#its about being in this scared lonely boy's corner and protecting what little innocence he has left at all costs

[ahoyimlosingmymind]

I just know Grizel cares so much about Fitz.

She's known this boy since he was 14 (?) and she's watching him grow up.

She's hung around him for years, day and night.

She's eavesdropped on his conversations, and she was there for all of the aftermath of Alvar's betrayal.

She watched his world fall out from beneath his feet first hand. She heard the whispers that followed him everywhere he went. She watched his shoulders fall.

She probably watched him bake treats for his friends. She probably watched him cry and grieve. She probably dragged him out of his bed and showed him how to work out to get out of his head. She probably reminds him to eat, and to get some vitamin D. She probably listens to him pace his bedroom well into the night. She probably listens to him talk to Mr. Snuggles when he's really overwhelmed and just needs a friend who won't judge him.

She'd die for this little sad, short-tempered baby who has done nothing wrong ever in his entire life. And her heart aches for him. For the way he can be surrounded by people, but still be so lonely.

She probably knows him better than most people just off of observation alone.

idk man. we never talk about it. and the friendship angst/potential is immaculate.

#like their friendship is everything to me #while they may never talk about emotional stuff #she was still the first to hug him after Sophie and him broke up in my heart #and she's probably heard him yelling and crying through his bedroom door #and there is nothing this boy could do to make her hate him #She's watched him stress over grades #and flinch at Ro's insults #and she's watched him smile even though his eyes are red and his cheeks are blotchy #and she's watched him lie straight through his teeth that he's fine #she's watched him insist on it #this job used to be about duty #but now #its about being in this scared lonely boy's corner and protecting what little innocence he has left at all costs #Fitz vacker #kotlc #kotlc Grizel

[callme-barnes]

Besitos

*Pictures are not mine*

Summary: Demons can be fun, at least you know you can be. When you go out to claim a soul as yours, Bucky finds you and it only adds on to the fun.

Pairing: Demon!Bucky x Demon!Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3.3k

Warnings: SMUT (Demon!Bucky is a sin), oral sex (f! receiving), rough sex, slight daddy kink, blood kink (if you squint), talk of religion (not much), dirty talk

IF YOU ARE A MINOR PLEASE DO NOT INTERACT! THIS WORK IS FOR THOSE 18+ ONLY!

A/N: Again, this work is 18+ only!. Do not repost my work anywhere! This is a one-shot based off of a series I really want to put out at some point. I've been having a tough go of it and this work Ade me feel better to write. Please do not judge my smut writing as I am still pretty new to it. All mistakes are mine. But otherwise please enjoy and feel free to interact with me if you liked it! Enjoy ladies & gents!

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Y/N watched from the comfort of a dark corner at the bar at all the bodies dancing underneath the strobe lights of the club. It had hit its peak at about 1 in the morning, and it was the right time for you to strike the target you had come here to find.

His name was John, a pretty good looking man by human standards. Tall, dark and handsome as you once would’ve described him. Had a beautiful pregnant fiance at home by the name of Lily who was ready to give birth to a handsome baby boy any day now by what you could gather from Lily’s pleas for help. You had overheard her one night, crying herself to sleep as she prayed to God to help her make sense of her situation. She was stuck at home, waiting for a man who would go out and have fun with his friends. And other women.

She had prayed for clarity, safety and a change of heart for him. And strength and courage for herself. To be able to keep her fiance and to change what was wrong with her. Of course nothing was wrong with Lily. She was pregnant, ready to burst at any second. She was bringing a life into this world, risking her body and her health and for what? For a man who refused to change his way of life because that’s what he had grown accustomed to? Or in his words, “To be a slave to a family?”

You had found yourself in that situation once, praying to God for a man that couldn’t give a shit less if you had dropped dead. As long as he maintained his freedom and habits all was well. Instead the man you had grown to love had left you for a cute petite brunette, claiming you had been smothering him with your “jealousy” and your “excessive” calls when you only wanted to be with him.

Your praying touched upon deaf ears of course and it was then that you realized no one was out there to protect you. You were on your own to deal with the hardships of your life.

Until you met him. James Barnes.

He had been your savior when you were ready to give up all hope. Bucky, as you’ve grown to call him, had given you strength and a new life. A life devoted to taking what you wanted and not being sorry about it. A life devoted to him. But that was a tale for another time.

That’s how you ended up appearing to the poor young woman. Sat in her bed, in pain both physically and emotionally. You had appeared before her dressed in a beautiful black dress, the slit high up your thigh and a pair of your favorite black stilettos. She had been scared. As she should have been. Your power emanated before her, putting her in a trance before you disappeared into the shadows, sending her a small devilish grin.

You set your plan into motion when you saw him headed for the restroom area. He was intoxicated beyond his logical mind, which was just the way you liked them. Downing the remainder of your drink, you made your way to the back area, the sea of people splitting as you walked past them making a direct walkway to your destination. When you stood in front of the mens room, those who waited in line stared with hunger. Intensity. Desire. Your hand reached out to touch one of their gawking faces before sending him a wink and walking in after John. The light cheering on the other end of the door made you smile as you locked it behind you and walked towards the sink counter. You perched yourself on top of it, the red lights casting a hellish glow across your skin.

The stall door opened and you felt your insides twist in anticipation as John walked out, his eyes blinking to focus and his hands holding onto the wall for stability and guidance.

Showtime.

You watched as John made his way to the sinks before finally realizing he wasn’t alone, stopping just a foot in front of you. Your leg shifting up to cross over your other, the slit in your dress falling to either side to give him a nice little peek of your ass.

“Hey there handsome”

You were laying it on thick sure, but you weren’t going to lie, you were excited for this one. It hit a little too close to home for you and you were practically bursting open at the seams.

“Who...who are you?”

“I’ve been watching you all night you know. Trying to muster up the courage to approach you and talk to you”

He almost immediately dropped his guard, his vibrations shifting from reserved to open and ready. Good.

“Well hot stuff here we are. And you found me, here all vulnerable. Naughty girl”

You smiled at him as you stood up, your heels clicking on the tile as you reached over to grab his shirt and pull him close to you, pressing your body up against his own.

“Oh I can be very naughty”, you said and leaned up to kiss him. Your tongue slithered against his own, your pace slow waiting for him to respond. Which he did and quickly. His hands reached out to rest on your ass, his hands squeezing and bringing you in to rub against the hard on he was sporting. You sent him a small moan in response, obviously fake but that only spurred him on further.

His hands reached down to just underneath your ass before you pushed away from him and moved to perch yourself back up on the counter making sure to make a show of opening your legs to invite him in.

“I’ve been really lonely. I haven’t had a man in so long baby”

He was entranced by you, his focus resting on your open thighs and practically foaming at the mouth.

“You know how hard it is to find a single honest man in this city? I noticed you weren’t wearing a ring and you came here by yourself. Are you lonely too?”

This was it, the opportunity for your prey to make amends. You weren’t completely heartless, you had been human once. You had made mistakes too, so you always gave them a chance. Yet 99% of the time, they failed. So you got a chance to have some fun. Your eye contact didn’t falter as you ran your hand down between the valley of your breasts, the other trailing up to reveal the lacy thong you were wearing.

“Fuck...yes I’m....I’m so lonely”

There it was. The opportunity you were looking forward to because let's face it you knew this piece of shit was too set in his ways to repent. You sent him a smile as your fingers began to rub at yourself over your panties, letting out a small moan to coax him in.

“You wanna fuck me? It’s been so long since I’ve had a real man fuck me good”

He closed his eyes, letting out a shuddering breath before walking over and settling himself between your open legs, his hands grasping at your thighs, “Fuck me Johnny boy”

You moved up to kiss him again, this time more aggressively as your innocent facade began to slip away.

“Now I know there’s a God”

You stopped yourself from laughing or scoffing as your hands moved down to rub at his cock through his jeans, watching him as he tore his lip open with how hard he was biting down and you leaned up, making sure you pressed your body against him to give him one last little feel, moving your lips to his ear

“No God here John. Only me”

As you made your way to unbuckle his pants he hesitated a bit and you leaned back “What’s wrong baby? I thought you wanted to fuck me? Don’t you want to?”

“Yes I...fuck I do. Did you ask my friends my name? I don’t think I ever got yours?”

You watched a shadow move from behind John and before you could respond you saw him. Coming out of the shadows looking as handsome as the devil himself. Bucky.

“What does it matter? Don’t you just want to get inside me?”

As you spoke you made eye contact with Bucky from behind John’s shoulders as you leaned back and opened your legs up to give him a view. You smirked to yourself as Bucky’s demeanor changed and before John could get another word out you watched his eyes widen in fear, finally catching onto Bucky in the mirror’s reflection but by then it was too late. Bucky’s hand had reached into John’s back and grabbed onto his heart, squeezing tight before John collapsed lifeless onto the floor.

You watched him, standing up and looking down at him before shifting to Bucky with a smile, “That was my soul to take”

Bucky watched you, his eyes darkening in discontent “I really wish you’d keep your hands to yourself when taking your souls babygirl”

You leaned against the counter and shrugged, “Where’s the fun in that? Besides, how else would I get you all riled up and angry?”

Bucky was in front of you in a blink, his hand wrapping around your throat as he pressed himself up against you. The proximity of the man in front of you made you melt, your body immediately submitting to him as he stared at you. If you had a soul you were sure he’d be looking into it.

“Is that what it is? You like when I’m angry and jealous?”

You fluttered your eyelashes at him, “You’ve been so busy baby. I’ve had to fill the void with what I could take”

That didn’t make him loosen his hold or react, he just kept staring at you as if to say it was your move now and who were you if not an amazing actress.

“We both know I belong to you. And I wouldn’t want to fuck anyone else but you”

You moved your hand to grab onto his own that was pressed against your neck, leaning down to take two of his fingers into your mouth and began sucking on them. Bucky’s chest rumbled with a growl as he stood before you mesmerized, his dick twitching against his black dress pants he had on.

“I brought us an audience daddy,” you said when you pulled away from his hand a small trail of spit following your lips “You know how much I love it when people hear us fucking. It gets me so wet just thinking about all those guys out there wanting to get in my panties while my one and only is fucking me stupid”

That had done it for him, he slammed you against the mirror behind you causing it to break and fall around you as he took your lips in his, kissing you sloppy and animalistic. You let out a moan and a smile in victory, pressing your body into him not caring if you cut your hand on the shards that surrounded you. Bucky grabbed onto the point where your dress slit ended on your hip and tore the fabric open, making you gasp “This is my favorite dress”

“I’ll buy you another”

His growl tore through you, going straight to your aching core causing you to begin grinding against his dick for some relief. You reached your hand up to lick the trail of blood from your hand that was cut open making a show of it, your tongue trailing against your finger before motioning for him to get close. You pulled him into you and kissed him, hearing him moan into your mouth as you shamelessly continued grinding against him

“I want your dick daddy. Fuck I want it so bad. Need you to fuck me please. My pussy is so wet for you”

Bucky reached down and tore your panties from your body, his fingers trailing along your slit and gathering your wetness onto his fingers before slipping them into his mouth, moaning in response “Fuck you know just how to get me going little one. Want me to eat you out you little minx? Do you want to come on my tongue?”

You whined as you nodded and lifted your legs, your heels propping themselves up onto the counter to open up for him “Please. Want to cum on your tongue daddy. Make me cum please”

Bucky kneeled down in front of your open thighs and wasted no time as he leaned in and began to lick at every crevice he could reach and even some you didn’t know he could reach. His tongue worked from your entrance all the way up to your clit, making quick work of it. You moaned out obscenely, your hand reaching down to grip his hair and pressing him further into you as you grind your pussy down onto his face. You pleaded and moaned louder as he sucked and licked at you, your heels falling onto his back and digging into his skin. He hissed in response but otherwise kept at it, licking and sucking and repeating until you felt that familiar twist in your stomach.

“Oh fuck...yes please. Please give it to me, make me cum for you daddy. Shit yes!”

You made sure to be as loud as you wanted knowing the audience that had gathered on the other side of the restroom door. Bucky hit that one spot on your clit over and over again, causing your toes to curl in your heels and your back to arch up dramatically. Your eyes rolled up as you came loud and hard, your body convulsing and your thighs squeezing his head as he continued to suck. You attempted to push him away as you felt your body become too sensitive which only caused him to pin you down harder on the counter as he continued

“I...I can’t. Wait….oh fuck”

But he was a demon possessed as he kept going before you felt yourself come again, harder this time as you gripped onto the sink the pressure causing you to snap one of the handles clean off. You felt your release flow out of you as Bucky pulled away and wiped his lips with the back of his hand “Shit I love it when you do that for me”

His shirt was wet with your orgasm and he sent you a smirk as he undid his pants, bringing his cock out as he stroked it. You watched him in awe as you smiled at him, your eyes just as black as his as he reached over to pick you up and slammed you against the nearest wall. You gasped, wrapping your legs around his hips to bring him close, feeling his cock hard against your core.

“Fuck me. My pussy wants you so bad”

Bucky smirked at you before lining himself up and pushing into you fully in one thrust. You let your head rest back against the wall, unable to form a sound when you tried to moan before he began to slam up into you. He fucked you like an animal, all teeth and hands and no emotion. The air of authority fell off of him and made you moan and squeal every time he slid past that spot inside of you. Your nails made work, scratching at his neck when you tried to hold on, at his back causing his shirt to rip open and at the upper part of his ass so you could bring him closer to you.

“I want another out of you little one. I want you to cum all over my dick before I cum inside of this tight pussy you understand me? You gonna do that for me baby? Gonna….shit, gonna give me another one?”

“Oh fuck yes daddy I’ll do it. Anything for you, anything”

He pounded into you at a relentless pace, the vibrations coming off of the two of you causing the lights to flicker in small space and the doors to the stalls to shake on the hinges. When you felt your third orgasm coming you leaned in to kiss him and bite at his bottom lip roughly. You graced him with the most pornographic sounds you had in you, urging him on before you came, your walls gripping onto him like a vice not wanting to let him go. Bucky groaned and let his head fall back before he gripped your hips and began to take full control, using his strength to pull you down on him harder to get into you deeper. The force caused you to slam against the tile wall as you held onto him for salvation.

“Talk to me baby” he said as he used a hand to grab your jaw and made you look at him, “You know how much I love hearing you talk filthy to me”

Your walls spasmed around him as you felt what could have been another orgasm coming as you kept eye contact with him

“Oh daddy, I want you to come inside me. Want you to fill me completely with your cum. I want to be able to feel you inside of me for days. Please give it to me, please cum for me. You make me feel so good baby. Give it to me, fuck give it to me”

Your words drove him to the edge, his hips stuttering as he pushed into you again and he spilled himself inside of you, his orgasm also spurring on another of your own. Bucky’s hands grabbed onto you and pulled you in tightly as he rode out his release into you, pulling out slowly and pushing any cum that was slipping out back into you. You had a dumb smile on your face and you kissed him and pulled away.

“Want to finish this somewhere a little more private?”

Bucky listened to you finally hearing the cheers on the other side of the door and he smirked to himself as he leaned in to kiss you once again and set you on your feet so he could adjust himself, “You really are a bad girl”

You hummed in response as you looked in the mirror and fixed your eyeliner a bit, stepping over the dead body on the floor and you looked down “Almost forgot he was in here”

Bucky chuckled to himself and moved to take a hold of your waist. “What did this poor bastard do?”

“He has a pregnant fiance at home. Figured someone should teach him about consequences so he could use it in his next lifetime”

Bucky let out a deep but loud laugh as he squeezed you to him, “Let’s get outta here”

You smiled as you moved to unlock the bathroom door and allowed it to open a bit before walking back to Bucky and shifting out of the bathroom. You stood right outside and when you heard screaming and commotion you grinned in delight before walking towards Bucky who was waiting for you.

“Thank you”

You leaned up to kiss his cheek and looked down at you with admiration, “What for little one?”

“For blessing me with a new life worth living”

Bucky smiled as you both made your way down the busy street, ignoring the looks you got at your obvious physical state. His lips kissed your temple and he pulled you closer into him, “You deserve it. Now, my place or yours?”

#bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes smut #james buchanan barnes smut #james buchanan barnes imagine #demon!bucky #demon!reader #marvel smut #bucky barnes #dark fic #demon smut

[scxrlettwxtches]

a crown of thorns | hwang hyunjin

genre: royal au, fluff/angst, fem!reader

warnings: pregnancy, slight violence

description: a few years have passed since your tumultuous beginnings with the enemy king, hwang hyunjin, and to everyone’s astonishment, your marriage flourished with an abundance of love. however, this was not yet a happy ever after, and danger still lurks within every corner of your peaceful kingdom.

word count: 14.0k+

a/n: ack the more i read this, the worse it seems to get haha. but guys!! this is my last fic on this blog!! thank you again for all the love you’ve shown me and my writing. <3 wishing everyone all the best!! 

As he sat on his throne, absently chatting away with foreign envoys, Hwang Hyunjin considered himself rather lucky for a multitude of reasons.

All the princes and the lords sitting around the table, enjoying the tea and pastries, had everything one could want in the world. Endless fountains of wealth, resources, luxury. Whatever they desired, they only needed to snap their fingers, and someone would provide. It was the type of life many in his kingdom could only dream about in their wildest fantasies.

But, underneath the splendor, Hyunjin could see it as bright as day. Beneath the material luxury was discontentment, unease, unhappiness. Many of them were married to people that they did not love, were tied to their own wealth as it was the only sense of stability in their lives. And above all, Hyunjin could sense their loneliness, the invisible--yet deadly--disease that latched onto the heart and knawed at it until it was nothing but a shriveled remain. It was a poison that had no identifiable cure, and its affects only magnified as time went on.

Hyunjin could see it all because, once upon a time, he was just like them. Sitting on the throne, he was merely staring at reflections of his past self, a shell of a boy that was forced into a position of power too soon with too few people he could trust. He saw himself in the young lord that was visiting from across the sea, his eyes alight with ambition and a thirst to prove himself. He saw himself in the crown prince of the neighboring kingdom, the mistrust laced in every sip he took of his tea. He was like that once: scared, angry, betrayed, and alone.

But with a strange twist of fate, his life changed for the better. He found people he could trust. He met the love of his life. Unbelievably, he even married her, slowly earning her respect and eventually, her heart. And now, Hwang Hyunjin was no longer the boy with a crown too heavy and a life too lonely. He had people he cared about deeply, he had people he wanted to protect with his whole being. Especially…

“Papa! Papa!”

Hyunjin’s ears perked up as the large, ornate wooden doors of the hall creaked open ever so slightly, and a pitter patter of frantic footsteps bounded into the throne room. Almost immediately, he felt a smile grace his face, all the tension draining out of his posture as he gazed at the little girl, his darling daughter. 

Even the most stone-hearted envoys and esteemed guests could not hide their smiles as the girl ran excitedly towards her father, “Papa!” She giggled again, clumsily climbing up the steps to the throne.

Hyunjin’s heart fluttered with pride as he watched his daughter clamber up the marble steps, and for a split second, the image of her sitting on the throne as the next queen flashed across his mind. One baby step at a time, he reminded himself, and he stood up, easily picking up the girl as she gripped onto his sleeves.

“Naeun,” he brushed the baby hairs out of her face and smiled at her rosy cheeks. Time and time again, he was reminded of how much his daughter had begun to resemble the both of you. She had his doe eyes, but her smile, that was all you. 

The meeting became completely irrelevant to Hyunjin as he lavished all of his attention on her, “What are you doing here?”

Naeun, who was breathing heavily from all the running she had done, huffed and pouted rather sternly, “Mama said that if you stay in the office all night again, mama will dwag you back to the bedwoom.” 

Hyunjin fought the urge to laugh, utterly charmed by Naeun’s petulant words. How hard had she prepared to relay such a fiery message? He climbed up the remaining steps with the girl in his arms and sat back down comfortably on the throne, gently placing her on his lap.

“Papa is very sorry,” he said solemnly, bringing her little hand to his lips so he could kiss the back of it, making her giggle and squirm, “Did your mama send you here to tell me that?”

“Nope! But mama miss you!” Naeun replied brightly, and by this point, none of the guests were able to hide their endeared smiles and chuckles. Hyunjin felt a strange rush of both protectiveness and pride as he observed how easily Naeun had stolen the spotlight in the room with her joy and her innocence. It must be a father instinct that he was beginning to develop.

“Ah, mama misses me?” Hyunjin didn’t even know his heart was capable of containing such unbridled happiness and love as he smiled at his daughter. Naeun nodded firmly, and Hyunjin rubbed her back as he smoothed down her pretty princess dress, making sure she was comfortable before addressing the guests.

“My apologies for the interruption,” he said with perfect politeness, ever the ideal host. As expected, not many people were even the slightest bit annoyed by the disturbance, and they all waved off his apology, continuing the casual conversations about trade, finances, and commerce.

When it was all over, and Hyunjin was finally able to adjourn with all meetings and any other activities he’d scheduled to entertain his foreign guests, he eagerly walked down the hallways to the royal chambers, with Naeun safely nestled in his arms.

“Papa?”

“Yes, my little one?” He replied, letting her rest her chin on his shoulder.

“What’s fin..finan…” Naeun’s face scrunched up with effort as she tried to put the word back together from her memory. 

Hyunjin smiled fondly; he’d noticed her eagerly listening during the meeting, trying to soak in all the new knowledge that was coming her way. Naeun was good at de-escalating tensions, especially when she did her usual thing of barging into meetings without a care in the world, but Hyunjin also liked to let her stay in meetings because the little toddler seemed genuinely interested. She never seemed like she wanted to be anywhere else, only blinking from person to person with her large doe eyes. 

“Finance?” He supplied helpfully, and Naeun nodded into his shoulder, “It’s grown up stuff.”

“I like grown up stuff,” Naeun said with all the seriousness that a three year old could muster.

Hyunjin laughed, “I know you do, petal,” he hummed, thinking of a good way to explain the concept, “You know when you like to play house with your dolls and Uncle Changbin?”

Naeun immediately brightened at that. She loved playing house with Uncle Changbin! He was always a bit grumpy, a bit reluctant, but they always had a great tea party whenever her mama and papa were busy. 

“Mhm!”

“And you always like to trade certain dolls for the dolls that Changbin brings?” Hyunjin asked. Once again, he felt enormous gratitude to his personal commander, Seo Changbin, for going beyond the responsibilities of duty to take care of Naeun. As much as you and Hyunjin tried however you could to make time for her, with royal duties, parties, meetings, and work, it was just impossible to spend large amounts of time with your lovely daughter.

“Mhm! Uncle Changbin brings pwetty dolls!” Naeun nodded.

Hyunjin felt the smile grow on his face as he held her in his arms. He’d been smiling more often ever since Naeun was born, “Exactly. And you always have to give a few of your old ones to get the new, right? Or choose a few toys to give to Uncle Changbin so he can donate them to the capitol orphanages?”

Naeun only nodded curiously. 

“That, in a way, is finance. Of course, it’s a little more boring than trading dolls, though,” Hyunjin tickled her tummy with his finger, distracting her as she wiggled and squealed. Truth be told, Hyunjin didn’t want Naeun to grow up so quickly, even if that was all she wanted to do. Hyunjin didn’t remember anything from his childhood except textbooks, lectures, and a crushing pressure from his father and mother to live up to their expectations. He would never wish that upon his daughter.

After one more turn around the corner, they finally arrived at the Royal Chambers, with Changbin and Felix standing guard on both sides of the entrance. 

“Hi, Uncle Changbin! Hi, Uncle Lixie!” Despite their attempts to teach Naeun royal protocol about how to address the Kingsguard, she had little regard for it, opting to wave from the safety of her father’s arms. 

Changbin’s normally passive, almost grumpy expression melted ever so slightly as he waved back at her.  Despite his constant statements about not wanting to marry and not wanting to start a family, having Naeun made Hyunjin realize that his commander was surprisingly good with children. But if anyone so much as mentioned it, Changbin would deny any evidence of such allegations. Felix, on the other hand, was absolutely besotted with the little girl and made no attempts to hide it.

“Hi, little princess!” He smiled, opening the doors to the most private section of the palace. Hyunjin chuckled, nodding respectfully to both men before walking in. 

“Now, where’s your mama?” Hyunjin murmured. Of course, you were supposed to be in the bedroom, but Hyunjin knew you better than that. 

Naeun giggled, as if she knew you were breaking some sort of rule, and pointed to the study, “There!” 

“Thank you, petal,” Hyunjin booped her nose fondly before walking into the study, creaking the door open slowly as not to startle you. 

Every time his eyes fell to you, he would be swept with a newfound love that was stronger and more powerful than the time before. Even though your back was turned slightly away, and he could only see the slight curve of your lips and the profile of you from the side, Hyunjin knew without a doubt that you were the most beautiful woman in the world. 

You didn’t seem to notice your family walking in, lost in thought as you stared at the window, a piece of parchment in your hand. Hyunjin smiled, knowing how concentrated you can get when it came to state affairs. He put a finger to his lips, indicating to his daughter to be quiet. Naeun covered her mouth with her little hands, nodding as he very gently placed her on the fluffy carpet so she could play with the toys on the ground.

“I believe the doctor’s orders were for you to stay in bed?” Hyunjin murmured softly as he gently draped a woolen shawl over your shoulders, his arms snaking around you from behind. Maybe you did know he was around, since you didn't seem startled by his presence and only smiled as his hands rested on your tummy.

“We have guests in our palace. How can I stay in bed when there’s so much to do?” You replied, leaning into his arms and physically relaxing against him.

“You can just leave the work to me,” Hyunjin pouted a little, feeling guilty that he wasn’t able to handle the entire burden of royal duties. He couldn’t when you were pregnant with Naeun, and he couldn’t now. His hands rubbed your tummy through the silk nightgown as he gently placed his chin on your shoulder, murmuring, “It’s not good for the baby…”

Every time Hyunjin touched your tummy, it made you airy with disbelief and awe at how fortunate you were to have him. When you were a princess, long long ago, you’d never expected yourself to look forward to starting a family. But with Hyunjin, Naeun brought so much joy in your lives that neither of you could help but want another, and your prayers were answered when you became pregnant again around the time Naeun turned three. 

Part of why you were willing was because it awed you every time you saw how much Hyunjin cared. You knew how kings were, always drowning in their work, their duty, which always led them to crave independence, and then occasionally, turning to other women than their lawful wife. You knew that was the norm. Care, much less love, was something that royal women would be lucky to have.

Yet, Hyunjin gave it to you in the spades. Hyunjin cared, Hyunjin loved so much. You saw it every time he looked at you, you saw it every time he would gingerly place the crown upon your head before formal gatherings. You saw it every time he’d keep you close at parties, made sure everyone knew how much he valued you and your opinion. You saw it every time he looked at Naeun, his eyes sparkling with childlike wonder that could only be reflected in your daughter’s own eyes.

And now, with the two of you expecting another child, you saw it in his fretting, his worrying, his constant attempts to keep you safe and healthy, even if he was a little overbearing.

“The doctor never said a little bit of work would harm the baby,” you pointed out, tilting your head back to look into his eyes as you cupped his cheek, “I’m checking myself, I promise.”

“I’m sure you are,” Hyunjin chuckled, and he could no longer stop himself, his lips pressing against  yours in a gentle kiss as he hugged you. You only hummed happily against his lips, enjoying the moment when you were suddenly interrupted.

“Yuckie!” Naeun squeaked out, causing both of you to pull away with a laugh. The princess was sitting on the ground with a soft plushie in her arms as she looked at her parents with disgust.

You burst into giggles, pulling away from Hyunjin to walk over to her, “Yuckie? It’s yuckie that your parents are in love?” You asked teasingly, pinching her cheek. Naeun giggled, trying to run away as Hyunjin suddenly lifted her up from behind, placing her in his lap.

“Kisses are yuckie!” She squealed, making both of you laugh as Hyunjin tickled her tummy.

Hyunjin smiled, chuckling, “Don’t ever let me catch you kissing someone else,” he warned. In all honesty, the idea of his precious daughter falling in love made his blood boil unreasonably. Especially in the royal realm, it was so hard to determine which ones were good and which ones were only hiding behind the mask of benevolence. Just the thought of Naeun falling in love, Naeun getting her heart broken by some good for nothing prince…

“My love,” Hyunjin’s eyes widened as he felt a gentle hand on his arm. You smiled fondly, almost as you already knew exactly what he was thinking, as you always did, “Baby steps, alright? She’s not at that age yet.”

“Baby steps!” Naeun chorused, although oblivious to the conversation at hand. 

Hyunjin felt himself relax, and he engulfed his daughter in a big hug, letting her snuggle into his chest, “Yes, baby steps,” he murmured as he left a kiss in her hair.

.

“What do you mean, they won’t allow it?” You asked angrily, following Hyunjin into his study as he ran a frantic hand through his hair.

Hyunjin sank into his chair, frustration clear in his face as he glanced up at you, “The letter from the council came back. Apparently, there were some strong voices of protest, and eventually they decided to rule against it. They won’t accept Naeun as the heir.”

“That’s ridiculous!” You snapped, feeling steam practically radiating from your ears, “She’s the eldest child, our first born! They've had three years to observe her, and she's performed well in all subjects. She’s practically a genius!" 

You whirled around, tightening the shawl around your frame as you made up your mind to go to the council yourself when Hyunjin rushed over, intercepting you as he gently grabbed your arms, “Y/N, my darling,” you shook your head, not in the mood for his cajoling and gentle attention.

“I’m going to talk to them. They were relenting a couple months ago! I don’t see why--”

“Hey, hey, breathe,” Hyunjin’s voice was suddenly stern, his hands running up and down your back to soothe you, “Calm down, love. Please. Think of the baby.”

You froze, the fight beginning to drain out of you as you tried to take deep breaths. Hyunjin’s hand trailed to your wrist, subtly taking note of your pulse to ensure that you were still alright. 

“I know you’re angry. So am I,” Hyunjin spoke, stepping closer to you and cupping your face in his gentle hands. Your eyes closed at his touch, feeling his warm embrace as his comforting presence, “But we need to deal with this slowly. There are foreign envoys still here, remember? We can’t go barging around the palace like we normally do, not until they leave.”

You huffed, knowing that Hyunjin was right, but still feeling churlishly angry at the news, “So we just wait?”

“We’ll discuss it once more when the council meeting is held again,” Hyunjin suggested, brushing a strand of hair away from your face, “I’m sure they’ll cave. Naeun is a perfect contender, the perfect candidate for the next heir. She’s just not what they’re used to.”

“And what are they used to? A son?” You said mockingly, your anger fueled by the ridiculous laws that were still in place. Your kingdom had long since done away with such petty things as male only rules, but it seemed like Hyunjin's kingdom was a little more traditional. 

“Yes, and you know how stubborn they are about it” Hyunjin murmured, palming your stomach, “They’re waiting for this little one.”

“They don’t even know if it’s going to be a boy,” you scoffed, but you could feel yourself relaxing in Hyunjin’s arms. The two of you were so alike and yet so different. Hyunjin was the cooling water to your raging firestorm. And you were the spark that light his ice cold heart alight with love for the first time all those years ago.

Hyunjin hummed at your comment, gently nuzzling his nose against your cheek, “I think it will be. Otherwise, I'd be awfully outnumbered in this family,” he said softly, kissing your cheek as he continued, “But no matter. I still want my precious Naeun to be the crown princess. The council just has stick up their ass.”

“Hyunjin!” You slapped his arm, pulling away to walk towards his study, sitting in the chair as you felt the baby kick once again.

The king only laughed at your glare, immediately rushing to your side as he took your hand, “The baby’s bothering you again, huh?” He asked, his eyes filled with wonder as he stared at your tummy. It was a silent, yet rather apparent question to you, asking whether he had permission to touch. It was almost adorable how childishly excited Hyunjin would get at the thought of his own children.

You gently placed his hand over the fabric of your dress, right over where you’d felt a slight kick just before, “It’s not a bother,” you said gently, “How can it be a bother when it reassures me that our child is safe and healthy?”

Hyunjin’s expression was nothing short of entranced as he felt a push against the palm of his hand, “I love you,” he murmured as he glanced at you, and he leaned forward to press his cheek against your tummy, to which you only smiled fondly and ran a hand through his hair.

“I love them, too,” he spoke to your stomach, as he had no doubt that your unborn child would hear it and know just how much their father cared.

The two of you stayed in that position, basking in the monetary relaxation for a moment longer, your hands gently running through his hair as he rested his head on your lap. It was definitely not a position that either of you would want to be caught in, but Hyunjin found himself rather fond of it, being able to let go of his responsibilities and rely on you for comfort without being anxious. 

You sat for a moment longer before a particular piece of parchment on Hyunjin's desk caught your eye, and you quickly reached for it as your husband continued to rest comfortably on your lap.

“There’s a party tomorrow night?” You asked, scanning the contents over as your free hand gently carded through his hair.

“Mhm, the envoys are leaving the morning after, so it has to be grand,” Hyunjin mumbled lazily in return, his eyes shut from mild exhaustion.

You hummed, putting the parchment down as you said softly, “If it’s the final dinner, shouldn’t I be there? I haven’t seen any of our guests except on the first day. It would be impolite if I missed the last event, too.”

“No,” Hyunjin’s grip tightened imperceptibly as he gently held your waist, lifting his head up to meet your eyes, “They understand your situation. It’s only natural that you haven’t been at all the events,” he said firmly, his hand absently moving towards your stomach.

“It’s still impolite. I should probably go,” you said softly, resting your hand over his, “We don’t want our guests to leave with a bad taste in their mouth.” 

Hyunjin looked uncertain, his eyes pleading with you as he pressed his lips to your knuckles, “If something happens…”

“Nothing will happen, my darling,” you cooed, trying to reassure your love as you sensed his fear. Hyunjin, underneath his cold words and powerful gaze, was just as human as any other man.

“It’s just a party. I won’t even dance, alright?” You continued with a cajoling smile, brushing your thumb against his cheek bone, “I just have to be there, Hyunjin. It’s my duty.” 

Hyunjin’s eyes fluttered shut as he melted against your touch, leaning his cheek into your hand and sighing softly, “I know I can’t change your mind,” he said, “You’re just stubborn like that, and I love it more than you know. But it scares me so much.” 

“It scares you?” You repeated his words, waiting patiently for him to elaborate. 

The king nodded, looking so vulnerable in your arms that you were afraid he’d break, “What if something happens? What if, one day, you overestimate yourself and you lose the baby? Or worse,” Hyunjin kissed your palm, holding your wrist in his hand as he gazed upon you with more pain in his eyes than you’ve ever seen.

“What if I lose you, too?”

Your heart shattered at the fear and the sheer amount of unconditional love that glistened in his eyes whenever they met yours, “Oh, Hyunjin,” you sighed, leaning forward to be closer to him, “It won't come to that.”

But Hyunjin couldn't hear reason at this point, frightening himself as he held your hand, “I can't rule this kingdom without you, without your love. You're the first happiness I've ever had in this lifetime.” 

“Hyunjin, you can and you have,” you argued, reaching to lace your fingers with his, “You were ruling wonderfully before we met.”

“It's not the same, darling, and you know it,” Hyunjin answered, kissing the pulse point of your wrist daintily, “You made me a better person and a better king.”

You couldn't help but smile adoringly, reaching your other hand to run your fingers through his soft hair, “I'm glad. You made my life happier than I ever dreamed it could be.”

Hyunjin sighed, melting into your touch. As always, he felt weightless in your arms, free of burden and responsibility. He didn't have to think of anything but you and him.

But alas, there was still a problem at hand. 

“Do you really want to attend the party?” He asked softly into the fabric of your dress, one of the comfortable ones he'd ordered to be specially made for you when the two of you discovered that you were expecting a second time.

“I do, Hyunjin. I think it's best that I take my place beside you, at least once before they leave. It'll quell any rumors about us and about my supposed ill health,” you explained your reasoning, understanding Hyunjin’s doubts but still feeling strongly about going all the same.

Hyunjin’s eyes opened slowly and he nodded in resignation as he stood up, “Alright. I won't stop you. But, my love, at least let me assign Changbin and Felix to you as your guards for the night.”

“Both of them?” You asked, standing up slowly to maintain your balance. Hyunjin didn't leave your side for a moment, holding your arm in case you fell, “Isn't that a bit much?” 

“It would make me less anxious to know you're well guarded,” Hyunjin pleaded with you, fixing the shawl around your shoulders as the two of you walked out of the study. It was already quite late in the evening, with Naeun having been sent to bed long before. 

Your fingers intertwined naturally, and the two of you headed to your chambers, ready for a long night's rest, “Alright, assign both of them to me,” you relented, “I still think it’s a bit overkill.”

“You’d be walking around the town without a single guard if we went with what you thought was overkill,” Hyunjin chuckled, beginning to shed his uniform.

“Not true,” you protested weakly as you climbed into bed, already in your nightgown.

Hyunjin joined you soon after, engulfing you in his arms and his comforting scent as you let out a sigh of contentment, burrowing in his embrace, “Let’s get some rest, alright?” You said, sleepiness laced in your voice as you hummed softly, “I love you.”

“I love you, too, my darling,” Hyunjin murmured his response without a moment of hesitation, as if he’d been waiting all his life to tell you, “so much.”

.

Parties were hectic enough already, even more so when you had a hyperactive toddler to manage on top of the plethora of things that could already go wrong, from the banquet food to the entertainment. 

"Weeee!" Naeun squealed, running around the bedroom like a madman and trying to escape changing into her party dress. 

Before she could slip away, you managed to snag an arm around her waist, lifting her into your arms with a grunt, “Where do you think you're going, little princess?”

Naeun pouted, whining as she wiggled in your grasp, “Want to go play! Want to find papa!” She said with a huff. 

“Papa is busy right now,” you said patiently as you gently plopped her on the bed, trying to help her out of her nightgown while Naeun fussed, obviously not wanting to do as she was told.

“But I want to play with papa!” She protested as she eventually lifted her arms, letting you help her change. 

You sighed as you helped her into the beautiful golden dress, the fabric laced with ruffles and sparkling thread that was fit for any little princess.

“Papa is a little busy, alright?” You spoke gently, trying to make your lecture sound less like a scolding and more of an explanation, “There have been guests in Mama and Papa's home for the last few days, and Papa has been busy taking care of them.”

“B-but...what about me?” Naeun’s lower lip quivered dramatically, and you fought the urge to smile at how utterly adorable she was, “Papa take care of me!”

“You don't think Papa takes care of you?” You asked, raising an eyebrow, “Papa spends all his free time with you, Naeunie. Papa takes caring for you very, very seriously.”

Naeun pouted still, her lip jutting out petulantly, but she let her head fall. Even for a three year old, the little girl was awfully perceptive, and knew when she'd lost an argument. And in her heart of hearts, she knew that her parents really did move heaven and earth to make her their top priority.

“Papa no stop taking care of me?” She asked softly as you buttoned the pearl clasp around her collar.

“No, my little one,” you answered with a gentle smile as you fixed her hair, “Papa and Mama will always take care of you. When this is all over, how about we stay a week at the summer residence? Just you, papa and me, and we'll have all the time in the world to play with you.”

Naeun gasped, bouncing on the bed, “Weally? Just us?”

“If you want, you can drag your Uncle Changbin to come with us, too,” you said slyly as you booped her nose, but instead of scrunching her face playfully as she always did, Naeun suddenly looked ashamed, head tilted downward as if she’d done something naughty and then felt guilty about it after the fact.

You were immediately concerned, “Little one?” You prodded, gently trying to tilt her chin up so she’d look at you, “Little one, what’s happened? You can tell Mama anything.”

Naeun hiccuped slightly, and your heart ached as you realized that she was on the verge of tears, “Mama, ‘m sorry,” she mumbled softly, eyes glittering with unshed tears and you quickly sat on the bed, pulling her into your lap.

“Why are you sorry, Naeunie?” You asked, trying not to sound frantic, worried, or anything that might frighten her more.

“Papa said Mama is tired, and that I shouldn’t bother Mama,” Naeun explained, large droplets beginning to roll down her rosy cheeks as she wailed, “But I’ve been bad bad! I make Mama worry!”

You tried to stifle your incredulous laughter as your daughter clung onto you, wailing dramatically as if the world was about to end. So that was what got her so worked up all of a sudden.

“Silly little thing,” you teased, cradling her in your arms as best you could with the bump of your stomach getting in the way. Still, you nuzzled your nose against her cheek, wiping her tears, “It’s mama’s job to worry. You’re a perfectly good girl, Naeunie. Mama and Papa are so lucky to have a precious girl like you.”

Naeun’s shoulders slowly began to shake as she rubbed her eyes, “Like me?” She repeated, a tinge of innocent hope and adoration laced in her voice that always raised your protective instincts, the instinct to shield her from any harm that this world could throw at her.

You smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as you spoke softly, “Just like you. Mama and Papa love you to the moon and back.” 

“And I love Mama and Papa, too! So so muchie!” Naeun parroted back happily, smiling with all the life and brightness that both you and Hyunjin lacked in your own childhoods. Maybe that was why the two of you were so determined to be there for Naeun in every way possible, to make sure that she knew she was so very loved. Because neither of you received that type of acceptance when you were children.

“Good girl,” you said, kissing her forehead once more before smoothing down her dress, “Are you ready to go?”

“Mm!” She nodded, clambering off the bed and standing tall, “Will Papa be at party, too?”

“Your papa is already there,” you chuckled to yourself, taking your daughter’s little hand and heading out of the bedroom.

Outside, both Felix and Changbin were waiting for you, dressed impeccably for the formal occasion. In normal circumstances, it would only be one of them waiting for you while the other guarded Hyunjin, but the king had not allowed any exceptions. Both of the strongest in the Kingsguard must be by your side for the day.

“Sorry for the wait,” you said to both of them as Naeun slipped away from you, skipping over to her two uncles, going especially for one in particular.

“Uncle Changbin, Uncle Changbin!” The man grunted as he caught her in his arms, shifting so she was eye level with him, her bright smile contrasting with his typical frown.

Felix walked with you as Changbin and Naeun entered their own little world, with the young toddler prattling his ears off and the commander listening with surprising attentiveness, “She plays favorites,” Felix complained playfully, clutching a hand to his heart as he stayed by your side.

“She definitely does,” you agreed with a fond smile, keeping an eye on your daughter as you walked down the halls, a hand resting on your tummy as you glanced at the man beside you, “Hyunjin is at the party, right? How is he doing?”

“When will the two of you ever not worry about one another?” Felix laughed, shaking his head, “Hyunjin caught me on the way up to your bedroom, asking about you as well.”

You shrugged, the sound and clamor of crowds and partying beginning to be apparent as you neared the ballroom, “That’s just married life, Felix. Trying to put the other person before yourself,” you glanced at him, the gaze in your eyes shifting into something more mischievous as you opened your mouth, “And maybe, you--”

“Nope! Not happening!” Felix interrupted you cheerfully, “You and His Majesty have just been on my ass about it, and it’s not happening!”

“Oh, but Lixie,” you laughed with him, taking his arm as you walked down the marble steps, “it’s really not all that bad!”

Felix’s gaze was soft as he gently patted your hand. He’d been assigned to the Kingsguard right around the time you were crowned Queen, and there was a sort of camaraderie that formed between the two of you from trying to navigate the ups and downs of palace life. He was a good confidante, and you very much valued his happiness.

“I’m happy here,” he said gently, looking into your eyes with his bright and genuine ones, “I’m happy looking after people that I care about. And for now, I don’t ever want to lose that.” 

You sighed, a smile gracing your face as you shook your head, “Alright. But if you ever change your mind…”

“You and His Majesty would be the first to know,” Felix promised.

The doors swung open, and the crowd quickly stood at attention as you entered the ballroom. Your gaze hardened ever so slightly, and your posture shifted, taking the persona of the respected queen that you were to the eyes of your people. Before you were a mother, or a wife, you were a symbol, an anchor of virtue.

Even Naeun was on her best behavior as she walked down with Changbin, holding his little pinky as she climbed down the steps. She seemed to sense her own importance, and did her very best not to mess up, making you break character for a moment as you smiled.

Your eyes caught sight of your husband standing near the throne, and his eyes twinkled with adoration when your gazes met. He put down his glass of champagne, quickly gliding through the room to receive you.

“God, he’s whipped for you, Your Majesty,” Felix muttered under his breath, “Does the honeymoon period never end--ow!” A discrete finger jab to the side was enough to shut him up.

Hyunjin’s smile was small and hidden, reserved just for your eyes as you made it to the bottom step, “Don’t you look beautiful, my Queen,” he murmured, chastely kissing the back of your hand before pecking your lips.

“Jinnie, not here,” you scolded lightly, letting him take your hand as Naeun rushed over, the crowd cooing with delight. Naeun had only been present in a handful of engagements before this particular party, and the people were still fully immersed in baby fever, entranced by the little girl.

“Papa!” She jumped at him, your husband bending down and catching her easily.

“Oh, my little petal!” His smile was bright as he held her securely, spinning her around, “Ready for dinner?”

“Mhm!” Naeun nodded, but not before placing a big kiss on her father’s cheek, “Miss you!”

You couldn’t help but giggle, watching as the princess’s actions completely melted the crowed. She was definitely a natural. You remembered what you were like as a three year-old, scared, terrified, and always trying to hide behind your mother’s skirt even as she forced you to be independent. 

Naeun didn’t need that push, and you were grateful.

Hyunjin carried Naeun in one arm and escorted you with the other. Your eyes scanned the room, automatically taking note of certain esteemed guests and nobles. In the edge of the room, you noticed a few council members sitting together at a table, refusing to stand at attention for your entrance. 

"Is everything ready?" You asked as you carefully sat down beside Hyunjin, "The dinner, the entertainment-" 

“It’s all done,” Hyunjin smiled, pecking your lips before he placed Naeun in her chair beside his golden one, making sure she was sitting still, “Nothing to worry about.”

You smiled, grateful that your husband was so accommodating and willing to handle so much of the work while you needed your rest. Gesturing to one of the maids, you waved your hand, requesting her to start ushering the guests to their seats as food was about to be served.

As you continued to observe the room, making sure everything was running smoothly, you felt a gentle hand take yours, rubbing it soothingly.

“I haven’t seen you all day. I missed you,” Hyunjin murmured into your ear, making you blush slightly. Even after all these years, his forwardness always flustered you, made you feel like a giddy young princess rather than an experienced queen.

“Hyunjin, come on...not here,” you whispered back, letting his hand glide to your stomach, hidden from everyone’s view by the table in front of you. 

“I just wanted to make sure you were alright,” Hyunjin protested in a playful tone, gently patting your tummy before pulling away and gaining back some of his kingly aura right as the first dishes were served.

The banquet went without much of a hitch, to your relief. The atmosphere was overall genial and it didn’t seem like any of your guests had malicious intentions. Hyunjin, of course, grew a little ruffled when one of the young boys from the envoy’s family, no older than five, asked to dance with Naeun, but you argued that it was rather endearing to see the children stumble around the dance floor.

“Mama, that was really fun!” Naeun reported happily when she was sitting back in her seat, her hair slightly messy from twirling so much, “Want to do it again!”

“Never, not while I’m still alive,” Hyunjin muttered, rubbing his eyes halfheartedly as the memory of his precious little girl dancing with a boy replayed in his head. 

You laughed at the two of them, reaching over to fix Naeun’s hairdo so she didn’t look like an absolute mess for the rest of the evening, “I think your father wouldn’t be very happy with that,” you said teasingly, kissing her forehead just as the crown prince approached your table with a glass of fine wine in his hand.

“Your Majesties,” he spoke respectfully, exuding the perfect mixture of gracefulness and charisma as he bowed, “If I could do the honor of making a toast for the occasion?”

Of course, the request was posed as a question, merely to play to the ego and the pride of the hosts, but a toast was usually not something you could refuse. Doing so meant bad blood, tensions, potential rifts in foreign relations. Besides, the prince didn’t look malicious; you normally had a good sense of intuition about people, and the man standing before you and Hyunjin didn’t raise any red flags.

Hyunjin didn’t seem to sense anything either, and with a courteous smile, he waved his hand in agreement, “The trade deals we’ve made this time around are definitely a reason for celebration,” he said, “Although, I’ll have to drink on behalf of the Queen as well.”

The prince smiled at that, gesturing to one of his servants as they walked towards the table, bringing two gold encrusted wine glasses towards you, “We would never want to leave Her Majesty out. In consideration of her pregnancy, I’ve brought a specialty drink created from a fruit that is grown only in our country. It is harmless to the body, and said to bring good health and longevity to expecting mothers.”

Gasps and noises of approval filled the air as you tilted your head inquisitively, looking at the wine glass being presented to you. You could feel Hyunjin’s hesitancy, and you studied the prince’s expression carefully, but there really didn’t seem to be anything wrong. There wasn’t any point in making a big fuss over nothing.

Delicately, your fingers wrapped around the glass, picking it up and looking at the orange liquid. Hyunjin watched you carefully before doing the same with his glass, which held red wine like everyone else.

The prince smiled, relief obvious in his posture as he held up his own glass. He obviously had worried that you might reject the gift, thinking that it overstepped boundaries. 

“May our kingdoms stay allies through peace and through strife. To friendship!”

The crowd chorused the sentiment as you merely lifted the glass to your mouth, the liquid just about to touch your lips when you froze.

That scent. You remembered it when your physician had warned you against certain plants that were harmful to your body. As the queen of two nations, you were an obvious target, and there was never any telling with when someone with a cruel heart could slip a poison into your food or water. The scent was almost imperceptible, but you knew it was there.

Someone was trying to poison you, and they chose the most opportune time to do so.

Watching as the prince and your husband both downed their glasses, your brain was working a mile a minute, scrambling for a way out. You could you say outright that there was poison in the glass. That would put both your own staff and your guests in a terrible position. You didn’t have any proof that it was actually the prince who was trying to harm you, and making those accusations would all but tear the alliance apart. 

Your heart must’ve been pounding so loudly that the people around you could hear. You kept your face placidly calm as you decided on your course of action, and very subtly tapped your finger against the wine glass three times, a signal that Changbin had taught you in order to alert the Kingsguard of danger.

Both Changbin and Felix saw your movement, and so did Hyunjin out of the corner of his eye. He turned, his expression slowly morphing into shocked anger, something you had not wanted to happen. Thinking quickly, you pretended to choke, coughing up a storm as you managed to put the glass down.

Felix walked forward and was beside you in an instant, catching on to your actions. He handed you a handkerchief, gently patting your back as Changbin was also by your side, a concerned expression crossing his face as he stood guard.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?” Felix asked, keeping the attention on you as he discreetly slid the glass to the side, letting Changbin collect it and take it away, ensuring that it was as far away from you as possible.

“Y-yes,” you smiled shakily, pressing the handkerchief against your lips, “Just got startled when the baby kicked.”

The people around you, Hyunjin and Felix, instantly saw through your lie, but knew better than to question your words when everyone’s eyes were on you. You finally glanced at your husband, your anxiety spiking when you saw the way he looked at you, eyes filled with uncontrollable fury. 

Someone had really tried to hurt you, really tried to take his happiness right out from his grasp.

You placed a hand on his, and gave it a warning squeeze, “I’m alright, love, there’s no need to fret,” you cooed, putting on a show of calming him down so that his anger might be taken as anxiety instead.

Hyunjin caught onto your cues, and did his best to control the murderous emotions threatening to bubble out of his chest. Luckily enough, there was another distraction that waddled over, effectively putting the whole situation at rest.

“Mama! Are you alright?” Naeun ran over, her expression overly worried as she stood beside you, her little hands grabbing blindly for you and wanting to be held. As she was watching her Uncle Changbin, she’d panicked when he did, automatically thinking that something bad had happened to her mother.

“Oh, my little one, nothing happened. See?” You comforted her, bringing her hands to your cheeks as you smiled, “Mama is fine.”

“My deepest apologies, Your Majesty!” The prince stammered out as you gently placed Naeun in your lap, giving into her cries to be close to you, “I did not mean to cause you harm. Not in the slightest.”

“And you did not,” you spoke gracefully, a hand lightly squeezing your husband’s leg under the table as you took control of the conversation, sensing that the man was no longer thinking rationally. Hyunjin already suspected the prince as the main culprit, and any words that would leave his mouth from here on would be far from pleasant.

You smiled serenely, looking at the prince, “There was no harm done. Pregnancies are always unpredictable.”

The prince nodded, his expression still anxious as he excused himself and took his seat back with his family. Looking at his frazzled expression, the idea that the person who was looking to poison you was less likely to be him.

“Hyunjin, snap that glare off your face. People are beginning to notice,” you hissed in his ear as people began to dance and mingle now that the dinner part of the banquet was done. Naeun was still in your arms, having fallen asleep. It was far past her normal bed time, after all.

But Hyunjin’s fury was just barely contained, “How can I? Someone tried to hurt you, Y/N. Someone tried to do so right before my very eyes, right under the noses of our Kingsguard,” he spoke under his breath, the cold glint in his eyes growing stronger with every moment. The Hwang Hyunjin of old, the ruthless king that ruled without mercy, was returning, and you needed to stop him quickly.

“Making a ruckus will not serve us any good,” you said softly, continuing to bounce Naeun lightly on your lap.

“He needs to know what happens if he hurts a member of the royal family,” Hyunjin’s glare shifted to the prince, who was dancing with his wife amongst the crowd.

“It isn’t him, Hyunjin,” you took his hand, lacing your fingers together, “I’m sure it isn’t.”

“Then who?” He rounded on you, eyes filled with pain and anger as he tried to hide it from nosy onlookers, leaning closer to press a kiss to the crown of your head, “Who would dare hurt the most precious person in my life?”

“I don’t know, Hyunjin. But now isn’t the time to play detective. Let’s get through this party first, alright?” You asked soothingly just as Naeun shifted in your arms, mumbling.

“Papa…”

Hyunjin faltered at that weak cry, and you smiled in relief as you carefully handed Naeun to her father. The king held her in his lap, using her as his anchor. 

"Oh, my little petal," he sighed, letting the girl slump into his chest as she slept soundly, unaware of the turmoil raging through her father's heart. Hyunjin held her close, kissing her hair, and you were able to observe the party absently, letting yourself calm down after a near experience with death.

Who could've done it? The very idea of lacing the queen's drink with poison, and quite possibly starting a war in the process, would scare almost anyone away. It had to be someone with much more to gain from the incident, someone that feels sure enough of their position that they see the act through knowing it could never be traced back to them. 

You sat in relative silence for the rest of the evening, choosing to observe rather than participate as the guests enjoyed the many festivities you'd planned for the evening. One particular man, sitting at the table to your right, who looked suspiciously upset for such a joyous occasion, caught your eye. 

His motives certainly aligned, and he was of high enough status that he probably didn't even have to personally orchestrate any of it to happen. 

Could it be...? There was only one way to quell your suspicions. 

. 

The party ended uneventfully, and soon, many of the guests began to trickle out of the palace gates, ready to retire for the night. One man opted to take a less crowded route back to his estate, cutting through the palace passageways instead of braving the cold and the people. After all, he was no longer in a sociable mood after the events of the night. 

He should've  known it wasn't going to be so easy. The queen was not only royalty, she was an experienced general as well. It shouldn't have been such a surprise that she sniffed out the little surprise so easily. 

Still, even if it was to be expected, it was still a disappointment. If only she wasn't around, things would be so much simpler. He would've been able to further secure his position, maybe even take control of the military. Oh, the possibilities for him were endless if only- 

"General Lee Minho. It's quite late for you to still be here in my palace." 

If only you weren't around to stop him. 

Maintaining his composure, Minto turned around, giving you a perfect bow, "Your Majesty, I didn't mean to impose. I was merely trying to get home-" 

"Why did you do it?" 

Never one to beat around the bush, were you? 

Minho gave you a saccharine smile, his heart still relatively at ease. You had no proof. There was nothing that could connect the act to him. 

"Your Majesty, I don't believe I understand." 

It must've been the wrong thing to say. Your eyebrow raised inquisitively, and you took a step forward, your eyes cold and unwavering. You must've learned a thing or two from your besotted husband.  

"You're a cunning man, General. Our kingdoms profit off your intellect and your strategy," you said, looking straight into his own unflinching gaze.

"In fact, your cunning is the only reason you are still alive." 

The air seemed to grow thinner in an instant, and the pleasantries all but faded from Minho’s expression. You weren't inquiring, you knew it was him. This encounter was merely icing on the cake for you. The general was suddenly aware that the halls were completely empty save for the two of you, and there was not a sound to be heard. Not the sounds of a servant fetching water, or a maid finishing up her errands. Nothing.

Minho pursed his lips, giving you an unreadable gaze, “I wouldn't advise threatening me in your condition,” he commented, eyes falling deliberately to the swell of your stomach.

You couldn't help but smile in amusement at his thinly veiled threat, “I assure you, General, I am perfectly safe.”

“Oh?” Minho raised an eyebrow at your words, “And I suppose one of your two dogs that you call the Kingsguard is hiding just around the corner, waiting for a movement that would put you in danger before cutting me down.”

The silence screamed under the midnight sky, and the candles illuminating the hallway seemed to flicker as your smile turned icy.

“Do you really think I need Felix to intercede in order for me to kill you?”

Your words were barely audible, and could've easily passed as the murmurings of the wind, but for the first time, Minho didn't feel safe. There was something about the glint in your eyes, the way you stood before him like a storm just waiting to tear through him. 

All this time, Minho had not worried about the consequences of his actions. He did not believe that you were in a position to raise a finger at him, especially since the nobles were on his side. You were the former princess of a foreign kingdom, after all. You were the disadvantaged one here. If anything, he was worried what the king might do if his plot was discovered, knowing and having witnessed Hyunjin’s merciless punishments to those that defied him.

But standing before you, alone and without the bravado of his typical entourage, Minho realized. It was you that he should've feared. 

There was not an ounce of humanity, affection, or care in your eyes. The loving queen that had just been cradling her daughter in her arms earlier that night had all but slipped away. Standing before him was a battle-hardened warrior, a woman who had experienced too much suffering to ever go through it again, no matter what it took.

“What do you want from me?” Minho said, his innocent facade fading completely as he finally caved, the hatred seeping into his eyes as he glared at you.

“I want answers, and you will give them to me. If you don't know, which I doubt will be the case, you will direct me to someone who does.”

Minho’s jaw clenched, feeling the growing panic and fury clawing up his chest as he stood before you, with no more cards to play, “Alright.”

“Alright?” You raised an eyebrow, the simplest action laced with an unspoken threat.

“Alright, Your Majesty,” Minho sneered, wanting nothing more than to pull out his hidden blade and run it cleanly through your throat. He knew better though, especially since he was sure Felix had his eyes trained on him, ready to strike.

“Who else is in on this?”

“A few of the lords were vaguely aware that I was plotting something, but they did not actively participate in the act.”

“Were your actions supported?��

Looking down to the side, he muttered, “There were a few people that did not agree on my methods, but still want you removed.”

“Naeun. Is she in danger?” You asked sharply, for the first time, feeling a spike of fear hit you. If there was someone willing to murder your unborn child, you suspected that Naeun would not be safe either.

To your relief, Minho shook his head, “Not that I know of.”

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. As long as you and your child were relatively safe, you could continue the interrogation more seriously, “You laced my drink with poison, but it was not a large enough dosage to cause death. Why?”

“Your death would effectively sever any alliance between my kingdom and yours,” Minho gritted his teeth as he spoke, as if you were physically pulling out every single word from his mouth, “As much as I despise your kingdom for starting that useless war, I am not arrogant enough to deny that our alliance has benefited both of us greatly.”

“So you wanted my child,” you snarled lowly, your hand unconsciously reaching to touch your stomach as if protecting it, “You wanted me to miscarry.”

Minho smiled, all daggers and fangs as he replied, “If your baby didn't make it, you won't have a male heir. You would most likely have a harder time conceiving, and we'd be able to supply His Majesty with a suitable mistress.”

You stared at Minho, the pieces falling together in your mind as you thought of every moment when the general had tried to undermine you, make your comments less received by actively criticizing them, or scorn you for your status as a foreigner.

“You wanted me to lose favor with Hyunjin,” you concluded, feeling almost disappointed by the turn of events. No matter what kingdom, the power hungry were always the same, tearing down others for their own benefit. Doesn’t the battle for control ever get tiring for them?

Minho barked out a scathing laugh, “Of course I wanted you to lose favor with him. I wanted him to resent you, to hate you, to see you for what you really are, a viper hidden beneath that pretty, pretty face of yours.”

“Why?” You asked, genuinely confused, “Why must you go so far to stop me--to stop him--from being happy?”

“You think he’s happy?” The general scoffed, and against his better judgement, he took a threatening step towards you. The expression on your face barely twitched, but Minho could suddenly feel a murderous aura coming from behind him, and he knew better than to push his luck.

“Do you really think he’s happy?” Minho laughed, “You destroyed him, Your Majesty. You turned him soft. We were going to build the greatest, most ruthless empire the continent has ever known. And suddenly, after he met you, he decided to stop conquering, to take care of his people, to take care of your people after you lost.”

You weren’t expect such a barrage of anger and honesty, but you took the chance while you had it, “And what? You’re upset because you stopped gaining wealth and power in the spades like you used to?”

Minho’s scowl was pure wickedness, and you stared him down, an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, “I’m upset because you turned our king into a soft, weak little boy. The plan was to wring you and your people dry, taking all the resources before leaving you to fend for yourself. And, suddenly, after he met you, he wanted to do nothing but protect you, a cowardly, foolish princess that was nothing but her parent’s puppet--”

“Careful,” your voice was soft, its edges laced with poison as your eyes flashed with a silent warning, “You are alive still because I have use for you, but you run your mouth like that again, and I’ll have your tongue cut out before I slit your throat.”

The general realized the seriousness of your words, and his eyes narrowed, “You have use...of me,” he repeated your words, already disliking where this was going. 

“Of course I do. If I didn’t, your body would have already been dumped into the river by now,” you said pleasantly, the serene smile back on your face as you pulled at your lace gloves.

Minho raised an eyebrow, “Do you think you’d be able to get away with that, Your Majesty?”

“Oh, my dear General,” you couldn’t help but laugh, amused by his doubtfulness at your capabilities, “unlike you, I am not in the position where every move I make is another desperate grab for power. I am the Queen. The power stems from me and my husband. And do you think Hyunjin would care about the potential murderer of his unborn child if I told him the truth?”

Minho’s jaw clenched so hard, it was painful. He underestimated you. Hyunjin was not the ruthless one. You were.

Like a snake constricting its prey, knowing there was no hope of escape, you smiled, “You are in no position to threaten me, Lee Minho, and unless you want me to strip you of all of your titles or for me to tell Hyunjin about what has just transpired, I’d keep that snippy mouth of yours shut.”

How pathetic. You knew exactly what he valued in life, and didn’t hesitate in brandishing against him like a sharpened blade. All of Minho's actions were to protect his reputation with the king and to hold onto the power he'd already earned, and you were dangling that prize over his head, ready to rip it away from him at a moment's notice.

“What does Her Majesty require of me?” Minho asked through gritted teeth and a clenched smile.

“Stop with the schemes. I'm sick and tired of them,” you said tiredly, giving him a wary glare, “Stop trying to usurp my power and overthrow my position as Queen. It doesn't matter how many mistresses you want to throw at Hyunjin. He will always love me as I will always love him, and even if that doesn't come to be, he will always have respect for me.”

Minho felt his blood boil as he nodded, “Yes...Your Majesty.”

You didn't give him the satisfaction of seeing you smile, moving straight to the most important term.

“You will instate Naeun as the Crown Princess.”

“Are you insane?” Minho snarled, his anger spiking as he spat at you, “The people who supported me in ruling against her will think I've gone mad.”

“Maybe you should've thought twice before deciding on your vote then,” you smiled placidly as you took a step closer towards him.

“You will instate Naeun as the Crown Princess, no conditions, no what ifs. She is the heir. Understood?”

As he gazed into your eyes, each order you have laced with power and unspeakable threat, Minho saw himself in the reflection of your sharp stare. To you, he was nothing but a mere doll for you to manipulate to your own will, a being that could just as easily be discarded as it can be replaced. 

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Minho said again, the hatred in his tone more than apparent.

“I expect the good news to be placed on Hyunjin’s desk tomorrow morning.”

Without another word, another acknowledge or even goodbye, you turned around, walking down the hall and leaving Minho to wallow in his own failure, leaving him to forever berate himself for the missteps he made, the miscalculations that had now put his entire career into the hands of the person he despised most in the kingdom.

“Sounded like things were going well, Your Majesty,” Felix commented nonchalantly as you passed him, the young guard having positioned himself in the adjacent hallway, waiting for any inkling of danger to jump in and protect you. You didn’t fail to notice the way he twirled his knife before slipping it back into its sheathe, obviously having pulled it out when Minho had made a poorly concealed threat regarding your condition.

“Yes, it seems like some good has come out of this ridiculous farce,” you sighed, placing your hand gently over your tummy as you felt the slightest kick against your side. With that conversation, you could only hope that the worst of the nobles’ spite towards you and your blood would soon be over. 

Felix eyed you carefully in the silent walk back to the Royal Chambers, noting both your emotional and physical state, “Are you going to keep this from His Majesty?” He asked, afraid of overstepping his boundaries by prodding too much.

“Eventually, the truth will come out whether I want it to or not,” you said as you entered the private section of the palace, exhaustion laced in your words. Truthfully, if Minho had decided to call your bluff and attacked you earlier, it wouldn’t have been as easy as you’d made him believe it to be. You had your reputation as a powerful general back when you were a princess to thank for how successful your negotiations went.

“Still, I think I’ll keep it a secret...just for tonight,” you confided to Felix tiredly, turning to him with a weary smile, “He’s worried enough already, especially after earlier.”

Felix nodded, and you didn’t need to ask additionally to ensure secrecy. Felix was good about those things. He was a good confidante, and once again, you felt immensely grateful for his presence. 

He gave you a bow, practiced ease and gracefulness exuding from even the simplest of movements as he spoke softly, “Take care of yourself, Your Majesty.”

You couldn’t help but smile, reaching over and gently patting his head, a silent gesture of praise for the young knight who’d done so much for you, “I promise. Now go get some sleep. It’s quite late.”

Felix excused himself politely, and you took a deep breath, heading to the bedroom where your lover was probably waiting anxiously for your return.

.

As you’d expected, Hyunjin was almost beside himself when you walked into the room, his hands freezing from where they were pulling at the roots of his dark hair when he gasped, “Y/N, my love!” He rushed towards you, pulling you into his arms and sweeping you into a tight hug.

“Where have you been? I was worried sick! Changbin said that Felix was with you, so I trusted that nothing was wrong, but you were gone for so long and I thought—”

“Shh, my darling,” you cooed, letting his hands touch you fleetingly everywhere he could, your shoulders, your waist, your tummy, anything to let him know that you were once again safe in his arms.

You smiled, cupping his cheeks as you leaned close, “I’m alright. Everything’s alright. I just needed some air after what happened today, so I took a walk in the gardens. Felix was with me every step of the way.”

Hyunjin let out a sigh of both relief and frustration as he held your hand resting on his cheek, looking into your eyes, “Please don’t scare me like that again,” he whispered, “Not after what happened earlier.”

“Nothing happened, Hyunjin,” you said softly, your thumb lightly brushing his face as you comforted him, “I’m here, aren’t I, safe and sound?”

“Things could’ve turned out so much worse,” he pressed a fleeting kiss to your palm as he held your hand, “I had the liquid inspected. At this very moment, you could’ve been unconscious, fighting for your life, our child...gone,” his voice cracked ever so slightly as he palmed your stomach.

“But it didn’t happen like that,” you reassured him, eyes widening as you saw his own eyes glistening with unshed tears, “Oh, Hyunjin.”

Reaching forward, you wrapped your arms around his waist, burrowing in his chest as Hyunjin easily fell into your embrace, burying his face in your hair as he hugged you tightly. The room filled with the comfortable silence, and your conversation continued without the need for words.

I love you. I want you to be safe. Please don’t do anything dangerous. It was all translated through your touch and the warmth you gained from one another.

Hyunjin’s hugs were warm. They felt like hot chocolate on a cold winter day, like a summer breeze that swept you away. You felt safe just being in his arms, and soon, you let out a quiet yawn, nuzzling into his chest.

“Let me coddle you tonight,” he murmured, sensing you slumping forward in his chest as his fingers lightly massaged your scalp, “I know you don’t like it very much, but just for tonight, can I please take care of you?”

You couldn’t help but smile at his request. As much as Hyunjin liked to be cared for, by you in particular, his favorite hobby was to spoil you in any capacity that he knew how. He loved to lavish you with gifts, shower you with love, and to do every little thing to make you comfortable. You weren’t the person that liked to take advantage of this little trait of his, since you were never one for lavish gift giving nor were you ever given such attention before, but seeing how earnest he was, you decided to compromise, especially after all the worrying Hyunjin had probably gone through just waiting for you to return. 

“Of course,” you nodded, pressing a kiss to his lips, “Let’s get ready for bed.”

Hyunjin was carefully meticulous as he  undid the corset of your party dress, pulled out the pins that held your hair up, and delicately slipped the silk nightgown over your form, all the while trailing kisses wherever he could. You did the same for him, helping him out of his uniform as your lips connected with his.

“I was thinking,” you mumbled absently as Hyunjin kissed you with abandon, his hands nimbly undoing the braids in your hair, “We should go away, just us and Naeun.”

“Oh? Do tell me more,” Hyunjin replied with a soft smile, his lips trailing down to your jaw as you tried your hardest to remember what you were trying to say. What a little brat he was being.

You sucked in a gasp as you rolled your eyes, amused by his antics, “Let’s spend a week at the summer estate. Naeun needs space to run around, and both of us need a breather from our royal duties. You especially.”

Hyunjin groaned at your words, “You’re definitely right about that. But can we afford to leave, with all the chaos going around?” He asked, as he began to usher you to the bed, his arms looping around your legs as he ultimately decided to just carry you.

“H-hyunjin!” You squeaked, surprised by the sudden action as your arms wrapped around his neck. Your husband paid you no mind, carrying you to the bed before placing you down delicately. His eyes met yours and you touched his face, “I’m sure we can make time. We can delegate some of the less important work to some of the council members. If not, we can just work extra hard after to make up for lost time. We all need a break.”

“Your wish is my command, my Queen,” Hyunjin leaned forward, pecking your lips before walking around to crawl under the covers from his side of the bed, “I’ll start planning the details of the trip tomorrow. Deal?”

“Deal,” you smiled, snuggling into the covers and scooting closer to your husband as his hand absently shifted to rest on your tummy.

“It would be good for this little one, too. Just to experience what life outside this stuffy palace is like,” Hyunjin mumbled, his eyes already closing. He was no doubt exhausted from hosting the party and all the preparations before hand.

You felt your cheeks heat up as you giggled. Hyunjin always had a way of bringing the conversation back to the baby, “Yes, it'll be good for them, too,” you agreed softly as your eyes began to close as well. The day had been far too eventful for your liking, and you'd like at least one full night of rest before having to tell Hyunjin about your conversation with Minho.

Suddenly, your ears perked up at the sound of the bedroom door creaking open ever so slightly. Hyunjin reacted instantly, pulling you close as he sat up to see who had come in.

“Papa…? Mama…?”

Naeun’s sleepy voice was soft and almost inaudible, but Hyunjin let out a sigh, relaxing as he could make out the little figure of his daughter standing at the door.

“Naeun, what’s wrong?” He asked gently, beckoning her over to his side of the bed, “It’s way past your bedtime.”

“I-i—” The little girl rubbed her heavy eyes as she waddled over to her father as she began to whimper, “I had a bad dweam, P-papa.”

Hyunjin’s heart and yours simultaneously melted as a silent agreement passed between the two of you. The priority was no longer to get a good night's sleep; it was your daughter’s comfort.

“Oh, petal. Was it scary?” Hyunjin cooed, reaching down and easily picking her up, settling her in the large bed. He placed her right in the middle, and you rolled over to your side so you could gently wipe her tears.

Naeun nodded at his words, her lips curled in a trembling pout, “Scawy. C-couldn’t find Mama—a-and people saying that Papa was gone…” Her lip quivered again and she began to cry just from remembering the awful images that passed through her head.

“Shh, shh. Oh, dear,” Hyunjin quickly grabbed a spare handkerchief on the night stand beside his bed as you sat up, murmuring comforting words as you cupped Naeun's cheeks gently. 

“Naeun, my little princess,” you said softly, looking into her sparkling eyes as large crocodile tears rolled down her cheeks, “Mama and Papa are right here. We'll always be here for you, alright? No matter what happens, your Mama and Papa would never, ever abandon you like that.”

The little girl sniffled as Hyunjin wiped away her tears, smiling fondly, “Your mother said it best, petal. No matter what, we'll be here to support you, protect you, and love you until you've grown sick of our coddling.” 

Hyunjin couldn't help but add in a little teasing, booping her nose as he said, “Even after you grow sick of us, we'll still stick annoyingly close.”

Naeun scrunched her nose as she always did when hyunjin messed with her, and she frowned, “I won't ever get sick of Papa and Mama. Never!”

“Oh, one day, you'll take those words back,” you added playfully as you tickled Naeun's little tummy, making her squeal with delight and effectively drawing the nightmare out of her immediate thoughts. Hyunjin joined in, tag teaming your poor daughter until she was too exhausted to keep her eyes open. 

"Love Papa... Love Mama," Naeun mumbled sleepily as she curled into the warm blankets, beginning to fall asleep. You smiled at her words, pressing a kiss to her hair. 

"Mama and Papa love you more than anything else in the whole world," you reassured her, brushing the stray hairs out of her face, "Get some sleep, little one.  Nothing can hurt you here." 

Naeun mumbled in acknowledgment, and her little hands wrapped around Hyunjin’s pinky, making her father’s heart positively melt, “Papa...sing.”

“Sing?” He repeated, slightly flustered as he shifted to a more comfortable position, making sure that Naeun was still able to hold onto his pinky. 

“Mhm, Papa sing,” Naeun nodded as she curled up into a little ball, bringing Hyunjin's hand to her chest as she began to doze off on her own.

You couldn't help but giggle as you burrowed into the covers as well, wrapping a gentle around your daughter as you smiled up at Hyunjin, “Won't you honor a princess’s request?” You teased.

Hyunjin pouted at you, scrunching his nose much like how Naeun had done only minutes before, “But I'm the king,” he said petulantly, making Naeun giggle at his antics, “I can do whatever I want!”

“Well, your Queen is now requesting a song as well,” you said with an air of playful haughtiness as Naeun and you shared a conspiratorial glance.

“Oh dear,” Hyunjin ran a hand through his hair, “then, I believe I don't have a choice if my Queen and my Princess so insist.”

“You don't!” Naeun chirped in, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

Hyunjin let out a dramatic sigh before propping himself up against the headboard and pulling Naeun into his chest so she could rest comfortably in his arms. He didn't forget you, of course, and laced his fingers with yours as you decided not to move around as much, resting on your side of the bed as you held his hand.

The sound of soft-spoken singing wafted into your ears like a gentle breeze. Hyunjin, albeit not a professional in any way, always had a nice voice. It was the kind of voice that could lull you into relaxation, the kind of voice that soothed your unsettled heart. Before long, your eyes grew too heavy to keep open, and you drifted off to sleep with your hand wrapped around Hyunjin’s.

Hyunjin gazed down at his family as he slowly stopped singing, noticing that the two of you had fallen asleep. Without the prying eyes of the world boring down on him, he could finally drop his guard and his cold exterior to fully admire the two people he loved, the little girl in his arms that he treasured so dearly and you, the love of his life that showed him what it truly meant to have a soulmate, a person to confide in wholeheartedly. 

It was his little personal heaven, just to see the two of you sleeping safe and sound, to lie in bed with both his daughter and his wife just at arm's reach. He savored it as much as he could, squeezing your hand once more before putting down himself, pulling the warm covers higher over Naeun to keep her healthy. And not for the first time, Hyunjin wistfully dreamed of a life where he was not the king, where he could be a simple man, only tasked to provide and love his family. 

Hyunjin knew he would be asking for too much. He knew what the two of you had promised to those that had put their faith in your hands. You'd promised to protect them, to wear the crown and carry the burdens of your kingdom, no matter how bruised, bloodied or battered the journey made you. 

But as he stared down at your peaceful expression, your lips slightly parted and your eyes fluttered shut, he couldn't help but remember the terror he felt just hours before, the all consuming fear that you would disappear from his life. And for the first time, Hyunjin was at a loss, facing a crossroad that—in the naivety of his youth—he never thought he’d encounter.

If he had to choose between you or his country, what would he do? If he had to protect the integrity of his kingdom and sacrifice Naeun, would he be able to do it? Before you came along, Hyunjin cared about nothing but his work, his duty. But now, he had a family that he'd do anything to protect.

At the party, Hyunjin felt anger like he'd never felt before in his life. It was more than fury, it was pure rage. He would've been willing to lock the doors and interrogate every single person present in the banquet hall if you hadn't calmed him down. He didn't want to become a king like that, he didn't want to become a ruler than put his own needs and his family’s needs before everything else. 

But if he lost you, if he lost Naeun, if he lost his unborn child, his whole world would shatter. It was almost terrifying how much the past five years had changed him. 

“Hyunjin,” his eyes flew open as he suddenly felt your thumb brush against the back of your hand. Turning his head, he realized that you had woken up, your eyes gazing at him with a mixture of sympathy and love that Hyunjin wanted to drown in.

“You're thinking too much again,” you murmured sleepily, playing absently with his fingers without jostling Naeun, “At this point, you'll have wrinkles before you're even middle aged.”

The king couldn't help but chuckle at your little quip, pressing a kiss to your hand, “I'm sorry, my love. Did I wake you?”

“No, I woke up on my own,” you reassured him, “But I'm glad I did. What's wrong, darling?”

Hyunjin bit his lip, hesitating for a moment. He shouldn't bother you with his feelings, not when you already had to worry about yourself on top of the baby you were carrying. 

“Hyunjin,” you murmured his name once more, and he felt his body shudder at how sweet, how loving you sounded, “You can tell me anything.” 

It was the only gentle nudge he needed.

“I'm worried about this,” Hyunjin said softly, “Our family. I can't stop worrying. I didn't know about the poison, even though all the food and drinks were inspected. When will it ever be enough?”

You squeezed his hand, “You're putting too much responsibility on yourself. The family’s safety is not your burden to bear alone, it is for us to share.”

Hyunjin nodded, “I know,” he sighed, running a hand through his midnight hair, “I know, Y/N. But I just wish I could do more.”

“You do more than enough for us, darling,” you reassured him, “You do more than any king would do for their families. It's alright, Hyunjin. You're doing so well.”

“I am?” Hyunjin sucked in a breath, placing your hand on his cheek as he closed his eyes, revelling in your words and your presence. 

“You are.”

These were not honey coated words to soothe a monarch and appease his temper. You meant them more than you could ever express. You knew Hyunjin was trying his best. You knew Hyunjin was most likely protecting you from forces that you weren't even aware of, just like the way you'd dealt with Minho just earlier. 

“I found out who did it, by the way,” you mumbled, figuring that this felt like the right time to tell him in hopes that Hyunjin might sleep better knowing that the problem was dealt with.

There was a moment of deathly silence before Hyunjin uttered a single word, "Who?" 

You sighed. Maybe this wasn't the best idea after all, especially since your daughter was soundly sleeping in the space between the both of you, "Promise that you won't do anything rash right now." 

"You're asking me not to do anything rash when I find out who tried to murder my unborn child and harm my wife?" Hyunjin asked in disbelief. 

“I'm asking you not to overreact now while your daughter is sleeping," you hissed back, "I handled it for the time being." 

Hyunjin let out a frustrated sigh, "Alright, you win. You have my word,” he said, lacing his fingers with yours.

You bit your lip, wondering if it would just be easier to be completely honest or to ease into it gently. After a moment of consideration, you decided on the former. 

“It’s Minho.”

Hyunjin reacted without thinking, feeling the rage run through his veins once again as he began to sit up, “That bastard--”

As he shifted aggressively, Naeun whined in her sleep, beginning to squirm. You wrapped your arm around her body as your other hand grabbed Hyunjin’s sleeve, “You promised!”

Hyunjin’s steeled eyes softened as he looked down at the little girl beside him, and he slumped back on the bed, pressed a kiss to her forehead and rubbing her back, helping soothe her back to a deep sleep, “I should’ve gotten rid of him earlier. I knew he disliked your presence, but I thought--I thought he’d be able to see past the differences.”

“As did I,” you admitted, running your fingers gently through Naeun’s hair as her whimpers stopped and slowly went back to soft breaths, “but it seems like he disappointed both of us.” 

The king sighed tiredly, feeling the rest of his fiery hot anger dissipate as he turned to lie on his side, his eyes trained on Naeun as he made sure she was asleep, “You said you handled it. Let me guess, it was when you ‘went for a walk.’” 

“You know me too well,” Flicking his forehead playfully, you couldn’t help but smile, “Yes, we had a quick conversation as I was walking back to the chambers. I don’t believe he will try it again any time soon.”

“I would ask what you told him, but I almost don’t want to know,” Hyunjin said with a hint of a smile as he closed his eyes, “My wife can be very scary when she wants to be.”

You shrugged, stroking his cheek fondly for a moment longer before pulling your hand away and lying back down, “I’m the same as you, Jinnie. Anything to protect this family we’ve created.”

Hyunjin hummed in agreement, his long arm draping over to wrap around both you and Naeun, “Anything. But for now, let’s sleep. Thank you, Y/N.”

“Whatever for?” You asked curiously, unsure of what Hyunjin was thinking about in that little head of his. 

“For being here. For loving me. For everything you do,” he mumbled, already beginning to fall asleep    as his words began to slur. Your heart felt warm and fluttery as you smiled, patting the back of his hand as you mumbled your sleepy reply.

“I’ll always be here for you, Jinnie. You’re not alone anymore.”

Hyunjin cracked a smile at that, and hugged you and Naeun ever so slightly tighter in his arms. You were right. He wasn’t alone anymore. He had you and Naeun, whom he loved with every fiber of his being. He had Changbin and Felix, who were slowly becoming less like guards and more like their surrogate family. 

And for all those reasons, Hwang Hyunjin fell asleep considering himself quite lucky. 

#stray kids scenarios #stray kids reactions #stray kids imagines #stray kids blurbs #skz x reader #skz x y/n #skz oneshots #hwang hyunjin imagine #hwang hyunjin scenarios #hwang hyunjin blurbs #hwang hyunjin oneshot #skz scenarios #skz imagines

[jenomark]

➔Pairing: Camboy!Haechan x Reader (Female) ➔Other Members/ Characters: Renjun + Jeno + Jaemin ➔Genre: Smut ➔Warnings: Penetration (F) | Masturbation (M) | Oral (F+M) | Voyeurism | Sex with animal masquerade-like masks (foxes) ➔Word count: 4,069

➔Summary: You’re going to fuck popular CamBoy! Haechan for the very first time. Will your nerves get the best of you? 

  The mask he wore protecting his identity looked like a fox face. White and glittery, with ears and a small nose, it hid half of his handsome face. It sat flush against his cheek, not even sweat daring to move it. He had worn it many times, and each time, you would count the crystals adorning the mask.

  You observed his shirtless body from across the room with interest. His body was lightly toned, the little moles on his stomach making you want to connect the dots with your tongue. He wore belted suit paints and nothing else. Even half-dressed, he looked more put together than you ever would.

“Can I get you anything else?” he asked.

  You had never worked with him before. As far as you could tell, he was a true professional. When you arrived, he asked if you had eaten. He gave you a drink before you could decline, and when you asked him where the bathroom was, he guided you with his hand hovering over your back. Easy on the eyes and a voice so silky soft, it was hard not to fall for his charm.  

“I don’t think so,” you said. “I’m pretty satisfied.” 

  You looked down at your white silk lingerie. Having watched his work before, you purposely purchased it to match his mask. You looked innocent, maybe a little naive while wearing it. It was the opposite of how you were feeling, as you devoured him with your eyes. You had been in the sex industry for awhile, so you were well aware of the rules, and how not to break them. You were polite and engaging, respectful and eager to learn, but you really wanted to have him.

“We can start in a few minutes, if you like?” he asked.

You nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Around the room were cameras facing a lone bed that sat in the middle of the floor. Studio lights lit up the space, with fairy lights hanging from the ceiling to soften the mood when the need called for it. Various chains hung from the headboard. There was a chest of toys by the side of the bed. He worked frequently in that very room. You knew because you had watched his cam to learn what he liked. You would log on anonymously, at first. Once a healthy repertoire was built between you, you came out of your shell. He asked if you would like to work with him, and you jumped at the chance. You enjoyed sex work, but you only agreed because you had a small crush on him. 

“Haechan?” you asked, jumping up from your seat. “I forgot. Are we having sex with the condom, or without? I’m okay with either. I’ve been tested, and I’m on contraceptives.”

  Haechan was buttoning up his suit shirt, the small white buttons slipping from his fingertips. He licked the corner of his mouth, as he was thinking. You knew he was also regularly tested. He had to in order to continue fucking all of his girls. Suddenly, and you didn’t know why, you began to feel nervous. You pulled down the lingerie so it covered your thong. Your cleavage was made obvious, but the gentleman in Haechan did not look. You were afraid he wouldn’t like you as well as he liked the others, afraid that you didn’t check all of the boxes. 

“We can see where the mood takes us?” he suggested.

“Alright,” you said. “I’m okay with that.” 

  You sat back down and watched him finish getting ready. You began to feel a little like an amateur, and cursed yourself that it was so easy to feel anxious around him. He really was so handsome. The suit he wore was tailored to his body perfectly, and the way the pants hugged his ass made you crane your neck to get a better look.

“You’re tense.” he said.

“What? I am?”

  He crossed the room and took a seat next to you, his thigh touching yours. When you worked with other men, they didn’t bother talking to you until the cameras were rolling. With Haechan, since you had walked through his door, he had done nothing but make you feel comfortable.

“Are you okay with shooting today?” he asked.

“I am,” you said. “Do I not look okay?”

  He smiled, bringing out the boyish appeal that raked him in lots of money. For a brief second, he removed the mask so you could see his face. His eyes were soft and kind, his cheeks full and fed. He tried joking with you to loosen you up, but every time he nudged you, you could feel your timidness returning. Haechan took your hand and held it, rubbing his thumb over the back of it to soothe you.

“Is it me? Are you nervous because of me?” he asked. He gestured to everything in the room with a wave of his hand. “Does all of this scare you?”

  You were going to lie through your teeth, but you didn’t want to do that to him. Instead, you nodded and told him it was because you found him so irresistible. You didn’t know if you could compare to the women he’d been with previously. You riddled him with compliments about how sexy he was, and how each woman he was with left the room feeling changed.

“You give me too much credit,” he said. “They leave me just as breathless. I’ve seen your work and-”

“-you have?” you interrupted, unable to keep the surprise from your voice.

  Haechan touched his fingers to your chin. You felt lost in his eyes. When he leaned in close to kiss you, you felt like you were being hypnotized. His lips were soft, and you never wanted to stop kissing them. He pulled away before you could slip your tongue inside of his mouth. 

“I promise you,” Haechan began. “I want to fuck you as much as you want to fuck me.”

   A lot went into being a successful cam boy. Your set-up was small and intimate. You often did solo cams where you masturbated with toys. Sometimes, you did non-sexual things for money. It was always different, but it always had the same chill vibe.  It was always just you, a camera, and your legs spread wide. But Haechan put all of your work to shame. After the third person came in and out of the room to check something, you realized they were there to stay. 

“What do you think?” he asked. “Do you like it?”

“I like it,” you said. “It’s interesting. It looks like a lot of work.” 

  While talking about the details of the set-up, three people came over that Haechan wanted to introduce to you. You had seen Jaemin around at different parties, but meeting him while you were half-naked made you feel shy. You shook hands with him and greeted him, careful to avoid a lot of eye contact. 

“And this is Jeno,” Haechan said, pointing at his handsome friend. “And lastly, Renjun. All three of them help me make this what it is. They stay in the room while we perform, but if you’re not comfortable, I will ask them to look away.”

“Will they be on camera?” you asked. “Can the viewers see them?”

“Absolutely not.” Jaemin said. 

Renjun laughed. “No one wants to see my body.”

You looked at Renjun and winked. “I wouldn’t mind seeing your body. “

  Haechan, Jeno, and Jaemin laughed when Renjun became flustered. The mood was lightened a little bit, and after that, you didn’t mind so much that they were in the room with you. 

  You looked around, while the rest of the set-up was being finished, placing your wrist in and out of a pair of handcuffs, and not caring if your ass was hanging out of the lingerie.

“Are you ready?” Haechan asked, touching your elbow.

“Yes.”

  From beside him, Haechan pulled his arm up to reveal another fox mask in the color blue. It was prettier, the crystals shining more brightly. He fixed it to your face, taking extra care not to mess up your make-up or hair. When he was done, the kiss he left on your lips was faint. Your nerves seemed to dissipate even more with the attention Haechan paid to you, but it still wasn’t enough. You were feeling like something wasn’t quite complete.

“Wait,” you said. “Can I do something first?”

  Curious, Haechan nodded. You went over to Jeno, Jaemin and Renjun who were standing in the corner of the room, each boy at their respective post. Everything had been set up, and there was little need for them to observe the scene in its entirety.  You grabbed blindfolds from a nearby table and tied them around each boy's eyes so that they couldn’t see. Jeno licked his lips in anticipation, Jaemin instinctively reached out in front of him, and Renjun smiled mischievously, which was more than you thought he would do. When you were done, each of them looked to where they thought you were.

“You can hear,” you said. “But you don’t get to see. You can only take the blindfold off when you’re turned on.”

  You backed away until you were in Haechan’s arms. He came behind you and hugged you, his arms around your neck. You were scared that your plan would backfire, that each boy wouldn’t be able to do their job without being able to see, or that none of them would remove the blindfold. When Renjun reached for the camera button with ease, you knew things would be just fine.

“Going live on air in three counts,” Renjun said. “One-”

  Jeno double checked the lights, calling out to Haechan for approval. Jaemin checked the audio, and gave a thumbs up when he realized the sound worked fine.

“-Two”

  Before Renjun said three, Haechan spun you around and looked into your eyes. “Trust me,” he said. “And I’ll trust you.”

“-Three.”

  Just like that, you were live, and hundreds of people were watching you. As soon as Renjun said the word, Haechan had snapped into his role. There were no more kind eyes, no more soft touches. He pushed you back onto the bed. You fell hard and crawled backwards as he crawled forward on his knees, his fox mask bearing down on you. His shirt buttons were popping open from the strain of his chest, little keyholes revealing his skin. Haechan caught your left wrist in his hands, as you tried to get away, and took the soft cuffs, restraining you against the headboard. You reached out and touched the right cuff, pulling yourself up into a sitting position. Haechan cocked his head, his fox nose pointing in another direction.

  Instead of speaking, he stood up on the bed, bending his knees so his crotch was level with your face. He unzipped and unbelted his suit pants, taking his soft cock out of his pants. You made eye contact with his member, your eyes hungrily taking him in. With your free hand, you reached out to rouse him, but Haechan restrained you. You made eye contact with him before facing his twitching cock slowly coming to life. You had seen it on camera many times, but up close, it was so pretty it made your mouth water. Haechan took a handful of your hair and yanked your head back, the pain from your scalp making you yelp. He moved forward and put his balls near your lips. You opened your mouth and sucked them gently, rolling your tongue around the delicate skin. All you could see was the darkness of his cock resting on top of your fox mask and messing up your vision. Before you were done pleasuring him, Haechan took his balls out of your mouth. His cock was half-hard, the tip staring you down. He rested his cock head against your bottom lip, but as you opened your mouth to lick him, he pulled himself away.

 The torture of watching Haechan zip his cock away made you pull against the restraints. You could feel how badly your body wanted him. Your nipples were hard, your pussy throbbing, and your toes were curling with the foreseeable future of finally getting to use his cock. 

“What should I do next?” Haechan asked, making his voice a little deeper than it naturally was. “Should I finger you? Work you up until you’re finally ready to orgasm, and then take it away? Should I leave love bites all over your body? Tear that pretty lingerie and masturbate over your chest? There are so many options.”

“All of the above.” you said, your own voice sounding unfamiliar. 

  Haechan pushed himself swiftly off the bed. He went to the camera and looked into it, a smile on his face. Since Renjun couldn’t see, Haechan angled the camera himself. The puckered kiss he gave the viewers was felt all over your body. When he came back over, he grabbed your left ankle and yanked your body until you were laying down fully, your feet nearing the edge of the bed. He used restraints on you so that you were spread across its face and fully restrained on all four corners. The silky white triangle that protected your modesty was seen as your lingerie lifted to reveal your bare stomach and the hickey that was already there.

“Who did this?” Haechan asked. 

  He touched his fingers over the fading purple mark. Your skin tingled, and you squirmed away from his touch. You tried clamping your legs shut, but the restraints made it so you couldn’t even lift up your legs from the bed. Haechan had you exactly where he could do anything to you. 

“Not you.” you said.

  Haechan let his fingers linger before hooking them underneath the triangle fabric and peering inside. You were freshly waxed, and as he pushed the back of his fingers against you to spread your lips, you were very wet. 

“Mmm,” Haechan moaned. “Watch your mouth.”

  He took his hand out of your thong from that angle and moved them to the side to reveal your whole pussy. You were aware of the hot lights and how they made your skin glisten with sweat. Being vulnerable made you feel so sensitive to his touch. Just a slight brush against your clit wouldn’t normally make you shudder, but you couldn’t stop it before it happened. He liked the way you jerked. It brought a smile to his lips, his fox mask seeming just as sly. 

“Do you like this?” he asked.

  His fingers were inside of you, pushing into you, again and again. You squeezed the restraints and raised your hips as much as they would allow. You wanted to move yourself down, to fuck yourself on his fingers, but every time you tried, he pulled back. Haechan got as much of your juices as he could on his fingers before bringing them to your lips. You sucked on his fingers with the same kind of ferocity as when you had his balls on your tongue.

“I like it.” he said.

  Leaning over, he swirled his tongue over you and kissed your clit. His fingers found their way inside you once more, but they didn’t let up. He fingered you, his eyes watching as your body misbehaved. He had no plans on being lenient. He fucked you with them, crooking his fingers to get at your g-spot, alternating between coming out to rub your clit until you couldn’t take it anymore. Every time you felt like you would orgasm, he stopped and looked off camera like he was bored. He took a vibrator from the chest, but the feeling of him pressing it against you and then lessening the pressure drove you crazy.

“Please.” you begged. You didn’t like the way your clit pulsated when he wasn’t touching you. You needed to feel his rough fingertips on you again, needed him to finish the job.

“Please what?” he asked.

  He went in on you again, one hand inside of you, and one hand holding the vibrator to your clit full-on. Your legs were shaking, your body nearly convulsing. You held your head back and moaned, hoping the sound wouldn’t be too loud on the viewers end. After everything, you felt yourself squirt, bursting like a water balloon.

“Wow,” Haechan said. “First time I had that happen.”

  He looked down at his soaked hand and felt pleased with himself. You, on the other hand, felt embarrassed. Before you could wallow in the feeling, he cleaned you both up and stripped the sheets from underneath you. The move was sexy and swift.

“How about I give you a little break.” Haechan said, his voice getting softer.

  He climbed onto the bed and took off the restraints around your ankles. He rubbed the marks they left behind. Your first instinct was to close your legs, but he moved between them to kiss your thighs. He threw your calves over his shoulders and kissed all around your pussy, his supple lips barely wet and avoiding your delicate clit. He used his hands to hold your waist in place while he moved up your stomach to kiss you, the fox mask scratching against your skin. The higher he went, the rougher his mouth got. He pulled the lingerie up your body until your breasts were revealed. You watched him leave hickeys on your skin, the marks taking awhile to show, but his ambition never letting up.

“Darker,” you said. “I want to see them for a long time.”

  His eyes were focused, his body moving up yours to give you your wish. You could feel his hard cock against your thigh at the same time his lips were on your neck. You couldn’t see them, but you knew he was leaving little marks all over you. You looked to the side to watch Jeno, Jaemin and Renjun. You had forgotten they were there. Jeno was looking in your direction intently, his blindfold still in place, and his hands in his lap. Jaemin was sitting down and fidgeting with the sound, his back straight and tense. Renjun’s blindfold was on the floor, his cock in his hand. He watched you watching him fuck his fist, and he didn’t care.

“Next,” you said. “Masturbate for me, Haechan. I want to feel your cum on me.”

  Haechan lifted his head up. Your face was burning where the fox mask had scratched against it. Haechan noticed and gave you sweet kisses before kissing your mouth. He finally gave you his tongue, the saltiness from your sweaty body the main flavor. He got up off the bed and walked around the room to rev himself up. He looked into the camera and suggestively licked his fingers clean. Next, the suit jacket came off because he was hot and his back was sweaty. He unbuttoned what buttons were still together, and let his chest free. He looked different than the man who met with you earlier.

“I’m waiting.” you said.

“That mouth,” Haechan laughed. “Will get you into trouble.”

  He crawled back onto the bed on his knees and made his way over to you. He touched the silk of your lingerie gently before bunching it in his fists and tearing it open, straight down the middle. His cock was in his hands, and he was rock hard as he stroked himself, his adrenaline pumping through his veins.

“Come on,” you said. “Hurry up. I’m impatient.”

  You urging him to move faster made him stroke himself lightning fast, like he would do if he were alone and in need of a quickie. Haechan only slowed down the stroke to throw his leg over you and use your stomach to rub against. He came against your skin, his cum spurting up around your breasts. He came quietly, a few grunts as he did, with his cock still moving against you.

“No condom,” you said. “Fuck me now, Haechan.”

  Your legs were glued together, underneath his body. As he was straddling you, he only had to move back a little bit. You knew he would be ready. You had watched him before and knew he didn’t need much time to recover. Haechan ripped the string of the thong and pushed the fabric out of the way. Since your pussy was closed tight, it was difficult for him to push himself inside of you, but when he did, the feeling was much different than what you were used to. He fucked you with your legs closed, the friction of your thick thighs squeezing his shaft and making him roll his eyes back. You let him do what he wanted to do to your body because you couldn’t touch him, but you were driven by the prospect of getting to fuck him the way you wanted to. You came first, your pussy already so sensitive. 

“Your turn,” you said. “Don’t you want to come inside of me? Keep thrusting, baby, keep going.”

  Haechan kept thrusting for a few moments before shucking off his shirt and shifting positions. Your legs were open and free, but he wasn’t done with you. With his cock still in you, he sat back on his knees and lifted your body up until your back was arched and you were in mid-air. He held you from underneath as he kept fucking you, bouncing your body on his cock. When he came, he slowed down, easing you back down onto the bed.

“Now,” Haechan said, trying to collect his breath. “We have fun.”

  He let you out of your restraints. You launched yourself at him, and he caught you, laughing as you tackled him. You could feel your fox mask slipping off so you just removed it and threw it across the room. The look in your eyes must have looked feral. Haechan’s eyes widened in shock before he ditched his own mask, his look matching yours.

“No. Now, they can see how pretty your face looks when you come.” you said.

  Your lips were wrapped around his cock. You were sucking him with two thoughts in your mind: You wanted to get him back for overstimulating you, and you wanted to suck him dry. Every time you went up,  you took him out of your mouth and waited five seconds. The count was agonizingly slow. Haechan was moaning and breathing heavily, but he let you take it out on him as much as you wanted. It took him a long time to come a third time, since his body was so spent. You sucked him, not really caring if you had the privilege of swallowing him or not. You only wanted to make him feel good, to give him your hands and mouth like he gave you his.

“Can you handle it?” you asked, smirking that you had to ask.

  Briefly, you could see the real Haechan peering up at you with admiration. He smiled and touched his hand down the front of your body before helping his cock inside of you. You rode him, taking the time to look back at the camera as you did. You felt liberated riding him, felt the way all attention was on your body as you took his cock. All four boys had their eyes on you, waiting, watching. The blindfolds were all ditched, and so were the nerves. You turned around to ride Haechan in reverse, leaning down to hold his ankles so he would get a good view of your ass, and you could get a better view of Renjun coming all over his knuckles. You were hoping the viewers would get a good look at the way Haechan’s cock disappeared inside of you, or at all of the marks he had left on your skin.

“One last time.” Haechan said. 

  For the last position, Haechan had you on your knees so that he could fuck you from behind. You were having a hard time holding yourself up, but you moved back to meet his cock without complaint. You rested your head down, crossed your arms and placed your chin on top of them. Haechan grabbed your ass and drilled himself inside of you, the feeling deep and full. Before he was getting ready to come, you looked into the camera lens and grinned.

#haechan #haechan smut #lee haechan #donghyuck #lee donghyuck #nct smut #donghyuck smut #lee donghyuck smut #nct 127 #nct dream #renjun #jeno #jaemin #nct fanfiction #haechan fanfiction #donghyuck fanfiction

[musicallisto]

🍨Vanilla milkshake please! And congrats girl! That's so awesome!

For Narnia please!

Always thought I was a IxFJ but someone typed me as recently as a INFP and I'm still shook over it cause that might be it?

Im super duper shy but extremely bubbly and energetic when I do talk. I'm get like super passionate about things and excited about everything and accidently get too loud sometimes. Or, when it comes to school and work I dont talk at all. I can be super Type A though. Queen of researching things before going places/doing things. Really bad with starting conversations and thinking of things to say. Super innocent. I'm annoyingly empathetic, often over little things like someone getting their feelings hurt. Extroverted introvert, I like to be included and go out and LOVE adventures and taking chances but I NEED my alone time to recharge. I get super intimated by guys, especially ones I like/think are cute. I get left out a lot but also create fun for myself and not afraid to go to places alone and have a great time. Always worried about being rejected. Overly sensitive. I also think everyone always hates me secretly. I have tons of ambition and passion and am super sweet. Can always find a positive in any situation. I can be super over sensitive tho. I can be super intense sometimes and steam roll but it's because I'm super passionate. I get excited about any and everything. Both a kid at heart and an old soul. If you have seen The Middle, I am literally Sue Heck and Leslie Knope from Parks and Rec.Physical touch is my love language (words of affirmation a close second tho), tho I'm often shy to initiate it.

I am love to smile and laugh, I find pretty much anything that is slightly amusing super funny and will laugh.

Thanks so much girl! Have a great day/night!

hi! thank you so much for your compliments! I hope you enjoy your vanilla milkshake - a royal milkshake, if I may, given that you’ll share it with none other than high king peter the magnificent...

Or rather, when you met him, just Peter Pevensie, the boy who had come to live with his siblings in your neighbor’s immense mansion.

You loved your life in the country - it was peaceful and you enjoyed incredible mornings, with the sky turning every color of the rainbow, all for you to see... but sometimes, it did get a little lonely, especially with your father off to the war, and no other children to spend your afternoons with.

So, despite the rather grim circumstances that led the Pevensies to move to the old Professor’s countryhouse, on the land right opposite yours, you were pretty glad that you finally had a few friends.

Well, that you had the possibility to have friends, because living in isolation and homeschooled did not help your social skills and timidity. You were too scared to make the first move and ask if you could play with them... so you just climbed the trees that bordered both properties, and observed them from afar, not knowing how to make your presence known.

Until Peter noticed you perched atop your branch, with your summer dress and little bow in your hair. His eldest brother instincts kicked in at first and he observed you with defiance, but when he saw how red your cheeks turned, he understood that all you wanted was a playmate.

(And you were pretty, but he never would have admitted that, especially not in front of his siblings. He was the eldest! He had a responsiblity!)

“What’s your name?”

“M-Meredith.”

“Do you want to play with us?”

“Y-Yes, I’d love that!”

Then began the best summer of your life. Every morning, after breakfast, you ran to the Pevensies’ property and spent all life playing tag, football, and blind’s man buff... though your favorite was hide and seek, especially inside the gigantic mansion.

Though its dark corners scared you a little bit, so you often hid with Peter. He held your hand saying that he would protect you, but in reality it was but a clever excuse to feel your soft fingers in his.

It was during one of these hide and seek games that you heard your new friends’ tutor screaming out of her mind from somewhere in the distance... that you all fled and took refuge in the age-old wardrobe, and got propulsed into the world of Narnia.

You handled the whole situation pretty well, all things considered. Your optimism and determination was definitely a huge motivation and driving force for the Pevensie siblings; when they felt like giving up, especially when Edmund was held by the White Witch, you were always there to lift their spirits up.

Even after Aslan’s demise, and when everyone seemed lost and you were scared out of your mind that you would lose Peter or Edmund on the battlefield, you remained hopeful, and held Peter’s hand all throughout the night before the battle.

Holding hands had become your love language, a discreet but unmistakable form of affection and a way to reassure the other that you were there and you would never go away. You kept the habit long after Peter was crowned High King of Narnia...

... and, years later, you were crowned too, as his Queen consort.

It had always been a foregone conclusion in his mind, from the moment he had laid eyes on you in that tree, so much so that he hadn’t even really wondered if he should ask you. Whenever he imagined his future, it was always as a protector of Narnia, a humble servant of Aslan, and entirely devoted to you, to your happiness and wellbeing. He always knew he’d find a way to spend forever with you - and forever in Narnia, as your King, didn’t sound half-bad.

Peter obviously loves himself a good adventure, and there’s so much to discover in the immense world of Narnia; and unless it is exceptionally dangerous, or his sole presence is requested, he always brings you with him on his travels. It allows the two of you to not be separated, but, first and foremost, he loves the spark of enthusiasm and happiness you always carry with you, especially on journeys.

But if you’re really drained after a long day of adventures, he’ll be more than happy to give you time alone to recharge; or, if you are at the castle, you’ll take a stroll in the gardens of Cair Paravel, away from all the kingly responsibilities and duties. Not that he doesn’t enjoy being in charge, but sometimes he needs to take a breather as well, and your company is the best for that.

He’ll drape an arm around your shoulder as you gush about the last novel you’ve read, or your archery practice with Susan, and he listens attentively; then, when you’re not looking, he’ll pluck a flower from a nearby bush and nest it in your hair.

Then you’ll both grin and blush just a little bit, because you’re both softies at heart, even after all the battles and feasts.

That’s why you work so well together, in a way.

800 follower sleepover

#captainshazamerica #800sleepover #ship request #narnia #narnia ship #peter pevensie #peter pevensie x reader #peter pevensie imagine #peter pevensie headcanons #narnia headcanons

[itstheendofthegoddamnworld]

Skin-Walker/Nature Spirit Boyfriend: Daithi 2

I felt guilty last time when the first part ended with the death of a character (spoiler) so, I thought I would add more to it and try and bring a happier ending to it all. I hope you enjoy it.

Themes: death and mortality, moving on, all that depressing stuff.

Genderless reader x Male monster 

PART 1 

Can’t Pretend Part 2 

Skin supple once had aged like curdled milk, the roots of old flowers had brought them to the weeds, just like those and their faces you knew that grew up in their stages – growing then thriving then leaving - all the same, except you were the exception.

Life had been too cruel enough to make you stay to watch everyone leave around you, even when you hadn’t needed them a very long time ago.

Your child first, your womb had quickened into dust and quicksand, the bane of your existence to have a child with your husband and to thrive as a family was taken from you the first and last time; your womb a crypt for your babe that never made it out.

Your husband was next to leave: from when growing old together had brought the good and bad of memories, he was too frail to the end of it all, his lovely trinkets and fishing pole still left on the mantle where he had left it from his youth; the wedding present he had given.

Your days in matrimonial to Erik were sincere and fond, the bricks you both laid one by one to build a foundation of trust had stayed sturdy and upright after he left, the very existence of your home was an example of it all. Even during the building of your marriage, you found yourself thinking to your youth: to the times of thinking you were not desirable, more so now just cursed than lucky to outlive everyone.

Daithi… you thought of him a lot.

You awoke with your bone old and frail as usual, the heartfelt soreness made up for how you wrapped in bundles to fend off the eternal colds of the seasons, leaving with little more than a cane to get you out of your door. 

The nature surrounding you hadn’t changed, the people had – in the youthful children running around to young lovers - you kept yourself happy in the best ways as possible, even when everything felt futile.

You tottered but got around as best as you could even in the prime of age, your cane helpful to help you go to the clearing you had gone to many times before. Every day, without fail. 

The soil was cold but crunched with each step you took, the path had been covered over in snow and moss as you crossed the small river with its rickety old bridge you had seen built 3 decades ago. And still, no-one had repaired it.

Your head craned upwards suddenly when you heard a caw above your head just to see fly past two crows in a loving pairing, fly to their nest to feed their young. You frowned, your hopes too high once more.

You continued onward, ignoring all signs of what you wanted in it being him, staggering up the hill to reach the top, where the air was at its coldest and you were wheezing and cold.

“Even now, you would love how nothing has changed, Daithi.” You hummed to yourself, onlooking the rows of small stone huts that had been once made of straw and little else, the coal and fires that burnt out and danced above the treeline whilst you looked onward at the large lake.

“Do you remember Dalia? Well, she had her babes in the frail spring. Two boys, bright as rain and bold as fire. She says they always go out into these woods to climb the trees.” You laughed to yourself in thought, “I’d imagine you would give them a good scolding.”

You listened to how the air calmed and surrounded you as one as you leant over a lovely yet old oak tree, as old as you had been or even older, onlooking the view. “I always imagined what it would be like… the other side. How morbid, I know, but… even if it’s cold and lonely, I think—I’d like to think I’m ready.” You rubbed your slender fingers to keep the warmth as best as you could, wincing at the pain in your joints.

“What is it like, Daithi? Is it different for you or do you have all walks of life with you?” You found yourself here to think and pray, pray to any old cold God that was out there to hear your prayers, making you believe that your wishes were all for your own misery.

“I don’t even know if I will ever see you again, or Erik or mother. But that’s okay—I think, I’d like to believe that there is peace out there, away from all of this, and that you are all happy.” The cold nipped harder at your skin, leaving you practically shivering with little to no fibre in your body allowing you to move.

“Will these same cruel Gods be kind enough to give me closure? Is my time now, I wonder?” You closed your eyes, thinking back to the days of youth and skin supple and your legs carrying you long and far enough that you didn’t grow so tired.

You had been 10 when you remembered the distant memory: under a willow tree that wept tears with you, hiding you with its billowing leaves and branches, you cried that day over something so feebly that the other children had laughed over, leaving you to run as far off as you could away from your village that day – in hopes of running away altogether.

‘You know, if you had stayed five seconds longer, you would’ve witnessed a small crow threaten them all.’

Your head rose swiftly when you met the comforting smile and light eyes of the skin-walker, ‘Daithi!’ You beamed tears of silver that leaked down your face as you leapt into his arms, his long strong ones wrapping around your sturdily and protectively, never seeming to want to let you go.

‘You gave me quite the scare, little one,’ you breathed in his scent as he gently spoke to you, calming you down quickly, ‘I was worried about you.’ He inspected you of any wounds, except for a few scratches and bruises.

‘Did you do that for me? Did you scare them off for me?’ You whimpered whilst you dried your tears. Daithi seemed to be taken back by your question as if you didn’t believe his words at all. “My dear, I would risk my own life to save you, you know that, don’t you?’

You nodded innocently, not realising his words would seemingly come true. Did you risk your own life for me, Daithi? Why? You could still be living and breathing now, young and never ageing for aeons.

“Daithi, oh, Daithi, how I miss you.” The tears like that day fell down your wrinkly cheeks thickly, dribbling down your chin and dampening your shawl. “Life has been so cruel, and you were taken from me before I had the chance to love you truly. I miss you so.”

By the time you realised, the wind had stilled and there was no cold nor bite that stung your skin when you had been freezing earlier – in fact, you couldn’t feel anything at all. It wasn’t terrifying nor scary, but soothing and calming, as if you had been reunited with an old friend.

When you lifted your head in reaction and realisation to this, the sky had changed in colours, as if you had been up the hill all day, now a sky full of lavender and pink, milky clouds littering the sky in wonder and amazement.

Out of the corner of your eye, a lone ink-black feather floating to land just at the heel of your foot, drifting away in the thin air.

There, in the distance, the faint sound of a bird’s wings fluttering in the distance, a shriek of a caw echoing along the buoyant trees.

“Little one?” You turned your head abruptly, feeling no pain if you had done so earlier, your body picking yourself up as you looked to the person standing before you like a God. “Oh, Gods… it’s you.”

The nature spirit hadn’t looked any different but just as comely as you had remembered in your youth. His skin wasn’t sickly nor wan, no blood blotting your skin as he stood before you like an illusion.

“It’s you, how—it can’t be, not yet.” Were his words of shock as he stumbled his way towards you, gingerly holding out his hand as you brought him into a warm embrace.

“What do you mean ‘not yet?’” You questioned sombrely, “Do you know how many decades have gone by? And now you want me to leave?”

“No—no, I don’t, but it is not your time to leave.” He cradled you, and when you met his gaze, his eyes were glassy, as if the fog of his pupils were dissipating. He was taking you in, silently marvelling you, “You’re still incredible like I remember, little one.”

“What, even in my wrinkled state?” You laughed dryly, stroking his hair back, as smooth as if he was real. “Are you… dead?”

“Yes, but your memory of me has kept me alive all this time.” He smiled through his tears, “ I’ve been here with you all this time, watching you grow through the good and bad. I was there when you laughed when you cried, I never left.”

You finally allowed more tears to fall, your hands shakily trailing over his flesh, when he halted you. “But you cannot stay here, you must go back.”

“I do not want to, Daithi. Please, I don’t want to go back, not again. Never have I felt a day so warm here with you in front of me right now.” 

Daithi brought his fingers to cradle the back of your neck, his long fingers stroking at your jaw. “Are you sure?”

“Is it… terrifying?”

“No, I don’t think so,” he assured you in what you believed was acceptance, “look around you, dear. Everything has to die soon: the little flowers, the trees, those of your village. But there are things that still stay, the moon, the sun, the rain that doesn’t stop dripping. The fear eventually stops, and the calm comes after the storm. And it’s beautiful.”

You smiled sadly, breathing in his scent of mint and pine. “If this is what the afterlife is like then, why would I want to leave so soon?”

Daithi smiled in comfort, hugging you back with no intention of letting you go. “It’s been too long, dear.”

You nodded, and when your hand came to cradle his fingers, you found yourself looking to the flesh of your own. Your skin was no longer wrinkly and there was no joint pain: your skin was smooth and supple once more, the sudden realisation had taken a toll on you as you leant up to kiss the skin-walker against his lips. “I know, but I’m here now.”

Warm, reassuring and tender. You had missed him so.

#shapeshifter #monster #nature spirit shapeshifter #shapeshifter monster #monster boyfriend #male monster x reader #genderless reader #monster oc #monster writing #exophilia nature spirit #nature spirit oc #male nature spirit #nature spirit boyfriend #male monster #skinwalker monster #skinwalker exophilia #skin-walker #part 2 #daithi the skinwalker #daithi the nature spirit

[carrioncrows-readers]

Jacob ponders your existence in a brothel.

Content Warnings: n/a

You are fascinating to Jacob Frye, more than most. He isn't Evie — he doesn't chat. He is open and honest, to the point in his conversations.

This doesn't make him stupid. Far from it — he's gotten very,  very  good at needling past the masks people put on, especially after coming into his own. He didn't spend all that time in his chrysalis with Maxwell Roth's ghost to be born blind. This means that you, someone so profoundly, jadedly guarded that not even he can tell what you're thinking, are fascinating. You blindside him. It's thrilling and scary all at once.

He's only made you crack twice before — at least he thinks so. Once, below the interrogation house. The second time on the train, after your first job.

He regrets not thinking it through, how terrifying it must have been to just be shoved into a carriage and rushed to Lambeth. He had to be sure you weren't a Templar, or worse — just an unlucky unknown caught in the trenches of their war. He regrets seeing you cry and making you spill your hurt onto him in a bid to prove your own innocence. He doesn't regret meeting you.

You told him once that he didn't scare you; that piqued his interest. Not many can say that about the ol' Frye boy. Especially not the sort of soft-handed dandy you are, your fine silks and velveteens marking you as Other in this world of patchwork rugged leathers and knife-sharp grins. And yet you aren't soft; there's fire and brimstone under your polished gold and marble. It is so strangely  compelling . Even more so is your talent for turning your emotions on a dime; to Jacob, you are a still pond, and whatever you bring to the surface is carefully curated.

When he kept your money from you, it was meant to be a tease. A little playful arm-twisting to keep you on your toes, but when you fixed him with that poisonous glare, it shook his soul loose. He recognized the look — he'd seen it too many times to ignore it.

You were about to try and kill him.

His balls tingled a bit sadly and crawled back into his body after you'd calmed down enough to politely, coldly ask for your payment. He thought Starrick and Thorne had clawed their way from the dead. But no. Just you, sitting perfumed across from him in a lonely train car, full of ever more surprises.

Evie keeps insisting that he not test you, but for Jacob, it's like having a bear in the room that will gleefully let him poke it until it growls. Every once in a while, he'll hit a tender spot. Your teeth and claws will come oh-so-dangerously close to his throat, and yet you lay back down and let him keep on. He doesn't know if it's patience or restraint.

Evie says you're unpredictable. She's correct.

There's a part of him that lights up with schoolboy excitement thinking you just might join the Rooks, maybe even the Assassins, especially when you walk in looking for more pay. How much of you is real? How much is an act done to keep him off of steady ground? How much will he get to learn?

Jacob blinks and leans against the station wall, arms crossed as you stand there and request — no,  demand  — another job. Honestly, he thought you'd disappeared on him. But here you are, and him with nothing to offer that you can do for him. If it were two years ago, he'd be falling at your feet, begging your talent and connections; instead, he has to shrug his shoulder and scrape his apologies.

"Nothing right now. Sorry." He turns to go, but a tug on his coat has him stopping in his tracks on instinct. He has enough control not to hit your hand away — he doesn't want to bruise you. You look like you had a rough night anyway, with violet blooming purple on the corner of your mouth. (Concerning — but you'd tell him if you needed help, he hopes.) He allows you to turn him around before he pries your hand off his sleeve and gently returns it to its proper position at your side.

"There has to be something," you say. Jacob pokes the bear, a slow smile creeping onto his face as he leans in, eyebrows wiggling under his hat.

"Well, now that you mention it," he trails off and leaves you to finish his thought yourself. You stay perfectly, sensibly vacant. Not even a twitch.

"If you refuse to be serious about this," you say, "then perhaps Miss Frye or Mr. Green has work available." He sputters. That sort of low blow to his pride could not be allowed to stand. He thinks fast, the one kind of thinking he's good at, and damn you for being able to get under his skin.

"Hey! I was joking!  Joking."  He all but hops around to face you when you turn away from him. "Never mind them; I might have something — busywork, but you'll be paid."

"That is all the incentive I require." How strapped are you for cash? Or maybe you simply prefer to keep busy; it doesn't matter, and Jacob doesn't ask. He simply walks through the station crowd like he has any idea what he's doing, making sure you're following as you emerge into the overcast afternoon outside of Whitechapel Station. The second your shoes meet the dirt, Jacob regrets bringing you. You're very stoic — but he catches people left and right eyeing you like meat. As much as he adores Whitechapel, he doesn't adore the idea of being the leading cause of a robbery today. Out of instinct, he pulls you close.

As he slings an arm over your shoulder and busy walks down the street, you say, brow raised, " excuse  me?"

"Excuse yourself," Jacob says, "best you just stick here at the moment. You're wearing more money than these people make in three years." He watches you glance down at your silk shirt and brocade jacket, your shiny leather shoes muddied by Whitechapel's muck. You're quiet for a long while.

"I see," you say, and that's the end of the conversation.

The two of you walk in silence. Or, rather, you walk in silence; Jacob greets every friendly face he sees with a nod and a broad grin, the occasional bellowed hello and good day. He makes his rounds with you tense like stone under his arm until you reach a building he knows well. It's all but swallowed up the block it's on, its business expanding in both directions until it's not one house but four. He makes sure you step carefully up the rickety wooden stairs and doesn't bother knocking when he walks in.

You're both greeted by a wash of sticky perfume and stale tobacco smoke, drenching the red walls and newly lacquered floors. There are fresh roses in vases all over the sitting room, shrinking under the onslaught of someone learning the piano (very poorly) to drown out the sounds of sex and debauchery.

"Jacob!" A woman covered in so many pearls it's a wonder she doesn't fall over rushes at him, planting a fat kiss on his cheek and leaving lipstick in her wake. "It's been so long since you've visited! Do you like the renovations?"

"They're lovely, Jenny. Impressed you managed to fit the piano in here."

"Well, we couldn't have done it without your investment." Jenny hangs off Jacob's other shoulder with the kind of familiarity only common in people who have playfully shared sheets at one time or another and finally looks at you. "And who's this adorable poppet?"

You introduce yourself for him, dispassionately professional. Jenny giggles, but you're looking at him like you're going to throttle him. He has to rush to explain.

"You said you needed a bookkeeper," he says, fast enough that neither of you can interrupt, sweat beading on the back of his neck. "And my friend here happens to have experience in business. Right?"

"I suppose that is," you pause, "correct."

Jacob isn't sure if that's a lukewarm response or if you're thinking. Still, for a plan that only came into the world half a second ago, he gives himself a pat on the back for at least trying. After an uncomfortably stifling period of silence, you look at Jenny and tilt your head ever minutely to the side.

"Ms. Jenny, would you be so kind as to show me the ledger?"

Christ, he's good. Jacob has to keep from swaggering when he walks as you and Jenny cross the floor to a refurbished desk, him following behind to make sure she doesn't get you into trouble. Jenny pulls out a brand new ledger, opening it to the first, unblemished page. He watches in fascination as you press your knuckle to your mouth — he feels like he's playing poker with a statue. Every gesture that deviates from the norm is something to be recorded and studied. He leans against the desk and crosses his foot over his ankle, propping his head onto his hand to get a better look at your thinking face.

"Have you not been noting down your payments and clientele?" You ask, fixing him with that stare and a cocked eyebrow. He shrugs.  "Mr. Frye."

"What? I don't like ledgers. Looking at 'em puts me to sleep."

"Officially," Jenny butts in, diverting your nerd wrath away from him. "We've only been a business for about six months. Before that, we was just a gaggle of whores living in the same house, but Jacob was kind enough to make this into a right proper palace after he bought the buildin'." She flatters him; he didn't do anything but put down investment for renovations. Jenny offered to give him a percentage in exchange for protection, and he flaps his hand at her to get her to stop stroking his ego.

He realizes you're looking at him (blankly, as always) and assumes the worst. He prickles.

"It's no different from any other work," he says.

"I never said it was." You stare for a good, long while. "Ms. Jenny, do you remember how much you've made within the past six months?" You reach down to pull out a steel pen and inkwell, and he knows he's won. Jenny's squeal of delight is earsplitting, but when she wraps her arms around you in a crushing hug, Jacob can't help but notice your smile after the shock wears off. It's gentle and private — and above all, genuine. It feels like the sun's come out after a year of storms.

He grins and thumps the desk with his knuckle. "I'll leave you to it then! Try not to get into too much trouble with this one — she'll drag you to hell and call it a holiday."

He retreats from the brothel with Jenny shouting him up and down the alley, and he leaves you there to start whatever numbers witchery you're planning. When he walks, he walks giddy on air.

Whitechapel's a little brighter when he thinks of that quiet, private smile.

#dig yourself a hole #ac syndicate #jacob frye #m #general #multichapter #this is exactly not what it sounds like #i love being confusing and strange

[thecreelhouse]

take care of yourself

paring: Steve Harrington x Reader

Summary: you’ve been through enough shit to believe self care is building your walls high and keeping everyone out. The Universe has no problem challenging that, though. (Or: the flower shop/soulmate AU comfort fic nobody asked for)

Word count: 4,656

Warnings: mentions of past abuse (emotional/mental/physical), PTSD, language, angst

A/N: it finally happened, I wrote a reader insert fic for once! lol. I’ve been going through a rough patch with old trauma, and this is an absolute self indulgent comfort fic buuuuuut I hope whoever reads it enjoys it. Originally it was me writing out some shit to just get it out, but then it turned to a flower shop AU, and somehow ended as a soulmate AU....? Messy, but oh well lol. if you’re an abuse survivor, pls know your pain is valid but your healing is so, so very important. 💜 title is from the song ‘take care of yourself’ by the childlike empress

Build your walls up high and strong, tall and mighty. No ladder or set of stairs could reach the top. Not even the most stubborn and determined can make their way in. Make yourself more stubborn than those around you. Leave first before you’re left in the dust.

You’ve lived this way for years. It’s lonely. It’s quiet. It has its own kind of hurt, but it’s pain in your control.

You’ve lived this way for years, and you swore you’d never let anyone take advantage of you ever again. Once vulnerable, soft, welcoming, now stoic, cold, distant; you wouldn’t feel it was necessary to stay this way if people weren’t so cruel.

If you never open up, they can’t use your secrets against you. If you keep to yourself, they can’t get under your skin. If you weren’t so foolish, so quick to trust others, you could enjoy human connection without a second thought. Now, it’s second nature to keep your defenses up, and keep them up strong.

With that comes anger, defaulted towards everyone and everything, and it doesn’t give anyone new a true chance. If that means you’re safe in the end, then that’s just fine. Maybe you are cold, maybe you are bitter, but you’re nowhere near as bad as the monster that drove you here.

You’ve lived this way for years, because it’s better than being gaslit on a regular basis. Safer than a hand around your throat, just manipulating you to stay. The pain of being lonely is a dull sting compared to the pain of your first time being stolen from you, forced to become someone else’s gain, someone else’s object.

You’ve lived this way for years, why stop now?

Why let someone have the opportunity to tear you down? Rip you apart? In the end, most people just have selfish motives, and if they don’t, they’re hard to come by. Why waste your life looking for someone worth your time?

So yeah, it’s lonely. It’s lonely as fuck. It hurts. It’s a comfortable pain that soothes you to sleep every night. It’s a wound that never heals, but at least you’re the only one disturbing it.

When you moved, you just wanted to get the fuck away from anything and everything tied to him. You wanted to destroy all links, burn all bridges; nothing was safe anymore, nothing was pure anymore. You up and left because no matter how hard you tried, someone was always waiting around the corner of your next chapter in life, eager to apologize on his behalf.

“He had it hard, you know.” And “his sister abused him, he didn’t know any better. Never got proper help.” followed by, “he’s trying, he’s changing, give him another chance.”

If manipulating someone to stay under dangerous circumstances is “trying and changing”, you wanted no fucking part in that mess. You knew better. He should know better.

So you left. You packed up and left the little bit of good sprinkled throughout town behind, because it wasn’t worth running into him one more time. Wasn’t worth glancing over your shoulder in fear anymore. You knew he was powerless once you left him, but it never calmed the storm of anxieties constantly brewing within you, the “what ifs” keeping you awake at night.

Hundreds of miles from home, you stopped in a small town. Hawkins, Indiana. Quiet. Quaint. Small towns may be frustrating in the sense that everyone knows everyone, but at least it’s a fresh start, practically off the grid compared to home.

You flowed your life into the surroundings of Hawkins quite easily; a small apartment downtown with easy to find parking, a job at a flower shop a block away, working with what you loved, and you picked up as many hours as you could, keeping busy, keeping to yourself. It’s what you always did best. Friendly at work, friendly when necessary to strangers, but you never let anyone in. It’s what you simply did best.

For a few months, you kept to your daily routine. Lonely, sure, but nothing out of the ordinary for you. You called home when necessary, just to reach out and let your parents know you’re still alive, doing just fine. Things were simple, and that was just fine. It gave you more down time to focus on yourself, focus on healing, however you saw fit.

One day, though, the focus stopped short. The perfect, mundane balance you had, went off the rails in just a quick, few minute exchange. Everything you had worked so hard to protect was screaming at you to tear the walls away.

It was a normal, Thursday evening at the shop. Quiet, watering the plants as needed, the chime above the front door tore you from your safe bubble. You switched gears, getting ready to use your pleasant “retail” voice, when your eyes fell on two boys, and your balance began to unsteady itself. One was older than the other; the younger boy looked to be in his early teens, and the older boy was much closer to your age, hanging somewhere near or in his 20-somethings.

It wasn’t the boys walking in that threw you off, it was specifically locking eyes with the older boy, forgetting to breathe for a quick second. Forgetting how to move, how to act; the cold shield you kept up at all times was begging to be let down, just over some handsome, idiot stranger. Something felt like a magnetic pull towards him, but only for a moment.

Fighting through the daze, you asked, “Can I help y’all?”

The younger boy, with messy curls flowing from under a hat and gaps in his toothy grin, immediately walked up to you. “My girlfriend is visiting, and I want to surprise her with flowers, but I don’t know what her favorite flower is, and I can’t just ask her-“

“I mean, you can, you know.” You interjected, smiling at how panicked he seemed.

“That’s what I told him!” The older boy added, walking closer. “He didn’t want to listen.”

“Yeah, Steve, because your girl advice has been proven to be shit.” The younger boy mumbled back, rolling his eyes. The older boy’s face grew red.

“Hey! Even she-“ Steve gestured to you, pausing for a moment, hoping you’d introduce yourself, or he’d find a name tag, something. “- um, sorry-“

“Y/N,” You replied, unsure how to feel in this situation. His eyes searched yours for a moment too long, and you felt exposed.

“Thank you- see, Dustin. Even Y/N agrees with my advice. Maybe I don’t always have shitty girl advice.” Steve finished his argument with Dustin.

You wanted to laugh at how ridiculous they were being, how it was giving you some comic relief to a bland, boring day... but laughing meant being friendly, and being friendly was only reserved for short conversations and interactions. You felt like you could easily fall into a conversation with these two, and that was the last thing you needed right now. Trusting anyone was the last of your concerns anymore.

“Well, there’s no real wrong choice, in my opinion. Just, don’t get white lilies, or something. Those are usually for loss and sorrow, better for funerals.” You offered, sticking strictly to business. “If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I have to get back to watering some of these plants now.”

Without waiting for a reply, you walked off across the room with the watering can, hoping they’d be quick and out of here soon. A few minutes passed, and you could hear them frantically whispering to one another across the shop, not exactly clear about what, until you did hear a clear “go talk to her!” from Dustin to Steve. You felt yourself stiffen up, not wanting to be disturbed, not wanting things to grow awkward.

Sure enough, the Universe truly loves to work against you, and a few moments later Steve found his way closer to you, clearing his throat to catch your attention. You turned from the plants you were focused on.

“Yes?”

“Uh... hi.”

“.... hi?” You replied, brow raised. “Did you need something?”

“N-no, I just- are you new here?” Steve asked, tripping over his words, hands fumbling out of nervousness. “Sorry, this is weird. I just haven’t seen you around before... and I-“

“I moved somewhat recently,” you replied, keeping things vague. “What’s it to you?”

Steve’s face fell, flustered and unable to reply to that. “N-nothing. Sorry.”

With that, he walked back over to his friend. You felt bad for being short and cold, but the last thing you needed in this town were friends. The last thing you needed was some cute, nervous guy working for your trust.

A few more minutes passed in silence, aside from more awkward whispers from the two boys, and suddenly Dustin shouted out, “Thanks, Y/N! Have a good day!” before pulling Steve behind him out the door.

You were left in confusion, wondering if your attitude scared them off, and felt bad. You just couldn’t let anyone in, even with a little bit of innocent small talk. Steve probably meant well, but you didn’t want to take the risk of finding out.

The next few days went on with your regular customers, an elderly man wanting to surprise his wife with some nice flowers, just because. A mother creating a lovely bouquet to give her daughter after her dance recital that night. A call for a funeral arrangement was what shook you to your core, though.

You’ve had them before, you’ve made them before. You were the only other employee aside from your boss who was skilled in making them. You loved doing what you could to help ease the pain of loss, but it hurt hard this time, hearing the young woman lost her life to an abusive, turbulent relationship. It sent chills up your spine. She was just a bit younger than you, still close enough to relate, though. The man was taken in by authorities, thankfully, but it still had an end no parent wants to hear of their child. No friend or family member wants to ever hear they’ve lost someone to a selfish monster.

Your heart hurt for the woman, and hurt because it’s a situation you were once in. It could’ve been you, and was a sharp reminder why you couldn’t trust anyone.

Working on the floral arrangement late Saturday night, you had the shop to yourself, trying to stay tuned into your handiwork. The funeral was the next morning, and you refused to clock out until the arrangement was perfect. It wouldn’t bring this poor girl back, wouldn’t turn back time, but if it could help honor her life, then you were doing something right.

The familiar chime of the small door bell sounded off, and you didn’t turn around to face the customer. “We’re not doing any custom orders tonight, and we’re technically closed, so make your decisions quickly, please.”

“Oh. Shit, sorry, Y/N, didn’t even realize-“

You spun around at the sound of your name to see Steve, awkwardly standing just beyond the doormat.

“Why are you here?” It came out colder than you wanted it to. You needed it to be cold, though, right?

You watched Steve wince at your attitude before responding. “I- I just wanted to apologize for the other night, when Dustin and I were in here. If we made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”

He wasn’t wrong, you were uncomfortable, but how would he know that off the bat? He was just being friendly, and you were the one shutting yourself off.

“S’fine.” You replied quickly before turning back to your work, busying yourself once more. “I have to keep working...”

You trailed off, wanting to tell him he had to go, but a part inside of you screamed stay, stay, stay.

Steve sighed. “Yeah, of course. Sorry, again, Y/N. See you around.”

The doorbell chimed once more, and you glanced down at your hands, crushing a few lilies subconsciously. Sighing and throwing them onto the table, you walked over to the door and locked it.

“It’s safer this way.” You reassured yourself. “It’s just for the best.”

A few more days passed, and Dustin came back in. You couldn’t be as cold towards him, he was only a kid.

“Hey, what’s up?” You asked as he crossed the room to the counter.

“I’m sorry if we bothered you last week-“

“Dustin, it’s fine, really. Steve came in the other night. You guys weren’t bothering me at all.” You tried reassuring him, but he still wore guilt on his face.

“I really do need flowers, though. And I asked Suzie what her favorites are!” Dustin said, with a growing smile. It made a smile of your own begin to grow.

“And did she tell you?”

“Yep! Sunflowers! Never woulda’ guessed on my own.” He replied.

“Proud of you, kid. Glad you asked.” You began gathering some fresh cut sunflowers into a brown craft paper bouquet. “When’s she visiting?”

As you handed him the flowers, he answered. “Tomorrow! I’m gonna’ show her around town, maybe we’ll stop in and say hi, if that’s ok?”

“Of course it’s okay, door’s always open.”

“Great!” After paying, Dustin began to walk towards the door, stopping to turn back your way. “Do you like sunflowers too?”

Brow raised at the question, you answered without thinking much into it. “They’re nice, but I like wildflowers more myself.”

“Good to know, thanks, bye!” And with that, he rushed out of the shop, leaving you confused once again.

The question didn’t make sense until the next day, when Dustin stopped in with Suzie, and a nervous Steve trailing behind the both of them, hands behind his back.

Arms crossed and brows furrowed, you said hello to the younger teens before directing your attention back to Steve. “Wasn’t expecting you here.”

“Yeah- I’m their ride for the day.” Steve nervously chuckled, shifting his weight back and forth between his feet.

“Whatcha’ got there? Behind your back?” You questioned, curious but nervous. Steve’s face flushed red before he pulled a small bunch of wildflowers from behind his back, handing them to you. Your eyes grew wide, trailing down to the roots of the flowers, clearly sticking out, freshly yanked from the ground.

“Um- uh- Dustin mentioned you like wildflowers, and I wasn’t sure what kinds, so we picked a bunch for you.”

“He picked them, I just delivered the information.” Dustin corrected, and Steve elbowed him, pulling a smile out of you.

“Thank you.” You said, feeling your expression soften on its own, and with that, Steve hesitantly let a smile grow. “I’m going to clean these up and put them in water. You can come with, if you want.”

Your own words surprised you, wondering when you became okay with any friendliness with a guy your age. But you didn’t fight it, continuing off to the back of the store, with Steve following behind, leaving Dustin and Suzie on their own in the shop among the flowers.

Steve watched curiously as you cut the dirt-covered roots from the ends of the flowers, giving them fresh ends to drink from. Your eyes darted up to his. “You didn’t have to do this, you know.”

Steve’s eyes grew wide once you began to speak. “I- I wanted to. I still feel bad for upsetting you the other night. I really meant no harm, I swear.”

Sighing, you set the flowers down gently on a counter, leaning against it and looking towards him before speaking again. “You did nothing wrong. I’m just a fucking mess, and don’t let anyone close to me anymore. You couldn’t have known.”

“Still, I’m sorry I invaded your space without asking or- I don’t know-“

“Steve.” You crossed your arms, narrowing your eyes at him. “It’s not your fault, really. I’m sorry I came off so cold.”

“I understand, though. And don’t feel pressured to like, be friendly with me, or whatever...” Steve trailed off, struggling to find the right words. “I just wanted to at least let it be known that... I dunno.... it’s okay, I guess.”

Smirking at his attempt, you moved back to the flowers, grabbing an empty vase and filling it with water. “It isn’t. It won’t be, unless I keep my distance from people. But I appreciate your sincerity.”

“Not everyone is bad, you know.” He mumbled. “I’m not just saying that to kiss my own ass, I mean it, there are good people out there, you know.”

Feeling your grip tighten around the flowers, you caught yourself before crushing them, placing them in the vase safely. “You don’t know that. You wouldn’t know that.”

“What makes you think I wouldn’t know?” He countered, unaware of the push it caused on you.

“Why are you so fixated on changing my view, huh?” You snapped, spinning back to face him. “You think you can just come along and fix that? Fix me?”

“No, I never said that.” Steve replied, frustrated. “I don’t know you. Don’t know a thing about you. But I just- forget it.”

“What? Say it.”

Looking away, Steve mumbled, “You don’t have to isolate yourself to feel safe. I know what it’s like, okay? It fucking sucks.”

“Bullshit you know anything about that. You don’t know me, don’t assume shit.”

“Who moves to Hawkins willingly?! You’re running from something or someone-“ at that, your face fell, and he paused, searching your eyes. “You’re right, I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t be nosy and get involved, but I know what that pain feels like, and it fucking hurts. I just wanted to try and show you that you’re not alone.”

You held yourself and emotions back as he searched your eyes once more before walking away, and you let him. A few moments passed before you heard the bell chime over the door, and you were fully alone, just like you always wanted.

You’ve lived this way for years, why stop now? Why stop ever?

For a moment, a sliver of time, you felt seen, felt understood, valid in your pain. For a moment, you didn’t feel so alone, and you pushed that away.

Weeks passed, and neither Steve nor Dustin came back into the shop since. You almost missed them, almost missed how you felt a little less lonely when they were around, even if you barely knew them. Not knowing where Steve lived, worked, or anything, you just had to patiently wait, and hope either would return, and you could mend the barely built bridge you instantly burned down.

It wasn’t until one night just before closing, a girl your age came into the shop, heading straight for the counter you stood behind.

“Hi, can I-“

“This is from Steve.” The girl interrupted you, handing a VHS tape over. “Just... watch it, okay? Give him another chance, before I go insane hearing that dingus whine about how he fucked things up.”

Leaving you speechless, she left the store. You glanced at the tape, seeing it was just a plain black VHS tape, with a piece of masking tape on the side, written on it was “for Y/N”, causing your stomach to flip a little.

Curious as to what could be on it, you rushed to clean and close up the shop, running down the block back home. Immediately after getting inside your apartment, you tossed the tape into the VCR, and hit play, settling on the floor in front of your TV.

Grain flooded the screen for a moment, before a clear picture appeared, of Steve, struggling to hold the camera up on his own, panicking, trying to find a sturdy surface to set it on. You felt a smile tug at your lips at the sight of his clumsiness.

“Uh... hi. Hi, Y/N. This is probably weird, and you’re probably sick of me annoying the shit out of you-“ Steve ran his hands through his hair nervously, before looking back into the camera. “I- I don’t want anything from you. I don’t want to upset or bother you or invade your space- and you’re right. I don’t know what it’s like, not how you do, but I want to understand... and I want you to know you’re not alone-“

“Yeah! What he said!” Dustin barged into the room, and Steve rolled his eyes, shoving the younger boy back out before continuing. “See, even Dustin cares.”

You found yourself giggling at their antics.

“I don’t want to fix anything- I just- you’re not alone, alright? Even if you don’t want to be friends, just give other people a chance, yeah? I don’t know what you went through, don’t know what you survived, but you’re not the only one who’s fought off monsters... you don’t have to do it alone.”

You felt tears at the edge of your eyes, urging to break. Wiping them away, you saw the tape cut to a scene outside, in the woods, with Steve pointing out different wildflowers along a trail.

A group of kids wandered in and out of the shot, occasionally making silly faces at the camera, or teasing Steve as he filmed.

“This for your girlfriend?” One mocked, and he sighed behind the camera.

“Shut it, Wheeler, she’s not my girlfriend.” Steve mumbled, embarrassed. It rose more laughter out of your chest.

“Steve, that footage is going to be awful. Do you even know how to hold that thing?” Dustin teased, trying to reach for the camera before it was jerked away. Dustin eventually got a hold of it, pointing it towards Steve, who smiled sheepishly at the lens, and waved.

“I’ll tell her since you won’t-“ Dustin started off, and Steve reached for the camera before Dustin ran ahead with it. “- we miss you, Y/N. We hope you’re okay. Steve is worried about you, and just wanted you to know you’re always welcome to hang out with us.”

“Dustin, give me that back, you shithead!” Steve yelled off in the distance, and Dustin sped up again, bulky camera still on his shoulder.

“Gotta go! If you want to bother Steve sometime, he works at Family Video!” Dustin rattled off, then continued with Steve’s home address, before yelling a quick goodbye, ending the tape there. The static and grain of the tracking filled back into the TV’s screen and sound.

Amused, you couldn’t help but laugh at how ridiculous the video was, just like the day they came into the shop. You knew nothing about them, they knew nothing about you, but there was something telling you deep down, maybe it’d be okay to knock some height off the walls for once. Maybe you didn’t have to be so lonely, didn’t have to fight your monsters off on your own.

It was late, so you knew Steve wasn’t at work, and you figured it couldn’t hurt to try him at home. Jumping in your car, you drove off to the address Dustin snuck into the end of the tape. When you pulled up outside Steve’s house, you began to doubt yourself, wondering why the hell you’re in front of this stranger’s house.

There was a pull, though. You’ve felt it before, you felt it now, and it was hard to ignore. How could you when curiosity towered over your fear? The invisible pull grabbed tight, and led you up the steps and to the front door, and didn’t let you think twice about ringing the doorbell. You hoped you weren’t waking anyone at this hour.

The door swung open, revealing a sleepy Steve in sweats, rubbing his eyes as they adjusted to the light above the door.

“What’re you doing here?” He asked, and you instantly felt guilty for bothering him at this hour.

“I.... I don’t have a fucking clue, honestly.” You replied, confused at things yourself. Dropping your voice to a whisper, you asked, “Did I wake you up?”

Steve shook his head, “Just been a long day.”

“Someone dropped the tape off earlier. The one you made.” You didn’t want to hesitate anymore on this. “Why did you do that?”

Steve shrugged, moving aside so you could step inside, and not carry this conversation on his front steps. “This is gonna sound crazy, but since we’ve met, I’ve had this... this... thing?”

“A pull?”

“Exactly th- wait, how do you know?”

“I feel it too. I don’t know how, or why, but it’s there, and I can’t keep ignoring it.” You breathed. “People terrify me, but I don’t know what keeps bringing me back to you, Steve.”

“I see wildflowers everywhere I go, now. I see them and immediately picture the joy they bring you, and I don’t understand what the fuck is going on, but it can’t just be coincidence.” He mumbled, running his hands over his face. “I want to give you space, but something keeps telling me to look out for you, to check up on you, make sure you’re alright. That sounds insane, probably.”

Slowly, you could feel the walls crumble down some more. “It’s not as insane as it sounds... because I’m not okay, and haven’t been for some time.”

“God, fuck, so much fucked up shit has happened here in the past few years, that this doesn’t even shock me.” Steve spoke, realizing this was just another bizarre thing happening in Hawkins once more. ”There’s a connection, somehow. With us.”

“Maybe I was just meant to end up here. You even asked me who willingly moves here, and I only did because it felt right. No other way to describe it.” You mumble, realizing how wild this sounded. “The night you came in, when I was working late, something in me wanted so badly to ask you to stay.”

“Why didn’t you?”

Jaw tightening, you answered. “Because I’m not supposed to be like this. Like that. Clingy, needy, dependent. I’ve been on my own for so long, I don’t know what is safe or not anymore.”

“You’re allowed to be needy, you know. We’re only human. You don’t have to fight your battles alone.”

“And what if they scare you off?”

“They won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I don’t, but why can’t I try anyway?” Steve sighed, head spinning in circles over this. “You feel it, I feel it, why are we holding back?”

“Because I’m terrified.” Your voice cracked as it flowed out. “I have to take care of myself, and that means keeping my distance.”

“Or it just means you need to try and trust others again.” He pleaded, knowing something deeper lied beneath the surface. “Let me help you.”

Seconds that felt like hours passed before you nodded your head, covering your eyes with your hands as you began to cry. Cautious, Steve reached out to you, pulling you into a hug that felt comforting. It felt familiar. It felt like home.

“You’re allowed to take care of yourself, you know. You’re allowed to go through your feelings with someone by your side. You don’t have to do this alone.”

A peace settled within you as his words hit your ears, and it brewed a bit of courage within you too. “Neither do you, Steve.”

You weren’t sure what lied ahead, how things would unfold. You weren’t sure how the Universe connected you two together; whether romantic or just platonic, you were soulmates in some sense. In a way, you gravitated towards one another, and letting your walls down didn’t seem so frightening for once.

You owed it to your fragile, younger, naive past self back home to get through the rest of this life with love, light and hope, and allow others to help along the way. You owed it to your past, present, and future selves, to take care. Take care of yourself.

#steve harrington x you #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington au #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things x you #stranger things x reader #flower shop au #soulmate au #take care of yourself #my fics

[l-x-ie]

So Big, So Small

ao3

I humbly request you to also listen to this song as you read.

“Traitor,” the galra soldier spat, fingers digging into the loose dry dirt under them.

Krolia barely registered the spit on her cheek instead tightening her hold on his hair, wrenching his head back to leave his throat open and vulnerable. “I’ll ask again. Are there more coming.”

“The blue lion will belong to the Empire soon enough, traitor.”

She didn’t deign him a response, her knife biting into the soft skin of his throat. Blood bubbled up, wetting the earth under them as he gasped out a semblance of the Empire’s battle cry. Loyal to a fault.

She stood, sheathing her knife to her belt, her borrowed clothes less effective as her Marmora suit but it served its purpose. The soldier was merely a scout, his partner already dispatched, both ships in perfect condition, both bodies still leaking blood that almost looked black in the starlight.

Krolia had a pang of regret. Both were young, one so green he still had his identification number written on his uniform. Both grew up with the ideology she rejected. They never had a choice but she didn’t either.

That’s a lie.

Once. She made one decision for herself and it was the best decision she ever made. Her heart ached thinking of the life she chose. Of the life waiting for her back home. The smiles and laughter, the warmth and everything she never realized she wanted.

She looked at the sky, the endless stars on velvet black, so many it made her dizzy. A terrible, looming decision ahead of her, so big it could swallow the stars.

The longer she stared, looking at some far away threat, the bigger the stars grew, the more that crowded her vision. Growing, growing, growing. So much so she felt consumed by them, helpless. Small.

She thought of her boys. Their smiles in the stars and their eyes reflecting galaxies. The stars shrunk. And for a moment it didn’t feel like an impossible task or a suicide mission, but a step closer to the life she wanted.

Hot tears spilled from her eyes as she choked on the remaining air in her lungs.

Regret and sorrow swirled into a heavy ball in her chest, taking up the rest of the space there until it felt like she couldn’t breathe. She blinked away her tears and turned to their ships, hatches opened, dashboard lit up with incoming transmissions.

Face dry, she leaned down to rip the scout’s identification number from his uniform—

—and made a choice.

-----

“So, you’re leaving then.”

Krolia tightened her grip on her husband’s hands, too terrified to look at him and see his face. “Ethan—“

She gasped when gentle fingers guided her head up, two lone tears dropping from her eyes. More fell as Ethan gave her a heartbreakingly understanding smile, his beautiful dark eyes shimmering with his own tears.

His thumb stroked her cheek as he kissed her forehead, so soft she barely felt it. “I’ll go tell Keith.”

Her heart cried out when he got up and left. A part of her demanding that no, no, she had to be the one to tell him. She had to make sure he understood. That he knew she loved him. That she loved him so much she would leave and—

She sobbed into her hands, covering her mouth to smother them because she’s a Blade. She’s a warrior and a spy and strategist and—and—

She’s a mother. She’s a mother who was terrified of breaking her son’s heart. Terrified of seeing that little face be so confused and scared and hurt and she doesn’t want to see it—she can’t—

Her teeth bit into the meat of her palm, the pain grounding. She took a moment to breathe, biting into her palm harder for a brief moment because she deserved it, and got up. Wiping her tears as she left to break her son’s heart.

Her body felt strangely lethargic as she approached Keith’s room. Feet dragging, heart thumping hard behind her breastbone, blood sluggishly moving through her veins leaving her cold.

She paused outside of his door, her throbbing palm resting against the wall. No sound came from his room. No murmurs, no crying, were they even in there?

Then she heard it. The faintest sounds of sheets rustling. Her baby sitting up in his bed. His little voice slipping and tumbling over the words he barely understands the concepts of.

“Are—are you going away too?”

Tears sprung to her eyes and she choked on the lump in her throat. Covering her mouth to muffle any noise she might make. She had to be strong. There were a million battles she never backed down from; she couldn’t back down from this one.

”No. No, Keith.” More rustling, the tiny twin bed they got online creaking. “Your pops is always gonna be here. You couldn’t get rid of me if you tried.”

She took a deep breath and braced herself. Knocking on the wood of the doorjamb she peeked around the corner.

Keith was in Ethan’s lap, his face hidden in his chest, just a black tuft of hair sticking out in a wild fluffy mess. So small and tiny. Her husband’s arms wrapped around him, shielding him from the world.

He turned to look at her and a fist squeezed around her heart seeing the tear tracks drying on his cheeks. It squeezed even harder when he turned away to wipe his face with his pajama sleeve. She couldn’t help but wonder if he got that from her. Ever the brave little soldier.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Keith, would you like to come outside with me? I would like to talk to you.”

He looked up at her with red-rimmed eyes. The color like the night sky, a little memento from home. Silently, he got up and padded to her with his little bare feet and little toes. Holding his hand, just a fraction of hers, she led him outside.

------

Outside was cool, the leftover heat of the day leaving the longer the night stretched. The porch covered their backs, protecting them from the wind as she kept Keith close to her body, rocking on the chair looking at the billions of stars overhead.

He was so light. Barely any weight in her arms as he snuggled into her. His hair still baby-soft, the little tufts falling through her fingers. She could feel his lashes blinking against her neck, tickling the slightest bit. Butterfly kisses, Ethan told her once.

Nuzzling her nose in his hair she breathed in his scent. Cataloging everything she knows about him in that moment. How soft he was, how small and defenseless, his innocent scent. How warm and comforting and brave her little baby was.

He was just three.

He had an entire life ahead of him. How many moments like this was she going to miss? How long was it until he was no longer small enough to hold in her lap and wrap him in her arms? How many ways was she going to let him down by not being there, fighting an endless war, just to keep him safe?

Did it even matter when she wasn’t going to be able to watch him grow up? To know the great man he was going to be?

Tears fell from her eyes and she could taste blood in the back of her throat from how tight it was. A horrible, betraying thought ringing around in her mind.

He wasn’t even going to remember her.

“Mama?”

She kept him close, wiping her tears with her wrist. “Yes, Keith?”

He leaned back and she let him, both looking at where he had his hands fisted in her shirt.

“Do you have to go?”

She gently gathered his hands in hers, squeezing them tightly. “I don’t want to.”

He buried his face in her chest, arms going around as far as they could go around her middle, tears dampening her T-shirt. “Then why are you?”

She gnawed on her lip, her mind swirling and swirling with so many possible answers it made her dizzy. What should she say? What can she say? She closed her eyes and breathed deep, the cold Arizona night air filling her lungs and clearing her mind.

Guiding him back she looked him in the eye, one hand holding his and the other cupping his soft cheek. “I can’t really say but I love you, Keith. No matter where I go or how far away I am I’ll always love you. I want you to understand that.”

She moved the hand cupping his cheek to his heart, her entire palm covering his small chest, covering the tiny planet on his pajamas. “No matter what, I’ll be right here.” She placed her hand on her own chest. “And you’ll be right here.”

Slowly, he gave a hard nod, his mouth pressed into a firm line trying to hold back the tears. He lunged and hid his face in her shirt, holding on tight, determined not to let go.

His grip gradually loosened, falling from her waist as he fell asleep. She stayed outside, holding him close as the stars shrunk back with the morning light. She was going to have to let go eventually but until then she wasn’t going anywhere.

#keith #krolia #vld #krolia saying goodbye #pre canon #angst #i want y'all to know.... i cried writing this

[pixiegrl]

request for your next tangled muke adventure, the scene where they escape from the cave?

Meghna! This was so fun to write! Please enjoy my humble gift to you! And also @calumsclifford for endlessly hearing my yell about what im writing if its tangled

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26169226

Luke keeps whining about food. Michael wishes he would go back to tugging on his sleeve and asking him about everything if it means he’ll stop begging Michael for food. Michael’s not entirely sure of where they are right now and since he wasn’t planning on a trip, he doesn’t exactly have any food with him. Luke is not bothered by this at all, keeps choosing to ask Michael again and again as if the answer will somehow be different.

“Michael, there has to be somewhere to eat near here. Or something we can eat. Michael,” Luke whines, dragging out the end of Michael’s name in a way he can only describe as incredibly annoying. He turns to glare at Luke, who looks back at him with wide innocent eyes. He’s adorable and Michael still refuses to find him cute at all. He’s decided thinking of Luke as a friend was a mistake, now Luke has just decided to annoy him forever. 

Michael is relieved when the edge of a tavern comes into sight. He thinks he probably has just enough coins with him to feed Luke and get a drink for himself, so he can continue to put up with Luke’s bubbling enthusiasm. Even if the place looks a little rough for Luke to be in. Michael’s decently sure he can protect Luke from some bandits, as long as they’re not also after Michael. Although maybe Luke can just smile at them and they’ll reconsider harming him. He does have a nice smile, all bright eyes and dimples.

Luke starts bouncing on his toes when he sees it, too. Petunia peeks out of the corner of Luke’s hair, shooting him a worried look. How the fuck does a lizard manage to have so many facial expressions?

“Michael, can we eat there? Please?” Luke begs, turning to look at Michael with wide, blue eyes and a hopeful expression on his face. It melts Michael’s heart a little. He can’t stay mad at Luke for long, not when it’s so painfully obvious that the boy has never gotten to experience the world the way everyone else has. He’s so full of joy and wonder Michael can’t find it in himself to be annoyed that much.

“Only the best for you, Sunshine,” Michael says. Luke grins even wider, dimples creasing his cheeks, and laces their fingers together. He starts to swing their arms a little, humming under his breath. It’s painfully endearing. Michael’s all but abandoned his commitment to not finding him cute.

They push the door of the tavern open and Michael sucks a breath in when everyone turns to look at them. They must be quite the pair, Luke, with his incredibly long blonde hair and silky purple shirt, a lizard perched on his shoulder, and Michael, holding his hand and frying pan attached to his belt from when Luke complained about his arm being tired.

Luke is oblivious to their stares, instead tugging Michael further into the tarven, trying to find an empty spot and rambling about what food they could possibly have.

“Michael Clifford! As I live and breath,” A voice calls, full of mirth and laughter. Michael whips around in a panic, fear leaving him a little when he sees that it’s Calum, his old friend from the orphanage turned bandit, grinning and waving at him. He looks the same as the last time Michael saw him, apart from his once black curls are now a bright platinum blonde. His partner, Ashton, sits next to him, his own curls a raven black, and motioning for Michael to come sit with them.

“Who are they?” Luke whispers, curling a little into Michael, wary of new people. 

Michael tries to send him a reassuring smile, “Old friends. I promise they won’t hurt you.”

“Promise?”

Michael holds up his hand, linking their pinkies together and shaking. “Pinky promise.”

Luke looks a little confused by the gesture, but he must understand the sincerity of it and nods at him. Michael tugs them over to the table, ushering Luke into the booth first and following him. He helps Luke tug his hair in after them, earning them stares from the rest of the patrons.

Ashton lets out a whistle, looking at all of Luke’s hair. “That must be a hassle. You ever think about cutting it?”

Luke holds his hair tight to him. “I couldn’t do that. Mother wouldn’t let me.”

Ashton opens his mouth like he’s going to push the topic further, when Calum interjects, sticking his hand out towards Luke.

“Calum Hood, local bandit extraordinaire. This is my partner in crime, the slightly less good looking Ashton Irwin.” 

Ashton lets out a horrified squawk, smacking Calum. Calum laughs, eyes crinkling at the corner. 

“You married me, you idiot.”

“Only for evading the law purposes. The second they let us, I’m divorcing you and taking half the loot,” Calum says, grinning as he presses a kiss to Ashton’s cheek to let him know he’s only teasing. Michael’s forgotten how easy their relationship has always been, full of teasing and fondness. Michael’s known Calum longer and he would venture to call him his best friend (if two bandits can even have friends), but somehow when the three of them are together he’s always managed to feel on the outskirts of things. 

Luke’s watching them both, wide eyed and a little scared. Michael squeezes his thigh under the table. “This is Luke. Found him hiding in the woods. We’re going to see the lanterns for his birthday.

Calum raises his eyebrows, taking a sip of his drink. “Never known you to do anything out of kindness, Mikey.”

“That’s not true! I stole that necklace for you once ‘cause you said you liked it.”

“Fine, then nothing that didn’t require you to steal something.”

“Don’t worry, it’s not just you. They tell these half stories all the time and refuse to explain them. You get used to not getting their inside jokes,” Ashton stage whispers to Luke, grinning when Calum gently elbows him. Michael is filled with overwhelming fondness for his friends and their easy acceptance of Luke. Although Michael figures, who are a couple of bandits to question him finding a man in the woods?

“He only agreed to take me because I took his loot and Petunia keeps licking him,” Luke chimes in, producing Petunia from inside the folds of his hair. Calum and Ashton laugh delightedly at the sight of her. 

Michael pouts. “I’m getting new friends.”

“Michael, we’re your only friends,” Calum says rolling his eyes. He nudges Luke with his foot, startling him. “Do you want me to get you something to eat?”

Luke nods enthusiastically. Michael mouths a quick thank you to Calum. He smiles. “Ashton, take Luke with you and get something. I wanna check up with my old friend here.”

Ashton scoots his way out, ushering Luke over to the bar. When they’re out of ear shot, Calum rounds on Michael.

“The crown, Michael? You really thought stealing the lost prince’s crown would be a good idea?”

“I didn’t think I’d have this much trouble with it.”

Calum lets out a disgruntled noise. “That’s because you don’t think, Michael. What the fuck did you expect would happen?”

“Look, it’s just a job. We’ve taken plenty of them before.”

“Yeah, but those were just stealing from people. People who were much less notable than stealing the fucking crown jewels.”

“It’s one last job, Calum, and then I can stop,” Michael says. He’s had ideas over the years of what he would do. Travel, go somewhere far away and find a legitimate job, open his own orphanage. The possibilities are endless if he can just get this crown back and be on his way.

Calum sighs heavily, massaging his temple. He looks like he wants to say something, but is interrupted by Ashton and Luke coming back.

“Shove over,” Ashton says, raising his hands to show the drinks he’s carrying. Calum obeys, giving Ashton the space he needs to put things down. Luke’s tagging closely behind him, holding what looks like fish and chips close to his chest, a little wide eyed. Michael grabs the baskets, helping Luke, who shoots him a grateful look.

“You know you’re probably like, five minutes away from getting caught, right?” Calum says around a chip. Michael blushes at Luke’s quizzical look and Ashton’s glare. For a bandit, Ashton can be a little shit at the idea of stealing things sometimes.

“Let me enjoy this nice, hot food before you rip into me about stealing, but then still help us get away.”

Calum giggles slightly, expression fond. He’s holding Ashton’s hand on the table. It fills Michael with the overwhelming desire to have that, too. It’s always been lonely for him and while he’s happy for Calum and Ashton, he wishes he had someone like that too. 

Luke is eating some of the fish, scrunching his nose up at the taste.

“Good?”

“Different,” Luke mumbles around a mouth of food crumbs going everywhere, blushing when he realizes what he’s doing. Michael laughs, leaning over and wiping his face with a napkin. Luke never had to be presentable around other people before. It’s a miracle he’s managing to look cute while doing it.

Luke quietly feeds Petunia a small bite. Michael catches Calum watching them, a soft smile on his face. Michael sticks his tongue out at Calum when Luke isn't looking. Calum returns the gesture. Ashton snorts, covering it up in his drink when Luke looks up at the three of them. He flushes a little, clearly thinking they’re teasing him. 

Ashton waves it away, “It’s nice you have a little friend. Nice to have someone there for you when you get lonely.”

Luke smiles sadly. “Something like that.”

Calum looks like he wants to press the issue further, when the tavern door bangs open, someone shouting about the palace guards. Michael jumps up, making to push Luke out of the booth. 

“That’s our cue, Luke. Lovely to see you both again, let’s do this again sometime,” Michael calls behind him as he shoves Luke towards where he knows there’s a “secret” tunnel. He can hear Calum let out an exasperated sigh, but considering he’s known him since they were kids, he figures Cal will let this one slide.

***

“So, Calum and Ashton?”

“Hm?”

“You’ve known them a while, yeah?” Luke asks. They’ve been walking down the underground tunnel for a bit, venturing deeper and deeper with only torches to help them see. Luke’s been quiet since the tavern and Michael isn’t sure whether he should be worried or not. Considering Luke’s decision to ask personal questions, the answer was that he should be.

“I’ve known Calum since I was a kid. Ashton is more of a new addition. You let your friend do one job on their own and they come back with a husband.”

Luke giggles. “You make it sound like it’s a bad thing.”

“I just wish they’d invited me to the wedding. I have plenty of embarrassing stories about Calum and I’m not afraid to use them.”

“Does he?”

“What?”

“Have embarrassing stories to share with your future…” Luke pauses, shooting a glance at Michael. Michael wonders what Luke’s mother taught him about attraction and then disregards that notion. A woman who locks her son in a tower and refuses to let him out certainly won’t teach him what it means when you think boys are pretty.

“Husband. I like men. And unfortunately he does, but you’ll have to hear them from him,” Michael says. He realizes how that must sound, the implication that he wants to keep Luke around long enough to see Calum and Ashton again, to have Calum share childhood stories of Michael. That Michael isn’t ready to have this adventure come to an end, even if Luke can be a thorn in his side.

Luke looks like he wants to say something, but changes his mind at the last minute and says,  “So Michael, where are you from?”

“Nope. We do not know each other like that, you already know my name and that’s enough backstory for the rest of this trip.”

Luke pouts. “I just met your childhood friend and his husband. You just told me you like men. But you won’t tell me where you’re from.”

Michael sighs heavily. “I will tell you something about myself if you answer my questions first.”

“Sure.”

“I know I’m not supposed to talk about the hair, the mother, or the, uh, lizard?” Michael waves in Petunia’s direction. Luke nods. 

“Here’s my question. If you want to see the lanterns so badly you were willing to go on a trip with a complete stranger who broke into your home, why haven’t you gone before with your mother?”

“Mother wouldn’t let me.”

That makes Michael pause. It was implied in his initial request for the adventure, but it’s odd to hear it out loud. For all the oddness of Michael’s childhood growing up in an orphanage, he’s never been denied things. He was always allowed to go and adventure on his own terms, as long as he was responsible about it and came back in time for dinner. The idea that Luke’s mother would lock him up and refuse to let him leave seems a bit dramatic and harsh. Not for the first time, the notion of keeping Luke with him, of not allowing the boy to go back to his tower, of showing him the whole world, crosses Michael’s mind. Luke deserves it, deserves the chance to get to see what’s out there and Michael doesn’t know how he’s meant to return Luke to his prison when this is all over.

“Why wouldn’t she let you leave?”

“She claims that it’s safer for me up there where no one can find me.”

Michael opens his mouth to comment on that, when he hears a rumbling coming towards them. He turns around at the sound of shouting and sees the palace guards running towards them. Maybe Calum had a point about this being a bad idea. Michael turns to look at Luke, who’s got a look of fear and confusion on his face.

“Michael?”

“Okay, so you know how I have that crown? I may have stolen that crown and now would be a good time to run,” Michael shouts, grabbing hold of Luke’s hand and pulling him into a run. Luke, thankfully, realizes what Michael wants and follows him at Michael at an equally breakneck speed.

Michael pulls them along until they come out of the tunnel, skidding to a stop when they both realize they’re at the edge of a cliff. There is absolutely nowhere for them to go, considering they’re surrounded on all sides by open air and the guards behind them, not to mention that one horse that seems to have it out for Michael specifically. Michael hears a shout from down below and notices the Stabbington brothers have come out of their own tunnel looking up and pointing to Michael, both of them shouting. 

“So I’ve figured out the guard part, but who are those guys and why are they mad?” Luke says, clutching his hair in his arms. 

“Let’s just assume no one here likes me and work our way up from there.”

Luke frowns. “How much trouble are you in?”

“Luke, you met me because I crashed through your window with a stolen crown. You do the math.”

Michael’s at a loss for what to do or where they can go. Luke takes one look at him and rolls his eyes, shoving the frying pan at Michael. He takes his hair and swings it up, hooking it over a higher up damaged beam nearby. He tugs it once, nodding when he realizes it’s secure and hooks an arm around Michael’s waist. 

“So I’m sure this is a bad idea, but I think we have to go down?” Luke says, pointing.

“What?”

“There’s a tunnel down there and I think that might be the only way out.”

Michael looks down and he hates to admit it but Luke might be right. Luke throws his hair over a nearby beam and grabs onto Michael’s waist, giving them a running start, giving them enough momentum to take off and swing themselves down to the bottom of the ravine. They land solidly on their feet and Luke turns to beam at Michael. Michael gives him a relieved smile back and tugs on Luke’s hair pulling it down from the beam. They gather it and go sprinting off in the direction of the tunnel. 

Michael is sure they’re going to make it, until he hears the rumble and rushing sound of water fill the air. They just narrowly make it into the tunnel entrance before Michael realizes it’s not a tunnel and that there’s no exit. It’s too late for them to do anything now though, as rocks cover the entrance, leaving Luke and Michael in the dark. 

“So, this looks bad.”

“Yes, Michael, I would say that it does.”

Michael huffs, shoving Luke’s hair at him and diving into the rising water. He looks around for an exit but finds none. He pops up gasping for air, noticing that Luke’s feeling around the top of the rocks for an exit up that way. It would appear that they’re both out of luck. Michael dives down again to feel around, as Luke bangs frantically on the rocks with his pan trying to get them to break. Michael scrambles up, trying to pry some of the rocks loose. The sharp edge of one slices his hand and Michael swears loudly at the blood that starts to pool and drip from his hand. Luke looks torn between concern for Michael’s hand and fear about being close to death.

“I can’t see anything in here. I don’t think there’s a way out. Fuck, Luke I’m really sorry about all this. You just wanted a nice birthday gift and look at the mess we’re in now.”

The water is rising steadily, closing in on them. Luke is chewing at the corner of his lip, grasping Michael’s injured hand in his. Even dripping in ice cold water, Luke manages to make Michael feel warm and safe. The thought startles Michael. He hasn’t known Luke long enough to be this comfortable with him, but he is. 

“I think I have an idea.”

“Luke?”

“You told me that you like boys. I have a secret too. I have magic hair that glows when I sing.”

Michael blinks up at Luke. Michael takes it all back, all that time locked up in a tower and Luke has gone crazy. Maybe it was a bad idea for Michael to agree to this plan.

“Come again?”

Luke looks Michael in the eye, grinning at the realization. “I have magic hair that glows when I sing!”

Michael barely processes what’s happening before Luke starts singing some kind of strange song. The water finally covers them and Michael tries to hold his breath as best he can. Suddenly, Luke’s hair starts to glow from the roots to the tips. Michael almost screams in shock before he remembers that they are underwater and that would be a very bad idea.

Luke’s hair tugs towards the bottom of the tunnel, pulling their attention to a small pile of rocks. Michael pushes his way down, starting to pull the rocks away from the wall. Luke joins him and they tug away a small exit hole, the force of the water pushing them out of the tunnel and onto the shore of a riverbank.

Michael and Luke both take a gasping breath as they collapse side by side. Luke turns to Michael, grinning brightly, dimples on his cheeks, Petunia popping up onto his head. 

“We did it, Michael! We got out!” 

Michael makes eye contact with Petunia. “His hair glows.” 

Petunia looks very smug, Luke continues to cheer, grasping at Michael’s hand.

“Hair is not supposed to glow. That’s not something that happens. Do all strange men in towers have glowing hair? Is this something I was supposed to know?” Michael asks Petunia, octaves in his voice raising with confusion and concern. Petunia nods. “Why does his hair glow?!”

“Michael!” Luke calls, hands on his hips where he’s standing on the bank. He’s dripping wet, standing in the fading light on the setting sun. He shouldn’t be so pretty, but Michael thinks that might be the shock and gratitude. Even if Luke is exactly the sort of boy Michael used to dream about when he was young. 

“Luke?” Michael asks, voice strained.

“It doesn’t just glow. I can heal with it.”

“That’s strangely cryptic after you just showed me it glows. How much magic does your magically glowing hair hold, Luke from a strange tower?”

Luke huffs, coming to kneel in front of Michael. He wraps his hair around Michael’s injured palm and softly starts singing the same song. Luke’s hair begins to glow again and Michael feels a sharp tingling in his palm. Luke finishes, un-wrapping his hair, and Michael is startled to see that the cut and blood are gone.

“Don’t freak out.”

“Luke, we are well past freaking out,” Michael says, voice hitting an octave he didn’t know he could. Luke huffs again.

“If I’d known you were gonna be a baby about it, I wouldn’t have shown you.”

“Oh, so you would have died before you showed me the magically glowing healing hair?”

“Don’t be mean. I just saved our lives,” Luke says, pouting. 

“How long has it been doing that?”

Luke shrugs, “My whole life, I guess. Once, when I was a baby, people tried to cut it and take it for the magicalits magical powers. But when it’s cut it loses its color and power.”

Luke pulls back his hair, showing Michael a shorter strand of hair, dull compared to the rest of it. Michael leans forward, touching the lock softly. Luke smiles sadly at him. “It’s why I’m up in the tower. Mother says you have to protect a gift like mine. She doesn’t want me to leave because she’s worried that I’ll get hurt.”

Michael softens. It makes sense now, why Luke was up there, but it’s still cruel. No one would have to know about his hair. Why can’t he have the freedom to explore the world for himself? 

“And you still want to go back?”

“What other choice do I have? I’m safe up in the tower and I don’t think I could just leave Mother.”

“Luke, you deserve a chance to see the world and make your own choices,” Michael says, grabbing Luke’s hand and squeezing it. “I promise, that when this trip is all finished, I’ll take you on an adventure. We can travel the whole world if you want. I’ll show you everything there is to offer. Take Calum and Ashton with us. I think they liked you.”

Luke smiles a little brighter. Michael notices now that he seems to glow when he’s happy. It softens Michael. 

“You promise Michael? You aren’t just saying that because of my hair?”

“Of course I mean it, Sunshine. You’ve been a wonderful traveling companion. And I’m sure there’s plenty of floating lanterns all around for us to see.”

Luke’s smile widens. He throws his arms around Michael’s neck in a hug, “Oh thank you Michael! That’s the best birthday present ever!”

Michael blushes slightly, hiding his face in Luke’s shoulder. At least the only person around to see is Luke and Petunia. They won’t rat him out and ruin his reputation.

“Alright Luke that’s enough. It’s getting dark and we should start a fire for the night,” Michael says, pulling himself up to stand. Luke pushes himself up, coming to stand next to Luke. 

“You like me.”

“Regrettably I do. I’d like you more if you helped me get some wood.” 

Luke grins at Michael, “Only if you show me how to build a fire.”

Michael huffs, pretending to be put out, nudging Luke’s shoulder and smiling to show that he’s only teasing, “For you with the special hair, I’d do anything.”

Luke grins back, lacing their fingers together and tugging Michael in the direction of the woods to look for firewood.

Maybe traveling with Luke isn’t so bad. Maybe getting to take Luke on a trip around the world won’t be so bad. Maybe being in love isn’t the stuff of dreams, maybe it gets to be Michael’s reality.

#5 seconds of summer #michael clifford #luke hemmings #muke #there is some brief cashton in the background #god I love this tangled AU so much #my writing #reveriesofawriter

[cinnaminsvga]

🌀 social media au where namjoon is the head of research and development for the korean intelligence and he has to protect an innocent civilian from a mafia attack –– except that he’s got the wrong person 🌀

A/N: The last two (three?) updates for this series will mainly be in prose, mostly because I didn’t know how else to convey the Scenes™️ in text form without it being weird... Anyway. Here’s this! || W.C. 2.6K

prev // part 23 // next links added later.

[updates every mwf + sat/sun at 12PM PST]

When you finally regain your consciousness, it takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to their surroundings. The cold cement underneath your body is unfamiliar and disconcerting, helping you snap out of your dizziness long enough to realize that you had no idea where you were.

“Fuck.” Panic seizes you as you stare at the concrete cell you find yourself in. There is nothing inside the small room except yourself, some empty wooden shelves, and a metal door to your right, though you imagine that this room might have been used as a supply closet at one point. That doesn’t help you understand where you are, however.

“I was… at home? And then… I was texting Mafia Man and... oh fuck. The mole. Hoseok!” You exclaim, scrambling to your feet before falling face flat once more onto the floor. “What the hell..?” You see that you had tripped over the ropes that were binding you, as it seems that the ones near your legs had untangled somewhat.

After a bit of fidgeting and clawing at the rope, you manage to free yourself with only a small rope burn by your thigh. Whoever had tied you up must not have had much experience with tying people up, but luckily for you… Well, let’s just say being a horny weeb has its perks in times like this.

Unfortunately, your captors had remembered to lock the door, and no matter how hard you slammed your body against it, it didn’t look like it was anywhere near buckling down. “Let me out!” you scream, despite how futile and stupid it is. You continue to bang your fists against the metal regardless. “Once I get out of here, you guys are gonna get absolutely fucked by my yakuza boyfriend!”

No response. Either your guard was scared of the prospect of your (not) imaginary boyfriend, or they had left you alone without a guard. Frankly, you’re more offended if the latter is true because that means these mafia assholes were certain that you wouldn’t make it out on your own anyway.

“Well, it’s true but they still shouldn’t do that,” you mutter angrily to yourself, sliding down to the floor and hugging your knees to your chest. Well, guess you should start getting comfortable if this is going to be the way you’ll live for the rest of your short lifespan.

“Let’s hope Mister Mafia-Slash-FBI Man figures out I’m gone and comes to rescue me,” you say, though the dejected tone of your voice makes it all apparent that you hold no faith in those group of bumbling idiots. “They didn’t even know they had a mole in their presence! I’m gonna fucking die all because of stupid FBI man…”

At the very least, if you make it alive… FBI Man definitely owes you, and you already know what you want in return. “Hot yakuza boyfriend… wait for me,” you sigh dreamily to yourself, closing your eyes as you wait for whatever your future will bring.

“I don’t get paid enough for this,” Namjoon growls lowly to himself, the beginnings of a migraine starting to form. He had just turned off his phone to keep it from ringing, just in case Jungkook doesn’t listen to him and tries to call him and consequently give away his cover. “I can’t believe I’m saving this stupid weeb dumbass. I could die. Or worse, I could lose my job! Fuck!”

Namjoon would have loved to recite a litany of curses for a longer period of time, but the sound of footsteps from behind the abandoned warehouse walls causes him to clamp his mouth shut. He can feel his heart jump to his throat as he strains his ears to hear the conversations of the men behind the walls, trying to pinpoint the recognizable voice of the man he thought that he could trust.

“Did you see that girl that Hoseok brought in to the compound? She looked like a piece of work.” A rugged voice laughs, his deep timbre reverberating even through the walls. “Wonder why he would go through so many lengths to capture her.”

“Maybe Hoseok just likes his women like her,” another voice replies. They sound like they’re getting closer to where Namjoon is standing, and he hopes that they don’t suddenly decide to open or close the door that someone had left ajar. “Bit of a surprise really. Didn’t think he even swung that way.”

“I guess he just didn’t like the girls up in the clubs we go to. Either that, or I didn’t think he was interested in that sorta thing. He looks pretty young, probably the same age as my lil bro. It’s a wonder why he even joined the gang in the first place,” the first man says, and Namjoon can’t help but wonder the same thing. “He’s a real weirdo, that one. A great spy for us, though.”

“I know! Can you believe he got through the resident genius of Korean Intelligence? What was his name again? Kim Namboob or something?” Namjoon almost whines at that, having to shove a fist into his mouth to keep himself from yelling at that rude piece of scum. Namboob! He didn’t graduate university at the tender age of 10 to be scorned like this!

Another pair of footsteps sound like they’re coming closer as well. “You guys talkin’ about me?” The new intruder giggles, and Namjoon feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand up in attention.

It’s Hoseok.

“Not at all, kid. Though, now that you’re here, we wanted to ask how your little whore is doin’. You gonna keep her all to yourself or are ya sharing her with the rest of us?” The two men laugh loudly at that. Namjoon grits his teeth in anger, wanting nothing more than to burst through the doors and punch them right where it hurts (though he imagines his limited upper body strength would only cause his fist to break in the aftermath). As much as he thought you were an annoying piece of shit, no one deserved to be spoken about like that.

And it sounds like Hoseok agrees. “Fellas, I’d really appreciate it if you don’t make jokes like that. Ever. These people might be our hostages, but they’re still people. We’re living in 2019, for fuck’s sake.”

The gruffer man snorts. “Geez, kid. Learn to take a joke. Ain’t none of us touching her, anyway. She looks like one of those crazy bitches who spurts their gurts for 2D guys or something.”

Though Hoseok doesn’t reply to that, Namjoon nods his head in agreement. Oh, how right he was.

“Anyway, we’re heading out. Boss says you can keep your girlie in there for another two days, but then you’re gonna have to deal with her after. He’s getting pissed since the feds won’t give up the ransom money for that Halsey girl, so you better not get on his bad side today.”

“Right. See you boys around,” Hoseok says, and it takes a second for Namjoon to scramble away from his position and hide behind a lone metal barrel. He makes it just in time as the two men exit the warehouse, the glint of their guns visible even in the moonlight.

Close one, Namjoon thinks, breathing hard as the adrenaline in his veins refuses to die down. Now’s his chance to sneak in and follow Hoseok to where you were likely being held captive!

He waits for Hoseok to walk away first before poking his head through the door, trying to keep his movements as silent as possible (a feat in itself, as his limbs tended to have a mind of their own sometimes.) He sees Hoseok turn the corner, and Namjoon hastens to follow him, carrying his footsteps while also trying to keep up with the traitor’s quick pace.

They walk through a few corridors, passing a few rooms that Namjoon is itching to investigate, but he focuses himself on the task at hand. Get Y/N, make sure she’s okay, then leave. Anything else other than that can be handled by the Six once they arrive. He wonders if he should make a detour and try to find Halsey as well, but it sounds like from Hoseok’s conversation a while ago that she would be more heavily guarded, so he swallows down his guilt and trudges on towards the lesser important hostage. (You suddenly sneeze in the distance.)

When Hoseok stops right in front of what looks like a supply closet, Namjoon has to skitter to a halt, holding his breath and hoping that Hoseok hadn’t heard the squeak of his shoes. Lucky for him, Hoseok seems none the wiser as he pats his pockets for the keys to your makeshift holding cell, opening the door wide open and revealing your prone form on the floor—

“YOU FUCKING BITCH!” Your sudden shout causes Hoseok to flinch back in shock. In a flash, you stand up with your hands raised, landing a punch against Hoseok’s left cheek that left him groaning in pain. “What the fuck!” you screech, clutching your fist in pain. “Damn you ikemen boys and your sharp jawlines! You fucking hurt my hand!”

If Namjoon was in an anime, he’s sure there would be one of those cartoon sweatdrops illustrated just above his head right now.

But Hoseok was quick to recover; he grabs you in a chokehold, subduing you to the floor with a grunt. “Please, don’t make this any more troublesome than it has to,” he murmurs, forcing your face onto the dirty concrete. “I’m so sorry, Y/N. I really don’t want to hurt you but I can’t let you run off just yet.”

As Namjoon watches you struggle against Hoseok’s hold, he feels searing anger and protectiveness suddenly surge through him in waves. How dare that fucker touch you like that! Are we in some sexist BDSM Wattpad fanfiction or something? Hell no! It is that overwhelming wrath that causes Namjoon to jump out of hiding, wrenching you free of Hoseok’s grip with a strength he did not know he possessed.

“Y/N! Are you alright?” Namjoon huffs, struggling to keep Hoseok in place. When Hoseok realizes who it is, he stops squirming. Namjoon ignores him for now, accessing you for injuries. “They didn’t do anything bad to you, did they?”

“Who the fuck?” You splutter, your eyes bugging out of their sockets. You stare at Namjoon, unmoving for what feels like hours. Namjoon still has to latch onto Hoseok to keep him from lunging at you again, though he seems just as perplexed by Namjoon’s sudden appearance as you were.

“Namjoon?” Hoseok tries to twist himself to face him, jaw agape. “What the..? You never do fieldwork! What are you doing here?”

Meanwhile, you were over there like, “Huh? Hughhdfh? HHSHJFHDF?” Truly a person of many talents, you were somehow able to verbalize a keysmash in real life. “HHSFFJKFSKFS?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to turn you in and save Y/N, you filthy traitor,” Namjoon growls, surprising everyone with how menacing his voice had gotten. “I can’t believe you fucking drugged our teammates! You betrayed all of us when we had accepted you like you were family!”

“I know, okay? Believe me, I fucking know,” Hoseok sighs, shoulders sagging. “If there was any other way, I would’ve—“

“YAKUZA BOYFRIEND?” You scream, interrupting the heated conversation in front of you. You have your hands splayed dramatically across your chest, the expression on your face comical. You raise a trembling finger towards Namjoon, pointing almost accusatorially at him. “You’re the dude from the picture! Hot yakuza dude! What the fuck? Am I dreaming? Is this some twisted joke, or am I having a wet dream again?” You pinch yourself. “Ouch! Nope, I’m not fucking dreaming.”

“Y/N, I can explain later, but we have to get out of here,” Namjoon starts, but Hoseok takes this as his chance to escape Namjoon when he feels his grip loosen slightly. Hoseok elbows him straight in the sternum, stealing Namjoon’s breath and knocking him down to the floor. He goes to grab you again, holding his arm around your neck and facing the two of you towards Namjoon. Then, you feel a hard cool metal object pressed above your right ear.

“Don’t you dare move, Joonie,” Hoseok warns, holding you tighter. You whimper pathetically, going stock still as fear encompasses you whole. Oh shit, you forgot that you weren’t an anime heroine for a moment there. Namjoon goes still as well, hands raised mid-air as he stares pointedly at the gun placed by your head.

“Hoseok, don’t do this,” Namjoon says as calmly as he can. He can feel his heart hammering against his chest, and his vision is beginning to swim from the nerves. This is where his lack of fieldwork training is made apparent, and he’s never regretted skipping out on PE more than he did right now. “Let’s not get hasty here…”

He doesn’t falter. “Leave, then. If you don’t want to see Y/N hurt, then it’s best you stay far away from here. Call off back-up as well. I don’t want any fighting going on tonight.”

Namjoon grits his teeth. “You know I can’t do that.”

You gasp when you hear the sound of the gun clicking. “Joonie, I’m asking very nicely,” Hoseok says, calm. “Is this girl really worth risking your life over? You and I both know that I can easily kill the both of you. Why don’t we keep the casualty count as low as possible and go on our merry way.”

“Yeah?” Namjoon feels himself laugh, but he doesn’t quite know what’s funny. He’s running on pure adrenaline right now, trying his best to stall for as long as possible. Any minute now, back-up should come… If he knows Jungkook at all, he’ll have tracked his phone even after he had told the younger to leave him be, so at the very least he can rely on him arriving. But the only question remains is… when? Hurry, Jungkook.

“How can I be so sure that you won’t just kill Y/N and I once I turn my back, huh? I know I’m an idiot when it comes to real-life battles, but even I’m not that naive.”

“I swear on my life,” Hoseok says. His gaze is stoic, but there is a fire burning behind them. “I swear on my father’s grave.”

Namjoon stops, hanging onto Hoseok’s words. His father… If he remembers Hoseok’s personal file correctly, he knows that Hoseok’s father had died at the hands of loan sharks. Was that why Hoseok was working with the mafia? To pay back his debt? Or to exact revenge?

“Hoseok… Is that why?” Namjoon mutters to himself, posture slackening. He feels the flames of guilt licking up and down his spine. Hoseok watches him curiously, though his grasp on you doesn’t wane.

“Why what?”

“Your father… He’s the reason you’re with the mafia, aren’t you?”

Hoseok’s face gives it all away. As much as he is a spy, he’s still an expressive type of guy, especially when it came to his family. His mouth crumples into a ㅅ shape immediately. “Namjoon. Please, just leave, alright? I’ll take care of Y/N. Even though it seems like I’ve betrayed you, just… Just trust me, okay? I don’t go around betraying family unless there’s a reason.”

Namjoon hesitates. He feels his guard slowly falling, despite knowing that this could just be another trick Hoseok is employing to dig up his weak sentimental side. Curse me and my stupid empathetic heart! he thinks disappointedly to himself. 

Just as Namjoon is about to make a decision, the three of you are surprised when you hear the telltale sound of another gun clicking behind you. From the shadows, another figure appears.

“Freeze. Nobody fucking move.”

Then, you scream.

#btsguild #btsboulangerie #bts social media au #bts texts #bts scenarios #bts imagines #bts fake texts #bts #bangtan #namjoon scenarios #namjoon imagines #namjoon fake texts #namjoon texts #kim namjoon

[nxah-czerny]

andrew couldn’t sleep.

it had been a few hours since he realized it was pointless to even try. or maybe it had only been a few minutes; it was impossible to say. the hours passed as though they were days and those days could never find an ending.

andrew rarely slept.

sometimes it was easier when he was alone. there was no body pressed up against him, nothing reminding him of all those nights where he’d been unable to protect himself. no shallow breathing, no heartbeat underneath his palm. no one he trusted sleeping next to him, letting his guard down, only to wake up in a sweat unsure of where he was and who was next to him.

sometimes it was harder when he was alone. there was no body pressed up against him, nothing reminding him that all those nights were finally behind him. no shallow breathing, no heartbeat underneath his palm and no one he trusted sleeping next to him. nothing to remind him when he woke up in a sweat that he was safe. he was safe.

that was one of the reasons andrew didn’t sleep; he never knew who he would be when he woke up.

he didn’t have nightmares every night. some nights were good. some nights he fell asleep and didn’t wake up until the sun was up with him. other nights were bad. other nights he fell asleep and was haunted by all the reasons he had to sleep with his back to the wall. he would wake up with his nightmares lingering and sometimes it was easier to find himself alone, but sometimes it wasn’t.

there were also the nights where he never even got around to falling asleep. the nights where he knew those memories would haunt him through closed eyelids before he even closed them. some nights it was easy to fight sleep, but some nights it wasn’t. there were some nights where he had no choice but to face it.

and then there were nights like this one. the nights where he would have accepted sleep and could possibly even enjoy it. not that he would ever know, though. he’d been laying here for dangerously long hours and his eyes would not stay closed. it was rare that he asked them to, but tonight he did and tonight they didn’t listen.

andrew had been avoiding the dim gaze of the clock for an indiscernible amount of time. the persistent checking of time only made it slower and it was already moving slow enough. but now he caught the faint glow of it and he could no longer ignore it. it was beckoning to him. he looked.

3:59am. which meant he had been lying awake for four hours and 32 minutes. which meant the sun would be rising in approximately 64 minutes. give or take.

there was no reason for andrew to be in bed when there was no chance of sleep presenting itself tonight. other than, perhaps, hope, which he’d never been a keen believer in. the only other thing keeping him in bed was the lone example that suggested he was capable of kindness. perhaps the word wasn’t kind, though. considerate, maybe. whatever it was, it was the only thing keeping him from abandoning the bed that would not be seeing any sleep tonight. from him, anyways.

the issue was that the bed was tucked away in the corner of the room, right against the wall. and andrew, like usual, slept on the inside with his back to said wall. if he did want to get up it would not be easy to do so without disturbing the person who was actually sleeping.

andrew stared at the silhouette of neil as he had been all night. when the night had begun, neil had been tucked right next to him with his bare back against his bare chest, legs tangled together, and andrew’s arm protectively curved around his waist. now distance presented itself between andrew and the one person that could sometimes make sleeping a little easier. it had gotten hot as andrew had attempted to force sleep and he could no longer deal with the warmth of another person sidled up against him. his back now touched the wall, but his arm remained outstretched and his fingers lightly brushed against bare skin. underneath his faint touch, neil shivered. a natural reaction; it didn’t mean the two were both in a state of consciousness. andrew drew back his hand, but hesitated. his fingers hovered above neil’s waist before making a decision. he placed his hand back on his bare skin and let it stay there.

something about the touch made andrew feel very unlike himself. it was so innocent and gentle; it meant to cause no harm. there was only warmth and comfort, words that had never been affiliated with andrew. and yet that’s what he felt. with his hand holding onto the only thing in his life that had ever been stable, andrew didn’t feel afraid. he didn’t dread sleeping - whether he  could or not - and he didn’t feel angry. all he felt was a sense of peace flood his chest.

the fact that he didn’t feel afraid was enough to scare him. andrew retrieved his hand and held it close to his own chest, cradling it as though it were tainted. it was, in a sense. andrew had never been used to the idea of safety. that was never a concept that had been offered to him, so why would it be now?

andrew had been dealing with demons his entire life; who was to say this still form sleeping next to him was not another one? he’d been offered a sense of security and it was enough for him to let his guard down, but what if that was the point? what if he was no longer watching his back close enough so he didn’t see when the person who made him feel safe proved to him why that was never an option?

it was easier to not let people in. stay closed off, stay on guard, don’t get hurt. he wouldn’t let himself be hurt by somebody who looked at andrew like he was a place to call home.

andrew closed his eyes; sometime that was easier.

he was safe. there was no one in this room that would hurt him. he knew that, but it was hard to really know it. he wished he wasn’t the only one awake. it would be easier to reassure himself that this body next to him would never hurt him if he could see neil and not just another person.

sometimes being awake was harder.

andrew, as quietly as he could manage, got out of bed. he moved to the foot of the bed and eased himself onto the floor, careful not to make any noise. the door made a slow creak as he pulled it open and he stopped. he glanced back to the bed he’d just abandoned.

from this angle, with the curtain drawn back slightly and the moon pooling through the sliver of revealed window, he saw what he was running away from.

it was hard to remember all of the horrible and scarring things neil had done when all andrew could see was the innocence on his sleeping face. it was hard to imagine this boy being someone who had to bury his dead mother while running from his mafia-involved father and spat vicious, death-enticing words at someone who could - and would - easily tear his life apart.

this was another person entirely. this was someone who could take andrew apart with one gentle touch and held onto andrew so lightly when he couldn’t sleep, either. this was someone who believed the two of them deserved to be safe and deserved each other. he believed they were more than their trauma.

andrew wanted to believe that, too. neil made it easier to believe.

but right now this room was full of thoughts that andrew no longer wanted to believe and he needed an escape. neil remained motionless, so andrew slipped past the door and shut it as quietly as he could.

it was brighter out here. moonlight spilled through the kitchen window and cast a soft glow throughout the room. it felt safer out here. he thought if he crawled onto the couch he would probably be able to fall asleep, but he no longer wanted sleep. he wanted to breathe.

andrew stepped outside onto the balcony and let the door fall shut behind him. mid-august left the air with a sticky heat that clung to skin. the summer had been unusually hot which stuck around even into the night. andrew didn’t mind the heat, though. there was something about the prickling warmth that reminded him he was alive. and he was awake.

and he was safe.

out of habit, andrew intended to grab cigarettes. he had barely moved his hand from his tight grip on the railing when he recalled there was no possible place he could be storing them. the only article of clothing he wore was boxers and he no longer had a backup. the armbands he’d once sported everywhere he went - even in sleep - no longer took up constant residency on his arms. he still wore them when he went out in public or on the rare occasion people were over, but when it was just him and neil he had found no need for them.

smoking was also no longer the habit it once was. he still had a cigarette in a stressful situation or after a particularly bad nightmare, but he didn’t depend on them the way he once did. neil had quit altogether nearly a year ago, but andrew could see the change in his eyes whenever he caught the scent. it was the way he looked when he thought of his mother. there was something dangerous and sad in that look and it was the reason andrew had cut back. not that he would ever tell neil that.

with nothing else to do with his hands, andrew drummed his fingers against the railing. the city beneath him was lit up, but it was quiet. few cars roamed the streets and even fewer people. he could hear the murmur of music playing in the far off distance; far enough away that all he could pick up on was the rhythm of the bassline.

andrew closed his eyes. the air was already thick and humid. it was clear the ensuing day would be another hot one. soon, the sun would be rising and the streets would be filled with life. people would be waking up because they had been asleep and they would head off to work. andrew would still be at home because exy was in its off-season. perhaps he would finally fall asleep, or maybe he would remain awake. maybe the thoughts that kept him awake all night would not disappear with the moon and stars, rather follow him into the day. that happened sometimes.

sometimes the day was no easier than the night.

the door behind him opened.

just like with the cigarettes, andrew’s instinct was to retrieve his knives from his armbands. whoever was behind him would not get to him before he could get to them. unlike with his cigarettes, andrew’s mind pulled ahead of his actions. he remained staring straightforward with great restraint.

he knew who it was. he knew the person now with him on the balcony was the same person he’d just left behind in his bedroom, but old habits died hard. and on a night like this one it was hard not to imagine another person from many other nights finding him in an enclosed space where he had no way out. now he had no armbands and no knives tucked away which meant he had nothing to protect himself.

but there was nothing to protect himself from, because he was safe.

even still, andrew felt his shoulders stiffen as the door fell shut. there was a presence right behind him now and he heard footsteps moving closer to him, but he still looked forward. there was no sense in turning when he knew exactly who it was.

neil stood next to him now. there was enough space between them that another person could almost stand in the middle if they were small enough. but andrew knew he wasn’t alone and maybe that made this easier. maybe.

andrew realized the sun was beginning to rise. right in front of him the sky was lighter and stars were beginning to disappear. it faded into a pale blue that met with a dim orange at the horizon. a new day and it felt like the previous one hadn’t even ended.

neil was looking at andrew now and andrew didn’t need to be looking back to know that. neil had the type of gaze that was piercing and impossible not to feel. or maybe that was just the way he looked at andrew. andrew had never been able to figure out whether he hated that look or loved it; he had the same dilemma with neil, himself. andrew stopped himself from looking back for as long as he could, but it became difficult to resist the pull neil had over him. he looked.

andrew saw that neil was as awake as andrew was.

he didn’t look like somebody who had just been woken up. he looked like someone that had been lying awake for hours, trying to find someway to convince himself to fall asleep with no success. it was the same way andrew looked.

more importantly, andrew felt relief when he saw neil.

this was the neil that had buried his mother’s bones on the beach. it was the neil who had spent his life running from his father and had been nearly murdered by him because he’d been trying to keep andrew safe. this was the same neil that held onto andrew when neither of them could sleep, and could make andrew - with his eidetic memory - forget everything he knew with one kiss. neil could tear andrew apart as easily as he could keep him together; the reverse was also true.

but there was nothing about neil that scared andrew. neil would never hurt him in the same way that he would never hurt neil, and sometimes it was harder to wake up alone, but right now andrew never wanted to be alone again.

andrew slid closer to neil so they were only a breath apart. neither of them said anything because neither of them had words that would make a difference. but neil offered his hand to andrew and that was enough. andrew slid his hand into neil’s, their fingers laced together, and he let out a breath. it was a breath of fear he had been unable to shake until now, and now it was only air.

sometimes being awake was easier when he wasn’t alone, and even easier when he wasn’t the only one awake. sometimes being awake was easier when he could watch the sun rise and feel the comfort of a palm warm against his own. sometimes neil made being awake easier.  

there was nothing to be afraid of; andrew was safe.

#i realized it had been a while since i'd written anything andreil so here #i wrote this pretty quickly so hopefully it's fine #andreil #aftg #my writing #andrew minyard #neil josten #all for the game #tfc #the foxhole court

[arkeustale]

The First Born

“Darkness will fall once more on the first night of the First Born. They will decide the fate of Evangelica and its world.”

Once upon a not-so-great time, there was a kingdom overrun by evil entities and beings.

The kingdom was so unfortunate that everyday there were numerous reports of possessions, tortures, and, of course, deaths.

Gloomy and dark, as if the whole kingdom was trapped in a monochrome filter, this unfortunate Victorian-esque place was called Noir Kingdom.  

But one night, everything changed. A bright light burst out of the castle-cathedral and shot towards the sky. In that light, an angelic figure appeared and vanquished all the evil in the kingdom with one stroke.

Once finished, it enveloped the kingdom of Noir in a holy shield that kept all evil beings from entering the kingdom.

Though it was a surprise, there was no mystery behind where the bright light came from. Among the last remaining handful of citizens that took refuge in the castle was a little girl. She was found cradling her lifeless mother who died protecting her from monsters. With her father missing and her mother now gone, the girl became an orphan of the kingdom. Her name was Evangelie Raviere.

Even though it was the most tragic night for the innocent young Evangelie, her noble actions, accidental as they were, saved the remaining people of Noir and gave them hope once again.  Dawn finally came to the Kingdom. Colors filled the streets and homes; it was a sign of fortunate new beginnings. Noir had woken up from a very long nightmare.  

Noir Kingdom and its citizens owed their lives to Evangelie. They made sure that the little girl would never feel alone. The kingdom was her family now.

The citizens took to the streets and rejoiced in their freedom. And so the Holy Spirit festival was born as a reminder of the day the light returned to their kingdom.

From then on, the kingdom was no longer known as Noir—a name that conjured memories of their past horrors—but Evangelica in honor of their hero.

Despite the fame and gratitude bestowed upon her by the citizens of the kingdom, Evangelie remained humble. She wanted to live a normal life; that was her only request to the people; one which they easily granted.

The years passed and Evangelie, who grew up to be a kind and generous young lady, fell in love. She married her childhood friend; a boy named Tim who, like her, had been orphaned during the dark days. Their love gave birth to a daughter who they named Ellie. Finally, the orphaned girl who saved a kingdom had a family to call her own.

Ellie grew up to be kind, generous, and brave like her mother. The epitome of the kindness of strangers, Ellie never hesitated to lend a helping hand, even if others were not so quick to do so. It was no surprise then that she fell in love with one such weary soul who crossed paths with her; a young, lone traveler named Harry Greyhound.

Harry was a troubled young man. Anyone who crossed paths with him could see that. After all, he was a Greyhound*. Anyone who lived through the dark days knew what being a Greyhound meant. It was only natural for the citizens of the kingdom, who all felt protective of their savior’s daughter, to be wary of him.

Still, Ellie believed that Harry was a good man, no matter what anyone said. Their opinions of him were unfounded as far as she was concerned, until Harry confided in her.

“I’m cursed.” Harry told her. “My entire family is.”

Harry told her about his family’s history and the curse of the Hound-blood* knowing that it meant he could lose Ellie. The last thing he wanted was to put people in danger, especially the love of his life.

Ellie confronted Harry. "I don't care what curse you bear. If your love is real, you'll stay. I'm ready for the challenges that we might face because my love for you is undeniably true."

Harry was convinced and his love for Ellie triumphed. He stayed.

Even though they knew the dangers of having a Greyhound in the family, Evangelie and Tim accepted Harry to their family.

Soon, Ellie and Harry married. Evangelie's family was growing. And despite her wrinkles and gray hair, it was truly one of those happiest moments in her life.

Life went on in Evangelica.

One evening, while Tim and Evangelie slept peacefully in their simple bungalow house in the western part of Evangelica a bright pulsing light stirred Evangelie from her sleep. Outside her window were flashes of light. As soon as Evangelie pushed open the curtains, what she saw  filled her with dread.

Evangelica was burning! Its people screamed as evil beings roamed the streets once more.

"Follow me." A whisper passed through Evangelie's ear. A white glowing figure stood at her door and beckoned her to follow it into the streets of Evangelica.

The figure of light steadily glowed despite the chaos in the streets of Evangelica. It did not speak nor did it show any signs of stopping, not until they reached the cathedral. On the walls of the cathedral, it read—

“Darkness will fall once more on the first night of the First Born. They will decide the fate of Evangelica and its world.”

Tears fell from Evangelie's eyes. She heard screeches and low roaring noises behind her. Evangelie turned around and saw the evil entities surrounding her, with only the glowing figure standing between them.  

The evil entities and the glow, while absorbing them, slowly moved forward to Evangelie. She stepped back slowly.

The glow grew darker and darker until it turned black. Corrupted by the evil it had absorbed, it became a new evil entity and was now three times larger than its former size.

Evangelie reached the wall, she was already cornered. The new evil opened its mouth, lined with sharp teeth, and moved to strike. Cornered, scared and powerless, Evangelie closed her eyes. Maybe it was her time.

The bells rang from the Cathedral.

It was just a dream.

Evangelie woke up to the morning sun in her eyes, the Cathedral bells ringing across the whole of Evangelica echoed in her room. Gone were the dark shadows that surrounded her, replaced by the dancing prisms of light that shined through her window. It was only a nightmare. But she felt something different, it felt more like a warning. A prophecy.

Evangelie tried to keep her dream to herself for several days but it kept bothering her that she finally decided to tell her family.

She arranged a family meeting that evening. Tim, Ellie, and Harry were all present. Evangelie told them her dream. Everyone was surprised.

"Maybe it was just the usual nightmare, mom. Besides, we have the barrier." Ellie told her mom. Trying to be the optimist.

"But my child, this feeling, I can't just ignore it. I haven’t felt this fear since Evangelica was still known as Noir." Evangelie replied.

"Okay, okay. I think there's no hurt in being prepared?" said Tim.

"Alright then. I'll speak to the King and warn him. My love, come with me and let's try to figure out the message in my dream." Evangelie replied.

"I'll reach out to my contacts and old friends just in case. Anything to protect my family and our baby." Harry added.

"Thank you, my son. As for you Ellie, get enough rest and don't stress yourself. Okay? We're only 2 months away until we see our little angel." Evangelie ended the meeting with a smile.

Ellie replied with a sincere but worried smile.

The next few weeks were busy for Evangelie and her family. She and Tim went to the castle-cathedral and told the King about the prophecy. Without any hesitation, the King agreed to Evangelie's request; Assistance from the Royal Guards, tighten the kingdom’s security, and access to the Room.

It wasn’t long until the rumors spread across Evangelica. Worry and fear struck every citizen's heart once more, but the King and the castle officials tried their best to pacify the people by holding all sorts of events; festivals, food parades, contests, and so much more just to keep them calm.

Evangelie and Tim began researching every lists and medical records for any babies to be born on the same day as their grandchild. And to their surprise, there were none. This result added more worry to Evangelie but even though stressed, she tried to keep a positive mind.

Tim tried to ease his wife’s worries  as much as he could but Evangelie just couldn't be stopped. At night, she would  sneak out of her bed and go to the Room. Tinkering.

Tim knew about his wife's late-night shenanigans but he didn’t want to stop her either. He knew and understood the stress that Evangelie felt. And all he could do was support her.

Several more weeks passed, and the baby was only a month away.

And just as expected, the stress took a toll on Evangelie's body. She wasn’t young anymore and her body had become frail, she realized. Evangelie got over fatigued and was advised to remain in bed rest to recover. Tim took care of his wife, advised her to take a break from worrying and just stay in bed.

One morning, Ellie told her father that she would be the one to take care of her mother while he sleeps. Sleepy Tim didn't refuse and slept in the living room.

Evangelie woke and saw her Ellie wiping her with a warm towel. Evangelie smiled.

"It's just 2 weeks away. Have you and Harry thought of a name for my grandchild?" said Evangelie

Ellie smiled and said "If it's a girl, we'll name her Mina. And if it's a boy, it will be Maximillian."

"Those are lovely names. And what a coincidence, they'll be born just in time for the Holy Spirit Festival." Evangelie replied.

"A blessing in disguise, perhaps?" said Ellie while she finished tending to her mother.

After a week more of rest, Evangelie was now back on her feet. She tried finishing the preparation and asked Harry for any updates on his contacts.

Harry told her that he had already sent a letter to them and they replied right away, agreeing to give assistance. Evangelie was happy with this news.

The day finally came, sunrise to be specific. Ellie screamed to Harry that her water had broken!

Harry, panicking, didn't know what to do. He called Evangelie and she shoved him out of their room.

Evangelie, a mother, and a trained midwife helped Ellie through her labor. And before they knew it, it was done.

Harry and Tim rushed into the room and saw not one but two beautiful babies cradled in Ellie’s arms. Twins! A boy and a girl.

Ellie, now a parent, smiled,  "Welcome to the world, Maximillian and Mina."

Evangelie stepped out of the room then returned holding a necklace. It was small, silver circlet in the shape of a crown. On one side was the face of the sun, on the other the moon.

Evangelie held the necklace between her palms until a bright yellow light shone from within. She opened her hands and the necklace became two pieces. A sun and a moon.

Evangelie leaned towards the twins and said, "Hello my beautiful little angels, grandmama has a gift for you." She placed the necklaces on her grandchildren.

Later that day, a group of people knocked on the Raviere and Greyhound residences. Harry opened the door and was happy with what he saw.

Outside stood a group of strange-looking people who clearly weren’t from there. Leading the group was a large, long-haired scruffy, man. He wore a maroon trench coat over his black ragged shirt, faded jeans and boots. It was none other than Harry’s brother, Fenrir, and behind him were the Sacrifars.

Harry introduced Fenrir to Evangelie and told her about their story. Amazed and relieved, Evangelie thanked Fenrir and the rest of the Sacrifars for their assistance. Evangelie and Harry asked if he wanted to see his nephew and niece. Fenrir jumped for joy and agreed.

That night, the streets were quiet, even for Evangelica. The Royal Guards were everywhere. From the gates, to the streets, and of course, at the Raviere's. The Holy Spirit festival was cancelled that night.

It was already 10:45pm, The guards usually made rounds every 15 minutes to patrol and change location. Now it's already 11:00pm, it's time for the guards to exchange location.

On top of the wall in the western side of the kingdom, two guards walked towards each other. As the first guard approached, he couldn't resist to chat with the other one.

"Gloomy weather isn't it?" said the first guard.

"Yeah...can't wait for this night to end!" the other guard replied.

"Same here. Oh well, back to work. Drinks tomorrow?" the first guard randomly invited.

"Drinks tomorrow." the other guard accepted.

As they moved farther from each other, the other guard forgot to ask the location, so she turned around.

"By the way, where-" but her question was cut short when she didn't see the first guard and all the other guards on patrol in their location.

Cold sweat dripped from her temple. The eerie quiet was replaced by a soft rustling just before a swarm of shadows burst from the forest and moved into Evangelica.

Her shriek from the Western wall was heard across the kingdom.

Evangelie, got out of the room, trying to be as calm as she could be, and told everyone inside and outside the house. "They're here."

The Royal Guards, Fenrir, and the Sacrifars are now armed and ready.

12:00 mn.

It was chaos once again in Noir. Burning houses and screaming people were heard everywhere.

It didn't take long, the swarm of Vampires* were only a  few meters away from the Raviere's.

The clash finally ensued outside the house, the Royal Guards and the Sacrifars tried to stop the invaders.

1:00 am.

It was a tug of war on both sides. Their skills versus the Vampires’ numbers.

The Sacrifars unleashed their feral forms. Some of the Royal Guards were confused, surprised, and scared but were quickly relieved when they saw that they were still on their side.

2:00 am.

They were finally winning until Fenrir noticed something.

Something wasn’t right. These kinds of attacks were always led by someone. “Where is their leader?” Fenrir called out in the chaos, before he realized… “the house!”

Fenrir ran towards the house. There was an exchange of red and yellow light coming from inside. And then a loud bang was heard from the house along with a fading red light.

Fenrir reached the house and smashed the door open and what he saw made a scar in the very fabric of his memory.

Bodies were scattered across the Raviere's house. Fenrir saw the lifeless Royal Guards and Sacrifars. And along with them was Tim who was lying flat on the floor while holding a sword. His neck and stomach were drenched in blood.

It didn't take long for Fenrir to find his brother Harry and his wife, Ellie. They were in a hallway leading to the rooms, lying on the floor opposite each other with their hands held.

Fenrir hurried to them, but it was too late. It was a total massacre. Fenrir wanted to mourn for his brother, but he knew that he still needed to find Evangelie and the twins.

Fenrir moved on to the hallway and stopped just outside of the only lit room, where he heard a pair of voices arguing. He crept close enough to the room to be able to listen but not seen.

Inside was a tall menacing figure with long hair that trailed down to its back. From the top of its head, bones sprouted in the form of a crown. Opposite the dark figure was Evangelie, old and frail in appearance and yet unwavering in the other’s presence. Her hands clenched at the crib behind her where the twins were crying.

"You've grown old, Evangelie. Your barrier has gotten weak. I'm sorry for the mess by the way. It seems like you have a lot of pests in this house. I have to-" said the tall figure.

"Who are you?! And what do you want?" Evangelie interrupted.

"Oh! Where are my manners. I'm Dalveth, ruler of all Vampires and eventually your kingdom. And in a few moments, your end." Dalveth mischievously replied.

"What do you want!?" Evangelie repeated. Fenrir saw movements in Evangelie's hand. She was stalling. She was casting a spell on the babies one at a time.

"We all know what I came for. The first borns! Now, I have no time for this and apologies for not knocking earlier but I'm in a bit of a rush. Hand me the babies now!" Dalveth slowly losing its temper.

"No! You won't take them from us! I won't allow you." Evangelie shouted.

"Try me." said Dalveth as it glowed red before launching himself at Evangelie. Evangelie threw her hands up in front of her, countering Dalveth with a holy shield, her enchantments on the babies disrupted.

Evangelie tried her best to counter Dalveth but its power was slowly getting through the shield. She also knew that this being wasn't using its full power yet.

Fenrir couldn't watch anymore, he finally rushed into the room while transforming mid-way to help Evangelie. Fenrir tackled Dalveth and for the first time, Fenrir saw its face.

Its skin was pale and grey; its ears were pointed like a bat; its red snake-like eyes had a gaze that pierced deep into the soul. Long sharp fangs came out its dark purple lips. But all of this led to the face of a narcissist. A terrifying beauty struggled to emerge from the horror.

Fenrir screamed "Get out of here now!" as he pinned Dalveth on the floor.

But Evangelie was already on her knees, she seemed to be feeling weaker.

"I see the cavalry has arrived. Got to give it to you. I didn't notice you there. I forgot to 'unhide' my presence*." smirked Dalveth before he unleashed his aura.

3:00 am.

Eyes wide open, Fenrir was shocked at what he felt. It was like death crept through every pore on his skin. It was so strong that everything around the house started to rot. It was indeed the presence of the King of Nightmares.

"Move." Dalveth's face shifted quickly from mischievous to vicious as he shoved Fenrir across the room. Fenrir hit the wall, now in his human state again but unconscious.

"Now where were we again? Ah the babies." Dalveth rose to his feet and returned his attention to Evangelie.

Still on her knees, Evangelie coughed and blood came out of her mouth.

"Aw your body can’t handle your powers anymore?" Dalveth teased, kicking Evangelie in the stomach.

Evangelie didn't respond. Tears rolled from her eyes as she struggled to get up.

Dalveth walked towards the crib. Evangelie held Dalveth’s foot to stop him but the evil entity effortlessly kicked Evangelie more to loosen her grip.

Dalveth was now standing in front of the crib. He looked down and was not amused. “Where is the other one?!”

Evangelie muttered “I’m sorry...I’m so sorry...I couldn’t protect you...” as tears streamed from her eyes.

“Where is the other baby!?” Dalveth grabbed Evangelie from her neck.

“WHERE!?” Its eyes glowed red and its teeth were sharper than ever.

Evangelie looked at Dalveth and with pure courage, she said “Over my dead body.”

“If you say so.” and without hesitation, Dalveth plunged his other hand into Evangelie’s chest.

Evangelie let out a suffering scream and was then assumed lifeless.

It was dark. In an endless abyss, she floats.

“I know I’m not the one destined for you but please lend me your power, even for a little bit. I’m begging you, for my grandchildren.” Evangelie swam in her last thoughts, talking to something.

4:00 am.

In a miraculous moment, a pulse of energy made its presence to Evangelica. Everyone felt the force. The energy also woke up a dizzy Fenrir.

“Ah so you’ve finally decided to make your presence known! I’ve been looking for you.” Dalveth smiled as it recognized the violet aura that cloaked Evangelie.

Struggling in her breathing, Evangelie looked back at Dalveth. With its hand still pierced through her, Evangelie grabbed Dalveth’s arm.

“I’ll bring you with me.” said Evangelie. The last of her holy powers flowed through her until she glowed white. The white holy energy combined with the violet aura, rapidly spread throughout Dalveth’s arm until it began to rot.

Dalveth in panic, didn’t hesitate to chop its arm off.

“You bitch!” Dalveth spat at Evangelie who lay weakened on the floor.

Dalveth was about to strike Evangelie for the last time when beams of light hit Dalveth’s skin. The sun was rising.

Dalveth flinched, its skin burning where the sun hit it, and hurriedly grabbed the baby from its crib.

“This isn’t the end!” It shouted before leaving the room. “I’ll be back and next time, you'll be mine!”

Dalveth seemed not to be talking to Evangelie but to the energy it felt earlier. And in the blink of an eye, Dalveth disappeared. A siren suddenly resounded throughout Evangelica signalling the vampires’ order to retreat.

Having finally recovered from the blow, Fenrir rushed to Evangelie’s side.

Fenrir cradled Evangelie in his arms. "Evangelie! Wake up! Wake up!"

But Evangelie didn't respond. "No...no. No! Hang in there, Evangelie!" Fenrir started to panic.

With her last remaining energy, Evangelie smiled, pointed behind her, and spoke.

"The spell should be wearing off by now...The crib."

Fenrir turned his attention to the crib and saw the baby slowly appearing inside it.

The baby was in a cloaking enchantment after all.

Fenrir returned his focus to Evangelie as she struggled to breath.

"They will be back...take the baby...go somewhere far. Promise me. Protect...with life. When...time comes...old enough...tell the truth. I'm sorry...I couldn't...save...all." She said. Trying hard to speak while tears flowed from her eyes.

"I promise...but-" Fenrir worriedly replied

"Thank you. Fenrir" she said as her last remaining breath left her. Evangelie finally passed away.

"No! Evangelie, don't!" Fenrir screamed, hoping that she'll be back.

Evangelie slowly disintegrated into golden dust along with the body of Tim, Ellie, and Harry.

Fenrir watched the golden dust float up to the ceiling and to the sky, slowly disappearing from the world, and bid them goodbye. "Rest well. My friend."

In a vast pure white space. A voice was heard.

"Hello, my child. Are you ready to go home?"

"I think I'd like to stay for a little longer, Father." a familiar voice replied; it was Evangelie.

"You really love them, don’t you? Alright then. Let me help you." said the voice,

"Yes! Thank you. See you soon." Evangelie replied.

As the golden dust fully disappeared, a strong ray of light struck down from the sky and down to the Castle-Cathedral. The light from the sky stopped but then a new ray of light burst out of the Cathedral's roof forming a new holy barrier for Evangelica.

The sun had now fully risen.

At the foot of the crib, Fenrir held the baby in his arms and saw the moon necklace twinkling back at him. It was the boy, Maximillian.

He would keep his promise to Evangelie to take the baby far away, to keep him safe, and to protect him with his life.

So Fenrir wasted no time and gathered what was left of the Sacrifars. They carried their fallen comrades and made for home, trusting in the resilience of the people of Evangelica to rebuild what was lost that night.

While Fenrir, baby Maximillian, and the Sacrificars left Evangelica and made towards Camp Luna, in the opposite direction Dalveth and the vampires were also heading for their home base, Dracsylvanya.

Fully covered in hooded cloaks, the Vampires raced through the woods from shadow to shadow to avoid the sunlight.

Curious, Dalveth finally took a good look on the baby. It was girl and she's wearing a sun necklace. Dalveth tried to touch the necklace but it quickly burned its fingertips.

"Ah! Feisty little kid! You'll be useful to me. I shall name you, Lilith." Dalveth grinned as they continued their journey.

Midway in their travel, Fenrir looked at his nephew while remembering his promise to Evangelie. He thought of giving his nephew a new name to hide him from any troubles that followed  his family's story. Max was hidden from the world and on that day, Ravien Sacrifar was born.

End.

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*The Greyhounds are the favorite targets of Werewolves for having their unique bloodline, the Hound-blood. Harry's family was killed by werewolves and only he and his brother survived. It is unknown if there are other Greyhounds left.

*Hound-blood is specific type of blood known for its effect on Werewolves. Drinking Hound-blood makes a Werewolf temporarily stronger but eating a Hound-blood makes the Werewolf permanently stronger. Werewolves who have eaten a Hound-blood are distinguished by their red back fur. In other cases, people who possess the Hound-blood and are bitten by a Werewolf will acquire the curse of the Werewolf but are stronger, more savage, and wiser than an ordinary Werewolf. Hound-Blood Werewolves have a distinct appearance for having white back fur. Now if a Red Back Werewolf eats a Hound-blood, this would make them even more stronger but will eventually lead to uncontrollable hunger and making them fully lose their mind. These Werewolves will grow red fur all over their body, a nature's way of distinction. These Werewolves are called Blood Furs.

*The Vampires. They have purple to grey pale skin, pointy ears, two sharp fangs, and yellow piercing eyes. They are fast, agile, and usually attack from behind. There are three types of vampires: The Roamers, the Stalkers, and the Elites. Roamers are vampires that can fly but are slower and weaker than Stalkers. Roamers can spit acid that can cause temporary to permanent blindness. Stalkers are faster and more agile than Roamers. They are also a lot stronger than Roamers. Major Vampire attacks are usually led by a more powerful Vampire, the Elite. Elite Vampires possess all major abilities of Roamers and Stalkers except for the acid spit. They are intelligent, faster, stronger and far more agile than the other types.

*Dalveth’s Presence, it’s one of Dalveth’s dark powers where it can hide its evil aura against all enemies to sneak up on them. The only catch on this power is that it cannot feel any foes’ aura back.

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“You're always you, and that don't change, and you're always changing, and there's nothing you can do about it.”  - Neil Gaiman

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Thank you my darling, @moistlipwig, for being my editor and saving me from shaming myself. <3 

#vermillionchronicles #ravien sacrifar #we exist #woofenstein #vampires #werewolf #violet #carrotsymphonies #raineatsbread #victorian #createurs

[btsismy6thkink]

BTS REACTIONS: Another idol flirting with you

Requested: Yeeees <3 xx

Disclaimer: I did it only with EXO seeing as they are the only other KPOP group i listen to at the minute, so honestly if you guys have any other songs or groups i should give a listen let me know :P<3 Also a slight smut but yeah trying to keep these more hinting instead of going into detail.

Overall scenario for all of them is them inviting you to MAMA resulting in you meeting one of the members from EXO.

Jin:

BTS had just performed resulting in you being left alone, you didn't mind seeing as you enjoyed supporting your boyfriend but not being the most confident person didn't help when a boy sat down next to you clearly skipping the usual greeting. “You look lonely over here” he looked at you with a sly smile one your boyfriend only used when he tried to pretend he didn't just want to take you right then and there. You shook the thought out of your head knowing he was probably just being friendly. “Uh yeah, i’m just waiting for my friends to come back” for some reason you didn't mention your boyfriend not because you didn't want to but you didn't know he was flirting so you didn't want to make it awkward.

“I’m Kai by the way, and you’re?” He looked at you while licking his lower lip, you cleared your throat a little sitting up a little straighter, “y/n” you looked at him honestly hoping it would just make him leave but it didn't stop there. “Oh such a beautiful name” you didn't know how to respond however you were saved by and arm around your shoulder and a kiss on your cheek. You looked at the hand knowing it was in fact Jin, “thanks for keeping her company, but i will keep my GIRLFRIEND company” he stated putting pressure on the word girlfriend making Kai excuse himself and walk back to his members.

Yoongi:

Yoongi knew you felt uncomfortable at these kinds of shows, knowing this he had done 3 things to make you feel better. He had made their stylist style you in whatever you felt like, he gave your hand a little squeeze every time he felt you get nervous and lastly he didn't leave your side once, well until he did at least. He needed to pee and you couldn't blame him so you went with him some of the way but just stood there waiting for him to be done.

After waiting for a few seconds you felt a tap on your shoulder, “Excuse me beautiful but i couldn't help but notice i haven't seen you around before” Well clearly since 1 you weren't an idol and 2 you usually bailed on your boyfriends invites. “Yeah i usually don't go to these things.” you looked at him hoping he would get the hint but he didn’t far from actually. Without notice he softly grabbed your hand and pulled out a pen(who has a pen on them when wearing a suit?) but you let the thought drift away until he started writing a number on your hand. “you can call me yeah?” You just stared at the man you didn't really recognise but you also couldn't help but think about how your boyfriend who never shows PDA was partially at fault never showing his dominant side in public like he does in the bedroom. That was until you was turned around roughly and had a pair of lips which you recognised against yours, “you’re mine princess” he whispered against your lips, completely ignoring Baek Hyun who was now awkwardly standing there.

J-Hope:

Hobi was always near you, not even joking this man would have you on his arm always if he could not because he didn't trust you but he wanted to show that such a perfect human had chosen to be his. You holding his hand however did not stop Tao from EXO walking up to the two of you completely ignoring the boy next to you. You being a fan however did not help because you looked at the man before you with heart eyes, big mistake.

Tao greeted you softly, asking in to you this seemed innocent until he asked for a ‘goodbye hug’ he called it as he had to leave to go to his group. You of course accepted, letting go of Hobi’s hand which was the only thing left not making him explode into a jealous mess. As you hugged Tao, his hand wondered a little lower than what Hobi liked to see lightly pulling the two of you apart. As soon as the man on his new enemy list has left he pulled you close whispering in your ear. “Letting other people touch your ass? your getting it later beautiful butterfly.” It send shivers down your spine his voice was raspy and low which usually made you want to excuse yourself and go have some alone time in the bathroom.

Namjoon:

Okay, so it was safe to say your boyfriend was possessive and protective but you also knew he was insecure about losing you to someone better and more popular being the exact reason why this was the first time he had invited you along with him and the members to MAMA. You had wandered off just wanting to look around when you suddenly felt a hand grab onto yours you thinking it was your boyfriend you looked at the owner of the hand and jumped a little in surprise. “I’m sorry i didn't mean to startle you” the man said, you recognised him as Kris from EXO but honestly you could be wrong. However even with the weird meeting you chose to actually talk to him. You had been having a good conversation for 15 minutes when you saw your boyfriend behind Kris with his arms crossed biting his lip, debating whether he should interrupt or not but what was there really to debate?

He walked up to you, quickly excusing you from Kris aggressively planting a kiss on you and down your neck leaving a visible hickey. “You’re mine my queen, no one elses. Remember that.” he whispered it loudly making sure you would hear his neediness behind his voice. “Tell me what you are, unless you need a reminder” you looked at him with wide eyes not because you didn't want a reminder but you would much rather wait getting your reminder until you were back at home where you didn't have to walk much after the reminder. “I’m my daddy’s little monster” You whispered into his ear making his grab your ass pushing your crotches close together. “Thats right” He didn't whisper it this time he made sure to growl it out making you wish you had let him punish you right then and there.

Jimin:

Jimin was constantly scared of losing you, making sure he could always keep an eye on you wherever he went. However he was surprised seeing you talking to another idol out of the corner of his eyes. You were talking to Luhan from EXO, your best friend’s bias so of course you were going to wing woman her even if she weren't near you. “So your friend, is she as beautiful as you my love?” he asked smiling at you. Again you didn't find it to be flirting so you just answered as you normally would, “Oh she's much more beautiful” you looked at him waiting for a response when you saw Tae looking at you with a worried expression, which made you feel bad for even talking to someone like Luhan without Jimin by your side because you knew how he got when you talked to other males. So to make it up to him you decided to excuse yourself and walk over to Jimin hugging him from the back, “there you are my handsome prince.” “Huh? i thought you had found someone else, is it because he is taller than me?” he had now turned around looking at you in the most serious way. “Jimin-ie pabo…. sorry i had to but Chim you know i love you and i wouldn't want to lose you ever?” you looked at him smiling softly. “You didn't answer my question though and you need to stop hanging out with Tae.” “I love your height Jimin its just perfect for me to kiss you whenever i want” you smiled planting a kiss on his lips.

Taehyung:

Where you wearing a revealing dress? Yes. What Tae overjoyed? No. Did you know it would get you punished later? Yes. Honestly Tae had ignored you for the past few days and you needed to feel him near you again making you think jealous Tae was better than no Tae. Which made you walk over to ChanYeol whom you had talked to before at a few of these award shows. You talked with him for a while knowing very well he was flirting but you also knew your boyfriend had his eyes glued to you both. As you kissed his cheek and went back to your boyfriend his blood was already boiling. He looked at you up and down dragging you to one of the bathrooms pushing you into a stall. “Strip or i’m ripping the dress off of you” You looked at him shocked seeing as he had never been a public sex kind of person but it did turn you on which he knew. You took off your dress leaving your body fully exposed. “Hmm baby girl maybe i should just let you suck me and call it even.” He didn't ask as he wanted an answer but he just stated that this was your actual punishment, not getting him inside you had never felt so much of a punishment before this.

Jungkook:

You had been talking to Sehun for 30 minutes now, him flirting and you flirting back not intentionally but it was just a part of your personality which Jungkook knew very well. He knew you didn't understand when someone flirted with you so he excused you in the back of his mind. Instead he stood there waiting for you to come to him but you didnt. You sat there in the middle of a conversation when you when a hand on your shoulder and your boyfriends voice clearly warning the man before you, “I’m going to take my future wife with me so excuse us” He grabbed your hand and pulled you with him only focussing on that one thing he just said. “Future wife huh?” you teased smiling at him. He couldn't help but smile his goofy smile, “yes one day i promise”. He kissed you softly, making sure you knew how much he meant those words.

#bts #bts reactions #bts scenario #jimin #jungkook #taehyung #namjoon #jin #hoseok #yoongi #bts imagine #exo

[cdg174]

Call me Jane Doe: Chapter Five

Summary: Castiel is confused about Jane Doe’s soul and worried. Her kind are meant to be emotionless but for some reason she is anything but that. She is expressive and does not hide so. He is unsure if she is to be trusted just as Sam and Dean debated. Castiel goes to find out more from Jane as she flees to her room in the bunker. Meanwhile, Y/N believes her plans are ruined because Castiel may expose what she is to the boys. She wishes her life was as simple as it was before her abilities came into play. Y/N remembers the day her life changed forever in fear it may end once and for all.

Words: 1374

Masterlist

Castiel’s pov.

As soon as I saw Jane Doe’s soul, I knew. A one like her’s has only ever existed twice before, this being the third time. I’ve only ever seen one before, everyone looks slightly different as I was told. The last one was a boy, same age as Jane now although he disappeared years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. His soul was full of pure light, tinted blue with black trapped in the middle. The black being very distinct from the rest of the soul. The only difference in Jane’s is that it’s larger, brighter and a soft shade of white. The black in the middle seems to want to merge with the rest, but is being fought off. Strange and not good because the dark part of the soul is pure power and evil, contained by the rest of it’s surroundings.

Before Jane can react to my accusation, Dean groans in pain.

“What is wrong Dean?” My attention still mostly on Jane.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re clearly not. You can’t sit still in your seat.” I notice, setting the plate down I had no intention of eating off of. 

“He got his shoulder dislocated by a demon yesterday.” Sam admits not looking away from the computer. Dean hits his shoulder with is good arm.

“Dude!” Sam laughs under his breath.

“Allow me Dean.” I walk behind Jane and whisper to her. “We will talk later.” She tenses up even more than before. 

“No Cas, it’s fine really…” He argues.

“Well too bad Dean.” He starts to stand but I push him back down and within seconds, I command my grace to heal his wounded shoulder. “You’re welcome.” I say retracting my hand.

“Yeah, thanks.” He grumbles turning back to the computer, rolling his shoulder as a test.

“What are you researching?” I look over them to analyze the screen.

“We’re trying to find more information on a demon we lost sight of on our last hunt.” Sam inquires. “Have you ever come across a couple century old demon by the name of Harlow?”

“It sounds familiar but off the top of my head, no.” I admit.

“Well, try keep an ear out for her Cas.” I squint at Dean’s words and he sighs. “If you hear anything about her…” He says slowly. “Let us know.” I nod in understanding. As Sam continues typing I see Jane out of the corner of my eye walk out of the kitchen, plate full of food.

“Where is she going?” I wonder out loud. Dean briefly looks in the same direction before his attention is on the bright screen again.

“She’s a bit shy in close quarters. Probably going to her room to eat.” Dean implies to me. I nod although neither them are looking at me and I make my way in the direction Jane has gone. She’s is more expressive in her actions than the last one of her kind. Shy, stiff, cautious and maybe a little scared? Jane’s kind were never known to feel. So why her?

Y/N pov.

I don’t even bother closing the door to the room because I know Castiel will be here soon enough. I could easily run, I could just as easily pop over to the next town in seconds, one of my other abilities but Sam and Dean are the only ones who can help me. Now though, Castiel could possibly ruin my plans.

“Everything could end before it’s set in motion.” I sit on my bed defeated. He’s an angel, I only know this because the last one I met had the same spark of energy as soon as contact was made. Then she proceeded to attempt murdering me, like most other beings have. My life was so simple but five years ago it all changed and I know the exact time where it all went wrong. 

March 16th, 2012

A newspaper is thrown on the twin size bed I and my mother have no choice but to share. Although she usually sleeps on the floor so my thirteen year old self can get a somewhat decent sleep.

“Can’t have you two going crazy not knowing what day is it.” Charleston says. “Only I get to drive you two crazy.” He smiles, eyes flashing black. This would have been shocking if we hadn’t found out he was a demon the day he took us. Charleston comes in the room every morning as soon as the sun shines through the barred windows, dropping off a the daily paper or taking my mother. 

Today he leaves her though because last night he brought her back unconscious and bleeding. He tortures her in the next room, hoping for me to snap while hearing her screams through the thin walls but I still don’t know why. When mother wakes up I will ask her again why we are here because she has known since day one and still refuses to tell me. In the mean time, I listen to Charleston lock the many deadbolts on the only exit to this room with newspapers piled next to it. I look around this large space only occupied by a single sink on the wall, a lonely toilet beside it, triple barred windows and a blood stained mattress on a frame I occupy with my mothers head in my lap.

I lightly grab the newspaper and peer at the date, March 16th, 2012. We’ve been in this dreadful room for twenty-one days now. Twenty-one days of me not knowing why. I cried on and off for the first ten days but soon ran out of tears. I used to scream through the walls every time I heard Charleston hurt my mother in the next room but soon stopped because that’s what he wanted. Now here I am, feeling numb because it never ends. 

I feel mother shift below me and stare down at her now swollen opening eyes. I have her eyes, her beautifully simple brown eyes. Even though she has just been beaten and torn away at, she still gives a weak smile.

“Hello darling.” She rasps out, her smile disappears when she notices my questioning face. She knows what I want to ask. “You don’t want to know dear, I promise you that.”

“Of course I don’t want to know. I don’t want to be here either. I don’t want to hear you screaming. I don’t want to sleep in your blood. I don’t want to any of this but here we are.” I look at her sad and frustrated. “So you might as well tell me one more thing I don’t want because that’s all that happens here.” I plead with her. She sits up slowly with some help from me and leans against the wall, grimacing in pain.

“Are you sure?” Her eyes tell me to say no but I’m tired of not knowing why.

“Yes.” She closes her eyes in dread.

“Could I have some water first? We have a lot to cover.” She’s giving in finally. I rise from the bed and walk to the sink to fill a plastic cup for her. I give her the water sitting again, somewhat inpatient for her to finish it. I’ve been asking everyday since we arrived and twenty-one is the lucky number. 

“Mom…” My voice cracks. “Why are we here?” She looks at me for a minute before replying.

“Sweetie, I have tried so hard to protect you from this.” She gulps. “I have tried so hard to make sure you never found this out, long before we were taken. Since you were born really I have been keeping this from you.” I look at her confused, I realize this is much bigger than twenty-one days. It’s a lifetime bigger.

“Mom?” She tears up.

“I love you dear but this may ruin your life.” I open my mouth but she continues. “What I tell you now might also help get you out of here, but not without consequence.”

“Your scaring me.” I take hold of her hands. “What are you talking about?” This is not what I expected at all. She puts her hand on the side of my face and looks directly into my eyes. She’s scared.

“You’re a Cambion.”

Cambion definition: In medieval legend, a cambion is the half-human offspring of the union between a human male and a succubus, or of an incubus and a human female. The non-human wellspring from whom they believe inherits its supernatural powers and abilities. Source

So really Jane Doe has a Demon for a father and a human mother. 

Special mentions: @arazialotis @cyanpintglass @goldenolaf25 @when-innocence-is-gone @jaylynnaredsky @fallen-castiel @spnfanficfavorites@anothertimeinspace @klleexy @flare-chan003 @isnt-the-blog-youre-looking-for @imnotalosechester @mary-meee @yascalum @jsamstar@driadgoch @vvinch3st3r @kayarisa@misguidedconqueress @heeeeeether @messy-buns-and-shotguns @breathexxinxxthexxflames @ryantherandomhero @simirachel@supernatural-fangirl13 @lilypalmer1987 @beatlesobsessionlove

#first series #new series #supernatural #sam winchester #dean winchester #castiel #cas #angel of the lord

[tmntsbro]

TFPBumblebeexreader/I will protect you

I calmly leaned back as I lightly hummed to the song that came from my earbuds, flashing a few dance moves as i walked down the old dirt trail, it was the regular route for my morning jog but i decided to take it easy, it was Saturday, i didn't have to do work. Being that i live in a relatively small cabin in the woods, built for 1 really, though i liked it, i had my cat and dog and parrot to keep me company. I only had those 2 close friends, other than that, i became distant with my family after my older sister died- moving on... I imitated doing a drum solo but stopped after hearing a crackling outside of the song playing, pulling the ear buds out, i listened to the silence.. Silence was a bad thing when you live in the woods, it means the usual animals had been scared off by a larger predator. The only large animals i ever got around here were bears.. But it's not that season already, is it? No... They come back in a month. What other predator is out there? A lone coyote? I got one of those once.. But again? Crackling rang through the woods, i flinched but looked around "Hello?" I called out, glancing around but shrugged shaking my head before putting my ear buds back in and lightly jogging forward a little before calming down 'Look at you (y/n).. Running away from a noise in the woods! How pathetic! You're a black belt, you can take down a bear!' That got me pumped as i smirked "Yeah.. I can take down a bear." I stopped as confidence flooded through my veins "Throw whatever you want my way, mother nature! I can handle a bear!" I shouted, it lightly echoed between the trees as I softly chuckled, it probably scared whatever it was. I continued to march on but couldn't shake the odd feeling of being watched, not just by the fuzzy little innocent creatures but.. Something bigger.. Possibly bigger than a bear. But what's bigger than a bear...? I kept glancing out of the corner of my eye to check and see if i could spot the stalker but had no luck, i just started to run 'Why are you running?! You can take whatever it is down!' My mind screamed but my legs told me to run. U finally stopped but whipped around and frowned bunching my brows together to get a better sight on something between the large trees.. It was yellow. "Hello...? Why are you following me?" I asked Nothing.. Silence. But i seen the figure move. I knew something was there. "Come out if you aren't afraid of my fists!" I shouted, jumping into a fighting stance with my fists raised. "I'm a black belt and not afraid to use it!" A long leg finally stepped out from behind the trees as i slowly lowered my fists, my jaw dropped as a giant metal robot stepped out... "Oh.. Sssshit!" I turned around and ran "what the hell is that?!" I panted  as I ran but crashed into the woods, my foot slipped as i found myself being embraced by the harsh ground, being slammed against the rocks as i tumbled down the hill into a ditch. Mud smeared on my face as i wiped some of it off as my head pounded, I  groaned holding it as i sat back against the rock. I couldn't feel the pain yet because the adrenaline rush but soon let out an agonizing scream, it echoed through the trees as i heard the birds above sqwuak and fly away. My vision was blurry but just straight enough to notice the large robot had found me and quickly made its way down, odd buzzing filled my ears other than the music from the ear buds, i could care less about the ear buds but what was it saying..? "Please.. Leave me alone.. I'm sorry.." i whimpered weakly before i felt being lifted and then felt numb. When I woke up I jerked up as I was inside a car. Why was I in a car? Who's car was It? What time was It?... night. It was dark outside. "Hey." I looked over and flinched to see a little boy as he smiled and pushed his glasses up to his forehead "You're awake." "Y-yeah.. Where am i?" "Not that far off the main road. I found you in a ditch, I managed to clear your wounds though but your ankle is sprained." He said with a small frown I glanced down to see my ankle wrapped up tightly with my sock but looked back at him "What's your name?" "Oh! Sorry, I'm Rafael." He smiled again and extended his hand, I reached over and shook it "I'm y/n." "Nice to meet you, y/n." He said shyly "Who's car is this anyway?" "My friends car, we're travel buddies. He should be back soon." "Where'd he go?" "I'm not sure but he left for awhile." He softly shrugged "Hey... you've been out here awhile, you wouldn't of happened to see a... giant robot around here would you?" "Giant robot?" He chuckled "not around here." We went back and forth from where we were from and what we did for a good 30 minutes until the door opened and in jumped a spunky blonde boy with a bag as he looked at Raf and smiled awkwardly before giving him the bag, bottled waters and some snacks. He looked back at me and waved with a friendly smile "Thanks, Bee." Rad smiled as he looked at us two "y/n, this is Bumblebee, I call him Bee for short, he doesn't really speak." He said as Bumblebee smiled and reached over ruffling his hair I looked at the two as Raf struggled to get him to stop and laughed as the two messed around a few minutes as I sat there awkwardly observing. Must be nice to have a bond like those two.. they stopped and looked at me as Raf handed me a bottle of water and snack "here, You should eat something." I took the crackers and water and smiled a little "Thanks." I took a few drinks of the water to clear my dry throat and looked at the two. Bumblebee and Raf were speaking but I couldnt hear Bumblebee They looked back at her "Hey, you said you lived out here right?" "In a small cabin but the only way to get back to it is by trail, the trees are too dense for the car." They looked at each other a moment before looking at me  "Well we can take you home, but you'll have to show us where it is." Rad explained I nodded and the car revved up and we took off, we drove around for about 10 minutes before my trail became apparent as I told them to stop and we got out "ow!" I cried as I stepped on my foot, my ankle immediately released pain  Bumblebee looked at me as his arms scooped me up and frowned at me a little before he started to follow the path with Raf by his side I felt awkward while in the strangers arms but safe. "There." I pointed after we walked for 10 more minute, a candle lit inside kept the window visible as we walked over to it, he opened the door and walked in, setting me gently on the couch as my cat and dog ran over and jumped in my lap, worried that I've been gone for so long. My dog growled at the boys as I gently tapped his muzzle "No, be a good boy, they're friends." Bumblebee glanced around and looked at Raf who had crouched down and started to pet my cat who purred and meowed at him "If you boys are hungry I have food in the kitchen." I pointed around a corner as Bumblebee walked in and disappeared from my sight as Raf sat next to me on the couch. It was quiet as I watched him contently pet my cat. I heard an awkward cry and my bird screeched and Bumblebee ran out from the kitchen I giggled a little when I seen his expression "sorry, Eddie can be a jerk.." "Bad boy!" My bird screeched from the kitchen as I rolled my eyes "What's the dog and cats names?" Rafael asked curiously "My dog is Buddy and my cat is Reba." I smiled "You guys can stay if you want, I don't mind." I said as I stood up "help yourself to the fridge, I warn you though, Eddie is a pecker.." i said as Bumblebee looked at me before scooping me into his arms again and carrying me to my room as he gently kicked the door open and set me on the bed I blushed a little "Thanks, Bumblebee." He looked at me as I kicked off my shoes and he covered me up under the blankets "You should sleep.." He said softly, his voice as soft as silk as I stared at him in awe "and thank you." "N-no problem.." I said as the blush deepened He smiled softly before leaving the room, his voice fit so perfectly he sounded so sweet. I closed my eyes and  was fast asleep before I even knew it. I looked over when I woke up in the middle of the night when I felt something pressing into my side, Rafael had climbed up into my bed, his glasses pressed into my side, his face was scrunched up with concern and worry in his sleep as I frowned a little and gently ran my fingers through his hair, his face somewhat softened as I got up with a quiet yelp as I went to the living room to see Bumblebee laying on the couch, sound asleep as I grabbed a blanket and threw it over him, Buddy laid near by as if keeping guard of our guests as I smiled softly before going back to my room and laying down. I woke up with morning light shining in through my window, Rafael still sound asleep but no longer sleeping by my side as I climbed out of bed and went to the kitchen, i let Buddy outside and started to search through my fridge, a few eggs and milk with bacon.. the bacon will go bad soon if I don't use it, so will the milk.. I sigh and throw the bacon into the pan as it started to sizzle, I threw the rest of the eggs into another pan and started to cook breakfast. "You shouldn't be standing." I yelped and whirled around to see Bumblebee standing there, he looked right at me "Oh! Jesus..." I sigh to calm myself down "You scared me." "Sorry." He said quietly and came up behind me and looked over my shoulder "Bacon and eggs?" "And milk." I added He smiled softly as he looked at me but left for a few minutes before coming back "Rafael is still sleeping.." He said "He looked so.. sad last night." "Well, we have been through a lot lately, we're currently trying to find our friends.. thank you for inviting us in. It's been awhile since he's slept that long." I looked at him and smiled "Well, it's the least I could do after you guys helped me." I said as I turned off my stove and divided up the food on plates  Bumblebee woke up Rafael a few minutes after the food was finished as he walked in as we sat down on the couch where we could all fit and ate our food quietly. "You're a good cook." Raf said as I smiled "thank you, Raf. " We spent a few hours together. Hours turned to a few days, the boys helped take care of me while I was in pain, Bumblebee liked to carry me and Raf liked to snuggle at night. My ankle was feeling better as I woke up to having 2 males at my side's, Bumblebee laid on my left and Raf on my right. I climbed out of bed and let Buddy outside. I stood at the door and stared out into the fog of the morning. It bothered me. I didn't know what that robot was up to. But it seems to be gone now. I snap out of it when I hear Buddy barking madly at something so I whistled for him to come back but he didn't, I continued to hear him snarl and bark until he yelped and it got quiet. "Buddy?" I frowned as I stepped outside "buddy? Here boy.." I whistled as I searched through the fog until I could barely see my cabin, i sighed and walked back to see a shadow in the door. When i got closer i saw it was Bumblebee "Why are you out here?" "Buddy, he was chasing after something, I think.." I said glancing back  He looked outside for a minute before pulling me in and shutting the door "something's out there." He murmured and ushered me back to my bedroom and woke up Raf  "Huh?" Raf rolled over "Decepticon.." bee whispered Raf jerked up "here? Now?" "Somewhere around here. I'm gonna go out and find Buddy, stay inside." He said looking at us both "Be careful." I warned before he left "What's a decepticon?" I asked as I turn to Raf  He looked at me with concern before smiling "Nothing, just something we like to call a bad guy?" "You think someone is lurking around my cabin?" He simply nodded "but don't worry, Bumblebee will find them. We don't take them too lightly.." "But isn't that, you know, dangerous?" I frowned "Bumblebee is a trained fighter, he'll be ok." The house shook as a loud thundering step was heard outside along with fighting. "Autobot scum!" Someone seethed "What the hell is that?!" Raf ran to the window but quickly turned to me as he extended his hand "do you trust me?" "What??" "Do you trust me?" He repeated a little more intense, worry spread his face "Yes, but-!" "We have to get out of here!" He shouted as the steps got closer and fighting louder  I grabbed a bag and quickly filled it with all the essentials, clothes, food and water before throwing it over my shoulder, I let Eddie outside "go, fly away! I love you, eddie!" I called as he flew away, I grabbed my cat and we escaped the cabin as my eyes widen in horror to see the yellow robot and a silver and red one in what appeared to be wearing stilletos.. my heart raced as I stared at them The yellow robot waved us away as Raf screamed at me to move, he grabbed my arm and pulled me along as we ran into the woods. The trees were thick, it looked like some of them had been broken down I collapsed to the ground when we stopped, the sun was barely over the horizon. Reba comforted me as she rubbed against my face, tears flowed from my face "I wasn't crazy.." "No.." Raf frowned as he looked away with a guilty expression "Wait, BUMBLEBEE. He's still out there! We gotta go find him." "Y/n, wait!" Raf grabbed my hand as he looked at me "that.. yellow robot is Bumblebee" "What? But.. but how??" "He's a robot.. a cybertronian,  an alien robot." I stared at Raf "and that.. 'decepticon thing was the other 1..?" "There's the good guys, the autobots and the bad guys, the decepticons, I'll explain more later but first we have to find Bee.." He said as he started to walk back towards the cabin, the fighting noises had stopped. Bumblebee laid there on the ground by the cabin or what was left at least.. "Bee!" Raf ran up to him as his optics flickered, a dent was visible in his chest as a blue liquid squirted from a few wires on his abdomen. "Whoa.." I frowned as I looked at them, Raf started to tie wires together to stop his... bleeding. As he looked over him he sighed "that was all, can you transform?" Bumblebee slowly nodded as he shifted and sat up before his gears and metal started shifting, moving to designated areas until a car sat there instead. The car Bumblebee drove. He was the car.. He transformed back as he slowly stood up and reached down, Raf climbed up into his hand as it extended to me as well Raf sat down as he looked at me assuringly "it's ok. He's a good guy." I sighed but climbed up as his fingers curled inwards as if to keep us safe like bars I held Reba close as she meowed at me. I didn't have any doubt that that creepy robot got to Buddy as tears started to run down my cheeks, I had that dog for 6 years. "I'm sorry about Buddy and.. your house." Raf said looking at me  I wiped off the tears as I just stared off into where we were going "You're in danger now.. You should probably come with us." Raf said I stared out when we got out of the dense trees and he set us down before transforming.  I stared at the vehicle but sighed, I had no choice.. my house was gone, I'd probably get fired from my job if I already haven't for missing so much work and there was nothing left for me to go back to, Eddie and Buddy were gone. "...ok." I murmured as i climbed inside with Raf sitting shot gun, I sat in back with Reba. TO think.. I actually was starting to fall for Bumblebee. Turns out he's an alien robot, he's cute still but damn.. karma is a bitch. That's what I get for setting my hopes high. My cheeks darkened as his little person fizzled into the driver seat and looked back at me. "Are you ok?" "Yeah.." I said "He can sense a lot of stuff so you can't really lie." Raf smiled a little I gently huffed with amusement "Well, trust me, I'll be fine. I just gotta.. take it in that I'm actually not crazy, that robot I saw was you and.. another crazy robot might be our to kill me so, yeah.." I said with a shrug as Bumblebee looked at me with a frown before leaning in and pressing his lips onto my forehead "I'll protect you. I'll protect you both." He said as he ruffled Rafael's hair who softly groaned He just smiled before turning around and throwing his gears to reverse and driving away as I stared out the window and tried to figure out how my new life will go.