#waterpark story <3 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

fountainpenguin · 5 months

Text

"Picture of your face in an invisible locket... I had a bad feeling. But we were dancin'... swaying as the room burned down." (x)

---

New Dog's Life chapter today! ~ 3rd Life series fan-season

Chapter 32 - “Starve (Etho, Scott)”

❤️ Read on AO3

💛 Start from Chapter 1

💚 More Pixels Imperfect fics

---

I am once again bringing you scenes of Etho cuddling up to SnifferMyFeet while Sniff growls reminders that even though he has Joel's memories and misses being Boat Boys, he wants Etho to treat him as a separate person.

If I had a nickel for every chapter Etho's touched this man and thought of Joel, I would have 8 nickels. I'd have 40 cents. That's as much as 1/4 of our story. And that's terrible.

#smalletho - Etho once again working through his touch starvation and Boat Boys Issues™ Many references to Joel, but he doesn't appear. Large flashbacks of him and Etho in next week's chapter, though! <3

(First 1,000 words under the cut)

---

This preview section jumps into shippy vibes- Proceed at own discretion.

---

Etho - Fox

Status: Holding out a hand

Self-taught programmer, full-time hero

💙 🧡 💚

So, uh. That string tidying, huh? You're setting yourself up for disappointment if you want to do that with an endermite hybrid. They're the best in the business and they'll mock you the whole time you set up. Sniff's smug and giggly about it, too, as Etho pushes him down on the bed and hangs back to study him. He's really tattered the code on the bottoms of his bare feet. I mean, shoe code gets tattered too, but usually those soft parts of a skin design hurt more.

"You gonna use your mouth?" Sniff asks, eyeing him up.

"In a shocking turn of events, the programmer has tools for fixing loose code. They're in the other room." Etho takes Sniff's wrists and pins them above his head for a second, then takes his ankles and stretches them out. Classic textbook pose for the work, even though they'll probably move to the carpet for obvious reasons before they start; he doesn't need weak pixels dropped all over his bed. "Stay," he commands, and Sniff sticks out his tongue and double flips him off without moving his arms. So Etho can't be mad.

But he does lean over, sliding one hand beneath Sniff's cheek, easing it behind his head. He curls it back around and lifts it just enough to scrape his palm across Sniff's brow, beneath his floppy dark brown hair. It's thick and feels like swamp plants in his hands. He still smells like well-treated water. Chlorine. Like one of Gluon's hotel builds with the fancy pools. Or the waterpark server. Never did find out why. Etho breathes against him without pulling back. Despite the wet scents, Sniff's warm soul's like fresh-baked bread against his hand.

"Oh my goodness… You're so pretty. You are so pretty…"

The metaphorical light fades from Sniff's mismatched eyes. Etho pulls back, waiting for a pinch or slap. Sniff turns his face away. Only his Joel side's visible at this angle as he squirms. "Get your eyes checked, Eefo… I saw my reflection when I got my water. I'm stitched together with hand-me-down parts. You don't mean that."

"What if I do, though?" He crouches lower by the bed, bringing a hovering thumb to Sniff's scalp. Sniff glances at him, then away. So Etho breaks that barrier. Slowly, the thick part of his hand eases down to touch Sniff's head. Sniff scrunches up his eyes again, giving the faintest little nod. Etho holds very still a few seconds (Sniff's pixels are so loose on his skin, which was the whole point of this cleaning project anyway) before he speaks again. "I'm sorry you can't see that yet. Body issues are tough; I've got issues too. Sometimes my fox traits get away from me… Been thinking about modding out, but it takes centuries of paperwork." His next stroke of hand (a circle on his head) is firmer, sharper, and Sniff mutters something under his breath as his cheeks freckle up with blue again. Cute. "If it were legal, I'd probably just unthread. I'd miss the bullet paths, but you make vex life look so easy. So good." He draws his hand around in one last loop, then eases it down Sniff's cheek (on his Grian side) to his neck. "Hey, take a closer look next time you're out. There's a lot of interesting people out there. Some wear faces that aren't even humanoid. Have you met MumboDrone or iCam? … And you know, it's just a skin."

Sniff putters his lips, staring towards the ceiling. His fingers lift, dancing across the backs of Etho's knuckles. "You just want me to stay late again. Gods, you're so lonely… Listen, fella- I know my strings are a wreck. I was an endermite before a vex; be pretty messed up if I couldn't tell. I'll let you clean me up, but I'm not playing sleepover. You can't make me."

"Mmhm." Oh man, I want to press my head on yours. He really wants to, noses brushing, hair tufts scraping, but he refrains, you know. He's kneeling, balanced on his heels, and Sniff's saying 'Yes' to the hand but looking unsure. So he won't. "Stay as long as you want to. Just let me clean your code and then you can leave. I promise I won't be mad."

"You smell like bread dough…"

"Yeah? My code wouldn't taste too good right now. Squeaky clean."

"Oh, that's too bad." Absentminded. Distracted. Etho eases back his fingers.

"Are you okay?"

Sniff clicks into focus again and then swishes up, sitting on the bed instead of lying down. "Yeah, thanks. I'm good, actually. The water helped."

"All right. I'll be right back with the cleaning stuff." He leaves without another touch, pausing only to switch off the portal still glowing in the corner. He leaves the desk lantern glowing like it is. It's fun, in the dark. The light's so low, it's like a fox's den in here.

The nice thing about being a programmer? He has no end of scrapers and combs to choose from. He pays the living room a visit to get the tray from the coding desk's drawer and some rolled-up pieces of carpet (ignoring the less than subtle smirks Beef and Pause give him as he strolls by). Etho brings the whole tray to his room and sits on the bed with Sniff, just talking to him and explaining how effective these tools are for different things. Sniff seems to recognize a lot of them, which is no surprise, honestly. Since Joel doesn't do logouts, he has a whole cleaning routine. It takes him forever.

"You know," Sniff says, digging through the tray, "using combs is cheating, actually. I can do the cleaning with my teeth still attached. I bet foxes can too. I mean, it's code work; all the code-eating species can do it." He flicks his gaze to Etho, who kneels across from him, tail waving in the air. Etho doesn't answer, so Sniff goes on. "You know what's fun? 'mite bundles."

"'mite bundles,'" Etho repeats. "Like… Endermites inside a bundle? Is that fun? That's a new one to me." Where is he going with this?

"Yeah, it's when you put endermites in with some of your supplies and go out on adventures. When you want your supplies, you have to dump everything on the ground and try to use your stuff without getting bit. If you get bit, you have to send your coords to server chat. Easy way to get killed, so you'd better not. You can play it in Between, too. Pig has an endermite living in his studio. For every time it bites him, he has to keep his weapons in a chest for an hour when he gets home. It means I can do whatever I want to him, really. Usually he just runs. Sometimes we duke it out bare-fisted. Have you ever seen him with a black eye and a tooth knocked out? Just me, I guess- It probably doesn't carry when he leaves the server. He looks so goofy when he smiles; I'm chuffed to bits with that. Gods, you wouldn't believe the bruise he left on me this one time he pushed me off an end ship. He smirked about it for days, no joke. No, actually. Can't believe his head even fit outside the server."

Etho smirks back, hidden in the mask and hidden by his fingertips. His chin rests against his hand. "What'd you do to him? You didn't let him get away with that, did you?"

"Hell no! I picked up a shulker and I slammed him on the head with it. I bet you didn't even know you can peel 'em off the wall- they're so clingy. What'd he do then? I think he put down a bed and blew himself up trying to get me with it. Oh, he's so lame. I like him so much."

[Full chapter on AO3 - Link at top]

#smalletho #trafficfic #traffic soulmates #... It's complicated #If you're here for smalletho and slammed into my ''Would you still love me if I was SnifferMyFeet?'' drama. lmao sorry #For better or worse this is what I bring to the fandom table #Recap: Sniff has all Joel's memories (maybe) but wobbly self-restraint and it is weird for both of them so. let's get weird #I cannot emphasize enough how Peculiar this is if you are entering without context so good luck- lmk how it goes :)#It's about Miscommunication (TM). I'm tagging stuff so people can filter out but just to be clear this is Oh No with fluff sprinkles #Y'know. When all else fails and I've listened to many songs and did not find the right one... I know Taylor Swift has got me #This chapter brought to you by whomever gave Etho several dozen combs made of people's teeth (It was Lizzie)#Also the intimacy of bonking foreheads #Dog's Life #Dog's Life art #ridwriting #fic announcement #apparently art #trafficshipping #hermitshipping #Sniff and Pig #mcyt #Pixels Imperfect #ridspoilers #Dog's Life spoilers

18 notes · View notes

it-was-funeral-grey · 2 years

Text

And away (Al Haitham x F!Reader)

Prequel Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Extra 1 Masterlist

Summary: now that all that's settled, it's time to head back to vimara village. (all hail imaginary kaveh)

Warnings: mentions of medicine, the meat industry and its processes, economics macro and micro, boat travel, awkwardness, denial, internal battles, vulgarities, mild injuries (sprained ankle), carrying, mentions of sanitary pads, ect, spying on friends .

Word count: <4.3k words

Inspired by: Telephone - Waterparks

"I know we only just met, so why do I feel invested?"

Author's note: i had to dig out all my economics knowledge for this lol. i still almost failed econs so just pretend that i make total sense for the sake of the story pls. Also, i may come back and mass re edit this.

Thank you for all the lovely comments for part 3! it really made my day! i'm sorry if this part isnt as good as the rest! I tried

Please give criticism! Also, if i missed any warnings, do tell me so i can add them!

Out of all the issues Al Haitham has to deal with, Port Ormos is the most pressing and the source of many other problems.

No trade means no business. No business means no jobs. No jobs mean no work, which means no income for both Sumeru and the people. And especially since Port Ormos is Sumeru's main port, national income has taken a hard hit. Akademiya economists have been sending him report after report about their concerns about Sumeru's economic forecast. It does not look good.

In addition, no trade means that Sumeru doesn't get new resources anymore. While Sumeru is mostly self-sufficient food-wise, many resources still cannot be obtained locally- or are mostly imported. And since Port Ormos is both Sumeru's largest and main port, lots of imports are not coming in anymore.

For example, there's currently a national shortage of cold medicines, which Sumeru usually imports from Snezhnaya. Particularly during monsoon seasons, cases of colds, dengue fever and the flu increase amongst the population. But Snezhnayan traders and businesses have pulled away from Sumeru after the Akademiya scandal. Bimarstan had gotten so desperate for cold medicine that it had begun asking locals to donate their leftover medicine. To ease the burden on the Bimarstan, Al Haitham had ordered Amurta to help mass manufacture medicines. However, this is only a stopgap measure. He needs to find a way to solve the root cause of the problem.

Furthermore, inflation has been a growing issue. The situation isn't so bad in Sumeru city, as its tiny port is still running- albeit not as smoothly or vibrantly as it used to. But in other parts of Sumeru, it's a whole different story.

Everything is connected in a way. Just because Sumeru isn't reliant on imports for food doesn't mean food prices are not affected by the lack of other resources. For example, to produce fowl meat, you'll need a few things:

Either machinery (mostly from Fontaine) or workers to slaughter the fowl.

Appropriate packaging to pack the fowl meat.

Transport to carry your produce to marketplaces throughout Sumeru.

In this case, most issues lie with step one. Most farmers in Sumeru had taken to using Fontaine machinery to mass slaughter poultry. It was much cheaper than hiring workers and way more efficient. The only trade-off was that these machines ran on a specific type of oil that only is sold in Fontaine. So, manufacturers would sell the oil alongside it.

But now, Fontaine traders and businesses are gradually pulling away from Sumeru. That means a lesser supply of oil, which means a decrease in the supply of fowl since machines are not able or cost more to run. A shortage means that prices go up. People buy less or cannot afford fowl at all. Farmers make less money, which prevents them from hiring more workers (or results in them letting go of workers if they don't use machinery) to increase the fowl supply. A case of cost-push inflation, similar to other case studies Al Haitham has read up on.

This is just one example out of many. The inflation and unemployment rate are growing. Adding everything up, including the current political climate, Sumeru is becoming less and less attractive to traders and businesses, causing them to pull away, worsening the Sumeru economy. It's a vicious cycle that Al Haitham needs to break.

If Al Haitham had to list all the issues Port Ormos has caused him, he'd be able to write himself all the way to an economic degree. Which he'll be able to sign off, now that he thinks about it. He's the Acting Grand Sage. He'll announce his own name. Present the degree to himself. Shake his own hand.

But anyway, the main point is that if he's able to revitalise Port Ormos, many other issues will resolve themselves. He had finally had a lucky break that Thursday and was free to head to Port Ormos to speak to the trade supervisors. But then, of course, stuff happened, and he wasn't able to do all that.

Which is why he's heading back to Vimara village again today. He specifically worked through the entire night in his cold office, wet clothes clinging uncomfortably on his body just so he could make time today for this. This time, he's going to make sure he speaks to the trade supervisors and settle this once and for all. He's ready to negotiate to hell and back to ensure the port reopens.

No surprises today, he'll make sure of it.

"Oh! You're heading back to Vimara Village?"

Well. Never mind, then.

The rising heat only hits the moment he walks out of the tavern.

Treasures Street is empty tonight because of the heavy rain. Shops have closed early- the only exception being the tavern. But even so, Al Haitham feels too exposed. He doesn't feel cold anymore. The heat blooming in his cheeks and all over him makes sure of that.

Al Haitham quickens his pace. There's still a long walk to the Akademiya. The faster he gets there, the more time he'll have to finish whatever he has to do.

The faster he gets there, the less time he'll have to think about what just happened.

Let's review.

First of all, he fainted. Presumably right in front or around her house- so that's how she found him. Fine. He can't fault himself for that. He had been running on less than three hours of sleep that week. The cherry on top had been that four-hour trek he had to do on top of that. He was exhausted. The human body has its limits.

But then he woke up and bawled his eyes out like a baby. In front of her. A total stranger. She pushed a bowl of the best meal he ever had (and his only meal in two days) into his face, and he cried. He cried so much that he passed out. Again. Until the following evening.

It takes a lot of willpower from Al Haitham to not squat down and cringe in the middle of the street.

Archons, he's pathetic.

His cheeks burn, and he instinctively moves a hand to cover his face. The movement is accompanied by a crumpling sound, which reminds him of the snack he was given before he left the tavern.

Taking cover under Menakeri's Treasure Shop, he removes the neatly bundled wrap from its paper bag. The rain isn't letting up. He couldn't be more drenched, but thankfully, the wrap is still dry- courtesy of the paper bag he took from Lambad's counter.

The wrap is still warm, and he curses when the rainwater on his hand seeps into the napkins. Removing it quickly, he holds the wrap in his hands.

Wait. What's he going to do with the wrap?

He should throw it away. It's a terrible waste of food, but he can't afford to eat and feel sleepy later. He has to finish everything and then some, so he'll be free to head back to Vimara village tomorrow.

She held out the bundle with trembling hands.

The wrap suddenly feels heavy. Looking around, he spots a rubbish bin just a step away outside the shop.

She had left her warm, comfortable spot just to make sure he had something to eat.

He should really get going. Throw it away. And then leave for the Akademiya. But his feet refuse to move.

"They're worried about you, you know?"

Why don't you worry about yourself instead?

"Oh! You're heading back to Vimara Village?"

You weren't expecting to see the Acting Grand Sage again. Much less on the ferry Cyno had arranged to bring you back to Vimara village.

If the Acting Grand Sage was surprised, he hid it well. Slowly turning to face you, he coolly leans against the railings of the small, wooden ferry. But the piercing sound of creaking wood jolts him back up almost immediately.

"Yes." he hastily answers, turning around to check on the railing, pushing it back and forth, then squatting down and repeating the action.

A curt answer. What are you supposed to say to that? You can't even hum in agreement or find an opening to make small talk before you politely excuse yourself to take a seat inside.

The only sound filling the air now is the creaking of wood as he scrutinises the railing. You're not sure what he's checking for- it's just a loose railing, but you admire the dedication nonetheless. A minute passes.

An alternative course of action is to simply walk towards the seating area without saying anything else. But he's blocking the entrance. Taking a step forward, you shift closer to gauge how much space you have to move through it.

Nope. No way to pass through at all. His large build completely obstructs the entrance. There's no way to pass without saying anything, and you're not sure what you can say that isn't awkward.

"Uh, excuse me. I'm just going to pass- yeah, oh- you don't need to stand, just- sorry."

Yeah, say that, and proceed to simmer in uncomfortable silence with him in the seating area for the next hour and a half.

"...You're also heading back to the village?" there's another creak of wood as he shifts it from left to right now.

"Ah! Yes," you reply, eager to stave off the growing awkwardness. "I, uh, live there."

He stiffens at your answer and brushes a hand over his face. You see his shoulders slacken as he sighs.

Did...you say something wrong?

If you did, he doesn't comment on it. Finally standing up, he's turning around and-

"I'm just going to head in first!" you blurt out, taking the opportunity to rush past him into the seating area.

But of course, just as you finally get into the seating area, the ship suddenly rocks, throwing you off balance and onto the hard floor.

Al Haitham's face is on fire. It must be because of the new soap he used this morning. Kaveh had pestered him for money to buy that brand, and he had finally caved. Yes, this is all Kaveh's fault.

No, he is not blushing. Why would he be? He isn't ill or feverish. Neither is he embarrassed.

It's just the soap. A mild allergic reaction, perhaps. But he isn't allergic to anything. Perhaps he should book an appointment at Bimarstan to confirm that. Allergies are dangerous.

Why can't he turn around?

There's a loud, rhythmic pulsing in his ear, which strangely is in phase with the beating of his heart. Is that his heartbeat he's hearing? Why is it so loud? And so fast? Also, why is his heart beating so hard?

He knows the answer. He just doesn't want to admit it.

Al Haitham is not embarrassed. Why should he be? It matters not what she thinks of him. She isn't causing him any trouble. She isn't someone he needs to work with. If anything, she is just another person now. She doesn't affect him or his life. To think about her is meaningless. It serves no purpose.

He doesn't care about her. She means nothing. She's just another stranger.

Oh, so this is about her, Kaveh's voice rings in his head. You're too embarrassed to face her!

Great. Now imaginary Kaveh is here. But, thankfully, logic is Kaveh's worst enemy.

And Al Haitham has a lot of logic.

Ok then, Kaveh, Al Haitham shifts the railing with more vigour. Let's say I am embarrassed.

You are!

Then what would I be embarrassed about?

Well, about the whole fainting incident! You made a fool of yourself right in front of a total stranger!

So? I'm only a human being. My body has limits that I'm not ashamed of.

You know that's not what I'm talking about.

Oh? Whatever do you mean?

About the whole crying and-

Nope. Al Haitham immediately cuts his internal debate with imaginary Kaveh short. He is not going to think about that now. But of course, you can never stop racing thoughts. Particularly ones provided by imaginary Kaveh.

Don't wanna think about it?

I've already gone through that with myself yesterday.

And what did you find out? That you-

That it was simply tears of relief, Al Haitham lies. In regards to getting good food and rest. A natural human response.

Ha! Yeah right-

Imaginary Kaveh is interrupted once again by the sound of shifting behind Al Haitham. It must be her. Waiting for him to say something back.

Well? Turn around and talk to her!

Why should I?

Unbelievable! Not even going to thank her for helping you?

He knows he should. He wants to. But his voice isn't working. Plus, he can't even turn to face her.

I wonder why.

It's because I'm inspecting the railing. Boats in Sumeru must pass the Sumeru Maritime Port Authorities' safety check, and one of the basic-

It's just a loose railing, and you know it! You're fiddling with it as an excuse to not-

More shifting behind him. What is she trying to do? A quick glance to his left tells him the answer.

Hey, you idiot fungus. You're blocking the entrance to the seating area!

Shit, Kaveh is right. Imaginary Kaveh, that is.

Stand up and move!

Wait. But wouldn't it be weird to just stand up and move? Without saying anything else? That would imply that Al Haitham was paying attention to her but not speaking back. Wouldn't that be strange? Rude, even?

Oh, worrying about weirding her out? And since when have you ever cared about niceties?

Shit, imaginary Kaveh is right. Again. This isn't like him. At all.

Ugh! If you're not going to move, at least say something! You're making her feel uncomfortable!

Say what?! Why don't you suggest something helpful for once?

I don't know? It's your conversation! Not mine! Just ask something! Anything! Before this whole situation becomes too awkward beyond repair!

In a haste, much to imaginary Kaveh and Al Haitham's absolute horror, Al Haitham's mouth decides to go off on its own and ask the most stupid, brain-dead question.

"...You're also heading back to the village?"

Oh, Archons.

Al Haitham shifts the railing from left to right. Maybe if he does that enough, by some scientific principle that he has not come across yet, it'll be like a lever, and time would rewind and-

When I said to ask anything, I meant something like "Slept well last night?" or "Were the toiletries I bought for you sufficient?" not whatever you just asked.

"Ah! Yes," she replies. "I, uh, live there."

Great. Now she thinks you're an idiot, you idiot.

What kind of question is that? The answer is obvious. So obvious, that Al Haitham feels the need to redeem himself. A prickling sensation on his face spreads from his cheeks all the way up to the tips of his ears, and Al Haitham uses a hand to try to rub it away.

Archons, even asking what her name is would have been a better question than that!

Enough yapping! How can I fix this?

Al Haitham can't believe he's asking Kaveh, even if in imaginary form, for help. But desperate times call for desperate measures. And Kaveh-like problems require Kaveh-like solutions.

Well, start off by actually turning around to talk to her! Even imaginary Kaveh is surprised by his request for advice. Ask her what her name is! That sounds like a good way to kick-start a less awkward conversation. And save this whole interaction.

But I don't want a conversation. I-

Do you want her to feel even more uncomfortable than she probably already is?

With a deep sigh, Al Haitham tries to compose himself. Willing away the heat in his face, he stands back up. His knees ache a little, but he ignores the pain as he turns to face her but-

"I'm just going to head in first!"

And there she goes, bolting towards the now unobstructed entrance, leaving Al Haitham alone on the deck, momentarily stunned by her sudden departure.

She's barely two steps into the seating area when the ship rocks. Al Haitham catches his balance with practised elegance, but unfortunately, the same could not be said for her.

With a loud thud, she crashes into the ground as the boat begins to turn.

"Are you alright?" all earlier thoughts disappear from Al Haitham's mind as worry fills the gaps. Rushing over, he kneels at her side, watching her as she turns around with a hiss.

"It's fine." she winces, turning over before extending both legs.

"Your left ankle is starting to swell," Al Haitham mutters, comparing the size of her ankles through the straps of her sandals. "A sprained ankle."

"Well," She shifts to sit upwards. Leaning over, she takes a closer look at her ankle. "It doesn't look as bad as it feels."

"It may soon if we don't take care of it," Al Haitham shifts closer to her ankle. "May I?"

When she nods, he gently removes her footwear. Looking around the seating area, he frowns as he realises the absence of a first aid kit. That means no cold compresses or bandages.

"We'll have to elevate it," Al Haitham mutters. "Let's move closer to the benches."

"Ah, ok," she kicks her right leg inwards she pushes her weight onto it as she tries to stand. "Well-"

The boat wobbles, and she nearly falls again. , Al Haitham catches hold of her arm, steadying her.

"That isn't going to work," Al Haitham states before she could thank him. "Sit back down."

She does so, giving him a questioning look. Gently moving her legs so that her knees are outstretched and bent, he hooks an arm under her knee and uses the other to support her back as he stands.

"Woah!" her arms begin to flail.

"Calm down," Al Haitham moves his face away from a hand that nearly hits him. "Just- put that arm here."

"Where?"

"Shoulder," he huffs as he bounces her to secure his hold around her. "Hold on."

The boat rocks, but the Acting Grand Sage doesn't seem worried about falling. In fact, he walks on as if he's on flat ground. All while carrying you.

He gently places you down on the floor next to the nearest metal bench before kneeling next to you again.

"I'm just going to put your leg up here," he assists your ankle up on the bench. "Leave your ankle like this."

"Thank you," you murmur. "I'm sorry for the trouble."

He sighs, heading back towards the entrance to retrieve your sandals. You can't look at him as he walks back to you.

This is so embarrassing.

It was bad enough that things were already so awkward. Oh, Archons. You've already made a faux pas earlier at the deck. Now with this? He must be furious.

Then, in a move that proceeded to stun you- and honestly scare you a little he sits down.

On the floor.

All the benches around, and he chooses to sit on the floor with you.

"No need to thank me." the Acting Grand Sage releases another sigh as he relaxes his shoulders, leaning on the side of the bench beside yours.

He then pulls out a book from somewhere behind his cape and begins to read.

"Would you…prefer to sit on the bench? I'm sure it's much more comfortable there."

"It's a metal bench. It'll feel just as hard as the floor."

Again, another curt response.

Biting your lip in shame, you feel a heat roll up your cheek.

"Acting Grand Sage, I just want to apologise for-"

"Al Haitham."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"My name," he shuts his book, turning his head to face you now. "It's less of a mouthful compared to that. And you are?"

Name. Yes. You can give that.

You tell him your name, trying your hardest to keep your voice as stable as possible. You really don't want to embarrass yourself further.

He repeats your name with an almost contemplative tone. He said it softly, compared to the surrounding noises of the ship. But it's the only sound that fills your ears.

"You have nothing to apologise for," the Acting Grand Sage- no, Al Haitham says. With yet another sigh, he continues. "It's actually me who has to apologise."

"What do you mean?" you frown. You don't recall him doing anything wrong.

"I," he pauses, placing his book aside as his hand rubs against the back of his neck. "I'm sorry if I've made you feel uncomfortable."

He shifts slightly, fidgeting with the ends of his cape.

"I also have to apologise for getting you into this mess," he goes on. "And for not thanking you for helping me back then."

"There's no need to thank me for that!" you answer. "And there's no need to apologise as well. Everyone has been kind to me. This was all a misunderstanding."

And just like that, the awkwardness is gone. Instead, a soothing silence envelopes the space between the two of you. You finally get the courage to glance at him, and now that you're relaxed, you notice something a little strange about his attire.

He isn't wearing anything different than yesterday. But the cape-

His cape!

"I passed your cape to Cyno when I got to the hostel," you say, voice laced with worry. "Did you get it?"

That cape looked expensive. But more importantly, you don't think you'd be able to show your face to anyone ever again if you lost the Acting Grand Sage's cape.

"I did," you let out a sigh of relief. "Cyno passed it to me yesterday."

"Did you work through the night?" you ask.

"Yes. I managed to finish everything by dawn, so I went back home to rest before heading out again."

"At dawn? So you did work through the night then!" you huff. "You have to take care of yourself! If not, you'll pass out again."

"I was well rested after I fell asleep at your place."

"You did not fall asleep. You passed out!"

"Well, it was rest either way."

"Then, did you at least eat the wrap we gave you?"

He stills. Suddenly, the chatty vibe between the two of you had disappeared.

"I," he breaks the stillness. "I ate a little bit of it. On the way back to the Akademiya."

He looks a little guilty, but you let it go.

"I'll take your word for it."

Another silence fills the air. You wiggle the toes on your left foot. It aches, but not as much as before, thankfully. But it'll still be a pain to deal with on the walk back home.

"Did you rest well last night?" he asks, breaking the silence again.

"I did," you recall, thinking about that room you were given. "Do all Akademiya students live in rooms like that? Everything was provided!"

You had thought a student hostel would have only the bare essentials, like a bed, wardrobe and a desk. But in the room you were led to, everything you could have possibly needed was there. Soaps, room slippers, sanitary pads and tampons, and even snacks!

"…Yes," he stretches his neck. "I'm glad you got a good night's rest."

"You should get one too, you know?" you say, turning to face him. "Your friends are worried about you."

And they really are. To the rest of Sumeru, he may just be a temporary authority figure. But to Kaveh, he's his housemate and closest friend. And to Cyno, he's his rival and fellow comrade.

"I know they are," he shares. "But we all have jobs to do."

He looks up, out of the window, far out into the blue sky. It's a sunny day today.

"We should be back at the village in about an hour's time."

"Well, why don't you go get some rest then? I'll wake you when we arrive."

"Thank you." He gives your ankle one last look, making sure nothing got worse. Leaning his head back onto the side of the metal bench, he closes his eyes.

You pray to the Dendro Archon to make his dreams sweet as you watch sleep take him away.

"Did you get it?"

"I think so?"

"Oh, it's blurry! Let me try!"

"Kaveh, wait! Don't lean on that or-"

For an architect, Kaveh is surprisingly terrible at guessing the relative structural integrity of objects. This is why the boxes Kaveh thought were stable (and then proceeded to lean on) come falling down, much to Cyno's dismay.

Naturally, the shopkeeper was furious about Kaveh destroying a whole batch of new wares. Kaveh had racked up quite the bill (which Cyno feels will end up being paid for by Al Haitham), but-

"But it's all worth it. Look!" he gloats, showing Cyno the printed picture.

"Well, would you look at that? Told you this was a good idea!" Kaveh continues.

Well, Archons be damned.

Cyno isn't one who would usually follow Kaveh's pranks or ploys. But if it's going to keep producing results like this, he may consider calling Tighnari to join in on the fun.

"Told you I would be able to get them on the same boat," Cyno smirks, handing the photo back to Kaveh for safekeeping. "What now?"

"Now, we wait," Kaveh takes one last look at the photo, admiring their handiwork before shutting it together with the kamera inside his briefcase. "And when he comes back, oh, it will be fun."

Little did these two know what they have started.

Join the Taglist!

#al haitam x reader #alhaitham x reader #alhaitham genshin impact #alhaitham #al haitham #genshin x reader #genshin impact #hereandnow

225 notes · View notes

parxarchive · 2 months

Text

waterparks instagram story [august 3, 2024]

#waterparks #waterparks instagram story #waterparks instagram #ig #2024

18 notes · View notes

serafilms · 8 months

Text

thoughts on pjo series so far after episode 6:

(spoilers for ep 6 ahead!! minor spoilers for the books too but nothing much about the plot)

acting SLAYS. slays. i almost teared up like 3 times bc of percabeth in ep 4/5 ALONE. and sally!! and grover!!!! luke and clarisse too ugh!!!!

special effects SLAYYYY. the monsters look really good and just as i imagined, I’ll give them that.

sets and locations are also very accurately pictured and the vibes brought out are just like the book!

script sucks. the writing is soooo awkward most of the time and the conversation just does not flow well. it’s too serious and boring half the time and i can’t keep relying on the actor’s tones even if they’re doing well as child actors.

soooo much exposition in every single conversation my head is spinning. like i feel like there were better ways to contextualise info from the book?

i saw someone say this show could’ve been approached with a fleabag ish narration and while that sort of would be a bit unorthodox i feel like that or just having walker narrate over the top sometimes would’ve been a good way to nod to the books. it’s difficult to bring a first person series alive when the narrator has so much personality and stuff to say that affects descriptions and how we see it, but i think it could’ve been possible.

music is clunky sometimes in that like why r the vibes so heavy for nothing…. like when they were talking in the animal truck and when they were driving the taxi etc.

no action. like i don’t need it to be pumping out adrenaline all the time but they have fr barely done anything i’m sorry 😰 book trio would’ve ate them alive.

cutting grover out at the waterpark likeeee??? yeah maybe him w ares was important but also it was not. they could’ve gotten that info any other time without making him stay w ares.

lacking explanation where it matters. like the eeriness of the lotus casino and why there are people from all different eras. and their RESOURCES like they aren’t explaining where their money and clothes and stuff are like these kids are surviving off one backpack?? it reminds me of in a wrinkle in time (2018) how the kid’s shirt changes like every 10 minutes and it’s just never acknowledged.

speaking of the lotus casino it’s just so like… bland. they’re cutting out the best parts of the story. percy fighting the chimera was so underwhelming and the bus scene too!!! and the lotus casino like yeah ok let’s not promote drugs i guess but they could have and SHOULD have had fun. why did they waste that time on cgi for the roller coaster in the casino at all?? it wasn’t sinister enough bc the whole vibe of the show is just serious so there’s no contrast between them thinking they’ve found paradise and realising there’s something wrong. captured the vibe of the show tbh: they plateau along the middle line of fun and serious business instead of playing with it like the book does.

feels like the character relationships r poorly drawn out. i’ve already forgotten about the weak attempt to build a percy-luke friendship. and annabeth not letting grover talk to hermes in the casino felt badly explained. plus grover’s whole backstory?? why r we straying so far from how the books explained him like they’re separating him a bit toooo much from the others.

generally just too many plot changes like as much as there is good in this show there is also bad and we stray further and further from the plot every single episode (the SOLSTICE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIME PRESSURE??).

it’s somehow too low stakes and too serious at the same time. like they’re acting like the stakes are high but i’m not feeling the pressure.

i understand it’s a new iteration and an adaption almost never means it’ll be the same, but that doesn’t mean i like all the changes. i guess there’s probably tonnes of reasons why book to screen adaptions always change so much (actually harry potter and tbosas ate tbh but oh well), and in this case it’s been many years since pjo was released, so rick is just taking that chance to rewrite things as he would if he wrote the books now. and i accept that. but these are just my opinions and some of these things are just plain bad choices for a show 😭

but i do still hope it gets picked up for all 5 seasons + heroes of olympus like i’ll give u all my money i’ll watch it all i swear

#ashley speaks !#percy jackson #percy jackson and the olympians #pjo #pjo series #pjo spoilers #pjo series spoilers

21 notes · View notes

zephsthings · 5 months

Text

intro post !!!

hi! i'm zeph (a.k.a. zephie//zephania star), i'm 19 and a brit (unfortunately my irish heritage is not strong enough to count as fully irish lol :< UPDATE TURNS OUT I AM ACTUALLY HALF IRISH!!!)

my pronouns are she/they/them, and now also star/astra/starfae !!! i'm a genderfluid/demigirl, (i vibe with both those labels) and a panromantic demisexual :3

these are the fandoms i most like to dip in and out of:

waterparks (the band)

httyd

b99

psych

the dragon prince

the mentalist

bones (tv)

probably some others i cannot think of atm (will add later haha)

i love to draw, write, read, (i'm an english nerd, sue me - literally studying english lit & creative writing hahaha) and i cannot survive a single day without listening to music :D

more info under the cut ->

i also really really really love space. please send me space stuff. it is my main special interest at the moment - yes, i am autistic !!! there are many other Things Wrong With Me (OCD, ADD, tRaUmA & cPTSD, insomnia, etc... yippee jackpot) chronically ill and disabled girlies rise !!! <3

feel free to send me asks or just chat to me! i'm very friendly :3 ask me about space, about my interests, music, OR MY BLORBOS !!! i am also always happy to talk about writing, whether that be yours or mine !!! i write both original stuff and fanfic ;)

i don't really have a DNI but if you piss me off best believe i will be using that block button :))) obviously this works both ways ;)))

i do vent a lot. sometimes in writing (poems, stories) sometimes in drawings, sometimes more explicitly. i am in recovery. i go to therapy. i have support, so PLEASE don't worry about me, i am FINE i am just DRAMATIC (it's the tortured poet within me) -- if this is not something u want to see, block me !!! it's okay, no hard feelings - your mental health is important <3

so yeah, that's all for now! have fun on my blog and stay safe online babies love u <3

am i the (gloom) boy you dreamed of?

(( my ramblings are always tagged "zeph just stfu", and friend tags are "[name] shenanigans" <3 ))

#zeph just stfu #intro post

11 notes · View notes

shit-begone · 3 months

Text

WISHES (Part 4)

Wishes (Masterlist) | Prev (Part 3) | Next (Part 5)

STORY LINE:

*Lee Chan/Dino as your best friend that suddenly confessed his feelings for you.

*Choi Seungcheol/Cheol as the annoying mutual friend who wants to be a part of your life.

The confusion began when you realized that your best friend may have offered you the world while your annoying friend that resembles a lot like your college heartbreaker, Seok-jin, wanted to be part of yours.

It was an easy-peasy thing for you, not until you had to join Chan and Cheol in a five-day vacation with the boys.

-----

PART 4 WISHES: Call Me Honey

WORD COUNT 5,427

CATEGORY Fluff and Smut

-----

Dino looked at Cheol and then smiled at you. He quietly left the room and left you under Seungcheol's care.

Seungcheol arranged your "breakfast in bed" and sat beside you. "How are you feeling now, Y/N?"

"My head hurts so badly, Cheol. I don't even want to eat."

"Look in the mirror."

You looked at the mirror and surprised with the gauze patch on your head. "Huh? What happened?"

"You got drunk, fainted and hit your head on the corner on the table. What a stubborn fuck."

"Who are you calling a stubborn fuck?" You exclaimed.

"Eat before you pick up a fight with me." Seungcheol commanded giving you a spoonful of onion soup, "Here's warm milk too. Coffee is not allowed for today."

"I can eat on my own." You said.

"Okay then, show me your hands." Cheol said.

You confidently showed Cheol your hands only to present it shaking.

"That's the cause of too much vomiting; you lost too much salt in your body. Just eat, don't be hard-headed now." He added.

After a few more spoonful:

"I know why you hate me so much."

"Wow. Tell me."

"Chan told me that I look like Seok-jin. Whoever the fuck is that. He also told me that he broke your heart."

"What a chatterbox." You pouted

"So, I do look like that bastard?"

You looked at him and squinted your eyes, "You're far better than Seok-jin. You look good."

Seungcheol smiled at you and you blushed.

"I mean, I--- not in a way that you think tho. It's just--"

"Touch move lady, there's no way you could take that back now, I saw you blush."

"It's the alcohol left."

"That's not what my eyes saw." He said as he fed you sausages.

You disregarded Cheol's teasing and changed the topic instead.

"I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy the waterpark today."

"It's okay. I'd rather stay here in our room and take care of you. You should've seen the shock you caused everyone last night."

You felt bad about the trouble you caused and remembered Dino, "Did he really say that? That he needed time?" You asked.

"He did." Cheol lied.

"I'm a bit sober and that felt sad still."

Silence surrounded the room.

"Hey, Y/N."

"Yes, Cheol? I'm done eating. Thank you." You curled yourself under the sheets.

Seungcheol removed the table, kept your left overs and sat beside you on the bed.

"Take a rest." Cheol said. I'll wake you up at lunch.

"You were saying something earlier. I'm sorry I had to interrupt."

"It's nothing."

"Then I won't eat lunch."

Seungcheol stood up and went to get the first aid kit.

"Let's replace your patch. It's all stained with iodine and blood." He ignored your statement.

"Choi Seungcheol ignoring me. Fine. I'll sleep now."

"Not so fast." He cupped your face, "We still need to dress your wound."

It hurts a little when Seungcheol removed the wound dressing. You must have hit the corner of the table too hard. What a pity of you unconsciously hurt at that very moment. He soaked the wash cloth with warm water and gently removed the stains of iodine on your forehead.

"Does this hurt?" He asked still focused on your wound.

"Not at all, Cheol." You responded.

You were caught off-guard with your view as of the moment. You can clearly see the details of his pretty face and the red tint that outlined his lips. Seungcheol is very surprising in situations like this. Who would imagine that he could be caring too?

"Stay still." He said dressing your wound, "Aaand, all done."

"Thank you, Cheol." You rested your head.

"Do you need anything, before you sleep?" He asked.

"I don't feel too well. My head still hurts."

"Coffee is prohibited as of the moment." He suggested.

"I want chicken wings, sushi bake and coke for lunch."

"As you wish. I'll wake you up when the food is ready." He said as he decluttered the first aid and hangover remedy stuff.

"You can rest beside me, Cheol. I don't mind. Let's just figure out where to put all those stuff tonight so I could help you."

"Can't say no. You won't even feel me here." He inched beside you as you rest away the hang over.

*****

Dino watched the boys get rough on the waterpark. They look like they're having fun, he wanted to join but he was trying to get rid of his thoughts of you, in his peaceful corner.

Defined are the last blue strokes in Chan's painting as he finished the piece he has been busy with since this morning. He didn't exactly know if he's trying to get rid the idea of you, or is he portraying you in the masterpiece.

"What's up?" Wonwoo tapped Chan's shoulder.

"The sky?" Dino chuckled. "We're good."

"That's good news. Maybe you could join us later, huh?"

"I'll just prepare Y/N's lunch, as promised. Then I'll join you."

"I'll wait for you here, while you air-dry this painting. Minghao and Soon-young won't stop picking on me on the giant slide." He said.

"Let's pick on Minghao this afternoon." They both chuckled.

"Don't be too long." Wonwoo requested.

"I won't."

Dino immediately went back to the villa and prepared chicken wings, sushi bake and sprite for your lunch. He knew you too well; it's the go-to lunch combo when you want to sober up your day.

As Dino prepare your food on the tray, Seungcheol came to the kitchen.

"How's Y/N?" Dino asked.

"She's asleep right now. I was about to prepare lunch, she requested chi---"

"Chicken wings, sushi bake and sprite?" Dino showed you the prepared tray.

"How did you do that?" Seungcheol was amazed.

"I told you, there's still a lot to know about her."

"But actually, she wanted coke this time." Seungcheol picked up the sprite and switched it for a can of coke.

"I'll leave this to you." Dino handed the tray to Seungcheol, "We got some ass-whooping mission to destroy Minghao and Soon-young today at the waterpark."

"I'm jealous." Cheol pouted.

"Don't use that word on me." Dino said.

"My bad." Cheol laughed.

"I'll get going now. Please take care of Y/N."

"Thank you, Dino. I will."

Seungcheol prepared himself some chicken balsamic wrap for lunch. He sure was amazed of Dino on how he knows you too well. He figured that he should start taking notes in his head now if he really wanted to win your heart.

He went back to your cabin and was surprised that you have already taken a bath.

"Are you feeling well now?" Cheol asked.

"You took so long that I decided to take a bath to ease my headache. I still got something to spew up. But I'm already hungry. Also kind of dizzy."

"What do you want to do then?" He asked.

"I'll puke one last time and then maybe we could eat already."

"I'll wash up while you wait for your sickness to come. Is that cool? I could really use some time to freshen up."

You just nodded.

The way Seungcheol cared and smiled at you made you feel not just butterflies but the whole animal kingdom in your stomach. You never thought that he could be someone so attractive. If not just for Seok-jin, maybe you would have been crushing on Cheol— way before this vacation came at hand.

But somehow, the thought about what Cheol could be made you want to throw up, or is it just the alcohol in your system?

You ran by the bathroom, "Seungcheol, are you done? I think I'm going to throw up," You knocked on the door.

"Almost done, Y/N. I'll just put on my clothes."

"Hurry please."

As soon as Seungcheol opened the door, you rushed to the lavatory and threw up. He grabbed you a glass of water and held your hair so you won't mess yourself.

You sat on the toilet, your legs in between Cheol's as he was facing you.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he pinched your thighs.

"Uh-huh." You said as you looked at Cheol with tears in the corner of your eyes, you wiped your lips with the wash cloth he gave.

Cheol was shocked of the view he was witnessing. It was like a post-blowjob occurrence where you choked on his dick and almost teared up to death.

"Can you not look at me like that?" He said as he ignored his imaginations.

"Why? What? Did I do something wrong?"

"I hate it when you look at me with puppy eyes." He said.

"Like this?" You teased Cheol emphasizing your puppy eyes.

"If you do that again, I won't be responsible of what might happen next."

You were confident that Cheol won't do anything, so you teased him continuously, "Are you bothered of my----"

In split seconds, Seungcheol cupped your face and kissed you on your lips. Softly pressed, quiet and still for almost half a minute.

"Get ready for lunch. It's almost two o'clock in the afternoon." He left you speechless like nothing happened.

Seungcheol prepared the table and saw you still staring at the bathroom floor, seated on the lavatory.

"Cm'ere, honey. I'm starving. The food has gone cold."

You slowly stood up and sat in front of him. He picked up one chicken wing, deboned it fed it to you.

"Cheol, I can eat on my own."

"You just vomited. Please show me your hands, hun." He requested.

"I'm not your 'Hun'." You pouted.

"After I kissed you? Still you won't allow me to call you 'Hun'?" He asked, "Show me your hands."

"It's not shaking anymore!" You exclaimed as you showed him your hands.

He held yours and kissed it, "Can I call you 'Honey' now, Y/N?" He asked as he gave the chicken wing he deboned.

You were once again utterly dumbfounded by the great Seungcheol. You ate the piece he gave and he smiled at you.

Seungcheol was very happy treating you this way. It's the feeling he ever wanted: the feeling he needed all this time.

"Can I ask something, Cheol?"

"Yep?"

You just smiled, "Can we join them by the waterpark this afternoon?"

"It's best if we stay indoors tonight. You need full recovery. In fact, I think we can just treat your wound with iodine. It needs no dressing, I guess." He looked at your forehead.

"I hope it doesn't scar."

"It won't."

"How?"

"Well, studies show that if you let me kiss your forehead, it won't scar."

"No! I don't want to!"

"You don't want me to kiss you anymore, honey?" Cheol pouted.

"I'd rather let this scar than to let you kiss me again." You rolled your eyes, stood up and made your way to the couch, "Please make popcorn, Cheol. Let's watch movies to kill time."

"Okay, but let me kiss you first."

"No."

"Then you have to make it on your own." Cheol said as he finished his food.

"Please?"

"Okay, but come with me to the kitchen later. It's kinda boring there working all alone, and you won't get any popcorn if you don't finish your food."

"But I'm full." You pouted.

"No you're not. Eat up."

"Cheol, I said I'm full."

"No popcorn."

"But--"

"Then say it like this: 'Honey, I'm full.'" He smiled.

"No."

"Then you have to finish your food." Seungcheol lifted your plate and walked towards you.

"No, honey, I'm full." You said as you rolled your eyes.

"No rolling of eyes, Y/N and more polite."

"Honey, can you please finish my food? I'm already full." You said.

"Alright, honey. It sounds nice when you call me that." He winked.

You rolled your eyes again and again and again with heavy sighs.

Seungcheol finished all your leftovers and spent the afternoon with you just scrolling through your phones and little talks. It was past five in the afternoon when he decided to make popcorn downstairs. The group must have really enjoyed the entire waterpark, they're still not home. No one's home except you and Seungcheol. If only you didn't have hangover or the wound on your forehead, you would've enjoyed the waterpark, too.

"You know, we can make popcorn anytime tonight, Y/N, what if we just prepare dinner for them? You're allowed to drink coffee if you help me with dinner." Seungcheol bribed.

"Sure!!" The excitement rushed to your body after you heard the word coffee.

"What can we cook for them, Y/N?"

You opened the two-door refrigerator and observed what food you can make with the ingredients you have.

"What can you say, hun?" He kissed your shoulder, enclosing you between the coldness of the fridge and the heat of his body.

"Why don't you make orange chicken, Cajun shrimp and fried rice and stop pestering me? I'll make coffee and prepare soda pops, and maybe lemon bar." You said as you faced him and paved him out of your way.

"Why is it that you're so damn annoyed with me but you don't resist my kisses, hun?"

You just rolled your eyes and felt attacked because he's fucking right! Can't say no to kisses of someone THAT pretty.

You and Seungcheol got really busy in the kitchen that you enjoyed the company and lost track of time. It's almost seven o'clock in the evening and they should be here by now.

The two of you started preparing the table.

"Honey, can you pass me the knife here please?"

You were surprised as you handed over the knife to Cheol because Uji was smiling crazy behind Cheol’s back.

"Seungcheol, mind telling me, who you called 'Honey'? Was that endearment for me, 'Honey'? Uji said walking past Seungcheol and giving him a light punch to his sides.

Uji gave you a smile and said "I'll pretend I didn't hear. I want to hear it back from Y/N. Cheol might just be delulu. Right, hun?" Uji turned to ask you, mocking the "Honey" endearment.

"Y--y-yes you're right Uji. Cheol is just delulu."

Cheol appealed, "But what about the---"

"You're just delulu." You answered.

"We'll talk about this later, huh?" Cheol whispered as he walked past you.

They started to arrive one by one and gathered for the scrumptious dinner you and Cheol made. It just happened that Jihoon left earlier than the group due to stomach issues. You didn't know why you were affected that Uji heard Seungcheol call you "honey". You felt that there was a lot of explaining to do.

Maybe that's because even though you don't accept Seungcheol's "honey" endearment, you don't even stop him or call his attention of him kissing you whenever he wanted.

Right, self?!?!

But is it my fault that his lips felt good on my skin?

NO. CONTROL YOURSELF. HE DIDN'T EVEN CONFESS YET!

But...

Does it have to be words, really?

If he didn't like me, he wouldn't kiss me, right?

"Okay, shut the fuck up, especially to those who pushed me off the marshmallow mountain." Jeonghan walked in with some of the boys as he was pertaining to the waterpark activity earlier this day, "My back badly hurt from the fall. I'll crush you later if I could!"

Everyone laughed at his demise.

"Look who is good at cheating now." Dino exclaimed.

"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Back to the main event." Jeonghan cleared the noise, "Mingyu will be distributing the catalog given to us by the beach club, and each catalog comes with an amenity stub with your name. If in any case the amenities don't fancy you, you can surrender it to Mingyu, so others can avail it, or we could turn them in for refund."

Mingyu started distributing the catalog to everyone.

"Listed are all the amenities we can avail and the complete guidelines for each. Everything's now up to you." Jeonghan added.

"All surrendered catalogs will be put on the table at the living room for everyone's access." Mingyu concluded.

You looked for Dino but have failed to see him. Maybe he wanted to rest early for tomorrow's personalized itinerary. Maybe it's best to talk to him tomorrow, you thought.

Also, everyone did ask how were you and if your wound still hurt. With your head still a little light, you decided to leave the dinner table to have some rest for the activities tomorrow.

You went to your cabin and snugged on the bed. In just a few moments, Seungcheol came.

"You forgot our snacks." He said as he carried a tray with two iced coffee, some extra lemon bars and popcorn.

"Who made the coffee?"

"I figured you forgot to make one for you so I asked help from Seungkwan. He taught me how to make americano and cappuccino." He smiled.

"And the popcorn is?"

"Salt." Cheol answered, "I was going for onion powder but then Seungkwan told me that if it's for you, it should be salt."

"Awwww. Seungkwan is such a gentleman."

"I've got a lot to learn from your closest troops."

He has set up his laptop and went under the sheets beside you.

"Choose any movie, Y/N."

"I already have something in mind. I want to watch The Best of Me."

"Granted."

As the story progressed, you became fond of each other's touch and the warmth of your bodies.

"Can you pause for a while?" You requested as you gathered all the extra pillows.

As you crawled forward reaching some of the pillows, Seungcheol can't help but look at your figure as you kneel with your back and bottom turned from him; tracing his look from your waist to your butt and down to your thighs, it surely left him imagining things that are not supposed to happen at the moment.

He thought to himself: Composure. No to temptations. Everything is too soon.

You gave some pillows to Cheol, "Surround yourself with these, it's getting cold."

Your position beside Seungcheol was now a little bit tight due to the pillows surrounding you. So Seungcheol adjusted his arms and wrapped it around you as you rest your head slightly on his chest.

"Can you pause again, Cheol?"

"Okay."

"What was your wish?" You asked referring to the visit to Eros' Cave.

There was a long silence; but you can feel his hands caressing your sides.

"It's okay if you don't want to----"

"You." Seungcheol stared at you, "When din you become so impatient, Y/N?"

"Me?"

"You. I wished for you in that cave, and it was like a wish granted the moment I switched my flashlight on because I saw you looking at me. You were my wish. I like you, Y/N." He said pulling your head back to his chest again.

You continued watching.

"Cheol?" You called again.

"What now? Don't you want to watch anymore?" This time, he did not paused movie.

"I want a hug from Choi Seungcheol."

He was surprised of the request but still granted your demands.

"Is it wrong to feel so right, Cheol?"

"What do you mean, Y/N?"

"I don't know."

"I like you, Y/N. Please don't doubt me now."

You hugged him tighter, "I know, Cheol."

"I like you. I like all of you. All that you are; and all that you are not."

You leaned a little more to his chest and saw him looking at you. "I just want to know if you are certain."

The both of you were surprised as soon as the movie progressed to something hot and steamy. You suddenly felt every inch of connection between you and Cheol and tried to fight whatever you were feeling at the moment.

"Well, fuck this shit." Seungcheol closed his laptop in envy of the scene on-screen and pinned you down on the bed.

"Seungcheol.."

"Is there something wrong?" Cheol stared down at you.

"I--I don't know." You slowly sat up.

"Tell me when to stop." He commanded.

He aggressively lifted your body and let you sit on his lap. He kissed you gently at first until you felt his tongue seek to dance with yours.

The moment your lips separated, he removed his shirt and kissed you again, this time, your lips and tongues have met its rhythms. As you lightly stroked his back, you clutched a handful of his hair that made him decide to remove your pajamas and let it hang loose on your arms.

Your body rhythm made Seungcheol's member grow hard. You can feel it between your legs and felt quite scared of what might happen next.

He stroked your back as he kissed your neck, down to your clavicle, with your hand rested on his shoulders. Every kiss that traced your body sent you shiver that made you bite your lips as he added more.

"Is this alright, hun?" Seungcheol nibbled on your chest and formed patches of hickey.

"Hmmm. I don't know." You whispered.

"I love the way you taste."

In split seconds, he unhooked your bra and was astonished of your chest's full view. You were shocked on how fast he did that.

"S-sseungcheol."

"Honey, is this alright?" He asked.

You lightly nodded. You just gave him hints that you're a bit embarrassed and became conscious on how he stared at your bare chest.

"Just..d-don..why are you staring at me too much?"

"You're beautiful." He looked into your eyes.

"Are you saying that just because I'm naked?" You said as you covered your body with a blanket.

He was startled of your question and held your hand instead. "No, no, I-I'm sorry. I'll stop. That's not what I meant."

"No, Cheol. What I mean is: I want to know, why are we here?"

Seungcheol was silent for a moment, confused of your question. But then he knew what you meant, "I've seen parts of you that you thought are not important. I've seen you with your ugly crying, the 'happy you', the 'mad you' and most especially, the 'annoyed you' that you show me every day. I've seen how passionate you are, I've seen you win along your dreams and I'm still learning about the parts of your naked soul that you hide from me. I'm not convincing you to continue this with me. This is no metaphor, Y/N. I mean it. You should know that I want to be with you with or without these clothes. Regardless, I'm sorry; I was just carried away by my emotions. I shouldn't have done that. It won’t happen again." He bent down his head.

"I appreciate all of these, Seungcheol. I'm sorry; I think I'm just a little new to this feeling. I'm still processing what happened yesterday, with the---"

"The spider?"

"Y--yes, and the moment after that. Also when you kissed me inside the bathroom, and now, uhhh. There's.. There's just a lot to process. I have been feeling a lot lately. I don't know if I should stop myself from having these things with you. It feels so wrong."

"But it felt so right, too? Is that what you're saying halfway through the movie?"

"Yes." You looked at him shyly.

"I'm sorry if it's too much for you."

"I just want to know how I would respond and to what extent should I be responding to."

"You'll feel it. You'll know it," He smiled, cupped your face and kissed your forehead. He grabbed his white t-shirt and clothed you, "My intentions are always pure."

"You're such a gentleman."

"Your compliment makes my heart melt."

"We should rest now." You said as you shifted away from his lap and crawled under the sheets. "Goodnight, Cheol."

"Day one of not being an annoying Seungcheol." You let out a nervous laugh and smiled at each other.

"Can we hug as we sleep, tho?" He requested.

"I will allow one night."

"You'll probably seek for my warmth for tomorrow night. Don't be so confident that this would only last for one." He snugged himself beside you and hugged you from behind.

"You sound so proud." You said as you switched off the bedside lamp.

"Your whimpers sound so sexy." He whispered close to your ear.

"Stop! Your voice is so annoying."

"Your chest is so well-endowed." He whispered one more time.

"Ugh! I hate you."

"I like you."

You didn't answer and just pretended to be asleep.

"I hope you'll like me back. Goodnight, Y/N." He planted a kiss on your shoulder.

-----

VACATION DAY 4

The sun peeked through the blinds and you woke up to Seungcheol's back hug and good morning kisses.

"Why so early, hun?" You asked.

"Just have to pee." He hummed against your back.

"I'll go get water downstairs we're out of water here."

"Alright. Don't be long."

You tied your hair and went downstairs. You heard a light conversation and smelled some cooking, the cooks for today: Dokyeom and Joshua.

"Good morning." You greeted with your sleepy voice.

"How are you feeling right now?" Dokyeom asked.

"I'm all good, just gonna grab some water."

But then Joshua observed something unusual to you. Your white shirt hung loose off of your shoulders that exposed the swollen hickeys made by Seungcheol.

"You really seemed fine, huh?" Joshua grinned.

The hickey marks were also recognized by Dokyeom.

"Hey, Y/N. What happened last night?" He asked.

"We watched a movie before bedtime." You said.

Seungcheol came rushing down the stairs with no shirt on. He picked you up like a drunkard and carried you upstairs.

"Ohhhhhh, movies!" Both exclaimed.

"Hey put me down!" You protested and lightly punched his back.

"You didn't see anything." Cheol exclaimed as he carried you upstairs.

Seungcheol shut the door and looked at you trying not to laugh.

"What's funny?" You asked.

"You see, hun," He lifted his shirt on you.

"No, not again Cheol!"

"Relax! I'm not trying to undress you. I'm just showing you what happened last night! Jeez!"

He pulled the shirt down to your chest instead and lightly pushed you in front of the mirror.

"Look." He giggled, "That's what Dokyeom and Joshua saw earlier, you careless little monster."

You saw the hickey patches made by Seungcheol. They were wine red and plenty.

"Yaaaa! Fuck you!" You exclaimed.

"I won't decline that, hun."

"No, not that!"

"Actually, it's also the shirt that Joshua gave me for my birthday."

"Waaaaaaah! That's why he was so suspiciously looking at me, and you came down shirtless. What the fuck, Cheol?!?!"

"I forgot to tell you that it would bruise hard. You could have changed to your pajamas at least."

"What to do, what to do!!"

"The boys won't judge, honey. Keep your cool." He said as he kissed your forehead.

You sat by the corner of the bed and looked at Seungcheol, "What if.. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"

"I said it's alright."

You cleared your head for a moment and changed the conversation instead, "I'll think about that later on. I want to know what your plans are for today, Cheol?"

"Calling me Cheol is cute. But I'm not Cheol."

"Eeeeeeeeh. Honey or hun is cringe."

"Okay, then I won't answer." He sulked.

You took a deep breath and a heavy sigh "What are your plans for today, hun?" You rolled your eyes.

"I'll go rappelling. You want to come?"

"I'll ask Chan if we could go together. Whatever he wanted."

"Wow. What about me?" He pouted.

"Really now, Cheol? I think Chan should know before the boys tell him that they saw me with these fucking hickeys."

"Can't take a joke, hun?" He laughed, "Cm'ere and kiss me." He said as he extended his arm.

You tiptoed in front of him and gave him a shy kiss on the lips, “This is not included in your subscription, Sir!”

“Then, why are you granting my requests?” He smiled.

You didn’t know what to say, are you enjoying these things already?

Oh my God!

"Get yourself ready so you could ask him out." Cheol smiled.

You immediately changed to your proper pajamas and went downstairs to look for Dino. You lightly knocked on their cabin door.

"Yes? Is the food ready?!?!?!" Soon-young smiled as he opened the door with his hyperactive mood, "Oh, Y/N good morning, how are you? Please come in."

"I'm fine now. Is Chan awake?"

Soon-young pointed at Chan who was hooded under his blanket.

You slowly patted Dino's arms, "Dino. Dino, wake up."

He removed the blanket covering his head as he was surprised of the voice waking him up, "Y/N, why are you here?"

"I want to join you today." You smiled and lied down beside Dino.

"I'm actually planning to paint something by the floating cottage."

"I can help you with the materials." You said.

"Alright. Then it's an art date?" He smiled.

"Do you have extra canvass?"

"I do have. Don't worry."

"I'll prepare for the day already. See you at breakfast?"

"I want a little hug first." He requested.

You gave him a hug and he gave you a kiss on the forehead.

"This must hurt a lot." He lightly touched your dry wound on the forehead.

"No, it didn't. You already smiled at me that is why it recovered immediately on the spot!" You giggled.

"You never fail to make me smile."

"See you in a bit, huh?" You said as you went for the door.

"See you." Dino smiled and covered his head with his blanket.

"Thanks, Soon-young." You gave him little waves before you close their cabin door. He just smiled at you and continued doing his stuff.

"Hey, Y/N, please call everyone upstairs. Breakfast will be ready in 20 minutes." Dokyeom requested as you passed by the kitchen.

"Yes, chef!" You hurried upstairs and completed the task requested by Dokyeom running from door to door, as you screamed that breakfast is now ready.

When you entered your cabin, Seungcheol just finished taking a bath so you went in next.

"Dokyeom said that food will be ready in 20 minutes. I'll be quick."

"Okay, is there anything I could do?" Cheol asked from outside the bathroom.

"Can you find me a good pair of swimwear? We'll stay by the floating cottage."

"Got you."

"Oh and a hat."

After a few minutes, you slightly opened the door and called for Seungcheol, "Cheol, can I have my clothes now?"

"You can dress here, hun."

"I'm shy." You said softly.

"After what happened last night, you're still shy?"

"Ehhhhh that's not it."

"Look, nothing will happen alright? I just want to see what looks good on you before you cover it with some shirt or stuff." Cheol insisted.

"Promise?"

"Yes, hun."

You went out of the bathroom and walked towards Seungcheol as he handed you a pair of swimwear, "This is my first option."

As you were putting on the red swimwear, Seungcheol can't help but to study all the parts of your body he hasn't seen yet, but as he promised, only for fitting purposes.

"Uhhh, no. The bottom is too low rise, try this one." He said as he handed you a blue pair.

"Wow, blue? This red one is cute. What's wrong with this?"

"I can literally see your v-line in that bikini."

"Okay. I'll try blue." You quickly changed in the bathroom and went outside for another outfit check.

The moment you went out, it's already a big no for him. "No. I can see your hickeys; what if you just try this cropped rash guard and this black bottom." He said as he tossed you another pair.

You went back and quickly changed to it. "I think this is better, honey," you turned around for him.

"Come closer and turn to your back."

"Okay." You did so as requested.

He grabbed you by your waist and planted a kiss on the exposed skin just a little above your butt, "You taste different today."

"Seungcheol, we talked about this. Okay?"

"When will you give in?" He pouted.

"You're a little bit impatient, Choi Seungcheol. I’m not even your girlfriend. Can you even hear yourself?" You turned around and moved your face a few inches in front of his. You can feel his breath brush against your lips as he smirked crazily.

"I am. I am impatient." He smiled. He lifted you and slumped you onto the bed. Seungcheol stared at you and scrutinized your body with his eyes. "I can tear you down in a minute if you want me to."

"Do you think you could scare me?" You extended your hands to him, "Tie me up. I'll show you what's scary."

-----

Wishes (Masterlist) | Prev (Part 3) | Next (Part 5)

#seventeen fluff #seventeen dino #dino seventeen #seventeen au #seventeen seungcheol #seventeen #svt au #svt scoups #svt dino #svt x reader #svt smut #svt #seungcheol au #seungcheol x reader #seungcheol smut #choi seungcheol

9 notes · View notes