#really long post

[traceybrakes]

Let's Talk About Un-ironicizing Art!

In light of a lot of the conversations i've seen surrounding Death Grips and recent events concerning them, I want to take the time to point out that this is a good time to start thinking about how we engage with art on the whole!

For a long time, the irony poisoned method of consumption went unchecked in all facets of internet culture. As an internet musician in current day, I have noticed a sharp disconnect between artists and enthusiasts/casual listeners when it comes to attitudes surrounding music specifically, though I've witnessed it permeate all forms of art in some way.

I see people who have grown scared to engage on deeper levels, intentionally severing any resonant connections or knowledge learned from a piece of media before it has the chance to take root. In short, dare to be vulnerable! Dare to enjoy something on the basis that you yourself resonate with it, and not for any other nebulous reasoning. When masses of people relegate art to a spectacle, not only do artists become more likely to be disenchanted with the passions that fuel their work, but the consumer base ultimately suffers as well. All art at that point becomes less an extension of ourselves, less a vehicle to explore our identities, and is rendered a meaningless hulking sludge, or worse, the opponent to an already shrinking and narrow worldview.

Be not afraid to be unabashedly in love with the work that inspires you. Be not afraid to have the things you love misunderstood by by some. When you engage with work new and old, make sure to do it for yourself. Making and consuming art is inherently selfish, but being selfish is not inherently misguided. Allow yourself to learn, grow, discover, and repeat that cycle until the day you die.

To speak more candidly about my own experience, throughout the course of my life, there has been art that I've held near and dear to my identity, and own journey of self discovery that I seldom find others who hold the same sentiments to. I've always found this exciting. Exciting to hold something close to my chest as something so personal, and even more exciting when I can ease up on that grip when I find someone who I can share that with. However, I've also been through the throws of how the internet tends to chew up and spit out art that generally isn't understood by the many. I've fallen victim myself to the hive mind mentality that circles some artists and the cult of non-identity around them. This off-color ouroboros of knowing all about an artist's work and simultaneously upholding this facade of vapid complacency. I've come to the conclusion that if being openly supportive and connected to an artist's work or a particular piece of work automatically renders a person uninteresting and unambiguous at the very least, then I will live happily as an uninteresting open book. At the worst times, we see this line of thinking contribute to Death Grips being mocked and belittled en masse by people who are unwilling to engage with their art before they even get that far. It's heartbreaking, to me at least to see people put so much effort, emotion, and passion into transforming culture for the better to be rewarded with a crowd that's plugging their ears.

I realize I run the risk of sounding pretentious, self indulgent, or even patronizing to an extent; I apologize because that isn't my intention, I'm hoping to see gears shift at least on a micro level surrounding attitudes towards art appreciation. Remember to dare to be in love holistically with the art you engage with! Speak of the things you love in a way that makes that clear to others, and consider your peers to do the same! You and the people around you can only be better off for it.

#long post #really long post #music #death grips #the internet is full of bright and beautiful art so why not help yourself

[burntoutdaydreamer]

3 Steps to Improve Your Characters and Make Them Three-Dimensional

So I don’t have a process for creating/developing characters (to me the process is intuitive to the point where I wouldn’t even know how to explain it), but I do have a process for revising characters that just… fall flat, for whatever reason. 

I like to get to know my characters by throwing them into a bunch of different situations and seeing how they react, but sometimes that’s not enough. In these cases I need to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to make them not feel like a cardboard caricature of the role I need them to fill. Here’s the process I use, and it involves three key questions to understand what makes your character tick.

1) What is this character’s fundamental belief- either about the world or themself?

2) Where does this belief come from?

3) How does this belief hinder them, and are they capable of growing past it?

Alright, here’s what the process looks like in action. 

Let’s say I have a character I need to flesh out for my story.

Character A is a middle aged coffee shop owner and the protagonist of her story. The central conflict of the story revolves around trying to save the family run coffee shop she inherited from her father when he passed away, which has recently fallen on hard times.

What is this character's fundamental belief?

Character A believes that the world is an inherently good and fair place. She believes that good is always rewarded and bad is always punished, even if the timing isn't always perfect. As such, she strives to live a virtuous life, putting as much good into the world as she possibly can. While she understands that even good people can face hard times, she believes that in the long term, if things don't work out, it'll be because she didn't put in the work needed to turn things around.

Where does this belief come from?

Character A grew up in a solidly middle class household with good parents that treated her well- rewarding her for good work, and fairly punishing her for misdeeds. Her parents gave her everything she needed, but also expected her to work hard for the things she wanted. She also had the experience of watching her father build a successful business through hard work and by building strong connections with the people in town. If we want to push this further, we could also say that this belief was reaffirmed by watching her brother ruin his own life, squandering all his money and goodwill with those around him on failed get-rich-quick-schemes and outright scams that landed him in jail.

How does this belief hinder them, and are they capable of growing past it?

Let's say that Character A recently hired a barista who seems perfect for the job. Strapped for help, she gets him started right away before getting the results of his background check. When the results come in, she finds out that he is on probation and was recently released from jail for a violent crime. Shocked, she fires him. Believing that people who end up in jail always deserve it, she can't see past her initial prejudices. As a result, her coffee shop suffers from the loss of her new star barista.

Some time goes on, and Character A encounters the barista again, and learns more about the circumstances that landed him in jail (maybe he was falsely convicted, maybe he was battling psychosis, maybe the violent act was done to prevent a loved one- anything that makes her question her initial assumptions). He then confesses that he is struggling to provide for himself and his family because no one will hire him because of his criminal record. Character A comes to realize that her belief isn't completely true, and that the world isn't entirely fair. Though it takes a lot of inner work to do so, including coming to terms with her privilege, she eventually accepts this, and revises her beliefs. She decides that even though the world isn't fair, people have the responsibility to make it fair.

She decides to re-hire the barista she fired. After doing everything she can to make things right with him, she proposes an idea she wants his help with. Together, they transform her family business into a joint coffee shop and community rehabilitation center. In addition to selling coffee, they also launch a program to provide resources to recently incarcerated individuals looking to reenter society. They'll host weekly events on job interview coaching, alcoholics anonymous, motivational speeches, group therapy, opportunities to connect with open-minded employers, and more. Their promotion of this new program enables them to secure funding from local patrons and public grants, and customers are willing to pay for more expensive coffee with the knowledge that that money will be put to good use.

Additionally, if we want to go with the brother in jail backstory, we could have this ending be an opportunity for her to reconnect with him and maybe even repair their relationship as she gets to see him in a new light.

Main Takeaways

And there you have it!

You can use this process on any character- protagonist, antagonist, side character, etc. By grounding your character's motivations and development in their beliefs, you can easily introduce depth and internal conflict while keeping everything connected to the themes and plot driving your story.

Depending on your character's role or your story's plot, the belief can be wide reaching and complex (such as a philosophy or ideology), or specific and personal (such as having to do with their self-esteem). Either way, it should always be tied to their personal experiences or observations. This doesn't necessarily mean a tragic backstory. It could be, but I encourage you not to make this your default way of creating character depth. A mundane but grounded and sincere motivation will always be more compelling than cheap, dark shock factor.

Generally, protagonists with happy endings and villains with successful redemption arcs are capable of moving past their beliefs, while tragic heroes and antagonists aren't, and this failure is usually the source of their downfall. Keep in mind that even if characters do move past their old beliefs, it will always be a difficult thing to do. It will require them to confront their own mistakes, biases, and emotional wounds, and require both internal and external work in order to fix whatever their old beliefs have damaged.

Hopefully this guide will help you approach your characters from a different perspective. Feel free to share any insights.

Happy writing y'all!

#creative writing #writing #writers of tumblr #writers on tumblr #writing community #novel writing #writerscommunity #writing advice #writing problems #on writing #writing characters #character development #writing help #fiction writing #writing tips #writing thoughts #long post #really long post

[gffa]

I've been a little slow on getting out new STAR WARS fic recs out, but in my defense it's because I've been reading a bunch of longer fics lately. In the spirit of "there's a special feeling to those fics that consume you and make you stay up until 3am because you can't put them down", here's a list of some of the ones I've loved or am in the middle of reading and they are haunting my thoughts and I need to inflict that on everyone else. Whether you're looking at a long upcoming trip and need some good reading material or avoiding your feelings by sinking into fic or just because you like reading, I hope you'll find something here! Including a bonus underrunning theme of throwing in a bunch of Jedi-loving fic to continue my agenda of making Jedi-centric fandom a more fun place to be. 30k+ is the minimum and this isn't all of my favorites, but it's a great list of "I have a week off to kill and I want to be in a fic coma by the end of it".

STAR WARS FIC FOR WHEN YOU NEED TO KILL ABOUT TEN HOURS WORTH OF TIME AND WANT TO HAVE FEELINGS ABOUT FICTIONAL PSYCHIC SPACE WIZARDS WHILE YOU'RE AT IT:

✦ Out with Lanterns by SkyeBean, mace & ahsoka & plo & shaak & cast, 312.5k     In another universe, Jedi Masters Plo Koon and Depa Billaba decide a Padawan could do Mace some good. It takes a while, but he eventually agrees. When he takes Ahsoka Tano as his Padawan, Mace knows that he's broken through a Shatterpoint and changed the course of a life. How, he doesn't know. ✦ Reprise by Elfpen, obi-wan & qui-gon & mace & yoda & anakin & cast, time travel, 558.9k wip     Ben Kenobi dies aboard the Death Star in the year 0 BBY. He wakes up shortly thereafter in the Jedi temple in the year 41 BBY. Haunted by memories and regret, Ben must forge a new path for himself in the Jedi Order of his youth while navigating the murky waters of time travel. Crafting a better future from bitter experience is hard, but learning to heal is even harder. ✦ Take it from the top and try again by mauvera, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & padme & mace & shmi & dooku & cast, time travel, 112k wip     Five years into his self imposed exile on Tattooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi is gifted the chance to go back and bring hope back to the galaxy. With hindsight on his side, he fully intends to save his master, save his padawan, make some new and old friends again, prepare the Jedi for a war they’ll hopefully never see and begin to pull apart all the many tangled threads of the Sith Lord’s plans. Should be relatively easy. Right? ✦ Post Order 66 Exile AU by Livsy, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 46k     Alternatively: after a failed order 66, in which many Jedi still died but the Sith were defeated, an exiled warrior and a boy wander a distant planet and attempt to get along. ✦ Remedial Jedi Theology by MarbleGlove, obi-wan & anakin & jedi & cast, 51.3k     Let us consider the fact that the Jedi Order is a monastic religious organization based out of a temple, with five basic tenets of faith. ✦ Supreme Chancellor Obi-Wan Kenobi by stonefreeak, obi-wan & anakin & padme & yoda & palpatine & bail & dooku & mace & quinlan & vokara & ahsoka & cast, 124.5k wip     By an old Republic law, all members of the Jedi High Council are senators in the Galactic Senate, and can thus be voted in as chancellor. A Senator from a less prominent planet has had enough of Chancellor Palpatine's incompetence and calls for a Vote of No-Confidence and the installation of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi as Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. This one action becomes the catalyst that changes the direction of the galaxy. ✦ What We've Become by Vinyarie, vader & ahsoka & cast, 82k     Darth Vader and Ahsoka’s fight on Malachor takes a different path, and Ahsoka actually is able to save her master. Or rather, she’s able to convince him to save himself. Diverges from canon in the last few minutes of Twilight of the Apprentice and goes increasingly AU from there.

✦ time to change the road you're on by wreckageofstars, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & luke & leia & han & ghost crew & cast, time travel, 93.6k wip     The end of the Clone War is near - the fall of the Republic even nearer. Anakin Skywalker, caught up in the events that lead to the rise of the Empire and the loss of everything he holds dear, finds himself sent nearly two decades into the future. Ahsoka Tano, still coming to painful terms with the true fate of her former master, is - not exactly happy to see him. But the Force works in mysterious ways - and the future is not nearly as set in stone as they've been lead to believe. Multi-chapter AU, Rise of the Empire/Rebels-era. ✦ narrower than a razor's edge by bereft_of_frogs, obi-wan & dooku & qui-gon & anakin & sidious & cast, 30.2k     Dooku tips his hand ten years earlier because he can't stand the thought of his former apprentice's murder, and that might just be enough to save everyone...if it doesn't get them all killed first. ✦ soften every edge by gigglesandfreckles, obi-wan & ahsoka (& anakin), major character death, 48.1k     "Rejoice!" the galaxy says, in the wake of war and the dawning of peace. "How?" Obi-Wan asks. "No," Ahsoka says. (or: Obi-Wan & Ahsoka learn to live on.) ✦ hunting toward heartstill by blackkat, mace/cody & plo & fives & shaak & obi-wan & anakin & rex & cast, 207.2k     Plo has an idea. Mace agrees, and everything snowballs right into hell from there. (Or: Mace and Cody get married in order to give the clones citizen status. Before they can focus on that, though, they're going to have to deal with ancient Sith artifacts, evil prophets, plots to overthrow the Supreme Chancellor, lost planets, monsters warped by Sith alchemy, inconvenient , and Darth Sidious turning his eye on a potential new apprentice. Just...not in that order.) ✦ Cataclasm by dendral, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & waxer & cast, 63.1k wip     For reasons unknown to all but himself, Obi-Wan Kenobi has left the Jedi Order in the midst of the Clone Wars, taking with him a single clone. Anakin Skywalker has been unofficially tasked by the Order to find Obi-Wan and bring him home. Unfortunately for Anakin, it seems his former master is always ten steps ahead of him. ✦ Unexpected Awakening (The Rewrite) by Rhiw, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & feemor & bruck & jango & cast, time travel, 135.1k wip     The life of General Kenobi is cut short at the hands of his Padawan, but the sight that greets his eyes upon awakening is not that of blinding light of the Force, but the Jedi Temple he knew when he was still a youth. As he struggles to understand the path laid out before him, Obi-Wan unwittingly captures the attention of a singularly unusual Temple Guard, and that of a reluctant Qui-Gon Jinn.

✦ Knightrise by deviantaccumulation, obi-wan & ahsoka & satine & yoda & cast, 89.4k wip     There is no battle on Mustafar or in Coruscant's senate building. Instead, a small but still alive Jedi Order rises from its ashes on Mandalore. ✦ Fire and Ice by Yesac, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 111.9k     Anakin wins the duel on Mustafar, but doesn't kill Obi-Wan. Along with Padme, Obi-Wan finds himself living in a chaotic world where the man he thought he knew has become the thing he swore to destroy. Can Anakin be turned back? If so, what then? ✦ Better That a Millstone by Icarus_is_flying, obi-wan & luke & anakin & leia & cast, 86.7k     Vader discovers Luke and Obi-Wan on Tatooine when Luke is one year old and attempts to reclaim the family he threw away. Obi-Wan is less than pleased, and Luke and Leia? They have their own ideas about how their future should play out. ✦ Bloodlines by KCKenobi, obi-wan & anakin & dooku, 35.8k     When an explosion traps them in the same doomed escape pod, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Dooku are stranded together on Tatooine. The goal is simple: cooperate long enough to survive, and not a second longer. But a shared past has a way of connecting the people we think we know—and bloodlines run deep. [or: your classic family road trip across a desert planet, except your grandpa is, you know, a Sith Lord. And now he's sort of starting to bond with your Jedi dad. And that might be an issue.] ✦ When Darkness Seems to Hide This Place by IllyanaA, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & rex & cast, 136k wip     After killing three of the Jedi Order's best and brightest, Palpatine's fight with Jedi Master Mace Windu goes shorter than expected. Afraid he's lost his chance at recruiting a new apprentice, Sidious unleashes Order 66 across the galaxy, but, per their programming, the Clone Army is not to harm Anakin Skywalker. After witnessing the most painful loss he's ever experienced and injured at the hands of his captors, Anakin is ready to die like the rest of the Jedi, though not before getting his vengeance. ✦ Precipice by shadowsong26, obi-wan & anakin & padme & luke & leia & bail & ahsoka & rex & cast, 253.6k     An AU in which Anakin Skywalker does not follow Mace Windu and the others to Palpatine’s office after they leave to arrest the Chancellor. As a result, he doesn’t get that final push over the edge, and doesn’t Fall. ✦ Averting Galactic Destruction by kj_feybarn, obi-wan & anakin & quinlan & rex & cody & fives & dogma & wolffe & plo & shaak & dooku & sidious, time travel, 44.3k     AKA The Time the Force Sent Obi-Wan Back in Time and Quinlan Vos kept him from Going Kamikaze because let’s be Honest, Being Forced to Come Back in Time Would Suck.

✦ Into the Archives by skygawker, obi-wan & anakin/padme & palpatine & cast, 104.9k wip     After hearing the legend of Darth Plagueis the Wise from Palpatine, Anakin decides that his best chance to save Padme is to break into the restricted Holocron Vault of the Temple Archives to search for information about Plagueis. Predictably, all does not go according to plan. Revenge of the Sith AU. ✦ Live To Fight Another Day by raemanzu, spica_tea, cody & rex & jesse & kix & obi-wan & anakin & fox & cast, 396.9k wip     Clones have their place in the universe, beyond the schemes of Palpatine. Events conspire to place Rex on the path of a new fate, one which will affect the future in ways not even the Jedi could foresee. Loyal to source material and characterizations. Canon-divergent. Starts between seasons 5 and 6 of TCW and explores Rex’s reaction to Fives’ dying words and subsequent events building toward Order 66. Variety of canon characters. No ships. Very Ace and Aro. Strong focus on certain friendships (Rex and Cody, Jesse and Kix, etc) with those friendships playing major roles. Thematically about how the clones navigate loss, trauma, the concept of their enslavement, their identities, etc amongst the larger active plot threads. Content warnings for war-related PTSD, trauma, combat injuries, and all around war-related angst etc in later chapters. ✦ Life and What Comes After by Ibelin, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & padme & cast, 177.2k wip     Obi-Wan dies on Jabiim. Anakin blames himself, doesn't know how to go on and yet - he does. Maybe the Force rewards that kind of thing, or maybe he just gets lucky, but when a mission lands Anakin on a vaguely familiar planet, he gets a second chance to do what he knows he should have done in the first place: save his master. (And maybe a chance to save the galaxy, too.) ✦ Knight-Errant by zinjadu, anakin & ahsoka & obi-wan & padme & rex & jedi & clones, 315.8k     AU - The Jedi Who Knew Too Much. Rex decides to stay "in pursuit" of his Commander; he jumps. Now, with backup, Ahsoka navigates the lower levels and deals with Ventress. Meanwhile, Anakin takes the Order to task, finds a little more support, and things turn out a little differently for everyone. And this is just the beginning. ✦ the massive machinery of hope by Killbothtwins, obi-wan & qui-gon & anakin & shmi & jedi, time travel, 150.1k     After the end of the war with the Empire, Obi-Wan wakes up in his twelve-year old body. Now all he needs to do is convince everyone he's psychic, trick his Master into taking him on before he's sent to Bandomeer, redeem a few bad guys, and try not to have a nervous breakdown. Pretty easy. It's not like the Sith are lurking on the horizon, waiting to devour the Jedi Order.

✦ The Exchange by MissLearn, obi-wan & anakin & qui-gon & ahsoka & padme & cast, time travel/body swap, 120k     The Daughter has a bad day and it irrevocably changes the fate of the galaxy, twice over. Or; ROTS Obi-Wan and Anakin are swapped with their younger, TPM, selves. It changes things, in both parallels. ✦ In All The World by Kjellarnen, obi-wan & anakin & cast, 144.8k wip     The story of how Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi tamed each other, from Naboo to Anakin's early days at the Temple. ✦ In Another Life by KCKenobi, obi-wan & anakin & ahsoka & padme, time travel, 52.3k     Eleven years after the rise of the Empire, a favor to a friend sends Obi-Wan traveling through the multiverse. He encounters different versions of the galaxy and of himself—including one in which Anakin never turned to the dark side. Obi-Wan and this Light Anakin are forced to work together to stop the creation of a disastrous Empire weapon. But as they move through different versions of reality, the timelines become more and more twisted—and the harder it is to distinguish who they are from who they might have been. And—to find their way home. ✦ The Intruder by Hollyoakhill, obi-wan & original clone characters, 82.5k     When a vicious attack from a strange, indestructible monster traps them on a derelict star destroyer, a young clone trooper fresh from Kamino join forces with Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi to find a way to escape. ✦ Conceal Me What I Am by Himboskywalker, obi-wan/anakin & padme & yoda & mace & palpatine & quinlan & cast, omegaverse, NSFW, 108.3k     Separatist Propaganda is turning the Republic against the Jedi Order and the Senate sees no choice but to join in a political alliance to fight dissent on a unified front.An alliance is proposed through an arranged marriage,between a Jedi Knight and Republic Senator. Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi are chosen as representatives of the political union by Darth Sidious, meant to bring ruin to the marriage and the public's support of the Jedi,for Obi-Wan Kenobi is not the Beta he claims. But even Sidious does not know of the secret Anakin Skywalker keeps, that he is not the Alpha the galaxy believes him to be. ✦ Equinox by lilyconrad, obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 95.9k     During the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan and Anakin crash on a remote planet and take shelter in the ruins of a grand estate only to find they are not alone.

✦ Invictus by Himboskywalker, obi-wan/anakin & cast, NSFW, 40.3k     "He is the balance, the other half, the completion to Skywalker’s soul, a perfect dyad in the force. But while Kenobi is a simple answer, the force also sees the difficulty of the pair coming together in balance. The foundations of the galaxy they exist in pull at them, threatening to intervene in their unity. But this is also a simple problem, for the force is far greater than the foundations of a single galaxy, for it is the foundation of all. So the force enacts its will, to bridge the pair over a span of moments, of years, of eternities, and Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi will fall in love, have fallen in love, and are falling in love." ✦ Neutron star collision by thedunesea, obi-wan/anakin & cast, NSFW, 121.2k wip     In the aftermath of Order 66, Anakin Skywalker's miraculous survival after his confrontation with the new Sith Apprentice Darth Vader ignites a sparkle of hope in the remaining Jedi, in the fledgling rebellion and, above all, in his former Master, who thought he had lost everything to darkness. But darkness is generous, and it is patient. ✦ Lex Talionis by intermundia, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & dooku & rex & cast, NSFW, 187.1k     The ancient Galactic Republic is dying slowly—an ugly death of corruption, sprawl, and decay—with the sin of slavery hanging over its every triumph. The beleaguered Jedi Knights are too few to adequately patrol and police the entire Republic, and are faced with complacency and greed at every turn. Born into a crumbling and stagnant galaxy, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker are faced with the greatest challenge of all: themselves. Obi-Wan likes rules and control. When the galaxy around him stops playing by the rules, what is a Jedi to do? Anakin needs rules and restraint. When the galaxy around him conspires to set him loose, what is his Master to do? Falling slowly or falling fast, falling through lust or falling through wrath—it all leads to delusion and moral decay. What can be born from the ashes? ✦ Atlas of Our Ruin by Ripki, obi-wan/anakin & cast, NSFW, time travel, 230.8k     Both the past and the future casts long shadows. Obi-Wan and Anakin learn that the hard way, when a mysterious holocron flings them backwards and forwards in time, forcing them to confront painful truths. But the time-travel is only the beginning… ✦ Seed by bell (belldreams), obi-wan/anakin, NSFW, 44k     When Anakin falls prey to a lethal poison, Obi-Wan has no choice but use all his resources to heal him-- no matter how reluctant he is in administering the antidote.

✦ wicked thing by imaginarykat, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & cast, nsfw, sith!obi-wan, 124.2k wip     There are rumours of yet another Sith Lord hiding among the Separatists. The Council sends Anakin to investigate. Anakin has a bad feeling about this. or, the story of how Anakin exists in a perpetual state of intense embarrassment, Obi-Wan is enjoying it a little too much, and everything is, generally speaking, a gigantic mess. ✦ Rulebreaker/Wildheart by chapstickaddict, obi-wan/anakin & ahsoka & luke & leia & barriss & cast, NSFW, 230k     Darth Vader, the strong arm of the Sith, held loyal to his Order since they took he and his mother from slavery in the deserts of Tatooine. Until he became convinced they killed his wife. He abandoned his Order and disappeared in the chaos of the Clone Wars, presumed dead by all sides. That young Skywalker is known around town as a widower and homesteader; a Nabooian who emigrated to avoid the trade blockade; a father of overly-energetic twins and warding a Togruta war orphan; a decent mechanic if your farm equipment or maintenance droid is acting up. Anakin is a paranoid, over-protective hot mess doing his best to raise his weird pack the way Padmé would have wanted. How the hell is he supposed to do that when his kids and not-apprentice make him haul a half-dead Jedi Master home like a lost pet? ✦ more than a candle by jenmishe, obi-wan/anakin/padme, NSFW, 50.3k     "The dark is generous and it is patient and it always wins – but in the heart of its strength lies its weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back. Love is more than a candle. Love can ignite the stars." Or, a few thousands of words of how Anakin, Obi Wan, and Padmé realize many things, which include, most notably, how they feel about each other and how to handle said feelings. Oh, and in the meantime, they deal with a megalomaniac Sith Lord. ✦ Anamorphosis by avocadomoon, obi-wan/padme & anakin & mace & corde & qui-gon & cast, 33.5k     noun, plural an·a·mor·pho·ses [an-uh-mawr-fuh-seez, -mawr-foh-seez]. A distorted or monstrous projection or representation of an image on a plane or curved surface, which, when viewed from a certain point, or as reflected from a curved mirror or through a polyhedron, appears regular and in proportion; a deformation of an image.

#lumi.txt #star wars #obi wan kenobi #anakin skywalker #ahsoka tano #mace windu #qui gon jinn #jedi order #fic recs #star wars fic recs #long post #really long post

[batneko]

This is an idea I’ve been thinking about way too much and ended up drawing in four days in a feverish daze. It’s a lot to explain here, but I’m calling it the “community leader” AU. Not exactly mafia, but... adjacent.

We’ll have another comic showing Luigi’s side of things soon!

#I actually sped through three other comics so I could get to drawing this comic #bowuigi #luigi #bowser #super mario bros #bowser x luigi #bowluigi #bowigi #luwser #green shell #long post #longpost #really long post #my art #community leader au #blood #ludwig von koopa #roy koopa #smoking

[khellel]

#kdramaedit #marry my husband #kang jiwon #yoo ji hyuk #park min young #na in woo #kdrama #*mine #EHEHEEJHEHJE #long post #really long post #but worth it lmao

[sylenth-l]

VOIDCRASH ☄️

(or Felwinter said fuck class restrictions)

#destiny #destiny 2 #destiny the game #my art #long post #really long post #felwinter #lord felwinter #osiris #baby birb osiris 🥺 #timur #lord timur #colovance #little colovance #(not lord yet!) #god i spent WAY too much time on it #i hope at least you like it asdfjksdj #💀💀💀 #now i'm gonna lay down and not move at least for a week

[lilyway]

Killer After My Own Heart {Alastor x Reader} Prologue

Warnings: Blood, Gore, Death and canon-typical violence. Please be aware of these warnings going forward. This is a very dark fic that touches a lot of sensitive subjects. Please keep that in mind. Prologue | Chapter 1 |

Prologue: I’ll Find You

The day unfolded with pristine perfection, the sun casting its radiant glow over the vibrant streets of New Orleans, unmarred by even the slightest wisp of cloud. In every corner of the city, life pulsed with energy as its inhabitants prepared to embrace the challenges awaiting them. Yet, amidst the bustling activity, a chilling undercurrent of fear lingered, fueled by the persistent reports of a shadowy figure haunting the night—an enigmatic specter who stalked the streets, a relentless arbiter of justice for those whose misdeeds dared to defy the darkness.

Within this dichotomy of light and shadow, there existed a tension—a delicate balance between the vivacity of the day and the foreboding presence of the city's personal boogeyman. For the denizens of New Orleans, each step taken was accompanied by an awareness, however subtle, of the lurking threat that loomed beneath the surface—a constant reminder of the fragility of innocence in a world tainted by the whispers of the unknown.

As the sun bathed the city in its warm embrace, casting long shadows that danced across cobblestone streets, the allure of the day's brightness was juxtaposed against the haunting specter of the night—a reminder that even in the midst of life's vibrancy, darkness lurked and was waiting to find you.

There existed an individual who found solace amidst the terror that gripped the city—a solitary figure drawn to the chilling truths that lay beyond the confines of her mundane existence. For her, the relentless cycle of office paperwork and the rigors of managing her father's staff offered little respite from the monotony of daily life. It was within the eerie depths of New Orleans' dark underbelly that she found a semblance of purpose—a twisted fascination with the shadows that danced along its cobblestone streets.

To her, the city's sinister allure was more than just a passing fascination; it was a refuge from the banality of her existence—a tantalizing glimpse into a world where the boundaries between reality and nightmare blurred. While her father dismissed it as the grim underbelly of New Orleans, she saw it as the missing spice that infused her horribly normal life with a sense of exhilarating uncertainty.

In the depths of her psyche, she reveled in the macabre tapestry of the city's secrets, drawn to the darkness that whispered of untold mysteries waiting to be unraveled. It was a world where the rules of ordinary life held no sway—a realm where she could shed the shackles of convention and embrace the primal instincts that lay dormant within her soul.

However, that would all have to wait until after work. There was too much on her plate for daydreaming about meeting the infamous serial killer.

(Name) served as the sole secretary to her father, Harold Wilson and the personal assistant to many of their high earners. Within the workplace, she functioned as his enforcer, tasked with the responsibility of preserving order and disciplining those who didn’t fall in line. Any individual seeking to engage with her father was compelled to navigate through her, encountering a formidable barrier that often made their lives a living hell. She was given a position of power and she would of course abuse it. 

That was who (Name) Wilson was. A petite young woman, she clung to any semblance of power within her reach. Outside of her father's workplace, a realm she referred to as a little bubble, (Name) found herself powerless in the broader reality. That little bubble of her workplace was all she had and would face the world alone. 

She was supposed to be happy with that and she was — to an extent. 

Until Alastor reappeared two years prior, swiftly capturing her father's attention. He swiftly became the apple of her father's eye, securing a role as a radio host on an experimental channel funded by her father's hopeful investment. Within two years, Alastor ascended to become one of the most successful radio hosts in New Orleans, daresay the United States. And, it left (Name) seething in anger. 

(Name) yearned to witness his downfall, eager for her family to sever ties with him once and for all. She would spare no expense to see him eliminated from their lives, reduced to a state where his impeccable charm could not salvage him. It was a moment she anticipated with fervor—the day when Alastor Broussard would be stripped of everything, compelled to rebuild his life beyond the confines of New Orleans.

That would be perfect. 

With him gone, (Name) would have a perfect life. 

She would be guilt-free and never have to feel that way about anyone ever again. 

Unfortunately, destroying Alastor proved to be a formidable task. It appeared as though the world conspired to uphold his perfection and flawlessness.  A charming man without a single chip on his shoulder. Kindness emanated from him, accompanied by a soothing smile that calmed all who encountered it. His personality commanded attention with his deep yet smooth voice. Alastor was the definition of a gentleman. 

(Name) knew better. 

She knew the true man under his mask of perfection. The teenager inside the man with tears going down his face as he cried himself to sleep. (Name) knew how fragile he was when it came to matters of the heart and why he was so kind to women. 

It didn’t matter, that version of Alastor was long dead and gone. Buried under piles of scar tissue and blood. 

Alastor, now was as bad as his crazed fans. Every woman in New Orleans was obsessed with him and his show. And, everyday was a fight to get through the door. (Name) was just here to do her job and not have to step onto twelve toes to stomp her way into the building every morning. 

Just like today.

(Name) sighed as she saw the swarm of fans around the studio’s front entrance. “God damn, vultures. Can’t they sleep in for a day?” She grumbled. 

(Name)'s long black hair swayed behind her as she plowed through the crowd, determined to carve a path forward. While she wasn't particularly fond of this daily ritual, it beat the alternative of encountering Alastor, who often lurked near the back entrance. With a firm resolve, she shoved aside the throng of fans, her keys clutched tightly in her hand.

As she reached the entrance, (Name) wasted no time in inserting her keys into the keyhole, her movements swift and purposeful. With a quick twist, she opened the door just wide enough to squeeze through, the sound of it slamming shut echoing behind her. In the relative calm of the building's interior, she allowed herself a moment of respite and glanced at the mob of mad vultures outside.

With a sigh of relief escaping her lips, (Name) regained her composure and straightened herself up. "Fucking crazy. Every bloody day."

"Those are inside thoughts, (Name)," Alastor remarked, his morning smile not exactly what she needed to see first thing in the morning.

He was holding two cups in his hand as he took a sip out of one, undoubtedly his personally brewed coffee. She had no desire for a cup if it was intended for her. As good as his brewed coffee was, it was made by him. Therefore, it always tasted awful.

"And I didn't ask," (Name) snapped back, her gaze fixed on the crowd.

"You're as prickly as ever," Alastor remarked, his smile never faltering as he extended the cup of coffee towards her. "It's one of your many charms."

He really didn’t ever learn. Try as he might, they would never get along and she knew he hated that she never fell for his charms. 

"Alastor, go to hell," (Name) spat out, her frustration laced in her every word as she turned back to the door and unlocked it.

"That's a lovely thought, maybe I will," Alastor quipped in response, his reply falling short of her expectations. Yet, it was quintessentially him to find a retort that painted him in a favorable light.

With a swift motion, she flung the door open and began striding past Alastor. "Have fun, vultures!" She found it amusing how Alastor stood there accepting his fate. 

His fans wasted no time rushing in, forming a throng around him as they clamored for attention. (Name) watched from a distance as Alastor struggled to keep up, his attempts to answer their myriad questions leaving him visibly flustered.

"(Name)!" Alastor shouted from the crowd, he was probably asking for her help. Which he would never get. 

(Name) chuckled to herself as she made her way back into her office, nestled next to her father's. A daily newspaper lay waiting for her, its familiar presence a comforting sight as she picked it up. With a quick turn of the key, she unlocked the door and pushed it open, stepping into her own little corner of paradise.

Paperwork certainly wasn't the most thrilling task, and being the owner's daughter came with its own set of responsibilities. Despite the occasional frustrations, (Name) took pride in her role, recognizing the importance of upholding the family business. Just excuse the jabs and nonsense she pulled against Alastor. But, it did add spice to her job. 

Throwing the newspaper onto her desk with a frustrated huff, (Name) accidentally hit the pile of work scattering all over the floor. "Are you fucking serious?" She grumbled, irritation evident in her voice, as she tossed her bag onto the coat rack nearby.

She truly was off to a rough start to her day. (Name) sighed heavily as she began picking up the pieces of paper and various documents scattered across the floor. Among them were proposals and ideas for their radio station to host, but to her dismay, the majority turned out to be letters mailed to them by fans who had somehow obtained their address.

(Name) carefully set aside the pile of 'worthwhile' work, ensuring it was positioned farthest away from Alastor's nonsense mail. With a determined air, she unbuttoned her coat, feeling the weight of the morning's frustrations begin to lift as she finished picking up the last few documents. With a swift motion, she slipped off her coat and tossed it over her bag, ready to tackle the tasks that awaited her.

With a wry smile, (Name) pulled the trash can closer to her chair and reached for the painfully familiar black plastic box. Seating herself, she placed the box on her lap and began sorting through the pile of letters. (Name) never bothered to read any of the letters that Alastor received. Instead, she would open them up, discard whatever contents weren't paper into the trash, then neatly place the letter back into the envelope before dropping it into the box.

(Name) would do this for every single piece of mail Alastor got. He was a famous fellow and it wouldn't be surprising for him to get some questionable things from his fans. Though, (Name) would wish they’d stop sending pictures of themselves or locks of their hair. That was a little excessive. 

After sorting through about thirty letters from various unknown senders, (Name)'s concentration was interrupted by a knock on her office door. Glancing up from her busy work, she was met with the sight of a disheveled Alastor standing at her door. To her satisfaction, he lacked his usual smile this time.

"May I help you, Alastor?" (Name) greeted with a hint of fondness, as she cut open the seal on another envelope.

Alastor allowed himself into her office and closed the door behind him. "Of course, you can. (Name), what in the devil's name were you planning there?" The frustration in his voice brought a sense of satisfaction to her little stunt.

(Name) said a silent prayer, hoping that nothing strange would drop out of the envelope as she pulled out its contents. "Your vultures were waiting for you, Alastor. It was about time someone let them all in," She remarked, her attention still focused on the task at hand. Something cold hit her hand and it made her jolt slightly. It felt like metal and it was relatively small. 

"(Name), look at me.” Alastor’s voice sounded the best when he was upset. How slight fluctuation tickled her ear as he slammed his hands against her table. "You're well aware of the reasons we keep them out of here.” 

(Name) glanced down at the golden ring, her expression shifting to a glare as she met Alastor's gaze. "Mainly, your vultures are freaks ," She stated, her voice laced with ice, emphasizing the chasm between them. There would never be an understanding between them, not now, not ever.

"At least they have heart," Alastor retorted, undeterred, as (Name) lifted the golden ring from the palm of her hand and lifted it in front of her eyes.

"Heart? Alastor, my dear. Your vultures want to marry you," She sighed, her exasperation evident as she offered him the ring, now resting in the center of her palm.

Alastor accepted the golden ring, his gaze lingering upon it for a moment. "No, you're incorrect," He countered, a hint of amusement replacing his frustration as he realized he held the upper hand. "They want to marry you." With a swift motion, Alastor slipped the ring onto her ring finger, and to her surprise, it was a perfect fit.

"You gave them my ring size? Are you crazy !" (Name)'s voice rose in incredulity as she stared at the perfectly fitted ring adorning her hand. "How did you even get this?"

Alastor's low chuckle reverberated in the room as he made his way around her desk, his hands finding purchase on her armrests as he leaned in, effectively caging her in. "I'm not the only one with a fan club, my dear," He replied, his proximity unsettling as her mind raced with thoughts of who could have provided such intimate information.

(Name)'s hands instinctively rested on the edge of the plastic box in her lap as she looked down at the golden band encircling her finger. "A fan club? That's absurd," She retorted, her tone tinged with disbelief at the notion.

Alastor tilted (Name)'s head up, but she forcefully shoved his hand away from her. "Plenty of followers, and a plethora of names to uphold. My personal favorite among them has to be Lilith's spawn ," Alastor remarked, his voice was playful as he spoke fondly of her little fan club.

"How charming of you, I simply don't care," (Name) spat, her irritation palpable as Alastor laughed at her annoyance.

"Charming? Thank you, my dear," Alastor replied, a smirk playing on his lips as he released her from his grasp.

(Name) thrust the box into his hands with a huff. "You know I hate you, right?" She declared, her frustration evident in her tone.

Alastor placed the box on her desk. "It's always a pleasure working with you, (Name). Truly a pleasure ," Alastor stated, seemingly unfazed by her animosity as he made his way out, with (Name) following closely behind.

"Just quit already!" (Name) screamed, frustration boiling over as she took off the ring and hurled it at him.

Alastor sidestepped, skillfully avoiding her attempt to harm him. "And lose the pleasure of being your co-worker? I'd never," he retorted, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.

(Name) could hear her father's door open, his booming voice echoing through the hallway. "What's going on out here?" He inquired, his tone commanding attention.

"Nothing, Father," (Name) attempted to dismiss her father's question, hoping to avoid further scrutiny.

"Nonsense, (Name). I heard you yelling," Her father insisted, his demeanor surprisingly calm as he approached her, his towering figure casting a shadow over her.

"I don't care what you do. But, you know Al is our best moneymaker and the face of this company," Her father continued, his words making her deflate with every word that escaped his lips. "Do treat him better. There are other workers to direct your anger at."

"Of course , Father. I'll remember that for next time," (Name) replied, her voice resembling that of a mouse, subdued and acquiescent.

"Now, what happened to you, son?" Her father inquired, his gaze shifting to Alastor's disheveled appearance, concern evident in his tone.

"Some eager fans attempted a taste, sir. Luckily, they only managed to nibble on a few buttons," Alastor explained, his gaze flickering toward (Name) from behind her father, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Sweetheart, you can fix that for him before his show?" her father asked, turning his attention to (Name), his request accompanied by a hopeful tone.

(Name) bit the inside of her cheek, her fists balling in frustration as she suppressed the urge to lash out. This wasn’t worth fighting over. If her father wasn’t here, she’d kill him. How dare he embarrass her like this. 

“Of course, father.” (Name) would always do what her father asked. There was no point in arguing. “Let's go, Alastor.” No matter how humiliating it would be. 

For (Name), her father was all she had. He was the only person who truly understood her, flaws and all. And even if she resented it at times, she knew she would always do what he asked, if only to maintain the fragile bond they shared.

(Name) took Alastor's arm and guided him back to the storage room upstairs, confident that they would find a sewing kit of some sort. Her mother always kept one around when she assisted her father, and he wasn't the type to discard such practical items.

Casting a small glance back at Alastor, she caught sight of his gentle smile. It was a smile that she despised, one she felt she didn't deserve. A smile that seemed meant for anyone else but her. (Name) took the lead as they ascended the stairs, releasing her grip on his arm as they made their way forward.

She just wanted to fix up his shirt and be done with it. Downstairs awaited a newspaper full of juicy details about her savior. Everything he did was meticulously documented there and broadcasted on the radio. He had New Orleans by the throat and shaking with fear.

Their walk was silent, save for Alastor's consistent humming as he strolled alongside her. (Name) attempted to shove her annoyances aside as she pulled out her keys and selected the master key. With a deft hand, she unlocked the door and left it ajar for Alastor to enter. He closed the door behind him, and (Name) couldn't help but jump slightly at the sound of the door locking.

Turning around with an annoyed expression on her face, (Name) accused, "What are you planning?" She sighed and turned back around to start digging through various boxes. 

"It would indeed be quite troublesome if we were discovered alone up here, wouldn't it?" Alastor remarked, his grin widening as he walked over to one of the shelves and pulled down a box.

"For you, maybe. I don’t exactly care," (Name) retorted, her tone firm as she reiterated her indifference. She had always made it clear that she didn't care, and yet sometimes she would wear the ring one of his fans had given him. She couldn't pawn it until after her shift – and she would pawn it off every shift, adding it to his bonuses.

The sound of him sifting through the box echoed through the room. "Always stuck in your ways," Alastor observed, his tone devoid of disappointment as he spoke.

(Name) didn’t respond, keeping her gaze fixed on the box on the floor as she continued to dig through its contents. She always found it odd how her father kept the majority of her mother’s belongings in the studio’s storage room. The various pictures in the box evoked a wave of nostalgia through her body.

Her mother, Margaret, had died when she was seventeen under questionable circumstances. Since then, her father had practically removed all traces of her mother from their home and moved everything here, to the storage room that always remained locked and accessible only to herself and her father.

As (Name) carefully pulled out an old picture frame and dusted it off, a family photograph emerged. Her father stood proudly with a bright smile on his face, exuding a youthful vigor that seemed to belong to another era. Margaret was captured holding onto her daughter's shoulders. In the photograph, her mother appeared radiant and beautiful, her hair perfectly groomed and her clothes devoid of wrinkles. But what struck (Name) the most was the brightest and warmest smile adorning her mother's face.

Yet, (Name) couldn't recall her mother ever smiling at her like that. Her mother seemed entirely absent from her childhood memories, lost in the depths of her own struggles. The rare days when her mother did come around, (Name) found her drowning at the bottom of a bottle, lost in a haze of despair and loneliness.

Her father had hoarded plenty of liquor before the prohibition and that was more than enough to help her mother through her issues. Issues that made her nothing more than a footnote in (Name)’s life. She wanted nothing more than to get to know her and have the parent-child relationships from the fairytales her mother once read to her. 

(Name) acted swiftly, removing the picture from the frame and unbuttoning her shirt. With deft movements, she slid the picture under her bandeau brassiere, securing it safely under the strap before hurriedly buttoning up her shirt. Lost in the depths of her memories, she became completely absorbed in her thoughts, momentarily forgetting about Alastor's presence in the room.

Unbeknownst to her, Alastor hovered above, his eyes glancing up and away from her, a semblance of respect for her privacy. At this point, modesty seemed inconsequential. If he saw anything, she decided, it was his problem, and she would certainly make him regret it if he dared to use that against her.

Standing up and returning the box back into place, (Name) addressed Alastor. “I’m assuming you’ve found it?” She inquired, her tone tinged with anticipation as Alastor presented her with a small metal box, the thread spilling out from the edges. 

"In fact, my dear, I did," Alastor replied, a hint of pride evident in his voice as (Name) accepted the metal box from him.

Leaning against the shelf, (Name) pulled out a spool of white thread and a needle. “Take off your shirt, unless you want me to sew this into your skin,” She commanded as she looked up at him and her expression dropped at Alastor looked beyond amused.

“If you wanted me to undress you could’ve just asked.” Alastor spoke with a smirk as (Name) narrowed her eyes. 

If he were anyone else, that might have worked. But Alastor's charms never had any effect on her. Still, she couldn't deny the slight flutter in her chest, fighting down the flustered expression threatening to appear on her face. Alastor was undeniably good-looking, and any woman would feel a pang of attraction in her position.

However, (Name) didn't bother to give him the satisfaction of increasing his ego any further. “In your dreams, Alastor. I'll leave that to the vultures outside,” She retorted, her tone cool and unaffected. Fiddling through the box, she searched for similar buttons that matched the few that were left.

Alastor maintained his smirk as he observed her digging and fiddling through the contents of the box. “Always immune to my charm,”

“There was no charm to begin with.” (Name) replied flatly as she finally found the button she was looking for. “You haven't moved an inch. I suppose, I'll have to sew this into your skin.” 

Alastor sighed, casting her a disapproving look. “It's inappropriate for a man to undress in front of a lady.”

“Fortunately, I don't view you as a man. Hand over your shirt,” (Name) retorted, her eyes narrowing as she walked into the far corner and took a seat, her back turned to him.

With (Name)'s back turned, Alastor began to unbutton his shirt. “As cruel as ever,” he remarked, folding his shirt over his arm before walking back over to (Name).

“You can call me anything you like,” (Name) replied curtly as Alastor took a seat next to her. (Name) snatched his shirt from him and began her work, her focus solely on the task at hand.

She really always did give him openings to tease her. “Sweetheart, Darling, Dearest, ” Alastor quipped with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

(Name) looked up at him, her expression stern as she tried to thread the needle. “ No . Absolutely not. Call me that again and you'll be sewing your own buttons.”

Alastor's laughter filled the room as he leaned back. “Never one for fun,” he remarked, his tone light despite (Name)'s clear warning.

“You couldn't handle my definition of fun,” (Name) replied, her tone firm as she felt Alastor’s shoulder touching hers. It felt odd, feeling his touch, and she absolutely hated it.

Alastor watched her weave the needle through the button holes. “Right. Your fun is your little obsession with our little boogeyman.”

“He's not just a boogeyman,” (Name) retorted, a softness creeping into her voice that only emerged when she spoke about him. “He's a kind man watching out for the people of New Orleans.”

“(Name), he kills people.” Alastor stated bluntly, his tone devoid of judgment. He didn't criticize her for her obsession; He understood it and where it came from. 

(Name) glanced over at him, and that split-second distraction was all it took for her to prick her finger. “Ow. Alastor, he's much more than just a killer. He has an agenda to push. He's cleaning the filth from this city,” She asserted, her voice tinged with conviction. She didn't care if he was a killer. In her eyes, he was more than that; he was a force for justice, albeit a dark and unconventional one. She was determined to prove to everyone that he was a killer with morals, that he was doing everyone a favor by ridding the city of its filth.

Alastor watched as (Name)’s blood started to bead on the tip of her finger. “What if that's not the case?” He asked, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

“That's highly unlikely. But, in that case, I'll just give my information over to the police,” (Name) replied confidently. She knew her boogeyman was a vigilante who operated outside of the law, removing the people the police had no way of disposing of.

“And if your little investigation gets you killed?” Alastor questioned, unaware of how little she cared for her own safety.

(Name) slid her bloody finger against his cheek, leaving a faint trail of red. “Then you get to cry me a river,” She retorted, a rare smile gracing her lips. It was one of the few times Alastor ever got to see a smile on (Name)’s face. Her smiles were reserved for when she spoke of her killer and the dangers of hunting her unknown assailant's identity.

“I'm sure nothing will happen to you. You won't have to worry; there won't be any rivers of tears for you,” Alastor reassured her, his tone gentle. He didn't understand why she looked so upset when he finished his sentence.

“ Right . Of course. There wouldn't be a need for it,” (Name) replied tersely, her focus returning to her work with her bloody finger held up and away from Alastor's pristine white dress shirt. “There's no use mourning the dead. They'll never see it,” She muttered half-heartedly.

Alastor leaned against her and closed his eyes. “I'm sure there's someone who would mourn your death,” He whispered softly, his words hanging in the air as (Name) remained silent.

“If you're tired, take a nap somewhere else,” (Name) retorted, her displeasure evident in every word. Despite her irritation, she didn't move, allowing Alastor to do as he pleased.

They both ended their conversation there, with Alastor relaxing and taking some time to mentally prepare himself for his show while (Name) diligently worked to sew every button, keeping Alastor's position in mind.

(Name) had a feeling Alastor was exhausted and it made sense why. Dealing with his vultures earlier that morning was enough to tire anyone out. It didn't make her regret her actions, there was hardly anything that would make her do that. 

But sometimes, (Name) would allow Alastor to rest when he needed it. He was the apple of her father's eye, the son he never had and the one he wished for. (Name) understood the importance of looking out for him and taking care of him, especially to maintain her father's favor.

However, she recognized that these thoughts were ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things. With a final glance at her handiwork, (Name) finished sewing the last button. Admiring her handiwork (Name) shook Alastor awake and threw the shirt over his face. 

“Get up and get dressed. You're on air soon,” (Name) commanded, pushing Alastor off her as she pulled herself to her feet.

“You could've been softer,” Alastor grumbled, observing her as she collected her supplies and carefully placed them back into a box.

“No,” (Name) replied firmly as she walked back to the door and unlocked it. 

(Name) glanced up at the clock, her eyes darting back to Alastor who was still buttoning up his shirt. With a sense of urgency, she jogged back to Alastor. They had only five minutes left, and Alastor still needed to do his final checks before going on air.

With a deep sigh, (Name) returned to the room and grabbed Alastor's arm. “Come on, we're live in five minutes.”

Alastor sprang into action, practically dragging her along behind him. (Name) had thought she was the one doing the dragging, but it became clear how much Alastor truly cared about his show. Despite the pressure, (Name) was astonished by how swiftly Alastor moved. She could barely keep up with his pace.

Running past various employees and down a few hallways, they arrived at Alastor's recording booth. (Name) tried to resist being dragged inside, but Alastor stumbled into his chair, immediately diving into his final checks. His shirt still wasn't fully buttoned up as he scrambled to get ready for the show and start on time.

(Name) felt her breath catch in her throat as she noticed her father narrowing his eyes. Without a second thought, she rushed to help Alastor finish up the last of his checks. They were a few minutes late, but Alastor's listeners never seemed to mind.

“This is Alastor Broussard, signing in this morning,” His sickly smooth voice filled the airwaves, brimming with gentle tenderness. It was as though he was speaking to someone genuinely special to him.

(Name) could feel her father's gaze fixed on her and Alastor. He expected her to take action, not stand there like a headless chicken. With cautious determination, (Name) took a step forward as Alastor picked up the microphone. She forced a smile onto her face as she finished buttoning up his shirt. It felt awkward, the microphone pressing against her chest.

Alastor's gaze lingered on (Name) as he continued speaking into the microphone. "I hope you're all having an eventful morning. Because mine was quite eventful," His laughter rang out, sounding so practiced to (Name)'s ears. She felt his eyes probing hers, as if seeking out the truth hidden behind her little facade.

A sense of urgency washed over (Name). She knew she couldn't linger here any longer. The longer she stayed, the harder it would be to leave undetected. Every sound would alert his listeners to her presence, even the subtle click of her heels against the floor. She needed to slip away unnoticed, disappearing into the background before anyone noticed her absence.

“I got to meet some of you today.” Alastor motioned for her to go as he talked directly into the microphone. “It's always a pleasure to meet and connect with some of you.” 

Her father's smile was warm as he glanced down at her, his eyes full of paternal pride. "Sweetheart, you and Alastor look like a fantastic match," He remarked, his voice tinged with approval. "What do you think about it? (Name) Broussard has a nice ring to it."

(Name)'s response was firm yet gentle. "I won't marry him, Father," She replied softly, her resolve unwavering.

Her father chuckled lightly, the sound echoing in the corridor. "That's unfortunate. One day, perhaps," He mused, his words carrying a hint of teasing.

(Name)'s shoulders slumped slightly at his response, a mixture of disappointment and frustration washing over her. With a nod, she acknowledged his words before excusing herself to attend to her duties. "I'll finish your paperwork and leave it on your desk for review," She stated as she turned to leave, her steps quick and purposeful as she retreated back to her office, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions.

💟

With a resounding thud, (Name) shut the door behind her and turned the lock, sealing herself away from the outside world. She sank to the floor, her frustration and resentment bubbling up inside her like a tempest. How she loathed the way Alastor's presence seemed to permeate every corner of her existence, his charm casting a shadow over her own accomplishments.

The constant adoration and influence he wielded over everyone she knew grated on her nerves, a reminder of the imbalance of power in her father's recording studio. (Name) longed for a reprieve, a day where her life wasn't dictated by Alastor and the whims of her father's studio. 

In the quiet solitude of her office, (Name) took a few deep breaths, steeling herself for the challenges ahead. With determination flickering in her eyes, she rose from the floor and settled into her chair, ready to tackle the arduous workday that lay ahead. Today would be different; (Name) said that to herself every bloody day — nothing ever changed. 

As (Name)'s gaze fell upon her desk, her eyes landed on the ring she had tossed at Alastor, now resting innocuously on the polished surface. With a mixture of annoyance and resignation, she snatched it up and flung it into one of the desk's cluttered drawers, burying it beneath a mound of forgotten trinkets and paperwork.

Turning her attention to the newspaper, she skimmed over the bold headline splashed across the front page. 

‘Another man was found dead in the alleyway off of Main Street. The boogeyman strikes again!’

(Name)'s finger traced the bold print of the newspaper article, a faint smile touching her lips as she absorbed the words before her. "You're perfect," She murmured under her breath.  

With a sigh of resignation, she returned the newspaper to her bag, tucking it away alongside the countless other artifacts of her daily life. It was time to confront the demands of her workday and the piles of paperwork ahead. 

💟

The clock had struck seven, and the city's streets lay deserted as (Name) left and locked up the studio for the night. A reminder of the pervasive fear that gripped the city. The ominous shadows cast by the fading light of dusk only served to accentuate the eerie stillness that hung in the air like a heavy shroud. (Name) didn’t care, in fact she enjoyed the eeriness of it all. 

She couldn’t help feeling disappointed in the citizen’s cowardice. They were all so scared of someone who wouldn’t harm them if they were decent people. If they were, they wouldn’t have to worry about him coming after them. After all, New Orleans was their boogeyman’s personal playground and they were all his toys. Which pushed (Name) to hunt him down and praise him for his every action. 

As (Name) walked alone through the deserted streets, her mind wandered into the realm of dark fantasies, where the elusive figure known only as her savior prowled the shadows like a vengeful specter. In her imagination, she envisioned him as a shadowy figure, swift and merciless, his every movement a dance of death and retribution.

She relished the thought of witnessing his gruesome work, of standing amidst the chaos and carnage as he selected his unsuspecting victims with chilling precision. In her mind's eye, she saw him move with silent grace, his blade glinting in the moonlight as he closed in on his prey with calculated determination.

The thrill of anticipation coursed through her veins as she imagined the terror-stricken faces of those unfortunate enough to cross his path, their futile struggles echoing in the empty streets as they fell prey to his merciless wrath. For (Name), there was a perverse satisfaction in the thought of witnessing their final moments, of seeing the light extinguished from their eyes as they succumbed to the cold embrace of death.

With each step, her fantasies grew darker, her desires more twisted and macabre. She longed to stand at the precipice of oblivion, to revel in the chaos and brutality that defined her savior's reign of terror. In that moment, she felt a primal exhilaration, a rush of adrenaline that fueled her darkest desires and consumed her every thought.

Now, if only he would kill Alastor. That would be amazing. 

Unfortunately, Alastor had already gone home hours earlier, he seemed like the type who would cower in fear at the mere mention of the city's mysterious predator. While he didn't fit all the requirements to be one of the killer's victims, he had to have some. (Name) was sure he would have a couple of overlaps with the previous victims. 

Maybe, she'd go over her killer's known similarities between his victims and see how they applied to Alastor. That would be a good way to pass the time and make her day better. It made her pick up her pace as she walked back home. 

Upon entering her family's manor, (Name) greeted her father with a tender kiss on the cheek, a customary display of affection. Swiftly, she navigated through the familiar halls, her footsteps echoing in the quietness of the expansive residence. As she reached her destination— her investigation room. 

Dropping her bag to the floor, she gracefully threw herself onto the sofa. The room, adorned with shelves of meticulously organized files and the remnants of past investigations. The large map of the city that took up half the wall with various red strings linking one murder to the next. 

(Name) retrieved the newspaper from her bag and began to methodically retrace the lines of the front-page headline. The text, a tapestry of words that hinted at the city's ongoing turmoil, drew her focus like a moth to a flame. As she immersed herself in the details, (Name)'s mind tried to place herself in his shoes. 

Pulling her notebook from her bag she began scribbling whatever details that leapt out to her. 

💟

Alastor approached the Wilson estate with a sense of apprehension that had become all too familiar. Each visit to this imposing mansion stirred a discomfort within him, as if the grandeur of the estate itself repelled him. Despite its vastness, the estate felt empty, devoid of the warmth and familiarity that one would expect from a home.

The sheer scale of the mansion, designed to impress with its grand architecture and sprawling grounds, only served to accentuate its soulless nature. There was something wrong with the estate and Alastor could never put his finger on it. Perhaps, how every curtain was drawn and every window remained closed. 

It was never enjoyable coming here, there was always  something that made his skin crawl. 

There was just no heart in that home. However, this was the place (Name) called home. 

(Name) was the only one worth visiting and that wasn’t out of genuine interest or affection, but solely to provoke her and revel in her exasperation. He took pleasure in witnessing her attempts to outwit him, watching her attempt to outsmart him every chance she could.

Despite her undeniable charm, (Name) was as prickly as a rose, her sharp tongue and quick temper serving as formidable defenses against potential suitors. There would be no man brave enough to court her. Which Alastor found amusing as she was getting dangerously close to becoming a spinster. 

(Name) remained indifferent to the advances of others, appearing almost heartless to those who dared to come too close. She maintained a formidable barrier, a wall of concrete, between herself and the possibility of forging meaningful connections with others. Despite her undeniable allure and intelligence, (Name) seemed content to keep her distance, unwilling to let down her guard and allow others in. 

Alastor attributed (Name)'s emotional detachment to her opulent but soulless home. Despite its grandeur and splendor, the mansion lacked the warmth and love that should have defined a family's dwelling. It stood as a hollow shell, a mere imitation of what a loving home should be.

Within its ornate walls, there echoed a palpable absence of genuine affection and connection. The air was heavy with a sense of emptiness, as if the very essence of familial bonds had been stripped away, leaving behind only a facade of prosperity and privilege.

But, this home only created a flower who bloomed for no one. Hidden under layers of concrete and thorns. 

Maybe that was why he pitied (Name). 

Perhaps, that's why he found himself here. Alastor's sense of responsibility for (Name)'s well-being compelled him to accept her father's invitation to dinner, despite knowing that (Name) herself might not appreciate his presence. 

She deserved better than what she was dealt.

Forcing a smile to mask his discomfort, Alastor pressed the doorbell and patiently waited for someone to let him in. After a short wait, Harold swung the door wide, his jovial demeanor filling the threshold. A servant lingered in the background, her presence almost ghostly as she continued her task of sweeping the floor.

“Alastor, my boy! Always a pleasure to have you,” Harold boomed, his arm encircling Alastor's shoulders in a gesture of familiarity.

Alastor couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he stepped into the opulent interior. The dim candle light was the only light in the area as the temperature visibly dropped. 

The ostentatious furnishings and intricate wallpaper told him all he needed to know about how deep Harold’s pockets went. It was an utter waste of money. Alastor saw his reflection from the large mirrors that Harold loved to have around. He looked miserable. 

“Sir, it's always a pleasure stepping by.” Alastor replied, his smile masking his inner reservations as Harold guided him towards the dining hall.

“You're always welcome, son.” Harold smiled as he walked around without batting an eye at the servants who cowarded in his presence. 

“I'm glad to hear that.” Alastor echoed, though his words carried a hint of skepticism. If (Name) wasn’t his daughter, he would stay far away from this estate. 

The emptiness of the house was unmistakable, despite the presence of a few servants Alastor passed by on his way to the dining hall. Even with Harold bustling about, the grandeur of the estate seemed to amplify the sense of vacancy, as if the walls themselves were longing for companionship.

Harold's relentless chatter was a constant drain on Alastor's patience. It seemed that Harold possessed an insatiable need to keep Alastor engaged, to ensure his presence lingered in the grand estate. Alastor couldn't help but wonder about the extent to which Harold would go to keep him tethered to this place.

As they entered the grand dining hall, Alastor couldn't help but notice the lavish spread laid out on the table. It was a feast fit for royalty and there was no one sitting at the table. 

"Are we the only ones having dinner, sir?" Alastor inquired, his eyes scanning the empty chairs. (Name)'s usual presence, engrossed in a newspaper or notebook, was noticeably absent.

Harold sighed, an air of resignation in his voice. "(Name) will be joining us."

Alastor raised an eyebrow. "Where is she? We can't start dinner without her." It was a statement rather than a question, expressing his disapproval of the thought proceeding without (Name).

Alastor could feel his eye twitch, did Harold really think he would have dinner with him alone? Absolutely not . Of course, (Name) would be his safety net. He was an odd man and a strange father. He allowed his daughter to do whatever she pleased and never questioned it. 

“In her usual place, her room of horrors.” Harold didn't seem too happy, but he was rather supportive of (Name)'s strange hobbies. “I swear, she'll grow out of her phase, son.” 

Alastor nodded, understanding Harold's hopes. "I can fetch her and escort her downstairs," he offered, already moving towards (Name)'s quarters.

"That would be lovely," Harold agreed, his relief evident in his tone as Alastor took the initiative to bring (Name) to dinner.

(Name)'s Room of Horrors was what her father called her investigation room. She had spent the last two years meticulously hunting down her beloved boogeyman, desperate to unmask him and help him with his reign of terror. 

It was a rather chilling idea for a normal person, but Alastor wasn't a normal person by any means. He found it rather amusing to see (Name) untangle his murders, piece by piece, and be wrong every time.

But, her dedication to hunting him down was admirable. She had no idea just how close her beloved killer was to her. 

Alastor grinned as he saw the door was wide open and let himself inside. The room itself was a cacophony of clippings, notes, and strings connecting various points on the map. It was her lair, her Room of Horrors, as her father liked to call it. The place where (Name)'s obsession unfolded, and Alastor often found himself as a peculiar subject of her investigations.

(Name) stood before the large-scale map of the city, her hair pulled back into a messy bun and thick-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. It was a familiar sight for Alastor, one that revealed the true essence of (Name) Wilson. In this room, amidst the organized chaos of her investigation, she was unapologetically herself. The map, adorned with pins and strings connecting various locations and (Name) stood in front of it. 

(Name) meticulously pinned today's newspaper article about the latest victim to the board, her movements deliberate and focused. With each pin, she anchored the grim details of the crime to the sprawling map of the city before her. The victim's face stared back at her from the newspaper and she didn’t seem the slightest disturbed. As she affixed the article in place, (Name)'s fingers traced the lines of her notes, a web of observations and deductions that danced across the surface of the board. 

With practiced precision, she attached a red string to her notes, its vibrant hue standing out against the backdrop of the map. The string served as a visual marker, connecting disparate pieces of evidence and drawing attention to crucial details that might otherwise be overlooked.

Alastor stood quietly at the threshold, taking in the scene before him. (Name)'s room, though sparse in its furnishings, was rich with the weight of her obsession. There was a large bookshelf and a sofa, and plenty of tables. But, there wasn’t much else in the large room. 

On the tables lay an array of evidence, each item a piece of the puzzle that had consumed (Name)'s thoughts and fueled her determination. Forgotten by the police or deemed inconsequential, always found sanctuary in this room, where they awaited her scrutiny and analysis.

As Alastor watched, (Name) paced the room, lost in the labyrinth of her own thoughts. Her mutterings were a symphony of determination and frustration, punctuated by the rhythmic cadence of her footsteps. With each circuit of the room, she chewed on her nails as she lost herself in her thoughts. 

"(Name)," he called out, announcing his presence as he leaned casually against the doorway. She turned around, a mix of surprise and annoyance on her face. Just the expression he knew she’d make when he made his presence known. 

(Name)'s head snapped toward him, her expression a mix of surprise and irritation. She stomped over, her footsteps echoing through the room. "Alastor! Who let you in here?" she shouted, her voice tinged with annoyance, as she looked up at him through her thick-framed glasses.

“I let myself in.” He joked as he raised an eyebrow at Marie's less-than-enthusiastic response. 

Marie didn't look impressed and he chose another avenue. "You're not thrilled about the prospect of dinner?" Marie knew what that meant and there was only one other person who was rather fond of sharing a meal with him.

(Name) sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation evident in her expression. "It's not about the dinner, Alastor. It's about the fact that you're here."

Alastor chuckled, finding amusement in her candidness. "Well, I am your father’s invited guest. You wouldn't want to be impolite, now would you?"

(Name) winced at the tone of his voice. "Oh, that's just great," she muttered under her breath, her irritation evident.

Alastor couldn't resist a chuckle, his demeanor light despite her obvious annoyance. "Well, it's always a pleasure being here," He remarked with a hint of amusement, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"And it's always a pleasure to not have you here," (Name) shot back sharply, her tone laced with sarcasm as she pushed Alastor out and firmly closed the door behind her. 

Alastor's curiosity always got the better of him, especially when it came to (Name)'s relentless pursuit of her mysterious boogeyman. "Are you any closer to finding your elusive boogeyman?" He asked, leaning slightly to catch a glimpse inside her investigation room.

(Name)'s determination shone through her response, her smile radiant with confidence. "Not yet, but I'll find him," she declared resolutely. There was a spark in her eyes that Alastor found both intriguing and unsettling. What was it about the thought of a murderer that lit her up like a beacon? "But first, dinner. So, you can get out of here," (Name) added, as she ushered him away from the door.

“Always so cruel, (Name).” Alastor teased as he followed her down the hallway.

(Name) shrugged as she walked beside him. “Me? Cruel, I could never.” Her voice faked, sounding offended and Alastor couldn't help but grin. 

“You are the cruelest flower in New Orleans, my dear.” Alastor remembered, but (Name) didn't mind. 

“Shut up and have dinner with my father. I want you gone after.” (Name) always loved ordering him around. That one was a given, he didn't want to stay in that estate overnight. 

He just needed to survive another dinner with Harold. Then, he'd be free from this hellish estate for a short time. Alastor always kept coming back for (Name). 

#alastor x reader #alastor #hazbin alastor #hazbin hotel #hellaverse #fanfic #really long post #hazbinhotel #hazbin hotel au #alastor hazbin hotel

[lenny-thequeen1]

Flames Ignited. Leon X F!Reader

You go to a bar after a mission to unwind and you see Leon, who catches your eye.

author: i made this really long and tried to add as much detail into it and make it as realistic as possible. minus a couple of surprises! i appreciate comments too along with all the reposts!

FLUFF, some smut, talks of drinking, dates, (redacted) ;) 14.9K words! 18++

You walked into the dimly lit bar, the sound of glasses clinking and people chatting filling your ears. It had been a long day, and you were looking to unwind a little. The bar itself was a cozy little place, with warm wood paneling and flickering candles on every table. The smell of roasted nuts and spicy cocktails filled the air, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. You remember feeling a little out of place when you first walked in, still dressed in your combat gear from the mission. But as soon as Leon's eyes met yours, you felt a sense of ease wash over you. As you approached the bar, you noticed a man sitting at the end of it, nursing a drink. He looked up as you approached, and your eyes met. There was something in his gaze that made your heart skip a beat.

"Can I buy you a drink?" he asked, a charming smile on his lips.

You smiled back, feeling a thrill of excitement course through you. "Sure, I'd like that."

The two of you struck up a conversation, and before long, you were laughing and flirting like old friends. The chemistry between you was undeniable, and it wasn't long before you found yourselves lost in each other's eyes.

As you talked, you realized that you both worked for the same type of job, but in different departments. You couldn't help but feel a little surprised, but also thrilled that you had found someone who understood the demands and dangers of the job.

"So, what kind of missions have you been on lately?" Leon asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Oh, just the usual stuff," you replied nonchalantly, not wanting to give away too much. "What about you?"

"I've been sent on a few solo missions, but my last one was a team effort. We had to infiltrate a high-security building and retrieve some important documents. It was pretty intense, but we managed to pull it off."

You were impressed, and couldn't help but feel a little envious. "That sounds exciting. I haven't been on a team mission in a while."

"Well, if you ever need a partner, I'm always up for it," Leon said with a sly grin.

You laughed, feeling a spark of attraction between you. "I'll keep that in mind."

As the night wore on, the two of you continued to flirt and exchange stories. It felt like you had known each other for years, and the connection between you only grew stronger.

Eventually, Leon leaned in close and whispered in your ear, "You know, I can't stop thinking about you. I don't want this night to end."

Your heart skipped a beat, and you felt a rush of desire wash over you. "I don't want it to end either," you replied, your voice husky with emotion.

The two of you shared passionate kiss, the heat between you intensifying with every passing moment. You feel his rough hands cup your cheek, your hand moves to rest on his chest. His lips felt soft against your own, making you want more of him. As you pulled away, you couldn't help but feel like this was the start of something special.

Leon's hand trailed down from your cheek to your neck, his fingers lightly grazing your skin as he leaned in to whisper in your ear. "You know, (Y/N), I have a feeling we might have more in common than just our love for a good drink."

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? Do tell."

He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down your spine. "I happen to work for a certain organization that handles some pretty top-secret missions. And I have a feeling that you might just work for the same company."

Your eyes widened in surprise. "No way. That's crazy."

Leon grinned, looking pleased with himself. "I thought you might say that. Let me buy you another drink, and we can talk more about it."

The two of you continued your conversation, talking about your experiences on various missions and sharing stories of near-misses and narrow escapes. You found that you worked well together, and before you knew it, you were throwing flirty lines at each other and making plans to work together on your next mission.

As the night wore on, you found yourselves lost in each other's company, and when it was time to leave, Leon walked you to your car. As he leaned in to kiss you goodbye, he whispered, "I can't wait to see what kind of mission we'll get sent on next."

You grinned, feeling the same excitement that he did. "Me too. And who knows, maybe we'll end up working on it together again."

The next day, you received a call from your boss, informing you that you were being sent on a mission. As you packed your bags, your mind kept drifting back to the night you had spent with Leon. You couldn't help but wonder if you would see him again.

When you arrived at the location for the mission, you were surprised to see Leon waiting for you. It turned out that you both worked for the same company, and you were being sent on the same mission. The two of you couldn't help but exchange a knowing look, the sparks still flying between you.

As you worked together on the mission, you found that your chemistry only grew stronger. You worked seamlessly together, anticipating each other's moves and finishing each other's sentences. There were moments of danger and tension, but you always had each other's back.

It was a high-stakes operation, one that required you and Leon to work closely together to achieve success. You were tasked with infiltrating a heavily guarded facility, and the two of you spent weeks planning and preparing for the mission.

Finally, the day arrived, and you and Leon found yourselves crouched behind a dumpster outside the facility. Your hearts were pounding with adrenaline as you checked your equipment one last time and exchanged a look.

"Ready?" Leon whispered.

"Ready," you replied, feeling a surge of excitement and fear.

You both made your way stealthily through the facility, avoiding guards and security cameras as you went. The tension was palpable as you approached your objective, and you could feel your heart racing in your chest.

Suddenly, you heard a loud alarm go off, and you knew that you had been made. Without hesitation, you and Leon sprang into action, taking out guards and clearing a path to your objective.

As you worked your way deeper into the facility, you encountered unexpected resistance. The guards were better trained and better equipped than you had anticipated, and you found yourselves engaged in a fierce firefight.

Despite the danger and chaos around you, you and Leon worked together seamlessly. Your movements were fluid and synchronized, and you were able to take out the guards one by one.

Finally, you reached your objective, and you quickly completed your mission before making your escape. As you fled the facility, you felt a rush of triumph and relief, knowing that you and Leon had succeeded against all odds.

The two of you collapsed against a wall, catching your breath and grinning at each other. You felt a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over you as you caught your breath. You and Leon worked seamlessly together. You moved like a well-oiled machine, anticipating each other's moves and working in perfect harmony. The danger of the mission was palpable, and the adrenaline rush was intense. The air was thick with tension as you navigated through the enemy territory, moving stealthily and silently.

As you finally reached your objective, you both let out a sigh of relief. However, your joy was short-lived as you suddenly found yourselves surrounded by enemy soldiers. The two of you fought fiercely, back to back, taking out the enemy one by one. The fight was intense, and it seemed as though the odds were stacked against you.

But you and Leon fought on, never giving up, even when it seemed like all was lost. The two of you moved like a well-oiled machine, each anticipating the other's moves, and together, you overpowered the enemy. As the last enemy soldier fell to the ground, you and Leon looked at each other, panting heavily. The relief was evident on your faces, but there was also a sense of satisfaction and pride at a job well done.

Exhausted and covered in sweat, you and Leon exchanged a look of triumph. The mission was a success, and you had made it out alive.

That night, as you sat by the campfire, Leon handed you a cup of hot coffee, his eyes twinkling with warmth and admiration. You couldn't help but feel a flutter in your heart as he sat down next to you.

"Great job today," he said, a smile playing on his lips.

You smiled back, feeling a sense of camaraderie and connection with him that was hard to explain. "You too, Leon. We make a great team."

Leon looks up at the stars that are shining with a newfound beauty. "Tomorrow we will go to the extraction site. Tonight lets celebrate." He glances back over to you, his eyes showing a playful yet mischievous glint to them.

You couldn't help but smile at his playful expression, feeling a sense of relief wash over you at the thought of the mission being over. "Sounds like a plan," you replied, feeling grateful for the chance to unwind after the intense mission.

Leon led you to a nearby clearing, where a small campfire was already burning brightly. He had set up a makeshift table with a blanket on the ground, and there was a bottle of wine and two glasses waiting for you. You took a seat across from him, feeling your heart race as he poured you a glass of wine.

As you sipped your drink and enjoyed the warmth of the fire, Leon regaled you with stories of his past missions. You listened intently, hanging on his every word, feeling drawn to him more and more. You found yourself sharing stories of your own, opening up to him in a way that you hadn't with anyone else.

The night wore on, the two of you lost in conversation and laughter. The stars twinkled above you, and the sound of crickets filled the air. You felt a sense of peace and contentment that you hadn't felt in a long time.

As the fire died down, Leon stood up and held out his hand. "Dance with me," he said, a soft smile on his lips.

You took his hand, feeling his warmth seep into your skin. You moved together, swaying to the music in perfect harmony. His hands rested on your waist, and you felt a surge of desire run through you at his touch. You looked up into his eyes, seeing the same desire mirrored back at you.

The night passed by in a blur of dancing, laughter, and conversation. You couldn't believe how easy it was to be around Leon, how comfortable he made you feel. As the sun began to rise, you both knew it was time to leave the peaceful sanctuary of the clearing and return to reality.

But as you walked away, hand in hand with Leon, you couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning of something special.

The next day, you and Leon made your way to the extraction site, both feeling a sense of relief that the mission was over. The two of you walked side by side, sharing stories and jokes, the tension from the previous night completely gone.

As you arrived at the extraction site, you saw the helicopter waiting for you, its rotors spinning in anticipation. You climbed aboard, feeling the rush of excitement as you took off into the air. You couldn't help but smile as you looked over at Leon, feeling grateful that you had such an amazing partner to work with. As you sat in the helicopter, flying back to headquarters, you found yourself thinking about what the future held for the two of you.

As the helicopter soared through the sky, you watched as the terrain below shifted and changed, the scenery becoming more and more familiar. Before you knew it, you had arrived back at the headquarters of your company.

Once you were back at headquarters, you and Leon debriefed with your superiors, discussing the details of the mission and what had transpired. The rest of the day was a blur of paperwork and debriefings, but you couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at a job well done. You and Leon had worked together seamlessly, and it showed in the successful outcome of the mission.

As the sun began to set, you and Leon found yourselves alone in the break room. The tension between you was still palpable, and you couldn't help but wonder what might happen between you. As you both reached for the coffee pot at the same time, your hands brushed against each other, sending shivers down your spine.

"Hey," Leon said, his voice low and husky. "I know we've got a lot of work to do, but do you want to grab dinner tonight?"

You felt a flutter of excitement in your chest as you looked into his eyes. "I'd like that," you said, unable to hide the smile on your face.

As you left the break room, hand in hand with Leon, you couldn't help but feel like the future was full of endless possibilities.

As the helicopter soared through the sky, you watched as the terrain below shifted and changed, the scenery becoming more and more familiar. Before you knew it, you had arrived back at the headquarters of your company.

As the day drew to a close, you and Leon made your way out of the building, both feeling a sense of exhaustion but also elation at the successful completion of the mission. The two of you shared a knowing smile, the kind that only comes from experiencing something intense and life-changing together.

As you walked out into the fresh air, the sun setting behind you, Leon turned to you and said, "I couldn't have done it without you."

You smiled back at him, feeling a rush of warmth and affection. "Likewise," you replied, feeling grateful for the bond that the two of you had formed.

The two of you parted ways, promising to keep in touch and work together again in the future. As you walked away, you couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the next adventure that the two of you would embark on together.

The next day, you woke up feeling energized and refreshed, despite the previous night's mission. You checked your phone and saw a message from Leon, asking if you were free that evening. Your heart skipped a beat as you realized that he was asking you out on a date.

You quickly replied that you were free, and he suggested that you meet at a trendy new restaurant in the city. You spent the day getting ready, trying on different outfits and experimenting with your makeup until you found the perfect look. You stood in front of your full-length mirror, taking one final look at your outfit for the evening. The velvet black dress clung to your curves in all the right places, the slit teasingly revealing just enough of your toned legs. You paired the dress with a pair of sleek black heels that elongated your legs even further.

As you turned to the side, you couldn't help but admire the way the dress flattered your figure. It was classy yet alluring, the perfect combination for a date with Leon.

You spent the better part of the afternoon experimenting with your makeup, wanting to create a look that was both sophisticated and sultry. You settled on a subtle smokey eye, using shades of taupe and black to accentuate your eyes. Your lips were coated in a deep red lipstick, adding just the right amount of drama to your overall look.

As you stepped out of your apartment, you felt a surge of confidence wash over you. You knew that you looked amazing, and you couldn't wait to see the look on Leon's face when he saw you.

The restaurant itself was a sight to behold. The walls were adorned with vibrant murals and paintings, and soft jazz music filled the air. The dim lighting created an intimate atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. When you arrived at the restaurant, you saw Leon waiting for you at a cozy table in the corner. He looked dashing in his suit and tie, and you couldn't help but feel a little nervous as you approached him.

"Hi," you said, trying to keep your cool as you went to sit down before Leon stopped you and pulled out your chair for you. "Thank you handsome."

"Hi," he replied with a smile. "You look beautiful."

As you perused the menu, your mouth watered at the descriptions of the gourmet dishes. From the seared scallops to the perfectly cooked filet mignon, every dish sounded like a work of art.

When the food arrived, you were not disappointed. The flavors were rich and complex, each bite a tantalizing combination of tastes and textures. You and Leon shared the dishes, each sampling a bit of everything and savoring the flavors together.

The wine selection was equally impressive, and you found yourself entranced by the sommelier's descriptions of the different vintages. You and Leon shared a bottle of a smooth, full-bodied red that paired perfectly with the meal.

As the night wore on, the restaurant became more and more alive. The soft buzz of conversation and laughter filled the air, and you could feel the energy of the room building. Yet despite the lively atmosphere, you and Leon were lost in your own world, enjoying each other's company and the moment.

As dinner came to a close, Leon leaned in close to you, his eyes sparkling with a mix of playfulness and desire. "I had a wonderful time tonight," he said, his voice low and husky. "Would you like to do this again sometime?"

You felt a thrill of excitement run through you at his words, and you couldn't help but nod eagerly. "I would love that," you replied, your heart racing with anticipation.

The two of you parted ways that night, but you couldn't stop thinking about Leon and the amazing time you had together. You knew that this was the start of something special, and you couldn't wait to see where your relationship with him would take you next.

As you walked out of the restaurant, you couldn't help but feel like you were walking on clouds. The night had been magical, from the delicious food to the intimate atmosphere, but most of all, because of Leon. His charm and wit had left you spellbound, and you knew that you wanted to see him again soon.

As you stood outside the restaurant, Leon turned to you and took your hand, sending shivers down your spine. He gazed into your eyes, and you felt as though he could see into your very soul.

"I had a wonderful time tonight," he repeated, his voice low and husky. "You're amazing, and I can't wait to see you again."

You felt your heart skip a beat at his words, and you couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. "I feel the same way," you replied, your voice filled with warmth and affection.

The night air was cool and crisp, but you hardly noticed as you stood there, lost in the moment with Leon. You felt as though you were in a fairy tale, and you couldn't wait to see where this story would take you next.

As you walked home from the date, you couldn't help but replay the evening in your mind, every detail still fresh in your memory. The way the candlelight flickered and danced across Leon's face, the sound of his laughter ringing in your ears, the warmth of his hand as he guided you through the restaurant - it was all so surreal, like something out of a movie.

The city around you seemed to glow with a new light, as if the world had shifted and everything was different now that you had experienced such an incredible night. You walked with a sense of purpose, your steps light and buoyant, as if you were floating on air.

As you turned the corner onto your street, you saw a shooting star streak across the sky, and you couldn't help but smile, feeling like the universe was somehow in alignment with your newfound happiness.

As you turned the key in the lock, the door creaked open to reveal the cozy interior of your house. The familiar scent of your favorite candles mingled with the aroma of fresh flowers, making you feel at home in an instant. You stepped into the foyer, where the soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the walls adorned with family photos and artwork.

Walking past the hallway, you peered into the kitchen, which was still and quiet, with pots and pans stacked neatly in the sink. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of the rose bouquet that you had left on the kitchen table earlier that day. You smiled to yourself, realizing that the night was not yet over, and you had plenty of time to relive every moment of your unforgettable date with Leon.

As you entered the living room, you sunk into the plush cushions of your sofa, surrounded by soft blankets and pillows. The room was dimly lit, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. You stretched your legs out in front of you, the silky fabric of your dress brushing against your skin.

You closed your eyes, replaying the night's events in your head like a movie, savoring every detail of Leon's touch and every word he spoke. The feeling of his hand in yours was still fresh, and his husky voice echoed in your ears. You felt a shiver run down your spine, and you knew that you were falling for him more with each passing moment.

As you opened your eyes, you gazed up at the ceiling, feeling content and happy in your own home. You knew that the memories of this evening would be etched in your mind forever, and you couldn't wait to see where your relationship with Leon would take you next.

You leaned back into the cushions and closed your eyes, feeling the weight of the day slowly lifting off your shoulders. The thoughts of Leon and the amazing night you had together were still fresh in your mind, and you couldn't help but replay every moment in your head.

You reached for your phone to see if he had messaged you, but there was nothing new. A small twinge of disappointment hit you, but you quickly brushed it off, telling yourself that he was probably just as tired as you were.

As you lay there, you thought about all the possibilities that lay ahead, and a wave of excitement washed over you. What if this was the start of something truly amazing? What if Leon was the one you had been waiting for all this time?

The uncertainty of it all was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. You knew that there were no guarantees when it came to matters of the heart, but you felt confident that whatever happened, you were ready to face it head-on.

After a few minutes, you got up from the couch and made your way to the kitchen. You poured yourself a glass of water and took a sip, the cool liquid soothing your parched throat. As you stood there, you gazed out the window at the cityscape, the twinkling lights of the buildings stretching out as far as the eye could see.

You felt a sense of gratitude wash over you, for all the wonderful things that had happened in your life up to this point, and for the endless possibilities that lay ahead. And with Leon by your side, you knew that the future was looking brighter than ever.

You took another sip of water and made your way to the bedroom.

As you walked towards your bedroom, you took in the comforting details of your home: the framed photos of your loved ones on the wall, the cozy blankets draped over the back of your armchair, and the soft glow of the bedside lamp. You changed into your pajamas and crawled into bed, still buzzing with excitement from the night's events. You closed your eyes and let out a deep sigh, replaying every moment with Leon in your mind, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you as you slipped under the covers. You closed your eyes, feeling the warmth and safety of your home surrounding you, and drifted off into a peaceful slumber, your dreams filled with visions of all the adventures that lay ahead.

The next morning, you woke up to the sun streaming in through your window, casting a warm glow across your room. You stretched and smiled to yourself, feeling grateful for the amazing night you had with Leon and the comfortable home that surrounded you.

As you got ready for the day ahead, you felt a sense of excitement bubbling up inside you. You knew that the journey ahead might not always be easy, but with Leon by your side and your cozy home to return to, you were ready to take on anything.

As you finished your breakfast and got ready for work, your mind still buzzed with the excitement and possibilities of the previous night. You dressed with a renewed sense of confidence, feeling as though you could take on the world with the memory of Leon's touch still fresh in your mind.

As you got into your car and started driving to work, the morning sun rose steadily over the horizon, casting a warm glow over everything in its path. You felt the cool breeze on your face as you drove, your windows down, the sweet scent of blooming flowers wafting in through the open windows.

You couldn't help but smile as you thought about the night before, replaying every moment in your mind. The way Leon's eyes had locked onto yours when he spoke, the gentle touch of his hand on the small of your back, the way his lips had felt on yours when he kissed you goodnight - it was all still so vivid and fresh in your memory.

As you pulled into the parking lot of your workplace, you took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. You knew that the day ahead would be busy and full of tasks to complete, but you felt ready to face anything that came your way, fueled by the memory of the amazing night before.

You stepped out of your car and walked towards the entrance of your workplace, your heels clicking against the pavement. The world seemed to hum with a new energy, as if anything was possible now that you had experienced such a magical night.

As you walked through the halls of your workplace, you felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination. You knew that with Leon by your side, you could tackle anything that came your way, and that the possibilities for your future together were endless.

As you walked into the break room, you couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. You had been looking forward to seeing Leon all morning, and the thought of being able to spend some time with him during your break was enough to make your heart skip a beat.

As you scanned the room, your eyes landed on Leon, who was standing near the coffee machine, his back to you. You took a moment to appreciate the way he looked in his crisp white shirt and navy blue blazer, his hair styled perfectly as usual.

"Good morning," he said, turning around as he heard you approach. "You look stunning today."

You felt your cheeks heat up at his compliment, but you couldn't help but smile in response. "Thank you," you replied, feeling a surge of happiness at the sight of him.

The two of you chatted for a while, catching up on each other's weekends and sharing stories from your personal lives. You couldn't help but feel a sense of ease and comfort when you were with Leon, like you had known him for years instead of just a few short weeks.

As your break came to a close, Leon gave you a warm smile. "I'm looking forward to our date in two weeks," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "I know just the perfect place for it."

You felt a thrill of anticipation at his words, unable to wait to see what the evening had in store for the two of you. "Me too," you replied, feeling your heart skip a beat at the thought of spending more time with him.

As you walked back to your desk, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected twist that had brought Leon into your life. You knew that whatever the future held, you were excited to face it with him.

The rest of the workday passed by in a blur as you eagerly anticipated your next date with Leon. When the clock finally struck five, you practically ran out of the office and hopped into your car, your mind already racing with possibilities for the evening.

As you drove home, you couldn't help but replay the events of your last date in your mind, reliving each moment in vivid detail. The way Leon had looked at you, the sound of his voice, the way his hand had felt in yours - it all felt like a dream.

When you arrived home, you quickly changed into a cute and casual outfit that you knew Leon would appreciate. You applied just the right amount of makeup to accentuate your features, and took one last glance in the mirror before heading out the door.

A few weeks pass and each day he wasn't at work, you noticed you missed his presence. But before you knew it the week was coming to an end and the next one was starting.

As you entered the building where your office was located, you spotted Leon waiting for you in the break room. He was wearing a sleek black suit that hugged his toned body in all the right places, his tie a deep shade of blue that brought out the color of his eyes. He looked like something straight out of a magazine, and you couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement in your stomach.

"Hey," he said as you approached, his smile widening at the sight of you. "You look amazing as always."

You blushed at the compliment, feeling a rush of warmth spread through you. "Thank you," you replied, feeling a little tongue-tied in his presence.

The two of you chatted for a few minutes, catching up on the latest office gossip and sharing stories about your week. It was easy to talk to Leon, his playful sense of humor and genuine interest in your life putting you at ease.

As your break came to a close once more, Leon gave you another warm smile. "I'm looking forward to our date next week," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement just like the first time.

You felt a thrill of anticipation at his words, unable to wait to see what the evening had in store for the two of you. "Me too," you replied, feeling your heart skip a beat at the thought of spending more time with him.

As you walked back to your desk, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected twist that had brought Leon into your life.

The rest of the workday seemed to fly by as you couldn't stop thinking about the upcoming date with Leon. You were eager to find out more about the surprise location he had in mind and couldn't wait to see him again.

As the day drew to a close, you packed up your belongings and headed out of the office building, the fresh air and sunlight of the early evening feeling invigorating after a long day of work.

You decided to take a detour on your way home, stopping at a nearby park to enjoy the scenery and clear your mind. The leaves on the trees rustled softly in the breeze, and the sun cast a warm glow over everything around you.

As you wandered through the park, your phone buzzed in your pocket. You took it out to see a message from Leon, and your heart skipped a beat as you read it.

"Hey there, just wanted to check in and see how your day was. Thinking of you. Can't wait to see you next week."

You couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness and the excitement that his message brought you. You quickly typed out a response, telling him about your day and how much you were looking forward to seeing him again.

Feeling energized and content, you continued your walk through the park, taking in the beauty of the surroundings and feeling grateful for the unexpected turn your life had taken. As you made your way back to your car, you couldn't help but feel that everything felt brighter with him in your life now.

You couldn't wait to spend more time with Leon, and the anticipation only grew as the days passed. Finally, the night of your date arrived, and you found yourself carefully selecting the perfect outfit and putting the finishing touches on your makeup. You decided on wearing a stunning black cocktail dress that hugged your curves in all the right places, paired with a pair of strappy heels that made your legs look miles long. Your hair was styled in soft waves that cascaded down your shoulders, framing your face perfectly. Your makeup was light enough to look somewhat natural, your lips a soft rose color.

As you stepped out of your car and made your way towards the restaurant, you caught sight of Leon waiting for you outside, looking handsome and dashing, wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit that fit him like a glove, paired with a crisp white shirt and a dark silk tie. He looked every bit the handsome and sophisticated gentleman, and you couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by his impeccable style. His eyes lit up as he saw you, and he stepped forward to greet you with a warm embrace.

The restaurant was dimly lit, with soft music playing in the background and candles flickering on the tables. You and Leon were seated at a cozy booth, and you couldn't help but feel a sense of intimacy as you chatted and laughed together.

The food was delicious, each dish more exquisite than the last, and you savored every bite. But the real highlight of the evening was the company, as you found yourself completely engrossed in conversation with Leon, his wit and charm captivating you at every turn.

But as the evening wore on, you found that Leon's charm and warmth put you at ease, and you were able to relax and enjoy the moment. The conversation flowed easily between the two of you, and you found yourself laughing and joking like you had known each other for years.

After dinner, you took a leisurely stroll through the city streets, hand in hand, taking in the sights and sounds around you. The world seemed to slow down as you walked, lost in your own little world.

As the night drew to a close, Leon took you by the hand and led you to a quiet spot by the river. The stars twinkled above you as he leaned in to kiss you, his lips soft and gentle against yours. It was a moment of pure magic, and you knew that this was only the beginning of a beautiful journey together. As the night drew on, you felt a sense of longing as you said goodbye to Leon, not wanting the evening to end. But as he leaned in to kiss you again, you felt a sense of reassurance that this was only the beginning of something special.

As you made your way back to your car, you couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and gratitude for the amazing night you had shared with Leon. You knew that there would be many more adventures to come, and you felt excited and ready to face them all, hand in hand with the person who had captured your heart. Driving home, you couldn't help but replay the evening in your mind, smiling to yourself as you relived every moment. You felt grateful for the unexpected twist that had brought Leon into your life, and you knew that this was only the beginning of an incredible journey together.

Once you made your way inside your apartment, you couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement still lingering from your amazing date with Leon. You slipped off your heels by the door, setting them carefully down before grabbing your phone.

Just as you were about to put it away, a notification popped up from Leon, asking if he could stop by your house for a moment. He explained that he had forgotten something important to tell you on the date, and he didn't want to wait any longer.

You couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity at his message, wondering what it could be that he forgot to mention during your wonderful evening together. You quickly replied, telling him that he was welcome to stop by.

A few minutes later, you heard a soft knock at the door, and you quickly made your way to answer it. There stood Leon, looking as handsome as ever, a small smile on his face.

"Hey," he said softly. "I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I had to tell you something. Can I come in?"

You nodded, stepping back to allow him into your cozy apartment. You couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness as he followed you to the living room, taking a seat on the couch beside you.

"I know this might sound a little crazy," he began, his eyes locking with yours. "But I just wanted to tell you that I think I'm falling in love with you."

Your heart skipped a beat at his words, the world seeming to slow down as you processed what he had just said. You looked at him, taking in the sincerity in his eyes and the vulnerability in his voice, and you knew that he meant every word.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you took his hand in yours, feeling a rush of emotion wash over you. "I think I'm falling in love with you too," you whispered, feeling your heart swell with joy. "I just wasn't sure how I should tell you."

Leon's face lit up with a wide smile as he heard your words. "You don't have to say anything else," he said, pulling you in for a tight embrace. "I'm just happy to know that we feel the same way."

You spent the rest of the night wrapped up in each other's arms, talking and laughing and reveling in the joy of your newfound love. As the hours slipped by, you knew that this was only the beginning of an amazing journey together. "Hey, (Y/N)?" Leon looks down at you in his arms.

You look back up at him with a loving smile. "Yes?"

"Would you like to become officially Boyfriend and Girlfriend? " He looks nervous asking you, but he smiles through his anxiety.

"Yes!"

The following days and weeks were filled with endless adventures, from lazy Sunday mornings spent cuddling in bed to spontaneous road trips to far-off destinations. You found yourself falling more deeply in love with Leon with each passing day, and it seemed that he felt the same way.

As your relationship continued to blossom, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected twist of fate that had brought Leon into your life. He was everything you had ever wanted in a partner and more, and you felt a deep sense of contentment whenever you were with him.

Together, you explored new hobbies and interests, from cooking gourmet meals together to hiking in the mountains. You supported each other through difficult times, and celebrated each other's triumphs with joy and enthusiasm. Your love only grew stronger with each passing day, and you knew that this was the real deal.

One day, as you were out on a hike together, Leon turned to you with a serious look in his eyes. "There's something I need to ask you," he said, taking your hand in his.

Your heart raced with anticipation as you looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Will you marry me?" he asked, as he knelt on his knee. Pulling out a small velvet box from his pocket to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. The ring itself is a stunning piece of jewelry, made of white silver and adorned with a large sparkling diamond in the center. The diamond is cut in a classic round shape and glitters brilliantly in the light, catching your eye from across the room. The band itself is sleek and modern, with a minimalist design that complements the elegance of the diamond perfectly. The overall effect is breathtakingly beautiful, and you can't help but feel a sense of awe every time you catch a glimpse of it on your finger.

Tears streamed down your face as you nodded your head, unable to speak as you threw your arms around him in a tight embrace. It was the happiest moment of your life, and you knew that there was no one else in the world you would rather spend the rest of your life and work missions with.

As you walked hand in hand back down the mountain, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected journey that had led you to this moment. Life was full of surprises, and you knew that with Leon. He shown you life was beautiful.

The next day, as you walked into the break room to grab a cup of coffee, you noticed Chris, one of your colleagues, waving you over. "Hey, congratulations!" he said with a big smile on his face.

You felt your cheeks flush as you realized that the news of your engagement had already made its way around the office. "Thanks, Chris," you replied, feeling a little self-conscious. "I appreciate it."

"I'm so happy for you both," he continued, clapping Leon on the back as he walked into the room. "You two make a great team, both at work and in life. Plus (Y/N) Kennedy has a perfect ring to it."

"Thanks, man," Leon replied, beaming with pride as he looked down at you. "I couldn't agree more."

You spent the next few minutes chatting with Chris and a few other coworkers about your engagement, sharing the story of how Leon had proposed and showing off your beautiful ring. It was a heartwarming moment, and you felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from your colleagues. It was rare in the line of work you all shared to have happiness like you and Leon shared.

As you left the break room and headed back to your desk, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the wonderful people you worked with. They were more than just colleagues; they were friends and family, and you knew that they would be there for you every step of the way as you embarked on this new chapter of your life.

Leon and you had a brief moment to celebrate your engagement before you were summoned by your boss, who had just received news of a critical mission that required your team's expertise. It was a delicate operation, with high stakes and potential danger, but as always, you were ready for the challenge.

You and Leon quickly gathered your gear and headed to the briefing room, where your team leader outlined the mission's objectives and the plan of action. You and Leon were tasked with infiltrating a high-security facility to obtain sensitive information that could potentially save countless lives.

The mission was intense and nerve-wracking, but you and Leon worked seamlessly together, each of you relying on the other's strength and skill to navigate the dangerous terrain. As the hours ticked by, you found yourself more and more grateful for the training and experience that had brought you to this point, and for the unwavering support of your teammates.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, you and Leon emerged from the facility victorious, the information you had obtained safely in hand. As you debriefed with your team leader and exchanged high-fives with your colleagues, you couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Although the mission had delayed your wedding planning, you knew that there would always be more missions to undertake, and you were happy to share the excitement and adrenaline of the work with the love of your life.

As you and Leon made your way back to the base in the helicopter, you couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of planning your wedding. You turned to Leon with a grin, "I can't believe we're engaged! We need to start planning the wedding!"

Leon smiled back at you, "I know! I was thinking we could have it on the beach, maybe in Hawaii. What do you think?"

You nodded eagerly, "That sounds perfect! And maybe we can have a small, intimate ceremony with just close family and friends."

As you continued to discuss your wedding plans, Chris, who was piloting the helicopter, chimed in, "Hey, if you need any help planning or organizing, let me know. I have some great contacts and can even help with the catering."

You and Leon exchanged a glance and smiled gratefully. "That would be amazing, Chris! Thank you so much," you said, feeling a weight lifted off your shoulders. Planning a wedding was a daunting task, and any help was greatly appreciated.

Leon nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we could definitely use some help. We want to make it a special day, but we're both pretty new to all of this," he said, squeezing your hand reassuringly.

Chris laughed. "Don't worry, I've got you covered. I'll make a few calls and see what I can do. And of course, I'll be there to celebrate with you both on the big day!" he said, grinning.

You couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Chris. He had always been a supportive colleague, and now he was going above and beyond to help make your wedding day special. You knew that with him on your team, the planning process would be so much smoother.

As you gazed out the window of the helicopter, you felt a sudden wave of inspiration wash over you. The breathtaking view of the sun setting over the horizon was a stunning sight, with its warm hues of pink and orange painting the sky like a masterpiece. It was as if the beauty of the world was aligning with the beauty of your love for Leon.

You turned to him with a smile, feeling your heart swell with happiness. "I can't wait for our wedding day," you said, your voice filled with excitement.

"I know," Leon replied, taking your hand in his. "It's going to be perfect."

Chris chuckled from the cockpit, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You guys are so cute," he said, teasingly.

You laughed along with him, feeling grateful for his lightheartedness. It was a welcome respite from the high-stress situations you all faced at work.

"So, have you guys thought about the venue yet?" Chris asked, turning towards you both.

You shook your head, "Not really. We were thinking something simple and elegant, maybe a garden or a beach. We want to keep it small and intimate."

Chris nodded thoughtfully, "I know of a few places that might be perfect for what you're looking for. I'll send over some options to you guys later tonight."

You thanked him, feeling relieved to have someone with his experience and expertise to guide you through the wedding planning process. It was a weight off your shoulders to know that you had his support and guidance every step of the way.

As the helicopter began its descent, you leaned your head against Leon's shoulder, feeling content and at peace. You knew that the journey ahead of you wouldn't always be easy, but with your love for each other and the support of your friends and colleagues, you were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

The rest of the flight back to the base was filled with excitement and planning as you discussed every detail of your dream wedding. You couldn't wait to start making arrangements and turning your vision into a reality. It was going to be a beautiful day, and you knew that with the help of your colleagues and, most importantly, Leon, it would be the perfect celebration of your love.

As the helicopter landed back at the base, you and Leon exchanged a kiss before climbing out of the aircraft. Chris gave you both a wave before taking off again, and you knew that the next few weeks were going to be filled with wedding planning and excitement.

You turned to Leon and grinned. "I can't believe we're really getting married," you said, feeling a surge of happiness.

"I know, it's crazy," he said, wrapping an arm around you. "But it's the good kind of crazy."

You smiled and leaned into him, feeling a sense of peace and contentment. No matter what the future held, you knew that you and Leon were in it together.

As you made your way back to your quarters, your mind buzzed with excitement as you mentally planned out every detail of your special day. You couldn't wait to start looking at venues, picking out dresses, and tasting different cakes and appetizers. Everything had to be perfect, and with the help of Chris and your colleagues, you were sure that it would be.

Leon squeezed your hand as you walked, and you looked up at him, feeling your heart swell with love. He was the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with, and you couldn't wait to start this new chapter together.

As you arrived at your apartment, you settled in on the couch, ready to dive headfirst into planning. Leon grabbed his laptop from his overnight bag, and together you began scouring the internet for venues, photographers, and florists.

Hours passed in a blur as you sifted through countless options, each one more beautiful than the last. You debated over color schemes, seating arrangements, and centerpiece options, and even discussed potential honeymoon destinations.

Just as you were about to call it a night, Chris sent you a text message with the contact information of a highly recommended wedding planner. You smiled gratefully, feeling a sense of relief knowing that you had even more support for your big day.

As you crawled into bed that night, exhausted but exhilarated from all the planning, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the amazing people in your life who were helping to make your dream wedding a reality. The bathroom light softly glowed into your bedroom as the sound running water filled the air. The bathroom door was opened up by a small crack allowing you to see your fiancé who was brushing his teeth, standing in just sweatpants in front of the mirror.

You couldn't help but admire how handsome he looked, with his strong jawline and chiseled features. As he finished brushing his teeth, he caught your eye in the reflection of the mirror and gave you a mischievous grin.

"What are you looking at?" he asked, jokingly raising an eyebrow.

"Just admiring the view," you replied, winking at him. "The one I'll always get to see."

He chuckled and walked over to the bed, climbing in next to you. The bed shifting with his weight. You snuggled up to him, feeling his warmth and the steady beat of his heart.

"I can't wait to marry you," he said, his voice filled with love. "but how about we destress from the day today before we sleep baby." He gently turns your head up to look deep into your eyes, his thumb gently resting on your chin.

"Me too," you replied, feeling tears prick at the corners of your eyes. "And that sounds nice."

He leaned in and kissed you gently, and you felt a rush of passion and love. As he leaned in to kiss you, you felt a familiar warmth spreading throughout your body. The way his lips touched yours was always gentle yet passionate, making your heart skip a beat every time. Your hands instinctively found their way to his hair, pulling him even closer to you as you deepened the kiss, his hands slowly glided down your body, you shivered with anticipation. The feeling of his touch was electrifying, sending waves of pleasure through your entire being. You couldn't help but let out a soft moan as he pulled you closer to him by your hips, his body pressed against yours in a way that felt both comforting and exciting.

You feel his lips travel down from your lips, leaving kisses down your chin to your neck as he gently rolls to pin you down to the bed. His lips never leaving your neck, which made you softly gasp at how he had you.

He continued to kiss his way down your neck, his hands exploring every inch of your body. You felt his fingers gently caress your skin, sending shivers down your spine. He knew just how to touch you to make you feel alive and loved, and you savored every moment of it.

As he made his way back up to your lips, you could feel the intensity of his desire for you. His eyes locked onto yours, and you knew in that moment that he was all yours. You ran your hands through his hair, pulling him closer to you as your lips met once again in a fiery embrace.

The two of you lost yourselves in the moment, the passion and desire between you growing with every passing second. The world faded away, and all that mattered was the love that you shared with each other. His hands pull off your shirt as slowly takes in how you look beneath him. His eyes wide as he realized you weren't wearing a bra underneath your shirt, your breast grabbing his full attention. Leon slowly leans down and takes your budded nipple into his mouth, softly sucking and flicking it with his tongue. You couldn't help but let out a pleasured groan.

You arched your back in response to his touch, feeling the warmth of his mouth on your skin. The sensation was overwhelming, and you felt your body respond in ways that surprised even you. Your fingers traced patterns over his back, feeling the muscles tense and relax under your touch. The world had faded away, and the only thing that mattered was the love and desire that you shared with each other.

Leon's lips continued to work their magic on your body, leaving a trail of kisses down your chest and stomach. You couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability and intimacy with him, knowing that he was exploring every inch of your body with his lips and tongue. The feeling was almost too much to handle, but you didn't want it to end.

As he moved his lips back up to yours, you could taste the sweetness of his desire on his lips. His hands pulling off your shorts as he stays kissing you. He breaks the kiss to gently toss your shorts off the side of the bed before he stood up and took off his sweat pants. His bulge was huge underneath his boxers. You felt your core grow more wet with desire for the man before you. His hands gently take off your panties as he admires your bare body. "(Y/N), you're so breath takingly beautiful." He softly spoke. His voice full of love as he took off his boxers.

His dick springs up under his belly button, as he climbed back onto the bed, you couldn't help but admire the sight of his chiseled body, every inch of him oozing with raw masculinity. His touch was both gentle and rough, and you loved the way he made you feel. He kissed you again, his tongue exploring every inch of your mouth as he slowly pushed himself inside of you, filling you up completely. You moaned into the kiss as he slowly started to pump in and out of your hole, making sure you stretched out to his length. The sensation was almost overwhelming, and you moaned loudly as he started to move, each thrust driving you crazy.

You clung to him, your nails digging into his skin as you surrendered yourself completely to the moment. He moved faster and harder, his breathing growing more ragged with every thrust. You could feel the tension building inside of you, and you knew that you were about to come undone.

Leon's hips moved with a steady rhythm, each thrust sending waves of pleasure through your body. His hands gripped your hips tightly, his fingers digging into your flesh as he increased the intensity of his thrusts. You could feel his muscles contracting with each movement, his abs rippling beneath your fingers as you clung to him. He slowly moved his left hand to press on your lower belly and rub your clit with his thumb. You couldn't help but let your eyes roll back and let out a louder moan with his name thrown into it.

As he continued to pump in and out of you, his lips found their way to your neck, nipping and sucking at your skin, leaving marks that would remind you of this moment for days to come. You wrapped your legs around his waist, pulling him deeper inside of you, wanting to feel every inch of him.

The heat between you grew more intense with each passing moment, and you could feel your body responding to his every touch. The sensation was almost overwhelming, and you could feel yourself getting closer and closer to the edge. You reached up to grab onto his shoulders, pulling him closer to you as he pounded into you with increasing force.

Leon's breath was ragged and hot against your neck as he whispered words of love and desire in your ear, his voice deep and husky with passion. "You feel so good, baby," he moaned, his thrusts becoming more urgent. "I can't get enough of you."

You could feel your own release building inside of you, your body trembling with anticipation. You became undone underneath him as he continued to pound into you. With each thrust, you felt yourself getting closer and closer to the edge once again, the pleasure almost too much to bear. Leon seemed to sense it too, his movements becoming faster and harder as he pushed you towards the brink of ecstasy.

"Oh god, Leon," you moaned, the pleasure becoming almost unbearable. "Don't stop, please don't stop."

He responded with a deep, throaty growl, his movements becoming even more frenzied as he took you to the edge and over it. And then it happened - a wave of pure ecstasy crashed over you, every nerve ending in your body exploding with pleasure. Leon didn't slow down, driving you higher and higher until you finally felt him explode inside of you, his body shuddering with pleasure as he found release. You felt your whole body shake with the force of your release, waves of pleasure washing over you again and again. Leon followed close behind you, his own release triggering a cascade of fireworks behind your eyelids.

The two of you lay there, panting and spent, wrapped up in each other's arms. It was moments like this that made you feel grateful for the incredible love and passion you shared with Leon. You knew that whatever the future held, the two of you would always have each other.

As your breathing returned to normal, Leon leaned in to kiss you once more, his lips still tasting of desire and passion. You could feel the warmth of his skin against yours, and it was a comfort to know that he was there with you, in that moment.

As you lay there, entwined in each other's embrace, Leon began to softly whisper words of love and adoration in your ear. His voice was deep and husky, sending shivers down your spine with every word.

"I love you," he whispered. "You're everything to me."

You smiled, feeling your heart fill with warmth at his words. "I love you too," you replied, running your fingers through his hair.

The two of you lay there, wrapped up in each other's arms, lost in the afterglow of your passion. The world outside faded away, and all that mattered was the love that you shared. You knew that no matter what challenges the future held, the two of you would face them together, with a love that was strong enough to conquer anything. You felt him pull out of you, both of your climaxes flowing out of you once he was fully out. He softly chuckled as he kissed your forehead before he picks you up out of bed. "Lets get you cleaned up again before we sleep princess."

Leon's voice was gentle and full of love as he held you close, his strong arms cradling you as he carried you towards the bathroom. He set you down on the edge of the bathtub and started the water, making sure it was just the right temperature before he carefully helped you step into the shower. He stood behind you, his arms wrapping around your waist as he held you close, the warm water cascading down over your bodies.

As he helped you wash, his touch was gentle and loving, his fingers tracing every curve of your body with a reverence that made your heart swell with love. He kissed the back of your neck, his lips soft and warm against your skin as he whispered sweet nothings in your ear, telling you how much he loved you and how lucky he was to have you in his life.

You turned to face him, your eyes locking onto his as you leaned in to kiss him again. This time, the kiss was slow and tender, a soft exploration of each other's lips that spoke volumes of the love you shared. As the water continued to flow over you, you felt his arms tighten around you, pulling you close as if he never wanted to let you go. The warmth of the water enveloped you both, soothing your skin and relaxing your muscles. You felt his hands moving up and down your back, massaging you gently as you basked in the warmth of the shower. Eventually, the two of you stepped out of the shower, dried off, and got dressed.

After the shower, he dried you off gently, his touch as soft as a feather as he wrapped you up in a towel. He led you back to the bedroom, tucking you into bed with a kiss on the forehead. As he settled in beside you, he pulled you close, his arms wrapping around you as he held you tightly, his love a comforting cocoon around you. You felt safe and loved in his embrace, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, the two of you would face them together, with a love that was strong enough to conquer anything.

As you drifted off to sleep in his arms, you couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment and for the beautiful life that you were building together.

You spent the morning snuggled up in bed, talking about the future and all the possibilities that lay ahead. As you sipped coffee and nibbled on pancakes, you began discussing wedding plans, imagining the perfect day that would celebrate your love. Leon listened to your ideas, offering suggestions and thoughts, his eyes sparkling with excitement and joy.

You spent hours brainstorming, jotting down notes and making lists, discussing everything from the flowers to the menu to the music. As you talked, you could feel your love growing stronger with every passing moment, the prospect of spending your lives together filling you with warmth and joy.

After breakfast, you decided to take a stroll through the park, hand in hand, talking more about your vision for the big day. You discussed the venue, the guest list, and even the color scheme, imagining every detail down to the last petal on the bouquet.

You settled on a bouquet of soft pink and ivory roses, with a few delicate sprigs of baby's breath tucked in between. The roses were arranged in a cascading style, with the stems wrapped in a pale pink satin ribbon that trailed gracefully behind.

As you envisioned the bouquet in your mind, you could almost smell the sweet fragrance of the roses and feel the soft petals against your skin. You knew that carrying this bouquet on your wedding day would make you feel like the most beautiful and cherished bride in the world.

You and Leon had discussed many ideas for the wedding venue, but eventually, you settled on a charming outdoor garden that was surrounded by trees and blooming flowers. The vibrant colors of the flowers were incorporated into the color scheme, with shades of pink, lavender, and ivory taking center stage. The ceremony would be held beneath a beautifully decorated archway, with delicate ribbons and flower garlands draped around it.

The reception would take place in a nearby ballroom that was adorned with twinkling lights and hanging lanterns. The tables were set with elegant ivory linens, and each place setting was accented with a single pink rose. The food would be a delicious blend of local cuisine, with fresh seafood and seasonal produce taking center stage. For dessert, you had decided on a tiered cake decorated with fresh flowers and drizzled with a light glaze.

As you walked, you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love for Leon, the thought of spending the rest of your life with him making your heart race. The day seemed to pass in a blissful haze, filled with love and laughter, until the sun began to set and you found yourselves back in bed, wrapped up in each other's arms once again.

As the days passed, the excitement for your wedding continued to build. You and Leon finalized all the details, from the flowers to the food, ensuring that everything would be perfect for the big day.

The day before the wedding, you went to the venue to do a final walkthrough with the event planner. As you walked through the space, you could see your vision come to life. The colors were vibrant, the flowers were arranged beautifully, and the tables were set perfectly. You took a deep breath and smiled, knowing that everything was going to be perfect.

The morning of the wedding, you woke up to a beautiful sunrise, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. You and your bridesmaids got ready together, sipping mimosas and laughing as you helped each other with hair and makeup. The bouquet that you had designed with the florist was delivered, and it took your breath away with its beauty.

As the time drew closer, you slipped into your wedding dress, a stunning creation that flowed around you like a dream. The ivory lace shimmered in the sunlight, and the delicate beading sparkled with every movement you made. You twirled around in front of the mirror, feeling like a princess in your own fairytale.

Your bridesmaids gasped when they saw you, tears welling up in their eyes as they took in your beauty. You smiled at them, feeling grateful for their love and support on this special day. You locked your eyes with your mom, who looked so proud and happy. Her mouth opens and closes as tears well up in her eyes.

As tears welled up in her eyes, your mom took a deep breath and stepped forward to embrace you. "Oh my darling, you look absolutely stunning," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I can't believe how grown up you are now, and how beautiful you look in that dress."

She pulled back and looked at you with such love and pride that your heart swelled with emotion. "I just know that you and Leon are going to be so happy together," she continued, her eyes shining with tears. "You make such a wonderful couple, and I am so grateful to have you both in my life."

You hugged her back tightly, feeling overwhelmed with love for your mom and gratitude for all she had done for you. "Thank you, Mom," you whispered, your voice thick with emotion. "I couldn't have done this without you."

As you and your mom hugged, your bridesmaids gathered around you, their own eyes glistening with tears. It was a moment of pure love and joy, one that you would treasure forever.

The final touches were added to your hair and makeup, and then it was time to make your way to the ceremony. You took a deep breath and stepped outside, feeling the warm sun on your face and the cool breeze in your hair.

As you walked down the aisle, you could feel all eyes on you, but your focus was on Leon, who was waiting for you at the altar with a look of love and adoration in his eyes. You reached him, and he took your hand, his fingers lacing with yours.

The ceremony was beautiful, with the gentle breeze carrying the fragrance of the flowers all around.

As the ceremony began, Leon's eyes locked onto yours and he began to recite his vows. His voice was strong and steady, filled with love and devotion.

"My dearest love, from the moment I met you, I knew that my life would never be the same. You are my best friend, my confidante, and my soulmate. I promise to stand by your side through thick and thin, to support and encourage you in all that you do, and to be your rock when life gets tough." He pauses and looks up at you, tears welling in his oceanic blue eyes before he continues.

"I vow to love you unconditionally, to cherish every moment we share, and to always put your needs before my own. You are the missing piece of my heart, and I am so grateful to have found you. I promise to always be honest and faithful to you, to make you laugh when you're feeling down, and to hold your hand through the ups and downs of life."

"I vow to build a life with you that is filled with happiness, adventure, and love. Together, we will make the most of every moment, creating memories that will last a lifetime. I love you more than words can express, and I promise to spend the rest of my days making you happy and loving you with all of my heart."

As he finished his vows, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The ceremony was a beautiful testament to your love, filled with laughter, tears, and moments that you would never forget.

As Leon looked at you with tears in his eyes, you felt your own eyes well up with emotion. You took a deep breath and began to speak your vows.

"Leon, from the moment I met you, I knew that you were the one for me. You've shown me what true love means, and I feel so blessed to be standing here with you today. I vow to love you, to cherish you, and to support you through all the ups and downs that life may bring. I promise to be your rock, your partner, and your best friend for as long as we both shall live." You smile as a stray tear rolls down your cheek. "I promise to hold your hand through the good times and the bad, to laugh with you and cry with you, to be your home and your sanctuary. I vow to support your dreams and aspirations, and to always push you to be the best version of yourself. I promise to listen to you, to respect you, and to cherish every moment we have together. I love you more than words can express, and I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how much you mean to me. My love, you are the sunshine in my life. From the moment I met you, I knew that I had found my soulmate. I promise to always love you, to always support you, and to always be there for you. I will cherish every moment that we spend together, and I will work hard to create a beautiful life for us. You are my everything, and I vow to love and honor you for eternity." As you finished speaking, you felt a wave of emotion wash over you, the love and support of your family and friends surrounding you like a warm embrace.

Finally, the officiant pronounced you as husband and wife, and Leon leaned in to kiss you, sealing your love for all eternity.

As you kissed, you felt a wave of joy and contentment wash over you. The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, the sound echoing throughout the venue. You broke the kiss, turning to face your guests with tears of happiness streaming down your face.

You could see the pride and love in your parents' eyes, as well as the joy and excitement in the faces of your friends and family. You hugged your parents, feeling grateful for their unwavering support and guidance throughout your life.

Leon's parents also stepped forward, wrapping their arms around you and welcoming you into their family with open hearts. The two families merged into one, sharing in the love and joy of the moment.

As you looked around the room, you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness. You had always dreamed of this day, and it was even more perfect than you could have ever imagined.

Leon took your hand, and the two of you made your way down the aisle, surrounded by your loved ones. You were officially husband and wife, and you couldn't wait to start your lives together as a married couple.

The reception was a joyous celebration of your love, filled with laughter, dancing, and memories that would last a lifetime. The décor was breathtaking, with elegant centerpieces and twinkling lights creating a romantic ambiance that perfectly captured the love that you and Leon shared.

As the night went on, Chris, one of your closest friends, stepped up to the mic to give a heartfelt toast to the newlyweds. With a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, he began to speak.

"To my dear friends, Leon and (Y/N), I can't express how happy I am for the two of you. Seeing you standing here together, surrounded by love and happiness, brings tears to my eyes. You both are a shining example of what true love is all about, and I know that you will have a lifetime of happiness together. I'm so glad you two have allowed me to help you with planning this wonderful night out. Its truly an honor."

He turned to Leon, a grin on his face. "Leon, my man, I've known you for years, and I can honestly say that I've never seen you as happy as you are now. (Y/N) brings out the best in you, and I know that you will continue to make her feel loved and cherished for the rest of your lives together."

Chris then turned to you, a smile on his face. "And (Y/N), my beautiful friend, I can't imagine anyone more perfect for Leon than you. You are kind, loving, and endlessly patient, and I know that you will be an incredible wife to him."

He raised his glass. "To the happy couple, may your love continue to grow and flourish with each passing year. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy!"

As the crowd cheered and clinked their glasses, you felt your heart swell with love and joy. This was truly the happiest day of your life, and you knew that you would cherish every moment of it for the rest of your days.

The food was delicious, with a variety of dishes that catered to all tastes and preferences. The cake was a work of art, with intricate details and flavors that made your taste buds dance. You spent the rest of the day celebrating with your friends and family, dancing and laughing and enjoying the beautiful wedding that you had planned together. As the night drew to a close, you and Leon slipped away from the festivities, hand in hand, ready to start the rest of your lives together as husband and wife.

As the night wore on, you and Leon stole away for a moment alone, looking out at the stars and reflecting on the amazing day that you had just shared. You felt so lucky to have found each other, and you knew that your love would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day.

The night ended with a final dance, surrounded by the people who meant the most to you. As you held each other close, you knew that you had found your happily ever after, and that you were truly blessed to have each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the final notes of the music faded away, Leon held you tightly and whispered in your ear, "Let's go home, my love."

You smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you. The two of you said your goodbyes to your guests, thanking them for sharing in your special day. As you made your way to the exit, Chris stepped up and hugged you both, his eyes glistening with tears.

"You two are meant to be together," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I am so happy for you and I know that you will have a lifetime of love and happiness together."

You and Leon hugged Chris back, feeling grateful for his support and love. As you walked out into the cool night air, hand in hand, you couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with love and joy. Leon quickly scooped you up into his arms and walked the rest of the way to the car.

The ride home was quiet, filled with contented sighs and stolen glances at each other. When you finally arrived home, Leon scooped you up in his arms and carried you over the threshold, kissing you passionately as he did so.

As you settled into your new life together, you knew that your wedding day was just the beginning of a lifetime of love and happiness.

The next morning, you woke up to the sound of birds chirping and the sun shining through the window. It was your first day as a married couple, and you couldn't wait to start your new adventure together. You and Leon spent the morning packing your bags for your honeymoon, carefully choosing the perfect outfits and accessories for your romantic getaway.

You were both so excited to explore the beautiful city of Paris, with its iconic landmarks, charming cafes, and rich culture. You had always dreamed of strolling hand in hand along the Seine River, visiting the Louvre Museum, and indulging in delicious French pastries and wines.

The hotel you had chosen for your honeymoon was a luxurious five-star hotel located in the heart of Paris, boasting stunning views of the Eiffel Tower and top-notch amenities like a spa, a rooftop bar, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. You couldn't wait to soak in the luxurious surroundings and create unforgettable memories with your new husband.

As you boarded the plane, you felt a sense of excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. You and Leon snuggled up together, watching romantic comedies and sipping champagne, feeling grateful for the love and happiness that you had found in each other. You wondered how Chris managed to land you guys a first class private trip to Paris but you were thankful for his actions.

As the plane soared through the clouds, you both felt a sense of adventure and wonder. You had always dreamed of visiting Paris, and now you were finally going to experience it together as husband and wife.

As you landed in the City of Love, you were immediately struck by the beauty and romance that surrounded you. The quaint cafes, charming architecture, and iconic landmarks took your breath away. You and Leon checked into your luxurious hotel, complete with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower.

As you arrived at your hotel in Paris, you were awestruck by its grandeur and beauty. The lobby was adorned with sparkling chandeliers and opulent decor, and the staff greeted you with warm smiles and impeccable service.

As you made your way to your room, you were filled with anticipation for what awaited you inside. The room was spacious and luxurious, with a plush king-size bed adorned with soft, fluffy pillows and a cozy duvet. The windows overlooked the city, providing breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower and the sparkling lights of Paris at night.

The room was equipped with modern amenities, including a flat-screen TV, high-speed internet, and a fully stocked minibar. The bathroom was a spa-like oasis, with marble countertops, a deep soaking tub, and plush robes and slippers to wrap yourself in after a relaxing bath.

A bouquet of fresh flowers sat on the nightstand, filling the room with a sweet and fragrant aroma. A tray of macarons and champagne awaited you, welcoming you to the City of Love in the most delicious way possible.

Overall, the room was a perfect blend of elegance, comfort, and romance, setting the stage for an unforgettable honeymoon with the love of your life. "Wow, Leon, this is so.." your voice trails off as you look around the room. "its perfect!"

Leon grinned as he watched you take in the beauty of the room. "I wanted to make sure our honeymoon was as special as our wedding day," he said, pulling you into his arms. "And I think this is the perfect place to start our new life together."

He led you over to the plush king-sized bed, adorned with silky soft linens and fluffy pillows. "How about we take a quick nap and then explore the city?" he suggested with a mischievous grin.

As you cuddled up together on the bed, you felt the warmth of his body next to yours and the soft sound of his breathing lulling you into a peaceful sleep.

When you woke up, the sun was just beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the room. Leon had ordered room service, and the aroma of freshly baked croissants and strong coffee filled the air.

As you sat down to enjoy your breakfast together, Leon took your hand and looked deeply into your eyes. "I want this honeymoon to be about us, about our love and our future together," he said. "I love you more than anything in this world, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

With those words, he leaned in and kissed you deeply, his love for you filling every inch of the room. You sighed happily into the kiss as he slowly broke it.

Leon took your hand and led you towards the balcony, where you could see the breathtaking view of the city of Paris. The Eiffel Tower twinkled in the distance, and the lights of the city illuminated the night sky.

"Let's go out and explore the city," he said with a smile, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

You nodded eagerly, feeling a sense of adventure and excitement wash over you. You changed into something comfortable and warm, taking a coat with you, and you set off into the city, hand in hand with Leon.

The streets of Paris were bustling with people, each one seeming to have their own story to tell. You walked hand in hand with Leon, taking in the sights and sounds of the city, stopping to take pictures in front of the iconic landmarks and indulging in the local cuisine at cozy cafes and restaurants.

As you walked through the charming streets, you felt your heart swell with love for Leon, and you knew that this honeymoon would be the start of a lifetime of adventures together. The love that you shared filled every moment of the trip, making it even more special and unforgettable.

After a long day of exploring, you returned to the hotel, tired but happy. You and Leon cuddled up in the plush bed, watching the lights of the city twinkling outside the window. You talked for hours about your hopes and dreams for the future, and the adventures that you wanted to have together. As you drifted off to sleep, you knew that your love for each other would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day.

The next morning, you woke up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm croissants. Leon had ordered breakfast in bed, complete with a variety of pastries, fruit, and delicious coffee. As you enjoyed your meal, you talked excitedly about your plans for the day. You both decided to visit the famous Eiffel Tower, and explore the city's many museums and galleries.

As you walked hand in hand through the streets of Paris, Leon turned to you with a smile. "I'm so happy to be here with you, my love. You make every moment of my life so much better." His words made your heart swell with love and joy.

"I feel the same way, Leon. I'm so grateful for you, and for this amazing adventure that we're on together." You replied, looking deeply into his eyes.

As the day went on, you and Leon shared countless new experiences and made unforgettable memories. From sampling local cuisine to taking romantic walks through the city, every moment was filled with love and happiness. And as the sun set over the city, you knew that your honeymoon in Paris was a dream come true, a true celebration of your love and commitment to each other. The honeymoon slowly came to an end as you turned to look at the hotel entrance, your bags heavy with souvenirs and memories you made.

You and Leon shared one final romantic dinner in the hotel's elegant restaurant, savoring every bite of the exquisite French cuisine. You talked about the highlights of your trip, reliving your favorite moments and promising to return to Paris one day. As the night wore on, you grew more and more reluctant to leave, wishing that you could stay in this beautiful city forever.

But all good things must come to an end, and the next morning, you packed your bags and made your way to the airport. As you sat in your first-class seats, holding hands with Leon, you looked out the window at the beautiful city that you had fallen in love with. You knew that you would never forget this honeymoon, and that the memories that you had made would last a lifetime.

"Thank you for the most amazing honeymoon, Leon," you said, turning to him with a smile.

"It was my pleasure, my love," he replied, his eyes sparkling with love and adoration. "I'm so grateful to have you as my wife, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

You leaned in to kiss him, knowing that your love for each other would only continue to grow stronger with each passing day. As the plane took off, you closed your eyes and smiled, feeling grateful for the love and happiness that you had found in each other.

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[little-pondhead]

The Folly of Men -

Chapter 1: #355E3B

AO3 - MASTERPOST

[GENERAL TW: Swearing, lukewarm violence, lots of POV changes, and mild body horror.]

[Fair warning, guys: Canon is a ball pit, and I’m throwing a baby into it. I have no clue what's happening. Feel free to point out mistakes!]

-

Danny was starting to hate the color green. It was the color of death.

Green reminded him of the portal that killed him, and the electricity that was constantly humming under his skin. It reminded him of being on the wrong end of an ecto-blaster and having to dodge for dear life. It reminded him of choking plants that swallowed him whole and tried to turn him into fertilizer. It reminded him of his glowing eyes and how they seemed to take up his entire face when he looked at himself in the mirror.

And right now, as he lay weakly on his side, grasping at fresh wounds with shaky fingers as he tried to ice them closed, the green blood that was splattered everywhere reminded him he wasn’t human.

Not anymore.

-

Green was a familiar color to Ra’s al Ghul. It was the color of life. 

Green reminded him of the Lazarus Pits, mostly. When it was the reason he’d lived such a long life, how could it not be the first thing he thought of? Green also reminded him of his cloak and the warmth it wrapped him in during the cold desert nights when his wife was still alive. Of the beauty he saw in the natural world and why he wanted to protect it. It reminded him of his green eyes that have been passed down through his very few children and grandchildren. Green was the color of the al Ghuls and represented the power he’d amassed through centuries of hard work. 

And right now, as he stood before the Well of Sins, Ra’s was reminded of a secret contract that was buried deep within his personal records, and the monster he’d made it with. The Gardener, the creature called itself, was a being who had crawled out of a Lazarus Pit years ago in search of Ra’s. Its flesh was made from thorny vines and grasses intertwined, and its eyes were tiny red blooms that glowed and made him feel sick just thinking about it. It had forced him into the contract, exchanging power and knowledge in return for a promise of help in the near future. 

‘Near future,’ my ass. Timothy Drake's fleeting voice flickered in his mind, and he could only agree with his subconscious's crude words. It seemed like the only appropriate term as it had already been several centuries since the contract was made, and the being had yet to claim its part of the deal.

He watched, mind racing, as the Well of Sins started swirling frantically. He was alone, with his attendants on standby. Should he call them in? No. Whatever was causing the strange reaction in the pool had something to do with that contract. He could feel it. A power was tugging at his heart, drawing him closer to the edge of the green waters. He loathed to admit it, but this was beyond his scientific understanding. He just knew that every time he tried to look away and leave, his whole body felt like it was alight with flame.

So he stood. And he stared. For hours, possibly, before the first sign of something new caught his attention. A screeching sound was echoing from the bottom of the pool. It slowly got louder and higher pitched as the stone floor started glowing so bright Ra's almost risked the pain of glancing away.

A large head was making its way through the bottom of the pool. It went slowly to accommodate large shoulders, followed by a wide chest and narrow waist. The figure paid no mind to the churning of the Well of Sins and broke the surface of the waters with the ease of a seasoned swimmer. The screeching sound echoed wildly, bouncing unnaturally throughout the chamber, sounding more like incomprehensible words. Ra's wanted to plug his ears with wax and banish the figure back where it came from. Instead, he didn't even twitch an eye.

The Gardener stood before him. And it was carrying a body.

"Master of Lazarusss," it hissed, inclining its head in acknowledgment, but making no move to exit the pool. "Too long has it been, has it not? I've come to collect on my part of the deal."

Ra's nodded in return. Higher being or not, he refused to bow to anyone. "I've expected this, Gardener." He said roughly. Despite learning their language years ago, the sharp chirps and clicks made by the dead were difficult to sound out. It was like he was trying to mimic a broken radio. "Although it's taken longer than I expected for your arrival."

The Gardener clicked its beak in annoyance. "Don't give me flowery words, Pretender. It was not my choice whether to appear before you or not. The Scepter of our realm visited me long ago and commanded me thus; I only now see her vision behind it."

"I...see." He did not see, thank you very much. That was more information in two sentences than he'd ever managed to get from the Gardener. Were there others at play in this little contract of theirs? He did not like the idea of that. "And I assume this whole thing has something to do with the boy in your arms?"

The Gardener let out a low humming sound that seemed to originate from its chest and echo in Ra’s bones. It glanced down, turning the body over gently to let Ra's see his face. The boy was just a child, no older than sixteen. He was deathly pale and seemed eerily stiff, just as if rigor mortis had set in. His white hair was plastered to his forehead from the water, and his clothes were nothing more than rags. Thick green blood was leaking from several wounds and pooling underneath his skin. It wasn't hard to guess what the Gardener was about to ask.

"This is our Guardian and one of the last of his kind. His haunt is not safe anymore, and I task you with his care for the foreseeable future."

Without waiting for a response, the Gardener sloshed forward to set the boy oh-so-gently upon the edge of the pool, taking care that his thorns did not pierce the child. A few vines cupped his face gently as if the Gardener was sad about the boy's state of being.

The assassin made no move to step forward and claim him. "What iske?" He asked. Ra’s voice caught on the last syllable, and he had to repeat the question again properly. Annoying.

The Gardener didn’t seem to mind and just stepped back, relinquishing its hold completely. "He is our Guardian." It repeated. "Care for him well. His fraid will be on the hunt for him and return any harm tenfold. But earn his loyalty, and the power of the Infinite Realms will be at your fingertips. Good luck, Master of Lazarus."

With that, the Gardener disappeared beneath the waves of the Well of Sins, and the waters calmed. The only proof that someone had been there was the sopping wet teen that lay at Ra's feet.

Ra's stared at the boy. The tugging in his heart was a bind, he realized. And it was tying him to the boy. Well, caring for a dead child shouldn't be that hard. Despite his disagreement with Talia over the matter, Jason Todd had turned out just fine, hasn’t he?

With the contract heavy on his mind, Ra's turned and left the boy lying there, clicking his jaw and calling for his attendants to collect him. The Lazarus Pits had gifted him with a new heir, it seemed.

-

“WHAT DID YOU DO?”

In another world, a redheaded girl was on the edge of a rampage. Her scream echoed down the suburban street her house was on, and the neighbors sighed quietly and locked their windows shut, not realizing the severity of the question. They were used to this family's antics, and the girl's screaming as a result.

But this could not be written off as 'family antics.'

Jasmine Fenton, nicknamed ‘Jazz,’ was positively furious. Red-faced, she stood before her parents with steam coming from her ears and a bat in hand. 

“Jazzy-pants, we-” her father tried.

“Nope!” Jazz put up a hand to stop him. “Never mind, I don’t want to hear it. I already know.” 

She whirled around, tuning out her parents' protests as she stormed through their house. Correction, her parent’s house. If she had her way, Jazz would never see these metal and unloving walls ever again. Neither would her brother, once she found him. 

Her phone rang, and she flipped it open with a snap, leaving the bat at the end of the hallway. Only a few people had her number, and it sure as hell wasn’t her parents calling her. “What.” She barked, shoving the phone between her shoulder and ear as she dug through Danny’s closet. His bug-out bag hadn’t been moved. 

“It’s Tucker.”

“We have a code green and a code yellow.” She ground out. Good, the ecto-dejecto shots were up to date. The less time she spends in that god-forsaken lab, the better. 

“Fuck.” Tucker swore. Rustling was heard and she heard another voice in the background. “I’m putting you on speaker.” 

Jazz re-packed the bag quickly, adding in some non-essentials that she knew Danny would appreciate. After it was settled on her shoulders, she switched the phone back to her hand for a better grip. “Is Sam there?”

“I’m here.” The girl responded. 

Jazz tripped over her bedroom carpet in her rush to her room. She cursed but recovered and started ransacking her closet and drawers. “Good. One of you needs to contact Danielle. Our parents sold Danny out, and the GIW took him while I was gone yesterday. I’m going ghost and getting him back. Tell Danielle she’s in danger since they have her ecto-signature now.”

“We’re going with you.” Sam said firmly. There was more rustling, and Jazz guessed they were looking for their own emergency bags. “I don’t care how long it takes; we’ll get him back.” 

“Are you going to shut down the portal?” Tucker asked. 

Jazz paused, considering it. In the original plan, Danny was in charge of shutting down the portal while Jazz and the others took care of the Fentons, GIW, and everything else. It was personal for him; his final resting place. But now that Danny was missing, and they needed a reliable escape route. 

“Not permanently.” She decided. “I’ll figure out how to turn it off temporarily, or put a shield up, but Danny will need to be the one to make that call.” 

Tucker started typing furiously on his laptop, muttering under his breath until he got to the file he wanted. “Sam and I will take care of the town defenses, and Dani’s on her way from New Zealand. She’ll be here in a few hours. I’m sending you a bug; plug it into the Fenton’s security systems, and it’ll lock them out of the house for now. Only do it after you’re done in the labs. Sam’s gone off and is pulling some strings to get all the ghosts in town back to the Zone. I’ll start tracking Danny and shutting down all the Fenton and GIW equipment I can find.”

“Thanks, Tucker. I’ll meet you guys at Nasty Burger in two hours; pass that message to Danielle.”

“Sure thing. Oh, and Jazz?”

“Yeah, Tuck?” Jazz started counting her hidden wads of cash, making sure it was all there. They never wanted to believe the Fentons would go this far, but she was glad they’d made contingency plans just in case. 

She could hear Tucker’s silent snarl as he said his parting remark. “Leave enough of them behind for the rest of us.”

Jazz laughed, a little hysterical. “I’ll try.” She said, bidding him farewell. Honestly, she wasn’t even sure she could look at her parents ever again. But she knew, deep in her bones, that if they tried to stop her, there wouldn’t even be ashes left from the hell she would raise. 

-

Gotham was caught in a storm. It was one of those ugly, howling summer storms that threw water in your eyes and bit your skin with a vengeance. Damian squinted, trying to make out the sight of Spoiler and Signal through the rain, but even their bright uniforms were lost in the shadows.

He tightened his grip on his grappling hook as a particularly harsh wind tried to throw him around like a ragdoll. Water seeped into his collar, making him shiver. A beep echoed in his ear, and he risked taking one hand off the line to answer his comms.

"Robin," Oracle was practically shouting in his ear over the storm. "Signal made it to the Cave. Spoiler is rounding up Condiment King, and then she'll do the same. You can go back now."

Damian tsked. "Father is still out here," he replied. "I shall not return until he does."

"Robin-" Oracle sighed.

Another gust of wind made him grunt, and he cut the call to refocus on scaling the building. The only good thing that came from such a wild storm was that most of the villains were smart enough to stay inside. Splitting up in such conditions always left a sour taste in his mouth, but Damian understood it was necessary to cover as much ground as possible during times of emergency.

He wasn't sure this counted as an emergency, but Todd was certainly treating it as such. The citizens of Crime Alley were being hit hard. Enough to the point where Red Hood had openly invited the Bats onto his turf to help with the flooding and evacuation from some unstable buildings. Batman and Red Robin had gone, leaving Robin and Orphan to cover their patrol routes.

Finally, finding purchase on the rough brick, Damian quickly hauled himself up to safety. Some of his equipment was ruined, and his costume was soaked. Truly, this storm had come out of nowhere.

His comms clicked back to life. "Robin." Cain's clipped tone was somehow louder than Oracle's voice.

"I'm here," he replied, scowling at the oily mud on his shoes. Damned pollution.

"Home," Orphan said simply.

Damian scowled even harder. He could argue with Oracle without issue, but he barely won when it came to speaking with Orphan. "...Fine." He sniffed. "I shall return."

"Good." Damian could hear the smile in her voice. "Agent A has cocoa."

"I'll consider it." He said stiffly. He imagined his adoptive sister smiling slyly and glancing toward the sky before the comms switched off, leaving him to his thoughts again. After checking his grapple to ensure it still worked, he started picking his way through the building at a snail's pace, letting himself get distracted whenever he spotted someone in trouble. The Batcave would be warmer and dryer than the streets, but not everyone had a dry place to return to. Every little bit helped in the long run, and even Damian wouldn't pass by a lost child in the rain.

The only thing that bothered him more than the dark clouds overhead and fresh hail on the way home was the unnatural feeling on his spine. It felt like someone was watching him, judging him. But when he looked, nobody was there.

-

The stars were gone.

Danny felt weightless as he floated, staring at the space where the stars were supposed to be. He felt lighter than normal. Danny was surrounded by colors that flowed and ebbed like the tide, taking him deeper into this mysterious space. Golden fish and silver deer wove past him as fire and ice trailed behind, and yet he couldn’t seem to muster up the energy to get up. He just laid there silently. A bone deep exhaustion was settling into him, but sleep refused him.

“Ghost Child.”

Oh, Danny was dreaming. He was already asleep.

He didn’t turn his head, nor acknowledge when the stars returned to his line of sight. The stars wrapped around him like a curtain, cutting off the rest of the dreamscape. Two bright eyes, burning like red giants, peered down at him as thin hands cupped his body.

“Ghost Child.” The voice repeated again, speaking in his mind even as the words were swallowed by the silence of space.

Danny turned his head slowly. “Nocturn,” he murmured. These too, were snatched from his throat and lost. The cold seeped into his chest and he hiccuped. He couldn’t speak. Not that he really wanted to.

Luckily, Nocturn seemed to understand him just fine. He cradled Danny gently, bringing him closer to his chest. Something shifted in the fabric of space, and suddenly Danny was being laid to rest on the smooth stone of a crescent moon, as pearly white as his own hair. He sighed as the coolness of the moon seeped into his body, soothing aches and burns he didn’t remember getting.

“Where are we?” He wanted to ask.

Nocturn blinked slowly at him, his face twisted down towards Danny. His ram’s horns glinted as a glowing blue jay landed on them and started preening itself. Danny wanted to fly with the bird. His body didn't move.

“Sleep, Ghost Child.” Nocturn hummed. The moon vibrated beneath Danny, soothing the electric currents that kept him awake no matter what he did. Danny’s eyes started sliding shut as Nocturn’s song wrapped around him like a lullaby.

The others… Danny’s mind whispered.

Are safe. The song replied. Rest, young guardian. Your people are safe. You did well.

That was all he needed to hear. Danny let himself fall into slumber, relief flooding his mind. Yes, his people were safe. He did well. He deserved some rest.

As the young ghost fell into a dreamless sleep, a real sleep, Nocturn gently tucked the boy in with a blanket made from his own starry robes, shifting the fabric once more to hide away his core, and the boy who was resting on it. The bluejay on his head chirped indignantly from the movement and flew away, leaving a trail of smoke behind.

Nocturn paid it no mind. Warnings from Fate were never a good idea to ignore, but the bird was but a memory of a life that had long since passed. It only stuck around because of the dreams that kept feeding it. The ghost let his lullaby continue as he returned to his work, taking care to move slowly.

Undergrowth was taking care of his physical body, so he would care for the boy's mind. Vortex was off to round up the little ghostlings who had scattered like dandelion seeds, and the Master of Time was keeping an eye on the rest of Phantom's fraid while they rampaged in the mortal realms. After the stunt he pulled to protect the Realms, it was the least the elder ghosts could do.

-

"Is the boy awake?" Ra's asked sharply, entering the private rooms he had set aside for the boy.

The attending nurse, an older man born with no tongue, bowed his head and signed, 'No, sir. Vitals are off. He is a cold corpse.'

Ra's regarded the boy. It has been several weeks since the Gardener dropped the boy off in his care, and he hadn't awoken once throughout the entire time. He truly looked like a regular dead teenager, if you exclude the unnaturally white hair.

The Demon's Head bent over the boy's bed, tugging open an eyelid to see if he would react. Nothing. However, he noted the boy's eyes were green, which he was mildly pleased about. Green was such a lovely color, and this boy seemed surrounded in it.

A sharp knock echoed from the door, and Ra's granted the other party permission to enter. His best phlebotomist, a man named Paz, entered, holding a stack of papers as thick as his thumb. He bowed to Ra's as soon as he saw him.

"The results?" Ra's asked.

Paz immediately handed over his work, fully confident that Ra's understood everything he'd written. "For all purposes, the boy is dead." He said in a thick accent. He spoke in halted Arabic, as he'd only lived in 'Eth Alth'eban for a short time. "He has no circulation. No heart to move blood, or lungs to breathe. We must move him every hour to prevent postmortem lividity. He has undergone an extensive autopsy process, but it seems it was stopped before his brain was removed. No organs remain in his body otherwise.”

Ra's examined the papers. They were reports from different scientists and doctors, all of whom had been assigned to examine and work on the boy. Most of them said the same thing. The boy was dead and had been for a while. If the Well of Sins didn't do anything when he first exited the waters, what good would it do now?

He flicked his eyes up. "But you think otherwise," he stated.

Paz nodded enthusiastically. "The boy is dead, but his blood is alive!" He tapped a green folder that was poking out from the bottom of the pile. Ra's shuffled the papers off to the nurse and opened it. Printed off charts had been scribbled over with Paz’s frantic notes, documenting his thought process.

The phlebotomist rambled excitedly as his boss read his work, gesturing wildly. “It’s incredible! Most of his red blood cells have died off, and he has an abnormal amount of white blood cells, which indicate some kind of infection. But his plates-“

‘Platelets.’

“Platelets,” Paz nodded his thanks to the nurse for correcting his speech. “The boy’s platelets are still alive, and are actually trying to heal his injuries! We recorded a time-lapse last week to confirm it. The process is incredibly slow, even compared to human healing, but there’s a difference! Because of the absence of red blood cells, the plasma left in his body has practically doubled in volume, even though there’s no circulation to keep it moving. We’ve noticed a collection of stem cells at the base of his skull has started growing as well, and whatever it’s producing is being released into the body at regular intervals.”

“What kind of cells are they?”

“Unsure. At first, we thought it was cancerous in nature.” Paz tapped the corner of the folder again, prompting Ra’s to turn the page. “And while these cells are certainly growing as fast as unchecked cancer, rather than doing harm, we’ve taken samples and noted that they’re merging with whatever original matter has been left in the boy’s body. Bonding, like glue! The healing process is periodically speeding up with every release, the plasma has started circulating on its own, and the white blood cell count is diminishing. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it! It’s filling in for everything that’s missing, and keeping what is there, alive. Dr. Vanessa hypothesized that within the month, it may even start replacing the boy’s organs.”

Ra’s looked up from the research. “These photos look like plant cells, is this an example or actual recordings of the activity?”

Paz wrinkled his nose. “Those are evidence of the activity. For some reason, cellulose is present within his body, and the mysterious stem cells seem to be a mix of both plant and animal matter. It’s hard to track even with our technology, but it looks like the cellulose is forming a sort of…skeleton? Frame? I’m not sure what the right word is, but Dr. Vanessa says they might start regrowing in another month. If that’s true, this would be a huge breakthrough in the realm of organ transplants and other medical fields!”

The Demon’s Head hummed, flipping through the work again and considering the man’s words. “Very good,” he praised. Paz beamed like a child at his words. “Unfortunately, I shall be releasing you of your duty, and your tongue is too loose for your head.”

“What-“ Paz’s eyes widened as he gurgled, his words cut off. Ra’s twisted his wrist, driving home the dagger he’d planted in the man’s heart. He had no use for men who talked too much.

Paz fell to the floor, convulsing as he tried to weakly remove the weapon still sticking out of his chest. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he went pale as his blood seeped out onto the floor.

Ra’s barely spared the dying man a glance, taking back the extra stack of papers from the nurse and neatly stepped around him to exit the room. “Clean that up,” he said over his shoulder.

The old nurse bowed his head, waiting patiently for the foolish doctor to finish dying before he got out the mop.

This is why the nurse had survived so long; he knew how to stay silent.

-

[Nocturn tucking Danny in to rest. Ghost speech says, "Rest well, ghost child"]

#pondhead writes #the folly of men fic #dpxdc #long post #really long post #no beta we die like Danny #I rewrote this three times #this was gonna be longer but the plot got away from me so we're doing more than one part now #the whole point of this is to get me back into writing more so i guess it's working?? #i literally did so much googling for this #even watched timeline videos but i'm pretty sure i'm still wrong #literally what is dc lore anymore #i'd rather learn about kingdom hearts lore at this point #literally I am summoning all of my brain snails to bring this together #not medically accurate!!! #I am not a doctor I just took biology twice

[powdermelonkeg]

so, it’s confirmed that Zelda’s “Time” powers came from Sonia, and her “Light” powers from Rauru, but we know from other games that only the women of the royal family can use the “sealing” power inherited from SkSw Zelda. do you think this means that throughout history, the “Light” powers associated w the sealing are actually separate from the sealing ability? I just remember being really lost after that cutscene, cause even if Rauru somehow was a descendant of Hylia, he wouldn’t be able to use those powers, and the sealing of whatever evil is causing trouble always has a fancy light show with it lmao

So, this is a very complicated question with a very complicated theory to answer it.

We know that Sonia's primary, and, in terms of usablity, only power is Recall.

However, I do believe she's Hylia's descendant, not Rauru, despite Rauru being the one with the light/sealing power. Evidence on that here.

Being Hylia's descendant would make Sonia's birthright be a whole host of other powers, possibly latent, but more probably something that Sonia's never actually been in the right situation to use. Let's take a look at what Skyward Sword Zelda can do.

She can seal the Demon King-

-but only at the expense of her own life force being rendered inert while she does.

She can bless the Master Sword-

-but it's already as strong as it can get.

She has strong connections to time...

...but we knew that already.

Of these three powers, only one would be relevant to Sonia's skill set. The Master Sword can hardly be doubly-blessed, and the Demon King has yet to show his face.

More importantly, however, Skyward Zel's sealing power works MUCH differently to Wild Zel's.

Wild Zel's sealing is instantaneous, fueled by emotion, with seemingly no draining effect on her person.

When fully unleashed, her seal is as total as it is inescapable. It doesn't require her to put herself to sleep until Link can deal the final blow with the Master Sword. The closest thing to Skyward Zel's seal that Wild Zel did was in keeping the Calamity at bay for 100 years while Link slept. During which, it's heavily implied that she was conscious, given that she spoke to Link the instant he woke.

With Rauru, his sealing ability seems much more similar to our princess's, with only some key differences visually.

His right hand gathers light around it, and needs to be extended to fully function.

When the seal first activates, it forms a spherical shape, which is inescapable, albeit on a much smaller scale than Zelda's.

It's a little hard to see, due to the magnitude of Zelda's power, but it IS a sphere.

And although this act does cost Rauru his life, it usually doesn't. He's done this before, multiple times, as stated in Messages from an Ancient Era tablet A Pilgrimage of Light:

"The kyng was late y-come this aven, so maked the quene to sharen tales of hir lond, of shirines al grene yglouen. "Of erli daies sinnes Hyrules funding have diverse monstres hir reaume biseged ond assaylled. "Uncesinge in striffe, thei broughte to despeir folkes lyfen. Kyng ond quen ysete thamselue to bringen scurge to ende. "With might of light ond pouere, driven abak ybeen, ond the roial couple made thes shirines to selen him awei. "Thes holi selen ben yclept Shirines of Light. "Gret kyng, grete quen, y thank ye. Ye foughte whan y wer maiden-child, that y kude pes toknouen."

The translation, to the best of my efforts:

"The king was late to come this evening, so made the queen to share tales of her land, of shrines all green glowing. "Of early days since Hyrule's founding have diverse monsters her realm besieged and assailed. "Unceasing in strife, they brought to despair folks' lives. King and queen set themselves to bringing scourge to end. "With might of light and power, driven aback they been, and the royal couple made these shrines to seal him away. "These holy seals been called Shrines of Light. "Great king, great queen, I thank you. You fought when you were maiden-child, that I could peace to know."

Sonia and Rauru went around making the Shrines of Light that we find in present day and receive blessing from:

So, with the exception of the Demon King, who was so powerful that he could resurrect thousands of years later, Rauru's seal behaved like Zelda's—instant, fueled by emotion, inescapable, projected by the right hand, with no immediate toll on the user.

But what does this mean for Zelda's sealing ability? Despite behaving similarly, it doesn't look similar at all.

Let's look back at what happens when Sonia and Rauru combine their powers.

Rauru brings his hands together in a triangle shape, possibly invoking the same Triforce motif Zelda gives when she unleashes her power. The Secret Stone, which magnifies his light abilities, glows in a similar shade to Zelda's seal.

Sonia extends her right hand as her own tear glows. Despite it only amplifying her time power, her hand shows the same color Rauru's light gives off—as well as being in a spherical form.

Rauru draws in her power (and Zelda's, whose is a combination of both already and therefore adds no new properties) and forms a bright yellow light with a sphere around it.

It's better seen from this angle, where we can also see what looks like an inverted Triforce in the middle.

They're nowhere near the level of focus Zelda's Triforce has, but the triangles are definitely there.

And then it becomes a catastrophic force of power, able to wipe out an entire swarm of Molduga in a single hit.

Zelda's lineage's sealing ability is a culmination of all of this. It's Sonia and Rauru's powers combined, taking Hylia's seal, the Goddess's full power-

-and attaching that strength to something instantaneous and geared specifically to lock away darkness-

-by combining the power of time with the power of light.

Hylia's sealing power isn't Rauru's, but Zelda's is Hylia's AND Rauru's combined.

As a side note, this is also why I think, despite Rauru contributing his power, the magic remains only matrilineal. Hylia's descendants—meaning in this case, Sonia—are the only ones that carry her abilities. Rauru's power attached itself to Sonia's to create Zelda's, but Sonia's abilities—with or without Rauru's boost to them—can only be accessed by her daughters and granddaughters.

Strong enough to rival any magic in the world in sheer might, this later became known as the Light Force.

TLDR: Hylia's seal = Slow, nonlethal, exhausting toll, powerful, golden lightshow Rauru's seal = Fast, potentially lethal, concentrated, opposes Ganon, spherical lightshow Zelda's seal = Fast, concentrated, opposes Ganon, spherical (from Rauru), nonlethal, powerful, golden (from Hylia); a hybridization of both seals, the best of both worlds

#loz #zelda #theory #ask bee #totk #totk spoilers #skyward sword #minish cap #long post #really long post #words are hard and it's 3 am but i hope i'm conveying this right #basically rauru is what improved hylia's seal to the point that botw zel uses it with as much strength as she does

[phoenixkaptain]

I just want to say that the repeated mentions of Tim being like Bruce - Dick telling Tim that “you’re more like Bruce than I ever was” and even things as small as the other members of Young Justice assuming that Batman is literally Robin’s dad - mean so much to me because like-

Tim is so similar to Bruce. They are both rich kids, only childs, people like them but they never let anyone truly know them. Tim’s deductive ability is so often likened to Bruce’s, and even his combat prowess or leadership skills are more often compared to Bruce’s than Jason’s or Dick’s. Despite being Robin, and the third one at that, Tim really takes being the Batman of the group to an entirely new level with just how much he really is like Batman.

And that’s why they work so well together! Tim and Bruce are so similar, but they’re fundamentally different! Bruce is afraid to get hurt again, afraid to feel connections to other people, afraid of revealing his emotional vulnerability. Tim is afraid of disappointing people, afraid to fail to rise to the standards other people set for him, afraid of revealing that he isn’t as calm as he appears on the outside. Bruce and Tim both begin fighting crime out of love, a love so strong that it would lead either of them to give up their lives for that love, but Bruce does so out of a love for Gotham City and his parents and the legacy they represent to him while Tim does so out of a love for Gotham City and Robin and Batman.

Their partnership is built on their similarities, but it’s improved by their differences. Tim is softer than Bruce. He wants to trust people, he doesn’t enjoy making lists of ways to kill all of his friends. He tries to talk, to draw things out, to banter, while Bruce is more straightforward. Which, honestly, being more subtle than Bruce is a talent in its own right, ngl

Tim is described a lot as the perfect Robin. And, I can’t help but feel like yeah, he is. The writers really made this character perfect for Bruce specifically. Tim is a person who understands what Bruce wants him to do, even if he doesn’t always understand why. Tim cares about Bruce, both Bruce Wayne and Batman, and that care knocks down a lot of Bruce’s walls. Tim wants to fight crime with his friends and enjoy himself, but he also has his main goal which is to protect Bruce, especially from Bruce himself.

And it’s a two-way street. Bruce knows Tim so well. Like, I can’t even begin to describe how well Bruce can read Tim. He can tell that Tim’s care is sincere, and he wants to reciprocate that care. He trusts Tim, on such a deep, foundational level, and he trusts that if Tim lies to him, then Tim has a balid reason for doing so. He’s protective of Tim, even more than Tim is protective of him (for obvious reasons), but he’s also proud of Tim. He’s proud of how Tim can work with people and how Tim can handle his own and how Tim can solve cases.

Bruce and Tim are such a dynamic duo, literally. The understanding they have of each other is amazing. The trust they have in each other. The care. Bruce treats Tim like his son, and Tim honestly treats Bruce like his dad, even while Tim’s birth dad is still alive. These two are great together, they work so well together, they fit each other almost perfectly because Tim was literally made to be perfectly suited for Batman.

And, of course, there is an obsession there. Tim’s obsession with Batman runs deep. He would almost certainly make a great Batman, no matter how you look at it, because he has moments where he reaches that ability to be threatening. Of the times I know that he played Batman, he didn’t do a bad job. He’s intimidating and frightening and he manages to have his cape pulled around himself so he’s just a shape, just like Bruce does, and that’s mostly because he also literally does that same thing as Robin. Tim prefers to be Robin, because he prefers to be partnered with someone else.

(To be completely honest, I think Tim’s first choice of who he would want to be paired with at any given moment is almost certainly Dick. Dude loves that guy. I haven’t seen if Batman Dick and Robin Tim interact in those respective roles, but Tim is almost equally made to be Nightwing’s Robin. Bruce is his second choice though, definitely.)

I have to assume the obsession goes both ways, because the story is a lot more interesting if it does. Bruce is protective of Tim, even as he trusts Tim with the fate of the entire planet. His protectiveness of Tim is funny, actually, because he doesn’t mind Tim fighting gods but he does mind Tim showing the other members of Young Justice his face. (I mean, I get that one of the members is named Impulse, but Bart himself said that Batman gave him that name, so I feel like Bruce bringing it up as a detractor is just a bit hypocritical)

All the times we see Batman with Tim in the Young Justice run, Batman is pretty chill. Like, during the Sins of Youth storyline, when Bruce is Robin and Tim is Batman, Bruce seems totally cool with it. He doesn’t seem worried about Tim messing up. His comments on Tim talking to much read more to me as banter than actual criticisms. Bruce trusts Tim to be Batman, and I find that both sweet and a bit funny for a variety of reasons.

We see Batman get mad when Arrowette says the Justice League doesn’t understand any of the Young Justice members, although even then he just glares at her, he doesn’t say anything. Bruce is like “Yes, I know I don’t understand the majority of human interaction, what of it?” Batman doesn’t say much during that whole comic, actually? Like, he shows up with the rest of the Justice League and he taunts Tim (literally like someone taunting a child pfft) but he doesn’t actually seem to think they won’t pull through? He makes a quip about them being late getting back, but it doesn’t go anywhere, it was him teasing Robin, why was he even here?

(I like to think he kind of hoped Young Justice would disban so he could take Tim back. He obviously wants Tim around, he implies as much in the World Without Grownups arc, and he obviously enjoys Tim’s company, he seems to genuinely enjoy fighting crime with Tim, even when their roles are switched, and he lets Tim talk to Oracle all the time (he definitely could have cut that connection off if he really wanted to make it difficult for Tim during that whole bet thing) Like, Bruce believes that Tim is capable, I think he’s like Wonder Woman and thinks that the others (coughImpulseandSuperboycough) are bad influences. He is taking his boy wonder and leaving to get him good influences, like Nightwi- oh, wait, no, yeah, let’s let him hang out with Impulse and Superboy-)

This turned into a ramble about Young Justice, but I can’t help it!!! I really, REALLY wish that Batman had gone to the parent-teacher conference. Like, Nightwing showing up was wonderful on so many levels, but can you imagine?? Batman?? Dealing with Bonnie King-Jones??? Like, I think if he ever met her he would break the no-killing rule, full-stop, no hesitation. I want to know how the parent-teacher conference would have gone if Batman was there. I think it would have been mostly awkward silence while Batman lurked in the shadows and Red Tornado didn’t understand why everyone was so nervous, like, it’s just talking about what time he should feed their kids, why are you guys sweating-?

I love Tim and Bruce’s relationship. They’re so codependent. I don’t know if Bruce could ever not hold the next Robins up to Tim’s standard. Like, Damian trying to kill Tim makes a lot of sense if you look at it as Damian viewing the situation as “there only needs to be one Robin, and if there is a Tim to be compared to, I will lose.” Dick and Jason were great as Robin, but neither of them were Robin during the period of time in the nineties and early 2000s where Batman got a lot edgier and needed an edgier boy to be Robin. Dick was perfect for the 50s through to at least the 70s, and Jason was probably just fine too (still haven’t read Jason comics hrnng) but Tim fits Bruce perfectly because he was made for the more modern vision of Batman as a character.

Tim is a dweeb and a nerd, just like Dick before him, do not think that he isn’t, but he really works as a balance for Bruce. He was introduced to be that equilibrium, and he fulfills that role.

Tim and Bruce work so well together because they’re just on slightly different sides of a spectrum. They’re so close to being too similar, but they’re dissimilar enough that reading their dynamic is engaging and interesting. Tim really just is the Robin I understand people mistaking for Bruce’s blood kid, y’know? Before Damian, I mean. I feel like the Justice League members met Tim and went “whoa, shit, Batman knocked someone up, holy-“ The Young Justice members continuously genuinelybelieve that Batman is Robin’s dad (which makes it a lot funnier, because if he was Tim’s dad, Tim would essentially be saying: “my dad made me do this and won’t let me do this and to make things worse, my DAD moved us out!” Like, why would he just randomly mention who the subject of the conversation was again at such a pointed time? I understand that Superboy and Bart were not paying attention to him, but it’s just really funny to think that Tim would talk in such a strange way?) I like to think that Dick does not help matters, and instead goes out of his way to worsen them, because Dick is always the one telling Tim that he’s doing great and that he’s so similar to Bruce (he means it as a compliment, like Tim isn’t making the mistakes he thinks he’s making because he, just like Batman, just is unlikely to make mistakes) so I think Dick definitely tells his friends that Robin is Batman’s kid because it’s funny-

And this has gone from rambling about Young Justice to writing fanfiction mid-post, I should really stop while I’m ahead.

All in all, to sum it up, TLDR: Tim was made to be the best Robin specifically for Bruce as Batman. That’s why they work in harmony, but are ultimately entirely different instruments.

#the inane ramblings of a madman #long post #really long post #dc #batman #bruce wayne #tim drake #robin #dick grayson #young justice #90s young justice #can you guys tell i’ve been rereading yj? #can you guys tell i’ve been thinking about batman? #because i gotta tell you #i’ve been rereading yj and i have been thinking about batman #tim and bruce are so great together #like they just fit together so well #they are absolutely obsessed with each other #i can’t even begin to list all the times bruce reads tim like a book #and i totally believe that they have each other’s schedules memorized #i sincerely doubt tim ever actually stopped collecting his batman photos #they jive so well #and the best part #is that it’s completely platonically #these two are practically soulmates #the very definition of platonic soulmates really #they’re perfect i love them

[piosplayhouse]

Hi! I came across a post complaining about the guy yuri poll and discourse aside, I vaguely remember you made a post about what is yaoi and what is yuri? I dunno if I dreamed this post up, but I've scrolled and scrolled and I can't find it. So, I wanted to ask (if you don't mind answering >.<), what is yaoi/yuri? (beyond the basic definitions) What counts as guy yuri and girl yaoi?

Uwaa ok so I will say Im planning to actually write a paper on this but I haven't done much research yet so ask in a few months and you'll hopefully have a better answer with cited sources. But here is a bit of what I'm conceptualizing at this point (corrections and additions very welcome!)

What set me down this path really was of course the fantastic Yaoizine hosted by tshirt3000, which includes a rather poignant author's note about broadening the definition of yaoi in public to the abstraction. Indeed, the actual origin of the term "yaoi" is an acronym for "yamanashi, ochinashi, iminashi" (plotless, climaxless, meaningless) from 70s doujinshi spheres wherein it was used as a somewhat self-degrading term to define a specific type of porn-without-plot self-indulgent indie fancomic. These were of course, mostly of the male-male variety. However, as the Yaoizine makes clear, there's not really an inherent gendering within the word in any sense but genre expectation-wise. This becomes particularly salient in the case of perhaps one of the most famous wlw romances out there, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Tshirt cites an interview with the creator of the anime, Ikuhara Kunihiko, where he refers to the relationship between the two main female characters (among other things) as yaoi, recontextualizing the term from merely a mlm genre into a statement on the dynamics of power and consumption as they relate to gender-- an act of sexual passion paired with a reversal of societal norms = yaoi in this case, which is why utenanthy fits perfectly within the term.

Conversely, yuri (lily) is a bit more difficult to analyze from a gender-neutral perspective as it originated not as a counterpart to yaoi, but instead as a counterpart to bara (rose, a term used to refer to erotic gay male content) used when lesbians would write in to gay magazines trying to hook up and whatnot. However, it's pretty agreed upon that the genre grew out of Class S literature, a type of literature based on girls, often senpai and kouhai, going to an all-girls school together and experiencing a connection that straddles the thin line between romance and homosociality. Homosociality like this among women has historically been and to this day remains somewhat under the radar and perceived as a "phase" or an amateur attempt at romance before a woman eventually marries a man. This is where we see significant overlap between pre/early modern Japanese male homosexual literature and lesbian literature, where homosexuality is seen as a youthful phase that will inevitably be grown out of (as in the case with the chigo system, LUG (lesbian before graduation), etc). Essentially, it was very common for the characters of early modern queer literature (mostly written by queer authors btw) to have brief and passionate schoolyard flings before graduating onto "normal" sexuality. Of course, these narratives fell out of style and are considered dead today, but their remnants can still be seen in the subsequent shojo and modern gl manga boom. The yuri that grew from this in the beginning was usually explicitly erotic, but still somewhat held onto the predominant themes of schoolgirl innocence and youthful beauty. Over time, meanings and terminology shifted, and the "yuri" we use today is more interchangeable with "gl", meaning it's not so much of an indicator of explicit content as "yaoi" is. However, I would still argue that one of the largest indicators of a story's "yuri factor" (if you could say that) is its ties to the establishing homosociality progressed into homoromantic relationship genre expectation. Of course, there are many wlw stories that subvert this, (as there are many mlm stories that subvert the yaoi or even bl template) but to me, if you were to compare yaoi and yuri's theming, yaoi's focus tends to skew more towards the intimacy in explicit eroticism, while yuri looks more into the implicit eroticism in intimacy. If that makes sense.

Of course, when looking into "boy yuri" there's also a transfem-coding factor to consider, which I think is what the majority of people have in mind when they refer to a couple as "boy yuri". Historically, there is massive precedent for feminization between male queer couples in historical Japanese literature, as well as in early modern relatives of bl, mainly Inagaki Taruho's work, so it would be somewhat disingenuous to say feminization is a purely modern, female-created phenomenon. But anyway, those are my (somewhat messy and likely inaccurate) thoughts so far, let me know what you all think. Have a happy yaoimas and merry new yuri, as they say.

#long post #long posts #really long post #really long posts #yaoi #yuri

[elphiej]

Be My Light - Chapter 10: An Act of Trust

*Genre: Mafia, Angst, Slow burn, eventual smut

*Warnings: Mentions of drugs, language, anxiety

Authors Note: How has it been so long? It's been a bit of a tough time but I have returned to my happy place. I hope you enjoy this look into the Magic Shop. I copy and paste the Tag List, so for those who no longer wish to be in it, I completely understand. Please just message me and I'll remove you. For any new interested readers who would like to be apart of the Tag List, same thing. Please just be patient with me. I'm on new any depressants and will be trying my very best to keep up with this. No matter what, I will never stop this fic and I will try my best to make any wait worth it. Feel free to drop a like, comment, or anything. Also posted on AO3 under the same name, Enjoy!

Tag list: Tag list: @lolalalooo, @bangtan-sonyeonddaeng, @barbikatherine,  @mrsfortune1306, @lovesick-heart0, @iamnamjoonsbxtch, @deathkat657, @deeepvibes, @sugamonster22, @weiinihao, @hemmofluke, @rainbow-zebra-unicorns, @joyfullyobsessed-blog, @elvencantation, @thefreddieman, @whateveritis616, @crewzie-chan, @wyomingphantom, @killbillv1, @kyrah-williams, @utterlynutters, @ot7jellostan, @zahraaelamira, @shesaysweirdthings, @toriluvsfics, @emu007, @zae007live​

Chapter 10: An Act of Trust.

            This is incredible, you found yourself repeating as you followed Taehyung through the Magic Shop.

            The mansion was the prime example of the phrase ‘never judge a book by its cover’. Though, if you were being completely honest, Bangtan had shown many examples of that phrase the more you were around them. Where the outside of the Magic Shop was foreboding, broken, and cold, the inside was warm, modern, and inviting. And so well maintained. For a group of young men, the place was immaculate. You thought back to when Jin and Jungkook had cleaned your apartment on the first night and decided that you really shouldn’t be surprised. As you looked about the passing rooms, they were beautifully decorated in a modern style that really complimented everyone and the structure.

            Taehyung had, first, led you down the spiral staircase under the front foyer into what you assumed were the old service areas. Now, it was an expansive garage lined with a vast variety of vehicles. You recognized the truck that Jin had driven you home in, the silver sports car that Taehyung had picked you up in that first day, and the town car that you had just been in. Heuning Kai waved at the two of you from his place by the town car, polishing it to look as new. You looked down the rows in awe. As you took in the fleet of cars, you started to understand that you had vastly underestimated how much money Bangtan must have had. But were all of these bought or were they spoils of the job? Or were some of them stolen? You were really trying not to think so poorly of your hosts, but could it really be helped?

            “Nice, huh?” Taehyung crossed his arms with pride as he leaned against a very nice looking black two-door car. He nodded over towards the familiar pickup truck. “That was the first truck we bought back in the early days. We lived off of cheap ramen and stolen veggies, but it was worth it. Jin put a lot of hardware into it over the years. He stayed up a lot of nights reading mechanic books to make it work for us. Now we’re able to hire mechanics who will follow whatever design and dream he can think up to help us. Like bulletproof glass and exteriors, homing beacons, storage and seats that fold down so we can use the space for anything. They, even, have this feature that sends an alert to all of our phones if the vehicle’s ever in an accident so we can get to each other.”

            “I suppose Jin thought of everything, didn’t he?”

            “Yeah,” Taehyung smiled a huge boxy grin. “Jin-hyung is all about keeping us safe. He’s like the mom of our family. He’s always taken such good care of us.”

            As your eyes roamed across the row of vehicles, your eyes caught sight of a sleek, black motorcycle in the farthest corner of the garage. You had always wanted to ride on one ever since one of Amber’s friends came by the hospital to show his new one off. But you had always been too scared to ask to ride along; working in the ER would do that to a person.

            “Like that? That’s Jungkookie’s, He always wanted one. And Yoongi-hyung and Jiminie bought it for him as a graduation present to encourage him to finish school. He was so excited when he went to go pick it out. It’s his favorite thing. Seems like you like it too. I’m sure if you ask him, he’d take you on a ride. As long as he doesn’t combust from shyness. I’d suggest you wait until you’ve been around him more before you ask him.”

            “Oh no,” you said, turning back towards Tae. “I don’t think that would be very smart. Do you know how many cases in my ER are from motorcycle accidents? I wouldn’t dream of it.” You were sure by the look on Taehyung’s face that he could hear the disappointment in your tone as you tried to fool yourself.

            He smiled. “You know that is the same argument that Jin-hyung said when it was brought home. But I know I have a picture of them riding on it together.”

            Taehyung, then, led you out of the garage. As you ascended the spiral stairs back into the front foyer, you were taken down the hallway where Namjoon had appeared towards the kitchen. The hallway was lined with what looked like framed family portraits of Bangtan throughout the years. There were some of them all together dressed all nice, and a few of them in random units posed in fun ways. It was interesting to see how they grew and changed over the years. But it was, also, sad to see how young they were. You paused in front of what appeared to be their first family photo. Where the other photos were in suits or business casual attire, their first picture looked as if they had watched too many hip-hop music videos. Dressed in fake basketball jerseys and hats, or in layered phony designer shirts and too much eyeliner, they looks so young and inexperienced. You almost didn’t recognize Namjoon with his crazy hair and dark glasses, or Jimin with his very tanned skin and shaggy black hair. And Jungkook looked like he had barely started puberty with his round doe-eyes. It really made you wonder what could cause such young kids to turn to gang life. Yoongi and Namjoon you understood since Yoongi had explained his side to you. But were all their stories the same? You had to figure out how to ask them.

       The kitchen looked like it belonged to a showroom with top-of-the-line appliances set against stunning marble counter tops. You imagined this is what a world class chef would want. It was beyond clean and spacious with a large capacity refrigerator and freezer, a fully stocked wine cabinet that almost reached the ceiling, a huge stove and dual ovens, and a large island that could be used for anything. Off the main part, set against a large set of windows that overlooked a courtyard in the middle of the Magic Shop, was a cozy breakfast nook and a fully stocked coffee bar that could meet the needs of the pickiest of coffee drinkers. There were a few different machines for different types of coffee, syrups, stirrers, and different sugars. The enticing smell of whatever Namjoon had made still permeated the room.

            The only thing that was missing was the staff to man such a space. Perhaps they had the morning off?

            Taehyung opened up the fully stocked cabinets, pantry, and fridge to show off their contents and told you to that you would help yourself to anything whenever you wanted.

            “We always make extra so you can have whatever. Or, if you would rather cook something for yourself, by all means. But since one of us will be with you, we may offer to do it.”

            “You all cook?” You remembered the amount of food Jin had ordered the first night for you and figured that’s what they did regularly.

            “Some of us do,” he remarked with a shrug. “Namjoon-hyung can only really make coffee. And my skills are a bit limited. But the others are really good at it. We always leave leftovers if we are out late on missions for the other. We try to have family dinner when we are all together. And we talked about letting you come too, since you’ll be here for a while. If you want, that is. But trust me, you’re gonna want to.”

            “So, you make your own food? I would expect a place like this would come with a fleet of cooks since you all would be…busy.”

            Taehyung laughed. “You would think so. But we are pretty self-sufficient. Other than our hired Army, we don’t really have a staff full time. I mean, there are two mechanics that come to tune up the cars every month, a couple ladies who come in to do a deep clean every three months or so, and Jin brings in a couple helpers once in a while when he’s stuck in whatever he’s working on. But that’s only a very few very trusted people. They’re all older locals though who we’ve helped over the years, so we know they won’t betray us. It’s just safer if we keep it low. When we bring in new people, it’s blind like how we did with you. Not that we don’t trust you. I mean…” Taehyung started trying to figure out how to better explain it.

            “It’s alright. I understand. I am a stranger to you guys. Despite how many card games I’ve beat you at or coffee dates you take me on.” You smiled as your little joke seemed to ease the tension. “It makes sense really. It’s better to be cautious. If anything happens to me, I wouldn’t be able to say anything even if I could.”

            “Hey,” Tae brought his hand to your shoulder, face very serious, “nothing is going to hurt you here. I trust you. Call it my superpower, but I can read people really well. All the years on the street do that to a person. You are a good person. Otherwise, we would have blindfolded you before you stepped out of the car. Everyone agreed to welcome you in our home not just because of all you’ve done for Hyung. We could have just set you up in a safe house if I thought you were up to something.”

            You were sure he was being genuine with you. He did seem like he was going very beyond the bare minimum he needed to do had it been some other person. You knew he was trying to make you feel safe and comfortable in this whole situation. They were doing so much for you, you just needed to allow yourself to relax and not think about all the other things. You tried to ignore the dark cloud that kept coming up the second you started to forget their profession and focus on the person.

            From the kitchen, you were lead to the outside courtyard. It must have been intended to be a beautiful event space in its conception. There were moss covered statues, an elegant fountain surrounded by ivy covered iron benches, and beautiful plants that brought so much color to the space. Above, there was a façade that looked like a tapered roof covered in ripped tarps that Tae explained let in a lot of light and rain but kept anyone or thing from seeing inside. Bangtan had really thought of everything to keep the Magic Shop secret. Across the courtyard and through another door, you were shown an impressive gym with an attached studio that Taehyung explained was used for combat training, dance practice, or anything they wanted. Next to that was a shower, steam room, and a large indoor swimming pool. All of which was fair game for you to use if you wanted to.

            After that, the excited man showed you what he deemed ‘the living space’. Up the stairs to the second floor, there was a massive formal dining room, a small library that you really wanted to explore, a small infirmary, a game room, and some office used for whatever they wanted to work on privately. He pointed to another staircase and mentioned that some of their bedrooms were up on the third floor and so were Namjoon’s and Yoongi’s personal workspaces. Jin’s workspace was in the basement, while Jungkook’s room and personal gaming room was on the attic floor with Taehyung’s art studio. There was so much space in this house that you began to wonder if there was a map so you wouldn’t get lost. Before you could try to remember how to get back to the last room, you found yourself in an expansive living room. You figured this may be where you’d be spending a majority of your time. The room was open design with a massive L-shaped couch that seemed like it could fit more than seven, sleek coffee tables, two elegant armchairs with oversized ottomans, and a few beanbag chairs stacked in a corner. Mounted to the wall was a huge flat screen television and on either side of it where towering shelves full of movies, tv series, music, and video games to last a lifetime. There were multiple gaming consoles stacked neatly on top. And on the far wall, there was a small mini fridge, a cupboard with snacks, and a small bar. It was homely and comfortable.

            “We spend a lot of our down time together in here,” Taehyung said, smiling at your awed expression. “It’s probably one of my favorite rooms, besides my bedroom.”

            “I can see why. It has pretty much everything in here. It’s bigger than my apartment. Well, this house is so large it’s a wonder how you can find anyone in here. I still haven’t seen Jimin, Jungkook, or Jin. I feel like I could walk right past them in here and never know it.”

            “Well, Jin is on the basement level working on something. We won’t need to go down there. There is nothing there that’d interest you. Honestly, it’s a bit more confusing to get down there anyway so just try to stay on the first two floors. But. he’ll come up for lunch in a while. Since I didn’t see Jungkook in here or the gym, my guess is that he is probably still in his room. He was up late last night playing video games and is most likely still sleeping. But if ever in doubt, always start looking for him in the gym or where his games are. As for Jimin, I’m not sure where he is. He was excited for you to come to the Magic Shop. I thought he would meet us in the front or outside. That was his plan anyway. Something might have come up. I’m sure we’ll see him at lunch. Oh yeah, there’s someone else I want you to meet. Now, where is he?”

            Suddenly, while you were distracted by some of the framed, less staged photos on the wall, something small and fuzzy ran across your foot. You shrieked and it took everything in your body to keep from kicking at whatever it was as you fell back into one of the armchairs. Taehyung let out a loud laugh that filled the space and had him holding his sides.

            “Tannie! There’s my baby boy.” You turned over the chair to watch him stoop over and pick up a small black and brown Pomeranian puppy. The puppy yipped happily and gave his owner sloppy kisses that Tae returned. “I was wondering where you had gotten off too. Such a silly boy. You shouldn’t scare our guest like that. She’s a nice girl, the one I told you about. Say you’re sorry.”          

            The puppy let out a big yawn. You weren’t sure if that was the apology Taehyung was expecting.

            “Sorry, I didn’t mean to react like that. I’ve been a bit jumpier than usual. I wasn’t expecting such a tiny thing to come running at me. You guys never mentioned that you had a dog.”

            “I didn’t? That doesn’t sound like me. I could have sworn I had talked about him a few times back in the hospital.” If you were honest, he might have. But there were plenty of times when you were fighting your many battles about trusting them that you tuned out most of the conversations. “This is Yeontan. He’s only eight months old. You don’t mind dogs, do you?”

            “No, I like all animals. He’s very cute,” you pushed off from the chair and stepped a bit closer. When Taehyung held the small dog out to you, you reached over and lightly scratched him behind his fuzzy ear. Yeontan let out a happy noise and licked your hand. You laugh a bit. “He’s so sweet. But I’ll be honest. I would never have suspected someone like you to have such a tiny dog.”

            “Oh, sure. I get that. Jungkookie keeps saying we should get a Doberman as a guard dog. That would definitely fit our image better. But I could never replace Tannie. He’s all mine.” Taehyung hugged the puppy close, and it warmed your heart. “I’ve always wanted a little dog ever since I was a kid. But a bad home life made it difficult. But all the guys pulled together and helped me get this little guy as a present. And I sold a few pieces in order to save up for classes so I could better take care of him. I wanted to be the best owner for him.”

            The way that Taehyung spoke and interacted with the dog was such a juxtaposition to the wicked mafia persona you had figured hid beneath. It was so cute that you could only wonder if someone would ever treat you with the same amount of affection. Had you not known about that side of his life, you’d swear he was just this lovable guy with a large heart. Though, something he had said gave you pause.

            “Save up? I feel like you all have more money than I can even imagine. I mean,” you made a grand gesture to the room, “why would you need to save up for anything?”

            “I’m sure it seems that way. Sure, we’re pretty well off. But when we first started, we were so poor, we didn’t have enough money to eat. We stole from the gas station just to eat once a day. And when we started out, we were nobodies, so it wasn’t like we were making anything. Whatever we did earn from gang activities went to important things like medicine and renting a room for the night, so we didn’t have to sleep on the street. Then, it went towards necessities, like weapons for protection or clothes so we wouldn’t freeze in the winter. Or bail when we got caught by the police. So, to ensure we would be able to make it and not be picked off by the other gangs, we got day jobs. Namjoon worked the gas station we stole from to make it up to the old man who owned it, Yoongi-hyung was a delivery boy, and Hobi-hyung and Jimin worked at a dance studio. Kookie and I found ways to help. The only one who had any money was Jin-hyung. His family was loaded. When I first met Jin-hyung, before I met the others, he was a student, and I was a street kid just trying not to go home. I saw him at a bus stop I used to tag all the time. He said my work was cool and just like a puppy, I started hanging around him. He fed me and even tried to teach me what he was learning since I dropped out. Then we met the others and Jin-hyung was using his money to help us. But when his father learned who he was hanging around, he cut him off. Until he was able to black mail his father.”

            “But,” Taehyung continued, seeing how off topic he was getting, “the point was, we always had other ways to get money that weren’t gang related. Even now, as big as we are, we still have little side jobs we do. It breaks up the monotony and gives us a little bit of an escape. What we earn from gang activities belongs to Bangtan; the upkeep of the house, paying Army, hospital bills, and our equipment. Anything we earn from our side hustle is ours for our own pleasure. That dance studio that Jimin and Hobi-hyung worked at, they now own. Jungkookie competes in videogame competitions and films himself playing games on the internet. Jin continues his family business, without his actual family. And Namjoon-hyung and Yoongi-hyung did music underground back in the day before all the gang stuff, and they still do. They write and produce demos and sell them. You’ve probably heard a few of their stuff. And we all help them sometimes. We joke that if we weren’t in this line of work, we’d probably be a world-renowned band. Funny huh?”

            Wow, you thought as you tried to process what he had just told you. There is so much more to these guys than I thought. How can they be this down to earth?

            “And what do you do?”

            “I told you that I used to be a street artist, right? Nothing too special; just tagging and doing funny graffiti. But the others really inspired me to keep going. Hell, Namjoon got arrested with me when I was attempting to improve some offensive street art someone left outside one of our favorite places just because he wanted to see me improve myself. Now, I’ve moved to a bunch of different mediums; I’ve tried charcoal, photography, drawing, and painting. I took all of those pictures,” he said pointing to the walls. “It’s pretty easy to find a muse when you have a great support system. Here let me show you some of my pieces.” He took your hand and led you out of the living room with a bounce in his step.

            He took you up the stairs and to his art room. You were fairly positive that this was not supposed to be part of the tour since this was where their more private spaces were. But the look on Tae’s face when he showed you his art room was enough to show you that he was very excited to show off his work to you. The room had hardwood floors and walls covered with different sizes of framed pictures of different famous artists that he admired. The room was loaded with supplies like stacks of canvases, drawing supplies and paints, different cameras, and drop clothes to protect the floor. There was a small couch and chairs that you recognized from some of the family portraits. He went over to a desk and grabbed a book. It was labeled Vante, which you remember used to be his street artist name before he shortened it to V for his gang related work. He flipped through the book and handed it to you when he found what he was looking for. There were pictures of different art pieces he had made. Each page had photos of the progression and the finished product with handwritten notes next to it as to when it was sold and for how much. The numbers made your eyes widen. There were things that you would expect to see in a museum. You were speech-less.

            He grabbed your hand once again and led you out of the studio and into the hallway. There were some more pieces hanging throughout the hallways, those he wouldn’t part with. There was one that was so breathtaking; it was a black and gray background, with a single light source from up center. In the center of the spotlight was a dancer clad in white, whose body was carved through shadows and face shown pale in the light, eyes closed in a serene way as if he was lost in the music you couldn’t hear. His arm was extended up to the light like a ballet dancer, so graceful. His hair, a steely blue, and the gathering shadows accentuate his sharp yet delicate features. And the more you looked at it, the more you began to realize that you had seen this person before.

            It was Jimin.

            As you were led to more art pieces, you started to realize that Taehyung had used Bangtan in many of them. They were breath taking. Not only were they all so good-looking, but the way Taehyung painted or photographed them made them look otherworldly. Near the end of a staircase that would lead to the top floor back to the floor some of their bedrooms could be found on, you found yourself stopped in front of what you came to realize was your favorite. It was a black and white photo made to look like a painting. There were seven people in front of a white background that looked like hands reaching out for each other. Five of the seven were leaning on each other, hunched over in a dramatic way. In the center were the final two, both with their arm up, one reaching for the sky and the other grasping the first wrist afraid to slip and let go. It was so simple yet complex, so artistic. You weren’t sure how long you were staring at it until Taehyung’s voice cut through your thoughts.

            “I was commissioned to make this for someone. But when it was done, I couldn’t part with it. The others loved it too. They hated that I was supposed to sell it to someone who wouldn’t understand it. So, Yoongi-hyung paid the commissioner for it, three times what he was going to pay me for it. Said he didn’t care how much the man wanted for it. It meant so much to us that it was priceless. Yoongi-hyung says it’s his favorite. I think it’s yours too.”

            “It’s so beautiful. You are truly an amazing artist.”

            “I have some great muses.”

            Taehyung and you stood there in silence a bit more before the silence was broken by someone coming out of one of the rooms. It was Hoseok. He looked a bit disheveled and breathless as if he had just run a mile, hair no longer sleek and tidy. He closed the door softly and turned with a grin, licking his lips in some sort of victory. He clapped his hands together and started down the hall with a hop in his step.

            He froze when he saw the two of you looking at him. “Umm...” he started nervously, “what are you two doing up here?”

            Oh right, I’m probably not meant to be up here. That’s why he’s confused. You turned your eyes back to the floor and your shoulders started to hunch. You didn’t want to intrude on their space. You were just following Taehyung and thought it was okay. But it would seem like not everyone was alright with his idea.

            Tae noticed the change in your posture and was having none of that, especially after he worked so hard to get you out of your shell to begin with. “I told you I was going to show her around the house. I was showing Y/N some of my artwork in my studio and figured I would show off the good ones. She really likes this one. I can’t say I blame her.”

            Hobi looked over at the painting. “Oh yeah, it is pretty. But don’t you have a copy of it in your phone you could have shown her? I thought we were just gonna keep it to the ground floors until Namjoon-.”

            “I’m sorry,” you said, arms wrapping around yourself in a nervous way. “I’m not trying to intrude. I wouldn’t have come up here unless Taehyung had brought me.”

            Hoseok noticed the way your hand clenched at your clothes and how you didn’t look at him in the face. And suddenly, he felt bad. “Shit, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just surprised. We normally don’t have people up here. I wasn’t expecting you. I don’t care if you come up here. Just as long as you don’t go into any rooms without permission.”

            “Well, of course she won’t, hyung. You see how nervous she is just at the thought of intruding. I just didn’t want her sitting in one room all day. Jeez, she’ll probably be hanging on the first two floors anyways. That’s where all the fun is.”

            Hobi threw his hands up in defeat. “Alright, Taehyungie, I get it. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. Y/N, I’m sorry. I was just surprised. It’s been a long morning.” You nodded your head in confirmation.

            “Now to a better point. What were you doing?” Taehyung fixed his hyung with an accusing look and a smirk from behind you. As if I can’t guess.

            Hobi frowned back at Taehyung before pushing his hand through his hair to tidy himself back up. “I was making sure Hyung went to rest and not back to work. You know how Yoongi-hyung can be when he’s away from his screens. He took some convincing but he’s asleep now in his room. And I,” he fished a key from the pocket of his jeans, “stole the key to the Genius Lab so he won’t be tempted to sneak in and work. He should be out for a few hours. He may skip lunch for now, but I’ll make sure he eats before he needs to have his next dosage for you.” He smiled brightly at you. “So, what do you think of the Magic Shop?”

            “It’s incredible. You guys must have really worked hard to make it so beautiful.”

            “Yeah, it took a few years to get right. But it’s been such a great sanctuary for us. Tell you what, I need to go into town for a bit. I’m sure Taehyung has told you about the dance studio if he’s showing off all his side work. I need to pick up Jimin. He apparently was called in this morning to help with some minor things but he’s not feeling too well to drive back alone. But when I get home, I’ll show you something we’ve been working on with the kids in our class. It’s really fun. Then we can all have lunch.” Hobi moved past you two, making sure to greet Tannie with a series of silly voices and pets.

            Taehyung gave his hyung a confused look. “Is Minnie okay?”

            “Yeah, he’s fine. It’s just about the end of the month. I’m sure he’s gonna try to push it off again.” Realization dawned on Taehyung and he smacked his head for overlooking it with everything going on. You didn’t ask what they meant since it really wasn’t your business. Perhaps it was just some stress related thing that focused on his time of the month. You were sure with everything going on, Bangtan must push themselves too far and that leads to poor health. If Jimin was sick, you would be happy to check him out since you were there to be an in-home care. It would give you something else to focus on. The two said goodbye and Hobi dashed down the stairs.

            “Come on, let’s take Tannie out in the courtyard and I’ll show you some more of pieces on the way.

            You happily followed him, chasing after the positive feeling you had earlier. Your anxieties had been growing more difficult to contain. It must be because you weren’t taking your medicine. You were hoping Dr. Na would have been helpful in finding out what it was so you could get back on track. But with everything that happened back at the hospital, you hadn’t been so lucky. You didn’t even turn in the script he had given you for a mild antianxiety medication to take in its place because you were still so mad at him and hurt. And yet, here you were with the people who ruined him for you, acting like they were your friend. All these feelings and emotions were confusing.

            As you arrived back on the second floor and at the landing of the familiar staircase, you both could hear someone walking around, pacing by the sounds of it. At first, you thought it was Hoseok again, but Namjoon’s voice could be heard just a harsh whisper. Whoever he was talking to, he was not happy about something.

            “I can’t believe you are trying to blow me off right now. How is that fair? My family needs security. Didn’t you say it would only take you a few hours? I know I got the dates mixed up but that shouldn’t matter to you. If you haven’t noticed, my family’s been in a bit of chaos recently and you were supposed to help ease some of my tension with information. At least tell me what you do have. What do you mean you aren’t done with your initial check? Why isn’t it done? I’m sure you’re busy, but you owe me!” The closer the two of you got to the stairs, the more you could pick up the frustration in Namjoon’s voice. He walked from a hallway near the bottom of the stairs, phone raised to his ear. He had changed from his morning clothes into a pair of jeans and a blue sweater, something more presentable. He didn’t seem aware of the two of you, so engrossed with his conversation. His eyes were narrow behind his glasses. He was agitated in a way you hadn’t seen since he saved you from Choi the first time. And you were not a fan of seeing him angry. “You said you��d come today and now you’re flaking out on me when I need you? That’s really great, Jackson. No, I am not overreacting. I trusted my gut to a point, but I need hard facts here. I needed them yesterday. Just go with it? Jackson, they’re in my house now, and you’re telling me to go with it?! No, two days is not okay! Don’t make me chase you down, you son of a bitch.” He let out a growl that didn’t fit with his current image. Taehyung didn’t like how mad his leader was getting. The younger knew full well what Namjoon was so angry about and he wished he hadn’t used a flighty character like Jackson to do something Tae could have easily done. But he knew that Namjoon needed an outsider’s opinion. “Fucking fine, how long? You better be here in two days or so help me…,” he let the person on the other end of the phone fill in the blank before he ended the call with a huff.

            Taehyung took the opportunity to clear his throat to announce your presence, which startled Joon more than he would have liked. It took him a second before he let his emotions slip back behind the mask of a calm leader you had come to expect. You were aware that Tae was standing closer to you than before, like he was securing your place next to him.

            “Everything ok, hyung?”

            “Yeah, sorry, didn’t see you there. How much did you hear?”

            “Just you getting mad. But don’t worry, it’s all good.” You gather that Taehyung knew exactly what Namjoon was wanting from this Jackson person but didn’t want to explain it to you. He grabbed your hand with his free one and pulled you down the stairs. “Y/N got to meet Tannie. We know how much he doesn’t like new people and, guess what, he likes her. How great is that? He never likes people other than you guys so quickly. He must know she’s a good person.”

            You weren’t sure what else that was supposed mean, but it made the wheels in Namjoon’s head start to turn. Was that conversation about you? Did he not trust you in his home? Then why had they discussed bringing you here? He had hesitated back when Taehyung had mentioned showing you around the house. You knew they wanted to be careful, but wasn’t it their idea to bring you in? Why would he be so concerned now? You remember that he was supposed to talk to you about it before bringing you here but had forgotten. Was it more than just easing you into this that he wanted to talk about? Maybe this was a mistake? Or were you just overthinking things again?

            “Well, I’m taking Y/N to the courtyard. Don’t let Jackson mess you up. You’re smarter than him anyways. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

            You started to follow Taehyung back down the hall. As you passed, you could tell that Namjoon was struggling with something. If it was about you, you wanted to tell him that you would do whatever made them more comfortable, even if that meant staying in one place like you wanted to with Hoseok. But Taehyung took your hand again and gave it a squeeze, like he knew you were overthinking things again. “Wait a second,” Namjoon said, voice sounding like he had come to a firm decision.

            The two of you stopped and looked back at Bangtan’s leader. He took a deep breath. “Y/N, I’m glad you’re here. And I mean it when I say welcome to our home. This is a bit new for us but considering the circumstances, this is the best option. Jin and I had been talking before about what happens when you come here, and both agree that we want you to be comfortable and not worried about anything. So, that being said, we came to an agreement about something very important. And I’ll let you decide what happens here. I know you said you want us to keep the darker side of our work away from you, and we have tried to respect that as much as possible. Being in our home may make that a bit more challenging. But we are still willing to do that if you want us to. But if you want, this may make being here a whole lot easier and may clear up some of those hesitations about us you may have,”

            You were willing to listen to what he had to say. “What is it?”

            “Yeah, hyung,” Taehyung said, tentatively, unsure of where this was going. “What do you mean? I don’t think we’ve talked about whatever this is.”

            “We haven’t Tae. But Jin-hyung and I talked about it before and based on some gut feelings, this may be for the best for everyone. But it ultimately falls on Y/N to decide. Jin would like to say ‘hello’ to you. He’s in his lab.”

            “Lab?” You had heard them mention a lab many times but you didn’t think that’s what it was. But by the way that Taehyung reacted to and, and how he had mentioned how you wouldn’t want to go down there, made you realize this was more than that.

            “Namjoon-hyung, are you sure about that?”

            He waved Taehyung off. “Like I said, this may make things for you much easier to understand and take some fear of us away. But if you prefer, we can just ignore it fully. But if you are willing, Jin-hyung would like to show you something in his lab. Jin-hyung does a lot of research and is working on something very important that may change how you see us. But it’s important. But if you don’t want to, I’ll understand, and we’ll keep pretending like nothing has changed. I give you control.”

            You hadn’t had much control over the life you could remember. Leaving your ex and choosing to help Bangtan was really the first taste of control you had, and it was still scary. Maybe being in the dark was a good option. But them allowing you to have a say really meant a lot to you. The fear of what you would find out started to be outweighed by the prospect of clarity. But what if they were wrong? Was it better to stay in the dark? You started to wring your hands together. You had already started to change your view of them since Yoongi had talked about his past and Taehyung had showed you things you would have never thought you’d come to see from them. Was that enough to trust that Namjoon was doing what he thought was best? Looking into his eyes, you saw only patience as he allowed you time to process all the thoughts and feelings.

            You took a deep breath. “I hope this goes the way you planned.”

                                       ****************************

            As you followed in step behind Namjoon and Taehyung, with Yeontan held comfortably in the younger’s hand, in a darkened tunnel, you were really hoping that this would go the way Namjoon had hoped. They had taken you from the front foyer where you had started and down the same hall that led to the kitchen. You had been so had been so distracted by the pictures on the wall that you hadn’t noticed that there was an arched door to the left just before you reached the end of the hall. Namjoon pressed his thumb against a scanner on the doorknob and the sound of multiple heavy locks snapped open echoed against the walls. The door swung open to a granite stairway that was dimly lit. Namjoon had explained that this used to take guests down to the old train platform before they renovated it. When they had first taken residence, it had been so ill-kempt and dilapidated that they worried the tunnels would collapse. Most of the platforms and tunnels had been sealed and closed off. And a few that were in good condition were converted into something useful. But the biggest had been designated as Jin’s personal work area. At the bottom of the staircase, you could see the old remnants of the old train tunnels and platforms. The tunnel was dimly lit but you could still see the curve of the arched ceiling, the old support beams, the drop off from the platform to the old rail ways. Claustrophobia started to tighten its fingers around your throat, and your fingers tightened around the strap of your bag in some way to ground yourself. You were sure that anyone who had stumbled into here would have found it abandoned and unsafe. Which, in hindsight, was probably what Bangtan wanted. But you reminded yourself that they wouldn’t put you in danger. And this was supposed to help you.

            Ahead of you, Taehyung and Namjoon were whispering to each other. You were trying not to eavesdrop, but you did catch that Tae seemed worried about this plan. At least he was trying to keep his promise to you and keep you away from things like this. You really did appreciate that and found yourself believing that he really was your friend here. This was a very big deviation from the plan that the two of you had agreed upon a few weeks ago. But something in the way that you caught Namjoon’s plea for the younger to trust him made you want to believe that this was to make everything better. You understood that this was a very big step for them and something that would probably never be taken into consideration. So, this had mean more than you anticipated. You didn’t want to try to imagine what you were being led to. Could it be a scare tactic to make sure you didn’t talk, or something to bribe you? Neither of those fit with the way that Namjoon had presented the option to come down here and you wanted to believe that Taehyung wouldn’t allow it. You took a deep breath to try to refocus your mind on anything else.

            After a bit, as you started to wonder if there was ever an end to this dark tunnel, you could just make out the bricked-up wall that blocked the rest of the way. It was a dead-end, complete with road blockers covered in an inch of dust, caution tape that looked ancient, and crumbling stones. Another façade. Namjoon reached out to one of the broken bricks and pulled it down like it was a lever, which it was, as a door clicked. The door of bricks slid open like some secret passageway in a spy movie revealing a thick wall of steel and a flood of bright light illuminated your shocked face.

            You felt like Alice after she fell down the rabbit hole as you stepped from the dark granite onto sterile white tile. How could you still be in the same place? Taehyung had called it a basement workshop and Namjoon had called it a lab, but this was beyond what you could have imagined based on those descriptions. It was like you had stepped into some blockbuster superhero’s hideaway. The lab was large, larger than the pharmaceutical one at Mercy. There seemed to be sections where different projects were being handled. Stainless steel tables were covered with different lab equipment that looked familiar, vials filled with many different liquids and powders, microscopes of varying sizes and usages, chemical analyzers, and centrifuges of the highest quality. On a wall, there were many canisters of different drugs based on the labels you could make out, many of them you had used in the hospital.  Two people in white lab coats were noting some results of something in a petri dish that you were sure you didn’t want to know what it was. Looking behind the amount of lab equipment, there was a small medical area that looked like a walk-in clinic you had visited once before coming to Central. There was an exam table, stretcher, enough emergency medical supplies that made you feel like you were back in the ER. If they had all of this at their disposal, they surely didn’t really need you around. You remembered Jin had once mentioned he had medical training and took care of the others, but you assumed it was first aid training and not actual medical training.

            On the other side of the room, as clean and as well organized as the lab and medical area, was another workshop that was dedicated to all sorts of different tools and weapons of their trade. There were blueprints for a variety of items pinned to a board with notes and arrows all around them. There were multiple wide touch screens with information and numbers, molds and mockups, knives, guns, and other weapons in different ranges of finishes. You could see three or four dummies that looked as if they had been very well used. One had a vest on with bullet holes in it, another had slashes and stab marks that you dared not think about. Further back, there was what appeared to be a small shooting target lined with thick glass that you assumed was bulletproof to protect the workers. There was another person in a white lab coat and goggles who was working intently on piecing together a handgun. And in the very center of the room, sat a huge computer with four different large, active screens, was Jin. He was dressed sharply, as he always was, complete with a stark white lab coat. A pair of round silver glasses slid down his nose as he scribbled something on a notepad while looked at something dissolving in a yellow liquid. He looked like some handsome yet mad scientist at work. The glow of the screens cast a pale pallor on his skin and you could see a tiredness on his drawn features. Whatever he was working on, he must have been at it for a while, or was stressing him out a bit.

            “Did I somehow stumble into the Batcave?”

            “Feels like that sometimes. Jin-hyung’s like the Korean Bruce Wayne isn’t he,” Taehyung laughed.

            “I think he’d prefer Tony Stark,” Namjoon remarked.

            “Aren’t they the same thing,” you asked.

            “I’ll ignore that since you’re cute, Darling,” Jin called out, never looking from the liquid in the beaker in his hand. “But there is a preferrable difference.”

            Yeontan started squirming in Taehyung’s arms until he was placed on the tile and ran to Jin’s side. The tiny puppy jumped, trying to climb up into his lap, crying out for more attention.

            “Aish,” Jin exclaimed, dropping the beaker on the table, thankfully not breaking. “Taehyung why is Yeontan in my lab?! We talked about this.”

            “But he missed his Uncle Jin so much,” Taehyung smirked.

            Jin rolled his eyes as he scooped up the puppy and made his way over to the three of you. He handed the puppy back to Taehyung after scratching the pup’s tiny head. “Just keep an eye on him. I don’t want to think of what he could get into.” He turned his attention to you, flashing you a warm smile. “Welcome to my lab, Y/N. I’m so glad you decided to join us down here. I promise that you won’t regret it. I was hoping to meet you when you first got here but I’ve been quite busy. I trust Taehyung has shown you the house. Though,” he fixed the younger with a sideways glance, “I see he didn’t show you where to put your stuff down and has made you carry it all this way. I know I have taught you better manners than that.”

            “No, he’s been such a good host. I just never set it down. Actually, it’s been nice to hang onto,” you explained, saving Taehyung from whatever tongue lashing he was about to receive. “It gives my nervous hands something to do.”

            “Ah, well, we do know a bit about anxiety and habits here. Do whatever you need to feel comfortable.” He dusted off his hands and slipped his glasses into the top pocket of his lab coat.

            Up close, Jin looked just as amazing as always. Your hands tightened around the strap of your bag again, just to keep from getting overwhelmed. This was going to be a normal occurrence if they were all going to be here with you. His pink hair was combed back from his face as if he had ran his fingers through it many times while working. He was wearing a white button up shirt with a grey sweater vest, dark trousers, and polished shoes. Somehow, he always looked like he was modeling for something. Though, you did notice a bit of bruising peeking out on his collarbone.

            “Are you okay? It looks like you had some issues with CrossFit too.”

            Jin looked at you with a look of utter confusion. “CrossFit?”

            You nodded. “Yes, Namjoon has one too. He said he got it from doing CrossFit with you. I hope it doesn’t hurt too much.”

            Jin’s eye were drawn behind you to his members, who were silently trying to communicate without drawing your attention. Joon was pointing to the mark on his own neck before making a pleading motion with his hands. Taehyung was trying to communicate their intention with his eyes as much as possible.

            “Oh yeah,” Jin said, slowly, realization striking him before he slid back into his trained persona so not to arise any suspicion from you. “CrossFit. Right. Well, you know how it goes. He crossed me so I did what I saw fit.” From behind you, Namjoon seemed to choke on air and Taehyung tried his best to stifle a laugh. You turned around to see what was going on, completely confused and clearly missing something. But Jin turned your attention back to him. “Don’t worry about me, Darling. My perfect skin may be marred for the moment but I will survive. But thank you for your concern.”

            “Well, it is sort of my job. Though based on what I see, you really don’t need me.”

            “Nonsense! You are a professional, and we could definitely use someone with your delicate touch. Whatever you may need, you can just ask. And if I don’t have it, I will get it for you faster than any hospital could. I know many higher ups in all the companies in the country and they would leap at the chance to get in my good graces.”

            Suddenly, a loud bang ricocheted off the wall and made you scream and drop your bag, spilling its contents all over the floor. Bangtan only moved from your scream. Jin’s hands came up to grasp your shoulders, steadying you and trying to reassure you of your safety. He bend down so he was able to look into your eyes and whispered assurances that you were alright. From behind Jin, the young man who had been dealing with the handgun had finished piecing it together and fired a shot at the target. He looked over at you with a surprised look on his face, not realizing someone new was in the room. Taehyung had already crossed the room and snatched the gun from the younger’s hands and stowing it away. He gave Soobin a pointed look that spoke volumes. Namjoon had stoop down to start retrieving your bag. 

            “Soobin,” Jin yelled over his shoulder, “you didn’t think to look up before you shot that? Or at least put a silencer on it?”

            “I’m sorry, sir,” the youth replied. “I’m really sorry ma’am.” He scrambled away from the work bench and over to you all to assist Namjoon in locating all of your items.

            “I’m sorry, Darling, I really didn’t want something to scare you. My intention was to make this less scary for you. Here, come sit over here. Take a deep breath for me. Taehyung, can you go get her some water? Take another deep breath, Darling. Yes, just like that.”

            “This was a mistake,” you said between breaths, alternating between wringing and shaking your hands to try get the tremors to stop. Your voice was cracking as you tried to keep from crying out of sheer panic. “I shouldn’t have agreed to come in here. Why did you think this would be a good idea? What was the point? To scare me into keeping your secrets?

            “Absolutely not. We would never want to put you through that. We trust that you won’t say anything. This was to shed some light on what we’re actually doing here.”

            Taehyung appeared next to you with a bottle of water, which you graciously took and swallowed half the bottle.

            “Hyungs,” he pleaded, “maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. We wanted her to be comfortable and she asked us to hide this part of us as much as possible.”

            “And we did,” Jin agreed. “Y/N, we tried. And it was easier when it was just going from your place to the hospital and back. But with you being in our house, unless we lock you up in the living room, it’s going to be hard for you not to see some aspect of our work. That’s why Joon and I had this conversation. We thought that after all the time we spent making this relationship with you that you’d trust us enough. And we thought if you saw what we are working on down here, it might clear the air and ease some of these anxieties that still plague you. But we’ve taken an unexpected turn. Just try to relax. You’re still shaking.”

            “I wish I had taken Doctor Na’s offer for some new anti-anxiety medication,” you muttered to yourself, remembering his suggestion in the stairwell. You had a feeling your anxieties were just going to get worse.

            You looked over as Namjoon came to the desk with your bag, all its contents gathered back inside. All except a familiar clear bottle. Your old medication that you had forgotten was in there since the night Doctor Na had followed you into the stairwell after you saw the exchange of U4-1A. The familiar want you felt then of wanting to down that last pill in the bottle and escape world came back. But you didn’t take it then, you didn’t need it now. You wanted nothing to do with that past life anymore. Hell, you only wanted to know what it was so you could find an alternative that wouldn’t remind you of Daniel. But the temptation was strong as Namjoon held it out for you.

            “This is yours, right,” he questioned. “I found it rolled under a table. And it doesn’t look like anything Jin-hyung’s been working on.”

            “It’s mine,” you said as you took it from him. “It’s old medication from my ex-…um, I mean, from my accident. I ran out and Doctor Na was trying to figure out what it was since the label’s been lost. But our hospital pharmacy couldn’t identify it. I forgot to clean out my bag with…everything going on.”

            “May I?” Jin held out his hand for the bottle. You shrugged, handing it to him. He dumped the pill into his palm and started to examine it with the same focused intensity as he had earlier. He made a face. “A generic white pill with no discernable characteristics. And you don’t remember its name?”

            “I don’t remember ever hearing it. I started taking it after I woke up from my accident. The nurse or my ex would just bring it to me. And then, Daniel would get it refilled after that since I couldn’t drive. When I came to Central, I only had what was left in the bottle and had to space it out. I haven’t taken it for a couple weeks now. It’s probably why my anxiety is really bad.”

            “I can find out what it is for you. I guarantee I’ll have more success than some basic pharmacist fresh out of school. I’ve some connections I can talk with to help me analyze it. And,” Jin held up a hand to silence the protest you were about to pose, “these connections are not gang related. Before I became estranged from my family, I was the second heir to the largest pharmaceutical company in all the country. Despite my father’s best efforts, I was very friendly and charming with our specialists and made plenty of valuable connections to help me in the future. So, if anyone can figure out what this is, it’s me.”

            You were stunned into silence. You remember him mentioning medical training and about his father pushing for a different career, but you never imagined he was a part of the Kim Pharmaceutical dynasty. Of course, you had heard of them; all the hospitals pharmacies in the city were stocked with their products, and every doctor read their research reports and trail information. They beat out every other company when it came to advancements in health services. And they were close to celebrity status amongst the papers. You recalled overhearing some pharmacy interns at lunch talking about them. They mentioned that the company was ran by the Senior Mr. Kim, who had been married twice after his first wife passed, leaving him with two sons to take over the company in the next few decades. The oldest was always showing up in the papers. And the second son was said to be away at some foreign school. Which, now knowing that Jin was the second son, was much better for their publicity than saying ‘a part of the most notorious drug dealing, ruthless Mafia families’. You remembered that night in your apartment when Jin had mentioned blackmailing his father for access to his assets. And, looking around at the lab, it seemed to have paid off well.

            As you let the information settle in your mind, you realized that your hands had stopped shaking and your breathing had evened back out. They had successfully distracted you from your panic so your mind could recenter. Well, you recalled, they did say that they had experience with anxiety.

            “Come on, Y/N,” Taehyung said, gently, “let’s head back upstairs. We’ll find something normal to distract ourselves until the others are ready for lunch.”

            “Alright,” you said with a deep sigh, “but, before I have another panic attack here, what was so important that I had to come down here? Just tell me. Please.”

            “Ah, of course,” Jin said, reaching over to a drawer and pulling out a small clear container. Inside, you could see several small, heart -shaped, pink tablets, no bigger than a breath mint. You had seen the news, read the papers, heard the doctors talking about it. That was U4-1A, Euphoria. When the first few cases had started coming into your ER, you were told to check and see if they had those heart-shaped pills on them, though you had never seen them. The distinct pink color was, also, a dead giveaway; it was the same color the user’s irises turned when they were high on the addictively deadly substance. The few times you had been in the room with some of the addicts that Doctor Na was working with, you recalled a rose-colored ring on the edges of their eyes that seemed so unnatural. Your stomach twisted at the thought of Henry taking the drug from Namjoon when he was supposed to be helping people. He couldn’t even deny it. “You know what this is?”

            “Why the hell would you show that to me?! I asked for one thing. I could look past some things, try to ignore things. Like I could ignore the amount of money coming and going. I could ignore the weapons, or any other reminders. But I asked specificity for this not be mentioned.”

            “Darling,” Jin chided in an amused tone, “I just asked what this was.”

            “Are you fucking for real? It’s Euphoria…”

            “Wrong,” Jin interrupted as he reached out and tapped you on the nose, completely taking you off guard and disarming you. “This isn’t Euphoria, or U4-1A. This is Euphoric. U4-1C.”

            Never heard of that. “Okay. So, what? It’s a knock off?”

            Jin looked offended. “A knock off. My dear, like me, it’s an original that others fail to compare to. It is the only one of its kind and so important to the work we do here. And before you insinuate, no, it is not what started this addict epidemic. The ones who have that despicable honor are Ji and the Royals. This” he held it up to you again so you could see it was more closely shaped like a triangle, “is my solution to it. For the past five or six years now, I have been secretly working on a counter agent to make that horrid drug obsolete and save the people who either willing or unwilling were made to take it. This is going to be the antidote. It’s not finished fully. I haven’t been able to fully identify the exact formula the Royals use. And it’s not an instant cure. But introducing this to someone going through withdrawals, instead of to induce a sexual release, the addict would just need to exert themselves another way, like exercise or something else that released the pleasure signal in the brain. It takes a lot of time and constant dosing but I’ve gotten it to where after so long it can be tapered off from every day to once a month, and soon only once every other month. I am making a cure. And we pass it out to those in need. That’s what I wanted you to see. That we aren’t the bad guys. Well… at least not for this.”

            You let his words absorb and you felt like you had been doused with cold water. So, when Hwasa cornered Namjoon in the hallway of the hospital and took something from his pocket and mentioned ‘someone will find your kindness absolutely… euphoric’, she was taking an antidote to someone addict to U4-1A? That means…what Namjoon had given Henry, what Henry had used for his patients, what he couldn’t talk about was that he was accepting a possible progressive treatment for the poor souls in the hospital. He was, indeed, a good person. And you had thought the worst of him. Any time he tried to talk to you, you’d run in the other direction. You blocked his number and deleted any trace in your phone. You had thrown away everything because you didn’t want to believe him when he had begged you to trust him. 

            “Oh my god,” was all you could say as your head fell into your hands. “I have made a total ass of myself.” Was there a chance Henry would listen to your apology after all of that?

            “You see,” Taehyung said, “I told you we knew the damage Euphoria does to people. We’ve been trying to fight this.”

            “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Like that night in the car?”       

            “It’s still a work in progress and a secret,” Namjoon said. “Only a few gangs that have proven trustworthy know we supply it. And they distribute it within their own territory. Or, in the case of your doctor friend, those who did us a great service. We did intimidate him into silence. Which was what you must have seen. Can’t say I blame you for what you thought based on what it looked like. He’d get more if he stayed silent. We don’t want our name attached to it just yet. The Royals already want us dead based on our past with them and our part in the Great War. If they knew what Jin-hyung was doing, it would a bigger target on our backs. But once it’s completely finished, then we’ll openly distribute it to the hospitals and clinics. But we hope that you understand the importance of this secret for us. It’s more than just our lives at risk if the wrong people get word of it. And if Choi already thinks that you’re with us, imagine how much worse it will be when he finds out that we are destroying yet another income for them. Do you understand, Y/N?”

            “This whole time, you’ve been doing a great feat and I’ve been so focused on the rumors. You really are the good guys trying to help?”

            “We’re really good at hiding ourselves. We’ve had years of practice showing the persona we want people to believe.

            “Yeah,” Taehyung said with a cheeky grin, “I mean look at Namjoon-hyung. He puts on a persona that he’s smooth when, in reality, he’s a giant dork who breaks everything he touches.”

            “I’ll break you, you fucking brat.”

            Jin reached out and knocked both of them upside the head. “Language!”

            And you laughed. You laughed without the weight of anxiety or fear weighing you down. For the first time, you felt like you were truly safe.

                                                    ****************************

            The next couple of days went by in a pleasant way, falling into a simple routine that you started to look forward to. One of them would pick you up in the morning, making sure to stop by Holli’s Café for a morning caffeine fix, before taking different ways to the Magic Shop that ensured you were still none-the-wiser as to how to get there. Once there, you would find Yoongi either waiting in the kitchen for you or in the expansive gym where you would start with his rehabilitation exercises after you checked and redressed his wounded shoulder. Now that Yoongi was home, there was a difference from the person at the hospital. He was still quiet but much more open to conversations and approachable. The conversations between the two of you were deep and easy like the ones you had with Amber. And you looked forward to them. There was one time you had made a stupid joke that had made him laugh freely. And that felt like a simple accomplishment that warmed you up. And you couldn’t help but find his laugh adorable. One morning, he brought you to his ‘Genius Lab’. According to the others, it was incredibly rare that he even mentioned his safe haven to outsiders, let alone let them see it. But he had made an exception for you.

            The Genius Lab was more like an office where Yoongi spent a good deal of time juggling between work, reflection, and solitude when the world became too much. The space suited his style; grey walls with dark accents and floors, a sleek black desk with three large monitors and computer equipment. Opposite the desk was a long black leather couch that looked quite comfortable. And the room was completely soundproof. When he had brought you into the Genius Lab, he showed off some of his work. You watched as he pulled up different views of various streets all over Central, some storefronts where he pointed out Bangtan’s hired help stationed out front, and the exteriors of the hospital popped up on the screens. You were very thankful that they were still monitoring your workplace. Yoongi tapped on a few keys and different angles of your apartment appeared across the screens, both outside and inside. He played back your morning; Hobi pulling up in a nondescript black car, him swaying to the music in his earpiece as he rode the elevator up, to letting himself into your apartment and waiting for you with Holli’s coffee in his hand. You remembered Taehyung telling you about the cameras they put in your apartment that first morning. While you thought it would be more invasive, you found comfort in his watchfulness.

            This morning had started as usual; Jin had come to pick you up this time to bring you to the Magic Shop. The only one you hadn’t seen since arriving at the Magic Shop was Jimin. He hadn’t appeared at lunch the first day as you expected. You shrugged it off, remembering that Hobi had mentioned he hadn’t been feeling well. But you still hadn’t seen or heard from him. The drive over to the Magic Shop was as winding and secretive as always. Though they had started going in a different way. From the street, it looked as if he had pulled up to an abandoned auto mechanic gas station in the lower section of town. At the touch of a button on the dashboard, a spray-painted door rolled open to a dark tunnel that ended at the parking level of the Magic Shop. You wanted to question how the construction worked or how it had remained secret but decided against it.

            As you ascended the spiral staircase after Jin, that was where the morning took an unusual turn.

            When you stepped into the large front foyer, you were greeted by the sounds of a struggle. Instinctually, you grabbed ahold of Jin’s arm and hid behind his broad shoulders, causing him to chuckle at the cute action. Coming through the front door was a blindfolded man being dragged in by both arms by Yeonjun and another hired staff member. He was yelling all sorts of vulgarities and kicking out in many directions, like he was throwing a tantrum and not trying to escape.

            “Motherfucker! I told you to stop manhandling me like this! You know who I am? I will mess you up!”

            “Such dramatics,” Jin bemused, “He acts like he hasn’t gone through this before. Yeonjun, did he cause you a lot of trouble?”

            “Sir,” Yeonjun snapped to attention, still keeping his captive held tightly. “He tried to give us the slip. We met him at the appointed time but he tried to run. Even tried to jump out of the car.”

            Jin tsked. “Jackson, so disappointing. I thought we had a better relationship than that.”

            “Jin,” Jackson called out, head snapping in different directions to try and focus on him from behind the blindfold, “buddy, come on. I got the times mixed up and your boy jumped on me. Can we take this stupid blindfold off? I thought we’d be past this.”

            “Jackson, you are like a rash; unwanted, hard to deal with, and annoying.”

            “Damn, that hurt.” Yeonjun shoved Jackson forward, causing the man to stumble freely. He ripped the blindfold off his face and turned back to the younger, fist clenched. “Fucking punk, I’ll wipe that fucking smile off your prepubescent face!”

            “Jackson,” Jin said in a commanding tone that in any other situation would be attractive. Stop it, you mentally screamed. “Refrain from threatening my employee in my home before I let him show you why he’s one of our best. Be a good boy and mind your manners. I’ll go get Namjoon to deal with you. Yeonjun, just make sure he stays here and doesn’t try to slip something into his pocket again. I’ll be right back.” Jackson snorted and rolled his eyes as he straightened himself out. Jin turned around to you, taking your hand and giving it a squeeze. “I’ll be back in a moment, Darling. Don’t worry, Jackson is like a tiny dog; he’s all bark and nothing else, and easy to kick.” Jin’s eye flicked up towards the corner of the room with a sharp look before he turned back to you with a smile. That was weird. “Yoongi-ah should be here soon. Just hang tight and introduce yourself if you want to. And if Jackson does anything ungentlemanly, just tell Yeonjun and he’ll make him regret it.”

            Before you could beg to just run upstairs, Jin patted you on the shoulder and disappeared. You had to remember that Bangtan would never leave you in any danger since they were bound to protect you. You remembered hearing Namjoon mention Jackson’s name before and figured they wouldn’t bring someone into their home that was a danger. You looked over to Jackson. The man’s dual toned hair was messy from his struggling. He pulled a pair of sunglasses from his baggy pants pocket and pushed them up onto his head, like a makeshift headband.

            Then, he noticed you. And you felt like you were a mouse caught in a snake’s site. A cool smile smoothed across his lips as he made his way over to you.

            “Well, look at you. I’ve never seen you around here before. What’s a cute, little thing like you doing here? I’m Jackson. You need anything, I’m the one who will know how and where to find it. Individual contractor. Know-it-all extraordinaire. Master of the Silver Tongues.” He offered his hand out for yours.

            “Um, hi, I’m Y/N.” You hesitated to shake his hand.

            “So, what are you? You’re too cute to be related to any of them. You look far too meek to be one of us. And I’d hope you have better taste than to be trying to date one of these losers when someone like me exists. I can tell you, you can do better. I’ve known these guys for a long time. Trust me, they’ve got odd taste that would disagree with such a cute mouse like you.”

            You retracted your hand. Jackson started to circle you, eyeing you up and down. It wasn’t threatening but you kept your eyes on him. Yeonjun gave you a look but you waved him off for the moment. You could handle yourself.

            “I’m a nurse. I’m assisting them after an incident.”

            “Ooh a nurse? What luck, I’m in need of some attention after all that rough housing.” He winked. “Oh, shit, wait, you’re the one that ran into the gun fight? And took out one of the Royal’s guys? I heard he’s still recovering from severe concussion. Mad respect, sweetheart.”

            “How do you know about that?”

            “I make it my business to know things. That’s how I make a living. And why I’m in such demand. Word of what you did has made its rounds through many circuits. Though, I’ll be honest, I’d never be able to put your face to it. And that’s a good thing in this world. Though, if you want to be extra safe from the bad guys, you may want to reconsider who you’re staying with.”

             “What do you mean by that?” You turned to follow his eyes as he kept circling you. “Bangtan seems to be taking good care of me. And I don’t mean anything by this, but I haven’t heard anything about you until now.”

            “Isn’t that the point? I’m good at staying secret, keeping things secret. And they’re so high profile, it would be easy to find you if they slipped up. There are some things that can’t be bought from me. Like a cute, little mouse. And if I wanted to keep someone safe, I’d make sure no one ever found them. Especially, if they are as interesting as you.”

            “I’m interesting?”

            “How could you not be? You’re so innocent, so different from all the other people I’ve ever met. You just want to help, didn’t know what you were running into. And now you’re stuck, hiding from the mean world that is trying to punish your good deed. I mean, I’ve been their friend for years and I can’t say I’d run into a fight with Choi to save someone he’s trying to kill. So yeah, you’re the most interesting person in the world. And I’d love to get to know you better. Maybe you’ll let me take you out sometime to prove I’m a better waste of your time.”

            “And what makes you think I’d be okay with that?”

            “Well, I can give you a hundred reasons to leave these losers behind.” He stopped circling and leaned in so his nose was only a breath away from yours. “But I’m the only one that you need.”

            Unbeknownst to Jackson, Yoongi had appeared at the top of the staircase as Jackson started circling you. He watched the interaction with a scowl on his face. He descended the stairs with a ghostly quiet until he was right behind the rogue. You noticed him as Jackson had stopped to lean towards you and your breath caught in your throat. He looked mad, a fierce protectiveness was present in his dark eyes. He appeared at the right moment. Then, you realized. Yoongi had cameras in the Magic shop, he had mentioned it. And the look Jin had given to the wall that you didn’t understand must have been to one of Yoongi’s cameras that he was watching for when you had arrived as he had done before. They were still watching out for you. He stood so close to Jackson that you wondered how the other hadn’t sensed him yet, his face right next to his shoulder and gaze boring a hole in Jackson’s head. Jackson noticed that you were no longer paying him the attention he wanted and turned his eyes towards the directions yours were on. And he jumped as if he had just been electrocuted, putting some distance between him and the death glare he was receiving. 

            “Fucking hell, you bastard! Put a bell on your fucking neck! Damn, you scared the shit out of me!”

            “Good,” Yoongi said as he kept his eyes trained on Jackson. “Leave her alone, Jackson. She’s got enough problems without you trying to weasel your way into her bed.”

            “You wound me, Suga. I was just introducing myself to the lucky lady who is now one of the most famous women in our field.”

            “I said,” he took a step closer to him, and despite his arm still in a sling, he looked as if he was about to use it on Jackson, “leave her alone.”

            “Wow, back down, tiger. Sheesh, didn’t think you’d be so concerned about someone like her. Don’t you have your hands full already? Or are you just greedy? Or are you guys taking turns?”

            “Jackson!”

            Namjoon’s voice echoed against the walls. You looked up to the second floor where RM was leaning on the banister overlooking the foyer with Jin by his side glaring down at Jackson. RM looked as annoyed as his voice let on. He was all business with no sign of the calm Namjoon you had been seeing around the Magic Shop. With a power that befitted the Leader of Bangtan, he signaled for Suga to stand down and motioned for Jackson to follow him. With a final look and wink from Jackson to you, he flipped Yoongi off and made for the stairs. Suga, silently, watched him go, making mental notes for the future before he reached back and took your hand in his. You jumped, slightly. He hadn’t been physical with you like the others had, holding your hands, giving you a hug or playful shove. There was always a bit of distance, aside from the medical side of things.

            “Come on, Y/N. Let’s get out of here.”

            He had led you upstairs, asking if you were alright. While Jackson was a lot, it wasn’t something you couldn’t have handled. But you thanked him anyways for stepping in. It felt nice to have someone be so protective of you, something you weren’t so used to. He started leading you up towards the direction of the Genius Lab, where he insisted you stay until Jackson was gone, since it was secure and private, instead of the normal spaces you tended to occupy. Thankfully, the physical therapy you needed to do with Yoongi didn’t require much space and you carried all the equipment you needed in your bag. You figured Yoongi was not a fan of Jackson normally, remembering the disdain in his voice when Joon had mentioned him back at the hospital before. You were sure that Jackson’s display back in the foyer only made that worse and he wanted to keep an eye on when he left.

            As you made it to the floor, Yoongi stopped. “I almost forgot. I need to check on something real quick. Can you remember how to get to the Genius Lab?”

            “I think so. Do you need help?”

            “No. I just need to check on Jimin. I won’t be long.”

            “Is he alright? Is he still not feeling well? I can take a look if you need me to. That’s kind of my whole thing.”

            He gave your hand a squeeze as a little chuckle sat in his throat. “No, it’s nothing you need to worry about right now. He’s coming down with something but is putting off taking his medicine as long as he can. He’s being stubborn. Gets it from me, probably. I’m just making sure he’s still in his room resting. I’ll only be a moment. I promise. Here, this is my key to the Lab. Let yourself in and lock it. I use my code on the door. Not that I think Jackson will know where my office is but just to be safe.”

            Some part of you hated when he let go of your hand to head down the other side of the hall. You had to take a few breaths to let your professional masks fall back into place. You wished your emotions would settle. But being around someone as cute and protective had you feeling a certain way. A way which, you reminded yourself, you shouldn’t be feeling. You were hired to help him heal, not to let a crush develop. You really needed to get a grip. Yet, you couldn’t stop yourself from smiling as you made your way down the hall.

            However, after a few steps and turns, you had lied when you thought you could find the Genius Lab on your own. The only places you knew how to get to without much assistance was the kitchen, gym, and the family room. You had only been to the Genuis Lab once and you racked your brain for any distinguishing details that would help you find it again. What picture was near the door? What color was the door? Was the one with frosted glass or was that Taehyung’s art studio? You could just stand still and wait for Yoongi to come back and find you. Or you could text him that you were going to back to the foyer. Or text one of the others for help? Joon was busy with Jackson, and you weren’t sure where Jin went after that. Jimin, of course, was sick and shouldn’t be disturbed. And you wanted Yoongi to focus on Jimin and not you getting lost. You sent a text to Taehyung, hoping he wasn’t too busy to help you with what he was up to in town. You walked further down the hall only to stop and turn around after not recognizing anything.

            Wait, was this the same place you had started? Why must this place be so confusing?

            Your phone buzzed. You looked down at Taehyung’s text.

      TaeTae: I really got to make you a map LOL.

       TaeTae: Do you remember how to find the stairs? Get back there and look for your favorite painting of mine. The G.L is two doors down from that.

       TaeTae: If you can’t find it, I’m sure he’ll find you with the cameras. Sorry, I’m at a meeting right now.

            You could do this. Just find the stairs. Though that was easier said than done now that you had gotten all turned around. You’re sure Taehyung would make a joke out of this if you were ever found. After another turn, you did see a picture that seemed familiar and went down that direction. As you kept walking, you started to hear voices. At least that was a start. Once you found the source, you could orient yourself or ask for help. You followed the voices, and as they got louder, you recognized RM’s tone and regretted your discussion, not wanting to interrupt. That, and you were sure Yoongi didn’t want you near Jackson again so soon. But as you were about to turn back, their conversation caught your attention.

            “Haven’t I been super helpful to ya’ll? Who was the one who gave you that info about the Royals showing up?”

            “You, also, neglected to tell us that Choi was going to be there. And that is how Suga got hurt.”

            “An oversight. That must have changed at the last minute. I can’t be a mind reader.”

            “Even though you market yourself as one?”

            “Ok, true. But you of all people should know that they don’t do what they say. Regardless, I told you about the Ateez pirates. I said they were up to something interesting. You should trust me by now. I got the information. I may be an independent player in this game, but I like you guys. That’s why I keep my ears open for you. And, I haven’t spilled anything of yours.”

            “That’s because I don’t let you get anything worth spilling.”

            “Ouch, you wound me, bro. I thought we were closer than that.”

            Before you could help yourself, you found yourself stopped outside of Namjoon’s office. The door was barely cracked, but enough for you to see a bit inside. Namjoon’s office was much different from Yoongi’s; it was a large room with warm hardwood against velvety walls that declared power, with bookcases lining the grand walls. Thick hard-covered books filled the shelves like an extensive library. Seated at an opulent and ornate desk in a high wing backed chair was RM, his fingers threaded together and pressed against his lips as he peered sharply at Jackson. Jackson sat relaxed in a smaller, less comfortable chair. They were bathed in the crackling light of a roaring fire from the Victorian style fireplace that sat across from them. This was what you expected of a Mafia leader.

            “I don’t appreciate you making my second so upset. He’s supposed to be recovering. Something he wouldn’t have to be doing had you had better information. Maybe I should start going to someone else.”

            Jackson scuffed. “As if anyone could do what I do. Besides, I feel like you would have done it by now if there was anyone else. And if that asshole wasn’t so easily riled up he would be fine. I was just saying ‘hello’ to her. And trying to figure her out. She’s quite a surprise Joon.”

            “We are trying to keep her safe. That includes from you, Jackson. She’s a civilian who got caught up in the worst way. We just got her to relax around us. I’d thank you to not undo what I’ve been working hard to do.”

            “I hear you. Glad you took my advice to just go with it. I told you nothing bad would happen. I mean, what did you just say? ‘She’s a civilian’. I truly doubted she would be any problems.”

            “No thanks to you.” Joon leaned further in his chair, his dragon eyes glowing in the fire light. “I’ve been patient, Jackson. More than I should be given what I am dealing with here. Now, you are going to tell me what I asked you to find out for me before I let Suga do what he wanted to do.”

            “Damn, for someone who said it’s all business, you’re really pushing it here.”

            “Jackson,” you could tell that Namjoon’s patience was wearing thin. What was he so determined to know? Was it something to do with Choi or the Royals?

            “Man, look. I can find information about anyone. With just their name, I can tell you if they had late fees from their elementary school library or how many days their mother spent in the hospital recovering from birth.”   

            “And yet, it has taken you over a week to get back to me. Either you are slipping or you are full of shit.”

            “Or you’re dealing with a ghost.” Jackson reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small notepad. “Everything I found fits on two pages of this little flip pad. Even the most basic civilian fills half of the pages. But this Y/N girl is either that most boring person in the entire world or she’s a ghost.”

            Wait, he was here about you? Namjoon was looking for information about you? You thought you had been very open with them about anything they had asked you. He had asked you to trust him, but he didn’t trust you. He had hired Jackson to dig up anything on you that he could. He was nervous when you had first come to the Magic Shop but you thought you had worked past that. Hadn’t the time they had spent with you beforehand been enough to prove that you meant no harm to them or else why would he ask you to come here? You knew you shouldn’t listen to any of this, but you couldn’t move. You sunk to the ground and leaned against the wall, listening.

            “What are you talking about?”

            Jackson tossed the pad over to him to see for himself. “I mean, this girl has nothing before two years ago. All I could find is that she currently works at Central Mercy as an ER Nurse, she lives in a shitty apartment that’s overpriced for that part of town. Before that, there isn’t much. I found her college she attended for her expedited nursing degree where she got high marks. Her father worked for different police forces as a high up desk jockey, meaning she moved a lot so there isn’t much in regard to early years. But nothing else. Everything starts about two years ago. I was able to find a news article about a car accident that listed her as a passenger, so her amnesia story checks out as far as that. Can’t said I ever heard of someone using amnesia as a cover, but fuck if it wouldn’t be good. Father died and there was no mother listed on any paperwork. Father’s file is just as blank. Just he was basic cop who sat at a desk. After the accident, her only known address was some small studio in her name that was set up by the rehab she was assigned to by some Doctor Sung, who died a year after from a heart attack. Found all his files but it’s nothing interesting. She did some reception job for a clinic before she came here that was a nonprofit for student nurses and that had nothing useful other than what I already had. But that’s all. No ties anywhere, no real records until recently. Either she’s got the most boring, nonspecial life I’ve ever seen, or her life’s been invented by some crazy mastermind. And I’m leaning towards the first one, man. This girl is boring and is nothing in the grand scheme of things. And that’s the truth. The most interesting thing was meeting you guys. She’s harmless. She’s no threat to anyone except maybe herself with that stupid heroic shit. So, you worried for nothing. Your family is safe, just like I said it would be.”

            “How can that be all?” Namjoon seemed disappointed. “You’re telling me that there was no other information? How can someone’s life just go back two years? You must have missed something.”

            “I don’t miss shit. Listen, I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but that’s all there is. Her old man must have been from some off the grid town beforehand and didn’t leave footprints. She’s a nobody. She’s barely worth the time I spent looking for her.  So, stop worrying about her like she’s gonna turn into some problem. And if she does, you can kill her easily enough. Hell, there are seven of you, should be easy.”

            You couldn’t stop the gasp that escaped your lips. Namjoon’s eyes snapped towards the door, knowing full well that he had been caught. He rose from the desk and crossed the room, opening the door to find you rooted in place against the wall, eyes cast down with tears welling in the corners. It wasn’t just from the threat of being killed by the people you were supposed to trust, or the harsh words that Jackson had said about you. But it was the fact that you weren’t trusted. You were not granted the same thing he had begged you to do for them. And that hurt just as much.

            “Oh shit,” Jackson said with a hint of glee. “Little mouse likes to sneak around, huh? I can see why you didn’t want to trust her. Seems like she’ll get herself killed before too long.”

            “Jackson,” RM roared causing you to shrink further into yourself and the tears to flow freely. Namjoon looked down at you, instantly regretting his tone. He had messed up and he knew that. Moving carefully, he held his hand out to you in a silent plea to take it. Feeling like there was no other choice, you let him pull you up to your feet and into his office. Daring to look at his face, you didn’t see anger or any dangerous threat that you feared for your eavesdropping. You saw remorse and sympathy. He led you towards the fireplace where there were two large armchairs facing each other with a side table full of half-read books. He motioned you to sit before he turned back to Jackson. He took out his phone and sent a quick message. Within a moment, Yeonjun appeared in the door. “That’s enough, Jackson. Thank you for your help. But I need to talk to Y/N. Yeonjun will take you back where he found you. You know the drill.”

            “Wow, fastest visit ever. Am I at least getting paid?” Namjoon shot him a look that made him jump and scurry over to the door. “Don’t look so sad, sweetheart. I’m sure he isn’t going to kill you. Let me know if you want to take me up on my offer.”

            Yeonjun grabbed Jackson by the collar and dragged him out, shutting the door behind him, leaving you alone with Namjoon and the crackling fire. You thought back to when he had saved you when Choi had you cornered in the hospital hall, how good natured he had been with you, how he had been so open with you before he even knew anything more about you. He had been the one pushing for you to trust them and be comfortable with them. He had wanted you to come to the Magic Shop, was planning on telling you before he got busy. But was it all a ruse to get you to follow along? A handkerchief was pushed into your hands and Joon took a seat in the opposite armchair.

            “Y/N, I’m sorry you heard that.” He was sorry? Was he going to reprimand you for eavesdropping? Or tell you that all this was a farce that he was going to drop and forget this life debt he kept pushing? “I was hoping to have talked to him before you ever got here. Just for some extra assurance before we moved forward. I didn’t want you to ever hear that. Jackson can say things harsher than he means. I asked him to do a more detailed background check than I had already done, just to ensure I had all the facts.” He flinched when your breath hitch as more tears fell. He started to reach out his hand to try and comfort you but thought better of it. “I promise, I didn’t mean anything by it. I just needed to be completely sure that we were all going to be safe.”

            “I wouldn’t have hurt any of you. I can barely handle myself, let alone do anything to you all,” you cried. “Why would I put myself in this situation? I tried to get away from all of this but you kept me here. I would have told you all of that stuff. It’s all I know about myself since the accident. I have nothing to hide from anyone. I promise I have only told you the truth.”

            “I know you have. I’m sure you would have told me everything freely. I fucked up. I can’t say I’m sorry enough.”

            “Was he right? Are you going to kill me? Because I seem like a made-up person? Because I don’t have a past?”

            “No!” Namjoon rose from his seat and knelt down in front of you, finding your eyes and begging for your attention. “I would never do that. I promised to protect you. And I would do that whether you owed us a life debt or not. This life I’ve been living for the past twelve years has made me question so much about people. I’ve been lied to so many times that it fucks up your mind. Bangtan is my family and it’s my responsibility to protect them. When I met you, I instantly felt like I could trust you. I could see that you were a good person. But we had been fooled by someone we thought we could instantly trust before and I got nervous. But the more we spent with you, I knew it was different. But there was this little part of me that still worried. So, I looked into you after that first day. That’s why I introduced us as Bangtan to you. The others agreed because they saw what I saw in you. We've all been jaded by this life but something in you broke through all of our hesitations. We all think you are a good person and that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt us. Once we got you to see what we really were, I thought this would be easier on all fronts.”

            “You asked me to trust you but you couldn’t do the same for me?”

            “I know. It’s been so long since I could really trust someone. Look at Jackson. Okay, bad example. But I’ve known Jackson almost as long as I’ve known the others. But I still need to keep him at arm’s length or watch what I say around him. It’s different with you. I want to trust you, I do. I just needed to be extra sure that I was doing the right thing. I truly mean that.”

            You sat in silence for a long while as your breath evened out and your tears ceased. You could understand his hesitation. How could he be sure that you weren’t lying? It made sense, but hearing Jackson’s words, imagining that’s how they saw you, it was hard. But you had been so back and forth with their trust, too.

            “I really wish we could just start over.”

 “What do you want to know?” You took a deep breath and leaned back into the armchair. “What else do you need to hear? You want to be sure? Ask away. I only know so much. You guys have asked me to trust you and you told me things that would be helpful. I will try to do the same so we can share a common ground. Maybe one day I’ll know more and I can tell you more. But I can tell you what I can.”

            “It’s fine, Y/N. You don’t need to do that. I trust you.” He stood up and moved towards his desk. But you grabbed his hand, steeling yourself to open up as much as you could. He could sense your determination and returned to the armchair. “Just tell me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

            “I never really talk about this. It’s hard to talk about. But I can confirm that what Jackson said was all true. It’s actually pretty much all I know for myself. My first actual memory is waking up in a small hospital room in so much pain. There was a man sitting next to me that I didn’t remember. He was my friend, he showed me pictures of us at school. His name was Daniel. I don’t know his last name, I never asked or remembered it. He’s the one who told me about the accident. My father’s car was hit from the side and flipped. He didn’t make it. Daniel spent weeks by my side as I recovered. Dr. Sung was this older doctor who watched over me and helped me recover. Once I was moved to his rehab, Dr. Sung prescribed me all these different treatments but my memories never came back. Daniel brought me my old schoolwork, my old journals, anything that could help me find myself. But there wasn’t much. Jackson said something about us moving a lot. After a year, I could recall little things about places I believe I lived. But there was never anything concrete. No friends or family reached out. Daniel told me that it was just me and dad. He had never heard us talk about anyone else. I guess we didn’t stay long in places. After I was released from the rehab, Daniel and I moved into this small apartment that was far away from everything. The rehab set it up to help me adjust to the world. But I was like a zombie, depressed, broken. After six months, I started trying to get better, start over. Daniel and I started dating, I found a job that was walking distance from my place. All my medical training came back over time. Just not anything else. And that was my life for almost two years. But, almost five months ago, Daniel and I split up and I came to Central to get away from all the unpleasantness. I’d prefer not to go into that if that’s alright. We weren’t good together anymore. Since I’ve been away, I’ve started remembering little flashes of things that don’t make a lot of sense. Amber thinks it’s because I’m away from the trauma. I don’t even know if I want to remember anymore. But if I remember anything more, I promise I’ll tell you once I figure it all out.”

            Namjoon reached out and took your hand. “It’s okay. Thank you for sharing that with me. I promise to be more upfront about any questions I have. I trust you.”

            “I trust you, too.”

#bts fic #bts mafia au #bts imagines #bts smut #bts fanfic #bemylightfanfic #be my light fic #be my light #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #park jimin #kim taehyung #jeon jungkook #yoongi x reader #bts x reader #poly ot7 #ot7 x yn #ot7 x reader #long reads #really long post #bangtan sonyeondan #jackson wang

[gffa]

You would think, after a month of voracious reading of BATFAMILY fic, that I would at least begin to slow down, because I still primarily read I’m Having Dick Grayson Feelings And I’m Making That Everyone Else’s Problem, but I have also discovered that I have Jason feelings, I have Tim feelings, and I have Damian feelings. Which of course I knew before, but what I really learned is that other people have made this my problem now, too. And by that I mean that there’s amazing fic on all of the Bat babies and I am not immune. So, you may still have to scroll a bit, but if there’s an idiot badass with black hair and blue eyes, you’ll hopefully find something here to cry about with me, because what are any of us even in this fandom for, if not for the Feelings Hell About Vigilantes With Emotional Problems? BATFAM FIC RECS - BABY DICK IS THE CUTEST FERAL ROBIN I’M NOT HEARING ANY ARGUMENTS: ✦ it is with my whole life by dustorange, dick & bruce, 2.2k      Nine-year-old Dick’s been kidnapped. Bruce tries not to fall apart. ✦ World’s Finest: Lake Weekend by WingFeathers, dick & bruce & clark (& clark/bruce), 10.3k      Bruce and Dick invite Clark to the lakehouse for a long weekend around Rosh Hashanah, but Dick has trouble sleeping outside the Manor, and Bruce isn’t as available as he should be. And all of this brings up a question: what exactly are the three of them, a bat-vigilante and his ward and his superhero boyfriend? Could they be something like a family? (And how will they eat with Alfred not taking care of them?) ✦ Revision by takadainmate, dick & bruce, 3.8k      New to Bruce Wayne, new to being Robin, new to being alone, Dick didn’t believe there would ever be anyone there for him again. ✦ count the stars by emavee, dick & bruce, 3.7k      He doesn’t know what to do. It’s not like he can stop the storm. If he could wave a magic wand and make the sky clear—or even if he could call up someone from his large contact list full of metas who could control the weather—he would. He would honestly disrupt Gotham’s weather patterns if it meant Dick would stop crying. Or: Dick doesn’t like thunderstorms, so Bruce takes him somewhere where they can’t touch him. ✦ cautionary tale by drakefeathers, dick & bruce & young justice, 11.4k      Q: “Why did Queen Bee want Robin taken in alive in Bereft?” A: “Think of Speedy as a cautionary tale.” ✦ batman & robin by chickenmuffinsoup55555, dick & bruce, 4.8k      The Batman has a shadow. A shadow clad in reds and greens with a smile like sunshine. Bruce is adjusting. ✦ five times someone told Bruce he was a good dad… by emavee, dick & bruce & clark & selina & cast, 10.3k      …and one time it mattered ✦ Phobias by RascalJoy (DarkQuill), dick & bruce & alfred, 18.4k wip      It was stupid. It was irrational. Dick knew that. There was no good reason for him to be afraid; he had been doing this for most of his young life. And yet… Five times Dick fell, and the one time Robin didn’t. ✦ I Hate Dick by JeanjacketCarf, dick & bruce & talia, 3.7k      “Robin wrapped his legs around the Bats’ neck and rested his head on top of the cowl. Then he stuck his tongue out at Talia. Talia felt her face growing hot with anger. She tried to restrain it. The Bat loved this child for some unholy reason.” ✦ shades of blue by thatsveryambitiousofyou, dick & bruce, 2.4k      Dick Grayson has blue eyes. Or the one where Bruce tries harder BATFAM FIC RECS - ADULT BATSON AND BATDAD ARE MY KRYPTONITE, I FOLD LIKE WET CARDBOARD FOR THEM: ✦ Withdrawal by Sohotthateveryonedied, dick & bruce & cast, 1.8k      It’s been six hours since he got dosed. The green ring around his eyes has been faded since dawn. It won’t be long before the withdrawal hits him in full force. ✦ The Post-Mission Ponderings of Brucerman and NightBunny by Ptelea, dick & bruce, 4.8k      This is just sheer (metaphorical) fluff to follow up on the (somewhat more literal) fluff of Wayne Family Adventures, season 2, episode 54, S'tel ees a cigam wohs! Heavy on the puns, even heavier on Bruce being struck by amazement at how much he loves his oldest son. ✦ gotta make a stand (but I am just a man) by CaptainOzone, dick & bruce & alfred, 2.3k      Bruce makes it back to the Cave, injured and exhausted, but remarkably alive. He expects Alfred to meet him. He meets someone else. Or: a third credit scene in which Nightwing makes an appearance. ✦ The Hand in My Hand by audreycritter, dick & bruce, 4.4k      Dick offers himself in exchange for some hostages and it does not go as planned. ✦ Yesterday by I_Have_To_Get_Off_This_Planet, dick & bruce, 1.5k      Dick was pretty sure this was what dying felt like. He was curled up, almost in fetal position, on his bed in the Manor. He was there for the holidays, and he had been looking forward to their entire family being together for once. Even Jason had agreed to come. And now he was gonna die before Christmas even arrived. ✦ I Bet On Losing Dogs by Anonymous, dick & bruce, 2.5k      (Or; Bruce’s relationship with his oldest and how it slowly starts to mend, with only a little push from his friends.) ✦ You can pick your battles but you can’t pick your poison by woodenwashbucket, dick & bruce, 1.8k      “Hey, am I bleeding a lot somewhere?” Nightwing asked. Batman gave him an unimpressed look, but Nightwing shook his head. “Seriously. I feel off.” Nightwing wobbled. Batman grabbed him by the shoulders before they could find out if he would have fallen, and Nightwing met his eyes with undisguised alarm. “Ok, maybe worse than off,” he said. BATFAM FIC RECS - EVERYBODY LOVES DICK: ✦ what’s past is prologue by Icestorm238, dick & bruce & jason & damian, time travel, 18.1k      Dick Grayson, bestowed with the memories of an alternate life, decides that things are going to go better this time. Priority number one: preventing Jason’s death. ✦ exactly how this grace thing works by irnan, dick & bruce & barbara & jason & cast, de-aged!dick, 22.7k      Dick gets de-aged. You’d think this would be a routine thing. ✦ sick day by daringyounggrayson, dick & roy & titans, 1.2k      Dick tries to power through a cold and lead a training session with the Teen Titans. It doesn’t exactly work out. ✦ The Gravity of Tempered Grace by CamsthiSky, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & selina, 10k      He’s sick, he finally catches on, and at that moment, a cough builds up in his chest, and he barely has enough energy to sit up enough to let his lungs work properly. A coughing fit later, and Dick’s breaths are making a horrible wheezing sound that makes him sound like one of Titus’ chew toys. That’s bad. He’s pretty sure that’s bad. ✦ you swallowing matches by torielle, roy/dick & bruce, NSFW, 8.2k      A month after being fired as Robin, Dick is forced to attend a Wayne gala, and is grateful for a particular friendly face. ✦ The Shape Of You (Was Jagged And Weak) by WinterSky101, dick & bruce & slade & jason & tim & damian & batfam, 40.6k      Six months ago, Nightwing died. They never found the body. Last week, Deathstroke arrived in Gotham. He brought a partner with him. ✦ You say you wanna stay by my side (Darling, your head’s not right) by wlwintersoldier, roy/dick & lian & donna, 2.5k      Dick is stupid and reckless on a mission, whats new, and Roy deals with the fallout ✦ Laundry Mishaps by JeanjacketCarf, dick/babs & jason & tim & damian & cass & steph & duke, 3.5k      Dick’s siblings often show up unannounced and take his stuff without asking. It’s how they show their love. Or Dick’s washing machine is commandeered for Steph’s laundry, his clothes disappear, he goes to girl’s night, has brunch, gets a little shot, and picks his baby brother up from school in about a week and a half while the secret group chat has a grand old time. BATFAM FIC RECS - JASON TODD IS AN ASSHOLE CAT, I’M GONNA THROW HIM AT DICK BECAUSE IT’S FUNNY (AND MAYBE SOME OF HIS OTHER SIBLINGS TOO): ✦ Two Dead Birds by InsaneTrollLogic, jason & dick & tim, time travel, 29k      There’s some lunatic in a red helmet running through Jason’s territory. He wants to think it’s a copycat. He’s wrong. BATFAM FIC RECS - DICK AND DAMIAN WERE THE BEST BATMAN & ROBIN, I’M NOT HEARING ARGUMENTS ABOUT THAT EITHER: ✦ Won’t You Stay A While? by fishfingersandjellybabies, dick & damian & cast, 2.8k      Ric did not expect to find a child sitting on the hood of his cab. Damian did expect to get his brother back. ✦ birdgrief by windupclock, dick & bruce & damian, 1.5k      How could you? Dick doesn’t say. Get out of my sight, Dick doesn’t say. What the hell is wrong with you? Dick doesn’t say. Tim storms out. Dick is left to deal with Damian. ✦ we’re like long lost brothers who found each other (and love each other like family) by drakefeathers, dick & damian, 9.3k      ongoing collection of scenes set when Dick is Batman and Damian is his Robin, ranging from cute to sad (hopefully not too sad). not chronological. ✦ I’ll Carry You by BrickSheep, dick & damian & bruce & tim, 2.1k      Dick Grayson will take every opportunity he can just to carry Damian in his arms. ✦ in my own imperfect way by notquiteaghost, dick & damian & bruce, 1.8k      Dick jokes, a lot, about being the only reason Bruce still remembers how to talk to people. About breaking him in for everyone else. He was Robin first, and he was Robin longest, and he’s why Bruce took in the others, he’s why Bruce isn’t dead in a ditch somewhere. And the jokes are funny! He’s never trying to be passive aggressive, or guilt trip, or whatever else. He and Bruce have spent enough time, now, pointedly not actually looking at each other, pulling words out in painful fits and starts. Dick knows where they stand. They’re good. But. ✦ (Un)Fortunate Son by Syl, dick & damian & bruce & cast, 26.1k wip      Bruce reaches a decision about Damian. Dick disagrees and decides to do something about it. BATFAM FIC RECS - BATKIDS ALL HAVE MANY SIBLINGS AND THEY’RE ALL PETTY ASSHOLES AND/OR WONDERFUL BABIES AND I LOVE THEM WITH MY WHOLE BEING: ✦ Overcoming Our Antecedents by Batbirdies, jason & bruce & dick, 31.4k      Bruce swallows, closing his eyes for a brief moment before he takes another, steadying breath and presses both hands to his face. He just needs a moment. Needs to remember where he is, what year it is, that Jason is not actually fifteen, he only looks like he is. This is temporary. This is just a temporary problem that needs to be contained until they can change Jason back. This is not a repeat of events already passed. This is not a second chance. ✦ what’s past is prologue by Icestorm238, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian & barbara & steph & cast, time travel, 84.9k      Dick Grayson, bestowed with the memories of an alternate life, decides that things are going to go better this time. Things take a few unintended turns, and the consequences of his actions ripple through his family. ✦ And the Scene Slips Away (To the Evenness I Fake) by Kirazalea, bruce & dick & jason & tim & damian & cass & duke & alfred & cast, rape aftermath/read the tags, 37k      One mistake is all it took to force Jason back into the wonderful world of the Wayne family. Now publicly and legally alive once more, he’s forced to spend the next two weeks of his life stuck in the Manor with the whole family. This leads to several strengthened relationships and the realization that maybe he’s missed a few things over the years. Things that he’s now determined to get to the bottom of. ✦ now the clock is melting (so’s my mouth and so’s my mind) by SilverSkiesAtMidnight, tim & bruce & dick & cast, 4.1k      The League’s base is not built to welcome strangers. Bruce is not a stranger. ✦ what catches and who holds by victoria_p (musesfool), dick & cass, 3k      Dick never wanted to be Batman. Cass always did. ✦ Bet on it by Lysical, jason & damian & jon, 2.4k      Even Damian could admit that his older siblings occasionally had their uses. “I need your assistance,” Damian said, voice low and tense. “No,” Jason replied, and hung up. ✦ a soft place to land by unchosenone, dick & tim, 3k      Tim rubs the back of his head, trying to affect a joking tone. “I knew I should’ve just gone for the new escrima sticks.” Dick is ready to be a good big brother to his grieving little bro. Tim flips the script. ✦ Consanguineous Ministrations by Briarwitched, bruce & kon-el & clark & dick, 23.9k      “Who gave you a baby?” Dick demanded, the instant Bruce opened the front door, eyes drawn immediately to the sobbing infant on Bruce’s hip that he gently bounced to no avail. At the same time, Bruce muttered, “I told you, it’s fine, you didn’t have to come.” Alternatively titled, “Let’s give Batfleck alien baby problems”. ✦ The League of Extraordinary Bowling Bats by chibi_nightowl, dick & jason & tim & damian & bruce & alfred & cassandra & stephanie, 5k      “What did Dickiebird do? Steal all your other shirts?” The shirt is bright green with wide yellow stripes pretending to be a pin stripe running vertically across it. On the back, in bright red letters, “Timmy” is spelled out. “You’re next,” he spits out, shooting Jason the worst glare he could muster. “He’s got one for you too.” ✦ a cheese raspberry flavored void (except not really) by dottie_dc (dottie_wan_kenobi), Marzue, SilverSkiesAtMidnight, Squintyfist (ErzasCake), dick & jason & tim & damian & bruce & alfred & cast, 3k      “Jason.” Dick walks up to the desk, suspiciously peering around. Jason jerks and attempts to get in his way, but Dick is quick and fully willing to vault over his brother. Only, Jason immediately latches onto him, and the momentum sends them stumbling back, knocking into the desk. It’s a good thing Jason stopped him, for right behind the desk, where Dick would’ve landed, is a swirling void. ✦ The Talk by InsaneTrollLogic, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian, 2k      Bruce never gave Dick the Talk. Dick was grateful for that right up until the time Damian sat through his first health class and started asking questions. ✦ Brothers in War by IaMcHrIsSi, jason & dick & cast, 3.2k      Jason, Cass and Damian ran from the League. In Bludhaven, they run into Dick. Literally. Dick just wanted to get breakfast. ✦ Baby I’m Bi Bi Bi by Sohotthateveryonedied, dick & steph, 1.5k      Dick catches her staring. “Oh, yeah. Forgot I had that. I bought it for when Wally, Donna and I were planning to go to Gotham Pride last year but a Joker thing came up and I didn’t get to go. You can just toss it. I have a ton of other bi merch and I only bought that one because Donna pressured me into it, anyway.” Steph looks down at the t-shirt and bites her lip. “Actually…I think I’ll keep it, if you don’t mind.” ✦ two attempted robberies too many by tsuchann, dick & bruce & jason, 2.2k      Dick could have knocked out the man before he had the chance to blink let alone pull the trigger, but he wasn’t dumb, and he worried his reaction would have caused the other robbers to shoot, because in the bank, at the middle of it all, with a gun pressed to his head, was Dick’s little brother. ✦ That the Ripest Might Fall by Ellegrine, TheFightingBull, dick & jason & tim & damian & bruce, reverse robins, 2.4k      Jason stared at the fallen chandelier. The priceless, fallen chandelier. They were dead. They were so, so dead! ✦ the butler’s neighbor by deargalileo, tim & alfred & bruce, 16.6k      it starts with a baseball, thrown onto the wayne’s property. it’s alfred’s job to deal with such happenings, of course. but over tea and galas, it turns into so much more. after all, why should bruce be the only one allowed to adopt any child that he finds? ✦ the straw drawer by deargalileo, dick & bruce & jason & tim & alfred, 7.4k      sometimes, love is stored in the straws. a story about family, traditions, and gifts, through the medium of crazy straws. (a companion piece to the butler’s neighbor, so i would suggest reading that first) ✦ you gotta push all the doubt to the side of your mouth by danishsweethearts, dick & stephanie & cast, 1.7k      Steph practices mindfulness. BATFAM FIC RECS - DICK/BABS FOREVER AND YOU CAN SHUT IT IF YOU DISAGREE, THEY’RE ADORABLE TOGETHER: ✦ Crime and… by Ladymercury_10, dick/babs, 1.7k      “Are you punishing me with glitter? That’s not a very good punishment, Babs.” ✦ the dickbabs baby au. by thychesters, dick/babs & batfam, 49.1k wip      Telling Dick she’s pregnant is much more stressful than she was hoping it would be. Them telling the rest of their families and friends? Yeah, easier said than done. BATFAM FIC RECS - I WILL DIE ON THE HILL THAT TIM DRAKE’S TRUE LOVE INTEREST IS CONNER KENT AND NOBODY CAN STOP ME, NOT EVEN GOD: ✦ buy back the secrets by sundiscus, tim/kon & bruce & clark & jason & cast, 48.1k wip      He takes a long, slow breath. Ignores the glares from the other students. “Superboy,” he murmurs. “It’s me. If you’re listening, I could use some help.” Or: 5 times Superboy saves Tim Drake, and one time Tim Drake saves Superboy. ✦ Grevious Misuse of TTK (or, Alternate Uses for TTK) by Cfae8, tim/kon, NSFW, 1.4k      Tim wakes up to someone touching him. But Kon’s hands haven’t moved. ✦ The Lost Art of Minding Your Goddamn Business by JpegDotJpeg, tim/kon & jason, 2k      Tim just sputtered, looking thoroughly scandalized for someone standing in the middle of the irrefutable evidence of his own fornication. If the furniture looked this bad, Jason couldn’t imagine that little Timmy had escaped Superboy’s super cock completely unscathed. “It’s not that bad,” Tim said, gesturing to the carnage, but he didn’t even sound convinced of his own words. “It looks like the fucking honeymoon scene from Twilight in here.” ✦ Practice Makes Perfect by rotasha, tim/kon & jason, NSFW, 18.3k      Kon is trying to seduce someone – he won’t tell Tim who – and he enlists Tim’s help to try to hone his flirtation skills. This surely won’t end in disaster for Tim, who’s had a thing for Kon practically since they met. BATFAM FIC RECS - TAKE THE ANGST DIAL, TURN IT UP TO ELEVEN, AND BREAK THE KNOB OFF, THAT’S WHAT I’M HERE FOR: ✦ Wait, What? by PandasandDucks13, dick & bruce & titans, 2.4k      Dick Grayson finds something interesting while applying for college. On a side note: He should really evaluate how many felonies he commits on a regular basis ✦ Dawn Breaks Through the Window by sElkieNight60, dick & bruce & jason & tim & damian, depression/read the tags, 14.7k      Without realizing it, Dick has fallen into a listless apathy, but when an incident cuts a little too close, Bruce and his brothers are there to remind him just how loved he is. ✦ Wisdom Always Chooses These Black Eyes and These Bruises by audreycritter, dick & bruce, 3.2k      After a severe, life-changing injury, Dick and Bruce have an epic fight and then fall back together. Sometimes, family hurts you the most, but that doesn’t stop how much you need them. ✦ your continental divides by isawet, reisling, dick & bruce & damian & barbara & cassandra & stephanie & donna & roy & wally & artemis & cast, rape aftermath/read the tags, 26.7k      When running doesn’t work and working doesn’t work, home is the place you go where they have to take you in. Dick’s home has never been Gotham; it’s always been the people.

#lumi.txt #dc #batfam #bruce wayne #dick grayson #jason todd #tim drake #damian wayne #timkon #fic recs #batman fic recs #long post #really long post

[who-do-i-know-this-man]

Alright, looks like my dearest blorbo lost, so here's my long anticipated post mortem propaganda post for her and the 15 dollar game bundle that blew me away. For decency's sake, i'm sealing the meat of this post behind a read more, so as to not accidentally colour of the skies everyone who follows this tourney. (Or at least i'm going to try to. Tumblr is weird, and apologies if it does not work.)

One fateful day, I purchased the Bundle For Ukraine from itch.io. While I was initially put off by the seemingly bargain bin quality of most of the games, I ultimately decided it was worth it. I donated, got the games, and perused through them for anything eye catching. I found Celeste, Zeroranger, a couple of cute tools…

And a little game called Crosscode.

I was… intrigued. I'd saw this game once or twice before, and I was curious. Figuring that it couldn't hurt to try it, I downloaded the game and started it up.

Crosscode turned out to be a very good game.

And most of that was because of the main character:

Lea.

In summary, Crosscode is an action rpg game made by Radical Fish and released fully on pc in 2018, with console ports later. It follows the story of Lea, a woman who wakes up inside a futuristic MMO set on a moon in a distant galaxy, where players physically control avatars made out of a high tech substance known as Instant Matter (think hard light holograms, and that's pretty much it.), as she's guided by a programmer in order to recover her lost memories. I can go on and on about just how amazing the game is: how the plot takes a turn from "generic mmo isekai esque" to if someone decided to adapt one of the better black mirror episodes into an action rpg, how polished the combat and puzzles are, and how incredible the music is, but that's not what the main purpose of this tourney is. It's to tell you just how good of a character Lea is.

Lea is the main protagonist/player character, a rather shy woman with a real competitive spirit and a cheeky attitude, once she warms up to someone. A major part of her character is due to a major glitch in her avatar's voice module, she's mute (aside from a couple of hardcoded words her programmer friend could put in). "A silent protagonist?" you may ask me. "Like, a player avatar that is deliberately left without any strong characterisation as to allow nearly anyone to insert themselves into?" Nope! Instead of being a blank slate for projection, Lea expresses an incredible amount of character through simply inflection and facial expression.

This is only a PART of her spritesheet! Only a smidge, and i'm not even getting into the special sprites she has for certain story events.

Throughout the story, Lea has to tackle difficulties with not being able to communicate as well with players and NPCs, along with typical mmo difficulties, all while she unravels the dark mysteries of what's really going on behind the scenes of Crossworlds...

Despite her difficulties, she's always treated with respect by the game's narrative, which can be seen with the many interactions between her and the surrounding cast (all mainly expressed through her many sprites).

A few of my favourite moments of hers include:

Annoying her programmer friend:

Her reaction to her horns:

Her absolute freak out at being held by a five year old:

Her absolutely intending to get into more antics after a certain sidequest:

And if you need any more motivation to play this amazing game, here's the special reactions she gets when you turn on the New Game Plus cheat that gives you insane damage with every hit:

Yes, the devs made specific sprites just for when you play new game plus with a certain cheat.

Please, do yourself a favour and play Crosscode. It's like twenty bucks on steam without a sale. It's what Sword Art Online would be if it didn't completely suck. It's disability culture. It's the world's best single player MMO. It's a Black Mirror's White Christmas episode adapted into a video game.

And most of all... it has Lea.

Wow. Well unfortunately it seems that read more does not work in asks.

#asks #not blorbo poll #propaganda? #long post #really long post

[babygirl-but-a-boy]

Ras Talking To His Daughter

Heard you tried to sell your soul to another

But I see the way your face just changed

As if you lost a lover

Did you lose a lover?

Oh

Heard you try to place the blame on your brother

Heard it's everybody else's fault

You're home alone, inside for summer

Now you can't deny the times you lied and cried, you missed your mother

… And I know the story goes

You say you really tried, you didn't try at all

So now you hate the world

It hates you back is your excuse to fall

You say you're dead inside

So you decide to cut off everyone

Cut off everyone

And you'll never know it, but you're just like me

#batman #dc comics #damian wayne #bruce wayne #jason todd #dick grayson #talia al ghul ras al ghul #damian al ghul #batman comics #batfamily #damian wayne al ghul #talia al ghul #robin damian #long post #really long post #tones and i #eyes don’t lie #self indulgent if anything #song #web weave #quote #poetry ig #robin #nyssa al ghul #nyssa raatko #dusan al ghul #tim drake