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hunflowers · 3 years

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The Aftermath

Word Count: 3.7k

Requested? Yes, and you can too, here :)

A/N: here she is, the little piece of the puzzle y’all have been waiting for. it’s a small part two of 1964, and it’ll take place just after their reunion at the end of the story!! i hope you enjoy it, because i missed writing my babies a lot and i hope you love them just as much as me.

pls, reblog the fics you read or heck even if you see it on your dash; it means a lot <3

good luck and have fun, in that order *nose boops*

“Happy Birthday, Rose.”

No one can explain the phenomenon of joy processed through the body and soul as Harry spoke those simple words into the air to Y/N.

It can only be described as a chill shooting down her spine, flaring goosebumps on her skin, her mouth running dry at the sight of him, or maybe the way her eyes glossed over with a glistening sheen. Pure joy.

As if she didn't already feel transported back to 1964 when sharing her many stories with her eager to learn granddaughter, she certainly did now. Seeing Harry's face, the same features that made her swoon all those years ago - though a little mature now - made her feel like she was her twenty-one year old self all over again.

It felt like a movie, as if the two of them shaped back into their younger statures, adorned in the style from way back when, embodying a world of black and white that would explode into color. Hannah and Eleanor disappeared into the future, and all there was, was Harry and Y/N like how they once were.

Before she could process what she was doing, Y/N was scurrying across the wood floor, walking the fast she has in a while, throwing her arms around Harry’s shoulders and burying her face into the crook of his neck. She could feel the rumble of his chest as he laughed, easily reciprocating the love by engulfing her in a hug, pulling her impossibly closer.

The smell of the roses swarmed Y/N’s nose, tingling her senses in the best way possible. Her brain was overpowering as it continued to be overwhelmed by the events happening, still trying to understand how Harry, her H, was in front of her.

Pulling away a few moments later - but not completely unraveling herself from his hold - she looked up at him, looking at her favorite shade of green that she tried so hard to recreate yet always failed. “Are you really here?”

“Yes! He is, Nona!” Ellie cheered from behind her, causing everyone to gape at her while also laughing. He’s really here, in her arms, breathing the same air as her.

Maybe he wasn’t a dream, after all.

Looking back up at him, Y/N smiled softly, bringing her hands up under his jaw, using her thumbs to caress the soft skin that was lined with a little bit of stubble. “I missed you,” she whispered, almost like it was meant to be a secret.

With his own little grin, Harry placed his own free hand on her cheek, using his thumb to swipe the tear that managed to escape her eye without her noticing. Instinctively, Y/N leaned her head to rest in his palm, a reflex she never seemed to have shake.

Harry didn’t have to say anything back for her to know that he felt the same way, if not more. His actions always spoke a lot louder than his words, and it also seemed that old habits hardly seem to die, even so many years later.

“Okay,” Hannah cleared her throat, trying to gain the attention of the two older folk for the first time in the last couple of minutes. “We’re meeting Aunt Carmella and Uncle Frank in twenty minutes.”

The duo separated, heat rising to their cheeks as they realized just how close they had been for those moments. Harry offered her her bouquet of roses, to which she took gratefully and scurried off to find a vase, uttering a quick, “I’ll be right back.”

In reality, yes she went to find a vase, but Y/N also needed a second to recuperate, inhaling deeply to get her heart to start slowing its rapid pace. Fifty-five years since she’s seen him.

Fifty-five.

It was a lot to comprehend. She was convinced she’d never look at him, hold him, appreciate his existence ever again. One thing is for sure, she never did stop loving him.

Y/N placed her hands down on the counter she placed her roses on, leaning her weight onto her hands as she felt the emotions roll over her like waves crashing on a beach. Her insides felt like mush. She was experiencing the come down after getting off a rowdy rollercoaster, like those she used to go on on Coney Island whenever she visited New York. Electricity shot through her veins as if she had been succumbed to the consequences of the electric chair - yet it wasn’t painful. In fact, she felt alive.

“Mom,” Hannah spoke from behind her, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. Y/N didn’t realize she had been so lost in her own thoughts for a few moments there. Raising her hand to her chest, she turned around and let out a breath, before smacking her daughter in the shoulder.

“You can’t do that to me, Han. I’m old, I could die from a heart attack.”

“Don’t even joke about something like that,” Hannah rolled her eyes. But quickly the annoyance dissipated as she remembered why she came into the kitchen in the first place. “Are you okay?”

Y/N pursed her lips, giving her a simple shrug. “Yes and no. It’s not easy being reminded of... the love and pain I felt. How did you even find him, anyway?”

Hannah sheepishly smiled, “Aunt Carmella...”

Y/N scoffed, knowing it was exactly like her friend to be secretive about something so monumental like knowing where Harry is and how to contact him. She couldn’t determine if it was a good thing that Carmella kept this information from her, but deep down she knew it was.

As soon as Y/N gathered her wits, the foursome were out the door and on their way to lunch. They had decided to drive two separate cars, and after a bit of begging, Y/N let Harry drive them in his rental. Though, along the way it was a bit of rocky journey. “First time driving on the right side of the road,” was his excuse.

In the car ride, Y/N took the time to truly admire the man she once laid beside at night, trying to wrap her head around the fact that he was next to her again. She wondered if in his old age he would turn wrinkled and decrepit, maybe using a cane or having a hunch back. It only seemed fitting that he beat all of those stereotypes and looked like he had the health of his younger self rather than a seventy-six year old man. He’s timeless; just like their love.

When they finally met up with Carmella, it didn’t take Y/N long to scold her friend for keeping such a humongous secret from her, and working in tandem with her own daughter and granddaughter. All the Italian woman did was shrug before latching her arms around both Harry and Y/N’s frames, pulling the three of them close for a long-awaited, reuniting hug that felt like home.

“Il trio è tornato e meglio che mai. questo merita un brindisi,” [The trio is back and better than ever. This deserves a toast] Carmella cheered, clapping her hands in giddiness as she waved the waitress back over to order the most extravagant wine.

Leaning down to whisper in Y/N’s ear, Harry muttered, “And I still have no idea what she’s saying.” Y/N bumped his shoulder with hers, shaking her head gently as a small smile snuck up onto her lips.

Lunch was shared with many laughs and old stories - all per the request of Ellie. She was eager to keep learning and eager to see her nona so happy.

When lunch was over and they were all saying goodbye, Ellie practically all but pushed Y/N to go with Harry so they could go somewhere private. Hannah of course condoned her daughter’s behavior, but also told her mom it was for the best they catch up without either of them around. They needed to be alone.

That’s how they ended up at the park downtown, where Y/N used to frequent often when she used to run in the mornings or whenever she needed a spark of creativity for her next painting.

Once Harry placed the car in park, the stagnant tension between them only rose as neither of them jumped to get out of the vehicle. They simmered, absorbed, melted into the atmosphere, basking in it before they flipped it on its head to talk about what they both had been avoiding.

It was an unspoken truce to get out of the car at the same time. The sun was winking at them through the clouds, luring them to venture deeper into the park, just like it used to. Almost as if the star was just as excited as them to be back in each other’s lives. The saying is if walls could talk, but what about the sun? Or the moon? Both kept Harry and Y/N’s moments inside of them, stored deep in their cores right next to all the other love that happened in their line of vision.

Out of instinct, the two locked hands. And they didn’t seem to mind. It felt like a magnet pulled them together, and it would take a lot of force to break them apart.

As they walked along the paved path, being passed by those on bikes or joggers, or really even anyone that walked faster. They weren’t in any sort of rush, because moments like these aren’t meant to be fast paced. They needed to simmer, absorb, and melt.

Harry decided to be the first to speak up, surprising both of them considering, well, his past. “I see the artist life treated you well.”

Slightly turning her head to face him, she laughed softly, shrugging her shoulders. “I guess it did. You predicted it.”

I can’t wait to buy your art one day.

Harry gazed down at his feet, humming a response. He didn’t have the proper words to respond to her allusion to his letter. Hearing the twinge of spite sitting on top of her words was enough for him to gauge that his letter was a sore topic for her. And rightfully so, because even he hasn’t completely forgiven himself for not giving her a proper goodbye.

Coming up on a patch of grass that was half hidden beneath a large oak tree and half in the glory of the sunlight, Harry and Y/N decided to take a seat. If they were going to throw themselves into the past, might as well go all the way and lay in the grass like they did in Florence. Albeit, they wouldn’t actually lay down because it would’ve been impossible for either of them to properly get up.

They rested their backs against the large trunk, looking out into the field and watching little kids play around as their parents kept their distance off to the side with other parents. Y/N found it near impossible to not snap a mental picture of what was in front of her, cursing herself for not bringing her camera with her. It was a beautiful day, and one she wished to remember. Not because of the dreadful conversation that was bound to swallow her whole or the man sitting beside her, but because of the landscape.

What a waste of a beautiful day.

Now, it was her turn to break the silence, because she knew he wouldn’t. He may have once, but that was all he could probably handle. “Tell me about your life, Harry. Please.”

Letting out a breath of air he didn’t realize he had been holding in, Harry twiddled with his thumbs in his lap. “Got two kids. Ben and, uh, Rose.”

Ouch.

“Five beautiful grandchildren.” He spoke shortly and to the point, finding it very difficult to open up the can of worms that is his life.

Once Harry got the call from Carmella that he was going to surprise Y/N for her birthday, he couldn’t get on a plane any faster. The idea of being face-to-face with her again after so many years was daunting and normally he found it difficult to escape his confined box of reality. But that was the thing about Y/N, she always made things seem less terrible to him.

England is his origin and where his family resides, but it hardly felt like home anymore.

His marriage with Nancy balanced on its very thin, tight rope for thirty years, but they both knew it was bound to fall off. Once he returned from Italy, it was like he was a soldier returning from war, because he in no way was the same man who left for Italy when coming home. But, they pushed on, because it was what they were meant to do.

They had two wonderful kids and they seemed like the picturesque family they were planned to be. Behind closed doors, they were anything but. He and Nancy fought a lot and their kids seemed to loathe him for reasons still unbeknownst to him. He supported them and loved them like any parent would, yet it felt like they joined everyone else in his life that wanted to keep him silent. Everyone except one person.

Once his and Nancy’s divorce was finalized, the kids couldn’t be more thrilled. All they needed was a solid reason to drop their father out of their lives. As the years went on they slowly worked him back into their day-to-day routine, but not really. Only for the sake of his grandkids was he in their lives.

It was especially hard living his life knowing his own creations couldn’t stand him just like everyone else, and that was exactly why he couldn’t agree faster to get on a plane to America.

“I officially retired last year, so m’not really doing much these days. Actually, I picked up drawing again if y’could believe it. Haven’t touched a pencil for artistic purposes since... well, since then.” Their heads remained forward, not a single glance made towards one another because it felt easier this way.

Y/N listened intently to the drawl of his voice, engraving the words he spoke deep into her mind, right next to the dusty ones he spoke fifty-five years prior. Everything and anything he’s ever said rests idly on little bookshelves in her brain, collecting dust the longer she takes to go back and hear them over. It was nice to add new additions to her collection. “That sounds lovely, H.”

His heartstrings pulled at the use of his nickname, something only she would call him. He was only Harry to any one, both by his choice and because every one else was too prim to call him something else.

Y/N took notice to how he mentioned nothing of Nancy, and paired that with the fact he wasn’t wearing a wedding band on his most intimate finger. She thinks maybe he did it out of courtesy to not beckon any unwarranted anguish and pain for her sake - because that’s exactly why she didn’t wear hers.

When she went to put her flowers in a vase in the kitchen, she slid her engagement and wedding rings off her finger and set them down gently on the counter, not wanting to clash her two separate lives.

That’s why she had to ask about her. She couldn’t keep going if she didn’t have any sort of answer to her wondering questions that she’s had for the past five decades. “How’s Nancy?” Y/N didn’t care to actually know how she is, she just wanted to know their story.

The leaves above them blew in the suddenly apparent wind, threatening them that what they were about to indulge in was like a storm on the horizon. It was bound to come and impossible to avoid. “Dunno. Haven’t spoken to her in a couple of weeks.”

This opened the door to many unanswered questions in Y/N’s mind, sending her down on spiral of want and need for an explanation that he didn’t seem keen on giving. This closed the most important door, flooding her with relief she didn’t realize she needed to feel just a little less pain sitting next to him.

Not knowing just how to pose her next question, Harry beat her to the punch, halting her thoughts in her tracks. “We’re divorced.”

Divorced. A strange concept. Y/N never imagined divorcing her husband in all of the years they were married. It seemed trivial and time-consuming and led to no greater purpose in her mind. She could either be miserably alone, or miserable with a man by her side. The latter seemed the most comforting.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’m not. We weren’t meant to be,” he chuckled, laughing not because it’s actually funny, but because Y/N knew they weren’t meant to be. It was obvious. “Just meaningless pieces in my parents puzzle.”

Hearing his broken words that he used to rant about all those years ago resurface, Y/N couldn’t help reaching for his hand again, clasping it between both of hers and holding it in her lap. It didn’t matter how many years had passed, because it was certain his parents were still a sore subject. She wanted him to know that she never forgot the hurt they put him through, and that she will always be on his side. Always.

Diverting the attention away from himself, it was Harry’s turn to pour salt into a wound he knew would sting harshly. “Did you uh, ever get married, Rose?”

When Carmella had managed to get his number a couple years after Italy, they kept in contact nearly every week. A lot of the time their topic of conversation would revolve around Y/N, and what ever new information Carmella could relay. One thing he refused to know however, was if she ever got married. He didn’t need to know, nor did he want to. But now, he supposes he does.

“I did. He passed in February.” The 1st. Coincidental, maybe ironic. “He was a good man.”

Silence. It was nice Y/N was able to settle herself with someone deemed to be good. It’s what she deserved. But Harry didn’t want to know anymore.

Silence. They kept their heads forward, but over time Y/N’s head slowly ended up resting on Harry’s shoulder. Their hands stayed latched and their bodies radiated each other’s warmth. Y/N felt cold though. Rehashing their pasts slowly brought them closure, but it in no way healed the pain that rested heavy on her heart. “I wish things could’ve been different for us, Harry.” They deserved different than what they were given. Why do soulmates exist if they can’t be together?

A love like theirs is folklore; unsure if it ever existed, but meant to be told for generations. “We were special don’t you think?”

“We were everything,” Harry murmured, squeezing her hands, then planting a gentle kiss to the crown of her head.

Y/N laughed again at his allusion, but she wasn’t laughing because it was funny, but because it stung like a wasp. Over and over again. “I’ve still got that stupid piece of paper, y’know. Your letter. Saved it all these years because it was all I had.”

The little anger she had left inside of her began to bubble up. Though it didn’t last very long as tears welled in her eyes, just like when she picked up the stupid paper for the first time. Grief stampeded her stomach like a herd of frightened elephants, bruising her deeply as the pain she felt from that day made itself known in the present.

“You didn’t say goodbye. Why didn’t you say goodbye?”

The wind picked up as the clouds in the sky completely covered the sun in forecast, hovering over Harry as a reminder, just in case he didn’t already know the pain he caused.

Pulling Y/N close to his chest, he let her cry, knowing it was best to not say anything at all. She wasn’t legitimately asking why he didn’t, but it felt good to get the question off her chest. So he let her cry, his own tears pricking his waterline, balancing on the edge before tumbling over and down onto his cheeks.

Just when the sun began to come out from its hiding spot, the two subsided their emotions, calming down just like the leaves above their heads. The storm had passed. All that’s left now is the aftermath.

“We don’t get forever, Rose. But we have each other now.”

Something tells them though that despite how many physical years they may have left with one another, they’ll always have forever. The thought rests easy on their minds.

With just a few more minutes of sitting in the grass and simmering, absorbing, melting, the duo decided it was time to get up. They were going to put the past behind them, starting with the fact that maybe they were too old to be sitting in the grass like they used to.

Laughs and giggles were exchanged as they both tried to get to their feet as gracefully as possible without drawing any attention to themselves. They were a heap of giggles and optimism as they retraced their steps back onto the pathway, heading back to his car.

It almost seemed like déjà vu the moment a speedy bicyclist zoomed past Y/N, nearly grazing her left side. She moved out of his way just in the nick of time, but haphazardly fell into Harry’s arms, who always seemed ready to catch her even in the most abrupt of times.

It all happened so fast yet also so slow, running parallel to the moment this exact occurrence happened fifty-five years ago. Their whole day ran parallel to their pasts, so it was only inevitable that that same electricity sparked through their bodies again.

They gazed into each other’s eyes the moment her body felt safe, that same magnet pulling them close enough that their mouths were only a few inches apart. Not a single word was exchanged as their breaths mingled together and their fingers gripped each other forcefully.

Remembering when she told Ellie about their first electric moment, Ellie immediately questioned if the two of them had kissed because it seemed like the perfect moment. Disappointingly, they didn’t.

She would hate to disappoint her granddaughter again.

So, this time they did.

It was the perfect moment, after all.

#artist babies will always be special to me :’)#harry styles blurb #harry styles au #harry styles imagine #harry styles one shot #harry styles x y/n #harry styles x reader #harry styles fic #harry styles angst #harry styles writing #harry styles #one direction fanfiction

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justauthoring · 3 years

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The Long Fight

Prompt: And, above all, you just wanted to see him one more time.

Pairing: Aragorn x Reader Word Count: 3,549

A/N: I just had to write a LOTR imagine. I just finished Return of the King a few nights ago, and I forgot just how much I absolutely loved this series. So, I hope you guys enjoy this imagine -- even if it doesn’t receive a lot of notes, or anything, i’m very proud of it.

“What did you do, Boromir?”

He sighs, kicking the ground beneath him as he walks fast, trying to elude himself away from you. But you’re quick on your feet, lighter, and it isn’t hard for you to match up to his speed -- he’s much too distracted by his own thoughts to put in any real effort of trying to run away, truly.

You reach out, gripping the sleeve of his armour tightly, and with a swift tug, he’s pulled to face you. And you pause as you meet your brother’s gaze, noticing the horrified look etching deep in his irises, and it’s almost as if he seems too ashamed to properly look at you. Boromir is careful to keep his eyes from meeting your own completely, and the frown on his lips is everlasting.

At that, your tone lessens, and your voice softens and suddenly, you feel pity. “What did you do?” And it’s the same question as before, but this time it means something entirely differently.

Boromir finally meets your gaze head-on then.

“I failed,” he says at first, the words choked up at the back of his throat. And at his next confession, the words are much harder to say; he pauses, and his lips part once or twice before he even manages to actually say anything. “I tried to take the ring from Frodo. He’s run off.”

He expects you to be angry, but all you feel is pity.

“He’s poisoned your mind,” you whisper, the hand that had held him in place falling limp by your side. “Just like he poisons all of our minds.”

Boromir catches your eye, puzzled.

“Father,” you explain, frowning. “He told you to bring the ring back to Gondor. And all any of us have ever wanted to do is make him proud,” taking a step back, you sigh, shaking your head. “Faramir would’ve done the same.” And then you pause, “I might’ve too. Just to appease him.”

“He has that much of a hold on us?”

“I think he always has.”

Boromir frowns, and your expressions mimic one another as you both stand there -- there’s an unsaid question left hanging in the air; what now?

And the answer is provided for you when you hear a cry, and it’s one so distinctly familiar that it’s enough to have your heart racing. Your body straightens, shoulders tensing, as you turn to look at Boromir, both whispering out in panic; “Pippin.”

You take off in a sprint towards the noise, momentarily stunned by the sight of so many orcs, but then Boromir is racing ahead, and you pull your dagger from within your cloak. You may have been brought along the Fellowship for your healing abilities, but you could still put up a fight when need be -- and you would never hesitate to lay down your life for Merry and Pippin.

“Stay back,” you call to the two, ushering the back, holding them close. “Stay behind me. Don’t leave my side.”

And they don’t hesitate to listen, clutching onto your cloak as the four you stumble back along the hillside. Boromir stays at the front, knocking down orc after orc, you getting in a couple yourself. But it’s easy to tell that there’s far too many for you four to handle, for Boromir to handle.

“Blow the horn,” you call to him, “blow it! Aragorn will come to our aid.”

And that you have no doubt in.

He does so, crying out as he ducks from a hit, and swings his sword out.

He blows again, pushing the three of you back; “run! Keep running!”

Merry and Pippin scream your name, and your eyes fly to your right, an orc headed straight for you. Eyes widening, you narrowly miss a hit headed directly straight for your head, one that surely would’ve killed you, kicking out your leg, knocking the orc off it’s feet, before stabbing it directly in the middle of the chest with your dagger.

You turn to find Merry and Pippin taking down an orc themselves, rushing to help them to their feet once it’s dead.

“Get behind me!”

You keep your arms out, stretched out along the two as they start throwing rocks, dagger held tightly between your fingers.

“Boromir!” You cry, “we’ll never make it!”

“Stay there!” He calls back, chancing a small look back at you, your eyes meet for a split second, “keep the hobbits safe!”

And things carry on for a moment, everything moving past you like a blur. But then you catch sight of something, and your eyes flicker up, only for your heart to quick and all noise drown out, everything falling completely silent as your lips part, and your brother’s name comes pouring from your lips in a deafening scream. But it’s too late, and you jump as the arrow lodges itself in his shoulder.

No.

He stumbles back, before falling to his knees. Your eyes water, your vision blurring as your heart sinks.

“Boromir...--”

And he gets back up, and he keeps fighting. But you know it’s a losing battle at that point, and he’ll die.

“No!” You scream, voice cracking, echoing throughout the forest, bouncing off the trees.

A second arrow hits him.

He falls and you move towards him, but Merry and Pippin grab tight to you, and you fall to your knees with him. He crawls on his knees for a moment, strength wavering, and through the pain, he finds your gaze. Your tear-stricken, panicked gaze, and he just looks at you for a moment, before he gathers the courage to get up once more.

You reach out for him, but Merry and Pippin hold tight.

In your heart, you find it amazing he manages to bring down a few more. But in that moment, nothing but the sight of another, and the final, arrow hitting him registers in your mind. He falls to his knees with a thud, and finally, the everlasting grip of Merry and Pippin leaves you as you crawl towards him.

You should stop Merry and Pippin, you should try to help them, their screams echoing in your mind as orcs grab them, their struggling futile, but you know it’s hopeless in that moment.

It had been a losing battle.

You hold tight to Boromir, pulling him close, as you await the inevitable; death.

“Y/N,” Boromir gasps, reaching for you, hands limp, body strength fading. “Run-- while... while you still can.”

And you just shake your head, fingers digging into him; “I won’t leave you...”

When a shadow falls over you, you stare up at the orc that had brought him down with hatred burning in your gaze. “Do what you’re going to do,” you hiss, “you do not frighten me.”

He takes the sword off his back, the tip of it touching your chin, holding your gaze upwards and towards his own. “Such a pretty face,” he mocks, voice cold. “No reason to let it go to waste.” Your eyes widen, Boromir gasps as if to say something, but his words choke on his blood. “Grab her. Pretty meat for dinner.”

Hands grab at you, and you kick and scream, but nothing stops them. You’re lifted off your feet as if you way nothing, thrown over a shoulder that has you gasping out in response, while being carried off. You catch your bearing, pounding your fists into to the orcs back, your eyes finding Boromir’s already on your own, despite the ever impending doom waiting for him.

You’re strung along by your hands. Rope tied securely around your wrists, dragged along by a rope in an orcs hands.

They haven’t stopped for days. Merry and Pippin are somewhere behind you, you try to keep your sights on them at all times if you can, and when you can -- but it’s hard as you’re pulled and tugged every which way the orcs possibly can, find the greatest amusement at your torment.

Your feet ache, your legs wobble with exhaustion, and your throat burns with great desire and need for water. But nothing hurts more then your heart. The deep, dreading realization that constantly reappears in your mind that your brother was dead and you’re not far off behind him.

Pulled apart, tortured and killed to satisfy the hunger of ugly, monstrous creatures.

But the truth is, you don’t all that mind the thought of death. Part of you even welcomes it, death. To be reunited with your brother.

But the hobbits. You have to fight to keep them alive, like your brother had. That’s the only thing that matters now.

A harsh tug pulls you from your thoughts. It surprises you, enough so that you lose your balance, and the weakness in your legs betrays you then as you go falling to the ground, falling hard on your knees that elicits a soft cry from your lips. Your head hangs in shame as your bound hands balance you, palms pressing against the mud and dirt beneath you, for a moment, just for a moment, finding peace in the way your hands sink beneath the ground.

You wish the ground would simply swallow you whole then.

“Keep up!” A harsh voice screams at you, and a sharp kick to your side as you teetering to the left, crying out. Your eyes squint in pain, and don’t have to look to know that there’s a shadow over you, “get up! Get on your feet! We haven’t the time for you to be lazing about!”

Hands pull at you, grab and pinch at your skin and you’re yanked to your feet once more. It takes all of your willpower not to fall over again, using all your lasting strength into planting your feet firmly into the ground. You peel your eyes open, head jerking back at the sight of one of them so close, leering at you, eyes glaring down at you, like you’re beneath him. In his eyes, you are.

Nothing but pretty meat for him to eat.

“Don’t let it happen again!”

You nod, meekly, not trusting your own voice to even respond.

He takes one last longing look at you, and then he shifts, and you think he’s moving to walk, go back to dragging you. But then he pulls the canteen from his side, yanks the lid off and tips it towards you. Your lips part involuntarily, desperate for water, but instead, the liquid is dumped over your head. And it’s rank, dark, enough to make your stomach flip and your throat belch, feeling as if you’ll throw up.

You breathe hard through the mess, eyes squinting shut as laughter echoes and all attention falls to you.

When it stops, and you’re left gagging at the smell coming from you, your eyes split open and you find Merry and Pippin amongst, strung on the backs of orcs. Their attention is on you, and the pity in their eyes is enough to have you fearing they might gather up the courage to defend you.

You’re quick to react.

“It-It won’t happen again,” you croak, voice weak but pleading enough it amuses the orc.

“I was just sweetening up dinner for later, my dear lady,” he sneers, mocking and cruel. “Come on, keep up.” He tugs the rope around your wrist and you’re pulled with a start, feet stumbling underneath you for a moment before you manage to gather your bearing.

You glance behind yourself, finding Merry and Pippin, and muster up the courage and strength to smile softly.

It’ll be okay.

You know the moment you’re thrown on your back, chucked mercilessly on the ground, that your time has run out.

“We’re not going anywhere, tell we’ve had a breather!”

The orc, you’re assuming that’s in charge, huffs; “get a fire going!”

Orcs bustle you. You keep to yourself, knees folded into your chest, hands around them, holding yourself tightly. Merry and Pippin are across the way, too far for you to reach them, and you know trying will only get the lot of you in trouble. So you don’t move. Keep your eyes peeled for any orc that strays to close, and making sure to keep your eyes open because anytime they fall shut, you see Boromir.

Dying.

“I’m starving,” one grunts, and your heart plummets. “We haven’t had anything but stinking maggots for three days!”

“Yeah,” one agrees merrily, “it’s time for our reward.”

Eyes zone in on you.

You hiss, breath halting, as you kick your feet, shuffling back.

“Fine,” the one that had been your personal keeper huffs -- the one in charge, “but only some. We need it to last us the rest of the journey.”

It. You’re not even a living being to them.

“No,” you sob, voice breaking as one approaches you. “Please. Please, no.”

You’d thought you were ready for death; that you’d accept it. But now, so close to danger, you find yourself desperate to avoid it. You don’t want to die. You have so much to live for, so much to see through. You want to see Faramir again, you want to make sure Merry and Pippin make it out okay -- finish what you set out to do with the fellowship.

You want to see Aragorn.

Oh, how you’ve missed him. You’re body yearned for him. Even through the thick of fear and despair, he would travel to your thoughts and remind you of what once was.

And how safe you’d felt with him.

You didn’t want to die without telling him just how much he meant to you.

“Y/N! No, stop! Y/N!”

Your face falls at the sound of the hobbits, shuffling back as quick and as best you can with the exhaustion and bonds.

“Please, stop!” You cry, voice cracking, cringing into yourself as the orc reaches you. You move to turn, prepared to crawl on your hands and feet, but the orc grabs your ankle and yanks you down and all that you can focus on is the fear. Merry and Pippins yelling drowns to the back of your mind as you turn, finding the orc leering down at you, weapon at the ready.

“Hurry up!” One of the orcs call, “we’re hungry here! Get the leg already!”

He turns to call back in defense of himself and you use that to your advantage, striking your free leg out and delivering a sharp kick to the cheek of the orc. He stumbles back, and you gather to your feet quick, moving to break out into a run. You’re not sure where, especially when you won’t leave the twins, but the thought doesn’t matter, before you’re grabbed two steps later.

“Stop your fighting! You’re only making it harder!”

“I’ll stop her squealing.”

And you pause at the threat in his tone.

Spun around, yours and the orcs attention falling to one from afar, sword held towards Merry and Pippin who stare back at you in fear.

“No, no, please don’t,” you cry, completely stilling. They know to break you. “Please don’t hurt them! I’ll stop!”

You’re thrown back, falling with a thud as the orc leans over you.

“I’ll cook you up first,” he whispers, “and then your little friends.”

“No!” You cry, kicking your leg out at him, but he catches it, dragging you with him. “No! Don’t you touch them! Don’t you dare!”

“Shut her up already--”

There’s a whizz in the air, and the orc never finishes their sentence as he falls to the ground dead, a spear in his chest. There’s a pause, a still, and then another spear spins through the air, and another orc falls. Mass chaos breaks out, and you kick out your leg again, knocking the orc off his feet and thudding to the ground. This time, you don’t fail and you get away enough, running through the panicked orcs who are too busy running for their lives to notice you, looking for Merry and Pippin.

When you find them, you waste no time.

“Y/N!”

“Come on, come on,” you call, grabbing at them best you can. “We have to be quick. We don’t have time. We’ll have to go through the forest, because-- ahh!” You fall to the ground, chin crashing into the ground. You’re spun and the orc from the before is on top of you.

“Y/N!” Merry screams.

Pippin lurches forward. “No!”

“Go!” You call to them, kicking at the orc. “You have to go!”

They hesitate a moment, but one final look at them is enough to send them fleeing, best they can. You scream out as you swing your bound hands at the orc, trying to keep his focus on you. If you die now, you die. But you won’t let him touch Merry and Pippin.

“You’re still mine to finish,” the orc hisses, grabbing at the front of your chest and yanking you towards him, the hilt of his sword hitting you across the head, your head falling back, vision blurring, dark spots fading your gaze. You barely register the sword pressed at your throat.

He never gets the chance to finish.

A spear hits him in the back, and he falls dead on top of you. You grunt in response, and a cry leaves your lips as the movement causes his sword to slice you along the top of your chest, tearing the fabric. You want to push him off, get up and chase after Merry and Pippin, but you find your strength leaving you and your vision turning back.

The last thing you see is a figure standing over you. And for a moment, you believe you see Aragorn, somehow, someway, and his name leaves your lips in a desperate whisper, delirious beyond belief, before your vision completely turns black and everything fades.

“What business does a dwarf, a man and an elf have in the Riddermark?”

A dwarf, a man, a elf?

Head still pounding, you have enough sense to recognize the particular-ness of that grouping. And why it would mean so much to you. Why it would catch your attention.

Raising your head from the back of one of the men who’d saved you, cleaned you, and tended to you, you hadn’t even noticed that the lot of them had stilled their horses until that moment. They’re surrounding something, spears at the ready, but you can’t see what through the flock of men.

The man riding with you, notices your movement, and chances a quick glance back at you. “It’s nothing to worry about, my lady. We’ll keep you safe.”

And though you find his words endearing, and the fact that they’d done so much to help you in the beginning thoughtful too, something in your mind tells you you have nothing to fear regardless.

“Speak quickly!”

“Give me your name, horsemaster, and I shall give you mine.”

Gimli.

The realization dawns on you and your stomach flutters, hope flooding you.

You stir more, fighting the exhaustion in your body that begs of you to stay put and rest, moving to slide off the horse. The man riding with you immediately takes notice, and his stance with the spear falters as he tries to call out for you. “My-My lady, you must--”

You don’t respond. Don’t listen. All you mutter is, “Aragorn...” softly as you push your way through the men and horses, holding tightly to the cloak they’d provided you, ignoring the way your body aches and screams at you in response.

You find the leader, Eomer, off his horse, stance strong and threatening as he glowers down at the three men. Gimli, Legolas and... Aragorn.

“I would cut off your head, dwarf, if it--”

“Stop, please! Those are my friends!”

Your cry causes all eyes on you. Eomer turns to you in concern, calling out for you, but your attention is only on that of Aragorn. Despite the fact that two of your friends, Gimli and Legolas, are also there and seem just as shocked and relieved to see you as him -- it’s Aragorn you’d earned for.

“Y/N...” He breathes, in disbelief.

You rush towards him, loosing your strength just as you reach him and he catches you, quick and strong, arms bounding around your waist and he holds you close. He grips you as if you’re afraid you’ll disappear from him that very moment, slip through his very fingers. And your fingers curl into the clothe of his shift, holding tightly.

His eyes trace your bruises, your injuries, before settling on your own, imploring. “I thought I lost you, Nin Meleth.”

Your fingers ghost across the skin of his cheek, basking in the sight of him. Your eyes water and your strength gives away as you smile up at him.

Then, a thought occurs to you, “Aragorn, Merry and Pippin...”

His eyes turn upwards, at Eomer, and you look at him imploringly.

He frowns at you. “We burned everything and everyone, left none alive,” he whispers, “we only just saw you. You could’ve burned with them.”

Aragorn sighs, and the looks upon Legolas and Gimli are heartbreaking.

“No,” you whisper, shaking your head as you push to your feet, holding tight to Aragorn. “They had to have gotten away. I tried to help, but then...” You trail off, shaking your head, “they got away. Please, Aragorn, we must look for them.”

He looks at Eomer, then his eyes soften at you, and fingers caressing your cheek, he nods.

“Of course, Nin Meleth.”

Let me know what you thought?

#Lord of The Rings #Lord of The Rings imagine #LOTR #LOTR imagine #Aragorn #Aragorn imagine #Aragorn x reader #imagine #imagines #my fics

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elvish-sky · 3 years

Text

Hope {Aragorn x Reader}

A.N: So no prompts done today cause I was working on this, but I’m proud of it and will get right on prompts tomorrow! This is the completely reader-insert version! I honestly had so much fun writing it and am honored that this person wanted me to do so. I hope y’all like it!

Requested by @ask-the-elf-stuff on Tumblr

Pairing: Aragorn x Reader

Word Count: 1,799

Warnings: Kissing, fluff, the smallest bit of angst.

****

Hope

“You’re really leaving?” You gazed into Aragorn’s eyes, hoping that it wasn’t true.

“I have to, Y/N. The fate of Middle-Earth depends on it.”

Your head dipped in understanding, but also sadness.

“Do not fear. I will return.” He cupped your chin with his hand, tilting your head and kissing you. It was a light kiss, nothing like the others you had shared before. This kiss was the hope that you’d see each other again.

Breaking away, you forced a smile as you hugged him, trying not to cry. Stepping back, you waved as he followed the rest of the newly formed Fellowship through the gates of Imladris. Your father stood next to you, and as Aragorn passed through the gates Elrond drew you into his side.

“He’ll be back, hína (child),” Elrond said as he pressed a kiss to your forehead.

Nodding, you rested your head on your father’s shoulder as you watched the man depart.

Weeks later, you were pacing your room, determined to do something. Arwen stopped short in the doorway as she saw you pack open on your bed as you shoved things inside.

“Y/N? What are you doing?”

“I do not know why, but I have felt a pull to follow. An ache, almost painful in its strength, has settled inside me and so I knew I must follow. We have not heard from the Fellowship in weeks, Aragorn could be hurt, or someone else could be, or he could be,” your voice broke, “dead.

The elf nodded in understanding. “The ache is telling you to be with the one you love.”

She then clasped your hand. “Y/N. Look at me.”

You looked at her, unshed tears of worry clear in your eyes.

“If he was dead, you’d feel it. And I know as your sister I should be telling you not to go, but I cannot help but notice the pain you’ve been in these last weeks. So go, find him.” She spread a map out onto a small table nearby, and you couldn’t help but laugh.

“Do you just carry that everywhere?”

She shot you a look, and you quickly clammed up, peering over her shoulder as she pointed things out.

“After crossing the mountains visit our grandmother in Lothlorien, the Fellowship had planned to pass through there, and she will know where they are.”

You took it all in, remembering the route to Lothlorien from visits to your grandparents you had made before your mother went west.

“Thank you, Arwen.” You smiled up at your sister.

She clasped your wrist before pulling away, placing her hands on your shoulders as she looked into your eyes. “Stay safe, Y/N.”

You nodded, shoving the last things into your pack before slinging it over your shoulders with your bow and quiver, daggers sheathed on your thighs, hugging your sister one last time before leaving your room.

You strode down the hallway, dressed in leather hunting clothes as you made your way to the gates of Imladris. You had stopped by the kitchens to gather food supplies, making sure they thought you were only going for a hunting excursion.

Entering the courtyard, you saw your father standing in the center, clearly waiting for you. Silently cursing Arwen, as you had hoped to slip away unnoticed, you made your way over to him.

“I should not let you do this.”

You frowned at his words, drawing breath to protest, but before you could Elrond spoke again.

“But you are free to go. I feel the ache and have felt it every day since your mother departed. I know that nothing but being with the one you love can ease that pain, and it would hurt me to know you are experiencing it. Go to Estel. I give you my blessing.”

You hugged your father before turning and mounting your horse, brought from the stables. Turning to wave to your father one last time, you leaned down to whisper, “Let’s go, Daeroc. Let’s go find Aragorn.” The horse broke into a trot, and you left Imladris behind.

Weeks later, you led Daeroc into Lothlorien, waiting for the sentries to appear. One dropped down from a tree, and you smiled at him, recognizing the face.

“Haldir,” you greeted him with a smile.

“Y/N. It is good to see you again. I assume you are here to see the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn?”

You nodded, “Yes. I have not seen my grandparents in a long time. But before we go to them could you find someone to take care of Daeroc?”

Another elf came into view, nodding to you as she took the reins from your hands.

“Thank you,” you smiled at her.

Later, you walked into the courtyard, bowing to your grandparents standing on the stairs above.

“Y/N, my daughter’s daughter. What brings you here?” Galadriel smiled at you, descending the stairs with her husband to greet you, each clasping your wrist.

“To see you, of course, and seek news of the Fellowship that I assume has passed through here.”

Your grandmother smiled. “It seems you are in luck, for they are here as we speak.”

Your eyes widened. “But they should have been long gone by now. I wonder what has caused the delay?”

Celeborn’s face softened. “Then you do not know.”

“Know what?” You were beginning to grow quite worried. “What has happened?”

“They could not make it through the pass of Caradhras, so they turned and went through Moria, costing them the life of Mithrandir.”

You gasped, heart aching at the grief that must have caused them and the grief you now felt.

“May I see them?” All you wanted now was to see your friends and the man you loved.

“Of course.” Galadriel beckoned you to follow her, and you did, softly conversing with your grandmother and updating her on the lives of her family in Imladris, as well as others she knew.

Stepping into the clearing, you turned to thank Galadriel, watching her fade from view behind you for a moment before continuing.

There he was. Tall and handsome still, even grimy with dirt and dust from his travels. You debated casually walking up and greeting him more sedately, but watching him you just couldn’t hold back. All your elvish instincts left you, and you sprinted towards him, leaping into his shocked arms as kissing him for all you were worth. He kissed you back for a moment, and then pulled away, the surprise on his face clear.

“Y/N! What are you doing here?”

“I came to find you.”

His eyes widened. “You did?”

You smiled at him. “Of course I did, meleth.”

He smiled back at you, and drew you in for another kiss, hands holding you up as your legs wrapped around his waist. Deepening the kiss, he moved so your back was pressed against a tree and his hands were free to slide up your back, tangling in your hair as you lost yourselves in each other.

Sometime later, you sat with the rest of the Fellowship after the nighttime meal, talking. It was good to see them again, you had grown fond of all of them, even the dwarf, during their time in Imladris. But of course, the only person you really had eyes for that night was Aragorn, who sat next to you with an arm around your shoulders.

Legolas had seemed puzzled with how comfortable you were with affection, it was rather un elf-like. You had explained to him that because of your father’s past, he was slightly more affectionate than a normal elf, and showed it. You hadn’t missed the wistful look on Legolas’ face as you spoke and recalled what you knew of his family, feeling sorry for him.

Later that night, you sat by the dying embers of the fire alongside Legolas. Aragorn had gone with the hobbits to wash up, and Boromir and Gimli were sleeping, so it was just you and the elf.

“Legolas?” The older elf looked at you.

“Can I ask you something?”

He nodded, and you continued, “I was just wondering, do you know of something like an ache? It began right after the Fellowship departed Imladris, and only subsided when I arrived here. What does it mean?”

He smiled. “Y/N. That was the bond between your soul and Aragorn’s, pulled taught with your fear of losing him. Now that you are reunited, it has gone because you are together. It is every elf’s greatest dream and worst fear to have that feeling.”

You smiled. “Have you?”

The pain in his eyes told you that maybe that was not something to be asked of others.

“I am not sure if it is in my destiny to ever feel that.” He gazed into the distance.

The two of you sat in easy silence for a long time, after that.

“Y/N.” You turned to see Aragorn beckoning to you, and with a nod to Legolas, you rose.

“You do not have to come with us. It will be a journey of great peril, and I do not want to put you in that much danger.”

You gazed at him earnestly, “Aragorn. I shall be there when the crown is finally placed on your head. I shall be with you until the end.”

He smiled at you again and clasped your hand as you walked through the towering trees.

You had left Lothlorien the day after with the Fellowship, having officially joined up. Lots had happened after that, including almost dying with most of Middle-Earth, but months later, all was finally well. Frodo and Sam had destroyed the ring in Mordor, the forces of Mordor had collapsed along with the Black Gate, and today was the coronation of King Elessar, also known as Aragorn.

You watched, standing next to Gimli on the dais, as Gandalf lowered the crown onto Aragorn’s head.

“Now come the days of the King!” Gandalf declared before Aragorn turned to face his kingdom. Everyone cheered as he stood there, silencing quickly as he spoke. His words were wise and sincere, and you couldn’t help but fall in love all over again. As petals began to fall, he started singing, the words quickly fading as he turned to you.

You walked down to meet him at the bottom of the steps, gown trailing behind you. Once you reached him, he grabbed your hand, wrapping an arm around your waist as he dipped you into a spectacular kiss. Unlike the one you had shared in Imladris, this was not a kiss of sadness. This was a kiss of hope, peace, and promise. As the cheers rose around you again you knew that everything you had hoped for had come true.

Everything tag: @entishramblings @itgetsatadhazy @boyruins @anjhope1 @wellofeternalthirst @kumqu4t @katbby16

#aragorn x reader #maiawrites #lord of the rings #the hobbit #jrr tolkien #the silmarillion #aragorn fanfic #aragorn x you #aragorn x y/n #elrond’s daughter #Arwens sister #arwen #Elrond #legolas #gandalf #Galadriel #celeborn #Galadriel x celeborn

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lovelykhaleesiii · 3 years

Text

More than a Friend

HEADCANON

PAIRING: Adult!Bill Denbrough x fem!Reader

Words: 1228

Summary: Inseparable in the past during your time in the Losers Club, you find yourself years later in Derry the same town you eagerly fled... Now reunited with close friends and an old flame.

Warnings: pure fucking fluff

A/N - as if no one saw this one coming HA... Happy to say I’m back and plan to make imagines more of a regular thing. Taking requests for this man and Tom Holland characters :) (I’m discontinuing previous imagines so don't ask for new chapters sorry x)

Receiving the call from Mike Hanlon was something you’d been dreading in your distant memory, and had sudden sinking feeling upon hearing his voice.

As Mike explained the details of the recent happenings in your hometown Derry, the memories of your childhood jolted back into your mind as you pictured the Losers Club. In addition to Mike, there was Eddie, Richie, Ben, Beverley and Bill…

Bill, you whispered… Your once partner in crime and longtime childhood friend. Besides Beverly being the closest friend you had in the group, both Bill and you shared this bond that was to some degree, absent with the rest.

He understood you in ways the others lacked. You found that he was much more mature than most boys his age.

In return, he relied on you for sole support, especially after the disappearance of Georgie.

The memories began to flood your mind: you were the one that would often visit Bill on days he didn’t expect to see anyone. It was you that made him laugh and smile amid the times he thought that would be the last thing he’d achieve. You genuinely made him happy, as he did for you.

As the call ended, you knew there was no choice however to uphold the vow you had all made 27 years ago. You were just hoping that same old Bill would uphold his end…

Returning to Derry sent shivers through your body the moment you drove in. As the minutes went by, slowly your memory began to piece itself together like a puzzle… The more the memories you shared with Bill began to fill your mind, feeling a small sense of excitement despite the unfortunate reason for your return.

Walking into the diner where Mike had made reservations for the inevitable reunion, and being directed towards a group of strange adults, you were the last to arrive.

Everyone made their way towards you, ecstatic that you’d managed to make it.

First Beverly rushed to your side, embracing you in her arms, the next was Eddie who still seemed quite anxious meeting you despite being to hell and back with him. Then Richie followed, cracking a joke on how much of a gorgeous woman you’d grown into from the tomboy he had envisioned. Mike was relieved the most to see you, grateful you upheld the promise… And of course, Bill.

He stood in the back, as he watched you approaching them from afar. He seemed shocked to say the least, however he had changed himself, he was a man now. Yet his mesmerising blue eyes, still fed that familiarity.

“Y-Y/N, God. You-You’ve grown… I-I’m really glad y-you came.” He breathlessly stuttered: and just then it had clicked that Bill did stutter as a child, however that never phased you before nor did it now.

“Likewise… You look good, Bill.”

For a brief moment you both just stood still and stared mesmerised in the presence of one another. You both were taking in each other’s friendly gaze, smiling brightly up at each other, as he firmly held you in what was initially a friendly hug.

“Uhh-You guys good over there?” Richie exclaimed, breaking the intimate silence between you two.

Seating yourselves, despite sitting apart you’d caught glances of Bill watching you as you’d watch him.

You had to admit to yourself, Bill was as handsome as ever. He’d obviously grown in height and size, he was quite muscular and well-groomed. He’d grown into his features, and yet he didn’t feel at all like a complete stranger.

And amongst Beverly and yourself, after having noticed your tendencies to stop and stare at Bill, even she agreed that Bill had aged finely.

Amongst the long-overdue conversations during dinner, you’d realised that you hadn’t really been separated from Bill all along.

“Those were all my books… I-I can’t believe y-you read them without kn-knowing-”

As you caught up in each others life-stories, you hadn’t realised just how much you’d missed him, all these years apart.

As the haunting events of Pennywise unfolded, Bill being the same leader he was naturally matured to be, was protective… Especially over you.

He absolutely hated seeing you frightened, sad, or distraught, and would want you to confide in him always. As children, he was there even when you didn’t realise you needed that shoulder to cry on, and despite the distance of growing up apart, he was still there to guard you.

Throughout this unwanted adventure, it seemed Bill and you would always find your way back to one another. If he was in trouble, you were there, vice versa.

At one point you’d found yourself sitting on the curb alongside Bill, after finding your token (which btw is a sketch Bill drew of you, that you’d kept in the clubhouse) facing the building he’d once called home. You knew how difficult it was for him to be there, the unforgettable tragedy of Georgie was something Bill just could not escape and you’d helped him come to terms with that.

“Y-You were always th-there for me, Y/N. I never s-said anything b-before but, you really did h-have a special p-place in m-my heart.”

“I’m just sorry I didn’t stick around, Bill… No one should ever go through what you went through with Georgie,” You softly responded, instinctively caressing his broad back, feeling his muscles relax under your touch.

“I-I should’ve though… I-I wanted to after y-you left, Y/N. Y-You were m-more than just a friend b-but I was too late.”

Without even having to explain himself further, you knew. You knew exactly what Bill meant and where this conversation was going… You’d felt the same. In fact, you were devastated when you’d left.

Having been caught up in your thoughts, you hadn’t realised Bill gradually closing in on you, as you felt his hand against your cheek, your lips locking into a passionate kiss.

“That was truly overdue-” You joked, smiling childishly at one another, as he helped you up effortlessly, not wanting to keep the others wondering and waiting.

Returning to the Neibolt House, you’d noticed that Bill kept a close eye on you, making sure he was always in lead of you, as means of taking precautions. He hated the fact that you with the rest of the gang had accompanied him.

Once you’d reached the sewers beneath Derry, in the place Pennywise had inhabited, you did however get separated from one another and it killed Bill.

Each in your own nightmares, he was desperate to escape.

Once again reuniting, he made sure he was in close proximity of you.

Having finally defeated Pennywise (Eddie still alive), you’d never felt this deep sense of relief before, as you both were now free to be in each other’s company.

Everyone knew and was expecting you two to come to terms with your feelings, accepting the mutual love that was there.

“We’ve been knew guys, we knew it from the moment you’d first started walking each other home from school!” Richie exclaimed, sighing with relief as if he was the ultimate matchmaker.

This time leaving Derry wasn’t so despairing, for you were not alone… Bill was and will now always be by your side, no matter what you’d face.

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blu-joons · 3 years

Text

DATING EXO HEADCANON A⇴Z ⇴ Zhang Yixing

A ⇴ AFFECTION

Yixing is very affectionate towards you, he relies on body contact a lot to feel comfortable and loved. He won’t ask for your affection but will often creep up on you to silently let you know that he wants some attention.

B ⇴ BEFORE DATING

He wanted to take things slowly when he met you, so for a while he’d meet up for coffee with you as a friend. When he began to catch feelings, he didn’t want to rush into anything and risk hurting himself or you, so he chose to continue taking things casually until he was sure, and confident he could begin to think about dating around his schedule.

C ⇴ CONFESSION

During one of your meet ups for coffee, Yixing finally decided to tell you how he felt. He was terrified that his feelings would be a one-way thing, at times he nearly backed out of saying anything, but once he started, he couldn’t stop. Once he’d finished, and you let him know that the feelings were mutual, to say he was relieved would be an understatement. All his nerves would disappear, and he’d be back to the usual Yixing again.

D ⇴ DATES

Yixing is a bit of a homebody, so he’ll like to spend your dates and home doing something fun together. However, the two of you are also prone to a studio date, especially if he’s working late into the night. You’ll make sure to bring the food, whilst Yixing will set things up so you can both relax whilst he also gets on with a bit of work. It might not be practical to most, but the two of you treasure just being able to spend time with each other, it doesn’t matter to either of you what exactly that involves for you both.

E ⇴ EXPERIENCE

You were the first relationship Yixing had had since he debuted. He put a lot of time into his work, he was apprehensive at first to try and figure out where he could fit a relationship in, but he knew you were special and was determined to find the time from somewhere. He was open with you about his concerns, which was probably why you were so understanding and willing to be flexible to make sure that whilst Yixing spent time with you, he also didn’t let that deprive his career and prevent him from focussing on his music.

F ⇴ FIGHTING

The two of you don’t have much time to argue in amongst your busy schedules, but that can also end up being one of the biggest causes of your arguments. You worry when Yixing spends too much time at work, just like he does with you, which can often lead to quite a few disagreements. Neither of you ever mean to snap, knowing that the other has your best interests at heart. When the two of you finally reunite at home, you’ll both be ready to talk about things and move on. You’re both as bad as each other when it comes for trying to care for the other, sometimes too much for the other to even notice that you mean well.

G ⇴ GETTING TO KNOW HIS FAMILY

Being away from his family for so long, you met Yixing’s family on a call one night when you were at his place. He was desperate for you to meet his family as soon as you could so that he could show you off. His family instantly fell in love with you, knowing that Yixing was happy when he was so far away from them.

H ⇴ HOME

You spent quite a lot of your time at Yixing’s place for dates and catch ups, so it didn’t take long for him to invite you to move into his place permanently. Seeing as you spent most of your time there anyway, it made sense to you both to make things a little more official and have you there every morning and night.

I ⇴ “I LOVE YOU”

Yixing was the first to say ‘I love you’ when you surprised him at one of his shows. You were desperate to go and see it, whilst also knowing how special it would be for him not to know. Words didn’t describe how appreciative he was to see you, racing across to you as soon as he saw you and giving you the tightest hug to let you know how appreciative he was.

J ⇴ JEALOUSY

He’s quite easy going and doesn’t tend to let things get to him to make him jealous, but if he does get jealous, his face will instantly give him away. If he’s holding you, you’ll feel the grip he has around you tighten up to let you know that he’s not happy. Whilst he won’t make a big deal out of things, when the two of you are alone, he’ll be sure to explain the situation to you and justify his feelings. While you try and assure him, he doesn’t need to explain, he does so anyway, wanting to make sure you know exactly how he feels.

K ⇴ KIDS

Yixing was very open with you from the start that he sees himself starting a family one day. For now, he’s honest with you that his focus is firmly on the music, but as your relationship progresses, he can definitely see himself having a family with you one day. You’ve seen many times for yourself how close he is with his family, especially his grandparents, and you know how much he wants to recreate that bond with his own little ones.

L ⇴ LAUGHTER

As serious as he can be, Yixing loves to joke around and have a laugh. Laughter and messing around with you provide him with a great distraction whenever work becomes too much. He loves to push the boundaries, tickle you until you can barely breathe or laugh until your waist is screaming out in pain, once he starts getting even a tiny laugh out of you, he just won’t stop. You do the exact same to him though, knowing how important it is sometimes for him to laugh and not worry about his heavy workload.

M ⇴ MISSING

Before dating you, Yixing had gotten used to the feeling of missing someone, he’d spent enough time away from his family to know how it felt. But his first time away from you reminded him of his old self from years ago. He was convinced he’d be able to cope being away from you, but in fact he did anything but cope. When he was struggling, he’d hide away in his room so that none of the other members could see him, taking a few moments for himself. He’d try and be fine for you too, but as soon as his voice faltered or his breath became shaky, you knew exactly how he was feeling, assuring him that you felt the same way, reminding him it was alright to struggle at times. If anything, the feelings reminded him how important you were to have in his life, and how much he truly needed you around in his life.

N ⇴ NICKNAMES

He loved to call you nicknames in Chinese, you often wouldn’t understand what they meant, waiting until he wasn’t looking to quickly search them up and press a quick kiss to his cheek once you realised what he was saying.

O ⇴ OBSESSION

Yixing is obsessed with your eyes, he can tell pretty quickly how you’re feeling as soon as he looks at you, and quickly acts accordingly to what your eyes are telling him.

P ⇴ PDA

PDA isn’t something Yixing is a huge fan of, but more often than not his subconscious will kick in and cause him to be affectionate. He can’t help but hold onto you most of the times and protectively keep you close. It’s instinctive for him to be affectionate, even in public, despite knowing there’s usually cameras watching.

Q ⇴ QUESTIONS

His questions usually come to you for help. He works hard on his music and he’ll often turn to you for reassurance to know he’s doing alright. Whilst you don’t have a professional opinion, your opinion will mean more to him than most others.

R ⇴ RANDOM FACTS

Whenever he goes away on tour or travelling, Yixing will always buy you a souvenir. You have a whole shelf in your house of things Yixing has collected for you. They’re usually the most random things he can find on his travels, but he laughs to sit back and see the surprise in your face with everything that you open. Most of it doesn’t make sense, but somehow every item is special, simply because it came from Yixing.

S ⇴ SEX

Just like everything he does, Yixing is dedicated to making you feel loved and special. It doesn’t matter how exhausted he is, he will always make the time to take care of you. He’s incredibly affectionate, he wants to have as much physical contact as possible with you, his hands are often in your hair or cupping your cheeks so that he can keep himself close to you, attaching his lips against your skin whenever the opportunity arises.

T ⇴ TEXTS

In between his busy schedule, Yixing will always find the time to check in and send you a quick text so that he can make sure you’re looking after yourself and let you know he’ll be with you as soon as he possibly can.

U ⇴ UNIVERSE

Not many people could support and understand Yixing’s busy schedule like you. He felt like he’d won the jackpot meeting you, having your encouragement in everything he did was the missing puzzle piece he didn’t know he needed.

V ⇴ VACATION

When the chance to go on vacation came along, you were determined to get Yixing home, especially if he hadn’t seen a few of his family members for a while. He was desperate to take you away somewhere, but you knew his family came first and stubbornly refused to go anywhere else unless it was Yixing to go home.

W ⇴ WHINING

Yixing never whined at you, you were supportive and understanding more than anyone else, so he knew he had no right to ever moan at you when he wanted you.

X ⇴ XXXXX

He loves to kiss you, especially when he can take you by surprise. You’ll feel him smile against your cheek as he catches you when you jump, pulling you closely into his chest. He’ll often kiss you to sleep most nights too as the big spoon, his lips will trail along your shoulders or the back of your neck, relaxing you into a dream. His passionate side certainly comes through in his kisses for you, each and every one.

Y ⇴ YOU

You were his biggest fan, which he always appreciated from you.

Z ⇴ ZZZ

Sleep was very important to you; you’d often have to drag Yixing to bed when he refused to sleep because of work. As soon as his head hit the pillow however, he’d be out like a light and you wouldn’t ever be able to wake him.

---

Masterlist

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nevermindirah · 3 years

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part 6, past and future: How every character in The Old Guard (2020) dir. Gina Prince-Bythewood relates to the main character, Nile Freeman

We know almost nothing about Lykon in canon. We know he was fucking gorgeous, and we know his permanent death was sudden and surprisingly early compared to Andy and Quynh. We know from that deleted scene that he was playful in battle. I want to know more about Lykon.

Nile will never see a picture of Lykon let alone meet him. But she's connected to him. As far as we know, they're the only two immortals of African descent who've existed so far. Nile, whose ancestors were stolen from West Africa and whose histories white supremacy did its level best to erase, might feel an especially strong urge to learn about Lykon.

What might Andy or Quynh remember about Lykon's history that Nile might treasure as a restored piece of her own stolen history? I don't know what comics canon says about his birthplace or where he lived, and I doubt Greg Rucka put that much thought into it, but what Andy and Quynh remember of Lykon and his family might have some kind of link, some kind of at very least spiritual kinship to ancestors Nile has been separated from since before she was born.

Nile might also find a kind of solace in hearing Andy and Quynh talk about Lykon, a solidarity with her own loss. I think the three of them will talk about Lykon how Nile's little brother and his potential future children will talk about Nile, and Nile will think about that, and when it's too awful to bear, she'll ask her big sisters to hug her and tell her stories about her big brother who died before she was born.

Quynh, though. Quynh is alive.

We know Nile got flashes of Quynh alongside the others at first, and we see her have one devastatingly visceral dream of Quynh. We don't know whether Quynh can have the dreams, because there's no fucking way she's getting REM sleep while constantly drowning to death, but if she does, her first dream of Nile would probably be the same as the others': snippets of her deployment in Afghanistan. We don't know if the dreams choose to show details that would make it easier for the immortals to find each other, or if it's more of a general highlight reel. Quynh might get snippets of Nile entering and then, uh, exiting the Merrick building — the dreams would probably consider that a helpful landmark. She might see both Nile and Booker's perspective on the family turning around up those stairs and leaving Booker behind at the bar.

Between the end of the movie and their eventual meeting (2 Old 2 Guard now also confirmed by Veronica Ngô Thanh Vân what!) Quynh is likely to dream snippets of Nile traveling, training, getting to know her new family. If she hasn't been having the dreams underwater, when Quynh finally resurfaces she'll start having dreams for the first time of both Nile and Booker. What a confusing juxtaposition that would be. We don't know how long Quynh and Andy took to find Joe and Nicky, but Quynh does, and if this is the first she's learning of both Nile and Booker she's liable to be confused as shit why the seemingly newer immortal has been found and brought into the family but they don't seem to be searching for the other one at all.

Once whatever happens happens and the family is reunited, Quynh and Nile will both be playing major catchup about family history, just from different directions. Quynh will be able to join Andy in telling Nile about their adventures from before Joe and Nicky came along. Nile will be able to tell Quynh about modern history (at least what she's able to given that she may or may not have interest in it, and the basket of yikes that is US public school curricula) and what the family have been up to lately. Nile and Quynh both missed the first 200 years of Booker, so they'll be united in watching the others puzzle at and grieve and rage over whatever the fuck happened that sent Booker into such a catastrophic spiral.

Based on that gorgeous red coat alone, I think Quynh is going to prioritize beauty and pleasure and comfort whenever she can, now that she can. Nile wanted to get an art history degree after her Marine service. I think these two alongside Joe are going to enjoy the shit out of all the modern fashions their mercenary bank accounts can afford.

And that's all I've got, for now at least, on what movie canon shows us of how every character in The Old Guard relates to the main character, Nile Freeman. You can find the whole series here on Tumblr and here on AO3. I love getting asks if you want to talk more about Nile and her new family!

#nile freeman #lykon #quynh #dirah discusses tog team dynamics #tog meta #tog #mine #userhayls #long post

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sepublic · 3 years

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The Castle Car and the Train to Nowhere!

This was SUCH an amazing and compelling finale, y’all! The way all these things come together, how it just culminates in humble, silly, yet REAL apologies… Concessions, the parallels in the denizens and one another, I love it SO MUCH!

Firstly, what started as a funny gag photo with Jeremy, Kez, and Morgan, and the meaning expanded upon- SSSOOO clever, like everything in this entire damn series! But also the grief and symbolism, how Morgan is literally like a prison for Jeremy… And she wants to keep him, hold onto him, but she’s not letting him be his own person, and it reminds me of Min not wanting to be left behind by Ryan! And how Morgan takes things personally against Kez for just being herself, for this accident, at Jeremy for leaving her… And how Min learns not to be mad at Ryan and vice-versa, that they FINALLY learn to say sorry!

There’s so much to unwrap… Jeremy going on his journey, but he never really left, just like Ryan going off but not REALLY progressing! And this theme of progression and journeys, wanting to get it over with and rush it, feeling like you’re trapped and not getting anywhere… Wanting a plan or a destination, but as Kez said, sometimes it’s just about the journey! To just live in the moment, to enjoy and appreciate what happened… To not stay stuck over the past, while also taking responsibility, mutually admitting where you went wrong! Making concessions because you LOVE a person, you want them to be their own!

How Kez really didn’t just mean to, just like Ryan can sometimes be thoughtless… How the passengers learn to help the denizens and vice-versa in their examples! Jeremy realizing he never really left the fog, and when he figures this out with Kez’s help, in a sense he goes back to where he started; And only by returning can he start anew his ACTUAL journey, just as Ryan goes back home to reunite with Min, and starts off this whole sequence! And GOD, the horror and creepiness of Kez luring them in for a trap, dragging them along without really telling the plan, no trust and how Min feels like he can’t trust Ryan who just brings him and doesn’t slow down…

UGH IT’S SO GOOD, and how Kez and Morgan learn to confront their issues, how Kez just wants to make up- And Morgan is rooted in place, stuck in the past, maybe kind of like Min? The culmination of Kez being a welcoming bell for people… AND RYAN FINALLY GETTING TO RING HER, we’d never seen ANY ringing and we finally got it! For a moment I thought it’d cut to an actual bell ringing as we see Ryan and Min at a real-life place to check in for their journey… But no, we got it! God, the wordless trust as Kez fully understands and bows her little head, eyes closed… Kez is phenomenal, 10/10, one of THE best denizens in my opinion, alongside Lake!

Just GOD, the motif of the train and passengers and journeys, the denizens going on their own journey… I must say, with how the denizens can actually leave to hound after the passengers even after the puzzle is done, even taking advantage of the local tech- It all seems very unintended, doesn’t it? And Amelia, lol, we get to sort of see her take-over; We know it happens across Book 4, and we see the effects with how she’s trying to figure out the Steward and take Ryan and Min’s boots for her own experiments, only to mess up and cause the Steward to self-destruct! It’s kind of hilarious how everything stops for a moment and Ryan and Min have no clue WHAT happened, they don’t know who One or Amelia are, they heard their voices last time in that Party Car and that was about it… Hilarious.

But damn, Amelia just abandoning everyone and telling them they’re on their own, it’s a contrast to how these people are reuniting and finding solace… Well besides Judge Morpho, I’m glad she’s alive after all- I was afraid she’d be decked into the fire, but no, just out the chimney and gone! She really is unkillable, huh… And the Cow Creamer came back, she’s with her kid again! She’s a good and mature mom… And I SAW Kez’s apology coming and I loved it! And Ryan, Ryan wants to move on, he wants to get away and progress and he’s impatient, but he needs to learn to appreciate the journey, even if he has been feeling trapped and held down…

UGH IT’S SO GOOD, learning to stick with one another! The character themes, the clever bits of worldbuilding across the seasons, coming together like one giant puzzle as we learn and understand more about the setting, even retroactively, as well as some characters… The storytelling is SO concise, sweet, and to the point! Morgan gets to still cope with her own feelings on her own, that theme of enjoying and appreciating what you DID go through, as part of that theme of progress and learning to move on, while still taking it slowly enough to actually take in what’s happening!

There’s accountability with the apologies, admitting you did wrong, that you’ll actually learn and progress from here, instead of staying in the same places and repeating the same mistakes… It’s wonderfully cheesy but also heartfelt, I ADORE how this show isn’t afraid to be dark and twisted like Book 3, but then have a happy ending like this; It’s the RANGE that is granted by the setting, premise, and anthological story-telling!

Amelia doesn’t learn, not until she meets Tulip- And it’s SO fun thinking of how these characters all indirectly and directly interact and come together, the parallels… Amelia meets Ryan and Min, then later inspires Grace, she meets Tulip, who frees Lake who meets Jesse… And Tulip’s efforts get Amelia to change for the better, leading her to eventually meet Grace again, as WELL as Simon, and then Hazel who she made! It really is an interconnected web, a story that overlaps and all comes together as one great end-product and recipe, and DAMN if I’m not salty we’re not getting the rest! We’re missing out on a whole second half… But maybe in graphic novel or book- There’s hope and freedom in that medium, let’s not forget!

Well guys, this was a PHENOMENAL season, and a wonderful way to end the animated version of this tale… Although hopefully, the story continues on in other formats- And who knows, maybe the animated medium CAN be retained, if this does well enough. We’ll just have to wait and see… But in the meantime, this was a wonderful way to end things, and I genuinely hope that Owen Dennis can tell the rest of his story, perhaps in literal books; All of them, Books 5-8, as well as the resolution to Amelia and Hazel! This was purely amazing you guys, and it really made my day… THANK you, Owen and crew, for everything and Infinity Train- I mourn the destination and end after having reached it, but as Kez taught us, you just gotta appreciate the journey, and what mostly certainly DID happen…!

Even unintended, this works as a nice goodbye to the animated form of the series; So what better way to end, than with a song that makes the most of the animated format? And a song taking inspiration from the Infinity Train and the friends met there… I’ve always wanted to see a passenger incorporate those experiences creatively like that! Who knows, maybe Tulip did so with her games… And in the meantime, I’d love to see a reference to Chicken Choice Judy in a future Book, perhaps just a glimpse in modern time to see how they did! But then again, Owen does like his ambiguity; And even if Chicken Choice Judy didn’t make it, I think Ryan and Min can both agree that the brief tenure was still worth it, no anxiety over the destination- They’ll get there, WHEN they get there, as Min said… They don’t need to control, just adapt and survive! No knowledge nor certainty, no guarantees required- They have their hope, faith, their past, and one another as guidance to keep company, and they’ll never be alone from hear on out! They can learn to let go, and move on… Just as Jeremy moved on from the death of his own lover (and child), so hopefully Amelia can learn as well, too. We’ll see…

Until next time you guys… Like Ryan and Min, let’s appreciate what we did get, and keep ourselves open to our next destination, whatever it may be, if nothing; The journey was still enjoyed and happened! To our next destination, or shall we board off at our final stop- We’ll just have to wait and see.

#infinity train #infinity train book 4 spoilers #infinity train spoilers #infinity train book 4 #infinity train duet #infinity train ryan #ryan akagi #infinity train min #min-gi park #infinity train kez #infinity train amelia #amelia hughes #infinity train morgan #speculation #analysis

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justfangirlthingies · 3 years

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Rewrite The Stars (Draco Malfoy)

Another songfic! This one's based on "Rewrite The Stars" by Zac Efron and Zendaya. You'll definitely know this song if you've seen the greatest showman

Word count: 1804 words

Warnings: angst, I used the word 'hell' once does that count as swearing?, I think that's it? please lmk if I missed something

The reader is a muggle in this

There's a lot of soft Draco

Grey eyes observed as you skillfully balanced your shopping bags, focus set on cramming around for your keys. "AHA! Got you now!" you exclaimed as your fingertips made contact with the cool metal and the sound of keys rattling filled the air. As soon as you had fished them out of your bag you took notice of the feeling that someone was watching you. Your gaze left your hands in order to look for the source of the unnerving feeling that had come over you. (E/c) eyes widened when they landed on the pale boy. "(Y/n)." He paused for a second so he could approach you. The eye contact he held was intimidating "We need to talk." At this you just gave a short nod and walked past him to unlock your door, the blonde following close behind you.

"You know I want you" he said.

Your eyes went wide after hearing his statement "Draco-" "No. I'm not done, just hear me out please?" the desperation in his eyes was something you were not used to, so you folded your arms, a sigh escaping your lips as you spoke "go on then."

You already had an idea where this was going and when he proceeded to speak, your theory was confirmed. "It's not a secret I try to hide. I know you want me" Draco felt some form of relief, like a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulders with every word that left his mouth as he finally came clean to the muggle girl.

They had had similar conversations before, but there had always been doubts holding the pair back from actually confessing their feelings. "So don't keep saying our hands are tied." you stop him right then and there as you claim "it's not in the cards and fate is pulling you miles away and out of reach from me. There's no chance for us Draco...we're far too different from one another"

The blonde inspected you as he considered stopping the conversation, but he couldn't. Not now. Not now when he had finally found the courage to pour out his heart's desires to you. The longings he had been putting aside in fear you'd leave if you knew. It was ridiculous really. How he had no problems to tell you about his magical heritage or his family quarrels. Hell, he even told you about the task he'd have to accomplish soon, even though that one did take a bit of persuasion from your side. Revealing his feelings for you however, seemed nearly impossible. No, he couldn't stop now. He had to continue.

So the boy went on with his attempts of persuasion, all the while breaking your heart because in your opinion those attempts were, quite frankly, fruitless, seeing as how the two of you would have zero chances out there in the open. "But you're here in my heart. So who can stop me if I decide that you're my destiny?" You wanted to interrupt him, yet he just carried on with his little speech.

Little did you know, what he was about to ask you next would have tears pooling in your eyes. "What if we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine" Draco took a step towards you and uncrossed your arms. Your glassy (e/c) eyes meet his silver stare as he relentlessly kept spilling his heart's content out for you. "Nothing could keep us apart" Slender fingers caressed from your shoulders along your arms until he reached your hands, intertwining them. You could feel the cool metal of his rings make contact with your skin as he held your hands in a gentle grasp all the while maintaining eye contact. "(Y/n) you'd be the one I was meant to find. It's up to you, and it's up to me. No one can say what we get to be" As your ears picked up and registered what he meant, your lip started quivering, the tears that had been pricking your eyes finally fell, though you still tried to hold them back. Nevertheless, the blonde's eyes were still filled with determination "So why don't we rewrite the stars? Maybe the world could be ours tonight" The last word came out as a whisper.

Then there was silence. He had given you time to think about all the things that he had laid before you in the previous minutes. Oh how you would've loved to just agree and jump into his arms. But one of you had to be realistic. The perfect future you had envisioned with the pale boy was simply a fantasy. Nothing more and nothing less. It was entirely impossible, you couldn't be with him no matter what your heart told you.

"You think it's easy. You think I don't want to run to you" It was finally your turn to respond and even though it would hurt you both, you'd have to break his heart and yours would also shatter in the process. "But there are mountains and there are doors that we can't walk through" You couldn't give in the way you wanted to. Not with what he told you about his family, you already knew his parents wouldn't accept you if you weren't what wizards and witches call a 'pureblood'. So, even if you had possessed magic, you'd be what they call a 'muggleborn'. Nothing close to a pureblood.

"I know you're wondering why, but after all you told me you could be disowned for simply interacting with me" your voice cracked and you pulled your hands from his. No matter how much you wanted to, you couldn't give in. "Because we're able to be just you and me within these walls, but when we go outside you're going to wake up and see that it was hopeless after all" Finally, you allowed your tears to flow freely "No one can rewrite the stars. How can you say you'll be mine? When you know it's just an empty promise. I'm just some muggle and you're a well-known wizard. Please Draco can't you see? It's never going to work out. You'll find someone better someday" You pleaded. "Everything keeps us apart. And I'm not the one you were meant to find. It's not up to you. It's not up to me" But was it really not up to the two of you? A question on the tip of your tongue was igniting hope. "Draco tell me, when everyone tells us what we can be, how can we rewrite the stars?" The young Malfoy's eyes lit up when you asked him. Had his words finally gotten through to you? A noise left your throat, quiet, desperate and fragile. Had you intended for him to hear it? He didn't know. But hear he did. He heard the whimpers and whispers emitting from you as well as the sentence they formed "Say that the world can be ours. Tonight"

It was then and there that you gave in and just crashed right into his chest. Tears staining his dress shirt as he held you steadily, his lips pressed against the top of your head. "All I want is to fly with you" you murmured against his chest, voice muffled by the fabric of his clothes. A chuckle resonated in Draco's chest as he tilted your chin upwards with his finger, so you were looking straight at him. His thumb wiping the leftover tears as a small smile made its way to his face. He leaned in closer to your face to the point where his lips were ghosting just above yours "All I want is to fall with you. So just give me all of you" He breathed against the soft skin of your lips, hovering there for a moment before you closed the gap completely. Your lips fit together perfectly, like two pieces of a puzzle. Both of you pouring everything you felt into the kiss. Your hands soon found their place in his soft platinum hair and from one moment to another he had you pressed up against a wall, how or when that happened you didn't really know, nor did you care for it much. After pulling apart you bit your lower lip while observing him. His breaths had gotten more rapid, blonde-white hair disheveled, a pair of swollen lips parted slightly, cheeks tinted in a rosy tone and dilated pupils in pools of silver admired you.

A sad expression decorated your features when your concerns came back to you. Of course he noticed your expression, a worried and irritated one overcoming his own features in the blink of an eye. "What is it love?" he questioned, an eyebrow arched in confusion. Your eyes met once more when you informed him of your fears "It feels impossible" you whispered. A soft grin tucked at the corners of your lover's lips after his hearing picked up on your words, one hand came up to cup your cheek and caress it with his thumb, while the other brushed a strand of your (h/c) hair out of your face and tucked it behind your ear "it's not impossible" Foreheads now pressed together with your arms looped around the back of his neck, you closed your eyes and exhaled "Is it impossible? Say that it's possible" "It's very possible darling" he murmured, displaying a smirk before connecting your lips again.

How do we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine?

Pure bliss is what you felt when you were with him. Nothing can keep us apart

The two of you together. Reunited. 'Cause you are the one I was meant to find

After all, this was your life. It's up to you and it's up to me

It was your decision to make, not one for society. No one can say what we get to be

And why don't we rewrite the stars?

Draco Malfoy and (Y/n) (L/n), an invincible combination. Changing the world to be ours

▪︎

The next morning you awoke in your bed, a strong arm which was draped loosely over your waist, held you within close proximity to his chest. His scent and the warmth against your back invaded all your senses. Slowly and carefully, you turned in his arms and admired his peacefully sleeping form. One of your hands lightly caressed his cheek as a small, bright smile made its way to your face. You know I want you It's not a secret I try to hide

And for a few moments you really thought it was possible. You had inched closer to his sleeping figure, threading your fingers through his tossed, platinum hair, before you pressed a tender kiss to his lips.

"But I can't have you. We're bound to break and my hands are tied"

Taglist: @ateez-star

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sassooda · 3 years

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Worlds Away JJK AU / Chapter 37 - Destined for Greatness

w/c - 7,731

Suguru has been lying in bed for hours now as his mind wanders through his past and imagines different scenarios for the future. He sighs as he tosses and turns for the thousandth time, facing away from his door while his gaze takes to his new quarters that are viewable from this angle. This is by far the cheeriest room he has ever called his own. The walls are a warm yellow, the floors of solid hardened red clay and all of the matching furniture a light wood. His eyes take to the closed curtains with long thick white drapes, ‘This is so fucking annoying…’, he mumbles knowing there’s not even a window behind it, there’s no way for there to be when you’re underground. Sitting up now with aggravation, he reaches over to the bedside table and places the bowl of water he was using the night before, back into his lap. He wants to check in on Elska’s surroundings although he knows other Titers are tasked with the enemy’s usual surveillance. Before activating his technique though, he hesitates due to anxiety, ‘What the fuck am I going to do when we take her? What the fuck will she do?’. He hears footsteps approaching his door and knows Genghis must have already finished with most of the arrangements.

“Little one! Time to wake up!”. Genghis calls out in an eager voice. He stops and smiles when he sees that Getou is already awake and asks, “Aren’t you excited about today?”. He looks over the worrisome Suguru who’s vexation is transparent. The golden sheets drape along his body and slide from his bare skin whenever he moves under them.

Getou grumbles and turns his head, “I don’t think what I’m feeling is excitement…”. He keeps looking at the curtains that hide lies while wondering if he’s much different. ‘Will I have to subdue her when she lashes out? Am I going to have to hurt her when she resists?’. He’s had no qualms with doing so in the past but feels an incredible amount of pressure regarding it now. ‘Could we…like each other?’.

Genghis chuckles and ignores Suguru’s reluctant attitude while looking around the room, “This is definitely much more suitable! Did you really put in a request for a giant tub though?” He’s poking fun at his pupil but he was also puzzled by that. Genghis thinks the brighter room will serve them both well psychologically. ‘Not too shabby for being done at the last minute.’.

Embarrassed by the question, Getou submerges deeper into his bad mood and bed before retorting, “It’s for me. I’m tall.”. He was certainly not about to admit that it was for Elska, thinking she really must love them judging by how insane Naoya acted about it when the Zenin originally designed the first room where she was held. Suguru is aware that her reaction may be hostile overall and is dreading these coming days because of it so he hopes having one may ease her nerves. He doesn’t know that tub is Naoya’s thing.

Genghis isn’t really satisfied with that answer but continues on, “I’ve gathered the most adept offensive fighters we have to offer.” Knowing the Titer’s abilities are incredible but lack in the area of traditional combat, selecting the most capable available would be crucial. “I believe you’ll quite enjoy my plan…”. His teeth show in this smile now, he’s more than willing to share his enthusiasm.

Suguru finally turns to his mentor, interested. “Do tell me what you’ve concocted.”.

Genghis lights up, “So as we were discussing, we need to restrict their actions. We will make our move in a public setting but you’ll still be able to have your fun...we will have to harm innocents but I assume that’s not what troubles you.” He grins maniacally, “Mr. Satoru Gojo’s presence will be requested before the Elders here in a few and his curiosity will assure he attends.”. Genghis sighs, “I was worried Gojo might want to kill all of them but I brought in two special people to mediate our fictitious ambitions.”. He chuckles, “The silver shaman has no idea what’s in store for him.”.

Getou smirks at the thought of Gojo having the rug pulled from beneath him, “So we’re planning on having to deal with Toji, Zenin and Choso…aside from her today?” Genghis nods to his question but a heaviness forms in Suguru’s chest when he thinks about having to kill Choso. He’s still not on board with that completely and figures he’ll try his best to protect the hybrid in the midst of confusion. ‘Not him too.”. Getou wishes to find a way to bring the hybrid back to his side.

Genghis claps his hands, causing his yellow robes to flutter, “You better get up and get ready! I’m about to meet with our team. I believe your first sweetheart will be amongst them.”, he chuckles for the drama but honestly loathes that woman.

“Lidia?”, Getou stiffens immediately as that did not help his motivation. “She’s fucking crazy Master Genghis, I don’t want to be anywhere near her!”. Suguru takes his head to his hands as a few memories of her dependency and inhumane behavior flood him. ‘Psychotic bitch.’. Lidia always chased after Suguru when they were younger and at some point this wore on him as before he knew it, she was claiming them to be betrothed. She was obsessed with his destiny, his calling for the clan and would worship him in the most toxic ways due to it. Her need to be the only one in Getou’s life caused her to mutilate young women amongst Suguru’s outer circle out of spite and jealousy. Their time together did not last long as it quickly became a violent pairing, ending with him crushing her ribs under his usual technique. Suguru sighs, “She’s is not going to help me obtain another woman…”. He shudders recalling how after healing, she was back to throwing herself at him as if nothing happened. ‘Fucking…crazy…’.

Genghis hides his sneer, knowing full and well the history of the two. “On the contrary, she requested this assignment.”. He notices Suguru’s growing frustration and wishes he could explain exactly why he’s doing what he’s doing but instead says, “I’ve seen many outcomes for this and although they may have varied, I can assure you Lidia will serve a great purpose here.”. Little does Getou know, Lidia will be the proof offered to show Elska she will be cared for while in the Titer compound.

Suguru is skeptical to believe this and shows it through his expression as he rises from the bed and says, “Women are the bane of my existence…”. He stretches in his black briefs and cracks his neck while thinking something foreboding was eating at him. ‘I’m probably going to have to expose my other techniques now.’.

“You’re about to receive the most powerful wife in the world…and yet, you complain.”, Genghis teases as he’d probably be nervous too if the roles were reversed. He watches Suguru don a black robe, clearly showing signs of stress so he walks up to him and puts his jokes aside, “This is going to work out, little one, one way or another.”, and pulls Getou’s head down to plant a fatherly kiss to the top of it. After sharing the rare moment, he bows and leaves Suguru to his morning routine.

Getou watches him quietly walk out of the room with conflicting emotions. Genghis is the only man he’s ever looked up to, the only other human that ever offered genuine affection. Ever since Suguru was reunited with his mentor though, something has felt off or perhaps he’s just seems more purposeful. He’s not sure if this odd feeling is because of his own unstable emotions that threatened to derail his purpose of revenge or if there’s another reason but he can’t ignore it either way. He trusts that his mentor is still worthy of his respect and recognition though and finds his returning welcomed regardless. ‘All of those years…’, he wonders where Genghis spent his time and exactly why. ‘Did they really keep him away to simply foster my hatred for Gojo?’. He knows that doesn’t really make sense.

Genghis is turning a hall leading to stairs to take him upward. He sees two of the recruited Titers waiting for him outside of the designated meeting area at the top, smiles and nears them. The first one he shakes hands with is Sain Khun. The 32-year-old Titer was a remarkable martial artists and hunter. His rare eyes are more grey than blue and stand in contrast to his long black hair that he wears down. Sain is one of the handful of Titers that learned to channel their metaphysical natured abilities into to combative techniques but usually stays out of the political fray of the clan. ‘A fine young man.”. Before he’s able to address the handsome Titer, the second of the pairing cuts in.

“Master Genghis, I have more questions about this woman.”. Lidia shamelessly exudes her opinion of the situation and demands attention. She receives a sharp look from the clan’s head that only fuels her suspicions. “Are we certain she’s the best pairing for Master Getou?”.

“Miss Lidia, you look lovely today…”, Genghis takes her hand and kisses it, ignoring her inquires. He continues to smile until she speaks up again. ‘She never ceases.’.

“Can we trust that her intentions for Master Getou are ones we can stand by?”. Lidia shakes her long curly red hair that dances down her arms. Her green eyes narrowed still, she waits for an answer. “She’s not even human. What if she uses her powers to manipulate his biology as well?”. Her foot taps impatiently against the now softer ground, ‘I’ll fucking kill that bitch if she even looks at him wrong!’.

Genghis has already grown tired of catering to Lidia’s neediness in the short time they’ve come to know each other but understands she’s vital. “And what of your own intentions?”, he confidently questions her as he doesn’t need an answer. He already knows and is glad to see her heart hasn’t wavered from its possessive ways.

Sain feels forced as this greet was supposed to be simple. He cares not of Lidia’s unhealthy interest for Suguru and even with his instincts crying against Genghis, feels badly for the man. He decides to enter the conversation in hopes to shut it down. “Lusting Lidia, it’s time to get on with the meeting.”, and grabs her arm, leading her through the door where the rest of the selected wait.

Genghis takes a moment to center himself, ‘I understand your resentment little one…’. This quick exchange between them wasn’t the worst he’s suffered from the woman but he still cannot stand to be around her. He chuckles and whispers to himself, “But if she were any less obsessed, this wouldn’t work.”, and then enters the room with the rest as they lay out their plans.

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Elska is looking around at the busy street as they occasionally bump into passing people. “My prince, are you sure it’s around here?” She’s never been to this part of the city before and is feeling anxious by the crowd. The sun is out but a chilling breeze catches them every so often. Her mind is heavy and plagued with questions but doesn’t want to dampen Naoya’s mission for the day.

Naoya stops near the edge of the wide sidewalk and pulls out his phone, “I’m positive!”, while checking the map to make sure he could stand by those words. ‘Where is it?’. His brow creases as he studies the screen.

Toji huffs, “We’ve been walking forever.” He’s abnormally agitated but also hates crowds and is pinning the fault on being dragged out into one. He looks at Elska who’s eyes happen to meet his and feels his tension release ever so slightly as the wind blows her black V-cut dress along her knees. All of them are dressed up more than usual since Naoya begged for them to eat at one of his favorite restaurants. He sees Elska eyeing him in a way that foretells she finds his black pants and squeezing button up suiting and it makes him feel like he could deal with the clothed restriction for a while longer.

“It says we’re close!”, Naoya points to the map on his phone pridefully. It’s been a few years since he was on this side of the city and a lot has changed. He’s becoming frustrated with not knowing how much time they’ll have before Gojo returns, wanting to enjoy some normalcy. ‘I just want to treat her to nice meal!’ He turns to Elska and takes her hand, “Baby, I promise it will be worth it. I’m talking…food fit for a princess.”, when she giggles, he does too, being happy to see that she isn’t wanting to turn around. He looks to Toji now, “Want me to find you a walker?”, and snickers as the giant narrows his eyes before continuing ahead.

Elska feels Naoya’s finger lace into hers as they resume walking, with Toji on her left. She’s trying to be cheerful today, wanting to appreciate the time she’s spending with them but her mind keeps leading her into thought. The night before, Toji stopped her from feeding and although she was aware of why and understood the risks Satoru spoke about, she tried to proceed anyway. There were a weird few minutes where she could only focus on drinking from her beloved and flailed wildly as he restrained her. ‘Why did it feel like I wanted the Titer energy too?’. She thinks to hold Toji’s hand as well in this moment but stops herself as she doesn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to the three of them. ‘He looked so concerned all while I couldn’t even stop…”. The ancestral voice advised her to feed. Her heart aches as she knows this was out of character and extremely selfish when they didn’t know how it could affect her. The one thing keeping her afloat in this matter is how Toji held her after she snapped out it, how he seemed to understand without saying that she didn’t mean to.

Toji lets Naoya and Elska get a step ahead of him so he can keep his eyes on her. After their last outing, he’s remaining highly aware of their surroundings and is watching for anything suspicious. He sees Naoya in his dark grey slacks and black dress shirt, leaning down to talk to her as they maneuver through the groups of families and friends, keeping her close. ‘Is she really, ok?’. Toji recalls how she struggled against him the night before. Gojo tried to rush to the bed after seeing her reaction but Toji was also wanting to shield her from him. Her eyes changed, showing the dashes of his green while she clawed at his arms and flashed her fangs with a glare. Toji knew that wasn’t his Elska but didn’t want to make her apprehensive, so he hid her the best he could from Satoru until they reverted. He heard something from within while this was all occurring, a voice that he swears communicated for him to feed his master. ‘Is that even possible? What the fuck was that?’. He rubs his bicep after feeling a sharp pain run through his arm.

Naoya leads them to a building that has loud club music playing inside, the base being noticeable from where they stand. He looks up and scrunches his face, “What the fuck is this?”. He checks his watch that bares 1:39 and is further confused by the daytime club scene. ‘I’ve failed.’. Toji can be heard groaning so he orients himself to face them both, “It was right here!!”. He takes in Elska’s kind smile as she’s clearly not going to make him feel bad for being wrong. Not knowing what to do to save their lunch adventure he stands there awkwardly to think but hears Elska say, “Well let’s enjoy a drink while we look up somewhere else nearby!”. He smiles at her ability to always find a silver lining and follows behind her up the ramp that leads inside.

As they walk through the room on the first floor, Toji feels this intense wave wash over him. Music is drowning out most other sounds but the way the bass pulses through him allows him to feel alive. The stench of cigarettes, sweat and alcohol sting his senses while they find a seat at the bar. Once sitting, he can smell Elska’s perfume when she whips her hair behind her shoulders, exposing her neck to which causes him to stir in the stool. Naoya hands out drink menus from them all but Toji doesn’t even look at it, knowing his order already and wanting it immediately. He feels ready to pounce but is cautiously calming himself as he knows this is not the place, ‘I am NOT Gojo…’. When she crosses her legs he feels the sting in his arm again, bringing his mood back to a wavering position.

“I’m thinking a red…’, Elska states loud enough to be heard while looking over the wine menu. Naoya smiles to her words as he announces his choice of Mojito. “That’s why you’re so sweet!”, she jokes vaguely in regards to his actual taste. She places a hand on Toji’s right knee before turning to him and feels him jump. Her voice now concerned, “Did I scare you!?”. She giggles until she sees the intensity in his eyes, wondering why he’s exuding so much right then. Her breath was held in her throat as she waited for his eyes to glow, knowing that would not be good for where they are. They never do though and she eventually resumes respiration as he places his own large hand over hers. ‘What was that?’. She now swivels her head around the large room, taking in all of the day drinkers on the dance floor and seated randomly about.

The bartender takes their orders with a smile and begins to serve them up right there. He recommended a red for Elska that he swears was his personal favorite and proudly waited for the approving sip. When she stated its palatability, he then left to attend other customers while Toji stared him down menacingly. ‘That’s a brave man to be flirting right in front of us.’.

Naoya sips his drink while eyeing Toji chug his whiskey on the rocks. “Slow down old man, we still have to go somewhere to eat!”, he laughs at the eyeroll he receives and notices Elska drinking pretty quickly as well. “Baby, what’s on your mind?”, he knows something is bothering her and wonders if they’re both just nervous after the last Titer attack. ‘Maybe I can convince her to dance it away!’, he thinks as he imagines himself twirling her under the disco ball. He just wants her to have a good day.

After finshing her glass already, she sets it down and tells Naoya, “I’m fine, I promise! I just really have to pee!”. He chuckles and adjusts himself so she has more room to slide off the stool. She announces that she’ll be right back before searching the walls for signs indicating the direction she should take. A drunken man bumps into her shortly after leaving the bar and can feel Toji increase his presence so she turns around to show that she’s fine. The whole room was lively except for Toji’s motionless staring. ‘I better be fast before he loses his shit.’.

“She shouldn’t be alone.” Toji followed her with his eyes as she turned a corner down a hall. He’s worried about her and has this familiar unyielding need to be in her vicinity. It’s almost as if he knows something is about to happen. “I’m going to wait for her, watch the drinks.”. He hears Naoya protest with grief but faces him and says, “Boy, why don’t you find us a place to eat since we’re out here because of you.”, and places a hand on Naoya’s shoulder as he goes to walk past to counter the aggression in his voice. “Order another round too will ya?”.

Elska stands up in the stall and flushes but doesn’t leave. She’s feeling like Toji’s eyes were trying to tell her something minutes ago but she can’t figure it out. All she knows is that it was sexy. She opens the latched door to wash and dry her hands but takes in her reflection in the mirror and thinks, ‘Life is so much crazier now…’, but smiles to herself knowing she had fantastic support from everyone. The door pushes open abruptly behind her and she gasps in startlement before realizing that it was Toji himself. “TOJI! What if there are others in here?!”. She can tell by his focus though that it didn’t matter anyway.

“Doll…” he mutters as he locks the door behind him. He sees that she was caught off guard when she asks what he was doing in there but he just walks closer until he’s inches away. “I need…”, he lifts her up so she can wrap her legs around his waist and supports her weight with his right arm. “I need you.”, he whispers while dragging the tip of his nose along her collar bone, watching her skin change pigment from his glowing eyes. Her hands are roaming through his hair and he moans to the sensation of her nails against his scalp. “Right now.”. He nearly growls as he sinks her into his groin from above.

“Toji…”, she was right about his prior intensity but can’t find it in her heart to stop him as he begins kissing the crook of her neck. The music can be heard through the walls along with idle chatter and it all serves as a reminder for where they’re at. She thinks of her pheromones and instantly pulls herself out of their beautiful trance. She whispers, “We shouldn’t do this here, my beloved.”, and frowns as he lifts his head to meet eyes. “I can’t release them here, it’ll be a disaster…”.

He agrees that they shouldn’t have sex and nods with a grunt but that’s not truly what brought him in lady’s room to begin with. Feeling his fangs form he shows them to her and happily takes in her reaction as she smiles and moves her hair while saying, “Oh! ok…but we have to be quick!”. He squeezes her cheek with his right hand that supporting her rear and drags his teeth across the skin of her neck. “I just need to taste you.”, he wantonly groans before biting down. She gasps to his intrusion and grips his hair as he begins to suckle. His own whimpers could be heard between his gulps, loving every drop he’s being given as he deciphers her soul and feelings. Her flavor, now that he’s not as overloaded by the information, is reminiscent of the aroma born from a field of flowers. Each time he swallows more of her blood, his overall restlessness fades while her squirming increases.

Elska cradles his head into her while melting in the master’s ecstasy flowing through her. Her eyes are closed as she bites her lip and attempts to muffle her sounds. “My beloved…”, she whimpers to him while her fingers stroke through his hair. His hypertonicity dwindles as she feels his left hand travel up her back, resting a grip on the nape of her neck. “I love you, my beloved Toji…”, and gasps in desperation as she can sense his own, wanting to assure him of his importance. Those same fingers now dance along her clavicle as he brings them over the wounds to close them while panting into her neck. He leaves his face buried there, adorning the area with his lips slowly as he she can tell he’s gathering himself. “Do you feel better?” She caresses his temple and cheek hoping that he did, feeling terrible that she didn’t recognize or even sense his disposition sooner. When he lifts his head to look at her again, she feels the need to lock her lips to his as they both exhale in a gratified union. She moves the hair out of his eyes and kisses his forehead before he gently puts her back down, him looking refreshed with a bashful grin.

He grabs a paper towel from the dispenser and wets it. In the mirror he can see Elska’s loving eyes watching him and the scar on the corner of his lips bends pleasantly. While wiping away any evidence, he shyly adds, “I love you too, doll.”, the words still seeming unreal. After discarding the bloodied paper towel, he takes up her hands in his own, “I’m sorry for following you in here, I just…I really needed to do that.”. He’s still uneasy by how compelling the desire was. “I felt like I wouldn’t get another chance.”. He sees the concern on her face and doesn’t want to worry her, “It was just time for me to feed doll, everything is ok.”. Her hand sails upwards to hold his cheek and leans into it. ‘I have to keep her safe.’.

Naoya is watching the condensation accumulate on his glass and is now feeling nervous as he checks his watch again. ‘Where are they?!’, he swings around in the stool to check the room and feels an incredible wave of relief as he finds Toji and Elska making their way back to the bar. After they sit he asks, “Did you guys go to the bathroom at the dorms or what?”, but picks up on the weird laughs he receives from them. ‘He wouldn’t have tried something sly, would he?’, and squints his eyes at Toji. ‘He looks way better though.’, and decides to let it go as he’s sure even a quickie couldn’t be that quick. “Baby…”, Naoya slides his phone over in front of them as he finishes his second Mojito, “I’ve only been here once but they have beautiful seating along the water!”. He cackles, “…and it’s only about half a mile away by foot…”.

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Gojo is quickly walking through the whited-out halls with Choso following. He speaks without looking, “Choso, when we get in there…I have to warn you, you’re not expected.”. Gojo heard Choso stop in place so he turns around to see him. “You’re with me though so it’s fine! If they say anything to you, just ignore them. I will do the talking.”, and waves for the being to hurry.

“I…I don’t understand why I’m here with you and not everyone else…”. Choso is familiar with the Elders but can’t ignore the fact that he used to work for them where as he’s now on the opposing side. ‘Is this a good idea?’. He was expecting Gojo to sulk and whine to being called in today and is puzzled by how thrilled he seems.

Gojo jumps up to click his heels to the side before saying, “I don’t trust these cunts and I’m almost positive this is a trap of some sort…”. He notices Choso’s eyes widen with confusion so he continues, “If they’re trying to distract me from Elska, they fail if you’re there using your technique to watch her for me!”, his smug grin appears, “This way I’ll know the moment something happens.”. He’s sure the Elders have called him away in order to create an opportunity but has a mind to flip their plans upside down with this small act of rebellion. “I can never remember where to go! This shit all looks the same…it’s creepy.”.

Choso sighs but tries to keep up with Gojo’s quickened pace. The bright lighting overhead is blinding and causing him discomfort as he prefers darker places. He doesn’t know what to make of Gojo’s explanation but figures he’s along for the ride at this point anyways. “Do you think they’d even admit to what they’re doing?”. Choso understands the amount of secrecy the surrounds the Elder’s goals and is sure that he’s not even fully aware of their intentions.

“Yes. I will make sure they do.”, Satoru’s words are eerie but his expression is still delighted. “These fuckers have messed with us for long enough. They’re cowards, Choso and the things they want to do to my love are unacceptable.”. Gojo is certain that none of the others would have condoned what he’s thinking he’ll have to do which is why he said nothing before leaving. “They need to leave her alone and how can I call myself the strongest if I can’t protect her from these witless skin bags?”. Satoru at least wanted to inform Nanami of his meeting but hasn’t been able to reach the fellow shaman yet. ‘Did they get to him too?’. Gojo is certain that something happened with Shoko but was waiting to see how things played out. ‘As long as she’s fine, I know she can handle it.’, but worries about Nanami’s reaction if he’s already discovered this too.

‘What is he going to do?’, Choso feels like something big is about to happen, something that cannot be taken back. The unnerving pressure in his gut hints that whatever it is, it’s not good. “Itadori and the others are still on standby but isn’t it odd that they haven’t been given any missions?”. They pass more rooms before Satoru finally stops. Choso watches the silver shaman’s expression change to lethally cold one before straightening himself with resolve, and knows he should do the same. ‘I guess I have to just trust him…’, the thought not sitting comfortably at all.

Gojo quietly speaks, “Remember, don’t mind them, they’re not worth the stress. You do not serve them any longer.”, and places a reassuring hand on the hybrids shoulder. He’s impressed when he looks over the being, seeing that his previous nervousness has been cast away and replaced by a collected ensemble. ‘I’m pretty sure I’m right about him.’, and feels poised in the dark nature that lurks beneath Choso’s kindness. Turning back to the door, Gojo kicks it open fiercely before entering. “WHAT’S UP FUCKERS?!”.

Three people sit along one side of a long white table, seeming prepared aside from the sudden commotion. The first is a representative of the Kamo clan, a new middle-aged face Satoru has never seen draped in dark red robes. The second is a Zenin, the bought errand man known better as “Peaches” for a less known reason. Gojo knew him rather well from his childhood and all of the clan events he was forced to attend. The third, however, catches Satoru by complete surprise and angers him. The woman sitting as a representative for his own clan is none other than his mother.

Gojo seethes with white knuckled fists, “What the fuck are you doing here?”, as old anguish resurfaces between the two. Satoru hasn’t been home in years and purposefully. He was sure if he stayed any longer, he’d annihilate his own family.

The Kamo rep scoffs, “Yes… well hello to you too Satoru Gojo. We could ask you the same.” He points to Choso, “Isn’t that Kamo property?”. The hybrid and Gojo fail to give him the time of day, causing tension.

Gojo never takes his eyes off of his mother while waiting in silence as Choso dutifully ignores them. His eyes darken, “I asked you a fucking question you miserable old whore.”. He feels the urge to gather a technique but calms himself with his better judgement.

His mother speaks, “That is no way to talk to the woman who raised you!”, she laughs in a haughty way but brings her dramatics to a close, “Why else would I be here? You can’t be left to just do whatever you please…”. She tilts her nose up and displays her notion that she is untouchable.

Peaches shifts in his chair, “You have something that needs to be returned to the Zenin’s. Master Naoya was promised her hand.”. He’s honestly terrified of Gojo but would never allow this to show. Satoru darts stormy eyes in his direction and he feels a chill race down his spine.

“Let’s just be frank about it. You want Elska.”. Gojo voice is calm, almost lighthearted. He brings his gaze back to his mother, feeling a little better about the situation knowing he’s going to handle more business than he expected today. “Choso, please start now.”. Gojo doesn’t have to look since he can feel Choso’s energy gathering to form the window. He watches the representatives lean to figure out what the hybrid is up to and laughs out loud. “My friend here”, He scowls at the Kamo man, “is going to observe Elska while we meet.”. He winks to Peaches, “She’s with Naoya right now for your information…Toji too.”.

Gojo’s mother bursts into hyaena laughter, threatening to rupture the unsuspecting eardrums of the others. “You think you have it all figured out, don’t you? Such a pitiful child.”. Her long white hair waves in the air as she jerks her head to see Peaches’s perplexed expression. “Don’t believe him just because he speaks it…trust me…”, and folds her arms while thinking of how many more beatings her son should have to experience when younger.

Peaches clears his throat and tries to save face, “Surely this is some kind of joke. Master Naoya loathes your very existence Satoru.”. He’s now chuckling to himself having felt it was a test of some sort, “Are we not on better terms than that of your games?”. He’s now sure it was a lie.

Gojo regrets that Peaches is here today but is unable to overlook the fact that the old goat is in cahoots with this situation. ‘It can’t be helped!’. He turns to Choso now for the first time since they walked into the room and is reassured that nothing bad is happening. Now facing Peaches again, “You know… Zenin and I got off on the wrong foot.” He grins, “But now we have threesomes!”, loving the shock that plasters everyone’s face. The Kamo man choked on his own saliva to the mention. Gojo looks at his mother, “Don’t be upset just because no one wants to fuck you. It can’t be helped when your cunt leaks venom.”.

Choso sits motionlessly as he listens to the meeting unfold, completely flabbergasted by Satoru’s way of speaking. ‘What did his mother do to him to make him hate her so much?’, he hesitates to explore the options in his mind as he can only imagine. Aside from that though, Choso has never witnessed such a display of blatant disrespect to the higher ups and is completely unnerved by the silver shamans ever changing composure. ‘What is he planning to do?’, the ominous feelings he’s experiencing from this are only growing at this point.

Peaches is red with embarrassment, “HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT!”, and allows his anger on the matter to spill over. The representative huffs relentlessly to the accusations and feels disgraced for his ears being exposed to such vile talk. When expecting to see an angry Gojo, he’s further confused by the smile that meets him instead.

Gojo runs his finger along the table as he casually saunters in front of each of them. “If you three decide to get rowdy…I’ll have to kill you.”. He basks in the glares and especially enjoys his mother’s fear as she knew he was not playing around. Once they become settled he says to her, “You being here makes you my enemy, mommy. How long have you been involved?”. She starts to swat his question away with a scoff but everyone leaps out of their skin when Satoru yells, “HOW FUCKING LONG?!”. He increases his presence tenfold and watches the representatives writhe in distress before him.

She says nothing.

The Kamo rep is sweating bullets as he’s only heard the tales of horrors committed at the hand of Gojo. ‘Genghis said nothing about this hostility.”, he thinks to himself as he comprehends that he’s bitten off more than he could chew. He’s afraid to peel his eyes away from the powerful shaman making inquiring demands but also wants to flee the room. ‘This guy is even crazier in person!’.

Gojo takes a deep breath and exhales dramatically, “Well…this is going nowhere…”, and summons energy into his hand as he aims it at the Kamo representative. The nameless man cries out in fear and studders in his breathing. Gojo notices Choso jump to his feet but the being doesn’t say anything. Only when the defeated female voice utters, “3 years.”, does he quell his attack. He thinks about that answer for a moment before acknowledging her again. ‘That’s strange.’. Looming across from her he now asks, “I’d already had my love for some time before that, why did you join them to conspire against me at that point? Don’t make me blow this poor guy’s skull open…”, he warns of his lack of patience.

His mother sulks in her seat having her hands tied about the questioning, “I thought she was a passing infatuation at first, like all of the others but you completely neglected your responsibilities of being an heir because of that wretch.” She’s met with unforgiving eyes and wishes she was able to smack the audacity out of him but has learned the hard way about his response to abuse. “She is not yours Satoru and you jeopardize the entire balance of the clans with your actions of keeping her.”. Out of the corner of her eye she sees Peaches nod in support and feels reaffirmed by it.

Gojo slips a wild laugh and slaps the table, “She is mine though. I voyaged worlds away to find her. I went to incredible lengths to bring her back…”, he sighs while resting his hands on his hips. “You do know, mom, these Titers that have you in their pocket…they were going to use her to assassinate me.”. The atmosphere of the room deteriorates at the mention of the Titer clan. Its obvious that they were left unaware to Gojo having knowledge of the group’s silent partner.

His mother jumps from her seat and screams, “AND THEY SHOULD HAVE SUCCEEDED!”. All of the hatred she’s ever felt for her son sears the air around them, her chest feeling lighter for the honesty but heavier for the fear. “You were destined for greatness but even with your gifts, something is wrong with you! How you ever came out of me? I will never know…”. She feels she must stand her ground or else the structure they’ve served their entire lives will crumble. “You’re evil. You always have been.”.

Choso is still watching Naoya, Toji and Elska but can’t help but be distracted by the darkness exuding Gojo. ‘What is going on here?’, he doesn’t understand how this is official business and even finds himself feeling defensive over Satoru. ‘That woman is appalling.’, he thinks as he considers Gojo’s upbringing and decides there’s more to the man than he ever considered. He looks back to the window after surmising that none of the representatives would attack. Choso becomes rattled when the window shows Toji drinking from Elska in a cramped bathroom, ‘I can’t believe the lighting permits this, it must be dim.’, He temporarily becomes fixated with Toji’s fangs anchored into her as she quietly moans. He’s not seen anyone but her feed before. ‘So, his bite feels good to her as well?’. He brushes his lap as if to tell it, “Knock it off”, but his attention is soon stolen by Peaches’s mention of Elska.

“If you don’t return Elska Oda then this will be seen as an act of aggression Satoru, please…don’t do thi-…” Peaches can no longer speak as Gojo grips hit throat and is thrown into a fit of fright.

“I kind of liked you…I was use to you at least…but if you ask me that one more time, I will break your fucking neck.” Gojo feels his face twitch as he squeezes the old man’s beard into his throat, “You guys are fucking with me today and I don’t appreciate it.”. Never letting go, he turns to his mother but also glances at the petrified Kamo rep, “I do not give a single flying fuck about the clans, I couldn’t care less of your archaic ways and I am never going to surrender my Elska.”. As Peaches reaches a critical point of needing air, Gojo clamps his fingers deeper, “I left my love’s side today to be here because of your guys’ little fucking Titer friends. That is what we will discuss.”.

Gojo’s mother rushes to pull her son’s hand away but right as she’s reaching out, Satoru releases Peaches. She watches the old man heave and choke uncontrollably and shoots hateful eyes. “How dare you lay a hand on him? Do you fear nothing?”, she thinks to threaten with her husband but knows that the apple didn’t fall far from the tree so it’s likely useless.

Satoru smirks while studying Peaches inability to regain his breath, “I crushed his trachea a bit, he’s going to need medical attention soon.”. He watches the Kamo man stand up in disbelief and warns, “My mother is right about one thing, I do not fear you or your influence.”, and smiles approvingly as the man takes his seat again hesitantly.

“You psychotic little freak!”, his mother cries out in disgust, “We need to get him to a doctor!”. She feels herself fill with anxiety as she was not expecting him to go this far. “Let us take him!”.

Satoru hisses quietly, “If you guys weren’t so dead set in dicking me around then this wouldn’t have happened. No one leaves until I get some answers.”. He strolls around the table, loving how terrified the Kamo representative became when he was close. He yanks up the suffocating Peaches and throws him back into his chair, “Have some fucking dignity…I thought better of you.”. When Peaches makes eye contact, he can see the dread wash over the man, knowing their dynamic has changed forever.

The Kamo man speaks up sheepishly, “Wh…What is it that you want to know?”. He’s all for handing over the required information as he clearly cares about his life more than the others. Satoru’s expression softens as the other two representatives hang their mouths open, not expecting him to fold so easily. Gojo states, “Everything.”, which causes the rep to tense up as he doesn’t know where to begin. He hastily blurts out, “Suguru Getou inherited ancient techniques as well. The Titers are planning on taking the girl for themselves to ensure their supremacy.” He inhales sharply, “The head of their clan met his end by the hands of your company, they want to repay by being rid of you as you are their final target. You’re still too strong because of your infinity, so the girl’s fate was determined the moment you were born.”.

“You… weak imbecile…”, Gojo’s mother retaliates to the sensitive information by pushing Peaches backwards causing him to fall to the ground and thrash violently. Without so much as a second thought, she gathers energy into her hand and expels it at the Kamo man’s mouth. The representative dons his own matching blood as his brain matter exits the back of his head, decorating the white surroundings behind him. Only a cavernous jagged hole remains where the words escaped him only seconds prior. His body slumps over the table as he leaks his remaining essence into a pool that shortly forms a dripping pattern to the white tiled floor.

Choso defensively stands as the black tattoo on his faces begins to wave. “Satoru…”, is all he says while watching Gojo’s mother now strain to lift the blue tinted and gasping Peaches back upright his seat. ‘His mother is just as rash…’. Choso waits for a few moments longer but is eager to gauge Gojo when their eyes finally meet. ‘Why does he look so satisfied?’, he questions himself as he’s met with that smug smile. The Zenin man’s eyes look like they may pop out of his head but Choso can still make out the man’s reaction to his own presence. He hears Gojo say, “Everything is alright Choso, don’t worry. Just watch them.”, but the being is unable to simply sit with ease at this time. ‘How is this alright?’.

“And you wonder where I get it from?”, Gojo is irritated that the only man that was willing to talk is now dead but he’s also able to take the information to heart because of how his mother reacted. ‘So all of this really is because of me…’, he thinks of Elska with a heavy heart knowing all that she’s been through, even before he got his hands on her was his fault. ‘My love…I will make this right.’.

Gojo’s mother now sits back down, wondering if she went too far and gave away their hand. Peaches struggles to speak next to her but she can make out that he’s trying to question the fidelity of the Kamo’s last words. She sighs, “Look Peaches, I like you but I’m siding with Genghis.”. Peaches gurgles himself into a purple hue as he still cannot breathe or talk properly. She understands that Peaches was completely ignorant to the Titer’s planned betrayal to the Zenins and calm says, “They’re not wanting to eliminate other clans, they’re just going to help guide us to this proposed peace, don’t worry so much.”.

Peaches can only think of Master Naoya who he feels is in grave danger after hearing this information. ‘I…he has to know…Master Na…he needs to be made aware!’. He thinks to grab his phone but he wouldn’t be able to relay the information, nor is he fast enough to text it. Peaches chokes in his stress and can tell his body is slowly shutting down after being deprived oxygen and feels completely hopeless about his predicament. When his heavy eyes meet Gojo’s he freezes in apprehension while listening intently.

Satoru sighs dramatically with growing anticipation, “Now…where were we?”.

Next Chapter (38) >>

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Tagging : @angelofthorr ❤️

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jensungf · 4 years

Text

𝐌𝐘 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 🌌 𝐡.𝐫𝐣

summary: he was your best friend. you should’ve been happy when he went to go ask that girl whether or not she was his soulmate. so why was the universe pulling at your heartstrings now?

pairing: reader x best friend!huang renjun genre: fluff + soulmate!au word count: 1.6k warnings: none

6:23pm. you rolled your eyes as you read the time. where the hell was he?

your focus drifts to the onyx swirls dotted on your wrist, and you subconsciously trace all the scribbles making up your tattoo. you had been impatiently tapping your foot for what felt like forever, but in actuality, was about ten minutes. maybe i should just leave, you thought ruefully as the digit on your lit-up phone screen changed once again.

you had been through this too many times for you to simply count with your fingers. it was almost like clockwork at this point. despite this only beginning months ago, you knew the cycle. renjun would encounter someone, and would feel compelled to chase them down and ask if they were possibly his soulmate. unfortunately, it always ended in rejection.

you were always the one to comfort him when he returned with the same answer like always— that they had found their soulmate or they didn’t feel any connection at all. despite your annoyance of having to be inconvenienced at random hours of the day and having your quality time with him interrupted, you knew deep down it hurt you just as much as it hurt him.

yet you never once considered the reality that perhaps he would actually find his soulmate one day, and how that mere possibility would change your entire life.

if renjun was seriously going to confront that girl with a simple question of whether or not she was his soulmate, what was taking them so long? surely he would’ve texted you by now if he was successful, knowing you were still waiting for him. or at least let you know he was on his way back.

you winced at the thought that he might be too busy engaging in other endeavors, ones that involved less talking and more touching. you shook your head in an attempt to rid yourself of those thoughts, burying the odd feelings that made your stomach twist and turn. no, that wasn’t the renjun you knew. he wouldn’t be as daring as that despite his growing impatience to find his soulmate. besides, you wanted him to find his soulmate. there was no reason for your heart to twinge at the chance that maybe this time was the right time. you were his best friend. you were supposed to be happy for him, and hope for the best.

you hastily unlocked your phone, typing out a very annoyed albeit passive aggressive text to your heck of a best friend who decided to abandon you in the middle of your weekly dinner date to chase down a girl. you should’ve just left him moments ago, yet your feet stay planted in your spot outside the moomin plushie store.

“stupid renjun,” you muttered under your breath as you realized that the sky was beginning to settle into a hazy cloud of purple and pink. dusk was always your favorite time of day, yet you couldn’t help but feel a bit embittered that renjun wasn’t here with you to enjoy the view with. just when you were about to click send, a shadow casts over your figure and you lift your head.

“hey,” renjun says simply. his hands are shoved deep into his cream-colored denim jacket and he gazes at the sky instead of at you, causing you to stare quizzically at him.

“so....” you cock your head at his silence and wait for him to answer the obvious question. however, he makes no move to look you in the eyes. you hesitate, unsure what to do at your best friend’s abnormal silence.

usually he would be telling you that it wasn’t the right person and he had made a fool out of himself again or something along those lines, but this time, he remained silent. his eyes still avoid yours and you feel panic bubbling up in your chest. why was he acting like this? had something gone wrong?

“can i... try something?” he breaks the silence, asking quietly, almost as if he would break glass if he spoke any louder. he leans in slowly, and you freeze, your breath hitching. your mind screams for you to move away, to question what he was doing and whether he was in his right mind. yet your heart palpitates erratically and you make no move to turn away. his dark brown eyes gaze into yours, and you feel your head spinning.

despite your daze, you somehow feel your head nod ever so slightly, almost out of pure instinct with no control of your own body.

albeit with great reluctance, renjun takes this opportunity daringly. he closes the gap separating you both and gently presses his lips against yours. you melt into his warmth, closing your eyes as your hands subconsciously reach up to pull him in closer by gripping his jacket. his hands raise up to gently cradle your head and his lips feel like velvet, pliant against your own. the kiss is delicate yet firm, all hesitance dissipating as the seconds pass. you both pull away for air, but it felt as if you had just taken a deep breath of air for the very first time in your life.

people had told you about how they felt when they found the one, and you had never understood what they meant about how one person could make them feel just right until that very moment. how complete you had felt. your heart tugs almost as if you had finally crossed the thin line separating you from friends and lovers, something you never knew your heart had been aching for until now. you had always had renjun in your life, but you never knew how much he made you feel whole until this very moment. like he was the last missing puzzle piece that had finally found its place in your life, and nothing more could rival the feeling of this very moment.

he rests his forehead against yours and smiles meekly. your head was still reeling, and renjun moved his hand to gently cup your cheek. your mouth opens ajar, as you wrack your mind for the right words to say. “i… what? injunnie—”

he cuts you off by pressing another soft kiss to your lips. your eyes widen at his impulsive action, taken aback by how uncharacteristic that was. “i know you have a lot of questions, but i couldn’t resist,” he admits as pink dusts his cheek.

he entwines his hand with yours, fitting like two puzzle pieces as he leads you to the park bench. he looks up at the hazy sky once again with admiration before explaining.

“i never understood why it was so difficult to find my soulmate, when my tattoo was one of the more common ones,” he confesses as he glanced down to his moon tattoo. although it was indeed not as uncommon as yours, you had always admired the beauty it held, how beautifully and different it was drawn compared to the generic crescent symbols you had seen before.

it was as if renjun had drawn it with his own hand, with every tiny detail matching precisely with his art, his masterpieces. you look at yours, your wrist adorned with tiny scribbles of planets, stars, and even the sun scattered around all in one area.

suddenly it dawns on you. the space separating the sun and planets and stars is no longer empty, instead replaced with a replica of a moon.

renjun’s moon.

“ever since we reunited with each other, i’ve been feeling more and more desperate to find them because i couldn’t help but feel something towards you, and i couldn’t live knowing you weren’t mine. at least— not until now.”

renjun is absolutely glowing when you look up at him.

“i guess you’re my universe, y/n,” he scoffs with a smile. his eyes meet yours, but despite the firmness in his voice, his telltale signs of embarrassment say otherwise.

and you believe him, because when he smiles at you, it’s as if you were the one who put the sun and moon and stars in the sky, as if you were the center of his galaxy. as if you were his universe.

“i never realized how much i needed you, until i saw that girl. she told me that she was the sun to someone else’s galaxy, and that’s when i realized that i had been trying to push away the pull towards someone who was always beside me for too long. somehow who should’ve been with me all along.”

you both locked eyes before bursting into laughter at his cringeworthy yet heartwarming confession. “when did you become such a cheeseball?” you snort. he locks you in a loving chokehold and your heart nearly skips a beat.

“we both wasted our time, didn’t we?” you remark with a carefree smile. all the worries, the gut feeling that made your head spin, the questions of why you couldn’t feel happy when it came to not having him, disappears within a simple kiss. the puzzle was done. the masterpiece was completed, but what was funny was the mere fact that you had no idea anything was even missing in the first place. you looked down at his wrist, now full with doodles of your galaxy. it glowed just like yours.

“we can make up for lost time.”

you nod and bask in his presence, gazing up at the stars scattered across and the luminescent moon peeking out against the darkness of twilight sky.

soulmates were an odd thing— to simply leave it up to a mere tattoo to connect you both when you had been connected since the very beginning. but you couldn’t have asked for anything more, when fate had already decided that you were his universe, and he was your moon.

you completed each other.

author’s note: i wrote this for @yongiefilms to thank her for being such a good friend and also bc i needed an excuse to post smth while i work on my main wip! i seem to have a curse where i cant write blurbs cus they end up turning into drabbles. oops? also i spent wayy more time on the header than the actual story lol ANYWAYS yay to my first renjun fic <3

#neowritingsnet #kwritersworldnet #renjun scenarios #nct-writers #nct dream scenarios #leyna writes #renjun x reader #renjun fluff #nct dream fluff #nct renjun #nct fluff #huang renjun

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cheri-translates · 4 years

Text

[CN] Victor’s Qixi Event (Eng Translation)

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for an event which has not been released in English servers! 🍒

Victor’s Qixi date: here (translated by @lucienism)

[ Chapter 1 ]

At night, the stalls in the temple fair light up one by one, and what greets the eyes is a galaxy on earth.

The “stars” illuminate every dazzling stall, and also shroud certain corners.

In an inconspicuous corner, a fortune-teller is reading my fortune.

Fortune-teller: Miss, looking at your face, have you met with some twists and turns recently?

MC: I have...

Fortune-teller: Do you have trouble sleeping too?

MC: You’re right!

Fortune-teller: Your complexion looks quite terrible, and it feels like a bad omen.

MC: W-what kind of bad omen?

Fortune-teller: Did you provoke an important fiend?

Looking at the fortune-teller’s exaggerated expression, I nervously recollect what happened.

If he’s referring to someone “important” recently, that could only be--

??: Why aren’t you done yet?

The fortune-teller and I whip our heads towards the source of the voice. In the next second, we speak in unison.

MC: What are you doing here?

Fortune-teller: That’s him!

The three of us are left dumbfounded. I cast a glance at Victor’s unhappy face, then hurriedly explain to the fortune-teller:

MC: Taoist priest, you must be mistaken. This is my... friend, and he’s very good-natured.

The fortune-teller looks Victor up and down, and it seems like he’s unconvinced by what I said.

Fortune-teller: Mm... in short, be more careful, Miss.

Just when I’m about to bid farewell to the fortune-teller, he suddenly calls me, and speaks.

Fortune-teller: There are a lot of people at the temple fair. Be careful not to walk down the wrong path.

Hearing the fortune-teller’s worlds, I feel a sudden tightening in my chest.

Before I can ask him a question, Victor takes my hand in his naturally, and the warmth distinctive to him covers my palm.

Victor: You won’t walk down the wrong path.

The faraway lights only illuminate his outline, and I can’t tell for sure if he's smiling. He applies some pressure on my hand, then pulls me closer to his side.

Victor: Let’s go.

[ Chapter 2 ]

MC: This is my favourite event every year - the “strange-tasting basket”!

Pulling Victor, we reach a stall. Quite a number of people have been so tormented by the strange-tasting items that their faces have turned twisted.

MC: The ribbon biscuits in every basket look the same, but they have different flavours. Out of all the ribbon biscuits, only one is sweet.

While I stare at the line of baskets and hesitate, Victor’s voice sounds in my ear.

Victor: Aren’t they all the same? Why do you need such a long time to pick?

MC: They aren’t the same! I need to pick that unique biscuit.

Victor: You can’t tell taste just by using your eyes.

For a moment, I’m unable to retort. After hesitating a little longer, I hold up a basket.

MC: I shall begin! Ooh... it’s so salty...

I furrow my brows and manage to swallow it with difficulty. When I lift my eyes, I see Victor’s unsuppressed smile.

MC: Hmph, don’t celebrate so early. It’s your turn!

Victor arches his brows and looks at the basket in my hand, then picks one to eat.

MC: How is it?

Victor: ...it’s bitter.

MC: Hahahaha, looks like this game is very fair.

We continue eating the biscuits in succession. If they aren’t sour, they’d be spicy. The strange tastes accumulate, and my tongue is about to lose all feeling.

MC: There are three biscuits left... Victor, which one do you think I should pick?

Victor: There’s no point if other people choose for you.

MC: But I’ve never picked the sweet biscuit for several years, so I don’t have faith in my own luck.

Victor: Isn’t this year different?

Looking at the slight curve on his lips, I smile as well.

This year is truly different - I have him with me. I decide to close my eyes, and pick a biscuit blindly from the basket and place it into my mouth.

MC: It’s sweet! I really picked it!

Victor: Mm, amazing.

Victor pulls me and we leave the stall. Our pace is a little fast, but it doesn’t bother me because I’m still immersed in the joy of picking the special ribbon biscuit.

After walking a short distance, I can faintly hear a little girl exclaiming happily from behind me.

Little girl: It’s sweet! I picked the sweet ribbon biscuit!

MC: Eh?

I subconsciously look at Victor, but he looks the same as always, as though he didn’t hear the sound from behind us.

Victor: There seems to be a performance about to begin in front.

The sweetness at the tip of my tongue has yet to dissipate. I lower my head and smile secretly.

Even though he isn’t the vendor who prepared that sweet ribbon biscuit, the sweetness he has given me is also special.

There are people beating gongs in front. I brisk walk to keep up with Victor’s pace, and excitedly tell him about street performances.

[ Chapter 3 ]

Stepping out of the lively temple fair, what greets my eyes is a wide clearing. There are lit-up lanterns floating on a small, slow-moving river.

Victor and I sit at a nearby teahouse to rest, and we gaze out of the window to look at the view.

MC: Legend tells of the reunion between Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. People are afraid Cowherd wouldn’t be able to see the magpie bridge in the night, so they light lanterns on the river so he can successfully reunite with the Weaver Girl. Perhaps people yearn for these kinds of feelings, so they can’t bear to see any obstructions separating them.

Victor: Do you yearn for it too?

MC: Of course. I used to release a lantern every year.

Victor: Then why aren’t you releasing one this year?

I hold the tea cup in my hands, sneaking a glance at him.

MC: Because... because there are too many people releasing lanterns this year, so it's sufficient to make the magpie bridge visible. I’m also uncertain if the gods above can cope with so many wishes being squeezed together.

Victor doesn’t respond. After a moment, a surprised cry floats from outside the window.

Following the sound, I turn my head to look. Out of nowhere, great waves appear from the peaceful river, straightening the lanterns floating on the river into a snaking trail.

It’s reminiscent of a path leading to a goal, shining in the night.

MC: Wow... how did that happen?

Victor: No one has ever witnessed how a magpie bridge looks. But since it’s a path, the important thing is that it must be easy to walk on.

I turn my head back to him, my heart filled to the brim with warmth. I hold up my tea cup, and clink it gently against him.

Victor: What are you doing?

MC: Replacing wine with tea, this is to thank you for paving a path for the lovers!

Victor looks at me, then averts his gaze unnaturally.

Victor: I just find that having someone to journey together with isn’t bad.

[ Chapter 4 ]

As the night grows darker, more and more people rest near the riverside. The faint din finally allows me to return to my senses from my earlier restless emotions.

Next to me, Victor remains expressionless, making it impossible to guess his emotions.

MC: Victor, are you satisfied with this festival?

Victor: It’s noisy, but it’s still interesting.

MC: There are many more festivals in the mortal world. Some are noisy like this one, and some are quietly and peacefully spent at home. If you’re interested, we can try them all once.

Victor arches his eyebrows.

Victor: At home?

MC: Mm... it means spending it with family or an important person!

With my face red, I offer an explanation. Suddenly, another noise interrupts me.

??: This is too difficult. Dad, you have to help me!

Not too far off, the sound of a child asking for help drifts towards us. When we turn around, we see a a little boy sitting in his parents’ arms, at a loss with what to do with the object in his hands.

MC: It’s a Luban Lock. When I was young, my father would often play it with me too. Even though it’s just a few small wooden pieces, it’s very difficult to both fix it or take it apart.

[Trivia] A Luban Lock (“鲁班锁”) is a traditional wooden cube puzzle

Victor: It’s only when the pieces hold each other up can they be stable. That’s why it’s called a “Lock”.

We secretly take another look. The little boy’s parents can’t resist his pleading glance, and help him.

With three minds working together, they fix the Luban Lock very quickly. The wooden pieces are formed into an exquisite Luban Lock, mutually supporting each other, and firmly interlocked.

Seeing the family with happy expressions adorning their faces, I can’t help but smile along with them.

MC: That’s really nice.

My fingertips are suddenly wrapped in warmth. I turn back and see Victor entwining our fingers together.

MC: Victor...?

Victor: We can spend subsequent festivals together. But a condition is that you have to stick close to me, and you’re not allowed to run all over the place.

I look into his deep eyes, and hook onto his fingers tightly.

No matter what weight we face in the future, as long as we support each other along our journey, I will definitely share it with him.

#mlqc #mlqc cn #mlqc spoilers #mlqc victor #qixi translations are all done~~

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freakie-deakie · 4 years

Text

Lucas // How To: Hurt My Feelings

tumblr only allows 10 images per post so i had to use my transition images sparingly, i hope it doesn’t make the scene changes too awkward. hope you’re all doing well, sending lots of love!

Warnings: there’s nothing too serious, but there’s a mention of toxic family relations and insecurities about friendships

Masterlist

Read Part 2 Here: How To: Kill an Idea

Lucas x Reader (angst // 9.6k words); ft. stepbrother!Johnny

You were a being made up of words. You lived to think words, to write words, to read words, and to speak words. You were jack of all things debate and a master of sounding like a charming smartass. Your words were always chosen carefully, and because of this, your persuasive skills were deadly.

Lucas was a being of action. He moved as his spirit listed, and was often caught indulging in whatever sins his internal chaos prompted him that day. He built the world around him with his own two hands and lived for the sake of creating his own experiences within his own days. He hadn't an interest in the events of the world, nor the stories in it. You don't think he'd ever read a story in his life. Actually, you don't think he'd ever read.

Perhaps that was why the two of you fit together oh-so-well. He was the Yang to your Yin, the left to your right. Your relationship was a perfectly balanced chemical equation. He made a mess, and you cleaned up after him. You were a mess, and he cleaned you up.

Oh, but you can always get messier, can't you?

"Seriously, Y/N? When was the last time you ate?" Lucas folded his arms over his chest and leaned against your doorframe.

"I ate breakfast," you quipped softly, folding your legs up into your rolly chair. You'd been there for almost two days straight, but your project was finally starting to take shape.

"Oh yeah? And what did you eat?" You bit the inside of your cheek, giving him a guilty smile as you twidled your thumbs. "You can't live off of those damn health bars. Christ- Put your shoes on, we're going out."

"Wait, Yukhei, it's okay, I can just-"

"You have ten minutes to get ready before I carry you out of here on my shoulder," he warned before excusing himself to sit in your living room and wait for you.

Groaning, you moved the blanket from your lap and threw on a pair of sweats. You washed your face and brushed out your hair, and with two minutes to spare, you were slipping into your jogging shoes. "Lucas, are you ready?" you asked, stepping out of your bedroom. Oddly enough, he wasn't on that ugly black couch that he loved so much, nor was he in the kitchenette that fit so snuggly in the corner of the room. He wasn't by the window, nor with the plants on your fire escape. You stepped back to check the bathroom. Empty. "Yukhei?" you called out for him again.

Your heart jumped out of your chest at the sudden jolt of your door, followed by three sharp knocks.

"Y/N? I locked myself out..." Breathing out a steadying breath, you placed a hand over your heart. "Y/N?"

"Hang on a second, you big baby." You rolled your eyes and opened the door for him. "I thought you'd been abducted."

"Sorry babe, I had a call. But don't worry, nobody can abduct me when I carry around guns like these," he grinned, flexing his arms.

"I think I liked you better when you were missing." He scoffed. "But you have to promise me to never leave me without any answers. I'd have to hunt you down if you did."

"I'll never leave you, ever," he gleams, throwing an arm over your shoulder and guiding you out the door. You hummed, wrapping an arm around his waist and syncing your steps with his. "Besides, if I ever tried, you'd lock me in your apartment building's basement and I don't really wanna know what else is down there."

"You'd better not try to escape then," you snorted.

You weren't quite sure how you always managed to end up in such ungodly positions, but as long as you were both comfortable, you couldn't complain. However, at the moment, you were very uncomfortable, and the boy laying on top of you was getting an ear-full.

He'd simply barged into your bedroom, saw you laying on your stomach, and decided that you were the most comfortable matress around.

"Lucas, I have to pee."

"Do it, I dare you."

"Lucas, I can't breathe!"

"Then die."

"You are the-"

"Most wonderful person you ever could have hoped to even end up dating? I know. What do you want for dinner tonight? I'm thinking chicken. Thoughts?"

"I'll buy if you get off me," you groaned.

He perked up at that, finally rolling off of you and bouncing over to your closet. "We're gonna match," he said certainly, plucking a black T-shirt and skinny jeans off of their respective hangers and throwing them at you before going back to fish out the jean jacket and belt he'd bought you specifically for occasions such as these.

He rushed you along, ushering you out of your building quickly, excited to go to his favorite marketplace restaurant. Boarding the transit, he took your hand in his much larger one and turned to you to quietly ask if he could spend the night at your place to watch movies and "get frisky," earning a light slap on the wrist which only made him laugh.

You and Lucas were puzzle pieces that fit together. So for the life of you, you couldn't begin to understand why everything seemed to be falling apart.

"I just can't win against you, can I? You have too many debate trophies shoved up your ass!"

"I just-"

"Stop, Y/N. If you won't try to understand my side, we're done here."

"Lucas, I do understand, I just don't agree. And that's okay because we don't have to agree on everything."

"Yeah?" he huffed. "Well on this, we do."

"What do you want me to do? Fly home to (country) and tell my family that their daughter who managed to escape their victimized mindsets and emotional neglect and finally cut ties with them has a boyfriend who wants to meet them? I don't want you to meet them! I don't want you anywhere around them," your composure finally snapped, letting a tear roll down your cheek. You roughly wiped it away with the back of your sleeve.

"Oh, cut the shit, Y/N. You didn't want to introduce me to your 'toxic' best friend either, or your 'overly protective' brother; they turned out to be completely fucking normal. Maybe it's you that's the problem."

"You mean the beautiful best friend, Soomin, that cut me off after I wouldn't give you her number? Oh, and my brother, Johnny, who slept on my couch for a week after meeting you to make sure you weren't staying the night?"

"So I'm the one causing problems? Maybe if you were less insecure-"

"Insecure? Fine, I'll call Soomin and give her your number. And while I'm at it, I'll just ask Johnny to give my number out to all your frat brothers, since that's no big deal."

Lucas slammed his hand down on your island countertop. "Like hell you will. Look, I just want to meet your family. I'm not gonna ask them to move to Korea."

"Lucas, I'm thrilled that your family likes me so much because you're very close with them and that's important to you, but please don't make me contact my family. I don't want them in my life."

He stepped out that night without another word and remained silent for the rest of the week.

You felt like a vase that held flowers but had no water to give them; you were, on your own, too much of some things and not enough of others. Lucas's silent treatment felt like he tipped the scale by hopping off of his side and leaving you to fall.

"Y/N, listen to me," you whispered to yourself as you opened the refrigerator door. "You are a strong, independent woman and your life does not revolve around a boy." You reached for the fruit drawer and pulled out a peach. Fruit was a large part of your diet when you were sad; it was convenient because there was no meal prep. Uni-students like you didn't have time to cook anyways.

A buzzing sound from your counter pulled you from your thoughts. You wiped the peach juice off your chin with your sleeve and put the phone to your ear.

"Y/N? Do you have a minute?"

"Johnny? What's up tree-child?" You hear a soft chuckle over the line.

"Your overgrown boyfriend hasn't left his room since your little fight-"

"Johnny, you know what it was like for me back home. Your mom and my dad- you don't want to go back either, right? You know how bad it was. I shouldn't have to apologise for not wanting to go back."

Johnny sighed loudly over the line. "I'm not saying you have to apologise to him. I'm on your side, but neither of you are trying to fix the situation. So come to our frat, talk, make out, have angry make-up sex; I don't care what floats your boat, just come see him. You're the only person who I know has the ability to convince him to shower."

"See, dearest Johnny, that would mean I would have to shower. And right now, I'm not really feeling up to the task. So if that's all, then I'll be going-"

"Y/N, please? I'll make you dinner, and I'll pay for two- no, three of your textbooks next semester!"

"What do you get out of this, Seo? What bidding of yours will I be doing if I agree?"

"Can't I just reunite one of my best friends with my sister for the- yeah okay, I can't do this. There's a party next week and he's my wingman."

"Goodbye, Johnny."

You didn't know what to expect if you were to text Lucas first. Perhaps he was waiting on you to, or perhaps not, instead opting not to talk to you. However, you were a being of words, and you were desperately trying to sort through all of the Korean vocabulary that you knew in order to find the best words to give to him. You knew he deserved that, the best of you.

Y/N: Hey, can we talk?

You waited and waited, and thought yourself into hours of self torment. Was that text a mistake? Should you not have sent it? Could you have said something better?

After about an hour of stressing over the message and his lack of reply, you manage to pull yourself off of your couch, take yourself into the shower and sulk in its hot, suffocating water and steam.

And then you, naturally, went crawling back to your phone.

"Johnny, is your offer still up? Dinner and textbooks and shit?" Damn your unusually shaky voice, underused in the time you'd spent away from your significant other.

"Y/N? You sound distressed, is everything okay?"

"I don't know how to take care of myself," you admitted without an ounce of emotion in your tone, only growing your stepbrother's concerns. "You know, you're the only person that has checked in on me since our fight? I'm the one in the wrong, and everyone knows it... I need him, I need to apologise."

You hear something clatter over the line. "Now, hold on Y/N. You don't sound like you're thinking straight. I'm all for you guys patching things up, but not to get back into our good graces."

"Johnny, I'm alone. He's the only person that's ever made an effort to distract me from that."

"Hey, wait, you aren't alone. You have all of us. We're all here whenever you need us, not just him."

"John, I'm either your sister or his girlfriend. The guys in your frat don't want to be friends with me, and that's okay. But I want to hang on to what I've got so I'm coming over to fix-"

Your brother cuts you off with a groan. You don't see it, but he sets his afternoon bowl of cereal to the side and runs his hand through his hair. "Hang on a damn minute. I'll be to your apartment in ten minutes. Please, stay there."

"But John-"

"Stay there."

He cursed as soon as he hung up the call, finally noticing the stares he'd been receiving from the others in the kitchen. They'd watched you slowly unravel his composure until he was rushing to pour the rest of his precious Captain Crunch down the garbage disposal. All for his endearing concern for his stepsister.

"Who was that?" his closest friend, a broad shouldered boy by the name of Jaehyun asked.

Johnny paused, looking back at his friends. "My sister doesn't sound like she's feeling very well. She's pretty torn up about- well, you know."

"Can we help? I haven't seen Y/N in ages," Haechan commented, thinking back to the last time he'd had a chance to hang out with you. It must've been the night you joined them for a Smash competition. He remembered that you were really bad at it- or rather, not as experienced as his fraternity brothers who maybe spent a little too much time practicing.

"I honestly don't really know what's going on, so maybe it's best if I go alone."

Haechan and Jaehyun share a look. "Can you tell her to drop by to see us sometime?"

"Sure will," he agrees before slipping into his shoes and heading out the door. He was quick to get to the bus stop, knowing it'd be leaving within minutes.

When the doors to the bus opened, he took note of only one person stepping off. A pretty little girl with features that told any onlooker that she was Japanese. Her hair was lighter than his by a few shades, locks of caramel resting gently on her shoulders, the top layers collected in a little white bow and the back of her head which matched the flowy white v-neck she was dressed in; jeans and white tennis shoes paired to match.

She was a figure of beauty and grace. She offered him a small smile which would haunt him in his dreams that night. Had he not had prior engagements, he would have spent more time drinking her in as she walked down the sidewalk in the direction from which he had come. The gleam off of her pearl earrings blinded him momentarily, and suddenly he remembered that he was on a mission: a mission to get to you and remind you of your self worth.

When you cracked your door, an arm poked through, attached to a bag of goodies.

"When's the last time you ate?" Johnny asked, still not pushing his way into your space. "I brought ramen and cookie dough. I figured we could do with a night in."

You opened the door wider and lead him into the living room. It was a mess, to say the least. A nice collage of wrappers and tissues lay across the floor, the occasional soda can making things interesting. The dishes in your sink were stacked as high as they could go, and unopened letters lay strewn across your coffee table. Your home had become a perfect embodiment of how you felt.

"Y/N..." he said, looking around at the state of things.

"I know, I'll clean up later," you answered, tucking yourself back in to your spot on the couch.

"I'll help you tonight," he reassures you, setting the plastic bag on your counter and taking out two styrofoam cups filled with dry noodles.

"You didn't need to come, Johnny." The look in your eyes told him otherwise. Maybe he wasn't the best older brother in the world, but he could tell that you needed someone right now and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to do his best to help you.

"I know," he soothes. "I came for me. You were scaring me with some of the things you said and I needed to make sure that you were okay for my own sanity. Do you want beef or chicken?"

Episodes of Sword Gai play lowly in the background, a low hum of a language that neither of you understood. He helped you pick up around your house and clean up your living space. He helped you make cookies, and he ate his fair share of them. Your brother, your closest companion since you were young, sat with you all night and talked. The weight of your words though, it was heavy on his chest.

"Y/N, we've always only had each other. We practically fled a country together. You know that you and I are the first and last people on this planet, right? I took care of you back in (country) and I'll take care of you here."

You sighed, rubbing your temples. "I was your scared little sister who came chasing after you. You deserved to have your own life and live it the way that you wanted. I followed you to Korea, and once again I'm your burden."

"Y/N, you're not a burden. I'm glad you came to my University. The closer you are, the easier I can protect you."

"You shouldn't have to protect me though. You introduced me to your friends because I couldn't make any on my own. Then I met Lucas, and you helped him get into NCT and now everyone there has to deal with me-"

"Y/N, they aren't 'dealing' with you. They actually like you. Not because they have to, but because you're fun to be around."

"I don't know..." You didn't want to outright complain that you hadn't even received a text from any of the members of NCT since your fight with the Chinese boy. You didn't want to admit how badly if hurt to realize that they were his friends before they were yours. Now, not only was there a hole in your heart from your boyfriend ripping himself away, but also the growing cavity from the quiet abandonment of your friends. And now, your brother who'd done so much for you your whole life had to take care of you once again.

"What're you thinking about?" He watches your gaze flicker from the TV to his eyes and back.

"I'm willing to admit that Lucas was right-"

"I don't think he was. And neither do you. He has to respect that family is a taboo subject for some of us. Hell, he knows that I don't like it whenever he brings it up. You can work things out without taking all the blame for this, which would be outright unjust."

"I shouldn't have been so sensitive though," you respond honestly.

"You know I hate taking sides-"

"You do not, Seo," you giggle. His face visibly brightens at the sound.

"Yeah, your right, I love taking sides. I'm definitely on your side about the argument. But maybe he's thought about it too. Maybe you should let him explain how he feels about it now. And of course, I'll be sure to give you my opinions afterwards."

"I guess," you offer him an unsure smile. "I want him back in my life. I want everyone else back in my life too. I guess losing him and then losing touch with my- your friends made me realize that maybe I'm rather expendable." Your chuckle was dry, barely making it out of your throat.

In Johnny's eyes, not only Lucas, but his friends as well had been the ones lacking; yet somehow, you thought it was your own lacking that had let them slip away. How dare they hurt you like this? How dare they make you feel unworthy of them?

"I've always known," you continued, "that they were his friends- and yours. I guess I should start trying to make friends in class if we don't get this worked out, huh?"

"Maybe you should talk to them about that before you go trying to replace your friend group. But you're gonna work it out. No one's leaving you. You should see how desperate he looks right now, waiting for you to come marching into our house and demand to see him. He's got too much love in that big heart of his and now that he can't shower you in it, he looks like his purpose in life has been taken away."

Johnny was always there to take care of you, and you felt you could never repay him for that. His advice and soothing words were invaluable to you. Your brother's compassion was the most precious thing in the world to you, especially in your moments of need.

Of course you made an attempt to call Lucas before you showed up on the fraternity doorstep, but if you wanted something to change, for once you were going to have to do something yourself. You had to be able to move your own two feet without him.

Your three sharp knocks were answered by the only Thai resident in the household, a slender boy with cropped bangs and sharp features. Ten was quick to pull you inside, wrapping his arms around your torso and resting his head on your shoulder.

"Buddha has sent us an Angel; we're saved!"

"That bad, huh?"

Ten let you out of his bear hug and looked you in the eye with a look of (semi-) mock disgust. "Y/N, it's been fourteen days since he came home crying and he's showered like twice since then. Mark and I have been trying to coax him out of his room for days. Please, you've got to do something!"

"Challenge accepted," you said, smiling at the boy in front of you. He always knew how to make your day a little bit brighter.

Your heart grew heavy when you remembered that his concerns weren't for you. They were for his real friend, and you could appreciate that.

You tried to shove those thoughts down in your chest as you stepped around him and started on the long trek to your boyfriend's room.

The couch at the end of his bed was a sacred place for videogames and movie nights, a large flat screen just in front of it. His desk was often messy and usually your problem to clean. His chair was a space for studying and the occasional newcomer into his room, a comfortable space to be welcomed. The carpet was a place you liked to lay when you began to think that mattresses were just a little bit too mundane; then suddenly, you'd think the most interesting thing in the world was the orange peel texture on the white ceiling. On the nightstand was an alarm clock, a charger, and a picture of you - and in it was a bottle of lotion and a stash of jewelry you'd given him over time. Even his dresser meant something to you. You'd picked it out with him at a flea market and agreed to split the cost because it was just too beautiful to pass up. The bottom drawer was full of your clothes and he always reminded you that the dresser would one day live in a space with the two of you, together.

His room was a box of memories, and his bed held the most prized of them all. It's where you laid and let yourself be vulnerable with Lucas. It's where your lives came together, and your stories intertwined, slipping from your lips and knotting together like your limbs under the ceiling fan. Promises of the future, swears of the past, and a comforting and cozy present.

You didn't think before you opened the door; it was practically an instinct now. It wasn't necessarily a shared space, but it's a space that's always been offered to you. You'd never imagined that there would be a time when you weren't welcomed there.

It caught you off guard, the body underneath his. A petite girl with Carmel colored hair that was stuck to her damp skin. Your boyfriend moved on top of her, rocking back and forth against her body, eyes trained on hers.

You quietly shut the door and slipped back down the hallway. Doyoung, exiting his room, stopped your frantic attempt at escape from the house, taking in your wide eyes and seemingly disorganized composition.

"Y/N? What's wrong? Wh-"

"I'm okay," you swore, stepping around him. "I'm just not feeling well, I'm gonna step out for a bit."

"Oh," he says, watching you scamper down the steps. "We have medicine if you need it."

You didn't answer. Your priority was to get out of the front door as quickly and as quietly as possible, not even sparing a glance at the boys in the living room who had greeted you earlier.

You walked like a woman with a purpose, fast and in a straight line, away from the house. You didn't bother waiting on the bus, instead you walked right past the bus stop and started towards your home where you would let your composure fall.

Lucas moved one of the light colored strands of hair from Yuri's face. He was propped up on an elbow, admiring the beautiful girl in front of him. She was someone he'd know for a while, having been in his Sociology class the year prior. He'd seen her every now and again, met with her, fucked her, and left her in the morning. The girl with almost orange hair who always wore white was illusive to all but him. Wanted was the girl who always wore her graduation gift from her grandmother proudly, a pair of pearl earrings.

Normally, he wouldn't have allowed the sweet Japanese girl to stay with him after sex, cuddled to his chest, her bare skin against his. It hurt him too much to think that she wasn't the one who was supposed to be in his arms, and as a constant reminder he was always burned by the temperature of her skin. She was hot, a fire that lit in his stomach and yet left his heart cold.

Yuri blinked up at him, stirring from her soft slumber. "Is it nighttime?" she yawned out. He nodded and shushed her, rubbing his thumb over the soft skin of her cheek. He brought their lips together for a kiss that felt so wrong yet so right. Part of him didn't want to pull away and crash back down to reality, the other part of him knew that the girl needed to leave while no one was awake, lest his relationship with you be damaged.

He pulled away first, standing to dress himself in the sweats and Tee that he'd discarded some time ago. He helped Yuri sit up then dress herself. He placed a chaste kiss her forehead and lead her to his bedroom door, expecting her to find her own way out of the house. But before the door closed, he locked eyes with the last person he wanted to see him sending off his rendezvous into the night.

Johnny did not hesitate to put his hands on the door (rather loudly) to prevent it from closing.

"What's a girl doing in your room so late, Lucas?"

Lucas tried to meet Johnny's eyes, but he couldn't hold your brother's fierce gaze. "Studying?"

"Oh yeah? How'd you two get so sweaty while you were studying. You must've been cramming pretty hard." Johnny fold his arms over his chest just as the color of pink on Lucas's bed catches his attention. He stared at it for a moment before the shape registered in his mind. "And how did leaving her thong with you help either of you read a fucking textbook?"

At this point, Johnny has a fist full of Lucas's shirt and is backing him against a wall. Lucas tries to remove Johnny's hand, but only gets shoved harder into the hard surface, pictures rattling on both sides of his head, the picture of your joint trip to the fair the year prior falls to the ground and shatters.

Taeyong comes rushing in from his room, roughly awoken by his neighbor's commotion.

"Johnny? Yukhei? It's one in the morning, what the hell is going on?"

The intense gaze between the two doesn't falter for a moment. "Yeah, Yukhei, what the hell is going on?" When he doesn't receive an answer, he lifts him off the wall and pushes him back against in with one harsh movement. "Don't ever talk to my sister again." Johnny releases his shirt and Lucas's eyes widen.

"Y/N-" Lucas breathes out, grabbing for your brother's arm and stumbling over his words. "Please don't tell Y/N."

"Ya know, Lucas, she just recently told me that she felt like no one cared about her. Her friends were yours, and while you were out of her reach, so we're they. How could you leave her with nobody?"

Taeyong gasped at that. He considered you a rather close friend and cherished the bond he had with you. He understood where you were coming from but it still hurt that you would misread his intentions as befriending a friend of a friend.

Lucas pulled harder at Johnny's arm, keeping him in place as he tried to turn away. Taeyong took this as his que to step between the two and separate them.

"Please don't tell her," Lucas tried. "Please, let me be the one to tell her. She deserves that much."

Your phone had been dead for two days and you hadn't bothered to even look for a charger. You focus your energy on your Korean history essays and devote your time to working on your computer.

Little did you know, this was sparking panic at the NCT dorms. No one, not even your brother, had been able to contact you. Finally, Johnny decided that he had to check on you (along with the ever persistent presence of his younger friend, Haechan, who demanded that he be taken to see you), taking the public transit to your apartment on the northwest border of the campus.

His knocking earned a prompt "fuck off" from your living room, so at the very least they were sure you were still alive.

"Y/N, open the damn door." You didn't even bother moving from your cozy place on the couch. "For fuck's sake- do you know how long we've all been trying to contact you. Let me fucking in or I'll break the door down."

"I'd like to see you try," you mumbled before a solid 'thud' sounded from your entrance. "John, what the fuck?"

"I said let me in. I gotta make sure you're okay so don't make this difficult."

"For the love of fuck, I'm fine, go away."

Thud.

"Let me in."

Thud.

"Okay, okay stop! You're gonna make my neighbors hate me."

You threw your door open to be greeted by, not one, but two friendly faces with murderous intentions in their eyes.

"You can't just drop off the fucking radar, you had everyone scared shitless that something had happened to you," Haechan snapped before bringing you into a warm embrace.

"I'm sorry," you sighed, wrapping your arms back around him. It felt nice to be in someone's arms again, even if it wasn't the touch you longed for. "I've just had a hard few days."

Johnny, who had already pushed his way past you, was beginning to calm himself down like a passing storm.

"What happened, Princess?" Haechan tried. You cringed and he shrugged, still holding you to his chest.

"Lucas and a girl-" Your eyes teared up and the words lodged themselves in your throat. "He's cheating on me."

Haechan's eyes widen and he presses your head to his chest rather forcefully so that he could discreetly pass Johnny a look of sheer confusion. It'd been the hot topic as the frat, but as no one had been able to contact you since they'd made the discovery themselves, he assumed no one had been able to tell you yet. "Y/N, Princess, what do you mean?" he spoke slowly, unsure of how he wanted to frame his question.

"I went to," you hiccupped, "went to see him and there," you hiccupped again, "there was a girl," and again, "underneath him." Haechan's grip tightens around you. The look he's giving Johnny now is one that would've scared armies away from battle. The look on his face was nothing in comparison to the emotion written on Johnny's own features. The storm had returned, the haze of anger clouding both his eyes and his judgements.

Johnny moved towards the door much slower than he'd come barging through it. Like a man marching off to war, he kept his eyes straight ahead and left the same way he'd came. "Both of you, stay here." The door slams shut behind him, mimicking the sound of a gunshot.

Haechan keeps you in his embrace for a few minutes, rocking you back and forth after the tensions in his muscles began to dissipate. He shushed you until you stopped crying, urging you to get your breathing back under control.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that," the silver haired boy mumbled into your hair before sperating himself from you. "Come sit down. Let's talk about this for a minute."

"That's okay, Haechan. I appreciate it but-" you sniffle.

"Y/N, this is an important talk we're about to have, okay? Listen to me very carefully, and after we talk this out, I'm going to order food from any place in this district that you want." You shook your head but did nothing to interrupt him. "We all just found out a couple of days ago. That's part of the reason everyone has been trying to reach you. Johnny caught him, but he agreed to let Lucas tell you. But because no one has been able to get to you, those two have been raising hell at the frat. That's why it is very important that we can get in contact with you, do you understand? If we have things we really need to tell you, your phone needs to be on so we can get to you. We were all worried that something really, really bad had happened to you."

"So it's true? I'm not being dramatic? Lucas really..."

Haechan nodded, pulling you down to sit with him on the couch and tuck you under his arm. "But listen, I know it's aweful. Johnny is probably going to put Lucas in his place right now. So you and I are going to stay here for now, and talk and eat dinner, and get out everything that you're feeling right now. And soon, that boy isn't going to mean anything to you because he doesn't deserve to take up your precious time or energy. Okay? Now what do you want to eat?" He rubbed your back, patiently waiting for your answer. He would move at your pace for the rest of the night.

"Where is he?" Mark and Taeyong are quick to intercept Johnny's trail, desperately trying to avoid whatever chaos was sure to ensue this hour.

"Don't you think it's a little early to start throwing punches this evening?" Taeyong tries.

Ten enters from the kitchen, a bowl of cheap ramen in his hands, Lucas trailing behind him, rocking the college boy couture: no shirt and sweatpants. Ten had by no means forgiven him within the short span of two days, especially not when he picked plenty of the recent fights with Johnny which promised a rather annoying thrill of excitement every night, but Ten knew that in the depths of his heart he felt sympathy and compassion for Lucas. As frustrated as he was with the younger boys, he couldn't abandon him when he had so few people left on his side anymore. Who else would take care of him if not Ten?

Lucas stopped in his tracks when he saw Johnny, slowly handing off his bowl to Ten to be sat on the coffee table. There was a feral beast inside Johnny that Lucas could see right now, and he was afraid that any sudden movements would invoke a violent response.

"I thought you'd be gone longer," Lucas admits. He had avoided the living room recently, especially when he knew Johnny would be home.

"I felt suddenly compelled to come right back and have a nice long chat with you."

Lucas tensed, subconsciously preparing to be thrown into a fight at any second.

"Wait, where's Haechan?" Mark ask, noting that the younger boy did not come in with him.

"He's comforting my sister. He's doing what I should be doing. But I trust him to handle her with care. I trust him to take care of her tonight while you and I have that little chat." He eyes Lucas, reading every sign that Lucas's body is posting, watching as he takes in those words and deflates a bit.

"You guys told her?"

"Didn't have to. She walked in on you screwing another girl." The room falls silent until Ten begins to choke on his ramen. Everyone looks at him as he turns away to hide his wide-eyed expression.

"Ten?" Taeyong asks. "Do you know something?"

Ten slowly turns around to face the group. "Do you remember that night when we were sitting here when she came over, and then she went running out the door a few minutes later?"

Taeyong's face falls. "Oh my God. Is that really the last time any of us saw her?"

"Fuck, and we didn't even know she needed help."

"Doyoung said she wasn't feeling well; he tried to stop her."

"That was almost a week ago, though," Ten thinks aloud. Everyone's eyes fall on Lucas, the boy they'd momentarily forgotten. His eyes are glassy, his composure fallen. There's a beat before anyone dares to ask about the elephant in the room. "How many times did it happen?"

Lucas opens and closes his mouth like a fish. "Did she really see? She saw me with Yuri?"

"Lucas, how many times did it happen?" Johnny's shoulders are squared. He steps towards the boy but is stopped my Taeyong's firm grasp on his arm.

"A lot," he admits as the first tear makes its dash for his chin. "A lot more than I should have. A lot more than I ever wanted to." As wet as his entire face was becoming, he dare not move to wipe away the shame. "I love her. Oh my God, I love her and she'll never want to see me again."

Mark looks between his two best friends seeing nothing but desperation and fury - two ample types of passion for you. "Why'd you do it then?" His words were soft. He didn't want to stir the pot anymore, but he wanted to know.

"I don't know. I love her. Why would I do that to her?" Johnny's composure cracks but doesn't break. He doesn't take off his armor. He was still there, at his own frat, in his own living room to challenge his former mate.

"She was the reason you got into this house in the first place. If she didn't care about you, I would have never helped you get in."

"Johnny stop." Taeyong pulls back on Johnny's arm, reigning him in and telling him to stand down.

"Why? That's how she feels. She feels like she's less than you. I think it should be the other way around. She think everyone only cares about her because they care about you. I think she should realize that you wouldn't even be here without her. How do you even have the balls to cheat on her after what she's done for you?"

"I didn't want to!" Lucas defends.

"Then why did you do it?"

"I don't know! I don't know! I don't know if it was because I was bored, or if I was mad at her one day. I don't know how it started. When I started to see Yuri, it just felt like a small break but then we started to mess around more often. I don't know how it started, but I wish it never had. I never wanted Y/N to have to see that."

In one swift movement, Johnny yanked himself out of Taeyong's grasp and nailed one shot right below Lucas's eye before the other three men in the room jumped in to separate the two as much as the could.

"You wish you hadn't done it because you got caught?"

Lucas holds on to his face but managed to stand up straight. "I wish I hadn't done it because I regret hurting her. It would break my heart to see her with anyone else - I can't imagine how it must've felt for her to see that. So yes, I regret her finding out."

Johnny struggles against the restraint of his friends. "Do you regret doing it? Did you ever question yourself while you were screwing around behind her back?"

Lucas didn't answer, instead he walked away. He gather up the few shards of his dignity that he had left, and locked himself in the first story bathroom for the rest of the night.

Haechan made you put your phone on the charger. He warned you that there would be messages from just about everyone in his frat but that you didn't have to open them all immediately. He stayed up with you that night to help you with both your assignments and your heartache, sending you to bed at a decent time (before two in the morning). He sat in your living room, waiting for any news from the dorms before he went back. He ended up falling asleep on your couch.

When morning came, he was abruptly awoke from a sweet dream by the rattle of the door and three sharp knocks. Annoyed, he pushed himself up and went to check who could possibly be so irritating this early in the morning.

He cracked the door to find a not-so-hot Wong Lucas on the doorstep.

"Haechan?" Lucas asked, sniffling quietly. Haechan shut the door, ready to turn back and resume his slumber on the couch before three more knocks stopped him.

He cracked the door again. "She's sleeping, knock it off."

"Haechanie?" You ask yawning as you wonder to his side. You didn't know that he'd been there all night and came to check the door, not expecting anyone to beat you to it. "Who's at the door?"

"No one, Princess. Go back to sleep."

"Princess?" Lucas questioned, clearly uncomfortable with the younger boy calling you by a pet name.

"Lucas?" Your mind wakes up a bit when you register his voice.

"Y/N," he sighs in relief.

"Haechan," Haechan blurts before shutting the door and promptly turning to you. "Y/N, don't let him in. He's probably here to convince you to take him back and you need to remember what we talked about last night. He made you feel like a small person, don't go crawling back to him-"

"I'm not letting him in, don't worry." You wrap your blanket tighter around yourself. "Why are you still here anyways?"

"I never got the all clear to go home," he mumbled, pulling you back into your bedroom. Three sharp knocks sounded once again at your door. Neither of you moved to answer it, instead you let Haechan lay you down in your bed and tuck you into your comforter before he crawled on top of your covers and dozed back off at the foot of your bed.

Lucas left the flowers and food in front of your door, sending Haechan a text to let him know that they were there (just in case you'd already blocked his number). Pulling his jacked tighter around him, he left the building in search of something to make himself feel better after a night of high emotions.

He found himself at the coffee house down the street from your residence. As he waited on his order, he sat at a booth and pondered ways to get you to, if nothing else, accept his apology. With everything in him, he wanted you back. He wanted to forget the stupid fight, he wanted to forget the other girl - he wanted you. That wasn't fair though, and he knew it. It especially wasn't fair that while you were with him, you felt small compared to him. It wasn't fair that he made you feel like nobody cared about you more than they did him. It wasn't fair that your stepbrother had to be the one to voice your concerns for you; you had never felt comfortable telling Lucas about your deepest insecurities when he was supposed to be the one to get you past them. He was only beginning to realize that he hadn't been there for you the way that you needed him to be - the way that you had been for him.

"Johnny is it true that Y/N thinks we don't like her?" Jungwoo asks, placing himself between both Johnny and Jaehyun on the couch.

Johnny sighed. "She thinks that you guys don't like her, but that you're all too nice to say anything. She thinks that because she's my sister, you guys are forced to spend time with her."

"But I like spending time with her," the younger whines.

"I know," Johnny answers simply. "She just," he inhales through his teeth, "doesn't have a lot of super close relationships. Actually, it was really only me and..." He eyes the staircase. "Can you blame her for having trust issues, though?" he asks rhetorically, more towards himself than anybody else.

"How can we show her we care about her? Like, genuinely?" Jungwoo asks, his simple yet quick thought process spitting out one debacle after another.

"I dunno, Woo. I really don't know. Maybe try to text her more? Maybe check on her every now and again?" Johnny thinks to a moment how much of his private conversation with you he wants to share. He determines that no true friendship deals in lies. "She wanted to apologise to Lucas for the fight they had a few weeks ago. She was willing to be wrong in her principles if it meant she could have that one deep connection back. She said no one had really contacted her since they'd started fighting. She said she felt alone."

Jungwoo's eyes swelled up to the size of saucers. Had he really been so neglectful? Had they all?

"I'm not telling you this to make you feel guilty. She'll never be honest about her emotions, though. She told me that if things didn't work out with Lucas, she would have to start trying to make new friends in class."

"Would she really replace us like that?"

"To her, it's not replacing something if you never really had it."

"She wouldn't even try to talk to us?"

Johnny shook his head. "That's what I'm saying. I wasn't going to tell you that, I don't want you guys to feel bad about it. But if I didn't say something, you'd never know how she felt."

Jaehyun, who'd kept his quiet so far, finally spoke up. "Well I hope she's accepting visitors. We've clearly left her to deal with her problems alone for too long."

"Let's go after breakfast," Johnny suggests, nearly being cut off by the ring of his phone. He excuses himself from the living room to answer it. "Hello? Y/N? What's up? We were just talking about you."

He doesn't see it, but you cringe a little at that. "Uh, hey, are you busy right now? Should I call you back another time?"

As off put as Johnny is by your tone, he doesn't question it. "For my adoring sister? I'm never to busy for you."

You wonder if he was genuinely not doing anything or not. "Really, we can talk later if-"

"Y/N, I'm not doing anything, what's going on?" The line is quiet for a moment. A sickening moment.

"I think I'm gonna transfer back home." Your brother feels his stomach drop. "I've been thinking about it for a while now. I just think it might be the better option for me. I don't know many people here on campus, I struggle to keep up with my Korean classes. I just think it's time I stop following you around like a lost puppy, ya know?" The line goes silent as you wait for his response. "Hello?" You wait. "John?"

"No." His answer is simple and definite.

"What do you mean 'no?'"

"I mean you're not leaving just because you're insecure. You and I both know you're doing wonderfully in your classes this semester. Why would you leave that behind? Because a boy cheated on you? Because you think no one wants to care about you? You're not leaving Korea."

"I wasn't asking. I was just letting you know." Johnny feels his heart break for you.

"On purpose! I care about you on purpose. We all care about you on purpose. Why do you keep trying to take yourself away from us?"

"You shouldn't have to care-"

"You think it's up to you if I care about you or not? That's not your decision. And it's not your decision whether or not the rest of NCT cares for you either. Why are you so hard headed?" Johnny groans loudly into the mic.

"I'm not enough of anything to be cared about."

"Shut up." He promptly hung up and grabbed his jacket.

Your tiny apartment wasn't really made to accommodate many people at once, but the five overgrown boys standing on your doorstep pushed their way into your apartment and made it work.

"Let's take a vote," is the first thing out of your stepbrother's mouth as soon as he crosses the threshold. "All in favor of Y/N transferring say 'aye.'" A silence falls over the boys. "All opposed say no."

"No," Jungwoo is the first to speak.

"No," Jaehyun is quick to follow.

"No," Ten says sternly.

"No," Taeyong adds.

"You have been unanimously voted to keep your ass in Korea and the court rules in favor of putting a bounty on you if you try to escape."

"Wait, wait, wait," you finally get out. "This isn't a democracy; your vote is irrelevant."

"Y/N, why do you want to leave so badly?" Ten asks, crossing his arms and leaning against your island.

"I have to learn to take care of myself. I can't depend on Johnny or Lucas to do that for me anymore."

"Is this really what you think is best for you?" Jaehyun asks, a tinge of guilt in his words.

"I don't know, I guess we'll find out in five weeks when the semester ends in December."

Lucas pressed his palms into his eyes, temporarily making himself see stars. It was cold, a thin layer of snow covering the ground and buildings outside. There was a blanket thrown over his shoulders but it did nothing for the morbid freeze that so deeply effected his mood.

It was midnight when he woke up. Really, he no longer had a desire to eat, and he couldn't make himself sleep anymore lest he grow physically sick. He was left to wallow in his thoughts as he stared out his window, watching the snow fall so peacefully.

"Did I do this?" He asks himself. "She's leaving because of me? Was it me who made her feel so small compared to everyone else? Was it me who made her feel so small compared to Yuri?"

He'd stopped seeing her, his fling. He came to realize that there was a hole in his heart that she could never fill. When he had you, perhaps Yuri was a fun toy to play with on the side. When you were stripped away from him and his sense of comfort was taken from him, he no longer wanted to play with her.

He tried not to contact you. He didn't deserve your time - but he wanted it.

He found himself standing outside of your apartment at one in the morning on a freezing December night. Public transport, if it even ran in this weather, had been closed for the night. There were no students wondering the campus either. He braved the elements alone.

Three sharp knocks. They weren't particularly loud. If you were asleep, he wanted you to remain asleep. But if you weren't, he needed to see you. He wanted to hold you, and kiss you, and love you; he needed to see you. You weren't his toy, you weren't his game - you were his survival, his comfort, his energy, his breath.

"Lucas? What are you wearing? It's snowing out there, are you crazy?"

"Please don't leave."

"Isn't it a little late in the night to be talking about college transfers?"

"Please don't leave me."

You'd seen Lucas cry about a lot of things. For such a physically built man, he was very emotional. He cries when he stubs his toe. He cries when he sees a dead animal on the road. He cries when he laughs to hard. He cries when he's drunk and misses you, no matter how close you might be. He cries over a plethora of movies from sad romcoms to cheesey action movies. Never have you ever seen Lucas sob. He was hysterical and unfiltered, and still in the middle of the hallway.

"Come in, Lucas. It's okay, come in." He steps inside, wiping his runny nose of his sleeve.

"Please don't leave me," he repeats. "I'll be better, I'll do better. I know you deserve so much more than me but please let me be selfish and keep you."

"You'll be better without me," you reassure.

Lucas out himself on his knees in front of you, his hand reaching out unsteadily to hold yours. "Please, Y/N. Please. I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry. If I could take it all back, I would. I swear I would. I hate myself for ruining what we had."

"It's okay, Lucas." You cradled his head to your waist and shushed him, letting his arms wrap around your legs. "It's okay. I wasn't enough and that's okay. You needed something else, that's okay. I wish I would have know, sure. I wish maybe you would have told me that I wasn't enough, but I understand why you did it."

"No, no, Y/N. No, that's not right at all. You were perfect - too perfect, and I wasn't enough of a man to cherish that. I'm not a man without you. I'm a scared little boy. Y/N, please, I love you."

You shush him and run your fingers through his hair until he calms down a bit.

"Lucas?" You ask softly. He hums in response. "Did we ever break up?" You feel his entire body tighten around you as he tensed. He pressed his face harder against your abdomen and cries harder."I'm not going to end it with you," you sigh, "I can't live on my own, you know that better than anyone. I'm so tired of being alone. I need you too."

"I don't have the words to describe you. I'm trying, but I don't know how to tell you what I feel right now."

"Then don't tell me in words."

"You know, I have really hated your life decisions lately." Johnny quips from the driver's seat. "I hate that you're studying abroad for an entire semester. I detest that you got back with your ex, and I am repulsed by the fact that you're wearing sandals in December. Your decisions just suck."

"But I'm making them," you smile at him. "It's only a few months, I'll be back from Bordeaux before you know it."

"I'm glad you're going to France instead of going home. For a minute there, I thought you'd really gone off the deep end."

"Thank you for talking me down from that."

"I really wouldn't have let you go, you know. I would not be driving you to the airport if I wasn't one hundred percent sure that you're going to France."

"Thank you."

"We're going to miss you, Y/N. All of us, we really are." You thank him and offer a warm smile.

"Are you sure you can take care of Lucas while I'm gone? Without killing him?"

Something serious flashes in Johnny's eyes for a second. "I will never see him the same. I hate that you forgave him. But it's your life, and I support you."

"He and I both had to change a lot over the last couple of months. He had to learn to cherish someone that he so often took for granted. He knows now what he did to me, he's made effort to change and I've forgiven him. I had to learn to cherish the people in my life too. I had to learn how to accept that I'm cared for. No body is perfect, but both of us are trying to be good."

"If you've both changed so much, are you still both the perfect opposites?"

"I don't know. I don't think so. I don't think I'm the same person I was before the fight."

"Oh yeah? What about him?"

"Hardly." Johnny hummed in acknowledgement. "I think maybe, he's the word now. He's an idea, an emotion. It's my turn to be the action. I get to live my life for me, now."

"You've always been strong," Johnny adds, pulling into the airport parking garage. "I'm glad you finally realized it."

"I'll be back in June," you remind. "I'll come back stronger than I've ever been before. I'll be able to do things for myself."

"We'll all be waiting for you. Six months?"

"Six months."

"I can't wait to meet you again in six months."

#lucas #wong yukhei #nct #taeyong #johnny #mark #ten #lee #angst #smut #fluff #oneshot #series #x reader #imagine #reaction #jungwoo #kim #kpop

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hotpotrandomfics · 3 years

Text

Sixth Year AU: Missing Part 3

Summary: The group had been captured and founded by Rakepick and were brought to the lair of the cabal she served. What they find them had shaken them to the depths of their cores as they prayed the can make it out of this alive...

Word Count: 5,431

It was horrible, to say the least, a nightmare you wouldn't wish on anyone if you had any sense of compassion — the smell of iron hanging in the air and gripping the nostrils of the would-be saviors. For Merula, it was as if time was still as she looked on in terror as Jason was hung from chains around his wrist. His chest was exposed with a cut in the shape of an x on his left lower abdominal. Bloody and bruised as if he was some animal that was a mere object of some sick torture.

"Jason..." Merula dashed over to him and tried to lower him down. "Come on, Aurelius," she muttered between tears, "you can't die on me."

As Merula tried to get Jason down, Bill woke up to see what had become of his friend and instantly went over to help Merula bring him down. "What did they do to you, mate?!" Bill and Merula were only able to lower him but couldn't remove his chains as a key binds them.

Jason groaned and was shivering, showing that he was alive, and it was a good sign, at least. Bill removed his coat and trench coat and covered his friend. Merula ran her hand along his cheek as she was finally reunited with him. Talbot, Ismelda, and Chiara woke up and saw the sight of the proud Slytherin prefect beaten worse than any possible inmate from Azkaban.

"By all that is holy," Talbot knelt next to Bill. "Look what they've done. Are they that desperate to get what they want from the vaults?"

Ismelda placed a hand on Merula shoulder, trying to comfort her friend. Receiving a gaze of appreciation from Merula to which she gave a small nod.

"We got to get him out of her. Judging by the wounds, it will take a miracle." Talbot commented. "They took our bags and our wands."

The door that imprisoned them slowly opened, and behind it was the worst, most hated person in all of the world to the group. Patricia Rakepick, a sinister grin along her face as she and the two men behind her with bloody gloves, Winston and James, Jason's "caretakers."

"Um, guys," Chiara called their attention to her. "We've got company."

"Ah! Good to see you all awake and well. Bill," Rakepick eyed the wizard carefully, "seems you've grown, and I hear you're working as a curse breaker at Gringotts. See you've followed in my steps."

"I am nothing like you, and frankly, I am actually liked by your former employers." Bill stood in front of his friends, reading to be a shield if need be. He couldn't believe the mentor he respected did this to her own pupils. If she tries to hurt them, Bill will do everything to save them.

"Come now, no need for such sharp words Mister Weasely. I am sure you can understand the difficulty I am facing with trying to"

"Difficulty?!" Merula shouted as she stood up, looking from Jason to Rakepick. Her eyes were brimming with resentment as she stopped forward next to Bill's left side. "You nearly left us for dead! Almost killed me! My friends! And worse of all," she looked to the ground clenching her fist, and looked up at Rakepick, "you tortured the man who saved me from you!"

Patricia looked at Merula, rolling her eyes at the girl's tantrum, how she saw potential in recruiting her into the organization she had no clue. Merula reminds her so much of herself, but clearly, she was wrong in that regard. These students were her tools, and she would use tools until they couldn't work anymore. She had no sympathy for them as she never had compassion from anyone, and she would never give it.

"Oh, well, your savor is well quite not in a position to save you. Winston here," Rakeppick gestured to the large man behind her who only grinned. "Now then, if you are wise, you'll come with us without fighting."

"Like hell, we will!" Merula snarled.

"Merula, we aren't in the position to argue," Ismelda interjected as she looked at the older wizards.

"If you don't want to listen by the kindness of word then," Rakepick raised her wand, causing Jason to wake up and wail in pain.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!" Jason screamed as his muscles twisted, and his body was aching. The pain-causing his wounds to burn with a fury no dragon's fire could match.

"No! Jason!" Merula to his side, taking hold of him. "Jason, I'm here. Love!" "Stop!" Talbott shouted as he ran at Rakepick only to be sent flying by James with a flick of his wand.

"Talbott!" Chiara ran over to him, checking on him.

"Stop! Please!" Bill shouted at Rakepick. "We'll cooperate just stop this madness!"

"Mister Weasely," Rakepick lowered her wand, actively canceling the spell, "you were always the most reasonable. So, you lot follow us."

"Merula?" Jason looked at her with his less swollen eye. "Merula shouldn't be h-here."

"I am here for you dummy," Merula smiled through her tears, "are you okay?"

"You shouldn't be, Woah!" Jason's body flew up and was swung in front of his friends. Chains bounded his wrist and legs by James, who sighed as looked at Rakepick.

"Patricia, we don't have enough for them. Our Lord will not appreciate this waiting." James looked at her, annoyed.

"Very well, come along, and don't do anything stupid," Rakepick said as she turned and began walking.

The group followed behind Rakepick with Jason in front of the other teens. He was barely capable of standing was stumbling through the hall and had to have Talbott and Bill carry him through as they made their way into the main hall of what appeared to be a mansion with a man sitting on a distant throne. Watching them, he leaned his head into his fist. His gaze was colder than any winter storm, as was his hair.

"Welcome," the man said as he gazed at them. "I take it you've been treated well?"

"Treated well?" Merula said as gritted her teeth. "How would we be treated well? Especially with what you've done to Jason!"

"Merula Snyde, is it?" The man stood up and walked towards her with an irritated scowl. "Patricia has informed of your tongue. Let me assure you that I had my associates "take care of" your friend? No, lover?" He pulled his wand out; willow would with the hilt that had a dragon skull carved into it. "But time is running short, as is my patient. So, I will need your assistance."

"Why the hell would I help you? You sick yeti?" Merula growled.

"Oh, I wasn't speaking to you, Miss Snyde." The Lord raised his wand at her and cast the Cruciatus Curse on Merula.

Merula collapsed to the floor, screaming in pain as her muscles twisted in and contorted as she felt her body splitting. As she yelled, Merula remembered the torment of when Rakepick had done the same to her back in the curse vault last year. The pain was all too familiar to her, and the fear the set in was coming full force.

"Stop!" Jason ran towards the cold man ready to tackle the man but was then raised into the air by Rakepick. "Leave her alone! I'll do anything! Just don't hurt her! Please!"

"Is that a fact?" the man lowered his wand, causing Merula to be freed from the curse. He walked to Jason, looking at him, and turned to Rakepick, queueing her to release him.

"Merula!" Jason crawled over to her, holding her in his arms even though embracing her caused his wounds to ache. Stroking her hair out from her face, his heart raced as his mind did. How can they get out of this? Jason doesn't have a wand. Outnumbered. There had to be a way to get himself and his friends out of this, even if he didn't make it.

"Mister Aurelius De Leone," the Lord said, "I need you for the opening of the curse vault. From the tales of your successes of breaking the troubles of Hogwarts tells me you're clearly skilled, and you have your family resources." The Lord walked back to his throne, sitting down, and began to stroke his beard. "I want you to help my associates, and I obtain this power that the curse vaults hold. You see, we have a noble goal that will revolutionize our world. But child, I need you to cooperate as for you and your friend's survival. I won't have you killed as I would have the entirety of Italy storming after us. But your friends? Their families are weak, and my forces are quite capable."

"What is it you want of me?" Jason looked at the man with contempt. "Do you not understand those curses put lives at risk? Children of families can die! No one should have that power!"

"And yet you pursuit?!" the Lord snapped at the young man.

"So my school can be safe! My brother had tried solving the curses to make sure no one had it!" Jason retorted. "Do you have any sense of humanity?"

"What are but a few sacrifices for the greater good?" the Lord asked him with his brow furled. "Is your family free of sins of curses? Your brother has failed, and you will too if you do not obey!"

"Your goal, what is it?" Jason looked at the Lord. "It's to resurrect him, isn't it?"

"They what to resurrect You-Know-Who?!" Bill spoke. "That's beyond mad!"

"Resurrecting?! Is that even possible?!" Talbott's face went pale. "That is truly mad! You are all mad!"

"Shut your mouth!" Rakepick said, annoyed at her former students. "Our goal is even greater than that! Resurrecting the Dark Lord would only strengthen our goal. Your analysis skills still need work, Mister Weasely, and Mister Winger."

"You're not my teacher anymore, Rakepick." Bill scowled with contempt.

"Oh? And after all, I've done for you?" Rakepick laughed.

"You have done nothing but caused pain. You are a disgrace to all wizards and all teachers of Hogwarts!" Bill snarled, which was a shock to everyone in the room. Even the Lord was puzzled and mildly amused by the Weasely expression.

"Enough of the quarrel. We want to take control of the world ourselves. Fools run the Ministry, and it is time that they were dethroned. We wish to restore pure order and wizard supremacy," the Lord snapped his fingers, and the room was filled with a dozen cloaked wizards and witches, including Jason tormenters. "I will ask you now: will you join us?!"

"If I do, will you let my friends go?" Jason looked to Merula, who'd regain consciences. He stood in front of her. "Letting no harm come to them whatsoever?"

"I am many things, child, but I am a man of my word." The Lord faced turned stoic. "If you pledge your allegiance to me. No harm will come to them."

"Jason," Merula grabbed his wrist, "please don't do this! You can't join them!"

"She's right!" Chiara said as she held his other wrist. "We came to take you home. Jason, you're too good for them."

"Meri. Chiari." Jason looked at them with a sad smile.

"We didn't come all this way to end up joining these psychopaths!" Ismelda spoke up. Now that was something she'd thought she'd ever say, but Jason had to leave a positive imprint in her life and didn't see her as an inadequate person.

"Jason, you're my friend and taught me how to trust someone!" Talbott gritted his teeth as he looked around as the members of R snickered under cloaks. "And I am not gonna let you go through with something so stupid!" "Mate, we won't let you do this." Bill stepped toward Jason, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're a brother to me, and I will do what big brother does and protect you. He won't be joining you, am I clear enough you pathetic Death Eater wannabes!"

The members of R were getting noticeably irritated by the nonsense spouted by these ignorant brats. They sought to make a new order that wizards and witches were supreme above all. Their organization will be the ones to rule. Where Lord Voldemort and Gerald Grindelwald failed is they didn't have enough power. The vaults had to have a higher power that will allow these ambitions to come to fruition, and no bunch of ignorant children will stop them.

"Well," the Lord said as he clapped his hands amused, "a touching sight, but time is short, and the time for negotiation is over. I've grown tired of this as have my associates. Patricia, kill them all. Except for the Aurelius boy. We still need him, and the rest are just a hindrance to us. "

"With pleasure," Rakepick smiled as she raised her wand toward Jason's friends. "Goodbye, my dear students."

"No!" Jason dashed with all the energy he had taking Rakepick to the floor. His wounds were stinging as the impact of his body against the distraught witch who threatens to hurt his friends. How can someone they trusted such a vile woman? No more! No one was going to get hurt because of him!

"Get off me!" Rakepick screamed. "You nincompoop, get him off me!"

One of the members of R was about to step up to help but was sent flying into the wall. Jason had wrestled Rakepick's wand in their struggle and punched her in the eye, dazing her. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't hit a woman. But Patricia Rakepick was the farthest thing Jason would consider a woman. He didn't care at this point, and he'll do anything to save his friends.

"Patricia, you idiot! Get them! Kill them all!" the Lord stood up from his throne.

"Not going to happen!" Jason cast the Meteolojinx, causing a snowstorm to fill the room, causing everyone's loss of sight. Jason called for his friends, and they found him from the call of their way to the entrance of the chamber. Before they left, he placed a charm on the floor so that they would have a bit of time to escape.

A few minutes later, Jason and his friends made their way into a room. It was near the dungeons where they had been held captive earlier. Fortunately, the room they were hiding in had everyone's wands, Jason excluded sadly. The teens tried formulating a plan to escape. Bill decided to see if apparting would work, but it seems that wasn't an option since he could. Most likely, R had used concealment and restrainment charms to prevent those they want from leaving. No one seemed to be coming up with any ideas that were viable to success.

"We can stay like this forever," Ismelda said as she peaked out from the door, watching the hall for any goons.

"I don't know." Bill held his chin in his hand. He could only think of plans where there was a low rate of success. The number of dark wizards was too much for them despite all the training Bill had given them. Why of all the times he needed to be useful did he feel so helpless?

"I could fly ahead of everyone while you follow behind me," Talbott suggested. "I would be able to distinguish the direction from certain smells that could lead us out."

"That's pretty dangerous, Talbott. Is your arm going to be able to handle the strain?" Chiara asked as she stared at Talbott's right arm. Talbott took quite the nasty fall at the inn they were staying at before the members of R abducted them. She wore an expression of fear that showed how hopeless the situation is that they were currently in.

Jason leaned to a wall trying to keep himself up, but the lack of food, water, sleep, and fatigue, in general, was taking a toll on him. He was the only one who hadn't spoken out about a plan. Though he had one, he knew for a fact no one would let him go through with it, especially Merula. "Dammit, we don't have enough time. Sooner or later, they would be found," he thought to himself as gritted his teeth. It would be better if they took the risk that still gave them a surprise advantage.

"Guys," Jason called to them, gathering his resolve to speak finally. "I have a plan, but you won't like it." He looked at Merula with a small smirk than at his friends. "I'll cause a distraction. There would be a full moon tonight of that I know if I didn't lose count of the days. I'll be able to cause enough mayhem to give you a chance to find an exit and then-"

Everyone looked at Jason with such surprise and wondered what could this lead to. Jason hadn't had his Wolfsbane, and it was too late for sure to even try and take it. He would be wild and not in control of himself at the mere glimpse of moonlight. The person who looked the most heartbroken from this idiotic plan was Merula. There was no way in hell that she'd let him go through with this. There had to be another way to save themselves. This was no better choice than Jason's willingness to join R to protect his friends who are trying to rescue him.

"That idea is mad!" Merula shouted, disregarding she could get them caught by doing so. "I won't let you do something so reckless! I won't allow it!" Merula grabbed his arms, looking at him, shaking, scared, and worried. Her boyfriend has been suffering and is covered in more scars. "Why is it always you? You who always do good? You who saved me must always suffer?!"

Tears rolled down from Merula eyes as she continued on speech, pouring out the concern and frustration she had been holding in her heart. She held him tightly despiting, knowing it would hurt him, but Merula was not going to let him go and get injured even more. This was something she would not allow.

"Merula," Jason lifted her chin within his fingers, "I am willing because it's for you. All of you." Jason smiled as he lifted Rakepick's wand and cast Lumos Maximum to blind everyone. At that moment, Jason had left his friends in a daze as he hobbled out of the room they were hiding.

It didn't take long for Jason to find his way out of the dungeon and into a great hall of white marble and obsidian walls. The windows were opened, showing the night sky, and the light of stars danced through the glass. To Jason's left, a large door stood out. It was the exit, and with a sigh of relief, he began to open it, but his friends had shown up behind him, calling for him.

"Jason, wait!" Bill called as the sound of footsteps echoed through the adjacent halls of the manor. Dammit, R's members have found them.

"You can't leave." The Lord walked smirking with his wand in hand. "Give up."

"There's something I learned from my friends. To not given," Jason smiled at Merula then turned toward the Lord, "no matter the cost! BOMBARDA MAXIMUM!" Jason turned to the door and blew it off its hinges, shocking everyone present as a shockwave shook the room.

Merula and her friends coughed as they were almost caught in the explosion of Jason's spell. The dust settled as the moonlight pierced through into the hall. The friends looked as Jason tossed Rakpick's wand to them. With a small smile and what could be made out of the small movements of his lips, "I'm sorry," and followed by a shout of "RUN!"

"NO!" Merula shouted as Ismelda held her friend back, holding her tears as the process of Jason transforming into the savage beast whose only thought was to destroy. Despite how fast her heart was beating, it felt as though if time had frozen still.

Merula tried to struggle out of Ismleda and now Bill's grip as they made their way for the door. Talbott had transformed as to fly ahead of his friends to find a safe route to lead them away from R. Chiara, on the other hand, had transformed herself and was keeping her friends safe from the rear. If Jason were to follow, she was the most likely choice to keep him from hurting anyone or turning them into one of them.

Jason howled as looked at the members of R who were shaking in fear as the beast that stood before them bared its fangs. Screams began as the R associates ran in a panic; this only enticed the werewolf to attack them. One by one, members were being tossed, clawed, and kicked by the canine. Bloodlust was guiding his actions, but it was his will that was preventing him from biting people. This curse may have an advantage at the moment, but it doesn't mean he'd wish to use it on others. What little of his conscious kept him from losing to the beast that controlled his body. The two members of R who tortured Jason were clawed across their torsos. The two men howled in pain as they laid in a pool of their blood as their entrails protruded from their stomachs.

The screams of the unlucky members of R could be heard through the entirety of the manor. The scent of iron hung in the air as the dark wizards panicked to fight back but failed. A beast was unleashed and one that was not shackled by his morality. All of these people had to pay for harming his school, his friends, and his brother. They reaped what they sowed, and the grim reaper has come to collect.

"Patricia! Did you know?!" The Lord's calm demeanor melt as the werewolf was treating his underlings like toys. "Patricia!"

"No, my Lord!" Rakepick hadn't had a clue. She knew Jason had been under severe bed rest when she first went to teach at Hogwarts. There's no way—"oh shit." She thought to herself as she started connecting the dots. "My Lord we must escape before-!" Rakepick stopped as she realized a shadow shrouded hers. As she turned, she saw the beast towering over her — Sea-green eyes that held the rage of a stormy sea and a fur coat blacker than coal. "M-Mister Aurelius, come now. Surely you remember you're my favorite student, right? You know I wouldn't do something without reason, right?!" The fear and panic in Rakepick face betrayed her as she was supposed to be the voice of a confident curse breaker. The reality is that she was a pathetic coward when faced with higher power would run at a moment's notice.

"Patricia," the Lord's eyes widen, "you've doomed us!" The Lord waved his wand canceling the spell to prevent anyone from apparating out of the manor. "This place is doomed, as are you, Patricia," with that the Lord had apparated away to who knows where.

"No! MY LORD!" Rakepick shouted as Jason picked her up, clawed her face, reading himself to end the woman responsible for his torment.

"Jason!" a panicked Merula called out, getting the werewolf from stopping from killing Rakepick. "It's over! You won! We are free!" she pleaded for him to listen. Despite how much she wanted Rakepick dead, she didn't want Jason to be burden with that sin of having taken a life. She knew he'd never forgive himself if he did commit to the act. "Let's go home!"

Jason looked at Merula, trying hard to will himself to not ended it. Rakepick was not deserving of mercy after all she has done. It would be justice to all if he took her life right now — one less dark wizard in the world to hurt and deceive others ever again. But at what cost, though, become like her and be someone who killed? With what strength he could muster, tossed Rakepick to a wall, and with a loud smack to the ground, Rakepick groaned in pain.

"That's good. Come on," Merula held her arms out open, "let's go home, Jason."

Jason growled but slowly approached her on all fours. Slowly, eyeing her as if she was the prey, he was getting ready to pounce. Merula only could smile at him as kept getting closer and closer until Jason jumped her on top of her pinning her to the groaned. Snarling, teeth bared, clawing her shoulder as he had her pinned. Despite this, Merula could only smile and place a hand on his cheek. She began to sing as she did every time he'd transformed to soothe the beast in him. Slowly, but surely the aggression started to slip from his eyes as the sun began to rise. With it, the savage beast in her lover fell asleep as did he as he collapsed on top of her, reverting to his human form.

Three weeks later...

Jason's eyes slowly opened as he took in his surroundings. The last thing he could remember was the full moon and singing. Singing? Wait, Merula! Immediately he sat but waled from the pain in his sides. Jason lifted his shirt to see his entire torso, wrapped in bandages, and noticing the same on his arms. Was he like a mummy or something? Questions for later. Right now, he had to figure out where the hell he was.

Just as he was going to get out of the bed, the door of the room opened to Merula carrying a tray with a pitcher and two glasses. Merula's gaze met Jason's; for a moment, it seemed the only thing that existed in the world was just the two Slytherins. She dropped the tray as her hands went to her mouth as tears flowed down her cheeks. Jason's vision grew murky as he too was breaking down at the sight of his girlfriend. Merula ran towards him while he tried to stand out up but fell back by the force of the five-foot-two-inch witch.

"Oh shit!" Jason said as he fell back with her in his arms.

"YOU IDIOT! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" Merula cried into his chest. "I was worried sick about you! WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO SOMETHING SO STUPID?!" Merula voice was so loud it garnered the attention of the hospital staff.

"It was the only option I could think of and-" Jason stopped as he looked into his girlfriend's eyes. Damn, he couldn't stand the fact he made her cry. The pit in his stomach felt far worse than the torture he'd suffer. Causing his troubled witch to worry was not something to make a habit of and the fact Merula was here made, and they made it through the nightmare.

"How do you think this made me feel, huh?! You damned idiot!" Merula grunted between her fit of tears and shouting. For a whole week! She was worried sick for her idiot and wondering what they had done to him. When she saw the sight of a tortured Jason, all she could feel was like the sad little girl at her family home the night her mom and dad were arrested and shipped off to Azkaban.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her figure, tightly like a python not willing to let go. "I caused you so much trouble." Jason gently rubbed her and felt bandages on her arms. Was it from him? "Did I-?" He gulped as his fears flooded in. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Jason's breathing became erratic at the thought he hurt her when he had no control.

"Shhh, hey. It's okay." Merula placed a hand to his cheek, wiping his tears away. "I'm okay, and you're okay. That's all that matters, my love." She leaned in and pressed her forehead to his and began to human softly whenever Jason was sad. Right now, they needed to relish the fact they are alive. "I'm here."

"I'm so sorry, Meri, I—" Jason was stopped by a soft pick on his lips. A sensation that sent sparks through his entire body, giving him the energy that he definitely needed.

The two held a long embrace as the two kissed, conveying the worry, the fear, but most importantly, how much the two missed each other. Merula was not going to let him go, and no matter the forces of Heaven, Hell, Ministry, or Death Eater, will ever take him again from him, she'd make it regret trying.

"Don't ever get captured again, okay?" Merula said as she smiled, wiping her tears.

"I promise," Jason said as he caressed her cheek with his thought. "Meri, d-do you think it's best if I—"

"If you're going to suggest leaving Hogwarts, I will break your nose." Merula's eyes looked at him, thoughtfully. "Hogwart is your home. My home," she sat up and looked him in the eye, "and my home is not a home without you." Merula ran her thumb across Jason's teary-eyed face. Her words, stung harder than any spell she cast on him in the past because her words were full of truth.

Jason tried to find an argument against Merula, but everything he said was shut down by her giving a quick-witted counterpoint followed by a kiss with every word. A deadly combination for a powerful witch, the most powerful witch in all of Hogwarts. After a few minutes of heavy debating, Jason was stumped and couldn't argue with her. Dammit, why did his girlfriend have to be so bright?

A knock at the door called the attention of the two Slytherins who were in a less acceptable position. Ismelda, Talbott, Chiara, and Bill had witnessed about fifty percent of what was going on. Ismelda suggested they wait and watch while Bill wanted to jump in and hug his friends but got a death glare from his friends. They thought the two needed a romantic moment, and then they'd tease them.

"I never realized how close you really are as a couple," Bill rubbed the back of his head, trying not to laugh.

"I...um...we..." Merula and Jason weren't sure how to respond. Typically, they only acted like this alone, but now knowing their friends were watching made them shudder at the thought. Did they hear them? Oh god, these two would need to talk about this later.

"Ismelda didn't want to interrupt you two as she thought you might need some time together," Talbott said. "Bill, though, wanted to join in on the fun."

"Hey!" Bill groaned. "I just wanted to hug my friend, okay?"

"You're too loud, Weasely. This is a hospital," Ismelda said as walked over next to Jason and Merula, who were now in an appropriate sitting manner. "Anyway, Aurelius De Leone. You leaving Hogwarts wouldn't be helpful to anyone. Exactly how many times have you helped everyone in this room?"

"I..."

"A lot." Chiara chimed in and sat next to Jason's side. "We wouldn't be who we are without you. We're a pack."

"Was that a werewolf pun?" Talbott covered his mouth as he started to laugh.

"Do puns do it for you, Winger?" Merula asked with a raised brow.

"Puns? Depending on the taste and situation, yes. But Jason, we need you around mate. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have found my mum's necklace and realized I have a future."

"You helped me with knowing there's another tomorrow, even the grimmest of nights." Chiara gave him a thumbs up.

"And you," Ismelda fiddle with her scarf, "got me to realize I do have value. So yeah, thanks, I guess."

"See?" Merula turned and smiled at her boyfriend. "You're what keeps everyone together, so don't go do anything stupid. Okay?"

Jason smiled and nodded to what his friend said as he began to tear up again — thanking his friends over and over for saving him. Merula held him in her bosom as he cried till his heart was content. They risked their lives to save him and didn't want to let him go. His friends, no, his Hogwarts family is the reason to stay strong and protect Hogwarts. R wasn't defeated, and he'd need to get stronger because they would probably regroup and wait to strike again. When that day comes, he'll be ready, and he won't be alone because he has his friend behind him.

#harry potter hogwarts mystery #hp hogwarts mystery #hphm #hphm fanfiction #hphm mc #jason piscius aurelius de leone #jason x merula #jacob's sibling x merula #merula snyde #ismelda murk #talbott winger #bill weasley #chiara lobosca #patricia rakepick

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