#while we were walking we three were talking about the word slay and he was like i dont like that word

[roimp]

novel about today

[whateverisbeautiful]

♥️ Ranking Richonne

#24: Family Fun Days (S9E03 & S4E15)

Grimes Family 2.0 has my heart eternally. 🥹 They are the best family to ever grace an apocalypse. And what’s so sweet is during their Family Fun Day in s9 and s4, it truly didn’t even feel like an apocalypse - that’s how much love and joy Rick and Michonne were admirably able to place in their and their kids’ lives. And while the fallen world turned Rick and Michonne into walker-slaying warriors, who they really are to their core are parents. (ours and their kids 😋) So the final Family Fun Day and the first unofficial Family Fun Day are a tie on this list for allowing Richonne to show why they're the greatest parents around...

Starting with the s9 Family Fun Day, one of my favorite parts is when Rick, Michonne, and Judith are walking hand in hand in ASZ. It’s so idyllic and so the type of rewarding happy life these three deserve.

I think back to s5 when Rick and Michonne were outside the gates of ASZ with Carl and baby Judith in the backseat of their car. I love that the leap of faith they took together in coming to this place has now turned into a stable home where they can fully enjoy being family.

I feel like words can’t fully even capture how much I love all this. Their smiles. Michonne cheering Rick on by saying, "come on, daddy." Judith skipping. Rick's countdown. And the way they lift her up and cheer Judith on. Somehow, I never noticed it until this rewatch, but after they lift Judith up, Rick and Michonne say “wow” at the exact same time. Always in sync those two. 🥰

And Rick and Michonne getting to just be parents is the best and so meaningful. After the devastating loss of children, the way Rick and Michonne have risen from those depths of despair and given Judith a beautiful cheerful life is so commendable. And, truly, it speaks to the strength of Rick and Michonne's impact on each other's lives that they can be this healed and happy now.

I’m choked up from just this initial moment and it only gets cuter with each of their activities. It’s clear that this is Judith’s favorite way to spend the day, but make no mistake, this is Rick and Michonne’s favorite way to spend the day too. And I love that Family Fun Days are something they seem to do often and look forward to. (also it's sweet that, throughout the series, we got several indicators that little Judith is a mama's girl 😊)

It was such a joy to see this side of Rick and Michonne, especially knowing we’d only have 2 more eps before Rick’s departure. I love that we got to see Rick just have so much fun as the best girl dad. He deserved to have so many more days like this with his baby girl. 🥲

Also, what I would give to have seen a family fun day that included Rick, Michonne, RJ, Judith, and Carl all together. 😭

The good thing is Rick and Michonne are going to do everything in their power to get home to Judith and RJ, and I have hope TWD's best parents will be able to have plenty more days like this to enjoy with their children whenever the four reunite.

(Side note: Since we're talking Grimes family in this post, can I just say I never understand the complaints about our sweet prince RJ being a regular kid doing regular kid stuff - like ??? To me, it's actually the biggest flex that Rick and Michonne's baby is living a normal life. A whole dang apocalypse hit the earth, and your kid is able to just read comics and ride bikes because, even in the most dangerous possible world, you managed to create some normal (as normal as it can be in that world) stability for your children - What a win. And rather than find him "boring" as a kid under age 10 just living life, I find it heartwarming that RJ Grimes got to be so normal. The mostly peaceful and regular way RJ is living is the very thing Michonne and Rick wanted and fought for. It's the very thing RJ's big brother Carl fought for too. How wonderful that they got what they wanted 🥰👌🏽)

And then the montage includes my absolute favorite visual with the three of them on a picnic blanket all relaxed, with a brief glimpse of Rick handing Michonne a pink flower as Judith seems to notice the way her dad loves her mom. Even in just a .5-second clip of Rick wanting to give Michonne that flower we see yet another example of how Rick so naturally shows love to his wife. 🥰

I love that in s9 especially, Rick was like if y’all don’t know nothing else about me, you’re going to know that I’m head over heels in love with Michonne. And he’s just so good at courting her even in their married era, and I adore how he’s always thinking of how to gift her.

Y’all, everything in this moment (& the deleted picnic scene where Rick expresses wanting more years like this with his wife and kids) gives me so much happiness and peace. Again, it’s so idyllic and tranquil and pretty. I wanted them to live in this moment forever.

The picnic shot is just beauty and I will always cherish it. It makes me think about Carl’s vision in s8, of their family playing hooky. I know Carl would be so proud to see the three of them essentially doing exactly that on this beautiful family fun day. Like this whole montage is truly what Carl wanted most for the three of them. 🥹

To this day, when I see Scott running over while the three are reading, I’m like damn it. 😫 Richonne deserved to have a day to be all about their family and nothing else and Rick and Michonne look like they really do agree with me in the way they both communicate with a wordless look lol.

They don’t want this family time to end, but they know the world is ready to start screaming again. I do like how Rick sees Scott coming but keeps reading tho. Like ‘maybe if we keep reading he’ll just jog past us.’ 😂 

Seeing Rick kiss Judith before joining Michonne and Scott is so sweet and so sad because it’s his final interaction with his daughter before he’s taken away for years. 😭

Rick and Michonne again wordlessly communicate upon learning about that murdered savior, and you can tell they’re both disappointed. And I'm disappointed that Family Fun Day was cut short too, but I also was like, I should've known...

But I adore that this scene, which ends up being Rick and Michonne's last time side by side in the present, does not end on disappointment.

Rick is quiet and looking at Michonne, and then he looks away frustrated and stressed, especially because this new development could jeopardize the unity and safety he and Michonne so badly want to build for their people.

It’s so clear how Michonne feels for him, knowing how much they both wanted to have this day to just be. And then the shot focuses on their hands with Rick’s fist clenched to further illustrate his frustration. 

But Michonne always knows how to offer Rick the exact right uplifting encouragement and so I love that she then takes his hand. The choreo of it is so good with her slowly sliding her hand into his. It’s symbolic for Michonne to be the one who could most help Rick release his fist, thus release the frustration, and hold onto what matters most.

And, of course, Rick is receptive and holds her hand. He can always receive the positivity Michonne instills in him. And so I love that Rick tightly holds her hand and allows that to be the note they can end on together. 

Richonne handholds are always a thing of beauty so I love that their final moment like this ends on that emphasized visual. Even when things fall apart, they’re still in it together. They’re still held together by their love.

Y’all, how do even their hands tell a compelling story? I mean they always have. From exchanging bullets in Clear, to passing mints and holding hands in their canon ep, and this significant final present moment between them. It really does highlight the strength, love, and unity of Richonne's relationship. 

It’s also sweet how Rick and Michonne's official romance began with a handhold, and their final moment ends with one too. And while their journey is about to devastatingly take them on separate paths for years, I really feel like this handhold right here actually never breaks.

In many ways, during their years apart, Rick and Michonne still embarked through life as though their true love was still with them, still holding their hand and supporting them because their love is neverending - as noted in both Rick and Michonne's sentiments during the TWD series finale.

(Side note: There’s this interesting contrast I think about - because with losing Lori, part of what made it so painful on Rick is knowing they never got official closure after they grew distant and their marriage fell apart. But then with “losing” Michonne after he was taken, part of what likely makes it so painful for Rick is that their marriage was in such a great spot. Rick and Michonne were so beyond close, happy together, and hopeful for their future just before Rick was taken away. And that’s a unique pain to just be abruptly plucked from the woman you were so longing to spend the rest of your life with. Where the Lori loss featured an element of mourning a clear closed door, the Michonne “loss” is an element of mourning all the doors he hoped he'd open with her. And I’m really curious to see how Rick has been dealing with that type of pain while away in TOWL)

This whole sequence of events in 9.03 is the definition of precious. And the song in the background pairs so nicely with this heavenly time. I love Grimes Family 2.0, and this was like a beautiful love letter to them.

It was a lovely reward for Rick and Michonne after all they've been through in this series. And I just appreciate how much joy was depicted in every moment Rick got with his girls in season 9. (their opening moment in the s9 premiere also gets an honorable mention cuz I absolutely adore it)

So I called this Family Fun Days plural because before Rick and Michonne so adorably had their day as mommy and daddy with Judith, they had another version of a family fun day out in the woods with Carl. And this moment, along with the s9 montage, are my all-time favorite Grimes Family 2.0 scenes.

This one in season 4 is so meaningful because during their s9 family fun day in ASZ they were enjoying merriment in the safety of their community - but here the golden trio of Rick, Michonne, and Carl are traveling while unsure of where they’ll get their next meal or where they’ll lay their head for the night…and yet they smile. 🥹 The levity found in this moment is so important and heartwarming to see. 

I love that Michonne was so effortlessly able to be a best friend to Carl and helped him have fun even in an apocalypse. I adore the opening of the scene as Rick talks about resources running low and turns around to see Michonne and Carl adorably preoccupied with their train track competition.

Rick turning around to see Michonne and Carl reminded me of the s9 premiere when the first thing we see of Rick is him opening the doors to watch Michonne and Judith.

I know Michonne’s bond with Carl and Judith means the absolute world to Rick. And I can only imagine how moved Rick would (and will) be to see her bond with their adorable son RJ too. 😭

(Again, I'll never get over the fact that Michonne really carried Rick's child. How extremely beautiful. 🥹And soon Rick is going to finally know all about the son he made with the love of his life. Won't He Do It! 🥳)

I always appreciate that Rick walks over to Michonne and Carl, letting them have the moment a little longer, and the way Michonne playfully tries to win their competition. Carl sharing the Big Cat because "we always share" is also just so sweet.

And, of course, you know I love the way that man Rick is grinning while watching and appreciating this wholesome family moment. 🥰The way he keeps sneaking glances at Michonne as he smiles - I forever stand by the fact that Rick has fallen in love with Michonne by this point.💯

Even despite their circumstances, the three seemed so happy in this moment cuz they’re together the way it was meant to be. And I love that Michonne and Rick both valued giving Carl a good childhood against all odds.

In Carl’s devastating final episode "Honor" he tells Michonne "Don't carry this - not this part," and I always like to think that this moment on the tracks is one of the parts of their journey Carl hopes Michonne holds onto instead. Cuz it was such a beautiful happy moment that cemented the three as a family.

And, clearly, she and Rick did choose to carry the good parts with Carl and even pass it on to Judith as they and their daughter so presently enjoyed a day of fun and games seasons later, where for a few hours they didn't have to be community leaders or fierce fighters. Instead, Rick and Michonne just got to be what they so cherished being - mom and dad. Grimes family forever. 🤍

[rukia-writes]

Greek bros x Ditzy sister! Reader

A/N: this was a lot better in my head. 🧠

Hunting.

Apollo, Hermes, Ares, and Hercules were excited about today, the day they all went hunting in Valhalla’s wild. The four brothers were currently outside of Zeus’ palace each talking to one another about what they would catch or see.

Who knows maybe they would slay a monster instead of wild gain.

“Why if I was in my younger years I would join you.”

Zeus joked as he joined his sons, all greeted him with smiles and proclamations of what they would catch in his honor. When the brothers started waving bye, their father kindly stopped them.

“Wait, aren’t you forgetting someone?”

“No.”

All four brothers calmly said in unison, knowing full well they brought everything with them. From arrows to basic necessities, they absolutely knew they weren’t forgetting something.

“Hi! How’s my brothers this evening!?”

All four brothers kindly cringed as they saw their younger sister pop up from behind Zeus with her usual cheerful smile, Zeus did a few chuckles at his sons.

“Are we going hunting? It’s going to be such fun-“

In her excitement, their sister kindly fell face first on her way to her brothers. All of them sighed with disappointment and the only who offered to help was Hercules as he helped her up on her feet. Apollo was first to speak his thoughts.

“Father, must we take (Name). She’s not very..stealthy.”

“Nonsense, (Name) is very quiet and stealthy.”

“Very! I’m very quiet! No one will hear me!”

(Name) kindly yelled in her excitement only for her brothers to groan as she wasn’t making her case any better. Smiling, (Name) offered to do her best not getting the hint that her brothers didn’t want to take her along.

“Father-“

“You’ll take your sister, Ares. Make sure she returns home. Have a good hunt!”

Zeus didn’t leave any room for debate as he interrupted Ares while pushing (Name) towards her brothers. Sighing, the brothers were left with no choice as they took their happy sister with them.

Unfortunately, the hunt wasn’t going so well.

Everytime the brothers had a wild animal in their sights, (Name) would excitedly and loudly fan girl over the animal making the beast run away.

Earning her brothers anger.

“(Name), you must be quiet.”

Hermes kindly told his sister who realized what she had done, Hermes wasn’t there to hunt like his brothers but he did want to learn more about the wildlife in Valhalla and he couldn’t do that if they ran away. Apologizing, (Name) told herself to be quiet.

Before long, A beautiful deer with appeared in front of the group. The group were interested as they quietly moved closer to the animal. Whispering to themselves that the animal was quite beautiful and that they would catch it.

So they thought.

“I got it guys!”

(Name) jumped upon the deer scaring it as it kicked about scaring her four brothers and just as they rushed over to help the deer took off in flight making (Name) yell in freight as she held on to the deer for her life.

“Father is going kill us if she falls down from that height!”

Ares panicked.

“Don’t worry! I’m coming, sister!”

Hercules rushed off following the flying deer.

“Did you know deers could fly?”

Apollo calmly asked Hermes.

“I did not. I’ll just write that down.”

Hermes also responded calmly as he wrote down a few notes in his book as Apollo watched his sister fly off.

“Well?! We should go after her!”

“Or..we can let Hercules get her while we go hunting. We haven’t caught anything all day because of her.”

Apollo responded back to a distraught Ares as he walked off, Ares found his brother’s words inconsiderate as his anger started to rise.

“Well, if something happens to her father will have our heads. Why don’t you go after her?”

“…Hercules went after her. She’ll be fine.”

With that, the three gods went their own way to hunt.

Oh shit.

“(Name)! Where are you?!”

Ares and Hercules yelled in the now dark forest, time had passed and (Name) was no where to be found.

“Father is going to be so pissed.”

Apollo calmly said as he looked for (Name) on another side of the forest, the god of sunlight didn’t take many things seriously. Believing (Name) would show up, eventually. The only thing that concerned him was Zeus wrath.

Hermes believed in multi tasking as he looked for his sister while taking notes on certain animals he found interesting.

Eventually, the four brothers made it back to camp and now things had become heated between the four brothers.

“This is all your fault! You didn’t even bother to help.”

Hercules.

“(Name) is a grown goddess, she can take care of herself.”

Apollo.

“Well, she’s not always the brightest. You should have helped.”

Ares.

“But you also didn’t look for her, brother Ares.”

Hermes.

The four brothers fought amongst themselves for what seemed like forever and the longer they fought the more tense the atmosphere became. Ares and Hercules on side with Hermes and Apollo on the other.

“We need to look for her, father is going to be furious if we return tomorrow empty handed.”

“And while you guys do that I’ll be right here.”

Apollo was going stay at camp until Hermes spoke up.

“I hope (Name) hasn’t ate anything poisonous. That would be bad.”

Hermes mentioned remembering from earlier (Name) came close to eating a few poisonous mushrooms earlier, Apollo quickly walked into the forest yelling out for his sister. Ares sighed knowing Apollo didn’t add in that his sister could have ate something poisonous.

With that the four brothers searched the forest.

Morning arrived.

Still, the four brothers couldn’t find their sister and all them were tired and irritable. All of them thinking where their sweet sister went off to, all of them thought of endless possibilities.

Well, it was time to face the music.

As the four brothers came upon the palace they noticed their father was already waiting and beside him was his younger brother, Poseidon.

All four brother were confused yet interested as to why Poseidon was here.

They didn’t have to wonder long as a familiar deer flew over to Zeus and Poseidon with (Name) riding on its back, it seemed (Name) was having fun.

“What the hell is she doing?!”

Ares pointed to their sister who was currently smiling, Apollo and Hermes seemed interested in (Name)’s new pet while Hercules was just happy (Name) was okay.

“Oh, she’s tamed it.”

Walking up to the deer Hermes took a few notes, (Name) mentioned that the deer wasn’t tamed but she was able to ride on its back sometimes.

“How was the hunt? Did you all catch anything?”

Zeus excitedly questioned as the brothers looked at each other then at their sister who gave them a smile and thumbs up.

“We didn’t catch anything.”

All four brothers answered in unison.

“What? (Name) managed to catch something and you didn’t?”

“We lost (Name) and we couldn’t find. We had been looking for her all night. Where the hell did you go?”

Ares continuously poked (Name)‘s forehead until Poseidon finally spoke up, making everyone listen up.

“She wounded up in my ocean.”

“Yeah! My new friend here flew to the ocean and dropped me there. Luckily, uncle Poseidon was there and he brought me to shore. Then, I tracked down my new friend here and we’ve been together since.”

Hugging the deer (Name) cheerfully explained the situation, all four brothers were surprised none the less they didn’t say anything and were just happy (Name) wasn’t hurt.

“In the meantime, learn how to swim. Also, learn to stick with your brothers. You travel as a group when hunting. You could have drowned or you could have fallen in a hole and died a pathetic death-“

Poseidon scolded his niece, regardless of who saw. Never raising his voice just simply scolding her like a father would, like he always did when she did something wrong. Ares, finding Poseidon scolding his sister funny made a snicker and with that Poseidon turned his attention to the brothers.

“You think this is funny? You four are expected to look after your younger sister and all four did a shitty job. You are the older brothers. Act like it.”

All four brothers felt small when their uncle Poseidon scolded them and this wasn’t any different. Zeus chuckled a few times, thinking to himself he had such a loving family.

“Ah, yes. I remember when Hades, Adamas, and Poseidon left me behind in the forest when I was small god.”

“We didn’t leave you behind. You took a different path than us and found yourself lost.”

Poseidon corrected Zeus.

“We hear that.”

The four brothers agreed in unison while looking at their sister, seeing the similarities between Zeus and (Name). The similarities didn’t end there.

“Well! I’m off to my date! You guys have fun.”

“Date?!”

“Mhmm, I only wanted to go hunting because my boyfriend was busy..now that he’s free..I’ll see you guys later.”

Apollo, Hermes, Hercules and Ares watched their sister happily fly off to go on her date. Zeus chuckled a bit following by saying “Kids these days.”

“She used me to pass the time?”

Apollo.

“We missed a whole day of hunting because of her!”

Ares.

“Sisters.”

Hercules.

“…Well I got my notes. I’m fine.”

Hermes.

The brothers went their separate ways before agreeing they would try again tomorrow, without letting their sister know.

But like all siblings (Name) found out and hunted beside her brothers. Sometimes, (Name) was helpful and sometimes she let the animal escape due to her ditzy nature. Nevertheless, her brothers made sure she stayed in sight.

“Where’s (Name)?”

Ares asked aloud as Hermes, Apollo and Hercules looked around believing (Name) was right behind them. At that moment, all four brother heard a scream. Of course, it was (Name) running away from a swarm of bees.

“Are those bees? How did she make them mad?”

Hercules didn’t receive an answer, looking behind him he saw his brothers already running away as they didn’t want to be stung. While running past Hercules (Name) told him she accidentally knocked their beehive down.

From that moment, Hercules was sure (Name) was cursed with bad luck.

🎀Rukia-Writes🎀

[blueparadis]

▏happier than ever ▏k.ryuguji ▏

+. CWs —» f! reader, fluff, suggestive themes, poly relationships, light angst, mention of alcohol and cigarettes, childhood friends, friends to lovers, slow romance, slow burn, alternate universe - modern, university/college. word count — 4.6k.

+. SYNOPSIS —» Emma knew you meant the world to her but she didn't know that sometimes she could be a little greedy too.

+. NOTES —» this piece was commissioned by @massivementalitynut . I do take commission for part two :) I'm so happy that i finally got to post this >.<

LINKS SECTION.

[ PART ONE ] | [ PART TWO ] | YOU CAN READ THIS IN MY AO3.

“This is not a good idea. This is going to be a big problem later on”, you muttered staring at the king-size bed while Emma unpacked her luggage. One week, seven days, seven fucking days. You are about to stay seven fucking days in the same room with Emma and Draken. “This is not gonna end well”, hearing that Emma stopped folding the dresses and pull you to her side saying, “either help me out or go for a shower. We have a long day ahead”

It was primarily Draken’s idea. He complained about how much little time he got to have you before you decided to disappear into thin air. Hence, he proposed the idea of going on a road trip and staying for seven days before going back home. He just wanted to spend some time with you more, and surely he would not mind Emma’s presence. Moreover, Emma refused to let go of you out of her sight. She has become more demanding than the last time you saw her. 

Draken can be territorial sometimes. He is not a big fan of arguments and fights. Certainly, in front of Emma’s straightforward behavior, he had no choice but to agree with her, that is, to have a single large room rather than three different ones. He could sleep on the couch or they could reserve another bed but they’re staying together in one room and that is final; if not, then they’re not going. The other option was too debatable to follow. Draken eventually gave in. It took several rounds of ice cream to get rid of her pout. 

And, now here you three are: in a single room where you and Emma are busy unpacking while Draken is in the shower after such a tiring road trip. It was the summer heat that drained out your energy and Emma insisted on staying indoors for the rest of the day. Draken was out of the shower in his bathrobe. Emma adjusted her hair, took her things, and went inside the bathroom. They did not even exchange looks. You smiled noticing how much they have become intimate with each other now. “I’ve told the manager to give us another bed.”, he said roughly rubbing the towel over his hair. You sat on the bed starting to feel a little dizzy from the exhaustion. “I’m hungry, Ryuu”

The bed mattress sank admirably as Draken sat beside you. His black strands of hair fell on his face. You tore your gaze away sensing the lukewarm sensation underneath your eyes. The room was now devoid of Emma’s chirping and Draken slayed at maintaining the silence. This was the first time you were alone with him after they decided to have a relationship with you.  The bed sank further as he stretched his hands behind you for support as he spoke, “I’ll order the dinner. Would you prefer it in the room?”

You turned your face noticing he was sprawled out on the bed, his left hand stretched out almost as an invitation to you. “Yes. Emma would like . . .”, Draken did not let you finish, “I know she will; even if she did not we three could go for a walk and have ice-creams.” He jerked his head as a gesture for you to lie down, on his toned muscular arm. You swallowed and laid down on his arm, snuggling against his chest.

“Ya’know, when you were not here. We both talked about you a lot, especially how you knew both of our feelings and never used it against us.”, Draken pulled you closer to his body to place a chaste dry kiss on your cheek. He noticed your lip bite and congested eyebrows and murmured, “Hey… yn, it is okay. Don’t worry about it. We’ve talked about it. You don’t need to worry”

“Fine by me, then. Haha! Don’t get a boner Ryu while I’m this close to you.”, you drawled in with words tumbling over one another. He was about to protest, or say something in his defense but noticed that you were already asleep. The click of the bathroom door made Draken immediately turn his head keeping his forefinger on his lips. He knew Emma would start talking about the plans for the next day. But Emma was always a rebel and it amplified whenever she was around Draken. She whispered 

“Why Are You Like This Draken?

“Like whaaat?”, Draken whispered back without moving much. 

“She needs to eatttt. She will wake up in the morning with a stomach ache. I know her habits.”, Emma was not the kind of backing down however when both of them heard low soft snoring, they realized they can do this louder and outside, maybe on the balcony so that you can sleep peacefully on the soft bed and not on someone’s sturdy muscular arms. Draken swiftly pulled a pillow to put it under your head. As he was down with tucking you in bed, they both headed outside to have dinner and plan about tomorrow's outing. 

It was partly your suggestion rather than theirs, to visit some places so that you could get accustomed to this relationship and tell his friends, tell everyone without being appalled by them. You had no idea that they would plan so much in such a short amount of time. Seven days felt elongating inside the four walls of the hotel but it felt sparse to accommodate the rush of all kinds of emotions. It was not just happiness, it was also the thrill of starting a new life, the restlessness of trying out new things together.

As for Satoru, he deserved a massive treat from you. You knew he did but if you were to initiate the conversation first that would not only boost his pride but also he will tease you forever about that. So, unless he starts to keep nagging you for a treat you should just let him stay at your house. But knowing Gojo, he seems like the type to call and bug you every other minute. Maybe, he sobered his habits. Well, that is not what you should be concerned about now, especially while being on a secret date cum short trip with Ryu and Emma.

Draken and Emma mostly planned indoor visiting during daylight. They said it was because of you since you could not handle the heat of the summer. Of course, you were thankful for thinking of you but at the same time, you fumed like a kettle for treating you like a baby. In their defense, they mentioned how cute your expressions were whenever they took care of you, whenever they bought something for you or praised you for how good you looked in that sundress. Secretly, you liked it, liked how they are so easy and comforting. You wondered if they would be this comfortable around the rest of the Toman members, like Baji, Chifuyu, Mitsuya, Pah, and most importantly Mikey, whom you kissed just because you felt suffocated by loneliness, by the thought of being left all alone rather than being jealous of Draken and Emma that they were finally together, happier than ever.

You slapped your cheeks to snap yourself back into reality as Emma’s voice dissipated your trance. “Yeah, coming in a minute.”, you yelled from the trial room. You adjusted the frills of your dress for one last time before opening the door. “Geez! What took you so lon. . . Oh my gosh! you look gorgeous.”, you immediately cupped her mouth otherwise the whole floor of the shopping mall would have heard her. “Where is Ryuu?”, you asked playing with your fingers but Emma immediately smiled taking out her phone and saying that he is busy and you do not have to worry since she is gonna take a lot of pictures and send him right away. She sounded so proud that it made you chuckle. 

“That’s not why I asked you. I just don’t wanna make him wait.”, you protested but Emma was quick to pick on your restlessness. She mentioned that Draken is busy with checking out some restaurants so they can have lunch and go home. After she was done taking the pictures she asked you to get changed so that she can buy some dresses from another section. Hesitation overtook you and you asked her to turn around rather than leave the trial room. You had a feeling that she might get hurt and you were not entirely wrong. If she pouted while turning around to give you some privacy she would have been bothered if you were to ask her to leave. You felt the pensive mood filling the small chamber as you heard the tapping of heels. 

You murmured, “Emma…” the sound of clicking heels came to a cease, “Yeah…?”, she responded.

“I am trying okay? I’m happy with this trip, with this relationship. It’s just I wanted to take it slow. . .”, the moment you paused to take a breather a familiar warm and soft hands curled around your shoulders. You missed this, you missed her touch.

“Sorry if I was too much for you. But we have been so apart for a long time and I . . . I just wanna make up for the lost time.”, her fingers intertwined with yours as you met Emma’s gaze in the mirror.  She placed a chaste kiss on your collarbone and yelled, “Well, let’s hurry. I have a lot of places to check out.” You shrieked, no not because of her voice but because of the kiss she stole. A smile plastered your face thinking how Emma is still mischievous as ever. 

When you two were finally done with shopping Draken was already waiting outside busy smoking a cigarette. He passed you on the cigarette earning a glare that suggested, how many you had? Draken immediately went defensive saying, “I was not waiting that long ya’ know”

“Sometimes I think, you two became close solely because of tobacco.”, Emma chimed with an exaggerated grin on her face declaring how she was not fond of Draken ruining your habits. You chuckled as Draken ran his hands over his nape. He has a habit of doing that whenever he gets caught or scolded, especially by Emma. You have not had the chance yet to gain such bashful responses from him.“Yeah, Yeah whatever !!”, was all he said. 

The lunch was tasty, and Draken ensured you had your favorite picks. When you noticed them exchanging glances you palmed your face in embarrassment knowing that Draken sure was thorough in knowing your likes and dislikes. He never got a chance to talk to you about your likes and dislikes but here he was sitting by your side excited to taste your favorite dishes. At the same time, Emma would not stop making snarky comments and immediately started laughing seeing both of your surprised faces.

The evening weather was chilly due to sudden downpours. But fortunately, it did not hamper the plans. Emma stayed at the hotel since she is quick to catch so it was only Draken and you. It has been almost a year since you last visited the sea. Hence it was a nice change of air. Draken went to buy coffee as you headed towards the shore. It was not congested with crowds, and the breeze was just perfect. You sat keeping your sandals aside enjoying the breeze, waiting for Draken.

Chifuyu who was standing in front of the bookshelf spotted Draken exiting from the adjacent snacks counter. He hid his face against the latest release of a shoujo manga lest Draken could have spotted him easily. By the time Draken was walking towards you, Baji had already received a message. Draken had indeed lied about his short outing and they all knew it but when Baji spotted him sitting beside you sharing a laugh and coffee, something did not just fit in. They all knew that Emma and Draken had planned a short trip together and how could they not especially when the dates matched miraculously? 

But they did not seem to understand how you exactly fit in all of these. Mitsuya, Baji, Chifuyu, and Kazutora would have jumped at the chance of having such a short trip but they did not since it was the first time they planned something for themselves and none of them wanted to be a third wheel for them but who knew t hey would bring a third wheel along with them? 

Mitsuya would not have left her sisters alone at home, even if it was just for an evening if it was not for the new fashion exhibition but thanks to that, he not only signed up for the competition but also accidentally spotted Emma running towards Draken in an exquisite gown like a peacock spreading its vibrant feathers. Later, he spotted Emma coming out of the changing room along with you. The most surprising part was that his dearest friend Draken was standing outside the changing room. Given his line of work, Mitsuya knew that your smile was not the ordinary one that seem to have embedded as a robotic response whenever a lady gets showers of praises on their beauty and dress. It was a smile born out of happiness and love. And he is sure that he has never seen Draken smiling like that.

Kazutora spotted Draken and Emma at a local fair. He would not have come if Baji did not whine for a helping hand to carry the exotic breeds to his pet shop. He could not ask Chifuyu since he was too much excited to buy the latest release of some shoujo mangas and that too with a discount. Kazutora saw Emma carrying two plushies tucked in the stretch of her arms and he was aware that Draken had no chance in a million years to buy a plushie for himself unless they won them in a sort of game. That was still a bleak chance of Draken signing up for such a childish game unless Emma had someone to support her demands.

A unified sigh escaped from their chest. The four were sitting under a lonely headlight over a bench in a park. They circulated the cigarette and discussed how they spotted you, Emma, and Draken. Kazutora proposed that maybe they met you at the hotel and decided to let you join or maybe it is the opposite. All of them were submerged in such a dilemma that they had to eventually give up the idea of getting a conclusive settlement of this situation. But in all cases, there was no way they would let Mikey know about this. 

Of course, they knew that Mikey was aware of his sister’s lies and his best friend’s smooth schemes of planning but they were not sure how Mikey would take the discovery they all made, not even Baji. Baji has known Mikey since his childhood, even before Draken. Naturally, when Baji seemed confused about him they all decided to keep this a secret. 

Six days flew within a blink. Draken never got a chance to sneak into bed during the night. Emma would have kicked him into the balcony or maybe outside the room if he did.  One thing Emma did not like to share was her habit of sleeping with you. She missed that direly since you two have a lot of memories attached to countless sleepovers. Sometimes, you felt bad for Draken, for having him sleep on that small single bed. With his size, it would be better if he slept with Emma or you but that was strictly off the options since there is no way in hell Emma would give up the privilege of talking with you all night.

Draken often complained about how Emma always ended up sleeping before him whenever they used to talk late at night on a call but she never seemed to have a blink of sleep when she was with you, not until she was done with telling all the stories of her day. And when the whole town is sleeping, everything around is engulfed in absolute silence you and your girlfriend was busy sharing stories and giggles. How could anyone have some moments of peaceful sleep with whispers and soft squeals disrupting the perfect silence? And Draken was a light sleeper so he often ended up joining the gossip.

Last day, both of them, Draken and Emma were exhausted and went to bed early. You preferred to stay at home since tomorrow you will have to travel in this unbearable heat. Moreover, they just wanted to visit the local fair. Emma even brought a plushie for you. Draken teased you for still being weak to plushies like kids while you mentioned how he is missing the heavenly feeling of falling asleep with a plushie by his side. But alas! Draken always had the upper hand whenever you tried to bite back some responses.

“I don’t need a plushie.”, he cooed wrapping his arms around you, “I have you.” There was a few moments of silence and then Emma burst into laughter. “Oh, dear. This is amazing.”, she was rolling from one edge of the bed to the other having her hands wrapped around her tummy as she spoke irregularly, “I win the bet Draken.” Draken still refused to let go of you. When it came to you and your reactions Emma always won, but Draken did not particularly lose, did he now? Even if he placed bets with wrong options he still enjoyed both of your reactions, not to mention all the quickies whenever Emma wanted . Only a fool would let such a bet slip away.

When you woke up it was almost dawn. You noticed that the window was open, making the room colder since the wind was strong today. As you closed it with a click your eyes fell on Draken. He was sleeping peacefully with his hand resting under his cheek. When you went to bed he had the same posture. He would get muscle pain if he sleeps like that till morning, you pondered.

You nudged him a little on his opposite shoulder and he shifted having himself layed with his back on the bed. But his arm was outside the bed while the quilt was nowhere over his body. With a sigh, you covered him you heard his soft snores that almost sounded like a purr. You licked your lips and smiled but before going back to the bed, you placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. He hummed and turned around. He was smiling, maybe he was dreaming about something.

The ride back home was not as silent as it was when you all rode to this seaside. This time Emma was driving and Draken was sitting with you at the back since he did not want you to be alone in the back seat. The music was on and you were busy on your phone while Draken and Emma were rehearsing the facts they are supposed to tell to all of them. They both had to lie to have this trip as smooth as possible but they both did admit that they soon have to make it official. 

“Does it include me?”, you asked shifting your eyes from the phone to Draken and then onto Emma. She met your gaze through the mirror while Draken supplied, “Yes of course. Do you want to wait longer? I mean we will be announcing it at her birthday party, just the close affair”, Draken palmed your hands and rubbed the back of your palm with his thumb, “we can wait if you want. There is no rush.” You smiled at his concern and nodded. You wanted to let others know yet at the same time you did not. Maybe it would be better if you let them decide.

Emma dropped Draken at first and since your house was just a few houses away from hers she did not bother to drop you off but rather took you home with her. After getting refreshed and having dinner, Emma suggested you stay over but you declined. You needed some alone time, some time to think about what Draken asked today this morning.

You landed with a thud on your bed and settled in your home once again. Without your mom and dad, the house felt empty and the childhood memories flooded your mind. It was mostly full of Emma and his brothers. You remembered how you volunteered to be her prince but now she got both a prince and a princess, humph!   Everything was still, even your breathing seem to slow. You curled up to a side closing your eyes trying to give in to the exhaustion otherwise sometimes, it might not let you sleep. 

You jumped out of the bed at the sound of your phone ringing loudly. Before answering the phone call a trail of curse words fell from your lips for both, yourself and the one who is calling.

“Yes. . . hello?”

“Were you sleeping?”, Draken almost whispered from the other end.

“Oh my god! no no not at all. I’m very awake and not sleeping.”, you were now seated at the edge of the bed holding the phone on the loudspeaker as you press your knees to your chest calming the rhythm of your rocket-speed heartbeats. Draken laughed at your silly attempt of cooking up lies. He always knew you were bad at that.

“Listen, I’ll pick you up tomorrow. We have a meeting and well since Emma insisted on coming I might as well take you too. You’ve never been there, have you? Our meeting spot?”

There was pin drop silence for almost five seconds but it felt like an eternity since all you could think about was how they were keen to make this relationship official yet your heart did not seem to align with them. Would it be selfish to decline this visit? Would it be okay to let them decide what is best for now?

“Y/n?”

“Yes. Ryuu. I’ll be ready by six. And no this is my first time visiting your gang”

“Hideout.”, Draken quipped 

“Yes. that.”, you cackled while he spoke,  “Alright. I’ll come and pick you up. Sleep well baby.”, you heard a kiss from the other end before it disconnected. You could feel your cheeks getting warmer as you kept the phone on the bedside table.

Fuck ! how on earth I’m supposed to sleep now.

The next day you were busy cleaning the house since you have to stay for a month. Emma came over to help but rather ended up whining about they should wear matching outfits for today’s meet-up. It was nice having her at home and go through the albums and all the childhood memories you both shared as friends, before becoming lovers. Emma left before Draken could turn up. She exclaimed that she knew the place and it would be very suspicious if she were to go with Draken rather than Mikey.

Draken was early. As you waved him from the window, he was waiting on his bike across the road.

 “You look lovely.”, he remarked with a smirk

“Oh, this was Emma's choice.”, you quipped making him narrow his gaze on you. It did not take long to reach the place. You have passed by this spot many times but never stopped by even if you spotted Mikey and Draken. Those are the only faces you knew and the rest of them only occupied your memory by their name and pinnacle appearances. 

“Mitsuya, Kazutora, Baji, and Chifuyu.”, you pointed at the boys one after the other and looked at Draken asking if you got them right but one of them spoke.

“You got me wrong. I’m Baji and he is Kazutora.”, you nodded. All you wanted to do was to hind behind Draken. Emma was still not there and judging from their talks they are used to the captain being late, like usual. 

“Y/n”, Emma’s angelic voice reached your ears. You spotted her running towards you. It was a good decision that you did not match outfits with her since everyone was already suspicious why would Draken bring Emma’s best friend in here? The confusion was not about why you were there, it was about why you came with Draken. Emma quickly took you to a side so that you don’t attract much attention. It was just the close members of toman yet she gave them a death glare.

Mikey and his friends were chatting as they stood in a circle. Baji spoke subtly, “Your girlfriend is here.” Draken who was watching both of you hummed in response. He would not have realized the blunder he made if Baji did not start yelling Draken got the girl, Draken got the girl at the top of his voice. Certainly, the ruckus caught your attention as well as Emma’s.  Even though Draken pressed his mouth, Kazutora and Chifuyu started to nag Draken while Mikey watched his best friend to down in the mess of his lies. 

Everyone more or less knew about Draken and Emma but Chifuyu who was the first to spot the three of you at the library was not satisfied with how Emma managed to take the fall and settle this quicker than he assumed. Everyone started to tease them rather than congratulate them since they all have known each other since childhood. And Draken had a lot of debt to pay since most of them were furious that Draken kept this from everyone. While they were busy with Emma and Draken you watched them from the lonely corner swelling with joy as you had to do if Emma and Draken did not let you walk into their life.

“Yea, but which one?”, Chifuyu blurted out gaining all the eyes on him. 

“What do you mean by which one ?”, Mikey asked tilting his head towards Draken. Baji and Kautora exchanged glances while Mitsuya looked at you, then his eyes shifted onto Draken. 

“Both. Mikey both.”, Emma added grabbing Draken’s sleeves. There was a deafening silence for a few seconds. Everyone at first gazed at you then on to Emma and finally on their dearest pal, Draken. It was Hinata who first stepped to disrupt this uncanny silence.

“OH MY GOSH!”, she grabbed your hands continuing, “I’m so happy for the three of you, and Congrats Emma.”, Emma responded with a nod. Takemitchy could not even speak. “Huh!”, was written all over his face. Mitsuya had an idea but was too shy to speak about it to Draken.

 Baji and Kazutora looked at each other and then glared at Draken. Jealousy seemed plausible for them but they yelled, “Partyyyyyyyy”, in unison giving Draken a jumpscare. 

Chifuyu smirked, “I knew something was fishy. But well good for you, y/n, congratulations”, he chimed with a big grin plastered on his face proud that he could solve the puzzle correctly. Pah-chin was flabbergasted at the situation; 

“Woah! That’s amazing.”, was all he could manage to say while Peh-yah just exclaimed, “Draken is a lucky fucker.”

“Oye Oye ! watch your tongue”, Naoya slipped and shifted his eyes towards them, you, Emma, and Draken. “As long as they are happy I don’t care about anything else.”

Mikey who was silently watching all of these walked up towards you. At first, he looked at Emma and Draken. Mikey had an idea about why Emma went on a solo trip suddenly. She might not know, but Draken initially confided to Mikey about having feelings for his sister. He smirked before yelling with joy, “Let's all celebrate this by visiting the festival. Woohooo!” 

Some joined the cheering while the rest greeted you but Mikey whispered into your ears as he passed by, “I’m very happy for you y/n. Hope you all are happier than ever.”

[chaos-grimlin]

Intro: No one truly knows what happened that night in Woodsboro, California. All the public knows was that two teenage boys, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher, went crazy. That the boys killed with no motive, that it was a case of crazy and peer pressure. Sidney Prescott, the "girlfriend" of Billy Loomis,Y/n L/n, the girl both boys were deeply obsessed with, and Gale weathers, a news reporter, where 3 of 5 witnesses that were willing to talk and tell their sides of the story to the public while Dewy Riley, the deputy sheriff of woodsboro, and tennager Randy Meeks refused to talk to law enforcements at the time. All the stories told to law enforcement seem to differ from person to person, but...in this tale, we will focus on Y/n, the obsessions, side of the story..

Marked (poly!Billy loomis and Stu macher x reader)

Word count:1040

Chapter 9- Livers and chills

~~~After school~~~

^^^3rd person P.O.V^^^

"Remeber! Your principle loves you and wants to keep you safe! So all students are encouraged to return to their homes promptly from school grounds! Avoid strangers walk in twos or threes" the voice of the principal over the intercom faded into the background as Y/n sat with Tatum, Stu, Randy, Sidney and Billy.

"What kind of questions did they ask you Y/n?" Tatum asked as she looked at Y/n.

Y/n almost broke into another mental fit right then and there but instead she bit at the inside of her cheek and fought back tears. "They just asked if i knew her or not.." She muttered.

"Oh they asked me that too" Sidney chimed in.

"Hey did they ask you if you liked to hunt?!" Stu asked Randy.

"Yeah they did" Randy answered.

"Did they ask you?" Randy asked as he eyed y/n.. Noticing her discomfort.

"Hunt? Why would they ask that?" Tatum butted in.

"Cause their bodies were gutted" Randy said while everyone ate.

"Thank you Randy" Billy huffed out, already tried of Randy's bullshit.

Y/n stiffened as the image of Steves and Casey's gutted bodies flashed through her mind to the point she sat down her sandwich and fought back gags..

"They didn't ask me if i liked to Hunt" Tatum said, acting disappointed.

"Because theres no way a girl could have killed em" Stu said with a snicker.

"That is so sexist" Tatum snapped as she looked at her boyfriend. "The killer could easily be female based on instinct" she added.

They talked about the subject like two people didn't die..

"Can we switch topics?" Y/ns voice was barley above a whisper as she felt Casey's organs on her skin again.

The wet blood coated feeling...

"That was an ice pick not exactly the same thing" Randy said.

No one heard Y/n.

Y/n wrapped her arms around herself as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Yeah Casey and Steve were COMPLETELY hollowed out" Stu said, fighting back a smile.

None of them knew that Y/n and Casey were close...

"And the fact is it takes a man to be able to do that" Stu added.

"Or a man's mentality" Tatum corrected.

"H...how...how do...do you gut someone..." Y/n muttered..

Y/n knew it took some fuck sicko to be able to gut two people....

Everything went quiet...

All eyes were on Y/n...

"You...take a knife and slit em from the groin to sternum.." Stu started as he looked at Y/n with a unsettling calm look.

Y/n felt like crying, like getting up and leaving... No on here seemed to care about Casey..she was just a joke..

"Hey..its called tact you fuck rag" Billy said as he looked at Stu with stone cold eyes.

"Hey Stu didn't you used to date Casey Becker?" Sidney asked.

"Yeah for like... Two seconds!" Stu said with a giggle.

"Yeah before she dumped your ass for Steve" Randy chimed in.

"I thought you dumped her for me?!" Tatum hissed out, clearly offended.

"I did..hes full of shit" Stu said, wrapping his arm around Tatums waist.

"And are the police aware that YOU dated the victim?" Randy asked with a sassy tone (slay queen Randy)

"Hey what are you saying?" Stu asked losing his goofy tone "are you saying that I killed her?" He asked Randy.

Y/ns heart dropped to her feet, what if Stu did kill Casey..no...he couldn't have... Stu was too goofy and sweet to have gutted someone..

"It would certainly improve your high school "Q" " Randy said with a shrug.

"Stu was with me last night okay?" Tatum said.

"Hell yeah i was" he said with a flirty smirk.

"Is that before or after he sliced and diced?!" Randy said trying to make everything a joke.

"Fuck you nutcase were you last night?!" (I know Stu had a movie night but...it was canceled and i forgot to mention it in the last chapter-)

"Working thank you" Randy answered calmy.

"At the video store? I thought they fired your sorry ass" Tatum said, being snarky.

"Twice" randy said as he popped something into his mouth and smiled.

(My favorite part!)

"I didnt kill anybody" Stu said randomly.

"Nobody said you did" Billy said as he cocked his head to the side, clearly! Tired of his and Randy's bullshit.

"Thanks buddy!" Stu said sarcastically as he looked at Billy.

"As you said...it takes a man to do something like that" Randy said, impersonating Stu.

"Ah yeah i should gut your ass next kid" Stu said with a smile.

"Tell me something" Randy started before pitching up hos voice and talking in a nasaly tone

"Did you really put her liver in the mail box? Cause i heard that they found her liver in the mail box right next to her spleen and pancrase"

At that...

Y/n jumped to her feet and stormed off. She couldn't stand to hear people talk about the death of Casey becker like it was some kind of joke.

Tears poured from Y/ns sore eyes as she stormed off.

Randy stopped his impersonations as he saw Y/n storm off.

"Did i do something?" He asked.

"Ill be back" Billy huffed out as he stood up and rushed over Y/n.

"Y/n!" Billy yelled...yet Y/n kept walking.

"Y/n!" He yelled again as he caught up to her and grabbed her arm quite harshly.

"Go away!" She screeched out through a broken voice as she looked at Billy.

Billy looked over Y/ns face. Her eyes were really red and puffy, her lips were quivering, and tears streamed like waterfalls.

"Whats wrong?" Billy asked.

"You all talk about this shit like its a joke! News flash! Its not! I was close to Casey like really really fucking close! All of this bullshit hurts Billy! Now fuck off!" Y/n screamed before yanking her arm away from Billy and storming off in the direction of her house...

(Waring there might be some smut in the next chapter! But im not 100% sure yet!)

[thunderslumbers]

Hi I'd like to make a request

uzui x transmasc reader who almost never has dysphoria and whose self esteem is usually up in the clouds when he's on his period and his dysphoria is running wild

The Other Side Of Paradise || Tengen Uzui x Transmasc!Reader

Warnings: Menstruation, Mentions of Body Dysphoria, & Mentions of Social Dysphoria

Word Count: 632 Words

Author's Note: Hi! Thanks for trusting me with this ask :) hopefully I've done your request justice <3 + Reader is implied to be a hashira.

Not Edited!

"Curled up in a grip when we were us, Fingers in a fist like you might run, I settle for a ghost I never knew, Superparadise I held on to" the other side of paradise, glass animals

Tengen notices when you're acting different, not in a bad way, of course. Your sound of pride and confident laugher is dulled, leaving behind an echoey shell of your light personality, akin to the remnants of a shout in a cave. You retreat to your room more often, skipping out on trainings when you wince and groan, clutching at your uniform in balled fists to wait out the pain. He notices the downtick of demons slayed in your reports. He hears you walk over to Shinobu's medical office, an alarming sound of shame (an emotion he thought you never felt), when you ask for more clean cloth. How you act, almost lethargically, hearing the shuffle of fabric as you once again adjust your body under warm bed sheets.

Tengen knocks once, twice, three times against your screen door. "Hey, (Y/n), can I come in?" He hears you groan quietly, adjusting again. "Yeah, of course." He opens the screen door, and finds you inside your futon, curled up into a fetal position and breathing harshly. Your demon slayer uniform is strewn about your room, haphazardly thrown along with your sword. "Shit— Are you alright? Do you need me to call Shinobu?" Uzui practically throws himself at your bedside, hands hovering above your body as you have a vice grip on a pillow. You suck in a breath through your teeth, hissing as you sit up. Waving a hand at Tengen to calm down "I'll be— fine. Just.. don't make a big deal out of it, it's embarrassing enough as it is." You adjust your yukata, tying the half-done knot so it doesn't slip off your shoulders. "I'm just dealing with my period, I'll be back to normal in a few days though, if that's what you're worried about." You explain through a wince, wrapping an arm around your abdomen and curling into yourself. Another wave of cramps.

Tengen takes the time to rub your back through the pain, and when it subsides he starts speaking, large palm resting on your shoulder blade "(Y/n), you know I'm not one to worry about someone else's performance, I'm worried about you. You can talk to me you know? I'll always be here for you." You hum noncommittally, nodding along to his words. Turning to him you ask, "Can I just talk to you? You don't have to reply, I mean— having someone to talk to about this would be great." The beads on his headpiece rattle as he nods, he grinned "Of course! For what else is my dazzling hearing for my dear!"

For the first time in a while, the corners of your lips lift in a smile as you look towards Uzui. You moved over, patting the empty side of the futon as you silently invited Uzui to join you. "Alright then. We'll talk."

You fall silent, all your words spent on one-sided conversation. You huddle closer to Tengen, legs entwined with his own as he draws shapes on your back, a heart, a star, a triangle, a circle. So on and so forth. He listened to every word and syllable you spoke, comforted your tears and worries, reassuring you when you needed it.

Tengen can tell you're drifting off, the pain medication you mentioned that Shinobu offered you finally kicking in. Your eyes flutter in the light of the setting sun, you mumble out a quiet "Thanks, Tengen." Before your eyes close, and you fall slack against your pillow. Uzui steps out of your futon, quietly and carefully, looking on in adoration as he kisses your forehead. He replies with "Of course, (Y/n)" even if you can't hear it. And with the click of the screen door, he's off to bring you comfort items, remembering the things you mentioned beforehand.

[sansajonquil]

dean orion is at the green and white tiled bathroom with me, in the basement. i was in rusted chains, blood and piss on it smeared across the tiles. the words, as he breaks, is one of the lines traced in blood. she says, with blonde hair and wearing a sailor hat :

she shines her torchlight to me, rays of light, seeing the repercussions of jigsaw, her alter ego ( billy russo ) scratching me violently, i shaking and breathing with tears and rage in my face, ‘ please, ‘ blood trickling down my arms. she tentatively steps towards me, her black spiked boots stepping on the brown boards, she seeing I was hurt.

I hear a voice, ‘ …what are you up to? ‘ drearily looking up, to where my feet was chained. I had been tortured, being dragged by the arms in the floor, blood smearing from a wound in my head, when banged into watermelon coloured desk. blood filled my mouth, I nearly choking on it, yet jigsaw says to swallow. I start to spit out the blood, it dripping from my lips to the ground in red and black scratch.

rage flickers in her eyes, and she walks to me, standing where I was sitting chained. I startle at the movement — she was the hunter by the seaside. she places the cold metal of the gun to my forehead ( which had six bullets in it when on a bus bomb heist ) , and looks at me, waiting, her finger on the trigger. I swallow, the iron of blood harsh through my tongue into my throat, gagging slightly. ‘ good, ‘ she says, ‘ darling, your blood is too beautiful to waste. ‘

in an february day, dean was doing dialectical behavioural therapy with her characters, in a real-life context ; she being familiar with the concept of helping real people in moving forward who had brain fog by simply being alongside, she hearing about me from ariel. she had also noted in her rules, of people who disappear for months and months were not relevant. she was also quite stressed with her living situation, including the hospital, and this helped her feel hope. i was angrily writing in my rules, that person has feelings, and could feel depressed and like they have to beg.

she is seeing if me, a person in the bathroom, was okay, talking about a current event of someone experiencing a lot of trauma. this observation is after a little while of studying me, in which she first says, it was not okay to hurt her, and you are going to live a long life.

she says, ‘ are there any dragons you need slaying? ‘ as i walk with my long black hair and straw hat to school, where we met in the middle of our relationship — of the strangeness of alters. i was at a party, where I was smiling, and dancing with a boy — to be together.

she had a ship called the arcady, ‘ this is my way of meeting god, ‘ she said. it was rather cold in the ship as I go in with her, i hearing the ocean waves. the light brown curtains by the window are fluttering in the breeze as it was a cloudy day where the moon was in the sky. she was wearing a white shirt and brown sand overalls. there is a picture frame of three black dogs hanging on the wall ( blackness with white claw pinpricks ; one is wagging their tail ).

‘ah, young kraken, sheathe your claws, ‘ she says in a deep guttural bark, she speaking through her shadow of crow’s beak. she sees the redness of my fingernails, clawing and raking myself bloody. oh, yes, this girl, jess, was an monster, as she looks at me, as I am counting stars. she is an elite of the fraternal order of the raven. she sees me angry, me annoyed at her teasing about slaying the dragon, as I am a princess in a tower ( wearing a red dress ) in an island, with water. she sees I like the sea, a dolphin in the beautiful water, a greyjoy.

she is kissing the brown ship of the arcady, wearing a black jacket as it was snowing in the dark night - angels falling from the purpling blue sky as she and I see while lying on the grass. angels including hael. and she is drawing on a white parchment papered book in the monastery. she is answering when we first met ;

she seeing me on the red tailed tram ; brown sugar sprinkled on a pink ground — painting the hopes and sorrows. it was raining, the flowers smelling nice.

[toomanyfandomssss]

His Girl - Five

Violet stood to the side as she watch Bellamy and Murphy target practicing. Murphy's knife fell to the ground after he failed to get it to stick in the tree.

"It's that damn kid always messing with my head," the dark haired boy said making the Violet roll her eyes and mutter a small "Sure" under her breath.

"He's not gonna last much longer, better start thinking of a new excuse," Bellamy slightly mocked before winding his arm back and throwing his axe hard enough for it to instill into the tree. Violet shamelessly admired how sexy the man looked. "That's how it's done" he said, voice full of arrogance.

Atom and another kid walked towards the three, "We searched a half-mile all directions. No sign of Trina or Pascal."

"Visit your special tree when you were out there?" Murphy teased making Violet tilt her head in confusion.

"Atom took his punishment. Let it go," Bellamy ordered.

"Bell what punishment? What did he do?" Violet asked, completely confused about what the hell was going on.

"Its nothing Vi, we'll talk about it later," the boy replied making her huff in annoyance. Noticing this, Bellamy walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her into him. "I promise baby," he whispered in her ear sending a shiver down her spine and making her skin flush. He smirked and kissed her cheek, turning his attention back to Atom who started talking again.

"Could be grounders," he suggested.

Murphy of course took a chance to continue his teasing, "Yeah, or they could be in pound town. Lot of that going on recently," he smirked.

Ignoring Murphy, Atom continued "Look, Bellamy people are scared," he gestured to the loud moaning of the boy in the drop ship, "And that dying kid he's not helping the morale around here."

"Morale will go up when I find them more food," Bellamy reassured.

The other boy spoke up, "And what do we say when they ask about Trina and Pascal?"

"For now? Nothing. Its possible they're just lost. We'll keep an eye out for them when we go hunting later."

Murphy had his eyes on the drop ship, "Lets go kill something."

Stopping him from walking any further Bellamy responded, "You're not going. I need you to stay here. If the grounders are circling we can't leave this place unprotected.

Murphy nodded, "Fine. Somebody better tell goggle boy to keep it shut." Violet watched him fail again at getting his knife in the tree before making her way to the drop ship.

✶✶✶

Violet followed Wells up the ladder hearing Monty say, "That would be a firm no." Immediately going to Jasper's side she looked down at the poor boy.

Clarke sighed, "My mother would know what to do."

"How's he doing?" Wells asked making the blonde immediately snap at him.

"How does it look like he's doing Wells?" she glared up at him.

"I'm just trying to help," he defended himself.

Violet and Finn glanced at each other noting the awkward tension between the two.

Clarke spoke up, "You wanna help? Hold him down." she motioned to Jasper.

Violet, Finn and Wells all did as told. Monty looked at Clarke worriedly, "I'm not gonna like this am I?"

✶✶✶

Violet, Monty, Finn,  and Wells, were all holding a screaming Jasper down as Clarke tried to heal his wound.

"Hold him still! I need to cut away the infected flesh," Clarke yelled.

The door opened revealing an exasperated Octavia yelling "Stop it!" "You're killing him!" the tan girl said kneeling next to the boy.

"She's trying to save his life," Finn reassured the girl.

Unfortunately Bellamy had followed his sister to the room, "She can't"

Wells stood up and faced Bellamy, "Back off"

Clarke huffed, "We didn't drag him through miles of woods just to let him die."

"Kid's a goner. If you can't see that you're deluded." Bellamy so sweetly pointed out. "He's making people crazy."

"Sorry if Jasper's an inconvenience to you, but this isn't the ark. Down here every life matters."

"Take a look at him. He's a lost cause," the curly haired boy replied making his girlfriend scoff.

The room was silent for a moment before Clarke turned to Octavia. "Octavia, I've spent my whole life watching my mother heal people, if I say there's hope there's hope." Clarke tried to reassure the girl but was interrupted by the hot headed boy once more.

"This isn't about hope. Its about guts. You don't have the guts to make the hard choices. I do. He's been like this for three days, if he's not better by tomorrow, I'll kill him myself." He went towards the latter before turning back again, "Octavia, Vi, let's go."

His sister didn't even turn to look at him, "I'm staying here." The boy turned to his girlfriend with a raised brow. All she did was give him a disgusted look before turning back to the group, refusing to acknowledge him any more than that. Bellamy's face softened for a moment before nodding in understanding and distending down the ladder.

Monty interrupted the silence, "Power hungry, self serving, jackass. He doesn't care about anyone but himself." He glanced at Octavia and Violet, "No offence" Octavia just shook her head while Violet mumbled a "You're not wrong."

Finn agreed, "Yeah Bellamy is all that, but he also happens to be right."

✶✶✶

Violet caught up to Bellamy right before he left. "You're not killing him."

"Sweetheart-"

"Kill him and you lose me," with that she turned her back and walked away from him.

Bellamy's heart felt like it stopped when she spoke those words. The last thing he ever wanted was to lose his sister or his girl.

✶✶✶

The remaining criminals including Violet all made their way to the drop ship in a hurry.

"What's going on?" Monty asked a random girl.

"The air got thick everybody's skin started burning."

Octavia looked at the boy worriedly, "Monty my brothers out there."

"He'll be fine. We'll all be fine," he reassured her.

Violet came and sat down next to Octavia. "He's right O. Bellamy will be fine. He'll find shelter," the girl also tried to reassure her friend while putting her arms around her for a brief moment. Octavia nodded gratefully and hugged her back, happy that while the safety of her brother is unknown, she does know that her best friend is safe right next to her.

✶✶✶

Bellamy had been asleep in a cave taking shelter from the fog when a scream woke him up. "No!" the 12 year old Charlotte screamed in her sleep.

"Charlotte, wake up." Bellamy shook the girl.

"I'm sorry," she whined.

He ignored the apology instead asking, "Does it happen often?" The girl sighed in reply. "What are you scared of?" Getting no response he continues, "You know what? It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is what you do about it."

"But...I'm asleep," Charlotte says confused.

Bellamy explained, "Fears are fears. Slay your demons when you're awake, they won't be there to get you when you sleep."

Still confused she asks, "Yeah, but...how?

"You can't afford to be weak. Down here, weakness is death, fear is death." He continued, "Let me see that knife I gave you." Doing as told she held up the knife she was given.

Bellamy took it from her and held it up, "Now when you feel afraid you hold tight to that knife and say, 'Screw you. I'm not afraid.'" He handed the knife back to her.

Taking his advice, Charlotte help up the knife and quietly said, "Screw you. I'm not afraid." Bellamy gave her a look that said, you can do better than that. She said once more, this time with much more confidence, "Screw you. I'm not afraid." Bellamy smiled approvingly. "Slay your demons kid. Then you'll be able to sleep."

He had sat back against the cave wall when the girl spoke up again. "Can you tell me a story to help me fall asleep?"

He thought for a moment before replying, "Like what?"

"Tell me how you met Violet."

[disasterofastory]

Newlyweds Part 1 (Uhtred x Reader

Newlyweds Part 1 Uhtred x Reader Warnings: none

Y/N is married to the Dane slayer, and she needs to find her place in her new life.

You heard about him from villagers and warriors. They said Father Beocca baptized him, but the water started boiling, and the God rejected him and his false faith. The servants told you he is tall and muscled. Some of them gushed about his handsome face and long hair, while the others spoke about his monstrous form and savage behavior. People whispered about his heathen way of fighting. He breaks skulls and burns villages without a second thought. He slays Danes, but his soul belongs to them.

You heard about your fate before you met him. The King told you about your duty as a noble man’s daughter. He made sure you understand your role as a link to strengthen the relationship between the Christians and the Dane slayer. You have to make sure if it comes to that point, he choices you, and more importantly, God before his false ways. After your talk with the King, your shoulders felt heavy and rigid. How could you manipulate a monster? How could you live with one?

The wedding was small and fast. Nobody cared about your dreams and wants. They gave you a pretty dress to say your vows beside the man who became your husband in half an hour. Your hands trembled, and your stomach was in knots, hearing his voice and feeling his gaze on you. You didn’t even dare to look up at him more than a moment, and it was not enough to see his face. You only saw his smile, and it didn’t calm your nerves. As the priest talked about God and union, you wanted to dig a hole under you to hide from the man next to you and from everyone else. Everybody waited for something from you, but you couldn’t do anything from your racing heart and pumping blood in your veins.

When the ceremony was over, nobody asked you what you wished. The servants helped you change your clothes and made sure you are ready for the journey ahead of you. The Dane slayer wanted to go home sooner, the better. You were happy about it for a little while because it gave you the chance to put off your wedding night until you heard servants talking about him and his way with you in front of his men. You needed all of your strength not to vomit all over your clothes. The only thing that reassured you is Father Beocca’s company. You wanted to believe with all the fibers in your body, that Uhtred wouldn't do anything to you in front of a priest.

Your Dane husband gave you a brown stallion as a gift you can use on your journey. The horse is beautiful and calm as you pet down on his muscled neck. He muzzles your palm for more apples, and you give him one more as Uhtred’s man saddles him. You use the horse as a shield from the tall, interesting accented man. “He is ready, Lady,” he tells you, smiling. “Are you need help?” He asks, nodding to the saddle. “No, thank you,” you answer, grabbing the reins to give you some support as you place one of your legs into the stirrup. With a big bounce, you hop on the saddle while the horse still munches on the apple you gave him. You lead the horse out of the barn next to the priest. His hoofs knock on the stony road, and your bags pumps to your calf. “Are you ready, Lady?” Father Beocca asks you with a gentle smile. “As I can be,” you answer with a deep breath. You look over to your parents. Your father is proud. He couldn’t imagine a more honorable thing for you to do than serve your King and your God. Your mother, on the other hand, seems worried. Her eyes are reddish, and she tries to force a smile on her lips, but you know the way things go. You saw it millions of times with other families. She will be worried for a few days, but soon she will be too busy to think about you besides your younger siblings. She has her own duties, and you can’t blame her. Your gaze jumps up to your husband, who stops his horse next to you. Your fingers around the reins become more interesting. You let your hair fall before your face to hide you from his curious stare. “If everything is ready, we can go,” he says loud and clear so everyone can hear him. He rides forward to lead the way while Father Beocca stays next to you on his horse. Soon the two men, the Dane and the Irishman join the line before you. The horse rocks you slowly as you move along with them. “Everything will be fine, Lady,” Osferth says to you with a gentle smile when you look back to see the slowly disappearing city behind the woods. You smile back at him, but the corner of your lips trembles, and you turn back to your saddle. You focus on the quiet noises as the horses’ hooves walk on the path and birds sing between the branches. You hear the three men speaking before you, but you don’t listen to their words. The only way you know the time goes because the sun shines in different ankles above the trees. Your legs become numb, but you say nothing. The only thing you need is them thinking you are nothing just a spoiled girl. If they want to reach Coccham with one ride, so be it. You won’t be the one who stops them.

Of course, it’s not the case.

When you get out of the forest, the sun is orange, and the air is colder than a few hours before. “We will sleep here,” Uhtred says, getting off of the horse, and the others follow his movements. You only can hope your legs don’t give up under you as you jump onto the ground. You adjust the reins on your horse to lead it. You tie it on a branch, looking up to the Irishman who is busy with the others’ horses. “I take care of them,” you tell him. “I’m sure you have other things to do.” “It’s not necessary, Lady,” he smiles at your offer, but you are too stubborn to give up. You don’t want to sit and do nothing while the others are busy making camp for the night. “I insist,” you answer. “I want to be useful.” “You know where the river is?” He asks you, still not sure about your offer. “Yes, I saw it,” you nod, and after a few moments, he smiles, giving you buckets. You are grateful the river is a few steps away behind the trees, seeing the three buckets. You make fast rounds with them and feed the horses. When you think they are done, you make one more round to fill the buckets, so they have water for a while before somebody comes to check on them. “You shouldn’t have done it,” Uhtred says behind you, and you jump from his voice. “What?” You ask him, starting to think over everything you have done. “The horses,” he says, smiling. “Finan is capable of taking care of them.” “As I am,” you answer stubbornly. “Come, eat,” he smiles, nodding to the camp where the others already sit and wait for the food. The short walk to the campfire is awkward. You feel Uhtred's gaze on you the whole time, but he stays silent, and you don’t want to change it. When you reach the others, you sit down next to the priest who gives you a bowl of soup. “Thank you,” you smile at him.

Uhtred wants to be careful and gentle around you. He knows it was not your choice, and you still think of him as a monster. A man who kills Danes while he is a Dane himself. He glanced at you from time to time during their travels. You were deep in your thoughts, but he caught a glimpse of your smile when you answered Father Beocca. Your voice was quiet, and your whole body was rigid on the horse, but he saw the anger and stubbornness in your eyes. He wanted to talk to you, get to know you better before you arrive at your new home, but he found it better if he gave you the chance to feel more comfortable at Beocca’s company.

“She wanted to take care of the horses,” Finan answers at his unspoken question. He looks over the Irishman’s shoulder, seeing you with buckets. Your face is focused on putting water in front of the animals and giving some fruits to others. “She is… nice?” Sihtric says uncertainly. He knows his Lord was unhappy about the King’s decision, but he knows his Lord can be convinced with a pretty face. And you are pretty. Timid for now, but definitely pretty. He has a chance to talk to you a few words before you join the others around the fire, but as you reach them, you escape from his presence. He sits down in front of you with a slight smirk when you look up from your soup, and your gazes meet. The light from the fire illuminates your features. Your eyelashes seem longer, and your lips are red from the warm soup. Your braided hair is messy after the long riding and your cheeks tinted with pink from his staring. He talks with his men, but he can’t help himself but listen to your conversation with the Baby Monk. Your voice is gentle, and you even let a small laugh out of your lips when Beocca says something. “Who is the first watch?” Uhtred asks after a while. He looks over to his men, and he sees the tiredness in their eyes. “I can do it,” you answer, surprising everyone. “We need warrior,” Uhtred answers with a smirk, and it makes you angry. “I can scream,” you answer, holding his gaze. He thinks you want to prove yourself, and he isn’t totally wrong about it, but your motivation more of self-defense. If you stay awake, and he goes to sleep, you don’t have to face him whatever he wants. “Wake me up, if you are too tired,” Uhtred tells you, and you nod.

The camp becomes quiet as the others turn on their sides to get some sleep. Finan starts to snore, but it’s not enough to suppress the noises from the woods. The air is cold around you, but the fire behind you gives you some warmth as you lean back to your arms, looking out of the darkness. Uhtred doesn’t seem so horrible. At least not yet. He is fair with his men, and aside from the jokes, respectful with Beocca. You two didn’t talk much, but he wasn’t rude to you. Of course, it can change. You don’t know how he will act without the others around you, but for now, you can only hope. The hours go by without you noticing. Your back hurts from sitting, and you could sleep, but… let’s be honest, you don’t dare to wake up the man lay not far from you. You stared at him a few times since he fell asleep. His brown hair is really long, as the others said but doesn’t look like a monster. He is tall and robust. He wears Dane clothes, but there is something boyish in his eyes when he says something outrageous, and he knows he will upset Beocca with it. He stirs under your watch, and your gaze jumps back to the dark forest. “You should have woken me up,” he croaks sleepily, moving up from his makeshift bed. “I’m fine,” you tell him. Your heartbeat speeds up, and your body becomes rigid as he sits down next to you. “Go to sleep,” he says. He thought about saying something else, he could talk with you now, but he sees your sleepy expression. “I can stay awake if you are too tired,” you offer him. “No,” he replies. “Go to my bed,” he orders. “It’s already warm.” “Thanks,” you murmur, getting up from your place. The fire is warmer as you get closer, and he was right. His bed is already warm from his body, and you can’t help yourself but sigh as you lay down on the pelts and wrap another one around you. For a few moments, you just stare before you, feeling his eyes on you. You take a deep breath, looking up at him, and you turn around so that your face doesn't burn under his gaze.

[ktheist]

life is yours

muses. professor!fiancee!namjoon x reader x fiancee’s friend!past life husband! expecting father!yoongi

genre. reincarnation au. college au. pregnancy au.

word. 1.7k

x

you loved min yoongi, you’d die for him.

and died for him you did. when the traitors came for your king, you’d leaped in front of him and took a swing of the treacherous sword. history books portrayed him as the king who went mad. the king who slayed hundreds of lives in one night and ruled for fifty more years as a tyrant.

what are histories if not painted with a tragic romance?

they said it was because of you he went mad. because he lost his queen, his breath.

a few hundred years later, he’d found her again. at the age of twenty-seven and you, twenty-two.

his girlfriend was pregnant with his baby and you were professor kim namjoon’s student-turned-fiance.

“it’s funny, you know,” you took a whiff of the cigarette and breathe out through your mouth, “we can walk out of our current relationships and ruin everyone’s perception of us, or we can just lead the life we’re living like we didn’t remember anything.”

yoongi squints his eyes as he stares up at the sun. lips tucked downwards, as though telling the universe that after one lifetime too many, he’s unimpressed.

“or we could just run away,” he recalls the flames of the torches of that night - not as bright as today’s sun but just as mocking, “forget about everything and run away.”

“you make it sound so easy,” a laugh escapes your smoke kissed lips, “it’s not as if the people we’ve known and loved are fake, faceless puppets.”

this life is just as real.

though it would’ve gone much different if you’d met each other sooner.

yoongi taps the pointed corner of the invitation card on his palm. it tickles but it’s nothing compared to the burning sensation as he held onto the handle of the sword despite it grazing his flesh.

“how far along is she?” his girlfriend, you mean. 

walking into namjoon’s office - the office you’d snuck into a few times too many but felt utterly alien - you saw the porcelain, snow-kissed complexion of your king. all at once, the memories hit you like a rain of shards.

and in each, individual shard, you see the images of your first step, first drawing, first embroidery and the first time you met yoongi. an arrogant boy whom you pushed into the koi pond.

the same boy who smirked at you the whole time during your engagement ceremony while you squirmed in your seat, scheming a runway and an apology at the same time.

and the man who strutted into the room, plopped on the left side of the bed and bade you good night on your first night as a married couple.

it was until three months later, that you trapped him under you and confronted him about it.

you thought yoongi, the crown prince turned king, had a lover. but he loved you too much to hurt you. they said you’re supposed to bleed on your first time. you laughed until your stomach hurt because you were happy beyond words that your husband was abstaining himself for you and not going around fucking a lover behind your back.

not even a year later, you caressed your stomach and giggled to yourself, thinking about yoongi’s stone cold expression turning pink and speechless. that night, the rebellion happened.

your last memories was of him holding you in his arms and calling out your name. 

in this lifetime, your first memory of him is watching him smile a familiar smile that screamed awkwardness as namjoon relayed their youthful tales.

that was, until he got to the part where yoongi’s about to be a father.

all of a sudden, there’s a knot in your stomach. it twists and tightens until you feel like you’re going to puke if you didn’t excuse yourself, saying something about calling your mom that you’d be having dinner with namjoon and letting the two men catch up.

“ten weeks. we’re ten weeks pregnant,” he sucks in a deep, agonized breath - and from the way he’s gazing up at the sky with his hands on his hips, you don’t think he meant to hide his afflictions.

the way he refers to himself and her as ‘we’ makes that knot all the more painful.

“i was a seven weeks pregnant,” you smile softly to yourself, gazing down at your stomach as if you could feel your baby from your previous lifetime.

you shouldn’t have said it.

should’ve just kept quiet.

but-

“they told me you were eight weeks in,” the soft, breathless tone that comes from yoongi is  what makes your heart beat again.

as if you’d come to life. as if min ___, the queen of joseon had come back to tell her king the one thing she wished to say. the one thing she wished for.

a family.

“taeyang. i was going to name him taeyang because he was going to be the sun of the dynasty and bring peace to the nation,” you laugh and it’s the choked up sound that you make that makes you realize you’re on the verge of crying.

“never thought i’d be talking about histories and dynasties with anyone - i hate history,” the confession slips out of you like you’re talking with an old friend. someone you trust wholeheartedly. someone you know you can confide in. 

yoongi was your friend, your lover, your king.

“come with me. i have a savings account, we can start anew somewhere, we can have what we couldn’t have back then.” he turns to you and looks at you in the eye. 

“what about your baby?” you ask because you know it’s meant for his future family.

“i’ll send child support every month,” he says.

“your parents?” you ask because his mother was a concubine and the king barely remembered his name out of the names of his many children.

in this lifetime, from the way namjoon candidly told the story, you know they love their eldest son as much as he loves them.

“they’ll adore you,” he says.

“no one’s gonna love a homewr- ah,” you hiss, dropping the cigarette that was trapped between your fingers until it burned your skin.

“___,” a familiar, deep but less gravelly tone reverberates against the walls as namjoon comes jogging at you like you’re a kid who just bruised her knee.

you study his face and yoongi’s eyes burn holes in your head.

from the way he meets your gaze and gives you ‘your fingers almost got burned and you’re looking at me?’ you think it’s safe to say that he didn’t hear what you were saying.

“i’m fine, i just burned my fingers because i got too engulfed in yoongi’s stories about how you two met,” you laugh at how namjoon’s inspecting your fingers more attentively than a doctor would.

“another reason to include in the long list of reasons not to smoke,” your finacee chides.

“that was my last,” you announce in a higher pitch than your usual voice - and that’s how namjoon knows you’re half-joking, even when you- “i promise.”

“anyways,” you place the injured hand on his chest to distract him - the way yoongi’s jaw tighten doesn’t go past you, “i talked to my dad because apparently my mom was cooking and couldn’t come to the phone and he said to tell you to bring me back before curfew.”

it’s the way namjoon freezes underneath your touch, his eyes blinking once and his soul retreating far back into his subconscious that makes you giggle.

“i’m kidding.”

only then, does he breathe again.

“my mom wasn’t cooking, she was watching her favorite show,” you say again.

it takes a split second for namjoon to put two and two together and tenses up again. as if he feels your father’s hardened gaze behind him. your father didn’t take it too well when you introduced your professor as your boyfriend who proposed to you a week before.

“it was nice meeting you, yoongi, we look forward to see you at our wedding,” you extend a hand, the playful smile reserved for namjoon, now directed at your king.

the king whom you died for. and the king who you’re telling to live his life, as you’ll live yours.

“wouldn’t miss my best friend’s wedding for the world,” he smiles, his hand grasping yours and you thought you’re going to combust from the electrifying sensation that runs through your veins.

but it’s only short-lived. 

you pull your hand away and he summons his back to his side.

he turns to namjoon and gives him a pat on his shoulder, congratulating him again but this time, with a lingering stare before walking past the two of you and towards the parking lot.

“professor, i’ll get my purse from your office and we’ll be good to go.” you say absently before skipping to the opposite direction of where yoongi was headed.

with each step you take, you hear your heart breaking. just like the pieces of your memories that rains down like shards of glass.

you wonder if you’ll make it through this life without dying of a broken heart.

“i thought we fixed that?” namjoon murmurs behind you, just as you sling the strap of your purse over your shoulder.

“hm?” you turn to the man leaning against the doorframe, observing you with a crease between his brows.

“you called me professor again,” namjoon mumbles almost as if he’s sulking.

and your heart warms at the tender sight of a grown man acting like a child. you’re reminded of the reason you fell for kim namjoon. his gentle nature was the opposite of yours yet he laughed at your jokes like he laughed off your flirtatious advancements.

he told you he saw you as a student and lent you his scarf when he saw you shaking in the cold while waiting for your uber. the next time he saw you, at 11 pm before the library closes, he offered to drive you home even though his was in the opposite direction from yours.

“namjoon,” you say his name, a smile tucked on your lips as you wrap your arms around his waist and his arm that had been crossed over his chest instantly makes it way around you, “thank you.”

“for what?” his eyes light up like a christmas tree, dimple digging into his cheek.

“for choosing me,” you stand on the tip of your toes and he meets you halfway for the kiss.

and you loved min yoongi, you died for him.

you love kim namjoon, you choose to live the rest of your life with him.

x

note. so like, the title - technically, it’s like oc saying “my life is yours” to both yoongi and namjoon but in different lifetimes :D

[mo2k]

Imagine…you meeting the kamaboko squad for the first time♥️. (pt.1)

Note.The kamaboko squad include : Kamado Tanjiro,Kamado Nezuko,Agatsuma Zenitsu,Hashibira Inosuke💗

No.1 : Kamado Tanjiro & Kamado Nezuko

Pairing : Tanjiro or Nezuko (up to you! :D) x [fem] reader

Warnings : none again, just fluff💓 (Ok,does slicing demon’s head count as violent?…If it does-well…might have some violent then -_-)

Note-This two siblings…are just so cute asdfghjkmnz-

Synopsis : You were doing your mission as a demon slayer…which is slaying demons…But there was something-ah no,some unexpected people that you’re bound to meet on that dark day which when the moonlight shone down and the stars were glittering across the black sky…

You were just doing your mission-which is slaying demons as usual.It was raining-hard.And you were standing face to face with a demon you’ve been sent to slew…you were standing all alone in this dark forest with a demon…

You’re panting tiredly…why?Well-if it wasn’t for the battle you had earlier with this hideous creature in front of you who gave these nasty little wounds to you…

You got hurt by some bruises,scratches-but the most hurtful one,was the wide wound on your lower stomach…It draws some blood-you didn’t really care about the blood,but what you care is well,damn-yes,you must admitted that it did hurt much more than you thought…It feels like you were in a slow-but painful torture as the time passed by and as more blood dripped…

Even the demon,was also panting slightly-though you know this wouldn’t last much longer.Its eyes-disgusting eyes,were fixed intently on your fatigued frame…

Its expression look suspicious as if its mind was calculating and guessing your next movement…not to mention that its eyes were also stared intensely-hungrily on your open wound…As if it’s getting more and more desperate to finally savour your flesh and blood…You glared back at it…

Then,you take a quick glance at the night sky,you find it almost impossible to keep your eyes open out of all the exhaustion you felt-It was still dark,which means you still have time…The white-silver moon…shone brightly through this black sky and through the curtains of shadowy clouds along with little pieces of glittering lights called stars…

Though the light wasn’t that much but it still at least-allowed you to see things,which only that is more than enough for you.

When you blinked down to this wretched being again…Its eyes still never leaving you as it hissed and lunged toward you.

In return,you gripped your blade tighter-ready to counterattack as you raised your arms above your head to sliced this demon’s neck.Using (your choice of breathing) breathing style.

The demon snarled widely with its sharp claws ready-dying to finally taste you-and you found yourself holding your breath….

But just as you’re about to swing your blade,the demon’s head has fallen to your feet making you froze for a moment… ‘What did just happen?-but I still didn’t do anything!’ You thought,confused and suspicious-but also,amazed and surprised at the same time.

You could do nothing but blinked several time,puzzled at the the demon’s head between your own feet which start to slowly disintegrate into ashes…

Then suddenly,you heard voices calling in front of you…you quickly shot your head to the owner of the voice all the while-raised your blade threateningly at that person,full on guard if this person happened to be another demon…

Turns out-he was a boy…around your age,his hair and eyes are red…and he wears a checkerboard pattern haori…he also have a quite big wooden box on his back…making you wondered what he was carrying…you observed him silently as you narrowed your eyes at him suspiciously….

“Who are you?” You began carefully,he seems stunned and helpless by your threatened movements as he put both his hands up in defense…that’s when you noticed that he also wears the demon slayer uniform and in his right hand-was a black nichirin blade…that was what make you sheath your sword back into your scabbard…but-you still eyed him suspiciously…ready to knocked him out if he did anything bad…

“I-I’m!um-I’m Kamado Tanjiro from the demon slayer corps!Mizunoto rank!” He answered staunchly while also sheathed his blade back…and your blinked one more time before you start to introduce yourself back, “My name’s (l/n) (y/n),I’m also in the demon slayer corps. (Your rank) rank.” You tell him flatly,he nodded before asked you, “Are you alright?”

There was silent going between you for a while,rain was still falling hard from the sky and as it made contact with your skin…you think you’ve got more torture from the cold and wet feelings…but still,you nodded stiffly back at him

“I’m fine…and thank you for saving me from that demon…” you managed out,though you know fully well that you can handle it yourself.

“Are you sure?…” he asked again,and you forced a small smile to convinced him that you’re fine…even though it hurts like hell…. “I’m alright,maybe you should go back and rest….since it’s already very late.Please don’t worry about me,I can take care of myself…” You tried to controlled your voice to be as normal as you can…but you still didn’t know that even if you don’t speak,he can smell it out by himself…

And as he was scanning your form….his eyes had met with the open wound on your lower stomach…that’s when he know you’re not ok,and he can’t just let you go like this.What if you got hurt more?

You can read his worry expression…so you said, “Oh no-I know what you’re thinking.But like I told you I can take care of myself and more importantly,I’m fine-” “No you’re not” he cut you off sternly, “You shouldn’t even walked,let me help you please and I’m extremely sorry for my bad manners.” He stepped closer and you took a step back,prepared. “Wha-” you started slowly,(like he’ll let you finished your sentence-,of course not,duh 😒) But what he did next has caught you off guard-

He just lifted you up,bridal style.Ignoring all the punches and kicks you threw at him,all your protests and objections.You didn’t have that much strength to push him off from how much you’ve lost your blood and you’re starting to feel dizzy…(He’s a strong boi,pls just let him do what he wants UwU) So he just carried you to the closest shelter he could find to hide from the pouring rain,which was a cave.

-Ooh~Did I have to tell you about how red and flustered you looked?✨Well,maybe not lol😂

When you both have finally made it to the cave,he put you down gently before also put the box on his back down and start to rummage to find things under his haori,probably find some clothes to bind your wound that might help to stopped your blood….

“Why did you do that?” You started,and he suddenly stopped his movement and turn his attention to you. You were staring outside the cave,not even sparing him a glance….“Do…what?…” he answered. “Carried me,or should I asked,Why did you help me?” You turn to look at him,and he blinked before look down “Oh…I…I just…I just can’t leave you like that…” He trailed off,before going back to find things…

You sighed, “You don’t really have to do that,we don’t even know each other” You exhaled. “Sorry…” he answered,his expression fell clearly. “But still…” You started again, “Thank you…for helping me” You smiled a bit at him,at that-he starts to bright up again, “With pleasure!” He cheered, “Oh and here,could I see your wound please?”

You slowly stand up and walked towards him,he immediately run in to help you-though you said almost ten times to him that you’re fine. “You shouldn’t stand up like that!At least give me a word before you do anything!” He scolded you,and you just just laugh. “It’s not funny!” He cried. “Yeah,yeah I know…Whatever,go on.Please help me tend the wound.” You offer him a warm smile,which he sighed-but still returned your smile.

Once you’re sat down and he starts to clean the wound…The wooden bow shook and you both flinched. “What-what was that?” You choked out, “Oh,it’s my sister,she’s a demon” he relaxed, “Oh,a sister…Wait,what?A demon?” You whipped your head from Tanjiro to the box,the box to Tanjiro,until the so called ‘demon’ that Tanjiro called his ‘sister’ came out…

Dear goddesss you almost fainted…His sister,forget the the word ‘demon’. She was so cute and adorable,too much than to be one of those wretched demons.Even with that bamboo tube in her mouth she still looked cute <3.And she just looked at you-to her brother,and back to you.

“Ah-Nezuko!This is my new friend,(l/n) (y/n)!She is a good person,you can trust her.But be careful!’cause she’s get hurt by the demon!And (y/n),this is Nezuko.My sister.” Tanjiro called happily with a bright smile.Nezuko blinked at you and tilted her head to the side,when she saw your wound she immediately rushed in to help her brother tend your wound.She huffed as if she wanna ripped the head of the demon who hurt you and you almost gone to heaven when she did that.

You blinked a few time before smiled at her, “Thank you”.And you can sense that she was smiling back,her eyes were sparkling like she was glad that she can help you.

“Ouch!” You cried out when Nezuko wrapped the cloth a bit too tight around your wound, “Ah!Be careful Nezuko!” Tanjiro stopped and help you. Nezuko,poor baby felt so guilty and sad for hurting you,she’s much more gentle after that…🥺

After tending the wound and your blood finally stopped.Nezuko came and wrapped her arms around you gently while snuggle close to you as an apology for hurting you,careful to not touched your wound again this time,you returned her hug with a warm smile and reassured her that she didn’t do anything wrong and that you’re fine.Tanjiro smiled gently at the sight of you two…

Then,you three sat down close to each other,Nezuko sit on your left as she rests her head on your shoulder,sleeping.Leaving you and Tanjiro talked and relaxing at the sound of rain falling and getting to know each other more…Before you both starting to feel sleepy and slowly drifted off to your peaceful slumber…

But still Nezuko cuddled with you all night until morning came and she has to go back to the box to hide from the sun…She demanded a head pat from both you and Tanjiro before she get in though💞She also hugged you one more time before finally get back in too!Looks like she’s very fond of you~💕

When Tanjiro needs to leave for his next mission, he asks you, “(Y/n),do you want to come with me?-” “(l/n) (y/n) and Kamado Tanjiro!You two must go on your next mission together at the Tsuzumi Mansion!” Tanjiro’s crow suddenly came in and starts to squawking orders. “Looks like you don’t have to ask me now~” You teased him-and he laughed. “You’re right,let’s go on our mission then” He stepped out and start to run to his and your next destination under the bright morning sun,you smiled before you start to run after him…

As you do that…Your mind was racing….you kinda have a special thing for both Tanjiro and Nezuko….What is it?…Damn dear (y/n)….who would you choose?…

Hello!♥️How was it lovelies?Do you liked it?Feel free to comments or give me some criticisms!But pls just don’t be rude ok?💌

Now,now,hope you like it dear @yui-san0 @just-pepperbean and @joykamado (my dear Tanjiro stans😂)

Have a great day and take care pls,ily all so much!💝💓💞✨

-With love,BamBam🦢🌙

The arts are not mine!Credits to the artist!❤️

[aknosde]

Omnes Una Manet Nox

The chronologically first installment of my Reyna Swap AU, Alea Iacta Est // Reyna Avilla Ramírez-Arellano // Fluff & Angst, but minor on the angst // the night before Reyna disappears //  tw: mentions past minor character death // light swearing // 4.4k

ao3

—————

“That went well, didn’t it?” Jason asks with that familiar, absently intense energy. They’ve just descended the steps of the Senate after their monthly meeting with the consuls.

The two consuls, in their late thirties, oversee all of Camp Jupiter. Of course, the legion manages their own grounds and budget, under Jason and Reyna’s command, but the little oversight they do get is from the consuls.

Johnson was one of New Rome’s praetors, a few years back. He doesn’t care much about the legion, being from a legacy family and largely skirting his training and service, and he never ceases to make that known. Malhill is the one that always gets under Jason’s defenses. He’s good on policy, good on veterans, good on kids, everything that they could want. But he was the legion’s champion only ten years ago. A direct son of Apollo, a talented archer but an even better bender of light, a legion praetor, and he’s had his eyes on Jason’s career since day one. Reyna’s seen the way he eyes Jason whenever she and Jason are in New Rome, already pegging him for a consul position once Jason’s old enough.

“It went well, Jace,” she says. “Your mission plan is flawless, the only thing that could make them happier is if you’d go on it.” She regrets the words as soon as they’re out of her mouth.

Her remorse is tangible, visible in the line of his spine, the way he taps the place in his pocket where Ivlivs would sit if they were not inside the Pomerian Line, the subtle flick of his wrist.

Not for the first time, she thinks about Mount Othrys. Everything it took from her. Sometimes when she sleeps–not often, but enough–it plays over in her head. But something is always wrong.

She’s leading the charge, but suddenly it’s Jason next to her instead of Michelle. Or Jason and Michelle run into the throne room, but when she closes the door behind them it locks. She makes it into the throne room, slaying all of the Dracaena, but when she enters Atlas is holding Jason over his head, instead of fighting him hand to hand. On the good nights, Michelle isn’t dead when she bursts through the door, on the bad, she watches Michelle die. The one constant is Jason, gold ichor dripping down his face in a horrific mask. When she and Jason land the killing blow, together, she can always see it.

He doesn’t talk about it, of course. Not about Michelle, not about his election, not about the mountain. But she can see it weighing on him through the big things, like how he hasn’t been out of camp borders since the battle, and the small things, like how he glances up at the stars, as if one will come down and crush him any moment.

She rolls her right shoulder, feeling the ligaments shift, as if it will rid her of the thoughts, prepare her for a topic of conversation that often hits a little too close to home.

“Did you hear how Johnson pronounced my name? He’s even worse than you.” Maybe the small huff of a laugh Jason expels is worth it. “‘Miss Ramírez-Arellano,’” she continues, in a nasally imitation of the consul.

“I don’t say it that badly.”

“You say it like a white boy who didn’t know Spanish was a language until two seconds ago.”

“Ramírez-Arellano,” he says, better than consul Johnson, but she still hates hearing it. That girl is long gone, the only thing connecting her to Reyna is Hylla, and although Reyna loves her sister, she’s grateful for the distance that keeps Hylla from being a constant reminder.

“‘We were– were very, erm, dazzled, by your most recent proposition.’” She continues the impression until they are walking through the Praetorian Gate, Jason half hanging off her shoulder and giggling like they’re thirteen again.

He has a nice laugh. A friendly one. It seems to feed off of her volume, her effort, fluctuating the longer he goes. He shouts at her to stop several times, but he’s doubled over in armor, snorting, and all she wants to do is make him laugh like this forever.

It only gets worse on the steps of the Principa, when he decides a good revenge plan is to trip her. The building is dark like the rest of the legion. Two lamps, invisible under the light of day, flank the double doors, but the light is faint and barely makes its way to the stairs, washing everything in a pale yellow. She side steps his foot–his sneakers have reflective decals on them for the sake of the gods, he’s an idiot–but he’s shifted his weight so much that he ends up tripping himself.

They stumble through the doors, still chuckling, and make their way across the great hall as quickly as possible. They must have gotten a new tender for the Principa, because the lights are off like they forgot that people actually live here. Only two people, but still. The darkness makes the place unsettling, and now she’s counting on Jason to keep her occupied. A job he seems all too willing to fulfill as he runs through the next set of doors, still in full armor, clashing against the wood.

Upstairs is worse, she decides. The abandoned lounge reminds her of her childhood living room. Any moment her father could rise from one of the low couches, ready to scoop her up and throw her in her room, that crazed look in his eye.

Something clangs and she jumps.

“What the heck is this?” Jason’s whisper-shouting when she catches up with him in the hallway outside their rooms. He’s partially on the floor–hands keeping him from being face flat–and something is crinkling under his knee.

For some reason all Reyna can say is: “Did you just say ‘heck?’”

“Shut up,” he whines, and she wishes the lights were on just so she could see his ears turning red.

“Of course, farm-boy.”

He’s sitting back on his heels now, she can see the object’s dark outline as he holds it up, rustling in his hands.

“Seriously, what is this thing?” he asks, looking up at her.

“A bag with my old clothes,” she says, squinting. “I was going to see if any legionnaires need some.”

“And you have it by your door so you don’t forget,” he says, explaining for her. In the stress of running for office, of war, she forgot the ways in which they are attuned to each other. She forgot that she doesn’t have to explain and defend her every little action to him. It’s sad that it’s taken her almost two months to remember.

He sets the bag back down, nudging it into almost its exact spot, and hefts himself to his feet with a sigh. His brow furrows once he’s standing, looking out into the middle distance, but he sees the quirk of her brow and quickly explains himself, “We have that meeting with the centurions tomorrow after breakfast.”

Jason is a social person. A true extrovert. He hates being alone, working alone, and the quiet that comes with both. So what he’s really saying is that he has work left to do and wants some company. And who is she to deny him that? “Do you want to work in the main hall, office, or my room?”

He grins, clapping his hands and then raises his palms to the sky. “Bedroom, praise Fortuna.”

“Five minutes, Sparkplug,” she says, bumping her shoulder into his own as she sidesteps him into her room. His eyes follow her as she goes, like she’s his North Star, and damn him for making her heart skip a beat, because in the empty space Venus’ words always echo. She stomps them down, before her face can fall, before the hollow silence can fill the hallway, and in their place she jams a smirk. “If you’re lucky I’ll even edit your speech.”

As her door clicks behind her she can hear him groan, “I just prayed to Fortuna.”

She stands with her hands on her hips, briefly surveying her room to decide what to do first.

Being praetor has its perks, like private bath and bedrooms across the hall from her best friend and king sized beds, but it also means she is no longer in the practice of keeping her space ready for inspections. Her comforter is pulled up, but her bed isn’t made, files are scattered across her desk and on her dresser, and her wardrobe is wide open.

She decides on doing everything at once, which involves a crooked path across her room as she shucks off armor, not bothering with her armor stand, and changes out of the nice clothes she wore to meet the consuls. All the while she turns on lights, puts on sweats, makes her bed, and tucks away files.

Jason knocks on her door five minutes later, that ever punctual bastard, just as she’s zipping her hoodie over her tank top.

“Help me, Reyna,” he says, holding a typed copy of his speech out to her in both hands like some sort of trophy. “You’re my only hope.”

She snorts, snatching the pages out of his hands. “Nice reference.”

He cocks his head to the side, brow furrowed, and she bets if he were actually a wolf one of his ears would be turned as well.

“You just made a Star Wars reference,” she says, but he looks just as confused.

“What’s Star Wars?” He asks warily.

She swears to herself in Spanish, because otherwise he’ll tease her about the legion’s anti-swearing policies, collapsing dramatically back on her bed, and sighs. “It’s a movie trilogy, wolf boy.”

“Ah.”

Another thing she forgot, apparently, is how little Jason knows about basically anything outside of camp. He says he arrived when he was three, and wasn’t even allowed into the city until he was eight, which apparently means he’s never been to a movie theater.

By now he seems used to her telling him about the more innocent aspects of the mortal world, and at the very least takes his lack of knowledge in stride. If only he would watch the movies and shows she’s downloaded on his laptop for him.

When she looks up after reading his introduction he is sitting at her desk, picking at some invisible blemish while subtly putting highlighters away, and looking around her room.

“If you start cleaning I’m throwing you out.”

He grumbles to himself, but she makes out a yes ma’am somewhere in the mix, so she decides to throw him a bone.

“If you want to occupy yourself I have a speech about legion veterans you can fact check,” she says, faux casual, not that he can tell. He needs to do something before he starts picking at his nails instead of the wood.

“Sure.”

“It’s in one of the red folders.”

“Would that be the one on the floor under your desk or the one on your dresser,” he says, sounding far too cheeky.

“The one on my dresser, and stop pretending you’re better than me, asshole.”

He clutches his chest dramatically, walking to her dresser. “Better than the best? How could I be?”

“Mmmhmm,” she responds, half ignoring him in favor of his speech, aware of the ticking clock.

It’s truly impossible for him to stay awake past ten, a fact that is only proven the next time she looks up and he’s asleep at her desk, pen still in hand and a research paper opened on her laptop. No matter how often she reminds him that the regimented lights out of the legion no longer applies to them, he just can’t seem to break the habit.

“Jason.” She nudges his shoulder, extracting the pen at the same moment so he can’t smudge her speech.

His head jerks, eyes alert, but voice groggy when he says, “What’s going on?” All legionnaires wake up in a similar manner, but for some reason it only strikes her as amusing when he does it.

She hadn’t thought of what she was waking him up for, besides a need to do it, and her mind wanders to the Forum, wondering if her favorite café would still be open at this hour. She’s starving, she realizes. Their meeting with the consuls had been pushed back and they had had to skip dinner to make it.

She grins. “Are you hungry?”

“Uh, yeah. How did you know?”

“Roof s’mores?”

“Reyna,” he drags out the last syllable, fading it into a sigh. “That takes energy.”

“Okay, but–” She holds her hands out, weighing them. “Would you rather spend the energy to just walk across the hall and go to sleep, or climb up to the roof with me and roast us a couple marshmallows?”

Jason looks at her like is that a real question? which had been her intention. She folds her hands into a pleading gesture and pouts emphatically–he’s always more flexible when she acts a little silly. “Please, Jace. I got that cheap chocolate you like. I’ll even get the stuff myself, you can go straight up.”

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes and she smiles, satisfied, and already on her way out the door.

The praetorian kitchen reminds her of office break rooms on television, besides the fact that it looks perpetually unnatural, mostly due to the fact that only three people go inside–her, Jason, and the Principa tender–and it’s always pristine. The only things actually kept in there are coffee, tea, and of course: her and Jason’s secret stash of s’more supplies, buried in the back of the cabinet with the untouched bowls.

By the time she’s through the roof access door, conveniently placed to hide it from the view of anyone on the ground, Jason is already sitting by the dark spot of ash that signifies their pastime. Because, yes, they started coming up here long before either of them were elected Praetor.

He’s a dark outline against the night sky, sitting criss-crossed and looking down at the façades of the other legion buildings, and briefly she has the thought that somebody could make a painting out of this. She slides her old Camp Jupiter ID back between the lock and door jamb, willing the thought to disappear with the potential of the fire alarm going off.

She shivers as she sits next to him, nose wrinkling with the cold now that she’s fully vulnerable to the elements. Without a word Jason removes his sweatshirt and passes it to her.

“I’m already wearing one.”

“Mine is thicker, trade me.”

And because he’s Jason, she does.

It’s slightly big on her, his shoulders just a few inches broader than her own, and a forest green. On the back is a printed vine of purple flowers and a date. She recognizes it as one of the prizes of the Ludi Florae, or Games of Flora, from Floralia last year. The festival sits right between April and May, and last year’s was the grandest of all. Or so Jason says. Everyone had been anxious about Mount Othrys, and apparently all of that energy had been funnelled into the events.

Reyna herself had been busy running for praetor. All she remembers from the festival is campaigning. And Jason, running up to her looking flushed, this sweatshirt thrown over one shoulder.

“Remember when I told you that you were the best, Jace,” she says sweetly once she is safely swaddled in his hoodie. He’s right–it is thicker.

Jason grins up at her, wrapping his hands around two marshmallows. “I may recall something along those lines having been said a long, long time ago.”

“Well, I just want to inform you that I retract that statement, because this sweatshirt is ugly and the cuffs are burnt.”

The electricity that had been slowly coursing over the ridges of his fingers flares for a second, and his hands fly open as if he was handed metal straight from the forges. “Oops.” Both of the marshmallows are burnt, but his lips are turned up in a poorly concealed smirk.

“I forget you’re a heathen,” she says primly, sticking her nose in the air instead of saying any of the less wholesome options at the back of her throat.

“Does liking burnt marshmallows make me a heathen?”

She pretends to mull it over for a second, extracting the rest of their supplies. “Yes. You have to buy the next bag because you’re mean and I say so.”

She takes the burnt marshmallow regardless, sandwiching it between her own chocolate and graham crackers. Jason takes three squares of the Hershey bar he likes for absolutely no good reason, and does the same. She shakes her head. He’s the fucking all American boy who sticks with the classics even when he doesn’t know they’re the classics. She has no idea how he does it.

They don’t talk while they eat, regrettably the silence reminding her of her childhood, no matter how hard she pushes against it. She looks up at the stars, trying to forget the cold kitchen, cold house, even in hundred degree heat. It’s times like this when the ring, and the chain she wears it on, weigh heavy on her neck.

It feels like a noose right now, just as much as it feels like freedom, like power, every other second of her life. Like a sentence, compelling her to pay for her crimes, to confess to them, to wreck her world so terribly that she would lose up from down and die. A fair punishment.

“What are you thinking about,” Jason asks a while after they’ve finished. She looks at him, sitting back on his hands, looking at her, not the sky. It’s dark on the roof, but the light from the street lamps seems to center around him. It glints off his hair, visibly blond even in the night, and pours into his eyes. They’re always so blue. So blue it looks fake. But they never cease to pull Reyna in. Sometimes she swears she can see lightning arc across his irises.

He’s always asking her questions like this. Innocent and curious, no ulterior motives, no goals. He genuinely wants to know. And if she doesn’t answer, he’ll drop it, because he always does. It’s not something she’s used to, even after all these years; this place she has in his mind, if not his heart. A place of utter respect. He doesn’t question her because he knows what she is thinking, and when he doesn’t, he accepts her. Would he still, if he knew what she did to her father?

She breaks his gaze with that thought. It’s too much. “My sister,” she says instead, and it doesn’t feel right to look back. Under oath, Reyna would say that Jason is the most important person in her life. Her best friend; the person she sees every day, talks to every day, eats with and works with. He is the closest thing she has to a family here. And she– And she loves him. Maybe as a little more than a friend. But talking about her sister while looking him in the eye feels too intimate, too intense. “She would like you.”

It is something to say, simply to say something, but maybe she isn’t wrong. There is something in Jason that reminds her of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, and not in the way that haunts her nightmares and twists her sheets around her until they become bonds she can’t quite break free of. Being on Blackbeard’s crew, that’s how Reyna learned hard work, in a way she never had before. It had instilled a drive in her, to change everything, to rewrite systems, to make something so beautiful it was unrecognizable. And perhaps Jason doesn’t have that same drive, but he knows the work. He goes out of his way to do it dirty and hard and long. He refuses to take the thousands of shortcuts he’s offered. And Hylla would admire that, she thinks.

“I had a sister,” he whispers.

For a second–just a second–she’s stuck. “What?”

“I had a sister.” He picks at a loose thread on his jeans for a moment, and that’s how she knows he’s serious, because he hates ripping his jeans more than almost anything else. He’s refusing to meet her gaze. “Thalia Grace.”

He says her name soft and tender. She can imagine him, standing over a hearth, cradling the name between his palms and looking at it the same way he first looked when he was gifted Ivlivs. Big, round eyes.

“That’s really nice, Jace,” she says, because he rarely surprises her, and for once she doesn’t know what to say.

He looks up at her, smiling tightly. His eyes are sad. Is that how she looks when she thinks about Hylla?

“You can tell me about her, if you want,” Reyna says when the moment becomes two, and then three, because Jason doesn’t bring up things he doesn’t want to talk about. But Jason also has his own ideas about debt, about worthiness, and it is clear to her that he told her about his sister in exchange for Reyna talking about her own.

He smiles at her. A real smile, if small. She feels warm, and it’s not from his extra thick sweatshirt.

“I don’t remember a lot about her, but… She had black hair. So dark, like the night. And her eyes, they were amazing. Bright blue, like a perfect sky. Sometimes I can see them, in this half-memory half-dream, and they’re so strong they look like how an electric shock feels.”

“Like yours,” she whispers, and Jason hums in a way that makes it frustratingly unclear if he heard her or not. She hopes not.

“When I was little,” he continues, after another moment of staring wistfully over the Twelfth Legion, “I used to imagine she was looking for me. That one day she would find me, here, be proud of me for– I don’t know what. Love me, or something. All that stupid shit.” He trails off again, picking at his nails, but she can’t bring herself to chide him.

There are things that she knows about Jason, true as the sun rising in the east and the pull of the moon on the tides and the sound of imperial gold on whetstone. She knows that he works hard, works with the public, flushes under the compliments of people older than him because he has never had a concrete parental figure. Not even one to hate, to fear, to mourn. She knows that he never trusts praise from these people because he knows his parentage, knows they know, knows that he is connected to his father in the eyes of these people in a way he doesn’t feel himself, and never will.

Truths of Jason that are pillars in her understanding of him, that were pivotal in their relationship. But like so many supports, they were never acknowledged. Truth has no need to be stated, and she has no compellence to state that which is unnecessary. He talks of Thalia, telling Reyna that he wants his sister to want him, to find him, and to love him not because he is a son of Jupiter, but because he’s him.

She doesn’t say, I don’t care about you because you’re the son of Jupiter, I care about you because you are my best friend. And she doesn’t say, I care about you because you listen to people, because you care about them and what happens to them so instinctively that I cannot understand it. She doesn’t say, I’m proud of you, and you should be proud of yourself.

She doesn’t say those things because he knows them, because they are truths, and truths do not need to be said.

But still, something must be done.

She– She’s always been bad at the physical things. She can do a handshake, a fist bump, but she has never been a hugger, no matter that Jason is. She’s never managed a hip-check, or a shoulder pat, or ruffled his hair in any way that wasn’t rough and meant to hurt.

But that doesn’t mean she can’t try.

She goes slow, leaning over slightly, feels the cool breeze breaking on her knuckles. Gently, perhaps more gently than she has done anything in her life, she takes his hands, detangles them, presses her finger pads against the bleeding bits where he’s torn his skin away. She closes her hands around his own, cups them in her palms.

He looks up at her, tears welled on his water line but nothing has spilled, and she feels his hands move in her own, feels him latch on, like when they were young and late for assignments, running across the grounds and refusing to leave each other behind. She looks into his eyes, wide. Electrifying. Just like she knew they were.

She waits for the moment to stretch and break, like moments oft do. Her last move is to give his hands a squeeze, hopefully reassuring, and he gives her another small smile and moves to wipe his eyes with the sleeves of her sweatshirt, the one he’s still wearing.

“We should probably be going to bed,” she says, because she doesn’t have anything else to say. He laughs, wetly, but in that way everybody laughs when they’re told something they already know. It makes her smile; it’s special when he does it.

Everybody isn’t wrong, she thinks as she and Jason part ways outside their rooms, Jason Grace is special. But not because he is the son of Jupiter. He’s special because Reyna had never wanted friends, and here he is, her best. He’s special because he does things, normal things, and they make her smile. He’s special because he does everything in his power to ensure he deserves the love he receives. And gods, she thinks, does he deserve it.

She slips off her necklace and gets under her duvet cover, curling up and fiddling with the cuffs of his sweatshirt. Chunks of the polyester-wool fabric are hard and melted from undoubtedly unfortunate rendezvous with electricity. She finds one, right where his thumb would rest, and rubs it between her own thumb and index finger as she falls asleep.

When she wakes up, she’s on a school bus.

—————

Others in this series: Amicus Certus in re Incerta Cernitur

[staynskz]

Making Amends: Part Two

Pairing: husband BangChan x female reader

Genre: slight angst, fluff

Word count: 2.2k+

Warning(s): none

At work, your boss realized how distracted you were. “Y/N, are you okay?” she asked, snapping you back to reality. “Huh? Oh… yeah I’m doing okay, just a bit deep in thought.” She stared at you with worried eyes. “It doesn’t seem like it. Look, why don’t you go home and get some rest for a few days while I work on the rest of the project, okay?” “What? No, it’s okay-I’m completely capable of completing the project, don’t worry, I-” “Y/N… you’re my hardest working employee. I’m sure it’ll be fine if you take some time off, okay? Why don’t you go home and stay with your kids for a bit and see how it goes. Maybe spend some time with them while they’re still small, hmm?”

She was right. You’d been so caught up in this project, you barely slept, ate, nor spent much time with children anymore. You thought the project was only going to last for a bit, but that was never the case with any project at work. “Are you sure?” you guiltily asked. “Yes, I’m sure! Now go! Enjoy the rest of your day off, hun!” As she shooed you out of the office, you walked out into the street and realized that you didn’t even remember how to have fun. You planned a small date for you and your kids. They for sure were going to have fun with you today. You were going to make memories they’d never forget.

After picking up the kids from Changbin’s house, you surprised them by going to the park near the house. It had been so long since you’d brought them here. It felt like a million years had gone by already. The three of you ate ice cream, played lava monster on the playground, and ate dinner together. The day was set as a memory you’d never forget. When the three of you got home later that evening, you saw that Chan’s car was in the driveway. It was weird that he was home so early. You weren’t displeased, but from the last conversation you both had, you weren’t so happy either. Either way, you inhaled deeply and went into the house.

Chan was sitting on the couch when the three of you trudged your way in. Aris and Eli both dropped their backpacks on the ground and ran over to Chan. “Daddy!!!” they screamed as they attempted to climb onto Chan’s lap. “Hi kiddos,” he said while grabbing them both and placing them on his lap. “Daddy, guess what mommy and us did today??” Aris asked Chan. “What is it? What did you and mommy do, hmm?” Eli cut his sister short as he started exaggerating every detail of the day. They were both so busy entertaining Chan that they forgot you were still standing by the door just watching them explain things to their dad.

Before the story could get any crazier, you decided to let them both know that it was time for bed, and that they needed to sleep so that they could wake up and go to uncle Binnie’s house tomorrow. “Awwww but I wanna stay up with you and daddy!!!” Aris complained while pouting. “Yeah!! You said we could do anything we want today!!” Eli chimed in tune with his sister. “Now, you both know how mommy is when she gets mad, you two. Why don’t you go shower tonight, and we can all ready a book together tonight, hmm?” Chan explained calmly to them. With a loud gasp, Aris said, “Can we read about the warriors who slay the dragon??!!!” “Noooo!!! I want to read about Cinderella,” Eli retorted. It was literally as if Aris was the brother and Eli was the sister from the way they both acted. It was too adorable. Chuckling, Chan obliged to read both stories to them. Running away happily, they took their bags from your hands and got ready to shower and end the day.

When the kids had finished showering, Chan laid in bed with them-both books in his hands. He really was going to read both books, wasn’t he? You just stood at the door watching your children smile while they laid across Chan’s lap. “Mommy?” Eli said interrupting your thoughts. “What is it, baby?” “Can you come lay with us?” Surprised, you stood awkwardly at the foot of the bed, looking at where to join the children and Chan on the bed without actually being near Chan. “Come on, mommyyyy, I want to get the story started!” Eli complained while you stood there-still looking like an idiot. “Mommy, just sleep by daddy!” Aris demanded while making some room by Chan on the bed.

Not wanting to waste any more time, you walked over to the side of the bed and joined Chan under the covers while the kids shifted their way around the two of you. It was awkward, to say the least. You were still struggling on how to sit next to Chan but could only lean back towards the wall behind you. It was the most uncomfortable feeling ever. The four of you sitting in your daughter’s small bed trying to find space just to read a simple bedtime story. “Mommyyy! Can you move, please? I don’t have any space,” Aris complained beside you. “Well mommy doesn’t have any space either, baby. Why don’t you sit on my lap, hmm?” “No, I don’t want to mommy. Why don’t you just lay on daddy’s shoulder like you always do?” The most awkward tension had been brought back by your sassy five-year-old daughter.

So it was true-toddlers were probably worse than teenagers because of their unruly filter. All that time, Chan just sat there laughing and giggling to himself under his breath with Eli. He truly did know how to get under your skin. Especially since you were both still not speaking to each other than about the kids. You shot a glare at Chan while adjusting yourself to compromise with your daughter.

It was hard getting intimate with Chan-even just putting your head on his shoulder. It had been so long since you’d both been intimate-whether it be holding hands or even making love. It just wasn’t there anymore. You missed it, to be honest. It was the hardest thing to admit. You wanted to be independent, show that you were tough, but all you wanted in all honesty was for Chan to hold you. You missed the way he would caress your body, the way he would kiss every inch of your body, make you feel his love through his actions, whisper sweet nothings in your ears, tell you how beautiful you were regardless of anything you thought of yourself. You missed those days. The days when you were both able to enjoy small moments together. “Are you comfortable, babe?” Chan asked, bringing you back to reality. Shocked by his sudden words, you whispered a simple yes without looking at him and you laid your head on his shoulder. “Okay, let’s begin, shall we?” Chan asked the kids as he opened your daughter’s favorite book. “Once upon a time, there were three kingdoms…” that was the last you’d heard while you could keep your eyes open.

The next thing you knew, you were waking up in your bed with Chan’s arms around your waist. He must’ve brought you to the bedroom after he read the books to the kids. Pulling his arms off you, you walked toward the bathroom to get ready for work. It was hard holding a grudge against Chan at times. Times where moments were so sweet and loving like last night. But one moment wouldn’t fix that. One moment can’t fix the lonely nights you cried in bed alone and cold. One moment can’t fix the many times you’d had to tell friends and family that Chan was busy at work while you were at family functions he promised he’d show up to. It had been going on for long enough. You did want to forgive him, but forgiveness had to come with change; that was the only compromise you’d ever needed from Chan. Regardless, you were going to try and make this work once you finished your unfinished project at work. There was too much at stake to lose the deal you were close to closing.

Dropping off the kids at Changbin’s house went smoothly and arriving at work seemed less stressful than previous weeks. Maybe your boss was right taking a day off definitely helped. “What are you doing here, Y/N?” you heard your boss’s voice behind you. “What do you mean what am I doing here? I’m here to work,” you said nonchalantly to your boss as she followed you into your office. “Y/N… when I said take some time off, I didn’t mean only half a day.” “…What do you mean?” you asked. “I meant take a few days off, Y/N. I can’t make my most hardworking employee burn out!” “But the project-I can’t just-” Taking the paperwork out of your hands, your boss quietly said to you, “it’s about time you and your hubby go on vacation, yeah?”

Vacation. That word was so foreign to you. It was so long ago since you’ve been on vacation. “I don’t think vacation’s a great idea since we’re trying to land this deal…” you said while trying to snatch the paperwork back. “Noooo… you do realize that they agreed to the deal, right?” “They did?!” “Yeah, they did. I don’t know how they came to a conclusion to work with us, but here we are.” “Wow… that makes me feel so much easier now,” you said while sitting down. “Good. So that means that I have to kick you out of this building just so you’ll take time off, right?” she asked as she grabbed your purse. “What? No, I need to-” “Ah! No. If you don’t listen to what I have to say, that means I’ll have to fire you just so you’ll stop living here, right?” “I mean…” “No-that’s what I thought. Please, Y/N, you need to leave this place for just a few days, okay?” “Please go home and rest while you can before we have to close another deal, okay?” She rushed you out of the office and blew a kiss before choosing the lobby floor for you in the elevator.

You couldn’t even catch sight of what was happening-just that your boss had given you the next few days off. Sounded good, though, since you needed it and wanted to catch up on a few projects back at home. You texted Changbin’s wife asking if they could keep the kids until the same time so that you could run some errands. With a sweet reply, she said yes.

Pulling into the garage, you saw that Chan’s car was still parked in the garage. Did he not go to work? Either way, you still didn’t want to talk about the situation with Chan. It was like you were both walking on eggshells- not just around the kids, but it you were both struggling to find a middle ground. It’s not like you were trying to make a point by not apologizing… okay maybe it was a bit of pride, but you also felt that Chan should’ve been more helpful as a husband and father.

Opening the door to your house, you saw that there were packed suitcases in the living room. Why were there suitcases? Was Chan leaving you? Was it the nightmare you wished would never happen? It made your stomach drop. No matter how independent you were, in this marriage, it only worked as a codependent relationship. Not only that, but as parents, it would be easier to work together in one home than in two-in most cases. Was Chan falling out of love with you? Was Chan going to leave you alone? Were you really going to be the single mother you’d always felt you’d been for the past few months?

As those thoughts were running through your mind, Chan walked into the room. “Hey, babe… let’s go.” “Go where?” you asked. “We’re gonna miss our flight.” “Our flight? What do you mean? I still have work, and the kids-” “I’ll explain on the way to the airport-” Chan said as he pulled you back into the garage and into his car along with the suitcases. On the car ride to the airport, you couldn’t help but ask so many questions. Where were the kids? Where were you guys going? What happened? Chan answered the questions with simple yet vague answers. It wasn’t helping your frantic mind at all.

Boarding the private jet, you weren’t ready to go anywhere-you were just worried about your babies. You knew you left them with Changbin and his wife, but you didn’t get to say goodbye before leaving to whatever destination Chan had been rushing you to go to. Taking a seat on the jet, you opened your mouth to ask Chan another question, but were hushed with his stern voice saying for you not to worry, and that you needed to get some rest before arriving at the destination. Furious at the vagueness of his answers, you turned toward the window and stared at the sky as the jet took off.

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

Author’s note: Here’s part two :) I’m just glad I’ve been having a bit more time to work on this with the few days I get off of work.

Tag list: @crispbang 

[starbornvalkyrie]

paper rings [a nessian one-shot]

a/n: hey besties!! here’s some fluff for this fine saturday. i wrote this for my mate, my besta @vanserrasvalkyrie​ bc i love her to death and she deserves everything. i wrote this based on paper rings by taylor swift. enjoy!

acotar masterlist || masterlist of masterlists

When the sunlight hit his face, Cassian stretched with a groan and reached for his girlfriend. Girlfriend. Three years and he was still shocked that was the title he could call Nesta Archeron. When they met all those years ago, he could have sworn she hated him. He thought it might have been his high clouding his mind but no. 

Nesta gave him the cold shoulder every time they hung out, though he never failed to sense her eyes on him when they were out with his friends. There was something about Nesta that always drew him to her. Some sort of gravitational pull that made her irresistible--even as she pushed him away.

Cassian frowned when he found that the other side of the bed was cold, his girlfriend long gone for the day. Blinking slowly, he wondered if she told him what she was up to today. Not that she needs to, but she usually gives him a heads up. His thoughts were pulled away when his phone chimed.

A single text message from Nesta read, Morning, babe. I’m out running errands with Feyre today. I’ll see you later. Xx

Cassian couldn’t help the grin that formed on his lips at her use of the word babe, and he used that energy to get out of bed and prepare for the day. The day that he hopes will bring him one step closer to calling Nesta his wife.

He dialed Rhys, putting the phone to his ear as he fastened his watch around his wrist. He smiled fondly at it, remembering the day Nesta gave it to him saying, “Your old watch is too loud. Use this.”

Rhys answered on the last ring with a labored, “Hello?” followed by a female yelp and giggle. His brother shushed her, but Cassian’s brows furrowed.

“Is that Feyre?”

Rhys cleared his throat, “Yeah, of course, why?”

“I just thought…” He trailed off. “Nevermind, brother. Is everything still set for tonight?”

He could practically hear Rhys rolling his eyes when he replied, “Yes, brother, we’ve been over it a thousand times. It’s going to be great.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll leave you two to… whatever I interrupted.” Cassian almost gagged hearing Rhys’ stifled groan of a goodbye as he hung up, patting his jacket pocket to feel for the ring one more time. He was about to grab his keys when he noticed a note on their side table, the elegant script telling him who left it. Smiling, he picked it up and read.

Cassian,

Do you remember the night we first met? I remember it vividly, probably because I wasn’t as stoned as you. But what I haven’t told you is that I went home and stalked you on the internet. Full on FBI mode. If you tell anyone, I will not hesitate to kill you. Sometimes I think about how I tried so hard to learn every detail I could about you without actually talking to you, but now I feel like I know more than I should.

We’ve shared a lot these past three years, and I have to say that one of my favorite hobbies to share with you is reading. The days we spend wasting away in bed reading side by side are the days I hope we will continue to share for the foreseeable future. While they aren’t my favorite, I do enjoy the war novels and thrillers you keep beside your bed. I think I’ve read all of them by now.

I skimmed Catch 22 this morning and was particularly intrigued by page 143.

It wasn’t signed, but Nesta’s perfume lingered on the page, igniting Cassian’s senses. The memories she wrote of came to the forefront of his mind. She was shy at first, not wanting him to know the sort of books she enjoyed reading with her friends. But one night he snuck one off her nightstand. Needless to say, they’ve had their fair share of experimentation based on a few of her novels. And when she read his books and talked excitedly with him, he thought he’d propose on the spot.

Cassian rushed to his bedside table and, sure enough, Catch 22 is on top. He flipped to the page she mentioned. Another note fell out along with a blue paint swatch. The color looked familiar, but he couldn’t figure out where he knew it from. Shrugging, he read the note.

Cassian,

Do you remember when Azriel made us all help him paint his room? My favorite memory of that day was the fact that there was more paint on us and our friends than there was on the walls. You, of course, had the brilliant idea of jumping into the pool of Az’s apartment complex. At 8PM. On a January evening. No one wanted to join you, for obvious reasons. I still think you’re an idiot for suggesting it. I still think you’re an idiot for actually doing it.

But then again, I followed. You may have jumped first, but I went in, too. I will always follow you, Cass, to the ends of the earth.

Will you follow me, too?

Yes. One hundred percent, yes. Cassian would follow Nesta to the ends of the earth and back. He’d slay dragons for her or just sit back while she conquered them herself. He couldn’t think of a time when his world didn’t revolve around Nesta. While they played games of cat and mouse when they first met, it was always Nesta. For him, he would always follow Nesta.

Will you follow me, too? He absolutely would. There were no other directions on the note, but Cassian knew exactly where he needed to go. Carefully folding the notes, he placed them in his pocket next to the ring. Giving the pocket another pat, he grabbed the keys to his truck and made his way through town. Azriel moved out long ago to live with his girlfriend, but Cassian still knew how to get to his old apartment complex.

That night was one of the best nights of Cassian’s life, but not for the reasons Nesta might be thinking. It was fun, definitely, swimming in that freezing pool, alcohol the only reason they didn’t feel the icy bite of the water. But that was the first night Nesta laughed and smiled with only him. Sure, before then, he had seen her radiant smile and heard her mesmerizing laugh with their friends. But with no one else around them in the pool, Cassian had relished in the fact that he was the reason for her happiness. It was the first time he had dared to hope for something more.

The apartment complex wasn’t gated, so Cassian drove right in, straight to the clubhouse pool. He hopped out of his truck, leaving it running idle, as he searched the area. He searched the chaise lounge chairs and tables but only saw a towel and duffel bag that someone left behind. He walked the perimeter of the pool itself. Still nothing. Did he get it wrong? Was he supposed to go somewhere else? Confused and frustrated, Cassian was about to give up when something at the bottom of the pool caught his eye: a ziploc bag anchored by a can of paint.

“You have got to be kidding me, Nes,” he mumbled to himself. Cassian went back to inspect the duffel bag, cursing his cruel girlfriend the whole way. When he unzipped the bag, a note was on top. Have fun getting wet, was all it said. Underneath was a pair of Cassian’s swim trunks and an extra pair of clothes. Accepting his fate, he changed in the restroom, and dove into the pool.

Pulling the paint can--the same color they painted Az’s room--to the surface was harder than he thought it would be, but eventually he was sitting on the edge of the pool, feet dangling in the water that was a lot warmer than it was that night. Shaking the moisture from the bag and his hands, he took out the note, slightly shorter than the rest. Nesta knows he’d be impatient and nearly irritable by now, and he loved her even more for thinking about that detail.

Nice day for a swim, right? I wish I could have been there to see it, but don’t worry, I’ll have you wet and shirtless in no time later. But in all seriousness, I had a lot of fun that night. Getting to know you better in the pool is one of the highlights of our relationship and it’s something I will never forget.

But let’s go back to the beginning. Meet me in the place it all began. I’ll always be waiting for you.

Cassian grinned and pushed himself up to dry off and change. He grabbed the clothes Nesta packed for him, pleased to know she knew his style, and meticulously transferred the small box from his jacket pocket to the front of his jeans.

Knowing exactly where to go, Cassian made his way to meet his future wife.

---

Nesta waited nervously on the dock of a lake just outside of Velaris. She clutched the final envelope in her hands, reminding herself every few minutes not to ruin it. She sat on a blanket, a basket filled with Cassian’s favorite foods. She tried to push doubt from snaking its way into her brain, but she couldn’t help it.

She had been dropping hints to Cassian for months now but to no avail. After Rhys proposed to Feyre six months ago, Nesta felt that tug in her heart that told her she was ready. She practically told Cassian as much. She made it a point to talk about Feyre’s wedding prep every day, asking what he would want if he was in their position. She even went as far as showing him rings.

But Cassian hasn’t made a single move. Nesta knows he loves her, but does he not see her as wife material? Does he only love her for now? Nesta didn’t think so, and she didn’t let herself believe that, but the seed of doubt is still there, waiting to grow. To counteract the doubt, she decided to take things into her own hands.

Hence the basket and the notes. 

Her phone chimed with a text from Az telling her that Cassian just jumped into the pool. He got it on video. She laughed and asked him to let her know when Cassian left the apartment complex. While all of their friends were in on the event, Azriel was the only one she trusted to trail Cassian without being caught. Everyone else was tasked to decorate their apartment for a party after Cassian left on her scavenger hunt.

Nesta stood as she heard the sound of tires on gravel and braced herself as she watched Cassian step out of his truck and make his way towards her. Much to her amusement, she realized his hair was still a little damp from his impromptu swim, but he was also wearing the jeans and button down shirt she had packed for him as well. Nesta still counted herself lucky, praying to the Cauldron every day that this was the man that crashed into her life all those years ago.

Cassian stopped in front of her, surveying her from head to toe. His gaze sent shivers down her spine, but she stayed still as he scanned her set up on the dock, a smile gracing his lips as he most likely remembered what they’ve done out here. Multiple times.

Finally, he turned back to her and greeted her, “Hi, Nes.”

“Hey,” she said, voice low.

“What is all this?” He started to move towards her, but she held up her hand, nerves getting the best of her.

“I-- uh, we’ll get to that. But first,” she held up the note she held in her hand. “Last one.”

This time, he did step closer to her, but didn’t touch her yet. Ever observant, he knew she needed her space right now while her nerves went haywire. He stopped just in front of her, though, and asked, “Will you read it to me?”

Nesta’s eyes went wide, scanning the hazel ones she’d come to love so much. She saw only love and a hint of amusement staring back at her, so she whispered, “Okay,” and opened the envelope. With a few deep breaths, she began to read.

“Cassian. My best friend, my love. The biggest brute on the planet.

I don’t know how else to put this, but when I think about who I was when we first met, I can’t help but feel that I fell in love with you by accident. Don’t get me wrong, I am so glad that I did. But you know me, I hate accidents. I hate when things don’t go the way I want them to. And that’s you in a nutshell. I never know what’s going to happen, but I’m here for it, along for the ride for the rest of my life.

You know my past better than anyone else, even my sisters. All of the things that happened with Tomas… if none of that had happened, I wouldn’t have found you. I can even say I’m thankful for your past girlfriends, knowing that you wouldn’t be the man I know without them. We may fight, we may not be perfect, but that doesn’t stop me from loving you and hoping you love me in return.

Because I want it all, Cassian. I want you and all the complications you may come with. I want to kiss you randomly just because I can. I want to brighten your dreary Mondays, for you to wrap your arms around me while I cook, and everything in between.

You’re the one I want, Cass, in any way you’ll have me. Picture frames, dirty dreams, you name it.”

Nesta paused, steadying herself for the next part. She wiped the tears that started to fall from her eyes as she read. When she looked at Cassian, she could see the silver lining his own eyes as he gave her a watery smile. The smile she can’t imagine living without ever again. Steeling herself, she asked, “Are you going to make me do the knee thing?”

The corner of Cassian’s mouth turned up higher at that, decorating his face with that smirk that’s gotten him into so much trouble in the past. “You know how I like to see you on your knees in front of me, Nes,” he teased, making Nesta’s heart stutter.

“Brute,” she mumbled. “Fine.” Nesta adjusted her dress as she got down on one knee, holding the note in her palms. “I know this isn’t a shiny ring or anything fancy, but I don’t need any of that. I only need you, Cass. You’re the one I want until we’re taken to the next life and every moment after that as well. Will you marry me?”

Cassian hesitated for only a split second before he was on his knees in front of her, her face in his hands. “You stole my thunder,” he accused, his voice playful. When Nesta only stared at him with a cocked brow, he chuckled. She watched as he reached into his jean pocket and pulled out a small velvet, black box. Nesta couldn’t contain her gasp as he opened it to reveal a perfectly cut ruby set on a simple silver band. “You’re the only one for me, Nes. You’ve always been the only one for me.”

Nesta stared at the ring. “Cass…” she whispered.

“Are you sure you don’t want the shiny things? I can return this…”

“Don’t you dare,” she snapped. “Ring me.” Nesta stuck her left hand in Cassian’s face. He laughed but removed the ring from the box to slip it onto her ring finger.

They both watched in silence, the air buzzing with anticipation, as Cassian pushed the ring past her first knuckle then the second. Until it metaphorically clicked into place at the bottom of her finger.

A perfect fit.

Nesta launched herself at Cassian, tackling him to the deck with a searing kiss. Her heart thundered wildly, their tongues tangling as the words engaged, fiance, and future husband played on repeat in her mind like her favorite song. She pulled back to look down at her best friend, her everything, his eyes shining right back at her.

“I love you, Nes,” he said, voice low but thick with emotion.

“Until the end of time,” she replied with another kiss.

---

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to be added to/taken off my general SJM tag list just send me an ask and be sure to include the fandom! i’m very good at losing them in the comments. love y’all!

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[gyucore]

long live the king

pairing: mage!hueningkai x noble!reader

tags: fluff, royalty au, friends to lovers, hueningkai can do magic

word count: 3.3k

prompts:

011: "May I have this dance?"

019: "I don't think anyone could ever be as lovely as you."

020: "You look incredible in that."

Tonight had been advertised as the night to end all nights— a masquerade ball held by the king at the palace, and a brightly lit ballroom decorated with gold and the continent's finest silk, adorning the kingdom's rose insignia. Entertainers and musicians positioned around the vicinity to perform their best acts and tunes, and the gates were left wide open to welcome everyone who wanted to join in, given that they tried their best to dress for the occasion.

Today was an event open to all the kingdom's citizens, from high seated nobles to common men by the streets, everyone was welcome to participate in the king's annual ball. However, that fact didn't matter for a family such as yours. Your father was the Marquess, which meant that you were invited to every single ball or gathering held by the nobility for the nobility. At least, that was how it had been until the incident.

The peering eyes of both the nobles and commoners alike have left you frozen on your spot by the pillar. Your bright red ball gown, although beautiful, was not helping you hide away from the eyes of the crowd. It was evident they were all thinking the same thing.

The unfortunate daughter of a fallen marquess.

News had gotten out about your family's crisis and had spread to the public like a disease. The Grand Marquess losing money, property, and power: The fall of a great noble. The story made headlines for weeks on end— rumors mixing in with the truth, and eventually, everyone had drawn the same conclusion. Pitiful.

You worry about your parents at the other end of the room, doing their best to mingle with the other nobles. The heavy atmosphere was weighing down on your chest.

Closing your eyes and taking a deep breath, you try to think of the things that calmed you down: the rustic smell of old books at the public library, the warm feeling you'd get when the rays of sunlight touch your skin as you sit by the window with your face buried deep into your favorite classic, the bright smile the common mage boy would give you everytime you crossed paths—

"Wow."

A familiar voice brings you back from your thoughts.

"You look incredible in that." The same bright smile you'd envisioned earlier now stood in front of you.

You gaze in awe at the man before you, dressed in what you could only describe as the most beautiful and elegant ensemble you'd seen tonight. The way the white suit hugged his waist left little room for the imagination. You doubt even the king himself could top this off.

"Lady Y/N. I believe fate must have brought us together in this fine evening." The man gently bends down, taking your hand and planting a kiss so fleeting that you barely felt it. Even with the golden mask on, you could easily tell who it was.

"Kai.."

"Ah, and here I was hoping I'd be a little more mysterious tonight." Kai holds back his laughter as he gazed upon you once more. You can't help but do the same.

Tonight, he looked nothing of a common mage but that of a king himself. If you hadn't known him beforehand, you would've mistaken him as so, especially with tonight's main event— the reveal of the king's successor. But alas, what the mage boy had going on for him was merely for appearances. A commoner like him could never be king in a world where even dreaming of becoming one was considered to be of highest absurdity.

"I thought you said you weren't attending?"

Kai shrugs, folding his hands behind his back. "And refuse my lady when you so graciously asked me out?"

His response catches you off guard. "I don't recall ever asking you anything of that sort."

"You asked if I'd attend."

"And that counts as asking you out?"

Kai chuckles. "When you asked me with such a cute look on your face, it was difficult to think you weren't looking forward to me being here."

And he was right. Given your circumstances, Kai being here with you was like a breath of fresh air. You'd been praying all night that he'd magically arrive to help you take your mind off of things, and you felt like crying out in joy when he actually did.

Kai looks around, seemingly getting a sense of the pressure you were in. "Shall we take a stroll around the garden, my lady?"

You follow his line of sight and spot the royal garden just outside the window. "I'll let you accompany me if you drop the whole my lady business."

Kai purses his lips as he takes your hand in his. "Can't you let me be fancy for one night?"

Every moment you'd spent with Kai up until this point had been the highlight of your days. As the daughter of the Marquess, you'd spent most of your time holed up inside your manor. Women barely got any education aside from the usual classes on manners and societal etiquette, and that included nobles as well. But that never stopped you. Once a week, when the guards changed shifts by the gate, and the maids and butlers were all busy with the weekly general cleaning, you'd take the opportunity to slip out in disguise, undetected by anyone. The main goal was to get to the public library and obtain access to educational material— ones that didn't involve any prim and proper rubbish that you've read over a thousand times.

The first time outside was rather difficult. You barely managed to get inside the library's more educational section while passing as a man. However, every succeeding attempt became easier and easier until coming out in secret and gaining access didn't seem like that much of a hassle anymore.

At the library, you were free to read any book you want, and used this opportunity to brush up on some business and economics as well as some of the basic sciences. You spent the first few months stocking up on knowledge until you felt it fine to relax a little and start reading novels to pass the time without the help of a disguise.

There was a section in the library that you hadn't checked; one that you'd deemed unnecessary as it only contained children's literature. It wasn't until you'd heard the sound of a man's voice followed by children's laughter that you felt compelled enough to take a peek.

"And then, the dragon swooped down onto the village and attacked the innocent villagers! ROARRR. Breathing fire as hot as, well, uh— FIRE!"

You slipped up and giggled at the young man's amusing narration, piping down a bit after realizing that he had noticed you from behind the shelves, throwing a knowing smirk your way.

It was then that he pulled down his cloak. Wavy brown locks gracefully reaching the back of his neck, bright eyes that could make any person let their guard down— he looked around your age which made you feel more at ease.

The young man steps back, dramatically breathing fire out of his mouth as the children cheered. Some were yelling at him to continue until only smoke came out, and you swore you heard one of them ask if he could make the fire turn green. Ridiculous, you think. But you were no different from these children, only being able to stand there in awe at the young man's trick. Perhaps turning the fire green wasn't such a terrible idea.

You've heard of mages among the commoners before, and had met a few that visited your manor but this was the first time you'd seen one in action. The flames that came out of his mouth looked awfully hot but the young man didn't even blink or showed any signs of pain.

He stops the fire and clears his throat, now kneeling down to face the children. "The villagers were worried sick! What would happen to their crops, their produce, their livelihood? If only a hero would come along and save them!" He makes an overly exaggerated wail before gasping.

"Well, who do we have here? A warrior has come to save the villagers!" The young man points at your direction and you feel your blood run cold as all the children in the room had turned their attention towards you, hopeful.

"A young maiden has arrived to slay the evil dragon!"

You quickly shake your head at his statement, holding your arms out in a cross. "No, kids. Don't believe what this man says. I am not a warrior, and I'm certainly not here to slay any dragons"

The young man raises a brow, getting up from his spot. "Then why do you have the magical sword that was forged to slay the mighty dragon?"

"What sword?"

The young man snaps his fingers. "That sword."

The weight on your hips dip on one side and you couldn't believe your eyes as a sheathed sword had magically manifested beside your waist out of thin air. "How did you— wait, is this a real sword?! You can't play around with real swords in front of children!"

The children turn towards the young man in confusion.

"Well, kids. Do you want the kind lady to slay the dragon with a real sword?"

"YES!" The children cheered.

The young man turns to you with a smile. "You gotta give the kids what they want, Miss."

An exasperated expression makes its way to your face. "I am not slaying any made up dragons!"

"Now, what's all this talk about slaying dragons?"

Taehyun, one of the stricter librarians, had come out of nowhere, surprising everyone. His eyes scan the room and quickly notices three things: (1) the dangerous sword hanging on your waist, (2) the excessive amount of children in the room when the sign on the way in definitely mentioned a capacity of only five, and (3) someone let the mage boy inside the library again. The culprit was evident.

"Jung Kai, I swear to the heavens I will—"

"Alright kids, time to go! We'll end the story next time!" The young man, Kai, rushes the disappointed children out of the section before they heard something they shouldn't.

You were about to walk away yourself but was quickly stopped by Taehyun's hand blocking your path. "Kai, didn't I tell you that you're not allowed to perform magic inside the library? And seriously," He confiscates the sword on your waist, holding it up in the air. "Violence?"

Kai looks at you and grins. "I suppose we could've gone with a more romantic ending. Something like the warrior's kiss saving the dragon from his curse, and he turns back into this super handsome, super cute, and super macho mage."

The way he shamelessly described himself left you speechless, and you steal a glance at the librarian who looked as equally disgusted as you are.

"Just clean up the mess before you leave. And that means you too, Miss Dragon Slayer."

"But I didn't even—" You cut yourself off after Taehyun dismisses himself from the room.

The section falls silent and Kai walks up to you, a smile ever present in his face. "I'm guessing this is the start of our new friendship?"

And that was what started it all. Everytime you'd visit the library after that, you seemed to bump into Kai more often than you liked. He saw through the disguise the first time he saw you wearing it and had promised to not utter a single word to anyone. The mage boy was much more reliable than he seemed to be, often helping you in your studies and teaching you more than the books ever could. Sometimes, he'd convince you to take a stroll around town and had shown you sights and wonders you wouldn't have expected to see inside the kingdom.

Before you knew it, Kai had become someone you'd cherished, and someone whose company you genuinely appreciated. He was patient and understanding as your makeshift mentor, and was this fun and outgoing guy whenever you two were out together. Kai became the first friend you'd made on your own regardless of status and the only friend you wished to keep by your side.

"I take it that the people in the ballroom were too much?" Kai speaks the moment arrived at the garden.

"Please. I couldn't even breathe in there." You play it off with a chuckle but thoughts of worry still plague your mind. "I'm guessing you probably know by now."

"About what? The fact that you're the daughter of the Marquess or that the Marquess has been in a crisis for a while?"

"Both."

Kai reaches for your hand, holding it reassuringly. "I've known for a while but that doesn't change anything now, does it? We became friends without the burden of our status, and we'll stay as friends regardless."

You hated this, hated how he always knew exactly what to say. The heat rushes up to your face and you squeeze his hand tighter, avoiding eye contact. "Thank you."

But truthfully, there was a little voice in Kai's head that wished you could be something more. Not after you'd shared those intimate moments alone at the library at dusk, not after he rushed in to catch you in his arms when you fell while shelving a book on the top shelves, and especially not after you almost shared a kiss after saying goodbye that night he'd helped you sneak back in.

Even now, as he lovingly gazed at your silhouette beneath the moonlight, he'd hoped that he'd have the chance to tell you how he felt. But then again, the chance could be right now at this very moment. The two of you were, afterall, at the king's ball.

"So, how were the gentlemen earlier?"

"What?" You raise your head to face Kai.

"I've no doubt that hundreds of people had been lining up to dance with you all evening." Kai grins as he gently lets go of your hand.

"Please, I haven't danced at all tonight."

"I find that quite hard to believe."

You sigh, recalling the events from earlier. "No one would want to be seen dancing with a fallen Marquess' daughter now would they?"

"Not when you look this beautiful?" Kai jokingly walks around you and you shy away from his gaze.

"You know I never say things I don't mean, Y/N." Kai bends down and holds your hands in his. "And believe me, I don't think anyone could ever be as lovely as you."

"Is flattery your main personality trait now?" You say as an attempt to not let his compliment affect you any further than it should but fail miserably so.

Kai stands before you with an unreadable expression. You'd argue this was the most serious look he's ever had since you'd met him.

"Care to dance?" Kai asks, leaning in closer, your faces merely inches apart. You feel your heart beating loudly in your chest, and you're almost afraid he might hear.

The moonlight casts a shadow on Kai's face, and despite the darkness, his eyes glistened, reflecting your own as you stared into his. You've never seen anyone look so beautiful. And here he was, telling you that you're the loveliest person he's ever known.

"Right now?"

Kai nods, taking off his mask and tossing it over to the side. "And I'd like it if we could dance without our masks too. I've been wanting to get a good look at your face all night."

You chuckle, removing your mask and tossing it to to the ground next to his. "And how do you suppose we dance without music? My reputation's already dirt at this point and I do not want to be branded as the crazy noble dancing at the royal garden in complete silence."

Kai fails to suppress his laughter, holding on to your shoulder to maintain himself upright. "Well, I wouldn't want to let my dear lady look crazy now would I?"

"And what are you planning to do?"

"Well, I am a mage." Kai smirks as he manifests a scepter out of thin air, leaving a trail of golden dust flurrying down.

This was the first time you've ever seen it in person. Kai had mentioned how he needed the aid of his scepter to perform high level magic, but he'd never taken it out in front of you until now. One look at the scepter and anyone could tell not just any old mage owned the darn thing. It looked majestic by all means, intricately decorated with gold and topped off with a brightly colored red gemstone you couldn't seem to identify. You'd heard that mages often created their own unique gemstones as a manifestation of their mana but for Kai's to be red, which had been said to be a quite powerful variant, made you wonder just how powerful your friend had been.

"And here we go." Kai takes the scepter in his hand and drives it into the ground. The impact causes a wave of light to burst from the scepter and spread throughout the reaches of garden. In a split-second, the wave of light rushes back into its source, compressing into a huge orb of light lifting up into the sky, rivaling the moon with its glow. The orb splits into smaller pieces and starts to dance around the garden, leaving you in awe at the spectacle.

Kai finds himself grinning from ear to ear at your reaction. He'd studied magic as an expression of rebellion against his father but now, he'd found another purpose to perform these little tricks of his. He places his hand on your waist and pulls you closer. "Wait for it."

The orbs of light find their places around you, slowly taking the shape of various instruments you've seen inside the ballroom, from strings to percussions, and even wind instruments. Smaller pieces of light continued to hover the surroundings, resembling glowing fireflies in the dark.

"Kai, this is beautiful." You look up at the young man, and he steps away, bowing his head as he plants yet another kiss on the back of your hand.

"May I have this dance?"

His eyes meet yours and you feel your heart skip a beat. It was rather difficult to explain. The Kai in front of you right now had been the same Kai you've always known, but somehow.. different.

You raise your hand for him to take, guiding your other hand to find perch on his shoulder, and his finding its place on your waist. With the first step, the instruments started playing. It's a piece you've heard before, one that Kai had fondly hummed nearly everytime you were together at the library.

It was as if the world had faded into the distance, and at this moment, there was only you and him, dancing alone in the garden. He pulls you close, his hold gentle and warm. Kai spins you around. The heel of your shoe collides with a rock, and you nearly stumble back until Kai manages to grab you by the waist on time, pulling you back into his arms.

You spot the smirk on his face under the moonlight, and you press a finger against his lips. "Not one word."

"I wasn't going to say anything." Kai lets you go, and you quickly grab a hold of his arms to find balance.

"Of course you weren't."

"Well, I do have something I have to tell you. A few things, actually."

You cock a brow at him, and he steps forward. "I'll tell you the most important part first."

"And that is?"

Kai reaches out to cup your cheeks, gazing into your eyes as if asking permission. You didn't need to say anything for him to understand, and he closes the gap between you, pressing his lips against yours. The feeling was foreign but certainly welcome, and you soon close your eyes and reciprocate, wanting to feel more of his soft lips, and wanting to hold him closer and closer.

For long had you held out on this, on actually acknowledging your growing feelings for the lad in fear of having to live with the thought of him not feeling the same. But in this moment, you felt a heavy burden being lifted from your shoulders.

"Kai, I.."

The light from the orbs dim down and soon dissipates. Kai pulls away, gazing upon your flushed face. "You mean the world to me, Y/N. I don't think my life would ever be the same without you."

The trumpets blare in the ballroom, a signal that the new king was to make an appearance soon. You feel Kai's hand around yours. "As for my other confession, I think it's best we head back first."

He leads you back into the ballroom, and disappears the moment you find your parents in the crowd. You join them in the center as everyone gathers to get a glimpse at the new king.

The herald makes his way beside the grand staircase, straightening himself up to make the announcement that every citizen had been waiting to hear all evening.

"Presenting the next in line to the throne, to rule the vast lands of our esteemed nation, and lead us into a continuing era of prosperity! Our future King, His Royal Highness, Kai Kamal Huening!"

The doors open, revealing Kai, your Kai, adorned in the royal family's crest, robes, and jewelries as he made himself known to his loyal subjects.

Behind him was public librarian, Kang Taehyun, who had been revealed to be serving as one oc the King's advisors, and now, for the new monarch.

"Long live the King!"

Kai could pick out your from the crowd in a heartbeat, hos gaze meeting yours as he flashes you his signature smile. You couldn't believe what was happening— Kai, your best friend in the whole world, had just confessed his love to you. And now, that same Kai had revealed to you and to the public that he had been the future ruler of the country all along. The crowds cheered.

"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King." You whisper to yourself, wondering what the future has in store for you.

[saksukei]

prince joshua au

masterlist

you loved your job more than anything,, serving the king and his family as a knight, was an honor that wasn't bestowed upon many so you considered yourself lucky

the king was looking for a husband for his wonderful daughter,, and she had rejected so many princes

the king had then called on to some palm readers and soothsayers that had said that the ‘prince’ destined to be his daughter's husband is currently trapped in a tower

the king did more research and came in contact with a small country, who's king and queen had died and their own child, the prince, was locked in a tower guarded by a dragon

the king then appointed you to find the tower, rescue the prince who would marry the princess as a sign of gratitude and they could rule the smaller country together

you agreed obviously

you were cheered on by everyone as you embarked on the journey, alone, with nothing but your horse to listen to your mindless chatter

and honestly, everything was going well like the trip wasn't too tough it was just really long

when you finally reached the castle, instead of causing a scene and all to you know ‘slay the dragon’ you simply found a back way to get up to the tower

you opened the door and then you heard someone singing, “prince joshua?” you called out and the singing stopped

then you came across one of the most handsome men you had ever seen,,, he had black hair, the face of a Greek god with well toned arms and hE LOOKED MORE LIKE A KNIGHT THAN YOU DID??

“are you here to rescue me?” he asked, nonchalantly, as he flipped open a book.

“yes!” you answered, in an unusually chirpy tone.

“cool– get out of here right now because I'm not going anywhere,” he told you quite bluntly

and you were like ??? this mf I crossed half the fuckin land but this ungrateful bitch eye

“i'm sorry,,, but don't you think that I would be rather capable of escaping this shit hole if wanted too?” he hissed. “but I don't– because I don't want to escape and I don't need anyone's help either.”

“prince joshua, I understand what you mean,,, but the princess is waiting to marry you!” you replied.

“oh great– another stuck up princess who wants to marry me.”

“actually,, our princess is great. she's an absolute sweetheart and she's one of the finest bachelorettes in the country,” you explained.

“then why has she rejected,,, fifty other princes and wants to go after the one trapped in a tower?” he deadpanned.

“because–the palm reader said so,,, but this isn't important–”

“i don't need your princess– so just go away,” he told you.

after thinking for several minutes, you came up with a solution

“look how about this? you come back with me, meet the princess and if you like her you can marry her, if you don't, well– I'll help you escape back to this tower,” you suggested, finally catching his attention.

“how do I know you'll keep your word?” joshua asked, setting his book down.

“i am a knight, sir, loyalty is one of the few idiosyncrasies we can offer.”

“alright then,, I trust you– you better not let me down,,” joshua spoke as he grabbed a backpack with all of his belongings.

you used the same way to avoid the dragon and started on with your journey

at first,,, you truly thought joshua was some stuck-up prince but the more you spent time with him,, the more you realized that joshua was literally a gentleman who would be the perfect ruler of the country

he acted like an asshole before because he was sick and tired of people trying to rescue him and take all the glory

you understood his anger and ever since then joshua had been so sweet,,,

joshua wouldn't let you carry his bag, he'd make sure you were getting enough rest during the journey and one day he even offered to keep an eye out so that you could sleep

you on the other hand, taught joshua on how to light a fire etc and even some basic etiquettes,, cause I mean even if he was a prince he was trapped in a tower for so long

one time, you guys had stopped to stay by the river for the night and soon it was early morning and you woke up and saw joshua wasn't near you??

sO YOU PANICKED BEC OBVIOUSLY DID HE JUST RUN OFF BECAUSE IF HE DID THAT MF WAS IN FOR A RIDE

and you immediately ran around the place only to find him in the river,, waist deep into the water, except– he was half naked??

and boi where you shocked

cause joshua was so damn gorgeous

his perfectly chiseled jawline with that broad chest of his, his adam's apple poking out, his abs, his arms, his wet hair jUST HIM???

FUCKING MALFUNCTIONING

AND YOU WERE SO RED SO YOU JUST RAN BACK TO STOP YOUR HEART FROM RACING AND PRAYED THAT JOSHUA DIDNT SEE YOU BECAUSE JSJXJSISJSKSK HES SO HOT

you were lucky, because he didn't bring it up so you assumed he never noticed you standing there and gawking at him lmao

but all in all, you had fun with joshua he always managed to make you laugh but you could always have those late night talks with him

like when he asked you why you became a knight ,,,,,

“well, as a kid, when the knights would come back from winning the battle and the streets would be lined up with roses and people cheering from them, I knew at that point that, that was who I wanted to be.”

and he was like wow you're so cool omfg

also joshua gets impressed every time you hold your sword

HIS EYES LITERALLY LIGHT UP

he says he wants to learn how to use a sword too because he's a prince but he's really scared

you: josh hold my sword, it's literally not gonna do anything just hoLD IT

josh: wHAT IF IT FALLS ON MY FOOT AND SLICES IT OFF

and you were like I think staying in the tower for too long has lowered your IQ level

but you also told Josh that if he didn't like holding a sword, then he doesn't have to, because you were there to protect him with your life

and you didn't realize but Joshua was looking at you with HEART EYES

soon enough, reached the palace and you were kinda upset that you know joshua had to go and well,,, get married and part of you really wished it wouldn't work out

because you had bonded with him so well you just ,,,,, started liking him and it broke your heart knowing you couldn't have him

besides, he didn't reciprocate anything either so it'd be useless to even imagine

but when you told the king and queen and they met joshua

they were like ??? you didn't get the message??

and you were like what message??

“the princess already found someone she liked and she's getting married in like a month–?”

and you were pissed more than you were happy

not because all this effort was for nothing but the fact that poor joshua,,, he might have been looking forward to this

so you talked to the king and queen and they said that joshua should go back to his country now

you left the room and started crying because you felt as if it was all your fault

“hey, are you okay?” you heard a voice behind you say,,,,, it was joshua

you wiped your tears, “y-yeah I'm good,” you managed to choke out.

and before you could leave, joshua wrapped his arms around you and pulled you into his chest, where you broke down and told him everything

you especially kept on apologizing to him and said that you'd make everything right and even find him a princess if you have too

“its okay if the princess doesn't want to marry me,,,, cause I found my princess right here,” he cooed and you chuckled because he was so cheesy,, typical Joshua

“but still josh, I'll take you back to the tower and all,” you told him

“nope, no need too– I need to go back to my country and look after my people as well, I've done enough damage as it is.”

“right”

“are you going to come with me if I go?” he asked, hoping you'd say yes

“I'm a knight, i can't leave the country....” you answered.

and then Josh was like okay hollup I'll talk to the king and the queen

and boi went into the room where the king and queen were while you waited outside and they called you inside eventually

and the king and queen were like,, “we would like you to resign,,, so you can marry joshua and go rule his country.”

and you were like ??????HOW DID HE SWEET TALK THEM INTO THIS EYE

the king and queen said they'd like to give you an official good bye if you could stay for another two to three days and you and Josh agreed

Josh had to stay in one of the palace rooms

and it was 7am you were going to talk to joshua about something very important and you knocked and opened his room door

anD HE WAS STANDING WITHOUT A SHIRT

“o-oh my god,,,, IM SO SORRY!” you yelled, as you covered your eyes and bowed profusely

and Joshua chuckled, as he walked towards you, removing your hands from your eyes, eventually pining you against the door,,,

“darling– don't like act like this is the first time you've seen me naked,,,,, we both know you've been quite scandalous.”