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bubsdolan · 3 years

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PART THREE PART THREE PART THREE I LOVE YOUR WRITING PART THREE WHEN YOU CAN PART THREE 💥💥💥💥💳💥💥💥💥

{part 2}

approximately 2 weeks, 3 days, 17 minutes and 9 seconds had passed since you were first rushed into the emergency room and induced in a coma, taking grayson’s heart with you. not that he was counting, but grayson never thought he would cry for you as much as he did. he needed you back.

as he remained stuck to your bedside, his hand never leaving your cold, pale and lifeless one, he reminisced back to when life was perfect. when it was you and him agasint the world. happy, healthy and blissfully in love.

grayson missed everything about you, he missed the way you would play with his hair mindlessly as he drove, your fingers soothing his scalp and your humming a perfect melody to his ears. he missed the way you would constantly tease him with your playfulness when you wanted to cheer him up after a stressful day, he missed the way your smile lit up the entire room and had his heart beating out of his chest whenever your eyes met his.

he loved being loved by you.

he missed it. he craved your attention again.

grayson missed the way you would always give him the bigger half of montys burger as you knew his own order wouldn’t touch the sides for his large appetite and he missed the way you would sneak sips of his milkshake when you thought he wasn’t looking. he noticed everytime, but found it adorable the way you thought you were slick with it. grayson always ordered the cookie dough milkshake, even when he wanted a strawberry one as he knew you would regret ordering the coffee flavour and steal his.

he knew you like the back of his hand, better than you knew yourself.

“bro you gotta eat,” ethan pleaded with grayson, trying his best to get his brother to even look at him but his eyes never once left your motionless body. grayson hadn't touched a drop of water let alone food. he could bare the thought of leaving your side incase you needed him, incase you were ready to wake up and finally come back to him.

“eat for her, gray c’mon.”

grayson felt utterly helpless. he was normally always so good at banishing your pain away, whether it be kissing away cuts and scrapes you get from being your clumsy self, to soothing your cramps and period pains, his hands were healing.

dispite all this, grayson had to sit back and watch you in a state he had no control over. he wanted nothing more than to trade places with you, to take away your pain and suffering away and save your life. but as we all know, life wasn’t always kind. he would wish upon a thousand stars if it meant he could stare into your eyes. he wished to fall in love with you one last time.

“she's gonna be ok man, i promise” ethan didn't believe his own words, remembering back to the moment he had entered the hospital where your doctor had approached him, unable to speak to grayson due to his emotional state, and confined in ethan that there was a high possibility you wouldn’t wake up. you weren’t showing any signs of improvement yet ethan knew his brother needed to hear those reassuring words no matter the consequences they held further done the line.

grayson stayed slient, a few tears rolling down his face as the one hand that wasn’t resting in yours, toyed with the velvet box in the pocket of his sweatpants- it never left his side since you got admitted.

“it’s our anniversary tomorrow.” this was the first time in 2 weeks grayson had spoken to anyone besides you. although he waasn’t looking in ethan’s direction, his word were meant for him.

“gray-“

“i let her down bro. the one promise i made to her, to myself, to dad, and i broke it. she’s here because of me and there’s absolutely nothing i can do to save her.” growing frustrated with himself, his words stung yet it was less pain than what you were currently being put through. grayson felt selfish to think of anything else than you.

“i pushed her away, if it wasn’t for me she wouldn’t be here right now! if i hadn’t had lost my temper, called her those horrible names- i- she..no.”

“no fuck this. it’s now or never.”

ethan watched with wary unsettled eyes as grayson rose from his seat, pushing it agasint the wall and dropping to one knee. he lifted your hand to his lips and kissed every knuckle with such gentle pressure. sighing and preparing himself for what was about to come.

ethan got his camera ready, knowing his brothers intentions and although he believed you could hear every word, when you woke up it would be a make the troubling experience that little bit lighter once you saw the memorabilia.

“y/n, baby i know you can hear me right now so let me say this- i love you, more than i have ever or could ever love something in my life. you’re my purpose, your the reason ive been put on this earth. my job is to love you and i want to spend the rest of my life doing so.”

wiping his tears to clear his blurry vision, he takes a deep inhale and continues. you hear every word, your body fighting with itself to open your eyes and jump into the arms of your destiny.

“the story of our love is only beginning. let's write our own happy ending. marry me baby. come back to me and be my wife yeah?”

after his speech, one he had gone over thousands of times in his head, yet when he came down to the very moment he just spoke from the heart, grayson delicately slide the custom made ring onto your finger. smiling for the first time in weeks as it was everything he had ever imagined, it was more beautiful than he had remembered and the fact it was you adoring it, made his heart swore with happiness.

“congratulations man,” ethan pulls grayson in for a brotherly hug, wholeheartedly believing if you were awake right now, you'd jump into graysons arms screaming yes and declaring your love for him. a moment to treasure forever but the circumstances were cruel.

“thanks bro, i need to do that for me. for our future and hope that she makes it. she can’t leave me e.. sh-she can’t.”

“wake up for me pretty girl.” grayson resumes his place by your bedside, his hand clutching yours again as he prepares himself for another painful night without hearing your voice. “p…please.”

a while passes, it’s bearing on midnight with ethan passed out in the corner of the room wrapped in a a blanket he brought from home. grayson is resting his head on your hand and praying like he did every night, unable to allow himself to sleep when sudden he feels a sudden movement beneath him.

you twitch. your fingers brushing agasint grayson as your body struggles to bring itself round.

“e-E! she moved- she moved!” grayson is frantic, startling ethan awake as he desperately tries to call out for you. his heart beat picking up, breathing erratic he would for sure need his inhaler any moment.

he caressed your cheek, hoping his soft touch would be enough to tell you he was there, you were safe and he was waiting for you.

“NURSE!” ethan yells, hitting the emergency button he was warned may times to hit in a case like this. he flung the door open and in stormed a whole crew of night staff. “she moved!”

“sir im going to have to ask you to stand back,” one nurse calmly addressed grayson, trying to respectfully break the contact he had with your hand to allow a thorough inspection to take place.

“baby, no.. no no what's happening- is she ok? im not leaving!” grayson cried, clutching desperately onto your hand in fear you would slip away from him. you loved right? that’s a good sign right? so why was your body swarmed with doctors and nurses screaming codes at each, surrounded by machinery grayson didn’t like the look off.

“don’t take me away from her!”

“sir. i won’t ask again, please stand back.”

“NO BABY, DONT DO THIS Y/N. you gotta come back to me, you hear me… you- you can’t leave me!”

“gray, c’mon man.”

ethan had to physically hold grayson back, forcefully dragging him outside the room to allow the professionals to do what they needed to do. an emotional tearful grayson was only going to complicate the matter and ethan was sure you wouldn’t want grayson to see you this way.

grayson cried, screamed and reached out for you. so distressed and weak as ethan cradled him in his arms and held him. no words of reassurance or confidence as the truth of your fate had finally started to sink in. he had to listen to his twin cry and there was absolutely nothing he could do as an older brother.

ethan cried for you. he cried for grayson. he cried for the love his brother just hated his whole life for and lost in a matter of seconds.

you flatlined, your heart monitor sounding one continues bleep that grayson only ever heard in movies. you stopped breathing, your body stopped beating for him.

12:00pm.

“happy anniversary baby,” grayson whispered. his voice breaking and his body trembling with tears as he broke down in his brothers arm. falling to his knees as the warmth of life had been stolen by the cold embrace of death. grayson was pleading, screamed, fighting with you to wake up but his prayers seemed to go unanswered.

he had to watch the love of his life, his new fiancé, his soulmate flatline in front of his very eyes on your anniversary. grayson felt his entire world come crashing down around him.

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blueeyedgeorgie · 3 years

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MCYT ROYAL AU (1)

Pronouns: She/Her

Word Count: 2.7k+

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"I'm not too sure about this." He crossed his arms as he spoke, it was a chilly night. Usually he was kept warm by his cloak, but tonight wouldn't be a smart time to wear it.

The night was silent besides the sound of their boots hitting the ground. As the two men walked side by side, nothing disturbed them as they quietly spoke to one another. "You need to take a load off friend, you've worked hard. One night of fun won't ruin your name."

"What name do I have, Nick? Nothing. I just believe it's a risky move to enter a place where most want me dead," A green-eyed man spoke. He prayed to himself silently, hoping no one would recognize his face. It was rare for him to remove his cloak, let alone his mask. He felt nude without them.

"Well, I've heard quite the few call you cloak, I prefer smiley mask," a hint of humor could be heard in Sap Nap's voice as they walked. The joke was quickly put to rest with the taller man jabbing him in the side. "Alright, alright... I'm trying to get some to call you mask. It's the best we could come up with at the moment."

"It stills sounds terrible."

"Then why don't you come up with a better name?" A moment of silence passed between the men as they thought in silence. "What about speed? After all, you're quite fast when you escape us."

"You might as well just stick with mask at this point, friend." The dirty blonde let out a huff of breath created from a bit of frustration. He had been escaping and breaking cruel laws for years now, yet no one had given him a name yet. He couldn't even come up with a name to use.

"Don't let your spirits down. Tonight is going to be filled with joy, laughter, dancing, and drinks. Focus on that, you can plot your fugitive name another day." Sap Nap had picked up his pace, the king's castle was now in sight. "You are quite the lonesome man, maybe if you play your cards right you'll find someone to love while you're at it."

"No one loves a criminal, Nick."

Staring at herself, Y/n couldn't help but smile. Her gown was beautiful and tailored just right. It was a pastel shade of blue, the sleeves made of lace with her skirts made of silk. Her corset was tight enough to show her figure but loose enough for her to breathe and enjoy a bit of dancing. Her hair was pinned up with a stunning jewel pendant sitting on the right of her head.

In only a few minutes, she'd meet her fiance. For weeks she had been waiting for this very moment. Letter after letter, she had gotten a chance to speak to her future lover, but for the first time, she'd get to see him in person.

Y/n was a bit nervous about the thought of engagement when the news was first sprung on her. But after hearing from her partner, she was quite interested in meeting her future husband. Her father had listened to her wishes, making sure her future husband was close in age with a good heart. The lucky part of this marriage was that it could bring peace between two kingdoms and help each town flourish.

"Your highness. It's time."

Her smile brightened as Y/n turned, facing a good friend of hers, Lord Soot. "You know you don't need to call me that, Wilbur."

"It just feels right, just for tonight. This is going to be an important night for you after all." The tall man held a wide grin on his face.

"I can't believe this is it. My future is so close."

"You're quite right. You and Prince George will work well together, I can tell. I'm happy for you, Y/n." Moments like these were always nice, Wilbur had been friends with the princess for what felt like forever. Considering he was one of the king's best vassals, he was allowed and trusted to be close to his daughter. Their friendship was similar to how siblings would act, making silly inside jokes and teasing while also being protective and kind.

"You really think so? What if he turns out to be cruel and his kindness is all just a ruse?" The h/c girl had begun to pick at her hands as she spoke, she always did this when she doubted herself or felt anxious.

"Impossible, you can tell that man has a good heart. Just by the way he stands, you could tell he wouldn't hurt a fly unless he needed to." Taking a few steps forward, he pulled out a golden pocket watch, flicking it open, "By the looks of it, I have two minutes to get you downstairs before your father sends Technoblade up."

"Then we should hurry down. We wouldn't want to upset either of them tonight."

"I completely agree with you on that, your highness." After getting her grand entrance to come to a close, Lord Soot had accompanied Y/n to the front of the ballroom. Her father had sat on his throne, a few quite important people huddled near him. Y/n's eyes glazed over the small crowd, where was he?

"Don't be nervous. He's excited to meet you." Wilbur muttered quietly, loud enough only for Y/n to hear over the music playing.

"What gave it away?"

"you're picking at your hands once again, Y/n."

"My daughter! Finally, it's time!" Standing from his seat, he had thrown his hands into the air. "I'd like you to meet, Prince George." He pointed to his left, with a man stepping aside Y/n's eyes landed on him.

It was him, George. Her future husband. He was quite handsome as he smiled kindly at her. Already she could tell, she was going to have a happy ending. When she was a child, she always feared her father would give her away to a monster of a man who'd use her as an item instead of a person. But when she spoke to George, she knew her father had found her someone who'd love her like a person.

"My lady." Those were the first words he spoke as he approached his fiance, "I have waited for this moment since I first heard of our engagement. It's amazing to finally meet you."

"As to you, my prince," Y/n bit her lip, trying to keep herself from grinning like a fool.

"Your highness, I must thank you once again for throwing this ball to give me the chance to meet your daughter. She can easily be mistaken for an angel." George had turned towards the intimidating man sitting on top of a throne made of gold.

"Take care of her, or many consequences will come your way, Prince."

"You have my word that I'll keep her safe, King Schlatt." With a short bow, George had turned back to his future partner, "My lady, would you like to have our first dance?"

"Please."

While the music played, Sap Nap couldn't help but sway his hips as he sauntered through the hall. Next to him, his friend merely walked, not a touch of rhythm in his step. He couldn't focus on the music, he felt out of place. It was normal for him to sneak from place to place without being noticed, but this had just felt wrong.

His eyes had landed on a few people he recognized, people who wanted him dead. He had spotted the vassal Technoblade quite a few times in the corner of the hall, standing by King Schlatt every now and then. He seemed too busy focusing on someone else to notice him.

Tonight was his first night back in this kingdom since months has passed. The last time he was here, he had escaped with a stolen sword and a nasty cut on his shoulder. There wasn't any sign of him coming back soon, but after receiving a letter from his friend asking for his presence, he couldn't say no.

"You really need to wipe that frown off your face, friend. You're at a party, enjoy yourself."

"It's hard to do, Sap."

"Then take a drink or two."

"I..." He passed his stroll. The fugitive's eyes had landed on one thing that did interest him, a beautiful girl in a blue gown. She was smiling as she stepped off the dance floor. "Who is that?"

Sap Nap took a moment to look for whoever had caught his friend's eyes. It took a few seconds before he realized who it was. "Oh, that's the Princess, her name's Y/n."

"Y/n..."

'It makes sense she's royalty, just look at her. She's beautiful. But why haven't I noticed her before?' The tall blonde thought to himself as he watched her walk through the ballroom. She was as graceful as she was beautiful.

"I'm going to speak to her."

"I..." Sap Nap paused, rethinking his answer, "You should, you two will get along quite well. Just be careful not to pull attention to yourself."

Moving towards the princess, the blonde muttered only a few words to the knight, "My middle name is careful."

"Wait, is it?"

"Princess."

Turning on her heels, Y/n had come face to face with someone new. A man towered over her, with almond hair and beautiful green eyes. She had never seen him before, yet she felt like she could trust him with everything. Something was so intriguing about this stranger that had only muttered a word to her.

"Sir."

"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room, may I have this one dance?" He bowed briefly, putting his hand out towards her. For a moment she stared, hesitant. Would she betray her future husband with just one dance with a stranger? ...No This couldn't be considered cheating, it was just a friendly dance.

Gently, she placed her hand in his calloused one. A smile appeared on his face as he carefully lead her to the dance floor. "You may have to excuse me if I step on one of your slippers, I was never trained to dance when I was younger." A sense of humor could be heard in his voice.

"I'll simply return the favor if you do," she smirked, placing a hand on his shoulder and he put a hand on her waist.

"Ouch." He shot a smirk right back at her.

"I can't believe it... he's actually doing it," Sap Nap muttered to himself as he watched his friend. His eyes glanced over to the King and his Vassals, they seemed to be busy in a conversation. How had this turned out so well?

The knight watched his fugitive friend, it made sense he was a good dancer. He had always been good on his feet. Sap was a bit curious about what his friend had been saying to the princess. Whatever he said was quite charming to the princess, she kept laughing and replying to him. Both held smiles on their faces as they danced together.

Song after song, they kept dancing. All Sap did was watch, looking out for any sign of someone catching onto his friend. The knight was happy for his friend, he looked like he was finally enjoying himself. As time passed, Sap Nap seemed to lose interest in his friend's activities. He was a wanted man, if he could run from a crime he could run out of the ball if he needed to. He had now turned his attention to the food set out in the corner of the room. Turkey, potatoes, bread. It all looked delicious.

Prince George was busy as well, speaking to the king about plans for their future. He only had a few dances with his fiance before needing to excuse himself, he felt a bit bad for leaving her alone. But he needed to get a few things sorted out for his stay. He couldn't stop reminding himself that she was probably alone, looking for him. She had been so happy to meet him.

But that was the thing: She had found company from a man who never spoke his name. But as they spoke and dance, she found herself laughing at his lame jokes, opening up to him about her life, and even blushing at his compliments. This moment seemed too perfect.

The green-eyed man knew he had to keep an eye out, and it was a good thing he did. He had noticed Lord Techno had disappeared from his spot by the king. It had only taken a moment for him to spot the pink-haired man stalking through, his eyes set on him. He was trying to get close. This wasn't his first time outsmarting his enemies.

The green man only smiled to Y/n, beginning to lead her across the dance floor. It seemed to be a perfect moment for the music to have such a dramatic change in how it was played. Spinning, gliding, he did everything to distract Y/n as he tried to move them to the opposite side of the dancefloor. Every time Technoblade had gotten close, the pair moved to the opposite side of the dancefloor.

'As nice as it to have a moment with her, when will this song end?' the green-eyed man thought to himself as he spun Y/n carefully for what felt like the 100th time. Technoblade was across the ballroom. It seemed to be perfect as the song has ended, seconds after the green-eyed man had thought to himself.

"This has been a lovely time, Princess. But I now to leave you be." He had pulled them to the side, giving a short bow with a mischievous smile plastered on his face.

"Will I see you again?"

"I..." His eyes had caught onto Techno how was halfway over to them, "I'm sure you'll spot me around."

"Good to hear," she cracked a smile at him, watching as he began to step away. Y/n hadn't noticed the way his eyes were glued behind her as he disappeared into the crowd, she could only focus on how it felt to have his eyes on her. His pretty green eyes.

"Princess Y/n."

Turning on her heels, she looked to find Technoblade towering over her. "Hello, Techno."

"Your father is demanding your return to him." He mumbled, barely loud enough for Y/n to hear.

"Alright, thank you, Techno." Y/n and Techno had a strange relationship. While they didn't agree on certain terms, they were still great friends. They had known each other for almost as long as Wilbur knew Y/n. Technoblade always had a soft spot for her, it seemed he was her one weakness, yet he'd never admit it. Techno was always so harsh towards many, but with Y/n... she was different. He would always protect her.

As Y/n passed him, Technoblade's eyes glazed through the ballroom. Where had he gone? He had noticed a man dancing with Y/n, he had seemed so familiar, yet Techno had never seen his face before. He needed to see why this man was so important.

The green-eyed man could tell Techno was looking for him. He kept moving on his feet, trying to get as far as possible from the vassal. It seemed like he'd be fine, it was impossible for Technoblade to realize who he really was. As soon as the vassal had turned to make his way back to King Schlatt, the green-eyed man could feel himself slow his pace. He turned his attention away from the pink-haired man, looking to see in the corner of the hall two young boys. One was brunette, the other was blonde. They had broken into a fit of laughter, holding onto one another to steady themselves. The green-eyed man couldn't help but smile to himself, they reminded him of his childhood best friend, it had been years since he had seen him.

Stopping his train of thought, the green-eyed man paused. He had bumped into someone. "So sorry," His eyes widened. It couldn't be... it wouldn't be a smart idea to stay here, he needed to step away before he was recognized. Leaning his head down, he ducked away into the nearest crowd. It was George, it had to be him.

"I..." George caught his breath, freezing in place. He had to be hallucinating. It was impossible that was him, Clay was dead.

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savethelastdan · 3 years

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loving leads to bleeding (and your beauty is a blessing)

SessKagu off-shoot of this one except Akinori lives :)

originally written for @sweepingtree

When fourteen-year-old Akinori returns from the fortune teller’s home, he is ashen and quiet.

This is not like his son, so Sesshomaru waits until the sky is dark and everyone else has retired, before going to the witch’s home himself.

He hears of a future where he once again wanders alone; where hope sleeps away the years under a blanket of ice and snow; and Kagura screams curses at his back as she folds herself over their child’s corpse.

Beneath his choking grip, the fortune-teller croaks a curse, if he is to intervene in fate’s design once again. “Your wife, your human daughter - when will it be enough? You must learn to accept grief, instead of forcing it’s hand.”

But of all things, this is not one that Sesshomaru will accept.

The Panther King dies the next morning, and Akinori turns fifteen.

Seed

“Mama, when will I have a spider mark like yours?”

Kagura stills. From the hot spring’s shallow end, Akinori’s bright eyes watch her lips curve down.

His mother is pretty, and thus so is her frown; but he feels guilty all the same. After all, the rare times she frowns are usually because of Papa, not because of him.

“You won’t.” Dipping her hands in the water, Kagura scrubs at her neck as she answers. “The man who put this mark on Mama is gone now.”

“Gone?”

“Dead.” When she says it, her lip curls, and since it’s halfway to a smile Akinori feels a bit better.

He’s five years old, so he knows what death is, of course. Death is the time his big sister burst into tears because a bird flew into the side of the door during a storm; the thing that means he has only a sword waiting for him to grow up, no grandfather to go with it; the girl named Kanna his mother talks about when he sits on her lap by the looking-glass.

Death is sad, most of the time. But from the way his mother smiles as she wades over to wash his hair, maybe it isn’t always.

Bud

“You’re sulking.” It is a statement, not a scolding. And yet, Akinori shrinks when he hears his father’s voice come up behind him.

Pouting, he pokes his head around the trunk of the tree. Sesshomaru stands there, arms loose at his sides, and waits.

“It’s not fair.” He points one claw towards the bottom of the hill, where his favorite cousin is still playing with the annoying boy from the demon slayer tribe. “She’s younger than me, how come she’s taller?”

Sesshomaru scoffs in the back of his throat. “What a thing to fuss about.”

Akinori is only eight years old, but he burns with what someday will be dubbed a righteous adolescent rage at his father’s refusal to take this seriously. “Papaaaaaa. I’m the strongest one, I should be the leader. But Minako said it had to be the tallest - “

“She’s taller because you have more demon blood. It will take longer for you to grow up.” Sesshomaru’s gold eyes glance over his son; Akinori doesn’t notice, but his wife or even his sister in law could hear the admittance beneath his words that this is not something he dislikes. When Akinori only pouts further, he moves to let a hand rest on his son’s head. “Let her be the leader for now.”

“But - “

“Akinori.” Sesshomaru’s thumb grazes the half-moon on the boy’s forehead; the mark of their family. “Let her.”

The unfairness of it all puts the exclamation out of his chest, as he shoves his father’s hand away. “Ugh, why?”

Sesshomaru sighs; his hands return to his sides. “Because you will outlive her.”

Later, Kagura will scold him for saying it like that (as though she is anything other than blunt, herself). Because Akinori is eight, and hearing his father speak so calmly of his family passing away is scary. Scary enough that, when it is time to leave, he wraps his arms around Minako’s neck and shrieks.

I’ll save you like Papa saved Big Sister Rin!

Four parents discuss it in hushed (and extremely frustrated) tones that night; Akinori never finds out exactly what they say.

So death, he thinks, half-asleep on Jaken’s shoulder as he’s carried out of his aunt and uncle’s hut, isn’t only something that happens to people he’s never met.

It’s something to be feared.

Bloom

Pulling the blanket over his shoulder, Kagura sits on the side of her son’s bed. Though she’s watched Akinori sleep his whole life, since becoming a teenager he’s found it creepy. Whenever he complains, she just laughs and admits that she can’t help it.

“It’s like my heart is outside of my chest again, only this time it’s wandering the world and getting into trouble,” she says to Sesshomaru once. At the time, he hadn’t said a word. But the slight dip in his chin made it clear he’d understood.

Now, her husband stands in the door, head held high. Some might think it means he’s proud; but Kagura’s spent too many years by his side to be fooled.

“She said that he was fated to die.”

Air rips away from her lungs, ready to fasten itself into a sharp weapon; Kagura forces it back, not willing to wake her child. “When?”

“His birthday.” Sesshomaru unfolds the mokomoko from his shoulders as he speaks. When it drops to the floor, out of the corner of her eye Kagura marks spots of blood staining the white. “It has been prevented.”

She thinks of Kohaku, showing off his latest successful hunt to a line of nieces and nephews; Rin, smiling and laughing within a huge crowd of villagers; her own reflection, growing older in the mirror. “Good. I wouldn’t let you come back here otherwise.”

The statement is an unspoken allowance for him to come closer, and he does. Their sleeves brush as Sesshomaru settles beside her. “The witch spoke of consequences.”

She says it without thinking. “Whatever they are, they’re worth it.”

For a moment, they are silent; both entirely focused on the sleeping boy. Kagura regains focus first, turning to look her husband full in the face. A speck of blood marks his brow, and she brushes it away with her finger.

“It’s quite a lot of trouble, loving something this much.” She tries to keep her tone light; it doesn’t quite work, with the weariness in Sesshomaru’s eyes. Kagura lets one hand rest on his shoulder, and the other on the slight swell hidden beneath her robes. “Do you think your heart can handle another?”

Akinori turns fifteen. He is gifted the sword that fights death, and a fan that makes corpses dance. His confidence in wielding each makes his sister shake her head in disbelief, and his mother show all her teeth in a smile.

His father’s servant, Jaken, drinks too much and tells him the story of his birth. How he, the spawn of a wind demon, had no air in his lungs. How it was only the sword now hanging at his hip that saved him.

“And now he’s gone and messed with things again! Oh, please try not to worry Lord Sesshomaru anymore, Akinori,” Jaken wails, wobbling back and forth as his eyes roll back. “I don’t think any of us could survive it if you do.”

Akinori goes to his father, that night, and cries in his chest like a child. Because whether it scares him or saddens him, love is a bigger part of his story than death will ever be.

ALTERNATE (DARK) ENDING:

Sesshomaru’s lips part, but whatever he plans to say never makes it out; instead, he freezes, chest expanding in an inhale.

“What is it?” Alarm sends her heart pounding hard against her ribcage as her husband’s yokai energy heats and expands, turning the edges of her vision red.

He reaches over, clearly fighting to be gentle, and pulls the blanket down. Kagura swears under her breath, blood running cold.

On the back of one shoulder, a brown spider’s mark stains Akinori’s skin.

#sesskagu #inuyasha #savethelastdan #shespitsfire #sesshomaru #kagura #rin #kohaku #kagome #kagura of the wind #jaken #oc

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mrsamaroevans · 3 years

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YOU ALL OVER ME | ANGEL REYES

Fandom: Mayans M.C.

Pairing: Angel Reyes x the consequences of his bad decisions with Female Reader.

Words: 3,673.

Warnings: Sad and like a bad word. English is not my first language, so, sorry if there are grammar mistakes or if the redaction is poor.

A/N: This is the first thing I finish like in ages! This was not requested but I couldn’t stop listening to You All Over Me by Taylor and this came out. Thank you so much for reading, feedback is well received. *Gif is not mine*

|| MY MASTERLIST ||

“The best and worst day of June was the one that I met you, with your hands in your pockets and your ‘don't you wish you had me’ grin. But I did, so I smiled”

Santo Padre Regional High School.

Those were the words that you read before crossing the door with your mother. You had only one week in Santo Padre and you still had time before the school year begins, but she wanted to have all that ready as soon as possible.

While your mother was making all the paperwork, you were waiting on a bench outside of the office until you got bored. As no one could stop you, you decided to walk around for the facilities of what soon would be your new school. It was smaller than the school you used to go to before moving across the country, but it was okay. Classrooms were big enough, lockers a bit smaller y the patios were open and surrounded by green areas. You weren’t too disgusted about changing school again anymore.

Near the cafetería, was a mural with pictures of the different extracurricular classes and the people who were part of them. The cheerleader’s team looked too pretentious. You hated that cliché, but it was what you felt by just looking at the picture, you could be wrong though. The theatre team looked cool, maybe you’d join them. Then, was the football team.

Guys that looked bigger than what a sixteen-year-old guy should be. One of them proudly carried a big trophy. He had to be the leader, it always is. What was the position they had? You didn’t know, you weren’t too familiar with the terms of the sport.

But that guy in specific caught your attention. It wasn’t because of the trophy he had in his hands or what that meant. He had a beautiful smile, but for some reason, it didn’t look sincere. There was something in his eyes that kept you looking at him. All of him looked happy and proud, but there was something more. Unfortunately, if someone asked you what it was, you wouldn’t know how to explain it. But there was something there.

“You’re new?”

You gave a little jump at the unexpected voice on your side. You turned to your right and you saw him again. The same guy with the trophy in the picture, now in real size at your side.

“I’m gonna be” you nodded and looked back at the mural to see the rest of the teams.

“And, you like what you see?”

That flirty tone in his voice almost made you laugh. You turned to him again and saw that he had a smile that combined with the tone of voice he used and with the question he had made. His hands in his pockets, making his biceps more notorious.

“A little bit, yeah,” you said, willing to not let him intimidate you. And the truth was that you really liked what you were seeing “You are on summer break, right? What are you doing here?”

“I’m gonna do an exam,” he said like he didn’t want to talk much about it, but you didn’t realize it.

“You’re still on finals?” You asked, confused. The first time you noticed in your route was that there were no students or teachers.

“Oh, no… it’s an extraordinary exam. Chemistry” The guy answered as he didn’t care too much that he failed a class. You didn’t know what would be your situation at home if you were in his place.

“So, you’re not good with chemistry, then”

“It all depends on the situation” he smiled.

You kept his gaze for a few seconds. You didn’t want to give him the satisfaction to know that the first guy that got close to you in that city had made you shy. But the visual contact didn’t last too long, ‘cause you had to look at the ground for a second.

“What did you say your name was?” You asked, looking back at his face. He had beautiful brown eyes, but you were afraid that if you look at them for too long, he could know all your secrets.

“Angel,” he said and he looked so calm that that frustrated you even more.

“And I’m sure you’re not one”

Angel devilishly grinned and you felt your knees going a little weak. How a guy that you didn’t even know could have that power on you?

“What’s your name?” He asked and when you were about to answer, your phone rang so you lifted your index finger at him to ask for a moment. You took your mother’s call and the first thing she asked was:

“Where did you go?”

“I’m just walking around,” You told her calmly. You felt kinda sad when she told you that you needed to go to the office to sign the institutional regulation. That meant that your conversation with Angel came to an end “Okay... coming” you end the call and as you were placing your phone back into your pocket, you said: “I have to go”

You looked at him for the last time and started to make your way to the office, but you didn’t even give five steps when he spoke again.

“Hey!” He shouted making you turn back to him “You didn’t tell me your name”

“(Y/n)” you smiled and turned around to the way you had ahead.

“I lived, and I learned. Had you, got burned. Held out, and held on, God knows”

All the effort for the first date. The first kiss. The first ‘I love you.' The first time you made love. That day you met his parents and they adopted you into their family right away. All the double dates with his brother and girlfriend. The fairs and festivals. The football matches in which you were the one screaming louder than anyone whenever they made a score. His better grades. The jealousy from both sides. The fights because of the cheerleaders. All those break-ups and comebacks. Those days at the beach. The laughs. The tears. The good and the bad had gone and all because of his insecurities.

How did that happen? With three pictures someone left in your locker.

“What the hell, Angel?” Was the first thing you asked when you confronted him after school.

He saw the pictures and shrugged “You need me to explain it?” Those words had hit you too hard like never before a question had made. Your heart was breaking and it looked like he didn’t care even a little.

“What’s wrong with you?” You asked, not understanding that attitude towards you. He had never talked to you like that.

“Nothing, you’re the one who wants to fight,” He said, turning around to walk to the small desk beside his bed.

“I received pictures of you sleeping with Haley, what were you expecting?” You got close and threw the pictures at his back, they hit him and then fell to the floor. Angel barely looked at them and chuckled.

“It’s not so bad,” he said, turning to you.

“That it’s not so…?” You laughed at what you heard. Angel was a bit distant weeks before you had to go to college to finish your registration, but you never thought something like that could happen “It has to be a joke”

“You left for a week and I had physiology needs”

“Fucking jerk!” You shouted and couldn’t help but push him making him crashed against his desk. Some brushes fell to the floor and the tears in your eyes started to gather. You didn’t want him to see you crying, so you decided it was time to go.

“Everyone told you that but you didn’t want to see it” he aggressively said.

“Well, you got it” you turned to him and shrugged “Another broken heart… you smashed it” your voice trembled with the last words. That seemed to affect him because his hard expression softened for a second “I hope you’re happy”

But Angel wasn’t even close to being happy.

Once you left his room, he sat on the floor and saw the pictures. He ripped them apart while the tears fell from his cheeks. He hated himself.

He was a coward. He couldn’t break up with you, but he couldn’t let you stay with him. You had plans that he didn’t. Your vision of the future didn’t fit with his, and it was because he didn’t have one. He didn’t have plans like you, he wanted to go and take anything that comes his way. You had ambition, you had a plan to make your dreams come true, and him? He didn’t have anything.

To his eyes, you didn’t deserve someone like him.

“I lived, and I learned, and found out what it was to turn around and see, that we were never really meant to be”

Years went by and life changed.

Angel went through something he thought he never would. His mother has ripped away from their lives and that had been a hard blew for him. His little brother was sent to prison y couldn’t help but feel responsible because he made his way to get a gun easier. Ezekiel told him it was for mere protection, but deep down he knew his brother wanted retaliation.

And that made him get life imprisonment for the homicide of a cop.

His relationship with his father became tenser than what already was. But, after all that he had lost, he found a shelter. The club. Mayans MC. Those men went from simple mates to family too quickly.

He had heard from his father that you came back to the city. By that moment you were already done with college and your parents had been —finally— established in Santo Padre. You told him once, that you had fallen in love with the city and that, definitely, you could see your future there. So, when Felipe said that, he didn’t doubt in believing him.

But knowing you came back and seeing you had been so different for him.

He was on his way to the scrapyard in his bike with Coco and Gilly at both of his sides, but they had to stop for gas. Coco was saying something about how much he hated the hot weather and the incensement in the price of gas when a silver jeep parked in the pump in front of his.

Three doors opened. From the driver’s one jumped off a man with braids and sunglasses; he went directly to the pump. From one of the backseats door, as beautiful as he remembered, you went out.

He saw how you fixed your dress and laugh at something someone told you. You were fanning your face with your hands, a sign that you were hot. Then, a couple of seconds later, you took your hair and tied it in a messy bun. The hot air of Santo Padre in summer was excessive.

“We should have closed the windows and put the air conditioner” Angel heard a masculine voice and then he heard your laugh.

“You know that the combination of air conditioner and this weather make me sick, honey”

Honey. Angel hadn’t forgotten how that word sounded coming from your lips, but hearing you say it to another man broke his heart.

A man in a suit that looked to be more expensive than all of the boots Angel had, walked to you. He had a smile when he kissed you and even though he didn’t want to keep watching, for some unknown reason he couldn’t take his eyes off of you.

“That last house’s not a sign to desist in looking for our home here,” the man told you, taking your hands “We’re gonna find the perfect house or the perfect place to build it”

“I know,” you said and nodded. Your left hand touched his cheek and that was when Angel turned to his bike. The sunrays helped to the gleam of the giant diamond in your finger to not being unnoticed by him.

You were engaged, and you and your fiancé were looking for a house, which meant it wouldn’t take long for you to marry.

“You okay?” Coco asked him. He was pale and it seemed he could faint at any moment. But Angel didn’t answer, he turned to the jeep when the doors got closed instead.

The driver started the engine and that was when your gaze stopped in him.

You looked fine. You looked happy. When your eyes connected with his, you didn’t seem surprised or hurt, or shocked. In fact, he couldn’t decipher what he saw in your eyes.

“You know her?” Gilly asked.

“I used to,” Angel said when he found his voice which wasn’t quickly.

And even though he was hurt for letting you go in the way he did, when he saw you he realized that he had made the right decision. ‘Cause you belong to the world that man in the expensive suit could give you. It was too painful though, to find out —again— that he never really had a chance like that with you.

That night, he required the services of Vicky’s girls and after that, Coco had to drive him to his apartment ‘cause he couldn’t even walk for all the alcohol he drank to cope with the pain.

“So I lied, and I cried, and I watched a part of myself die”

Days after and thanks to el Padrino, he knew who your fiancé was. His name was Miguel Galindo and he was the son of José Galindo, founder of one the most powerful and deadliest cartels in the México-USA border. He also knew that your wedding was set to be in October and that would be in three months.

That day in the gas station wasn’t the last time he saw you. He had seen you in the mall with the first friend you made in Santo Padre. You met in the market and it had been so uncomfortable. There were a lot of people and you had to walk by too close to each other. He also saw you going out of a restaurant with Miguel at your side and once and then you two were in the paper news for going to charity events.

It didn’t matter how many times he saw you at the side of another man, he could never get use to it.

“I know you didn’t want to talk about it at the moment, but… why did you break up?” Felipe asked him. He didn’t more information to know what he meant. Angel had a couple of days going to his parents' house and Felipe knew why.

You had been there on so many occasions and Angel still couldn’t get over you.

“I cheated on her” Angel said “I slept with one of the cheerleaders and I made sure to have evidence. Evidence that I left in her locker”

Felipe sighed and shook his head no “We didn’t raise you like that, Angel”

“I know that” he sounded irritated “But I needed to push her away from me so she could get all the goals she had in life… and it turned out fine. She’s so much better now”

“Did you apologize to her?” His father questioned, hoping to get a positive answer, but when Angel remained silent, he got the answer he didn’t want “You have to do it, Angel. She was and is a great woman, she didn’t deserve that. But at least do it for your mother” Angel turned to his father. There were tears in his eyes at the mention of her “Your mother loved that kid, and she always taught you to apologize when you did something wrong”

Angel nodded and took his gaze up to the ceiling, promising his mother that he would apologize next time he sees you.

A month went by to see you again. A Friday, his father had asked him for help at the butcher shop, so he went out of the clubhouse and when he arrived at the shop, he saw a jeep parked outside and a man waiting by the backseat’s door. For the glass of the shop, he saw his father talking to you. You were smiling and later, your exit coincided with his entrance.

“Sorry,” you said with a small smile and thanked him when Angel stepped aside to let you walk out.

Angel looked at his father and the expression on his face said “Go” so he just nodded got out of the shop.

“Hey, (y/n)” his voice went out less determined than what he wanted, but it worked out to have your attention. The driver had already opened the door for you, but you still turned to him “Can we talk?”

“Uh… I don’t see why” you said.

“Please…” Angel insisted, feeling nervous for the first time in too long.

“Fine” you nodded and made a sign to your driver for him to wait. He took the butcher bag and went to the trunk “What happens?” You asked, giving a few steps towards him.

Angel pointed at the table so you could sit with him, and you did.

“I never apologized for what I did to you,” he said after a few seconds of silence. He saw you sighing and shaking your head.

“Angel…” you began to say, but he interrupted you.

“No, wait… I’m sorry. I truly am and I was in that moment too” he accepted, taking you by surprise ‘cause that day you didn’t see any repentance in him “I was a jerk, you didn’t deserve that and I’m so sorry”

You didn’t know what to say for a moment. Clearly, you had gotten over what happened, but, talking about it only took you to all the pain you felt and the depression you fell into that lasted more than you would have liked.

“Well, thank you for your apologies. I accept them” you finally said and Angel looked relieved with those words “But, don’t worry anymore… it’s been some years and we got over it, right?” You asked with a small smile on your face.

“Yeah…” Angel lied “I think it turned out fine for both of us”

“Yes, everything’s fine now” you repeated “And, well… we’re going to find once and then, the city is too small. Is good that it won’t be uncomfortable next time we cross paths” you smiled once more and stood up “I have to go” Angel accepted that and even though he wanted to make you stay a little bit longer. You stopped and turned to him by yourself “Angel?”

Angel looked up to you, you were closer than what he thought you would “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” you said pressing your lips together. When that happened, you called Felipe and Ez and talked to them, but you didn’t dare to talk to Angel.

“Thanks for the flowers” you shook your head no. You sent those flowers because you were in pain for what happened too, not because you wanted to look good before them or for them to thank you afterward.

“I loved her. She was amazing”

Angel smiled, remembering the times when his mother had told him that you were the one and that she would love to have you as a daughter-in-law “She loved you, too. She loved you so much” he admitted.

You smiled and did something that took him by surprise: you hugged him.

Angel reacted in time to hug you back, he did it tighter though, like he didn’t want to let you go again, and the truth was that he didn’t want to.

“Bye,” you said when you got apart, but he couldn’t say anything back. He just looked how you got in the car and how the jeep went away from the shop as he held on to those five seconds that the hug lasted.

The days kept on going until they became weeks and October arrived quicker than Angel imagined. El Padrino was invited to the wedding ‘cause he had been close to your future late father-in-law, so Miguel appreciated him.

Angel had promised himself he wouldn’t go. Being there and see you taking someone else’s name wouldn’t help in anything, but couldn’t contain from doing it. A few minutes after seven p.m, he drove to the church and waited outside. He was in a spot in which people couldn’t see him, but he would see when they go out. In his hands, he had a strip with black and white pictures from one of those machines at fairs. Those were the only pictures he kept after you broke up with him.

In the first one, you were only smiling. In the second, he was kissing you and in the third, you were smiling and showing your left hand in which you had a candy ring that Angel bought for you.

At 7:45 people started to leave the church and it didn’t take too long for you and your now-husband to go out. You looked beautiful. Your smile could light up the whole country, and, the man at your side looked happy too. He should be. Marry you should be enough reasons to be the happiest and luckiest man on the planet.

A tear fell when your husband cupped your face and kissed you. It didn’t matter how happy you looked, Angel couldn’t help but wish to be him taking your hand at that moment. He looked down at the pictures and sighed. He left them in the tree trunk that was being used as his hiding spot and turned to you, one last time.

He still loved you like the first day and he couldn’t deny it, and also couldn’t hide it. He was hoping to find you in another life to make things right.

“Cause no amount of freedom gets you clean. I’ve still got you all over me”

|| MY MASTERLIST ||

#angel reyes #angel reyes drabble #angel reyes x reader #angel reyes fanfiction #angel reyes fanfic #angel reyes gif #Mayans MC #mayans mc x reader #mayans mc fanfiction #mayans mc imagine #mayans mc fic #miguel galindo #miguel galindo x reader #miguel galindo x oc #miguel galindo fanfiction #miguel galindo imagine #fanfic #fanfiction

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hacawijo · 3 years

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The Most Story/Technical/Writing-related Reasons I Think Elriel Will Happen

AND Why Comparing Elain/Azriel to Nesryn/Chaol doesn’t make a ton of sense

Chaol and Nesryn, in the Throne of Glass series, did not have the stakes and chemistry set up by the story for the switch to Chaorene and Nestaq to not make sense. See reblogged post below from @mardereads19 for my inspiration - such a concise and helpful layout!!!! Thank you! And thank you to the poster who inspired them 🤪😌

Chaol and Nesryn-

— Stands to Gain —

— their individual happiness in romantic love/a successful relationship with someone in whom they’ve indicated romantic interest.

— for Chaol - the opportunity to move on from Aelin and be happy without her

— for Nesryn - aside from finding happiness re: above, nesryn doesn’t stand to gain anything more specific from their relationship (as far as we know up until the next book - we don’t know enough about her for her personal stakes to be significant to us)

— Obstacles —

— Chaol’s self-blame and self-loathing

— Chaol’s still healing heart after Aelin (but, NOT the possibility of Chaol and Aelin re-entering into a romantic relationship)

— the stress of their duties and responsibilities (I.e. needing to focus on getting support for the war with the valg)

— Overarching Consequences —

there is nothing about the two of them being together that will have overreaching negative side effects on many other people as of the end of the prior novel.

——

NOW, Chaol and Yrene - their stakes and consequences did need to be mapped out over one book, so we’ll talk about them as of the first 2/3rds of the book or so, bearing in mind that that is much less time to build effective stakes for a couple (not that it’s not doable, but the stakes are automatically less for the audiences if they can go through the initiation and resolution in one book).

Except they had the added help of four prior books with Chaol as a main POV character - thus his character’s personal stakes are higher.

— Stands to Gain —

— Chaol - his physical, emotional, and mental healing are directly rooted in his relationship with Yrene. He stands to lose any shred of hope, health, closure, and possibility of leg mobility that he has left. (We have absolute confirmation of this from Chaol’s direct POV)

— Yrene - the opportunity to come to terms with her anger and sorrow over the loss of her mother and country by opening up to a man who was not personally responsible for any of it but who was intrinsically linked to those who were (a personal stake we have absolute confirmation of from Yrene’s POV in the book)

— For Both - the chance to have a loving, successful relationship and life together with someone they love.

— Obstacles —

— Yrene’s (not unreasonable) prejudice against Adarlan

— Chaol’s self-blame, self-loathing, and general belief that he can’t and shouldn’t be happy. And his frustration with his legs and recovery process.

— Prince Kashin’s interest in and proposal to Yerene; as well as Yrene’s relationship with Hasar and the rest of the royal family.

— Chaol’s relationship with and obligation to Nesryn.

— The physical distance between their regular homes and duties and their commitment to those duties as taking priority over everything else.

— Overarching Consequences —

- the loss of Kashin’s support and thus the loss of the empire’s military and aid and support in the war with the Valg.

SO, as you can see, Yrene and Chaol’s relationship ultimately had more for them to gain, overcome, and risk, thanks to Sarah’s writing, but also thanks to Nesryn and Chaol as characters and in their very specific circumstances. If Chaol and Aelin had still been a viable relationship by the start of this book, it would have been VERY difficult to establish a successful HEA between Chaol and Yrene.

NOW, let’s compare Elriel, Elucien, and Gwynriel- I think you’ll find that Elriel has the highest stakes, followed by Elucien, and then Gwynriel. AGAIN, this is not to say that those stakes couldn’t be altered over the course of the next book (though POV confirmations will probably inform this a lot), but it would take much more work and page acreage.

Elriel:

— Stands to Gain —

- For both - personal happiness in a loving and successful relationship with someone they love or are at least deeply attracted to/interested in as confirmed by Azriel’s POV chapter and Elain’s arousal and supported by 3.5 books worth of (let’s call it) circumstantial evidence 🙃

- Azriel - the chance to move on from Mor and feelings of loneliness and lack of self-worth he’s had for 500 years. (Hopefully - we have partial confirmation of this gain given scattered evidence from Azriel’s POV chapter and that cassian and others have noticed that Azriel doesn’t pine after mor as much/at all anymore and in moments in the text where Elain has specifically not recoiled from him/judged him - I.e. seeing his scarred hands)

- Elain - the chance to find a partner she loves and would choose and who loves and accepts her for who she is now and will be in the future (hopefully - we have partial confirmation of this gain given the evidence that she chose to pursue romantic/sexual physical touch with Azriel in that moment in the bonus chapter and the moments where it has been explicitly stated that Azriel sees Elain/notices things about her that others don’t)

- For both (but moreso for Azriel than Elain) - the chance to be with someone who will not take them away from their home and will in fact connect them even more with their brothers/sisters, current loved ones, and friends.

— Obstacles —

- Elain’s mating bond with another male that is not (yet) broken

- Her bond with a male who is essential to the continued safety and peace of the night court/their home and who is close with Feyre, and who is a genuinely good person who doesn’t deserve to be hurt.

- Rhys, his high lord and superior, forbidding Azriel from spending time with Elain.

- the remnants of Azriel’s feelings for Mor and Elain’s feelings for Graysen.

- Azriel’s belief in his lack of worthiness for Elain (see: Bonus Chapter POV)

- Azriel’s work as spymaster as a priority and the dangers both he and Elain face as a powerful Illyrian with a dangerous job and a Made female high fae who can wield/access the cauldron and related objects, who sees the future, and whose existence is known by malevolent forces.

- Potential misunderstanding around Azriel regifting Elain’s necklace to Gwyn.

— Overarching Consequences —

- Blood duel - the potential death of Azriel and/or Lucien in a duel put forth either by Lucien or forced by his not actual father.

- the potential loss of support from the spring court, the day court and/or the band of exiles as well as the potential end of a shaky neutrality with the autumn court and secret alliance with Eris. All of which could lead to war and the deaths of everyone in the night court.

Elucien -

— Stands to Gain —

- For both - personal happiness in a loving and successful relationship with someone they love. (And this is generously assuming mutual interest of which we truly do not have confirmation)

- For Elain - relief from her loneliness/ feeling of being unseen (hopefully - see above parenthetical)

- For Lucien - relief from his loneliness/feeling of being unappreciated (hopefully - see above parenthetical)

- A successful mating bond for both of them

— Obstacles —

- Elain’s now-confirmed sexual/potentially romantic feelings for Azriel

- Elain’s residual feelings for Graysen

- Lucien’s potential feelings for Vassa

- Current physical distance of the places they call home.

- Displayed lack of chemistry/mutual interest/trust/effective communication/understanding

— Consequences —

- Maybe violence between Lucien and Azriel but that seems much less likely than in the case of Elriel.

Gwynriel

— Stands to Gain —

- For both - personal happiness in a loving and successful relationship with someone they love. (And this is generously assuming mutual interest of which we truly do not have confirmation)

- Azriel - the chance to move on from Mor and feelings of loneliness and lack of self-worth he’s had for 500 years (hopefully- not much evidence one way or another that he would gain this from a relationship with Gwyn (one way or another!! Not saying a relationship with Gwyn COULDN’T help him gain those things))

- Gwyn - the chance to move on from her past trauma and be happy with someone who appreciates her and whom she implicitly trusts (hopefully - not much evidence one way or another - see above)

— Obstacles —

- Azriel’s residual feelings for Mor

- Azriel’s current and enflamed feelings for Elain and their reciprocation

- Gwyn’s lack of interest in romantic companionship either because she’s not interested in it or because of her trauma (we have no confirmation from the text that Gwyn even wants a romantic relationship - let alone the reasons she may or may not have for the answer to that question)

- HALF OBSTACLE - Azriel’s potential belief in his lack of worthiness for a romantic relationship with anyone (I’m calling this a half-obstacle because we don’t actually have confirmation that Azriel believes he is unworthy of anyone and/or Gwyn - we only have confirmation that he believes himself unworthy of touching Elain and the perspective of others that he believes he doesn’t deserve Mor)

— Overarching Consequences —

- A potential fracture in Azriel’s relationship with someone who does not want to see Elain hurt (and even this loses teeth because Nesta is the most likely person to turn on Azriel for this and she loves Gwyn just about as much as she loves Elain, so it would be very difficult for her to assert a position either way) ALSO, this consequence isn’t relevant to Elriel because, as of now, we do not have confirmation that Gwyn even has feelings for Azriel so there’s no saying she would be heartbroken if he entered into a relationship with Elain, and certainly it would not be the same level of distress as it would be for Elain since Elain and Azriel have already declared interest in each other.

Alrighty, so, this is not a 100% reassurance of anything, but it’s important to think about plot and the work Sarah will have to do over 700 pages. If Gwynriel is endgame, she will need to address all of the gains and obstacles around Elriel (because it has been established throughout the books and confirmed as a relationship by the bonus chapter) and THEN build larger gains and more dramatic obstacles and consequences for Gwynriel that rival Elriel in emotional and world stakes, and THEN overcome those obstacles in a way that is satisfying and that leads to satisfying gains for the characters.

For an Elriel book, however, most of the gains have already been established by previous books and would thus not require as much development and the obstacles have already been established and could be addressed immediately (as in they would not need to be further outlined).

That’s a lot less stuff to get done in the same amount of book. One thing that could help Gwynriel in this case is if they had an added subplot in another book that actually comes before the Elain/Azriel/Lucien resolution (I.e. a book about Mor) and a lot of work was done there first as well as in the main plot book. That would still take a lot more emotional work for the characters and reader than to pursue and resolve Elriel.

The reason it was different for Chaol and Yrene is that there was not a particularly well-established relationship/ship story for Nesryn and Chaol as much as there is for Elain and Azriel (tbh, Chaol’s relationship with Aelin was probably a deeper emotional obstacle in his relationship with Yrene) AND we had already had 4 books of POV character development for Chaol. Whether you liked him or not, we had spent a lot of time with his character and he was one of the first three main characters in the series - we knew a lot about him.

On the other hand, Azriel has only had one bonus POV chapter (the rest of what we know about him being second- or third-hand through the perspective of other characters) and he will have had about 3.5 books of development before his starring book (unless his book is not next) and then it was only as a side character. The same can be said for Elain, though without the bonus POV chapter and with a bit more book-mileage for us to go on. We only have one book of side character development for Gwyn (though it is perhaps more significant than the average of Az and Elain’s 2nd- and 3rd- degree perceptions from other characters as Az and Elain spend a lot of time in the other books as tertiary characters (Mor or Rhys is to Feyre what Gwyn is to Nesta, Elain or Azriel is to Feyre what Elain or Azriel is to Nesta).

So, total, as readers we do ultimately have a little more stake in Elain and Azriel as individual characters and combined (based on length of establishment in the series and level of involvement in the series) than we do in Azriel and Gwyn combined. But more than either of those couples, we had stake in Chaol and Yrene because, again, we’d been with Chaol as a main POV character for 4 prior books, and Yrene is a POV character in the book in question. It is definitely possible that Gwyn will at least also become a POV character for the next book/books, but there is not as much evidence to support that as there is to support that Elain will become a POV character (given what Sarah has said in lives, Elain’s establishment as a character and the fulfillment of the three sisters’ POVs, the Feyre bonus chapter’s focus on Elain, Elain’s totally unresolved role in Azriel’s bonus chapter, and the general lack of resolution for all of her character’s secondary and tertiary growth in ACOSF as opposed to the amount of closure with which Gwyn finishes the book).

As for Elucien, even more work would need to be done to develop their stakes in each other than in Gwynriel, because from what we can possibly know based on text and secondary and tertiary perspectives of their relationship they are actually DISINCLINED toward each other. At least Azriel and Gwyn have an established, positive rapport.

So these are the real technical, plot-y reasons that I believe the Elriel situation is very different from the Chaol&Nesryn situation, and much more likely to happen than Elucien and/or Gwynriel. Wow this is long, but I hope it reassures some of you and creates opportunities for respectful thought and discussion between shippers!

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julyarchives · 3 years

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Don’t You Hear Me Howling? || (M) || 01

Finding out you are a female Alpha sparkled some rivalry inside your pack, and resulted in you losing your best friend and your life turning upsidedown, so leaving for college was the fresh start you needed. Years later, you are about to finish your degree and suddenly this past comes back to mess with your head.

→ Pairing: Yeo One x Female Reader | Kino x Female Reader

→ Genre: Smut; A/B/O AU; Omegaverse; College AU.

→ Words: 3.4K

→ Contains: Mentions of Alcohool; Power Play; Hair Pulling.

→ A/n: Hey guys! So this is our new multi-chaptered story! We have never written this kind of AU before, so please be kind if you spot any mistakes and feel free to educate us. This story will follow cisgender real-life anatomy (a.k.a. it won’t have knotting, mpreg and changes of those sorts). This took us out of our comfort zone and we enjoyed writing it so much that we couldn’t wait any longer to share it with you guys. We hope you all like it as much as we do!

→ Index: 01 • 02 • 03 • 04 • 05 • 06 • 07 • 08

Changgu and you have been friends since before you could remember. You grew up in the same pack, Changgu being the firstborn of the alpha. It was obvious to everyone that he was going to be Alpha as well, the next one to take over the pack when his dad steps down. You two grew up as best friends, and the consequence of being brought up together with an alpha-to-be is that you end up getting some of his personality traits. You were very stubborn and territorial, often getting into trouble for feeling jealous when someone tried to approach your friends. But it was all brushed off as you just mirroring your friend.

Changgu got his first heat at the age of 15, and everyone celebrated the fact that his scent was very much dominant. Everyone started treating him differently, even your other friends in common, but to you, he was the same old Changgu, and one more time your lack of responsiveness was just “she just didn’t get her heat yet, I bet she’s going to change in a few years. I swear, those two will end up marrying”

You heard that since you were a child, and for a while you let yourself believe that. He was your best friend in the world, so why not? You would be his omega, fine, he’s always treated you nicely, so it wasn’t the worst idea. You two remained friends, even though he was becoming a different person each day, cockier and sometimes even rude, growling and bossing everyone around. You were the only one that never took his shit, but he never seemed to mind that

Until the day of your first heat. It was all the pack would talk about. You were in your senior year, and when everyone realized that your scent was much stronger than Changgu’s it was a shock. It took a while for you to believe that you were really an Alpha, and to understand what that meant for Changgu. He was actually a Beta, that’s why everyone assumed he was an Alpha when you didn’t have your scent. It explains his personality and yours being so similar. It explains everything.

At first, you didn’t think it was that big of a deal for your friendship, but Changgu suddenly started hating you. You two had plans to go to college together and even live together at some point, but after he found out he wasn’t the Alpha, he redirected his frustration towards you. As an Alpha, you could hold him back sometimes, stopping him from being the worst dickhead. But sometimes you just let it go for the sake of the friendship. He wasn’t willing to do the same.

Once you two moved out to college, it was the breaking point. He stopped talking to you at all, barely acknowledging your presence when you two came across each other in the hall.

Eventually, you just gave up and accepted you weren’t friends anymore. He found his omega friends where he could be the dominant one, and the fact that he provoked heat in them gave him quite a reputation on campus. You were fine, though, have moved on with your life, and last year to graduate as a chemical engineer, developing a research thesis on the studies of blockers and those types of hormones.

This thesis was so important for you because it's a pioneer one in blockers for female Alphas, using plant based hormones to help block scents but not body growth, actually helping with it, so females can not be jeopardized by smaller body structure than males. Your life was hard because of that condition, that's why changing that for future Alpha Women meant so much to you, and nothing could stop you from achieving your biggest goal in life.

All of that didn’t stop you from developing certain anger towards him for abandoning you just for some stupid hierarchy shit.

It was a particularly shitty day. All your lab experiments went wrong, and you got so out of control when a girl tried to help that you actually lost it and growled so loud that caused everyone in the room to stop immediately what they were doing and lower their heads towards you.

You just sighed, holding back all your instincts, and left everything behind. Rushing through the way to your apartment, you stumbled onto Wooseok

“Wow, (y/n), what is going on? I could feel chills all the way across the yard” He held onto your shoulders, towering his 1.9m over you.

Another growl escaped your lips, his touch was not doing you any good. He just released you, holding his own hand behind his back and muttering an apology. Wooseok is an omega from your pack, one of the friends you used to have in common with Changgu. You guys never lost touch, especially because he was a very submissive omega. But overall, a good friend.

“Everything is going to shit today, I got caught in the rain, my experiments went wrong, I frightened everyone in the lab and I’m pretty sure I’m getting my rut soon, so help me God if anyone else fucking touches me I will have a fit.”

“Oh, I see.” He twisted his lips “Let’s throw a party, my frat house is always down for a rager. You can find a nice unmarked person to have your fun with, and getting wasted as a bonus”

“That’s why you are my favorite omega” you reached up above you and patted his hair, and his reaction was smirk proud of himself “see you tonight.”.

Wooseok’s frat was huge. He lived with about 9 other boys, and they were known for having the best parties, so you had high hopes for tonight. The place was already crowded and the music loud. You quickly looked around searching for your friend, with no problem finding him, given his height.

“Hey, you made it!” he said when you approached, and introduced you to his group of friend “guys, this is my Alpha (y/n)”

One guy chuckled, you looked directly at him

“She’s your Alpha?” he asked, condescendingly, eyeing you up and down.

Your smile quickly faded.

“Got a problem with that?” You lifted one brow, crossing your arms in front of your chest

“Nothing, your just…” He looked at Wooseok, then at you “short.”

Alphas are usually the tallest of the pack. You weren’t. Being a female Alpha was already difficult, harder to be respected, and your height has always been a reason to be discredited of your position, you always took shit for that. You hated it.

Your blood boiled, everyone around you could feel it, it was easily noticed how everyone flinched. Your eyes were fixated on the boy, ready to jump at his throat. How could he be so disrespectful to an Alpha?

“Shouldn’t have said that, man” Wooseok said immediately

You growled hand curled into fists. You started to move to go against the boy, but a hand caught your wrist.

Changgu was looking at you seriously, a very concentrated frown, though not a mad one, just focused. You two didn’t exchange words, just stared at each other for a while. As your Beta, the influence he has on you due to your connection is undeniable. With just that look, he meant “I got this”. And you trusted him.

The stupid boy had his head lowered still, he knew he fucked up. Everyone was paying attention to what happened, your scent probably stronger than ever. Changgu released you.

“C’mon, get away from here. And learn to have some respect” He smacked the boy in the back of the head.

You were now calming down, and feeling embarrassed for causing a scene right when you arrived. You turned to Wooseok, who was watching you attentively.

“Get me to the booze, would ya?” You asked, and he just nodded and obeyed.

Arriving at the kitchen, Wooseok passed you a can of beer.

“I’m sorry for him, he was a jerk” he said, starting the conversation

“It’s alright, I’m used to it, honestly. Just lost my head because of everything today, I told you.”

“I know. I’m sorry”

“Yeah, it’s ok.” You took a long sip. Staring straightforwardly, you continued, not daring to look at Wooseok for the next sentence. “Didn’t know Changgu was going to be here”

“You didn’t? He moved in this semester.” He said carefully., knowing your history. “I was hoping you two wouldn’t stumble onto each other, it is a big party, it had a chance of happening.”

“Lucky me, my Beta senses my every feeling like a radar” you said with irony.

“At least he stopped you from committing a homicide in my house” your friend joked.

“Shut up” you punched his arm lightly.

Encountering Changgu was something else entirely. This was the most he acknowledged you in years. You do understand, though, that it was a natural reaction, very instinctive. No matter how much time you spend apart, if you two are near enough, he will sense every strong feeling of yours and act as your right arm.

You hated that he was looking good. He recently dyed his hair a pale blond, his cut-out black tank top displaying his strong arms were very sexy, his piercing dark eyes staring directly at you, knowing your every feeling. God, you bet the sex would be amazing, and…

“Erm, y/n,” Wooseok shifted “You horny very out loud”

“Oh,” you adjusted yourself “Sorry” you laughed.

The downside to being an alpha about to get your rut is that everyone around you gets horny. Even without you want to.

“I’ll fix that, let me introduce you to someone”

Wooseok guided you to the crowd. Your eyes immediately found Changgu’s again. You couldn’t keep off of each other’s now. Years without any kind of contact were replaced by his touch and all the mental talk you just had. Now the bond grew stronger. It was inevitable to find each other no matter where, and it was pissing you off. You wouldn’t be the one to cave in, not at all. He was the one who put distance between the two of you, so he will be the one to change that if he wants.

Wooseok moved out of the way, letting one of his friends stop in front of you.

“y/n, this is Kino. Kino, this is y/n, the one I talked about earlier today.”

“It’s nice to meet you, y/n” he smiled at you, reaching his hand respectfully.

He was cute. He seemed young and cheerful, yet his eyes hovering you all over showed his intentions were beyond cheerful.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Kino” You dragged his name, sounding good on your lips.

He smelled like fresh strawberries, the scent filling up your nostrils very intoxicatingly. He was in heat. Just what you needed exactly. You had to remember to thank Wooseok later.

“I’ll leave you guys to it” Your friend excused himself, probably overwhelmed with the number of pheromones in the air.

“So, I’ve never been with a female alpha before. This should be fun” He grinned, his flirty personality enticing you

“Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything” You winked at him.

“Better not waste time, then” He reached for your hand, which you gladly allowed him to, and he guided you away from the crowd.

As you approached the empty hallway that led to the bedrooms, you stopped and backed Kino against the wall.

“Your scent is driving me crazy” You said in a low seductive voice, pressing your body against his.

His immediate reaction was to hold your waist and pull you closer, Hips rubbing together so you could feel his bulge through his jeans

“I could say just the same.” was the last thing he said before closing the distance between you two.

He kissed you hard and hungry, contrasting with his soft lips. His hands immediately slither inside your shirt, his warm touch burning trails against the skin of your back. Your nails lightly grazing against his neck, using your palms to cup his face and dominantly guide him to kiss you as you pleased. He was more than compliant.

“Shall we move this to the bedroom?” you said between pants. He looked amazing with his hair messy from the way you grabbed him, and lips in a pretty shade of pink, plump and swollen.

He just nodded, chest rising up and down fast.

This time you took his hand and pulled him to the nearest door you could find, luckily it led to a bedroom.

“Sit.” you ordered shortly and he quickly obeyed.

He sat at the edge of the bed, legs spread, leaning back supporting himself on his arms. He looked absolutely gorgeous, his eyes following your every move as you walked towards him and stood in between his knees.

He sat up, hands reaching under your shirt and pushing it up oh so slowly, taking his time feeling you. He looked at you with lust in his eyes. After he discarded your top, he planted slow wet kisses across your stomach, his hand working on the buttons of your jeans. He took the chance to take in your alpha scent, that’s when you say his pupil dilating, taking over almost his whole iris.

“You’re so gorgeous” he said, tugging your pants down. You caressed the top of his head, running your fingers through his hair.

“undress” you commanded him again.

When both of you were left naked, you straddled him, kissing him passionately as he grabbed your ass, grinding you against his bulge. You pushed him to lay down, not wasting time to sink down on his dick. Both of you couldn’t handle waiting any longer. You started riding him and he immediately started moaning and groaning high pitched in a small voice that turned you on even more. He carved his nails on your thighs as you kept the fast pace.

He started rocking his hips up, following your movements, getting deeper inside of you, and hitting just the right spot to make you scream.

“Fuck, baby, keep doing just like that” you told him in between moans

Kino moaned louder at the pet name. You opened a smug smile.

“Like being called that, huh?” you ask and he nodded, moaning your name “like being my baby boy?”

He muttered a few curse words and your name repeatedly.

“That’s right, baby, keep being loud for me. Sounds so good” You kept encouraging him.

He looked fucked out already below you. His sweaty hair sticking to his forehead, a blush spreading across his cheeks, and his mouth hanging open.

You leaned down, not stopping moving your hips, to kiss him again, you just couldn’t resist. The harder you kissed him, the closer you got to your high. The arousal pooling in your core the harder he thrust into you. Soon like that you were coming hard and loud, and you thanked the loud music, otherwise, everyone would have heard you. Kino fucked hard, just the way you like it, and it got you exactly what you needed, obeying your every order like a good omega.

But he wasn’t done yet.

You got off of him, laying in the bed on all fours and he soon was inside you again, taking you from behind with loud skin-to-skin sounds, his moaning getting louder and louder.

“Pull my hair, Kino” you managed to say.

He quickly grabbed it in a make-do ponytail, pulling it so it hurt how you wanted, making you hiss in pleasure. But it got him too confident.

“Fuck, y/n, it feels so good like that” he said and followed with a light slap on your ass.

It got you snarling.

"Oh no, don't think you're in charge.” you warned “Hit me again and we're done, baby boy"

He muttered a quick apology between gasps.

Being put back in his place, Kino was working his hips enthusiastically now, while you backed it up against him. He definitely knew what he was doing. He took you by surprise when he reached below you for your clit, rubbing it in circular motions in sync with his thrusts. You buried your head in a pillow, muffling the high-pitched grunts leaving your throat due to the overstimulation, but you were loving every second of it. Kinos thrusts started to become more sloppy and faster, indicating he was about to cum. You both reached your high at the same time, the pheromones boosting it, making it the most intense orgasm you had in a long time. Curses and names being thrown around by the both of you, his hands digging in your hips while yours twisted the sheets around.

Kino collapsed by your side at the same time you laid down on your back. He approached and kissed you again, this time not so urgent, but rather slow and sensual. His hand now patted your side softly, causing small goosebumps to rise on your skin. He kissed down your neck and buried his nose on your hair, taking in your scent

“You did good…” you started teasing “baby boy”

Kino grinned, proud of himself.

“You were pretty amazing yourself.” he answered, biting his lip.

You hugged him closer, letting him cuddle you and enjoying the way he smelled as well. Strawberries will never be the same, you chuckled to yourself. You knew that for an omega, being with an Alpha was overwhelming, so you knew, that, even if the sex wasn’t the kinkiest, the aftercare was necessary.

You took the opportunity to get to know each other better. You learned that he is a dance major, which explained the flawless hip work, and he was 2 years younger than you, which was a first for you. Nevertheless, he was good company. After exchanging your numbers, agreeing to repeat the latest activity would be good both for your rut and his heat, and a quick makeout session, you both got dressed and headed back to the party due to the need for beverages.

The party was still at its high point, everyone was drunk and dancing like no one was watching. Kino and you earn a few lingering looks for showing up smelling so strongly like pheromones and sex. But you didn’t care, you were used to it. You two found a good spot on the dance floor and you told him to stay there, so you would get drinks for them.

Back at the kitchen, you quickly grabbed a pair of red cups with a blue vodka that god knows what flavor it was. When you were heading out, someone blocked your way purposefully.

“What do you want, Changgu?” You lifted your head, staring at him face-to-face, Alpha and Beta matching heights.

“So I am left to clean up your mess while you go around and fuck the first guy you see in front of you?”

You thanked whatever bigger force that the kitchen was empty, you didn’t want to cause another scene, but Changgu was getting on your nerves.

“Oh that’s so sweet, you think that was about you?” You spilled ironically.

“Just get your shit together before I have to rescue your ass for you to grind it on someone else” He said, trying to get the upper hand.

“I don’t know if you forgot, but I’m still your fucking Alpha, so back the fuck off before talking to me like that. I didn’t need you to come to rescue me of anything, I’m pretty sure I can handle myself. And finally,...” you looked at him up and down “Why do you care who I grind on? Upset it’s not on you?”

He curled his hands in fists, staring at you with that same frown, only this time you knew he was pissed. You got closer and whispered at him.

“Next time, all you have to do is ask, sweetheart.” You bit your lips into a grin.

You backed out to stare at him again when you saw Kino approaching.

“Y/n!” he called you, Changgu immediately snapped his head to look at him, fuming. “Is everything okay?” He stared between you and Changgu, defensive mode ready to fight in case needed.

“Don’t worry, baby” You said to Kino, but actually staring at your Beta, who was gritting his teeth at you “Changgu was just leaving.”

You walked past him, bumping your shoulders on the way, and heading back to the dancefloor with Kino.

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caffernnn · 3 years

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Haru’s hopelessness - an extensive rambling.

Watchers of Free! Eternal Summer - y’all remember this moment, right?

Throughout S2, as some of the boys now have to seriously think about their lives and paths after high school, Haru struggles to think past what he’s always known: swimming for his friends/himself, eating mackerel, and being free. Things arguably take a darker turn once Haru cannot run from the question anymore and breaks, lashing out at Rin and saying he doesn’t have a dream or a future.

There are so many things that can be unpacked from this quote alone, and my thoughts on the matter will probably be sporadic, but here are a few key things I’d like to try diving into in this post:

My interpretation of Haru’s, Makoto’s, and Rin’s characters’ mindsets

What Haru is likely trying to say

How Makoto and Rin interpret his words (based on their mindsets and experiences)

I’d love to hear other people’s thoughts on it all as well, so please feel free to add on :)

DISCLAIMER: This post will reference material outside of S2 itself to explain my insight/interpretation of the characters (S1 episodes, High Speed novel), but I won’t be putting full links to all of those materials in this post. If you’d like a specific link to anything I’m referencing, let me know and I can try to dig one up.

When first hearing Haru say that he doesn’t have a dream or a future, it is shocking and concerning, especially to his friends. However, as broken as lost as Haru is in this moment, the weight of his words and what he’s verbally trying to convey is most likely different than what his friends hear. I feel as if a big reason for this comes down to the different ways the characters perceive time and approach general goal-setting.

Here is a video that can give a frame of reference for what I mean by “time perception,” but I’ll still try to explain my thinking ---> https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMJsdVUhu/

Rin and Haru butt heads on many occasions throughout the series due to having opposing characteristics and approaches to life. The big difference that comes into play during S2 is how they both approach goal-setting and time. As soon as we’re introduced to Rin, it becomes apparent that he is someone who is a visionary that has always set his sights on the future. From boldly proclaiming his Olympic goals in elementary school to encouraging their team to put their relay trophy into a time capsule, Rin establishes himself early on as a dreamer that puts his all into his long-term goals. Being someone who thinks about things in this manner isn’t inherently good or bad, but it does lend a hand to many of the issues we see Rin go through in S1 (having tunnel vision on his goal that isolates him from his friends, being prone to catastrophize when confronted with road blocks along the way [like when he breaks down after losing to Haru in middle school], etc.). However, all of that dreaming puts him at an advantage now when preparing to move forward into post-high-school life. He has a frame of reference for most of his next steps (winning races, talking to scouts), and now he just has to make it a reality.

Haru, in essence, lives his life in the moment. If he wants to swim, he’ll try to swim; if he wants mackerel, he’ll try to make mackerel. He lets the people around him (usually Makoto) worry about the possible consequences for his actions (swimming too early in spring might get him sick, swimming in a fish tank might get him kicked out of XYZ place, cooking mackerel after a long bath might make him late for school, etc.). The way he thinks about all of his “tomorrows” beyond acting freely on impulse is through having a consistent routine or norm to cling onto. When swimming, he’ll swim freestyle. When given a choice, he’ll default to eating mackerel. He’ll find a way to get in a swim or a bath most days because water is safe. He’ll walk with Makoto to and from school, sticking to the side of the path closest to the ocean and anticipating sharing the same split popsicle. This is about as much thought as he lends to the future, usually: he’ll keep doing the things that make him happy and comfortable, whatever that’ll mean to him in the moment. In opposition of Rin, this frame of mind based in immediacy and short-term goals helps him in S1 (teaching Rin to appreciate the moment, connecting with his friends, not getting lost in the overly analytical or competitive side of swimming), but it makes the challenges that come with his looming graduation in S2 much harder to cope with.

The reason that it’s important to understand how both Haru and Rin frame their perceptions of time is because it plays right into what Haru is saying during their argument. He is frustrated with Rin because Rin doesn’t understand the way Haru thinks/lives moment-to-moment (he yells as much in this fight) and he is tired of hearing people for years try and push him into long-term thinking about his future when he doesn’t naturally approach life that way. Think back to one of the first things Haru said in S1:

“When you're ten, they call you a prodigy. When you're fifteen, they call you a genius. Once you hit twenty, you're just an ordinary person. About three years until I'm ordinary. Man... I can't wait to be ordinary.”

Because of Haru’s swimming abilities, people have looked at him as a prodigy and have had their own visions about his potential or his future ever since he was young. Even if it seems like flattery, Haru feels boxed in by all of this. Being considered a prodigy comes with expectations that put him on a pedestal he never asked to be placed on -- if he’s going to swim, he’s expected to swim well; if he swims well, he’s expected to capitalize on his abilities in a competitive manner or expand his horizons to other forms of swimming; if he’s going to live his life tied to the water, people view him as a swimmer before they view him as anything/anyone else. Haru has been frustrated with all of this since he was younger (as expressed in S1), but it gets even worse as people close in on Haru from all sides with advice and sentiments that compound in Haru’s head as belonging to the echo chamber he hates so much.

So... what does this all mean in relevance to Haru saying he doesn’t have a dream or a future? Here’s my line of thinking: all of the internalized frustration Haru has with long-term thinkers (from his perspective) speaking over him and not taking time to understand his in-the-moment intuition-led mindset comes out in this line. What Haru is trying to say is that he doesn’t have a detailed long-term plan because he isn’t a romantic visionary like Rin. He wants to stick with his relatively free lifestyle (y’know, the one where he can do what he wants, but still ultimately sticks to a routine) because he sees no point in forcing himself to put effort into big changes if 1) he’s satisfied and 2) the system isn’t broken.*

*we learn later, especially through Haru and Makoto’s later fight, that these two points are up for debate, but this is what Haru has convinced himself to believe at the time of this specific confrontation.

However, with the way Haru vocalizes this frustration, it is vague enough that Rin and the others hear something much different. It’s written right on their faces. Like I mentioned earlier, being a long-term thinker prone to catastrophizing, Rin interprets (and possibly misconstrues) Haru’s words to mean that he doesn’t think he has the potential or abilities to strive for something. Rin feels Haru’s words like a punch to the gut because he relates Haru’s hopelessness to the times he has felt lost and hopeless, like when defeat after defeat led to him breaking down after his middle school race with Haru. It’s shocking and it stings for Rin to hear, because as much as he’s learned to believe in himself and his own future, he’s also held onto those dreams and hope for his friends. I’ll admit, his dedication and borderline obsession with swimming lends to him mostly vocalizing the dreams he has for his friends that are related to swimming (Makoto and Haru getting scouted, Sousuke returning to swimming), but the love is still there.

The idea of long-term vs short-term thinkers I’ve presented isn’t completely dichotomous or black-and-white, even though Haru and Rin tend to fall on the far opposite sides of the proposed spectrum. So, where does someone like Makoto fall?

Makoto is an interesting case. From how I’ve come to understand his character, I would say he also looks to the future, albeit in less idealistic or extreme ways than Rin. Makoto’s forward line of thinking presents itself through both his people-pleasing tendencies and his caring disposition. When Makoto interacts with people, he is often observant and calculating, trying to figure out how he can navigate a conversation in the most complimentary or polite manner. This ability and tendency to understand/empathize with others ties into a lot of the roles he takes on: team captain, big brother, part-time position as a swim coach, full-time position as Haru’s impulse control... he is inclined to think about the future and all of the possible consequences for his actions. This also ties into some of the other things we know Makoto’s character for, such as being a scaredy-cat (aka, someone who overthinks consequences in fear of the unknown) and a ray of sunshine (aka, someone who wants to see the best in people and holds onto optimism/hope for the people he loves, even if it sometimes means not saving enough for himself and his own abilities).

Despite being more of a forward-thinker, Makoto has definitely been influenced by his close relationship with Haru. Makoto has spent most of his life observing and learning how to read Haru, and it has been shown time and time again that Makoto is one of the people (if not, the person) that understands Haru best. He understands that Haru values the freedom of choice and harbors a desire for unconditional appreciation. He understands that Haru puts stock in consistency/reliability and needs time and space to process or reflect when life deviates from that carefully-crafted norm. Makoto’s actions towards Haru over the years all reflect him trying to be respectful of these observations. Even when he can tell something is bothering Haru, Makoto tries to let Haru work it out on his own first, not prodding him for information but letting his presence/support be known all the same. I digress, being best friends, their lives and routines are tightly woven together. Because of this, Makoto spends a lot of time also living in-the-moment with Haru -- he is a large proponent in Haru’s “free” lifestyle.

Since Makoto has a foot in both Haru and Rin’s respective worlds, how does he interpret Haru’s declaration that he doesn’t have a dream or a future? Surely, since he understands Haru and his position so well and has always been respectful of his mindset/wishes, he gets what Haru is trying to say... right?

Unfortunately for Haru (or fortunately, depending on who you ask), Makoto is immediately concerned by those words in a way similar to Rin. Like I mentioned earlier, Makoto holds deep optimism and hope in his chest for all of the people he cares about. Even though he never forced lofty expectations onto Haru to swim or be anything other than himself, he still holds so much care and hope for his best friend. For Makoto to hear that Haru might not have that faith in himself or the belief that he is worth a bright future, it breaks his heart. Similar to Rin, he is probably thinking back to his own moments of hopelessness, and I can’t help but think back to the lost and scared Makoto fighting with himself during the middle school days. When entering middle school, Makoto struggles with his identity, trying to figure out just how dependent he is on Haru’s friendship. One of his darkest moments in my mind comes from Chapter 8 of the High Speed! 2 novel, when Makoto is beating himself up especially hard after being frozen by his fear of the ocean yet again. Haru finds Makoto alone on a secluded part of the shore, where he says this:

“Will I be alright even if Haru isn’t here? …..I wanted to make sure of that.”

Raising his eyebrows, he shows a lonely smile. Makoto was fighting all along. He was suffering, all along. In a place where Haruka’s thoughts couldn’t possibly reach...

“Would Haru be alright even if I weren’t here?”

If Makoto’s internal struggles throughout their middle school days reveal anything, it is that Makoto has experienced a hopelessness that he wouldn’t ever wish on his friends. To think that Haru might now be at war with himself in a way that makes him question his own place in the world, his future... it is the ultimate catalyst for Makoto to step in and try to talk to Haru. Sadly, we all remember how that confrontation went...

ENTER: THE FIREWORKS FIGHT (S2E11)

(Since this post is already super long, I might go more into my thoughts on how this all plays into the misunderstandings about the fireworks fight in a separate post. We’ve talked about the fight at length on multiple occasions and you can definitely find my thoughts on the matter if you look under the “#fireworks angst night” or “#meta” tags on my profile.)

If you’ve made it this far into the post, thanks for sticking with me. I’d love to hear about how you interpreted Haru’s words or how you think the others took in his breakdown.

#long post #long long post #these poor complex boys with complex emotions #i just... care about them a whole bunch #meta #free! eternal summer #free! anime #ship neutral I think??#makoto tachibana #haruka nanase #rin matsuoka #fireworks angst night #(kinda but not really)#catherine wrote a thing!

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dancingthesambaa · 3 years

Text

The Smell of Plum Blossom Tea Ch 8

Summary: Just like a butterfly wing, a single act of kindness can change the course of the future, it certainly did for MK as a black-furred monkey put out a hand towards him

Rating: Teen and up

Chapter 8: One By One

It’s been over a few weeks since the whole Bull King invasion and things have been pretty peaceful. The city has slowly begun to rebuild itself and people have steadily begun to go back to their day to day lives.

If there's one thing he can appreciate about society is that they always will keep going even when everything around them has been destroyed.

Macaque's own workload has finally eased up, the hospital didn’t anticipate that many wounded in that short span and wasn’t able to gather the materials. So, he has gotten calls from both Yanyu and some of the higher ups in the field for his assistance.

“This has been a pain in the ass,” he grumbled as he sat down on the couch with his cup of tea. “I really shouldn’t have let them off so easily for the fuckton of work they put on me.” His was then twitched as he heard a familiar/strange set of feet dashing their way towards him.

“Dad!” He sees his son, who had his jacket tied around his waist and staff nowhere in sight, smiles widely as he leaps to him and gives him a big hug, “it’s been so long!”

“Hey kiddo,” he was taken momentarily off guard by the hug, but smiled down at him as he petted his hair. “How was work?”

“Oh I didn’t go, someone is taking care of that,” he happily stated as he still held on tight.

Macaque blinked for a moment before he gave a small chuckle, “oh, is that so, well I was about to read and relax, you want to join?”

“Can you read out loud?” He cheerfully asked as he got himself comfortable on the couch as he laid down.

“Of course.”

“Yay!”

So Macaque began to tell the story of a blind girl and how she stood strong in the face of adversity and ridicule. He was in the middle of the part where the girl denies the deity gift of giving her sight when he heard the door slam open wide.

“Stay away from my Dad!/Don't worry old man, we're here!” MK and Mei respectively shouted out as they both held staff and sword out to fight the battle ahead, only to falter as they took in the scene of Mac sitting quite comfortably on the couch, while another MK laid on his lap with a content smile. “Uhhhh.”

“Took you long enough,” he said with amusement, “I was almost about to send a clone out to you myself.”

“Huh?”

“What? You don’t think I can’t tell a clone apart from my son?” He smirked as he patted the clone ahead, the only response was cuddling closer to him.

“You know?!” MK yelled out as he walked forward, still a bit cautious after his encounters with the rest of his clones.

He only raised an eyebrow as he showed off his shadow clone.

“Oooh, yeah that makes sense.”

“How come he didn’t attack you!” Mei threw her hands up in frustration. “I mean, come on! I had to deal with Portay MK and you have Mr. Cuddle Bug?!”

“Attack, Pfft yeah that's what usually happens during the first duplicate trials,” he said as he laid his book down.

“I’m sorry what?” MK has put away the staff at this point as he tried to sit next to his Dad, only to forget that the space was currently occupied by another him. He stared down at the clone laying in his spot then the clone looked up at him and just turned around and faced away from him.

“No,” was all he said as the next moment the clone disappeared and there sat the real MK with a wide grin, “so what was that about the trials?”

The six eared monkey raised an eyebrow at his son's actions as Mei wheezed in the background, “well usually when someone is learning the clone technique most of the time the clones would try to attack the user to prove their authority or their sense of identity.”

“That is actually terrifying,” he deadpanned.

“I thought you already knew this?” He questioned his son, who suddenly blushed.

“Well I may have accidentally learned I can do this,” he scratched the back of his neck as he laid on his Dad's lap.

“And you decided to test it out despite not knowing the consequences,” he sighed as he examined his son hair which was now sporting some very uneven ends and patches, “you even messed up your hair cause of this, I thought I taught you to not mess with magic unless you have me or someone competent in the arts.”

“I know, I know, but I just wanted some sleep and quiet!” He moaned out as he let the furry hands caress the knots and tangles in his hair, “I didn’t think it would lead up to this.”

“That’s how they all start,” he snorted as he felt Mei sit on his other side and lay on his shoulder, “so why don’t you tell me how this all began and tell me a bit more about your training with Wukong. I haven’t heard back on how that’s been going.”

“Training with the Monkey King is amazing!” He lit up as he talked all about his sessions.

Macaque silently listened to his son ramble on about his training sessions with Wukong and boy did that still send him reeling.

He still can’t believe that this is happening, that in all of these strange currents of events, Wukong actually made his son his successor. He still doesn't know how to feel about that cause, on one hand, damn straight his child can lift the staff no one has ever been able to before, he is so proud that he accomplished the impossible that mere words still can’t explain it. But on the other hand, Wukong recklessly decided to choose his son to be his successor despite his many enemies, does that idiot not comprehend the target he just placed on his back.

‘I swear I have half the mind to go up there and knock him silly for his complete ignorance…though how everything goes after that is the only thing that’s stopping me,’ Mac internally thought. ‘Who knows how he would react if I show up unannounced…probably would be just the sequel of our last fight,’ he bitterly thought. He has long accepted that his former friend probably wanted nothing to do with him anymore if they ever saw each other again.

“And then he goes on about how one must never- are you even paying attention?!” MK's voice broke out of his thoughts.

“Yeah I am, you were just talking about how your swings are easily blockable.”

“They are not that bad,” he huffed.

“You swing too wide comet/You hit like it’s a baseball bat,” both demon and teenager said.

“Okay, I may have a small issue.”

“And that’s why you're training,” he said as he took his hands out of his hair when he began to yawn.

“Yeah I know,” he sleepily said as he closed his eyes.

‘At least he is enjoying himself,’ he then focused his attention on Mei, who was also dozing off and began to groom her hair as well.

“Is that the best you got flame brain,” Daiyu cackled out as she flew higher in the air and dodged the fireball, “I met imps who were stronger than that-shit!” She felt a sharp pain explode from her back.

“Don’t you dare think you can outmatch me, little bird!” Red Son cockily stated as he twisted one of her wings and the two began to a downward spiral. “I have fought monsters thrice the size of you and remained victorious!”

“Not today's string bean!” She squawked out as she flips on her back as the two were falling so that the fire demon could break her fall.

It was a tense stand off as neither side gave in even when they were free falling, it was only when they were ten feet away from the ground did he jump off her. He hoped that this would have worked and broken a few of her bones, but alas it didn’t as she caught herself just before and stopped herself.

“Tch,” he clicked his tongue in agitation as he went in for another strike for her wings, only to get batted off.

“Ha, ain’t fooling me again Flicker! Or maybe that candle on your head is finally reaching its end!” She went for his neck only to get buffed by his hand grabbing her beak.

“I’ll show you who's reaching their end once I burn you into a fiery crisp that not even your brethren would want to feast upon!” He tried to keep her in his hold as he lit up, but she managed to kick free of his grasp.

“Ha! I like to see you try! My shithead brothers and sisters would eat everything and I’m not even counting the chicks that just hatched!” She flew up high and prepared for a dive bomb.

“Let’s find out!” His entire body began to lit up in flames as his eyes bore into her.

“They seem to be having fun,” Bohai said as he lazily watched them.

“Two people who like the thrill of the battle going at it, of course, they like this shit,” Minsheng scoffed as they laid down, “at least they're not doing battles to the death anymore, that usually gets bloody way too fast.”

“And leaves me having to deal with their injured asses,” Macaque grumbled as he petted the infant monkey's head.

“Your friends,” the jellyfish pointed out.

“I was forced into this,” he stated.

“And we’re still here,” the rabbit demon grinned.

“Unfortunately.”

MK and Mei, on the other hand, still couldn’t believe their eyes as they continued to see the arrogant demon that was trying to kill them happily fighting. Well the fight part not really, but the happy thing was a bit out of left field. They had walked into the sounds of fighting and, while still being very cautious as they remembered Mac and Ahmed's last fight, quietly tried to investigate what was happening. So to see this scene was a little jarring once they realized that the two were simply sparring with each other.

“Huh, I have to say this is the quickest redemption arc I have ever seen,” Mei mused, “not even a month ago he was trying to kill us and now he is all buddy buddy with Dad and his friends.”

“To be fair, I think they mentioned him before,” MK said.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” the said monkey popped in, “I have. I actually have known him longer than the both of you. His family sometimes would stop by for some items from time to time.”

“Huh, well that’s honestly not that big of a shock,” Mei pouted as they watched Red Son finally pin the vulture demon down.

“I told you, you can’t beat me! For I am Red Son, prince to the esteemed Demon Bull King and the mighty Princess Iron Fan!” He maniacally laughed.

“You're a prince!” He was startled out of it when two voices reached over to him.

“Indeed I am! Who dares step forward and-,” he stops himself mid sentence when he sees noodle boy and biker girl familiar faces. His face drops, “oh it’s you two.”

“Like I knew DBK was your dad and all, but it never occurred to me that you would be a prince with, well you know,” Mei hummed out.

“With what?” He growled the last bit out.

“With you being a reckless, two-bit side character that likes to leap before they walk,” she bluntly said.

“I am no mere Side Character!” He bowled out as his hair flame intensified.

“Aren’t you though?”

“I’m not”

“But you can be, like how I can totally be one as well.”

“I am no mere side character,” he spat out, “I am the antagonist that stands against the hero path! I am the flame of destruction that threatens to consume all! I am the prince of the feared and mighty who takes pride in oneself and all that they do!”

“…okay but aren’t some villains side characters?” She couldn’t help it, she was having way too much fun at this point.

“I AM NOT A SIDE CHARACTER!”

“I feel like we have gotten meta somewhere,” MK muttered out and then walked forward before Mei could say anything that would trigger the raging flame demon anymore. “Hi! I know we didn’t really introduce ourselves after…that, but I’m MK and she's Mei.”

“…Red Son,” he eyed the smiling boy in front of him, “and I already knew who you are, your father talks much about the two of you.”

“Awwww, fluffy head does,” Mei cooed as she turned to face Macaque, who was resolutely not looking in their direction.

“Wait, if you knew who we were, why did you attack?” The Monkie Kid couldn’t help but ask.

Surprising the both of them, the prince blushed a bit out of embarrassment as he muttered out, “I didn’t know it was the two of you in the first place.”

“How?!” Mei sputtered out. “Like we were probably screaming each other's names so many times?!”

“No! You peasants were just screaming! Nothing short of a name has ever come up in the middle of it all!”

“Wait-so that’s why you called me Noodle boy?”

“Noodle boy?” She snorted.

“Your biker girl,” he hissed out.

“Biker girl…hmm not that bad actually,” she put her hand under her chin, “though did you seriously just come up with that because of what we were doing?”

“Yes,” the demon unashamedly said.

Both humans looked at one another before they both laughed wildly.

“Hahaha! Holy shit, you are such a dork,” the dragon girl clutched her stomach.

“By the Gods, that is kinda adorable,” the monkey's successor was pounding his fist on the ground.

“I am neither a dork nor adorable!” The Bull prince roared out as he marched over to them in fury. “Take that back!”

“NEVER!”

“And thus the start of a beautiful friendship,” Macaque couldn’t help but say as the demon began to chase the two around.

“Yeah, I worked my back off for it,” Daiyu grumbled as she finally got off the ground from where Red Son was pinning her down. “That whole time I just wanted to throttle him at them just so I could feel my wings again.”

“Don’t worry, your wings have some use finally,” Minsheng couldn’t help but say.

Daiyu promptly smacked her wings against their head.

“What do you mean disappeared?” Mei asked MK when he rushed inside their super secret base.

“All I know is that they were shopping and now I can’t contact nor find either one of them!” MK freaked out as he gripped his staff. “What if they're in trouble?”

“Take a deep breath MK,” Sandy rubbed the human back, “we don’t know that, their phones could simply be out of batteries or they got lost talking to each other.”

“Even though they’ll never admit it,” he said.

“Exactly, but the shop isn’t open!”

That drew out sharp gasps as now they began to panic.

“He has never not opened his store before!” Sandy shouted as he gripped his hair.

“I think he’s been kidnapped!” MK screamed in agreement.

“I immediately fear the worst!”

Mei rushed over to one of the screens and began to type in a few things and up on the screen appeared both people talking to a lady.

“They haven’t been carted away to treacherous territories,” the giant sighed in relief.

“Oh thank god they're still shopping,” MK sagged in relief as he saw this, “wait Mei what is this?”

“I had cameras placed on all of you and you said this was creepy,” she has already lost her brother once, that was not about to happen again.

“That still is.”

“Oh look now they're following that nice lady, see they're just fine,” Sandy inputted as they watched the two slowly follow the woman shrouded in black when suddenly there was a trap that opened underneath them, “AH! I was wrong! I was wrong! This is bad! This is very bad!”

“Nightmare hole!” The twenty year old screamed out as Mei's eyes widened in shock, “what happened?”

“It looks like?” She began to enhance and zoom into the blurred picture and when it became clear it showed an eight legged spider lady standing above them all.

“A spider demon! Come on! No! Ew! Yuck! I do not want to mess with spiders of any kind! I hate spiders! Hate, hate, hate spiders! With their beady eyes and their creepy wiggly legs and their gross butt!”

“MK, right now that spider demon has our friends so you know what that means,” Sandy pumped them up. “It’s Operation save Pigsy and Tang from the Nightmare Hole!”

“Yeah!” Both teens pumped their fists in the air along with the cat.

“Should we call Macaque for backup,” Sandy asked as he started up the engine.

“Nope!” MK quickly said before Mei could, “we can do this on our own!”

MK slowly began to back away as the Spider demon loomed over him menacingly. She had managed to capture Sandy and Mei as well and only he was the last one standing. “I regret everything I said.”

“Aww, don’t tell me you're scared of spiders!” She said as she stepped into the light then that faint tickling in the back of his head finally eased up at the full reveal.

“Wait? I know you!” His jaw dropped as he saw just exactly who was standing in front of him.

“What?” They all shouted even Spider Queen who was stunned out of sheer confusion.

“No wonder you look familiar! Daiyu talks about you all the time,” MK stated as he lost some of his fear at the relief of finally knowing why she seemed so familiar.

Though as his fear was momentarily suppressed the Spider Queen was not as she blanched at the name, “you know Daiyu!”

“Oh yeah, she has a bone to pick with you after you ripped her off, she said something about wanting to pluck the meat off of your corpse after she gets done beating you to a pulp or something like that.”

“I am now concerned by that statement,” Pigsy said.

“Oh don’t worry, she’s a vulture demon,” Mei happily responded.

“That does not make it better.”

“Does for me sweetheart,” Tang smiled, “it makes sense for a vulture to go for a corpse because they are cartoons. It’s actually quite fascinating-,”

“Tang I love you, but please don’t say that as we’re currently being tied up like a lamb ready for the slaughter,” Pigsy begged.

“…what?”

The pig and human eyes widened at what both said, but luckily they didn’t have to say anything as the Spider Queen roared in rage.

“I may be a slicker, but I ain’t no sham when it comes to my silk! Tell that chicken legged, deep fried coward that I will personally send her down under if she even instigates that I would do that!” She roared in rage as she stood tall in MK, who promptly got scared once more as he realized what he just said.

“MK run!” Pigsy yelled out.

“Don’t need to tell me twice!” MK slid between the Spider Queen legs and he began to book it.

“Get back here little monkey boy!”

“I feel like I should tell Daiyu where Spider Queen has been hiding,” MK mused as they floated along the ocean.

“As long as I’m there, I really want to see her explode in fury before the bloodbath happens,” Mei snorted as she laid across the top.

“You know, I sometimes worry about you,” Pigsy looked at the young lady at that statement.

“Fuzz butt says that too.”

“Shouldn’t you listen to your doctor?”

“Shouldn’t you listen to what you said back at the cave, don’t you think just because we were tied up doesn’t mean I don’t have ears,” she teased as Sandy nodded.

“Wait, what happened?” MK looked at both of them in confusion.

Sandy leaned over and whispered what happened and the boy's eyes widened and sparkled with glee. “Ohohoho!”

“It was the slip of a tongue,” Tang said as he pushed up his glasses in nervousness. “Nothing more.”

“Yeah, what he said, just a slip of the tongue,” Pigsy twisted his hands.

“Some slip, some would say that it almost sounded like,” the twenty year old girl leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “an old married couple would say to one another.”

“WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!” They both shouted and they shared glances at each other only to catch a view of their red faces and promptly turn to face away from them.

“If you say so,” she backed off with her hands up.

“And we say so,” the pig crossed his arms.

“Very much so,” Tang copied.

Both Sandy and MK were in the background holding back their laughs as they could barely keep it together.

MK woke up to the shake of an earthquake and his whole world feeling off balance.

At first, he wrote this off as the aftermath of the earthquake as he quickly got ready for work as he prayed Pigsy doesn’t fire him. But as he walked down the street with his drink in hand he still couldn't help, but felt his whole world was just off balance, like everything was just missing a beat or so, it was the weirdest feeling.

“Maybe I just banged my head too hard, should probably ask Dad to check in case,” he muttered in his straw as he was about to yell out when he saw Mei standing in the middle of the road. “Mei, I’m glad you’re here!”

“Yes I am right here,” she grinned widely, “and what’s this about calling your Dad?”

“I don’t know if I have a concussion or something else, but something seems really off and I can’t put my finger on what,” he groaned.

“It’s nothing, just relax. Today is all about you.”

“Aren’t you usually the one who usually tells me to call him if things are getting too sticky to handle?” MK questioned as that off balance feeling was coming in full force.

“I am?” He could almost see her face contort for a brief moment before going back to her previous creepy grin, “I mean I am! But he’s probably busy doing stuff sweetie.”

“Sweetie,” he looked at her in pure disgust.

“I mean dear friend,” he never thought someone could grin that wide.

“Even when he’s in the middle of making medicine he always answers,” at this point he has begun to back up from Mei. He did not like just how off this whole thing was and it wasn’t helping that the crowd was just watching them.

“Don’t worry,” she ominously said, “I’m sure…”

“Macaque,” he supplied as he quickly got into position to bolt out of there as soon as he had the chance. This was definitely not Mei!

“Right Macaque will be just-!” Not just Mei, but the entire crowd of people's heads snapped towards MK.

“Did you just say Macaque!” They all yelled out.

“Yeah?!?” He was now more than freaking out as he looked for possible exits, he was not about to stay here a moment longer if he could. But then his whole world began to fade away as he saw the people just shake their heads and arms as they seem to glitch out.

“Nope, nuh uh, F this! Plan is officially done! Do not collect after Go! Finish!” He blinked his eyes as he saw that he was now in a shack and standing in front of him was a blue and orange demon. The blue one was just holding a jar of some kind, while the orange one was speaking.

“Done! Capital D.O.N.E! Done!”

“I think he gets it Jin,” the blue demon said.

“Well excuse me for being freaked out about this! Why aren’t you freaking out about this?!”

“Oh I am, one moment,” he said as he carefully put down the jar, “there we go….We freaking messed up so bad!” The demon began to panic, “like this is going to the top thirty bad.”

“Fucckkk!” Jin said as he gripped his hair.

“What is going on?!” MK yelled out his frustration as he collected the staff and kept a tight grip on it. “Who are you?!”

The two demons paused their freak out as they both dramatically posed.

“I am Jin!” The orange demon jumped up.

“And I am Yin!” The blue demon bowed low.

“And together,” they both said in sync as Jin landed on top of Yin back, “we are the Gold/Silver and Silver/Gold demons!”

There was a silence as both parties looked at each other before both brothers then began to fight over the name.

“It’s Gold and Silver nitwit!”

“No, it's Silver and Gold half bake!”

“Seriously, what is going on and why am I here?” He reiterated his point as that got the two to stop fighting.

“We heard about the great Monkie kid and knew he would be a worthy adversary,” Yin stated as he crossed his arms.

“Yes, so after our cunning plan we called out to you and you foolishly,” they both pointed to him, “answered.”

“…I was delivering noodles of course I was gonna answer,” his eyes twitched at the sheer ridiculousness of this.

“But you still answered and fell right into our plan to use you for our nefarious purposes!” Gin dramatically laughed.

“Until we knew that you were the Six Eared Macaque kid,” Yin added.

“Yeah before that,” he stopped his laughter, “we know we’re certifiably insane, but we ain’t stupid.”

“Yeah, we know better than to try to mess with what’s Macaque, I heard the last demon who tried that was tormented by him for a hundred days,” the blue demon shivered.

“I heard he once pulled the inside out of another demon just because he was having a bad day.”

“Well I heard he took on and defeated an entire army so that he could pass by.”

“I heard that he can suck some demon body and soul into a cursed item and make them fight for him.”

“Oh that one’s true,” MK butted in as at this point he sat down as he realized that they were not even a threat, just very amusing.

Both of them shivered as they looked at him in horror, “wait really!?”

“Yep!”

“Check that rumor off as being real,” Jin groaned as Yin held out a rather large book.

“Already on it.”

“What’s that?” MK asked.

“Oh it’s just a book with basically any rumors we happen to come across,” Yin proudly showed off, “most of them are probably not true, but it is amusing to hear. Like this one, it’s rumored that the Demon Bull King lost his horn after he insulted a deity and it broke off from sheer embarrassment after she had slapped him silly for a couple of hours.”

“Snrk!” He let out a sputter at the sheer ridiculousness.

“The Celestial Heavens is actually a conspiracy used to hide the good alcohol, cause if that shit was freely given the whole world would be gone.”

“Pffffft!”

“That we are actually all standing on a hand right now, but we just can’t see it.”

“Hahahaha!” MK let it out as he clutched his stomach. “These sound so stupid!”

“I know right!” Jin grinned, “that’s why we record them, cause they sound just so dumb!”

“They really do,” the Monkie kid said as he got his laughter back in control and sat back up, “so you're not gonna try to capture me again?”

“Like we said before, Monkey King is one thing, but we ain’t messing with Macaque. If you think Monkey King has a grudge, you should see that trickster when he really has time to think and plan on revenge,” the orange demon said.

“Ain’t nobody gonna get in his way,” the blue demon finished.

“Good!” He should probably ask about all his Dad’s revenge stories sometimes, he knows they would be good ones then a thought occurred to him as he scrunched up his nose. “So, why did you have Mei call me sweetie?”

“Ask Jin,” he pointed to his brother.

“Well, I thought since you guys are childhood friends and all you have feelings for one another, you know, like in the books and all that,” he shrugged his shoulders.

“Crush?! On Mei?! Grosss!” He yelled out as he can almost feel himself puke at the thought, “Yuck! No! God no! She is basically my sister!”

“I told ya.”

“You didn’t tell me shit.”

“Don’t fucking cuss around kids,” Yin hissed out.

“Well you should shut your damn trap!” Jin snarled back.

“Least threatening villains ever,” MK muttered to himself, “Wait? Did you seriously try to invoke the childhood friends trope? Like in romance novels?”

“Yeah!” Jin proudly stated.

“You read romance books?”

“You don’t? They are the best kinds of books with all the drama that surrounds them, the clashing of emotions, the tightly packed metaphors that can be placed in one paragraph to describe someone’s eyes. It's simply awesome! Have you read them?”

“Not really,” he admitted.

“I can give you some recommendations! Then we can-”

“Nope,” Yin drew his brother back, “we are not about to have a repeat of last time. Remember how you burned down the bookstore?”

“They deserve it for saying Ballad of the Desert was overrated,” he growled out.

“True, but we were supposed to be on the down low after nicking off with some bastard goods, I did not like having to run around with the gang on our asses, so we are leaving,” he deadpanned.

“Fineee!” He groaned out as the two suddenly stood upright and raised their hands. “We will meet again one day, Monkie Kid!” Then they threw down what was in their hands and a plume of smoke appeared in their spots.

“Bleh,” he waved the air around him as he heard a laugh and turned around to see them in the street.

“Hahaha! We’re the greatest tricksters!” Gin said with his arms crossed once more.

“Ever! Also please don’t tell Macaque about us trying to capture you! Thank you, bye!” Yin finished as the two disappeared in a flash of smoke for the final time.

MK could only stare at the empty space in pure shock as he tried to process just what happened.

“…I’m just gonna go back to the shop,” he gave up as he begrudgingly walked back to his car.

#lego monkie kid #monkie kid #mk #macaque #six eared macaque #mei #monkey king #PlumTeaAU

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mymelodyheart · 3 years

Text

All I Want For Christmas Is You Chapter 4 ~Revelations and Snogs~

Previously in A Christmas Request ...

"Claire?"

"Hmmm?" Her voice was like a breathless whisper, and he wasn't sure if he imagined the yearning look in her eyes. It took all his self-control to keep from kissing her right there and then. Instead, he locked down all his muscles and willed himself to think of animals that start with the letter D. And all his damn brain could summon was the word dragonfly.

"May I ask ye a favour?"

"I don't kiss on the first date," she said too quickly, but her words contradicted her manner as she stared at his lips.

"That wasn't what I was gonnae ask ye."

"Oh!" Her eyes flew to his, and she blushed profusely. "Oh, well, that depends on the favour then."

He swallowed hard and leaned forward, taking her hands in his. "Will ye spend the rest of yer holiday with me?" He cleared his throat. "What I'm trying to ask of ye is, will ye stay here until the Three Kings ...until it's time for ye to go back to London?"

She blinked thrice.

"Alright."

"Alright?" A lungful of air whooshed out of him.

If you wish to read this on AO3, here is the link.

If you wish to read this from the beginning:

AO3 link

Tumblr link

Alrighty Beauchamp, what have you just done?

Grabbed life by the balls? Isn't that the mantra?

Nope!

What do you mean nope?

Those are not your words. Not our words.

Yes, they are. You know, live in the moment and la-di-dah!?

Nope, definitely not.

Whose are they then?

Annalise's.

Ah, well ...

Claire mentally shrugged.

"Sassenach?"

She snapped out of her tunnel vision, then looked at the big hands still holding hers. She was still trying to wrap her head around the idea of agreeing to spend the rest of her holiday with a total stranger. Who are you and what have you done with the ol' Beauchamp? "I'm sorry. I was thinking of Annalise. This is our holiday together, you see. I just agreed to spend the rest of my holiday here without consulting her." She shook her head and laughed despite the conflicting thoughts floating around her head. "I'm quite sure she'll be fine with it. She's the one who's always pushing me to be more spontaneous."

He squeezed her hands. "I'm flattered to be the reason for your spontaneity."

Her face heated. "I've never done this before ...just so you know."

He tried to catch her eye, and when she returned his gaze, he gave her a lop-sided smile. "Neither have I."

Oh, he's so good. Claire blew out a breath and stilled her heart. "That's comforting to know," she said, trying not to look too flustered. Knowing so little about him, she knew she should be wary, but for some reason, she felt safe. Everything about him was brand-new and familiar at the same time. It's as if there had been a melody playing in her head for her entire life, and he'd finally given it words.

"And Analise is welcome to stay too," Jamie quickly reassured her. "Ye said ye're booked at the Airbnb until Boxing day, but I dinnae think there'll be any guarantee ye'll be able to extend yer stay there with it being high season and all. But we have a family cottage that we rent out for the long term, and it was recently vacated. With all the Christmas fuss and work during the past few weeks, we never got around to letting it. Ye and Annalise are welcome to stay there for the rest of yer holiday." And then he grinned. "I'm quite certain my brother would be thrilled with the idea of yer friend staying too."

Claire laughed. "You're probably right. They seemed to have hit it off."

"Ye could say the same for us, don't ye agree?" he asked in a low voice.

She stared at him. How could he looked so calm and collected when she hadn't figured out how to articulate what she was feeling? On top of it all, it seemed he'd perfected the art of persuasion with finesse, so much so, she'd immediately jumped at his invitation to stay in Broch Mordha without a second thought, surprising herself. When it came to the dating game, she would have equated over-confidence to smugness which as a rule turned her immensely off. But there's a sincerity to Jamie's flirting that she found all too endearing and very charming.

She searched his face. Ready or not, she was curious to explore the unfamiliar emotions this beautiful man was drawing out of her. In her history of dating, no man had ever moved her to make her take the leap of faith. Deep down, something always seemed to be missing, and she'd simply put it down to her inability to know what she wanted. To say her hope of finding herself in a romantic relationship had taken a hit would be an understatement.

When her last date had ended in a blaze of abject embarrassment after she was accused of being a cock-tease, she'd decided she was done with men, at least for the foreseeable future. She had a concrete five-year plan, and getting involved with someone when her heart wasn't a hundred per cent into it, wasn't one of them. Annalise continued to hassle her to dive back in into the dating pool head first, but she'd been content to wade in the shallow end. It may have been frustrating to never take the plunge, but at least, there was a nil chance of her drowning in a sea of mistake. But now?

"Baby steps," she whispered.

"Sorry ...I didn't quite catch that."

She pulled her hands from his hold and drank the rest of her already cold Dutch coffee. When she finally placed the mug down, she looked up and smiled at him. "That rental cottage you were talking about, can I at least give you some money for it?"

He shook his head. "No way. In case ye've forgotten, I invited ye to stay."

"But you've been paying for everything all evening. Hardly seems fair."

"Spending my hard-earned quid for the pleasure of a gorgeous lass' company? Every penny spent is worth it if ye ask me."

When he talked like that, she knew her blush wasn't going to fade anytime soon. "Annalise will disapprove, and I'm pretty sure she will want to have her say in the matter."

"And so will Willie."

"Are you always this stubborn?" she countered.

"Only if I want something badly."

They have a stare-off for a few heartbeats before Jamie tore his gaze away and cleared his throat.

He glanced down at his watch. "So, the last horse carriage ride around the village is in about twenty minutes. We should probably get going."

"Horse carriage ride?"

"Aye. Part of the Christmas night tour." He got up from his seat and gallantly offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

It's so old-fashioned and chivalrous, she laughed out loud. "Well, I guess we shall." As soon as she linked her hand into the crook of his elbow, he sucked in a quick breath. "Are you alright?"

He looked down at her hand on his arm and smiled. "Aye. I'm just concerned I might have trouble adhering to yer nae-kiss-on-first-date rule."

They headed out of the cafe and into the frosty air, and she was acutely aware of the low voltage electricity buzzing around them. "Would it help if I put my retainers on? I have them in my bag. I usually put them on at night."

"No, not really. I just have to remind myself of the promise I made to Annalise before we left the pub earlier."

"What promise was that?"

"I promised her I'd behave otherwise ..."

"Otherwise?"

"I have to face the consequences."

She laughed. She knew Annalise's threat so well and by heart as the same lines had been often used to warn her dates in the past. "Well, let me see ...did she say if you misbehave she's going to show you the end of the world up close. And she's going to let you see the kingdom come with your own eyes by sending you straight to the southern hemisphere and letting the ashes of death rain all over you."

He grinned at her. "Something like that. How she's going to achieve that, I have nae idea."

"Never mind how. If you keep on focusing on Annalise's threat, that should be deterrent enough."

He gave her a sceptical shrug. "If ye say so." And then he looked down at her and winked. "But then again, ye're worth tempting fate for."

..........

Claire found herself being hoisted into a festively decorated horse-drawn carriage with twinkling garlands, gold & white berries. To her amusement, even the shire horses were wearing faux antlers. As she sat down, she felt their buggy dipped low as Jamie followed and settled next to her, putting the gift bags on the floor and pulling the woollen blanket over them. As their transport rumbled and creaked into motion, he put an arm behind her, resting it the edge of their seat's backrest, leaving her no alternative but to lean against the curve of his body. His closeness and the motion of their carriage added another layer of tension to her already overworked adrenal glands.

"Comfy?" he whispered, leaning into her, his warm breath on her ear.

"Uh-huh," she managed, licking her lips that had gone suddenly dry. It was a challenging feat to ignore Jamie's presence when his sheer size encroached her space, his thigh brushing against hers and the motion of the ride, sinking her deeper under his arm.

She forced herself to focus on the sounds of the hooves and bells, and admire the trees wrapped in lights, wreaths adorning almost every window, and Santas or nutcrackers standing guard outside front doors. For once, Jamie didn't speak, and she allowed herself to relax, revelling the clean, crisp air of the Highlands. Although Broch Mordha was nothing like London, quieter and had a slower pace of life, the atmosphere in the village was electric. It was almost magical, more natural and everything seemed to make more sense, instead of the rat race that occurred daily and nightly in the big city.

Every year, at around Christmas time, she came back to the Highlands in search of some peace, and every time she returned to London, she always felt like a brand new person, invigorated, well-rested and ready to tackle the New Year. But there was something different about her visit in Broch Mordha compared to the other places she'd been to in the Highlands, and she had a feeling deep in her guts, she'd have trouble leaving this place once her holiday was over.

"Ye dinnae look tired at all, Sassenach. Ye're used to staying up late?"

She glanced up at Jamie and smiled. "I sleep very little. I don't know, maybe I have insomnia."

"Really? Perhaps it's just a consequence of living in the city. I mean it's loud there, and I presume ye live in a flat where ye can hear the comings and goings of yer neighbours."

She sighed. "Yes, there's that. The flat Annalise and I live in is not really the most tranquil setting. It doesn't help that I am an overthinker."

"What do ye think mostly about when ye cannae sleep?"

"Mostly about work," she shrugged, glancing at the lights overhead that were hung above the streets. "Don't get me wrong. I'm happy, and I'm grateful for the good life I have. It's just that sometimes I think about the day when I would stop searching for ..."

Jamie waited for her to finish her sentence, but she couldn't find the words. "For what?" he finally asked, his hand squeezing her shoulder, urging her on.

"More," she replied candidly, surprising herself with the unguarded utterance that came from her very soul, ragged with honesty and desire for something she didn't have a name for. Yet. Suddenly, the empty place inside her reared up, seeking company. "How about you? What do you think most of at night?" She paused, trying to tamp down the sudden curiosity that flared up, but it was out before she could stop herself. "A certain lass perchance?"

To her astonishment, she felt him tensed beside her, and after a few seconds, he let out a sigh. "I have nightmares," he confided.

Her head jerked up, and she twisted in her seat to look into his eyes. He was probably waiting for her to ask a torrent of questions, but she remained silent, allowing him to set the pace of their conversation. She nodded her head to continue.

"I used to be with the SAS. It's a special force unit for the British army. The unit I was in was responsible for a number of roles including covert reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, direct action, and hostage rescue. My best friend, Simon MacKimmie, was captured while spying behind the enemies' lines. He was a valuable informant for both sides, and my team were under direct orders to get him out of there alive and as swiftly as possible." She watched as his throat worked as if he saw the scene replaying in his mind. "We found him quickly enough and thought we were out of the woods. But the enemy fire broke out just as we were about to board the helicopter. Simon and I were hit, but my wound was superficial, whereas my friend's injury was fatal. I promised him everything would be alright and would make sure he stayed alive for his family. Before he slipped away, he made me promise to take care of his wife, Laoghaire, if he didn't make it. She was pregnant at the time. I didn't hesitate and made a vow to keep that promise."

"Oh, Jamie ..."

He pressed his lips into a determined line. "Months later, I was discharged from the army after I was diagnosed with PTSD. I resigned myself to a quiet life as the flashbacks from the horrors of the war and friend's death worsened. Laoghaire and I became close, as we talked a lot about Simon and I helped her with the things she needed. That was when I found my purpose in life again, and even though I wasn't in love with her, I loved her like I loved Simon so I asked her to marry me so that I could take care of their child. It was a sacrifice, aye, but it was a small price to pay, considering I get to live, and my mate will never get to see his unborn child. So we planned to marry after the child was born. So while we were waiting for the big day, I bought a house for us, and my brother helped me restore it."

"But Laoghaire didnae want to live here. She wanted us to move to Liverpool because she couldnae stand the quiet and the remoteness even though she was born and bred here. I told her we would talk about it after the baby was born. But I was worried that living in the city would make my PTSD worse. Meanwhile, rumours were going around that Laoghaire has been seeing another man when Simon was still alive and that she would often disappear to Liverpool weeks at a time. I ignored it as I didnae care for idle gossips and dismissed it as such. Ye see, she lived and worked in Liverpool before she married Simon; hence, I thought, that was where the rumours had stemmed from. She's a very ambitious lass and has this dream of making it big one day. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I later found out from a reliable source that not only had she cheated on Simon, but she cheated on me while were engaged. I began to wonder if the child she was carrying was even Simon's. While I was building her a house and funding her trips to Liverpool, she was seeing the same man she'd been meeting up with when Simon was still alive. When I confronted her, she admitted to it. So the wedding was cancelled, and she went to Liverpool to give birth to her child and to be with the other man ."

He shook his head at the memory. "She reminded me of someone I used to pursue. She'd rather be with a man wearing a five grand suit than be with a labourer like me. I guess it's the lure of the city. Sometimes I feel like I failed Simon and his family. I made him all sorts of promises that I couldnae keep and the memory of the glimmer of hope he had in his eyes turning to death, keep recurring in my dreams."

Claire knew the last things Jamie needed were apologies and pities. He seemed like a proud man who didn't shy away from responsibilities and was unapologetically himself. "I guess we both have demons that keep us up at night," she finally said.

Jamie shrugged and waved his hand. "Dinnae fash. I didnae take ye out so ye could watch me wallow. I've done enough of that myself."

She took a deep breath. "I'm not going to pretend I wholly understand everything you've been through, but one thing I know is that you being part of the SAS means you were trained with the elite. You were drilled to save lives, and with that comes, precision and no room for error. So when something goes wrong, and someone dies during your watch, it becomes your fault."

He looked at her as furrows deepened on his brows.

She placed a hand over his. "You tried to absolve your guilt of not being able to save your mate's life by taking care of Laoghaire, who was so undeserving of your kindness and generosity. God or a higher power or the universe, or whatever you wish to call it, is trying to show you something important. You don't get to choose, Jamie. At the end of the day, you can only do your best, but you can't save everyone. No one can. Right now you're learning to live with that, and all you can do now is make sure you get to the other side. You can't take responsibility for everyone's action but yours."

Something lit up in Jamie's eyes. Emboldened by the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, she grinned at him. "No wonder you won at the caber toss and your team trashed the opponents at shinty today. You have so much pent up emotions dying to come out."

Jamie suddenly laughed out loud and pulled her against him. "I think I need to fire my therapist and hire ye, Sassenach. All this time, we'd circled around the realisation, always walking on eggshells. But ye ...ye just gave it to me straight. I think I'll need ye to stay longer past three kings."

She poked him on the ribs. "Be careful what you wish for!"

..........

A couple of hours and a glass of mulled cider each later, they walked in silence as Jamie guided her down the path that led to the bed and breakfast cottage. As it turned out, he lived three minutes walk away from where she and Annalise were staying.

After spending a whole night out with him, her body was still buzzing with so much energy. She'd never had such a powerful reaction to a man before. Nor enjoyed the company of one as much as she did tonight. She felt like she could uproot all the trees that stood on her path.

"I had a really grand time," he said.

"Me too. Thank you for a wonderful evening."

"And thank ye for the company."

As they neared bed and breakfast cottage, she realised they were exchanging lame small talk, but there's nothing lame about what's passing between them. Either way, she couldn't care less as she'd never laughed so hard in her life.

When they finally reached the small gate, she stopped and turned around to face him. "Well, here we are," she smiled, trying to conceal her reluctance to go.

He hooked the giftbags onto the wooden gate and nodded tensely, the tightness in his jaw quite evident. "Aye. Here we are at Mrs Fitz's place. I ken the ol' dear. She used to feed me and my brother jam piece and milk when we were bairns." He took a step forward and cleared his throat. "I ...um ...tonight was really special."

"I think so too. Thank you again for everything."

He ran a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. "I'm no' tired yet, so I'm just going to take a walk some more until I'm ready for bed," he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder.

"Yes, you do that. Fresh air is good for you. And I ...ah ... I'll talk to Annalise about extending our stay here. Ah well ... that's if she's still awake." She rolled her eyes and let out a nervous laugh. "Or if she's home. So ... I'll see you around?"

"Aye, I'm just down the road if ye need anything."

"Yes. Got it. Down the road. A hop, skip and jump away."

He stared for a few heartbeats, then ran his hand behind his neck and gave her a crooked smile. "I meant it, Sassenach. If ye cannae sleep, ye can drop by anytime. I'm a light sleeper. Apart from personalised packaged-tours, I also specialise in making a mean toddy to help ye sleep. And a wicked mushroom omelette if its breakfast ye want. Oh, aye, I'm good at foot massage as well."

She stifled a giggle threatening to burst as a ball of warmth bloomed in her belly. "I have no doubt you're good at those things. I'll bear what you said in mind if I need anything or if I have trouble sleeping. And if I have a sudden urge for a foot massage, I'll pop by."

He shook his head. "Ye're not just saying that to spare my feelings are ye?"

"No. Of course not. I enjoy your company. So ..." Claire took a deep breath. "...this is it. Good night, Jamie. And thank you again for everything." Oh, dear God, I keep saying thank you! She stood on her tiptoes to give him a peck on his cheek just as he offered his hand. Their sudden awkward movement made her lose her balance, bumping her nose on his jaw. They both took a step back and laughed. This time she held out her hand, and he shook it.

They continued to stand there and shake hands, neither of them letting go, their smile slowly ebbing away as they stared at each other.

Jamie was the first to speak. "Right, this is the part where I watch ye walk away."

"Yes. I'll go now. It's getting late." She smiled as she took a tentative step away from him, but he didn't let go of her hand.

Her bottom hit the wooden post behind her as Jamie took another step forward. His height and breadth blocked out the street light, and in the shadows, his expression looked almost pained. She'd had men looked at her with desire before, but nothing like the way Jamie was doing right now. The way his jaw and muscles tensed and his breathing shallowed, she knew it was taking him a lot of effort to hold himself back. Her eyes travelled down to his throat and watched his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

"Sassenach." His voice cut through the haze, and her eyes flew to his as he leaned down and cupped her face. "Maybe ye could stay for just a wee while more."

Her heart began to thump wildly against her ribs as the air between them charged. "I really should get going," she whispered, the blood roaring through her ears almost deafening. She willed herself to move, but she remained fixed on the spot.

"Or perhaps ye can just stand here for a few minutes more and let me do this."

She stopped breathing and time stood still as he softly brushed his lips across hers. Then he pulled away for a brief second waiting for her to object, and when she didn't, he kissed her again.

Her brain seized, and her eyes automatically closed. She'd never felt lips so soft nor been kissed with such gentleness. She once read an Oscar Wilde quote, and it said, "A kiss may ruin a human life." It had puzzled her then because up until now, she'd always thought, although some kisses were sweet it was nothing more than two people putting their faces together and exchanging spit. But Jamie's kiss? She knew it had ruined her for any future kisses. This was the type of kiss she never even knew existed. It was the kind of kiss that inspired stars to climb into the sky and light up the world.

She waited with bated breaths for more, but nothing happened.

When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her. "I've wanted to kiss ye from the moment I laid my eyes on ye," he whispered and grazed her lips once more. "Ye've nae idea how beautiful ye are."

Oh, sweet Jesus! He'd barely touched her. It was merely a light brushing of their lips and the slightest sensation of his breath on her face. But it was enough to cause the static crackling between them to be ignited, and she was left wanting more.

Before she could reassemble her thoughts and make sense of her emotions, he stepped away from her and tunnelled his fingers through his hair. "May I please have yer phone, Sassenach?"

"Oh! Wot for?"

He smiled at her. "I'm giving ye my number."

She reached into the back pocket of her jeans and handed her phone over. She watched him dial his own number on her screen, and after a few seconds later, his own phone rang.

"There, now I have yers too." He pushed her phone into her back pocket and blew out a breath. "I'll see ye tomorrow?"

"You want to see me again?" she teased, smiling.

"I dinnae even want to leave ye tonight."

She dropped her head down to hide the heat creeping up her face. "I'll see what's Annalise is up to and we'll take it from there. I'll either call you or send a message."

He placed a finger under her chin and tipped her face up. "Ye're not mad I kissed ye? I havenae forgotten yer rules about first dates."

Claire picked up the gift bags, stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. And then she smiled. "I'm starting to believe the rules don't apply to you. Good night, Jamie." And with that, she turned around and walked towards the cottage without looking back, knowing full well Jamie was still stood there waiting for her until she'd safely made it to the house.

Once inside, she allowed herself to slide down to the floor and relived the memory of their first kiss. And she sat there for a very long time.

Dear Readers,

Here's a little story about this chapter. I got stuck at the beginning of writing this one. So what did I do? I started writing from the middle, then the conclusion and finished the opening in the end. It's common to get stuck in writing, so I thought I'd share this wee tip with you. So just in case, the latest update lost some of its fluidity, you now know the reason why. 😀

Anyway, thank you for reading and your feedback from the previous chapter. It's something I truly appreciate. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I look forward to reading your thoughts. Meanwhile, sending you all best wishes and hope you're taking care of yourselves and your health. x

#melodyheart #all I want for christmas is you #claire beauchamp #jamie fraser #Claire Beauchamp/Jamie Fraser #outlanderfanfic

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icy-hxt · 3 years

Note

can you tell me what you think about the kids at 1a?

hi anon, I'm sorry that I took so long to answer this, when I saw your ask I felt really lazy, because there's too many people in the class lol

this is going to be a long post, since we have 20 characters to cover, so I'm putting it under the cut

okay, first of all I want to say that I don't hate any of the kids at 1a besides mineta, BUT, I do have a feeling of indifference towards at least half of them and do dislike some, I always thought that the story would been benefited if there were less people in the classes, since hori would've been able to develop them better, so don't expect me to talk a lot about everyone. also, don't take everything that I say too seriously, this is not a character analysis, I'm just doing it for fun.

anyway, the order that I'm using to list them is their seating arrangement in the class, so let's start

yuga aoyama: I already said this here before but I really like aoyama, he's ridiculous in the best way possible, he feels like a character that horikoshi took away from ouran high school club or something. since the chapter where he and deku became friends were released I felt like he deserved more screentime, because his backstory about him thinking of himself as different than the other kids in the class because of his quirk being "defective" is really interesting, I always wanted to see more of his friendship with deku and he overcoming his fears (since he was shown to be easily frightened)

mina ashido: I LOVE mina, I think that her design is so cool and her personality is really likable, when we had the kirishima flashback and we saw her protecting her friends from machia even though she was scared too was the moment that I decided that we deserved to see more of her in the story, I really liked to see she having a bigger role for a female character in a shonen, I wasn't too bad in the war but I still want more

tsuyu asui: okay, this is going to be controversial because I feel like everyone likes her, but I feel really indifferent towards her, maybe I was influenced by one of my friends that really doesn't like her but since that scene where she says that going to rescue bakugo is the same as acting like villains I started to not care about her all that much, and yes, I know that she admitted that she was wrong and everything but yeah, I don't really click with her personality (but I don't hate her, please don't be mad at me kdbdgsusj)

tenya iida: ah, what a respectable little man iida is, I really like him, I think that the way that he take everything so seriously is hilarious, like him acting super dramatically in their exams to be as similar as possible to his vision of what a villain is. I really like how he grew since the stain arc and how he decided to be a hero that prioritizes the safety of others in detriment to fighting the villains. I'm really happy that he became the focus of the story lately and that he was the one who could hold deku's hand, I want him to have a bigger role in the story for now, maybe even encountering with stain again and showing to him that he's now a great hero

ochaco uraraka: I love her personality, she's really cute, and her fight with bakugo at the beginning of the story was a highlight to me back then, but, I feel like her character became too much attached to deku after aoyama made her realize that she likes him, almost felt like her personality was gone and her only defining feature was having a crush on him, anyway, thank god that apparently she's going to have importance right now in the story because she's too much of a cool character to become just the romance interest for the male lead

mashirao ojiro: denki playing with his tail is cute, I think that is funny how horikoshi always describes him as the plain one, it was cool when he refused to participate in the sports festival because he didn't felt like he deserved

denki kaminari: oh this sweet dumbass, I love him, he's so funny and cute, I think that is that funniest thing how he just decided to call bakugo "kacchan" and is super overly friendly with him and bakugo just lets him, I actually don't think that he's "stupid" as part of the fandom seems to think, I strongly believe that people can be smart in their own ways, maybe he's not the brightest in math for example but he already showed to be able to come up with strategies, I feel like denki has a lot of anxiety inside of him because of his quirk, but i also feel like he's really genuine in trying to be a hero, overall I really like him, he's really sweet

eijiro kirishima: this swee- I mean, super manly man is amazing, I feel like kirishima is for bnha what rock lee was for naruto, I really really really like him, I love his personality and I love even more his backstory, he's really a great person and he deserves all the love that he get from the fandom, I hope that we're going to see even more of him in the future

koji koda: he's adorable, his voice is really adorable the japanese dub, his quirk is like a disney princess

rikido sato: he bakes, I like cakes and pies, we would've been best friends

mezo shoji: since I saw that hori said that he uses his mask because people are afraid of him I'm impatiently waiting for his face to be shown, and if he doesn't look like a junji ito monster or something I'm going to be pretty disappointed, anyway, I like his personality, he was really cool at the forest arc (I clearly don't remember the arcs names, I'm sorry lol), and I feel like he could have a bigger role in the story if hori finally decides to address the prejudice against people with mutant quirks

kyoka jiro: she kind of reminds me of a girl that used to bully me in middle school because of the way that she treats denki but I still like her lol I liked how she learned that is okay liking to sing and music in general and being a hero at the same time, because after all a lot of people were saved by music and/or their favorite artists, but since I find her quirk so cool I wanted to she her fighting more

hanta sero: he's funny, even funnier than denki, he has a really relatable sense of humor and I love him for that, his quirk is really cool, but I feel kind of bad for him because deku now has practically the same one and he's not the only spiderman in the story anymore (his quirk being similar to spiderman was actually what made me like him in the first place because peter is my favorite hero ever)

fumikage tokoyami: my 12yo emo self shakes inside of me every time that I see him, anyway, I really like him, how would I not? he has a bird head, he's nice without being overly friendly and dark shadow is really cute, I don't really remember everything that happened in the war but I remember him saying to hawks that he believes in him, so I really wanted to see him frustrated at his mentor because of what he did to twice please horikoshi address the consequences of twice's death, I'm tired of waiting

shoto todoroki: ah my angel, shoto was the reason why I started reading the manga back in 2015, I knew that he was going to be my favorite just by seeing his character design. I love shoto, I want him to become the happiest person in the world because he really deserves it, I know that everyone thinks that deku is what an ideal hero looks like but o me it is shoto, he's kind, sweet, forgiving, has a heart made of gold and is just genuinely a good person, I could talk about him for a whole week without pause and still find more things to compliment about him so let's move on before I write over 10000 words about how much I love him

tooru hagakure: she... exists...

katsuki bakugo: while shoto is my favorite, I have to admit that bakugo has the best character development in the hero side of the story, I used to hate him at the beginning of the series but now I love him, a lot, he shows that horikoshi knows how to write a compelling redemption arc if he planned it since the beginning, I love that he started only having "fight" points at the entrance exam for ua to now having his first priority at saving people, bakugo is other that I could talk about for hours so let's move on

izuku midoriya: I like deku when he's not putting his nose at the todofam business, he's a good kid who needs some self esteem urgently, the way that he never seemed to care about his own well being always made me nervous, even though I never felt like he was in real danger, he's the mc for a reason, to summarize: I like him personality wise but some of the narrative choices that hori made for him are not my favorites

minoru mineta: I don't care, I hope for him to vanish from existence

momo yaoyorozu: she's the stereotypical anime girl with glasses (but without glasses in this case), I like her personality, she's really cute, her quirk is neat and she's super smart but, everytime that she puts her hero costume on... I feel super uncomfortable... this is not her fault of course but I think that I would like her even more if she was less sexualized

I could write more if I take more time to think, but I'm not going to do that today, if you want to know my opinion about other characters or something more specific about the kids feel free to send me other ask

also, I'm sorry if there's any atrocious grammar mistakes on this, I didn't reviewed the text and wrote just what I had in my head in the moment at four am

#ann replies #anonymous #there's too many characters to tag...#so im going to just #class 1a #yeah that's good enough #bnha spoilers

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what-the--curtains · 3 years

Text

Alliance

Chapter 9 – The Hunt

(Mando x f!reader)

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Summary: After recovering you set off to find the man who tried to kill you. Killing him proves to be more difficult than expected when the ones you love are threatened, and on the other side of the choice, your own future.

Authors note: One more chapter to go!! Some angst at the end here! Hope y’all enjoy ❤️❤️❤️! (I also did some very average fan art if y’all haven’t seen it yet!)

Tw: sex is alluded to (not depicted), decapitation, force choke

Word count: 4.9k

Tagged list: @crazycookiecrumbles, @seninjakitey

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The planet proved harder to find than expected, despite Anya's best efforts, something was fogging up her tracking causing your coordinates to be constantly in flux. She’d easily lead you past the outer rim, but since then it had been akin to a wild goose chase.

“Any idea who tried to kill you.” Din asks, he'd been exceptionally patient throughout the journey thus far. Never questioning your methods just typing in the new location coordinates calmly and re aligning the ship on its new course.

“Did kill me” you correct, as your hand moves absentmindedly over the healed wound. “but no, I dont. They had a lightsaber though”

“Was it a Jedi?” he asks earnestly.

“Well based on the context clues, I'd definitely say at least Jedi adjacent” you laugh, for a savvy strategist who knew multiple languages you sometimes found yourself questioning if his brain was in fact functioning.

“Why would a Jedi try and kill you?”

“Your guess is as good as mine”

“How do they decide on colors?” He asks after a somewhat awkward silence

“Hmmm” you hum out in confusion, only half paying attention to what he had said.

“The light swords? Ashoka's are blue, yours is purple and the figures, well there's was red” your heart stops.

“It was red?” you ask, sitting up in your seat giving him your undivided attention.

“Ya does that mean something?” He watches your eyes slowly piecing together what he'd just told you.

“That’s impossible, the Sith were defeated. They died with the emperor.” you affirm, your sure red was a common colour used by Jedi nowadays, sure no one had ever seen one before, but there was a first time for everything right?

“So were the Jedi.” he points out.

“Do you always have to be right?” you ask slightly irritated for a reason you couldn’t quite explain. He doesn't respond; he knows a rhetorical question when he hears one but unsure what he had done to upset you. An uncomfortable silence lingers in the air, a sensation you'd never experienced with the Mandalorian before. Not wanting to stew in the quiet you head down to the lower levels and try and calm your frazzled mind. Sitting down you cross your legs, one over the other, as you close your eyes.

On the best of days meditating was a chore, but under the current situation it had become an impossible task. It wasn’t the threat of being ambushed that had you distracted, no something else was playing heavily on your mind. It was what was causing the punctuated silences, forced conversation and overall awkwardness in the atmosphere. It was your own doing. Seriously, who kisses a man whose face they've never seen! Idiots that's who and now it was stuck on your mind. In your defense you thought you wouldn't have to deal with the fallout so quickly. You should have known he’d have insisted on going with you, but you hadn't thought that far ahead, or at all and now you had to sit with the fact that you’d possibly ruined your comfortable friendship by planting one on him. Technically it wasn’t a real kiss,or maybe it was, how did Mandalorians kiss anyways? There you were down the rabbit hole again, this is why you couldn't focus, you curse yourself. Shaking your head you remind yourself it was only done in an attempt to get around him, a strategic move to protect the group, nothing more, nothing less. Keeping that in mind you manage to focus and you feel the galaxy's pulse emitting throughout the ship, inhaling and exhaling with the undulations around you.

Din, bored and missing the usually witty banter you offered him, decided it was time for him to clear the air in regards to the kiss. He hopes by telling you that he knew it was only done to get around him, you’d become more relaxed. The last thing he wanted was for you to be uncomfortable around him. He knew you'd never want to be with someone like him, at least in that way. As he turns around he sees you cross legged floating in the air, not wanting to interrupt he heads back up. Anya lifts her head as he re-enters, looking at him as if she knew what he was thinking. He’ll clear the air with you later, the two of you had plenty of time to talk.

You curse as your journey gets rerouted for what had to be the twelfth time in the past two days. Whoever was hunting you did not want to be found and no amount of swearing or whacking the console would change that. The closer you got to your destination the more you felt the malevolent presence grow. You found yourself wondering if it had always been with you, finding it hard to remember a time when it wasn't gnawing at your conscience. Each time you feel it scratching at your doors you remember Ashoka's words “be careful who you let into your head.” You'd made that mistake once with devastating consequences. You would not be making it again. Your energy was now primarily being spent keeping the presence at bay, not allowing it to penetrate any deeper than it already had. Sleeping only acted as an open invitation for the figure to torture you so you opted to forgo it altogether. Perhaps not the wisest decision, but what other choice did you have.

“The planet’s still a few days away.” Din says, noting the unraveled look in your eyes as you take your place next to him.

“Anything to do on this ship.” You ask, fidgeting in your seat. “like games or something” he doesn't respond “Hey beskar head! You awake under that helmet?”. You ask partially joking, partially annoyed that he wasn't talking to you.

“Yes.”

“Yes to games or yes to being awake?”

“To games” you smile, you never knew if he was actually making jokes or if you were just reading into it. The finer details of his personality artfully hidden beneath the metal exterior.

“Got Dejarik, you know how to play?” he asks, glad that you were back to yourself for the time being.

“I'm alright” you say smiling, you were better than alright, at least you think. To be fair you'd only ever played against one person and she was family and probably inclined to letting you win.

“You're cheating!” he exclaims, his annoyance apparent even through the modulator. Your skills were better than you expected especially after all those years, well either that or the Mandalorian was just that bad.

“How?” you ask, laughing at how frustrated he was getting. It was funny when you beat him the second time, but by gods it was even funnier when you beat him the seventh time.

“The force!” He says clenching his hand as he stares down at the board.

“I don't think the force bothers itself with helping me beat you at Dejarik.” you point out, as he grumbles something indistinguishable.

“Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are.” You tease pointing your finger at him eyebrows raised and a smirk plastered on your face.

“That’s not what I’ve been told,” he responds.

“About Dejarik or?” he laughs it off, but you seriously wanted to know the answer. After Cara told you he was allowed to have sex it was a question that you’d thought about a lot, more than you probably should have, but hey you were curious. Realizing the Mandalorian was now turning the game board over to see if it was rigged, you decide to change games.

“You still got that indestructible spear. The beskar one?” you ask nonchalantly.

“Yes, not something i'm planning on losing” he nods

“Fancy a match?” you offer you needed to work on your fighting skills, practicing on the air only went so far.

“Only if you promise not to slice through my ship.” He says, standing up.

“Only if you promise not to cry when I beat you.” you return causing him to scoff

“Oh im not going to be the one crying” he assures.

You stand in the ship's far corner across from Din who haphazardly twirls the spear in his hand as you open up your saber, raising it waiting for him to make the first move. He stays his ground, you and him were both defensive fighters and you knew he was far too stubborn to change his routine. Leaping forward you land in front of him, your saber making contact with the spear. After a few seconds spent testing his strength you know there's no feasible way for you to out muscle him. You'd have to out maneuver him. He’d seen you fight stronger opponents before so you’d have to think outside the box on this one. You move out from under the spear the release of your counter force causing Din to stumble forward. You turn aiming for his shin, but his arm reaches back the spear stopping your hit from connecting with his armour. You circle round him so you're once again face to face giving him enough time to stand back up. He turns quickly, swinging the spear as he does, aiming for your waist. You jump over the swipe landing behind him, hitting him in the back.

“Point to me.” you say

“No using the force” he says, turning to look down at you, his presence suddenly looming.

“I wasn't, I can just jump really high!” You lie.

“Likely story” he says brushing past you as he moves back to his starting spot

“What was that I said about crying earlier?” you question.

He's got you talking too long and he sweeps your feet out from under you knocking you on your ass and gently tapping you on the head with the spear.

“Point me” he says, offering you his hand.

“That was dirty” you say as he hoists you up.

“Who says we're playing clean sweetheart?” The term catches both of you off guard, but he's flustered himself more than you, allowing you to land the next two points.

“Hope your ego isn't too hurt darling.” you mock back at him as metal and light collide once again.

“It’s not over yet” he says, using all his strength to march you back towards the wall pinning you against it with his spear.

“You need to work on your attack, you leave a lot open” he says, breathing heavily.

“You need to work on a codpiece, it leaves a lot open” you retort, kneeing him in the groin, hard enough for him to drop you, but not so hard that it kept him down for long.

“Not enough beskar” he murmurs, hoping to get the last word in.

“Oh big brag for a man who just lost several games of Dejarik in a row and” your sentence is cut short as the spear taps the small of your back giving him the winning point

“And what?”

“Oh real classy Din, can’t win a fair fight” you say hand on your hip.

“It was fair considering I wasn't going 100%”

‘Oh you weren't” you mock, the smile telling him you were amused and not upset by his antics, the gentle slap on his arm further verifying this. The moments like this were nice, but as you continue to gain on your target they became fleeting. The Mandalorian watches as your ability to focus waivers, your frustration becoming increasingly evident in your training. Miraculously, you hadn't sliced through anything important, but the ship’s interior was constantly needing to be patched up. At least it kept him occupied and out of your hair. You looked like you were fighting a hidden battle, one he would gladly fight with you, if you'd let him. He didn’t know the full extent of your struggle, but he knew the anger he felt simmering inside you wasn't being aided by your refusal to sleep.

Your irritability, although caused by exerting tremendous energy keeping the figure at bay, was no excuse for the times you had lashed out at the Mandalorian. The most recent outburst occurred when he'd stepped on your foot after you had explicitly told him to watch out. In hindsight, threatening to melt his beskar down and turn it into a hearing aid for him so he could stop being such a nerf herder was a touch harsh. Alright, incredibly harsh especially considering he'd attempted to apologize before you went off on him.

“Sorry I threatened the beskar” you murmur sitting down next to him

“Are you going to tell me what's going on?” he asks

“Going on where” you ask

“Well it can't just be air in your head” he jokes, causing you to laugh for the first time in a few days.

“Seriously though , I'm sorry Ive been out of line, and it's not fair on you, you’ve been so understanding.”

“You know what might help with the outbursts?”

“A lecture?” you remark, your tone harsher than intended

“No, sleep, you should try it sometime”

“I'm fine without it” you say, the yawn escaping your lips contradicting your words.

“You should sleep.”

“ You don’t.” you remark hoping to catch him off guard, but he's obviously rehearsed this conversation a few times.

“ I don’t need to.”

“Neither do I.” You lie, almost a year later and you still had no idea how he slept so little, though your current working theory was that he would just take naps under the helmet when he thought he could get away with it.

“No, you can't sleep, there's a distinct difference.”

Not wanting to lash out at him for the third time that day and knowing he was right, you make a swift exit. You push the button that opens up to the tight sleeping quarters where you'd spent many hours lying awake. You were hoping that you'd reached an exhaustion point where your body would just shut down. You lay back on the bed not bothering with the covers, you weren't expecting to get comfortable. Anya had stopped trying to sleep in the same bed as you, usually getting inadvertently kicked or shoved out the bed by your constant movements. Your eyes can’t have been closed for more than a minute when they snap open. Despite their alertness your body's gone limp. What fresh hell was this? As your eyes adjust to the darkness you can only just make out the hauntingly familiar shape sitting at the edge of your bed. You go to call out for the Mandalorian, but no sound is emitted, nothing comes out at all not even air. You watch helplessly as the figure's arm extends ensnaring you in a choke hold, the yellow iris shining out beneath the hood, confirming your worst fear. A Sith. You scream yourself awake, the force causing items to fly to the ground, no doubt alerting the Mandalorian. You bring your knees to your chest grabbing at your scalp telling yourself it wasn’t real, but it didn't matter what you said. The truth was you couldn’t tell anymore all lines had blurred together. You get up off the bed looking around the room already exhausted at having to clean up yet another mess you had made. You lean over picking up the weapons that had fallen off the armoury hanging them back up when you hear the Mandalorian drop down the sound startling you.

“I'm sorry” you mutter embarrassed, not looking up as you move to grab the few dishes currently lying on the floor.

“What did I say about breaking the ship?” he says, chuckling slightly in an attempt to lighten the mood. He bends down to help you but you grab his arm stopping him.

“I made the mess. I'll clean it up.” You say gathering up the utensil and placing them back on the table absentmindedly stroking your throat as you turn to pick up the rest. As you reach for the chess board he grabs your hands, intertwining his fingers with yours, leading you back over to the bed.

“Get some rest, I'll clean up,” he says softly, sitting you down on the bed.

“Stop telling me what to do Din, besides it's not working.”

“You need to sleep.”

“I can’t and unless you can think up a way to make me then were shit out of luck.”

“I can think of a few ways.” he mumbles hoping it was loud enough for you to hear.

“Like what? Knocking me out with a blaster?” you scoff

“ A less violent way,” The words leave his mouth before he can fully assess the pros and cons of what he was offering to do.

“Reciting the entire code of conduct of the mandalore race to me?” Gods, how were you still not getting this.

“A less boring way.” He prays that you either catch on or he passes away suddenly so as to save him from any further embarrassment.

“Oh” you punctuate, lips parted slightly suddenly realizing exactly what was being offered to you “you think you can tire me out?”

“Only if you want.” he says, more confident now you hadn't outright rejected him

“Well I have been dying to see what’s under that armour”

“ You’ve seen it before”, and you couldn't wait to see it again.

“Not all of it”

“The helmet stays on,” he asserts.

“Not what I was referring to.” He stands there for a moment unsure how to proceed, not wanting to have misread the situation. “Well are you just going to stand there or are you not a man of your word?” That’s all the encouragement he needs.

“You want me to stop at any time, you just say so cyar’ika”

Once again the Mandalorian was right ; he was able to tire you out. Neither of you say anything after both at a loss for words, and not wanting to ruin the moment by saying the wrong thing. You fall asleep with his arm wrapped securely around your waist, as the other runs up and down your back. His heartbeat lulling you into a deep sleep, his presence managing to stay off any nightmares, at least for now.

He stays with you long after you’ve dozed off watching your back rise and fall in time with your breathing, he thanks the gods you were finally resting. He intently studies the faint purple markings covering your body, wondering how long they'd been there. His hand then tracing over the scars on your back, he wants to know how you got them. He wanted to know everything. Once this was all a distant memory he’d ask, if you chose to stick around that is. Knowing you won't want to find him in your bed when you wake up, he slides his arm from your waist and quietly, so as not to wake you, he puts his clothes back on. Re-donning his armour he heads back upstairs to check on the ship.

Your body shivers inadvertently at the loss of heat and your eyes slowly open. The room’s still dark, but the Mandalorian had gone. He must have left sometime in the night presumably his way of telling you it was a one off. Knowing Din to be a man of few words you knew talking about what had just happened was fully off the table. You sit up and stretch out, allowing your elbows to pop and your shoulders to crack as you roll them out, feeling a way that you hadn't felt in months. Well rested. Making your way over to the fresher you allow the water to wash over you removing any remaining scent attributed to the Mandalorian. After dressing you head up to the cockpit, slightly bow legged from the night before. You’d had your fair share of lovers and for a human, he was very well endowed and very eager to please.

“How far” you ask brushing any thoughts about last night from your head as you shoo Anya off your seat.

“You’re up sooner than I thought.” He says looking at you. He’d noticed the slight stagger in your walk causing him to smirk under the helmet, but the smile fades when you don’t look down.

“How far are we?” you ask again, picking up Anya who’s refused to move of her own volition.

“Close. About last night” he starts, wanting to make sure everything was okay, and that you weren’t regretting what had happened.

“ Look, we don’t have to talk about it. I know it wasn’t a big deal.” You say.

“It may not be a big deal for you.” you don't know why, but you take that tone as being pointed, referring specifically to your time spent in the rings.

“Why? because I've slept with half the galaxy? Something I did in order to survive an environment let’s not forget you put me in?” you spit out

“ No, I-I didn’t mean,” he starts. It's the first time you've ever heard him stumble over his words.

“ You never do.” You say, shutting him up for the remainder of the trip.

“Dropping out now.’ He says, 5 days, that's how long it had taken to get to where you were going, whoever was on the planet was committed to not being found, or at least committed to having you as sleep deprived as possible.

You step out with the Mandalorian close behind you, the planet's surface reflecting the ship's underlights back into its metal exterior. The mirrored rock had sprouted out into various forms and sharp geometric shapes, resulting in a beautiful, but sinister skyline.

“You sure this is the place? Doesn't look like any living thing could survive here.”

“Yes, I can sense a disturbance. You stay here with Anya.” you say placing a hand on his chest plate.

“No way.” Din responds

“I have to do this alone. It's too dangerous for you.”

“For me?” he says in disbelief.

“Wait here if i'm not back within the hour, leave.” You state ignoring his last question.

“ I'll give you two for good measure” he offers, holding out a blaster for you to take.

“It won't help.” You say pushing it back towards him before pulling up your hood and setting off into the unknown. Once he's sure you're out of sight, he follows you.

You close your eyes, letting your senses lead you through the sharpened planet careful not to cut yourself on the dark obsidian refelcting blurred images of the stars. A rock snaps under your foot and your eyes open. A voice calls out to you, uttering your name.

“Who are you.” you ask aloud, turning to face the cloaked figure who stands before you.

“ That is not important” he answers, lips not moving. Telepathy. So that’s how he'd gotten into your head.

“You tried to kill me I think it's at least relevant.” You return in thought.

“You came alone.” he asks, yellow eyes darting from side to side, despite the power this figure held you send a nervousness harboured deep within him, perhaps you should have brought the Mandalorian along with you.

“ Yes” you lie, hoping your force was strong enough to shield the bounty hunter.

“Good.” he snarled.

“Why did you kill me.” you ask not wanting to beat around the bush

“To see if I could. I needed to see your abilities, you’re stronger than I thought if you brought yourself back to life. The empire is rebuilding”, he offers not clearing the situation up in the least

“The empire died with Palpatine, they’re nothing but warmongering desolates now” you say shaking your head, not believing you had flown halfway across the galaxy for this.

“That’s what they have told you. We have been growing an army, led by the spirit of the emperor. We are seeking those with your abilities to help us rebuild.”

“You’ve lost your mind. The Sith were defeated long ago, the Jedi with them.” You turn to leave, no longer fearing this man, he holds no power over you.

“No” he shrieks, the sound drawing your gaze back to him, the noise frightening you slightly “You cannot leave. You cannot go. You will join us and rebuild a stronger galaxy.”

“I have no interest in joing a cult of fear and genocide.” you state calmly.

“It is more than a cult I offer you, something much better, power.” he was getting desperate, a few more days without sleep and you may have fallen for it.

“Power to what? Give you all the blood in my body so you can commit futile experiments on innocent people. You cannot create force sensitivity nor can you push it on someone who it has not chosen. Join you? No, I'll have to pass. Death and destruction will not be my path.”

“Not yet, but it will be. I see it in you, the pain, the sadness, the loneliness, that will all disappear once you join us.”

“Over my dead body” You say drawing your sabre. A violent clash of red and purple ricochet off the mirrored rock, lighting up the shadowed planets.

“Your grandmother trained you well.” He exclaims.

“ If you knew her then you should know that i'd never turn” You continue the fight. Managing to back him into a rock wall. Holding saber at his throat the light purple hue gleaning in the yellow irises beneath his hood.

“I understand why you ambushed me, not much of a fighter are you.” you snarl, pushing the saber into the robe, the scent of burning fabric filling the air. Then you feel it, the pulse of the fibers interwoven throughout the galaxy, something’s amiss. Something else appears under the glow of you saber, yellowed teeth, smiling under the light. You release him pushing yourself back, he wants you to kill him.

“ Do not fear it, I have seen this moment. It is what begins your reign”

“No” you say aloud to yourself, “No” you repeat turning off the saber and turning to leave.

“If you let me live, I kill the man with you.”

The Mandalorian whose been watching from afar hasn’t heard a word spoken in a while, watching you move towards him he thinks it must be over, whoever this person was, Sith or not, you must have come to an agreement. He almost walks out from his hiding spot when you stop dead in your tracks. He sees you look up, your eyes meeting his but only for a moment, before you pivot back to face the man.

“There’s…” you start.

“Don’t play me for a fool child, I have been playing this game long before you were even a thought in your mothers pretty little head. I know he is here. I know what you feel for him. You kill me and in time you will betray him, but you’d rather that, than lose him altogether.”

There's no thought process, no decision to make. With a flick of your wrist you throw the saber. You watch as it slices through the Siths neck before returning to your hand. You close it as his head tumbles to the ground. If Ashoka's words were a warning this, this was an omen. You had made a choice and now a path of irredeemably evil was laid before you. A path you were not prepared to drag anyone else down.

“I know you're there” you say after composing yourself. “I told you not to follow me.” You say making your way to the Mandalorians hiding spot.

“Are you alright? What did he say to you?” he asks, reaching a hand out for your arm.

“Nothing.” You say dodging him. The less he knew the safer he'd be. You weighed your options in your head on the walk back, but you knew there was only one way to avoid harming anyone. You had to hide away, become anonymous. Fall back into legend, never to be seen again. It was the only way Grogu would be safe, it was the only way Cara would be safe, it was the only way Din would be safe. As the ship takes off you say three words that would change everything.

“Take me home.”

“We're on route to Hoth now,” he says reassuringly.

“No, take me to my home. Grogu is back and safe. Our deal is done. Our alliance is over” You say, eyes plastered to the windshield.

“What did he say to you?” Din stresses, but you don’t answer. Silence was the only way to stop him from convincing you to stay.

“Don’t shut me out” he says slamming his hand on the panel. You don’t flinch, you don’t even look up. “We can figure this out together.” He says softly, if you hadn’t known any better you would have thought he was pleading with you.

“You’ve done enough. Take me home. If you don’t the force will.” He resets the GPS coordinates before standing up and dropping downstairs. Anya muzzles into you as you let out a sigh blinking back the tears you felt forming.

#alliance #din djarin x reader #din djarin x y/n #mando x you #star wars #the mandalorian #the mandolorian x reader #mando x y/n #mando x reader #chapter 9

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crash-cinematic-universe · 4 years

Text

Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off

pairing: lead singer!peter maximoff/bassist!fem!reader

summary: nobody likes the opening band-- except, of course, the lead singer’s secret girlfriend, who just happens to be the headliner.

warnings: smut, oral (female receiving) they fuck on an amp and that stresses me out

notes: you literally cannot blame me for using this song its just so HORNY. also this is almost 1.8k words im Proud. This is a songfic but also at the same time not really (based off of lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off by Panic! At The Disco)

I dedicate this fic to my dear friend @kitwalkers who’s honestly an icon and you should go check them out

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You could see it in his eyes and the mischievous grin on his face. He sauntered over to the stage, his hips swinging just a bit more than usual. He said something to the drummer before approaching the microphone. His hand slides down the mic stand, his finger caressing the cold metal as he adjusted the high. The opening performance. This was only the opening performance. All you had to do was get through his set and then you could do your own-- you just had to make it through a couple songs. Yet somehow, Peter Maximoff managed to drag out his set as much as possible, his intentions obvious. He was trying to get you worked up before the performance-- Peter had a habit of teasing you before big events.

Eventually, the last song rolls around and the end is in sight. His eyes met yours, the dark pupils obviously blown out more than usual. He was either high or horny-- probably both. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, but it lingered for a second, flicking a corner of his mouth before he gave the signal to his bandmates. The bassist had barely played a note but you already recognized the song-- Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off. Your stomach dropped and Peter smirked, satisfaction written all over his face as his queue approached.

“Is it still me that makes you sweat? Am I who you think about in bed? When the lights are dim and your hands are shaking as you’re sliding off your dress?” His voice is low and sultry, his eyes still locked with yours. His hands move along the mic stand slowly, his actions and the fiery look in his eyes immediately traveling to your core. You press your thighs together and Peter grins. “Well then think of what you did, and how I hope to god he was worth it. When the lights are dim and your heart is racing as your fingers touch your skin.” Your bandmate leans over to whisper in your ear.

“He’s, uh, quite the showman,” She chuckles. Her eyes trail upland down Peter’s body and you can’t help but clench your jaw. Sure, no one knew about you and Peter, but that didn’t stop you from getting defensive.

“I heard he’s got a girl-- somethin’ secretive.” You add slyly, your eyes not leaving Peter’s.

“Lucky gal,” Your bandmate quips. You nod absentmindedly. Peter seems dissatisfied with the loss of your attention, his movements becoming more and more suggestive by the second.

“Girl I was it, look past the sweat. A better love deserving of exchanging body heat in the passenger's seat-- no, no, no, you know it will always just be me,” He nodded slowly, leaning forward with the mic stand, the long metal pole tipping between his legs. “Let’s get these teen hearts beating faster! Faster!.” Peter tore his eyes away from yours as the bass and guitar blares, his head shaking to dishevel his hair. Peter takes the mic off the stand and begins to move around the stage with more energy than usual, his voice melodic and breathy and so incredibly hot, it makes your bones vibrate.

With every strum of the guitar and crash of the symbols, Peter was becoming more and more frustrated. He was hot and sweaty and so horny he felt like he was about to shout-- he was the opener, he was only the opener. He tugged off his jacket, tossing it to the corner of the stage before he returned to singing. He had to get through the song-- just the one song then he could run backstage and jack off in some closet and he’d be fine. You were not helping Peter’s situation; your unyielding gaze and slow gestures making Peter’s jeans feel much tighter than before. Yes, Peter understood he started it-- he chose this song because he knew it would get you going, but Peter did not realize the consequences. He didn’t show it, though. He kept up his smug facade, shooting a wink your way as he began the final chorus.

Peter grunted in confusion as you walked away before the end of the song, his eyes following you around the corner. He glanced back at his bandmates as the song closed, allowing them to adjust their instruments and discuss the performance as he sped off. You were standing outside of the venue, the cool winter air soothing your hot skin-- Peter’s appearance startled you.

“Why’d you run off, doll? Did ya not like the song?” Peter teased as he pressed his palms against the brick wall on either side of your head, effectively trapping you in place. You weren’t necessarily complaining, though; it was nice to have Peter this close. Although you had a feeling he’d get a lot closer in the near future.

“Eh, it was okay,” You quipped, a smirk stuck on your face as Peter began inching closer. “I hope you’re aware that I blow your bass player out of the water; the poor kid had no control over his fingers.”

“Oh yeah?” The silver-haired man leaned close, his lips brushing your ear and his hot breath on your skin as he spoke softly. “Well unlike him, I actually know how to work my fingers.” He drags his pointer finger along your jaw causing a shiver to run down your spine.

“Prove it.” You purr. Peter hastily pulls you inside the venue and into the first empty room he could find; he was pleased to see that you ended up in the equipment storage closet. He was on you in seconds, his hands gripping your waist as he slammed his lips on yours. You gasp, and Peter takes the opportunity to slip his tongue into your mouth. He grinds against your thigh, a quiet whimper falling from his lips. Frantically, he manages to lay you on top of one of the industrial sized amps in the corner. Sure, if they were to break the both of you would probably owe thousands of dollars, but neither of you cared at the moment.

“You’re on in 20 minutes,” Peter says as he nibbles on your earlobe. “I’m sure we’ll make good use of our time until then.” He winked before making his way down your body, stopping at your hips. His hands make quick work of your jeans, tugging the tight fabric off along with your underwear. Peter glances up at you with faux innocence in his eyes before he pulls your legs into his shoulders, his hot breath fanning over your cunt. After what feels like an eternity, he finally jerks forward and buries his head between your thighs and drags his tongue over your clit. You stifle a moan as Peter moves quickly, his lips encapsulating your clit as he plunges two of his fingers inside of you. Peter’s fingers are long and calloused and he curls them in just the right way. Immediately, your fingers are tangled in his hair as you attempt to pull him closer to you. You pull just a bit too hard and a low groan emits from Peter’s lips; Peter can feel you tighten around his fingers every time he moans into you. Your hips jerk forward as Peter speeds up, adding another finger as he does so. You bite down on your lip hard enough to draw blood as you spasm around his fingers, a breathy whimper escaping your lips. Peter laps up the last of your juices before crawling on top of you.

“I’m still not over how good you are at that,” You pant. Peter slams his lips on yours, his tongue pushing its way into your mouth-- you can taste yourself on his lips, but you don’t really mind. “Time?”

“We got 10 minutes,” You smirk.

“Perfect.” You shimmy out from below Peter, falling to your knees in front of him. He melts like putty in your hands as you pull off his jeans; Peter’s cock was throbbing and stiff by the time you took it in your hand. He groans, his hips snapping forward in an attempt to get more friction. You press kisses to his lower abdomen, intentionally neglecting his rock-hard dick while doing so. You kiss your way back up his body, chuckling as Peter tries to grind into your thigh.

“C-C’mon, we’re gonna run out of time.” Peter whines. He quickly repositions himself so he’s on top of you, his hands holding himself up. “You ready, babe?” You nod, and Peter grins.

Peter’s hips snap forward, pushing his cock into your throbbing cunt. He stretches you deliciously, a pleasurable burning sensation spreading between your hips as Peter begins to move.

“Fuck-- you’re tight,” Peter huffs, his thrusts becoming quicker and more rhythmic as the time passed. Your nails dig into Peter’s back as he thrusts harder, the sound of his skin slapping against yours filling the small room along with your moans and gasps. Peter pulls your leg onto his shoulder, allowing him to thrust deeper than before.

“Oh-- fuck, Peter, you feel so good--” That seems to spur Peter on, his head dipping down to meet your lips. He moans into your mouth, your teeth clashing together as your lips move sloppily. The man above you is panting, his hot breath hitting your face as he pounds into you. He’s sweaty, his silver hair sticking to his forehead. Your eyes roll to the back of your head as Peter brushes the spot deep inside of you that makes your toes curl, a strained moan leaving your lips. Peter’s thrusts become uneven and you can tell he’s close-- you are, too.

“You gonna come, baby?” You ask, and Peter can only nod. Your hand grapes the back of his neck, tugging him down so you can whisper in his ear. “Come for me, sugar,” He does exactly that, his hips rapidly snapping into yours as he emptied himself inside of you. Peter’s orgasm triggered your own, your cunt tightening around him as you threw your head back.

You’re both sweaty and disheveled by the time you both came down from your climaxes, both you and Peter decorated by dark red hickies. You chuckle quickly at Peter’s blissed-out smile, his lips pressing small kisses along your jaw. He whines as you get off the amp and begin pulling on your clothes.

“Stay with me,” He pleads. You press a kiss to his forehead before you button up your jeans.

“I wish I could, Maximoff, but I’m on in 5.” You turn to leave, but not before speaking up one more time. “For the record, Maximoff, you were right. You are pretty good with your fingers.”

#nsft #Evan Peters #peter maximoff #peter maximoff x reader #peter maximof x reader #xmen fanfiction #xmen imagine #xmen songfic #quicksilver x reader #this one is for u besite <<33 #irl dont look

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justatiredghost · 3 years

Text

Living for the Moment Ch18 A series of glimpses at Klaus’ life if he’d met Dave in his mid 20s. His life isn’t magically transformed, love can’t fix either of them when they’re both homeless and in a bad place. They’re not even really ready for a relationship yet. But maybe a supportive friendship can set them on a better path, the two of them inspiring each other to take care of themselves. It’s going to be a long and bumpy ride, and the question is, when will they actually admit to themselves that they have feelings for each other? Read More AO3

"You've got to be kidding me. I thought I told you to leave me alone," Klaus groaned, turning away so he wouldn't have to watch him go.

But he didn't.

"If you're mad at me," Dave said instead, hands out pleadingly, "Fine, yell all you want, but you're my friend and I'm not just gonna drop this and leave. And you're right, it's been a while since we've properly spent any time together, and I'm sorry for that, but I know you well enough to know when you're trying to push me away. So what's this really about?"

"Why do I do anything?" Klaus said bitterly, because this was the answer everyone else had always given for him. "It's all for the attention! I just want to have a good time, forget all my worries and fuck the consequences. Sometimes literally."

"Right, because we both know this life is nothing but a never ending party," Dave said, rolling his eyes, because they both knew the bad trips, the mornings after, the misery and the hangovers. Whatever problems they were trying to forget were always right there when they woke up again, sometimes worse than before. There was no escape, not really, and that included Klaus' ghosts.

"This isn't a cry for help," Klaus snapped, because he didn't know why Dave wouldn't just let it go. "I'm a selfish asshole, you should know that by now."

"You really expect me to believe that?" Dave said, and he'd looked frustrated and upset, like he'd been steeling himself for this very argument, but now his features softened. "Even after you've saved my life a dozen times over?"

"Don't forget all the people whose lives I've ruined," Klaus said. "It all evens out."

"Right, okay, you're a selfish asshole," Dave conceded, and Klaus wasn't sure if he was supposed to feel crushed or relieved.

"Good," he snapped. "Glad you get it."

"But that doesn't make you cruel or heartless," Dave interrupted. "You care so much, and I've seen it shine through in a thousand different ways. You're funny and you're clever, and I know this isn't easy, you've been through hell your whole life, but I have so much respect for the man you've become."

Honestly, it would have been unsettling to have anyone else see him like this, past the defenses he'd hoped he was loud and obnoxious enough to disguise, even to himself. But this was Dave, and somehow he didn't feel found out so much as he did seen.

He'd felt invisible his entire life. Well, maybe not completely. He liked being the center of attention, it was only the parts that mattered that he hid, the hurt and the fear, leaning into the assumptions everyone else made about him because it was easier than trying to prove them wrong. He'd given up on that a long time ago. And here Dave was, thinking the best of him despite it allt, and it was terrifying. He'd tried so hard to avoid this, because he didn't want to inevitably let anyone down. But, somehow, he didn't want this to stop.

"The fuck, Dave," Klaus said, hoping his voice wouldn't break, because what else was he supposed to say? He was too raw and exhausted and he didn't know what to do.

"I've wanted to give up so many times, but you make me want to keep trying to be kinder despite it all. And if you really want me to go, I will, I just need you to know that I care about you, and you don't have to do this alone."

He thought about the last couple days, how the drugs had completely wrecked him, leaving him to wake up in a gutter or a stranger's bed, in pain inside and out in a way that only more drugs could fix, only for him to then start the process over again. And then he looked at Dave, and what his very presence represented. Suddenly, all of the noise wasn't enough to hide behind anymore.

"I'm scared," he admitted, feeling his false bravado collapse around him.

"I know," Dave said with a heavy sigh. "I am too. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, just don't push me away. I don't want to leave things like this."

Klaus was good with words. He could turn just about any situation to his advantage so long as he could talk. But now, suddenly he was at a loss, feeling things quickly slipping out of his control because Dave was just like that. Somehow, he'd become the only constant in his life, at least living, because he was just so good at taking him by surprise.

"Fine, you win," Klaus said. He hadn't realized how close Dave had moved, but now that he was here, all Klaus could do was slump against him, forehead resting against his shoulder. "Why did you have to come along again and ruin everything?"

"Sorry," Dave said with a chuckle.

"No, you're not, asshole," Klaus said.

"You're right, I'm not. Sorry."

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to do now," Klaus said. "I don't know if I'll even change, or if I even can, you know? I just hope your expectations aren't too high."

"I'm not asking you to change," Dave said. "Just don't shut me out, okay? We can figure out the rest together."

It was a naive hope. Klaus just couldn't see where they could go from here. "What's that saying? 'You can't have your cake and eat it too?'"

"What the fuck else are you supposed to do with cake?" Dave asked incredulously.

"I dunno, man, don't look at me," Klaus couldn't help but smile at that. "I'm just not really sure our lives are compatible anymore."

"Then we'll figure that out together, too," Dave said.

"I don't want to make you relapse."

"You're not making me do anything. This is my choice, too, you know."

"It's just a shitty one, is all," Klaus said. He wasn't sure when, but they'd made their way to his little cardboard shelter, settling down together, Dave's arm still around him.

"Rude, but I see your point," Dave said, bumping his forehead against Klaus'.

"If I'm starting to make sense, we might be in real trouble."

"Just get some sleep, okay? We can figure it out later. Just know we have options. And I have ideas."

"Well, that's the most suspicious thing I've ever heard," Klaus chuckled.

But he was too tired to object, so he just let his eyes close, trying not to think about the future. He was just so exhausted, and everything was too hard, and he couldn't see anything but tragedy in their future.

#klaus hargreeves #dave katz #klave #klaus x dave #the umbrella academy #umbrella academy

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spookyboywhump · 4 years

Text

Darts

OHOHOHO IT TURNS OUT I CAN STILL WRITE SHIT LIKE THIS

Clement and Cathal, as always belong to @ihaventwritteninsolong

Wren has a bad time and! I finally get to introduce a new character!!! Cain’s future BF is here!!!!! I swear there will be a piece actually introducing him to Zander and Wren and a piece on how him and Cain became a Thing but!!! This felt appropriate to just throw him in here.

Word Count: 4476 words

CW: Uhhh, Person used as a target, dehumanization, some noncon touching (non-sexual), creepy whumpers, brief mention of drugging

***

Zander had warned him about the parties. He’d warned him about all the people, just as awful and ruthless as Cain, and warned him that they were very likely to be made entertainment for the other handlers. Even warned him that he was more likely to be targeted, they’d surely show much more interest in the new obedient dog rather than Zander.

He really shouldn’t have been surprised that he was right, but it was still terrifying being chained to a wall in one of the more populated rooms, people wandering in and out, some lounging around just to watch the show. His arms were cuffed above his head, the chain tossed over a hook that was too high up for him, forcing him to stand on his toes to release the strain on his shoulders. Strangers came and went, most commenting on him, some touching him, commenting on how he was so well behaved compared to Zander. He hated that, but he kept his mouth shut as he knew he should, not wanting to give any of these people a reason to hurt him.

Being surrounded by strangers was bad, but the people he did recognize weren’t making him feel any better. Clement was there of course, sitting in one of the comfortable armchairs while Cathal knelt at his feet. Wren always felt a pang of sympathy every time he looked at Cathal, he’d felt bad ever since they first met but it only got worse after he had to actually experience Clement. He couldn’t blame Zander for attacking him every chance he got, he wished he had that kind of bravery, wished he was ready to suffer the consequences that came with it, just for the chance to knock that smug look off the bastard’s face at least once.

He wished Zander was there at all, he had been at first but Vanessa had kept him close, intentionally away from Cathal all night. At some point he had seen her lead him away, and nobody else seemed to notice or care. Zander didn’t look right when they left, and Wren didn’t doubt that Vanessa had likely slipped him something, the thought further making him sick with worry.

By now he was used to Cain, even somewhat used to Clement, he had a fair idea of what to expect from them, it was Cain’s fucking boyfriend that he wasn’t so sure about. He had met Nicholas Fairfax exactly once before, and he only needed that one meeting to know he was so much worse than Cain. He didn’t like the way he looked at him, he didn’t like the way he spoke about him and other pets, and the fact that Zander wasn’t there to protect him this time only made him more nervous. He just hoped that his relationship with Cain would keep him away from him- Away from Cathal too for that matter. Zander had always been the safest person in the room, even if his attempts didn’t usually end how he wanted, he still tried to protect them, and the fact that he was gone, especially when Nicholas was around, it gave Wren a horrible feeling.

He should’ve known that this wouldn’t be the worst of it though, he should’ve known that these bastards would make it worse. He saw the darts and his blood ran cold. He knew what they planned, he knew it was going to hurt, and though he wanted to scream and cry and beg he couldn’t seem to find his voice. He stared at them with wide eyes, vaguely listening to what Cain was saying.

“Oh, it was Nicholas’ idea.” He was telling Clement, seeming very happy about this fact as he picked up one of the darts. “He’s hung up so nicely, he’d make a perfect target.” He said, turning his attention to Wren. He didn’t give a warning, he didn’t have to, Wren watched with wide eyes as he drew back, seeming to try and aim before throwing the dart.

Wren flinched when the dart hit the wall, far too close to his ear for comfort. He closed his eyes, trying desperately to block out all the sounds around him, all the people laughing, encouraging this cruel game. Cain’s punishments were one thing, and at least he could defend himself in a fight, but this was different, this was just a sadistic game meant to entertain others. He was less than a person, less than a dog, just an object, a target for them to use.

“You should at least try to hit the target.” Clement told him, rising from his seat and taking the dart Cain handed him. Cain was scowling, clearly unhappy that he’d missed, even more frustrated by Clement’s comment. Wren hoped desperately his aim wouldn’t be any better, but he still braced himself for it to hurt, eyes squeezed shut so he wouldn’t have to watch.

He didn’t have to wait long, a sudden pain pierced his ribs and he cried out, jerking against his restraints. It took all his courage to open his eyes, but as soon as he looked down to see the dart sticking out of him, the pain suddenly got so much worse, the panic hitting him hard as tears filled his eyes. He frantically looked up at the men who were just sneering at him, laughing at his pain. Other guests of this fucked up party were gathering now, dragging their pets with them, and Wren wanted nothing more than to be far, far away from here.

“Fuck, let me try again.” Cain said, snatching up one of the darts. He seemed determined to do it right this time, but even Wren could tell he was horribly off point, and that thought comforted him. At least, it did until Nicholas stepped in.

“Let me help you, darling.” He said gently, taking his wrist and correcting the direction he was aiming. Wren could tell he surely wouldn’t miss this time, and the thought forced a whimper from his throat. “Try it like that, it should land perfectly this time.” He told him, pressing a kiss to Cain’s cheek before releasing his wrist. Watching them gave Wren the opposite of the feeling he got from watching Zander and Cathal, watching a pair so horrible be soft and gentle with each other almost made him angry.

Cain seemed much more confident in this throw, and the dart lodged itself in his chest and caused him to scream, eyes screwed shut in pain. Tears streamed down his face and he didn’t even try to hold them back, he knew that it would only get worse from here. The next dart came soon after that one, he cried out when it stuck in his shoulder, just adding to the pain he was already in. Each slight movement, each breath hurt, and he knew that crying would only make it worse but he just couldn’t stop.

“Pup, look at me.” Cain ordered, and he reluctantly forced himself to open his eyes, looking at Cain through tears. He was grinning, Wren knew it had to be bad if he looked so excited. “It wouldn’t be fair if we kept you to ourselves over here, you don’t mind if we let everyone else take a turn, do you?” He asked, and it took Wren a moment to realize Cain actually expected an answer. For a split second, he considered saying he would in fact mind quite a bit, but he decided he didn’t want to make anything worse for himself tonight.

“N-no suh-sir, I… I d-don’t mind…” He whimpered.

“Thought not! You’re always such a good boy, Wren.” He laughed, and the praise only served to make him feel more miserable. He looked away from Cain, trying to look anywhere else in the room just to distract himself.

He briefly glanced at Cathal, and as much pain as he was in, as terrified as he was, he couldn’t help but be thankful that it was him they were hurting rather than Cathal. He knew it was still a possibility, knew they might want them to trade places, and he decided that he wouldn’t let that happen. Zander wasn’t there, so Wren would take up the self sacrificing responsibility if he had to, he couldn’t stand to see Cathal endure the same torment he was suffering.

The momentary distraction meant he was entirely unprepared when the next dart was thrown, trying his best not to scream when it stuck in his arm. His hands clenched into fists and it was a struggle to not give up and let himself just hang by his arms.

“Oh come on pup, you screamed so nicely for them” Nicholas said, sounding disappointed in his subpar response. Nicholas stepped aside to let the next person try, a stranger this time who looked way too excited to be doing this. He wished that begging would work in this case, he would gladly beg and cry until he lost his voice if he meant he wouldn’t have to endure this any longer, but he knew that wouldn’t fly. If anything it would only encourage the sadistic guests, and he didn’t need to give them any more reason to try and hurt him.

He resigned himself to this fate for the night, and just prayed that he’d make it out alive. He wasn’t sure if a dart could kill him, but he still wanted to avoid anything that sharp near his heart or his eyes. He didn’t want to be forced to do this, but he preferred it over having to watch Cathal or even Zander used as a target. He saw them hurt more than enough, he was more than happy to bear that burden for once. He just hoped they decided to keep him as their target.

***

The whole night had been anxiety inducing, but when wasn’t it when Cain was involved? Cathal tried to be good, tried to keep his eyes on the floor to avoid watching what they were doing to Wren- each scream, each round of laughter made him sick just to hear. He rarely even glanced up, and when he did he tried to keep his eyes on Nicholas.

He wasn’t sure how dangerous he was, and he didn’t want to find out, but he felt the need to make sure he stayed away from him, make sure his attention was directed anywhere but at himself. His stomach sank when he glanced up once to see the man looking directly at him, grey eyes piercing into him and causing him to freeze up where he sat, just praying he wouldn’t come near him, but he should’ve known he wouldn’t get that lucky.

Cathal had to resist the urge to lean away when Nicholas knelt down in front of him. He didn’t want to deal with another stranger, first Cain, then Vanessa, he always got hurt and he didn’t know what this one would do to him but he didn’t want to find out either. Clement gave him a look though, as if silently reminding him to obey, and he knew better than to do otherwise.

“Tell me, how much did you pay for this one?” Nicholas asked Clement, though he grabbed Cathal’s face as he spoke, one leather gloved hand tilting his head to the side as he spoke, as if examining him. Cathal tried to follow his movements, tried to be as well behaved as he possibly could be.

“Nothing at all, I picked him up myself.” He told him, and Nicholas nodded.

“I should’ve known, he doesn’t exactly look like he’d sell for much anyway.” He said, leaning in to get a better look at his eyes. “Well- maybe for these pretty eyes, honestly I’ve seen a lot of dogs but I haven’t come across one like this yet… eyes like these can make up for his less… desirable features, lets say.” He smirked, stroking his thumb over the scars decorating his jaw.

“Oh, those?” Clement said, disdain clear in his voice. “He wasn’t like that when I found him, stupid thing just destroyed himself when he ran away.” Nicholas laughed, for the first time looking to Cathal and actually addressing him.

“You really are a stupid puppy, hm?” He said, the words enough to bring tears to Cathal’s eyes, face heating up with shame.

“I-I… I’m suh-sorry…” He whimpered, he didn’t even know what he was apologizing for, he just prayed it would be enough to satisfy the men.

“You’re sorry?” Nicholas laughed. “Oh, he’s not very smart but he’s certainly adorable.” He told Clement.

“Isn’t he? I think that’s the only reason I keep him around, really. Not much use aside from being a fucking lapdog.” He sneered, and Cathal knew no matter how much he hoped for it, Clement had no intention of keeping him safe from this man. “He’s always been more of a decoration than a person anyways.”

He took a quick, shuddering breath, and Nicholas looked back at him, almost delighted to see his lip trembling, tears rolling down his face.

“Does it normally do this when you talk about it?” He asked, his grip on his chin still tight, forcing him to face them even when he wanted nothing more than to hide his face away.

“Yes, but honestly he does it constantly.” he said, rolling his eyes. “Frankly, he never seems to fucking stop. It’s pathetic.” He said, giving Cathal a disapproving look that made him want to run away and hide.

“Hmm, you must have quite a bit of patience. I would never tolerate such a pathetic dog, not unless he had any other uses.” Nicholas said, finally letting go of his chin and getting to his feet.

“Doubt he does, the stupid fucker can’t even read.” Cain said almost casually while he focused his attention on Wren, not even noticing how Cathal shrunk back at his words, wishing he could’ve begged him not to tell Nicholas about that.

“He can’t even read?” Nicholas almost laughed, looking to Clement. “That’s impressive, how did you even manage that?” He asked, looking far too interested in this fact.

“I didn’t even have to do anything, the poor stupid thing forgot all on his own.” He motioned for Cathal to come closer to him, and he was quick to obey, sitting at his feet and obediently letting him run a hand through his hair, biting hard on his lower lip to contain his cries. He didn’t want to risk punishment if his sobbing interrupted the men, he just wanted to be good, to get out of this without being hurt just this once.

“It’s only a pet, it’s not as if it really needs to read.” Nicholas said. “I’m sure it’s for the best he forgot.”

“It really is, I’m sure he’d just end up hurting himself if he tried too hard.” He said, and suddenly his hand tangled in his hair, yanking hard and startling a cry out of Cathal. “Now, if only he’d forget about Cain’s stupid mutt, he just can’t seem to stop thinking about him…”

“Oh, he’s bothering you too?” Nicholas asked, and Cathal couldn’t help but wonder what Zander could’ve possibly done to warrant the man’s irritation.

“He’s absolutely infuriating.” He sighed, looking to Cain, who was busy removing darts from a trembling, crying Wren. Cathal tried to keep his eyes down, tried not to look at the boy who was still bleeding after being used as a target. “Honestly Cain, you need to get better control of your fucking animals.”

“Excuse me?” Cain asked, plucking at dart from Wren’s arm, causing the boy to whimper in pain. “Animals? No, Wren is a fucking delight, you mean animal.” He snickered.

“Oh I’m so sorry.” Clement said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. “I forgot, you have at least one decent pet. He hasn’t made nearly the impression that fucking beast has, he’s so much easier to forget.”

“Aw, you hear that Wren?” Cain said teasingly, removing a dart that had hit him near the shoulder. “You’re forgettable. At least that’s better than being a fucking annoyance, huh?” He said, and Wren probably couldn’t have responded even if he wanted to.

“Love, can you bring me one of those?” Nicholas asked, and Cain seemed to brighten at the pet name, Wren all but forgotten as he came back over to him, handing him one of the darts. Wren’s blood was still covering the point, it made Cathal sick to see it. “Could I borrow your puppy, Clement?” He asked, and Cathal’s blood ran cold.

He knew better than to beg, he knew better than to even hope for Clement to say no, but it still hurt when he told Nicholas to go ahead, how he seemed almost amused at whatever he had planned. Nicholas ordered him to get to his feet, and once Clement removed his hand from his head he did so, albeit slowly, shaking as he stood.

“So sorry for excluding you from all the fun.” Nicholas told him, sparing a brief glance at Wren, before holding out the dart to him. “How about you give it a try?” He said, and his smile made it clear that he really didn’t have a choice.

“Y-you- you want me to th-throw this… a-at him…?” He asked softly, looking between the dart and Wren. He knew he should’ve taken it but he couldn’t seem to find it in himself to do it, couldn’t move his hands to accept the object.

“I’m ordering you to throw it at him.” He said, and when Cathal still didn’t move to take it, he simply grabbed his hand, placing it in his hand for him.

“Go ahead darling, surely even you can manage to throw a dart.” Clement told him. He reluctantly turned to face Wren, but he just knew he couldn’t do it, he couldn’t even bring himself to properly hold the dart, or even lift his arm.

“N-no- no no no p-please, I can’t…” He whimpered, trying to take a step back, but Nicholas placing a hand on his back stopped him, caused him to freeze up immediately, words still spilling from his mouth. “No no no no, I-I can’t- can’t h-hurt him, please I’ll do any-anything-”

“Good, then you’ll do exactly what I’m telling you to.” Nicholas interrupted. “Go on and throw it, you just have to hit him once.”

He finally looked directly at Wren, something he’d been trying so hard to avoid. His shirt was stained with blood in multiple places, blood was running down his arms and the sight nearly made Cathal lightheaded. Still, despite all the blood, despite the pain he was so clearly in, he smiled weakly at Cathal.

“H-hey, it’s okay, I’ll be fine… Just throw it, okay?” He said, and Cathal slowly shook his head, still unable to bring himself to do it. “You can do it, i-it’s only once, go ahead…” He encouraged him, and Cain laughed.

“That’s cute! The pup is trying so hard for you, puppy, just do it already.” He told him, and Cathal finally, hesitantly raised a shaking hand.

Even if he was throwing it at a real target, he didn’t have much confidence. He’d never done this before, certainly didn’t think he’d be any good at it, and all he could really hope was that it wouldn’t hurt Wren too much, not even thinking to aim when he drew back, finally throwing the dart at him.

Wren flinched, already a habit from the night’s events, but the dart didn’t hit him, instead getting stuck in the wall close to his arm, too close for comfort really. They both sighed in relief once they realized he hadn’t been hit, Wren thankful to escape pain and Cathal thankful to avoid hurting him. The relief was short lived though, Cain once again speaking up just to mock him.

“Damn, you can’t even throw a fucking dart right?” He snickered. “I know you’re stupid but fuck!”

“I’m just impressed you even put up with keeping such a stupid dog around.” Nicholas said, attention finally off Cathal as he spoke to Clement. “He must be so much trouble to deal with.”

“He’s more difficult than he’s worth, that’s for sure, but at least he’s cute.” Clement laughed. Nicholas smiled, affectionately slipping an arm around Cain’s shoulders as he spoke.

“Well, I suppose a cute enough puppy would be worth all that.” He said. Cathal hoped they were done with him, hoped he could finally retreat back to Clement, but Nicholas glanced at him. “Oh, puppy, you know you’ll have to try again, right?” Cathal’s eyes widened, his heart sinking immediately. He slowly shook his head, wishing so badly he could get out of this.

“No-no, no please I-I threw i-it like you said I ca-can’t- can’t do it again…” He whimpered. “I don’t-don’t want to h-hurt him…”

“It’s really cute that you think we even care what you want.” Clement sneered. “Nicholas gave you an order, I think it’s in your best interest you follow it.”

“If you had hit him the first time this wouldn’t be a problem.” Nicholas sighed, leaving Cain to hand Cathal a second dart. “Just do it right this time, understand?” He told him, speaking sternly. Cathal whimpered as he took it, hesitantly turning to face Wren again.

He wasn’t even sure he could do this a second time, he felt sick after the first miss, and his hand was shaking so much as he attempted to to aim away from Wren. He hoped that would work out, hoped he would be so far off the mark they’d give up, getting ready to draw back and throw it. Before he could though, he was suddenly grabbed, a leather clad hand gripping his wrist tightly.

“I suppose we can’t really expect you to be smart enough to aim correctly.” Nicholas smiled at him, a sadistic grin that made him sick. “Let me help you, puppy.” He pulled his hand in the direction he wanted, assisting him the same way he had for Cain, forcing him to aim directly at him. He forced himself to hold back his tears but it was a struggle, and when he tried to pull his arm back Nicholas just tightened his grip. “Just like that, you should hit him just fine now.” He said once he was satisfied, releasing his wrist and stepping away.

Cathal knew that if he missed he’d just have to do it again, knew that this would continue until they were finally satisfied. He felt guilty for almost hoping he’d do it right this time, if only to avoid having to try again. He drew back, throwing the dart in the same direction Nicholas had positioned him, and his stomach turned when Wren cried out, a strained scream through clenched teeth when the dart embedded itself deep in his left shoulder. Judging by the way their owners were laughing, he must’ve done “good”, and he felt dizzy, finally falling to his knees.

He couldn’t hold himself together any longer, not that he’d been doing particularly well at that before. Tears freely ran down his face and his shoulders shook as he sobbed, hugging himself tightly. He felt sick to his stomach, he could hardly breathe, and though he felt just as pathetic as they kept saying, he couldn’t stop.

“You’re fucking crying again?” Cain laughed. “It’s not like you hit anything important, calm down.”

“He is kind of cute when he cries though, isn’t he?” Nicholas smiled at Clement. “As pathetic as it is, it’s kind of growing on me.” He laughed.

“Well I think it’s fucking annoying.” Cain said, going to Wren and roughly yanking out the dart Cathal had just thrown, causing Wren to let out a choked sob. “Honestly, it’s not like you made him hit his fucking boyfriend.” He sneered.

“Cain-” Clement started, warning, and Cain rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I know, calm down.” He told him, approaching Cathal. “I’m just saying, he shouldn’t feel all that bad, it’s not like it even really hurts!” As he said this, he suddenly plunged the sharp point into Cathal’s arm. He screamed, startled by the sudden stabbing pain, and though he instinctively jerked away from Cain it didn’t change the fact there was a dart in his arm, and it hurt. He reached up to remove it, but Cain was quick to smack his hand away.

“You might want to leave that there, keep you from losing more blood. I’m sure Wren over there is feeling pretty dizzy about now.” He snickered, and Cathal sobbed as he lowered his hand, unable to escape the sharp pain.

He didn’t even try to control his crying, he couldn’t even if he’d wanted to. He was already wracked with guilt from being forced to hurt Wren- god, he didn’t want to hurt anybody. He didn’t want to be the reason someone got hurt, he didn’t want to be responsible for that pain, and no matter what Wren had said, it didn’t change the fact that he had hurt him. His own physical pain mixed with that guilt, he desperately wished that he was home, that he was anywhere but there, he was so tired of all of this.

He jumped when an arm circled around his shoulders, still careful to avoid disturbing the dart stuck in him. Clement knelt down beside him, pulled him close and allowed him to hide his face in his chest.

“I-I’m suh-sorry, I’m s-sorry, I can-can’t stop crying…” He choked out in between sobs, and Clement gently rubbed his back.

“I know darling, I know…” He said softly. “If you weren’t so pathetic this wouldn’t have had to happen, you know that, right?” He said, and Cathal nodded quickly, hoping that compliance would earn him more comfort. Clement pressed a kiss to the top of his head, and he tried to focus on that feeling, tried to focus on that small bit of compassion rather than the pain he was in.

He had hurt Wren, and he felt so awful about it. Cain had stabbed him, and he was in so much pain, he was bleeding and he knew it would eventually get worse, but Clement was there, Clement was always there to comfort him, even when he’d been bad, even now when he was just a useless, crying pet.

He reminded himself that he was lucky to have Clement there, to hold him, to comfort him. After all, if he wasn’t, then nobody else would, nobody else was allowed to, and all he wanted right now was just a little bit of kindness. He was lucky Clement was there to offer that. Or at least, that’s what he told himself.

#whump #my writing #my oc's #other people's oc's #wren #cain #zander and vanessa are only mentioned #new oc #Nicholas #Cathal #Clement #lets see #stabbing #?#he gets stabbed with darts several times #dehumanization #noncon touching #creepy whumpers #mention of drugging

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smallheathgangsters · 4 years

Text

Promises | J.S.

A/N: Hey loves! I finished up another request, that I hope you all enjoy! You can see it as a little Valentine’s Day present! ❤️ Also, thank you for 100+ followers already! I appreciate your support so much!!

Request: “Could you do 7. “What the bloody hell were you thinking?!” With John? 😊” by @high-functioning-sociopath8

Pairing: John Shelby x Reader

AU: Martha and Esme both don’t exist

Word Count: 3112

Type: fluff

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You and John had been together since before the war and after he came back, psychologically scarred but alive, you two decided it was time to finally get married. There was not a point in life where John hadn’t been with you. Of course, during the war he wasn’t physically there, but you knew you were thinking of each other every day. He was your ride or die, the person you trusted with your whole life. That also meant that you had been very close to his family from a young age and they treated you as one of their own.

When the Shelby company started growing more and more and becoming very powerful in Birmingham, you started working for them. But while most of the other woman in the company were hired to take care of tasks in the shop itself, Tommy preferred you taking part in responsibilities outside of it. Especially when having a woman with him was beneficial. He knew you were able to handle dangerous situations and that you weren’t afraid of getting your hands dirty. And being a part of the Shelby family for such a long time, he knew he could always confide in you. There would never be a risk of you betraying them, particularly since you were married to his brother, who you loved dearly and would take a bullet for anytime without hesitation.

The only problem with you helping Tommy with the dirty work was that John hated it. He despised his older sibling for risking your safety and your life for the business, knowing very well that you were his purpose in life and that he would never continue working for the company if something ever happened to you. Every time you went on a mission with Tommy, John would be at home, pacing around in the house and not being able to concentrate on anything else than you returning to him in one piece.

Since the death of Grace a few months ago, he had been even more nervous when you were away from him. He would often speak to Tommy about not being happy with the situation, but in the end he knew it had been your own decision to help with business outside of the office and that you would never let yourself be told what to do by anyone, not even your husband. You were a stubborn young woman and even though it made him frustrated at times he couldn’t help but be proud of you, having your own opinions and standing your ground. And Tommy always reminded him of that whenever he would burst into his office after the two of you returned from a risky trip, barely escaping death.

Even though John tried very hard to accept the way things were, he was struggling. And that had been the reason to why you had decided to keep the new task Tommy had given you the other day to yourself.

“As I have already told you before, I have business with the Russians,” Tommy said, walking around his desk and sitting down in his chair. “And they’re hosting a dinner that I want you to accompany me to.”

“How many people will attend this dinner?” you asked, placing your hands on one of the chairs opposite his desk and leaning against it.

Tommy shook his head, indicating that he didn’t know. “Although I’m guessing it’s a larger event. It didn’t sound as if it had much to do with our business.”

“Then why even bother going?” you questioned. Tommy lit himself a cigarette. “Because it’s always a good idea to make a statement by showing your face.”

You smirked. “And I’m the accessory?”

“If you want to call yourself that,” Tommy chuckled. “There’s no need for John to worry about you. All you’ll have to do is eat the food they serve and make small talk with the guests.”

You nodded, pushing yourself away from the chair and standing upright. “Though, I’m still not telling him.”

Tommy raised his eyebrows at you, letting his cigarette hang in between his fingers. The smoke curled itself around them and slowly rose to the ceiling. “How come?”

“I just don’t want to risk a heated discussion and consequently not being able to fully concentrate on my task when I need to,” you answered, pushing a strand of hair behind your ear.

“I’m certain that eating and talking doesn’t need that much concentration,” Tommy commented, chuckling quietly, “but do what you think is best. I just don’t want John standing in my office first thing in the morning after the dinner.”

You refrained from laughing and just nodded, smiling at Tommy. “Me neither.”

“Then we understand each other,” he said, taking a last puff from his cigarette and then putting it out. “I’m picking you up at six on Friday, wear something expensive. Or at least expensive-looking.”

***

“Dinner with friends?” John asked, frowning. You could feel him not fully believing your lie.

You grabbed your purse and headed to the door. “Yes, with Julie and Anne.”

“Wearing that?” he interrogated, following you.

You spun around and gave him taunting look. “John, dear, am I not allowed to treat myself once in a while? I hope you don’t forget that I earn my own money and because of that, dinner at a fancy restaurant shouldn’t be off limits.”

He sighed. “I’m sorry, you’re right.”

Then he grabbed you by the wrist and pulled you to his chest. “I love you.”

“I love you too, John,” you said and gave him a long kiss. Just before he became carried away by your affectionate gesture, you pulled away. “Don’t wait for me, I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“Okay.”

Then he watched you open the door and leave the house. You turned right, walking down the street in your clicking high heels. Then you made another right turn into a darker alley where you spotted Tommy’s car waiting for you.

You opened up the door to the passenger side and hopped in. “Good evening, Tommy.”

“John’s going to be furious if he finds out,” Tommy greeted you. You rolled your eyes and looked over to him. “Shut up.”

After about an hour drive Tommy’s car rolled up in a huge driveway of a beautiful mansion. You could already hear band music playing inside and people laughing and chatting.

“Here we are,” Tommy announced and got out of the car, only to open up the door on your side for you, like the gentleman he was.

The cobble stones on the ground made it hard for you to walk on them in your heels. When Tommy noticed, he offered you to hold on to his arm until you reached the front door. There were two doormen guarding the entrance and when you approached them, they initially moved to block it.

Tommy stopped in front of them and gave them a surprised look. “Gentlemen, I believe Duke Romanov will not be pleased to hear that you’ve refused entry to Thomas Shelby.”

Straight away, the doormen stepped to the side, mumbling an inaudible apology.

The inside of the mansion was marvellous. You would even dare to say even more gorgeous than Tommy’s home. “When will John and I finally move into a house like this?” you breathed, admiring the paintings on the wall.

“After you’ve helped me deal with this Russian business, maybe, Y/N,” Tommy whispered to you, leading you through the crowd in a winding motion.

Only a few minutes after arriving, Tommy told you he had to go and talk to Duke Romanov and his spouse before dinner was served. So, you decided to roam around the party and maybe even make some acquaintances that could be useful for business in the future. You walked over to the bar and ordered gin. While the bartender prepared your drink, you turned around, leaned against the counter and scanned your eyes over the guests.

“Are you Thomas Shelby’s new girl?”

You whipped your head around to a pretty brunette standing next to you and sipping on a glass of champagne. She had expensive-looking jewellery in her hair and was wearing a long, beige dress with a delicate white pattern on it. The think accent in her English made you assume that she belonged to the Russians.

“Excuse me?”

You gave her a confused look.

She smiled at you in a patronising way. “It’s not that you’re not pretty … not at all … but I do think he got over Grace alarmingly fast.”

Your mouth dropped open, offended by her statement.

“I’m sorry, was that an insult?” she said, a mocking tone in her voice. You tried to not let yourself be flustered by this mysterious woman. “The only person you insulted with your words is Thomas Shelby himself.”

“So, you’re not fucking?” she teased. You snorted, looking away from her, back to the crowd of people in the giant hall. “The only man I’m fucking is his brother, John.”

You heard her giggle. “Oh, you’re a Shelby then?”

“I am. And if you don’t stop talking shit about my family, I’ll cut your throat,” you hissed, grabbing the gin the bartender had placed next to you while the two of you were talking.

“Nobody’s going to cut anyone’s throat,” you heard a deep voice say just after the last syllable had left your lips. Tommy.

You pressed your lips together, annoyed by him interfering in your conversation. Tommy laid a hand on the upper part of your back and made you face the unfamiliar woman. “Duchess Tatiana Petrovna, this is Y/N Shelby.”

“How wonderful to meet you,” she sneered, holding out a hand to you, but you refused to take it. A wry laugh escaped her mouth. “How polite.”

Tommy let go of your back and placed a cigarette between his lips. “Miss Petrovna, I believe we’ll be seeing each other again when the meal is served. In the meantime, please excuse me and my company.”

Tommy gently grabbed you by your arm and pulled you away from the lady, leading you to a hallway next to the hall, where it was a lot less noisy. “Look, Y/N, I know you don’t like me or any of us being worried about you, but you need to be careful around those people.”

“I’ll be fine–“ you tried to say, but Tommy’s sudden outburst interrupted you.

“No!”

You winced, immediately closing your mouth shut. You could see Tommy running his hand over his face, trying to find the correct words to say.

“Sorry– Y/N, I– I’m sorry but– No …”

You wrapped your arms around your body and looked down at the wooden floor, knowing exactly what was going through his head. “Tommy … I know you don’t like talking about it, but I can see that this is about Grace. And I understand. I’ll be careful from now on.”

He sighed, it clearly being very hard for him to think about his deceased wife. “I just don’t want anything happening to you. Or to anyone of my family. I know you can handle yourself, but they are dangerous, trust me.”

You nodded.

“But I need to continue this business,” he explained. “And because of that, I need you to pull yourself together and not start a fight with any of the Russians. You’ll be doing enough fighting with John boy when he finds out where you were tonight.”

His last sentence made you chuckle. “Okay, I promise. I’ll be on my best behaviour.”

Then the two of you joined the party in the hall again and only a few minutes after followed all the other guests into the dining hall to spend a rather uneventful rest of the evening there.

***

Tommy parked his car outside your house. You thought it wouldn’t be a problem, because the lights in your house had all been turned off, indicating that John had already gone to sleep.

“See you tomorrow, Tommy. Sleep well, if you can.”

He gave you a weak, but friendly smile. “You too.”

You slipped out of the passenger side and walked thought the front yard. When you reached the front door, you pushed down the handle and stepped into the pleasant silence of your home. You breathed out contently, kicked off your painful heels and hung up your coat on the hanger.

You decided to make yourself a cup of tea to wind down from the evening before heading to bed and walked through the hallway to the kitchen. You filled up the kettle with water, turned on the stove and placed the kettle on it. A sigh escaped your lips and you turned around to lean against the kitchen counter until the water was boiling. You wanted to close your eyes for a second, but just before letting your eyelids shut, you noticed a dark figure in the living room. You gasped loudly, surprised. “John?”

“You lied to me, Y/N.”

John was sitting in the armchair in the back corner of your living room. His voice didn’t sound angry at all, more disappointed than anything.

You sighed again, this time deeper and longer. So, John hadn’t gone to bed yet. He had been waiting for you to return to be able to confront you with him knowing the truth. Or at least that he knew you hadn’t gone out with your friends.

“I saw Tommy’s car outside,” John said, almost inaudible.

“Look–“

“Why did you feel the need to lie to me?” he asked and sounded actually heartbroken by the fact that you hadn’t told him the truth.

“John …” you said, “I’m sorry …”

Seeing him so sad made your heart ache. And it was true, you really were sorry. You had just very much hoped that you didn’t have to keep on discussing your type of work with your husband. And once again, you found yourself in the same situation.

John pushed himself up from the armchair and shuffled over to you. The closer he got to the kitchen, where a warm light was turned on, the better you could see his face. And his blue eyes that were so much darker than usual. “And where exactly did Tommy take you?”

Even though it sounded as if he was questioning your relationship with Tommy, amongst other things, his question didn’t have anything to do with that.

“A dinner,” you mumbled.

“Where?” he asked expectantly, raising his eyebrows at you. You chewed your lip and looked down at your hands. This whole conversation made you unbelievably uncomfortable. On the one hand, you hated how John wouldn’t stop getting involved in your business. On the other hand, you felt so bad for having the urge to lie to him. You’d been together for forever and there was no reason for you to go behind his back, especially since he’d been there for you almost every day of your life. He’d even saved your life once, when you overestimated yourself and thought you were able to handle the situation on your own. He may have been angry at you in that moment, but you knew it had only been out of love for you.

“The Russians.”

You could hear John hiss. “Fuck!”

“John, please–“ you tried to beg, but he suddenly exploded.

“What the bloody hell were you thinking?!” he yelled, taking a few more steps forward, so that he was now standing only inches away from you. “Y/N, those are fucking dangerous people! I don’t want you involved in Tommy’s shady deals he has going on with them! Not even Arthur and I know what exactly he’s planning!”

He was very angry. But you could sense that it wasn’t anger directed at you. He was angry at Tommy. But in particular at the fact that without knowing the details of Tommy’s plans, he would never be able to help you if something went wrong.

He cupped your cheeks, almost a little aggressively and looked deep into your eyes. “Please, Y/N! Don’t you understand how worried I am for you? I can’t bear the thought of losing you, I’m nothing without you!”

His words made you feel even worse about your actions. You never meant to hurt John. He was such a sweet and caring husband who deserved nothing but your love and affection. John may worry a little too much about you than you liked, but he only ever meant well.

“I’m sorry, John,” you sobbed, having tears piling behind your eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

He caressed your cheek with his thumb, not breaking the deep connection your eyes had. “I know, love. I know. Just please promise me, that you’ll be honest with me from now on. No more lies, no more hiding missions and work from me. Please.”

His pleading was desperate. Before you could answer him, you had to kiss him. His expression made you feel so incredibly guilty, that you just couldn’t hold yourself back. You leaned into him, pulling his face closer to yours and let your lips connect with his. You noticed him melt into your kiss, despite him still waiting for a response.

“I promise, John,” you finally told him and gave him a quick peck as a way of confirming what you just said. “But you need to promise me something as well, in return.”

“And what is that?” he murmured, brushing his lips over your forehead and then pulling you into a warm hug.

“I need you to stop trying to keep me from doing the job I love. I know it’s dangerous, I’m not stupid. But I wouldn’t be happy with anything else and you know it,” you said. John stopped placing sweet little kisses all over your face and went back to looking deeply into your eyes.

“Although, I do think that it’ll be better for me to stay out of the Russian business, at least for now,” you added, giving him a smile. He let himself get affected by your happiness and smiled back. “What made you decide that?”

You shrugged cheekily. “Let’s say, I don’t think I’m going to be best friends with the Russians. At least the Duchess wasn’t too impressed by me.”

He chuckled and gave you another long kiss. “Let me get you to bed, love. I’ll bring you your tea upstairs. It’s getting awfully late and I’m sure Tommy’s expecting you in his office early tomorrow morning.”

You rolled your eyes. “Seven o’clock sharp. Please don’t remind me of it.”

He laughed and then gracefully picked you, carrying you upstairs.

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