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rqgnarok · 1 year

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standing ovation - jamie tartt

fandom: ted lasso

wc: 2321

warnings: mentions of jamie’s dad and DV, spoilers for ted lasso’s mom city. reader uses female pronouns.

summary: reader sneaks into training grounds after richmond’s win against man city. seeing her is just what jamie needs.

author’s note at the end!

There’s something in the air.

Jamie’s pretty sure Will sprayed some lavender shit all over the locker room again but that’s not quite what he means– he’s said goodbye to every single one of his teammates and all the coaches– and the locker room is now his and his alone. He locks away his dad’s ghost by locking up his phone, the simple message doing wonders to finish lifting that weight off his shoulders.

He wasn’t at the game. Or maybe he was, Jamie realizes now that it doesn’t really matter. A part of him will never stop looking over his shoulder whenever he visits his hometown for his dickwad of a father, but the older, bigger part of him knows Coach was right– his motivation doesn’t come from hating his dad anymore and it doesn’t have to. His forgiveness is for himself, for the little boy that had to build a mask to save himself from his dad, and for the man he is today because of him– and because of his mum, Keeley, Roy, Ted, his teammates–

The standing ovation at the end was more of a benediction than he’d like to admit. Everything about his hometown made him feel prickly; like he was a virus the town was doing its best to reject, and other than his quick visit to his mom Jamie expected the whole thing to be a disaster. The kids on the street, the people on social media, the rude assholes in the bleachers– Jamie thought that was all he was gonna get. Blind, thoughtless hatred despite Jamie trying his best.

He remembers Roy getting a standing ovation on his last game, while Jamie was still wearing Man City blue. He’d been appalled, unable to discern the possibility of someone hating you so much they respected you. All he’d ever gotten– from his dad, rival teams, his own team– had been everything except respect.

But they’d clapped for him. They thought him deserving of something precious and somehow it feels like permission. He can play for himself. He can come home without his dad’s ghost belittling him for not turning out the way he expected him to.

Even Manchester hasn’t been home in a long time. Sure, his mom and Simon are there, but Richmond has his family, too– his friends, his teammates, his–

“Excuse me, I’m looking for my boyfriend. 5’9 not quite 6 foot, sexy as hell, the most fantastic football player to ever walk on Earth?”

Jamie’s lips involuntarily twist up as he glances at the door. (Y/N)’s a sight wearing her Richmond TARTT jersey, looking disheveled and flushed like the rest of the city probably is right now after their win tonight.

Jamie doesn’t give a shit about the rest of the city, though. At least not right now. He cares about his girl sneaking in (with Keeley and Roy’s permission and advice, probably) to see him, normal sleep schedule be damned.

He laughs, loud and unrestrained joy lighting up his features as he hobbles towards his girlfriend, letting himself be enveloped in a crush-tight embrace.

“Did ya watch it?” he wonders, forgoing his usual shy demeanor whenever (Y/N) praises him and just allowing his excitement to overflow, arms going around (Y/N)’s waist and hoisting her off the ground.

“Did I watch it, he asks,” (Y/N) scoff is downplayed by her big grin and the way she wraps her arms around Jamie’s neck as he spins her around, fucked up ankle be damned. “I couldn’t take my fucking eyes off of you, Jamie, oh, my God–”

She’s kissing him deeply, unable to contain her excitement.

“You’re so fucking brilliant,” she whispers against his mouth, her hands at the nape of his neck making him shiver into her embrace, unable to get enough. “Oh, Jamie, that assist– the entire play for Colin’s goal? Your goal–”

“It was for you,” he tells as he drops her off, cupping her face in his hands and cheeks hurting with how wide he’s smiling. “I couldn’t celebrate but it was for you. For you and me mum, you were with me on the pitch the whole time–”

He stumbles a little as he drops her on the ground and (Y/N) tenses in his arms. She looks him over, suddenly worried. “Oh, shit. Your ankle, dumbass, are you okay? Fuck, did I–”

“Angel,” the nickname has her melting almost immediately just like he thought it would, a five-word weapon he’s never gotten tired of wielding. (Y/N) pouts at him, still concerned, and Jamie can’t have that, he kisses the expression off her face immediately. It should be illegal for her to be sad, no, sir. “‘s not even a sprain. It was probably the panic of bein’ in the same place as me dad, to be honest.”

Something steely flashes through her eyes, there and gone in a second, at the mention of Jamie’s dad. (Y/N)’s never been anything other than kind about it, but Jamie doesn’t doubt she’d beat the old fart up if she were given the chance.

The thought only makes him smile.

“Did you? See him?” she wonders cautiously. She’s touching him again after her moment of hesitation over his injury, hands doing soothing motions up and down his sides. Jamie fights off a shiver.

“Nah,” he says simply as if the thought of crossing paths with him didn’t have him toeing the line of a panic attack the entire three days they were in Manchester. “I don’t know if he was there, and if he was, I didn’t see him. I don’t think I care anymore. It’s for the best, really.”

(Y/N)’s expression brightens, though they both know they’re not done talking about it. Jamie wishes it could be as easy as turning off his phone and forgetting about his dad, but his skin already itches a little with the idea of getting a text back from him. He’s also no doubt that (Y/N) will hold him throughout it all.

“I did see me mum.”

“How is my favorite Tartt?” she teases.

“Happy,” Jamie says softly, always the most important thing to consider when it comes to his mother. Ever since he was a toddler and he gained acknowledgment of his dad’s actions; after an especially gruesome argument that ended with his dad breaking a few photo frames and plates, stumbling his way out of the apartment, and slamming the door shut, Jamie would climb on his mom’s lap and wipe her tears as best he could with his tiny clumsy baby fingers. “Yeah, she was real happy. And for me, too. Even before the match, she was happy to see me, happy to… jus’ happy.”

“That’s good, sweetheart,” she threads her fingers through Jamie’s hair to keep it off his face, his headband lost somewhere in his lockers or amongst the rest of the dirty laundry. He’ll have to tell Will to watch out for it, he’s a little attached to it after the night he’s had.

Jamie’s usually not the one to believe in lucky garments or charms but– well. He feels pretty lucky right now; that (Y/N) saw some worth in him when they met and makes the choice to love him and come home to him, day after day, whatever the outcome may be.

(Y/N) looks at him adoringly like she knows what he’s thinking. “Did’ya get your wings back, then?”

Jamie grasps her hand in his and turns to kiss the inside of her wrist, only slipping a little bit of tongue. “Nah. They was never gone. All I needed was a little help to see.”

He frowns before (Y/N) can answer. “I was gonna say something stupid like ‘you’re me wings’ but that’s disgusting and I hate it. I would never say something like that. ‘m not Roy.”

(Y/N)’s laugh is surprised and comes deep from her belly. “Are you telling me Roy Kent’s a secret romantic?”

“Big old softie, that tosser,” he rolls his eyes. “He snuck you in for me, didn’t he? That’s all you need to know about–”

(Y/N) shuts him up with a kiss just because she can, and they’re both smiling too hard for it to be a proper one.

She says “He likes you. He’s proud of you. We’re all so proud of you,” while peppering kisses all over his face, landing on his cheeks, nose, temple, jaw, and corner of his mouth. “You’re so, so good, Jamie, I love you so much.”

“I love you, too,” he says, because there’s not gonna be a single time in which she tells him that and he doesn’t reciprocate. “Mum said that, too. And Keeley and Roy. And Coach, too, I guess, in his own way. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

“I can’t believe I missed it,” (Y/N) pouts and beats herself up over it for the thousandth time. Jamie presses a kiss to the space between her eyes for the thousandth time in response. “I should’ve been there, I should’ve told my boss to go to hell–”

“You’re here,” he tells her, shaking her a little by the shoulders and looking her over like he can’t quite believe it. That she’s here in the locker room, in his life, loving him like he’s always desperately wished for but never thought he’d deserve. “What was I gonna do, put my dumb ankle into ice and sit alone in the dark?”

“‘m sure Roy and Keeley would be here drinking champagne with you if I wasn’t here.”

“And what could we be doing that is keeping them away right now?” he raises his brows, sneaking a hand down her back lower, lower, lower–

(Y/N) slaps his chest, though a gleam in her eye tells him she’s not saying no to anything. “You’re…” she drifts off.

He smirks cockily. “Unbelievable?”

(Y/N) shakes her head imperceptively. “Nah. I always knew you could do it. But you’re breathtaking, I’ll give you that. As if your ego needs it.”

Jamie’s mouth softens into a smile, soft and apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

(Y/N) frowns a little at the sudden shift in conversation. “Whatever for?”

“I’ve been a dick these past couple of weeks–”

He had. (Y/N) won’t let him admit it but he wasn’t lying when he told Roy he wasn’t doing well. Not eating, not sleeping, waving off (Y/N)’s concern with a little too cold shoulder. It made him feel a little too much like his dad, and that thought only dragged him further down.

It had been (Y/N) who suggested Jamie pay a visit to his mom while in town for the game, and when he’d mentioned this to her she’d smiled knowingly, ran a hand through his hair, and made him promise an introduction soon.

“You were anxious,” she corrects him with a shake of the head, won’t let him speak ill of himself when all he did was have a normal, human reaction to a very triggering situation. “And I’ve been worried about you but you don’t have to apologize, Jamie. Not to me, not in a million years.”

“Alright,” he says, soft and charmed. He soothes his thumb over her knuckles, featherlight. He looks down at their intertwined hands for a beat or two, gently swinging them back and forth. “Then can I apologize for shutting you out? I know you were only trying to help. I’ll do better next time at letting you know what I need.”

“And I’ll do better at listening,” she assures him with an indulgent smile, using her free hand to trace the Richmond crest of his shirt. “Look at us, communicating and shit.”

Jamie scrunches his nose in faux disgust. “Gross,” he says, but even the facade is too much to keep up when (Y/N) nudges his nose with hers. His lips tilt upwards against his best intentions, drunk on her presence and something inside his chest brimming with unstirred delight.

(Y/N) exhales against his mouth. She hasn’t been more than a few inches away from him since she came down to meet him, always touching him.

“What do you wanna do, huh?” she asks him, pulling at the bottom of his shirt. “Anything you want. We can go get some takeout from that burger place you like or maybe something fancier? We can go home and get some ice on that ankle–”

“It’s nothin’–”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” by that, she means when the team doctor gives him the all clear and he isn’t limping slightly with every step he takes. It’ll take a while but Jamie can take it, especially if any downtime comes with them spending the days together. She makes a questioning hum. “But we can do that tomorrow, then. Tonight, whatever you want. You’ve earned it.”

And Jamie does feel like a winner. Not only because of the three points they managed to steal from Man City but because he gets to come home to this. He gets to leave his dad behind in Manchester and his mom in safe hands, he gets to accomplish his dream for himself and the people that love him instead of trying to prove someone who hurt him wrong.

He gets to live for himself. Coach Lasso was right, him forgiving his father was the kindest thing he could do for himself.

“I want this,” he murmurs against her temple, breathing in the smell of her perfume and taking in the warmth of her body against his. “I got all I need right here.”

(Y/N) smiles and crowds even closer, pressing a kiss to his jaw.

A beat. Then–

“So that’s a no for a quickie in the locker room, then?”

(Y/N)’s laugh tastes like a standing ovation.

_________

precious little jamiebaby i hope i did you justice ily

i was ready to make an angsty peace about him but mom city left me craving to give him a moment of peace so ta-da! thank you so much for reading and letting me know what you think!

a reminder that commissions and asks are open!

masterlist / ao3 / ko-fi

#leo writes #jamie tartt #jamie tartt imagine #jamie tartt x reader #ted lasso #ted lasso x reader #ted lasso imagine #roy kent #keeley jones #phil dunster #brett goldstein #juno temple #jason sudeikis

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separatist-apologist · 2 months

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Separatist-apologist lore beneath the cut

I dropped out of college when I was 19 and when I decided to go back, I had two kids. I was undeclared and I felt old despite still being in my 20s. I had a scholarship which required me to do daytime classes with all of the brand new 18 year olds and I felt wildly out of place. Before that, I'd been staying at home raising my kids while their dad worked and a lot of people thought wanting to return to the workforce was a mistake, so there was this immense pressure to succeed where I'd once failed.

The problem was not knowing what I wanted to do. All I really cared about was history and domestic violence and as far as I knew, there was no good career path that combined those things, and so I signed up for four random classes that had nothing to do with each other. One of them was called Serial Killers in America which was taught by a former police officer. Another was introduction to psychology, taught by a social worker.

I was sitting in the Serial Killer class one morning, way in the back where no one paid me any attention, when the professor (former cop, remember) began telling a story about being called to a house for domestic violence and I remember looking up at her as she said that too often, these things are a "he said, she said," and they're usually both lying.

And it just ignited something angry in my stomach. I was looking for an advisor since I'd been undeclared and I turned that day to the psych professor and asked if she'd fill out my form to be my advisor. As she was, I told her what the other professor said and how much it bothered me and she asked me what I wanted to do. So I told her, and she asked if I'd ever considered social work.

So began six years of perfectionism and the single-minded goal of getting my masters degree and working in the field as a licensed social worker. I remember my first day in orientation at grad school, someone asked if anyone knew where they wanted to be in 5 years. I was the only person who raised their hand. I knew where I wanted to be.

And for the last three years, I got to live that dream. The good, the bad, the horrible- all of it was mine. And today I pack up this office I've worked in for the last three years because its all over. The work was always good and I'm proud of what I've done. I've published papers, I've sat in state-wide commissions, I've talked to legislators, I've presented at conferences and I've trained a new generation of advocates who feel the same passion I do.

It's no secret that people who work in this field are typically survivors themselves. Something about surviving it turns people into advocates, whether they meant to be or not. And often they manage to make it out of the metaphorical burning building, turn around, and decide they need to go back inside to try and get others. The amount of people I've talked to who say, "I want other people to know they're not alone and they can get through this," is numerous. It makes you optimistic, it makes it impossible to ignore the good in humanity even when you're faced with some of the worst people/circumstances you'll ever encounter.

And despite all the petty office politics, a system designed (sometimes purposefully) to make leaving difficult, and state legislators who push back every inch of progress we ever made, I will miss it. The work was always good. I'm proud of the things I did individually for folks, of the amount of times I got to tell someone they did nothing wrong, that they deserved safety and respect.

These three years have been the best and worst of my life, but the work was always good. I will always be in it, will always be standing beside the ghost of my childhood self, offering her a hand and a voice and I think if I accomplished nothing else, at least I did that.

#maybe this is too personal but im feeling so sad today #packing up my office and staring at all these memories #its a new opportunity somewhere bigger and better funded with a higher level of responsibility #but right now it half feels like the death of a dream #separatist-apologist in real life

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ghostboneswrites2 · 3 months

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Sick of You pt.2

Second part to this request.

Summary: Reader saves Daryl's ass again and finally gets the respect she deserves.

18+ MDNI || Warnings: TWD Typical violence, profanity, over the counter drugs

Things have gotten better since your heated exchange with Daryl in the woods. You two haven't grown any closer, but you don't feel the need to avoid him anymore. The most you get is a curt nod when he passes you by. You're fine with that, though.

Today is your rest day, so aside from morning and afternoon inventory, you don't have any chores on your itinerary, which you are grateful for. Most people get rest days once a week, but you tend to be forgotten in that regard, so yours aren't nearly as frequent. Your only plans for the day are to sleep, eat, drink, and repeat. That is, of course, until;

"Hey, (Y/N)? I hate to ask, but everyone else is swamped with work today. Daryl was supposed to be back hours ago. I'm worried something might've happened." Rick asks, leaning on the bars of your cell. You reluctantly uncrust your sleepy eyes and stare down at him. "It was supposed to be a quick in-and-out at the pharmacy just a few miles down the road due south. It's a small town, barely any walkers last I was there. Think you could go and see what you see?"

You sigh and sit up. "Sure." You croak.

"I really wouldn't ask if--"

"It's okay. Really. I don't mind." You wave him off. You do mind, actually, quite a bit. However, it's only fair if you're the only one not working.

"I'll load a car for you. Just get yourself ready. I'll have all the supplies you need in the car." He says. You nod and he walks away. With a groan, you yawn and stretch before quickly throwing on your cleanest jeans and least stained shirt.

"All loaded up." Rick informs you as you approach the vehicle. "Water, snacks, weapons, some tools if ya need 'em."

"Cool." You nod. "Thanks. I'll be back."

"Be safe."

----

The town was not clear of walkers. Not at all. There was a swarm of them around the little drug store where Daryl was supposed to be, and judging by how desperately the walkers clawed at the building, you could only assume he was trapped in there. God damn it.

"Shit." You mumble as you slowly drive by the building. A few walkers turn their attention to you, but not enough. Then, you remember the Bon Jovi CD Rick had tucked away in the glove compartment. "Hell yeah." You smirk to yourself as you stop the car and slide the disc into the player. You crank the radio as loud as it'll go. The first song that plays feels ironic, as it's called Wanted Dead or Alive. You shrug it off and honk the horn, revving the engine, trying to gain as much undead attention as you can.

"Come on you dead fucks!" You call out of your cracked window that you inched down for airflow. "Come and get me!"

The dead begin to peel away from the building, inching toward your car in a swarm. Before you can get buried too deep in corpses, you press the gas, driving just fast enough that they couldn't catch up, but not so fast they'd lose interest.

For the sake of spirit, you belt out the lyrics you know. Any extra noise to draw them after you.

"I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride.. I'm wanted dead or alive.. Wanted dead or alive"

You can't help but laugh at the stupidity of the situation. The song, the walkers, the way you're singing. It was like going on a road trip with a divorced dad or something. As you peek in the rearview mirror you realize just how many of them were after you now. At least twenty, maybe more. There was no way you'd be able to fight them all off, not even with Daryl's help. You resort to taking a turn down a random street, hoping it would circle back to the main road and you'd be able to lose them that way.

Luck is not on your side today, though. The road turns out to be a dead end. What are your options here? This puttering little car wouldn't survive a rogue assault if you tried to mow through the herd. No, you'd have to get clever, and fast, because your car is stopped and they're getting close.

In a fit of quick thinking, you throw the bag Rick packed for you over your shoulder and make a run for it into the trees surrounding the street. You leave the car running with the music blaring. Hopefully that will keep the bulk of them focused on the car while you make a break for it.

The plan works for the most part. Any of them that followed you into the trees are too far back to be an immediate concern, and the few stragglers in the woods that are being drawn to the sound of the radio are easy enough to take down if they get too close for comfort.

You dodge branches and fallen logs as you bolt through the trees back toward the main road. When it's in sight, you're relieved to see only a small amount of walkers remained. You don't worry about them. Instead you backtrack to the pharmacy as fast as you can, hoping Daryl will still be there waiting for you so you don't have to try to get back to the prison on your own without wheels.

Your chest is starting to feel tight and hot as the cardio catches up to you. As you slow to a slow jog, you peer over your shoulder. Five or so walkers are behind you, but you have enough distance on them to ignore them for the time being. You decide to keep your slow jogging pace. The pharmacy is in view now. All you have to do is keep going forward, so you do.

When you make it, you're completely out of breath. The vehicle Daryl took that morning is still there, so you know he hasn't left, and if he did he's on foot, which wouldn't be smart. You tug at the doors but they don't budge. You look back down the road. The walkers are a bit closer now.

"Daryl!" You call at the glass, hoping he hears you. "Daryl let me in!"

You slap at the glass but there's no movement from inside.

"Shit!" You exclaim. The walkers seem to be moving faster now that you're beginning to panic. You run around the building to see if there's a back door you can slide in through. There is, but it's locked. "Damnit!" You shout, kicking at the metal door. You know it won't open, but you figure maybe the banging of your boot against the metal will inspire Daryl to let you in. Speaking of, why isn't he letting you in? "Daryl! You okay in there?" You call for him. You don't have time to wait for a response.

Snarling bodies are creeping around the corner of the building. You pull your knife from your belt and ready it as you back away slowly. You can't decide if you should take them on or not. There are only a few, but there's still only one of you. "Fuck it." You mutter, lunging to stab one in the skull before backing away again.

You continue this maneuver as you circle the building. You keep your distance, lunge at one, then back away again. When you make it around the front again, you see movement from inside. "Daryl!" You call out. There are only two walkers left. You can take them, but you can't take the rest that are sure to find their way back to you.

The door swings open, and a bolt flies into one of the walkers. With haste you take down the last one and retrieve the arrow before you run inside. Daryl slams the door behind you and locks it.

"The hell you doin' out here, girl?" He hisses.

"Saving your ass, Dixon." You cross your arms triumphantly. "Which, I did a pretty damn good job at."

He ignores your gloating and drags you away from the glass, crouching with you behind the sales counter.

"The herd. That was you?" He asks.

"Yup. Bon Jovi came in clutch, if I do say so myself." You grin.

"Huh." He nods. "Well, we still got another problem."

"What is it?"

"The car. Someone siphoned the gas out while I was in here grabbin' the meds.Didn't even hear 'em. Tried to start it up and it wouldn't crank, so I got out and saw the gas tank open."

"Shit." You throw your head back. "I had to ditch the other car to evade the damn freaks."

"Alright." He sighs. "We just need a plan, and fast. Before that herd circles back."

"Okay." You take a breath. "So, no vehicle, herd incoming, need a plan... Why don't we just book it? Run as fast as we can through the trees before the walkers come back. The prison is only a few miles away. We can be back bye tonight."

"Nah. No idea how many of 'em are out there, or who else is out there. Walkers don't get tired, we do." He shakes his head.

"Well, do we really have another option?"

"Guess not." He nods. "Here." He holds out a packet of pills. You examine the label.

"Caffeine pills?" You press your brows together.

"Worth a shot. Might keep us goin' longer." He shrugs. You nod.

"Good idea." You say as you pop two pills out of the packet and swallow them. You pull a water bottle from your bag and chug it, offering it to him when you're done. He takes two pills for himself and takes a few swigs of water before you pack the bottle away and stand up.

"Ready?" He asks.

"Yeah, but first I gotta ask. Why didn't you let me in the first time I tried?" You wonder.

"Passed out. Walker was in here, caught me off guard. I hit my head. Stayed up long enough to lock the doors. Woke up to you bangin' in the back."

"Oh." You nod. "I'll forgive you this time."

With that. the two of you run out of the back and into the trees behind the parking lot. You follow him, assuming he knows where he's going, and don't stop until you can't run anymore.

By that point its nightfall.

"Daryl." You pant. "I can't anymore."

He slows down and leans on a tree, propping his hands on his knees while he catches his breath.

"Okay. We walk from here." He agrees.

"Here." You offer him some water, which he gladly takes. You drink some too before tucking it away again. You stumble behind him as the two of you walk, exhausted from sprinting and coming down from the caffeine rush.

"So." You begin.

"So?"

"So... I showed you what I can do." You gloat.

"Yeah." He sighs. "Ya did good, (Y/N)."

Join the taglist! || Masterlist

tags: @kissmeunicornbaobei @thesadcatt0 @clairealeehelsing @duckybird101 @tmntfixationxreader @ryoujoking @blackvelveteen1339 @yondus-girl @ladylincoln @sunshinebug9 @saylum559 @yoowhatthefuck

#daryl dixon #twd daryl #the walking dead daryl #daryl x reader #daryl x female reader #daryl twd #daryl fanfiction #daryl dixon fanfic #daryl x y/n #daryl x you

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petalsofyouth · 1 year

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my girl. pt1. | ran haitani x reader

tw: nothing that really is worth mentioning? alcohol consumption, a bit of violence (nothing graphic) and magical realism (if you squint and understand it) and that's all i think

wc: 9536

a small note before you begin! it was supposed to be a one shot, but then i was writing it and writing and writing and the story never ended so i decided to split it into two parts. i know majority of people prefer when the text is rather on the short side so here you all go. another thing i wanna mention is that this story is impromptu and it might show. i haven't had even a vague idea of the plot or vision or anything when i began to write it and the only thing in my head was ran taking long walks everywhere around Tokyo and then i heard the chime and that's it. this is probably why this story is going to be from ran's pov and a little bit of rindou's (i love him too much to not include him). okay, that's all! thank you for reading & i hope you like it.

The blue dim light from street lamps enveloped small grey buildings giving them an alien impression. Neon signs mingling with one another only add to the whole impression and once again Ran felt as if he was on some other planet in another universe. Or that it was very far in the future. As if he somehow found himself in 2808.

But it was early spring of 2007 when cherry trees hadn't yet bloomed and a chilly wind roamed through Tokyo reminding its habitants of a long cold winter that was now already gone, a small odds and ends of it remaining in the corners of dark alleys.

Still, this vague rapture between reality and Ran’s mind was pleasant. He had no problem dissociating from his life even for a couple of fleeting moments. Released from a prison not even a month ago - after Izana’s death he hadn’t had time to mourn - these breaks felt deserving. He needed to rest, to stop what he was doing and for once breath without thinking what awaits him next.

The situation wasn’t stable in the least. Roppongi was still theirs. It always would be. But there were other new gangs and Ran knew that someday their name won’t be enough. They need to do something - to be someone - to keep the Haitani brand they built well respected. The easiest option, of course, would be joining a gang, but Tenjiku was still alive in his chest and beating. And while there were in fact no S-62 generation anymore, dead and gone into eternity with Izana, it felt like a piercing sword of betrayal between his ribcage, to even think of a possibility to be a part of another formation.

Yet, there would be another gang. Another defeat and maybe [for sure] a lot of other deaths. Ran knows all this and he knows that the time will come soon. Once South is released. He still has time though. Time to leave his new car in one of the one-way streets and wander around pretending his life is not his.

A moment of weakness no one would ever know of.

Today, he is in Nakano. He doesn’t remember the last time he was here which means it was insignificant or that he never stepped here before. The latter is quite impossible though. Ran has been everywhere around Tokyo. Never outside. This huge city his own perfect golden cage. If he didn’t love luxury and comfort so much he would’ve thought he was trapped. But he doesn’t think this way and so he goes down the street observing people and shops. His mind is resting.

Everything is okay.

For a while.

It’s evening. Somewhere between six and eight. It’s always hard to tell the exact time at these hours. Everything seems blurred and solid and one. The neon lights, street lamps, shops, buildings and people. Him, too. Ran indulges in this euphoric feeling. Hands in pockets of his sweats he looks around trying to pretend as if he is searching for something that waits for him. There should be something that desires to meet with him. He strongly believes in it and when he spots an old wooden sign that seems painfully familiar, he nods to himself that’s it and goes inside through an open door. An invitation or maybe just a coincidence. He closes the door once he is inside and insubstantial tingling of the bell echoes throughout the place. Ran raises his head, tilting it to the left and sees a glass hand painted chime just above him. There’s flowers all around it and he doesn’t need to squint his eyes to see that it’s purple orchids. His chest is warm then and he stares at the chime for a little longer than he should, a strange feeling occupying his chest. Whatever it is that brought him here was kind enough to welcome him. Ran doesn’t think it is a coincidence anymore.

Inside, the store is bigger than it appears from outside. Long corridor leads to a spacious room and it’s only there that Ran understands that he is in a bookstore. He tries hard to remember when was the last time he picked up a book and the memory that resurfaces is not pleasant. It was back in juvie when he was around fourteen going fifteen. The book was a present from one of their teachers there and Ran to this day couldn’t understand why an old woman chose him out of everyone else. He wasn’t by any means academically bright nor was he showing a special interest in studies. [He dropped out of school the day he was released; he simply never showed up]. Yet, the teacher chose him. She gave him the book and spoke with him a little. What about Ran can’t remember. He barely listened to her back then. The book was a strange useless weight in his hands, but there was something sincere in the way she gifted it to him and that’s why later sitting beside Rindou on the rotten grass in the yard of their facility Ran read it from cover to cover. He liked the book.

It was Yukio Mishima’s “The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea” and the story grasped him so much it was all he could think of for the next few months. But then they got released and his head was busy with new names in Roppongi and Tenjiku and other gangs and when all of these disappeared in ashes and he went back to juvie for the second time, he remembered the book that was safely stored in his and Rindou’s apartment in the box under his bed. But thinking about it only brought silent blue rage as he suddenly understood the meaning of the book. His eyes wide and empty, Ran wished an old teacher appeared and maybe tried to protect him from his fate again - because he deserved a second chance, didn’t he? everyone does - but no one came to save him and this time Ran left empty-handed with a promise from South as a bitter reminder that there was never an alternative to his fate.

Met with floor to ceiling bookshelves full of books Ran observes book spines, colourful and not. He reads a few that stand out to him most. All authors and titles unknown to him. He knows he ought to leave. There’s nothing for him to do here and books are certainly the last of his interests. He should go home. Get a take out for him and Rindou, maybe invite Kakucho over and watch some TV or maybe they all should go out to a nice club, get drunk and fuck some pretty girls.

Yeah, that would be nice.

That is what he should do and that is exactly what he doesn’t do.

He goes forward through the paper jungle until he spots a man standing behind the round counter. He is writing something, totally engrossed, his head down as he stands, slouching a little so the paper is right before his face. Ran doesn’t think he made any noise, but the man composes himself and looks up, smiling at him. The smile is warm and welcoming.

Ran feels seen.

“Hello. Are you looking for something specific or just browsing?” The man’s voice is calm and confident. He also sounds very kind and Ran is a tiny bit ashamed when he shakes his head an affirmative no which can be clearly translated into i don’t really know what I am doing here. The man laughs. “You can grab whatever catches your eye and read it right here to see if you like it. We have a reading zone right over there. In the next room.”

When Ran stays where he was too lost to say anything, the man smiles again and this time he comes out from the counter and goes up to Ran. “What was the last thing you’ve read?”

There’s no need to think much. His last book was his only book. “It was Yukio Mishima.”

The man is surprised and he doesn’t hide it. He whistles. “The Sound of Waves, I suppose?”

“No. The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea.”

“A gruesome one, but reflective. Did you like it?”

They chat about the book for a good half an hour and by the end of it Ran is pretty much relaxed. His usual passive confidence running through him again. It’s been nice to discuss the book with someone and for a pretty obvious reason, Ran imagines it was his teacher from juvie and not this man, an owner of the bookshop as he finds out during the talk. It’s wrong to pass one kindness shown to him onto another kind person, but it does help him to redeem himself and so he doesn’t argue with his mind much.

With another book, this time “The Honjin Murders” under his arm, Ran sinks into the couch in the so-called reading room which is not really a room. Rather an extension of the main large one with beige noren in the middle. But it has two couches, a table and a kettle with five cups and that’s all that it needs. It also has a huge window looking at traditional Japanese garden. The sound of running water in a small pond and green colour of permanent velvety moss is so calming that Ran loses himself in the scenery for the longest time. Book forgotten in his lap.

He stays in the bookstore until the sky grows dark and silver stars are the only thing that make the vastness of this world bearable.

“So. What do you think about it?” The sudden intrusion of the man into Ran’s little world doesn’t bother him. It’s calm and peaceful and safe here. And Ran stays Ran. The need to be in another's skin is gone. “Liked it or should I retire as a bookshop owner?”

There’s a certain prominent playfulness in the man’s words, but Ran misses them, letting them slip into the past. He checks the number of the page he stopped on and making a mental note to remember it, turns to the man. “It’s good. Haven’t read much, but it’s interesting. I want to buy it.” Ran stretches his legs before him and looks around the room, his gaze stopping at the window and as some hours ago he finds himself admiring the raw beauty it carries. Whoever composed it saw the world differently and take it apart all you want, one thing after another, you would never quite understand the meaning behind it. It will always slip away from you. It’s almost like losing a thing you’ve never ever had. But sadder. More melancholic.

“It’s my wife's last creation.” The man says and for the first time his voice isn’t cheerful. It’s barely there. “For our family, that’s it.”

There’s nothing to be said and so Ran doesn’t utter a word and in his silence hides an understanding that is more meaningful than any form of consolation.

They sit in the room - that in the pure meaning of the word is not really a room, yes, it just has a plain beige noren behind the couch - admiring the view for a little more. Each hanging to the illusion of their own; both no more than small sparkles of short lived joy.

The silent magic is taken away as sudden as it settled down and then the unceasing garden turns into simply well composed rocks and azaleas. The change is devastating, but it’s not forever, and so it’s okay. Besides, the change is you. It has your eyes, your nose and your voice.

“Dad, I am good to go. Don’t forget to eat please. I made nikujaga. Okay? I would’ve loved to have dinner together, but I have an assignment to finish and… oh. I am sorry. You aren’t alone. Sorry.”

It has your lips too. And your smell. Persimmons, nail polish and glossy magazines.

But for now Ran doesn’t know it’s yours.

For now the only thing he is sure of is that he wants to come here tomorrow and maybe gaze at the garden and read a book and disturb the orchid chime at the door to hear its sweet melody. And maybe see you too, because his want to pretend being someone else somewhere else, is gone. He wants to be Ran Haitani and be accepted as such more than anything. And he burns with curiosity. He burns with longing.

You don’t exchange a word and Ran leaves the bookstore with a gift from your father and a promise to come by again. It’s really rare to see young people in here and having you here reminds me of me so many years ago, it makes me twenty again, you are twenty, aren’t you.

That night he also finds out that the family business restaurant down their street makes quite good nikujaga.

They eat it together with Rindou while reminiscing about those who will never come back.

***

The next day Ran is at the bookstore again.

And the day after that too and after a week or so he is considered a regular.

He doesn’t see you often and in all honesty he isn’t coming there for you. It’s the whole atmosphere of the place. The garden and the chime and the small talk with your father that draws him back.

You, a fleeting presence of the bookstore, he only has seen a couple of times. Not more. Once with a pile of cartridge paper of various sizes under your arm you were cursing under your breath trying your best to go down the stairs. And then the next time when you brought two bento boxes to the reading area where he and your dad were talking about your dad’s many voyages of his youth. Ran remembers the conversation particularly because he likes listening to your dad’s stories of the world. Never once in his life was he outside of Tokyo, your father's memories of other lands become his.

The meal you brought - and made yourself - is quite simple. It contains rice with seaweed, grilled fish and two hard boiled eggs. Along with some fresh sesame spinach salad on the side. It smells delicious and as you set two bento boxes on the table you go back upstairs and this time return with two bright yellow Yebisu cans.

Sudden kindness is sour to Ran. He freezes in his place, eyes on the bento box, as he listens to the small conversation you make with your dad. Confusion must be evident on his face, because the next second he hears your voice. You are speaking to him. “Do you not like beer, Ran?”

“No. It’s fine. I do.” His reply is simple and not efficient. It doesn’t make you any less doubtful that everything’s alright.

So you ask again. “Is it the eel then? Dad has tonkatsu leftovers upstairs. Would you…”

"No. No. It’s fine. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.”

You nod, shrugging your shoulders. He probably doesn’t sound very convincing to you, but that’s the best he can offer you. Not having anything more to say to him, you say to your dad that you are going home now. You have a project to finish. You wish them both goodnight.

If your dad noticed Ran stiffness he doesn’t mention it and Ran is very grateful for it, because while he always knows what to say, he finds it very hard to find an easy way to explain how and why this innocent act of compassion, a demonstration of belonging, irritated him.

He is ugly on the inside and scarred.

He doesn’t want you to know that.

[He doesn’t want to remember it either.]

But today is not the day you will discover it and so he can breathe freely, planting a hope that maybe you won’t ever know him for what he is outside of this place where he kills every bright part of him with a single strike of his baton.

***

During the next couple of months Ran comes to the conclusion that he should stop visiting a bookshop.

It’s not a sudden decision. He has a whole list of reasons ready, but as he goes over them in his head, he finds himself already on the porch in Yokohama. The chime sings and he is once again welcomed by your father to come inside, to have an interesting conversation and maybe help out a little bit if he doesn’t mind [he never does], only to eat a delicious meal you made as a pleasant conclusion to the day.

Ran is young, but he is no fool and he knows that soon enough he is going to get attached to this place and he simply can not afford it. South is going to get released and then they will form something big and serious and he is going to be involved. The nice little illusion he created here has no place in his world. He should stop coming.

That’s what he decides when he steps through the door one particularly warm golden evening in spring. It’s unusually quiet. No customers inside and your father isn’t at his regular place behind the till. Ran frowns. His blonde eyebrows coming together in the middle of his forehead. He stops looking in between the shelves. He finds nothing and so he goes behind the noren, to the reading zone.

“Oh. I thought you won’t come today.” You sit on the chair with your right leg to your chest, a bottle of black nail polish standing on the table in front of you.

Ran bites back a smile. You painting your toes inside of the bookstore is so out of place, it’s almost comical. “Why would you think that?”

You don’t answer his question and it seems as if you haven’t heard him at all. He is compelled to repeat it, but instead he sits on the sofa opposite you and watches you doing your nails. The whole task is relaxing. You don’t mess up even once which is pretty much impressive. He whistles and you raise your head, looking at him, confused.

“What?”

“Nothing. You are just being really good at it.”

There’s no reply to this either. You continue painting your nails and he continues watching you. He doesn’t think about anything in particular and rather than moving his eyes along with the brush tip, he remains impassive. If you think he is being weird or creepy you don’t say it. In fact, to Ran it seems as if you have forgotten about him altogether. Your presence is strong to him, but his doesn’t touch you in the slightest.

He is both. Disappointed and glad.

It is his last time here - or so he thinks - and a premonition stored up in his chest is vibrating. It says to him that if you notice him he won’t be able to escape. [He only hears the second half of the sentence. He only hears what he wants to.]

Relaxed and focused on your toes he loses his usual alertness so when he finally understands that all your nails are glossy back and you have stopped applying the colour, he raises his eyes. Firstly looking at the closed bottle of polish as if to make sure you are really done and only then at you.

You are staring. You are noticing. Ran shivers.

“What’s your height?” You ask.

He frowns. The question is unexpected and he swears he somehow hears the chime’s sweet melody. But no sound comes after and he knows he is mistaken.

“I am 1.83.”

You lick your lips, tilting your head to the side and the smile that graces your future are adorable and terrifying at the same time. “Good. Do you mind helping me out in one of my school projects? I am at Bunka and I have this project coming up where I need to give yukata a modern touch. So I’ve been thinking if you don’t mind that I can use you as my reference? You won’t do much. I will just take your measurements and then based on you create a yukata. What do you think?”

There’s not just one, but so many reasons as to why he should say no, stand up and leave the bookstore behind him forever. The garden, the chime, the kindness - everything - should become a nice memory. The one he would go back to in the moments of discouragement. In the shameful fall of weakness.

There’s too many of them and Ran can’t name even one. So he nods at you. Yeah. Sure. Why not?

“Thank you. I really wanted you to agree. I’ve been thinking about suggesting it to you since I first saw you.” Your fingers graze over your fresh pedicure. To check if it’s dried. You are obviously satisfied, because you pull out twirled napkins from in between your toes and stand up. “Do you like oranges? I am gonna go upstairs and bring some for us.”

When you are behind the couch he sits on, you stop.

“But you are peeling them. I hate peeling oranges.”

It’s not a drastic confession, but Ran feels like he just found out your sweetest secret.

***

Pre-summer breeze carries a faint smell of changes and new times.

It doesn’t specify when and what it will bring. It doesn’t make it easier and the barbed metal ball in the pit of everyone’s stomach twirls, scratching insides. They bleed; skin torn apart and crimson.

Everyone acknowledges this lazy slow shift. No one does anything in particular about it, because, well, there’s nothing to be done. What is for you will find you anywhere: on a busy Shibuya crossing meddled between thousands of people, in your sunny apartment where you sleep on the floor after a full day of school or in front of the evergreen garden in a small bookshop in Yokohama.

There’s no point in trying to escape fate and therefore there’s no point in worrying and stressing out. The only thing Ran does - that he can think of as a succumbing to summer breeze - is wearing a too thick jacket for the already sunny and warm weather. When Rindou points it out he says he is doing it in the name of fashion. His younger brother grimaces, but leaves it at that. It sounds pretty much like Ran’s usual bullshit. No need to worry.

And so life goes on and the wind continues to blow.

***

His help in your project consists of standing still as you take his measurements.

That’s all.

The first time you do it he asks you if he needs to do something else and when you say no he is both, disappointed and relieved. Disappointed because he finds it being your model more boring than he expected and relieved because you don’t need him to do anything and that means only one thing - you won’t have any expectations of him and he won’t fail. In your eyes he will remain as Ran, a twenty years old man, who once in your life used to visit your father’s bookstore for a couple of months and helped you with your fashion school project and then disappeared and you’ve never heard about him after that.

Becoming your fleeting good memory is what he thinks he wants.

***

“I need you to raise your hands and hold them like that for a minute. Okay?” You say patting his shoulder as you emerge from behind him. This is the fourth time you’ve taken his measurements. He doesn’t understand why you need to do that so many times, but he doesn’t ask. You bite your lip - a small habit you have when you think really hard about something - and eye his earring. “Does it match your eye colour? You are so corny.”

He smirks and watches you wrap tape around his underarms and then chest. Ran only speaks when you sit on the floor near the table and scribble down the numbers. “I like it. Do you not?”

“You being corny or your earring?” You ask him, your attention on your journal, not him. Some days ago he asked you to show him your sketches of the yukata and you declined, totally exaggerating in his opinion the importance of not a single soul intervening in your creative flow.

“Both.”

“Let me think about it.” Your voice decreases its volume as you speak and by the end of the sentence it’s a small whisper. As usual you don’t reply right away and Ran loses his hope of getting the answer, but after a while you close your journal and turn to him. “I don’t mind either. I am guessing they both make you you and so I am okay with that.”

He thinks you barely know him and he barely knows you, but he believes your words nonetheless. There’s a sheer simplicity in them and that makes him trust you all the more. You might not be very familiar with each other and you are absolutely unaware of what he is doing, what he has done and what he will do in the future. You don’t peer. You don’t ask him unnecessary questions. You have no idea what kind of person he is and yet you still accept him. In Ran eyes this is considered courage and kindness and everything good in this world combined. Everything he doesn’t deserve. Everything he still wants.

And so the next day when Ran comes into the bookshop and sees you and your father at the till, he makes sure you notice the tattoo on his arm and when your father’s forehead is full of wrinkles, he thinks this is it, he lost this place forever, your father asks if it’s a full body or just an arm? He says, i have a tattoo too, but it’s smaller than yours.

“It covers the left side of my body. My brother and I got it in juvie.”

“I think we need tea for this conversation.” Your father answers and when Ran understands that there’s no anger, no resentment, no rejection and only acceptance, he realises that after all he was stupid to believe it would be otherwise.

The chime and the garden already whispered it to him. He was just too self-centred to notice.

***

The revelation about that certain part of Ran’s life brings obstacles in your work. You tear down your initial sketches and beg Ran to strip his clothes so you can see his tattoo. You plead, saying that it’s really really really important and crucial and you need to see it for you to understand him better. To make his yukata perfect.

For obvious and understandable [not for you] reasons he rejects. You pout, but all charms you send his way, simply do not work. At last, he lets you turn around his left arm however you want and after the second hour when the left part of his body gets numb and sore he has a suspicion you are doing it on purpose. A little revenge.

“You know, you are making it difficult for both of us.” You sigh, placing two steaming cup noodles on the table. The bookshop has been closed for an hour or so. It’s quiet, the only noise coming from upstairs where your dad is watching what seems to be MTV Japan. Ran only knows because sounds are familiar. Rindou likes watching MTV too. “I don’t understand why you are being so modest.”

You hand him metal chopsticks and as he takes them he also grabs your wrist. Somehow, you aren’t confused. You turn to him and the calm expression on your face startles him. He lets you go.

“Just don’t feel like it.” He says instead, his shoulders going up and down. None of you don’t speak as you eat. If Ran wasn’t as observant as he is, he would've thought you are listening to Masaharu Fukuyama’s song. But he is observant and he knows that you are just pretending to listen to your dad’s TV. He notices you stealing glances of him every now and then and when he catches your eyes with his, you bashfully turn away. It’s too obvious that you want to ask him something and he allows you to do it, but when enough time passes and all opportunities are lost, he places the cup on the table and with elbows on his knees, asks you what the matter is.

As expected you don’t answer right away. Hiding behind a pink cup you look at the garden illuminated by stone lanterns. “Are you uncomfortable with me?”

“No.” His response is immediate and you turn to him, surprised.

“No? Then why?” You scrutinise him, he - a mere subject before you. “Are you by any chance..?”

The last sentence is unfinished as it blurts out of you so quickly and you stop so abruptly as your eyes widen that Ran already knows what you wanted to say. An amused smile appears on his face. He laughs. “I am not a virgin. Don’t worry about it.”

“Why would I worry about it?” There’s an offence in your voice and he laughs some more.

He laughs and laughs and laughs stopping only when your eyes soften and lips form the prettiest smile he has ever seen. “What?” It’s his time to wonder now.

“Nothing.” You look past him at the clock that hangs on the wall between bookshelves. Even with TV noise Ran can hear them counting the time. “I am going to head out in twenty minutes.”

“You don’t live here?” “Oh. No. I live in Shibuya. In my mom’s house.”

“We are almost neighbours. My little brother and I live in Roppongi.”

“I suspected just as much.”

When he laughs again, the sparkle in your eyes reappears, but this time it is familiar [even if it’s too far to be burnt by it yet] so he doesn’t stop.

***

In the middle of the summer, on a hot July day, Kakucho asks Ran to help him do his annual shopping. Despite the air feeling like dragon breath and unreasonable early 12pm meeting, Ran agrees. It might be because he adores shopping or because he hasn't seen you in a week and there’s a good chance he might stumble upon you on Cat street. It’s in Shibuya and you’ve mentioned before that you live close to it. That’s of course if his calculation is right and you are already back from your trip to Osaka.

There is a special nook in Ran’s brain where he holds the memory of you telling him you are going to be away for a couple of weeks. It was the first time he was allowed to be inside of the bookstore's garden. The day was sunny and pleasant in a non-caring manner. Inside of the hugely oversized white t-shirt - that Ran suspected was male - you had sour cherries, carrying them in the pouch of the said t-shirt. It reminded Ran of kangaroos and therefore of Rindou who liked this weird animal when he was little.

When you sat down on the wooden floor, boards under you squeaking, cherries fell in your lap and Ran stared at them for the longest time. Bloody red on sparkling white. He was no artist, but in that moment he wished he was so he could immortalise this moment forever. Have someone else to see with the same raw emotion he did. If you noticed his hesitation you didn’t say anything. You spoke to him about your best friend, her grandparents and trip to Osaka. Saying you won’t be in Tokyo for two weeks or maybe a bit more. You didn’t know, really. You were excited and happy.

Sitting inside the garden Ran ate cherries from your laps. Fruit scattered along you seemed sacred. As you were telling him how much more delicious takoyaki was in Osaka than it could ever be in Tokyo, you glanced at him. Your lips pink from cherries tugged in a pretty smile and Ran knew he would eternally miss this very moment; you.

Wanting to accidentally meet you now was not a surprise to him.

The yes of course I’d go with you to Kakucho was too said very easily. Much to Rindou’s suspicion.

Despite his desire to see you he doesn’t search for you and so shopping and hanging out with Kakucho is pleasant. Ran truly loves his company. Kakucho is comfortable to be around and he is too polite and too kind and sometimes Ran catches himself thinking that Kakucho has no business being a criminal. He isn’t like them. He is [almost] innocent. But then Ran remembers the way Kakucho’s eyes light up in a fight. How he lands one blow after another and when his opponent is defeated, sprawling on the ground, and the look full of enthusiasm on Kakucho’s face shatters all illusions Ran might have about him.

It’s truly peculiar how there’s perhaps two Kakucho that never meet. One that has a kind heart and gentle soul and the other one that is corrupted by anger and rage. Ran has seen both of them. Ran wonders if he is the same. If there’s good in him too.

He sees you first. You stand outside of a shop with hands full of bags and a cup of an iced coffee. You are wearing a plaid short skirt, a blouse and a beret and while the outfit is perfectly composed it seems too out of season. But by now he knows you quite well to tell that it was intentionally done. He thinks you look beautiful [as you always do] and Ran allows himself to admire you a little bit more, eyes lingering on your face.

“She’s way out of your league, Haitani. Didn’t think she’s your type. More like Rindou’s.” Attentive to details as usual Kakucho immediately notices Ran’s interest in you. They both stopped under the streetlamp that won’t share its light for some hours yet.

Ran smirks, he lets out a short laugh and tears his eyes off you, looking at Kakucho. “You think I can’t pull her off?”

“Absolutely not.”

The verdict sounds like a challenge. Ran snorts and takes a step in your direction, partially confident, partially pondering if he really can’t make you like him. The thought is cold, but it changes with a rush of excitement that strikes his body when you raise your head and see him. There’s a huge smile on your face and in your eyes when you notice him and he grins back.

“Ran!” You call him by his first name before you fly across the street and press your body into his as you hug him, your arms snaking their way across his neck. Plastic bags bump onto his back and thawed drops of water from the coffee cup stain his shirt. But he doesn’t mind it. He feels you smiling into his skin and he doesn’t mind it at all. “You won’t believe me, but I had a feeling I would see you today here.”

“You probably just wanted to see me that much.” He replies in his usual lazy manner and he can feel you smiling wider, but then you pull away from his arms and glare at him acting bothered by his bold words.

[He knows you enough to say you aren’t.]

“You so wish I was.” Your words are true and he almost admits it - maybe he does it with his eyes gleaming so intensely as he loses himself in your presence, but neither of you notices it, only Kakucho who stands to his left - yet you interrupt him. “What are you doing here?”

It’s a sudden violent jerk that Kakucho makes that peel your attention from Ran to his friend. You gasp and purse your lips, tilting your head as you take him in. Whatever you are thinking about Kakucho is masked by your so out of character sweet smile [Ran tries to remember if you ever been this friendly with him and miserably fails] and a barely there whisper of your full name.

Ran frowns. The joy from seeing you evolves into slight annoyance. It grows even more when Kakucho, being the sweet guy he is, suggests they walk you home. And that’s how Ran finds himself carrying your bags full of fabrics and buttons - you say so yourself when he asks you why they are so damn heavy - to your mother’s home where you live because you claim it’s closer to school this way and not at all because it’s closer to your mom.

Ran knows first what it’s like to lose parents and all the micro ways to cope with the loss. The colour you bleed is all too familiar to him; to his own.

The walk to your home is short and soon enough the three of you are standing in front of a nice small two story house. Its grey facade and black roof doesn’t suit you at all. Your house [your mother’s house] is too dull for you, but Ran knows better than to say this outloud. Instead he appreciatively hums as he focuses on some pretty yellow flowers standing in a huge pot next to the entrance.

“It was really nice to meet you, Kakucho! Never knew Ran has such nice friends.” You say accepting your bags from Ran’s hands.

“He never mentioned me?” He asks, sounding genuinely offended. “Not even once?”

The sound of your giggles rises in the air and you shake your head an affirmative ‘no’. “No. He mentioned his little brother a couple of times, though. Actually. I’ve been thinking. Me and my friends are going to “Womb” today to welcome us coming back to Tokyo so if you want to come along, you can. What do you think?”

It’s Ran who’s been eerily silent all the time that responds. “Yes. Of course. I’ll pick you up.”

“Great. See you at nine then?”

“Can’t wait.”

The words have a slightly ominous feeling to them. Maybe it’s just the tone with which he says them or maybe you both have been struck by the gift of foretelling because when your eyes stay on him a little too longer than usual, there’s no mistake that you know how today will change you both.

***

Inside the bathroom where Ran has been soaking for a good hour the air is heavy. It’s hard to breathe and the voices that slip from the living room to the confinement of white marbled floor and white walls aren’t tangible. Ran catches them again and again and again, but they don’t stay and he finds himself on a rope that leads to the inner world of his very being. Somewhere where he doesn’t want to be. Ever.

Shadows there are cruel and they bite worse than an angry stray dog. Those gushes never close and Ran knows for a fact that he will have to tend to them till the day he dies.

“No. Ran never spoke about her.” It’s Rindou’s voice that takes Ran out of the whitish void of nothingness. It’s Rindou’s voice that speaks about you. “Is she pretty?”

There’s no answer to that from Kakucho. Only laughter from both of them and a whistle from Shion. Ran can only guess what gesture or facial expression his friend made to describe you.

“Ran type of pretty or my type of pretty?”

“You think I know what you consider pretty, Madarame? You’ve never even said oh look that girl is pretty. You are always like bet she’d take my dick really well.”

They laugh again and their laugh is warm and Ran smiles the way he would be as if he was with them now and not inside a bath full of scorching hot water. Yet, he belongs there, with them, and so he allows himself to be a part of conversation about you, about him.

The outburst of joy follows a content silence which is interrupted by Kakucho's loud sigh. Ran can’t see them, but he can tell that his friend is smiling and he has Rindou’s and Shion’s full attention on him.

“What is it?” “Nah. You gotta see it for yourself, Rin. I am not going to take the experience away from you.”

“Honestly? I just hope she is not a stupid bitch.”

“They all were stupid bitches to you, Rindou.”

“Were they?”

“Oh, yeah.” This time it’s Shion. “Even though Yui was pretty much fuckable you still called her a stupid bitch to her face.”

"That's ‘cause she was and Ran never went out with her. They just fucked a couple of times. Anyways, should we…”

The rest of the conversation gets lost in between splashing water when Ran gets out of the bath. His skin is tingling and red as he wraps his body in the soft towel [Rindou likes prickly ones more]. He wipes the misted mirror with the back of his hand and when he finally sees himself in the reflection he can’t help but wonder from where in his cursed body this sweet tug comes from when he hears his friends talking about you.

And because he has no answer he at least can hope that his younger brother won’t consider you a stupid bitch. It seems really important to him in the box that is the white room.

***

The grey house doesn’t make any impression on Rindou. He can’t understand if you are rich or poor or what your status is or anything related to your character because the house is dull. It’s ordinary and Rindou thinks that even he with his minimalistic approach to life and fashion got to hate it too.

Maybe, though, he is salty that his older brother urged him away from the front seat of his car the moment the freshly changed tires of Ran’s Honda stopped in front of your house.

His eyes stop out of the huge pot with flowers - he can’t tell the colour of them though, his poor eyesight being an obstacle - and then drift to the enormously large window where he can spot your dark silhouette. You probably are putting your shoes on.

Rindou couldn’t care less about you. That though doesn’t stand for his brother. He loves Ran more than he loves anything and when he stares at his brother stealing quick glances at the house he swears he can see through the walls and see you just as well as Ran does. His heart [it’s Ran’s] beats faster and faster and long fingers grip the steering wheel too painfully. Anticipation, excitement, eagerness.

Rindou feels it all through Ran. He feels what Ran feels for you.

So when you slide into the passenger seat in your really well put too stylish outfit Rindou is overwhelmed by the moon waves of calmness that strike through his body [Ran’s]. He is burnt when you touch Ran’s arm and side hug him. To Rindou you are like a blazing sun, but for now he feels you through Ran and the intensity of it all swallows him whole. He is barely here.

Until you turn your face to him and say. “You must be Rindou. You look so different from Ran, but you are the same.”

“I don’t know what I would’ve done to you if you mistook my little brother for Shion.” Ran laughs a pretty earnest laugh and a huge smile blossoms on your face as you turn to him not waiting for Rindou’s answer. “It’s Shion Madarame, by the way. My friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Madarame.” You speak as you lazily stretch your hands before yourself. You are wearing opera gloves. “Nice to meet you too, Rindou.”

The first name basis specifically for him doesn’t go unnoticed, but Rindou doesn’t say anything. He is perplexed by you and what you are.

He might not know you at all yet. You might be nothing to him and that dull grey house is so distasteful he swears he doesn’t want to see it ever again. Yet he likes you already. Through Ran he does. And that’s why when your eyes meet his in the rearview mirror and you smile at him he smiles right back at you.

***

“Womb” is the farthest thing from some classy nightclubs in Roppongi that Ran and Rindou like very much.

It’s too spacious, too grand and too flashy. It’s pretentious. And as well as Rindou hates this obnoxious trait in people he hates it with the same passion in the inanimate objects. The whole club and people in it irritates him to the point where it’s borderline rude angriness. Kakucho is the first one to notice it and he - a gentle soul - in an attempt to soothe Rindou throws his arm around his shoulders. Rindou appreciates the gesture, but it doesn’t dissolve an annoying feeling.

He, for whatever reason it may be, wishes Ran would notice his changed demeanour, but right now it’s too much to ask. Ran is focused on you. Rindou sees the way his brother’s head slightly leans to yours as he attentively listens to whatever it is you are saying to him. You hold Ran by his elbow leading him to wherever your friends are. Shion follows close behind, but he doesn’t participate in the conversation and Rindou understands too well why.

His chest hurts.

But he is curious and an unknown eagerness comforts him.

Every single one of your friends is stylish. Too stylish. Pretentiously stylish. Rindou assumes they also are quite rich or either they have connections. Tons of alcohol and a spacious private booth overlooking the dance floor is what makes him think so. If he was Ran he would also notice designer clothes and bags, but he doesn’t. You introduce them to your friends and one of the girls eyes Ran a bit too much. Too suspicious. But then she relaxes and her eyes go wide in recognition. She exclaims, now I understand why the yukata she makes is so pretty, and instead of looking at Ran who with a half-smile looks at you, you look at the floor.

When the clock strikes just one after midnight Rindou is more than curious and a tiny bit tipsy. He now knows every single one of your friends - and you - by name. He knows that one of your best friends is in Geidai studying architecture, and the other one studies design in the same school as you. He also understands that one of the boys - your classmate - likes you very much and it’s so painfully obvious, Rindou cringes every single moment he approaches you in his lame attempts to flirt. [Not that Rindou is better at flirting, he just doesn’t hit off with this particular guy or rather it’s the guy who doesn’t like either Rindou, nor Ran or Kakucho or Shion]. And as expected one of the girls sneaks glances at Ran a bit too much and as expected Ran notices it and as expected he doesn’t pay any attention to her at all.

But both of you don't speak much either and that’s where Rindou’s curiosity lies.

Just one after midnight you plop on the sofa beside Rindou and set a half-full glass full of gin on the table. You move it away, dragging it across the table, with the back of your left hand. The sound it makes is not pleasant. It sounds tired.

“So?” You say.

“So?” He echoes, turning his head to look at you. In the blue disco lights that reflect off your skin you look ethereal.

You whine. Dramatically. And biting a lip you tilt your head to the side. “I asked first, Ran’s little brother.”

He gasps then and under the influence of alcohol your words that weren’t said in intention to be playful seem so funny to him, he laughs. You laugh too.

“Ran’s little brother? Is this how he calls me behind my back?” He asks you, a beautiful teasing smile on his lips. “Have he told you a lot about me?”

You squint your eyes at him and scoot closer, the leather under you squeaking. “Not really.” You move even closer and then you lay your hand on his arm squeezing it. “He said you love music, want to own a club one day, hate McDonalds and that your favourite colour is white.”

“That’s all he said?”

“No. Not really. He mentioned that you like DJing. Have a whole setup at home and he hates it when you use it, because it’s too loud, but he lets you do your thing anyway. Oh. And your obsession with the gym.”

There’s a loud noise coming from the dance floor. It’s a woman screaming. She sounds happy. Music doesn’t stop and she screams some more. No one pays her attention besides you. You turn around and a small smile tugs at your lips. When you shift back you lay your head on Rindou’s shoulder. He doesn’t mind it.

He doesn’t mind you at all anymore.

***

The night passes quickly as all good pleasant things do.

But as usual there’s a moment of worry. A moment of uncertainty. A threshold to where all the things go wrong. It finds you after four in the morning.

The music is slowing down and people that have remained are barely a crowd. The club is going to close in an hour or so. The lights are fully on and Rindou is discussing with Kakucho how everyone will get home. Despite you and Ran barely interacting throughout the whole night both boys are sure he would want to take you home. But for now he is still sitting at the table chatting up a cute girl. A friend of yours from the oil painting department of Geidai. The nature of your relationship with Ran is more abstract than ever. Rindou can’t crack it up.

“Here you are.” The voice is loud so everyone stops talking and turns their attention toward a young obviously very drunk man stepping through the door. “And here I was thinking what club you were whoring yourself out today. With whom are you sleeping these days?! Is it this one? Or this one? Or maybe it’s this one?”

The man is tall and he is very beautiful and that makes the situation even sadder than it already is. When beautiful things are stained, unfairly so, they become cruel. The ugliness seeping through the holes.

“Orochi.” It’s you who speak and so it’s you to whom the words were addressed to. “Go away. You are drunk.”

“Will you come with me?” He asks, extending his hand.

You close your eyes and take a deep breath. “No. I won’t.”

"Is it because I am drunk or is it because you have someone else?”

Your best friend snorts. “You say it as if you were ever together. Come on, man. Get the fuck out of here. None of us wants you here. Especially her.”

His head falls to his chest and he lets out a miserable laugh that reminds Rindou more of a bark. “This is how it is?”

The knife appears from his pocket too quickly, too sudden no one reacts in time. But this Orochi guy is intoxicated a bit too much and so when he flashes it aiming to drag it across your face, it doesn’t even touch you. He tries a second time, cursing at you. Stupid ugly bitch, he spits, the knife slicing the air again. Such a whore. Dumb fucking slut.

“Easy here. Watch how you speak to my girl. One more word and you are not going to end up simply beaten.” Ran voice is steady. It’s venomous. And what everyone perceives as a promise for Rindou is a certain fact.

“Who the fuck are you?” “I am Ran Haitani and right now we are going to leave, but I will find you a day after tomorrow and you are going to regret every single word you said.” Ran crosses the booth stepping in between you two. His back to the guy. It’s disrespectful. It’s humiliating. It’s very Ran of him. Rindou can’t see from where he stands besides the door, but by the way Ran’s hands rise up, he can assume he is holding your face in his palms. He whispers to you. “You okay? Let’s get you home.” It’s stupid and naive, but it’s expected for Orochi to be hurt and another attempt to poke - this time Ran - with his knife is stopped by Shion who is the closest to where you stand. He hits him in his jaw and the booth suddenly turns red. There’s a tooth laying under the sofa now.

When Ran turns around. His face is calm. He holds your hand and even with his bad eyesight Rindou catches the tenderness with which he caresses your skin with his thumb. “Don’t overdo it, Shion. I want him to at least show me some resistance when I see him next time.” “Aye, captain. As you wish. Go get your girl home. Me and Kakucho will take care of the rest. Right, Kaku?”

Kakucho shrugs. There’s nothing really left to say or to take care of. The world is suddenly gloomy and cold.

***

Rindou doesn’t really understand how, but he ends up in your house with a bowl of instant noodles and leftover chicken.

You and Ran sit opposite him on the couch. Your knees are touching. You speak of cherries. Rindou has no idea what is so amusing about these specific fruits, but he listens anyway. The TV is off and your conversation the only entertainment available.

“I am actually really sorry you had to witness that.” You sigh, head low. You aimlessly poke your noodles with chopsticks as you speak. “I’ve never had anything with Orochi. He was just a friend of mine and he said I led him on, but I don’t think I’ve ever done something for him to believe I like him or you know… He just made a move one day and I said no. And that was it. Mizu says he is obsessed.”

“That he is for sure.” Ran takes the bowl away from you. “Good thing he won’t be anymore.”

“Ran… I don’t want you to… It’s not necessary. It’s too much.” The tone is almost pleading and Rindou knows his brother a bit too much, feels him a little too well to know two things. The first one is that he hates it when people he cares about decline his help. The second one is that he terribly achingly wants to kiss you and it only intensifies when you continue speaking. “It’s not that I am afraid for Orochi, but I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me. It’s like a betrayal and I don’t want to betray you ever.”

“Hey. Can I use your bathroom for ten minutes?” Both you and Ran snap your attention to Rindou who stands up from the armchair. You furrow. “It’s upstairs. Second room to the left. And you can use it for however long you want. Do you actually both want to stay over tonight? You are probably too tired to drive anyway.”

“Yeah. Yeah. Good. I’ll be back in ten minutes exactly.”

When Rindou disappears in the blue haze of dawn that slips through the windows of the second floor he hears Ran’s soft laugh and your whispering. It’s probably about him, but then again, he doesn’t mind it.

He doesn’t mind sitting on the closed lid of the toilet in your house for fifteen minutes - just for a good measure - so as to give his brother a chance to slowly kiss your bad night and worries away. To pull the thread of sadness that has been knitted through your face since the episode in the club and all the way till now away. He doesn’t mind it either when he goes back, fake yawning, and sees his brother laying on you, his face in your neck as he draws comfort from your warmth. He fetches you a pillow and a blanket and takes you to your bedroom, leaving you two alone. Ran might pretend he is sleeping, but Rindou knows better. He doesn’t mind this innocent lie.

He doesn’t mind you and as he lays in your bed he thinks that there was never a single time today where he wanted to call you a stupid bitch just like all girls Ran has been with before. But then was Ran ever with someone before?

Rindou says no. He says it’s loud and then he remembers how Ran called you his girl. Rindou thinks it suits you a bit too much. Being Ran’s girl and all that it includes.

He doesn’t know you well and there’s still a long road before he does, but he trusts you and he likes you and before he falls asleep he hears a sweet sound of glass chime. The aroma of orchids fills the house.

#ran haitani #ran x reader #ran x y/n #ran x you #ran #haitani x reader #ran haitani x y/n #ran haitani x reader #ran smut #haitani ran imagines #haitani brothers #tokyo revengers #tokyo rev x reader #tokrev #ran scenarios #ran haitani scenarios #ran fluff #rindou haitani #rindou haitani is the best brother

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lieutenant-teach · 3 months

Text

Post fix-it (Anakin doesn’t go Dark and fulfills the prophecy, clones get civil rights, everyone is happy or on the way to it). Cody speaks about problems concerning clones’ and his own appearance. Hurt\comfort, romance, discussion of sexual harassment.

Only a couple of months ago Cody wouldn’t believe if anyone told him that the war would be over, and the Clone Rights Bill would pass. Yes, a lot of work is needed to be done – settling cadets and shinies saved from Kamino, helping the Jedi get back into ‘diplomatic’ style, figuring out what the veterans want to do with their lives – but right now Cody is content and doesn’t think about it. At least, he tries. Obi-Wan is sitting right next to him in a cozy loveseat, in front of the cracking fire, leaning into him and reading some news on his holopad. Cody promised himself that he won’t speak about heavy topics at night – they both have had enough during the daytime, and Obi-Wan needs some rest after he and other Jedi rummaged through Sith artifacts they found hidden by Palpatine.

But a couple of thoughts, doubts are nagging in the back of Cody’s mind.

And Obi-Wan must have felt it, because he closes the pad and turns to him.

Cody raises an eyebrow in a lame attempt to avert the attention.

– What is bothering you, my dear? – Concern is written all over his face, and Cody hates it.

– Nothing serious. Just some stupid thoughts, not important.

– Which are so not important that your uneasy emotions emanate all around?

Cody remembers how hurt Obi-Wan was after discovering all the lies Anakin Skywalker had been hiding through several years – from negative emotions like fear and jealousy to secret marriage to murder of the whole Tusken tribe. Now he knows Cody’s also hiding something… Of course, it’s nothing as bad as it was with Skywalker, but the fact remains.

– Well, sir… Obi-Wan, - Cody’s still not used to calling him familiarly. He shifts a little bit facing him fully. – I’ve heard some brothers mentioning that before, and, frankly, I still don’t know what is the right way to react and what to do.

Obi-Wan furrows eyebrows, but listen attentively, and more concern bleeds into his eyes. And Cody hasn’t even told yet what actually happened.

– They weren’t complaining per se, just confused. They say when they come out onto the streets, sometimes, I guess, some not very polite strangers – some natborns comment on them. You know… appearance. Call them pretty or handsome or attractive while not being asked for any kind of such compliments. And… I suppose, we are attractive to some, though it’s hard to tell when you see your face every day and you don’t even need a mirror, - Cody lets out a small self-deprecating smile, but Obi-Wan only furrows further. – They’re confused – during the war we also walked around sometimes without our buckets on, but no one reacted like that. No one noticed any attractiveness. But now, as we’re still in the centre of attention, now suddenly they see us.

Obi-Wan opens the mouth, but Cody isn’t finished yet:

– Today I was walking to my workshop to complete these wooden porg toys for younglings, when someone stopped me and started flirting with me. – He feels uneasy even thinking about it. He’s never felt so awkward before. Not even after he kissed Obi-Wan for the first time and then started mulling over – maybe, he was kissing badly, maybe, he had a bad breath – and not even when after this his former General began reassuring him everything was fine. No, it was a feeling similar to when after several years with the Jedi respecting them and teaching self-worth he looked back on their collective life on Kamino. They were created for the Republic. Units to serve. To be used and discarded. But then the Jedi insisted that they’re not units, but people. Everyone deserves respect. And they were mistreated both by the Kaminoans and the Senate. It was impossible to even start realizing that it shouldn’t have been like that. How must they react now to the previous treatment they’ve got used to? Especially these days, when they’re recognized as sentients? Quite often they were never seen at all or as furniture at best. But now they are at last considered, called pretty, so it is good, right? But why does it feel wrong? – And it felt wrong. I was looked at, admired for my physic, but I wasn’t seen at all. It doesn’t make sense, right? – Cody chuckles self-deprecatingly again, feeling stupid for not being able to figure out his own emotions.

– It does. – Obi-Wan sighs. – First you’re not seen at all, now you’re seen as beautiful dolls. Two sides of the same coin. It shall take time for the general public to realize fully that you have the same rights of respect as anyone else. And it does make sense you do not feel good when called like that, especially when not asked for any kind of such attention. I think I shall talk to Healer Che and Knight Secura about it, maybe Master Tapal also – they can organize something for the Brothers, some lessons specifically about such situations. Mace should know, too – I think about political implications of addressing such attitude…

– Isn’t it too much? Overreacting? – Cody doesn’t want any trouble for both his brothers or the Jedi. Catches Obi-Wan’s somber gaze and deflates: - I guess it’s not. Thank you for bothering.

– Not bothering, it’s serious, - Obi-Wan’s eyes are immensely sad now. – I’m so sorry it happens to you all. Thanks for telling me.

One boulder is off Cody’s shoulders.

– But there’s something else, right?

– Yeah, it’s more personal… and really stupid, - Cody hesitates, then tugs his shirt, pulls it over his head and throws on the floor. Rolls his shoulders, straightening his back: - Who do you see?

Obi-Wan is obviously taken aback – both by question and by Cody’s actions. As they haven’t been that intimate. Taking time, not hurrying into naked business. So Obi-Wan hasn’t seen him shirtless… in romantic context, let’s say.

Cody likes the way his General’s… former General’s gaze wanders over him – quickly, not wanting to be intrusive. But clearly interested. But the doubt – unreasonable, as he tries to convince himself – rots all the joy.

– I see you. Why do you ask?

– Don’t you think about… Jango Fett?

Obi-Wan looks offended.

– I’m his clone, I look the same, and you’d met him long before you met me, - Cody prods with some masochistic insistence. – You’ve told me I’m different in the Force. But our outwards are identical.

Obi-Wan sighs and takes his hand gently.

- Will you believe me if I say I haven’t thought about him in what – three years? I never ever seen not a tiniest bit of Jango Fett in any of you. The Force signature, shall I say, impacts how we, the Force-sensitives, especially the trained ones, perceive the world…

– But do you find me… handsome? – Cody interrupts him – he knows what Obi-Wan’s is trying to tell him. He’s heard it before – “You feel steady and warm, like a sun”. He never expected sex issues to be so complicated, he thinks to himself.

– I do, - Obi-Wan sounds as if he’s saying a vow. – Cody, I have no intention to be insensitive, but do you presume that when I’m with you, I imagine… Rex instead of you? Or Waxer? Or literally any of your brothers?

The idea is the most moronic ever, despite Obi-Wan’s serious voice. Cody even laughs:

– Course, not! – he catches the idea his Jedi is conveying and lets the other boulder fall. He smiles warmly, feeling easy: - I hate being beaten by my own logic.

– I know it may be hard for you, darling, - Obi-Wan starts and then smiles back. Cody knows he feels the change in his emotions, because the concern on his face fades away. For now, at least. – Well, Cody…

– Yes? – Cody is alert, as per usual. Obi-Wan blushes and ducks his head a little bit – Cody finds it adorable. – What is it, sir? – he teases, flashing a flirty smile. He already suspects what he’ll be asked about, and it feels gloriously absolutely opposite to what happened this day.

– Would you allow me to touch you? – Obi-Wan doesn’t look confident – obviously remembers Cody’s not nice experience too. – Of course, the fact you took off your shirt doesn’t oblige you to agree, and it was rude of me to assume you’d enjoy hearing that, especially after today’s unfortunate experience…

– I want it, - Cody doesn’t intent for Obi-Wan to feel as if he did something wrong. Because he didn’t.

Obi-Wan slowly stretches his hand and lays it on Cody’s chest. The touch is gentle and warm, very careful. His heart is fluttering, and there’s a funny feeling in the stomach – intensified by the intimacy of the situation.

Cody cannot take his eyes off Obi-Wan’s face, mesmerized by love written all over it.

– You’re beautiful, - the hand slowly slides lower, on his belly, tracing tense muscles. – Dear, you are beautiful, - finger pads move up, circling chest muscles, brushing the nipple – the latter causes a tremor of pleasant vulnerability in Cody. The hand travels over his shoulder, mapping every inch of skin.

Cody presses his hand to Obi-Wan’s cheek – the beard scratches, but he likes it. Then he lowers it and touches the hem of his Jedi’s shirt, looking questioningly into his eyes. He’s not sure if he oversteps the boundaries – maybe, Obi-Wan is not ready to go this far as Cody is.

– How can anyone say no to these puppy eyes? – Obi-Wan laughs quietly. – Not that I ever wanted, - he raises his arms, allowing Cody to take the shirt off and throw it away to his own.

Cody wants to have a look, but he only catches fair skin before Obi-Wan throws his arms around Cody’s neck, presses himself into him and plants a long and really nice kiss on lips. Cody isn’t stupid to complain about it – especially when he hugs him back, feels warmth and lean muscles under his palms, heat of chest and stomach against his own. And he moves closer, exploring Obi-Wan’s back, taking in all scars – his heart squeezes with ‘there could have been no scars, if not this karking war’. He interrupts the kiss only to press his lips to the shoulder sprayed with faint freckles. He feels like he’ll explode of tenderness. Feels Obi-Wan caressing his shoulder blades and neck, kissing his temple.

– It’s all right, darling, it’s all right, - the Jedi murmurs into his ear, practically cradling him. Cody doesn’t like the somber in his voice, so he uses his weight to tackle Obi-Wan down into the loveseat. Hears delighted chuckle into his ear and grins, shifting himself to look into his eyes. Then leans for a kiss, and the initiative is met with vigour.

#star wars #codywan #clones #fanfiction #my fic #fanfic #jedi #pro jedi

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keischreiber · 25 days

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Welcome Home

Reiner x Reader Genre: Angst TW: Depression | Guilt | Self-loathing

Just because the Rumbling is over, does it mean that Reiner's trauma goes away?

Of course it doesn't. He could be coping because people are more accepting now, but I can imagine how panic attacks plague him when he least expects it.

How when anxiety hits, it hits him hard. Part of him, feels like he's getting better… but the majority of him still believes that there's no getting better from who he was. Regardless of being one of the Peace Ambassadors, he still believed himself to be less than that.

"What a joke," He'd tell himself at times, wondering how he landed this role after all the things that he had done.

He was part of the crew who saved the world, but more than that, he was the perpetrator and instigator of war. Even now, he still thinks back to it… to when he forced Annie and Bertholdt to go along with his selfishness. Maybe if he hadn't been so desperate, something might have changed. Maybe the road to something this peaceful wouldn't have been stunted. Maybe things would have been better had someone else inherited the Armor if he had just gone back home when Annie said they should have.

Maybe Porco would have been the better choice…

… after all, it was always supposed to be Porco, right? Marcel revealed the truth. Not a day had passed since the thought didn't enter his head.

Bottom of the pack. Loser. Talentless. Liar. Psychopath.

— Murderer

He could go on and on about it; the many reasons why he didn't deserve to be who he was today.

Stolen so many lives, so many dreams, so many futures… so much, so much, so much so that he wanted to vomit every time he remembers it.

But when all was said and done, he still accepts this role. People were starting to forget his crimes, he was being regarded as one of the heroes who stopped the Rumbling. He smiled at them, at the capacity that he could. When he came back home, he was treated the same way. He was recognized and was regarded with respect, much like any hero would.

For those that couldn't, he never blamed them.

He was, after all, not blameless.

During this time, Reiner had purchased a house of his own. He had invited his mother to live with him, but she had opted to stay with her sister to allow him some freedom in case he wished to start a family of his own.

It had been some time since Karina had told him the truth. He held no ill-regard for her, after all, he wasn't that stupid to see the reality of everything. It had taken him quite some time to accept it; the time in Paradis helping, so digesting how she had used him for her own agendas… well, it got easier over time.

"I know," He remembered himself telling her; watching as his mother cried her apologies… saying how nothing she did now could ever make up for what she had done to him. Reiner never blamed her for anything, believing that part of her simply wanted their family to be reunited.

He wanted to keep it at that, after all, when it came to these matters, even he could be selfish.

Still, coming home to his own house was always a nightmare.

He didn't know what you continue to see in him, but he was always happy to know that you were there. That, despite everything, you had chosen to share a life with him. It meant days or months apart, but you were always so patient with him. Sometimes, he was concerned when you don't ask him for anything. No flowers, no souvenirs from Paradis, no nothing.

"Come back home safe," He would remember you say, and that was that. Sometimes, he wondered why the only thing you asked for was the hardest one to give. When you tell him to return safely, it wasn't just physically. When you tell him to return home safely, it meant with a sound mind intact. It meant with a little more forgiveness for himself. It meant, with a little more kindness to himself that he hardly ever afforded.

When you tell him to come back, he's always afraid that he's going to fail those expectations. That he'll come back an even bigger mess than when he left.

And the worse part of it all was…

"I'm home."

… was coming home to an empty house that greeted him with nothing but silence.

Today was one of those days.

One of the days when the silence haunted him in the same way that his past did.

Reiner dropped the suitcase that he carried, not even bothering to close the door behind him. Frantically he went from one room to the next, looking for any signs of life. Everything was clean, as if no one had been here for quite a while.

He didn't know if it was just his imagination, or if it was because he had been gone for far too long.

Many things plagued his mind. He was always away, not by choice… but he couldn't use that as an excuse. Even if he said he wanted to be around more, and no matter how patient you were… it was only a matter of time before you got fed up with him and his absence.

Fed up with him and his issues.

"Of course you'd leave… why would you stay with someone like me?" He asked, his body trembling. His lips curving itself to defeat as he ruffled his blonde hair unkempt.

He wanted to cry, knowing that this was his fault in the first place. He knew that he shouldn't be complaining or expecting too much. He knew that this was how it'd be; how it should be. But now that you weren't here, why did it hurt? Why did he want things to be different? Why did he want you there with him, along with the patience that you often showed; along with the kindness that you always ALWAYS showered him with.

For a moment, his eyes darkened, his demons consuming him once again. Until,

"Reiner, you're ho—me— R-reiner?"

… until he heard your voice. In an instant his head snapped to attention, seeing you by the door. He couldn't see anything but you; his strides fast and long. Before you knew it the bag of groceries that you held in your arms was replaced by his trembling frame.

It was tight.

The way he held you was suffocating, and you would have complained had you not heard his sobbing. You could feel it, his tears streaming down his face and onto your scalp as he began to cry against your hair. He buried himself there, and by the second, he simply continued to let it all out. You could hear him mumbling over and over: "You're here, you're here," as if those were the only words he knew.

Your eyes glossed over, you always felt like crying with him when he was like this.

"I missed you so much." Your voice was soft as you whispered. You don't know if he'll ever completely come to believe you... but regardless, you tell this to him every time he returns.

For now, you kept him close, letting him cry.

You pushed the door to a close with your foot, so that the both of you could simply be together in the privacy of each other's arms.

"Welcome home, Reiner."

#◆ drabbles.#angst #depression #reiner braun #reiner #reiner x oc #reiner x y/n #reiner x you #reiner x everyone who loves him #aot #attack on titan #snk #shingeki no kyojin

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linawritestwst · 2 years

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A headcanon where s/o keeps teasing riddle,azul,idia and ruggie in a loving way.

touching them (cheeks,neck,fingers,hand,face,arm,leg),blowing in their ears, kissing their neck,calling them embarassing nicknames,poking their cheeks,drawing circles on their hand with s/o finger..

at the end of the day s/o will dote them and praise them for their hard work

riddle, azul, idia and ruggie with a s/o who teases them in a loving way (headcanons) (gn!reader)

riddle rosehearts.

♡ riddle loves you so much, but.. you're gonna be the end of him. riddle gets flustered quite easily and you absolutely love getting all these adorable reactions out of him. yes, you promised him so many times that you will stop, but it's riddle's fault for being so cute! the fact that he's a dorm leader only makes teasing him more interesting, you can kiss him on the cheek while he's lecturing other students or you can casually sit on his lap while they're having a tea party and he's already red. you're not sure if he's red because he's angry or because he's so in love with you.. you prefer to think that it's the latter.

♡ other heartslabyul students find your dynamic with riddle surprising, like, why would riddle fall in love with someone as mischievous as you? is this the "opposites attract" kind of situation? but they're not gonna lie, it's fun watching you tease him, they've never seen that side of riddle before! if most students are quiet about it and secretly find it entertaining, then ace and cater.. yeah, they love bringing up those situations. riddle calls ace out for breaking a rule again and the guy goes "OH DORM LEADER DO YOU REMEMBER THAT ONE TIME Y/N CALLED YOU A CUTIE IN FRONT OF EVERYONE-" r.i.p ace, you will be missed.

♡ sure, riddle can find your antics a bit annoying sometimes, but.. it's not like he hates them. he just wishes you could find a better time for it, he knows that it's more "fun" to tease him when there are other students around or when he's busy, but can you please respect that wish of his? he doesn't mind if you tease him like that in private though, riddle becomes much softer when there's no one around and maybe.. maybe he can even go along with all that teasing of yours. fine, fine, he is your cutie, whatever.. h-hey, can you call him that one more time, please? he just likes your voice, that's all!

♡ but you really do love riddle and you're so proud of him and everything he does! and you make sure riddle knows that. when he's done with his dorm leader duties for the day, you give him a forehead kiss and say that he's done a great job today, he can finally get some rest now, he deserves it. oh, he can sleep on your lap, if he wants to! haha, yeah, you're teasing him again. but hey, you really wouldn't mind if he did that.

azul ashengrotto.

♡ yeah, riddle is easy and fun to tease, but it's pretty obvious that he's a type to get flustered easily. azul though? that "cool" and "mysterious" octoman?.. yes, it's also pretty obvious that he's just like riddle. but at least he doesn't show that side of him that often! it's only you and the leech twins who know about it! well, it's been this way until someone decided that they should tease azul in front of other people more often. and now no one will let azul live this down.

♡ remember how i mentioned that it's only you and the twins who know about that "secret side" of azul? these guys don't do anything to protect azul from you. in fact, they encourage you to tease him more often. it really is so fun to watch him blush and stutter and say "y/n, not in front of the customer-"! and if azul gets on their nerves or does something that annoys them, they can always remind him of all those times you did those embarrassing things to him. they got some good blackmailing material thanks to you!

♡ however, riddle and azul's reactions are a bit different. if riddle just turns into a tomato and it's very hard for him to go back to normal when you're acting like this, then azul at least tries to stay calm and go back to work. yeah, he tries. and it doesn't always go well. this guy will say things like "haha, that was hilarious, y/n! now, if you excuse me, i must-" and you just kiss him on the cheek and go "okay, honey, good luck with work today~" .. he just stands there. why are you doing this to him, y/n.

♡ but yes, he definitely needs some praise from you after that hard day of work. and no matter how much you tease him and make him look stupid in front of the customers, he still loves you and when it gets especially tiring, he reminds himself that when it's over, he can visit you, you'll give him a tight hug and tell him that he did well and you're proud of him. that already motivates him to do better and others can notice him smiling when he thinks about you.

idia shroud.

♡ dear sevens, THIS GUY IS A NERVOUS WRECK. HE'S A MESS. and you love him so much for that! his reactions are soooo cute!~ but also wow, idia, you're this close to losing consciousness when your s/o simply pokes your cheek? so this is what happens when you're single for way too long.. okay, sorry for disrespecting your dating sim exes, idia. but seriously, you didn't expect that idia would get that emotional when you simply show him basic affection, you teasing him can actually become the death of him at some point.. you're not gonna stop though!

♡ idia never knows what to expect from you and his hair can become pink the moment you start drawing circles on his hand or suddenly blow in his ear. he keeps asking why you are doing this to him and you just go "because i want to :D" and you're not lying, you just think idia is so cute, you can't stop teasing him! hmm, what else can you do to make his heart skip a beat? oh, right, why don't you interrupt a board games club meeting to "bring idia something" and call him your little pogchamp when you leave? azul will surely find this funny and your boyfriend will love it!

♡ idia tries to get used to your teasing, saying that "it's obvious you're like those flirty characters from dating sims", but it's one thing when a game character acts that way and it's a completely different thing when you're actually dating someone like that. idia claims that he has never felt anything when a game character flirted with him (he's a liar btw), you're just.. uh.. you know, REAL, so that's why he keeps getting flustered because of you! your answer to that? "ah.. so you admit that you're just really affection-starved?"

♡ sometimes it can be hard to take you seriously because of how mischievous and chaotic you are, but when idia wins a boss fight and you praise him, saying how cool he is, idia knows that you're not lying and you're actually happy for him. no matter how much you tease him, idia knows that you truly love him and making him lose his mind is just one of the ways you express love. and well.. it's not like he's completely against it, haha.. it just always happens so sudden, that's all!

ruggie bucchi.

♡ oh no. oh no, he's panicking. HE THOUGHT HE'S THE TEASING ONE IN THIS RELATIONSHIP, Y/N. WHAT IS HE GONNA DO NOW. okay, but ruggie is actually the calmest one out of these characters. i'm not saying that he's completely immune to your teasing, he's losing it on the inside, but he's just very good at hiding it. he's pretty good at staying cool, because again, he thought he's gonna be the one making you blush all the time, he's not gonna lose to you that quickly. but oh well, that only makes everything more interesting for you.

♡ you and ruggie sometimes have this competition when you both just keep teasing each other, hoping that one of you will show an interesting reaction eventually. and congrats, y/n, you (well, almost) always win. ruggie can pretend that he doesn't care or he didn't hear what you said, but he always ends up blushing and admitting that you won. and it feels great! but hey, you can't just leave him like that, maybe you should give him a kiss so he won't be sad because he lost?~

♡ surprisingly, ruggie is not like some other characters and his face doesn't immediately become red when you tease him in front of others. calling him an embarrassing but cute nickname? giving him a kiss when others are around? NICE, THEY'RE GONNA REMEMBER THAT HE HAS A S/O. THAT'S COOL. but for some reason, ruggie is a lot easier to fluster when there's no one but you around. hmm, maybe it's because he feels like he doesn't have to pretend to be someone else when he's with you? maybe it's because he can relax for a little bit, even if it's just for a moment? who knows!

♡ this guy desperately needs to hear that he did a good job today from you. he gets extremely tired from doing things for leona all day, so after that he just really wants to rest his head on your shoulder, while you tell him that it's okay and he can rest now, he doesn't have to worry about anything else today. and you're not going anywhere, he also doesn't have to worry about that.

#twisted wonderland #disney twisted wonderland #twst x reader #twisted wonderland imagines #twst imagines #twst headcanons #riddle rosehearts #riddle rosehearts x reader #azul ashengrotto #azul ashengrotto x reader #idia shroud #idia shroud x reader #ruggie bucchi #ruggie bucchi x reader

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life-is-more-than-just-a-game · 3 months

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Can you write a lovely fluff story between Arisu and female reader who loves get kissed, to get cuddled, to get touched from him (and maybe more) at night?🥰 Maybe something romantic with some kinda sexual parts

♠️ Late night closeness ♠️

A/N: Yo, I'm back and haven't forgot your request yet! As I said in one of my posts, I felt a little sick this one day so I used the next days to recover a little. Plus, I was at work thursday and friday until 6pm, so I was tired and exhausted to be honest. 😬

Nevertheless, here comes your desired story and I hope that you will like it even more. Now that it's finally out. 🫶🏻

Characters: Arisu

POV: fem!reader ; fluff ; slightly sexual content at the end!

Warnings: Includes slightly sexual content, but nothing excessive.

Late at night. To be more precise, it's the perfect time to go to sleep. Just like I always do. Apart from the fact that the surroundings are quiet and empty from dawn to dusk anyway, there is complete darkness all around us. One thing I can't stand since I've been in Borderland. The reason? The red laser beams that shine down from the sky to kill other people whose visas have run out. I know a few idiots who stay up late and look for a higher spot to watch the spectacle. Just to make sure how many will leave this world behind forever - and for sure - today.

Fortunately for me, I also know people who have similar thoughts to mine. People who don't want to see this happen. People who have enough common sense, empathy and decency to look the other way. Call it strength or call it gutlessness.

I want to sleep. Every day, even before the selection takes place. However, my thoughts, which are spinning endlessly in circles, are preventing me from doing so today. My eyes are closed. My back is turned to the window so that I am not even tempted to open my eyes. But as destiny wants it, this shall not be to my disadvantage.

It's a typical time for me to sleep. You lose track of time and space in here, but if I had to guess, it would probably be 10 pm by now. Maybe half past ten at night. So I'm not surprised that the mattress behind me lowers a little, that the blanket is lifted slightly and then gets straightened again. So that I too can enjoy a comfortable and peaceful night's sleep. Just as I deserve- at least according to Arisu.

Arisu and I ... we met here during a game and haven't gone our separate ways ever since. At least not directly. We rarely go to games together for fear that we'll end up in one where we have to kill each other. I know Arisu's story. I know what he's been through. And I don't want him to have to go through it again.

We always promise each other that we'll come back. That we'll meet again at the agreed meeting point and go back to sleep side by side in the evening. The only difference today is that I'm still awake and can therefore feel the dark-haired man snuggling up to me even better.

How he puts his arm around me and presses me closer to him so that my back is pressed tightly against his upper body. As if he's afraid someone might just take me away from him for the night. Or as if he was worried that I would just leave him alone in the middle of the night.

He does that often. Always, actually. Every night when I'm drifting off to sleep. And I like it. Arisu is a shy boy who has a lot of decency as well as respect. He would never do anything against my will or touch someone 'indecently' if he didn't know whether he was allowed to. And even if he was allowed to, he would find it difficult because he wouldn't know how to handle it.

I think he knows that I like this kind of closeness. I'm not sure, but if he pulls me into his arms while I'm sleeping, I think I'll have some reactions that approve of his actions. Be it a smile that creeps onto my lips. It's possible I'll turn towards him to nuzzle my face into the skin of his neck so I can be even closer to him. And then I remember that I once started to giggle a little when Arisu pressed kisses to my cheek, neck and shoulder. I remember, because ... he is doing it again.

"I love it when you try to show me your affection secretly, quietly and silently." As soon as he speaks, I notice how his head shoots up a little and his grip on me loosens. "Surprise, love." I take the chance to turn onto my back in the loose grasp of his arms so that I can see Arisu's face much better- it may be dark, but I don't miss the somewhat indignant look on his silhouette, which makes me laugh a little.

"I thought you were asleep!" he says confusedly, his eyes almost as big as the moon in the sky itself. "How much did you notice...?"

"Everything." Silence. "But I don't think that was enough." I smile up to him, stretching my face a little towards his so that I can give him a little peck on the lips, before staring at him for a second.

"Awkward."

"Awkward?", I asked, bursting into laughter. "What the fuck are calling awkward, Ryohei?! No, that's not!"

"I-It's just ... I thought you sleep, Y/N!" Now he starts giggling himself, so that both of us are just a laughing mess. "You can't pretend just to set a trap for me, that's not how it works!"

"Oh? But it worked very well, don't you think?" It takes a moment for us both to settle down again- until we're both quiet and just smiling to ourselves.

Shortly afterwards, Arisu tightens his grip again and presses me against him once more. He has turned sideways towards me and finally leans his head relaxed against mine. I do the same and start to stroke his arm up and down with one of my hands, while we just lie here together in silence, staring into emptiness. In the soft bed of the tower block that we have made our home for the night.

"I ... actually tried to fall asleep but failed this time." Arisu looks down on me while I look up to him. "It wasn't my plan to trap you, darling. But I have to say, I really do love it, when you cuddle me that much while I'm sleeping, Arisu. And you know, I would be happy when you keep doing this- it makes me feel protected and ... I feel safe in this creepy world when having you by my side." I assume that these words will overwhelm Arisu for a moment, as it's quite a lot at once and … well, very unexpected. "So … I'd be happy if you did that more often. Not just when I'm asleep, but also when I'm awake. I really enjoy your attention and your closeness, so … I think it would be nice if we could build on this ... intimacy." I know it might not be a good attitude.

This is not the world in which you would want to fall in love. We are not in the time warp where you are looking forward to the love of your life, where you want to fall for a person completely and carefree. Here in Borderland, it's a matter of life and death. That's why it might be wrong to tie yourself to one person- morally speaking. But if your heart is yearning and your head is in harmony with it, then it no longer feels as wrong as it really is.

"You know, this ... might getting dangerous, love?", he whispers, making me giving him back a quite "Of course" which makes him sigh a bit. "This … is not something one want to assume, but … you know, it can happen every day that one of us doesn't come back to the other." You can tell from his voice that he feels fear and pain at the thought, which makes me swallow hard- but again I only get out a whispered "I know ...", which should make him realize how seriously I meant what I said to him. "And yet you want me to consciously give you this intimacy?"

"Yes," I said, serious. "Because I love you, Ryohei." This is where I end my caresses on his arm.

Instead, I just look up at him, able to catch his eyes thanks to the light given off by the moon. I notice how his arms wrap around me even tighter in response and I catch myself clawing into the skin of his arm a little, but lightly enough to make sure there's no residue and that I don't accidentally hurt him. He nuzzles his face into my cheek and we close our eyes to enjoy the togetherness for a moment. To forget everything else for just a few seconds.

"I don't think that's something we can decide immediately, Arisu ..."

"There's no need to decide something, I guess." I open my eyes again, looking at him, giving a little "Huh?" right back, before I can catch a smile on his lips. "I ... I cannot deny that I ... like you and that I would very much like to continue to be close to you." I giggle.

"Come here." Without giving it a second thought, I swing myself on top of him and wrap my arms loosely around his neck.

His hands rest on my back from that point on and I make it quick: I pull him into a loving, passionate kiss. I know he needs a moment to realize what's going on, so … I give him the time. And only when he moves his lips against mine do I match his movements and deepen the kiss a little more, burying one of my hands in his mane so that I can push him a little closer to me.

A little later I wander with my lips to his neck, which he frees up for me a little bit by tilting his head to the side. Small kisses are spread over his thin skin before I reach his ear and whisper a soft "Touch me, Arisu ..." into it, making him blush, pretty sure.

"You want me to-"

"I see what you're up to, my love." I'm smiling. "Don't think about it … and just do it." Again I start to work his neck, which makes him hum happily before I add anything else. "When I was sleeping, you weren't afraid to go under my shirt, too." Now I'm laughing.

Because of his shocked "What?!". Because of his big eyes. Because he's a little freaked out all of a sudden.

"How much did you really notice when I thought you were sleeping all this time?!"

"I've been sleeping," I say, "but sometimes I've woken up and just let it pass over me with pleasure~."

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giorno-plays-piano · 1 year

Text

Thorns In His Mouth

Part V

Pairing: fae!Steve Rogers x reader

Warnings: obsession, dubious consent, minor character death, drugs (neither reader nor Steve are involved), slight eating disorder, mentions of tumor, high tech elves.

Words: 1.7k

Summary: Maybe it was a good idea to chat with a waitress a bit more once she brought you your order. Perhaps she could at least tell you with whom you should speak because you simply couldn’t force yourself to look at others, most of them already high, shouting something loudly or laughing or weeping. You could constantly hear the flapping of someone’s wings, weird whispers and noises, and the sound of boots and hooves that made your hair stand on end.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

________

You didn't remember how you've gotten home. Whatever happened yesterday in that fallen fae's hovel already became a blur except for the face of a dead elf laying on a dirty sofa, his black veins like spider silk threads, shaking you to the core. You saw his peaceful face when you slept, and you woke up weeping, your lids puffy and wet.

Although you knew nothing of him, and perhaps there was nothing surprising about a drug addict like him dying, he had been a living being, still. He wasn't born but made this way. It was hard to believe that a brave warrior, a protector of his kin, even if he failed to win one of his battles, deserved to end up like that, abandoned by everyone, human or fae. Did anyone, though?

Julius got no help, no sympathy, no hope. Surely, he wasn't the only one, and your human world was full of homeless and troubled people who faced the same things, but seeing a man - an elf - die like that made you want to scream until someone came and set things right.

He should have gotten help. He deserved it, at least. If he had gotten it on time, wouldn't he be alive now? He'd meet you that night with Steve, tell you his story, listen to you asking him to meet that mysterious High Lord who was searching for his brother, and perhaps returned to the Sacred lands where he belonged.

But now Julius was dead, and you had to live with it.

The water was cold, but you still spent good twenty minutes in the shower, letting the water wash away the fatigue - it felt as if you hadn't slept at all - and tears that kept rolling down your cheeks. You felt exhausted and scared. Why didn't you anticipate this when agreeing to the deal with that elf? He told you honestly what became of the fallen fair folk. You should have known what to expect. What were you going to do? Shouldn't you have at least called the police to report Julius' body? How did elves go about this? Did they even bury the bodies of the folk? Would they leave it up to humans? Would they take a grave offense if people showed up and took the body of one of them? Have Steve done anything?

When you almost gathered enough strength to call the police, you realized you hadn't the slightest idea where that place where you found the dead elf was. You had no address, and with your sense of direction it was impossible to guess where Steve had taken you yesterday. You did walk quite a while, after all.

You hoped Steve took care of Julius. You were scared to go looking for that place, shaking as you wrapped yourself in your thick cotton robe.

But you'd have to come back anyway, wouldn't you? You had to respect your end of the bargain. You needed to get back in that café that smelled like piss and vomit, full of addicts and alcoholics and all sorts of degenerates and stay there as long as it took until you found that one elf your mysterious friend was looking for.

You couldn't do it. It was simply out of question.

Before you could give this thought some time, figuring out how to deal with you High Lord elf, your phone suddenly rang, and you immediately recognized the number of your mother's doctor. Why was he calling? Why so early in the morning?

The screening. They had her screening early in the morning today. Good God, you forgot.

You gripped the phone tightly in your hand, pressing it to your ear, "Good morning, Mr. Alves."

The man on the other side greeted you in a somewhat nervous tone, albeit trying to mask it, unconvincingly, and your heart fell somewhere down your stomach. Good God, you despised hearing back from the hospital. They rarely brought you good news.

"How's she?" You asked grimly, setting your eyes on your reflection on the mirror but seeing nothing at all, too invested in the conversation.

There was a distinctive silence on the other side of the phone, and you trembled, gripping your own so hard the display's glass protector threatened to break under pressure. In your mind you have already invisioned numerous scenarios, all rather apocalyptic, involving your mother and you, and you breath grew shallow from the wave of anxiety. Why was he silent?

"We have... an unexpected development," the doctor mumbled, and you tore your lower lip, tasting blood on your tongue. "The... the tumor stopped growing. Abruptly."

"What?"

You stared stupidly at your own reflection, finally noticing how horribly you looked after a sleepless night, crying your eyes out, but you dismissed your fatigued face, licking the blood off your lip as you pressed the phone closer to your ear, afraid you misheard.

"I-I'm sorry, could you say it again, please? It has stopped growing?"

Despite how aggressive it was before?

"Yes, it has. Before you ask me why, we're still not sure if your mother started responding to the latest changes in her treatment, but... but it has stopped growing. For now. Which is good."

"Yes. Yes, it's... it's good."

"It's good."

"It's very good."

You clapped a hand against your mouth so the doctor wouldn't have to listen to your hysterical cries and wailing. It has stopped growing. It finally has. Your mother was stable, for once, the first good news you got in forever. How long has it been since Dr. Alver told you anything hopeful? More and more your visits to him were making you sick as you failed to have any kind of support, a reassurance your mother would be alright. On the contrary, he was telling you to prepare yourself. You dreaded your visits to his office, each accompanied by such anxiety you were close to having a panic attack.

And now your mother was good. Maybe not entirely, but safe. She responded to the treatment.

... or has she?

For a second, you froze on the stop. The treatment? The treatment she was unresponsive to for so long, with all these inadequate doctors just waving their hands off when you asked them about new treatments or experimental programs that may help your mother when they themselves couldn't?

No, she wasn't responding to their crude method of treating her tumor. She was responding to the elf and his ways. To his magic, in exchange for your services.

____________

You were at the cafe right after you finished your work. You were exhausted beyong measure and still frightened of what may happen, but your determination made you put that aside. Your mother mattered above anything and anyone else. She was in there, fighting for her life, and the least you could do was to give her a chance.

But when you spotted a familiar tall elf with a distinctive bleached hair reaching his waist, you almost ran away. Steve had to yell at the top of his voice to stop you when you tried to squeeze yourself into the wall from fear, facing a dead end.

"Please! I won't hurt you!" He exhaled, cornering you as the passing fae with horns looked at the two of you, curious but warned against intervening by an exasperated elf and his icy stare.

You gulped down, shivering.

"I swear I won't hurt you. Please, don't run," he pleaded.

As if you had a choice with him blocking the road, you thought, clenching your black bag against your chest like it was a magic shield. What did this deranged elf want with you? Was he now tied to you by some ridiculous ritual he needed to perform since you saw the death of his kin? Did he need to erase your memory? You wouldn't mind it, actually.

"How may I help you?" You asked, puzzled and unsure how to even adress the elf. Were you on friendly enough terms to call him by his human name after what you had seen yesterday?

Steve gave out a sad laugh, turning his head away for a second before he looked at you and pulled something from the pocket of his leather jacket, making you tremble again until you saw they were your pearl earrings you had given the elf yesterday. Why was he giving them back to you? Did they not suffice? Did he want something better?

"Take them," he said with longing as if he was partying with a king's crown, placing them in your palm, his pale skin cold to the touch. "This is my apology to you for... for everything."

You stared at the white round pearls in your hand, blinking, not knowing what to say. Was it customary to return a gift given for fae's services if that fae failed to provide them? It made sense, sort of. But had Steve really failed? He had only promised to take you to the elf who might have been someone you were looking for, and he fulfilled his end of the bargain. Why was he giving you your earrings back?

As you watched them, suddenly thinking they were heavier now and bringing them closer to your face, you realized those were not the cheap plastic pearls you bought from a local store for a couple of dollars. They were real pearls, round and shiny and impossibly beautiful.

"You replaced the pearls?" Taken aback, you stared at the man, open-mouthed.

He nodded, nervously tucking his bleached hair behind his ear, "Yes. I made a talisman out of them, and it required decent material for a strong enchantment. Pearls are durable... and pretty."

They were enchanted?

Dear God, please let it be a good enchantment, you thought, sweating profusely with a goddamn faery relic in your hand.

_________

"It's a protection spell. A good, strong one," he added quickly, noticing your discomfort. "It'll help you when we'll be searching for the elf you're looking for."

Part VI

Tags: @finleyjayne @alexakeyloveloki @helenaeisenhower @villanellevi @inlovewiththefictionalcharacters @navegandoaciegas @rosalynshields @sllooney @angrythingstarlight @lookiamtrying @buckysbunny @soleil-dor @stargazingfangirl18 @dillybuggg @literate-lamb @cosicas-cuquis @sarge-barnes-sir @buckybarnesplumwhore @jaysayey @megzdoodle @gotnofucks @lux-ravenwolf @biiskuitx @stupendouslovegardener @melodierin @yeolliedokai @what-is-your-wish @lou-la-lou @gachawipes133 @eralen @magnificantmermaid @lovelydarkdaydream @illyrianprincess @youngdreamer3214

#yandere #steve rogers x reader #steve rogers #dark steve rogers #mcu fanfiction #captain america #dark steve rogers x reader

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headkiss · 1 year

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I'm hoping this request makes it to you: I have a fascination with this specific scenario, could not tell you why lmao. Eddie throws reader a surprise party, invites the usuals bc everyone is close. Reader enters party, is surprised, immediately bursts into tears, but not because they hate surprises or were startled. I think it'd be fun seeing what you'd come up with! Thanks.

hiii sorry this took so long but i hope u like it all the same!!! | 0.7k fluff and a surprise bday party featuring some tears

Eddie had never thrown a surprise party in his life, but for you, he’s trying his best.

He was never the type for grand gestures or planning things. At least, he never thought he was until he met you. Being his first real relationship, and being the person he’s grown to love so much, you bring it out of him.

That’s why he’d put this together for your birthday. His and Wayne’s trailer decked out with balloons and a banner, streamers and confetti ready to be thrown when you arrive.

It’s why he’s roped in the incredible—and dysfunctional—group of friends you share. Steve and Robin were in charge of the cake, which is probably why it ended up having three extra ‘y’s at the end of the word ‘birthday.’ Nancy is keeping watch for you, Jonathan with his camera ready.

As for the kids, they were just responsible for showing up and making sure the surprise stayed just that. A surprise.

Eddie’s a nervous wreck. He doesn’t even know if you like surprises and he feels awful for lying to you, even if it was for a sweet reason.

Steve notices and places a hand on Eddie’s shoulder, “dude, calm down. It’s gonna be fine.”

“Yeah. Just want it to go well, y’know?”

“It will. Never expected you to be the big romantic type.”

“Shut up, Harrington.”

Before Steve can fire a retort, Nancy’s shushing everyone, telling them to hide as best they can in the small space. Eddie’s heartbeat picks up, his stomach twists nervously in his stomach.

You weren’t a big fan of your birthday. You never did anything really special, never really had the people to do anything special with. Now, you have Eddie and spending time with him is easily the best thing you could think to do.

You walk up the few steps to his door, knock on it, “Eds? It’s me.”

“Come in, babe!” He calls.

You’re certainly not expecting anyone else to be there. And you’re especially not expecting the yells of ‘surprise,’ the confetti thrown, the smiling faces of all of your friends.

It’s overwhelming, the love that you have for these people. When you look at your boyfriend, at the smile Eddie only ever gives you, it’s enough to make you burst into tears, hiding your face in your hands.

Eddie’s heart drops. He rushes over to you right away, gently grabbing your wrists and pulling your hands from your face so that he can look at you.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” He says quietly, framing your face in his hands. “I’m sorry if it’s too much.”

Everyone else is respectful as ever, trying to move away and give you the most privacy they can. Max even slaps Lucas in the arm when he goes to speak.

You shake your head, “it’s not too much.”

“Then what is it, sweets?”

“It’s nothing. Embarrassing,” you sniffle.

Eddie wipes your tears with his thumbs, gives you the kind of look that’s enough to make you melt with how gentle it is, and says, “you can tell me, you know that.”

“Nobody’s ever done anything like this for me. I can't even remember the last time I had a birthday cake,” you try to laugh it off.

“You deserve this, ‘kay? The cake and everything,” he punctuates it with a quick kiss on your forehead. “The surprise was okay, though?”

Your hands circle his wrists that sit near your face, “more than okay, promise. Sorry for breaking down on you.”

“None of that. I’m gonna make this the best birthday ever, got it?”

He doesn’t know that it’s already the best birthday by far. Eddie’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you and today just proves it even more. He’s thoughtful enough to set this whole thing up for you, to worry about your reaction as soon as it comes.

“Thank you, Eds.”

“Of course. Happy birthday, babe.”

He kisses you quickly, mindful of the people still waiting nearby, and when he pulls away you’re smiling shyly, like you’ve just remembered their presence, too.

“Hi guys,” you say, giving an awkward wave. “Thank you for this. Sorry for making it weird and crying.”

“Don’t worry, weird things happen to us all of the time,” Dustin says. His kind of reassurance.

“Thank you, Henderson,” Eddie says, tossing an arm over your shoulders.

A chorus of ‘happy birthday’s follow.

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accio-sriracha · 6 months

Text

Accidental Enemies to Lovers Trope??

~~~♤~~~

So I was reminiscing about old high-school drama with my brother and his partner today when I remembered something absolutley wild about my sophomore year.

I had just gotten dumped by my girlfriend at the time for a guy who I thought was kind of a jerk (totally NOT just jealousy talking) and I was absolutely fuming about it. I considered him my enemy from that day forward. He was happy to reciprocate, hating me almost as much.

I'm talking glaring contests, showing off (I was better at P.E. so this worked in my favor), muttering things and bumping shoulders in the hall, ALL the usual fuck-you's to the new boyfriend.

He and I shared a few classes together even though he was a year older. Y'know, gym, theater, things like that.

And one day, about a week after the break up/them getting together, some of the guys from my class are talking to me about him and one of them makes a low blow and dead names him.

(He's trans, I would eventually turn out to be but wasn't out at the time)

So I went off on him, it's not cool to make fun of someone like that no matter how much you hate them. (And I did, I truly hated the guy)

I made a point to correct them and use his name and pronouns, making sure they understood he needed the same respect any other trans person deserved.

And then (I bet you can guess where this is going) I turn around and...

It's him.

Alex. Bane of my existence. Literal thorn in my side. The man I wished would be eradicated off the face of the planet.

Staring at me.

He'd heard every word I'd said of course, especially the parts where I over the top demanded they respect him, I'm sure.

I don't remember the event completely, it's been a while, but he'd said something along the lines of:

"I thought you hated me."

And I'd replied with something along the lines of:

"I do."

And he replied with something alo- y'know what you get the picture.

"Then why are you suddenly being kind to me?"

"The kindness wasn't for you, asshole. Nobody deserves to be treated like that."

And I'm sure I looked as pissed off as I felt (I was pretty bad at containing things back then)

I really was angry, he wasn't supposed to see it. It wasn't for him! I had very much wished I had never met him! The kindness was for trans PEOPLE, not HIM, a singular trans PERSON.

But he got all weird and mumbled a thank you anyways.

And from that moment, he stopped glaring at me.

I still glared at him of course.

But he never glared back.

Something about the fact that my anger had only risen after that event amused him, I never found out why.

He always had that look on his face, the superior (arrogant, stupid, cocky, abrasive, I could go on for a while) look on his face that said "You'll understand when you're older"

I hated that look.

But his smug smirk turned into fond smiles.

And I was SURE he was messing with me.

And now... well now I'm a writer.

And dear god...

I think I may have had a mild to moderate crush on the bastard who stole my girlfriend.

And I think he knew.

~~~♤~~~

And now I shall be incorporating this exact trope in at least two works because as much as I hate to admit it

(Really REALLY hate to admit it)

It's actually kinda cute.

#enemies to lovers #fanfiction #writer #ao3 #wattpad #writing prompts #tropes #based on a true story #unfortunately #my brother is set to never let me live this down

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gamerbearmira · 8 months

Note

New au!

Diamond Mirabel au..les get it

The candle didn’t mean for this to happen, he didn’t mean for Mirabel to be cast aside like a stepchild. How could Alma do this? How could the whole family do this? It wasn’t right for damn sure!

Alma, her grandmother, who’s of all people is supposed to love her. That’s not what she is, Alma basically acts as if Mirabel is just some girl in her house-no at least some girl would get a lot more respect then Mira does. An abuela is supposed to hold you, read you bedtime stories, tell you stories about her life. That all stopped after her ceremony.

The candle is very upset at his wife to say the least.

Julieta, her mother, isn’t all bad but she adds to the problems. Yes, she and her agustin try to be there for her but it isn’t enough. Why does the village matter more than your own child?...it's all under Alma’s influence. Still doesn’t excuse Julie at all though. Isabela and Luisa, her sisters. Luisa, like her parents, doesn’t really have time for her but does try her best. Isabela, however, doesn’t try at all. All she does is belittle Mirabel or snap at her for just being in her presence.

Felix does try for his niece, Pepa acts as if she isn’t there. Camilo does like to talk to her and cheer her up. Usually Alma stops them from talking immediately though.Dolores…barely talks to her at all. The townspeople are no better, some are nice but most treat her as if she’s a bad omen or like a piece of trash.

The only one that treats her with respect are TWO of her friends and her primo antonio. That’s only because Pepa and Felix dumped him on her at 10. She doesn’t complain though, she loves him. But that shouldn’t have happened, why did a 10 year old need to become a mother when the baby's mother is perfectly fine and well enough to watch after said baby?

Mirabel loves her family but understands what’s happening around her, you only matter if you have a gift. She doesn’t like that fact and doesn’t think highly of her grandmother for it, but she doesn’t show it of course.

Well that ALL stops today, Mirabel is supposed to be the jewel of the family…and so was Bruno. But since Brunito can’t really step in at the moment, Mirabel is going to get the spotlight that she deserves.

Shine bright like a diamond

The night of Antonio’s ceremony was tough, much for Mirabel than anyone else. Sure her favorite primito got a gift, and it was something that aligned with his interests which made her even more happy. But…she can’t help but think of her ceremony and what gift she could have gotten. You expect her not to think about it? All she could do was toss and turn, and couldn't help but remember her fading door. She couldn’t help but remember how almost everyone turned their back on her, either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Shine bright like diamond

Tears were building up in her eyes but she tried to fight them, she tried no to remember how her Abuela said she was basically drunk when she tried to alert everyone that something was wrong. She tried to fight remembering how her Abuel looked disappointed in her and how her own mother didn’t believe her. She tried to fight remembering how Isabela scoffed and rolled her eyes about the matter. Why did no one believe her?

Fine light in the beautiful sea I need you to be happy

She tried to fight remembering how she wasn’t included in the new family picture, she practically helped raise Antonio and she didn’t get to be in the picture?

You're a shooting star I see

Why was this happening to her? Why didn’t she get a gift? Why did her own family not like her because of it? What did she do to deserve this? These questions circled in her mind over and over again, she let the tears flow and sobbed under the covers of her bed.

I knew what you’d become one right away, oh right away

The candle was shining and sparkling brightly, a huge light covered Casita and the nursery.

I saw the life inside your eyes

Mirabel covered her eyes, a huge warm feeling covered her like a warm blanket. The candle grew brighter, and Casita’s floorboards and shingles rattled. The candle grew brighter and brighter, the warmth got stronger.

Shine bright tonight, you’re beautiful diamonds in the sky

Antonio was having a hard time, due to the new surroundings, and really wanted to sleep in the nursery with his Prima though. His room was naturally lit up by his treehouse, a glowing treehouse if you will. He could see everything but that doesn’t mean he was comfortable.

He made his way down the treehouse, not noticing that Parce was following him. He opened his door and peeked through to see if anyone was awake. A few seconds pass and he walks out of his room and closes the door. Tonito makes his way to the nursery but…the door seems different. It was glowing and…Mirabel was on it.

Due to the rush of excitement, Antonio opened the door and there was Mirabel and her new room! Everything looked like Isabela’s room, but more crystal/geode like and with much more colors. And VERY large. The walls were like spiky crystals with different shades of purples of blues, with some added colors. Her furniture looked like geodes and crystals but much more comfortable. Gold chains and multicolored pearls hung from the ceiling as well.

Her bed hung high like Isabela’s but pearls and diamonds held the bed up instead of flowers. The bed itself is also like the inside of a geode. Not to mention that literal diamonds, crystals, pearls, and what looked to be gold beads sat on the floor.

“Antonio?!” a familiar voice called out

“Mira you HAVE A ROOOM!!!!” Antonio cheered,

The geode bed lowered itself down so Mirabel could get off. She got off her bed, ran towards Antonio and hugged him. Happy tears flowed down her cheeks as she nearly squeezed the life out of the boy.

“And I have a gift” she added with a smile, she let go of Antonio and wiped away her tears.

“Why are you sad? I thought you wanted a gift”

“I’m not sad tonito, I’m more happy than you could ever imagine”

Antonio looked at her new appearance, she wasn’t wearing her nightgown. Instead she was wearing a blue monarch butterfly dress and had what seemed to be a blue crystal tiara on her head.

“You look like a princess!!” Antonio beamed,

“I know, it’s kind of flashy for me but I like it”

“This is so cool!Can you make crystals and diamonds? That’s your gift right? Have you tried to make some? ” Antonio questioned, looking around her room once more.

“Oh well I don’t quite…know yet…let me try!!” Mirabel took a deep breath in, closed her eyes, and held up two fists. She could feel it, two diamonds and maybe pearls formed in her hands. She opened her eyes and hands and she was right. Two blue diamonds and small pearls and crystals formed in her hands.

“I..I just made diamonds…and crystals..aye dios mio” Mirabel would have nearly passed out if Antonio wasn’t there. He softly but quickly rocked her head back and forth until she was fully conscious, she didn’t fully pass out but she was on her way there.

“I JUST MADE DIAMONDS AND CRYSTALS!!!” Mirabel screamed, startling Antonio in the process.

Mirabel couldn’t believe what she was seeing, she has a GIFT!!!

“Oh you should tell la familia!!” Antonio said, pulling her close the the door

“Wait! Let’s make it a surprise, it’s my gift tonito!” she said, stopping Antonio in his tracks

The boy pouted but understood what she was trying to say, “aww man, okay”

Mirabel saw his face and got an idea on how to make him happy “Hey, how about we make some gifts for the family?”

Mirable woke up bright and early, mostly to take Antonio back to his room, and to finish the gifts she made for the family. Mirabel wasn’t planning on serving the community at all today, or ever because of how most of them treated her but she will show some things off with friends. Publicly.

All the glamor around her was very new, glamor wasn’t very much her thing but…it felt nice. It felt nice to know that she was just as glamorous as Isa, if not more so. This made her think why she wasn’t glamorous before, nothing was stopping her. Mira felt a little disappointed in herself for not feeling the courage to be just as graceful and glamorous as Isa.

She turned her head toward her new white marble closet and remembered her whole new wardrobe. Her closet was filled with new dresses, hats, shoes, and scarves. The note she read last night was in it, she must have placed it back in there without noticing. She can’t quite remember what it said so she read it again.

Mirabel thought this must have been from the candle, she is a little hurt that it took so long but better late than never. Mira had to decide between being too flashy or just enough to where what she’s wearing isn’t yelling “look at me” but today was her day, she should wear what she wants.

She had noticed that she heard violins playing in her room but couldn’t put a finger on where the sound was coming from. It was a particular upbeat tune that she liked (thank you next, bridgerton version). Mira could tell that she was in a room inside another place but decided to investigate later. Right now, she has a family to impress.

(the jewelry she made herself)

After deciding on an outfit, she got dressed, grabbed all the gifts she made for her family and walked downstairs to the outside breakfast table. She first sat a magenta colored box with a maroon bow in front of Alma’s seating area. She then sat an orange colored box with a yellow bow in front of Pepa’s seating area and so on.

“Ugh what is this?” Isabela asked with disgust in her tone, also eyeing what Mirabl was wearing.

‘Keep the same attitude Isa, keep that same attitude’ Mirabel thought to herself. Once everyone was situated Antonio spoke up.

“Hi everyone, I would like for all of you to open Mirabel’s gifts, she worked very hard on them” Antonio giggled at that last part and winked at Mirabel. Who also winked back.

“Oh well Antonio I'm sure she did but we all have things to do and we need to talk about how you’ll help the community” Alma said with a slightly nervous smile.

“Pleeeeeease” Antonio begged with his irresistible puppy dog eyes

Alma looked at Mirabel who just happened to look away as if she wasn’t listening to the conversation. Alma sighed and opened the box in front of her, in the box were drop magenta earrings with gold plated square maroon crystal necklace.

Crystal and diamonds were extremely rare in Encanto, the only ones you could find were passed down family heirlooms. That’s the only thing most people could take during the raiding.

“Where…where did you get this?” Alma asked, shock fully showing itself on her face.

As julieta opened hers, there was a long lapis lazurite spoon along, kyanite pendant, teardrop turquenite earrings, and a blue crystal crown.

“Dios mio” Julie gasped

Agustin opened his box, inside it was a dumortierite crystal carved into an ax. Luisa had a sodalite crystal earring and necklace set. Isabela also got an earring and necklace set made out of purple sapphire and spinel crystals.

Dolores got a choker with a red ruby heart on it and red ruby heart earrings. Pepa got gold sun earrings and a golden halo. Felix got two orange rings made of spessartite garnet.

“Wow…how’d you make these?” Camilo chimed in, holding up two gold chameleon earrings. The rest of the family are doing the same with their new gifts.

Mirabel kept one more present, this one was for Antonio. Mira got up from her seat and headed over to Antonio, in her hand was ferronnière. The ferronnière had a small jaguar head pendant made out of tiger iron at the end of it.

“Oh you guys didn’t notice, I got my gift last night, you guys didn’t see my door?” Mirabel asked

“...”

“Wow…okay,” she said

‘a new glowing door appears but of course you wouldn’t notice’

“Your joking, you don’t have a gift” Isabela said

“Oh really?”

Mirabel held out her hand for everyone to see, took a deep breath, closed her hand then and opened it. There were three purple sapphires and small gold chains in her hand. Which weren’t there before.

“How…how is this possible?” Alma asked

“I don’t know,” Mirabel shrugged. “Want to see my new room?” she smirked

This family ran up to Mirabel's room quicker than a toddler reaching for a cookie that’s 2 inches away from it. Mira handed Alma the note and asked her to read it out loud.

Dear Mirabel, I know that you’ve been longing for a gift ever since you knew what one was and I’m sorry I didn’t give you one sooner but I hope you’ll understand once you get older, here is a wardrobe, a castle, and a gift fit for a princess soon to be queen, I hope you like these Mariposa and I hope you forgive me as well

“Queen?!?!?” Alma shrieked

“CASTLE?!?!?” Isabela shrieked

“Si, castle” Mirabel said with a bright smile

Julieta quickly rushed over to her daughter and smothered her cheeks in kisses. Everybody , except Antonio, stood there gobsmacked at the situation. Mirabel…with a gift…and a CASTLE???

“Now if you'll excuse me, I got some red-ecorating with the town” And with that, Mirabel was out of her room and Casita made sure to lightly push everyone except Antonio, Agustin, luisa, and Camilo out of her room. No visitors are allowed until she gets back, and Julie is needed to pass out arepas.

On the inside of Mirabel’s room, golden words appeared on her door for Antonio, Luisa, and Camilo to see.

How about you guys explore, everybody else can do their chores until Mirabel gets back.

“Welp you don’t have to tell me twice,” Camilo said as he walked around her room, eyeing and touching everything.

On the other side of the door

No one but the trusted ones are allowed to go in until Mirabel gets back, go do your daily tasks. (yes, julieta ang agustin you are a trusted one but you have a job to do, but you are welcome to come in here for a break. Plus you need to see Mirabel work her magic for the first time, don’t miss out!)

“What does trusted one mean?”

“How is she doing that?”

“How is this possible?’’

“When did she get a gift?”

The townspeople marveled at Mirabel, she was doing the exact same thing Isabela was but with crystals and gems. Each balcony railing bar had gems on them, every roof had tower crystals on them. Making the town a little bit more colorful due to the sun shining through them (these are magic crystals so nothing will catch fire). All of it basically fused with or covered Isabela’s flowers.

Some large geodes and crystals bursted from the ground, thankfully not in the way of people. Mirabel was already beginning to understand her power, and she knew it.

“Who wants a custom necklace or earrings?” Mirabel called out

“Huh?”

“Oh right” Mirabel held out her hand to the nearest woman and in two seconds a blue pearl necklace appeared with a turquoise diamond at the end of it.

“Here take it”

The woman quickly took the blue pearl necklace and looked at it in awe and shock.

“Who else wants one!?” Mirabel cheerfully shouted

“Me”

“I want one”

People circled around Mirabel, all asking for a necklace or earrings or some sort of accessory. Mirabel didn’t want to admit it but she relished in this moment, this was the kind of attention she deserved. Granted, she will have to make some boundaries but for right now, she was going to be a princess amongst her people, like she always should have been.

some drawings I made for the au (the last two are just some lyrics from Material girl by saucy santana)

If you have any ideas let me know!

She’s so sillay‼️⁉️ amazing art btw, love it <333

Kind of weird how they didn’t notice a whole extra room. But you also can’t blame them entirely, I mean it’s not like they were search for it. But hey⁉️

Honestly cool gift. She got that money, that bag. She can make Diamond (and other precious gems? Or is it just different colored diamonds. Idk, still cool). Can’t imagine what everyone thinks, cause I imagine jewels like that are probably pretty rare in the Encanto. The fact that she can just make them, yeah, that’s pretty radial.

Probably ends up making a lot of gift for people, maybe that’s when weddings rings start have them rocks in em💀 cause so far I’ve only seen silver and gold wedding bands 🌚

#my asks #my asks are open #encanto #encanto au #au #encanto mirabel #Diamond Mirabel AU

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kalosleaguesofficial · 5 months

Text

Ash Ketchum Becomes Reigning Champion During World Coronation Series

Above: Ash Ketchum holding the World Coronation Series trophy after defeating Galar's champion Leon in the finals of the Master Class.

By: Admin | 31.12.2023 | 1.5k words

Introduction

Finally, young Ash Ketchum has reached the top during the recent World Coronation Series after his several years of defeats from the many Pokémon Leagues he participated in.

Ketchum has not only participated in seven Leagues aside from the Coronation Series, but also actively contributed to the formation and organisation of the Alolan League (of which he fought in and became Champion). Ketchum is revered by many from all walks of life and all ages, and seeing his track record of saving the world, he truly deserves the praise and admiration he gets.

The Journey: Boy to Adolescence

Kanto & Johto

Although most of his badges were rumoured to have been obtained through means other than battling, he still got to Top 16 in the Indigo League, and Top 8 in the Silver Conference. No one can deny his love and kindness towards his Pokémon and friends alike is something not many have.

During the Kanto and Johto periods of Ash's journey, his main rival was Gary Oak. Yes, the Gary Oak. Sources say that Ash and Gary used to be childhood best friends, before something unfortunate happened that caused their friendship to sour. Many times did they butt heads, but many times too did they work together to thwart the plans of evil organisations such as Team Rocket. However, Gary later decided to change paths to work towards following in his grandfather's footsteps. Today, Gary is a renowned researcher in Project Mew, coincidentally alongside Ash's recent travel companion Goh.

Ash travelled with Gym Leaders Misty and Brock of Cerulean and Pewter respectively. The same team carried into Johto, and Brock following Ash all the way to Sinnoh. I interviewed Brock about the young boy, and his experiences seemed quite...chaotic.

"Ash is an enigma. Sometimes, you know exactly what he's gonna do, but you can never seem to figure out his way of thinking. He started off as a really naïve and temperamental boy, but at least he's grown and matured while keeping that same mentality."

"And what would you say was his most redeeming quality?" I asked.

Brock smiled, "His personality. Even though he was easily annoyed, the sheer amount of times he brought the mood up for everyone when we were busy saving the world is...Ash is special. Special to many. He lives in all of his companions's hearts, that I can say with confidence."

"How lovely. Would you say he deserved the title of Champion?"

"I think, in many people's minds, he's already their Champion."

Hoenn

"Ash is a like a very annoying big brother."

May is a famous coordinator who has travelled with Ash during his Hoenn days, along with her little brother Max and Brock. She notes that Ketchum destroyed her bike on the first day of her Pokémon Journey.

"Apparently, he did that to Misty's bike too. I think he still owes us those new bikes."

Old 'grudges' aside, Ash once again placed Top 8 in the Ever Grande Conference.

Ash's save-the-world-meter in this era was slowly turning up, with Team Aqua and Team Magma standing in his way, both with malicious intents to wipe out/take over the world respectively. Sightings of Rayquaza, Groudon and Kyogre were noted by locals.

Sinnoh

The daughter of famous retired Coordinator Johanna, Dawn, followed Ash on his Sinnoh Journey accompanied by Brock once again. Some may come to think that Brock must've wanted to travel a lot since young and kept that in until he was free to travel without worrying about his many brothers and sisters.

Ash's encounters in Sinnoh were by no means normal. The Lake Trio was the least of it all, with the most jaw-dropping information having revealed to us by Ash Ketchum himself.

"It was a whole thing with Arceus, Dialga and Palkia! I don't really remember it though. It's been so long!"

This explains many things about Ketchum, of which I will let you decide what it exactly entails.

Ash finally climbed to Top 4 in the Lilly of the Valley Conference.

Unova

Ketchum is undoubtly more relaxed in Unova. Maybe it was due to the carefree-spirited people and Pokémon of the region, but Ash noted that he felt like he felt freer.

This time, Brock took a backseat in accompanying Ash and went back to Kanto to become a Pokémon Doctor. Ash's companions in this region is, funnily enough, someone also in the Master League. None other than the Dragon Princess herself partnered up with Ash and Cilan, another Unovan Gym Leader, through the region.

Kalos

And alas, home base! Well, my home base anyway. Many say that the Kalos region was where Ketchum's fashion sense peaked, it turns out that he had many girls his age turning heads to see that blue jacket with those baggy pants.

His companions in Kalos consists of our very own Kalos Queen Serena, along with the siblings who manage Lumiose City's gym, Clemont and Bonnie. Quite the adventurous group!

Ash managed to clinch the runner-up place in the Lumiose Conference, only second to one of our Champions, Alain. However, Alain had refused the position and had gone off to spend time with his sister.

The epic final battle that happened between Ash and Lysandre was truly a sight to see. I could still remember everyone's eyes glued to the television, and everyone who had met Ash or at least heard about him had their hands clenched together, all wishing him the very best to be able to defeat Lysandre.

Special mention to Ash's Greninja, who could Mega-Evolve without a Mega Stone. This phenomena is still being researched by Professor Sycamore to this day.

Alola

If you thought that Unova Ash was laid back, wait til' you hear about this one. This era was truly his peak RNR time.

His companions during his time in Alola would be everyone in the Pokémon School that he attended, run by Professor Samuel Oak's cousin.

"This was an entirely new experience for me! I've never consistently hung out with so many people before, and I've never been formally schooled since I left for my journey so early. It was pretty eye-opening, but also led me to realise that I had some issues with staying put in one place. I got bored pretty fast. Not saying that Alola is boring - it's just...I can't really sit still if you get what I mean."

It was something everyone around him worried about, but nevertheless, he somehow still managed to help organise the Manalo Conference AND reach the top as Alola's first ever champion.

Galar

Ash's time in Galar had been an eventful one, battling trainers left and right from the World Coronation Series. It seems that he enjoys Galarian recipes as well, with people flocking to Galar just to eat their well-known scones that Ash had popularised.

Ash's acts of bravery to defend peace were more well-known during this era due to the globalisation of Rotom devices such as Rotomphones and Rotompads. His courage being shown on screens worldwide had made him climb in popularity.

Ash travelled to Galar with a fellow Kantonian, Goh, as research fellows for Cerise Labs. As previously mentioned, Goh eventually joined Project Mew alongside Ash's old rival-turned-good-friend Gary Oak on a journey to find Mew. The two however, only parted ways before Ash's Master League battles.

"Goh is truly a one-of-a-kind friend you don't really get to see anywhere. He's all the science-y and tech-y part of being a research fellow. I'm the more curious one!" Ash smiles, nibbling onto the scone from the café we were at.

"Both Gary and Goh are amazing. They know so much about Pokémon too!"

Future Plans

This young boy, however, seems to think that the Leagues and battles he participate in are a smaller slice of what he wants to be in the future. In an interview with the Pokénews Network, he mentioned that his true goal was to become a 'Pokémon Master'. He himself has said that he does not know what it means to be one, but that's probably why he's on a journey.

Despite the lack of answers to his goals, Ash said that he would be settling down with his mother back in Pallet Town for a while. "I just feel like I owe it to her, y'know? She's been supporting me in whatever I do back at home, ever since I left for my Pokémon Journey when I was ten. The least I could do was indulge her in the last few years I get to be a kid and maybe help her out at home."

"Although - my Pokémon Journey is by no means at its end. I'm still gonna venture out there someday to see more Pokémon, get to know them, maybe battle a lil' here and there! But for now, I feel like I should give back some years that my mum lost from my journey."

Mother to Ash Ketchum, Delia Ketchum, shares a similar sentiment. "Ash has very much grown into a big boy now. I'm grateful to everyone who was able to support him while I wasn't there, and to the many people and Pokémon he befriended over the course of his journey. But I do miss having Ash around in the house, it gets a little too quiet for me."

"Do you regret letting him go on his journey?"

"No. If he wants to be the very best like no one ever was, who am I to stop him?"

#pokemon roleplay #pokeblogging #pokemon irl #pokemon #pokemon anime #pokeani #anipoke #ash ketchum #world coronation series #pokemon unreality #unreality #delia ketchum #pokemon article #article

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rose-sophia-isabella-rogers · 1 year

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A Tale of Stolen Hearts: Chapter XIII - No Matter What Will Happen, My Heart Beats for You

Chapter Summary: What fate will the King decide for you?

Pairing: Aleksander Kirigan/Reader, Wylan Hendriks/Jesper Fahey

Characters: Aleksander Kirigan, Reader, Zoya Nazyalensky, Tolya Yul-Bataar, Kaz Brekker, Wylan Hendriks, Nina Zenik, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey

Word Count: 3838

A/N: moi tsar – my ruler, king sankta – saint Inspired by prompts: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089577824/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089533269/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089577829/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089533253/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389089550803/ The last scene in this chapter contains plot from the 5 episode of season 2.

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or removed):

@budugu

@intothesoul

@mizelophsun11

@pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy

@zeeader

You are finally brought to the Throne Room in the Grand Palace. Your hands are bound, obviously, and spread apart. The whole chamber is filled with people, both Grisha and otkazat'sya. You even notice some familiar faces. You'd wave at them if you could.

King Alexander is sitting on his throne with his wife Tatiana next to him. You can see their sons, Vasily and Nikolai standing behind them. Only Nikolai, the youngest son, is not sending daggers at you with his eyes. He's looking at you more with curiosity. You stare back at them all calmly, bravely.

'You know why you are here,' King's voice silences all whispers. 'You are accused of treason, murder of a member of the royal family, my nephew, Pyotr Landsov. To escape punishment, you faked your own death and lived in hiding. But the justice finally caught up with you. The First Army caught you-'

'After I saved their asses,' you put in. You swear you can hear Tatiana's snicker masked with a cough.

'Do not interrupt your King!' Alexander III booms.

'I just think people here should know all the facts, before you convict me, you know?' you ask. 'Like, for example, what happened that day?'

'Nothing you have to say would justify such crime,' the King says, glaring at you. You raise your chin and give him a challenging look.

'How about this?' you ask. 'Your darling nephew tried to force himself on me.'

Some people gasp. The Queen stops glaring at you. Nikolay's eyes go wide. King freezes at those words.

'Oh, you haven't heard the best part yet,' you say, looking around at the gathered people. 'He said it's a normal thing in his party. That he "tests" all women in there this way.'

Your eyes find a girl you remember seeing that day. She looks down. You notice her fists clenching.

'No one ever said about such thing before,' the King dismisses you. You bark a humourless laugh.

'How could they?' you ask. 'Most likely instead of getting help or having this put to stop, they would be thrown out of the army… or worse. Or the usual thing would happen. They would be told it was their fault. Because that's how it usually goes. Rape victims are blamed for what happened, instead of getting help. What I did was a crime, I don't deny that. But he at least suffered for a short time. His victims may still be traumatised because of what happened. I still have nightmares about what he almost did. Because the rape doesn't end for the victim when their abuser is done with them. They have to live with the memory of that forever.'

'Show some respect to the dead!' the King booms.

'He showed me none when he was alive,' you spat with venom but then your look softens. 'I don't say he deserved what I did to him. I didn't mean for that to happen. But fear of what he tried to do caused me to lose control of my abilities for a moment. And that was enough for a disaster to happen. I'm sorry I've caused you and your family grief. Yes, I ran that day. I've been running for most of my life. But I'm done with that today. I'll take consequences for my actions. Just remember, before giving me my punishment, I'm not the only one to blame for what happened.'

You can hear whispers in the room. You face the emperor bravely. He's almost steaming with rage.

'There's only one possible punishment for what you did,' the King says. 'And it's death!'

'Moi tsar, if I may…' you hear a familiar voice. The King almost sighs, you can hear it.

'General Kirigan,' he says, nodding his head, but it's clear he's not happy. Kirigan steps out from the crowd and joins you. You don't look at each other, not wanting the gathered to know about your relationship. It could cause you more harm.

'I don't claim what Miss [L/N] did wasn't wrong or justified,' Kirigan starts. 'But she's right that we should take the circumstances into consideration as well. And like she said, she didn't intend to kill him. It was… more of a self-defence. Could she control her abilities more? Maybe. But let's not forget she didn't train in the Little Palace, she was self-taught. Control of emotions is hard to accomplish by yourself. That said, I don't believe she deserves to be executed for what she did.'

'Why do you defend her so much, General?' the King asks, tilting his head to the side. 'You barely know her. You spent what? Weeks together?'

'I know her enough,' Kirigan says. 'She's impetuous and daring, a little too bold and way too fearless.'

You shrug. That sounds about right.

'And most importantly… she's not a murderer,' Kirigan says and points at the Grisha. 'On the contrary, she's a hero. All of those people are alive right now… because of her. She's the one who risked her life and destroyed the device meant to doom all Grisha. Fjerdans were about to use it in the battle we had two days later. We would lose very quickly if it had happened. We were close to losing anyway. And we didn't because of her. If we're talking today about her actions, let's not forget about those as well. Because, quite possibly, we all are alive here today thanks to her.'

Silence fills the room. The King looks around the room. He doesn't like some stares he gets. Because Kirigan is right. You did save Ravka. For most you are a Saint. Killing you now and after you revealed you did it because you had been almost raped… would just make you more of a martyr for the people.

'Very well,' the King finally says. 'General Kirigan is right. We can't forget how you helped save Ravka… for which we are grateful. However, it does not absolve you of your crimes. Hereby, you are banished from Ravka. You have a month to settle your matters and a day to leave Os Alta. If you are found on Ravkan territory after that… death awaits you.'

Banishment. Better than death but… you still can't have what you really want.

'Thank you for your mercy, moi tsar,' you say, bowing your head. You almost vomit saying those words. The King waves his hands. You are taken out of the Throne Room. Only outside you will be freed from your bonds. While you're leaving, you cast a glance behind your back. Your eyes meet Kirigan. The sadness in his eyes is as deep as the one in yours.

A month has passed. You were preparing to leave the Ravka. That requires a trip through the Fold. The King truly was cruel. But hey, you came back from the dead, so what are a few Volcras to you, right?

On the day you are about to set out to the Fold, Kirigan arrives to bid you goodbye. You welcome him in your (for a few more minutes) apartment with a smile.

'How are things in Os Alta?' you ask. He takes off his coat and puts it on your armchair.

'Half of the kingdom wants you dead,' he sighs.

'Wow, a month ago it was the whole kingdom,' you say and grin. 'Things are looking up!'

'Please, stop joking about it,' Kirigan says, glaring at you. You shrug.

'You know it's my defence mechanism,' you say. But you allow your walls to drop. Kirigan looks at you softly, seeing how vulnerable and scared you are.

'At least you are alive,' he says, walking toward you. You send him a weak smile. He takes your hands in his.

'Thanks to you,' you say. 'I didn't get to say it then, so let me now. Thank you. If it weren't for what you said, I'd…'

'I promised you, remember?' he asks. 'That I'd fight for you.'

You can feel tears in your eyes. You try to blink them away. Kirigan notices it and lets you go. You walk away and busy yourself with gathering your things, while also drying your eyes.

'What are you going to do now?' Kirigan asks after a moment.

'I'm heading to Ketterdam,' you answer. 'Sounds like a good place for me. Then… I'll see. Maybe I'll move to a different town. Maybe I'll travel. Maybe I'll spend there the rest of my life, however long or short it would be.'

'You are a powerful Grisha,' Kirigan says. 'If you use your powers often and master them, who knows? Maybe you could be immortal. Or nearly immortal.'

'No, no, no,' you quickly say, turning to him. 'I don't want to become immortal! Who'd want to live with themselves for that long?'

Kirigan barks a laugh. You grin at him. Then you look at your things.

'Right,' you say. 'I think that's about it.'

'Let me help you,' Kirigan says and walks to you. Together you take your things outside. There you pack it to carriage your sister got for you. Or rather your luggage. You're going to ride on Hector. Elizabeth claims he's grown fond of you. You just think she wants to get rid of him, because he doesn't listen to anyone.

'Right, time for me,' you sigh and turn to Kirigan. 'You know, my life really took a turn from a year ago.'

'I know,' Kirigan says, taking your hand in his and then pulls you to himself suddenly. 'You thought you were insatiable but then you met me.'

'You think too highly of yourself,' you say, raising your eyebrows. Kirigan smirks.

'Am I not everything you wanted?' he teases you.

'I wanted a little less arrogance,' you answer. Kirigan laughs. You grin. But then your smile becomes sadder.

'I've missed that laugh,' you say. 'And I'm going to miss it again.'

'I know,' Kirigan says quietly, his eyes filled with sadness as well. 'I wish… I wish you told me about your plan. Then I…'

'What?' you ask. 'You'd come with me?'

'Maybe,' Kirigan answers, shrugging. 'We will never know, because you robbed me of that choice.'

You bite your lip. You shake your head.

'I was really considering it, you know,' you say. 'Telling you of my plan and asking you to run away with me. But… I couldn't do that to you. Because I know how hard you work to keep all Grisha safe. If you had run with me… all of that would have been for nothing.'

'So, that's a "no" to considering allowing me to go with you now?' Kirigan asks. You smile sadly.

'You would hate it, Kirigan,' you say. 'And maybe hate me again after some time.'

'I don't think I could,' Kirigan says after a moment. 'Hate you again. There's no coming back to how things were between us. And… call me "Aleksander".'

You smile. He smiles back and cups your face.

'One day… you will be able to return,' he says. 'I promise.'

'Or maybe one day the war will be over and you will be able to come to me,' you say. Aleksander chuckles humourlessly.

'After all that time?' he asks. 'I doubt it.'

'Never lose hope,' you say. Aleksander nods. He leans to you, closing his eyes. You close your eyes and answer the coming kiss.

'I still hate your lips on mine,' you whisper and he chuckles. 'I will miss it so much.'

'Never lose hope,' Aleksander says your words back to you. You roll your eyes and pull away. But you cup his cheek.

'I love you,' you say, causing him to smile. 'Remember that. Nothing will change that. I will always love you.'

'And you remember, that no matter what, my heart is yours,' Aleksander says. 'It beats for you. Only for you.'

You smile. How you wish you could have more time… Alas, the rich and powerful just love to make people like you miserable.

'Time to go,' you whisper and move away from Aleksander. You mount Hector and look at Aleksander. He grabs your hand for a moment longer.

'Farewell… Aleksander,' you say, trying not to fall apart.

'Not "farewell",' he says, shaking his head. 'It's: see you next time.'

'See you next time, then,' you laugh. Aleksander forces a smile. He takes a step back.

'May Saints be with you,' you say.

'I only want one Saint to be with me,' Aleksander says. You roll your eyes.

'Oh, you will not let me live this one down,' you say. Aleksander smirks.

'Not likely,' he says and his look softens. 'Be careful.'

'You as well,' you say, forcing a smile. You look at the driver of your carriage and nod. It's time to set off. You wink one last time at Aleksander and make your horse turn around. Then your smile falls and tears well in your eyes. You cry as you ride away from Caryeva, your life… and the one you love. This time, you don't turn back. It would be too painful.

'So, what exactly are we waiting for?' Tolya Yul-Bataar asks.

'For information about the Neshyenyer,' Kaz Brekker answers. 'And if my contact, who's also the best thief I know, agrees, she will also help us if it would be required to steal it.'

Zoya freezes. She frowns, as she connects the information from Kaz. She. Best thief. Here in Ketterdam.

'Saints,' Zoya sighs. 'Do not tell me…'

Before anyone can ask her what she means, Kaz straightens up, seeins someone behind Zoya and Tolya. They turn and Zoya curses under her breath.

You walk into the building and look around. Locating Kaz, you head toward him, smiling.

'That was fast,' he comments once you're close.

'Please, I'm the fan of that theft,' you say. 'I just needed to check a few details.'

Your eyes fall on Zoya and you stop talking. She looks at you with a smirk.

'From all the people I expected to see here, you're far on that list,' you say.

'Long time no see, [Y/N],' Zoya says. 'It's been years.'

'It's the moment you say you didn't miss me, right?' you ask.

'Well, maybe a little bit,' Zoya admits. You grin at her.

'I take it you know each other,' Kaz says. Ah, yes. He hates to be ignored.

'We've spent a few weeks together,' you say. 'But now back to business. What I found out is for all of you?'

'Yes,' Zoya confirms. You nod.

'So, as you probably know the Neshyenyer at Ahmrat Jen is fake,' you say. 'It's been stolen by a thief known as The Disciple. My personal hero, but about it later. He had a penchant for stealing Saint-related relics while on jobs.'

'So he's a thief and a collector?' Wylan Hendriks asks.

'And retired,' you add. 'But he has since put a few pieces of his collection on the black market.'

'So, to get to him, we go to his fence,' Tolya says.

'Ohval Saran,' you say, nodding. 'She has a tea shop in Bhez Ju. To speak with her, we have to order yellow chrysanthemum tea, off-menu. That's all I know. The rest is up to you.'

'Wouldn't you want to help?' Kaz asks. 'We may need to steal it, worst case scenario. Think about it, stealing from the Disciple.'

'Mm, don't tempt me, Kaz,' you say, smiling.

'We could use your skills,' Tolya says. 'It's really important. Prince Nikolay will pay any price.'

'Prince Nikolay?' you ask, your smile fading. 'This is who you are getting the sword for?'

'We are getting it for Alina Starkov, but on Prince Nikolay's orders,' Wylan answers. You frown.

'Why would Alina Starkov need it?' you ask.

'To destroy the Darlking's indestructible army of shadow monsters,' Tolya answers. Zoya, who for the past few minutes has been trying to get them all to stop talking, hides her face in her hand. She misses the way your body freezes.

'The Darkling… he's alive?' you ask.

'And kicking,' Tolya confirms, nodding. 'He won't stop at nothing to get what he wants.'

It costs you everything to calm your heart. You didn't want to believe the news. That Aleksander has expanded the Fold. That he died. That he gave his heart to Sun Summoner for her to reject him. But now you hear that all of that is true. Well, you're still not sure about the last one.

'I don't want gold,' you say after a moment of silence, during which everyone in the team has been watching you. 'I want something else.'

'Name it,' Tolya says. 'Prince Nikolay is a man of his word.'

'I want my banishment from Ravka revoked,' you say. Nina Zenik's eyes go wide when it clicks for her.

'Hold on,' she says. 'You're a thief, your name is [Y/N] and you were banished from Ravka? You're her, aren't you?'

'Sankta [Y/N],' Tolya says in awe, connecting the dots as well. You grimace.

'Please, don't call me that,' you say.

'But you are, aren't you?' Tolya asks. 'You stole the device that threatened all Grisha from Fjerdans. And then killed almost all of them during the battle.'

'You also told the King some nasty words during your trial,' Nina says and chuckles. 'I wasn't there at the time, but someone told me all about it. I was your number one fan from that day, I swear.'

'Why were you trailed and banished from Ravka?' Wylan asks. Silence falls around your group. You look at Wylan, your face blank.

'I killed the King's nephew,' you answer, causing him to flinch. 'In self-defence. He tried to force himself on me. It was a… an instinct. I didn't control my abilities as a Heartrender at the time.'

Wylan nods slowly, a bit unsure. You look at Zoya and Tolya.

'So?' you ask. 'Can you guarantee me I will be welcomed back in Ravka after I help you?'

'Like I said, Prince Nikolai is a man of his word,' Tolya says seriously, nodding. You shrug.

'Great,' you say and look at Kaz. 'Consider me convinced, then.'

'Good,' Kaz says but then something behind you distracts him. You turn and see his two friends walking down the stairs – Inej Ghafa and Jesper Fahey. Kaz walks to talk (or rather argue) with Inej. Jesper notices you and grins. He walks to you.

'[Y/N], are you coming with us?' he asks.

'Yes, I'm promised I can go back to Ravka if we succeed,' you answer. Behind you Tolya and Nina walk away together, talking about something.

'Already bored with our beautiful Ketterdam?' Jesper asks, smirking. You smile slightly. You can feel Zoya's eyes on you. You shake your head.

'I simply have something to come back to,' you answer. You feel a hand on your shoulder. You turn your head and see Zoya. She points with her head to her right, letting you know she wants to speak with you in private. You nod and follow her to the side.

'Don't do it, [Y/N],' she says quietly. 'He's not worth it.'

'Don't do what?' you ask. Zoya scoffs and crosses her arms.

'I know you want to come back to Ravka to see him,' she says. 'You love him, don't you? I saw the way you looked at him when you were taken away from the Throne Room that day. And how he looked at you.'

You stare at Zoya silently. You don't know what to say to that. You know she had feelings for him, too.

'He's not the man he wanted us to believe he is,' she says softly. 'Anyway, you spent only a few weeks with him. You can't risk everything for such short acquaintance.'

'I didn't spend only a few weeks with him,' you say, raising your chin. Zoya frowns at you. Her mouth parts when the realisation dawns on her.

'Every time he was leaving the Little Palace and was gone longer than he should… he was crossing the Fold to see you,' she guesses. You nod and smile sadly at the memories of seeing Aleksander during the past few years. But it falls quickly.

'He stopped at some point, though,' you say. 'Around the time the rumours about the Sun Summoner started.'

Zoya stares at you silently. She can understand your pain of being casted away, because she felt it when Alina showed up. And earlier when she was travelling to Fjerda with you.

'I don't think he really loves her,' she says. 'When I saw them together… it was like he was trying to make her like him. Around you he was more natural.'

'Thank you for saying that, Zoya,' you say with a small smile. 'Did you… Did you two during those years…?'

'Yes, but I always thought it was more to keep up an appearance,' Zoya answers and sighs. 'Maybe you really stole his heart. But he's still not worth it, [Y/N]. What he did… and what he wants to do…'

'Deep down, do you still care about him?' you ask. Zoya flinches. She sighs and nods.

'He was the first person that made me feel loved,' you say, looking at her pleadingly. 'If there's a chance I can get through to him, save him… I have to take it. Or just see him one last time.'

'What if you don't?' Zoya challenges you. 'What if we have to kill him?'

You bite your lips. What would you do? Would you let them? Or would you protect Aleksander?

'I don't know,' you answer honestly. 'I really don't know, Zoya.'

Zoya stares at you. She sighs after a moment.

'Fine,' she says. 'I'll help you save him. Or convince others to let you do that. If anyone can actually stop him, it's you.'

'Thank you!' you say and surprise her with a hug.

'We're still not friends,' she says and pulls away. You smirk and wink at her.

'Tell yourself that,' you say. Zoya rolls her eyes but smiles slightly.

'Pack what you need and meet us here,' she says.

'Already packed,' you say, shrugging. 'Ever since I faked my own death, I have the essentials packed. You know, in case I need to run.'

'Alright, just this time, please, don't bring assassins with you,' Zoya says and heads toward the rest.

'Don't worry, every assassin in Ketterdam now knows better than to go after me,' you say, grinning. Jasper laughs.

'Oh, I remember that,' he says. 'It was both hilarious and terrifying.'

'I don't want to know,' Zoya sighs. 'What about the ones in Shu-Han?'

'Well, it's my first time going there, so no one wants me dead there,' you answer.

'Yet,' Zoya says grimly. 'They will want the moment they meet you.'

You stick out your tongue at her. She scoffs and shakes her head. You look at your team and smile. Maybe together you will manage to get that sword. And save Aleksander from his own stupidity.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts! Reblog, like and comment if you could.

This can also be found on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47256868/chapters/120506770

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anin13 · 1 year

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Shumori chapter 7

TW: Diabolik Lovers, implied body dysphoria, mild sexual harassment, horror, angst, nihilism, mental illness. A depressing chapter, probably lol. Don't worry, I have dopamine ready for my next post to make up for it!

Kou Mukami's schedule looked very unusual today, even for a professional idol who was actually a vampire.

According to the Hello Kitty post-it's he'd pasted on his dressing table, he'd start the night by getting ready for the upcoming live show, then he'd go extort some neighboring royal vampires to retrieve his brother, then actually performing at a concert.

After that, he was planning on drinking some of Eve's blood, unless they really had to exchange her for Yuma, who was missing since the day before.

His very personal premise since he'd started the Eve mission looked fake and like that of what people on the Internet called a male Mary Sue, with a jewel-like eye and everything.

And on top of it, he'd had a mysterious dream right before Yuma vanished! It was like un-life was mocking him.

It would show some respect to him soon, if he managed to become Adam.

He started to apply the standard base for idol makeup- he didn't need to cover any kind of blemish, since being a vampire guaranteed having the perfectly healthy, smooth skin humans could only dream of 99% of the time. However, the lights onstage were so bright it was best to comply with the rules and mark his natural features.

He knew his face was beautiful and all, but he wondered how much longer until the mask slipped, until everyone saw who, what he really was, or was not. He had the skill to fool anyone he wanted, except himself.

An antique mirror. The powder is making a haze behind you.

An antique mirror. You reflection is not you anymore. Or is it the real you?

...

...There's something behind you

Kou shut his eyes and turned the other way; he tried to breathe until it passed before he called any of his brothers.

It was still embarrassing he got this kind of thing; like he had really lost his mind back then.

He hadn't lost his mind. and if he had, if nobody knew, it wasn't real. Just like whatever that shadow was.

It's not real, you're not real!

A painful silence passed until Kou convinced himself the thing wasn't there with him. Just like all those times before. That hurt little boy dressed in rags was very far from reality, too.

His reflection gradually turned back into a handsome, charismatic and cheerful vampire young adult, Kou Mukami.

He could perfectly give the concert and continue acting like the perfect Adam for Eve to fulfill his master's wishes; he wasn't broken.He had a magical eye and could be whoever he needed to be. He was determined to succeed.

First things first, though; he cannot expect to become Adam if he neglected the Masokitty!

Yui was trying to wash her face in the marble bathroom wearing a rather small yet beautiful silk robe, which were the only sleeping garments they provided her with. She was extremely uncomfortable in this mansion, but somewhat resigned that there was no exit she could use.

Her stomach sank as she remembered she was told rather menacingly that even if she left, only punishment would await her.

It was like when she first had arrived at the Sakamaki house, but this time she had literally been snatched by force, and on top of it, some extremely pretty guy was making advances on her, despite him knowing Subaru was the only one she wanted.

He made it difficult to resist, but she didn't understand why her body, at least, would stray so easily if her love for Subaru was genuine; she felt maybe she wasn't the partner he deserved.

She heard humming outside.

-Hey, Masokitty! Is everything ok? -the pretty guy in question had opened the door without knocking, entering the bathroom and closing the door again,

-You look a bit stressed, do you want a massage? -Kou purred and slid his hands onto her shoulders and kneaded slowly,

-Kou! -Yui gasped, at a loss, looking at both their reflections. If Subaru saw this...

He continued massaging her back and her mind drew a blank.

-Or... -he lowered his voice and brushed his left fingers toward her neck- would you prefer a small, harmless bite? -he whispered and squeezed lightly, making sure her eyes never left the mirror in front of her, and him, with the other.

Yui blushed as her mind came back and gently removed Kou's hands, much to his visible disappointment. She told him she only wanted to go to Subaru's side.

-Subaru, Subaru... -he hasn't really come to get you despite having god-knows how many powers, has he? -Kou rolled his eyes but tried his best to remain calm. Making a face trying to convey "feeling bad for her" would probably push his point. Resistance was futile, in his opinion, as he could just resort to force, but he'd need patience.

He removed himself from Yui's personal space and sat down on the large, double sink, looking at her in the eye.

-Do you think a guy of his status would ever wait for you to return? -he shrugged, pouting- He probably thinks you ran away, I saw he doesn't trust you...

-You're unnecessarily cruel, Kou -Yui felt sad but tried to dissimulate- Subaru is not like that... you don't know him!

Kou saw the crack of doubt just beneath Yui's surface. He did have a chance at breaking them up and take Eve for himself.

-Why did they take Yuma instead of coming to get you? -this time Kou's question was genuine- Your beloved has strange priorities.

Yui fell silent. She wanted to trust Subaru, but sometimes it felt like him being possessive over her was more a matter of pride rather than because of wanting to really protect her as a person.

Kou brightened up again. It was rather terrifying. She couldn't tell what his real mood had been the entire time he had confined himself with her alone in the bathroom, had massaged her, squeezed her neck sinking his nails ever so lightly into her skin, and later probably tried to be sincere with her about his brother. It was all so unsettling.

Somebody, let her out of this nightmare.

-Anyway, make yourself cute for school, lil' kitty! -he put a lock of her hair behind her ear- I'll be in my room if you need me -he winked and left the bathroom, noting to GENTLY close the door for Yui to change into her uniform.

Ruki knocked on Kou's door and regretted it as soon as he opened. The excess of layers upon layers of hairspray slammed his extremely sensitive nose like a furious runaway train; it was concert day.

-We need to arrive at the Sakamaki estate before they leave for school, Kou; are you nearly done?

-Yes, I keep wondering why they have Yuma! I mean, aren't they super powerful and all that? -Kou put on even more perfume to avoid any kind of hint of sweat during performance- What brute force should we use if they won't give him back, when he IS our brute force?

-There isn't much we can do in that case. -Ruki sneezed, a remembrance of his former human nature- Except studying the mansion grounds for an entrance and-

-Can't we just tell that person we resign if his kids kill our brother?

-We can't do that, Kou...

Kou was overwhelmed with anger and confusion. How could Ruki say that? How was that woman, who was a mere human they'd just met, more valuable than Yuma, their brother?

-How can you value the mission more than Yuma, Ruki?!

-Kou, we haven't even started looking! -he put a hand up in a stop signal- Don't jump to conclusions. We're not going to abandon him, we'll see a way; remember we've had worse scares.

Kou nodded, worried,

-Those people must have too many first world problems to even want to hold a hostage by themselves -Kou said applying the 7th layer of hairspray and transparent powder- something about not wanting to do riffraff duties... Can't they just get some other girl?

-The car is here. Let's go.

Kou sulked. he wanted to keep arguing. Oh well.

After knocking the heavy Sakamaki estate gate profusely for about 3 minutes, insistence paid off and the tall, blond one called Shu opened the door for them.

-Yo! -Kou greeted, cheerful- You are Shu, the oldest brother, right? We've sort of met, we're the Mukamis, the new kids on the block! Nice to officially meet you.

Shu almost cringed but he saw no point and let him continue.

-Hey, do you happen to be holding our brother hostage? -Kou pulled a winning smile and Ruki's face contorted into mortification as Azusa subtly hid his behind Ruki- You know the one...

Kou gestured to indicate "very tall guy" with his hand; Shu looked genuinely confused, and Kou noticed with his "eye of truth" he was afraid as well.

-We don't have any kind of hostage at this time, not even our usual, but you do, don't you? -Shu was baffled at this surreal exchange, Kou noted- That woman?

-Indeed, that woman is now living with us; we're taking good care of her. -Ruki said- but we're willing to give her up for our brother.

Kou noticed Shu was sad, what the hell! Where were the others? There surely was a pureblood that was more proactive than this one, right?

Laito was returning from his trip to the bakery. A kilogram of macaroons could help ease himself out of that disturbing experience of a dream; it was kind of interesting, but for some reason he was unsettled and the sinking feeling wouldn't go away.

He entered through an attic window; there was something going on at the entrance and he didn't want to share the macaroons.

His ears perked up when he noticed this wasn't just some sibling encounter in the foyer.

-Indeed, that woman is now living with us; we're taking good care of her. -a husky male voice said- but we're willing to give her up for our brother.

Shu was entertaining the terrorist family, or at least, 3 impure vampires; he knew of no other group like it so far.

He hadn't seen them up close yet, but from the attic he could smell one of them had practically soaked in a bathtub filled with hair beauty products. Was this a vampire girl? He hadn't seen one in a very long time! Curiosity couldn't kill him like it did the cat.

Laito had a look through the hallway upstairs. There was no girl, but a guy who was practically posing in shiny idol clothes and sparkly accessories was obviously the one with the hair product waterfall.

The youngest-looking guy out of them looked like a sweet, but tormented artist up close. His style was interesting, but he could smell blood on him and some open wounds. Had he been on another mercenary assignment before he paid them a visit?

These guys were sure active. The expensive looking clothes probably signaled they were either great thieves, or were paid very well for their sinister work.

The tallest out of the trio looked polished, well-mannered and handsome. Almost normal, but Laito wondered why he was carrying a cursed-looking book like Kanato carries Teddy around.

He winced as he remembered the afterimage of that guy with a spell book.

The other guy, a tall one Reiji would probably describe as an oaf, wasn't with them. The situation was pretty chilling.

But he couldn't help himself.

-Why, hello there! -Laito came down to the foyer- welcome to the house of the people you robbed the day before! -he took off his hat ironically to greet them and grinned- What's up? Did you forget something?

Was this guy the house clown? Wait, all of them were a different brand of clown; but this one seemed more likely to talk the the blond one. Kou would have preferred the one with glasses, but the creepy hat guy would do.

-We're here to get our brother Yuma. You must be holding him hostage.

-Why would we have him here? Having a hostage is a lot of work and dedication, you know? -Laito giggled and Kou narrowed his eyes- Now though, how did you lose a guy who's like 5 meters tall? I'm intrigued.

An annoying one. Crap.

-Didn't you guys or that Subaru vampire kidnap him to get his personal snack -I mean, Eve- back?

-See, some of us have physical strength. But none of those have the motivation! -Laito gestured dramatically at Shu. He was starting to have fun. Maybe he'd only eat half the macaroons later- Maybe Subaru could have wanted to do that, but he's not strong enough to trap a gigantic mega-

-Ugh, cut the crap! -Kou barked- Why would he disappear the very next day we rescued your brother's prey from him!? Huh!?

-How should I know? You know where we live and our names, but we know nothing about you... -Laito's turn to narrow his eyes and smirked- ...Yet!

-You can just tell by your calm the lot of you have never bothered to give a shit about any of your brothers; of course not -Kou gestured toward the mansion's entrails in general- there is absolutely no need!

-It is often the moment you start to give importance to anything, that it destroys you... -Laito remained calm but stopped smiling- and in the end, when it comes to the world at large, said person or thing is very likely inconsequential, and perishable, immortal life or not. So in a way, can you really say it's unusual to avoid meaningless pain?

-I don't care if wanting my brother back is meaningless; when you have everything, it is normal not to treasure anything, not even someone you protect and who protects you, let alone a goddamned prey. -Kou wasn't sure this guy would laugh in his face or not, but his scars got the better of him- I do wonder if you people ever knew in your long overstayed welcome in this world what having noone, or nothing is like. Or even having any odds against you.

-That is not a bad question at all... -Laito looked him in the slightly sparkling, jewel-like eye he hid behind his blond bangs- sometimes having noone at least might spare you some terrible fate.

Oddly, Kou didn't think he was making fun of him. That eye irradiated magic. He reminded him a bit of those shoujo manga magical girls with a double life, but dark.

Ruki interrupted the sinking silence,

-Sakamaki Laito, right? Do you have Yuma as hostage, or not?

-We do not -Shu replied rolling his eyes, tired of all this sudden emotional philosophy- you can leave now.

Kou got a chill. This was just like yesterday's mysterious dream! He was becoming a bigger Gary Stu each day; now he was having prophetic dreams????

While Shu, Laito, Kou and Ruki were talking, Azusa, who was an expert at sneaking into places, had already scanned the mansion. He'd found a few disturbing and extremely interesting items, including a recently polished scythe he almost tried on, but no trace of Yuma.

-Ruki... they are telling the truth... -Azusa chimed in- Yuma is not here. Shall we leave and look for him... elsewhere?

Shu noticed him but couldn't be bothered to care his mansion had just been invaded and Laito looked too dumbfounded to say anything.

-Alright. We won't bother you with this again, Sakamaki family. Goodbye.

Do they know about you?

-Wait. -Shu called Ruki- I know you might not answer because you have my brother's girlfriend hostage and it's rather pointless to ask but... Yuma... where did you see him last time?

-Right after we took Eve with us. He said something about feeling bad for a guy passing out in the garden and leaving his apple with him. -Ruki thought of Shu's reaction to their visit,

-If my judgement is correct, that was not some trespasser, but you, Sakamaki Shu. We'll see you again.

They turned and left. Shu's throat had a huge knot. So he disappeared right after meeting him again?

-That was strange. That idol guy is an interesting vampire, isn't he? -Laito casually mentioned- I wonder if they meant they were taking "good care" of Bitch-chan like I thought -he laughed- and they all look good. Subaru will be furious... Hey, Shu, would you rather have Bitch-chan be alive and "having fun" with other people, or dead, but yours only forever, if you were him?

Respond to Laito? Talk to him about the dream?

-I'm going to take a nap. -Shu said in apathy and disappeared, leaving Laito to hear nothing but the the distant echo by himself in the cold, silent foyer.

-These here are our memories together.

Shu and Yuma were in a forest clear where they used to have snacks together. A tree nearby had a carved drawing of them playing with a dog, and another one a scribble of them on a rowboat with a bucket of fresh fish they'd caught. So many trees had stuff like this in this place.

-They are a little sad now. Even if we should be glad they happened at all.

Another tree had Edgar in formal, vampire world clothes that were a little small on him; they were Shu's. But he was smiling. Shu was leading him through the palace's elegant tables.

-Let's make some new memories together, okay?

Shu turned to Yuma to try to say something, but Yuma stared with suddenly frightened eyes at the drawing of his younger self in formal clothes, and as Shu followed his gaze he noticed a new red and black shadow behind Edgar; at once, the tree the were looking at suddenly exploded in a cloud of carbon.

Shu flashed his eyes open. He'd skipped school and laid down to sleep in the garden corner Yuma had set him up on last time before he left.

It looked identical to the day before, except the pillow made of leaves had already been swept away by the wind.

He'd go to school tomorrow night; he needed to talk to Ruki, hopefully Subaru hadn't obliterated him today during recess.

If this had anything to do with him... he just wanted Yuma, or whoever he was, out of his head and dreams. Whatever would bring him peace.

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