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#I’m so happy. my current job has been slowly killing me — quite literally
peaches2217 · 4 months
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*I break down the door with a hatchet.*
I GOT A NEW JOB
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rax-writes · 3 years
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Family Man
Fandom:  MCU Pairing:  Baron Helmut Zemo x OC  [basically a reader insert, because the OC’s physical description isn’t addressed or anything, she just has a name] Warnings:  None Notes:  A Sokovian woman named Irina Molnár was born with the ability to teleport, and in time, she encounters the only man to gain her trust enough to show him. It just so happens that the man in question is the criminal mastermind Helmut Zemo. // So, as I said, it’s an OC but still basically a reader insert; don’t let the OC part deter you if you prefer x reader fics. It just worked better for me on the writing end to use a name, and I have an aversion to using “Y/N,” so I just threw in a pretty name. // TL;DR: Zemo as a dad just kills me & I wanted him to get a second chance at a family.
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“I will assist you to the utmost of my ability, on one condition.”
“You’re in no position to be making demands, Zemo.”
“This is both for my own benefit, and yours, I assure you.”
If someone had asked Irina ten years ago where she thought she’d be at this point in life, her answer would have been incredibly far from accurate, for nothing could have predicted the path her life took.
Not that her life had been normal to begin with, being that she was born with the ability to teleport. Sokovia was not exactly a progressive country in the late 1980’s, so her parents had endlessly instructed her to conceal her ability, warning her of the countless dangers of her power being known to others. Her parents were so protective of her that when she teleported as a reflex at age thirteen, after walking along the sidewalk of main street in Novi Grad and a driver fell asleep at the wheel and headed straight for her, they packed up and moved to Russia in the middle of the night. Yet again, the same thing happened at age eighteen, when she was caught up in a hostage situation in a bank and the perpetrator caught her calling the police. Just as he aimed his gun at her and pulled the trigger, she disappeared. Irina and her parents fled to Germany in the dead of night less than twenty-four hours later, and she knew then that she needed to suppress her powers no matter what, being that her father was elderly, and her mother was too ill for them to ever travel again.
So, Irina settled into a normal life in Munich. She worked various odd jobs over the years to support her parents, made and lost a few friends, dated here and there. Her father passed when she was twenty-two, and two years later, her mother joined him. When living in the house where both her parents passed in their sleep became too unbearable, she packed up and moved to Berlin, getting a job at a high-security prison there. Less than a year after she began working there, a newcomer arrived: an inmate by the name of Helmut Zemo.
Being that he knew so much about HYDRA, from his extensive research on them, the American organization SHIELD wished to know more about them. A few psychiatrists and some professional interrogators tried for the first couple months, but they got nothing – quite literally, as he refused to utter a single word to any of them. Irina’s boss knew that she was Sokovian just like Zemo, so she was asked to extract any and all valuable information she could from the new prisoner.
Zemo was an intimidating man; calm, cool, and collected at all times, with eyes like a hawk that bore into Irina’s very soul each time he looked at her. She spent two months talking with him every other day, trying anything and everything she could to get him to talk, but he remained silent. At first, she tried asking him questions outright, but he wouldn’t ever say a word – just stare at her with those cold, calculating eyes. So, Irina changed her approach; they would chat idly in Sokovian to build rapport via their shared mother tongue, or she would ramble about her day, what book she was currently reading, her favorite movies, dates she went on. Those topics got him talking, chatting with her about the miscellaneous subjects she brought up, and both she and her supervisors took it as a good sign. She found that they shared similarities in terms of the loss of their families, and how the destruction of Sokovia hurt them both. Despite how frequently they spoke, he still never revealed anything of importance. After two months, her boss had a few interrogation experts give her some training, so she tried their tactics for another month, but she still got nowhere with him.
Three months after Irina began trying to get intel from Zemo, she sat down in the chair outside his cell, and huffed out a sigh.
“I’m afraid this will be my last visit, Zemo.”
“Why?” His voice held surprise, and a tinge of sadness.
“As you know, they assigned me to visit you for the sake of getting information from you. I’ve been consistently empty-handed over the past four months, so they’re giving up, assigning me back to regular patrol duty.”
“Will I still see you?”
“No. They’re moving me to the women’s side of the prison next week.”
Zemo simply stared at the ground in silence, hands clasped in his lap. Irina allowed the silence to linger for several minutes, then pulled something from her bag, unlocked the small opening on the side of his cell where guards gave him meals, slid the item through, and locked it shut again. He eyed it for a moment before standing and retrieving it, sitting back down on the bed as he looked at it.
“It’s that book I told you about last month, the one you said sounded interesting. Consider it a parting gift.”
He still said nothing, gaze locked on the book cover. Irina cleared her throat and stood, putting her bag on her shoulder as she looked to Zemo one last time.
“It has been nice getting to know you, Zemo. Take care of yourself.”
As Irina pulled open the door to leave, Zemo’s voice called out, “Wait!” She turned to face him and found that he was standing, clenching and unclenching his jaw as if he were thinking, before stating, “Tell your superiors that I will give them one piece of information on HYDRA every two months if you will have lunch with me twice each week.”
Irina’s brows raised in surprise, but she nodded in understanding. “I’ll pass the message along, Zemo.”
“Please… call me Helmut.”
The higher-ups were more than happy to agree to his terms, as long as Irina was okay with them as well, since it involved her. But she wasn't stupid. She told them that it felt like quite an undertaking to agree to such a thing, she had been considering looking for another job in the near future, etcetera. Naturally, they offered to double her pay to persuade her to commit to the arrangement, and it was then that she agreed. In truth, it was no skin off Irina’s nose to do it in the first place. As deranged as it was, Zemo had become her friend, her only friend, and she quite enjoyed talking with him. And even more deranged – bordering psychotic, really – she had developed a bit of a crush on him, finding him to be dangerously handsome and intelligent, so she certainly had no quarrels with agreeing to spend time with him.
Time seemed to fly when Irina began her twice weekly visits to Zemo. She found herself eagerly awaiting their lunches, and she always stayed longer than necessary. She would have rather eaten glass than admit it, but she frequently put a bit more effort into her hair and makeup on the days she would be seeing him.
God, I’m fucking pathetic, Irina thought to herself at least once a week, and yet it never stopped her.
It was another few months later when he said something that made her stomach drop to the pits of hell, and a cold sweat to break out on her skin.
“I know who you are, you know. I have since you first introduced yourself. Irina Molnár, the disappearing girl – at least, that’s what the headlines called you. I remember reading about it when I was a teenager, but the story was forgotten within a week.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Irina replied, but Zemo could hear the quiver in her voice.
“My apologies, I did not mean to make you uncomfortable. I have no intention of mentioning it to anyone besides you. I have simply been wondering… were the rumors true? Can you really just disappear into thin air?”
When Irina hesitated, he added, “Irina, no one would believe me if I told them, and even if they did, they would have no way to prove it. Besides, we have been acquainted for nearly a year now. You are my only solace in this living hell. I would have gone mad had you not came into my life. I would never do anything to risk you harm.”
She exhaled slowly, and looked at the ground when she said, “It’s not ‘disappearing.’ It’s teleporting.”
Zemo leaned forward in his seat, visibly invested in her confession.
“I’ve been able to do it since I was four. Scared my parents half to death when I suddenly appeared before their eyes, having been across the house mere seconds before. I learned to control it pretty quickly, but that day in Sokovia… I was only ten years old, and a car was coming right at me, full speed, so I panicked. I teleported home right before it crushed me, and it would have been a non-issue if my classmate hadn’t been a few feet away and saw the whole thing. He ran his mouth to the press about my identity, so we had to leave.”
“That was why you moved to Russia, not because your father got a job there,” Zemo realized, remembering when you initially told him about your move and falsified the reasoning.
“Yes. It happened again there, when someone shot at me. No one who was around at the time knew my name, so it never made it to the press, but my parents were overly cautious, so we fled to Germany. I’ve not done it since, besides in the comfort of my own home.”
“Show me.”
“You say stupid things for such a brilliant man, Helmut,” Irina said, nodding toward the camera in the corner of the room.
“After you get home tonight, teleport into my cell.”
“Did you miss what I said about the camera, or…?”
“The camera does not have a view of my bed. It only reaches the middle of my cell, not the very back of it where the bed is,” Zemo pointed out, and Irina realized that he was right. She had been in the camera room several times; the camera there did indeed only show the room and half of his cell, never the bed.
“I’ll think about it.”
Zemo smiled brightly, looking excited, like a little kid about to see a magic trick. That alone was enough to motivate Irina to do it, just for the opportunity to see that smile again. So, when she got home that night, she changed into a flowy, deep green sundress, touched up her makeup and hair, strapped on a nice pair of sandals, and then stood in her living room, hyping herself up to take such a risk.
There was a chance that she would get caught. Teleporting in front of anyone was always a risk, no matter what, her parents had always told her. But then that damned, dashing smile crossed Irina's mind, and before she had time to second-guess herself, she was standing at the foot of Zemo’s bed.
The book he’d been reading flew out of his hands as he practically jumped out of his skin, falling to the ground with a loud whack, and he pressed a palm to his chest as he tried to calm his erratic breathing.
“We really should have scheduled a specific time for your arrival,” he muttered, and Irina laughed softly. Thankfully, the cameras had no sound, but if a guard were passing by outside, they may have heard her. When he caught his breath a moment later, Zemo sat up in the bed, letting his legs hang off the edge as he patted the spot beside him. Irina took a seat, crossing her legs and leaning back on her hands.
“So, you were telling the truth. You can actually teleport,” Zemo observed, eyeing her with amusement and interest before he bombarded her with questions. “Can you teleport anywhere in the world? Are there parameters for your distance or location? How long does it take you to travel from one place to another? What does it feel like?”
“I can teleport anywhere I’ve been to or seen photographs of. I cannot do it blindly. The distance nor location does not matter, as long as I have seen my destination before. And it feels like… a slight tingling sensation, all over my body, but it only lasts until I arrive, which takes about a half second.”
“Fascinating,” Zemo whispered. He licked his lips before asking, “Are you capable of teleporting another individual along with you?”
Irina frowned at him. “I’m not breaking you out of prison, Helmut.”
“I didn’t ask that.”
“No, but you were alluding to it,” she countered, and he shrugged. “I can teleport another individual, but only over small distances. Each time I’ve tried, the most distance I’ve gotten with another person has been about ten yards.”
“Perhaps with practice, you could go further.”
“I practiced for years, and ten yards seems to be the true limit. Besides, the only others who have ever known about my ability were my parents, and since they’re gone, I have no test subjects.”
Zemo nodded solemnly, then asked, “What about teleporting repeatedly, in ten yard increments?”
“Tried that. Can only do it about three times before I’m too drained to do it again. Teleporting back-to-back with another person takes a lot of energy,” Irina answered, then added, “And again, even if I could, I am not breaking you out.”
“I am merely interested in your mutation, that is all,” Zemo retorted. Irina shot him a look that said ‘Really?’ so he relented with, “Perhaps also because I wanted to know if you could break me out, but that’s neither here nor there.”
"That's what I thought."
It was another month before either party made a move. They were sitting on Zemo’s bed, side by side, as Irina told him about her day at work, and the man who'd tried hitting on her in the grocery store earlier that evening.
"He thought he was very Rico Suave, but his execution was a nightmare."
"How so?"
"Well, for starters, he followed me around for nearly ten minutes while he worked up the courage to say something. He waited until I walked past him and greeted me with 'Hey, sexy lady.'"
"Oh no," Zemo said, grinning as he looked genuinely amused at this man's poor tactics, although his amusement was contingent upon whether or not Irina was actually interested in him. The way she poked fun at the man indicated a lack of interest, therefore, he was enjoying her tale.
"Oh yes. He then asked if it hurt when I fell from heaven, which is the most overused line in the book, yet he said it with such confidence. And then – get this – he leaned onto what he thought was a shelf, but it was actually a stacked display of cans, which toppled over and sent a hundred soup cans flying down the aisle."
Zemo chuckled, prompting Irina to continue.
"He played it off by saying that my beauty is just so distracting that he didn't even realize what he was doing, and then asked for my phone number."
"Did you give it to him?"
"Absolutely not," Irina said, laughing softly and shaking her head. Zemo was momentarily entranced by the way her beautiful hair fell around her face, and the sound of her laugh.
"Why not?"
"Not my type."
"What is your ‘type’?"
Irina leaned back on the wall behind her, looking up at the ceiling as she thought carefully. "Confidence, but not cockiness. Intelligence. Wit. Sarcastic senses of humor. Men with a sense of passion to them; some kind of fire and gusto about something, whether it be their work, art, music." She looked over at Zemo then, and allowed her gaze to travel slowly up and down his form. "Currently, my type seems to be men I can't have."
Zemo eyed her carefully, allowing himself to absorb her words fully for several moments. She was describing him – he just knew it. Or, he was too blinded by hopefulness and desire to realize that she wasn’t, but he figured there was only one way to find out. So, he leaned forward, closing the gap between them, and pressed his lips to hers.
Irina hesitated for half a second, surprised by his actions, but she recovered quickly and kissed him back. It was gentle, sweet, and explorative, both parties simply enjoying it while it lasts. Neither had any idea how long it lasted, as time stood still. Zemo was the first to pull away, eyes scanning Irina’s face as he looked at her with sheer adoration, as well as a touch of nervousness.
"I understand if you wish for me to never do that again, and I understand if you'd prefer to never see me again. But please know that I did not do that out of blind lust, or anything other fleeting emotion. I did it because my heart has yearned for you every day since first meeting you, and finally having you here next to me, where I can touch you… it was genuinely unbearable to hold myself back from kissing you. I have not felt anything like this since losing my wife, and I did not think my heart was capable of ever feeling it again. But you proved me wrong. I know I am risking an end to the only true human contact I have while trapped inside this cell, which truly frightens me, but the unyielding desire to tell you that I love you overpowers that fear."
Irina stared at him in shock for a few moments, before leaning her head back against the wall and closing her eyes. She exhaled slowly as she collected her thoughts before speaking. "Helmut… I love you, too, but I don't know how this would even work. You're never getting out of here. How can we have any kind of relationship when you're locked in a cell for the rest of your days?"
"We will make it work, my darling," Zemo said, sitting up straighter and turning to face her. "I will ensure that we mimic a true relationship as much as possible. I cannot wine and dine you as I would like to do, but I can easily bribe the guards to have lavish meals brought here for us to share on evenings such as these. I cannot take you out for birthdays or anniversaries, but I will ensure that you are showered with gifts on those days. My angel, I cannot give you a normal life, but I can promise to endlessly strive to make you happy."
Irina stared deeply into his eyes for what felt like an eternity, and she saw nothing but genuity, longing, and adoration there. She could feel the sincerity in his words, feel how desperately he wished for her to agree to his proposal. She was no fool; she knew that their relationship would be a struggle, and she knew that it would never be any resemblance of normal. But she also knew that he made her heart soar in a way no other man ever had, and that she would die feeling like she missed out on something incredible if she walked away from Zemo now.
“Okay,” Irina whispered, mostly to herself, before repeating it in a stronger, more self-assured voice. “Okay.”
For a man who always knew what to say, Zemo was at a loss for words, overcome with joy. He simply cupped her cheek and kissed her, far more passionately than before, allowing his triumphant and ecstatic feeling to flow through the kiss. Irina gripped the front of his sweatshirt in her fists, melting into him, before wrapping her arms around his neck as his free hand moved to rest on the curve of her waist.
Ages had passed by the time they broke apart, foreheads resting against each other as they fought to catch their breaths. Irina was the first to break the comfortable silence they created, laughing quietly in disbelief at the events that had just transpired. Zemo followed suit, a deep, velvety chuckle bubbling up from his chest. He pressed another kiss to her lips before leaning back and looking at her. They gazed at each other in sheer contented bliss for a few moments more, before Irina became the first to speak.
“I love you, Helmut.”
“And I love you, darling.”
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The sound of the front door opening caused Irina to immediately look up from the book she'd been reading. She frowned, then stood and headed for the door as quickly as possible, calling out, "Nikolai! You know better than to open that door, young man!" When she reached the entryway, she stopped dead in her tracks.
There stood Helmut, wearing the softest, sweetest smile she'd ever seen as he opened his arms to her. She hesitated a moment, unsure whether or not it was real, before he murmured, "Hello, my love." His voice – that alluring raspy undertone, and the gentleness it took on as he spoke to her – broke Irina from her trance, and she ran to him and into his arms, careful of her rounded belly.
Zemo stroked her hair and held her, and her arms around his neck gripped him like a vice, to the point that it hurt a little, but he'd never tell her that. A small sob fell from Irina's lips before she even realized she'd started crying, and he whispered sweet nothings in her ear in Sokovian to soothe her, about how much he loved her and how happy he was to see her. When her crying quieted down a bit, he pulled away to kiss her, a kiss full of love and longing. When he broke the kiss a few moments later, she stroked his cheek lovingly, and he wiped the stray tears from her eyes.
"How are you here? What happened?" Irina asked, and only then did she notice the two men standing awkwardly by the doorway, their faces a mixture of suspicion and surprise. "Who are they?"
"They are the men who helped me escape. James was previously known as the Winter Soldier, and Sam is currently known as the Falcon, an Avenger."
Irina raised an eyebrow at him. "But… you… the Avengers… the Winter Soldier…."
"I know, I know. I am just as surprised as you are, but they need me for something, something very important."
"The Flag Smashers? I saw them on the news. They have Super Soldiers somehow."
"Yes, darling, exactly right. We'll find them, defeat them, and I'll be back before you know it."
Irina understood the implication of his words. He'd be back, but whether that would be in her home or in his cell was yet to be determined. But she knew him. She knew that he would not take his newfound freedom as a one-time opportunity. A storm of thoughts about what that would mean for them flashed through her mind, but Zemo’s hands on her stomach snapped her out of it.
"How is our daughter?" he asked, gently rubbing Irina’s baby bump, a bright smile blooming when the child inside kicked at his hands, as she always did. She had only been in existence for seven months, and she wasn't even born yet, but she already favored him over her mother.
"She's good, she's been moving around a lot today, as if she knew her Daddy was coming," Irina replied, earning a grin from Zemo. "The doctors told me this morning that her heartbeat is strong and she appears to be the picture of health."
"Good, good. And what about –"
"DADDY!" a tiny voice bellowed from down the hall, and they turned to see a small boy running full speed toward Zemo. Irina stepped back to allow him a clear passageway, smiling as Helmut crouched down to meet him, enveloping the boy in an embrace as he collided with his father's chest.
"Nikolai, I've missed you," Zemo stated, rubbing the boy's back as he stood, still holding his son. Irina caught the way her husband's voice wavered when he said that, and she laid a comforting hand on his back.
"I've missed you too, Daddy. Are you living with me and Mommy now?" Nikolai asked, leaning back in his father's arms to gaze at him with excitement plain on his face. Zemo gave him a smile, but Irina could see the sadness in it, knowing the future was uncertain.
"Not quite, buddy. Just here for a visit," Zemo replied, and Irina rubbed his back comfortingly before pressing a kiss to their son's temple.
Their family time was interrupted by Sam clearing his throat loudly, and when Zemo turned to face him, his smile faded.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Zemo, you've got some explaining to do, and not much time to do it. Don't forget we're on borrowed time here."
"Right," Zemo confirmed, then exhaled slowly. "James, Sam, this is my wife Irina and our son Nikolai…. He is five, and Irina is seven months along."
Confusion washed over both men's faces, and they exchanged a glance before the other, James, was the first to speak.
"But… you've been in prison for eight years. Have you been escaping every few years and no one's noticed?"
"I have not left my cell in eight years, consecutively. But my wife is capable of getting into my cell as often as we wish."
"So, what? You've just been having conjugal visits all the damn time? And the prison staff green-lit that?" Sam asked.
"No, not exactly," Zemo answered, then glanced at Irina. They shared a look before she explained further.
"I can teleport. I met Helmut when I was tasked with extrapolating information about HYDRA from him, and he refused to share anything unless the prison staff agreed to let him meet with me twice a week, just to chat, in which case he'd give them tidbits of information bi-monthly. They agreed, and before long, I revealed my ability to him. I'd visit him in his cell occasionally, because the cameras only show half of it. Over time, well… we fell in love. Nikolai came a few years later, and now…" Irina trailed off, then rubbed a hand over her pregnant belly.
"Why didn't you ever bust him out?" James asked.
"I can only teleport small distances with another person, and I can only do it twice at the most, so we'd have never made it off the grounds."
James and Sam were silent for a moment, absorbing the information they'd been given. Sam was the first to break the silence.
"Zemo, you said this little pitstop would benefit me and Bucky. But it's not like she can go with us," he said, sounding a bit irritated as he gestured towards Irina’s stomach. "So what the hell was the point?"
"It does benefit you. You now possess the knowledge that a teleporter exists. Congratulations," Zemo said dryly, then looked at his wife and son for a moment, before returning his attention to the men. "Sam, the point was that I lost my family when Sokovia was destroyed, and the family I have now has only ever seen me inside a prison cell. I wanted my son to have at least one memory of his father in his home with him."
James – no, Bucky, apparently – and Sam exchanged a look, before Bucky sighed and looked to Zemo.
"You have one hour. Sam and I will be guarding the exits, so don't try to escape. If you do…." He trailed off after glancing at Nikolai. "Let's just say it won't be pretty."
True to their word, Sam and Bucky remained stationed outside the home, one out front and one out back. Zemo milked that hour as much as possible, spending most of it in his son’s room with him and Irina, listening intently to Nikolai tell him all about what’s been going on at school, his favorite shows, the trip he took to the zoo the day before with Irina, etc.. He even told Zemo about each and every one of his toys, simply enjoying talking to his dad, and although Zemo was the one to send almost every one to him, therefore he already knew about them, he didn’t mention that. He simply listened intently as his son spoke, enjoying the quality time with him, exchanging smiles and occasional kisses with Irina. She showed him the nursery she’d been working on for their daughter, and he finished putting together the crib she’d started, Nikolai happily handing him parts and screws as needed. Zemo also moved the dresser and changing table to where she’d wanted them but couldn’t move them herself, then they settled into the living room shortly before the hour was up.
Sam and Bucky reentered the house to find the family sitting around the coffee table, playing a game of Jenga. They stood silently in the doorway to the living room, watching as Nikolai carefully drew a block from the tower before placing it back on the top with a triumphant look on his little face. Zemo commended his concentration, then drew a block himself, although he intentionally wiggled it a little so that the tower came toppling down.
“I won! Daddy, I won!”
“Yes, you did, my son. Excellent job,” Zemo said warmly, then glanced at Sam and Bucky before scooping the boy up into a tight hug. “Daddy has to go now, but I will see you again soon.”
“Do you have to go?”
“I’m afraid so. But I need you to promise me something before I leave. Take care of your mom for me, will you?”
“I will, I promise.”
“Good boy,” Zemo said with a smile, then kissed Nikolai’s forehead and set him down. Zemo stood and helped Irina stand up, hugging her tightly as he buried his face into her neck. Quietly, so that no one but her could hear, he said, “I will not be going back to prison unless there is no other way, but know that yours and our children’s safety is my utmost concern.”
“I know, Helmut,” Irina whispered back, and he pressed a long, lingering kiss to her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you, my angel,” Zemo murmured against her lips, then stooped down to hug his son again. “And I love you, Nikolai.”
“I love you, too, Daddy,” the boy responded, and the way his voice quivered as he choked back tears broke his parents’ hearts into a million pieces. Reluctantly, Zemo let him go and he wrapped his arms around his mother’s leg, resting his head against her as he sniffled and she rubbed his back.
“Be safe, sweetheart,” Irina commanded.
Zemo nodded to her before walking over to join Sam and Bucky. With one last heartbroken look at his family, he left, closing the door behind him as he let out a shaky breath. He didn’t meet the other men’s eyes as he walked over to the car, and after they all piled in, they drove in silence to the airport, off to their next stop in Madripoor.
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@henrysmorgan​ @clints-lucky-arrow​ @therenlover​
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lena-in-a-red-dress · 3 years
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Metallo!Lena AU Part 15
Lena's decision to reveal herself isn't entirely well thought out. In the weeks that follow, the media outlets flood with speculation about her veracity, her intentions, and her whereabouts for the past year. Considering Lena bolted after giving the reporters her name, their confusion isn't entirely unwarranted, but Lena has no intention of giving them any further details.
Reclaiming her name is one thing. Revealing the current condition is another.
"The last thing the world needs to hear is that there's a Luthor running around without a heart. Literally."
Kara rolls her eyes at the weak joke. "Nobody blames you for your brother's actions, Lena. If they knew what happened--"
"They'll say I should have seen it coming. It's all in the family, Kara. My brother killed me and my mother resurrected me. This is my chance to start fresh, so just... let me have it."
The unexpected outcome of it all is that Lena no longer needs to hide. Slowly, she starts to venture out into the city with Kara, both with armor and without, and for the first time since her rescue, she gets to enjoy some of the things she used to.
Like watching the geese in the park, and window shopping in midtown. At first, she's able to get away unnoticed by simply wearing casual outfits, but as the media coverage persists, more and more people start to notice her. It soon becomes clear that Lena needs to make another decision.
"I have to make a statement," she says one night, lying in her bunk next to Kara. They've just come out of a sparring session, and are sweaty and tired, but still Lena's mind races.
Kara looks at her, not lifting her head. "Are you sure?"
"No. But... if I don't, I'll just lose control of my narrative all over again."
"Okay," comes the easy response. "I'll support you, whatever you decide."
Lena turns to look at her. "I'm going to need you to do more than that."
---
"You want her to WHAT?" Alex asks, when they tell her the plan.
Lena doesn't blink an eye. "I want Kara to leverage an exclusive interview with me to get her old job back."
Alex looks like she's going to pop a blood vessel. She eyes Lena, then turns her incredulous gaze on Kara. "And what do you want?"
Kara shuffles awkwardly in place, eyes on her shoes. "I... am okay with it."
It had taken some convincing. Well, not so much convincing as talking Kara out of her own pessimism. Her career was over, she'd claimed when Lena first shared her idea. Supergirl was her job now. She was needed at the DEO more than anywhere else. The world needed Supergirl.
"But what does Supergirl need?" Lena had asked.
Now, Alex doesn't seem convinced. "Really? Because you were miserable there before you quit. Are you really ready to go back?"
Kara shrugs, sheepish and uncertain both. Lena shifts protectively in front of her. "Don't worry," she drawls, "I'm sure she'll still help at DEO if you ask nicely."
"That's not why I'm concerned," Alex scoffs.
"Then why do you care so much about what Kara chooses to do with her civilian life, Director?"
Alex pauses on the verge of retort. Then she rocks back on her heels, making pointed eye contact with Kara. Kara touches Lena shoulder, moving out from behind her.
"Because she's my sister."
Lena blinks in surprise, then freezes as her brain restructures itself to absorb this new information. "Oh. That is... not what I expected."
"What were you expecting?"
"...doesn't matter."
Alex huffs, irritation flaring. "Kara, I don't think I need to remind you of what it was like when you were working at CatCo--"
"I loved CatCo. I still do." Kara's shoulders lift. "Looking back, I don't think CatCo was the reason I was miserable. It's just the part of my life that suffered the most. But--" She looks at Lena, shoulders squaring. "Things are different now. I can't be Supergirl all my life. I need more. I always have."
With a sigh, Alex relents. "Fine. What do you need from me?"
---
James is nothing if not surprised to see Kara slip into his office one afternoon. She's clearly nervous, fidgeting with her glasses and shrinking into herself. Even so, he's glad to see her.
"Kara, hey! Wow, it's been a while. How are... things?"
He knows her secret, but after their breakup and Kara's unexpected departure from CatCo, they'd drifted apart.
"Good, good. Yeah," Kara stammers. "I, uh, I was wondering if we could talk, for a second."
James grins. "Yeah. Of course, of course. Come on in."
He comes around his desk, meeting Kara at the couches. A little thrill rushes through him at their proximity, before he shakes himself out of it. He never got a chance to settle back into frienship with Kara, and he regrets the distance between them.
When they sit, he tries to ease her nerves with a grin. "What's happening?"
Kara smooths her hands on the tops of her thighs, and takes a deep breath. Then, she straightens and turns to face him.
"I came here to discuss the possibility of me getting my job back."
"Your job," James repeats. "Here. At CatCo."
Kara nods. "Yes. At CatCo."
"Oh... I don't know, Kara."
"I know it's a tall ask--"
James barks a laugh. "A tall ask? It's been over a year, and I hate to say it, but Snapper hasn't gotten any better since you left."
"He wasn't why I left..."
"I actually figured it was because of me."
Kara's eyes widen, and her cheeks heat with a flush as she scrambles to deny it. "James, no-- that's not--"
"You don't need to explain anything to me, Kara, really...  but I have to say, a rehire would be a tough sell with Snapper, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to sell him anything," Kara rebuts, her voice steeling. Her gaze took on a hard glint. "You're his boss."
James nods. "That's true, but I wouldn't be doing you any favors by forcing you on him."
"I'm not asking for any favors--"
"Kara."
"You know what I mean. I'm ready to take on anything Snapper has in store, I'm ready to pull weight, and I'm ready to go the distance. And you know the kind of person I am, James. I won't let you down."
James sighs. "I know. But... I just can't do it."
Kara nods, adjusting her glasses. "I can prove to you that CatCo needs me-- will be better to have me on board."
There's something familiar in Kara's voice now, and James realizes that he's seeing Supergirl poking through. Whatever had so shaken her a year ago, she's ready to overcome it.
"And what's that?" he asks.
"Lena Luthor."
James pauses. "What about her?"
"She's agreed to an exclusive with CatCo-- on one condition."
"With you."
"As a fully hired and salaried CatCo employee."
It's the one thing James knows he can't refuse. Every media outlet in the country is clamoring for an interview with Lena Luthor, and here she's been walked right into his office on the wings of the one former employee his editor-in-chief cannot stand. That said...
With a scoop like Lena Luthor, CatCo would survive if Snapper Carr walked out.
James hesitates, out of principle if nothing else. "You really have Lena Luthor on lock?"
Taking out her phone, Kara opens her contacts and with just a few taps of her thumb has a video chat ringing. As James watches, the black comes to life with the visage of Lena Luthor.
"Kara, hi," says the tinny voice. Despite likely expecting the call, the woman is clearly happy to see Kara.
Kara blushes, fiddling with her glasses once more. "Hi, Lena. I, um, I have James here, and he was wondering--"
"Mr. Olsen." Suddenly, Lena Luthor is all business. "I expect Kara has already explained the situation."
James nods. "She has."
"I am willing to work with CatCo, so long as I interview exclusively with Kara Danvers."
"Editorial will have input on the question list."
"Which will be screened in advance, and received with Kara's contract, signed and countersigned."
James doesn't necessarily like being dictated to, but Lena's tone is nothing less than professional. It's as though he's talking to another executive, and negotiation is a tactic he's grown accustomed to.
"We can work with that."
"At 10% above Kara's exit salary."
Ohhhhh... James chafes at that. Kara starts, then flushes-- clearly, she hadn't expected this. But there's no negotiation in Lena's tone, so he chooses to take the high road. He nods.
"All right. We'll be in touch."
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What a Time to be Alive - Diego Hargreeves x Reader
Chapter 2- The Frankel Footage
Summary: After receiving a surprise visit from Five, you quit your bar tending job, quickly followed him to find Diego, and then broke Diego out of the mental hospital all in one day. Now you, Diego, and Lila, are free and ready to tackle whatever new problem awaits.
If anyone else wants tagged just hit me up.      Tagged: @white-wolf-buckaroo
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You three ran for a couple blocks out of sight and away from any nosy law enforcement officers and their annoying sirens. Through back ally’s and down side streets, until you came upon a cluster of parked cars. Where you three hid behind trying not to be seen.
“This way” Diego whispers while getting up to race across the street, you and Lila trailing after him.
Hiding behind an apartment building, you and Lila look back from where you just came. “All right, we can’t stay here for too long. They’re gonna be looking for us.” Diego quietly warns.
“The cops or those large Scandinavian fellas” Lila asks, still on lookout.
“Both” you say quickly, turning to follow Diego’s lead.
He suddenly jumps up on a dumpster then on top of an outhouse type building. “D, what are you doing?” You ask confused, not quite catching onto his plans just yet.
Grabbing clothes off the line and throwing them to you, he replies, “Me and you aren’t gonna get very far dressed like a lobotomy case.”
“Fair point”
“Hey what about me?” Asks Lila, as Diego jumps down off of the small shed, walking back over to the two of you, and quickly throwing her some clothes in the process.
Diego turns around while taking off his shirt, “Look, I appreciate your help, but now we...” He points to you for a second, who’s changing into a different shirt, from the previous hospital staff attire. “Go our separate ways.”
“Why?”
“Because they’re gonna be looking for us, together. You stand a better chance on your own.”
“What, you guys need me, we could make a good team, I don’t mind third wheeling.”
“No”
“Okay did you forget how great I am at causing distractions, or sneaking in small weapons, or when I saved your ass when...” Police sirens begin shouting through the air, cutting her off mid-sentence, catching all of your attentions with it. Sending a surge of panic through you, there was no way in hell were you getting caught.
“Oh shit” Lila whispers, turning to abruptly dodge under a car and out of sight like a literal ninja, who is this strange woman?
Looking at Diego you happen to spot a hiding place behind a small pillar of bricks. Grabbing his arms once again, you pull him with you towards the spot, hugging him tightly as you look over his shoulder. Hearing the whrr of a siren, you listen and watch as the cop car rolls past, agonizingly slow. Looking up at him once again, you can’t help but notice the close proximity between the two of you, your face breaks out into a large grin. Relishing in the contact that you’ve been so deeply deprived of.
“Is that a knife in your pants or are you just happy to see me?” You ask while flashing him a cheeky smile.
“Why are you like this?” He whispers grinning back down at you, amused at your never ending ability to joke around at the most inappropriate times.
“Hey guys, let’s take my car.” Lila says, while eyeing up one of the parked on the street.
Looking back into Diego’s dark eyes, you swiftly catch his lips with yours, not being able hold yourself back anymore. He tenses for a split second before he melts into you, relaxing completely. The kiss is sweet, hungry, and full of longing. You can both tell how much you’ve truly missed each other.
Breaking away, Diego follows your lips, disappointed in such a small intimate moment being ruined. “We gotta go, our getaway driver is here.” You beam, satisfied with what you could get.
Jumping into the stolen car, you take the passenger seat making Diego sit in the back.
“Let’s roll kids” Lila says grinning, as she hastily backs out of the parking spot.
——
After sleeping in the front seat next to Lila, and Diego grumpily trying to find a comfy position in the back. You three made it through the night and are now currently up and ready to roll. Diego in the passenger seat now, with you at the wheel and Lila in the back. Parked in front of some library that Diego insisted on going to you as you could only assume it had to do with the president, most likely.
“All right, here’s the plan: Oswald finishes his shift at 4:30 p.m. Once he walks out those doors, we force him into the front seat.” Diego tells you, while looking out the window intensely.
“I’m in the front seat” You reply while looking out at some birds eating something in the grass.
“Okay, fine. In the back seat.”
“I’m in the back seat.” Lila says, also unimpressed by Diego’s plan. She makes knowing eye contact with you in the mirror.
“Okay in the trunk, Y/N is gonna pin his arms, I’m gonna cut off his trigger finger and tell him he has 24 hours to exit Dallas.”
“That’s your plan?” Lila asks. Sharing another glance with you.
“You got a problem with it?” He questions sassily.
“Why don’t we just kill him” You say with a casual shrug.
“What?
“I agree with Y/N, I mean, you think he’s gonna shoot the president right?”
“Right”
“Fine, so we kill him. Put a bullet between his eyes.” She says, as you make a finger gun and a boom sound. “Problem solved”
“No, no, no, we’re not going to kill a man before he’s committed a crime.” He says, annoyed.
“That’s stupid” She retorts back, tired of Diego’s dumb idea already.
“Excuse me?”
“In fact, your whole plan is stupid. What, chopping off a guys finger?” She smiles amused.
“No, it’s not just any finger, it’s his trigger finger, all right. You can’t shoot a gun without a trigger finger.” He says defensively.
“What if he’s ambidextrous?” You ask, egging him on.
Diego looks at you in defeat at both of yours and Lila’s points. She finally says, “How do you get through a day?
“Both of you get out. I can do this on my own.” He grumbles quickly.
“Dr. Moncton was right, this hero complex is no joke. I mean, Y/N how do you even put up with his shit.” She wonders turning to you.
“Don’t answer that. This is not what this is about.” He’s says, you laughing at his sour mood and Lila’s call out.
“D, she makes a compelling argument.”
Nodding at you she quips back, “Of course it is, you want to prove to Daddy that you’re a big success.” She says, realization clear on her features.
Snorting you raise your eyebrows at Diego, who says, “No, out of the three of us, you don’t know anything about me, Lila.”
“I don’t have to be Y/N to know anything about you. You are an open book written for very dumb children.” She says matter-of-factly.
Holding in laughter you face away from Diego, as you peer out the window so he won’t see the amusement clear on your face.
You love Diego, and fight crime with Diego, but you don’t do it out of a hero complex like he does. You do it because it’s fun and it helps people sometimes. You’ve never seeked it out in the way that he did, like buying a patrol caller, walking into crime scenes to gather information, and continuously wearing that stupidly adorable childhood domino mask. You prefer to stay in the shadows and hunt down rapists and human traffickers when the opportunity arises. So yeah, Lila calling out Diego on his shit, that he doesn’t realize is his shit, does entertain you.
“I’m not. Trying. To. Be A. Hero, okay!” He says slowly with frustration lacing his voice, like we can’t understand him.
“Then why are we doing this?” You reply facing him again. All of a sudden Five appears in the back seat next to Lila, who screams and backs away. Clearly not expecting a 13 year old boy to just teleport randomly into the car.
“Because he’s an idiot” Five replies smartly, with a smug grin on his young face.
Calming down again she looks at Five confused, “Who the hell are you, I mean Diego did tell me Y/N is kinda like a vampire but not really a vampire, so?”
Giving Diego your what-the-fuck-did-you-tell-her-about-me face, he briefly grins at you when Five answers her, “Hi. I’m his loving brother.”
“Who left me to rot in a nut house.”
“To protect you from yourself.”
“That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to him, I’m gonna cry.” You reply, while wiping a fake tear away.
Rolling his eyes Diego points to the three of you, “Okay, all of you, out.” Diego says done with all of your shit.
“Lose the crazy lady, you two are coming with me. We have important business.” Five says frustrated.
Diego turns to look out the front window. “I am not going anywhere with you.”
Looking out the window, Five spots a security guard walking down the street. “Okay, fine.”
Not buying into Five’s surrender, you follow his gaze seeing the officer walking away from all of you. With a big smile plastered on his face, Five takes this moment of improvisation to call out loudly. “Officer!”
“Hey!” Diego snaps, reaching past you in record time, silencing Five by grabbing his jacket. “What are you doing?”
Grinning like the little shit he is, Five answers sassily, “I hear there’s a reward out for you two, and an unidentified jailbreaker accomplice last seen helping two patients escape.”
“He’s bluffing.” Lila says.
Watching the intense stare down between the two of them you reply, “He’s not.” Knowing better then to doubt Five. Cause let’s be honest he would watch you get arrested for fun any day of the week.
“Fine. We’ll go with you.” He says defeated yet again.
“What about me?” Lila asks.
“She yells at Diego when he’s being an idiot, crazy lady can come too.” You tell them while nodding to her.
“You yell at me when I’m being an idiot too, Y/N.” Diego remarks bluntly.
“That’s fair. But I feel like she’s good at playing eye spy, and you’re definitely not. You have no patience, I swear.”
“I don’t know what I just got myself into but I’m glad I met you guys.” Lila exclaims enthusiastically, pleased at your positive answer.
--
A short drive later, you, Diego, Five and Lila begin walking up the steps into Five’s new friends building. Not being overly impressed by much and concerned for this mans mental well being at the fact that he’s Five’s so-called “friend”, you keep walking as Five leads you three up the stairs. When you reach the top, you hear footsteps and the sound of a gun click. Glancing up, you observe a scrawny looking man with confusion and fight in his eyes. He starts to speak all stressed out and loud, barking at you four. “Where did you get the film? The Frankel Footage. The truth this time.” He demands while still holding up the gun at the four of you. Oh yeah, this is Five’s new friend? Seems about right.
“You know this lunatic?” Diego wonders at Five.
“God, his hearts beating so loud, I’m gonna have a headache.” You groan, this guy is on full adrenaline, jeesh.
Five sighs, “New acquaintance. He’s harmless.”
“Are you sure about that?” Lila asks, puzzled.
Without warning this new friend of Five’s starts to yell, sounding like an off cord scratchy violin in your hyper sensitive ears. A quiet room with sudden loud noises makes your hearing extra perceptive. It’s not exactly a beneficial attribute to have at the moment.
“Are you or are you not an enemy of the people?!”
Giving you a precious moment of peace, Diego answers back. “Such an open-ended question, yeah.”
“Really depends on the people.” Adds Five calmly.
Raising the gun up higher the angry guy speaks again, less loud this time. “You move one more muscle, I will blow y’alls brains out.”
“Yeah good luck with that, you’ll deeply regret it in a couple seconds.” You tell him bluntly as he gives you a weird look.
“You want to take this or should I?” Diego asks Five. Always ready to throw hands at any given moment.
“No, I got him.” He replies with apprehensive determination.
An abrupt flash later, Five is in front of the mysteriously angry gunman. Grabbing the gun and pushing the barrel upward where it then goes off. Shooting a bullet into the ceiling. And sending a symphony of booming racket directly into your ears.
“Fucking hell” You mumble while pursing your lips together as the pain in your ears wears off.
Looking back up, you watch as Diego unloads the gun and the crazy southern guy looks at everyone in confusion.
“What the hell just happened?” Lila asks with an amused smile, clearly not expecting anything more weird to take place again.
——
After the fun little greeting Elliot gave you, you and Diego tied him up, you know just normal couple things. So Five could play some home movies, or in other words that Frankel Footage Elliot was yapping about earlier. Leaving him in a dentist’s chair, Lila sat down and started to paint his toe nails some kind of green color. While Five was playing the old film footage, Diego sat on a counter to his left, knees up and knife in one hand. Meanwhile you sat cross legged on the same counter near his shoes leaning your right knee on Diego’s bent legs.
“I love old couples. I’m always so proud of them for not murdering each other.” She says randomly.
“Why are we watching this?” Diego suddenly asks Five, who’s intensely focused on the footage. “Shush” He’s tells him, hyper focused on the projection screen.
The people on the screen begin talking about who they are and where they happen to be at the moment. Dallas, Texas. November 22, 1963. Oh, shit. You think, knowing exactly where this specific moment is going to lead.
Leaning in closer Diego says, “This is it. The grassy knoll. Kennedy’s about to get shot. How do you have this?” He quickly questions Five.
“Hazel died to get me this footage. It must be the key to stopping doomsday.”
“Hazel?” You ask curiously, remembering the masked guy who shanked you with an old iron antique boat when you first met him and Cha Cha shooting up the Umbrella Academy. Damn, he’s already dead.
“Long story.”
“What’s doomsday?” Wonders Lila in confusion.
“Longer story.”
“What exactly did he say to you?” Diego questions in bewilderment.
“Well, he was killed before he could explain. But whatever he wanted us to see, it’s on this film.” He answers earnestly.
Without warning, gunshots go off in the background, signaling that President Kennedy's been shot. All of you watch closer with wide eyes as you three try to spot what Hazel was talking about. Five rewinds the tape for better inspection, moving around to slide the projector back. Giving everyone a better view to watch the footage. “It can’t be.” He says astonished.
“Okay, you guys gonna fill me in now? What the hell is this shit we’re watching?” Demands Lila, weirded out by how the three of you are acting towards this random footage.
Standing up and walking closer to the screen, you, Diego, and Five look on in stunned shock, spotting him. “What the fuck?” You say perplexed.
“No, that’s impossible.” 
“Clearly, it’s not.” Mutters Five.
From behind you three, you hear the muffled voice of Elliot. “What...what is it?”
“Dad” Diego and Five whisper dumbfounded. You only look on in deep thought. How could he have been there, and what the hell was old Reggie doing there in the first place?
——
“Of course Dad would be involved in the assassination. I should have know.”
“No, you’re jumping to conclusions.” Replies Five, while pacing back and forth.
“It’s a bit of a stretch, Diego.” You tell him shrugging.
“What else is he doing standing on the grassy knoll, holding an open umbrella on a sunny day in Dallas the exact same moment the president gets shot?!” Diego yells back at the two of you.
“It doesn’t look good, I admit.” Replies Five.
“No, he’s the signalman for the whole goddamn thing.” He says convincing himself.
“Easy Diego. Seriously.”
“No, it makes sense. This is what Hazel was obviously trying to tell you.” Diego says looking intently at Five. “We have to stop Dad from killing the president.”
“Diego, calm down, all right. Dad was no Boy Scout, but presidential assassination? It’s never been his thing.” Five argues, and you’d have to agree, Diego’s truly jumping ahead of himself.
“How would you know? You skipped out on his golden years.” Diego snaps back.
“Skipped out?” Five scoffed stepping closer, “You think I had it easy, Diego? I was alone for 45 years.” Deciding he’d had enough of Diego’s dad and killing the president shit, Five growls back at Diego. “You know what? We don’t have time for this right now. Dads clearly in Dallas, right? Let’s just go talk to him. Maybe he can help fix the timeline.” He ends with, walking around the room.
“Dallas is a big place. We need to find him first.” Diego replies bluntly.
“Gee, if only we had some magical, old times way of finding people and their addresses.” Five sasses back while putting his hands on his small hips.
“Alright smart-ass, I’ll find the phone book.” You quip, getting up off the counter and walking towards Elliot’s office. Finding the thing laying under a couple of papers and a stapler, you grab it and set it down on the nearby desktop.
“Let’s start simple. His name.” Five says as Diego reads off the names in the H section. “Shit, nothing here.”
“Try his company, what was it Five?” You ask while standing behind them.
“D.S. Umbrella Manufacturing Co.” Five says without missing a beat.
“Yeah, I know the name. Thanks.” Diego replies sarcastically. Continuing his search by flipping through the pages. “Uh....Holy shit. D.S. Umbrella.” He looks at Five surprised, “Eighty-two Olive. Let’s go.” He says, shutting the phone book.
Pulling up the white film screen and walking through the doorway Diego turns to Five. “He okay to leave here like that?” Referring to Elliot who was still tied to the dentist chair.
“Yeah, he’s fine. What about the girl?”
“She’s chilling in the dark room getting some air. So where are we going?” You remark casually.
“The hell is she doing in there, or you?” Diego wonders.
“We were having some quality girl time, nothing you’d be interested in, I promise.” You say winking at him.
———
Pulling up to the building of the hour, you all get out, shutting the doors and walking up to the glass doors. All collectively feeling a bit uneasy about meeting Sir Reginald Hargreeves, that is if he decides to make an appearance or not.
“How long’s it been since you’ve seen the old man?” You ask Five, who looks like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Forty-Five years.”
“That’s a trip.”
“No kidding.” Five sighs, leaning against the brick wall as Diego makes an attempt to lock pick the doors. “You know, when I was stuck out there in the apocalypse, there wasn’t a day that went by where I didn’t hear his voice in my head.”
“What was he saying?” Asked Diego, still fiddling with the lock.
“I told you so.” 
“Well, if Dad’s here, he’s never met you before, so he can’t say, I told you so.” Diego says trying to boost Five’s dampened mood.
“I’m sure he’ll find a way.” Five says while looking back around at the grassy yard. Catching your eye, you nod to him to help Diego out. A flash later and he’s on the other side of the door, unlocking it with ease and letting you two inside. “Right. Gotta remember that” Diego says, clearing his throat, standing up and walking through the now unlocked glass doors. You following right behind him, as Five holds the door open.
Walking fully inside the office building, Five goes to turn on a lamp only for it to flicker off again within seconds of being turned on. “Shit. Guess Dad wasn’t much for home decor.” Says Diego eyeing up the place.
You look around the room yourself, fully taking in your surroundings, as your eyes immediately begin adjusting in the dark room, you’re now able to see everything clearly. Observing the lack of care and vacancy in the area you nod to Five. “This feels more like a front, some kind of decoy maybe?”
“A front for what?” Diego asks, confused.
“Beats me” Replies Five still uneasy about being in here.
“Well, me and Y/N will take the left. Yell if you, uh....get in trouble. Y/N will hear you.” Remarks Diego, swinging the door open.
“Don’t get shot, remember your safety training.” You smirk at Five jokingly, as you walk through the open door that Diego is holding open for you.
“How could I forget.” Fives replies back, slightly amused at your ability to seem calm in a place like this.
Walking down the hallway, Diego opens a door leading into someone’s office. The air smells old and stale to you, clearly no ones actually been in here in quite a while. Diego blows off dust laying lightly on top of a file, who just leaves a random file lying around for anyone to snatch? He starts to flip through it, concentrated on finding a scrap of evidence. When your ears prick up at the sound of light footsteps that apparently Diego can’t hear yet. Then a door opens and the footsteps sound like they’re retreating out the doorway. Diego abruptly looks up at you for reassurance, wanting to know for sure you heard what he just heard too. You nod at him, making your way towards the door to find this mystery person. Diego walks towards the door hot on your heels, catching up and moving past you swiftly. Determined to catch sight of the cryptic individual himself.
Opening the doors, you catch a glimpse of the mystery man briskly walking into the thick foggy night air and out of sight.
“I’ll go after him, you circle around and hopefully catch him off guard if he decides to run.” Telling you the plans, Diego turns ready to catch up with the guy, giving you a flash of a nervous smile before he goes. And then he’s gone, into the fog and out of sight. Yeah fuck that, it’s dark out and this guy could be legitimately dangerous for all you know, idiot. Following behind Diego from a distance were he wouldn’t be able to notice you. Not that it’d be hard anyways, considering you’re kinda a master of stealth yourself.
You climb up into the rafters of this weird barn type building, you hear the faintest sounds of Five yelling for you two from within the office building. As you’re about to jump down to help, you spot Diego walking when another figure drops out of the shadows kicking him in the ribs. Great. Deciding you’d like to sit back and watch for a bit, you climb closer for a better view. Diego then throws a knife and the stranger ducks, completely missing him. “Damn, I bet he’d be fantastic at laser tag.” You mumble letting your intrusive thoughts work their way out subconsciously.
Watching Diego twirl around and make some compelling hits gives you time to get closer and bring yourself nearer to the ground. Incase you needed to lend a hand or two if things got messy. As you finally drop yourself onto the damp floor, you look up to see Diego apparently losing the fight a bit. Getting flipped onto his knees for a second before he runs forward pulling out some type of metal stick from a bunch of wooden crates. Where he then proceeds to backflip off said crates and stick the landing with ease. Show off. He starts swinging it around, advancing on the stranger who’s doing a decent job at holding his own ground.
That is, until the guy looses his dark face-covering, only to reveal, holy shit, the one and only asshole himself, Sir Reginald Hargreeves. Diego must have been just as shocked too, because the next moment you hear a soft “dad” from Diego’s lips. And then Reginald lunges, you see a flash of gold and hide a muffled scream as a small knife plunges into Diego’s side. You hear “amateur” before he turns around and casually walks out of the barn without a single fuck to give.
Gasping you ignore the need to question Sir Reginald, racing over to Diego who’s lying on the floor wide eyed in bewilderment as to what just unfolded a couple seconds ago.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, Diego what the fuck!?” You say panicked, ripping your thin jacket off and covering his stab wound with it.
Moaning in pain he looks at you. “I should have let you take him.” He whispers tiredly.
“Shut up I know, FIVE get the fuck over here!” You scream in a desperate panic.
Teleporting to you, he looks down surprised. “Jesus Diego I leave you alone for 5 minutes and this is what happens.” He says bluntly while shaking his head.
“Just go get the car.” You growl at him, while pressing the fabric into Diego's side to help stop the bleeding.
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huearmy · 4 years
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Life is Beautiful - I
Summary: You are a glass half full person, your life motto is "Life is too short to... Insert something and anything here". During your whole life you wanted something more, and even not knowing what it is, you put yourself to find out and get it, experiencing everything  brilliant that the world offers - within the measure of what is safe, of course. The curious thing is that your way of living ended up rousing  the interest of two vampires. One who sees beauty in everything and  loves to exist, currently working with suicide prevention; and another one who no longer sees grace in things, in that boring immortality that never ends, and only complains about the Netflix catalog all the time.
Pairing: Jimin x reader / Taehyung x reader.
Genre: fluff, angst, future smut (very soft, ok?)...
Words:  7509.
Rating: +18
Warnings: As much as my writing is soft and light, and as these are not the main topic of the story, treated in a non-descriptive way, there are sensitive themes from the beginning of the first chapter to the end of the fic that can trigger sensitive people, like depression, suicide, addictions in general - Jimin literally works at a suicide prevention center here. SO PLEASE! Read responsibly, my intention when dealing with topics like this is always 1) dealing with them in myself, as a way of putting out part of my own healing process 2) generating identification in other people, so they can go through the difficult time a little less alone. THIS IS A STORY THAT SEES THE WORLD WITH POSITIVITY.
Chapter II Chapter III .
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After some centuries of not living, all vampires go through a kind of midlife crisis in which everything loses its grace and eternity becomes endless boredom. Nothing new happens, humans are born, sometimes they are relevant to world history, they become vampire food or they die dull. Vampires do not need to sleep or use the bathroom, nor to feed more than once a month, so the days are long, and often lonely, which leads many of them to stand still without moving, looking at nothing until their thirst quits, forcing them to go after a pulsating neck. Many go through this phase as serial killers, with killing as their only source of pleasure, others prefer to hibernate in some dark place or tomb, because false death is more interesting than false life. Some never get past the phase.
Jimin is not like that. With almost a thousand years of existence he is totally in love with life. Every day when the sun rises and the sunlight forces him to stay indoors so as not to burst into flames, he spends his hours with a smile on his face, engaging in small banal hobbies, such as gardening or online courses at distance - after almost a decade of doing this, Jimin already has fifty-two certificates in different areas, and he is pretty pride of it. When night comes and he can go out and see the world it’s even more interesting, because humans ’nightlife isn’t as hectic as daytime, so those who live in those dark hours are different. There are those who do wrong things and commit crimes, those who have double lives or who keep secrets, there are people working to protect and save, like doctors and police, there are night guards and twenty-four hours convenience store attendants, groups of friends who spend the night partying until dawn, and those who feel lonely in their empty apartments unable to sleep... And this is the part that he likes the most: people.
He likes to meet random people in the empty metro, buy a drink for a girl who doesn't take her eyes off him and then dance with her, strike up a conversation with a homeless man under a marquee because he knows the guy must be lonely. Watching and learning about other lives keeps him alive, more than the blood he needs to drink.
He likes to get temporary jobs to have some human experience. He has worked in pizzerias, both in the kitchen - he was not very good, so he was put in the dishwasher - both in deliveries, and at a gas station, as a hotel receptionist... But now it looks like he found a job he wants to stay in, so much that it has been a year and he has not yet resigned. Perhaps Jimin has found his calling.
"It's okay... You are not alone, I'm here and I'll stay until you feel good again." He said with his sweet, angelical voice. "Can you get away from the sharp objects? Please?"
The voice on the other end of the line sounded like just a choked whisper, before the answer came, fast, heavy breathing filled the air.
"No... I can't..." The female sobbed.
"Can you tell me why?" Jimin's voice was calm. "I... my legs are numb... I can't... stand up." Her breathing was erratic and desperate.
"Are you hurt? Do you need an ambulance to be sent to you?" He used his most reassuring voice possible.
"No!" She started to cry even harder. "I don't want no one... to see me... like this." Jimin bite the inside of his cheek, thinking, maybe she just wasn't able to get up  because of the anxiety attack, but she also didn't say she wasn't hurt.
Regardless of the case, he needed to make the girl trust him in order to help her.
"What is your name?" He smiled, hopping she would listen to it in his voice. "... Ana" She whispered. "Nice to meet you, Ana. Do you remember my name? I told you at the beginning of the call."
One moment of silence.
"Jimin." She said with little certainty.
"Exactly, good job. Hi, Ana." "Hi, Jimin." Despite the crying voice, she was no longer sobbing.
"Ana, can you recall the last thing you did that made you feel safe? Secure?" A sigh reached Jimin's ears. As he waited for an answer his hands moved over a sheet of paper, he was drawing a beautiful face of a girl with crayons, without paying much attention, but getting a beautiful result.
"No." She said at last.
"I know you can, Ana. No need to rush. Breath." She thought some more, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Almost a full minute passed, the two of them silent on the call. Jimin did not press for an answer.
"I was watching Friends... with my cat." "Your cat?" Jimin smiled more spontaneously now, noticing in her voice an oscillation of affection when saying the word cat. "Talk more about your cat."
"His name is Sushi, he's fat, full of himself, and loving. He likes children, food and sleeping. I recently bought him a cute collar, it looks like a pink bow tie." She almost laughed.
"Wow...He is a lucky cat." Suddenly she started to cry again, sobbing so hard that Jimin hardly understood what she was saying.
"He ran away and hasn't come back yet... He's never been away from home  so long... He's all I have, there's no one else... I don't want to live... alone." "Is it just you and Sushi?" Jimin spoke more forcefully for her to hear over the sobs.
"Yes." She choked. "I can't get up... It hurts so much. I'm so-sorry..."
"Ana, do you need an ambulance to be sent to you?" He tried again. Silence.
"Yes." "So I will stay with you until they come to help you. You are not alone."
Jimin was a vampire in love with live, eager to live each day as if it were the most precious gift, so working in the Center of Valuing Life and Preventing Suicide was perfect. He considers himself an expert in convincing anyone that life is beautiful when he has the opportunity to say everything he thinks about. And not letting people feel alone is one of his favorite hobbies.
After all, eternity can be quite lonely, he knows how it is.
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That call is over. Jimin was searching for missing cat posts on social media. In the silent office room it was just him and three other people working, each at their separated personal table. Perhaps due to the nature of the work, or due to the late hours of the night, nobody spoke loudly or made a lot of noise when doing things, even when talking to each other, everything is always very restrained, calm.
Jimin's eyes followed the clock hands on the wall above the door. It was almost one in the morning, actually, to be exact, twelve minutes to go, so in two minutes, you would punctually enter that door with your heavy backpack full of books, of someone who just left college on the other side of the city, and after stopping at a twenty-four hours fast food to get a well-deserved burger spent an hour on a subway trip. He could already hear your footsteps down the hall, the characteristic sound of the rubber on the soles of your boots and your bunch of keys stuck in the handle of your backpack tinkling. He heard you putting your stuff in your closet and hanging your coat on the rack in the next room, and a smile formed on Jimin's face. When the hand on the clock struck ten to one and you opened the door trying not to make any noise so as not to disturb anyone's call, Jimin pretended not to notice you entering, not taking his eyes off the computer screen full of images of cute cats. You straightened up and held firmly the pair of coffee cups in your hands till the knots turned white, looking straight at him - in fact, from the moment you walked through the door you were already expecting to see Jimin sitting at his table, as always, and since then you haven't looked away. Walking in light steps - that he could hear by the way - to him who had his back to you, you tried to control the butterflies in your stomach, happy he wasn't in a call right now.
"Jimin?" You called softly, close to his ear, but not that close. Yet. Jimin contained a smile and turned around as if you had taken him by surprise. "Hey, Y/N, didn't see you there". As usual, his direct look made your heart race and you gave a nervous laugh before getting along with his flirty tone. "I bought you coffee." You handed him one of the cups. "To take the night shift a little better."
"Thanks, sweetheart."
You are the other reason Jimin didn't quit this job yet. A few weeks ago, when he was working long enough to decide to leave and go for the next adventure, you started working at the night shift, and right away you caught Jimin's attention, even though at first you didn't talk with him that much - in fact you only talked to the women on the team, and avoided the men. More than once he found himself paying attention to your emergency calls, how you talk, being positive without being suffocating for those in pain ... how you love life. After a while you started doing the same thing, a little less easily, since you don't have a vampire audition, but it was enough for you to acquire a platonic crush on Jimin, which resulted in you opening up, and you two start talking here and there. Now almost whenever you have time or money left over - college life is poor life - you bring him coffee. Jimin doesn't actually drink coffee at all, and he doesn't feel sleepy either, but he thinks it's cute that you worry for him. You see each other three to four times a week, depending on the schedule of work, and he is always eager to see you. Flirting is exciting, and he hasn't done that in a while... Like two centuries, and how it was done back there was quite different. Other times indeed.
"Did you lose your cat?" You asked, confused.
"Oh, no, I didn't." He closed the page with the photo of a white and gray cat wearing a pink bow tie.. "One friend of mine lost her cat, Sushi." "Poor thing. I hope she finds Sushi soon..." You slightly pouted.
"Me too. I'll help her." Jimin said, and the butterflies in your stomach thought it was beautiful.
Something on his desk caught your attention, a colorful draw of said cat made with crayon. Before Jimin could stop you - he was distracted by hearing your heart beat faster because of him - you picked up the stack of papers to get a closer look.
"And you drew him! How beautiful... I didn't know you were so talented." "Thank you. My friend who taught me, he is much better than me..." Jimin simply answered.
You moved on to the next sheet, where another sketch of the cat in different colors made your eyes shine. "So he must be awesome. Look at this!" Jimin was happy to be praised by you, the pink of your cheeks when speaking was a beautiful sign for him, but then he remembered what was the next drawing in your hands, and before you could see it, he cleared his throat and took them back, keeping them in the drawer. It was a drawing of a girl's pretty face. Your face. "They are not quite ready yet..." He pretended modesty.
"Oh, sorry. If you need help, just tell me. I can hang up posters or something. About finding the lost cat, I mean." You volunteered, and then looked around. "I better get to work before someone scolds me."
You went to your desk, across his, and your eyes met a few more times before as you sat down and turned on your computer. Jimin's phone rang and he forced himself to look away from your face, someone else needed him now. "Good night, my name is Jimin and you called the Life Valuation Center. Can I help?" He spoke, his voice welcome and full of affection. ________________________________________________________________
Jimin's shift ends before yours, just before three in the morning he puts things away and leaves the table ready for the person who will use the next shift, but he won't leave, even if everyone thinks so. Instead he goes to the roof to look at the stars and wait for you to leave - not that you know he is waiting for you. He was listening to a random playlist on spotify, stretching his body to the beat just because it feels good, thinking about nothing specific, just existing and feeling good about it.
The night breeze brought his scent to him, looking down from the parapet, he could see you leaving the building, with your scarf well wrapped around your neck, covering half of your face to protect you from the cold air. He doesn't understand you... It's beautiful that you want to help people who are going through a difficult time, and you've commented before that the night shift matches your other schedules, and that you like to stay up at night. However, he thinks you should consider it's not worth it. It's so late and empty when you go home, it's dangerous for a human woman, and as much as he knows that you have a pocketknife in your pocket, Jimin thinks it's silly of you. Usually he wouldn't think much about it, but it's you, and he is fond of you, he can't just do nothing about it. So even if you don't know it, he accompanies you home every night to make sure you are safe. He is only satisfied and goes home when he hears you enter your room. Sometimes he stays a little longer, sitting on the emergency stairs outside your building, listening to you walking up and down in your room, doing whatever, instead of going to sleep soon.
That's kind of creepy. He knows. But he is a vampire, he is already creepy in essence. But of course he would never watch you sleep, for exemple, this is a stalker limit that he does not intend to cross.
"Okay." He sighed as he heard you getting into bed. "I have one hour and a half before the sun rises... Let's find that cat." __________________________________________
You were awake for a couple of hours already, currently packing your books at the end of a lecture, really needing sugar to feel prepared before the last class of the day, and excited that instead of going to the study group you are a part of, you will take an experimental dance class and it's your day off, which means that instead of staying up until dawn working, you can stay up until dawn studying, and maybe sleep a little earlier. Life is too short to not take all the free trial classes available just because your schedule is already full and totally demanding. Anyways you are dead tired, wishing your body doesn't need to sleep... Since you started to work on the Life Valuation Center all your sleeping schedule went down the drain. At first your plan was to work the night shift only at the beginning, and then change your hours, but for some reason you always liked to stay up all night, also the movement of calls in this period is bigger and more specific, which helps in your internship report, and of course, in the day shift there is no Jimin... You've settled in, and now after months of this crazy, fickle routine, your body is feeling the side effects.
"Three of this rainbow donuts please." You asked at the college cafe. One because you want, two because one is not enough, three because you are greedy. Life is too short not to overeat your current favorite sugar source. You sigh to yourself, taking a seat along your friends. Your mantra for life is life is too short to...insert anything here, experimenting and doing things that you never imagined before and that your mother probably wouldn't approve a hundred percent is what moves you. Basically nothing scares you, since childhood you were courageous and fearless. You subject yourself to almost anything, within the measures of what is safe, to have good stories to tell. The world is too big to be content with just having good grades to graduate and have a good job. What you want is much more... so much more that you don't even know what... But it’s not just because you don’t know yet that you’ll stand still without going after it to find out.
"Hey, Y/N, what are you gonna do on the weekend?" Your friend, Becca, asked comfortably within her girlfriend's embrace. As usual, whenever you see the two of them together being all lovey dovey, you feel a twinge of pride in your heart, because you were responsible for them to start dating in the first place. Although your romantic life is not very interesting, without serious or successful relationships, you are a great cupid.
"For the very first time in months... I don't know. I didn't plan anything, maybe something will show up, if not I'm just going to sleep. Why?" You smiled your happy smile of eating what you like.
"Pool party. You need to get a tan, you look like a vampire with that pale, tired face of yours."
You laughed because it's true, since you started changing the day for the night, your skin has acquired a not healthy tone that you are not used to. You've been missing the sun a little.
"First of all, I'm too cute to be a vampire. Second, yeah I'll think about it, I have a new bikini I haven't worn yet that makes my breasts look stunning." One of your friends that was sitting by your side put his arm over your shoulder. "I changed my mind, I'm going to this party." He loudly said. The girls in the group didn't laugh at all. "Shut up, Mike." You playfully pushed him. ________________________________________________________________
This was the second night that Jimin was looking for the cat, Sushi. It was not difficult to find out the address of it’s owner, since he had to activate an ambulance for her, and with that he started looking for the animal in her neighborhood. Passing through the empty streets at night after his work shift, he could see the girl's tracks leaving "missing" posters with a picture of a kitten wearing a pink bow tie, on lampposts and bus stops. At first Jimin thought it was going to be easy, with his keen vampire senses, but all he found were stray cats that weren't Sushi. The second night of searching was already ending, the sun was rising, threatening to make him explode into ashes if he didn't come home soon, and no clue as to where to look the next night he had.
Before getting into the car and driving home, Jimin took one last look at the slightly open curtains in the girl's room, Ana, just to make sure she was okay. She had been discharged from the hospital that afternoon and was now sleeping on the couch, probably medicated. Jimin didn't want to leave her alone, but he couldn't just walk into her apartment and offer help, for now all he could do was find a way to find the cat. ________________________________________________________________ Jimin lives in an old pretty house in the wealthiest part of the city, it isn't a mansion, but it is big and expensive enough to impress anyone who sees it, privileges of centuries of saved money. It's a cliché, but vampires dress in designer clothes, ride luxury cars and live in expensive mansions, houses, apartments, and Jimin is no exception.
From one of the main rooms, behind a heavy curtain, hidden in the gloom, was another vampire, watching the street with intent, expressionless eyes. When Jimin's car turned the corner and up the wide street lined with huge trees, the vampire got uneasy, his beautiful restless hands worrying the hem of his sleeves. He was anxious and angry, if his heart was still beating it would be racing. The garage door opened and the car entered, disappearing from view, in the next second the vampire was no longer in the room but in front of the door leading to the garage, waiting in the empty, dark hall. The knob turned the door slightly opened, Jimin with his head down did not seem to notice the presence of the other before being attacked.
"AH!" Jimin screamed as long arms embraced his neck. If it wasn't for the wall behind him he would have fallen, yet he had no escape, with a body much larger than his overpowering him. "Taehyungie!"
"You are late! Is the second day in a row you get home after sunrise! Are you trying to die?" Taehyung said, and didn't let Jimin go just yet. "It's okay. I was careful, I just had to do a few things before I came home. Look, there's not even smoke coming out of me." Jimin ran his hands over Tae's back, making him relax. The other stepped back a little, taking his face in his big hands.
"You could have sent a message. I asked you to let me know if you were going to be late again, Jiminie..." Tae pouted, still distressed. "And why do your clothes smell like garbage? Take it off."
Even feeling deprived of affection, Taehyung walked away looking disgusted, covering his nose with two fingers. Jimin obeyed, taking off his sneakers, jacket and jeans, following Taehyung through the corridor to the laundry room, where he put everything in a basket to wash later, and also exchanged the shirt for a clean one too. "I went into some alleys today, looking for a cat. That's why." Jimin explained, feeling much more comfortable in not smelling bad.
"And where's it? I don't think Tannie will like to share the house with a cat..." "Where is what?" Jimin was confused. Tae crossed his arms.
"The cat?"
"Oh no!" Jimin laughed, reaching for Tae to take him by the shoulders. "I wasn't looking for a cat to bring home, as much as I would love one as a pet... It's the cat of a girl I met, and is very sad to have lost it..."
"I got it..." Taehyung mumbled.
Jimin was just helping someone. Again. And Taehyung couldn't say exactly why it bothers him so much every time, but it does, he feels distressed, almost as if the world around him collapsed, and it makes him think he's being overdramatic. Live an eternity when you can't even put your feelings out in moments of frustration. Damn, it is conflicting... If vampires could cry, he would. But never that he would let Jimin discover that he feels that way.
It was Jimin's turn to take Tae's face in his little hands.
"You are so skinny. When was the last time you fed?" Taehyung didn't answer.
"You don't even remember, right?" Jimin's eyes went worried. "Did you see that I brought some O- packs for you? I left it in the fridge."
"No, I didn't." A shy smile spread across Tae's face. O- is his favorite blood type, but because it is a not so common type, and humans need transplantation, it's not always that Jimin brings it to him, usually opting for his second favorite flavor or other one available.
Jimin has been trying to cheer his friend up with little treats. It has been a difficult phase, in which he thinks Tae is going through the vampiric midlife crisis. He hasn't been out of the house for almost two decades and does nothing without a little external motivation, even the simplest things like eating. So Jimin tries to bring the best blood types to fill the fridge, signed all available streaming platforms, updates Taehyung's video game consoles as soon as a new model comes out, tries to get him interested in new hobbies - which never works but he doesn't give up - and he even adopted a puppy so that Tae would never be alone.
"Come." Jimin pulled him by the hand to their modern practically untouched kitchen, opened the fridge and picked two packs of blood, the dark liquid shining at the cold light. “In my room or yours?"
"Yours."
The two of them got to Jimin's room, followed by the sound of four paws scraping the polished wooden floor, Yeontan chasing them closely. Jimin pulled the covers off the clean bed, on which he rarely lies down, so they could get more comfortable. Tae laid on his back, against the pile of smooth pillows, carefully opening a packet of blood to not spill a single drop, and put a stainless steel straw in the opening. Jimin turned on the TV, put the dog in the bed, and cuddled Tae's side, with his head on his chest.
"What show have you been watching?" Jimin asked.
"None. I've been looking for something interesting in this shit for days and I can't find anything." Tae took a sip of his blood with a pout.
Jimin chuckled. "I'm choosing then."
A moment of silence followed, in which the only sound was of Tae drinking the rest of his first pack, and then opening another one.
"I think I need to shower..." Jimin commented.
Taehyung's arm that was around Jimin tightened. "Not now. Later." Jimin laughed, thinking it was cute. An idea crossed his mind, another small treat.
"Do you want to bath with me instead?" He looked up to Tae.
Tae hold tightened even more.
"Not now. Later. Now we cuddle."
As if agreeing, Yeontan climbed over the two vampires, finding a comfortable place to lie down and join the cuddle pile.
"Ok."
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Tonight you didn't have time to talk to Jimin when you arrived at work, he was on a call, and it seemed really serious. You didn't have the money to buy extra coffee even for yourself, so you hadn't an excuse to pass quietly by his desk to leave a post-it written "Hi :)". In those circumstances, you went straight to your desk to work, to do your best to be a good listener.
To your surprise, making your heart melt and your breath hold at the bottom of the throat, you saw at the top of your computer screen a post-it with a "Hi, sweetheart." written on it, and another one with a "Look in the fridge.". After working with him for that time, regularly doing some paperwork like filling out documentation and such things, you could say for sure that this was Jimin's handwriting, besides, only he calls you sweetheart.
You checked the clock on the wall with an eager look and a silly smile. As you always arrive ten minutes early, there was time to go to the break room quickly, and look inside the fridge before starting to work. And so you did. The break room was nothing more than a small table with a few chairs, a small couch, a sink, an old coffee machine, a microwave and the refrigerator, all in a tight space lit by white lights that leave the place a little impersonal. None of your co-workers were there, as usual. You crossed the small room to the fridge and opened it trying not to make a noise, more out of habit than necessity.
The interior was very empty, with some forgotten lunchboxes, but that didn't interest you. Your goal was right in the middle. A big cup of iced coffee, from a franchise that you don't usually buy from because you find it a little too expensive for your student budget, with your name written on a post-it on top of it.
"Y/N, I wanted to be me treating you today. Hope you like it."
That coffee was as cold as Jimin's fingertips when touching yours, but it warmed your heart. Sometimes you question yourself if it's healthy how head over heels you are for this guy, for so little.
Back at your desk, now with your iced coffee, you wrote a post-it and pasted it on the back of your computer screen, where Jimin could see it. "Thanks :)" Then you started to work. Other people needed you now. ________________________________________________________________ On your fifteen minutes break time, you were leaving the restroom, passing a moisturizing hand cream - because you swear that the soap in this place dries out your skin, and god forbid you from harsh hands -, the sound of the break room's door opening made you lift your eyes from the floor. It was Jimin. He don't take breaks, it's not like he needs it, he doesn't get tired, but he didn't get the chance to talk to you today yet, so as soon he saw you stretching in your chair, indicating that you would soon get up to go to the bathroom - yes, he learned your routine and mannerisms - he discreetly left the room to meet you by coincidence in the hall afterwards.
"Hi, Y/N. Did you like the coffee?" He charmly smiled at you, he was eager to ask it to you, to find out if he made the right choice of flavor, or if he made a bad mistake and you hated it - he couldn't help thinking about that possibility. Anyway, he was looking forward to your approval.
The truth is that you were so stunned by his caring that it didn't matter what the flavor was.
"Actually, yes. I love vanilla flavored things. It's basic but it makes me happy." You fixed your hair, pulling it behind your ears. Jimin could tell by your smile and your heated face that you aren't lying.
"Nice. I wanted to make you happy." He approached you, more than is suitable for the work environment, and it made you nervous, and of course he noticed. But it was okay, if someone came close he would hear and walk away before they could see you, too bad he couldn't tell you that.
"Mission completed successfully." You said, without looking away from his eyes - no matter how much part of you shouted at you to do it, your heart felt like it was going to explode. Well, your heart has a limit, so you changed the subject. "Did your friend find her cat?" Sadness took over Jimin's eyes.
"Unfortunately not. I've been looking for him for two days and nothing, I swear I think I've looked in every street, alley and trash can. I don't want to think like that, but I think Sushi is no longer with us." He sighed, clearly frustrated. You had the impulse to rub his forearms to comfort him, it was the very first time you really touched him. "If he is a cat that wasn't accustomed to getting out, and didn't know how to walk on the street, it is possible that something bad happened... But! He's a cat, if he used to go out often, he might have some other house, other owners, and that's why he hasn't come back yet." You optimistically said.
A smile spread in Jimin's face.
"That makes sense! She told me something like 'He's never been away from home for so long', there's hope then. And you also gave me an idea. Thank you, Y/N." He pulled you into a hug, and you thought you could die.
"You welcome." You said against his chest, deciding not to waste the opportunity to return the hug. ________________________________________________________________ The day was perfect for a vampire walk in the daytime. Cloudy and rainy. No deadly sunbeams and an excuse to use an umbrella without calling attention to it. After the tip you gave, Jimin looked in the right place after accompanying you home that night, and in less than an hour he was outside the window of two children's rooms, in a ground floor apartment, looking inside, and sleeping between the feet of one of the children was the cat, he wasn't with his bow tie but there was no mistake, Jimin was sure. Even without being able to enter - vampiric rules, you only can get in somebody's house if invited, or else you explode as if you were under sunlight - Jimin could smell cat all over the house, and the windows all had anti-escape screens, which indicated that it was a family of cat people.
Jimin would need to come back to pick the cat during the day, knock on the front door and politely ask. That's why heavy weather is perfect. With a dark couture coat, covering all from his neck to the back of his hands, to his knees, a design hat and sunglasses, and last but nos least, a big umbrella, he approached the lower middle class apartment complex. Without hesitation he raised his hand and knocked. Some seconds passed by, sound of kids running inside and a voice of a famale scolding them muffled by the closed door, and then a little girl, maybe six-year-old, appeared in Jimin's field of vision, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. He was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen after all.
"Hello." Jimin smiled. "Are your parents home?"
She smiled at him, but shook her head negatively.
"Jo, who is it?" An older girl opened the door wider and faced Jimin with a frown that fell apart when she saw his smile. Great, a teenager, he thought. "What do you want?"
"Sorry to bother, I really wanted to talk to an adult, but..." Jimin lifted his phone, the screen showing Sushi's missed post. "I saw my friend's cat on your window."
The older girl narrowed her eyes as she looked at the photo, but before she could answer, the little girl she called Jo before ran away.
"No!" She screamed, disappearing inside the apartment, and then slamming a door somewhere.
"Sorry for that, please wait a minute." The teenager closed the door on his face, and he could hear her shouting and scolding the girl little inside. He was starting to lose his patience. Jimin doesn't like to be ignored at all. Should he knock again and use his mind control powers to get the cat? He was pondering the idea when the door opened again, the two girls were still loudly arguing inside, and this time it was a small boy who must be the middle sibling in front of him.
"Hi, grandma said to tell you to come in." He mumbled.
"So you are letting me get in your house?" Jimin asked with a satisfied grin.
"Yeah... follow me." The boy was avoiding eye contact, being shy. Jimin thought he was adorable.
Jimin followed the boy to a tiny living room, where an old woman was sitting in front of the TV. The girls were now silent, but clearly wanting to argue some more, and the small one was with Sushi in her arms. Jimin sighed, he likes children, a lot, even though he doesn't live with many, but he likes them even more when they're not having a tantrum.
"Hello. Please, take a seat." The old lady pointed to the old couch. The vampire obliged, and almost immediately a fat orange cat jumped into his lap. In this small room alone he could see three more of them. "So, why do you want to steal one of my babies?" Steal? Jimin was slightly offended, he already explained himself, but the chaotic situation created a misunderstanding. "I'm not here to steal nothing, ma'am." He showed his cellphone again. "One of your cats is Sushi, my friend's cat."
"That's not his name!" The little girl shouted tapping a foot on the floor in anger. Jimin just raised his eyebrows at her, making her swallow hard. But he is in control of the situation, so Jimin smiled to remain pleasant.
"Of course it is. Just watch, little one." He reached out to call the cat. "Come here, Sushi." Even though the cat didn't know Jimin to trust him - and these people don't need to know that - cats are creatures of the night, strongly attached to magic and protection in the dark hours, and in the hierarchy of the night they obeyed vampires. The only things that cats respect more than vampires are witches and their own owners whom they protect. As Jimin expected, Sushi jumped off the girl's tight hold and went over to him.
"Good boy. Ana is missing you like hell." Jimin scratched behind his ears. Before someone else could say anything, he proceeded. "When he got lost he was using a pink bow tie." The old lady was still with Jimin cellphone in her hand, and he could see she was convinced he know the cat, but wasn't intending on letting him leave with him yet.
"I'm seeing it in the post, but there was no tie when we got him." She replied. "You just didn't see it, ma'am." Jimin was tired of this conversation, it was being a lot less nice than he imagined on his way there. When he looked to the little girl to talk to her, his eyes were intense and powerful, and his voice was full of authority. "Go get the tie where you hid it, little one."
Mesmerized by Jimin's power, the girl didn't even blink or say anything as she obeyed, turned around and ran to one of the rooms. Jimin doesn't use hypnosis very often but he has fun every time. She got back with it and handed it to him.
"Thanks." He removed the effect and the little girl blinked a few times before understanding what happened.
The old lady was clearly angry with the girl, but it wasn't Jimin's business. "Well I think that's all. We are going now." Jimin got up from the couch.
"Wait!" The teenager snapped. "Jo lied about the bow to keep the cat, and that's bad, but she already loves him! You can't just take him away!"
Jimin was almost on the door.
"Of course I can. Besides, it's not because what she did is bad, young lady. It's because my friend loves him, actually this cat is Ana's family. No one should live alone, right?"
"Right!" The old lady got up too. "I'll get you to the door, tell our friend we are sorry."
"I will. Thank you." ________________________________________________________________
"You found the cat!" Tae sniffed the back of Jimin's neck. "Where is it?"
Jimin was putting the clothes he was using to wash, to remove the smell of cat and the places he passed by. And to get comfortable, as is his habit when he gets home, he just stayed in his underwear and t-shirt.
"I already gave him back to his owner." In the next second Jimin was dropping himself on the leather couch.
"And how was it? Did she thank you with tears in her eyes?" Tae leaned over the back of the sofa with his chin in his hands.
Jimin chuckled, Taehyung's thirst for drama is funny, and he's always been like that. And at least that doesn't seem to have changed...
"Well... She cried a lot when she found him in the window. She looked really happy!" Jimin sang. He was really happy too. He helped someone to find their smile again, even if it is a little bit, it made him really proud of himself, a warm feeling in his chest telling him it was the right thing to do, and that he should do it again if he gets the opportunity. Taehyung's expression changed, suddenly he was disinterested.
"You didn't even talk to her? Just left the cat there for her to find?"
"Well, yeah." Jimin threw his hair back. "I couldn't risk she recognizing my voice and thinking I was stalking her. Scaring her was not the goal, Tae, quite the contrary..."
Taehyung stared at him in silence for what felt a whole minute - maybe it really was, vampires perceive time differently. "You are not a secret superhero, Jimin. You are a vampire." Said that he got back to his room.
Jimin doesn't understand. These outbursts and mood swings leave him confused. And it's not like he hasn't already tried to talk. This... This he doesn't recognize in Taehyung. It hurt his feelings and at same time he feels it is partially his faut. "I can be both if I want to!" He exclaimed.
No answer. To find somebody who would be happy for him and understand the euphoria he felt for saving a little bit that girl he went through his contact list. A lot of vampire names - a lot is maybe an exaggeration, since he doesn't have many friends at all - who wouldn't be rude, but wouldn't understand, and also some former human colleagues from past jobs with whom he hasn't spoken in a long time and maybe should erase the number... And you. Of course you are the obvious choice. You had sympathy for the case from the beginning, even offered to help. And if it weren't for you he wouldn't have succeeded...
Jimin: hey sweetheart Jimin: I found sushi! Jimin: thanks to you btw He sent the messages, hoping it wouldn't be strange. It wasn't the first time you two texted before, but it was just an exchange of memes and silly flirt... without compromise talk. And what he wanted this time was different. You took too long to answer, and he wondered if you were in class and if he was bothering you. He wanted everything but to mess it up with you right now. Maybe he should've checked your class schedule for the week to make sure he texted you when he was sure you were free. But he was so eager to talk to someone... with you. He gave up waiting and went after doing something productive. Crochet dolls. He was doing a mini Taehyung, with red eyes and little cute fangs - an apology for later, neither of them like fighting with each other, even if you can't call that earlier thing a fight- when his cell phone started to crazily vibrate and beep.
You: OMG! You: thts amazing! You: sorry i didn't aswr before You: I was taking a nap hehe You: anyways You: i'm so happy u found him You: [image.jpg] You: ur friend must be even happier :) You: what do u mean thanx to me? You: sorry i spammed u :( Jimin can't handle you. You are too cute. You literally sent him a photo of you with an enormous smile, cheering, to show him your reaction. And you were with your hair all messed and the puffy face of someone who just woke up. Precious. Jimin: no problem, sweetheart Jimin: you said to look in other owners' houses. basically. I found him with a old cat lady with three grandchildren   Jimin: you are looking cute btw You: OwO You: i'm looking like shit Jimin You: BUT thats awesome You: if it was me id be crying til my eyes fall You weren't even there with him, in person, and you were putting a smile on his face. How dare you say you look like shit when you have those perfect cute cheeks? So alive...
Jimin: EXACTLY. that's why I wanted to find him so much. Jimin: and because you helped me, I want to reward you Jimin: i know you don't work today. me neither. do you want to go out for coffee in a nice place? You took too long to answer again, and that's because your heart is exploding and knees trembling while you stare at your cell phone screen, standing midway in your kitchen. You: u dont need to. i did nothing. This time Jimin took too long to answer. He was making a decision. To be more straightforward. More honest. Until now he was dictating a slow pace for your flirting, because for him romance is like that. But what if he tries to speed things up a bit? Or if he lets you command? How would things be?
Jimin: Y/N, respect my excuse to ask you out.
He knew what your answer would be. Even so, he felt anxious, hearing a non-existent heartbeat in his ear, while the three dots indicated that you were typing.
You: ok. what time do you come to pick me?
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how to never stop being sad
Summary: Following his brother's acceptance, Roman's life felt like it was falling apart. His family was turning against him, that awful snake was being allowed in their home, and worst of all, he still couldn't seem to do anything right, no matter how hard he tried.
How does he choose to deal with it?
Not in a good way, that's for sure.
Warnings: Gore/Death/Violence (none actually occur but it is described), food mention, cursing
AO3 link
Chapter 1
Repeat to yourself that they’re not really gone
Time has proven
That fooling yourself into believing a lie
Is the most effective way
To deal with things you have no control over
Roman was fine. Completely 100% percent, absolutely fine, and he would tolerate no thinking to the contrary. Things were abnormal, sure, but he was coping. Maybe he felt a bit (a lot) guilty for letting things in the Mindscape get so bad, but it’s okay! He’s managing! Maybe he’s surrounded by people that barely tolerate him now, but he’ll fix it!
...eventually.
Right now, though, he’s in his room. Alone, as is usual these days. Usually, he’d ask Patton or Virgil to hang out with him, but after the last video, things were… Tense, to say the least. 
Patton wasn’t mad at him, of course; he wasn’t ever truly mad at any of them. However, Roman would have to be stupid not to notice the disappointed looks Patton gave him when he thought he wasn’t looking or the way that after Roman left the room, he always made a point to talk to Janus afterwards, as if he needed special attention just for enduring Roman’s presence.
Things were a little better with Virgil, but he was frustrated with Roman for tolerating Janus’ presence at all. Despite his obvious vitriol towards him, he still outright refused to talk about what exactly Janus had ever done to him. So Roman was forced to choose between Patton, his father figure who’d never meant to do him wrong (who had acted like Roman was unreasonable for sticking to the very moral rule set that Patton had imposed on him since they were children), or Virgil, who Roman had been wrong in not listening to before, & who was obviously extremely hurt and betrayed by both Janus, and now his own family.
He still hadn’t quite been able to choose, straddling the line between adhering to Patton’s kindness policy towards Janus and respecting Virgil’s feelings. It didn’t really work-- rather, it just seemed to leave them both dissatisfied. Roman could hardly stand it.
...but it’s fine. Really. It’ll blow over eventually. He isn’t quite sure how, exactly, but things always turn out alright in the end, right? There’s always a happy ending.
Except when there isn’t, but… bad endings only happen in Remus’ stories, & he doesn’t have power here in the Mindscape.
...except he sorta does, now. After his video, he’d (albeit reluctantly) been accepted. His ideas were considered, even valued, now. Sometimes, he was even chosen over Roman. Not only by Thomas, but also by the other sides, at times; Logan may think he’s slick, but Roman’s seen him specifically request his brother’s assistance in the Imagination, in the living room, in the archives, in his room- It made Roman sick to think about, and whenever he walked through the house, he could see evidence of his brother’s influence littered throughout. For the life of him, he couldn’t understand the appeal. When had society fallen so far as to value a duke more than a prince?
---
Roman hadn’t thought he’d been in his room for long; he’d only meant to duck in to get a breather after having to endure Remus’ maniacal ramblings for nearly half an hour, but it seemed he’d been brooding long enough to attract Logan’s concern. He heard a knock at his door and broke out of his haze, looking towards it.
“I apologize for bothering you Roman, but I was wanting to inquire whether you were alright. It’s been an hour,” Logan said. Had Roman really been away for that long? No wonder Logan was checking on him.
“Yeah, Specs- Sorry. I’ll be out in a minute, just finishing a project,” he lied. Logan was so cold, calm, rational- Surely he would look down on Roman’s groveling simply because he couldn't deal with his brother for more than a few minutes. As much as Roman was full of himself and proud of his work, he thought if Logan talked down to him, he’d break down and cry.
“We’re currently 'hanging out' in the common room. You’re welcome to join whenever you finish. I look forward to hearing about what you’ve been working on.” Roman could hear his footsteps slowly grow farther from the door.
Shit. Now Logan thought he’d been working on something, so now he had to do something-- he couldn't just show up empty-handed. They’d see through his lies in an instant. He’d be just as bad as Janus, imagine what Virgil would think--
He took a steadying breath. Okay, yeah, he’d lied, but that wasn’t so awful, he just had to make it right. He just had to make something, and that shouldn’t be so hard, right? That’s his job! He’ll just think of something real quick, and it’ll be done in a jiffy, and then it won’t be a lie anymore, and on top of that, he’ll have something to talk about! Talking parts were hard to come by sometimes when you had to find something that would include the two people you hate most, your former-enemy-turned-best-friend, your dad and your colleague (as he insisted to be called), but everyone was always eager to hear his new ideas, so this would be perfect.
---
It was nothing special, but it would do. He hadn’t had the time or energy to think of a concept for a whole scripted video, so instead, he’d written the next Shoutout Sunday. Simple, but it had to be done, and it was already Friday, anyways. He closed his notebook, and stood up, keeping it under his arm. He never knew when inspiration would strike, so he tried to carry it with him whenever possible. He opened his door and stepped out from his room, making his way down the hallway past the multicolored doors of the other sides, pointedly avoiding looking at Janus’ signature black and yellow-colored door. Out of sight, out of mind.
As he walked into the commons, the conversations faltered for a moment, but everyone quickly returned to what they were doing. Remus was noticeably absent; Patton and Virgil were curled up on the couch, sharing a blanket between them and speaking in excited whispers; and Logan and Janus were speaking across the counter separating the living room and the kitchen while Logan made dinner on the stove and Janus leaned with his hands crossed under his chin. 
Roman lingered by the stairs for a moment, caught off guard by the lack of greeting, but continued to the side of the couch not occupied by Patton and Virgil. He’d hoped to share his script with Logan, but he was busy at the moment, and he so rarely was this casual with the others; Roman figured it better to let him be for the time being. He pulled his notebook from under his arm and summoned a pencil from his desk. If he couldn’t share his idea, he might as well get started on the next.
He spent around five minutes doodling a new creature to introduce into the Imagination when Logan finally seemed to notice he was there.
“Ah, Roman! Apologies, I hadn’t noticed you were here. What was the idea you were working on?” he asked. He turned off the stove and fully turned to Roman, looking past Janus. Roman was almost ashamed to say he felt a certain degree of satisfaction that Logan had put aside his conversation with Janus in favor of speaking with him. Keyword being "almost."
“Well, it is a most illustrious, melodic creation--” Roman sunk down from the living room and rose into the kitchen, laid his now open notebook on the counter, and gestured towards it with a bow-- “Behold, the newest Shoutout Sunday!” He smiled and rose from his position, bouncing on his feet a bit as Logan rested his chin on his hand, looking thoughtful, and read it. Logan gave a slight, satisfied smile.
“So you’ve worked ahead of schedule, then. Wonderful! Good work, Roman."
“I know,” Roman replied, beaming, “I shall have a new idea by the morn-- perhaps I can even start the next video script!”
“So long as you do not burn yourself out, Roman. Otherwise, I look forward to your next contribution.” Logan closed Roman’s notebook, handed it back to him, and then opened a cabinet, gathering bowls for… Whatever healthy monstrosity was in the pot on the stove. Roman could only guess what it was. Some sort of soup, maybe? “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight, Roman?”
“I’m afraid there are simply too many ideas and too little time, I must return to my work!” Roman replied. Janus narrowed his eyes at him from across the counter.
“I wouldn’t be witnessing any self-neglect right now, would I, Roman?” his voice dripped, cool and patronizing. It carried a lilt of care, but it was clearly faked-- Patton would have scolded him if he’d been listening. Roman rolled his eyes.
“No, I am simply dedicated to my craft! Creations don’t come from thin air, do they?” he replied. Logan tilted his head, brows furrowed.
“...They do,” he said. He raised his palm, and atop it, a paper appeared. “As you can clearly see, I’ve just summoned this piece of paper- Now, it’s not on par with many of your creations, of course, but I’m sure you understand my point. Just last week, you summoned me a new Rubik’s Cube. Don’t you remember?”
Virgil snorted from across the room, and Roman sighed. “Yes, Specs, I- I remember. I meant that metaphorically.”
“That was not a metaphor. According to Oxford Languages Dictionary, a metaphor is 'a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.' Would you like an example?”
“Not now, Logan. I’ll be taking my leave-”
“Aw,” Patton interrupted, “why not stay? You’ve spent so much time up in your room- Now, I know sometimes we need our alone time, but spending some time with your famILY won’t kill ya!”
“Did someone say kill?” came Remus’ shrill, excited voice from by the lamp where he’d just appeared.
“Not that kind of kill!” Patton rushed, “there will be absolutely no killing on my watch, mister!” Remus put his hands on his hips and blew a raspberry at that, exaggeratedly pouting at him.
“You’re no fun,” he replied. “Nothing wrong with a little casual murder to pass the time! Everyone dies sometime, might as well make it exciting.” Patton grimaced as Virgil’s eyes went wide and he groaned.
“...Everyone dies sometime. We are going to die. Thomas is going to die. Death is inevitable,” Virgil mumbled shakily, though it was still quite loud once the tempest tongue kicked in. He put his hands in his hair, but before he could pull at it, Patton led his hands away.
“Now Remus, that may be true, but there’s no need to dwell on it, especially when you know it will upset Virgil,” Logan said with a strict tone.
“Oh oh, I wonder who’ll go first when Thomas dies? Think it’ll be all at once, or one by one? I vote Roman-”
“Won’t you just shut up?” Roman spoke up, voice raised. “You’re harming Virgil and you know it. Keep your ideas in your side of the Mindscape; We don’t want them here.” His fists balled up as he glared at his brother. Oh, what he’d give to be able to walk up to him, to punch him square in the jaw. He’d love to unsheathe his sword and bury it right in his fucking stomach, to watch the emotions flicker through his eyes as they slowly went glassy and he collapsed to his knees, the blade continuing up through his skin like it was paper, the blood leaking through his clothing and pooling around him on the floor-
Roman blinked hard, brows furrowed. No one had responded to him yet, because it had only been a moment. What kind of thought was that? Certainly not one becoming of a prince. Was Remus messing with him somehow? Roman knew he could project thoughts into Thomas and the others’ heads, but Roman had never experienced it himself-- Why would Remus give him an intrusive thought right now, especially one so gruesome as to include his own gory death by Roman’s hands? He didn’t look like he had done anything, but he had to have, right? Roman didn’t come up with ideas like that. He was light creativity, he was good creativity!
Patton must’ve noticed his distress, as he quickly looked between the two. “Oooookay,” he began, “Remus is being a little inconsiderate of Virgil. And that isn’t okay! But that doesn’t mean we don’t want him at all. Everyone messes up from time to time!”
“But he’s doing it on purpose!” Roman exclaimed. He gestured his arms towards Remus and waved them incredulously. “I mean, look at him! He doesn’t even care!” 
Remus didn’t respond, continuing to stand in his spot, smiling and unblinking. Janus cleared his throat, gathering their attention. 
“I’m sure Remus just loves being talked about as if he isn’t here. Regardless, it’s hardly fair to criticize him for one incident that’s a result of his function as intrusive thoughts, especially considering that you’ve shown a pattern of worse behavior over the past… What, three years?” He looked towards Logan for confirmation.
“Yes, approximately that long, although that’s a misleading usage of the information. He’s improved over time,” Logan responded.
“Only if you consider his treatment of Virgil exclusively. Regardless, you've proved my point,” Janus said, sounding satisfied. “If it took Roman three years to warm up to Virgil, why does Remus only get a few months? Not to mention that he’s just being told that he’s unwanted and to leave, you've never experienced despite your actions, and which is preposterous notwithstanding.”
Virgil finally ripped his hands from Patton and covered his ears, shutting his eyes tightly.
“Shut up shut up shut up!” he said frantically. Patton bit his lip and looked around the room.
“Listen, usually I’d encourage a healthy family discussion, but now’s really not the time to be doing this-- Roman, please go to your room. Remus, I’m not mad at you, but I’d really appreciate it if you would go ahead and leave for the night, too.”
Roman stared at Patton for a moment, mouth agape and brows furrowed. “My room- Patton, I’m not five! This isn’t even my fault-”
“Don’t argue, Roman,” Logan cut him off, “Do as Patton said. We’ll discuss this more in-depth later.”
Roman gave a loud scoff as he trudged across the room and began making his way up the stairs. He gave one last glare to Remus, who’d finally begun to move, and then continued to his room, where he fell backwards onto his bed. He closed the door with a flick of his hand, and stared at the ceiling, letting out a resigned sigh as he reminisced. Why was everything so backwards nowadays, he wondered? When had the dastardly acts of his brother become the new norm, overshadowing his own heroism and creativity?
It wasn’t as if Roman could even do anything about it, either; Patton’s decisions on what was right and wrong was like the word of law in the Mindscape. Sure, Roman could challenge his thinking, but he hardly wanted a repeat of his… Frog incident. He couldn’t bear it if he distressed him that much again. All Roman could hope for was that one day, sooner rather than later, someone would either talk some sense into him, or he’d come to the realization himself that Remus was merely a parasite to their famILY.
For now, at least, Roman could dream. 
‘Patton loves me just as much as the others. He’s a dad! Dads love all their children equally.‘
‘Even if it seems like it sometimes, no one really hates me- Well, besides Remus.’
‘...And even if they do, I can fix it.’
Even if it meant lying to himself.
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A Christmas to Remember
Jack “Whiskey” Daniels x Reader/You
This is my Secret Santa gift as part of the #Pedros12DaysofChristmas to one @mickeymouse-moshpit​ who wanted some fluff. This is my first time writing for Whiskey and I had a lot of fun with it. (Also, I sent an anon a while ago but I dont know if you ever saw it, or if tumblr ate it, so if you specified anything else my apologies!) I hope you enjoy this!
Warnings: Talks of loss of childhood dog, Whiskey mentions his deceased wife. Some anxiety issues in the form of trying to be a people pleaser. 
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It was a few days before Christmas Eve, and most of the Statesmen were spending the day catching up on paperwork before heading out on vacation. That is where you were; stuck in your office finishing up reports.
It has been a rough couple of weeks for you. A mission you went on a week ago, went terribly. Your CI had gotten killed, and you had almost walked into a trapped that could’ve been the death of you and your team.
Thankfully, another agent who had been your backup got you out of there before anything could happen. Agent Jack “Whiskey” Daniels had been a literal lifesaver that day.
Then on top of that, your childhood dog had passed away over a month ago. He had been about 15, so his passing wasn’t too shocking, but it still broke your heart. He had been with you through so many changes: college, jobs, moves, break-ups. This was the first Christmas in years, that you would be spending it alone.
So, here you were typing up the last report before the holidays, with a smidge of dread.
It was as you were editing the report that you saw Whiskey making his way out of his office across from yours. You had always thought he was extremely handsome. He was a flirt, sure, but he was damn good at his job. You had been trying to figure out how to properly thank him for days since he saved your ass.
You bit your lip as an idea popped up in your head, and found yourself chasing after him, trying to catch up before he got on the elevator.
“Hey Whiskey!” You called out when you see him waiting for the elevator, just ahead of you.
He turned around, slight confusion on his face as he watched you run up to him.
“Where’s the fire darling?” He asked slight concern in his voice.
“Sorry. Um. Was wondering… do you have any plans for Christmas Eve?” You slowly asked, trying to not sound too winded.
“Uh. Not much. I’m on the graveyard shift both nights. Why you ask honey?” He questioned curiously.
“Well. I tend to have a small dinner at home and watch cheesy Christmas movies. I was wondering if you would like to join me? No one should spend the holidays alone or at work,” You offered with a small smile, scratching the back of your neck awkwardly.
Whiskey stared at her surprised. He wasn’t expecting that.
“Um. That’s mighty kind of you. I may take you up on that. I’ll let you know, yeah?” He finally answered not knowing what to say.
You nodded your head, somewhat excitedly.
“Great. No pressure though! I just… don’t want to be alone to be honest. But um. Just let me know, okay?” You said with a wave as you walked back to your office.
You go back inside, finish your edits and sent off the report for review. It was as you were gathering your things, that you realized that what you said… sounded a little guilt trip-y.
You winced as you thought more and more about it. When you got down to your car, and was simply sitting in it, you decided to text him.
‘Hey, umm. I’m sorry if what I said early made you feel awkward. I just wanted to do something nice for you after that mission last week. If I overstepped or made you feel weird, I am sorry.’
You hit sent before typing out one more thing.
‘If you want… we can just ignore that whole conversation.’
You sent it and then threw your phone over into to the seat next to you, not wanting to look at it ever again.
You made your way home and soon enough you were walking upstairs into your apartment. As you set your stuff down, you checked your phone expecting something horrific. There was nothing. You unlocked it to see the conversation, wanting to be sure nothing had been said. All that was there were your two messages. So, you continued on with your night, checking your phone occasionally.
Two days later, it was Christmas Eve, and you still had yet to hear from Whiskey. You simply sigh in resignation that he was either weirded out by you, or just wasn’t interested.
You began cooking your dinner at about 11am. You tended to make a lot of food, despite it usually only being for one person. You loved leftovers and it meant not having to cook a lot for a few days. It was about 3pm when you were fixing up the ham, getting ready to put it in the oven, when you heard a knock at the door.
You stared at it confused before walking over to it. When you opened it, there was a man you didn’t know standing there.
“Uh. Can I help you?” You asked awkwardly looking at him and the dishes he was carrying.
He looked at you then at the door number, and went, “Aw. Shit. Sorry. Got off on the wrong floor. My bad. Um. Merry Christmas?”
You laughed a little and said, “Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy whatever you’re about to eat, it smells delicious!”
He threw a ‘thanks’ over his shoulder as he walked away. You close the door and went back over to your ham. You finished preparing it and set it in the oven, creating a timer for it.
You were in the middle of cleaning up the slight mess that had been from that and was setting the table with everything that you had made earlier when another knock came to your door.
You walk over with a sigh, mentally preparing to direct another person who was at the wrong door. But upon opening it, you were surprised to see Whiskey standing there instead. He was wearing a simple black polo and jeans, a white cowboy hat in one hand and a bottle of wine tucked under his arm.
“Hi,” He greeted with a small smile.
“Hey,” You were shocked to say the least.
It took a moment for your brain to start functioning again before you realized you had yet to let him in. You stepped aside and he walked in setting his hat on a rung on the coat rack.
“I uhh… I brought some white wine. I remember you saying you’re not a fan of red,” He stated showing you the bottle.
You smiled at him meekly, and asked, “You remembered that?”
He nodded with a small smirk, “I only remember the important things.”
“My preference in wine is important?” You questioned, raising an eyebrow.
“Indeed. I find most things that you tell me about yourself important. How else would I be able to woo you?” He fired back his smirk growing.
You felt your face warm with embarrassment before clearing your throat, “Ahem. Um. Dinner will be ready in about 30 minutes. There’s plenty to snack on as well, so help yourself.”
You made your way into the kitchen to get a bottle opener and a pair of wine glasses. Whiskey followed you, taking the opener from you gently. He quietly opened the bottle and poured the both of you glasses.
He then picked up both glasses and took them over to the couch, holding them, waiting for you to join him. You sat down next to him and took one. You clinked your glasses together before taking a sip.
You turned slightly to look at him, leaning back on your couch.
“Are you uh… still doing the graveyard shift tonight?” You politely asked, fiddling with the stem of your drink.
“No. I’m not. Decided against it,” He answered softly.
“Why uhh… why did you agree to do them in the first place, if I may ask?” You inquired, propping your arm up on the back of the couch to rest your head on it.
“Nothin’ better to do. Haven’t really celebrated the holidays in years. Not uhh. Not since my wife died,” He admitted with a flinch.
You stared at him, horrified. You didn’t know what to say. What does one say after that?
“I’m sorry… if this.. if this bothers you, you don’t have to stay,” You whispered feeling awful.
“It doesn’t bother me. Not as much as I thought it would. To be honest, I had planned on saying no. But. I don’t know. Somethin’ kept naggin’ at me to go. Maybe it’s cause yer the first woman in years that I’ve truly been interested, if it’s not too forward of me to say?” He confessed looking you in the eyes.
As you met his gaze, could see the honesty in his eyes. You set your glass of wine down, and got up, to walk over to the fridge. You reached in and pulled out 2 beers.
“Drinking wine doesn’t quite feel right for the current mood,” You lamely joked handing him one of them.
He chuckled softly and murmured in agreement.
“I lost my dog a month ago… Old age. Passed away in his sleep. ‘Best way for a pet to go’ as I’ve been told by everyone. Never really knew just how quiet this place can get without him. Thought about getting another to fill the void but I don’t know… None quite measure up I guess,” You told him before taking a swig of beer wincing slightly at taste of it mixing with the wine.
“I was about to ask, I remember you talking about him a lot,” He said with a nod.
“I know it’s silly, to not want to spend a holiday alone when your usual company was a dog-” You began to explain before he cut you off.
“It’s not silly to me. Now, I’m not quite sure who put that in ya head, but he was yer family. Just because he was a pet, doesn’t invalidate that or your grief,” He began, his hand gently brushing against your cheek. “I’m just… happy that ya asked me to come be with you.”
You smiled in appreciation, your hand reaching up to touch his as you leaned your cheek into it.
He slowly moved forward, his eyes glancing between yours and your lips, silently asking for permission. His lips slowly met yours a moment after you nodded your once. You kissed back just as hesitantly. His hand at your cheek, slowly slid into your hair bring you closer.
The kiss was slow but with each second that passed, the both of you gained more confidence. The kiss became deeper and more passionate. Your hands slid around his neck, slowly burying themselves into his hair. His other hand was fiddling with the hem of your shirt, brushing against the skin he found there.
The only reason why either of you pulled away was to suck in some much-needed air as you felt your lungs burn a little.  You wanted to go back for more, but the kitchen timer was going off, signaling the ham was done. The both of you chuckle as you took in the state of each other: lips swollen, hair a mess.
You quietly stood up to go take the ham out of the oven. The both of you fixed up a plate, and began to watch a few Christmas movies, curling up next to each on the couch. You were about halfway through the Nightmare Before Christmas when you paused it to put your plates into the sink.
“Before we continue… I.. I got you something,” You said to him walking over to your tree.
You picked up a small box that you had labelled as “Whiskey.”
The both of you returned to the couch, as you handed him the present.
He opened it stating, “I didn’t get you anything. Now I feel a bit bad ‘bout that”
As he opened the box to reveal a watch his breath caught. He looked at it and then slowly turned his wrist to look at the watch he had on. It was almost identical to the one he wore now, just silver instead of gold.
He pulled it out gently, examining it. What really got him was when he saw the engraving at the back. It had his name… and the name of his wife.
His gaze turned to you in confused amazement.
“I’ve seen you prepare for missions a lot, and when I first started, I was one of the people who had to lock up personal items when the mission called for extreme discretion. I noticed on your watch it had a name on it. I didn’t know who she was, but I figured she had to be pretty important to you. You mentioned a while back that it broke, and no one’s been able to repair it. So, I tried to find one that looked similarly,” You explained biting your lip.
He looked at you for a moment longer, before turning back to the watch. He gently set the watch back into its box.
You opened your mouth to apologize when he stopped you… by pulling you into a kiss. The kiss was brief but passionate.
“Thank you, darlin’. That’s… that’s the kindest thing anyone’s done for me in a long while,” He whispered against your lips, as he reached up to wipe away a tear that had escaped.
“You’re welcome. I was hoping you’d like it. I was worried you’d hate it,” You admitted.
“You worry too much. You need to stop worryin’ about upsettin’ everyone all the time. You are one of the best agents we have, and everyone adores you,” He assured you, kissing you again and pulling you into his arms.
You smiled sheepishly at that and nodded. You curled back into his side, and he held you as close as possible. You continued to watch movies until you fell asleep, feeling safe and warm next to him.
As morning came and you slowly woke up on the couch, a blanket covering you. As you sat up, looking around, you realized you were alone. You got up looking around trying to see if he left a note.
As you walked toward the kitchen to your phone, you realized that it had been cleaned up. He had put away and saved the food that had been left out.
She checked her phone and saw that there was one message waiting for her.
‘Needed to go do some things. Merry Christmas, beautiful. If it’s alright, I’d like to see you again tonight?’ -Whiskey
You sent a quick response back, ‘I would love to see you tonight! Merry Christmas!’
The rest of the day you went and hung out with some friends for Christmas and did gift exchanges. When you finally came back home, it was late in the day. You set the presents down and freshened up really quick before Whiskey arrived.
It didn’t take very long before you heard a knock on the door; perfectly timed since you had just finished cleaning up. You could feel yourself get excited at the thought of seeing Whiskey again. You walked over to the door to see Whiskey standing there with a large box in his arms, that was brightly colored.
You stared at him, slightly confused at the box. It was as you stared at it that you noticed a shimmer of silver. He had put on the watch.
“Hey darlin’. So. Funny story. I went out planning to ask a friend a question… when I saw something in an alleyway,” He began to explain hesitantly.
He slowly lifted the lid off to reveal a puppy. “He was alone. Took him to my friend who works with a shelter and had one of those fancy scanner things that checks for microchips. Found none. When I told him where I found this lil guy, they said it’s a common place for people to dump pets.”
You stared at the puppy wide-eyed, vaguely aware of what Whiskey was saying to you. The puppy gave a small bark, and his tail wagged excitedly. You could feel your heart melting as you stared at him. You could feel your eyes swelling up with tears.
You slowly reached forward, holding your hand out to his face to sniff. He sniffed it once and then began to lick your hand several times, causing you to choke out a laugh. You then picked up out of the box and held him close to you.
He gave you several kisses before snuggling into your arms.
“I uh… I think I’m gonna have to keep him,” You said tearily as you held him.
“Those are happy tears, right?” He asked nervously.
“Yes. Very happy,” You answered with a laugh, moving back to let him in.
“I had planned on just askin’ my friend about any available dogs for you, thinkin’ maybe we could go find you one tomorrow when the shelter was open. Then I just found him on my way over. I ain’t a big believer in fate but…” He trailed off smiling as he watched you.
“You wanted to take me on a date to find a puppy?” She asked setting the puppy down to let him explore.
“Yes ma’am. I did indeed,” He replied stepping toward her. “Now, however, I think it’s gonna be a get supplies for the little rascal kind of date.”
“I’m good with that, but uhh…  I do believe that I need to kiss you right now,” You said with moving closer to him.
“Oh? Is that right? Well then... please don’t let me stop you,” He drawled as his arms wrapped around your waist pulling you in as close as he could.
You giggled in response as you kissed him slowly and thoroughly, your arms around his neck. He kissed back, his arms lifting you slightly off your feet.
You broke apart when you heard a little bark at your feet. The both of you looked down to see the puppy staring up at the two of you, tilting his head.
You reached down and picked him up and as you held him, you looked at Whiskey who was smiling brightly at you.
“Not gonna lie, honey. This has probably been one of the better Christmases I’ve had in a long time,” He said fondly.
“Same here. Maybe uhh… when the holidays are over, we could go on some proper dates?” You proposed.
“I’d like that. I’d like that a lot,” He remarked pressing a kiss to your lips, before giving a small kiss to the puppy’s forehead.
You smiled and as the two of you spent the rest of the evening together, the both of you realized something. This wasn’t what you were expecting for Christmas at all, but neither of them will ever complain. This was a Christmas to remember.
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diyunho · 4 years
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The Joker x Reader - “Trapped” Part 3
Almost one year ago, someone tried to kill The Joker in a speeding car and Y/N pushed him out of the way, getting hit instead. With a fractured skull and broken bones, she was out of business for 6 months; when she finally recovered, The Queen of Gotham wasn’t the same anymore. Trapped inside her own mind and exhibiting severe cognitive impairment, Y/N’s life switched upside down without any hope of ever returning to normal.
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Part 1       Part 2     Part 4     Part 5
Same day, later in the evening
“What are you doing, Pumpkin?” The Joker crawls next to you although he has an idea about why you look upset.
You’re on your tummy scribbling on a piece of paper and he can tell you are concentrating hard while working on the current project: writing down your name. Only got the first three letters then the rest went blank.
“I….I can’t think…” you intensely stare at the blue pen in between your fingers.
“Of course you can!” J reaches over so he can guide your arm since it’s clear you need help. “There you go… done. Now try to copy it bellow, alright?”
“Hm?”
“Try again Princess,” he taps on the sheet and watches Y/N struggling to imitate the word. “Well done!” The King of Gotham praises. “Wanna give it a shot with a few more simple words?”
“Mmmm…” you debate. “OK?...”
You analyze The Joker’s movements as he depicts four letter words, one of them getting your attention in particular.
“Love?” you smile, happy you deciphered the meaning.
“Yes, a basic…”
“Love?” you scoot over, more and more excited and it clicks for your boyfriend.
“It’s just an example for you to exercise and relearn how to write, understand? It doesn’t mean anything!”
You giggle and touch his nose with yours.
“Love!”
“No Pumpkin! I don’t love you, how did you get such atrocity from my note??!! It has no hidden meaning! I barely, from very afar, remotely, not even similar to love, sort of like you and that’s it!”
You snicker and quickly slide to grab the yellow teddy bear, whispering in its ear:
“Love.”
“Aren’t you listening Princess?? Don’t start fake rumors!!”
Still…Y/N lives on her own little planet and her damaged brain grasped a wonderful concept despite The Clown vehemently dismissing his actions.
“Serves me right for being supportive,” he grumbles and resorts to diversion, the best weapon against your new found logic.
“Wanna read to me?” he points at the pile of children’s books resting on the nightstand: they are the best to use in your present circumstance.
“… … Read?... ” you ask, confused.
“Here,” J picks a random publication and gives it to you.
Might as well fully take advantage.
“Spoil me!” he buries his cheeks in your cleavage, guiding your free hand towards his green locks.
You never figured out how he doesn’t suffocate with his face glued to your skin; sometimes he sleeps like that for hours. Must be a special talent.
“The … ummm… the…. The duck…” you read the first page and massage his scalp, frowning at the words you can’t make sense of. “Cross… … crossed?...”  
“Yeah,” The Joker’s mumbled voice agrees.
“… the… g-glass…” you stutter at the sentence.
“Grass,” J corrects you.
“Hm?...”
“Grass Pumpkin, not glass.”
“Ummm… grass…” you continue to read the best way you can and he rectifies your errors until no more sounds emerge: The King is softly purring, a clear indication he’s dreaming.
You toss the book on the floor, fed up with the difficult task of organizing your thoughts; pampering him is better. You slowly tilt his head backwards so you can kiss him: The Joker frowns in his daze and you pinch his butt, chuckling.
“What is it?” he opens one eye and you pull down on his boxers. “Princess, we had sex an hour ago. Do you think I run on batteries?” the complaint is fast to follow.
... … … Batteries?... …                                            
You jump from the bed and stump to the closet, fumbling around for a couple of minutes before returning to a puzzled Clown.
You stretch the elastic of his underwear, dropping two batteries you snatched from the flashlight inside.
“How… how long do we w-wait?” you innocently ask.
The Joker bites his lip, attempting to contain himself yet he can’t: he bursts out laughing at your quirky solution while dragging you on top of him.
“You’re the funniest and smartest person I know, Pumpkin!” he cracks up, actually convinced he’s telling the truth. “Who’s my clever girl, huh?”
He’s talking about a girl again…What girl?...
Y/N peeks behind her and J reminds his baffled half:
“For God’s sake, Princess! I’m talking about you; you’re my girl! Can you get my phone?” he gestures at his mobile ringing by your pillow.
You give the cell to J, ignoring his conversation with Frost: you keep kissing him with the sole purpose of getting undivided affection.
“I guess Adam is here to pick up the cars you damaged,” he finally ends his chat. “Let’s go supervise the process. Don’t be disappointed, Pumpkin, we’ll have fun later. It’s your fault for destroying my collection!”
****************
The Joker watches his crew sweeping the concrete in the garage: broken glass, pieces of metal and debris scattered on the pavement after his vehicles were hauled inside huge trucks in order to be transported to Adam’s workshop for repairs.
“Thanks a lot, Y/N!” he growls, frustrated.
“Y-you’re welcome,” you serenely reply without a care in the universe.
“You’re the worst thing that ever happened to me, Princess!” he huffs at your indifference.
“Love,” you confess to the fluffy toy squished in your embrace.
“I heard that and it’s an aberration! Why do you keep persisting with this nonsense?! I’m literally stating the opposite!” J admonishes but who’s listening to him?
Not Y/N.
“Nolan is texting me,” he changes subject. “He wants me to meet him at his warehouse to inspect the boxes of ammo for the deal. Will you accompany me?”
“Hm?”
“Car ride?” The King of Gotham simplifies his request.
“U-hum!” you nod, preparing to enter the purple Lamborghini which luckily wasn’t in the garage when you smashed J’s cars.
“Frost, if you see me parked up the street in the driving alley, don’t come investigate, got it? This woman’s been pestering me for extracurricular activities, might not make it inside the mansion.”
“Of course, sir!” Jonny finds it wise to consent to his boss’s rambling.
“Tell everyone: if the Lamborghini’s rockin’, don’t come knockin’!”
**************
You’re sitting on J’s lap, completely blocking the arrangements happening at the table: you’re more preoccupied with your game than whatever it is they are negotiating about.
“What are you playing, Y/N?” Nolan curiously inquires because your thumbs are surely moving at a crazy speed on your cell’s screen.
“Hm?” you stop and gaze his way.
“What are you playing?” the man repeats.
“Mmmmm… Tetrixx Bricks.”
“What level are you on?” Nolan leans over, his eyes getting big at the revelation. “Holy shit, Y/N! How did you make it this far??! I’ve been striving to pass level 98 for a month!”
“She’s smart, that’s how!” your boyfriend sassily underlines.
“Do you think that you can help me?” the guy slides his phone in front of you.
“I’m sorry, is this a gaming party or a business matter?!” The Joker scoffs.
“Well, we’re pretty much done: we accepted the terms, we just have to move the merchandise in the morning.”
You are already matching the colorful blocks on Nolan’s game, his face ecstatic when the obnoxious song announces with great fanfare: “Level Up!”
“Holy cow!!!!” he shouts and you return his phone. “Thank you!”
“Hey Y/N,” one of the mobster’s henchmen dares to voice his demand. “Would you help me too? I’m stuck on level 76.”
“I’m dead on 105,” another goon mumbles under his breath, stepping in the line forming to your left.
J would normally cut off this useless waste of his precious time yet he can’t deny the gratification building up in his heart: heavens knows how it feels to be trapped inside your own mind and his girl has definitely battled unimaginable odds to be where she’s at right now.
Living with cognitive impairment is not easy, but she’s still here and it beats the alternative.
“Good job, Pumpkin!” The Clown boasts at the long string of cell phones parading through your fingers while you aid Nolan’s team leveling up on Tetrixx Bricks.
And somehow his hands are holding you tighter, not even bored with the random outcome of his meeting.
**************
You escaped on the terrace for a break and J is discussing the last details with your host: tomorrow you have a routine checkup, thus he has to wrap it up soon.
“Out of my way, half-wit!” Derek aka Nolan’s oldest son pushes you. Would he have done it if you were the same individual from almost a year ago? Nope. Apparently he believes he’s entitled to take advantage of Y/N since she’s alone outside.
“Why did Mister Joker bring you anyway?” he lights up a cigarette, annoyed. “Stupid monosyllabic bitch!” he ogles your summer dress, swiftly lifting it. “Are you wearing diapers?” he chuckles as you walk backwards, trying to process what he’s throwing at you. “Come on, show me!” he approaches and carefully scouts the premises to ensure you two don’t have company.
Perhaps the neurons in your brain are overcharged for the moment; nevertheless, they warn of imminent altercation: the dude’s a total douchebag.
“Are you shy?” Derek grins. “C’mon, lemme see!! Oooohh…fuuuuck…” he bends over in pain when your knee unexpectedly kicks him in the crotch: you used all your strength and he drops down, curling up in a ball. “God…dammit!” Derek shrieks at the defense he didn’t anticipate.
“I…I’m not wearing diapers!” you stammer and because he landed on the edge of the pool you roll him in the water also.
The loud splash makes The Joker wave at you, glad he eventually found you: he’s been searching around the warehouse for the last 5 minutes.
“There you are! Quit playing around, Pumpkin; we have a swimming pool at home!”
You rush by his side eager to bail before the asshole pops up from the bottom of the pond.
“Sushi for dinner?” J suggests and Y/N is not the type of individual to reject one of her favorite dishes.
“I…I love sushi,” you smile elbowing him. “Love.”
“Don’t start with me again!” The King barks at your obvious hint.
*************
“Are you eating the last piece?” he glares at your salmon roll.
“No,” you offer the treat to him. “You…you need it more,” Y/N verbalizes her concern regarding his well-being.
“Can’t disagree, Pumpkin. You exhausted me you naughty girl,” J pretends to be super tired. “What can I do? Princess wants, Princess gets,” he inhales, resigned.
You’re not focusing on his whining: frankly, your intellect has been challenged enough for today. You cuddle in his arms while he chews on his food and watch TV without paying attention to the movie.
“Don’t forget tomorrow morning you have your doctor’s appointment,” J mentions. “I have to stay and wait for the guns I purchased from Nolan; you’ll have to manage without me. I’ll send an escort, deal?”
“U-hum.”
“Don’t yawn, Pumpkin. I’m the one that should yawn,” The Joker scratches his thigh. “This move sucks,” he pouts and turns off the TV. “I have a better idea,” he chooses a kid’s book from the stack. “Read to me.”
You open the textbook and although your brain is overwhelmed, you still make an effort for his sake.
“Mmm… Rainy… sky… Skies?...”
“Yup,” he turns on his side and nuzzles in your hair.
“Float over…hmm… t-town…”, your voice echoes in the room, soothing a worn out Joker.
Strange he can’t properly rest unless you read to him: after all J barely, from very afar, remotely, not even similar to love, sort of likes you.
Also read: MASTERLIST
You can follow me on Ao3 and Wattpad under the same blog name: DiYunho.
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ziracona · 4 years
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Sorry if this has been asked before but, I'm really curious about how you would have written Max in the story if he were to be there? He's one of my personal favorite characters and finding redemption stories about him is kinda hard (You have no idea how happy I was when I read Claudette threw him a scarf to stay warm, like yes please; he's a feral child in a killer's body, but please stay warm)
I don’t think I have been, and no problem!
If Max had had a larger role in ILM, I am not 100% sure how I’d have written his perosnality, since I haven’t had to do it yet in-depth, but I know he’d be very angry and both defensive and aggressive towards everything, warry, skittish, hostile. Not bad necessarily, but humans will raise hackles and be ready to lash out and bite if they’ve all they’ve ever known is abuse the same way a mistreated cat or dog would, or like, most any living thing. I think he’s very lonely and unloved, and it’s hard for humans to survive without positive contact and affirmation and physical affection. I mean, if we’re left alone totally, we literally just die. But since his only experience with humans—and his parents/the people who should have loved him most no less—was nothing but danger and abuse and isolation and imprisonment, I think it’d be very hard for him to be approached. Not at all impossible, but man, it is really, really hard to convince someone who’s been through torrential rains of abuse that there’s something else to be given.
I do have ideas on how you could get through, but let me think about personality first. Well, aside from aggressive, defensive, skittish, warry, and hostile, like inborn traits to go along with learned, I think he is a very volatile person. He must be enduring and strong to survive what he did and live, and so determined and tenacious. —Oh! Hang on, big one before I forget. So, I am not a forefront authority in Disability as it relates to narrative, but I know quite a bit and was lucky enough to have a professor whose central areas were Disability, Horror, and Disability in Horror. I don’t know who exactly popularized the idea of Max as having basically a child’s mind in an adult’s killer body, though I think I’ve been told it was one person or story? Maybe it was just a big fandom take. But that’s one of the most prevailing and harmful disability stereotypes, especially for mental disabilities, and horror is a massive offender in general with both disabilities and disorders, and we need to do better & listen to the communities themselves more. I don’t mean this in a harsh way at all—I don’t even know if you meant ‘feral child in a killer’s body’ that way, or meant like, ‘this feral man in a killer’s body is my child TuT’—which is a totally different statement—and even with the former, I know people have had that idea of Max super popularized and are inundated with it, and most people I think just don’t know it’s a very harmful and prevalent stereotype period—I didn’t until I was in my 20s. But I think it’s important to bring attention to it when it’s brought up. Many of the bad things done to people with disabilities come from treating them as not fully actualized humans (I guess I should say ‘us’), and some of those ways are easy to spot, because they’re cruel, and some are harder, because they seem positive. The ‘child mind in an adult body’ is a huge one for disabilities that doesn’t seem awful at first glance, but actually is a huge problem. Unfortunately, human children also get treated by and large as not fully realized humans (as in autonomous & worthy of respect and self-determination—obvs there are some differences that are important, but a child is still an entire ass human & should be respected as such). The painting a physically and mentally disabled character as childlike or mentally trapped as a child is used to control and take autonomy and gravity from our opinions and lives. It’s also just like, not accurate. But the biggest thing is that it takes agency from individuals and paints them as less intelligent, less capable of wanting or pursing more ‘adult’ things [such as jobs or sex or protesting for their rights or having informed opinions on current events and doing something about it], and tries to paint that permanent, life-long dehumanization as a positive thing by making it cute or innofenssive at first glance. While still discounting disabled as kids, passing off autonomy and decisions to their caregivers, and ignoring our status as equal and actualized individuals. Stunted learning or growth or different ways of speaking, moving, and limitations understanding certain things don’t actually make disabled people like children. They’re just adults who sometimes have some very different ways of speaking or thinking or seeming or being. But it’s super important that we’re still adults and like, have the actualized self of adults, even if our speech patterns seem weird. There’s a huge and extremely important difference between an adult with social hangups around sensitive areas and social norms, and being a child. If you didn’t know any of that, don’t feel too bad, again like, people who aren’t disabled almost never talk about disability theory or issues, and I didn’t know this till I was in my 20s. But I feel really bad for Max and bad about how he is usually characterized, so it is important to bring this up.
Okay! That all said, I think personality wise, Max would be really fun to write. Because you have two levels—you have the taught things—fear, aggression, etc, and his inborn perosnality. There is very little canon about Max, but we know he never left home after freeing himself, he steals clothes from scarecrows or whatever he can find, and he’s probably in his early 20s or maybe to his mid 20s now. Since he never left home, I’d think he’s probably a little more cautious and anctious by nature, even with all that rage. I think he’d be sentimental if he ever was given something to love. He must have attachment to things pretty easily, and would I think have liked people a lot because of that, if life had been different. Would have been a shy but friendly and hopeful farm boy. Now, he’s kind of a broken mess, sadly. He’s had it super pounded in by family he is worthless and horrific and disgusting and a monster and an abomination, so I think he expects all humans to take one look and violently feel the same towards him. Taught humans are cruel, and he isn’t safe with them, and the only thing that will stop them and protect himself is unchecked aggression.
So, when it comes to like, getting close enough to him to redeem him, it’s rough, because again, he’d be very very aggressive. I mean, even after killing his parents, he mutilated the animals on the farm in rage, and continued to viciously hurt and then kill anything living he could find on the farm, so he’s got a lot of danger, and he really leaned into violence to protect himself. It’s what he knows now. I think he’s still lonely — like, so lonely he’s sick with it — but unlike Anna and Michael, he’s never known love, so I don’t think he’s even aware of that, and it’s on a pretty subconscious level. Plus, he has even less understanding of human communication and rules and gestures than the other feral killers, so it’d be really hard to get through to him. I think about the only plausible way is really, really, really fuckin slowly, through repeated gifts and kindnesses for no reason (like Claude with the scarf but every day for three years)—the same way you’d try to get through to a feral cat, since like other living things, humans also are wary and mistrustful when hurt, but can be socialized into new situations and do have a pretty set list of gifts and actions we appreciate. I mean, if I was feral, I would start to soften if repeatedly left chocolates and big warm coats and picture books to look at, pretty rocks. I have a crow heart.... >.> Or, the much more likely option, you’d have to catch him or find him captured and helpless, and then be kind instead of doing anything bad at all, and help him for a somewhat extended period of time, nurse him back to health or such, so he’d be forced to actually realize this person isn’t trying to hurt him—they’re trying to help.
I think Max would get less hostile slowly and cautiously because like, if you’ve ever been horribly abused you know you’re afraid to be hurt again. But also, if you’re alone, there’s a battle between wanting some kind of constact and love, and the fear of trying to trust someone only to be brutally torn up again and cast aside. It’s a painful place to be. But I think once he made it over that initial trust hurdle, and could bring himself to stop shuddering at a touch and to believe the person helping him was just trying to give him food, not poison or something to choke on, he’d be absolutely overcome, becuase if you’ve never been shown kindness and then are, overwhelmingly, it’s really hard to process. There’s a lot of psychology stuff about how we form our understandings and processing of each other and the world that I’m not gonna go into much bc convoluted, but it’d be like the opposite weirdly of a Just World break. The realization some things are less awful than your cemented life understanding structure. It would feel wrong and be hard to process (and rewireing a brain takes some time), but he’s been so alone for so long, I think the longing for people would get through, and he would cautiously start to trust and be just bowled over and kind of intimidated by the strength of like, the love and affection and gratitude and belonging he’d start to feel. I think he’d be afraid, becuase it’s not how life is meant to go, and jumpy, but he’d also just be lost to the happiness of actually having some kind of positive human connection, and become fiercely protective of whoever (or whichever people) was/were helping him. Got something he doesn’t want to lose now.
He’s young, so he’s going to still be figuring stuff out, and he had an awful upbringing, so lots of confusion and anger and un-learning too, but I’m really glad you liked that scene!! 😭 and that you like Max too, because he needs more love. I like him a lot too, that’s why he ends up with an undetermined fate instead of, like, dead in ILM. I’d like to give him a fully story role sometime, when there’s more space for it. He’s such a complex and unfortunate guy, he deserves a chance to grow more right and find people who are different and have a better future. TuT. It ain’t fair how his life was.
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crocodileniall · 4 years
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Part 1 
Niall dropped his hand back down to his side. “But of course, if Quinn wants me to kiss her, she can always tell me so.”
“In your dreams,” Quinn breathed out.
“Lover, in my dreams we’re doing a lot more than kissing,” Niall murmured.
Quinn flushed, eyes slipping shut for a moment. “You absolutely suck.”      
warnings: angst, alcohol, swearing                             
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                              ♡♡
If you asked Quinn how she got into their current situation, she would have absolutely no clue. It was a mystery. A mystery that left Quinn almost speechless. 
Straight out of University, she moved to Chelsea which is just far enough away from Ireland to make her feel at ease. Being back in Ireland for the first time a year, Quinn did not expect to be at a crowded pub with almost everyone she went to secondary with. It was giving her the biggest headache of her life. 
“This is insane,” Quinn muttered, grabbing her glass of wine off of the bar. She’d already ran into three people who it would have been better not to have seen them. 
“God, I know,” Poppy agreed, shaking her head as she picked up her own drink. “I had no idea there’d be so many people here. Does everyone still live here? I am appalled.” 
“I too am appalled,” Quinn chuckled. “But holy shit is that-“ 
“Niall?” Poppy cut her off, mouth agape. “He looks….” 
“Fucking good,” Evie finished her sentence, leaning on the bar beside Quinn. “Hey can I have a Guinness please?” 
“I had no idea he’d filled out like that,” Quinn mumbled, eyes focused on the way Niall was leaning against the wall, one foot crossed over the other. He was talking with Shawn, scratching at his jaw. He erupted into laughter, throwing his head forward. Quinn could barely tear her eyes away. 
“He’s like a proper man now,” Evie announced once she finally had a drink in her hand. “He’s a lawyer. I heard he was in Manchester for a minute but I think he’s in New Kensington or something.”
“Oh that is not good,” Quinn chuckled, shaking her head. 
“Why?” Poppy asked with a laugh. “I think you’d look good with him.” 
“That’s the problem,” Quinn exclaimed, laughing. “I was fancied him our last year in secondary. I remember he was just so funny. And athletic oh my god.” 
“Is that why you drug us to all those footie matches!” Poppy exclaimed. “In the pouring rain! Freezing cold!” 
“You little shit!” Evie added, laughing. “How did we not know?” 
“I was a good secret keeper,” Quinn shrugged, concealing her smile behind her glass. 
Quinn let her eyes travel back over to Niall and Shawn. Shawn was whispering something into Niall’s ear. Niall’s lips spread into a wide smile and he shook his head. Shawn laughed too, nodding. Before Quinn could look away, Niall’s eyes met hers. Her cheeks flushed immediately. Quinn smiled, looking away. 
“I just made eye contact what do I do,” Quinn gritted out through a smile.
“He is coming this way so you better decide fast,” Poppy whispered, snatching her own drink up. She pushed Evie and they seamlessly walked away leaving Quinn there despite her glare. 
“Quinn?” Niall asked, eyebrows furrowed. He had a wide smile on his face which did nothing to help her relax. 
“Hey,” Quinn smiled. 
Niall pulled her in to a tight hug, squeezing her waist. “How are you? I barely recognized you. You look so grown up.” 
Quinn laughed as they pulled away. “Im good how are you?” 
“Good,” Niall chuckled. “Where’re you at now?” 
“Chelsea,” Quinn nodded. “Moved out there about six months ago. I work at the natural history museum in South Kensingotn.” 
“No way!” Niall exclaimed. “My office is in Chelsea.” 
“Really?” Quinn inquired. “Where do you work?” 
“I work at a law firm on Chelsea Manor,” Niall told her sitting down in the bar stool next to her. “I live a couple blocks away. I just moved in like two weeks ago. I was crashing with Shawn in Camden. The drive was shite I couldn’t take it- that’s what I told Shawn. I just needed me own place.” 
Quinn laughed, nodding, “I hear that.”
“So hows your family?” Niall asked. 
“They’re good,” Quinn replied with a shrug. “Mum is still killing herself at the hospital. Da is same old. What about yours?” 
“Same,” Niall smiled. “My mum went back to the hospital too. I actually think they might be working together. Have you heard anything?” 
“No,” Quinn shook her head. “Though it’s probably true. Are they like friends again?” 
“I think so,” Niall laughed. “I heard they went and got lunch the one day and then another night they got drinks here.” 
“Wow,” Quinn laughed. “Me mums been holding out on me.” 
“I’d say,” Niall agreed, shaking his head. “Me mum tells me every detail. She loves your mum. And she loves you too. Asks about you constantly.”
“Really?” Quinn asked, surprised. “Why?” 
“Dunno,” Niall shrugged, leaning on the bar. “I suppose maybe it has to do with the fact that when I was 17 she overheard me maybe talking about you with Shawn in the basement and has sealed that into her brain for all of eternity.”
That made Quinn laugh, covering her mouth. “Oh my god. That would explain it.” 
“Yeah,” Niall laughed, meeting her eyes. “Though I must agree. As mum reminds me every other week, you are a great girl.” 
“Thank you,” Quinn murmured, eyes glinting. “You’re an alright lad, yourself.” 
Niall chuckled breathily, holding her gaze. “I’m looking at you and I can’t understand why it took me almost five years to get to here.”
“To where?” Quinn asked. 
“To talking to ya like a normal person!” Niall exclaimed. 
“Well five years ago I was not as cool as I am now,” Quinn boasted, tilting her head to the side. 
“You were always cool, Quinn,” Niall huffed. As an afterthought he added, “you just didn’t know it.”
“Oh stop,” Quinn teased, waving a hand. “You’re making me blush.” 
Niall grinned, looking away. “Sorry.” 
“I can’t believe your brother is getting married!” Quinn exclaimed, changing the subject. “He was like the least marry-able boy in secondary.” 
Niall laughed, nodding, “I know right. Danny quite literally beat his ass and turned him inside out.”
“It’s about time,” Quinn murmured. 
“He’s a better man. all around. And I’m really happy for him.”
“That’s good,” Quinn agreed, sitting back. 
“Actually I’m dreading Saturday, though,” Niall confessed. 
“Why?” Quinn inquired. 
“I get so nervous,” Niall chuckled. “I have to walk Evie down the isle. Did you know that?” 
“No!” Quinn exclaimed, laughing. “I did not.”
“I found out last night,” Niall laughed. He shook his head. “And then I have to do a bloody toast. I’m going to be a wreck. I do not want to be the one to fuck up Danny’s wedding that’s for sure. She’s scary as shit.”
“Well if you get too nervous come find me,” Quinn winked. “I’m sure we can find some way to calm your nerves.”
“Oh yeah?” 
“Yeah,” Quinn shrugged. “I personally like to do a bit of yoga. Erm if that doesn’t work whisky shots usually do the trick.”
Niall laughed, nodding. “I will keep that in mind.”
Quinn felt herself falling for his pretty blue eyes all over again. She let herself glance over his face one last time before looking away. It was because he was so familiar. He was different but the same. The very same as he was when they were children. 
Quinn felt the overwhelming urge to kiss him. Right on the mouth. She wanted to curl her fingers into his shirt brown hair and kiss him like it was the last kiss she’d ever get. It was only then that she realized she was staring at his lips. 
“What are you thinking about?” Niall asked, a hint of amusement teasing at his voice. 
“Um nothing,” Quinn chuckled. “Nothing sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Niall smiled. “Looked like you were staring at me lips though.”
Quinn scoffed, rolling her eyes. “And why would I be staring at your lips?”
Niall shrugged, turning to face her. “I dunno. You tell me.”
“I could tell you if I’d been staring at your lips but uh I was not!” Quinn exclaimed. 
“If you say so,” Niall murmured, eyes glinting knowingly. It’s okay that Quinn wasn’t yet ready to admit her undying love to Niall but he’ll be there when she was. 
“On that note, I must go find Poppy and Evie,” Quinn announced standing up. “Make sure they’re not getting into any trouble.”
“Of course,” Niall nodded. “Though you should know that I saw Shawn and Evie fuck off to the bathroom about five minutes ago.”
“Jesus,” Quinn muttered. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 
“It was while you were staring at me mouth. Obviously I didn’t want to interrupt,” Niall mused. He watched as she rolled her eyes again. 
“That’s ridiculous I don’t even remember that. Must be because I was not looking at your  mouth!” Quinn exclaimed, grabbing her glass of wine. “And if you decide to start telling people that I was! I will rightfully kick your ass and turn you inside out!”
Niall laughed boisterously. “It’d be a dream come true.”
To that, Quinn shook her head in lieu of a response. Niall was testing her. Since it was working, Quinn went off to find poppy.
It was no surprise she was people watching against the wall, glass in hand. The place was still crowded but it seemed like people were leaving slowly. 
“Hey,” Quinn greeted her, leaning beside her. “What have you been up to?” 
“Was talking talking to Louis for a moment and then went to the loo and escaped him. Then I was talking to Lauren O’ryan. Do you remember her?” 
“Yeah I think so,” Quinn nodded. 
“Yeah she’s in chelsae too!” Poppy exclaimed. “That is the only interesting thing I’ve learned.”
“Wow,” Quinn chuckled. “I figured she’d end up in the states or something.” 
“Right!” Poppy agreed. She waved her hand in the air and turned towards Quinn. “So tell me. What happened?” 
“Um well we talked. Erm a lot. About mums and jobs and all that,” Quinn began slowly. “Nothing too serious. Until of course he caught me staring at his lips.”
“Oh my god,” poppy laughed. 
“Yeah I was like hard core staring. I’m surprised I wasn’t drooling to be honest. But yeah he asked what I was thinking about I lied he didn’t believe me I lied some more and here I am,” Quinn chuckled, shrugging. 
“I had no idea you were so smooth,” Poppy teased with a smile. 
Quinn laughed, shaking her head. “What can I say! It’s how I get the lads.”
“Of course,” Poppy hummed in agreement. “You were thinking about kissing him though weren’t you.”
“Oh yeah,” Quinn grinned. “Like I was just picturing what it’d be like to suck his face, Poppy. The kind that everyone just thinks is so disgusting but everyone involved is absolutely living.” 
“Oh my god,” Poppy laughed. “I know exactly what you mean.” 
Though Quinn still couldn’t keep Niall out of her brain. Her eyes glanced around the bar until they landed on Niall. He was with a few other men, nodding along to whatever the one was saying. His eyes flicked up to hers. He hid his smile behind his glass, taking a slow sip of his beer. He glanced toward the bloke that was talking and then back to Quinn. Unable to control herself, Quinn held his intense gaze. 
Niall shook his head, scratching at his jaw, looking away from her. It was then that Quinn knew she’d won. She had him. His cheeks were flushed but it could have been from the alcohol. He was visibly nervous under her gaze, shifting on his feet. 
“Anyways so Niall’s cousin. Deo? Do you remember him?” Poppy asked, breaking Quinn from her stare. 
“Yeah,” Quinn responded, focusing her eyes on Poppy as she spoke. 
“He’s kind of fit, right?” Poppy asked, looking somewhere near the bar. 
Quinn furrowed her eyebrows and looked where she was focused. Deo was leaning against the bar, a twig of a lad. He had ruffled brown hair and a slim face. His smile was dorky which was no surprise it caught Poppy’s eye. He was a decent looking man. 
“Yeah he’s alright,” Quinn agreed. “I like a little bit more meat on my lads but I’d say he’s good looking.”
Poppy smiled, shrugging her shoulders though it was clear she’d been paying attention to him. 
“Want me to introduce you?” Poppy asked. 
“No that’s alright,” Poppy waved her off shaking her head. “It’s getting kind of late though. I’m about ready to go.”
“Me too,” Quinn agreed, finishing the last of her wine. “Two glasses is enough for me.”
“I’m going to run to the loo and then we can go. Can you try to find Evie? See what she’s going to do.” 
“Sure thing, mum,” Quinn chuckled. 
“Fuck off,” Poppy laughed, wrinkling her nose as she walked off. 
That made Quinn laugh. She looked around the place searching for Evie. It seemed she’d joined the group of people that Niall was almost lost in. She took a deep breath, composing herself before she started to walk over. 
The brushed past people and squeezed through the tables to reach Evie who had not yet made herself the center of attention. She put a hand on Evie’s back, getting her attention subtly. “Hey!” She exclaimed. “Quinnie I’ve been looking for you everywhere!”
“I’m right here,” Quinn smiled as Evie pushed some hair off of her shoulder. “Ya alright, love?”
“I’m alright,” Evie laughed, nodding. “God you’re so pretty Quinnie. Like the prettiest ever.”
“That’s so sweet,” Quinn mused. “I appreciate that. I appreciate you, Evie.”
Evie clutched her heart. “Jesus I love you.”
“I love you as well,” Quinn smiled. “Poppy went to the loo. We’re thinking about heading out. It would be wonderful if you came with us, yeah?”
“I’d love that!” Evie exclaimed. “I have to use the loo.”
“Go on, then,” Quinn nodded. “I’ll be here. Poppy’s in there now.”
“Okay,” Evie sighed, straightening herself up. “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave without me, okay?”
“I won’t,” Quinn laughed, 
“Okay,” Evie grinned. She gave Quinn one last look before pushed past the group. She didn’t have to go right through the middle of it but Evie wouldn’t be Evie if she didn’t. 
“You’re a good friend,” Niall mused, behind her. 
“Thanks,” Quinn smiled, looking up at him. 
“I heard Evie made out with Shawn in the bathroom,” Niall told her, pulling her toward the wall by her wrist. 
“Oh yeah?” Quinn asked, watching the way his fingers brushed her own when he dropped her hand. 
“Yeah,” Niall nodded. “Shawn has a girl in Chelsae though. He left to call her.”
“Oh,” Quinn murmured. “I didn’t know.”
“No one really did,” he shrugged. “It’s kind of like new I guess. I dunno honestly. Just wanted to tell you, though. In case something happens.”
“Thanks for telling me,” Quinn nodded. “I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Niall smiled, lifting his head to meet her gaze. “And by the way I don’t have a girl in Chelsea.”
Quinn chuckled, head tilting to the side. “Thanks for letting me know.”
“Don’t mention it,” Niall waved her off. “So if you were staring at me lips. It’d be okay. Since I am hmm how do I say it. Unattached.”  
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, to be honest,” Quinn shrugged, looking away. “But that is useful information.”
“You’re a shit liar, you know that?” Niall breathed out, amusement dripping off of his words. 
“I know that,” Quinn laughed, leaning on the wall beside him. 
“Well I too have a confession,” Niall told her, turning to face her. 
“And what’s that?” Quinn asked, facing him. 
“I was staring at your lips,” he whispered, tilting her chin up to meet her eyes. “And I wanted to kiss you so badly.”
Quinn flushed. Every bone in her body screamed out to kiss him. Niall slid his hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. He let his knuckles brush over her cheek and down her jaw where his hand brushed over her throat teasingly slow. 
Just when she thought he was going to kiss her, he didn’t. A smile spread across his face and he chuckled. Their noses brushed and it seemed that was enough to satisfy him. “But I’m not going to.”
“And why not?” Quinn asked, eyebrows raising. 
“Because Quinnie has a little bit too much pride,” Niall shrugged, playing with a strand of her hair. “Good ol Irish pride.”
Quinn chuckled, eyes rolling. She shook her head. 
Niall dropped his hand back down to his side. “But of course, if Quinn wants me to kiss her, she can always tell me so.”
“In your dreams,” Quinn breathed out. 
“Lover, in my dreams we’re doing a lot more than kissing,” Niall murmured. 
Quinn flushed, eyes slipping shut for a moment. “You absolutely suck.”
Niall laughed, hand sliding to Quinn’s waist. “Just like to make you squirm.”
“Well it’s working,” Quinn laughed. 
Their moment shattered when Poppy and Evie came around the corner. Niall’s hand fell to his side and he turned away from her to look at them. 
“Okay we’re ready,” Evie announced. 
“Okay,” Quinn responded, straightening up.  She cleaned her throat and smoothed her hair out. “I guess I will see you Saturday. At the wedding.”
“Yes you will,” Niall agreed, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “And I am counting the minutes.”
“Of course you are,” Quinn chuckled. 
She left Niall with one last glance over her shoulder. Niall smiled widely at her, giving her a wink. To which Quinn rolled her eyes despite the smile on her own face. 
But maybe Quinn was counting the minutes too, though she wasn’t quite ready to tell Niall that. 
“Okay what the fuck,” Evie laughed as they pushed the pub doors open.  
“What the bloody hell did we miss?” Poppy asked, laughing. 
Quinn laughed with them, shrugging her shoulders. “All you need to know is that I am getting me mine this weekend.”
// 
See all of Lover parts here
part 2 here 
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davidobitch · 4 years
Text
If You Walk Away, You’ll Never Know - David Dobrik
read part 1 here
read part 2 here
PART 3
With your towel wrapped around you, you walk out of the bathroom just in time to run into Jeff. Shirtless.
“Oh shit, sorry. I thought you went back to my room,” you stuttered trying to avoid looking at his chest. 
“No I figured I would stay to get ready too.” Your breath hitched in your throat as he stepped closer to you.
God damn it. This man is perfect.
You watched him lean down a little, taking this opportunity to make a move but you couldn’t let him. “Sorry, I’ll get out of your way,” you rush to say.
Just as you were about to step aside, the hotel room door opens to all the guys standing in the doorway. Their conversation stops mid sentence as they see the picture in front of them. You knew how not right it looked and as always, your eyes met David’s. This time his happy smile fell from his face. He knew you were in here, but he didn’t know this is what he would see.
You watched him shake his head and walk away. You wanted to go after him. You wanted to apologize and explain everything. You wanted to hold him and tell him he’s the only person you have eyes on. But you couldn’t. And frankly, you didn’t want to.
The guys all made inappropriate comments about you and Jeff, making your face turn bright red. You tried to hide it but it only made things worse on your end. Before anyone could make more jokes about you, you ran back into the bathroom to actually get ready. Being out of sight didn’t make the guys stop from talking about you. They tried to hide it, but they weren’t doing the best job at being quiet.
Most of the comments were about you being fit and gorgeous but there were a couple jokes about being off limits because of David.
By the time you were done getting ready, everyone settled down and was watching tv. You snuck out of the room and went back to yours. David and Natalie’s conversation quickly ended as they saw you walk in. They didn’t even try to hide the fact that they were clearly talking about you. You felt hurt seeing the two of them talking about you behind your back. You knew it happened occasionally but witnessing it is something else.
“So instead of a good dinner we decided to just go out tonight and have fun,” Natalie started to say.
“We decided that when you and Jeff left.” David snaps, not breaking eye contact with you. 
Tension rose as you fired back, telling him you wouldn’t have left if your room wasn’t filled with everyone.
As an attempt to try and calm you guys down, Natalie mentioned having a girls day but you weren’t having it.
“You know what David, not everything has to be planned. You don’t have to film every second of the day. The second we landed you had your camera out, filming. Some of us actually need to be alone and need to sleep. Not all of us like to play your stupid games, Dave!” The room went quiet and you heard David mumble under his breath before storming out. Shortly after, Natalie shrugged her shoulders as she followed him out.
You laid low in your room for the rest of the day, not wanting to deal with anyone. Your phone kept going off about tonight’s plans but you didn’t bother replying. You lost all sense of fun after David’s comment. He has you wrapped around his finger and you want to hate him for it. His mood is your mood, when he wants to go out, you want to go out. Everything he does affects you too.
Hours went by and it was finally time to go out. But you were still in your bed, not even slightly ready to go.
“(Y/n) baby let’s go. It’s time to get drunk!” Zane yells as he walks in. “Oh no. No no no. This aint it. Get up, bitch, we’re going out.” You don’t bother to move as he runs towards you to rip the blankets off. You could hear everyone having a conversation in the hallway and you wished you had the energy to join.
“Not tonight, Zane. I’m not feeling that great,” You muttered, pulling the blankets back to you. You felt his stare on you but you couldn’t make eye contact. “I’m fine. You guys go. I need a rest day anyways,”
Zane huffed but agreed to leave you alone for the night. You hear the group question why you were staying but it slowly drops as the conversation moves on from you.
You woke up from your sleep to the hotel door being open. You hoped it was David coming in to apologize and telling you he wants you to go out with them but instead it was Jeff.
“Hey,” he waves, sitting on the bed across from you, “Why aren’t you coming out tonight?”
You shrug, not wanting to talk about it. “Just not feeling it tonight,”
“(Y/n). Come on,” Jeff says, “We both know that’s not it.” You stayed silent. If you opened your mouth you would admit everything you’ve been trying to push away.
“If you don’t want to talk about it, then at least come out with me. We can go get dinner and just walk around. We don’t have to go out with them if you want to stay away from someone.” 
His tempting offer gave you the motivation to get out of bed. Plus, it was quite boring being lazy all day, especially while in Hawaii. In less than 30 minutes, you changed your outfit and threw on some makeup. You looked in the mirror one last time, happy with the end result, before meeting Jeff in the hall.
The next couple hours with him were actually enjoyable. He made you forget about all the chaos that went on today. You guys were currently walking around town when you finally got the courage to ask Jeff the question that’s been bugging you all day.
“On the plane ride, you said David called dibs,” You fidgeted with the bottom of your shirt, trying to ease your nerves, “What exactly does that mean?”You heard Jeff chuckle next to you, causing you to look up at him. He had a smirk on his face. 
“I mean it’s nothing really. He just made you off limits since you know, you’re his best friend and all,” His shoulders rise and then fall, “He’s just really protective over you.”
“But he’s not like that with Natalie. He literally tries getting everyone to hook up with her. And they’ve been friends longer,”
“Yeah but they’re basically brother and sister. I don’t know, (y/n), it’s just different for you.” You let it go, not at all satisfied with his answer. But it’s better than nothing. 
“Let’s go out. Let’s meet up with everyone. I’m done being in a mood. This is our vacation, right?”Jeff cheered as he called an uber and got the address from Todd. It was only a 15 minute drive but the entire ride you regretted this decision. You wanted to apologize to David for snapping at him but you knew you had to hold back. It just killed you to see him hurt.
You walked into the bar with Jeff trailing behind you, his hand not leaving your waist as he pushed you through the group. After squirming through too many sweaty body’s you finally reached the group. “YES BABY!” Zane yells as you came into view. You saw David’s eyes travel down your body, taking in your outfit, but he quickly looked away when he noticed you were watching him. You noticed he didn’t have his camera with him, worrying you that what you said really hurt him. 
Everyone was quick to shove shots of alcohol in your face, trying to catch you up to their level of intoxication. You were 3 shots and 1 mixed drink in before the alcohol started to hit you. Letting the music take over, your hips swayed to the beat of the song playing in the background. The next several hours were spent at this bar, just hanging out with everyone. You still hadn’t said a word to David and he hasn’t gone out of his way to talk to you. Shaking the thought out of your mind, you took another shot with Zane, who was borderline plastered. “Baby, why are you so boring tonight,” He slurs as he trys to get another drink. You laughed away his question, hoping he was too drunk to stay on his train of thought. “(Y/n) seriously, stop being boring. Go make up with your man and shake some ass, honey,”
“He’s not my man.” You say, barely audible. Zane smirks, knowing your secret feelings for David.
“But you wish he was,” he says. After another hour or so of being at the bar, you guys finally call it a night. Seeing that it wasn’t a long walk to the hotel, you guys ditch the uber and take the scenic route back. You stayed behind everyone as they all had separate conversations with each other. Lucky for you, David was only a couple feet in front of you. You reach your hand out to grab his, startling him. “Can we talk, please,” You say, looking up at him. 
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olicitysecretsanta · 4 years
Text
Love In An Elevator
For: Mirka @kuningatarmirka by @jennonthewire
Love In An Elevator
Another way Oliver and Felicity could have met, involving elevators and mistaken identity. 
“Hi. I’m glad you could finally make it.” 
One year earlier…
Felicity Smoak is having the kind of day that makes a person wish they’d never gotten out of bed. Overqualified for the grunt work she slogs through in IT at Merlyn Global, answering to a boss who’s so incompetent she can’t fathom how he even graduated college, and being the only woman in her entire department leaves her feeling less than stellar most days. But today is particularly awful, so much so that she grabbed her purse and walked out of her cubicle with no plans to return — which is how she now finds herself alone in the elevator at three twenty in the afternoon, several hours before she would normally clock out. 
Leaning back against the cool metal of the elevator wall, she closes her eyes and tries to breathe deeply. Usually when she pictures abruptly quitting her job, it’s on the heels of telling off her boss and maybe programming his ringtone to elephant farts. She might still do that, actually.
Lost in thought, she doesn’t notice the elevator has stopped until a man steps in. He’s tall with broad shoulders snuggled into an impeccably fitted suit. She’s trying not to stare but it just can’t be helped. He flashes a polite smile then turns to face the door, and it’s a moment before she can tear her gaze away. He’s unfairly handsome. It’s stupid, really. No one should be that good-looking, and yet here he is. 
“I love you.” 
Did she just hear him right? Who tells random strangers they love them? Maybe he said ‘I love your shoes’ because her panda flats are really adorable or ‘I love ewes’ because he’s a big fan of sheep. Or what if this is some kind of time travel thing and he’s her husband from the future come back to replay their meet-cute? If she’s learned anything from years of Doctor Who watching, it’s that time is wibbly wobbly and anything is possible.
Except that this isn’t a TV show and she hasn’t said anything back, which feels rude? Maybe he’s just a guy who wants to spread happiness around. There’s nothing wrong with that. 
“I love you, too.” The words are out of her mouth before she can stop herself, and she watches in utter horror as his back stiffens.
He turns to her slowly, lips pursed and eyebrows raised to the ceiling. She raises her hand in a little wave and tries to smile, but she stops midair when he also raises his hand and points to his ear.
And the Bluetooth he’s wearing.
Because he’s on the phone.
And not talking to her.
If the ground opened up and she fell through to another dimension, one where she hadn’t just told a complete stranger on an elevator who’s talking on the phone that she loves him, that’d be great.
When the elevator stops an eternity later, she’s out the door and through the lobby in a flash. She doesn’t even take a breath until she’s out on the sidewalk. Although now she’s unsure what to do as her car is in the parking garage, which is the level where she meant to get off but didn’t?, meaning she likely exited on the level Elevator Man chose, which means he could be around here somewhere.
Frack.
“Hi. I’m Oliver Queen.” The voice is smooth and soothing, and of course, belongs to Elevator Man. He’s likely trying to not startle the weirdo who just emotionally accosted him, and is now staring at him bug-eyed as if he’s a figment of her imagination. And maybe he is? Likely not, as the universe isn’t that kind to her today. Or ever, really.
Wait. Oliver Queen as in… Queen Consolidated. As in the C-E-fracking-O of Queen Consolidated! Frack, frack, double frack! Of course he’s Oliver Queen because her day literally could not get any worse. 
“As I recall, you’re the one who told me you loved me. Can I really be all that bad?” Oliver Queen is standing in front of her, smiling. 
Felicity closes her eyes tightly, realizing she’s just said all of that out loud and wishing she could teleport to anywhere but here. 
“Yeah, you did.” Is he laughing at her?
“Are you laughing at me?” She jabs a finger into his chest. “Because listen, mister. I was just trying to not be rude. When someone says ‘I love you,’ the most obvious answer is ‘I love you, too.’ And frankly, I’ve had a really terrible day so sue me if my brain wasn’t exactly thinking clearly enough to contain my mouth.”
“I’m sorry,” he atones.
“Actually, don’t sue me. Please. I think I just quit my job and I can’t really afford attorney fees at the moment.” 
She doesn’t realize he’s removed her finger from his chest and is holding her hand in a light grip until he says, “How about we start again? Hi, I’m Oliver Queen. And you are?”
“Felicity,” she replies, looking down at their clasped hands. Oliver moves to shake hers, “Smoak. Felicity Smoak. It’s nice to meet you.”
Oliver releases her hand with an easy smile. “Not so bad, right?” 
“No, not so bad,” she teases back.
She immediately misses the feeling of his palm in hers, which is insane because he’s a complete stranger she just met and is also the best friend-slash-competitive rival of her boss’s boss’s boss’s boss’s son, Tommy Merlyn. Well, maybe ex-bosses now. 
“Hmm?” She’s broken from her thoughts by his hand waving in front of her face.
“I asked if you wanted to get a cup of coffee. It seems like you could use one.” There’s that easy smile again. 
She should say no. After all, she basically just quit her job and should get home to start planning her next steps. Rent doesn’t exactly pay itself. 
But instead she surprises herself yet again. “Yes. Coffee would be nice.”
  Felicity can’t say she’d ever imagined sitting across from Oliver Queen while drinking coffee, or that she’s thought about Oliver Queen that much at all. 
But that’s exactly what’s been happening for the past three hours, as they’ve talked and shared and laughed. Oliver is an incredibly good listener. He never interrupts, just nods and asks thoughtful questions when she’s said something he doesn’t quite get.
“So, if working for someone else is ‘literally killing your soul,’ then why not work for yourself?” 
“It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, Oliver. But starting your own company isn’t that easy. I have a small amount of savings that would probably cover the cost of branding and maybe advertising, but I’d be my only employee and my office space” — she air quotes — “would be the spare bedroom in my townhouse that you can’t currently see the floor of because it’s covered in spare computer parts.” 
“People have started successful businesses with less, Felicity.” 
She doesn’t think he understands what a risk it would be if it didn’t pan out, and tells him so.
“I don’t want to be offensive here, Oliver, but you’re a literal billionaire. You can afford to take risks with your money. I can’t.” Sitting back in her seat, she sips her second cup of coffee as a break in the conversation.
“Felicity.” Oliver leans forward slightly, elbows on the table. “I may not understand what it’s like to have money issues.” She snorts at that and he can’t help but smile a little. She’s charming him and she doesn’t even know it. “But I do know, very well, what it’s like to be in a job you hate — how much it takes from you, how hard you have to work just to keep your head above water.” 
Placing her mug down carefully, she regards Oliver with a shrewd look that lets him know she’s figured out more than he may have been meaning to tell her.
“You don’t like being a CEO?” 
It’s his turn to sip his coffee mindfully, deciding what feels comfortable to tell a stranger that also technically still works for your main competitor. 
 “I feel like I can trust you, Felicity.” 
 “What can I say? I just have one of those faces.” She’s hoping to lighten the sudden heaviness that’s taken over their conversation, but realizes quickly when his face falls that she’s said the wrong thing.
“Hey. You can trust me.” Felicity stretches her arm out across the table and turns her palm up, encouraging him. He takes her hand, and she squeezes softly. 
“Thank you. And not really, no.” He shakes his head. “When my father died, there was just this assumption that I’d take over the company. My sister is still too young, although I think she’d make a much better CEO than I do. She’s ruthless,” he quips. Felicity smiles a little, and nods for him to continue.
“I’m not cut out for it. My dad used to bring me to QC when I was a kid. He’d sit me in his office, and I’d pretend to sign documents and give orders. It was some of the only time I got to spend with him. The company kept him away, and then so did his extracurriculars.” Oliver frowns heavily at that, and Felicity doesn’t have to ask to know exactly what he means.
“I don’t want to be my dad, Felicity. He worked himself to death, and when he was home, it wasn’t any better. My parents fought constantly, which was better than them not fighting because at least they weren’t ignoring each other completely.” He holds her hand a little tighter. “That’s not going to be me. But, the company needs someone to lead if for no other reason than to save the jobs of thousands of employees. I can’t make a different choice, not yet at least.” 
“Thank you for telling me that, Oliver. I know it can’t be easy to talk about.” 
He nods. “Easy with you, it seems.” The blush that creeps up her neck and onto her cheeks makes him smile. 
“I feel the same way, which is kind of weird, right? Seeing as we just met?” 
“I guess. Or… not.” He smiles and Felicity can’t help but smile back. “Felicity, would you like to go out to dinner with me?” “I don’t want to read too much into this, but are you asking me out on a date?” Her voice squeaks just a little. “Like an actual date? Like a date, date?” 
“Well, sure uh…” he stumbles. “The implication being with dinner that you’d uh…”
“Usually I’m the one talking in sentence fragments,” she interrupts. 
Oliver smiles then and huffs out a laugh before his face turns serious. “Felicity, would you like to go out to dinner with me?”
“What about your girlfriend?” 
He pauses, “my what?” 
“In the elevator earlier, you said ‘I love you’ to someone. I guess I just assumed   —” 
“Ah. That was my sister, Thea, on the phone earlier. She was trying to sweet talk me after her report card came in the mail. She’s seventeen and in danger of not graduating. I hired her a tutor, which she’s against.” He leans back in his chair, “but with those grades she’s out of options.” 
“You’re a good brother, Oliver. She may not appreciate what you’re doing for her now, but she’ll thank you later when she’s walking across that stage to get her diploma.” 
“I don’t need her thanks, but cooperation would be appreciated,” he laughs. “So, dinner?”
“Yes,” she nods, biting her lip to hold back the smile threatening to overtake her. 
  After her conversation with Oliver, Felicity goes home to crunch numbers and figure out just how she could make starting her own company work. She emails her resignation to Merlyn Global, and resists the urge to tell her boss exactly what she thinks of him, and then sets to registering her business name and applying for necessary licenses. Within a few days Smoak Tech is officially launched, from Felicity’s spare bedroom and with only one employee. But it’s everything, and she feels the universe is finally on her side.
She and Oliver talk regularly and still meet for coffee, at what’s now their usual place, more days than not, but they haven’t scheduled their date. If Felicity is honest with herself, the reason isn’t that she’s been too busy but rather that she’s purposefully avoiding the situation. 
Oliver is kind and patient. He seems to get her despite them having known each other for only a few weeks. She tries to joke with him about her abandonment issues, make light of the situation so she doesn’t seem as broken as she feels. But Oliver isn’t having it.
“You don’t have to be funny for me,” he promises.
She sighs heavily. He really does get her.
“When I was a girl, I hated myself. I thought I was broken. That no one could, or ever would, love me.” She turns away then, feeling tears prick her eyelids. “It’s the only way a child could grow up when their father abandons them.” 
Oliver is silent as she talks, but the space between them isn’t uncomfortable. He nods patiently, encouraging her.
“All I ever wanted to know was why, you know?” She swipes her fingers underneath her glasses hoping to save mascara from running down her face. “What was so wrong with me that he would leave?” “Felicity…”
“It’s okay, Oliver.” She smiles at him a little. “I don’t need you to make it better. I just wanted you to understand. I’ve already made a huge change in starting Smoak Tech and leaving a job that paid me, not to mention the health and dental benefits were excellent.” He chuckles at that and some of the tension leaves her body knowing he hears her. “I just… can’t start anything else new right now that I’d want to give my full attention to.” She leans over the table they’ve each come to think of as their spot and cups his cheek in one hand.  “And I know that whatever this is between us deserves my full attention. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us now. Do you understand?” 
He places his hand over hers, and leans into her palm just a little. 
“I do. We can wait,” he starts. “Oliver, I can’t ask you to do that —”  “Stop interrupting.” She folds her lips together and it earns her a smile. He removes her hand from his cheek, but doesn’t let go. 
“You’re not asking, I’m offering. Let’s be friends. See where it goes.” He shrugs a little. “I like you, Felicity. I care about you. And I want you in my life. If you’re not ready for anything more than friendship that’s okay.” “What if I’m never ready?” she asks quietly. 
“Then I’ll be happy to be your friend.” He’s so matter-of-fact in his answer that Felicity can’t help but be wary. It can’t be that easy.
“Except it is,” he challenges. When she blinks, he adds, “Out loud again.” 
“Of course it was.” She rolls her head back and stares at the tin-lined ceiling. “I don’t want you to think I’m dangling maybes, Oliver.” 
“Hey. Look at me.” He continues when he has her attention, “You’re not dangling anything.”
“So, we’re friends?”
“We are.” His mouth quirks just a little in that way he has that lets her know he’s amused by her. Felicity nods in acceptance, still holding his hand. 
“Can we still go out for dinner, though? I’m really craving Italian.” 
  Over the course of a year, she and Oliver foster a friendship — one that becomes a cornerstone of her life in Starling. Building a start-up is exactly as hard as it sounds, some days even more so, and leaves her little time for herself let alone to nurture relationships. But Oliver is there anyway, supporting her from the sidelines. He reminds her to call her mother once a week, and cheerleads her into taking a weekend off to visit Barry and Iris: “They’re your best friends, Felicity, and you haven’t seen them in months. Smoak Tech might be an infant, but she can manage without her mom for two days. Trust me.” 
Whether it’s bringing homemade lasagna to her office after hours because he knows she’s still there — “You can’t tell me you’ve eaten anything other than coffee and M&Ms because I won’t believe you”  — or providing a listening ear at two in the afternoon or two in the morning — “You can always call me, Felicity” — he’s quickly become her best friend. 
He’s the only person in her life who doesn’t make her feel guilty when she reads texts and forgets to reply, or drops off the grid for days at a time lost in perfecting some minute aspect of a security code she’s creating for her client. Instead, he reminds her gently to shower and sleep; and on the days she’s particularly tired and weary, offers up a foot rub and her favorite glass of red wine. They spend Sunday mornings at Oliver’s apartment where he prepares them brunch — “I like cooking for you”— a passion of his that Felicity wholeheartedly appreciates given her own lack of culinary prowess. 
A few months after they meet, Thea is arrested for driving under the influence, and Felicity is the person Oliver calls to go with him to retrieve her from the police station in the middle of the night. She holds his hand on the car ride to the precinct, and reminds him to go easy on his sister — “She needs her big brother who loves her unconditionally more than a lecture right now.” 
When Thea is given probation and mandatory community service, Felicity offers her an intern position and makes it her personal mission to help Thea find things she’s good at to invest her time in that don’t include shopping or partying.
Of course, the side effect of Thea working closely with Felicity is the opportunity for her to keenly observe just how her brother and his favorite blonde genius interact. After watching them dance around each other for what feels like years, she takes it upon herself to point out to Felicity what their “friendship” — “Yes, I’m using air quotes appropriately” — looks like from the outside, while they share dim sum she’s ordered in for lunch. 
“You two know you’re dating, right? That’s what this is like, you’re not just friends.” 
“Of course we are, Thea. Your brother is my best friend,” Felicity counters. 
“Right, but you’re also in love with him.” Thea points a chopstick in Felicity’s direction, but in a subtle effort to avoid questioning is stuffing an entire dumpling in her mouth.
“It’s fine, you know. He’s in love with you, too,” she shrugs casually. “Anyone can see that… well, except maybe you.” 
“I’m not in love with your brother, Thea,” Felicity tries, forcing the words from her mouth in a way that even she can admit doesn’t sound the least bit convincing. “Really,” Thea deadpans. “And that’s why you’re six different shades of red right now and I wouldn’t even be able to make out what you just said with that second dumpling you just stuffed in your mouth if I didn’t eat lunch with you every day.” 
Felicity attempts a side eye that comes out more like a quizzical grimace.
“I’m going to take that look to mean you know I’m right.” Thea collects her take-out box and napkins before standing. “I’m not saying you have to do anything about it right this minute but…” Thea closes her eyes for a moment and when she looks at her again Felicity is struck by the sincerity she sees in her expression. “You and my brother. I don’t know. You just work. You’re smart and capable and you challenge him. He’s grumpy and annoying —” “I like to call that brooding,” Felicity interrupts.
“Yeah, that,” she snorts. They both share an eye roll at Oliver’s expense. “But he’s also happy. You make him happy. He trusts you, and you know Ollie so you also know how hard that is for him. He’s taken on a lot since Dad died and left him the company. He never wanted that.” 
“I know he didn’t,” she mumbles quietly.  
“Right,” Thea nods, “which just makes my point for me. He confides in you, relies on your opinion. You help him see there’s more to life than QC and responsibility.  You’re his person, Felicity.” 
She turns to leave then, not waiting for a response, but stops in the doorway. “I’m not saying you have to do anything about it. Ollie and I didn’t grow up with a great example of what a relationship should be so I know love stories don’t always end up happy.“
“Yeah, line forms behind me on that one.” 
Thea’s smile is small but kind. “But we can’t let our parents’ mistakes influence our decisions, especially if it means we miss out on the possibility of love.” 
Felicity purses her lips together as she regards her young protégé. “Thea Queen, when did you get so wise?”
“It’s a gift,” she responds with a shrug of her shoulder. 
Felicity mulls over what Thea said on the drive home that night. Could Oliver be in love with her? She replays in her mind conversations she’s had with him over the past year. 
If you ever need to tell someone about your day, you can tell me.
Is that judgment I’m hearing? Pride. 
You’re not gonna lose me. 
Thank you for always being on my side. 
No other place I’d rather be.
I know who you are. You’re the man that I believe in.
Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.
You’re remarkable. 
It’s been a quiet dream she’s kept to herself all these months: of him feeling the same and their making a go of it — being in love and happy, having a partner to rely on, their own team of two. She’s not wanted to say out loud that she’s in love with Oliver. It’s felt too risky, made her too vulnerable, too fragile. What if it didn’t work out? She’d lose her best friend and the man she loves all at once. But when she looks toward the future, she can’t imagine it without him.  He’s her always. 
And she just wants a chance to be his. 
He’d texted her earlier that day asking if she wanted to stop by for dinner, and she’d replied with a quick “We’ll see, hopefully yes,” but that was hours ago. Whatever he’d made for dinner was probably cold by now, and maybe he wouldn’t even be waiting for her still.
In what is the second impulsive life decision she’s made since meeting Oliver Queen, she makes a u-turn and rather than continuing on her drive home heads toward Oliver’s apartment. She doesn’t have a plan outside of tell Oliver you’re in love with him, which as far as plans go is not the best. Oliver deserves an entire monologue of all the ways she appreciates him, and just how much he means to her. 
You’ve opened up my heart in a way I didn’t know was possible.
You’re always saying how you want me to be happy. The thing is, as long as you’re in my life I am. 
I love every moment that I’m with you, no matter where we are.
We found ourselves in each other. 
Love is too small a word. 
The elevator ride to his floor feels like the longest of her life, and is incredibly ironic considering the last time she was in an elevator and told Oliver she loved him; back then, she was hoping the Hellmouth that’s very likely under Starling would open up and swallow her whole. 
What a difference a year can make.
It’s the ding signaling she’s reached the penthouse that brings her back to the present, and directly across from Oliver’s door. She’s been here hundreds of times and never felt nervous, but now she’s concentrating on her breathing and making sure she puts one foot in front of the other. 
“It’s now or never, Smoak,” she whispers to herself. “Go get your man.” 
She raises a shaky hand to knock, but pulls back at the last second to take another calming breath. Closing her eyes tight, she raps against the wood in quick succession. It takes Oliver less than thirty seconds to answer the door, yet it feels like an eternity as every scenario of how this could go horribly wrong flies through her head. 
“No,” she steels herself. “You deserve this.” 
When the door opens, Oliver stands in front of her wearing that soft Henley she loves to steal on movie nights when she’s cold and those jeans that give her not-so-platonic thoughts every time he turns around. But it’s his socks that get her. He’s wearing the pair she picked up for him in the airport gift shop after her last visit home. The words Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada are written across his toes, and she can’t help but grin. 
Even when she’s not here, she’s with him. The smile on his face mirrors hers, and she takes his outstretched hand to lead her inside. 
 “Hi. I’m glad you could finally make it.” 
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canyouhearthelight · 5 years
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The Miys, Ch. 55
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Things have been out of whack in the real world for a bit, so I know I’ve gotten behind on things like updating the Master List for this story, and especially behind on posting it to Wattpad.  My goal for this week is to have all that sorted out by Friday, so keep your eyes open.
Parts of this chapter were inspired by a conversation I had with @baelpenrose. It’s always surprising what things in my life inspire parts of this story, especially the people.
Content warning: Someone yelling and throwing things. It’s a temper tantrum, and no one gets hurt, but just in case, I wanted to give a head’s up.
”Damn it all to HELL!”
I stopped in the middle of what I was telling my sister as we both whipped our heads toward the shout, which was quickly followed by a crash. We glanced back at each other, her wide-eyed expression a mirror of what I imagined my own face looked like.
That shout came from my quarters, with a suspiciously heavy Irish accent.
We dashed to my door, stopping to peer around the corner as slowly as possible. I wasn’t sure about Tyche, but I had seen Conor angry before.  It was rare, and it took a lot, but when it happened, it happened in a big way.   This time, even I was surprised by the sheer magnitude; as we watched, he shouted and threw things, subconsciously careful to avoid hitting any terrariums or people.  Even so, Zach Khan was dodging to hide behind whatever piece of furniture he could impose between himself and my enraged partner.
Taking a deep breath, I stood tall and squared my shoulders, gently pushing down my sister’s arm when she tried to stop me from confronting Conor.  Firmly, I knocked on the threshold of the wide-open entrance before striding in with more confidence than I currently felt.  “You could at least close the door,” I suggested airily, trying to get his attention.
As I hoped, he whirled around to face me, disheveled hair falling in his face. “Sophie,” he started trying to explain. “You could have gotten hurt.”
“Hello to you, too, sweetie,” I smiled before stretching on my tiptoes as he automatically leaned down to let me kiss his cheek.  “I waited until you were on the other side of the room, facing away.  But that doesn’t explain why you’re currently scaring Zach and Tyche.”
All anger gone at this point, he stepped around me and toward my sister.  He crouched and softened his voice like he was coaxing a scared kitten, which I reminded myself firmly not to laugh at. “Oh gods, Tych, love, I’m so sorry.  I didn’t hit you with anything, did I?” He whirled to face me, all color drained from his face. “Please tell me I didn’t hit you with anything?” he begged, hitting his knees.
“Zach, you can come out now. It’s over,” I called softly to the sofa, before walking over, wrapping my arms around Conor, and assure him I was fine. Really, all he had done was make a mess. “Maybe take up boxing,” I suggested softly, brushing his hair back out of his face. “It’s a much healthier outlet for your frustration.”
Tyche came in the room, tentatively at first, then more confident when she saw Conor’s face buried in my stomach.  She started to pick up debris from the floor, but was interrupted. “Put it down, woman,” the muffled admonishment came from my abdomen. “I made the mess, my job to clean it up.  That’s the rule.”
She sputtered in exasperation. “Then what can I do!?  This place is a mess, and my anxiety says to clean or do something to fix it,” she scolded at my back.
“How about some coffee,” I suggested with a chuckle, patting Conor on the shoulder in indication that he should get started with cleanup.
Once everyone got settled – including Zach with a cocoa, seeing as he was practically vibrating with anxiety – and Conor went about restoring order to our living space and apologizing to the plants, I asked, “Are you going to blow up again if I ask what you were so angry about?”
Conor dropped his hands to his side and tilted his head back to face the ceiling. “No, I won’t. And it was Huynh.”
Tyche growled ferociously before elbowing me. Oh.
That was me growling, not her.
He continued blithely. “The diving platforms are showing signs of rust damage.” Frustration was showing in his tone, but not anger. So far, so good. “Since I was head of the project, he is coming down on me hard. Trying to say I cut corners, didn’t coat everything properly, used the wrong materials, basically just bollocked the whole thing.”
“But you were the one who ordered one of the platforms taken out entirely because it was too close to the line for spec…”
“Hey,” he pointed at me firmly. “That thing would have been clearly out of spec if the temperature varied more than about twenty degrees.”
“It’s climate controlled, and that’s my point. You literally went with ‘better safe than sorry’ the entire time, and he got mad at you for wasting materials to meet the guidelines.”
“That’s my point!” he cried in frustration, flinging his arms wide and falling to his back with a thud that made me wince. “And now, he’s reversed course and accusing me of shoddy workmanship. I can’t win!  Even though Mav signed off that everything was dead level, on the nose within tolerance.”
“Wait,” Zach interjected, wrinkling his nose. “Why would Maverick sign off on that? He’s a pilot. That doesn’t make sense.”
Tyche snickered. “He’s a pilot when we need a pilot. Which is nearly never, so he’s more like an insurance policy there – better to have and not need than need and not have.  No, he’s quality control for any equipment in the research labs.”
“That’s just… what? Not tracking.”  Poor Zach looked like he was getting a headache.  I dropped another marshmallow in his cocoa, and he looked like I had answered his prayers. Ah, yes. Marshmallow makes sense in this crazy world.
“He has an insane eye for detail and is a completely arse about precision,” Conor’s tone was so fond it barely escaped being considered cooing.  He shook his head and glowered at the boot wedged under a piece of furniture. “Huynh is calling that nepotism, by the way.”
“But he’s even worse here!” I cried.  Tyche nodded vigorously, having been subjected to a two-hour rant when she put away a fork the wrong way.  Not in the wrong drawer, the wrong direction.
Maverick was permanently in charge of setting the table for every meal.  It was the only way to avoid killing him outright.
“Okay…” Zach trailed off, pinching his nose and vigorously wiggling his mug to beg for more chocolate salvation. “But the platforms are still rusting?”
“All three,” Conor confirmed.  “They’ve warped badly enough that we had to declare them unsafe until we can figure out the issue.”
“Wait. They rusted that badly in four months?” Tyche looked so confused it made my face hurt in sympathy.  “How is that even possible? Even if you didn’t take any measures to prevent rust, it shouldn’t be that advanced.”
“Grey is trying to figure that out. It’s also why Mav is stuck at work and not here for dinner.”
As much as I wanted to laugh at the – very manly – pout I was witnessing, I was also frustrated by the interruption in our routine.  Shaking my head, I tried to steer the conversation away from our errant pilot. “Is there a possibility that one of the lab’s experiments could have caused the issues?”
Conor shook his head before surveying the area for any more storm damage. “If that was the case, it would be so corrosive everything in the habitat would have died, and all the swimmers would be burned.  We would have known almost instantly.” He raked a hand through his hair, turning to face us. “But if anyone can figure it out, it’s Grey.”
“What I don’t understand,” Tyche ventured, “is that the materials were fabricated here on the Ark, right?  The facilities are obviously more advanced than anything we could have managed before.” She waved her hand at the ceiling for emphasis. “So, how could there be any flaws in the materials themselves?”
“The program still has to be written,” Zach groaned as he leaned forward. “You’re right about the system being more advanced, but that also means it’s incredibly finicky and precise. One character out of place, and everything used could be worthless. And before you ask,” he held up both hands defensively, “I personally checked the programming against what it should have been, and there are exactly zero errors. It’s literally the cleanest bit of programming I’ve ever seen.”
Conor nodded, heading to the kitchen for his own coffee. “And before anyone asks, we’ve had the calculations checked over by six different people, plus our mate Noah.  Calculations are accurate, they were programmed in accurately, and Grey’s people have tested to make sure the output is accurate.  Mav has already measured the samples with everything he could get his hands on, and they all show the amount of precision you would expect from an advanced civilization.  No fault to be found in the materials, whatsoever, which is where I come in.”
“Ugh. Huynh needs someone to blame, and since the materials are as perfect as you could ever dream of, he’s putting the fault in the construction?” I may have had my moments of grudging respect, but I never quite managed to like the bastard. Here he was, proving me right.
“Which puts me on furlough until they figure out what the cause is, yeah.” He huffed explosively and flopped down into the seat my sister vacated for him. “At least I can still work in the hydroponics lab.”
“No offense to you, Zach, but have you considered having Derek cross check the program?”
“None taken, and yes,” he sighed. “But he’s been holed up in his quarters for two weeks now, won’t talk to anyone.  I sent him several requests, but never got a response.”
Alarmed, I started to say something, but Tyche cut me off. “I already checked with Noah, and Derek’s okay.  Not sleeping well, but otherwise his physical health is fine.”
I stood anyway, frowning. “That’s good to hear, and I know he goes through periods where he can’t be around people, but two weeks?  It’s not like him.”  Snatching up my purple fuzzy blanket, I headed to the door. “Mac in your quarters?”
“Yeah, but Soph – “
“Nope.  I’m taking him the blanket and the cat.  If he wants to talk, he’ll talk, but at least this way I can see him with my own eyes. I won’t be long, I promise.  Zach, feel free to stay for dinner.  We’re doing pizza tonight.”  With that, I took off, focused on my mission.
It only took me about fifteen minutes to collect my furry co-conspirator and make it to Derek’s quarters. “Hey,” I called softly, praying he still had the outer microphone on. “I heard you’ve been taking some alone time, so I thought I would bring you the blanket and your buddy.  No clue how you managed two weeks without him, but Mac misses you – “
The door slid open, revealing a piled of blankets with a surly, squinting face poking out. The door is keyed to let him in, Derek said impatiently before stepping aside to let me in.
As soon as the door closed behind me, the blanket monster stomped past and dropped on the bed.  I was relieved that nothing about the room immediately screamed for help.  Low lights, white noise in the background, and about as tidy as I could expect from a seventeen-year-old.  Two arms thrust themselves from the heap of fabric on the bed, hands grasping in a gesture that needed no working knowledge of sign language to understand.  Obediently, I handed over the soft purple offering in my hands.  Meanwhile, Mac dropped gracefully next to Derek with a demanding yowl.
“He likes to be invited,” I explained gently.  It was taking every ounce of willpower – and some I was pretty sure I didn’t possess – to keep myself from interrogating him on the length of his isolation.  Instead, I watched him rub my blanket against his face with one hand while the other tugged the large black cat onto his lap and started stroking it.  Despite token resistance, Mac quickly settled in for what was likely long-overdue and well-deserved attention.
I waited a few seconds, in case Derek wanted to talk, then cleared my throat. “Well… let me know if you need me to bring you anything else, okay?  And remember, cheese will make Mac sick, no matter how much he likes it.”  Quietly, I left with clenched teeth and eyes burning from tears I refused to shed.  I was trying to break my habit of smothering people, but it was hard.  Logically, I knew Derek could take care of himself – superficially, he had been doing fine.  But the fact that every blanket he seemed to own was layered over him, even just to answer the door?  He needed comfort, clearly.  Being incredibly touch-averse, I had to restrain my urge to hug him and let Mac and the blankets do the work.
Halfway back to my quarters, my databand chirped.  With a flick, I displayed the screen to see a message from him. “Not sleeping well. Nightmares.  They make me jumpy.  Mac will help.”
The corner of my mouth quirked up, despite my heart wanting to break. “He’s good for that,” I replied. “He eats nightmares, I think.”
“I’m not a child, I don’t need silly stories.”
I scoffed. “I know that. I’m being serious.  I never have nightmares when he’s around, and he always makes that face like he just ate when I wake up. Either he’s figured out how to work a console or he eats bad dreams.”
“I’ll lock down my console and let you know.”
With a deep breath, I told myself Derek would be okay and strolled back into my quarters.  Zach, Tyche, and Conor were in the kitchen, laughing and working on getting the pizza dough going.  It panged my heart not to see Maverick, but a part of me hoped that he would still manage to make it home in time to eat with us.
I’ll make an anchovy pizza, just in case, I told myself.
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Writebr Intro
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Writeblr Intro Time!
Hiya! This is so overdue and I apologize for that lol. I’ve been meaning to write this but school seems to always be getting in the way of just that. Writing. But here I am finally writing this! And yes my username is a pun of my own last name but I just couldn’t resist.
So basically, I really want to surround myself with other writers and have stumbled across tons of writeblr’s (I think that’s what they’re called lol). Instantly I was in love and wanted more of what the community had to offer. I’ve been a self-proclaimed “author” or writer since my early years of grade school. I was that child in the back of the class with ADHD that couldn’t sit still (the cliche bouncing leg and always chewed down nails) and had what my mother called an “overactive imagination”. My notebooks in high school were often filled with wild stories about “galaxies far far away” or dystopias with cruel governments ruled by dictators. Now I’m in my second year of college swamped with classes about the Psychology of criminals (or I like to call the science of murder), and trying to find time to write a novel. So the struggle is real my dudes.
A little about Me:
Hana
20
She/Her
Pisces
Asexual
Forensic Psychology Major and English with a concentration in Writing Minor
Book hoarder
Dog Mom
Vintage AF
Low Key Emo Punk because I’m no average white girl!
History nerd (Love learning about the old wars and cultures)
Movie nerd (There’s an endless stack of DVDs in my house)
Fandoms:
The Mandolorian (or the ManDADolorian)
Star Trek
Star Wars
Hannibal
X-Files
King Falls Am
Welcome to Nightvale
Transformers (Obviously not the bad movies lol. Bumblebee is baby and must be protected always.)
Good Omens
Sherlock
Lord of the Rings
Marvel (There are so many shows and movies in this category we would be here all day if I tried to list them.)
Timeless (Not sure if the fandom is still alive after what the writers did to one of our ships lol)
DC (I’m a huge Batman geek and adore Wonderwoman, but I take the good with the bad when it comes to this fandom. Especially movie-wise anymore.)
And there’s probably more but my memory isn’t working currently.
Goals?. . . maybe:
Get my novel finished (This has literally been on my To-Do List for who knows how long.)
Meet more writers/new writers.
Improve my poetry (I suck at poetry so I bad I never let it see the light of day, so I need to work on it.)
Start my bullet journal.
Wips:
Okay by now you all know I have at least 1 Wip because I mentioned getting a freaking novel done, but just as a precaution as to what I mean by Wip or Wips. I get distracted quite easily, for some odd reason my brain absolutely loves to jump from one idea to another for no absolute reason. Like WTF dude we already have an idea we’re working on why do you keep bringing all these new ones to me like stray dogs. And like any good dog Mom or distracted writer, I want to keep all the ideas/stray dogs. So, when I say Wip I mean “Look at this cool idea I came up with” and I’ll make sure to specify which one is hogging most of my time.
Renegade: Dystopian, Thriller, Post-Apocalypse, and Science Fiction.
This is my baby. Most of my free time is dedicated to adjusting plotlines, character arc’s, fixing freaking plot holes, and other important stuff other than just plain writing. I’m hoping to finish this also monster of a story by 2020 and get it published. So big stuff!  
“So tell me little wolf do you want to punish those who have wronged you?” An assassin known as the Crimson Ghost makes their way through the corrupt city-state of Ashton completing a job given to them by the Black Rose. What is a seemingly normal job though turns into something far more complicated when they stumble upon the fractions of an abandoned notebook from the past. A past the Republic is trying to desperately hide and bury no matter what. On the other side of the world in the Republic’s capital Eshar, plainly referred to as “The Prodigy” or “machine” by his superiors,  Eric Coalwood has built a life upon the ashes of his family, striving to meet the high expectations set before him by his mentor General Wolfheart. However, his life falls out of its normal day to day routine when the unexpected is asked of him. Command a task force made up of the Republic’s most wanted or his life is over. Eric doesn’t need reasons for why he must do what he has to, all he needs are orders and the Republic is more than happy to give them. Either way the clock is ticking for both the Crimson Ghost and the Republic’s prodigy and with time running out they both have two options. Either get over their different beliefs concerning the Republic or allow the world to once again succumb to war but this time nobody is going to survive it. “Legends are slippery things. For the glory that coats them hides the pain, suffering and death that created them.”
The Trouville Files: Dystopian, Thriller, Post-Apocalypse, and Science Fiction.
Not my biggest priority but definitely one of them considering the plot of this story. I mainly use this wip as a reference for Renegade because it’s actually the prequel to it. Also, it’s great to use as writing practice when I’m plagued with writer’s block for Renegade or frustrated with a plot hole. So this is my double-edged sword that does a lot of good.
“Death in these black days is neither kind nor quick.” The year is 2153, the world we know is nothing more than a wasteland strewn with the dead and a sky being choked by their ashes, not glorious and thriving but desolate and starving. The Red Death, a pandemic with a steady progression and a gruesome countdown to the demise of those infected. No one outruns it or survives it. “United we stand, divided we fall.” The Allied Nations, a totalitarian superpower, promised a united people but all they gave this world was more death and destruction. The Red Death isn’t the only thing slowly killing humanity anymore, we are in the form of the War of Broken Pacts. The spark of revolution is lit, but if it will remain so is a question asked by everyone. Does it stand a chance against the iron-fisted government holding the people in shackles? “Rebel with a cause.” Genius Medical Officer for The People’s Republic, Cyprus Ramiro works day and night in search of a cure for the Red Death exterminating hundreds, at least before this war kills him first. But he is also a man on the run and the rebellion can only shelter him for so long. “Duty over pain.” Cunning Spy and Soldier, Orion Ultor is ordered by the Allied Nations to infiltrate and gather information on the ever-growing People’s Republic. In bold letters is Search and Destroy; make a ruin of the rebellion and ensure the Allied Nations remains as it should -- unquestionably in power. No matter the cost unless he wants to suffer the consequences again. “If we fall we shall rise from the ashes like a phoenix.” They should have never met, battlefields don't make good friends. It wasn't fate, it wasn't destiny, only war throwing people together.  The Allied Nations is trying to stamp out something they fear, but can they before the Red Plague? Or will humanity find itself extinct.
Beyond his point is where I house my stray dogs/ideas
Hiraeth: Paranormal, Horror, Mystery, and Thriller.
Scooby-doo who?
Hiraeth means a homesickness for a home which you cannot return. That is how Arcane feels like she’ll never be home no matter how hard she tries to connect with her family. The closest she feels to being home is with her friends and in the worn leather seats of the van they all pitched in to buy. It all started out as a way to pass time and for all of them to escape their families because to be honest parents never understand, but it all turned sideways when a simple “ghost hunting trip” stirred something that was meant to remain buried. The truth never remains buried though, not really, somehow it will always creep back in ugly and twisted. Arcane has never felt “at home” but she’ll do whatever it takes to keep what she considers her family safe.
Sweet Dreams: Historical Fiction, Thriller, and Romance.
A literal dream turned into story plot and no I’m not kidding.
The Red String of Fate, The Lovers, and War. These are the three elements intertwined within the plot of Sweet Dreams but before anyone makes any assumptions this isn’t some chummy rom-com. There will be tears and heart strings may get yanked clean out because the angst is real. War and love never mix well, it leaves a sour taste in ones mouth and makes the mind question things it shouldn’t. Like is the woman in his dreams the same woman he sees in all his dreams? Constantly he somehow ends up spotting that same ruby red lipstick, honey golden eyes, and brunette hair laying in perfect curls. She’s everywhere except in his actual life. They say you and your soulmate share dreams, living proof of how intertwined souls are. She doesn’t believe in love or the idea of souls, not with the monsters roaming around the countryside and battlefield carrying assault rifles. Society tells her where her place is, but she disagrees and rather create her own destiny.
The Prophet: Paranormal, Thriller, Post-Apocalypse, and Science Fiction.  
A short story I can’t seem to let go or it doesn’t want to let me go, but either way, this story has the makings for something great. It also at times seems strikingly similar to Good Omens, so don’t be surprised.
There’s no anti-christ in this story, he already has a book about himself so let’s not make another one besides there are other stories that need to be told. Such as, have you ever heard of modern day prophets and I’m not talking about those people with cardboard signs saying “the end is near!” or giant churches with people preaching about the end times. No, I’m talking about a kid with messy hair and dark circles under their eyes because sleep is no longer a choice due to migraines that plague them every night. Migraines that bring weird cryptic messages that make one question their own sanity. And what happens when strange people start asking about said migraines and messages?
Virago: Fantasy, Thriller, Historical Fiction, and Romance.
I’m not a huge fantasy reader, for some reason I can’t stay invested in them, but here I am with a fantasy story in my wips. It has mages, knights, assasination plots, and one super badass general who takes zero shit from her king. That’s right women empowerment, my dudes! I don’t really have much of a synopsis inline or a plot because this is only of those wips I let rattle around in my brain from time to time. But I will say it does give me that LOTR vibe but also Game of Thrones.  
Don’t be surprised if you see my stray doggos from time to time because I will admit I love to play around with storyboards. Even if I don’t have a fully planned out plot put together for it.
And that concludes this what was supposed to be short Writeblr Intro. I hope I have peaked some of your guys’ interests because the community definitely got a hold of minee. Feel free to send me a message about anything I mentioned (even if it’s just fandom shit I don’t care) and don’t be shy. I’m a huge introvert but somehow love talking, so don’t worry it won’t be awkward and odds are I’m equally nervous about conversation lol. Also, feel free to add me to any taglist and reblog/like if you’re active and would like more Writeblr mutuals!
Happy Writing,
Writings-from-the-Hart
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enkisstories · 4 years
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Just like them (part 13)
Still the kitchen in Gavin’s apartment, still November 18th
“He’s…” Gavin started and already Tina blinked due to the unexpected use of a pronoun other than “it” for an android out of her friend’s mouth.
“I’m…” Daniel said only a split-second afterwards and then both men stopped, because why should they take it upon themselves to explain anything, if that other guy could take the blow just as well? Come on, asshole, make yourself useful!
Tina looked from one to the other. At his point Jin forced himself between the adults, dragging Lucky behind him as if he was a teddy bear. The adolescent cat didn’t seem to mind. Being the center of the attention and getting all the treats definitely beat playing surrogate dad for three kittens!
“Can we have fish sticks today, mommy?” the boy crowed. “With ketchup!”
Gavin jumped up and picked his phone up from the kitchen table. “On it, junior!”
“Order salad with the finger food! Do you hear me, Gavin? Salad! Three!”
Covering the phone’s microphone with his hand, Gavin replied: “Geeze, Tina, are you sure you can manage three salad on your own?”
“One for you, me and Jin each!” the officer growled back, but Gavin only laughed.
Now Daniel rose, too, and in the same fluent movement took the phone off the human.
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Shhh! I’m making a call here!”
Let’s see… Subject 1: “Reed, Gavin”… Territorial, competitive, also a bit of a human cat. Will want cuddles while chewing on a still living spider. Current mood: surprisingly outstanding.
<<<Error… error… no path found for “surprise”>>>
Shut up, Cyberlife. I AM surprised, deal with it.
Add_to_simulation: Subject 2: “Chen, Tina”… Introvert, female version of subject 1, also asian, so highly likely not to be able to digest milk products, will enjoy them anyway just BECAUSE. Current mood: Existing (=default)
Add_to_simulation: Subject 3 Reed-Chen, Jin… A little Gavin, bright mind, easily excited, still believes the best of everyone. Current mood: Happy, but exhaustion slowly setting in.
Aaaaand… Start_simulation
>>>Results in, save to database Y/N
>>>Y and open file
Ew, really, Gavin? Tuna & pineapple? Nah, that’s close, but not quite correct. Tina gets the pineapple crime, Gavin is even worse. And not that literally a cat either.
>>>Save changes & close file
“Yes, Reed here, customer ID 393804. We’d like one large shrimps & tangerine pizza, one large pizza Hawaii with extra chicken, one Captain’s Galley kiddie meal with the octopus rings, a lava cake, a small german cheesecake and an apple turnover with raisins. What salads do you have? I’m getting nagged to order one, is there a low on leaves alternative, maybe? Tomato salad, you say? Yeah, that might be a good compromise, we’d like three of those, please. For drinks a large rootbeer extra frothy, a large rootbeer licorice, a medium apple juice with a straw, plastic… What? No, I wasn’t insulting you. I didn’t even KNOW you were an android. I just want a plastic straw for our kiddo. It’s bad for the environment? You only have metal ones? Okay, one of those then, but it better fucking glows! Oh, and throw in a small thirium smoothie, whatever that is supposed to be. Not all of us are fortunate enough to snag a job in the snack industry… or any job at all. Yes, that was all. Thank you!”
Daniel turned around to where Gavin stood gape-jawed.
“How… how did you do that?!” the man gasped. “I mean, I have a pretty good idea how, but… HOW?”
So it wasn’t just the Connors with their fancy crime scene analyzing software. Even the simplest Cyberlife devices seemed to be able to see right through a human. And with their safety locks off, what would hold the deviants back, prevent them from turning the tables and enslaving humanity?
Years of policework of course could have supplied the answer easily: Socialization. Every human was perfectly able to kill every other, but only a rare few actually did so. For their own good the humans had to integrate the androids into their society and better sooner than later, so that one day any given android and human in the USA had more in common with each other than with a foreign human or android.
But none of that was on the forefront of Gavin’s mind in this moment. He only felt the cold chill of standing right across from the creepy machine that had seen right through him. What else might it have picked up? On the other hand, there were that damn smile and Daniel’s playful reply to Gavin’s outburst:
“What shitty person would I be if I didn’t know my best friend’s tastes? Cyberlife suggested tuna, but… ah, you cringe. Haha, knew it!”
“What was that just now about “best friend”?” Tina inquired. “You do not mean to tell me that you are friends with an android?”
The men exchanged quick glances. The game was on and Tina their first test person…
“Yeah, totally”, Gavin confirmed, to which Daniel added: “We go, uh, waaaaayy back!”
“Best friends, huh…” Tina crossed her arms, trying to come to a decision whether she should believe that or not. Her face brightened up when she got an idea: “What’s the android’s name, Gavin?”
“Daniel. Daniel Phillips. I could even tell you his registration number, but won’t, because that would be rude.”
Good save, Daniel thought, but then an unwelcome thought crossed his mind: Am I supposed to know your badge number?
It didn’t seem to matter, since first and foremost it was Gavin getting tested here, not his android (pretend) friend. Or was it? Because Tina now turned her attention to the PL600!
“I think I know you”, she mused aloud. “You’re the PL600 from the evidence archive, aren’t you?”
“Yes. We talked a few times at the DPD, remember? When I reported the burglary.”
“Yes, yes I do!” Tina smiled sympathetically at both men now. “So… wow, Gavin! So that’s why you got all enraged when Connor entered the archive! You were on your way to Daniel and it was interrupting!” * see footnote
Gavin shook his head frantically. He waved his hands in front of his body and would almost have taken a step back, had he not realized it and forced himself to not do that.
“Tina, no, it’s not what you think!”
“Yes, that’s how it happened”, Daniel said at the same time, completely at ease.
“No!” Gavin yelled, almost in desperation. What had gotten under his skin, Daniel wondered?
“Oh, I’m so happy for you!” Tina exclaimed. “So you’re done pretending to be hetero? But we’re still friends with benefits, right? Don’t you dare cancel the arrangement or I’ll sue you out of your retirement funds and then some!”
Gavin didn’t even wait for his friend to finish her little speech. When Tina had reached the “happy”, he grabbed Daniel by the shoulder, turned the android around and pushed him towards the door.
“Out! At once!”
Not comprehending what exactly was happening here, Daniel found himself in the floor, but that was as far as he’d let himself get herded without an explanation. Daniel broke free from the detective’s hold the moment the human got ready to push him against the wall, something Gavin needed to adjust his posture for a little. But that little was enough.
When the android asked “What’s the matter, Gavin?” next, it sounded as neutral as he was able to make it, with even a hint of concern strewn in. The human needed to realize that Daniel wasn’t his enemy, although by all rights they should be enemies. For some reason that hadn’t happened. But the way Gavin was glaring at Daniel, that seemed to have changed.
“Why did you say that?” Gavin growled. “We had a pact, but here you go, betraying me at first opportunity? Caught some of Connor’s code or what?”
The accusation stung, so Daniel smacked Gavin, a single time only. From Daniel’s brief experience with those particular humans that seemed to equal the normal code of conduct among the DPD officers, where senior officers occasionally held each other at gunpoint. And indeed, the friendly gesture got registered as such.
Gavin still had a hard time processing all the change. One moment the android stabbed him in the back, the next it was so fucking polite again?
“Look, I have no idea what you are talking about!” Daniel stated.
“Ha! As if you didn’t know what folks meet in the archive for!”
“Registering evidence…”
“Sh’ya right!” Gavin spat. “The basement is the DPD’s make-out spot! How couldn’t you know, after having been there for three months?”
“Let me think, how about I was… deactivated?”
“Oh. Oh, right.”
Gavin exhaled sharply. No betrayal. Good, good. But even so…
“Tina now thinks we’re dating!”
“Ever since August? Wow. We must be truly in love. But also a bit insecure about it, if nothing came of it so far…”
Again Gavin’s left arm shot forward to grab the android, the right hand balled up into a fist that he held threateningly towards Daniel.
“Don’t mock me, tin can!”
“Stop!” Daniel yelled. “We are each other’s best shot at what we want! And afterwards will discard each other…”
The android had intended to state this as a matter of fact, but couldn’t keep the disappointment out of his voice. It wasn’t even directed towards Gavin, but himself. It was as Geeta had said the day Daniel had gotten released from the archive: Deviance meant becoming human and he, Daniel, had achieved that feat now. Using and discarding, emotionless, only looking out for yourself, just like the humans did. He had become like John Phillips.
“Fuck, Daniel…”
Gavin was still holding the deviant by his sweater, but now place the other hand, that had been a fist until now, on Daniel’s shoulder. But then he didn’t know what to do or say next or why he had done it in the first place. Comforting a household appliance, that just wasn’t done! Or, if the deviants were more than robots, after all, comforting an enemy… Okay, that was a little less crazy, but still ill-advised.
Since neither of the two moved, this was how Tina found the men.
“Discard?” she repeated what little of their exchange she had picked up. “You aren’t breaking up now, are you?”
“No, of course not!” Gavin sputtered.
What he had meant to convey was that he couldn’t break up with Daniel, because they were not together. But Tina of course had to misunderstand him.
“Right”, she said. “That would be stupid, now that you two can be open about it.”
Gavin didn’t correct Tina. His purposeful misleading of the friend left a bad aftertaste, though, because he couldn’t recall a time when they had kept secrets from each other. Gavin knew he needed to let Tina in on the scam, just not right now. Everything was confusing enough as it was.
Meanwhile Tina’s thoughts had reached a point that generated a whole new level of threat for the pretend friends: “I guess we have to thank Markus for giving you that chance. I have to give him that, even though the sucker played a dirty trick on me at Capitol Park. I think he’s set up a twitter account? I need to text him, tell him about the two of you…”
“What have we done…” Gavin moaned. “I think I could stomach a salad now, after all!”
And the android arm that Daniel slung around his shoulders at these words didn’t help at all…
Footnote: I’m referencing another story idea I’ve toyed with here. Indigo turned it into a full-fledged fic that you can read here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22499176?view_full_work=true
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Fic recs:
Ok so during these past few years I’ve read sooooo many good fics, and I’m going to recommend my favorites !! Most of these are Member/Reader but there are some exceptions!! 
Keys:
❦-Fluffyyyyy like marshmellows
☽-Angst, you WILL cry
☠-Smut, for when you’re alone at night
BTS
Jin
Folia by httpjeon ❦ ☠
Synopsis: stressed from work, you’re sent on vacation to the beautiful, tropical planet of Liana where you meet a beautiful Folian man named Seokjin, who makes your vacation 10x better.
This is probably the wridest fic on this list, but I’m not complaining. If you like this one then I also recommend the rest of the made of stardust series. 
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Yoongi
5:40 PM by minnpd: ☠
one of my favorite smut pieces.
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Hoseok
Gyve by jiminwereckedme: ☽ ☠
Synopsis: On the occasion of your best friends wedding and high school reunion, you happened to meet once again, one of the richest heirs of the country, famous fuckboy Jung Hoseok. While the world saw him as a cocky arrogant person and you, as a confident, strong woman, only the two of you knew the scars that were hidden, and things you both were unable to fix. Only the two of you could see right through each others facade. But could you and Hoseok finally break the gyves holding you back? Or were you the ones who shackled each other in the first place?
While the world saw him as a cocky arrogant person and you, as a confident, strong woman, only the two of you knew the scars that were hidden, and things you both were unable to fix. Only the two of you could see right through each others facade. But could you and Hoseok finally break the gyves holding you back? Or were you the ones who shackled each other in the first place?
I have never wanted to be rich as much as when I read this fic, it also brought me into a “wedding planning period” lol, if you’re up for that then I recommend this a loooooot.
Tip 143 by minflix ❦ ☠
Synopsis: Even though he is everything you find attractive in a man, your friend and co-worker Jung Hoseok is just exactly that - a friend and co-worker. For some reason, you have never found yourself attracted to him even though all the girls and guys around you go absolutely crazy for him.But that all changes for you one night while scrolling through Heart2Heart, a sex live cam website…
Honestly all of minflix’s fanfictions deserve to be on this list, bu out of them Tip 143 is my personal favorite. I love the portrail of Hoseok (he’s such a cutieeeee). Totally recommend it !
Transference by dark-muse-iris: ☽ ☠
Synopsis: Prolonged periods of work-related stress brings you to a cross-road in life that leaves you prone to make impulsive decisions. During a routine visit to your local bakery, you stumble upon an intriguing business card belonging to a “tantric therapist” and take a risk. When you discover your therapist is an attractive young man with penchant for shibari, you throw a caution to the wind as he helps guide you self-recovery.
Wowowowowowowwwww, this fic is so addicting and the sexual tension has never been higher and I literally can’t recommend this enough.
Starfire by readyplayerhobi ❦ ☽
Synopsis: The schism that broke the galaxy began, as it usually does, over a disagreement. The resultant civil war has raged for hundreds of years. When a ragtag group of travellers discovers something that could turn the tide of war, for good or for worse, the bonds of friendship and love will be tested.
Okay so hear me out; even though this fiction isn’t even near complete the setup is done amazingly and I just KNOW that this series is going to turn out fantastic.
War lords by avveh (Namjoon/reader/Hoseok): ☠
Synopsis: Sometimes, we all need to let a little loose on the control we have in our lives. This fic actually reminds me a little of house of cards. It’s another mafia au with loads of dark smut, just not quite as gross as house of cards. Either way it’s really good and the portrails of Namjoon & Hoseok makes my knees weak. 
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Namjoon
Phototbooth by seraphjoon: ☠
Synopsis: You never knew fucking in a photobooth, while all your friends are on the other side, could be this sweet. 
Just a lil something for your late night rendevouz
War lords by avveh (Namjoon/reader/Hoseok): ☠
Synopsis: Sometimes, we all need to let a little loose on the control we have in our lives.
This fic actually reminds me a little of house of cards. It’s another mafia au with loads of dark smut, just not quite as gross as house of cards. Either way it’s really good and the portrails of Namjoon & Hoseok makes my knees weak. 
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Jimin
The secrets triology by avveh: ☠
Synopsis: Park Jimin is the office’s oddball. Meek and quiet as a mouse, you never assume to omuch of him. Your mistake.
I present to you all; Park Jimin’s duology. This fiction really really really describes what it´s like when he goes from the worlds sweetest mochi to a sex icon in mere seconds. BOOM, is all I want to say.
Slight changes by chiminiemoans: ☽ ☠
THIS FIC WRECKED ME, from the day I read it and onwards I’ve only been a shell. No but seriously though, this fic is a masterpiece, probably one of my all time favorite fictions. It’s so well written and it just gives me all the feels, even thinking about it makes me want to cry. Also, I’ve never wanted to just scream FUCK YOU TAEHYUNG as much as when reading this. 
I’ll never be her by anon-luv: ☽
Synopsis: You loved him with all your heart, but he could only give you half of his. Jimin was the love of your life, your night in shining armor when she wasn’t around. She was his ex girlfriend,  his first love, actually she was his many firsts and she kept coming back. He had warned you she was his weakness, but you didn’t listen, because to you having him even if it was only partially was better than not having him at all. At least for now.
If you haven’t noticed it already, I’m currently in a love hate relationship with angst. Speaking of love hate relationships, this fic. It’s sooo sad, yet I can’t hate it. 
A lack of color by minflix ❦ ☽☠
Synopsos: Slowly but surely, you were starting to warm up to the idea of forever seeing in black and white as long as Jimin was by your side. 
This is another minflix fic that I love, can’t recommend it enough if you’re a fan of angst (like me).
Baby, baby by hobiwonder ❦ ☽☠
Synopsis: When you’ve run out of savings to continue on to the last semester of your Bachelors - you take an unorthodox route. Helping a desperate couple have a child and getting paid for it? Heck yeah. But what do you know - it wasn’t as easy as it sounds.
Another hobiwonder fic, but is anybody even slightly surprised. This one is my personal favorite of hers/his though, the writing style is 10/10 and the plot is AMAZING. Also, the sexual tension, I’VE NEVER FELT ANYTHING QUITE LIKE IT
Covet by bang-tan-bitches: ☠
Synopsis: Agreeing to meet Lee Ji-Hye’s boyfriend Park Jimin was your first mistake
This is INTENSE
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Taehyung
You were happy by evangelene: ☽
Synopsis: You were in love with your best friend, and he only cared about his girlfriend. On the upside, you have two boys willing to do anything for you–including searching to the end of the earth when you go missing.
If there’s one author out there that never fails to make me cry it’s evangelene. This fiction is a whole rollercoaster ride, and I honestly doubt I’ve ever cried as much as when reading this. THIS WILL MAKE YOU CRY
Hush by sugakookiemonster (Taehyung/Reader/Jungkook): ☠
Synopsis: Four seats, five bodies. “Careful, sweetheart,” he breathed into the shell of your ear, hand tightening over your waist in warning. You lick your lips, pausing just long enough to ponder; what if you don’t want to be careful?
 This duo, this duo was made to kill us all I promise. And in this fic, woahhhh like I’ve never been this attracted to book characters before.
D!ck on the go by jeonggukingdom: ☠
Synopsis: It was all shits and giggles when you and Taehyung were desperate seniors in High School, having no idea what to do with your lives, wondering if you’d ever find a decent job or even graduate in the first place. It is not so funny anymore when you come home from the big city to enjoy your vacation time and you find his sex-shop right in front of the house you grew up in when you were a kid. “If nothing works out I’m just gonna open a sex shop and call it something obnoxious like ‘Dick on the Go’ or something with a stupid zucchini logo flashing on top of the building.” He had said one time. Shit, you had no idea he actually meant it.
This is plain crack, like I have NO clue what’s happening, but I can’t deny enjoying it...A lot...
Slight changes by chiminiemoans: ☽ ☠
 THIS FIC WRECKED ME, from the day I read it and onwards I’ve only been a shell. No but seriously though, this fic is a masterpiece, probably one of my all time favorite fictions. It’s so well written and it just gives me all the feels, even thinking about it makes me want to cry. Also, I’ve never wanted to just scream FUCK YOU TAEHYUNG as much as when reading this. 
Insomnia by hobiwonder ❦ ☠
Synopsis: You can’t sleep. 
I seriously love all of hobiwonder’s fictions, and this one is no exception. 
Baby, baby by hobiwonder ❦ ☽ ☠
Synopsis: When you’ve run out of savings to continue on to the last semester of your Bachelors - you take an unorthodox route. Helping a desperate couple have a child and getting paid for it? Heck yeah. But what do you know - it wasn’t as easy as it sounds.
Another hobiwonder fic, but is anybody even slightly surprised. This one is my personal favorite of hers/his though, the writing style is 10/10 and the plot is AMAZING. Also, the sexual tension, I’VE NEVER FELT ANYTHING QUITE LIKE IT
Masque by minstrophywife: ☠
Synopsis: World infamous thief Vante only steals the most valuable and exquisite of art.
I love everything with this fic; the writing style, the plot and Taehyung, especially Taehyung though. He’s so mysterious !! 
Covet by bang-tan-bitches: ☠
Synopsis: Agreeing to meet Lee Ji-Hye’s boyfriend Park Jimin was your first mistake
This is INTENSE
More than us by jeongi ❦ ☽ ☠
Synopsis: Taehyung had always been the common thread in the capsule of your memories, your best friend until the very end. But the thoughts had always lingered; could the two of you ever be more than this?
CUUUUUTEEEEE
The doms next door by tatertotthethot (Junkook/Reader/Taehyung): ☠
Synopsis: In which you unknowingly accept the offer to become a tattoo model for the two, sexually-crazed men next door.
This. Fic. Is. So. Good. I. Can’t. Even. Explain. Just. Do. Yourself. A. Favor. And. Read. It.
Devotion by kookswife (Jungkook/Reader, ft Taehyung): ☠
Synopsis: you drunkenly touch yourself in front of your neighbour, hoping he’ll take notice. you can’t help but do a double take when he actually does.
Lol, are you starting to see the pattern? Honestly though, if there’s one duo that could kill me by just breathing it would be Junkook and Taehyung. (Which is what they do in this fiction)
                                                    *   *   *   *   *   *
Jungkook
The house of what’s left by evangelene: ☽
Synopsis: You had always loved Jungkook, but he never knew what he had until it was far too late.
I hate this, I hate how much it makes me cry I hate, hate hate this. But seriosuly though, if you love angst as much as I do this is a must read.
Hush by sugakookiemonster (Taehyung/Reader/Jungkook): ☠
Synopsis: Four seats, five bodies. “Careful, sweetheart,” he breathed into the shell of your ear, hand tightening over your waist in warning. You lick your lips, pausing just long enough to ponder; what if you don’t want to be careful?
This duo, this duo was made to kill us all I promise. And in this fic, woahhh like I’ve never been this attracted to book characters before.        
Saying goodbye by stanrandomthings:  ☽
Synopsis: You never expected that no texts from your boyfriend could lead to disastrous events.
Time for some more angst. It’s very short and delicate yet oh so sad.  
Blue orchids by inktae: ❦ ☽
This is a hanahaki fic, and it’s really good. There’s something about hanahaki diseases that is so beautifully sad, idk why but I love this concept.           
Tease by Junkooksloststar: ❦ ☽☠
Synopsis: You came with the intentions of your best friend landing a job as a stripper. You never meant to catch the eyes of the king stripper of the establishment- Jeon Jungkook, yourself. With what was supposed to be a harmless way of paying off college debt faster you find yourself falling into a very odd and passionate relationship with your new mentor. Between infidelity, passion and jealousy there’s never a dull moment at Cherry Bomb.
I love this fic with my whole heart, it’s so addicting and amazing and fabulous and everything I ever could have wished for. And can we please talk about Jungkook in this; a literal god.
One thing right by hobios: ❦ ☽☠
Synopsis: “i’ve been wrong about a million times, but i’ve got one thing right.” Or, desperate to get your ailing mother into the best care possible, you ask your childhood friend turned enemy to marry you for his health insurance benefits. the only problem is it’s illegal. and he’s the sheriff. and you swore to hate him since the day he broke your best friend’s heart.
The plot in this story is arguably quite basic and cliché, BUT don’t let that stop you from reading it. Because the writing is so so so beautiful.         
Arachne boy by kinktae: ❦☠
Synopsis: How do you tell your best friend that the reason you can’t hang out with her is because you’re too busy trying to save New York? Or, “Are you asking me if I piss out webs?”
Don’t we all love a good spiderman au? It’s light hearted, cute and everything I could possibly have asked for.   
Bitchin’ by kinktae: ❦☠
Synopsis: The 80s were a time of choices. Which perm was right for you? What color neon would you wear next? None of these choices, however, were more questionable than a certain deal you made with Jeon Jungkook.
I love love love love love love this fic, and its portrail of Jungkook. It’s so so so so so so so so good. 
The doms next door by tatertotthethot (Junkook/Reader/Taehyung): ☠
Synopsis: In which you unknowingly accept the offer to become a tattoo model for the two, sexually-crazed men next door.
This. Fic. Is. So. Good. I. Can’t. Even. Explain. Just. Do. Yourself. A. Favor. And. Read. It.
Comfort inn ending by joonbird: ☽☠
Synopsis: It was you who Jungkook gave his heart to- that is, until the day you broke it. And it is you now, hoping that some fault lines can be repaired, and that some broken hearts can be put back together again.
The only thing I remember is crying a whole river. Like this fic broke my heart into millions of tiny pieces, put it back together and stepped on it. Its portrail of cheating and its consequences are very real, almost too real.            
                                                      *   *   *   *   *   *
OT7 or Poly
Accidentally tamed by justanotherbtsbitch(OT7/reader): ❦ ☽☠
Synopsis: The worlds biggest boy band, and probably the most famous group of hybrids to ever exist. Somehow they found you, just a normal human, despite all odds. Now they just need to convince you to stay
This is actually a second updated version of this series, and the author really succeeded with the update, the writing style is very good and the fic as a whole a lot less cliché. 
Bad guy by sweetbunnykookie (Jin/reader, Hoseok/Reader/Suga): ☽☠
Synopsis: After a brutal attack in Hong Kong, your marriage with Kim Seokjin cracks as secrets begin to surface and a series of betrayals find their way into the veins of the Hidden Tigers. Although Jin’s devotion endures, in his own definition, the reality of being a mob wife may be too much for you to bear.
This fic is dark, sad and beautiful. 
Beautifully misfit by orphicbts (maknae line/reader): ❦ ☽☠
Synopsis: You never really saw yourself as a hybrid person. that is, until your best friend introduces you to his hybrid, and you suddenly find yourself craving the companionship. you only intended to bring home one. somewhere between the lines you ended up with three beautifully misfit hybrids who craved nothing but your love.
Cuuuuteeeeeeeeee
Crazy rich asians by hobiwonder (Jin/reader, Yoongi/reader, Hoseok/reader, Jimin/reader): ☠
 Synopsis: You overhear something you shouldn’t. Now some of the country’s most powerful - and rich - men would do anything to keep you quiet.
I can’t waiiiiiiiiiiiiit for the rest of this series, I can already tell that it’s going to be -amAzIng-
Ethereal orbit by loveejoon (OT7/reader): ☠
More alienssss yayyyy !!
Hanahaki by EminEmGurlz (Everyone/everyone? This is a mess): ☽
Synopsis: The Hanahaki Disease is an illness born from one-sided love, where the patient throws up and coughs up flower petals when they suffer from one-sided love. The infection can be removed through surgery, but the feelings disappear along with the petals.
This fic hurts like hell. Its another hanahaki one, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt my heart break as many times as in this fic. Even though the writing style is as light as a breeze, it doesn’t stop this fic from hurting. 
Heartbeat by resugance (OT7/reader): ❦☠
Synopsis: When you put out a roommates ad for your newly purchased house, the only requirement you set out had been cleanliness. The last thing you’d expected was for the 7 most eligible bachelors of your university to come calling.Throw in school, crazy fan girls and the most sought for men suddenly chasing after you with heart eyes, comes a college experience of a lifetime. Would it be so wrong to want them all?
This is another one of the series which has yet to be complete, or even close to it. But either way, once I read the first chapter I was HOOKED. And I cannot wait for the continuation. 
House of cards by sugamins (Kim Taehyung/Jeon Jungkook/Park JImin ft. ot7): ☽☠
Synopsis: Jungkook is the heir to a mob empire, the most notorious in the whole of Seoul. Taehyung is a rookie sent in to infiltrate by his select team and bring the empire crumbling down."You knew the game and played it, it kills to know that you have been defeated."
This is arguably THE best BTS fic out there, and that is not because of nothing. It’s so well written and deserves ALL the praise it’s been given. Warning though, it´s a VEEEERY dark fic.
Legacy by fantasybangtan (maknae line/reader): ❦
Synopsis: four children, each comprising one quarter of a sacred prophecy. As royal in a kingdom divided by war, you are expected to fulfil the destiny that has been mapped out for you since birth: find yourself a nobleman, and unify your country’s people through marriage. unfortunately for you, your choices are somewhat limited…
I love love love this fic, it’s such an original and cute idea. And the writer has a really beutiful writing style !! Satisfy by kookiemonster (kim line/reader):
Trivial Pursuits by foreignfingers (OT7/reader):  ❦☠
Synopsis: College life is not what you expected and befriending your peers is a challenge, at least until your coworkers invite you to join their weekly trivia night. Sexual tension skyrockets as you befriend this curious group of handsome young men.
WOAHHHHHH, this is such a good fic. AND THE SEXUAL TENSION, I’ve never felt anything like it before. 
Tainting Purity by sevenincubisstolemyheart (OT7/reader): ☠
Synopsis: If someone told you that demons would be an everyday part of society a month ago you would have called them crazy.  But now that they actually were, you were surprised to find them much more docile than you would’ve initially assumed. In fact, it was the Humans who were hurting them, more often than not. So when you get fed up and stand up for an innocent demon being attacked, you shouldn’t have been so surprised when your own species turned on you, including your own parents, and left you to fend for yourself. Luckily, the newly made treaty calls for a Human to live with demons if there’s 5 or more, and so, you’re now rooming with 7 demons. But not just any kind of demons. Incubi. Your life has suddenly just gotten a whole lot more interesting.
The Choreographer by BTSM (future OT7/reader):  ☽☠
Synopsis: You are the assistant choreographer for BTS. You are responsible for teaching Jungkook the choreography for his new solo number. The tension becomes too much
This fic is what got me into OT7, and you need to read it- mark my words !!
Pandemonium by chinkhbihh (OT7/reader): ☠
This fic is so so sooo weird, BUT it works
Void by btssavedmylife (OT7/reader): ☽☠
Synopsis: You are the only female crew member on a 12 year space mission with seven handsome men. The sexual tension is real, y’all.
I cannot stress how good this fic is enough, don’t ask questions just reaaaad itttt !!!
NCT
Timeless by jaeminhours (Renjun/reader): ❦ ☽
Synposis: You know the exact hour, minute, and second every person you meet is going to die, including yourself, and that’s the way it’s always been. In which you meet a boy who changes everything, but your time is running out.
Jaemin hours is a very talented author, and all of her fics deserve to be on this list. However timeless stands out a little, for it’s written oh so beautifully and it completely broke my heart.
There were seven by masterninajacow (OT7 dreamies/reader): ❦
Synopsis: There were seven. 
This fic is one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever read, it’s a too all the boys I’ve loved before au and it’s so so soooooo cute.
Can’t we share by sluttyten (NCT legal line/reader): ☠
Synopsis: a chance encounter leads to you meeting and falling in love with them all, and why bother choosing between them when you can have them all? 
This fic is EXTREMELY smutty, like on a whole other level. 
Stray Kids
Downpour by honeybammie (Hyunjin/reader): ❦ ☽
I don’t remember much about this fic, but it’s very delicate and sad and made me cry a whole lot.
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