I'll rest at our dinner because…" Your lips went to his ear, and he held your waist a little. "Ella's staying with my mother's tonight."

His eyes went wide as you left the room, scanning your body from head to toe, even taking a pick on your ass when you kissed your daughter on the way so you could change into your clothes and go straight to work.

"I'm done, Daddy! Let's play!" Ella took her plate to the sink, running to Jay as she sewed his pants to catch his attention.

"Yeah, playtime." He went to the sink to clean her plate and picked her up after he dried his hands. They both went down a path that they both knew by heart.

"Daddy, mommy told us not to go to the garage."

"We're going to my office."

"But the office is your garage." Jay gently put his child on the floor, standing as she looked at him with her big eyes. Jay's eyes have that characteristic mischievousness.

"Exactly."

Jay grinned as he led Ella to the garage, which, as she had rightly pointed out, doubled as his office. The place was a maze of half-built gadgets, prototypes, and blueprints, a testament to Jay’s tireless work ethic and unending curiosity.

“Daddy, what are we going to invent today?” Ella asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Jay kneeled beside her, his face serious. “Well, princess, today is a very special day. We’re going to create something extraordinary. How would you like your very own Iron Man suit?”

Ella’s eyes widened even further. “Really? My own suit? Like yours?”

“Exactly like mine, but smaller. And maybe pink. Or purple. What do you think?”

“Pink! Pink is my favorite!” Ella clapped her hands in delight.

“Pink it is,” Jay agreed, ruffling her hair. He moved to his workbench and pulled out a tablet, starting to sketch out designs for the suit. Ella watched, her face a mix of awe and curiosity.

“Daddy, can I help?” she asked.

“Of course, sweetheart. Here, you can help me choose the colors and some of the cool gadgets we’re going to put in your suit.”

Ella’s face lit up as she eagerly joined in, picking out colors and pointing to different gadgets she wanted in her suit. Jay let her imagination run wild, adding her suggestions to the design. The garage echoed with their laughter and the sounds of their collaborative brainstorming.

You were walking inside the house after five hours outside working until you started your maternity license. You felt really tired, but you just couldn't miss this opportunity to keep on learning about being the CEO of the company.

Everything was pretty quiet, making you curious because Jay and Ella weren't really quiet people in general. You saw on the kitchen table a sticky note with a message from her husband.

"We went to the park; go upstairs for your gift."

Below that message, there were both your daughter's name and his, making you smile fondly as you went to the shared bedroom. Surprise invaded your body as you saw the whole massage team there with all the supplies and everything to make you relax. A young girl went to you after they all bowed to you.

"Miss, Park. Welcome. Are you ready for your massage?"

Downstairs, the garage looked like a hurricane had swept through it. Pieces of metal, wires, and tools were scattered everywhere, but in the middle of it all stood Jay and Ella, both covered in smudges of grease and paint but grinning from ear to ear.

“Alright, princess, we’ve got the basic structure ready. Now, let’s power this baby up,” Jay said, moving to a large machine in the corner of the garage.

Ella watched in awe as Jay connected the suit to the machine, explaining every step in a way that only a genius inventor could. “This, my dear, is the arc reactor. It’s the heart of the suit. It’ll give you the power to do incredible things.”

He flipped a switch, and the suit hummed to life. Lights blinked on, and the suit’s eyes glowed a bright blue. Ella’s face was a picture of pure joy.

“Wow, Daddy! It’s amazing!” she exclaimed.

Jay grinned, feeling a swell of pride. “And it’s all yours, princess. Now, let’s get you in there and see how it fits.”

He helped Ella into the suit, adjusting the straps and making sure everything was secure. Ella wobbled a bit at first, but with Jay’s guidance, she quickly found her balance.

“How do you feel, Iron Princess?” Jay asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I feel like a superhero, Daddy!” Ella beamed, striking a pose.

“Then let’s see what you can do,” Jay said, stepping back to give her space.

Ella took a tentative step forward, then another, gaining confidence with each step. She giggled as she moved around, the suit’s servos whirring softly.

“You’re a natural, princess,” Jay said, clapping his hands. “Now, how about we try some of the gadgets?”

Ella nodded eagerly. Jay walked her through the suit’s various features, from the repulsor beams to the mini rockets. Ella tried them all, her laughter filling the garage.

“Daddy, this is the best day ever!” she said, her eyes shining with happiness.

Jay felt his heart melt. “I’m glad you’re having fun, princess. You deserve it.”

Just then, a loud crash came from behind them. Jay turned to see you standing in the doorway, your mouth open in shock, with your bathrobe wrapping your body and a face mask.

“Jay, what on earth is going on here? And why did you both lie? I had to send Jake to look for the both of you at the damn park.” You exclaimed, taking in the chaotic scene and letting your fury out.

Jay scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin on his face. “Uh, well, you see, Ella and I were just bonding.”

“Bonding?” You repeated, your eyes narrowing. “It looks like a tornado hit the garage.”

Ella ran up to you, still in her suit. “Look, Mommy! Daddy made me an Iron Man suit! Isn’t it cool?”

Your eyes went up to Jay's, him copying the same action Ella did with her mask. You felt anger but relaxed a bit when you looked at your daughter being happy with his pretty, yet dangerous, suit.

You sighed, shaking your head but unable to suppress a smile. “It is pretty cool, sweetheart. But, Jay, this is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Jay shrugged, his expression unapologetic. “She wanted to play superheroes, and I thought, why not make it as authentic as possible? I'm sorry, I can't focus because of your face. Is that avocado?” he tried to touch it, gaining a small slap in his hand.

"Really? A suit? I thought that we promised she wouldn't have a suit until she was 18."

"Correction. You did."

You rolled your eyes, but you couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up. “Alright, Iron Man, you win this round. But next time, let's stick to toys that don’t come with a potential for explosion.”

Jay grinned, pulling you into a gentle embrace. “Deal. Now, how about we all head to the backyard? I promised Ella some outdoor superhero training.”

You glanced at Ella, who was beaming with excitement, and then back at Jay. “Fine, but the suit stays here.”

Jay nodded, giving Ella a playful wink. “You heard your mom, princess. Suit off for now. We’ll have plenty of time to save the world later.”

Ella pouted but nodded obediently. “Okay, Daddy. But can I wear it again tomorrow?”

“We’ll see,” Jay said, helping her out of the suit. “Now, let’s get cleaned up and head out. Superheroes need their fresh air too.”

"Also, Ella needs to get ready to go to their grandparents while I finish my massage."

"Oh, right, are you liking it?"

"I did. I was so relaxed until I got a call from Jake that you weren't at the park, and I got stressed again."

"I'm sorry, mommy." Ella's voice broke the conversation, and you scrunched to her size, clicking on one of the buttons to open the mask externally.

"I know you are darling. But we will set rules. This suit stays here, not shooting stuff, and you will do it with my supervision or dad's. Are we clear?"

"Yes, mommy." You looked at Jay; he was already out of his suit.

"Clear?"

"Like Fury's head." You took your daughter's hands as you both walked out of the garage, your hands stopping on Jay's chest. "What?"

"Friday, what time is it?"

"It's 4:30, ma'am."

"And what time was he supposed to be at MIT?"

"At 3 PM, ma'am," he sighed as he went to your daughter, kissing her forehead as a gesture of apology.

"Princess, training is cancelled. Go get ready with mom to be dropped off by Jake at grandma's. We will pick you up tomorrow."

"Where are you going?"

"To give a speech at a university." The little girl hugged his dad, giving a cute smile as she broke the hug.

"Go and be a hero, daddy."

Ella's words warmed Jay's heart, and he knelt to her level, giving her a tight hug. "I’ll be back before you know it, princess. You be good for Grandma and Grandpa, okay?"

Ella nodded eagerly. "Okay, Daddy! And don’t forget, you promised me superhero training!"

Jay chuckled, giving her a final kiss on the forehead before standing up. "I won’t forget. Now go get ready with Mommy."

A few hours later, after a successful and engaging presentation, Jay returned home. He was met with silence, a stark contrast to the usual lively atmosphere, but he knew why.

He went to his walking closet to see any suit to wear, Jake coming right after he was called to help him a little bit.

"Can you believe it's already been eight years?"

"I can believe the fact you settle down for good and with a good woman by your side." Jay smiled at his best friend.

"I had so many girls adn the one I needed the most was by my side. Thank God I realized that soon."

"Did you just thank God."

"She made me believe in miracles." Jay adjusted his suit, ignoring the playful smile in the australian's face.

"You're down bad, Park."

"I know. And I won't hide it." Jay extended his hand and Jake gave him the key of his Audi R8.

He ascended the stairs after that, his heart beating faster with each step. As he reached the top, he saw you standing at the end of the hallway, wearing a stunning long red dress that hugged your figure perfectly. Your hair cascaded down in soft waves, and your makeup accentuated your natural beauty.

Jay's breath caught in his throat. "Wow," he said, his voice filled with awe. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

You smiled, a blush creeping onto your cheeks. "Thank you, Jay. You don’t look so bad yourself."

Jay closed the distance between you, his eyes never leaving yours. He took your hand, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Happy anniversary, love," he whispered.

"Happy anniversary," you replied, feeling a surge of love and gratitude for the man standing before you.

Jay wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close. "I’m so glad we have this night to ourselves," he said softly. "It’s been too long since we had a proper date."

You nodded, resting your head against his chest. "I know. But it’s worth it. Our family, our work, everything we’ve built together… it’s all worth it."

Jay tilted your chin up, his eyes shining with emotion. "You’re worth it. You and our children," he rub your belly with love, a smile in his face. "Are everything to me."

You reached up, cupping his face in your hands. "And you’re everything to us, Jay. Now, let’s go celebrate."

He kissed you deeply, pouring all his love and passion into the moment. When you finally pulled away, both of you were breathless, your hearts pounding in unison.

"Let's go," Jay said, offering you his arm. "Our chariot awaits."

You laughed, taking his arm as you both descended the stairs. Outside, a sleek black car was waiting, its driver holding the door open for you. Jay helped you inside, then slid in beside you.

The drive to the restaurant was filled with laughter and light conversation, the city lights creating a beautiful backdrop for your anniversary celebration. When you arrived, Jay led you to a private table overlooking the river, the moonlight casting a warm glow over everything.

The dinner was perfect, a symphony of flavors that danced on your taste buds. But it was the company that made the evening truly special. Jay's wit and charm kept you entertained, and the way he looked at you made you feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

As the night deepened, the conversation flowed effortlessly. Jay's eyes sparkled with mischief and love, and you couldn't help but get lost in them. The restaurant's soft, ambient music provided the perfect background for your intimate evening.

"Do you remember our first date?" Jay asked, his voice low and full of nostalgia.

You chuckled, taking a sip of your wine. "How could I forget? You took me to that tiny Italian place on the corner, and we ended up dancing in the rain afterward."

Jay grinned. "I remember thinking that night how lucky I was to have found you. And I still do."

You felt a warm blush spread across your cheeks. "You always know just what to say."

He reached across the table, taking your hand in his. "That's because I mean every word."

As dessert was served, Jay leaned in closer, his gaze becoming more intense. "You know, I’ve been thinking about tonight for a while," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.

"Oh? And what exactly have you been thinking about?" you teased, a playful glint in your eye.

Jay’s thumb brushed over your knuckles, sending a shiver up your spine. "How much I want to make tonight special for you. I want to remind you how much you mean to me."

You felt your heart race at his words, a surge of desire mixing with the deep love you felt for him. "You don’t need to remind me, Jay. I feel it every day."

He smiled, his eyes darkening with a familiar heat. "Even so, I plan to spoil you tonight. And not just with words."

After dinner, Jay led you back to the car, his hand warm and firm around yours. The drive home was filled with a comfortable silence, the air between you charged with anticipation.

As you stepped into the house, Jay gently pulled you into his arms, his lips capturing yours in a searing kiss. You melted into him, feeling the world fade away until it was just the two of you.

Jay broke the kiss, his breath hot against your skin. "Upstairs," he murmured, his voice thick with desire.

You nodded, unable to speak as you let him lead you to your bedroom. The door closed behind you with a soft click, and suddenly, everything else ceased to matter.

Jay’s hands were on you, exploring, caressing, igniting fires wherever they touched. He kissed you deeply, passionately, his lips trailing down your neck, making you gasp.

"Jay," you breathed, your hands tangling in his hair as he lifted you, carrying you to the bed.

He laid you down gently, his hands took the straps of your dress, slipping them to your shoulders as his fingertips touched you gracefuly, his eyes raking over your body with a mix of love and lust as he realized you weren't even wearing a bra. "

You’re so beautiful," he whispered, his voice reverent as he joined you on the bed.

You pulled him closer, your lips finding his again in a desperate kiss. "Show me," you whispered against his lips. "Show me how much you love me."

Jay didn’t need any more encouragement. His hands and lips were everywhere, worshipping your body, making you feel cherished and desired in a way only he could.

He helped you sitting down for a moment, taking off completly your dress, leaving you with only your piece of underwear, the stretchmarks of your skin showing in his view as he watched your small pregnancy belly.

Jay's fingertips traced the delicate patterns of your stretch marks with tender reverence, his lips following suit, kissing each mark as if they were precious treasures. His gaze met yours, filled with love and admiration.

"You're even more beautiful now," he murmured, his voice husky with emotion.

Your heart swelled at his words, feeling a rush of love and desire for this man who saw you, truly saw you, and loved every part of you.

"Jay," you whispered, pulling him closer, his hand landing next to your face in order to not put preassure on you, taking care of the baby that was about to come. He kissed you deeply, pouring all his love and passion into the moment.

"I'm taking care of everything tonight." He trailed a sequence of wet kisses from your jaw to the valley of your breats , leaving a trail of fire in his wake. His hands followed, caressing and teasing every inch of your skin, his touch igniting a hunger deep within you. You moaned softly, arching your back, craving more of his touch.

Jay's lips moved lower, leaving a trail of kisses and nibbles on your stomach, his hands gently cradling your growing belly. He worshipped every curve, every mark, reminding you that you were a goddess, a vessel of love and life.

"Thank you."

"For what baby?"

"For helping me out all this years, my alcohol problems, my really messed up era and from being here after all, but not as my assitant that I was blindly in love with but I was too drunk to realize, but as my wife and mother of my soon to be two children."

You felt tears welling up in your eyes as Jay's heartfelt words filled the room. The depth of his gratitude and love washed over you, reaffirming the bond you shared. His fingers continued to trace delicate circles on your belly, a silent acknowledgment of the life growing within you.

With a surge of emotion, you pulled Jay closer, your lips meeting in a passionate embrace. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, intertwining with the desire that pulsed between you. Tonight was about more than just physical pleasure; it was about celebrating your love, your journey together, and the new chapter you were about to embark on as parents.

Jay's hands moved sensually across your body, his touch igniting a fire within you that burned brighter with every caress. Your breath hitched as he gently removed your last remaining piece of underwear, leaving you exposed and vulnerable, yet utterly safe in his embrace.

His mouth found its way to your breasts, his tongue swirling around your nipples, sending waves of pleasure coursing through your body. You gasped, your fingers tangling in his hair, urging him on.Jay's hands roamed lower, slipping past the waistband of your underwear, his fingers finding your most sensitive spot. He circled his thumb over your clit, causing your breath to hitch and your body to arch off the bed.

"Jay," you moaned, your voice filled with need. He continued his ministrations, his touch becoming more intense, his fingers delving deeper, driving you to the edge of ecstasy. His lips left a trail of wet kisses along your abdomen, his warm breath fanning across your skin, heightening your arousal.

You were lost in a sea of sensation, surrendering yourself completely to Jay's touch. His fingers moved with expert precision, his mouth continuing its exploration of your body, driving you closer and closer to the edge.

It's very common for parents to actually have time to have this type of moments, him working being Iron Man, you leading the company he built and both of you parenting being a blessing but a curse at the same time, lacking sexual moments mayority of the time. But when they ocurred, you both enjoy it, because love they were rare and precious. Tonight was no exception, and Jay was determined to make every second count.

Your body trembled, your muscles tightening as pleasure built within you. Jay's touch became more urgent, his lips finding yours once more as he whispered against your skin, "Cum for me, my love. Let go."

And with his words, you shattered, waves of pleasure crashing over you, consuming your every thought. Your body convulsed with pleasure, and Jay held you close, his touch and presence grounding you in the blissful aftermath.

As your breathing steadied, Jay kissed your forehead, his voice filled with love and tenderness. "You are the most beautiful, incredible woman I've ever known. Thank you for choosing me, for loving me."

His lips found their way back to yours, capturing them in a kiss so deep and passionate that it left you breathless. His hands continued their exploration, one hand caressing your breast while the other traced the curve of your hip. The intensity of his touch sent shivers down your spine, and you felt your body respond eagerly to his every movement.

"Jay," you whispered, your voice a mixture of desperation and desire. "I need you."

He pulled back slightly, his eyes dark with lust and love. "I need you too," he replied, his voice husky. "More than anything."

With that, Jay positioned himself above you, his body a warm, comforting weight against yours, his eyes filled with adoration and a hunger that mirrored your own. He entered you slowly, taking his time to savor the moment, to feel every inch of you, the connection between you deepening and intensifying with each movement. You gasped at the sensation, your fingers digging into his back as he filled you completely.

The rhythm he set was slow and deliberate, each thrust a testament to his love and devotion. You moved together in perfect harmony, the connection between you deepening with every motion. The world outside ceased to exist; there was only Jay, only this moment.

His lips found your neck, trailing kisses and gentle bites that sent waves of pleasure coursing through your body.

"Fuck Jay, it feels so good." You moaned his name, your voice filled with a mixture of pleasure and love, your body arching into his as he drove you closer and closer to the edge. "Harder, baby."

"My pretty girl wants to be filled? Want to make another baby?"

Jay's words sent a shiver of anticipation through you, your body responding eagerly to his promises. You could feel the intensity of his desire matching your own, the fire between you burning hotter with every movement.

"Yes," you whispered, your voice breathless. "I want it all, Jay. I want you."

Jay's eyes darkened with lust and love as he increased his pace, his thrusts becoming deeper, harder. Each movement sent waves of pleasure crashing through you, building to an overwhelming crescendo. You clung to him, your nails digging into his back as you rode the rising tide of ecstasy together.

His hands roamed your body, caressing and worshipping every inch of you, as if memorizing every curve and line. His lips found yours in a searing kiss, his tongue exploring your mouth with a desperate need that mirrored your own. His eyes never left yours, a silent communication of the depth of his feelings. With each thrust, the intensity grew, the sensations building to an almost unbearable peak.

"Jay!" you gasped, your nails digging into his shoulders as you clung to him, your body desperate for release.

He responded with a deep, throaty moan, his pace quickening. "I love you," he murmured, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. "I love you so much." The words sent a fresh wave of heat through your body, and you felt the tension coil tighter within you.

The sensations were too much, too intense, and you felt yourself teetering on the edge of release. Jay's name fell from your lips in a breathless moan, your body arching into his as you surrendered to the waves of pleasure.

"Let go, baby," Jay murmured against your lips, his voice husky with need. "Cum for me." With one final, powerful thrust, the world exploded into a million stars. Your cries mingling with Jay's as he found his own release, filling you completely, your body shaking with the force of your orgasm, Jay following you over the edge a moment later.

For a few blissful moments, the world was nothing but the two of you, tangled together in a mess of limbs and love.

The world seemed to stand still, the only sound the heavy breathing and the beating of your hearts in perfect harmony. Jay held you close, his body a warm and his dick deep in you, holding his cum in your cunt, comforting weight against yours as you both came down from the heights of ecstasy.

As your breathing steadied, Jay brushed a strand of hair from your face, his eyes filled with love and tenderness. "I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "Thank you for this night, for everything."

You smiled, your heart swelling with love for this incredible man who was your partner in every sense of the word. "I love you too, Jay. More than words can say."

Jay kissed you deeply, pouring all his love and gratitude into the kiss. "We'll make more moments like this, I promise," he said softly. "No matter how busy life gets, we'll always find time for each other."

You nodded, feeling a sense of contentment and fulfillment wash over you. "Yes, we will. Because our love is worth it. Always."

Jay pulled out, gaining a whine from you and his smirk becoming noticeable, he watched his cum dripping off you, his fingers pushing it back beside you, you started to feel the pleasure building up again by that pathetic action, and Jay notice it.

"My baby wants more?"

"Fuck me like you did before we had a baby, please."

"Rough and degrading you, you want to feel like a slut again?" his fingers pressed against the flesh of your ass.

Jay's smirk widened as he watched the way your body responded to his touch. His eyes darkened with desire, and you could see the shift in his demeanor, the playful edge giving way to something more primal.

"Is that what you want?" he asked, his voice low and gravelly. "You want me to fuck you like a slut?"

Your heart raced at his words, a thrill of anticipation coursing through you. "Yes," you whispered, your voice trembling with need. "I want it all, Jay. Please."

Jay's eyes blazed with intensity as he moved with deliberate slowness, positioning himself between your legs. His hands gripped your hips firmly, pulling you to the edge of the bed. He leaned down, his breath hot against your ear as he whispered, "Then you better hold on tight, baby, because I'm not going to be gentle."

With that, he thrust into you again, but this time as hard as he was before, a gasp escaping your lips at the sudden, overwhelming sensation. Jay's pace was relentless, each powerful thrust sending shockwaves of pleasure through your body. He didn't hold back, his movements rough and demanding, exactly what you had asked for.

"You're so fucking tight, no matter how many times I fuck you, you're still tight." he growled, his grip on your hips tightening. "Taking me so well, like the perfect little slut you are."

His words only fueled the fire inside you, your body responding eagerly to his every touch. You clung to him, your nails digging into his arms as he drove you to the brink of ecstasy. The room was filled with the sounds of your moans and the rhythmic slap of skin against skin combining with the head of the bed hitting the wall.

Jay's hand slid between your bodies, his fingers finding your clit and rubbing it with expert precision. The added sensation pushed you closer to the edge, your breath coming in ragged gasps as the pleasure built to an almost unbearable peak.

"Jay, please," you begged, your voice barely more than a whisper. "I need to cum."

"Not yet," he said, his voice commanding. "You don't get to cum until I say so."

His words sent a shiver down your spine, the mixture of dominance and desire making you ache for release. You tried to hold on, your body trembling with the effort, but Jay's relentless pace and skilled touch made it almost impossible.

Jay's hand went to your breasts, squeezing it and seeing how your breast milk started to show in your nipples.

Jay's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and fascination as he saw the droplets of milk on your nipples. A slow, seductive smile spread across his face, his gaze darkening with desire. Without breaking eye contact, he leaned down, his breath hot against your skin, heightening your anticipation.

His tongue flicked out, teasing the sensitive peak before he closed his lips around one nipple, sucking gently. The sensation was unlike anything you had ever felt, a combination of pleasure and tenderness that sent waves of heat through your body. You moaned softly, your back arching as he continued his ministrations, his tongue swirling around your nipple, coaxing more milk from your breast.

Jay's hand moved to your other breast, his fingers rolling and pinching the nipple, drawing out more of the precious liquid. He switched to your other breast, his mouth closing over the nipple, sucking more eagerly this time, as if he couldn't get enough of you. The dual sensations of his mouth and hand working in tandem sent a surge of arousal straight to your core, making you writhe beneath him.

He took some of your milk and went to your mouth, you sticked out your tongue and he passed themilk to yours, watching you drink it until the last drop.

"Fuck, that's so hot," Jay murmured against your skin, his voice filled with awe and raw desire. "You taste incredible."

His free hand roamed down your body, fingers tracing the curve of your hip before slipping between your thighs. He found your clit, circling it with a deliberate, teasing touch that made you gasp. The combination of his mouth on your breast and his fingers on your clit was almost too much to bear, the pleasure building to an overwhelming crescendo.

"Jay, please," you whimpered, your fingers tangling in his hair, urging him on. "Don't stop."

He chuckled softly, his breath warm against your skin. "Oh, I'm not stopping, baby," he promised, his voice low and husky. "I'm just getting started."

Jay's mouth continued its worship of your breasts, alternating between gentle sucks and teasing licks, drawing out every drop of milk. His fingers worked your clit with expert precision, sending you hurtling toward the edge of ecstasy.

"You're so amazing," he murmured, his eyes flicking up to meet yours, filled with love and lust. "I could do this all night."

His words, combined with the relentless pleasure he was giving you, pushed you closer and closer to the edge. You could feel the tension coiling in your belly, ready to snap at any moment.

"Jay, I can't hold on," you gasped, your body trembling with the effort. "Please, let me cum."

"I didn't hear your. Come again?"

"Please," you whimpered, your desperation clear in your voice.

Jay's eyes bore into yours, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Cum for me, then," he said, his voice a low growl. "Show me how much you needed it."

His words were your undoing. With a cry of his name, you came undone, your body convulsing with the force of your orgasm. Jay continued to thrust into you, riding out your pleasure until he found his own release, his grip on your hips tightening as he came deep inside you.

For a moment, the world was a blur of sensation and emotion, the intensity of the moment leaving you both breathless. Jay collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms as you both caught your breath.

"Fuck," he muttered, his voice still thick with desire. "You're incredible."

You smiled, your body still tingling from the aftershocks of pleasure. "So are you," you replied, your voice soft and content.

Jay kissed your forehead, his touch tender and loving. "We'll always have this," he said quietly. "No matter what life throws at us, we'll always have each other."

You nodded, feeling a deep sense of contentment and love. "Always," you agreed, snuggling closer to him. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

As your breathing slowly returned to normal, you nestled into his embrace, feeling a profound sense of contentment. "Happy anniversary," you whispered again, this time with a sleepy smile.

Jay kissed the top of your head, his arms tightening around you. "Happy anniversary, my love. Here's to many more."

You both lay there in a comfortable silence, the glow of your lovemaking still lingering in the air. Jay's fingers traced lazy patterns on your bump, his touch soothing and reassuring. You felt completely at ease in his arms, knowing that this was where you were meant to be. He got loose fromt he embrace and went to the bathroom, a wet cloth in his hands as he gently open your legs once again but to clean you up.

"Do you remember the first time we said 'I love you'?" Jay asked softly, breaking the silence while focusing.

You smiled, the memory flooding back to you. "Of course I do. It was in the middle of you destroying your suits. Just three simple words."

Jay chuckled, the sound vibrating through your body. "I couldn't help it. It just felt right in that moment. And it still does."

You tilted your head to look up at him as he went back next to you, your eyes meeting his. "That was the proof I needed to see that you had a heart."

He leaned down to kiss you again, slow and sweet, his love pouring into you with every movement of his lips. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours, a content sigh escaping him.

"I have something for you," Jay said suddenly, sitting up and reaching for the nightstand. You watched with curiosity as he pulled out a small, elegantly wrapped box.

"Jay, you didn’t have to—" you began, but he silenced you with a gentle kiss.

"I wanted to. Open it," he urged, placing the box in your hands.

With trembling fingers, you unwrapped the box, revealing a delicate silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. Inside the heart was a tiny, intricately designed key.

"It's beautiful," you breathed, your eyes welling up with tears.

Jay took the necklace from your hands, fastening it around your neck. "The heart represents our love, and the key is a reminder that you hold the key to my heart. Always."

You touched the pendant, feeling the weight of his words and the love behind the gift. "Thank you, Jay. I’ll cherish it forever."

He pulled you back into his arms, holding you close as you both lay back down. "And I’ll cherish you forever," he whispered against your hair. "Look at the back."

You both held each other tightly, basking in the warmth of your love and the significance of the necklace. The engraved words, "I love you 3000," brought tears to your eyes as you realized the depth of meaning behind it. It was Ella's way of expressing her love for you and Jay, and it had become a cherished family symbol.

"I can't believe she thought of this," you whispered, your voice filled with awe.

Jay smiled, his eyes shining with affection. "She's a smart girl because she told that to me first, just like her mother. She knows how much we mean to each other."

You nodded, your heart swelling with love for your daughter and the incredible bond you shared as a family. "We're so lucky to have her."

Jay kissed your forehead, his touch gentle and reassuring. "We really are. And we're lucky to have each other too and the boy right here." his index tapped on your belly, gaining a small kick that made both of your shocked.

"Was that his first kick?"

Jay's eyes widened in surprise as he felt the little kick against his finger. "I think so," he exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "Did you feel that, baby? Our little guy is already making his agent moves"

You giggled, your hand instinctively resting on your belly. "He's definitely got some strong kicks in him. I think he's taking after his dad already."

Jay grinned proudly, his hand joining yours on your belly. "Please, he's taking after Jungwon, being capsicle for a while affected his kicks. But, he's got excellent taste if he's taking after me," he joked, earning a playful swat on the arm from you.

"He's taking after both of us," you said, your voice filled with love. "And he's going to be absolutely amazing, just like his parents."

Jay leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against your bump, his voice filled with tenderness. "Hey there, little dude. We're so excited to meet you. You have no idea how much love we already have for you."

As if in response, the baby kicked again, causing both of you to laugh. "Looks like he's excited too," you said, your voice filled with joy.

Jay nodded, a look of wonder in his eyes. "I can't wait to hold him in my arms, to see his tiny face and watch him grow. We're going to be the best parents, just like we are for Ella."

You smiled, feeling your heart swell with love for Jay and the beautiful family you were creating together. "Yes, we are. And our little boy is going to be so lucky to have you as his dad. You're going to be amazing."

Jay leaned in and kissed you tenderly, his love pouring into every touch. "And you're going to be an incredible mom. I can't wait to see you with him, to see the love in your eyes."

Tears gathered in your eyes as you looked at Jay, overwhelmed with gratitude and love. "I love you so much," you whispered, your voice filled with emotion.

"I love you too," Jay replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "And he must be happy, he's the pleasure to say I, Park Jongseong, is his father."

You wrapped your arms around Jay as you let out a laugh, holding him close as you both reveled in the excitement and love surrounding the impending arrival of your baby boy.

The future seemed bright, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of more love and joy to come.

"Do you think our kids will be as crazy in love as we are?" you asked with a soft laugh.

Jay chuckled, the sound vibrating through your body. "If they’re anything like us, they’re in for a wild ride. But I wouldn’t have it any other way."

You smiled, imagining the future with your growing family. "Me neither. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us."

Jay kissed the top of your head, his arms tightening around you. With those words, you both drifted off to sleep, the warmth of your love and the promise of forever wrapping around you like a blanket. It was the perfect end to a perfect anniversary, and you knew that no matter what life threw your way, you would always have each other.

As you lay there, your breathing slow and steady, you felt a sense of completeness you had never known before. Jay was your partner, your lover, your best friend, and you couldn't imagine yourself being with another person that wasn't him.

TAGLIST #1 (CLOSED): @pockettwinzz @kwiwin @glitterjay @yzzyhee @jaeyunluvr @dollyyun @skzenhalove @missoxy @imjakes-wifeofc1 @monstanctiny21 @syazzzlisa @graythecoffeebean @laurradoesloveu @lilyuwon @annestxr @superbbananananana @deobitifull @enha-stars @sooberriesx @aileeeeeeeeeeeee @horijiro @yorukoshii @chokichips @yeonzzzn @ivesti @woniefull @lilifiedeans @strxwbloody @randomanothercreature @inlove-withfrogs @sousydive @mxxninthesky @nyxtwixx @hanversace @kirinaa08 @rayofsunshineeee @avaleyshin @nanayogurt @idkmaybeimgay @immelissaaa @in-somnias-world @lyjngwn @slut4hee @luhvlysuh @branchrkive @jakeswifewithtwokids @jisoosthumb @ramenoil

↷ 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚢'𝚜 note: I just love Jay so much and the word count of this shows, BIG THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT THIS SERIES IS HAVING (made me drop a spoiler over there fr) and idc what everybody says, JAY'S SUCH A DAD'S GIRL 🦋

[dorothea-jpg]

Chapter 2

It was as Jade suspected, maths was a mind-numbing bore. It was so boring she almost regretted letting Barnaby explore the rest of the school while she was busy. 

A yawn escaped the girl's mouth as she made her way to the library. Of course, in true Jade fashion, the library was her favourite place to be in school and she always looked forward to it. It wasn't just the large variety of books or the general aesthetic that Jade liked about the place, it was also Mr Olba, the librarian. He was a nice guy and gave off this 'wise old man' vibe. The only intimidating thing about him was that he was a giant orange Dragon with razor-sharp teeth.

As she pushed open the creaky old door, a calm feeling overcame Jade. The warm brown colours, the smell of books and the small fireplace as the crackling of the wood burned... it was honestly like a dark academia dream. 

She approached one of the non-fiction sections of the library and began to search for a new book. A very specific book may I add. Jade realised she should probably finish off the book she was already reading but when she remembered Mr Olba mentioning that a new arachnid book titled ‘The biology of spiders' would be added to the library, Jade leapt at the chance to nab it.

A moment of shame hit Jade. She could already hear it now. She would be called weird for liking insects, again. Jade honestly never understood why she was made fun of for something as small as an interest in insects, she understood how most of the things that she did ended up with her being ostracized. One of her ex-friends from her old school, Nosiam's Witch Academy even said that she gave off serial killer vibes because she spent most of her time searching for bugs, had a little stick doll collection and to anyone else, she looked like she was talking to herself when she was telling the ghosts to leave her alone.

Why were people so concerned with what she did? She wasn't hurting anyone, was she?

Jade decided to just ignore her feelings and continue browsing around the bookshelf. Who cares about what she likes? It's none of their business. While Jade was searching for 'The biology of spiders', she felt this sudden strange sensation crawling at the back of her neck, causing baby hairs to shoot up like spikes. She whipped around while clutching her nape, expecting it to be either one of her classmates messing with her or the more likely scenario of it being yet again another spirit but... nothing. There was nothing there but there was a magical presence parading around a small room that just sat in the corner of the library, Jade was weirdly drawn to it...

 Just as she was about to walk toward the room, a deep booming voice seemed to snap her out of whatever trance she was in.

"Ah, Miss Graves. A pleasure to see you here as always" 

Jade strained her neck to stare up at the Dragon and gave him a small hum of acknowledgement. To any other adult, Jade's lack of words would've been considered disrespectful but Mr Olba was an understanding man. He knew how Jade struggled to speak sometimes so he didn't take it personally. 

After her silent greeting, Jade returned her attention back to the books she was looking at. 

"Looking for another one of those entomology books?" Jade nodded before Mr Olba gestured with his long claws to follow him. Jade was confused as he lead to the fantasy section. 

What? Fantasy? But insects were real? They were literally a race of mutated insects called Insectoids?

Jade decided she should speak up if she wanted Olba to understand her, she knew she wasn't the most expressive person in the world.

"But... insects are real" Jade bluntly stated. Olba shrugged his scaly shoulders "Headmaster Carbonne insisted that anything to do with entomology should be put in the fantasy section and I'm in no position to argue although this is definitely a new pet peeve of mine" 

Jade nodded in defeat. She was almost certain that Memphis had something to do with this. She knew what buttons to press when it came to upsetting Jade and she was good at it. Since Memphis is the daughter of the Headmaster, she most likely pulled some strings and asked him to move some things around just to make Jade uncomfortable.

Jade didn’t do anything to Memphis nor did she show any signs of wanting to have a conflict with her. Memphis just assumed that Jade was her natural academic rival and ran with it.

Now, Pandora and Memphis had something worse going on. They were proper enemies. They despised each other and did whatever they could to upset each other. 

That’s probably why Memphis decided to mess with Jade outside of academics and mess with Pandora’s other friends as well, especially her closest friends which just so happened to involve Jade. They were two others, however.

Ashe Wagen. A Magma Elemental who was short and had ADHD. She had a pretty short temper and liked to be a class clown.

And Brucie Erksine. An Ashray Fairy who was a huge loner and also an orphan. They were very sarcastic and they weren’t very friendly.

These little things about them made them easy targets for any typical bully. Jade couldn't be sure if Memphis even cared about these little nitpicks or if she just wanted to get under Pandora's skin.

Mr Olba stalked away to leave Jade to read in peace as she had done for the past two years she had attended Elk Grove. Just as she had sat down at one of the tables and relaxed, opening her book from home, 'The Queen of Flames', Barnaby floated through the walls, rushing to get to Jade. She gave the boy a worried glance as he tried to get all of his words out at once. She couldn't make out a lot of what he was saying but what she could comprehend as words were just 'Door, room, book and chains' which yet again got a confused expression out of her.

It all made sense to her as Barnaby pointed to the strange room she had been entranced by before. 

"What about the room?" Jade questioned "A chained-up book, Witch! A chained-up book! Why on earth would a book be chained up!? What secrets are you all hiding in this place!?" This had Jade's curious mind whirring. Yes, Barnaby was right... Why would one singular book be chained up? I mean, It was a book. Why would someone...? 

"Witch!" Barnaby's transparent fingers snapped in front of Jade's face "Are you still with me? We're going to investigate right?" Snapping back into reality for just a second, Jade replied "What? As much as I'd like to, we can't. We'd get caught almost immediately"

'Correction, I'd get caught because I'm the only one who can see you' Jade mentioned in her head.

"We could get your Demonic friend to help? She seems like the type to love this" Jade could only shrug. On one hand, her curiosity was killing her but on the other, she didn't want to risk detention. 

"I can't, Barnaby. I-" Jade's sentence was cut off by the school bell ringing loudly around the building. 

Jade sighed in relief "Oh, look. There's the bell. Bye" Jade packed up her two books and trudged toward the library's exit, leaving Barnaby’s stuttering protests behind her.

~*~

Jade had caught Pandora, Ashe and Brucie on her way to Ancient Elven class. 'Perfect' she thought, this would be the perfect opportunity to talk to Pandora about that curious room she had spotted in the library. Ancient Elven was a pretty boring class with a horrendously boring teacher who opted to just hand out sheets of paper before playing games on his phone for the rest of the lesson and no one paid attention anyway, everyone just got into their own groups and had conversations with their friends.

The same went for Jade and her friends. Pandora and Ash would talk each other's ear off for the whole 'lesson' while Jade multitasked by listening in on their conversation and read at the same time. Brucie would use the teacher's lack of attention on his students to their advantage and take a nap.

Once everyone had gotten into their groups and the teacher began speaking, Jade took the chance to speak to Pandora. Well, I say speak lightly, Jade tugged on Pandora's mini skirt to get her attention so Pandora stopped her small conversation with an Air Elemental that Jade didn't know and raised her eyebrows as if to say 'What's up?'. Jade leaned in closer so that no one else would hear.

"What would you say if I said I wanted to do something that could possibly get me in trouble?" 

Pandora's mischievous eyes lit up at the question "Say sike right now! Who even are you!?" The Demon girl physically had to hold back her screech of excitement "What's this about, ghost girl? I've never known you to be so... me, before" 

Jade hesitated before answering "There's a strange room in the library. Barnaby came to me, yelling about a book that was chained up" Pandora nodded along as Jade spoke. This was the most entertained she had been for hours.

...

"Wait, who's Barnaby?"

...

Jade ignored the offended gasp that escaped Barnaby's mouth. How could anyone not know who he was!? Anyway, Pandora had partially met him that morning! How could she have already disregarded his presence!?

Jade shook her head at Pandora, signalling her to just forget it and move on.

"I was thinking... Maybe if we wait for Mr Olba to go on one of his holidays, we could use that to our advantage since when he's gone, the library is unattended. We could see what was actually in that room" Pandora had a surprised, almost proud look on her face. She felt like she was watching her child grow up. Not only was that the most Jade had spoken in three days, but it was also Jade being less obedient. 

"Yes! Let's do it! This is honestly more exciting than the parties were get in hell!" Jade's eyes sparkled as she stared at her friend but she quickly noticed the interested gazes of Ashe and Brucie. Jade stiffened, It's not like she didn't want her other friends to be involved it's just because well... Ashe was a loud, clumsy and distracted person and Brucie was more like a stressed-out dad that would pull their kids away from anything even remotely risky.

Jade slowly lowered her head onto the wooden desk as she felt Brucie's suspicious eyes on her.

Pandora was beaming though, she was probably going to get the others involved anyway unless Jade specifically said it was a secret between just the two of them. Oh well, it was too late anyway. Ashe and Brucie already knew something was up.

"Are we breaking in somewhere!?" Ashe questioned loudly, earning a light punch from Brucie.

"No, we're not. Jade and Pandora aren't actually going to waste their time on some dumb locked door. Right, you two?" Brucie sent a warning glare to the two girls, mainly Pandora. If Ashe's interests were piqued, there would be no stopping the hyperactive girl.

"Um, are you kidding me? This is the first time Jade has suggested something like this. Don't get me wrong, It's over a boring book but come on! This is the same feeling you would get when your baby starts teething!" 

Brucie rolled their eyes and focused on Jade "How do you know about this book anyway? Didn't you say the door was locked?" Jade silently nodded and Ashe leaned into the group closer, getting a thrill of excitement all over again.

"A ghost told me" 

Snickers were heard from the desk in front of the four causing Pandora to snarl. A Cyclops and a Fairy were mocking Jade by repeating what she said in a tone that wasn't friendly. Jade and Brucie acted swiftly by grabbing one of Pandora's red arms each, knowing what she would do to people who messed with her or her friends. Jade and Brucie may have been quick in stopping a sudden physical fight but Ashe was not quick enough to cover Pandora's mouth...

"Do you want to repeat that to my face, beady?" Pandora snapped at the mean girl, immediately causing her laughter to dissipate "What did you just call me?" The Cyclops glared as Jade immediately let go of Pandora's arm and sunk down into her plastic seat, embarrassed about the fight that was about to happen 

"Are you deaf? I called you beady and I swear to my grandpa Abbadon if your berserker-looking boyfriend doesn't stop gawking at me like I'm a four-course meal I will crush both of you with a damn chair. Ugh! Pathetic loser..." 

Pandora sounded as if she was done with the short argument. She did say she would try to stop.

Unfortunately, the Cyclops wasn't done.

"Fight me then, Ugly! I don't care if you're some sort of rich princess who thinks the whole world revolves around them but I'm not scared to fight you!" 

Pandora gasped. 

Okay, that was it. She always put so much effort into the way she looked and the fact that someone had the gall to call her... Ugly!? Yeah, she would risk her acrylic nails to heal her bruised ego.

Pandora instantly ripped from Brucie's remaining grip and latched onto the Cyclops' short hair. The screaming had finally alerted the teacher of the fight. He scrambled up from his desk and ran up to the girls begging them to stop but he definitely kept a safe distance away, there was absolutely no way he was getting in the middle of two vicious teenage girls.

"Ladies please-!"

"Sir! Ashe is melting her desk!" A shrill voice exclaimed. Ashe looked down in shock and she had, in fact, melted a hole into the desk. This was a thing that happened quite a lot with Ashe. She was a Magma Elemental and like many, she had lava-like hair that would act as literal scalding lava when she experienced any intense emotion. 

She must've been really hyped about the situation huh?

Ashe looked around the room in annoyance. Trying to find the person who was going to get her in trouble.

"Snitch!" The short girl shrieked at a Purple Slime Humanoid who sat in the corner by herself, starting a completely different fight with the girl. Brucie felt as if they were experiencing an aneurysm. They copied Jade by sinking into their chair, they pinched the bridge of their nose and let out an exasperated sigh at all the chaos.

...

Pandora and the Cyclops girl got put into isolation for the rest of the day. Ashe and the Slime Humanoid were subjected to only a small lunchtime detention. The only ones left were Jade and Brucie, who had retreated to their usual meeting place under the stairs in one of the abandoned hallways of Elk Grove.

“Ugh… I feel like a damn babysitter who can’t keep two delinquent kids under control” They muttered, scratching their turquoise neck in irritation.

“That’s exactly what you are”

Brucie rolled their eyes.

 “Gee, thanks a lot, Ghost Girl. That makes me feel so much better” They said, tone filled to the brim with light-hearted sarcasm.

“I should send them both back to the adoption agency. You’re the only one who doesn’t give me constant headaches”

“That’s because I’m the spirit of your biological child that you tried to replace and I’m out for revenge”

Brucie raised their eyebrows “Damn, Jade. Keep the roleplay going why don’t you?” 

Jade’s face stretched into a small smile. 

“Do you know when Mr Olba’s next holiday is? I’m still trying to memorise a pattern” Jade asked, thinking back on her plan to check that strange book out.

Brucie frowned “I think you should just leave it alone. I mean, it’s not that important is it? It’s just a stupid book. Obviously, I’m questioning why it would be chained up but like, It’s not worth getting into trouble for” 

Jade nodded in understanding.

“Yes but Barnaby was so freaked out about it. And…” Jade paused, wondering to herself if she should tell Brucie about that weird sensation she felt when she was near that room.

“And what? Come on, just tell me” 

Brucie wasn’t a bad person. They were a bit rough around the edges and slightly mean but Jade noticed that they were softer around her. That was the case with most of Pandora’s other friends though. Maybe she said something about what happened to her? 

She could trust Brucie not to call her crazy, right?

“I… Felt something”

Brucie could probably get middle-aged wrinkles at seventeen years old with how much they were furrowing their eyebrows.

“You felt something?” They deadpanned. 

Jade nodded “Yes. It was a strange sensation that hit the back of my neck, it felt like one of those random shivers you get when you’re just minding your own business” 

Brucie studied Jade’s face for nothing, in particular, they were just processing what Jade had told them.

“Ok, so? It could have just been one of those random shovers you were talking about. How do you know it wasn’t?” 

Jade shrugged “It just felt different, more magically inclined. If you understand what I’m saying”

Brucie exhaled. Although they weren’t really getting what Jade was saying, they reckoned they should just let her do what she wanted.

“Mr Olba’s next holiday is next year, Jade. How do you expect to get through?” 

Brucie felt some sort of heartache watching the Witch physically deflate like a balloon. 

“I don’t know… I guess I can live without one piece of information. Thanks” Jade stopped talking and opted to start eating her leftover gummy wyrms. 

A moment of silence fell upon the two. 

…

…

…

“UGH! FINE!”

Brucie’s sudden outburst caused Jade to drop her packet of sweets on the dirty floor.

“My gummy wyrms…”

“I’ll help you get that stupid book but you better not ask me for any more favours for the next five years! You hear me, Ghost Girl!?” 

If you looked close enough, you could probably see Jade’s eyes sparkle in gratitude.

 ~*~

Pandora usually went out of her way to walk Jade home but since she was asked to stay after school so that Headmaster Carbonne could speak to her parents, Jade walked alone.

Well... Not exactly alone...

"Today was just so amazing, Witch!" Barnaby giggled as he floated alongside Jade. She could help but smile at the boy's enthusiasm. It was refreshing to see honestly.

"You're welcome although you did twist my arm" 

Barnaby pouted at the albino girl "If I didn't you would never have had the honour of basking in my presence!" 

Jade rolled her eyes but played along anyway "And what an honour it was. It was nice having you around Barnaby, I just wish more spirits were like you" 

Barnaby's face scrunched up in confusion "Are ghosts not nice?" Jade paused "Let's just say they're not always pleasant to be around" Barnaby nodded and didn't question any further.

The two reached Jade's house but as she went to open the front door, Barnaby backed away.

"What's wrong? Jade asked. 

Barnaby's eyes were wide with fear "We're not supposed to go near Liches. An old hag told me that if I ever encounter one I should get as far away from them as possible because they would destroy my very being!" 

Jade's eyes held an unknown emotion "I know a big scary Liche lives in this house! Why are we here!?" Barnaby suddenly snapped at Jade, looking at her for answers. 

"W-Well... I live here..." Jade's shock had her stuttering, it was almost embarrassing for her.

"Why do you live with a Liche!? I thought you were a Witch!?" Barnaby's accusatory tine had Jade retreating into herself "I-I am, Barnaby. I thought you knew this... You can't be a Death Witch without any parental relations to a Liche...I'm Half Witch because my dad is a Liche..." 

Barnaby gasped "You're a Liche!?" His face was in disbelief.

 "No! I'm just half Liche. I don't have the ability to destroy someone's remaining soul, I can only see and talk to them at the moment..." 

Barnaby backed away further "At the moment!? Was this all a trick!? Were you just pretending to be my friend so that you could destroy me!?" Jade could only shake her head, rendered speechless at how fast things had gone south. 

Barnaby took her silence as confirmation "I knew it! Stay away from me, you evil wench!" And with that, Barnaby flew away into the woods. 

Jade stood in the same spot in silence for a few moments before Grim opened the door.

"What the hell are you doing just standing around out here? What's up with you?" His question came out as rough and harsh but he was kind of concerned. In all of the five months that he had known his daughter, he had never seen a look on her face such as her current one.

Jade seemed to snap out of it once one of Grim's skeletal fingers poked at the younger girl's shoulder "You good?" His gruff voice asked. The way Jade looked at him as if she wasn't conscious was concerning Grim, to say the least. 

"Oh... Yeah..." Jade replied quietly and walked past him through the large door and straight upstairs to her bedroom. Grim sighed, he was in a seriously difficult position. He wasn't stupid, he knew something had clearly upset Jade but he was questioning whether or not he should get involved. Again, they had only known each other for five months, they were still getting used to each other, especially Jade who wasn't very used to feeling safe around adults and Grim had to admit, he hadn't been as good of a father as he thought he would be now that he was actually ready for a child.

Grim decided then and there that he was going to try harder and put more effort into his responsibilities as a parent. After pondering on what he could do, it suddenly hit him like a ton of bricks. He rushed up to Jade's bedroom and knocked on the door "Hey, Kid. Open the door for a second would ya?" 

Grim waited impatiently by the black door, staring daggers at the personalised butterfly metal plate that was pinned into the wood until Jade finally opened the door.

Jade stared at the man in front of her expectantly, not really in the mood to speak. 

"Uh... You wanna go to a butterfly farm with me tomorrow? You tend to like these creepy things so I thought you'd enjoy it, you know? Lighten you up a bit. Just the two of us" Before Grim could correct himself on his last statement (Because obviously, it would be just the two of them) Jade responded with "Sure, that sounds nice" before shutting her door softly.

[irrelevantwriter]

Rabbits

Pairing: Eddie Munson (Stranger Things) x Female Reader/You

Rating: Explicit, 18+, NSFW

Warnings: Language, use of the word “boner” (sorry it felt right), mutual masturbation, mention of bodily fluids, Eddie being a simp for PDA

Word Count: 2673

Summary: Eddie’s been away. You missed your boyfriend. And Steve finds you both annoying as shit. 

A/N: Enjoy and share with your friends! Feedback is that good shit.💗

Disclaimer: As always, reader inserts are true reader inserts. If you find any specifics in regards to reader’s appearance, kindly let me know and I will fix that.

Disclaimer: Characters are of age in my fics. 

*Check out my other Eddie fics here

*****************************

You bounced on your feet, eyes following each figure that came through the door.

“Would you relax? He’ll be here.”

You sighed at Robin’s words, knowing she was right. “I know, I know. I’m just-,”

“Excited. We know,” both Robin and Steve said in unison, eyes rolling. They had to have practiced that shit.

You were all gathered in Steve’s kitchen, celebrating Robin’s birthday. Music played on the stereo while people filtered in and out. It was a surprisingly lively get together. But summer had officially commenced two weeks ago and everyone was itching for a good time.

Your boyfriend had been out of town for the last week. He’d gone on a small college city tour with his band in the neighboring cities. It was a big deal for them and even though you missed him like crazy, you were proud of them. Proud of him.

You chose to ignore Steve and Robin’s attitude and sipped from your cup instead. They were used to you and your boyfriend’s antics. Most of the time they teased you both, but you’d been miserable without him and you were sure they were tired of seeing you mope around.

“When was he getting back into town anyway?” Steve asked, eyes occasionally drifting to a girl that would pass.

“Tonight. He was gonna come straight here.”

“Aw, awfully nice of him to stop by. Especially seeing as how he’s been on the road. Must be pussy whipped.”

You scoffed and playfully shoved Steve into Robin. She did the same, both of you shocked and tickled by his words.

They weren’t exactly not true.

“Fuck off, Harrington,” you threw back.

“Already telling Harrington to fuck off? S’gonna be a good night.”

You yelped at the voice that came from behind you. There, in the flesh, was your boyfriend. All long hair, denim and leather.

“Eddie!”

You squealed. Probably too loudly, but you didn’t care. He easily caught you in his arms when you threw yourself at him. You inhaled, taking in his familiar scent. He still smelled the same. Weed, wind, and leather.

“I missed you,” you quietly confessed into his neck, feeling his hands glide up and down your back in soothing patterns.

He nuzzled you back in return. “I missed you too, pretty girl.”

Your lips quickly found each other, reuniting after being without for so long.

“Alright, alright…that’s enough you pervs,” Robin cut in, making a gagging sound to drive her point home.

You both separated, though not completely. Eddie kept his arm attached to your waist as he greeted Robin and Steve. You watched him talk, heart eyes on full display. Your face felt like it might split in two with how big you were grinning.

“How was the tour?”

The next few hours were spent with Eddie filling everyone in on his band’s shows and all the shit they’d gotten into. You listened and laughed, feeling your body respond in kind.

A week without him felt like a lifetime. You were both usually attached at the hip when he was in town. It was rare to see one without the other. And that was on purpose. Neither of you could keep your hands off each other on a good day. Currently, it was another kind of beast.

His hands moved along your body innocently enough, but you knew better. He rested his hand over your ass and squeezed. Another few minutes passed before he was pulling you closer into the crook of his arms, his fingers finding the skin between the hem of your shirt and skirt. The touches made your pulse race and your panties shift uncomfortably against you. It felt like torture.

Music continued to play as drinks were poured. More friends came and went, conversation flowing easily. You absentmindedly traced Eddie’s tattoos on his forearms as someone spoke, their words unimportant to you, though you feigned listening for their benefit.

Suddenly, Eddie was moving in behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist. He rested his chin on your shoulder, nodding when someone asked him a question. Your insides warmed at the embrace, the butterflies in your stomach now flapping at a ridiculously rapid rate. It was a completely innocent form of PDA.

Until Eddie pressed his boner against your ass.

Your eyes widened slightly and then you quickly attempted to cover your surprise with a clearing of your throat. You could feel him smiling into your neck, surely loving the reaction he’d produced from you.

He began placing small, chaste kisses to your cheek and neck. You giggled at the ticklish sensation, trying hard not to bring attention to yourselves.

“You guys need to get a room,” Steve muttered over his cup, clearly taking notice.

“We could always use yours,” Eddie retorted with a sly smirk.

You and Robin laughed at Steve’s less than impressed expression.

“Jesus, you guys really are like fucking rabbits.”

“Jealous?” Eddie dared to ask with a raised brow, one of his hands grabbing at your ass.

Steve was silent for a moment before taking another long sip and nodding. “Yeah, actually. I am,” he deadpanned, making you roll your eyes.

“Shut up.” You laughed, shifting in Eddie’s arms and feeling his crotch at your back once again.

The topic soon changed. You were focusing on the story Robin was telling until Eddie leaned down and whispered in your ear.

“Come on.” He pulled at your hand.

You gave him a quizzical look but followed. Behind you, Steve was shouting about not using his room.

“Make sure you clean up after yourselves! Animals.”

His voice was drowned out by the music the further you got away. You followed Eddie, your hand clutched tightly in his as he made his way through the various bodies. He surprised you when he led you to the bathroom just off the hall. It was shockingly unoccupied at the moment and you were hastily pulled in as your boyfriend locked the door behind you.

“What’re we-,”

Eddie was on you before you could even finish your sentence. His lips enveloped yours, tongue immediately wanting access to you. You let him. His hands roamed freely, no longer afraid of wandering eyes. You kissed back with as much enthusiasm as he gave. You tasted him. You touched him. You gave yourself over to him.

“Needed you,” he mumbled into your lips, hands never stilling as they gripped and groped along your body.

He edged you towards the bathroom counter, prompting you to hop onto it. He stepped between your thighs when you did, ringed hands splaying over your ass and pushing you into him.

“Shit, I missed you.” He was breathless against your neck as he spoke. “Jerked off in the shower until my dick almost fell off.”

You found yourself moaning at his words, the image making you squeeze him to you.

“Fuck, baby.” You pulled away from his mouth when his hands ghosted up your ribs and over your breasts, making your nipples come alive.

You both took a moment, foreheads pressed together as you got your breathing under control. His hand cupped your cheek. He was looking at you with such affection you felt your breath catch.

“Hi,” he teased with a smile.

“Hi.”

“I need a minute before we walk back out there.” He pressed himself into you to emphasize his words, making you bite back a moan.

“Or…” you trailed off, letting your lips hover over his. “We could stay and you could show me.”

“What?” His pupils blew dangerously wide at your words, his fingers digging into your thighs. He knew exactly what you’d meant.

“Show me what you did while you were away from me. How you touched yourself.”

“Jesus,” he muttered, admiration coloring his features. “Here?”

He sounded nervous. It was cute. You loved when he got like that. All shy and anxious like any day you’d pull the rug out from under him. But that would never happen. He was it for you.

“Why not? We’ve fucked in weirder places,” you cooed, letting your nails lightly glide over his denim-clad cock.

He jerked at your touch, a small whimper making its way past his lips. “T-true.”

“So show me, baby. Unless you don’t want to?” You broke away from him, willing to drop the idea if he wasn’t on board.

He immediately reached back out for you. “No, no. That���s not it. I just didn’t think you’d want to. Here.”

You smiled seductively at him, biting your lips and batting your lashes. You wanted to. You wanted to badly.

“So show me. I’ll even help you.”

You kissed him chastely on the lips before gently directing him to back up, giving you both enough room. He stood still for a second, just staring at you, seemingly taking you in before he hopped into action.

He fumbled with his belt buckle as he watched you. Watched the way you leant back against the mirror. Watched the way you slipped your arms out of the slinky top you wore, leaving you in your bra. He undid his jeans and pulled his achingly red cock out, eyeing the path your hands took over your breasts.

You swallowed at the sight of him. So wanton and filled with need for you. It made your pussy clench.

He spit into his hand, the action eliciting a hungry moan from your chest.

“Fucking hell,” he breathed, fisting his cock as you massaged your breasts.

“I’m so wet for you, baby. I can feel it ruining my panties.”

Heat radiated off him as he stepped closer, his hand bumping your stomach. He gritted his teeth and groaned when you reached under your skirt and shimmied your panties down, sinking two fingers into your slickened walls.

“Is this seriously fucking happening?” He was dazed, captivated by you.

Eddie had been a virgin when you met. A notion that both stunned and excited you. In your eyes, he wasn’t the type that screamed virgin. In fact, it’d been the opposite. You’d thought he was getting laid at an alarming rate. Such was not the case. And you’d been overjoyed to be his first.

And one of those firsts apparently included mutual masturbation.

In Steve Harrington’s bathroom.

“Mmhmm,” you hummed in response, finding your clit.

“Fuck,” he hissed. “I wanna see. Will you let me see?”

You nodded and pulled your hand free from your depths, showcasing the finger you had buried in your cunt. A clear coating of sticky arousal gleamed in the bathroom light.

“Christ…you’re soaked.” His fist pumped harder at the sight. Without missing a beat, he took the digit into his mouth, savoring your flavor on his tongue.

You wiggled on the counter, seeking friction against your throbbing heat. It felt like your heartbeat was centered between your thighs. Your desire was palpable. And it only got more intense with every slippery pass of Eddie’s hand against his own flesh.

You watched in rapt fascination as he let your finger go and gripped your thigh with his free hand. His gaze flicked down to your breasts, so you pulled the cups of your bra down, palming them. Your nipples grew taut and you rolled them between your fingers.

“Fuck, I missed your hands on me, baby. You know just how to touch me. How to make me wet,” you rasped, aiding your boyfriend in finding his climax. “I miss how you fill me up. So good.” You reinserted your fingers into your weeping pussy, unable to sit idly by while Eddie jerked off.

He looked amazing. His pink lips were parted, sucking in rushed breaths. His skin was flush and dewy from his actions, the veins in his neck more pronounced. He looked completely feral. And you loved it.

Precum began to dot the tip of his cock and he quickly rolled his thumb across it, spreading the moisture all the way down his shaft and to his neglected balls. His brow furrowed in that cute way you loved, his expression looking like one of pain, but you knew better. You bit your lip at the sight, curling your fingers and shivering when you touched that spot.

“Hey! Hello! People have to use the bathroom out here!”

Loud bangs sounded against the door as someone cursed whoever was occupying the facilities. You and Eddie didn’t flinch. You kept your rhythm going, too focused on each other to care.

“Are you gonna cum?” Eddie gasped, fist tightening at the head.

You knew what that meant.

“Almost, baby.” You dug your nails into his forearm, feeling that certain kind of euphoria begin to float to the surface. “Touch me. Kiss me.”

He did as you demanded, hand still working himself over as he locked your lips against his.

“Cum. S’okay…I wanna see you cum,” you breathlessly instructed. You knew if he came undone first, you’d follow. So you encouraged him. “Cum on me, Eddie. Please. I need it.”

Eddie grimaced as the speed of his hand increased, his cock now an angry shade of red. You lifted the hem of your shirt with your free hand, giving him a place to mark you.

As the first few warm ropes of cum hit your skin, you let go. You tensed and tremored as both you and Eddie rode the same tidal wave of pleasure.

Your erratic breaths filled the bathroom as he nuzzled his face into your neck, wincing whenever his sensitive cock brushed your thigh. You did the same when you removed your soaked fingers from your sensitive slit, the digits sliding obnoxiously against one another.

Eddie began to laugh and you soon followed, basking in the post coitus glow. He was careful of the cum still clinging to your stomach as he angled your chin towards his lips. You wrapped your arms around his neck, the both of you lazily making out.

“I need to pee!”

The annoyingly high whine came through the door as someone jostled the knob. You rolled your eyes and detached from your boyfriend, wiping away the smear of lipstick staining his lips.

“We better get cleaned up before they bust down the door and Steve has our asses.”

Eddie nodded. He carefully tucked himself back into his pants and held his hand up, signaling for you to wait. You watched in amusement as he searched for something to clean you up with. He found a lone blue towel hanging near the shower. He shrugged and grabbed it, wiping your stomach off.

“Steve’s gonna be pissed, you know that right?”

“He’ll live.” Eddie quipped with a smug smile, popping a chaste kiss onto your lips when he’d finished. “All clean.”

“Thank you, baby.”

He pocketed your discarded panties with a wink before helping you off the counter. You both turned to face the mirror, cleaning up and making sure you looked semi-presentable before walking out.

“Okay, ready?”

“Yeah,” he replied with a final swipe of his hand over his still stained lips.

Before you could get too far though, he pulled you to him, invading your space. He cupped your cheek and stared at you as if you’d just told him he’d won the lottery.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“I love you too, baby.”

“Let’s go. Before I have to explain more questionable stains to Harrington,” he joked, pulling a giggle from your lips.

“I’ll never live that one down, will I?” you asked, tongue pressed to your cheek as you played with the pick necklace resting against his chest.

“From me? No,” he playfully bit at your jaw as his hands roamed your ass. “But I was glad to take the blame to spare my lady.”

In a rare instance, you became bashful, darting your eyes down as he stared at you intensely. He was most likely reliving the exact moments that led to those “questionable stains” on his mattress. A secret he swore he’d take to the grave.

“Take me home and you’ll get a repeat,” you purred.

“Your wish is my command.”

[thecatduet422]

PART ONE

bakugou x reader

Rating: Teen

Tags: romance, fluff, aged-up characters, time skips, flashbacks, no beta

Summary: Extra. Princess. Nerd. Names Katsuki called you when he was trying to piss you off.

And then the one he had for you when he wasn’t.

AO3 Link (where it was originally posted)

PART TWO

At first, he thought you were just some extra.

He remembers the first day of class, when Four Eyes lectured him about his desk.

“Take your feet off of that desk now!” Four Eyes looked down on him. “It’s the first day of school and already you’re disrespecting this academy by scuffing school property, you cretin!”

“You’re kidding me, right?” Katsuki smirked. “You’re old school put a stick up your ass? Or were you just born with it?"

“He’s right,” you suddenly whipped around from your seat, eyeing Katsuki with disdain. “You’re being disrespectful.”

“Huh?” Katsuki yelled. “Who the hell asked you?!”

You scanned him up and down, unimpressed.

“No one did,” you replied, holding your head high. “But you’re being improper, and he has a point.”

“Huh?!” he asked again. The way you were looking at him was pissing him off. “You think you’re better than me?!”

You looked at him again, at his feet on the desk. You looked disgusted.

“Yes,” you replied, flipping your hair before returning to your book.

“Oi!” Katsuki abruptly stood up from his seat, towering over you in a challenge. “Who the hell do you think you are, you extra?! I’ll take you on right now!”

“Excuse me?!” you screeched. You stood up from your seat, matching him dead on. “What did you just call me?!”

And then Katsuki saw your eyes. Tiny, translucent jewels embedded into the irises, sparkling and twinkling in the light. Katsuki supposed it was meant to be pretty, but you, with your ugly scowl and piss-poor attitude, somehow made it annoying.

“You heard me,” Katsuki growled, smirking domineeringly at you. He could feel the heat of his palms start to sizzle with rage.

He was going to crush you.

“Extra,” he said tauntingly.

Aizawa-sensei had to separate them. Their desks were moved onto opposite sides of the room, but that still couldn’t stop the bickering that would occasionally rise from the both of you. You were like cats and dogs, completely at odds with one another. The only thing you two had in common was your temper.

You were uptight, snobby, and rude, choosing to stick your nose in a book rather than talk to anybody. And when you did speak, it was to correct someone or butt in with some useless reference from some fancy-ass novel you’ve read. On top of that, you quoted the Hero Constitution constantly, bugging Katsuki and anyone else nearby about what it means to actually be a hero.

You were a royal pain in his ass.

So in retaliation, Katsuki continued to call you an extra, knowing how much you hated it. The nose you kept in the air would scrunch up like you smelled something foul. Your lips would pout and pucker as if you tasted something sour, and then your brows would furrow as those jewel eyes of yours glowed. That's when he knew you were about to explode on him, squawking at him in that painfully shrill voice of yours saying no, you were not an extra!

Your pissed off face was the only interesting thing about you. Which was why Katsuki continued to call you that, even though the rest of his classmates' nicknames were more specific.

And then the Sports Festival happened, and Katsuki found himself about to go up against you.

He was going to beat your snooty ass into the dirt. Once and for all.

But something was different that day. You’ve been quiet, detached. Every time Katsuki saw you, you were tucked away in some corner, your book blocking your face as you read it. He thought nothing of it at the time. He was too busy dealing with Icy-Hot after his insulting declaration against Deku.

And then he saw you fight.

Icy-Hot was throwing everything at you. He tried icing you head on, but you always maneuvered it with ease, jumping and flipping away in just the right time, toeing the edge but always staying within bounds. It was lame at first. Katsuki expected the bastard to knock you out within seconds, and so did everyone else. But you dodged every attack easily, using your super strength to leap into the air at extreme heights. Icy-Hot tried to freeze you then, but you kicked- smashing the ice straight through.

Huh, maybe your quirk wasn't so lame after all. He immediately dismissed it on the first day. Super strength wasn't anything special. A lot of people had variations of it, giving their quirk. And yours wasn't flashy or powerful, nothing like All Might's or any other Hero who used it.

But you were good at combat, and you were able to blend it with your quirk easily. Which was why when you jumped over another ice attack, and landed right in front of Icy-Hot, he used his fire in surprise.

But somehow, it didn't matter. You landed a kick right to his stomach, pushing Icy-Hot out of bounds.

The hell?

"How did she do that?" their classmates said in awe.

"She should've burned."

But you were fine, staring down at Icy-Hot with that annoying little smirk on your face.

"Thanks, Todoroki-kun," you said with a mysterious shine in your eyes, before offering your hand to help him up.

Thanks? What did you mean by that?

Katsuki grunted. It didn't matter. That just meant he got to be the one to beat you himself.

He smiled ferociously.

Finally.

And then it got to the final round, and once the fight began, Katsuki wasted no time.

You were good at using your quirk in combat, but so was he.

Every move you made, he countered, using his explosions to avoid your attacks. And whenever he tried to attack you straight on, you did the same, leaping out of the way to avoid his quirk.

But he expected that, so when you leaped into the air, he used that time to build up the heat in his palms, and when the moment was right…

BOOM.

He launched an explosion at you while you were airborne, similar to what Icy-Hot did with his ice. But there was no way you could counter something like that. It was the biggest explosion he’s ever done, and he did it on purpose. He wanted to see you broken, your snooty face cry from the pain, kicking you off your high and mighty pedestal, permanently.

The arena was covered in smoke.

Katsuki listened, waiting for the announcement that you were out of bounds, or even better, too injured to fight.

But as the smoke waved through the air, slowly thinning out, he heard nothing.

The audience started murmuring to one another, becoming restless with the fact that they couldn’t see you either.

Their reaction made Katsuki nervous, and he frantically started to look around, anticipating a surprise attack.

But then through the smoke, he saw something. A movement that morphed into a shadow, and as it reached the edge of the fumes, the clouds becoming nothing, it gleamed. It reflected against the light, twinkling and sparkling so bright, Katsuki had to squint.

You walked out in a completely different form, one that was solid, translucent, except for the areas that were shining back, exposing hues of rainbow.

Some kind of jewel form.

“Is that all you got, hothead?” you said mockingly, flipping your hair even though it didn’t move, as it was also crystallized.

The audience cheered at the sight of you, oohing and awing at your appearance.

Damn it. Damn it damn it damnitdamnitDAMNITDAMNIT-

“IS THAT ALL I GOT?!” Katsuki screamed, launching himself at you. “NOT EVEN CLOSE.”

You moved to grab him, but he dodged away, aiming an explosion right to your face.

But you held strong. You never cracked.

And the fight continued, the both of you completely destroying the arena. You both raged, yelling and taunting as you punched, exploded, and plowed through everything you could.

You both had only one goal in mind; take this smug asshole rude piece of shit down.

And through it all, you were never able to catch Katsuki.

And he was never able to break you.

“ENOUGH!” Cementoss screamed as giant slabs of concrete finally stopped you.

“It’s a tie!” Midnight cheered.

Katsuki froze. He couldn’t believe it.

“A TIE?!” you both screamed.

They had to chain you both to the podium to keep you from killing each other.

He remembers the night after that, lying in bed, wondering how the world turned upside down. First, Deku gets a quirk. Then, Icy-Hot doesn’t see him as a threat. And then, Katsuki ends up in a tie against you. How did this happen?

He tossed and turned, unable to sleep as whispering thoughts of doubt prodded his mind. He was afraid to even think about it. He refused to even comprehend the fact that maybe he… Maybe he was…

No.

There had to be a winner.

So the next day, Katsuki tracked you down and demanded a rematch.

“Fight me!” he commanded.

“Shhhhhhh!” went the people around him.

Figuring out where you were was easy. It was a free day, and you, being the annoying bookworm that you were, had nothing better to do than spend it at the library.

“Be quiet!” you hushed.

“I want a rematch!” said Katsuki, not bothering to lower his voice whatsoever.

“Can’t you see I’m busy?!” you stage whispered, gesturing to the book you were reading.

“Hah!” he pointed a finger accusingly. “You’re just afraid I'll kick your ass!”

“Shhh!” people repeated, harshly.

You sighed, heavy with frustration. “If I fight you, will you leave me alone?”

He hmphed, smirking victoriously. “Like I’d ever acknowledge you again after this.”

You seethed with rage, your face twisting into that famous sour expression as you slammed your book.

You ended up taking him to an abandoned gym, old and rusty from neglect.

“The hell?! How can anyone train here?” he cried.

“I train here,” you replied, folding your arms as you stuck up your nose.

You assured him it was safe, and that no one would interrupt them.

So they fought, just like they did before.

And he did everything he could to beat you. But you, in that stupid, ridiculous, jewel form wouldn’t budge. You were like Shitty Hair, but better, and your fighting skills were incredible. It pissed him off. His only solace was that you couldn’t pin him down either.

You would charge at him, but he would dodge, using his explosions at the last second. He would try to attack from behind, but you would anticipate it and counter with a roundhouse kick that just barely got him. And it went on and on, and soon enough, Katsuki realized they were falling into a pattern.

Charge.

Dodge.

Attack.

Counter.

Over and over and over again. And it seemed that no matter what Katsuki did, he couldn’t get out of it. Whatever move he tried, you picked it up. It was like a black hole, inescapable. No matter how much they tried to break the pattern, they would just fall back in.

They kept fighting until they couldn't. Until you were both lying on the ground, covered in sweat, nothing moving but the rise and fall of your chests. Hearing nothing but the desperate panting you both made as you struggled for air.

He was actually tired because of you.

"C-Can we…" you panted. "Can we call it a day?"

You were pleading with him.

And Katsuki wondered, if he said no, if he wanted to keep going, would you follow him?

There, lying on the ground, he looked up. He looked up at the cracks in the ceiling, the mold gathering in the corners, the shitty lights that were rapidly flickering, barely alive. All while being consumed with the thought that you were no extra.

And he couldn’t call you that anymore.

"Yeah," he nodded as his breath caught up to him.

They continued to meet up after that.

It would always be at that shitty gym. Why, he didn’t know, but you would insist on it, nagging at him in that stupid voice that it had to be there.

“It’s tradition,” you would say.

And Katsuki would give in, as long as you would just shut up and fight already.

And you did, following the pattern, trying desperately not to.

“Come on, hothead. You can do better than that,” you taunted, baring another explosion.

Hothead. Your nickname for him. You started using it more and more, while he was trying to find a new one for you.

What was he supposed to do, call you by your actual name?

As if.

You were still aggravating. You, with your pompous-ass attitude, clutching your book to your chest. You, in that stupid crystal form, acting like royalty.

So he started to call you princess, always in mockery. He would draw it out, dip it in sarcasm, make it sound insulting. You would get annoyed, but not nearly as much as extra did. And during the moments when you really pissed him off, Katsuki found himself wishing he could find another name, one that could recreate the face you made. The ugly one, with the scrunched up nose and the puckered mouth. Katsuki wondered why he liked it so much, and then he realized it’s because you often looked pretty, with those jewel eyes of yours. Everyone commented on them and told you how pretty they looked.

It annoyed the hell out of him. So when you made a face, one that revealed how ugly and imperfect you actually were, Katsuki reveled in it. Even more so when he was the cause of it.

So, he would try out different names when you fought, thinking if he pissed you off enough, you would make the face and falter.

“Shut up, princess!” he shot back.

“Make me!” You aimed a right hook. He avoided it.

“Try something new for once, nerd!” he growled.

You managed to trap him in a headlock.

“I know what you’re trying to do, Kacchan,” you scolded him, mouth twisting in a frown as he struggled to get out. “It’s not gonna work.”

Kacchan. The name you used when you were trying to piss him off, courtesy of Deku.

It worked.

He roared in frustration, setting off an explosion right next to your ear. As you reeled back, covering your ear in pain, he tried to take you out with a kick, but you managed to dodge it in time.

Charge. Dodge. Attack. Counter.

Again and again.

But something was different that time. That time, you managed to get a hold of him. And that time, he was able to throw you off.

You were both improving, little by little.

And then one time, after the Kamino Incident, you randomly show up at his door.

“Huh?” he said, noting your disheveled appearance. “What the hell are you doing here?!”

“You didn’t show up,” you panted, out of breath. Your brows furrowed, your nose scrunched up, your lips puckered. The face.

You were pissed.

“I waited… FOR THREE HOURS!” you screamed. Katsuki could practically see the steam coming out of your ears, whistling and high pitched, like a hot teapot.

“Of course I didn’t, dumbass!” he shouted back. “We’re not supposed to leave our houses! I was just-” he choked, unable to say the word as failure and guilt crushed his windpipe.

“So?” You put your hands on your hips, raising a brow at him as if being kidnapped wasn’t an excuse.

“So?!” he repeated. “It’s not safe! The League can be anywhere!”

“The world is never safe, hothead. And groups like the League will always exist,” you told him, folding your arms. “That’s why we exist.”

And then you dropped your expression, relaxing your features as you replaced your anger with something else. Something Katsuki didn’t recognize. But it was soft, and your eyes sparkled with it, and he couldn’t help but think, in that moment, everyone was right. You were pretty.

“You really gonna let that stop you?” you asked quietly, tilting your chin up in a silent challenge.

Of course he wasn’t. But the old hag would never let him.

And when he told you that, you smirked. “What? Chicken?”

Later that night, as the old hag screamed at him for sneaking out, he thought, you really weren’t that uptight.

And suddenly, even calling you princess felt wrong.

But, he realized, it didn’t matter. As his mind flashed to you, standing outside his door, making the face he wanted, he learned he didn’t have to call you names. He could piss you off in other ways.

Once he figured that out, it became so easy.

All he had to do was show up late.

And suddenly, their fights cranked up to an eleven. If it were possible, you were even more ferocious, more unforgiving. If Katsuki somehow slipped up, you made sure he felt it.

He never felt more alive.

Finally, he met someone who could match him.

But that also meant you were his competition, his rival. And every time it ended in draw, the both of you lying on the floor, utterly exhausted, he felt disappointed. Unsatisfied. He wanted to go again.

And as time went on, the two of you growing into your quirks, becoming more powerful, you were able to.

And so you would, again and again, falling into the same pattern that felt like a dance. And while he wanted to win, wanted to beat you, he also found that he didn't mind. Fighting you was fun.

And as the world continued to be unsafe, as wars were fought, and people died, he found that fighting you was one of the few things he could rely on.

And he thought you felt the same, because as time went on, and they continued their dance, he only learned more about you.

You acted righteous because of your father, a lawyer who was an activist for quirkless rights. He always raised you to be good, to be right. He taught you to value morality and action above everything. An honorable man with good intentions, but sometimes he could be overbearing and critical, making you feel as if you couldn't be wrong without feeling like a bad person.

So you played it docile, choosing to smother your emotions by reading rather than express them. Until Katsuki came along and set you off, because how is it fair he could act out with no consequence while others couldn't?

Especially when he was throwing words around like worthless and extra. Harmful, demeaning words that weren't right.

And Katsuki saw it, that special gleam in your eye whenever they fought. Because after all those years of holding your emotions, you were finally able to get them out.

But as he came to know you, to recognize the small things that told him when you were angry, or sad, or happy, you learned about him too.

Which was why now, when they've graduated from UA and were working in the same agency, you asked him what was wrong.

And when Katsuki ignored you, continuing the dance, you asked again.

And when he didn't answer, you guessed.

"Is it Kirishima?" you asked as you ran at him.

He huffed, flipping up into the air.

"Icy-Hot?" you used your lasso to grab him and pull him down.

He growled as he collided with the ground, choosing to blast you with everything he had. A wild, terrifying bomb of destruction that would've destroyed anyone else. But because it was you, it did nothing.

You laughed as it went off, smiling gleefully. The shrill squawking he once hated grew into bells, chimes that fluttered his stomach whenever you laughed. When once he strived to see you angry and pissed, he now wanted to see you smile, to see you shine and glow with happiness that was all because of him.

"It's Midoriya!" you cheered.

"What?!" he yelled. "No it isn't."

"Oh please, Kacchan," you teased, pausing the fight to flick his nose. "Only he could rile you up this way."

"No!" he swiped at you. "You piss me off all the time!"

"Maybe once," you shrugged. "But hardly anymore. At least, not really."

You smirked, and before he knew it, you had him pinned down, covering your crystallized hands over his palms so he couldn't blast out.

"Tell me I'm wrong," you spoke softly.

It was the first time you were able to pin him. The first time either of you were able to do it.

And as Katsuki looked up into your jewel eyes, sparkling with a secret only of him, he found that he didn't mind.

He huffed. "You're never wrong."

And as he leaned up to kiss you, passionately and heatedly, dragging you down with him, he thought of your name. Not extra or princess or even your real one. The one he came up with when you looked just like this. The one you chose to be your Hero name, after he whispered it to you.

Jewels.

[bush-viper-cutie]

New Student, New Friend

Pairing: Young Snape x french!reader

Word Count: 2,751

Request: #1 “Hi! Can I request a young!Snape x french!reader where the reader's transferred from beauxbatons and isn't fluent in english/has a thick accent? Love your work!!”

#2 “Hi hi! Love your work! Can I request Young Snape x French reader? Sorry if I dont speak well, english is not my first language <3”

Warnings: none

A/N: Hello everyone again! :D I combined both requests because they are pretty similar so enjoy!

Posted: 9/10/21

Masterlist

---

~*~*~ = time skip

(Y/n) = first name

(L/n) = last name

~*~*~

~*~*~ = POV change

---

~*~*~*~*~ *~

There was a strange static in the air this morning, one Severus couldn't quite place. He brushed his long hair back behind his ear and listened in to the hushed whispers of passing classmates.

"...Beauxbaton, can you believe it?"

"Nice to not know someone for a change - "

Beauxbaton? Severus gathered they were talking about a new teacher perhaps? Although it wasn't that odd to get new professors in the middle of the school year. Just last year the Dark Arts professor was promptly replaced when he went mad after a spell backfired on him; In fact, every year there was a new one.

It was strange that the new teacher should be a transfer from another school such as Beauxbaton... Maybe they were fired and no one else wanted them, must be down on their luck. And if that is the case, how very fitting for Hogwarts, home of inadequacy.

Severus, still deep in his bitter thoughts, almost tripped over the shoe that had extended out in front of him. He caught himself and whirled around angrily. "Watch it!" he growled, straightening.

James Potter smirked. "Oh, Snivellus. Didn't see you there.” His Gryffindor friends snickered behind him, bolstering his ego. "I'd get along to class if I were you. Wouldn't want to be late on your first day back."

Severus grit his teeth and did everything he could to not growl his displeasure of being in so close proximity to the pinnacle of mediocrity that was Potter. It had been a week after winter holidays had ended but after another nearly fatal encounter with Black, he’d been forced to stay in the Hospital Wing un-zippering his mouth and a couple of fingers before being allowed back.

The memory of the experience made his knees weak, making keeping his riled demeanor that much harder. He was lucky he'd had the foresight to cover his nose before Black unleashed his hex. It wasn’t a quick run from the lake to the nurse, and he certainly wouldn't have made it with his nostrils zippered together as well.

"Mind your own business, Potter." Severus spat out his name like rotten apples, furrowing his brows in an attempt to seem more threatening however he could not help but notice the hallways getting emptier by the second. He knew better than to get caught alone with Potter.

He laughed and turned to catch up with his friends. Severus watched him go, only relaxing his shoulders after Potter had rounded the corner and disappeared out of sight. The hall was empty.

He turned and continued down the corridor when his hearing perked at the scuff of loud footsteps. He whirled around, hand plunging into his robes, but it was too late.

"Levipeds!"

Severus' head snapped back as his feet whipped out from under him. He hung limp in the air, watching his wand roll away on the stone floor. His hair nearly touched the dirty ground.

James laughed. "Welcome back, Snivellus!"

He closed his eyes as his boiling blood rushed to his head. He was hanging upside down in the air, alone in the empty corridor. He couldn't scream for help, he'd just get yelled at for disturbing lessons, and he couldn't reach his wand - as long as his limbs might be, his wand might as well have rolled down into the dungeons. He'd have to hang there until classes were over or one of the portraits decided to help him out for once.

"Eh... Excuse moi?" A quiet voice wrapped in a thick French accent broke the silence.

His eyes flew open and stared straight into the face of a beautiful but completely unfamiliar student. She bent down low to meet his eyes. She must be the mystery person from Beauxbaton, the new student as it turned out.

This was worse, so much worse than being caught by anyone else in the school - except for a very select few. Severus looked around in search of anything that might make this all less embarrassing.

"You need help, no?" Her voice was more confident this time, laced with a hint of friendly amusement.

"Uhh..." He met her eyes and hoped this new student would excuse his red face to be due to all his blood rushing down.

She straightened and pointed behind him. "This is your wand? I'll give to you?" His wand was in his hand with one quick flick of her own.

His eyebrows automatically shot up at her use of nonverbal spells. "Thanks," he tried swallowing but ended up coughing. He covered his mouth and performed the counter-hex, dropping to the floor with a grunt.

She rushed forward, looping her arm through his and helping him up to his feet. She laughed and dusted the dirt off his back while he stood paralyzed.

"Better, no?" she smiled, facing him a foot from his stiff figure. "I'm new seventh-year transfer... And you?"

For a moment his mouth opened but no words flew out, and then all at once words poured out as fast as if under a curse. "I'm - oh - yes you're from Beauxbaton, right? Yeah - er - yes, seventh-year as well."

Her hands flew up and she waved them in front of herself with a laugh. "Slow please!" she laughed again. "One more time?"

Severus gave an awkward laugh that matched hers and nodded. "I'm also a seventh-year."

"Oh!" she held out a paper and pointed down to the class he was late for. "I am so lost! You help me now? Oui?"

She smiled up at him and his heart nearly leaped out of his mouth. He nodded quickly, "Yes - er - oui, I'll help you... Actually, that's my class too..."

"Oh!" Her smile widened, "I need partner for the class! You have one?"

For once Severus thanked his unlucky past self. His time in the hospital wing all week meant everyone would be already partnered up. "No, I don't..." his face flushed red again and he cleared his throat, looking away. "We could be partners?"

"Bon! Lead the way, partner," she motioned for him to lead, keeping a very close pace next to him as they walked. "I am lucky to find you, did not know anyone yet. You are only third person met!"

He gave her a small smile as they walked together, but he knew it wouldn't take long for her to find out his status at the school. Being a new student, he was sure she’d make all the friends she could ever want by the end of the day. Then she'd reconsider her luck after everyone tells her all about her lab partner, 'Snivellus'.

~*~*~

They made it to class late. The professor looked up and frowned, ready to tell them off when Severus' new ‘friend’ spoke up.

"Excuse us, Professor, I am new and got lost."

The professor sighed and waved his hand, giving her a pass. "And I see you're back Mr. Snape. Get to your seats, you'll both be working together - get moving."

The two back seats were empty and Severus was glad to be away from the front for once. His new partner set down her things, and as she bent to pick up her books Severus caught a glimpse of Sirius Black glaring at him from the front, a seat behind where Severus had been sitting the last term. Black had anticipated his return and was obviously annoyed with the change in seating.

"What may I call you, Mr. Snape?" The new student whispered, giving him her full attention despite the lesson continuing.

"S-Severus." He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to him. He'd die of embarrassment if they started teasing him in front of her for daring to open his mouth. "And you?"

She smiled. "Severus Snape? That's a beautiful name." She looked back up to make sure their conversation was still private and turned back. She reached up and gripped his tie, pulling him towards her. She leaned and held a hand to his ear, moving her lips inches from his ear. "(Y/n) (L/n)."

Severus’ heart beat faster than it ever had before. The immense drumming in his ears almost made it impossible to hear her whispers. When she released him, he turned to look at her, feeling his face heat up either from proximity or from her warm breath flowing over his face. "(Y/n)... Good to know." He swallowed and realized he had not moved since she had pulled him towards her. He would have felt like an idiot if she wasn’t looking at him so playfully.

"You gonna kiss her, Snivellus?"

Severus pulled back quickly and clenched his jaw at Black.

The professor smacked Sirius' head with a roll of parchment. "Mr. Black, disturb my class again and I'll assign you an essay for every night this week." Severus smirked. "And you, Mr. Snape," the Professor smacked the board, creating a puff of chalk, "- will hand me your notes tomorrow before class - legible notes, might I add."

Severus nodded as the class snickered and turned away from (Y/n). The rest of the lesson went by agonizingly slow. Severus counted the seconds until he could run away to the library, away from taunting eyes. He hated himself for turning so red, but he hated Black even more for making him the fool.

~*~*~

~*~*~

You could tell the boy, 'Mr. Black', had embarrassed Severus greatly. He was hunched over his parchment, focused completely on the professor's words, and never once looking back up at you.

You read the words on the board but soon your eyes ventured down to look at the tall lanky boy currently trying to visibly shrink in his seat. The moment shared between you both still played on your mind. He had beautiful long lashes and deep dark eyes to match. It had been fun to see him so flustered over you, but the guilt of what you'd caused sat heavily on your chest. That boy had noted Severus had been in the perfect position to kiss her, which... did she kind of wish he had?... Just to see - for just a curious taste.

You didn't know what specifically was so alluring about Severus, but you could imagine yourself wrapped in his arms, pulling on his long hair, biting his lips, and hearing that deep voice of his purring for more. Something about him - or maybe everything about him - made you wonder how gentle those hands of his could be.

The bells rang in the distance, marking the end of the lesson. You packed your things and sat waiting for Severus to do the same. He was slow at first and then after a quick flick of his eyes up to you hurried along.

You stood at the same time and motioned for the door, scrambling to translate your thoughts into English. "Lunch now? We can sit together?"

People filed out of the class, which Severus watched closely before turning back to her and answering. "Look, this isn't the only time… I'm not someone to hang out with unless you like hexes and spells to be thrown in your direction."

You could see the hurt in his eyes, the way his brows furrowed, and his down-turned eyes filled with tears that wouldn't fall. Before you could bring yourself to respond, he sighed shakily, giving you pause.

"It's not your fault... I'll show you down and then I suggest you forget about being friends." He pulled open the door and held it open for you without meeting your eyes.

What could you say to him? You stepped out into the corridor, contemplating how to phrase what you were thinking when laughter pulled your focus.

"I see you've met our Snivellus." The stupid boy, Black, came forward talking to you but keeping his attention on Severus. He had long curly hair nearly as long as Severus' and was taller, with proud shoulders held in a loose demeanor that still made him seem important in some way. His eyes shifted to you, "Hope he didn't drip any snot on you while he tried for a kiss."

You scoffed, “You do not understand what you saw. Please leave us alone.”

“Love, maybe you’re not understanding me. For your own safety I insist YOU leave this sniffling slime alone.” Black took a step closer.

Severus pulled out his wand but held it low, at the ready in an instant. "I’m done with your games. Unlike you, you nitwitted tower troll, I have places to be." He finally glanced your way, "Excuse me," and made to leave.

Black blocked his way, laughing at the now pointed wand in Severus’ hand. "Go ahead, I’ll be glad if you finally get expelled for using wands in the corridors. Mine's not even on me."

You eyed the smirk on his face and the tiny shift of his hand towards his trousers pocket. Was that a lie then? Whatever the case, you had enough of this game too. "My friend, Severus, is showing me to lunch. We are going now." You stepped between Severus and Black, giving the taller boy an annoyed look.

"I’m telling you, be careful," Black chuckled. "He might try to kiss you again if you’re too nice."

You paused and stepped back, looking up at Severus, whose eyes were fixed on Black, staring daggers into him. You bit your lip and chuckled the same way Black had, finding a different kind of amusement than him in this situation. "I hope he will."

Severus' head snapped to you, his cheeks slowly going a light shade of pink all over.

Black made a disgusted sound and a show of his fake nausea. “Darling, I don’t think I understood you correctly. Check your dictionary and if that’s not the problem maybe your eyes.”

This boy was really getting on your nerves now. If you’d been back at Beauxbaton you’d’ve already hexed him into a soggy pile of starter yeast, baked him into the perfect Pain au Levain, and chucked him out the tallest tower window. “Move it,” you made sure your French accent coated the word heavily.

Severus’ hand wrapped around your arm, pulling you back. He kept his wand and eyes trained on Black but spoke to you. “Go down to lunch. I’ll stay here to have the chat Black so desperately wants to have with me.” He looked up again, “Let her leave.”

Black smiled, “That’s fine. Been meaning to ask how your winter holiday was after I last saw you.”

You turned to Severus, ready to protest when the door to the classroom opened, cutting Black off. You all stood very still and awkward, hoping to hide the atmospheric hostility that had been created.

The Professor locked the door with a flick of his wand and looked at everyone with concern. "Off to lunch, no need wandering the corridors. Now." He ushered everyone down the stairs, walking close behind in equal silence.

You reached the floor second to last, after Black and then Severus, and pulled on Severus' arm the second your Professor had turned towards the staff room. You kept your hand on him to make sure he didn’t decide to leave before you could talk to him. Before Black could step towards you to continue the ‘conversation’, other Gryffindor students pulled him towards a small crowd gathering across the floor. Whatever it was seemed to be of higher interest and he left with only single backwards glance.

You both watched him go dissolve into the rowdy group and suddenly the air around you shifted. Severus turned instantly, searching your eyes with an intensity you could almost feel. You blushed and slid your hand down his sleeve and lingered on his bare hand. Neither of you said a word but the electricity connecting your eyes and the comfortable silence that enveloped you both spoke volumes. "We could eat together, no?"

His eyes settled on your hand still on his until you let go. "Oui," he whispered with a smile pulling at his lips. “Lunch then.”

As you both walked on, he slowly crept closer with every step, making your shoulders brush against his arm. His pinky tickled the skin on your wrist, making you cough to hide a giggle as you entered the Great Hall. Your eyes flickered up at his and you smiled, seeing a gentle blush and an even gentler smile on his face.

~*~*~*~*~ *~

Masterlist

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General taglist:

@setsuna-meiou31

@severuslovebot

@bionic-otp

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[genshingarbage]

Hiii, Good Morning/Good afternoon/Good evening Mod Kaeya,Mod Diluc^^, It's my first time requesting, Can I request? Angst with any Genshin Impact characters?,Soo The genshin characters are much more spending time with Lumine? Then the reader asks why they aren't spending much time with them and the genshin characters snaps and said the readers are weak ( reader is already insecured because they can't fight) and they have work to do then the reader leaves to fight hilichurl camps and unfortunately there's 2 Mitachurls ,luckly the genshin characters were on time to save the reader? Then they apologized to them? (It's Gn reader^^) sorry if it's alot and sorry if my grammar is wrong you both can disregard this ask stay safe ^^

Good afternoon dear Traveler!! Well done for making your first request! And such a lengthy one too oh my~ Your grammar is fine don’t even worry about it. Sorry for the long wait, Mod Diluc and I have been busy on the Kuzuha banner haha but I hope you enjoy this tear jerking tale (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧- Mod Kaeya

Recommending this song for this oneshot!

Go checkout Anna_drw01 for more art like this!! Here’s her artstation!

The distant scientist, renowned for being hard to get close to was someone you used to consider one of you closest friends. The two of you spent day and night together, hellbent of cracking open every single challenge you possibly could together. Many considered you two to be able to solve any mystery put in front of you together.

The keyword was together.

There was a mystery you yourself couldn’t solve; Why was Albedo’s time with you slowly becoming a rarity?

You’d been wondering why he’d been spending so much less time in the lab he’d meticulously built over years of his life or on site where his precious research was being buried little by little by crystalline flakes, tending to his experiments and recording time sensitive data that would be valuable for months to come for the research team. Albedo had been gone so long both you and Sucrose had designed a plan in order to cover the work he’s left unattended whilst managing your own on top of the store. It was beginning to get concerning. If the leader of the investigation squad was absent constantly then what did that mean for the rest of you? Surely he was only gone for the sake of something important he’d found, something he placed above everything else he was researching. That’s what you lent yourself into believing.

That is, until you saw him with her.

You couldn’t blame him honestly, Lumine was gorgeous. Her golden hair and fiery eyes are what a lot of men probably look for in a partner, even more so was the mystery behind her origins and the raw power she held in her fingertips at any given moment.

You didn’t have to have a vision to be able to tell that.

Maybe that was another thing he sought in her.

A traveling partner that could wield the powers of the elements, a traveling partner that could hold their own against the world. Maybe that wasn’t all he was looking for but also a romantic partner.

He finally came back to the investigation camp briefly one night, it was during a particularly rough blizzard ravaging across Dragonspine and the areas surrounding it a little like a turbulent child tossing snowflakes across already painted, buried monochrome peaks. He trudged into the camp with her rambunctious adventuring party, shouted something over the whipping wind about how they should get warm inside one of the communal tents dotted around the sparse camp halfway up the summit you inhabited and then ducked into the burgundy tent you were working away in with nothing but the clinking of vials harmonizing with the bubbling of flames. It was nothing but candle light right then in the morbid lonely night, only the sounds of the howling gales outside of the ones in your lab. If you’d felt like you were being watched during the night before now, Albedo’s piercing analytical gaze did nothing but soothe the loneliness you’d held inside yourself all night.

“I need a strong multi use Geoculus locator, if we have any.” The blonde said

He must’ve seen your shoulders perk up because he waited patiently as you searched through the shelves upon shelves of prototypes you’ve developed. After somehow finding one, you patted over to him. He seemed pleased with your work, if a bit distant as usual. He was in a good mood so you guessed would be the best time if any to ask. “Sir… with all due respect why have you been away so long?”

Albedo’s pale face was blank as usual though he blinked as if surprised you spoke, “Lumine needed someone with a sufficient Geo vision, I happened to be the one she knew the best to get the job done.”

“So you’ll be returning?”

“I never said that.”

You tried not to take it harshly, this was just how he spoke after all. “…could I come along then?” It was a long shot yes but you still missed his company, if it meant having to deal with him getting buddy buddy with that Outrider then you would suffer. 

It was quiet for a moment between you two as you stared him down and he observed the locator thoroughly. After he was pleased enough with the golden glowing device it was packed away into his back pocket without so much as a second thought, the man was obviously stalling while he thought carefully over the question but the result wouldn’t be to your liking evidently. You were about to make  a point you hoped would be convincing before he spoke, his voice sharp and words cold like the very ice being tossed around the blackened sky.

“No, you’re not a skilled enough fighter so you’d only slow us down more than we can handle to be right now. You’d be useless to us.” He put a hand to his chin for a moment in thought, “If you’d had been able to development a synthetic elemental burst like Sucrose’s swirl mark II…I would have considered but you can’t even do that.”

Watching him leave with them the morning after was torturous, they rushed off into the snowy landscape with barely a goodbye and never a second glance from Albedo beyond that. It stung.

Maybe that’s why when hilichurl camps, specifically ones becoming a nuisance to caravans as well as supply lines along Dragonspine almost avidly to the near point where there would be commissions called in, were brought up in conversation you elected to take a weapon and simply clear them out yourself. You could barely fight one off but usually they were smaller towards the base of the mountain so you figured it would be alright. You would just patch yourself up if you got a bit injured. Surely the pain of the injures would busy your silly little heart long enough to forget about Albedo and his cruel words to you, surely you would barricade your feelings of pining behind walls of broken bones and struggling through the snow. Maybe that was the remedy, the answer you needed to your mystery. Your pleas would probably be hidden by the snowstorms anyways.

Mitachurls unfortunately inhabited bigger camps. Thankfully, Frost Lawlichurls tended to live alone. The former happened to find it’s way to you, charging with the might of a bull on ozmanthys wine. As you were bowled over you heard an abrupt shout, maybe saw a brief flash of familiar golden light as the battle grounds around you erupted further into chaos but it didn’t matter that pale arms were abruptly gripping you to a panicked sword user. Your vision was to blurry, the shouts of attacks and spells too muffled and faint, your body felt too limp to comprehend even the though of moving. You could barely breathe.

Someone was muttering, crouched around you and holding you close, muttering something over and over again. Something important. The feeling of their lips pressed against your forehead, his quiet gut heaving sobs as he rocked you back and forth. Albedo’s pleas for you to just hang on a moment longer—

Where were you again?

There was sunlight and it was warm, a pleasant warmth that almost lulled you back to the sleep you’d fallen into. The only thing that kept you awake was that this was indeed not your bed.

Where were you?

Sitting up hurt, your whole body ached and you were certain something must have been rearranged or was missing because the pain shot through you like an arrow. Your sharp exhale alerted the two others in the room, one who immediately sprinted to get a nurse in an emerald and navy flurry of skirts and capes.

You were dizzy, only steadied by a gentle hand on your limp shoulder. Ah, when did you turn to face him?

The blonde man infront of you asked if you remembered what happened, his voice was soft but didn’t hold any emotion. The smoky circles around his beautiful striking cerulean eyes did nothing but worry you slightly as they implied a long period of time without sleep. You’d imagine him to be the sciency type who didn’t really know what to think of other people so he stayed nose deep in books to pass the time, though there was a deep sadness in the way he held himself you couldn’t understand.

“I don’t…who are you?” You thought you saw him flinch but figured it was a trick of the light.

“No one important, nevermind me.” The man sat up with an unreadable expression even for how blank it had been for this whole brief conversation after you had awoken, getting up from his chair to begin walking to the door when he stopped. “I’m sorry.”

“…for what?” You didn’t understand.

“Nothing that would natter now, please. Rest.”

You didn’t remember.