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okimargarvez · 4 years

Text

OIL & WATER

Original title: Acqua e olio.

Prompt: what if and post 13x12.

Warning: none.

Genre: angst, romantic.

Characters: Penelope Garcia, Luke Alvez, Matt Simmons.

Pairing: Garvez.

Note: oneshot 71 in Garvez collection.

Legend: 💑😘.

Song mentioned: Stavo pensando a te, Fabri Fibra feat Tiziano Ferro.

GARVEZ STORIES

Note: I written this story after analyzing the same episode and scene (the first with Lisa) because... you can understand.

OIL & WATER

And there I felt strange you know why, I was thinking of you, I was thinking that... we should never have met

She goes out first, walking fast on her very high heels. He, trained, used to running at least ten kilometers every morning, struggles a lot to keep up with her. When he finally reaches her, she is leaving the parking area. -Garcia, where are you going?- he is about to grab her for the arm, but at the last, he changes his mind. And then, there is really no need. The blonde stops as if he did.

He can't see her face, because it's already dark and the few lights don't help at all. Besides, she's turning her back on him. So, he doesn't notice that she locks her eyes tightly, before replying. -I have to take the subway, Esther is at the mechanic.- she explains, in a toneless voice, after all she doesn't think it could really interest him. A moment of silence follows, albeit embarrassing.

He wonders why she continues to be turned to the opposite side, and above all to treat him in that way. A moment ago she was super nice, with a person she had known for two minutes. -I can give you a ride.- he again makes the gesture to touch her, but gives up, perhaps fearing a worse reaction.

In fact, the blonde turns to him to shake her head, without looking up at the man. -No thanks.- polite, professional. But so little Garcia and even less Penelope. Could it be that she can't be herself when they are alone? All of this has nothing to do with taking Morgan's place. And he can’t understand what the reason may therefore be.

He remains placed in front of her, as an obstacle between woman and freedom. -But it's ridiculous, we are going to the same place.- trying to reason with her is not the best move. Despite the shoes and the generally unstable appearance, she tries to overcome him and manages it gracefully. He stays a second motionless, processing the shock. Something is definitely missing. He sighs, starting to chase her again.

She emits an inaudible puff, far too trodden. -Yes, but I don't think I can hold your guide again.- and in her voice there is a mix of emotions: a crust of irony and malice, a core of anger and sadness. Here's how to apply his geology degree in the wrong way. He walks by her side, although he is convinced that she is not following a specific direction. She is trying to tire him to get rid of him. Poor naive, she has to do much worse than this to tired him.

Her eyes are fixed in front, while those of the man don’t lose sight of her for a moment. As has happened so many of those times since he knew her. Definitely too many. -Don't be ridiculous.- that adjective came out once more.

She doesn't seem to like it at all. For this reason, she stops abruptly, deigning to look at him as if she had something before her that doesn’t even deserve to exist. -Look, Luke.- he should jump for joy that she called him by his name, rather than by surname or other strange nicknames, right? Yet it’s not so. -I'll be there much sooner than you, on that jalopy.- she indicates the agent Alvez's car, much more similar to a pickup truck; the man is surprised to discover that she knows the features of his car. She never came aboard . But she will have read the data in his file. Probably... -So, don't worry.- she gives him a smile that is anything but sweet and reassuring, a blatantly ironic wink and starts walking again.

After recovering the use of his jaw, Luke hurries to reply with the less stupid joke that runs through his brain. -This is very plausible, but it still seems ridiculous to me.- he smiles in turn, but she is not looking at him and doesn’t pay any attention.

She rolls her eyes, increasing her pace. -Whatever, bye.- for this reason he is forced to grasp her concretely by a wrist and not just evaluate whether to do it or not.

-Hey, no, I insist.- she frees herself from the grip almost immediately, looking at him with hatred, not even he tried to touch her breast. Excellent thought, Alvez, continue along this road, at least you will be sure of crashing. -Come with me.- he proposes however, silencing that voice that scolds him inside his head and that even has a face. His brother, who, even from Paradise, doesn’t cease to tease him. -I promise I'll drive slowly.- he makes another beautiful smile, one that is impossible to resist.

Penelope appears to be the exception. Your exception. -Alvez, you don't need to be a gentleman with every female creature.- here it is, here is his surname and the way she says it, the way she moves an eyebrow, the grimace on her mouth... it's all so fucking erotic. But it doesn't seem right to think of such a thing shortly after going out with another woman. -And if you really must, at least not with me.- Luke takes a little too long to get back to earth.

He walks a step ahead of her, trying to stop her. -Do it at least for the environment.- yet another smile, this time more uncertain, but no less full of hope.

Penelope rolls her eyes. -You are really a hard head.- but she has gave up. Man enjoys victory, savoring it for as long as possible. They heel turn, returning to his car. He manages to anticipate her and open the door. The blonde seems annoyed even by this gesture. But inside she can’t deny having always imagined it (and even dreamed).

He gets on board in turn, starts the engine. He drives and she looks out the window. -What is all this silence?- he is unable to bear it. She usually can't keep quiet, she talks frantically about any topic, delirious, gets lost in her worlds.

-If I wanted to take the underground there must have been a reason.- she only replies, contrite. -I wish I had a moment just for myself to think.- but he still catches something.

In her tone he showed a minimal fragility. If there is something sexier than her annoyed expression addressed to me, it is when she allows me to touch her soul. -Oh.- Luke takes his eyes off from the road just thousandth of a second. That grumpiness doesn’t hide her sadness well enough. -And about what?- he endeavors not to make his awareness too evident. There is one thing that has always been clear to him, and is that she doesn't like to show herself weak with him. Although on a few occasions she hasn't been able to avoid it.

She turns to him. Going against all his principles, Luke does the same, to catch as many clues as possible on her face. -Do you think this any of your business? You are intrusive.- he just can't stop himself. Even if it's the least suitable thing to do, he bursts out laughing.

-Really, Garcia?- at least he opts for the surname. -Do I have to remind you that you interrupted my appointment and you also wanted to meet Lisa?- before that grimace returns to peek over her mouth, a shadow passes before her eyes. Exactly the instant he pronounces the female name. But it will certainly be a coincidence. Of course, it's a coincidence! Are you sure you have obtained the certificate of passing the profiling course? Marcus would surely have made fun of him a lot at that time; he wouldn’t have missed a single occasion. He swallows, chasing away the melancholy out of the window.

-Well, I didn't do it because I wanted to.- a point for her. But still the woman's voice doesn’t seem particularly convinced and firm. -And I had to verify that she wasn't mentally incapacitated when she agreed to go out with you.- she has achieved one of her goals, or so she believes. He holds back the laugh but not the smug smile. How can you ask yourself why she continues to behave like this with you? You like it so much, it's like a drug. It is not really his brother; it is a projection of his unconscious. And this is even worse.

He focuses exclusively on traffic, that is fairly scarce considering it's Wednesday night, almost half past eight. You would preferred quite a traffic jam for stay stuck with her, is not so? Oh, but stop it. He drums with his fingers on the wheel. -Very funny. But it was Phil who did it all.- Penelope is unable to mask her amazement.

She blinks several times. -Oh, now I understand many things...- Phil, he is the one I have to thank for this fantastic surprise. Two years of hard work, of encirclement, ruined by a single blind date. And I had also thought he was cute! But, not being able to blame on the main culprit, the instigator, she lets off steam with the material executor, sitting next to her. She just looks at him badly, even if she would like to hit him with something.

-What?- he asks, the most innocent of the expressions on his face.

Penelope snorts, choosing to pardon him. Ha ha, comfortable decision, nothing to say. -Nothing, keep your eyes on the road.- she reproaches him, and Luke, knowing that it is the right thing, obeys. A second later her cell phone rings. -Hello?- he lights up like a Las Vegas sign. -Yes, chocolate thunder, no, later, now I can't.- she giggles, winks. He squeezes the steering wheel until he leaves the imprint of his fingers on the rubbery surface. Obviously, there is nothing done in leather and obviously she pretended not to have noticed it. -I love you, too.- she hangs up, but continues to smile inside herself for a good minute. Until she realizes that he is peering at her out of the corner of his eye. -What's wrong?- no smiles, no sweetness, only annoyance.

And he is desperately happy for this. -Was it the former SSA Derek Morgan or did this case stop something special for you too?- he doesn't know why the hell he had to say it, in such an obvious way. For a few terrible moments he believes that she can see the green monster that is perched on his back. Anyone in her place would do it. But luckily for him, he is not alone in being comically naive.

He earns just a smug grimace. -Still with that, Alvez?- he doesn't reply, but it's nice to be watched by her, to be the center of her attention, even if only for three seconds. -You really don't want to give up. I already told you, my private and romantic life is not your business.- yes, she had also made it clear to him one of the first times in the elevator, to then add a series of unwanted details about her Canadian boyfriend. Who knows what happened to him... if he ever really existed.

He continues to drive, but his tongue also goes its own way. -To be even, I should appear sneaking during your romantic outing...- yes, he can imagine it. He wouldn't have behaved so warmly in her place. He would not even have been able to simulate happiness to see her in an intimate attitude with another man. It's hard even to think about it! But Garcia hadn't simulated at all, that's for sure. And therein lies the problem.

Always annoyed, with the head turned again towards the window and the uninteresting landscape that flows beyond the glass. -Look, I didn't choose it, I had much more to do than come looking for you.- every now and then a half lie will certainly not ruin her karma. Discussing with Sergio the next shoes to buy is considered a real activity, isn't it? -It's Emily's fault. She said this case was too bad to wait for you.- and it really is, judging by the few details that she noticed as she read the file, sandwiched among strangers on the subway.

-Ok, ok, I was just kidding.- he apologizes, noting that there is something wrong, something more, which certainly doesn’t concern the case they will have to face, although, he would be really stupid if he hadn’t noticed how much she lets herself be involved by each case. -What's wrong?- the blonde can’t bear to see the slightest tinge of concern towards her, not on his part.

-Please, Luke.- it is not the first time she does it and it is not a plea at all. -I don't want to talk. Please.- but the last sentence comes out a little more natural and weak. He sighs, happy on the one hand to be in the car, because she can’t escape, nor try to send him away, as she had done the year before.

He glances at the blonde's hands, entwined on her lap, her fingers quivering and her nails stuck in the flesh. He rolls his eyes for a moment, because he must have seen wrong. She is certainly not the self-harming type. -Even if you keep me at a distance, I can't help but worrying about you.- he would like to caress her hand, only to touch it, but he knows that she would not like it and can’t bear the idea of making the situation worse. -You're my friend.- it is the first time he says it, that one of them says it out loud.

Penelope doesn't seem to give much weight to his statement. -Oh really?- now she looks even angry, pissed off. -That's why you introduced me to Lisa as a colleague of yours.- ah, that's where the sore subject was. Was she offended because he called her by that title? It had come out spontaneously, he had certainly not thought it. He never imagined he could find himself in such a situation. And since when did the BAU tech go around the city to pick up the latecomers?

For once, however, he has the perfect replica and doesn’t intend to let her get away with it just because She is... She is what, little brother? We both know which adjective you managed to censor from your mind. But sooner or later you will have to face it and the consequences as well. How soon it depends on you, unfortunately. -I think you did the same thing.- he replies. The blonde opens her perfect mouth, covered in lipstick. -"We are strictly work colleagues, yeah, yeah"- he imitates her, even if he is not very good.

However, she blushes anyway. -I don't speak that way!- she protests, with a shrill tone that is really too comical. At least he managed to get her away from that halo of sadness that he just had time to grasp before she dissimulated.

He runs his tongue over his lips, tickled by the idea of provoking her and unable to resist. The blameless Alvez. The best altar boy of his parish. The winner of all quizzes during the catechism. He changed. -Then, the chocolate thunders was Morgan, wasn't him?- how he was able to use that nickname, he will never be able to explain it. But it was worth it, for upset her and send her into confusion. It is only in these rare moments that he can hope to smooth the surface and increase the subtle crack of her soft armor.

Unfortunately for him, Penelope has recovered very quickly. -Why are you interested in knowing?- for a thousandth of a second he imagines telling her the truth, brutal, which perhaps she hasn’t confessed to anyone, not even to Roxy. Because I'm fucking jealous of him, of your relationship but also of any man who can show interest in you, I'm jealous of you, shit, fuck. Maybe without all those bad words, even if they fortify the concept.

Of course, his reaction is diametrically opposite. -Simple curiosity.- he even shrugs. -Since I'm not your type...- another hit has get the target. She seems to be on the point of wanting to put her arms around his neck... not for embrace him, nor for kiss him with passion. Rather to choke him. But the awareness that such an action would lead to only one certain result (an accident) blocks her.

-Asshole...- she is sexy even when she swears. -How much of my speech did you eavesdrop?- it is not just a question, it is a claim, a precise request. She demands information and knows she will get it. Before giving her such satisfaction, however, Luke takes time, makes fun of her and has a lot of fun doing it. As always. He is digging his grave by himself, but perhaps the hole is not yet deep enough.

-I have not overheard, I have a developed hearing.- he eventually tries the joke, and, of course, she doesn't find it funny or witty at all. He scratches his head, embarrassed. -And... Enough.- just to get out of this situation, he is willing to turn this around on her, even if it is a very mean action. -Like oil and water, huh? Silk and sandpaper. Elton John and Madonna before they kissed.- Penelope covers her face, preventing him from catching her reaction, but he could swear that her cheeks have turned red.

-Ok, ok, enough.- it is the closest thing to a plea he can get. -You know what I meant.- she stutters. It is the first time during this evening that she seems really in trouble. But taking advantage of her weakness in a shameless way would make him feel... exactly like shit.

Luke therefore decides to play it in a completely different way: instead of enlarging the crack in her, he shows the same openness in himself, trying to make her understand that it is not something to be afraid of... but unable to convince even himself. -I know, Garcia? How could I?- he gives her a single glance, quick but withering. -Read you is much more difficult than it seems.- she swallows, shaking hands until her knuckles turn white.

-I don't see why you should do it.- she replies, however, not quite willing to give up. -I'm serious.- and so is her tone. Stiff. -Focus on the job, Roxy... Lisa.- she adds the name to the last and seems to have cost her some effort. -Not on me.- the man doesn't really know how to respond to such a phrase, and in any case his attention is quickly captured by another event.

-Damn it, there was an accident.- fortunately, however, nobody seems to have reported serious damage. Surely she is also susceptible to such a kind of "shows". And then he would have felt guilty, as if he had provoked it with the power of thought. -We'll be stuck here for a while, I guess you should warn Prentiss...- being practically still, motionless, he can allow himself to look at her more carefully. -Garcia?- she is still turned towards the window, but her shoulders are shaking, the whole body is jumping unequivocally. -Is the prospect of spending a few more minutes with me really so terrible?- he tries to be funny, as usual puzzled by the pain he feels in seeing her cry. He will never get used to it.

Penelope, however, doesn’t show magnanimous. -You are not funny.- she manages to articulate, between a sob and another one. -I told you to let me take the subway.- she takes off her glasses and places them on the dashboard. Then she turns with a jerk towards him, allowing him to ascertain the seriousness of the situation. -Stop looking at me, please. I'm not a circus phenomenon.- he doesn't even know what hurts him the most. That she could believe such a thing of him, that voice so cracked that it is not clear how she is still alive, or her appearance in general, those big tears that never cease to wet her face. I've never really seen her cry. And this too is nothing but a drizzle, compared to the storm.

As soon as he recovers, he hurries to deny. -I never thought of that.- and this is the last straw. Even though it may not be the right thing to do, he is no longer able to hold back. He reaches out and finally lays his hand on the female ones, untangling them and moving his fingers over hers. -Really, Penelope, I can't just turn away while you're crying.- also the first name. It's over. For Luke it is as if he had explicitly declared himself. But not for her.

She, however, incredibly, doesn’t drive him away, allowing him to intertwine their fingers. -I told you that I cry constantly and that I am a sensitive person.- without those glasses to shield her, she seems almost another person, but she is not. It is always her, it was she when she called him Newbie and she is still her when she gives him a smile. -You forgot it, didn't you?- it is not a provocation, the bad thing is that she is truly convinced of it.

Luke shakes his head slowly, so as not to frighten her. -Never.- he simultaneously increases the grip on her hand. -You are the one who perhaps forgot what I told you that day.- it's one of those moments. They stare at each other intensely in the eyes, so alienated from the rest of the world that they no longer remember where they are.

Someone behind them honk. He detaches, without hiding his displeasure, and goes on those few meters of the street that have freed themselves. -No, I chose to ignore it which is different.- Penelope takes advantage of this to reply, feeling an immense chill now that the contact has broken.

However, Luke doesn’t seem willing to let her win. -Why? I meant it seriously.- Are you aware of how much you are risking, brother? If you take another step, you can no longer go back. You're practically serving your heart on a tray and... no, that's too much for me too. I refuse. You have always been the sappy one among us. Again stuck, again he watches her try to settle down, wipe her face, which remains red.

-I doubt it.- that moment is gone, lost and who knows how long he will have to wait to get another one. -Anyway, leave me alone. There is nothing you could do to help me.- and technically it's a half lie. When they look at each other in that way, she almost believes that the feeling is mutual. But she won't be investigating just as they are going to work and after stopping his gallant date. If he really felt anything for her, why would he go there? It was Phil who insisted. Yes, but…

-Garcia?- she goes back to the real world and doesn't like to see him so close, without realizing it. What else could he do? Luckily, he is not that kind of man.

-If you mention it to someone, I will find a way to hack your account and apply for a transfer to Poland.- she threatens him instead, wearing the glasses and recovering her ice queen attitude.

She doesn't see it, but Luke smiles. -Why exactly Poland?- he doesn’t care that she treats him badly, anything in order not to see her sadder. -Don't worry, I can keep a secret.-

The most tragic thing is that he can't stop thinking about her, even during the case. And the situation gets worse when Emily assigns Luke and Matt to surveillance in the park. Hours and hours to watch and wait. It is inevitable that he will end up letting his thoughts run free. And he lets himself go, sending her a single, miserable message. Very short. Are you feeling better? Penelope doesn’t answer him, on the contrary, she avoids talking to him; finds the information requested, but without interacting as usual, she not surely makes joke. She seems strange, different, and this only increases his concern.

-So, what is her name?- Matt's question catches him totally unprepared. He almost jump. He thanks that it’s pitch dark, so he can't notice his comically burgundy cheeks. An undercover mission expert like him, what a shame! Only later his brain processes the sense of the request.

Luke pretends to be unaware and innocent. -What are you talking about?- he strives above all to maintain a neutral, indifferent tone of voice, and it is no small feat.

Mainly because Simmons has been a profiler for longer than he is and he is also very good. He, on the other hand, is very scarce if it comes to lying in his own shoes. Luke, you finally act like a human being. Mister Perfection was distracted at work... oh, I would have really liked her, as a sister-in-law, I'm sure. But it is an absurd consideration, since in reality it is still he who speaks. -You must have looked at your cell phone at least ten times in the past five minutes.- the friend's tone is playful, but also insinuating. -It's not like you.- he has understood more than he should have.

And maybe he needs to talk to someone about it. Maybe it might even make him feel good. After all, Matt is the best male example he knows. Married for years and with four children. Happy and in love. He and Kristy have so much chemistry that they seem to have just met. -It was a blind date, Phil arranged it.- he then begins to tell. -She is... smart, nice, beautiful...- he is not lying, he really thinks so. -A doctor who has worked on the front line in many bad places.- that is, they have had similar life experiences. But can it be enough? Or it may even be the opposite, negative, because with so much accumulated pain is unlikely to be able to soothe that of another person. -Really, she's fantastic, only that...- he hesitates, fearing the reaction of his friend. Fearing that he can say something definitive to him, such as that Garcia clearly feels nothing for him and that he has to jump for joy just because she treats him as a human being... sometime.

The friend scrutinizes him, wondering if it is appropriate to insist. -Only what?- Luke shakes his head, retrieving the binoculars and showing himself particularly busy.

-Nothing, it's better to leave it alone.- Matt reaches out and touches his arm.

-It’s up on you, man.- he nods and reciprocates the hold. -You know I'm here when you want.- he sighs, warning that it is very close to the moment of surrender. Does he really want to stay in this limbo forever? Better to find out that he doesn't have a single chance... of course, it won't be easy to stop feeling bad, maybe it will never happen, but... is preferable pain or uncertainty?

He takes courage. -It's just that it's all so complicated.- he feels stupid and childish, the loser protagonist of a romantic film. -Going out with her made me realize that I am ready for a relationship, you know, when I was with the fugitives team I didn't want bonds, I preferred to be alone.- and it was better. No problem, no anxiety.

Matt gestures he has understood. -Well and what's the problem?- Luke smiles, giving him reason. Yeah, little brother, what's the problem? It is you. Only you.

-That I'm a fool.- a chuckle escapes him. -A hopeless jerk. Because she is fantastic, but she is not...- he would have said it. This time he really would have done it, but fate decides otherwise.

He stops at the same instant in which the other looks through the binoculars. -Hey, there's movement.-

When the phone rings and the voice mail goes, Luke feels selfishly and cowardly happy. Tackling her personally would have been really embarrassing. Not that isn't in this way, but... assuming she doesn't reply with another message... He sighs, remembering that his time is limited. -Hello, I'm Luke.- well done, Mr. Obvious. -I promised you I would call and I'm doing it.- even better. -I wanted to tell you that I felt very comfortable with you, you are a splendid woman, but I just don't think it can work.- taken from anxiety, he overlaps words and sentences. -You deserve sincerity and I haven't been completely honest.- he scratches his head. -I'm single, but mentally busy. I hope you won't hate me too much when you'll listen to the message and... That everything goes well to you.- he remains with the phone in hand for a full minute after hearing the click signaling that the seconds are finished.

He had no more chance to argue with Matt, if not on the jet, but he couldn’t be sure that the others wouldn’t have heard. And, it's okay to be willing to spill the truth, but not in such a public way. He prefers to stay out of the way and listen to music. One song more wrong and deleterious than the other. But deep down they convince him of the need to put an end to this situation. That's why as soon as they land in Quantico, he hurries to Garcia's office. It is a pity that just when he is about to grab the handle, the door opens and behind it the woman appears, who miraculously manages to remain standing. -Alvez!- a shrill scream escapes her. -Damn, you're trying to kill me?- she puts her hand on her heart. It's probably just a theatrical gesture, but it has the effect of shaking him too, because he went to read the Battle file and therefore knows that he shot her in the heart. Probably weakening it. -What are you doing here?- she has started to breathe and speak normally again.

Luke watches her type the code quickly and turn back to him, arms folded. -We need to talk.- he can only say, but it is already something, indeed, is a lot. He almost laughs at it, because it seems like a sentence that she should say to him, if they were engaged and he has something to fear.

Penelope looks at him even more badly, not understanding the reason for such hilarity. -And what should we...- she was about to give him a minimum of rope, but something suddenly makes her change her mind. -I can't now, I have to go home.- she walks with a firm step. Just like that evening, and it seems a year has passed, instead it is only two days, he chases her, keeping her pace with difficulty.

But there is a different atmosphere. Above all, it is Luke who is different, his attitude. He has unprecedented security, which half intrigues her and half scares her. Just like that mischievous smile. -On the subway?- and the pleased tone as accompaniment.

Penelope rolls her eyes. -Of course, mister, I'm always without a car.- she replies with the same voice, the same insinuations. Sexual tension, because this is what it is, is practically tangible. He would like to kiss her without adding another word. After all, it would clear up any doubts much faster.

-Perfect.- he grins, contenting himself with taking her by the shoulders until they reach the parking area. He leads her inside, but doesn’t her let go. He enjoys the shocked expression, the eyes almost out of their sockets, the redness due not only to embarrassment.

She protests several seconds late, impossible not to notice. -What the hell are you doing! Are you crazy?- when the doors have closed and the elevator is started, and he is sure that she can't escape, unless he pushes a button and blocking it, making his situation worse, Luke leaves her free. He shakes his index finger in front of her face.

-No, I'm just anticipating your protests.- he replies, unable to get that sly smile off his face, aware of increasing her annoyance and perhaps even happy about it.

She probably understands it too, so she sighs and moves away as much as possible, almost leaning on the cold wall opposite her. -You do not let me take the subway even tonight?- he doesn't answer, he doesn't need to. -What are you, my personal driver?- this time she doesn't give him time. -I would never have hired you.- Luke laughs, appreciating as usual both her sagacity and the unique way in which she teases him.

He forces himself to return serious. -We have things to talk about and I think a trip by car is a good starting point.- she had certainly not imagined so much. Poor babe, did she really think he would talk to her inside this elevator, that it would all be so simple? -At my house.- despite having repeated not to react to his provocations, in order not to give him satisfaction, she doesn’t make it.

Her mouth opens wide. -I won't come to your house at this hour.- she shakes her head vehemently. -Forget it, get it through your hard head.- Luke imitates her even though she can't be sure he did it on purpose. He places both hands on her arms and holds her closer to him. Dangerously. Penelope hushes instantly, crumbling like a flower torn from a lawn.

He realizes the power he has over her, but he doesn't take advantage of it as much as he could have done. -No, you will listen to me and do what I ask you or because you have faith in the world and in your neighbor and by extension also in me.- he observes her as she absorbs his sentences, his theories; she is forced to admit that he is right. -And above all because you can see Roxy again.- here, he uses his golden card. How can you say no to such a proposal? It seems to her that he can see inside her mind. The image of his dog envelops everything. She detaches him from herself abruptly, giving him a too weak push.

-You are a bastard, Alvez, using your dog for your sordid goals.- at that moment the elevator doors open wide. He grabs her wrist, walking in the direction of his car.

He admits his guilt. It doesn't cost him much. -I know.- he opens the door and helps her to get on. -Get in.- it sounds like an order, but his gaze has something more. For this she obeys, and then if she tried to rebel would only have lost the balance and almost certainly... she would fall into his open arms, open wide and waiting.

They stare at each other for at least thirty seconds, she sitting uncomfortably in the passenger seat, he with his hand resting not far from her leg. Too close. -But how kind you are, Lisa has already understood what a delicate man you are?- her joke breaks the atmosphere. Luke blinks once and quickly turns around, appearing next to her.

He buckles up and gives her an ironic smile. -Funny, but it's not her problem.- but she doesn't understand his insinuation. -And in fact, our discussion is about this.- not even this clarification seems to help her.

-You want to scold me again for intruding?- she is annoyed, exasperated. She also wears the seat belt, but doesn’t turn to the window. Does he want to play heavy? Well, she certainly won't back down. She won't allow him to win. -How many times will I have to tell you that it wasn't my choice?- Luke doesn't reply, but he seems... disappointed? -And anyway, you can go out with her again...- a shadow passes in front of her and her lower lip trembles. -... right tonight, and leave me in a few meters, where there is a bus stop...- the man catches the provocation and hurries to insert the lock on the doors.

-No, you don't move from here and neither do I.- he specifically chosen his car as the location. To prevent her from even thinking about an escape. They have to close this story tonight, whether it ends with a slap and a broken heart or with... anything else. Discussing with Matt, albeit briefly, helped him; he told the truth: he never felt good to have a relationship, but going out with Lisa made him understand that he is finally ready. But there is only one woman he would like in that role.

Penelope doesn’t imagine in the least what goes on in his head, all this torment. -Do you prefer to spend the evening in the car with me rather than anywhere else with Lisa?- yes, he would like to shout. Yes, that is true. -You got problems, Alvez, that's why you've been single for so long...- he can almost see his brother Marcus high five her. Instead, the blonde captures something completely different in his gaze. -Oh, hell, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.- her face darkens. She has lost all desire to joke.

He doesn’t allow her to continue to believe such bullshit. -Why ever you should apologize, it's the truth.- she doesn’t seem to believe him. -I haven't had a relationship in a very long time, but in this period I understood that I want one and that I'm ready.- the way she misunderstands every little thing he says, nobody ever can. Every step forward that he thinks he has taken, she shows him that he was actually walking like a shrimp, backwards.

She crosses her arms, she seems to want to embrace herself, she caresses her ribs in an insecure gesture. Then she looks up, but can't stare at him for more than two seconds. -Good, good for you and Lisa.- it is clear that she would have liked to say it with a disinterested and abrupt tone, but she falters. -I'm sure you two will be very happy together.- a sob escapes her.

Of course, Luke notices it. He shrugs. -Who can say, but I think I'll never find out.- he now believes he has finally made it clear that he is not interested in Lisa as a woman, for a relationship.

For a few seconds he basks in this illusion. Until she opens her mouth and ruins everything. -Are you not going to ask her for another date?- he doesn’t have time to respond, she seems caught by a divine illumination. -Wait, I get it, I understood what you want to talk about.- at least she came out of that tragic melancholy. -You need advice on how to deal with her, right?- he feels observed. -There is nothing to be ashamed of, I will gladly help you.- Ah, little brother, I understand why you fell in love with her. Who besides her could be genuinely happy with the idea to helping you conquer another woman, despite she too is in love with you? His foot almost slips off the pedal. When did she ever say this? How can I be sure of what she feels? He prefers not to ask himself if he is asking himself or his brother, or his conscience. Is there then a difference?

He makes a series of controlled breaths to calm himself before actually making an accident. -Good to know, but would you help me even if the woman wasn't Lisa?- of course Penelope doesn't even think for half a second that she can be the lucky one.

-Who should it be?- apparently, she was cheering for Lisa, because the thought of another rival upsets her. -You met another woman while you were out...- he slices the sentence with a gesture of the hand to the limits of education. Luke, do you know that abuela would spank you if she found out?

He gives her a slightly more careful look. She is really pretty, more than pretty, with that denim jacket. She seems younger, it gives her a sportier and more casual look. Not that he doesn't like when she wears one of her "usual" clothes. -No, I already knew her for a while.- she continues to wallow splendidly in her naivety.

Part of her doesn't want to continue this conversation. -And you didn't like her before?- she can't help but ask, even if it will only hurt her. At least she was able to meet Lisa in person and therefore understanding what a beautiful person she is. But if you talked to her for about two minutes! The rational Garcia protests, trying to make herself heard. This is enough for me to read inside people, there is no need to be a profiler, it is a natural gift of mine… replies the eternal dreamer. Too bad the other has the answer ready. Sure, let's talk a little about Baylor-Battle...

It is a real luck that Luke starts talking again, forcing her to stop that rather disturbing intestinal clash. -I always liked her, indeed, I believe that now is also something more.- You believe, Luke? -But a little I was too stupid, a little I didn’t think I was enough for her, a little I was afraid of being able to hurt her and I would die if it happens...- he's damn melodramatic. He gently brakes at a red light. He looks at her, hoping that she will read the other half of the sentence in his eyes, the one he has not uttered.

She looks back at him, but doesn't seem happy. -Oh, hell, you're really in love.- rather ... upset. As if she had never conceived the idea that he could have such a strong feeling towards any living thing outside Roxy.

Luke nods. He swallows, with that knot down his throat. -I know it is so.- a hoarse, low tone comes out. -I tried to pretend nothing happened and I hoped that everything would disappear by itself.- only Penelope Garcia can’t understand that he is talking about her.

In fact, as expected, she shakes her head, a little too desperate, though. -It doesn't work like that, Luke!- here is her naked soul shining, completely exposed. -It's never that simple. I say this from personal experience.- and perhaps he is just deluding himself, making fun of himself, but he really seems to suggest that this is about him. It is not for some gesture, nor for the choice of words. It is only because of what is hidden in her dark eyes. And now also clear. -Indeed, the more you try to forget and the more you remember.- she sobs, once. Then she recovers.

He nods. -Yeah.- unfortunately, the light turns green. -And then I was sure she didn't like me, not at least in that sense.- he resumes the speech from where he left it. The woman's reaction is completely unexpected. She bursts out laughing, a laugh of taste, heartfelt, not simulated or ironic.

She struggles to hold herself. -I know I've always treated you badly, but I'm not blind, I know how to be objective and I see the possibility that a woman may not like you really difficult.- he is definitely improving, because he doesn’t accelerate or brake too drastically. -In that sense.- yes, she practically admitted to finding him attractive, from a physical point of view. Even though she said the opposite to Lisa, just a few days ago.

It is not pride that speaks for him. -Really? Why?- although the idea of hearing her say something more explicit is tempting... and for once she satisfies him, even if it wasn't in her plans. But Garcia and delirium are one.

She sighs, determined not to open her mouth. -Uh, you won't push me to praise your sculpted muscles or your deep brown eyes.- she blushes, realizing that she has just contradicted herself. She looks away, returning to the beloved window. -I'm only sorry for Lisa, because she seemed really a nice person and she will be very hurt.- it's his turn to laugh genuinely.

-You aren’t able to not empathize with the whole world, right?- but it is a joke full of sweetness, approval and above all affection. Did he really have a choice when he started collaborating with BAU? Would a man not engaged in a stable relationship who had come to occupy his place be able not to fall in love with a woman with such a big heart? For a second he is frightened by a thought: what if he doesn't love Penelope but what she represents? Absolute love.

-It's stronger than me, I don't do it on purpose.- she replies, as if he had accused her of who knows what terrible and dark crime. -I can't help it.- yes, it would be nice to believe that she does it on purpose to get compliments. But there is nothing built in this super-charged woman with accessories. -Was that what you wanted to talk to me about? Do you want advice on how to conquer this woman or to understand if she also feels something for you?- here we go again.

Rather than appear annoyed or demoralized by always colliding against the same wall, he decides to remain positive and tries to turn the thing in his favor. -I would like it if you could really help me.- yes, it would be really fun to see Garcia help him make his relationship with Penelope work.

Maybe something has really changed between them, because she no longer looks like the same person. She no longer wants to fight, to appear surly. Or won't it be easier to talk about him and another woman than do the same about the two of them? -Well, you can tell me something... I'll try.- she doesn’t promise anything, but instead of taking advantage of him for make a joke or to make fun of him, she gives him a small, tender smile.

RIght the push he didn't need. -Well, she is gorgeous and she says she knows, but I don't think she's really convinced of it.- too easy, otherwise. -She is the most generous person I have ever known. She loves every living being, even me...- he giggles. -I just don't know if she loves me as I would.- he sighs. -Oh, she's an absolute genius, even though I never told her clearly.- yes, he just teased her about it. -And she's beautiful, beautiful in her own way.- his face folds into a sweet and deeply in love expression. He just can't hide what he feels. It is overwhelming.

She also realizes it, although she continues to ignore this feeling. -Wow, she seems... she looks really fantastic.- she swallows and her hands tremble. She tries to keep them still, then gives up and let them do what they want. Her shoulders drop. To get out of it, she finds no other way than to torment him. -You're right, I think she's too much for you. I was joking!- but this time she doesn't even last before finishing the sentence.

-But I don’t.- Luke replies instead. -I know she is too much for me, but I must at least try, to get rid of all doubts.- and weight. But there is not much time left. Less than five minutes before they get to his street.

Penelope looks down, hands folded. -Yeah, blessed are those who have the strength.- she implicitly suggests that this is not her case. Luke can't bear to hear all that sadness in her voice, not because of the mistaken belief that he is in love with a woman who is not her. Is it possible that every time he tries to console her, he ends up making her cry or otherwise worsening the situation? Why can't he live up to his own words?

This is why he comes out with that nonsense. -She said I'm not her type.- obviously she doesn't remember saying the same thing about less than seven hours ago.

She feels bad for him. Here, this is love, to desire the happiness of those who love each other even when it doesn’t correspond to ours. He has a long way to improve his feeling. -Shit, this isn't good.- at least he managed to distract her again. A few more kilometers. -Are you sure she was serious?- she has asked the right question.

-At the beginning I thought she really thought it, but then I talked about it with a friend...- yeah, they had a few minutes to get back to the matter, before getting on the jet and he was only able to ask him that little detail, without adding names and surnames, but he was quite convinced that Simmons had added them on his own initiative. -Indeed, with Matt and he told me that in reality most likely she said it to protect herself.- he hopes that having mentioned the name of their colleague and friend might suggest something to her. -That her attitude in general leads more to believe that she likes me.- he looks at her eyes for some positive reply. Nothing. Rather.

-Oh, well it's great.- a slight tremor in her tone. -I'm happy for you!- finally, she breaks, like a crystal, without making noise. Her lips wrinkle, the lenses of her glasses get wet, her eyelids collapse.

He brakes, almost in front of his house. -Garcia, your eyes are shiny.- he reaches out and touches her arm. No reaction. He gently caresses it. -And I don't think my story moved you.- she absolutely doesn’t want to look at him. Not in this condition. Why the hell does she end up whining at least five times a day? And two ahead of him only in the past three days. Crying is too intimate, even more than making love.

Here, wrong thinking. Luke unfastenes his belt. He is wearing on a very tight black sweater again. He loves dark colors; she loves all the colors. They are so different, practically incompatible. -It's just... The cold that makes my eyes water and...- and she can't stay a second longer in this car with him. -Since you're okay, can't you leave me somewhere near my house?- she knows he will never accept, otherwise he wouldn’t have brought her here. But she doesn't understand what it was for. He didn’t want real advice. Why didn't he discuss it with JJ or Emily? Better yet, Tara. There was a clear brother-sister relationship between them. She had also been jealous of her, for a while.

Luke has reached the limit. He stretches completely to also unfasten her belt. -No, and you don't need to lie.- no more, his eyes suggest. He puts his hands on her arms again and climbs, slowly, until he stops on her cheek. -I still want to be the someone you want to go to when you cry.- he whispers. The first time had been a statement, although neither of them had understood it. This evening is too obvious for anyone, however naive, to be unaware of it. -I've always been here.- and he is. She too. They have always been them. She is the woman with whom he would like a relationship. The fear is so crippling that for a moment she thinks that she will die, because the heart will no longer beat. She takes a step backwards, colliding with the window.

She shakes her head, grabs the handle, but the door remains closed. -No, no, no.- she no longer knows where to go. -It's absurd. Please, let me off.- she begs him, also grabs his hands, in order to corrupt him, convince him. -Don't force me, please.- he is almost tempted to please her, for not see her so lost.

But he is doing it for both. -I can't ignore it, I don't want to.- he intertwines the fingers of their hands and caresses them with his. -Talking still gives some relief. Open up with me.- he lets go of one of her hands to brush her cheek and wipe away a tear. -Why do you need to cry? What is the reason?- damn it, it's you, Luke, don't you understand? Why do you want to force me to say it? It cannot be true that you like me, in fact, that you are... in love with me. And so, I will end up messing up everything and we will no longer be able to work together and...

-It’s you, you and all your stupid romantic speeches.- she pushes him, but only gets to unbalance him towards her. -Do you remember the Canadian boyfriend? He took flight long before you arrived.- so, he had really existed, but was gone, deduces the astute profiler. -You're not the only one who's been alone for so long.- she chuckles at the oddly apt repetition. -The difference is that in my case... leave it.- was she really going to confess that it hadn't been a choice for her, but a condition? That after Sam there hadn't been a single man who asked her out, if she doesn't count those in chat, discarding the bots? -Listening you talk about how you feel about that woman... It hurt me, because I know nobody will ever think these things about me.- she is sobbing, cursing herself and cursing him even more as he tries to embrace her, despite the location and position are not the most comfortable for this gesture of affection.

-Garcia...- he manages to whisper before she stops him. If he used her name, she would definitely collapse.

-No, don't you dare start babbling things like 'you're beautiful, I'm sure there are a lot of guys who would queue to go out with you'.- it wasn’t exactly what he intended to say, but lets her conclude. -Others, before you, have already played this card. Don’t lie to me.- he makes a great effort to reject jealousy. Because he knows very well who she is referring to. Former super special supervisor Derek Morgan, no less.

-I didn't mean that.- he therefore defends himself. -But you got almost there.- he raises her face by placing his thumb under her chin, as he has only seen in movies. -Because you are beautiful, very beautiful, at least for me.- ah, he finally spat it out and really, there is no chance to go back from here.

Penelope is perfectly aware of this. After an initial shock, she reacts with a mix of fear and anger. -Open this damned door or I'll break it with something!- she looks around, but sees nothing that goes well. -Open it! Please!- Luke takes her by the shoulders again, noting the negative sides of an intimate conversation in the car. It is really difficult and uncomfortable to approach her and hold her close.

-Why do you have to run away?- he answers by himself. -Matt told me and in retrospect I got there myself.- she is telepathically telling him how much she hates him. -I couldn't consider your super-open attitude towards Lisa as proof that you didn't like me. Because it’s you.- and this breaks every pattern, even Reid's stats. -And the rest... It was too exaggerated even for you. I wondered if you would have done the same thing with one of the others... And then I understood.- he doesn’t expect her next move.

-You want me to admit that I have a crush on you? Is that what you want?- as an appetizer it would be fine. -I admit it! Have you heard? It's true, I have a stupid damn crush on you!- if he ever dared to dream of a declaration on her part, she certainly wouldn't have such a tone, but sweet and in love. -Are you happy, now?- she gives him a boost. -Satisfied?- another, slightly stronger. -I don't understand the meaning of this cruel game. Now do you want to open the door?- Luke just shakes his head. Her jailer doesn’t know pity. -Do you want to know something else? Even if I have a crush on you, I don't want to, I don't want to cry in front of you!- she has found a way to hurt him. -I don't want you to be that someone! You don't deserve my tears.- the man sighs, then walks away, giving her at least some space.

-Maybe you're right, about the second part.- he is keen to clarify. -I would never want to make you sad. It was not my goal.- but it is becoming anyway.

And she realizes it and is not happy to see him in such a condition. -Then was for what?- she watches him unlock the doors. -I don't want to go into your house.- she then stutters. -Not even for Roxy isn't worth that.- she is not sure. -Don't you have a bit of pity?- her eyes pierce him.

-Garcia, Penelope...- he corrects himself promptly. -You have deliberately ignored part of our speech.- she knows which part. -Will you ever lower your defenses in my presence?- she shakes her head, but, absurd, now that she could grab the handle and run away, she doesn't.

-No.- she indicates him, and then herself. -See what happened even with the drawbridge raised.- will the day ever come when one of her jokes will not hit him, indeed it will bore him? -You still managed to break into the castle.- definitely no. And he tries hard not to notice the involuntary double meanings.

-But I am still lost wandering along the boundary wall and reaching the court is very complex.- he follows her speech, tries to enter her world to make it clear that they can be something, that he is not only a former man hunter, Roxy's father, an annoying colleague. That there are many things she still doesn't know.

She swallows. -Why should you want it?- here we are. That moment has come.

-Do you really want me to tell you this in here?- he knows it as she does.

Penelope shrugs. -It’s the same...- that half pout really marks the point of no return. Luke looks at her for a few seconds, in every detail.

-All right. As you prefer.- he leans over her, slowly, giving her enough time to understand what's going on, even to avoid it, but he knows she won't. His hands surround her face. A second in which they look at each other in the eyes. He lifts it up her chin until their lips collide. Now he can admit it: he imagined a thousand times how their first kiss would have been and for the most part he believed that passion would prevail, given the almost two years of repressed tension that they had to vent. Instead it is unexpectedly sweet and almost childish. -You are that woman.- it is the first thing he says to her, when he detaches himself gently from her. She has kissed him back, albeit with a slight delay. -The woman you admitted that is fantastic. And you are.- And you know, he adds in his head, continuing the rhyme. -And I like you, a lot, even something more.- he answers all her silent questions. -And yes, from the beginning. And it is both because everything you say seems to me like cast gold, and because I find you attractive.- he sees in her gaze the beginning of a protest. -Don't start.- he admonishes her affectionately.

-No... It’s not possible that a man like you...- she stutters, but no sentence seems appropriate. -Have you see yourself? Have you ever see yourself for real, to understand how beautiful you are?- there must also be mirrors in his house, unless he's a vampire. -Drop-dead beautiful.- she adds. And then, she becomes a mirror in which his soul is reflected. -No, you are not so superficial, you are not aware of it.- and she always knew it, inside herself.

Luke raises his eyebrows. -We suffer from the same disease, then, because I think the same thing about you.- and the only thing he wants to do is savor her mouth again, endlessly, he doesn't even need to move his hands, he is happily satisfied with just long kisses. But he knows that instead he has to keep talking, to convince her. -You are wonderful, not only inside, but also outside, it is so.- and she insists on not believing him, after she has made it clear. -I admit that your whole being makes you even more beautiful... But regardless of everything... I was immediately, hopelessly physically attracted to you.- he hopes that she will not force him to prove it concretely. -You can also ask me why; you can repeat that you and Lisa, nothing alike... Like oil and water, but you won't change reality.- the last sentence completely puzzle her. She opens her mouth without a single sound coming out. -I know you are afraid, I am afraid too, I thought I was too much... Broken, to try something serious with you.- she starts to reply, but is silent. -I thought I couldn't make you happy. Now I'm not sure anymore, though.- he should say: now he can no longer live without her, because neither of them here have just a crush.

-Why did you have to kiss me?- instead, she asks him stubbornly.

-Because... I wanted it too much, I hoped it would convince you more than a thousand words.- yet another catchphrase. -But you still don't believe me, do you?- she nods.

And then she shakes her head. -I can't, I can't.- she would like to explain, to make him understand that it is not her choice, that yes, the fear in her case is too big, and it is winning, it will win, as it always has. They will become yet another missed opportunity. -Please, let me take a taxi.- it's not even the most absurd request she has made to him this evening.

-I can't do this.- regardless of the desire to deepen the speech or the kisses, there really is no way that she could go home alone in a taxi. He will have read and seen too many thrillers, he will also be a profiler... but it is too dangerous. -You don't have to be afraid of me, Penelope, you don't have to.- what did he do to terrorize her so intensely? He already knows the answer. Absolutely nothing, apart from existing and crossing her path. After Morgan. -I would never hurt you, I don't expect anything from you, really.- even if he reads in her face that he should do it, which would be the only way to definitively unlock this situation. -I'm sorry if the kiss... Annoyed you, if you saw it as an imposition.- he seems to betray his feeling, to talk about it in this way. -But I won't take it back.- he therefore reiterates.

Penelope bites her lips until they bleed. -Luke, I...- the man understands that he was stupid and even naive. He believed that with a declaration only two possible scenarios could be opened: refusal and broken heart or immense joy and endless kisses. But he didn't consider the gray area.

-Give me only another five minutes, then if you won't changed your mind, I'll take you to your house myself.- this is the maximum compromise to which he is willing to yield. -I'll try to convince you that what I said is true.- he didn't prepare it before. Everything comes spontaneously. -I'll start with your hair. I love the fact that you are blonde. I have always loved contradictions, absurd combinations. That your surname is Garcia and you have such light and silky hair is... Magnificent.- he happens to him quite often when he is with her, more than with other people. He finds himself saying exactly the bullshit that pass through his head, rather than the right thing and more sensible or suitable for the circumstance. She with him raises the barriers, he with her loses every filter. -You don't know how many times I would wanted to roll your locks around my fingers. And admire the contrast. Just like the one between our shades of skin.- he talked only about her hair for two minutes. And he could have done worse.

-You and Lisa are practically identical. Your kids would be wonderful.- she pops up her rival again, but no longer with that insecurity mixed with a strange envy or jealousy that turns into pure and simple melancholy. No, in this case there is only malice.

She's playing with him, she's flirting with him, and he likes it. Because it means that he is beginning to penetrate the walls of Troy, he has found the right combination. -It may be, but never as children with amber skin and blond hair or dark hair and diaphanous skin would be...- only this exaggerated thing escapes from him, just to keep up with her.

-My skin is not diaphanous. It is anonymous.- she replies, challenging him to deny.

And the challenge is immediately accepted. -Not for me. I studied every single detail that I was allowed to see.- he reveals. She shivers at that thought. -Every mole on your skin, every scratch.- he is not afraid to look like a maniac or a voyeur. -And I think it's intoxicating.- Intoxicating, that's all that registers her brain.

But she can’t hide a certain complacency. -You're weird.- Luke nods.

-I know. But you asked for it.- he smiles at her, licking his already dry lips and feeling her taste in his mouth. -You don't want to believe me.- he rolls his eyes and continues determined. -Your smile. When you smile, how does Bruno Mars say? All the world stares for a while. I swear.- she seems to find it a little exaggerated, but it's true. -The first time you smiled at me, even if it was a fake one, I know that I behaved like a fool, but you puzzled me.- who knows if she remembers it, because he has printed each of her smiles in his brain. In this case he refers to that of "I am nice, I am the queen of nice". -And then you saw Roxy and your face glowed and I struggled to stay in control.- unfortunately. By now they may be in one of their beds making love. Wrong thought. -Your eyes, I could stare at them for hours without doing anything else. You have had more than one proof, right?- impossible to deny. -And your mouth, Dios mio, I wanted to taste it when you told me to let be in the moment, but I'm a coward.- he sees her jump when the exclamation in Spanish escapes him.

She tries to stop him. -Luke, enough, there is no need...- without too much conviction.

-Instead there is. There are still other things you need to know. Your legs on those heels are trampolines towards the forbidden fruit.- the atmosphere has become very hot. -But I'm sure they'll turn me on in gym pants too.- she opens her lips and then tightens them again. -Your breast, I dream of being able to fall asleep protected by your heat.- wow, it definitely went beyond her expectations.

Penelope gesticulates, trying to find an alternative reason for this series of explicit and intimate confessions. -All this doesn’t make sense. The fact is that I am so...- he reads her mind. He knows perfectly well what she is about to say, her intention to diminish herself, what adjectives she will use, in order to get ugly in his eyes, but nothing will work. He threatens her first with his eyes.

-Don't you dare say it.- he then adds with the tone reduced to a snarl. -If you say so, you will force me to drag you into my bedroom and make love with you so eagerly that tomorrow morning you will have to skip work.- this time she opens her mouth wide and leaves it like that.

-Wow. I mean... Wow.- there is no more suitable comment.

The air has become hot but the caress on her cheek is only sweet. -Do you believe me now?- she meditates for a moment whether to tease him, then her stomach gives her a negative signal. She needs to taste his mouth again, to know his tongue. It is a physical, visceral need.

-I, I, I guess...- Luke approaches, but waits for her to close her eyes as assent.

He rests his forehead on the female one, denying her what she wants. -Do you want to say hello to Roxy before I give you a ride at home?- it seems to have asked if she wants to use the handcuffs and the whip, from how she reacts.

She closes her eyes, blushes and laughs. -The world must have definitely turned upside down! You who speak a lot and I'm not able to say half a sentence!- she continues, without moving an inch, but her attention is entirely on his mouth. -You, here with me, instead of with someone like... Okay, I shut up.- she finally replies, noting his hard and sexy gaze.

-I don't want to rush you.- he reassures her. -I waited two years to kiss you, I can wait for the rest.- she believes him. Now that she has allowed herself go, totally, she completely trusts him, there is no way to stop the process.

It's not him, the problem. -I don’t know if I can do it.- she admits. -And I don't know what I could do if I came in to say hi to Roxy.- she doesn’t know? Let's say that she has a fairly precise idea and in no scenario she will go back to sleep with Sergio. -Luke, I don't have a crush on you. I... I love you.- she said it. She really said it. No fear that he thinks it is a simple affirmation.

-I love you, too, Penelope.- he replies, as she has always dreamed of. That always makes her look very stupid. -That's why I'm willing to give you all the time you need, because I don't want to ruin what's coming up.- she nods, following his reasoning.

-Me neither.- and still he has not granted her this blessed second kiss. -And sleeping at your house a few days after your date with another woman would be... Inconvenient, right?- she expects him to agree, because after all she has framed him immediately: he is loyal to duty, respectful to the limits.

Instead, he shakes his head, tickling her forehead with his hair. -No, if that's what you want and you feel like doing.- damned voice of reason! -I can promise that I won't touch you too much, except to hug you.- what if she wanted exactly the opposite?

She almost bursts into tears again, even if this time they would be for happiness. Emotion. -What did I do to deserve your love?- for finding such a person. And why, at least in this case, he wants her.

He touches her lips with a finger. -I am asking myself the same question.- she can no longer resist and catches them. They pant in the mouth of the other, fighting, passing the baton to their tongues, their hands tangling in their respective hair, but they don't go down beyond their shoulders.

When they separate, she says just one thing. -Ok.- a monosyllable.

He repeats it. -Ok?- she nods.

She sighs. -Let's go to Roxy.- Luke smiles at her, and even if it's basically stupid, she waits for him to open the door for her. He closes the door, inserts the safety lock and wraps the arm around her shoulders, heating her in the cold of the evening, now almost night. -If I become your girlfriend, will she also be my baby? And Sergio her brother?- she wasn't going to ask him for real and with such intensity, but now the damage is done.

Luke seems to grasp only the positive aspects. -I guess so, and for me you already are.- he stops a few steps from the entrance of his apartment. -Do you want a formal request?- Penelope shakes her head, surrounding his neck and pulling him down.

-No, this is enough for me.- they exchange other kisses, until it starts to get too cold.

They can't stay separate even during the short elevator ride. -You know, oil and water don't mix... Unless someone forces them, with a good shake.- it is one of the few sensible things he can say to her.

-And in our case, who did it? Phil, Lisa or Matt?- he shrugs.

-I am not particularly interested in finding out... I'm just glad someone did it.-

And there I felt strange you know why, I was thinking of you, I was thinking that... we should never have broken...

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

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doomedandstoned · 4 years

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The End Is Nigh: A Conversation With OFFICIUM TRISTE Frontman Pim Blankenstein

~By Shawn Gibson~

I was first introduced to OFFICIUM TRISTE when Mors Viri came out in 2013 and I have been a fan ever since! At the time, I had a radio show and got an email from HammerHeart Records with promo and played some songs off of that album.

The Dutch band's music has also pushed me through tough times, mentally and emotionally. There is sadness in their songs, as there is great beauty. Each song has its own dynamic sound with piano, organs, violins, cellos, etc. Officium Triste's albums are heavy as mountains, but have parts within that soar like eagles!

Recently, I had the privilege of longtime singer Pim Blankenstein, who has been with the band since 1994.

Mors Viri by Officium Triste

Officium Triste has been making music since 1994! How does that feel to be with this band now and the current state of affairs?

It feels as exciting as it was when we started out. Of course, a lot has changed in 25 years, but for us as a band our values are still the same. We love slow, heavy and melodic music and we still write this kind of music. Over the years we of course have grown as a band and you keep learning. After the last couple of line-up changes I totally feel this is the best line-up we've had. We're all on the same page and actually things couldn't be better.

What does the name Officium Triste mean?

If you put it in Google translate, it says it means the baleful. Back when we started out our then guitarist Johan Kwakernaak came up with the name, which he got from a Latin dictionary. The combination of words means something like a "sad gathering," such as a funeral.

You are from the Netherlands right? What are some other bands from the Netherlands you guys love?

Yeah, we are from the Netherlands and when we started out there were quite some doom bands we dug like early The Gathering, Celestial Season, Castle or Beyond Belief. Having said that, the doom scene never was that big but we always had killer bands. Just think of Deinonychus or newer acts like Facade, Treurwilg or Beyond Our Ruins.

In other genres we have (and had) great bands, too. Death metal was especially huge. Pestilence, Pentacle, Asphyx, Sinister, Thanatos, Severe Torture, Bodyfarm, Gorefest. I could go on and on. Bottomline is that the Dutch scene always has been and still is great. We know quite a lot of bands personally and we get along real fine.

We are all Doomed! Are you Stoned?

Nope. Used to smoke a lot. Not anymore though. But that doesn't change the fact we indeed are doomed!

The Death of Gaia (Atmospheric Death/Doom Metal) by OFFICIUM TRISTE (Netherlands)

Your latest album 'The Death Of Gaia' came out December 13 2019. What has influenced the writing of this album?

As far as the music is concerned, our core values are still present, which is writing slow, heavy, melodic and melancholic music. I like to say we are still inspired by the bands that showed us the way in the '90s, like Paradise Lost, Anathema, Katatonia or Type O Negative. Along the way, also a band such as Shape Of Despair inspired a bit but also film scores, shoegaze or dream pop.

Lyrics are about subjects such as the decline of our planet, loneliness, insomnia, guilt, and stuff like that -- basically what is happening around us. So the reality of life inspired us in that department.

Throughout the years of your albums there is always great range and depth of song with varied instruments. Are there any instruments you haven't used yet, but would love to include in a song?

From a personal perspective, I'd like to include some percussive elements. I can totally imagine us using some proper timpani for that ultimate heavy sound.

Who did the artwork for 'The Death Of Gaia'?

When we figured out we wanted something different as artwork on this album and moved away from our earlier art, we got in touch with Chris Smith of Grey Aria Design from the US. We liked what he had done for Solstice from the UK and we really wanted that Art Nouveau-type art. Chris totally delivered what we were after.

Art by Chris Smith/Grey Aria Design

What makes you guys laugh?

We actually laugh a lot. We get along really well and joke around a lot making fun of each other. Other than that we are totally into dark, sarcastic humour. Or stand-up comedians like Steve Hughes of Jim Jefferies. Writers like Bukowski or Brusselmans (a Belgian writer). Ren & Stimpy, Pinky & The Brain, Invader Zim. There's plenty of stuff that makes us laugh.

What has been an awkward moment for Officium Triste?

Probably being too drunk on stage in our early years could be considered as awkward. Other than that, not much. Maybe some awkward moments on behalf of our previous bass player, but I won't get into details on that because it's better to let that rest.

You have a long history of making death doom and are in the same boat as other established bands such as My Dying Bride, Katatonia, Paradise Lost. What is in the future for Officium Triste? Will there be another 25 years?

Well, we take it as it is. Our current label Transcending Obscurity is quite happy with us it seems and has been asking if we want to do another album for them. We are gathering new song ideas as we speak, so you can expect another album in the future. Not sure if we'll last another 25 years, as we will be considered as elderly people by then. As long as we're having fun we keep doing what we like to do.

Who is in the band Officium Triste and what do they do in the band?

Right now it is the founding members Martin Kwakernaak on keyboards. He used to be our drummer, too. Gerard de Jong on lead guitars and I (Pim Blankenstein) on vocals. We have Niels Jordaan on drums, William van Dijk on rhythm guitars and Theo Plaisier on bass.

With the varied sounds in your music do you have several session players to record? Sometimes it sounds like you have a symphony accompanying your music!

Actually, this time around we used some session musicians. We decided to record some real string instruments, as opposed to using the sounds from the keyboard, so we asked Chris Davies to record violins. We knew Chris from Eye Of Solitude where he used to play bass and he played violins with Clouds, in which I am involved, too, in a way. He did a great job. On cello we asked Eliane Anemaat. She is quite known for her work with bands, such as Celestial Season, Mayan or Delain. She also did an outstanding job.

What are some bands from the beginning that have influenced Officium Triste? Who are some current bands that catch your attention?

I more or less mentioned some bands in an earlier answer, but we initially were heavily influenced by Paradise Lost, Anathema, Celestial Season, My Dying Bride, Katatonia, and Type O Negative. But also Metallica, Edge Of Sanity, Dismember or Winter influenced us to some extent. Later on, also bands such as Evoken, Mournful Congregation or Shape Of Despair impressed us. Currently, there's not a lot of bands that caught our attention and actually had an impact on us, but we do like bands that mix things up like what In Solitude, Tribulation, Alcest or Chapel Of Disease are doing, to name just a couple.

Film by Buzau Live Music

Beyond doom and death, what other music styles do you like and listen to?

We listen to quite a lot of varied stuff. Like heavy metal, classic rock, shoegaze, indie rock, new wave, movie scores, retro wave. As long as it is good music we listen to it.

Will you ever tour in the states?

Hopefully. If we ever get a proper invitation and stuff is sorted out, well we definitely would like to come. We are crossing the Atlantic in a couple of months to play a one-off in Mexico.

For me, I have felt positive things from the lyrics and the heavy music amidst the doom. I guess its nice to be able to relate to songs and feel the music with your soul. The balance of heavy and almost symphonic and atmospheric music still blows my mind! Officium Triste is one of very few with clean vocals accompanying death growls I love. Most clean vocals fuck me up.

Cheers for that!

"Burning all Boats and Bridges" is my jam! Fuck it all and starting clean! My life has to take another turn! A fresh start is what I yearn for! Please tell me a little about this song.

Actually, this song is basically the only one where we could use music provided by our previous bass player. But since he fucked things up I have a hard time listening to this particular track. I did write the lyrics, though, and I usually start with a song title. I'm not sure where I got it from, but the lyrics are about having a fresh start and cut all ties with your past. It's not something that happened to any of us personally. But I guess everyone can relate to the subject, so I wrote lyrics about this.

"The End Is Nigh." Do you think this song is relevant to current world events?

That's what inspired it. But to be honest, this world has been a shithole for centuries. So, when I wrote the lyrics I did think about the current state of affairs, as well as stuff from the past. I think everyone can decide for themselves what we talk about, whether it is politics, the environment or overpopulation. It all goes hand in hand, in a way. For the lyrics, I took the Four Horsemen of The Apocalypse as a metaphor. And the second song on the album World In Flames continues with the subject.

Pim, thank you very much for your time! It is a pleasure and an honor!

Thank you, Shawn, for the interview. Much appreciated. Hope your readers will check us out if they haven't done so yet.

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#D&S Interviews #Officium Triste #Rotterdam #The Netherlands #Doom #Metal #Doom Metal #sludge #death doom #blackened doom #Shawn Gibson #Doomed & Stoned

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eldritchsurveys · 4 years

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685.

what was going through your mind during the presidential campaign? were you relieved when it was over? >> This survey is from early 2009 and let me tell you, I don’t even remember the 2008 election anymore. I’ll be fucking relieved when this year’s is over, though (although depending on who wins, the noise might keep going right through the end of the year, so I may get no relief).

what do you think of the Duggar family ( 17+ kids )? could you handle taking care of that many children? >> I have my share of uncharitable thoughts about families with that many children, but I’d rather not give voice to that kind of rudeness. It’s nothing to do with me, anyway. I couldn’t handle taking care of one child, so that’s that on that.

in your opinion, do you think that you act your age? what do other people think? >> I don’t know what it is to act a certain number of years old. I don’t know what other people think regarding this and I really don’t care.

what is the nicest thing you have ever done for a stranger? >> Nothing comes to mind.

so far, what is the number one, best decision you have ever made? how has it effected your life? >> I find it difficult to think of my life in terms of decisions I’ve made, and direct results of those decisions. That’s just not how things work -- I’ve made choices, but the things that happened after those choices are not necessarily direct results of the choices I made. The element of other people and the element of randomness play equal parts, too.

have you reunited with any old friends recently? was it awkward, or just like old times? >> No.

when was the last time you talked to your first ex? >> ---

how different is your online personality from your offline personality? >> It’s the same personality, dude. It might manifest somewhat differently because of the difference in communication style (typed dialogue vs face-to-face dialogue), and that’s all.

have you made any headway on any new year's resolutions? >> I don’t make resolutions.

what are your favorite holiday-themed movies? >> It’s a Wonderful Life, Rise of the Guardians, Klaus, Love Actually.

do you listen to christmas-/winter-themed music when the season comes around? >> I sure do.

if you could create a law, what would it be, and why? what if you could take one away? which, and why? >> I have zero interest in the law.

is there anything that you do that's potentially controversial? >> Well, sure, depending on one’s worldview. I’m sure some special people out there don’t think I should even be alive, in which case my very existence is controversial.

would you ever sign up for a reality television show? if yes: which one, why, and how would you act while on tv? >> No. Absolutely fucking not. NO.

what is your most recent obsession? >> Hmm... Heartman from Death Stranding, maybe. Low-grade obsession, but it counts.

do you say "merry christmas" or "happy holidays"? to you, does it really matter which one is said / you say? do you do your best to remain politically correct? >> I repeat whatever is said to me first, because that’s usually how such interactions go -- I rarely initiate any sort of seasonal greeting like this.

if you could relive one week of your life, which would it be, and why? would you do anything differently, or keep it all the same? >> I would really rather not.

is there a part of your life you wish you could remember, but can't? >> Sometimes I get frustrated with the patchiness and distance, so to speak, of my memory, but I’ve come to expect it. Most of these memories aren’t specifically mine, after all.

what was the last thing / event to trigger a painful memory? >> A lot of my memories are painful because they make me feel alien and disjointed, or like I’ve “lost” something important, or whatever. So, like, I don’t know if anything triggers that, sometimes I just randomly remember shit.

if you had to give up one of your 5 senses, which would it be? >> No thanks.

what do you think of people that choose not to vote? >> I don’t think anything of them. That’s their right. The fuck do I care? Also, I was one of those people until very recently, and I still don’t feel any better or like a better citizen or whatever for having begrudgingly registered.

are you keeping anything from the people you love? >> I mean, not intentionally, I guess.

have you ever written a suicide note, whether joking or not? >> No.

what is the worst physical pain you have endured? >> Cramps.

what is one thing that you want other people to know about you? why is it so important that someone knows this? >> Meh.

what is something you wish people DIDN'T know about you? what would be different if they didn't? >> I have Trauma Brain so I irrationally wish no one knew anything about me because vulnerability bad.

what is the worst question that someone could possibly ask you? what about the worst thing that someone could say to you? >> *shrug*?

would you consider yourself a sensitive person? why, or why not? >> I don’t know. Maybe there is a sensitive person in here somewhere, but it’s buried in all the noise from Trauma Brain. Or maybe Trauma Brain is the sensitive person turned in on itself. I don’t fucking know, next.

you can spend the day with anyone, living or dead; who do you choose? what do you do / where do you go? >> ---

when was the last time you let something 'go to your head'? >> I don’t really know.

when are you most likely to show off? >> I don’t show off. I have nothing to show off, lol.

which would you prefer: spectacular view of the ocean, or of the mountains? >> I like both views. I don’t see why I should have to choose. I live on a landmass where you can easily make trips to see both. (Well, considering travel expenses, “easily” might not be the right word. But.)

do you follow any dating rules / play any dating games? >> No.

when was the last time you felt extremely confident about something? >> Good question.

how do you, personally, know when you are falling in love? >> ---

when was the last time you blew the seeds off of a dandelion? >> Maybe last spring? I don’t know. I do enjoy doing that very much, though.

in your opinion, which holiday is the least important? >> All of the United States-specific ones are just. Trash.

what was the last thing that happened that you couldn't explain? >> I can think of an explanation for anything. Whether the explanation makes any sense to anyone else but me is the question.

what do you do with all of your spare change? >> ---

where did you hear about your all-time favorite band? >> ---

how many cans of soda do you drink in a day? >> Zero.

what is your idea of paradise? >> I never bothered thinking of one. Maybe Inworld is the closest thing.

what do you think goes on in the minds of the opposite sex? >> You know. Thoughts.

what is the oldest thing that you own? and the newest? >> I have no idea what the oldest thing I own is, but I guarantee you it’s not more than 4 years old. The newest thing is an eyeshadow palette and a lipstick that Sparrow got me.

is there anything you wish you had never found out about? >> Probably.

describe your handwriting? >> I don’t know how to describe it. It’d probably be pretty difficult to forge.

have you ever had to choose between friends and family? if yes, what happened? >> No.

in what ways has music affected your life? >> Many ways. It’s a very integral part of my life and has been since childhood. It’s the one constant (aside from Inworld).

what is something that you refuse to believe in? >> I don’t refuse to believe in anything. Some systems just don’t work for me so I don’t use them. They might exist for someone, but they don’t for me.

what is something you wish more people believed in? >> ---

what food is your ultimate comfort food? >> I don’t think I have one.

have you ever put anything inside a time capsule? what? >> When I was pretty young, I tried to make one. But I opened it within like, a year. I couldn’t imagine waiting for like... ten years or whatever because I couldn’t even fathom that kind of time, lmao.

how did you come up with your bzoink screen name? what would you change it to, if you could? >> It’s just one of my standard usernames. I really only registered to avoid seeing that “this is a rated R survey” screen and having to click through it every time.

when was the last time you experienced deja vu? >> I don’t remember. Maybe never.

what do you do when someone snarkily corrects your grammar? >> Ignore them.

what was the last thing that you put quotations around? >> Part of my answer three questions ago.

in the time it took you to fill this out, what else could you have done? >> Well, it’s taken me a half-hour, so I could have done a lot of things in that time. Watched a show episode, eaten, done a dance, idk.

is there too much violence on tv, or are people to sensitive? >> There is a lot of violence on television. People should be sensitive to violence, because desensitisation to violence has led to a lot of bad shit. Personally, I’m mostly desensitised to fictional violence and that probably is becuase I’ve seen a fuckton of it, but fictional violence isn’t the same as real-life violence, and I would probably still react more acutely to violence that’s literally happening in front of me.

what is one "junk food" you enjoy? >> I refuse to label foods like this. It’s reductive and unhelpful.

what is one "health food" you enjoy? >> ^

what is something you used to fear, but no longer do? >> Thunderstorms.

who was your first hero? >> ---

is there anything your friends won't let you forget? >> No?

is there something you have trouble putting into words? >> There are many things I have trouble verbalising.

when was the last time you were at a loss for words? >> I don’t remember.

what bothers you most about getting older? >> The increased likelihood of disease and infirmity.

have you ever flown all by yourself? how was it? >> Many times. It’s lovely.

if you have one hour left to live, how do you spend it? >> ---

do you think it's important to know a 2nd language? >> Sure, but it might not be important to someone else, and that’s fine.

do you know anyone that's just naturally good at almost everything? >> No.

do you know anyone that's just bad at everything? >> No.

what is one emoticon you use often? >> xD

what is one emoticon you almost never use? >> Hmm.... I can’t think of one.

do you use emoticons to express yourself? >> Sure. That’s what they’re there for.

#surveys #survey #random survey

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haxorus-imp · 6 years

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Alien Affections - Villainous/Reader - Chapter 6

You groaned and mentally counted the spybots again. 34. 34 spybots were created in total. 'Well, it's easier than college. I got a job at least.' You flattened your brow in slight agitation. 'Though, I'm not getting paid for doing any of this crap.' You thought, snidely. 'Well, I am living off of Black Hat's resources. So, I guess this brings meaning to that "As in Rome, do as the Romans did. If you can't pay with money, pay with your body." saying.' You surmised. Ah, your boss. He was already proving to be a handful for you. It was quite obvious that Black Hat didn't like you. Not much, anyway. He probably just hates new people? You shrugged at the thought. So far, you've been polite, relaxed, and easy-going with little-to-no resistance. The man must be easily triggered by simple things if he's thatuptight all of the time. You think Flug needs to prescribe him some chill pills. Because he's the type of guy that really needs some. You let out an inner laugh at your lame internal joke. Stretching out your arms and back, popping them in the process, which relieved some pent up tension from within your bones. Allowing you to release a relieved sigh as the stress ebbed away from your joints. "Halfway finished!" You announced, catching the attention of Flug, as he was completing the internal work for the gamma ray gun on his opposite work station. "Ah. That's great (Name)! You're doing well!" Flug said, optimistically. "I didn't expect you to make so many within a short amount of time!" "It's hard work. But, at least I'm close to finishing up." You sighed. Leaning back in the work chair. Suddenly, you smelt something very putrid fuming up from below you. It confused you for a moment, until you looked down at your shirt. "Aw, man!" You wailed. Catching Flug's attention once more. "What's wrong, (Name)?" Flug asked, turning his body around to look in your direction in worry. "I got machine grease on my favorite pajamas!" You, still in your alien and UFO pajamas, complained. While, looking down at the ugly stain on the front of the glow-in-the-dark alien icon. "Worst yet, these are the only brand of clothes I brought with me! I still haven't changed out of them from last night...eck. I feel dirty now." You mumbled and got up to walk to the basin in the corner of the lab, next to a large machine with a lot of blinking lights and levers. Flug seemed to notice your conundrum and paused, appearing to be lost in thought for a few minutes, as you silently tried to clean the harsh grease off with some feverish rubbing of a damp rag from the lab sink. Mumbling profanities under your breath as you did so. "Oh! How about this!" Flug exclaimed suddenly, startling you slightly. "Tomorrow is when I go out to fetch supplies to prepare for next weeks' projects and restock up on food after we shoot the videos." Flug explained. "Basically, tomorrow is errand day. You can come along and see if we can find a few outfits for you to use while you're here!" Flug offered. You looked at Flug and smiled. "Really? Oh, thank you so much Flug! Heh. It's kinda funny. I feel like I've known you since my whole 4 years at college, yet I've only known you for about a day!" You gave Flug a warm smile. "O-Oh! You're welcome!" Flug replied, bashfully. "I must say, learning about your world has been a trip for me as well. So many things to hear about, stories to tell, and learning everything that goes on in the other side of the cosmos."

"It's actually fun to hang around with you, I'll admit it. You're so laid back, I don't see how you're NOT a nervous wreck from being so far from home! If it was me in your shoes, I would be shivering at every shadow...and would probably be deathly afraid of Black Hat all over again." Flug sighed. You blinked, looking sympathetically towards Flug for a moment. But, you shrugged it off. "Hey, while we're on this topic, you've never told me about your own world! It's mostly been about mine." You stated. "I also want to know what your planet is like! What's it like living on a world full of factions and people with superpowers or advanced technology? What's different about your world? How does it feel to know that super powers exist?! Oooohh~! So many things I want to ask you as well!" You grinned at some questions that passed though your mind. "Well, maybe if we go out to eat or have some time while shopping, I'll gladly tell you about my own home too. It's only fair." Flug responded, his eyes beaming happiness through his goggles. You bounced on your heels in excitement. "And just think! We're both the very first people to talk to other intelligent, and friendly, alien life! My world may have some action or drama every now and then, but your planet is beaming with so many new things! Different physics, geography, and even culture! We might even be the first ever people to contact life outside of our own planets!" Your eyes grew so wide, Flug could swear that they sparkled. "We can keep notes of each other! To take back home! Then I can show my cryptid-believing friend that I was right! Aliens WERE the right way to go!" You flailed a little in your excitement. "Maybe I can take back some evidence? Like a miniature ray gun? That'll show e'm I'm not a liar! I would have evidence that couldn't be denied! Utterly irrefutable!" You squealed. Flug couldn't help but chuckle at your nerding out episode. He could feel his own heart racing as he observed your escapade.

But, he knew why. Your excitement was becoming infectious. He couldn't blame you personally. The excitement of meeting someone from another planet was coursing through his veins as well. He was still curious of many things. Some that he hoped you held the answer to.

What technology did your planet hold? How do your people do things without any heroes? Without any superpowers? How does your race survive as a species?

Was the evolutionary route different? Or was something else at play here?

Even now, he can't wait until later to get back to studying the blood sample he took from you. He feels like there's something special about your blood. Maybe it could hold the secret to your evolutionary branch? He didn't know what yet, but he'll get there. That's why he's studying it, of course! He is a scientist and an inventor.

And he is excellent at what he does. "Well, I'm gonna hit the bathroom and clean up." You said, calming down from your high. Flug snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh! Really?" "Yeah." You nodded. "I'm gonna find 5.0.5 and see if he can wash my clothes while I clean up." You said, walking away from the sink and heading to the lab entrance. "See ya later, Flug! Take care!" You waved, exiting the lab. Flug just waved slightly as you left an continued to work on the gamma ray gun. His project, while still incomplete and untested, was close to it's final stages. Soon, he'll get his spare time to study the unique blood sample. -- The only sound that stated life was present in the pristine and elegant bathroom was the sound of the faucet turning on within the bath-shower hybrid tub. Warm water rushed out of the spout, coating your skin in warmth and gave you a soothing feeling of relaxation. You sighed as you rubbed your scalp clear of excess oils and loose hairs. It felt like paradise. Just letting the water run down your skin and into the drain. You weren't really a single-type of washing preference person. You would take showers some days and baths on others. Usually, it mostly depends if you need to shave or relax. Sometimes, you didn't even have a choice. It was either one or the other most of the time. Not that you complained. You are mostly glad to get cleaned in the end. You lathered up a rag with some soap, which had a nice fragrance, to cleanse your body with. While you did this, you let your mind wonder. Tomorrow was presentation day. The day of the catalog photo shoot. Which will be preformed and used to show off your creations. You honestly don't think you'll be present for the shoot. It'll probably be handled by Black Hat and Flug mostly anyway. You're more concerned with the world that you will get to explore tomorrow when you go run errands with Flug. You sighed, letting the foamy lather wash off of your skin as you put some shampoo in your hand. I mean, there are some concerns you have about going out into the city. What if people notice your differences like Dementia and Flug did? I mean, even Black Hat probably picked up on your strange appearances! What if you turn too many heads and make Flug uncomfortable? What if you and him get separated? Just...what if? You rubbed your arms, suddenly feeling something attached to one of them. You looked over and saw the bandage from last night. Still clinging to your arm and covering a wound that had stopped bleeding a long time ago. Steadily, you peeled it off of your skin and opened the door to the hybrid. Depositing the bandage into the bin that wasn't too far from the door and closed the hybrid door back. You rinsed your head clear of foam as you walked back under the flowing water. Pressing your forehead to the wall, you sighed. '(Name)...we talked about this. Everything is going to be fine! No need to stress yourself. Besides! Who cares about that worrisome stuff? Just throw those thoughts away like that used bandage. It's a whole new world!' You then paused and blinked to yourself. Then, you allowed a smug look to cross your face as an idea popped into your head. "I can show you the world~, shining, shimmering, splendid~" "Now, tell me princess, when did you last let your heart decide~?" You sang, albeit softly. Laughing lightly. You kept singing in a low volume, letting the motion of your hands and body fit your own personal imaginings. It was silly to sing in the shower, but with the stress that you have faced in the last 24 hours, you might as well sing heavy metal songs at the top of your voice. Just to release the tension. But, Black Hat would have your head if you did that. Dementia did say that she played guitar when she came rushing into the kitchen at lunch, apparently overhearing your talent-associated conversation with Flug. You would like to see her preform sometime. You bet she would play like a punk-rockstar. Seeing as she shared similarities to said-genre when one looks at her outfit. So, it would probably be safe. Probably. You hummed the chorus of the song playing in your head, letting your imagination drift as you rinsed the conditioning out of your hair. "A whole new world~" "A hundred thousand things to see~!" You sung, finishing up your cleaning session and preparing yourself to get out of the stream of water. By the time you finished the song, you had stepped out of the bath-shower hybrid and are currently drying off with a large and fluffy rose red towel. You hummed as you finished brushing out your hair to the beat of the final tunes in your head. Rising your mouth out with gargle, you still did not have a toothbrush, and spat it into the sink. You sighed peacefully. Cleaned, freshened up, and with the towel wrapped securely around yourself, you prepared to leave the refuge of the bathroom. Singing did help a little. It was mostly just a personal relief valve for you. You're not the best singer, but practicing during the times when you were alone sure did give you a decent pair of pipes. You unlocked the door and headed out into the hallway. Only to be surprised by a startled shout. When you looked over, you saw your boss, Black Hat. He was just standing there across from you, stiff like a statue. "Oh. Hey, boss." You greeted. -- Black was NOT expecting this. He was just on his way to 'check up' on Flug and you to see how progress was coming along, only to hear a door open and had himself become visually assaulted by nudity! Black Hat was standing in horror-filled surprise as you stood there in the hall with nothing but a large fluffy red towel to cover yourself and wet hair sticking to your skin. Without warning him, no less! "Why are you out wondering the halls dressed like that?!" Black Hat screeched. "...Because I just got out of the shower?" You replied, nonchalantly. "That doesn't excuse this large amount of indecency! This is a business! Not your personal home!" Black Hat scowled. Okay, now you're just getting mad at this bastards' accusatory tone. Whoa! Whoa! Slow down, (Name)! Two negatives don't make a positive! You took a steady breath to calm yourself and kept your face and body relaxed. You know he hates that. "I got some engine grease on my pajamas while working. Those, being the only clothes that I brought with me and that fit me, are in the wash." You explained. "That reminds me!" You exclaimed. "Have you seen 5.0.5 around? He probably has my clothes ready." You muttered, placing a finger on your chin. "No! I haven't! Just...for evils' sake! Follow me!" He growled. You looked at him in confusion, but followed anyway. It took a few minutes, until he opened a door to a bedroom. It had a goth-like theme to it, like the rest of the house. Yet, the bed looked like something fit for a mansion! It was a deep red color, with a few mixtures of dull grays and blacks. The blankets also had top hat prints on them. Which was a trend around this manor, as you seemed to notice a lot of things that had to do with top hats or had designs of top hats on them. Like the wallpaper for instance. You suspect that Black Hat literally has an obsession with the object. It also had a canopy with curtains that could be pulled or adjusted to your liking. Plenty of pillows and comfortable-looking blankets. You let out a whistle. "Nice room. Who does it belong to?" You asked. Black Hat just looked over and rolled his one visible eye. "This is YOUR room, you imbecile. This will serve as your room until you eventually leave." Black Hat stated. "Oh! Sweet!" You gaped. "Thanks, boss!" You smiled at him. "Stop smiling at me." Black Hat warned. You would'ave frowned at him in a huff if you didn't feel a nudge on your arm. You turned to see 5.0.5 behind you, big adorable eyes and all, as he was holding a neatly folded pair of alien and UFO pajamas out to you. You smiled brightly at the return of your favorite clothes. Using one hand, you fetched the clothes from his paws and opened the top to see, to your relief, that the grease stain was gone completely. You passed the clothes over to your hand that was holding the towel up. "Ah! Thanks 5.0.5! You managed to get that nasty stain out and saved my favorite shirt! You're such a good bear!" You rubbed 5.0.5's head affectionately with your free hand, as the bear rubbed its' own head into your palm. Loving the friendly attention you were giving him. The clearing of a throat broke the good mood like glass. Oh, right. Your boss was still here. You looked over to Black Hat with your eyebrow raised. "What? Do you want to be petted too?" You smirked. "Got two hands for the job!" You couldn't help but laugh at Black Hat's deadpan expression. "Oh, come now, boss! I'm just being silly." "More like stupidly childish." He grunted. "I'm taking my leave, get dressed, we have a big day tomorrow. Come 5.0.5!" Black Hat snarled, causing the bear to whimper. Black Hat reached the door and waited for 5.0.5 to scurry on by him. But, before he could close the door, you called out to him. "What?! Can't you see I'm busy?!" He snapped. You didn't let that get you down nor stop what you were going to say, you just grinned at him lazily. "Thanks again, boss! I'm grateful for your hospitality!" You thanked. Black Hat just snorted. "You should be." Before closing the door, albeit a little too loudly for your liking. You laughed. Yep, he hates the lazy smile. "Goodnight, boss!" You called out to the fading footsteps out in the hall. You then prepared the bed and changed into your alien-themed clothes once more. Pulling back the covers and worming your way underneath the blankets. It was as soft and as pleasant as you imagined it. Like sleeping on a cloud. That could possibly be the back pain from working hunched over a workbench all day talking, but you didn't care. You adjusted the covers slightly, turned out the light on the nightstand by the bed, and rolled over as a welcoming gloomy darkness fell over the room. Yet, it was not completely dark. The lights from the suburban streets outside lit a fairly decent amount of the room. A calm mixture of pale and dark lights. It felt like you were in a hotel room. Just like the ones you used to stop and sleep in on the way to your final destination on a road trip. You yawned and rolled over. You wouldn't be lying if you said you weren't homesick. But, everyone feels like this when they travel. You're probably the first person to travel farther than any other human being from your planet. Farther than any astronaut has, anyway. Neil Armstrong can eat his heart out. You chuckled to yourself. That's just what this is. A long vacation. Then, you'll go back with an alien souvenir and make your mark on the great wall of human history. Ha! That will show your cryptid-believing friend! Bigfoot is fake and aliens are real! You then closed your eyes to that thought and slowly drifted off to sleep. Silently preparing for another day of adventure. -- A sudden beam of light incinerated a wooden target that was set up in the lab for testing purposes. Flug held the gun with accurate skill, as he was currently taking notes on what needed to be tweaked tomorrow morning before the presentation. He muttered a couple of math fractions underneath his breath. Testing was a delicate process. As one malfunction could injure a client and give them a bad rep, or show a faulty product that Black Hat will have his head over. So far, everything worked out. The machine fired and didn't shoot off into random directions, which was great. It even hit the desired target. Which was also great. Flug sat the weapon down as he decided to call it quits for tonight. Turning the machine off and he began to clean his station, until the lab door opened. He turned around expecting you to return from your shower, but was instantly put on edge when it was Black Hat instead. "A-AH! Black Hat, s-sir! I didn't expect you t-to come down here so late! I was expecting it to be (Name)!" Flug scrambled to make himself stand to attention. Black Hat merely raise a brow at the spectacle. "(Name) went to bed in their assigned room." Black Hat said, bluntly. "O-oh." Flug muttered, nervously shifting on his feet. "How's the gamma rays' progress coming along?" Black Hat questioned. "It's m-mostly done. Just a few tweaks in the morning a-and it'll be ready!" Flug replied. Black Hat nodded, apparently pleased. "And (Name)'s progress?" He asked. "Well, they m-made about 34 spybots today. They said that t-they'll finish the rest in the morning." Flug stated, nervously rubbing and grabbing his arm out of habit. Black Hat frowned a little at that. "They need to pick up the pace if they are going to reach the deadlines in time." Black Hat hummed. Flug nodded and swallowed his anxious fears to ask Black Hat about (Name)'s apparent clothes situation. "Black Hat, if you don't mind me...uh, asking this." This caught Black Hat's attention. "But, (Name) is in need of a few outfits if they are going to be staying here for a while." Flug explained. "So. I need to ask you, if they can come with me into the city while I run my weekly errands and purchase some clothes for them." Flug said. It was silent for a few moments, putting Flug on edge for a bit. "....Fine." Black Hat caved. Flug sighed in relief. "BUT." Black Hat paused. "They can only have three outfits. Other necessities, like undergarments, don't count." Black Hat stated. "If they are going to get some, they can only choose three." Flug was flabbergasted. "B-But, why only three, sir?" Flug stuttered. "They got under my skin tonight, they're taking this as a lesser form of punishment. Only three outfits! No more, no less." Black Hat shrugged. Flug couldn't really deny Black Hat. "Understood, sir." Flug submitted. Black Hat then began to walk back to the exit of the lab, right before turning around and looking at Flug. "Don't stay up too late, Flug. It's presentation day tomorrow. Get out of the lab, get cleaned up, and go sleep in your actual room. Do not fall asleep in the lab cot this time." He warned, then departed. Flug gave out a heavy sigh. He was afraid that Black Hat would say something along that line. He looked over toward the fridge where the vile of your blood was being kept. He guessed that the testing will have to wait for some other time then. Just when he's not so busy. Flug fixed up his station and headed toward the lab door. Turning off the lights and exiting the lab. Leaving the dark rooms' machines to hum and beep all through the night. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next> <Previous ~First~

#Villainous #Flug x Reader #Black Hat x Reader #Alien Affections #Fanfic

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feywildatheart · 6 years

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Nenîth,

So, like I said in my last letter, Elyn and I have come to Mashoy. We spent a little while longer in Yamin -- I got some more sparring practice in with Tace, and Elyn spent some time with her as well, and when we found ourselves in possession of a scroll that we can only assume is from Pika (it doesn't have any actual words on it, because of course it doesn't, but seems to be, as best we can guess, illustrations of what she's been up to since she left for her monastery, although I have to wonder how much of this might be exaggerated), Elyn and I began to wonder if perhaps Pika reaching out to us might be the first signs that she's feeling more herself again, and might soon feel up to coming back.

Elyn sent her a message in response, asking if we should move to Mashoy or remain where we were, and we got no reply from Pika (because of course we didn't), but we did get a message from Snapdragon saying that she was expecting our arrival, and providing directions, which seemed answer enough to the two of us.

Tace offered us the use of one of her flyers, but being circumspect seems even more important in Mashoy itself than it has been up until now, so we opted for public transport instead, and we got some documents establishing ourselves under different identities, just in case our true names have already been linked to Pika's. Elyn's going by Dana now, because it's a name that was mentioned in some of the scraps of data she was able to get off of her earring, and I'm going by Nora Firetongue, because Elyn realized I could mine the other half of my given name if I was looking for something I might have a chance of remembering to answer to, and because, well. You already know my feelings about the elemental's nickname. How could I pass up the opportunity?

I explained the situation to Squirt and asked if he had any thoughts about what name he might want to go by, but he seemed distressed by the question, so I spare him it and told him that if I spoke a certain word in Ignan, to know that I was addressing him. It means 'little friend', or close enough to it, and there's enough similarities between Ignan and Aquan that he'll understand that, and it hopefully will be less difficult for him to remember that I mean him when I speak it than if I made a new name for him wholecloth.

With all those details setteld, Elyn and I spent the ride over to Mashoy coming up with a story together, and decided that Nora's from Kaliz Beta (it seems less noteworthy than being from the Feywild, while still being close enough to the truth that I might remember it, and know enough details to answer any questions people might have without giving away the lie), and Dana from the nearby station Bay, and that we met there in a similar way to how we met in truth, and decided to go adventuring together, until our travels brought us here to Rugira Prime.

It took most of the day to get to Mashoy, and by the time we'd made it off the transport and through customs (the identities Tace acquired for us worked just fine, and we were both very relieved to make it through without issue, I think) we were all three of us keen to stretch our legs and get our blood moving again, so we took our time about heading towards the address Snapdragon gave us, and indulged in playing the tourist a little, and got some shish kebabs that we could eat while walking.

We'd finished the meal by the time we reached the address that Snapdragon had sent us, which turned out to be a residence set behind high stone walls and a wrought-iron gate that had been fashioned to look like flowers. There was an attendant at the gate, and I don't think he quite believed us at first when we said we were there to see Snapdragon. I showed him the letter from her on my LICD, though, offering an express invitation, and so we were shown into a sitting room, where someone else came to lead us through a labyrinth of hallways to a conservatory, where Snapdragon was waiting for us.

I don't know how Elyn felt, seeing her, but it felt like the most incredible relief to me, like the first drink of cool water after stumbling through the desert, to finally be there with Snapdragon instead of just exchanging occasional LICD messages, to know that I am standing with an ally in everything that has been happening with Pika, instead of floundering on my own.

I don't mean to discount what Elyn has been to me, since that first day in Yamin, or the support she's given. It meant more to me than even I think she knows, when she spoke up and told Pika she'd leave her behind, if she ever did something like that again. But Pika respects Snapdragon deeply, and I don't know how much she does us, and if it came to it, I think a disapproving word from Snapdragon would do far more to still Pika's hand, than anything either of us could say to her.

Snapdragon put up a privacy screen, so that we could speak freely without fear of being overheard, and we spent a great deal of time with her, mostly having the gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the situation filled in, so we better know what we'll be facing here. She told us about what happened with Pika, back when she was Dahlia and Dehi had her thrown from the city like a bag of refuse and left to die, all so that he might take custody of their child. She told us how Dehi bribed a judge to grant him the custody, and that it was a great scandal in the city because Mashoy's king is trying so hard against just that sort of corruption. And complicated the issue even further is that Pika's son was so young when this happened that we don't know how much of her might remember, or how Dehi might have poisoned him against her, since she was exiled.

But we can't, and won't, do anything until Pika's returned and we can have her input in our plans, so in the meantime, Elyn and I are just trying to establish ourselves in the city under our assumed names. Since I've already begun being daisy-chained by Pika, and no real other excuse to be in Mashoy, I'll be acting as a new initiate to the Court of Flowers, and Elyn will be setting herself up as a performing bard, and perhaps garnering herself some work playing at parties where she might make connections that could be helpful to us.

Snapdragon also said that the head of Gisha house, Zilvrae Gisha, has a personal dislike for the head of House Dehi, which could potentially be useful to us, considering the aid we provided to one of his scions, though it would require connecting ourselves to the slaying of the dragon, which we've been trying to avoid so far. But at least it's something we can keep in our back pocket, should we need it. And it may be useful in broader terms, too, considering our efforts to try to curry favor and sympathy here in the city, and the service that we provided, killing the dragon and guiding so many of the lost back out of the caverns. It's not a card that we want to play too early, though, so we're keeping it for now, and are waiting for a strategic time to make that connection -- provided Yamuna Gisha doesn't make it for us.

In any case, it was growing late by the time we'd reached Mashoy, and later still by the time we'd finished our talk with Snapdragon, and so we were given rooms in the Court of Flowers and we retired to sleep off our travels, and the next morning we met with her again in the conservatory, and she introduced us to Bird-of-Paradise, a close and longtime friend of Pika's, who told us a little bit more about the political situation in Mashoy, and had more ideas about how we could establish ourselves in the city, including a party happening soon that she could wrangle invitations to, that would be well-attended by members of Belpha's Edict, a legal organization that I think we could well do to find some allies in, considering how Pika's situation is entangled in the legal system.

And then— Well. I suppose I should have expected it, considering how she delights in jumping from shadow to shadow and taking people (us, usually) unawares, but then all at once Pika was there, striding on in like she'd never left, never drawn steel on either of us. More than that, even, she was chatting and joking with Bird-of-Paradise in a way I've never seen her do at all, much less with us. It was strange to see her like that, strange to not know if this was perhaps the true Pika we were seeing, when we've traveled and fought with her for so long and had no hint of it. And if I'm being honest, it left me feeling more than a little flatfooted, to have her breeze in like that without any acknowledgment of how we'd worried for her and how we'd waited, and how the trust between us all had been damaged before she'd left. But, well-- later, I spent some time with Daisy, another member of the Court of Flowers, trying to learn as much as I could as quickly as I could about how not to embarrass myself or the Court at this upcoming party, and how to navigate small talk when you know that subtlety has never been one of my strong suits. One of the things Daisy said, trying to relate it all back to things that I might be more familiar with and have a better understanding of, was that if someone insults me I should think of the animals of the forest, and how if they're injured they'll make as though they aren't, so predators won't see it and take it for a sign of weakness. And it's occurred to me that maybe that's why Pika seemed to be behaving so strangely, too. I already know that she feels as though there are threats everywhere around her, so long as she's here on Rugira Prime, and perhaps she's only acting this way to try to camouflage her fear and her pain, even though we'd rather have honesty from her (so long as it's not honesty delivered at the point of a blade).

In any case, it's not as though I could say any of this to her, or that she'd be likely to confirm it even if I did. She did apologize, though, as much of one as we're likely to get from her, and Snapdragon seems committed to offering me a refuge should I need or want one, which helps, a little. And so we're back on an even keel now, if a little bit of an uncertain one, as we all get used to working together again. At least we're no longer floundering rudderless, trying to decide on a direction without Pika here to weigh in.

We spent the following few days preparing for the party and firming up our aliases. Pika can apparently magically change her appearance, and so she's disguising herself as someone she apparently knows in the Court of Flowers named Daffodil, who isn't in Mashoy at the moment and so won't be likely to show up and ruin the ploy. And I'm her apprentice, taken on when we met during our mutual travels, who she's brought back to the Court for some proper polishing. We went shopping for some proper party garb, as we've managed to acquire a varied assortment of fancy things but not really a solid outfit between the lot of us. So we got clothes, and I made a point of stopping by a fan-maker's booth that we'd seen upon our arrival, because it seemed to me that, since I am not always able to control my expression, it would be prudent to have something I might hide it behind, so I don't give us all away.

We accompanied Thistle to the party, hosted by a dragonborn woman named Hanamra Serata. We met-- oh, too many people for me to remember everyone's names, I'm sure I'll insult someone terribly in a few days when I go and call them by the wrong one. Pika mostly ushered me around at first, and broke the ice with these strangers, which helped keep me from being a complete wallflower, though there wasn't much she could do to actually make me capable of holding a conversation. I was terrible, nenîth. Elyn was very kind about it, after the fact (although she did basically threaten to make me make lists like Pika did, which I think is entirely unfair and also an utter betrayal of the foundations our friendship is built upon; namely, that she doesn't regularly take it upon herself to terrify me), but the fact of the matter is that I only managed to have two conversations that were even worth being called such, and one was about Perrick and the other about Squirt, which hardly did us any good at all of figuring out who amongst the group might harbor sympathies to Pika's plight and be worth making allies of. And the conversation about Perrick, at least, was so nervewracking it made my whole stomach clench up, because we got to talking about Homai, and then the bits of news they'd heard about HASAI, and I kept tripping over my own tongue trying to come up with answers to their questions that wouldn't implicate us as the ones who'd fought the demi-lich and freed HASAI from the stasis field, and Pika-- oh, Pika. I love her and want to strangle her in equal measure, most times. She steering the conversation in the most treacherous directions, and watching me flounder with obvious delight. I'd be inclined to take it personally, if I didn't know her well enough by now to know that she just likes stirring the pot. But honestly, it'd be nice if she managed to resist the urge while her protege is trying not to drown in it.

Elyn, in any case, seems to have picked up my slack and done very well at beginning to forge connections with a great number of people at the party. She took pity on me, too, and dragged me off to the refreshments to have a glass of water when she could tell I was floundering, and then led me off to engineer striking up a conversation with a gem merchant who was standing by herself. I think she thought one person might be less than a group of them, which she wasn't entirely wrong about, except that in a group it's much easier to just fall quiet and let the others steer the conversation, when you get overwhelmed or tongue-tied or can't stop thinking about what you ought to say long enough to actual say it.

Luckily, though, the gem merchant -- who introduced herself as Dinain Heru -- seized upon Elyn's mention of Squirt readily enough, and, well, you know that I could happily talk about him for hours to anyone who stood still long enough to listen. Elyn had the good sense to mention that we believed him to be part blink dog, since we can't exactly pass him off as an ordinary dog but possessing a full-blooded Seelie hound would undoubtedly raise questions we weren't prepared to answer, and since we'd already decided that I came from Kaliz Beta, I offered up that we presumed that at some point a blink dog must have found their way through the jump rings and out of the Feywild and fathered a litter with someone's pet, and introduced the blink dog blood to their line. And so now at least we don't need to worry about Squirt blinking in front of people and giving the whole game away.

It's not that I didn't know, when I left home to see more of the universe, that I was going to find myself in places and situations where I didn't quite know what to do with myself. It's why I left, it's what I wanted, to see new things and new places. But parties were never on my list, and it's all the worse because there's so much riding on this, Pika's happiness and her child's future, and we're having to maintain our aliases, besides. If I could be myself it would be easier, I wouldn't have to think so hard about everything I said, to make sure I wasn't about to blurt out something that would damn us. If the stakes weren't so high, too, it'd be easier, because there'd be less cause to fret over every word I spoke, and I wouldn't care so much about failing to make an impression at a fancy party. But everything I've done since I left, even when it was strange and unfamiliar, was something to which I could apply the skills I already have, or at least I could rely on Elyn and Pika's skill to get us through should mine fail us. But they can't have these conversations for me, I'm still used to the Feywild, or the wilds in general. I'm used to creeping through the undergrowth, being slow and careful and methodical, easing my weight from foot to foot so as not to snap any twigs beneath me. I know how to stalk my prey, and I know how to slip through a forest and leave no sign that I've been there, but those are all things that take patience and care, and they're skills that serve me not at all here in Mashoy society, where the conversations are like jeweled hummingbirds, flitting from one flower to the next, too fast for me to ever be able to keep pace with. It shouldn't be any surprise that by the time I've thought of something to say, the topic's moved on three times already.

It's not a surprise, but it is frustrating. I'm here because I want to help, and I'm hardly managing that. And what's the point of me even being here, risking giving us all away, if I'm not going to make up for it by helping? The tunnels under the desert were harrowing and terrible, but at least I knew what to do with myself there. At least I was a boon to the people who were relying on me, and not a liability.

Anyway. Enough of that. If I look any more pensive, I think Elyn's likely to make good on her threat about those lists, and I've only just gotten used to not having heart palpitations around my companions.

Eventually, Thistle came to excuse me from my conversation and Elyn from hers, and dragged Pika off as well, and once we'd left the party behind us, asked of Pika if she'd blown it, because apparently the man she'd spent a good portion of the evening talking with was Tirine Larchbright, a former lover of Pika's, who it turns out saw right through her disguise. And who she'd already made plans with to spend the night together, and honestly. What even is the point of me fretting about this so long and so hard if she's just going to go and give herself away at the first party we're invited to?

So Elyn and Thistle and I returned to the Court of Flowers while Pika went off to meet with Tirine, and Bird-of-Paradise came bursting in gleefully wielding a letter she'd apparently found in Pika's luggage (I can't even imagine the sort of friendship they have. I wouldn't even consider looking through Pika's things unless I was prepared to change my name and go into hiding immediately afterwards, to avoid her wrath), from Tirine to Pika -- well, to Dahlia -- and it was full of such poetry and emotion that we all sighed over it.

Pika, at least, managed to talk with Tirine before they got their evening underway, and learned that he's firmly in support of the sort of reforms that might get Pika her son back, and seems a very good ally to have. And in the morning, after we'd slept the evening off, Elyn and I decided to try to firm up our own connections. She apparently had had quite an engaging conversation with a woman at the party named Midat Tiyan'li, who creates tech that Elyn has been in raptures over ever since the party. And I went off with Daisy (with Pika unsubtly following at a distance behind us) to find Dinain Heru's shop, on the pretense of selling her some of the gems that we've managed to acquire in our travels. She seemed glad enough to see me, and offered a fair price for the gems, and then got quiet and asked if I still did adventuring work now that I'd been taken under Daffodil's wing (and honestly, if anything is going to make me give us away, it's probably that, more than the fake names or the changed history -- every time someone makes a comment about how I used to be a ranger, I'm fair sure my eye starts twitching, and it's all I can do not to correct them). When I indicated interest, she led me and Pika into a back room (while Daisy made a point of saying she wanted to look for something at a market down the street and would meet us there when we were finished with our trading) and said that there's an aristocratic family in the city, a first-rank family by the name of Fesdi, who had had one of their family heirlooms stolen a few months back, and that Dinain had overheard a conversation that revealed that it was in the possession of one Paha Qasri, a member of a third-rank family who's holding it in a private warehouse, it seems. Dinain said that if we could manage to take possession of it and return it to the Qasris, we could curry some significant favor with them, and we could certainly do worse than to make friends with a first-rank aristocratic family, if we're going to establish ourselves here. I asked what questions I could think of, and then said that I'd need to speak with Elyn before I could commit it, though honestly I could have wept with gratitude at the prospect of something I could do to help that didn't involve talking to people.

Elyn seems tentatively willing to go along with it, though she did say that she wants to know what the heirloom is, which wasn't one of the questions I thought to ask, I'm ashamed to say. She quite rightly pointed out that there's a significant difference between stealing back someone's grandmother's necklace and stealing something that's magical, or dangerous, or living. She also said she wanted to speak with the friends we've made at the Court of Flowers about securing some legal representation in advance, because if we're caught breaking into an aristocrat's warehouse before we've managed to earn the gratitude of the Fesdi's, we're going to find ourselves trying to figure out how to plan a jailbreak on top of the rest of it -- and then there would probably be no stopping Pika from setting out on her murder-and-kidnapping plan.

All of that's for later, though. We can't communicate with any of these people by LICD or we'll give ourselves away, so we won't get any answers to our questions until Elyn and I meet with Dinain again. In the meantime, apparently Elyn's day with Midat went quite well, and they're going to take a tour of the city's mechanical workings with Itamu, an engineer we also met at the party, and Elyn invited me along with them. I half think my purpose in being there is going to be to keep Itamu occupied so that Elyn and Midat can enjoy themselves together, but that's a task I can easier set myself to than simply being charming at a fancy party.

There, now you both are all caught up on what's been happening, and I won't have anything more to tell you until I know what tomorrow brings. I'll be sure to keep you up to date, though. Whatever comes, it seems bound to be something worth writing home about. With any luck, hopefully I won't be writing home to tell you that I've been arrested for theft.

Don't worry about that too much, though. I'm much better at sneaking around than I am at making small talk with strangers at parties.

I'll let you know I'm not arrested (or, you know, that I am) just as soon as I know myself.

All my love,

Maliah

#dnd #in character

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xtoxicblueberry · 7 years

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((not my art, that was done by the wonderful, and lovely @ronyascribbles)

“ I will help you if so desired, if you need my staff or bow just call me. ”

Name: Kari Age: 20-24 Gender: Female Nationality: Nohrian Race: Human Birthday: 08/02

Height: 5'4" (162.56 cm ) Eye color: Apple green Hair color: Light blue Hair style: Typically up, mainly in twin tails. She will wear it in a bun if she’s either in the bath house or its just a super hot day. Though she will wear it down at times. Clothing style: Other then her adventure outfit that she wears to battle; she typically wears comfy clothes. Tank tops and short shorts or pants, depending on the weather. Her clothes are typically black.

Hobies: walking Around, exploring, window shopping. Likes: Talking to people she gets along with, playing with Animals, looking at things she finds interesting, almost all things sweet, ice coffee, relaxing, enjoying nature, making up stories about her scars and seeing how far she can go and what people would believe, stimulating conversation, storms, and rainy weather. Dislikes: Being around so many people, being touched in any way, by a person, unless she is very close with said person, talking to someone she just met, messy things, getting dirty, chocolate flavored things.

Personal Skill: Vigilante - Grants +20 Hit/Str/Crit if attacking a unit that has attacked another unit without a weapon equipped.

Affiliation: None (Recruitable in Birthright, Conquest, and Revelation. )

Roster: A traveling young woman without a set destination. Cold and distant, she is hard to befriend. If you gain her trust she will become a very loyal and trust worthy friend. Most likely to comfort others in distress. Born August 2nd.

History: Kari was born a high class Noble, her father was a leader of one of the higher up fractions from one of the many armies under King Garon, her father was a great Knight and her birth mother was a troubadour. They met in the army. Shortly after Kari’s birth, the mother was killed on the battle field. Her Father developed the habit to get Kari any and everything she could ever want; going above and beyond what she would ask for. He became doting and spoiled her. Though she didn’t like it, her father had her take many lessons, some consist of Piano, violin, dance, chess, singing, stiching and anything else that he felt a proper lady should know how to do. To try and make sure the loss of her mother didn’t affect her to much, he remarried. The woman had the wicked step mom Syndrome, she never wanted children. She would act innocent and kind in front of Kari’s father, but once he wasn’t there she would be mean and horrid. She was a pure Noble woman, both her parents came from money, she never worked a day in her life. She was a floozy and only looked for money in men. She cared more about her social status and looks above all else. She would never allowed Kari to call her “mother” or “mom” though she was in her life for many years. Kari was mainly raised by butlers and maids, due to the demanding hours of her fathers job. This caused her to say humble and kind. The maids and Butler’s tought her many life skills, such as cooking and proper cleaning techniques. she would often help them out with chorus, for fun. When she was still young, but old enough to take care of her self, her father died in battle. Leaving her with the step mom whom really didn’t want anything to do with her. One night, she slipped poison into Kari’s food, though an elderly maid whom took care of Kari since she was born stopped it from ever reaching her. Thus as punishment, the woman made the maid eat the food, losing the closest thing to a mother she had left. After Kari’s father passed, her step mom would bring home a different man every night. One night, the man she took home turned out to be a thief. Him and his small gange turned over the house killing all who lived there. With the help of some maids and Butler’s, Kari managed to stay hidden for a long time, but once he found her he tried to end her life. Though he failed, the man did however leave a large scar going down the left side of her face and partly her neck causing her to have nerve damage on most her face and lose eyesight in that eye. Once she was able to move around once more, she went to an old friend of her fathers. He managed to save her eye. Once he fixed her, and she was fully healed, she left. She now wonders around, she does what she needs to do to survive.

RECRUITMENT

Birthright Recruitment Recruited In: Chapter 12: Dark Reunion Recruitment: The Avatar must talk to her. Starting Class: Adventurer Starting Level: 16 Motivations for joining the Avatar: She wants to help end the war.

Conquest Recruitment Recruited In: Chapter 14: Voice of Paradise Recruitment: The Avatar must talk to her. Starting Class: Adventurer Starting Level: 16 Motivations for joining the Avatar: She wants to help end the War.

Revelation Recruitment Recruited In: Chapter 13: A lost Peace Recruitment: The Avatar must talk to her. Starting Class: Adventurer Starting Level: 16 Motivations for joining the Avatar: She wants to help end the war.

UNIT STATS

Asset: Speed Flaw: Resistance Skill(s): Point Blank, Luna, Resistance +2, Locktouch, Pass Weapon(s): Killer bow, Recover, Mend Class Sets: Adventurer Heart Seal > Maid

SUPPORTS

Romance Supports: Corrin (M), Jakob, Kaze, Saizo, Subaki, Silas, Xander, Azama, Hayato, Kaden, Hinata, Ryoma, Takumi, Arthur, Keaton, Odin, Leo, Laslow, Benny, Shura, Niles.

Other Supports: Corrin (F), Felicia, Rinkah, Orochi, Setsuna, Mozu, Oboro, Kagera, Nyx, Beruka, Peri, Charlotte, Selena, Asugi, Dwyer, Sigure, Sophie, Shiro, Kiragi, Selki, Mitama, Rhajat, Siegbert, Forrest, Ignatius, Velouria, Soleil, Nina.

Ideal (‘Canon’) Spouse: Keaton or Shura

QUOTES

Event Tile: “ Hum? What’s this? ” (item) “ No such thing as to much practice.. ” (exp) “ Hmm.. I feel I’m improving.. ” (weapon proficiency)

Level Up: “ Wow! I impress myself sometimes! ” (6+) “ There’s always room for improvement. ” (4-5) “ Do I disappoint you? ” (2-3) “ Tch, that’s it? ” (0-1) “ forgive me! ” (0-1, most skills capped)

Class Change: “ This is new.. ”

Support: “ I got your back! ” “ I’ll help you! ” “ don’t worry I got you! ” ” I’ll keep you safe! ” “ I’m here for you! ” “ Who’s the enemy here? Hehee kidding~” “ Don’t back down! ”

Attack Stance: “ Let me have a go! ” “ I’ll take a shot! ” “ My turn! ” “ Time to strike! ”

Guard Stance: “ Time and place! ” “ I thought I was the blind one! ” “ I won’t let them hurt you! ”

Critical / Skill: “ I have no mercy for scum like you. ” “ I’ll make you pay! ” “ I won’t hold back! ” “ I’ll shoot you down! ”

Defeated Enemy: “ On to the next. ” “ To easy. ” “ I suppose that was amusing. ”

Partner Defeated Enemy: “ Nice shot! ” “ I missed that do it again! ” “ killer shot! Hehe. ”

When Healed: “ This is a nice change of pace. ” “ Thanks! ” “ Who are you again? Kidding~”

Defeated by Enemy: “ I-I didn’t see you coming.. ”

Death Quote: “ This is it.. Mother.. Father.. I’ll.. See you Soon.. “

Retreat Quote: “ Ugh! It’s to blurry, I can’t tell who is who! I have to fall back! I don’t want to hurt an ally”

DLC Battle Quotes: Boo Camp “ You’re the monsters everyone’s talking about? You aren’t so scary.. I’ll show you true horror! ” Museum Melee “ Ooo ~ I see something shiny ~ that’s mine now hehee” Ghostly Gold “ Huh… Ghosts… Who would have though.. All well, time to die again~” Anna on the run “ I know my eyesight isn’t the best.. But I think I’m seeing double.. ”

Confession Quote: “ I don’t need my sight to see how much you mean to me. You have my heart now and forever…. (I hope you know what you’re getting in to. Hehee)”

MY CASTLE QUOTES

Castle Grounds Alone - ” Talk about a sugar rush! “ (surge) - ” I snuck in some training, I hope it paid off. “ (weapon proficiency) - ” This is NOT where this belongs, who left it here? “ (item) - ” What do you think will look good on me? “ (accessory) - ” Wow! Thank you! “ (accessory given) - ” So pretty! “ (accessory given) - ” Is.. This a joke? “ (accessory given, not liked) - ” Hehe thanks shall I try it on now? “ (Bath Towel given) - ” Hehee thank you, this means a lot to me. “ (Friendship birthday present) - ” Ahh hehee you know me so well ~ I love this so much! I’ll cherish it always. “ (Lover birthday present) - ” Hmm? Did you need something? “ (idle) - ” W-what? No I was not just dancing! “ (idle) - ” La laa la ~ W-whaa!! H-how long have you been there?! “ (idle) - ” Is someone there? Hehe ~ I’m kidding! I see you just fine. “ (idle) - ” Wow aren’t you cute ~ don’t I know you from somewhere? Hehe “ (idle, married) - “oh? A new face I see, let me know if you need anything. ” (visiting another castle)

Asking - Normal “ What has you so happy? Did something good happen? ” (happy) “ What do you think your future holds for you? ” (dreams) “ I’ll watch your backside- I mean back in the next battle, sound good? ” (team up) “ Indulge me in my curiosity… How do you spend your down time? ” (free time)

Replying - Normal “ I love the feeling I get when I finish cleaning. ” (happy) “ I hope to find true happiness one day. ” (dreams) “ Alright, no promises I won’t mistake you for the enemy ~ I’m kidding, I’m kidding! ” (team up) “ I often walk beyond the camp boarders, or wonder around the forest. ” (free time)

Private Quarters Friendship “ You called me for something? ” (invite) “ I baked some cookies, want one? No I didn’t put salt instead of sugar in them this time. ” (invite) “ Hehee now this will be fun ~ ” (invite, MU is married)

Lovers “ Hey! I finished cleaning up, don’t mess it up. ” (greeting) “ I missed you! Don’t leave me again.. ” (greeting) “ I-I’ve been practicing my violin.. Would you mind listening? ” (greeting) “ Hehee that’s the best sight to wake up to. ” (awakening, good) “ Do that again and you will regret it.. ” (awakening, bad) “ My hair is such a pain to dry.. ” (greeting, cool down) “ Hehee thanks that felt nice ~ your turn now ~ ” (cooling down successful) “ Oh my! How beautiful! Thank you! ” (flowers)

Bonding “ If that’s all you need, mind if I go? ” (friendship bonding) “ It was a pleasure spending this time with you. Invite me again some time. ” (friendship bonding) “ I’m glad we can spend this time together.. These are the happiest moments of my day. ” (lover bonding) “ I just want to hold you in my arms and never let go.. Promise you won’t leave me.. ” (lover bonding) “ Come here for a moment, Hehee I’m not going to bit you… (See, I told you I wouldn’t bite you, This time. Hehe) ” (kiss)

Extras/little quirks: She won’t dule someone unless there is a wager of some sort; even if she manages to win she will let the other party have their winnings as well. After her father passed away she continues to practice all the things he wanted her to learn when ever she can. Typically after doing one of them she would cry a little and say softly to her self, “are you proud papa? ” or “am I improving father? ” she can be fairly vain when it comes to her hair, she takes pride in its soft silky texture. When she’s in deep thought she will twirl the ends of her hair. Because of the damage to her left side of her face, she can no longer produce tears from that eye. The left eye is also significantly lighter in color, and has a small thin line down it from where it was cut. Though she hates chocolate flavored things she loves normal chocolate. If she eats anything remotely spicy she turns red and gets sick, if it’s really spicy she will pass out. She is very flexible and uses it to an advantage in hand to hand fighting.

#fire emblem #Fire emblem fates #Fire emblem if #original character #fatesona

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lil-meows · 7 years

Text

| Jeon JungKook | Beauty and the Beast! AU

Genre: Romance/ angst. Warnings: none. Word count: 3k A/N: This is shamefully late and unbelievably long. I didn’t follow the exact story line so it’s safe to say that it’s my modified version of the fairytale.

“Father, a beautiful rose is all I might ask for.” And the weary old man nodded in approval. Fate smirked again. What a bloodbath it would be. And so the man set off on his journey.

3 months and half a day, the brunette has a taste of how bitter the departure of her loved ones can be, and decided (what a dangerous decision it was) that clocks have ticked long enough and worry was inflating to its limit. “Easy there Max” she cooed to the white horse, firm and steady. Ready to to ride through forests of darkness to bring his enchanting owner together with her beloved father. With a hood atop her silky hair and enough courage to cut through steel, fate squirmed in his seat, rubbing his hands in enthusiasm. What a poor girl, what a horrendous fate.

“Cease that death, jinxed red rose. The one to love me is not even close” a fearsome voice sobbed and an inhuman echo resonated through the wrecked chamber. Monster or not, the black eyes shed tears of pure, distilled agony, teats that never made it to the ground nor did it beyond these doors. Cursing fate once again and pounding a clawed, furry fist into the wall, the beast-turned prince stomped out of the dark room.

The celler’s bars vibrated along with their prisoner’s heart. It was all too much to bear and he wondered when will his relieving end eventually arrive. The beast opened its huge void of a mouth and released yet another loud roar. Anything to express his pent up fear. “Please” The poor traveller pleaded, huddled in an unfortunate ball at the far corner of his prison. Rusting and dusty, but it’s the only reason he isn’t stuck in the creatures digestive system. Or at least that’s what he thought. “If the lass doesn’t make it before dawn, it is your and her neck off” The monster’s striding footsteps were not as loud as the old man’s sobs. His beautiful princess, the peaceful angel he protected with all he had. Oh what shall he do? Max came to a halt for the fifth time in the past couple of days and Beauty couldn’t help but wonder why. There wasn’t a lake or even food, there were only… Roses. Fate sipped on his wine. The red field hypnotised it’s visitors with it’s never ending variety of nature’s art. Unkempt and overgrown, yet captivating nevertheless. The gloomy paradise came to an end as Max came to his sixth stop before an intimidating set of wrought iron gates. Beauty closed her mouth and reopened it at the sight at hand. The ancient castle generated a spooky breeze and she shivered despite her many layers of clothing. “Stay here” she instructed her spirited vehicle before stepping towards the gates. Max waged the earth with his feet, signalling his visual mistress to come back, to spare her life. But fate was cunning and curiosity was evil.

Somewhere, in the warm safety of the Prince’s castle, two bear fingers snapped together and Beauty stepped backwards in alarm. Sucking a cold breath in, she took slow steps forward, uneasy at the sight of the tumbled fountains and destroyed carriages. It must have been paradise, she thought. It was quite peculiar to say the truth. One does not come across such public display of death and yet continue on. She could, should, have turned her back and made a run for it. She would he knitting a protection from the cold or even brewing a hearty broth. But here she is. Standing at the steps of a cold, misrable castle. Love is strong. So desperate. (Now at this point I urge you to remember my words for they’ll save you the need to itch your head, clueless)

“No beauty no!” The merchant warned, but who can hear him across five flights of stairs? “This place needs a good scrub” she mumbled to herself, insecurely making her way through the lightless interior of the place. Another inaudible scream of her father vanished and candles commenced burning with magical flames. “Hello Beauty” A voice echoed, soft and unmistakably human. Beauty pulled her hood further down her face in fear. Her hands grew sweaty and she shivered against the cold of her skin and the boiling heat of her organs. They know here name. (It’s ironic really, being the village’s most beautiful female, one would wonder what her name might be) What happened next was no joke. I repeat all this occurred in a state of complete mental awareness and stability. It’s not impossible. It’s simply magic. Generating a blood curdling scream, the candlestick bobbed its ‘head’ to the side in confusion as to why the girl might be so frightened of an object displaying accurate human gestures. As if your sink wishes you good morning daily and your comb always groans at how greasy your hair is. “It gets in all my small holes” he always says. But we’ll get to talking hairbrushes later. Now, the candlestick. “For goodness sake young lady have you never seen a talking object!” he, or so it’s voice implies, yelled in exasperation, beckoning his visitor to follow him and his new companion. A clock. To say that Beauty might faint is an understatement. Beauty felt light headed. Unreal. Objects do not speak. Objects do not move. She must find her father and escape this sorcery. “Up the stairs now Miss” despite how the entire situation have been defying nature’s rules, she couldn’t help but wanting to seize the the enchanted objects and spare them jumping up every step.

It was definitely a castle for the royalty. The mahogany wood, the elegant designs and the gold carvings on the walls. The place every got even more whimsical every second. By the time they reached the last step, Beauty ignored loud cry of help to momentarily catch her breath. Gulping loudly as an animalistic sound vibrated through the halls. Her father called again, familiar and nostalgic. Will running to his arms end this paranormal journey? “Beauty” he whimpered as she fell to her knees, stretching a fair arm to pull her father closer. “No you shan’t” The same voice bellowed. Close and dangerously warm. As if time had stopped and her brain restricted processing any sound other than her own heartbeat. A sweat steak ran down her temple as she turned a hinged neck to the towering shadow that made he father paper pale. It’s definitely a bull, but it’s also a bear a Wolf and a lion. Black beetle eyes, brown fur, big clawed fingers that could slit her throat with utter ease. Beauty may be strong, but she isn’t a warrior. With a shriek that shook the walls of the cellar room, she stumbled backwards, shielding her face with her hand not intertwined with her father’s. Why was this happening?

“As I have been foretold” The beast started with a firm stance, pain flashing briefly against his eyes. “You are here to rescue your father, aren’t you?” and the girl nodded, digging in her insides for her bravery once again. “I shall let him leave” he said, sharp and rough. Beauty looked up in relief. “On one condition” he completed and a dreadful frown carved her fear whitened lips. It would have been an easy decision. Sparing your life in exchange for your father’s slaughter. She wasn’t, isn’t and never will be selfish. “I agree” she sprung to her feet, detaching her arm from her father’s and finding that inner strength she seemed to have lost at the castle’s threshold. “very well” the beast announced and Beauty clutched the wall for dear life, watching her writhing papa shouting endless objections. It was for the best. His best.

Sun shone for the 7th time in Beauty’s stay in the cursed castle and she couldn’t help but wonder what she would be doing now if she hadn’t asked for that rose. The rose that flipped her life upside down. The closet, a talkative, nosy middle aged lady sensed her master’s awake and started: “Good morning Miss, would you like- “ Her voice was cut off with a loud knock on the door, sparing Beauty’s manners from combusting at the wooden box. Pushing her bed sheets over, she proceeded get open the golden door, barefoot and dressed only in her nightgown. “Good morning Beauty” the chimera flipped it’s tail and she flinched at the oddity of it all. “Come join me for breakfast” he asked, polite and free from his usual growl. Beauty seemed to not have noticed how morbidly hard he was trying and attempted shutting the door without an answer. Awful mistake. The beast held the door open with a furry hand, his expression hardening to pure wrath. “As you wish woman, but you will join me for dinner and that is not a request!” he shouted as hard as his lungs could manage and pulled the door shut. Fingers shaking and hair ruffled, Beauty sighed at the furniture suggestion to get her dressed, remembering the wise words of her father “when in Rome…” “Oh what shall I do? She loathes me!” He paced back and forth , frantically brainstorming with his servants. His clock was ticking closer and closer to his demise. “well if you could have only been nice Master Jungkook…” The candle stick scolded, with as much respect his unamused tone could manage. The beast, Jungkook, found it difficult to stay still. “That’s not particularly my fault is it Yoongi!” “I don’t spot the need to tell at new young prince I am merely stating my very accurate opinion” his servants replied, completely fed up with his owner and storming out of the drawing room, hopping ever so tirelessly on his single leg. Jungkook fought a giggle and buried his face in his palms, groaning in desperation. He had high hopes for the night.

Ever heard of curiosity killed the cat? Let’s just says it very well applies to this situation. Dinner time was nearing and beauty found it difficult to remain still. The Beast’s warning playing over for what seems like the millionth time. Almost like the song you listen to on repeat to the point you’re dead sick of it. She was dead sick of it. Gathering the tails of her diamond studded dress, sky blue, flattering enough to exentuate her her pale skin and auburn curls. The west wing. How can two words ever keep someone up for nights? Well, she’s about to know.

Step after step. Click after click. A vivid memory of her father shot across her vision. Smiling and hurt but she blinked it away. Curious. If I didn’t know any better I would say suicidal. Two left turns and getting lost a couple more, Beauty’s senses tingled as she stepped across an imaginary boundary. The air densed and the lights dimmed. Faints whispers and cries that Beauty shook off as a forgery of her imagination. Her brain said no, but her legs said hell yes. And there comes a sharp inhale.

Ever heard of curiosity killed the cat? There is a second part to that idiom.

Maybe, and just maybe, the is what happens when Someone with big hands tries to get a grip on smaller objects. Torn wallpaper. Shredded curtains, silk and sad. The bed was a wreck it was even a miracle it was standing in the first place. Linens and jewelry were strewn across the the hard-wood floor. But it was the red that caught her attention. The blazing blood red rose. Perched across the only standing table in the room.

She would have stepped closer to the falling petals, but have you heard of curiosity killed the cat? There is a second part to it. “But satisfaction brought it back.”

In a sense, Beauty did die for a second.

His medium rare steak was getting cold and so was her’s. He was having non of her derision. Staggering all the way up to the girl’s bedroom, a few aggravated hangs on her door were followed suit by a loud cry of exasperation and Beast barged in, taking the empty room into his sight before processing the situation. He’s dying alone. Or so he thought.

With his head hanging low and his hopes even lower, the beast made his way to his lonely chamber. Equipped with overwhelming melancholy to keep him company.

“Love, come play with us” Fate said in a sing-song voice. Waiting for his plans to thrive. But love knew better.

“What are you doing here?” You can imagine what happened next. All I’ll say is that Beast was not impressed. And Beauty’s lips were white. Very white.

Giggle. Thud and more feminine giggles. “They hate me!” Beast groaned across the snow coating his garden, the sun in deep slumber. Beauty protested “They don’t hate you, you just have to be nice” “How much more nice can I get? I could be grilling them for dinner for all I know!” “Jungkook! His name had a nice tone from her lips.

And yes, we are on first name bases now. If I may phrase it my way I’d say Love beat Fate at his own game. She never played by the rules anyway. She slowly slid her way through their hearts. Threading them together. Almost like the smooth river’s flow across two harsh rocks. Stubborn. Beauty learned that an ugly monster can learn to love as well. Is capable of finding passion. His roses. His servants. Who knew that the growling facade masked a kind gentleman? If only she could smile as wholeheartedly as she is now. Time would stretch on, but she would never get tired of the bird loving creature. The way he always checks on her meals, tells her to keep warm. Secretly, she never wanted it to end. Momentarily caught up in her living dream. But it’s just a dream.

The birds flew up as gunshots fired through the grey sky. Beauty’s heart raced and she involuntarily looked up at her companion who was quick to his feat. Just who would disturb their peaceful bird feeding routine? “Beauty get inside” The urgency in his voice was not humorous and she knew she had to obligate, however that familiar face rooted her feet to the shaved ice underneath them. Him. The village’s stuck up. Oh he’s human all right, but she’d rather spend her entire life with a Beast than his proud, handsome face. Always wondering around. Messing around with woman’s hearts. The one thing she won’t long to in her place of birth.

“Towards the Monster!” he called out and everything blurred out from that point on. There was crimson on white. Cries of agnoy and Beauty’s muffed sobs. “don’t rescue me!” Her oppositions vanished in thin air as the battle raged on. “Leave me alone!” This time she lunged forward. Right in the heat of the situation. Shielding a hardly standing Jungkook from the true Beast.

Love was so proud of her work.

“Leave me alone and go away” she screamed at the loudest her lungs could manage. Her small arms fighting stronger ones to take her back home. But she was home. He was her home.

A small whimper, almost inaudible, escaped Jungkook behind her and without any prior warning he collapsed to the snow. Ending. His petals were giving away. And to know all it took them to leave her be is to see him dead. What a harsh world.

“Stay with me” she fell to her knees. Trembling and tearful. Everything good in her life has to disappear, doesn’t it? “You know I love you right?” Jungkook said softly and she sobbed louder, nodding frantically. Unaware his eyes gave up on him. “Don’t leave me” Beauty dropped her face on his still chest. Unable to form coherent words other than “I love you"s.

Humans have to wait to the very last second, don’t they?

Beauty. The perfect name. A true beauty she is. She walked shyly to the man with the stretched hand. Coal black hair, soft eyes that worshipped her elegant body and soul. Her eyes glinting in a dress as yellow and pure as her heart.

“You look as breathtaking as ever my princess” he flirted as she placed a hand on his firm shoulders, pushing her breasts onto his well toned chest. With a final chuckle, Beauty took Jungkook’s hand into her’s and watched as his upper lip disappeared in that smile she oh so loves.

Love beat Fate at his own game.

#bts #bangtan #jungkook #au #scenario #bts scenario #bts imagines #bts jungkook #bangtan jungkook #angst #fluff #romance #one shot

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