#I mean by all means if someone sees this and is like lightbulb go ahead just credit me!!

[mcflymemes]

NATIONAL TREASURE PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the 2004 film

what do you see?

i'm gonna steal it.

this is cool. is this how you feel all the time?

what time is it now?

i'm so sorry i dropped you.

once we catch them, what do we do?

and you have no idea where he went?

just tell me what you told my friend.

is this real?

tell me what i need to know.

i made something for you.

what do you think? i'm a hostage.

stop chatting and get in the van.

then we keep looking for it.

you're not supposed to be up here, looking at that.

come on romeo, get out of there.

you know the key to running a convincing bluff? every once in a while you've got to be holding all the cards.

honey, stay as long as you'd like.

i know what i have to do, i'm just trying to think if there's anything else we could do.

you know what? i take it back. you're not liars. you're insane.

people don't talk that way anymore.

i would have done exactly the same to you.

i thought i'd be a good idea to have a duplicate.

you're treasure hunters, aren't you?

so we find a way to make sure the status quo changes in our favor.

who were those men?

you know what you have to do.

don't speak again.

i'm not going.

it's only a matter of minutes before the FBI shows up at my front door.

why don't you just come back down here and we can talk through this together.

will someone please explain to me what these magic numbers are?

are you crying?

look, i will let you hold this if you promise to shut up! please! thank you!

i know the person who has the originals.

do you want something?

i see why you left him.

look, if you wanted to leave me behind, you shouldn't have told me where you were going.

okay, pay attention.

we found bullet casings.

delicious jams and jellies?

it's not a conspiracy theory.

you owe me $35 plus tax.

you know something? you're shouting again.

we missed it.

you know, thomas edison tried and failed nearly 2,000 times to develop the carbonized cotton-thread filament for the incandescent lightbulb.

at least i had your mother, for however brief a time.

this is huge.

this is a waste of time.

i'm just trying to hide from my ex-husband.

beautiful, huh? i have no idea what you said.

you're a genius.

enjoy. go ahead.

everything i told you was the truth.

you are gonna go to prison. you know that right?

how do a bunch of guys with hand tools build all this?

you're not hurt, are you?

did bigfoot take it?

well... this might be possible.

do you have a visual?

yeah, rub it in.

is there a door that doesn't lead to prision?

at least i had you. what you do you have?

if it's any consolation, you had me convinced.

it means if there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsiblity to take action.

what if we go public? plaster the story all over the internet?

are you all right?

you handled that well.

the guests know something happened but they don't know what.

well. that would bother most people.

someone's got to go to prison.

you would do well to be a little more civilized in this instance.

you don't know this?

this isn't a day for "um."

he doesn't remember a thing.

we can't go back there.

it means the treasure is real.

i've never been so happy to be proven wrong.

our evil plan is working.

i'm still not against you.

i'm in a little trouble.

i know something about history that you don't know.

i'd be very excited to learn about it.

still a little on edge from being shot at, but i'll be okay. thanks for asking.

there was no file opened. we didn't find the information credible.

if you're not a steak, you don't belong here.

anyone crazy enough to believe us isn't gonna want to help.

when are we gonna get there? i'm hungry. this car smells weird.

you're all lunatics!

are you trying to steal that?

why does that never happen with me?

it's not like we have our reputations to worry about.

we did the only thing we could do to keep it safe.

hold on one second. let me just take in this moment.

they don't have it.

a toast to high treason.

there's no chance anyone can steal this.

hey, i don't make the prices.

the aliens helped them.

who wants to go down the creepy tunnel inside the tomb first?

i'm taking the whole thing.

you know, i really couldn't accept something like that normally... but i really want it.

now could you please stop shouting?

give me that!

i leveled with you one hundred percent.

you're still shouting, and it's really starting to annoy.

we probably deserved that.

no broken bones? a jump like that could kill a man.

it's invisible.

i volunteered.

i don't have that on my computer.

can i marry your brain?

you know, something i've noticed about fishing? it never works out so well for the bait.

we don't actually have it.

they're like early american x-ray specs.

i'm sorry for your suffering.

here's to the men who did what was considered wrong in order to do what they knew was right.

why do you care?

i lost my feed.

i don't know where anyone is anymore. i have nothing!

get out of there! get out of there now!

it was cool. you should try it sometime.

for the record, i like the house.

enjoy your spoils.

#rp memes #rp meme #rp starters #rp prompt #rp musings #roleplay memes #roleplay prompt #roleplay meme #writing prompt #askbox meme #ask memes #rp asks #ask meme #inbox meme #inbox prompts #rp inbox meme #inbox prompt #sentence starter #sentence starters #sentence starter prompt #mcflymemes #national treasure #movies #remake of an old meme i did

[miraakulous-cloud-district]

WYGTYA lines

@sheirukitriesfandom tagged me in this most wonderful tag game and I am so happy! Thank you for the tag :D Since WYGTYA is my longest work, I'm going to include lines from this fic of mine that I love so very much <3

A line from your fic that makes you laugh (not really a line, but it made me laugh while I wrote chapter 13)

“What on Nirn is a rock’s weakness?” He asks, casting a calm spell to no avail.

“Scissors?” Ravonna responds, chuckling.

“You think this is a good time for jokes? Master Neloth is going to kill me if he finds out!” 

“Scissors, that’s it! Big sword!” she says, the lightbulb of an idea almost visible above her head, making Talvas even more confused. 

“I’m sorry, what?”

“Wait here, I know just the thing!” She immediately levitates rapidly to the main tower, doing a backflip before entering.

"But paper beats rock!" Talvas shouts, but to no avail, Ravonna is already in the tower.

A line from your fic that makes you sad (of course it's a Miraak line, from chapter 6)

“I – yes. I just – ” but he has to turn around before the tears start falling down his cheeks. ‘Be a man’s man and don’t cry. Crying is for weaklings, you soft-hearted little boy! Why can’t you be like your brother? You’re a failure!’ his father’s words ring into his ears and he shivers, wanting nothing more than the earth to swallow him. And so he climbs the stairs as fast as he can and heads straight to his chamber. There, he can finally cry for hours.

A line from your fic you're proud of (not yet part of wygtya, but it will be, this is my Ralof/Hadvar ficlet, and I'm so proud of that watetfall metaphor)

“We were drunk and happy and we thought we had our whole life ahead of us.” Ralof begins, trying to be brave himself and just let his thoughts flow into words like a river turning into a waterfall

A line for your fic you think could have been better (There are a lot of things that could have been written better, but I refuse to beat myself too much over it and embrace the fact that I am evolving and I don't want to over analyse my old writing, so this is from chapter 1, I hate this because Hjaldir's story changed a bit over time! When I wrote this, it was all unclear, and so many things have changed since then, I'm hoping my version of him now isn't too far from this brief first description of him)

“Well, Inigo, it’s actually quite a funny story. Hjaldir turned out to be a runaway pirate. He ran away from his crew because he got tired of getting seasick and stealing from innocent people. So, one night, he just ran away. Decided to become a bard and make honest coin. Ended up at my dad’s tavern.”

A line from your fic that makes you want to punch a character (from chapter 12, DAMN IT, LUCIEN, THEY WERE HAVING A MOMENT)

“Am I… interrupting something?” Lucien asks. Right, Lucien. Fenrik’s almost forgotten about him. How could he not, when all he did was sleep his hangover off?

“No!” both Dragonborn respond at the same time, letting go of each others’ hands.

A line from your fic that makes you go 'aww' (from chapter 13, Ravonna trying her best to comfort Miraak is so precious to me, she is trying her best! And this is a big moment for her, to try to be so comforting to one person who once tried to kill her. It's a lot of progress and I feel like she can see their situation from a mature point of view and she can let go of the vengeance.)

“There we go.” she says as she gets a good look of Fenrik’s teary brown eyes. “Now listen to me: no one is upset with you. I’m starting to think that it’s impossible to be. You didn’t ruin anything, okay? The self-sacrificing healer in you got out. And that’s commendable. Now, please don’t cry because I have no idea what to do with someone who is crying.” She says, making him laugh the tears away. “You’re doing great. I mean, if you need to cry, just let it out, I’ll figure something out. Maybe sparkles? Everyone loves sparkles, right?” She makes small sparkles dance around her other hand

A line from your fic that's full of symbolism (from chapter 12, not sure if this classifies as symbolism, but the snake thing is something that I am so proud of)

"I still felt my soul in there, wrapped tightly in the threatening embrace of all those dragons’ souls. I felt it trying to fight it, to escape, like a small animal trying to escape the python snake’s fatal grip."

A line from your fic that contains an Easter egg (WWDITS reference with a medieval and lore-friendly name replacement! From chapter 3)

"His name was Mikael, if I recall correctly.”

“Fucking Mikael!” Ravonna says, full of spite.

A line from your fic that's shocking (from chapter 13, MIRAAK SAID HIS FIRST ON-SCREEN BAD WORD!! Everyone was shocked hahaha)

“Holy shit!” Fenrik says as they get closer to the Silt Strider, making Ravonna’s job to cheer up much easier. She turns to him with wide eyes, and then looks at the rest of the amused fellowship. Even Teldryn was struggling not to smile. 

A line from your fic you want to talk about more (from chapter 2, IT'S RUMCURIO, CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT RUMCURIO I'M IN RAREPAIR HELL, MY FIC IS LITERALLY THE ONLY ONE WITH THE RUMARIN/MARCURIO TAG I'M GOING INSANE)

“Just come back alive, or I will kill you.” Marcurio says, his forehead resting against Rumarin’s, still pulling him down. It’s not the most comfortable position for Rumarin, but he won’t have it any other way. It makes him think, really. About all the ways he is going to kiss him as soon as he returns from Solstheim. 

Tagging my beloved fellow writer mutuals, only if you want to participate, of course! @bougainvillea-and-saltwater @kiir-do-faal-rahhe @thelavenderelf @mareenavee @dirty-bosmer @blossom-adventures @nerevar-quote-and-star and I'm also tagging @sheirukitriesfandom back to do this challenge!

#tag game #thank you so much for this <3 #wygtya #wygtya stuff #miraak x ldb #oc: ravonna #miraak #lucien flavius #inigo the brave #rumarin 3dnpc #marcurio #rumcurio #teldryn sero #ralof/hadvar

[hughungrybear]

Me watching Dangerous Romance Ep.7:

1. I'm excited! Who's excited? We'll finally know the aftermath of the kiss. I mean, after Kanghan explicitly told Sailom that all he feels for him is guilt, how would he explain the kiss??? 😤😤😤

2. Waaaaait, hold up. Is grandma sick??? Also, Sailom is back in Kang's house eating dinner with the family but the two still seems a whole lot of awkward with each other. 😶

3. Oh, so Kang and Sailom didn't get to talk? Dammit, Guy and Auto. Also, that's no fair, Kang - telling Sailom you don't want to see him with anybody else but still have not retracted the part that all you feel is guilt and pity for him.

4. I almost forgot that they have connected bedrooms via a shared bathroom. Oooh, the possibilities lol 😅😅😅

5. Kang: "Give it to me straight". Me: "He can't. He is gay/bi." 😂😂😂 Yeah, I'll see myself out 😅😅😅

6. I laughed when Kang asked if Sailom wants to be his boyfriend. I mean, really? Really? Just the previous episode you were ready to punch Sailom for breaking Pimfah's heart and has also broke his heart in the process. No apologies? No backsies?? WTF. 😭😤

7. It's awfully quiet back there that if I'm the car driver, I would be suspicious 😂😂😂 Also, look at Kang's smile when Sailom opened the (bathroom) door for him.

8. Okay, Kang being completely honest about his feeling for Sailom is 😭😭😭😭 but his way of flirting is 😅😅😅😅😅 .

Guys, I died laughing. I already ascended to heaven (or descended to hell, am not really fussy about these things lol)

9. On the bright side, having Kang as a boyfriend means Sailom (and his friends) will never be hangry as he kept buying food/feeding Sailom tasty treats lol

10. Oooh, so Kang decided to start gaining Sailom's friends' trust by bringing them food? What are Guy and Auto, alley cats??? Lol.

11. Oh no! Grandma, be well 😭😭😭 Why were you lifting heavy objects? You are rich! Call someone to do it for you next time 😭😭😭

(Sidenote: My Grandma did something similar. She went ahead and used a ladder to change a lightbulb in her house but the ladder collapse under her weight and she hit her hip. After that, her hip deteriorated as she did not go to a doctor because she didn't want to 'waste' money. She was never able to regain her ability to walk and had to use a wheelchair until she died.)

12. Lightning striking just as Saifah swearing that he will never manipulate Kang's grandma to buy him things is peak comedy 😂😂😂 Also, yeah I don't trust Saifah. No offence but he hasn't done anything (in this series) that paints him as trustworthy lol

13. I forgot that Sailom's fave dish is grilled fish and veggies. But how did Kang know? Lol. See, told you Kang is treating Sailom's friends like pets 😂😂😂 Ngl though, I would have eaten the snacks and still not trust Kang to pull a prank or two lol

14. Wait, did Pimfah really asked Kang or is that an excuse? Also did they tell Pimfah about what is happening them or did they just let her figure things out? 😑

15. I would ignore the fact that Kang raided Sailom's drawers (without asking, mind) to get that shirt, but focus on his relentless cheesy flirting in a public transportation lol

16. Another sidenote: I cannot believe, not even for a second, that Kang's noodle is NOT spicy. For better or for worse, authentic Thai food is almost always spicy even without the chilis. Lol. Also, not related to the plot or story, if it's available in your local Asian grocery and don't mind spicy food, try the MAMA and MAMA OK instant noodles (esp. the salted egg flavour).

17. Tbf, I don't think it is just the spicy noodles. I doubt Kang has any experience shopping in a crowded public market. I mean, as a kid, my mum also used to drag me to our country's Chinatown market (because that's where all the cheap goods are) to shop and hated every minute of it because of the crowd, the heat, and the smell of wet goods exposed under the hot sun.

18. Auto: "We are not down to earth. We are just dirt poor". Harsh, but extremely accurate lol

Also Auto: We don't mind that (Kang spending money on them). Throw it all you want. We're all for it. Throw it this way. Screw dignity! Keep throwing! Don't hold back! 😂😂😂😂

19. Kang's road to romance is a bit rocky. It's a given that Auto and (more specifically) Guy will have a difficult time trusting Kang after the bullying incident in the first episodes. However, Kang's friends are also bonafide a**holes, even without Kang's prompting. 😅

20. Where is my Guy and Nava ship??? I swear if GMMTV does this like they did TiwPor in MSP (as if an afterthought), I WILL RIOT. 😤😤😤

21. Wait a freaking minute. These are high school students. I'm not saying I was a saint at that age, but I drunk beer in the privacy of my friend's backyard lol. Pretty sure underage drinking in a public place like a bar is illegal even in Asia.

22. It turns out, Auto is the worst kind of drunk lol. Also, I believe Chimon when he said Sailom cannot dance. You'll understand if you have seen an episode of the School Rangers 😂😂😂😂

23. Uhm, Miss, stop grinding. He is gay. Lol.

24. I mean, alcohol is not the best relationship starter, but if it will set my GuyNava ship to sail, I will take it (as long as everything is consentual, ofc) 😅😅😅

25. See, it is illegal. But Auto, learn to run faster, gawd dammit. Also, what would happen to Kang? Will his father scold him? I highly doubt it since they have been painting the man as "doting" to the point that Kang cannot disappoint him because he does not expect anything great or good from Kang. However, this might ruin his political dreams, so we'll see.

26. The dad finally getting angry with Kang only because it can potentially ruin his election run is all kinds of messed up. 😑

27. At this point, Sailom has displaced Kang as the favourite grandson lol

28. Ugh, Saifah. What are you planning??? Don't ruin this for Sailom 😭😭😭😭

29. Oof. The cheerleader outfits are cute. They look like Sailormoon's transformation outfit. 😍

30. Why are you flirting in front of everyone's salad, Kang? 😅😅😅 You have a game to play. Focus. 😆😆😆

31. I know people have been pointing out the similarities between this series and BBS. I guess the true test of acceptance is when your bff learns to play well together with your (not-yet) bf in a football match 😂😂😂

32. Kang being anxious that Guy (and Auto) will never like him for missing that goal is 😔😔😔 Also, I commend Guy (and Auto) for being so sharp, it hurts lol. Unlike some "friends" (looking at you, Wai) 🙄

Officially boyfriends!!! Will Kang ramp up his cheesy flirting? Also, Saifah being on Ms Ging's medical team CANNOT be a good thing. The man is not above stealing from patients. I can smell trouble.

#dangerous romance #dangerous romance ep 7 #kanghan x sailom #kanghansailom #kangsailom #perthchimon #perth tanapon #chimon wachirawit #marcpawin #marc pahun #win pawin

[atwooozi]

Almost Perfect (Sebastian x Fem!Farmer) Chapter 13: A Frozen Tear

Warnings: Slow burn, personal struggles, anxiety, depression, eventual smut

Summary: Sebastian expresses his worries about messing things up with Angeline. Sam, in his own way, tries to reassure Sebastian, reminding him to just be himself.

A/N: You guyssss, I'm getting impatient so I'm posting today. Please forgive me for not keeping a consistent posting schedule. I think because I have so much backlogged I have a hard time keeping it all to myself.

READ ON AO3

Chapter 13: A Frozen Tear

Summer 2

Sebastian sighed and sat down by the riverside, his legs splayed in front of him. He looked up at the sky and put his hand in front of the face to keep the sun out of his eyes. Summer had just started but he was already wishing for it to end, just because of the sunshine alone. It felt like the sun was shining directly on him and its heat felt unbearable. Perhaps , if he didn’t stubbornly wear his hoodie all seasons it wouldn’t be so bad. He wasn’t going to let the weather win that easy.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He should’ve stayed inside, the basement felt much nicer, at least right now. Just as he felt himself relax a shockingly cool can was pressed up against his exposed neck. He flinched and jolted away from the coolness, his eyes snapping open. He glared at Sam who was staring at him with a shit-eating grin. 

“You looked hot.” Sam snickered as he cracked open a cool Joja cola for himself. “I brought you one.” He said as he held out a can out to him. 

Sebastian pushed it away and sighed as he brought his knees to his chest. 

“You good?” Sam asked as he looked over at Sebastian quirking a brow. 

Sebastian pursed his lips in thought, debating if he should tell Sam about what he did. He sighed and rested his cheek against his knee as he looked at Sam. “I invited the farmer into my room.” He muttered. 

Sam nodded and thought about it quietly and taking for- fucking -ever to say something. “So?” That’s all he had to say?

Sebastian wanted to throttle the blonde idiot. What did he mean ‘so’? “So…” He tried to come up with an explanation for how dire the situation felt. “So…I-I don’t know.” 

Sam furrowed his brows as if he wasn’t getting it and shrugged. “I just don’t get the big deal, man. I mean, Abigail hangs out with you all the time.” 

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Yeah but Abigail doesn’t count.” Abigail didn’t really register as anything other than Abigail for him. He had known her for so long that her being of the opposite sex meant close to nothing to him. 

Sam ran his hand through his hair and frowned. “Well…what did she say?” 

“Okay.” Sebastian said with a frown. 

“I really don’t see the problem.” Sam shook his head. He gave Sebastian a confused look. 

Sebastian let out an exasperated sigh. He loved Sam he really did, but in the moment he felt like he was talking to a brick wall. He wasn’t even sure what he was trying to express because if he were to listen to himself he wouldn’t even get it. Who cares that he invited the farmer to his room? The cute farmer to his room. It made his heart race just thinking about it. 

“I guess, it’s just been awhile since I’ve let someone in.” 

“Your room?” Sam asked as he scratched his head, trying to comprehend the gravity of the situation.

Sebastian scowled and nudged Sam. “No you idiot, I meant emotionally.”  

“Oooh” Sam nodded, it was like a lightbulb went off. “Yeah, I guess that is kind of a big for you.” Sam smiled at Sebastian. 

“What?” Sebastian frowned at Sam. “You’re creeping me out.” 

Sam shook his head. “ Nothin’...” 

Sebastian rolled his eyes at Sam and stared ahead at the shimmering water in front of them. Sam took a swig from his can of Joja cola, the fizz of the drink punctuating the quiet moment by the riverside.

“I just don’t want to mess things up…” Sebastian admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. 

Sam glanced at him, and gave a reassuring smile. “Dude, you’re like the coolest guy I know. Just be yourself, that’s all anyone can ask for.” 

Sebastian nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it.” 

Sam clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. “No problem, man.” He beamed. “And like, if you ever need to talk about…whatever, I’m here.” He shrugged a bit sheepishly. “I don’t always get it, but you’re my best friend, alright?” 

Sebastian laughed and he felt himself relax slightly. He didn’t really understand what was going on with himself so he wasn’t sure what he’d even talk to Sam about. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.” 

Together they sat by the riverside, the warmth of the sun feeling a bit more bearable as the breeze came in. Maybe, just maybe , things weren’t as bad as they seemed in Sebastian’s head.  

~*~

Summer 7

Sebastian was yet again at his desk working. It felt like a mystery with how much he was working that he could hardly see a difference in his bank account. Still, he was almost done with his client’s latest request. He felt pretty good about the fixes he made to the mess of code that he was given. He felt good for once, rested, productive, maybe even a little bit proud of himself. He felt so good that he might even entertain the idea of talking with Demetrius at dinner later tonight. 

Yet, good things never seem to last that long for Sebastian, unfortunately. There was a knock at his door. He groaned internally. It was probably his mom or Abigail wanting to bug him over something trivial. 

“Come in.” Sebastian rasped. He coughed and tried to clear his throat and braced himself for whatever annoying interruption was to come. He swore the if it had anything to do with Prairie King he was going to riot.  

The door slowly opened and to his surprise the farmer–Angeline peaked her head in. He sat up straight in his chair and ran his hand through his hair. Trying to quickly get rid of his bedhead, and taking off his awful glasses that he wore while coding. “Oh hey…” Hopefully she didn’t notice all that. He wanted to seem nonchalant. 

Angeline hesitated but stepped into the room, taking in her surroundings. “Give me a sec, I need to finish something.” Sebastian said as he quickly went to work and finished his train of thought, squinting at his screen. “Sorry, I just needed to finish what I was working on.” 

Angeline tore her eyes away from the scenery around them and smiled at Sebastian. Sebastian quickly scanned his room to see if there was anything he needed to hide. Thankfully anything embarrassing had already been tucked away. “What were you working on?” 

Sebastian sighed, already preparing for Angeline’s eyes to glaze over once he told her what he did. “I’m a freelance programmer.” 

“Oh that’s really cool!” Angeline said as she stepped closer to him and looked over at his screen. Did she actually care or was she just trying to be nice?  

Just as Sebastian was about to say something he received a notification from Sam asking him to hang out. He sighed and pinched his nose bridge in frustration he really didn’t want to go out.

“Sebby, Abigail is looking for you.” Robin said as she barged into his room. She looked between Angeline and him and gave a grin. Did he accidentally send out some type of signal that alerted everyone to annoy him at once? 

“Did you tell her I was working?” Sebastian groaned. This felt so fucking embarrassing. 

“I did, but Abigail said she would probably stop by anyway.” Robin frowned. She turned to Angeline and gave her a quick hug. “I haven’t seen you in a hot minute. Come say hi before you leave.” 

Angeline gave Robin a polite nod and wave as the older red head made her way up the stairs. Sebastian slumped into his chair. How could a day that started so good turn into shit in a matter of minutes? Was it because it was him? “No one takes my job seriously…” 

Angeline frowned and nervously played with her hands. “Yeah…that really sucks.” She looked hesitant to say more but continued. “What are your goals, career-wise, I mean.” 

Sebastian looked at Angeline curiously and thought about it for a moment. “Well, I’m trying to save up to move to the city.” He shrugged as he looked at his screen. “I like what I do because–I don’t know, I feel comfortable being behind the screen.” He frowned at himself as he thought about it. “I mean, if I really wanted to I could be making six figures, but I didn’t go to school and I can’t handle a corporate job.” 

Angeline nodded as she listened. “I don’t really know anything about programming, but I couldn’t handle a corporate job, either.” She pursed her lips in thought. There was that look again. “And the fact that you’re freelance and are self-taught is pretty impressive in itself.” 

Sebastian studied her for a moment. He actually felt heard and the slight praise almost brought a tear to his eye. Is this what it felt like to be appreciated? He always felt so misunderstood by his family and even his friends, so to finally have what he craved felt so good. “Yeah…thanks.” He said shyly. 

Angeline shifted slightly. “Well, I don’t want to bother you.” She gripped at the straps at her bag. “...I just wanted to drop this off.” She said as she rested her backpack on the floor and unzipped it. She dug around for a few minutes and took out a small mineral. “When I saw this I thought of you, so I figured I’d give it to you.” 

Angeline smiled and took Sebastian's hand in her own and placed the cool, smooth rock in his hand. “It’s called a frozen tear, I guess.” She explained as she pulled her hand away. Sebastian ran his thumb over the frozen tear, enjoying the cool sensation. 

“Thanks, I really love this.” Sebastian said softly as a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. 

“I’m glad.” Angeline smiled brightly causing her dimples to show. Cute.    

Sebastian placed the stone on his desk gingerly and sighed. He had to finish this damn module. “I should get this done. It needs to be finished by tomorrow.” He gave her an apologetic look. 

“No worries.” Angeline shook her head and gave a wave of her hand. “Like I said, I just wanted to give that you. Let me get out of your way.” She said as she hurriedly got her stuff together. 

“Bye Sebastian!” Angeline called as she made her way up the stairs, shutting the door behind her. 

Sebastian started to fix the errors in the code again. After a few minutes of work his eyes traveled over to the frozen tear. He stopped moving his fingers over the keys and took the frozen tear in his hand again to inspect it. He held it closer to get a better look at it and couldn’t help but smile. 

She thought of him…

#sdv sebastian #fanfic #stardew valley sebastian x oc #fanfiction #stardew sebastian #ao3 fanfic #sebastian stardew valley #stardew valley Sebastian x oc

[alyjojo]

Love Reading 💣 - July 2023 - Taurus

Singles:

Overall energy: The Fool

How you will meet: 2 Swords & The Tower

How they will treat you: Queen of Pentacles

Long-term Potential: The Hierophant

Oracle:

Dance in the storm ⛈

Keep your word.

Wow, this is a great reading. Whoever they are, they’re going to hit you like a lightning bolt ⚡️ out of nowhere, you won’t see them coming. Nor will you necessarily trust it right away, there’s going to be a period where you’re like “why u lyin’?” 🤣 You think they’re messing with you, manipulating you, anything but actually being this serious…probably this fast. Because this seems to move FAST. Justice shows they mean it, and they make a point to consistently prove it every step of the way. Your objections and lack of trust amuse them.

If you have options before you meet this person, that will be no more. You could’ve gone through some difficult relationships before now, which would explain your immediate indecision & second guessing this person. But I get they are in love with you, spoil you, helping out & acts of servicing the fk out of you with this Queen of Pentacles. Could be another earth sign, or have an earth Venus for me to get it that way. They’re like lemme change your oil. Lemme make you eggs 🍳 Lemme get this lightbulb real quick. Lemme make sure we have candles in a blackout, the gas tank is full, and I called ahead just to make sure. I got it, you need it, and I got it. Just some examples…I’m dying over here. It’s genuine. They don’t care what you think about it either, you’ll learn 🤣 Long term is MARRIAGE, and they’re going to clear up any confusion you have about any dang thing you can think up…you need some clarity Taurus ok, they got that too. Clownin’ with cuteness, 10/10.

Messages -

Their side:

- Older man/woman

- I want to grow with you 🌸

Your side:

- Sweet as candy 🍬

- Forever Young

Signs you may be dealing with:

Scorpio, Libra, Pisces & Gemini

Couples:

Overall energy: 9 Swords

Current: Justice

Challenge: Ace of Wands

How they feel about you: Page of Cups & The Sun

How you feel about them: Knight of Swords

Outcome: The Star

You two are emotionally distant and pretty separate through July, though I don’t see a breakup, there is likely to be a row between you. Your person comes up as someone loud, yelling, ragey, argumentative. You’re coming up as very cold, and condescending twice, it shows up in their Oracle too, like this is something that reaaaally pisses them off. An air about you, but I mean if they tantrum like a toddler…yeah, so that’s the issue here 😆 Your Oracle encourages more kind words to deflect their “rage issues” or whatever this is, rather than tossing gasoline onto that fire, that’s seems to be the whole issue this month.

They’re really stressed out because they see you not speaking to them at all, you’ve got your sword up ready to attack if they come at you in a certain way, and they’re aware of that. You’re setting clear boundaries surrounding communication. They better check their tone or don’t even come at you kind of energy. I don’t get “ragey” cards, or explosiveness, but you see them as Knight of Swords, and his communication can be swift & vicious so long as his point is made. You’re not into that, it’s an immediate nope. Every air sign is here, you both show up as the Swords pair, which could show you both have heavy air energy, or just the emotional detachment you both have for each other after an argument, you’re both in this hands off detached energy. Both are focused on clear communication and truth, but that’s the problem too. You’re taking necessary space to get your head clear and figure out what you will want to say. I don’t get cruelty, spite, control issues, jealousy, none of that. You’re about logic, fairness, balance, talk it out…but you’re not talking it out, which has them like ??? 🤯

They’re stressing over you, because you’re completely unbothered with them. Happy even, doing your own thing, living your life, possibly treating yourself to whatever, whenever, and aren’t concerned with this situation at all. It’s like they messed up, and you need a break, but you’re sure to enjoy every second of that break, because you’re not an unhappy person. You’re getting your head on straight, this person has knocked you off balance and you’re working to fix that with some space, it’s all positive energy with you, just an independent one. The issue seems to be motivation for them to handle this conflict between you, and you’re not interested. Or you’re mad at them and taking it out on them by freezing them out with silence, could be, but again I don’t get vengefulness or intentional mean behavior. You just don’t want to argue, so you’re not gonna talk to them. That’s about as deep as it goes. If you’re allowing other people into this situation, friends/family, that’s a big problem as well.

They see you as apologizing and trying to have a new start with them, the outcome is really good too, it’s a temporary blip on the radar where this person comes at you aggressively, maybe saying some harsh things, and you’re like NOPE. Bye. In a condescending way, you’ve noped them right out of your life for a period of time. Focusing instead on work and the things that bring you joy, because their bs does not. Spirit wants you to also look at your own tone, not just what you say but *how* it’s said, it seems to encourage this person going from irritated to just ridiculous 🔥 or something. Not that it’s your fault, or problem, but more like - control what *you* can is what I’m getting with that. You see the whole thing as a disaster having been avoided because you noped them in the first place. Could leave altogether. They could compare issues now to issues in the past, that’s how you’re seeing them, and that’s something that needs to stop as well. You can’t even relate to that, which is probably where condescending comes in, or if they’re harping on old situations that are long gone. You’ll have to phrase that in a way that’s palpable for them to ponder. Outcome is healing, and overcoming this. After their outburst, they are also in a more communicative and balanced state of…let’s talk. It’s gotta start somewhere but I do see it being addressed successfully.

Messages -

Their side:

- Irresponsible

- LOUD 📢

Your side:

- Condescending

- Obsessed with work

Oracles - Breathe like you know how.

Their side: Avoid being pulled in by people who use you and put you down.

Your side:

Many times, kind words expressed when someone is in a rage will help neutralize the negativity.

What you worry about now will resolve itself if you’re patient and let your chart unfold.

Signs you may be dealing with:

Aquarius, Libra, Gemini, Leo & Scorpio

#taurus tarot reading #july 2023 #love tarot spread #singles reading #couples reading #Taurus #tarot

[bmacreadz]

"The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides

"The Silent Patient" - I don't even know how to write this without giving anything away. My first thought after finishing it was that it was a tad bit overrated with all the hype surrounding it. I expected a more earth-shattering revelation. I wasn't disappointed, by any means. It's just that - with all the foreshadowing at the beginning of the book - I kind of had an idea that something like THAT would be the end result.

"The Silent Patient" is told from the perspective of Theo Faber, a psychotherapist interested in helping a woman who infamously murdered her husband. And that's about all I can say without saying too much, I think.

TREAD CAUTIOUSLY: POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD

Theo becomes increasingly interested in helping Alicia, his patient, and too often he crosses the lines of professionalism as he tries to uncover the reason behind the murder. The primary problem is that Alicia refuses to speak - and has refusen to speak for six years - after she killed her husband. He's determined to help her, so he digs himself severely deep into this mystery and the reader begins to see him unravel.

I wasn't totally sure what to expect at the end. There were several possible conclusions that I kept thinking of. And when we, as the readers, finally realize what's going on, all the pieces fit seamlessly into the puzzle. A lightbulb went off, but it wasn't a very bright one. I think, subconciously, I was expecting a little bit more - something a little bit more crazy (excuse the pun?). I don't know. Maybe, as far as psychological thrillers go, this was above and beyond. Maybe it was earth-shattering for people who normally read these kinds of stories?? But it wasn't for me. It was good, but... predictable? Just a little bit?

I'll admit that I had to take a couple breaks while reading this book. The contents are a little heavy and mentally draining - especially for someone who doesn't normally read psychological thrillers such as this. I'm glad I read it, though, because I'm glad to take part in the conversations surrounding it. I believe this book will live on for a while, which is an incredible feat for any author. Alex Michaelides should be extremely proud of this work.

Personally, I don't think I will be reading anything else by him for a while - solely because it's not my style of book. I like happy endings, as we all know. I like to escape into worlds that make me happy - that are filled with a good kind of wonder and mystery. And this is not one of those books. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, mysteries, and other works that make you question your own sanity, then I am positive that this author is writing for you. And it is fantastic writing, really. Michaelides' storytelling was flawless and original, and everything a good reader needs from a good story.

All in all, I'd say it was a good book. And if you can't decide whether you want to read it or not, I'd say go for it. I learned some pretty cool things about psychotherapy along the way, and if nothing else, you'll have that.

#book review #the silent patient #alex michaelides

[sfb123]

I just read your drunk Liam fic and I just HAD to send you some prompts!!! From the prompt list you hyperlinked 9, 16, and 17 maybe? (Preferably liamxriley) pretty plz?* insert puppy dog eyes🥺*

Well… since you inserted puppy dog eyes…

I wanted to try to incorporate all three of these into one story, which actually worked out really well. Then, the issue came of how to make that apply to Liam and Riley. Luckily, my current binge obsession is the 90′s sitcom Mad About You, and there was an episode the other night that set a lightbulb off in my head, so this fic is loosely based on that episode. 

Prompts:

“We should grab coffee together sometime.”

“I’ll walk you home.”

“You need a lift?”

(Prompt pulled from this list. Feel free to send me more!)

Word Count: 1,431

Warnings: Adult language, mild innuendo

A/N: Thank you @phoenixrising308 for pre-reading. Your kindness and support are unparalleled, and I love you dearly. 

Also a thank you to @txemrn​ for dealing with my unnecessary back and forth about this moodboard. I ended up going with it, even though we were both so wishy washy about it. 

A/N 2: This is my third prompt story this week, I’m going to take a break and quietly write by myself for a while. I’ll continue to work on the asks I have received, and please please feel free to send more. I’m having so much fun! I just don’t want to bombard you all, so I’m going to start pacing my posting. When I finish a piece, I just get so excited when I finish something that I want to show you all so badly! 

***

Liam and Riley sat across from each other at the table, sharing the piece of cake that sat between them. They were in New York visiting Riley’s family for a few days, and her mother had insisted that Eleanor spend the night, so the royal couple was taking full advantage of their child-free night, wrapping up the evening with dinner at one of Riley’s favorite restaurants. 

“Hey, check that out.” Riley tipped her head toward the bar, where a man was approaching a woman who was sitting alone at the bar. “He’s going to shoot his shot and try to pick her up.”

“How do you know?” Liam asked, watching as the woman nodded, the man immediately sitting down beside her. 

“I worked in a bar long enough, I can read the body language and tell you exactly what’s going to happen.”

He turned to his wife, a skeptical expression on his face. “Prove it.”

“Wow, you don’t even believe your own wife. I’m wounded.” She placed her hand over her heart in mock devastation. “Fine, I hope you saved room after that cake, because you’re about to eat your words.”

Riley went on to explain what each was saying to the other, and accurately predicted each move that was made. Liam was so impressed that part of him felt like she may have hired these people specifically to act out this scene. 

“Now watch, he’s going to pull out his phone and try to get her to put her number in.” She said, as the man reached into his back pocket. 

“Is he going to get it?” Liam couldn’t help but be invested in the story that his wife was narrating for him. 

“She’s going to give him a number, but see how she’s already almost standing up?” Liam nodded, waiting with baited breath for her to continue, “She’s going to give him a fake number, and then leave immediately. She doesn’t want to reject him to his face.”

“That’s cold.”

“It’s life, we’ve all done it.” Riley replied nonchalantly. 

Liam’s gaze snapped to face her. “You’ve given men fake numbers before?” 

She nodded and shrugged. “Lucky for you. You never know, I could have ended up suckered into marrying one of those creeps. Or like locked in their basement or something.”

He reached across the table and took her hand in his. “I consider myself very lucky for that.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. 

“Oh oh, here we go, look!” Riley brought his attention back to the bar where the woman was shaking the man’s hand. “Ooooh, not even a courtesy hug. Game over, dude.” They watched the woman exit the restaurant, as the man started typing on his phone. “He’s sending a text to the number she gave. It either won’t be delivered, or he’ll get a reply from someone who is most definitely not that woman.”

“That poor man. He just wanted to find love.”

Riley sighed, shaking her head. “Ahh my sweet, romantic king, your naiveté is so heartwarming. That man is just looking to get laid.” She laughed, “For all the normal experiences you missed out on, aren’t you glad that you never had to pick up women at bars?” She paused for a second. “Present company excluded, of course.” 

Liam laughed, his expression quickly turning serious. “Actually, I kind of wish I could have had the opportunity. I think I would have been good at it.” Riley arched a brow at him. “I mean it, I got you to quit your life and fly all the way to Europe because of one night, didn’t I?” 

“Touché.” She drummed her fingers against the table in a brief moment of thought, “But can lightning strike twice?” 

“What do you mean?”

“Pick me up. I’ll go sit at the bar, you come over and shoot your shot. No social season, no friends, no boxy work uniform. Just a regular guy picking up a regular girl.”

Liam smirked at the proposition. “You’re on.”

Riley left the table and took a seat at the far end of the bar. Once she was seated he put down some money to cover their dinner, and made his way to the bar. “Excuse me miss, is this seat taken?”

She looked up, smiling politely and shaking her head, motioning with her hand for him to have a seat. 

“I’m Liam.” He extended his hand. 

“Riley. Nice to meet you Liam.” She placed her hand in his, and he brought it to his lips. “A hand kiss instead of a shake, bold move. You’re not from around here, are you?”

“No, I actually just moved to the states from Europe.” 

The bartender approached and took their orders. Liam instructed him to open a tab to cover himself and Riley. He took Liam’s card and stepped away to make their drinks. 

“So, why is a beautiful woman like yourself sitting here all alone?” He asked once they were alone again. 

Riley tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked down at the bar, playing up her role. “You’re sweet. I uh… I was supposed to be meeting someone, but I think they stood me up.”

“Well, their loss is my gain.” As the bartender set down their drinks, Liam lifted his glass in Riley’s direction. “A toast,” He waited for Riley to raise her glass before he continued, “To the missteps of old friends, which allow the opportunity to make new ones.”

“So we’re friends now?” Riley asked as she tapped her glass against Liam’s. “That’s awfully presumptuous.”

“Well, we’ve only just met. I’m hoping that perhaps we could get to know each other and see where the evening takes us.”

Riley agreed, and they began with some small talk. Riley stuck to her pre-Cordonia life, while Liam had done a pretty good job of coming up with a non-Royal backstory. They sat there talking, and drinking and ‘getting to know’ each other. Riley was impressed with Liam’s subtle flirting skills and decided that he was right, he would have been pretty good at this had he been given the chance. 

The lights came up, and Liam’s bill was dropped on the bar in front of him. “It looks like they’re closing up.” He said as he reviewed the receipt, signing his name at the bottom. “This was a lot of fun Riley, I would like to see you again. We should grab coffee together sometime.”

“I actually don’t drink coffee, I think it’s gross.”

“Oh.” Riley smiled to herself at the disappointment in his voice.

“I would like to see you again, though.” She reassured him. 

He looked up at her and smiled. “Could I take you to dinner, maybe?” 

“Dinner would be nice.”

“Great!” He noticed the annoyed expression on the bartender's face, they were officially the last customers in the bar. “We should probably go. I’ll walk you home.”

“I actually have a car waiting for me outside.” He dropped his head, again disappointed by the rejection. “You need a lift?”

He smiled widely, standing from his seat. “I’d like nothing more.” 

He offered his arm, she slid off the stool and linked hers through his. They exited the restaurant, and were greeted by Bastien, standing in front of their SUV. Before the guard could reach the door handle, Liam released Riley’s arm and jogged ahead, opening Riley’s door for her. 

“Such a gentleman.” She smiled coyly as she slid into the backseat. He smiled and got in after her. 

“Back to the hotel, your majesties?” Bastien asked as he entered the driver’s side. 

“Yes please.” Riley answered. 

Liam looked at her curiously. “Assuming I’m going to come home with you, bold move.”

She laughed. “You don’t have to come, but I promise you’ll have fun if you do.” Riley said in a sultry tone, closing the distance between the two of them.

“Riley…” Liam’s voice was just above a whisper as she leaned in, finally pressing her lips to his. They pulled back breathless from their kiss, their eyes remained closed as they rested their foreheads together. “I guess lighting can strike twice.”

“What do you mean?”

“This is the second time I picked you up in a bar, and the second time you kissed me first.” He grinned triumphantly. 

Riley leaned back, laughing as her eyes met Liam’s. “I guess that means you win?”

“Great, let’s go back to the hotel so I can collect my prize.” He brought his hand to her cheek and pulled her in, kissing her again. 

Permatag:

@anjanettexcordonia @athena-penrose @bbrandy2002 @chemist-ana @choiceskatie @cordonia-gothqueen @cordoniaqueensworld @emersynwrites @emkay512 @gabesmommie1130 @gkittylove99 @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @kingliam2019 @lucy-268 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @mile9213 @mom2000aggie @nestledonthaveone @phoenixrising308 @pixie88 @queen-arabella-of-cordonia @queenrileyrose @secretaryunpaid @shewillreadyou @sincerelyella @sweatyrysconnoisseur @tessa-liam @theroyalheirshadowhunter @twinkleallnight @txemrn

Liam x Riley:

@jared2612 @neotericthemis

Liam:

@amandablink @ao719 @yourmajesty09

One Shots:

@bebepac @darley1101

#choices the royal romance #choices the royal heir #choices the royal finale #the royal romance #the royal heir #the royal finale #trr #trh #trf #play choices #choices stories you play #liam x mc #liam x riley #trr fanfic #trr fandom #trh fanfic #trh fandom

[small-teacup]

Kidnapping? I Think You Mean Human Borrowing

Requested by: @languortears

Notes: I'm so sorry I took so long!!! D: It's a bit rushed

Ships: Intruloceit

POV: 3rd person

TW: Kidnapping, sympathetic Remus and Janus, panicked thoughts, mention of torture, skeletons and implied blood, impersonation

Let me know if I missed any, please! :D

Word Count: 1367

“That’s KIDNAPPING, Remus,” Janus explained for the 43rd time that day.

Remus opened his mouth and held up a finger, ready to say something in response before he paused and lowered his finger slightly. He seemed to have multiple ideas, instead keeping his mouth open and looking like he would finally get a few sentences out of his mouth before deflating. It was comical, to say the least. Janus sighed and shook his head, “Take your time...”

After what seemed like forever, one word managed to escape Remus’ mouth, “Borrowing.” “What?” “Kidnapping makes it sound like we’re doing some kind of crime!” “IT IS A CR-”

“What I think you meant was ‘human borrowing.’”

Janus groaned and put his face in his hands. “You know what? Fine. Human borrowing.”

================

Logan sat in his room, peacefully typing away on his laptop. Just a normal day. Nothing different, nothing new, just the same as it was the day before. He actually liked the lack of change, despite his ability to adapt to circumstances easily. Well, he’d usually be able to adapt to new circumstances. As he was working, someone came up behind him and clapped their hand over his mouth so he couldn’t scream. It didn’t seem to be needed since Logan wouldn’t have screamed anyways. Nothing could hurt a side in the Mindscape. He was about to see who it was until something hit him over the head, darkness quickly taking over his vision as he went limp.

He woke up tied to a chair in what seemed to be a basement. There was barely any light besides a flickering lightbulb hanging from the ceiling right above him. He looked around, unfazed at the shackled skeletons on the wall or the suspicious red stains on the floor. Someone suddenly covered his eyes from behind, shrill laughter filling the air.

“Guess whoooo!~” They sang, disturbingly close to Logan in a failed attempt to make him scared.

“Judging from your behavior, I’m guessing Remus?”

“Nice guess, Logan. But no, it’s Janus.” “What?? How?” Janus uncovered Logan’s eyes and stepped in front of him, a little mischievous smile playing on his face.

“I imitated Remus’ voice and attitude to trick you.”

Logan frowned and tilted his head in confusion. “But what was the point of that?”

The deceitful side shrugged and said nonchalantly, “I don’t know. There really wasn’t any. However, I find it a bit amusing considering the fact that Remus is sitting right next to you.”

“What?”

Sure enough, when Logan turned his head, Remus was sitting like a puppy on the floor next to him. He gave the logical side a seemingly menacing grin, revealing his razor-sharp teeth. Logan simply blinked at him before looking back at Janus, much to Remus’ disappointment.

“Is there a point to any of this?” He asked, half-heartedly tugging the ropes that bound him to the chair. It wasn’t that he was making an attempt to escape, it’s just that it was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Janus had summoned himself his own chair, a velvet one with hints of gold. He crossed his legs and examined his nails boredly, which confused Logan even more since he was wearing gloves. “Ask Remus, it wasn’t my plan this time.”

Logan glanced to the gremlin next to him, sighing. “Before I say anything to him, do you mind if I ask you one more question?” “Go ahead, darling.”

“You don’t seem to be lying to me at all. I’ve seen that you only lie around everyone else except Remus, which leads me to infer that you don’t lie to people you like. Do you like me in some way?” Janus froze up, a light blush finding its way onto his face. “No I don’t! Why would I like you? That’s impossible, you’ve got it all wrong. Stupid…”

He crossed his arms and looked away, huffing. It was supposed to be him and Remus getting Logan all flustered, not the other way around!

Logan turned to Remus, “So why was I kidnapped?” “Not kidnapped, you were borrowed!” Remus corrected. “...That doesn’t make sense.” “It makes perfect sense to me!”

“Answer my question, please?” “Oh! Yeah yeah yeah- so, when the others come to save you, we’ll have this epic bloody fight! Or maybe not...I dunno. And then you get saved, BUT we get to torture you until they get here! And it’ll be so fuuuuuuuuuuunnn!!!”

Logan blinked, then sighed, “I doubt there’s anything you can do to ‘torture’ me. Besides, the others aren’t coming anyway.”

The duke’s face dropped as he suddenly stood up and leaned close to Logan, his hands gripping and clawing into the chair arm. “HUH???!”

Janus had been listening to the conversation, even if it seemed like he wasn’t. The unexpected taste of truth surprised him, causing him to turn curiously to the pair in front of him.

“The others aren’t coming,” Logan repeated, assuming that Remus just didn’t hear him.

“What do you mean??! They have to! They’re your friends, aren’t they?? Plus, that sounds REALLY depressing. How’re you so okay with it??” “I’ve simply accepted it. It just seemed to be the logical thing to do. I can’t change it anyway.”

Janus said, almost a bit too calmly, “And do you think that’s a normal thing? That your friends won’t come and save you?” The logical side shrugged, “I guess not. You can’t really blame them.”

“Elaborate.” “...No,” he muttered, his eyes glazing over as he stared at the floor. Remus deflated and sat on the floor, resting his elbow on the chair arm. The next few moments were a blur for Logan. ‘They weren’t coming. I could be anywhere, dangerous or not, and they wouldn’t care. I could be dead and they wouldn’t notice. The Dark Sides might not be able to kill me, but torture is not out of the question. Mental torture, I mean. I could try and pretend that it doesn’t affect me, but I’ll eventually break and when I show my weaknesses, they’ll laugh. They’ll laugh and treat me like a joke and at that point, I might as well duck out because everyone knows that Logic is essential but Logan isn’t and they’ll be so glad to have someone else in my place that they won’t miss me at all…’

The voices around him were becoming muffled as he sank deeper into his thoughts. How much time had passed? It felt like hours already… There was a ringing in his ears that he couldn’t get rid of, considering his hands were tied behind him. In fact, he was starting to lose feeling in his arms. Was he panicking? Spiraling? But what caused it? Why was he feeling this way? Why now? What’s happening-?

“LOGAN!”

The sudden shout pulled him out of his thoughts, looking up at the two sides that stood by him, concern and worry clear on their faces. Only then did he notice his shallow breathing and the tears slowly streaming down his face. Before he knew it, a pair of arms wrapped around him in a warm hug. Without thinking, he latched onto the person, recognizing the smell of trash and about a thousand years of no showering. Wait- what? He was surprised at the sudden freedom. When did they cut the ropes? Nevermind that…

A gloved hand cupped his face gently, the scent of crisp apples and linen going along with it. He leaned into the touch. It felt..comforting. It felt like home. Maybe this was where his home really was..?

“Remus? Janus?” The two sides looked at him, a silent cue for him to go on.

“..Can I stay with you guys? If that’s alright.”

Remus let go and stared at him wide-eyed. He looked over at Janus and back at Logan. It seemed like Janus was doing the same.

“Of course you can-!” The deceptive side blurted out before clearing his throat and pulling his hand away, inspecting his nails that he couldn’t see. “I mean- I suppose you could.”

Logan laughed, to both the dark sides’ delight. It sounded magical like bells ringing.

Never in Logan’s life had he been so glad to have been kidnapped.

(This fanfic wasn't proofread and neither was this post-)

#intruloceit #ts fanfic #ts fanfiction #sanders sides remus #sanders sides logan #sanders sides janus #remus sanders #logan sanders #janus sanders #sanders sides fanfiction #sanders sides fanfic #ts remus #ts logan #ts janus #sanders sides #sanders sides fandom #sympathetic remus #sympathetic janus #ts logic #ts dark creativity #ts deceit

[ordinaryschmuck]

Here's my idea for a drabble. Kikimora is desperate for the chance to take Hunter down, so desperate she tries to team up with Luz. Luz agrees and Kiki is so crazy she doesn't even realize she's being sabotaged at every chance

The Long Game

Luz whistled a happy tune as she walked to the Owl House. Willow was helping Gus find a new club, and Amity needed to head straightaway to work, so it was a rare occasion that Luz was all by herself when leaving Hexide. Not that it bothered her. Her friend's and girlfriend's lives were important, and it's not like Luz needed to be near them twenty-four-seven.

Besides, if put into a dangerous situation, Luz can easily protect herself without anyone else being by her side for protection.

That is until a giant gloopy hand took Luz by the leg and pulled her through the trees.

"Gah!" Luz screamed, pulling out an ice glyph and freezing the hand that held her. Ice surrounded the goopy form, and it shattered instantly with a good kick. After tucking and rolling onto the dirt, Luz spun around and pulled out even more glyphs at the ready, glaring at the source of the goop. Only to feel frozen herself as she stared right at an Abomiton. Which just so happened to have a certain passenger on top of its shoulder.

"Well, well, well," Kikimora said threateningly, "If it isn't Luz, the Human."

"Kikimora!"

"Yes, it is I. The most respected and feared member of the Emperor's Coven! And you, Ms. The Human, have caused a lot of trouble while you were here. Initiating jailbreaks at the Conformitorium, causing excessive damage to Hexide, testing illegally made weapons from Blight Industries--"

"Technically, the last one's Odalia's fault."

"--and CRACKING my poor, innocent Emperor's mask with a spear of ice, no less. Any one of those offenses should land you in years of imprisonment. But doing them all at once? Those are crimes punishable by extreme measures! And I should, on good conscience, eliminate you right now for all that you have done!"

Luz gulped, remembering how well a fight with an Abomiton went the first time.

"...But I'm not going to," Kikimora simply stated, shocking the human girl in the process.

"Wait, what?"

"You see, I require your unique assistance."

"...Again, what?!"

"We have a common enemy, you and I. The insufferable and downright annoying menace that is the GoLdEn GuArD..."

"...You mean Hunter?"

"Is that his name?" Kikimora blinked out of her anger, "Huh. Never cared to check."

"Personally, I wouldn't say Hunter's my enemy," Luz shrugged, "More like an occasional inconvenience. Although he did try to kill my girlfriend..."

"Ah-ha! You see? Common enemy."

"Yeah, but so have you! And-and you almost petrified Eda. If anything, you're more of my enemy than Hunter is. In fact, why should I help you when we could fight instead?"

"So that you'll go free instead of forcing me to do this." The coven witch then snapped her fingers, to which the Abomiton punched a tree in half on command.

"...You make a convincing argument, Ms. Kiki."

"Thank you," The demon in question clapped her hands and allowed the Abomiton to gently put her on the ground so she could walk up to Luz. "Now, I have a question for you, Ms. The Human: How do you do it?"

"...How do I do what?"

"You and your ragtag team of riff-raff have faced the GoLdEn GuArD several times and still manage to live to tell the tale. I'm curious about how someone such as yourself could manage such a feat."

"Dumb luck?" Luz shrugged.

"That can't be it. Nobody is that lucky this many times. There must be a secret, and I must have it so I can destroy that brat once and for all!"

"Wouldn't Belos be mad that you killed his right hand?"

"Yes, but that can be future Kiki's problem. Current Kiki just wants the pleasure of holding his bloodied corpse in her hands while laughing maniacally. I even practiced my laugh. Watch:"

And as the little demon got lost in her evil laughter, Luz got lost in her thoughts.

On the one hand, she didn't want to die at the hands of an Abomiton.

But on the other, she didn't really want to kill Hunter. He's a jerk, sure. But that doesn't mean he had to die.

'If only there was a way out of this...' Luz thought.

"Hey!" Kikimora yelled, her laughter ended. "Are you going to help me, or am I going to have to destroy you?"

At that moment, a lightbulb of an idea came to Luz's head.

"Ms. Kiki," she grinned, "How good are you at playing the long game?"

***

Two weeks later, Luz was walking back to the Owl House, this time with her best friends and awesome girlfriend at her side.

"So, how's the magic chess club going, Gus?" Luz asked.

"It's going really well! The strategy, the warfare, who knew it would all be so much fun!"

"And out of curiosity, how is magical chess different from regular chess?"

"Well, you see--"

"Luz the Human!" a high-pitched voice screeched, bringing the group to come to a halt. Standing ahead of them was Kikimora, a top of an Abomiton's shoulder.

"Kikimora!" Willow shouted.

"With an Abomiton!" Amity added.

"Again," Luz said with a groan, making the others look at her with shock. "Ugh, hang on. I'll deal with this."

Surprising the trio of witches even more, Luz strode up to Kikimora and her Abomaton, more annoyed than terrified.

"What's wrong this time?" she asked.

"He refused the cake you told me to bake him!" Kiki complained, "He kept saying that he wasn't stupid enough to eat something that was clearly poisoned."

"Was it actually poisoned?"

"..."

"Kiki..."

"Of course it was! How else am I supposed to kill the GoLdEn GuArD if I keep doing this stuff to befriend him?!"

"I told you, you're killing him with kindness," Luz explained as if she was talking to a child, "By becoming his friend, he will slowly learn to trust you to eat something you made him. Just as long as you put of poisoning it for, well, let's say a couple of years."

"But I don't want to kill him in a couple of years! I want to kill him now!"

"It's called the long game."

"I know..."

"If you know, that why do you keep complaining?"

"..." Kikimora let out a groan. "FiNe..."

"You see, that's the spirit. And remember, the best way to make a friend is to talk to them. Ask what he likes and what his interests are, and he'll be easier to sway."

"I suppose so. Carry on, Ms. The Human."

Luz cleared her throat.

"Er, I mean, Ms. Noceda."

"Thank you."

And with that, Kikimora commanded her Abomiton to walk away, with Luz walking back to her trio of slackjawed witchlings.

"Sorry about that," Luz said to them, "For someone so dangerous and insane, she's really not the brightest ball of light casted. Still, I'm hoping after a few years of faking being Hunter's friend, she'll at least, you know, become his friend. Am I right?"

"...You are...something else," Amity was the first to say.

"Aw, thank you," Luz cooed, "Now, Gus. Magic chess. Is it, like, the pieces kill each other, or do the witches simply move the pieces by magic?"

#the owl house #luz noceda #toh kikimora #the golden guard #toh hunter #gus porter #willow park #amity blight #the hiatus of drabbles

[theasstour]

𝐅𝐈𝐂 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄 | 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 𝟐𝟏𝐤 𝐍𝐁: 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭

Tuesday, 4 August

There was a voice. It sounded far away, as if Y/N’s head was underwater and someone was talking above the surface, and she was swimming frantically to reach it. Oh, how she wanted to be close to that voice. How she wanted to wrap it around herself like a warm blanket, how it could build walls around her and keep her safe from oncoming storms. The world would be right if she could be around that voice and listen to it for eternity.

Slowly but surely, Y/N realised she was awake. It took her a few moments before she managed to place herself and see where she was. Bits and pieces from the previous night came back to her, making her bite her bottom lip as the giddiest grin spread out across her face. She squealed into her pillow, before looking properly around the now fully lit room, the pale morning sun that stood shining on the other side of the lighthouse made slight shadows appear around the room, but Y/N was wide awake now.

The voice she had heard was not a dream, it was Harry’s. She could hear him talking downstairs, the door into the lightkeeper bedroom open just a crack, his voice carrying up the one flight of stairs separating the station from the bedroom. She sat up in bed, looking around the room to realise that Harry’s jumper was still on the floor along with her clothes, making her feel very hot all of a sudden. There was just no way last night had happened. That her and Harry had opened up to one another like that and, only minutes later, had sex. In the lighthouse.

Y/N got out of bed, reaching for Harry’s red knitted jumper and put it on so she wasn’t only wearing her black knickers. Standing up, she tiptoed out of the room and down the stairs. However, though he was busy working, Harry must’ve heard her coming. He took a quick look over his shoulders at her before focusing back on writing something down in his notebook, listening to someone else talk over the speakers.

“Good morning, this is Lizard…”

Harry wrote down whatever was being spoken, clearly already having done his bit of reporting as she remembered him reporting fairly early on the last time she’d been with him. She walked over to a window, looking out at the cottage that had been unoccupied tonight, wondering if it had been weird for Harry to sleep in that room with her rather than his actual bed down there. The creak of his chair sounded as he leaned against its back, listening to the static across the speakers as two lighthouse keepers seemed to be conversing. Turning around, Y/N saw Harry staring ahead, as if listening intently to whatever was being said. She took this moment to walk over to him, gently laying a hand on his shoulder as not to take him completely off guard next.

She lifted her right leg, placing it on the other side of him and placing herself on his thighs. At first it seemed like it had taken him off guard, but as she settled into him, he placed his hands on her waist, bringing her closer to him. Instinctively, she placed her hands on either side of his neck, thumb resting under the tip of his jaw, making it impossible for him to look away from her. Not that he wanted to. He was smiling up at her, a small beam that had his deep dimples showing, a peaceful sort of look on his face that Y/N didn’t think she’d ever seen before. He reached upward, trying to steal a small peck from her, but she only bit her bottom lip, hovering a safe distance away from him. He let out a single breathy chuckle, mouth open in anticipation, were she to kiss him.

“Clodgy, the change of lightbulbs,” someone said, making Harry wrap an arm around Y/N’s waist, bringing her torso flush against his as he scooted the chair closer to the desk as best to answer his boss.

“Change of five lightbulbs at Clodgy August 3rd happened without disruptions,” Harry said into the end of his telephone, speaking over Y/N’s shoulder as he rested his chin on it. Y/N leaned down, kissing along his neck, nibbling slightly at his skin. She felt goosebumps appear down his back, a slight breath against the exposed skin of her shoulder. “They are all in working order.”

“Good,” said someone as Harry leaned back against the chair again, listening to the rest of what was being said as Y/N continued to kiss along his neck and jaw. He slid his hands down over her bum, giving it a light squeeze before he went to feel her thighs, gliding his nails ever so slightly along her skin. Reaching for her arse again, he brought his hands upward, bringing his jumper she was wearing up with him as he slid his hands up her back, feeling out every last bit of it like he had done last night when she’d been on top like this.

Y/N didn’t remember hearing a clear indication of the report meeting being over, but Harry took a firm grip of her thighs and arse, holding her to him as he rose from the chair. She wrapped her arms around him as he walked up the stairs again, humming against her skin as he kissed her neck and shoulder. Once back in the room, he threw her down on the bed again, making her squeal, and he followed after, wearing nothing but his pair of boxers and denim shorts. He grinned down at her, hoisting her legs around his waist. She gathered that he liked it when she wrapped them around him, heels resting at his buttocks.

“Bit mean that,” he mumbled against her lips. “Coming downstairs like that, wearing nothing but your knickers and me jumper.”

“Didn’t you like it?” she teased, grinning as he wiggled and settled in properly between her thighs.

“That’s a whole ‘nother bloody question, innit?”

She laughed, biting her bottom lip as he took a hold of her hands above her head, twining his fingers through hers.

“Of course I liked it, been thinking how you look amazing in that jumper.”

“You have?”

He nodded, sliding his nose along hers. “Shouldn’t have said that, should I? Been feeding your ego for the last 24 hours, dunno if you need more of that.”

She laughed again, grinning up at him as he grinned back. “Cheeky!”

He giggled, leaning down to hover his lips only inches from hers. “Speaking of being cheeky…” He slid his tongue discreetly over his lips, sliding them together before saying, “Why don’t we?”

“What?”

“Be cheeky.”

“We were cheeky all last night, weren’t we?”

“Hmm,” he hummed. “So what you’re saying is you’ve had enough of me?”

She smiled, letting go of his hands so she could play softly with the hair at the back of his neck. His eyes fluttered shut for a second. “I’ve barely gotten a taste of you.”

He grinned, leaning down and burying his face in her neck. “I like the sound of that.”

She wrapped her legs tighter around him, resting them at his buttocks and embracing him, bringing his weight down onto her. Slowly, he snaked his arms under her waist, wrapping his arms around her as well, just to feel her close. Closing her eyes again, she felt small pecks against her neck, slow and wet and tender as they traced her neck, collarbone, and jaw, taking in and covering what of her body he managed to without moving too much. She started running her hands through his hair, feeling him hum in delight against her, a slight smile covering his lips. Y/N wasn’t sure how long they lay there, tangled up in one another, not speaking a single word, just completely lost in each other’s closeness. It took a while before Harry spoke.

“I like this,” he mumbled, moving his head a bit away from her neck in order for her to hear him properly.

“Hmm, me too,” Y/N said, opening her eyes slowly.

“I like you.”

She couldn’t help her smile, moving her face so her nose touched Harry on the pillow. “I like you too.”

He smiled back, studying her face for a few seconds, silence settling over them for a minute or so. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“Promise not to, like, take the piss.”

“I’d never.”

Harry raised his eyebrows as if he did not believe that and Y/N laughed, knowing that he was completely right. “Don’t be a knobhead about this.”

“Tell me!”

“Alright,” Harry sighed, looking at her lips for a moment before he said, “I don’t… During sex I don’t usually take control.”

“Oh?” Y/N asked, resting her hand at the back of his neck again, sliding her fingers through his hair.

“I like to be bossed around a bit,” he explained. “I don’t usually do the bossing.”

“Why did you?”

“To be honest… I wanted to impress you. I didn’t want to disappoint, especially when I told you I’d make you come and all.”

“You don’t have to impress me, Harry.”

“I know, I just wanted to look a sex god, you know what I mean?” he said, making Y/N laugh. “I wanted us both to have a good time.”

She gave him a smile. “I was with you; I would’ve had a good time regardless.”

He took one of his hands out from under her, bringing it up to her cheek and slowly, gently, tenderly, he caressed her skin, sliding his thumb over her cheek and jaw. That crooked smile of his appeared on his face. “Hearing you say that makes me very happy.”

Her smile widened. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Waking up here made me happy. I feel safe when I’m with you.”

“You’ll always be safe with me.”

She felt her cheeks heating up but didn’t feel embarrassed now that Harry would notice how flustered she was. He wrapped his arms around her again, closing his eyes as she dragged her hands up and down his back, a shiver shooting in a wave through him further down she reached.

“I want to bury myself with you and lay like this forever. I want our bodies to mould into one, that our corpses rot together-“

Y/N made a noise that sounded like something between a gag and laughter. “What are you on?!”

“Leave off, I’m just happy,” Harry chuckled, burying his face in her neck again. “Being happy makes me say weird things. Get used to it.”

Something inside Y/N was set on fire it seemed, because his words made her all warm and fuzzy, lulling her into a state of complete and utter contentment. She pulled a little at his hair, hoping he’d understand that she wanted to see his face. He only hummed, squeezing her tighter as if he liked it when she did that. Biting her bottom lip, she did it again, only to have him mumble a deep “Don’t stop” into her neck that made the heat from earlier concentrate on one particular place on her body. She pulled at him again, reaching up and kissing the tip of his jaw. This made him bring one arm to rest beside her head, lifting himself up and looking down at her with hooded eyes.

“Something I’ve been thinking about since last night,” he started.

“What’s that?”

“Your lips.”

She cocked her head a little to the side, letting her eyes fall to his, a slow smile settling over her lips. “What about them?”

“Missed them.”

“You did, did you?”

“Been wondering if I’ll ever have the privilege to taste you again.”

“Hmm.” She ran her hands down his back. “You don’t have to ask every time you want to kiss me.”

“Tell me,” he said. “Tell me when to kiss you. You’re the boss.”

Y/N couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “You want me to tell you what to do?”

“Use me.”

“I don’t want to use you.”

“Then-“ Harry sighed as he thought, making Y/N laugh. “Fuck’s sake. Take advantage of me. Tell me how to make you feel good. Command me.”

“You like that?”

“I fucking love it.”

“In that case,” she smiled, grinning up at him, adjusting her hips some and knowing exactly what she might be doing in the process.

Harry’s eyes grew a little darker and he leaned down, parting his lips slightly as he went in for a kiss.

“When you say ‘use me’,” Y/N started, wanting to get this very clear. “You mean you want me to take charge?”

“Essentially,” Harry answered. “Thing is, I like it when I can do something for you, you know what I mean?” He was quiet for a few seconds, his cheeks growing a little pink as he said, “I kind of get off when I know I get you off, does that make sense? If I know I’m making you feel good, I’m feeling good.”

“Yeah, that makes sense.” Y/N slid her finger down his neck.

“I also do like it when someone…” He blushed a little. “When someone puts their fingers up my bum when we’re shagging. It feels amazing.”

Y/N giggled. “Good to know.”

“What do you like?”

Y/N thought for a second, pursing her lips a little as she caressed Harry’s stubble. “I don’t know yet. I haven’t really explored or tried stuff, not like that anyway.”

Harry ran his hand over the top of her head, leaning down once again, his nose booping hers. “We’ll figure it out.”

The fact he said they’d figure this out together rather than her doing it alone, made her feel all fuzzy again. She couldn’t wait any longer. She reached up, kissing Harry on the lips and dragging him with her to the bed. It felt like an eternity since she had kissed him, though it had only been last night. If she could just stay there, in bed, in Clodgy Lighthouse, she didn’t think she’d ever complain about anything ever again. She’d be too happy to. She’d be right where she always wanted to be.

Harry breathed against her, moving so both his arms rested on either side of her face, holding himself up as they continued to kiss. The movement made them sink further into one another, appreciating the way he slid against her. Tired of being the one to bear all the weight – though she quite liked being cuddled up like that with him – she took a grip of his waist and tried to push him to the side. He must’ve understood what she wanted because he fell over, bumping his shoulder against the wall.

“Balls.”

Y/N laughed, and Harry smiled as he adjusted himself, sitting with his back against the wooden headrest. She straddled him and he pulled her closer, wanting her as near him as possible. Taking a light grip of his neck again, she reattached their lips, and they fell right where they’d left off. Harry gripped her thighs, moaning into her as their tongues met, his heart beating hard against Y/N’s chest. It seemed like their hearts started beating to the same rhythm. If they stayed like that long enough, would they become one? Would their hearts melt together, like they were supposed to? It didn’t seem far-fetched in that moment.

She couldn’t help the slight movement of her hips, mimicking what she had done last night. It got the exact reaction she had anticipated: Harry grabbing her thighs harder, instantly sliding up to rest at her rear. One of her hands came to rest at the back of his head, pulling slightly at the hair at the back of his neck like she had done earlier. Harry whimpered and she, much to her delight, felt him right there. Something that would normally have made Harry red with embarrassment just made him hungry for more and his kisses grew hungrier, wetter, deeper. She moved her hips over him again, making Harry move his legs a bit restlessly. However, he didn’t push it, and rather caressed all of Y/N as he slid his hands up and down her back under the red jumper.

Harry pressed harder against her, placing one of his hands at her neck and kissing down her jaw, tilting her head so he could touch his lips to her neck. The sensation of him paying so close attention to each little inch of her made her shut off the rest of the world. She was tuned in on Harry, on how he felt, tasted, smelt, the explosion of feelings inside her chest when they were close like this. Nothing would ever be better. She sought out his lips again, pushing him back against the headrest, resting one of her hands against the wall just above it, the other on his bare shoulder. Harry moaned again, unable to control himself.

“You’re so hot,” he mumbled, and she could feel herself smiling at the compliment, enjoying the feeling of his growing bulge beneath her.

They sat there just kissing for so long they completely lost track of time. Utterly, truly, absolutely lost in one another and the electricity they created. It didn’t seem important to them that Y/N had to revise for the UCAT, and Harry had loads of work to do, nothing but their company mattered. Nothing but this.

“Harry!”

They stopped kissing abruptly, looking to the window that led out to the courtyard beyond.

“Harry, where are you?!”

“Fuck,” Harry said, voice hoarse with disappointment as he glanced back up at Y/N. “Grace usually comes over in the mornings.”

“I know.”

Harry smiled, nodding his head as if he already knew that she knew. She smiled back at him, just seeing him beam made her return it right away. It was some sort of instinct.

“Harry!”

“Blimey.” Harry helped Y/N get off him, getting out of bed himself. “She’s a right pest, I’m up here having a grand time and she shows up.”

“She’s your sister.”

“And you’re my girlfriend,” Harry said, opening the window and looking out at Grace. Harry’s eyes grew wide as if he remembered something. “I-I mean…” Harry looked back at Y/N, quickly looking away when he saw her eyes on him. “I mean… Like, you’re my fake girlfriend-“

“-Harry!” Grace screamed. “Why are you there?!”

“I’m working, Grace!”

“Well, come down here!”

Harry sighed, running his hands over his face. “Right, I’m gonna need to go down there before she starts rummaging through my sweets drawer.”

Y/N gasped. “You have a sweets drawer?”

“Only for the times my blood sugar is low. Usually have some milk and some chocolate if it happens late at night.”

“Oh, well, that’s smart then.”

Harry chuckled, taking his socks and shoes on. “It is. Not only a sex god but the man’s got brains too.”

Y/N laughed and Harry grinned at her, leaning down onto the bed again so he could plant another kiss to her lips. She placed her hands at his neck again, and he moaned into her, kissing her bottom lip again.

“Harry!”

“Coming!”

He sent Y/N a look before took two steps toward the door, he looked over his shoulder at her, shaking his head as if he couldn’t properly believe this still, and then walked out. Y/N got up, looking out the window to see Harry greet Grace. The two walked toward Harry’s cottage, Grace skipping beside him. She smiled as she watched them, making sure they were inside before she started putting her clothes on. She put her green jumper over her shoulders and tied the arms at her chest, showing off her white summer dress and black rain boots. Folding Harry’s red jumper, she walked back downstairs and to the cottage, hearing Grace’s laughter the second she walked through the door.

“Y/N!” Grace ran over and Y/N hunched down, hugging Grace back. “You’re coming tonight, right?”

“To prep for the end of summer party? Yeah, of course,” Y/N smiled, adjusting the headband on Grace’s head that she had given her for her birthday in the beginning of summer. It felt like forever ago. “I’m gonna go buy some veggie food now.”

“You’re leaving?”

She glanced up at Harry who was now wearing a white Britney Spears tee shirt, brewing a new batch of tea for the two of them. He seemed a bit taken back by her sudden departure, but they hadn’t talked about her sticking around after staying the night. Though she would’ve loved to stay, she simply did not have the time. She had so much to do before going to the farm to help out that she couldn’t stay.

“Yeah, I need to revise, knit some with Bessie and the ladies, buy the veggie food, have a shower and maybe revise some more.”

“Stay,” Harry said, voice urgent. “Just… I’ll…” He looked about the room as if he was trying to find a reason for her to stick around a bit longer.

“What were you doing in the lighthouse?” Grace asked, looking back at Harry who was biting his lips together, eyes getting as big as bowling balls when an idea struck him.

“I was reporting,” he explained. “And I’m gonna show Y/N how to do just that now.”

“Now?”

But Y/N didn’t get another word out before Harry walked up to her, taking her hand and bringing her out the door again. Grace, happy that something was finally happening, squealed as she followed the two others out, a skip to her step that would only appear when she was excited about something. Harry smiled back at her, probably thinking himself very clever, Y/N thought, for having come up with this all so very quickly. He dragged her over to a small cupboard of sorts that stood a bit away from the lighthouse, and while Harry focused on that, Grace danced around them, humming along to a new melody.

“Right,” Harry said, clapping his hands together. “When we’re reporting the weather there are three different factors we need to look into. We do our local report, which is essentially how clear the weather is – if it’s cloudy or not, for example – and the wind condition as well as the temperature. So, today at 3 I said ‘Clodgy is clear, 15, calm, and rippled’, yeah?”

“Sir, yes, sir.”

Harry smiled. “So, at 3 and 6 we only do a local report, while at 9 and every other part of the day, we have to do a supplemental, where we take a closer look at our cloud cover and temperatures, and then we do our climate, which looks at temperatures throughout the day.” Harry pointed to a transparent instrument by the side of the cupboard they were standing in front of. “First when we’re gonna do an in-depth report, we check our rain gauge. It’s simple, really.” Harry leaned forward, pointing to the measurements on the side. “We take a look at all the water that’s inside, measure it, remember the number, and, once we’re done, we chuck that water away, and put it back. We then record the amount of rainfall down in our book in the lighthouse.”

Y/N leaned closer to look at the rain gauge. “There’s no water now.”

“Hasn’t rained since last night.” Harry pointed to the cupboards next. “This is the Stevenson Screen.”

Y/N raised her eyebrows slightly but nodded along, watching as Harry reached for the top and pulled the front screen down.

“Inside it there are four different thermometers that tell us different things. We have maximum temperature, minimum temperature, dry temperature, and wet temperature,” Harry explained, pointing to each of the different thermometers inside the Stevenson Screen. “We check all those temperatures, make sure we get all the information we need, and then we use that to calculate back at the lighthouse.”

Taking a small step closer to get a better look, Y/N felt something hot against the small of her back. Though it hadn’t been long since Harry had touched her last, she still missed his closeness.

“I use this,” Harry said, reaching for a magnifying glass that lay inside the Screen. “That way I know I won’t get the temperature wrong. Now, what do you think the maximum temperature is?”

Y/N giggled. “Feels like I’m back at school.”

“You’re attending St Styles Lighthouse Keeper University.”

She laughed, taking the magnifying glass out of Harry’s hand as he turned to look at her, a massive beam on his face. “You’ll be a good teacher, I hope.”

“The best.”

“Good, ‘cause I had amazing teachers at school, so you have a lot to live up to.”

Harry studied her for a few seconds as she looked at the temperatures, muttering them under her breath, Harry nodded along to indicate that she was correct. “You liked your teachers at school then?”

“Yeah, my parents didn’t often tell me that I was good at anything, but my teachers always did. They were the most positive aspect of my life, to be fair,” Y/N explained. “Miss Utterson was the one that encouraged me to take the UCAT, she’s a big reason why I’m doing it now.”

Harry smiled, nodding along. “Teachers make all the difference, don’t they?”

“Yeah,” Y/N agreed. “Anyway, what do you teach at this Lighthouse Keeper University?”

Harry’s hand came to rest on her hip, pulling her even closer to him. “Next lecture is inside the cottage when we’re alone. Bedroom Etiquette.”

A shiver ran up her smile. “Oh?”

“Would hope you’d be the teacher in that one.”

“Hmm, I’ll step in as a substitute.”

“Fuck being a substitute, you’re the main lecturer.”

“Harry!” Grace sang from a little distance away; Y/N instantly took a small step away from him as his little sister came closer. “I want to go to Zennor on a picnic soon.”

“We’ll do that another day, Gracie, yeah?”

Grace nodded and ran off again.

Harry turned back to the Stevenson Screen. “Once we’ve checked the thermometers, we need to reset them. You only need to reset the minimum and the maximum thermometers. The minimum, the yellow one,” Harry said, pointing to the one in question. “You just detach it like so, and then raise it up so it’s vertical instead of horizontal, keep it like that for a few seconds inside the box, and then put it back.” Harry demonstrated as he talked, keeping close to Y/N the whole time. “And the maximum one, you need to flick.” Harry reached for the red one and brought it out, flicking it three times before putting it back again. “That resets them both. Then you just check to see that they’re all equal, you do that using the magnifying glass.”

Harry closed the Screen and led the way back into the lighthouse, Grace running in after them. Harry quickly closed the door into the lightkeeper bedroom, not wanting Grace to see that him and Y/N had spent the night there. Standing by the little office, Harry brought his book forth and pointed to the places where Y/N would write the numbers from the rain gauge and Stevenson Screen, showing her what he’d written that very morning. There was a specific way to calculate the dew point, and though it was complicated, Y/N found it rather fascinating.

“You mentioned local, supplemental, and climate reports earlier,” Y/N said.

“Want me to explain them?”

“Please.”

“A local report is a photo of what the weather looks like at a particular time, so that’s why we report that every single time we do a weather report, the most basic one for a lighthouse keeper,” Harry explained. “First thing you’d wanna look at is sky condition, so essentially cloud cover. So, it’s clear when there are no clouds, partly cloudy when about 50% of the sky is covered in clouds, from 50% till you can only barely make out some blue dots every here and there, that’s cloudy, and if you can’t see any of the sky, that’s overcast.”

“Right.”

“Second thing you’d look at is your distance of visibility. So, you take a look at your conditions and see if you can make out 15 miles out on the sea. You note if your visibility is limited due to fog, due to weather, due to anything along those lines.” Harry leaned against the wall as Y/N looked through the report book on the desk before her. “Third is our weather column, which is essentially what the weather is doing at that very moment, if it makes sense. You’d report things like rain, snow, fog, drizzle, rain showers, and the like. You also wanna look at wind, but that’s just the direction and the speed, and ‘cause we’re not out on sea and a little sheltered by land, we don’t normally see anything besides calm and rippled. I don’t think I’ve really experienced wind over 15 knots.”

“That’s good.”

Harry nodded. “And that’s what you do with a local report.”

“And the other two?”

Harry smiled and started explaining. She liked to listen to him talk about his lightkeeper duties, he got so passionate and so technical that everything he said sounded interesting. Besides, he’d raise his eyebrows just ever so slightly if what he was talking about was really interesting to him, a trait that Y/N had picked up on and always searched for when she got him talking like this. All while he explained the rest to her, she focused all the way through, but felt those butterflies in her tummy come to life again. 

Passion was contagious, she reckoned, because whenever someone showed you theirs, you immediately - in whatever tiny or massive scope - found a new passion within theirs, or it made you love your own even more. There was life within that, a force and love more powerful than many people realised. And if she should be alive, it would simply be enough to only listen to Harry talk about his passions. She could not think of a greater reason to continue on existing herself. She felt so alive, so much love, so much adoration that it must radiate from her. It existed outside her own body, beyond her simple human brain comprehension. That was how it felt, being with Harry and knowing he felt the same way.

The three of them walked out of the lighthouse and back to the cottage, but Y/N stopped by the door, smiling at the two.

“I really need to leave now.”

Harry sighed. “Alright then.”

“Didn’t think I ever asked for your permission,” Y/N chuckled.

“But you have it either way.”

Grace took Y/N’s hand. “We’ll pick you up,” she smiled, and Y/N smiled back at her.

“Yeah,” Harry said. “We’ll pick you up.”

“Great, just send a text when you’ll be there, and I’ll come out.” Y/N beamed at them both and mouthed a ‘bye’ at Harry. She didn’t want to make a big scene in front of Grace. After all, she was only seven and Y/N was unaware of how much Harry wanted her to see. But he didn’t really seem to care. Just having walked across half the courtyard, she heard her name being called from the door of the cottage.

“You forgot your raincoat,” Harry said, holding it in his hand.

“You forgot your raincoat!” Grace screamed, her hands on either side of her face.

Y/N smiled and came back, but not before Harry walked over to his van and unlocked it, opening the door to the backseat for Grace who jumped in without question.

“What’s going on?”

“We’re driving you home,” Harry answered, opening the driver seat door and getting in, throwing Y/N’s raincoat into the passenger seat.

“You’ve got things to do-“

“-The thing I need to do right now is drive you home,” Harry said through the open driver side window. “I don’t want you to leave.”

She smiled at him. “I won’t leave you, I’m just going back to revise and stuff for a few hours.”

Harry only nodded, starting the engine and looking away from her, as if he didn’t quite believe what she was saying. Y/N didn’t bother to fight him, instead she walked to the other side of the car and got in, Grace started talking right away, chatting about how ready she was for school to start again soon. Harry drove away down the gravel path, reaching over and taking Y/N’s hand in his. The sun shone through the car window just as he brought it up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her hand that made Y/N hot with delight. She wanted Harry to turn the car around so they could go back to the lighthouse. Go back to bed and spend all day tangled up in one another, not saving a single thought for anything or anyone else.

As they reached the Inn, Y/N got out and walked to the pavement where Harry was parked, window still down and eyes following her the entire way. She walked over to him and placed her hands against the door as she leaned in, Harry taking a gentle grip of the back of her neck as she kissed him. They both smiled into the kiss, unable to help themselves; overcome with joy and need to be constantly around and touching the other.

“I’ll miss you,” Harry said against her lips as they pulled away.

“You’ll see me in a few hours.”

“You say that like it’s a good thing.”

Y/N giggled, placed another peck to his lips and walked indoors, watching as the van pulled away, driving back towards the lighthouse. She strolled upstairs, had a quick shower before she looked for her small tote bag where she kept her knitting stuff. Bessie, Camila, Barb, and Florence were already sitting in the back garden when Y/N came down, everyone coming with exclamations of joy at seeing her face. She got her squares out and started up where she had previously left off, now about to sew them all together. Nuzzling up next to Bessie, she made the older woman show her how to sew them together again, just wanting to make sure she was doing it right before she threw herself into it again. Though she had been at this stage for quite a while, she always liked to get a quick briefing with Bessie before she started up again.

The red and yellow squares looked great next to one another, the other rows she had sewn together were also solid. She knew what she wanted to do, knew how she wanted it to look, and when she had drawn the sketch for it the other day, Bessie had been mighty impressed. The week Y/N had spent mostly away from Harry because of the awkward tension had been spent mostly in the back garden with the ladies or in her room sewing the cardigan together. It now looked like something that could be presentable, that could be used.

“Oh,” Bessie suddenly said. “You got a visitor earlier, told them to wait in the dining area ‘cause you’d be back soon.”

“Spent the night at the lighthouse, did you?” Camila asked, her eyebrows high on her forehead and a cheeky smile on her face. The other ladies giggled amongst themselves and Y/N felt her cheeks flare up. “Bessie told us she didn’t hear you come back.”

Y/N stuck her tongue out at Bessie before she placed her squares on the table in the middle. “Hope they haven’t left yet then.”

She walked from the ladies and made her way over to the door, walking through it and taking a left into the dining area. She stopped dead in her tracks. She was sure she could recognise that stance anywhere. Could recognise the clothing, the short black hair, the hazel eyes, his expensive watch. He could’ve stood among thousands, and Y/N would still be able to pick him out. She usually sensed him, knew when he was near. But her senses had failed her this time. Just when she was starting to let her guard down. He must’ve heard her footsteps and how abruptly she stopped walking, because he looked up at her as if he had expected her arrival for quite some time now. As if he had been seated in that exact position that entire morning. Keeping watch over the street, the cars that came and went, the people.

“Y/N,” he said, and she suddenly realised how much she had tried to suppress his voice.

“Dom,” Y/N uttered, her voice sounding as weak and pathetic as she felt. How had she thought that she could escape her life in Winchester? Had she not thought they would come after her? That Dominic would be seated in The Roaming Crab Inn waiting for her at some point.

He smiled at her as he leaned back in the chair he was sitting in by the window, looking out at a particular spot on the street.

“What’re you doing here?” she asked him, hoping that he couldn’t guess how scared she was.

“What do you think I’m doing here, Y/N?” He looked back at her, as calm as ever.

“I… I dunno.”

He huffed. “You even talk like them now.”

“Like who?”

“Anyone from around here,” he said, as if it wasn’t already obvious. “Now, back to your question, what am I doing here?”

Y/N balled some of her summer dress into her fist, trying to relax. “I don’t know.”

“Precisely,” Dominic answered. “You don’t know.”

Y/N felt a very familiar feeling rush over her, that same one that would lurk at the back of her mind whenever she had been around her family and Dom. One she had thought was normal to experience around people that were clearly smarter than you and thought what was best for you. Humiliation, shame, not being good enough.

“I’m taking you home with me, this has been going on for too long.”

“What do you mean?”

“This rebellious side of yours? The one you’ve never shown before? The one none of us thought you had in you, why did it come just now? Why did it have to come just then? Did you realise you hadn’t gone on a little vacation by yourself, so you travelled to one of the least attractive places in Cornwall and decided to live out your dreams as… what, exactly? A revolutionary?”

“I’m not coming back to Winchester.”

“Yes, you are.”

“It’s not my home anymore.”

Dominic let out a small laugh, sitting back in his chair again. “And why is that?”

Y/N opened her mouth to say something when Dominic looked away from her again, eyes on the street, the exact spot he had stared at before. A sudden realisation came over her and she felt ice cold. She had not been this cold since arriving in St Ives.

“Gotten yourself a little summer fling, have you?” Dominic asked. She never noticed how void of proper emotion his voice was. Especially when he was angry. “Decided you’d come down here and act like a slag because your parents wouldn’t allow you to do that back home?”

“It’s not my home anymore.”

“You’re being pathetic.”

“And he’s not a summer fling, he’s way more than that,” Y/N said, suddenly feeling very protective and angry. Dominic did not get to talk about Harry like that. “Don’t talk about him.”

“I think I will, I think he’s a very big part of this, from what I gather,” Dominic uttered, pointing out towards the street where Harry’s van had been and raising his eyebrows as he glanced back at Y/N. “Asked that lovely Bessie, told me he was the lighthouse keeper. Can’t believe you’ve gone from being offered marriage by one of the most promising businessmen in London, to fucking a lighthouse keeper in an insignificant village in Cornwall.”

Y/N felt like she was a pot about to boil over. In another universe, she would have jumped Dominic and probably strangled him to death for even talking about Harry like that, referring to him as insignificant when he was so, so, so much more than that. And she’d make sure to torture him just a little bit for saying such vulgar things about her as well. He did not get to come to St Ives, say these things, and leave not knowing that Y/N did not bloody despise him for even opening his mouth in the first place. 

During her time here she had realised how horribly she had hated her life in Hampshire, and that she deserved much more. She deserved to feel like the sun was shining from inside her own chest, that she could make great things happen. But with her parents and Dominic around, it had been like constant night-time. She hadn’t gotten to shine like she was supposed to.

“Is he just someone you let fuck you until you’re bored of playing rebel? Or are you fucking him-“

“-Don’t talk about me like that.”

Dominic stopped at once, clearly startled by her warning. It took him a moment before he regained his composure. “Y/N, you’ve been confused about what you want in life, we get it, but this has been going on for too long and we’re all waiting for you back home.”

“What… what I want in life?”

“Yes.” Dominic got up from his chair with a big sigh. “I understand that when I proposed to you, it might’ve been a bit too much, too soon.”

Y/N was lost for words.

“But I love you and I won’t stop fighting for us.”

“Dom, it’s been over for a while now. For almost three months.”

“Are you ready to throw three years of us away for a sort of quarter-life crisis you’re going through because I asked you to marry me?”

Y/N hadn’t thought about the proposal for a few days, it would eventually pop up in her head and torment her, but she guessed that was a good thing. It was a good thing that she remembered the reason why she left. She still remembered Dominic taking her out for dinner that night, and how he had proposed to her in the cathedral grounds only minutes after they left, the cathedral lighting up blue and the park deserted except for the two of them. It had been a nice location, even fairly romantic if it had been spent with someone she had genuinely been in love with, but that was the problem, she hadn’t been in love with Dominic.

Her whole life flashed before her eyes when he got down onto one knee. She stood still, just looking at him as if he were insane. She felt empty at first, as if she were totally alone and nothing around her mattered. Then, the next second, when Dominic said her name, she felt like she was jolted right out of a trance. Not the one she had presumably been in when he had gotten down on one knee, not the shock of the moment, no this was something else. As if someone had snapped their fingers right before her eyes, she realised that this was not what she wanted. Her entire life didn’t make sense. After telling Dominic no, the two had stared at each other for an eternity before Y/N ran back home. She didn’t even want to think about what happened there.

“Y/N, come on.”

“I’m not coming back there with you,” she said again, more firmly this time so he’d hear her correctly. It didn’t seem like he had the first time around.

“Don’t be like this.” Dominic took a step forward, reaching for her arm. She stepped out of his reach.

“Don’t touch me.”

“Y/N.” He tried again.

“No, Dom.”

“Stop acting like a child. Your parents will be here soon, you can’t act like this in front of them.”

Y/N froze. Dread filled her up from her toes and all the way up to her head, through each strand of hair and cell in her body. Instantly, she felt an urge to run. She didn’t want to be here when they eventually came. She didn’t want to face them, didn’t want to tell them what she was planning on doing and that she wanted nothing more to do with them.

“Y/N dear?” Bessie walked in through the back door, looking between Y/N and Dominic with suspicious eyes. “We heard some voices. You alright, me lover?”

“Yeah, I just…” Y/N focused all her attention on Dominic. “I was just saying goodbye to Dominic, then I need to go upstairs for a bit.”

“You’re not leaving now,” Dominic said in a low voice, reaching once again for Y/N’s hand, but she retracted. Bessie must have noticed something in Y/N’s body language because she stepped forward, twining her arm around Y/N’s.

“Lovely to see you, Dominic, but if you don’t mind, Y/N has a cardigan she needs to finish.”

Dominic would never make a scene, so he didn’t walk after Y/N and Bessie as they walked outside either. Y/N didn’t dare look over her shoulder to see if he chose to stay or leave, not knowing if she really wanted to know the answer.

Bessie placed her hand on Y/N’s thigh once they sat back down again, smiling at her as the others continued on with their conversation. “Alright?”

Y/N only nodded, not ready to tell Bessie that she was not.

Y/N stood by the door, wearing her red mini smock dress, the ditsy floral print on it making the outfit a bit fun and light because she reckoned she wouldn’t be much of that today. Her window was open, but she didn’t want to stand beside it and look out, worried who she might see standing outside if she did. Or who might see her. She waited by the door till she heard the familiar sound of Harry’s van, and then, quickly, she closed the window and her blinds and walked downstairs. On her way down she didn’t dare to look at the dining area, too afraid to find Dom still sitting there and taunting her. His arrival had been the fire that had lit the match, now all Y/N was waiting for was the bomb to explode and ruin everything she had built in St Ives.

“Hi, Y/N!” Grace shouted as Y/N opened the passenger side door.

“Hi,” Harry grinned, his entire face was lit up and a few of Y/N’s butterflies started fluttering around in her stomach again. The mere sight of him made her entire body buzz with excitement, but her fear immediately shut the eruption of emotion inside her down. She climbed into the van and shut the door behind her. At once, Y/N recognised Harry’s favourite’s playlist playing from the speakers, the volume of Everybody Wants to Rule the World having been turned down as not to overwhelm Y/N once she stepped inside.

“You forgot your raincoat again,” Grace said, sounding like she was giggling. “Harry left it at the cottage.”

“Should’ve brought it, would’ve been easier,” he said, and Y/N felt his eyes on her as she kept hers firmly set on the road in front of them. She knew that he was studying her, that he had instantly sensed that something was off. It was a blessing and a curse that she had connected with Harry on such a deep level. Now, whenever something was bothering her or she wasn’t quite herself, he noticed it, and the other way around. They had been around one another so much these last few months, they knew exactly what to look for and what would give the other away. Y/N suspected both her refusal to meet Harry’s eyes and her silence since entering the car was what had gotten Harry to study her.

She forced herself to look over at him and give him a small smile, something he returned, but she could tell he knew something was off. And, because she was acting weird, he would as well.

“Hey,” Harry said as Grace started singing along to the song in the backseat. He leaned a little closer to Y/N, a furrow to his brows that she knew only appeared when he was worried. She hated she was the one that put it there. “You alright?”

“Yeah, I’ve just been reading all day. My head’s a bit all over the place.”

Harry’s furrow deepened. “You shouldn’t exhaust yourself, flower.”

“I’m not,” she assured, shaking her head a little. “There were just a lot of things to take in. The UCAT reading’s just been a bit heavy recently. You don’t have to worry.”

“That’s not really a decision I can consciously make myself.”

“Harry, why aren’t you driving?”

At Grace’s question, Harry sighed heavily, but began driving right away. They zoomed out of the city centre and to the farm. When they arrived, Jessa was already standing by the gate, waving at them enthusiastically. Y/N did the mano po, and followed Jessa inside so she could put the food Y/N had brought into the fridge. Lolo beamed at Y/N as she did the mano po, telling her how excited he was to have her there with them.

“Alright,” Jessa said, looking over Y/N’s shoulder after a few hours of food-prepping. “And then you put the green onion, water chestnuts, carrots, garlic, soy sauce, salt and pepper in the bowl and mix until it’s well distributed.”

Y/N nodded, putting everything into the bowl beside her and then started mixing with a wooden spoon as Jessa sat down opposite her again. The kitchen was lit to make it easier for everyone to chop, stir, or whatever else they were doing, though the sun had yet to set outside, so some of the late afternoon light still streamed through the kitchen windows.

“I should write you a recipe book,” Jessa chuckled, grinning over at Y/N. “With vegetarian Filipino recipes and everything else you might like.”

Y/N smiled back, looking down into the bowl to see it all well mixed. She glanced down at the recipe in front of her, reading what she was supposed to do next, and then reaching for the wrappers to put a tablespoon of mixture onto each individual wrapper. Y/N was very happy that Jessa was teaching her how to make vegetarian lumpia for the end of summer party. It was her favourite thing she had tasted all summer and she would memorise the recipe and use it many times over, she was sure. She wasn’t sure if she’d be around to receive the recipe book Jessa was talking about.

“Can you add halo halo to the recipe book as well, nay?” asked Grace who was looking at lolo as he sewed the head of one of Grace’s stuffed animals back on. “Maybe I can teach Y/N how to make it.”

“But if you do that, why don’t you write it down in the recipe book?” Jessa raised her eyebrows at her daughter, giving her a smile to tell her she was only joking.

Grace groaned and started bickering, but it only made Jessa and lolo laugh. Y/N, who had barely said a single word since arriving, tuned them out. Ever since this morning, she had just tuned out the outside world every once in a while, thinking about Dom and her parents, thinking about what could happen if they were to actually show up in St Ives. She sat in her room at the Inn shaking because she was so uncertain, so scared, of what would happen next. She had known that everything would catch up to her at some point, but she had not been prepared after the night and morning she just shared with Harry. Her guard had been down, she had allowed herself to feel untouchable; safe. When in reality, she was not.

She felt a nudge against her elbow, and when she looked to her left, Harry was already staring at her, in the middle of cutting some carrots. “You alright?” he whispered as Jessa laughed at something Grace said.

“Yeah,” Y/N whispered back, giving him an unconvincing smile before she turned back to the lumpia. The less she looked at Harry, the easier it would be to lie. He could see right through her now, and though that would usually be seen as a good thing, Y/N hated that fact right now.

She could tell that Harry was watching her for a few moments more, but was quickly brought out of his reverie when Jessa said his name.

“Gracie wants to pick some flowers.”

“Yeah? Can’t she do that by herself?”

Grace walked over to Harry and tugged at his arm. “We need new flowers in the living room, Harry.”

“We’re in the middle of making food for a horde of people, I don’t have the time, Gracie,” Harry said, making Grace stick her bottom lip out at him. He groaned. “Fine, but only for five minutes. Lolo?”

Lolo looked up at them, staring between an energetic Grace who was jumping up and down, and the exasperated Harry who just wanted to stay indoors and help Jessa. He smiled, thinking this might be something of an interesting combination to watch, so he got up from his seat and followed them outside. Harry glanced over his shoulder at Y/N, making sure to catch her eyes.

“Be back in a bit, yeah?”

She only smiled at him before he disappeared outside, walking at lolo’s pace while Grace ran towards the gate that led to the small field beyond where a few colourful flowers grew. Y/N took a deep breath, turning to the lumpia once again, trying to read some of the directions in the recipe but her mind suddenly wandered elsewhere.

“They’re a wonderful few, aren’t they?” Jessa said, and when Y/N glanced up at Harry’s stepmother, she was smiling, craning her neck to get a good look at her family. “I do sometimes wonder how I got so lucky, to have a son and a daughter that get along. Of course, he does everything to make her happy, even when he doesn’t want to do what she tells him to.” Jessa laughed heartily. “But she’s so incredibly lucky to have him, and him her. And amá is grateful for both of them, even though Gracie can be a handful sometimes.”

The amount of warmth and love that radiated off of Jessa when she talked about her family made the entire room shine a little brighter, gave colour to things that were otherwise dull, and made the birds outside chirp a little louder. Y/N felt it latch onto her, made her much appreciative of Jessa and the three outside. She glanced out, her eyes instantly falling on Harry, who was smiling at Grace, and lolo, who was talking to him. Whenever Harry was happy or peaceful, it was so incredibly visible on his face. That was something he could never hide, when he was happy.

“I sometimes wonder what it’s like to have a family like that,” Y/N suddenly said, not aware of what she was saying until it was out there. “Where love is constant.”

Y/N was aware that Jessa was watching her, contemplating Y/N’s words carefully. Suddenly aware that she had indirectly told Jessa that her family was complicated and without a fraction of the amount of love that was part of theirs, Y/N went back to prepping the lumpia.

“I noticed that you haven’t been as talkative as you usually are today,” Jessa said, her voice soft and deliberate as she spoke. “Is it because you have been thinking about your family back home? Do you miss them?”

“No.” The answer was out in the open so quickly that Y/N blinked a little, shocking herself. “I just… I dunno why I ended up with the family I did. When I was younger I used to think that I must’ve been swapped at the hospital, ‘cause surely I didn’t deserve…” She paused. “I was always so jealous of everyone at school with their mums and dads, ‘cause they would carry them and play with them, but mine never really did. I still get jealous. I wish I had something like this growing up.”

Y/N refused to look at Jessa, afraid of what she would see. The silence stretched on and Y/N continued to prep all the lumpia, being careful not to spill anything. Grace laughed loudly at something outside and she heard something joining her, sounding like lolo’s laughter, though Y/N had never heard it before so she couldn’t be certain. A lump started appearing in Y/N’s throat.

“What even is family?” Jessa said, her voice just as warm as when she talked about Harry, Grace, and lolo. Y/N glanced up at her, seeing that same smile on her face and feeling her eyes begin to sting instantly. “Family is what you want it to be. If you don’t want to be part of your birth family in Hampshire, then that is completely fine. You curate your life and weed out the people you don’t need.”

“But what if they want back in your life?” Y/N asked. “What if my family doesn’t want to let go of me?”

“That’s their problem, isn’t it?” Jessa smiled. “You can’t live your life for someone else. You were put on this earth to be yourself; you have something to give back to humanity, yourself and the people around you that no one else can. How ever will you manage that if the people around you are holding you back from being your true self?”

Y/N looked down at the mixture in the bowl beside her, willing herself not to cry because she could feel it coming on. As if an angel had come down from heaven to console her, Jessa placed her hand on top of Y/N’s, squeezing her ever so slightly.

“Darling, you do not need them. You are here now.”

Y/N bit her bottom lip, shrugging her shoulders. She had no idea what to do. Dom was here, her parents would be here soon, and if she didn’t leave St Ives or tell someone what was actually going on soon, they would show up and ruin absolutely everything. They would do so regardless. She didn’t know why she’d ever thought otherwise.

“Who cares where you’re from, what you are, who you are, what family you used to belong to… love does not care. It doesn’t care about any of that. Love exists without restrictions, without limitations, without questions. Those that put ultimatums to love, don’t love fully and they don’t deserve you. There are no ultimatums here, Y/N. You are loved fully, wholly, and unconditionally. You’re home now, with us.”

Her heart beat so fast and her entire body was warm with love and adoration. Jessa had managed to tell Y/N something she had needed to hear for a very long time, and Y/N hadn’t been aware that she needed it till just that second. A tear escaped Y/N’s eye and Jessa huffed at her, wiping it away quickly, smiling that warm smile that made everyone around her soar with happiness. The door into the house opened again and Grace ran into the kitchen, Jessa and Y/N broke apart instantly. They had both been aware that the moment they just shared was to stay between the two of them only.

“Nanay! Look!”

“How beautiful!” Jessa exclaimed, getting up from her chair to fill up a glass with water so Grace could go put the bouquet in the living room. “I am so lucky I have my own florist!”

Grace giggled and walked to the living room just as Harry and lolo came back into the kitchen. Jessa met Y/N’s eyes again, giving her that smile and a small wink. Though everything Jessa had said would stay with Y/N forever, though this moment had been more precious to her than any moment spent with her actual mother, Y/N still knew what she had to do. She had allowed herself to feel safe in St Ives, untouchable by anything because of the amount of love she had been bathing in, but she could see the tidal wave approaching in the distance now, and there was no telling how much destruction it would leave in its wake.

Wednesday, 5 August

They were quiet on the drive to Zennor. Y/N had barely gotten any sleep last night, waking up at the slightest sound of anything to check the room and the streets below, ready to see her parents walking down at any second to get her. Rationally, she knew she was overreacting. They would never come during the night, they weren’t weird and sketchy like that, but Y/N was so scared of being dragged away against her own will that she was ready at any moment to get up and run off. This was the first time in her life that she had taken control of her own life. She had never before done anything for herself and what she wanted, but she was doing that now and she didn’t want anyone to take that away from her. Especially the two that had taken most from her in the last 25 years.

Y/N had been so deep inside her own head that she barely noticed that they had pulled up to the Zennor cliffs. Harry unbuckled his seatbelt, checked to make sure Grace managed her own in the back, and then got out. Y/N followed the two, bringing the picnic basket out with her as it had rested in her lap on the way here. Though it was fairly windy up there as it was, Harry managed to lay the picnic blanket out for them without too much difficulty. Grace, who had been singing most of the time there, hummed along to the same melody she had been singing to while Harry taught Y/N how to report the weather at the lighthouse. But from the times before, when she had caught Grace humming to something, she guessed it was one of Harry’s new pieces that he had been working on.

“Patience, Gracie,” Harry said as he sat down, offering to take the hamper so Y/N could sit down without difficulty. Y/N gave it to him and sat down, looking back toward the van for a quick second only to make sure. She hadn’t seen Dominic since he came to the Inn yesterday, and though she was sure he wouldn’t follow them all the way out there, she still found it weird that he hadn’t shown up at the Inn again or tried to look for her. He had just disappeared.

“Flower.”

Y/N looked in Harry’s direction, heart fluttering at the sound of that name.

“Alright?” he asked, eyes scanning her face for a few seconds.

She only nodded, turning to the picnic hamper to get one of the vegetarian pasties Bessie had made for her to bring. Grace was already eating something Jessa had made her, looking out over the ocean beyond the cliffs and squinting a little at the sun in her eyes. Harry took the heart-shaped sunglasses off the top of his head, perching them on Grace’s nose, smiling when she giggled to herself, pushing them further up. Y/N still remembered the day she had given them to Harry by mistake, how he had, without hesitation, begun to use them more and more. Sometimes, she would wear something and wish she still had them, but then she remembered how good Harry looked with them on and she was suddenly glad she didn’t own them anymore.

Harry pulled his camera out of the hamper, getting up to film Y/N and Grace as they ate and then the scenery around them, taking his sweet time to get it all on tape. He walked over, sat down, and reached for the hamper as well, pulling a toastie out and giving each of them a  bottle of water. With that, he focused on eating, eyes falling into the landscape, studying nothing in particular. Y/N quickly started thinking about everything again, dreading when they’d actually have to return to St Ives later because she didn’t know what would be there waiting for her. Never before had she ever not wanted to return to St Ives. She always wanted to be in St Ives.

A wind blew past them, ruffling up Y/N’s hair. She took the time for just a few seconds to look around. The ocean was as blue as it was in St Ives, but it almost seemed turquoise as it reached closer to land, glittering in the powerful sun overhead. Green grass surrounded them, a few bushes here and there with different coloured flowers in them. Their surroundings were not as flat at Clodgy was, but definitely flat enough so that a salty breeze could make them all shut their eyes from its force every so often. Y/N enjoyed it, though. She quite liked how windy it was, it just reminded her of where she was, who she was with. She was used to this now; she wouldn’t have it any other way. Looking about at the landscape, Grace, Harry, she wished she could take a mental video tape and keep it in her brain forever. Whenever she wondered what happiness, what bliss, felt and looked like again, she’d just have to play this scene for herself and she would be reminded.

“Why’re you both so quiet?” Grace asked, looking down at her toastie before she stared at Harry and then Y/N.

“What you mean?” Harry retorted.

“You’re never quiet, you always joke around or talk.” Grace took another bite. “Is it because I’m here?”

“No, Gracie, we’re all just enjoying the view,” Harry smiled. “Sometimes, silence isn’t a bad thing.”

That didn’t seem to convince Grace, but she didn’t push it. Instead, she ate up her toastie and put the paper back in the hamper. When that was done, she got Harry’s camera and laughed evilly as she ran off.

“Gracie!” Harry warned but Grace only giggled and brought the camera up to her face. Y/N supposed that, watching Harry do this and probably having been taught this before, Grace knew what she was doing when she pressed the button and started filming Harry and Y/N, then herself. Harry watched her the entire time, unsure if he trusted her completely with his camera.

“You alright?” he asked suddenly, looking away from Grace for a second to look at Y/N. “Like… you’re… you’re good? We’re good?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Dunno,” Harry said, shrugging his shoulders as he glanced back at Grace. “You’ve been a bit distant. All yesterday at the farm and now.”

“I’ve just-“ Y/N stopped herself, looking over at Grace who was now running around in circles, singing a song they’d heard on the radio on the way here. “It’s nothing.”

Harry studied her for a few seconds. “It’s not nothing, Y/N, I can tell.”

“Well,” Y/N said, looking right back at Harry with big eyes, shrugging her shoulders. “You’ve been weird, too.”

“How?”

She sighed, averting her eyes again. “Fine, you haven’t been weird, you’ve been lovely.”

They fell back into silence, Harry not taking his eyes off Y/N and Y/N not sure where to look. She wanted to tell Harry about yesterday, wanted to let him know that her ex was here, and before long, her parents would be too. It was about time she told him why she left Hampshire, it shouldn’t have taken her this long, but in a sense, in not opening up about it, she had tried to suppress everything from her past life. Not speaking about it was a way for her to forget.

“Is this…” Harry started, but he trailed off, a crease appearing between his brows as he thought. “Is this about us… us in the lighthouse two days ago? Is that why you’re acting strange?”

“No.” Y/N looked back at him, slightly offended that he’d even think that but understanding that he might’ve found her silence and odd behaviour these last two days confusing. “No, of course not.”

“I didn’t do something wrong?”

“No, Harry.”

“Will you tell me then? What’s bothering you?”

Y/N glanced back at Grace, completely transfixed by the flowers in some of the bushes surrounding them. Though Y/N felt part of her protesting, she knew that she had to tell Harry. Besides, if he didn’t want to be around her anymore, it would be okay because they said they would break up in August, so parting ways after the end of summer party at the farm seemed very fitting. They hadn’t discussed when it would happen yet, but they could do that later.

“Yeah, I will,” Y/N said, looking down at her hands. “Think it’s time I did.”

Harry was quiet for a moment, as if he were trying to make sense of what she was saying. Realising he couldn’t, he cleared his throat and moved a little closer to her, speaking in a lower voice. “I, uhm… I also want to talk about something.”

She glanced up at him again, feeling a strange sort of instant calmness roll through her at the sight of his green eyes. “What’s that?”

“Well…” His cheeks got a little pink and he scratched at the back of his neck, the flustered behaviour reminded Y/N so much of the beginning of their summer that she couldn’t help her smile. “Us.”

“Us?”

“I wanted to have a little chat about what happened two days ago and yesterday morning,” he said. “Figure out where your head’s at, ‘cause I don’t want there to be any mixed signals and stuff. Right now might not be the best time and place, I kind of don’t want Gracie around ‘cause I wanna chat in private. I-I know we said we’d…” He paused, trying to find a better way to phrase it. “Like, I just want us to be on the same page.”

She nodded, she knew they needed to have a chat about everything, especially what happened between them and what would happen next. But before they could do that, she needed to tell him about her parents and Dominic, about what happened that night she left and why she left in the first place. She was aware that he might already have a fairly decent overview as of right now of what had made her leave, but he only knew part of what she was feeling, not the whole story. He deserved to know the full story before they discussed anything further.

“Y/N, you sure you’re alright-“

“-Harry!” Grace came running over, holding a few red flowers in her hand. “Harry, you don’t have these by the lighthouse!”

Harry’s eyes lingered on Y/N for a second before he looked back at Grace, giving her a smile. “You’re right, never seen these before.”

“Can I bring them back to nanay?”

“Yeah, reckon she’ll love that.”

Grace placed the camera back in the hamper and sat down, drinking some of her water. The rest of their picnic at Zennor was fairly uneventful and they started their drive back to St Ives not long after. Harry drove by the farm, dropping Grace off and making sure she was okay all the way till she was inside before he started driving off again. Jessa poked her head out and waved at them just before they were gone up the gravel road.

“Right,” Harry said at last, a sort of shaky breath leaving his lips that made Y/N think he might be nervous. “Haven’t really had a chance to be alone since yesterday morning.”

Y/N nodded some, looking down at her lap and picking at the hem of her dress. “We haven’t.”

“You also forgot to take your raincoat with you yesterday, it’s at mine if you wanna come back and get it.”

“Yeah, I’d like that,” she said. “Have a feeling I might need it when autumn comes around.”

Harry swallowed thickly, taking a quick look at Y/N before he glanced at the road again. “Actually… that’s what I wanted to have a chat with you about. August, autumn… the future.”

There was a slight pause as they both realised what they were about to discuss.

“Leave your raincoat at mine, so when you come around-“

“Harry, I need to tell you something-“

They both stopped, shared a quick glance as they had both interrupted each other. He nodded at her, telling her to continue on saying what she wanted to say, his cheeks a little pink again as if the nerves he had claimed were gone had come back again for today. The slight smile on his lips eased her nerves some, and she looked back at the road as she rummaged through her head and memories, trying to figure out the best way to tell him this.

“I think you might’ve gathered by now that I left Hampshire ‘cause I couldn’t be there any longer. It drained me.”

He nodded.

“It’s…” She furrowed her brows. “It’s a bit more complicated than that.”

Harry stayed silent, waiting for her to elaborate. Y/N took her time finding her words again, not wanting to leave Harry confused in any way.

“My parents weren’t the only reason why I left.”

“The town made you feel claustrophobic.”

“I also had a boyfriend.”

This silenced him, even though she suspected he knew to some extent. She had kind of talked about him before, but not in detail. When Y/N looked over at him, he was staring straight ahead, it was hard to make out any sort of emotion on his face.

“His name was Dominic, and we were together for three years before I left in June. He was nice enough to me and we got on, much because, I’ve realised in retrospect, we never really talked about things that mattered. I think I acted the same way with him as you did with Emilia, didn’t really fight him and tried to stay as neutral and as non confrontational as possible in order to make it work. It was safe with him ‘cause I knew him, we had a sort of routine, he got on with my parents – who both adored him and told me multiple times how we should get married and that I had found myself someone to keep around forever.”

She took a small look at Harry, just to make sure he was still present and not having zoned out somewhere along the way. He looked rather concentrated on both the road and her confession, giving her as much of his focus as he could. She looked away again.

“My parents thought I was happy, but I really wasn’t. I think they saw what they wanted to see, something that’s always been the case with them. They were more interested in how it would look if I were to marry Dom than how I actually felt about him. I didn’t realise that staying with him ‘cause their happiness depended on it, would also make Dom happy.” They were in the middle of town now, people milling about the van. “I didn’t realise that none of it made me happy until the night I left. I just did everything for everyone else, made sure they were happy with my choice in order for me to be happy with it. I found happiness and reason in others’, if it makes sense.”

“Makes perfect sense,” he mumbled, not trying to speak over her or make her stop talking. Y/N couldn’t hear any definite emotion in his voice and wasn’t sure what to make of that.

“The night I left…” She paused, taking a deep breath. “Dom took me out for dinner, I thought it was a normal dinner, one he usually took me out on every once in a while. But… once we were walking over the cathedral grounds… he proposed to me.”

The van was deathly silent after that. Y/N hadn’t noticed how the radio hadn’t been playing this whole time. She dared a look at Harry who had both his hands on the wheel, staring straight ahead. He turned onto the gravel path leading to the lighthouse, stepping a bit more on the gas pedal than Y/N thought was necessary.

“And… before I tell you everything else, I need you to know how complicated it all was before I left. And still kind of is.”

“Okay.” Harry drove into the courtyard and stopped the van, turning the engine off.

She looked away from him again, knowing that she couldn’t look at him while she told him this. She just couldn’t. She didn’t want to see the look on his face.

“You know I told you about my dad? How he’d been some sort of warm entity when I was younger?”

“Yeah.”

“Well… most of that… happened inside a prison.”

Harry once again fell silent; she could feel him watching her.

“My dad’s… He’s not in any gang, he’s not in the mafia, he’s not notorious for doing anything like that. He’s not bad like that. He’s… he’s just not a good person. He would say things to my mum that would make me very uncomfortable, or not bother telling us where he’d been when he was gone for a day or two. He’d tell mum that she should clean the bathroom, even though she did so that same day. Or he’d tell her that she didn’t do a good job with the dinner ‘cause the mushrooms weren’t cut in small enough slices. He’s always made small comments about my mother’s weight, that she should wear more make-up, get lipfillers…” Y/N trailed off, biting the side of her mouth for a few seconds. “As I got older, when I wasn’t a child anymore, he started treating me the same way. And I think, ‘cause I was in lower rank in the family – my dad being the boss, then my mum, then me – my mum saw no problem treating me like that also.”

Harry was quiet still, hanging onto her every word.

“My dad worked as Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources for Hampshire County Council when he met my mum and worked there till he was told to resign, because…” Y/N paused for a second, feeling dread fill every little part of her at the thought of this. “When my mum was pregnant with me, she was walking home from a friend’s house, and a man kept walking behind her on the way back home. She thought she was being followed. Mum knew he wanted to get to her, she said he kept walking faster and followed her wherever she went. She called dad and told him she was being followed, and he waited outside the house for her.”

“Why didn’t he just meet her halfway?” Harry asked and Y/N jumped a little at the question. His voice was a tad darker than usual. When she looked at him, he looked furious.

“Because, when my mum walked up the street, he walked toward her and attacked the man who had followed her.” Another silence ensued as Y/N tried finding the courage to say, “My dad beat him to death.”

The tension in the air in the car was awful and Y/N usually got a migraine just thinking about this, so speaking about it made her physically nauseous.

“It had been their neighbour just walking home, but my dad never allowed my mum to talk to their neighbours, and it was too dark to properly make out who he was anyway. But… I’ve always secretly thought my dad didn’t really care, ‘cause he must’ve known who his neighbours were, he – as a high ranked County Council man – would’ve introduced himself when he moved in. He’s also always been very aware of his surroundings.”

Y/N hated the fact that Harry hadn’t looked at her since he stopped the car.

“He got 25 years in prison, my mum and I visited him a lot, and I think I was the only positive aspect of his life then. But, as I got older and maybe started showing a more independent nature, he stopped treating me like he cared about me at all.” She sighed. “Anyway, he claimed it was in self-defence, that he felt threatened by this man who was supposedly about to do something harmful against my mother. He was released eight years before his sentence stated.”

Quickly, she glanced at Harry in her peripheral vision, but he still made no sign to even turn in her direction. Part of her was panicking, the other half knew that now, if he hated her, it would be easier to leave. She could not stay here, not when Dominic told her her parents were going to come down to St Ives now as well.

“I met Dominic at school, he was the only one who didn’t treat me like I was insane ‘cause of what my father did. He made me smile, he made me feel seen. He had gone off to university after sixth form while I stayed put in Winchester where my parents wanted me. After a few years, when I was 22, he came back and asked me out for coffee. It took him a few weeks to actually ask me to be his girlfriend because I suspect he knew he needed my father’s approval, but Dominic was a businessman by then, doing quite well for someone who had just graduated uni. My dad approved of him right away. And… And, I now realise, I supposed that was because he could see parts of himself in Dom.”

Harry’s hands that had rested in the gap between his legs, were suddenly balled into fists.

“Dom was just like my dad in many aspects, but, unlike my dad, he was very good at hiding his manipulation. He’d blame it on me.” Y/N felt cold all over talking about Dominic. “I knew it was wrong. Deep inside, though it was all I had ever known, I watched a lot of telly in my spare time and I also had friends who picked up on Dom’s behaviour and who would tell me it was wrong. It didn’t sink in till he proposed and I realised that, if I said yes, I would have to spend my life with someone who I kept around ‘cause he validated me sometimes when my family and the world around me didn’t. He made me feel special when we were kids, and I always had this glorified picture of him inside my head, but when he proposed… I realised he wasn’t good for me. He was my trauma.”

Y/N looked up, eyes falling on the white lighthouse before them.

“My dad made this joke once, which made me very uncomfortable, and I could tell mum also didn’t appreciate it, but him and Dom laughed,” Y/N said. “It went something along the lines of ‘if you can’t defend your family- if you can’t kill for your loved ones, then that’s not true love.’ And Dom agreed. If you wouldn’t kill for the people you loved, then you didn’t love enough.” Y/N bit her lips together for a few seconds. “And that, along with the laughter and agreement from Dom that followed it, just went on repeat inside my head after he proposed. Not that the sentiment behind it isn’t genuine, I’m sure it is… in its own way, but you shouldn’t have to murder in order to show that you truly love someone. It sounded like my father was trying to initiate something, and, for some reason, I was sure that if I said yes to Dom, I would go through the exact same thing mum went through with dad.”

She glanced down at the purse in her lap, running her finger along the strap.

“When I told Dom no, I ran home, and my father met me in the foyer. He asked me how dinner was, and by the look on his face, I knew Dominic had told dad he was going to propose.” Y/N shuddered. “When I told him I turned Dom down, my dad continued to smile at me. It was as if he refused to acknowledge what I had just told him. He asked me again, and I told him I didn’t want to marry Dom.” Y/N paused, and Harry moved a little, almost as if to look at her. “He took a hold of my shoulders and pinned me up against the wall very forcefully, and asked me the same question a third time. This time he was still smiling, asked me through gritted teeth. I told him again that I said no. He didn’t like that. He started screaming at me, right in my face, told me how I had just ruined everything. I wouldn’t be as happy, as well off, as I would’ve been with Dom. He said I was a failure, that I wouldn’t amount to anything now.”

Y/N put her bag on the floor so she could pick at some lint on her dress. Anything to keep her only slightly distracted.

“My mother came out into the foyer, trying to get dad off me, but he shoved her off him and into a dresser. She fell to the ground, a vase shattered, and my mum started bleeding. My dad was distracted for long enough, so I ran to my mum. I had to help her. She was bleeding.” Y/N paused, regaining her breath. “I tried to help her up, but my dad pushed me away, telling me I was useless. I tried again, getting my mum to her feet, and into the kitchen where I cleaned her wound. It wasn’t anything big, but she was still bleeding from her palm. I kept thinking about all the shards of glass in the foyer, how my dad was still out there. I wanted to hide with mum in a room. I knew, logically, that my dad would never intentionally hurt my mum and I, but just the fact that he had taken a life before has always terrified me.”

She let silence fill the car for a few moments, tired of hearing her own voice, but also knowing that she had to tell him all of this now. She couldn’t keep it to herself any longer.

“I asked my mum if we should leave- if she wanted to leave with me. But before she could say anything, my dad came into the kitchen. I left instantly and walked to my room, where I locked my door, and started looking for places I could just… I could escape. And so I found The Roaming Crab Inn. Ever since, I’ve tried to force my past behind me, but… it’s caught up with me now.”

That was when Harry looked at her, eyes a little bigger than they normally were. “What do you mean?”

“Dominic’s here.”

Harry was frozen in place.

“When you drove me to the Inn… after that night in the lighthouse… he was at the Inn. He was waiting for me. Saw us kissing.”

Harry sat back in his seat, looking straight ahead with his lips parted now. “How did he know you were there?”

“I don’t think I want to know.”

He stayed silent for a few seconds, contemplating everything she had just told him. “Have you seen him since?”

“No, but I know he’s in town. He told me my parents are coming as well, they’re trying to take me back to Hampshire.”

“You’re not going back to Hampshire.”

She glanced at him.

His jaw clenched as another few moments in silence passed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I… I couldn’t find the right time to tell you, Grace was around all day, and I didn’t want to bring it up when we were making food with your family.”

“We spent so much time alone together all summer, Y/N, why didn’t you just tell me? If we’re gonna work out after summer ends, you need to tell me things. St Ives might’ve been a place for a new beginning, but your past shapes you, you can’t just forget it even though you’ve moved towns.”

She stayed silent, not really knowing the right way to approach this. She was about to open her mouth when Harry interrupted her.

“You don’t want to stay in St Ives, do you?”

She blinked. “What?”

“You don’t want to stay here. You can’t wait to put St Ives and me-“ He stopped himself. “You can’t wait to put everything here behind you and go live somewhere else far away from here.”

“Harry…” Y/N furrowed her brows. “That’s not… No.”

He looked at her, hopeful.

“I’m not leaving ‘cause I don’t want to stay, I’m leaving ‘cause I’m terrified of what might happen when my father comes here.”

Harry’s entire face well, his shoulders slumped a little and he dug the nail of his middle finger into the skin of his thumb. “I… You’re leaving? But you want to stay?”

“I want to stay here, but I’m not going to risk having my father come to St Ives and let him be close to you, Gracie, Jessa, Bessie, Dax, Fatima, or anyone else. I don’t know how he’s gonna react, I don’t want him close to any of you.”

“So you’re leaving?”

Y/N furrowed her brows. “Yes.”

“To protect people that can protect themselves? You even said you didn’t think your dad would hurt you-“

“-But he’s also been to prison for murder, Harry.”

“You’re aware that everyone in St Ives, who you’ve interacted with or spent time with this summer, all adore you, yeah? If your parents and Dom show up, they can try right about bloody anything, but we won’t let them touch you.”

“And I won’t let them come near you.”

“Too late, Dom’s already here.”

“Harry, you don’t get to decide what I’m gonna do now.”

“I’m kind of involved in this, ain’t I?!” he shouted suddenly, a sort of fury in his eyes that Y/N couldn’t quite place. She wasn’t sure if it was aimed at her not being truthful from the beginning or at her family for treating her the way they did and still were doing. “Dom already knows who I am, from what you’ve told me, and if your parents arrive, I’ll immediately be involved ‘cause I won’t let anything fucking happen to you, Y/N! God!” He ran both hands through his hair in utter frustration. “You can be so dense sometimes! Anything that happens to you, happens to me! I’m not leaving you just ‘cause of this!”

“You don’t really have a choice, Harry! I’m leaving St Ives ‘cause I don’t want to risk having my parents show up here and be near anyone I care about!”

“Dom’s already been close to Gracie and me!”

“Dom’s not a murderer, my father is!”

Harry sighed, running his hands over his face.

“Are you mad at me for leaving after the end of summer party, or for not telling you about my past?”

“Both,” he answered, sounding even more furious than he looked. “I don’t understand why you need to leave. Everyone here would do right about anything for you, I don’t get what you’re trying to achieve by leaving.”

“I want to protect you from my father, Harry! I don’t know how he’s going to react! He loved me with Dom, what’s he gonna do when he finds out I’ve been with you all summer?!”

“Y/N, I cannot let you leave knowing you have a fucking deranged murderer father chasing your every step, not knowing what he’s gonna do once he catches you!”

“You cannot let me leave?! I don’t need your permission to do anything! I don’t need you to protect me!”

“Maybe not, but I want to! I want to protect you, Y/N! I want to be with you always ‘cause I care about you! Everything that’s you, I care about! I love it!”

Neither of them said a word, they just stared at one another as the words Harry had just uttered dawned on them. They didn’t look away from one another, instead just gaping, trying to form words, but it was hard when the impact and implications of what Harry had just said hung in the air between them.

“I don’t want you to leave,” Harry said.

“I have to.”

“You don’t.”

“I do.”

“No!” he shouted again. “You don’t! I want you to stay, you want to stay, why don’t you just fucking stay?! We can face your family together!”

“I don’t want you to ever face them, Harry!”

“Why?! I can-“

“-Because I fucking care about you, too!”

Both her cursing and admitting that stopped them from saying anything else. They just looked at one another, realising that they wouldn’t come anywhere if they kept on shouting at each other. Y/N wouldn’t budge, and Harry wouldn’t either. They were both too desperate, too panicked, to think rationally. She saw Harry’s eyes falling to her lips for a split second before looking into her eyes again, and in that moment, there was nothing Y/N wanted more than to kiss him just one more time. If this was the last private moment they would have together, then she wanted to use it well. She took her seatbelt off and at the sight, Harry did the same. They must’ve been thinking the exact same thing. If they couldn’t come to an agreement, if they were actually going to part that Friday, then they would do everything with this last moment they had together.

The kiss might have been a bit harder than they intended it to be. Their teeth clashed and they didn’t get each other right on the lips, but the impact was nonetheless immense. Y/N gripped onto the collar of Harry’s tee shirt, and Harry brought one of his hands to the back of her neck, the other resting on her hip as he brought her closer to him. Their tongues met instantly, and they fell into an easy, frantic rhythm that matched the one at the top of the lighthouse. Gripping onto one another, clinging to the other like their life depended on it, like they would slip away from each other forever if they did.

Harry moaned into her mouth and Y/N held him tighter, wanting to feel him there with her like she had done that night and the morning that followed. She missed him. She would miss him. After this day, after they parted, she would miss him always. As they had so clearly implied while fighting just now, their future was incredibly uncertain. If they couldn’t touch each other now, if they couldn’t be together right now, when would they get the chance again? Would they ever get the chance again? Y/N chose not to think about that now. Everything was so complicated, so uncertain, she just wanted to enjoy this moment with Harry.

Harry tried to drag her closer to him, over the gear stick and the space between the passenger and driver’s seat. Y/N let him, letting him take control of her for a little while. But the gap was bigger than both of them seemed to have anticipated, and Y/N almost fell into it, quickly taking a grip of the back of Harry’s seat to steady herself. She bit her lip from laughing, but Harry let a small breathy chuckle escape him. Their eyes met again, and, for a terrible moment, Y/N felt hopeless. All summer they had worked toward August, the end of summer party that was coming in two days, and now that it was here, they were supposed to part ways. She would never see St Ives, Grace, Jessa, the gang, the beaches, Bessie, or Harry ever again. Once she left after the party on Friday, she would never be here again.

Again, she pushed that thought to the back of her head and brought her lips to Harry’s again. Their kisses were even more intense, even more passionate, than before. Taking a grip of Harry’s shoulder, she got up from her seat and sat down onto Harry’s nearest leg. He spread them for her and sat further out in his seat, making it easier for her to sit comfortably on him. Placing his hands on her hips, he instantly squeezed her soft skin, bringing them to her lower back as to beckon her closer. She placed both of her hands on either of his shoulders, holding herself back from doing what Harry wanted her to. Remembering what he had told her that morning in the lighthouse, she gripped his shoulders harder, before bringing one hand to the back of his neck, pulling his lips away from hers.

“Are we doing this?” she asked, looking into his eyes for a long moment before daring a glance at his lips, feeling her heartbeat reverberate throughout her entire body.

“What?”

“Are we shagging?”

His eyes moved over her face, studying every single angle of her, as if he could never get enough, as if he had to memorise all of her. “Y/N, I’ll do whatever you want me to. Tell me what you want me to do, I’ll do it.”

She felt a small breath leaving her lips and she slid towards him, her centre reacting to the movement of her hips and the friction between her bud and Harry’s muscular thigh.

“If you want me head between your legs, if you want to fuck me, if you want me to fuck you-“ Harry stopped himself, completely taken off guard as Y/N mimicked her previous movement, grinding her hips against him “I’ll do anything. Order me.”

She rested her forehead against his, guiding his lips closer to hers. “Let me use your thigh.”

“God, yes.”

As she had done against Harry in the bed in the lighthouse, she moved her hips against him. Now she made sure to put extra pressure on herself on her bud. Closing her eyes, she focused on Harry’s breath against her wet lips, the feel of his hair in her hand, and his hands on her waist and thigh. The windows were just slightly open, letting in the harsh winds of the moors around and the screams of seagulls. Y/N wanted to remember every little thing about this. The smell, the feeling, her surroundings. As she opened her eyes, Harry was already staring up at her through hooded, concentrated eyes. His focus was entirely on her, she wasn’t sure he had even noticed that there was a world outside the van and them. So devoted, so attentive. Whenever he looked at her, especially like this, she felt like a goddess; so powerful, so important, so otherworldly. He cared about nothing but her when they were close like this.

Harry brought his hands to her bum, squeezing her tightly and deliciously. At that, she gasped and moved even faster, harder. She kissed him hard and he instantly melted into her, bringing one of his hands to the back of her head. Silently begging her not to move out of the kiss, wanting more than anything to have her tongue in his mouth, to feel her lips on his. The kisses were wet and drawn out, a lazy make-out session as she felt her entire body grow hot with what she knew was a climax only Harry could coax out of her. He wasn’t even touching her, wasn’t even eating her out or fucking her, but the mere thought that she was with Harry, that he got off as he watched her come undone using him, was enough to the spot between her legs ache.

“You’re so fucking hot like that,” he mumbled against. “You’re fuckin’… you’re so…” He breathed heavily, watching her as the flames in her core started to get more intense. When Harry got speechless like this, Y/N often found herself blushing, and she was sure she was doing that right now as well, but all her attention was focused on the man in front of her and the feeling inside her core. Looking into Harry’s eyes, a swarm of butterflies started circling around and around the fires in her core. The oncoming climax wasn’t the only thing making her dizzy, but her strong and unwavering feelings for Harry was also added into the mix.

“Like me like this, do you?” he asked, squeezing her bum. “Like me under you?”

“Yes,” she moaned, her clit getting more sensitive with each stroke. “Think you like it more, though.”

“Abso-fucking-lutely,” he mumbled against her lips. “You’re so sexy when you know what you want. And I really like it when that’s me.”

She tugged at the hair at the nape of his neck, making him whimper into her mouth. “Stop talking.”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

It was hard not to smile, because whenever Harry said something stupid in his hoarse, sexy voice, it sounded funny. But Y/N quickly remembered everything they had just fought over and the smile disappeared instantly. They started kissing again, hungry and frantic and desperate. Harry held onto her arse again, helping her move faster, feeling her hips against his thigh. Y/N felt just how wet she was, her centre ached for something, for Harry. Her bud was so sensitive, her core was so hot, and she knew it was only a matter of seconds until she would come. She felt her nails dig into the skin of Harry’s neck and he shivered at the touch, willing her to do more.

Next second, she came. It was not the most overwhelming sensation she had ever felt, most of it was certainly because she enjoyed penetration more than just a clitoral stimulation. Regardless, she clung to Harry, feeling her heart beat fast as she came down from her orgasm. It washed over her, making her even hotter than she already was. Opening her eyes, she saw Harry watching her, an intense look on his face and a very visible bulge in his denim shorts. Y/N bit her lip at the sight, staring up into Harry’s eyes again. His lips were parted and though he had done nothing but just watch her just now, he was still panting slightly.

Slowly, Y/N brought her hand down, placing it over Harry’s crotch. His lips opened wider and his eyebrows raised ever so slightly, eyes not once leaving hers as she moved her hand up and down, feeling him out.

“You’re so hard,” she said, and Harry moved a little restlessly, his grip on her tightening. “So hard for me.”

“I’m everything for you,” he mumbled, reaching to kiss her, but she pulled him back against the seat by the hair at the nape of his neck. It took him by surprise, but Y/N could tell it turned him on. She quite liked having this control over him. She felt so powerful.

“I want you to fuck me,” she whispered against his lips, him letting a breath moan leave his mouth at her utterance. “I need you to fuck me.”

“I’ll fuck you,” he answered, pulling her against him. As she rubbed her clit against him again, she gasped. “I’ll do anything for you, Y/N.”

“Then go inside and get a condom.”

Harry breathed against her again, letting the thought sink in before he nodded. He opened the door and got out of the van, leaving her sitting in the front seat. He stumbled onto the gravel in the courtyard before he quite literally sprinted for the cottage. He fumbled frantically with his keys, dropping them once and cursing at himself before he ran inside. Y/N allowed herself to chuckle a little at him before she crawled out of the front seat and into the back. 

She walked to the very back where they had been seated that time before on the way home from the barbecue karaoke night. The memory brought instant stinging to the backs of Y/N’s eyes and she blinked rapidly, not wanting to be found in the backseat crying. She just knew that, every single day for the rest of her life, she would think about her summer spent in St Ives and she would always want to go back, even though she could not.

Harry came back into the car, and when he didn’t see her in the front, he quickly slid the backdoor open and got inside. Y/N sat perfectly in the middle of the backseat, her legs spread for him and her head tilted to the side, bottom lip between her teeth. Harry could not help the breath that left his lips and he fell to his knees before her, lifting her right leg up, kissing the inside of her knee and all the way down her thigh, leaving a trail of wet spots that sent hot shivers up and down Y/N’s spine. He reached up, hooking his fingers around the hem of her knickers, bringing them down her legs. He placed them in a nearby seat and looked up at her, almost about to start eating her out, but Y/N took his head in her hands instead.

She guided him up to her, kissing him as she lay back down on the seat, bringing Harry with her. He placed one hand on her cheek and the other held him upright as they deepened their kiss. His tongue traced her bottom lip, a breath left his nose. Spreading her legs for him, he easily fell into her, and she finally got to feel his hardness through his jeans. The impact made her moan and Harry grinded his hips against her, making her grab at his arse, asking him to do it again. When he did as she begged, an audible moan left her lips, and Harry’s entire demeanour changed. He quickly grew into the frantic man he had been in the front of the car; eager to please and even more eager to feel her around his cock.

She started fumbling with the button of his denim shorts and his zipper, and Harry pulled the condom out of his pocket. As he opened it, she wiggled his shorts and boxers down his hip, revealing to her his cock. Biting her lip, she took a slight grip of him, running her thumb over his head and pumping him slowly. Harry groaned, looking down at Y/N and then down between them where she was touching him so tenderly. He glanced up at her, eyes big with interest and a need to take it all in while he could.

“Y/N,” he mumbled, voice a little shaky, he seemed to be in an almost dreamy state. She reached up, kissing him as she continued to run her hands over him. Harry kissed her back wildly, desperate to be as close to her as possible. He gave her the condom, and she stopped kissing for long enough to focus on it.

“Wait,” Harry said, reaching for the back pocket of his shorts. He brought the small bottle of lube Y/N remembered seeing in his bathroom cupboard out. “It’ll be better if you put some lube on before the condom goes on. Just a wee bit.”

Y/N gave the condom back to him and glanced at him to tell her when they had enough. They only needed two drops before Y/N put the lid back on and put the bottle on the floor of the car. She smeared it down his cock, another breath leaving his lips, his swollen lips parted as she caressed him slowly. The long and shaky moan that left Harry’s lips made every single hair on Y/N’s body stand on end. They kept eye contact as Y/N stroked Harry, making him more frantic with each stroke.

“If you’re gonna keep doing that, I’ll come.”

She bit her bottom lip to stop herself from laughing, because for some reason she found this insanely adorable. Again, she took the condom from him, looking down to make sure she put it on right, and then, as she started pushing it down his prick, she met his eyes again.

“Fuck me,” she whispered, and Harry seemed to lose himself completely in her words and presence. Reaching down, he took a hold of himself, bringing his cock to her entrance and keeping eye contact as he slid into her. She gasped, gripping the back of his neck and looking up at him as he moved in and out slowly, trying to get a good feel of her and the position they were in. He brought her leg up along the back of the seat to rest at the top, giving him more space, and she effortlessly hooked her other one around his waist, spreading herself more for him. He hovered over her then, once again checking to see how well he could move, and once he felt confident, he slammed into her hard.

Y/N gasped, feeling an electric shock run through her at the feel of Harry’s hips colliding with hers. He fit her perfectly, stretched her out deliciously, made everything around them stop mattering for the time being. Nothing was more important than this, than them, than now. Harry put one elbow beside her head and the other hand came to rest under her bum, helping lift it ever so slightly so he could pound into her at a better angle. The pace he picked up then was just right, not too fast, not too slow. Y/N felt each thrust like an earthquake through every single cell of her being. Each molecule of her body came to focus on the spots where Harry touched her, concentrating especially on the intense, fire-like feeling in her core. With each stroke, Harry just looked down at her, wanting to see for himself just how well he was able to fuck her, how good he could make her feel.

The sounds they made, both bodily and verbal, echoed throughout the car, and Y/N was sure that if anyone were to approach the lighthouse or even sail by, they would see the yellow van moving with each of Harry’s forceful thrusts. She would normally have found this embarrassing, but something about spending this moment with Harry, being so caught up in him and everything they did, made every care for the rest of the world completely disappear.

If it was an accident or if it were their souls trying to communicate in some way, Y/N could simply not put her finger on it, but she was suddenly looking straight into Harry’s eyes again. As he pounded into her, moving with each of his thrusts that made a wild fire ignite inside both of them, he could not take his eyes off her. Those green eyes reminded her of everything that had happened that summer. It reminded her of days spent studying at his place, the kiss at Porthgwidden, the second one at the top of the lighthouse, the countless hours they had spent together. She wasn’t only staring up at the person she had started falling deeply in love with, she was looking into the eyes of her best friend. This summer, he had become everything to her. Everything that had happened, was thanks to Harry. Everything that would happen next in her life, every path she could walk down, his name would be etched into her history forever now.

He paused for a few moments, just looking down at her and regaining his breath and stamina. A thumb caressed her cheek, wiping some of the sweat off her forehead. The tenderness he had shown her and continued to show her made her throat hurt, no one had ever touched her like doing so was a holy privilege. She moved before she knew what she was doing, stroking a drop of sweat off his temple. As she touched him, Harry moved his face, kissing her palm and closing his eyes for a few seconds, lips resting against her skin. For some seconds, they just stayed like that, not wanting to move but to just feel the other there. They knew that, once this heated moment was over, they would maybe not see much of each other again.

He took a breath, opening his eyes again and thrust into her again. A specifically hard thrust made her arch her back, gasping as she clung even harder to him, bringing one of her hands up under his tee shirt. She ran her nails down his back, making Harry moan down onto her, kissing her fiercely. They lost themselves completely in the heat of the moment again, not caring about anything but the explosion of emotion that was transpiring between them now.

“Baby,” he moaned against her lips, the nickname made Y/N whimper under him. No one had ever called her that before. “Do that again.”

She arched her back again, the fire inside her core getting more and more intense with each of Harry’s deep strokes. Reaching all the way up his back, looking up at him as she said, “Make me.”

Harry groaned, squeezing her arse that he was still holding onto. Again, he lifted her slightly off the seat and started pounding into her at a faster pace. This instantly set something off inside Y/N, something she felt run up her spine, through her organs, through every fibre of her being. The cry she let out got Harry to let out his own, she was starting to suspect that her exclamations of bliss turned him on. She felt pleasure in absolutely every single part of her, all of it coming down to join the butterflies that swarmed around the fire that was rising and rising in her core. She ran her hand down his back again, Harry moaning at the feel of it.

“Fuck, you’re so good,” Harry whimpered. “You feel so good. You’re… you’re fucking everything.”

Breath hitched in Y/N’s throat, and she clung to him harder, the distant feeling of her climax coming closer and closer.

“You’re everything, Y/N.” He rested his forehead against hers. “You’re everything to me-“

Before he could say more that would make her eyes begin to sting, Y/N took a hold of Harry’s throat. She willed him away from her face and he gasped, looking down at her with eyes that, to any normal person, should’ve been wide with shock, but Harry’s were filled with pure lust. The grip she had on him excited him, made a moan leave his lips and his movements halted just slightly. He must have been taken aback by it at first, but now he loved it. Reaching up, he placed two fingers over Y/N’s ring and index finger, and another over her thumb, asking her to press down on his neck just slightly. He took a grip of her thigh and started pounding into her harder, making Y/N cry out again, the fires in her core intensifying.

She had put her hand to his throat like that to stop him from talking. If she heard another word like that leave his lips, she would’ve most likely not been able to hold her tears back. But, to her surprise, she quite liked the feeling of having all this power of him. By gripping his throat, commanding him to do whatever she wanted him to, she felt a thrill run through each one of her veins. And upon realising that, Y/N suddenly came to think of something they had talked about in the lighthouse.

“The lube,” she started. “Can I use it on you?”

Once again, he stopped moving, looking down at her as he panted. A slight furrow appeared between his brows before they lifted when realisation dawned on him. “You… Yo-You want to… you want to…?”

“Only if you want,” she said, hearing now just how breathless she was. “I know you said you liked it.”

“Yes, I…” He cleared his throat, face growing redder than it already was. “You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to.”

“I want to.”

Harry let out a shaky breath. “Fuckin’ hell,” he mumbled, reaching for the lube and giving it to Y/N. They moved slightly so she was leaning slightly against the car wall behind her, getting a better vantage point to penetrate him. He watched as she put a few drops onto her fingers, biting her lip before meeting his eyes again. She supposed it was like getting her cunt wet before sex, so she circled his hole slowly. Harry blinked rapidly; his eyes fluttering shut as she slowly pushed her fingers into him. Instantly, he let out a moan, falling a little limp where Y/N still had a hand to his throat. She tried moving her fingers in and out, but Harry shook his head – or as much as he managed to in Y/N’s grip.

“Just keep them there,” he said, sounding completely breathless. “Curl them slightly.”

She did and bit her lip, looking up at him as he composed himself. Instead of moving his hips as much as he had before, he chose deep, quick thrusts now as to make it easier for Y/N to keep her fingers inside him. Y/N did not mind one bit. Harry did wonders to her insides. Each of his thrusts hit her deeper and just right, making each part of her sing in ecstasy. His movements grew more frantic, desperate for release. She let go of his throat, letting him breathe properly. Instantly, Harry moved forward, resting one hand by the wall behind Y/N and his forehead against hers. Whimpering, moaning loudly, repeating her name, and sweating down onto her, Harry moved in and out, bringing both of them closer and closer to orgasm. She moved her hips along with him, changing the position of her hand and curling her fingers more for him.

As he came, he came so hard that the veins in his neck and in the middle of his forehead were visible. The moan he let out was the loudest she’d ever heard from him, but it shook along with his body. She moved her hips with him when his thrusts became ragged, almost paralysed with the amount of pleasure running through his veins in those seconds. He just stayed on top of her, his forehead against hers, catching his breath for the longest time. Once he opened his eyes, looking into hers, Y/N suddenly realised that this was all coming to an end. He kissed her lips slowly before he got up from the seat. Taking a hold of her bottom, he dragged her towards him as he sat down on the floor by the middle of the van where he had the most space.

“Let me eat you out?” he asked, glancing up at her as he placed both her thighs on either of his shoulders. “Let me make you come.”

She nodded, bringing her hands to rest in his hair. He angled her some and pushed her dress further up so he had better access. Again, he moved his head to the side, kissing from her knee and all the way down her thigh, her centre already aching from having been prevented an orgasm.. Sucking, nibbling, kissing, he made his way down to her centre, closing his eyes as he got lost in the moment, but always looking at her when he opened his eyes again.

He wrapped an arm around her thigh as he kissed her cunt, spreading her legs and folds to reveal her wetness to him. He wrapped his lips around her bud and started sucking right away. She gasped at the already intense pleasure they had built up earlier, all of it coming right back at once. There was no denying that he wouldn’t have to work for long before she came again. He slid his fingers into her and she cried out, gripping his hair hard.

She looked down at him, seeing him already watching her through his dark lashes, green eyes bright with passion and eagerness, bordering on fanaticism. Those last few seconds when they were together like this, Y/N refused to look away. Her eyes stayed on Harry, her hands in his hair, his name leaving his lips. He licked over her, sucked her clit into his mouth, pounded his fingers into her, and nothing else mattered.

It felt like her entire life had just been her trying to find her way here. She had been led astray, doing things and meeting people of little significance, not moving forward emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Until she bumped into a lighthouse keeper in St Ives, Cornwall, and since then, she felt like her entire life before this had just been a miserable prologue. Right here, right now, with Harry and a town she loved, with people around her who treated her with nothing but unconditional love, she was living the beginning of her main plot. Because of her love for them, as well as her newfound love for herself, she would leave. She was not going to cause them any pain or suffering by having her past catch up to her here. No one deserved that. She needed to face her parents and Dominic, but she would not do it where they could also get a hold of everyone she had come to love.

Y/N arched her back, gasping and moaning as she came for the second time that day. Her eyes stayed locked on Harry, gripping him harder as he hummed into her. Her entire body seemed to be on fire; flames licked at every limb, every molecule, every feeling. No place was left untouched by her climax, it radiated through her for so long that she didn’t realise Harry had removed himself from between her legs.

He had taken the condom off and put his prick away, now sitting down beside Y/N and looking straight ahead, both of them trying to regain their breath away. What should have been a spur of the moment, in-the-middle-of-a-fight sex, had turned into more. They both realised that as they sat there just breathing, humid with sweat and hearts still beating a hundred miles an hour. Maybe they were incapable of doing something like that. Maybe acting on hate, on frustration, and on conflicted emotions running through them in the middle of a fight, was not something they could do. They were just not emotionally able to do that. The thought alone made Y/N want to cry. She felt too much for him.

“Y/N-“

“-I should go.”

She heard Harry’s head rolling against the back of the seat, looking at her beside him as his jaw tensed. He looked away.

“You should,” was all he said, and Y/N didn’t wait long before getting her knickers from the floor, putting them on as Harry walked out of the van. Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she forced herself to not cry. She could not cry now. Not yet. She got her purse from the passenger seat and turned around to see Harry standing in the doorway with her raincoat.

“Thank you,” she said as she took it from him, not meeting his eyes while she hung it over her forearm. She started walking in the direction of town.

“Are you really leaving?” he asked, his voice carrying over the harsh wind. She stopped, turning around to face him again, heart leaping out of her chest at the sound of his voice. “Are you actually leaving St Ives?”

“Harry, I can’t let my parents come here. I… I don’t want my dad near any of you, I don’t know what might happen when they come here. I don’t have any other choice.”

“You always have a fucking choice!” He sounded madder than she had ever heard him, even madder than he had been in the car earlier. “Leaving or staying! At least you’re able to make that decision!”

“I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing this for you-“

“-My father didn’t have a choice! He left!” Harry shouted. “And now you’re leaving just like Emilia did!”

The pain that erupted in her chest physically hurt every single part of her being.

“I’m glad you’re leaving, you’re just as good as each other, you and Emilia.” And with that, Harry slammed the door shut behind him, locking it as well. Y/N was left standing there, feeling worse than she ever had. Once she turned around and started walking, she couldn’t help herself. The tears started rolling down her cheeks right away and she was quick to wipe them away before reaching down. It hurt holding them back, but she put the hat she had brought on, and tried to shield her face from everyone she walked by, occasionally wiping a tear away.

Once she reached the Inn, she didn’t walk to the back garden where she heard Bessie, Camila, Barb, and Florence all sitting, instead she walked straight to her room. There, she closed the blinds, leaving no sunlight to stream into her room, and, after packing her bag, she read for the UCAT. Anything to keep her mind from wandering back up the path to the lighthouse and into the arms of the lighthouse keeper.

NEXT UPDATE: Sunday, 8 November, 9PM GMT!

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[thenovelartist]

A Blanc Slate, Chapter 10

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28. Domesticity

The following months were hard, but that was to be expected.

The big difference was that Marinette was over at Adrien’s place far more often than not. Whether she was cooking for him, helping him try to keep his thoughts straight, or just working on her fashion commissions in the background, she was there. And while he did complain that he felt like he was taking advantage of her by depending too much on her, she constantly reassured him she didn’t mind. He was her partner and her friend, both in and out of the suit. Helping him get back on his feet was hard work but something she was more than willing to do.

Once, the thought popped into her mind that this was what the vow “in sickness and in health” meant. And while they were nowhere near thinking of marriage—heck, even a romantic relationship wasn’t even on the table at the moment—Marinette couldn’t help but think on it anyway. After all, she’d certainly had a plan to marry Adrien at one time in her life, and she can’t say she hadn’t considered what a life with Chat would have been like. And if a possibility of them being together surfaced in the near future…

She shook the thought from her head. This was no time to be thinking on things like romance and domesticity. That shouldn’t have even been on the table, even if her heart throbbed every once in a while in reminder that she did love the man she was taking care of. Her best friend and partner. No, now was the time to focus solely on helping him recover.

Which, much to Marinette and Adrien’s relief, he was.

It was a slow process, but his appetite had been returning. He’d been able to stomach more food as of lately and keep it down without looking green in the face.

The fog over his eyes had also cleared up for the most part, and he no longer walked around in a haze. The exhaustion still persisted, and his mind still wasn’t fully on point again, but with the progress he had been making, Marinette was sure they regulate in no time.

And she was extremely thankful for it.

29. Roses

“That… is a lot of roses.”

Marinette couldn’t help but gawk when she entered Adrien’s house. She’d been given a key back before he’d even revealed himself to be Chat, back when she had forced herself into the role of Adrien’s caregiver. He’d given it to her one day out of exhaustion of the “game” she played, one titled “I do not care if I stand at your door for an hour, I will knock every thirty seconds until you open the door.” So, an agreement had been reached she’d always come over at a certain time and let herself in to check in on him.

Currently, the boy in question was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she was left staring at a large bouquet of deep red roses speckled with brilliant white lilies in a glass vase tied off with a lovely pink ribbon. In the middle of the bouquet was a glittery plastic stick that held a card that read “Marinette” on the front of it. It was a stunning sight.

Where did you even get those, Adrien?

And why?

After putting her purse down by the front door, she walked over to pluck the card off the stick, carefully opening the back and pulling out the pink card. Inside was a familiar handwriting, one that was steady now after months of recovery.

Marinette,

I don’t even know where to begin. I guess with a thank you. Thank you for everything. From staying by my side as Marinette and caring for me to insisting I’m still your partner as Ladybug and refusing to let me go to every other thing in between.

While these flowers don’t even put a dent into the debt I owe you, I felt they were a great place to start. Something beautiful for someone beautiful. I want to say that I’m ready to spend the rest of my life by your side paying you back, but that’s likely getting to ahead of myself. I have been in love with you for years, as you know, and have confessed my love to you as Chat multiple times. My love for you is still true, even though I know you’ve drawn your lines.

Maybe I’m reading too much into this and only seeing what I want to see, but lately, it feels as though those lines aren’t as hard as they used to be. Or maybe I’ve just gotten Nightingale Syndrome bad for you. Either way, I want to take the chance and put myself in your debt a little more by selfishly asking you to let me take you out on a date.

If your answer is no, I’m prepared for that. I never want to pressure you into something out of responsibility for me or out of guilt. I will still stand by your side as your partner and friend, forever.

But if your answer is yes, it would be one more thing of the countless you’ve done for me that I will be eternally grateful for.

Forever yours, in whatever way you’ll take him,

Adrien

When she finished reading, her hands fell to the table, letter still clutched in them as she tilted her head upwards in a vain attempt to keep the tears at bay. “Don’t cry,” she warned herself.

But even then, she knew it was too late.

With a beaming grin, she looked down at the card once more, scanning over the contents yet again. She only looked up again when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye.

Adrien, looking better than she’d seen him in the five months since she’d taken his ring, was leaning against wall. He’d somehow cleaned up with a haircut—how he had managed to keep an appointment like that a secret from her was beyond her but also gave her confidence that he was feeling well enough to manage on his own again—shaved, and dressed up in a pressed button down, a vest, and slacks. His eyes were now clear, clear enough for her to see the fragile hope shining in them, even from across the room.

With a smile she couldn’t suppress is she tried, she dropped the card on the table, scurried over to him, and threw her arms around his neck. He caught her easily, no longer unsteady or requiring the assistance of a wall or other solid object, and held her tight.

“Yes, I’ll go out with you.”

She felt the tension leave his shoulders as he squeezed her tighter, clinging to her like a lifeline. “I thought I was might have been asking too much or springing that on you too suddenly.”

“No!” she quickly assured. “I mean… it was sudden, but I don’t mind. Not at all.”

He sighed with relief. “Good. Good; I’m glad.”

She giggled. “You’re not normally so speechless.”

He chuckled awkwardly. “You have no idea how terrified I was of your answer.”

“You? Mr. Confess-on-a-daily-basis was scared?”

“Of this one, yeah. I think this was the scariest confession to date.”

Worried, Marinette pulled away a bit, just so she could face Adrien and meet his gaze. “Really?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Because this time… it felt like I really had the most to lose compared to any other time I’ve confessed. You’ve seen the worst of me, and you’ve faced my darkest side. You could have easily said no now that you knew that about me.”

Pursing her lips, Marinette considered his words. “The thing is… I… don’t mind,” she eventually sputtered out. “Because I’ve seen you at your worst, and yet I also know there’s no one else I’d rather be with. There isn’t anyone in this world who doesn’t have that hidden ugly side of them. But yours doesn’t scare me in the slightest.”

To say Adrien was speechless was an understatement. For a moment, he gaped like a fish on land before he finally grinned, letting loose a chuckle before blinking away tears in his eyes.

Marinette was quick to cup his cheek, gently swiping away the tears. Adrien reached up, laying his hand over hers. “Well,” he murmured. “Guess I really can’t let you go now, can I?”

Marinette grinned, her own eyes prickling with tears. “Who said I was going to let you let me go?”

“Fair enough,” he said, grin growing. “You’re stubborn like that. I should know by now you’re way too stubborn to let me go.”

“You better believe it.”

30. Trust

It had been one year since the day Adrien’s father’s mansion had caught fire, and although Adrien had officially been cleared of suspicion of killing his father, the public was still skeptical of anything involving the Agrestes, especially with Nathalie Sancour having suddenly and mysteriously passed as well.

After struggling with the company for a year, it had officially dissolved and Adrien was finally able to be free of that burden. Yet, the burden of guilt still weighed on him.

“We’ve been over this,” Marinette assured. At the moment, Adrien was laying across her lap while she gently stroked his hair, a habit both of them had come to enjoy very much. “It was an accident. You fought your dad as Adrien and ran, but then went back as Chat when you thought he was out of the house so you could snag the book that wasn’t even there. You ended up pushing him off you when he tried to choke you out. The fact he fell and cracked his head open on a fallen statue was not your fault, nor was it your fault a fire started.”

“I still don’t know what happened,” Adrien muttered. “I don’t think he had any candles lit. I thought I heard glass break, so did a lightbulb break and send sparks flying? Or maybe he was cooking in the kitchen and something happened there? I really don’t have any clue.”

“See? So you can calm down. It was all in self-defense. Don’t feel bad for Nathalie, either. You were the one that called an ambulance for her when she suddenly collapsed.”

“I realized why she did,” Adrien said. “Same reason my mom collapsed. They each had the same symptoms, and they both wore the peacock miraculous. It was likely broken the same as my ring.”

Marinette’s hand stilled in his hair. “They what?”

Adrien froze, his body suddenly becoming stiff. “Did I not tell you?”

“No!” she cried. “Excuse you, but when did you come to this revelation?”

“I really never said anything?” Adrien asked, panicking as he scrambled to sit up so he could meet her eyes. “I swore I did!”

“No, you did not.”

With a groan, Adrien rubbed his hands down his face. “I’m so sorry.”

Marinette sighed. “Well, at least I know now. I’ll be sure to work on that one next.”

“Sorry.”

“You’re fine,” she dismissed. “I guess it’s understandable considering how out of it you were. There were days you did not know left from right.”

“I’ll take any excuse you let me have,” he said with a sigh, still looking disheartened. Marinette was sure that if he was transformed as Chat, his ears would have been drooped low.

Cute.

“On that same note, how is the ring coming along?” he asked. “I know you’ve been working hard. Have you made any headway?”

A grin suddenly spread across her face as a sudden urge to tease him struck her. “Oh? Did I not tell you?”

His eyes almost got misty as he pouted at her. “I said I was sorry.”

“I am, too,” she continued. “Because otherwise, I would have already told you I fixed it.”

Adrien’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head as his jaw dropped. “Y-you did?”

“No.”

She laughed at the sudden shift in his expression, his hope being squashed as he glared at her, completely unamused. “You are cruel, ‘bug.”

Her laughter subsided as a warmth spread though her. “Did I also mention I’m really glad you started using that nickname again?”

His previous irritation faded as he returned her smile with one of his own. “I won’t lie: I missed saying it.”

“I’m up for hearing it for as long as you’re up for using it.”

“Good, because I don’t intend on dropping it any time soon.”

“I’m really glad to hear it,” she said. “For that, I think you deserve a reward.”

“Kiss?” he inquired excitedly.

A warmth blossomed on her cheeks as she giggled. “Well, that wasn’t what I had in mind, but I’d be willing to give you one of those, too. First, close your eyes.”

“Only one?”

She rolled her eyes. Kisses rarely stopped at one. She was very much okay with that, though. “Fine, two. Now, just close your eyes.”

He shut them, but then immediately cracked open one to steal a peek at her. “What do you have planned?”

“Just trust me.”

He shut his eyes all the way. “You know I do.”

“I do,” she confirmed. With that, she took his hand in hers before sliding a ring from her pocket onto his hand.

She didn’t get the ring halfway on his finger before he looked down at his hand in shock. “My ring.”

“Yeah,” Marinette said, lacing their fingers together. “I really did fix it. It took a lot of trial and failure, though.”

“How…?” He stared at his hand in awe before turning to look at her, then turning back to his ring.

She shrugged. “Magic and time. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to fix the peacock in no time after this experiment.”

She swore she saw tears in his eyes. Whether he did or not, she still reached up to cradle his cheek.

“Hey,” she said. “Promise me one thing?”

His green eyes locked to hers, and she swore her breath caught in her throat at the intensity in them. “Anything.”

“Next time you have a problem like this, one so big your emotions get too much for you to contain, come to me first, and don’t push me away.”

She was right; he did have tears in his eyes, because at her words, they began to fall.

He grasped her hand tightly. “I promise,” he said, nuzzling her palm. “We’re partners, and I promise that I’ll trust you to be my partner and help me through the next time anything like this happens. But I just hope there won’t be any more surprises like that. Once is enough, and I learned my lesson.”

He meant it. Marinette could tell by his tone and gentle expression and the way he held her hand: tightly as though he was afraid to let go.

“I’m really glad to hear it,” she said, her heart fluttering as a warm, fuzzy feeling floated through her. “Now, I believe I promise you a kiss.”

“Two,” Adrien said, reaching up to cradle her cheek while he leaned closer. “You promised me two.”

“I doubt you’ll be able to stop so easily.”

“Since when do I ever?”

“Touché.”

31. Soulmates

His black suit never looked so good.

“Well, well, Chat Noir,” Marinette purred, leaning against the railing of her balcony with a cattish grin. “I thought you said I wasn’t going to see you again.”

“Unexpected surprises do happen, Princess,” he returned, shooting her a wink as he took a seat on the railing.

“And it’s such a purr-leasure to see you in your black suit.”

His own cattish grin widened. “For your purr-usal, princess,” he said with a wink.

Oh, how wonderful it was to have her cat back. She’d even keep up the stupid puns for him. “Hmmm, I sur-paws that you’re the cat’s meow.”

Dramatically, he threw a hand over his heart—

And nearly fell off the railing.

“Chat!” Marinette snatched his wrist, catching him in case he couldn’t catch himself, which he thankfully did.

“Heh, uh… looks like it’s gonna take a little more time before this cat can land on its feet one hundred purr-cent of the time again.”

“Not funny.”

“Relax, Marinette,” he said, sliding off the railing and onto the balcony so he could stand in front of her and wrap her up in his arms. “I’m almost totally back to normal.”

“Don’t push it,” she warned. “I still worry about you.”

“I won’t.”

“You almost did.”

“We were having a good time with my pun-hating girlfriend throwing them back at me. How could I not be awestruck and caught up in the moment.”

She snorted in amusement. “Well, the fun and games end when my kitty takes a fall he can’t recover from.”

He sighed, propping his chin on her head and beginning to purr, settling her down.

“That’s unfair,” she muttered, happily snuggling into his embrace. “You know I like your purrs.”

“I know you do. And it’s only fair for me to take responsibility for every heart attack I give you.”

She grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“I’m more than happy to,” he assured.

With a sigh, Marinette relaxed completely against him, grinning like the lovesick girl she was. She was more than content to play around with him, but she was more than content to snuggle, too.

“Have I told you today how much I love you?” he asked, smile audible in his words.

“I think you have, but I’m always happy to be reminded.”

“Let’s see… I love you more than my cat puns.”

She gasped. “Impossible.”

“I know it seems that way,” he teased. “But it actually is possible, if you can believe that.”

“I’m not sure I can.”

He chuckled. “Well, let me put it this way: puns are the bread and butter of my life. But you’re my other half, and I really can’t live life to the fullest without you.”

“But you need bread and butter to survive. So wouldn’t they be more important?”

“They are an inherent need. I didn’t choose the pun life; the pun life chose me.”

She snorted, burying her face against him to hide her growing grin. “You’re such a dork.”

“Yes yes, I am. I’m a package deal, but you seem to accept that.”

“I do.”

“Which I’m so glad for,” he continued. “Because as I was saying, unlike the puns, I chose you. You came into my life and completed me in ways I didn’t realize I needed to be completed, and if you disappeared, I would be only half the person I once was.” He pulled away just enough to look down at her, his joking tone gone in favor of a serious one. “You’re my soulmate, and the biggest blessing I have ever received. And I’m so so thankful for you.”

Her heart felt like it could burst from her chest. “I love you, too, my kitty. You purr-fect me.”

He grinned, his green eyes shining and his expression seeming to brighten the night. “That was a good one.”

She giggled. “I learned from the best.”

#miraculous ladybug #marichatmay2021 #marichat #Fluff #FINALLY #XD #Thank you for your support #And sticking around through the chaotic schedule

[mangodelorean]

Bad and Crazy – Episode 10 recap/musings

[As always, skip to the end for bullet points]

Where were we? Ah yes, the dreaded Hallway of the Id, awash in red light, and where a frantic Su Yeol rushes to the only door ahead of him – one marked 1002, a date we know to have 1. just passed and 2. the date on which Young Joo had been waiting to kill herself.

Behind the door, to the strains of a fading Kungtari Shabara, Su Yeol sees his father being stabbed to death by a yellow raincoat-clad boy who turns to face him. It's young Jeong Yun Ho. He's caught in the kid's bloodless stare until K materialises and clasps his shoulder:

K: Su Yeol. Are you going to stay lost in this maze forever?

Su Yeol says he won't... But he's confused as to why he ended up here again. K jogs his memory: He got stabbed. Su Yeol pulls himself together and eureka-s to K that his father was killed by Jun Ho, not him. K confirms that he remembers that too and Su Yeol, pleased at this, says they should get a move on:

Su Yeol: Let's go. Let's go catch Jeong Yun Ho!

[Su Yeol marches away, but K remains still.]

K: But... What about me? Do you not remember my part of the story?

[Su Yeol stops.]

Su Yeol: [puzzled] What? Your part of the story? What do you mean?

[Close-up on K: He suddenly has blood-spatter on his face and looks down at the stained knife he's holding.]

Su Yeol: You...?

K: This is the first memory I have of myself. [tearful] I... killed someone.

[Su Yeol looks at the knife – then K – in horror.]

Su Yeol: But you... Why would you do that? Who did you kill?

Cut to: A memory: On a rooftop, young Yun Ho suggests a patricide exchange with young Su Yeol, who does a double take on what he's just heard. (Both boys bear some pretty horrible cuts and bruises on their faces.) Yun Ho elaborates: they'll just be going back to "the same misery" otherwise:

Yun Ho: Jae Hui. You're stronger than you think. You can do it.

In the present, Su Yeol struggles to maintain his consciousness after being stabbed. He starts to doubt the aforementioned memory but K, standing before him, says that even if that were the case, his feelings remain true, no matter what:

K: How I felt at that moment... I remember it more clearly now. That intense urge...to kill that scumbag standing right in front of me. I made you a murderer.

Su Yeol tells him to shut up, that this can't be true. But K says that, even if he's gone, Su Yeol will still catch Yun Ho, right? Su Yeol tries to dismiss this talk, but K apologises...and leaves as Su Yeol collapses.

In hospital, he wakes up with a start, and Hui Gyeom is there. She says the stab wound wasn't serious, but she didn't call his family because she didn't want Mama Ryu to worry [aww]. She tells him that Jeong Hun is still AWOL, but that Park Song Gwan [shelter volunteer So Yeon's arsehole ex] is being questioned, and that So Yeon is still unconscious after her attack/surgery.

Hui Gyeom asks who "K" is, because he was calling out for them in his sleep.

At Doctor Heart Mender, Doc tells Su Yeol about K's nighttime visit and how rattled he looked. Su Yeol can't believe that K, who talked the big superhero talk, would walk the murderer walk. But Doc has a theory:

Doc: I think I get it. To a certain degree.

Su Yeol: You "get it"? You of all people can't say that.

[A piano crashes through the ceiling onto Su Yeol's balls. Not really, but I wish it did.]

Su Yeol: I know that K is... a bit of a nutcase. But he'd never kill anyone, you know?

Doc: I suppose he wanted to save you. Not the world.

Su Yeol looks like a dusty lightbulb switched on his brain for the first time as Doc suggests that young Su Yeol created K to protect himself, and that K did everything he could to that end. But Su Yeol's face falls as he wonders this extends to murder, and his expression crumples at another thought:

Su Yeol: [wavers] You know, K... He won't suddenly disappear for good, right? You said a while ago that he won't disappear suddenly.

Doc: It's not too sudden, is it? Both you and K have changed a lot.

There's a beat as Su Yeol recalls, in the aftermath of Gye Sik's arrest, when K said he'd been by his side the whole time, and that Su Yeol can handle things on his own now. In hindsight, Su Yeol realises it was like a pre-goodbye.

Doc takes the immediate opportunity to infer that, if K is gone, so is the need for Su Yeol's visits. Ha. Su Yeol, roundly ignoring this, ponders out loud if Yun Ho is using Su Yeol's amnesia to trick him into taking the fall for his father's murder. Doc confirms that making someone doubt their own memories is a "common gaslighting technique". As Su Yeol makes to leave with a plan forming in his head, Doc tries to reiterate the end of their doctor-patient relationship, but Su Yeol dismisses this: "I'll be back, so keep your phone on." Doc looks like he should be turning to the camera and making a face like he's in The Office.

Su Yeol visits Bok Jun [the guy who Yun Ho gaslit into taking the fall for a murder] at his barbershop.

The next day at Baby Prosecutor/Attorney Nam's office, there's some discouraging news: The statute of limitations for Bok Jun's case has passed, so a retrial might not even be approved unless the actual murderer is caught and, even then, it might turn up nowt. Nam's mum pops into the meeting room with leftover fruit from her shaman ritual, and immediately pegs Su Yeol [don't] as mourning the loss of a "spirit". Su Yeol desperately asks if she thinks said spirit is "gone for good", so Mama Nam takes him into her office for a free reading.

Boss Yong sucks on a lollipop while some twatty potential drug runner opposite her tucks into a steak and talks to her patronisingly about her decision to flee Korea. He cites the noise around her and Andrei, including Young Joo's father's murder, as reasons why nobody else will want to work with them anyway, and suggests Yong slash her prices to dump her drug stock. She responds in the most appropriate way: by smashing his head with a bottle. Before his crony can move in, Andrei tackles him.

In the car, Andrei wonders if they should just cut their prices if it means they can leave faster. Yong asks about Young Joo. Andrei doesn't think she was an addict, but can't think of who supplied her The Eye. Yong wonders why her drug was chosen since the cop crackdowns were making it hard to procure, and resolves to find whoever it was in case it's a trick to undercut them.

Next day at the station, Hui Gyeom tells Su Yeol that she suspects that Andrei is selling up and leaving, but says she'll monitor him. Su Yeol balks at her doing this alone, but she points out that he himself got stabbed, to which he makes another muppet face. She tells him not to worry and to focus on finding Jeong Hun. He thanks her for her help.

In jail, Park Song Gwan gets a visit from a friend, who says he has some "cheap" illegal immigrants looking for Jeong Hun.

On the other side of an ICU door, Jae Seon and Gyeong Tae watch over a still-unconscious So Yeon. Jae Seon muses that if anyone ever did to his daughter what Song Gwan did, he'd kill them. Gyeong Tae spots Jeong Hun at distance, but he's gone by the time they rush over.

Elsewhere, Su Yeol meets with one of Jeong Hun's relatives, but it turns out to be a dead end. On his way out, the elevator stalls a bit, and Su Yeol has a rather sweet reminiscence of K scaring the shit out of him in his apartment building's elevator. In the car park, he's despondent, but wait! Here comes K in that red-and-black jacket, on his motorbike! An elated Su Yeol trots over and gleefully hug-wrestles him to the ground...only to see that the long-haired, bearded man is most definitely not K, and that Su Yeol is a fucking banana-shaped moron.

After apologising, he laments at the state of himself in his car:

Su Yeol: Aissh... What is this? Am I lovesick or what?

Fucking duh

At the station, Jae Seon works with a sketch artist to make a facial composite. Gyeong Tae calls Su Yeol to tell him that a young man called the hospital to ask after So Yeon. He's already traced the call to a payphone in Samgyeong-dong – where Jeong Hun lives.

As night falls, Su Yeol approaches Jeong Hun's house – now a murder scene – but notices the police tape has fallen. Inside, he hears multiple voices and happens across two foreign men (the aforementioned cheap illegal immigrants) brandishing their phones as torches. He asks them to speak Korean (first in Korean, then English), then identifies himself as police before tossing his handcuffs over to them because he couldn't figure out what the English word for them. Ha!

He ushers them into a fabric wardrobe and confiscates their phones. He's in the middle of calling to report it as a break-in when a would-be attacker swings at him with a tyre iron – only for said attacker to hit his head on a ceiling beam and knock himself to the floor. Lots of brain cells floating around everyone there.

Su Yeol flips on a light: It's Su Jan, the eloquent foreign worker from Ma's jewellery/smuggling ring! He's had a haircut. Su Yeol compliments his Korean proficiency but says he thought he was deported. Cue a recollection of the convenience store fight, and Su Yeol wails about Su Jan's presence reminding him of "him" (K), and tells him to "go back to your country and live properly" [oof].

Amid the ensuing arrests, Su Jan spits proverbs at Su Yeol, and says they'll meet again "if it's meant to be". [Ha. It probably will.] Su Yeol spots a bowl of takeout food and calls Gyeong Tae to find out which nearby Chinese restaurant Jeong Hun works at.

Once there, he sneaks through the back to find Jeong Hun asleep. A short while later upon waking, the boy spots Su Yeol and rushes to leave, but Su Yeol stops him – and winces at his still-sore stab wound. Jeong Hun hangs his head, but Su Yeol promises he's OK.

Jeong Hun: How did you know I'd be here?

Su Yeol: I am a cop, after all. Let's go, buddy. [laughs; catches himself] Well... I guess I'm a bit too old to be your buddy.

[Jeong Hun tries to run again, but Su Yeol gently holds him back.]

Su Yeol: Jeong Hun... If you stop here, you can completely turn your life around, for the better.

[beat]

Su Yeol: You won't believe me, but I went through something similar in the past.

Jeong Hun's not convinced, and says he can't just abandon So Yeon, but Su Yeol promises to help them both. He asks the kid just to give him their gaslighter's name and that he'll do the rest, but Jeong Hun is wary, since Su Yeol couldn't save Young Joo. Su Yeol says he wants to protect them both. Jeong Hun asks if he can really trust Su Yeol, if he can save her, and Su Yeol nods. He asks the boy who the gaslighter is and he's about to respond, but the phone rings. Su Yeol tells him to stay put and goes to answer it.

It's Yun Ho, using a voice modifier. He tells Su Yeol that Jeong Hun reminds him of Jae Hui, and that Su Yeol looks terrified, "just like you did back then". Realising he must be nearby if he can see him, Su Yeol rushes into the street, but finds no-one. Back inside, he find that Jeong Hun has fled.

Meanwhile, Jae Seon and Gyeong Tae approach Song Gwan on the street to inform him that, because Jeong Hun is a threat, they're there to protect him. Song Gwan laughs at this, invoking his investigation for assault on So Yeon, which makes Jae Seon lose his temper a bit which, in turn, prompts Gyeong Tae to call for calm and try to advise Song Gwan to stay indoors. Song Gwan starts being a smug, entitled shit, threatening Jeong Hun ("I'll break his spine in half") if they don't find him first, and Gyeong Tae just fucking loses it:

Gyeong Tae: [growls] Hey!

Song Gwan: [laughs] Jeez, you startled me...

Gyeong Tae: Someone can't even move after getting beaten up by you. How about I make sure you can't go anywhere after this very moment? Shut your trap and go inside. Just pray that we'll find Jeong Hun soon. If I see you out and about, I will break your spine in half!

Song Gwan, sufficiently dulled, backs off and fucks back off inside his building. Gyeong Tae says "Let's go" to Jae Seon, who absentmindedly replies, "Yes, sir. I mean, yes. OK." Ha.

Quick cut to Jeong Hun, who saw the whole thing.

Next day (?) at the station, Su Yeol questions Song Gwan's friend about who hired Su Jan and the other foreigners to tail Jeong Hun, but the friend is keeping mum. Su Yeol threatens to shut down the dude's recently renovated business, which causes the dude to immediately rat out Song Gwan.

[This definitely the next day as it's daylight] In a car, Jae Seon and Gyeong Tae are fixing to eat some ramyeon, but the latter's already wolfed it down the second Su Yeol informs them they've got a warrant to arrest Song Gwan. But the scumbag already knows and, after a multi-platform chase, escapes through his apartment window and onto the street. But he's soon knocked out by Jeong Hun.

Su Yeol gets a call from Gyeong Tae, who says Jeong Hun is headed with Song Gwan to Munmi-dong – which is where So Yeon's hospital is. But outside, the trio can't find them. They split up to search more ground, but Su Yeol spots Jeong Hun speeding up levels of the nearby car park, and finds Jeong Hun beating Song Gwan on the roof.

Su Yeol tries to talk him down, but a frenetic Jeong Hun cries that Song Gwan has to die for So Yeon to live. A flashback shows Jeong Hun telling X that the cops are after him and Song Gwan, to which X basically threatens to kill So Yeon if Jeong Hun doesn't kill Song Gwan. Jeong Hun tells Su Yeol this and that X is watching them, and it's then that Su Yeol spots a mysterious, masked figure on a nearby rooftop.

While Jae Seon stays behind on the roof, Su Yeol and Gyeong Tae rush to So Yeon's room and confirm she's OK, but Su Yeol sees the masked man from before and gives chase. But the man shoves a surgical cart into Su Yeol and sends him to the floor with a series of punches. Su Yeol asks if he's Yun Ho but is met with more blows that trigger another memory:

Young Yun Ho, post-murder, punches young Su Yeol to the floor. Su Yeol calls out to his father, who's bleeding out, but still alive. A smiling Yun Ho smiles asks why Su Yeol is being like this, if he's forgotten their pact. A tearful Su Yeol doesn't know how to respond, so Yun Ho says he'll "help" him remember. Su Yeol begs Yun Ho to spare his life as Yun Ho repeatedly punches his face and tells him that Su Yeol killed his [Yun Ho]'s father in exchange for Yun Ho killing Su Yeol's father. Yun Ho yells at Su Yeol to open his eyes.

Back in the present, Su Yeol reels from a kick to the face but goes back to the memory of Yun Ho yelling at Su Yeol to remember everything. But, outside in Hallway of the Id, a familiar figure in a biker jacket approaches: It's K, and we're all so terribly glad to see him [as if we're never not]. K throws Yun Ho off of Su Yeol and wink-smiles at Su Yeol. K holds Yun Ho by the neck and accuses him of gaslighting, then punches him over and over [intercut with young Su Yeol doing the same]. Then, K picks up a knife:

K: Does bossing around a kid make you feel powerful?

Young Su Yeol: [continuous] Does killing people make you feel powerful? You're just...

K: [continuous] You're pure evil, you piece of trash!

In the present again, Su Yeol remembers: Not only did K not kill anyone, he saved Su Yeol. The masked man is about to stab Su Yeol when K manifests and stops him. And Su Yeol couldn't be more thrilled at the sight of this. K tells Su Yeol he's his hero, his action star, his K, and Su Yeol practically faints with giddy glee. As would we all.

K turns his attention to the masked man:

K: As I am born again today... I will kill you.

K/Su Yeol [intercut continuously] punches the mask off the attacker's face with successive blows. Su Yeol asks him if he's Yun Ho, but the guy laughs, saying the ringing phone in his pocket is Yun Ho "waiting" for him. Su Yeol answers it: It's Yun Ho via voice modifier again:

Yun Ho: [laughs] I knew it. There was someone else.

[Su Yeol glances back at a worried K.]

Yun Ho: Jae Hui. You're not alone, right?

[Su Yeol looks around the room; the masked attacker escapes; Su Yeol sees the caller, face obscured, outside the hospital, staring at him.]

Yun Ho: You haven't changed a bit. You're still the same. You're the same boy I met those years ago. I'm waiting for you. We will meet soon.

Su Yeol, quietly enraged, says nothing, even after Yun Ho hangs up.

Later, in the station's interrogation room, Gyeong Tae softly prods Jeong Hun to talk. On the other side of the glass, Jae Seon tells Su Yeol that the kid is being sent to a juvenile centre.

In the car, Su Yeol looks at Jeong Hun's cuffed wrists, and suggests they eat first.

And it's at home! With Dong Yeol and Mama Ryu, who gently chides Su Yeol for not calling ahead so she could have made more food. Oh heck, this is so heckin' sweet. Dong Yeol, with signature Ryu Boys Tact, says that Jeong Hun reminds him of a scared, battered young Su Yeol when they first met. Su Yeol actually smiles at this. Mama Ryu shoves some food into Dong Yeol's mouth and leaves the table to grab some wound ointment, and Dong Yeol follows her to help.

At the table, Su Yeol opens up to Jeong Hun:

Su Yeol: My name used to be In Jae Hui until I was 13. My father, whom I lived with until then, was busy beating me up every single day. After my father died, I had no place to go. [looks over at Mama Ryu and Dong Yeol] And those chatty people took me in. Only then, I finally had a real family. Right now, I cherish them more than my life.

[pause]

Su Yeol: I really hate to be one of those old people who give advice, so I rarely talk about this. But, in this world, there are a lot more good people than you think.

He tells Jeong Hun to eat up, since Mama Ryu is a good cook.

Elsewhere, Andrei tells Yong he's found a buyer, but still no trace of whoever bought Young Joo their drug. Andrei thinks maybe she just got lucky, but Yong thinks there's too much of a surrounding narrative to just be a string of coincidences. Andrei worries that they might lose their chance to flee, and then wonders if she even wants to leave at all.

Hui Gyeom visits her informant [the dude who made the necklace linked to Yu Na's murder], who shows her a photo of Yong and that she and Andrei were looking into boat passage to Russia. He also adds that Russians called the Eye drug the Eye of the Dragon, and reminds us that that Yong is Korean for "dragon. Helpfully, the informant's photo was taken outside of the Eyes Candy store, so Hui Gyeom makes the connections immediately.

Meanwhile, a painter – revealed to be the masked hospital attacker – gets a visit from Andrei.

Hui Gyeom follows Boss Yong into the Eyes Candy warehouse. Yong gets a call from Andrei, who tells her their drugs were used as bait to lure "the cop" who caught Gye Sik. Andrei has the painter on the floor, ball-gagged with one of his own masks. Andrei asks him who's behind it, but the guy just laugh-spits blood, so Andrei presses on a wound. Yong reminds him they've a ferry to catch. Andrei threatens the painter again, but he won't budge. Andrei's about to stab him, but is stabbed himself, a syringe in his neck.

From Andrei's drugged POV, both sound and vision are blurred. The attacker mock-praises Andrei's tenacity as an increasingly frantic Yong hears everything over the phone. Andrei asks the attacker who he is and what he wants, but is only told that his attacker doesn't like having his plans disrupted, especially by people who weren't part of them. The painter takes this opportunity to finish Andrei off with several stabs, and he bleeds out on the floor, using his final breaths to tell Yong to go. Oh, Andrei. RIP. The painter addresses the attacker as Yun Ho, who fatally stabs him in the neck.

Hui Gyeom bursts in and demands to know Andrei's whereabouts, but the pair instead fight. Yong asks Hui Gyeom who she's after, but the brawl continues until Yong gets the upper hand and uses Hui Gyeom's own cuffs to chain her to a table.

As night falls again, Su Yeol arrives on the scene. It's a mess: Both Andrei and the painter lie dead. He asks Hui Gyeom if she's OK, and wonders who could have done this. Hui Gyeom says they and Yong are after the same person: Yun Ho.

Next morning, Mama Ryu sends Su Yeol off with some side dishes for Jeong Hun. At the juvenile centre, Su Yeol unpacks the food and tells Jeong Hun that there's no pressure:

Su Yeol: I didn't come here to ask questions today. My eomma packed some side dishes you liked. She wanted you to eat. That's why I'm here. If you don't want to talk, then don't. It'd be nice to hear you talk, though. I'll wait. Talk to me when you are ready. I won't force you.

He looks at the side dishes... and realise that there are only side dishes. Aww. Su Yeol chalks it up to Mama Ryu being "forgetful" (even though Mama Ryu and Dong Yeol did joke about her Alzheimer's in front of them) and the two share a genuine laugh, and they tuck in anyway. It's very sweet.

On the car ride back, K manifests, but their conversation has a tinge of melancholy:

K: Su Yeol, what are you going to do now? About Jeong Yun Ho.

Su Yeol: Isn't it obvious? I must catch him no matter what.

K: But he knows about me.

Su Yeol: So what?

K: He'll try to use that against you.

Su Yeol: So what?

[beat]

K: Isn't it time that you got rid of me for good?

Su Yeol doesn't respond. K looks hurt, and a bit worried.

Over tea, in Ju Hyeok's office, Su Yeol tells the therapist that he thinks Jun Ho is enjoying this. Ju Hyeok says it seems like a game. Su Yeol says he has no choice but to play it and asks Ju Hyeok for his help, who readily agrees.

So it's then that Su Yeol drops the bomb: that he has a split personality, and asks Ju Hyeok's help in treating it.

Outside, the pair confirm Su Yeol's next appointment. But, as Su Yeol walks away, we get The Big Reveal via a flashback: Jeong Hun told Su Yeol that, on the night that he saw Ju Hyeok get attacked, he saw Ju Hyeok ordering a tearful Young Joo to stab him.

Back in the present, Su Yeol turns to stare at Ju Hyeok, who nods from the balcony. Su Yeol recalls a memory: his younger self opening his eyes after recovering from his injuries, and Yun Ho remarking how beautiful his eyes were. He then recalls Ju Hyeok saying the same to him at his first appointment. Then he remembers both of them telling him "you're stronger than you think":

Su Yeol: [v.o.] You haven't change a bit, either. You're still the same. Jeong Yun Ho.

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

And that's the episode!

First, let me get something out of the way: I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I FUCKING KNEW IT WAS HIM, I BASTARDING KNEW IT THE SECOND THEY THREW THAT GASLIGHTING SCENE IN THERE WHEN HE ACCUSED HIM AND I SHOULD HAVE TRUSTED MY INSTINCT THEN BUT I LET THE SHOW GASLIGHT ME AND MY SHITE SELF-ESTEEM INTO THINKING OTHERWISE FOR A BRIEF MINUTE BUT NO, I FUCKING KNEW IT WAS HIM I KNEW IT!

That said, I like how this story was written out by Kim Sae Bom. It laid out all its cards early, threw in a couple of red herrings and some mini misdirects, and ended up circling back in a way that made absolute sense. Playing with issues of base trust via unreliable narrators is a hard thing for a show to pull off, but its execution was deceptively simple, and it totally worked. It's gaslighting gone meta.

I've also enjoyed how this show has toyed with the nuances of victimhood: Aside from Ju Hyeok (who we've yet to flesh out via Jun Ho) nobody in this show, not even our trusty bastard Su Jan, is wholly bad. Many of the characters committing violent acts are broken, disadvantaged, or struggling people who have been driven to their actions by a manipulating force. And Andrei and Yong, who would have been straightforward villains in any other show, were posited as Big Bads but, when placed alongside the likes of Do (who himself is also a bit of a wretched loser) and later Gye Sik, were just antagonists at best who were, yes, looking out for their illegal drug trade (which is harmful in other ways) but, largely, insisted on staying in their lane. They weren't out to actively harm anyone unless they got in their way. And then they ended up as victims themselves.

The sadistic ones were the ones in positions of power, abusing it and the inherent trust placed in them by society: a cop, a doctor (and a children's one at that). Which is the reason why it continues to be satisfying on multiple levels that a character like Su Yeol, in that same position, is redeeming himself bit by bit to buck this ugly trend and become a force for good.

I just hope that K remains a positive and long-standing part of that journey.

Stray thoughts:

Parallel: K pulling Su Yeol away from his vision with a hand on his shoulder, then Su Yeol putting his own hand on K's shoulder as he says to go catch Jun Ho.

"You're stronger than you think" I KNEW IT FOR SURE RIGHT THEN.

K looking very lost and unsure of himself as he walked away :(

All that build-up and the stab wound wasn't even that serious? My god, Su Yeol, you'd fucking get stitches for a paper cut, wouldn't you?

I wonder what Hui Gyeom's relationship with Mama Ryu was like when she was dating her feckless son. While Mama Ryu is (refreshingly) more reserved than most kdrama mums, I can't imagine them not getting along.

Doctor Heart Mender is killing it with his insight. Su Yeol is killing continuing being an ungrateful dickhead about it, though.

Su Yeol says he's never had a psychic reading done before. Really? Kdramas and Kvariety shows were making me think that everyone does it. Plus, I once lived in an American town that was arguably the psychic capital of the world, so I guess that experience has skewed my perception of what's typical in that regard. That said, I've never had a psychic reading done, either.

3 million won = around 1,900 GBP or 2,500 USD, is the going rate for hiring illegal immigrants to tail the dude your ex girlfriend has a murder pact with.

Jeong Hun's relative talking about how he inviting the kid over for food out of pity (until his brother showed up and ruined things), and then Su Yeol doing the same for him now.

Of the two foreign men, one is Egyptian irl (according to Twitter). He sounded like he spoke better Korean than the white-looking dude, though.

For once, it's kinda cool to hear a Korean actor (LDW) speaking English in their own (i.e. not an American) accent. Also I kinda go 'teehee' in a 'hey, that's my silly language!' when any English is used in a kdrama.

Park Ji Hong, the actor who plays Su Jan, is actually Korean.

Even if Su Yeol was being a tad gammon-y, at least the unnamed cop felt a little bad for Su Jan.

Su Yeol waiting for Jeong Hun to wake up rather than waking him himself.

The gentle lighting in the Chinese restaurant really sold the tenderness of that scene.

Gyeong Tae and his childhood-honed legendary ramyeon-scoffing skills! I doubt he'd eat a Quiznos that fast.

I'm grateful for all subs, but the timing/inclusion of the 'Convenience Store This Way' sign around the 38-minute mark during the hospital chase just tickled me.

Parallel: young Yun Ho telling young Su Yeol to open his eyes in the flashback; Yun Ho as a gaslighting adult telling his victims that their eyes have been opened (which the victims in turn have told Su Yeol).

It might just be the grogginess from being punched + LDW's face, but his expression upon seeing K again after that long [mere days] absence looked like abject lust.

None of the bad guys have the new Galaxy flip phones, huh? The one the masked figure had didn't even look like an Edge. [I know that's a purposeful prop choice for bad guys in kdramas, though.]

Between Mama Ryu with Jeong Hun and Su Yeol with Hui Gyeom, the Ryus really do take first-aid quite seriously.

Poor Jeong Hun, with all his trauma [especially around his brother and his relative's dinners] not saying a single word at the kitchen table.

That painter's macro bug paintings were interesting. But I didn't need to see those roaches mating in that jar. I hated typing that sentence.

You lot going on about Lee Dong Wook or Wi Ha Jun or Cha Hak Yeon when the REAL cutie of this show was so obviously that cute little pudge-bellied reptile owned by the painter.

What did Yun Ho have on the painter for him to be so loyal? Just money?

Andrei to the painter: "I don't have much time". He weren't wrong.

The normally unflappable Yong losing it over Andrei during her (impressively choreographed) fight with Hui Gyeom broke my heart a little. As if it hadn't already been broken by Andrei's final words, that protective act of his (like Daisy the puppy crawling over to be with John Wick in her final moments, hence those little trails of blood where she crawled over to him).

It very likely isn't (unless it's the kind of showy shit that Su Yeol once bought for her), but Mama Ryu's food bag has a Burberry print.

At the juvenile centre scene, over SideDishGate, I think it's the first time we've ever seen Jeong Hun actually smile.

Park Min Sang, the actor who plays Jeong Hun, really looks like a young Park Bo Gum.

Ju Hyeok's not wearing glasses anymore. Did being revealed to be evil give him 20/20 vision?

The romanisation of Ju Hyeok's surname as Sin is just the right side of being on the nose, no?

I know it's for dramatic effect, and that Ju Hyeok is a fair distance away, but Su Yeol staring so intensely and for so long back at him is just peak Ryu Boys Tact.

#bad and crazy #bad and crazy recap #bac #lee dong wook #wi ha jun #wi ha joon #cha hak yeon #cha hakyeon #cha si won #han ji eun #ryu su yeol #ryu soo yeol #k #bad and crazy kdrama #kdramas #o gyeong tae #boss yong #lee hui gyeom #kim hi eo ra #kim hieora #won hyun joon #choi kwang je #andrei kang #yum geun soo #kim dae geon #kang ae sim #kang ae shim #jung sung il

[suckjasmins]

The love story Part 1

A/n soo im rewriting this story lol i just felt like i could do better so yeah and sorry for being gone for so long (if anyone noticed) i didnt and still dont have wifi, I only have it when my sister is home and she works lol so it will take time for me to post

edit: guess who has wifi bitches!!?? this bitch right here!!

Pairings: Bakugou x Reader

Word count: 2069 (nice) words

Warnings: none lol

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

Only the sound of the rain and the thunder was the only thing anyone heard. It was one of the few days where it rained and usually would be celebrated. Living in the desert like place, only heat and blinding sun was regular. A rainy day was like a blue moon, and everyone, celebrated it. The kids would play in it, the young adults would party in it, the elders would simply stand in it and converse with one another. Music and laughter would be the only thing anyone heard. This day was the opposite however, and the reason for it? More than half of the village was gone, they were on a hunting trip that should only lasted for a few weeks. It had been a few months now, and everyone was beginning to lose their hope of the hunting group returning. The only ones left were, children and elders and a few adults that had stayed for different reasons.

You were one of the adults that stayed, your reason was that you fell sick right before leaving. It was then decided that it was too dangerous for you to leave the village. It took all of your friends to convince you to stay. And let's say you were furious that you had stayed, especially now that the group were now gone. But you were not the only one who's heart were filled with rage and sorrow.

The warriors and the dragons had left to hunt the orcs who had dangerously been inching in close to the village. The whole village thought that if they could get rid of the orcs now. All would be safer, and the orcs didn't have the recourses to go to war now, so why wait until the orcs can?

You sat on the floor at the opening of the tent. Watching the puddle, you thought about how hot it still was when it was raining. You thought about your friends, and what you would be doing if they were here. You probably would be dancing and partying in the rain. And nobody would be able to hear the siren over the music, unlike right now when it was going off. The siren that only was used to important things, to signal when a new season started or when someone returned home-

When someone was returning home after war or after a long time...

You looked up, towards the mountains and right there, in the middle of the mountains. A group of people were walking towards the village. They were too far away to be able to see who they were, but everyone knew. It was them.. Getting up, you started to run towards to the group of people, standing and watching them. You pushed your way to the front and your vision started to blur from tears. Even though it was still raining, even though it was still dark from all the clouds. It felt like the sun was shining, like the rain now was a sweet reminder of the parties that usually held place here.

The group were closer now, and you could clearly see how hurt they all were. The few dragons by the humans was transformed to their human shapes. Almost everyone were limping, and helping each. other to walk. Finally you could not hold yourself back and you broke out of the crowd. A few kids following you, you made you way to the group. The first person you saw were Mina, your long time best friend. And by her side were Eijiro, one of his wings were bandaged.

"Mina! Eijiro!" you screamed out as you neared them. You stopped a step from them and you went to hug them when you realized that that wouldn't be the best.

"Are you guys ok..? Is it ok if I hug you or..?" you fidgeted around, only you three stood there, everyone walking around you.

Mina chuckled and leaned forward, hugging you. You hugged back, squeezing her hard until she slightly winced. It felt like you hugged each other for hours, rambling about different things. Like how much you missed each other.

"Hey.. when is it my turn for a hug?" Eijiro whined behind Mina, crossing his arms and playfully pouted.

"Now's your turn" you let go of Mina and turned to him. "Come here big guy" you squeezed him just like Mina. You two also stood forever and rambled about things. Just like when you were younger, he always felt like home. You also would stand there forever if Mina hadn't interrupted the two of you.

"The Bakugous is about to start their speech, let's get over there, then can you two continue your hugging party." she nodded towards the scene where Mitsuki Bakugou, the village leader, or queen, was about to start her speech. Walking towards her, you blended into the crowd already there. Mitsuki Bakugou stood in the middle of the scene, her husband, Masaru Bakugou stood slightly behind her, a supporting hand on her shoulder. On her other side stood Katsuki Bakugou with his usual scowl on his face. Mitsuki exchanged a few words with Masaru before turning her attention forward.

"Everyone... We'er finally back from the hunting trip that were only supposed to last a few weeks. It was hard but I'm glad to tell you the exiting news. When we arrived to the last sighting of orcs, we saw that there were a few who had made camp there. We fought them off our land and got information on where the main camp was. When we arrived, we were shocked to say the at least. There were a lot more than we thought there were going to be. We had to make camp and discuss our new battle plans. But then we were ready, and we fought. And... even though it was a big possibility that we would lose a few soldiers... WE LOST NONE!" a big cheer broke out and people started to almost party right there and then. Mitsuki with only her hand silenced and calmed down the crowd. "We fought bravely, many of us were hurt and are going to be treated shortly after this speech. We have now gotten rid of the orcs that harmed and threatened our land. And luckily... the mating season has not started yet. It will begin in a 2 short weeks along with spring. I feel like this year is extra special, and we will treat it like it. Now just a few words from my husband and from my soon then you can continue to reunite with your close and loved ones" she finished her speech and stepped to the side. Her husband and her switching their places. He cleared his throat and started with his speech.

"Even though my wife has said almost everything there is to say, I have a few words. I want to say thank you, for every brave soul that followed us to fight the evil. It is only with their help that we could defeat the enemy without losing one of our own. And for anyone wondering... the harvest has been good this year. And along with the animals we hunted on our way back. We have more than enough food to relax without the need to hunt. We will celebrate the beginning of spring with a feast so big it will last for days!" he laughed and the crowd cheered again. The thought of being able to properly relax and the thought of food, making everyone happy. Mitsuki then pushed her son, Katsuki, to the front. It was then you noticed his arm were wrapped and hung around his neck. It was clearly broken, you looked around and noticed a lot of people had broken something. But thankfully Mina or Eijiro hadn't broken anything. Eijiro was only bleeding from his wing but otherwise was okay.

"I would like to say... It was brave of everyone to follow on this trip, to risk their life for each other. And now we can celebrate it" his words were short and you could hear how he didn't mean any of that. Or maybe he did but was too tired to say it. Everyone clapped and Mitsuki clapped Katsukis shoulder. She whispered something to him and he scowled. The Bakugou family left the stage and almost the whole crowd turned to the direction of the medical tent. You walked with Mina, Eijiro had left to find Katsuki Bakugou, his dear friend.

"So Mina, are you excited about the mating season?" you asked her, as you walked together.

"Ah... I don't know actually... I mean Eijiro competed for me last year and well, I don't know if he's going to do it again" she answered, she stared ahead at nothing. You got a brilliant idea, almost like a lightbulb went off in your head.

"Why don't you compete for him? I mean it's tradition that couples compete every year and imagine how happy he would be!" your eyes shined as you awaited for her answer.

"Omg... Y/n I love you!" she grabbed your shoulders and shook you back and fort before hugging you. "And it can be a surprise too!" you laughed along with her.

"I'm really happy for you, you know? I don't think your or Eijiro could fins a better match" you smiled warmly while Mina gave you a cute pout.

"That's so sweet... I have to do something for you now!" she gasped and pulled you with her. "What if... I help you find someone to compete for you or someone for you to compete for?!"

"Ah... Mina, there isn't really anyone I'm interested in.." you sighed, you never really thought about dating or anything like that. But it wasn't the first time someone told you to get a date.

"I know I know... but if there's someone who would be a great match for you? It would be Bakugou!" she almost yelled out, which resulted in you covering her mouth with your hand.

"Shush! You can't just yell that!" you shushed her, she only giggled in response. "And.. Bakugou..?" you slightly blushed.

"Yes yes! I was with him a lot during this trip and you'er perfect for each other!"

"But I don't really know him? Like at all?" that was a lie, you did know Bakugou. Or at least you knew him when you were younger. You and Bakugou were thick as thieves when you were children.

It was only after he started to really bully Midoryia that you had told him to stop. Before that you would also tease Midoryia, call him Deku and laugh along with Bakugou. When you became 5 you got close with Midoryia, and started to be his friend too. And at the same time Bakugou only bothered Midroyia more. You would try to protect Midoryia but would always run after Bakugou, laughing and playing with him. Until you stayed, and told Bakugou to stop. It was the first time you were deadly serious and Bakugou only let out a tch before leaving. After that day Bakugou started to ignore you, and would bully Midoryia as much as you could.

But now, you had grown up and you pretended that you didn't know Bakugou. Like you never talked to him at all. A lot of the elders knew of your friendship, but never discussed it. The people your age didn't know, mostly because they weren't there when you were younger. It was like your friendship with Bakugou was in an another life time.

When you and Mina arrived at the tent, you saw a long line of people waiting. You let out a sigh and turned to her. You scanned her up and down and tilted your head. She wasn't really hurt, only scrapes and dirt on her skin. She didn't limp or act like anything hurt.

"Mina, are you hurt? Or why are we here?" you asked, not knowing what her answer would be.

"Oh not really... But I have a nasty cut on my back that need to be cleaned" she shrugged, and turned to stand in line. You lit up.

"That's great!" you exclaimed, before wincing. "I don't mean it's great you have a cut but I have stuff at my place. I could patch you up there!" you smiled.

"Oh really? Great! Let's go" she turned swiftly around, already heading to your tent.

#bnha #mha #bakugouprince #prince bakugou katsuki #bakugou katsuki #bakugou x you #bnha mina #mha ashido #bnha eijiro kirishima #fantasy au #bnha fantasy au #light omegaverse #reboot of my own series #dragonshifter kirishima #smut #i lied #there is no smut in this chapter #but i have #to get recongnition #if that helps

[thotsforvillainrights]

~Pivitol~

Summary: Pops takes control of the date and gets in some opinions (much to Kai’s disdain). Meanwhile Kai is trying to find a way to balance the quickly moving relationship along with his newfound feelings. Plus there is some touching!

Chapter: 10

Warnings: None

“Anyway, gonna show me your room kind sir?”

If his heart wasn’t beating that fast before, it was certainly beating fairly quickly by now! “M-my room?” He mentally face palmed at stuttering and you laughed a bit. His shyness was out of character so it was soothing to know you had that much of an effect on him! “Uhhh yeah? Your room? Well unless you have any other room to show me?” A little lightbulb went off in his head and he quickly stood up from the couch. He held his hand out for you...the second time today he would be touching you...and you graciously accepted it, being sure not to comment on his germaphobia and kill the moment. “I do have some other rooms to show you. “ He lied smoothly. There was nothing else in the house of true interest (at least to him anyway), but he wasn’t even sure the condition of his room at the moment. “Follow me this way, Angel.” He tested the waters with the nickname again, and you complied as if he’d been calling you it from day one. In fact, he had been testing the waters for a good time now. The increased effort to touch you was a test to himself. At one point he rolled up his sleeves and relished in the fact that he had not a single hive to show. 

You were like magic to him.

“Kai, what room is this?” You asked in confusion and he smiled, turning on the lights to reveal MANY books from wall to wall. In fact, the medium sized room had all walls set as a bookshelf. “This is Pops collection of books. Before you ask, there is no way in hell the old man read all of this. I just think he’s an avid collector. Although I do seem to recall him reading quite a bit when I was younger. I always assumed it was mostly paperwork. Oh my apologies, is my prattling on beginning to bother you?” He asked as you gently trailed your hands along the books. “It’s not bothering me at all! It’s cute when you talk about your childhood. And these books are all so well taken care of. Not a speck of dust in sight!” Kai chuckled and leaned against the doorframe. “That’s because of my contributions during chore day. That old man tends to the fish in the Koi pond and calls it a day. Can’t complain though, at least he gets out of the way for me to handle the business.” You rolled your eyes and him and scoffed playfully. “Poor Kai, left to do something I’m sure he enjoys doing for fun anyway.” 

“Bold of you to assume I enjoy cleaning because I’m a germaphobe. The whole point of it is to stay away from as much dirt as possible.” He teased you and reached out for your hand again. “C’mon. There are more rooms in this house to show you.” While you were enjoying the time and taking in as many as views as possible, he was internally freaking out about holding your hand. This was the first hand he’s intentionally held in his life! Well, besides holding Pop’s hand to cross the street when he was a kid. A part of him wonders if it’s childish to have this kind of mental breakdown over something as simple as handholding, but it’s quickly silenced by the urge to push his limits further. You’re beginning to make him wonder if he’s even truly a germaphobe in the first place. Around the 5th or 6th room he was starting to look at your dismissive face and he became concerned. “Is there...something bothering you Y/N?” 

“Hmm?! Oh no it’s okay. I just...I really am ready to see your room. It’s getting late and I don’t wanna miss the opportunity is all.” You fessed up and he swallowed. “I see. Okay then, just follow me.” He could feel his hands getting a little clammy underneath the fabric gloves. Thank God he made it to the door before it leaked through and you felt it. That would’ve been more embarrassing than any childhood story Pops could tell you. When you made it to the doors, he mentally braced himself before opening it and moving aside for you to enter. The gasp you made almost made him fall out but luckily it was coming from a good place of mind. “Kai it’s exactly like I imagined! This is the neatest room I’ve ever been in! Have you even ever slept in that bed over there??? This makes me want to go home in clean my rats nest of a room (no offense reader, but your room in this story is in fact a rats nest)!” You continued to compliment him while his eyes locked onto the singular book laying on the desk and not on his shelf. He dashed to put it back into place and you laughed. “No need to panic over something so simple. This room is damn near spotless. I’d live here if I could!” You exclaimed as you let yourself fall back onto the plush bed. He didn’t mind you rolling around and your laughter was awakening something him at the moment until Pops interrupted the two of you. “Live here you say!?” He popped his head in the doorway and Kai verbally sighed. “Not now please...” He begged but the old man ignored him. “How about staying the night for a starter? I’ve got somewhere to be tomorrow and the boy can’t handle the Hassaikai work and the chores as well. Perhaps could you lend a hand with my end of the work please?” 

“Pops there is no way in hell-”

“Sure thing!” Kai just about got whiplash with how fast he jerked his head around to look at you. “W...wHaT???” You laughed and sat upright on the bed. “I’ll sleep over for a night or two if I need to. It’s kinda boring at home and this place is nice. Besides, I’m off for the next few days. Plus hours have been cut and I’m one of them thanks to me being a rather new employee still. Pops you can trust us to keep the house running while you’re gone!” You assured him and he smiled in return. “Thank you my dear. I’ll be heading out to pack right now.” Pops walked out and Kai excused himself to follow directly behind the elder. Once in the confinement of Pop’s room, Kai went off. “Are you actually going senile old man?! What the hell was that!???” Pops simply laughed it off and began packing his bags. “What do you mean? I just recruited some help for you from my darling in-law. Besides, it would be nice for Y/N to get to know the house better since I intend for the two of you to move in together once the relationship progresses to that point. Oh yes, then the marriage will soon come. And of course the grandkids you’ll have/adopt. Oh and also-”

“YOU ARE GETTING AHEAD OF YOURSELF!” Kai’s face was beet red with anger and embarrassment while Pops simply laughed it off. “Calm down my boy, I simply wanted you to spend some time with them. It’s better because you’re far too late in developing feelings. I was wondering if you planned on dying alone. I’m glad to know you aren’t going to be alone when I pass someday. I’m proud of you for finding someone so wonderful to be at your side. Y/N is good, I can tell from her/his/their smile.” Pops gently reached to pat Kai’s shoulder and he calmed down under the old man’s touch.

Sometimes he was bearable.

“Besides, I left you another special gift below the base in your office. I thought it would come in handy.” Pops smiled mischievously while Kai gagged.

Sometimes bearable, not all the time...

Now he would have to tend to you for a day or two.

#bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #kai chisaki #overhaul #pivitol #Pivotal #fanfiction #fanfic #shie hassaikai #overhaul x reader #chisaki kai

[autumnleaves1991-blog]

Celestial Reads - Ezra (Prospect)

A/N: This is for Shop Week 2 Day 13. Ezra is the perfect man to find inside an Antique book shop and I hope you love him as much as I do. This is also a tribute to my favorite play, Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Thank you for reading, reblogging, commenting and liking. 

Pairing: Ezra x F! Reader 

Warnings: Nothing, this is fluff and I love it. 

Word Count: 1.7K 

My Masterlist 

When you paid for your book, you kept talking about how much you were looking forward to it, so I read it too out of curiosity, and we bonded over it AU- Ezra (Prospect) 

The bell rang as you stepped inside Celestial Reads. The antique bookstore was tucked into a dilapidated shopping center, both of the neighbors long vacated. You breathe in the scent of leather and incense; the smoke slowly rising up on the counter with an antique cash register, the buttons raised. The room was enormous, the outside not showing the proper size, kind of like the Tardis. 

Shelves covered every square inch ahead of you, books piled high all the way to the ceiling. Around are several old lamps with a series of mismatched shades; some flowers, other bright pops of color. Each one seemed to have a lightbulb at different brightness. A worn leather brown couch with a few tears here and there sat against one wall next to a counter with a tea kettle and a coffee pot. Hanging over it were various hooks of size and shape, a plethora of cups on each one. You walk over and inspect closer, chuckling at the variety. A Chewbacca mug next to one from the London underground, the whole place was quirky. 

"Well, that sound is sweeter than the coo of a dove," you place a hand on your chest and spin, letting out a small gasp. "Apologies, I didn't mean to frighten you." A man steps from the shadows taking your breath away as he comes into the light. "My name's Ezra little Dove; I own this establishment." 

You stare at him a moment longer before shaking from your stupor. "Oh, you didn't. I just wasn't expecting anyone to speak. I'm alright." He smiles, and you feel the butterflies flutter in your stomach. He's classically gorgeous like the knights from your novels. Tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome with an unusual patch of blonde sticking out of his dark brown locks. You reach a hand out, introducing yourself, and he doesn't return it. 

"As much as I would like to meet your handshake Dove, I am unfortunately without the use of my right arm, but if you'd switch hands, I would be welcome to hold your hand." You observe the way his quarter-length grey shirt is cinched on the right side and mentally scold yourself, reaching out with the other hand. 

His hand is warm and firm as he envelopes your hand in his own, bringing it up to his lips and placing a kiss on the back. The butterflies are furiously battling to escape as you meet his dark brown eyes alight with more mischief than the god Loki. "Pleasure to meet you, Dove; what can I help you find this beautiful Autumn morning?" He releases your hand, and you feel the tingles travel up and down your arm, quickly clearing your throat. 

"I am on a treasure hunt," he grins at you, "and I was told that if anyone had my treasure, it would be you." 

"Well, then you've come to the right place; Celestial Reads is filled with treasures just waiting to be uncovered. What are you looking for?" 

"I was told you might have an old copy of a William Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing? I know I could buy it anywhere, but I don't want some shiny new copy. I want one with-" 

"Character?" You smile and nod as he turns off into the mountains of books. "Follow me," he tosses over his shoulder, and you follow him deeper into the labyrinth of books. "Have you ever read the play before?" 

"When I was a little girl, my Grandfather read it to me; it was his favorite book. I remember loving it so much that my parents took me to see it in the park. I was at the gym the other day, and they had a sign for Shakespeare in the Park, and they're doing that play, so I thought it would be important to reread it." You smile, thinking of your memories with your Grandfather and how much it meant to share that with him. 

"Are you more a Beatrice or a Hero?" You stop and stare at his back, the way his shoulders, broad and robust, fill out the shirt lovely. He pauses, not hearing you, and turns, giving you a bright smile. "Are you alright there, Dove?" 

"Yes, I just I haven't read it in so long I don't really know who I am. I remember being obsessed with Hero when I was a girl. Wanting to be swept off my feet and fall in love with the handsome Claudio." He turns and keeps watching but staying closer to you now. "Even though he was a moron and believed the Prince's evil brother and almost lost her forever." 

He lets out a booming laugh and goes around another corner. "I'm sure it was not the intention of Shakespeare; he probably never imagined a beautiful young woman calling Claudio a moron." 

"You think I'm beautiful?" his steps falter, and he turns to you, reaching a hand forward and tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. 

"Yes, I do, Dove." You tremble, and he lets his finger graze your cheek before turning away to scan the shelves. He reaches towards the top of the rack, his shirt rising up and revealing a trail of sun-kissed skin. "Ah! Found it!" he pulls a worn cover down and blows on the surface, a small plume of dust sprinkling onto the ground. He hands it over gently like a newborn babe, and your face lights up with joy, hands smoothing over the aged leather. 

When you look up at him, tears have gathered in your eyes, and you give him a silent thank you. Following him out the labyrinth and back towards the antique register. The sounds of the keys are loud, and you smile, thinking how wonderful it truly fits in the space. He tells you the total, and you hand over the money, completing the transaction. 

"Thank you so much. I can't wait to reread it and relive the romance." 

"Would you come back when you're finished?" Your eyes widen, and he smiles, "Have I been wrong in my assumptions?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"I felt the spark when your hand touched mine, the way your eyes light up like a Summer's day when you smile; I would very much like to see you again. And not just as a customer." 

"Oh, oh," you feel the heat rise up your neck, "I would like that too, Ezra." 

"How about we exchange numbers, and you can let me know when you finish the book? Maybe we can meet over coffee and discuss it?" You nod and reach into your pocket, handing him your phone, unlocking it. 

He hands you his own, and you plug your name into his with a small emoji of a dove next to it. He laughs when he sees it, and you giggle at his name with the book emoji next to it. "There is something I think I should tell you, Dove, before we move forward." Your stomach plummets, immediately fearing the worst. "Oh, it's nothing so bad; I just have a daughter. Well, she's adopted, but she's mine. Her name is Cee. I know some people would rather not date a single parent." 

You smile, "It doesn't matter to me, I would still like to go out with you." His smile could rival the sun, and he reaches across the counter for your hand, giving it a tight squeeze. 

************

You and Ezra kept in contact, meeting several times for coffee and dinner, discussing the play and your lives. You'd even met Cee, the spitfire blonde teen who worked at the coffee shop down the street. It was obvious the feelings of love between them were mutual. After about a month, Ezra got you all tickets to see Much Ado About Nothing in the park, just like when you were a child. 

The play just as magical if not more than you remember with Ezra at your side. As Beatrice pours her heart out to Benedick, Ezra puts an arm around you on the checkered blanket and holds you close. Your head rests on his shoulder, he drops a kiss to the top of your head. Saying the lines along with the actors. You lift your head up and follow along, repeating Beatrice's lines of love to him as he portrays Benedick. 

"May a man do it?" he mouths, and your smile before responding. 

"It is a man's office, but not yours." 

"I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?" The butterflies return tenfold at the look in his eyes. Your lips tremble as you repeat the next line. 

"As strange as the thing I know not. It was as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you: but believe me not; and yet I lie not; I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing. I am sorry for my cousin.

"By my sword, Beatrice, thou lovest me." 

"Do not swear, and eat it." 

"I will swear by it that you love me, and I will make him eat it that says I love not you.

"Will, you not eat your word?"

"With no sauce that can be devised to it. I protest I love thee." 

"Why, then, God forgive me!" 

"What offense, sweet Beatrice?"

"You have stayed me in a happy hour: I was about to protest I loved you.

He whispers to you aloud this time. "And do it with all thy heart." 

Your eyes fill with unshed tears as you declare quietly against his lips, "I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest." He leans down, capturing your lips in a passionate kiss, and Cee lets out a disgusted sigh. 

"There are children present," she teases, and you both break away laughing and letting out half-hearted apologies, but you can tell she doesn't really mind. Having had revealed to you how happy she was that her dad finally had someone to make him smile again. 

He smiles down at you and kisses your lips softly again. "I love you," he whispers, and you melt under his gaze, repeating it back as he tucks you close. Cee resting her head on his other shoulder. The three of you content and happy with your new-found family. 

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