#wc mono

[carvedrobin]

dooddllessssss

[viaphni]

mono from splits steve story

[sprout-battlecats]

brindleface

[yourfaveisintersex]

Brightheart from Warrior Cats is an intersex agender mspec mono turigirl (link) using she/he pronouns!

Intersex flag-only edits under the cut!

[chezzywezzy]

Yandere Jacob Black (6/10)

WC: 4k

“Although this was probably the worst time on earth to get your permit,” R sighed as she glanced out the window at the blanketed outside world,” at least you know you can drive through anything if you can survive Forks’ winter roads.”

Bella gulped, not even acknowledging other then a quick nod. R had taught Bella the basics the moment she took her permit test and succeeded, as not even a week later, snow was cascading from the sky. Although Halloween had come and gone with a calm autumn conclusion, R knew Bella dreaded this weather. However, R had bugged Charlie ahead of time of making sure her sister was equipped with the correct amount of winter gear.

R huffed in concern. She hadn’t seen Jacob in weeks and Billy always insisted he either wasn’t home or was still battling mono. Of course, R knew the answer had to be something much worse - she’d done her research and the man could not have gotten mono without her having learned about the cause immediately.

Regardless, life carried on. R was flourishing in her newly reestablished and safe friend group and Edward was a gentleman. He always brought her a fresh bouquet of flowers ever week and followed her around like a lost puppy whenever she wasn’t working or hanging out with her friends. What mattered most was that Bella had somehow become fundamental to her daily life - awkward drives to and from Bella’s place of work became early morning breakfasts, losing track of time in Charlie’s driveway before R rushed off to waitress, and weekend getaways.

Bella pulled into the post office lot cautiously. Her parking job was not very sound, but due to the emptiness of the lot, R did not correct her. The woman would be able to notice on her own and blabber an anxious apology.

“You have fun, Bells. Smooth driving.”

“Thanks, R. I’ll see you later.”

A gust of freezing winds entered the car the moment both doors opened. Bella was quick to scurry inside the office and R dashed to the other side. As she embraced the insolation of her vehicle once more, she felt her phone buzz intensely.

Not even Edward reached out this early in the morning.

Texts, one after another, came flying through from Jacob. But upon further inspection, she realized they all stamped days and even weeks apart soon after he had suddenly collapsed on her doorstep. The messages weren’t new, but it was as though they had just been sent.

‘Please come see me, R.’

‘I don’t know what’s happening to me. I need you.’

‘I think I’m dying. Please.’

‘They’re trying to lock me up. I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m not myself anymore.’

‘My messages haven’t even gone through - I know they have something to do with it. I think I’m dying.’

‘I’m burning up, honey. I love you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’

‘I know they’ve stopped me from seeing you. I smell you every time.’

The only conclusion R came to is that Jacob’s phone had finally reconnected to a service provider. She spared no time calling. The dial went through several times before it ended. She tried once more but then came to the conclusion she had to visit the man himself.

R had even stowed away Jacob’s birthday gift in the glove compartment for a while, having waited for confirmation that she just might catch a glimpse of the man.

She didn’t mind being late for pottery, or the school day in its entirety, if it meant hunting down her best friend. There was a hole in her heart nobody else could fill. And she was dying to know what had happened to him.

R pulled up to Jacob’s cabin. It was snowing furiously by then, an early morning blizzard, but she saw a figure trotting out the front door and onto the field. Her heart jumped in her chest and she didn’t even pull out the keys, dashing after the figure.

Jacob was walking away, stiff and tense. What shocked her most was that his hair was now short, his arms bulged with toning and muscles that weren’t there before, and he was shirtless and in shorts.

R reached out to the man. He was burning. She gasped and grabbed him, causing Jacob to stop in his tracks. R was freezing from just stepping out of her vehicle, while she swore the snowflakes seemed to sizzle against his skin and evaporate.

“Cubby…! What the hell are you doing? You shouldn’t be outside like this!”

Jacob swerved to face her. The naive and friendly the man once carried by default seemed brooding and mature. R could not remember the last time he had frowned at her - other than the event that led up to his illness.

“Why are you here?” Jacob grumbled, but the frown seemed to loosen and he almost seemed entranced by the woman. “Why… in this weather?”

“I… got your messages. I just couldn’t take no for an answer this time. I thought you might be dead, Jacob. Why are you speaking to me like that?”

“You don’t… you don’t feel anything different?” Jacob gulped, melting in R’s arms as she engulfed him in a hug.

“You’re burning up, cubby, and you aren’t making any sense. Are you still sick? What happened to you?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down and her blinked, pushing her away. “This isn’t right. Why haven’t you…Are you still dating that Cullen freak? I smell him on you!”

Jacob was suddenly huffed and panted, seeming wrought with fury. R stepped back and raised her arms in surrender. “I… what’s happened to you, Jacob? I know it’s sure as hell not mono —“

“Just get the fuck away from me, R! You don’t want to be here!”

Jacob took a few steps toward the woman. R had never felt such intense fear from Jacob, not even when he almost attacked Edward. She took gentle steps back. It was as though Jacob was looking right through her. He didn’t seem cognizant. R immediately turned tail and squeezed into her vehicle. Jacob was reaching for the shutting door and jerked it back with ease.

Her eyes widened and as Jacob leered over her, attempting to close the distance, she suddenly shoved the gift bag at his chest. The man blinked and all that anger went away, dissolving into a softness that was far more familiar to her.

R was panting and afraid. Jacob felt the bag and slowly grabbed it from her, creating some distance. She scrambled back into the seat and stared, wide-eyed. Something was wrong with her best friend. Something very, very wrong.

“Honey…” he mumbled. “…I didn’t think you got me anything… Why birthday was weeks ago…”

Jacob spoke so tenderly, to the extent that the behavior felt even more bizarre. The nickname almost sounded like an endearment rather than a platonic nickname. R gulped, thinking back to her friends’ and boyfriend’s assumptions. However, she wiped such thoughts away. It was not R that had caused the illness, after all.

Jacob was so delicate with the bag, removing the contents. A hand-drawn, designed, and written birthday car, like she gave him every year. And even sweeter of a gift was a photo album dedicated to the many memories R had caught on camera. The man flipped through everything. He seemed relax at the gesture before meeting her eyes again.

It almost seemed like Jacob again for a moment. His eyes widened and he almost panicked. “R…! You - you shouldn’t be here. I’m not myself —“

His name came echoing from the direction he had generally been going. She recognized Sam’s voice and gulped. It had a threatening, angry undertone, one that Jacob immediately shrank to.

“I know, cubby,” R mumbled. “I don’t know what’s happening to you, but please let me know soon. Happy birthday. I love you.”

R gave him a small shove in order to shut the door, but not before planting a quick kiss to his forehead. Jacob blinked and a smile trembled against his features, eyes gazing at R. The woman hit reverse as Jacob went to grab the door handle. She swore she saw him shiver, eyes glued to her and she drove out of sight.

~~~

“Why didn’t you answer your phone?” Edward fretted gently. “Why did you go to the reservation alone?”

The man had been waiting in the parking lot when she pulled in late. He almost seemed to glide his way over. Edward was rarely physically affectionate, but he wasted no time pulling her into a warm hug.

ER gulped and sunk into the hug. The snow had dissipated, leaving a blanket under her feet but a temperature, calmer wind. She reciprocated the hug, realizing that Edward, too was hardly in winter gear. But she was more used to that. He had explained that he had an incredibly rare blood condition that seemed to replicate traits of cold-blooded species. R’s research didn’t lead her far, but she trusted both Edward and his surgeon father.

“I… how did you know?”

“I know you, R. What did he do to you?”

“What - what do you mean? I don’t like that phrasing, Edward. And he didn’t do anything, but he’s clearly still sick. I mean, he was shirtless, burning up like crazy, and having strange and intense mood swings. I don’t know what he has, but I know it’s not Jacob I saw.”

“Did he touch you? Say anything?”

“I… I’m fine, Edward. Please, I’m cold and tired. I just… don’t feel like going to class or work tonight. Jacob was scaring me, but only because I was scared for him.”

Edward gulped and pulled away, reading how she shivered under his touch. He frowned and kissed her forehead gently. R smelled putrid, but he didn’t let that stop him from wanting to hold her near. If anything, it concerned him to the brink of madness. He knew that boy would be trouble. But he saw her memories replay the incident; Jacob had imprinted on R, something worst than he expected - but what baffled him the most was not only how intense Jacob reacted, but how R didn’t.

The couple took off to her home. Edward insisted on driving. He was worried about the roads icing over. She didn’t object, but was concerned. Edward was acting suspicious and strange. He never voiced any concerns about Jacob. But there seemed to be something she wasn’t picking up on. Perhaps his father was treating the man for his illness.

He kept his eyes glued to the road. R was quiet, which left him to his - and her - thoughts. He knew the signs. The moment their eyes met, he saw the change. The tenseness turned to desire which quickly turned to anger. And R felt nothing. Jacob had imprinted… but R did not imprint back.

It baffled him. Edward had never heard of such a case. He thought imprinting was a done deal, but… 

The man was grateful, but pitied how selfish he was. He knew R would be faced with hardships and choices. It’s why he wanted distance before confirming what happened to Jacob, but couldn’t help himself.

Hours later, R laid awake awake on top of Edward. She had the heater blasting and was bundled under blankets, but still felt Edward’s chilliness through his t-shirt. She didn’t mind, though. It was a nice combatant to the heat that stemmed from her legs.

“Please sleep, my love.”

R smiled up at him shyly. “It’s just, um, difficult,” she stuttered. “I’ve… never slept with a man like this before.”

She thought of the only man she’d ever shared a bed with before; this was entirely different. Edward and her were a tightly wound together as possible, while with age, her and Jacob had given each other distance to avoid speculation and awkwardness. 

Edward chuckled, starting to trace his perfectly trimmed nails through her hair. R relaxed into him. She’d never felt safer than she did now. But even so, adrenaline coursed through her. 

R never knew the touch of a man - even holding hands seemed foreign. She would include Edward as her first kiss (even if technically Jacob took the bait on accident during elementary school).

Edward’s mouth twitched, drawing her attention again. “Sweetheart,” he drawled,” I can tell I’m not the only thing on your mind. Don’t worry about him. It won’t do you any good.”

R blushed. It always felt like the man was managing to read her mind. It amazed her how attuned one another must’ve been for him to know her so well in the span of a few months. She felt embarrassed sometimes - she’d noticed him for far longer than he did her, and yet, Edward was incredibly difficult to read.

She nodded. There was something about Edward that almost made her feel at peace.

“I burn for you, R,” he mumbled, brushing his nose into the top of her head. “I hope to spend the rest of your life with you.”

~~~

That Saturday, R had since not hear back from Jacob. She sent a few texts his way, but managed to drown in Edward’s affections. However, by the weekend, she felt suffocated from it all, and due to signs of warmer weather (a high of 32), R desired to adventure through the forest near La Push, along the border of the reservation.

Edward had been fully against the idea - and as Edward was not one to be controlling, she almost considered agreeing.

She had trotted the beaten down paths - that weren’t technically paths but people treated them as such - so much that it felt second nature to her. She would have wanted to bring some art materials if she wasn’t sure about wether it would snow, and she was right to leave them behind. The moment she stepped out of the vehicle, small, slow flakes descended from the sky. She smiled and was quick to enter the wooded area, using the pine trees as an umbrella.

The forest was quiet with only the calls of the occasional wren and the snapping of sticks underneath her feat. R walked for over a mile, delving deeper into darker greenery and growing further from the road. She felt some dampness to her hair, but paid it no mind.  She could freeze to death and wouldn’t notice; R was home in the forest.

R paused on a small clearly, looking up at the sky briefly. She was hypnotized.

Snap.

R smiled and glanced over. Her shoulder, trying not to move. She was certain a small hare or bird had drawn near. But she was only baffled as she realized the twig had been right before her; small and dainty. And no creature was either fat or fast enough to break it and escape so quick.

“Strange,” R mumbled. She fully turned around, listening in. She was somewhat inspired by the rays that beat down in the direction she was facing and turned on her camera. The whiz as it opened disturbed the peace. Each button made their own sound, but regardless, she was unaware of wildlife in her surroundings.

She set the focus of the camera onto a tree, the background blurring slightly. She squinted her eyes shut and flicked a series of photos. R pulled it away from her face, checking the photos. The first couple were fine. But the last one startled her, making her glance warily around the location.

In the final photo was the blurry physique of a man that had run straight at her, eyes gleaming a deep red.

The camera clattered out of her hands and dangled at the wrist. She backed up from the clearing slowly. Yet the clearing was silent; not even birdsong interrupted it.

And after that image, she was starting to realize the lack of life was what bothered her the most.

She turned tail and began walking back toward the direction of her car. She had crossed up the slope so high that she skidded down the man-made, imprinted steps, bracing herself for slashes of sticks or leaves to slap at her face. 

R face planted at the bottom, feeling a mixture of dirt and snow invade her doors. She pushed herself up abruptly, and despite the pain in her face, she didn’t dare pause. The woman felt something off about the often tranquil forest. And although R hardly believed in ghosts, she didn’t want to take her chances. The outline was so clearly of a blurred man.

Crack.

Suddenly a large broken tree branch fell from up the slope and came rolling down toward her. R was limber enough to evade it at the last moment.

R didn’t dare waste another second and turned to take a far more direct route toward her car, despite the denseness of the trees.

Whatever was stalking her no longer made any effort in stealth. The treetops above her trembled and shook like maracas with such precision that whatever it was had no qualms keeping up with her. R spotted the clearing with a small stream and made a bounce for it, hoping to take the incline straight back to her vehicle to gain any sense of speed and control.

As she leapt on to the ice, something grabbed the hood of her jacket and threw R violently against a pine tree.

Black dots crossed her vision but adrenaline was pumping far too fast to stun her for long. The crunches of footsteps walked up to R as her vision cleared. She blinked, feeling her tears mix with the filth on her face.

A man with long, blonde hair and in nothing but a t-shirt and jeans leaned in front of her, tipping his chin toward her. 

“Now, who are you, hm? You smell so strongly of my kind… I hope your death upsets someone worthwhile.”

R screamed at the top of her lungs. The man let her push him away. However, he stepped to directly block the way to her car, and she was left with no other choice than to retreat deeper into the wilderness once more in a direction she was admittedly unfamiliar with.

The man’s cruel cackle echoed in the wilderness. He had not moved from his spot when R glanced back. She had a sinking feeling that she was doomed for.

R scrambled through a dense underbrush, feeling the scratches shatter at her eardrums and tear at her pants. Puddles splashed at her boots and, if not from the life-or-death situation, she would have been fully aware of the chills sent throughout her body.

After exiting the underbrush, she ran into a stone cold wall. The man had been ahead of her effortlessly. He clamped down own her shoulders, freezing her in her place.

“That’s enough playing with my food,” the man chuckled sadistically. 

“I - I promise I won’t tell anyone,” R pleaded. “Please, just let me go! You’d be found out immediately —“

“I’m not so sure that’s true, sweetheart.” His eyes grazed upon her body. “After all, honey, when I’m done with you there won’t be much of you left recognizable.”

The man brushed hair out of the side of her neck, sniffing in her scent. She panted and twisted in his grip. ‘Dear god, I can’t die this way. Please…’

A sense of whiplash suddenly assaulted her all at once and R was sent back sprawling. She fell back against a solid shape that skimmed by, not unstable branches. Her hands clawed at the ground as she saw a pack of ginormous wolves descend on the man. One had wrapped an arm clean off the freak, although he had escaped at an accelerated rate. R had never felt such intense fear before.

R turned, not thinking anything through. She only knew to go the opposite direction of the chase to get away from those genetically modified beasts, even if that only lead to more directional confusion.

A lightly toasted brown coat met her eye-to-eye. Its snot bumped right into her chest and it took a step back. The… wolf… had such soulful hazel eyes in that moment. R was sure she had met her end. R gulped and took a step back.

That seemed to break it from its stupor. Instead, the beast went flying past to chase after the man.

She did not take her escape lightly and ran deeper into the woods.

~~~

Hours had passed since R had come back to her senses, only to realize it was far too late. She had ran for what felt like an hour, often changing course without noticing where that course even was. And by the time her legs had crumpled for her, a hazy darkness had fallen over the forest. 

R was battered and bruised. Her jeans had some major rips in it, allowing for blood to skid down her skin. Her winter coat had several puffs of stuffing dripping out. Her face was muddy and wet and scraped to high heavens. Worst of all, her hands were numb. It took several minutes to fumble with her phone enough to turn on the flashlight function. She could already decipher the lack of signal from only a glance.

The wind had picked up, although the dense shrubbery only allowed small lacerations of bone-chilling cold. Although it was only seven-thirty, the sun had almost escaped.

R would be left in the cold to freeze to death all alone. What a sorrowful way to go. 

She wouldn’t make it far wandering in the dark aimlessly. R did not want to die. She had never been happier to be a drug addict as she thought to the very minimal protection in her pocket: her lighter.

R used up the remaining sunlight to find a more shelter location. Although the underbrush was wet, she was able to claw her fingers through enough dirt to find warmer, drier soil. She was using up the last of her strength to build whatever fortress she could before stealing the dry layer of pine branches to build a small fire.

The fire did not affect her as quickly as she hoped. Keeping busy with her tasks still managed to keep her mind off her impending doom, though. She’d built a warm little cocoon that would last her the night before attempting to retrace her steps the following day.

She thought of Edward and her friends. Bella and Charlie. She thought of her friends, although most prominently Jacob. R tried not to feel despair at the twist of fate. Edward had told her not to go, or at least not alone. She wondered how he knew something was going to happen to her.

[drvirgus]

can i request a one shot? only if ur comfortable nd want to though also this is my first time requesting something so sorry if it’s messy😭

my request:

so momo from twice with female reader pure fluff right so reader and mono are alr dating. momos dogs boo and dobby, boo being the one whose super energetic people call him a demon dog and wtv, reader has heard about momos dogs but never met them so twice invites them to the dorms for a movie or something and momos dogs are there nd ofc boo is barking, growling nd all that stuff. reader eventually arrives and boo meets reader nd basically boo likes reader and is calm with reader showing a side that twice haven’t seen from boo even from momo.

soooo sorry for it being long😞 it’s my first request ever!! also u don’t need to if ur uncomfortable with the request!!!💟

This request wasnt uncomfortable for me at all 🥰🥰🥰 Hopefully you like that

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

Boo!

Momo X Reader

wc: 1,4k

Warnings: none

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

Momo had always been embarrassed to introduce her dog to new people. He would constantly bark, pee, or just be a little devil. Maybe that was also the reason why she had never invited you over to her place, even though you have been together for over three months now. Momo always preferred to spend her time at your house. Your house was quite different from hers. It smelled good, was clean, and pretty tidy. To Momo, however, it was also quite minimalist, as her home was cluttered with things she never really used.

Despite Boo being a devil in dog's clothing, she loved him. She could never, in her life, give him or Dobby, her other dog, away. Clearly, one could see the drastic difference between the two dogs. Dobby was rather calm, friendly, and seemed to enjoy life. Boo was quite the opposite. Others would say he was on crack. He was much more playful, sometimes more aggressive, and above all, a bigger nuisance.

The other Twice members liked to make fun of this. Especially how Boo once peed on the youngest member's leg. Just like right now, as all the Twice members were making themselves comfortable in the Japanese member's living room. Dobby was lying relaxed on the couch while Boo ran around wildly.

From time to time, could hear his growling and barking until his claws hit the floor again as he took off. Momo sighed, "I'm inviting y/n," the eldest said. Momo's eyes widened as she saw the smartphone in Nayeon's hand. She laughed in panic, "No," Momo blurted out.

Nayeon hesitated and looked questioningly at her friend and roommate. "Why not?" Jihyo asked, causing Momo to look at their leader as well. A blush formed on Momo's cheeks. "I... don't want Boo to scare her off," the Japanese girl admitted, embarrassed.

All faces, except for Momo's and Nayeon's, looked the same. A stunned silence filled the room, only the sound of an Instagram reel playing repeatedly could be heard. At least until Tzuyu, the youngest of them, started to speak, "Y/n has never been here?" she asked, and Momo nodded hesitantly.

"Where do you guys hang out then?" Mina asked suddenly, also shocked by the realization that Momo's girlfriend had never seen her home. Momo looked at Mina, slightly annoyed, "At her place," she replied curtly. "We're always at her place," she added, causing the others to nod.

"And you leave this old lady alone with your demon dog?" Jeongyeon asked, laughing loudly as she immediately got a smack on the arm. "I'm not old!" Nayeon retorted indignantly, but everyone ignored her. Sana, who was mostly cuddling with Dobby, hummed a little tune. "Y/n is already on her way here," she suddenly said.

"What?"

"Oh yes, I forgot to mention. I invited y/n."

Momo stared in disbelief at the other Japanese member, who calmly played with her dog Dobby, holding his paws in her hands. Momo hesitated visibly until she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Come on. We've all accepted Boo. Y/n will too," Chaeyoung said. Her dimpels deepened as her smile grew wider.

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

Momo was nervous. Her hand clung to the half-opened door as she forced a smile onto her face and looked at you. You smiled broadly at the black-haired girl, placing your hand on her hip and giving her a gentle kiss. "Hey," you whispered softly as you stepped into the house and took off your shoes before Momo could change her mind.

You knew Momo was scared. After all, you had tried several times to get into her house. But no matter how often you tried, you always ended up at your place. You knew why, as you had already talked about it. A smile appeared on your face as you turned to the beautiful Japanese girl and watched her close the door.

You heard quiet footsteps and claws scraping across the floor. Immediately, you looked down at both dogs. Of course, you had already seen videos of them and could tell them apart quite well. "This is Dobby," Momo began speaking quietly as she briefly pointed to the dog on the left. Shortly after, she pointed to the other dog and swallowed hard. "This is Boo."

You immediately started smiling as you looked at the two small dogs. You weren't afraid, no matter what anyone said about Boo. You had always been a dog lover anyway. Slowly but surely, you crouched down, resting your arms on your knees. "Hey," you said calmly. Dobby slowly approached you, while Boo suddenly jumped up and tried to climb onto your legs.

You sternly furrowed your brow. "No," you simply said, which made Boo perk up his ears. His tail, which had been wagging wildly, dropped to the floor in disappointment. A soft whimper escaped his snout. A small, satisfied smile appeared on your lips as you took his little head in your hand to playfully pet him.

You immediately stood up again to look at your somewhat surprised-looking girlfriend. "Come on. I heard my wife is here?" you asked, which earned you a playful slap on the arm. A loud laugh escaped your throat, and you started to playfully run away from the Japanese girl.

Somehow, you found your way into the living room, and without even saying hello, you hid behind the eldest and simultaneously your self-declared wife. Nayeon laughed as she looked up at Momo and then at you. "You have to sort this out yourself," Nayeon suddenly said as she stood up from her spot and walked away.

Your eyes widened as you watched Nayeon leave. Almost immediately, you got down on your knees and folded your hands together. "I have decided that she is no longer my wife."

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

The hours passed. Everyone had already eaten and, of course, had something to drink. The loud laughter of your girlfriend echoed throughout the room, and the neighbors would surely complain about the variety of loud laughs they were hearing. Slowly but surely, each laugh died out, enveloping the room in a pleasant silence.

Dahyun raised her eyebrows as she lifted her hand. "Hey, guys. Do you hear that?" she asked, looking at each of us. You frowned in confusion. "What is it?" Sana asked, tilting her head to the side. "I don't hear anything," Mina chimed in.

"Exactly!" Dahyun exclaimed suddenly. Jeongyeon was the first to understand and immediately looked around the room. "Where is the demon?" she asked, prompting Momo next to you to look around as well. You looked at Jeongyeon quizzically. "Demon?"

The youngest member suddenly started laughing as she looked at you with an amused smile. "Boo. We haven't heard him in a while. The last time it was this quiet, he chewed up all our shoes," Tzuyu explained, and almost immediately, Chaeyoung jumped up and ran to the door where all the shoes were.

"Hm? Oh," you simply said as you continued to pet the dog's belly with your left hand. "He's here," you calmly pointed to your left. Boo was lying completely relaxed next to you, his belly exposed to you, his ears relaxed, and his eyes closed.

"That's Dobby. Boo is never this relaxed," Mina remarked, while Nayeon added, "Dobby is with me."

All the women stared at you in amazement with open mouths. Even Momo kept glancing over at you to check if it was indeed Boo. She did this repeatedly until she finally realized it. You smiled immediately upon recognizing the look in your girlfriend's eyes.

Contentment, happiness, love, and above all, relief.

"I love you so much," the Japanese girl whispered next to you as she leaned even closer, connecting your lips in a kiss. Jeongyeon playfully covered the youngest member's eyes, causing everyone to laugh. But you were in your own world. Your mouth opened a bit more as you deepened the kiss.

"Okay. Uh," Mina interjected awkwardly.

Momo's hand on your neck pulled you further into the kiss, and neither of you showed any sign of breaking it.

"We should go," Tzuyu suggested.

Your hand wandered to your girlfriend's thigh, gripping it more firmly and pulling her even closer to you.

"It was nice here... uh bye," the door closed behind them.

This was the moment Momo broke the kiss, but only for a few seconds to pull her T-shirt over her head and toss it to the floor. Immediately, you reconnected your lips for another kiss.

[yerimbrit]

[flufftober day 14, wc: 671] - gaming session : m. sakura

“ALRIGHT CHAT,” sakura cracks her knuckles as she stretches her arms out in front of her, “guess what we’re doing today.”

“stardew?” she leans in to read a comment and shakes her head, “no, not today.”

seeing that none of her chat are even remotely close to guessing, sakura sighs in defeat, pulling you into the frame of her webcam, showing your bright face as you wave to the stream. “i know you guys have been asking for another y/n appearance so we’ve been working on this for a while,” she smiles, “for those of you who don’t know, this is my girlfriend y/n.”

“hi guys!”

sakufan39: MY PARENTS WidePeepoHappy d_rklink: welcome back power couple abisteny: are u continuing stray w y/n?

sakura’s steam window is open, showing her library and possibly spoiling the selected game for today. you also read comments and laugh at some of them. your laughter is contagious, spreading to your girlfriend and getting a small chuckle out of her before she clears her throat. “do you want to do the honors, y/n?”

“sure,” you adjust sakura’s pink cat headphones on your head, “we’re playing little nightmares! …two.”

httpsjenjen: WE CHEERED

“hi yunjin,” sakura greets her streamer friend dryly, “don’t you have anything better to do?”

httpsjenjen: better than watching our favorite couple stream? lol no

your girlfriend groans, and you giggle. for some reason, yunjin never fails to show up at least once in the chat whenever sakura streams. she’s also the one who started the trend of calling the two of you their “parents”.

little nightmares (two!) is pulled up on the stream window, the green play button leering at you. you shiver; you can only imagine the horrors behind it.

“what’s with this painting?” you furrow your eyebrow, “it has laser-eyes.”

sakura moves her hand from her keyboard briefly to pat your back, “that’s light, y/n… but i think we have to do something with it so we can progress.”

abisteny: go back to the room with the ball httpsjenjen: chat its me im the one in the painting sakunet: use the ball from earlier to knock the yunjin painting off fignnmer: KNOCK YUNJIN OFF!!!! sakunet: knock yunjin off kekw httpsjenjen: WHAT

mono is directed back to the room with the ball, and picks it up before he goes back to the ‘yunjin’ painting. “sorry, yunjin,” sakura grins almost enthusiastically and throws the ball at the painting, both of you laughing in satisfaction (and guilt in your case).

httpsjenjen: blocked.

“it’s what you deserve,” sakura states monotonously. 

you progress through the next part, mono and six jumping up and down to get to the tunnel and then eventually to the school area. when the shadow moves, you flinch so badly that your girlfriend has to cover your eyes until it is deemed safe to move on.

she shakes her head in amusement, “you’re such a scaredy cat!”

“it’s not my fault,” you whine, “there was a weird noise too!”

sakufan39: monkaS genjimain: monkaS zookwq: what’s happening? justytwice: monkaS watch out for the bucket

“you guys are worried for no reason,” she quips, “we already passed by a bucket but- HOLY SHIT!”

as the chat tried to warn, mono gets hit in the face by the bucket and sakura and you probably earned you guys yet another noise complaint from the neighbors. in the midst of her panic, she also instinctively hit alt+f4, and some of your progress is probably lost now… whoops.

sakura lets out a deep, shuddering breath, her hand trembling over the keyboard where she just put an end to the running game. “let’s continue this another time,” sakura huffs, needing to reach over to take a sip of her water, “thanks for tuning in, guys.”

the stream ends after a few more minutes during which you both say goodbye to the chat, which is flooding with messages and farewells. you’re still shaken, but you stand up while your hand rests on your chest. “i’ll make us some tea.”

“...good idea.”

flufftober masterlist!

a/n : no bc why did i flinch so hard at the bucket

[leasstories]

My nerd

Eddie Munson x gn!reader

No trigger warning

WC:  1.1K

You just returned to Hawkins from college and cannot wait to show your boyfriend Eddie your new discovery. A new fantasy game saw the light of the day last August, August 1993. This game is called Magic the Gathering. You cannot wait to tell your boyfriend all about this new card game. You even brought the cards you bought to Hawkins to show Eddie along with a surprise for him. You don’t know if he will like the game, you will describe it to him as a card game version of D&D. It is not the complete truth, but it will do. You started playing with some fellow nerds at university and you fell in love with the game. You really hope Eddie will too so you can have a game partner in Hawkins, you even bought him his own boosters.

You rush to Eddie’s tailer and excitedly knock on his door. You can hear him groan on the other side of the door but when he opens it, he breaks into the biggest smile ever.

“Baby!” he exclaims, hugging you. “You are back!”

“I’m back!” you confirm.

“For how long?” he smiles excitedly.

“A week!” you answer, all but excited. “And I have a gift for you.” You tell him, smiling big.

“A gift?” Eddie asks, confused.

You fish ten Magic The Gathering boosters out of your pockets and hands them out to Eddie.

Eddie takes the boosters in his hands, turns them around and looks at you confused.

“What is that?” Eddie asks.

“It’s a new game I discovered at uni, as you can see it is called Magic The Gathering. It is a collectible cards game. It is like a card version of D&D.” you tell him, excited.

Eddie’s ears perk up at the end of your sentence. “When are we playing?” Eddie asks.

“Woah! Woah! Slow down there, we need to make you a deck first.” You tell him, chuckling.

Eddie takes you by the hand, closes the trailer’s door and leads you to his bedroom.

You both plop down on the bed and Eddie excitedly opens his boosters. He looks like a kid on Christmas day. He lays out the cards on his bed.

“Those cards are pretty metal!” he says all excited.

You grin widely. “They are!” you say, matching his excitement.

You look at the cards Eddie opened and gasps when you see a Black Lotus card.

“What?” he asks, worried.

“You got one of the most powerful cards of the game!” you say, pointing at the Black Lotus.

Eddie takes the card and examines it before handing it out to you. “Then you should take it.” Eddie casually says.

You look at him, blushing at the gesture. “No! it’s yours!” you protest.

“I want you to have it.” Eddie says, putting the Black Lotus in your hand.

“My Magic party are going to shit in their pants!” you say, laughing. You then take out a pile of cards and lay them out on Eddie’s bed.

“What are you doing?” Eddie asks curiously.

“You can choose from those cards to make your deck.” You tell him.

“Baby,” Eddie coos. “You already bought me ten boosters!”

“Eddie, I didn’t use those cards for my own decks. You can choose from them as well to make yours. So you have more cards to choose from. You say excitedly.

“Baby…” Eddie starts to protest but you interrupt him with a soft kiss to his lips.

“How do I make a deck?” Eddie asks.

You smile before explaining the mechanics of the game, the strength and weaknesses of each colors to him. You tell him your main deck is Zombie themed and that it is a mono-black. You keep rambling about the different cards type and Eddie intently listen to you. He basically falls in love with you all over again, drinking your words.

Around four hours after you and Eddie started your Magic The Gathering frenzy, Wayne comes back home. When he arrives, you and Eddie are still trying to build him a powerful deck.

“Hi kid!” Wayne tells you, ruffling your hair. “When d’ya get there?” he asks.

You sweetly smile at him. “About five hours ago. Went to see Eds straight away.” You tell him.

Wayne hums in response.

“I’m going to sleep. Don’t stay up too late.” He warns before going back to the living room.

You and Eddie finish Eddie’s deck about twenty minutes after Wayne left the room. You then go to sleep, cuddling with the promise of playing Magic after Eddie’s work day.

--

Eddie is going back to his trailer all excited. Playing Magic with you tonight is the only thing he has been thinking about. It is what motivated him to finish his work day.

Eddie excitedly comes into his bedroom and finds you at his desk, setting everything up. Two D-20 are on the table to count your life points. You put Eddie’s deck on one side of the desk and yours on the other. Eddie kisses your forehead before sitting across from you.

“I shuffled the decks.” You tell Eddie to cut your deck and cut his. You then draw each seven cards.

“Damn it” you curse.

“Didn’t draw the right cards?” Eddie smirks, indicating that he indeed drew good cards.

The whole game is tight, Eddie is really good for a first-time player, but you end up beating him.

“Yes!” you scream in victory while Eddie dejectedly looks at your dice with 5 life points left.

You put the cards that are in the battlefield and cemetery back into the deck and shuffle them. You then get up and kiss Eddie’s cheek. “If it makes you feel better you played really well for a first time. It took me playing at least five time before really grasping the game, but you, you are a natural.”

Eddie smiles and you kiss his lips softly.

“I love you,” he says into the kiss.

“I love you too.” You tell him. “Did you enjoy the game?” you ask.

“I had so much fun! I can’t wait to play again to kick your ass!” Eddie says smirking.

You tackle him onto the bed and tickle his side.

“Stop it!” he says laughing.

“You won’t kick my ass!” you say as you keep tickling your boyfriend.

“As soon as I understand the mechanics better I’ll definitely kick your ass!” he says as he laugh.

“So you are going to keep playing Goblins?” you ask, teasing him.

“Maybe? Is that a problem?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Nope. I’m almost exclusively playing Zombie so no judgment there.” You answer.

“My nerd.” Eddie says smiling before laying on top of you and sealing your lips in a loving kiss.

Taglist: @abellmunsonmovie

[piedpiperslists]

heyyyyyyy wondering if you have a list of innocent oc/experienced jk or the other way around fics recs

Hi. I'm going to assume you mean experienced in sex? These fics I included aren't necessarily innocent x experienced, but more of them being "inexperienced".

This is over 25 fics, so I put it under the cut.

* s - contains smut sm - social media format

Inexperienced!Reader:

Love Me by mono-moonchilds - drabble (s) / producer's daughter!reader, idol au Summary: Girl, I fuck who I want and fuck who I don’t. Got that A1 credit and that fillet mignon. She said, “I never wanna make you mad I just wanna make you proud.” I said, “Baby just make me cum, Then don’t make a sound.”

Angel by pixieknj - one shot (s) / wc~5.2k / fuckboy!Jungkook, university au Summary: After giving your virginity to the university’s most notorious fuckboy, he’s on a mission to slut your innocent ass out and take all that he can get... [or] small collection of fuckboy JK turning you out...

First & Last by kookiesjoonies - one shot (s) / wc~4.2k / friends to lovers Summary: During a game of never have I ever, Jungkook finds out that you haven’t had your first kiss yet and decides to show you how it’s done.

Milestone by 1kook - one shot (s) / wc~8.2k / brother's best friend Summary: Part of you is touched that Jungkook really has been there for every milestone in your life. The other part wishes he hadn’t shown up looking so ridiculously sexy.

No Longer Strangers by soft4gguk - one shot (s) / wc~9.4k / strangers to lovers, PWP

Pop Goes the Cherry by 1oserjk - one shot / wc~3.8k / angst, brother's best friend Summary: Jungkook comes back home to find you visiting as well, all grown up — in more ways than one.

Strictly Platonic by jeonqkooks - one shot (s) / wc~19.4k / friends to lovers, fake dating, college au Summary: Sometimes, Jungkook can be a little selfish; and sometimes, the lengths you would go to for his happiness mean relinquishing your own.

Practice by chryblossomjjk - series (s) / fuckboy!Jungkook, FWB, college au Summary: You usually spend Friday nights on your own. Tonight, however, your friend and campus fuckboy, Jungkook, decides to pay you a visit.

Ruin You by bts-bay-bee - series (s) / FWB Summary: Best friend!JK teaches you the basics of sex, and essentially ruins you for anyone else.

Shiver by hansolmates - series (s) / bad boy!Jungkook, church girl!reader, childhood friends to lovers, FWB Summary: Your childhood crush Jeon Jungkook has changed since he moved out of his small town church community and attended college. When he returns for a Christmas mass, you suddenly crave a taste of his fun and carefree life. In exchange, Jungkook craves a taste of you.

Inexperienced!Jungkook:

Close the Distance by hearts4joon - one shot (s) / wc~13.5k / college au, neighbors au Summary: Two different adults, living two completely separate lives — in the same neighborhood. A guy who’s overbearing mother makes him carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. A girl who’s parents are all too drawn to her younger siblings to even give her the time of day. While the two fall in an unlikely relationship (very unlikely), they still ravish each and every part of one another in every way — the best of attention, the one they both craved all their lives.

Curiosity by hobidreams - one shot (s) / wc~3.6k / best friend's brother, college au Summary: When innocent Jungkook comes to you with a not-so-innocent question… you decide it’s easier to just demonstrate.

Ghosts Just Wanna Have Fun by sugaxjpg - one shot (s) / wc~20k / med school au, psychic au Summary: When Jungkook discovered that he could communicate with dead people, the last thing he expected was that they would be there to give him romantic advice.

Gotcha by whatifyoulivelikethat - one shot (s) / wc~11k / childhood friends to lovers, college au Summary: The color blue. Two white hairpins. “Hey, Jungkook.” A laugh with shaking shoulders that Jeon Jungkook thought he would hear and see forever. Hey, Jungkook. But then those words became a memory, until she was standing in front of him again, sporting the title of “Virgin Killer” and Min Yoongi by her side. Was this his second chance or just another memory?

I Want to Have Sex by jeongi - one shot (s) / wc~7.2k / established relationship Summary: You plan on taking your boyfriend, Jungkook’s, virginity tonight.

Infatuated by namsjunies - one shot (s) / wc~3k / university au

Need to Know by pixieknj - one shot (s) / wc~4.4k / virgin!Jungkook, friends to lovers Summary: Jungkook’s tired of you teasing him…

The Virgin Volume by kpopfanfictrash - one shot (s) / wc~6.8k / angst, college au Summary: The story of how The Rich Man’s Crochet Club Jungkook lost his virginity. Prequel to The Monogamy Monologues.

Here's more Inexperienced!Jungkook but I keep getting an error, so I had to break up the list

Will You Make a Mess Now? by softyoongiionly - one shot (s) / established relationship, college au Summary: Jungkook’s never been touched before and, after a hectic end to his semester, he thinks he wants that to change… Can I Make a Mess Now? by softyoongiionly - one shot (s) / established relationship, college au Summary: Jungkook’s never had sex before but, after realizing that he’s falling in love with you, he thinks he wants that to change.

Twelve Hours by whatifyoulivelikethat - two shots (s) / film director!Jungkook, burlesque dancer!reader Summary: You have twelve hours to make Jeon Jungkook fall in love with you. He's about to get married. You're the entertainment at his bachelor party - a burlesque dancer. Long ago, he used to be the class representative and you used to be the class delinquent. Nothing has changed and, yet, everything has.

For Science by boymeetsweevil - series (s) / nerd!Jungkook, friends to lovers, FWB, college au Summary: Jungkook asks you to let him watch you get off. For science.

Love Formula by kimnjss - series (s sm) / shy boy!Jungkook, fuckgirl!reader, college au Summary: You’re barreling into his life when he least expects it, stealing all his attention until the nights spent studying are replaced with rolling around the sheets. He’s hopelessly romantic and you’re in it for the fun, but no one told you it would ruin your life.

One Time, In Your Room by ubemango - series (s) / established relationship, college au Summary: There are papers to write, and virgins to daydream about. (You can think about Jeongguk’s dick later.)

Both Inexperienced:

Taste the Feeling by 94hixtape - drabble (s) / established relationship, PWP Summary: Masturbation + Bodily fluids.

But We Loved Too Young by jl-micasea-fics - one shot (s) / wc~10.4k / childhood friends to lovers Summary: Jungkook is everything you’re not, the ying to your yang. Your tight knit friendship nurtured from childhood survived the major life events that most don’t, and to that end, you suppose you’re fated to be together, until unrequited longing is eventually noticed, and boundaries are forever crossed.

Helping Hand by minlucent - one shot (s) / wc~3k / ft KSJ, boyfriend!Jungkook, PWP Summary: You and your boyfriend are inexperienced in terms of sex. It is decided that the best way to fix that is to have a little help from a friend.

The Fuckbuddy Code of Conduct by yoongiphoria - one shot (s) / wc~2.7k / fuckbuddy!Jungkook, lawyer!reader, FWB Summary: A little experiment between you and your fuckbuddy leads to an unexpected confession.

[razypie]

Colors of Different Hue (You) || Gun Park x Reader

cw: a bit graphic in one of the scenes, wc: ~5.2k summary: gun is a lovesick idiot but doesn't want to admit it third-person pov, fem nurse!reader, ooc gun (my delulu version actually), and reaally fast-paced a/n: heavily-inspired by 'Hotarubi no Mori e' story-telling, so there are lotsa flashbacks hehe

"Oooh, look who’s got a date today!" Goo giggled as he peeked back from the wooden porch facing his partner's backyard.

Gun almost had uncharacteristically gotten on his knees in front of the chairman to let him off on this specific day, and now this weapon freak's presence was about to wreck the day before it started.

"Not now, Goo. Why the hell are you even here?" Gun fixed his tie in front of his wide half-length mirror, scooped a generous amount of gel, and brushed his hair back neatly.

"Oh, come on, I was getting bored. Samuel wasn't picking up because of his Workers' Affiliate BS, and Logan has exams this week. For real? That guy should drop out already, it's no use."

"So you decided to stroll your way here to annoy me instead?"

"You got that right!" The blonde eyesore jumped up and hopped his way on square concrete blocks to one of the bamboo trees lined up along the fence.

"Whatever. You better leave the house before I do, or I'll stick that bamboo shoot you just pulled up your ass." Gun warned his house's intruder, who reached out to one of the young bamboo plants.

"Not everything is a katana, you anime samurai wannabe." He picked up his sunglasses and black coat and made his way to his Porsche parked in the space opposite the bamboo trees.

"Says the guy who bought a Japanese mansion in the middle of nowhere." Goo huffed a childish pout. "Jeez, I was gonna use these for cooking snacks, but you just had to give me a disgusting picture."

He gave the man in the car a side glance and sighed. "I was doing you a favor here, man."

-

The morning sun radiated a warm glow on the dark sheen of Gun's sunglasses as he swiftly drove through the outskirts of Seoul. The wide stretches of green pastures emerging from both sides of the road whistled a soft tune into his ears.

Unlike most people who want to live in extravagance with cameras shoved in their faces every single moment, there were times when Gun preferred to settle in a remote area, far from the reeks of city lights, where he could be alone with himself, his thoughts, and his hard-earned (i.e. bloodstained) money.

But of course, the nature of his work required Gun to be by his employer's side around the clock else his grand funeral wouldn't be much later.

So he made the best of these hand-picked moments when he could persuade his boss to grant him off-days.

-

Gun has the whole map of Seoul memorized from his monthly crusades and made that mental map involuntarily take the wheel and let his mind wander off for a while.

-

He pulled his car to a stop in front of a flower shop. As he got out, he noticed a gray umbrella hanging on a covered shed's railing.

'That bastard still owes me for that… and a shit-ton of money for losing in every bet.' But then again, he wouldn't have met Y/N if Goo didn't break his umbrella.

'Hah. No way I’m telling him.'

-

It was a stormy night with distant rumbles of thunder.

His eyes landed on a small figure of a lady in front of him and a bit to his right; the two were taking refuge under a mono-sloped roof of a bus stop.

Even with thick layers of bright-colored clothing enveloping her figure, Gun noticed her shivering with her arms crossed to her chest gripping her shoulders.

The man had nothing to do anyways beside impatiently waiting until the rain wanes, and everything else around him was too dull and gray to entertain him. So, his eyes remained on the peculiar lady, the only other color he could see; a color that penetrated even the darkest tints of his shades.

He examined her.

'The hell is up with this woman? It's not even that cold.'

-

Gun turned up an amused grin at the memory as he stopped over at a flower shop. He grabbed his coat and caught a whiff of lavender-scented detergent he recognized as Y/N's.

-

'Oh. It's her again.' Gun recognized the woman from the other day who had now crouched down to check his injuries. He tried telling her off but to no avail.

"I knew you were a gangster five meters away, dumbhead, but that doesn't mean these 'scratches' (as you called them) will heal themselves… I'm only here to do my job."

'Okay, lady. Be my pest.'

He yielded and rested his back against the brick wall at the end of an alleyway where this meddlesome woman found him.

A light trail of lavender caught his nose; 'That's odd…” his eyes lingered on the lady. “for someone with a sharp tongue and flashy style.'

Now that she's much closer with her hair tied up in a bun, Gun could examine her more closely. Unlike yesterday, she's in full white get-up now: a clean set of white scrubs matched with white shoes.

'A nurse, huh. Probably an intern because I'm looking at a fucking dwarf.'

…

"Shoot."

Apparently, patching Gun's 'scratches' made her miss the last bus.

"That's what you get for doing your job."

"Oh, shut up."

Droplets of pouring rain halted the bickering that was about the start.

…

Gun had to admit though, she did a stellar job mending his wounds.

Ego not permitting him to tell her his thanks, he nonchalantly dropped his thick coat over her head instead while noticing blotches of rain wet her uniform.

Recalling her trembling the other day, the self-proclaimed gentleman also offered to drive her home.

-

Gun's eyes lingered down his coat and figured he hadn't picked it from his wide selection of corporate attires to wear since Y/N returned it; he might've intentionally kept it there to let her fragrance rub off on his other clothes… or not, only he and God knew.

A bell chime signaled his entry to the shop, and a lady from the opposite end greeted him with a welcoming smile.

-

After paying for a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, Gun bowed and turned his heel to the wooden-framed glass door.

The cashier gave him a concerned look but settled with a short smile.

-

Gun decided to walk the rest of the way, paced long strides along the stone-paved sidewalk into the busier streets of Seoul.

Turning his head towards ordinary stalls he used to turn a blind eye to as flashes of Y/N’s twinkling eyes with her hand around the doorknob and an arm linked to his tattooed one surfaced.

A grin crept up to his cheeks.

Since their first encounter, Gun found himself driving past the hospital Y/N works at. Later on, it became a routine. Random nights when he stops by and waits for her at the bus stop in front to chat about each other's day or to give her a ride home, especially when it's raining. 

But of course, he took account of his schedule. He's a busy man, and his spare time, scarce; all of which however, have been filled in by Y/N the more they hung out:

Mondays to Thursdays, he would take the longer route to HNH Building, to have a cup of morning coffee (or so he says) at a restaurant near the hospital. Y/N would walk in, couple of squints later, then wave at him. 

"What a coincidence!"  she exclaims. "Yeah." he replies dryly. 

Fridays to Saturdays, Y/N's off-duty schedule. She would go to the public library to study for her weekly moving exams. It just so happened that Gun also reviewed for GED exams there (the real coincidence).

Surprisingly, Gun is good at memorization, so is Y/N at general trivia. It was effective mutualism.

Sundays were the wildcard. One is busy. Or both are busy. If neither, Gun would accompany Y/N to a random place she keeps going on and on about for the entire week or they would chill in his house (whether he wants it or not).

It's an actual miracle that Goo didn't catch them hanging out, really. Although, he had suspicions… getting a sweet trace of lavender in his partner's house when he barges in without notice (you don't just put "sweet" and "Gun" together). Or when Gun's mood swings become less and less frequent despite the blonde's incessant annoyance sprees.

Goo was itching to bully him for it, but he needed concrete evidence—the ones that would put the jackpot horrified look on the demon's stoic face.

Gun needs to be more cautious around his pest of a partner.

It won't be too long until Goo sees through his lies of checking into brothels on Sundays.

Ah, about that.

It's been ages since Gun set foot into one.

…

Huh.

Guess he found Y/N a more entertaining distraction from work than any bent back he broke.

They just… instantly clicked after their first encounter–like a string of Fate wrapped each of them in a disgustingly cute bow as a present for each other.

They were inseparable. One was the other's breathing space: from Y/N 's tiring hospital duties and from Gun's major crew business.

They were each other's pieces in the puzzle they didn't know were missing.

Friends... they would call each other. But were they really? Might've been even more if they knew what the force that attracted them to each other actually was.

(Ugh. Fate was having none of this folly.)

-

Gun stifled a laugh. A lot has happened in the short time he met her, yet there's still a lot to be unpacked for this lady.

-

"W-wait!" Y/N huffed, holding up a hand between her and Gun. "Not the one to use gender cards here but… go easy on me here, man. Clearly, you have the men's advantage in stamina." Y/N pouted at Gun with what seemed like an attempt to do a puppy face, but she only looked like a constipated shih tzu to him.

He raised an eyebrow but maintained his stance.

"Oh, cut the bullshit, woman. You run around the hospital 24/7. Sparring should just be a piece of cake to you."

"Still–"

"You think those harassing fuckers were the same brats you fought in middle school and go easy on you because you're a girl?"

His eyes scanned her from head to toe. He sneered.

"I bet bruises aren't the only thing they'll leave you had you let your guard down."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

"Anyway, I don't know why you're suddenly so adamant, teaching me how to fight." Gun didn't answer, earning a glare from Y/N.

"Besides, I only wrestled those wimps back then to keep them from bullying other kids. That doesn't mean I'd actively engage in one now," She put her hands up in the air in surrender and crossed her legs to sit down, to which Gun loosened up.

"...unlike SOME people."

"You did last time at the park." He jeered.

Y/N rolled her eyes. "Well, duh. Those two creeps kept pestering me, asking for my number. I also texted you, but you left me on read. Did it look like I had a choice?" She eyed him daggers.

"Could've at least used your strength for something genuinely helpful, you sadist."

"Which I did, your punches were getting slow, and you couldn't defend yourself for two whole minutes when I got there, so I finished the job for you. Good work lasting for even a minute."

He was lying, of course.

As soon as he read her message, he sped to the location she sent. When he arrived, the fight had just broken out with Y/N caving in one of the creeps' faces with her clenched fist. He saw her give the other one a solid kick on the ribs and counter back with a knee to the face.

He could tell she had fighting experience, despite sluggish, with those limbs; and he just watched her fend for herself until she wore out…

He cringed.

Yeah… he is a sadist.

"You're right. Let me make it up to you by making you tea then." She used that as an excuse to end their training for the day as she stood up and went to Gun's kitchen.

The latter watched her back disappear in the hallway.

With how their conversation went, it seems Y/N isn't interested in becoming his successor at all. She already rejected him before he could even offer it.

"I guess beating people up for money isn't her 'cup of tea.' It's way easier than having a hospital suck your life out."

…

But not long after, when they were on their way to a cake shop Y/N wanted to check out, some weak-ass thief was also on the loose and unfortunately chose Y/N to be his target. 

Yes, that's right. Unfortunate for the thief.

Long story short, Y/N's hospital will get another patient.

Gun looked at the disfigured face of the stupid fucker with beaming pride at what his student is capable of (Y/N dislikes the idea of Gun calling her his student, though).

He then turned to his masterpiece with a pleased grin and noticed her with arms across her chest while shaking.

"What are you doing?" No response; she was uttering something with her eyes closed.

"I am safe; I am strong."

…

She seemed shocked.

'Eh. It'll pass. I taught her enough to deal with punks like these.'

-

The sun's afternoon rays peeked from the thin linings of thick-smoked cumulonimbus clouds. It dulled the shadow of the man walking on copper-bricked pavement.

Gun heaved a deep sigh. A couple of months ago, he was laser-focused on managing their debt-collecting business, then working as Crystal's bodyguard and finding a successor.

That felt ages ago somehow. His recent calendars have been him dealing with Y/N's antics. Not that he was complaining, he found it amusing to know a woman he could see eye-to-eye on things. No strings attached.

There was something about how she looked at him; neither a hint of fear nor looming intimidation.

Just warmth.

Warmth that melts the iciest of his glares. A soft smile that ebbs his turbulent chaos. Words that tear down his barriers, strip him off his 'Shiro Oni' persona, leaving him with just plain Jonggun Park.

He's also seen patterns of her behavior: the way her eyebrows arches up when she looks at him, the glimmer in her eyes when talking about her pets at home, her nose scrunching up as she recalls medical acronyms, her fingers curling up as she tucks strands of her hair behind her ear, her pouty lips and rosy cheeks when he teases her (his favorite). He memorized them all; and still she continues to surprise him with more.

Stitch that with mood swings and annoying outbursts, and you have Y/N!

How can a woman be so complex yet so... normal?

'One moment she gets mad when I keep my clothes all over the place in my own house, but then when I visit the hospital, she's the one who was all over the place herself with stress and panic...'

-

"The hospital was packed when you came in; it was just bad timing. I'm perfectly calm most of the time." She huffed.

That didn't convince him one bit.

-

She continued to weave questions into his mind.

'What was this weird fixation on this lady? How very unlike me to have interest in anyone beyond their physical strength. When did I start to…'

She does have a slightly above-average physical strength; he wouldn't have batted an eyelash at her if he didn't see potential.

Was that the reason why he was so drawn to her, though? Did Gun ever really sit down and mull over his odd relationship with the quirky Y/N, who is living a life opposite to his?

…

Oh.

...

That IS the very reason he got attracted to her; the fact that she's composed of a lot of things.

Unlike him, who lived the script laid out for him, she wrote her own.

Unlike him, who has only ever seen the thick crimson stains on his shirt, the light gray smoke he exhales from his cancer stick, and the overall black-and-white world he's caged in, hers was made up of different shades of life, the different hues of people she met, and different flavors of memories she savored.

All of them painted a picture of a woman that spilled color onto anyone she touched--including him.

She showed him what lies beyond his dog-eat-dog world.

-

"Dude, tell me. You're actually blind, aren't you?"

'Ah, shit. Here we go again.'

"Your eyes were gouged out in a fight and you spent years training with your remaining senses, didn't you? Now, you're hunting to seek revenge on those who wronged you."

Y/N gasped at her eureka moment. "I cracked the code."

"Cool backstory you've built there, but no. How the fuck could see the road if--"

"Or maybe you are a famous celebrity! They always wear sunglasses to hide their identity."

"Ever heard of famous celebrities getting into gang fights?" Gun knows one, though. But Y/N doesn't.

"..."

"There's your answer."

"Ditch the sunglasses then, you hitman try-hard." She pouted in dismay and looked away with her crossed arms on her chest.

"It baffles me how you still wear them even in training. Even now, you look more like my bodyguard instead of a friend. What the hell?!"

"Then, deal with it."

"Gah! You insufferable prick!" Y/N buried her face in her arms on the table.

Gun stared at her small figure with the very eyes that tickled Y/N's curiosity.

He had long forgotten what his inborn eyes looked like… those wretched eyes.

He'd rather gouge his eyes himself had he failed to unlock his unconscious sense.

He hated those eyes.

He hated how they made him look vulnerable and inferior.

He hated how "soft" they were and made people deem him incapable at a young age. Gun eventually made them eat their own words.

But most of all, he hated how they began to resurface around Y/N and became more frequent the more they hung out… he didn't want her or anybody to see his image that's been long since buried.

So Gun dulled them out with tinted shades. 

"Hey."

He called to break the awkward silence.

No response.

Gun leaned closer. At the same time, Y/N looked up.

He was caught off guard when she suddenly sandwiched his face between her palms.

"Hehe. Gotcha!" She snickered.

His sunglasses loosely fell down the bridge of his nose. Y/N caught a view of his ebony eyes for the first time, at which her eyes widened.

"Gun, your eyes..." Naked eyes meet each other for the first time. Locked as time stopped. Her sudden perplexion eventually subsided, turning soft as she rubbed his cheek.

"They are pretty."

He didn't know which pair of eyes she was looking at right now. But it didn't matter anymore.

The red string was dusted off to clarity.

-

He was taught to discard his humanity aside and embrace his pitch-black monstrosity all his life. Since then, that was all he saw--darkness. The void he had ever known engulfed all colors visible in the spectrum.

On the other hand, white emitted them, like how her ridiculously bright-colored clothing pierced his dark-tinted sunglasses. Her comforting rays of light were outstretched for him to latch on.

It was no wonder how he was captivated by her, ensnared in her mere presence.

He was a pathetic moth bewitched by the warmth of her lamp's flame. It was blinding. He knows she is a whole 'nother kind of destructive, and he shouldn't come close, yet her tiny blaze's euphonious crackle, egging on him to inch closer, lulled him into submission.

He was an Icarus flown to her scorching sun. He knew she would destroy him all along, and he let her.

-

Gun stopped in his tracks at the sight of Y/N 's family nameplate. He collected himself and took a deep breath.

"What a surprise, Jonggun! Are you paying Y/N a visit?" Her mother greeted him with a warm smile.

"It's been months, young man! We missed you!" Her father guffawed, lightly smacking Gun's back.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. L/N." Gun bowed his head and offered them a box of cupcakes he remembered Y/N was gushing about. He appeared calm in front of her parents, but he couldn't meet their eyes–not like they'd notice anyway.

-

Gun snapped his eyes open and landed on Y/N below him; her eyes closed, and her hair sprawled messily around her. She looked ethereal with white draped over her peaceful form.

He got so used to seeing her face filled with intense expressions that her relaxed face seemed fresh as her other features popped out.

It's like falling in love with her all over again.

God, does she look beautiful right now.

She resembled an angel with wings spread on the cold, hard ground.

…

Ground?

…

…

Color drained from Gun's face as he got pulled back to reality at the sight of carmine ichor oozing from Y/N 's side, seeping through the stitches of her white dress.

It… it all happened in a blink.

She darted towards a lost kid who aimlessly crossed the highway, unknowingly about to get hit by a speeding car. She pushed him to safety and took the hit.

The lady beside Gun shrieked in panic and frantically fished out her phone to call an ambulance.

'She might not make it if we still wait for the damn thing.' He knelt down and checked for response and airway in her system.

She was unresponsive but breathing.

He knew this method. With how frequently he and Y/N were together, how she talked 80% of the time, more often than not, she had run him down the basics of first aid, even if they were out of the blue.

'Must've thought I didn't pay attention, huh? Too fucking bad, Y/N. I always listened to you.'

He carefully roamed his hands on various parts of her unconscious body to check for severe bleeding.

'Shit. Three of her ribs are broken. Her right arm is fractured, and she's rapidly losing blood.' His calloused hands cupped the side of her face where her silky strands loosely hung.

'Her temple is also bleeding, probably from the impact when she hit the ground.'

Blood. All too familiar. It never left Gun as soon as he got his first kill.

The sight of blood shouldn't faze him. But his hands were trembling the more he realized how grave her condition is.

It took everything for him to stop driving his fingers to her hair despite being spotted with dried blood. He withdrew his hands and brushed his stray locks back instead in an attempt to keep his composure.

He was planning on taking her to the hospital himself or treating her in his house (he already has enough nursing supplies for his personal use, but Y/N constantly nagged him to buy more for emergencies). But, in her current state, he couldn't carry her otherwise the issue with her ribs gets worse and affects her internal organs, if they weren't already.

"For emergencies, my ass. Can't use them right now, can I?"

Funny how Y/N remained her composure and even kept their banter going when she first treated Gun. Just goes to show that she IS calm at work.

It's kind of ironic now that they've switched places, though. Even if Y/N taught him all this medical stuff, Gun still couldn't do anything more helpful than wait anxiously for the fucking ambulance.

Gun pinched the bridge of his nose. These injuries wouldn't be a problem for Jinyoung Park. Gun could certainly vouch for that, as he and Goo were regulars in his lab when they were still on probation… when the man was still borderline mentally stable.

He would phone him immediately if he wanted to but decided against it because God knows what that maniac would do to her now at his current state, if he even agrees to tend to her injuries.

Gun withdrew his coat and covered Y/N 's upper body. He rested his left hand on her cold ones in hopes of delaying Death's touch on her.

Honestly, he was at a loss--which was a first; he didn't know what to do with it. But Gun knew he had to stay with Y/N until help arrived.

He curled his hand around Y/N's.

"She is safe. She is strong… She isn't alone."

-

Gun found himself uttering the same chant again as if in prayer.

He always viewed Y/N as a warrior shielding the weak, a saint devotees pray to for protection. She had always put others' well-being above hers--a trait befitting of a nurse.

But that overshadowed the image of blood and bones beneath her soft, paper-thin skin as it was under the guise of a rigid exterior.

Fucked up it may seem, but Gun knows he isn't at fault entirely for what happened: Y/N made her decision, was well aware of the consequences, and still chose to do it.

Even so, he could feel a stinging pang in his chest, telling him that he should've caught up to her had he ran and pushed Y/N and the stupid boy himself. But the four major crews were at peak then, so he ultimately chose to do nothing.

And it tore his heart--something he thought had been long abandoned.

The 'heart' was meant to be just an empty hole where every last bit of tenderness was carved out of his chest. The hollow pit that reminded him of his decision to walk the path of blood… was forcefully filled with infectious laughter, sweet melodies, and soft rhythmic heartbeats of life.

The words "Gun" and "sweet" didn't seem uncharacteristic when put together now, huh.

-

He gazed at what remained of her longingly, reminiscent of memories they'd shared, despite short.

"You painted my heart in different forms that I can hardly call it my own anymore."

Gun's grip on the bouquet tightened.

"We shouldn't even have met--we're worlds apart, for crying out loud. But Fate decided to fuck around people and chose us, I guess."

But at least he was able to see the world in color--for the first and last time.

He was never meant to have it, anyway.

…

…

...

"PFFT--"

Gun jolted on his seat as laughter echoed around the room.

Y/N wheezed. "I didn't know you could be so poetic, Gun Park!"

It took a moment for Gun to process his surroundings.

He is currently in Y/N's bedroom. A relatively small space compared to his bedroom, which is infinitely wider. Her room looks more lively and festive than his empty one, though.

Other than her working table, everything else was decorated with strings of polaroids, LED lights, and stuffed toys ranging from tiny crocheted keychains to life-size pillows randomly decorated the room.

Wow. There's a whole new world to be explored in here.

Gun waved his trailing thoughts away and finally faced Y/N, who sat on her bed. Her lively demeanor didn't cover up her poor condition though, which is painfully understandable.

He should've brought medical supplies that were piling up in his house. And cupcakes, really? He didn't go out for a picnic.

Well, it's nothing worse than her in a casket.

He cleared his throat.

"More importantly, how long since you left the hospital?"

"Two months."

"And you never even contacted me once?"

"Well, you've never visited me since… the accident. I thought you simply forgot about me, you being a busy person and all."

-

He TRIED to forget her, for Christ's sake.

After Kouji tracked the bastard's location with the car's plate number he sent, Gun didn't waste a second and pummeled the hit-and-runner to death.

Then… he carried on to another chapter of his life, as usual.

Gun wholeheartedly believed Y/N was just another fleeting name in his book, just torn scratched pages of requiems lacing love songs that weren't supposed to be written.

So, he let time help him forget.

Spoiler: he never did; he just couldn't. How could he when everywhere he looked, he saw her?

-

"I was… busy at work."

"See? Anyway, that's okay. Don't sweat it, man. My prank made up for it." She laughed it off.

Gun prepared himself for the worst when he entered Y/N 's house; he felt his stoic façade crack as a flash of disappointment in Y/N's face was conjured in his mind.

Her cheerful welcome (sneaky prank) washed all of his worries away.

In the end, it was better than what he anticipated.

"So, how are you feeling?"

She frowned, an eyebrow arched up in disapproval.

"The Gun I know doesn't give a shit about 'feelings'. Who are you and what did you do to him?"

He deadpanned. "Just… answer the question."

"To be honest, I feel like shit right now. Being bedridden for months? Getting injected with pain relievers, tons of prescriptions and rehab sessions, everyday? Now, I know how my patients felt…"

How talkative for someone feeling like shit. Even so, he let her talk–like how they usually did. It felt melancholic.

"...and I was finally discharged. They said I can go back to work when I'm fully recovered." She sent him a toothy grin.

Her eyes landed on the bouquet in his arms, and cocked her head to the side.

"Are those white chrysanthemums?"

"...Yes." He could almost see a question mark form on her lips.

"Dude, you thought I died or something? Why bring 'mourning' flowers?" She giggled.

"No? But…" He set down the bouquet on her bed.

"I heard that they have other meanings…"

"Oh? What are they?"

He plucked two flowers from the bouquet and inched closer to Y/N.

'Eternal…' he tucked one of them behind her ear.

'...and devoted love.' he pried her hands open and placed the second flower on them.

Gun rested his forehead on her shoulder, his eyes welled up at the contact.

He couldn't say the words out loud.

Not after leaving her when she was at her lowest.

...

Ugh.

This isn't how he planned it to go.

He really did love her--but he was also selfish. Distancing himself didn't do any better for the both of them; quite the contrary.

Would stitching back the torn pages heal their wounded hearts this time? Let their colors paint over the dried stains of their past and turn over a new chapter?

-

Splashes of rain decorated her bedroom window. The colors in her room desaturated as evening enveloped the sky.

"Gun," Y/N held his arms, squeezing them. "It's getting dark. I'm gonna turn on the lights."

"Let's… stay like this for a while." was Gun's only response.

…

Their close proximity. The familiar scent of her detergent. The nostalgic periods of tapping raindrops. The yoke of her shirt getting wet.

It was similar to their first meeting but a little different.

Y/N felt him shake. She chuckled and rubbed circles around his back.

"What's up with you, dummy? It's not even that cold."

[hbyrde36]

for @penny00dreadful

Ch 1 Ch 2 Ch 3 <-

Chapter 4: No Place Like Home

WC: 5496 | Ch 4/4 | AO3 <-

It was a surprisingly smooth landing as Steve was brought into the highest tower of the Witch’s castle through a large open window, caught in the exceptionally strong grip of the two flying monkeys who carried him there. 

Eddie had arrived the same way only a moment or two ahead of him, and was now struggling against his own guard monkey's hold, trying to get to Steve while being dragged out of one of the room’s two doors.

“It’s so kind of you both to visit me in my loneliness.” The Wicked Witch cackled, standing in the middle of the chamber next to a huge crystal ball, the image displayed within it fading before Steve could suss it out. 

“What are you gonna do with Eddie? Where are they taking him?!” Now that his feet were on solid ground, Steve tried to fight back, but couldn’t seem to shake his captors.

The Witch waved a dismissive hand. “Never you mind about that.”

“Give him back to me!” Steve raged.

“Certainly, certainly, as soon as you give me those slippers.”

Steve swallowed hard, hesitating. He knew what Eddie would probably say, that it was a terrible idea to give her even more power—to give her what she wanted. 

At his silence, she turned, addressing a few more of her little monsters that were waiting on standby around the room. “Very well. Boys?”

The flying monkey’s ears perked up. 

“Hurt him.”

Steve braced himself as The Witch’s henchman quickly moved to follow her command, but it wasn’t him they were coming for, instead they raced out the same door Eddie had just been forced through.

“No!” Steve shouted, willing to risk anything if it kept Eddie safe.  “Take the damn shoes, I don't care! Just don’t… don’t hurt him, please.”

She shot him a cruel grin, and the monkeys holding him finally let go, backing away as she stalked closer. “That’s a good boy.” 

Steve snarled, briefly considering kicking her right in her smug face as she bent down, but thought she might be less likely to let Eddie go if he did. 

Begrudgingly, he held himself still as she reached out her hands, but before she could even lay a finger on the shoes, there was a flash of light, a spark like electricity crackling, and a force lashed out to zap her. 

The Witch jumped back, hissing. “Curse you!”

“That wasn’t me! I swear!”

“No, but I should have known. My sister must have put a spell on them. They’ll never come off… as long as you’re alive.” She circled him slowly, tapping the end of her pointed chin. “Now the only question is how to do it.”

“Oh for the love of—” Steve scrubbed a hand over his face. “Just kill me if you’re going to kill me, alright? Why do you people always have to drag shit out?

“What people?”

“Bad guys!”

She huffed, straightening her cloak. “These things must be done delicately, or you hurt the spell.”

“They're always monologuing about their evil plans too. I mean, what’s up with that?” Eddie’s voice rang out from where he had suddenly appeared in the doorway behind The Witch, somehow having given his guards the slip.

She stomped her feet. “I don’t mono—” She began, then gasped, spinning around. “How did you get free?!”

Steve wracked his brain to come up with some kind of distraction, anything to keep her busy long enough for them to get away. 

“Hey, Witch!” He called out as he squatted to pick up the massive crystal ball he’d noticed on arrival, even heavier than it looked, and began to carry it towards one of the  windows. “You don’t need this for anything important, right?” 

“Put that back! It’s priceless!” she shrieked.

“It’s pretty heavy, I don’t know if i can–” Steve cut himself off, pretending to stumble, and tossed the ball as hard as he could, hoping she’d try to catch it.

She dove, and in an impressive show of strength and dexterity managed to get under the ball before it hit the ground, preventing it from breaking. She looked stunned from the fall, the weight of the crystal pinning her to the ground for the time being.

Steve made to run to Eddie’s side, but just then, the other set of doors burst open and half a dozen very tall foot soldiers in ornate uniforms, furry helmets, and with the same bright green skin as their ruler, spilled into the room, rounding on Steve and cutting them off from each other. 

“Just go!” Steve shouted.

Eddie shook his head, eyes darting from the door behind him to what he could see of Steve between the soldiers. “I’m not running away and leaving you here!”  

“Get out and find help! It's not running away if you’re coming back, right? Now— go!” 

“Damnit, Harrington.” Eddie cursed, taking a few stumbling steps towards the way out. “I am coming back.”

“I know.”

With one last tortured look Eddie took off, his pounding footsteps echoing as he ran through the hall and down what sounded like a set of stairs. Half the guards took off after him while the others remained with Steve, backing him into the wall.

Steve craned his neck, near enough to a window to peer out, hoping to catch a glimpse of Eddie’s escape and know first hand that he’d gotten away. 

“Come on, come on,” he chanted quietly to himself, even as the soldiers started trying to pull him back over to The Witch, who was unfortunately back on her feet again. The castle doors began to close as he watched, and for a second Steve thought all hope was lost, but then he spotted it—moonlight shining on dark curly hair, slipping through the opening just before the door slammed. 

Steve’s heart leapt, and he finally let himself be led back over to The Witch. No matter what else happened here, at least Eddie had made it. 

“You’ve been more trouble to me than you’re worth, brat!” 

“Heard that before.” Steve mumbled to himself. He didn’t fight as the hands on him shoved him down into a chair, figuring it was smarter to save his strength for now.

“But, it'll all be over soon,” The Witch added as she snatched a giant hourglass off a nearby shelf, flipping it over onto the table in front of him. “That’s how much longer you've got to be alive. When the sand runs out, I'll have made my preparations.”

With that, she and her soldiers left, locking both doors up tight, leaving him alone in the tower.

Steve didn’t waste time wondering why he wasn’t tied down or handcuffed, and was out of his seat in a flash. First he checked the doors because, duh, but they were, indeed, locked. He then ran back over to the window, wondering if he’d survive the drop. It didn’t seem likely—even if he did, there was no way he’d walk away from that kind of fall without needing serious medical attention, and he had yet to see a single hospital in Oz. 

His next move was to search the room for weapons, something to break the doors in, or anything he might be able to use to climb down. The curtains proved to be useless, moth bitten and too slippery to really tie together, and apart from a chair leg he managed to break off that doubled as a wooden stake, he found nothing else useful to defend himself with. 

Time passed slowly.

And yeah, Steve had been through a lot in his life, but he’d never been kidnapped before. He never would have imagined it could be this… boring? 

There was only so long you could stand at attention, waiting for your captor to come back before your eyelids started to droop. He wound up sitting at the windowsill, head resting on his arm as he gazed out at the night sky, letting his mind wander. He didn’t really believe this was the last night of his life, he’d survived too much to be taken down by some psychotic pea-soup looking bitch, but any hope he had of seeing home again was gone.

He thought back on all the time he’d wasted—squandered opportunities to tell the people he loved just how much he loved them, the number of times he blew Dustin off to go on a date with some girl he couldn’t give two shits about, all these months since Vecna with Eddie, unable to accept his own feelings, and too afraid to admit them aloud. 

He was so lost in it all that he almost didn’t hear the sound of someone pounding on one of the doors. Reasonably sure The Witch wouldn’t be knocking in her own castle, he ran to it, pressing his ear to the wood. 

“Steve?!” A muffled voice shouted from the other side. 

Eddie!

“It’s me, yes! In here!”

“Stand back, I’m going to chop through the door!”

Steve stepped back, watching in awe as the wood slowly splintered away with each blow, until finally he could see Eddie’s face through it, distantly thinking it looked like he had some sort of animal resting on his head. 

A few more chops and there was a hole big enough for Steve to squeeze through. 

Once on the other side, he saw that Eddie wasn’t alone. The Tin Woman, The Scarecrow, and The Lion were all with him—all dressed like The Witch’s soldiers.

“Costume change?” Steve asked.

“Long story.” Eddie let out a shaking breath as he tore the fuzzy hat from his head and flung it aside, managing to shrug out of his big coat just in time to catch Steve as he threw himself into the other boy’s arms. 

“I wasn’t sure I'd ever see you again.” Steve whispered with his face pressed into Eddie’s hair. 

“You didn’t think I was really coming back?”

“I knew you’d try, even if I hoped you wouldn’t.”

Eddie squeezed him tighter. “You’re such a self sacrificial ass.”

“Takes one to know one.” Steve pulled back, punching him lightly in the shoulder before turning to The Scarecrow, drawing her into a quick hug too. “I can’t believe it, you’re really okay?”

“Might be missing a little stuffing here and there but, these two did a great job getting me back in one piece.”

Their reunion was abruptly cut short by shouts in the distance.

“We gotta get out of here!” The Lion roared.

“What about the broom?” Steve said.

Eddie grabbed his hand. “She wants to kill you, Steve, fuck the broom! We’ll find some other way home.”

The group of them flew down the stairs back towards the way they’d come in. By some miracle they didn’t see a soul along the way, but as they raced across the foyer, just before they reached the exit, the doors swung closed, right in their faces.

“Going so soon?”

Steve turned at The Witch’s voice, spotting her standing on a balcony above looking down at them, laughing, as soldiers began spilling into the space from every direction. They were surrounded, though oddly none of the green men actually attacked, only approached slowly and menacingly.

“That’s right,” The Witch praised her guards. “Don’t hurt them right away, we’ll let them think about it a little first.”

Steve rolled his eyes. 

Eddie raised the ax he still held, as though he would take on the entire brigade himself, but The Scarecrow snatched it out of his hand. 

“What the–” 

She swung it around, chopping and cutting a rope tied to the wall that Steve hadn’t even noticed, and sent a giant chandelier falling from the ceiling to land on a large group of the soldiers. 

“Good thinking!” Steve said, and they used the momentary distraction to flee, running up a different set of steps to get away since it was the only path that was clear. They had no idea where they were going, and up didn’t seem likely to lead out, but they had little choice now. 

The soldiers unaffected by the chandelier attack gave chase, and the five of them ran down corridor after corridor before finally spilling out onto the battlement, a part of the wall where soldiers patrol. It was a dead end and quickly they found themselves backed into a corner, soldiers on both sides, The Wicked Witch among them. 

“Well,” she sing-songed as she zeroed in on Steve, “ring around the rosie, a pocket full of spears. Thought you’d be pretty foxy didn’t you? Well the last to go will see the first four go before him.”

Eddie leaned into Steve’s side, whispering, “What the hell did she just say?”

“I have no idea.” Steve said.

“I think she’s going to kill the rest of us first and make you watch.” The Scarecrow guessed.

“Right you are, Scarecrow. So how about a little fire?” The Wicked Witch raised the head of her broom up to one of the many torches that ran along the length of the wall, lighting it.

There was no way Steve was letting her anywhere near The Scarecrow with that thing, she’d go up in seconds and unlike being disassembled he was pretty sure she wouldn’t be able to come back from that. He lunged for the broomstick before she could lower it, grabbing it in the middle and fighting for control. 

The next thing Steve knew he was being soaked in water like he was a contestant in a wet t-shirt contest.

The fire was put out instantly, the broomstick clattering to the ground as The Witch started screaming bloody murder. 

“Look what you’ve done! I’m melting! Who would've thought two pretty-boy-brats like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness.”

It was only water—from the now empty bucket Eddie was holding that he’d found god knows where—but as though she’d been dipped in the most corrosive acid known to man, The Witch began to sizzle and smoke, and truly did melt away into a puddle on the stone floor, leaving nothing solid but her clothes behind.

“She’s dead, you killed her.” One of the soldiers blurted out.

Steve hovered, trying to shield Eddie, unsure of how this was going to play out. The witch might have been gone, but they were still sorely outnumbered if her henchman’s loyalty extended past the grave. 

But Eddie wasn’t having it. He remained in front, tilting his chin up. “Honestly, it was an accident, but she did try to kill us first, so—fair is fair.”

There was a moment of absolute silence before the entire army, monkeys included, let out a deafening cheer. “Hail to Steve and Eddie! The Wicked Witch is dead!”

Eddie looked back at him, jaw dropped, and Steve could only smile.

When the cacophony died down, Steve approached the first soldier who spoke, supposing he might be the leader or general or something. “The broomstick, can we have it?” 

“Yes, of course! Please, take it with you.”

After a short reunion with a certain stunned-to-see-them-still-alive guard, fresh off what must have been an epic frolic through the poppy field and subsequent mystical slumber—if the state of his very red and heavy lidded eyes was any indication—Steve, Eddie, and their companions once again entered The Wizard’s throne room.

“Why have you come back?!” The deep voice of the Wizard rumbled through the air.

“We did what you asked.” Steve said simply, holding the Witch’s charred broom above his head.

They all waited with bated breath for some kind of response, but were met with nothing. After a few long moments Eddie took the broomstick from Steve and stepped forward. 

“The Wicked Witch is dead, and uh, we brought you the broomstick.” He cleared his throat loudly, unceremoniously tossing the burnt bit of wood in the direction of the dais. “So, make with the wish granting, yeah?” 

“I’ll have to give the matter a little thought. Go away and come back tomorrow.” The voice eventually responded.

“Tomorrow?!” Eddie snapped.

Steve shook his head, hands balled into fists at his sides. “But we wanna go home now!”

“We did everything you asked!.” The Tin Woman argued.

“Yes! At least send them home! They deserve it after performing such a great public service!” The scarecrow added, staring defiantly up at the floating head. 

As the others jumped in to help argue their point, Eddie began to look around the room, searching, and beckoned Steve to follow him. They quickly found something odd tucked in a dark corner that seemed not only out of place, but frankly looked like an obvious control center of some sort hidden behind a green curtain. How hadn’t they noticed it before?

Together they crept closer, each grabbing one side of the cloth, and on a silent count of three…

“Do you dare to criticize the Great Oz? Think yourselves lucky that I'm giving you an audience tomorrow instead of twenty—” 

…Flung the curtain back to reveal a young girl, about their age, with red hair, a bowler hat, and an all around Molly Ringwald vibe.

“...years from now.” 

She swiveled in her chair as she finished her sentence, the words a strange mix of the booming voice they’d been hearing, and her actual voice coming through as her mouth got further from the contraption she was using to alter it.  

“Ah, shit.” The girl, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Robin’s almost-girlfriend Vickie, sighed as she spotted the two of them, realizing she’d been caught in the act.

The others came over to join the party just as Eddie got up in her face. “Who the hell are you?” 

She looked down, fingers playing with the hem of her top. “Would you believe… The Great and Powerful Oz?”

“What a scam! You’re a phony!” Steve shouted.

“I am, yes.” Her shoulders slumped. “These are all tricks I learned working with a magician at the State Fair.”

Eddie fumed. “You sent us on a suicide mission!”

“And I'm very sorry about that!” She said quickly, holding her hands up. ”In my defense, I didn't actually expect you to go after The Witch, I thought if I gave you an impossible task you would just give up and not come back. Then my reputation could stay intact.”

“I suppose this means no brain for The Scarecrow, or heart for me, or courage for The Lion?” The Tin Woman said. 

“You don’t need me for that, you already have all those things. Think about it, Tin Woman. Was it not for the love of your friends that you helped them to get here, and to defeat the Wicked Witch? Someone with no heart wouldn’t do that.”

The Wizard smiled, rising from her chair, facing The Lion next.

“And you, Lion. What, you think just because you’re afraid that makes you a coward? You still did it, you still stood by your friends. See, the trick isn’t to not be scared, it’s to be scared and do it anyway. That’s courage.”

The Wizard turned lastly to face The Scarecrow and audibly gasped, her face turning an incredibly bright shade of red. “You, um, you helped to argue your friend's cases well, and I-I think it’s quite clear that you have a-a brain.” She paused, swallowing hard. “A b-big gorgeous brain, with, just—so many thoughts. I… sorry I don't usually—”

She trailed off, completely flustered and unable to look away from The Scarecrow’s face. 

For a moment The Scarecrow looked equally entranced by the Wizard, but then she frowned, looking back at Steve and Eddie. “But, what about the boys? They want to go home.”

The Wizard bit her lip. “Well, I might have a way to get them there, but it would mean taking them myself, never to return.”

“Will you?” Eddie asked.

“Of course,” She said hesitantly, looking from him and Steve to The Scarecrow and shook her head. “I—of course. I used to live in Indiana too, y’know. I was working at the fair, like I said, and one morning the boss asked me to test the propane tanks in the hot air balloon. I didn’t know what I was doing but it seemed easy enough. Damn thing took off on me, and just never came down. I got caught in a wind storm and landed here in Oz, came up with this ruse about being a Wizard and, well, you get the idea.”

“Do you still have the balloon?” Steve asked.

She grinned. “How do you think we’re getting you home?”

-

Steve and Eddie finally leaving Oz turned out to be a grand spectacle, with every citizen wanting to thank them for ridding their lands of not one, but two Wicked Witches, in such a short span of time. Even Glinda had made the journey to see them off. 

The balloon was set up in the middle of the square, and as The Wizard checked and re-checked her equipment, Steve and Eddie set about saying their farewells.

They hugged The Tin Woman and The Lion, and while It was difficult to say goodbye to them, it was nothing to the way Steve felt about leaving The Scarecrow. He had his own Robin, his best friend, waiting for him back home, but he felt connected to this version of her almost as strongly. 

It didn’t help that he’d seen the way she and The Wizard had been looking at each other since the moment they’d met. 

“Alright boys, ready to go?” The Wizard asked, looking sad.

“No,” Steve answered, turning an apologetic look on Eddie. “I can’t. I can’t ask her to leave forever, not if…”

“It’s okay, Steve. I saw it too. I want to go home, but I feel terrible.”

“Maybe Glinda can help?” Steve said.

One mention of her name and suddenly The Good Witch was right beside them, as if she’d been waiting for this moment. “You don't need to be helped any longer. You've always had the power to go back to Hawkins.”

Steve blinked at her. “I have?”

“Then why didn't you tell him that before?!” The Scarecrow asked. 

“Because, Steve had a few things he needed to figure out first. Isn’t that right?”

Steve gulped, giving her wide eyes.

“I don’t get it.” The Lion said. 

The Tin Woman shushed him, patting his hand. “I’ll explain it to you later.”

Eddie tilted his head. “What does she mean, Steve?”

“Well, I-I.” Steve stammered, eyes darting between Glinda and Eddie.

The Good Witch smiled, nodding encouragingly. “If you are ready to accept the truth, those magic slippers will take you home in two seconds.”

Steve but his lip. “Eddie too?”

Glinda laughed, high and bright. “Of course, Eddie too. Now stand together, and facing each other.”

They did what she asked, and while he remained quiet, Eddie was giving him that curious look again. 

“What do I have to do, are there, like, magic words?” Steve asked.

“There are lots of magic words, Steve, but to get home you need only close your eyes, tap your heels together three times, and show the truth that is in your heart.

There was only one way Steve could think of to show the truth, so…

He took a deep breath, closed the space between him and Eddie, and crashed their lips together. His eyes fell shut as Eddie kissed back, melting into it—and as Eddie threaded gentle fingers through his hair, Steve clicked his heels together, three times.

-

“Steve?”

Eddie’s voice rolled over him out of the dark, tinged with concern. 

Steve groaned, disoriented, his neck aching from the angle it was at, and he could feel a bit of drool drying on his chin. 

“Stevie, wake up.” This time Eddie gently shook his shoulder, and Steve’s head snapped up, eyes popping open wide. He looked around wildly, confused to find that he was slumped in a chair behind the desk at Family Video—but it didn’t matter where they’d landed, he supposed, the shoes had worked, they were back!

“Did he fall asleep again?” Robin’s voice called out from directly behind, and Steve spun around so fast he knocked his chair over, which in turn knocked over a small stack of tapes.

He ignored the mess, pulling her into a tight hug. It was really her! No straw, no burlap, just a sweatshirt she’d stolen from his closet two nights ago, with her work vest over the top. 

She shook her head like he was an idiot, but hugged him back anyway before letting go to set the chair back on its legs. “I was only in the back rewinding returns for half an hour!”

“Oh,” Steve breathed, finally registering what she’d first said, and felt suddenly lost. He could have sworn it was real, but Robin wasn’t freaking out the way he knew she would have if he’d disappeared for an entire night and day…

Or was it two? 

The more he thought about it the less sure he was of how long he and Eddie had been stuck in that colorful other dimension. 

If—if he had been stuck in another dimension. 

Robin said he’d been asleep, and he was just slumped in his chair at the desk at the end of his shift, and there Eddie was, right in front of him looking amused, if a little worried, and… and wearing a completely different shirt than he’d had on as they trekked through—

Oh.

Eddie, who was here to pick him up for their hang out because Robin was borrowing his car.

Steve groaned again, rubbed his temples. “I had such a weird dream.” 

“Was it a nightmare?” Robin asked.

It was a fair question, and something they all experienced from time to time even this many months out from their final dealings with the Upside Down. But this…this had been something wholly different.

“I’m not sure.” He settled on, yawning as he fought to think through the fog that was slowly lifting from his brain. Had it really all been in his head? A dream, a fantasy?

“Some of it wasn't very nice, but—” He glanced at Eddie again and felt a blush spread over his face. “Most of it was beautiful.”

“You were there.” Steve continued, giving the other boy a little nod. Eddie’s lips twitched into a crooked smile. 

Steve turned to Robin next.  “You were too—and Nancy, and Jonathan, and Argyle, and—” he trailed off, trying to remember everyone else he’d encountered along the way.

Eddie chuckled. “Did Robin make you watch The Wizard of Oz on repeat again?”

Steve froze.

Oz, yellow brick road, Munchkins…

He was such an idiot.

“It was slow this morning!” Robin lashed out, defensively. And you know I’m seeing Vickie tonight, I needed my comfort movie to settle my nerves!”

“Yes, I am well aware of your impending date, Buckley, hence me and my van being here to play chauffeur.”

Steve checked the time, he still had about fifteen minutes until he could officially lock up and clock out. “You’re early.”

Eddie shrugged. “I still have to pick us a movie for tonight. You go do your closing duties, or whatever, I'll be perusing the stacks.” 

Steve couldn’t tear his eyes away as Eddie walked off. He could still remember the other boy’s fingers pushing into his hair, gently cradling his head as they’d kissed—how his lips had felt so incredibly soft.

He wondered if it would be the same in real life.

“Steve… did you OD over there?” 

Steve startled as, once again, Robin's voice came from directly behind him, though much softer this time. He took her hand, pulling her to the other side of the room. 

“Do you remember that thing we talked about?”

She scrunched her nose. “Which thing?”

Steve sighed, speaking low. “You know, the… how some people go both ways, thing?”

She gasped, grabbing his arm, and looked back over her shoulder to where Eddie was still browsing, before whispering, “Do you mean…?”

Steve nodded, unable to stop his mouth from spreading into a wide grin.

“Are you gonna tell him tonight?!”

“Yeah, I think so.” Steve bit his lip. “Well, that, or maybe just stick my tongue down his throat the second we’re alone.”

Robin snorted. “And they say romance is dead.” 

“Okay smart-ass, how do you think I should go about it?”

“I think—it doesn’t matter what you say or do, because that boy is just as crazy about you as you are about him.”

“I hope so.” Steve looked down, wringing his hands. “I really like him. I-I might even–” He trailed off, too afraid to finish the thought even though he knew it was the truth.

“I know, dingus.”

At the other end of the store, tape in hand, Eddie began to make his way to the counter.

Robin gave Steve a little push towards the break room door. “You go splash some water on your face and change. I'll get your man checked out.”

“Not mine yet.”

“He will be. I’m proud of you, Steve.”

“Thanks, Robbie.”

As much as he’d joked to Robin about just going for it, Steve spent the whole drive to the new Munson trailer trying to compose the perfect speech to tell Eddie how he felt, but by the time they arrived he had nothing to show for his efforts but sweaty palms and anxiety.

Should he have just reached over the center console, taken Eddie’s hand, and hoped he got the hint? Maybe he shouldn’t make such a big deal out of it. No, no. Steve was supposed to be good at this! Eddie deserved more, he deserved the perfect moment. 

“You, uh, planning on coming inside?”

Steve sucked in a breath, snapping to attention, and realized Eddie had already gotten out of the van and come around to open the passenger door.

“Sorry.” Steve’s face grew hot as he climbed out of the van. “Guess I'm still feeling a little out of it from falling asleep earlier.”

Eddie frowned, reaching up to feel Steve’s forehead with the back of his hand. 

“Are you sure that’s all? You do feel a little warm.”

“I’m fine.” Steve ducked his head, throwing off the touch, though what he really wanted was to lean into it, and followed Eddie inside.

Eddie went right for the kitchen, throwing the bag from Family Video bag on the counter before diving into the fridge, digging out two beers.

Steve tried hard not to stare as Eddie bent over, reaching for the bag for something to do instead, and pulled the single tape out, flipping it over to the cover. 

“Seriously? Return to Oz?”

Eddie turned, grinning as he took a sip from his own bottle, sliding the other one towards him. “Come on, that's funny!” 

Steve huffed a laugh and tossed the tape back onto the counter.

“And, y’know… it’s a good movie.” Eddie went on, grin slipping a little as he set his beer down and rubbed the back of his neck, looking away—looking nervous, Steve realized. He realized something else too—there was never going to be a perfect time, or a perfect way to say what was in his heart. He knew how he felt, and he was pretty sure he knew how Eddie felt now too, or at least his subconscious did. Now he just needed to take that leap of faith.

“I know you don’t really like all the horror stuff me and the kids usually make you watch, and since it’s just the two of us I figured—” 

In the middle of Eddie’s adorably flustered ramble Steve stepped around the kitchen counter, took the other boy’s face gently between his hands, and crushed their mouths together.

Eddie went very still under his touch and Steve quickly pulled back, panicked for a moment that he had it all wrong, until Eddie wound his arms around him, gripping the back of his shirt as he pressed him into the counter, and suddenly Steve was the one being kissed.  

And what a kiss it was.

At the first brush of tongue Steve smiled into it, unable to contain his joy because Eddie had kissed him back! 

When they finally pulled apart again, Eddie blinked hard, looking dazed. “Shit, Steve, am I–am I dreaming right now?”

“God I hope not.” Steve went right back in, winding his hands into Eddie’s hair as their lips met again and again, their bottles of beer forgotten, left to grow warm on the counter. 

-

Later that night, when the movie was over—not that they’d seen much of it—after they’d actually talked and made their relationship official, and made out so much that Steve’s lips were sore, they curled up in Eddie’s bed together. 

As he burrowed deeper into Eddie’s side, and Eddie wrapped his arms around him even tighter, Steve let out a contented sigh. 

Dorothy had it right—there really is no place like home.

Thanks again to @pearynice and @hitlikehammers for all your help with this!

[eventinelysplayground]

This is the second fic for my 100 Followers event. I loved this idea the first time @nani-nani-nani and I talked about it so was grateful for the kick in the butt to finally get it together. As you all may or may not know my Theo & Mitsuki universe is my guilty little pleasure baby so I took great care to make sure it fit my picture of the way everyone would be. As a note I do not speak Japanese (or Dutch) so used Google translate for those bits and I am deeply sorry if they're wrong or just feel grammatically incorrect or chunky.

One note on that is that I am aware ka-chan is more for a small child to say to their mother. I wanted the feeling though of like when we're young adults/teens and our moms embarrass us with love and we go geez mom or mom. I didn't think the more formal usage would work to bring that across so I went with ka-chan, if one of you who speaks/is Japanese knows how I could of done that better feel free to let me know. I hope everyone enjoys! What starts as a good day almost ends in a disaster all because of a misunderstanding. Humorous fluff, WC approx 2470.

A Slightly Dangerous Mistake.

It was a beautiful day in Paris and people lined the streets as they hurried about their daily lives. One particular resident was practically skipping, her brunette ringlets dancing behind her, as she hurriedly made her way towards her favorite patisserie.

As she came around a corner her wide smile fell and was replaced with a look of curiosity. Standing just a few shops down from her was the love of her life talking with a young foreign woman she didn't recognize. Hesitantly she moved closer while remaining hidden amongst the crowd, hoping to be able to hear something of their conversation.

“...Mā, konshū wa sarani ōkina mono ni naru koto o kitai shite imasu.”

“Dōiu imi?”

“Kyō yubiwa o kaimashita-”

The young woman might not have understood what they were saying but she could understand what she saw. The young foreign woman was incredibly excited and leapt into the young man's arms kissing his cheek, her young man's arms, her young man's cheek.

“Kā-chan…”

“Sumimasen, sugoku kōfun shite shimaimashita-”

Chan?

The word hit her like a ton of bricks and she stumbled on her feet.

'Vincent?’

‘Ya?’

‘What does chan mean?’

‘Why do you want to know?’

‘Because your brother's started calling me Madeleine-chan but won't tell me what it means.’

‘God he's hopeless…’

She could remember that day like it was yesterday, Vincent had told her chan was a term of endearment and so she had gathered up her courage and confronted Arthur about it later that same day and they'd been a couple ever since.

I…I don't believe this…

Madeleine's world was crumbling around her as she took another look at Arthur and the young woman. They were smiling at eachother and she was holding his hand as he nodded enthusiastically at something she said. When she first reunited with Vincent and Arthur her father had warned her to be careful. The three had been friends as children, her father and their parents being close friends and all.They were no longer the same innocent children they had been, Vincent already had quite the reputation for himself as being well…but Arthur had always been different, or at least she thought he was until now.

I guess he was just better at hiding it…

Madeleine had started to back up wanting to flee from the scene when she bumped into someone.

“Pardonne-moi.”

“Sorry.”

Their voices overlapped and Madeleine turned around.

Oh just lovely!

“Hey, are you okay?”

A hand reached out to touch her shoulder but she swatted it away.

“Don't touch me Vincent!”

“Oh I'm no-”

“I should have listened to Papa, he warned me, you know.”

“Listen, I don't know what's going on but if you’d just calm down and listen to me for a-”

“You have some nerve, I never want to see you or your brother again.”

“Look I'm-”

Madeleine's hand was just as fast as her mouth; the sound of her slap against his cheek echoing loudly.

“Stay away from me, both of you!”

Madeleine barely registered the look of shock on his face as she turned and ran. It was bad enough she had already been making a scene in public with her temper; she wasn't about to start crying in the streets on top of it.

I can't believe I was so stupid! Everyone told me that I was being delusional, look at how his twin acts and all that but I believed in him. He said he loved me, I loved him, I gave myself to him and he…he…

She hurried through the streets keeping her head down. She felt the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes and she wanted to just get home and throw herself onto her bed. She rounded a corner when she slammed right into someone and she cursed aloud.

“And you kiss my broer with that mouth.”

“Mon Dieu! Why are you following me, I thought I had made it clear I never wanted to see you or your broer again!”

Madeleine glared at Vincent who was just looking back at her in utter confusion.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don't you dare try to play dumb with me Vincent.”

“I swear I have no idea what you're yelling about, so how about you calm down and-”

This time Madeleine's hand didn't connect, it was caught mid air and held in place by Vincent who was now looking not only confused but concerned. The two stared at each other for a moment when another voice broke through.

“Did Vincent say something to upset you Takako-san?”

Madeleine and Vincent both groaned at the same time.

“Dazai my name is not Taka, you know what nevermind it doesn't matter anymore.”

Madeleine pulled her wrist free of Vincent's slackened grasp and brushed at her skirt.

“Too bad I won't be around to see how you butcher Arthur's new girlfriend's name.”

“Arthur's what?”

“Broer’s new what?”

Both men spoke at once and wore equally shocked expressions on their faces as Madeleine looked between them.

“Yes, his new girlfriend. The foreign one, his ka-chan.”

“Verdomde idioot.”

Vincent was visibly angry but Dazai was smiling wide.

“Oh you mean Toshiko-san.”

“Toshiko?”

Madeleine had turned to face Dazai now her face still red from anger and her barely held back tears.

“Yes, she's such a sweet girl and everyone back at the mansion loves her. Though I don't think you need to worry about her. Of the twins Vincent would really be more her type-”

“Okay that's enough Dazai, you aren't helping.”

“How can the truth not help, I mean given Toshiko-sans normal tastes in men-”

“You look like you need a drink Maddy, I definitely do now.”

“I-”

Madeleine wanted to be anywhere other than where she was but one look at Vincent's face told her he wouldn't let her go anywhere alone, plus a drink didn't sound like the worst idea right now either.

“Okay Vincent.”

“Wonderful, there's a nice bar just over that way.”

“What makes you think you're coming?”

“I'll pay for the drinks.”

Maddy looked up at Vincent and she shrugged.

“Why not this whole day, whole year, is ruined anyway, drinking with him can't make it any worse.”

“Fine, but say anything unhelpful again no matter how truthful and I'll knock your teeth out.”

Later that day as dinner was close to finished several mansion residents sat around the table.

“You know that shade of red looks excellent on you Theo old boy.”

“Shut up Arthur.”

“Maybe Jeanie here could teach you a thing or two about dodging vicious attacks from spirited young ladies.”

Jean looked between Arthur and Theo seemingly confused.

“Don't drag Uncle Jean into this Oom Arthur.”

“Besides I'd think that would be more your specialty anyway you klootzak.”

“I must say Theo, telling the young lady to calm down probably wasn't the wisest choice of words.”

LeComte’s voice was as smooth as ever but it was clear he was poking fun at Theo.

“How have you ever managed to stay married this long chap?”

“Listen you-”

“That's enough, both of you!”

Mitsuki and Napoleon had come in with the plates and silverware with the latter depositing his share into Arthur's arms.

“Do something useful and help set the table.”

“Here Mama, let me help with those.”

“Thank you Arthur-kun.”

Mitsuki was just about to hand off her portion of the plates when they all heard the familiar sound of the window opening.

“You really should use the door Dazai-san.”

“This is more fun Toshiko-san, isn't that right Vincent.”

Vincent's head popped over the sill before he quickly climbed into the dining room.

“As if this one hadn't already picked up enough bad habits from a third rate writer.”

“I’ll have you know-”

“Madeleine!”

Everyone froze at Arthur's exclamation except for him and he started hurrying around the table. After she was safely in the window Madeleine let out a sigh and looked around.

“That was fun, oh there really are two of you! That could be dangerous for his health.”

“I'm well aware of that.”

Madeleine blushed in embarrassment as Arthur reached the other side of the table and paused beside his brother whispering in his ear.

“Just how much did she drink?”

“Mmm probably just enough.”

Arthur looked at his twin confused but before he could say anything more Madeleine let out a small laugh then took a deep breath.

“I'm deeply sorry for slapping you earlier, I really should have slapped him.”

Madeleine was half pouting, half glaring as she pointed a finger at Arthur.

“Madeleine I don't understand what-”

“Ah ah ah, don't come any closer and don't you dare try to sweet talk me Arthur!”

Arthur halted his steps and slowly put his hands up.

“Madeleine love, you're clearly very drunk-”

LeComte cleared his throat and shook his head disapprovingly at Arthur while Theo and Vincent both covered their faces with a hand.

“What were you saying Arthur?”

“Uhh…”

Madeleine couldn't hold it back anymore and she began to cry.

“Maddy.”

Madeleine could hear the pain in Arthur's voice and it just made her mad all over again. She had promised Vincent and Dazai both she would remain calm and open minded before they left the bar but she had had enough for one day. Just as Arthur was about to reach her she pushed him away then shook her head.

“I saw you earlier Arthur with her, her arms and lips all over you. Just what the hell were you doing!”

Madeleine was pointing at Mitsuki now and Arthur's eyes went wide.

“Please Madeleine I promise it's not what it looked like.”

“Oh really then what was it?”

“It was, umm…”

Madeleine saw Arthur looking nervously around the room, he was a good liar under pressure but she wasn't in the mood to just go along with whatever story he came up with. Not about this.

“Arthur Leonardo!”

Madeleine stomped her foot bringing his, and everyone else's, attention back to her.

“You tell me the truth right now or I swear I'll climb right back out that window and you'll never see me again!”

“I…”

Madeleine waited what seemed like forever with her arms crossed but then Arthur let out a big breath.

“I'm a vampire, were all vampires. These aren't just my weird room mates, they're my family. Opa is a pureblood whose been alive for well none of us know how long. He made our Papa a vampire after he had died and then years later our Mama traveled through a special door and came here from the future and they fell in love. She was human until we were born when she became a vampire too. Vincent and I are both half vampires and none of us age that's partly why we left when we were younger because people would of started asking questions. Then everyone stayed quiet for a bit until we came back for school and now everybody is their former selves kid or cousin or something Oom Isaac made a whole chart on it. Since it's almost graduation my parents came to visit and I didn't want to lie to you but I couldn't tell you either because it's not like we can just go around announcing we exist to people, most humans don't like vampires since we drink blood and all that. Oh but don't worry, nobody here would ever I promise. We have a blood supply that means we don't need to drink from humans, actually I'm the most dangerous in the room to you if you don't want your blood drank but I've never done it before I'd never do that without knowledgeable consent, I'm not Vincent or my Uncle.”

Madeleine noticed Vincent and his ‘Uncle’, whom she knew until this point as his roommate John, both giving Arthur the dirtiest of looks.

“Mama was just really excited earlier because I told her I'd bought a ring for you to propose tomorrow and when she gets excited she gets super affectionate and then I didn't even think when Papa came up talking about some woman being mad and slapping him I just assumed it was one of Vincent's-”

“Wait wait wait, you bought me an engagement ring?”

Both Madeleine and Arthur were quiet now but soon Jean's very hushed voice was heard.

“With everything he just told her is that what she should focus on?”

Small giggles erupted and soon Madeleine and Arthur were laughing as well.

“Oh, well…yes I, wait do you believe me?”

“As masterful a liar as you are Arthur, which still needs explaining itself, you've never lied to me when it mattered.”

“So that's a yes?”

“Yes, I believe you Arthur.”

“While I'm on a roll then, will you also marry me now that you know the truth?”

Arthur got down on one knee then pulled out a beautiful diamond and pale ruby halo engagement ring from his pocket. Out of the corner of her eye Madeleine could see who she now knew was his mother gripping onto his father's arm and slightly bouncing in place and it made her smile just as much as the ring itself.

“Yes, I'd be delighted to marry you Arthur.”

Madeleine felt herself being lifted into the air as too loud cheers, congratulations and clapping broke out around them. Before she knew it Arthur was kissing her and she found herself melting in the safety of his arms like usual. Just as his tongue slipped passed her lips though he pulled away a bit then put her down on the ground again as he let out a cough.

“Broer, just how much did you let her drink?”

“I'd be more concerned with her lack of food to go with it.”

“Seriously you two?”

“Oh my gosh the food!”

“Hondje, slow down before you hurt yourself.”

Madeleine watched as Arthur's parents went rushing out of the room one after the other. Just then she felt Arthur's lips on the top of her head and she looked up at him smiling.

“Now that you know the truth, the craziness from before will seem tame in comparison to what actually goes on. There is more I need to tell you though, a lot more, but it'll wait for another time tonight let's just enjoy dinner.”

Madeleine nodded in agreement and Arthur began leading her to a chair.

“Okay, truthfully I've had enough for one day already. I don't think I could…wait a minute.”

Madeleine grabbed at Arthur's arm frantically as he was about to sit.

“What is it, what's wrong?”

Madeleine noticed everyone left in the room was now staring at her.

“If you're all vampires, does that mean I can't eat garlic anymore?”

The muffled laughs turned into full on hysterical laughter when Mitsuki and Theo returned with the night's featured soup, aigo bouido.

Tag List: @fang-and-feather, @floydsteeth @nightghoul381, @queengiuliettafirstlady

[aragarna]

List your top 9 characters

tagged by @bebx, thank you!! <3 (Sorry it took me so long to play. Life, you know... )

Peter Burke (and Neal, and El, and Moz, and Diana... Sometimes I feel like the whole WC gang should fill the top.)

John Reese (and Harold, and Lionel, and all the ladies!)

Aziraphale (and Crowley, cause really, they're a team, a team of two)

Henry Morgan (not to sound too mono-maniac, I picked only one of Ioan Gruffudd's roles, but really, Horatio and Harrow aren't far behind. And let's not forget William Wilberforce!)

Diego de la Vega/Zorro (he's basically a superhero but with style)

D'Artagnan (the book version more than any real film version as none as ever really been satisfying to me. Though you know, Gabriel Byrne...)

Obiwan Kenobi (the only thing I like about Star Wars LOL)

Doug Ross (George Clooney, 20 years of fannish love)

Paul Weston (Speaking of Gabriel... In Treatment. That show that marks my descend into TV addiction)

tagging @silverfoxstole @theancientvaleofsoulmaking @amalthea9 @donfadrique @penna-nomen @thesymphonytrue @ascreamintothevoid-blog and whoever wants to play! I always love seeing other people's tops :)

[callejondelinfierno]

Cuadro de Inodoro en HDF de 6 mm 40 x 30 cm - Mono Chimpancé en WC - Decoración Divertida para la Pared - Regalo Original y Gracioso（Sin Marco）

Precio: (as of – Detalles) Valoración media de los compradores: 2.5/5 Estrellas Dale un toque divertido a tu baño con este cuadro de inodoro de alta calidad. Fabricado en Alemania, presenta divertidos animales sentados en el inodoro con un diario en la mano. La impresión directa en una placa HDF de 6 mm con borde negro proporciona un acabado satinado y suave al tacto. El sistema de suspensión,…

[lesfoteses]

Brasil dia 12: fins sempre, Amazones!

Divendres 25 d’agost del 2023

Avui he passat la pitjor nit de totes les nits aquí. M’he anat desvetllant constantment a les 2:30h, 2:47h, a les 3… horrorós. La Laia igual. Hem abaixat el ritme del ventilador i jo he hagut de sortir a fora a pixar perquè el lavabo estava PLE de granotes. Em sento més segura pixant a la intempèrie que dins del wc amb les granotes. He tingut molts malsons i em fa mal tot el cos de la posició. No m’atreveixo a moure’m en aquest llit per por a que em salti una granota o un llangardaix a la boca. Per no parlar de les aranyes, que està fotudament plena d’aranyes també aquesta selva. El terra com que són taulons és una autopista d’entrada i sortida de tots els bitxos haguts i per haver aquí. La Clara creu que no descanso pel permanent estat de tensió en el que viu el meu cos. Compro 100000% la teoria.

A les 5:30h com deia ahir ens hem tornat a enfilar a la canoa i vinga, a veure monos i tucans des del riu. És preciós, realment sort que el que veiem aquí és màgic perquè macho, sinó no compensaria l’angoixa per la fauna. Les vistes no s’assemblen a res del que hagi vist mai fins ara. A mi sempre m’agrada buscar paral·lelismes amb casa (Catalunya), tipo “Ah mira s’assembla al Delta”, o “això em recorda a la plaça de Vic” però aquí a la floresta (com se li diu aquí) res s’assembla ni a casa ni a enlloc més. Bona senyal!

Cosa negativa: la infinitat de mosquits que hi havia voleiant la canoa. Ah i en un moment he notat que em picava l’esquena i era una puça!!! Dios el que faltava nano, l’Arca de Noé. La part bona és que les puces no porten la malària. Espero no pillar polls, tot i que res em sorprendria ja.

Durant l’esmorzar m’ha vingut la caca però em fa tanta angúnia cagar i pixar en aquest lavabo que se m’ha tallat. Quin desastre! Després de jalar hem sortit a caminar per la floresta. La idea era buscar aranyes i taràntules, per sorpresa de ningú i tenint en compte el pànic per les granotes, lo de les aranyes ja ha sigut next level. A cap de les cinc ens feia puta gràcia veure aquestes criatures peludes i perilloses, però hi hem anat! I potser per la calor, la poca il·lusió o tot plegat, l’activitat que havia de durar 3h n’ha durat la meitat. El Leo ens feia seguir-lo pel bosc, la Joana, l’Eli i jo darrera i la Clara i la Laia, súper cagades, al final. La Clara no parava d’anar dient “però un moment, si a cap li fa gràcia veure aranyes, per què no li diem? Per què no ho frenem ara que som a temps? Per què anar a passar-ho malament si cap ho vol?”. Tenia raó i quan li hem dit al Leo, ha canviat l’activitat: s’ha dedicat a explicar-nos i ensenyar-nos les propietats dels arbres així com la manera de fabricar armes i trampes per animals. Una masterclass. Ens ha fet un barret, un tira fletxes, una trampa… i tot amb pals i troncs i fulles que anava recollint. Suàvem moltíssim mentre observàvem com ens fabricava coses. Anàvem dient “oh” “wow” “¿a ver a ver cómo lo haces?” mentre ens regalimava aigua pel sottoteto. En un moment ens pregunta: “teniu set?” i totes “síiii” pensant-nos que ens duria de tornada a les cabanyes a beure llimonada, quan de sobte agafa un arbre, una liana de l’hòstia, i amb el matxet li carda dos talls que la talla i se l’emporta. Llavors ens fa “té, beveu”. No és conya si dic que de la liana ha començat a caure un xorro d’aigua heavy. Jo anava a beure fins que la Clara ha dit “recordeu què ens van dir els del Clínic: res de beure i menjar coses sense netejar abans o bullir”. Total, que ens hem cagat i per por a cagar diarrea la resta dels nostres dies hem declinat l’oferta del Leo tot i estar mortes de set. Ell s’ha fotut tota l’aigua de la liana.

Avui ha estat heavy perquè a les 11:15h ja estàvem entaulades per dinar. Peix fregit, pasta i arròs. El menú de sempre (i boníssim!!). Hem jalat i a migdia ens han fet empaquetar les coses. Avui s’ha acabat la nostra aventura a la selva! Una estada meravellosa!! El que no enyoraré seran les putes granotes, aranyes i dragons. Tenim una mica de ganes de tornar a Manaus, només per dormir i dutxar-nos a gust un dia sense haver de patir pels bitxos!

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Cinc hores de cotxe i gairebé trallo a l’arribar a Manaus. Ens ha tornat a portar el conductor simpàtic de l’anada, un tal Vildomur (que no es pronuncia ni s’escriu així) i si preteníem poder dormir, la il·lusió se n’ha anat a la puta merda quan ens ha dit de posar reggaeton a tota hòstia des del primer minut. S’ha cascat un intereogatori de cal Déu sobre el que havíem fet i vist a la floresta. Reconec que m’he fet l’adormida en algun moment de lo cansada que estava. Ah i ell conduia una mica malament… aquí tothom condueix fatal, he de dir. I amb el reggaeton es pensava que ens animaríem però… no exagero si les cançons que posava eren del 2000. Osigui wtf? No els arriben les novetats a Manaus o qué onda? Ni les coneixíem, ni la Clara que n’és fan se les sabia!

Un cop a l’hosal ens hem dutxat per fi en condicions malgrat que ens ha vingut a saludar una panerola gegant que l’Eli ha matat d’un taconasso. Me la suden ja les paneroles, després del que hem viscut.

Per sopar hem optat per un clàssic dels àpats de comiat: una pizzeria. Demà la Clara i jo marxem cap a Brasilia i Sao Paulo, així que tocava dir adéu a la ciutat. Manaus és lletja del cagar, decadent, però després et sorprenen alguns bars, restaurants i racons que t’enamoren. Com el casal on hem anat a fer l’última caipirinha. Estaven fent una jam session, un paio amb flauta travessera i un guitarrista. Aquí hem fet una mica de recap del viatge i ha estat molt bonic.

L’Eli demà al matí haurà d’anar a l’otorrino per lo de l’orella infectada, es veu que la mare del recepcionista és otorrina i li han donat hora per les 7 del matí. Jo a aquella hora espero estar dormint.

[starinthegarden]

thanks for the tag mono and blue!!

name(s): Star (preferred), Garden, Little, Canary

Pronouns: she/her but if you call me anything else for whatever reason i wouldn’t care lol

star sign: gemini (looking at you blue)

number of siblings: 1, she’s a gremlin and a pain but i love her all the same and she’s also my twin (STOP FLEXING THOSE 2 MINUTES BLUE)

Number of pets: 2, blue has already said this but the male one is Scout and the female is Willow, Scout likes me more but he also bullies his sister sometimes 😅

fandoms: life series, hermitcraft, warrior cats (not active much in the wc fandom unfortunately), Stray (the cat game aiedhhsiejsjd i finished it in 2 days i played it for 4 hours straight and then 3 hours straight and the ending dilsosjeudshsjsisksns i sobbed) percy jackson, pokémon (again not active much in the pokémon fandom) and a bunch of book series because my house has so many books it’s like a literal library

favourite colour: yellow!! hurray 🌼☀️🌻

favourite song: i like listening to the Stray osts rn but i was planning to eventually try my hand at animating to Passing Through (Can’t The Future Just Wait) by Kaden MacKay

favourite author: idrk atm… i did really like reading The Hermit Archives by @/Chrisrin i also liked reading Dramaturgy by @/wormtime123

hobbies: drawing, role playing, board gaming, video gaming, playing minecraft (on occasion)

favourite fic type: horror gimme

favourite holiday: christmas :D

partners: nobody but i am also jokingly married to like 9 of my friends

fun fact: i never get over 8 hours of sleep, my eyesight is horrible and i have never fully completed a long video game

@skydoesthings @mildlylesbian @waaxfeathers @eagle-warri @eyedrinktwomp @sneezinbird-new @dragonblaze716 and also anyone else who i may have forgotten

I got bored so here's a little get-to-know-you tag game I think could be fun :3

Name(s)

Pronouns

Star sign

# of siblings & fun facts about them (if you have any)

# of pets & their names

Fandoms

Favorite color

Favorite song

Favorite author (of anything readable-- books, fanfics, zines, webtoons, whatever!)

Hobbies

Favorite fic type

Favorite holiday

Do you have any partner(s)? (romantic, qpp, anything!)

Fun facts about you / anything extra you wanna share!

────────

Name(s): Loki (highly preferred), Elye

Pronouns : they/them mostly, he/she okay too

Star sign: Pisces

# of siblings: I've got 2! An older sister and a younger sibling. The fun fact about them is that they're also both queer; in fact, my mom is too. The only non-queer person in my immediate family is my dad.

# of pets: 4 cats! Phoebe & Frankie are our girls, Lenny and Murray are our boys :3

Fandoms: MCU (kind of), BSD, OFMD, Ranboo (does his fanbase count as a fandom?)

Fav. color: Don't have one

Fav. song: Aurora Borealis by Lemon Demon

Fav. author: Alice Oseman

Hobbies: singing, acting, drawing, writing, procrastinating

Fav. fic type: Fluff, definitely. I am a sucker for well written coffee-shop and flower-shop aus, too. Smut's fine, but only if it's romantic. I can't do angst if there's no comfort.

Fav. Holiday: Hanukkah or Halloween! I love autumn and winter

Partners?: Yes! I have a girlfriend (queerplatonic) who I love very much, and a boyfriend (romantic) who I love very much :]

Fun facts:

- Even though I'm a cat person, I really, really want a dog.

- I actually used to play sports. Because I don't do gendered leagues anymore, I don't play, but I've been looking for mixed/gender-neutral/queer sports teams. Baseball and basketball specifically!

- I started questioning my identity in 2019; I'm no closer to finding a label now than I was then. The difference is, now I don't want a label. I just am. :]

tags: @neonganymede @cha0ticlesbian @x-chiara @exceleo @brinnybee @autistic-katara @gandalfthemorallygrey @ohboyanotherlokiblog @roachandrenfri @ourflagmeanslokius @exceleo @edettethegreat @swiftlyspidey