#sorry to anyone who had to bear witness to whatever I sent them

[blazingpeter]

Just to keep things interesting, I'll drop a frame

[greenbergwrites]

in fac was james going to bite steve before their relationship became sexual? or was it going to happen after? or at the same time? does james' kind bite during a wedding ceremony?

I did not have a set time for whenever James was going to bite Steve again, it was going to happen whenever it felt Right.

As far as what a Tarakrovi wedding is like, instead of explaining it, I'll give you an excerpt (from, you know, four years ago) of Part VI.

I actually had seven parts completed but I was rewriting the fourth one, I think, and I never bridged the gap between whatever was in that one with what went on either side which is what ultimately stalled the progress because depression really fucks with one's ability to construct even the simplest scenes

Anyways, this is the last 2k of the Pt VI draft:

(the only thing you really need to know is that James took Steve somewhere private to have this conversation 'cause he knew Steve would react badly)

--

“Deeper into the mountains, there is a temple,” James said, waving a hand to the range behind them. “It is just one of many places of worship for the goddess Senin. I have sent a rider out with orders to bring back the High Priestess residing there. Senin...I doubt you will have heard of her in Sciath, but here, she is sacred. Our principal deity. She is the mother of Strigoi. When two become betrothed, it was once customary to seek the goddess’s approval. I don’t think the custom is quite so prevalent among the commoners anymore, but for the royalty of Tarakrov, it is practically law. Such customs also extend to the marriage ceremony itself. A priestess of Senin will always preside over it when the monarch marries.”

Steve whirled to look at his betrothed, eyes widening at the implication hanging in the air between them.

“What?” He breathed.

When James’s gaze fell away from his, it was the distinct air of remorse.

“That is what I have not yet told you,” he murmured. “We will begin travel to Odihnă in the next week and when we do so, we will travel as the newly wedded. You came here as my intended, but you will leave as my husband.”

It was so far from what he’d been expecting that Steve had no idea what to think about such a revelation. The shock to his system left him empty of any other emotion.

“I truly am sorry,” James said, when no response was forthcoming. “I was not sure how to tell you. I knew that you wouldn’t be happy at such news and you were already so quarrelsome…I thought that if I had to time to ponder it, I would come to know how best to tell you so that you wouldn’t be quite so upset. I would not even admit to myself that I was avoiding it until Natalia berated me this morning.”

Natalia? 

That was unexpected. If anyone had advocated for him, he thought it would be Helen or perhaps even Sam. He never would’ve guessed it to be the frigid Commander who still looked upon him with the utmost distrust.

“I was under the impression that we were to be wed in your capital city,” he said after a moment, “where your court and citizens could bear witness to it. That is what your ambassador told General Phillips, is it not?”

“Yes,” James replied slowly. “That was the original plan.”

“And when did it change?” Steve demanded. “When did you decide that we would marry here instead?”

James looked away from him.

“The attack on your carriage brought some things into perspective,” he said. “We cannot delay the ceremony if you are in danger. Should anything happen, it should be said that it happened to the consort of Tarakrov, not the prince of Sciath. Do you understand that?”

Steve scoffed. Of course he understood; he wasn’t a fool. Despite his betrothal, he was still the prince of a foreign land. He would not be seen as Tarakrovi until he was bound to this land in marriage. Should another attack come, it had to be said that it was an attack on Tarakrov’s crown, instead of an act of war toward Sciath. If anyone thought that James had taken Steve with malicious intent--that the attack had been planned from the start--Sciath would have no shortage of supporters when they retaliated. Even if Tarakrov won that war, it would be at too great a cost.

“From that very night?” He asked, voice rising with his anger. “Did you even plan on telling me at all or was I to be summoned to our marriage altar unaware? Did you mean to keep me in the dark until it was my turn to pledge myself to you?”

James hesitated for the briefest of moments, before he said, “There is more.”

It took several seconds to comprehend those words and when he did, Steve gave in to his body’s need to react and threw up his hands. He turned away, taking several steps to the opposite tower before turning back again.

“What more could there be?” He cried out angrily.

In truth, there was so much more. He knew that. They hadn’t even scratched the surface of all that had been kept from him since his fever had broken in Sciath. He did not think James was broaching any of those subjects, though. It must be something to do with the wedding and that--that terrified him.

“The ceremony itself,” James began, the reluctance clear in his tone and in his voice. “It is not the same as I assume it is in Sciath.”

“Of course it isn’t,” Steve spat, even as his hands began to tremble in a way that had nothing at all to do with the cold. “Nothing is! There is not one thing about this damnable place that is like my home. There is no comfort I might draw from similarities because there are no similarities!”

A world all its own, Helen had called Tarakrov, and she’d been right.

“Highness--”

“No.” He shook his head wildly, suddenly feeling at the end of his rope. “No, tell me what it is. What happens that you feel you must warn me about it?”

James closed his eyes and for a moment, his mask fell away. His eyebrows drew together, mouth pressing into a thin line as his nostrils flared with emotion. He was no longer the guarded king holding himself apart, but instead, he was a man suffering. This glimpse of the person beneath the surface only lasted a few short seconds before James opened his eyes, the mask firmly in place once more. It did not fit him quite as well as before.

“We will exchange blood,” he said softly. “I will drink from you and you...you will drink from me.”

In his mind’s eye, Steve saw Clint and Natalia wrapped intimately around each other, mouths seeking blood and skin. The image shifted until it was no longer the Commander and her lover, but himself and James in such an embrace, lips smeared red. His stomach lurched, mind rebelling instantly even as the telltale beginnings of heat tingled in his limbs.

When the image changed a second time, morphing into the memory of his parents’ bodies, a chill settled so deep into his bones that no warmth could survive its presence.

“No.”

This time, there was no force behind his voice, no false bravado. The word was little more than breath escaping his lips, but it carried with him a note of pleading that he couldn’t stop.

“I’m sorry,” James said, and he truly did sound it. “It must be done. It signifies--”

“I don’t care!” Steve shouted. “I don’t care what it signifies, I don’t want it! I don’t want it.”

He turned away from James again, ashamed to feel the burn behind his eyes that threatened tears. A touch to his shoulder had him whirling back around just as quickly. He pushed James’s hand away and then used both hands to shove him backward, but of course, he did not move. He was a wall of finely honed strength and tightly compacted muscle; Steve had no hope of moving him lest he wanted to be moved.

What happened next was a mystery. Steve remembered standing there before James, clenched fists against his betrothed’s chest, and then there was nothing but a blur as his emotions finally drowned him. Everything he’d held at bay since waking to find his world turned upside down overtook him and Steve was utterly powerless to stop it.

He came back to himself slumped on the stone floor of the walkway, the walls on either side now shielding him from the wind. His throat ached and his hands all the way down to his wrists were heated and throbbing, as though he’d hit them against something. Hot tears stung his cool cheeks. He was exhausted, physically and otherwise. He was also being held tightly, strong arms pinning his own to his sides while simultaneously keeping him pressed to a broad chest.

James said nothing at all to break the silence, but his breath was heavy against Steve’s skin. It came to him slowly, what he’d done. His clenched fists beating against James’s chest and James allowing it, to some extent. He’d been shouting something, but he couldn’t remember what words had spilled from his lips and he was afraid to ask.

He closed his eyes for the briefest moment before opening them again, letting his gaze settle on the weathered stone around him rather than the man behind him.

“Is it because you are Strigoi?” He whispered finally.

James seemed to hesitate and Steve realized that they had never actually spoken of his nature. It had been rumor and then it had been fact when he’d witnessed James drinking the blood of his guards. They’d never acknowledged it, though. It was just one more thing that he’d been kept separate from.

“In part,” James answered finally. His voice was just as soft as Steve’s had been and so gentle that fresh tears stung his cheeks. “To Strigoi, blood is...revered. It plays a central role in each tradition we have, because it is a central role in our lives. Bonding in marriage is no different. But it is more than that. Tarakrov is not just the birthplace of Strigoi. We exist because of Strigoi. They were here first. By the time others settled here, these traditions and customs were already firmly in place. Rather than trying to kill those customs, the settlers chose to honor them. Many of them became not just Strigoi custom, but Tarakrovi custom. It isn’t something that every couple does, but it is very common, even among those who are not Strigoi.”

“But it is necessary for us...because you’re the king.”

James sighed. “It is a tradition that the crown upholds, yes,” he replied. “But the need for it here and now does not come from my station. It comes from your birthplace. You are not Tarakrovi, but you will hold a position that is second in power only to me. Perhaps in Sciath, that is commonplace, but not here. Our royalty has never married an outsider before. We don’t align ourselves with others through marriage, we do not agree to arranged or political matches outside our borders. The fact that I have done so now is troubling to a great many people and the only way I can guard you against that is by having you appear as Tarakrovi as possible. You must find a way to embrace our way of life and our customs or you will find a cold reception in Odihnă.”

Steve frowned, craning his neck to look at James over his shoulder.

“But everyone has been so welcoming,” he protested. The words were no sooner out of his mouth than he was immediately cursing himself for sounding so childish.

James smiled wryly, but it held no mockery or malice.

“Everyone I have surrounded you with thus far is someone I trust implicitly,” he replied. “They are not only skilled in their positions, but I have known them to be good and fair people. I knew they would not judge you simply for your birthplace. I cannot say the same for my court. I cannot even say the same for everyone who resides in the company traveling with us, but that is why you have not been left alone. That is as much protection as I can give you throughout this. I cannot change the ceremony, not a single part of it. If I do, it will be a sign of weakness from us both.”

When no answer was immediately forthcoming, he didn’t push the issue. He did not let go, either, and Steve couldn’t bring himself to pull away, despite the fact that he’d been sitting in James’s embrace for some time now. Slowly, he looked down at his hands, laying limply in his lap. Before, he’d been overflowing with countless, overwhelming emotions. Now, he was emptied of that and the absence left him hollow. Exhausted. Whatever courage that had carried him to this point was now depleted.

“I don’t think I can do it,” he whispered finally. “My parents...you cannot ask me to embrace the customs of the very creatures that killed them. You cannot ask me to be like such monsters in any way.”

The arms around him loosened as soon as the words were out and then they were gone completely, the body at his back disappearing. Steve told himself he was glad, even as he shivered against the chill running down his spine.

“I know that when the time comes, you will do it,” James said, but his voice was no longer soft or gentle. He’d receded back into that armor of cold indifference. “You will do it, because you have not survived this long under your uncle’s thumb by being weak. You may scream, shout--rebel as much as you need. When you’ve accepted it, I will have someone waiting for you to escort you back to the library or wherever else you wish to go.”

Steve didn’t fully comprehend what he was being told until he looked over his shoulder to watch James striding away from him, gloved fists clenched at his sides. It was such a stark difference from the intimacy they’d shared only moments before, their bodies pressed tightly against one another. The confusion at the sudden turn in James’s mood was so absolute that he didn’t realize what had brought it about until several long minutes after he’d been abandoned. A knot formed in his stomach.

He’d thoughtlessly named his betrothed a monster.

[uwusenpaiuwu]

Sleepovers At The Baji Household feat. A Fed-Up Chifuyu

Summary: Chifuyu just wants to sleep, man, but Baji wants to be a jealous crackhead at 2 AM.

Pairing: Sano Manjiro | Mikey x Male Reader

Note(s): I had a little free time and wrote this. So, please enjoy! ALSO, to the anon that sent me a request a few days ago, I saw it and have it filed on my to-do list!!! I will definitely get to it as soon as I get a break in my schedule :)

"Chifuyu, ya wanna see some real discrimination?"

No. No, Chifuyu does not want to see what Baji means by 'real discrimination.'

Does he tell him that, though?

Yes, actually, because it's 2 in the fucking morning and, as much as he respects the other boy, he wouldn't put it past himself to smother him with a pillow after having his dream of cuddling with a sea of puppies suddenly destroyed.

Unfortunately for his sanity, Baji either doesn't hear him or, more likely than not, doesn't give a fuck, because he's already flopping onto his belly and whipping out his phone to do God knows what.

The dial tone that sounds from the speaker a few seconds later makes Chifuyu cringe, especially since it's only ever been a calm silence fit for a good night's sleep prior to Baji bulldozing through it with his absurd question. (At the very least, he's thankful that the latter has half a mind to keep the brightness on the lowest setting, otherwise, Chifuyu would have had to fight.)

On the far end of the row of carefully-laid futons, you shift in your sleep, eyebrows furrowing together at the noise. Rotating onto your side, you unconsciously reach for Baji, and just when he thinks you're being cute and trying to cuddle him, you smack him in the head.

Baji doesn't flinch, instead, takes his pillow and shoves it in your grasp to keep your unconscious self occupied, so that he can focus on getting through to the person who reuses to pick up (understandably so).

Releasing a frustrated groan after being redirected to voice mail for the fifth time, he dials the number again, muttering an impatient, "Pick up already."

Chifuyu feels sorry for the poor soul on the other end. He would've blocked someone following the first call, because again, it's-

The blond has to squint his eyes up at the digital clock on Baji's nightstand, which confirms that it's already 2:22 A.M, further solidifying the fact that he shouldn't be awake right now. And this also applies to the ever persistent first division captain, who insists on bothering who Chifuyu soon discovers is Mikey from the contact ID that flashes across the screen.

Why Baji is so keen on bothering him is a question he doesn't have the mental capacity to ponder over. The most energy he'll expend is to listen in when the call miraculously connects.

"What...?" comes a muffled voice from the receiver, tone laced in an irked grogginess birthed from a slumber rudely interrupted.

There's an absurdly loud, almost angry, roar of Mikey's name, one that has Chifuyu curling in on himself in a futile attempt to escape a sound that should be illegal at this hour.

But you know what else should be illegal?

The fucking whiplash Chifuyu gets when Baji's deep voice takes an abrupt 180°, switching from its normal gruffness to a squeaky, ear-piercing shrill as he screams, "I love you, love you, love you! Do you love me, too, Mikey-kyun~♡?!"

The room is dead silent.

Not a word. Not a murmur. Not a breath.

Just pure, unadulterated silence as both Chifuyu and Mikey process the words that hang in the air, permeating it with a goosebumps-inducing eeriness from having heard such a...a girly, overtly cutesy screech from Baji.

Then-

"What the fuck? He hung on me!"

Chifuyu opens his mouth, thinks better of reacting to the cursed scene he had the misfortune of bearing witness to, and promptly closes it.

Other people may have sleep paralysis demons.

But Chifuyu?

Chifuyu has Baji.

With both hands partially raised in prayer, he begs for the shenanigans to be over and done with.

They are not.

While his eyes remain closed in a last ditch effort to convince himself that it's all a bad dream, he hears a lot of grumbling happening on your side of the room, courtesy of Baji, who's scrambling around in search of...something. One quick peek reveals him fiddling with a phone - yours, to be exact, as evidenced by the distinctive phone charm of your favorite anime character hanging from it.

"(Y/n), wake up for a second," he hears him whisper. It takes a bit of prompting, until he's able to successfully rouse you enough from sleep to elicit any kind of response, which is, essentially, nothing short of an incoherent, slurred mess. Although, Chifuyu is pretty damn certain he heard you call Baji a 'dickhead' for the trouble.

Unperturbed, he continues shaking your limp form, coaxing you into wakefulness with, "Repeat what I tell you, and I'll let you go back to asleep. Deal?"

You squint your eyes at him, only able to make out a vague outline of his visage in the lightless room. "Promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope to die," he automatically responds with the same phrase he's become accustomed to saying whenever you two made a promise, something done purely out of habit, formed when the two of you were just kids and he wanted to get you to do something absolutely ridiculous either for him or with him. And just 'cause he knows you're more susceptible to complying if he does it, he also interlocks his pinky with yours.

"...Fine."

The approval is his cue to proceed, and it's as he's putting the phone on speaker that he turns back to a regretfully wide awake Chifuyu, mouthing a wordless, 'Watch.'

The phone rings, loud and clear, precisely once and only once.

"(Y/n), what's wrong?" It's important to note that even though Mikey still sounds tired as hell, his tone is much lighter, much happier really, than when it was Baji, which is an offense in itself to the said teen that's off to the side, attentively listening to the conversation unfold.

Then, it strikes Chifuyu, what Baji is trying to do, and fuck does it give him an instant headache.

Meanwhile, your mouth morphs into the dopiest of smiles with the pleasant surprise of hearing your boyfriend's voice, chest instantly overtaken by a warm fuzziness that never fails to make an appearance whenever he's involved. Sappy, you know, but it's true!

A light but firm nudge to your shoulder reminds you of your mission. It's too bad that, teetering along the edge of sleep as you are, the words Baji whispers are barely repeated correctly.

The initial phrase from before, the one Baji greeted Mikey with, is shortened to a simple, "You wuv I...?"

But, without missing a beat, you receive Mikey's confident reply of, "Mhm... I wuv you a lot."

There's a sleepy giggle then - a fucking giggle - before your voices drop to sweet whispers that the third and fourth wheels can't fully comprehend from where they are.

"Where the fuck was my 'I wuv you,' huh?!" Baji whisper-shouts, considerate of your conversation even when ranting and raving. "Shit, I would've taken a simple 'I love you,' too! I've known that bastard way longer than (Y/n), and this is what I get?!"

Okay. Toman's president answers his boyfriend's late night calls faster than he does anyone else's and openly expresses his love for him. So what? Chifuyu wouldn't exactly call it 'discrimination,' per se. 'Favoritism,' maybe if you wanna stretch it, but using as strong a word as discrimination, especially taking into account you two are dating; it's normal? Nah.

"You wanna say 'bye' to them? Mm. Baji and Chifuyu." A pause. "Fuyu, Mikey says 'bye.'"

"Bye, Mikey-kun."

The other person in the room waits, and waits, and waits, and when it's clear that there is no intention to address his presence whatsoever, Baji turns to Chifuyu with an almost scandalized expression, making wild gesticulations with his hands, clearly distressed. "See?!"

Blank blue eyes stare back at him, unblinking. Honestly, it's a common occurrence - Baji spiraling in a nonsensical rage - so it's easy for Chifuyu to block out the muted, jealousy-driven temper tantrum as he takes his pillow in both hands, raises it as high as he can, and-

Sigh.

-lets it flop right back onto his face.

He can't suffocate Baji. Shouldn't. Wouldn't. Couldn't. After all, they're best buds, meaning he has an obligation to put up with shit like this once in a while. (Plus, he'd probably get his ass kicked before he succeeds anyway. Totally not worth the beating.)

"Did you hear? Mikey said he wuvs me," he hears you drawl dreamily as soon as you hang up, sounding very close to clocking back out for the night.

"Yeah, yeah. Cute shit. Happy for ya, dude," Baji huffs. Thankfully, he sounds like he's in a similar state to yours, if the yawn that follows his sarcastic comment is anything to go by.

"...He soooo ignored you."

That warrants a punishing punch to the arm, dulled only slightly by the combination of the thick quilt you're swaddled in and the raven-haired boy's fatigue.

"I'll fucking throw you out right now, (Y/n). Don't test me."

"You won't."

"I will."

"Won't."

"Will."

The conversation gradually dies down shortly after, the exhaustion that took its sweet time getting to both of you having reached its peak with the help of the childish bickering. It takes 10 minutes, maybe 15, before two sets of light snores fill the room.

Finally.

Let it be known that there is a lesson to be learned from tonight's events. Really, there is. Y'know, something along the lines of 'Don't agree to a sleepover with Baji, if you plan on actually sleeping,' or whatever.

Alas, Chifuyu's consciousness fades before he realizes what it is.

~~~

"Mikey, be honest. Who do you love more? Me or-?"

"(Y/n)."

"But-"

(Y/n)."

"I-"

"(Y/n)."

Baji is only momentarily discouraged, sharp eyes glaring at the blond that lays his head on your lap after hi-fiving you. He didn't want to do this, but he's left with no choice.

"(Y/n) or Babu?"

From the way Mikey stiffens up, refusing to look at either him or you in the eyes, Baji knows he has him right where he wants him, has him torn between a cute face or a sweet ride.

"Oi! Don't pretend to be asleep! Answer the damn question! OI!"

(After hours of serious contemplation - even though you told him it doesn't particularly matter - it's revealed that, of course, Mikey loves you more. Babu just happens to trail behind as a very close second.)

[whatifyoulivelikethat]

bullseye, m | jjk

pairing(s): jungkook x reader

summary: Are you the insufferable, cocky, absolutely-no-good-for-anyone female equivalent of a fuckboy? Maybe. Okay, yeah. But guess who decided to come along and interrupt your conquests? Jeon Jungkook. What now? Complain to your best friend Kim Taehyung all day or fucking do something about it?

warnings: rated M (18+) for language; alcohol consumption; Taehyung getting shitfaced lol; you're a cocky asshole and so is Jungkook, welp; schemes; smut (fem reader, making out / dry humping in public, cowgirl, m-masturbation, edging / orgasm denial, penetrative sex, so much kissing); non-idol!BTS; (secretly pining) fuckboy!Jungkook x bisexual, fuckgirl!reader; ft artist, best friend!Taehyung; mostly reader's POV with a short JK's POV

yes, it's purple-haired Butter JK

--

now playing – 마.피.아. in the morning by itzy

“Are you kidding me? Fucking Jeon Jungkook, again?”

“You need to calm down,” Kim Taehyung said, patting your shoulder and handing you a mojito.

“What I need is a fucking bow and arrow to shoot down this fucking pest!”

“I know you were the archery champion in high school, but that’s still a weird thing to think,” replied that baritone voice, pushing you into a chair so he could sit down as well, observing you violently chugging down the entire mojito in your rage. He seemed highly amused, looking a bit like a young French socialite in a black beret, loose tan dress shirt, and black slacks with black loafers. Gold accents because Kim Taehyung was that bitch. “Never ceases to impress me that you can do that.”

You pulled the glass from your lips, ice and mint clinking. “This is the third girl I’ve been dating that he’s just–” You flapped a hand in the general direction of the crowd at the bar, completely ignoring Taehyung’s comment about your record-breaking skills of draining cocktails. “–unashamedly making out with when clearly I’m right here.”

Taehyung rolled his eyes, far too crass for how drop-dead handsome he was, but it seemed that he didn’t care. “I doubt he knows you’re here or that you’re dating them. And to make it fair on him, you were casually dating them all at once, so technically, no one is at fault here,” he added.

You narrowed your eyes. “I wasn’t–”

Taehyung gave you this look.

The look of ‘shut-up-you-know-I’m-right’.

Being your best friend, he had a right to do that.

“Shouldn’t you be mad at the girl anyway? Being faithful and all that, which, by the way, you are not.”

“Dating is not the same as being in a relationship,” you argued.

“Mmm, so fucking them is not indicative enough that you should be less of a fuckboy.”

“I’m not a fuckboy,” you muttered. “I’m a woman.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. “The general term still stands because you’re a class-A asshole.”

You closed your eyes and sucked in a deep breath, trying not to bolt home and buy a bow and arrow online to shoot, not Jeon Jungkook, but Kim Taehyung, because he was testing your last nerve with the truth.

“Again, why are you not mad at them?” Taehyung reoriented the conversation with a sweep of his arm when you opened your eyes, prompting your gaze to shift and witness Jeon Jungkook with his tongue down a pretty girl’s throat. This cheeky bastard was even wearing a leather jacket and white shirt, just like you. The only difference was that you wore a leather miniskirt and he wore black jeans with rips in the thighs, but both of you were wearing heeled black moto-style boots.

“Because he’s the denominator in this equation,” you snapped, smacking your glass on the table.

“Please do not make math references. My brain is not made for that.”

“Fractions? Tae, seriously, are you defective or–”

“Maybe he’s doing it to piss you off.”

“Well, I am pissed off!”

The bar was very loud with music and noise. Your shout was still clearly heard. Neither you or Taehyung seemed to care that people turned to look at you two and shake their heads.

Taehyung shrugged. “Then he succeeded.”

You clicked your tongue. “Why, though? I didn’t do anything to him. He just started popping up stealing my girls. What if I switch back to chasing dick and he takes them too?”

Taehyung snorted. “I doubt it. You’re just continuing on this train because you’re stubborn.”

As usual, he saw right through you.

He raised an elegant hand and tapped his lips. “Maybe he likes you.”

You gave Taehyung the most disbelieving, fiery, indignant look that you had ever produced in your life.

“Or, he doesn’t,” he hastily corrected. “Let’s face it, sometimes I don’t even like you and I would murder for your dumb ass.”

You tapped the melting glass of icy mint onto the tabletop.

Menacingly.

“If you think about it,” Taehyung began tentatively, scooting his chair slightly away from you with your flaming eyes boring holes in the back of Jeon Jungkook’s head. His hair was dark violet now so you could spot him easily, pinning your (not yours, but you know, that was your prey at one point) girl against the back wall of the bar. “He always goes after your target. He wants you to notice something.”

You watched a YouTube video once about making your own bow and arrow. It didn’t seem that difficult, all things considered. Sharpening a long stick with a knife and–

“Stop thinking about murder.”

You jerked your head back to Taehyung and his honey-brown curls framing his amused expression. You glared in response.

“I’ve never interacted with him a day in my life,” you frowned, abandoning your homicidal tendencies for the moment. “What does he want me to notice?”

Taehyung gave you a pained look. You returned with a black stare. Then he sighed and shook his head.

“He’s a fuckboy. You’re the female equivalent of a fuckboy. What do you think he wants?”

“My body count?”

Taehyung slapped his own face, muttering under his breath. “… be part of your body count.”

“Sorry, what?” You raised your voice over the bass. “Can’t hear you over the music.”

He raised his head. “I don’t know. Fight him. See what happens.”

“I’m not gonna win a fistfight.”

Taehyung looked ready to fistfight you.

You stood up, dragging him by the arm. “Come on, wingman. I need another drink. I’ll buy, since you got me the last one.”

Taehyung laughed, loud and full, yanking his arm out of your grip and clapping a hand around your shoulders, pulling you to him so your body knocked into him. You grimaced, now forced to walk side by side with him, not seeing the looks shared between the patrons witnessing you two together.

“Now we’re talking. I wanna get trashed.”

“Cure for a broken heart, am I right?”

“Mine’s shattered,” Taehyung chuckled, rubbing the left side of his chest playfully, but you couldn’t help but notice the hurt in his eyes. It was his idea to go out tonight and assist you with getting laid but, one, you didn’t need assistance and, two, he had recently broken up. It was pretty obvious he just wanted you to buy him drinks and have an excuse to do something.

Which was fine with you, until Jeon Jungkook showed up holding your previous eye candy.

Hmph.

Whatever, you had a Taehyung to nurse back to health with an obscene amount of alcohol.

-

Two hours later, you were standing in the men’s bathroom, holding Taehyung’s beret with one hand and his hair in the other as he vomited loudly into the toilet.

“Sup.”

The guy looked in the stall and then looked at you.

“You’re not supposed to be here…”

You raised an eyebrow. “You wanna hold his hair?”

The guy slunk away at your dismissive tone.

Taehyung tapped your thigh and you patted him on the head soothingly. He flushed and coughed.

"S... sorry," he croaked wetly.

You chuckled. "Wash your mouth, ya nasty."

He got up and you straightened his clothes in an almost maternal fashion.

"Need water, I think..." he winced, stumbling past you to the counter. You followed him to make sure he didn't hurl in the fucking sink.

"I'll be right back. Don't do anything crazy."

"Heh, that’s you," he slurred as he put his hands under the tap to wash up.

You plopped his beret on your head and sauntered out of the men's bathroom, unbothered by the stares and the people trying to catch your eye. It took you no time at all to waltz to the counter and obtain the water, striding back to the men's bathroom with the tall glass.

Only to run into you-know-who.

The girl sputtered your name in surprise as if she hadn't met you in this very bar a couple of weeks ago.

You completely ignored her existence, narrowing your eyes at the smirking face of Jeon Jungkook.

There was no denying his attractiveness. His purple hair was a little messy now, curling around his high cheekbones and large brown eyes. The dim light of the bar cast strange shadows over his chiseled jaw and shapely lips, curved into a devilish grin. He had a mole and red lipstick residue underneath his lower lip.

You had a strong urge to douse him and his leather jacket with your giant glass of water.

Taehyung was the one who found out Jungkook's name for you. You sent him on the mission after the first time this little shit started meddling in your business.

At this moment, you remembered that.

You pointedly looked away, walking past Jungkook, knocking into his arm forcefully and on purpose, annoyed that he seemed pretty strong under that jacket, muscular and lean. Whatever. You had a large bear cub named Kim Taehyung to take care of. You didn't have time to waste on Jeon Jungkook.

"Hey."

You stiffened at the deep, silvery voice. Of course. He had to have a sexy voice too. Bitch.

"You should apologize."

Your eyes flickered to the glass of water. It was pretty cold in your hand. You raised your chin back up, facing towards the bathrooms.

The choice was easy.

You continued waking and raised your free hand to flip Jeon Jungkook the bird, off to deliver the water to your best friend.

Some guy at the urinal screamed as you entered the men's bathroom but you completely ignored him, only focusing on Taehyung, who was gripping the corner of the sink, turning not to pass out, pallid face dripping and looking green.

"Drink this and I'll take you home."

-

"Ugh, thanks for the other day... sorry I wasn't the best wingman... I ended up making you exorcize my demons instead..."

You laughed, jabbing a toothpick in the steaming fried chicken. You and Kim Taehyung again, hanging out in the afternoon at the local chicken spot.

"It's cool. I know you needed it."

Taehyung frowned. "If you knew, why did you play along?"

You shrugged. "You would've done the same for me."

He smiled and popped a piece of crispy chicken in his mouth. "Yeah, if you ever had a serious relationship for once."

You glared. "This is a non-judgment zone. Shut up."

He chuckled. Then he leaned in and you grimaced, catching a whiff of his chicken breath. He was wearing a pinstriped shirt and neglected to button the first two because he was too hot to bother with some stupid buttons. You weren't going to say you could relate, but you were wearing a loose black sweater dress that was bordering on flashing your panties, so, maybe.

"I heard from a little birdie that you had a run-in with the bane of your existence."

You raised an eyebrow. "The tax man?"

Taehyung rolled his eyes. "No, the other one."

Now it was your turn to roll yours. "Oh, right. The Dark Lord."

Taehyung gave you a weird look. "Is that a movie reference or..."

"Harry Potter, ever heard of it?"

"You're such a nerd."

"That's not... anyway, so what?"

He wiggled his eyebrows. "He spoke to you."

You narrowed your eyes. "Where do you get your information?"

He fidgeted. "Uh... a reliable source that chooses to remain anonymous."

Your eyes became slits. "Who."

Taehyung stick his tongue out at you. "The whole point of anonymous is you not knowing!"

"Who are you, fucking Rita Skeeter–"

"Stop with the weird references!"

"For fuck's sake," you hissed, causing a mother sitting at a table near yours to chastise you, covering their kid’s ears. You frowned, lowering your voice. "Alright so what? He opened his mouth; nothing original came out." You jabbed another piece of chicken.

"Well? Feel any tension? Sweet romance? Unbridled fury?" Taehyung piped, greatly interested in your two-second interaction with Jeon Jungkook.

You chewed, huffing. "I had a big kid to take care of. I didn't give a shit."

"Hey, I'm not a kid!" he shot back.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you’re more important to me than poking his pretty eyeballs out of his head, so I didn't even reply."

Taehyung paused, mid-chew. "Really?"

"Yes, I didn't say–"

"No, that I'm important to you."

Taehyung was doing that thing where his big brown eyes went all sparkly and sentimental. It was making you uncomfortable. Bad with feelings and all that. The only reason you tolerated it was because Taehyung had been like this ever since he was that dorky weird kid you defended from bullies in elementary school. A folding chair was involved and you might have watched too many WWE TLC (tables, ladders, chairs) matches as a kid, but hey, those bullies didn’t bother Taehyung ever again, did they?

You got sent to detention for the rest of the year and anger management counseling appointments, but Taehyung remained your friend throughout the whole ordeal and for years to come, tolerating your poor life choices so… worth?

You reached over and shut his open mouth. "Of course, you are, that's why I'm not calling you a disgusting pig for chewing with your mouth open."

"Oi, that's bullying!"

"You bully me all the time," you snorted and the same mom made a noise of distaste that you pretended not to hear. "Like now you keep bringing up the spawn of Satan."

"You're also the spawn of Satan, by the way."

"Yeah, and you're my guardian angel and he ain't got shit, so I’ve already won this war."

Taehyung laughed nervously.

"Er, yes... totally..."

-

Another day, another conquest.

Well, you had to find the prey first, but that wasn’t going to be hard.

“You’re a chronic asshole.”

“Thanks, Tae. You sure you don’t wanna come?”

He rolled his eyes at you as you shrugged on one of his black dress shirts. You checked the tag. Silk. Damn. Kim Taehyung was a fancy bitch. He leaned against the closet doorframe as you fitted your black leather corset-style belt at your waist to cinch it in. You often raided Taehyung’s closet and paired it with your accessories. Did he enjoy your fucking in his clothes? Probably not, but you always returned them cleaned in the proper way, so he couldn’t complain.

He did anyway.

“No, I don’t. Let me sulk.”

“Ah, yes, moody starving artist, I’ll let you be,” you snickered, slinging the waist bag over your shoulder, wearing it across your chest instead of your hips. You lightly punched him in the arm and he pretended to topple over exaggeratedly. “You going to paint today?”

He shrugged. “I think. Dunno what media I want to use.”

“Just use a bunch of different ones. Your mixed media stuff is amazing,” you replied, waltzing out of his bedroom, past his messy studio with a blank canvas balanced on a wooden easel in the center of absolute chaos of paints. You helped him organize them once, but Taehyung often was too in the zone to pay attention to neatness.

“When’s the exhibit? I want to drop by,” you commented, seeing the line of his works safely wrapped up, leaning against the wall.

“Um… next week, Thursday through Sunday,” Taehyung replied sheepishly, cheeks flaring red at the mention of his own art exhibit. He was humble even though he was talented. “I’ll text you the address. Don’t show up looking like a high-paid escort.”

You tucked your feet into your heels and raised an eyebrow.

Silk black men’s shirt worn as a dress, belted at the waist to show off your curves, bare legs out, toned calves standing out due to your sleek black high heels.

“Who, me? Never.”

Taehyung shook his head. “Text me if you need a ride.”

“You got it.”

-

“You have got to be kidding me.”

You tapped your nails on the bar, having already finished your peach mojito.

“Fucking Jeon Jungkook, again?”

You needed to invest in a bow and arrow, like, yesterday.

Shoot right between his pretty eyeballs. Dude even pulled back his long, deep purple hair into a smooth ponytail with wispy strands framing his sculpted face. Was that damn eyeliner and mascara making his eyes look sharper, sexier? Fuck, he even knew how to make himself look even hotter.

Not as hot as you, of course.

“How does he always know where I’m at?” you muttered under your breath, turning away to look at the bartender and order another mojito. Watermelon. It seemed interesting. Fuck it, you were going to focus on drinking rather than the thorn in your side, Jeon Jungkook and his black dress shirt halfway buttoned and his tight-fitting black slacks with sleek oxfords. The bartender slid your glass in front of you, a gradient of pink to transparent with a little sprig of mint on top. It was a pretty drink.

You reached into your waist bag to pay, but the bartender stopped you.

“The gentleman over there paid for you. A gift.”

Oh? Maybe a potential for the night. You shifted your gaze to–

Oh.

“Tell him to fu–”

But the bartender was already off servicing other customers on this busy night.

Shit.

You know what? Fine. He put himself up as the target. He wanted to play this game.

And you never missed a bullseye.

You tilted your head to survey Jeon Jungkook out of the corner of your eye, making his way over to you, bringing your drink close to your lips. He stopped right next to you. The colorful lights of the club made rainbows dance across his lightly tanned skin and his dark lips, curled into a smug smirk.

“Hey.”

You cocked an eyebrow.

Drank.

Mmm, fuck, that was some deliciously smooth rum. The watermelon was a refreshing addition to the mint too. You probably weren’t meant to drink it all at once, but you were glaring at Jungkook who was pointedly watching your throat swallow and it was aggravating you more and more, the entire drink disappearing in record time, leaving nothing but ice and mint.

You smacked the glass down on this table with a hiss.

Jungkook purred your name with that deep, silvery voice of his. His eyes flickered down to your exposed collarbones and then back up to your face.

You clicked your tongue.

Then you turned away from him dismissively, walking past him, knocking into his arm forcefully and on purpose.

But instead of letting it happen, Jungkook shifted his weight and slid to block your path. You stopped, eyes darting up to narrow at that conceited little brat’s face. Now you could smell his cologne, fresh, sensual, a mix of pungent dragon fruit and black coffee.

Hold on.

You inhaled. Yup, no mistaking it.

That was your perfume.

Jungkook grinned as the realization hit you. How did he know what perfume you used?

“The fuck you want?” you growled.

He licked his lips slowly. He ticked his chin, taunting you.

“Finally got you to talk to me,” he purred, chuckling.

Alright, you were past causing actual bodily harm these days – jail being your primary reason – but that didn’t stop you from staring down Jeon Jungkook and his self-satisfied smirk with your signature tapering of your sharp stare.

You just stood there.

Menacingly.

He bit his lower lip, exposing that tiny mole underneath, shivering under your gaze. “Are you mad at me?” he asked, almost innocently, but there was no chance in hell that he was.

You quirked your head, lifting your chin defiantly. “Absolutely fuming,” you replied acidly.

He took a step towards you, closing the distance, so close you could feel his warmth, your breasts brushing against his chest. Now people were whispering around you two, sensing the tension between you and Jungkook. The similar outfits, the same violent energy, the same predatory aura.

As if the fox had confronted the wolf.

“What’s there to be mad about when we play the same game?” Jungkook drawled.

Cocky. The fox was so damn cocky.

“You’re just nibbling on my leftovers,” you countered, stepping forward so you pressed against him, burning body heat to burning body heat. “Which makes you the scavenger.”

Jungkook leaned down, dark brown eyes glittering with amusement.

“Then why so angry?”

His lips ghosted over yours, breathing in your exhale.

“I’m just a pest, right? A mere annoyance in your eventual victory.”

His lashes lowered, arrogant smirk reaching his dark eyes.

“Play your ace. Let’s see if it works,” he purred in the deep, sexy octave of his.

Shut up.

A low snarl rumbled in your chest.

“Shut up, Jeon Jungkook.”

You gripped his belt and yanked him to your body, rolling your crotch into his, your lips colliding with that maddening smirk, alcohol, dragon fruit, black coffee, flint igniting the dry wood, devouring his lips hungrily, his hands sliding up your sides, and his smile.

Triumph.

-

Shit.

-

You couldn’t give two fucks about Jeon Jungkook and he was into it.

Like the impossible enigma, he couldn’t figure you out but he was drawn to you anyway. The whole world was your plaything, and you treated it as such. There was something exciting about you, the thrill too irresistible to avoid when you made your presence known. Always you and that teasing smile, never getting serious, making everyone hesitate to take it farther with you. Who could blame them with your borderline brash attitude and ease of moving from one to the next?

That and your friendship with Kim Taehyung, who was a whole damn tiger next to your wolfish nature.

At first, Jungkook was intrigued.

As time went on, he became frustrated and annoyed.

What gave you the right to ignore him?

You picked up guys far less attractive than he was, not that he was that vain but, seriously, he was right here! Waiting to be caught. He didn’t try to interfere at first. In fact, Jungkook wasn’t even the sleep-around-and-mess-with-feelings kind of guy. But the more he watched you, the more impressed he was, seeing the way you charmed your way into everyone’s hearts, the way you focused on them for that moment, making them feel like they were the most perfect creature on Earth before slinking to the next, leaving them with a pining heart and lost in fantasies of what-ifs.

And, yeah, you were hot.

What was Jungkook going to do?

He could do nothing.

Or he could befriend Kim Taehyung, get under your skin, and make you notice him.

Not a scheme, per se.

Kind of a scheme.

Alright, definitely a scheme.

In Jungkook’s defense, your best friend Taehyung was all for it. Taehyung was the one who came up with all the ideas, informed him of your location, and the names of the girls you were after.

“Give her a taste of her own medicine. She needs a reality check.”

The problem was, Jungkook didn’t really want to let you go now that you were in his arms.

-

“Silly pretty boy.”

You had his chin in your palm, pressing your thumb against Jungkook’s lower lip, opening his hungry mouth to tease him with your tongue, tracing his soft lips and thrusting in, his low moan filling your lungs. His hands on your waist tightened, pulling you closer even through you were already in his lap, murmurs and eyes on you, but neither your nor Jungkook cared, used to this by now.

You were, after all, making out in the club.

The chair scraped against the ground as Jungkook firmly placed your thighs on either side of his, thrusting upwards into your core, letting your feel his rapidly growing hardness with every one of your kisses. Your hair feathered his cheeks and shoulders as your free hand toyed with his ponytail, twirling it in your fingers, smirking into his lips with his gasp from you grinding back down on his crotch, rolling your hips into him.

“Thought I was the bane of your existence?” Jungkook taunted under you, squeezing your ass through the silk and meeting your movements, staring into your eyes with his. So dark, so smokey, so fucking sexy, almost like looking into a mirror, because you too wore similar makeup, maybe a little darker and a little more of a flick to your eyeliner. “Just going to kiss me to shut me up?”

You wouldn’t be surprised if the other clubgoers were eagerly watching now, waiting to see what was going to happen between you and him.

“I don’t need to be on your mouth to shut you up,” you mused, tugging his ponytail back and kissing down his neck, tongue tracing the contours of his muscles, feeling him shudder under your lips and teeth, lightly nipping at his skin. Tracing circles, gentle kisses, relishing in his gasps and his tightened grip on you, letting your breath linger for that extra second, that extra what-if, kissing back up his neck and onto his jawline, murmuring his name sweetly, tip of your tongue curling around his earrings and bouncing them, sighing softly in his ear.

“Can’t claim my leftovers when my leftovers are you, now can you, naughty boy?” you chuckled darkly, pressing your breasts on his hot chest and your clothed pussy on the tip of his stiff length, rutting against it, making him hiss your name.

“I have no intention of being leftovers,” he growled into your ear.

Your eyes flew open as his lips transfixed to the space under your ear, sucking hard, forcing you to squeeze your thighs at the attack on your erogenous zone, sparks of arousal flinching through you, soaking your panties. You gasped, hips bucking into his needily, barely processing his words, his tongue flicking against your throbbing skin, lips and teeth, and then his mouth was moving, traveling up your earlobe, nipping at the curve, your eyelids fluttering, clutching his purple ponytail tightly.

How did he know? Did he ask your previous conquests to spill the information? There was no time to think, his hands traveling up your back, clenching fistfuls of your shirt and digging his nails into your back, your body responding and squirming against him, the quiet whine of his name escaping your lips and drifting right into his ear.

“J… Jungkook…”

He groaned, turning your head forcefully, him kissing you this time, just as ravenous, just as powerful, basically simulating sex in the middle of the fucking club with the way your hips were twisting into his and he was thrusting back against you, breathless, whispering in your mouth so only you could hear his words resonate in your chest.

“Fuck, you’re so hot, you turn me on so fucking easily, I just have to have you,” he murmured, his forehead pressed against yours, capturing your lips again and again. “There’s no way you’re any good for me, but I don’t care, fuck.”

You snickered, eye to eye, trapped in those expanding pupils and his heavy pants. “They say the same about you, Jeon Jungkook.”

You felt him smirk. “Nah, not me. No one calls me the spawn of Satan.”

You raised an eyebrow. “You sure? Because I do.”

Jungkook’s tongue licked your lips, making your shiver in delight. “That was special treatment. Just for you.”

Hold on a second.

Through your hazy buzzed brain, you began to piece the puzzle together. With each part falling into place, the amusement in Jungkook’s eyes grew and grew, seeing you fill in the missing blanks. Your eyes widened and you curled a finger around his ponytail, yanking roughly to pull his grinning face away from yours. You jerked back, but his strong hands held you in place.

Wispy strands of violet framing that devious expression.

“Taehyung,” you breathed, venomous.

Jungkook had the audacity to cock an eyebrow.

“Yep.”

You were going to kill Taehyung. That little shit! Taehyung was no idiot, so he must have planned this somehow. He always telling you to get serious and stop messing around. That’s why Jungkook always knew who you were dating, where you were, and what you were wearing! Did Taehyung recruit Jeon Jungkook to trick you? Fuck! He was dead meat, scheming against you like this!

Jungkook brought you out of your homicidal tendencies with a soft drawl of your name.

“For the record, he was helping me out,” he murmured, pulling you to him, pressing your chest to his. You narrowed your eyes, his hard cock still throbbing against your panties. “I want you.”

He lowered his face, breathing hard.

“Not just like this.”

Your eyes widened.

“I said I’m not going to be leftovers.” Looking deep into your eyes, holding you tightly. “I’m not going to let you throw me away like the rest.” Every inhale making your body rise into his touch, his deep, silvery voice saturated with lust and determination. “I’m going to make you fall in love with me as much as I am in love with you.”

You opened your mouth to retort, but…

Jungkook gave you this look.

The look of ‘you-know-you’ve-already-lost’.

You could sit here and pretend, but you were also grinding back onto his dick right out here in the open, clutching his purple hair and his pretty face. His hard body was tucked snugly in your thighs. That smug little smirk. Shit, shit, shit.

Jeon Jungkook got you and he got you good.

He knew it too, his hands sliding down and grabbing your ass again, rolling his hips into yours.

“Come on. Let’s fuck.”

-

“Oh, fuck, yes, yes, yes!”

Jungkook threw his head back onto his pillows, exposing his straining throat, veins popping out, clutching your hips strongly to rut back against you as you smacked your crotch down onto him, riding him hard and fast, your hands next to his head, his long purple hair a mess even if it was still in the ponytail, sweat glistening on his forehead, moaning loudly with your walls closing in on his hardness. You were too busy fucking the daylights out of him to say anything, but Jungkook had plenty to say, hazy eyes opening and gasping as he viewed your body hovering over him, naked with his hickeys on your neck and breasts, strong thighs flexed on either side of him, his rock-hard cock repeatedly disappearing into your tight, wet hole.

“Fuck, I knew it, I knew you would be so fucking good and so fucking sexy,” he whined, nails digging into your hips and adding more force to your thrusts.

Your clothes and his clothes were all over his bedroom floor.

Your phone was on his nightstand.

Tonight, you sent one text to Kim Taehyung.

I’m gonna buy a bow and arrow and shoot you in the ass.

You screen flashed, indicating Taehyung had replied. One quick flick of your eyes and you smirked.

Oh shit.

Jungkook squeezed your ass, making your return your attention to him.

“Focus on me,” he begged, blown-out pupils. “Only me, please.”

“So needy,” you teased, licking your lips slowly. He groaned under you, mouth opening, his pretty pink tongue lolling out, desperate to be sucked. “If you think you can keep me, you’ll have to last longer than this, Jungkook.”

He swallowed hard at the way you said his name, a mixture of warning and desire.

“P-Please… it’s too good, I-I can’t…”

You redoubled your efforts, roughly slapping your hips into his, enjoying the loud sound and the way your core tightened, constricting him inside you, telling him he couldn’t cum until you did and deliberately holding yourself back, shifting your attention when you felt it rise, denying him over and over, until he was like this, whole body shaking, grasping your ass, sweat on his chest. His right arm, covered in tattoos, looking extra delicious in the moonlight, so fucking perfect with his forearms flexed with tension. You purposefully stared into his brown eyes overtaken with lust, his lips trembling from denying himself his own orgasm.

Jungkook whimpered your name.

On the verge of breaking, helpless at your command.

A sharp throb inside you, wildly turned on by his duality.

You smirked.

“Jungkook.”

You inhaled deeply, sighing in satisfaction with the wave of pleasure, intense shivering pulses running up and down his length, sinking down so he could feel it all, the tight and rough massage of your orgasm taking over, low moan of his name emitting from your throat, and Jungkook followed suit, louder and lewder, eyes rolling back as he shot into the condom with jerking hips, burying the twitching head deep inside you, swelling the latex with thick cum, rocking you back and forth on his length, your juices dripping down and coating the inside of your joined thighs.

“Oh, fuuuuuuuck, so good, s-so fucking good…”

You know what, he was right.

It was so fucking good.

You savored it, the ecstasy that seemed endless and overwhelming, squeezing Jungkook between your thighs and moaning, just something about it, so satisfying and gratifying listening to his wheezing gasps and content whimpers, lowering yourself to his face, and he raised his, your hands sliding under his head, giving him what he wanted, light, maddening, carnal kisses, his cheeks, his chin, his quivering lips, whining your name, pleading with you to play with him more, more, tugging on his ponytail and his hands stroking your breasts, rolling your hard nipples between his index and thumb fingers, shaking at your hissing inhale.

“Hey,” you murmured, clenching him between your legs to get his attention.

Jungkook blinked at you, brown eyes unfocused, panting hard. “Y-Yeah?”

“You should apologize.”

The side of his swollen lips quirked upwards despite his fucked-out state. His deep voice was slightly hoarse. “What for? Tell me and I will.”

You raised an eyebrow. “For your scheming and using my own best friend against me.”

Jungkook smirked slyly.

“I’m sorry.”

He lifted you and made sure he had the condom before he pulled out, still semi-hard. You narrowed your eyes. He sure as hell didn’t sound sorry. Didn’t look sorry either, peeling the condom off and crawling over the bed to toss it in the trash before straightening.

“Sounding insincere there,” you remarked coolly, balancing your chin on the back of your knuckles, elbow on the bed, tapping the air impatiently.

“I mean it,” he purred, reaching for the towel beside the bed and knocking the condoms from his nightstand to the sheets. His right hand wrapped around his glistening length, still covered in lube and his cum, toned hips thrusting into his closed fist, grinning with his lower lip between his teeth as you watched him.

“I’m so, so sorry.”

Slowly jacking himself off as his eyes roamed over your curves, moaning lustfully, lingering on your legs, clutching the towel in his left hand so hard his knuckles were pale, forearms flexed, the slick head of his cock turning purple-red, emerging from between his closed fingers, throbbing as it was choked by his harsh grip.

“Let me make it up to you,” Jungkook shuddered, stroking faster, making wet squelching sounds, his muscular thighs bulging with effort.

Fuck, he was so damn attractive.

You kept an indifferent look on your face, raising your leg, your free hand sliding down, tracing the outside of your already wet opening. Those hungry dark brown orbs immediately fixated on it, moaning imploringly as you dipped your fingers in it, soft squishing noises as you spread open your soaked pussy, slipping a finger in your heat, gently thrusting.

He gasped your name, begging you.

It made you wetter, seeing his want. He knew it too, brutally fisting his cock, hips quivering.

“Stop.”

Jungkook whined despairingly, pulling his hand away, his stiff cock bouncing from the swiftness of the movement, cutting off his own orgasm. He sucked in a shivering breath, tipping his hips up to you so his glossy, hard length twitched.

You shifted, laying back against his pillows, opening your legs.

Smirk on your lips.

“Mmm, fuck, yes, fuck me with that.”

Jungkook smirked back.

It took him no time at all to wipe his hand and crotch off, ripping open another condom and moaning as he rolled it down, the mere contact of the thin encasement stimulating his sensitive skin. He slid up to you, gripping your knees and spreading you even wider, pressing the tip against your drenched heat.

He whispered your name, like sweet smoke.

“Hm?”

Jungkook leaned down, kissing you deeply as he sank into you, drinking in your gasp at the fullness.

“I’m going to make you feel so, so good,” he mumbled into your lips, pecking you softly.

He was about to retreat but your hands snapped up, tangling into his messy violet waves, clutching his ponytail. Jungkook blinked at you, questioning.

“Not too far away,” you said with a playful smile. “I wanna see that handsome face of yours.”

He bit his lower lip, tiny mole and wicked grin revealing themselves.

“Okay.”

He lifted his hips and plunged fully into you, the connection of your hips making a loud, wet smack.

“Fuck, Jungkook…!”

And you could tell from his elated expression and his furious pace that he was ecstatic at your response, chasing it, chasing you, moaning as you caught him between your thighs and wrapped your legs around his waist, gaining some leverage and meeting his thrusts, fingers tightening in his soft hair, fuck, so beautiful, the way the pleasure overtook his handsome features, his hazy dark brown orbs shrouded in lust, his pink lip trembling in his teeth, sharp jaw set, but still maintaining a little bit of that cunning exterior that ensnared you in the first place, unknowingly at the time, the side of his lips ticking up, this cheeky bastard.

Jungkook saw the way you looked at him.

He adjusted the position, hitting deeper, swelling inside you, and, fuck, you couldn’t help it, you smirked too because he was so, so full of himself and so were you, insufferable, troublesome, competitive even now, the obscene smack of his crotch hitting your hips, wet and noisy, the squish of your juices smearing against his inner thighs as you wildly matched his rapid, bruising rhythm, your moans blending together, sweet hot harmony, his bedframe ramming against the wall, and, as usual, neither of you caring, far to occupied with yourselves, pleasure snaking between you, up your spine and into your head, mixing with the light buzz of alcohol, a different kind of euphoria from every other one-night stand, because this was Jeon Jungkook and he wasn’t going to be a one-night stand.

His lower lip popped out of his teeth and he gasped your name.

Longingly, breathlessly.

Was he thinking the same thing?

You lifted yourself a little, your hands molded to his head, whispering intensely against his shaking lips.

“Don’t worry, Jungkook. We have all night and the morning.”

Fuck, he had a brilliant smile.

It was actually doomed for you, but you weren’t mad about it.

Eye contact, and he didn’t waver, thrusting deep into you, low moan pulled from his chest, jolting shudders sliding down his shoulders and then in between you and him, his cock twitching and spilling into the condom again, roughly clamped by your tightness, and you were already there, falling over the edge with a soft cry, straining your neck and pushing his head down to you to collide your lips with his, greedy for his kiss, his taste, his whimpers at your forcefulness.

“Jungkook, ah…”

He said your name in the same tone, delicate and possessive, a bullseye right to the heart.

-

“On one hand, I’m glad you’re finally serious about someone.”

You paid absolutely no attention to the annoyed baritone voice of your best friend.

“On the other hand,” Kim Taehyung gritted out, smacking you in the shoulder blades as you crawled into Jeon Jungkook’s lap, kisses intensifying, a needy whine in his chest, his hands wrapping around your waist. “Really feeling like a third wheel, you two! Stop making out for one goddamn second!”

He threw up his hands as both of you pretended to be deaf.

-

interlude respect drabble — "how much did you see?" popcorn drabble — "who are they?"

part ii threesome, ft kth — got it bad

--

masterpost

[pastxlscorp]

Bully! Mitsuya Fanfic (pt.3)

Chapter III: Abidance

✿ Word Count: 3.2k

✿ Pairing: Takashi Mitsuya x reader

✿ Topics covered: (Eventual) Enemies to lovers trope, Hakkai POV, Y/N POV, Mitsuya POV, tsundere-Mitsuya, bully! Mitsuya, fem. reader, minor manga spoilers, slight angst

Awakening from his slumber, he found that the woman was no longer taking up space in his bed. He heaved a sigh of relief, only to, unfortunately, see a message from an unknown number on his phone saying “Text me when you’re free ;)” Ignoring the text, he found he had a message from Hakkai and remembered that he had abandoned him to sleep with that damn woman. However, Hakkai didn’t confront him about it, but instead acted as if nothing happened.

🗨️ Hakkai: Is the party still on for today? (Sent 2:00am)

🗨️ Mitsuya: Yeah, sorry about yesterday. I wasn’t feeling my best, I should have let you know. (Sent 10:00am)

🗨️ Hakkai: No hard feelings. Ya feeling better now Taka-chan? (Sent 10:01am)

🗨️ Mitsuya: Not really, but it’ll pass. What’d you end up doing yesterday after I left? (Sent 10:02am)

Picking up on the subtle curiosity of Mitsuya’s text, it became clear to Hakkai that he did see him with you. As much as he admired Mitsuya, the anger building inside of him got the best of him. Therefore, in response, he chose a reply that he knew would get Mitsuya boiling.

🗨️ Hakkai: Caught Y/N outside of your class, had a wonderful lunch with her! She’s so nice, Taka-chan! Why are ya so mean to her? (Sent 10:04am)

Vigorous fingers typed in reply.

🗨️ Mitsuya: Why the fuck were you hanging around that slut? She’s just gonna try and get in your pants. What did she say to you? (Sent 10:04am)

🗨️ Mitsuya: Hakkai? Hello? (Sent 10:05am)

🗨️ Hakkai: Sorry Taka-chan, I’m back. She didn’t say nuthin bad, actually she was so sweet. She saw I was alone and we both had some tea together back at her place. Ended up sleeping over, I’m still here actually! (Sent 10:05am)

🗨️ Mitsuya: BACK AT HER PLACE? I told you, she’s just trying to get in your pants and you let her win! I can’t believe you let a whore like her win you over, Hakkai! Where the fuck is your brain? She probably was enjoying every minute of your sorry ass. (Sent 10:05am)

🗨️ Hakkai: Who said we slept together, Taka? (Sent 10:05am)

Silence enveloped the room.

🗨️ Mitsuya: Sorry… I just assumed that’s what you meant by sleeping over. (Sent 10:07am)

🗨️ Hakkai: Awh, it’s okie Taka, I know you were only looking out for me. (Sent 10:07am)

Absolutely, looking out for Hakkai. That’s what this was, that’s what he was doing. There couldn’t have been any other reason why he was so upset at the thought of you sleeping together. He was just being a good friend.

-----

┃ “Y/N!” the hoarse voice spoke to you, feeling the smooth cloth of his jacket pressed against your face as you bumped into him.

You looked up only to recognize Hakkai, kind thoughts flooding your mind, diminishing your anger stemming from your interaction with Mitsuya moments before. He grinned at you giddily, eyes relaxing any sort of tension left in your body. You slowly began to forget why you were mad and allowed yourself to indulge in his presence.

┃ “Good afternoon Hakkai! Waiting for Mitsuya?”

┃ “Mhm, you takin’ Designer 101 too, right?”

┃ “Yup! How come you aren’t taking it? You’re very fashionable, y’know?”

┃ “You’re too kind,” He giggled, his grin beginning to somehow grow wider on his cheeks as he raised his hand to pat your head.

┃ “I’m serious! Why don’t you join the class? It’s not too late, the second semester is about to start!” You eagerly pushed on, rejoicing in the positive energy he emitted.

┃ “ ‘m not really into making clothes, just showing them off...” He let out a hefty chuckle before getting cut off by you.

┃ “You don’t have to be good at making them! Some students choose to learn how to stylize different clothing and patterns, it’s all about the latest trends.”

┃ “Really?” He went silent for a few moments, smile morphing into a straight line as he contemplated your words carefully. Not to fret, as his smile quickly returned as he said: “Well then, might have to ask Taka-chan to help me sign up!”

You both shared a laugh and began to discuss the enrollment process in order for Hakkai to join the class-- if he were to drop another class, what class would he drop, or would he simply add it to his current schedule? While your conversation was nothing more than an innocent developing friendship, unbeknownst to you, Mitsuya had witnessed it all and declared it once more another betrayal. You were such a slut, flirting with anyone and everyone. Irrationality began to consume him-- instead of seeing your interaction with Hakkai for what it truly was, a genuine developing friendship, his brain refused to comprehend your behavior with other men. He never got to the level of comfortability you had with Takemichi, and he had lost the sense of ease you had with him to Hakkai and god, god did it piss him off. Unfortunately for that kohai, she was just another doll for him to play with just until he could get your attention again. Even a single drop of your attention, your attachment, it was enough to drive him for weeks just to be able to be near you again. Your kind words squeezing his heart tighter and tighter the more you spoke, your laughter ringing in his ears at a corny joke he told you during club meetings, it enveloped him into infatuation which later developed into a larger feeling. Such a large feeling over the progressing months that when he began bullying you, when your lack of presence and absences during meetings began to grow, an emptiness began to root in his heart, waiting for you to touch it once more and let it grow.

He could go on and on listing things about you-- the way he loved your sense of fashion, the way he loved your sense of humor, your compassion to helping others, your intellect that allowed you to read everyone like a book, everyone except him. Why couldn’t you see that he didn’t hate you? Oh, but that jealousy, the first time he’d admit that it was jealousy, it gripped him so tightly around his neck that it felt suffocating. Every shove, every clasp of your hand, your wrist, your chain, your chain, it made his heart shutter seeing that dead watery look in your eye, but your attention was like a drug that he just had to keep getting more of. It would never be enough to satisfy him, not until he could call you his and you would call him yours. He pitied using them, he really did, but he needed someone to satiate his needs. He was a womanizer, after all-- if one left he would just charm another into his bed. They all had high respect for Mitsuya, his intellect, his charm, his skill, and his kindness. Yet no matter how hard he tried, all those women, they were never you and they could never try and be you. He found that he no longer sought sex for his own pleasure anymore, but for your own, pretending so desperately that the one trembling out of pleasure beneath him was you. Imagining, no, fantasizing that he was making you happy and leaving you satisfied.

Upon seeing your interaction, he quickly left with his kohai for their own exchange, leaving Hakkai unfortunately confused as he waved you goodbye, patiently waiting for his friend to meet him. You were still on campus because you had taken additional extracurricular activities to build up your transcript to make up for your absences in Mitsuya’s Home-economics club. At first, you attempted to make it through the club meetings but he made every single one as unbearable as possible. The second semester, could it come any sooner? Hakkai, too focused on organizing his schedule with you previously, had failed to notice Mitsuya leaving with a woman. He waited, he waited, and he waited, coming to a good hour until he realized Mitsuya wouldn’t have left him waiting for this long without a heads up. He looked at his phone, expecting some sort of contact-- a phone call, a message, anything. All that awaited him was several unread messages from group chats and friends, none of them from Taka-chan. He sighed, placing his phone away just as he noticed your presence once more, planting a fake smile on his face to disguise his obvious disappointment. Unfortunately for him, his smile only instantly alerted you something was wrong.

┃ “Hakkai? Why are you still here, weren’t you supposed to be meeting Mitsuya?”

┃ His phony smile stood in place as tears began to fill his eyes. He croaked: “T-taka-chan left me. Do you think he’s mad at me for sumthin’, Y/N? I don’t ‘member doin’ anything.”

You instantly rushed over to comfort him, witnessing what appeared to be an intimidating giant become undone into a fragile teddy bear at the thought he had upset his best friend. Your disdain only kept growing for Mitsuya, first it was his lack of maturity during class, and now he had abandoned his best friend for whatever reason it was. Hakkai was a sweetheart, you couldn’t imagine what he may have done to upset someone. Therefore, you came to the conclusion Mitsuya had thrown a tantrum of sorts and took it out on him. It irked you, however, Mitsuya always remained respectful and loving to his best friend in addition to Yasuda-san, so you couldn’t help but raise your brow wondering what got him so upset for him to entirely ditch his friend. Pushing those thoughts aside, you placed all of your focus on bringing a smile back to Hakkai’s face, gently rubbing his back and placing your forehead against his temple as he crouched over in defeat. You desperately attempted to think of anything to cheer him up.

┃ “Ah, how about some tea?”

┃ “...Tea?”

┃ “Listen, I have absolutely no idea what you like and I want to calm you down so-”

┃ “Tea sounds good.” He said softly, a small smile returning to his face.

You escorted Hakkai comfortably back to your dorm, located on the east wing of the campus. Women and men could go to each other’s dorms, they just had gender-separated wings because it was just easier to contain the chaos if everyone was allowed to sleep with their girlfriend or boyfriend. The boys had their dormitory on the west side, thus you noticeably got some glances as you strolled with Hakkai. Mitsuya was always surrounded by Hakkai and Yasuda-san, so obviously most of your classmates were shocked to see you hanging out with his right-hand man. Were you both sleeping together? Ooh what a scandal (not). Although you didn’t mind the glanes too much, Hakkai on the other hand made sure to shoot down them all with a nasty side glare, quickly causing them to turn their cheek. It was a cute sight after all, seeing how you subconsciously had reached for his hand and began to rub gentle circles on it in order to ease him, which succeeded in doing so. Once you arrived at your dorm, you opened the door and gave him a show of jazz hands as you toured him around your dorm. Your dorm wasn’t the largest compared to his and Mitsuya’s dorm, which made him realize the privilege of not having a financially aided dorm. Your queen bed comfortably rested on the right side of the room, covered with a curtain and fairy lights on the wall behind it. Your desk was not too far away, maybe a good 15 feet across your bed, not too messy but not too neat. It was obvious you were working on something, as there were papers still out and scattered but the rest of the desk had the pens, pencils, and stapled papers sorted in a clean pile. Your pinboard was half-covered with your calendar, cluttered with small sticker reminders while the other half was your schedule, nicely decorated with washi tape sticking it to the board. Next to your bed was a wooden closet and you led him into the cramped kitchen that made him gasp, seeing how you make such a tight space so comfortable and presentable. You had a small glass coffee table in the middle, a small fridge cramped in the kitchen underneath a cupboard and next to a cabinet holding the sink on top. Next to that was a stove with a microwave on top, both color-coordinated black, contrasting the white of the room. You guided him over to the table and motioned for him to sit and he obediently did. Walking over to the countertop holding an old-school kettle, you used it to strain and brew the tea. Gleefully, you dropped a few ice cubes in his glass and carefully poured his tea and then your own, sitting across from him at the table. He took a sip of the tea you had placed in front of him, smiling not at the delightful taste but the awaiting face you had fixated, putting your hands under your chin waiting for a response.

┃ “This tea is delightful, thank you Y/N.” He said warmly and you basked in his praise.

┃ “Ah, sorry if I made you uncomfortable with the staring. I don’t… really get visitors. It’s nice to have someone over.” You replied, your face beginning to glow a light pink as your lips formed into a slight frown, embarrassed to admit how you had no friends.

┃ “Mm, I should be the one thankin’ you,” The softness in his voice made your crouched posture fix itself as you looked up to him. “You made me sum tea, opened me to your home, all ‘cuz I was sad and overthinkin’. You ain’t hafta do that, but you did anyway. I appreciate ya!” His iconic grin was now back where it belonged as his eyes glazed over you in pure adoration. You smiled in return, both returning to take a sip of your tea.

Hours passed and he was still at your house, you both gossiping and talking like old friends. You discussed your classmates, praising them and disapproving of the behavior of others. He began to confide in you about what he witnessed during his time as the second-division’s vice captain. You eagerly listened to him as he described to you his tales with his brother and his amazing sister Yuzuha, anything and everything was up for debate. At least, almost everything. Despite being the main reason he was so upset, you and Hakkai had not discussed Mitsuya’s treatment of you. He was mentioned in a few gang stories, but it seemed as if Hakkai was opting out of speaking about him out of respect for you. However, his head began to slump, implying he was tired. You grabbed your phone, which had been placed upside down on the coffee table, and looked at the time and saw it was well past midnight. You leaned over to rub Hakkai’s shoulder and you gasped when his head turned back upright, alert as if he just remembered something. Drunk on drowsiness, he began to speak:

┃ “Mmh, y’know Mitsuya used to talk about you a lot. Always went on about this pretty girl who was awfully sweet, really smart…” He trailed off, fighting off the sleep that clung desperately to his eyelids. “He never gave me a name but after club meetings when I woulds wait for him, he would tell me about his conversations. I always saw him looking at ya. What did ya do to make him so pissed off?” Although he had no malicious-intent in his questioning, it was enough to cause goosebumps all over your body.

┃ “I didn’t do anything, ‘kai. Really, nothing different happened that day. All of the sudden, the next day during his club he humiliated me in front of everyone and then made me stay after hours to yell at me even more.” You went silent for a moment, before your curiosity got the best of you and you questioned: “He used to talk about me? Are you sure?”

┃ Ignoring your question, he replied to your initial response. “You didn’t do anythin’ different at all that day?”

┃ You contemplated his question carefully, before realizing the one event that was an outlier to the rest. “I was waiting for my friend outside campus gates that day. He offered to wait with me but I insisted he didn’t, mainly because my friend had said Mitsuya wasn’t very fond of him so it was better if he didn’t see him.”

┃ “Who’s the friend?”

┃ “Hanagaki Takemichi.”

┃ The tired man in front of you took a full minute to process your sentence before bursting out and crying of laughter a few moments later. You looked at him, pure confusion coating your body as he continued to sob. Finally, after a few minutes, he wiped his eyes and sat back up, gleaming at you. “Well that’s your problem, Mitsuya fucking hates Takemichy. Probably spied on ya because he was worried, saw Takemichy, and boom-- he got jealous AHAHA!” He went back to crying of laughter, leaving you a few moments to yourself to process his words.

It was embarrassing to admit how Hakkai was half-asleep in front of you and somehow managed to put together your puzzle of confusion together months after said incident had happened, in under 20 minutes. However, you couldn’t find yourself disagreeing with his theory. Suddenly, Hakkai stopped laughing and looked up at you, all serious.

┃ “Now wait… that’s not funny! He’s been pushing ya around all the time just cuz he’s jealous of you being with other guys?! That’s fucked up! ‘M gonna beat his ass, Y/N! Just for you!”

You now began laughing, taking Hakkai’s hand in yours over the glass countertop and tapping it gently.

┃ “That won’t be necessary, ‘kai. How about we come up with a solution?”

┃ “My solution is beating his a-”

┃ “A non-physical solution.”

┃ He went silent for a few moments, looking away from you to the window to think. You could tell he thought of something when a smirk began to plaster itself on his face. “How about we test our theory?”

┃ “Elaborate.”

┃ “If that pain in my ass is done with whatever it is he’s doing, there was supposta be a party tomorrow. Not at our dorm, but our friend’s. You might have heard of him, Manjiro Sano?”

You responded with silence.

┃ “Mikey. The Invincible Mikey.”

┃ “Not ringing any bells.”

┃ “Brother of Emma Sano. Brother of Izana.”

┃ “Emma Sano is so nice!”

┃ “Captain of the Tokyo Manji Gang, Y/N.”

┃ “Oh.”

┃ “Point is, he’s having a party tomorrow. We could get some revenge, I bring you as my date~”

┃ “Won’t that make him angri-

┃ “That’s what revenge is.”

┃ “Why don’t I just talk with him?”

┃ “Has he tried talking to you?”

┃ “...no.”

┃ “I rest my case.”

Silence enveloped the room once more. It wasn’t an awkward silence, no, it was quite a comfortable silence actually as he patiently awaited your response and allowed you to process and think.

┃ “When is the party exactly?”

✿ tags: @haiq-trash @blackmysticalsimp @the2ndl @bren-heron @delicatejudgecopcowboy @skiwalkers

✿ a.n. // First of all, thank you so much for 102 followers <3 I appreciate the support being given to me! I would like to address one thing, however, please don't rush me to write! I've gotten very kind messages of support but others have been demanding more of me and it's important to remember that I have classes, chores, a social life, and many other things happening. I love writing but rushing me makes it unenjoyable and it won't be my best work. My goal for this ongoing fanfic is to post weekly. Just a little ted-talk there, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter though! I had such a fun time writing it :)

[kohanayaki]

.:Time and Time Again:. (Marauders Era x Reader) Ch 4

Snape looks back on your days at Hogwarts, how your friendship came to be, and how it came to end.

LINKS:   CH 1   CH 2    CH 3   CH 4  CH 5   CH 6   CH 7   CH 8

___________________________________________________________

Ch 4  .:Budding Feelings and the Beginning of the End:.

Severus Snape had made a lot of mistakes in his life, and seeing you again after all these years was forcing him to relive every single one of them.

He stared blankly at the wall in front of him, shrouded in the darkness and grim silence of his empty house. He never thought he'd see you again, and certainly not under these circumstances. When he'd laid his eyes on you in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld place he couldn't believe it. He, much like the rest of the Order (except for Molly, apparently) assumed you wouldn't be at these meetings any longer. After James and Lily were murdered and Sirius was thrown into Azkaban, you'd left London and headed to New York under the Ministry's alliance with MACUSA, hoping to help bridge the gap between muggle-borns and purebloods in America. He knew you had been back to meet Harry a handful of times, but he also knew that being in this city brought up painful memories for you, so he was as stunned as anyone else to see you standing there in the doorway, greeting them as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

He could see that traveling had been good for you. He'd heard through the Hogwarts circuit that you were back on auror duty across the world, taking special assignments from Dumbledore and the Minister for Magic himself. You seemed like you were doing better, but when you turned to smile at him he could see the hesitation and the sadness that brewed behind your eyes, likely his doing.

He desperately wanted things to go back to what they were before—

Before he'd ruined it. . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   1974  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Alright students,” Professor Slughorn said as everyone finished filing inside the room, “today we're going to be pairing off into new partners for the upcoming project.”

Groans and nervous chatter flooded the sound space immediately, no one very thrilled with having to work with someone new out of their control. You cast a glance over to Lily who looked equally displeased. You liked being her partner, you both excelled at the subject and worked really well together.

“Yes, yes, I know,” Slughorn said, waving the complaints off, “However, I am going to be giving you the luxury of choosing your own partners this time, but everyone—”

The energy in the room instantly shifted, everyone shoving around people to get to their friends.

“—keep in mind, if I see any slacking off or trouble brewing in these new partnerships I will not hesitate to rearrange them!”

Slughorns's words were completely lost among the commotion as people paired off before you could even get your bearings. Snape stalled as he stared at you from across the room; Lily had already been dragged away by Mary, and his brain was trying to work out how to ask you to be his partner.

Suddenly an arm was slung over your shoulder and you turned towards the new presence in surprise. You looked up to see Evan Rosier, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows and his Slytherin tie loose around his neck.

Oh, sod it, Snape cursed internally. He was too late.

“Wanna partner up?” Rosier asked, a crooked grin gracing his chiseled features, “It'd be my honor to have the smartest Potions partner in class, not to mention the most attractive.”

You rolled your eyes at the praise. Evan was your friend, and he was nice to look at, but if he thought that you would be willing to do all the work for the both of you in exchange for some cheap compliments, then he had another thing coming. You locked eyes with Snape from across the room

“It would be your honor,” you smirked up at Rosier, “but I already have a partner, sorry.”

It took Snape a few seconds to realize what you were doing, but once he snapped out of it he made his way towards you. You almost chuckled at how robotic he looked as he did, clearly shocked.

Rosier looked between the two of you and rolled his eyes.

“Suit yourself, sweetheart,” he said, letting you go and pushing you lightly in Snape's direction, “but if you change your mind, you know where to find me.” He sent a wink your way that left Snape's blood inexplicably boiling,

“Thanks for that,” you grinned, “and just so you know, I would have chosen you even if he didn't come up to me, so don't get all pouty about it, okay?”

Severus just looked at you blankly. Even after four years it was frightening how well you were able to read him; for a moment he was scared that he'd accidentally projected his thoughts to you, but he wasn't anywhere near that level of legillemency yet. He wanted to say something that had some semblance of gratitude but settled on:

“Whatever.”

To which you just laughed and dragged him to your now shared desk.

You really were something else.

“Now then,” Professor Slughorn addressed the room, “today we will be beginning the new unit on toxic concoctions, starting with the Draught of Living Death. If you would all turn to page ten of your books, we will get started presently.”

You turned open your book and Severus did the same. As he did, you noticed that nearly every page was covered in small notes littering the margins, with some of the instructions circled, crossed out, or modified. You were hardly surprised, Snape had been pouring over this book since last year when he'd stolen it from a fifth year Slytherin who'd been speaking poorly of you (that last part you were unaware of).

You turned your attention to the directions, reaching over to preheat the burner so your cauldron would be hot enough by the time you began. However, as soon as you lit the flame with the tip of your wand, your cauldron shot up into the air, hitting the ceiling with a loud BANG! before crashing down back onto your table, breaking several of the glass instruments that were settled there.

Your face burned embarrassment as everyone in the room turned to look at you in shock.

“Snape, (L/n),” Slughorn said, surprised, “whatever happened?”

“I. . .” you began, not knowing what to say, “I don't know, I'm sorry, Professor.”

“Quite all right,” he said uncertainly, restoring your table and equipment with a wave of his wand, “just be sure whatever that was doesn't happen again.”

“Of course,” you mumbled, trying to ignore the snickering around you. If you noticed the way that it stopped as soon as Snape sent a deathly glare at the culprits, you didn't show it. You reached down to grab your cauldron, noticing that the bottom was dusted in some sort of orange powder. As you turned it over, a note fell out of it.

You're welcome, (L/n). Sorry I couldn't be there for the fireworks~

J.P.

“That sneaky little, ugh,” you crumpled the note, growling in frustration.

“What is it?” Severus asked, peering over your shoulder to glance at the paper. However, as soon as you tried to show it to him it vanished in your hands in a wisp of glowing embers. You turned to look at Severus who was still staring at you expectantly.

“It was Potter,” you rolled your eyes.

Anger flashed in Severus' eyes before confusion replaced it momentarily.

“But that was your cauldron, not mine. Why would Potter want to mess with you?”

And now the anger was back again. Snape was used to Potter’s crew targeting him; bullying and suffering through minor hexes had become an everyday occurrence, but when he imagined them doing anything to you it was enough to make him see red.

“Ah, well. . .” you trailed off, deciding that telling him you'd yelled at the group of Gryffindors: 'if you jerks want to have a go at Severus you're gonna have to get through me first!' was a bad idea.

“I sort of, maybe, kind of. . . started it?” you said. Severus raised a brow at you. “Look, Potter was asking for it, okay? It was about time someone messed with him for a change. And besides, it was hilarious, even Lily got a kick out of watching that broom hit him in the head.”

Severus chuckled at that, a hint of pride welling in his chest at yours and Lily's shared distaste for the Potter boy.

“But that was the last straw,” you declared, grabbing a Sopophorus bean from the bowl in front of you and a knife to cut it as per the instructions, “I'm sick and tired of him acting like he's better than everyone else,” you said, stabbing down with your knife for emphasis. The Sopophorus bean jumped as you did, sliding out from under your blade and skidding across your cutting board. You huffed as you grabbed it again, placing it back down and holding it in place. “And he walks around with that little posse of his like he runs this school!” You brought your knife down again, moving your fingers at the last second, but the bean still managed to slip away, trying to bounce back into the bowl.

“This means war!” you seethed, grabbing the runaway legume again, now at your wit's end, and crushing it in your fist. It stopped jumping as the beet-red juice of the plant dripped down your arm, and Severus looked at you with a small smirk on his face.

“Well, that's one way to do it,” he said.

“Shove off,” you said playfully, throwing the bean in his direction. He dodged it easily, his smile growing.

“No, really,” he said, almost more to himself than you as he scribbled out the word 'cut' and replaced it with 'crush' in his notebook, “you might be better at this than you let on.”

You blushed at the unexpected compliment, backhanded as it was.

“Excuse you, I happen to be fantastic at Potions,” you said, grabbing another bean and avoiding his gaze.

“Right, that's why your cauldron exploded.”

“That was sabotage,” you shot back.

“I was talking about last week,” Severus said cheekily, taking in your flustered expression.

You both went back to your ingredients, eventually discovering that crushing the beans with the flat of a knife was the best way to extract the juice without them jumping. You watched Severus out of the corner of your eye as he measured out the African Sea water, adding it gradually as he stirred the mixture counter-clockwise. The elixir turned a bright blue color, shimmering as if light were being reflected off of it. He continued on with the formula, snapping off a few fluxweed sprigs before adding them and lowering the heat with his wand, hardly looking at the instructions at all.

You wondered where this newfound confidence had come from. Severus was usually so rigid and withdrawn, but right now he looked more at ease than you had ever seen him. A spark was present in his eyes as he worked that you rarely ever saw, and it made you smile despite yourself.

The rest of your potion making process went on without a hitch, and you silently applauded yourself as you watched the other students around you struggle to get their concoctions together. Even Lily seemed to be having trouble, though Mary wasn't really helping other than offering moral support.

You turned back to focus on your own potion, stirring it with the ladle and mesmerized by the way it began to turn a deep plum color. Meanwhile, Severus was cleaning up your shared station, looking over at the brew. His brows furrowed as he examined it.

“Just stir it a bit more,” he said, coming up behind you and placing his hand on top of yours, “the color is still off.”

Your face burned at the unexpected contact; Snape certainly wasn't a touchy person, so the act caught you completely off guard, though you'd be lying if you said you didn't like it. Severus nearly jumped backwards, absolutely mortified when he realized what he was doing. It was him micromanaging more than anything; he was so focused on getting the potion right he didn't even notice he was moving his own body as he gave you the instruction.

“Sorry,” he said, feeling quite possibly the lamest he'd ever felt in his life.

“It's okay,” you said, biting the inside of your lip nervously and continuing to stir like he said. Your light response allowed Snape to relax, his shoulders lowering a full three inches. He'd been certain you would have reacted to his mistake with disgust or repulsion, but you didn't. What did that mean? You were utterly confusing. Despite how well you could read him, Severus was unable to get a read on you at all. If he had been, he would have noticed the tiny smile on your face as you stirred, silently wishing his hand were back on yours.

You and Snape stood at attention as Slughorn peered down at your potion, looking mildly impressed. He reached into his robes, procuring an oak leaf from who knows where, and dropped it into your cauldron. The leaf floated on top of the liquid for just a moment before its edges began to burn. It furled from the unseen heat, folding in on itself and disappearing into the inky depths of the liquid. Slughorn's expression lit up, his impression no longer mild.

“Merlin's beard, it's perfect!” he exclaimed, “in all my years I've never seen a pair recreate this potion exactly as you two have done today.”

You beamed at the praise, your smile only widening as you saw your emotions mirrored in Severus' face, albeit more subtly.

Over the course of your fourth year, you and Snape continued to excel in Potions, receiving much praise from Professor Slughorn and a lot of glares from your fellow students. However, there was something else that continued that year, and that was your increasing interactions with James Potter.

“I just don't get why you even bother with him,” Snape had said to you one day while you were in Potions. Your prank war with James was at its peak, and you were sidetracked that day in class coming up with new ideas to get back at him.

“It's a full on battle now, Sev,” you said, “I can't back down! Now, for my next one I was thinking something along the lines of a callback to one of his earlier stunts. Maybe get him back for tampering with my cauldron at the beginning the year.”

“(Y/n)—”

“I've got a few friends in Gryffindor, and apparently he talks about his prank plans way too loudly in the common room, so I have a head start on this one. They mentioned something about my shampoo—“

“(Y/n),” Severus stressed, finally catching your attention. You looked up at him, embarrassed at you rambling. “Why do you keep doing this?” he asked, “he's just baiting you. You know that.”

“It keeps them from doing anything that targets you, right?” you questioned back.

Severus didn't know what to say at that. It was true, ever since you had declared war on James, he and his stupid friends hadn't really bothered with him at all. Were you doing this for him? He didn't know what to do with the thought.

You were, of course, but you thought it better not to mention that in the last few months this had been going on, you'd also begun to find the rivalry and banter between you and James fun.

“Gather 'round students, gather 'round!” Slughorn beckoned the class over, disrupting your train of thought and putting an end to your conversation, “now, would anyone like to identify the potion in this cauldron here?” He gestured to a shockingly pink liquid that seemed to swirl on its own. Plum and periwinkle smoke wafted through the air above it in delicate spirals.

“That's Amortentia,” Lily said, “it's a love potion that's supposed to smell different to everyone depending on what scents attract them.”

“Right you are, Miss Evans,” Slughorn said proudly, “would you like to tell us what you smell?”

“Cinnamon,” she started slowly, “warm spices, butterbeer, sandalwood. . .” her cheeks reddened significantly, as if she'd made some sort of realization. “Th-that's all.” You stared at her quizzically but she just shook her head. You'd have to ask her about this later. . .

“(L/n),” Slughorn said, “would you be so kind as to do the same?”

“Sure,” you said, stepping up to the cauldron. It was captivating, almost drawing you in physically. “Wild lavender,” you said, smiling, your mother had a garden full of them when you were growing up, “rain when it hits the pavement, and old leather books.” Scents you wouldn't realize until much later all correlated with a certain person.

“Very different scents for very different people,” Professor Slughorn said, “thank you for demonstrating, you two. Now, we will not be brewing this potion today for obvious reasons. It is incredibly dangerous, capable of creating not true love, but unhinged obsession. What we will be doing, however, is studying its effects. . .”

“Strongest love potion in the world, huh?” Evan suddenly appeared at your side, “funny, I could have sworn it smelled just like you, although you wouldn't need a potion to reign me in~”

“Put a sock in it, Rosier,” you said, shoving him away playfully.

“Aw, come on, just one date wouldn't hurt,” he said, “I'm pulling out all my best lines here!”

“That's the best you've got?”

“Ouch.”

Snape couldn't help but glare at the Slytherin boy, not liking how close he was to you. Nice as he seemed, Snape knew how he could really be. He didn't think you'd be such good friends with Rosier if you knew he was knee deep in the dark arts as soon as the sun set on the castle. Then again, Severus wasn't one to talk.

Over the course of the year he noticed that you only grew closer to James, something that bothered him immensely. He was grateful that you had gotten his bullying to stop, but he hated that the way you had gone about it was to turn Potter into a friend. . .

“Merlin, he keeps looking over at you, Lils,” you said.

Lily and Severus looked over to where James sat with Sirius, Remus, and Peter in their corner table as usual. Somehow they always managed to be at The Three Broomsticks at the exact same time as your trio, almost as if they knew you were there. James Potter was, in fact, looking towards your table, until your friends not-so-discreetly turned to look at him and he diverted his gaze elsewhere.

“Idiot,” you rolled your eyes as you took another sip of your butterbeer.

Lily looked between you and James' table for a moment before turning back to you.

“Actually, (Y/n), he's staring at you.”

You looked at her like she'd grown a second head but then began to laugh.

“Is he? Jeeze, what a creep,” you said, but with affection in your voice that wasn't missed by Severus, “it's probably because I saved his ass the other day and he's still reeling from it.”

“Oh,” she said, a hint of what you swore was relief in her tone until she realized what you said, “Wait, you what?”

“Sirius and I were talking in the forest and we got ambushed by Malfoy's motley crew,” you said, “and Potter showed up because of course he did. It was just a little duel, no big deal.”

“What?!” Lily said, concern written all over her face, “they fancy the dark arts, (Y/n), you could have been hurt!”

Severus stared into his drink, unable to look at either of you.

“I'm fine, Lils,” you insisted, “and trust me, I don't think Malfoy's going to be bothering anyone anymore. Just show him a picture of a squid and he'll probably screech like a banshee.”

Lily laughed along with you, partially in confusion, until the first part of your statement hit her with a slight delay.

“Hold on, you were in the forest with Black? And did you just call him Sirius?” she asked, her teasing making your face flush.

“We just. . . figured some stuff out. . . It was nothing like what you're thinking, so drop it,” you grumbled, taking another drink to hide your embarrassed face.

“Whatever you say, (Y/n),” Lily sang, taking a sip of her own drink.

Severus felt jealousy bubble up in him like a disease. He cast his gaze upwards, his eyes locking momentarily with James'. His arch rival rose a cocky brow at him, his gaze unmistakably shifting to you and Lily before staring Snape down again. Severus took a sharp breath to steel himself, that feeling in the pit of his stomach never really going away.

That was the beginning of the end.

Read chapter 5 here!

Taglist:  @sleep-i-ness, @blackpinkdolan, @parker-natasha, @ornella0910 @undertaker1827 @thatwierdo-koemi @nxstalgicnxbxdy

[chickynectar]

tenebrous | d.sc

tenebrous (adj.) dark; shadowy or obscure.

-- detective!sicheng, villain fem!reader (not really villain but...my brain isn’t coming up with the right term akdbwja)

summary: i’m covered in ink that will never wash off. i’ve been dyed by darkness, and not even the brightest light can save me

this work is part of the winwin collab, casting call: all the world’s a stage held by @naptaemed ~

wc: ~17.7k (longer than i intended oops)

genre: romance, angst, detective au

disclaimers & warnings:

suggestive; things are implied but never explicitly described

mild violence; genre-typical for crime, mystery genres i guess~ (this includes death and murder); nothing is explicit or graphic

brief swearing & coarse language

the names mentioned are purely for fictional purposes and are not reflective of people in real life

this is a difficult genre to write for and make interesting, so please bear with me if things seemed lacking or didn’t make sense afhehgoa

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

“a murder was reported in a high-profile gathering just now.” kun begins.

ten leans back on the couch and ask, “how ‘high-profile’ is this thing?”

kun nods, “your usual socialite parties. very few celebrities and politically-related individuals were in attendance, but mostly wealthy socialites from...well, high society families.”

ten, sicheng and yangyang nod to signal for kun to continue briefing them. "choi hyunsuk, the eldest son of the choi family and heir to one of their corporations, was murdered in a party last night." kun states, "no one else was hurt during the entirety of the event, and security stated that everyone was checked before entering. only thing they’re sure of is that it was a sniper shot."

"cctv?" sicheng quips.

the eldest shakes his head, "security says nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and that the actual murder wasn’t captured. if it was a sniper shot, then the culprit was out of the venue’s cctv coverage. i sent hendery over to go through it, of course."

ten nods his head and smiles, "so, let’s go?"

sicheng and yangyang nod their heads and follow the older male out the office. it was way too early in the morning as the sky was still dim from the prior evening; the sun hasn’t even started peeking out.

a while later, they arrive at the scene, and ten parks the car outside. they make their way inside and take an elevator to the building’s rooftop where there are already a few officers stationed. ten greets the officers and asks for any information that had already been deduced. meanwhile, yangyang takes his forensics kit out and begins to gather evidence on the corpse and the surrounding areas. sicheng takes note of a few witnesses that the police had held aside to be interrogated, so the male goes over to them.

one particular male sicheng speaks to is one of the bartenders. standing away from the rest, sicheng begins to ask questions. “the other witness said that mr. choi had several drinks before the murder took place. was he drunk or did anything to perhaps warrant a fight or offense with another party? were there other parties who seemed drunk?” the detective asks.

the bartender sighs, folding his arms, “at most, they’d have two to three drinks, but i wouldn’t say i’ve personally seen anyone drunk. mr. choi had about three cocktails before i heard about the commotion, but i can’t be too sure of what happened as i was stationed at the bar downstairs and not up here.”

“what can you tell me about the guests at the party? besides their statuses, of course.” sicheng continues.

the bartender hums, genuinely deep in thought. “sorry, mister. this party was just another typical party, so as far as i know, these people were just the usual socialites and whatnot.” he then snaps his finger after a second or two, “but! there was some talk amongst the waiters and security that one of mr. choi’s ex-flings or whatever was in attendance. not sure that would make a significant lead.”

“anything helps.” sicheng smiles before thanking the bartender and moving on to the next witness.

after speaking to about three more people, sicheng regroups with ten and yangyang. the youngest speaks first, “got some samples that need some analyzing, and i’d like to take the body back to the lab for a better autopsy.”

ten nods, “call hq and tell them to help you with that.”

yangyang goes off to the side and makes a phone call to do what ten just told him to do. the eldest then turns to sicheng and asks, “what did you get?”

sicheng answers, “nothing that’s too unusual, unfortunately.” he rubs at his temples, “mr. choi’s ex being here or something, but pettiness doesn’t seem like a driving force for murder in this case.”

ten clicks his tongue and almost smirks, “never underestimate human emotion from the rich, sicheng. it seems unlikely, but let’s keep it on the shelves too. what else?”

sicheng nods in agreement. “one witness shared that it was ‘not surprising’ that mr. choi was murdered, given that his family is very wealthy and powerful, but it was more surprising that he did not have security or personal bodyguards to accompany him to the party when he usually does.”

“is this witness well-acquainted with mr. choi?” ten raises an eyebrow.

the other male nods, “college classmates who maintained a professional but friendly bond over the years. he said that mr. choi had many ‘secret’ enemies who have wanted to take him down for some time, but again, that wasn’t surprising as it was common knowledge between the socialite circles.”

ten hums, shoving his hands in his jean’s pockets. the male nods his head towards one of the security officers, “i’m gonna ask him some questions.”

sicheng nods and watches and ten walks away. not too long after, another police officer taps sicheng’s shoulder and gives him a polite bow. “detective dong, the last witness has returned from the washroom. she’s ready to be interrogated.” the officer says.

he nods and waits for the officer to escort the final witness to where he stood. the detective’s eyes meet your bored and uninterested ones, blinking a few times before he slaps on his congenial expression. you mimic him, getting rid of the disinterest on your face and replacing it with an easy and relaxed smile. “detective.” you greet plainly.

sicheng nods in acknowledgement; he takes in your appearance - sleepy eyes, expensive clothing and the smell of alcohol lingering. taking note of this in his mind, he then proceeds to ask the basic questions - who are you? where were you at the time of murder? what were you doing? what can you remember?

“y/l/n /y/n.” you hum, shrugging your shoulders. “i was actually speaking to mr. choi when he was shot.”

your tone was much too casual for such a confession, and sicheng does not miss the faintest hint of indifference in your murky eyes. nodding, he continues, “tell me more.”

“we were downstairs by the bar. the man kept flirting, and i entertained him for a moment. but the music was getting too loud for him, so he suggested we go to the bar up here on the rooftop.” you explain with a sigh, “we talked over our drinks as people normally would. i got a call from my workmate, so i had to excuse myself. just as i stood up, the next thing i knew, he was shot.”

sicheng tilts his head, “and how are you holding up? how are you feeling being that close to a murder?”

you raise an eyebrow, eyes piercing sicheng’s gaze as you respond, “i’m in shock, detective. everyone who was in this party knew mr. choi had enemies, but no one was expecting such a blatant and sudden murder.”

“you mentioned he was flirting. another witness also mentioned that his ex was here. know anything about that?”

“mr. choi frolicked around with women a lot, detective.” you tug on the blanket that was given to you by one of the police officers earlier, “that’s a secret only inner socialites know of. he and his most recent ex parted on good terms from what i know, so no. if you’re insinuating this is some petty deed, then it wasn’t. at least, that’s what i’d assume.”

“and what would you assume?” sicheng says calmly.

“like i said, mr. choi is envied and hated by many for his wealth and power. it would take tedious work to uncover all the enemies he has, but i would probably start there, detective.”

“are you acquainted with him personally?”

you smile politely - a bit too sweetly, sicheng notes - before answering, “we’re acquainted through…mutual friends. we’re not close, but i’ve spoken to him before. very charming, so his enemies are probably people who just want his money or some leverage over his family. after all…”

“after all?” sicheng repeats.

a small smile remains on your lips as you turn to look away, “i hear mr. choi’s been involved in some scandal recently.”

“what scandal?” the detective asks, “what do you know about it?”

with another casual shrug, you sigh, “sorry, detective. that’s all i know from the whispers amongst the rich. not much to go with, i know. i’m pretty sure i heard someone in this party talking about it as well…”

“do you know who?”

“i’m sorry, i can’t remember.”

sicheng takes a deep breath and nods before looking at you warmly, “please try to remember.”

“sorry.” you give him your most innocent and apologetic smile, “it’s like three in the morning, i’ve had two drinks so i’m feeling a bit tipsy, and i just, as you mentioned, witnessed a murder before my very eyes. slow it down, detective.”

“alright.” sicheng nods once, “do you need anyone to escort you home?”

“i’ll be fine. i have a driver.” you slowly smile, and despite the innocence in the gesture, sicheng is quick to note the flicker of mischief in your eyes - it’s so quick that anyone else would miss it if they were too focused on your sweet smile.

“ok, goodnight.” the detective bows before motioning for the police officer to inform him he was done with your interrogation.

the officer gently escorts you back downstairs, asking questions like “do you need an escort?” or “do you want to go to the hospital?”, but sicheng doesn’t really pay attention to what you reply. instead, his mind replays the carefree and relaxed expression on your face as you spoke to him, as well as the flash of mischief flickering in your eyes before you left. the detective is certain that you know something of this murder, but he knows better to push for information when the time isn’t right. instead, he makes a mental note to keep an eye on you and will ask xiaojun to dig up any relevant information about you and your socialite status.

⟡

⟡

sicheng sat on one of the plush couches in the choi family’s spacious living room, taking in the sight of various sculptures and paintings decorating the room. a maid places a tray of tea on the coffee table in front, bowing politely before she leaves. once she’s left the room, sicheng leans forward and looks earnestly into the eyes of the family members gathered around. “first of all, i’m very sorry for your loss.” he begins, trudging carefully.

the mother, mrs. choi, offers a small and gentle smile, “thank you, detective.”

“i know now is probably not the best time to be speaking about such matters, but it is necessary to solve your son’s murder.” he explains before clearing his throat, “there are several things i need clarification on, so i hope you can bear with me.”

the father nods his head, signalling for sicheng to ask away. “many people are aware of your family’s power and wealth, so it would be natural for anyone in this family to have enemies.” sicheng begins, “many of last night’s guests also mentioned that choi hyunsuk had many of these said enemies. do you know anything about that?”

“as you said, it is true that we've had many enemies in the past. people who want our wealth, property - everything. there are also equally powerful parties who are envious and greedy and want to take what’s ours.” the father explains, “but as for hyunsuk, he takes the brunt of these as he is the eldest son and direct heir to one of our family’s main businesses. i know of his enemies, but there are far too many to name or even begin to identify.”

“has hyunsuk gotten into any arguments or created any tensions with people you think would want revenge or that sort of thing?” sicheng tries.

“hyunsuk tends to mind his business.” one of the siblings answers, “he doesn’t go out of his way to really meddle with other affairs unless he is directly asked to.”

“another witness was also said to be an acquaintance of hyunsuk. he said that it was unusual or surprising for hyunsuk to be at a gathering or party without his own security personnel. anything to say about that?”

“we actually didn’t know hyunsuk was going to that gathering.” his father admits, “last night, hyunsuk said he’d be staying in at the office overtime to rush something. we don’t police his activities as he is a grown and responsible man, but it’s true that we require everyone in the family to have a bodyguard when going out in social gatherings or public occasions.

“honestly, we aren't sure why he was by himself as well.” the mother adds, “we only found out he was at the party when we were informed of…his death.”

sicheng bows his head in respect and gives a moment of silence before continuing. “is hyunsuk the type to go to parties when stressed? does he often do last-minute things?” the male asks.

“no.” the father shakes his head, “hyunsuk is a very meticulous person who has a schedule for everything. he has an organized and structured schedule for all his days. he seldom does anything outside of his schedules.”

“i see.” sicheng muses.

the detective continues to interrogate the choi family for a few more minutes before thanking them for their time. he gives his condolences once again and promises to solve their son’s case as soon as possible. they thank him as well and wish him luck; sicheng then gets in his car and drives back to the headquarters to regroup with his team.

in his office, he goes through the other reports that yangyang had left for him to go through while he was busy in the lab. while reading through one part of the first few lab analyses, xiaojun peeks his head through the door. “sicheng, hendery and i finished looking up some stuff on the mystery lady.” the younger male says.

sicheng nods, carefully placing the reports back down on his desk. he follows xiaojun to the computer room where hendery is seated with his eyes glued to one of the laptop screens. “what did you get?” sicheng puts a hand on hendery’s shoulder.

the male spins on the computer chair before humming, “y/l/n y/n - socialite of no known family origins. nothing is stated about her family or parents, but it’s said that she’s just…rich and powerful amongst the socialite circles because of her…charms. she’s known to be pleasant company who people just generally like to be with. she’s fun, charming and pretty. influential in the sense that she has deep connections with political families and even celebrity ties.”

sicheng crosses his arms across his chest and hums, “quite odd that there’s nothing about her family.”

“rumors floating around back when she was younger say that she’s an orphan adopted by another family.” xiaojun explains, “they say she’s secretive about anything overly personal. she’s created a sophisticated and almost flirty persona to the public.”

hendery nods before adding, “this isn’t quite confirmed, but there’s also talks in some…illegal places that she trades information for lots and lots of money or anything valuable like luxury items and expensive jewelries. in some black markets, it is said that she uses her charms and various connections in places to get information that she is willing to give up for said valuable things.”

“is she doing that on her own, or is she working for any organizations? businesses? syndicates?” sicheng asks.

“nope.” xiaojun frowns, “it’s a one-woman party thing. she is her own employer, according to the black market informants.”

sicheng sighs, rubbing at his temples again. hendery chuckles lightly, tilting his head to ask, “what’s up with her anyway?”

“she was at the party where choi hyunsuk was murdered.” sicheng begins, “couldn’t shake off the feeling that she knows something even if she was playing innocent.”

“oh. then with what hendery and i found, it’s definitely worth a shot speaking to her again.” xiaojun points out, “but how?”

“don’t worry, i’ll find a way.” sicheng smiles, “ten hasn’t built connections with people for nothing.”

hendery grins, “that’s true. good luck!”

and so with ten’s help, a little bribery with one of his connections and going through so many other people, sicheng gets a hold of your number. he dials and listens to the ringing for a few seconds before you finally pick up, “hello?”

“hello, ms. y/n.” sicheng starts calmly, “this is detective dong sicheng.”

“ah, yes, i remember. can i help you?” you say in a rather amused tone.

sicheng ignores it and gets straight to the point, “i assume you’re in a much better state for questions. i still have a few for you.”

“and if i say i refuse to speak? i do have a right to remain silent, right?” you giggle.

sicheng smiles, “of course. but something tells me that you may have something of value for this case.”

“oh my. are you suspecting me of murder, detective?”

“i’m not suspecting you, ms. y/n.” sicheng replies, “but i have reason to believe that you know who may be involved.”

you hum, giggling lightly once more, “you have me intrigued, detective dong. i’ll indulge in your investigation, but i’ll only agree to meet you under my terms, detective. otherwise, there’s no deal.”

“deal.”

⟡

⟡

“7:00pm at the la fleur restaurant. tell the waiter that ms. y/n is expecting you for a meeting. dress fancily, ok? something nice to go with that handsome face.”

that was what you arranged with sicheng, so about thirty minutes before the meeting time, he informed kun of his plans and drove to the restaurant. making it just in time, the male adjusted his suit jacket and stepped into the fancy restaurant. as expected, a waiter approaches him and asks if he had a reservation or appointment.

following your instruction, sicheng answers with a warm smile, “ms. y/n is expecting me for a meeting.”

the waiter bows his head and politely gestures for the male to follow him. he is then led towards the back where rows of private, secluded rooms were located. the waiter knocks on the door twice before gently opening it and ushering sicheng inside. you’re already sitting there, elegantly taking a sip from the champagne on your side. the waiter closes the door, and you turn around to greet sicheng with a slow smile. “detective.” you say.

sicheng nods once, “ms. y/n.”

“please, sit.” you gesture to the seat across you.

the male walks over and sits down, clasping his hands together on top of the table. he opens his mouth to jump right into the question-asking, but you interrupt him with a slight raise of your hand.

“how did you get my number?” you smile, “i’m not a celebrity who has a pr team to contact, nor am i a businesswoman with a calling card.”

sicheng’s lips quirk into a small, calm smirk, “our team has connections as well.”

this makes you raise an eyebrow, the amused smile on your face widening. “oh? and you think i have connections?” you say.

“of course. you’re a woman of power and high status. everyone like that has connections.” sicheng answers, “now, can i ask the questions?”

you make a teasing face and snicker, “eager, aren’t we? whatever, go ahead.”

sicheng maintains his cool composure as he starts. “my colleagues were given footage and pictures from the cctv during the party, and they went through everything very thoroughly. fortunately, you were telling the truth about being with mr. choi before he was killed.”

“would i lie?” you hum with a slight smile.

the male ignores the comment and continues, “you were unfazed when mr. choi was shot. not a hint of shock or surprise.”

“what are you implying?” you chuckle, “i’m not like other people who would scream and panic. that’s below me. besides, i was in too much of a shock since i certainly did not expect that to happen.”

the detective dissects every word from your mouth, making analyses in his mind as he listens. he knows each question he asks will just warrant some elusive and vague answer from you, so he thinks it’s worth a shot to be direct. straightening his posture, he says, “upon closer inspection, when you stood up and stretched your arm from the bar counter, your phone screen could be seen, and there was no indication of any call as you stated in your alibi.”

you lean back on your chair and nod, “because i ended the call even before standing up. i was gonna call my workmate back myself after excusing myself from mr. choi.”

“what kind of workmate?”

“there are many kinds of ‘work’, dear detective.”

“then,” sicheng smiles with a mix of sweetness and slyness, “does this ‘work’ somehow involve the trading of information?”

you try not to let your mask crack, but there’s a sliver of surprise that doesn’t slip past sicheng. he can then confirm that whatever hendery and xiaojun uncovered about you was somehow true. however, you believe two can play at that game. with a confident smirk, you tilt your head, “that’s a very bold assumption, detective. what’s your basis?”

“as i’ve said, we have our own ways and connections. you may not be a celebrity, but one could say that you’re famous in...other places.” sicheng explains.

you chuckle amusedly and almost flirtatiously, “i’ll admit i’m quite famous for a variety of dirty deeds, detective, but i’ll need you to elaborate.”

“you trade information for money or anything of extreme value.” sicheng begins, “word is that you work alone.”

smirking to yourself, you respond, “i just play around with people for money and diamonds. if they end up giving me information then that’s not my fault since my intention is really just to have fun.”

“then i need you to tell me what you know about mr. choi’s murder. i know you know something, ms. y/n. your eyes say it all.” sicheng says plainly, “besides, you were the only witness who brought up rumors about him being embroiled in a scandal. not even his family knows.”

a light giggle escapes you. “all i know is that he got himself into a shady agreement that ended badly, and he wanted out. you know what happens with shady people when they don’t get what they want.” the smirk on your lips is clearly asking for mischief.

“i know you know more than that.” sicheng states with a calm smile, “you want to see what you can get out of this since we need information. otherwise you wouldn't even bother coming out to meet me.”

“smart and handsome.” you playfully say, “well, i can give you more information but…”

“it will cost us?” sicheng raises an eyebrow, and he can tell that you weren’t expecting him to say that, judging by the moment of silence from your end, “money and diamonds, right?”

“under most circumstances...yes. but because i like you so much, i’ll give you something for free.” you smirk with an amused hum, “but not now. i have...other appointments. wait for me. in a few days, i’ll be the one to contact you for our meeting details. deal?”

sicheng weighs his options, factoring both the pros and cons. after a few seconds, he decides to agree on your proposal. “deal.” he says, prompting you to smile contentedly.

the detective then stands up from his seat and excuses himself, thanking you for your time and cooperation. before he can make it past you, you gently reach out and grab the sleeve of his suit jacket. sicheng is calm as he stops in his tracks and sets his gaze on you, wary yet warm. despite his professional and cold exterior, you can see the beauty and preserved innocence in his eyes.

“you now know about my dealings, yet you’re letting me walk out of here without consequence?” you muse.

sicheng’s expression remains neutral and blank as he nods, “it’s not all black and white in this line of work, ms. y/n. we need information, and we’ll get it in various ways. our priority is solving mr. choi’s case. we’ll deal with your...work after.”

with an amused smile, you let go of his sleeve and wish him a good night. “thank you once again.” sicheng bows, “and have a safe evening.”

with that, he walks out of the room and closes the door. your eyes are now on the wooden surface before flirting over to the wall that separates your current room from the next.

“are we ever really safe?” you hum emptily, picking up the champagne glass and swirling the liquid inside.

when sicheng returns to the headquarters that night, he makes a beeline for kun’s office where ten and yangyang are briefing him on current findings. when they see sicheng entering, yangyang grins cheekily, “did you get anything out of ms. y/n?”

sicheng nods, a small smile on his lips. “hendery and xiaojun were right about her illegally trading information for whatever she wants in return.”

“sexy.” ten teases, prompting a glare from kun.

sicheng clears his throat and continues to speak, “she does know about a ‘shady’ agreement that mr. choi got into that led to some apparent messy scandal. unfortunately, she refused to elaborate tonight. and i highly doubt she’d drop names as well.”

kun nods, taking a deep breath, “well, at least that narrows the list of enemies down to someone mr. choi has engaged with recently. tracking whoever shot him is still difficult, especially since the culprit seems extremely proficient and skilled, judging by the bullet that was used on mr. choi.”

yangyang adds, “not an ordinary petty crime bullet. something almost military-grade or even government-issued.”

sicheng nods his head. “ms. y/n agreed to tell me more, but again, under her terms. i need to wait for her to contact me.”

“a bit risky, but i trust you enough.” kun nods, “be careful.”

meanwhile, you’re in the backseat of a car as someone drives you home from the restaurant. beside you is another man - your actual boss - with a scowl on his face. “who gave you authority to divulge that much information?” he says.

you keep your eyes outside on the window, “i hardly told the man anything. they’re not gonna catch any of you with that information. if anything, i laid out a trail that would lead them away from you.”

your boss glares, “and yet you agreed to meet him again?”

“am i stupid?” you face the man, “no. i’m not foolish enough to give information that puts the syndicate at risk. i’m giving just enough crumbs to keep him off your tail. i’ll also try to get information from him so that i can warn you of their moves and plans.”

the man clicks his tongue and almost snarls at you like a rabid dog. “you better make sure that's what you do. otherwise, you’ll be the next one with a bullet through you.”

“have i ever failed you?” you say with a low yet trembling voice, tearing your eyes away from the man’s devilish gaze.

chills run up your spine as you are aware of the fact that the man is glaring daggers at the back of your head. you keep it together, gluing your eyes to the blurry lights that pass by as the driver continues to drive.

you barely knew him, and you were certain he could hold you accountable for the things you've done in secret; still, you wanted to see sicheng and talk to him a bit more - maybe even give more information than you were supposed to.

at least it felt safer than your current arrangement.

⟡

⟡

the team’s investigations go on for the next few days as any usual case would. while the list of potential culprits has been narrowed down, sicheng knows you aren’t easily going to give an actual name. kun also wants to be more sure before chasing after people, so he lets the team continue further investigations.

yangyang and hendery were going through the more technical and digital aspects and methods while kun and ten left to investigate and interrogate some black market minglers. sicheng sits by his desk, doing his own research and typing away on his laptop. xiaojun enters the room with a small envelope in his hand. “for you.” he hands it over to the older male.

sicheng takes it and offers a smile, “thank you.”

xiaojun mirrors his smile before sitting by his own desk and sifting through more reports and submitted files. sicheng opens the envelope to find a small note with neat, handwritten words.

(address). my residence, tonight at 10:00. follow the directions i’ve sent along with this note. rest assured, i’m not planning anything, in case you get any ideas. i’ll keep my promise as long as you keep yours by not bringing anyone else.

-y/n

the male pockets the note as well as the directions and continues to do his work as usual for the rest of the afternoon. when kun and the rest return that evening, he informs them of his plans. “you sure?” hendery asks, “what if she ambushes you or something?”

“i can defend myself. she doesn’t seem too strong, physically.” sicheng sighs, “just smart.”

“and if she has backup?” ten adds.

“i’ll deal with it. i’ll be fine.” sicheng assures his team with a smile, “besides, she thinks she’s getting something out of us needing information from her. she’s not cutting us off so soon.”

kun nods, “you know what to do if it goes wrong. take care.”

the tall detective nods and walks out of the headquarters, getting in his car to make his way to your residence.

he follows the directions you provided, and eventually, he finds himself parking in a very high-class neighborhood lined with large houses and luxury cars. “of course you’d live in a place like this.” he thought to himself.

he approaches the house you’ve given the address to, hidden away by beautiful, flower-filled trees and bushes. after he rings the digital bell, it doesn’t take too long for the door to open, revealing you greeting him; gone are your expensive clothes, replaced with a simple sweater and shorts. the mischievous smile is still there, of course. “well, at least you’re alone.” you shrug.

sicheng offers another polite smile, “i stand by my word, so i expect you to do the same.”

you raise both eyebrows in a playful manner and gesture for him to go inside, “wouldn’t dare lie to such a handsome man.”

once sicheng steps inside, you close the door and allow him further into the house. you both end up in one of the study rooms where you tell sicheng to make himself comfortable on one of the chairs. you sit opposite of him, leaning forward. “you and your team must be pretty desperate for information for you to come here alone.” you grin.

sicheng mirrors your expression, “like i said. in our line of work, we get intel in various ways to solve cases. besides, you must be desperate to get something out of this as well, considering you’re willing to meet with me.”

“what if i just wanted company? some fun?” you try, a teasing lilt to your voice.

“you’re still giving me information in exchange for my company.”

you pout your lip and surrender with a smile. “ok then. can i call you something other than ‘detective’? i don’t like calling you that; it’s so boring.” you laugh.

“sicheng.”

“couldn’t you have said it in a more charming way?”

“ms. y/n.”

“just y/n.”

“y/n.”

“yes?” you giggle at the unamused expression on the male’s face; he was adorable indeed.

“i don’t want to waste time.” sicheng says firmly, “tell me about the agreement or scandal mr. choi involved himself in.”

“i unfortunately do not have the specifics, but there were whispers that choi was actually in great debt as a result of his newfound addiction to gambling - a leisure activity he had gotten into about a year ago. afraid to disappoint his family and ruin their name, he sought for deals that could help him pay off his debt. you could probably tell that whatever agreement he got into was not what he expected, and he was said to back out. the other party, however, was not happy with this as they believed choi ‘knew too much’. the talk now is that that party hired someone to kill him to prevent anything from getting out as a safety precaution.”

“and would you know who this party was?”

your fingers twitch and pupils shake, but sicheng doesn’t seem to think too much of it. “no, i don’t.” you state.

you then remember what you told your boss - “i’m giving just enough crumbs to keep him off your tail. i’ll also try to get information from him so that i can warn you of their moves and plans.”

you clear your throat and flash a small smirk, “but i do know that there are three big syndicates that usually run those money schemes; one is led by a man named kwon jaeho, and he’s been running wild lately.”

sicheng looks at you with his piercing gaze, and again, you notice how it’s still warm and calm. the male then purses his lips and nods. you then tilt your head and cross your legs, “surely, your team could have gotten this information? why need me?”

“you of all people would know that information like this isn’t readily available and would take tremendous time and effort to uncover.” sicheng raises an eyebrow before smiling congenially, “we are also in a bit of a rush since the choi family won’t stop barking at us. i know you’d be more than willing to indulge me as long as you get something out of it.”

“fair enough.” you laugh, “so, what now?”

“i think i’ve gotten what we need for now. my team will continue investigating and adding mr. kwon jaeho to the priority list.” sicheng stands from the chair, “thank you for your time and cooperation again, y/n.”

he turns on his heel as if to leave, but you’re quick to grab his arm and tug him back. he looks at you with wide, innocent eyes; your gaze is sharp and cold, but he can’t help but feel amused at the petty pout on your lips. “aren’t you forgetting something?” you sing-song.

sicheng pretends to be deep in thought while tilting his head. after a moment, he raises an eyebrow, “payment?”

“mhmm.” you smile, looking at him expectantly.

sicheng shoves one hand in his jean’s pocket and plainly says, “sorry, but i’m not going to encourage that behavior for you.”

for a second, you let yourself gasp in shock, expression morphing into pure surprise. after blinking it away, you let go of his arm and cross your arms across your chest. “hey, i gave you valuable intel, sicheng. you know how this works.” you breathe out.

the detective gives your arm a patronizing pat before he flashes a more charming than usual smile, “i know, and i’m sorry for lying, but think of it was you doing something good and not illegal for once.”

you can force him to pay you. you can even scream and contact your boss. yet you stand there with your arms crossed, sicheng still smiling at you as if he’s won this round. a debate goes on in your mind for a moment before you finally sigh and put your hands on your hips. a devilish smirk makes its way to your lips as your gaze lands on his own plump ones. “surely, you can pay with - ”

sicheng, however, cuts you off with a brighter, more genuine grin as he says, “i’ll pay you with a meal whenever you want one of these days.”

a half-scoff, half-laugh escapes your lips as you grin at him with amusement. “a meal?” you ask.

“a meal.” he repeats.

“forget it.” you roll your eyes and slump back on the chair, “go away, get out.”

sicheng’s smile grows even wider at your immature tantrum. “you’re lucky you’re cute, so i’ll let you off for now. the next time you need me, i expect payment.”

“good night, y/n.” sicheng bows with a smile as he makes his way outside.

from the window of the study room, you can see sicheng get into his car and drive away into the night. you feel the slightest upward curl of the corners of your mouth as you muse to yourself.

“that’s a first.”

⟡

⟡

thanks to the information you gave sicheng, he and his team have made even more progress into their investigations, successfully catching and interrogating individuals and parties associated with kwon jaeho and his syndicate. after rigorous interrogations and research, the team arrests the involved parties.

“we’ve arrested several people who are definitely criminals.” ten hums as he, sicheng and kun hang back in the headquarter’s canteen, “but not the actual killer. these people aren’t even involved at all.”

“they did give inklings of who could though.” kun notes, “and, it may have been unplanned, but a criminal arrest is still part of our job.”

ten nods in agreement and sips from his coffee. sicheng looks lost in thought, eyes glued to the floor. kun notices and asks, “what’s in your mind?”

sicheng blinks and snaps his eyes up to face kun. “there’s something more to this case.” sicheng says softly, “i don’t think this is just about a group wanting to kill choi for backing out on an agreement. this is also not just about choi looking for a way out of debt.”

“too typical?” ten raises an eyebrow, “it is a common thing in crime but…”

sicheng nods, “it’s too easy. y/n would not lay it all out just like that. that’s not how underground trading works.”

kun sips from his coffee and says, “i agree.”

ten smirks, “so our mysterious informant purposely gave wrong information?”

“it’s possible.” sicheng furrows his eyebrows before relaxing, “unless that’s what she really knows. either way, it doesn’t add up and i still think there’s more to this.”

“xiaojun and hendery are still trying to dig up more stuff.” kun explains, “and yangyang has been running around trying to get more information on the other two syndicates.”

kun opens his mouth to assign sicheng with a task, but the younger detective interrupts him. “i’m going to see y/n again tonight.” sicheng says.

kun raises an eyebrow, not expecting that. “your reason being…?” the eldest male asks.

sicheng assures his friend with a small smile, “i can get information from her, trust me.”

“she let you off the other time ‘cause she found you cute.” ten smirks, “i highly doubt she’d repeat that this time. she’s greedy - she wants something out of this, and if she even dares give you more information, you’re gonna have to pay.”

“i’ll think of something.” sicheng smiles slightly wider, “i always do.”

“look at you.” ten pinches the taller male’s cheeks, prompting a playful glare from him.

kun chuckles lightly, shaking his head as he speaks, “if you say so, sicheng. i trust you know what you’re getting into.”

“don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” sicheng says with finality.

so at evening once more, sicheng drives to your place. he hopes that by going unannounced, it will give him the chance to speak to you without you preparing some elaborate plan or speech to elude him.

you switch off the kitchen lights after a quick evening snack and proceed to go upstairs to your bedroom. ignoring your boss’s text about being frustrated with you for not showing up to work, you finally reach your bedroom door and twist the knob open. the silhouette by your window causes you to startle a bit, but when you catch a glimpse of the person’s face, a small smile creeps unto your lips. “sicheng.” you say with a hum.

sicheng tilts his head, “you’re not very surprised.”

“i always appreciate the company…it’s lonely here.” you close the door and smile, “even if they come unannounced and without my permission.”

“bad time?” sicheng nods his head at your nightgown.

“i was honestly going to bed.” you shrug, “now that you’re here, i can’t really do that, can i?”

the male lightly chuckles before leaning against the wall next to the window, “i won’t take up much of your time.”

“but i want you to.”

sicheng quirks an eyebrow but excuses your comment with a shake of his head, prompting a stifled giggle from you. “we arrested people who work for kwon jaeho, but none of them are involved with choi’s murder.” sicheng says right off the bat, “i need you to tell me about the other two syndicates.”

“i don’t have anything on those two.” you lie, turning your head away to the side, “those two are much, much, much more secretive and difficult to keep tabs on.”

from the corner of your eye, you can vaguely see sicheng taking a few steps closer; enough distance to keep himself safe, but close enough to be able to keep his voice low. “do you know anything more about choi’s deal?”

you hesitate for a second, but you realize it’s too late to deny anything as sicheng catches the quiver in your lip as you blink eyes. you slowly turn your head to face him, eyes piercing his own intense gaze. with a quirk of your eyebrow, you whisper, “do you know what you’re getting into, sicheng?”

“then let me be clear.” sicheng takes a step closer; now he’s close enough for your breaths to mingle, “tell me.”

you try to maintain the confident and calculating mask you usually wore, but under sicheng’s stronger gaze, it falters just a little. after a second or two of silence, you tear your eyes away from his and opt to look at the floor. “i really don’t know much about choi’s deal with the syndicate and why he got himself into this mess, but i heard he isn’t the only one. other wealthy and powerful names are involved.” you say.

sicheng takes a step back, but his eyes never leave you. “these people are still in the deal or have backed out as well?” he asks.

you sigh, “i wouldn’t know. if they have backed out, your team might want to track them down because they’ll end up just like choi. that’s how these things work, sicheng. it’s wise to not mess with them.”

the detective pokes the inside of his cheek with his tongue; admittedly, this revelation would add more to his and the team’s plate, considering there were now several individuals seemingly engaged in something that could bring upon their demise if they walked away like choi hyunsuk. “i need names, y/n.” sicheng states.

you give him an apologetic smile, “i don’t have those as well, sicheng. all i can help with is suggesting that your team start with people involved in choi’s circle of influence…or at least his social circle.”

“you’re sure you don’t know anything about the two other syndicates?”

the male doesn’t miss the way you swallow nervously, blinking several times before answering. “just that one of them is extremely ruthless and cruel.” you say, voice a mere whisper, “i highly advise you to not get in too deep, sicheng.”

there’s a knowing look in his eyes, one that you’ve never seen in the eyes of people you’ve “traded” with. one that you’ve never seen even in the eyes of those you’ve “played” with. you choose not to dwell on what it could mean; instead, you offer a pleasant smile and say, “just tell your team to look further into kwon jaeho’s group. you’re bound to find something.”

sicheng rattles his brain to see if he had any more questions to ask, but he settles with what he’s gotten for now. pushing you too much may result in hostility on your part, so he knows he should tread slowly and carefully. he knows that if he’s getting something from you, you could very well be getting something out of him, and he wouldn’t risk that.

deciding that he’d relay this to his team, he gives you a warm smile and tilts his head, “thank you again for your cooperation, y/n.”

he bows and turns on his heel, only to stop when he hears you speaking. “leaving already?” you mischievously pout your lips and complain, “i was actually thinking you came here to see me.”

sicheng rolls his eyes and turns around to respond, but you playfully cut him off, clicking your tongue, “i was starting to think you’d have a heart, detective, but i guess - ”

this time, the male cuts you off, but not by speaking over you. he genuinely surprises you with a kiss to your cheek; his lips are light and soft on your skin, and it takes you a second to regain your senses. you look at him with wide eyes, so sicheng sighs before stating, “i’m not giving you money, y/n. hope that suffices instead.”

“hardly.” you smirk, eyes slowly lowering to sicheng’s lips.

sicheng is trained for many things, but he isn’t quite prepared for the next course of action because the next thing he knows, you’re grabbing the collar of his shirt and pressing your lips to his. you pull away when you realize that he didn’t reciprocate, a flushed and embarrassed tint painting your cheeks as you try to glare at him. sicheng looks at you with a mixture of amusement and confusion - it’s something neither of you can quite place at the moment. the silence and tension thickens the longer you stare at each other, and whatever glass wall stood between you had now shattered.

sicheng leans forward. you lean forward. neither of you know who leaned in first, but it was certain that your lips had connected in a more definite and firm kiss. this time, both you and sicheng were surely kissing each other; your hands let go of his shirt’s collar, settling on his shoulders instead. the detective snakes his arms around your waist, pulling you closer to him. your lips move in a rushed, almost messy frenzy as you begin to walk backwards, leading the male to where your bed was. once you fall on your back on the mattress, your lips disconnect with sicheng towering above you. his eyes, serious yet warm, are like magnets that prohibit you from looking away. your hands slowly make their way under his shirt, leaving a wake of fire as fingers dance along along the ridges of muscle.

“forget about paying me with a meal.” your voice is barely above a whisper, “will you keep me company tonight, sicheng?”

sicheng doesn’t answer. he knows of the risks, yet he can’t bring himself to rip away from you. he knows he can get more out of you if he indulges in your little requests, but he isn’t one to take advantage of people, regardless of the situation or reason.

but there’s a silent plea in your eyes - in the way you stare at him almost fearfully - that tells him that this may not just be about his repayment. it’s odd for someone like you who has enough to secure not just her wealth but also her power and security.

there was something more to you as well.

sicheng leans down and presses his lips back to yours, kissing slower and more careful this time. you find yourself under the sheets not too long after, drowning in the scent and feel of the man named dong sicheng. his fingers feel amazing on and in every inch of you, lips enough to make your stomach flip about. you don’t expect it, but he holds you softly like you were fragile porcelain, kissing tenderly. you tangle your fingers in his hair, holding him close as if he was the only shield and shelter you had.

of all the people you get involved with, it was a detective - it was a detective that made you let your guard down all because you felt safe when he was around. inexplicable and unfathomable.

but it was ok. if you were going to live your life dangerously, might as well have a taste of safety while you can.

when morning comes, sicheng wakes up ahead. he slowly peels his eyes open, squinting at the sudden brightness of the morning sun; thankfully, the curtains are still closed. he carefully shifts around, taking note of your still sleeping figure curled up beside him. without the snarky comments and flirtatiously mischievous demeanor covering you, sicheng sees a more gentle and softened soul. the peaceful expression on your face - as well as the snores leaving your lips - prompts an unexpected smile from him.

he noticed it when you first met - your eyes were always wary not just with him, but with everything around you as if everything endangered your life. he suspected it was because you knew a lot of inside information worth immense value, and that you were, of course, wealthy and powerful and your life could be taken at any time.

maybe it was because he was a detective, and he’s been trained to see everything at all possible perspectives, but he knew something was causing you to be like that, and the faux-confidence you paraded with was nothing but an empty shell.

he mentally promised to solve that as well, but right now, he had to return to headquarters and regroup with his team.

while he slowly got up, he noticed a pale pink handkerchief on top of the bedside table. a small, white flower was embroidered on the corner, along with a smudge of red lipstick. he kept the image in his mind and picked up his clothes from the floor, swiftly and silently getting dressed. it didn’t take him long to do so, and without waking you, he went towards the door. however, before he can step foot outside your room, your sleepy voice stops him. “leaving without a goodbye?” you try to joke, but a yawn stops you halfway.

sicheng turns around to see you sitting up on the bed, holding the sheets up to cover your naked body. the male offers a smile, “i have to go.”

with your brain not fully awake, you let your mouth run wild and speak without much thought. “are you not afraid of the consequences?”

sicheng raises an eyebrow and tilts his head, so you continue, “you slept with me. was that ok for you to do, given your job?”

“it's complicated.” sicheng sighs, “there are things i need to know about and if i can do that by…”

“by using me?” you lazily smirk and look away from him, “it’s ok, i’m used to it.”

sicheng walks over to you, standing by the edge of the bed where he looks at you gently. “this isn’t just about choi’s case. it’s about you as well.”

“me?” you turn to look at him again.

sicheng smirks, “i know there’s something about you that needs to be solved, and i’m going to find out after i’m done with choi’s case.”

“why…what…” you blink at the detective, letting go of the sheets to scratch your neck out of confusion.

sicheng reaches forward, bringing the sheets back up to cover you. he smiles warmly and speaks, “you seem to be in a bit of trouble yourself, y/n. it’s natural for me, a detective, to want to solve things like this.”

he then bows politely, turning on his heel once more to make his way out.

“are you not worried about the safety of yourself or your team?” you suddenly ask, “i told you…you shouldn’t be getting in too deep with this.”

sicheng doesn’t face you at first. “we all trust each other, so no.” he turns around in the slightest to look at you, “there’s nothing to worry about because we can guarantee each other’s safety even if things go wrong. that’s why we’re a team.”

your expression falls into something quite undecipherable, eyes downcast and lips bent in a small frown. the detective catches it and makes some sort of analysis in his head, but he chooses to leave it for another time. slowly, you look up to meet his eyes once more. “are you confident you and your team can put an end to this case?” you ask quietly.

“i’m never overly confident,” sicheng starts, “but i’ll try with my life on the line.”

and so he leaves, gently shutting the door as he walks out. you sit there on your bed, staring at your nightgown laying on the floor. your hand reaches out to where sicheng was previously lying down beside your spot on the bed; it was still warm, and a rush of memories from last night cloud your mind. pulling the sheets closer to you, you sigh to yourself.

“how envious.”

⟡

⟡

over the days, hendery, xiaojun and yangyang were able to uncover details and snippets of intel on the two other “big” syndicates that you were talking about. kun, ten and sicheng were also able to learn more about the so-called “deal” that choi hyunsuk got involved in, as well as the other people potentially a part of it. after more tedious work and efforts, the team apprehended choi’s murderer - a hired killer who used to work for kwon jaeho, but defected and switched allegiances to the other bigger syndicate, most probably the one you mentioned as “ruthless”.

kun, ten and sicheng were now grabbing coffee at a nearby cafe after having closed choi hyunsuk’s case and settling things with his family. sicheng hands the drinks to the two older males who are standing by the other end of the counter. “thanks.” ten smiles, “you know…we may have closed choi hyunsuk’s case, but doing so just opened a whole new one.”

sicheng nods, “we got the killer, but we should probably look into the deal that was given to choi hyunsuk and others, as well as who’s really behind it all.”

“the syndicate stuff?” kun rubs at his temple with his free hand, “those are such headaches to deal with. our seniors have been doing that for years, and every time a handful are apprehended, more and more just come out.”

ten sips from his drink, “yeah, but it’s literally in front of us now.”

sicheng looks at kun and asks, “you think the team can handle this one too? or are you turning it over to another team?”

kun hums, tapping his fingers on his plastic coffee cup. “we started it with choi’s case, might as well be the ones to end the whole series. maybe we can take down a major syndicate while we’re at it.”

“that’s what i’m talking about.” ten smirks playfully, “i’m already excited.”

sicheng and kun laugh at their friend’s zeal and passion for solving cases. the three then head out of the cafe, intending to walk back to the headquarters. however, they stop in their tracks when you stand in their way, arms crossed and smirk on full display. kun and ten look at you before shifting their focus to sicheng; the youngest of the three is a bit blank-faced as he looks at you, raising an eyebrow as if to ask “what are you doing here?”.

as if reading his mind, you bite your lip before tilting your head to feign innocence. “is it wrong to want to see you after having spent the night - ”

“y/n.” sicheng’s eyes widen in warning for a split-second, cheeks flaring pink before you can even finish your statement.

you laugh at his reaction before turning more serious, eyes flitting between kun, ten then back at sicheng. “i have something i need to talk to you about…all of you, i guess. you could say it’s of importance.” you explain with a calm voice, “if you’re willing.”

sicheng looks at kun; the eldest male is far more analytical and observant than anyone, and he’s known to be the most level-headed one in the team. after a moment, kun nods his head and politely responds, “we’re going back to our office. if you wish to speak with us, you’ll have to come along.”

“alright then.” you grin.

kun nods and leads the way. the cafe was not too far from their headquarters, so the four of you just walked back. once there, yangyang is the first to notice you tagging along with sicheng and the rest. tilting his head, he asks, “oh? what’s up? who’s this?”

“y/n.” ten smirks, “the person sicheng keeps seeing.”

sicheng rolls his eyes and preoccupies himself with scanning the room, “where are xiaojun and hendery?”

yangyang ignores him and looks at you with interest. you mirror his actions, tilting your head as your eyes scan him from head to toe. whistling, you give the younger male a wink. “i like your style.” you chuckle, nodding in approval at his fashion choices, “very nice.”

yangyang laughs, shaking his head, “good taste.”

“i like him already.” you whisper while clinging to sicheng’s arm.

the detective looks at you with a “please don’t cause any trouble” expression, to which you respond to with a light laugh. hendery and xiaojun return from the canteen, clearly surprised to see you with the rest. hendery looks at sicheng, then ten, then kun before saying, “um…meeting?”

“just the three of us. the rest of you continue your work.” kun says, finally leading the group to his own office.

inside, kun gestures for everyone to sit down as he goes to his desk seat. once everyone has settled down, he leans forward; his expression is definitely much more stern than sicheng’s, but there’s still a polite and gentle twinge to it. “now, ms. y/n, what did you need to talk about?” he asks.

“just y/n’s fine.” you smile in a congenial manner, “anyway, i have information on a certain syndicate…wait. are you boys still on choi hyunsuk’s case? i don’t even know if you need this…”

kun nods, “we just closed it today, but…” the eldest male looks at sicheng and ten before he continues, “we still have cases related to it, per se.”

“oh.” you smirk, “well then. what i have to tell you may be of use after all.”

“spill.” ten says with an equally mischievous smirk.

you lean back on the chair, “the syndicate responsible for the mess choi hyunsuk got involved in is run by a man named kim jaewon. unfortunately, i don’t know a lot about him, nor have i encountered people who know of him in depth. all i’ve heard and picked up is that he runs his group with proficiency as he’s a stable force of crime in the underground sector.”

“what else can you tell us?”

“kim jaewon was able to rope in choi and the others into his scheme by promising something grand. obviously he took large amounts of money from them, and there are whispers that he blackmails them into doing dirty work for him in exchange for even more money and whatever.” you add, “i can only assume choi ‘left’ the agreement out of guilt. the others are rumored to still be in contact with kim jaewon.”

“who are the others?” sicheng asks you.

you wink at him, “you know i don’t have that information. but, kim jaewon’s group of thugs are said to be driving forces in sectors that involve stock markets, finance and the smuggling of black market weapons.”

“we can start by looking at the big names in those sectors.” kun notes.

you nod your head and smile, “exactly.”

sicheng asks, “how did you get this information?”

“you'll find that some people are willing to spill information that crucial for the price of...” you clear your throat to insinuate something more suggestive.

of course, that was a lie. you worked for kim jaewon, so of course you'd know things like that.

“do you think we can ask you to dig up more information on kim jaewon?” ten asks with a shrug, “hendery and xiaojun can do it, but an extra helping hand won’t hurt.”

“depends.” you tease, leaning your head on sicheng’s shoulder who doesn’t seem too fazed, “going after a man that is said to be extremely dangerous is a big threat to my life, and i certainly love living.”

“you’re in enough danger as it is, y/n.” kun raises an eyebrow, but his smile is friendly, “the whole ‘trading and selling information’ is just as dangerous as any other black market gig. you’re putting your life on the line just by telling us all these.”

you lift your head from sicheng’s shoulder and stare straight at kun who seems very skeptical of you. “what do you want?” the eldest male asks nicely, “you’re not giving all this away just because. what are you after?”

“sicheng.” ten coughs from the side before pressing his lips in a tight line as if he said nothing.

you chuckle at his little stint before keeping your gaze on sicheng who is already looking your way. after a moment, you tear your eyes away to look at kun and say, “i’m just doing something good for once. right, sicheng?”

sicheng can only sigh, turning his attention to kun. the eldest gestures his head at ten who nods and leaves the room promptly. kun asks if there’s anything else, so you shake your head and reply, “none. i’ll be going then.”

kun’s eyes are careful yet wary as he bows in gratitude, “thank you then. sicheng can escort you out.”

you nod, standing up and waiting for sicheng to do the same. he nods at kun before placing a hand at the small of your back, ushering you outside the office. once outside of the building, you walk a few steps ahead as if ready to part ways. however, you can sense that sicheng’s eyes are on you, so you turn around to face him.

alas, sicheng looks at you with intrigue, eyes unreadable yet intense. the male tries to unlock whatever secrets your mind is holding; he searches your captivating eyes and observes any body language in an attempt to decipher your behavior. “is something wrong, sicheng?” you ask lightly.

sicheng shoves his hands in his pockets, “i’m not buying it.”

“what?” you challenge.

“you’re not doing this just to do ‘something good’ for once.” he adds, “what is it, really?”

you smile a bit gentler this time, taking a few steps back to stand in front of him, “i’m trying to lessen my troubles.”

“and this is your cry for help?”

“no, not really.” your smile fades into something more melancholic, “i’m just distracting myself.”

sicheng sighs, “y/n.”

you plaster on another faux smile and reach a hand up to lightly pat sicheng’s chest. a beautiful ruby ring sits on your finger, glistening in the sunlight. “don’t go falling for me now, dong sicheng. i may have helped you boys, but i’m still a very darkened soul.” you whisper.

sicheng wants to ask what you meant, but the look in your eyes tells him to leave it for now. he nods, telling you to take care on your way back. you flash him another sweet smile before parting ways. on his way back to kun’s office inside, the male chews on the inside of his cheek and sighs. he knows it’s your style to not say things bluntly as you would rather be vague and cryptic; you enjoy watching people scramble to make sense of what you say, he knows that by now.

so naturally, he knows that your little information drop a while ago was not just an act of righteousness on your part. that, along with the look in your eyes before leaving - similar to the night you spent together - was enough to tell him that you were trying to give a silent message of sorts.

but what were you trying to tell him exactly?

⟡

⟡

you stand across an angry man - a very angry, yelling man.

“in the last three days, that fucking detective and his team have caught some of my most trusted men!”

you swallow and look at the carpeted floor, “i have done nothing for that to happen.”

“you bitch.” kim jaewon hisses, “you’ve been feeding them information, so don’t dare lie to me.”

“i did as you said. give them a trail of distractions to solve so that you can continue with your plan uninterrupted.” you defend yourself, “i have done nothing but distract the detective and his team by feeding half-truths on groups and petty crimes outside of your doing.”

“then care to explain why they suddenly know so much about the group? why they’ve caught my men when this has never happened?”

“sich - ” you clear your throat, “the detective and his team are smarter than we think. underestimating their skills is not a smart move.”

jaewon trudges over to where you stand, his eyes filled with rage as he spits, “and on the night you slept with him, did anything else slip out of that fucking mouth of yours? or did he fuck you senseless enough to spill secrets?”

you knit your eyebrows together in offesne, “no, absolutely nothing.”

“hmm.” the man scoffs, “you seduced him yet you could not get a sliver of information from their side.”

“i did warn you about which groups and people they’d be investigating next, did i not?”

“since when did you talk back like that?”

your silence prompts another scoff from the man as he bends down to meet your eye level. your entire body stiffens at the sheer animosity he radiates, and your heart threatens to stop on the spot. “their team’s arrests and investigations have put a huge delay on our plans, y/n.” he says lowly.

you nod, opening your mouth to respond, but the man shushes you. “i’m not having any more delays. we’ve had enough. you’re going to do as i say, lest you want the next bullet to be in your head.” jaewon growls, hand hovering above the gun strapped to his thigh.

your eyes flit between the gun and back to him as you stiffly nod. he snickers, the smirk of his more vicious than any beast you’ve seen. “a lot of the other men are doubting you…calling you a traitor.” jaewon says, “you agree?”

you shake your head instantly.

“good. now, i believe you, but i don’t think they will. prove your loyalty. jung is assigned to terminate some people who have recently posed a threat, and you will help him with that.”

your hands are trembling, so you clench them into tight fists as you nod. jaewon smirks, turning you around and lightly pushing you towards the door as if telling you to get out. before you can exit the room, however, the man calls your attention last minute. when you turn around, the look in his eyes shakes you.

“we need that detective and his men out of the picture as well. you know what to do.”

you stare at jaewon with dark, lifeless eyes.

“you know what happens if you fail this, right?” he whispers, “i’ll take your life instead.”

you can only stare coldly and nod once before walking out of the room.

⟡

⟡

a few days later, sicheng and kun are at a murder scene as yangyang gathers evidence for the forensics department. crossing his arms, the older male looks at the corpse and sighs, “this was lee sungho, business partner to choi hyunsuk who also got involved in that shady agreement.”

sicheng nods, “it would seem only the two of them backed out. we were too late.”

kun shakes his head, “no use dwelling on that now. they’re fast…that kim jaewon guy.”

the younger detective shoves his hands in his pockets, taking a deep breath as he speaks. “well, the list is definitely narrowed down to just him and his men. though it’s gonna be harder to catch them now; they’re not going to make the same mistake twice.” sicheng notes.

yangyang then walks over to them and hums, “either this man stole a ring…or the culprit’s a female now.”

the youngest male then holds up a plastic bag with a ruby ring inside. sicheng’s eyes widen as he recognizes it as the one you were wearing the day you went to the office with him, kun and ten. yangyang doesn’t notice sicheng’s reaction, eyes still glued to the jewelry, “i don’t think there’s anything on this i can use to get dna…but i’ll try back in the lab.”

kun nods, “thanks, yangyang.”

the youngest returns to the crime scene to continue gathering evidence. sicheng looks at the body with intensity; he was definitely not an expert in forensics and autopsies like yangyang was, but he does note the smears of lipstick on the dead man’s face; he knows that you would not leave something that obvious to trace back to you.

the next day, yangyang explains that both the ring and the lipstick smudge samples did not yield any results or matches, meaning they were planted there on purpose.

then the day after that, as kun, ten and sicheng were continuing investigations, xiaojun reported another murder. ten offered to continue the current investigation with hendery while the other two listened to what xiaojun had to say. the next victim was a woman - park chaewon, lee sungho’s secretary.

again, sicheng notes something familiar - the pale pink handkerchief he saw the night he slept with you. the red lipstick smudge at the corner was gone, but he recognized the flower embroidery.

you were leaving a trail again - yet another silent message calling out to him.

later at night, sicheng sits with xiaojun and hendery to compile evidence and reports on the recent cases. he suddenly gets a text notification, eyes narrowing upon recognizing the number; it was from you.

i need to speak to you at my place. it’s very urgent. please.

“can i leave that to you guys for a moment?” sicheng says as he stands up, “i need to speak to kun.”

“alright.” xiaojun nods.

sicheng briskly walks to kun’s office, looking at the older male with urgency. “kun.” the younger male starts.

kun looks up from his laptop and asks, “what happened?”

sicheng shows his phone screen with your text on display. kun raises an eyebrow as if asking what is has to do with anything, so the younger detective clears his throat. “i didn’t say anything because i wasn’t sure what to make of it, but the last two cases are y/n’s doing.” sicheng adds, “well, she’s involved anyway.”

“the ring and lipstick? handkerchief?” kun guesses, “and you’re only telling me now?”

sicheng nods, rubbing at his face, “i know, i should have said something sooner, but i was trying to figure out why. she’s an insider who works for information, not a killer. this isn’t part of what she does.”

kun follows his train of thought and speaks, “you think she works for jaewon?”

“it’s possible.” the younger male then recalls all the times you’ve been wary, or the times your voice trembled every time you spoke about kim jaewon’s syndicate, “or she’s being blackmailed.”

“that text is a trap, sicheng.” kun warns, “if she really is with him, then they’re using her to get rid of you.”

“i know. but i’ll be ready. this could lead us closer to getting kim jaewon himself.” sicheng explains.

kun sighs, looking at the younger male worriedly, “fine, but if anything goes wrong, you get out of there and get help.”

“promise.”

meanwhile, you stand in your bathroom, tear-filled eyes staring at the body that lay on the tiled floor, painting it red. you’re frozen in your spot. you did not kill the man; you seduced him as distraction so that jaewon’s hired killer, standing behind you, could fire the decisive shot.

you did not kill, but you aided in the murder.

you can’t dwell on the idea because the hired killer roughly shoves your shoulder, handing you your phone. “the detective is on his way.” he says.

you look at the man with horror, eyes wide with panic, “what did you say?”

“i sent a message.”

you quickly unlock your phone and look at the message the man had sent for sicheng to meet with you right here. your breathing becomes more rapid as you glare at the hired killer. “i said i’d handle sicheng! i told jaewon to leave it to me, not you! you’re here for that man!” you yell, pointing at the dead body in your bathroom.

the hired killer remains cool and stoic as you get frustrated at him. grabbing the phone from your hand, he tosses it somewhere in the room before pointing his gun at you. “get cleaned and ready to meet with the detective.” he says with finality.

you swallow the lump in your throat and step over the body laying on your bathroom floor. after washing your face and freshening up, you get changed into a clean nightgown and cover yourself with a robe. once you step out of the bathroom, you shut the door, leaving the body and the hired killer inside.

truly, you were stained with a horribly dark ink.

⟡

⟡

your eyes don’t meet sicheng’s when you open the door for him. the male doesn’t really think too much of it as he was more focused on the obvious puffiness of your eyes. “who broke your heart?” he playfully mutters despite the deadpan tone of his voice.

you lightly laugh, “can’t i watch a movie and get overly emotional? i have a heart, you know?”

sicheng merely smiles, waiting for you to lead him inside. you both eventually settle in your dining area, seated across each other as you talk over dinner. “kim jaewon’s on the move.” you say into the thick silence.

sicheng nods, “i know.”

“of course.”

“i also know you left traces of yourself in those recent murders.” sicheng leans forward, “traces only i could recognize.”

“didn’t think you’d notice.” you emptily laugh before facing him, elbows on the table, “i did not kill them, though.”

“i know.” sicheng says again, “but i need to know how involved you are.”

“and if i refuse to tell you?”

“you know the answer to that.” sicheng’s voice is lower and deeper than usual - a warning.

you lean back on your chair, hugging your robes closer to your body. “i don't work alone - i work for kim jaewon.” you laugh almost coldly.

the detective looks down, eyes filled with pity as he asks, “since when?”

“much too young for a world like theirs, but old enough to be an adult.” you say with a sad smile, “my parents were poor and got tangled in his mess by accident, and it cost their lives. i had no one to go to, so his syndicate took me in when i was a kid. i grew up blindly believing they were protectors, unaware that they were the reason for my parents’ death. by the time i found out, it was too late; i was indebted to them. you know how these stories go, sicheng. i can’t leave even if i wanted to.”

“he provides protection, but what does he expect from you in return?”

“i get him the information he needs. i sleep around, socialize, party - whatever it takes to get what he needs.” you shrug, “i’ve never directly killed anyone. i’m just his intel person.”

“you are aware that you enable people’s deaths by the information you gather and give, right?” sicheng asks.

you purse your lips and smile in a lifeless manner, “i did say i am a darkened soul, sicheng. all these years of doing jaewon’s biddings has tainted me. i’m not a murderer, but i’m just as evil as everyone in that damn syndicate.”

without much to say for now, the detective looks at you with his usual intense stare, “why’d you call me over?”

to kill you.

you gulp and blink several times, eyes never leaving his. you scramble for the words to say, but only silence is yielded. you scratch your head, running your fingers through your hair. completely forgetting about the task jaewon assigned you to, you whisper with a trembling voice, “i want you to get me out.”

sicheng looks at you with intrigue as he always does, eyebrows furrowed as he studies your expression and behavior. he knows you mean it, but at the same time, he sees the confusion and conflict in your watery eyes. you have conviction but also lack it.

when he doesn’t respond, you get up from your chair and walk over to him. sicheng doesn’t say or do anything when you sit on his lap, arms around his neck as you lean closer. “didn’t you say it’s your job as a detective to solve things and troubles like this?” you whisper.

his hands rest on your thighs; he keeps his composure as he replies, “yes, but what makes you so sure i can do that for you? you’re a criminal as well, y/n. i can have you arrested.”

there’s a sadness in your eyes as you silently agree with him; sicheng sees it too. he slowly reaches up, hand resting at the base of your neck as he looks into your eyes. you want to smile, but your lips don’t cooperate. instead, you lean forward, brushing your lips against his as you speak, “you’re the only one i trust.”

it all happens so fast you think you’d get whiplash. both yours and sicheng’s lips are on each other’s; it starts slow and tentative, but the more you taste him, the more you want to let him devour you. maybe it’s the emotions, but the detective is just as weak for you, wrapping strong arms around your body. tongues collide and dance, and breaths become one as you get lost in the feel of each other. his plump lips feel like a sweet escape when they latch onto your neck, kissing and sucking as if doing so fervently could cure you of your evils. you run your fingers through his hair, pull him close, roll your hips - anything and everything to keep him close to you.

at some point, sicheng gets up from the chair, clumsily making his way to your bedroom without disconnecting your lips. on the comfort of your bed, sweat clings to both of you as he ravishes every inch of your skin with his mouth, your own nails dragging lines of red across his. lips meet lips, bodies becoming one as the male has you seeing stars once more.

after, you lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with a symphony of thoughts, and sicheng gets up and puts his pants back on. as he buckles his belt, his eyes quickly dart to the bathroom door where he can smell something is off. he sighs when he turns to you, “i’m going back now.”

“oh.”

“i promised kun i’d be back after seeing you.” he says softly, walking towards the bathroom, “i need to wash my face though.”

“wait!” you say, regretting the sense of panic in your voice.

sicheng looks at you with feigned confusion; you clear your throat and look down at the bed, “can you stay with me…please?”

he offers a warm but sad smile, “not tonight, y/n.”

he doesn’t see you closing your eyes in defeat as he walks towards the bathroom, opening the door slowly. as soon as he switches the light on, his eyes land on the body, confirming his suspicions earlier. at the exact moment, the hired killer who was hiding there also reveals himself, swiftly pointing his gun at sicheng. he immediately fires a shot, but thankfully, the detective reacts in time and moves to the side. he quickly checks to make sure you weren’t shot by the bullet. once he sees that you had your head in your hands, unscathed, he turns his attention back to the killer.

the two men get into a scuffle; sicheng’s flexibility allows him to maneuver around more easily, kicking the gun away from the killer’s hand. of course, the killer doesn’t relent that easily. he pulls out a knife and swiftly jabs here and there, his movements quick and agile as he tries to land a hit on sicheng. the blade grazes sicheng’s cheek, drawing blood from the cut. the detective knocks the killer back a few steps and pulls his own gun out, shooting his leg. with a cry of pain, the killer glares and speedily lunges for sicheng. he tackles the detective down, pinning him to the floor and attempting to stab him once more. sicheng manages to hold the knife away from his face, thought it takes an immense amount of strength. finally, he smacks it away, though at the expense of getting a cut on his hand as well.

the two then continue to wrestle on the floor until sicheng has the upper hand, kicking the killer away from him. the killer lunges once more, but sicheng pivots to avoid him, kicking the latter from behind. with the killer on all fours, the detective picks up his gun and uses the butt to knock the killer out. he also pulls handcuffs from his pocket and binds the killer’s wrist. at last, he turns back to face you.

you sense his presence, looking up from where you had hid your face in your hands. although your tear-stained cheeks and trembling eyes pain his heart, sicheng raises his gun to you. “get dressed, y/n. you’ll need to come with me as well.” he says firmly, but makes sure to still have some semblance of gentleness, “i’ll give you time. follow me to the car afterwards.”

he lowers his gun and walks over to the unconscious killer. he says something into his phone, and you’re certain he called kun up. he carries the killer to the car, leaving you alone in the room; he must still have an inkling of trust in you, seeing as to how he left you to get dressed when you could easily escape through the window or something of that manner.

with a sigh, you get up and gather your clothes from the floor and get dressed. why bother escaping anyway? you drag your feet downstairs and exit your house via the back door where sicheng has parked his car nearby. when you fell in step in front of him, your eyes feel heavy as they remain glued to the pavement. you, however, slowly look up when you feel a blanket of warmth enveloping you.

sicheng drapes his jacket around your shoulders since you were still wearing just your nightgown. you look at him with furrowed eyebrows and lost eyes; the male doesn’t smile at all, but the warmth and light he’s always held in his eyes is still there, extremely visible even in the darkness of the night.

he opens the car door for you, gesturing for you to get inside. the drive to their headquarters is quiet, and the only thing that keeps you grounded is, ironically, the warmth sicheng’s jacket gives you.

everything else seems and feels dark like the shadows nested in your heart.

⟡

⟡

sicheng hands the now-conscious killer to ten who is responsible for interrogating him. next, he hands you over to kun; his grip on your arm is surprisingly soft as he leads you to where the eldest detective was. he opens the door to reveal kun sitting by the table of the interrogation room, greeting you with a polite nod; you nod in response. the younger detective lets go of your arm and closes the door without another word.

“not doing the asking?” hendery asks when sicheng enters their shared office room.

“i don’t have a clear mind right now.” sicheng admits, sitting down by his desk.

xiaojun gives him a gentle smile, placing a can of coffee on the desk and handing him some tissues for the blood on his cheek. “you did good.” he says.

sicheng gives the younger male a small smile before leaning back on his chair, closing his eyes as he exhales.

meanwhile, kun watches as you remain silent. he rests his elbows on the table, leaning forward. “sicheng already kind of explained everything he was suspicious of, and he went to your place tonight knowing full-well that it was a trap of sorts.” the male explains, “he confirmed his suspicions, i assume. would you like to explain anything? say anything?”

you recount what you told sicheng over dinner - how you were essentially indebted to kim jaewon by doing his biddings and dirty work. how you were promised protection and shelter as long as you did what he asked. “it started with harmless trading of information that was more financial in nature. petty thievery and whatnot.” you explain, “until kim grew in power and wealth, and he demanded much more from everyone in the syndicate, including me.”

“sicheng suspected you of being responsible for the two recent murders - or, well, make that three now - on behalf of kim.” kun adds, “do you admit to it?”

“yes.”

“what did kim ask you to do exactly?”

you answer, “the man detective ten is interrogating is known as jung. he’s kim’s favorite hitman, i guess. everyone in the syndicate started doubting my loyalty as a result of me giving sicheng information. to prove my loyalty, i had to help jung kill those people. jung did the actual killing. i was just the bait…the distraction. i seduced lee jungho and invited park chaewon to a bar to give jung an opening to kill them.”

“the man in your bathroom?”

“song jihoon. another socialite who was in the same ‘agreement’ with choi and the others. he was one of the people who didn’t back out, but he got cocky and tried to trick kim and well…insulted him. kim knew that he had some…interest in me, so of course, he used that. it’s always just seduction and information trading when it comes to me.”

kun gives you an apologetic look before continuing, “and sicheng?”

“it was never my intention to hurt sicheng.” you say, voice firmer and louder, “kim wanted me to get sicheng so attached that he’d either get sidetracked from solving the cases. worst-case-scenario, i’d have to end him myself.”

“but they knew you couldn’t do that, and that’s why jung was waiting at your home as well.”

“yeah.” you shrug, “i said i’d deal with sicheng, but of course they wouldn’t believe me.”

kun nods, studying your face; you looked exhausted and worn out, on the verge of giving up and essentially “at the end of the line”. the male clasps his hands together, keeping his voice calm and gentle as he continues to ask, “you took a gamble with sicheng, didn’t you?”

“gamble what?” you ask, eyebrows furrowed.

“you wanted to see if sicheng could be your way out of your debt…your life with kim and his gang.” kun states.

you look down at your hands, blinking a few times before nodding, “i’ve always wanted to get out of this. i’ve tried before, but my life was always on the line. i didn’t want to do any of kim’s dirt work, but i didn’t want to die either. then came sicheng, solving choi’s case with so much conviction that i thought i could use him to help me get out of this. i fed him - and you guys - information that could be used to take kim down little by little, but…”

you scoff, “kim’s really not that easy to take down. and it would seem that i really can’t get out of this mess, seeing as to how i’m sitting here for things i’ve done on his behalf.”

“do you think you can get out, y/n? do you believe you can?”

“nothing and no one can save me from what i’ve gotten myself into, detective kun.” you smile sadly.

“what are you going to do if we release you?”

“at this point, i’d be more than happy to be imprisoned for the deaths i’ve aided or the things i’ve done. kim and his gang are probably gonna kill me either way as well.” you sigh, “i’d rather have sicheng kill me than go back to them.”

“sicheng’s not going to let that happen.”

“sicheng’s too good.” you counter a bit too snappily.

“exactly.” kun smiles subtly, “sicheng was the one who wanted to help you since the beginning. ten and i were warning him of the risks, but he was adamant about saving you from your troubles. he’s that dedicated and passionate, but he’s also that…nice of a person. he’s too nice sometimes, but we need that in a cruel world, don’t we?”

“then sicheng doesn’t know what he’s talking about. there’s no helping me.” you shake your head, “kim is going to go after each and every one of you the moment he finds out what you’re doing - what he’s doing - to help me out. he’s not having it. you’re putting yourselves at risk for someone like me.”

kun sits ups straighter and offers a smile, “xiaojun and hendery have found enough evidence to take kim down. yangyang and the forensics have dna matches to him. and you can be assured that ten will get the necessary information from jung once their interrogation is over.”

“what do you want from me?” you say at a loss.

kun shakes his head, “consider this sicheng’s way of helping you out of hell. i need you to promise us - promise him - that you’ll stay away from involving yourself with kim from now on. xiaojun and hendery will take you back home where you will stay for the next few days or so. no going out. our team will watch over you, don’t worry.”

“kim’s going to know that i’ve been released one way or the other.” you point out, “he’ll kill me, or he’ll ask me to continue his dirty work.”

“we have our ways, y/n.” kun assures you with a smile, “you’ll be staying in one of our safehouses - specifically one of ten’s apartments. there’s a team currently doing cleanup at your place since…well, a man was murdered. rest assured, you aren’t going to be held responsible for that; jung is. just leave it to the legal team. ten’s got that covered. promise us you’ll lay low, alright?”

it takes you a few minutes to comprehend everything kun was telling you. in fact, you absentmindedly nod your head in agreement, not fully making sense of everything. kun then ushers you out of the interrogation room, leaving to go speak to xiaojun and hendery. you stand there, dumbfounded and at a loss still. you don’t even realize that you’re as still as a statute until a figure stands in front of you. you look up, eyes shaking in the slightest upon meeting sicheng’s gaze.

the male stretches a hand out, handing you your phone. “we had to erase things and do some tweaking to avoid kim from contacting or tracing you.” sicheng whispers, “here.”

you take the phone from him, still unable to utter a single word. the male then gives you a curt nod before walking away with yangyang to the labs. xiaojun and hendery then appear beside you; the younger male puts a hand on your shoulder and smiles. “shall we?” hendery smiles.

you can’t respond, but the two males escort you to their car and drive off to the designated place.

⟡

⟡

you don’t know how far kun and the team’s power goes, or what they even pulled, but kim jaewon and his gang don’t contact or reach you for a whole week. as promised, you spend your time in the apartment that xiaojun and hendery brought you to; somewhere away from the main city. because you don’t have the opportunity to really go out, and you’re too wary to use your phone for communication and whatnot, xiaojun and hendery drop by from time to time, checking on you and even bringing some food or something to do like board or card games, or even some movies to watch.

while you wouldn't say you were friends, their occasional company was appreciated. you could tell they were awkward with you at times, though you attribute that to the possibility that they know what has happened between you and sicheng.

and speaking of sicheng, you don’t really bring him up when the two younger males come over. they mention him every now and then as if they knew you were silently asking about him.

“he’s a bit preoccupied with kun and ten.” hendery would explain.

“the three of them are working extra hard on chasing kim and the gang. it takes a lot of effort, but they’re getting there.” xiaojun would add as well.

on one particular afternoon, hendery drops by by himself as xiaojun was busy with helping with matters back at headquarters. he places some convenience store snacks on the table as well as some drinks. the male turns to you with a smile, “so…how have you been?”

you were seated on the couch, reading a fashion magazine before hendery came over. you put the magazine down and offer a small smile, “ok, i guess.”

“nice.” hendery grins, “i’d like to stay longer but i need to meet with the guys asap.”

you nod and watch as hendery puts his shoes back on. before he can reach the door, however, you stop him by calling his name. the male raises his eyebrows with wide and bubbly eyes. “yes?” he says.

you stare ahead, “why are you all still doing this?”

“um…didn’t kun already explain?” hendery tries.

“why?” you repeat, “when you all know that i’m not innocent at all.”

hendery bites his lips, looking up as he chooses his words. after a moment, he looks at you with a friendly smile. “everyone understands that you did not choose to live your life with those people.” he begins, “life is never really that simple; it’s complicated, and no one is ever fully good, nor are they fully bad.”

when you raise your eyebrow in genuine curiosity, hendery continues to speak, “the team - especially sicheng - knows that you’ve done things that are considered bad, but…you’ve also wanted to get out of it, right?”

“right…”

“well, it’s our job to kind of help people like you.” hendery smiles knowingly, “even more so for sicheng. he wants to help free you because he’s just that nice of a person. you’ll understand one of these days, i promise.”

you can only nod, offering the male a small smile. hendery playfully salutes before excusing himself and making his leave.

meanwhile, sicheng is with kun and the rest in the office as the older male goes over some sort of plans. after the eldest briefs everyone of their plans to finally catch kim jaewon, everyone goes their separate ways and continues with their tasks. sicheng, however, is asked by kun to stay behind.

“you look troubled.” kun points out softly.

sicheng shakes his head and puts a smile on his face, “just…thinking.”

“of?”

“stuff.”

“y/n?”

“among others.”

“the plan’s gonna work, sicheng. we’ve been through it several times, and we’ve corroborated it with every other intel we have.” kun assures the younger with a smile, “it’ll be fine.”

sicheng nods his head, “i know. it’s just…”

“do you love her?”

sicheng is caught off guard with the question, but he takes it calmly and faces kun with a serious expression. “i don’t know what my feelings are for y/n.” the younger detective explains, “i just want to help her. i…don’t want her to be alone and suffering like this. she deserves some freedom and happiness too.”

kun nods in agreement, the smile on his lips warm and optimistic. he knows sicheng might not realize it yet, or perhaps the younger is just not ready to acknowledge it, but a part of him is deeply attached to you. romantic? love? kun isn’t sure either, but he knows that you’ve become someone sicheng deeply cares about - someone sicheng wants to protect.

someone sicheng wants to save.

“do you think you’ve saved her, sicheng?”

sicheng smiles similarly, tilting his head.

“yes.”

⟡

⟡

when you get out of the shower one evening, you don’t expect to see anyone; hendery and yangyang just came by this morning.

and you certainly do not expect to see sicheng of all people, yet there he was, sitting on the edge of the bed while on the phone.

he sees you’ve stepped out of the bathroom, nodding his head in acknowledgement before ending the call with who seemed to be ten. he stands up, but does not walk over to you. similarly, you stand there by the doorway, eyes glued to him but not meeting his eyes. “sicheng.” is all you manage to say, voice merely a whisper.

“i’m the one visiting you tonight.” he says plainly, “and i know you have a lot of questions, so go ahead.”

“how are you?”

“tired.”

“what have you been up to?”

“tracking down kim jaewon.”

“why?”

“why? to end him once and for all.”

“why?”

“why?” sicheng looks perplexed as if his previous answer wasn’t enough. he opens his mouth to speak again, but you cut him off.

“i asked hendery to explain why you’re all doing this for me.” you say firmly, “why you’re exerting this much effort and going out of your way to take kim jaewon down.”

“we’re detectives, y/n. it’s our responsibility along with the police to keep the city safe and apprehend anyone who threatens that safety.” sicheng answers.

“exactly.” you press your lips into a fine line, “you can turn me in or even send me back to kim jaewon, yet you’re all willing to help.”

the idea that people are willing to help…to keep you safe and genuinely care is something you’ve never been able to experience, let alone fathom. of course it was foreign for someone like you who had no one rely on; how could you possibly comprehend what sicheng and the rest were doing?

when sicheng remains silent, you sigh and quietly continue, “hendery says that everyone understands me…that everyone knows i did not choose this life and all that. he says the team knows that i’ve done things that are considered bad, but it’s your job to kind of help people like me.”

“well, he wasn’t lying about that.”

“and i quote, ‘even more so for sicheng’ - that you want to help because you’re just that nice of a person.”

for the first time since seeing you, sicheng finally smiles softly, looking at you with his usual warmth. “he said that now, did he?” the male chuckles while shaking his head.

the male walks over to where you stand, standing just a step away from touching you. “kun told me everything. you grew up without people to rely on. you grew up having to fear for your life because one slip-up could mean the end.” sicheng says softly, “you lived all these years surrounded by wealth and power, but you never truly had anyone to keep you company in your darker days.”

when you lower your head, sicheng reaches up with his fingers gently lifting your chin to face him. “you never had anyone by your side, and you never found anyone to pull you out.” he whispers, leaning his forehead against yours.

“i placed my bets on you.” you chuckle softly, “why did you want to help me, even before knowing my situation?”

“i also lost my parents at a young age.” sicheng says, “for a while, i felt alone as well. i relied on myself, but later on, i met kun and the rest. they’re the ones who helped me out of whatever struggle i was in.”

“but you never did anything bad. you aren’t a bad person, sicheng.” you respond.

sicheng smiles, “that doesn’t matter. i know how it feels to be alone, and i want to save you from it. the same kindness that was extended to me…i want to extend it to you.”

i’m here to save you.

“i’m covered in ink that will never wash off. i’ve been dyed by darkness, and not even the brightest light can save me.” you smile sadly, eyes never leaving sicheng’s - searching for an answer of sorts.

“the light eventually reaches even the darkest of places.” sicheng brings a hand up to cup your cheek, “i’ve reached you, y/n. i want to keep you safe. i’m not fully sure why i feel this way for you, but i’m confident that i’ll understand in time.”

“do you know what you’re getting yourself into, dong sicheng?” you slowly smile, leaning into his touch.

sicheng presses a soft kiss to your forehead. “i’ll jump into the shadows just to pull you out, y/n.” he whispers, trailing his lips lower.

when his lips hover above yours, he gently glides them against each other in a smooth, brushing motion. it sends tingles down your spine, prompting your eyes to flutter shut. sicheng doesn’t waste another second and finally kisses you on the lips, slow and deliberate. more intimate and tender than ever. you sigh into the kiss, melting the minute his arms circle around your waist to pull you flush against him.

your arms fly out, snaking around his neck as you press your lips harder against his own, desperate for his taste. he bites and nibbles on your lower lip, darting his tongue out for permission to enter. once you part your lips to accommodate him, he doesn’t hold back; he steals the breath out of you while simultaneously giving you life. slowly, he takes steps towards the bed, guiding you carefully across the room.

he settles you on the mattress, hovering above you with a warm smile. sicheng holds your hand in his, bringing it up to place kisses on your knuckles. no words are exchanged, but the tears streaming down your face are enough to tell him the things you want to say.

thank you.

sicheng is careful as he discards your robe, and you’re gentle as you help him out of his own clothes. his touch is as tender as ever, lips hot but soft as he covers your skin with their trail of fire. above all, he makes love with delicacy and genuinity, treating you like a human and not some tool for selfish gain and temporary pleasure.

he is safety, and he is comfortable. he is like the home you never had.

the next morning, you wake up ahead, slowly opening your eyes only to be greeted by sicheng’s sleeping face. the rays of light peeking through the curtains paints his delicate face with an ethereal glow, highlighting his angles and sculpture-like features. smiling softly to yourself, you slowly bring your hand up to trace a feather-light line down the bridge of his nose. your fingers rest by his jaw, gently caressing the skin there.

the male slowly opens his eyes not too long after, meeting your gaze in a magical manner. the smile on his lips is slow and calm as he whispers with a sleepy voice, “morning.”

“i wasn’t expecting you to still be here.” you admit.

sicheng smiles before tightening his hold around you, pulling you closer to him. your bare bodies radiate warmth off each other, prompting you to release a sigh satisfactorily. he presses kiss after kiss on your lips, ripping a giggle out of you, then a gentle moan when he kisses deeper, hand running up and down your waist.

after he reluctantly parts with you, he says, “we need to get dressed now. i’m taking you with me to headquarters.”

“why?” you ask curiously.

sicheng’s expression turns serious for a moment, “your safety. kun intends to put a certain plan in motion today, and it’s safer for you to be where someone like xiaojun and hendery can keep an eye on you.”

“hmm.” you nod.

the two of you then get out of bed and dress in decent clothes. after packing some things in a small bag, he leads you to the basement parking lot where his car is. once settled and buckled up inside, sicheng starts the engine. however, before he shifts to drive, you stop him, “sicheng?”

sicheng definitely meant kun’s plan involved the downfall of kim jaewon, right? the man was the cause of the shadows and darkness in your heart, and the thought of him finally being stopped made you feel hopeful.

but it also scared you; you knew first-hand what he was capable of.

what if he killed sicheng? the other boys? what if you really couldn’t get out of this? what if-

“y/n?” sicheng snaps you out of the daze you fell into after calling his attention.

you carefully speak, looking at him from where you sat, “are you sure i’m capable of being saved?”

your biggest wish was finally materializing, but was it too good to be true?

before sicheng replies, his phone beeps with a text message. glancing from the side of his eye, sicheng sees a text from kun.

kim jaewon located. plan is set in motion.

bringing his eyes back to you, sicheng smiles. “i’m confident. trust me on this.”

a smile forms on your lips when you feel his hand reaching across the center console to hold onto yours. when he squeezes it, you nod and whisper a very faint “thank you”.

sicheng now drives, bringing the car out of the basement parking lot. the initial darkness is replaced by the morning sun, greeting you both as you ascend to street level.

and it makes you think. it makes you believe.

makes you believe that sicheng could save you from the darkness.

and you know at this point that it’s true.

he already saved you.

⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡

mystery and crime is such a difficult genre to write for aaah. i’m pretty sure the plot was a bit shallow and less thrilling than it actually seemed in my head, but it was fun to try~ whatever plot holes are there…pretend you didn’t see anything! i don’t have enough brain power to come up with something more complex and intelligent lol. still, hope you enjoyed!

[13uswntimagines]

Where Do I Fit? (Preath x Little!Reader)

Request: angsty little!reader with Tobin, where Tobin was rs caretaking fir way before Christen(like since college?) and they tell Christen but she isnt okay with it at first but accepts it by gettung r stuffies to apologise?

“It’s not like that Chris,” Tobin sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her elbows rested on her knees. The two of you had been trying to explain this for a better part of an hour, and Christen still didn’t understand. 

“Then tell me what it’s like Tobin, because from what you’ve said it sounds like your adult friend pretends to be a toddler, and you give her baths and feed her bottles. Do I need to continue? It’s some kinky shit-...” Christen said exasperated, frustratedly running fingers through her hair. How Tobin thought she would be ok with this? She was at a loss for words. 

Tobin shook her head, blinking up at her girlfriend “It’s not sexual Christen. It just-“  

“What, makes you feel good?” Christen spat, crossing her arms defensively across her chest. 

“Helps me deal with stress and anxiety, in a more positive way,” you mumbled, shifting anxiously on the couch next to Tobin, shivering at the glare Christen sent your way. You weren’t in love with Tobin, actually, you had a girlfriend of your own (who also happened to be little). Tobin was your safety blanket, and you just wished Christen could understand. 

****

Tobin had been your mama since college. An arrangement that had been made after she found you curled up under your dorm room bed, so stressed you didn’t know what day it was much less what stuff you had to get done. Instead of running away, she had pulled you into her arms and rocked you until you were done crying. 

After a little research and some explaining about why you regressed and how long it had been happening on your end, Tobin wholeheartedly embraced the role of Mama. And together you became more comfortable. She made you bottles and helped you keep track of school and soccer. As your best friend she decided it was her duty to protect you, and you were too fucking adorable when you were little to pass up. 

Then your Mama started dating Christen, and after a few months of them being serious, it was decided that you had to tell Chris. That you could propose that she join in your little arrangement. You got along well with the woman, and she was pretty nurturing to you anyway (especially at national team camps) making sure you ate and didn’t stay up at all hours of the night with your girlfriend and the youngins. 

****

Christen paused mid-pace, turning to look her girlfriend in the eye. “I don’t know how I feel about having a third person in our relationship Tobin,” She said calmly, crossing her arms. 

“Baby, I promise you it’s not like that. Y/n may be my baby girl, but I’m not romantically attracted to her. She’s my best friend, and this helps her,” Tobin pleaded, begging for the woman she loved to understand. She didn’t want to lose her and she didn’t want to lose her baby girl. You were a very sensitive little, absolutely petrified of her getting bored and abandoning you one day. She had made so many promises, and she couldn’t bear the thought that she might have to break them. 

“So what, she’ll call you whenever she’s little and you’ll just fucking drop everything to go ‘help’ her?” Christen’s eyebrow quirked up. 

You frowned. You had been hoping that this conversation would end in you having another mommy, so technically you would be calling them, and you were always mindful of overstaying your welcome. 

“I wouldn’t abuse that,” You huffed. 

“But you can’t control when you're little or whatever right? As long as you’re involved in this thing, she will always come first, and that’s not a healthy relationship,”  Christen asked viciously, turning her attention to you for the first time. You sunk into the couch, fighting the natural descent into little space that came with such looks. With looks only Moms could muster. 

You opened your mouth to respond, only for Tobin to jump in first. “Babe, we’ll figure it out. I was act-”

“Well then, I’ll be back when you figure your priorities out,” Christen scoffed, grabbing her keys and her purse and slamming the door behind her. 

Heavy silence stretched across Tobin’s apartment, both of you staring at the door. 

You hadn’t been expecting things to be rainbows and butterflies, but you didn’t think it was going to come down to an ultimatum. Little you or the love of Tobin’s life. It wasn’t a fair choice, but you knew exactly what needed to be done, no matter how much it hurt. 

“I was afraid that would happen,” You sighed, staring at the door, gulping to try and stay big. Trying to force yourself to hold back the painful emotions that were rattling in your chest. Someone had to be the mature one. The realistic one. 

“Y/n,” Tobin said softly, her voice ruff with unushered tears.

You shook your head, patting her knee, but never looking in her direction. If you did you wouldn’t be able to hold yourself together anymore. You wouldn’t be able to do what needed to be done. You had promised yourself that you would never get in the way of her love life, and you were about to follow through on that. “It’s fine Tobin. I understand,”

“I love her,” Tobin said, sniffling, and you felt a little piece of your heart crack. Didn't Tobin love little you too? Just not enough. You swallowed hard, again pushing those feelings down. This wasn’t about you, and Tobin deserved to be happy. 

“I know. Go after her, I know how to let myself out. I’ll go to Lindsey’s and text the group chat to see if anyone wants another little,” You shrugged. Lindsey could handle you and your girlfriend for the night, and the group chat was sure to be able to give you good advice, at least until you figured this whole thing out. They hadn’t let you down yet. 

Tobin made a strangled sound at the mention of the group chat. At the idea that one of her friends could ever replace her as your mama. She knew that it was the logical next step (you and little Em were a handful on your own, together you were little terrors), but she couldn’t help the little twinge in her heart. 

“I’m sorry,” She said, bringing her hand over yours and squeezing tightly. She hoped it could convey how badly she felt about this whole situation. She never thought Christen would react so badly. 

You bit your lip, avoiding looking at your mama. “Don’t be. You were the best Mama ever. Now go,” You mumbled, kissing the back of her hand and shooing her towards the door. She didn’t even spare a glance in your direction as she left. 

You stood from the couch, walking to the guest room that always served as your nursery. You collected your little things bag, Roary (you could never leave him behind), and your Batman blanket before heading towards the door. You paused in the doorway, turning to glance over the room one more time, allowing yourself to reminisce for just a second. How you wished this night had gone differently. You sighed, shaking your head and closing the door behind you. You would find a new caregiver, but Tobin would always be your mama. 

****

You were miserable. Completely, totally and utterly miserable. Hovering somewhere between adult you and little you, curled up in the corner of Lindsey’s couch, staring listlessly into space. Even your girlfriend cuddled into your side, running race cars gently over your legs couldn't cheer you up, and Lindsey was starting to get worried. 

“I don’t know what else to do, short of calling Tobin,” Lindsey said quietly, watching you from where her and Kelley were hovering by the door. It was one thing handling her little handful, and a complete other trying to take in both of you at the same time. She didn’t even know where to begin with you, hence why she called in reinforcements. 

You had known Kelley and Alex for almost as long as you had known Tobin. You trusted them, and if anyone could get you out of your funk, your aunt Kelley could. 

“You tried pudding?” Kelley asked, biting her lip. You were curled into the couch, Emily cuddled into your side, sending glances every now and then towards the stuffed triceratops you had left on the other couch. Pudding was little you’s favorite cheat food, and if that didn’t work she wasn’t sure what to do next. By now the entire team was aware of what was going on between you and Tobin, and none of them were surprised that little you wasn’t taking it so well. 

“And ice cream, and hot pretzels and Mac and cheese. I even tried warm milk,” Lindsey nodded. She had seen you upset before, but never this bad. She was literally at her wits end, and Emily wasn’t even being her normally bratty self. 

“Damn,” Kelley sighed, rubbing the back of her neck anxiously. How Tobin was going to fix this mess she didn’t know and how she was going to aid your obviously miserable self she wasn’t sure either. 

“Yeah, and she forbade me from calling Tobs,” Lindsey mumbled, patting Kelley’s shoulder. Kelley was known to have a magic touch with littles, but Lindsey was skeptical anyone besides your mama could pull you from this funk. 

“From the text she sent the group chat I’m not surprised. I’ll see what I can do,” Kelley nodded, shooing Lindsey towards the kitchen to heat up some Mac and cheese. She would get you to eat something even if it killed her. 

She slowly made her way over to you, gently patting Emily’s shin when she was close enough. “Hey Emmy, your mama wants to see you in the kitchen please,” 

The blond little blinked up at her, big Emily suddenly very present in her eyes. She didn’t like how much pain you were in, but you both trusted Kelley. The two stared at each other for a moment, before Emily nodded once, seemingly satisfied that Kelley would help. 

Emily leaned up and kissed your cheek before toddling off towards the kitchen. Maybe mama would get her a cookie. 

Kelley took her spot, watching you carefully, as though you were a puzzle she was trying to solve. “How you holding up bug?”

You shrugged in response, tucking your legs tighter underneath you and crossing your arms. 

“Not too good then huh?” Kelley filled in, scooting a little bit closer to you, taking a breath of relief when you didn’t curl into an impossibly tighter ball. 

You nodded once. While big you understood why Tobin couldn’t be your mama, little you was devastated that she had chosen someone over you. That she didn’t love you anymore (big you knew this was just as hard for her). 

Kelley’s eyebrows furrowed. You usually hovered around 2 and a half or three when you were little, but this version of you was far smaller. Small enough for you to go nonverbal. The only person to see you this small was Tobin, and as far as Kelley knew the last time this had happened you were still in college. 

“Well, I don’t know about you, but Roary was telling me that his tummy was hurting. Does your tummy hurt?” She asked you softly, holding up your favorite stuffed triceratops and wiggling him in front of your face. 

You shrugged again. Yeah your tummy was a little grumbly, but you were sad and all you wanted was for mama to scoop you up, but she couldn’t. 

“I know you’re upset bug, but not eating isn’t going to make you or Roary feel better, ok? Aunt Lindsey made Mac and cheese and it’ll warm you up ok?” she tried again, nudging your cheek with Roary’s nose. You bit your lip in thought. You did love Mac and cheese, and you didn’t want Roary to turn into a grumpasaurus. 

“Otay,” you mumbled, reaching for the defender (who despite her short stature was still an inch taller than you). She smiled tightly at you, handing you your stuffed Dino and picking you up to head towards the kitchen. At least they were getting you to eat. 

*****

Christen sighed from her place on the couch next to Tobin, glaring at the cellphone that had gotten far more attention than she had tonight. All she wanted was a date night with her girlfriend, and Tobin had spent the whole thing glued to her phone, nervously biting her lip. 

“Alright, who have you been texting all night?” Christen asked, pulling away from Tobin and wrapping the blanket tighter around her. 

The midfielder turned forward blinked and sat back to look carefully at her girlfriend. “Lindsey,” Tobin said, biting her lip. 

Christen’s eyebrows furrowed. “What’s up with Linds?” 

Tobin sighed. “Y/n went to stay with her until preseason starts. Emily’s there too and she wanted to hang out with her girlfriend,” 

“So what, why has Lindsey been texting you?” Christen asked. She was usually good at following Tobin’s train of thought, but she was lost. 

Tobin sighed again, shaking her head. “Y/n is having a really hard time, and I know you think it’s just some weird kink or something, but little Y/n doesn’t understand what’s happening. She doesn’t know what she did wrong and Lindsey needs some advice on how to handle her,” 

Christen’s back straightened immediately at the mention of your name. She thought she had made her opinion clear. “How can you say that like Y/n is two people. Like she isn’t manipulating you into doing what she wants?” Christen said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. 

Tobin took a deep breath trying to figure out how to explain it. How to make her girlfriend understand that it was so much more than you pretending to be a kid for a little while. “Y/n isn’t two people, and she isn’t manipulating me. That’s evident considering she forbade Lindsey from calling me,” Tobin started calmly, picking at a stray thread on her pants. She opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to find the right words to explain it. “It’s not a sexual thing for her. It’s about trust. When y/n is little she doesn’t have to worry about everyday things, she can trust that I’ll take care of her. That no matter what happens, someone will be there to protect her. That no one will abandon her…” her voice cracked. 

That’s exactly what she had done, isn’t it? Abandoned her best friend?. 

Christen pulled her into a hug, letting her sob into her shoulder. It was hard to see Tobin this upset, even if she didn’t fully understand why. 

“My relationship with her isn’t like the one I have with you. She loves Emily,” The words were muffled by Christen’s shoulder, but the forward heard them loud and clear. 

Her eyebrows furrowed. She had done some research after Tobin had initially told her, but this was turning out to be way more complicated than the online forum suggested. If Emily was involved too, and you were dating her, then why did you need Tobin? 

“Why can’t Emily be her mama?” She asked softly, honestly trying to understand this mess. 

Tobin leaned back, wiping her eyes. 

“Cause Emily’s little too and that would be dangerous. Lindsey takes care of Em like I take care of Y/n,” 

Christen nodded as she took in the information. That made sense. If you couldn’t necessarily control being little, then it was possible you would both slip at the same time (or one could trigger the other). That did seem like a pretty bad idea for a long term solution. 

But if Lindsey was there, then what was the problem? 

“I just don’t understand how I fit into this whole thing,” Christen said after a few minutes, finally looking Tobin in the eyes, searching for the answer. 

“You don’t have to deal with her when she’s little if you don’t want to. I just didn’t want to hide it from you,” Tobin shrugged, running a hand through her hair (the weight on her chest lifting just a bit now that Christen actually seemed to be willing to talk about this). 

“If she’s here, I’m not just going to ignore her,” Christen scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Tobin’s lips ticked up just a bit. She wasn’t sure if Christen realized she had basically said you were going to be around, but Tobin was pleased with the new development. Maybe Christen just needed to logic it out a little bit more to become more open to the idea, but she wasn’t going to force her into something she wasn’t comfortable with. 

“It’s still the Y/n you know, just a little bit more carefree. A little more silly and cuddly. You don’t have to be around her, but if you wanted to… she was gonna ask if you wanted to see what being a caretaker with me was like,” She said, leaning in and nudging under Christen’s chin with her nose. 

Christen frowned, pouting a little, the real reason she had been so against the idea initially finally rolling from her lips. “She wasn’t trying to take you away from me-“ 

Tobin was shaking her head before Christen even finished her sentence. “No, she was trying to include you,”

You had been open to the idea of being little around Christen (hesitant, but open especially if it meant including the woman your mama was head over heels for. 

The silence stretched between them for a few long seconds, broken only by Christen’s sigh. 

“I fucked up,” She mumbled, pinching the space between her eyes, completely missing Tobin’s blinding smile. 

“We fucked up, now let’s go fix it,” Tobin said, kissing her girlfriend’s cheeks and standing, extending her hand for the woman to take. They would make this right together. 

*****

Kelley would say that you were tolerating dinner. You were reluctantly opening your mouth for the airplanes of Mac and Cheese she was sending your way, glancing longingly at Roary (who was eating his carrots in his very own seat across from you). 

Lindsey had gotten up a few minutes ago to answer the door but had yet to return. That was why you were taking turns having Kelley feed you bites of dinner with Emmy. 

Kelley lifted the next bite up to your lips, but you pulled your head away. “No tank you,” 

Kelley sighed, leaning forward to make eye contact with you. “Baby, you’ve only had two bites. You need to eat a little more for me please,” 

You rapidly shook your head, tears welling up in your eyes. You didn’t want to eat the stupid Mac and cheese. You wanted your mama to love you again, but she was off loving Christen. 

“It otay, I eat Mac for you,” Emily said, patting your arm and placing a very sloppy kiss on your cheek. She didn’t like it when you were upset, and if she got more Mac and cheese out of it, then that was fine with her too. 

Kelley glared at the younger defender. You didn’t need any more encouragement to not eat, especially when you were this fussy. “I don’t think it works like that Em”

She looked back into your direction(ignoring your girlfriend’s pout), making her voice soft and sympathetic “Come on Y/n, 5 more bites please,” 

You whined loudly, shaking your head rapidly and kicking your feet a little in displeasure. The tears were now falling heavily down your very red face. “No want it!!”

“Alright bug,” Kelley murmured, pulling you into her lap, and letting you cry it out. You buried your face in her shoulder, heartbreaking sobs wracking through you. Kelley rubbed circles into your back, and carded her fingers through your hair, trying to soothe you. When that didn’t work, she carefully transferred you into a very familiar lap.

*****

You clung to Tobin as though your life depended on it, fisting her sweatshirt like you thought she would disappear at any second. You probably thought she would, Christen noted. 

It was truly a pitiful sight so see, and each little sob from your lips was like a knife in Christen’s chest. She hadn’t known what to expect when Lindsey said you were taking it hard, but it most certainly wasn’t this. It made her apology gift seem incredibly inadequate. 

“No babydoll, I’m never leaving you again. I promise,” Tobin said into your hair, rocking you to try and ease the wave of tears streaming down your cheeks. 

“But you wove Christen,” You said, though your voice was muffled by Tobin’s shoulder and your tears, Christen heard the words loud and clear. She shared a look with Tobin over your head, and she knew that she was the only one who could fix this mess. 

She knelt down next to you, carefully rubbing your back, encouraging you to look at her. You obliged, rubbing your bloodshot eyes as you pulled away from Tobin. 

“Tobin can love both of us darling, and I see that now. I’m sorry that I couldn’t see that before, but if you’re willing, I’d like to try helping your mama take care of you when you’re little,” She said softly. 

“No make me go bye bye?” You asked, sniffling. 

“No little one,” Christen reassured, bringing her thumb up to while away a stray tear. “No I brought a friend, but they don’t have a name yet. Do you think you can help me out?” She said, holding up the stuffed dragon they had picked up for you as an apology. 

You gently grabbed the purple stuffie, holding him very close to your nose, and examining him carefully. “Spike wants ta know if we go home?” You said after a few seconds, poking your tongue out the side of your mouth. Christen and Tobin laughed lightly at your expression. 

“Yeah, let’s go home,” 

[harbingers-appointed]

I am absolutely thriving with everything I'm learning about your AU ! I also have a couple of questions :)

You said the MC's soul was sent to hell while they were comatose, does that mean their physical body still remains in the mortal realm ?

If there is a Hell, is there also a Heaven ? And would Fuboo be God then ? Since YB is her son/creation...

Also, I suppose MC has an influence on Don's rebellion ? Whenever it is to stop or encourage it...

And how many of YB's subjects are currently doubting him and his rule ? And for what reasons would they think this power has "corrupted" him (a funny notion coming from demons) ? Is he a strict, unfair, too ruthless ?

As King of Hell, is YB the strongest of all demons ? Could Don or TK stand up to him ? Can he even be killed ?

Sorry if I'm asking too much 😅

I'm so glad to hear you're enjoying my little idea~ !♡ but oh wow there are a lot of questions so bear with me while I try my best to explain some answers!

Alright so as for Mc's soul being sent to hell, yes that does mean their physical body remains "alive" though some of the demons may argue that. You will have to be careful in who you trust since there will be different explanations given for why you've ended up where you are...

"Heaven" or a "eternal paradise" will be mentioned. Some of the demons will deny its existence completely, while others will admit to It being real- but never having seen it... I dont want to spoil everything yet. (; also I don't want to base this AU completely off of standard Heaven and Hell concepts, but there will be lots of similarities and references (such as the 9 circles for example.) But also my own take of what demons are and why they exist.

Considering this Au is under my control entirely, I like to think I'd be the New GOD (: I get to write whatever sick ideas I want and none of the characters have a choice on my decisions. ( However, credit is due to Fuboo for making the original game and characters of course!)

Yes, Mc's decisions will determine what happens with Don's rebellion. I am not sure how many "branching paths" I'd want. But I like to think if MC hears tell of Don's secret plans and they are devoted to YB, they would have the option of telling Yb... You can imagine where that would go. On the other hand, perhaps Don witnesses some of the ways Yb is treating MC and how Mc is struggling, wanting to be free. Perhaps he feels empathy towards You, or maybe you're just an opportunity to get to Yb since he clearly is obsessed with you.

I imagine that 1/4 of his subjects aren't pleased with his way of ruling, but most are likely too uncaring to ever consider rebelling or they have old fashioned views. As for thinking on why he is corrupted? I like to think that Yb has been their ruler for forever and yet all the Demons are still trapped in Hell and most don't know why. YB had become less caring in recent millennia, apathetic even to the struggles of his race. His great age and being the "First Demon" or "Orginal" demon leading some to believe just because he is old doesnt mean he has their best interests to heart. That he has changed because of his age(like growing crazed, or senile), and is not that "all knowing and kind ruler" he used to be(or was he ever~?). I want to make it clear that "Demons" is a loose term in this AU and are not inherently all "Evil". Though it is up to MC to come to their own conclusion on this. They will still do some "evil" things, but they are not humans so how is it fair to hold them to the same standards of "good and bad"?

YB's power is up for debate, in a head to head fight against Don for example Yb would have the upper hand. Don was by his side when he originally "fell" so they both know each others history pretty well, tactics, fighting style and such too. If Don wanted to win against YB he would need to sway more of the demons on his side and find a way to dampen his HellFire abilities/lower YB's defenses.. (The blue flames I like to think would be able to completely kill a demon permanently and is an ability only the King can possess). YB could be "killed" in a sense, but it would be difficult. Someone more worthy would have to be able to claim his powers- as for how? Well, you'll just have to wait and see... As for Tk vs YB? They wouldn't last In a fight with him. However Tk's knowledge and connections is where their strength lays. (Tk knows more about YB in recent times such as what YB has in plan for MC, while Don knows more about how he was originally... just for anyone whi asks what the difference between their knowledge is)

Alright I think that's an answer to everything (;

Sorry I can't give 100% solid answera right now, as I am still coming up with ideas for the AU. (Also it wouldn't be fun if I gave everything away...;))

I Absolutely love getting asks so don't be afraid to ask questions! Keep in mind some information may change as I develop the AU more (: I really think this would make a fun interactive story hahaha, I'm kind of bursting with ideas.

[wesimpforxiao]

A spur-of-the-moment One-shot?

Be warned, heavy angst XD DISCLAIMER: DOES NOT PERTAIN TO SAY MY NAME AND I’LL BE THERE(and no I’m not killing anyone off in that story you guys can relax cuz it’s a promise!  I’d recite Teucer’s pinkie promise lines but I can’t remember them at the moment haha)  

....

What was it that you cared most about?  Was it the village you risked your life to protect?  The safety of your friends and family?  Him?  Or your own life?

You didn’t really have time to think of an answer when yet another blow crashed into you and sent you flying into the field.  The sickening crunch of bone as you hit the ground was probably heard by your offender.  One last shot.  One last shot.  You grit your teeth through the pain and sat up, shoulder slack from the impact of their last attack.

“DIE HERE!”  A mix of ice and flame torched your attacker, their screams echoing in the dead of night until they disintegrated into ash.  But just as you thought the torment was over, your gaze fell to the ever-widening gash at your side.  “Ah.”  It appears my delusion and vision outperformed this time.  A wry chuckle left your lips, and you sank back into the dewy grass that willingly soaked the blood up like it was an offering to the soil.

What did it all mean, in the end?

Hi, Xiao.  Your whispers of a greeting reached the ears of the yaksha, who was somewhere south of here.  I know it’s late, but I just wanted to say hello.  What good would it do to call your dear friend here?  You couldn’t feel your toes anymore; the tips of your fingers were becoming numb and the palms of your hands tingled.  I hope your day went well.  Have some almond tofu for me, would ya?

The arrogation of mankind won out yet again; this was a fitting end to your self-proclamation of godhood.  That yaksha of yours would probably remind you of it if he were here right now.  Truth be told, it’d be nice to have some company in your final moments, but it wouldn’t be right to have him witness the fall of another one of his companions.

Yet he knelt beside you anyway.

“Y-You shouldn’t be here,” a miniscule smile rose upon your bloody lips.  “My village isn’t too far.  Could you be a peach and make sure everyone is alright for me?”

Xiao’s fingers trailed to your side and peeled the fabric away from your skin, his face twisting into a scowl when he caught the glint of the delusion in your hand.  “You shouldn’t have tha--”

“Come on, you know I can’t...I can’t help myself.”  Your laugh turned into a coughing fit, and he retracted his hand.  He didn’t seem at all surprised to find you at death’s door; that’s how reckless of a human you were.

“The wound is too deep.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“It will be slow.”

“I know.”

“Are you in pain?”  How is she even conscious?

“I feel warm and fuzzy, nothing else.”  The yaksha observed your labored breathing for a moment, the sound of the crickets filling the gaps of silence.  “You should go.  I’d like...to die in peace.  Please.”

“Fool,” he growled.  “I will not.”  For he knew you well enough to know you wanted him, needed him here even though you said the exact opposite.  Just like him.  It was the main connection the two of you had; your minds both focused on protecting others by pushing them away.

“I’d rather not have someone,” a deep, slow breath, “watch me pass.”  He was getting a bit blurry.  “It’s creepy, you know.”  So sleepy...

“Rest here,” he encouraged with a hand warming your forehead.  He ignored the slight lump that had formed in his throat.  The death of a companion was never easy, but he’d have to bear it.  He will join his friends one day...but until then, this wouldn’t get to him.  It couldn’t.  He forced himself to hold your unsteady gaze and swallowed the hurt that began to constrict his chest.  You will not see me break in your final moment.  “Rest here, and die knowing I stayed with you to the end, friend.”

What a soft voice, a soft expression from your dear companion.  “...yes...”  You were determined to hold his gaze as long as your eyes allowed you to, and your hand met his warm one at your forehead.  “Th-Thank you, Xiao.”

The lone yaksha let out a long, heavy sigh after you took your last breath.

......

ALTERNATE ENDING (Cursing warning.  Also, this one is worse ;-;)

“Sh-Shit,” a half-hearted laugh left your lips when your hand retracted from your side to reveal a lot of blood.  “A-haha, X-Xiao’s gonna make a fuss about this.”  You forced yourself to lie down in the dewy grass, biting the inside of your cheek to refrain from yelping when your broken shoulder touched the ground.

Hey, Xiao.  You blinked the tears of both fear and pain away as you stared up at the night sky.  ‘Just breathe,’ you thought.  ‘No need to panic.’ But the searing pain within your stomach told you there was a need to freak out a bit.  You could only imagine how badly your organs were damaged...How was your day?  Sorry if my prayers are a bit repetitive.  It’s just nice to talk sometimes.

“Tch.”  Another wince of pain and suddenly Xiao was standing above you.  “Ah...you shouldn’t be here.  M-My village is...”

“Do not speak.”  The adeptus knelt beside you and peeled the fabric away from your stomach.  “Your village is fine.”

“Promise?”  Screw holding the facade, this hurt like hell.  You squirmed when his fingertips grazed you.  “Ngh! Stop!”

“The wound is too deep.”

“I know!”  Reality finally set in, and your breathing quickened in a panic.  At least the adrenaline numbed a little bit of the pain, but it paled in comparison to whatever damage was done to your stomach.  “F-fuck, get away from me.”  Your growl didn’t faze him, but something flickered across his face when you began to cough up an unruly amount of blood.

“It will be slow.”  His gaze caught yours. “Painful.”

“I-I know,” tears stung the corners of your eyes.  The pain was only getting worse.  “Please leave me to die here.  Go on, now.  You don’t have to be here.  Shoo.”

“Fool,” he sneered.  “Of course I have to.”  

“It’s creepy to watch me like this,” you forced a laugh, but more blood came up instead.  “Ugh...haah, it hurts too much.”  The yaksha stroked your hair somewhat awkwardly in an attempt to soothe you.  “X-Xiao...I...please end it.”

Xiao watched you carefully, his hand stilling.  “You want me to end your suffering?”

“Y-yes, please!”  Every breath invited a pain equivalent to being burned, every movement invited what felt like knives into your organs.  “P-Please.  I know...I know it’s a lot to ask.  But I’d rather it be by your hand.”

It wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to do this, but a pain still shot through him at the thought of your death.  He was looking forward to your endless bickering for the next several years, looking forward to savoring this last banter with you, but if you were in that much pain, so be it.  He summoned his polearm, and caught the brief panic in your eyes when you realized the blade was much bigger than you remembered.  “You’re certain?”

“Just...Just make it quick, please?”

He lifted you enough so he could envelop you in his embrace.  “Rest now, my companion.”

A sharp yelp echoed through the field as his blade pierced the center of your chest until it had pierced through the other side.  Your grip on his arm tightened for a few long seconds as you drew your last breaths.  “..th...thank you...”  His stiff stroking of your hair soothed your anxiety of letting go, but the stiffness wasn’t attributed to awkwardness of human contact--instead, it was grief.  Shock.  Sadness.  Whatever humans attributed this god-awful feeling to.

Yet another voice to haunt him.

So be it.

[max-the-d0g]

“So like that then...”

Audrey Tindall x reader 

Audrey gets the ending she deserves I think

Being Sidney’s assistant is a nightmare, on normal days. But having to go back to the Roanoke house is The nightmare. Being on the set wasn't too bad, nothing too weird happened. You were surprisingly close to the actress, Audrey Tindall. She was sweet and hilarious, and you loved her but would never let her know. You loved being near her, so going back the Roanoke house wouldn't be extremely bad. The only downside is, you won't be in the house with her, you would be in the van with the monitors with Sidney. The schedule you had been given told you that your arrival would be at dawn. So, you couldn’t see the gorgeous blonde or the joyful smiles. Which she sends you whenever you were in the room. she would always greets you with a bear hug during your set hours.  

You were driving on the dirt road in the direction of the van that Sidney had sent  earlier in the day. In the seat next to you, you acquired some takeout for the guys in the van and some coffee you kept sipping from to keep you awake on the journey, it was Audrey favourite. She told you about it when you went to a cafe with her. Which was the most exciting times of you life. When you arrived at the destination of the van, everything seems off, like someone was telling you to leave. The vibe feels uneasy, making you second guessing coming here. 

Hopping out of the car, your eyes zone in on the body on the grass. Scrambling to the body, you see Sidney's covering the grass and a camera beside his head. “What the actual fuck!” You voice raises slightly, gagging at the sight. You look around seeking any sign of what could caused this, blood splats on the van, all over the grass and a few specs on you hand when you rolled the body over. The grass coated in blood.

You fish for your phone in the glove box of the car, “ Shit. Shit Shit. What the actual fuck.” After frantically typing in 911, you get hold of the police. Telling them what you have just encountered. You stay on the phone with them, they inform you not to disturb anything and to stay where you are. You place your hand on your forehead   trying to think what evil shit could do this, turning your head slightly to the bushes you see another body. “ Are you shitting me? There's another body? Oh shit, it's Jill.” You say to no one, but the operator replies telling you to keep calm and look for shelter. You look to the van then your car. The van you decided. 

Walking in you look around and to see the cameras still on and working fine. Studying one you see Shelby. Dead. “Oh shit,” you mumble. You look at the one in the corner and see Matt in the basement with his head smashed against the concrete floor. “Fuck.”

 “Is it safe there, hello Y/N? Is everything okay?” The operator says.“No... I am not fine. Shit, I think they are all gone.” 

“Okay, keep where you are. If you hear anything, grab some sort of weapon and hide. I will keep on call until the police arrive. They are 20 minutes away.”

---- After 20 minutes you heard the sirens. A knock is heard after a couple of minutes. “Police! Is anyone in there. Come out now.” “Oh thank god... they are here. Thank you, Dana.” “You are welcome.” she hangs up. “There is a house. There might someone alive.” You mumble to them. Getting into the front of the police car. The rest of the police are already at the scene when you pull up. Some officers near a trap door on the ground and some in the house. Peering towards the house, you see Lee leave. Oh shit, she survived whatever bullshit that has happened. “One survivor.” The officer declares next to you. Where is Audrey? Oh god, She can't be gone. Shit please no, if there's a God up there. Audrey better be alive. “Another one. Two survivors.” You look to the right and see Audrey. You get out of the car and step to Audrey. She doesn't see you, her eyes are zoned onto Lee. “You.” You hear Audrey say. You see Audrey looking at Lee and then the officers gun. No! “Audrey!” You yell, her hand grabs for the gun on the officer, officers around begin to react.“Audrey!” You yell louder. Her eyes find yours and her hands flops at her side. You manage to run to her, gathering her into you. “Oh my god, what the hell happened? Don't answer right away. Ok. Let's get you out of here.” She hugs you back. You capture her soft face looking for any marks and scraps that may litter her face. “That fucking bitch.” She mumbles into your side of your exposed neck, her warm breathe tickling you. After you let go of her face, she pulls you tightly to her. Her body trembles as she steps away from the officers and into a clearing. 

 An officer gives you a blanket. You wrap her into it, covering her shoulders. “What? Lee... What did she do?”A soft sob leaves Audrey's mouth,“She killed Monet and she tried to kill me.” She mumbles incoherently, her shaky arms tightening around you and a hurt rasp leaves her mouth. “Let's get you away from her and to the ambulance, okay?” Your eyes land on Lee who looks in shock, the police around her try to ask her what allegedly happened. But, she seems not to recall anything.

---

 The past couple of days she has been staying at house. Most days she is okay, she is still her bubbly self, making jokes and making you laugh.The night, however, are what hits her worse. She wakes most nights from nightmares, screaming and thrashing around on the bed. The scream are the thing that wakes you up, the gut wrenching screams fills the empty house. You rush to her side to aid her. Always there to comfort her, once she is settled down and calmed you usher her out of the bed to the kitchen for a cup of tea. She snuggles up to you, keeping contact with you. You then, usher her to your room with a warm smile. “Your presence always helps.” She will mutter before she falls to sleep, a content smile gracing her lips. 

---

A couple of weeks later, both of you hear that Lee has is been put on trial for murder of at least six people, but she walks free somehow. This issue pisses Audrey off, but also frightens her, knowing a murder is walking free and especially one that tried to kill her and that killed her castmates and friends. She plagued with the though of Lee stalking her and killing her. Lee haunts her thoughts most days, and not leaving when she sleeps. These thoughts keeps the British woman awake, afraid to closer eyes only to open them in a nightmare where she dies brutally. Audrey has began to fear the dark, scared of what lurks there. She's afraid of what lurks in the shadow, most nights she will leave the lights on and try to sleep, only to fail and take a nap whilst you are in the room. 

---

Audrey was reading the news of a new court case that Lee has been put on trial for this one being her ex-husband murder. “If she walks free, I'm going freak out. She killed him. It’s apparent.”Audrey mutters,“Her daughter is testifying against her... That is a mum from hell. She witnessed her mother kill her father with a rock.” She adds.“Is she going to prison?”You peer over her shoulder placing your head softly on her shoulder. Audrey looks to your side of your head,“Are you joking me? She blamed her daughters imagination? She walked free again...”Audrey places a soft kiss to your cheek.“She has to be in prison soon.” Looking at her with shock, she looks away and carries on reading. Touching the place, she kissed you feel yourself fall deeper for her. Well, that was unexpected.  Lana Winters had asked Lee for an interview after the trials, unbeknownst to the both of you who enjoyed watching her shows.  “Y/N, it’s on. Come on, I need to see it. You know I don't miss an episode of Winters.” She yells, you run and sit next to Audrey, her face falls when she sees that Lee is on her screen. “Are you joking me? Her? She's a murderer. Lana could've asked me, Y/N.” She says, a little dramatically. “She might after, who knows maybe you might be her guest next week. Do you wanna keep watching? We could rewatch Billie’s show again if you want?” she ponders for a bit and shakes her head no. Nothing new was heard, other than Lee lying about her encounters and who massacred them. Lana asks her a few questions, “Why did you agree to come to this interview?” Lee believes that they have something in common. Rolling your eyes at the irony, “Yes, killing her son who tried to kill her isn't something you have in common.” Audrey yells at the screen. A question that shocks both you and Audrey is Lana asking Lee, “Where her daughter is.”  Lana says she has been missing before the show even started. Audrey looks to you, the shock is written all over her face. She comes closer to you, almost on your lap. “She wouldn't, would she? Kill her daughter? ”You mutter. “If she killed those people and her ex-husband in front of her daughter of course she can.” When she says this, someone bursts through the door on screen.“That's one of them hillbilly incest fuckers, that took me.” She mutters, her voice wavers a bit. Tensing a bit at the mention of it, he knocks Lana out and when he is about to kill Lee he is shot down by an officer. The screen blacks out and text comes up, saying there's a ‘slight problem we will return in a few minutes’. “What the hell just happened?”

You both decided to call it an early night. Walking to your separate rooms you feel Audrey clammy hand around you wrist. “Can you sleep with me tonight?” Freezing a bit, not knowing how to reply. The silence gives Audrey the impression she overstepped, asking too much of you.  “Never mind that was foolish. Goodnight, Y/N” “Yes, I will sleep with you.” Relief washes over her after you say it. She grips your hand and ushers you to the bed. “You can take this side. I’ll take the other side.” She points to each side. Both of you are settled in you respected sides, laying there stiff a little stiff. Audrey shuffles closer to you, she rolls onto her side. “You look a bit stiff there y/n. Relax it's just me, we’ve done this before” she whispers. “Sorry, didn't realise.” Rolling over to her, to face the gorgeous woman, you see conflict. A concern expression, almost. “Is there something on your mind, Audrey?” She doesn't look directly into your eyes. “If you didn't shout my name that day, I would have probably either have killed Lee and gone to prison or died,” she mutters. “And I wouldn't be here with you. Someone who makes me content and someone I love dearly. Not like a friend. Knowing you could’ve seen me shot and killed, kills me inside.” Love dearly, not like a friend. Probably like a family member. 

“It frightens me that if I didn't have you here. How would I handle anything?” She tears up and chokes on a sob.“Hey, come here,” she scoots into your neck. “Well, you don't have to think about that. I’m here for you that's all that matters. You will get through this whole mess, and you won't be alone. You have me.”You push her closer, your hand rubbing light circles on her back, until her both relaxes.“But I don’t have you.” You frown slightly at this.“What do you m-” You are silenced by a pair of lips, caught off guard at first you don't react. she starts moving away at the lack of reaction, thinking it was rejection. You capture the side of her face pulling her closer to you and kiss back. “So like that then...” You mutter against her lips. She hums in reply deepening the kiss. 

[emmies-archives]

Under the Roses.  A Valentines day special.

Genre: FLUFF pure fluff. I am too soft.

Wordcount: 1.8k

Summary: Class 1a celebrates Valentines day for the whole weekend. The girls had an idea to hang roses up like mistletoe. You spend the whole weekend watching Todoroki under the roses with every other girl except you, but you didn’t realize he meant for you to be there instead. 

“Y/n, why are you staring into space?” Midoriya asked, breaking your focus.

You were looking at what had to be the stupidest idea you’ve ever seen. And, of course, you had been a part of its making. This year Valentine’s day happened to fall on a Sunday so the class had thought it would be a lot more fun to celebrate the whole weekend. At first, you were excited, it was going to be a nice break from classwork and all the mishaps that happened with training.

All the girls got together to sort through a box of old decorations when class ended Friday afternoon. After a few minutes of looking, Hagakure squealed. She was holding up a ball of mistletoe.

“We should totally hang this up! It’ll be so much fun!” She said and some of the other girls nodded.

“The only thing is that it has nothing to do with valentines’ day,” Momo said a slight frown on her face. “It may look a bit tacky.”

“What if instead of mistletoe we used roses?” You asked, not serious. It would’ve been cool to start a new tradition with the other classes, but you didn’t know if this would be enough. But the girls' reactions made it seem like you were a genius, and it was settled.

Throughout the day as you walked around the dorm you found more and more balls of roses hung up. They were all over, at least three in the common room, one in each hallway, in the kitchen. Everywhere you looked it seemed like roses were hung up. Momo and the other girls worked faster than you thought. It was going to be an interesting weekend.

Unlike mistletoe, the girls decided that if you found yourself with someone under the roses you had to show some form of affection or appreciation. Whether it be a hug, high five, or even a kiss. But of course, if someone was uncomfortable with it, they did not have to participate. You thanked Ochako for that part of it. You had seen Mineta sneaking around the roses several times, waiting for whatever poor prey he had his eyes on. A couple times they were on you. You just sped up your pace and passed him.

Friday went by fast and you hadn’t found yourself under the roses more than a couple times. The first person was Momo, and the two of you shared a hug while giggling. Momo was surprisingly very good at hugs. You bumped into Midoriya under them when you were heading for your dorm room. His face immediately turned red and he started to mumble. You just held both hands up for a double high five which he sighed in relief at.

Saturday morning the class spirits seemed to be higher than before. Everyone had a smile on their face, and you couldn’t help but thinking it was from the roses. You had even seen Kaminari and Sero tackled Bakugo in a hug, and he was yelling but he hadn’t resisted. It was nice seeing everyone enjoy the weekend. That’s all you wanted. Even if it was just a small break away from everything, all the stress and heaviness from weeks prior washed away. Spending time with your friends was enough. The first time you saw Todoroki standing under the roses, Momo’s hand in his, your heart stopped for just a second. He placed a small kiss on the back of her hand and then walked away. You were only a little jealous.

The jealousy grew though, somehow Todoroki kept finding himself under different roses hanging throughout the dorm and somehow you had witnessed each one. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t force yourself in following him under the roses. The feelings you had for him were no stranger to you. But for some reason, you had a hard time expressing them. There had been a few times where you just barely exposed them to him. 

Each time the encounters were fleeting. Always being interrupted by something or someone. You figured fate just wasn’t in your corner, so you settled for the long glances, brief touches in passing, and occasionally, the soft words exchanged between you two. Once there had been just enough time for a small connection. Standing close to each other, the air between you tense and full of longing. The conversation long gone in your mind now. Todoroki’s phone lit up with an incoming call. Before he turned to leave, he leaned in and placed a small kiss on the corner of your lips. Whispering a soft apology. You wanted that connection again, even only a moment of it.

Sunday came fast. Valentine's day. Nearly two whole days had passed, you missed your chance several times. You had seen Todoroki under the roses several times now, with each girl from the class and even some of the boys. His lips touching each girl’s hands burned into your eyes. His arms wrapping around the boys seemed to tease you. It was starting to become too much. If it wasn’t for your hesitancy every time you saw him walk toward or near a bunch of roses you could’ve felt that closeness for yourself. You were running out of time now and you weren’t even sure if you’d even be able to finally grasp what you wanted.

“Y/n, who have you been under the roses with?” Mina asked, plopping down on the couch next to you.

“Most of the girls, Midoriya, Sero, Sato and Kirishima.” You answered and smiled. Everyone had such fun reactions to being under it. Kirishima’s was your favorite so far. He had grinned and attacked you into a bear hug, picking you up and spinning you around. He ended it with a fist bump, and you couldn’t help but laugh at him. He was like a big brother.

“You kiss anyone yet?” Ochako asked and Mina wiggled her eyebrows. You shook your head and couldn’t help glancing at Todoroki across the room.

“Ohhhhh, I see why.” Mina grinned and nudged your shoulder. “Your waiting on a certain someone.”

“Don’t be so loud! And don’t look over there you’re too obvious.” You said laughing now. You couldn’t even deny her, she knew she was right. She didn’t get a chance to respond before you heard your name being called out.

Todoroki called you again and motioned for you to go over to him. In the back of your mind, you felt disappointment twinge when you saw there weren’t any roses above him. Mina winked at you when you got up and went to him.

“What’s up?” You asked. You didn’t know what you were hoping for exactly, but you could feel your heart beating faster now.

“Remember in class a couple days ago when you asked about my hero costume?” He asked and you nodded, tilting your head a little bit. You wanted to know about the accessories and who the designer was for them. “I emailed them and asked if they had any openings to meet with you. They just responded with a couple dates.”

“Oh really! That’s really cool.” You said a distracted. No matter how many times you had been close to Todoroki before, he always seemed to catch you off guard. Maybe it was due to his quirk, but he had a warmth in the air around him. He always smelled so good, comforting.

“I had also sent the design of your current hero costume to them, they sent back a new one. Do you want to take a look?” You could only nod, as he got closer to you.

There was a magnetic force pulling you to him and it took everything in you to fight against it. He turned his phone to you but there was just a loading screen. He muttered something about bad service and moved back a few steps, he didn’t have to say anything for you to move with him. Your eyes were still fixed on the screen, trying to hide how he affected you.

“There we go,” He said, and you were confused a bit, the screen was still loading. Your focus was broken as he placed a hand on your arm and put his phone in a pocket. “I finally got you.”

It took a second to register what he was saying, but then you looked up. Your eyes were met with roses and you could feel your heart beating faster. He had tricked you.

“I’ve been trying this whole weekend to get you under here with me. You’re a hard one to lure in, Y/n.” He said and you met his eyes. There was a softness in them. The warmth you were craving the past couple of days crept through your skin now. A small smirk on his face caused your cheeks to burn. You couldn’t find yourself to say anything in response. “I’m sorry you had to see me with everyone else. It was supposed to be you.”

“You knew I was watching?” You whispered, being so close to him was taking your breath away. His face was inches away now. Your bodies gravitated to each other, almost touching. Todoroki nodded in response.

“This is for you,” He began and moved his right hand to cup your cheek. You felt yourself melt into his cool hand. “and only you.”

A second passed and it felt like a lifetime. His body flush against yours now, his dual-colored eyes bearing into yours. He was the only thing you could think about, overwhelming everything else. The bustle in the common room washed away from your peripheral and your vision tunneled to him. You felt heat soaring through your chest and a coolness on your skin.

This was the only thing you had wanted. Who leaned in first was impossible to tell, the magnetic connection finally pulled the two of you together. The way his lips moved against yours was addicting. Todoroki invaded all of your senses, even time seemed to slow down. You weren’t sure if you dreamt this moment before, but the raw emotion of his arms around you, your fingers tangling in his hair sent you soaring.

Time started slowly again once you pulled back a bit. Todoroki rested his forehead against yours, staring into your eyes still. You had forgotten about the others in the room until you heard someone cheer and clap. But you still couldn’t give it any focus, only able to take in the boy in front of you.

“You’re so warm.” Were the only words you were able to get out. He laughed breathlessly and you blushed again.

“Happy Valentine's day, darling.” He purred leaning in and placing another kiss on the corner of your lips. You remembered the fleeting moment he had done that before. This is what you had been waiting on. You barely had a chance to responded before he laced his fingers through yours and started to pull you with him.

“Where are you going?” You asked laughing a bit as he dragged you across the room, trying not to look at the faces of your classmates.

“To kiss you under the rest of the roses.” He answered. Another blush erupted across your face.

[northcarolinanative]

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰?

TW: Mentions of Anxiety and Sexual Assault

Request: tw; jj imagine, angsty, fluff, yk that jazz. but specifically touch on topics like sexual assault (while having jj as boyfriend but not breakup after gf is assaulted)? idk i don’t ever find much of those and it almost makes me feel sometimes like it’s not that valid which it needs to be shown that it is. totally ok if u can’t write that! sorry if this doesn’t make sense

A/N: This is a topic that is very serious and I did not want to romanticize it anyway. This is very heavy, sensitive, and something that I know, sadly, a lot of people can relate to. If you are struggling with anything please reach out to anyone, you don’t have to go through it alone. As always, my inbox/ requests/ messages are open:) PLEASE let me know what you think. I am so nervous about this one. Shout out to @softstarkey​ for helping me read over this fic and giving me amazing feedback <3

Full Masterlist 

Y/N had been acting differently, she knew it, her friends knew it, and her boyfriend knew it. Their once outgoing, life of the party friend had shifted to stand by the wall, hidden by the shadows instead of dancing on the countertops. Their fashion-forward friend had exchanged her on-trend summer wardrobe and colorful bikinis for black, oversized attire. Their once touchy friend had now become completely closed off, not letting anyone come close to her. They thought that maybe it was a spout of insecurity, or maybe just an off week when it started, by it had lasted about a month now. 

Everyone was worrying, but JJ could not stop worrying about her. She had become withdrawn from him, every time he would rest his hands on her, he could feel her tense up. When they would kiss, it would be short and chaste, never long or emotional. JJ thought that it may have been something that he had done. The other pogues were trying to help him rationalize that it wasn’t his fault, she was being distant with all of them. 

JJ texted Y/N asking her if she was coming to the bonfire that night. He assured her that it would be small, just the pogues and a few of their other friends. The kids from The Cut had other plans though. When Y/N arrived it was anything but small. She was terrified that Josh might be there, he was the last person that she wanted to see, but more importantly, she didn’t want  JJ to see him. She shifted uncomfortably looking at the mass of people covering the sandy beach. She took a deep breath before walking forward, knowing exactly where to find the other pogues. 

On her way through she was trying to politely squeeze by the other party-goers making it so that she can get to the keg. Once she found her friends she would hopefully have a sense of security in the large crowd. Certainly, he wouldn’t bother her when she was around all her friends. Her eyes lit up as she waved to her best friend Kie through the crowd. Kie was quick to grab Y/N outstretched hand, pulling her out of the sea of bodies and over to the pogues, who were serving alcohol. JJ was quick to wrap his arms around her from behind. He felt her stiffen as she had been in the past few weeks. He held up a red cup in front of her. “For you my lady,” He said, faking a posh accent and bowing, causing both of them to laugh. Y/N reached over to kiss JJ, but just peck before turning back to Kie. JJ noticed the way that Y/N wrapped her self up with her arms while sitting next to Kie though, and the way that her eyes scanned the sea of people in front of him. Something was off, but he just couldn’t bear to ask. He was scared that it was him, that Y/N was different because of him. 

Y/N and Kie sat on a piece of driftwood for most of the night, talking with other pogues and a few tourons. Kooks would sometimes walk by on their way to the keg, causing Y/N to tense up. Kie was talking to some touron about the issue with single-use silverware. “You mean to tell me that everyone was like, yeah, I’ll use this fork for 15 minutes so that it can then sit in a landfill for 500 years just so that I don’t have to do the dishes.” She ranted. “Ridiculous.” She finished, obviously worked up by the tourons lack of interest. “Y/N here agrees” She nodded towards Y/N. 

Y/N laughed nodding her head. “She got us all bamboo toothbrushes for Christmas last year,” She stated, causing the group to erupt in laughter. 

Kiara laughed with them. “What? It’s practical.” 

Y/N tensed as she heard a voice behind her. It was Josh and his group of underclassmen groupies. Her skin went cold. He was talking to JJ, she could hear their banter from the fire. Josh was a Kook which meant that JJ already despised him. 

“Y/N!” Kiara waved at her as she moved beside Y/N from her spot a few seats over. “Earth to Y/N” She laughed, but when Y/N looked back over at Kie, she saw the way that she was drained, the laughter that was there before was gone. Kie followed her gaze to Josh and JJ, watching the two as Josh walked away, opposite JJ but towards Y/N and Kie. Y/N quickly turned back to Kie trying to start a conversation desperately. 

“So you and Pope yea? That’s uh different.” Y/N said. She was interested in Kie’s life, but she knew that Kie would gush about it. 

“I mean yea. Who would have thought Pope, you know, he’s got his head screwed on right, and he’s–” 

She was cut off by Josh sitting down beside Y/N. She instantly tensed at the closeness. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to make herself as small as possible while he spoke to Kie. 

He held his hand out over Y/N’s lap, causing her to flinch, to shake Kie’s hand. Kie’s eyes were filled with concern as she watched Y/N. She had never seen her act like this before. Kie cautiously took the man’s hand as he introduced himself. “My name’s Josh.” He said bringing her hand up to kiss it, just as he had done with Y/N’s that night. Y/N zoned out feeling her breath become unsteady but tried to calm herself so Kie would not become suspicious. 

“Kie,” She said pulling her hand away quickly, shocked by the upfront affection. 

Josh snaked his arm around Y/N’s shoulders, as she could feel the vomit in her stomach rising, wanting to get rid of all the beer in her stomach. “Y/N didn’t tell me she had another Kook friend.” He said flashing a smile at her, but Y/N’s eyes were trained to the ground and she was frozen under his arm. Kie sent a worried look over to the boys by the keg, catching Pope’s attention. 

“JJ, somethings up,” Pope said tapping JJ on the shoulder as he was pouring a beer. 

“What are you on about?” He laughed looking at Pope. 

Pope pointed to the fire that Y/N and Kie were sitting at. “Kie gave me a look, and if I’m not mistaken, that’s a Kook, cozying up to Y/N, you’re girlfriend, right now.” JJ felt the heat rise to his face as he shoved the cup that he was holding into Pope’s stomach before storming over to the three of them. JJ was quick to shove the guy from behind. Due to his grip around her shoulders, Y/n was sent tumbling too. Josh got up quickly, standing defensively, both hands clenched at his sides. Kie quickly moved to help Y/N up and over to the side and away from the fire as the two began fighting. 

“What the hell bro?” Josh asked JJ, throwing his hands up. 

“Don’t touch my fucking girlfriend. You may be a Kook but I’ll kick your ass all the way back to Figure 8.” JJ said moving toward him. 

Josh snapped his head in your direction, with a quick smirk. “Your girlfriend, huh?” Josh said starting to patronize JJ, seeing how far he could push it. Y/N knew what was coming. Kie noticed her change in breathing, it felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. “She didn’t mention anything about you the last time that we were here.” Josh paused a smile on his face. “Ya know when we were making out, over there in the woods.” 

Josh barely finished his sentence before JJ’s hand connected with his face. All they could see was blood. Josh stumbled back making his way toward the road. “Whatever, she’s not worth it man.” 

By now there were tears streaming down Y/N’s face as she turned to walk down the beach. She couldn’t breathe, it felt like her lungs were on fire. Kie followed after her, trying to console her while the boys were trying to keep JJ from starting another fight. Somewhere along the way, Sarah came over with a bottle of water, asking Y/N to try and drink it. 

Once Y/N and JJ settled down, the fight seemed to have dispersed the party, the pogues sat down on the dark beach silence falling over them. JJ thought about it more and more, what Josh had said. He was convinced that she had cheated on him, but he didn’t want to believe that Y/N could do that. He didn’t think she could, but her actions recently all seemed to mirror that. He hadn’t seen the way that she stiffened up around him as Kie had, or how she had tried to curl up and disappear when she heard his voice. 

JJ was the first to break the silence, he wanted to get it over with, even if it meant in front of his friends, who didn’t seem to wanna leave. “Did you do it? Is he telling the truth? Did you cheat on me?” JJ’s words came out angry and aggressive, causing Y/N to pull her knees further into her chest. Kie shot him a death stare as she continued to run her hand up and down Y/N’s back to comfort her. After what she had witnessed over the past month, pieced together with tonight’s information, she had a feeling that she knew what happened. 

Y/N took a deep breath and looked at JJ, but his head was turned, looking out over the dark ocean. “Yes, he was telling the truth but I didn’t-” a sob escaped from Y/n’s mouth as she coughed, Kie leaning down to try and help, even trying to shush me. JJ thought I cheated on him. He thought I would do that to him. “I didn’t cheat on you. At least I didn’t want to.” I said dropping my head into my knees crying. “I was going to the van to get a jacket, he stopped me, and I was drunk so I was weaker and couldn’t get him off me and-” Kie wrapped her arms around Y/N, who was trying to justify herself, holding the girl as she shook. 

A look of realization crossed JJ’s face as he stood up. Anger boiled through him, making him want to hurt Josh even worse than he had. He let out a grunt as he kicked the sand in front of him. 

“Look this is the last thing she needs right now ok.” John B said as he looked over and pointed at Y/N practically crumbled in Kie’s arms. “That should be you.” He said before backing away and standing next to Pope and wrapping an arm around Sarah leading them back towards the van. 

JJ took the short few strides to where he could kneel down in front of her. He looked at Kie, silently asking for a moment alone with her. “You okay?” Kie asked as she slowly removed herself from around the girl. Y/N sat back up nodding at Kie, before using the sleeves of her shirt to wipe away the tears on her face. Her eyes met JJ’s as Kie walked towards the van, joining the others. JJ slid his arm around her watching to see how she reacted, pulling her close when she fell into him. The short silence that fell over them seemed necessary, as they both sorted through their thoughts.   

Y/N was the first to speak, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was scared that you would be mad or wouldn’t believe me. I mean... “ She trailed. 

JJ turned, putting his hands on either side of her face. “No No, this isn’t on you. This wasn’t your fault ok?” JJ said, shaking his head. His eyes started to tear up as he began wiping even more that were falling down yours. He took a deep breath, “I know why you didn’t tell me, but moving forward, don’t hide something from me, okay? Nothings gonna come between us, I don’t want that fear to stop you from getting better, or getting the help that you need, okay?” He pushed his forehead against hers, letting them both breathe for a moment. JJ’s thoughts wandered to all the changes that had overcome Y/N’s character over the past month. He felt guilty for not being alarmed enough to ask. 

“I should have noticed, I’m sorry baby,” JJ said, pulling her closer to him.

“I did want anyone to. I am ashamed of it, I feel like, like it’s my fault.” Y/N choked out, she felt like she couldn’t catch a breath. 

“This is not your fault.” JJ repeated as he ran his hands through your hair. “Me, the pogues, Sarah, and whoever else you need are here for you. We can get you a therapist, or talk to the police, we’ll be with you every step of the way.” He let his hand rub up and down her back. He knew that whatever steps came next were going to be hard, but he wanted to help Y/N in every way that he could. 

“Thank you JJ” She pulled her head up, looking into his eye. “I’m glad I have you, really. While I didn’t get to choose to tell you, it feels better to have it out there. This all feels a little bit more manageable with you by my side.” She leaned forward and kissed JJ before pulling back. “I love you JJ.” 

“I love you too Y/N,” He said as they both smiled. JJ pulled her into a tight hug again. “Oh, and I’m not letting you out of my sight from now on.” 

“Oh boy” Y/N laughed, making JJ feel a little better.

[catxsnow]

MY MISTAKES J.C.

Request: Could I request a oneshot for John Constantine with a protege/child figure where they get hurt during one of the many shenanigans they've gotten up to? Reader is in their middle to late teens. Either gender neutral or female reade. Please and thank you! P.s I love ur writings.

Warning: canon-violence, swears

A/N: Did - Did I just post a fic in the middle of the day?? Yes. Yes I did. You know why? Because I’m posting a SECOND one tonight to make up for last night :) 

Alright look, I’m not gonna start writing for Constantine but this was cute so I couldn’t say no. 

Word Count: 2k

John Constantine was insane.

You had been saying it since the start of your adventures with him and the more that you were with him, the more you kept saying it. He was a crazy old fool who kept putting himself in situations what always came back to bite him in the ass.

When Zatanna dropped you off at his front door, he had no desire to take care of you. What the hell would he want with some saucy teen that would only get in his way and stop him from doing what he enjoyed most - liquor and sex. Unfortunately, he couldn't exactly say no to Zatanna, and when he saw just how powerful you were, he didn't have much of a choice.

You were young, and if that power within you wasn't controlled early, god knows what would happen. Constantine had fucked up a lot in his life, but maybe helping you was something that would make up for some of it.

So, he taught you everything that he knew - at least the not so dark aspects of it. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin the rest of your life with tainted magic that would haunt you forever. Life with you as his side wasn't all bad. He had someone to watch his back, keep him company, even boost his mood when he was down.

John faced a lot of hardships with you. A lot of the time he had no idea what the hell do to with you - comfort you, give you advice  - he wasn't good at any of that. He had to help you get through your first heartbreak, the doubt within yourself, hell he even struggled with looking you in the eyes and telling you everything was going to be okay.

He lied a lot.

You liked to consider John as more than just a mentor to you - he was your best friend. Even though there was a considerable age gap between the two of you, you were on the same level of humor and wit. A lot of the time you felt as if you were meant to be at his side. Zatanna finding you was pure accident, but being under John's protection almost seemed too good to be true.

Sure, he was fucked up in almost every way possible. He pissed everybody off, drank too much, his past was horrifying. Somehow, none of it scared you off, and in some ways, you made John a better person. To be responsible for just a kid - a 'I'm only a year and a half away from being an adult go fuck yourself' - made him get his act together.

Between making fun of his clothes, the way he talked, even his rudimentary way of living, the bond you formed was unbreakable. You would never admit it, but you looked to him as a parental figure. A fucked up parent who didn't ask to be or know what he was doing, but a parent nonetheless.

Your little 'missions' would usually leave some scrapes and bruises - most times blood of whatever victim you were killing off. For the most part, the most severe pain you had to put up with was John's hangover's. He had a lot of those. After being in this line of work for only a few years, you couldn't blame him.

Then there was the time that it was more than just a cut that could be magically healed. It was supposed to be an easy exorcism. You and John had done dozens of those which meant you went in there confident. Your guard was down and you weren't prepared for things to go sideways.

Things went bad, really bad.

John was left to make the tough call of saving the little girl that had been possessed, or saving you. He couldn't do both, he wished he could do both. However, he knew if he had saved you and not the innocent kid, you'd rip his head off. So, he had to bite the bullet and watch as you fell to the ground screaming and he saved the girl.

Sitting in this hospital with you unconscious on the bed, wires hooked up to you that weren't really doing anything against the magic coursing through you, he wished he made the other choice. Throughout all his years he had sacrificed lives to save his own skin, why did he start now with saving you?

"Shoulda never let Z to convince me to take you," John scoffed to himself. He wasn't strong enough to heal you, not by himself. His energy was already drained from taking care of the demon from earlier, he wasn't sure if he could do any magic at that point. "Can't tell if it was me or you that was the dumb one, huh?"

He felt like a fool talking to you. Obviously you couldn't hear a word he was saying, but part of him was just hoping you did. Maybe it brought him comfort, maybe he was just an old coot who didn't know how to accept this worry running through him. Either way, grabbing onto your cold hand sent chills up his spine.

"I'm sorry," John's eyes sealed shut. His fists gripped the edge of your bed as he tried to keep himself level headed. The demon that did this to you faced a fate worth than death for what it did. "I shouldn't have dragged you along, you deserve a better life. Not one with me leading you. I've made a fuck ton o' mistakes and I guess now you're one of 'em."

When his eyes peeled back open, a few stray tears slipped down his cheeks. John had faced a lot of evil in his life, he was so used to death and destruction that it no longer fazed him. Guess you made a little weak spot in his heart. For the first time in a long time, John felt grief for someone who wasn't even dead yet. He was scared.

"Never thought I'd see the day that John Constantine cries over someone." John looked up in the reflection of the window. He hastily wiped away his wet cheeks and scrambled up to his feet to see his visitor. Zatanna looked between him and you. "How are they?" Concern filled her voice.

"Needs help," John stared down at you. Zatanna stood on the opposite side of the bed. She placed her hand over yours, the unfamiliar lack of power caught her off guard. "Your help, I'm too drained to do any magic, at least by myself. I can't let them suffer like this, not for my mistakes."

"I know, John," Zatanna assured. Constantine wasn't sure how she knew that the two of you had gotten in trouble or exactly which hospital you were in. At that moment, he didn't care. He was more happy to see her than he ever had in his entire life. Zatanna could save you, if there was anyone out there that could, it was her.

"Let's get to work."

><

"I'm fine John, would you fuck off?"

John never thought he'd see the day where he was happy to hear you lip him off. In all your time together the second that you retorted any snide comment towards him, he would scowl. Now, he couldn't hold back a smile. He had been worried about you, more worried than he was for anyone.

Zatanna was the one to really save you. She had overworked herself to bring you back to the land of the living. It was worth it, she saw a lot of greatness within you. You rubbed off on John, he was becoming a different man than she knew a lot of her life. He was better with you at his side. Zatanna feared what he would become if he lost you - especially when it was his fault.

When you finally made it back home, John hovered over you like a mother bear. He didn't let you leave the house and he certainly didn't allow you to join him for any missions until you were 100% again. It was beyond frustrating for you, but you had to admit you were glad to see that someone cared about you this much.

You were bed ridden for a few days. Too weak to get up unless necessary but strong enough to get yourself out of the damned hospital. John became your 'bitch boy' for those days and you made sure to take well good advantage of it. By the time that you were up and walking, you had gotten annoyed of his hovering.

"'scuse me for being worried," John rolled his eyes. "Don't happen to often you know, you should be considered lucky."

"Lucky?" You scoffed. You hadn't tested your magic yet, your whole body still felt weak and you weren't about to put yourself back into a comma just to see if you could light John's cigarette with the snap of your fingers. "Anything involving you is far from lucky. I should be considered dead is what I should be."

He pulled a smoke out of his pocket, he forgot how peaceful it was without your comebacks. You narrowed your eyes as he lit it up and took a drag. Constantine knew that you hated when he smoked inside and yet he continuously did it anyways.

So, to test out how strong you were getting, you tried to disintegrate his cigarette. Your eyes narrowed with concentration and somehow, it had worked. John cried out as his cigarette suddenly burst into flames and fell to dust on the floor. You felt fatigued by the small spell, but at least you were getting back to normal.

Constantine glared at you. He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out another one. Without breaking eye contact, he lit it up and took another breath of the nicotine.

"Twat," you muttered. The petty side of him was something that would never go away - no matter how close to death either of you were. It was who he was. John missed seeing your smiling face in the few days that you were out. He never realized the comfort that it brought him.

Without another word, you sluggishly walked back to your bedroom. You needed rest, as much as you tried to deny it. Zatanna had done a good job of fixing you up but you still had a long way to go. It was going to take time, but you knew damn well that John was going to be at your side through it all -whether you wanted him to be or not.

"Berk!" Constantine yelled after you. A smile toyed at his lips. As much as you did fight and bicker with him, he couldn't imagine what his life would be like without you in it now. Never in his life did he imagine he'd be some sort of father figure, with you... he enjoyed it. He was proud of you.

The thought of losing you to some stupid mistake that he made nearly destroyed him. He took you in to make his wrongs right and he would have lost all of that alongside with you. But, it was more than that. Constantine cared for you, losing you meant he would be losing a piece of himself.

There was already so much of him tainted by the evil of the world, he couldn't bare the thought of losing the little good part of his soul. As much as he hated to admit it, John needed you far more than you ever needed him.

[lilacandladybugs]

hey since youre talking about christianity, i was wondering if you could answer a question ive been curious about. if god cares about people and if jesus died for our sins, then why does hell exist? and if god cares about us then why did he let so much bad stuff happened in his name, and even cause it, like with the noah’s arch story?

sorry if any of this is wrong ive never read the bible, but ive had bad experiences with christianity in the past and the way you talk about it seems much nicer than the way i know it

I don’t think I can answer this question in a way that doesn’t come across as pretentious or like I’m asking for an argument or just being straight up unsatisfying. But I just am going to try anyway because i'm hoping that maybe this will be comforting or helpful to someone. I’m sorry if this is offensive I am really trying my best, please take this all in the best possible way and be gracious with me 

The thing about this ask is that it’s actually a bunch of different questions, and since each of them individually is really hard to answer so I’m going to narrow it down to just one ( im sorry ;-; ) . The one I’ve thought about the most is “Why does God let bad things happen if he loves us?”

When this question first really occurred to me, I was already a believer. So I was already pretty convinced that God exists logically, from the perspective of history, philosophy, science, and my personal experience. I believed in the /existence/ of the God who is represented in the scriptures. (I doubt anyone wants it but I can give you a list of resources if you want to look into any of that.) The struggle for me was whether or not all that evidence held true in the face of this moral dilemma; the problem of evil in the presence of a loving God.

But I just couldn’t turn my back on the concept of a moral grounding in God. I had a philosophy professor tell me that people are mortal and so we shouldn’t grieve them like they’re immortal, that grief is a choice, and that trauma is a choice. I respected her so much, but I just couldn’t accept that. There’s nothing more unsettling to me than suggesting that cruelty and death and suffering are only wrong because you think they are, and not because they’re violating sacred ancient laws. My friends dying, people hurting me, that isn’t just in my head. It’s /real/. They’re really dead, and it really matters. People really did something wrong when they hurt me, and it isn’t my fault for being hurt. It’s their fault for being cruel. And their cruelty is objectively morally wrong.

I realized that if I became an atheist I would have to accept the fact that there isn’t /objectively/ any difference between right and wrong. There isn’t any theoretical “right way” that the world should be. But to me, there is a right way it should be. There is a right way and it was lost because of sin.

It was I guess comforting that Christianity provided the premises I needed to ask a question like this. Evil exists. And love exists. So how can God exist? What a comforting question, in a way. To get to grieve, to be angry, to wonder what’s going on, to want things to be different. It was validating i guess

Don’t get me wrong i was FURIOUS i was so angry. I was so angry and so conflicted I kind of thought I might just like rip apart at my seams but I just felt caught between a rock and a hard place to be either abandoned by God or to not even be able to think about my experiences in a way that felt coherent.

He showed up though. I remember swearing at him, and laying up at night thinking he wasn’t there, I told him I wouldn’t have to have trauma if he would’ve stepped in, that my friends wouldn’t be dead, that he let it happen to me, that he just /witnessed/ it. And man idk he just showed up. He showed up every time. I almost walked away like five times that summer. And every time he sent someone, there was always someone that showed up and talked to me like out of nowhere. Or music, or scripture, or something someone said in passing. 

The night that it was really bad was when I realized that the only person who could save me was God and I cried out to him, and I just idk I’ve never been so desperate. I went to church the next day against my will and the sermon felt like it was written for me specifically. I cried through the whole thing.

If God is goodness, then how can I say he isn’t with me and around me constantly? In the sunrise and sunset, in the stars, in flowers, and in kind words. In sermons. In friends and family. In all the coincidences that stopped me from becoming an atheist, all of the answered prayers and the impossibilities. That’s why my side blog is called @in-the-whisper. Because I felt him there, even though it hurt, he was with me in the quiet and in the silence, in his whisper in a thousand different ways.

I was posed this question by someone who was there for me in one of those moments where I almost walked away from God, “Is sufficiency abundant?” I guess I thought it was. Where was God? In the peace that surpasses understanding. In the knowledge that everything is finished, that he died for us, that he didn’t abandon us. That whatever terrible things happen, he was willing to take all of the consequences for that onto himself in the person of Jesus. That one day he will set things right, even though it isn’t right right now. 

It comes down to the Gospel (good news, core story of the Christian faith); humanity actively chose to walk away from God in an act of rebellion. We had free will because God created us tenderly to be in a loving relationship with him, and loving relationships must be based on free will and they must be two way. So he let us walk away from him, and away from the sustainer of life our bodies break, our world crumbles, and we die. In order to bridge that gap, he chose to die in our place, so that we could re enter that free will relationship with him if we so choose. He died on the cross, descended into hell, and then in three days he rose from the grave, defeating death. And one day he will return on a white horse to rescue us and to take the world back as his own. If I believed that to be true, then I believed in the greatest intervention in human history that has ever occurred. The God of the Bible isn’t a distant God, "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him." 1 John 4:9 He did the unthinkable for us.

Living in light of the gospel helped me to understand the way that God is present in my life, my present, past, and in my future. It gave me peace. When Horatio G. Spafford’s two daughters and wife died in a shipwreck, he wrote this,

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul." 

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control: that Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul.

“My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part, but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight The clouds be rolled back as a scroll The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend Even so, it is well with my soul!

“It is well with my soul, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

I don’t have an answer for your question. What I know is that I am willing to rest in the knowledge of my personal experiences and my research that God exists, that he is loving, and that he is powerful, just, and wise. Even the winds and the seas obey him, the mountains are like pebbles to him, thunder rolls at the sound of his voice. He had thought before time began, he gave all knowledge and all wisdom to us. 

Why do bad things happen also brings up the question, why do good things happen? Who do we have to thank when we get up in the morning and can see or hear or move or are alive in general? Why are we so blessed as to have two days and not just one? Where do mornings and complexity and beauty and wonder come from? They come from him. Not because we need it, but because he wants to give it to us. Enjoyment, existence, love, laughter, thought, beauty, heartbreak. The world is just as beautiful as it is terrible, and why should it be beautiful? Because he wants it to be that way.

God is so patient. He is so patient and kind and powerful, and he wants to hear your questions. Some of them, like this one, are in my opinion something that you have to talk to him about directly. He gives us thought and logic and reason and wisdom, and he asks for us to engage him. He will answer.

If any believers are reading this, I want you to know that it is enough to cry out to him in pain. It is enough to want to want to believe in him. He would so much rather hear from you in your anger than never hear from you at all. Seek him out, he will find you. He will chase after you.

I bet that he would chase after me, bet my life on it. I might not know the answer, but I am confident enough in what I do know that I’m willing to bet my existence that God will come true on his promises, that he will deliver me, that everything will be okay, that he is bigger than my trauma, and that he will hold me.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,     neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,     so are my ways higher than your ways     and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow     come down from heaven, and do not return to it     without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,     so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:     It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire     and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy     and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills     will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field     will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,     and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown,     for an everlasting sign,     that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:8-13

And I’m holding him to that promise.

[blackcloverdatabase]

English Translation of Novel 3: Chapter 2 – The Man Known as Julius (Part 1 of 2)

Here’s the first half of the last untranslated chapter from Book of Yuno! This one features Julius, Yuno, and Bell taking care of an orphaned baby boar. It’s adorable and also a little heartbreaking! Charlotte and Jack also get to meet the lil’ guy!

Also, aside from a few tweaks at the beginning, this translation is appended to the translation of the first few pages that the Black Clover discord was kind enough to supply to me. I didn’t see any translation errors when I scanned through it and I liked the writing style of whoever did those first few pages, so a part of this translation also comes from the generous soul who had started this translation before me. 

--- The Man Known as Julius (Part 1) ---

Julius Novachrono.

He is a man who needs no introduction, reigning over the Order of Magic Knights as the Wizard King. The entire Order moves at his command, protecting the peace of Clover Kingdom both day and night.

He himself possesses no small degree of combat ability, stationed at the top of the Order as he is, and he has led his troops to victory through countless battles. Even after ascending to his current position as the Wizard King, he continues to find his way to the battlefield, demonstrating impressive skills in all areas.

He is the hero of the Clover Kingdom, a source of inspiration for all Magic Knights – No, for all the Kingdom’s citizens.

That's just the sort of person Julius is.

And yet, despite all of that......

"All right, all right!! Sorry I'm late~ I brought plenty of feed for you!"

At this very moment, that inspirational figurehead to all the Kingdom was – Julius was…..

"C'mon, you gotta eat up! I got lotsa food for you! A ha ha! Now now, no shoving! Take your time!"

......grinning from ear to ear and speaking in baby-talk with a soft, sweet tone......

"Oh gosh, you're TOO cute! Seriously, you're way too cute, Graham! I feel like when I'm talking to you, my manner of speaking just becomes shamefully bad...... Well, whatever! Not like there's anyone else around to hear, huh?"

…….to a baby boar as he delivered its feed.

Staying hidden as he watched, Yuno managed to keep a straight face on the outside, but internally, he was shaking. Bell, clearly shaken as well, was thinking exactly the same thing as him: They weren’t quite sure what they were looking at, but they knew they had just witnessed something pretty damn crazy.

How did they stumble across such a crazy sight? Fret not, it won't take long to explain.

 That day, Yuno and Bell had been on patrol near the outskirts of Tonan, a town in the Common Realm. A group of bandits had been staging raids in the area as of late, and it was rumored that one of the bandits possessed an "Original Sin" grimoire. Thus, Magic Knights were being sent out in pairs to patrol the area in shifts.

Yuno and Bell found themselves on duty that day, and after finishing up their patrol with a Knight from another squad, they traded off with the pair who had come to relieve them and slipped away into a forest just a short walk from the town's borders.

They were here to train in preparation for the Royal Knights Selection Exam, which would be held a few days from now.

After the "hot springs training camp" put on by Mereoleona Vermillion (which was one heck of a euphemism for forced mountain climbing and attempted murder), Yuno had mastered "Mana Skin", the technique wherein the user continuously channels a fixed amount of magical energy and uses it to protect their body or increase their physical ability.

However, if he wanted to pass the Selection Exam, if he wanted to demonstrate his skill over Asta, he needed to take his abilities up another notch... no, another two notches if he could manage it.

And so, at every opportunity he could find between missions, Yuno slipped away in search of a secluded little enclave to train.

On this particular day, while on the hunt for a bit of privacy, he came across a hut standing beside a small pond. From the outside, it looked like a long-abandoned cabin, but the footprints he found near the entrance were fresh. Was this the bandits' hideout......? Only one way to find out. Taking care not to be noticed, Yuno silently approached the cabin.

However, it was then that he noticed a young boar with its body and legs wrapped in gauze. This, he found quite suspicious, but before he could move any closer to inspect, he caught sight of someone heading straight for the cabin using Flight Magic.

Panicking, Yuno dove into the bushes to hide, peeking out to see just who had arrived…...

"Gra~~~ham~~~ Were you a good little boy? Were you? Were you??"

Speaking in the most babyish voice Yuno had ever heard, it was none other than Julius Novachrono who came descending from the heavens. Upon landing, he approached the cabin, bearing feed for the boar, and removed his dirty bandages while stroking him gently......

 Which brings us back to the present.

 "Theeeeere there there! Now, let's get your bandages changed!"

Tearing their gazes from the sight of Julius letting loose with even more heinous baby talk, Yuno and Bell glanced at one another. Evidently, Julius was out here taking care of this boar. That much was obvious, but......

Bell dropped her voice, whispering softly to Yuno,

"…...Wh-what do we do, Yuno?"

"There's nothing for us to do," he returned shortly. "Because we didn't see anything, got it? Let's just head back."

That was best for all parties involved. Yuno had absolutely no desire to see Julius acting like that, and Julius probably wouldn't have wanted anyone to spot him out here either. Thankfully, Julius didn't seem to have noticed he was being watched, probably as much to do with the fact that Yuno had disguised their presence as the fact that Julius was absolutely enthralled with playing with the little boar and was paying little attention to his surroundings.

If he was going to make a break for it, it needed to be now. However, Bell leered with squinted eyes,

"...But, you know, that poor little thing really doesn't seem like he's enjoying the attention..."

This much Yuno could see. Actually, it was impossible not to notice. The little boar was squirming and squealing up a storm as Julius attempted to change his bandages, desperately attempting to flee. There was no mistaking that attitude as one of a fond pet.

"…...Neither one of us knows what's going on here. It's not our place to say anything."

"Yeah, I guess you're right…..."

"Plus......"

Yuno glanced back to Julius, who, despite the boar's fierce attempts to escape, was doing his best to see to its needs, and even looked happy doing so. Julius looked like he was having the time of his life, eyes bright with elation - just as he seemed to when he was talking about magic or chatting with the squad Captains he trusted so much. It was true that Yuno didn't want to get involved in whatever was going on here, but he also didn’t want to interrupt Julius when he was so utterly enthralled.

"Plus what?"

"Forget it. Let's go." With that, Yuno was about to stand up, but then......

"SQUEEEEEEAAAAAL!!"

The boar let out a particularly shrill scream, and Julius instantly drew back just as the boar released a huge burst of flame.

"W-what the heck is THAT?!"

"That boar...it must be a Flame Boar! They're a special breed that can use Fire Magic!"

A normal boar was one thing, but keeping an animal of this nature as a pet was forbidden…… though, that hardly mattered right now.

Yuno leapt from the bush, rushing to Julius's side. "Your Majesty! Are you all right?"

In retrospect, that had been rather stupid of him. After all, what could a Flame Boar possibly do that could in any way harm the Wizard King? It was patently clear he didn’t have a single scratch on him, no burns of any sort, and even the cabin itself remained safe from any flying sparks.

"......Yu-Yuno-kun........!?"

Julius's face was so red, he could have started spitting fire himself.

"H-h-how...how long--how long h-h-have you...been w-watching...me...?"

"I didn't see anything I didn't hear anything PLEASE EXCUSE ME, SIR!"

Yuno sputtered before promptly turning on his heel and darting off. It was a rather forcible retreat, admittedly, but he was convinced it was the best course of action. What had just transpired would only reflect badly on the both of them, so pretending it had never happened at all was for the best.

“W-wait! P-please hear me out!”

However, Julius chased after him, his expression desperate.

"W-wait! Please wait! There's something I'd like your help with!"

……And when the Wizard King said that to you...well, you really had to stop, didn't you?

 “……So, this little one’s parents died, which is why you decided to take care of it here for the time being?”

After all that, Yuno and Bell were invited to sit on the bench in front of the cabin as Julius served them some tea and snacks. Both the tea and snacks looked rather extravagant, so Yuno couldn’t help but wonder if they were meant to bribe him to keep quiet. At the same time, Julius explained his circumstances to them.

“Yes. Well, in short, that is correct.”

As he watched Graham run around chasing butterflies, Julius continued,

“Not too long ago, I was passing by this area when I found two flame boars being attacked by bandits. Those were Graham’s parents.”

Bell grabbed a macaroon with both hands and stuffed it into her mouth as she asked Julius,

“Why did those bandits attack them? Were they hungry or something?”

“Flame boar fur has excellent heat resistance, so it’s sometimes used to make magic tools and the like. Because of that, it can be sold for a high price. Of course, that doesn’t make it right to kill them indiscriminately, so I rushed in to save them. I managed to capture the bandits, but…… it was already too late for Graham’s parents.”

On the outside, Yuno was expressionless as he nodded in agreement, but on the inside, he felt bitter. This was not an uncommon occurrence in areas that have been plagued by bandits. They indiscriminately kill, eat, and sell any animals unfortunate enough to live in their territory.

“Although he was injured, I at least managed to save Graham. However, I couldn’t just leave him, so I was going to drop him off at an animal shelter…... but no matter which shelter I tried, they all refused to take him.”

“Because it’s forbidden to keep a dangerous animal like a flame boar as a pet.”

Technically, if he made full use of his authority as the Wizard King, he would be able to force any facility to keep Graham. However, that would surely cause trouble for the breeders and the other animals they kept at the facility. As Yuno knew, Julius was not the sort of man who would do that. Julius shrugged lightly before replying,

“Right. That’s why I started taking care of him in secret. I’d like to keep him until he recovers from his injuries, at least.”  

Julius replied as if to substantiate the explanation that Yuno reached.

“I see…...”

Yuno said as he nodded. Although Yuno came to agree with him, Julius felt a small pang of guilt. His story wasn’t a lie, but it was not the whole truth, either. That’s because if Julius had used his time magic, he could have cured Graham’s injuries in an instant. However, if he did that, then Graham would grow up with the mistaken assumption that injuries can be cured easily. Julius wanted to avoid clouding Graham’s worldview for the convenience of humans any more than it already has.

Coming back from that tangent, Julius continued,

“That’s why I was wondering if you could keep this a secret for me? If it became known that the leader of the Magic Knights broke the rules, there would be a lot of trouble.”

Particularly from Marx. If Marx found out, there was no telling what Marx might say to him. It was easy to imagine what awaited in his future……

“You were raising an unusual pet, huh……? That’s the kind of thing an extravagant bachelor with too much time and money on his hands would do! Stop playing around and get back to work!”

……And he would continue on and on like that.

Yuno lightly tilted his head, completely unaware of Julius’s troubles.

“Of course. It was never my intention to tell anyone, but…… wouldn’t it be better to take care of Graham somewhere else? Bandits might go after him again, and Magic Knights take turns coming here almost every day, so you might get spotted again.”

“……That’s true, but……”

Julius pointed to a large rock a short distance from the cabin. Placed in front of that rock were two bouquets of flowers. Sometimes, Graham would sit at that rock and squeal in a very particular way. Yuno has heard these squeals before. It was the sound flame boars make when they are trying to get their parents’ attention. In other words, that was where……

Julius saw that Yuno understood and nodded.

“That was where Graham’s parents were killed. I think that’s why…... Graham refuses to leave this place.”

For the second time that day, Yuno felt a bitterness in his heart.

“…...I was raised in a village, so I’ve seen animals like that before. Some baby animals won’t leave their parents’ side, even after their parents have died. That’s probably happening here, too.”

Even if you pull that baby animal away from its parents’ bodies by force, it will likely return. In the end, it will probably die, either from being targeted by other animals or from illness caused by being near a corpse. If Julius wasn’t protecting him, that’s probably what would have happened to Graham.

“I thought about using magic to move his parents’ corpses, but…… it would be a problem if Graham thought I was playing with them. In the end, I decided to bury them here.”

“……I see.”

Bell said, looking sorrowfully at Graham. She then clenched her hand into a little fist and said,

“Wizard King! You’re really something! It’s really cool that you’re willing to go so far for a single wild boar!”

“……Hey, Bell. You’re being rude.”

“Ha ha, I don’t mind, Yuno-kun. Miss Wind Spirit, I’m happy to hear you say that. By the way, can I try mixing your magic with mine? Just for a bit?”

“I’m Yuno’s, so no way! However, I kinda like you, so you’re allowed to call me Bell!”

Bell was being incredibly impertinent as she said this, but Julius’s response was simply to smile gently and say,

“That’s too bad. Well, I’m happy that I can call you by your name!”

He possesses great power, he shows tolerance toward anyone, and he holds compassion even for animals. That’s the kind of person Julius is. The kind of person Yuno - and Asta - were aiming to become was as grand as ever. Moreover, Yuno was only looking at a small part of the Wizard King. Despite this, he understood that the Wizard King was a grand existence. If he could see everything, just how grand would he be……? Even trying to imagine it made him feel overwhelmed.

‘Even so, someday I’ll…..!’

As such thoughts reignited in Yuno’s chest, Julius cleared his throat as if to move on to a new subject.

“This brings me to what I wanted to ask you…… Just as you said, this is not a good place to be raising an animal, and I’m also too busy to take care of Graham by myself……”

He appeared rather uncomfortable as he looked at Yuno and Bell.

“That is…… I know this is a selfish request, but you seem like you wouldn’t spill a secret, so…… could you maybe…… help me take care of Graham?”

‘I knew this was coming……,’ Yuno thought as he weighed his options. For Julius, it would make things quicker and easier if Yuno and Bell cooperate now that they’ve seen this place. However, keeping it a secret from the Order of Magic Knights was definitely going to be troublesome.

“Of course, I’m not asking you this as the Wizard King. I’m asking you as a person, so there’s nothing wrong with saying no. You’ll end up breaking the rules, too…… it would be troublesome for you if you get discovered, and you could run into trouble here, too.”

That’s right. If something were to happen here, he wouldn’t be able to get here in time to help Yuno. This was not a task one should carelessly take on.

“Of course. If you’re alright with us helping you, we would love to.”

“Right, of course you’d say no…… the Royal Knights Selection Exam is coming up and you have your own duties to…... WAIT, REALLY!?”

Julius had crestfallenly lowered his head, but then he raised his head back up in surprise and sputtered,

“Huh, a-are you sure!? You’re going to take on this task, just like that……?”

“Yes. I can do my duties as a Magic Knight here…... Plus, if I let a thought like “something bad might happen” stop me, then I’d never get anything done.”

The second half of what he said came from his own experiences as a child. In life, if you don’t do anything, then nothing will happen. He didn’t want that. If you find yourself unable to move because of all your negative thoughts, it’s sometimes necessary to just try doing whatever you want before thinking about what you should do. This was something he learned from watching that guy live his life. He wasn’t sure if this was one of those times, but, at the very least…...

“Also, you said that I would be breaking the rules, but I’m just helping you because I think that’s the right thing to do. I think that for most people, doing what they think is right would be the correct thing to do.”

……Yuno knew that he liked what Julius was doing. That’s why he was going to help him without worrying about problems that may or may not happen later. Wanting to support that idea, Bell whirled around Julius and said,

“That’s right! That’s absolutely right! Actually, it’s weird that you’re doing something so cool so sneakily by yourself! At the very least, you should let us help you!”

“You guys……”

Julius appeared a little surprised as he said this, but then,

“……I see. William truly is blessed with some good kids.”

He nodded as if he came to understand something before calmly smiling once more.

“Thank you, really! Well then, I’ll be counting on you two!”

Yuno bowed his head with a smile before looking around at his surroundings.

“Even so, it really is dangerous to be raising an animal here. If we don’t take measures soon, then……”

“Y-yeah…… You really are a good kid. You’re able to look at things pragmatically so quickly……”

Julius wanted to bask in the warm, snug atmosphere they just created for a little longer, but…… now wasn’t really the time for that. Julius grabbed a large sack that was left at a corner of the cabin and brought it to Yuno and Bell.

“I’ve already done something about that. I bought all sorts of magic tools for dealing with bandits or other Magic Knights.”

Julius pulled out one expensive-looking magic tool after another from the bag.

“Umm, this one is a jewel that keeps evil away. I’m pretty sure this one is a collar that seals away magical power. And this one is a magic tool that keeps others from being able to sense your mana, even if they use mana perception. Also, this one is…...”

As he pulled each tool out, he explained in detail what each one of them did with a huge grin on his face. Yuno and Bell, who felt nothing but respect for Julius just moments ago, started to think ‘This guy is kind of scary…….’. Just how much money and effort is he sinking into one wild boar? Bell whispered into Yuno’s ear,

“……Hey, Yuno. Is he one of those? He gave us all those reasons earlier, but…... maybe he’s just an old guy who wants to secretly raise a pet……?”

“Please don’t say that……. Just don’t.”

He may have sounded a little unconfident in his reply, but that’s not because he was starting to think the same thing Bell was thinking. Absolutely not.

“I read this in a book once, but unmarried bachelors in their 40’s tend to have a lot of money, and they want something to spend their money on, so they buy a pet. Then, that causes their paternal instincts to explode forth, so they end up spending even more money on it.”

“You’re talking about a normal unmarried bachelor in his 40’s. This man is the Wizard King. Don’t lump them together.”

“Hm? Yuno-kun, did you say something?”

“Nothing.”

And so, despite all his doubts and unease, his days taking care of Graham with Julius began.

 ----- The following morning -----

“Oh, Yuno-kun! Bell-kun! Thank you for taking care of him so early in the morning~”

Julius swooped down from the sky toward Yuno and Bell, who were training near the lake.

“Good morning. You’re up early too, your highness.”

“Yeah, I have a meeting to attend just before noon today, so I figured I’d stay here until then. What about you?”

“We have the day off today, so I’ve been training my magic by reinforcing the cabin and changing Graham’s bedding. Also, I think he’s still fine for now, but I was thinking that we should make a fence in preparation for when Graham becomes independent from his parents. It would be troublesome if he accidently wandered into one of the villages.

“……Y-yeah. You sure work fast. Adaptable, too.”

Julius said in surprise. From the start, Yuno was meticulous and diligent. He wanted to do as much as he could while he was here.

“Look, Graham! Your Daddy’s here!”

Bell said as she flew toward Graham, who was eating his feed in front of the hut. Julius had a questioning, but also happy expression on his face as he asked,

“……D-daddy?”

“Bell. Don’t call him weird names. It’s rude.”

“It’s fine, right? He’s practically acting like a surrogate dad!”

“Even so, calling him ‘Daddy’ is a little…...”

As Yuno and Bell continued, Julius’s face steadily became redder until he cleared his throat and interrupted,

“W-well, it’s fine, isn’t it? It feels a little uncomfortable to be called that, but it might be good for Graham. I’m not sure how I feel about it, though…..”

“Oh, well then I won’t call you that. I’m not going to force you to-

“Ah, no! Never mind! Let’s go with that!”

Julius interrupted before crouching down in front of Graham.

“Even so, you two are amazing for being able to feed Graham already. It took a lot of struggling on my part to get him to trust me enough to do that……”

Julius sounded a bit woeful as he said this. Yuno responded as he walked toward the hut,

“I’m not sure why, but animals have always liked me. Also, Bell is a wind spirit, so it might be easier for Graham to trust her over a human being. Actually……”

Yuno glanced at the tombstone for Graham’s parents as he continued,

“You began taking care of Graham right after his parents were killed. That would be the time when Graham would hate humans the most. The fact you managed to feed him and tend to his wounds despite that makes you even more amazing.”

It looked like Graham was putting up a lot of resistance yesterday when the Wizard King was changing his bandages, but that was probably just because his wounds still hurt. It’s not like Graham hasn’t opened his heart to him.

“The reason we’re able to get along with Graham right now is because of you, your highness. Isn’t the fact that Graham knows that not all humans are bad because you poured so much love into him?”

“Y-you think so? That would make me very happy, but……”

Julius sounded embarrassed as he replied before extending his hand toward Graham’s head.

“Graham~ It’s……. It’s Daddy. Daddy’s he-

“SQEEEA, SQEAAAL!”

CRUNCH

With full force, Graham chomped down on Julius’s fingers.

“……………”

A terribly awkward atmosphere arose between Julius and Yuno. In the meantime, Bell, who is incabable of reading the mood, tried her best to open Graham’s mouth as she reprimanded him.

“Hey, Graham! Stop that! You wouldn’t do that to me or Yuno, right!? It’s almost as if you don’t trust the Wizard King after all!”

Yuno went pale when he heard Bell utter the worst thing she could have possibly said, but Julius chided Bell with a stiff smile on his face.

“Ah, Ah ha ha! It’s fine, Bell-kun! I’m sure Graham’s just hungry!”

“What are you talking about!? Graham literally just ate!”

“Then, he’s probably just trying to play! Yeah! I’m sure he just wants to play with me!”

“Even so, he looks serious! It’s like he’s trying to bite your fingers off!”

“Bell! BELL! Just stop talking! Just stop!”

Unusually for him, Yuno raised his voice as he interrupted Bell, stopping her from uttering another word and gently pulling Julius’s fingers away from Graham. After that, Graham trotted away toward the lake to drink some water. Those hellish couple of seconds were finally over, but tears started to pool in Julius’s eyes.

‘Should I say something…..?’ Yuno thought, maybe about how Bell has a tendency to air-headedly stab people in the heart…… No, it was too late to say anything about that now, so he decided to change the subject as quickly as he could.  

“……Could you explain to me what all the magic tools you bought do again?”

Yuno truly did want to hear his explanation again. Julius explained everything so quickly yesterday that he didn’t get all the details.

“S-sure…… There’s a lot of them, but I think this one’s the most important one.”

Julius said, returning back to his usual self as he led Yuno inside the cabin. There, a sparkling red jewel was hidden under Graham’s bedding.

“This is a high-grade magic tool that wards away evil. It creates a barrier with this jewel at the center, and people with evil souls can’t cross through its barrier. That’s the only thing I bought the first day I decided to raise Graham, and I’ve kept this tool active this whole time.”

Bell, who returned to Yuno’s shoulder, gasped in admiration as she looked at the jewel and said,

“That’s a high-grade magic tool for ya! It would be great if every household…… or at least every village had one of these!”

“Ha ha, if we could do that, it would make our jobs as Magic Knights a lot easier. However, this jewel’s range is not very large, and this isn’t widely distributed. Moreover, one strong attack is enough to break this jewel’s barrier, so it’s not so omnipotent as one might think.”

“However, it’s more than enough to protect Graham from those bandits, right?”

Julius nodded at Yuno’s words and turned toward Graham, who was currently bathing in the lake. Around Graham’s neck was a collar with a nameplate attached.

“The next important tool is the collar I bought yesterday. That collar seals away magic. As long as he wears that, Graham won’t be able to use magic, so even if another Magic Knight finds us, they would think that he’s just an ordinary boar.”

Julius’s expression stiffened a bit before continuing.

“Well, not being found at all would be the best outcome, and hardly anyone would have any reason to come here, but…... just like you did, it’s possible that somebody could wander here by chance.”

After the three of them reflected on the “major accident” that happened yesterday, Yuno swiftly returned to the main subject and asked,

“……I see. What about the other tools?”

Following Yuno’s train of thought, Julius quickly began to explain the other tools.

“The other ones are magic tools which conceal our presence, make our mana less perceptible, and other things of that nature. Well, I’ll go ahead and explain what they all do in detail, and…… hm?”

Before he could finish talking, his expression suddenly became grim, and his gaze sharpened as he looked toward the direction of the village. Yuno looked in the same direction.

“……Somebody’s coming.”

“Yeah. I feel two sources of mana heading towards us. For now, let’s hide in the cabin.”

The two swiftly moved toward the cabin, but Bell looked at Graham and exclaimed,

“Wait! Is it alright to leave Graham like this!? We should all hide together!”

“No. We wouldn’t be able to make it in time. For the time being, let’s observe the situation. If something happens, we’ll all leave.”

Julius countered as they slipped into the cabin. Before long, two figures emerged from the forest……

“Kah kah! Look~ There’s nothing here. There’s nobody!”

The Captain of the Green Mantis, Jack the Ripper……

“How strange. I definitely felt powerful mana coming from here earlier……”

……And the Captain of the Blue Roses, Charlotte Roselei.

Two Magic Knights…... two Magic Knight Captains, no less, set foot on the lake shore. Judging by what they were saying, they must have sensed either Yuno’s or Julius’s presence. They probably noticed Julius’s mana when he flew here.

‘To think two bigshots like these would show up,’ Yuno thought, cold sweat dripping from his forehead.

“Why are Captains doing a mundane task like patrolling……?”

“…….Because the Royal Knights Selection Exam will be held soon. Even if it only helps a bit, Captains and Vice-Captains have been handling some of the routine tasks so that their squad members can focus on training for it.”

Julius explained calmly, but internally, his heart was pounding. It would be bad if they were found out by ordinary Magic Knights, but there was no mistaking that being found out by a Captain would be even worse. They nervously held their breaths in the cabin as they heard Charlotte say in a commanding tone of voice,

“Just in case, let’s split up and search the area.”

“Are you kidding me~ Damn, I was planning to get wasted at a bar until our shift ended.”

After that brief exchange, Charlotte began to trace the perimeter of the lake while Jack began investigating inside the forest, appearing very bored as he did so. Seeing this, Yuno frowned as he turned toward Julius.

“……What should we do? At this rate, we’ll be found any moment now.”

“We’re okay. Like I was saying earlier, I have a magic tool running that dulls other people’s mana perception abilities, so they won’t be able to sense our mana. I also have another tool running right now that inhibits other people’s ability to notice our presence. In other words, right now, they won’t be able to sense our presence nor our mana.”

‘If you have that much money to spend on magic tools, maybe you should put some of that money toward the Magic Knights,’ Yuno thought. In any case, if that’s all true, then their presence probably won’t be discovered. The problem was……

“……Hm? What’s this? A baby boar? What is it doing in a place like this……?”

Just as Yuno feared, Charlotte spotted Graham, and began to slowly make her way toward him. Surprised by her presence, Graham froze stiff. While he remained frozen, Charlotte crouched down to meet Graham at eye level.

“……So, you’re getting your wounds treated? You have a collar, too. Is someone feeding you here…..?”

She said as she extended her hand toward Graham’s collar.

‘Please don’t take his collar off…….!’ all three of them prayed as they watched her from inside the cabin.

“……..Graham? That’s what is carved here…… I see. So, your name is Graham?”

She muttered before looking around at her surroundings. It looked like she made particular note of whether Jack was still deep in the forest. After confirming that nobody else was around, she turned toward Graham once more, and……

“……Graham, come here. I won’t hurt you, so go ahead and sit on my lap~”

With great difficulty, but also great tenderness, she raised Graham up and placed him on her lap. Then with an innocent smile, much like the smile of a young girl, she hugged Graham’s body.

“Wow…… this is amazing. I though boar fur would be rough and scratchy, but it’s actually really fluffy. I wonder if it’s because you’re a baby. Tee hee, this feels nice. You’re so cute……”

“…………”

“You’re so small. Are you eating properly? I know, I’ll find something good for you to eat! What would you like to eat? Hm? I’ll buy anything you want~”

“…………”

The three inside the cabin continued to watch Charlotte dote on Graham, stiffly turning their heads toward each other. It was a different outcome then what they were expecting, but it was a crazy sight indeed.

“H-hey…… Yuno-kun……?”

This wasn’t the time to be asking this, but Julius couldn’t help but ask.

“……D-did I…… look like that when you found me……?”

“Quiet, your highness. It looks like Captain Jack has returned.”

Yuno brushed off Julius’s question and turned his gaze toward the forest. There, Jack was lumbering his way back. Charlotte noticed his presence, putting Graham down and standing back up on her feet. Her face was a bit red, so she tried to hide this with her hand as she asked him,

“……H-how was it, Jack? Did you find anyone?”

“Nope~ Not a single soul. Kah kah. It must’ve been your imagination.”

“……Maybe. It’s possible that Grah……. No, it’s possible that this injured boar’s owner came to check on him, and then headed home soon after.”

Charlotte left it at that and promptly started back toward the village.

“Anyway, we now know that no one else is here. Let’s return to the village and buy some feed…… no, let’s just go back to the village.”

“Huh? Ah, hey!”

She didn’t respond to Jack’s voice, opting instead to hurry into the forest as if she had some great mission to fulfill.

“Damn, what’s with her……? Anyway, I feel tired just being here. I feel like my physical strength and magical power is withering away. I wonder if some weird magic was cast here.”

Hearing Jack talk to himself, Yuno tilted his head in confusion.

‘What is he talking about? At the very least, I don’t feel any symptoms like that…...”

He turned toward Julius, searching for an answer from him. Julius’s reply was a little awkward as he explained,

“It’s probably the jewel that repels people with evil souls. Maybe that’s what happens when it only affects you halfway……?”

‘……I see. That Magic Knights Captain is recognized as a “halfway evil soul” by the jewel.’

Not knowing that this was the cause, Jack looked around as he muttered,

“Come to think of it, she mentioned there was a boar, but I don’t see it…… Ah, there it is.”

His eyes sharpened with a glint as they lowered toward Graham. Graham jumped in surprise as the three in the cabin watched the situation closely, feeling very different from when they were watching Charlotte. They were pretty sure that Jack wouldn’t get violent with Graham, but he might treat him roughly. That would be unpardonable. If it came to that, they would have no choice but to come out of hiding and stop him. They tensely watched over the situation to see which way it would go, but…...

“……What is he doing? Neither of them have moved an inch……”

Just as Yuno said, Jack was looking Graham in the eye with what seemed like no intention to move whatsoever. Because he was afraid, Graham also didn’t move, so it looked as if time had stopped for them both.

Bell hummed as she pretended to push up imaginary glasses,

“…...It’s just like when a bad wolf happens upon an abandoned puppy and the two come to a mutual understanding. Like, “So, you’re on your own, too…..?”, or something.”

“But he’s not on his own. He has a collar and bandages, so that much should be obvious.”

Yuno’s rebuttal was immediate, but Bell continued to dub over the other two with a hushed voice.

“I could save you, take you in as my henchman, but that would be too easy. If I do that, you’re gonna think that life is easy for as long as you live. It ain’t easy. Life is…… never easy.”

“That’s the kind of conversation two human beings would have. Also, don’t you think your image of Captain Jack is a little off?”

Yuno shot Bell down again, but then Jack headed toward the shoals of the lake and caught a fish using his Slash Magic. After that, he threw it next to Graham. Without skipping a beat, Bell continued,

“Whoops, my mistake…… I accidentally caught too many fish. Throwing them away would surely anger the gods, so I’ll give some to you. Now, young lad…… live, and grow up to be strong…….”

“Okay, that whole “gods” thing is really out of character for him. Just stop……”

“Well, I don’t know if he’d say it quite like that, but it looks like she more or less got it right…... At the very least, it appears that he won’t get rough with Graham.”

While the three of them were talking, Jack left the vicinity. After watching Jack’s figure disappear into the forest, Julius let out a huge sigh of relief.

“Whew, that scared me….. From now on, we should use magic tools that hide our magic power when we come here.”

“……You’re right. Actually, if you could find a magic tool that makes us invisible, that would be great.”

‘If we had that, we would’ve been able to escape before seeing all that,’ Yuno thought to himself as he came out of the hut with Julius.

“Are you okay, Graham? You must’ve been so scared!”

Bell said as he flew toward Graham. Graham squealed happily and started skipping about. Watching Graham behave so cheerfully, Julius had a wry smile on his face.

“Ah ha ha. I thought he’d be afraid, but he’s surprisingly okay. Have you gotten used to being around humans?”

“He might be able to relax around people who seem to hold good intentions.”

……Of course, those two seemed a little too interested in Graham, so there was another problem they had to worry about – the possibility that they may return. However, there was nothing for them to do about that other than take appropriate measures when the time comes. As Yuno came to this conclusion, Julius squatted in front of Graham and extended his hand toward the fish Jack caught.

“Isn’t this great, Graham? You have a fish! Daddy will cut it into pieces to make it easier for you to-

“SQUEAL! SQUEAAAL!”

CRUNCH!

At that moment, Graham chomped down on Julius’s fingers with all his might.

“………….”

 — To be continued in Part 2 —

Julius is such a softie and I love every minute of it. Spoil that baby boar!

Charlotte’s reaction was expected (and perfectly understandable as I would love to hug Graham too), but I can’t say I saw Jack’s coming. It was…... interesting. It’s funny that his soul is considered half-evil, though.

I’m glad to be back to translating Book of Yuno again. The Black Bulls are fun, but there’s something refreshing about having the focus on a character outside of their group. Maybe it’s because he’s so introverted, but Yuno feels very natural as a book protagonist. It’s also funny to see how often the novel essentially says “he had a neutral expression on the outside, but inside he felt *insert intense emotion here*”.