#this hand gesture he does on a second frame i'm dying

[quigzahhutt]

21 22 and 23 dialogue prompts w sargebon 🥺

wow what a combo considering how the last few weeks have gone for us 😭😭

for the dialogue prompts ask game!

21. "you're a terrible liar" / 22. "you didn't do anything wrong" / 23. "it wasn't your fault"

He can feel a pair of eyes carefully watching the broadest part of his back, the feeling lingering like the goosebumps along his arms. Ever since he was told the news, Alex has been hovering in the doorway of his drivers room, watching him almost like he expects Logan to up and vanish the second he takes his eyes off of him.

Logan sighs deeply in and out, and he can feel his entire musculature move with it; the flex of his ribs, the expansion of his lungs, and the pitter patter of his heart quickening as it receives the oxygen.

Each shift of his body as it churns serves to remind him that he's alive, that every organ, every cell, every molecule is working hard to keep him going, a terrifyingly perfected machine. Williams almost made him forget to appreciate it.

"Alex, I'm not going to disappear," Logan says, exasperated, his back still turned to the keen pair of eyes following every movement.

Alex doesn't say anything at first, and Logan can imagine the way his eyes dart around the room, his lips parted vaguely as he tries to find the right words to use, how to push them against his tongue in a way that doesn't hurt the both of them.

"I- but- you are, Logan. You are going to disappear. You practically already have," Alex's voice is horribly distored, layered thick with unease and anger, cracked with something else distinctly sorrowful.

It's Logan next who has to take a moment to gather what to say, collect himself so he doesn't say something that sets Alex off.

"I'm not dying, Alex, calm down," he attempts at a joke, tests the waters to see if that's the direction to go. It's the wrong decision, because he can hear Alex take a frustrated breath.

"For fucks sake- Logan, you could have! With how neglectful the team has been regarding you, and the car, and the safety, and-"

"Alex, calm down," they're face to face now; Logan finally standing up during his tirade, and Logan holds his hands out in front of him in a vague motion, like he's attempting to soothe Alex like a wild animal.

"None of this is your fault, mate,"

"It- it could be! If I had just fought back harder in Australia, and if I didn't fuck it all up in Japan, or-" Alex is gesturing wildly, his voice fading into a whisper on the last syllable, like he can't get himself to say the words.

There's a stretch of silence, the only thing that's audible is the clicking of the clock and the hearty gulp of air Alex takes.

"I could have helped you more," is what he finally settles on, and Logan finally lowers his hands, placing them firmly on Alex's biceps, which is finally what convinces him to make eye contact.

"You did nothing wrong. Sure, you made mistakes, but it wasn't anything that could've saved my career, mate. You and I both know I was practically done for from the start," how Logan has ended up being the one comforting Alex, he has no idea, but he does feel Alex physically relax, the muscles in his arms finally loosening up after being wrung dry, drooping beneath the palms of his hands.

"That's what I should be saying to you," Alex gives a weak laugh, leaning back against the door frame and finally lets himself release all the tension in his body, and he's back to looking like regular old Alex. Logan notices something unfurl in himself as well.

He drops his hands from where they had been gripping the firm muscle of Alex's bicep, and he goes back to packing, folding his race suits in an all too familiar routine. Who knows, this could be the last time he ever gets to do it.

Although they've fallen into silence, Alex still hasn't left, and they're back to square one; Logan can feel eyes on his back, and he can't help but click his tongue and roll his eyes.

"Spit it out, mate, I can feel you thinking from over here and I'm not even looking at you," Logan teases, stuffing his freshly folded suit into his bag.

"Er, no, I'm not- its nothing," he responds all too quickly.

"You're a terrible liar, you know that?" Logan turns to say it over his shoulder, giving Alex an unimpressed look at his horrible attempt at conviction.

Alex starts fidgeting again, the muscles in his arms pulling taut like they had been 3 minutes ago, wiry and elongated; completely the opposite to Logan's bulkier body and wider frame.

"Uhm- it's not really... it's a question, moreso than a statement," Alex finally huffs.

"Okay? Get on with it," it seems harsh, but the sound of Logan's smile sneaks into the words, rounds out the syllables and morphs the phrase into something that would probably make Alex smile in return.

'Jeez, so harsh.' He can imagine Alex saying, mimicking the tone of an exhausted mother.

"Would you want to go on a date sometime, maybe?" Alex finally spits out, and Logan freezes.

Surely he didn't just say that, right? Logan must have been a little too deep in thought, caught up in the meandering cliffs and crags of his brain, the deep ravines of it that are taken up by Alex and Alex only.

"What?" Is all Logan can conjure up, turning around once again to look Alex in the eyes.

This is all a little silly, when he thinks about it. Here he is, sitting on the floor of his drivers room that isn't technically his anymore, packing his things for the final time this year, and Alex Albon just asked him out on a date.

He can't help but laugh, then, as he realizes the absurdity of this all, and thankfully Alex is dragged into it, giggling along with him even though he has no idea why they're laughing in the first place.

"What, mate? I just bared my heart and soul to you and you're laughing at me!" Alex says, and his tone is the lightest it's been since February, softened around the edges in a way that brings Logan back to last year; before Australia, before Japan, before Zandvoort, before any of it. Back when they were just Logan and Alex, Alex and Logan.

"Sorry, sorry," Logan says a little breathlessly, still catching up to the present, "what was the question?" He asks just to be a dick, and he smiles all the way through it.

Alex tuts at him, rolls his eyes dramatically before repeating himself,

"Would you, Logan, like to go on a date with me sometime?"

Logan has known his answer from the very start.

this is so much longer than just a snippet idk what's wrong with me but I hope u enjoyed :) thank u for the request!!

[imnameimswrld]

004 ━━ 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐥 ,,

"How do I look ?" I ask, spinning away from the mirror to face Ren.

Renèe looks up from her phone, and an almost cat-like grin spreads along her lips. "Like you're gonna attract a lot of d."

Humming in agreement, I smooth the non-existent wrinkles from my leather jacket and make towards the front door, Ren following right behind.

It's been just over a month since my breakup with Micah, and although I hadn't fallen into a post-relationship depression, I had become awfully drained in other areas of my life. Renée being the flawless best friend she is, has decided to treat me, and since we're both on our break, she decided to suprise me with a vacation to the beautiful Seoul City of South Korea.

We slip our shoes on by the hotel door, and soon we're out and meeting our uber out front. I have zero knowledge of the Korean language except for the essentials, so, Ren being the multilingual boss that she is, directs the driver to an apparent famous place.

Hongdae.

"Gamsahabnida !" Ren thanks the driver before shutting the door, and I run a hand through my fresh haircut as I stare up at the neon sign blinking brightly back at me.

"Woah," I say under my breath, noting the long line trialing down the street, a huge ass bouncer checking their id's. What I notice however, is that he ends up sending every couple of people away, and they have no choice but to walk off with a scowl.

"Ren, what kind of club is this exactly ?"

Standing next to me, hands in her jacket pockets, she smirks at the entrance. "The kind where you won't have fans coming up to you every five minutes for a picture."

I raise a singular brow up at her as I follow behind her stride toward the bouncer, earning a few glares from the long line of people beside me. Ren doesn't do much except for flash a little black card, and with just a single glance at it the bouncer is stepping aside with a nod. I raise my brows in interest, but question nothing as I let the bouncer hold the door open for me and walk inside.

I'm immediately handed a drink from a female waitress, who serves me a side of a flirty smile before striding off in her knee high heels.

It is raging, some Korean rap blasting through the speakers as a dj mixes on the stage. My eyes glance over the crowd before roaming upwards to the second floor, where I spot a another bar and a few more people, but they're more scouting the dance floor than anything else.

It's only when I look back down, do I realise I've lost Ren.

Slight panic sets in, only because I'm in a foreign country, surrounded by party goers that most probably do not speak a language I know. Fitting through the cracks people offer me, I search for the mega-star, occasionally apologizing when I step on a foot or two. I breath a sigh of relief when I spot her ahead at the bar, but I end up stopping in my tracks when I see an unfamiliar red-head next to her.

The lights bounce off her wine-coloured hair, offering it a pretty kind of shine. Ren seems to be flirting, because this girl's cheeks are painted pink, perfectly manicured hand brushing her hair back in what I assume to be a nervous habit, because she does it a lot in between her smiles and laughter. I smile, deciding to let my best friend be and not interrupt, I'll find her later – maybe.

Deciding to head upwards, I trail up the steel staircase to the upstairs bar, plop myself down on a wooden stool, and silently thank Dior the bartender speaks English.

"Your drink, sir."

I make to pull my card out to pay, but the bartender ends up stopping me with a raise of his hands and a shake of his head. I furrow my brows questioningly, and in response, he gestures towards the end of the bar.

Following his gaze, I turn my head to find a pair of dark brown eyes staring back at me. His dyed blonde hair long, falling down to frame his round face perfectly, and his plump pink lips are pulled up into a smile. He tucks a few strands behind his ear, raising a brow at me, as if in question.

Who am I to deny such a beautiful man my attention ?

Grabbing my drink, I stand to walk over, and I relish in the feeling of his eyes roaming down my form slowly, with purpose, before reconnecting with my eyes as I sit beside him.

"와, 가까이서 보니 더 멋있네." he let's out a soft laugh, and I raise a brow, biting my lip nervously.

"I said, you're even more gorgeous up close."

My brows shoot up, my lips curling into a smile unintentionally at his accent. It's cute, yet his deep tone contrasts immensely with his angelic look.

"Why, thank you," I turn my body towards his, and hold a hand out towards him. "Nio."

He seems to realise that wasn't my actual name, but instead of questioning, he smirks and takes my much larger hand into his soft one. His warm palm sends a pleasant feeling through me, and it doesn't take long for that familiar feeling of desire to set in.

His eyes alone have me clenching... my jaw.

"Parker."

I nod, shaking his and holding onto his hand a lot longer than normal. He doesn't seem to mind though, and even takes the initiative to intertwine our fingers tightly, and proceeds to place our clasped hands on his thigh.

"Thank you for the drink, Parker."

His tongue laps over his lips, breaking his gaze away almost shyly. Jesus, his lips are seriously gorgeous. I refuse to leave without devouring them.

"Anything for you, Nio."

His voice, so sultry and deep, with eyes as dark as shadows, Parker has every intention and desire written all over his masterpiece of a face.

Guess Ren isn't the only lucky one tonight.

[kaori04]

isn't he the softest spy/head of security ever

[let-them-read-fics]

Blackpink Reaction To Their S/O Surprising Them W/ Dyed Hair

A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! Thank you guys for being patient with me on the requests, I really appreciate it. This is my first time writing a reaction, so let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy. Happy reading, everyone!

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

Everything is under the cut :)

Jisoo

"Say hello to everyone," Jisoo requests through the phone, looking back up to the screen in front of her with that signature smirk playing on her lips. As fate would have it, she was in the middle of doing a live when you called. The fans love you -- especially since you're so funny and chaotic when you're around -- so you're happy to greet them.

"Hi, Blinks! I'll be there in a few minutes with a special surprise." 

Jisoo lets out a shocked noise at this, considering you hadn't told her about your plans. 

"Oye! Hurry home so we can see it." She says excitedly, lightly bouncing up and down on the bed. With a smile that's evident in your voice, you tell her goodbye.

---

In one swift motion, you scoop up a cheery Dalgom in your arms, laughing at how he licks your cheeks in greeting. 

"I love you, too, buddy."

After setting your bag down on the couch, you make your way to Jisoo's room. Little do you know, she has a surprise of her own in store.

"BOO!" She shouts, keeping her phone steady to capture your reaction to the scare. You tense up and shout, nearly dropping Dalgom in the process, but you recover after a moment. Both of you break out into a fit of giggles, and you look over at the computer on the bedside table to find the fans blowing up the chat. Jisoo wipes the tears of laughter from her eyes, and looks at you again; only now does she notice your new hair. 

At first, she's speechless -- only capable of looking at you with hearts in her eyes. Eventually, though, she finds her voice again. "Y/N! Wow, it looks gorgeous!" She smiles, running her hand through the newly dyed locks. Her accent made the compliment even more special, and you don't even try to stop the grin that tugs at your lips. 

---

Now seated on the bed with Jisoo beside you and Dalgom in your lap, you flip your hair around exaggeratedly as you show it to the audience. The positive comments roll in, and you take turns reading some of them out loud. From her position against the headboard, she can see the different hues of your hair shine and shimmer brightly in the gentle lamplight; she can't help but admire you.

After half an hour or so, she decides to end the live. You pull Dalgom into your arms again and smoosh your cheek up against Jisoo's, making sure to crowd in enough to fit into frame. Something must have gotten into her, because she leans around to press a lingering kiss to the corner of your lips, right in front of the camera. You can only imagine how much harder the fans are going to ship you now.

With a final wave and goodbye to everyone, she ends it. She wraps one arm around your back as her other comes to rest on your thigh, reaching up every now and then to pet Dalgom's head. 

"I'm so happy you like it." You say after a few minutes, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen over the room. She lifts her head from its place on your shoulder to look at you. "Of course I do, Y/N. Did you doubt that I would?"

"Not exactly… I was just afraid it might not turn out pretty. You know?" She nods in response, but her heart breaks a little: you have no idea how amazing you are.

"I understand, but you don't ever need to worry about that. Everything about you is beautiful because it's a part of you. You make everything pretty." She gushes, tracing little patterns on your hip. 

You attempt to dismiss her words, throwing a hand into the air while making a little "pshh" sound, but she doesn't stand for it. "I mean it, Y/N. I'm not just saying that. I'm glad to call you mine; you're so special." Her words affect you more than you thought they would, and soon tears are blurring your vision. Who knew dying your hair could lead to all this?

"I don't know what I did to deserve you, Jisoo, but I love you so much. You always know what to say." And it's true -- she does. She knows you get insecure sometimes, and she's always there to reassure you of her feelings when you need it most. 

"And I love you." She affirms, allowing her head to rest on your shoulder again now that you're happy.

Feeling left out, Dalgom lets out a little bark; he wants attention too. In an instant, the room is filled with kissy noises and the sound of your high pitched voices as you both talk to him and shower him with love.

Jennie

"Jen, I'm home!" With a shrug of your shoulders, the warm material of your coat falls down your arms. As you hang it on the rack beside the door, a smile tugs at your lips; Jennie gave you that coat, and it's always done well in keeping you warm and comfortable when she can't be around to do so. You make a mental note to thank her properly. 

With that, you amble into the kitchen.

"Yah, jagi! What took so long? I missed you." Jennie whines, her words slipping past the cute little pout that's surely adorning her face. She's preparing a snack at the counter, her back turned to you as she struggles to open the sauce jar. 

"Here, let me help," you offer, approaching her. 

As she hands you the container, she turns to look at you for the first time tonight. Her eyes widen as she does a double take at you. You don't notice, though -- your focus is elsewhere.

"Jisoo and I saw a new gaming store when we were out today and we decided to stop in. We didn't expect to be there for so long; we just got wrapped up." You tell her, answering her previous question as you finally manage to pop the lid open. Upon sliding the jar over to her and meeting her gaze, an instant blush begins to make its way to your cheeks. Her pupils are blown wide now, and her lips are pursed as she appreciates the sight of you. You never fail to send her heart wild.

"I'm convinced you can rock any color," she flirts, smiling widely at the reaction her words garner from you. 

"Why don't you come a little closer and get a better look?" You ask, fighting the shyness that threatens to take over you. She quirks an eyebrow before sauntering over, swiftly moving to tangle her hands in your hair. "It suits you so well, babe." She compliments, toying with the soft strands that fall down into your face as you lean in closer to her. Her embrace is comforting, as always, and you sigh at the feeling of her fingers against your scalp. Before she can stop herself, Jennie leans forward and connects your lips in a sweet kiss. She tastes like fruit, and you can't get enough of the flavor. Working with a sneaking suspicion, you open your eyes and glance over at her work station. Now, with your fears confirmed, you abruptly pull away.

She groans at the loss of contact, but you're quick to speak up. "You made tanghulu without me?? Woooow, Jennie. I'm hurt." You tease, acting truly upset as you take a step away from her. She shakes her head, letting out a little chuckle; for a second, she worried you were upset about something serious.

"Shush, we can always make more." 

You don't drop the act so easily, though, and the playful glint in her eye tells you that she's enjoying the banter. 

"What else have you done without me today? If you watched that new drama without me then you're sleeping on the couch tonight." A guilty expression falls over her features, and she avoids your gaze.

"About that…" she starts, rubbing the back of her neck as a dry chuckle slips past her lips.

"JENNIE KIM!" 

"I'm messing with you, babe. That would be treason." She pulls you into her arms again, raising a hand and giving you a sort of "scout's honor" gesture to prove that she isn't lying. After narrowing your eyes at her one last time to ensure she's being truthful, you give in and kiss her again. 

"Fine. You'll just have to keep kissing me to make up for the tanghulu."

"Oh, really? I'll have to start making it without you more often, then." She laughs against your lips as you pinch her for that remark. Your mood brightens exponentially at the sound of her giggles, and you wrap your arms around her even tighter.

Rosé

“I'm home, my love!" You shout, slipping your shoes off and setting them beside the door. A content sigh leaves your lips as you undo the top few buttons of your shirt, finally able to relax and see Rosé. Her excited footsteps carry out across the house as she makes her way downstairs, Hank following right along. You crouch down to pick him up, smiling at the precious way his ears bounce around as he runs into your arms. 

"Oww, my heart," Rosie exclaims with a grin, holding her hand against her chest in mock pain. Nothing can compare to seeing her two loves so happy and carefree. She pads her way over to you, and you kiss the top of Hank's head before setting him on the ground. Her arms wrap around your waist, and you pull her in for a warm embrace; the two of you stand like that for a minute, swaying back and forth. Eventually she pulls back to press a kiss to your lips -- something she's been dying to do all day -- and she takes your hat off in order to run her hands through your hair. 

"I missed you, babe." The words come out quietly, accompanied by a frown. You peck her lips again until her pout turns into a soft little smile, and rest your forehead against hers. 

"Me too. But now I have the next 3 days off, and I'm all yours." Her eyes look into yours lovingly, but quickly shift to look at your newly exposed hair. 

A sound of surprise stutters past her lips -- you've truly taken her breath away. She has a special twinkle in her eye as she looks at you, completely in love. Her fingers skim across your collarbone and neck as they move to play with your hair. 

"It's beautiful, just like you." You tut at her and bring your hands up to cover your face, taking refuge behind them. She's quick to pull them away, though, pressing a kiss to your knuckles and wrists before interlocking your fingers. 

"I mean it, Y/N. You're always so stunning." There's no denying the effect her words have on you; even after being together for as long as you have, her compliments never fail to set your heart aflame. 

"How'd I get so lucky, huh?" You ask her as you let your hands settle on her hips. She's clad in a crop top and jeans, and the soft skin of her abdomen against your fingertips is a wonderful contrast to the rough material of her pants. 

It's her turn to blush now. "I love you to the mountains and back and to the far far hills--" your giggles interrupt her recital, and she just laughs along with you. "I love you, too, Rose. So much." She presses another kiss to your cheek before leading you up the stairs and calling out for Hank to follow.

Lisa

As you walk down the hallway of the dance studio, destination set on Lisa's rehearsal room, you can hear the strong beat of "Candy" by Doja Cat pulsing inside. A stray staff member passes by you, looking nearly entranced as you run a hand through your hair to readjust it and smile at her. She watches you walk away, incapable of taking her eyes off of you, and that simple act boosts your confidence tenfold. You had been a little nervous to see how people would react to your new look -- Lisa, in particular -- but all of the approval you've been receiving has eased your worries so far.

With one final, steadying breath, you release your fears and open the door. 

Your girlfriend doesn't notice you come in at first, given that she's totally in her element, her body winding around as she performs the moves expertly. You lean against the doorframe now, taking in the beautiful sight. During one particular part of the song, she does a set of body rolls, putting the muscles of her abdomen on full display as she flexes them. The low lighting of the room sets the mood perfectly, creating just the right ambiance.

"Damn, baby. Am I crazy or are you somehow getting even better?" The words startle her ever so slightly, pulling her from the other world that she was just in. She glances at you from across the room, and a look of confusion crosses her face for a split second. After she registers that you're you and not some random staff member, her jaw drops to the floor. 

Totally disregarding your previous question, she's quick to replace it with her own as she runs over to you. "Y/N! Oh my gosh, why didn't you tell me??" The words come out in a rush as she engulfs you in a tight embrace, and you snuggle into her warmth. 

"I wanted to surprise you. I've been wanting to switch it up for a while, and somebody told me that this is your favorite color." You say, unwrapping one of your hands from her waist and bringing it up to toy with your hair. "Do you like it?" You ask, biting your lip as the nerves begin to creep back in momentarily. Lisa hasn't said anything yet -- she's just been studying your features with the hint of a smirk on her lips. 

"No, I don't."

"Wha--"

"I love it, babe. You're so beautiful." She says as she rests her forehead against yours. 

With a sigh, you nudge her playfully. "Hey, don't do that to me! I thought you didn't like it." You pout, avoiding her now incredulous gaze.

"Look at me." She commands, cupping your cheek gently as she lifts your head to face her. "Did you seriously think I wouldn't like it? You could be bald and I'd still be just as in love with you as ever. But that color looks absolutely gorgeous on you." 

She always knows just what to say. 

"I love you, dork." You grin, pressing a kiss against her soft lips. 

"And I love you. Now, come dance with me." Her hands skim down your arms on their journey to your hands, and she interlocks your fingers. She walks backwards towards the middle of the room, doing a goofy little shimmy on the way. Her antics draw a giggle from you, and she reciprocates. Before long, the two of you are having a full on dance battle as another new song blasts through the speakers.

[lizisshortforlizard]

Emily swallowed, softly saying, "Thank you. That, means a lot. But I think I'm doing okay right now."

"Good." Lizzy clapped her on the shoulder, her normal volume returning. "Now enough of this talk, before Robert gets misty eyed."

Emily rolled her eyes, turning. The clock on the mantle chimed five o'clock, and her father called from the kitchen, "Someone put the news on!"

Emily smiled, letting Lizzy shove Ian's legs out of the way so they could both sit on the couch. She'd missed how her father always put the news on every night at five.

Except when she looked up at her father's outdated TV, the headline made her shoulders go tense.

"New Footage of Jurassic World Disaster Released."

That explained why the room had suddenly gone so quiet.

The local news anchor began to talk, "Normally we leave this to the bigger news channels to cover, but this time it really does pertain to Bozeman."

"We have positive identification that one of the people in this footage is none other than Bozeman's very own Dr. Emily Grant. Before now, we've had no idea what Dr. Grant was-"

"Turn that shit off." Emily's father was in the kitchen doorway, Ellie right behind him.

Tim reached for the remote.

"Timmy wait." The whole room stared at Emily. Even Muldoon lowered his newspaper.

"I want to see this."

Her father's gaze snapped to her as the news anchor droned on. His voice was gentle as he spoke, "Em, that's not the best idea."

"One, I know my own limits. Two, I want to know what the hell they have footage of me doing and where they got it. Three, I've already lived it, I can survive watching it."

Finally, the news anchor began to roll the footage.

Emily watched herself on the screen, ushering Zach, Gray and Claire into a kiosk. She watched as Owen, Lizzy and Briana fired on the Indominus Rex, raptors darting in and out of the shot.

There was a cut in the footage, and she watched herself jumping out of the kiosk, what she knew to be a flare and a walkie talkie in hand.

Emily on the screen stopped in front of a paddock door, the paddock door, and the audio kicked in as she spoke into the walkie talkie.

“Lowery, open paddock nine.”

It took a second for a person that Emily knew was Lowery to respond, “What?! Why?”

“Just open the damn paddock!”

Emily's heart begin to beat. This, was one of the things she hadn't told anyone about yet...

Another voice chimed in, "Wait, Emily, what the hell are you doing?!”

Emily on the screen stared incredulously at the camera, “Sam?”

"That's your boyfriend?" Tim whispered, and Lex elbowed him.

“Yeah, what are you doing?” Sam's voice answered.

“We can’t kill the Indominus,” on screen Emily gestured to the paddock door with her free hand, “But she can.”

Good God she sounded crazy. Maybe even brave.

“Emily, you’re crazy. You’ll be eaten!”

The audio cut out again as the paddock door began to rise, and the camera frame shook a little. Emily's shoulders tensed as she watched herself light the flare.

Have fun with this! I left it a bit open ended in terms of Emily. She can panic or not panic, you can choose! But I've been dying to find out how Lizzy would react to Emily psyching Rexy on the Indominus.

“Right-“ Alan marched across the room, both turning the TV off and unplugging it in one smooth movement. He kept his back to the others, the set of his shoulders daring anyone to say a word.

The silence was suddenly deafening.

“You didn’t…” Lizzy turned and begged, pleaded with her eyes for Emily to deny it.

“Um…”

“What the Hell is that thing?” Tim had shrank back in his chair. “I’ve never seen-“

“Excuse me.” Emily abruptly stood up and started to leave the room. Her father still hadn’t turned around. She was right, she could take watching it. She just couldn’t handle everyone else having to watch it too.

“See, uh, this is exactly what I was saying-“

“Oh, piss off Ian.” Ellie snapped, and the room erupted behind Emily as she made her exit, demonstrating Dr Malcolm’s beliefs oh-so-well. Everything reverts to chaos.

Emily gulped in cool air when she finally made it out of the house. She entertained the thought of taking off from the porch and bolting down the street, but her leg had to be in better shape if she was going to get very far.

She heard the door open and close behind and braced herself for the onslaught from her dad, Ellie, maybe even Lizzy or Lex. But it wasn’t who she was expecting. Emily turned and started when she saw Robert Muldoon staring back at her.

“You’ve caused quite a stir in there, Young Grant.”

“Sorry, I guess.” Emily shrugged. “Didn’t realise my privacy was going to be invaded right before dinner.”

“Hmm. Most exciting thing that’s happened all day.”

Emily almost laughed. Right now, the ex-game warden’s outlook on life was rather helpful.

“Did Lizzy send you out here?” She asked.

“No, but she’s pretty upset. Only because that’s exactly what she would have done. You know, the first time around. Hammond’s park. And like your man couldn’t stop you, I wouldn’t have been able to stop her. Doesn’t mean it was clever of you.”

“It worked, didn’t it? Can’t argue with results.” Emily grumbled. She was beginning to miss him staying silent. It felt like she was getting a lecture.

“Indeed.” Back to silence.

The door clicked and squeaked again as Lizzy clumped outside, still in her flat shoes that just weren’t enough for the Montana cold.

“Ah, found you. Christ, it’s noisy back there!” She joined them, leaning on the porch railing, already shivering.

“Are you mad at me?” Emily hazarded.

“Oh of course I’m mad, I’m furious!” Lizzy chuckled anxiously. “Yes, at you. Definitely at you. But also at whatever-“ she scowled, clenching her fists. “-arseholes got hold of that footage and broadcast it on the five o’clock news! I want to know who did it.”

“You want to know-“

“If you think you are dealing with this alone, Emily Grant, you better think again. I take back everything I said earlier. That was before I saw you play matador to a T-rex! Don’t get me started on the raptors.” Lizzy held up her hand when Emily opened her mouth to speak again. “Just don’t.”

Robert nodded. “I too, would prefer to leave the raptors out of this.”

“Yeah, okay. Fine. Aren’t you cold?” Emily asked bluntly. “We should probably go back inside.”

“Eh-“ Lizzy waved away the question, her eyes dipping to the side as ‘I know, Ellie!’ came rumbling up through the house from the sitting room. “Let’s give it a minute.”

Once again, I knew what I wanted to do but then completely 180’d. I prefer it this way!

[chacusha]

I just want to talk about one of my favorite Quodo scenes. You know, as I do. So S2 E18 Profit and Loss, for all that it’s focused on a one-episode love interest for Quark (and a romance with Natima so intense that it makes Quark very uncharacteristically be willing to risk his life and even give up the bar for the sake of pursuing it), it has some really amazing Quodo scenes. In particular, it has a really lengthy conversation between Quark and Odo that features some great things like (1) establishing important aspects of both of their characters and their relationship, (2) lots of intimate leaning over each other and casual touches, and (3) a flirtatious and shippy dynamic.

Let me walk through the whole scene because there’s a lot to analyze here.

The scene opens with Quark coming to talk to Odo about the urgent need to release Natima rather than handing her over to the Cardassian government who will execute her. Quark tries multiple tacks, all of which fail:

First, he tries to make the appeal that releasing the Cardassian dissidents would lead to a better, brighter Cardassia, which obviously Odo doesn’t buy. Quark doesn’t care about that.

Quark immediately pivots to spinning that change as one that would lead to him getting more profits -- more plausible, at least, but Odo is still skeptical. In response, knowing that Odo doesn’t find benefiting Quark financially to be a worthy cause, Quark impishly says, “Now Odo... don’t allow my greed to keep you from doing the right thing.” Here he’s making a small appeal to Odo’s moral system rather than Quark’s.

But that’s not the reason why Odo was skeptical. He’s skeptical because Quark isn’t being honest about his motivations.

“I know you better than you think, Quark.” - Moment #1 in this scene where the long history and enefriend relationship between Quark and Odo is highlighted.

Odo prompts Quark to bring up the third and more honest consideration: that Quark is in love with Natima. Odo asks Quark why he didn’t just say that from the start, which prompts Quark to go into a long rant about how Odo is incapable of understanding his feelings while Odo listens awkwardly: “What was I supposed to say? That I love her? That I would do anything for her? That without her my life would be meaningless. Sure, I could say those things, but what good would it do? How could I expect you to understand? You’ve never had those feelings. You don’t know what it means to really care about another person. You’ve never been in love. You’ve got all the emotions of a stone. (pause) No offense.”

None is taken, because that is the image that Odo has carefully crafted for himself, which doesn’t in actuality line up with who he is, but he’s happy for others to believe that is how he is like. So even though Quark realizes how harsh his words are and walks it back, Odo is not offended, but nor does he find it entirely convincing either. It’s one of this scene’s many ways of illustrating the conflicting moral codes between Quark and Odo: Quark may view doing things out of love as legitimate, but he knows that Odo can’t enter into that mindset.

(It's not text, but Quark's speech could also be read as Quark expressing his frustration that his own attempts to court Odo have ended in failure -- Quark angsting that he is barking up the wrong tree, so to speak.)

Quark then tries a fourth tack: Making an exchange instead of putting forward logical arguments and appeals. He begins to offer information on the various deals he’s involved in ("Listen to me, Odo. You do this for me, and I promise there'll be no more secrets between us") -- this momentarily catches Odo’s interest -- before Quark chickens out and instead offers information on Rom’s activities instead, which is, well, worthless, lol. Odo isn’t interested in your brother, Quark, he’s interested in you. Quark does have something of value to Odo but he’s not willing to offer it up because, well, he's just not THAT good of a person.

Seeing this fourth try has failed, Quark then makes a fifth appeal:

Quark’s fifth try involves directly leveraging Quark and Odo’s relationship and involves Quark asking Odo to do this as a personal favor to him. Here is moment #2 where Quark and Odo’s longstanding relationship is highlighted, with Quark turning what Odo said earlier back on him:

(Technically, Odo didn’t say he knew Quark better than anyone else; he said he knew Quark better than Quark thought. But Quark is speaking the truth in any case.) Quark actually just spells out their relationship a bit anviliciously: “Sure, sometimes we’re on opposite sides, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t close. I never told you this, Odo, but I consider you as dear to me as my brother.” Again, Odo is unimpressed given that Quark literally just tried to sell out his brother. One can’t help but feel like Quark’s fifth appeal failed for the same reason his fourth one failed: Like with the fourth appeal, Quark began to show some vulnerability here which actually interested Odo, but chickened out at the end. He did have something valuable to bargain with (his relationship with Odo) but wasn’t willing to pay the price it would require (being fully open and vulnerable with Odo about the value of that relationship) -- instead, he deflects at the last moment with something joking and ironic.

Finally, Quark makes his sixth and last appeal. “Odo, look at me. Look at me. I’m on my knees. I’m begging you. I don’t care why you do it. Pick any reason you want. But please, let Natima and the others go.”

On his knees, he makes the Ferengi gesture of supplication. With this attempt, Quark does two things: One, he sacrifices his pride for the first time by openly begging -- in his other appeals, he protected his pride by couching it in logical appeal, anger/disapproval at Odo, irony, or jokes. But here, for the first time, he displays humility, desperation, vulnerability, etc. Second, he lets Odo pick the reason, which allows Odo to also intervene without having to lose his own pride.

The reason Odo picks in the end is (what else) justice.

"Justice," Quark says. "That was going to be my next suggestion."

And then (after being on his knees begging, etc.) Quark slowly gets to his feet, and it’s framed like this:

THIS. IS SO. SUGGESTIVE.

I’m... I'm dying. Definitely a "getting shit past the censors" moment.

Anyway, moving swiftly along, now that Quark has gotten what he wants, it's back to the old light-hearted and flirty dynamic they always have. Now assured Odo definitely isn't doing this as a personal favor to Quark, Quark gleefully declares himself debt-free to Odo. He hugs him and Odo pretends to dislike it.

The scene ends with Odo asking how Quark plans to sneak the dissidents past the Cardassian warship hovering outside DS9. By the way he asks the question and is able to guess just by Quark's mischievous smile, Odo already knows the answer, bringing the episode back full circle from its opening where Odo was investigating Quark for having an illegal cloaking device.

Yeah, bickering, casual touching, their cat-and-mouse relationship, flirtatious dialogue, even Odo grudgingly letting Quark get away with crimes because they're a reluctant team with aligned interests now -- it's all here.

Anyway, I love this scene because it's an extended look at how Quark's moral system and Odo's don't really line up with each other (Quark valuing things like love and profit and not valuing abstract things like justice or order, and vice versa for Odo) to the point where it's actively hard for Quark to convince Odo to do something he's inclined/sympathetic to doing anyway. At the same time, they also have some shared interests (in Quark's dealings, in their relationship with each other) while being engaged in a complex dance where neither of them can quite acknowledge it. For example, Odo says he will release the prisoners solely out of his own sense of justice, but if so, why did it take Quark begging him to move him to act? Before Quark came to his office, he was reading a detective novel, suggesting that Quark's appeal is at least one part of Odo's decision to act, despite what they both say. But it serves Quark's purposes to let this slide ("So, you're not really doing this for me?" "That's right." "Then I don't owe you a thing. Thank you!") and let Odo keep his pride, so he does.

Anyway, I just love how much Quodo there is in an episode that's entirely dedicated to Quark's love for a different woman entirely. That's how powerful the relationship between these two is.

[deberiaestarescribiendo]

Hit me with your best shot

A/N: Hey! I saw the #WritersWednesday challenge on @autumnleaves1991-blog blog and thought it was an amazing opportunity to let the creativity flow and though I just started showing my works on here I guess giving it a chance wouldn't hur anybody and maybe some of you would enjoy this as much as I did writing it. And on that note, I'd like to thank every writer on here because your works have helped me a lot during these weird times; and of course speacilly to you @autumnleaves1991-blog for this and your "You're my best friend" series that made me cry, yearn (so much yearning) and loved every single minute of it, thank you!

Pairing: Javier Peña x Female character ( I decided to leave her very undeterminated as it's narrated on Javi's perspective I decided to use she/her pronouns, but I guess you could read it as a f!reader?)

Summary: Post-season 3, Javi and the character go on a date to Laredo's funfair (You could read this as a small piece on its own or as a part of the series I'm currently writing; if you're interested is on my blog and I haven't posted much since I opened it)

Warning: None (let me know if I should mark something) fluff! maybe some kissing...

Another thing! I've just finished this, so brace yourselves for some mistakes and mispellings, sorry

(I was listening to Kacey Musgraves while writing this, if you want to add more fluff to it)

She’s lovely with that white summer dress, she’s tapping her feet nervously looking around the street waiting for his car to arrive, but Javi is parked on the side of the road chewing a nicorette that has already lost all its taste. He observes how she peeks at her watch. He’s already late and doesn’t know what would make him feel any more terrible: standing her up or going on a date with her like an old creep.

Come on, Peña he urges himself to make a decision, but before he can make up his mind, he hears the door unlocking.

“Hey! I thought something had caught you up” she smiles and any doubts he had had been lifted. Gosh she’s pretty

“Sorry, I’m late I had...” he can make up any excuse and he feels he’s just smiling like an idiot.

“Don’t worry” she seats and adjusts her dress shyly “I see we’re making progress” she motions to his mouth

“Oh, yeah, I’ve been very good.” Javi says proudly and follows the road full of car towards the fair “I haven’t had a smoke in...a month, I think”

“Congrats!” she cheers “You deserve a reward then” she grins

“Sure?” he smirks eying her briefly not losing the sight of the road

“Whatever you want” she nods

“But a cigarette, of course”

“Obvs” she chuckles

“Then I better think for a really good reward, I deserve it”

“Yep”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

­­­­­­­­­She’s talking about the first time she came to the funfair being a child. Javier is listening partially; part of his focus is on everybody around them. It feels like all Laredo is there and they had been stopped a few times already by people that wanted to shake his hand and thank him for his service; and Javi starts to feel like the music is too loud, there’s too many people around them and that he doesn’t want to hear the word “hero” anymore. So he tries really hard to look at her, to concentrate his mind on how she interrupts her speech when she looks directly at him, how she blushes, how the warm breezes moves the baby hairs that frame that beautiful visage, how her lips shine with that chapstick she uses and that he’s dying to taste.

“Anyway we can do any ride but that one” she points at the big one in the middle that spins fast creating a wave of screams and laughter every time it makes a round “Unless you want me to puke all over your pretty plaid shirt”

“You like my shirt?” he smirks

“Yeah” she tucks a lock of her hair behind her ear “You look like a real cowboy” she adds. Her smile is brighter than any of the thousand small lights that illuminate the fair.

“I like your dress” Javier leaves his hand hang languidly close to hers until their skin brushes against each other. When he sees she doesn’t recoil, he grabs her hand locking his fingers with hers.

He can sense her nervousness, but hopes it’s the good kind. The exact same feeling he has at the moment, those soft palpitations that he hasn’t felt in years; the butterflies. Eventually she answers his compliment:

“Thanks, it was just 10$” instantly she looks down at her feet “God! I’m terrible at this”

“At what?” the people look at him and then at her, and then their gaze is fixed on their intertwined hands. Javi knows that the rumors are already spreading and hopes that whatever she’s going to hear about him in the next few days doesn’t ruin this.

“Dates...flirt...this” she points at him and then herself

“I cannot believe that” he counters

“Seriously? hey your dress is pretty; yes it cost me ten dollars” she mimics

“I thought it was cute”

“Cute?” she raises her right eyebrow

“Yes, you’re cute” Javi maintains

“You too” she admits

“Me?”

“Yeah! A pretty cute cowboy in plaid” she laughs

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­She makes him forget about this damn town, even Colombia and everything that happens seems a billion years away. If the people around them bother her, she doesn’t say. She doesn’t speak with him like anybody in town after he’s been back. For her it’s just Javi, and this Javi can have fun: he has shared a cotton candy with her, he has done some of the strongest rides even if his back is killing him, he has hold her waist when she jumped and screamed on the Tunnel of Terror and then laughed out loud when they got out.

“Javi!” she calls “We forgot about your reward for your first month without a smoke” she holds his hand and stars running towards the shooting gallery.

“You have five shots to win one of our wonderful set of prices. You just have to hit the little birds once”

The targets come and go up and down on the wheel, the paint on them is chipped, testimony of a long life in these funfairs and many missed shots. She takes one of the guns and closes one of her eyes aiming towards the wooden forms that spin on the wheel.

“Take a look of the plushies, cowboy, I’m gonna win you one” she says cockily

“Yeah, sure” he scoffs

“What? you don’t think I’m capable?” she turns towards him, gun still in her hand

“Wow, first of all, never point to somebody with a gun” Javi grabs the barrel and pushes it downwards “even if it’s not real, and second, open both of your eyes to aim” he explains

“Yes, sir. I forgot you were an agent. I better follow your orders, then” she winks at him and with a deep breath resumes her posture to take her first shot. Failing.

“Shit” she grunts “Have you chosen?” she points to the wall on the right full of stuff toys

“Erm...Does it matter?”

“Absolutely, come on, it motivates me”

The toys are horrendous; surely they’ve been doing their round around every fun fair in Texas for ages.

“Okay, one of the teddy bears” he agrees with a shrug

“No! no! be more specific” she scolds “Do you want the big one? the white one with the red bowtie? the brown with the small farmer hat? Or...Look!” she jumps excitedly “There’s a cowboy one, I’m gonna get you the cowboy” she nods and tries a second time, missing.

Javi mocks her and leans on her shaking in laughter.

“Yeah, really funny. Why don’t you try then?” she passes him the gun. After he has collected himself, he adjusts his posture and aims. Nothing.

She crosses her arms over her chest and observes him with an amused grin.

He doesn’t wait longer until he tries again and misses.

“You only got one left”

“Say goodbye to your teddy bear, cowboy” she whispers in his ear. Her sweet perfume and her voice distract him briefly. For a second he wants to throw the gun away and take her in his arms at last.

Javier shots again

“No luck today, sir, if you want to try again is three dollars”

Javi refuses the man with a gesture; she doesn’t say a thing for a minute, but then snorts and cries in laughter

“You’re lousy shot!” she screams

“You missed too” he defends

“Yeah, two shots, and you three, but who of us is a well trained agent, huh?” she sassed

Javi bites his lip, both hands on his hips; he knows there’s no way to defend his shitty shots.

“I still gained a reward though” he gazes at her

“Yeah, that’s true. What do you want then? I still have a few of dollars on me if you want a sundae or something”

“No, not that” he walks towards her and she instinctively recoils until she’s against the tent of the shooting gallery “I want something sweeter” he places his hands on her waist.

“Wh-hat?”

He bends and holds her at the same time, saving the height difference between them. He just brushes his lips against hers at first until she sighs and comes closer to him standing on her tiptoes. Javi deepens the kiss savoring the fruity chapstick she wears. Her lips are soft and sweet as he has imagined since he met her, her soft moans are music to his ears and he wants to hear more.

“Wow, you’re an incredible kisser, Javi Peña, but a terrible shot” she assures.

[ziracona]

Julie thoughts untainted by the new lore please? I'm not even a Julie fan but I can't with it

Memory #1482

Julie Strand wakes up and looks at the textured paint on her ceiling. It’s funny how she can do this. Waking up completely alert. No grogginess, no haze, no lingering in the dream. She often feels clearest right when she wakes up, though. It’s just part of who she is.

She sits up on her bed, and looks at the dresser in her little loft room. The jewelry boxes, and mirror, and makeup set up in lines. The picture of her and Susie from last year framed there. Every year they take a new one. Slide it in front of all the rest. A whole stack of little yearlong histories. Julie looks around at the wood floor and the door with the dropdown stairs that lead to the rest of the house. A princess in a tower. That’s how her dad described the setup to her as a little girl. Now when he calls her a princess, he says it in a very different voice. It’s not a compliment anymore.

There are other things in the room, and she takes them in. A radio, stacks of her little notebooks with songs. A guitar she never actually learned to play. A keyboard that Susie did, housed here to keep from annoying her folks. Empty dreams. She used to be so sure where she was going. What she was going to do. Who she was. Gonna be a star.

And Julie still dreams about that. Getting out. Being a singer, being everything, being big, and real. But she’s starting to suspect that’s not the way the world really works.

Julie looks down at herself. At the underwear and tanktop, considering her legs and thinking about how she’d thought when she started to get taller that being pretty would help those dreams. But she’s starting to be afraid that’s not going to be enough either. That maybe nothing ever was going to be enough, for the way the world really works.

A snowball hits her window.

Julie sits up in her bed and walks over to her windowseat and leans out to see, already knowing who it is. And there she is. With some dark blue streaks in her hair and a huge fluffy coat, grinning up and waving. Susie. Julie grins. She blows on the cold window so it fogs and writes, “What?” backwards so Susie can read it, and Susie motions. “Come here.” Julie rolls her eyes and nods. What the hell. She didn’t have plans. She rarely does.

Julie heads out the front door wearing a long purple coat and some dark jeans, hiking boots and gloves. Susie is waiting, gives her a ski cap because Julie always forgets to bring one.

“Where are we going?” asks Julie.

“It’s a surprise!” says Susie, “But it’s gonna be a long walk.”

“Okay,” says Julie, amused. She follows. Susie does this sometimes, when she can tell Julie is down, or distracted, sometimes even before Julie has been able to tell. Will pull some little stunt. Shoplift her a gift, mix her a new tape, find a little adventure. Maybe it’ll be fun.

They walk for hours. Down roads Julie is familiar with and ones she isn’t. Susie’s brought a map, but she won’t let Julie look at it. She’s very sure where they’re going, but Julie has no idea. It’s fun though. It’s meaningless, but it’s bright out, and they walk along people’s rock walls, balancing with their arms out, and weave among snow drifts by the road, watch birds and clouds and people pass. Susie asks her if she’s ever thought about writing about different places, and Julie runs that idea through. They talk about what a song about Ormond might even be. Susie says it’d be angry, and lists off things they both hate. Julie argues it would be claustrophobic and trapped instead, not enough passion for anger. Talks about the days and how long they get, about how guy after guy gives her the same line and same first kiss in the back of a car, the same empty dinner conversations with her parents each night that turn into silence and tension over the table. She thinks maybe she says a little too much, because Susie looks worried, and changes topics, and it gets light again. Julie suggests that a song about Ormond would have to be not about Ormond, but about what it could be like to really be worth singing at all, and they talk for an hour about what they’d do if the whole town was theirs. If everything was. They laugh at the idea of a gym left open to the cold and filled with ice sculptures, and Julie suggests the only people allowed to stay with them should be dogs. Susie makes a convincing case for the town’s cats and one pet rat, and Julie concedes.

It’s been about three hours, Julie thinks, when Susie checks her map excitedly and grabs Julie’s hand. “Come on!” she shouts with new excitement, and Julie does. Running like they’re fleeing a search party, breaths coming in sharp and cold, every ounce of strength in her footfalls. “Wait, wait, wait!” Susie shoots out a hand and stops her, and Julie pinwheels her arms, then comes to a stop, breathing hard.

“What?” she asks. There’s nothing. Just more road, but Susie’s beaming.

“Let me pick you up!”

“Why?” says Julie, amused and confused.

“It’s a secret! Please?” begs Susie.

“Okay,” says Julie with a laugh, and she holds her arms out to her sides.

Susie isn’t very strong, but she grabs her around the legs, and lifts her like a rolled rug, wheezing a little. She teeters forward, one step at a time, breathing hard while Julie laughs at the dangerously deep sways that could end with them both in the road. Susie is looking at the side of the road. They pass a marker, and Susie grins, and takes one more step, then lets her go.

“Hah!” says Susie, beaming, “I told you I’d do it!”

“What?” says Julie, cocking her head.

“I got you out of Ormond,” says Susie proudly.

Julie stares, and things click, and she looks over at the mile marker.

“This is officially Drinnan!” says Susie in excitement, proud, “And I got you out, like I told you I would when we were eight. You said I never would for real, but I just did!” She’s so proud. She places her hands on her hips and dares Julie to challenge her.

Julie’s throat feels tight in a way it almost never does. Choked up, maybe, she thinks, even though Julie rarely cries. “You did,” says Julie, smiling at her, “You’re good on your word.”

“Don’t think this means I’m trying to weasel out,” says Susie, “I’m gonna get you out again, and I promise right now, but no matter what else happens, we’ve been out before, and we can do it again.” She turns and gestures to the big open road ahead of them and the blue sky and green pines lining the road like a procession. “Make it out there anywhere. It’s easy, see?”

“Thank you,” says Julie, pulling her into a hug, “You’re really wonderful, you know that?” She can smell the chemicals in Susie’s hair. She must have dyed it last night. You’ve been feeling shitty too.

“I only did it because you’re the most amazing person there is,” says Susie, hugging back.

“I’ll remember this,” promises Julie, eyes shut, “We made it out. So we’ll get out again after school and go somewhere, I’m sure.”

“Or we could just keep going,” says Susie quietly.

Julie opens her eyes and looks at her. Susie looks so desperately hopeful, and a little sad.

“We could keep walking, and end up somewhere different tonight, and never go back,” says Susie.

Julie watches her for a second and then smiles softly. “We could.”

Susie knows that’s a no, and her expression falls a little, and she looks at the road by her feet. It hurts a little. Julie looks at the road ahead and thinks about what it would be like to keep walking. But she’s afraid now, that that’s not how the world works.

[bittersweetsongbirdsworld]

The long walk down the stairs had Jimin's heart beating a mile a second. Since Taehyung and Jeongguk's room was on the fifth floor, Jimin had to walk down two flights of stairs to get to the third floor. Besides that, he had to make a lot of confusing turns to get to Yoongi's room.

The third floor was always the creepiest floor. Everything was an eerie dark shade. Blacks, greys, red, blues, anything color that could be a beautiful deep shade. That wasn't what bothered Jimin though; it was the thick air that bothered him. It was like waking through a river; hard to walk in and the heavy weight on the unfortunate soul's chest when they walked through the third floor.

The sound of a loud crash nearly made Jimin wet himself. He looked around the dark hallways, bright eyes looking back at him in the dark. They weren't the bright purple eyes he was use to, they were a bright sapphire blue. He let out a sigh of relief when he realized it was only one of Yoongi's many cats.

"Come here, baby girl," Jimin cooed as he reached out for the cat. With a warning hiss and a gentle swing of it's paw, the small feline trotted off in the opposite direction of Jimin. He huffed at the cats rudeness towards him and jotted it down to have Yoongi's nasty attitude.

When Jimin finally arrived to Yoongi's door, he felt as if time had stopped. The quietness that filled the thick air only made it all the more suffocating. Jimin had debated on turning around and staying in Taehyung's room when the door slowly opened. On the other side of the door was a sleepy Jin, a tired smile pulled on his lips as he greeted Jimin.

"Its nice to see you again, Jiminie. Come in," Jin said in a hushed voice, his eyes weary. With a simple nod of his head, Jimin carefully walked into the large room. Jin quietly and carefully closed the door behind Jimin before he made his way back to his seat, a book laying open on the night stand.

"It's beautiful in here," Jimin breathed out as he looked at the dark furniture. As he looked around the dark room, he had backed right into something. Jimin turned around to see a heart monitor, which Jin had jumped up to stabilize the machine before it could fall. With a warning glare, Jimin had decided it was time for him to sit down.

But, before Jimin could sit down, his eyes landed on Yoongi's bed. Just the sight alone knocked the wind out of his poor lungs.

Countless tubes and wires hovered over the bad, a tube carefully placed down Yoongi's throat to help his breath. A tube in his stomach so he wouldn't die from hunger and dehydration. Everything. Wires connected to his chest, stomach, sides, forehead, neck, arms, and legs. It looked as if he had walked into a hospital room with a man who was slowly dying.

"Jiminie-ah, you're staring. Sit down," Jin whispered as he helped Jimin find a chair. Once he was all settled into his chair, Jin sat back in his.

"What is all of this, Jin hyung?" Jimin asked as he gestured towards Yoongi's still frame in the bed, Holly laying next to this side as he let out a small whine. Jin looked so unbothered by the whole set up that it made Jimin's stomach turn.

"When Yoongi shuts down like this, everything shuts down. Not often do we have to set him up like this, but it does happen. Today was just that day it happened. Sometimes he sleeps for a few day. Sometimes it's a couple weeks. Rarely through, it's a couple months. We take turns watching over him and make sure he is ok. I stay in here more often because I'm the team's medic, so I track everything down," Jin hummed as he turned the page in his book.

As Jimin listened to Jin, he kept his eyes on the pale man in the bed. He watched as his chest rise before it fell, a slow process that showed Jimin that Yoongi was in deed asleep. Before Jimin could ask a question, Jin continued on.

"We worries us. He constantly tells all of us to rest up, but he doesn't ever listen to his own advice. Now that he's asleep, his powers he hasn't quite mastered yet will go out of control. Look at his hair," Jin hissed as he pointed at the sleeping male in the bed.

Curious, Jimin leaned over and looked at Yoongi's hair. Colorful splotches lit up the sleeping male's dull hair. He watched in amazement as the colors swirled and collected with one another. Jimin hadn't even realized that he had brought his hand up, carefully running his hand through the rainbow locks. Jin snickered, causing Jimin to jerk his hand back as if he had just touched a hot stove.

"Would you be a doll and watch over Yoongi for me? I want to take a small nap in this chair, so wake me up if anything happens, ok?" Jin asked before he threw a blanket over his legs. Jimin slowly nodded his head before he sat back in his chair, his face flush with embarrassment with his actions.

"This is going to be one hellava ride."

─────────────────────

I'd Take A Bullet For You- Yoonmin Social Media AU

Most feared man in Seoul, South Korea bit off a little more than he could chew. With the police hot on his trail, Min Yoongi could only do one thing: Kill all his men, burn the building down, and relocate. With Min Yoongi "dead", he is given the chance to slip amongst the shadows of Seoul and build up his once unstoppable army of blood thirsty thieves, criminals, and murders.

Jimin was a sweet, caring, kind young adult when he first met Min Yoongi. It was a simple bump of the shoulders and a string of apologies before the other could open his mouth. A simple "sorry," was exchanged before they parted ways.

The second time Jimin ran into Yoongi was in a dance studio, Jimin practicing his heart out; while the other watched.

The third time Jimin ran into Yoongi was the day Jimin dreaded. With the most feared mafia leader standing in front of him, things chanced for Jimin. Jimin was now a puppet for a man he couldn't even side eye without receiving a harsh punishment.

Will Jimin plan an escape plan, or will he find love in a cold, blood thirsty bastard?

🍻23/?

[valkyrie-echo]

Project Echo, Part 1: Chapter 18 (Reviving Bucky Barnes)

Part 1 Summary: A long-buried Hydra disaster, a monster in the shadows, a missing child. Eight months after the events of “The Winter Soldier”, Bucky turns himself in to the Avengers on one condition: They must help him find a girl snatched off the streets by Hydra seven years ago. In their quest, the Avengers accidentally unleash a horrifying creature of darkness and shadow, intent on making their quarry its prey.

Chapter 18: Reviving Bucky Barnes

A week passed without any sightings of the creature, and everyone was thankful for the break. Bucky started meeting with Sam regularly to talk through things and, when he still couldn't sleep for fear of the memories, Thor or Steve would go to the gym with him and practice fighting. Tony tried convincing everyone that a three-on-one fight with the Hulk would be a good idea, but no one saw how that came close to 'fun'.

Natasha and Clint weren't seen around the commons area too often- they continued to get no response from the girl. Whenever Nat entered the lobby, Bucky would excuse himself. He could tell she wasn't a fan of his- especially since JARVIS' full med scan on the girl painted a vivid picture of his handiwork. She didn't have to say anything- Bucky could see her rage in how she moved, and he made it his mission in life to avoid her. Doctor Johansson returned with a small team to begin putting the nameless child back together again and check the recovery of his other patient. He could barely make eye contact with Bucky after examining her.

One rainy afternoon, as Bucky worked on rebuilding a car engine from the 1970s, Clint came in, "How's it going?"

"New engines are more difficult to figure out than I thought. I swear there's a piece missing," Bucky was making an effort to be as amiable as he could around the team- especially Tony. Stark had cleaned out a section of his robotics lab and given Bucky access to his old junk car collection to rebuild on his own. It was Tony's original hobby- before the Iron Man obsession began, and he was happily passing it to the Winter Soldier now.

Clint looked slightly uncomfortable, "Listen, I'm sorry about all this with Nessa, I still don't think there's any reason-"

"Nessa?"

"Inessa," Clint nodded, "Nat couldn't get a name from her so we made one. It means-"

"Pure," Bucky smiled, "it's a good name for her."

Clint gestured to the door, "Can I show you something really quick? I've been having trouble with something, you might be able to help."

"Sure," Bucky pulled off his grease-stained apron and gloves, then followed Clint out to the lounge. He froze as soon as he saw where Clint was leading him.

"See," Clint snickered, "we have an overabundance of cake and gifts, and we need someone to take it off our hands."

"Surprise!" Everyone was wearing party hats and streamers were draped from the lights. All the Avengers (and their friends) were present, including Pepper (allowed back into the building that very day by Tony), Jane Foster (who Bucky only knew from a picture Thor carried around), Mariah Hill and Rhody. Bucky was overwhelmed. He hadn't even known it was his birthday. A giant "98" hung from the rafters and he silently vowed not to tell them that he hadn't even known the year before just then.

Steve came over and clapped him on the back, laughing. He pulled out a large piece of metal with a bow on it and handed it to him, "Couldn't have you finishing too early," the goddamned missing piece!

"You little-" Bucky put him in a headlock with his metal arm, "still no respect for your elders, huh?"

"Uncle, uncle!" Bucky let him go and was quickly swept up in the sea of people. He had to admit that just this once being the center of attention (for a good reason!) felt great, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"You cleaned up well," Pepper came over, smiling, and held out a hand to him. This time Bucky shook it. "Tony speaks very highly of you."

"Woah Pepp," Tony came over, "I have an image to keep up."

"Well then, Bucky, this is just from me," Pepper held up a gift bag.

Tony raised his hand, "My idea!"

Pepper rolled her eyes and prompted Bucky to open the gift. He was curious. He reached in and pulled out a silver frame. Once he realized what it was, his mouth fell open and tears filled his eyes, "Where did you find this?" he managed a whisper.

"The historical society. Steve gave me some background so I could start looking."

The frame held a photograph of his parents on their wedding day. It had been digitally cleaned-up and printed on much nicer paper, but it looked exactly like the one his mother had kept on the mantle in their apartment. He touched the picture. His family. It had been decades since they died, but how he had a piece of his past. He wiped his eyes, "Thank you."

"Happy Birthday," she gave him a hug.

"Are we doing gifts already?" Clint came over with Natasha.

She nodded her greeting, then held out a flat, wrapped package, "An olive branch."

He unwrapped the parcel and looked at it- a tablet? He'd seen the others with similar contraptions, but like Steve he mostly avoided them. Natasha hit a button on the side and video filled the screen- a live feed of Inessa, sitting in the living room of Natasha and Clint's apartment under the guard of two suits, "I turn on cartoons. No sign she's even seeing them, but maybe one day she will."

"Thank you," Bucky had been dying to know how she was doing, it drove him crazy sometimes, this was as precious a gift as Pepper's, "How is she? Have you managed to get anything from her?"

Natasha shook her head, "It would be easier if they'd tried to alter her, like what they did to you. Re-directing someone can be undone with time but you-" she corrected herself quickly, "they, they took her to a blank slate. It can take weeks or even months to make progress from there. We just have to hope whoever grows in her place resembles whoever she was."

Bucky nodded, "And no luck identifying her?"

Clint shrugged, "We can't even figure out which country to start looking in. You said she spoke English, but JARVIS' scans say she's got the nutrient and calcium levels of someone from the second or third world. She could be a missionary's kid. No one ever reported her missing- either she'll have to tell us who she is or Hydra will."

"Let me know if there's anything I can do towards that end," Bucky had tried to convince Steve and the others to let him go on a mission to Auckland after Dennisson, but instead they'd installed an electromagnet on any door or window that could open to the outside. Bucky couldn't survive a fight with Hydra without his arm, and couldn't leave the building with it. He'd finally surrendered and agreed to stay (though the magnets remained just in case).

"Can I talk to you- alone?" Natasha lightly grabbed his arm and steered Bucky away from the others towards a quiet corner. "Listen," she sighed, "I just want you to know that I'm not mad at you. You don't have to keep avoiding me, really."

Bucky shifted uncomfortably, "I know what I did, you don't have to pretend it doesn't make your skin crawl-"

"It does," Natasha admitted, "but the only difference between what's in your past and what's in mine is that I chose to kill, maim, torture- whatever was needed. The KGB ripped my soul right out of me, but I could have left before Clint found me, and I knew it. I'm paying for all that now, just like you are and will continue to do in the future. I don't blame you- I blame the people who used you... I'd like for us to be friends, if you're alright with that."

"I am," Bucky nodded.

Natasha smiled, "Now, go- get back to your party. I'm told Tony will actually attempt to light every candle on that damn cake, and it's always fun to see DUM-E roll into a room with the fire extinguisher.

Chapter 19: Thomas Dennisson