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drysdaleknieslee · 2 months

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Wipe Out Pt. 3

Hiii! I'm sorry for this LATE update but you guys wanted more Luke and Lia and I hope I delivered. I hope this isn't too short but I wanted to make it as sweet as possible.

Enjoy!

Wipe Out Part 3

These past four weeks have been the best yet most chaotic weeks of my life. Our team is undefeated now and UMICH’s men’s hockey is on a heater except for five losses. Me and Luke have gotten closer despite us both having taxing schedules. I’ve been getting close with the other guys as well and their chaotic personalities.

I’m currently sitting in the library with Ollie to my left and Kayleigh to my right. Farah, Mark’s girlfriend, sits in front of me as we all stare at this stats homework as if it was a different language.

“I hope the person that decided that stats was needed in the world has a warm pillow on both sides.” Mumbles Ollie as her head is face down on the table.

“Let’s take a break,” said Farah yawning, “it does no good staring at the same problem if we’re tired.”

We all mumble a agreement as I rub my eyelids. I understand the material but boy is it vexing.

“Me and Farah will go get lunch from Tropical Smoothie, you guys want anything?” I opt for a standard strawberry kiwi smoothie and Ollie asks for a sandwich and a chocolate peanut butter smoothie.

After the girls leave it’s me and Ollie, and she’s got a devious grin on her face. “Go ahead and spit it out Ollie.” She’s the nosiest girl I know.

“How’s everything with you and Luke by the way? Anything planned after mid terms?”

I hadn’t thought about that. Me and Luke have just been in the talking stage. He still seemed interested…I hope.

“Judging from the silence I’d say nothing about it has come up?”

“No…should I ask?”

“Doesn’t hurt to ask.”

I take my phone out and open me and Luke’s chat. I don’t think he has practice today…

@Lia.li.23: hey…do you have plans after mid-terms?

It takes no time for those little text bubbles to show up.

@L.hughes_06: Me and the guys were planning on renting a lake house. The girlfriends are coming too. I was gonna ask you about it in class tomorrow.

@L.hughes_06: Ollie mentioned it didn’t she? 🙄

I cut my eyes towards Ollie to see that same devious grin on her face. She mentioned it on purpose. I rolled my eyes and smiled when phone buzzed again.

@L.hughes_06: Do you want to go? If you don’t already have plans…

@Lia.li.23: I’d love to! I don’t have any plans.

@L.hughes_06: great! Let me send you the information for the house.

He sends me the address of the Air BnB. It’s close near Ann Arbor and it’s a cozy little cabin but big enough to hold ten college kids. I hope there are enough rooms…

Luke’s POV

I was nervous about telling Lia about the lake house because we’ve been talking for a while but I’m too chicken to ask her on an actual date. And me thinking about her isn’t gonna get this econ homework done. Midterms aren’t making it any better either.

Duke and Luca are in the kitchen supposed to be making a “midterm break snack” but now I realize their using that as a ploy not to work. Only real people working is me, Rutger, and Ethan.

“Those assholes left us here to suffer” grumbled Rutger.

I’m not even staring at my computer as now I’m thinking about Lia being at the lake house and how I can possibly ask her out. She’s been to almost every one of our games as we have almost been to all of hers. But just meeting at sporting events and class doesn’t count as moving forward in a relationship. If that’s even what you call it…

“You’re not thinking about Econ my friend” said Ethan, breaking my train of thought.

“I wanna ask Leah on a date, but I’m not sure how to…”

Rutger and Ethan give each other a confused and dumbfounded look before looking at me like I had three heads. “You two gonna say something or keep looking at me like I’m stupid?”

“You’ve never asked a girl out before?”

My face heats up in embarrassment as I had to admit I’m the least experienced in the dating department.

“…No…”

“WHAT?!”

Luca and Duke finally come barreling out of the kitchen with bewildered looks on their faces.

“YOU’VE NEVER ASKED A GIRL OUT?!” I wonder how quietly and quickly I can get rid of my roommates to end the misery I caused myself.

“Next he’ll say he’s a virgin.” Said Rutger.

The room goes silent as they all stare at me. They expect me to say I’ve seen some action. I’m already on the verge of slamming my head into my laptop and having to admit this will be the 13th reason.

“Oh my god.”

“Luke, dude, your…actually a virgin?”

“I’ve done it before you?” said Luca grinning.

“That was with my sister you ass, and I told you not to bring that up around me!” said Rutger now looking disgusted on top of pissed.

“Don’t worry about it, we’ll help out. The one’s with girlfriends at least” says, shooting daggers at Duke and Luca as he says it.

“I just want to be able to spend time with her outside of school stuff. Get to know her more and show that I’m serious about this.”

They all stare at me again, this time with more tenderness. They see their friend who’s so hopelessly in love it hurts. I like Lia. A lot. Since the moment I met her. Eyes big and full of wonder and fear as she has to move to a whole new state for school. And after talking to her for weeks and seeing her dedication to her sport as much as he is to hockey, he wants nothing more than to show her he’s serious.

Hours later, they finally finish studying and they advise a plan for Luke and Lia’s date.

Lia’s POV

Volleyball practice was early this morning to prepare for our last game before midterms and break. To say I’m sore is an understatement.

I walk into my econ class to spot the three stooges, Ethan, Rutger, and Luke, all in the fourth row. I always sat in front of them as they wouldn’t let me sit anywhere else. I notice something is up though, as Ethan and Rutger sit with two big Cheshire cat grins on their faces. That at 9:00 in the morning was abnormal for them.

“You’re not high are you?” I ask as I place my bag down and sit with some difficulty.

“I wish” said Rutger, “but no. Just happy for today.”

That was cryptic. I look at Luke and he grins at me before giving me a small wave.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

“You doing ok there?”

I winced before I fully sat down. “Coach had us do an early practice” I whispered at the professor came in.

I was able to focus through most of the lecture when I couldn’t hear the three stooges behind me giggling and fussing behind me.

After the midterm started the rest was smooth sailing. Only two more to go today and then, it’ll be break time.

After the exam, whoever finished could leave. Luke finished before me and before he passed me he whispered ‘wait for me’ before dropping off his test and walking out the door. I finished a few minutes later and got up to drop my test off before leaving the classroom. I walk outside and Luke is waiting for me, scrolling on his phone while leaning against a pillar.

“Are we gonna wait for Ethan and Rutger?”

He looks up at me at the sound of my voice and chuckles lightly. “Nah, those two are gonna take forever to finish.”

I laughed lightly and then there was silence for a second. Just half a beat of us trying to see who was gonna talk first.

“You mind walking with me for a sec? I know your legs are probably sore so we can either sit here…or I can carry you?”

I look at him surprised. “You can’t carry me Luke I’m too heavy!”

“I’m stronger than I look Lia” he said with that crooked smile. He waits for me to decide. I really don’t want to burden him, but my legs are killing me. I won’t turn down chivalry.

“Fine but tell me if you need to rest and I can walk the rest of the way.”

He just laughs lightly before getting on one knee in front of me to get on. He doesn’t have a bag with him as it’s just exams today. I hesitantly grab onto his shoulders as he moves to grab my legs before hoisting me up.

“I have my bag too Luke so please- “

“Lia, you’re not heavy. With or without your bag. Where’s your next exam at?”

You turn your head to hide your blush before mumbling, “the history building.”

He starts heading towards the history building at good pace. I’m tall but being this high feels weird. I look around the campus trying to distract myself from focusing on the felling of Luke’s hold on my legs.

It was a comfortable silence. Luke kept his firm hold on me and I held his shoulders. They were previously around his neck but he jolted me and I nearly choked him.

“Can I ask you something?” he said breaking the silence.

“Of course.”

“When is your last exam?”

“Friday. I have one before the game and them I’m free.” I was currently Wednesday. I had two exams today, one tomorrow, and the last one being stats.

“After the game, do you want to go somewhere with me?”

Oh my god he’s gonna ask me out!

I can feel him getting nervous waiting for my answer.

“I’d love that. Where do you have in mind?”

He can’t rub his neck like he usually does so he opts for stroking my leg. It’s throwing off my train of thought.

“There’s a rink, uhm, that me and my brothers usually go to when we visit her, and I wanted to know if you’d like to go with me and I teach you how to skate like me mom taught me and my brothers- “

“Luke. Breathe. I’d really like that.”

He sighs of relief, and I notice the back of his neck turning red. After the trek, we make it to the history building for my last exam of the day.

“We’ll go after the game. Dress warmly.”

I hop down from his back, and he goes to stretch as if his back was killing him. He gives me a cheeky grin before I punch him in the arm, and he actually winces with a ‘oww’.

“Don’t make you upset. Noted.”

“Bye Luke, thanks for the lift.”

“Your welcome Lia.” The way he said it while looking at me like that, he seemed like he didn’t want to leave. And frankly, I don’t want him to either. He stands with me until the professor shows to start the exam and I have to shoo him away before he misses his own exam.

It was hard for me to think about past historic events when I keep thinking about Luke’s hand on my leg and the look of longing he had before he left my classroom.

I have a date with Luke Hughes.

#luke hughes #luke x lia #luke hughes imagine #luke hughes x reader

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aronarchy · 1 year

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i definitely agree with your positions on youthlib, adultism and the nuclear family model, however my question is - what's your positive plan, if any, assuming you could remove / already have removed these oppressive constructs?

Ok first off: this has been sitting in my inbox for several months, and I’m really sorry that I haven’t answered it sooner, and I feel really bad about that, and I’m not even entirely sure why (I started drafting my answer a while ago, then developed a sort of mental block around the whole thing and somehow only got over it today); I’m sure this probably feels irrelevant by now, or unnecessary, and sorry about that!

If the question is “what will replace adultism/nuclear family wrt performing their [actual] current functions,” the answer is—nothing. Their purpose is to control large swathes of people, to regulate certain behaviors, and to concentrate power and resource in the hands of some at the expense of others. There is no need for anything that oppresses and abuses youth to exist at all, and it should not exist, and the whole point of a youthlib movement is to get rid of them.

If the question is “what will replace adultism/the nuclear family/current educational institutions/etc in doing what they currently claim to do/be for,” that’s a rather different question.

Adultists claim that the nuclear family allows for youth to be sheltered, fed, clothed, and taken care of: that without it, youth will die en masse, will starve on the streets, etc. But this is not actually true; the prescription of the Family leads to many neglectful/abusive parents refusing to or inadequately feeding, clothing, and caring for their children. If youth were able to easily acquire food, clothing, shelter, and other resources without having to rely on parents, that would solve this problem. If youth were not forced to remain with their biological family, they could leave when they wanted, the same way anyone else would leave a living situation or relationship they find harmful to themself, or just not something they want, and form relationships that they do want, when they are able to do so and not under social, economic, and political pressures to remain.

I question the popular framing of what will you do when The Revolution is Over, as if these are only things we can do later, rather than things we are (or should be) doing now, and things which are a part of revolution itself and also contribute to the undermining of oppressive structures. What we hope we’ll be doing Then is what we’re struggling to do right now. One of those things is simply living our lives the way we wish (while not preventing others from living their own lives the way they wish). Like anyone else escaping abuse, youth who have escaped adultist oppression will start doing the things they want to do which they were previously unable to because they were forced to not do them. The youthlib project works toward maximizing the ability of doing these things unimpeded, and also doing the things themselves. i.e. moving around in public spaces without harassment, living with people they want to live with, dedicating their time to hobbies or projects they find useful or other things without being dragged away to meaningless forced labor daily.

One thing adultism (like other oppressive systems) promises is to prevent not only various harmless activities but also harmless ones. Adultists claim that if not subject to adult rule, youth will be violent toward each other, and that without adultism, there would be no recourse for victims of abuse by other youth. The adultist’s solution is to maintain figures with far more power than either party so that adults will be able to stop a youth abusing another youth. This is clearly wrong, of course: this makes it so that when adults abuse youth, there is no possible recourse (apart from seeking an even higher authority, which poses the exact same problems as this); most adults don’t even bother to use their power to stop abuse between youth, as it is in their interest to uphold hierarchies among the people they oppress, and they are themselves pro abuse, so why would they care to stop abuse? It is far more common for a parent, a teacher, etc who is called on to stop a case of bullying to disbelieve or blame the victim and to punish the victim instead. (When they do punish bullies/abusers, this isn’t usually great either, because they are simply enacting more abuse by the more powerful onto the weaker.)

How do adults resolve adult-on-adult abuse or victimization? Most appeal to a third party of higher authority than them both (the manager, the boss, the cop, the judge, the state leader). Some don’t, and instead resolve the conflict by seeing where they are at right now, and what they need, and acting accordingly. Without the reassuring (but ultimately poisonous) presence of a Higher-Up to solve the problem, how would youth deal with violence among themselves? The same things many are doing right now when struggling against abusive authority figures, or trying to stop a bully without the help of indifferent adults. Youth liberation simply means that the many barriers to this are taken down (and the process which takes them down is also the process that solves the problems themselves). Without the ability to lock up “violent juvenile offenders” in psychiatric wards to “fix” them or detention facilities to “neutralize their threat,” how would we stop harm? Community protocols, mutual aid, self-defense... everything everyone is doing now, as part of their day-to-day lives, these are the options that we struggle to make more available and more successful.

I generally don’t like trying to give answers to questions that are too vague or broad, because it’s rather difficult for me—my mind is much clearer when I am answering about specific situations—but I can discuss some of the things that have come up in conversations with my friends, or conversations I’ve seen my friends have. One was about the family. We talked about what could be the alternatives to the current “bio parents = raise them in their own house” model. I think we can generally agree that 1) a parent who don’t want to raise their kid should not have to, for both their sake and for the kid’s; adoption should be an easily available option, but without the bureaucratic bullshit and abuse and neglect we have going on right now; 2) if a child is too young to state which particular person(s) they would prefer to live with, and doesn’t indicate with other reactions that they dislike an adult/prefer a different adult, we’re not for grabbing babies out of bio parents’ arms to redistribute on some bizarre planning principle; 3) it should be easier for more than just two adults to live in one home taking care of a child/children, and children and adults should be able to get outside and move around more, and non-familial adults should be able to help out with raising a kid more (i.e. the old “it takes a village” mantra). Education not coercive and strictly regimented; information (i.e. libraries, bookstores, archives, the internet) available and more specific teaching programs (i.e. specialized educators, other teachers, classes) available but not forced. Better mental health services. Cultural shifts; earlier education about boundaries, consent, autonomy, and abuse being wrong. Disability accommodations without bullshit red tape. Neurodivergence, mental illness, physical illness, and disability testing and information more widely available and not limited by ableism. Improved mental health services, harm reduction, queerness not stigmatized/treated as taboo, youth who come out as weird early not invalidated or locked up.

Some less “formal” things I’m particularly interested in right now are things like accountability processes, protocols when harm occurs, and getting each other to get better and more proactive at stopping harm and de-platforming abuse/abuse advocacy. This involves things like group education/information sharing, but also practicing, and acknowledging and resisting incentives to enable harm for the sake of “group cohesion” or other social pressures. I imagine this would look similarly IRL, though I’m not really socially connected with anyone offline because of certain limitations in my circumstances. But I have been reading about how IRL leftist communities have fared; applying something like the above to youth would involve being more aware of predator red flags, working against incentives to ignore discomfort from boundary violations, encouraging each other to respect consent and to not tolerate boundary-crossing, and collectively removing predatory/abusive/bigoted adults from spaces/events or positions of power that allow them to continue carrying out harm. Some other things would be, i.e., distributions of food and clothing to those in need without violent and unjust gatekeeping; current versions of that look like mutual aid, or shoplifting and theft when otherwise unavailable.

There’s a lot I haven’t covered, and I don’t feel up to trying to cover everything that could fall under the above (especially not in one go); a lot of people have discussed other examples and answers elsewhere (tweets, posts, blogs, papers, orgs...) and there’s been even more written out in much more detail in books (first that came to mind was Sophie Lewis, Full Surrogacy Now & Abolish the Family, I haven’t read them yet but I’ve heard good reviews and they seem to have that kind of planning goal, specifically discussing the nuclear family and other possible kinship formations which were a thing your ask mentioned in particular so).

#ask #mrjocrafter #late answer

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mineae · 2 months

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penacony pt. 1 - firefly

spoilers for honkai star rail's trailblazer story below:

I'm not a big fan of Firefly so far story-wise which is disappointing, because I love her design. Her personality is very innocent and cute, written to be sympathized with and to maximize moe value, dashed with an obligatory tragic backstory to make you go "awww". because I had seen speculations/headcanons before Penacony was released that firefly may be controlling Sam’s robo-suit, I was expecting firefly to reveal her true colors/motivation that was less “Omg I’m sorry I lied I can’t tell you everything rn but I am not totally innocent :(” and more “I like you and wish we didn’t have to be enemies but I’m going to use you before anyone else can. Sorry, but also not sorry.” (it’s still early, there are definitely more acts to the story, so I haven’t marked this possibility out yet).

but at least for the first part of the main story, the purpose for firefly is just cannon emotional fodder. Later, if she comes back, any further role she plays will probably be cheapened from this lackluster introduction. Unless she has some master plan under wraps and her cute and innocent persona was all/mostly a guise…

I do like some of the moments and cut scenes we had with firefly around Golden Hour and firefly’s dialogue about the struggles with her illness and how Penacony is an escape for her. I just wished the writers leaned more on two strangers who get caught in an adventure filled with hijinks across one of the liveliest places in the cosmos rather than playing too hard into the Lies and Truths and Who Can I Trust Here? game since I felt that that was already established with the representatives of the other factions. MC and firefly going back and forth shouldn’t have been included, maybe, or firefly could’ve been upfront and more flippant—up the ante on firefly’s admiration for the Nameless, since they also represent the freedom firefly lacks due to her condition. That would give her the trust and motivation to show MC around and take her to her secret hideout, and tbh for me MC is spacey and casual enough to go along with it. Firefly MAY be dangerous, but MC is gonna take a chance and trust her bc s/he is having fun and we’re in Penacony and on vacation and everything is so cool! And we don’t have any reason to doubt her, and it’s not like we’re divulging any secrets to her, so what’s the harm in getting to know her? I don’t think this is the first time MC blindly trusted someone either, and it’s believable for me, considering MC has “child-like innocence” (that or is sensitive to memoria or both).

Firefly could totally be honest later that she’s also looking for the Watchmaker’s Legacy, but keep the line that she doesn’t wish us to be enemies. lessen her gratitude that we “saved” her from being caught as a stowaway. Ngl I blanked out a bit during that scene, but to me it was less us and more the fact that Gallagher showed up at the right time to tell the NPCs off, so any following gushing from Firefly about how kind and helpful MC was rubbed me the wrong way (which is why I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop because I was like, this girl can’t be for real). I think we should’ve avoided that whole interaction and met Firefly in a more neutral way, and then overhear that security team is looking for a silver-haired girl (I know it was silver-haired boy in the original dialogue, which is interesting, I expected some sort of reveal with that but it hasn’t come up yet) as a stowaway, or drop other hints in our interactions w/ firefly that don’t add up rather than having Sampo/Sparkle tell us she’s suspicious to our face. but maybe we don’t connect the dots until we’re on the rooftop where firefly is like, yeah I am. (Thus skipping all the lying and apologies and whatever.)

One other nitpick: stop having other strangers in-game ship MC with people they’ve just met. there can be chemistry from first meetings, but it sure as heck isn’t going to come from Bystander 1 and 2 going “oh my god you two aren’t a couple?” or “so sorry to interrupt your date?” and “she’s such a lovely and pretty young girl, you’re so lucky!” it’s just the writers telling the player that “aww aren’t you two cute? Now kiss.” *smushes two barbies together* let it develop more naturally… or at least just have the one-off line, instead of dropping the hints 3 (I don’t remember the exact number) times. like, I’m not against this mistaken-as-a-couple trope at all (I love when it’s used right), but in this instance it just feels like another emotional shortcut for the player to feel invested in firefly. It probably works for some, but it just doesn’t for me, because I know it’s not going to go anywhere. and for good reason, because it doesn’t fit in the story. I hesitate to call it fan service. It might be? Or was it supposed to be funny? Or just to show firefly’s shy/bashful side. The last one is probably it.

anyway this is just my opinion as I casually went thru the main story. I’m not a dedicated plot/lore enthusiast so I may have missed some important points but these are just my thoughts. Mostly disappointed they pulled another Teppei with firefly, although firefly is way more preferable to the shoehorn that was Teppei 💀 I just think a couple of minor tweaks could've made Firefly a more likeable character.

Update: finished the last part of the main story where Firefly is killed. I liked the cut scene, but I think we should've had the build-up tension where we uncover Firefly's tracks earlier?? Like I get that we're supposed to have the shock of a sudden death but since we had no real connection to Firefly it was very eh for me. I think that since we were going to backtrack anyway, we could switch POVs for a second to walk around as Firefly in a series of disjointed scenes and then re-converge as MC right before they meet. Dunno though tbh.

Now, when Aventurine leads us to Robyn's corpse, that was epic.

#min plays hsr #honkai star rail #ramblings #thoughts #spoilers

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tofueggnoodles · 1 year

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Drama CD Saiyuki Memorial Pack Disk 1 – Track 7: Escaping the Heat

Summary: The Ikkou is stranded in the middle of a sweltering wasteland. After Sanzo refused to share his sunshade with them, Gojyo and Goku tried to think up an alternative plan to escape the heat.

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Goku: Hey, Hakkai!

Hakkai: What is it, Goku?

Goku: Is Hakuryuu still feeling unwell?

Hakkai: He seems to be having an upset stomach. Please wait for a bit longer.

(Hakuryuu chirps as his stomach rumbles loudly.)

Gojyo: Aargh. So we’re stuck in this sweltering heat.

Goku: And under the strong sunlight too. Let’s do something about it, Gojyo!

Gojyo: So you say, but I’ve got no idea what to do either. Hmm?

Goku: What’s the matter, Gojyo?

Gojyo: It’s strange....

Goku: What is?

Gojyo: The guy who would usually be the first to lash out in conditions like this, when the discomfort index is at one-hundred percent, is awfully silent.

Goku: Are you talking about Sanzo? Now that you mention it, it sure seems so.... Ah!

Gojyo: What’s the matter?

Goku: Look! Over there, at that wall of rock!

Gojyo: Ah! That guy’s created a sunshade just for himself by erecting a beach parasol next to the wall of rock!

Goku: What a bastard!

(They approach Sanzo.)

Gojyo: Hey, Sanzo!

Sanzo: What is it?

Gojyo: What's with you enjoying the vacation mood by yourself?

Goku: Having all the fun by yourself – that’s not the way to go!

Sanzo: If that's the case.... what are you guys gonna do?

Gojyo: Let us join you, Sanzo-chan 🥺!

Sanzo: Hah?

Goku: Let's put formalities aside! Please? Pretty please?

Gojyo: It’s not as if we’re strangers ❤️.

(Gojyo and Goku rush into the shade.)

Sanzo: Don’t come here!

(A struggle ensues as they fight for a spot under the parasol.)

Gojyo: Don’t say things like that.

Sanzo: It's cramped in here. This place can fit only one person. It’s hot with you guys getting so close!

Goku: But I want to be under the shade too!

Gojyo: One for all and all for one!

Sanzo: Don't talk nonsense! (cocks his gun) Get out.

Gojyo and Goku: Sanzo-chan!

Sanzo: Get out!

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Gojyo: Pshaw! Even if the world were to come to an end, you’d be the type who’d just tell others to try survive by themselves!

Sanzo: Hmmph. Can you really criticize me in all conscience?

Gojyo: Heh! That's just fine! We’ll find an even better way to cool ourselves. Come, Goku!

(They walk away from Sanzo and his beach parasol.)

Goku: What are you going to do?

Gojyo: Listen here, Goku: There’s a roaring air-conditioner right above us. Imagine it.

Goku: What are you talking about? Have you gone nuts from the heat?

Gojyo: If you put your mind to it, the day will really turn cool. ** It’s all a matter of the mind and heart. Think of an air-conditioner, and here it is, right above you. How is it? You’re starting to feel cool, aren’t you?

Goku: I’m not so sure about that....

Gojyo: Just try it. You’ll feel cool as you do it.

Goku: Hmm. Then, I’m hearing the drilling sound of a shaved ice machine. Or so I imagine.

Gojyo: Ah, that’s excellent. I’m imagining an ice-cold mug of beer.

Goku: I’m cooling off in a cold shower.

Gojyo: I’m imagining an electric fan.

Goku: The lukewarm air from the fan is blowing through the place....

Gojyo: I’m picturing myself getting sweaty all over....

Goku: Strangely, I’m imagining that it's getting humid.

Gojyo: I’m imagining myself standing in the middle of a wasteland under the blazing sun.... No, I’m not imagining this! [because it’s the reality 😊]

Goku: Aren’t we just making ourselves more miserable than we already are?

Gojyo: Don’t say that.

(A buzzing sound is heard.)

Goku: Hah?

Gojyo: Great, a mosquito’s decided to join us in our pity party.

Goku: It's annoying. I said it’s annoying, didn’t I? (slaps at the mosquito)

Gojyo: Goku....

Goku: Sorry! I didn’t mean to hit you. The mosquito just happened to land on your cheek.

Gojyo: You did that on purpose, didn’t you?

Goku: Eh?

Gojyo: You hit me on purpose, right? You’ve been holding it against me for making fun of you by calling you a stupid monkey or a midget monkey all the time, haven’t you?

Goku: That’s not true!

Gojyo: Really? Are you telling the truth?

Goku (slaps at the mosquito again): Ah, it escaped again! Er, this time it landed on your head, so–

Gojyo: Goku! I won’t forgive you!

Goku: Wah! Gojyo’s lost his temper!

Gojyo: Stay right there! (goes after Goku)

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Sanzo: At last, peace and quiet. I guess I'll take a little nap. Hmm?

Goku: Sanzo! Help me!

Sanzo: What?

Gojyo: Stupid monkey!

Goku: Uwah!

(Several clatters are heard.)

Sanzo: You bastards! Look what you did to my sunshade!

Gojyo: Sorry, Sanzo. It’s because this stupid monkey’s trying to get away–

Sanzo: I won’t forgive you! (cocks his gun)

Goku: Ah! This time it’s Sanzo who’s lost his temper!

Gojyo: C–calm down, San-chan!

Sanzo: Who are you calling San-chan?

Hakkai: Everyone! Hakuryuu’s recovered. Come on, let’s depart.

Hakuryuu: Kyuu!

Goku and Gojyo: All right! We’re leaving!

Sanzo: Oi!

Goku: Wow! At any rate, it was a hot chase, wasn’t it?

Gojyo: If a rainfall would happen about now, it’d be refreshing.

Goku: True, true. We still have a long way to go in our journey.

(They both laugh.)

Sanzo: Don’t laugh your way out of this!

Goku and Gojyo: Let's split!

Sanzo: Stop right there!

(Several gunshots ring through the air.)

--------

(Round brackets): actions and sound effects. [Square brackets]: translator’s notes. Double asterisks **: Stuff I am not sure with. Suggestions for improvements and corrections are more than welcome.

#最遊記 #saiyuki drama cd #saiyuki #translation #sha gojyo #son goku #genjo sanzo

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thepilgrimofwar · 2 years

Text

Effigy

“So that concludes our tour,” Shinmen announced, turning towards Ruì Yīng “which brings me to your first assignment.”

“Sensei?” Ruì Yīng stood at attention, still dazed by the discovery of her role in all this but suddenly proud to be of service to the Kohai Project.

“Can you cook Yanxian cuisine?”

The girl blinked once, then twice at her superior. “Uhm, yes? I used to help in the family kitchen with my sisters.”

“Good, then assist Sawashiro. Because the arrival of much needed supplies calls for celebration and I can think of no better way than a feast using the very ingredients sent to us by Lord Kien.” Shinmen turned to his ward. “Help her to get acquainted and ensure that the feast is ready by nightfall. Hideshi and I need to catch up.”

“Understood,” Kaijin nodded.

“And Ruì Yīng,” Shinmen added, “about Disgraced Zhang, Captain Diem would like to have a word with you about him, likely to decide what sort of unsavoury fate awaits him should he survive his fever. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“I-” she felt her mind reel as the topic was brought up, but did her best to remain composed. “Thank you,” she said.

Hideshi followed up. “Would executing him compromise our mission to link the liberation fronts?”

Shinmen shook his head. “Considering his crimes, I’d say his mission is already compromised.”

“And what of Lord Kien’s reaction? Surely the beheading of a diplomat of foreign relations would not sit well with him.”

Shinmen merely shrugged. “He has no jurisdiction here and is wise enough to know that,” the older man glanced at Ruì Yīng as if he were addressing her. “We get to decide what justice is, I only hope we’re wise enough to exercise it properly.”

–

They waited at the Northern Pagoda outside what used to be the audience hall of the head abbot. It had been since converted into the war planning room of the Nagxian Liberation Front. Rui Ying could hear the voice Captain Diệm amongst many others and imagined the things that were being discussed beyond the heavy hardwood door. Troops numbers, scouting reports, quartermaster ledgers, and maps that would decide the fates of thousands of soldiers on either side of the conflict. She wondered for a moment if she would've made a better tactician if she hadn’t been picked for the Kohai Project. But came to the conclusion that, given her age and gender, she would've most likely ended up as a secretary to some Doman Lord. She shuddered at the thought.

The doors to the war room opened and a number of officers strode out with purpose. Kaijin stepped forward, announced his name and rank in Nagxian, and entered at the behest of the captain.

"I hope you're doing well," Captain Diệm said through Kaijin.

Rui Ying, who had gotten used to the proxied communication, bowed her head politely at the officer. "I am, thank you for asking."

"I won't keep you long, but I must ask. What would you have us do with Diplomat Zhang? I feel like his actions have tainted both Liberation Fronts by mere association."

She looked at Kaijin, "I was half expecting this to be swept under a rug."

The boy almost translated her response to the Captain before realising it was directed at him. "Unlike our own, almost half of the Nagxian Liberation Front consists of female volunteers, so crimes like these are taken very seriously and severely punished. They do not take kindly to men like Disgraced Zhang."

Rui Ying nodded and made up her mind about his punishment. "Tell him that he is to be kept here, continuing his duty as a diplomat for the Doman Liberation Front until the end of the conflict."

Captain Diệm regarded her with curiosity. "The end to the conflict is unclear."

"Exactly," Rui Ying held the captain's gaze. "Send him back to Doma and he will walk free as a government official, and enjoy all the privileges of his station. I would deny him that. Indefinitely."

"As you wish," the Nagxian man folded his arms. “But why not simply execute him? That's the usual response for these sorts of crimes.”

"I'd rather not sour the relations between our Liberation movements. Kill him and they'll likely replace him with someone worse–Besides, for men like him, living with a disgrace is often worse than death.”

The captain laughed. “May we never be enemies, Fu Rui Ying,” Diem said, bowing his head. “We'll make arrangements to keep him here permanently and inform Lord Kien of his crimes. The jungle will serve as his prison."

–

"Before we head for the kitchens, I'll show you to our quarters," the boy said as they passed the war table that dominated the chamber, covered in maps and reports. "Our quarters?" Ruì Yīng asked in surprise, following him outside and towards the overgrown Southern pagoda. "You'll be the fourth member of Section 0, my team." Kaijin responded, before it finally dawned upon him. "But considering that you're the only girl in our ranks...and…what happened at the waystation, perhaps it might be better if you stay in the female quarters with the Nagxian Resistance?" "No," Rui Ying replied without hesitation. "I'm a soldier first, and a girl second. I’d rather not be treated any differently.”

Kaijin nodded. "Very well then," he said, continuing on his path towards the Southern pagoda.

Rui Ying looked around curiously as Kaijin led her deeper into the complex, crossing under stone gates that led into the southern compound. Overrun with vines and trees that sprouted cracks in the stone, it looked as if the entire pagoda was being slowly swallowed by the jungle that had come creeping up the nearby cliff. She made a mental note as they entered the pagoda itself, charting out the other walkways that branched off to either side of her as she followed the boy through the maze-like temple.

When they reached the end of the corridor Kaijin opened a large wooden door that had been freshly fitted, revealing a simple room with four bedrolls and a small table at its center. There were no windows; illumination only came from a single aetheric lantern that hung near the doorway.

"This is home," Kaijin stated, “it isn’t much but it’s ours.”

“Where are the others?” Rui Ying asked.

“Out on patrol, they’ll be back soon enough,” he explained, “when we aren’t on special assignments or training, we’re usually assisting our allies in one way or another.”

“Like sentry duty?”

“Or translating for Captain Diem,” Kaijin nodded before nudging a small chest nearby with his foot. "I know you didn't bring much with you but anything you put in here is off-limits to the rest of the Section."

Rui Ying sat down on the cushioned bedroll that was assigned to her, and stared at the empty chest next to her. She had never been allowed such a luxury since she had left her home. Under Hideshi's strict regimentation, she only owned what she could carry on her person–and this empty space gave her a profound sense of permanence she hadn’t felt since.

"Are you okay?" Kaijin asked, sitting down on the bedroll opposite from her.

"It's...nothing," said Rui Ying, shaking her head dismissively.

The boy took a moment to weigh his response before continuing. "As your Section leader, it may be my duty to look after you…But as your friend, I’d like to hear what’s bothering you.”

Friend.

That word hadn't been part of her vocabulary for a painfully long time.

She decided to take a chance. “My family had given me up because food was scarce and I was another mouth to feed. The least important of their five children. Then I trained for two years under Hideshi, who made it clear that because I was a girl, I did not belong in this realm of men. So, I’ve had homes, only none of them were mine.”

“Maybe this time will be different,” Kaijin said before growing silent, deciding to return her favour. “I was told that I was conceived after Doma fell,” Kaijin replied. “Named after what my family had left behind.”

“Ashes?” she replied as if she were answering a riddle.

“Our ancestral home was burned to the ground when the Garleans set Yanxia ablaze. My family hid in the mountains with the Doman armed forces and did everything in their power to support them. To avenge what was lost. To free our homeland.” Kaijin stared into the middle distance. “I was born with that in mind.”

沢城灰燼。

Sawashiro Kaijin.

灰

燼

。

Kaijin.

It suddenly began to make sense. As she rolled the characters of his name off her tongue one final time, she spat out the realisation like it was poison.

“You had said you were Sensai Shinmen’s blade, an instrument to Doma’s liberation. A thing.”

“Born for a single purpose: a tool for their revenge. A sword to be wielded by the Liberation Front. An…offering to the homeland they loved so much. Once I was old enough to fight, I was given up like you were. Sensei Shinmen has raised me ever since, and we’ve travelled to every corner of Othard, laying the groundwork for the Kohai Project.”

“I’m sorry,” Rui Ying replied. “I guess you’ve never had a home either.”

The boy shook his head. "Not until I got here."

"The Blessed Cliffs?"

He nodded. "It's been mine for the past year and now hopefully it can be yours too." Kaijin then got to his feet and offered her a hand. "Welcome home, Rui Ying." he said, as he made the first smile since she had met him.

–

As the duo made their way towards the open kitchens at the back of the pagoda, news of a returning patrol drew them instead to the courtyard. Logistics officers and other sections from the Kohai Project came to receive them. It was only then did the word of Rui Ying’s presence spread like wildfire and met with an excitement that only teenage boys could muster. They couldn’t help but stare at her as if she was some sort of legendary beast, stealing glances and looking away sheepishly when they caught themselves staring.

The boys returning up the Pilgrim’s Path and beneath the fortress gates were no different, save but one. Instead of gawking at her like the others, he held her gaze for a moment before giving her a short sharp nod of acknowledgement. With side-shaved hair and olive complexion, he stood taller and larger than the rest of the boys giving him the frame to carry a massive ngaw blade staff on his back. Rui Ying’s eyes were then drawn to the armbands on his biceps–pra jiad made from wound multicoloured threads.

"That's Khamhaeng," Kaijin mentioned, noticing her interest. "He's our Section mate."

The handler who led the patrol snapped his fingers repeatedly at the distracted teenagers that he was in charge of. “Oi, oi, oi, stare at the eye candy after the debrief.”

Eye candy.

Rui Ying sighed, and Kaijin continued, not giving her time to dwell on the off-handed slight. "And that's Seri Ram, Kham’s handler. Both are Udayans from the central highlands."

“Udayan?” she said, surprised that they spoke Hingan. But she quickly figured that with all the nationalities present, anyone part of the Kohai Project would need to speak the lingua franca.

The boy nodded as the patrol's debrief commenced. "A peaceful people whose capital was an impenetrable mountain fortress not unlike this one. They were humiliated when the Garleans flew a cruiser over their walls, threatening to bombard them into oblivion and forcing their surrender. They never forgot, even now, a generation on. Now they’re the fiercest fighters in the region.”

When Seri Ram had dismissed the patrol, the boys scattered towards the Southern pagoda and Kaijin stepped forward to introduce the newcomer to his comrade.

"Ram, Kham," he greeted them, pressing his palms together into a wai. "This is Rui Ying, the fourth and final member of Section 0."

The girl bowed her head and attempted to replicate the gesture Kaijin had made. "I look forward to serving with you," she said.

The two Udayans looked at each other and then began to scrutinise her.

Ram, a young man with tied back hair, began to circle her. "For all of Shinmen's talk about her potential, she doesn't look like much. Far too skinny." the handler appraised her like a war beast, only falling short of checking her teeth.

"There is more to her than physical power," Kaijin stated as if it explained everything.

"I don't doubt that," Kham replied, "but it seems odd to accept a weakling into Section 0."

Rui Ying felt her blood suddenly rise. "Say that again if you want to have your ass handed to you by a 'weakling'," she snapped back before she could stop herself.

Kham looked at his handler, amused by her challenge, and with an unspoken approval between the two of them, Khamhaeng shoved her.

She stumbled at first, caught off guard, but Rui Ying's reflexes quickly took over. Recovering her balance, she fell into a crouch and drew her broadsword before launching herself at the Udayan boy with the flat of her blade.

Kham smiled, pulling at the sash that fastened his bladestaff to his back and respected her attack. Deflecting it with a strong but deft manoeuvre, he let her close the distance between them before shoving her back once more with his shoulder.

Rui Ying caught herself, skidding backwards into a low combat stance and sprung into another attack.

Ram laughed and clapped his hands as he watched his student stumble backwards from the relentlessness of this unexpectedly fierce girl. Others came to observe the source of the commotion while Kaijin simply observed with his arms folded. Ready to intervene should things escalate into bloodletting.

"Strength is merely a fact," Kham said as he struck her with the end of his polearm. She caught the blow with her weapon, but it sent her reeling backwards from the force alone. "Your height, your weight, your physique. You’re a girl. Try as you might, you'll have to admit your weakness sooner or later."

Rui Ying landed. "There are girls far stronger than you ever will be." she said and began circling him, running through everything that Hideshi had taught her about levelling the playing field against a stronger opponent. He was faster than she had given him credit for, skilled too.

Kham simply let her circle him, standing like a statue as he observed the girl curiously for her next move. "Well, I can't wait to meet them. So far they've been lacking. Like you are."

The goad made her snap and before she knew it, she was charging at him from behind. Kham sidestepped her impetuous attack then proceeded to sweep her to the ground with his weapon.

"Alright that's enough," Ram announced, stepping in and waving off both Khamhaeng and the rest of the small crowd that had gathered.

Kham offered a hand to Rui Ying who slapped it away. She didn't want his help. Neither did she want to stroke the boy's ego.

"A feisty introduction, but she's a welcome addition to Section 0 nonetheless." Ram said.

The girl shot daggers at the young man, upset that she had inadvertently been playing some sort of game of the Udayan's design.

Ram studied her for a moment more before confirming this for her benefit. "Shinmen's right, you're quicker than Kaijin. Now if only your blows landed as hard, or hit with the backing of your very soul, you'd reach the potential he claims you have. I'm sure your training will remedy this."

"And a polite conversation wouldn't have been enough to tell me this?" Rui Ying stated, trying her best to quell the simmering anger from the fight.

She noted for a moment how her body flinched, expecting to be struck by a figure like Hideshi. But Ram did no such thing. If anything, he felt like an annoying older brother.

"Politeness has its place. But it is not here, there simply isn't the time. A fight tells so much more." Ram explained.

Kham spoke. "From our fight, we've already learned that you're easy to rile up, have complete confidence in your abilities, and absolutely cannot take a joke.”

“A joke?” Rui Ying spat.

“The Kohai Project doesn’t accept weaklings. You're fast, relentless, and fight with barely controlled chaos. I look forward to the day you actually do put me on my ass." Kham added before puffing out his chest. “But for now, you ought to respect your betters.”

Part 4

Part 6

#Kaijin #Nagxia #FFXIV

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proserpina-magnus · 3 years

Note

Yay your requests are open! 😄 Could you pleeeease write a Dom poly!marauders (no Peter) x sub!reader, where it’s a new-ish relationship between the 4 and the reader breaks her first rule, leading to her first punishment and they can all see she’s nervous so they are soft!doms during (you can decide the rule she breaks and the punishment🙊) and the aftercare they give her 🥺

Yes absolutely, it’s kinda rough and I didn’t realize how lengthy it was! This is actually not that good and the aftercare could be better but I hope you like it!

First Punishment’s (R.L, J.P, S.B)

Reader: fem (she/her)

Word count: 2.6

Warning: swearing, rule breaking, spanking, bratty reader (sorta), d/s (sorta heavy?) Remus is the main dom, safe words are definitely in place, lots of aftercare and praises, reader becomes a cry baby super fast, soft doms, Sirius actually doesn’t show up that much and that sucks :(

p.s: my bad spelling also plays a role in this!

There were only a few solid rules the Marauders had set for you, no back talk, no touching yourself sexually without permission, and always thank them when they give you something. They had a few smaller rules specifically for themselves, such a James saying you can’t cuss while Sirius allows it. Remus has to approve your outfit before going out to hogsmeade. Sirius, surprisingly, doesn’t have many rules other than the main ones.

It must have been a bad day or you just felt bratty, because you had been tempting their rules all day. You had gone out to hogsmeade with your dorm mates, not checking with Remus about your outfit. When you returned, a bag full of honey duke treats, you got stopped by Remus in the hallway. He shoo’d your dormmates away, an eyebrow raised with his hands crossed over his chest.

You shrunk slightly, fiddling with the edge of your rather small skirt that Sirius had gifted to you just days ago.

“Bun, did you forget to do something?” He asked and you nodded. Yet you and Remus both knew you had done it on purpose.

“What did you forget?”

“To check with you,” you mumbled, distracting yourself with flattening the fabric of James jumper you had stolen.

“To check with me about what?”

“M’outfit,” you whispered and you caught Remus's stern look and spoke up. “M’outfit sir,”

“mmh,” was all he said, giving you an opportunity to apologize to him properly. You dug through your bag, taking out a chocolate bar you had gotten him.

“But I went to get you guys sweets!” You excused yourself, pushing the chocolate in Remus's hand. Remus shook his head, taking the chocolate. “Alright, I’ll let you off this time. But no matter what your excuse is, it doesn't mean you can go around flaunting your ass to Hogsmeade, understand?”

“I’m not flaunting my ass!” You exhaled quickly, pushing down your skirt as you began to get offended. Remus raised his eyebrow, “I’m sorry?” And you grew quiet. Real quiet.

“Hey lovely,” you heard James call from behind you, you had turned around to see him race down the hall and swing an arm around your waist, a big smile on his face.

“What’s the issue?” James got the tension and Remus motioned for you to explain yourself.

“Went to hogsmeade without checking my outfit with Remus,” you whispered rudely, James raised an eyebrow as he didn’t quite catch it.

“Hm? Speak up poppet,” he said, and you sighed and said it again louder this time.

“Oh let her off this one time Remus, she must have forgotten,” James defended you, rubbing your back so you knew he was on your side.

“I was,” Remus started, irking slightly as he recalled how you talked back. “But instead she told me off for my offer,”

James grew confused, looking down at you. “Love, that’s not true is it?” He asked, pinching your cheek and you pushed his hand away. You thought he was on your side.

“Remus said I was flaunting my ass! I wasn’t! And even if I was, what's the problem with that? I’ll flaunt my ass whenever I want!” You huffed, another small rule broke at your words. Remus rolled his tongue over his teeth, James folding his arms over his chest. Oh dear lord, you were in for it now if you kept going.

“This isn’t far, it’s 2 against one,” you pointed out as you now realized James wasn’t on your side. You copied them, crossing your arms over your chest.

“It wouldn’t have been 2 against one if you didn’t break a rule,” Remus reminded you, you grew frustrated.

“Well I don’t like your stupid rules,” you stated, now you began to get worried. Why did you keep talking, it wasn’t too late for you to apologize and say you were sorry.

“Up to our dorm,” James said roughly and grasped your elbow, you shook him off and stepped back. “No I don’t wanna,” you said and they both let out a laugh.

“Come on, we’re not asking again,” Remus said, you felt your nerves jitter. You’ve never been punished before and the worry began to build quickly.

“No,” you said, shaking your head as you took another step back. Your back hit a person and you cursed yourself. Without turning around, you knew it was Sirius. But hopefully, you prayed he was on your side. Sirius must have read your thoughts, because he quickly said a “they’re right bun, you know if you break a rule you get punished,”

You frowned, huffing out as you realized there wasn’t a chance to escape now. “Fine,” you muttered, pulling away from Sirius as you began to walk down the hall to the portrait. They followed behind, Remus shaking his head.

You stopped at the portrait, arms still crossed over your chest as they said the password and led you upstairs to their dorm. With the thud of the door being closed, you felt the need for a meltdown.

They hadn't discussed what kind of punishment went with each rule, they hadn’t thought they wouldn't need to punish their good girl. James had insisted you would never break a rule, but apparently he was wrong.

They picked up that you were worried, but they couldn’t just let it slide, you’d think that breaking rules was okay and that you could get away with it.

You walked over and set your bag down on James' dresser, sitting down on his bed, hands still folded over your chest.

“Okay, cool off,” James said and walked over to you. “I want you to know we aren’t punishing you while mad, that’s not how this is going to work,” he stated, and Remus nodded.

“We honestly hadn’t planned out a punishment, we thought you would be good,” Sirius said, that hurt. “I am good!” You replied, upset at the fact they didn’t think you were good.

“Hey, you’re not on thin ice anymore missy, I’d watch what you say if I were you,” Remus snapped and you went quiet with a frown.

“We know you’re a good girl,” James soothed over, giving a glare to Sirius. “That’s not what he meant,”

You began to open your mouth for a snappy comment, maybe even going as far as to call James dumb, but you closed your mouth and stayed silent. “Okay,” you nodded, “I understand,”

“You know why we have to punish you?” Sirius asked, and you nodded. “Say it, we want to know that you know what you did was wrong,”

“I broke a rule, well two rules,”

“Two rules?” Sirius questioned, he had missed the start of the backlash. “She went out to Hogsmeade without my permission for her outfit,” Remus cleared up.

“technically she actually broke three,” James said, your eyes opened as you looked over at him. How could he? You felt the need to cry, they seemed really upset. Who knew you would hate them being upset at you so much?

“Three?” You questioned in pure confusion.

“You cussed, you know I don’t like that,” James explained with a hand on your thigh, you nodded in defeat. “It’s alright, bun,” he kissed your cheek.

“James, don’t encourage that she can break your rules,” Remus advised and your shoulder slumped at the fact this wasn’t a time for you to get praises.

“Alright, let’s discuss punishments, she’s scared I don’t like that,” Sirius said and sat opposite of you, Remus took a seat on the chair by James dresser.

“You want us to list some?” James asked, “we won’t do anything without your permission,” he explained and rubbed your knee, you sighed but was a bit confused.

“You can use your safe word any time you feel unsafe, even during punishments. We never want you to be scared of us, okay?” Remus said, rubbing your cheek and you nodded. You leaned your face in his palm, you wanted to soak up all the affection before your punishment.

“We need clarification, you understand bun,” Sirius said, you opened your eyes when Remus pulled his hand away. “I understand, I can use my safe word whenever I need to, even during punishments,” you nodded along, slowly the nerves began to settle.

“Good girl,” James praised, “don’t think we’re going to praise you during punishments either, but since it’s your first time we’ll be more understanding,” Remus explained and you nodded.

“Alright, what about spanking? Not letting her cum for a certain amount of time? Degrading?” Sirius rushed out the ones off the type of his head, your stomach flipped at the word spanking.

They discussed punishments in front of you for a few minutes, some making you worry and others you nodded along like you’d enjoy it. You didn’t know why, but hearing them talk like you weren’t even there was making you feel dizzy.

“What about a simple time out? I don’t want to go all out for her first punishment, I don’t want her to be scared,” James said, rubbing your back gently.

“Let’s make her pick, that way she has control over the first punishment,” Remus said, looking away from Sirius as he kept his eyes on you. “We’ll let you pick this time, but don’t think you’ll get to pick the next time you break a rule,” he explained and you nodded.

“No punishment,” you choose and Sirius laughed, kissing your forehead. “That’s not how it works bunny,” he began and you sighed. You thought for another minute, spanking couldn’t be bad could it?

“I guess spanking,” you nodded, Remus nodded but James wasn’t so sure. “I don’t know, I still think we should give her a time out, maybe even not let her speak for a day or so,” James said, Sirius didn’t agree.

“She wants to be spanked, we’ll spank ‘er,” Sirius said, patting your thigh.

“The whole point of a punishment is that we don’t do what she wants, it’s not a punishment if she likes it,” James explained, you began to worry again.

“I don’t wanna do something scary,” you say, you thought about the discussion of the things you definitely didn’t want to do at the first of your relationship. Were they going to do something that was past your boundary? At the thought alone, you began to sob.

“James look what you did, you’re scaring her,” Sirius rolled his eyes as he took you in his arms, shushing you gently as he rubbed your back.

“M’don’t wanna do things past my boundary,” you sobbed, they all softened at the miscommunication. “Oh no poppet, we would never go past your boundary, that’s not what a punishment is,” James sighed, you sniffled and pulled back, wiping your eyes. “No?”

“Of course not,” Remus clarified, “like we said, safe words can be used during any moment you feel unsafe, do you need to use it now? We can postpone the punishment until you’re ready,”

You shook your head, “no, the faster the punishment is over the faster I can be your good girl again,” you whispered.

“That’s right, just focus on that huh? We’ll be so proud of you for taking the punishment like a good girl,” Sirius said, looking over at James and Remus. They all agreed and you wiped your cheeks.

“Okay but how many spanks? And how hard?” You asked, they all thought for a moment, james and Sirius looking over at Remus for the final answer.

“20 or so? That seems fair,” Remus states and the latter agree, you felt confident with being able to handle 20. “But how hard?” You asked, James stood you up and you felt a hard smack against your ass. You yelped, hand going over to rub the now red skin.

“Does that count as one?” You question, Remus was about to say no but Sirius caught him off. “Might as well,” he states, “who’s giving the punishment? Cant be me cause I’ll enjoy it too much,”

“I want James,” you say, but James shakes his head. “You upset Remus' earlier love, I’ll give you 10 and Remus will give you the other,” he says, looking over at Remus to see if he agrees. The taller boy nodded.

After a few minutes of questioning, you had situated yourself on James lap. Sirius laid on his bed, clear view of your now exposed ass (James had previously risen your skirt and pushed down your panties). You took a deep breath, Remus explaining once again that you could use your safe word whenever you needed.

With the first official smack, you sucked in a breath. There was a certain excitement about it, even the boys felt their heart race as James abused your soft flesh with a couple more smacks. Your skin red on both cheeks, James even went as far as to hitting the low of your thigh.

After the tenth smack, you had begun to let tears slip past your waterline. Sniffling as you sat up and moved to sit in Remus' lap. Once sprawled out, you whispered a small choked out “okay” for Remus to continue where James left off.

Remus’s spanks we’re harder than James, by the fourth you had become a whimpering mess. Your apologies for misbehaving leaked out every smack, it was like dominos. Your skin felt raw to the touch, the spanks stung.

Remus applied the last smack quickly, Sirius sitting up as James fell to his knee beside the bed, stroking your hair. “You did such a good job, poppet, made us so proud,” James whispered as Sirius passed Remus some cream.

Your face deep in the sheets, sobs admitting loudly as you feel the cool cream get rubbed into your hot skin. Sirius rubbed your leg, Remus finished and flipped your skirt down to hide your reddened ass.

“Look at that, you took your first punishment so good,” Sirius said, Remus helped you sit up as you wrapped your arms around his collar.

“M’so so sorry, never break a rule again,” you sobbed, vowing to never receive another punishment. Even though they knew a punishment was necessary, they felt their hearts stop at the sound of your cry.

“Oh baby, shh. Let’s get you some candy from your bag,” Sirius says, grabbing the honey duke's bag as he rummages through it. Remus guides you away from his neck, sitting you down in his lap. You hissed, the contact not feeling good on your abused behind.

James had opened a water bottle for you, pushing in a straw and holding it for you to drink. You nodded your thanks and shakily took it, sipping it graciously. Your eyes were puffy and red, James wiped your face with a tissue, cleaning your mascara from your cheeks.

Sirius had opened a pack of peppermint patties for you, you chewed on it gently and leaned against Remus’s back. After they got you calmed down, the praises had been never ending.

“Look at you, took your first punishment so well,”

“Good girl, best sub we will ever have, hm?”

“Took the spanks so well didn’t she, prongs?”

“She’s such a good girl, don’t you think moony?”

You felt dizzy at their compliments, nodding as they all came tumbling in at once. Sirius had begun brushing your hair, James kissing your cheeks to make you laugh.

“So proud of you poppet,” James whispered in your ear, you wrapped your arms around his neck as he picked you up.

“Let’s go run you a bath and soothe your skin hm? Then will bring you dinner and you can rest with us tonight,” James said, stepping into the bathroom.

“Okay, I’d like that,” you nod tiredly, resting your head on James' chest. Maybe being bratty wasn’t so bad.

—

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soulrph · 3 years

Text

𝙾𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚁𝚄𝙽 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙿𝚃𝚂.

u know that gorgeous and underrated plot where one of the muses is being hunted down by bad guys and the other muse either volunteers or gets assigned to protect them and they go into motels and safehouses and maybe there's only one bed and maybe they have to kiss to hide their faces and maybe many things happen of shippy and angsty varieties? i gotchu.

from the bodyguard.

" we don't have much time. grab and pack a bag; you're coming with me! "

" i'll explain everything once we're on the road. for now, all you need to know is that your life is in grave danger, and i'm responsible for keeping you safe. "

" hey, don't give me that look. nobody's gonna think of looking for us in a wedding suite, alright? "

" jesus, where the hell were you?! haven't i been clear enough? there are trained men whose sole purpose in life is to kill you! "

" you can't just sneak off without telling me, damnit, they could've caught and killed you before i ever knew you left the hotel room! "

" y'know, i keep turning it over in my head, but... i keep drawing a blank as to why they're after you. "

" i'll take the sofa, you take the bed. "

" once we get to the safehouse, i'll teach you how to use a gun. "

" yeah... the movies never tell you kevlar leaves a bruise, do they? you're alright, just keep breathing, yeah? we'll get frozen peas on that once we're back inside. "

" hey... come on now, don't get all upset and worried. it's not my first time taking a bullet. this is nothing, trust me. "

" it's not like i planned this. i never felt a calling or anything. the money was good, i had nothing else, so... being a bodyguard just made sense. "

" look at me... it's my job to keep you safe. alright? part of that involves taking a bullet every now and then. "

" shit, they found us! hey, listen to me. go hide under the bed, alright? take the knife, and if anyone tries to grab you, you make sure they lose their hands. i'm gonna go handle this. just... don't come out unless i say so. "

" that's it. i'm done being cute about this. who the hell are these bastards, and what the hell do they want from you?! "

" you any good with a needle and thread? i, uh... i got a little graze on my back. nothing serious, but still... no time to get an infection, right? "

" you... you're bleeding... "

" shit, no, no no no, keep your eyes on me, alright?! come on, stay with me, i'm not through with you yet. this is gonna hurt, but you need to stay awake! don't go to sleep, you hear me?! "

" thank god... i thought i lost you... you would/wouldn't be the first, you know? "

" hey, come on. we're getting a proper dinner, not microwave burritos again. grab your coat; you just survived the first week of being on the run, you've earned a little treat! "

" can't sleep, huh? i get it. the adrenaline, the nerves, sleeping in a strange bed... i'll stay up with you a while. talking kinda helps when you're trying to go to sleep... "

" so... we're gonna need to kiss. i know, i know, but they're headed our way, and it's just for a few seconds, and then we're gonna be in the clear, we can stop and forget it ever happened. deal? okay. come here. "

" next time... if there is a next time, we kiss, i want it to be real. not because our lives are at stake. "

" no, i don't usually kiss the assets... usually i just turn around and cause a diversion so we can escape. i guess you must be special. "

" you realise it's ME that takes the bullet for YOU, not the other way around... right?! "

" hey, hey! take it easy... it's okay... you're safe, alright? it's just me... you had a nightmare, but it's okay. i got you. we're safe now, nobody's gonna find us tonight... "

to the bodyguard.

" so... did you always know you wanted to be a bodyguard? "

" this is your job? you get paid to risk your life to protect mine? "

" i don't need a babysitter! certainly not an armed one! "

" i'm sorry for dragging you into this... you could still go. they haven't seen you, they don't know you were helping me. i don't want you getting killed for trying to help me. "

" yeah... that kiss wasn't to protect our identities... "

" who are these people, and why the hell are they chasing me?! "

" no! i'm not going anywhere with you! not until you explain to me what the hell's going on! who are you?! who were those guys shooting at us?! WHY are they shooting at us?! "

" it... i guess it wasn't real before... but now? i mean... i/you just killed a man... "

" ...they're not gonna stop looking for me until i'm dead. are they? "

" i guess you wanna know why they want me dead, right? "

" you get that scar from helping other people like me? "

" i can't... i won't be the reason you get killed. i won't have it. you deserve a long and happy life, not one stuck in a motel room with me until one of us gets killed. "

" i'm sorry for losing it earlier... i'm just not okay with the idea of you putting your life on the line for me. "

" you... you're bleeding... shit, that was what i heard, wasn't it?! that was meant for me! you took a bullet for me?! "

" they'll never stop hunting for me! you know that! so go! just go! save your own ass, and go! "

" quit following me! nobody else is going to die because of me! "

" so... this is what a safehouse looks like. "

" i don't think a starbucks gift card and a thank you note can really repay you for protecting me for... well, for god knows how long. "

" ...how long's the longest you've been on the run with a person for? "

" you must have a family though, right? do they know about what you do? "

" woah... hey, now, take it easy, it's just me. i'm sorry, i forgot the knock... i wanted to grab you some breakfast from that IHOP across the way... "

" you must get so lonely on this job... "

" no, no... um... w-we could share the bed. right? i'm... i sleep easier when... when there's someone around. "

" wait, don't go! please? i... i don't want to be alone... "

#rp meme #ask meme #sentence starters #dialogue prompts #( i live!!!! kind of. )

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awkwardspontaneity · 3 years

Note

Hello. This is my first request for the Legend of Zelda, so I do not know how to write it correctly. I don't speak English and I'm writing this in a translator, so there may be mistakes here, sorry. In general, I want to see how the reader will react to the fact that Revali, Link and Sidon cheated on her. (something made me feel sad) Thank you in advance ╹▽╹

I'm so sorry something happened to upset you. If it's along the lines of this request give me a name😤👊 anyways thank you so much for requesting!! This ended up being so much longer than I intended but I'm pretty happy with it. I hope this is what you're looking for!

✨ requests are open✨

Warning: angst, cheating

Revali🐦

I think with his prickly nature not a lot of people would stick around long enough to get to know how much he cares

But some bitch saw how much he was training to perfect his powers to help Hyrule and couldn't resist

It started off as bringing him lunches and heat pads after a long day of training and then it escalated

They would wrap his wings up and suddenly he was letting them fix his braids. He never saw it as much more than a fan helping him out but you saw differently

It ended up in a big fight when you finally brought up how Revali was allowing this fan to hang off of him like they were his partner not you. You brought up excellent points like how he took such a long time to even trust you with braiding his hair and that he could at least let them know he's in a relationship.

Revali got upset (probably cuz ur right and he can't admit it) and snapped that at least they appreciated him

Yeah bad move. You walked out and bird brain left to train away the pain

You came across his first and decided to head to the shooting range with some peace snacks but what do you find?

You walk up the slope towards the archery range, a container of Revali's favourite snacks in hand. As you approach you see something sitting inside the hut and assume it's him. Sterling your breath you walk into the hut and what you find takes your breath away- not in the good way either. Revali sat there with his wings wrapped around them, too caught up on their liplock to notice you standing there.

CRASH

The container hits the ground with a shatter, ruining their little scene.

"Y/n-"

"Don't even try it." You wish your voice didn't sound as broken. No matter how much your heart squeezed in pain from the betrayal, you wanted to come off so much different- angrier. Because you were angry. "Just because we have an argument does not give you the right to run off with your new friend."

Revali flinches at the word and you feel a sick glimmer of satisfaction. He opens his mouth to protest, ignoring your glare. "I-I'm sorry." Your glare darkens and he immediately flounders for the right words. "You accused me of something I didn't do-"

Yeah, not the right words. You wish you could do something, anything to hurt him like he hurt you. But you had to be the bigger person no matter how much you wanted to snap that precious bow of his in half.

"I accused you, not have you permission."

"We can work through this, together" his wing reached out to you, but you recoiled to fast.

"We're not together." You walked towards the entrance "I hope it was worth it."

Link 🗡️

Link is a closed off person. Sure he has people worship him for his title as the hero of Hyrule, but he would never let that get to his head. You could tell this boy he's amazing and it still wouldn't get through his insecurities

Maybe it's cruel but, that almost reassured you he would never break your heart like that. You felt secure in your relationship

That's why it was so shocking when you found out he had fallen for Zelda.

It wasn't meant to ever be more than knight and princess. And you never should have found out.

You were walking towards the stables of your party was staying at. It was supposed to be a simple trip to complete some research out in the plains. Of course your trip was ambushed by an energetic princess who begged to come along for research purposes. You couldn't complain because the addition of the princess also came with your boyfriend Link.

Now you were looking for him outside the small ranch. You fully expected him to be caring for Epona like he always did after a long trip. His love for his horse was something you had always loved about him. The way he would stay later than everyone else to make sure she was okay. It had made stables kind of your spot. Hanging out at the end of a long day to talk and spend time together while caring for your steeds.

Maybe that was why your heart felt so utterly shattered when you did find him, standing next to the stable, with the princess in his arms. Maybe you could have fooled yourself into believing he was being friendly if he hadn't pressed a long loving kiss to her forehead followed by both her cheeks, chuckling softly as she giggled.

You knew they had always been close. I mean they spent all their time together. You'd just never thought that Link would do something like this to you.

You walked away from the stables fighting backs the tears in your eyes. It was only when you found you had walked into an older area, a spare shack outside, that you finally let the tears fall. Your heart twisted in pain as sobs tore from your throat.

Why hasn't you seen this? Why weren't you enough?

------

Your research trip was almost over. You had gone back late into the night to find Link on the edge of his bed head in his hands. He had shot up to demand where you had been when you finally walked in and although he looked like he wanted to argue, he accepted that you had been organizing your research supplies and notes in quiet.

That had been 3 days ago. You had spent the research trip sticking close to your colleagues, poring over each plant and testing their uses. The princess was too distracted with her own interests to really notice how you shied away from her presence. Link had though. And he was about done with you brushing him off in favour of your work. You both were busy so not having time was nothing new. But this was different. You couldn't meet his eyes and he had caught you staring at him and Zelda as if you were about to cry before. He was at a loss and now he needed to figure things out for himself.

However he wasn't quite ready for the answer.

"I saw you and Zelda together."

His throat closed up. He wanted to say so many things. How sorry he was. How he wished he could have told you himself. How he wished he could hold you and forget how complicated things were.

"it's okay." Now that, he wasn't expecting. "I thought I could be mad at you. Both of you. But I guess... It just makes sense." You sniffled softly. You really didn't want to do this. You hated that it had to be you who gave up. But we're you really going to fight? No. As much as it tore your heart into pieces, you would stand aside for them. "I wish that things hadn't changed but, clearly you don't feel the same anymore and I don't want to hold you back. I love you. So much. But I don't deserve this, and I won't put either of us through the trouble. I hope you two are happy together Link."

As you walked towards your friends to head home Link felt his heart clench. You deserved so much better.

Sidon🦈

You were a princess from another kingdom, betrothed to Prince Sidon of the Zora. We all know how these things go, neither of you were all that fond of the idea but you would go through with it. For your kingdoms

You tried to be as understanding as possible of the situations, knowing that the prince was just as trapped as you were. So you played along with your parents wishes.

You two went on dates and spent time together, getting closer and closer until finally you kissed him.

Things were great. You were planning your wedding and enjoying the time you spent with your fiance as you prepared for your future

It wasn't until a few days before the wedding when you were trying on your dress that things fell apart.

Your dressmaker had been in a bad mood, grumbling as they worked and even sticking you with needles a few times. You would have brushed it off as a bad day if not for the facts that they seemed so unapologetic.

You finally brought it up, softly asking if there was something wrong and if you could help. They snapped, going off about how you were ruining the princes life and that he didn't love you and was only marrying you for his kingdom and that he deserved to be happy.

They realized their mistake and left quickly, leaving you alone in your wedding dress with shocked tears slipping down your face.

You later made you way to Sidons office, hoping to clear some things up and maybe seek comfort from the one you loved.

What you didn't expect was to find him already comforting someone. Your dressmaker.

You watched as he whispered sweet nothings and reassurances to them. It was when he said no matter what they were the one that he loved when you broke away.

You stood in your room, packed bags beside you. You knew there were better ways to deal with this. You knew that your kingdom was counting on you and thus marriage. You just couldn't go through with it. Not anymore.

"Y/n?"

You sound around to find the Zora princess standing in your doorway. Mipha had become a close friend in your time in the Zora domain, even feeling like family as you worked closely planning the wedding. She had once told you that you were everything she could hope for in a sister and wife for her brother. You guessed it didn't matter in the end.

Finally you choked out pained words "I can't... I just... I can't do this anymore."

"If you are feeling nervous, I can assure you my brother would never hurt you."

This made you laugh. It was cold, similar to the ice creeping into your veins. "He would. And he did." You cut off Mipha's confusion, wringing a hand through your hair, "Sidon is in love with someone else. I made every effort to work through this engagement despite our... rocky beginning. But he didn't choose me back. He never wanted me, and I won't ruin his chance to be happy."

The room was silent after your outburst. You only noticed the tears when your friend wiped them from your eyes. She offered you a small smile, sharing the pain you felt. She was losing you and still understood it was best for you. You needed to move on and save yourself from a life of pain. A life of being chosen second.

"I hope one day we can meet again, sister."

You let out a choked mix of a son and laugh. Hugging the princess before you grabbed your bags and walked out the door, out of the kingdom that stole your heart and crushed it in its hands.

"I love you, always."

#loz x reader #loz link x reader #botw link x reader #legend of zelda link x reader #breath of the wild link x reader #link x reader #botw revali x reader #breath of the wild revali x reader #botw sidon x reader #breath of the wild sidon x reader #sidon x reader #revali x reader #asks #awkward responses #angst #cheating #botw x reader

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everythingfan589 · 2 years

Text

A Work In Progress

Chapter 22: It’s Called The Force

(Part 2)

Warnings: Dom!reader (ish), smut, dirty talk, choking kink

Word Count: 3k

A/N: Second part to chapter 22. You can find part 1 on the story masterlist - sorry for the possible confusion

Masterlist

“Trask is a black market port.”

Bo-Katan explains while the six of you sit around a small table in a back-street cantina. Din to your left and Grogu in a highchair to your right. The Mandalorians weren't too surprised to see him一foundlings being common in Mandalorian culture.

What does surprise you, however, is the three Mandalorians sitting in front of you with their helmets on the table.

Completely exposed and eating. Din sits fully armored beside you. Tense as ever with nothing on the table in front of him.

You’re starved. Yet, the tension around you makes it hard to eat一or maybe it’s just the bowl of slop that seems to be moving. Grogu has no problem eating however, gobbling it down like his life depends on it.

“They’re staging weapons that have been bought and sold with the plunders of our planet.” She continues to explain, for what purpose you have yet to tie together. “We’re seizing those weapons and using them to retake our home world. Once we’ve done that, we’ll seat a new Mandalore on the throne.”

“That planet is cursed.” Din interjects her fantasy with hard-hitting truth. “Anyone who goes there dies. Once the Empire knew they couldn't control it, they made sure no one else could either.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear. Our enemies want to separate us. But Mandalorians are stronger together.” She argues strongly, her position on the matter solid.

“That’s not part of my plan.” Din rejects her idea once again, but this time she hesitates. Not in a loss for words一but she’s calculating.

“And what is your plan?” She asks skeptically, eyes flicking over to you, then the baby. “Live the rest of your life as a bounty hunter fending for two helpless creatures? Mandalorians are warriors. We raise warriors. We must reclaim our home if we are to return the Mandalorian name.”

You can see his hands twisting into fists under the table. You’re not sure which part of that angers him the most. That she dares to recite his Mandalorian vows to him as if he has not dedicated his life to them while she sits there with her helmet beside her dinner plate一or that she just insulted you and Grogu.

“They are not helpless.” His voice is calm despite his moment of silence to collect himself. “They are Jedi.”

This nearly makes you gasp. If you had taken the bite of your chowder like you were planning to you probably would have even choked. While you understand that they are Mandalorian which makes them trustworthy一you can’t quite believe Din was so blatant.

Bo-Katan’s head snaps to look at you. Eyes widening一the first sign of any emotion from her other than determination and pride.

“You are a Jedi?” She asks in shock一another tone to her voice you don’t recognize.

“Not officially. I’m not trained一” You try to keep your voice hushed, remembering you’re in a public cantina.

“Of course your not. You’re too young to have trained in the temple.” She interrupts you for what seems like the third time, but her voice doesn't sound judgemental. Merely stating facts. “But, training with other Jedi doesn't make you a Jedi. Trust me.”

Something about the way she says that makes you think she knows more than she’s letting on.

“Do you know a Jedi?” You ask, the mystery in her voice drawing you in just as she planned. Studying you with narrowed eyes, she decides whether or not to continue. Finally drawing breath.

“I know where one is. Yes.” You’re not as experienced with avoiding subtle manipulation一but Din picks up on it.

“Can you tell us?” With your question, her eyes flick over to Din一both communicating in a less than civil manner with nothing but their eyes.

“I can.” Yet her tone doesn't sound resolved as she continues to keep her gaze locked on Din. “But first, we need your help on our mission.”

“Mission?” You question, looking between her and Din before you glance over at the other woman who just cocks her brow at you.

Neither of you signed up for this.

“It’s just a job. It won’t take long.” Reluctantly, Din had agreed to join the Mandalorians on their mission to intercept a cargo ship and seize the weapons on board. You didn't ask him to. In fact, you’re nearly against it.

“I don’t want you doing this for me. Me and the kid...we’re fine.” You explain, following him through the hull of the ship while he collects his weapons.

The others are waiting on the roof, lounged and ready to go at a moments notice, but giving you two time.

He’s been like this since you got back to the ship. Serious and laser focused on nothing but preparing himself一like he always is before leaving for a job. Walking from storage container to weapon chamber, you hot on his tail while he tucks things into his belt and clips his jetpack onto the rest of his armor.

“You both deserve more. More answers.” He speaks so casually一not even looking up一yet the words melt your heart through to your stomach.

“I know, but it’s一Din一” You finally decide to hold out your hand and grab his arm. At the gesture he finally stops and looks at you.

“Yes?” His voice is so soft. It doesn't help the fact that you don’t want him to go. But, after a second of looking into his visor一as gentle as if you were looking into his eyes一you just sigh. You know he won’t change his mind. It’s rare that he does after he’s set it to something.

“Be safe.” A light smile from you and his shoulders release at your words.

“I’ll be back soon.” His hand lifts to your cheek in reassurance. You lean into it instinctively, leather rough against your soft skin, but comforting all the same as his thumbs ghosts over your cheekbone.

As you stare at each other, you can’t help but think about the moment you shared by the lake. You were seconds away from seeing his face. From sealing the bond you share together with the most meaningful act a Mandalorian knows.

The thumb stroking your cheek comes to a halt, as if reading your mind. But, before he can say anything, you break the silence.

“You better.” You offer him a smile as his head tilts in amusement, something just short of a chuckle pushing through his chest.

“Try not to miss me too much.” He jokes, and it surprises you enough to stall a laugh, but it bursts through you anyway.

“Oh, I got plenty to do here to keep me busy.” You step back, pulling out of his lingering grasp, a teasing expression on your face before you tilt your head towards the door.

He only grunts in amusement as a response before grabbing his blaster. Giving one last look to the kid who sits absentmindedly on a crate, he heads towards the door and climbs the ship.

You wait a couple seconds before following, poking your head out just in time to see four jetpacks bursting to life and carrying them up through the air.

Turning back to the ship, you spot Grogu sitting with his hands in his lap waiting patiently for your instruction.

“Well, kid, how’d you like to learn to reassemble a lateral stabilizer?” You ask in the most enthusiastic voice possible.

His ears turn up in excitement一you’re not sure whether or not he actually understands, but he starts to babble in eager response.

So, you distract yourself by fixing the ship with your helpful little baby.

He’s in pain.

Clear to you as the two suns on Tatooine. You try not to picture the bruises likely littering his body underneath his beskar armor一blaster hits still pack a punch even with the impenetrable metal. He’s trying so hard to cover it up and you can tell.

“Din, if you’re hurt, let me help you.” You go to him, taking his rifle from where he was about to put it away一doing it for him so he can sit down.

When he had returned from the job, he was alone. The Mandalorians had taken more than the weapons abord the ship一they had taken the ship and are currently off world somewhere compiling their new fleet.

“I’m fine.” He huffs, slumping against the wall he sits in front of, head leaning back. “Just took a couple hits.”

“A couple too many. Did you run into the open fire?” You wince at obvious state he’s in一knowing a couple hits is more likely a couple dozen...then some.

When he doesn't answer you, only responding by turning his head away slightly you sigh in defeat, closing the door to the weapons storage.

“You did. Didn't you?”

“Just need a second.” He grunts, dismissing what you’re implying but you know it's true. The man ran head on into a rapid fire of plasma, probably to protect the other Mandalorians. You can’t say that you’re surprised as you make your way back over to him.

You had fixed all components of the ship necessary for flight before putting the child to bed, the night growing late and tiresome for everyone, but especially him. You’re already changed into your night clothes一one of Din’s shirts that hangs just above your knees and nothing underneath but underwear.

“Did...did you…” You’re not entirely sure how to ask.

“Corvus.” He says without a moment of hesitation. “There’s a Jedi on Corvus.”

Surprising you, something erupts in your chest like a flutter of nervous butterflies. The realization that you might meet someone like you. Someone like the kid. Someone you can talk to and relate to. Someone who can explain all of it from personal experience. It’s thrilling.

“Hey.” His soft voices pulls you back down. Head snapping back to him, you smile sheepishly.

“Let me help you.” You echo yourself as your heavy steps lead you in between his legs.

One of his hands comes up to touch your hip, trailing down to your bare thigh and staying there. Just touching you while his eyes look you over.

He doesn't answer you. But it isn't his usual silent confirmation you’ve come to know一he’s just purposefully quiet. Head back and gazing at you through the blank visor.

With a sudden burst of confidence, you swing your leg over his一settling yourself in his lap gently while he continues to look up at you. Your hands glide up his chest and settle over his shoulders. Straddling him is nothing new, but this time, something about it makes you feel powerful.

“What are you thinking about?” You ask, tilting your head slightly. When he doesn't answer you, remaining in stubborn silence, you slowly grind down into him一half-hardened bulge responding to you instantly.

“You.” He says simply, hands sliding up your exposed thighs. You love the feeling of him touching you一it’s easily your favourite feeling in the world一yet you want something else right now.

Your hands leave his shoulders and instead grab his wrists一pulling them from your thighs and holding them at his sides. This is the only time his position falters. Even with the helmet, you see the slight shift in his view as he looks down in confusion.

“Hands off.” You mumble, squeezing his wrists once in warning before releasing him and moving your hand down to his covered crotch.

“Why?” His voice is strained while you stroke his covered erection. This makes you smirk in pride.

“Won’t let me help you一so you can’t help yourself. That’s the deal.” You bargain一until his hands leave his sides and latch onto your thighs tighter than before.

“I never agreed to that deal.” Even winded, his voice is stern.

Without thinking, your hand leaves his crotch and instead holds over his throat. This surprises both of you. His hands leave your thighs as your eyes settle on your small hand around his thick neck. You’re both breathing heavily一you wouldn't be surprised if you’re fogging up his visor.

“You liked doing this to me, didn't you?” You’re surprised at the dominance in your voice, soft tone yet demanding of his answer. Memories of that afternoon on the ship when he took you against a wall一hand on your throat.

He doesn't speak. You want an answer.

You start grinding down on him again, tighting your grip on his neck一not enough to really do anything. He likely can’t feel anything through the material of his cowl, but the image of you on top of him, hand on his throat, is enough to have his cock pulsing.

“Answer me.” Your hips move in a circle and a strained breath filters through the modulator一a signal of weakness.

“Yes.” Short, strained, and everything you were hoping for leaves his lips as he grudgingly accepts your power.

“Do you like when I do it?” You can tell he’s doing everything in his power to not give in to submission, but when you tighten your grip once again一a strangled moan escapes him. “Oh, yes, you do.”

“Fuck.” He mutters under his breath一pride shielding the fact that he’s absolutely living for the energy you’re giving him right now. Battling himself to not say fuck it and grab you. Throw you against a wall and fuck you for thinking you can overpower him in such a way.

But, he doesn't. He stays expertly still, allowing you to have your moment while he practically drools beneath his helmet.

Removing your hand for a moment, you grab the hem of your shirt and slowly pull it from your body. Tossing it somewhere in the ship before settling your hand back where it belongs. Your other hand reaches down and works to pull him free from his pants.

Once exposed, you lower your hips, move your panties to the side, and grind your cunt along his length, back and forth.

He’s groaning now, unashamed and unaware at the feeling of you already soaked. It’s heaven. Warm heaven running along his length while at the same time brushing against your clit.

You’re moaning with him, biting your lip to try and prevent it. Wanting him to be the one to fall apart, not you.

“Ask me.” You whine, grinding faster to amplify the pleasure shooting up your core from the pressure on your clit.

“Ask you what, pretty girl?” At this you do moan, frustrated that he’s still managing to have power while you’re on top with a hand on his throat.

“Ask me to fuck you.” Amidst his groan, you can almost hear him chuckle.

“You want me to beg?”

“If you want to be inside me, you will.” You’re amazed at yourself for the ability to hold together at this moment. Wanting nothing more than to crumble and just take him anyway.

He’s hesitating. He’s already relinquished so much power一yet the act of letting you be in control is turning him on more than he thought possible. Finally, after another moment, he speaks.

“Please.”

“Please, what?” You smirk, trying to not let your excitement read through your voice.

“Please, fuck yourself on me.” Those words were not what you expected, but it shoots right through you. “Use me.”

You can’t wait any longer. Taking the hand not over his throat, you reach down to grab his achingly hard cock and line him up with your wet entrance. You begin to sink down on him一breaking yourself open.

Both of you moan together at the feeling. Tight walls closing in around him as his head leans back against the cold wall of the ship.

You’re only halfway down when an alarming beeping sound rings through the hull, snapping you both out of your lustful trance.

You nearly jump off him in surprise, but his hands shoot up and hold your hips still. Both of you wait for the sound to pass一something you can tend to later一but it doesn't stop. The sound continues to filter through the ship until you hear the sound of the baby crying from the bedchamber.

“Dank ferrik.” Din grunts a curse as you pull off him and stand. He tucks himself back into his pants uncomfortably while you grab your shirt thrown carelessly on the floor.

“What is that?” You ask in a panic, knowing practically everything about the ship but never having heard that sound before.

“It’s a distress signal.” He hisses, bounding over to the ladder and climbing up faster than you’ve ever seen. Fixing your panties, you hit the button of the chamber to reveal your crying little baby.

“Come on. It’s okay. Just an alarm.” You pick him up, cooing him softly to try and calm him down. You climb up the ladder, now with the calming baby, following Din to the cockpit.

“What do you mean?” You can hear Din’s heavy voice as the sliding door opens and allows you to walk into the cockpit.

“He’s alive. We saw the footage.” Your eyes widen at the familiar sound of Cara Dune’s voice. You’re behind Din in an instant, looking at the hologram of Cara on the console, looking extremely concerned.

“Who’s alive? What happened?” You ask frantically. She wouldn't have sent out a distress signal if it wasn't serious. Her little static blue eyes glance up at you, brow notched in worry.

“Moff Gideon.” Her words strike a chord of terror in your gut.

This can’t be right. He can’t be alive. You all watched his ship crash in a fury of smoke. He couldn't have possibly survived that. And, if he did, that means the child can’t be safe.

Someone must have tipped him off from Takodana.

It was him.

“We found a recording taken after we thought he was dead. He hasn't given up.” She explains, concern evident in her voice before saying your name softly and pausing. “He...he wants you.”

“What?” Din snaps, red hot anger shooting through his voice.

“He knows what she is. Said something about your blood. You have more of it than the child.”

“I’ll kill him.” Din says it casually, but you know he’s completely serious. You place a hand on his shoulder before all the pieces finally fall into place.

“We need to find that Jedi.”

#din djarin x you #din djarin smut #din djarin fanfiction #din djarin x reader #din djarin #the mandalorian x you #mandalorian x reader #mandalorian fanfic #the mandalorian #smut #smut with plot #fanfiction #fanfic

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theirbbygirl · 3 years

Text

Second Lead Syndrome

Word Count: ~8.7k words

liked this? there’s more on my masterlist!

Genre: Angst, Fluff, Comedy, Female reader insert

Description: Y/n and Minho have been friends for more than 2 years now, but suddenly she begins to see herself as the mere second lead in Minho’s story. Will she be the rare second lead who gets her own happy ending?

Warnings: some crying, themes of unrequited love (if there’s anything that I missed don’t hesitated to let me know!)

I’d only ever encountered Second Lead Syndrome in the dramas I’d watched. Wanting the girl to end up with the second lead who was so obviously the better and healthier choice, but like every avid watcher of kdramas, it's more than likely for the main leads to end up with each other, that was just how it worked. What I never thought I’d encounter was seeing it happen before my own eyes and experience it firsthand.

Life was never supposed to be a kdrama. Life was supposed to be simple, a straight line, going from point A to B with no complications. But life never really went my way did it? It just had to throw in one variable, one man that had too much influence on my life.

I couldn’t remember the first time I met Minho. It was probably sometime in the first grade when his family first moved in next to mine. But alas, we were both too young to remember exactly what sparked our friendship. One day we were strangers and the next we had given our parents a near heart attack when we both went after a stray cat on the way back home (my mom’s words, not ours). From then my memories were filled with him, just us besties hanging out like anyone would with their best friend. First party, first mental breakdown, first drink, all with him. Soon enough we were in our final year of University, and ultimately, adults.

The Minho I knew was laid back, not too extroverted but not too introverted either. While I completely contrasted him, always anxious about something, wanting perfection to the T, and completely and utterly introverted. Our friendship, moving into University, sparked a lot of questions. You wouldn’t typically find the introverted straight-A student with the borderline badboy tsundere walking and laughing in the halls together, spending practically every waking moment together. But Minho didn’t care, and neither did I, so we moved through life pretty easily.

One of the few things we had in common was our love for cats, and when we both foudn out there was a cat cafe just a few minutes walk from our campus, you best bet we spent too much of our time and money there. Studying, hanging out, anything you could imagine. If we weren’t in one of our dorms, we were more than likely to be in the cat cafe.

Every day after class we’d go there and we’d complain about our least favorite professors and how lectures would seemingly last for longer than they should. Additionally, Minho had almost become akin to my own dormmate with how much time he spent in my dorm. He’d come in whenever he wished, stealing my frozen pizzas and sodas, using my Netflix account on my TV to watch weird National Geographic shows and make random comments like “that snake looks just like Kim Seungmin,” or “look its Hannie” whenever a squirrel came on screen. Minho was always there when I needed a drinking partner after bombing a test or assignment, pouring me shots of soju until I passed out and bringing me to my bed and tucking me in whiel he would sleep on the couch to make sure I wouldn’t do anything stupid in the middle of the night.

Although, more people knew Minho’s name than mine, but that didn’t bother any of us. We continued on being friends as usual, and it felt like nothing would change that. Life was moving in a straight line like it should’ve always been.

At least, that’s what it felt like until February, just a few months before we graduated.

I make my way to our usual spot in the courtyard after buying an iced coffee and a snickers bar from the vending machine next to my classroom, I walk up behind Minho sitting on a bench when I find him staring out in front of him instead of looking at cat videos on his phone like he usually does. Slowing my walk, I trail my eyes to the vague direction he’s facing and see that he’s looking at Kim Seungmin and a girl chatting outside the classroom. I ignore the thought, opting to think that Minho must’ve spaced out thinking about how he would irritate Seungmin next class. I plop down next to him when he still doesn’t take note of my arrival, so I get right next to his ear and blow cold air into it, snickering when he jolts in surprise.

“What was that for?” He whines, fake annoyed.

“You got lost up in your thoughts for a certain Kim Seungmin there.” I snicker some more, opening my snickers (hehe) bar.

Just as I’m about to take the first bite of the sugary goodness, the chocolate bar gets snatched out of my hands and a certain Lee Minho takes an obnoxious bite out of it, not even giving it back but eating it like it was his. I pout, watching him devour my snack, knowing that I couldn’t do anything to get it back.

“For your information, I was not thinking about Kim Seungmin.” He says pointedly, slightly muffled by the chocolate in his mouth.

I sigh, knowing I wasn’t going to get that chocolate bar back any time soon, and open my iced coffee. “So what were you thinking about then?” I ask before taking a sip.

“Don’t know, spaced out.” Is all the answer I get and I highly doubt him, but I brush it off anyways and don’t pry.

Minho and I slide into our usual conversation about assignments, plans for the week, and everything under the sun. We talk about how he’s planning to visit home the next day and stay for a weekend and how excited he is to see his cats after a long time, I unknowingly smile at his ramble about how talkative Dori is, and just sit back and listen. I never took into account how healing it was to just watch and listen to him talk, the sultry of his voice and his little exclamations of frustration or excitement that came once in a while. I had to catch myself from staring when he turned to look at me, having asked me a question I didn’t catch.

“Sorry what was that?” I ask.

“Am I that beautiful for you to have lost your hearing to my handsome face?” I couldn’t just tell him that that was basically what had happened, it would inflate his ego by too much and reveal everything I’d hidden thus far.

“The heck? No, I was thinking about how great it would be to get some peace and quiet while you’re not around this weekend.” I lie, having Minho around is the only thing that brings me entertainment that isn’t endless sappy kdramas on my laptop, but he can never know that.

Minho scoffs, says something under his breath that I don’t quite catch, then turns back to me. “You love me.” He says with a pout.

“Unfortunately I do.”

That was the first of many inconspicuous confessions.

It was nearing 3 or 4 am and I was about halfway done with another kdrama when several knocks resound through the small living space. Knowing exactly who it is, I only shout back “you know the code!” and moments later the door opens.

I don’t bother to get up and greet Minho, this exact scene has happened too many times for either of us to care at this point, and it doesn’t surprise me that the moment he enters he shouts, “Honey I’m home!” like we’re in some cheesy romcom.

“Mhmm, welcome home, leech.” I enunciate the last word purposely, but I know he won’t bat an eye at the term. I continue to chew my popcorn while he wanders through my cabinets, looking for snacks. “There’s chips in the cabinet next to the fridge and sprite in there too. If you want more food order Chinese takeout.”

“I don’t have my wallet.” I can practically hear his pout from where I sat, eyes unmoving from the TV screen.

“You know where mine is, but you have to pay me back.” A few seconds pass with no response until suddenly he’s next to me and kissing my cheek.

“I loveeee you!” He says too sweetly, retreating back to the mini-kitchen to order takeout.

“Mhmm, I love you too.” I say, not loud enough for him to hear the confidence missing from my tone.

Continuing to watch the episode of in front of me, I remain in my comfortable position, only moving to lift my legs when Minho comes back to sit on the couch under my legs and the blanket.

“Oh you’re watching this one?” He asks, reaching into the bowl of popcorn I offer him.

“Yeah, didn’t have anything else to watch so I put it on since everyone seems to like it so much.”

“Mm,” he hums while also indulging himself into the scenes playing in front of him. “You’re probably team potato guy, right?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course I am!” I scoff.

“I don’t know, I still think she should end up with Jae-eon.”

“Are you crazy? He literally leads her on like every playboy and is ruining her mentality by not defining their relationship.”

“Yeah, but they’re so cute together, and you can totally tell he feels something for her.” He argues.

“Just cause they’re cute together doesn’t mean they’re good for each other, the entire guy is a walking red flag, I don’t understand why she doesn’t just walk away when she’s had experience with a shit boyfriend.” I sigh.

“You, have major second lead syndrome.” He points an accusing finger at me.

“So what? It’s for good reason, the main lead is toxic as fuck and you can’t change my mind.” I upturn my nose, turning back to the TV and continuing to watch the episode.

The mentioning of the second lead sends a flurry of thoughts into my brain for a reason I can’t comprehend. Sometimes the main leads aren’t that bad but still we want the main character to end up with the second lead, maybe out of our own natural selfishness because we prefer the second lead more. I shake the thoughts away, trying to convince myself that kdramas were only works of fiction and too cheesy to be real, yet for whatever reason I always felt a connection with the second leads, like our emotions directed to our crushes were the same, because I knew that I would always be the second lead in Minho’s story.

Minho’s name was always called out more times than mine was growing up, which I didn’t really mind until our hangout time would be seriously cut down because he had to hang out with other friends. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that he had friends, but there was a little bit of selfishness in me that wanted him to myself.

A new drama and a few episodes later, plus Chinese takeout, lead to our eventual demise. We both fall asleep on the couch in less than comfortable positions and wake up with stiff-neck, us groaning at the pain.

We continue on with our usual morning routines, taking turns freshening up in the bathroom before heading out for breakfast at Paws and Pastries since we were both too lazy to make food ourselves. Besides, hot coffee in the morning plus good sandwiches AND cats? What more could you ask for?

When we enter the cat cafe I notice a familiar face behind the cashier, it was the same girl Seungmin was talking to on Friday, and the same girl I caught Minho staring at. We walk up to the cashier, I order my food first, a simple breakfast sandwich with a coffee to go with it and wait next to Minho to finish ordering.

I made the mistake up glancing up at his face as he was telling his order to her, Ahra, her name tag read. There was something in his eyes that glinted that I had never seen before, not when he talked to Han and not when he talked to me. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of emotion in the middle of my chest before forcing myself to look back down, inserting my card and paying for everything. I sent the girl a thank you and a kind smile after she told us our food would be right over, and both me and Minho went over to our usual table in the back corner next to the cat’s jungle gym and right up next to the window. I get lost in my thoughts while we begin playing with the cats we were so accustomed to.

Like most second leads, I knew exactly what my feelings were. I was practically an adult, how could I miss the fast beating of my heart or my clammy hands whenever I was around him? But again, like most second leads, I knew I’d never get a chance with him, not when everything we did together was purely platonic. It was painfully obvious that I’d be stuck with an unrequited love for who knows how long, and I couldn’t just detach myself from him all of a sudden to get over my feelings because a) he’d notice and force me to tell him what was wrong, ultimately leading me to tell him that I had feelings for him, and b) the moment I would come back or see him for even just a second I know I would develop those feelings all over again. Neither of which were choices I was willing to take so I suck it up and see him every day, ignoring everything my heart was telling me.

I look up from the cat that I’m petting in my lap and look at Minho again, only to find him staring at Ahra who was taking people’s orders with a perfect pearly smile. It was in that moment that I knew, I had just found the female lead of Minho’s story.

3 weeks go by in a similar manner. Minho and I see Ahra around campus a few times and with some twisted fate, she’s on the clock every time we go to Paws and Pastries. Minho, being his smooth self, easily gets himself acquainted with her. They laugh and giggle so naturally and can slip into conversation so easily I’m almost envious of Minho and his non-introverted self.

Not being one to try and stop fate, I watch it all happen. Telling Minho to ask her out already and teasing him about how lovesick he gets when he sees her nearby or at the cafe. I know Minho likes her when he blushes or gets defensive whenever I mention her in our conversations even though he’s never explicitly told me himself. I put on a face in front of him whenever these conversations come up, not wanting to get in the way of his happiness.

One day some of our friends want to meet up outside of campus, we make plans to meet up at a bowling alley, ready to have fun until the late evening hours. Seungmin brought Ahra along with him, asking if it was okay to invite her since they were friends. Everyone agrees and we all meet up as planned. When everyone gets there, including Seungmin and Ahra, we introduce ourselves, Minho not having to introduce himself and easily speaking with her like they always did whenever running into each other. All the the boys have raised brows and mischievous smiles as they watch the interaction between the two, but only one looks at me in concern.

A majority of the night passes by with laughter and teasing, how Chan was terrible at bowling this night and Minho easily beating him despite never doing too well on our previous adventures to the bowling alley. I spend the night with the rest of the boys, while Minho and Ahra spend time getting to know each other even more. There’s a point in the evening where I see Minho hold out his phone to Ahra to exchange numbers, I can hear her giggle when they take a selfie together, probably for her profile picture. I have to turn my head away quickly to ignore the cracking of my own heart when Minho puts his arm on the couch behind Ahra, he does it so naturally, yet he’s never done it with me. I will my thoughts to focus on the game and not on Minho, not noticing the same pair of concerned eyes until they speak up.

“Are you alright?” Hyunjin asks.

“Hm? Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?” My voice cracks halfway through and I try to hide my sad eyes, even though I was fully aware that Hyunjin had probably noticed that something was up.

“‘Cause you seem pretty affected by that scene over there.” He motions to Minho and Ahra with a nod of his head.

“It’s nothing, Hyun, just nice seeing Minho talking to more people.”

“Y/n, you know he talks to people all the time, and you’re not nearly as affected then as you are now.”

“Hyunjin, really, it’s fine.” I try to convince him but he says something that lets me know that he knows.

“You like Minho.”

“What? No that’s absurd I-“ He looks at me pointedly, and I sigh in defeat. “Yeah, okay, you got me.”

“Why don’t you say anything? Clearly it hurts you to see him like that.” He refers to Minho getting cozy with her.

“Hyunjin, it’s clear that everything we have is platonic, he even called me his sister several times. And who am I to get in the way of him getting into a relationship? That’s not my place to say anything, especially when his last girlfriend was 2 years ago.”

“I get that, but shouldn’t he at least deserve to know? He says that he knows everything about you, but there’s one thing that he doesn't. You know practically everything about him, isn’t it a little unfair?”

“We have choices as to what we share with each other and what we don’t, it’s his choice to tell me what he wants to and my choice to tell him what I want to tell him. Besides, he hasn’t even told me that he has a crush on Ahra yet.”

“So maybe he doesn’t then.”

“Hyunjin, just look at him, he’s a puppy in love.” I glance back over to Minho and Ahra sitting parallel to us. Minho is smiling brightly, more brightly than I had seen in a while and I can’t help but let my lips upturn at the corners just slightly in another sad smile.

Hyunjin sighs next to me, and I look back to him. “I’m sorry y/n, I really wish he would end up with you instead of her, it doesn’t seem fair to you.”

“Hey, don’t say that, Ahra seems like a nice girl, she and Minho will get along great. And nothing in life is fair Hyunjin, that’s just something you come to accept.” I say, getting up. “I’m gonna get some drinks, does anyone want anything?” I ask everyone.

“Cola!” “Me too!” “Me three!” “A lemonade please.” A few of the boys shout back.

“Anything for you guys?” I turn to Minho and Ahra. They both shake their heads. “Okay then, I’ll be back in a minute guys.” I smile at the group before going to get the drinks.

While walking away from the group I let a teardrop fall from my eye, wiping it away just before I order.

Life’s unfair, that’s just something I have to accept.

A week goes by and Minho’s talking about how he and Ahra message often, how he thinks they get along well and he’s gonna ask her out.

Another week goes by and they’ve gone on their first date, he takes her to the beach and they have a picnic.

Two weeks after that they’ve gone on several dates and are officially boyfriend and girlfriend, I don’t even find out separately at this point, I find out with the rest of the group over dinner.

A few days after that Minho calls off one of our late night binge watching sessions, texting me an apology and that Ahra needs him. I tell him it’s okay and to send my regards to her.

It’s a week and half after and Minho regularly calls off our meetups at the cafe after school or at one another’s dorms to tend to Ahra. I tell him it’s fine each time and to not feel bad. He did the same today, and I sit alone at our usual table, mindlessly petting a cat in my lap while zoning out into in my mug of coffee.

All while this happens, I watch, and I let it happen. I don’t fight for him because it didn’t feel right, sometimes second leads let their love fall for someone else, and that’s all it felt like I could do.

Fighting for Minho felt selfish, especially when I knew I had no chance and he’d already fallen for Ahra. I couldn’t suddenly come out of the blue and tell him “hey, I have feelings for you,” when he’s already dating Ahra, I’d look like a major asshole if I did. All I could do was watch and see how we begun to drift farther and farther apart.

With Minho being absent more often, I don’t get to tell him much. Like the internship offer I got to continue pursuing graphic design in Itaewon. I got the email almost a week ago, and I had two more weeks to decide if I was going to take the offer. With nobody to consult about it with I continue to push it to the back of my mind, not wanting to deal with more stress just yet.

Just as I’m taking another sip of my coffee a familiar head of long blonde hair enters the cafe. My head tilts to the side in confusion as he scans the room for someone when he meets eyes with me, he makes his way over and sits in the seat in front of me and doesn’t say anything.

“You’re rarely on this side of town, why are you here?” I ask Hyunjin first.

“I heard something from Ms. Kim in our art class and needed to know if it was true.” He says seriously.

“What…” I feel like I know what he’s going to say, but I ask anyways. “What did you hear?”

“That you were offered an internship in Itaewon.”

“Hyunjin I-“

“Is it really true? She said you had two more weeks to decide, how come you haven’t told anybody? Does Minho know? Are you gonna leave? What about-” He begins to spurt out question after question and it’s almost too much for me to handle.

“Hyunjin!” I raise my voice just slightly to get him to stop but I have to turn it down again when the volume of my voice makes a few of the other customers’ heads turn. “Calm down, yes it’s true, yes I have two more weeks to decide if I’m going or not, I didn’t know how I would tell any of you, no, Minho doesn’t know and I don’t plan on telling him.”

“Are you… Are you gonna take the offer?” He asks slowly.

I prop my elbows onto the table as the cat leaves my lap and my head drops into my hands as I sigh in exasperation. “I don’t know.” Tears are gathering in my eyes as I think about it.

“Y/n, have you thought about the offer at all?”

“Yes and no.” I don’t need to lift my head to sense Hyunjin’s confusion. “It’s hard to think about it when you’re watching your crush of 2 years date someone else while you’re also trying to finish up your senior year. But it’s also all I can think about when I’m alone, which I find myself a lot, thinking about having to find a place to live in Itaewon and transfer and mentally prepare to leave you all here, but if I don’t take it then it’ll be even harder to find an offer like this. It’s all I can think about and also something that I can’t bring myself to think about, Hyunjin.” I lift my head and my teary eyes meet his own.

“Y/n…” His voice breaks saying my name.

“I think I’m going to take it.” I pause. “Once I finish all of my final assignments the only thing I have left to really worry about is graduating and finding a job, and I don’t think I can take watching Minho and Ahra anymore Hyun, I don’t think I can stomach it. I’m happy for them, I truly am, but it’s also affecting me and I don’t think I should ignore that anymore. If I’m in Itaewon I have a job and I won’t have to worry about feelings anymore, two birds with one stone.”

I see the hesitancy in Hyunjin’s facial expressions before he speaks. “If that’s what you think you should do, then I’ll support you all the way. But shouldn’t you tell Minho about this?”

“I’m not, because if I do, Minho is gonna find some way to get me to stay and I’ll crumble and stay because he affects me the most.” Hyunjin merely nods in response. “Hyunjin, you are the only one that can know about this, okay? I can’t have everyone else know this, especially Minho, okay?”

Hesitation again, and then, “Okay.”

Hyunjin keeps his promise, he keeps the secret of me leaving from everyone. Even as graduation inches closer and our group begins to talk more about job searching, what comes next, and similar topics, the two of us keep it a secret. Whenever they asked me what I was thinking of doing next I always just told them “oh probably looking for internships nearby,” and no more questions are asked.

Minho and Ahra were still very much in love, even more than before, if the growing absence of Minho’s presence was anything to go by. I barely saw Minho anymore, maybe catching him at the end of the hall every once in awhile, but he was always walking with Ahra so all I could say was “hello” and “goodbye.”

Each goodbye begun to hold more and more weight as the days passed. Even the short ones I would tell Minho after passing him in the halls. I couldn’t even conjure how I would tell everyone, maybe send a letter to each of their places? A text message? Tell them after the graduation ceremony just before I left for the train station? I thought about how I would say goodbye as I begun to pack up my dorm. Graduation was nearing, I had already turned in all of my final assignments, and all there was left was to pack. I would leave after the ceremony ended, sometime in the afternoon. I wouldn’t even get the chance to properly celebrate being graduates with my friends because I was leaving in the afternoon. I’d get situated in my new apartment in Itaewon and get accustomed to new life outside of Gimpo.

The thought of leaving panged my heart harshly, I had never left Gimpo permanently before. Sure, I had gone on trips to the US and Singapore and Seoul before, but I had never moved from Gimpo. I was born and raised in Gimpo, met Minho and all of our friends here, so the thought of moving for the first time did something to my heart. I attended all of our group hangouts with a nostalgic mindset, remembering the first time we all met, when we all got wasted one time on a Friday night after some big exam week. I look around our table of friends and think about how much I’ll miss all of this when I leave for Itaewon.

Another thing that panged my heart, Minho and I distancing. I knew it was coming, Minho and I didn’t text or talk about hanging out anymore. He walked Ahra to her classes now, and had dates with her after class instead of meeting me at our cafe. Eventually I stopped getting apology messages, and stopped expecting him at the cafe anymore. I couldn’t blame him, Ahra was his girlfriend and I accepted that long ago. Instead I just played the supportive friend on the sidelines, and I’d continue to play that role for as long as I had to.

It came to be the night before we graduated, and all of us minus Minho and Ahra were sat around a table in one of the restaurants we frequented, it wasn’t too late in the evening, and we all just sat in silence after finishing our food with bottles and glasses of soju now sitting in front of us. A majority of our meal was full of reminiscing, talking about memories that crack everyone up and left smiles on our faces.

“So, we really graduate tomorrow, huh?” Changbin says when the table quiets down.

“Yeah, I guess we do.” Chan says quietly.

My eyes tear up and I begin to sniff without control, the weight of my department tomorrow weighing heavily on my shoulders. Hyunjin puts an arm around my shoulders and gives me a tissue, whispering “it’s okay, it’s okay” to me while I try to calm down.

Everyone looks at me in confusion before Chan speaks first. “Y/n are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I just…” I trail off, not sure what to say.

“Do you want to tell them?” Hyunjin asks softly.

“Tell us what?” Seungmin says this time.

Hyunjin looks to me first before nodding, and I begin to spill my secret. “I got an internship offer.”

The table erupts in cheers and I get congratulations thrown back at me before I can even continue.

“But…” Immediately everyone silences and looks to me in expectation. “It’s in Itaewon.”

There’s a tense air that falls around us. “What?” Felix says in disbelief.

“You’re not leaving us, right Noona?” Jeongin asks from another part of the table.

I look to Jeongin with sad eyes, smiling sadly. “I leave tomorrow, after our graduation ceremony.” There’s some gasps around the table.

“What?! Y/n, why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Changbin blows up and Chan has to place a hand on his shoulder to restrain him.

“I didn’t want every time we met leading up to graduation to feel like a goodbye, Bin, I couldn’t handle that. So I kept it from you all so there wasn’t this tension every time we met.” I explained.

“Does Minho know?” Seungmin asks this time, and I shake my head.

“Y/n…” Han says worriedly.

“Guys, I know I’m not the only one that’s noticed that me and Minho aren’t that close anymore, so I haven’t really gotten the chance to tell him. But I told Hyunjin this a long time ago, that I wouldn’t tell Minho specifically, because there’s some things that I need to figure out and if I told him he’d find some way to keep me from going, or even worse, follow me. At least with Ahra by his side he won’t follow me to Itaewon.” There’s nods all around the table, understanding where I’m coming from.

“We’re gonna miss you a lot.” Felix sniffs and I coo, getting up from my seat to wrap my arms around him from behind.

“I’m gonna miss you all too.” I sniff with him, a few tears escaping my eyes.

Chan comes to join our hug, then Han, then Jeongin, and soon enough everyone has joined the group hug with me in the middle. All of us are crying, and I had never felt more loved than that moment.

Eventually we break away from the hug and return to our seats, everyone dabbing at their eyes with tissues and sniffing.

“Let’s all stop crying, tonight is a night to celebrate, all of us graduate tomorrow, and our dear Y/n got an internship offer in a big city!” Han holds up a drink and we all do the same, cheering and clinking our glasses together and celebrating the night away.

The next morning I get ready for graduation early, putting on my makeup and doing my hair, and sending a message.

to: [cat dad who’s a leech :D]

hey, can you meet me at p&p in thirty?

My heart picks up the pace as I send the message, I didn’t expect him to answer so quickly yet his message pings my phone within 2 minutes.

from: [cat dad who’s a leech :D]

sure, i can be there

to: [cat dad who’s a leech :D]

sweet, i’ll see you there

I turn my phone off and take a deep breath, we still had a few hours before we had to be at the school for our graduation ceremony, I’d have to leave just a few minutes after the ceremony ended which wouldn’t give me enough time to tell Minho, so, I made the painful decision the night before to tell him in the morning. I’d do it in our favorite spot in the corner of our favorite cat cafe, tell him the news slowly and hope that he takes it well.

I leave my house and 15 minutes later I’m in our usual booth, my coffee order sitting in front of me and the cats all wandering around as there weren’t too many people since it was relatively early in the morning. I already bought Minho his typical Iced Americano and it sat in front of me, awaiting it’s owner.

10 minutes later Minho arrives and makes his way to the table, sitting in front of me, smiling, unknowing of what’s about to happen.

“Hey.” I smile at him.

“Hey you.” He smiles back brightly. “Sorry I couldn’t see you guys last night, I took Ahra out for dinner last night on a date.”

“It’s completely alright, how are you guys?”

“Pretty good, things are going okay right now.” He answers.

“That’s good.” Nervously I take a sip of my macchiato in front of me, my leg bouncing in anxiety.

“Y/n? Is everything alright? Your leg’s bouncing pretty fast right now.” Curse Minho and the fact that he knows so much about me, he reaches out for my wrist and checks my pulse, quickly noticing how fast it’s beating as his brows furrow in confusion.

“Minho, there’s something I need to tell you.” I say, retracting my wrist from his grip. He doesn’t answer me but instead tilts his head like a cat does when it looks at its owner questionably. “I’m leaving.”

“What?” He asks.

How could one look so endearing, head tilted and eyes full of emotion as I break the news to him? I ask myself. “I got an internship offer for a company in Itaewon, I accepted it and I’m leaving for Itaewon, today.”

“You’re leaving today?” He says in disbelief, sounding out of breath.

I nod and continue. “After the graduation today I have to catch my bus. I didn’t have any other time to tell you so I had to tell you now.”

“You’re… You’re just telling me now? Do the others know about this?”

“I only told them last night.”

“You couldn’t have thought of telling me sooner?” He starts to get angry.

“Minho I-“

“What happened to telling me everything, huh? What happened to when we used to know everything about each other?”

“Minho, those days are long behind us, you have bigger priorities now, like putting your focus on your girlfriend, Minho. I couldn’t tell you because I knew you’d do something rash, and I didn’t even tell the others until last night because I knew every time we’d see each other it would be like preparing for the day I leave. You and Ahra have something so great going on for the two of you right now and telling you that I was leaving would take you away from that, and I can’t do that to you or her. Ahra is an amazing girl, and you have her now.”

“Will you at least visit?” His eyes are full of tears, some of the first I’ve seen in years and I hate that I’m the cause of it.

“I don’t know yet, there’s some things I need to figure out myself first, before I can visit. But at some point maybe I will, when I’ve figured things out I’ll try visiting from time to time.” I offer him a sad smile.

After a few moments of silence I get up from my seat.

“We still have a graduation left, Min, I’ll still see you then.” I ruffle his hair and walk out of the cafe, no more secrets but one weighing down on my chest.

The Graduation ceremony passes by in a blur. One moment we were listening to the speeches of each of the professors and the next we were tossing our caps into the air, cheering as we became alumni of our university.

Our friend group met up in the front of the school, taking pictures with our parents and congratulating each other. Eventually, the time comes and I have to go.

Our group stands in a circle, unmoving, as we all look at each other.

“I’m gonna miss all of you so much.” I say in tears as my voice breaks.

“We’re gonna miss you too, Y/n.” Hyunjin says. At his words everyone gathers into a group hug full of tears and the weight of a goodbye on our shoulders.

“You better promise to visit us, okay?” Felix holds me by the shoulders and makes a point to look me in the eye. Not trusting my voice, I nod and he brings me into one more hug.

I hug each of them individually, saying a few words, before I reach the last person.

I hug Minho and look into his eyes for the last time for a while.

“I’ll miss you.” He whispers.

“Me too.” And that’s all I can say.

I leave the campus for the last time, hopping in my car to head to the station and start anew.

Second leads always leave in the end, they leave and let the two main leads have a happy ending. That’s what it felt like I was doing, and I couldn’t tell if I was content with my choice or not.

Two and a half months in Itaewon passes quickly.

The move into my new apartment was smooth, and it was odd to be in a bigger space than a small dorm room. It felt like I had more space than I knew what to do with.

My internship was moving along smoothly as well, everyone I had met so far were really kind and taught me a lot. I was worried about feeling out of place but I had met a few other girls not much older than me who helped me feel at home.

Being alone in a big city was unnerving, but what made it so much more comfortable was the addition of a cat that my parents had bought me as my graduation gift. She was a chartreux cat who I named Luna because I had always dreamed of naming my first cat that. My parents covered most of the costs of basic things like cat toys, a scratch post, her bed, and similar things. I thanked my parents endlessly when they came over to my apartment a week after I had moved in and gave me Luna. I wasn’t gone for too long during the day and always left food for her, she was great company when I came home and worked on projects late into the evening, curling up into my lap like the cats at the old cafe used to. She was my best friend in a city I was still getting accustomed to.

I hadn’t talked to the guys much, I’d talked with them a few times in the group chat about how their job searches were going and trips they were planning to take soon. It was nice talking with them every so often but all of us were still pretty busy moving onto the next chapter of our lives.

I hadn’t talked to Minho since I left, I’d assumed that he and Ahra were doing well, but that’s all that was, assumption. None of the boys talked about him and I couldn’t understand why, but I never asked since I was supposed to be moving on from my feelings in the first place. I thought I had been doing pretty well until something would come up that reminded me of him, like his favorite song would play in the cafe I bought my morning coffee in and spent my breaks at, or snapchat would send me “Today, 1 year ago” memories of him and me fooling around at Paws and Pastries. Whenever that would happen I’d be sent back to square one, and it felt like I’d never move on from Minho.

I was on my way out to grab a coffee and spend my off day walking around, maybe looking into a few shops when I got a call from Hyunjin.

“Y/n! My favorite girl, how are you?”

“Hyunjin? What’s with the call?”

“What? Can I not call my friends from time to time?”

“Not when you’re notorious for calling your ‘friends’ after you’ve done something wrong.” I sigh.

“That was one time! Besides, it wasn’t that bad.”

“You dragged Jeongin to a party! And got him wasted!”

“One. Time. Y/n. It was one time.”

“One time is enough for you to be in trouble for life, Hyun.”

“Okay, whatever, but I was meaning to ask you, what’re your plans for today?”

“Me? I was just planning to go out, today’s my day off so I was gonna visit this one cafe and see some shops, why?”

“No reason, what time do you think you’ll be home?”

“Maybe five?”

“Great, okay, I have to go now, Han’s calling me, bye!” Hyunjin hangs up before I can ask him what’s with the weird questions.

“Hyunjin- Oh great he hung up.” I put my phone in my pocket before looking down at Luna who’s stretching near my legs. “Your uncle Hyunjin is quite the odd one, isn’t he Luna, hm?” I ask her and she meows back in response. “Weird indeed, but that’s just how he is. Mommy’s gonna spend her day out and then she’ll come home and we can watch the TV together, okay? I’ll be home soon.” I pick up Luna and set her on her little bed before ensuring everything is safe and make my way out the door.

I spend the day eating at a large cat cafe that actually had an assortment of books with little reading areas while the cats roamed around everywhere. It was much bigger than the cafe in Gimpo, but I would always correlate that one with home.

After I spent a bit of time reading there I went out and explored the shops for a few hours, bought some new jeans and a few blouses plus some makeup things. I got Subway for lunch and explored just a little bit more before heading home. Instead of going straight home, I decided to take the long way, going through the streets not minding the extra weight the few shopping bags I was holding in my hands gave me. The sun was just barely beginning to set as I walked into my apartment complex, getting into the elevator and pressing the button for my floor.

I walk down the hallway to my door and am surprised when a familiar figure greets me there.

“Minho?” I say as I walk closer.

“Y/n!” He says happily, bringing me into a hug.

“What are you doing here? Actually- Wait- Don’t answer that, do you wanna come inside?” I ask him.

“Sure.” He responds.

I unlock the door and bring my bags in, setting them by the door. “Luna! Mommy’s home!” I call out automatically.

Luna meows and comes out of the bedroom, walking her way up to me before I pick her up.

“You got a cat?” Minho asks.

“Yeah, parents brought her to me about a week after I moved in.” I put Luna back down and she moves to sit on the arm of the couch, her favorite spot to sit when the sun goes down.

“And you named her Luna,” He smiles fondly. “You always wanted to name your cat Luna.”

“I’m surprised you remember that.” I chuckle. “Do you want some coffee?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll get that brewing, just give me a few minutes, you can take a seat on the couch and make yourself at home!” I tell him as I quickly retreat to the kitchen.

I have to take a few breaths when I’m far away enough from Minho, my heart beating just as fast as it would when I was around him back then. It was clear I hadn’t moved on at all.

I brew the coffee as promised and wait next to the coffee machine with two mugs ready. A voice chimes in behind me.

“Your place is much bigger than the dorms.” He chuckles.

“Tell me about it, it was so weird buying more furniture than I was used to.” I laugh with him.

The machine finishes brewing the coffee and I pour it into the two mugs, putting it on a tray with creamer and sugar before bringing it all to the coffee table in front of the couch.

Minho and I take seats on the couch, separated by a bit of space between us while we sip on our respective mugs.

“So,” I start the conversation. “How’s home?”

“Not too bad, same old same old, the guys being annoying as usual, you know?” He says.

“Sounds fun.” I chuckle. “And work, have you found anything yet?”

“Not yet, I’ve got a few applications out, but I’m still waiting on some answers.”

“I’m sure you’ll get them soon.” I respond.

An uncomfortable silence sets over the both of us, and I run my free hand through Luna’s fur who’s situated herself in my lap this time. I take a long sip of my coffee before asking another question.

“How’s… How are you and Ahra?”

“Oh…” He trails off. “We broke up a few weeks ago.”

“I’m sorry to hear that…” I had no idea that he and Ahra had broken up, in fact that was the completely opposite of what I thought had happened since they seemed to work together so well.

“Yeah, it was a mutual thing. We didn’t really feel that kind of connection anymore, you know? So we just, broke it off.”

“Are you okay?” I ask Minho.

“Me? Yeah, I’m actually not as affected as I thought I’d be, I don’t know if that makes me a cruel person or not but I was only sad for the first week or two. Nothing too bad.”

“I see.” Another silence settles between us. This one is longer, more tense, there was something Minho wanted to ask but he wasn’t sure, and I couldn’t depict what question he was going to ask.

“Actually, I came her for a reason.” He says.

“And what reason is that?” I ask hesitantly.

“For answers.” My brows furrow, answers for what? “There’s something Hyunjin told me recently and it got me thinking, and I wanted to hear it from you if it was true.”

I finish my coffee and place it down delicately on the coffee table, trying not to show how nervous I was with how badly my hands were shaking. “I’ll see if I have answers for you then.”

“When you told me you were leaving, you said you had some, things, to figure out on your own. What was it that you had to figure out?”

I take a moment to decide exactly how I was going to answer his question. Did I want to expose my feelings to him just yet? “Just, feelings.” I say vaguely.

“For?”

“Just feelings for somebody.”

“Is it Hyunjin?”

“No.”

“Chan?”

“Nope.”

“Changbin?”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Me?”

I pause for just a half second, and apparently that was all Minho needed. “I guess Hyunjin’s big mouth was right after all.”

“Wait- What? What are you talking about?”

Minho takes a long sip of his coffee before finishing letting out a sigh after swallowing, he slowly sets the mug on the table before making direct eye contact with me and silently killing me with the suspense. “Minho please just say something you’re killing me here.”

He only chuckles in response. “Hyunjin told me not too long ago that you took up the offer to work here because you were going to sort out your feelings, for me.” He says sweetly as I suck in a breath at his last words.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Minho-“

“Now now, Y/n, we shouldn’t hide things from each other anymore, should we?” His sweet, sultry voice was affecting me greatly as he leaned closer to me on the couch. I gulp and silently curse when Luna, the only thing keeping me sane, leaves the comfort of my lap for her scratch-post.

“Minho…” I let out quietly.

“Tell me, Kitten, is it true?” He asks once again.

“I-“ My voice catches in my throat when Minho leans in ever nearer, still making direct eye-contact with me. “Yes, it is.” I sigh out and Minho backs away.

“He was right.” Minho whispers while my gaze drops to my hands that I fiddle with in my lap at the secret that’s let out. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m sorry.” I whisper.

“Why are you sorry darling?” He asks softly and uses his thumb and forefinger to tilt my head up by my chin.

“I couldn’t tell you because I knew you didn’t feel the same, and then when you got together with Ahra we drifted apart because it hurt me to see you with her. Then I left and told you about me leaving so last minute. I made you cry, Minho, and I hate that I did. But I couldn’t see any other way out of it. I hurt you because I was cowardly and didn’t want to be selfish by telling you and having your attention move off of Ahra, when I was really being selfish by not telling you and hurting you in the end.” More tears escape my eyes as we look at each other.

“Princess, no…” He cups my face with his hands and uses his thumbs to wipe away my tears. “I’ll admit, it did hurt when you told me that you were leaving the day of, but I understood where you were coming from. Because you were right, I would have done something crazy to keep you by my side. Do you know why?” He asks, and I shake my head, still crying. “Because I need you by my side, kitten, even when I was dating Ahra I felt off but just didn’t pay any mind to it because I had her. But now I know it’s because you and I were drifting apart, I found out when after you left and me and Ahra broke up because I felt empty. I couldn’t text you to just come over anymore because you’re farther away from me now. I lied earlier, I said that I sent out some applications for jobs but didn’t get any answers yet, right?” I nod. “I got offered a job as a software engineer, here, in Itaewon, and I said yes.”

“Why?” I whisper.

“Because I want to be near you, I need to be by your side Y/n, because I love you.” I let out a sob at his confession and he coos, bringing me to rest my head on his chest and rubbing his hands on my back and running them through my hair.

“I love you too.” I say after a few minutes.

Minho brings me out of his hold, and cups my face again. For the first time, he kisses me. His lips brush over mine before deepening the kiss, taking full charge of it yet somehow still being soft with me. His kisses were nothing short of addicting, and I knew I’d be in love with him for a long time.

In that moment, kissing the man of my dreams, I remember that it may be rare that a second lead gets their own happy ending, but it’s not unheard of. Sometimes the main lead and second lead do end up with their own happily ever after.

Notes from the author: I have FINALLY posted something y’all 😂 took a few months but she’s here, and she’s dishing out something at least. I don’t know how often I’ll be posting again, esp with school and whatnot, but I do know I need to drain out my drafts because phew, it’s getting a little full in there.

But anyways, I hope you enjoyed this fic! I’m pretty sure it’s one of the longest I’ve written if not the longest. Hopefully it wasn’t too bad, I’m probably a little rusty but we can fix that (i think)

if you want more I still have my old stuff up on my masterlist on my account! hope to see you around :))

-nyx

#skz ff #skz fluff #skz fanfic #skz fanfiction #stray kids fanfiction #minho fluff #skz minho fluff #skz angst #yOU KNOW I KNOW LEE KNOW #skz lee know #lee know #lee know x y/n #tags are annoying sigh #lee minho fanfiction #stray kids scenarios #stray kids fic #stray kids fluff #stray kids angst

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mochegato · 3 years

Text

Even the Losers

Chapter 2

Chapter 1

Bruce watched Lucius, or more specifically his hands, with a well concealed hostility. If you didn’t truly know Bruce or weren’t well versed at reading suppressed emotions, you could believe it was just another artificially polite expression. But Lucius had known Bruce since he was a child and Marinette hadn’t spent years fighting an emotional terrorist for nothing. “I haven’t seen you all night and now I find you coopting this beautiful young lady’s time,” Bruce observed, his mouth tight.

Marinette eyed him apprehensively, subconsciously taking a half step back. Her whole body stiffening. Lucius took note of the change and moved slightly between the two of them and laughed politely. He wasn’t sure what caused the change in demeanor but he still wanted to try to cultivate a business relationship with the young lady. When they got the fabrics working, they would need a designer and she was not only clearly the perfect candidate for the position, they had already been considering her before everything she’d said during their dance.

“Sorry, Mr. Wayne. I assure you I was not avoiding you in favor of a prettier face,” he chuckled. “Although I’ve been informed elusiveness seems to be a quality I exude unintentionally.” He winked at Marinette who smiled weakly at the attempt.

Bruce chuckled with him, tight and short exhales, his eyes never softening. “I wouldn’t blame you at all. She certainly is lovely.”

Marinette’s chest hollowed out, all the breath in her evaporating out of her chest as though it had never been there. “Kind of you to say,” she rasped out just barely looking up to meet his eyes.

“Just saying the truth,” he assured her with more sincerity. His eyes finally managed to soften as he looked at her, but immediately hardened again when he returned his gaze to Lucius. “I’m sorry if Lucius has been keeping you captive. I know he likes to talk and it can be hard to get him to stop, especially when he’s taken a particular interest in something… or someone.” His eyes sharpened on Lucius as he spoke. Lucius only raised his eyebrow in response, leaning back slightly as if to see Bruce a bit better.

Marinette immediately straightened back up, her eyes hardening. All evidence of uncertainty and unease shattering as she did. She had been the one to approach M. Fox. She had been the one to coopt his time. She had been the one manipulating the situation. And now M. Wayne was going to try to twist this on M. Fox, who had been nothing but gracious and kind. “I was just discussing innovation and the application process with M. Fox,” Marinette responded coldly before Lucius could. “He was polite enough to entertain my questions. He has been quite polite and charming and professional.”

“Were you thinking of working for WE?” Bruce asks perking up slightly.

“You couldn’t pay me enough,” Marinette scoffed out before she could stop herself. She immediately mentally face palmed. This wasn’t the time for this. Now was about Max, not her. The mission had been successful she wasn’t going to blow it now by letting M. Fox see her overreactions.

She let out a breath and looked back up with an overly wide smile. “As I mentioned to M. Fox, I’m not really interested in technology. I couldn’t imagine anything more boring than staring at numbers and code all day long,” she laughed in the way she’d seen Adrien laugh at events like this, an empty, meaningless laugh meant to indicate a lack of interest in the topic rather than actual entertainment, leaning toward Lucius as she said it, hoping to pull him into the conversation and rescue her from.

“It’s not my favorite part of the day either,” Lucius smiled graciously. “I imagine you would still be good at it,” he assured her, “but I can’t say I blame you. I would likely react the same if faced with bolts of fabric and thread.”

Marinette smiled politely, grateful to him for the reprieve. “Well that sounds interesting,” Bruce interjected. “Perhaps we can discuss what would interest you during a dance.” He motioned toward the dancefloor and held his hand out toward her.

Marinette glanced down at the hand, a weight settling in the pit of her stomach. If she gave in he’d have her for the duration of the song. One-on-one. No escape without creating a scene. Trapped by the same societal conventions she’d used against M. Fox. “Surely you must have more important guests to attend to,” she offered instead.

“I do not,” he assured her, sincerity radiating from his eyes.

Marinette opened her mouth to say yes, resigning herself to her fate when she felt a hand on her hip. “There you are M’lady. I lost you in the sea of people for a moment.” Adrien prompted her to turn slightly so he could look her in the eyes. “You okay?”

Her shoulders, she hadn’t even realized had worked their way up to almost touching her jaw, instantly relaxed. She gave him a relieved smile and squeezed his hand. “I’m good, Kitty. Thank you.”

“Is this your date?” Bruce inserted, eyeing him coldly, but held his hand out to him. “Bruce Wayne.”

Adrien gave him his practiced, social smile, perfect for galas with strangers and potentially hostile associates. “Nice to meet you, sir. This is a very nice gathering. Very kind of you to do this for the orphans,” his tone was bordering on openly hostile but keeping to the socially acceptable side of the border. Marinette choked at the statement. She hadn’t really thought about the intent of the gala since she’d made the plan. When she’d made it, the purpose hadn’t had any bearing. But now…

“Thank you. It is an important cause to my family and myself.” He missed the way Adrien squeezed Marinette tighter at his words. “You mentioned talking to Mr. Fox about innovation at Wayne Enterprises. Perhaps you would like a tour of the building. I can arrange one personally for you.”

Adrien pulled his lips into a tight, sickeningly artificial smile. “How very generous of you. Unfortunately, we won’t be in town that long. We are scheduled to leave town Tuesday.”

Bruce looked between the two, forcing his body to not stiffen at Adrien responding for Marinette. “Tell me about yourself, son,” Bruce smiled stiffly, noting that he had artfully left out his name, not that Bruce didn’t know it already, although the physical proximity to Marinette was unexpected.

It took almost all of Marinette’s experience as Ladybug to keep a poker face instead of letting her jaw drop in offense. “Why don’t you let these young people dance, Bruce,” Lucius interrupted, detecting Marinette’s increased discomfort. “After all, it’s cruel to make the young have to endure making conversation with the old guard like us.” He turned to Marinette and Adrien with a kind smile. “Make sure you don’t miss your opportunity to dance tonight.”

Marinette smiled at him gratefully. “Not at all, M. Fox. I found our conversation very fascinating. Thank you very much for sharing your time with me. It was much appreciated. But I will take you up on your advice.” She turned to Adrien and motioned to the dancefloor. “Shall we?”

“Always,” Adrien smiled. “Gentlemen.” He nodded to them and guided Marinette across the dancefloor, taking great care to escort her as far from them as he possibly could. He glanced around to make sure the men couldn’t see them and pulled Marinette into a comforting, all-encompassing hug. “How are you really?”

Marinette held him tightly and buried her head in his chest. “I’ll be okay. I just… Thank you for the save.” She laid her head on his chest as they swayed to the music. Her breath slowly shifted from shaky to more steady. She lost track of the number of songs that passed while she found her voice again. When she could breathe normally again, she stood straight and smiled at Adrien. “It worked.”

“It worked?” Adrien asked excitedly.

Marinette nodded and had to stop herself from doing an entirely inappropriate victory dance. “He wants to meet Max on Monday. Well, me too,” she cringed slightly, not looking forward to being involved beyond what she had done already. “But! But, he was floored by Max’s invention. Like completely floored! And knows about Rabler now. He did not look happy at all about the news.” Her grin widened as she remembered the encounter. “I think Max is really going to be taken care of. It went so well!” she squealed.

Adrien grinned back and hugged her. “We have to let Max know.”

Marinette nodded. “He’ll call us when he’s done. We just need to stay up until then.”

Adrien nodded. “Coffee it is then. Do you want to leave now or look around?” Marinette looked around quickly. By the time she looked back at Adrien, her eyes had lost their light. She looked exhausted suddenly, drained by the experience. Adrien gave her an understanding smile and squeeze. The mission was over. She didn’t need to be in mission mode anymore, or at least not high alert. She just had the meeting on Monday and she was done. Now she could stop blocking any potentially interfering emotions and actually let herself feel again. “Let’s get out of here and find a coffee shop then. We can take it back to the hotel and watch bad movies until Max calls.”

Marinette gave him a weak smile. “Maybe popcorn and candy and drinks instead,” she offered. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Sooooo many drinks and ice cream.”

Adrien laughed and slung his arm over her shoulder to help guide her and comfort her at the same time. They wound through the crowd making their way to the exit and freedom, where Marinette could finally breathe freely. They had almost made it to the doors when they heard someone call Adrien’s name. Adrien looked around and cursed under his breath. “Hey again.”

“Leaving so soon?” Tim asked. He looked between the two with a concerned expression. It was awfully early in the night to leave already.

“Yeah, I think so. It’s a nice event but I think we’re ready to go home, take off the stuffy clothes, and drink,” he gave him a charming, conspiratorial smile. Nobody their age wanted to be here and they all knew it.

“Oh that sounds like a brilliant plan,” the blonde woman next to Tim grinned. “I wish we could do that. But we have to at least wait until the announcement. And we can’t drink. But it would help handle events like this.” She gave them a wide smile and held out her hand. “I’m Stephanie. Nice to meet you.”

Adrien smiled politely back. “Adrien. Hi.”

Marinette smiled civilly. “Marinette. Nice to meet you.”

Stephanie’s smile widened. “Oh Timmy, make sure to keep this one away from Bruce. Black hair, blue eyes, looks beautiful but haunted. He’ll adopt her in an instant.”

Tim laughed and rolled his eyes, drawing Stephanie’s attention to him, both of them missing the way Marinette and Adrien balked and Marinette’s entire body went rigid again. “Bruce’s breaking that habit with today’s announcement.”

Adrien paled slightly. This could go nowhere good, but it was like watching an akuma hit someone when you’re too far away to help. It was going to happen no matter what. The damage would be inestimable and all he could do was watch as it got worse and worse. “Oh?”

“Yeah, our new brother… or rather their new brother, I’m not officially adopted, just unofficially the favorite child,” Steph winked at them. Tim huffed playfully but didn’t contradict her. It was easier to just let it go. “Anyway, the new Wayne doesn’t have blue eyes. Does have black hair, is beautiful and looks haunted, so maybe it’s just the blue eyes that don’t matter so much anymore.”

“N…new brother?” Adrien stuttered, struggling to keep his voice even and polite. The normal reaction to such news would be interest and happiness. Well, they certainly had his interest. The happiness part though… He pulled Marinette tighter as he sent her a furtive look. She was doing an admirable job of masking her response but he knew her. He knew the signs. He knew her lips were a bit tighter than usual. He knew her jaw was clenched harder than was normal. He knew her breathing was harder than average. He knew he shouldn’t be able to feel her pulse from here.

“Yeah!” Stephanie enthused. “Duke.”

“We were supposed to wait for the announcement,” Tim chastised with no real heat behind his words. “But yes. That’s what this gala is really for. To officially announce the adoption of Duke Thomas. So, yet another ‘poor orphan’ joins the rest of us,” he joked. “I swear Bruce just can’t help himself. He sees a kid and instantly feels the need to protect and help.”

“So thoughtful,” Marinette rasped out, pretending like her entire chest wasn’t breaking apart and disintegrating in front of them. “You must all be so excited.”

Tim looked at her for a moment but before he could analyze her tone or body language, they heard someone tapping on a microphone. “That’s our cue,” Stephanie squealed. “Looks like you might make it for the announcement after all. It was nice to meet you if I don’t see you after.” Tim and Stephanie waved before making their way to the stage.

Once the two were gone, Marinette’s eyes bulged as Tim’s words reverberated in her head. This whole thing was to introduce a new child, another new child he took in, another addition to his family, another child he wanted and brought into his life instead of throwing them out. Her eyes darted among the family members as they all made their way up onto the stage. All standing behind the new member, smiling at him, hugging him, eyes shining in acceptance for him. One big happy family, not wanting for anything… or anyone.

Marinette didn’t realize she had stopped breathing until her body forced a deep gasping breath, knocking her out of her stupor. She tore her eyes away so violently, she stumbled back, or maybe it was just that her resilience had disappeared with the words. They should not be here. They… she should never have come. This was a stupid, terrible plan. She had no right to intrude. She had no right to be here… for this.

Her heart raced out of control. Her whole body started shaking. She couldn’t breathe. Why couldn’t she breathe now? But suddenly there wasn’t enough air in the room. Why wasn’t there air? There had been air before, hadn’t there been? She remembers being able to breathe earlier. She thinks. Maybe she made that up. Maybe she hadn’t been able to breathe since she stepped in the room.

She stumbled again and reached out for support, never doubting it would be there for her. Adrien responded instantly, bringing her into his chest and quickly guiding her out of the gala. He whispered comforting and reassuring words as they moved, throwing empty smiles at anyone who bothered looking their way, as though helping his drunk date home, nothing scandalous or even unusual, nothing to look twice at.

They missed the eyes searching the crowd for them and the quickly covered up frown at finding them missing.

Chapter 3

Tags:

@maribat-bdbwm @jayjayspixiepop @redscarlet95 @alice-hazelwood @deathssilentapproach-blog @unoriginalmess @alyssadeliv @emotionalsupportginger

#maribat #bio dad bruce wayne #bio!dad bruce #roynette #Even the Losers #mbdbwm2021 #prompt - family/friends

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dorohedoroclub · 2 years

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✨💖 DOROHEDORO VALENTINE GIFT EXCHANGE 💖✨

Since we weren't able to host our annual Dorohedoro Secret Santa, we decided to hold another event to make up for it!

(Deadline for gift submissions will be the end of march)

Please note that while this is a Valentine's event, the event is not focused on romantic couples or “shipping”!! Valentine's day is a day to celebrate all kinds of relationships and friendships; to show love to those who mean the most to you!

If you wish to sign up for the event, contact us at [email protected] (put "Dorohedoro Valentine" as the subject) with the following information:

Nickname/name:

An e-mail where we can reach you:

Favorite characters:

Favorite friendships:

Favorite pairings:

Would you like the gift you receive to be romantic in nature, or would you prefer a piece more focused on friendship? :

Likes/preferences: OPTIONAL. If you have any specific requests, you can list them here. Keep in mind you might not receive what you've requested as it is entirely up to the gift creator to decide what to make. This is simply meant to serve as possible inspiration.

Things that you don't wish to create or do not wish to receive: If you don't feel comfortable with creating or receiving content with certain themes, tell us here!

Will you be drawing or writing your gift?:

Do you have a preference to receiving drawing or writing in return?:

After you have signed up for the event, wait for us to contact you from the event e-mail with more information regarding the person you were paired up with! We are planning to send out the pairs on February 14th. Make sure to check your spam folders in case the message gets filtered. We will be posting announcements on how the event progresses on our Tumblr, dA and Twitter so if you haven't received mail when these posts go up, seek us out so we can solve the problem. We're not ignoring anyone on purpose!

We are sorry but if we do not receive at least 6 participants the event can’t be hosted.

If you are not 100% sure you can deliver your entry, PLEASE DO NOT PARTICIPATE. We don't want anyone to work hard on their gift just to not receive anything in return. Of course we understand life can get in the way sometimes, but please reach out to us about any possible problems. If you fail to send your gift and do not return our emails your gift will not be delivered to you either. (TL;DR don't be an asshole and don't disappear after signing up.)

#dorohedoro #gift exchange #valentine gift exchange #drhdr #ドロヘドロ

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makeste · 3 years

Text

BnHA Chapter 315: I Didn’t Expect This to Blow Up

Previously on BnHA: Horikoshi was all “guess which plot that you thought was dead is actually not dead and is making a comeback!” and we were all “EVIL HPSC??” and he was all “girl you know it,” and that’s the story of how we got a sexy Lady Nagant flashback with lots of guns and murder. Flashback!Lady was all “gotta murder peeps to preserve the people’s trust,” but then a little while later she was like “actually wait that makes no sense,” and so she shot her evil boss and they sent her to jail. Back in the present, Deku was all “okay fair, the hero system might in fact be a little fucked up, but hear me out... have you considered not helping AFO take over the world so he can murder like a bazillion more innocent people??” The chapter ended with the not-all-there Overhaul finally revealing himself to Deku, and I honestly have no idea where this is gonna go.

Today on BnHA: In what is unfortunately the single worst plan ever concocted by anyone in BnHA, Nagant is all “I’m going to try and get this Deku kid to panic and freeze up by putting someone in mortal danger.” Deku is all, “[doesn’t panic and freeze up at the sight of someone in mortal danger].” Nagant is all “omg no way.” Deku, who is now all of a sudden being so OP that even I have to acknowledge that it’s OP lol, is all “[smashes Nagant’s gun arm to bits]”, which sucks but is also really cool, and which also apparently makes Nagant decide that she actually likes this kid after all. Deku is all “NAGANT I REALLY LIKE YOU AND THINK YOU’RE GREAT SO PLEASE JOIN UP WITH ME AND STOP BEING EVIL.” Nagant is all “aw shucks (✿ •͈ᴗ•͈) well okay then” and everyone is all “( ･◡･) ✰ ( ˆᴗˆ ) ( ᵘ ᵕ ᵘ ⁎)” and then Nagant FUCKING EXPLODES LIKE AN EGG IN THE MICROWAVE AND FALLS TO HER DEATH!!!! except not really because Hawks saves her??? In conclusion, (a) THE FUCK, and (b) AFO TURN ON YOUR LOCATION I JUST WANT TO TALK.

so I have to tell you guys something, which is that barely ten minutes after I made that “please don’t send me spoilers” post the other day, someone replied to the comments in a stunning fit of “tell me that you’re twelve without actually telling me you’re twelve” energy and posted what seemed to be the copy-pasted spoiler summary from reddit or twitter or whatever lol. so here is my good news/bad news rundown of all that

good news: I have very well-conditioned ABORT!! reflexes and have trained myself to immediately look away from the screen (usually in dramatic fashion) as soon as I realize that whatever I’m reading is a spoiler

bad news: unfortunately as I was subsequently deleting said comments, I accidentally read the very last one

good news??: said spoiler was so unbelievably, absurdly over-the-top that I’m almost positive this person was just trolling. like, there’s just no way lmao

bad news: but in the unlikely event that it is true I will absolutely lose my shit I swear to god

(ETA: “NAGANT DIES.” that was the spoiler I read lol. like, literally all I read from the person’s comments was “My Hero Academia Chapter 315 Title: “Beautiful Words.” Chapter starts with...” and then I noped out of there, and then of all the comments to read as I was deleting, it had to be that one lol. I seriously was just like “SURE, JAN.” all “just how gullible do you think I am” sob. but I was wrong. a troll, but an honest troll they remain.

but anyways like I’m pretty sure Nagant isn’t even actually dead lol, so in the end this whole little adventure doesn’t even have a point to it, but for me it was a journey!)

anyway, so there are apparently two versions of the chapter today?? no idea what the difference is, but I’m going to go with the Bean version, because it’s the one at the top and I don’t feel like making decisions today

huh, so Overhaul is actually more coherent than Horikoshi was letting on

look at him having a whole back and forth conversation with her. side note, how is he still this jacked when he’s been sitting in a cell doing absolutely nothing for the past six months

anyway so he says he’ll go with her on one condition. I wonder what that condition could possibly be. do you think it could be the thing he literally hasn’t shut up about ever since he reappeared lol

yep! and damn -- maybe this guy will surprise me after all

still would be nice if you also felt a bit sorry for the little girl you tortured and traumatized, but this is something at least. maybe Deku will yell at him for that other stuff lol

(ETA: also can’t help but wonder if he wants to make amends because he put him in a coma, or because his plan was a failure and ended up destroying the family. just hoping you’ve finally had that “hurting other people is bad” epiphany dude.)

anyways so now Nagant’s arm is transforming again, and this particular transformation happens to be the only truly unsexy thing that Nagant has done thus far so I’m just gonna skip right on ahead lol

aaaaand we’re back to the delirious ranting

buddy. just. read the fucking room, guy

wow she really is aiming at Overhaul, then. those theories were spot-on

damn she’s really out here all “it really fucks with kids’ heads when you kill people right in front of them and make them blame themselves” like yo

I’m picturing her saying all this in a very loud stage-whispery tone while making very significant eye contact with Deku lol

uh oh but wait

um. okay. who’s gonna tell her. Nagant I might have some bad news for you about the kid you’re trying to capture here. specifically about the way he tends to do the opposite of what you’re thinking that he’s about to do

holy shit

so it’s basically just “tap x repeatedly to charge up your attack” lol

and okay, so that’s cool and all, but is anyone else wincing at the thought of what that must be like on his knees. oh to be young

anyway, but so to the surprise of basically no one, Deku did not, in fact, freeze. I am very sorry, Nagant. he’s just like this

LMAO

someone wanna tell me how getting yoloed in the fucking ribs by this fucking slingshot kid moving at literal sniper bullet speed is in any way even remotely better than getting hit by the bullet itself lol

(ETA: this is 10x funnier now that we know the bullet wasn’t even gonna hit him lmao.)

anyway so now Nagant is having an extended “!?!?!?” reaction about how Deku just moved with no hesitation, and I’m starting to get an inkling of fear that the rest of this fight isn’t going to go very well for her and maybe that’s what all the “hoo boy” is about

oh my god Deku are you about to Gomu Gomu no Rocket yourself at her you insane little man

now Three is popping up again and he’s all “I see you’ve learned your lesson and are now only using three quirks at once instead of five” like with all this effusive praise about how great and badass Deku is and sob, okay, yeah. this chapter is basically one of those machines that shoots tennis balls at people, except instead of tennis balls it shoots hot piping discourse

OH MY GOD

YOOOOOOOOOO but also, NOOOOOOOOOOO

lol oh my god it’s literally two opposing reactions at once wtf. do I love this or hate this. like just for once can Horikoshi actually let a badass lady character win their fucking fight without getting their arm ripped off, BUT ALSO fucking look at that absurdly cool “SMASH” onomatopoeia though. it looks like it’s about to float right off the page holy shit that’s some seriously good art

anyway so is this really the end?? do I need to break out my ಠ_ಠ faces

lmao okay yeah I can definitely see how this would piss a lot of people off

he basically one-shotted her and she’s all “damn this kid is so amazing that I’m about to do a complete 180 turn on all of my previous angst” lmao. Horikoshi is really shounening it up today

on the plus side though, maybe this means there’s still a chance for her to join up with him after all? unless that spoiler was true lmao, then all hell is gonna break loose

YESSSSSSS

OH MY GOD AND HE SAYS THE BULLET WOULDN’T HAVE DONE MORE THAN GRAZE OVERHAUL ANYWAY, wow, I’m actually more relieved by that than I would have expected. I mean I would have forgiven her either way, but it means that there was still more hero in her than she was letting on

YES!!! FUCKING YES, THANK YOU

lol but I mean, it’s also like, “oh so today they get to have brain cells”, thank you so much lol. sometimes it’s really hard to tell which times we’re supposed to question these character decisions that seem dumb, and which times we’re just supposed to full on embrace them and switch off our critical thinking

but okay, so in this case it really was Nagant going easy on him on purpose, and not just her fucking up for no good reason even though she used to do this for a living and was the best in the game. and I know in this case it’s probably just Horikoshi giving us some consolation headpats to soften the blow of her losing so abruptly, but you know what, shit. I’ll take it

also you guys the light is coming back into Deku’s eyes again for just a moment here and I’m having feels about it?? the way it still comes back when he’s reaching out to save someone, and following his own hero path instead of the much darker and lonelier Christopher Nolan path that’s been laid out for him instead that he never wanted?? it’s both reassuring and also very sad

YESSSSSSSSSSS

DO IT LADY OMG PLEASE?? PLEASE COME BE HIS NEW IRRESPONSIBLE ADULT SUPERVISION YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO

AHHHHHHH SHE’S GONNA DO IT AHHHH

p.s. I am now absolutely scared shitless that that spoiler was actually true sob. swear to god, I will throw this manga into a fucking volcano. but we’re almost at the end of the chapter and this seems just WAY TOO GOOD to be true fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck f

UCK

NOPE NAH SEND IT BACK, NOPE, NUH UH, DIDN’T ORDER THIS. “GULLIBLE” OKAY FUCK YOU?? “COUNTERMEASURES” NOPE, DON’T NEED ‘EM, WE’RE ALL FINE HERE. WE’RE ACTUALLY GOOD SO YOU CAN JUST GO, OKAY. PLEASE

fuck, lol, I don’t wanna do it. I don’t wanna scroll down what have I ever done to deserve this oh my god

WHAT THE HONEY-ROASTED FUCK

WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT FUCKING VOLCANO IN ICELAND THAT I KEEP SEEING ALL THESE PICTURES OF. WHERE THE FUCK IS THAT SHIT. LET’S GO

ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW

can someone please give AFO a really good, sharpish kick in the balls. just really let him have it. I’m so tired, what the fuck

-- ARE YOU KIDDING ME LOL WHAT

bro. I was literally going through my Excel folders to find the spreadsheet about female characters in BnHA that I made back when Midnight died. was gearing myself up for a wholeass rant. and honestly I might just let all of that continue simmering on low to keep it warm just in case lol, because to tell you the truth I have absolutely no idea what’s happening right now

my girl straight up does not have a face. she used to have a face. people usually need those, idk. like, even if she’s alive, her gorgeous eyebrows are definitely not making it out of this and I’m gonna throw a funeral just for them

how the fuck did AFO just blow her up?? how did he know what was going on?? and if he had a quirk that could explode people at will, why is this the first we’re hearing of it?? you’d think that might have come in handy at Kamino or Jakku, like what

(ETA: present!me, who’s had more than three hours of sleep and can now actually remember facts about the series, would like to remind past!me that AFO gave Nagant a quirk, and so this is probably just more Vestige shenanigans now on his part. that’s also probably why Air Walk suddenly stopped working out of nowhere. still doesn’t explain why he doesn’t go around blowing people up more often though but maybe he thinks it’s gauche.)

Hawks just straight up out of nowhere. just Mirioed his way straight into the chapter just in time to be too late sob. here I was looking forward to seeing your face when Deku showed up with his new best friend. can’t believe Horikoshi deprived us of that moment

on the plus side, WELCOME BACK, HAWKS’S FEATHERS. I have no doubt that in this chapter of Deku being an almighty threequirk-mastering god, and Nagant losing anticlimactically only to be immediately blown up because girl characters in BnHA can only be cool for one fight and one fight only, there are still some people who are focusing solely on the “how dare Hawks get his wings back when he is a MURDERER this is an outrage what about CONSEQUENCES” discourse, and to hell with all the other discourses lmao

anyway, so yeah. wow. and now it’s just occurring to me that maybe the real reason why Overhaul is there is so he can get a head start on that amend-making by actually doing a good thing for once in his life, and using his quirk to heal Nagant. assuming he can still do that

and so now Horikoshi has got me out here actually rooting for Overhaul. you know what, on that note I think I’m just gonna go ahead and call it a day sob

#bnha 315 #overhaul #chisaki kai #lady nagant #midoriya izuku #all for one #bnha #boku no hero academia #bnha spoilers #mha spoilers #bnha manga spoilers #makeste reads bnha

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tokoyamisstuff · 3 years

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Meant To Be - Loki x Fem! Reader

Summary: Much to your displeasure, your parents have promised you away to the God of Mischief of all people.

Tags: Arranged Marriage AU, Light Elf! Reader

Warnings: Aside from Loki hating himself, nothing.

Words: 2878

I Masterlist I

A/N: Some good old-fashioned, ‘redeemed after The Avengers and the other movies didn’t happen’ Loki. Like, really cheesy, self-indulgent 2012 stuff. I just want to ignore all misery that happens in the series okay?

“Ew! Stop it!”

You were eight at the time when you and Loki first met, by means of negotiation between both your parents.

If only you knew that this encounter should be the first impression of what should be your husband in the near future...

Frigga and Odin could only plead for their son to be on his best behavior - but well, it’s the God of Mischief we’re talking about. Must be hard to inherit such a title from your very birth.

Just when you put the little bonquet of flowers he had picked up for you towards your face to admire it, several little spiders emerged from the blossoms.

“You’re no fun.” The raven-haired boy stood a safe distance away from you, arms crossed as his gleeful laughter turned into a broad sulk. "And your ears are weird.”

“I hate you!” you screeched in your childish rage, throwing the flowers to the ground and trampling onto them. “Where’s your brother? Thor is way nicer than you!”

“Well, why don’t you marry him then?!” he mocked to cover up his hurt pride, picking up a handful of dirt and throwing it in your direction.

“I don’t need any friends anyway...” the little boy whispered to himself, running away from the scene with tears filling the corner of his eyes.

“I don’t need anyone. I’m way better than all of them!”

Not even Frigga was fast enough to catch up with him, while Odin uttered some fake apologies to your parents, promising them that everything will go as planned.

You on the other hand were running towards your mother, tightly grabbing onto her dress. “He’s mean! I wanna go home!”

As Queen of the Light Elves, your mother was a being full of grace and composure - and you were hoping to one day become such a formidable person as well.

She bowed down to your height, petting your hair as you rubbed the mixture of tears and dirt from your cheeks. Just her bright smile alone would sometimes be enough to make you forget about your worries - but not today.

“My sweet child” she cooed, cradling you in her arms. “One day you’ll understand.”

However, this would be the last time you paid Asgard a visit - at least until now. Because no matter how deeply you wished to never meet him again, the words your mother spoke on that day haunted you all those years:

“For this is your duty as a princess.”

[Present Day - Asgard]

It felt so unreal when you stuck your head outside of the wooden carriage, the wind playing with your hair as your glare wandered over the rainbow bridge you were crossing.

Silence strained the air, your parents unable to do even so much as look into your eyes. Hel, how you wished this was only a dream.

Behind you was a whole company of Light Elves, transporting all of your belongings to what should be your homecountry from now on.

Now there was no way back, that much was sure.

You were supposed to meet your soon-to-be husband on that very same day, one day before your wedding to be precize.

One could only guess why you weren’t allowed to visit Asgard again for all those years, even though you were practically born just for this reason - for this person.

To become Loki’s bride was your involuntary purpose, and you couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be truly free.

Maybe your parents thought the God of Mischief to have a bad influence on their growing daughter, pulling you into his harmless yet dishonorable schemes. Or they simply feared you to refuse marrying said man if you got to know him better, finding out just what kind of person you were promised to.

Not that your parents were pleased either...everyone in the Nine Realms knew the stories.

To Odin, there was no point in hiding the disgrace his adoptive son had brought over Asgard. Not only was he responsible for an attack on Midgard, sacrificing thousands of lives for his own sake, drunken by greed for power.

But all of you were shocked to hear that Loki Odinson - or rather Laufeyson - was never Asgardian to begin with.

A Frost Giant.

Among your kind, they were known to be one of the most terrible abominations in the nine realms, and murderer of countless of your kind - and this should be the father to your future children?

Only thinking about this cruel twist of fate made you want to vomit...

So why did you agree to proceed with the preparations as if nothing had happened? How in Alfheim’s name could you reject their offer to wed you to Thor instead of that lunatic?

Was it that through your upbringing and royal duties, you had lost your own free will? Or simply fear of stepping aside the path that everyone had prepared for you?

It was probably the fact that you didn’t want to get into true love’s way...you and Thor stayed in brief contact through Heimdall, and you just knew how much that human girl meant to him.

You were kinda jealous, though...the concept of being in love was foreign to you, having a vague idea of it from novels only. But real life just wasn’t meant to be that was, was it?

You couldn’t escape your fate, that was what it was - for this treaty would unite both kingdoms, bringing peace and wealth for all of their inhabitants.

No way you could be so selfish as to decline...even if it meant you had to suffer for the rest of your life.

“My Ladyship, we have arrived!” a guard spoke as he knocked on the carriage door, with your parents hinting that you needed to step out first.

The very same guard now yelled from the pit of his lungs, making you feel the whole Kingdom of Asgard could hear. “Now arriving: Lady Y/N Y/L/N, eldest Princess of Alfheim and heir to the throne.”

You heared the people whispering as you took your first, insecure steps, blinded by the bright daylight.

“She’s so pale, like ice” or “Why are her ears like that?” were rather nice comments compared to others plainly calling you ugly, scary or a ‘disgrace’.

Of course your Kingdoms had been in a war for several decades, but this was long in the past - before your very birth, even. So what’s the reason you should bear with such hostility in the place everyone expected you to call ‘home’ from now on?

One thing was clear from the very beginning: You would never belong here.

“May I?” a dark, husky voice interrupted your self-pitying. You blinked heavily, still trying to adjust to all those golden surroundings, until your blurry vision finally cleared up.

“C’mon.” The voice belonged to the man in front of you, looking gravely nervous with sweat dripping from his forehead. He was reaching out a hand for you to take, and you gladly accepted since you didn’t want to embarass yourself further by falling out of the carriage.

And still, you managed to somehow miss a step and fall right into his arms. “Oh my, so clumsy” the man snickered as he catched you, clearing his throat as you grabbed onto his chest to regain balance. "Not very graceful for someone of your status.”

“And you are-” The words got stuck in your throat when you stared back into those eyes, their emerald green awaking memories you’d rather forgotten entirely. “L-Loki!”

“Exactly, my dear. The one and only.” Smooth and calm, he pecked a kiss on the back of your hand, andyou couldn’t help but admire just how well he had aged: His wild locks were combed back, sharp features complimenting his face as he tried his best to give you his most innocent smile.

Yet you kept your guard up, always expecting him to somehow embarass you just for the fun of it. “When it comes to him, always expect the unexpected” Thor once warned you, and you won’t forget about it that easily.

“It’s a pleasure finally meeting you” was your firm declaration, only to be rewarded with a scoff. “You are speaking to the God of Lies, Lady Y/N - there is no use in trying to deceive me” he whispered into your ear, making you shiver in unpleasant anticipation.

“Carry her belongings to my rooms” he dismissed the servants with a simple gesture of his hand, offering his other arm for you to cling on as he escorted you through the palace.

The giant halls were almost empty, nothing like back on Alfheim where you and your brethren would enjoy each other’s company in midst of nature. A sole tear escaped your eye when you thought back to those carefree days, which are now over.

“Are you alright, m’lady?” Much to your surprise, your fiancé sounded honestly concerned about your well-being. “If you are tired, we can postpone our tour of the palace until you’ve rested.”

“May I speak from the heart?” You gulped after finishing that sentence, scaring yourself with all the stories you’ve heared about this mad troublemaker.

Somehow you had the feeling that if you were to overstep your boundaries with that brute, it would have consequences beyond your imagination. He might seem generous and polite right this moment, but what would someone like him do if you enrage him? Countless images were circling in your head, one worse than the other.

Loki furrowed his brows, exhalinge deeply. For him, your expression was an open book to what you were thinking right now.

“Y/N, my dear Lady, if you want it or not: Starting tomorrow, we share a bond. I am deeply sorry that a veritable flower as you are had to end up with someone like me, but I promise to treat you as well as possible.”

Turning around so you’d not detect how it hurt him to speak from the heart, he added with a shaky voice “Yet there is no reason for you to hold back your hatred for me. No harm will come your way, I swear upon the little honor I have left.”

Even though his words made you feel a deep sympathy with the god, you weren’t quite sure if you could decipher truth or deceit in them. Maybe he just wanted to lure you into saying what you truly thought of him?

He’s right - you will have to spend the rest of your life with him, so don’t mess this up from the very start!

“I-I don’t hate you!” was the first thing you blurted out, grabbing onto his cloak. Loki turned around, rising his eyebrow as he scanned your face for any hint of a lie.

Althrough it was the truth, at least to a certain extend. You’ve seen each other only once, when you were still little. The rest is all tales and rumours, but you personally don’t have a reason to despise him.

There was no way you could promise to accept his past or heritage, let alone forgive him - yet as long as he’d treat you with respect, you’d return the favour.

“T-There’s just a question on my mind this whole time...aren’t you mad? I-I mean someone like- well...like you...” you gestured around awkardly, almost making him crack a smile. “I mean...I thought you wouldn’t let your parents dictate your life.”

Another deep sigh escaping his mouth, this times with his eyes closed. “This isn’t about Asgard or my adoptive parents. I choose my own path.”

Suddenly, Loki wrapped one arm around you, flicking his fingers with the free one.

“Hold onto me” he ordered indifferent as he casted his spell, teleporting both of you away before you could even comprehend, let alone ask him what he was doing.

It happened in the fraction of a second, yet felt like hovering through an empty space for an eternity.

“Now open your eyes.” You hadn’t even realized that you squeezed them shut during the shift, slowly opening them while Loki lifted your chin with his index finger.

The environment was magnificent. Had you ever seen something this beautiful in your whole life?

Obviously you had no clue where you were, but this was the first time seeing so much untouched nature on Asgard. There were flowers blooming in all colours imagineable, clear rivers crossing the lands in between grassy hills, and animals nearby a small forrest.

“It’s not like I didn’t educate myself about the Light Elves and their way of living” Loki stammered, unconsciously intertwining your fingers with yours as he watched you admiring the view. “So I could make you comfortable here, I mean.”

He plummeted down on the grass, still a little wet from the morning dew, and gestured for you to do the same. It was weird, actually, but also somehow adorable - how the infamous ‘Silver Tongue’ had lost his ability with words. “I’ve done very little right in my life full of wrongs. Hurt a lot of people.”

“Mmmhh” you hummed approvingly, not knowing what else to say - yet for some reason, you didn’t let go off of his hand, squeezing it ever so slightly.

“And even though I can’t possibly redeem myself, I wish to change for the better.” he muttered, rubbing the back of his head. “I just never knew how to start.”

Loki Odinson really was full of surprises. He was nothing like the child you’ve met long ago, and the complete opposite of what you imagined the ‘God of Mischief’ to be.

You had expected a power-hungry, selfish and cruel man to wed you - and yet there he was: Insecure and broken, only a shell of the person he once was.

Just what had you missed all those years? What things happened to break someone’s will like this?

And was he truly beyond repair?

“Those past weeks, I have visited Alfheim more times than you could comprehend” he giggled nervously, avoiding your eyes. “Concealed, of course.”

Well, that sounded kind of weird, but you knew better than to talk someone down who was just opening up to you. So your sole answer was “What for?”

“There was no way a criminal like me would still be seemed fit for this ceremony - and yet I was given this chance anyway. My mother told me that it was you who insisted on carrying on the arrangement, so...I just wanted to know what person would be willingly ruin their life.”

Something different was shining through the god’s orbs, and you couldn’t quite decipher it. Was it hope? Hope, that if you had given him a chance, his life could lead into a different direction? To change himself from the burden that was his birth title?

“I-I guess I don’t want to mess this up like I always do” he whimpered barely audible, before staring at you in shock and embarassment. Until now, he hadn’t realized just how vulnerable he made himself.

Just what the hell would you think about him now? You probably had lost any respect, or thought himself to be crazy. How weak...

So he was quick to put on the confident facade again, wearing his smug grin as if that all was just part of a big joke only he’d understand. But even though you barely knew him, he couldn’t fool you.

“Sometimes it’s enough just to try.” Your head turned from the sight of nature to your fiancé and back several times, before you brought up the courage and put a hand on his shoulder, whispering “So you can’t really mess this up.”

“Gladly you don’t seem to know yet just how much misery I cause.” He kept that thought to himself, to not scare you away.

“I am aware that you could never love someone like me, Y/N. But I can provide for you, dedicate myself to making you content with being my wife. My newfound purpose.”

The purpose of a war criminal - that sure put yourself under a lot of pressure. And still, it made you somewhat proud, and grateful as well. Because it was the first time someone valued you as a person, and not the princess of Alfheim.

Unaware of how much time had passed, both of you would get used to each other’s presence in silence, enjoying the nature while you processed this eventful day.

Exhausted from the long travel and all that rollercoaster of emotion, you soon found yourself dazzling into sleep onto Loki’s shoulder. If only you could see him adore you, staring in awe that someone could actually feel so safe in his presence.

Carefully, the god picked you up, gently lifting you on his arms to make your way back to the palace, where everyone was frantically searching for both of you. Well, Loki was used to trouble - but right now, it was worth it.

May it be right or wrong, and even though you couldn’t explain this sentiment, you had a good feeling when it came to the things that were just about to come.

“You won’t regret your decision, Y/N Y/L/N. On my side, I assure you a bright future.”

#Loki #Loki x Reader #Loki x You #Loki Odinson #Loki Laufeyson #Loki Friggason #Loki/Reader #Loki/You #Self Insert #Fanfiction #Arranged Marriage #Writing #Marvel #Asgard

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