#the way that prim’s death wasn’t even his fault

[embryoed]

“Gale Hawthorne is a complex character” I say into the mic

The crowd boos, I slink off the stage in shame

“They’re right” says a voice from the audience

I turn, and there in the stands is Suzanne Collins herself

[plenaurum]

Even the follow up to that godforsaken "Gale was a revolutionary king! Prim's death was unnecessary!" post made no damn sense and missed the point of the series entirely:

“We didn’t need Prim’s death for us to know that Coin was bad and that war was bad! It was senseless!”

That’s the point. Her death was senseless. It had no meaning.

There was no reason for her to die, but these things happen in war. Suzanne Collins herself said that she always knew that Prim was going to die even when she started writing the books.

“Having Gale, an oppressed Brown person, be held responsible for Prim’s death (a White character constantly representing innocence), was ugly when he didn’t even kill her. It was a convenient way to end the love triangle and leaving Peeta (another White character constantly portrayed as good) as the only option .”

Now, here’s where my opinion will get controversial: read the books without the lens of identity politics and maybe you might understand the point. Now, I’m not saying to ignore the aspects of race completely (there’s a reason why District 11, a district full of Black people, was so heavily policed). But, notice how Collins intentionally never left the race of some characters like Rue and Thresh up for debate. She was explicit in her depictions of POC. While Gale and Katniss could be read as Native coded and therefore POC, Collins herself never made it clear just what their races might be. It was purposefully left ambiguous, left up to the reader’s interpretation.

But, even if we follow your interpretation, Peeta and Gale were never supposed to be “good vs bad”. Peeta, probably due to a life that was a bit more privileged than Katniss and Gale’s, represented diplomacy in the just-war debate. Gale, understandably due to his life experiences, tended toward violent remedies. A lot of us do not blame Gale for his rage nor his violence because, again, violence was necessary for revolution. The only thing that went wrong is that his rage began to know no bounds and he began to disregard the humanity of other people, which was exploited by Coin.

Gale had always had a tendency to dehumanize other people: in Book 1, when Katniss was expressing worries about killing people in the arena and he said “it’s just like killing animals, how different can it be, really?” All throughout Book 3 (and even in parts of Book 2),  he and Katniss experienced disagreements when it came to what was justifiable during war. Him having the idea to bury the people in the mines when that is the same thing that killed his father, him not understanding why Katniss would care about the fact that her prep team was being tortured for stealing food (when Gale was whipped for poaching), and him helping to develop a weapon that essentially weaponizes human compassion (one bomb that draws people to the wounded, another that kills them all). It is the idea behind the weapon that killed her sister. Of course she was going to connect Prim’s death to Gale even though it wasn’t his fault.

Katniss said herself that Gale’s anger was not what she needed to heal after the war because she had enough of it herself. 

And not every Brown man depicted in the series was “rageful and violent”. Katniss’ father, someone that could arguably be Brown, was a source of joy for Katniss, a source of life. It was through his teachings, through his musicality, that not only kept Katniss alive, but also aided Katniss in maintaining her humanity and connect with other people (singing for Rue, singing for Pollux, how Peeta ended up falling for Katniss.) 

"The books are about war blah blah blah but at the end of the day, the theme of Mockingjay was that the oppressed fighting back will be just as bad as the oppressors and blinded by rage and hatred! What type of message is that?"

Again, The Hunger Games was not meant to be a story on “how to lead a revolution”. It was a story about war: what consistutes a war, what is justifiable during war, how do we maintain our humanity during war, etc. Collins used the "oppressed vs the oppressor" to create a conflict that would require a revolution and then war. However, during this war, innocent men, women, and children on both sides of the war died senselessly. The message it was sending was not “both sides bad", but that even during a justified war, living in a world where war is necessary is not beneficial to anyone. It was anti-war, not anti-oppressed-fighting-back. That’s the message it was sending. 

Please critique the books for what they are and not what you wished them to be.

[hmshermitcraft]

For theme!

Prim, proper, well mannered that is all the things a future queen needs to be for the grimmlands…something gem absolutely appalls she’s not fit to rule a country heck half the time she just wants to stay in bed for a whole day reading manga or watching cartoons! But nooooo the Royal advisors aka the biggest pricks she’s known since childhood continue to try and turn her into the one thing she isn’t until one day it just breaks her. Now that wouldn’t be an issue normally but when your a wither hybrid who’s mainly ability is to cause death and decay around you at every corner by spreading wither rose bushes and vines you end up having the very messy situation of now there are a lot of injured people around her because said pricks pushed her over the edge.

She ran for weeks and weeks until she collapsed into the hermitcraft server where she was found by Pearl and Tango who took her to Pearls shack where gem woke up to being covered by Tilly and her many many puppies almost not going into panic attack until Tango calmed her down and asked for her name. And after some explaining to Xisuma why there’s a wither hybrid currently sleeping again Pearl’s dire wolf Tilly he made her a hermit because he’s dealt with idiots like that in the past and he knows they aren’t gonna let Gem go that easily so he asked Grian and False to get in contact with Joel and Scott to let them know if somebody from the grimmlands try and come to hermitcraft

For the past few months Gem felt…safe which was a weird feeling since she never really had a proper chance to relax to begin with back home since one slip up meant she could kill a city’s worth of people with her roses but no! Turns out those royal advisors lord to her about the lethality of her roses! She felt so angry and tired and scared that she just wanted to curl into a ball and be left alone forever. Luckily Pearl sat down with her and told her whole Scarlet Pearl fiasco and how she got over it. Granted it involved a lot of murder but still! And Tango told her how he got over feeling betrayed by his family from banishing him from the nether.

Gem felt comforted in a way knowing she wasn’t the only one who was hurt in the past eventually she learned she wasn’t even the most dangerous person on the server. What in hell do you mean Cleo petrified an entire kingdom with a single state?! Wait Grian can do what with his wings?! Safe to say a lot of her fears were gone well…until the Royal advisors came to try and “catch the monster”…well unfortunately for them they now had a very angry Xisuma to deal with.

(Ps love the blog!)

She does feel for her kingdom and her people, but she could never be the queen they wanted of her. Adventure is in her heart, and without the opportunity for that, she escapes through stories instead. She doesn't understand how anyone is supposed to always put on a strong façade. Day in, day out... If she thought too much about it she'd cry.

So, was it any surprise when she finally shattered under the stress and pressure of her role? The cracks had been appearing for a while. The hermits are always happy to remind her of this as well. She was always told to suppress her abilities instead of how to control and manage them, and that's not her fault.

Gem doesn't even hear about the hunt for her until it's already over. She's a little upset - she would've liked to give them a piece of her mind - but she knows Xisuma's right. It wouldn't help, it wouldn't give her the closure she's looking for. All it would do is make her angry. Prove the advisors right.

Pearl and Cleo spend the day with her once she's told, Tilly keeping them company. They braid flowers into each other's hair and they let Gem talk about her favourite books. It's not easy, but the twisted black vines are slowly crawling back down the walls, and Gem breathes a little lighter.

[fantasywritten]

HEADCANONS FOR KATNISS EVERDEEN:

She was never overly confident in her appearance. She pretended like she didn’t care about it, but she secretly did. She always fancied Gale a bit, and so she always wanted to look good for him, but because she and her family were so poor, she figured all she could do was try to loon the best she could.

UNTIL, of course, she got to the Capitol after getting picked for the Games. Then, the spotlight was fully on her. She DESPISED it, but somehow, she felt more confident since then. Even though she hated being the center of attention and the pressure to be perfect all the time, she became more confident about her physical appearance — especially after they dolled her up. But most of all, Cinna made her feel confident. Cinna made her feel beautiful.

Katniss was always a little depressed because of her living situation, the bullshit with the Capitol, etc. But she NEVER brought that depression home with her. She always tried to stay as positive and happy as possible for Prim’s sake. She is (obviously) VERY protective over Prim, and she just wants her little sister to enjoy her time as a kid — which Katniss never really got to do.

She never had the time to grieve Cinna’s death until AFTER the Capitol had fallen. When the guards were beating him, Katniss knew he was done for. She lost faith that he could be alive, because she KNEW how merciless the Capitol could be. And then, literally seconds later, she was thrown into the arena. Right after that was the rebellion. Once things calmed down, Katniss realized how sad she was about Cinna’s death — and Prim’s, and Finnick’s… and Gale’s “betrayal.”

Speaking of that, she doesn’t REALLY blame Gale for Prim’s death, but she knows that she’ll never be able to look at him the same way again, let alone love him again. But it’s hard for her to truly be with Peeta, too, because of what he did when he was brainwashed. She knows it wasn’t his fault, but it still scares her sometimes, and she still has nightmares about him choking her.

This one’s kind of obvious, but she saw Rue as a little sister. Rue and Prim were just so similar, and watching Rue die completely broke Katniss. Rue was so young, so innocent… and from that moment on, Katniss swore to herself that she would find a way to take down the Capitol.

[mariesstudying]

Spoiler for The Hunger Games : Mockingjay.

When you first read or watch Mockingjay, did you know or predict that Primrose was gonna die?

Who do you think were responsible for her death? Why?

If Katniss couldn’t protect Primrose until the end, was it all useless?

Disclaimer : these questions are for textual analysis, it's not meant to incite fandom war, please DNI if you don't like this topic.

Thank you.

@curiousnonny

This is such an interesting question but I think I’m going to have a boring answer.

I first read the series at 11 years old and I definitely didn’t realise what was going to happen to Prim. I’m pretty sure it took me a minute to even realise as I was reading that Prim had been killed. I lowkey wish I could read it again for the first time now to see if it’s something I’d be able to figure out.

I would place blame on Coin directly and Gale indirectly. Coin is obvious, she planned the bombing and told no one, which obviously meant Prim couldn’t have bailed and not been killed. I say Gale is indirectly at fault because the weapons were largely his idea and many strategies were his idea too. I don’t think Gale intended on Prim dying at all but I do think the way he contributed to the war lead to Coins decision to bomb the people she did on the way that she did.

I think Katniss probably thought it all was useless right after Prim was killed but if we look at Prim's death in a broad sense, it wasn't. Everything Katniss did, right from the beginning, was to protect Prim so her death was like “there’s no point anymore, I should never have been involved”. At the same time, she also wants to protect Peeta, and she does. Prim's death also resulted in both Snow and Coin being removed so it wasn’t useless in the sense of saving Panem as a whole.

[fyreflys]

Spoiler for The Hunger Games : Mockingjay.

When you first read or watch Mockingjay, did you know or predict that Primrose was gonna die?

Who do you think were responsible for her death? Why?

If Katniss couldn’t protect Primrose until the end, was it all useless?

Disclaimer : these questions are for textual analysis, it's not meant to incite fandom war, please DNI if you don't like this topic.

Thank you.

@curiousnonny

OOOOO OKAY

Well going into the movie (I watched the movies first) I had heard that Fin & Prim both die, so I was prepared going into it (I still sobbed at the end- the movie doesn’t give you much time to process & grieve Finnick & not really Prim either & so with both of those with the epilogue scene makes the ending hit like a fucking truck. & the truck hits me every time without fail). So it wasn’t that unexpected.

I don’t think I would have predicted Prim’s death. There was no real reason for her to be there, (I mean she was working as like first aid, but we didn’t know she was like, on the front lines) so the entire thing is so unexpected. Maybe I could see her dying a different way, bc the books are Tragic, but out on the front lines felt pretty unexpected, at least to me.

Coin was responsible. Sure, we can blame Gale because Gale helped make the bomb, but Gale didn’t think it would be used on civilians. And Gale wasn’t the only one who helped; man didn’t make that bomb all by himself, so we can’t blame JUST Gale. I fully believe It was an accident, an unintended consequence (on Gale’s part) & I like to think Gale feels fucking awful about it (I know we like to hate on Gale but bro was just a traumatized kid like the rest of them. He had his jerk moments but at the end of that day he was just trying to care for those he loves & we can’t fault him for that. People who think Gale has any real malice in his body- I’m sorry but you’re just Wrong). Coin was the one who made the decision to drop the bomb on civilians. Did it work? Yes, it made them win the war (reminds me a lot of the US dropping Atomic Bombs on Japan in WWII- same principle, sort of. I’ll refrain from going all history nerd & just leave the analogy at that), but it also killed CHILDREN and innocent people. And one of the best characters. (I’m biased)

I know the story starts out with Katniss protecting Prim, but I think the point of the story branches far beyond that by the time we reach catching fire, and even more by the time we get to mockingjay. It starts out as a tragic story about sisterly love, and that’s certainly carried throughout, but it also becomes a story about social reform, tyrannical government, Revolution, freedom, & finding love & hope & healing against all odds. So I don’t think her death makes the story useless, because the story is so much more. Obviously it’s still a huge blow, because it’s the spark that started everything dying, but I’d argue all of it is still worth it.

Thanks for the interesting questions!

[readingforsanity]

Mockingjay | Suzanne Collins | Published 2010 | *SPOILERS*

Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hungers Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating. 

President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy will keep young hearts pounding. 

The final book in the Hunger Games series leads us to Katniss leading the rebels in their war against the Capitol. She starts off slowly, simply doing propos, or videos, showing her either in simulated combat and/or dressed up the nines to get the Capitol’s attention. It isn’t until she is actually involved in a heavy comabt situation in District 8 that her involvement begins to really come out. 

With Gale, Finnick, other members of District 13′s militarized community, they begin to wage the true war on the Capitol. Eventually, Johanna Mason and Peeta Mellarck are saved from the Capitol. Johanna is simply unlike herself, relying on heavy drug usage to get through the day. But Peeta is completely transformed into someone different, changed by the Capitol to want to kill Katniss on sight. 

Members of District 13 help to repair his damaged mind, and in the end, it begins working. He simply can’t remove what’s fake from what’s real. 

Katniss and a group infiltrate the Capitol eventually, and along the way, she loses several of her friends, including Finnick. However, once the rebels have secured the Capitol and President Snow is captured, Katniss visits him after the death of her sister Prim. He informs her that it was not the Capitol that released the parachutes that exploded that lead to her sisters untimely death, but that of the rebels, and even worse, it was something that Gale had designed. Unfortunately, it wasn’t what she expected to happen, and neither was it Gale’s intention. But Katniss cannot remove Gale from what had happened, therefore their friendship ceases to exist. 

When President Snow is going to be publicly executed, Katniss recalls the converstion they had, where Snow informed her that it was always President Coin’s intent to remove him from his candidacy and take over the Capitol for things to continue just as they had been. Snow had promised to never lie to her, therefore she realizes that he was telling the truth. When she was meant to be executing Snow per her conditions on becoming the Mockingjay, she instead assassinates President Coin. Snow eventually dies, though it isn’t clear how. 

Katniss and Haymitch are returned to District 12 to begin rebuilding it, and eventually Peeta returns as well. Slowly, they begin to form the relationship they were always meant to have. 

In the end, the Hunger Games cease to exist and everyone is living in their free worlds. Gale has a job in District 2, and Peeta and Katniss remain in District 12, along with Haymitch because it is their home. They are married, and do have two children, a little boy and a little girl. The history of the games are taught in schools, and eventually she will teach her children about what happened, though she discusses it with them delicately now. 

Discussion Questions 

1. What is Katniss’s greatest challenge when she returns to see the ruins of her home? What is the meaning of the rose she finds on her dresser? Why does she keep repeating facts about herself? The repetition of facts to herself is to keep reminding her of what is right in front of her. The concussion she received in the previous book makes it difficult for her to concentrate, and it hasn’t quite healed by the time she returns to 12. It’s her way of focusing. The rose on the dresser means that Snow is still after her, and I think he was ultimately trying to warn her of Coin’s true intention. But, her greatest challenge is believing that everything that had happened was her fault, when in truth, none of it was her fault and once again, they were pieces in the Capitol’s games. 

2. Why does Katniss take the cat Buttercup back to District 13? What role does Buttercup play in the story in later chapters? Buttercup is a main character within this story. She returns with him to District 13 initially for Prim. Prim would have been lost without him if he hadn’t survived the bombing. Katniss feels the need to return her sisters beloved pet. But, eventually, he does help keep the citizens of District 13 calm when they are forced to move deeper underground after the Capitol bombs them, and then once Katniss returns to 12, so does Buttercup in hopes of finding Prim, but only to realize that Katniss and Buttercup need each other. 

3. What is the first reaction Katniss has to the people of District 13? What makes her say, “In some ways District 13 is even more controlling than the Captiol”? District 13 is a sort of military base. Schedules must be followed to a T, though Katniss rarely does this. Everything is down to the hour, and to the minute almost. She finds everyone fairly welcoming. It isn’t easy for their community to be overrun with so many refugees at once, but they make do with what they have. 

4. What influences her decision to become the Mockingjay? Why does Katniss have to ask for conditions once she agrees to take on the role of Mockingjay? Her decision is because she knows that if she didn’t do anything, the Capitol would still win in the long run and all of her attempts would have been in vain. She doesn’t want to call for a cease-fire, because either way, someone she loved would have ended up hurt or dead, and she figured fighting for a cause would be better than being a sitting duck. However, she still desperately wants to save people, thus asking for the conditions that she did. 

5. Discuss the feelings between Katniss and Coin. Why do they distrust each other from the beginning? How does Coin treat the conditions that Katniss demands for being the Mockingjay? Is Katniss really a threat to Coin’s power? Coin is sincerely threatened by Katniss. Katniss has influence on many people, and Coin only has influence on her people. Katniss has influence over several people across all of the districts and even within the Capitol. She really was a threat to Coin’s attempt at power. 

6. Compare the reactions of Katniss and Gale to the imprisonment and treatment of Katniss’s prep team, Venia, Octavia and Flavius. How does this reflect on both of them? What is the difference between the prep team and the filming crew - Cressida, Mesalla, Castor and Pollux - who are also from the Capitol? Gale can understand why they were held captive while Katniss is appalled at their treatment. While they were from the Capitol, they did not need to be treated under such harsh conditions. However, Katniss’ prep team is treated differently from the other TV film crew members because the TV crew members weren’t completely riddled by the Capitol’s influence while the prep team was fully immersed in it. 

7. What was necessary for Katniss to create a truly effective propo for the rebellion? Why didn’t the first idea work? Why does Haymitch say, “That is how a revolution dies?” After the taping in District 8, what does Katniss mean when he says, “I have a kind of power I never knew I possessed?” Katniss was never one to be scripted. She needed her own influence in order to make the right choices. When she was faking it, it never came off as sincere. But, when she was being her true self, she was able to touch a lot of people in the long run. Katniss eventually realizes that a lot of people are watching her and counting on her to be the face of the rebellion. 

8. Discuss the role of television propaganda in today’s society and the techniques that are used to influence our thinking. How do these techniques compare to those used by the Capitol and the rebels in Mockingjay? It may be because it’s late, but I’m not entirely sure. It’s drilled in us that things are bad for us, like smoking is bad for you. Candy will eventually rot out your teeth. These are all things we believe to be true because of what is told to us on a near daily basis. I believe the same goes for the propos they filmed. They want to see Katniss in action because they believed it would keep those still in the fight wanting to fight for the justice they has people and humans deserved. 

9. Why did Plutarch cover up Katniss and Gale’s insubordination in District 8 during the taping? What is the effect of the propo on the rebellion in other districts? Why are the propos so vital to the rebellion? What affect does Katniss and the Mockingjay symbolism have on those fighting against the Capitol and those in the Capitol? In all honesty, I don’t think the propos had the effect that they were hoping for. I think Plutarch was so into his idea of entertainment, especially as Head Gamemaker, that he kept up the charade because he didn’t know what else to do. However, since the Districts appear to be so spaced out from each other that it akes days upon days to get from one to the other, that they want the world to see. Almost like a news story. 

10. Discuss the role of music in this book. What is the signifiance of the Hanging Tree song? How many ways does the song play a part in the story? How does it connect Katniss and Peeta to their past and their future? Research the song Strange Fruit sung by Billie Holiday and discuss its similarities and differences to Katniss’s song. The Hanging Tree is about death and trying to find purpose in the death that makes it most significant and why Katniss relates so closely to it. 

11. Discuss the changing nature of the relationship between Katniss and Gale. What does Gale say is the only way I get your attention? Did Katniss ever love Gale the way he wants her to love him? Does he truly love her? I think Katniss and Gale loved the idea of each other, but they weren’t right for each other. They had things in common, such as being responsible for their families at such young ages when they should have been enjoying their childhoods, but ultimately, they had to grow up very quickly. But Gale was always going to be onto bigger things, whether that have been in District 12 or otherwise. Did they love each other? I’m sure of it, but not in the way that people wanted them to leave each other. 

12. Discuss the changing nature of Prim’s role in the story, as she grows older. Identify times when Prim helps Katniss when no one else can. Prim is the only constant in Katniss’ life that isn’t changing. Obviously physically she is, but Prim has always been a place of solace for Katniss. Katniss would do anything, including dying, for her. However, Prim is quickly growing up just liek Katniss had no choice. She has seen a lot due to her duties as their mother’s assistant as a healer, and that can make anyone of any age weary of things. 

13. Why do the rebels decide to rescue Peeta? Discuss the effects of the hijacking of Peeta’s brain. Discuss Katniss’s comment, “It’s only now that he’s been corrupted that I can fully appreciate the real Peeta.” What is the significance of the pearl she keeps? Katniss holds onto the pearl because it is the constant reminder of what Peeta was like before the hijacking. Peeta was subjected to having his memories altered with the use of tracker venom, and within that, he began associating Katniss with fear and loathing instead of love. But, the rebels rescue Peeta because they know it’s the only thing that Katniss would have wanted, and so that she would continue her reign as the mockingjay. 

14. Why are Finnick and Johanna important to Katniss? discuss her relationship to each of them and how they help her prepare for the final fight. What is the effect of Finnick’s propo about his treatment by President Snow. Johanna and Finnick are the only two people in District 13 who understand fully what she has gone through with the Games. However, Johanna and Finnick were subjected more as victors than Katniss was ever able to endure. The rebellion ultimately kept her from experiencing the fates that they had after their victory in their Games. They keep each other focused on the final plan, and every one of them is on the same page, helpnig each other through the difficulties. Finnick’s propo confessing what had happened to him over the years after his Games ultimately lead a lot of the Capitol, and those not in the know in the Districts to completely change their minds about President Snow, ultimately forcing him to hide. 

15. When Katniss learns of the work Gale is doing with Beetee, using the psychology of trapping as much as the mechanics, she says to Gale, “Seems to be crossing some kind of line.” Gale’s reply is that they are “following the same rule book President Snow used.” Do the ends in this battle justify the means, as Gale seems to imply? He’s thinking of an “eye for an eye”, and while I agree with him to a certain extent, there had to be a line drawn. The whole point of the rebellion was to get away from their current conditions, and Gale was thinking like a Capitol citizen as opposed to that of a far away district. But, his plan works, and it works so well that Katniss actually loses her sister when one of Beetee and Gale’s designs ends up in the Capitol battle. 

16. Why is it so hard for Katniss to accept Gale’s idea for trapping the workers inside the Nut. What does she mean when she says to the wounded man in the square, “I”m tired of being a piece in their games? How many ways does the invasion of the Capitol remind Katniss of the Games? Katniss is, as she always had been, a piece in a game. Whether it was the Capitol or District 13, Katniss was being used and she knew it. However, because of what happened to both her father and Gale’s in a mine explosion, she couldn’t help but feel guilty because of what it was like in the mines in their district. 

17. Discuss Katniss’s feelings of guilt and insecurity when confronting Peeta. What makes her say, “Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful. Manipulative. Deadly?” What makes her think the worst of herself. What she has done up until this point makes her feel this way about herself. She believes that countless people have died because of her, either indirectly or directly by her own hands. She hates that about herself, and it’s once again a ploy either from the Capitol or 13. But, because Peeta sees her as a threat for the majority of the book, she believes he’s actually seeing the true version of herself which isn’t true. 

18. What are Coin’s motives in ordering Peeta to join Katniss’s squad in the Captiol? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having him on the squad? When Boggs transfers the holo to Katniss, why does he say, “Don’t trust them?” Whom he does he mean? Coin sent Peeta because she truly believed that he would lose whatever hold he had on his mind and kill her. In the beginning, there was no advantage, but eventually I think they realized he might be helpful once they got to Snow’s mansion as he had been inside of it before and during his capture. 

19. Do you believe it was the rebels who killed the children with the exploding parachutes? If so, how does that make you feel about whether this was justified as a means of winning the war? It’s too much of a coincidence for it not to be the rebels, which is disgusting. They were willing to harm children, which the entire point of the rebellion was to keep helpless children out of harm’s way. And in the end, they lost several of their own people. 

20. Why does Paylor allow Katniss to enter the rooms where Snow is being held? Does she know that Snow will reveal to Katniss the role of the rebels in Prim’s death? Did Snow tell Katniss the truth? Snow did tell Katniss the truth. He said himself that he’d never lie to her, and I truly believe that. He was always honest and forthcoming with her since the first book. However, I think Paylor had some sort of inkling of Coin’s intentions, and wanted Katniss to hear it directly from the source as opposed from someone else, where she was less likely to believe it to be the truth. 

21. Why did Katniss vote for another Hunger Games? To save the lives of more people? Or did she secretly anticipate sabotaging the plan? I’m not sure. This is what confuses me. She, more than anyone else, wanted to see the end of the Games. She mentioned this quite a bit over the course of the three books within the series. It goes back to Gale and the two wrongs don’t make a right bit. 

22. Why does Katniss assassinate Coin? Does she do it to avenge Prim, or because she believes it is for the greater good of the country, or both? How does Katniss escape retribution for Coin’s death? I believe it was both - she wanted the revenge for her sister’s death that Coin obviously did on purpose to get a rise out of Katniss, but also because she knew that if Coin was still in control, nothing would have really changed. She was the same, if not worse, than Snow. 

23. Gale tells Peeta, when they are hiding out in the Capitol, that Katniss will pick whichever one of them she can’t survive without. In the end, why is that one Peeta and not Gale? First of all, Katniss would never have been able to get over what Gale did in the Capitol by killing her sister. But because she and Gale were too alike in the longrun. Peeta was the calm to her storm. 

[nightowlfandom]

Billy Loomis And Stu Macher x Reader- Our Favorite Girl (Slight gore warning)

CHECK OUT MY MASTERLIST HERE!

Leggo!

...(Trigger warning, stabby stab)

“Hey newbie!” 

You looked up from your textbook to find Stu Macher prancing up to you. With a polite smile, you greeted him.

“Hi Stuart.” you said. “How are you?”

“Hey! I said you didn’t have to be so ‘oooh hi Stuart I’m so prim and proper.’ “ he laughed out loud. “We’re friends aren’t we?” 

“I guess so.” you laughed nervously. “ Um...what’s up?”

“I’m havin’ a party and you’re coming!”

“Parties?” You frowned. “I-uh...” you wanted to reject the idea. You hated parties and your parents would probably blow a fuse if they knew what was going on around town. ‘Stuart, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not, kitten?” he winked. “Afraid to be seen with little ol’ me?” there was a darkness behind his words that you couldn’t ignore. “Don’t like being out after dark?”

“I’m not the partying type is all.” you shrugged. “If you hadn’t noticed, I’m not the most popular person around here.” you stared down at your shoes. “I just don’t wanna ruin your party. I’m the last person you wanna be seen with.”

“It’d make me real happy, kitten.” he stepped forward and slipped his fingertips under your chin and made you look up. “Please? Just for a few minutes.”

Call it weakness, but you couldn’t say no to him.

“Okay.” you smiled lightly. “I’ll go”

“Great! Don’t worry, it’ll be super memorable.” he winked as he skipped off. 

Later on, you were walking to your locker only to bump into Adam. Typical bully. “Hey Y/N. Heard you were going to Macher’s party tonight...you gonna wear a dress for me?”

“No.” you answered curtly. “It’s amazing how you don’t seem to have anything better to do other than shove your nose into my business.” you hugged your books to your chest. “Can I go now?.”

“Hey...is there a problem?” you turned around to find Billy Loomis stalking up to you. You had seem him a handful of times but never actually talked to him before. “You...where do I know you from?”

“I sit behind you in English. We had a project together once.” you replied sheepishly. “Stuart forces me to sit between him and his girlfriend at lunch when they’re fighting. You talk to me from time to time...”

“Stuart...” he raised an eyebrow. “You mean Stu?”

“mhm! You probably don’t remember me because I never reply...” you nodded. 

“You goin’ to his party or somethin’?”

“He asked me to go.” you trailed off. “You’re going too, right?”

“ Why? Excited to meet me there?”“ he smirked, totally ignoring Adam at this point. 

“I mean...” you stared down at your books. “I was hoping someone I’d know would be there.”

Billy raised an eyebrow at you. You gave off a shy aura and for some reason he was into that. He and Stu had been planning a massacre, and they were gonna blame that damned Sydney Prescott. It was the perfect crime. 

“Hm...I’ll see you there.” he winked at you, then sent a death-bringing glare at Adam. “Problem, handsome?” he sneered as he passed the athlete.

... at the party

“Not even three hours in and I have to hide...” you cursed yourself out. “Damn asshole...!” 

Adam was informed that you had arrived and was looking for you, shit!

You ran into the kitchen, losing your breath. “Billy?” 

The suspect in question whipped around. Billy was holding what you assumed was the house phone and instantly hung it up. “Hey...”

“Am I glad to see you.” you sighed.

“Somethin wrong?” 

Billy was in the middle of executing his plan, but for some reason he couldn’t help but want to talk to you. 

“Adam is looking for me.” you sighed. “Could I...stay here with you? Please?”

Billy smiled, darting out his tongue to run across his bottom lip. You were absolutely adorable. “I have a better idea.” he smirked, walking up to you. “Why don’t we send him a little message?”

“You have a girlfriend.” you put a hand on Billy’s chest. “I c-can’t.”

“Not anymore...she dumped me for Randy.” he tusked. ”Figures right?”

“Well...that’s her fault...you’re pretty cool.” you bit your lip.

“So...” Billy tilted your head up towards you. “Let me-”...he gently kissed your lips. While it felt wrong, you melted into him. He held the side of your face in his hand. Sidney wasn’t your friend, not by a longshot, but you still respected her. The fact that Billy was so willing to kiss you, like this.

“For once...stop worrying about other people.” he mumbled against your lips. “Just live in the moment...shit I know what I want...you know what you want...so act on it damnit.”

“Are we still talking about getting Adam off me back or-”

“Shush...don’t think.”

“Kinda hard to when your girlfriend is in the other room”

“Shut up.” he shushed you, tightening his arms around you. You kissed him back with just as much urgency. How would the others react, seeing this...seeing you. Billy backed you up against the counter. Before it could get any farther, you both heard screaming, girlish screaming. 

“What the hell was that?” you asked, feeling your heart race.

“Stay here.” Billy ran in the direction of the noise, leaving you to stand there in terror.

You could hear screams and cries for help, followed by what sounded like gleeful laughter. You were left frozen in place as a man with a mask on his face kicked open the kitchen door. 

You immediately braced yourself with a kitchen knife.

“Stay back!” you warned. “I will cut you!”

“Easy kitten, I’m not gonna kill ya.”

Call it ignorance. Call it instinct, but there was something familiar about the way this stranger spoke to you.

“What did you just say?” you dared ask this man. “Did you just call me kitten?”

“You’re naive, childish...and adorable...like a little kitty cat.” the way he laughed under the mask led you to believe he was laughing with his tongue stuck out.

There was only one person that you knew who spoke like that. You slowly lowered the knife and walked up to him cautiously. The figure didn’t move in the slightest. You were standing toe to toe with him. 

You cautiously raised the mask only revealing the bottom half of the strangers face...only they weren’t a stranger.

“Stu.” you concluded.

“....You said my name.” he flirted.

“Care to explain?”

“In a bit...got something to take care of.” he straightened his mask again before disappearing again.

It was only less than a minute before Stu came quite literally crawling back into the kitchen.

Stu doubled over, holding his stomach as you rushed over to his side. “Stu?” you put a hand on his forehead. “Stu, please don’t be dead!” you winced. “It’s okay, you’re okay.” That damn Sidney...she must have had something to do with this.

“Y/N...it hurts.” Stu moaned in pain. “Hold me?” 

You wasted no time in gathering him to the best of your abilities. He rested his head in your knee. You hummed thoughtfully, shushing him while you used his sweater to apply pressure to his stab wound.

“Y/N, are you sure you aren’t an angel?” He shamelessly flirted, smiling through his pain.

“No, I’m not.” you giggled. ”Save your energy.”

“I’d have more if you just gave me those lips of yours...” he winked. Just to shut him up, you kissed his forehead. 

“Not what I meant, but works for me.”

 As you chided the poor boy, Sydney ran into the kitchen, screaming at the top of her lungs while Billy also wounded stumbled behind. 

“Billy??” you gasped in horror. Seeing you must have caused him to loose his footing, because he slowed his movements. You laid Stu on his back and urged him keep his sweater over his wound. 

You scrambled to your feet, eyeing Sidney with a glare no one had ever seen you wear.

“Y/N! You’ve got to believe me! They’ve been the ones doing this.”

“I find that really hard to believe that when you were just standing over Stu with a bloody knife.” you seethed. “Your own boyfriend? Really?” you dared step closer.

“Y/N! They’re manipulating you!” she began crying. “You have to see it!” She was obviously hysterical.

“Then give me the knife.” you faked calm, cautiously stepping towards her. “Give me the knife...and we can-” you stopped yourself. You looked over at Billy, praying he wouldn’t be mad. “We’ll call the cops.” you you held your hand out.

“WHAT?” Billy seethed. You avoided his gaze. Hopefully he wouldn’t sense your fear. 

“Trust me...” you said, just barely above a whisper. You were mostly talking to Billy, but had to make it look like it was directed at her. “We can get out of this...”

Sidney (very stupidly) outstretched her hand, the one that was holding the knife. Once it was within your reach, you grabbed her wrist, and grabbed the blade with your free hand, throwing it to the side. You tackled to to the floor and held her down.

“Crazy bitch.” you mumbled. She began thrashing, and screaming bloody murder. You were eventually able to get the best of her. “Whoever is the least dead...COPS...NOW!” You struggled as Sidney screamed. “This bitch is out of her mind!.”

“I have a better idea.” A seemingly fine, and now very much not dead Stu rose to his feet, a sick smile plastered on his face. The knife had slid over to him and you hadn’t even realized. You were too focused on keeping Sidney on the floor.

Suddenly you were yanked back into Billy’s arms as a sharp object came down from above, plunging through Sidney’s chest. 

“Oh my god!” you buried your head into Billy’s shirt, trying to block out the terrible sounds you heard the terrible sounds of skin ripping. 

“Shhh it’s over babe.” He shushed you. “It’s okay.” he stroked your hair with his bloody hand. Stu laughed manically as he wiped the sweat off his face. 

“Some party huh.” Stu cackled. He wasted no time in sandwiching you between himself and Billy.

“You had us thinking you’d betray us, Kitten.” Stu dug his head into your shoulder.

“Y/N would never do that to us...she’s our good girl.”

“You guys are-”

“Absolutely.”

“And this party was-”

“Smart girl.”

“And now that you know our little secret, we’re never letting you go, kitten!” Stu laughed. 

“And if you tell anyone, we’ll have no choice but to take you down with us...but you won’t do that to us, will you?” Billy asked, nuzzling his head into your neck.

[melohax]

Why Basil isn’t “evil” or knowingly manipulative:

Warning: Major MAJOR Omori Spoilers Ahead

When people aren’t saying Sunny is a psychopath who deserves to be in jail, they’re saying Basil is an evil obsessive mastermind who tricked poor dissociating Sunny into defacing his sister’s corpse.

I’ve already explained before why I disagree with either interpretation but I haven’t gone in depth with Basil’s character. I’ll write about why I don’t think Basil is this dark yandere intentionally manipulating Sunny into dependance on him.

Basil is a tragic character with bad abandonment issues who legitimately wants to help the people he loves most. Unfortunately he also happens to have a broken “normalcy compass” (common in abused and/or neglected children). This means his well intentioned actions are often more harmful than helpful.

Aubrey says during a part of the real world segment that outside our main friend group, she’s always been an outcast. I think it’s no accident that we see in Sunny’s memories that she was the one who introduced Basil to the friend group, implying he’s also always been an outcast like her.

With Aubrey though, we can attribute her outcast status to things like living in the poorest neighborhood in Faraway town while also living in the visibly most worn-down house of said poor neighborhood.

Aubrey has a hoarding alcoholic mother that neglects her and a strict father (Aubrey casually mentions as a kid that her father is weirdly strict about her appearance) who ends up abandoning her anyway. Aubrey’s hot temper doesn’t help either and so even though she manages to be popular and well-loved among her hooligan friends, the rest of the town judges her harshly as if she’s at fault for her horrible life circumstances.

Then we have Basil. Basil’s economic circumstances are visibly better than Aubrey’s and he lives in a nice house surrounded by pretty flowers. Yet even with everything around him (even his appearance) looking so prim and cute, he’s still treated as an outcast.

We know that mentally ill children are way too often shunned by their peers and the adults surrounding them for being “weird” even though it’s not their fault that they have different brain chemistry. Without counting the bullying Aubrey carried out with her friends, Basil was already being ostracized by people outside the main friend group. In one of Sunny’s memories, Basil tells them that he’d always been alone before meeting them.

This lets us know that there’s always been “something” that’s made Basil unpopular with almost everyone. We see hints of why in the contrast between Dreamworld Basil and Real Basil. Whereas Dreamworld Basil is well-spoken, charismatic and cheerful, Real Basil is a nervous wreck that is prone to panic attacks and bouts of screaming. We could say he’s this way cus of what he did to Mari but from knowing Basil’s always been an unliked outcast, I get the feeling he’s not like this only from the Mari situation.

Then we have the probable root of his very obvious abandonment issues: Basil’s parents’ are completely absent save for some pictures in his home. Sunny himself has never seen Basil’s parents in person. Datamining apparently suggests his parents abandoned him when he was a toddler. To top it off, having a constantly ill and mostly unresponsive grandma as his only remaining family doesn’t help with his mental health issues at all, either. No wonder the kid’s clingy.

There’s also the caretaker at his house, who is introduced as Basil’s caretaker, not his sick grandmothers. Basil is at the age where he can legally emancipate himself yet we’re shown he still needs a caretaker to look after him. That Basil needs looking after kinda says to me that he has issues he can’t be left alone with.

So all these paragraphs were to explain the evidence that point to Basil likely being mentally ill since before Mari’s death. Now we get to the parts that make me think he’s been suffering from psychosis even as a kid.

12 year old Basil doesn’t seem capable of understanding the concept of Sunny being angry and accidentally shoving Mari down the stairs. He seems unable to consider the possibility that it was an argument between siblings just at the wrong place at the wrong time, as if that just can’t happen. To Basil, it HAS to be “Something” maliciously causing the incident and/or forcing Sunny to do it.

About the Mari incident and Basil’s fucked up idea: I think a lot of fans forget that first, not only was Basil a 12 year old kid back then (not even a teen yet) but also a lot of the reasoning behind many of Basil’s most important actions seems to be rooted in delusions he genuinely believes.

The same thing happens when the photo album was scribbled over: in his mind, there was no way any of his friends (*cough* Sunny) could have done this. It had to be the same “Something” attached both to him and Sunny that decided to ruin the photos. Basil doesn’t seem to remember doing anything to the album at all.

We could say all of this isn’t psychosis but metaphors for extreme denial instead, like the way Sunny decides things that remind him of The Truth don’t exist (like the closet door).

I don’t think this is all there is to it, tho.

Basil throughout the game tries to guide Sunny to the truth both in Headspace and that the time in his bathroom where he tries to talk to Sunny about the Something following them. Too afraid to hear him out, Sunny runs away instead while Basil screams for Sunny not to leave him again.

This shows imo that Basil’s brand of denial isn’t the same as Sunny’s. Sunny escapes into his own head and pretends everything involving the incident is either perpetually frozen in a time before anything bad happened or that it simply does not exist. He’s all about repression and suppression.

Basil on the other hand, acknowledges that the incident happened but he saw a Something committing the act instead of Sunny himself.

Then, the final battle against Basil confirms to me that Basil’s delusions and hallucinations go beyond denial of Sunny’s guilt.

Even when the truth is finally out in the open for the both of them, Basil still insists it’s “Something” that did everything. He attacks Sunny because he genuinely believes he is attacking Something evil and that this will protect Sunny from it. The most important detail to me: Basil slashes or gouges Sunny’s eye out specifically on the side where Somethings eye peeks out from Mari’s hair.

Saddest of all, we’re never shown if Basil ever managed to realize that there was never a monster doing everything. Although we are shown the burden of the secret is gone in that last scene between Sunny and Basil, we don’t know if Basil ever understood that Sunny wasn’t forced by any monster to kill Mari.

There’s more that can be said but this post already got long af lol. My conclusion is that Basil isn’t some evil yandere mastermind. He’s a sad wreck of a teenager who’s always struggled with mental illness, trying to do the best he can for those he loves while being plagued by nearly constant delusions and hallucinations.

Tricking his best friend/love interest isn’t part of Basil’s modus operandi when a lot of times he can barely tell what’s real and what isn’t.

[hyenahunt]

Secret Service: EPILOGUE - 4

Writer: Akira

Season: Winter

Characters: Ibara, Kohaku, Madara, Hiyori, Jun, Nagisa

Proofreading: Remy (JP) & Skyress (ENG)

Translation: haranami & hyenahunt

Jun: That's right, Ibara... You oughta trust everyone around you more, too. C'mon, open up to us whenever you need it.

Content Warning!

Contains casual mention of suicide.

Ibara: Oukawa-shi. Why don’t you cast Mikejima-shi aside and take control over Double Face just as you described?

As the newly-reborn Double Face, cleansed of Mikejima’s colors, you could sign a contract with us — with Eden.

I guarantee that doing so would be to your advantage. I heard through the grapevine that the SS finals place heavy importance on the bonds you’ve formed with other units…

That is to say, the ensemble you’ve created with other idols.

Kohaku: Haha. We’re not too good at that kinda stuff, but I’m afraid I’ll hafta turn you down.

I can’t turn my back on this dumbass just yet… Even though it’d be a lot easier t’get rid of all the things I don’t need and all the obstacles in my way.

Even if the Double Face side of me was alright with doin’ that, the Crazy:B side of me sure wouldn’t be. We four sing for the people who’ve been ostracized from the world of the prim and proper.

Ibara: Is that so? I fear those two faces of yours will grow to detest each other one day. If discord arises within you, your own self-destruction will be all that awaits.

Madara: ……

Ibara: Oh, my. It seems like you’re itching to say, “I’ll protect you if it ever comes to that!” or something along those lines.

But do you really think you’re capable of doing so? You, a selfish, untrusting, brutish monster of a man?

You’re a filthy traitor. You truly put me through the wringer this time, Mikejima-shi.

Madara: It’s your fault for letting me fool you, but I guess you’d get mad at me if I told you that? I’m sooowwy!

Ibara: You’re absolutely infuriating… But that being said, you’re in the right this time. I made the mistake of getting too emotional and letting my guard down. Perhaps it would be unreasonable to take my anger out on you.

His Excellency and those two from Eve wouldn’t have gone through all those inconveniences were it not for my blunders.

Hiyori: It was no inconvenience to me. In fact, as friends of the same unit, I'd rather you share whatever burdens you may bear with all of us.

Jun: That's right, Ibara... You oughta trust everyone around you more, too. C'mon, open up to us whenever you need it.

You're not gonna put us off with it or anything, and we'll support you for sure.

Ibara: ……

Madara: Hahaha! You wanted to dig my grave, but you ended up digging your own! Eeevery single thing you’ve done lately has backfired on you, and it’s been a blast to watch ♪

Ibara: I’ll crush you with my own two hands… another time. I’ve made some gains, so I’ll be the bigger person and let you off with a laugh for now.

But rest assured that I’ll never forget this betrayal.

Hiyori: Ahaha! What a vengeful viper you are!

Ibara: One of the principles of business is to go through trial and error until you eliminate all remaining competition. The vengeful survive, and the lenient are the first to die.

We managed to avoid death this time, so I suppose I’ll chalk it up to good fortune.

Nagisa: …That’s right. We actually gained quite a lot.

Madara: …?! Nagisa-san!

Didn’t you get trapped in the basement of that abandoned temple?

The Gatekeeper had his subordinates monitor you 24/7, so there was no way you should’ve been able to escape.

Nagisa: …That’s correct. I obediently went along with it because I realized that I wasn’t “trapped,” I was simply being protected.

Madara: Protected?

Nagisa: …Apparently, I’m being targeted because I’m most likely to be Father’s successor. He was always taking on jobs that incurred people’s wrath, so he made quite a few enemies.

…His adversaries have been doing a range of hostile things — indeed, some of them are even trying to permanently silence me.

…The Gatekeeper, upon grasping the situation, decided to sequester me in a safe location for caution’s sake.

…At least, that’s what I believe. This is mere conjecture, but I’m sure the Gatekeeper wished to protect you for the same reasons, Ibara. You ran away and left me behind so quickly, though.

Ibara: I-I was simply making a strategic retreat!

If I had charged in alone, I would have died in vain! Instead, I chose to assemble my private army and come up with a plan to rescue you, Your Excellency!

I also received notice that His Highness Hiyori and company were behaving suspiciously in the vicinity. Believe me, I truly do hold you in high regard—

Nagisa: …Yes, I’m well aware of what type of person you are.

…You wouldn’t have been able to succeed and gain power were you of a different temperament.

…But truthfully, I wish you had tried to rescue me as single-mindedly as Hiyori-kun did, without a thought for your own safety or the consequences that would follow.

Hiyori: Heheh ♪ Ibara's light years behind me in terms of experience!

Nagisa: …I’m not trying to insist that one of you is right or wrong, though.

…Hiyori-kun went too far, and it’s not good that he implicated Jun as well. The answer that he arrived at wasn’t perfectly correct.

Jun: Nah, I mean, it wasn't a big deal to me. I'd even commit double suicide with Ohii-san if I had to.

Hiyori: Jun-kun, you idiot! You really must treasure your life more than that!

Jun: Wait, wasn't that a cool thing to say? How'd I just get scolded instead!?

Nagisa: …Fufu. People often look up to us as part of ES’s Big Three, calling us the perfect idols and such…

…But we’re still growing as well.

…This experience was useful simply for reminding us of that.

Madara: Nagisa-san. Sorry for interrupting while you’re looking all content, but would you mind going back to that temple basement?

I’m under orders to keep you inside there until the end of the preliminaries…

Even though I wish my job could’ve ended after I got you down there the first time.

The Gatekeeper must be getting sick and tired of me by now, so he’ll probably use your escape as an excuse to punish me.

He can consider this a breach of contract, after all.

Kohaku: Looks like the higher ups really are keepin’ their eyes on ya. Geez, how come everyone’s out for your blood?

Madara: I’m only reaping what I’ve sown. It sure has been rough, though — they’ve all been making it harder for me to do bad things and go against the rules.

But just as guns will never become obsolete, I’ll be able to survive as long as I make myself useful.

The Gatekeeper has been trying to distract me by taking Anzu-san hostage and stirring up strange rumors in Okinawa…

All so he can keep me at his beck and call.

He probably wants to gain control over me so he can use me as a handy little weapon before I grow dull.

I’ve been getting some behind-the-scenes support in exchange, though, so I’m not complaining. I mean, that’s what taking jobs is all about.

You make each other accomplish certain tasks, and in the end you both profit. That’s just how society works.

Nagisa: …Yes. At long last, I’ve come to understand the inner workings of society.

…I’ve grown a bit smarter and stronger yet again.

…That’s why I have no reason to resent you, Madara-kun. In fact, I should be thanking you.

…In the past, during the times of war, I was a member of the faction that caused your friends pain. That alone is reason enough for you to begrudge me.

…However, the cycle of revenge is as sorrowful as it is futile.

…I’d prefer it if we could put aside all the pain we’ve caused each other, along with any plots for vengeance, so that we may reset our relationship for a while.

…I want us to be on equal footing, you see. If you accept my offer, we’ll be able to have mutually beneficial exchanges.

Madara: ……

Nagisa: …But if you refuse, I’ll do everything in my power to crush you.

✦✦✦✦✦

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[abbacchiosbelt]

Excerpts for potential stories from my upcoming project, Royals & Rogues.

LISA LISA, THE KNIGHT ✩

“A lone knight stands in front of the throne room, eyes sharp. She was silent -her stature spoke for her. Her gaze never leaves you, making your skin prickle. Though you had been invited as part of the audience to the throne room, the knight spared you no clemency in her observation of you.

Your guide, Suzi Q, nudges you. “That’s Lisa Lisa,” she whispers. “Isn’t she incredible? No knight has ever bested her.” Suzi Q grins at you, lowering her voice. “And she’s so beautiful. Don’t you think?”

You swallow at the thought of being under a woman as powerful and intimidating as Lisa Lisa, averting your eyes from Suzi Q’s prying gaze and clearing your throat. Suzi Q giggles and stands back to attention next to you. You follow suit and stand straight up, glancing at the knight.

You swear Lisa Lisa is looking right through you - had she heard all of that... and had she seen how you hadn’t even been able to speak?”

PROSCIUTTO, THE MERCENARY ✧

The blonde man hisses as you put a rag to his wound, the cut bleeding through the rag faster than you can keep up. For the most part, the man is stoic, only letting out a few grunts of pain as you clean his wound. After a few more tense minutes, the bleeding starts to slow down and you’re able to get cloth wrapped around the injured area on his arm. When he sees you’ve backed away, he peers down at his arm and gives a slight nod.

“... Thanks.” He says, going to stand. Immediately, his legs wobble and he’s forced back into his seat. 

“Oh,” you mumble, hurrying to his side. He huffs, his lips curling into a frown. You know he won’t be going anywhere for a while. “You need to stay here. All that blood you lost is going to make you fatigued.” 

“I don’t have time for that.” The man says, but he doesn’t try to get up again. He leans back and closes his eyes, wincing when he moves his injured arm.

“I’ll get you something for that pain,” you say, already turning towards the cabinet where you kept your small collection of wine. It was better than nothing - it might help him take his mind off of it, at least. When you’ve poured him a small glass, you hand it to him before sitting down across from him with your own glass. “You’re welcome to stay here, but if you’d feel more comfortable, I can help you to the inn. It’s only a little ways from here.”

The man opens his eyes as he takes a sip, still leaning back and staring at the ceiling. “It’s best if I don’t stop in town,” he says, closing his eyes again. “I’ll keep out of your hair.”

JOTARO, THE LONELY PRINCE ✫

Ocean blue eyes gaze back at Jotaro as he stares at himself in the mirror, his crown thrown haphazardly to the floor. What did it matter, when he had lost everything? His friends, his wife, his daughter... At least he had the comfort of knowing they were alive and breathing. He’d pushed them away before they could get hurt, after all.

He was a dangerous man, or at least, he always attracted danger. There was no way he could have them close, yet Jotaro had been cruel to them. Isolation, coldness, leaving them for days at a time without word; it was no wonder they left.

And yet, he still craved the presence of another. Someone to hold close at night, to sit next to in his throne. Jotaro knew it would be selfish, but it had been years since he’d felt the warmth of another - he could be different this time.

He has to be.

ABBACCHIO, THE BUTLER ★

You take the sweet from the plate your butler, Abbacchio, is offering you with a prim smile. It was drizzled in sticky honey - almost unbearably sweet, but you couldn’t help but crave the treat from time to time. Abbacchio would demand them from the kitchen the second you even thought about one. He was a loyal man, responding with grace to even your most odd requests and quirks.

Abbacchio was the only butler to have stayed with you long-term. The two of you fit like two missing puzzle pieces - in private, you had a rapport that would be scandalous if the kingdom found out, but you couldn’t help it. He was magnetic. His soft lavender hair and his plump lips, the way his muscles shifted under the uniform he wore. You were well aware that he watched you the same way you watched him, yet neither of you had been bold enough to make a move.

Times like these, though... You thought about it.

You take a bite of the sweet, letting the sticky honey drip down your index finger before you place the treat back on the serving tray. “Oh,” you breath, mocking surprise at the mess. You press your index finger to your mouth and catch Abbacchio’s gaze, watching his eyes darken as you slowly suck the honey from your finger. “Oops.”

“Be more careful, or you’ll dirty your dress.” Abbacchio says, stern.

“Hm, and will you help me change?” You reply. His adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, no doubt thinking of the soft skin and curves that hid under your clothing.

DIAVOLO, THE EMPEROR ✦

The Emperor was the most feared man in all of the Kingdoms - he ruled with an iron fist; wrath over mercy, blood over anything else. To see Emperor Diavolo was to see Death itself. The man rarely showed his face, yet his people still yearned to see him. He was a horrible man, a tyrant to other territories, but he was their ruler that kept them fed and safe. Perhaps it was just tradition that made the people clamor for a sight of their Emperor. They wanted to see an heir, yet their ruler was a recluse.

That’s why the people rejoiced when they heard the Emperor was to conquer another territory - in it lived a heir that would be perfect for their Emperor. Emperor Diavolo’s closest confidant and retainer Doppio was buried in letters begging for the Emperor to consider the heir. 

Diavolo found his rage at his people’s audacity quelled once he gave their idea consideration - Perhaps it was time for him to settle down. The people didn’t need to know that Diavolo never planned on vacating the throne; the magic he sought to keep him alive indefinitely was so close he could taste it. Having someone to share that with wouldn’t be so bad.

BRUNO, THE ELF PRINCE ✺

You can only stare as the elven prince Bruno peruses your small herbs & potions shop, his opulent outfit standing out from the warm tones and greenery filling the room. He was beautiful, and you’d never seen anyone quite like him - you’d never seen an elf, for that matter. You’d heard through the grapevine that he was here as a foreign dignitary, but you expected him to be staying at the palace, not roaming around the shops in town.

Bruno approaches you and you quickly scramble to attention, nervously smiling at him.

“Tell me, do you sell any body care products here? I bought the loveliest scrub from another Kingdom over in a shop like this, and I’d love to sample something from your shop.” His voice is deep and smooth, catching you off guard. You aren’t sure why you expected something else. Bruno smiles while you think, his deep blue eyes never leaving your gaze. Elves were known for their intensity, and Bruno was proving the anecdote true.

“Uh, y-yes,” You say, stumbling over your words. You step from behind the counter and walk Bruno towards a small section filled with different ointments and scrubs that he must have accidentally passed by. You pick up a blueberry and vanilla scented hair oil, tapping the lid. “This one is pretty popular, but we have other products as well. We, uh, I also make custom orders if you have something in mind.”

Bruno hums and takes the product from your hand, uncorking the lid and sniffing it gently. His eyes light up. “Wonderful,” he says, putting the lid back. He looks down at the rest of the wares and carefully picks through them, selecting a peach and honey scented body scrub. Again, he smells the product, and sighs happily. “Do you make these yourself, then?” You nod. “You’re incredible, a talent like this is so often overlooked.”

You feel your face grow warm, Bruno’s candid compliment making your stomach do flips. Were all elves this forward, or was it just Bruno, their prince?

JOLYNE, THE FORMER HEIR ✫

Two loud voices sound from behind front desk of the inn, alerting you that potential guests had arrived. You smooth down your uniform and walk out with a smile, ready to greet the guests before a loud voice interrupts you—

“Dad can kiss my ass.” Jolyne crosses her arms, staring down her mom.

“Jolyne,” Marina sighs, frowning at her daughter’s colorful use of words. “It’s not proper to speak like that.” The older woman turns to you, looking apologetic. “I apologize for my daughter’s language. She knows better.”

“Gods, you act like I’m a child. I’m 22, mom.” Jolyne replies. She watches her mom’s face fall, feeling a twinge of regret. She sighs. “Sorry, mom. And sorry...”

She waits for you to say your name, raising an eyebrow when you relay it to her. Jolyne repeats it, the name sounding like something special when she says it. “Sorry again. Being a former heiress and all, people tend to react weird. And it is my Dad’s fault, so...” Marina gives her daughter a look. “Sorry, I’m rambling. So, that’s why we need to stay at your inn. No home, and all that. But lots of money, that’s the least the bastard could have given us.” Jolyne grins, giggling when her Mom lets out a sigh. She leans forward on the counter, staring you down with bright chartreuse eyes.

“So, ya got room for a former princess and disinherited heir?”

THE SWORDS-FOR-HIRE ✵

Risotto pulls his cloak tighter around himself, shivering in the cold air of the night. It wasn’t often that the broad man felt chilled to his bone, but tonight was proving more than he or his teammates could handle. It was only a few more miles to the nearest inn... If they couldn’t scrounge up enough coin from their pockets, they could at least huddle together in the stables. 

Formaggio grunts from his left side, barely visible under his layers of clothing. “Three talented guys like us and we’re stuck dragging our asses out in the cold like this? Ridiculous.”

Illuso pipes up from Risotto’s right side, practically glued to Risotto’s side to suck up some of the warmth his body exuded. “You’re right, for once.”

“Hey,” Formaggio starts, glaring at Illuso.

“Enough.” Risotto says - it’s enough to have Formaggio back down and Illuso shrink back down into his scarf. Risotto knows as well as Formaggio and Illuso that their situation is far from ideal, but it was the best they could do with Risotto’s family name following them. He was marked with evil - or so the people said - his dark sclera and family history making him a pariah. The fact that Illuso and Formaggio had decided to travel with him still surprised him, and he was grateful for their presence. 

Hopefully, the inn would take pity on them - or at least be intimidated enough by Risotto’s presence that the trio could afford a room.

MISTA, THE RETAINER ★

Mista closes his eyes, leaning back against the cool wall outside of the castle baths. His back is tight from today’s work, but he’d have to wait until you finished bathing. Mista didn’t mind, of course - it was his duty as your retainer to protect you. He just wished that things were different... That he could be in the bath with you, washing your back and sharing an intimate moment together.

He smacks his head against the back of the wall. He shouldn’t be thinking like that - no matter how deeply he loved you, he wouldn’t ever let his romantic feelings come before his duty as your protector. Mista swore to go to the ends of the Earth for you, even if his actual vows were a little more formal. 

Still, he wondered if there was a chance - no matter how small - that you felt the same. The upcoming journey to another kingdom would see you and Mista spending more time together than usual. To Mista, it meant he finally had a chance.

Little did he know that your thoughts were nearly the same as his on the other side of the wall. 

[ko-fanatic]

Blood, Guts and Chocolate Cake

Rating: Mature

Fandom: Danganronpa

Pairings: IshiMondo

Summary:

Mondo Owada, the Ultimate Bodyguard, is entering a four year contract with one Kiyotaka Ishimaru, the Ultimate Idol. It makes sense, two Ultimates put together for their high school careers, and he could use the steady pay check to send home to Daiya; those medical bills were a bitch, and it was his fault the accident happened in the first place.

It was supposed to be easy, guard the cutesy, clean-cut idol from perverts and stalkers, no big deal! However, the world's perception of Kiyotaka Ishimaru was far different than what the young idol had become. During the first few months before even stepping into Hope's Peak, he's more worried for the young boy than he's ever been for anyone before.

TW: Alcohol, and eating disorders (both restrictive behaviours and B/P), mentions of disability, underage sex/sexualisation, drugs

The hallways of this damn building were too long.

That was definitely the first impression Mondo got, being led down said monotonous hallways by a young woman with an expression which implied that she simply wasn’t paid enough to care about small talk. Not that he had any room to judge, hands shoved in his pockets and a permanent scowl on his face. He might’ve been going to review an upcoming contract, but the best thing about his position was that there was no need to be all smiley; Hope Peak’s choice for Ultimate Bodyguard was all the credentials he needed at this point. 

Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated by how long he would be working with these record label types. He couldn’t deny it made sense - hire the Ultimate Bodyguard to protect the Ultimate Idol, sound logic; it was just that a four year contract was… a lot. That wasn’t even thinking about the fact he was going to be glued to the guy’s hip for all that time, having to get along no matter what. Would he even have time to make friends of his own? Doubtful. Still, a paycheck was a paycheck, and he’d have to go to some highschool anyway, so kill two birds with one stone. 

He’d never had an issue smiling through vapid celebrity bullshit before. It was going to be an easy ride, too; from what he knew, the guy was as prim and proper as they came. Real boy next door image. Easy to take care of, and mainly just telling overzealous fans to back the fuck up. Simple. 

His inner monologue was broken by an abrupt stop, the woman only sending a bored glance his way before knocking. The door was pushed ajar with the quiet muttering of “Mondo Owada to see you, gentlemen”, before he was unceremoniously shepherded into the room. 

It was just as big as you’d expect from a building like this, with a gargantuan desk and several business-types sitting across from him. They were even backlit by a floor-to-ceiling window showing Tokyo in all its glory - like some cheesy ass movie. Still, taking a cursory glance around the room, he couldn’t see anyone fitting the description of “teen idol”, let alone Ishimaru himself...

“Owada-san, good afternoon!” One of the men greeted cheerfully, clasping his hand in one of those firm yet professional grips he’d gotten used to since rising up in his career, “My name is Shiro Kamei, and these gentlemen are Kenshin Aki and Yutaka Hayashida. We’re Kiyotaka Ishimaru-san’s managers.”

“Well, that answers one question,” He shrugged, not sugarcoating his words, but not being as rude as he certainly could be, “But I don’t see Ishimaru-san around. If I’m meeting with anyone, I personally think it should be with the guy I’m gonna be with 24/7, for the next four years.”

“Of course!” Kamei-san chirped, far too cheerful for his taste, especially considering the stench of ass-kissing that followed it. Not sincere, but too many meetings like this one had trained him to swallow down the vomit that threatened to spew from the fakeness of it all. 

“Ishimaru-san will be here soon,” Hyashida-san intoned, temperament a bit more palatable than Mr Chipper, “He’s a rather busy young man, being an idol of his caliber. Dance practice is just wrapping up, any minute now, so we can use this time to have a little chat - go through expectations for your role and such.”

Mondo managed to stop himself raising an eyebrow at that. Like he wasn’t the best bodyguard in Japan. He guessed it was something needed for a job of this sort, not temping or whatever, and so he settled down for a bunch of timewasting jabber. 

Or, it was, until a certain request caught his attention.

“We also expect him to be kept out of, well… trouble…”

“Thought he was a cutesy, innocent kid?” He frowned, sitting a little straighter in his seat, attention piqued, “I’m guessing he’s the kind to get mouth-breathers and creeps, huh?”

The three men looked a little more caged at that remark. A couple cleared throats, a few tugged collars and cuffs, awkward air. 

“Yes, there have been incidents, but nothing previous security couldn’t handle,” Aki-san informed, “The issue is a recent change in attitude. Nothing much, but tugging on the leash more than necessary, if you understand my meaning.”

He did. Part of him wanted to object to the idea that a sixteen year old needed to be kept on a leash at all, but idol shit was full of PR. 

“So boy next door is going through a little rebellion, and you want me to make sure it stays on the DL,” He shrugged, “Got it.”

“I wouldn’t put it like that, Owada-san -!”

Kamei-san was interrupted by several short, sharp raps, door opening to reveal the man of the hour. 

Ishimaru was pretty, no denying that. His eyes were what really caught everyone’s attention; bright, wide and doll-like. That said nothing about his facial structure - cheekbones and jawline and everything prominent - or his barbie doll-esque frame. He was probably one of the slimmest people Mondo had ever seen, at least in person. Well, and outside of a hospital. The media went absolutely gaga over his thigh gap, his lithe abs and delicate hip bones. 

He personally prefers a little more meat on the bones, a little less fragile, but he guessed it was an idol’s job to appeal to the masses. 

“Good morning, everybody!” He beams, but honestly? The sunshine emanating from him is a lot warmer - a lot more real - than Kamei-san. He actually had to take a second to come back to himself, knocked off equilibrium. The power of the Ultimate Idol, for you. 

“Kiyotaka, this is Mon -”

“Mondo Owada,” He cuts in, wanting to introduce himself, cut the preamble, and offers his hand to shake, “‘M gonna be the one guarding you.”

Ishimaru gives him a once over, and for two seconds he thinks he sees a smirk pull at the corner of the young man’s lips, but he soon brushes it off as a trick of the light. 

“Thank you so much for accepting our proposition, Owada-san!” He grins, and Mondo hates his little bi heart at that moment. Ishimaru clasps his hand. He can’t help but feel that they’re too calloused for a pretty boy idol, but he doesn’t dwell on it, “I hope we get along well!”

He’s loud, but the words are sweet, and Mondo relaxes a little bit. Easy job, as he thought. 

---

Mondo was proven wrong in a matter of three days into his contract. He’d certainly been proven wrong far quicker than that before; however, in terms of sheer what-the-fuckery-is-this, this situation took the cake. 

The train journey to the first tour destination wasn’t bad, if tedious. Kid spent all his time reading, and Mondo had no clue how he didn’t puke all over the place from staring at the pages. He’d looked at his phone for about five minutes and was ready to lie down and accept his death. 

… Trains were not his prefered method of transportation…

Ishimaru had passed on the sandwiches on offer, but so did Mondo. No big deal. Those things sucked ass, and maybe the kid was more nauseous than he seemed. Wish that was him, considering he was pretty sure his face was pale green. 

Settling into the hotel was fine, as was the tech set up in the venue. Stress emanating off everyone, but pretty normal as far as that shit was concerned. Ishimaru was dragged between costume fittings, tech run throughs and other things that just passed in a blur. 

No, what really proved to Mondo that the pretty boy idol was going through an actual rebellious phase, was what he walked in on at 11:56pm, night three. 

He’d gotten up due to a serious inability to sleep. Seriously, did he manage to get jet lag without even switching time zones? Nah, didn’t work like that. Maybe it was second hand adrenaline from the performance being tomorrow. Ishimaru might not make his kind of music, but the guy had this infectious enthusiasm for it all. He’d be backstage, too; premo location to see everything up close. He couldn’t help the slight smile on his face, in spite of how tired he felt. 

Any fleeting, fuzzy feelings disappeared, however, when he walked into the main area of their hotel suite. 

There stood Ishimaru, back to him, very much not dressed for bed. His jeans were so tight they looked spray painted on, not to mention the sequined top that cut off to show a tantalising flash of milky pale skin.

“Where’re you off to?” 

His question seemed to startle the kid, who practically jumped three feet in the air, hand clutching his chest as he whirled on him. 

“Fuck, what’s your problem?” He gasped out. Mondo couldn’t help but let his eyes widen, having not heard the boy swear since they met. Admittedly, it was only a few days, but Ishimaru just gave off such an innocent vibe. He’d questioned if the boy even knew a swear word for a while. 

“The guy I’m meant to protect is running off into the city at midnight, and obviously didn’t plan to tell me,” He answered bluntly, “So, come on, where’re you trying to slink off to?”

“None of your business,” He sniffed, shoulders squaring, “And stop… talking to me like that. Like I’m a child. It’s annoying as shit.” 

“Alright, sor-ry, jeez,” He apologised, hands up in surrender, “Let me just grab my coat and -”

“No!” Ishimaru ground out, “I’m going out, you're staying here, and my managers are none the wiser, got it?”

Oh, that sneaky fucker. While Mondo was all for personal freedom, no way was the scrawny kid going out there to get attacked and murdered in some urine soaked alleyway. For one, it’d completely fuck up his plans for the next four years - no money to send back to Daiya, and he seriously doubted Hope’s Peak would want an Ultimate Bodyguard who let the world’s most popular idol get murdered in a matter of days. 

“Yeah, no, not happening, kid,” He shut down, reaching over the boy to get his coat, only for hands to press against his chest, stopping him. 

“What do you want then? Money?” Ishimaru asked, looking up at him through his lashes. Fuck, the kid really went all out with the makeup; smokey eyeshadow and liner, glossed lips, the whole deal, “Or I can suck your dick?”

He nearly choked at that, face hot as hell and probably an embarrassing shade of red. “N-No! What the fuck?!” He yelled, only earning a shrug in response. 

“Look, I need to go out - alone,” Ishimaru began again, arguing a point Mondo simply wasn’t going to agree with, “I need to get a little fucked up, railed into some guy’s mattress, and then I’ll come back. I’ll be here again before sunrise.”

“Tugging on the leash more than necessary”, his ass! 

“Sorry, you're talking to the wrong guy,” He dismissed, doing his best impression of Daiya’s you done fucked up voice he could, “Back to bed. Don’t think you’re sneaking out, either. I’m just gonna stay out here all night, make sure you don’t go and get yourself cut up and dumped in the river. Y’know, my job.”

“Fuck you,” Ishimaru spat, storming back to his room with a mutter of ,“Asshole…”

If Mondo knew one thing, it was this… He’d really had no idea what he was signing himself up for.

---

A/N:

WOW, it's been a while since I've written for this fandom. Thank you Taka and Mondo for being an adorable pair of dumbasses and dragging me right back into DR. Hopefully, I'll add to my old fics too, but I've got lots of new ideas I want to play with (Including two other talentswaps and two AUs!)

For now, Ouran fics are on the back burner, I'm afraid. I'm sure I'll be back to them soon enough, but I'm a bit burnt out in my OHSHC obsession, so we'll see.

Also, as always, comments really help and if you want to take any of these concepts and run, go for it! All I ask is a credit and a link if possible! :)

[seasonsofeverlark]

Snowed In

Author: @endlessnightlock​

Prompt: Christmas eve and Katniss and Peeta get snowed in. it’s a little tense at first. but realize we should make the best outta it. telling stories. Ect. [submitted by @katnissandpeeta125​]

Rating: G, although there is one mild swear if that bothers you. 

Author’s Note: 1832 words.

 _____________

Katniss let out a loud sigh before she could stop herself. She knew the sound was rude, but the discomfort in the room was thick like pea soup already, and she’d never been good at hiding her feelings in the first place. 

  From her chosen corner of the living room, she surveyed her houseguest. Peeta grimaced as he adjusted his leg, propped up on her coffee table with a magazine underneath his foot to protect the surface. Over the top of his curly blonde head and out through her living room window, near white-out conditions left nothing but a blur of snow to be seen. She couldn’t even make out the streetlamp on the corner.

  Of course, she had to get snowed in at her tiny apartment on Christmas Eve with Peeta Mellark of all people. 

  Just a few short years ago, Katniss would’ve thanked her lucky stars for the opportunity to be alone with him. Her teenage crush on him had been long and miserable and left her feeling frustrated for most of her time at Coriolanus F. Snow Senior High. He would send fleeting glances her way in the hall or class. But did he ever try something crazy like actually speaking to her? No, he did not.

  But time takes away all those unrequited feelings, Katniss reasoned with herself. That lingering nervous feeling knowing Peeta was only ten feet away from her? Pure muscle memory.

  Those butterflies in her stomach meant nothing.

  “Do you need my help?” she asked when he wouldn’t stop grunting, bent over at the waist and trying to reach his boot the way he was. 

  “Maybe,” Peeta admitted, glancing at her and then back down at his foot. “I can’t quite reach- I can’t get my knee to move at all.”

  Katniss pushed off the wall, making her way towards him to help.

  She supposed it was sort of her fault Peeta slipped on the ice in her apartment complex parking lot; the least she could do was help him get his boots off. Yelling at him the minute he stepped out of his car for coming out in this crazy weather might not have been her best idea. 

  She’d startled Peeta- he lost his balance and fell, twisting his knee so badly he couldn’t put pressure on it. Somehow she got him to his feet, although they barely made it inside the building without collapsing together. What a mess that would’ve been.

  Why did he still make the trip to her apartment tonight in what was practically a blizzard? How was she supposed to know he hadn’t seen her approach? 

  Speaking of which, ways to get back at Gale for putting her in this awkward situation in the first place kept running through her mind. He knew the weather would be crap today, yet still refused to cancel their plans to drive back to Panem together. Furthermore, Gale understood how uncomfortable Katniss would be spending that four-hour car ride with Peeta, knowing full well how she felt about him in high school. 

  That rat bastard. 

  Gale, not Peeta, that was.

  Katniss bent over Peeta’s feet, avoiding his eyes as she untied his bootlaces, carefully so she wouldn’t unnecessarily jostle his knee. It was strange to be this close to him, even more than when she’d helped him get inside her apartment; they’d both had thick coats on, and that had acted as a decent barrier. They weren’t even touching, just her hands on his leather boot, but the contact still made her feel like running out the door to get away from him.

  But where would she go if she gave in to that urge to flee? 

  Straight into a snowbank once she got more than an inch past the driveway, that’s where. The weather wasn’t helping either- that endless wall of white outside the window made her feel trapped; restless with that apprehension Peeta stirred in her just being in the same room. 

  “Thank you,” he said as she pulled the heel of his boot back, easing it the rest of the way off. 

  She glanced at him, and their eyes connected in that funny way they always did in class, but this time he didn’t look away. 

  Katniss broke eye contact first, setting his boot on the floor beside him. “It’s the least I can do after earlier- I hope you aren’t hurt too bad.”

  “I’ll be alright; I think it’s just a strain; the joint gets stiff in this weather. I have arthritis in my knee already,” Peeta said, settling back against her couch as she stepped away from his side.

  Of course, she remembered when he had knee surgery after getting injured during wrestling her junior year.

  “Can I get you something?” Katniss asked. “I could make us some tea. I don’t have much in the way of food since I was going to Mom’s.” 

  Prim would be disappointed that she wouldn’t be home tonight- she and Peeta were probably stuck here all day tomorrow as well. As strange as it might be, she realized she’d rather have someone here for Christmas than have to spend it alone, even if it was Peeta. 

  “There’s stuff in the trunk of my car- puff pastry rolls and spinach dip. Probably shouldn’t have taken my shoes off yet,” Peeta added, leaning forward like he was going to try and get up.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Stay put; I’ll get it. Hand over your keys.” Katniss scolded him.

  “I could go!” he said. “It’s just a sprain or something.”

  “And where would I be if you fell again and hurt yourself worse? I don’t think so,” she tapped the inside of her hand. “Now, please.” 

  Katniss waited to see if he would argue, but Peeta just good-naturedly laughed as he dug into the pocket of his jeans. “I know better than to argue,” he said, handing over the keys.

  “Good boy,” she said. 

  “I try to be.” 

“This was a good idea,” Katniss said an hour or so later, stuffing another dip-laden cracker in her mouth. 

  “I’m full of good ideas,” Peeta said, putting another piece of the Star Wars puzzle in place. 

  The puzzle was supposed to have been a gift for his nephew. Once the power went out and her wifi with it, Peeta pulled it from the bottom of the bag she’d brought in that was holding the food, insisting they unwrap the box and work on it.

  “I wouldn’t have taken you for a puzzler,” she teased, subconsciously scooting closer to him. Somewhere around polishing off the last of the pastry rolls, Katniss relaxed, remembering why it was she’d liked Peeta so much in the first place. His presence was calming, his laugh cozy and self-deprecating. Katniss always had been a sucker for a guy who could make her laugh.

  “Used to do them with my grandma. When we were too little to go to the bakery with Mom and Dad, Grandma watched my brothers and me at her house. While my brothers were off dicking around somewhere, I was right by her side. We’d sit on the porch and play stuff like dominos or parcheesi. Sometimes we’d put a puzzle together,” Peeta admitted, staring down at the piece of a picture of a Wookiee in his hand. “I didn’t feel like I got a lot of attention at home, but my grandma always did.”

  Katniss put her hand on his arm- he seemed a little melancholy at the admission. “She sounds nice.”

  “She was. I loved her a lot.”

“It’s getting cold in here, isn’t it?” Katniss asked as Peeta stifled a yawn. 

  It’d been completely dark for hours now, and the power still wasn’t on. The completed puzzle lay on the coffee table, ready to go back in the box in the morning.

  When the living room temperature began to dip towards being downright cold, Katniss layered up in extra socks, thermals, sweatpants, and a sweatshirt. Peeta didn’t have anything other than his coat to wear because he wouldn’t let her make another trip to his car. The wind had picked up even more- howling so loudly now it sounded like a roar. 

  Peeta was under a blanket, but he still looked cold to her.

  “Want to snuggle?” Katniss asked, jokingly- or at least that’s how she told herself it was supposed to sound. Peeta, however, didn’t seem to grasp that. 

  “Absolutely,” he said eagerly, lifting a corner of the blanket and gesturing for her to slide underneath it next to him.

  “Um-”

  “What are you waiting for? Get in here already. I won’t bite.” Peeta said, grabbing her hand. “We have to conserve body heat- you can’t wake up frozen to death on Christmas.”

  “Okay, it’s maybe fifty-eight in here. I don’t think we’re going to freeze to death.”

  “You never know- better to be safe than sorry.”

  Katniss sighed but acquiesced, inching close enough to Peeta that the tops of their thighs brushed. He took the edges of the blanket and tucked them in around the two of them, under her knees and elbows and shoulders. “Isn’t that better?” He asked.

  “You remind me of my dad,” she told Peeta as he leaned back against the couch, “He would tuck Prim and me in bed just the same way on Christmas Eve. He said we had to be snug as two bugs in a rug or Santa wouldn’t come.”

  “Did you ever try to escape?” Peeta asked.

  “No,” Katniss said, shifting a little closer to him because his body heat was starting to warm her up. “I never questioned him- never really had a chance to. My mom got the brunt of that stage.” 

  “I bet you still miss him,” he said softly.

  “I do,” she admitted, mildly surprised that he remembered her dad had died ten years ago. “All the time, but especially at Christmas.”

  They fell silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Something had shifted over the last few hours. Peeta took her hand in a comforting gesture, and she didn’t pull away.

“Why wouldn’t you talk to me in high school?” Katniss asked, laying her head on his shoulder a while later. She’d gone from drowsy to downright tired and was fighting to keep her eyes open now. ”We could’ve been friends.”

  ”I ask myself that all the time,” Peeta admitted. He sounded barely awake himself. ”I was too intimidated by you.”

  She laughed under her breath. ”But you’re going to talk to me now, right? You can’t ignore me after this harrowing experience.”

  ”Yeah, that would be just plain rude.”

  ”Exactly, so you’d better call me sometimes.”

  ”I will,” Peeta said softly. “I hope the power’s back on in the morning.”

  “Me too.” she agreed, “but I’m warm enough for now.”

  “Good,” Peeta said, repeating her response from earlier in a tone that made her laugh sleepily. “Me too.”

  “Good night,” Katniss said. “Happy early Christmas.”

  “It already is,” he replied, squeezing her hand.

[thefairyletters]

Shisaku!!

Who proposed the other first?

Shisui.

He was bedridden and Sakura was tending to his wounds when he proposed her marriage. In return, Sakura said 'yes, but only if you cook for me'. It was awkward between them for a whole minute considering they weren't even seeing each other officially. It broke when one of the nurses intervened and suggested that they date first and see where that goes, because, otherwise it will be up to Shisui and Sakura to do everything backwards.

Who kissed the other first?

Sakura.

It was another S ranked mission gone wrong. Thankfully Sakura was part of his squad for the mission when he made another attempt at sacrifice of his life to spare his teammate. She insisted it was just a CPR but Shisui couldn't tell a difference (because he was pretty sure he was dead) nor he cared (because it returned him back to life). That had been their first kiss.

Who gives a good-morning kiss to other?

Neither.

They both agree morning kiss isn't the best kiss ever. They still love each other to death though so they show that by kissing each other's forehead or chest – depending on which position they wake up to.

Who likes to play footsies?

Shisui.

He enjoys running his hands over her legs. He always coaxes her to rest her legs on his lap every chance he gets. She knows she spoils him a little too much when she allows him to do whatever he wants, but it was only because she also know his real, hidden talent in giving world-class massages that she actually indulges him.

Who is the dominant one?

Sakura.

Shisui knows all too well from experience that Sakura inside Home and Sakura outside Home are two very different people. Sometimes he thinks if he isn't in love with two people at the same time. Not that he'd have it any other way, especially considering the benefits of marrying one of the best frontline medical ninjas ever. Prim-proper Sakura is just as good as wild-playful Sakura. Even he isn't that bold.

Who likes to keep a picture of the other with them all the time?

None.

They hang around each other, more often than not. It's fate pulling them to each other, Shisui would say. But really, it is just Sakura manipulating her way into his ANBU squad for missions so she could avoid the death of a certain ANBU captain from happening. One of the many perks of being apprentice to the village leader.

Who likes to buy the other gifts?

No one.

They don't need gifts when they have each other. Okay, cliche aside, neither have time to buy each other gifts. On their special days, they take a day off to spend time with the other, all without spending a penny on frivolous things. Neither really want anything more than a day completely spent together. Rarity, considering their demanding jobs.

Who takes initiative in making physical contact?

Both

She prefers to keep him near her on missions and constantly worries over him. He loves to touch her whenever he could. They are always seen together, hand in hand, whenever they are in public. They are always seen together, both acting as each other's shield, whenever they are on a mission. They are the most physical and distinguished couple in Uchiha clan. As much as it goes against every unwritten Uchiha rule out there, they are never faulted for their love for each other.

Itachi thinks they're precious, if a bit annoying. Sasuke thinks they are disgusting and avoids being seen with them. Mikoto thinks their love is contagious. Fugaku thinks their love is bit much even for Uchiha.

Who plans their dates?

No one.

Both of them are adaptive. They could be just be on a mission and they'd still turn it into a date one way or another. Stargazing, late-night walks, perimeter check, anything for as long as they are enjoying themselves.

Who was shy on their first date?

Shisui.

They only started dating after Shisui proposed Sakura. But before that it had been Shisui ignoring Sakura's existence. Sakura confronted Shisui during Summer festival and called him out on being a coward, and then blatantly asked him out on a date since Shisui was too terrified to do it himself. He agreed to watch fireworks with her when she asked.

It was going well until Sakura held his hands and looked him into the eye and told him she really liked him. Then he was reduced to a blushing, shuttering idiot who didn't realise he was repeating everything thrice, for rest of the night.

It was on their first date that Shisui realised he really was terrified of making things real between them and thought himself a fool.

Who was shy in taking their relationship to next level?

Sakura. More than shy, it made her anxious.

Shisui, despite his reputation as a womaniser, had been respectful to personal boundaries throughout their courtship period. Sakura was worried if he didn't actually like her as much as she liked him. Her past relationship with Sasuke resurfaced in her mind and she distanced herself thinking he needed space and she was annoying him.

When she blurted out her feelings and asked if he was uncomfortable with her, he finally let himself loose and jumped her.

Turns out, he only physically distanced himself because he assumed she wasn't comfortable with sexual intimacy so early in their relationship and needed time.

Who hogs up the blankets in their sleep?

Sakura.

Shisui hates her for it but he always has an alternative. Sakura is unapologetic about her behaviour because Shisui's hugs are the best in the world.

Who is easy to get jealous?

Shisui.

For a whole week into their relationship, Shisui was sure Sakura liked him for his way with words. It only took one week into their relationship for Shisui to realise Sakura was more popular among the ranks than he thought and that her admirers were smoother and more charming than he could ever be. Regardless to say, Shisui being born a flirt and a competitive person didn't like the realisation one bit.

Who cooks in the house?

Shisui.

It was his cooking that Sakura originally fell in love with. She told him as such after their marriage. Regardless to say, Shisui was disappointed. He was pretty sure it was his beauty (because clearly it wasn't his smooth talk).

Turns out, Sakura only agreed to marry him because that week she was considering hiring a chef to cook for her (because she can't cook without burning down her kitchen and she was tired of living off of ramen, udon and bread) and his proposal made her future seem easier, brighter and tastier.

Marrying him did made her life easier, brighter and tastier, just as she had thought.

Who 'protects' and who 'nutures'?

Both.

[atomicstrawbrys]

We Need to Talk

Summary: Alfred’s girlfriend isn’t usually one for cryptic messages. So, when he gets a text that they need to have a ‘talk,’ he can’t help but worry. USUK. //

Alfred, we need to talk.

That was the only text message that Alfred’s girlfriend, Alice, sent him. He gulped as he read it, running a hand through his hair as he wondered what it could mean. He didn’t think he’d done anything wrong recently, and besides, when he messed up Alice was usually a lot more open about it, and they talked it through. Cryptic messages definitely weren’t her style, but, hell, that just made Alfred more nervous.

Though they were in their college years now, Alfred had met Alice when they were thirteen. A new student from another country, well, Alice got all the attention, with her fancy accent and her prim and proper clothes and demeanor. Not all of it was good attention- she was teased mercilessly by some, but she gave as good as she got. And honestly, that was what had drawn Alfred to her. She was composed, sure, but there was a fire burning in those eyes that was more than ready to flare up against anyone that would do her harm. She was smart, sharp, and witty, but also gentle and kind, and on her birthday, she brought in cupcakes she’d made herself. And god, they were delicious.

Alfred’s quiet admiration had turned into a soft infatuation once they got into high school. Everything Alice did was amazing, and he didn’t care what anyone else thought. People whispered when she switched out tartan dresses and white blouses for baggy jeans and hoodies, and they stared when she came into school with her hair cut to the base of her neck rather than in a long, flowing ponytail or braid. But to be honest, Alfred didn’t give an ounce of care to what she looked like- she was always gorgeous, as long as her eyes remained a sharp, refreshing lime green, as long as she snorted when she laughed, and as long as her blush brought out her face full of freckles.

Alfred went to prom with her in junior year. He’d planned out a big love confession, with roses and sparklers and confetti and anything his Hollywood-saturated brain could think of. But, one day Alice simply turned to him, looked him over, and said “Hey, do you want to go to prom with me?” and Alfred had melted.

Now, years later, they were still going steady. They’d dated leading up to and after junior prom, and they stayed together throughout high school and their freshman year of college. Every day spent with Alice was like being in Eden- everything she said and did commanded his attention, and as far as Alfred was concerned, she had hung the sun and the moon and all the stars in the sky.

And, evidently, she wanted to have a talk. Nervously, he tacked his message out on his phone’s keyboard. He sent it, adding a little smiley face to try and diffuse the tension he felt through the screen.

Sure thing, baby! :) Is everything okay?

He got a response right away.

That will depend on you. I’ll be at your apartment tonight.

Mysteries, mysteries...whatever this was, Alice wasn’t ready to divulge it just yet. Alfred’s stomach was doing flips, and it was hard not to think of the worst possible outcome. Alice wasn’t going to break up with him...right? Of course, he wouldn’t stop her, he’d never do anything to hurt her, but...he thought they were happy. She told him she loved him every day, they laughed and joked around and could sit comfortably in perfect silence for hours- not that that happened often, since Alfred was by his own admission a chatterbox. Still, she loved listening to him, and would actually pay attention and ask questions when he launched into his long and aimless tangents about everything that happened in his day. Had he been annoying her? This whole time? She’d have said something, wouldn’t she?

Alfred spent the afternoon as a bundle of nerves, the only thing on his mind being the ominous message sitting in his pocket. He felt as if he were falling, whilst simultaneously being crushed by stones. He was distracted in his classes, and though he was usually a dutiful note-taker, (Alice wasn’t the only one with good grades), he found himself staring blankly at his professors and not absorbing a word they said. This would give him a hell of a time doing the chapter quizzes later in the week, but today, the only thing that mattered was figuring things out with his girlfriend.

When he got to his apartment, Alice was waiting outside. She was so beautiful, just like always- short, cropped hair, flattened chest covered by a green sweater, brown slacks and matching penny loafers...she looked up at him, and Alfred could tell she’d been crying, the telltale red rings around her eyes being the only indication he needed. “Oh, baby…” He murmured, face crumpling as he approached her. “Whatever happened, I am so sorry, okay? Did something happen? Is it my fault?” Alice cleared her throat and gestured towards the door. “Alfred- I’d rather speak about this inside.” “Oh! Oh, right, of course, sorry,” Alfred fished his house key out of his jacket pocket, fumbling with it and unlocking his door after a couple tries. He placed a hand on Alice’s back, gently guiding her in. “Do you want tea?” He looked to her, eyes big and pleading for some kind of reassurance that things were okay. He didn’t get it, though. Alice’s face didn’t betray anything about why she’d come, and other than shaking her head to refuse the tea, it didn’t change. “Alfred,” She began, slowly. “I love you so, so much.” She took his hand, gaze cast down as she blinked quickly. “I hope I’ve made that quite clear over the years we’ve seen each other.” Alfred just nodded and squeezed her hand. He could be unobservant, but even he could tell that the air was heavy, and it was Alice’s time to speak. “What I need to tell you- it’s scary, because I’m afraid I may lose you if I say it, and I don’t ever want to lose you. But I need to make myself happy too, you know?” She looked up at him, sniffing and shaking her head, her bangs falling over her eyes. “You’re a wonderful man. And...I should have told you sooner, probably, but I just kept thinking you’d just get it eventually- I realize that was naive of me, ha, you’re not stupid in the slightest but you are dense, my Love.” She let out a hoarse chuckle, one that made Alfred nervous. It was the sad sort of laugh- one someone might do when they were getting ready to say goodbye. “Alice..” He started, but she cut him off. She looked up at him, meeting his eyes, and although she was nervous when she spoke, her voice didn’t tremble. “No, Alfred. My name is Arthur.”

Oh. Oh.

And suddenly, it clicked. Little things that really should have tipped him off, but didn’t because Arthur was right, he was dense, denser than lead- he should have noticed the day he’d seen Arthur in his binder, but god, he’d thought it was a compression tank for sports. He should have noticed when their teachers referred to Arthur as ‘he,’ and he never corrected them. He should have noticed it when Arthur absolutely beamed the day a stranger referred to him as ‘young man.’ And then, as Alfred floated back to the present, he realized Arthur was still talking.

“-And I know, Al, that you’ll always respect who I am, but I also realize that you’re attracted to women and I’m, well, not one. While I love you to death and I want to stay together more than anything, I realize that you might not be able to reciprocate that and I want you to know that I’m not going to be upset at you if you choose to break up with me-” He was talking a mile a minute, nervous and wringing his hands in the absolutely adorable way he always did when he was unsure of something but wanted it badly. 

Laughing, Alfred scooped up his boyfriend, swinging him around like a doll. “Break up with you? Baby, I thought you were gonna break up with me!” He pressed a wet kiss to Arthur’s cheek, and hugged him close, nosing against his hair.

“So...we are staying together?” Arthur replied, arching his brow with a small, hopeful smile gracing his lips. Alfred kissed him, chuckling. “‘Course we are. Artie, you should know by now that I’m gonna love you no matter who you are.” Then, Alfred’s grin turned bashful, and he set Arthur down so he could rub the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, though, for not pickin’ up on it before.”

Arthur laughed as well, and gave a cute little snort, shaking his head. “I’ve been dating you long enough to know that subtlety isn’t always your strong suit. I’m not that surprised, to be honest.” He held out his arms, a silent request for Alfred to pick him up again. Alfred obliged.

Arthur nuzzled against his neck, and gently kissed the skin under his jaw. “I am pleased, though, that you’ve handled it well. You seem happy, at least.” “Of course I’m happy,” Alfred replied, turning his head to kiss Arthur’s brow. “I just found out that I’m dating the cutest guy in the whole world.”

[psychemeanscure]

PART 27 {Uhm.. Still have audience for this? Surprise? 😌 guess another long days of next update as is. I miss you guys though.😩😙}

She needed to make sure, blinking number of times for she not need another ghosting.

But she’s not as there he is, Jang Taeyoung in his simple summer polo attentively approaching on her way from afar. The moment she least expected has finally come to light. The man she’s been looking forward to yet the very reason now she’s backing out. And yes, she is. Turning her way at the opposite side, denying things isn’t true like usual. Shutting eyes, clenching fist, interchanges she had to do. Strength she needed to overcome. Walking as far she can be.

He was abashed. For a while, he has to process his women’s behavior. Sung Eunyoung on her back, turning on the path opposite to him. He obliged to stop his tracks, prying the sight of her retreating figure from the glaring sun as he has to use a hand to protect his eyes.    

“Sung Eunyoung!”

The voice that made halt her steps a bit till she continued. Stupidly scolding her own. “Mierda, Sung Eunyoung. What on earth are you doing? You’re running away, seriously?”

“Sung Eunyoung.”

He’s following, she can tell for his voice is getting nearer with her still whispering on her own, shaking head. “No. This isn’t true. He isn’t true. It’s alright. You’re doing the right thing, keep moving.”  

But she wasn’t allowed to go further as the words of the man towing her finally make her stilled. “Don’t make me repeat myself woman, or you would not like what I’ll do next.”

Few more steps and she can already feel him behind her. Feeling the bazaar breath, she had not felt from the past three years. She’s tempted. “I’m here.”

His baritone vocal that had always fill the depth of her systems. She urged to be silent. She may not still see his actions yet she can picture his questioning look, tilting head, both hands intact in its pant pockets, waiting for her to turn to face him on her own accord. Suppressing himself not to give a single contact on her, but she didn’t for the only thing she did is to gulp an invisible lump in her throat, not even a peek was executed.

That’s how he decided. He’ll give in. Comprising their first touch after a long time. He missed her. Jerked by his sudden action, she can only stare of nowhere, riveting by the caress who had always given her goosebumps. Now, just a turn and will be meeting the reason again.

He longed for this. He realized that having the thought of feeling her tenderly, anticipates him like forever. His calloused hand that maneuvered the points of her elbow, he itched her to face him and she did.

She wanted to refuse but her body doesn’t want to. She’s moving how he wanted her to do. “There you are.”

Yet her consistence went through. Cannot attain to face him besides her lips parted in bewilderment, orbs staring so blankly at the expanse of his collarbone while gentle wind blowing the plain fabrics of his summer shirt. She ain’t still ready to look at him. “Hey, allow me to see you. Please?”

The drawing circles by her elbows and the softness of his plead isn’t helping either for she instantly became a hypnotize prey obliged to follow orders of her predator, not realizing how her actual reaction did to him.

“Why with that cold stare?”  

By chuckling, he responded as anything doesn’t matter because she has always been the perfect image for him. An Aphrodite anyone cannot judge with flaws. That’s his girl. She is, well except that she’s not speaking to him still. “It’s me, Sung Eunyoung.”    

Another try of pushing yet for another avoiding. She ignored his sight as she shifts by her side direction instead. “Talk to me, can’t you?” putting his most substantial voice which only made her gulp with no choice. “So you’re alive and flesh after all.”

Guessing her knowing words, he concludes. “You’re mad at me, I see.”

Feeling accused, she defended herself like a bulldozer instantly moving to its tracks stomping every rigid rocks that gets her way. So it did, the moment she finally faces him, word attack by words. Argument between arguments. They began each other’s impulsiveness.    

“I didn’t say that.”

“Indeed, you didn’t but it seems you do.”

“Are you mocking me now, Jang Taeyoung?”

Straight as she wanted it, she felt proud all of a sudden. Even surprised by how she reacted, different to how she expected. Like the Sung Eunyoung he always knew, not the other way around. Not the vulnerable her now.

Yet for Jang Taeyoung, nothing was a defeat for it is accomplishment. Coy smile appearing as he was bestowed by the retort he’s been waiting with. “Finally. It’s been a while, Eunyoung-ah.”

There he expected air will go on light but seeing her unceasing coldness, he knew she’s being serious since. “If this was just all jokes for you Jang Taeyoung, then we should haven’t met all along.  Everything about this meeting just became useless. “

In a snap, the coyness in him faded away as he watched her turning deportment. Passing by his sturdy stance, he decided to reveal swiftly.

“I was in coma.”

“What?”

Looking back like a flash, waiting by the shutters of facts she desired to hear right there and then. “Did I heard you right? Coma, you say?” shaking her head, she refused to believe. “I tell you Jang Taeyoung, if this is another of your schemes I swear I rather---“

“Left posterior cervical region of the neck, above and medial to the scapula.”

“W-what?”

Taken aback by how she has been given a quick medical terms, she urged to listen. Eyes which had bow down on the ground was now heading up to meet hers. “I was shot from that vital parts as it wasn’t surprising for my brain to be affected. I never intended to but except for your blur images, I can’t remember the rest of you Eunyoung.”

She was tongue-tied. Eaten by her own words, absorbing every details he inexplicably confessed. “I… I’m not following, loco.”  Eyes bulge in more skepticism. “I have forgotten about you. That’s what I’m saying, Sung Eunyoung.”

Now she regrets everything she said. Wishing to withdraw even its already impossible. “I-I’m sorry… I didn’t know.” Words she can only utter almost unheard for it was her turn to meet the grounds. He comprehends. Tending the remaining steps between them, he softly lifts her chin up to face him again. Giving his very gentle response only for her to see. “Don’t be please. Hm, Sung Eunyoung?”

From her chin, he traces the side of her neck as she can only feel the warmth of his touch, friction of their frons. “I have never, once thought of you being sorry because of me.” She can only close her eyes to comprise the earnests of his every word. “You’re no fault. I want you to know that. You can, right?”

The curls of his brows, reassurance of his orbs. She knew, it will always be the death of her vulnerability. For only cascaded into her eyes was the blurry tears she wanted to show off since and when the trembles of her chest met his composed ones. The lenient embrace letting out each other’s yearnings at last.

“Guess, gathering back my memories of you wasn’t as bad after all. You were still stunning as I can still remember.  My dazzling volatile bulldozer. I have missed you.”

A gentle peck by her eyes, a caress on her back. They stayed on that position before he finally decided to pull away, wiping her tears and cup her cheek. An eternal frustration of him back from the past years not given a chance to savor while a crazy dilemma she always been missing for. “S-stop it. I’m s-still mad at you.”  

The airhead incoming smirk that had never failed to distort her, right then she knew. He has redeemed his coyness for she needed to find a best unfished excuse to hide her uncommonly embarrassment. “You’re blushing? Just like that, I’m not even half way of doing so?”

Being peeked by her obvious state anyway. Yes, she’s definitely hating herself right now. “Shut up.”

Crunched by her messed up terms, she walks out instead. Stomping through the fine smoothness of sands. She had finally manage to brought back her usual self even when the result isn’t what she pictured. Being followed by the overconfident loco who’s annoyingly laughing behind her.

“Stop. Teasing me, will you?”

Emphasizing her every word. She did mean all she said. Swiftly taking her wrist, he compromised. “Hey, I just miss doing it with you. I’m sorry? Forgive me, hm?”

~

There’s something different. 

She can’t seem to figure it out well, except for one thing. She’s facing the soft Jang Taeyoung she had never imagine before. Giving up otherwise as she let him obtain what he wishes.          

Funny how one moment they’re defending each other’s arguments but then here they are, ended lightly. He liked it. The feeling of their twist and turns, she opened the door for him. “C-Come in. Not a bit spacious like my usual though but anyway, soothe yourself well.”

Finally, her next word from the last compromising talk they went through. Indeed, they have been muted the whole time of their walks. The raging silence that field both them. She’s unable to create a topic except being quiet while he decided to go along. He waited and it did. Quite an interval but ‘whatever’ that’s how he thought, he doesn’t care anyway for her presence is simply enough for him. Not when their hands he hardly managed to intertwine would go in halt though.

Sighing, he halfheartedly let go, giving her intended nuance to get her keys and open her home. A by the shore abode he did not expect coming from her. Gone the luxury of a Sung Eunyoung for he has been introduced by the prim and modest today. Hurriedly stuffing things, she left disorganize. He urged to sit by a near settee, eyes cannot stop scanning her whole place, feeling new about everything.

For her, it was a disturbing one. She cannot even dare to meet his eyes which she knew he already notice as well. She can only thank him for not doing his usual teases. “Sorry, a bit messy. U-uhm. Want something though? Drinks in mind?”

He has a lot say actually, but he chose not to other than staring at her. She felt it, yet she can only act like heedless. She’s troubled. Or rather, she simply doesn’t know how to start over. “Anything will do.”

He took the simplest instead while swiftly answered by her nod. “O-okay. I’m going to get you one for a second then. You wouldn’t mind waiting?” as it was also his turn to nod over a small smile ahead. Palms starts to sweaty the moment she reaches her kitchen, becoming nervous all of a sudden.

“Mind if I look around?”

His permitting question from the living room, answered by her roaring dumbfoundment. “As… as you please!”

“Mierda. What the hell is happening with you, Sung Eunyoung.” For she can only share a pissing whisper on her own. Jang Taeyoung in the other hand, serenely let himself to look around just how he’s permitted as it did take a second for her to serve him refreshments. She found him standing by the displays of her achievements, putting off the tray on the living room table, she gets his attention clearing her voice.

A regarding look he has to show contemplating between something he wanted and what is needed. She notices, so she questions. “Is there something wrong?” A glint of diminishing response, he chose the latter. Simply moving to her pace instead, sitting back as he pay attention to the serve she offered. “Tea?”

Nodding, she answered. “Mint. Though I’m not quite sure if it’s one of your preference, knowing yo---“

“I’m learning. Thank you for this, Eunyoung.”

“—liquor has always been your best option. I’m pleased. Good for you then… Jang Taeyoung.”

Surprised indeed for she almost can’t hear her own words. Change. Time isn’t the only thing changes after all for it also the person she least expected. Talking with manners with a Jang Taeyoung never been on her list. She can swear on it.

But if not because of his chuckle and grip to her wrist, she could have still stuck in her position standing above him whose actually ready for his sensible bicker. “Guess my neck will definitely face his destined rigidity any minute. So will you sit for me now please, Eunyoung-ah?”

~

‘She’s spacing out.’

That’s the thought he could only think of. Even if he doesn’t like doing it so soon, he needed to. He has to give the time she seems requesting. Because from the moment she seated like what he wanted to, not a single flex conversion happened other than blandness, as if a simple questionnaire seeking for its straight answer which ends up in awkward silence instead.

It had never been a thing between them since, so why now? A kind of consequence from their releasing attraction, is that it? F*cking then. Yet even all of the cursing he wished to banter, he still chose to give it one more try. “Eunyoung, ask me anyth---“

Just to be halt by a phone call, yes.  For that’s it! He’s close of deciding. Winced from the sudden call this time, it was her turn to be hesitant to ask for permission. “U-uhm. Would you mind if I take this call for a moment?”

He can only approve a nod on her. Standing up as she moves few steps away from him, she can only bite a lip by her own indicative excuse. To be honest, she can actually decline it easily, learning it was simply her nosy colleague Judy who called. But her retreating thought of chance avoiding him gave her the idea. Using it at least as a breathing break from their unhelping state. Screw herself for doing so!

“You’re leaving?”

She almost missed Jang Taeyoung quietly exiting without her knowledge. If not with her fast reflexes she surprisingly thanked afterwards. She had reached him by the steps of her porch, turning eyes glued by her gripping hand on his own shoulder. He looks up to her. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to---“

“I’ll give you time.”

“W-what?”

Facing her on the same match orbs this time, he repeated. “I said I’ll give you time.”

Not expecting the turns of event, she needed to retort abruptly. “But...” She swears. She doesn’t understand herself right now. A while ago she just wanted to avoid him. Now that he’s leaving to give her amply space, she doesn’t want him to. ‘Really, Sung Eunyoung?’

She can only scold herself once again. “How are you?”

It was a statement. She knew what he intended to comply. “Here, doing good.” Letting her remember how she actually behaving earlier. “I see you have become the educator like you dream of.” A big slap of her senselessness. Tucking in its both hands in his pockets, fixated eyes lock into her.

“And you only said thank you. Just by that fact Eunyoung, I can simply see you aren’t ready for this.”  

“T-this?” Her degrading look on the ground can only let him convince of something. A blow through the air, he finally discharges his suppressing complains. “Yes, this. If you don’t want me to leave even, you should have talk to me in the first place Sung Eunyoung. You’re confusing me.”

Shutting eyes from the guilt she’s feeling, she admitted. “I really am so---“

“Enough of it please, woman. Apologies isn’t what I need anymore.” Crumbles of his brows starts to falter upon him.

“But it’s my fault! It was all my fault, Jang Tae---“

“Fuck this.”

Scoop by the raging man in front of her, brushing hers against his. She can no longer fight back for she also resigned.  A savoring soul of fervor that always meant craving for him while a hidden plea for hers. The wilderness of his tongue that relentlessly a gasping for her and a tempting attempt throughout his by her silky ones. They truly equally banded.  And with a last chaste by her plump lips, he opts to release. ‘For now.’

Yes, he thought otherwise. “Was that why you keep on pulling yourself away from me? Huh, Sung Eunyoung?” she chooses to answer in silence. And as if he understood what she meant behind the line, he nods by his sensing conclusion. “Dammit it is. I should have corrected you all the while about that f*cking faults!” Frowns of self-dismay pondered upon him.

“But I eventually did, Jang Taeyoung. I harmed you, can’t you see?”

“While you also heard me clearly that day.” Eyes laid onto her clutching hand of his shirt, she struck by her own words. “I did…”

“Then you expect me to blame the woman I confess my whole heart with? Bullsh*t. I didn’t even consider you one, and I will never be. Now, can’t you see?”

Eyes swiftly meeting his, she surrendered.

Towering Jang Taeyoung, taking her chin up for him to see whom he called his. “Jang.”

The word he’s been waiting for, finally uttered from her husky contralto he always admired. “God, how I missed that pet name of yours, woman. If you only knew.”  

Hitch by her own breath as he brought her close to him. Nose touching the outline of hers. A hand to her neck while the other’s on the extremities of its forearm. He overjoyed. Invading another kiss saying, all of him. Dragged through the pillars of her porch, she can only get a hold by its banisters while free ones palpably clinging onto him. Bended by the intensity of their present. Hunger that had drought for a long time…            

Has now flowing on its own.