Tumgik
#never posted these anywhere else so. why not drop them here
90sbee · 4 months
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Centro Cultural Recoleta, Buenos Aires.
42 notes · View notes
avocad1s · 1 year
Text
Bring Back What Once Was Mine
Chapter Summary: Lumine tells the False Creator some fabricated news. You are confronted by the Prince.
Characters Mentioned: Multiple Characters Mentioned
Content Warning: Cult and Religious themes ahead! You've been warned. I would also say this deals with slight Yandere themes as well!
Reader is the true creator of Teyvat. GN! Reader
Part Three Part Four (You are here!) Part Five
I’ve re-read this multiple times but I think if I read it again I’ll grow to hate it and delete so I’m just gonna post it
Tumblr media
Even with the moonlight spilling through the campsite, you could hardly make out the features of his face. His grip on your hands was firm but not tight enough to cause you any discomfort, it didn’t seem that he was going to let go any time soon.
“Oh how I’ve waited for this…. Waited for you.” He breaths out.
You simply stare at him, not saying a word. Had he been following you this whole time? If so, how come you weren’t alerted to his presence?
His smile drops at your silence, “don’t be alarmed Your Grace. I have no intention of hurting you! I just want to talk for now.”
He looks behind him for a moment, as if he were looking out for someone, perhaps Yelan. Once he looks back, his smile and soft gaze return.
His tone is unbelievably sweet. You could feel his hands shaking, and based of his demeanor, you assume it was due to excitement. Even if he was trying his best not to show it.
“I’m Aether.” He introduces, smile never fading.
“What did you want to talk about?”
“Your Grace” He replies, “I need your help. Khaenri'ah needs you.”
You raise your brow, “Khaenri'ah?”
He nods eagerly, “I am going to restore your nation back to its former glory, and now that you’re here, I have no doubts that we can bring it back.”
“Wait a minute,” you say, “you’re not of this world, why do you care about some ancient nation from five hundred years ago?”
His closes his eyes for a moment, “you’re right. I’m not from this world, but I’ve been here since that nation stood tall and I got to experience everything it had to offer. Everything you had made.”
He caresses the back of your hands with his thumbs, “Your Grace… when you returned to Teyvat few days ago, we in the Abyss we’re immediately aware of your presence. I tried so hard to find you, and I’m mad that I didn’t find you first. I should be the only one allowed to help you, only I know the truth of this world.”
“The truth of this world?”
Aether pulls you to stand up with him, “I know this may be hard to hear, but please listen to me.”
You could feel the anxiety crawl up your back as you wait for him to continue talking. You’ve been so blindsided by the False Creator that anything else that happened in Teyvat wasn’t a concern for you at the moment.
“The archons are taking advantage of your kindness,” he begins, “your world is becoming corrupted because of them. Teyvat never had this many monsters on it before, and it’s all their doing.”
You pull your hands away from his grip, his eyes widen but he lets go. “I know how it may sound but I would never lie to you Your Grace.”
You cross your arms looking away from him, “this is a lot to take in. Are you trying to tell me that I cannot trust my own Archons?”
He shakes his head, “I would never tell you what you can and can’t do, I’m just telling you do not be blinded because you know them from the past. It’s been centuries, they can change.”
Aether reaches out to grab your hands again, you put up no fight as he laces his fingers with yours and he smiles gently. “Come with me Your Grace. Together, we can get rid of the fake you on the throne and make Teyvat whole again. The Abyss will welcome you with open arms.”
“I’m not letting them go anywhere with you.”
Behind Aether, Yelan was holding a few sticks in her hand, but you could tell she would drop them at any moment if she had to go on the defense.
“You know for someone who doesn’t want anyone to know they’re on Teyvat, a lot of people keep finding you, Your Grace.” She teases.
Aether gives Yelan a death glare but makes no attempt to unlace your hands, “you cannot protect Their Grace like I can and how dare you talk to them like that?
She scoffs at his words, “I’m letting them go anywhere with someone from- what did you say?- oh right, the Abyss. You hate humanity. Their Grace will stay here where they belong.”
He scowls but brings his attention back to you, “it seems that we are already out of time.” He lets go of your hands reaching into his pocket to hand you a particular flower. “The next time we meet, I will not allow anyone to interrupt us… and I hope that you join me in the future.”
He turns around shoving his way past the girl walking off into the darkness.
“If we have to collect fire wood later I’ll take you with me, it’s too dangerous for you to be alone.” Yelan states taking a few steps toward you before dropping the sticks on the ground. “You Grace, just like with the Fatui, the Abyss cannot be trusted. I would even say they are more dangerous, whoever that man was, you should stay far away from him.”
You say nothing staring at the flower in your hand, you recognized it’s origins the second you saw it, the flower was from Khaenri'ah. Was this his way of telling you that everything he said was the truth, that he actually was around before and during the destruction of the nation. You bring the flower close to your chest closing your eyes.
“Erm, Your Grace?”
You jump at the sound of her voice, “sorry I’m just a little distracted.”
She gives you a reassuring smile, “don’t pay any mind to whatever he said. He was probably just trying to trick you and use your powers to destroy humanity.
Yelan kneels down fixing the sticks to build a fire. Even though you nod at her explanation you couldn’t help but feel relieved that she didn’t hear everything he had told you. Trying to explain the fall of a nation that no one should know existed anymore would be impossible, especially since you still had questions about it yourself.
“Here let me do it.” You kneel down using the Pyro element to light a small fire on the wood.
Both of you sit in front of the fire in a comfortable silence, but your mind kept going back to everything Aether had told you, was he telling you the truth? Or should you believe Yelan who said that he just wanted your power for the destruction of humanity.
“You should try getting some sleep Your Grace.” Yelan whispers, “I’ll keep watch over you.”
The overwhelming sense of fatigue washes over you, “are you sure?” You ask. She nods, “Of course, I would never forgive myself if something were to happen while you’re with me and I don’t think anyone else would forgive me either. The last thing I need is two Adepti mad at me. Please sleep.”
With that final reassurance you let yourself relax in the soft grass, the ancient flower Aether gave you laid by your side as you stare up at the stars. You couldn’t help but wonder how many more people were after you. The Fatui, the Abyss, and probably the Archons as well since the Gnosis alerted your presence to them.
You let out a breath closing your eyes. Wondering who you could possibly run into next.
Tumblr media
A few days ago, Sumeru City
“Lumine you’ve returned, but you don’t have who I asked for…”
A few hours after Lumine and Nahida split away from the true Creator, they returned to Sumeru City. Nahida entered Irminsul like she said she would and now Lumine stood in front of the False One like before. Yet it felt different this time, if she were to mess up it wouldn’t just be her life at risk, many others were counting on her as well. The real Creator was counting on her.
The Traveler bows stiffly at them, “I have some… news regarding the task you gave me.”
They told their head at her statement sitting up straight in their throne. “Well, what is it? Don’t tell me they got away.”
“No Your Grace, it isn’t that. I managed to locate the individual I told you about. When I told them to come with me I guess they got suspicious that I was going to bring them back here and they took off running. While I was pursuing them, they fell off a ledge and…”
“Are you telling me that they are dead?”
Lumine, who was still bowing, nods a bit. “Yes, I checked myself.”
The False Creator lifts themselves of the throne walking slowly down the staircase until they stood right in front of the girl. They grip her chin lightly bringing her gaze to meet theirs.
“And where is their body now?”
“I pushed it into the river… I assumed since they look like you, no one else should see them.”
They smile, “how smart of you, but I’m still disappointed. All of amazing stories I’ve heard about you and you couldn’t do one thing I asked of you. I’m disappointed…”
Lumine swallows trying to keep her composure, she hadn’t felt this terrified since she had seen the defiled Statue of the Seven.
They let go of her chin crossing their arms behind their back, “now what should I do with you, Traveler? Can I trust you?”
“Yes your Grace! I will never tell anyone about this…”
They nod at her declaration, “don’t worry I trust you, but I can’t help but get a bit paranoid at times. So I hope you understand why I have to do this.”
“Do what?” She asks.
“Guards!” They call out and almost immediately a dozen Sumeru guards enter the room bowing as they await their orders.
“Take her and the fairy away. They’ll be staying in Sumeru for a little longer.”
The guards waste no time surrounding the Traveler pulling them away from the False Creator, Lumine tries to fight them off but there was too many of them.
“Don’t worry.” They say a smirk on their face, “I have no intention of hurting you or your companion, but I cannot risk this information getting out to any else in Teyvat.”
The Traveler is pulled out the room without another word the last thing she heard is the False Creator asking one of the guards to find Nahida immediately.
Tumblr media
In Liyue, present day
“Wake up sleepyhead…” a voice sings.
A groan leaves your mouth as you turn over.
“Do I have to throw water on you? C’mon time to wake up!”
You open your eyes and your met with a kneeling Yelan who smiles at you.
“Ah, there’s those beautiful eyes.” She coos, “it’s time get moving if you want to make it to Liyue Harbor before sunset.”
You sit up rubbing your eyes, “you let me sleep through the whole night? Aren’t you tired?”
“You looked exhausted. Don’t worry about me Your Grace, I’ll be fine.”
Yelan holds her hand out to help you stand and you accept rising to your feet. Not without grabbing your flower first.
“Are you going to keep that?” She asks.
You look down at it, “well it is beautiful.”
“Alright,” she hums stomping out the campfire, “you ready to leave?”
You nod, “let’s go.”
Tumblr media
Somewhere else in Liyue
The eleventh Fatui Harbinger was looking for someone.
It was supposed to be a close kept secret between him, the Tsaritsa, and the other Harbingers but he had accidentally slipped and told some of the soldiers under his command due to his anxiousness.
That slip up might’ve cost him what he was looking for.
He stares coldly at the few soldiers that kneeled at his feet, they were the ones he had sent to the Chasm.
“Lord Harbinger! Please forgive us!” One of them cry.
“We had no idea someone was listening to what we were saying.”
He scoffs at their excuses, “you’ve heard the saying about Liyue, there are ears everywhere. If you were under the command of any of my comrades they would waste no time in killing you.”
They tense up, even thought their eyes wasn’t visible due to their masks, they made no effort to meet his gaze.
“You’re lucky that I am in a good mood but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. Find that woman.” He waves his hand and they take off.
When he and the other Harbingers witnessed the glowing of the gnosis, it had cleared many doubts he had about what the Tsaritsa was thinking.
To clarify, his doubts were about the Creator. Or rather, the False One.
The Fake Creator had been on Teyvat way before Childe was born so as he grew up with his parents had told him all the amazing things they had done.
Then he fell into the Abyss and that’s when he first encountered the idea that the one on the throne wasn’t who they claimed to be. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind putting his focus on his family until he joined the Fatui.
In the Fatui is when he was reintroduced to The Creator not being, well, The Creator. Now it wasn’t something he could just push away, he actually wanted to know if it was the truth or not. The Tsaritsa explained to him that if they collect all seven Gnosis they can summon the real Creator back to Teyvat.
So when the Jester sent him to Liyue to collect Rex Lapis Gnosis, he jumped at the opportunity.
“Lord Harbinger…” a timid voice says, “we had located the woman.”
“And?”
“You were right, they are with her.”
“Lead me there.”
-
They were right. His soldiers were right.
A few meters up ahead he could see them and the woman he instantly recognized to be Yelan. She had popped up on the Fatui’s radar years ago due to her… persuasive methods of learning Fatui secrets from the lower ranks.
It felt as if he was frozen to the ground, he never expected to find you in Liyue. He believed someone else would’ve been the one to find you, but no, it was him.
He felt so lucky, he was going to be the first Harbinger you’d talk to.
-
“…and that’s how I got this jacket.”
You laugh a bit, “well aren’t you a sneaky one?”
“You’re right, she’s always sticking her nose in business that doesn’t involve her.” Childe smiles directly at you as Yelan puts her arm up in front of you defensively.
“I knew we’d run into you, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.”
Childe laughs, “well I hope you don’t mind me taking Their Grace off your hands then?”
Yelan’s eyes narrow, “Their Grace isn’t something you Fatui can just take as your own. They are going with me.”
He rolls his eyes at her directing his attention to you, “Her Majesty the Tsaritsa has been waiting for you for a long time Your Grace. Come with me to Snezhnaya.”
Yelan looks back at you, “Don’t listen to him. This is the Fatui Harbinger Childe that I told you about. His motives are unknown.”
You look at the Yelan then at Childe.
“We in the Fatui would never hurt our Creator.” He states.
“What does Snezhnaya even have to offer Their Grace?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” He argues.
“Both of you stop fighting!” You say suddenly causing both of them to look over at you. “What does the Tsaritsa want from me?”
His dull eyes light up at your question, “Her Majesty believes she knows where the False Creator comes from. So as soon as you made your presence known, we began searching for you.”
You step closer to him despite Yelans warnings.
“She found out where the False Creator came from?”
Childe nods, “please come to Snezhnaya with me Your Grace. The False Creator is the reason you returned, right?”
“You’re right.”
“Then we shouldn’t waste anymore time.” He clasps his hands together.
You turn giving Yelan reassuring smile, “Yelan. Thank you so much for your help up until this point, and I will never forget everything you’ve told me but I have to go with him. If whatever the Tsaritsa knows is right, that could change everything.”
She nods bitterly, “if you must go, allow me to come with you. I’ll protect you with my life.”
You reach out grabbing her hand, “That’s sweet of you but I can’t. Even if I needed protection I can tell that he is way too powerful for you to defeat on your own. I promise that I will return to Liyue.”
She hold your hand tightly, “alright then. I’ll wait for your return.”
And with that, You leave Yelan alone as you walk off with Childe.
“How are we getting to Snezhnaya?” You ask.
“By boat, it’s waiting for us right outside Liyue Harbor.”
“Right outside?” You raise a brow.
He laugh a bit, “Well people from Snezhnaya aren’t welcome in other nations anymore. It would’ve drawn unnecessary attention us if we anchored at the dock, and I doubt the Liyue Qixing would let us be there anyway.”
You suppose his explanation made sense, he wasn’t the only person to tell you how unwelcomed Snezhnaya was in other nations.
“Your Grace,” Childe says after a moment of silence. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, it’s not like there’s anything else to do.”
He keep walking but stares at you, “what did Yelan tell you? About the Fatui I mean.”
“She told me that you all have done terrible things and how a few years ago you all had an unprecedented amount of power in every nation.”
He hums, “I see…”
It falls silent once more, as you both continue walking towards the nation of Geo.
-
A few hours after you had split with Yelan and decided to join the Fatui Harbinger Childe, you two (and the rested of his crew that trailed behind you) arrived at Liyue. All you had to do was walk across the bridge and you’d be in the Harbor.
However Liyue Harbor wasn’t your destination anymore.
Right off to the side of the bridge was a fairly large sized boat, Childe leads you to the hatch allowing you to step on first then he follows.
“The trip to the Zapolyarny Palace is only a few hours,” He explains, “but you’re going to need this when we get there.”
Childe digs through a chest pulling out a luxurious coat, it was made out of the finest materials Teyvat had to offer.
“One of my comrades had this custom made just for you. Well actually he had way more than one made so no matter who had encountered you first, you would have something to keep you warm once we enter Snezhnaya.”
You take the coat from him, the second the material touches your fingers you could tell how expensive it was. There was an insane amount of care and respect put into making this.
“That is very sweet of him,” you mutter, “I should thank him once we arrive.”
He lets out a sigh resting his head in his palm muttering to himself, “it will only go to his head…”
You want to laugh at his comment but decide you should pretend you didn’t hear him. Looking out to sea, your mind finally fills with everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours.
Even though Childe told you that the Cryo archon figured out where the False Creator came from, you kept thinking about what Aether told you the night before.
Should you trust the Archons? Was the Tsaritsa leading you to Snezhnaya with a Trojan Horse? Or was it Aether that was lying to you.
You try to shake the thoughts out of your head, it would only be a few hours before you know for sure.
Tumblr media
An unknown location in Sumeru City
It had been days since Lumine had been thrown into this dungeon. It wasn’t the same place the Sages had put her a year ago, it was probably a precaution so that none of her Akademiya friends found her.
“Traveler” Paimon whines, “what are we gonna do?”
Lumine brings her knees to her chest, “I don’t know Paimon. No one knows we are here, we have no way to reach out to the Creator or Nahida.
The fairy flys around sadly for a moment before her eyes widen, “wait a second! Why don’t you try reaching out to Nahida in your dreams.”
Lumine picks her head up, “you’re so smart Paimon! Maybe not using you as emergency food was a good idea.”
Paimon scoffs, “this is not the time for joking around! And for the last time, Paimon is not emergency food!”
The Traveler moves to lays down on her back steadying her breathing as she closes her eyes. Soon enough, she falls into a light slumber trying to the best of her ability to reach out to the Dendro Archon.
..
“…Nahida…?”
“Lumine…?” A familiar voice says, “I can hear you, where are you?”
“The False Creator. They locked me in some dungeon.”
“That’s horrible, did they not believe you?”
“No, I think they believed me… did you find anything in Irminsul?”
“Yes… it’s horrible… I’ve been searching for you everywhere to tell you.”
“Well, what is it?”
“The False Creator… they were created by Celestia.”
Tumblr media
Note: this part took way longer to put out than the others, but I just want to say thank you so much for all the love on this series and for all the follows and reblogs you all have given me. I never expected this story to do so well!! :’)
And I know, I know, many people have maybe Celestia the enemy in SAGAU (be cuz they are) but I just trust me :>
© avocad1s please do not plagiarize or post to any other website
Taglist: @esthelily @the-dumber-scaramouche @undrxtxd @grimreapersscythe @seawater-aurelia-writing @probablynoposts @issy-lol @genshin-impacts-me @itsredactedlove @chidouna @thedevioussmirk @hoo-hoo @chaoticfivesworld @akemiixx01 @lunarapple @nowords-onlybreathing @fangirlinindia @veyu002 @blackcoffex @kaveh-is-pretty @ariasdream @averycuriousperson @bloopthebat @chuuya-brainrot
If your @ is bold, I cannot tag you
If you want to be tagged just ask below or inbox me, I will keep tagging people until Tumblr tells me to stop 💀
1K notes · View notes
httpiastri · 1 month
Text
Tumblr media
PERFECTLY FINE – 2023 SEASON SOCIAL MEDIA RECAP
Tumblr media
author's note: dropping this off for yall ahead of the weekend bcs i have important sports stuff these next two days and likely won't be on here at all (i won't even have time to watch the races 🙃). just a little cute thingy before the first chapter hehe! the twt pics are unevenly cropped so pls open them to read all 😚 also this is my first social media au so go easy on me <3
author's note #2: you may not notice this if i don't say it but i'll say it anyway… i actually edited out zak from like four pics so that i could post this 😭 lol
series masterlist
Tumblr media
MELBOURNE, APRIL 2023
Tumblr media Tumblr media
yourusername amazing weekend here down under!! so thankful for my fantastic team for all of the hard work, the car is a pleasure to drive. and shoutout to my lovely teammates, i love being annoyed and pushed around by you all ❤️
show all 86 comments
user icon!!!
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
frederikvestiofficial i would never annoy you 🥲
→ yourusername oh fred no, i didn't mean you 💔
→ olliebearman did you mean me?
→ yourusername nooo teddy bear, never 😢
→ dinobeganovic_ did you mean me??
→ yourusername take a guess 😐
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user not her calling ollie TEDDY BEAR ??? im out
→ user right in front of my salad 😪
→ user right in front of paul too
→ user chill 😭 she's allowed to have a nickname for her FRIEND
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
paularon_ ❤️🏆
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
dinobeganovic_ time for a haircut? paularon_
→ yourusername don't hate on the curls, they're cute 🐑
→ paularon_ i can defend myself
→ yourusername do it then?
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user great drive today!! u really deserved that win 💙
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
saacha_fqt thank you for the champagne! 🥳
→ yourusername merci merci 🍾
Tumblr media
???, MAY 2023
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, JULY 2023
Tumblr media
paularon_ p3 in spa. thanks to the team for the good work
show all 98 comments
user good job paul!! still not sure why prema thought the slicks were a good idea but 🫶
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user why is he looking so upset 😭 mate you just got a podium, celebrate a little
→ user rumor has it he and y/n broke up… so i would understand if he isn't too happy
→ user omg you're kidding
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user that first lap was mega 🔥
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
mercedesamgf1 great job all weekend paul. good points to head into the break with. 👏
Tumblr media
yourusername had a pretty good time in spa 🤭
show all 72 comments
user sprint race win and then 4th in the feature? queen behavior
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
jakcrawford_ dino and ollie looking great
→ dinobeganovic_ 😎😎
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
redbulljuniorteam amazing work!! 💪
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user y/n rlly is red bull personified omg, she truly loves her team
→ user and they love her back 🥺 always commenting on her posts, aww
Tumblr media
ZANDVOORT, AUGUST 2023
Tumblr media
yourusername look how happy jackie is for his podium <3 thanks zandvoort!!
show all 61 comments
user i love to see ollie being bullied on his bike
→ yourusername me too
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
olliebearman adorable jakcrawford_
→ jakcrawford_ 👍😀
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user love to see y/n happy even after what happened with paul 💓
→ user yes yes! she was hanging out in the prema paddock all weekend, joking around with ollie and fred. and then she even went out for dinner with jak and clem 🥺
→ user i didn't know she's friends with clem?
→ user she probably isn't lol but she follows jak anywhere like a puppy 😭
Tumblr media
MONZA, SEPTEMBER 2023
Tumblr media Tumblr media
yourusername the best season ever 😭 where do i even start? massive massive thanks to the entire team. all of the engineers, mechanics, workers back home at the factory, and everyone else involved, i'm so thankful for you all. and big thanks to my family and friends for supporting me all the way, i couldn't have done any of this without you all. and to my dear, lovely teammates: you're the best, i'll see you all again soon. ❤️ (and congrats gabrielbortoleto_ for the championship! 🏆)
show all 132 comments
user why does it sound like she won't stay with prema 😭
→ user tbh it seems unlikely since kimi will probably move up to f2... and ollie will stay with prema too, so idk where she would go
→ user please :( let me stay delusional
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
gabrielbortoleto_ congrats on p2! see you again next year
→ yourusername 😉🤩
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user congrats on a great season!! can't wait to keep following you in the future <33
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
redbulljuniorteam you made us proud this season 🫡 let's keep pushing!
→ yourusername thank you!! can't wait to see where 2024 takes us 💙❤️
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user had so much fun meeting you in zandvoort 🥺 hope you have another amazing season 2024!
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user is that her and paul in the fourth pic?
→ user no, it's her and dino from when they both ended up on the podium in hungary!
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user she went from posting several pics of paul in her dumps to posting none… 💔
→ user i can't handle being a divorce child 😭
Tumblr media
CAMBRIDGE, DECEMBER 2023
Tumblr media Tumblr media
yourusername happy holidays 🤍🤶❄️🎄
show all 295 comments
user is that OLLIE in the last slide??
→ user byeeee i've never felt more single
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
dinobeganovic_ send me the gingerbread cookies, won't you?
→ yourusername oh we will, don't worry 🥰
→ user WE will ?!??!! 😭
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user kinda icky how she moved on from paul in like a week
→ user it's been months. get over yourself.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user bearman with a bear plushie 🥺 i'm so soft
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎
user the matching pjs.... when is it my turn???
Tumblr media
???, FEBRUARY 2024
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
84 notes · View notes
heisenwhore · 2 months
Text
The weird little deer man haunts my every waking moment, so I’m posting this tiny part of what I’ve been writing just to get it out of my brain (and my notes app).
Yes, it’s an OC; crucify me.
For context; Takes place a few days after Alastor’s fight with Vox. Serena (OC in question) is Alastor’s wife. She’s got bird attributes and siren-like powers. She and Vox have a… complicated relationship.
Usage of powers are notated in purple. Also with fancy text, if it doesn't mess with the format too much (lmk I'll remove it).
Tags: brief violence, Vox getting his ass kicked, Language (duh), Obligatory OC, Alastor x OC, Established Relationship, Angst, Wife is missing her husband, Southern Woman getting mad, Being married to Alastor should be a warning in and of itself
Tumblr media
A zip of electricity notified her to his presence before he spoke. “What are you doing here, Serena?” Vox’s voice came from a dark corner to her left, notably lacking the annoyingly bright grandiosity that it usually possessed. He sounded tired, defeated, and the rage boiling in Serena’s gut quelled for just a moment, confusion taking its place. She turned in the direction she’d heard him, searching him out. He was easy to find, despite the darkness of the room, the light emanating from the screen that served as his head making him unable to hide for very long. She gasped at the sight of him, broken and beaten before her, his screen covered in scratches and cracks, a sizable portion of it completely black. A pang of sadness ran through her, sympathy for the demon that she and her husband had once called ‘friend,’ who, despite being a fucking asshole, had never been anything but kind and considerate to her.
Serena shook her head to wave off the feeling, recollecting her anger, reminding her why she had come here in the first place. She glared up at him, hissing through gritted teeth, “Where is he?”
Vox blinked. “Who are we talking about?”
Serena growled, her fury reigniting in full force. “Where is my husband, Vox?” She stepped closer to him, her wings beginning to unfurl from where they wrapped around her shoulders, her fingers itching as she resisted the urge to claw the rest of his screen apart.
Vox huffed, crossing his arms, one hand moving to press against the center of his face, where his nose would be, if he’d only had one. “Oh, yeah, that asshole,” he grumbled, “I don’t know; haven’t seen him since our little spat.” Vox’s calm demeanor dropped as Serena abruptly closed the distance between them, backing him against the wall, one hand holding him in place by his tie, the other’s claws digging into the stone only inches from his screen.
She was angrier than he’d ever seen her, looming above him, her wings fully inflated, keeping her in the air, their hulking size blocking out any path of escape, staring down at him with the most lethal expression he had ever seen. "D̳̻̽̒O̪̟͔ͧͥ ̼̙͓̝̂̈́N̰͎͚̭̭̳̻̊̐͆O̪̟͔̝̦ͧͥȚͬ ̹͖̈́͑̋͑͑L͎͕̦̀ͫ̊̊ͨ͑I̗E̺̭͆̈͋̈́ͅ ̝̦Ț̳̻ͬO̪̟͔ͧͥ ͫͮͭ̃M̰̖ͤ̚E̺̭͆̈͋̈́ͅ!”
Her scream echoed in his bones, the words vibrating, burning into his skin, taking his body and bending him to her command. Her gaze was so intense, the neon of her irises was painful to look at, but he couldn’t look anywhere else, their glow lulling him back each time his eyes attempted to venture too far. Even once they were shut, her light called to him, but Vox resisted. “Alastor was here! He came HERE to meet with YOU, and now he is GONE! Where the F̣̙̣̟̺̳̭̖̦͒̐̒̀͑̾U̱̬̙̠̗͓̩ͩ̃͑̏C͕͓̝̝͉͉͖͔͑̈̉̋̒̉K̮͈̤̭͎̽̈́̌̋ IS MY HUSBAND?!”
The answer was pulled from Vox before its thought could even form, ripped from his tongue by some unseen force, “I DON'T KNOW!” Serena stiffened above him, but the hold on his tie faltered. The sensation of her loosening grip drew Vox’s attention, and he willed himself to face her glare once more. She was still angry, so furious that his knees wobbled in response, but there was something else written across her face, nearly outshined by the glow her eyes emitted; sadness, grief, a dam of tears that threatened to burst at a moments notice.
Her breaths were rapid, shallow puffs of air, blowing past his face, the scent floral and bloody. “What,” her voice hitched, breaking under the weight of the question that followed, “w-what did you do to him?”
59 notes · View notes
outsideratheart · 1 year
Text
Adios Amor (Alexia Putellas x reader)
Tumblr media
A/N: I'm back baby! This fic was inspired by a line in a movie I watched recently. I hope you guys like it.
UEFA's end of season gala is one of the most prestigious nights in football. No awards were given and ego's were left at the door. The large ballroom is filled with circular tables each hosting different teams from across the world, both men's and women's alike.
It a night to celebrate the sport and to catch with with people who for most of the year are considered the enemy. It is how you found yourself staring across the room at the woman who crossed you path many years ago. It was a night you will remember for many different reasons.
"Why is Y/N Y/L/N staring at you?" Aitana asks Alexia who not so subtly looks your way.
When you lock eyes you raise your class of very expensive champagne. It was a innocent gesture but one that makes Alexia's stomach churn. She shakes her head and hastily turns away. The lack of acknowledgement gains the attention of her fellow Barcelona team mates. The two of you had played against each other a few times at both club and country level but now they think of it, they have never seen you interact with each other than the pre and post game hand shakes.
Then Jenni comes sauntering over and their curiosity only grows.
"Are you going to talk to her or carry on ignoring her like you have been for the past 5 years?" Jenni says fully unaware of the thread she is unravelling.
"I feel like there is a story here" Mapi pushes for more all whilst wondering how in all the years she knew you did she not know you knew each other.
"No story, just history, that's all" Alexia is quick to shut down the conversation given that it took her years to stop thinking about you, or least she had tried to do so.
Alexia's watches in worry as all of her team mates eyes widen and their attention turns to something or rather someone behind her.
“Well, the history is about to become the present because she is coming this way" Jenni quickly downs her drinks knowing that she will need another before you get to them.
You can see 3 Barcelona players looking at you as you make your way towards them and one player is looking anywhere but. Just as you approach them Alexia turns to leave but stops in her tracks when she hears your voice.
"Walking away from me, i'm getting Deja Vu" Although you are joking, it becomes clear that Alexia knows the true meaning of your words.
"Y/N" Alexia says with a low tone.
"Alexia" you say in return.
The energy between you shifts. No words are exchanged but you eyes never leave Alexia's. It is only when she hears Jenni clearing her throat does Alexia break her gaze but yours remains.
"This champagne is amazing" she says in attempt to ease the tension.
"Lefevre Brut" You turn to Jenni when talking to her but by the look at her face she is clearly confused, whether is be by your french accent or something else "The champagne? that is what it's called"
Ale--" you don't get the chance to talk more to your fellow Balon d'or winner as one of Presidents of UEFA calls your name.
"I guess we will see you at the Euros" Aitana tells you only she doesn't quite get the reaction or reply that she expected.
You face drops at the mention of the summer tournament. Alexia expects a clever retort about how Spain won't win if it comes to facing France. The two of you might not have talked for a while but the passion you have when you represent your country is unmatched.
“I'll apologise now for when France beat you, if you get that far" You reply arrogantly hoping that it will cover your delay in response and look on your face which you know you didn't hide very well.
It seems Alexia is the only one who doesn't buy your act. The way you phrased your sentence, how you said France instead of we or even I, it didn't settle well with her.
This time it is her turn to watch you walk away and she couldn't help but enjoy it, she is only human after all.
"Something is wrong with her" Alexia says to no one in particular.
"Why do you care? It's not like you're friends" Mapi is clearly surprised by her friends concern.
"Because Y/N was Alexia's first" Jenni says nonchalantly before taking another sip of her drink.
"She was what?" The blonde defender says in shock.
"That's enough for you. I don't need you telling everyone in this room about my sex life" Alexia takes the champagne from her best friend's glass, downing it herself before putting it on one of the waiter's trays.
"Sex life? So it wasn't just the one time" Aitana joins in.
"We ended up sleeping together more than once over the span of a few years but then I found out she was sleeping with other people.” When she sees her friends about to ask more questions she hold her hand up “It's in the past"
That was the last time your name was mentioned until they watched France play in the first pre Euros friendly and your absence both on the pitch and bench is the hot topic within the Spanish national team. It was during the half time commentary that the world learned the reason why.
"I have spoken with Y/N this morning. She told me that she sustained an injury during the Champions League final against Barcelona which she down played in order to help her team win and she wanted to end the season on a high. She had hoped that rest alone would heal it but unfortunately surgery is required. This is why she is not in the squad today and why she won't be travelling with the team to England for the Euros"
Despite the bad blood Alexia and you shared she couldn't help but feel incredibly sorry for you in this moment. So much so that she wants to reach out to see if you're ok but when she pulls her phone she realises she no longer has your number and messaging you on social media seems too impersonal.
Little did Alexia know she would be joining you on the sidelines after tearing her ACL.
***********************
Alexia was limited in what she could do when she wasn't at rehab so she spent more of her spare time mindlessly scrolling through social media. If asked, she would deny it, but she had been keeping on eye on your accounts and even had a notification on for when you posted. She wanted to know you were ok but the only thing you posted was a photo of you in your hospital bed with the caption 'The cost of victory is high'.
She saw that her sister Alba has posted on her a story which wasn't strange considering the amount fo time the younger Putellas spent on social media. What was interesting is who was in the photo with her. There you stand, your arm wrapped around her sister’s shoulder with the beach as your backdrop.
It wasn't an old photo because it showed Alba's tattoo, one she had only got a few days ago. It caused Alexia to be both confused and intrigued. What were you doing in Barcelona and why out of all people were you with her sister.
Alexia only has one thing on her mind when Alba arrives at her house the next day to take her to therapy. Although she is not sure how to bring you up with it leading to more questions. The fidgeting and constant glances over to the driver’s side of the car doesn't go unnoticed by Alba.
"Ale" she turns her attention to her sister when they get to a red light "What is it?"
The two sisters are close and very open with each other. If one of them has something to say then they will say it making the current situation a little bit concerning.
"What were you doing with Y/N Y/L/N?” Alexia asks. 
“Why do you do that? Say her name like you don’t know her?” When it became clear Alexia won’t answer her question, Alba continues “I bumped into her a few summers ago. She said came to surprise the woman she loved”
This got Alexia’s attention. Whilst Alba knew the two of you were friends, she had no idea just how close the two of your were. You always said your visits to Barcelona were for work, not an international booty call. 
“In the end she never told her. Y/N didn’t want to waste her trip so she starting training here, now she does her solo off season training in Barcelona every year before going back to France”
When the car pulls up to the rehab centre Alexia is out of the car before Alba can say anything else. The midfielder’s mind was running a million miles a second. Part of her couldn’t help but think what if she is the person you came to see. 
When Alexia hears a knock on the door of her physio room your face the last one she expected to see.
"Sorry wrong room" you don't push an interaction with her and chose to walk out before a conversation could be started. 
Alexia wishes in that moment that she could chase after you, she had so many questions for you.
Like she had for the past couple of weeks, Alexia completes her therapy to the best of her ability even though she quickly becomes frustrated at her lack of mobility.
Just as they finish the session, the physio's phone goes off, rightly or wrongly Alexia glances down at the screen. 
Y/N L/Y/N is calling. 
“You can answer it” Alexia says when she notices the therapist declined your call. 
“It’s ok. You’re my patient at the minute” 
Did that mean you were her patient at a different time. 
“Do you know why she is in the city? I thought she would be in France working on her ankle” the Catalonian asks. 
“She did her aggressive rehab here. In France there are too many reminders of what she is missing out on. She, like you, has been struggling with missing out on the euros”
Alexia’s body tenses at the mention of the Euros. The fact that she is missing out of a tournament that she had been preparing for years for, has been hard for her to deal with. 
“I don’t think you should be telling me this?” Alexia knows that the therapist is bound by patient doctor confidentiality. What is discussed between you and her during your sessions should not be talked about. Had the therapist been telling you about her, about how she is dealing with things.
“Your thoughts are very loud Alexia” the therapist jokes “To answer your question, no I don’t tell her about you. The reason why you know is because Y/N told me to tell you. She knew that once you knew she was here you would ask questions”
A small chuckles escapes Alexia’s lips. You always did know her well, it should come as no surprise that you still have the ability to predict her behaviour all these years later.
“When is her next session?” Alexia asks hoping to talk to you.
“Considering we have over run I would say” The therapist looks at her watch but then there is a knock on the door “Now. Shall I tell her to come in?” 
Alexia only nods her head.
She watches you walk in the room. Your ankle is in a boot and you are still limping, the grimace on your face is clear to see.
“I just have to grab a few things, i’ll be back in 10 minutes” 
The therapist leaves the two of you alone in the room. Something that hasn’t happened since she walked out on you.
“How’s the knee?”
“How’s the ankle?”
“You didn’t answer my question”
“Neither did you”
The silence that follows is comfortable but the tension is thick. The words that has been unsaid seem to weigh you both down yet neither of you are willing to be the one that breaks first. Alexia sees you turning the ring on your pinky finger and watches are you brows furrow, you are thinking and whatever you are thinking about is making you nervous.
“Why are you nervous?” Alexia asks.
“The last time we were in a room together you walked out” the memory of that night replays in your head and the feelings that followed soon come rushing to the surface.
The frustration Alexia feels is borderline overwhelming. She recognises the hurt on your face but cannot bring herself to care, or at least she tries not to. Ever since the night of the gala Alexia has a feeling in her gut that this moment was coming.
“And who’s fault was that? You slept with one of my best friends” 
Your head snaps up in the direction of your former friend. The venom in her tone hurts. 
“I didn’t know she was your friend” When you see Alexia open her mouth to cut you off, you hold you hand up to stop her. If Alexia wanted to do this then you would say everything you have wanted to say for years.
“When we talked about exclusivity, I recall you been the one to say we should keep it casual” you remember the moment clear as day. You hated that she didn’t want anything more but you were happy to have no strings if meant be able to call her yours, even if only for a night.
“Because that’s what I thought you wanted” Alexia tries justifies her decision.
“Well Alexia, me taking you at your word doesn’t make me the bad guy, it does however make you a liar” 
It worries Alexia how emotionless you are in this moment. There is no sadness or vulnerability in your tone, it is as if you are numb.
When you realise that this conversation is not going to have a happy ending you decide to change the subject..
“Like you said at the gala, that is the past” You laugh a little at the shock on Alexia’s face, clearly she didn’t know you heard her.
“How is your ankle?” Alexia asks sincerely.
“On the mend, I guess. The doctor said that if I got treatment when the injury first happened then I wouldn’t have needed surgery”
There is something that had been bothering Alexia since she heard you got injured in the champions league final. A feeling of guilt had settled in her gut and she knew it wouldn’t go away until she knew the truth.
“It was when I tackled you wasn’t it? You didn’t even have the ball but I was so frustrated and you were unstoppable. I knew I had to do something and I guess I jus—“
“Wanted to punish my for my sins on and off the pitch”
“Y/N I’m—“
“I don’t want your apology Alexia” You says truthfully.
Alexia doesn’t get the chance to respond.
“You ready for our walk?” The therapist comes back into her room, unaware of the moment she is interrupting.
Alexia watches as you take your boot off. The scar and bruising is still there. You wince as you put on one of your trainers and its’ like Alexia feels your pain. 
“Before I go. Remember I have been where you are, be patient. I’ll see you on the pitch soon Alexia” 
Those are the last words spoken before you leave the physio’s room.
You would like to say you haven’t thought about Alexia since that day in the physio room but she is all you can seem to think about. The past has been playing on a loop in your head for days. You had debated messaging her as a friend just to see how she is doing but bailed. In the end a 3rd party ended up making the decision for you. 
The text message from Alba was unexpected given that was 10pm and you was about to go to bed. 
It read I need your help, something’s happening with Ale and I don’t know what to do. 
You knew what was going on in the Catalonian’s head because you have been having the same thoughts. 
Alba picks you up the next day and uses her key to let you into Alexia’s apartment. 
“Alba I said I needed a day by myself. Why can’t you do as I say?” Alexia snapped when she heard the door open and footsteps approaching her. 
It was hard hearing that alexia wanted to be alone but it wasn’t surprising. Alba hadn’t told you much about why she needed your help but when you looked around the apartment you see why. The blinds are closed, the lights are turned off, the only evidence that someone is home is the small sound coming from the TV. You follow it until you reach the living area. 
There she lays with her leg elevated and the look of defeat on her face. You do see a brief look of happiness when she sees you, yet you remain in the doorway waiting for her to invite you in. There had been so many things taken out of alexia’s control and having people come into her home uninvited shouldn’t be one of them. 
“I heard misery loves company so here I am. Can I come in?” You ask her.
She makes you wait a little longer than you would have liked but when her face softens she pats the seat beside her. 
“I’m not miserable” Alexia pouts. The expression stays on her face when Nala jumps over to your side of the sofa, something that shouldn’t happen given that you have never met the dog before.
“We disagree, don’t we nala?” The furball barks in agreement making her owner laugh but only a second before her stoic face returns.
“Let me guess, this has to do to with Barcelona being in France for the AMOS cup? Missing out on international duty is one thing but missing club football, that is tough” You are speaking from experience but the pain and frustration Alexia feels blinds her from seeing that.
“You wouldn’t understand” Alexia absentmindedly begins playing with the velcro on her knee brace.
“Really? Lyon is in Portland for the WICC cup and I can’t be with the team so trust me when I say I understand how you feel Alexia” 
“How are you so…” Alexia tries and fails to come up with a word to describe your energy.
“Not pissed off at the world” Alexia nods at your choice of words “because I know that me being mad and pushing everyone away won’t change anything” It has taken a while for you to come to this realisation but now you had, things seemed to be getting better.
“Really Y/N? You have pushed everyone away because you are here in Barcelona when you live in Lyon” still Alexia chooses to argue with you but you let her, you know she needs to let her frustrations out.
“You know that isn’t true. I haven’t pushed anyone away I have simply chosen to see different people. I saw Lola the other week and then yesterday I went to lunch your new team and my former team Lucy Bronze. As for me being in Barcelona, I come here every year since” you stop yourself when you realise what you are about to confess.
“Since what?” Alexia asks even though she knows the answer, well half the answer. Every since Alba told her that you came to Barcelona years ago to confess your true feelings, Alexia has wanted to know more.
“Since I came here to tell you I loved you” you shrug your shoulders when you see Alexia’s eyes widen in shock.
Alexia stumbles over her words and she cannot manage to say a single sentence.
“What? Didn’t expect me to be honest? I know Alba told you” you knew this would come up since the her younger sister told you Alexia has asked about you. 
“But you never told me. Why come all the way here and leave without doing what you came to do” Alexia wants to know why you never told her, why you let her hate you for all these years when you loved her.
“I wanted to Alexia but then I saw you at the beach with your friends. You were so happy and knowing how much I hurt you, I didn’t want to risk you feeling that way again. It was clear that you had moved and I knew in that moment that I missed my chance”
You felt like a weight hand been lifted off you shoulders and placed on top of your heart. Now that Alexia knew how you felt it opened you up to being vulnerable and you didn’t like it. Alexia’s face gave nothing away and it only added to your anxiousness.
“You’re wrong Y/N I didn’t move on and I think part of me still hasn’t. It why I still has these feelings for you, some that are obvious like pain and frustration but then I have moments like when I found you were injured and I knew that I still care about you, more than I would like to admit”
Now it was your turn to be at loss for words. Alexia has always been your what if but now things could be different.
Instead of waiting for you to reply, Alexia asks a question which you wanted to know the answer to as well.
“What does this mean for us”
“It means we have a chance Alexia”
You look down at the time of your phone. When you stand to your feet it is obvious that you are going to leave.
“What are you doing? I want you to stay” Alexia begs.
“Unfortunately today is my last day in Barcelona, I need to go home” when you see the look of disappointment on her face you know that once again time is not on your side.
“But there’s some much more I need to say”
“Alba has my number. I’m only a call away”
As you walk away you do with a heavy heart. You didn’t think you would be leaving Barcelona having said what you came to say all those years ago but you are happy you have. 
“Goodbye Y/N” Alexia reluctantly says.
“Adios Amor” A nickname you hadn’t used in years comes out so naturally and by the look on Alexia’s face you can tell she likes hearing you say it just as much as you like calling her it.
632 notes · View notes
kasienda · 4 months
Text
A Miraculous Reveal - Rings True
Post Season Five - Angst w/ a very happy ending
Summary: Ladybug hits send on her text to Chat Noir, telling him who Monarch is. She tells Adrien a very different story. Adrien doesn't know what to make of it, but he thinks he deserves the truth. Thanks to @coffeebanana, @wackus-bonkus-maximus, and @nemaliwrites for the beta read. This hits just a bit harder because of your input.
Read on Ao3
A Miraculous Reveal - Rings True
I figured out who Monarch is. He’s Gabriel Agreste. Meet me at the Agreste Mansion . 
Chat Noir stares at the text and then glances up once again at the imposing statue erected in his father’s honor. Because his father apparently sacrificed himself to help Ladybug defeat Monarch. 
He shivers in the winter morning air. 
Both of those realities can’t be true. 
Chat Noir falls to the ground, his father’s oversized form blocking out the sun’s glare. He has no idea what he was feeling, but whatever it was, it wasn’t good. He just sits there, gravel from the pavement digging through his suit, barely aware of the passersby chattering about his unexpected presence. He can’t hear what they’re saying with his heart trying to beat its way out of his chest. His stomach is so sour he thinks he might throw up, and his hands shake hard enough he’s not certain he will keep hold of  his baton.
His father’s gone. 
He wished for this. Adrien wanted the man who wouldn’t let him make his own choices or live his life gone. And him being Monarch made all of that worse somehow. 
How many times had Adrien wished Monarch dead? 
Well, now he was. 
But Ladybug told him to his face, as Adrien, that his father gave up everything so he could be happy. 
Adrien can’t believe it. His father had never cared about Adrien’s happiness. That had never been more clear than when he shipped Adrien off to London to be the poster child alongside Kagami for the Alliance rings or whatever else his father had in mind. 
It’s far, far easier to believe his father had been Monarch. 
But why did Ladybug lie?
He doesn’t have to contemplate the question long. She lands next to him and he scrambles to his feet, his shoulders tense as he turns to her. She asked to meet him this morning, it’s the first time he’s seen her since he failed to show up to fight Monarch. Is she angry with him? She doesn’t look angry, but she doesn’t look happy either.  
She very noticeably does not look at the monument. 
“Can we talk anywhere but here?” Her voice shakes. And it’s amazing how just that small sign of anxiety from her makes his own turmoil abate. 
For the moment, at least. 
He clears his throat. “Lead the way.” His voice sounds like gravel. 
She takes off, and he launches himself in pursuit, not paying any attention to where they’re going. He just follows the flash of red as he always does.
They eventually settle on an ordinary rooftop away from prying eyes. She doesn’t speak. She stares at the blank brick wall in front of them as if it holds all the answers of the universe. 
Every moment of silence eats at him, bringing back the clammy feeling in his neck and the sour churn in his stomach. He can’t stand it. 
“M’lady?”
She glances at him and visibly swallows. 
“Are you okay?”
Her hands grip the edge of the roof and her gaze drops. She shakes her head and her eyes well with tears.
His hand covers hers immediately. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
She leans into his shoulder and his arm comes around her immediately.
She breaks down into tears immediately, and he just holds her as she cries herself out. 
“I wish you were there,” she whispers, and his chest tightens in guilt. “I don’t know that it would have made any difference, but–” her head nuzzles further into his shoulder, “–I would have felt better with you there.” 
“I’m sorry,” he croaks again. He shouldn’t have given into his nightmare. He could have broken out of his father’s prison. It apparently wouldn’t have even mattered that it would have revealed his identity.
Monarch was dead. 
She shakes her head. “You couldn’t have known. I didn’t know either. I was there for another reason entirely.” 
He wants to ask what that reason was, but now that she’s talking, he’s unwilling to interrupt. 
“Discovering his identity was an accident. The miraculized robots were everywhere. They were tracking my active miraculous somehow. I had to detransform. He had me cornered. Thank god you sent Plagg. The tides shifted then! And I had him!”
Her face falls and she buries her eyes in her closed fists. 
“I was so stupid! I thought I could convince him to give it up for Adrien.” 
His throat tightens. It isn’t surprising that his father wouldn’t. But hearing her say it still somehow hurts. 
Adrien had never been enough, not for his father.
He blinks furiously to fend off the unwanted tears.
“So why is there a statue of Monarch in the middle of Paris?” he croaks. “Why did you lie to Adrien?” 
He doesn’t mean for it to be an accusation. He needs to know. 
But she recoils violently. “It wasn’t a lie!” 
He frowns. “But—“
Her face crumples and her body shakes like an earthquake. She breaks down into wracking sobs all over again. “I lost , Chaton. I trusted him. I wanted to be able to heal their relationship. He took all the miraculouses - including the Ladybug and the Black Cat. He made a wish.”
Adrien sucks in a breath. 
“But something I said must have gotten through because he changed his wish. He didn’t wish for his wife to be revived. He joined her in death instead. Then all the miraculouses minus the butterfly were returned to me. Before he did it, he asked me to make sure Adrien remembered him fondly.”
Adrien tastes bile. Seriously? His father wanted Adrien to think well of him? 
“So I only told Adrien the good parts. But I didn’t lie . Gabriel did sacrifice himself for his son’s happiness in the end. He did help me defeat Monarch.”
Adrien’s claws dig into his knee. His father may have said he did it for Adrien, but that’s what he always said. That’s what he said when he wouldn’t let Adrien have a birthday party, or go play music with his friends, what he said when he had forbidden Adrien from being with Marinette and when he had Adrien shipped off to London. 
But none of it was ever actually for Adrien. It never was. 
His father hadn’t needed to make a wish at all. He didn’t have to leave. If he wanted Adrien to be happy, he could have come back and done things differently. “But it’s a lie.”
She shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Doesn’t matter?!” he echoes hotly. “That’s what Gabriel did to his son all the time. Lied to him, made choices for him about what he was allowed to know and do, what Adrien was allowed to feel . He locked him up and sent him away from the people he loved most!”
His heart rises to his throat, his chest heaves up and down. 
Ladybug stares at him, her eyes wide. “How do you know all that?”
He tries to meet her gaze, but he can’t do it. He feels exposed. 
“And now you want Adrien to remember that man fondly?! Want him to think that his pain and frustration and anger are all something he imagined?!”
She cries harder. “But he deserves better than Gabriel,” she sobs. 
Chat Noir took both her shoulders and squeezed them gently. “He deserves the truth. You need to tell him, M’lady.” 
And he’s being ridiculous. He already knows, so what does it matter? 
He just wants her to be the one to tell him.
“But how do I do that?” Her words are barely louder than the wind. Tears slipdown her face. 
“He deserves to know,” he says again.
She leans back into Chat’s chest. “You’re right. I just— I wish he didn’t have to go through all this.” 
“He won’t be alone.” 
He has Marinette, Nino, and Plagg.
He has her .
… 
Ladybug doesn’t show up that night. Or the next. Adrien spends each evening pacing back and forth in front of his stupidly large glass window. He purposely kept his evenings clear - sending Marinette home early and begging Nathalie to let him eat alone in his room. 
He was trying to make it easier for Ladybug to approach him. 
But still, she hasn’t come. He doesn’t understand it. What is she waiting for? Does she not trust him as Chat Noir? Does she think Adrien can’t handle the truth? 
Adrien throws himself backwards onto his bed. Each day he proves more irritable than the last, prone to snapping at everyone around him — even Marinette, who’s the absolutely last person who deserves his ire.
Five excruciating days later, she stands before him, wringing her gloved hands and all the tension that had been building up inside him like water against a dam for days, releases. 
She’s here. She’s going to tell him.
He smiles at her. “What can I do for you, Ladybug?” he asks.
She doesn’t meet his gaze. She’s so worked up, he almost feels bad that he pushed her into this. He could have just volunteered as Chat Noir to talk to Adrien himself. 
“Are you okay?” he asks. 
She laughs darkly, and looks at him. “You should not be asking me that. I just… I have some things that I need to tell you, things I should have told you before. C-can we sit down for this?” 
“Of course!” he says, walking her to the couch. “Can I get you anything?” 
“No, no! I’m fine,” she says. “You should sit too.” 
He sits next to her. She’s vibrating in her seat. Her legs are bouncing, her hands are fidgeting, she looks at him only to look away immediately. 
She bolts to her feet and starts pacing in front of him. His eyes follow her. 
“So umm…” Her hands flail around her. “You know how I told the city that your father helped me defeat Monarch?” The words come out of her in a rush, like she’s afraid if she stops she won’t get them out. 
“Yes?” 
“Well, that wasn’t exactly true. Your father—” she looks at him now. “Well, he was Monarch.” 
And there it is. The words are out. He almost wants to laugh. Instead, he lets out a heavy sigh.
“Are you okay?” she asks, kneeling down in front of him, and taking his hands. 
He smiles again, and nods. “I… okay is not the word, but maybe? Thank you for telling me. It’s relieving in a way.”
“Relieving?” she repeats, her eyebrows arching in disbelief.  
“Yeah, thinking of him as a hero after everything he had done to me… it didn’t feel right, but being angry with the person who helped Ladybug save all of Paris— well, that didn’t feel right either.” 
“I— I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before.”
He squeezes her hand. 
“Why are you letting the whole city believe he was a hero?” he asks. It’s still the one bit that doesn’t make sense. 
She offers him a pained smile. “Because I didn’t want anyone to know you had any association with the villains.”
He frowns. “You don’t need to do—“ 
She shakes her head sharply, cutting him off. “There’s more to it than that. This next part, Adrien. I…” she bites her lower lip. “I haven’t told anyone. Not even my partner.”
Every muscle in his body locks up. 
“This is too sensitive, too personal. I feel like I shouldn’t even know.” 
Her hands tremble, and he shivers.  What could be so awful that it was worth letting all of Paris believe Monarch was a hero?  
Ladybug’s finger taps the rings on his left hand - and he glances down at his parents’ wedding rings. 
“These aren’t ordinary rings. They’re amoks.”
“Amoks?” he repeats. “Like for a sentimonster?”
“Sentibeings,” she corrects. “These are your amoks.” 
Did his father leave sentimonsters running around? Ones that Adrien is now responsible for? How awful was—
Ladybug watches him carefully. She’s biting her lip again, her eyes wide, clearly bracing herself for his reaction. 
He missed the mark. The rings are suddenly all he can see. These are his amoks. 
He hunches forward, his shoulders feeling like lead. He gasps for air that won’t fill his lungs. It feels like the ground has opened up underneath him and swallowed him whole.
Ladybug’s arms wrap around him, she cradles his head against her chest. She strokes his hair like he’s a small child needing to be soothed.
“I’m a… sentimonster.” 
She shakes her head violently. “Senti- being. ” 
He laughs, the sound hysterical and unbelieving even in his own ears. 
“But yes, you were created with the peacock miraculous.” 
He’s a sentimonster. 
His whole life is stored in a pair of rings . 
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you this,” Ladybug says, tears slipping over her mask. “I wish you didn’t have to know.” 
His eyes fly up to her face. Ladybug almost didn’t tell him. If Chat Noir hadn’t convinced her, would he have ever known?
Suddenly, he’s furious. “You weren’t going to tell me.” 
“Adrien, I swear I returned the rings to you the second I understood what they were.” 
“What if I had taken them off or given them away?!”
Then her words catch up to him. 
“Wait. You didn’t give me these rings. It was… Marinette?” 
Her eyes flood with tears. It’s confirmation enough. 
He scuttles backward so fast the couch tips over. He shoves himself across the floor further, needing to be away from her. 
“Adrien! Please!” she begs, reaching for him on her knees. 
She’s Marinette. 
He sobs brokenly, shaking his head. “I don’t understand! Why would you keep this from me?! I thought Ladybug, at least, had no idea what my father was like. But you? Marinette! You stood against him time and again. And now you cave to him?! To lie to me?!” 
“I didn’t want to hurt you! I wanted you to be as happy as possible given everything that has happened.” 
He caves in on himself - he cradles his neck, and buries his head between his knees, rocking back and forth. 
“Adrien?” she asks, her hand hovering over his shoulder. He flinches from her, and she backs away. 
“I’m sorry!” she cries. 
“You know, when I read your text the first time, I felt relief . My father was Monarch. That sucked, but it also felt like a puzzle piece had snapped into place. Something that made sense .” 
“What text?” 
“Then you showed up to talk to me, and you fed me a completely different story! My father, a hero?“ he laughs bitterly. 
“Adrien—“
“When I told you that you needed to tell me, I didn’t think it mattered because I already knew. I wanted to hear it from you.”
Her eyes blow open wide and her mouth falls open into a horrified “oh”. 
“Chaton?” she asks, her voice cracking.
“If I hadn’t done that, would you have ever told me?” 
Her cries only intensify and she doesn’t answer him, but for once, he’s unmoved by her tears. He can’t ever remember being so angry with her. 
“You’re just like him.”
The look on her face is pure devastation. He can’t bring himself to care. 
“I’m so sorry,” she sobs. 
“Why didn’t you just use the rings?” 
“What do you mean?” Her voice is so quiet he barely hears her. 
“If you wanted me to be happy, couldn’t you have just ordered me to be happy?”
“Adrien! That’s horrible!” 
“Is it?! How is it any different than what you did?! You told me lies to manipulate my feelings! Made me believe in something that you knew wasn’t true. The rings just would have made it easier.” 
“I would never do that to you!”
“But you did!”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t understand! I never wanted to hurt you. I love you.” 
“That just makes it worse.”
“Adrien, please.” She reaches for him again. And he pulls away. 
“I can’t do this right now.” 
She stares at him, her eyes glassy. “Adrien–”
“Just go!” he shouts. 
And she does. And he’s not entirely certain that he wants her to come back. 
She keeps calling him. She calls him so many times that first night he loses track. She leaves him messages almost every time. He listens to every single one the second it comes in. 
She apologizes profusely again and again. She cries until her voice is sandpaper, and then she cries more. She understands why he’s angry and she knows what she did wrong. 
He wants to forgive her. He does. 
But he doesn’t know how.
Two days go by, and he still doesn’t take any of her calls. But he continues to listen to every message. 
His phone rings again, but it’s Alya. 
“Hey, what’s up?” he answers cautiously. 
“How are you doing?” And it’s definitely Alya talking — not Marinette and he relaxes. 
“That depends.” 
“On?”
“Are you asking because you want to know, or because Marinette does?”
“I won’t tell Marinette anything if you don’t want me to, but whatever happened between the two of you, know that she has always loved you.” 
He squeezes his eyes closed. He doesn’t even doubt that. But his parents had loved him too. He twists his amoks around his finger. That hadn’t stopped either of them from controlling and manipulating him. 
“Sometimes love isn’t enough,” he says. 
Alya’s silent for a moment. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” she asks softly.
“I didn’t used to,” he admits. “But now… now, I don’t know where I stand with anyone.” 
“I can only imagine how hard it must be to process everything about your father.” 
“Yeah, everything about my father,” he echoes dully. Alya doesn’t know even half of it— 
“It’s so messed up,” she commiserates. “Especially given who you all turned out to be.” 
Unless she already knows all of it. Because she’s Ladybug’s best friend! 
“How long have you known?” he asks, trying to keep his tone even, but it probably just comes out cold. 
“Known what?”
“That I’m Chat Noir, she’s Ladybug, and my father was fucking Monarch?!”
“Adrien, listen—“
Adrien’s tired of listening. 
“—she had a total meltdown.” 
“She told you before she told me, didn’t she?” 
“Adrien–” 
He’s shaking his head even though she can’t see him. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 
“Because I thought it should come from her! ” 
“Did she also tell you I’m a sentimonster and she wasn’t going to tell me?!”
“A what?! Adrien!—“
He hangs up. He tries to take solace from the fact that Marinette hadn’t told Alya or Chat Noir about Adrien being a sentimonster. She had some lines she wouldn’t cross at least. 
But it’s not enough. She hadn’t planned on telling him either. 
He twists the rings on his finger. What if he had taken them off? 
It’s the thought he can’t shake.
He calls Nino.
“Hey mec! What’s up?” 
“Tell me you didn’t know.” 
“Know what?” 
“Did Marinette or Alya tell you about me?” 
“Umm… I thought you already knew that Marinette liked you since you guys have been dating.” 
And despite everything Adrien bursts out laughing. Nino definitely didn’t know anything. 
“Dude! What is going on?”
“Can I come over?”
“Anytime, mec!” Nino exclaims enthusiastically! “You never have to ask.”
Adrien barely has time to knock before Nino whips the door open and yanks him inside and into a hug. 
Adrien lets himself relax. Nino didn’t know anything. Nino never lied to him. If anything, Nino was stupidly forthcoming about his own secrets. 
He can trust Nino. 
Which gives him an idea. A terrible idea. 
“Dude! How’ve you been holding up?” 
Adrien shrugs. Before he can overthink it, he slips both of his amoks off his finger and presses them into Nino’s hands. 
“Put these on,” he says.
Nino looks at the rings. “Are these wedding rings?” Nino asks. 
“Technically, yes.”
“You proposing, mec? You could at least buy me dinner first.” 
Adrien doesn’t laugh. “Just put them on. I want to try something. I’ll explain after.” 
Nino slips the rings on without any hesitation. “Okay. Now what?” 
Because Nino trusts him. 
“Tell me to do something weird.” 
“Weird like what?”
“I don’t know, something I wouldn’t normally do.” 
Nino pulls out his phone and puts on a dance remix. “Alright dude. Dance like you’ve never danced before.” 
Adrien throws himself into the moves, rolls with the music Nino’s music, he tells himself. It doesn’t feel like a compulsion. It feels like he wants to do it - almost like it’s his own idea. But he can’t stop either. And he wants to cry. 
How many times had he tried to stand up to his father only to immediately fold once standing before him?
Even his maman! How many times had she sweet talked him into cooperating? She had always said he was an easy child. All he had ever wanted was to make them proud. Was any of it him? 
Nino stops the music.
“Dude! You’re crying.” 
He is, and yet, he’s still dancing. Another sob tears from his throat. 
He’s not human. He’s a sentimonster, a puppet on strings, a plaything for his parents’ amusement.
“Stop it! What’s wrong?” Nino asks, putting a hand on his shoulder. 
Adrien’s limbs still, and he falls to his knees, sobbing.
Nino is on the ground right next to him an instant later. “Talk to me, please.”
Adrien knows with that command, he can technically talk about anything, but he had come here to talk about one thing in particular.
“I’m a sentimonster,” he gasps. “I’ve been a sentimonster my whole life. Those,” he points to the rings on Nino’s pinky and ring finger, “are my amoks.” 
Nino’s expression falls off his face. Then he tears the rings off his hands and slams them up against Adrien’s chest. 
“Why would you ever give these to me?! Why would you give them to anyone?!”
“I just… wanted to know how they worked, what it felt like. I didn’t think you would use them if you knew.”
“Damn right, I wouldn’t!” Nino roared, his chest visibly heaving. “Please don’t put me in that position again!”
Adrien nods. “I’m sorry.”
“What the hell is going on? What do you mean you’re a sentimonster? They haven’t been around that long. Are you some kind of copy of my best friend?” 
Adrien shakes his head. “I’m the original, one and only, Adrien Agreste. My father had the butterfly and the peacock since before I was born, and apparently for some reason —“ that Adrien hadn’t had time to even think about, let alone figure out. “—they raised a sentimonster instead of having a child using more natural methods.” 
“Wait! Your father had the butterfly?! But that means—“
“He was Monarch,” Adrien says before Nino can. 
“But Ladybug said—“
“Yeah well, Ladybug doesn’t have the best relationship with the truth,” he says bitterly. “She’s just like my father.” 
Nino looks more shocked by that than anything else Adrien has said. 
“What?” Adrien asks, unable to interpret Nino’s silence. 
“Dude!” Nino exclaims like that explains everything. “You’ve always been Ladybug’s biggest fan!” 
“That was before she tried to lie to me about my father! She wasn’t even going to tell me about being a sentimonster! She gave me back these rings without saying anything! What if I had lost one or taken them off? Or gave her one when I proposed?!”
“When you proposed?” Nino echoes. “To Ladybug?” 
Adrien thunks his head against the wall. He hadn’t lasted twenty-four hours with her identity. She’s going to kill him.
“Can we pretend I didn’t say that?” 
Nino’s head cocks to the side. “Marinette is Ladybug. Huh.” 
“That doesn’t surprise you?” 
“That’s definitely the least surprising thing you’ve said today. Not surprising at all really,” Nino says. “Okay, so we’re pissed at Maribug—“
“Cute.” 
“—because she didn’t tell you about your father being an even worse dick than we already knew. And she didn’t tell you were a sentimonster. But then, how did you find out?” 
“She told me.” 
“But—“
Adrien sighs. He’s already screwed as it is. “She told me as Chat Noir.”
Nino is silent again. “You’re Chat Noir.” 
“Yup.” 
“And your dad was Monarch.” 
“Unfortunately.” 
“Mec! That’s so messed up.” 
“Tell me about it.” 
“So Maribug told Adrien the same thing she told the city?”
“Yeah, that he died a hero helping her defeat Monarch.” 
“Gross,” Nino says. “Why would she want you to remember him with rose colored glasses?” 
“I don’t know!” 
“Do you think she killed him?” 
Adrien freezes. The thought had never occurred to him because it’s incomprehensible. “No. There’s no way.” 
“And she told Chat Noir - not knowing that she was talking to you - that you’re a sentimonster?” 
“No, she only told Chat Noir that my father was Monarch.”
Nino hums. 
“Just say it,” Adrien says. 
“Well, I get that you’re pissed. I think I am too on your behalf. But I don’t think Marinette is anything like your father.” 
“Go on.” Adrien wants to forgive her. He just needed a way to get there in his own head. 
“The difference is Marinette did tell you.” 
“She wasn’t going to. I had to talk her into it.” 
Nino nods. “ Exactly. She wasn’t going to, and then you explained your perspective and she changed her mind. She recognized that she was wrong, that you were right and she did what Marinette always does. She tried to fix it. Your dad would have only doubled down.” 
“Or tried to akumatize someone over it,” Adrien adds darkly. 
“Dude! He’s akumatized like every single one of your friends.” 
His father hadn't wanted him to have any friends. Had his father ever seen him as a real person? 
“Nino, do you still care about me knowing that I’m not real?” 
“What the fuck kinda question is that? One, yes! I care about you more than almost anyone on this planet. And two, you are most definitely real .” 
Adrien’s crying again, but Nino quickly seizes him in a hug. Adrien buries himself in Nino’s solid embrace, and he knows he’s going to be okay even if he’s not there yet. 
It’s been four days since he shouted at Marinette to get out of his room. 
She’s still calling him, and he covets every message, as a sign that she loves him despite what he is, that she hasn’t given up on him, or on them. He listens to them the second they show up, though he still hasn’t been able to bring himself to respond, though he thinks he might be getting close. He did send a message through Alya that he just wants some space and he’ll let her know when he’s ready to talk.
Most of her messages are similar in nature. She apologizes over and over, tells him that she loves him, and that she’ll do anything to make it up to him. She just doesn’t know what that is. 
He thought that he might feel vindicated or something hearing her so small and contrite, but he doesn’t. He feels awful because as much as he was hurt, he doesn’t want her to hurt either. 
He loves her. 
Then her last two messages were drastically different in content. 
“I learned that you were a Senti from Felix.” Her voice is subdued, like she’s narrating from a script. “He and Kagami are both sentis as well. They asked Ladybug for help.” 
Figured that Felix told Ladybug without even telling him .
“I’m not sure they want anyone to know that, but I guess… even if you—“ her voice cracks and his chest clenches at the pain in her voice. “—even if you can’t forgive me, I-I just wanted you to know you’re not alone.”
She’s openly sobbing now. “I love you.” 
The message abruptly ends.
The second message that day comes in hours later. 
“I got Kagami to bully Felix into letting me talk to Dusuu!” Her voice is so different from the previous call. She sounds excited. She sounds like Ladybug with an idea. “The original amoks didn’t have a mind control feature. That was something the Guardians added at the same time they added it to the miraculouses to be able to control the Kwamis. If they added it, there’s gotta be a way to take it away, right?” 
“I have a plan to free you all from your amoks. But there’s a hiccup. We’ll need the butterfly so I can give you the power to see your spiritual connection to the ring so you can cataclysm only the part that can control you. I know it’s dangerous. And we don’t have to do it if you’re not comfortable, and we don’t have the butterfly right now anyway—“ 
Adrien smiles as Marinette rambles on. How had he never realized Ladybug and Marinette were the same? They think out loud in the exact same way. 
Even though he asked for space, even though he wasn’t talking to her, even though she wasn’t certain they were going to remain a couple, she was still fighting for him. 
He transforms immediately and lands just outside the bakery. He’s not sure if she’s even home, but he hopes that she is. 
He takes the stairs two at a time. He hesitates before knocking. And before he can bridge the gap, the door flies open of its own accord. 
Marinette drops her purse and stares at him. Her eyes are red and her usually neat pigtails are half falling out and completely uneven. She’s still in her pajamas though she had thrown a coat and a scarf over them. 
She has never looked more beautiful. 
He offers her a wobbly smile. “I’m sorry. You’re on your way out. I can— I can come back.” He starts to turn around. 
She grabs his wrist. “No! Please don’t go.” Her voice is hoarse, and faint, like she’s afraid if she’s too loud he’ll bolt. “Wh-what do you wan— I mean, need? What do you need?” 
He eyes her grip on his wrist, and she instantly lets go, and suddenly can’t meet his eyes. 
“Can we talk?” he asks. 
She nods. Her eyes are downcast, her shoulders are hunched in, and her arms are wrapped around her stomach. She’s been tearing herself up for all the days he didn’t speak to her. 
“Hey,” he says softly. “Can you look at me?” 
She does, but her eyes water immediately, and he yanks her into his arms.
“It’s going to be okay,” he assures. 
She falls to pieces in his arms. He rocks her harder, kisses her hair, and continues to hold her. 
“I’m so sorry,” she sobs. 
“It’s… o—“ he cuts himself off before he can say it’s okay. Nino told him that was the one sentence he wasn’t allowed to say. “It’s going to be okay,” he says again. 
She shakes her head. “No, I’m awful. I don’t know what I was thinking! You’re right to be so angry. You’re right to hate me!” 
He laughs, and then cups either side of her face. Her blue eyes fill with tears and he aches for her. “M’lady, I could never ever hate you. I was hurt.” 
“Of course you were!” 
“And I needed some space.” 
She nods against his hands. 
“But I’ve been thinking, and Nino made me realize that I actually should be thanking you.” 
“Thanking me?! For what?!”
“Because you told me.” 
“But I wasn’t going to. Not until you convinced me to.” 
“But then you did. You listened to me, and you trusted me as Chat Noir, and then you told me as Adrien. And I’m glad that I know now. I needed to know. No one else was ever going to tell me. And so, I’m really glad I have you, that you respected me enough to tell me this hard truth about my own life. My parents didn’t tell me. Nathalie never did, though she had to have known. And I don’t think she ever would have. Even Felix, and apparently Kagami, didn’t tell me though you think they’d get it better than anyone.”
“But I should have told you right away. I never should have lied.” 
He shrugs. “Yeah, that’s true, but we all make mistakes. And when you realized you were wrong, you tried to fix it.” He held up his phone. “And you’re still trying to fix it. Even though it’s hard, even though I didn’t take it well. You still told me the truth when no one else did. And I just— I love you.”
He presses his forehead to hers. “Even when you make mistakes, even when you really piss me off, even when you’re not perfect, I love you. And I don’t think that will ever not be the case. Thank you for telling me, thank you for giving me some space to figure stuff out on my own, and if you’ll still have me, may I still be yours?”
“If I’ll still have you?” she repeats, aghast. “Shouldn’t it be if you’ll still have me?”
He shrugs again. “I’ve already said I still want to be your partner in every sense of the word, but I’ve had time to think about it while you were sending me message after message that you loved me. Even though I’m not even human.” 
Her face contorts into pure rage. “Adrien Agreste! You are the most beautiful human being I have ever met in my life! You are kind. You give people second chances. You are persistent, and brave, and you have the dorkiest sense of humor. You drive me absolutely insane both with and without a mask, and I am so stupidly in love with you, I will absolutely still have you! And if you think—“
He cuts her off with a kiss. He’s going to spend the rest of his life with this girl if he has anything to say about it. 
62 notes · View notes
nexusnyx · 1 year
Text
godspeed; [fezco imagine]
SUMMARY: Living in the shadows of your classmates served you well to keep you alive until college. High school could be dangerous, and toxic, and hectic. The only problem about being a wallflower is the missed opportunities, and he is the biggest chance you never took.
That’s alright, though. It’s not like you ever had a chance with Fezco. Right?
Tumblr media
⚠️ Mentions of drugs, addiction. | 🏷️ Fluff, strangers to lovers; WC: [5.3k] | 📑Posting this again because some people asked for it. If there are any other Fez scenarios you want I can check if I still have them. Mwah.
Tumblr media
The thing about being an addict who meets another addict was that they could bring out the worst in you.
It might happen without meaning to, and they'd do it without any notion of the effects it might cause on your life. With one request from them, or maybe getting stuck in the same room as another one who's a little like you and bam—five years of sobriety would go down the drain.
Rue could be that for you.
Thanks to Ali and your last two years in therapy, she won't be. Not tonight.
“Are you sure you don’t wanna come?” Rue asks. Her eyes are dropping low and she pouts in an adorable manner. She’s high. Very high.
You shake your head. “Thanks.” Her new friend Elliot gives a sharp nod before he and Rue leave together, and you take a second to send a prayer in secret that Rue makes it tonight.
You didn't come back to this damn city to get attached to someone and just watch them die.
After a sad chuckle, you turn around to see what else is there to do in this party she brought you which is not one-third as lame as you imagined it’d be, and that’s when you see him. It takes a second for your brain to understand why it stopped dead in its track at the sight across from you, but when the light flicks just right in his freckled face, you recognize him even with the beard.
You freeze.
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck—is that Fezco?
You look away for a second, then back at him. Across from the glass wall that leads to the pool patio there's a gazebo, and he's sitting in the steps talking to someone. The place is crowded and illuminated mostly by colorful lights, but you'd recognize those eyes and cheeks anywhere.
It is him.
Looking good. Looking five times more handsome than he ever did before dropping out of school, and by the looks of it, doing the same thing he did while he was still in the halls of East Highland.
He's smoking and staring with a blank expression to the bodies dancing and walking in front of him, and after catching a second person not subtly slipping him money for a handshake of something, you realize that yup—he's dealing.
And he looks ridiculously good doing so.
A glass of whatever the hell Rue mixed is downed in a second, and you go to the kitchen in search of more.
Fuck your entire life.
Who would've thought Fezco O'Neill would still be living in this shitty town?
Studying with Fezco all those years ago could've been one of the many things your years of substance abuse took out of your early memories hasn't it been for how much you thought of him back then. Even though you two were never friends, never passed beyond the stage of awkward small talks, you enjoyed him. His presence.
One could say you had a crush.
You loved the short and brief interactions you shared with Fezco back then—he came to school often until a certain point, and given the nature of his job, talking to Fez was almost impossible since he talked to everybody, all of the time.
People gravitated towards him in groups, alone, in couples; either because of the drugs or just because he was one of the few people who you could sit beside and not feel anxious, or like you need to try too hard.
The party Rue brought you to has many more teenagers than you expected. It was granted, and you ignored it. The music is decent enough, but you can almost feel the small web strings of drama tying the entire party together. You'd like to blame Rue for you being here, but you can't.
She's still seventeen.
When you were seventeen, you were… well. Doing the same she is now.
Sadly.
You'll blame Ali for being invited over to his daughter's house and dropping the Bennet Bomb on your lap. He pays in food, and that's always nice.
Navigating the party to try and find something to do or a conversation pit that is nice proves to be worthless, and you start worrying that this night will be a bust.
You may be sober from all the pills that one day fucked you over, but your fucks still happened every once in a while because of the other things you still fell back on when shit got hard, which, considering the world and its state—it's often.
At least alcohol and weed make you less of a mess. This party had both. The night could be fun.
You promised Ali you'd keep an eye on Rue—she's doing poorly and a trainwreck tends to crash and leave traces if you don't see to it soon. But if you're staying, you need at least a joint.
Or two.
Fuck.
You stop the first teenager you see, "Hey, is there any other dealer in the party other than Fez?" You ask.
The boy scoffs. "'Course not," he says, then walks away.
Fair enough. No one would be stupid to try and deal at a party in an area where people even drive to meet Fez; he covers the crowd of this (and a few other) high schools for years now. Of course it's only him.
There's no reason you shouldn't go to him. He's not even gonna recognize you, your brain tells you.
The boy scoffs. "'Course not," he says, then walks away.
There's no reason you shouldn't go to him, you think. He's not even gonna remember you anyway. It's a bitter reminder, but the taste leads your legs outside to the gazebo in hopes Fezco is still there.
And even if he does remember you, the same voice says. It's not like you two ever had a lot to talk about. As you walk, you remember Rue mentioning to Ali a few days earlier about how her friend who is a drug dealer had beaten Nate Jacobs into a pulp. She told Ali the reason why and even though you had no idea who Nate Jacobs was, he sounded like a fucking cunt.
You kinda hated to have missed the show.
Part of you is wondering what will happen if Fezco does remember who you are, but it's not like that is a big deal either. He'd say hi, make small talk and then what? Reminisce about the days when he sold you Codeine or Demerol and you lived through the stages of a fucked up household while high out of your fucking mind?
Right.
Your palms are sweating. You check the bills inside your dress's bust again and fix the edge of your glitter sleeve, stepping close enough to see the pool and—there he is.
Fezco is talking to a guy when you step outside and to your happiness, Rue and Elliott can be found with Kat in the garden close by. You can do this.
You walk until your platforms are knocking on the edge of the first step, and Fezco only turns around when the guy leaves his side. He turns taking out the joint that's behind his ear, fishing for the lighter that must be on his front pocket, but then he sees the legs standing right in front of him and lifts his head to look at your face.
"Hi," you shake your head at him. "Please tell me you still got weed." I might have to drink tequila like a frat boy if you don't. It's the frown that tells you Fezco's mind must be trying to connect the dots, and before you can offer him any hint on why he sort of recognizes you, a smile breaks out in his face and surprises you into stunned silence when he follows with, "Oh, shit. You're Y/n," he points at you.
"I'm—yeah?" You know your crush used to be big, but you fight down a knot at trying to recall if his smile had always been this charming. "Yeah, it's me," you try again, not wanting to sound like a question. "You're Fezco. Hi again," you wave a hand again.
This boy always left you tongue-tied, but you'd be damned if he got you looking stupid this early into a conversation.
"Wow." Fezco's smiling dopely, and the way he looks you up and down have your skin running a little hotter. "Been a long time. Hi, little ma."
Fuck. He's sitting down, but Fezco chill raspy voice still makes him feel inches taller.
"Hey, Fezco."
"You said you wanted weed?" He asks, finally lighting up his joint.
You look at the orange smoke illuminating his face and nod. "Yes, please." This is still as awkward as it was back then. "I'm not mentally ready to be this surrounded by teenagers," you add without thinking.
Fezco laughs at that, taking his blunt between his fingers. "Word." He fishes for something inside his jacket's pocket. "You want the flower or you want a pre-rolled?"
You pout. "That depends. Who rolled it?"
Fezco smiles. "I did."
"Your joints looked like tiny spaceships, man. No offense." Back in school together, you never bought weed from Fezco because you hated how smoke made you cough, but you saw the pre-rolled he sold to your classmates, and he rolled like shit.
He surprises you by laughing again, and then he gets up. "Damn, ma—your memory's good, huh?" Fezco looms over you for a second before leaning against the handrail, and he takes out a pack from a pocket. "I got better at it. Look. Looking like they came from a factory, see? I ain't selling shit I wouldn't be smoking too."
His joints really are looking professional, and you laugh again, this time with him.
"Cool—they look good," you nod in approval.
Fezco who's had a smile on his face since he put a name to your face nods too, looking even more pleased with himself. "Cool. One's $3. Three's ten. Five's fifteen. How many you looking for?"
"Gimme five."
"Five?" He blinks in surprise, but starts picking them one by one.
"I'm looking out for a friend of a friend and I have a feeling she's not going home anytime soon." You give him the money, and in exchange take the blunts. "I'm not taking chances."
"You don't have a purse, where you gonna put 'em?" Fez asks, taking another look at your outfit.
You pull on the fabric of your renovated shirt and show him the pocket you sewed on the inside. You make a show of opening it, putting four of the joints inside, then close the button.
Fezco chuckles. "Aight. You're prepared." He looks you up and down again, and you fidget in response, organizing your corset underneath the shirt. "What brought you back? Wait—why did you leave in the first place?"
When Fezco left school in seventh grade, you still saw him for a few years. Whenever the pills ran out at your place, you ran to his and Ash's place for more.
You shrug your shoulder, and light the one joint you kept in your hand. "I left to go live with my Aunt."
He doesn't need to know the why, nor does he care. Whatever it is Fezco remembers of you or thinks of your person, you can bet it isn't that your mother preferred you living in another state than keeping the junkie her neglect created at home.
"Really?" Fezco asks, and he sounds just as genuine as ever. He looks behind your shoulder out of nowhere and you notice another boy hovering your conversation, most likely wanting something out of him and you're about to say you'll leave him alone when Fezco shrugs a hand in the air for him. "Ain't available. Find Ash," and without even looking for his response, his eyes are back on you. "Was your aunt nice?"
His voice drags out, the same way as it did before.
It's still distracting. "Yeah." Auntie, unlike Mother, lived a real life. Had real problems and, as consequence, helped you with yours. Fez probably didn't care about that either, so you exhaled the smoke and changed the topic. "And you? Last I remember you quit to help your G Ma with business and your little bother. How's Ash?"
Fezco smiles, and you feel your heart skipping a stupid beat at it.
Even his smile has gotten cuter.
"You remember that?" His words drag out, and he smacks his lips on his teeth.
You frown. "Course I do." I always had trouble forgetting anything related to the cute and funny ginger boy who always has a kind gesture or word to offer if you need. Fezco nods, looking at you through his eyelashes and this time, he keeps his eyes there. "Yeah. Stuff's been good, you know."
His careless demeanor never hid from you the small things, like the way he narrows his eyes when he's lying through his teeth. You hope whatever 'good' he's been getting, it gets a little better.
Before you can ask something else, Fezco goes on. "It's weird that you remember that. About Ma G and Ash."
That comment leaves you even more confused. "How come?"
Fezco shrugs his shoulders again. "Dunno. It was a while ago, lil' mama." You two laugh at that, because word. "'s the reason I knew I could trust you, too."
Fezco trusts you? "You trusted me?"
"Trust. Ain't gone away just 'cause you left," his smile is so nonchalant that it makes you smile in return. "No one ever found out why I dropped—just assumed 's for what I do. Lots of rumors 'n that's it."
He's right about that.
Through hazy memories, you recall people trying to create the most dramatic reason for Fezco's drop out in the cafeteria as well as in the streets. "Yeah… I remember that." You hum. "Always found that strange."
How was that a twelve-year-old Fezco managed to keep his grandmother's sickness all to himself was beyond you.
"Exactly." The way he says the word makes you leave Eastland high of all those years ago and focus on him again. He said it as a confirmation, and when you frown, he elaborates through a chuckle because he notices you're already high and just as lost as before. "You're the only one I told, Y/n."
"Wait. Really?" That couldn't be. Fezco had friends. Good ones and not-so-good ones, you imagined. "Why?"
"Yeah, lil' ma. You the only one who asked," he shrugs it off, speaking through the clouds of smoke.
You're the only one who asked.
"Oh." That made the flutter inside of you get worse. So much worse.
Sure, Fez always answered when you asked him things, whether it was about his brother, or his grandma Marie, or even himself, but picturing a world where people never even ask him about those stuff seems foreign to you.
Maybe that's because you always wanted to know.
The silence stretches out for a few seconds between you both, only the smoke of your blunts creating a thick fog around, almost like a bubble.
Fezco still stares at you and your clothes, and you try to move only your shoulders to the beat of the song because his eyes are as sharp as they were before.
"What brings you back, then?" Fezco asks. Someone else pops up right behind you and he exhales his smoke a little annoyed. "Not now. Find Ash."
That's the second time he blows off a customer to keep talking to you and—yup. Just as you feared the first time it happened, this one leaves your cheeks burning bright.
You clear your throat and look away from him in search of Rue as an excuse, hoping he doesn't see it. "My sponsor is kinda like a dad to me. And he sponsors… that one." Rue's still sitting underneath the same tree with Elliott, and you release anxiety you forgot you were holding on to at the sight of her. "So I guess you can say it's babysitting duties." You shrug. "If you're asking why I'm in town specifically, it's 'cause my Aunt moved in business for a year so," you shrug, as if saying this is where I gotta be, I guess. I have nowhere else to go. Instead of asking about the sponsor as most people do, Fezco's still looking in the direction your finger pointed.
"You babysitting Rue?"
"Yeah."
"Word?" You nod at him, giggling a little at how happy he got out of the sudden. "Fuck, man, that's kinda good to hear, I ain't gonna lie to you," Fezco laughs at that, really laughs like he's happy in his most genuine form. "She's my friend. Rue. She's kinda like family—I know she a mess, but." He takes another drag, looking between you and Rue this time. "I ain't selling to her hard stuff anymore, but…" Fezco sighs. "I'm scared if I don't give her what she want, she'll just find it with someone else, ya feel me?"
Double fuck. "Damn." Fezco dealt for Rue. Who ODed. Who's relapsed for the second time. Damn it. Knowing Fezco the little you did, you knew he felt a silent ocean of guilt over it. "She's good, Fez."
You reach out with your free hand, knocking your knuckles gently against his forearm. "She got a good sponsor, 'kay?" You lift the joint in your hands. "This? The only reason I still got a grip in shit's because Ali takes none of my bullshit and still manages to give me good advice between all the crap I try to sell 'im. She's not in a good place, but she is a good kid. Stuff takes time, that's all. Plus—she's still young. Surrounded by drama, all the fucking time. She needs to get to a place where she wants to be alive for real, and she will. Eventually."
Even though it had been only two pancake visits since you and Rue met, the kid got her vines in you, somehow.
Just like Ali, you believed in her.
"Yeah." Fezco nods along with every word you say, and when you're done, he's smiling again. "Yeah, okay." Has he always looked this fucking breathtaking while smiling? You might have a heart attack. It's a good thing you're not swimming in opiates anymore. "She got a good sponsor and apparently a guardian fucking angel, so I'll believe in ya."
The blush worsens at that, and this time, Fezco catches it. He laughs at you, and you knock your fake Versace Medusa platforms against his chin.
"I am not an angel," you laugh.
"I dunno, it might be the lights or sumn', but you lookin' like one," Fezco looks from the soft pink light that's casting a shadow on the pool area and you, and you wished it was red so it masked your reaction to him instead of highlighting it.
"You always been this sweet talker?" You try, laughing it off.
Fezco's just being nice, you tell yourself.
"My bad, ma." He must notice you're getting a little too flustered, and changes the topic, too. "So how was it with yo Auntie?"
You push away any thoughts of school behind and try it.
Having a conversation with Fezco turns out to be much easier than 11-year-old you imagined. Maybe it was because he was in a year above, or because he's always had those sweet eyes and smiled so rarely, but his intimidating persona fought a valiant battle and lost every time his personality entered the ring.
Eventually, though, Rue gets lost from your sight and, as you promised, you have to go find her.
"Fucking hell," you mutter to yourself, getting up from the steps. "Uh—I'll be back?"
Fezco looks up at you. "Really? 'Cause if you say you'll be back, I'll wait."
You smile down at him. "Then, I will be back."
Finding Rue while high and happy out of your mind feels almost hypocritical.
The sea of teenagers and the smell of alcohol, weed and sweat does nothing for you when all your brain can focus on is Rue Rue Rue Where Is Rue as well as Fez Fez Fez, As Sweet as Ever, Fez Fez Fez. He looks so pretty.
He pulls off the beard, too. His voice is lower, much lower than you remember—puberty hit that boy in the chest, and all the smoking can't help, either. And if he—oh shit, that's Rue.
"Rue Fucking Bennet!" Your scream is met with the sight of Rue looking like a parakeet. "Yeah, you."
"Oh, shit." Rue looks behind her, and, of course, there's Elliot. Is that a bathroom behind them?
"Oh, fuck nah." You stride to them, anything that isn't Rue and that bathroom momentarily forgotten. "You are high enough." You push past Elliot and stand in front of the bathroom door. "I ain't watching you snort too many lines for your already high-ass brain to keep up with. Go fucking find something else to do."
"Shit, Rue. You never told me you brought your mom," Elliot teases.
You point a finger right on his face. "You better learn when to shut the fuck up, Elliot." I don't fucking like you, Elliot. "Did she tell you I'm here 'cause I caught her almost passed out in a bathroom? Did she?"
From the sight on his face, she obviously hadn't. Called it.
"Exactly. Why don't you stick to your fucking lane and go roll the two of you a joint or something and I'll stick to my lane of not letting the addict decide how much coke is enough coke for her, huh?" Your blood is boiling already, and Elliot's right. You sound like her mother, and yet, you can't bring yourself to care. Turning your face to Rue, you see her looking sheepish between you both. "Trust me. You can find other shit to do."
Rue sighs, but you caught the fleeting fear in her eyes when you mentioned the bathroom. "It's not gonna help," she tells you with what it's supposed to be a mindless shrug, but—there it is.
The sadness underneath the addiction.
You take a deep breath and step closer. "Why not?"
Rue shrugs her shoulders, avoiding eye contact at all costs. "'Cause this party fucking sucks."
That was debatable, but she looked to believe it, so. "Why does it suck?"
Rue finally pins you with a look, and you watch her struggle. Feel her feelings, or burn them to the ground?
When her eyes start swimming with water, you let out an exhale, happy that she chose the feelings. "'Cause Jules' not talking to me."
Oh, young love.
"Fine." She was not gonna get what she wants from this party, and she's the one reason you're here. "Why don't we leave, then?"
"What?! No! It doesn't suck that bad," Rue defends.
She's not ready to leave yet, but it'll be soon. She probably wants to martyr herself, staring at her girlfriend dancing with people and not her, and fine, you can sympathize with that. "Okay. I'll be with Fezco outside, then. When you decide this party does suck, find us and we'll go, okay?"
Rue stares at you. She licks her lips, looking right into your eyes in search of something, and whatever it is, she must find it. "Okay. Okay, yeah. I'll look for you." She turns to Elliot, who's been leaning on the corridor wall in silence since you told him off. "Let's goooo Elli, bro."
Ugh. From the look on his face at her 'bro', this bro of hers wants something more than her company and her fellow addict nose to keep him from being lonely while he uses it.
Trying to convince yourself that is not your problem, you go back outside in search of Fezco.
Catching Rue walking her death row made you almost sober, or at least, your mind feels that way.
When you get outside, though, Fezco's not there.
The absence of his presence makes you wonder if you left for too long, or if he had something better to do. The next problem is that with no Fezco, you're back to square zero.
Liquor.
You're gonna need alcohol if Rue is off being a masochist and the only other person you knew at the party is gone.
The silver lining comes when after downing a glass of surprisingly good scotch, the music gets good. Losing yourself to the beat and the sea of bodies is easier than thinking. Easier than letting your mind wander, or focusing on the interactions you shared with him that night.
Throwing your head back and closing your eyes to feel the drums in the song instead of the emptiness inside you or the need for something more is one of the many coping mechanisms you found while living in New York.
It's also what keeps you busy until you feel someone trying to get your attention.
It's Elliott. He looks no better or good than when you left him and Rue a while ago, which means they stuck to your advice and found something other than lines to do.
He gestures to the outside and, catching his message, you realize with a sad pang in your chest that it's time to go.
"Where's Rue?" You ask.
"Talking to him." Elliott points to one of the empty corridors, and right in the end, you see them.
Rue and Fezco, talking to one another. Before you can stop yourself, you're taking steps in their direction, but you never get close enough to interrupt the conversation.
Eventually, she notices you standing there and waves a hand at you. She says something else to Fezco, then walks to you.
"Can we light one up before we go?" She asks you as soon as she's in front of you. Rue looks worse.
Fuck.
She did something without Elliot. That stupid, one-brain-celled, fake blond asshole.
"'Course, babes."
Rue nods with a happy smile that looks sad to you, then leaves.
Across the corridor, Fezco is looking at you. Staring, and you're pinned under his gaze until he walks to you, too.
"You weren't there," you tell him as soon as he's in earshot.
Fezco's eyes widen a little, like he's surprised you noticed. "Yeah. My bad, ma." He looks sad too, and fucking hell, is everyone in this city miserable? "My ex dropped by wanting to talk 'n I didn't wanna talk."
That makes you widen your eyes, but in sympathy.
"Ah—I'm the one who should say 'my bad', then," you shrug.
He smiles at you. "'s fine. I was an idiot—she's Rue's age and…" Fezco rubs both hands over his buzzcut, and you groan out loud at the implications of Fezco and his high-school-year-old ex-girlfriend. "Fuck. I gotta stop puttin' myself in trouble, man."
"If it was that easy, huh?" You ask with a bitter laugh.
Fezco looks down at you, laughing along. "Yeah. If only."
"I gotta go—I'm gonna drive Rue—" where? You have no idea where, but she needs to get out and she was the reason you're here. Not the pretty boy, you remind yourself. "Somewhere?"
"Sounds like you don't know either," Fezco tilts his head. "I can recommend a few places."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, really," Fezco smiles and stretches out his head. "Gimme yo phone."
You take your phone out of your pocket and he types something, slowly. Then after a few clicks, he looks up at you. "You mind if I got your number?"
Your heart does. "I was gonna ask for it, anyway." Bless the scotch and heavens guard your heart, because your sudden boldness pays off.
The smile on Fezco's face opens slowly, different than the other ones he gave you that night. It's like watching the animation of a pair of eyes suddenly becoming a wolf, and inside the house, there's nowhere to escape the blue lights.
The color on your cheeks must be noticeable now that he's this close.
Fezco only looks away from you to type away something else on your phone and when the ping of message arrives in his pocket, your stomach does a cartwheel. "There. Now I got yours, too."
The fact that you want something else, something more from him before leaving seems to hover in the air.
Fezco's fingers brush on yours when he hands your phone back, and you swallow thickly with your eyes on his hands.
They're big hands—the notion makes your brain a little dizzy, painted with images of that hand everywhere. Around your throat, holding onto your chin, on your body—fuck.
You look up, and he's still watching you. "Never thought I'd see you again, lil' ma." The hoarseness on his voice is making you a little delirious and—is that perfume? In the tiny and narrow corridor, with him standing only a foot away from you, you can smell Fezco now. "But I'm glad I did."
Fezco's cologne is a strong, wood scent underneath the smell of pot and frankly, you need to get out of here before it cogs your whole brain and you do something stupid, like kissing his pretty pink lips before you go.
"I'm glad, too." Your voice sounds distant, and Fezco chuckles.
"Take good care of Rue, yeah?" You can visibly see him swallow, and then he takes a step back, taking his good scent and his freckles away from your eye level. "I'll text ya some places you can take her."
That's a door he's opening for you, and you take it before you lose control.
"Thanks, Fez." You bite on your bottom lip, trying to hold in the desire to get at least a hug. "Send Ash a hi from me? I'm—it was really good seeing you. Thanks for making my night a lil' happy."
Fezco finally looks away now, chuckling to himself. He looks embarrassed, and the way he ducks his head laughing makes you feel even more desperate, if that makes any sense. "I ain't gonna let you go if you keep being this nice."
"What?! I'm saying bye!" You laugh.
"Yeah, lookin' all cute and shit." Fezco drags one hand over his buzzcut again, and takes one more deliberate step back. "You made my night happier, too. Now please go before Rue fucks off somewhere 'n I have to pretend to be sad that I gotchu for a few more hours."
Hghgn. You swallow thickly around that, trying in vain to convince yourself that Fezco isn't flirting.
It's harder to do that when he's standing only two feet away, looking like you're in a Red Hood and he might eat you alive if one gave him the chance.
For the first time in years, you feel… pretty.
And sexy.
Blinking at him from under your eyelashes, you send him a smile and a siren look that purposely tells him what your last words can't. "See you around, Fez."
He nods at you, sharp and losing his smile—he's staring with intent, and when he licks his lips, you know you have to go before it's your turn to be embarrassed that he makes you whimper without even touching you.
"See ya, angel."
Oh, fuck.
Rue owes you so many joints and, at the same time, you owe her so much more.
You can feel his eyes on your back as you walk outside, and it takes you pinning Rue under your vision and following her like one follows a saving light for you to not turn around and give him one last hand wave.
If you see Fez one more time this evening, you might get high on the way his eyes look at you alone.
Tumblr media
↳ my inbox 💌 | tip jar ♡ | ✒️ masterlist ↲
•PART TWO coming soon... •
395 notes · View notes
snippy-tano · 8 months
Note
Dude. Okay. Your writing and Bad Batch season 2 got me in a real mood. I would love to get something with WRECKER and a tiny person that is super shy and not great in stressful situations. These are the Smol and Tol prompts I found that I would LOVE you to write.
1. Tol being in a hurry and picking A up (can't figure out if potato sack or football style would be funniest. Omg, just like straight up lifting them from behind by their legs, into a full on shoulder sit.) "alright let's go"
2. the shorter one being light enough to literally sleep (or rest on/whatever) the other without either of them being uncomfortable.
Whenever you get the time and motivation babe! ❤️❤️
AHHH! I’m back!
Sorry it took me so long to post again, I was going through a tough bout of writers block. I kept trying to work on prompts, but I was not getting anywhere. It was incredibly frustrating.
but! I prevailed! I’m happy to finally post this, which I believe is my first Wrecker one-shot :)
so please enjoy!! :)
(Also, I know the person who requested this irl and it was her bday a few days ago. I had wanted to get this out on her birthday, but I wasn’t able to. So sorry it’s late bb, but here it is! Hope you love it!!!!!!)
Taglist is here!
Masterlist is here!
Tagging: @pro-fangirls-unsocial-life @marvel-starwars-nerd @mackstrut @dissapointingpancake @ahsokatano-thetogruta @welcometothepedroverse @padawancat97 @fractiouskat @mandaloriandin @bantha-shit @badbatch-simp24 @katelynnwrites @s1st3r @leotatombs @torchbearerkyle @rain-on-kamino @the-navistar-carol @bombshe77 @arctrooper69 @social-mockingbird @littlebluebatbrat @get-wr3ckered @flowered-bicycles @idoubleswearimawriter @eris-k
———————————————————————
Up and Down
“Wrecker! Put me down!” You cried, hand struggling for purchase against his broad back after he suddenly picked you up and tossed you over his shoulder.
“No time!” He yelled back as you were jostled abruptly. You let out a huff of annoyance, but didn’t protest further. His grip was steady and despite feeling a little off-center, you knew there was no way he was going to drop you. It would also take more time for him to put you down. It was probably safer for the both of you to just accept your current circumstances.
You were running from some mercenaries that seemed less than pleased about your involvement, and you supposed that you were moving too slowly. Still you hadn’t expected to be running as fast as you could one second and the next staring at Wrecker’s back.
There was the familiar sound of a blaster shot hitting nearby and you lifted your head to see the mercenaries had rounded the corner after you. Thankfully, your blaster was still in your hand when Wrecker picked you up, so you lifted the blaster and fired back. Most of your shots didn’t land, but you had never shot a blaster while being carried by someone else. And if you were being perfectly honest, it did help you feel better to at least be doing something, even if it wasn’t much.
A few of your shots did land however, earning a ‘whoops’ of joy from Wrecker that had a smile breaking across your face despite the fact that you were being shot at.
You were nearing the spaceport and could hear Hunter shouting for Tech to start up the ship. You tightened your grip on your blaster and fired a few more times, this time aiming more for the area around the mercenaries following you, showering them in a wave of sparks that had them slowing down to cover their faces.
“Wrecker? What are you doing?” Came Hunter’s surprised shout, followed by several quick blaster shots.
“Why does everyone keep asking that?!” Was all Wrecker said in response, his feet pounding loudly against the ground. There was an abrupt shift and you jolted as he bounded up the steps of the ship. Hunter followed right behind you, the door closing behind him and the ship lifting almost immediately.
Your world spun for a second time and you wavered when you found yourself back standing on your own two feet. Wrecker’s hands steadied your shoulders as you wobbled. His eyes were narrowed out of concern and you were quick to offer him a shy smile.
That was one thing you realized very quickly after meeting Wrecker.
He may come across as aloof or like he doesn’t pay attention to those around him, but he probably cares the most out of everyone you’ve ever met. And he does pay attention, closely.
“Care to explain yourself Wrecker?” Hunter said, cutting into the silent conversation going on. You instinctively took a step back and turned to the Sarge.
“Explain what?” Wrecker asked and you laughed lightly when Hunter only sighed.
“I think they’re perfectly capable of running themselves, without any help.” He gestured at you and Wrecker looked at you before looking back at his brother.
“But they’re short! That was much quicker!”
Your face fell into a pout. “I’m not that short.”
Wrecker let out a loud laugh. “Ha! Everyone is to me! Right Hunter?” He turned to his brother who let out another withering sigh before turning to head into the cockpit.
As soon as he was out of earshot (if that even mattered with Hunter), you let out a loud laugh, covering your mouth with your hand. Wrecker just continued to beam at you.
You continued to chuckle as you placed a hand on his arm. “It’s alright. You’re right in that one of your strides takes about three steps for me. Just next time, give me a warning.”
Wrecker laughed. “You got it!”
You walked away shaking your head with a smile on your face.
You had a strange feeling this was not going to be the last time you were in a situation like this. And you weren’t sure you were that upset about the idea.
As it turns out, it happened again a few rotations later.
You were deep in hyperspace and had a lot of time to kill, so you were reorganizing a storage closet that held most of your medical supplies. It had been a while since you last went through it, so there was a few expired items to toss, but for the most part, you were just cleaning and repacking everything.
It had been going smoothly, until you were left with the last shelf, which also happened to be the top one. There was a small crate you had used to get everything off of that shelf, but Tech was doing the same thing you were and had taken that crate to reorganize. So you were out of luck there.
You stood in front of the small closet, staring up at the shelf that was out of reach. You tried standing on the bottom shelf to reach, but it wasn’t sturdy enough and still wasn’t enough for you to reach. You let out a sigh, fresh out of ideas.
That’s when there was a rush of movement behind you. A pair of large hands fixed on your waist and lifted. You let out a gasp of surprise before finding yourself sitting, now significantly taller. You looked down and saw Wrecker’s face, once again beaming at you. Your hand gripped his shoulder and you let out a light laugh.
“Thanks big guy.” You said and he smiled wider, if that was possible.
He didn’t warn you, much like the first time. But you weren’t so upset about that. You knew that he was only trying to help and despite the abruptness and height change, you felt sturdy and safe with him. So you really couldn’t bring yourself to be mad at him. Especially not with him smiling at you like that.
You cleared your throat, ignoring just how warm his hands felt against your legs as he held you steady. “Forward please good sir.”
“You got it!” He said, taking a careful step closer to the closet. You let out a squeal as Wrecker bent down, still keeping you steady against his shoulder to grab one of the boxes with one hand. He handed it to you, returning his hand to your thigh. You felt your face warm slightly as you reached and placed the box on the top shelf.
You both repeated this process two more times until you were able to finish restocking the closet. When you finished, you gave Wrecker a pat on his shoulder and he took a step back before crouching down, helping you gently step back down onto solid ground.
You stepped away from him, brushing a stray piece of hair out of your face, feeling flushed. “Thanks Wrecker.” You said just a little breathless.
“Happy to help! Anything else you need?” He asked and you thought about it.
“Actually, there’s a light at the back of the ship that needs to be replaced. Tech said he would get to it, but that was a few rotations ago and I think he’s forgotten.” You said. “I’ve changed it before, but I could use a boost if you’ve got time?”
“Sure! Lead the way!”
You smiled at his enthusiasm, grabbing a spare light out of a nearby crate and leading him back to the dimmed light you had mentioned. Maybe this new revelation wasn’t so bad after all, especially if you got to spend more time with Wrecker.
After that, it became a regular occurrence.
As it turned out, there were so many things that could be accomplished with Wrecker’s help and ability to just lift you, among other things. You never needed a ladder for anything and it was clear Wrecker was enjoying every second of it. Far be it for you to deny him that happiness.
Although, you did start to notice just how much joy you felt spending that much time with Wrecker. Oh also started to notice just how much your stomach would knot when you were around him and how your heart would race.
That had been a new development.
And one you weren’t sure how to deal with.
You had accepted your growing feelings for Wrecker, but you still hadn’t decided if you were going to do anything about it. You wanted to, but there was something holding you back. You weren’t sure if he felt the same and frankly, you didn’t want to lose him as a friend or the rest of the Batch if it went poorly.
There was just too much at stake.
So you kept quiet, liked him from afar, and enjoyed the time you got to spend with him.
Until one night when things changed.
Just a little, but things did shift.
It was late aboard the Marauder. Everyone was asleep, except for you and Tech. You had taken first watch and Tech had joined you after a few hours of sleep to relieve you of your duties. He had taken his nap in the pilots chair while you had worked quietly in your makeshift med-bay/gathering space. He had appeared soon after you were growing sleepy, insisting you get some rest.
You hadn’t put up much of a fight, nodding sleepily and yawning as you set aside your datapad and shuffled in the direction of the bunks.
What you hadn’t expected was all the bunks to be full. Which you should have known was going to happen, but you were honestly so tired that it didn’t even cross your mind. You let out a sigh, running a hand across your weary face.
You had just turned to head back into the med-bay to curl up in the very uncomfortable chair there when a hand caught your wrist. You were startled at first, but relaxed when you turned around to see Wrecker blinking slowly at you.
“It’s okay big guy, go back to sleep.” You whispered before turning to leave again, but his grip held fast.
He gave your arm a tug and you stumbled towards him, sitting on the edge of the small bunk.
“Wrecker!” You hissed. “There’s not enough room!”
He only closed his eyes and huffed in response. His hand let go of your wrist only for both arms to enclose you completely and pull you towards him. You barely had time to react before you had settled against him, resting on top of him entirely.
Your heart was pounding in your chest, entire body tense.
“Wrecker? What are you doing? I’ll crush you!” You protested and he responded by sighing and lifting his hand to gently push your head down to rest against his chest.
“Nah.” He mumbled. “‘M fine. Sleep.”
Half of you wanted to leave, knowing this was taking everything a step further than you had expected. You also really didn’t want to answer the probing questions from the Batch when you both woke up.
But the other half of you was very quickly sinking into his embrace, eyes growing heavy and body relaxing. You were so incredibly warm and a fluttering feeling was brewing deep in your stomach.
The second half quickly won out as your eyes closed and you felt the warm embrace of both Wrecker and sleep welcome you. The last thing you heard before you slipped into sleep was Wrecker mumbling your name.
It was enough to send you into a deep sleep, surrounded by a warm, happy feeling.
And it was pretty much the best sleep you ever had.
The Batch did have questions in the morning. Mostly curious questions (from Tech and Omega) and teasing questions that had your cheeks flushing (from Echo and Hunter). But when you looked at Wrecker who smiled so warmly at you, you found that you really didn’t care what anyone else thought.
Wrecker was all you needed to worry about.
And if a few nights later you once again joined him in a bunk to sleep (and every other night after that), well, that was no one’s business but your own
79 notes · View notes
hovershiplogos · 2 months
Text
Guess who's doing rewatches again? It's me, and well, not entirely a rewatch:
Tumblr media
Yes, that's right, it's Enter the Matrix. Because it's criminal that for a blog named for the little ship that could, I've haven't actually done a deep dive on the game itself! So I'm going to fix that!
I'm also going to play through as both Niobe and Ghost, as depending on who you're playing, the missions play out slightly different, and the cutscene dialogue varies as well. Also, not going to do like a  blow by blow kinda thing. Only going to comment on things that caught my  interest, or seem rather amusing to me.  If you want a little more context, I suggest checking out the couple of playthroughs/cut scene compilations on youtube.
Also of note, the game picks up right after the Animatrix short Final Flight of the Osiris.
Anyway, let's get to it!
Tumblr media
AND IT'S THE MAIN REASON I'M STILL HERE, BECAUSE OF THIS PESSIMISTIC SNARKY COWARD RIGHT HERE. And he's self aware about it as well.
Also interesting to note is that according to this cutscene, Sparks has been operating on board the Logos for 3 years. Now, a standard US navy tour of duty (and I'm going with Navy rather than Army as Zion's army is referred to as a Navy fleet) is between 2-3 years. Not really going anywhere with this, but it's interesting to note.
Tumblr media
Niobe is a 'my way or the highway' kinda person. No wonder it didn't work between her and Morpheus. It's also telling that Ghost has known Niobe for long enough to know that this is what she's like. I wonder if Ghost is the glue in this ship dynamic? As in, he knew Niobe and Sparks separately before they knew each other, if that makes sense?
Tumblr media
And it's the little hovership that could, the little lightning bug of the fleet! Those red lights on the ship look like they're the same as the ones on the sentinels. I wonder if a bulb blows or something they scavenge one from a deactivated squiddie as a replacement?
Tumblr media
It's not particularly clear, but I never realised that Niobe's hair is tied with what looks like string with gold in it? Maybe a metal band with gold on it? I'm not sure, but it's pretty!
Also, I appreciate that they give a reason why Niobe is going after this drop, rather than waiting for someone else (ie: Neo) to go get it.
Also, saying are you red or blue on this is a very cool in universe way of saying are you with me or not?
Tumblr media
The subtitles are missing here, but what he says:
"You know me Niobe. It's not a choice, it's a way of life."
Ghost, you're awesome, you know that, right?
Tumblr media
I get Sparks' complaint here, there are only two of them, and it would be a lot safer to wait for back up to help them out. But nope, you know what Niobe's like, get it done.
Also, as I remarked earlier, the fact that Niobe is willing to risk going in without support , especially given what she says about Thaddeus not using the drops unless he had no choice? And now they're all dead? They definitely need to get that package before the agents do.
Tumblr media
I personally love Niobe's little eye roll here.
Tumblr media
I also love that Ghost is more chill and amused by Sparks than exasperated like Niobe is. Yeah, Ghost is the glue holding the team together.
Also, a little mention of Zion funerary practices. As someone pointed out to me years ago, I suspect that the gardens is similar to the Exodus fleet's method of burial, but who knows?
Tumblr media
Yup, words to live by!
Tumblr media
Once again, Niobe is rolling her eyes behind the sunnies. This is what she has to put up with. Also, I would love to think that one time Sparks pranked Ghost by running some program that sent his guns soaring upward.
I always used to think that Ghost was the serious, no nonsense one in the crew, but I'm beginning to think I'm wrong on that front.
Tumblr media
Sparks, why do you want his boots? They're too small for your big feet!
Tumblr media
Niobe has great taste in old muscle cars. Good old 1967 Pontiac Firebird, in eggplant purple instead of black. Very stylish!
That's all for now, next up will be the post office. See you then!
30 notes · View notes
katiesharms · 4 months
Text
Tumblr media
65 (or march 6th) for @paulmezcal - love is a laserquest by arctic monkeys
i can't think of anything to dream about/i can't find anywhere to hide
it's weird to be haunted by someone who isn't dead.
bradley's well used to hauntings at this point in his life - his father looms over his career, his mother over his house. mav over his trust issues and most reckless tendencies. and jake over his heart.
he hasn't seen jake in years - 5 to be exact, almost to the day. since their leave ran out post mission and jake broke out of the daydream they had been in together, like he'd never even been there.
"this has been fun," jake had said, that same smirk he always has affixed to his face. "we should do it again some time."
and then he got in his car and drove off, leaving bradley in the parking lot, watching him, frozen in place. he's still there, in a way. it's weird, maybe concerning, how much everything reminds him of jake. the blanket across the back of the couch that they had laid down on the floor and fucked on top of the second they got home, adrenaline and relief taking them both to the edge in record time. the mug in the cabinet that jake dropped one morning when trying to prove he had the balance to be a waiter. the shampoo jake left that bradley started using, and kept buying even after it ran out.
it's not like he hasn't tried over the years. he's dated others, but it's all fallen away and all that's left is the stain on bradley's ceiling from the time jake opened the microwave and the butter exploded.
it's all pathetic. so pathetic that when he answers the door on a sunday afternoon, bradley almost doesn't believe it.
"jake," he says dumbly. maybe this is just another one of his daydreams.
"bradley," jake says back, more sure. always more sure. "you gonna invite me in?"
wordlessly, he steps aside to let jake come in. the man wastes no time getting comfortable, seemingly still acquainted with bradley's home after all this time. jake sits at the small table in the breakfast nook, so bradley sits across from him. he's struck with the memories of sharing their morning coffee here.
"what are you doing here, jake?" bradley asks when the other man is silent for a long time.
"i, uh, just got home from deployment," jake's not looking at bradley; instead, he's tracing his fingers over the wood grain of the table. "i got into my car and started driving south. didn't realize where i was going until i hit bakersfield."
it's not an answer, but bradley's too confused and too tired to fight. "and why did you come here?"
"i guess i was just thinking of you. it was just your birthday right? 40?"
bradley starts. he didn't know jake still kept those facts about him, stored away in some private file.
"yeah," he confirms. two weeks ago, he turned 40. the same age mom was when she was diagnosed.
"when i saw the date, i remembered how you used to look in the mirror sometimes, for so long i was afraid something had happened. and when i would ask you, you just told me you had to remind yourself that you're still here. i guess i was just wondering if you still had to do that. or if you've found something else to ground you."
for a long time, bradley thought jake would be that person. he almost was; by the end of there few months together, bradley's nights spent studying himself, picking out the differences and similarities to his parents, shrunk and shrunk. instead, he let jake kiss it out of him.
"not yet," bradley settles on as an answer and tries to decode the way jake's brows scrunch together, how his shoulders droop.
"i'm sorry. i know that's what you wanted."
it feels cruel, almost. that jake is sitting her and dangling what he refused to give bradley in his face.
"of course," jake continues, "you've never been very good at asking for what you want."
the truth of it burns, and bradley feels hot.
"what about you?" bradley volleys. "i remember distinctly feeling like this whole thing was some kind of game to you."
"it was," jake admits so easily that it shocks bradley, just for a moment. "i never felt like anything was real. i liked to move fast and not care about what i left behind."
"used to?" bradley echoes back carefully.
"yeah," jake confirms, looking deep into bradley's eyes. "used to."
"what changed?"
jake shrugs. "i think i finally feel my age. and i think i finally realized that i need to stop pretending you were just some lover, like all the rest."
bradley sucks in a sharp breath. "jake, you can't say that. not now."
jake's face crumples. "look, i know it's probably too late. but i'm sorry and i miss you and i want to try again. for real."
"what's changed?" bradley asks again, trying to quell the hope crawling up his throat.
"nothing. except for me. if that's enough."
bradley doesn't know if it is. but for now, it's good enough for him. he reaches across the table to loop their hands together and squeezes.
29 notes · View notes
skzoologist · 5 months
Note
I just woke up, Hello
My vision is failing me ngl, for some reason whenever I wake up my vision gets so goddamn blurry, I can't read
The ghost fic made me cry, so beautiful
The ghost anon is so sweet wth
OH and since you erased the 1 request for 1 person thing, I would like to request
"No! I want cuddles now!" 🧋☕ focused more on Bae, 3Racha
Go ham with it
P.S I saw that -6°C was nearly freezing? Is where you guys live that warm? Cuz here the lowest is like -33°C and highest is like -9°C so far
word count: ~1.4k
warnings: none
genre: fluff, crack
a/n: Hey-ho 🐿️ anonnie! I hope your vision got better soon afterwards, it sounds worrying 😨 And I'm sorry my ghost!Bae fic made you cry, I hope this one will cheer you back up! Made it extra fluffy, for you. I accidentally went ham with it, I did not mean to write this much lol 💀 Also where I live it's I guess relatively warm? It's kinda rare for it to snow here properly (and not just have sludge and ice all over the place), which is why I'm so happy it snowed a few days ago, even if only a few centimeters. Your place is waaaaay colder, so stay bundled up and cosy! 😊
Please let me know if I left a warning or anything out, I will add it in! Reblogs, likes and feedback are greatly appreciated!
!I don't condone anyone stealing my work and posting it anywhere without my permission, or feeding it to AI!
!This is just fiction, my interpretation of Stray Kids. By no means is this how they are and how they behave in real life!
Tumblr media
The powerful beats of their latest title track flowed through his body, his heart beating to that same, exhilarating rhythm. He knew the song from the top of his head already, having danced to it countless times, and yet, once the inevitable silence crept in, he restarted the cycle all over again, no matter how much his clothes and hair clinged to his sweaty skin.
Then suddenly the music cut off midway, a frustrated sigh left in its place amidst the dancer’s confusion.
“Bae, how many times have we talked about this? You’ve already perfected the choreography, you NEED to rest now.” - it was Minho, a disapproving scowl sitting on his sharp features.
Bae simply watched his hyung, heaving for air, wondering how the man got there in the first place. A quick glance at the now open door gave him all the answers he needed, knowing fully well that he was probably too absorbed in his own practice to even hear the sound of the door opening. Wouldn’t have been the first time, after all.
“I’m talking to a wall, I swear to god. Bae. If I see you in this room one. More. Time. I’m chucking you into the air fryer next to Hyunjin. Don’t look at me like that. Now go.” - the angry cat ushered him out, gathering all of the otter’s belongings and shoving them into his arms.
Bae obediently let himself be pushed out of the door, a click immediately resounding in the air.
He was locked out, that much was obvious.
Of course he knew not to push Minho’s buttons anymore, a miracle in itself that he was let off only with a simple warning. He’d already experienced the man’s wrath once before and it was not fun at all. Just the mere thought brought a shiver up his spine, never wanting to experience that ever again. Even if it was all for his own good, he would rather avoid a repeat of what’d happened.
Sighing, Bae trudged towards the locker room, the thought of a quick shower and fresh clothes soothing his mind.
Although that calmness disappeared the moment he checked his phone afterwards, the device filled with messages from Chan. There wasn’t a lot, not nearly enough to make him think something terrible had happened, but their contents were unusual, requesting him to drop by the studio. It had happened before, sure, but not often enough for it to be considered normal. The three idols preferred to work alone, their synergy so perfect, anyone else’s presence was a mere bother.
Confused, but not having anything else to do, Bae messaged his leader back and started his ascent to the seeked-after room. It took a bit of time; the hallways were packed, and so was the elevator, the rush hour inside the company hitting the idol full force. He politely bowed his head in greeting towards staff and other idols, some looking at him with a smile, some too busy and instead looking like they were about to collapse right then and there. It caused a worried crease to form in his forehead, but there was nothing he could do, sadly.
Having made his way to where he was needed, Bae let himself into the room, only after a soft knock and a quiet ‘Come in’ could be heard.
There sat Chan, Changbin and Jisung, all in comfy hoodies, bundled up and hunched over the table, way too entranced to even look away from the monitors fully. 
Only after Bae closed the door and plopped onto the couch did Chan shake himself out of this trance, headphones now fully slid off and hanging around his neck. A lopsided smile sat upon his face as their eyes met, only widening at Bae’s expression.
The other two joined the oldest soon, all eyes set on Bae and teasing smiles dancing on their lips. Bae didn’t know what warranted these expressions, simply confusedly tilting his head and causing soft giggling to be heard.
“So, I heard Minho kicked you out of the practice room.” - Chan gently whispered out amidst giggles, dimples fully on display. “Oh, so that’s why he looks like that!” “Jisung! Hey, it’s okay baby, don’t look so sad.” - Changbin said, his arms already guiding Bae’s head towards his chest in a soothing hug.
It was true that their tallest member was not happy about being kicked out, but the others’ reactions puzzled him greatly. He wasn’t devastated or anything, so what were they talking about?
Loud laughter grabbed his attention, the poorly breathing wolf soon joined by a quokka and a dwaekki. This only confused him more, a huff escaping his mouth as he crossed his arm, now free from Changbin’s hold, as the latter was too busy almost falling off the couch.
“I love it so much when you don’t realise you’re doing the puppy eyes. Hyung, you look like a kicked puppy!” - Jisung explained, making Bae’s eyes widen and cheeks dust over with pink. “Mh, our baby otter is so cute.” - Chan added in, watching in satisfaction as his victim’s skin only reddened. “YAH, you’re too cute, this is unfair!” - Changbin all but shouted, locking Bae into a tight hug and squeezing the air out of him.
Bae tried to wiggle out of the dwaekki’s arms, but the hold on him was way too strong for that. After realising this, he gave up, turning limp in the happily celebrating man’s clasp, essentially becoming his cuddle pillow. 
Seeing this all, the two left out members started protesting, wanting their fair share of their shy member and his cuddles. Bae didn’t hesitate to take the chance when Changbin’s arms loosened around him amidst his own protests about wanting to keep the man for himself, quickly slipping out and away from all of them. This naturally gathered all their attention; their eyes watching him fiercely, as if he was their prey, ready to be hunted.
“Is this why you called me here?” - he sternly asked, a furrow in his brows and a slight scowl in his lips that wasn’t there out of true anger. “Yes and naur. Minho asked me to essentially lock you into the studio with us, so you cannot secretly overwork yourself. And hey, who am I to say no to some cuddles?” - Chan answered, that teasing smirk dancing on his lips that told Bae he was not joking around.
Before the cornered otter could dash towards the door, Jisung pounced on him, keeping him in place just long enough for the other two to drag him back onto the couch. A soft ‘Oomph’ sound left his lips as he collided with the bouncy material, unable to fight against the entire force of Gymracha alone.
He had to accept his fate, one that was filled with stiffening cuddles and teasing for an unforeseen amount of time.
A deep sigh left his lips as he’d done exactly that, relaxing in Chan’s hold as Jisung was hugging his legs and Changbin was playing with his fingers, arm tightly hugged into his chest. The couch was impossibly small to house all four of them, yet somehow they managed, all crammed into the tiny space. 
The three seemed content to just stay like that, and seeing as Bae literally had no choice, he let them be, their warmth seeping into his clothes and skin, settling there in contentment. His muscles relaxed in a way he didn’t even know they needed to, a tension he’d never noticed leaving his body. The position he was trapped in felt safe, as if he had nothing to worry about in the entire world.
Maybe Minho was right, maybe he did need to rest for a bit, just a little bit.
But after an hour of it all, he was starting to overheat, the contact on his skin now too much, too warm.
“Shouldn’t you guys be working?” - he asked, hoping the answer would be yes, since all of them were workaholics to a certain degree. “No, I want cuddles now!” - Jisung shouted before anyone else could, flopping onto Bae’s front and burying his head into his clothed stomach.
Chan and Changbin only laughed at his misery, their answers probably similar to their younger members. Bae could only sigh for the umpteenth time, head gently plopping back against Chan’s shoulder.
“At least let me get my hoodie off.” “No.”
The afternoon seemed way too long in Bae’s eyes already, a fact that was only strengthened as time went on, even though there was an undeniable, gentle warmth that danced around in his eyes whenever he looked at the ones around him.
42 notes · View notes
neonacity · 1 year
Text
BLOOD RED | CH.4 | HAECHAN X READER [FINAL CUT]
Summary: You’re a forensic psychiatrist assigned to one of the country’s high-profile criminals. You want to unravel him, but he’s set on catching you in his web instead.
Warnings [PLEASE READ]: crimes, blood, weapons, toxic dynamics, psychological themes, personality disorder, mental health disorder, dissociative identity disorder, death, smut, semi-public sex, unprotected sex [wrap it, IRL please], sub-Haechan, dom-Haechan, switch!reader, slight breeding kink?, overtimulation, slight sub-space. Reader is torn but consents to everything. Please, please, please, do not interact if you are a minor.
Disclaimer: This work is not meant to romanticize any personality disorders or toxic dynamics. This is a work of fiction and I am not implying any likeness between the characterization here of the characters to their real life counterparts. I reserve the rights to all my work and I do not post anywhere else other than tumblr.
CHAPTER 1 | CHAPTER 2 | CHAPTER 3
Tumblr media
“Is the doctor in?”
The soft rap on your door made you look up from the open cardboard box in front of you. Almost instantly, your lips curved into a small smile as your eyes landed on the man currently leaning against the threshold, his arms crossed over his chest. You have no idea how long he had been standing there, but Jungwoo finally gave a soft sigh and let himself in your small office once he finally got your attention.
“I’m pretty booked for the day, but for you I can make some time,” you lightly teased as you waited for him to join you over at your almost empty table. For the past hour, you’ve been hyper-focused on stripping your small office clean of all traces of you. Jungwoo’s eyes roamed around your almost empty space now, his silence loaded.
"So… this is it, huh? A good couple years of your life packed in a single cardboard box?" Your best friend asked lightly as he nodded towards your things. He sounded casual, but you could still make out the tinge of sadness in his tone. You shot him an understanding glance as you lowered a framed photo—an image of you and him—on your pile of belongings.
"Well, I do have half a dozen boxes just filled with documents waiting for me outside, but yeah you're right. These are basically all my valuables."
He fixed an unreadable look on you but didn't say anything else. You can't really blame him for feeling a little out of it, to be honest. After weeks of obsessing over a case, your decision to let go of it AND resign from your post at the police department seemed like a punch out of nowhere. You know Jungwoo is not particularly against the move, but you also doubt he was expecting you to entirely step off. He’s never asked you the whys behind all of it since you told him that you’re leaving, and for that, you’re incredibly thankful.
"So, can I know now if something happened? Now that you are officially leaving?"
Well… Until now.
Your hand froze in the middle of trying to fix your piled books almost immediately. You didn't need to look up to know that your best friend was staring at you—and you did not dare meet his eyes out of fear of him seeing through your front. With a soft clearing of your throat, you closed the lid of your box and started fumbling for a tape to seal it. 
"Didn't you want me to stop?"
"That's not answering the question and you know it."
You were trying your best to keep any emotion from giving you away, but you still couldn't help the slight tremble of your hands as you tried not to drop what you were holding. As much as you hated it, the question was enough to trigger memories that were still so vivid you could almost taste them in your tongue.
His blood red hair.
Hot breath fanning your skin.
Long, graceful fingers… Buried in the deepest parts of you.
"Nothing happened." Your voice sounded stiff and painfully unnatural when you answered. To your ears, it seemed like you were convincing yourself—and you have no doubt Jungwoo heard the same. The way he looked at you almost made you want to curl up on yourself, and you coped by avoiding his probing gaze.
"I just realized you were right," you continued before he could even have a chance to say something again. "It wasn't healthy for me anymore so I decided to just step back a little bit."
Lies.
"To be honest, I don't think it was just his case. My job… It can get too much and I've been working non-stop for years. I figured it was time for me to take a quick break. Just unload things and have a clean slate."
Oh, darling. You weren't tired. You are scared.
"Besides, his case is done. I've done my part and I didn’t need to be unnecessarily involved with him anymore."
Scared of him.
"So I'm letting go. It's the best decision for me."
…And of yourself.
The tearing sound of the packaging tape as you sealed your box shut silenced the unwelcome voice in your head. The truth is that you've been fighting so hard to keep yourself together ever since what happened in the interview room. The incident confirmed something that you’ve always known all along but tried desperately to deny. That boy is after you, and you need to run as far away from him as possible before it’s too late.
"What's your plan now? Where are you going?"
Jungwoo's change of topic restarted your breath and brought you back to the room. You shrugged and gave him a small smile.
"I don't know. The plan is to not have a plan. I will probably leave the city for a bit. Vacation somewhere and stay there for a few months."
"So… that means I won't be seeing you for a while… right?"
The hesitance in his tone made you momentarily pause. Before now, he’s never really opened the topic of goodbyes. Not that you couldn’t blame him when you couldn’t do the same, but you both know it’s something the two of you would have to talk about before you left. You may have only known Jungwoo for a few years, but he is closest to what you have as a family. As hard as it is, deciding to leave this place also means giving up your connection with him, albeit temporarily. 
"I will be back. Of course, you'll see me again. I can't shake you off just as much as you can't get rid of me,” you said now as you reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. He didn’t look the least bit convinced, but smiled anyway. Slowly, he wound his fingers with yours and pulled you into a hug. You laughed with him as he rocked the two of you slightly in place.
"I guess I'll have to give you your 'I have to go and find myself again' moment then. As long as you promise you'll be back."
He didn't see it, but your smile froze and wavered at the edges with what he said. At the back of your head, the same voice you’ve been trying to push back nagged and jeered at you again.
Find herself again? Oh, darling...
She’s leaving to escape from it. 
Your arms held on tighter around Jungwoo for a moment before you forced yourself to let him go.
"I promise. I’ll be back before you even know it."
******* Thud. 
Thud.
Thud.
Dark brown eyes stared blankly at the black rubber stress ball as it bounced between the wall and into the ready palm of its thrower. Donghyuck caught it in his hand effortlessly, having already perfectly calculated his throw. The chill of the rough cement was sharp against his back, but his mind was not at all in the small four corners of his jail cell. He threw the ball again, harder this time, and the impact it made against the wall made a louder bang that reminded him of the day that changed his life forever.
'They' were only sixteen years old. 
It happened one snowy day, while he was on duty as a proxy cleaner for one of the most expensive hotels in town. Back then, he and Haechan survived by jumping from one job to the next, switching between each other depending on whatever front was required of them. More social set-ups would have Haechan take over because he is a better speaker, but situations that are more labor-intensive have him, Donghyuck, taking control. 
That night, it was him on the ‘spotlight,’ because Haechan couldn’t care less to spend hours scrubbing the floor clean. It was a slow shift, and he remembers mindlessly doing his job on autopilot as he whiled away the remaining hours in his duty. The front desk was still open for the evening, so when he looked up to see a black-clad figure step into the lobby, he didn’t think too much about it at first. However, he was curious enough to watch the new guest as they crossed the entrance, their black hooded coat sweeping the floor as their boots silently led them to the middle of the hall. It was only for a split second when he saw something silver glimmer under the stranger’s jacket... before the floor he was standing on shook as a loud explosion tore the room in half. 
The initial impact was strong enough to throw him on the ground. He remembers the shrill ringing in his ears as he tried to pick himself up from the floor and the painful cries of the wrecked bodies that unfortunately got the brunt of the explosion. It was a horrific scene—with the smell of burning flesh and cement raining down on him—but he had half the mind to drag himself away from the thick of the billowing smoke despite the splitting pain on his side. One of his ears have turned temporarily deaf and his had started to water from the stinging fumes billowing in the air. 
"Terrorist!"
"There's a bomber on the loose! Someone call the pol—"
A sickening thud cut off the breath of one of the moving survivors just a few feet away from him. Looking up in horror at the direction of the sound, Donghyuck watched as a silhouette stepped out from the settling smoke and rubble, their leather gloved hand still holding up their smoking gun. The person was the same hooded stranger he was watching earlier, but now they had their face covered in what looked like a black ski mask. Momentarily, his eyes zoned in on the small chip at the underside of the stranger’s face cover—a damage probably caused by the explosion—but his attention was ultimately distracted when he started feeling Haechan panic in his head. Gritting his teeth, he tried his best to push him back before the boy could even take over.
Donghyuck, what's happening there?
He ignored him, his eyes set instead on the figure in front. The person was still looking at the now dead body a little ways from him, gun still up in the air. There was something unnatural about the way the attacker stood—unmoving, as if they were a soulless statue. Donghyuck sat there, petrified, afraid to move out of fear of catching the gunman’s attention.
Donghyuck—
Shut the fuck up. If you want to survive, keep your mouth shut.
The exchange happened in his head, but it almost seemed like he said it out loud with the way the black figure turned towards him. Donghyuck felt his blood freeze in his veins the moment their eyes met. With sickening slowness, he watched as the stranger moved their arm and pointed the nose of their gun right at his head. He raised his hands shakily in response, his heart beating hard against his throat. He didn’t dare breathe and he waited painfully as seconds passed in silence, one heavier and more frightening than the last.
This is it. 
One click. And then he's done for.
"Stop it. That's enough!"
He froze the same time the other did when he heard a new voice. Frowning in confusion, he watched as the person slightly looked back towards the settling smoke behind them. He could barely see through the mess himself, but he kept his breath bated as he watched things unfold.
"We have to kill him. He saw us," a lower voice answered the first. Donghyuck's eyes widened, this time for an entirely different reason. Realization slowly sank on him like the sharp shrapnels of debris cutting up his knee and palms.
This person… 
They're not alone.
"No! You've caused enough damage already. We need to go—"
"Or else what?"
"Or else I'll shoot you myself."
The silence that followed was like a death sentence. It seemed like everyone and everything came to a standstill, him included as he stayed unmoving on his spot. Inside of his head, Haechan was also quiet, though he couldn't care less about the boy at the moment as they both watched the scene play out in front of them. For a while, nobody moved or said anything, until finally, the masked figure slowly turned their attention towards him again.
"Let him go."
"Why?"
"Just do it. We need to get out of here before the police comes."
One second. Two. Death for them is still a trigger away. 
Three seconds. Four. Finally—
Click.
Donghyuck closed his eyes and waited for the splitting pain from the bullet cracking his skull open. However, he was soon opening them again when he heard soft laughter come from somewhere. He watched, stupefied, as the  person lowered their gun to their side with an amused tilt of their head. 
"Empty barrel. Lucky you."
It felt like his heart stopped and restarted again repeatedly in the next few seconds that followed. The person in front of him gave him one last assessing look before sheathing their gun back to their waist holster and pulling a new one. Instead of pointing it at him though, they stepped back and turned to leave.
"Looks like you live today, kid."
That was the last he could remember before the black-clad stranger disappeared again in the smoke.
That, and a fiery glimpse of red.
"You do know that whatever happens to your case, you'll end up dead, won't you?"
Donghyuck barely moved his eyes towards the sniveling guard peering at him now from between the thick bars of his cell. He was so caught up in his head that he didn't realize he wasn't alone, but he honestly couldn't care even as the man openly snarled at him from the safety of the hall. It doesn't come as a surprise for him that most of the prison staff hated him, knowing what he has done and the kind of plea his case was bargaining on.
"You think so?" He asked calmly back with only the slightest tilt of his head. The evident lack of concern in him only made the guard bristle more.
"I don't care what those stupid doctors and lawyers say. We know you're faking it. Even if they throw you in a psychiatric ward, someone there is already waiting to put a knife in your neck. You'll be dead meat in no time."
He listened to him quietly, expression never changing. The man is right. Never did he think there is a good end for him regardless of whether he gets thrown in jail or in a mental ward. But then again… who said he was planning to stay on either one?
Slowly, the corner of his lips tipped into a smile. He threw the ball one last time against the wall and caught it cleanly in his palm.
"Oh, I'm sure someone will end up dead soon…"
"But it's not going to be me."
******* The cacaphony of noises seemed like something straight from a nightmare. If he didn’t know better, Haechan would have thought he was dreaming as screams and the sizzling sound of melting metal filled the once dead silence of the prison. Instead, he calmly opened his eyes and sat up on his bed just as another resounding explosion shook the walls of the building. Beyond his bars, his guard on duty stumbled backwards, hands shaking as he raised his armalite towards the hallway. His face was streaked with fear, the opposite of the amused and knowing smile that crossed his.
Finally. It’s happening.  
“Who the fuck—”
The poor man didn’t even get the chance to finish as a small silver cylinder came rolling between his feet from out of nowhere. Seeing it, Haechan quickly slid off from his bed and went to the other side of his room where he flipped back a small table to duck behind it. He took cover just in time as another explosion shook the ground, this time just outside of his cell. It wasn’t as loud as the previous one, but what it lacked in impact was compensated by the piercing screams of the guard now writhing on the floor. Peering through the smoke, he tightened his hold over the fistful of his shirt that he had clamped over his nose and mouth to keep the sharp fumes from getting to his system. It was the same smoke that wrapped him six years ago, a signature attack move that only one person, other than him, can pull off. 
Smoke bomb. And…
“Acid. Don’t worry, you’ll have at least three more minutes before you die.”
As if the scene was the exact repeat of that night at the hotel, Haechan felt himself freeze at the sound of the same cold voice that he heard back then. Unlike before when he was gripped by fear, however, his heart started drumming harder in his chest instead. Even with the heavy smoke still clinging in the air, he stood up from his hiding place to come face to face with the silhouette that had haunted his dreams for years. He watched, entranced, as long fingers slowly pried off their black mask, revealing a face that made his blood burn hot in his veins.
“Hello, kid. Long time no see.”
Blood red lips slowly smiled at him, beautiful and sinister at the same time.
******* Some would call it obsession.
He calls it loyalty. Maybe even love.
What do you do when you meet someone exactly just like you after a life of isolation? When you are given the window to find your pair after years of suffering alone, you don’t let that chance go. No… You kick that window open, maybe break it down, even by force.
That is exactly the route he took the night that he met her. Ironically, the day he thought he would die was the same one where he felt the most alive. He wasn’t only given the chance to continue living when she decided to spare his life, she gave him a new purpose, too. He knew it the moment he saw her speaking to herself, her voice changing in pitches and tone as she stood there alone in the middle of the carnage she caused. She was exactly just like him… Maybe even worse. 
To give her credit, she was a true master of her craft. It took him months to find out clues of who she could be—and even until now, he doubts he would have tracked her down if her mask didn’t accidentally tear that night. In a way, she dug her own grave when it came to him. When she decided not to kill him, she also gave him an invite to tear that proverbial window open and turn it into a fucking door. 
In the years that followed, he made sure to keep tabs on her. She provided a certain kind of twisted assurance that he is not alone in his madness, that there is someone probably more fucked up than him in this world. She became his heroin, and oh did he make sure he got his fix. It started with him doing everything he could to know more about her, until he decided it wasn’t enough and he needed to get close to her. Gradually he resorted to following her around, close enough to stave off his hunger but still far to keep himself at a safe distance. It was also during this time when he found out that he had an innate skill of being someone’s shadow, a talent that lets him get into someone’s head if he really wanted to probe.
For years he was alright with the way their lives were entangled. Yes, he craved for her, but he also enjoyed the anonymity that his cover provided as he continued worshipping her from a distance. He was satisfied with what he had, that is, until the time came when she suddenly decided she wanted out. 
When he first realized that she stopped, it was like his life had gone entirely dark again. She was his lifeline so it entirely threw him off orbit when the woman he came to know started slipping from between his fingers. It scared him to think that she was turning her back on their shared madness, that she’s cutting the cord that connected him to her. When you’re like him who started to love someone for their fire, you would do anything just to keep those flames burning.
And so he burned. He wanted her to see the beauty of her madness, so he made a decision that was in all ways mad but made the most sense to him. He took on the mantle she left, copying everything she used to do from what he had learned as her shadow. It didn’t matter to him if she decided to stop, he would make sure that he continues until she would have no other choice but to see marks of her everywhere she looks. So for years that’s what he did, hoping his next crime would make her come back to the life meant for her. He orchestrated discord after discord, ripping cities apart and leaving wreckage in his wake. He didn’t have any rhyme or reason for his plans, all except for the goal of getting her back.
That went on for years and years. Every new crime he committed was worse than the last as his desperation and longing for her grew. Ironically, she found herself a job in the police department, which should have played in his favor because it means the world she is now living in is not entirely detached from his. He laid all the right traps for her, but not one of them caught her attention.
And then, the realization finally hit him. 
She’s not coming back not because she doesn’t see them. 
It’s because she had learned to forget.
He didn’t think it possible at first. He didn’t know how she did it, because despite the torture he had to live with, it never crossed his mind to suppress any side of him. He may be a broken man, yes, but that brokenness is also what made him survive. The thought of her banishing her other half when she could be so much more powerful was his last straw. Bitterly, it sank to him how he would never be able to catch her, unless he changes his course. It was a dangerous option, but one he was willing to put his bets on. 
If he can’t run after her, then he’ll make her come to him instead. 
All of his carefully laid out plans brought him now to this moment, standing face to face with the woman he’d spent years trying to catch. The pair of eyes that stared back at him now were sharp and calculating, a far cry from the gaze of the girl who wanted to try and ‘fix’ him. The person in front of him now reeked of coldness and ruthlessness, a force willing to burn anything on her path should she want to. 
“Well? Are you just going to stand there and stare at me like a fool? Isn’t this what you wanted, Donghyuck? To tease me out?” she was the first one who broke the silence as he stayed petrified on his spot. Even the sound of her voice alone made his stomach twist in knots. 
“Circe,” he answered in a whisper, his gaze unwavering on her. “That’s what I’ve always called you in my head.” 
Her brow lifted curiously at his reply.
“What?”
“The goddess of poisons and transformations. I don’t think The Apothecarist fits you. The name is too rough. Ugly.”
The way her lips quirked made a thrill run deep into his bones. As someone who had always been on the other side of power, it is an indescribable feeling to finally stare someone down of the same footing. His blood thrummed heavily in his veins as she slightly leaned her head to side to size him up. When she stepped over the now melted bars of his jail and started stalking towards him, ne watched her breathlessly as if he was afraid that she would disappear again.
“You… You’re not Donghyuck, aren’t you?” her eyes, shining with dark amusement, danced across his features as she stopped just inches away from him. His breath tickled her skin, eyes dropping towards her lips painted in the same blood red he’d always loved on her. “It was never him who was after me… It was you all along...”
“Haechan.”
For the first time, Haechan finally allowed himself to smile. Of course, she would know. He could fool the world about how much of an innocent victim he is, except for her. Donghyuck had always been the stronger and violent one, but he is still the core. The madness was born from him. The madness is and will always be him.
“I had to do something. I was getting tired running after you so much,” he said, his voice soft and almost longing. Now that he can drop the act, it was like every single emotion he had for her was magnified. There was excitement. Surrender. Love.
Arousal.
As if she read what’s on his head, her lips curved more into a slow, knowing smirk. Haechan tried to keep himself from melting as he watched her slowly lift her hands and start to graze her fingers down his chest. She knew exactly her effect on him, knew exactly how her presence alone can slowly undo him by the seams. 
“You were very persistent. She worked so hard on keeping me suppressed for years, but you knew the right buttons to push. All those years of study and training to tie me down, gone because of you. It’s… evil. You ripped her safety from her.”
Haechan knew he should feel a strain of guilt, but he couldn’t, not with the way she was pinning him with her gaze. Everything about her screams power and control, and it took him everything not to melt to his knees and kiss the ground she’s standing on. His body was already on fire and she had barely even touched him. 
“Where is she now?” he managed to ask despite the growing heat consuming his veins slowly like poison. She chuckled in answer as her nails started to graze the waistband of his pants. In that moment, Haechan became even more painfully aware of how tight he felt in them, his hardness already straining under the fabric. He felt almost pathetic at how his body reacted just by being close to her. 
“Sleeping. She was able to erase me from her memory so she could lock me up somewhere. Unfortunately for her, forgetting about me doesn’t mean cutting off my existence.” She sighed softly as a wistful but satiated expression danced across her face. “I guess in a way… I have you to thank for releasing me again. Sparing your life a few years ago wasn’t such a bad idea after all.”
Haechan tried to swallow back the taste of bitter guilt that stained his tongue. He was hyperaware of the way her fingers moved lower and lower, and he flinched when her knuckles finally grazed the curve of his still clothed cock. His reaction earned a laugh from her as he tried to hold back the yearning moan wanting to escape his throat. 
“She’s… She’s still there, right? You won’t chase her away?”
At first he didn’t think she heard his question as she forewent giving an answer to finally pulling the fabric separating her hand from his waiting dick. Effortlessly, his length sprung free in her hand, hard and hot against her ice cold palm. The contrast of their body temperature made him hiss, but she paid him no mind as she quickly wrapped his fingers around him and gave his cock a squeeze. She then started running his thumb in gentle circles around the head of his dick, a satisfied smile twisting her lips as more pre-cum started leaking from him. Haechan cursed and stumbled a little backwards at the overload of emotions, the back of his head pressing against the wall while he tried his best not fall to his knees.
“How rude. I’m about to beat your meat and you’re here asking for another woman… I thought you wanted me. Or is it Donghyuck who wants her?”
She phrased it as a question, but the dancing amusement in her eyes when he met her gaze told him she had seen through him from the start. Haechan felt Donghyuck stir inside of him, but he tried to push him back by grabbing her hips and digging his nails on her as a distraction.
“We want all of you.”
The satisfied hum she gave was like music to his ears. Slowly, she started grinding against him, his now stiff cock pressed against her stomach as she used his arousal to smoothly work his length with her fingers. She alternated between pumping and twisting his cock, stopping every now and then to cup his balls now heavy with his arousal. He was on the verge of begging to let him feel her when all of a sudden, she guided one of his hands to the zip on the back of her protective suit. Taking that as a clear invite, Haechan quickly pulled it down and started pushing her clothes off with his trembling hands. She laughed at his desperation, but managed to gracefully step out of them without almost missing a beat from pumping his cock.
“Your clothes. Off,” she ordered as she momentarily let him go. Quickly, he scrambled out of his uniform while she worked on undoing the last of her undergarments. By the time Haechan grabbed pulled her hips in again, her hands were once more wrapped around his cock. 
The feel of their bare skin pressing against each other made them both break off into moans. He closed his eyes from bliss, but soon enough he was cursing as she felt a different kind of warmth wrap around his tip. Looking down, his eyes widened as he watched her start to use his cock to play with her clit, his head slipping between her folds shallowly again and again. She was teasing him... using him for her own pleasure like it was the only thing he deserved. Painfully, he dug his teeth against his lower lip just to keep himself from grabbing her right then and there and burying the rest of him inside of her to the hilt.
Her soft laughter as she watched his torture barely pierced through the growing haziness of his mind.  
“You’re so pathetic. You want to fuck me so bad even with people dying around you?”
Her words barely made sense to him, but he somehow managed to open his eyes again before he finally snapped. Unwittingly, his gaze landed on a mass on the floor outside of his cell, the dead carcass of the guard with half his body melted off by the acid. It was a gruesome sight but instead of flinching back in discomfort like how he would usually do, Haechan felt himself stiffen instead. He took the image in... 
Until finally, he snapped.   
He didn’t know what got into him, but in that moment, the combined smell of smoke, acid, and death dissolved the remaining rational thoughts in his head. It was sick how his body reacted to the carnage around him, but he didn’t dare question it anymore as he fully allowed his instincts to take over. As if a switch was flipped inside of him, he suddenly grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to his bed without warning, before pushing her roughly towards the thin mattress. The suddenness of his actions obviously shocked her too, because it took a second before she tried to pick herself up again. She had barely only managed to prop herself up when he circled one of his hands around her ankles and dragged her unceremoniously on top of the bed until she was bent on all fours. The next sound that tore the room were their collective gasps as he unceremoniously buried his cock inside of her, filling her to the hilt. 
“W-Wait. Haechan—”
“Fuck... Fuck.”
Her words barely pierced through the bliss that washed over him as her velvety walls swallowed the rest of him. Eyes rolling to the back of his head, he moved to hunch over her form until he was almost draped over her back. His body loomed over her smaller frame and his fingers desperately tried to find something to anchor on by grabbing her hips. Slowly but deliberately, he grinded himself deeper inside of her, not stopping until he was sure she could almost taste his cock in her stomach.
“You’re so fucking tight for me,” he growled through gritted teeth. She made a sound torn between a yearning moan and a sob as he slowly but deliberately pulled himself back, the veins of his cock running through her walls. 
"Don't move yet. I'm—"
Her voice cut off into a half scream when he all of a sudden slammed himself inside of her again. The force of his thrust almost made her collapse, but Haechan wrapped one of his arms around her waist to keep her steady. Grunting, he pressed his lips against her shoulder as he pulled back again before burying the rest of him inside of her. His balls slapped against her ass, adding to the sickening sounds now filling the room. 
"Noona. You feel so good. I can't help myself."
Maybe it's the way he started letting his primal instincts take control, or the way his voice sounded low but whiny in her ear, but he felt her walls squeeze around him tighter for a good few seconds. She clamped so tightly around him that he actually had to stop thrusting for a moment, his body almost shutting down from the pleasure that almost made him nut inside of her. She can act all she wanted, but he knew she was enjoying this just as much as he does. Slowly, he tried changing his pace into deeper strokes to make himself last. Her body reacted to it almost immediately and she reached back to try and push him back slightly.
"Too deep—stop. You’ll make cum."
A low growl came from him as her words went straight to his dick. Instead of stopping, Haechan maneuvered himself on top of her and pushed her down until her legs gave way and she was pressed flat on her stomach against the mattress. Barely missing a beat, he lifted himself up again and planted both his feet on the sides of her hips before plunging deep inside of her again and again and again. The new angle let him reach new parts of her that made the two of them curse at the same time. 
"Take it. Just take it," he growled as he grabbed her hips to give himself more leverage. He was beyond saving at this point, his primal instincts taking over as he pummeled her again and again from above like an animal. In that moment, all his desires were concentrated on only one thing. To finally claim her once and for all. 
Haechan was so lost on the power that he had over her that he barely noticed when she slowly lowered her hand that had been trying push him back. Looking down on the smooth skin of her back, his relief was shattered when a choke of pain was all of a sudden torn from his lips. Just when he thought she couldn’t get any tighter, her walls started squeezing him so tightly it almost was impossible for him to pull back again without being in pain. He whimpered as his thrusts started losing pace from the rhythmic clamping of her walls. 
“What’s wrong? I thought you wanted to fuck me.” 
Her voice was taunting, and he didn’t dare answer back as he finally realized the gravity of the situation. He was never in control. He could only take what he wants from her if she lets him do so. 
"I-I want to cum, noona.” 
Her low laughter made goosebumps erupt all over his body. 
“You can’t until I say so.” 
He choked back a pitying groan as he pressed his body closer against her. Unable to help himself, he settled in making shallow, aborted thrusts just to keep himself from filling her up with his seed. Below him, her walls also started fluttering around him more uncontrollably, a sign that she was also on the verge of her own release.
"B-But I'm so close. Noona—"
"I don't fucking care. You think you could just get whatever you want from me? You’re not allowed to cum until I’m done."
A shuddering gasp left him at the order. At this point, he was almost mad with need, but there was also a part of him that wanted to see her come undone first. Wincing from how heavy his balls had gotten, he tried to slam harder inside of her again and again. He was in pain, but the sounds she started to make was enough to stave off his desperation for his release.  
“There. Right there. Deeper. Harder.” 
Her coaxing made a string of curses spill from his lips as he did exactly what she said. When a louder whine left her after a particularly deep stroke, Haechan knew that he finally found her sweet spot.
"Is this it, noona? You’ve gotten so much tighter. You're near. I know it," he said, whispered against her shoulder as she shuddered under his weight. When her hips slightly lifted to start matching his pace, he took it as his chance to slip his fingers down and draw circles around her clit. It wasn’t long until finally, she buried her face entirely on the mattress to try and suppress her screams. She barely succeeded when her body finally locked around his cock as her orgasm hit.
“H-Haechan. Haechan—!”
He kissed her temple and let his hot breath wash over her cheeks as he whispered sweetly to her ear. 
"Noona, I love you."
It took a while before her body finally stopped convulsing around him. Through her high, his hips didn’t stop moving at all, stroking her insides to prolong her pleasure for as long as she could hold on to it. By the time he felt her body relax around him, he was already half mad from desperation for his own release. She noticed, because he was almost sure he heard her give a soft chuckle beneath him even in her exhaustion.
"Noona, please—"
"Do you want to cum, baby?"
The term of endearment almost made him collapse and lose his last strand of control. Nodding wordlessly, another whimper left him as he felt the knot on his tighten. 
"Please, please, please let me cum."
"Where do you want to finish?"
"I-Inside…"
"Mm… Do you think you deserve it?"
"Yes. Shit. Yes."
A pause. 
"Then cum. Fill me up."
The sound that was ripped out of him was almost inhuman. Eyes squeezing shut, his body stiffened on top of her before he convulsed as he started emptying his balls straight to her womb. He pinned her down with his body weight, not caring for a moment about anything else other than flooding her to the brim. The way he throbbed inside of her must have set her off again, because not long after he was finishing, her walls started fluttering around him again. By the time the two of them have gotten off their high, they were both exhausted and shivering from the after shocks of their climax. Tiredly, Haechan pressed another  kiss at the corner of her lips as his vision started to blur. 
Exhaustion started taking over him, fast and swift. He was on the verge of blacking out when he realized what was happening, the all too familiar darkness taking over him just as he heard his voice.
Play time's over.
My turn.
******* It felt like waking up in an entirely different reality altogether.
The last memory you could remember was of you, sitting in front of the small vanity in your room. You were cleaning up the polaroids that you've pasted there, when out of nowhere your reflection caught your attention. You weren’t sure what it is that made you stop and stare, but for a split second, you thought you almost didn’t recognize the girl looking back at you. The pale yellowish light of the lamp on your bedside table didn’t really do any favors to your already tired features and you sighed before slightly shaking your head and tearing your gaze away from your reflection. Of course you were just imagining things. Gathering the photos in your hands, you then pushed back from your seat and stood up from the table. 
You were just about to step away when something from your peripheral vision caught your attention. A chill ran down your spine as you slowly turned your head back from where you were standing. You knew it before your gaze even clashed with your reflection again, but it still didn’t keep your heart from dropping when your eyes landed on the perfect image you... 
Still sitting in front of the vanity, with blood red lips tipped into a smile. The girl in the mirror bared her teeth into a full on smirk. 
And then everything faded to black. 
You now stirred in the same dark void you were cast into as your consciousness slowly caught up with you. You have no idea where you are, but you are vaguely aware of muted sounds and smells that seem to be hovering around you. You frowned and tried to reach your hand in the darkness, only for your fingers to close around air. 
Oh hello there. I wasn’t expecting you to be waking up so soon. Are you here to join the fun? 
You stilled at the sound of the voice that punctured the silence surrounding you. It was a woman, and it sounded close enough that you thought you actually felt it come from all around you. Confused, you turned your head from side to side to try and see who it belongs to. 
Who are you...?
A soft chuckle came on, and then the woman was speaking again, this time closer to where you are. You were starting to panic, especially since you still couldn’t see anything at all. You know that voice... You’ve heard it before.   
Oh? Are we still playing this game? 
Her lilting, almost taunting tone finally made you flinch. As if her voice alone unlocked something inside of you, memories started creeping in like poison to your veins. 
No. No, this can’t be. You’re...
Back. I am back. Did you miss me, darling?
A sense of overwhelming fear washed over you, reducing you into a shaking mess. You tried to wrap your arms around yourself, only for you to realize that you have no body at all. You were... nothing. Just a part of the darkness that you’ve been trying to grab on.
What have you done to me? 
Nothing yet. I’m just taking over for a while. You’ll let me right? After all, you’ve been hogging the spotlight to yourself for ages. 
You’re not real. You’re not real. 
Aww, you're hurting my feelings.
I've banished you. You can't be here!
Silence dropped around you, heavy and suffocating. You could hear your heart drumming against your chest, like a bird trying to escape its cage. When she finally spoke again, you felt fear wrap around you, invisible but strong. 
You can’t run away from me forever, and you know that. If you want to kill me, you’ll have to kill yourself first. You and I, we are the same... No matter how hard you try to suppress me. 
No… Please. Please, go away.
I am not going anywhere.
Let me go, let me wake up.
I don't think that's what you want right now.
Wake up.
Wake up.
Wake up!
Your eyes shot open the same time your chest swelled from the sudden breath that filled your lungs. As if a dial was turned, the muted sounds you could hear earlier from far away came into focus all at once—that, and a weight in your chest you still couldn’t understand. It took you a moment, but your vision finally focused in front of you even in the midst of your confusion. The moment you realized what you were looking at, your heart sank again to the pits of your stomach. 
Donghyuck's smirk widened just as he buried his fingers deep in your cunt.
"Finally. I've been waiting for you."
******* You were convinced you've finally gone insane. 
Your body writhed from the combined shock and pleasure as everything crashed on you all at once. It felt like there were two separate halves of you at the moment—your mind that was recoiling from confusion over what was happening, and your body which seemed to be caught and locked under the delicious runs of pleasure coursing through it in waves. Reaching out, your hands automatically closed around Donghyuck's wrist as he continued fucking you with his fingers. You have no idea how long he’d been at it, but all of a sudden, you were painfully hyper aware of the mess now coating the insides of your thighs and staining the bed under you. The smell of sweat, smoke, and sex filled the air, and there was also a feeling of tightness in your stomach that you know could only mean one thing. 
You're seconds away from cumming, and no, this isn't going to be the first time you’re doing it tonight.
Your moans came in broken gasps and whines as your lower body twitched under his hold. He wasn't grabbing you into submission or forcing you down, and yet you felt weak under him, unable to push him away. Over you, his gaze pinned you on the spot as he peered at you from between the deep red locks that have fallen over his forehead. He was beautiful and terrifying, the exact personification of her worst nightmare and her sweetest dream come to life.
"P-please…"
His lips curved gently into a smile before he leaned over to run his nose down the arch of your jaw. The gentleness of his gesture threw you off, causing your fingers to tighten around his wrist that was still snapping in and out of you. 
“Please what? Do you want me to stop?”  
Instead of giving him an answer, you felt your walls tighten around his fingers in response. You were absolutely broken, your mind wanting one thing while your body begged for another. Donghyuck must have sensed your dilemma because he paused momentarily to scissor his long fingers inside of you, before pushing back and digging them against the spongy spot that always made your toes curl. You screamed in response, spots of white blooming from behind your closed eyelids. 
"Come on. I'm doing you a favor. Haechan couldn't be bothered to do this earlier."
Your mind numbed at his words. Haechan? What does he mean by that? You and him... Did you two just...
"I'm cumming.” Whatever thoughts were swirling in your head disappeared as your lips formed the words before you could even realize what they mean. You barely even had the chance to brace yourself as your body suddenly locked around him, squeezing around his fingers that continued to stroke your walls. Waves and waves of pleasure like you’ve never tasted before made you tremble, unbound and raw. At the back of your pleasure-muddled mind, you knew your undoing was also your surrender—a fact that he also knows as you felt him smile against your skin as he helped you ride your high. Every now and then he would nip at your jaw in satisfaction and whisper something against your skin you couldn’t even catch anymore. It felt like every cell of your being was burning, and you were being torn apart and put together again and again under his mercy.
That lasted for a moment, until your body seemed to have finally reached its limit and started softening around him. The pleasure left you shivering though and your eyes fluttered close as your chest heaved to catch your breath. You were still trying to wrap your head around what happened, when all of a sudden, you felt him pull his fingers out of you. The sudden loss of fullness made you wince, but you were soon moving on from it, with what he did next. Without warning, he lifted your legs up and hooked his arms under them until your lower back lifted at an angle from the mattress. That immediately made your eyes open as you realized what he was about to do.
"W-wait. What are you—"
Donghyuck answered by propping himself up on one hand for balance and grabbing his cock to guide to your folds. He didn’t bury himself in you, but he pushed just enough for you to feel the tip of his cock prodding your entrance.
"Say no if you don't want this. Again, just say it and I'll stop."
A shiver ran down your spine at his gravelly tone. He was running his tip against your slippery folds in slow circles, but he didn't push any deeper just as he promised. You know he wanted nothing more than to sink himself in you from the way he trembled, but he braced himself, waiting for your answer. He was giving you a choice… A chance to escape. 
Except you don't want to.
No. You want this. Just as much as he does. 
"Last chance. At the count of three."
"One."
Your body stiffened as you felt him slip an inch into your wetness. Your hold on his stomach remained, but you did nothing else to push him back.
"Two," a few more inches in made the two of you break off into moans in unison. He was shaking on top of you harder now from the strain and you reacted by finally moving your hands to circle on his neck instead. Your silent reaction was his last straw and he gave a low growl before he finally let go.
"Three.”
He sheathed himself inside of you completely and deeply, like a puzzle finally fitting in.
"Fuck. That's my fucking good girl."
The sound that you made was unlike anything you’ve ever heard yourself make before. The moment he filled you to the brim, your legs locked around his waist, heels digging against his back to push him deeper inside of you. Everything was happening too fast, but all you could think of was the delicious burn of him splitting you and the way his cock perfectly kissed the deepest part of you. He perfectly fit inside of you, that you did not only feel full. 
You felt complete, finally. 
"Please. Donghyuck."
His name leaving you made him freeze on top of you. You were about to beg him to start moving, when all of a sudden, he grabbed both your arms and pinned them painfully to your sides. Shocked, you watched as he reared back, his eyes wild with a fire that made your breath caught in your throat. The way he looked at you made the knot in your stomach curl tighter, the hunger there making you want to flee and carve him into your bones at the same time. 
"Say it again. My name."
You took a shaky breath but didn't look away. You met his fire with yours, finally eye to eye with each other.
"Donghyuck.”
“Again.”
“Donghyuck.”
“Scream it.” 
“Donghyuck! Please, fuck me!”
Your next breath was cut off into a scream as he suddenly pulled himself from you completely before cramming his cock inside you in one motion. As if he'd finally lost all sense and reason himself, he let his full weight drop on you before he started pistoning his hips in and out of your cunt. He was entirely squeezing you with his body weight, your face pressed to the side as he buried his face into the crook of your neck.  You could feel teeth and tongue against your skin and nails biting against your soft flesh. All the while, his lips pressed kissed against you, broken only by the whispered words you could only catch here and there in your own state of pleasure.
"Tight. So tight."
"Pussy made for me."
"Mine."
"Fucking mine."
It didn't surprise you at all when your body finally exploded again into another orgasm. Toes curling, your limbs stiffened and locked under him as you once again went under the waves of pleasure that made you vision go white. You were shaking, crying, maybe even begging as your walls locked around him painfully again and again like a vice. Donghyuck cursed on top of you as you convulsed around him without missing a beat in his thrusts. You were clamping around him so hard that he winced just from trying to fuck through your walls, but he pushed through, splitting you again and again.
You didn't know how long you were stuck in that moment of bliss. You were floating, falling, the rest of your senses numbed from overload of stimuli. You were cocooned in that sweet state for what felt like an eternity, until finally, your consciousness was forcefully snapped back when you felt a dull pang of pain in your shoulder. Something was digging against your neck—the hard press of fingers and nails around the column of your throat.
"One more. Just give me one more."
The words traveled slowly in your fuzzy head, but a growing sense of panic started creeping on you as you realized what it means. Like a lens brought back to focus, your vision focused again on Donghyuck's face hovering over you. He was panting and his eyes were clouded and dark. One look at him and you know exactly what he wanted, which caused you to whimper and slightly wriggle under him.
"N-No… I can't anymore…" you said weakly as you tried to move your arms and push him away. Your head was swimming from the lack of air, but he let go of your throat just in time before you dipped into unconsciousness again. Instead, he moved his hold to pin you down by your hip bones, the new angle giving him the leverage to pummel you in faster thrusts. His pace was desperate. Bordering on mad. You knew from the way his cock dug and twitched against your womb that he was near—and that he is planning to take you with him again as he comes undone.
"Stop lying. Your pussy's squeezing me like it's begging for my cum."
As if your body had a mind of his own, your walls did clamp tighter around him in reaction to his words. You sobbed and gasped the same time he cursed under his breath, your vision spinning as your stomach painfully started tightening again. In the midst of it, you felt him drop one of your legs so he could reach out for your clit. You screamed, your eyes squeezing shut again as you felt your body start to convulse for the third time that night. You were spiraling once more, teetering on the verge of another undoing that you barely noticed his lips finally ghosting over yours as if to swallow your cries.
"I want you to cum while I fill you up."
"You’ll let me, right? Pump you full until you break?"
“When I get you pregnant, you won’t be able to run away from me anymore.”
You didn’t get the chance to answer as your vision unfocused at the force of the pleasure that hit you. For the third time that night, your walls locked around him and you were falling... falling until you crashed and splintered into a million pieces. You could feel nothing and everything, especially the warmth that filled and drowned your every crevice. He wasn’t too far behind you, it seems, his cock thrumming against your walls as he made a few more thrusts until he was stilling on top of you. Donghyuck moaned in your ear as your pleasure melted with each other, making two halves finally become one.
You felt something inside of you break, freeing you finally. By the time you collapsed, you felt lips gently ghost over your exposed breasts, collarbones, and finally the corner of your mouth.
"Mine. Finally."
Your lips parted wordlessly as the last of your energy left your body. Vision still hazy, you watched as he slightly leaned back to look at your face. His eyes were probing, slowly running through your features as if he was wanting to forever burn this image of you in his mind. You didn't flinch, knowing that whatever you do, you can never escape him anymore.
He was right. You are his now.
You always have been.
"Do you still want to run away from me?" He asked all of sudden, his voice surprisingly soft. It took you a beat to answer, which gave him the chance to drop his fingers to your lips. The tips of them grazed them gently, teasing them open to give him a reply.
"Will you let me go?"
A shadow of something passed his eyes at your words. As you watched him quietly, you also felt a shift in your consciousness that felt oddly familiar. It was a sense of surrender, an acceptance of a side of you that you've struggled against since you first met him.
"No. I can't."
"Why?"
"Because you're mine. Even if you try to deny it, we're both sides of the same coin. You belong to me and you know it."
Yes... You do. You've always known since the moment you first met him. You were scared, because you knew deep inside that he would be your undoing.
"Haechan wants her… Not me."
His hand lifted from your lips and moved to cradle your cheek. The heat of his palm clashed against the deathly cold of your skin as he ran his thumb over the dried tear tracks there. Ironically, his softness hurt you more than his roughness did.
"You and her are the same. Just like me and Haechan are one person. You can't just see that yet, because you refuse to accept her."
You closed your eyes, unable to fight back anymore. Tears welled up again behind them, but he reached out to catch them before they even fell. You were still scared, probably the most terrified you've ever been in your life... But you also didn't feel like running anymore.
"What am I going to do now…" your words oddly didn't feel like a question when you let yourself speak one last time. Your consciousness started blurring at the edges, before you could even come up with an answer.
He was the one who gave it to you.
"Just go to sleep…" Donghyuck said as he wrapped his hand around yours.
"And when you wake up, everything will be so much better," Haechan added, sealing his promise by pressing his lips against yours.
And so, you slept.
*******
A/N: So... yeah. Finally coming out of hiding just to publish this. It is almost 5AM and I still am not satisfied of this version, but I’m also just DONE because I’ve been working on this for weeks. Why is smut so hard to write like ???? Anyway, this is the end of Haechan’s short story so for those who were still waiting for this, enjoy. 
Taglist:   @negincho, @jhornytrash, @aaasteroidsky, @huangberryyy, @marijmin, @ashkuuuu , @lostlovesoul11 , @johnniverse , @traint0tokyo , @lilyinthewinter , @byunniebaekhyunnie , @ellatizw , @bettyschwallocksyee , @stopeatread , @jacetheworld​, @glitching-wren,   @tyongf-sunflower99, @chelzinha26, @vaerinri, @minshookie29, @grandmasterslickfox, @coconuttiez8d, @haechanalpha,  @markleemelonn, @kpopgirl124127, @txoru​, @kacyyz​, @matchahyuck​, 
Untaggable for some reason: @sirnuttcracker,  @hyukiebb, @kpopstanforlifeuwu
353 notes · View notes
autisticlancemcclain · 10 months
Text
fic rec friday 29
welcome to the twenty-ninth fic rec friday! where, on friday, i rec five of my favourite fics.  
1. don’t know what i did to earn a love like this (but baby i must be doin’ something right) by littleghost
“I went to the desert to listen to country music.” It falls out of him, and he keeps going, voice hushed like there’s more than just him and Lance in this room. “It always reminded me of you and I would go stare at the stars, think of you, and listen to country.”
i know littleghost has been inactive in the voltron fandom since literally 2017 but i am so obsessed with their fic. im not huge on high school aus usually but this fic in particular had so many of my favourite niche headcanons that ive read this fic like twelve times. yall know how i feel about quiet devotion and its everywhere in this fic.
2. every day i wonder by kirargent
Lance has a stuffed-full backpack, a beanie pulled down over the tips of his ears, a blanket draped around his neck like a thick scarf, and his cell phone pressed to one ear. He looks like an idiot, and he’s being entirely too loud for a good cryptid hunt.
this shit made me fucking LAUGH. keith is such an ornery bitch i literally love him so much. this fic bodies the ‘fuck am i in love with HIM?? why??? why am i so HAPPY ABOUT IT???’ so well i love it
3. mortal bodies, timeless souls by @littendeservesbetter
“Wait!” Coran lets out a triumphant noise. “I got it! If my calculations stand corrected, then our visitors will be people we actually know! Keith, Lance, you two will be meeting your alternate selves today!”
Coran says it like the idea is so mundane that it takes Keith a while to process. The moment he does, however, he feels his heart drop to his stomach.
“We’re going to what?!” Lance yelps, effectively voicing out Keith’s thoughts.
Or, the castle's teludav malfunctions, alternate realities are mixed, and Keith finds out that he and Lance are a lot more... close in other realities.
they are fucking in love in every single reality in every single universe always and endlessly. they are Soulmates. i know its cheesy but im obsessed with them literally. also extra incentive this fic has pike/thunderstorm darkness
4. here comes the violence by stardon 
“Fancy seeing you here, Whiskers.”
Keith feels his tail wag in annoyance, which is almost as horrifying as his current situation. “No. Absolutely fucking not.” He looks at his bare wrist, pretending he has a watch. “How about we postpone this? My calendar says I’m free from the seventh of never through to the fifteenth of ain’t-gonna-happen, how does that work for you guys?”
Pidge looks up, quirking a brow. “Lance has an amazing influence on your humour, you know that?”
In which sometimes Keith is a bit Galra, sometimes not.
this fic is excellent because their both so obviously in love and down bad for each other but theyre both also stupid. borderline already dating but also not and driving each other insane is peak peak trope
5. Beast of Burden by melancholymango [EXPLICIT]
“Keith, no, we can’t go again.” Lance pleads fall on deaf ears. Keith is honed in on him now like predator to prey. He’s fighting a losing battle and they both know it. He sees it in the way Keith is raking his eyes over him, sizing him up. “We’ll be so late getting to the bar.”“Just one more.” Keith insists, herding Lance toward the counter with a stubbornness that is innately wolf. Lance pouts, but he doesn't have anywhere else to go but backward.“That’s what you said last time! And the time before that!”--The week leading up to a supermoon, as told by the world's best werewolf boyfriend, Lance McClain. The good, the bad, and the horny.
this is just monsterfucking but its also like soft in there. but mostly its monsterfucking
that’s it for today!! i’ll see y’all back next friday for the next fic rec post!!!    
131 notes · View notes
thora-jane · 11 months
Text
Poncho (pt. i/?)
Told y’all I’d be back. I really don’t know how long this’ll be, but I started writing it. We’ll see where this takes us.
Summary: years after the Mantis’s crew splits up, you’re still with Greez on Koboh. But when disaster strikes, your quiet life may be disrupted.
Wordcount: 1698
warnings: Cannon-typical violence, light swearing, vague angst, some spoilers for Jedi Survivor
Koboh sunrises never got old. Not to you. Walking along the trail in the morning had become a habit, a ritual. Your day didn’t start until after you had walked the perimeter of the little prospecting town you had spent the past few years at. You never had much to say about Koboh, but you liked the peace it brought. And over the years you had earned the respect of those that called that place home. It was you who circled Rambler’s Reach every morning and took care of any bramlik or gorger problem, or heaven forbid the occasional gorocco or rancor. And when the Bedlam Raiders got a little too close to the edge of town, it was you who took your blaster and quickly taught them to stay away if they knew what was good for them.
What you had going for you was a life. An honest life. A respectable life. 
A quiet life. A lonely life. 
Someone had to take care of Greez. Keep him out of trouble. That’s what you told yourself at least. You two had been on your own for years. Ever since everyone else had broken off and gone in their own direction, you two stayed side-by-side. And after he lost his arm, you knew you weren’t going to go anywhere without him. 
“Hey kid,” He greeted over his shoulder as you made your way down the steps of the saloon, “How’s it lookin’ out there?” 
“Not much. Couple of bramliks. But no one hurt. Just a few startled boglins,” you slouched into the stool next to him as he slid over a plate of food, “Weather’s great though.”
“What is it with you and boglins? We stop back at Bogano once and you bring back a whole heard of them.” He rolled his eyes and threw his hands over his head, “Next thing you know I can’t go outside without stepping in boglin droppings. And who’s fault is that?”
You let out a breath just shy of a laugh, “What you don’t think they’re cute?”
“Oh sure! They were cute back on Bogano. But why’d you have to take ‘em with us?” He kept talking, his voice trailing off as he wandered out of earshot. 
You chuckled to yourself. Greez didn’t need you half as much as you needed him. You were pretty sure he knew that too, though neither of you ever said it. You did your best not to think about the life you too had lead before you settled in Koboh. The things you left behind. The places you were avoiding.
The people you were hiding from.
Yes, the galaxy needed help. It needed help real bad. But the folks here needed help too. And maybe you were no great jedi, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t help and defend this town.
You finished up the rest of your food and headed down to the quarters to two of you shared. With the morning here and the day beginning, it was time for you to venture out a little further from town.
“-And their fur? Oh don’t get me started! You can’t do anything with it. But those little wispy hairs get everywhere!” Greez began swatting at his mouth with all four hands, pretending to spit. You strode right past him on the steps.
“Yeah but you can’t beat the way they curl up on your lap,” You reasoned, reaching for your wide brimmed hat from the post by your bunk.
“Wait, they do that? They’ve never done that with me! How come they do that with you?” He threw one set of hands in the air while resting the other on his hips.
“Because they like me.” You smirked again, settling your hat atop your head, “I’m heading out.”
“Wherever you’re going, be careful. The-”
“The Bedlam Raiders are acting up again? I know. Why else do you think I’m heading out?” You spun around, walking backwards so you could look at him, lifting up the panel of fabric to reveal an old blaster, “Someone’s gotta keep ‘em in their place.”
“Just don’t get hurt out there, kid.” Greez sighed as you spun back around and took the stairs two at a time. 
***
“Heya.” Mosey greeted, “fixin to head out again?”
You didn’t say anything, just nodded, pulling the brim of your hat down a bit more to shield your face. You wandered over to Phenny, the Nekko that had taken a liking to you. You grabbed the quaterstaff you kept in Phenny’s stall and slipped it in the saddle holster in silence You adjusted the saddle before hopping on, patting it’s neck and letting it know to start moving. 
“Stay safe out there, Poncho.” Mosey smiled.
“Thanks,” You mumbled before Phenny took off. 
Poncho. It was true that you didn’t care much for talking to anyone in the last few years. But for the people of Rambler’s Reach, that suited them just fine. You didn’t want to share your name? Fair enough. You’ll just have to learn to respond to their new name for you. The whole town wasn’t going to call you kid. That was reserved for Greez alone. Instead, they went for much lower hanging fruit. Poncho. Not the most creative nickname, but there wasn’t anyone else in town dressed like you, so everyone knew who was being referred to. ‘Cause who else wore the same poncho every damn day?
Which you probably wouldn’t have minded if the poncho had actually been yours.
You hunched down, motioning for Phenny to run faster along Koboh’s rocky ridges. 
Breathe, you thought to yourself, just breathe. It was what you reminded yourself every time you felt trouble creeping inside your mind. But today felt particularly challenging. You didn’t know why, but something about the air just felt…off. 
You and Phenny traveled up along the cliffside, slowly approaching where the tar pits began to flow. If this had been a mission like you had done in years past, you would have been here as fast as possible. But life on Koboh was smaller than the galaxy. The raiders were rising more each day, but life moved a little slower. And when it came to stopping them, it was better to take your time than rush.
 You hopped off your Nekko and tied him up to the nearby tree, safely hidden in the shrubbery. From your point along the ridge you could see scattered clusters of the raiders and their droids below. Nothing you couldn’t handle from a distance, though.
Breathe you repeated to yourself as you got down on your belly in the dirt and crawled up the the edge of the cliff, slowly pulling out your blaster and closing your eyes.
“Let go of the tension and fear your mind holds. Let go of your surroundings, free your mind and allow each blast to be guided towards the target,” You couldn’t go a round of Raider Pushback without repeating what Cere had told you when you first learned how to use a blaster. And ever since then, your aim had been near perfect. Not that you had ever bragged, swearing instead that it had been the blaster you used, not your own doing.
After a moment, you opened your eyes. The smell of blaster smoke filled your nostrils, and out across the cliff you could see the remnants of clankers and commando droids. Quickly getting to your feet and grabbing your staff from your side, you began your next phase of pushback.
You called it deflection practice. Greez called it stupid. The raiders didn’t call it anything. How could they? They never had a chance to.
Holding your staff in both your hands, poised and ready for whatever blasts were shot your way. You watched as the three raiders scrambled to draw your blasters. 
Let go of the tension and fear your mind holds
*ping* A blast hit your pole as you shifted your grip, feeling the vibrations in your palm as you ricocheted the blast back towards the shooter, landing it as he dropped dead.
Free your mind. Allow each blat to be guided toward your target
*ping* The next blast ricocheted and hit its shooter
You’re one of the greatest shots I know, (y/n). The force will always be with you wherever you go.
You let your mind wander too far, out to where it shouldn’t have gone. His voice echoed in your head. Before you could regain your grip, you heard the blast whiz past your staff and scorch the poncho you had on. You felt yourself drop and roll to the ground, reaching for your blaster and shooting the raider square in the head before they had another chance to fire.
That was all you could do for today. Any more and there could be grounds for an ambush on the outpost. You rolled over onto your back, removing your hat and looking up at the sky. It had been forever since you let your memories get the best of you like that. His voice felt louder than it had been in the past, it was like you could feel him close to you again. And you had let it get the better of you. Which was stupid, because you got shot. And if you weren’t careful you’d get shot again. And next time you might not be so lucky.
Phenny stirred over in the brush, pulling you away from your self-reprimands. As you sat up, something in the sky caught your eye. You quickly put your hat back on and squinted up towards the clouds, just in time to see an all-too-familiar ship come flying down and landing on the other side of the tar pits.
“You gotta be shitting me.” You mumbled to yourself, scrambling to untie Phenny and ride back to Rambler’s Reach at break-neck speed.
You hated to say it, but it had to have been the Mantis. And given the shape it was in, it must’ve been in need of repairs. Which meant only one thing.
If you dodn’t hide fast enough, you were about to see Cal Kestis for the first time in years.
(a/n) and that’s all we have for now! I’ll try to write more as often as I can. But make sure you drink some water, eat a snack or something, and maybe get up and stretch if you can. Thanks for reading! Love yas<3
71 notes · View notes
bobby-r2d2-floyd · 1 year
Text
Life Goes On (REUPLOADED)
Tumblr media
Rhett Abbott x f!Reader
Word Count: 2.5k
Summary: 18 year old reader spends her last night in Wyoming with 21 year old Rhett Abbott before leaving for art school
Warnings: None? Two idiots in love not telling each other
might cross post this to ao3, not entirely sure yet but not posted anywhere else.
read part 2 here!
-----------
Freshly graduated from high school, the summer before you left to go to university had flown by. Days were packed full of riding, roping, moving cattle with the Abbott family whenever they needed, spending time caring for your younger siblings when your mom worked day shifts. You and your best friend Rhett Abbott barely had hung out at all, spare moments here and there in the hay loft when Royal wasn’t needing you two to do a chore around their property. Before you knew it, it was your last night in town. 
You were perched atop of your roof, staring at the stars as you took slow drags from your cigarette, you missed the sound of your bedroom window being open and boots padding across the shingles. You don’t need to turn around to know who it was that was joining you, you already knew. 
Rhett dropped his flannel over your bare shoulders, the strings of your tank top doing nothing to keep the chill of the Wyoming night time air from sending goosebumps across your skin.
“Can’t believe this summer’s already passed by” he says, sliding up behind you and hooking his chin on your shoulder. You let out a small hum and take another drag, the only noise between the two of you being the burn of the paper. 
“I can’t either, and I have no idea when I’m gonna have time to come back and see you again.” you say before exhaling the smoke that was in your lungs. “I saw you every day this summer and I still feel like I never saw you.”
He takes the cigarette from your hand, taking his own slow drag before exhaling after a few beats, “you could always not go.”
“Rhett.. I have to go. I have to get out of this town, I can’t stay here.” you tell him for what felt like the millionth time. “This is going to be good. I can go out there and I can get an education and make a name for myself that isn’t the girl who cried wolf.” 
“You didn’t cry wolf, that guy.. He was no good.” Rhett says as he rubs your arm.
“Tell that to the rest of Amelia County.” you take the cigarette back and take the last hit of it before putting it in the old water filled coffee can.
He squeezes your midsection a little tighter and you lean back against him, “as much as I hate it here, I don’t want this night to end.” you say as you exhale the smoke from your lungs, watching it swirl amongst the stars before dissipating.
Tomorrow you would be headed east to Chicago, a 16 hour drive, mostly on I-80 before a stint on I-88. It was a drive that you had mapped out for weeks, even alternate routes should you need them. You weren’t expecting to get into the Art Institute straight out of high school but you were honored nonetheless to be accepted. It was something that Rhett didn’t understand, he knew you were artistic, you did murals all over the town, He just didn’t understand why you felt like you needed to go to school for it. 
“Are you going to keep working with your dad?” you ask, staring at the moon rising in the distance.
“Yeah, work with him, move the cattle, now that fair season is over I'm not gonna be on the bulls as much anymore unless I do well this next time.” he says as he admires the partial view of your face in the moonlight. He knew that there wasn’t a lot of money in the bull riding at the level he was competing,or in the ranching, so the odds of him ever making it out the city to see you would be out of the question unless he picked up another job or you were able to fund his visit. 
You inhale with a shaky breath and before you know it there’s a rogue tear running down your face and landing on his arm.
“Let’s get outta here. Go for a drive, pretend we have more than just a few hours.” he mumbles and you nod your head. He stands up before offering a hand to you to help you stand. When you stand, you’re a little too close than you were planning on being and you look up at him, your breath catching in your throat. He looks down at you, his dark aegean blue eyes boring into yours and for a second you wish that he would tilt your chin up and kiss you. When he doesn’t, though, choosing to step back instead you give him a small smile and a thanks as you make your way back into your room and down and out of the house, putting his flannel on properly as you make the way to the front door. Rhett kicks himself for not kissing you, but he still follows you out of the house and to his truck, putting his hat back on as he shuts the front door behind him. He opens your door for you like the gentleman he was raised to be and you smile softly as he shuts it once you're settled in the cab. 
Rhett drives for what feels like hours, heading out of his own personal hell. There’s a small road up the mountain about 45 minutes from your house where as a child you always felt like you could touch the stars. Neither of you say a word as he drives, neither of you wanting to break the comfortable silence with the impending heartache of tomorrow. 
He drums his fingers against his steering wheel, bringing you out of your thoughts, “haven’t even left yet and this place already feels so different.” 
“Sucks we had to grow up, that you’re leaving…” he leaves the leaving me out.
“This’ll be good, right? ‘M makin’ the right choice?” you question, finally looking over at him and he looks back at you.
“Darlin’ I want nothing more than to keep you home where I know that you’re safe, but I also know that if either of us were gonna be makin’ it out of this place it would be you. You’re gonna be great wherever you end up.” he tells you, hoping that you don't hear how his voice cracks at the end.
You give him a sad smile before opening your door to climb out. He follows suit and when he makes it around the hood of his truck you wrap an arm around his waist, his own arm finds its home around your shoulders. 
You make the small hike up the mountain to where there's a lookout, taking a seat in the grass you look up at the stars where they seem even brighter than they were from the roof of your home. "I'll miss this view the most, I think."
"Lookin' up at the stars definitely won't be the same tomorrow night." he responds, taking the opportunity to sit next to you this time so he can really commit your face to memory. 
"It's beautiful." a smile makes its way across your lips and you miss the way he's looking at you when he replies.
"Yeah, it sure is." his eyes trail your face, quickly looking away when you finally look over at him.
At some point you fell asleep in Rhett's arms, awaking slightly damp from the morning dew and when the first rays of sunshine were finally making their way into Wyoming. You smile at the way you were curled against his chest, his arm wrapping around your hip and resting on the exposed skin there. He stirs when he feels the arm you had draped across his torso move and he looks down at you and offers a gentle smile. "Good morning, darlin'."
You return his smile with a sad sigh, "mornin'."
You both sit up, and as always he's hopping up before you so he can offer his hand to pull you up to start the walk back to the truck. 
"What time you headin' out?" he asks, packing tobacco into his lip, an action that shouldn't be sexy but is coming from him. 
"Uh, well.. I wanted to be leavin' now but I won't say no to breakfast?" you say with a smile and he chuckles, starting the vehicle and heading back towards town as you shoot your mom a text that Rhett and you are grabbing breakfast out so she doesn't need to worry about fixing you a plate. 
He pulls into town and parks outside the dinner, both of you take your time making your way and inside. The silence is comfortable as you sip your coffee, speaking only when the waitress comes for your order. 
The coffee sits like a hot coal in your stomach, nervousness for the drive and leaving your entire life, the man you fell in love with. Sure, he's three years older, 21 to your 18, but that never stopped him from being there for you. Everyone at school called you "Rhett's girl", they all knew not to mess around with you or he would be on their case. Despite all the buckle bunnies throwing themselves at him, he only ever had eyes for you.
It was easy to love him. 
The food arrived and only then did you two make small talk. He asked pretty basic questions:
Where are you staying? In the dorms. Do you have a roommate? No, I don’t think so. What courses are you taking? I don’t know yet. 
How long are you going to be gone? You hesitated on answering that, unsure of how long you were going to be gone and if you were even planning on coming back. “I don’t know, Rhett.” 
He nods his head and puts cash down on the table, enough to cover the bill and leave plenty extra for the tip. He slides from the booth and offers his hand to you to help you stand up, you smile at the gesture and take the outstretched palm as you rise. “Well, guess we better get you back home so you can say your goodbyes and whatnot to your family.” 
Rhett dropped you off at your mom’s house, his eyes following you inside as he walked over to your car, opening the unlocked door to pop the hood so he can check your oil and top of any fluids that needed it. Your mom watches him from the kitchen window as you say goodbye to your younger sister and brother, holding them both maybe a little too tight before you leave.
“It isn’t too late to change your mind, baby.” she says turning to look at you and you stand up and look over at her.
“Mama I can’t stay here, you know that.” you walk up behind her and watch as Rhett double and triple checks everything, even turning your car on and making sure you’ll have enough gas to make a good chunk of the way through Nebraska. 
“Did you tell him?” she asks as she rubs your back.
“Tell him what?” you play oblivious to her question.
“That you love him.” you stiffen at her words and she lets out a small chuckle, “sweetheart the only person in this world who is too blind to see how much you love Rhett, is Rhett himself.”
“I can’t tell him.. If I told him I would want him to leave with me and you and I both know that he isn’t going to leave behind the bull riding and his family’s ranch.” you tell her and fill up a travel mug of coffee.
She sighs and goes to say something when the front door opens and not wanting to track mud throughout your mothers house from his boots, Rhett stands in the doorway, “your car’s all good to go darlin’. Ma’am” he says as he addresses your mom with a small smile. She shoots you a pointed look and you send back a glare. Rhett shuts the door and stands on your front porch, waiting for you to come out after saying a long goodbye to your mom. 
“I was in your position, and I regret it every single day that I didn’t beg him to come with me. I know how it feels and you’re going to regret it too.” she tells you as she holds you tight.
“You did?” you ask and she nods.
“Yeah, I mean, granted I came back and married him, but your father and I lost years of what our relationship could have been, and then he passed away in that bull accident. Don’t make the same mistakes that I did.” she wipes her thumbs over your face and you shake your head. 
“I can’t tell him.. He probably doesn’t even feel the same way.”
“You never know unless you say something, so say something or risk losing him forever.”
Rhett looks back at you as you open the front door and he holds it as you step outside, “you ready?” 
“As I’ll ever be moving 15 hours across the country.” you laugh and he gives you a small smile before walking with you to your car. He opens the door and you throw your small bag inside that contains your wallet, cellphone, and charging cord. “Hey Rhett-”
“So listen-” he says at the same time as you, “you go first.”
You shake your head, “no, you can.” 
“Be safe, please? You’ll have to stop for an oil change along the way so I left some money in the glovebox for you and there’s pepper spray in there as well should you need to use it, on the drive or in the city.” he tells you and you nod, opening your mouth to say something and he takes a step back, cutting you off. “It’s almost noon, you should be headin’ out.” 
“Yeah, I uh, I guess I should.” you say, gripping your car as he walks back up to pull you in a quick hug, kissing your head before pulling away.
You inhale as much of his scent as you can, trying to commit it to memory - the tobacco and coffee of his breath as he exhales across your face, the cedar of his cologne, and the mint of his aftershave that’s barely clinging to his skin.
He climbs into the cab of his truck, head leaning back against his seat as he watches your car pull out of your driveway, tail lights fading down the road with the dust trail you leave, he pounds his steering wheel, cursing himself for not kissing you or telling you how much you meant to him and that he loved you. 
You looked back in your rearview, your childhood home and Rhett’s truck fading into the background as you headed towards your future, your new life in the big city.
Life regrettably going on for the both of you, without each other.
119 notes · View notes
thefirstknife · 2 months
Note
Hi Bel,
I have a question regarding the worm gods. Has there been any mention recently in the lore of what they’re up to now? I understand they’ve kinda been power crept to fuck as of all the developments of the last few years, do they really do much at all anymore? Savathun never really seemed to vocalise a specific conflict with them, and Xivu as far as I remember doesn’t really invoke them when she’s doing her shenanigans? Have they just been kinda dropped cause they don’t slot into the new lore space in a post-Witness timeline?
They're still very much around, but we really don't know what they're doing. Probably not doing well given that Oryx is dead, Sav rejected her worm and Xivu is in shambles without her throne world and the tithe system. Their power depends on that tithe system and they've lost all three Hive sibs now.
Xivu does mention her worm occasionally! For example here, while talking to Eris in Season of the Witch. Her tithe system is tied to it. If she ever stops following her nature, the worm's hunger will consume her and Savathun summarises it in this line. There's some cool stuff in here as well. This is why she's in trouble now without the throne world and tithing disrupted. Season of the Witch in general had a lot of content regarding the worms, especially with how Eris managed to bond with Ahsa which also revealed there's more worms, just like Ahsa, who either died or fled.
Savathun's conflict with them was also that she figured out that they lied to the siblings and essentially tricked them into the bargain with a really bad caveat. Sure, they got their immortality, but they ended up being forever dependent on the worm gods. Any mistake and you're toast. Can't change your mind or do something else, ever. And Sav very much still wanted that immortality, but without being tied to anything or anyone, so she rejected the worms and sought the Light.
For all intents and purposes, the worm gods are probably starving right now. It was kinda inevitable that once we deal with the Hive, the worm gods would lose power by default. We essentially sent them packing without ever having to confront them directly. So it's not so much that they're dropped, it's just what would've happened to them either way once we dealt with the Hive sibs.
There might be a possibility that they will at some point try not to lose their whole power by seeking other subjects to bargain with. I would really like to see a worm god enemy again! But without the most powerful Hive, they will not be anywhere near as much of a threat, unless they find something stronger to bond with. Rhulk was experimenting with this by trying to fuse the Scorn with worms, for example, however with unsatisfactory results.
12 notes · View notes