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#red flare district
glassesfreekjr · 1 year
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... Why did they build a whole-ass flood bypass out in the Splatlands, anyway? Is it like California rules where it's arid as hell most of the time except for when everyone drowns, or has the flash flooding caused by Big Runs been more of a long-running issue then we initially thought?
The fan splatband Red Flare District is named in reference to the 190-chapter juggernaut "exercises in gratitude (The Barclay Street Flood)" by @redeyedsheepskull over on AO3. Contrary to what Inkopolis news media would have you believe, the Order vs. Chaos Splatfest was only partly the reason for the mass cultural exodus to the Splatlands. Maybe it had something to do with the fallout after a catastrophic spillway failure submerged a low-class Inkopolis neighborhood in millions of tons of polluted floodwater, I dunno.
RFD changed its name (from RLD) partly to capitalize on the event and partly out of genuine albeit ham-handed tribute.
And here, out in the middle of the desert, is yet another failed flood bypass. The ironic hilarity was too good for them to not write a song about. Fast-forward five years and some still consider the end product to be a tad insensitive.
(sample source list can be found on my YouTube)
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hii!! could i request a snow fic where she finds out she cheats on him and voluntarily tributes and hes trying to get her back? i loved the other fics!! I NEED MORE CHEATING SNOW FICS OMGG
Don’t blame me, love made me crazy. || Young President!Coriolanus snow x district!reader
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A/n: Sorry anon I hope you’re not disappointed that I didn't fully write your request. I wanted Coryo to lowk suffer in this which is why I didn't dive into details of him getting her back. There is also one scene that is heavily inspired by a scene in the movie Priscilla! I also spent so many hours perfecting this and it was super fun!!!
Warnings: fem!reader, implied infidelity, toxic!coriolanus, manipulation, not proofread, if there's anything else pls lmk!
Wc: 1609
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Divider by @firefly-graphics
The rapid clicks echoed throughout the hallway, the sound reverberating off the 12-foot-high ceiling walls. You walk with an eager stride, each step filled with anticipation as you take the familiar route to Coriolanus' office where he spent most, if not, all of his time cooped up in due to the upcoming hunger games.
There was a heaviness in your heart. You have always been the epitome of grace and composure, a woman who played her role in the political theater with finesse, albeit your brief upbringing in district 2. However, behind closed doors, the truth unfolded, resulting in you heartbroken and most of all betrayed. You couldn't ignore the letters that would pile up weekly, the gifts, all for him, from someone by the name Lysandra.
Not bothering to knock, knowing it would provoke a reaction from him, you forcefully swung the double doors open. There sat Coriolanus Snow, seemingly unbothered at your entrance. "Is there a problem?" An icy, impersonal tone carried his words, sharp and emotionless.
Your nose flared as you felt a surge of frustration, his lack of concern and emotion fuelling your anger. Besides, you had never stormed into his office unannounced before. Surely, he would question your sudden abruptness and, visibly, your anger.
Your voice, though filled with a trembling resolve, posed the question, "Who is she?" You hold a letter between your fingers, lifting it up to show him. He lifts his head up from his papers. "And why on earth is she sending my husband gifts and-and love letters?" You stammer, throwing the piece of paper with writing and a kiss—in the form of a lipstick mark in a shade of deep red—on his desk; your façade crumbling at your feet.
Snow stares at you before a scoff leaves his lips, leaning back on his chair. "You know how the people admire me, it's likely that whoever it is, she's simply passionate about expressing her feelings to me," Coriolanus shrugs. Your eye twitches at his response. Lies.
"Really? Well, Lysandra is ever so passionate about expressing her undying love for you," You recite the words from her letter as you watch a subtle glint of knowing in his eyes, "She's the only one who has described her so-called affection for you so intimately!"
As you question your husband's loyalty, an unsettling quiet settles around him. His eyes, cold and calculating, hold yours without a trace of vulnerability. The absence of words from his lips becomes a formidable response, leaving an ominous uncertainty lingering in the air.
His office echoed with a tense hush, broken only by a subtle tapping of his fingers against the armrest in a rhythmic patter. "For god's sake, Coryo. Say something! Who is she?" The slip of his nickname makes you swallow.
"I won't entertain your accusation. She's merely an admirer, nothing more! Have you finished exhausting yourself with this matter, wife?" Coriolanus seethes, abruptly standing up as he gathers his papers, opens his drawer, shoves them in, and slams it shut with such force that you swore you felt it in your bones.
"Is there something your hiding from me?" There was a tense silence that followed your question, Snow's features contorted with a mix of frustration and defiance. Avoiding eye contact, he clenched his jaw and emitted a sharp exhale. The air was thick with unspoke tension, revealing an anger that simmered beneath the surface.
"I have nothing to hide from you," He says calmly but you knew damn well there was anything but calmness within him. Annoyed and frustrated at the lack of information, you open your mouth again.
'"Throughout our entire marriage, I have done nothing but showed you how grateful I am that you chose me to marry, a district girl. You helped me build a reputation here in the capitol so that I would finally be respected, and now, I ask just one simple thing of you," As you speak your voice wavers slightly, revealing the depth of emotion behind your words. "Who is she to you?"
In mere seconds, Coriolanus storms past you, a blur of motion, leaving you momentarily bewildered as you blink, only to find yourself in the same spot. "Coriolanus!" You yell, spinning around as you follow him. "I've just had about enough of you for today y/n," He spat as he briskly walked up stairs, you following him. Servants who were around hurriedly walk pass, heads down.
He steps into your shared private chamber, adorned with decadent furnishings and overlooking the Capitol. He walks a couple steps before he just stops. His breath came in heavy, rhythmic waves, his chest rising and falling with urgency, leaving you standing frozen at the entrance.
"You know, I think you should go see your family for a little while," He turns around as you felt your heart drop. "What?" Your voice echoed with a helpless tone. "You heard me, I think your family has been missing you in the districts, go pay them a visit. Tell them how grateful you have been that I chose you as the First Lady of Panem, hm?"
He takes purposeful strides to the next room, filled from top to bottom with expensive, lavish pieces of clothing befitting both him and you. Coriolanus then pulls out a travelling trunk. The thought of you going back to district 2 sent shivers up your spine. You knew that everyone there now thinks of you as a traitor.
"What- No- Coryo, I'm not going-" Coriolanus cuts you off with a yell, tears forming in your eyes, "I think you should! Matter of fact, I'll help you start packing." A loud noise comes from the trunk making contact with the floor making you jump, a sob leaving your lips. The trunk opening as he starts aggressively pulling your clothes from the black velvety hangers, tossing them into the trunk.
"Coryo- please. Don't make me go back there," You fall to you knees in front of the trunk as your shaky hands remove the pieces of clothing from it. "Yeah, well I think a few months in the districts, away from your lavish life here, will make you realise how easy it is that I can send you back there." He forcefully takes your chin in between his thumb and index as your glassy eyes stare back at his icy, raging, blue eyes.
"Please, please don't send me back there-" Your beg becomes interrupted as he drops his grip on you and yells out the door, "Simon! Get the train ready now for Y/n to go back home!" He calls out to his assistant who answers out a "Of course Mr. President," You let out another sob as you rest your head on the pile of clothing.
Coriolanus glances over his shoulder, his breaths lingering in the air, he could hear your quiet pleas. There's a yearning within him, a desire to approach you and envelop you in a reassuring hug, to tell your that everything is alright and that forgives you. Yet, and unyielding pride restrains him, holding him back from acknowledging that what he was doing was wrong.
With one final look, he turns around, leaving you in a crying mess. Coriolanus was going to send you back to district 2 until the hunger games finished, then, he would come get you and hope that your time there made you ponder your actions, although he knew they were quite reasonable.
Your allegiance to your husband shattered when you were forced onto the train, Coriolanus stood a couple metres away from you as you squirm in the peacekeeper's grips. As you made your way back to a place you once called home, a quiet determination settled within you as you hatched a plan that would not only expose Coriolanus' betrayal, but also allow you to reclaim a piece of your shattered identity.
~
As the Reaping day approached, you made a choice that sent shockwaves through the carefully orchestrated world of Panem. With a steady hand, you inscribed your own name on a slip of paper and placed it in the glass ball, committing yourself to the Hunger Games.
On the day of the Reaping, the Capitol Square buzzed with anticipation, the districts, not so much. Coriolanus, very much unaware of his wife's hidden actions, stood in front of the dignitaries on the stage.
The customary ceremony began, the escort pulls a slip pf paper from the glass ball, announcing the male tribute who would face the Capitol's twisted version of justice.
As the tension mounted, the escort unfolded a slip of paper and read aloud, "Y/n Snow." A gasp rippled through the crowd, and Coriolanus's face contorted with disbelief. Time seemed to free as he processed the shock of seeing his wife's name called out. Surely there was a mistake.
The realisation hit him like a sledgehammer, and anger boiled within him, mixing with the shock and confusion as the crowd erupted in whispers. A woman of Capitol elegance was now standing among the district 2 residents.
You weave through the rows of people, maintaining a stoic expression. As you step up on the stage, your eyes land on the camera a couple feet away from you where you know Snow was watching back in the Capitol.
Coriolanus stared at your face and in that moment, he saw the resolve and defiance that had replaced the hurt in your eyes. The Capitol, known for its love of spectacle, witnessed an unprecedented turn of events. Coriolanus Snow, the powerful President, was rendered speechless as his own actions came back to haunt him in the cruelest twist of fate.
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bruisedboys · 5 months
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jealous finnick?
jealous finnick will be the death of me!!!!!!
finnick odair x fem!reader
Breakfast in District 13 is an unusual affair. Nothing like you’re used to, being from District 4. It’s the same every morning — boring grey oatmeal with either honey or berries, depending on the day. It’s only as you take your seat next to Finnick that you realise you’ve forgotten the very crucial toppings.
“Oh no, I forgot to get berries,” you bemoan. They’re definitely all gone by now, seeing as they’re in popular demand — the oatmeal served in 13 tastes like cardboard without them.
“Here, have mine,” Gale says from across the table. You open your mouth to protest but he’s already spooning a big heap of berries into your bowl. They bleed red and purple into your otherwise plain oatmeal. “I don’t like ‘em, anyway. Too sour.”
“Oh.” You smile at him, flattered. Gale’s been nothing but kind to you since you arrived in District 13. You haven’t put it down to anything other than friendliness. Though it’s possible you’re too enamoured with the blonde next to you that you’re completely oblivious to other men’s advances. “Thanks, Gale.”
Gales smiles back and shrugs. “No problem, Y/N.”
Next to you and unbeknownst to you, Finnick scowls. He hates that Gale’s so nice to you. Loathes it. He knows it’s because you’re a ray of sunshine who draws even the coldest of people in (believe him, he’s experienced it), but the fact that Gale gave you his berries before Finnick could even offer his makes his blood boil. 
Who does he think he is? Everyone knows you’re Finnick’s girl, he’s made it very clear. It’s the whole reason you’re here, after all — Finnick specifically requested you be picked up from home before the Quarter Quell ended, to prevent anything from happening to you.
Breakfast passes without further incident. If you notice Finnick’s sour mood, you don’t mention it. You’re leaving the canteen with everyone else when Finnick grabs your waist and pulls you to the side, into an empty hallway. He peers over your shoulder to make sure Gale’s good and gone, watching the back of his head with a glare that could kill, before turning his attention to you.
“Finnick,” you say, clearly confused at his sudden manhandling. “What’s the matter with you? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Finnick says shortly.
“You look mad.”
“I’m not.”
You squint at him. “You’re definitely mad. Why are you—?”
Finnick forgoes restraint and yanks you forward, pressing his mouth to yours before you can say anything else. His chest burns with molten hot jealousy, it climbs up his throat and pours into the kiss, hot and sticky. The heat ebbs though, when you kiss him back just as fervently, replaced by a fuzzy warmth only you can make him feel. It buzzes in his chest and down his arms, flares out his palm as he takes your face into one hot hand.
He pulls back just as suddenly as he’d drawn in. “You know Gale’s flirting with you, right?” He says abruptly, thumb pressed to your cheekbone.
You blink up at him, still dazed from his kissing. “What?” You ask, half laughing. “No, he’s not.”
“He is. He gave you his berries. I was going to give you mine.”
You raise both eyebrows. “He was just being nice to me.”
“Yeah, well, that’s my job.”
Finnick supposes he sounds quite pathetic. He doesn’t really care, not when your eyes go all gooey and you reach up on your tiptoes to push a curl from his forehead.
“Are you jealous?” You ask him softly, tucking his hair behind his ear. Your breath fans over his mouth and your hand lingers at his throat. “You sound jealous.”
Finnick rolls his eyes. “So what if I am? Just— have mine next time, okay?”
You smile at him, pretty as starlight. “Okay. But you don’t have to be jealous, you know? I only want you.”
Woah, Finnick thinks. “I know,” he says, too quick, his voice a notch too high.
You raise your eyebrows at him. “Do you though?” You ask, definitely teasing now. He supposes he got off lucky, you could’ve done much worse finding out he’s so sickeningly jealous over Gale, of all people.
Still, Finnick narrows his eyes at you. “Alright, that’s enough.”
Your answering giggle is smothered as Finnick swoops in to kiss you again.
-
thank you for reading! please consider reblogging if u enjoyed 🤍
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murdrdocs · 5 months
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coriolanus in the peacekeeper uniform + gaul's daughter 18+ (fem! implied reader)
coriolanus when he returns to the capitol, eager to be back home where the streets are neatly paved and clean. where the people are civil and speak proper. where their clothes are intricate and the complete opposite of dull. he's so ecstatic that he can't even begin to dread going to doctor gaul's as his first stop, especially not when he knows her daughter will be there.
"my kin in the only ways that matters," volumnia would always say, a proud smile on her face as she played with the neat ponytail that always sat at the back of her daughter's head.
it was sitting there when coriolanus saw you, brandished with a red bow that matched the top half of gaul's outfit, one similar to the one you wore. the ponytail and outfit are skewed now, a product of coriolanus' overeager hands.
he's had adrenaline pent up in his body. adrenaline that he usually got out by hanging out with lucy gray. but that's gone now. lucy gray isn't here.
but you are.
you're here with your legs spread, your ankles hooked behind his back, the heel of your sneakers digging into coriolanus' peacekeeper uniform. with each sloppy thrust into your sopping heat, coriolanus' cock grazes the red lace of your panties that he'd carelessly pushed aside. it's a delicious friction, it makes him shudder and dig his head into the crook of your neck. he's so deep within you, the curls at the base of his cock tickling your skin every other thrust, yet you want him deeper. you pull with your ankles, nudge at his shoulder, force your hips closer to his, all to communicate your carnal need.
coriolanus can't stop thinking about how good you feel. because you feel so good. there's no real distinction between your cunt and the one's back in the districts (pussy is pussy), yet coriolanus swears he can feel it. maybe it's because he's fucking pussy of the same socioeconomic class. maybe it's because with each thrust, he believes he's tainting you.
volumnia gaul's daughter, sweet and innocent and always quiet, now struggling to keep her moans to an appropriate volume. the two of you are already making enough noise as is, your cunt squelching at an obscene volume. the walls of gaul's lab does nothing to conceal the noises, and even if you're tucked away in a corner of the halls that rarely have traffic at all, coriolanus still can't help but tease the possibility of being found.
"think their opinion of you would change? hm? like mine has?" he's facing you head on now, the slope of his nose looking even more intense under the shadows that his hat creates. you wish he'd take it off, a previous plea of yours from before the encounter got to this point. but he denied, just more proof that in this moment, like this, he had control.
you don't respond, instead letting your head fall back and knock against the concrete. coriolanus seems annoyed, a particular harsh thrust dragging you up the wall. you yelp and coriolanus grins, his perfect pearlescent teeth shining at you. his hands dig further into the flesh of your ass underneath your skirt which has been flipped up to accommodate your sinful acts.
after giving you two more drives of the same intensity, he continues.
"i never thought you'd be able to take dick like this. who's been fucking you? or have you been fucking yourself? pleasing yourself while you think of me? is that it?" when you nod, coriolanus can't help but shockingly chuckle.
his eyebrows have risen, his eyes have gone wide, but you can't see any of this. you only see the cruel curl of his lips and the flare of his nostrils as he asks, "really?"
your nails, freshly manicured, scratch at the waterproof material of his uniform. it doesn't provide any place for you to grab onto, nothing to steady yourself. you whine, starting to become frustrated, and when coriolanus mockingly coos, you become embarrassed.
"please, coriolanus. i wanna see you."
"coryo," he snaps. "how many times do i have to tell you that?"
you're quick to correct yourself, repeating your request once more with the nickname woven in there placatingly, the fear that the use of his full name will pull him away from you completely stuck to your membrane.
feeling generous, coriolanus peels his hat away from his head and drops it at his feet, leaving you to stare straight into his bright blue eyes. they seem to have gotten brighter in his absence, shining with power and authority.
with the sex driven haze in your mind, you note that it's a good look on him. it's fitting.
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ggsbooks123 · 6 months
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Memory Garden
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peeta mellark x female mc (Jude Slone)
summary; you made haymitch promise, if it came down to you or Peeta that he’d save Peeta. And he did. But now you’re back from the Capitol with one thing certain, Peeta Mellark is the one true enemy.
warnings: angst angst angst, mean thoughts ab peeta beloved and honestly just a lot of writing i didn’t need to do
———
Peeta did this.
The mantra floated through my head, as I yanked on the restraint again.
He’s the reason everyone you love is against you.
Another yank.
He blew up District 12
“Jude, feeling hungry yet?” Haymitch’s voice breaks the static but the mantra just quietens but doesn’t stop. My hand drops the bind.
“What do you have?” It was a better response than i’d given lately. What if Peeta tried to kill me and poisoned my portion… I couldn’t risk it. “No, I don’t want it”
He sighs, still coming towards me with the tray “I promise you, Peeta doesn’t want you dead. You know that, think”
I scowled, “I know what I saw. I know what he did. He’s a monster, Haymitch. Don’t make me, I dont want his filthy blood on my hands” He scoffed, dropping the tray onto the table next to me.
“Let’s hope lover boy comes and feeds you bevause I’m not putting up with this” And with that he leaves the room.
I glanced at the tray, tomato soup with toast coated in possibly cheese, but it’s not the delicious toast that catches my eye, the soup, it’s not red. They’ve added ingredients to make it appear more orange… Not bright orange.
A sunset.
“I still remember that Christmas he brought me that green sweater. Green doesn’t suit me” I say, the air was brisk and I hated walking in the Winter but I couldn’t turn Peeta down when he came to my door.
“I refuse to believe you look bad in anything” I scoff, glad it’s cold knowing he might take that as thhe reason my cheeks are now red. “What is your favourite colour?”
I raise my eyebrow at him “I’m sure there are better things to talk about then my favourite colour”
He watches me as we walk for a moment “I don’t see anything more important” It makes me slow to a stop, “Tell me, please. I want to know”
I look to him, his kind blue eyes and blond hair that looks incredibly soft without all those products they use during interviews, he looks beautiful.
“It used to be red but I think i’m leaning towards purple” I shrug, “It’s only fair that i’ve revealed that secret you tell me yours”
He smiles before looking up at the sun, it’s setting letting the streaks of orange paint the sky “Orange, right there. It’s the second most beautiful thing i’ve ever seen” I glance at him unsure as to why he’d say second until I see the look in his eyes.
My head snaps at the memory, cruel and unforgiving. That’s what Peeta was, and he would hurt me so I had to kill him before he tried first.
His face twists in the memory as I replay it over and over again, he doesn’t look like himself, Hatred flared in a moment that was full of pure adoration. I see it now like i’m looking through a camera at the two of us.
He looks like he loves me… Then his eyes lose their spark like a snap and he’s spitting awful words at me, one’s ill never forget.
I’ll never forget he’s the reason i’m like this.
The food goes cold and I go another day without eating and under sedation after I nearly come out of binding when they try to insert the needle into my arm to get food into my body.
I awake in an empty room but there’s a buzz in the air, I look to the mirror across from me. I look better than I did the first time I looked inside, I’d look better if I ate proper food but I can’t, he wants me dead and he won’t fail again.
The door hisses open bringing my attention away from my strangely hair, Katniss stands at the door, tears in her eyes.
“You need to eat something” She whispers but the room is so quiet i’m not surprised if she can hear my blaring thoughts or the alarm going off in my head.
“Get out” I spit, turning away from her. Katniss was close to Peeta, never too close for respect of me which I hated now, she should have stopped whatever was forming between the two of us. Now it’s this. “I don’t want to see you.”
“It’s been months, I thought-“ She tries to speak but she stops when my head snaps to her aswell, her eyes are searching my face. I still look awful, I know that and it seems she still hasn’t come to terms with what I had gone through. Why don’t they see it’s his fault? Always.
“He’s the reason this happened to me, Katniss. And you’re still going to side with him. If you don’t kill him then he’ll kill me Katniss, Don’t you see!” I scream, her back hits the door and it hisses open and my heart stops.
There, he is. He’s not expecting the door to open, the surprise on his face is evident as those blue eyes bore into mine and I steel myself preparing for the hatred, his attempts to end my life.
But neither happen, he watches me with nothing but sadness and his hands are empty, just slack at his sides as he takes a step forward and I’m frozen, It’s not making sense.
He keeps coming closer and my heart is beating out my chest. Run! He’s going to kill you! My head screams but he doesn’t look like he will kill me, he looks like he wants to be next to me and holding me through this, possibly the one feeding me the tomato soup like Haymitch suggested.
“Jude… Please, I’d never-“ He seems to choke on his words as a tear slips down his cheek “Come back to me” Come back and trust me so I can kill you, I hear instead. The words make me flinch, the movement is so large the whole bed moves with me, screeching.
He backs away, the door hisses open again but he doesn’t move to get out “You’re just here to kill me!” I cried, wishing him out of the room.
Get out. Get out. Get out!!!
I must’ve screamed the last time because he’s gone and finally the screaming in my head stops and I fall to the bed, the thought of food or anything fades, only the want to be far from him stays.
I am Jude Slone, I won the 73rd hunger games, i’m from District Twelve and Peeta Mellark does not want me dead.
I repeat in my head over and over again, as the truck rolls over cracks and bumps, my body jumps at each bit of debris we hit and I hit the metal seat hard each time but the pain is real. Which is hard to say about a lot lately.
Peeta Mellark wants doesn’t want you dead.
I shake my head, thst one was the hardest to remember and at times, it was no where reachable and all that would sustain me in that moment would be his blood on my hands.
Finally the truck pulled to a stop, I straightened my shoulders. I’d been taken by the Capital and my memories have been distorted, my first thought may not always be the right one.
With that final word of encouragement I let the anxiety slip from me as the back door opens and I’m led out. The sun blinds me for a moment, I’d only seen it for a moment when they made me leave base but only to be stuffed back in the van.
Now I could see the destruction. His fault. No, no, no. I took a deep breath, before turning to seeing the loving welcome party at the front of what seemed to be an abandoned building.
Katniss with her bow, Gale with his crossbow and the five members of their squad had their guns trained on me, including Peeta. My heart hammered but I kept upright as I took the empty gun from the guard before waltzing my way towards the group.
I am Jude Slone, I won the 73rd Hunger Games, I am from Distrisct 12 and None of these people want me dead.
“What is she doing here?” Katniss is the first to speak and though her eyes are trained on me, i know she doesn’t want me to answer.
“Coin wants her to be shown on screen, the victors fighting on the same side” A dark man, who screamed military spoke and he was the only one besides Finnick who hadn’t raised their gun at me. “I don’t like the gun”
“Cant have me fighting with my bare hands on screen” I mutter, before shaking the weapon “It’s empty”
The tension seemed to ease slightly in the group but while half of them had lowered their weapons, Peeta, Katniss and Gale hadn’t. I had to remember what I’d been like this past month, I wouldn’t trust me either.
“I don’t like this” Peeta. His words cut deep and I deflate at them before the military man waves everyone to come inside, not before a solider by the name of Jackson, she told me, quietly instructed me that i’d be restrained for their safety.
“I understand, but I’m not a child”
“No just someone who went through a lot of shit” Finnick says behind Jackson, and my eyes dart up. I didn’t know where my mind stood with Finnick, I didn’t feel like killing him but I hadn’t felt like killing Peeta a moment ago but we all knew it would come.
It was why I was being restrained in the first place. I nod at his words, unsure of how to respond before they lead me inside. The wall along the door was made of glass and I watched as the van that stopped me off, vanished in the distance.
I was stuck here and I didn’t know if I would ever leave this ruin of a city. I kept my distance from the group as they moved into the centre and I took a seat beside the window.
“We’ll have to set up an around the clock guard on her, we can take shifts” Military man said, turning to look at me. “I’ll take the first shift, Names Boggs.”
I preferred Military man but I nodded all the same, “I want a shift” Peeta’s voice is small compared to Boggs but it silences the room all the same.
“Not happening” Jackson speaks up this time, confusing me on who’s in command.
“I can do it!” Peeta argued back, standing from his seat “It’s not her… The Capital killed her and whoever they sent back to us, i’ll be happy to put a bullet in its head” I flinched, turning my eyes down to my hands. Clenching them, was I dead? The girl I was? I shake my head, I am Jude Slone and I did not die in the Capital. They broke me but I am not unfixable. I am broken not unfixable.
I am unfixable.
“I’m not sure seeing as a mutt helps” Jackson declares but Boggs cuts her off
“Give him a shift, Katniss too.” There was no room for argument as Jackson nodded and began to schedule the guard clock. I wanted to be more helpful, tell them that maybe they could go an hour and they could all rest, but I didn’t even trust myself to do that.
Instead I kept silent, letting the rest of them discuss our plan while I watched the day pass by through the glass. “How’re you feeling?” Finnick’s voice from beside me makes me jump. I turn to him and he looks almost glowing, I’d heard something about him and Annie.
I knew I would feel happy for him if I didn’t feel so disconnected. Finnicks memories that came to mind now only brought warmth, nothing haunting. Which was relieving, he was a breath of fresh air.
“Away, I feel like everything’s happening and I’m not really here” I try to explain and he seems to understand. “I don’t want to be a problem, I don’t know why they sent me here… I’m not ready.”
He frowns, “I think you’re where you need to be, normally whenver Annie gets confused she asks me, and I promise you, you’ll find nothing but the truth here” I glance over to the group who had begun to seperate and close their eyes.
It must be Finnicks shift. The thought made this whole encounter turn cold but still, I took in his words as my eyes trained on the baker boy. “Peeta was the reason this happened to me… Real?”
He shakes his head, “You made Haymitch swear if it came down to the two of you that he’d get Peeta to safety” Finnick explained but my mind screamed at me that he was lying. Why would I ask that? Peeta and I didn’t get along, no, we did and we’d almost- I didn’t know what we almost did or if he hated me or loved me and it made me want to rip my hair out as my thoughts banged against my head.
He was not the reason you went to the Capital, you chose this. You didn’t want him to go through this… That felt right, staring at him now, I would never wish upon him those nights in the Capital.
“I know it must be hard. Annie went through a lot but they know that the Capital never left you alone, you were their main priority.” Finnick places a hand on my shoulder, bringing my fully to the present for what felt like the first time. “None of us blame you at all for what happened.
I forgot how long it’s been since someone had been gentle with me. Skin to skin, human contact. My body released its pressure, relaxing in my seat. “Thank you, Finnick”
He smiled before sitting up straighter, and we together sat in silence watching the night sky slowly fall upon us as the rest that were awake finally knocked off
“Get some rest” Finnick muttered to me softly, tapping my leg as he got up. I could see his eyes dropping a while ago but he still stayed and it relieved me that he was finally putting himself first.
I nodded, I would not be sleeping tonight. Each time I closed my eyes another memory would wash over me, I’ve started to get better at knowing if it’s real or not without verification.
Like the one of Peeta and Is confession of our favourite colours, it was easier to picture him smiling at me now instead of anger and whenever it did dissolve to the image it was almost too perfect, his freckles gone and the scar he got from the 75th games vanished, as did the dark circles under my eyes and the few strands out of place were perfectly flat. Too perfect.
I watched Finnick rouse Peeta and point over to me. Of course, I could only get so lucky. I heard someone clear their throat before they took a seat across from me. I didn’t look up. I didn’t know where my mind would jump to.
And he seemed to take the message, he didn’t try to speak to me either. She asks me. I promise you’ll find nothing but truth here.
Finnick was right, I couldn’t close myself off and hope I’d be able to fix myself. If it was that easy, I’d be normal again. “Finnick told me that whenever i’m having trouble differentiating real from not real I should just ask…”
I glanced up at him, in the darkness it was hard to make out his uniform but his blonde hair and pale skin were easy to spot and it made my body tingle as I registered just how close he was and I didn’t feel like wringing my hands around his neck. Relief.
“Shoot away” I raised an eyebrow “Not literally” I smiled softly at that before cycling through my head and I settled back into his favourite colour. What if I asked and his favourite was blue or something? Sunset orange was just another lie they filled into my head. Ask.
“Your favourite colour. It’s sunset orange, real? Not real?” I clench my fists, please. please.
“Real… Yours used to be red but after the hunger games you couldn’t stand it” He explained, and he was right. I used to tie a red bow into my hair everyday until my reaping now the colour reminded me of the slaughter in the 73rd Hunger games.
“But you said you were beginning to like purple… I remember that day, I told you the sunset was the second most beautiful thing i’d ever seen… And the first was right in front of me” I stiffened, though the confession didn’t shock me, looking back I could’ve seen it if I looked hard enough in the moment “And it’s killing me, bevause you’re right in front of me again but you’re like the stars I can’t reach. I… Can adore you from afar but that’s all I can do. And it feels really, really shitty, knowing we might never get through this”
He stands abruptly from his seat “I can’t do this” And he storms out, but I’m clenching my fists too tight to stop, swearing at every god to let this memory stay and not be corrupted by fear. I can adore you from afar but that’s all I can do because if I came closer you’d kill me. Was the truth.
— — —
do we want a part two?!?
part two out now!
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chrollohearttags · 5 months
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where the heart is • eren x black!fem reader
synopsis: the holidays had never been a great time for you or EJ but that quickly changes when you guys share your very first Christmas together.
content + themes: super sweet fluff, domestic au!,musician eren, him being so in love, mentions of alcohol, very light mentions of angst, lots of humor, all around cuteness ♡♡
word count: 1.3K
📝: just something super short and cute. Realizing I hadn’t written any Christmas fics yet but I might do more with all of my characters if y’all like them!
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christmas…the time of year filled with cheer, delight and all things bright. Trees topped with snow, front lawns illuminated in bright colors and inflatable decorations waving about in the cool winds. Not to mention, the overwhelming scents of peppermint, chocolate and apple cinnamon wafting through the air at every establishment. A true sign of the times..of course for others..it wasn’t always the best occasion. For some, it was a reminder of the loneliness that came with being away from family and loved ones. Spending the cold nights by themselves and watching others celebrate the harmonious holiday surrounded by warmth and happiness. For EJ, he happened to be the latter. Always holed up in a studio, chained to his desk as he worked right through Christmas Day without so much as a pause..it didn’t bother him much. He wasn’t exactly close to his family after leaving home years ago and his friends preferred to spend the evenings partying alongside strangers. Not something he had an interest in engaging in. Needless to say, he couldn’t wait for it all to be over. That was until the renowned rapper wound up meeting (y/n)…
“ ‘Rennieeeee! Come dance with me, baby!”
“Princess! Get down from there, you’re gonna hurt yourself!”
the ever so lovely and vivacious pole dancer turned influencer who not only took the world by storm but captured his ice cold heart as well. In a couple years’ time, the two of you had gone from perfect strangers to absolute lovebirds, enjoying domestic bliss in the comfort of his spacious three story home as soon-to-be husband and wife. Being in a relationship meant learning about the other person, becoming accustomed to their habits and all of their lovely quirks and in between. That stood true for Eren as well..it wasn’t until the two of you were out on your usual Sunday stroll through the Downtown District of Miami that he’d learn that you were a huge fan of Christmas. Although the warm temperatures didn’t mirror the occasion, shops and streets alike were strewn about garland and ornaments. Snowmen, reindeers, the works..! It was all a little suffocating for the stoic producer but you? You were beaming as bright as Rudolph’s nose! He couldn’t believe it. Seeing those gorgeous brown eyes glowing with excitement at all the decorations and themed treats, it made his chest flutter. Seeing you happy brought him more joy than any cheesy flare and overhyped song ever could. Since childhood, you have adorned the holidays; baking and cooking with your grandma, going to church and of course, opening presents. You loved every aspect and couldn’t wait to celebrate with your own family someday. However, your future husband was a little concerned that you may have been going a bit too far in your celebratory efforts…
“C’monnnn, pleaseeee? You look so cuteee!” Alluding to the reindeer headband sitting atop his brown locks.
“Yes, (y/n). I will dance with you, baby. But would you please get down from that ladder before you fall?!”
the two of you had been living together for some time now and he had grown quite accustomed to your habits. Waking up to warm kisses as he cradled you, getting to spend all this time together and lately..watching you frolic about the living room with knee high socks, shorts and fluffy red sweater with gingerbread men knitted on the front. Your butterfly locs were laced with red bows and scents of sugar cookie body mist radiated from your skin. You had even managed to convince him to partake in the festivities by baking cookies and helping set up decorations. Something he would’ve never done on his own accord. But he’d listen to you recount your holidays growing up and knew that he’d have to help you recreate the magic. You guys would even make jokes about how you’d never experienced a ‘real’ Christmas because there was no snow in Florida. He was absolutely infatuated with you and how adorable you were. Eren had only retreated to the foyer for a moment to grab some more ornaments and such, only to find you dancing atop the ladder; twerking and whining to the music that played and even belting Mariah Carey to the top of your lungs in an off key. He was trying to feign his laughter and keep a watchful eye on you all the same. He knew you were trained to dance and twirl at these outrageous heights but the fact that he had just watched you down four glasses of spiked eggnog consecutively with no pause, had him a little concerned. Knocking them back and becoming quite lively.
“I’m fineee! Now can you hand me those angels, please? I want them up—“
but as you made your way down the rungs and to the floor with only a couple steps left, you’d come tumbling down in a drunken haze and right on top of your fiancé! Who could do nothing but laugh as you immediately ‘sobered’ up upon the sight of seeing him lying flat on his back, covered in glitter. “Oh my gosh! Baby, are you okay?! I’m so sorry—“ cupping those fingers decorated in sparkly red acrylic tips over your mouth as you examined him. Making certain that he was alright but honestly? He had never felt better and in fact..you were utterly confused as to why he was so hysterical. His cheeks were red and he was cradling his stomach as he cackled.
“Yeah. I’m fine, princess..never been better. I’m just really happy.” Which allowed you to breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time in a long time, Eren had felt joy like he had never experienced before. All those years of spending Christmas Eve throwing money on dancers, pretending to enjoy drowning his sorrows in liquor or even mashing away at keys to avoid taking a trip back home to confront his family, none of it seemed to matter at that moment. The realization had hit him that this was his future…he was going to get to spend every day, every year having these beautiful moments and exciting times next to the love of his life. Leaning up, he’d grab your face and place a kiss on top of your forehead. He’d take a moment to examine your gorgeous features and just take in your presence. “Aww! I’m so glad..but why? You just fell.” A little confused by his sudden confession. He found your almost innocuous nature to be the sweetest thing in the world.
“Because..I have you, don’t I? Knowing I get to do this for the rest of my life..I can’t help but to smile..” Out of all the jewels and handbags you had been gifted, this was by far the greatest. Quality time and unconditional love that was priceless beyond comprehension. Moments that couldn’t be bought with the largest of riches, and the two of you were forever grateful for it. “I love you, princess. I really do..” which unironically sent you into a fit of tears and he’d immediately try to console you. “What’s wrong?!” Nearly bursting into overwhelming hysterics. Attributing it to your drunken stupor. But soon, you’d drape your arms around his neck and fling yourself across him with a tight embrace. “I’m sorry—I just—love you too, baby! I love you so much!..you’ve made me so happy.” You honestly never thought you’d have another Christmas like this or truly feel this type of love again but he made it possible. It didn’t matter how far you guys traveled or where your busy lives took you..right here, home and in each other’s arms..
“..thank you for tonight. I’m having so much fun.”
was where his heart heart was!
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angelltheninth · 10 months
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Money Sees All
Pairing: Zhongli x Fem!Reader
Tags: nsfw, smut, banter, sex pollen, power dynamic, biting, size kink, breeding kink, Zhongli has his dragon traits
Word count: 1.5k
A/N: Commission for @zhongrin! The title of this fic is inspired by "God Sees All" cause the song is a banger.
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You followed close to your Lord, at his side, definitely out of place in the Red Light district. If Zhongli was bothered by the things on display, the nearly naked men and women, he didn’t show any indication. This wasn’t what you were here for after all. “Are you sure its in this place my Lord?” You looked around at the people snickering at the two of you entering one of the brothels.
“Even a god needs a whore.” They’d whisper, making your ears burn. Zhongli looked down at you with gentle golden eyes, his hand sneaking up your arm, the marks slightly rough on your skin.
“Do not listen to them. We’re only here for a lead.” This place was one where a lot of money turned, a lot of people passed through, so someone should know if the sex drug that Zhongli had heard whispers about passed through here or not. He himself wasn’t interested in it, however it was hurting his people, he needed to put a stop to it.
You were his right hand woman, so of course you aided him in it. You helped take down the criminals, much to his dismay. He was a protective god, “I’m much tougher then you give me credit for my Lord.” You’d wink at him, a playful smile on your lips as he patted you on the head for a job well done. Lately his hand began to linger there, to trail down your cheek, to brush against the corner of your lip. No, no, must be your imagination. He was a god, Zhongli, Morax, Rex Lapis. You were a mortal, just a temporary assistant.
Perhaps that’s what made you dip you fingers into the bag of drugs and taste them, the loneliness. It tasted so sweet, it smelled sweet,it made your head spin and your pussy grow slick in minutes. It was a mistake.
“What have you done little one?” Zhongli’s booming voice made you flinch. He stood at your door, eyes wide and nostrils flaring. His hand quickly flew over his face to block the sweet scent, yours and that of the pollen. “You know what that does to humans. Its not meant for you.” The room spun, your eyes locking on him, your god, your boss as heat traveled down your flushed cheeks to your core. “It’s my fault.” His voice was a breathy sigh, “I know you humans have your curiosity. It’s why this happened in the first place. But you off people should have known better.”
The words did nothing to scold you, instead they made you rub your thighs together as you sat on the floor, your clothes making it entirely too hot. “I know.” You whined, “I’m sorry. I-ah, god!” You slumped forward, head spinning, hand sneaking between your legs, shame blooming on your cheeks as you rubbed your needy clit in front of him. Hot tears began to roll down your cheeks as Zhongli’s mouth dropped open. He should have never seen you in this state. No, correction, you should have never been in this state to begin with. “But I needed to get rid of it.”
“Get rid of it? The sex pollen?” His voice was slightly deeper then normal, eyes flashing gold, hands fisting into the cream colored robes.
“Lonely. I was... I thought it would help but... fuck...it hurts... it hurts... its so empty... need a cock...” More specifically, you needed Zhongli’s cock. “Need to... be filled up...”
“Filled...?” The word was almost snapped in half from his growl, his pants tenting at the front, “You need... someone to take care of you.” You barely noticed the door slamming closed as strong arms picked you up and tossed you on the bed, sharp claws making short work of your clothes and his own. He could get new clothes, he had the money for it, he was a god, and you his beloved second in command. “Apologies. This drug is meant for us gods, it can... enhance the experience. However it’s very excise, and very dangerous to humans unless... treated properly.” He let you run your hand up his arms, feeling the marks sneaking up, feeling his silky hair fall free under your fingers, the ribbon falling bedside your head, his tail thumping, thumping and coiling back and forth.
This wasn’t first time you’ve seen him like this, his tail, his sharp claws, his fangs clenched, his horns poking upwards, but it was the first time you’ve seen him look this feral, this out of his own control. And his cock... fuck how was that gonna fit.
“I will make it fit.” Shit, you didn’t realize you spoke out-loud. Your shame didn’t prevent you from fingering in and out as he watched, still slightly conflicted, “I promise I... I do care for you. This won’t change anything between us.” Won’t it really? You can’t imagine that fucking your boss wouldn’t change anything in your dynamic.
Maybe in the future, “Am I not gonna be your whore?” You asked, remembering what those people from the Red Light district said.
“Tonight you are. But do not think that I would think of you as lesser for it. I will always cherish you and our bond. If anything...” He rolled his hips forward, long, slow thrusts pressing over your fingers then over your pussy when you moved your hand away, needing more direct contact, “...this is just another side of you. And me. What kind of god would I be if I didn’t take care of all my followers. Especially one so... divoted.”
“My Lord I hope that you... that I can please you.” You hooked your legs around him, locking them above his tails, feeling the warm scales brushing against your heels. You expected slow, you thought he had some semblance of control but if he did it vanished the moment your pussy walls tightened around his tip. He wastes no time thrusting into you needy, wanting pussy, listening to the moans that follow from your lips.
Zhongli pulled you into each of his thrusts, his hands tugging your hips with his as he feels you take him to the hilt. You can see how much he cared for you, each thrust meant for your pleasure, each deep stroke making your breath shaky, that smile across his lips as he sees your pleading and panting face taking him. His briefly left yours to look at your neck, “It might hurt a little but, some pain might help as well.” His tongue licked over his fangs, long and rough and making your pussy clench as you imagined that inside of you, tasting you.
With shaking fingers you guided him close, lips almost touching before he passed them by and bit down on your shoulder. “Zhongli! I- my Lord!” You didn’t know what name to cry out when you came so you used all of them in quick succession, your pussy getting more slippery with each of his deep thrusts, “More, more, more, more. Not enough.”
“Not enough? I know what you need.” His tongue licked over the bite mark, proud of the scaring it will leave, “You need my seed. You need to feel full of me. You need your God, your Lord, to breed your cunt full of cum.”
The thought of his seed going deep into your womb and breeding you?! All of these thoughts are making you forget that you are being fucked by the man who is your God. All you care about is the pleasure he gives you.
With one hand on your hips, he slammed his hips against yours in a punishing rhythm while his other hand battered your clit, skilled fingers flicking the hard nub repeatedly until you felt nearly. Zhongli let himself go with a harsh growl, burring himself to the balls as he came, thick ropes of sticky cum filling your womb.
God he might be but he allowed himself to slump forward and into your embrace, pushing his cock forward and almost making you lift your hips to accommodate him. “Are you... this was... uhm... thnk you, my Lord.” You hid your face in his shoulder, his hair tickling your hot cheeks. You were unwilling to let go of him, scared of the face he would make once this fog of lusts lets up.
Instead of a harsh scolding you felt a rumbling inside his chest, a hand cupping the back of your head, the other wrapping around your back, thumb rubbing soothing circles along the base of your spine. “Thank you for allowing the honor of helping you. That being said, we should get rid of this stuff, otherwise I’m afraid we won’t be leaving your bed.”
“A... tempting thought.” Your eyed the bag still open on your desk, moaning as you felt Zhongli’s cock stir. “But if you’re here with me, you’d help me if I were to... have an accident again?” Your answer was one of Zhongli’s very rare laughs and his tail reaching over for the bad, taking some of the dust on his tongue and giving you a deep kiss.
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thisisourlovestory · 4 months
Text
Safe and Sound
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Finnick Odair x reader soulmate AU
Summary: you are a victor from district 4. The Quarter Quell has just been announced. How will you cope with the turn of events coming your way.
Word count- 2.8k
Chapter 1
I woke up early on the day of the reaping. Blinking awake slowly, head spinning from the effects of what even Haymitch from district 12 would class as too much alcohol, not that I’d really ever spoken to him, just from observation. I shuffled into my fluffy slippers and stumbled over to the table in the middle of my kitchen. Sitting down heavily, I groaned as lightning shot through my head and I scrubbed a hand across my face, reaching out to grab a glass of water and downing it in one gulp. Once my head stopped spinning I made myself a cup of coffee, mixing in milk and spooning in an inordinate amount of sugar, I made my way outside and sat on a chair, sipping the too sweet mixture from time to time, hands curled around the mug as I gazed out at the sunrise. Pinks and purples blended together, swirling with orange hues as it got lighter with every passing second. The sun rose above the horizon, bathing me in golden light as I breathed in the fresh air, letting go of all my fears and doubts for a moment to just take in the beauty of the world around me.
The trees swaying gently in the breeze, leaves rustling, songbirds chirping. One landed on my shoulder, twittering a joyful tune in my ear. I tapped my foot to the rhythm, singing quietly, whispering lyrics swept away by the wind. A ringing of the bell snapped me out of it, a harsh reminder of reality, of the games. I gave a grim smile and walked back inside, swigging back the last drops of my drink. Once back in the house I filled up the bathtub with steaming hot water, drizzling some scented oil in it and immediately stepping in. The water burned my skin, turning it red and raw, irritating the cuts on my feet as they stung and I hissed in a vague degree of pain. I grabbed a cloth and scrubbed my body viciously, stripping it of any dead skin and dirt that had collected over the past few days as I had moped around the house just waiting. My hands grabbed a bottle and I poured the contents onto my hair, scraping my nails across my scalp, rinsing it, then tipping a bottle of conditioner into it, massaging the smooth pink substance into my hair, making it smell like honeysuckle, sweet and overpowering.
I drained the bathtub and stepped out, wrapping myself in a fluffy towel. I picked through my clothes, discarding some to one side and placing others over the mirror in my room. I ended up with three options and I frowned as I assessed them. I didn't want something that would make me seem weak, but I still needed to portray the innocence of a child that the Capitol loved me for. Eventually, I settled for a light green dress that fell just above my knees, I studied myself closely, the dress clung to my upper half but flared out at the waist, the loose sleeves covering the mark on my wrist. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror, it was perfect; for a second I looked like a girl. A normal girl who hadn't been affected by witnessing death, who got to live a happy ordinary life with her family. And for just that one second I wished selfishly with all my heart that I could be with the person the universe chose for me, because he loved me. I snapped out of my daze and stared into the mirror, light reflecting off the surface and bouncing around my room. I turned away and face planted on my bed, the mattress muffling my scream of anger. My fingers gripped the sheets tightly, refusing to let go for a second as my breathing quickened and tears pricked my eyes. Now is not the time to cry, I berated myself silently, my nose still buried in the bed. Now was the time to stand up and show that I was not afraid, that they could throw anything at me and I would come back stronger. I sniffled slightly, sitting back up and dangling my legs off the bed as I wiped away a few stray tears. I gazed at my reflection again. So different from the confident girl I had been before, now a pathetic weakling, if that's what a few minutes could do to me then I hated to see what damage hours or days could inflict on me.
I heard people talking outside and moved silently to the window.
“Don't worry, it’ll all be fine.” I knew that voice.
“But what if I get reaped,” I knew that one as well, “I can't go back in there.” I peaked out to see Finnick and Annie, engrossed in conversation.
“I promise I won't let anything happen to you,” Finnick continued, gripping her arms and staring at her, “I promise.”
I smiled sadly at the sight, it hurt a little, it always did but I was happy for them. I truly was. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way of their romance, it was quite clear to me that they belonged together, the universe makes mistakes and it seemed like he and I were one of them. They walked back into his house and I stepped back into my own room, closing the window behind myself and trapping the cold air inside. Shivering, I picked out a white knitted cardigan and pulled it on, the soft fabric providing a thin layer of warmth from the chill. The clock on my wall struck 11, I breathed out deeply and walked downstairs, slipping on a pair of beige sandals, tying the brown leather just around my ankle in a bow. Taking a last look around my house I trailed a hand along some of the pictures lining the walls, photos of my mum and I smiling and laughing together from when I was little. It seemed so long ago now, I was no longer a child and my mum was no longer alive. My hand finished on the last picture, the most recent, one I had snapped a couple of years ago of Finnick and I. It was one of the last times I had spoken to him, before Annie. It had been after a particularly nasty nightmare and he had cooked breakfast, pancakes with syrup. He smiled as I got the sticky substance on my cheek and wiped it away with his thumb. I had laughed and held the camera up, both of us smiling widely as my finger pressed down to take the shot.
It was a reminder of happier times, as happy as they could be at least. I made to step out the door but I remembered something at the last second. My shoes. My ballet shoes. If I was going back then I wanted them as my token. Granted they weren't the pair I had the first time, those had long since worn out, but that didn't change the way every new pair of shoes made me feel. What they made me remember.
I had been 4 when I first decided I wanted to dance. I had seen the Mayor's daughter wearing a pair of ballet shoes and dancing in the garden with them on. I immediately fell in love, and ran home to my mother, so excited I talked about them for hours. Every day from then on I would go and watch the girl dance, I would copy her movements until I could do each and every one with the drop of a hat. Then one day a few years later they caught me watching. They had beat me black and blue and sent me running home crying, knees scraped and clothes torn. My mother had comforted me, singing a lullaby as she rocked me to sleep. The next day I woke up to a pile of books on the table and a box topped with a ribbon. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion but my mother smiled gently and nudged me forwards.
“Open it,” she said, “I think you’ll like it.” My eyes widened as I opened the books, there were pages upon pages of text, instructions, they were tattered and dirty but they taught me everything I knew about ballet. How to do the steps, how to strengthen my body and become more flexible, how to fully immerse myself in the dance and feel the music. Then I turned my attention to the package. I ripped the ribbon off and was greeted with a pair of ballet shoes. Slightly worn and ripped but in my eyes they were perfect. I shrieked in excitement and threw my arms around my mother as she caught me laughing.
“Calm down little bird,” she said, ”it's an early birthday present. And besides,” she continued a mischievous glint in her eyes, “I want free tickets to all your shows.”
I nodded my head, pulling away to look at her.
“Do you think I can actually do it?” I asked innocently. Her gaze became serious.
“You have nothing to prove to them, little bird, you hear me. But they will always look down on you, so you can either let them or you can prove that you are more than what they see.” She paused for a second, “You can do it my little bird, and you will be incredible.” I burrowed into her and she wrapped a soft blanket around us, cradling me like I was a baby again. She passed me the packaging and I lifted the shoes out, holding them carefully, as if the slightest move could break them. My thin fingers traced along the fabric, smoothing the heel over and tapping on the box, grinning in delight at the hollow sound it made.
“Go on,” my mother encouraged, “try them.”
I scrambled to the floor and pulled the shoes on, they were a bit loose but I simply tied the ribbons as tightly as possible and tucked the knot in. I stared down at them as I stood there, they were so beautiful and delicate. I wobbled onto the tips of them, my feet pointed, balancing on the very ends of my toes. My mother clapped as I walked around the small living room in them, being ever so careful to not slip over and ruin them. When I finally took them off, my feet had little blisters on them, I didn't care. I would endure anything to prove myself, to show that I wasn't just another district girl. I went to bed the happiest I'd ever been that night. My mother stroking my hair as I drifted into the dreamworld, filled with thoughts of dancing and performing where everything was perfect.
In the present I shook myself out of my reminiscing and grabbed a pair of the shoes, ribbons dangling loose, tucking them into a small bag and slinging it over my shoulder, I slammed the front door behind myself and strode out of victor's village, down the gravel track to the town. The sharp stones cut my bare feet in pinpricks and I winced, regretting my choice of footwear.
A light breeze brushed against my face and I pulled two pearl hair grips out of my bag, twisting the front strands of my hair and pinning them up together. As I walked, I was surrounded by nature, trees filled with green leaves and song birds, beautiful flowers the colours of jewels, fluffy clouds overhead. I breathed in the fresh air just before I reached town, something took hold in me and I twirled, laughing as the skirt of the dress flew out in a circle, it swished around me as I revelled in a moment of happiness, dancing around like a child, spinning wildly, leaping in the air with my arms spread wide for a final minute of joy. My cheeks flushed as I walked past the peacekeepers who had witnessed my outburst, they stood still, guarding the entrance to town. Making sure no one could escape. I made my way to the justice building, ignoring the looks people threw my way. Disgust, worry, pity a few of them among thousands. I strode to the desk where I had to register.
“Name.” The peacekeeper asked.
“Y/N Y/L/N.” I answered, holding out my arm for them to take my blood.
They gestured to the stage and I made my way up, taking in the thousands of faces looking up at me. Children probably grateful they wouldn't have to worry this year, parents glad they wouldn't have to lose another child yet. I look to the side at Annie and Mags, both deep in conversation as if they hadn't even noticed my arrival. Mags hugged her reassuringly and my heart cracked a little, wishing I had someone to comfort me like that. I turned back to stare at the wooden floor of the stage remembering the last time I stood here seven years ago after my name had been called.
I had been shaking like a leaf, terrified as I stuttered how old I was. The looks of pity sent my way by everyone and the horrified look on my mothers face as I had walked up escorted by peacekeepers. Lysander read off the boy's name but I couldn't hear anything, my heart pounding in my ears. I had kept my head down as I was led to a room for my last goodbyes. My mother rushed in and held me close as I cried and she wiped my tears then held my face in her hands and told me.
“You fight little bird. You hide and then you fight, you understand. You come home to me, I'll be waiting.” Then she pushed my pointe shoes into my arms and kissed me on the forehead before she was led out, giving me one last smile as I gripped the shoes. Then I was taken to the train and we were on our way to the Capitol
I smiled prettily for the Capitol, shyly answering any of their questions. ‘Yes I was a bit nervous’, ‘I loved to dance’, ‘Of course I could give them a tiny demonstration’, ‘I would try to win, for my mother but I had never known my father’. That got their attention, the poor little girl from district 4, no father, only a mother who she loved dearly, more than her own life. So when I got into the arena I did what mother told me, I hid and I fought and I got out but when I came home she wasn't waiting for me. She was gone. They told me it was an illness, one that was untreatable. So she was gone and I was left alone. I often thought I would have been better off dead. At least then I'd be with her.
All went silent and I was pushed out of my thoughts as our escort walked onto the stage, dressed outlandishly as always in the flashiest colours and cuts of fabric.
“Welcome all to the Quarter Quell,” he starts, “Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour.” The usual video starts to play and I roll my eyes as I hear the words ‘War, terrible war’. It's the same every year, a montage and voiceover which has no purpose anymore. We know what happened, we know what's happening now and we really don't need to be reminded of it. After what seems like an age the clip ends and Lysander claps excitedly, he’s the only one and the noise rings in my ears.
“I get goosebumps every time,” he gushes cheerfully,”It just gets me every time. And now for the moment you've all been waiting for, it is time to choose our tributes for this very special year. First the boys,” He walks over to the huge bowl containing one small piece of paper and dramatically dips his hand in. He picks up the paper and unfolds it painfully slowly. “Finnick Odair.” He announces and I have to fight back a cry as he steps forwards, waving and smiling at the cameras, my fingers itching at my wrist as the mark burns from the close proximity to him. Lysander grins almost maniacally as he congratulates him on this honour. Patting him on the back and exclaiming how exciting this will be
“And now time for the ladies.” He says and walks over to the other bowl with three pieces of paper in. I stand nervously, twisting my hands in the sleeves of my jumper as he reaches in and waves his hand around for a minute before plucking a piece out. He shakes it in front of him and unfolds it as slowly as the first one. I breathe shakily, in out, in out. He reads the name off the slip of paper.
“Annie Cresta!”
Taglist:
@nekee-lilac02 @hinata7346 @bambikitten @the-lonely-abyss
If you want to be added to the taglist let me know and I’ll add you to the next part!
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lilyginnyblackv2 · 1 year
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Buddy Daddies - Episode 12 - SPOILERS!! The Diner Nest
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Let’s take a deeper look at Kazuki’s diner: Diner Nest.
First, the name comes from his last name, which is a combination of the kanji for 来 (kuru  - come) and 栖 (su - nest). Another thing to note its interior:
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You can tell Kazuki decorated this place. It really fits his style:
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Brick, the same type of green overhead lamp, stools, similar types of posters, there are also things like the yellow chairs and plant, which fit with the living room part of their apartment back in Fukuoka. Even the smaller white lights in his apartment room look similar to the larger white lights he has in the diner.
Now, let���s look at the location of Diner Nest. As I mentioned above, there apartment was “back” in Fukuoka, because I’m fairly sure that they are living in Okinawa now. That makes sense. Once Miri was done with daycare, they likely moved. Not only because it was probably safer, but also because it allows for a proper “fresh start.” Also, they wouldn’t be located in the red light district anymore.
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While the beach and palm trees are good indicators of them being in Okinawa, an even bigger one, imo, is the use of English everywhere in their establishment and their establishment being a diner. Now, English is often used in Japan, for tourism and because it can look cool. But, Diner Nest has it...absolutely everywhere:
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The sign on the door says “OPEN” and “CLOSED,” the blackboard sign inside looks to be written completely in English. That doesn’t look like Japanese at all. On the windows we see “Have A Grateful Day” and something involving coffee. 
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The mat says, “WELCOME,” and the sign inside the plant has Diner Nest on the top and then what looks like English writing underneath it. 
And the fact that their restaurant is specifically a diner is also important too for why they are likely in Okinawa. Diners originated in America, specifically Rhode Island, and they sell American style food, coffee, and so forth. We see this with the meal Rei gives to Miri (and with the window saying Coffee).
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There’s definitely a Japanese flare to the presentation, but the food is all stuff you’d find at an American diner for sure. And, of course, of all this leads back to the fact that there are a lot of American military bases in Okinawa.
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32 to be exact. So, their diner being in Okinawa makes sense, because it is a restaurant style that appeals to the Americans and the main language (written-wise) in the restaurant is English, all of which would appeal to the Americans living nearby at the bases (and which would have varying degrees of Japanese language ability). 
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heavqn · 4 months
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coriolanus snow x fem!reader (1.5K words)
it’s easy to get caught up in his trap. if you’re not careful, you’re gonna get snatched right up.
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“Coryo! I cannot find my dress. Did you move it?” His eyes rolled. Why on Earth would he touch her dress? It’s not like he was gonna wear it. He replied, “No, I did not. You might consider checking other rooms rather than scavenging through the same one over and over.”
The slight tinge of attitude didn’t go unnoticed by his wife, but she said nothing. She knew it was in their shared closet; she had set it at the front of the rack herself just before bed. His attitude wasn’t the only thing she ignored. She progressed through the rows of clothing hung up on her side, determined to prove him wrong.
She didn’t understand where this sudden urge to be right came from but she pushed that thought back. The interview was in half an hour. She had approximately ten minutes to get her dress found and on before they had to leave. Traffic in the Capitol at this hour was hell, even for the President and his Lady.
Coriolanus was ready to leave. He hated waiting and he also hated having to repeat himself. Two things he was currently enduring. “Have you checked the guest room?” His tone was harsh and lacked any true concern for his wifes current state.
She was clearly distressed and a little help with less criticism from her husband would ease her. “No I did not. I know I put it in here. I’m not daft.” He felt his hands subconsciously curl into a fist by his side. He had never entertained thoughts of harming his wife until now. Her incompetence and lack of common sense infuriated him to no extent.
He saw the mess she had made of their shared closet and felt himself getting closer to that line of violence. That was a space for the both of them and she had destroyed it. Who does she think she is? This was the President’s house. Not some low-life district cabin.
Instead of indulging his oh-so-pleasant thoughts at the moment, he walked to the guest room adjacent to his own. To no surprise, the dress in its lacey, red entirety was hung in the closet. With no other thoughts besides getting the hell out of the house, he snatched the dress from its place and brought it back to his wife.
She sat atop the considerably small pile of clothes she had pulled from the hangers and drawers; mascara running and a hideous brown dress flared out by her sides. She had given up any hope of finding the dress when she saw Coriolanus come in earlier out of the corner of her eye.
She didn’t even want to attend the interview anymore. She looked crazy and the dress didn’t do much to help that. He would agree. The brown wasn’t a pleasing dark color; it was light and slightly irritating to the eyes. He swore at that moment he’d have that dress burned whilst they were out.
She heard him before she saw him. His black, polished shoes clacked against the hardwood flooring of their home as he approached her. “I can’t find it. I looked through the whole closet multiple times.” Her voice was soft in volume but hoarse. Her throat was itchy and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d failed at the one thing she was responsible for: getting dressed.
When no response or acknowledgment was returned, she looked back up at him. And there it was. She stood hurriedly, grabbing the dress from his grasp. “Where was it?” “In the guest room.”
“How did it get in there?” “I don’t know.” She gave him a quizzical look, trying to decipher whether or not he was being honest. She decided on the latter. His lack of words tipped her off. Coriolanus wasn’t a talkative man, but in the privacy of their own home, he was never so quick and dismissive with her.
“Why did you move it?” Her question earned a scoff and the shake of his head. “Can you just change so we can–” “No, I will not. Not until you’re honest.” She stayed glued in her spot, arms crossed as she waited for him to speak.
“Why would I move your dress? What possible motive could I have to do so?” He pushed back. His words ran through her head and she found herself shorthanded. Though it was at this moment she had a realization: Coriolanus Snow was never wrong.
“Because you always have to be right!” The sudden boom of her voice startled him but he didn’t show it. Typical. “I can’t even complain about my food without you stepping in to try and reprimand me like a child.”
He laughed. He fucking laughed at her. “I can’t tell whether or not you’re being serious. Are you still upset over the steak?” “Yes, I am! Because it was fucking co–” “It was not–” “It was MY FOOD. I KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT.”
The silence that fell over them held a new found awkwardness and tension. He could hear the in and out of her breath, watching as her chest heaved up and down. Coriolanus wasn’t frightened often, but right now he sure as hell was.
They never fought. He was in new territory but he couldn’t let that stop him from standing his ground. He wasn’t lying about the dress. He knows there are times where he can be a bit dismissive of her problems but he’s the President. He has more important things to worry about; however, he wouldn’t dare speak that out loud.
“I didn’t move your dress. I suppose it could’ve been the maid.” He spoke with a sense of genuinity. It was hard to tell what was real and what was fake. Coriolanus was a charming man but he couldn’t twist his way out of this. Not when it's happened so many times, unrecognized.
She huffed. She hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath as she waited for his answer. It must’ve been a habit at this point. “I know my issues may seem insignificant to yours and that’s fine; I’ve come to accept that. But as your wife, you owe me your word. I don’t know what this marriage means to you, what I mean to you, but to me, you mean the whole world. I ask very little of you so I am asking you here and now, did you move the dress?”
“No.” She broke down. Hysterical sobs as she fell to the floor once again. How could he stand there and lie straight to her face? “Do not cry. You have no means to cry. I’m giving you my word; I did not move that dress. Why can’t you believe me?” He got down on his knees, cradling her face in his hands as he moved to wipe her falling tears with his thumbs. “Don’t you trust me?”
She looked up at him. Her eyes were watering but not as much anymore, and her cheeks held the plump redness due to her sudden outburst. She said not a word. The sudden yell for the maid rang heavy in her ears.
When she appeared at the doorway of their closet, she was dismissed as quickly as she had come. “You’re fired.” Coriolanus offered no further explanation as the maid stood there, dumbfounded at the sudden dismissal.
After she was escorted away, Coriolanus resumed his position in front of his wife. “Did that mean anything to you?” He asked her. “You did that to save your own ass. You only care about you. About being on top and in control. So no, Coriolanus, that didn’t mean anything to me.”
“I would sacrifice the whole world if it meant you were happy. I’d take out all of Panem just to make you smile. You are my biggest ‘what if’. Everything I do, I do it with the thought of you. I don’t know how you are so unaware of that.”
His declaration had her heart pounding. Coriolanus rarely even said he loved her. She had lost all feeling besides guilt. Guilt because how was she so naive? He is her husband. He wouldn’t lie to her. How blind must she be that she can’t even realize that?
“I’m sorry.” He smiled gently at her. “Nothing to apologize for. Mistakes happen.” He stroked her hair, twirling it once he got to the end. “It’s so easy to get lost in what we want, so much so that we forget who we’re hurting. I know you didn’t mean to hurt me, did you?” She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes because of how she had hurt him. She was cruel.
He pulled her into a hug. Her face found comfort in the crevice of his neck as he rocked her back and forth, shushing her like a child. “As long as you are my wife, there is no need to think. I will tend to your every need. You don’t need anything or anyone else besides me,” He pulled her face to level it with his, looking straight into her eyes.
“Okay?” “Okay.”
feel free to send reqs/prompts!
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glassesfreekjr · 8 months
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IMG: candid photo of Red Flare District's (alleged) bassist, Deryn Doe. Wanted for illegal data brokering as of 09/10/122023.
Excerpt from interview with two three members of Red Flare District, Inkopolis News Network; 6 September 122023:
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Q: So, i take it the band's second single was composed and arranged primarily by... Haddock, was it? Hiddock (he/him), guitarist: Hiddock. Deryn (presumed she/her), bassist: [incoherent] St. Tuna Piano (he/him), frontman & drummer: Yeah, no input from me at all, man. Real inspiring stuff. Shame Petr coul'n't sing vocals again. Q: ... What was the reason this time? St. Tuna Piano: Cuz 'e choked on a bell pepper, that's wot. Irrevokably out o' commission. Deryn: [incoherent] Hiddock: Truth be told, I was initially inspired after our day trip to Um'ami — er, before it flooded last week, that is — but it wasn't until Shipshape Cargo Co. broke into the whole Turf War shtick that this idea just... arose through spontaneous generation; Squid Athena being birthed, fully formed, from her own skull. I mean, like, this new battleground floats through the remains of the polar ice caps — in essence, the impetus of both humanity's extinction and the Great Turf War, now used for a mundane cargo route and commercialized inkspewing. Don't you think that's oddly messed up? Q: Couldn't say. Anyway: there seems to be some degree of curiousity regarding a sample used around the one-minute mark. Any remarks? Hiddock: From a demo tape we found. Lost media; fit the theme. You wouldn't believe if we told you how we got it. Deryn: [fervent babble; no less comprensible] Q: I... don't believe she was even invited to this interview. How, uh... why is your bassist present? Hiddock: Well, "present" isn't... the word I would use. She's here, certainly. St. Tuna Piano: She comes n' goes as she pleases. Sorry if she touches anythin', 'er hands get all sticky. Q: Yes, but where did she come from? St. Tuna Piano: Same place anyone does, I 'xpect. Hiddock: Under a bridge. St. Tuna Piano (abruptly): Don't worry about it. We, eh, take care of her. Or somethin'.
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(sample source list can be found on my Youtube)
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undercoveravenger · 6 months
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Hearts Aflame
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Pairing: Peeta x Fire spirit!Male!Reader
Requested: Yes
Request: “Peeta bakes and meets a fire spirit who falls for him”
A/N: Happy Halloween! Here’s part 1 of your Halloween surprise, though there’s more to come. Hope you enjoy!
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Peeta had always been afraid of the basement in his parents’ house- dark and dingy and always a bit cold despite the fire raging away in the bulky furnace in the corner. Mostly though, he was afraid of whatever lurked within the flames in the furnace. He’d seen it once when he was a kid, glowing golden eyes watching him through the swirls of fire, only just able to make out the edges of the figure as it stepped forward, holding out a hand like it was going to get him. He’d turned and ran then, running away up the stairs and bolting the door behind him. Ever since then, he had done everything he could to avoid going back into the basement- offering to do his brothers’ chores in exchange to get one of them to go down there instead of him, hiding and enduring his parents’ punishments when he was found to get out of it. 
Now though, with District 12 in ruins and little but the foundations left of many of the homes of the village, he’s left waist deep in rubble and debris trying to take stock of what was salvageable and what would need to be completely rebuilt. He’s faced worse in the last year and a half of his life than what he thought he saw when he was little, so as much as unease is beginning to build in his stomach, he presses on, hefting charred beams out of the way as he tries to unearth what’s left of his family’s home.
His heart lurches in his chest as he moves a couple of splintered beams out of the way and reveals that same old furnace, the big glass window in the door spiderwebbed with cracks but otherwise unchanged. The fire inside had long gone out, but even still Peeta could see a faint glow from a couple of lightly burning embers. 
Almost without conscious thought, his fingers drift to the handle of the furnace. The cold metal bites into his hand just enough to get him to hesitate, but the promise of confronting his old fear has him pressing on, twisting the heavy metal handle and wrenching the door open. The gust of fresh air rushes over the coals, sending sparks skittering throughout the furnace and the few coals that had a bit of heat left flare up, shooting from the dim red they’d been glowing to a brighter gold and he can feel a bit of heat coming off of them now. 
As Peeta watches, something shifts within the waves of heat emanating off of the coals, shifting and rising from the pile of ashes to coalesce into something more tangible. It starts to take shape as it’s exposed to the air, smoke and sparks and flame cooling and hardening over into skin and hair and admittedly handsome features, completed by those glowing golden eyes that Peeta had remembered from all those years ago. 
The spirit steps forward, emerging from the furnace for the first time that Peeta knows about, standing tall before him with squared shoulders and a bright grin, and looking very nearly human for all that Peeta knows that he isn’t.
“Thank you,” the spirit says, voice low and warm like a fire crackling lowly in the hearth on a cold day. Comforting in a way you wouldn’t really think about but can’t help recognizing. “For freeing me.”
Peeta blinks then, startled by the calmness of the creature he’d feared all these years. “You were… trapped in there?”
He nods slowly, the glow in his eyes dimming to a soft (e/c) and Peeta really can’t find it in himself to be intimidated any longer, despite the creature’s power. “I was. I made a deal decades ago to help your father’s father succeed and he double-crossed me. I’d been there ever since, until you let me out.” 
“I’m sorry,” Peeta says because he can’t really think of anything else that he can say. “I’m sorry that I didn’t help you sooner.”
The spirit shrugs, bright grin sparking back to life and the spark in his eyes reigniting, “You didn’t know, I can’t hold it against you.” He takes a look around then, seemingly fascinated by all the changes from the last time he’d seen the outside world. He turns back to look at Peeta then, grinning softly as he takes Peeta’s hand in his, “There’s things that need taken care of now that I’m free, but I can assure you, this won’t be the last you see of me Peeta,” he presses a soft kiss to the back of Peeta’s knuckles and seems to spark along the edges of his figure, the firm outline of him breaking apart into little wisps and sparks of fire before Peeta’s eyes as he starts to dissipate, flaking away until all that’s left of the spirit are those glowing eyes, and then even those extinguish.
Feeling a little foolish for being afraid of the fire spirit all this time, Peeta finds himself hoping that he’ll keep his promise as he returns to his work.
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hidden-poet · 2 months
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S. lands on top: chapter 4
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summary: Coriolanus returns home to the Capital with two women from district 12 plaguing his mind. One a (presumed) dead mystery but another well within his reach.
warnings: unco, dark!Coriolanus, possessive!Corirlanus, Dark themes, mentions of death, she/her pronouns, kidnapping, violence, somnophilia.
Editor: @hotline-to-hell
chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Next chapter
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S. lands on top; 4
Strabo Plinth was waiting for Coriolanus as he exited his university class. 
“Mr. Plinth, sir,” Coriolanus greeted, his voice carrying his annoyance. 
“Coriolanus,” the older man returns, placing a hand on Coriolanus’ shoulder and propelling him forward out of the crowd of his peers. 
“We haven’t seen you in a while. Mrs. Plinth was asking about you.”
“I’ve been busy, sir, with University.” 
More, in truth, with Mabel. 
“Of course, but perhaps you could manage dinner on Saturday night. We promise not to keep you long.” 
Coriolanus swallows his distaste. He hated being at the beck and call of district blood. Now that he was a Gamemaker, he earnt a decent wage and could afford to distance himself from the Plinths. But Strabo Plinth offered far more than money. He was a powerful ally to have in Coriolanus' corner.
So he smiles at the older man and doesn’t jerk from his touch. 
“Why don’t you and Ma come up to our penthouse Saturday? There’s someone I would like you to meet.” 
It would be a good opportunity to test Mabel’s training on people who don’t really matter.
Strabo seemed pleased with the news, and confirmed that both him and his wife would be there. He finishes his sentence with ‘son’ and Coriolanus couldn’t help but flinch. 
—--
With Reaping Day coming up, Coriolanus and the other Gamemakers were working overtime to get everything organized on time. 
It frustrated him to no end. Dr. Gaul had already set him an impossible target and now she was shortening the deadline. 
He had been forced to authorize a heavy hand with Mrs. Fox. Mabel’s hands were often red and sore from the cane by the time he came home, but her temper flared bright still. 
She was a dog with teeth and he was yet to get her to eat from the palm of his hand. 
She loved a challenge, but so did he. 
By the time he got home, the house was dark and quiet. Normally Tigris would sit up and wait but she wasn’t talking to Coriolanus much these days. Another problem that would be solved the second Mabel learned to submit. 
Coriolanus finds his way to his bedroom and locks the door behind him. 
He could see Mabel’s outline on the bed as he dropped his bag by his desk. He isn’t quiet as pulls his pajamas from the drawer, and heads to the bathroom. He hears Mabel move as he switches on the light in the bathroom, he turns back to see if she had woken. 
She had not but the sight before him struck a match. 
She was back in his top and underwear. Her soft hair seemed to shine with its new care and was sprawled around her. Long locks curled on her shoulder towards her breasts. She laid on her back as if she was showcasing her beauty to Coriolanus. Her neck stretched out to him as her head rolled to one side. Her legs slightly parted as one rested on the pillow she used as a barrier. Pretty pink lips and long eyelashes called out to him, taunting him, ‘You can look but you can’t touch’. But why couldn’t he? He owned her now. He was soon to own Panem. 
He drops his pajamas and crawls on the bed over her. She doesn’t wake from his presence, and he takes it as a go-ahead to unbutton her top. The cold air does wake her. She instantly knows what he’s doing and screams for Tigris. 
Covering her mouth with his hand, he brings his lips down to her ear, “Shh, don’t wake the house.”
She screams into his hand and he removes it to backhand her. She lets out a moan of pain, but nothing more. 
He is rougher with his movements, yanking the shirt off her shoulders and pulling her up by the neck to get rid of it completely. He uses both hands to pull her pants off her ankles before returning. 
“Get the fuck off me!” she yells and he covers her mouth once more. 
“You’ve cost me quite a bit of money these last few weeks. Your governess, the peacekeepers, food, chocolates.” 
His hand lowers to rub circles over her sex. 
“You should really thank me.” 
Her hips buck at his touch. She was no virgin and knew of the release Coriolanus was offering. 
He presses his lips down against hers harshly. It was their first kiss and it was intoxicating. She doesn’t kiss back but makes no move to hinder his kiss. His hand goes back over her lips when he’s done and he undresses himself one-handedly. 
He tries not to hurt her as he clumsily tears his clothes off but as she wiggles and fights under him, he is forced to press her back into the mattress with his elbows and knees. 
He presses his naked body down on Mabel to stop her from wiggling. His strong fingers grip over her mouth and her nails claw into his shoulders, trying to hurt him. 
“Put your hands on the headboard,” he demands. 
She brings them up to his neck and digs in. 
“Headboard,” he repeats with a firm twist of her hair. 
She does put them up, curling her little fingers around the rich material. 
One day, when everything was settled, he was going to take his time exploring every inch of Mabel. But for right now, he just needed to reach the end goal. 
He inserts a finger into her to pleasantly find she was wet. His eyes darted up to her at the sensation. 
She had chosen to close her eyes. He takes it as another victory. 
He breaches her entrance with his finger but never fully enters. Just pushes his finger back and forth. 
“Let see, your governess is on a thousand panem an hour and you districts make only one panem an hour. Add that to all the chocolate you eat, and well, you’ll be laying down, taking my cock for a while to come.” 
In anger, she lowers her hand to give his curls a harsh pull. He slaps her thigh in retaliation. 
“Keep your hands on the headboard.” 
She places them back on the headboard.
He used to imagine sneaking out the back of the Hob with Mabel like he watched her do with so many other men. This was better. 
She tossed those men aside when she was done. Never to be spoken about again. 
Here, the only man who would touch her would be him. 
He lines himself up with her and pushes himself as far as he could go. She arches her back at the feeling of him inside her. With a hand over her mouth, he begins to thrust into her. He could feel her lips part under his hand in quiet moans. She used her feet to push back at his hips but it was a half-hearted effort at the least. 
He reaches up to the headboard and clamps one of his hands down on hers ensuring that it stays there. His thrusts are hard and fast.  
He hits a particular spot and her hips buck. 
“You like it there?” he targets the same location. Her hands grapple the headboard almost as a praise. 
“Bet those boys in 12 never fucked you like this. Never gave you the proper attention you deserve.” 
She said something into his hand but it was muffled and surly from her lust. 
Her breathing hitches as the pleasure builds, he can feel her little puffs of air fall on the skin of his hand. Giving her the full treatment, he lowers his hands and rubs two fingers over her clit. She jumps and whines from the attention. It was better than any song Lucy Gray ever sang. 
Between his thrusting and his fingering, she came within seconds. 
He lets out an unintended moan as she clenches around him. Her fight returns as her orgasm is flushed from her and she begins to wiggle underneath him. 
He barrows down again in retaliation, so she was forced to lie there and take it. He shows her mercy by taking away his hand and using it to hold her hips in place.
“You’re used to taking charge, aren’t you? Once you’ve had your fill, you would toss them aside without theirs. Rude girl.” 
She throws her head back and his hand follows as his thrusts become painful. When she lowers her hands to his arms without permission, he doesn’t mind. 
His head spun. For the first moment since childhood, he was living in the present and not plotting and scheming for the future. 
Heavy pants accompanied his thrusts as the hard and fast movements worked his body.
He lowers his head to her neck as he feels his end coming. The position meant his lips were pressed against her collarbone as he came inside her. His hips buck weakly a few times at the end to ensure that he had fully emptied himself. 
Coriolanus rolls off her and into his side of the bed. 
She lays there as Coriolanus’ cum drips out of her, deathly still while he pants breathlessly. 
She doesn’t say anything as she rises and takes Coriolanus’ shower, slamming the door behind her. 
The next morning he rose in good spirits. After so long he finally got a taste of Mabel. He was right to say she was addictive. Still, he didn’t want children running around his feet. He had only just got her. He rang down for Profeous, a pill that worked within a 24-hour time frame to ensure that nothing stuck. 
It was delivered with his morning paper. Mabel was still not up yet. He doubted she went to sleep until the early hours of the morning. It wasn’t his problem, he needed her to get up now, take the pill, and have some breakfast. She could nap later on. 
He brings her the pill and a cup of water. 
She lay curled into a ball on her side. He shook her until she unrolled herself. 
She sat up, with her eyes stuck together from sleep. She won the battle against them and looked at Coriolanus sitting on the end of the bed. 
“Good morning,” he greets, holding out his palm with the little white pill. 
“What is it?” she asks. 
“It’ll stop you from getting pregnant.” 
She snatches it off him and downs it without water. He places a hand on her shoulder as he leans over to place the cup of water on the bedside table. 
“Don’t fucking touch me,” she brushes his hand off. 
“You didn’t seem to mind me touching you last night.” 
She glares at him with a fury that doesn’t suit her beauty. 
“That had nothing to do with you.” 
“That had everything to do with me.” he cockily replies. 
“It’s a natural reaction. God's gift to any man who can find the clitoris.” 
She takes the water off the table and gulps it down. 
“I knew you were going to,” she admits softly. 
“Well, you’re not stupid”. 
“So that’s how it will be now? It’s begun.” She rested her head against the cool glass as she spoke. Before regaining herself and placing the glass bedside table, forfeiting her comfort in an effort to seem more put together. 
“Sex doesn’t scare me,” she remarks. 
“It’s not supposed to.”  
“You can’t use it to break me.” 
He places a hand on her thigh in comfort. She tenses under it but doesn’t move it off her to show him that intimacy couldn’t be used as a weapon. 
“Mabel, your life here can be comfortable or it can be very uncomfortable for you. Sex can be something enjoyable for both of us, or it can just be enjoyable for me. You can have food and clothes and as much chocolate as you can eat.” 
“So long as I open my legs,” she had a habit of interrupting him that he had yet to break. 
“And keep your mouth shut.” 
He gets up from the bed, shoving his hands in his pocket and standing above her. 
“There’s a dinner on Saturday night where you will be presented to the Plinths. A trial run for you to show me that you can learn your place here in the Capitol.” 
“My place as you captive,” she bit. He yanks her chin up to him, 
“Your place as my pet.” 
She glares at him. 
“My little lap dog,” he mocks, releasing her.
Intimacy didn’t scare her, the loss of independence did. 
—————-
Coriolanus spent his Saturday completing an assignment that wasn’t due for another two weeks. But the quicker he got school out of the way the more he could focus on Mabel. 
He hid at his writing desk, penning the paper while Mabel sat with Tigris in the living room sewing.
He had left the door open to hear any commotion but he only heard laughter and the occasional scolding of Grandma’am. 
The night was fast approaching and he still had to organize the meal for tonight. Despite being district, Strabo had particular tastes that he demanded to be catered to. 
He sighs as he places his pen back in its holder. Two assignments down, four to go. 
Coriolanus rises from his chair and heads to the living room to organize dinner with the chef.
Mabel paid him no mind as he entered the room. She makes a point to not look at him but continue her sewing as if he wasn’t there. 
He plays the same game as he continues his way to the kitchen and calls down for the chef to be brought up. 
While waiting in the living room for the chef, Coriolanus calls for Tigris. Mabel doesn’t turn at the sound of his voice but Tigris scurries over to him. 
He produces two tickets from his pocket and passes them to her. 
“I’ve made dinner reservations at the Venezia at 6 and requested a lounge with Pluribus at his nightclub for after the Opera.”
“Opera?” Tigris checks the dates of the tickets, “Tonight!”
“For Grandma’am and you”. 
She eyes Coriolanus suspiciously. 
“I’m not so sure, Coryo.” 
“Mabel will be fine here with me.”
“She’s been funny recently. Quite. I don’t think I should leave her.” 
“You leave her every day, Tigris, when you go to work,” he flicks the tickets in her hands, “Besides I’ve already told Grandma’am that you’re taking her.” 
There’s a knock at the door from the chef and Coriolanus pats Tigris on the shoulder as he leaves. 
He passes the living room, crossing directly where Mabel sat but she still refused to look at him. 
—----------------
Coriolanus digs in Tigris’ closet while Mabel was taking a shower. No dress was up to his standard. He wanted something that let Mabel’s beauty speak for itself. Tigris hid behind her clothes. They were all too colorful. Too eccentric. Nothing Mabel wouldn’t drown in. 
His hands went still over a simple black evening gown with a sweetheart neckline and small cap sleeves. He takes it for Mabel along with Tigris’ makeup bag off her vanity and brings it to his room with the dress. Still hearing the shower running, he leaves the items on the end of the bed and joins Mabel in the shower, leaving a trail of clothes as he strips. 
She gives no reaction to him. Showers together were a regular occurrence. 
He picks up the scented soap and lathers it over her body. 
“I’ve put a dress on the end of the bed for you. And some makeup. Do you know how to use it?”
She grabs the soap off him and distances her. 
“We had makeup in District 12.”  
She goes to pass him out of the shower but he catches her arm and pulls her back under the stream. 
“Nothing clownish. Keep it simple. And mind your manners tonight. Plinth doesn’t take disrespect easily.”
Coriolanus leaves the shower first to prepare himself. He brushes and dries his curls into submission. Rubs an expensive cream into his skin to give it a healthy, glowy look and then hunts in his closet for something to match Mabel. He knew he had a black suit that had dark patterned printing on it. But amongst his many clothes, it was difficult to locate. 
When he finally locates it, Mabel had already dressed and begun styling her hair and makeup. He could hear her behind him as he then went to find the perfect pair of shoes to match. 
She hums as she does her makeup, finding joy in once again dressing up.
It was nearly time for the Plinths to come up from their apartment just below. They had brought the floor below the penthouse to stay close to Coriolanus after the death of their son. They latched on to him quickly when he returned home. Replacing the hole Sirjanus left before it bled too much. At first, Coriolanus relished in the attention and the money. But as he rose in society, they got in his way more often than not. 
While Strabo was often an ally, one that Coriolanus was surprised to find had a lot in common with, Ma was a hindrance. Her outdated fashion despite her money, and her babying of Coriolanus in public made it almost not worth the connection to her husband. But all people still had their use. She had brought him the suit he now wore. 
The jacket buttoned upon his right shoulder, giving the suit an almost military feeling. 
He turns around to see Mabel putting on her red lipstick using a small standing mirror. She looked stunning. Her dress was tight upon her body, exemplifying her curves and pushing up her small breasts. She pinned her hair up in a loose bun and followed his instructions on the minimalistic makeup.  
His breathing hitched looking at her. He thought she was beautiful as district scum, he had no idea how beautiful she could be as a Capitol debutante. 
She catches him staring in the mirror and tosses her lipstick down. 
“They’ll be here soon. It’s custom to wait in the living room.”
She rises and spins for him.
“Happy?”
“You look fine,” he dismisses but a glint in her eye tells him she knew how good she looked. 
The doorbell rings as soon as they reach the living room.”
“For a party of a higher standing, we would have servants answer the door. Being as the Plinths are close family friends, I will answer,” he spoke as he walked to the door. 
As soon as it opened, a short woman in a dark green skirt suit popped in. 
“Coryo!” Mrs. Plinth croons and he bends down to her level so she can plant a kiss on his cheek, “We’ve missed you horribly!” 
“I’ve been busy, Ma. With school and work.”
“You mustn't work too hard,” the older lady looks concerned at Coriolanus' schedule. Her eyes softened at his before they caught Mabel out of her peripheral vision.
“Oh dear,” Mr. Plinth had not told her about the special someone Coriolanus wanted them to meet and was surprised to see Mabel standing in the living room. Mr. Plinth smiles as he lingers behind his wife, holding a plate of food. It was a pleasant surprise, one that he knew would make Ma happy.
“Hello,” Mabel greets politely. 
Ma was happy with the surprise, grinning from ear to ear as she walked towards Mabel. 
“My, aren’t you pretty!” Ma compliments. 
“That’s very kind of you,” Mabel returned humbly, “I’m Mabel.” 
Ma pulls Mabel down into a hug, “I am Ma. You can call me Ma!”
Mabel instantly warmed to Ma the same way she warmed to Tigris. Still, Mabel had not passed any test. Impressing Ma was hardly a feat. 
Strabo follows Coriolanus to the living room and holds out the hand that was not carrying a plate. It engulfed Mabel's entire hand as they shook. 
“Strabo Plinth.”
Mabel nods her head back. Coriolanus noticed an instant shift in her demeanor as he approached. 
Her sassy mouth shut, her shoulders dropped, and she kept her head slightly down. 
Coriolanus felt jealous that he did not have the same effect on her. He wondered if it was Strabo’s dark features or large frame that he did not have that produced such a result. 
“Coriolanus never mentioned you.” He could see Strabo drinking Mabel in. He eyes her hungrily as he stands next to his wife. They cloud with darkness, and Coriolanus feels a certain pride. He had what others wanted. The boy in the too-tight shoes came out on top. Snow came out on top.
“He never mentioned me to me either.” Coriolanus’ fingers balled into a fist at her jab. The Plinths looked perplexed at her answer, sharing a glance between them. 
“Can I take that?” Mabel quickly moves on, taking the plate out of Mr Plinth's hands. She uncovers the cloth wrap and looks up in excitement. 
“Are these rock cakes?”
Mrs Plinth laughs, “Yes. You know them?”
“My mother makes them for every birthday.”
Mrs. Plinth looks fondly upon the girl, “My mother used to as well.”
“I’ll put these in the kitchen for later.” 
Coriolanus grabs her arm to stop her from going. Her first fail of the night. 
“Ring the bell and have the maid come out. You don’t enter the kitchen when guests have arrived.” 
Mabel huffs but does as she is told. “There are so many rules in the Capitol. It’s hard to keep up.” Mabel talks squarely to Ma who stands surprised. 
“Yes,” she agrees in a soft voice, “I had trouble at first too.”
“You’re not Capitol?” Mr. Plinth cuts straight to the chase. 
“You’re not Capitol?” Mabel shoots back. 
“Yes,” Ma answered at the same time as Mr. Plinth answered “No.” 
“No,” Mr. Plinth reiterates, “Not anymore.”
Coriolanus finds this time to intervene, “The same is to be said about Mabel.” 
He snakes an arm around her waist and pulls her closer to him. 
“Mabel lives here now. In the Capitol.” 
The maid enters the room and Coriolanus takes the plate off Mabel and passes it to her. 
“Bring it back out with dessert,” he instructs. She bows in response and takes back off into the kitchen. 
“Goodness, what a surprise,” Ma couldn’t hide the look of shock off her face.
“Coriolanus, perhaps it is best if we continue with dinner.” The man puts his hand on his wife's back and urges her forward. She sits at his side and Coriolanus follows suit, pushing Mabel to the table. 
He rings the bell and the first course is brought out. Mabel smiles at the familiar maid but it is not returned. 
“What district are you from?”
“I told you before that we are not district.” Strabo had started to eat his meal and did not look up as he spoke.
Ma sighs answering the question, “We are from District 2.” 
“Oh! I went there once with my father. When they needed workers for the railway developments.”
Just as Coriolanus went to reprimand her, Strabo slams his fist down on the table. 
“No more talk of districts. Eat your food and be quiet.” 
Coriolanus could see a glimmer run across Mabel's eyes. He hoped she could contain it before she embarrassed him. 
“So Coryo,” Ma began, “How’s school going?” 
“I hear you're top of the class,” Strabo added. 
“Yes, sir. Although there is not much competition. Most of the students pay for their place in the university rather than earn it.”
“Have you made any friends yet?” Ma often got Coriolanus confused with Sejanus. Coriolanus was friends with everyone, or at least enough to be able to call upon them for a favor. However, if he said yes, it would start a line of relentless questions. 
“It is difficult with work. I miss a lot of the social events, and I often leave straight after the lecturer has finished.” 
Ma looks upon him with undeserved sympathy. The maid returns from the kitchen with champagne and pours out the glasses. 
“How is work going, Coryo? Dr. Gaul is not too hard on you, I hope.” Ma asks almost meekly. 
She hated that he had followed Dr. Gaul as a  Game maker. She tried for months to pressure Coriolanus into the family business, but he needed to separate himself from the Plinths as much as possible. 
Coriolanus smiles politely back at her, “Fine, Ma.” 
“Oh that’s good,” she answers, taking a bite of her entree. 
“You know, you don’t have to study and work. If you want to focus more on your studies, we would be happy to increase your allowance.” The Plinths had offered several times, to the point the conversation had become dull. 
His allowance was far more than he could spend anyway. He worked to separate himself from the Plinth fortune. One day because of his work and education, he would be president. 
“I like the challenge,” Coriolanus contends. 
“What do you do for work?” Mabel asks. He realized that Mabel doesn’t know a thing about him. 
Coriolanus hesitated to say ‘Gamemaker’. She was in a relatively settled mood. It was sure to disrupt that. 
“I work for Dr. Gaul,” he says instead. 
“Doing what?” she pushes back.
An awkward silence crosses the table.
“Oh, something bad.” she guessed. 
“Mabel, we are having dinner. Eat it or I’ll take it back.” He reaches out under the table and squeezes her thigh in warning. 
“Mabel, what a beautiful dress you are wearing.” Ma was trying to save the night and Coriolanus mentally thanked her for it. 
“Thank you, Ma. So Coryo, do you kick puppies or rip blankets off sick children?”
Coriolanus passes Mabel's plate back to the Maid waiting by the wall to serve drinks. She takes it from him and returns it to the kitchen. 
Strabo gives Coriolanus a head nod of approval. 
Ma clears her throat, “Truly a beautiful dress. Is it one of Tigris’ designs?” 
Mabel nods her head.
“You look fantastic in it.” Strabo comments. 
“And what do you do Mr. Plinth? To earn such respect from Coriolanus?”  Mabel ignores his compliment.
“I am a weapons manufacturer,” Strabo eats quickly. 
She turns to Coriolanus with a glare, “What do you do?” 
“Ma,” Coriolanus ignores her and focuses his attention on his guests, “How’s volunteering at the hospital?” 
Mabel stews over what it could be. While Coriolanus stews over Mabel’s conversation etiquette.  He could not have her talking like that in front of Dr. Gaul, she would be sure to demand Mabel’s tongue. 
He takes her wrists in a tight hold as a warning as he eats and listens to Ma prattle on. 
The first course was done and the plates were cold and empty as Ma finished her tales of working in the hospital. 
Coriolanus offers her a smile as he rings the bell for the next course. It was ready and waiting, coming out almost as soon as the bell was heard. 
Mabel’s servant friend goes to place the dish in front of her but Coriolanus waves it off. 
Mabel looks at him annoyed but doesn’t say anything. Neither do the Plinths. 
They eat in silence while Mabel sits looking at them. 
There was no bread on the table for her to even pick at. 
“Hm, this is good,” Ma tried to break the tension but her cheeks flushed at her words, “Oh I am sorry Mabel. I didn’t-” 
Mabel laughs as if she thought it was funny and Ma unshrinks from herself. 
Her laughing sets the mood of the night back on track and Coriolanus mentally praises himself for making the correct choice to withhold dinner from her. 
Polite conversation passes around the table. Mabel even uses some of the questions and responses learned from her governess. 
He felt proud of his girl. Maybe she would impress Dr. Gaul on reaping day. Maybe Coriolanus was ready to be hailed president of Panem. 
The servants come back and the girl holds the dish of the balled sugar bread known as rock cakes. 
She was silently asking if she was to put it down. 
Coriolanus stares still deciding. 
“Oh Coriolanus, surely she can have dessert. She said rock cakes are her favorite.” Ma pleads. 
“Don’t spoil the girl. She still has lots to learn.” Strabo interjects. 
The decision lay with Coriolanus who allows her to have just one. 
She looked pleased with the decision and it helped to settle her into a better mood. She ate with her hands which would have earned a scolding from Coriolanus if Ma also wasn’t forgoing her utensils. 
He and Strabo choose the cheesecake on offer. 
“If you're free any day Mabel, you should come down to our apartment and I’ll show you how to make them.” 
Mabel perked up at the news but Coriolanus was not pleased with the offer. 
“Maybe once Mabel has settled.” He was quick to respond before Mabel could accept. 
“Oh, of course. There is no rush.” 
Mabel quickly finishes her cake and reaches for another from the plate in the middle. Coriolanus intercepts it and throws it back. 
She huffs but accepts he was serious about only allowing one. 
Strabo finishes his last bite and snaps at the wait staff to take it. 
“Strabo!” his wife chastises.
Another maid brings out a tray of tea and places it in the living room. She takes a small silver box off the tray and brings it over to Coriolanus. She opens the box in front of him showing the cigars. 
He turns to Mabel explaining, “You and Ma will go to the living room now to have tea. Mr. Plinth and I will have our cigars, and join you later on.” 
“I am not one to argue.” Mabel jests, holding out her hand across the table for Ma, who gladly takes it. 
The women were happy together in the living room where the conversation was lighter. Mr. Plinth had moved to take Mabel’s seat next to Coriolanus so they could talk privately. 
“She’s gorgeous. I can see why you sent for her.” Strabo comments. 
“She knows it too. Far too sassy for her own good”. He felt this information was safe with Strabo. 
“Yes. I picked up on that. She needs a strong hand.” 
“Well I am trying, sir, but it’s a fine line between dampening her spirit and extinguishing it completely.” 
Strabo flicks the ash from his cigar into the tray, looking solemnly down at it. 
“I always wondered what would’ve happened if I got Sejanus a woman, if maybe it would’ve refocused his attention,” his eyes flick back to Coriolanus, “A woman like Mabel would have done him wonders I think.” 
Coriolanus felt jealous at just the thought. Sejanus wouldn’t have been able to control Mabel. She would have ended up the family’s avox, eating Ma’s custard. 
But verbally he agreed with Strabo. 
The talk changed to new developments in weaponry and Coriolanus’ teachers that Strabo knew. 
The cigars finished before the tea. The women were too busy talking to finish their cups. 
Mabel had no trouble in conversation with people she deemed worthy of it. 
The men join the living room conversation. 
Strabo went to stand behind his wife and placed a loving hand on her shoulder. 
After Coriolanus poured Ma another cup of tea, he copied Strabo by standing behind Mabel and placing a hand on the back of her neck. She jumps away from him. 
It was not a good look in front of the Plinths and Coriolanus wanted to smack her for embarrassing him but he restrained himself. 
Strabo took it upon himself to compel Mabel into a better attitude. He moves from his wife towards Mabel. 
Strabo takes her shoulders into his hands and rubs up and down her arms. 
“I know how scared you must be. Capitol life can be a tough adjustment. If you ever need anything to help you here. You just let us know.” 
Mabel tore free from his hold, a look of disgust upon her face. 
“Help? From a man who killed his own people for scraps at the Capitol table? I’d rather lay with dogs than take that company.” 
Coriolanus groans at her words. Strabo Plinth was not a man to cross. 
“Oh!” Ma had a hard time with the subject of money and how they required theirs. Her eyes filled with tears and she choked as her throat closed up. 
Mabel reaches out to comfort her, but Ma is taken into the hold of Strabo who demands she go back down to their apartment. 
He leads her to the door, ensuring she gets into the elevator before coming back inside. 
Coriolanus held Mabel’s arm in a tight grip as he scolded her for her behavior. 
Strabo pulled her from Coriolanus and struck Mabel across the face with such force that it knocked her to the ground. 
“Learn what my son did not; submit to the ways of the Capitol or die.”
Mabel glares up at him from the floor, “I’ll tell him you said hello.” 
Before Coriolanus could stop him, Strabo had her by the throat.
‘‘Do you think your beauty will save you?” 
“Strabo,” Coriolanus calls, grabbing the man by the shoulders and pulling him away. It was the first time he had ever used the man's name. 
Mabel gasps for air on the floor.
“I think my beauty will get me killed,” she heaved out. 
Strabo shoves Coriolanus off and straightens back into his sophisticated demeanor. 
“Coriolanus. I am sorry.” Strabo apologizes, “She wasn’t mine to correct”.
“Your wife is waiting for you, Mr. Plinth”, Coriolanus takes the older man to the door by his shoulder, leaving Mabel on the floor. 
Coriolanus closes the door behind them and Strabo turns to him once more. 
“I am not sure what came over me.” 
Coriolanus looks at him bored. It was hardly surprising that Mr. Plinth was a violent man. In so many ways Coriolanus felt understood by Strabo. They could have been father and son in another lifetime. But if they had been, Coriolanus never would have been sent to District 12 and Mabel never would have caught his eye. 
“I apologize for Mabel’s behavior. She was out of line with her comments.”
Strabo nods his head, looking down at his shoes.
“I would prefer it if you didn’t marry her,” Strabo addressed, “You could see how it would reflect upon us.” 
Coriolanus fixed the cuff of his shirt. There would be nothing worse for his reputation than to play son to district-born Plinths and then go and marry a district-born girl. 
“No one will know she is from the districts. I plan to introduce her as a long-lost heiress.” 
“A long lost heiress,” Strabo scoffs, “She’s more district than I am.”
His movements are rash as he pulls on the flaps of his jacket.
“For now. She improves daily.” 
“I thought the same thing about Sejanus and now look where he is.”
He presses the button to the private elevator down to their apartment, “My son would have really liked her.”
There was truth in that comment. Their willful and unshakable values would have made them fast friends. 
“Goodnight, Coriolanus.” Strabo bid entering the elevator. 
“Goodnight, Mr. Plinth”. 
Coriolanus enters back into the apartment to find Mabel had moved off the floor. The experiment had failed and Coriolanus found himself disheartened. She didn’t have long left until the reaping.
He storms to find her in their room. She sat at his desk and tore the pins out of her hair, angrily. 
He takes hold of her ear and pushes her against the wall where he could pin her. 
“Anyone else and your actions would have got you killed tonight.” 
“I don’t care.” 
“I care,” he foolishly admits. 
He pushes off the wall to take off his belt. Spinning Mabel around to face the wall, he lays the belt across her back. 
She yelps as it comes down. The staff in the kitchen would be able to hear her but Coriolanus was so angry with her that appearances didn’t matter. 
He didn’t stop until she was sobbing so hard, it interfered with her breathing. 
“I want you to write an apology to the Plinths before you go to bed.”
Mabel wipes the tears from her face.
“Yes, Coryo.” she bit out. 
With only two weeks before the Reaping, Mabel was nowhere near ready to meet Dr Gaul. 
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anemptypuddingcup · 10 months
Text
An angel in the camera.
Sanji x Female Reader. Smut.
Yeahh this is gonna be a four part series with an alternate ending, my bad.
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
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Contains: A fluffier part before we get to the smutty end. Reader and Sanji finally meeting. Sanji being a shy man. Reader shopping for clothes for Sanji. There’s a bit of timeskipping in multiple events. Just a sweet little shopping date before we get to the major point. Abrupt ending. I personally think the writing’s a bit sloppy but it’s alright..
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“Y-YOU’RE SO PRETTY SANJI!”
Sanji could only stare at you in shock as he heard such words leave your lips. He was flattered, genuinely flattered at your words, words from a pretty girl that he’d never thought would reach his ears. His face slowly begins to turn a deep red as you stared at him in awe and out of love.
Out of all the pretty women who’s called him a pervert they now could never pair up to you. Your sweet compliments caused him to flare up and you noticed that he started to go quiet again. “Sanjiii! Sanji? Everything alright?” You called out to him. He slowly looks back at his screen and smiles. “T-Thank you love…” He says quietly, not knowing how to take all of your compliments and such. You tilt you head before smiling softly to him.
It was saddening when you both had to end the private show due to how late it was getting. You both were sleepy from how much you overexerted yourselves, but you promised to call the next morning.
The constant thoughts of your compliments and moans ran through Sanji’s mind that he couldn’t help but to continue fisting his cock afterwards. Feeling such a way for a woman was normal but this felt different to him because the woman he actually liked loves him back. He was impatient now. He wanted to see you, touch you and kiss you. Physical contact of your bare body against his would be a dream come true for him.
The next morning you called and he answered.
You both couldn’t stop complimenting each other and giggling to each other, after all you both did like each other. The only thing that was sitting between you both was meeting up together. Sanji proposed a little date the next day at a shopping district that was actually really close to you.
“Honey, there’s a shopping district where I would just love to take you!~”
“If only I lived closer to you, I would’ve loved to go with you Sanjiii~”
“They have fresh ingredients down there too, I could make you something so exquisite…”
“YOU CAN COOK!?”
“Of course love, It’s a passion I have. I enjoy cooking and I most certainly would love to cook something so nice for you one day~”
“Hmm, well what’s the name of the district? It could be the same as mine…”
He tells you and you’re baffled. The name of the district happened to be the same name of the one by you, and that thought alone made you tremble. By some miracle, It was apparent that you both lived in the same city meaning Sanji was really fucking close to you. You didn’t turn his date down at all and he was ecstatic for it.
You both really couldn’t wait the next day over, how could you when you just figured out that you both live in the same city with the same scenery. You couldn’t let the thought leave your mind due to the excitement of finally meet the man you liked. You didn’t think that something such as this could actually happen.
***
It was a warmer afternoon though too warm for the sun setting in the distance. Sanji tried his best to stay there and stay still as he inhaled from his cigarette and exhaled heavily out of excitement and anticipation. He was ready to see you and he just really couldn’t wait.
“Sanji!”
Sanji’s eyes widens as he hears your voice behind himself. He quickly turns around and his eyes glance around before they land on your pretty face. Sanji’s heart began thumping heavily within his chest as he didn’t know what the hell he wanted to do. “O-Oh! Sweetheart!” He smiles widely and holds his arms out before you jump into them, smiling happily. The first thing that hits Sanji is your sweet scent from the perfume you were wearing.
He trembles against you and he suddenly feels himself growing eager and needy, but he had to keep it to himself and he quickly holds himself back. “Y-You look so beautiful love~ S-So pretty…” Sanji complimented, a loving sigh leaving his lips before he puffs smoke from his cigarette.
He takes a good look at you and even though he’s already seen your body, he couldn’t help but blush as he stared at your curves in your cute little outfit.
You look up at him with a wide and happy smile spread across your face. “Y-You’re pretty too Sanji! You smell so nice~” You say before pulling away from him. He chuckles before holding his hand out to you. “Shall we sweetheart?” He asks. You grasp his and and giggle, his hand so soft against yours. His face grew a deep red as he felt your hand against his and he grew closer to just bursting.
“A-Ah, since we’re generally here in front of each other…What’s your name darling?” He asked, curious for your name. “My name is ________.” You say shyly, a bit of blush covering your face. “Beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” Sanji whispers, a bit of blush dusting his cute little face. You blush deeply from his compliment, you couldn’t stop smiling from his sweet compliments. “Thank you Sanji~” You thanked him before scooting closer to him.
He gives you little lovestruck look as your pretty facial expression shot him right through the heart. His hand trembles into yours as he tried his best to keep his cool. “Are you alright?” You asked, a little giggle leaving you. He nods before softly pulling you along, excited to finally go on this date and enjoy his time with you.
***
“So what do you like doing love? Besides streaming online?” Sanji asks, showing interest in you and your hobbies. “Well, I like working at my other job as a waitress. I missed a few shifts recently though.” You admit, looking around at all the food stands. “Oh! You work as a little waitress, that sounds so cute..” Sanji says before chuckling to himself. “Ahh, it’s alright. It’s just that sometimes it can get stressful with the creeps and all. It’s overall nice though.” You smile to yourself, now waffling your hand with Sanji’s.
“What about you, I heard you said that you’re a cook Sanji!” You ask, your eyes glistening with interest. Sanji nods and smiles. “Yes I am! I cook for my best friends really, I’m always happy to see their faces whenever they take a bite of my cooking. They really enjoy it…” He says, looking up in front of himself. “I would definitely wanna taste your food one day Sanji, you really sound like a good cook and gentleman.” You absentmindedly admitted, blushing deeply at the thought.
Sanji’s heart began to pound. The more he talked with you about your life and the more you showed care for him, the more he became infatuated with you. You were really a sweetheart, someone who actually showed care and never found him to be weird. You were a rare beauty that he wouldn’t want to let fall out of his grasp.
He was doing a good job keeping his creepy behavior to himself, but he couldn’t help but to tremble beside you the more you complimented him. It made him feel cared for, he was a person who paid to see your body online but you never called him creepy for it. That’s what he genuinely loved about you. He exhaled shakily before trying his best to straighten his mind.
Shaking the thoughts away, he turns to you who happens to be fixated on a few food stands. “Something catch your eye sweetheart?” Sanji asks, stopping in his tracks for you. You point over to all the food stands. “I haven’t ate much today…and the food smells so good~” You sighed, your stomach growling at the thought. Sanji giggles and pulls you along to the stand so you could get something to eat. “All this time and you haven’t ate? A pretty girl’s gotta eat too love.” Sanji says, looking down at you.
“Here, I’ll pay for it.” He says before pulling his wallet from his pocket. You stop him and give him a little pout. “You’ve done enough with money Sanji, I can pay for it myself.” You say, pulling out your wallet. Sanji chuckles and nods, allowing you to pay for your own food.
After grabbing something to eat, you both went out roaming around enjoying each others company and time. You thought of buying something nice to wear for Sanji to surprise him, the thought of his precious reaction crossing your mind. He pouts realizing that he actually had to go his separate way because he forgot to pick up ingredients for dinner he was going to cook tonight. Sanji let’s out a little whimper before turning to you. “I’m sorry love, I have to go this way.” He sighs heavily, not wanting to leave your side as he reluctantly pulls his hand from yours. You nodded before turning away from him.
“It’s okay Sanji! I’ll do some shopping alone!” You say before walking away from him. Sanji watched as you walked away from him, his heart fluttering out of his chest as he felt his souls ready to leave his body. Fuck he wanted you do badly, even if this was a date he had to keep himself straight before he ended up doing something he may regret.
He walks the opposite direction, leaving you to go look around for clothing stores.
You walk around and finally find a little sex store in the corner of the district, hiding from all of the other normal shops. You peek through before walking in and taking a little browse around the store, observing all of the pretty and different designs of lingerie as if you didn’t have enough already. You definitely knew that Sanji liked a lacy style but there were so many choices to choose from in such a small store.
You settled on a soft yet revealing and elegant style, wanting to be comfy yet revealing for him. You felt your face grow hot as you thought about a nice night that you wanted to have with him. Just a single thought of him and you together made your heart pound heavily against your chest.
Having someone like Sanji around you would probably change your life up a bit…you wouldn’t be so lonely anymore.
Your thoughts were put on hold when you felt your phone vibrating within your jeans pocket, it was Sanji calling to see where you were. You blush at his honey-soothing voice over the phone, hearing his voice on the phone reminded you of last night every time.
***
“What did you go shopping for sweetheart?” Sanji asks you out of curiosity, his eyes peering at your bags. You softly gaze at him before looking away. “Just…some clothes.” You lied, knowing that you had more than just clothes inside if the paper shopping bags. He smiles before sighing heavily, a bit tired from so much grocery shopping. “Ah, love. Are we going back home?” Sanji asks looking down at you.
You blushed deeply before biting your bottom lip, your heart pounding at the thoughts you’ve had moments ago. “U-Uhm…If you want we can go back to my place..” You say reluctantly to him. He smiles widely before nodding happily.
“I’m fine with that!” He beams, his face growing redder and redder by the second.
You smile as you both began walking out of the district, the weight of the bags getting heavier within your hands.
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bangtangalicious · 1 year
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placebo (m) | pjm (2)
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pairing: jimin x reader, jungkook x reader, namjoon x reader (later)
summary: a microchip signals to you when you find someone compatible to be your soulmate. yours is the opposite of you in every way, and he doesn't even believe in soulmates
genre: 18+ romance, smut, angst, soulmate!au, dystopian backdrop, love triangle, romeo-juliet, opposites attract, grumpy-sunshine, fate versus destiny
premise: the soulmate initiative was a state program to promote healthy relationships. all citizens have a chip which signals to them when they find someone who meets their compatibility threshold. park jimin is a member of the resistance that aims to dismantle the state, as well as programs like this which rob free will. determined to love him no matter your differences, you fight for him despite the danger it puts both you and him in
wc: 8.5k || series masterlist | part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4
warnings: multiple & explicit smut scenes, lots of kissing good lord, penetrative sex, rough sex, love-making, emotional sex, public sex, oral (f rec), fingering, fondling, fluffy aftercare, jungkook sorta just walks in on you while showering so theres that, physical fighting (not mc), blackmail, a is for angst, crying, mention of family deaths, use of cigarettes, lying, jimin might be a tiny bit toxic if you squint
taglist: @tornparts @loona15 @effielumiere @agustdreamsblog @jnghs @dragons-flare @xiusmarshmallow @ratherbefangirling @infires-imagines @aretha170 @dvalitaes @kookiejeonie @ddaeng-angmoh @idk123906 @medievalpink5 @cuteipat @jimin-neverout @uarmyhore @natalie-rdr @secradee @tea4sykes @yawnkive
Indulgence. The ironic meeting spot of the resistance within the isolated Red District of the city. Neon lights flickering across inebriated eyes—eyes that dreamed of justice but currently were mesmerized by the dancers, embodying grace and allure, fluid movements, enticing glances, bodies telling tales of desire. Here they would congregate, removed from the prying eyes of society.
Jimin pushed open the heavy door, hit with the aromatic blend of perfume, whiskey, and sweat. An intoxicating haze. Across the room, Jin and the others sat, cigarettes lit and glasses clinking. A celebration of sorts—Jimin wondered why. They never invited him here. Frankly, he never cared to come either. It was a liability. Jimin was one of the few resistance members that continued to possess the state-mandated microchip. Him arriving in person to a banned establishment such as a strip club, put the entire area on the state’s radar.
Nevertheless, Jin texted him to come. So he obeyed.
“There he is” Jin greeted him from the comfort of the leather-clad booth. The light chatter diminishing as the others acknowledged him. Jimin took a seat, Jin handing him the cigarette right away.
As the smoke caressed his senses, a fleeting calm washed over him, a momentary escape from the chaos of the world. The world around him seemed to dim, and his mind went straight to you. How it felt so right to have your body hugged up against him when he rode you home. Your lips hovering over his neck, your scent, all of you overwhelming all of him. Speeding way beyond the limit at the edge of the night. No one to find you, no one to interfere.
In that moment the two of you were not soulmates. You were two people, high on the danger, adrenaline, and glimpse of a new beginning. You were alive.
Jimin’s lips curled in a subtle smile. The others could never know. He couldn’t imagine what they would do to you, if they knew. Jimin’s mere presence around you was a danger. The risk he took seeing you was worth it, for the thrill. But he knew better than to push his luck.
“Who’s got you smiling like that?” Across the table, Min Yoongi—a high ranked member who was like a mentor to his brother, teased. Jimin shrugged, tapping the ashtray. He wondered if any of them had felt the kind of high he had with you. Heart racing, fingers trembling, blood hot with desire.
“Jimin went to see his soulmate”
He blinked. Jin’s smile was wide—cocky. The whole table looked around in shock, exchanging looks of concern.
“Hyung what the hell” Jimin muttered under his breath. He didn’t know how Jin found out, probably had him followed. Fuck, he knew he shouldn’t have done it. He should have cut all contact with you the second he found out.
But he was too curious. Too drawn to your sweet taste that left scars on his lips. Was that selfish?
“Look,” Jin cleared his throat, “We’ve had come concerns about your commitment to the cause” Listening patiently, Jimin took another sharp inhale, letting the smoke dissipate through his lips. “You have an opportunity to prove your loyalty. Are you willing to do so?”
Willing. What a joke—Jimin mused. Technically, the resistance would never force actions on any of its members. But Jimin was a puppet and the strings of the fight for freedom chained him.
“Jimin’s soulmate also happens to be a scientist. Working on experiments for the Soulmate Initiative itself”
Jimin’s fists clenched, tempted like many other times to give Jin a solid punch to the face. A waitress approached the table. “Sir, this young woman was looking for you” She motioned to the entrance where you stood. Uncomfortable, scanning the foreign space.
Jimin exhaled, breath full of smoke, coughing out in shock. What the fuck were you doing here?
“Ah, she’s pretty, Jimin. If she were mine I’d probably buy into the soulmate crap just for a taste, although I’m assuming that’s what you’ve been doing huh” Jin teased. Jimin kicked his shin, not appreciating his flirty tone.
Setting down his cigarette, he immediately stood. Passing back an annoyed glare at Jin who simply chuckled.
Without a word he pulled you outside into the cold. The wind was crisp still—his leather jacket shielding him from it. And you were drowning in your puffy coat, knitted hat covering up to your eyelids.
Cute.
“Miss me already, doctor?” Jimin teased, trying his best to figure out why the hell you would have come here, and moreover how you would have known about this place.
You tugged at your sleeves, nose scrunching as you searched for words. He stared into your eyes. Your pretty, fucking gorgeous eyes that transfixed him like hypnosis. Eyes that said so much so loud, and yet he was dying to hear them. Jimin tried to fight it, the way every fiber of him was screaming to kiss you, fists clenching as he held himself back.
And then you bit your lip. So subtly, out of habit. But you did. And fuck.
Fuck.
Jimin lost it. He smashed his lips against yours. The taste he swore he was addicted to. Craving your lips, gasping, breathing you in. Hands cupping your face, forehead tilted against yours—he kissed you like your touch was all he needed to survive.
Maybe it was.
“Get off of me” You shoved him away. Jimin stared at you, stunned. “Asshole”
“Y/n—what?” He reached for your hand, but you pulled it away. Had he done something? His mind whirred, scanning through your entire evening. Every word he said, every move he made. He loved every second—and he thought you had too.
“Fuck you Jimin. I lost my job because of what you did” You gripped his jacket.
What the hell is she talking about? Jimin’s eyes softened. “You lost your job?”
His brows furrowed in confusion, until Jin’s words came echoing back. An opportunity to prove yourself.
They were testing him.
“You stole the data from the lab, didn’t you?”
Jimin’s nails dug into his palm as he took a deep breath.
“Yeah.” His response curt. He watched as tears began to spill from your eyes. His throat felt tight, chest pounding with regret.
“Why?”
“You know why, doctor”
“Did today mean nothing to you?” Your voice was small. Jimin stepped back, hand running through his hair. Lying to you felt wrong, but he had to do it. He had to lie to you. He had to destroy this before it began.
“Look, I don’t want to be in a relationship with you” The words left his mouth before he could stop them. The hurt in your eyes broke him a little. “I only went to see you because I had a job to do. I tricked you. That’s who I am”
This was for the best. So why did it feel so fucking horrible?
You shook your head furiously, “You’re lying”
“If you had a mind of your own, you wouldn’t even want to be in a relationship with someone like me anyway. That’s how I know it’s bullshit. They’re controlling you”
“No” You were stubborn, “No, I know you feel it too”
Jimin wanted to break. Shatter into a million pieces and get whisked away by the wind. His heart ached, bliss was only a truth away.
“Of course I fucking feel it, there’s a chip in my fucking neck telling me to” Jimin snapped, grabbing your waist, “And god does it feel good. So fucking good, I want to kiss you so fucking bad whenever I see you. But that’s all it is. I’m not in love with you Y/n—I can’t be”
You stepped away from him, evidently shaking. Jimin felt awful—sick to his core. Each tear streaming down your face was a bullet to his heart. A punch to the face. He wished the ground would swallow him whole. This was his fault—he shouldn’t have entertained you, not for a second. You should hate him, and he knew you probably wouldn’t because of the damn microchip. Which was the most frustrating part.
“Y/n are you done?”
Jimin turned to see Jungkook pull up in a small electric car. His glasses were foggy, hair a shaggy mess over his long coat.
“Glasses. Always a pleasure”
“Shut the fuck up man” Jungkook parked the car, stepping out to rush past him, taking you into his arms. Jimin crossed his arms over his chest, watching as Jungkook wiped your tears away before leading you into the car.
You turned back, one last time. He wondered if you could read his eyes. If you could, he was screaming out to you.
Fists balled up in fury, he stormed back inside the club. Jin stood by the window, amused by the whole ordeal. Slow applause filled his ringing ears as Jin approached him, patting him on his back.
“Well done. Almost wasn’t sure you had it in you”
Jimin had enough. He felt disgusting. Venom through his veins as his throat felt heavy with guilt. He was sick and tired of Jin. Sick and tired of the resistance dictating his every move. Holding their money over his head—he could be fine on his own. He could go off, get a job somewhere and fend for himself. Maybe he could get a scholarship to keep studying, he would never know. Under the guise of his brother’s wishes, how much was he expected to sacrifice?
With a surge of adrenaline, he lunged forward, fists clenched, aiming towards his Jin’s jaw. The music stopped. People gathered around, watching intently. Jimin’s eyes fuming with rage.
“You forget who the fuck I am?” Jimin sneered, “You’re out of line.”
Jin chuckled darkly, touching his bruise before standing back upright. “Oh come on, you don’t actually care about her. You barely know the bitch” Jimin swung at him again, but Jin dodged him move, forearm intercepting to twist him back. Jimin proceeded to kick back into his gut.
“Call her a bitch again, see what happens.” Jin landed on the floor, grunting as Jimin towered over him, “Get her her fucking job back Jin”
Jin wasn’t backing down. He punched Jimin back, the clash of their fists echoed through the silent room. Blow after blow exchanged, the impact reverberating through their bodies, fueling their determination.
“Where the fuck would you go?” Jin laughed between strikes, “She will never forgive you now. I you both a favor”
Jin dodged another swift punch, retaliating with a swift kick to his Jimin’s abdomen. Jimin staggered backward, but quickly regained his footing, launching himself back at him.
“You can’t love her Jimin, even if you wanted to” Jin rammed Jimin against the wall, trapping his throat with his elbow. Attempting to reason with him. “A part of you would always wonder. I know you kid. You have a duty to your brother”
“You’re the reason my brother is dead” Jimin hissed, trying to push Jin off but to no avail. They stood, chests heaving, their eyes locked with an intense spite.
“Okay enough” Yoongi interrupted, rolling his eyes. He held Jimin’s shoulder before nodding to Jin to let him go. “Jin, please get the poor girl her job back. That’s an order. And Jimin, the resistance core will be in touch about a character review. Stay away from the scientist—you know the rules”
You—
At some point it began to rain. Standing still, cold droplets seeping through your coat made you shiver. A welcome sensation, numbing the pain in your chest.
Jungkook unlocked your apartment before pulling you into his chest. You sobbed into him as he pressed his lips on top of your head.
"You poor thing, let’s get you into the shower"
He was sweet, handing you towels, laying out a pair of dry clothes for you. The hot vapor of the shower forcing you relax, forcing you to wipe away the tears on your cheeks. You slid to the floor, the shower pouring down on your back. Hot water scalding against your head. Hugging your knees to your chest.
You hear the shower door slide open, not reacting as your voice dried into soft sobs. Jungkook hovered over you, clothes getting wet at the edge of the water. Instead of focusing on the fact that you were completely naked, soaking wet in front of him, he looked into your eyes. Worried.
Finally, he crawled into the tiny space, sitting down by your side. His large hands caressing your hunched shoulders. You met his gaze. Grateful for him, as always.
God why couldn't it have been him? Such a perfect piece to your missing puzzle. His hair began to curl up in front of his eyes, dewy as he shook the water away. He was so close. So warm. Lips so soft, so near.
He smiled, and you could tell his thoughts mirrored yours. Eyes scanning over your face, your body, before he looked away. A disappointment in his eyes.
"I told you he was no good" Jungkook muttered, a hint of bitterness.
Closing your eyes, you focused on the way the water flowed over your head, down onto your eyelids, dripping off onto your face. Your boss, Dr. Jung had texted you—the data was missing. All of it, your years of work grinding through your degree. Jimin had stolen all of it. Inviting himself into your lab under the guise of wanting to give you a chance. It was a lie. You could barely fathom that soulmates could lie to one another. Let alone hurt them so deeply. Your fingers trembled, pressed between your knees.
“If I had been his type.” You confessed, laughing slightly, “Or somehow better, then he might have believed just a little bit that we were actually meant to be together, and maybe this wouldn’t have happened. Maybe he wouldn’t have betrayed me”
“Bullshit” Jungkook said quietly, “It’s not you. It’s how he was raised”
You knew he was right. Ever logical, Jungkook never entertained pointless theory. He looked at the facts—and the fact was that you finally met your soulmate. And he was part of the resistance, a group built around free will. Something they claim the state denies through programs such as the Soulmate Initiative.
“Y/n” Jungkook interrupted your thoughts, “Have you ever considered that Jimin just may not want a soulmate at all?”
You stared at Jungkook. Picking at your nails nervously as you considered his question. There were no laws that forced soulmates to be together. It was usually the case that they simply chose to do so. It was logical, to you. Be with the person you are compatible with—the person who can love you and make you happy. Complete you like no one else can. You thought back to your “date” with him. The way you felt so incredibly safe with him. The amazing adrenaline rush you felt holding onto him for dear life as he raced on his motorcycle. The look in his eyes after he kissed you.
Those were facts. That was real.
“When I first saw Jimin and knew, I found myself wishing I hadn’t looked” You placed your hand over Jungkook’s.
Jungkook stared blankly at the floor. Body tensing at your words.
“Well” Turning off the shower, he stared at you, at your body. “I never looked anywhere but at you” Frozen in place, his throat tight, cheeks blushing.
You stared at him, bewildered.
His fingers trapped your jaw, before allowing his lips to slide onto yours. You groaned into his mouth, as his other hand rested on your thigh. Gripping at your skin.
As your lips touched, a surge of conflicting emotions coursed through your veins. For years this was all you wanted. Him—just like this. Wanting you just as bad. Time stood still as your mouths delicately met, exploring each other, evoking a rush of feeling. Of comfort.
But what it felt like with Jimin was different. Something you couldn’t quite make sense of. Logic was misaligned, but Jimin felt incredible to kiss. His smile made you giddy with happiness.
As Jungkook pulled away, a mixture of confusion and clarity settled upon you. You missed Jimin, despite it all. Your heart may not be ready to forgive, but you weren’t ready to give up either. There had to be more to the story. You simply refused to believe your soulmate would ever put you in harms way.
“Forget about him” Jungkook urged almost knowingly, voice trying desperately to push out your infiltrative thoughts. His nose tracing yours, “Just forget him”
He slid his lips onto yours again, this time with more intensity. You could feel without a doubt that he wanted you. As you fell back onto the cold shower floor, Jungkook’s hand cushioning your head. His eyes locked shut—but yours wide open.
You groaned in surprise, attempting to push his large frame away. He got the hint, lifting you back up.
“Let me stay with you tonight” Jungkook pleaded, grabbing a towel and wrapping it over your shoulders. “So you don’t have to be alone”
You couldn’t say no. It hurt too much.
You woke up in Jungkook’s arms, his hands on your stomach, and your back against his chest. Carefully you tried to move your legs which were wedged between his.
He groaned, feeling you move. Tightening his hold and pulling you back to him. You felt your breath escape you as Jungkook’s prominent boner pressed into your thigh. You were a scientist. A biologist—so you knew these things were perfectly normal. But you couldn’t help the way your stomach erupted into butterflies.
“Morning,” Jungkook reached out, stretching cutely. “That was the best sleep I’ve gotten in a while” He confessed, nuzzling against your neck. “You sleep okay?”
Your heart hammered in your chest. He was being incredibly sweet-addictively so, and you wanted to give in.
“Yeah I did, thanks” You leaned into his touch, his lips warm and sloppy against your nape. You couldn’t help the soft moan leaving your lips as his hands slid over your stomach. Threatening to go higher.
“You smell so good” He muttered lazily. A small smile painted your lips. Your phone began to vibrate. Checking the screen, you raised your eyebrows.
“Dr. Jung?”
“Y/n, it seems as though the data were returned,” He sounded annoyed, per usual, “You must have some great connections because I’ve been ordered to re-employ you, but best believe if you bring another stranger into my lab again—”
“Oh, uh. N-Never, sir”
The man hung up. You blinked slowly, processing. “I got my job back”
Jungkook’s smile widened, “That’s great—”
“Jimin did this,” You stood up urgently, interrupting Jungkook, “I have to find him”
“Y/n” Jungkook grabbed your arm before you could run off. “He doesn’t want you. He made that clear”
You shook your head, “I can’t give up. I deserve love, and so does he”
Jimin—
The resistance core was furious once they caught wind of Jimin’s actions. He was to be put in front of the resistance core council to debate his allegiance. Jimin couldn’t care less. Perhaps this was the escape—you were the escape, the chance he needed to get out and find his own destiny. Course, you were gone. You wouldn’t be able to forgive him, hell, Jimin wouldn’t want you to.
You were probably with Jungkook. He wondered if you liked Jungkook back since he clearly liked you. Maybe he comforted you. Maybe the two of you slept together.
Jimin wanted to vomit.
“Jimin” The council head spoke after some silence, reviewing the documented complaints, “We believe in free will. If you don’t want to support us, the cause that your brother gave so much to, to avenge the death of your family, that is your prerogative. However if you intend to stay with us, you must agree to never make contact with The Scientist ever again”
Nodding, Jimin gulped. He figured as much.
“We realize the pull of the Soulmate Initiative is tough to resist. And we do want you to be happy. So if you really do want to be with The Scientist, you can do so if she leaves her job and is willing to cooperate with us”
He couldn’t do that to you. No way.
Jimin had to decide. Jin was right, if he left he didn’t have anywhere to go. Not a penny to his own name. He did want to see change. At least here, he was able to make an impact. Here, his existence had some meaning.
“I won’t contact her again. I am grateful for the council’s mercy”
On his bike, he had no direction. No sense of where he was going—but he drove on. Fast, dangerously swerving the roads. He couldn’t talk to you, but he could check up on you at least. No, that would be far too painful.
Tears built in his eyes, clouding his vision. Bringing his motorcycle to a stop on the edge of the highway, he cried. A child denied a toy, he cried because he missed you. Because his body wanted you and he had to deny it. Deny you. Everything stripped away from him—his family, brother and now you. Was there a point to any of it?
“Are you alright?” A car halted—large white SUV, clearly indicating a state official. The window was tainted black, bulletproof. As it rolled down, Jimin could see a pair of eyes. It was a man. He looked vaguely familiar.
“Yeah, I’m good”
He rode to campus, soul void. Studying was a proven distraction to his hopeless reality. After all, he couldn’t afford to sulk around. He had to keep moving. As he walked towards the law library, he saw you. You saw him. The two of you frozen in time.
Until you were running. Running to him with your arms open and he caught you, swinging you up with the momentum, hand behind your head as he hugged you into him. Nirvana. Instinct, taking in all you were—your scent, the heat from your body—until he realized he was touching you and pushed you away.
“I got my job back” You were elated, brimming with excitement. Jimin wanted to kiss every inch of your smiling face. A warm feeling erupting from your happiness.
“Glad to hear it, doctor” He remained stoic, nevertheless. He needed you to give up. Needed you to get away.
“You care about me, you did this”
Jimin sighed. Why did his soulmate have to be the most stubborn woman on the fucking planet—he didn’t know.
“I don’t care about you”
“Stop fighting me” You pleaded, grabbing his shoulders and shaking them. “Look I’m sure you had your reasons for doing what you did. We can move past this”
“I already told you I don’t want this”
You stepped forward, face inched away from his, a fiery determination in your eyes.
“Really?” You tilted your face, squinting at him. Jimin nodded, eyebrows raised.
You stroked his face, just as he had done to you many times. He was stiff, taken aback by your forwardness. Without thinking, you pushed yourself onto your toes so you could melt into a kiss. You knew he could feel it, down to his bones—nothing was more right in the world than when you were in his arms, lips on his. No moral compass could keep you apart in those moments, Jimin was merely a servant, a fool bending to your magnetism and he would give up everything in an instant to feel like this forever.
His lips parted, letting you slip your tongue in. Widening your jaw to deepen the kiss. Tender in his actions, taming his need. Savoring every second.
Tears rolled down his face. If this was the last time he’d ever see you, he wanted it all. Forehead pressed against yours, his eyes flickered from your eyes to your lips, breathing barely inches away. Panting. Heart pounding.
“I can’t” You could feel his words, spoken upon your lips. Tone serious. No teasing, no flirting, just straight. “They won’t let me”
He stared at you a beat longer. Before grabbing your wrist, dragging you behind the library to an alleyway near the dumpsters. He pressed you against the wall, gripping your waist firmly.
He dove into your neck, fluttering kisses all over. Fingers trailing up your sides to where he grabbed your wrists, stretching them to either side of you. Movement urgent, frantic—you were his kryptonite, and he was unraveling at the seams.
Your fingers intertwined with his, as he nipped at your jaw. Breathing heavily, you attempted to call out his name but no voice came. Instead a soft moan. His fingers tightened around yours as he pulled away, staring into your eyes.
Silence. Only the sounds of both of you desperately trying to catch your breath. Flushed and bewildered.
“You should leave” Jimin’s voice was coarse. Deeper than usual, “Go”
He didn’t move. Neither did you. You challenged him, gaze unwavering. Waiting to see what he would do next.
It was as if something inside of him snapped. Something feral, raw, suppressed. Instantly he released your hands, fumbling to unbutton your pants. He yanked them down just enough before doing so to himself. Fingers softly gliding over your folds, barely teasing. He grabbed your hips, lifting you up against the wall before yanking your panties aside. Biting his lip, focused. You watched, gripping onto his shoulders for dear life, as his cock teased your entrance.
“Tell me to stop” He growled. “Tell me right fucking now doctor”
You shook your head, sliding your hand to his jaw. Blinking you stared into his lust shot eyes, eyelids fluttering, hazy with desire.
He sank into you slowly, letting out a low groan into your neck. Hands holding you steady, he was patient. Despite the heated urgency of his actions. There was not a thought in his head. Not a thought in yours. Nothing but raw need as he felt your hot walls tighten around him.
Jimin’s nose traced yours as he began to move in and out. Bouncing you up against the wall while your hands ran through his hair, scratching at him. Grabbing fistfuls and tugging his head back. He was so deep, so full inside you. The drag of his cock against your walls had you seeing stars. Rolling your eyes back, you wanted to scream.
“Ssh, be quiet for me doctor” Jimin kissed your lips playfully, lingering as he continued to fuck into you. He rolled his hips, pushing you up with every thrust, fingers digging into the bottom of your ass.
He let you onto your feet, pulling out so he could turn you around. Your hands up against the wall, his wrapped around your chest, shamelessly grabbing at you over your coat. It wasn’t enough. He wanted to feel you. Unzipping the damned thing he tossed it aside, enveloping you to keep you from the cold.
Finally his hands could slip under your sweater, pushing it up to the tops of your chest, tits sensitive to his touch. Hooking his jaw over your shoulder he watched as he squeezed your breasts, caressing them fondly.
Jimin pressed his lips against your collar, digging in his teeth. Keeping a hand on your chest, he slid back into you from behind, this time immediately rocking his hips steady into you. You arced your back, reaching back to grab his hair again. The slippery echoes of your cunt getting louder as his thrusts intensified.
Pressing you up even closer to the wall, he let one hand dive in front of you, fingers gliding over your clit. His touch was gentle, reaching exactly where you needed him to. And he could tell. Smiling against the back of your head as he felt you beginning to tremble. Wetness seeping as his cock nudged in further, finger rapidly circling your clit right there. Pushing you closer and closer to your edge.
Nothing but red. Red heat building inside of you, toes curling, lungs clenching—you couldn’t breathe. His body so close, the warmth against the cold air. You bucked forward, body spasming, twitching all over. He didn’t waver, he kept going, finger working you through your orgasm. Biting back moans as you tightened around his cock. Your wetness seeping through, soaking him.
Cursing, he pulled out, afraid he was going to lose himself in the sweet sensation of you. Turning you back around he pulled your thighs apart, sliding his cock against your clit, causing you to wince.
“Fuck, come here” He gritted, pulling you into another kiss. His hand tugging at his cock. He spilled into his palm, letting out a deep moan.
Finding steadiness, he cleaned himself up, zipping up his pants as you did the same. Grabbing your coat from the ground, he handed it to you.
As he was doing so, you noticed the bruises on his skin.
“Jimin—are you hurt?” You touched him again, causing him to flinch. “When did this happen?”
“Don’t” He warned. “Just go”
“Can I at least bandage you—my place isn’t too far from here, come on okay” You grabbed his wrist, tugging him along. Jimin stood firm in his ground.
“Why can’t you fuck off”
You turned back at him, “Fine, let me do this and then you can go—I won’t bother you again”
Jimin looked at you skeptically, but chose to go along regardless. He followed you through campus, the snow beginning to melt away—spring was nearing. He could see tiny flower buds on bushes, birds chirping in the distance. Your apartment was cozy. A smaller building, you were on the top floor. Frazzled, you fumbled with your keys to get in, and Jimin was hardly surprised to see the haphazard shape your place was in—textbooks, papers everywhere. 
“Sorry about the mess”
Jimin was a neat freak himself. Nevertheless, he swallowed his irks and let you lead him into your bedroom. He scanned the walls, aside from some nerdy science posters there wasn’t much there. He noticed your shelf of romance novels, as well as a copy of Dr. Kim Namjoon’s memoir.
You pulled off his jacket, then his shirt. His toned muscles littered with purple. The bruises causing your eyes to widen. Jimin couldn’t help but smirk. They weren’t watching anymore—no harm in teasing you a little.
“Like what you see doc?”
You blushed, meeting his eyes before immediately returning to your task. “No—I mean, yeah you look great. Not your bruises—those don’t look good at all, but here let me just—” You found a first aid kit under your bed. Grabbing some gauze and alcohol, you began to tend to his wounds. He watched as you kneeled in front of him, focus lasered onto the task at hand.
Jimin grabbed your jaw suddenly, overwhelmed by your tender care. Pulling your face to his. You blinked at him, stunned as he kissed you softly. Humming against your mouth. More relaxed, at ease, as if he had all the time in the world.
“Jimin let me—mmpfh” He didn’t let you finish. He didn’t want to hear another word. Pulling you into his lap, he slid your own coat to the floor. Not leaving your lips for a second.
“No” You squealed, giggling slightly. “No more until you let me clean your wounds”
Jimin pouted, looking to you with puppy eyes. “But you’re my doctor aren’t you—and this makes me feel good”
“I thought you wanted to leave” You taunted him right back. He grinned, enjoying the way you were pushing him.
“I’m not in a rush” His eyes darkened, tugging at your bottom lip with his teeth.
“You don’t ever have to leave, you know” You offered. “They can’t hurt you here”
Jimin raised his eyebrows, “The resistance you mean? Why are you gonna take them all on your own?” He nudged you playfully. You shrugged.
“I could use my evil science powers”
Jimin laughed. Laughed in a way he hadn’t in a long time. Why did he want to leave so badly—why did he have to push you away? Could he dare to hope that you two could survive anything—it seemed unrealistic. Cliché. But here he was, dumb in love with you despite his best efforts.
Wait what.
Jimin gulped, growing serious all of a sudden as he continued to stare at you. You rose from his lap, a goofy smile on your face as you packed up the first aid kit.
“You said they won’t let you…were you talking about the resistance? Will they not let you be with me? Because I’m your soulmate” He watched as you wandered into your kitchen.
“It’s not because you’re my soulmate. It’s your job” Jimin responded, “But I also don’t believe in this soulmate stuff, which you know”
“Well clearly you do when it helps you get laid” You joked. He knew you were joking, but it wasn’t funny to him. His physical attraction to you was feverish, and it concerned him that he might be taking advantage of you. Getting benefits of a commitment he was unwilling to make. You returned, noticing his serious aura. “Jimin—it’s fine. You told me you don’t want me, anything that happened after was my choice”
You don’t want me. Of course he wanted you. How could he not want you—you were perfect. You were suffocatingly stubborn, clingy, messy and absolutely clueless but you were perfect. And you would fight to the ends of the earth for what you believed in, while Jimin wasn’t sure if he believed in anything anymore.  
“I’d never ask you to leave your job. But they own me, Y/n. I really can’t do anything about it. I didn’t even steal your data. They did, and they made me take the fall for it so that you’d hate me and leave me alone”
“I will leave you alone Jimin, if I think that’s what you actually want” You held his hand firmly, “But I have a tough time thinking that’s true”
Jimin looked at you. The glimmer of hope in your eyes. “Even if they allowed it, that doesn’t change the fact that we’re inherently not compatible”
“We are compatible. We’re soulmates. You do what you have to do for the resistance, I won’t interfere and I would never sell you out”
“What if my job forces me to damage something you believe in though?”
You sighed deeply. Jimin could tell you didn’t know the answer. Despair began to weigh down on you both, how unlucky must you be to have been matched to someone like him. He wanted to be the man you deserved, but he wasn’t. Plain and simple.
“I like you, Jimin” You confessed instead. “I think you’re great. I want you. You’re in my dreams, I can’t not think about you. Even when Jungkook kissed me I,”
Jimin’s grip on your hand loosened. “Jungkook kissed you?”
“It didn’t mean anything! He was just trying to comfort me, I think”
He put his hands up in defense, “I’m not upset with you doctor—I get it. He’s cute”
You made a face, “You make fun of him”
Jimin winked, “You can be lame and cute at the same time. You are”
“You think I’m lame?”
“I think you’re a nerd” He confessed, matter of factly. You punched him playfully before sliding your lips onto his. He pulled you against his chest, holding you tenderly. “Prettiest fucking nerd, but nerd nonetheless”
You giggled against his lips. He kissed you again and again, smiling in between and it was everything. Jimin couldn’t even fathom that you were real. A real person in his arms making him so happy—elated about the future in a way he was sure he’d never been before. You were everything. The start of everything.
Falling onto his back, you climbed over him, lips not parting for even a moment. His hands gripping at the hem of your sweater before you allowed him to pull it over your head. He admired you, lips swollen in nothing but your baby blue sports bra.
He let his fingers trail over the fabric, drawing light circles and watching the way you twitched under him. You gasped, unconsciously rolling your hips against him. The look on your face was priceless, biting down on your lip hard as you tried to tame down your sensitivity. Adorable, how you thought Jimin couldn’t tell. That he couldn’t read your body like the back of his hand. Finally you grabbed his wrists, stopping his movements so that you could pull off your bra. Your breasts popping out—Jimin lay dumbfounded, eyes glued to your body.
You looked at him, shy. Jimin exhaled shakily, unsure how to capture his amazement. He wanted to touch—so fucking bad. You rose carefully, sliding down you trousers until you were left in your panties. Then those dropped to the floor.
“Fucking hell doctor, you’re gonna give me a heart attack” He stood up, unzipping his own pants where his bulge was painful, burning between his legs. Kicking the garments aside, his hands hovered over your waist—barely touching. Waiting for your signal.
“You’re beautiful”
Jimin’s ears burned at your words, blush across his face. You looked at him with awe. His heart fluttered, realizing he had never really been complimented on his looks before, merely his ability to fight.
“Can I touch you?” His voice was raspy, barley audible. Lust seized every fiber of him. “Please let me fucking touch you”
You nodded, and Jimin wasted not one more second grabbing your hips, sliding his hands to your ass where he squeezed you as his lips locked with yours.
Laying you down on the bed, his lips trailed every inch of your skin from your toes, up your calves, down your thighs. Loving the way you twitched and moaned at his every move. Riling you up, he wanted to see you fall apart under him. His fingers found your clit again, palm rolling under your folds. You grinded on his wrist, fingers helplessly clutching the sheets beneath you.
Dropping to his knees, he spread your thighs, admiring your glistening folds. You bucked your hips as he traced them—trying desperately to shut your legs but he overpowered you.
“Jimin I’ve never—I don’t know if that’s such a good” He shushed you sweetly, looking deep into your eyes. Kissing the insides of your thigh, he worked he way to your pussy. Slow, patient, kissing the edge of your folds as you squealed.
“It’s okay baby, I want to” He promised, and you believed him. His hand caressing your thigh to ease the tension before he slipped in his tongue. Eyes not leaving yours for a second. It was incredibly intimate. He seemed to consume you, in a white-hot blaze of adoration. You reached for him, sitting up to grab a fistful of his hair. The pull turned him on even more, his tongue flicking faster, eating you out for all you were worth.
“Jimin” You panted, “Ohh fuck” He continued to fuck his tongue inside of you, drinking up your essence. His wet tongue hot, deep in your core where you could feel his every move—driving you crazy. Your eyes dazed, frazzled beyond belief. Lips parted as your eyes rolled back with pleasure.
Coming up for air, he licked his lips, savoring your taste. You stared at him with blasted eyes as he crawled up to your face so he could kiss you again.
“Thank you” Jimin chuckled at your words.
“You don’t have to thank me, baby. It’s my fucking pleasure”
“Should I do you?”
He shook his head. If he didn’t pound his cock inside you right now, he swore he was going to implode.
“Open up for me baby, yeah?” He lined his cock up with your soaked cunt. Slowly, inch by inch he began to slide in. You bit down on your lips hard, until blood trickled out. Jimin licked it right up, tongue teasing your lips before sliding into your mouth. He bottomed out, lips glued to yours, groaning into you. Propped up on his forearms, he gave you a moment to adjust. He felt so good—shafted deep inside you. You clenched around him obscenely tight, he was seeing stars. You were a dizzy hurricane, and he wanted to be swept up by you. Destroyed until there was nothing left.
“You feel so good” He buried his face into your neck, “Fuck baby, so fucking good for me. You feel okay baby? Can I move?”
“Y-yeah” At your green light, Jimin carefully pulled out. Back in, tight thrusts beginning to pick up in pace. Dotting your face with kisses between each one. He swore he was losing consciousness, vision blurred with desperation—craving of you. Heart pounding as pleasure wiped through his nerves.
Hooking your leg over his shoulder, he adjusted his angle, hitting you even deeper. Your cunt coating him, the sound and smell of sex driving Jimin feral. His hands grabbing your breasts, wanting you to be stimulated—to feel as good as he was.
“Fuck baby, I don’t ever want to leave” His mind was void. Reason out the door as he spewed nonsense. “I’ll leave it all for you baby, leave it all for this fucking cunt—oh God”
“Don’t leave” You responded, disoriented by his pace. “Don’t ever leave me”
“I won’t baby, fuck, I’m never leaving” He kissed you firmly, letting your leg fall to the side. He stared into your eyes, foreheads touching as he drove his cock in deep. “You like it baby? You want my big fucking cock, yeah?”
You nodded furiously as he taunted you. The pout in your lips sending him overboard. “Fuck baby I’m gonna cum so fucking hard—you’re so fucking hot, my pretty girl—where do you want me? Want me to cum on your face?”
“Please” You gasped as he pulled out, tugging his cock as he kneeled tall over you, letting his cum squirt down onto your eyelids. He groaned, taken by the sensation and by how sexy you looked covered in his cum like that. Ropes of cum streaming out as his hips bucked, hot pleasure seizing him.
“Fuckk” He collapsed onto you, burying his face into your chest. Rolling onto your sides, you caressed his head against you. He looked up at you, nothing but fondness in his eyes. Wiping the cum off of you with his discarded t-shirt.
The two of you lay in silence, simply adoring one another. Jimin pulled you into his arms, grabbing your comforter so the two of you could slide under. He stroked your back softly, fingers trailing up and down your spine. Naked legs tangling. Fitting against each other like a puzzle. He kissed your forehead as you buried your face into his chest.
“You okay?” He asked after some time, massaging your shoulders gently. You peered up at him, content and blissed.
“This is really nice” You whispered, trying to hide your smile. Jimin held your chin steady, preventing you from turning away.
“You’re so cute” He muttered, landing another peck to your lips. It never got old, he swore he could kiss you forever. “I—”
He stiffened, unsure if he was ready to say it. It was too soon, and he still lacked the answers of how the two of you could possibly work, and you must have known because you simply chuckled.
“I know. Me too”
You—
The lab had always been your safe space. The comfort of the chunky white lab coats, latex-free gloves and goggles. Your protection. Your serenity. As you went about your trials, Jungkook sat at the bench next to yours, typing away at his computer.
“What are you working on?” The silence was too loud. Things felt awkward with Jungkook. You knew you couldn’t tell him you hooked up with Jimin. Even though, in your eyes, you did the right thing. Your first time with Jimin was rushed. Unexpected. But so was he. In the most flawed way, he was somehow perfect. You knew he was scared of what he felt. Scared to question what he believed, but in that moment all he wanted was you and he was sure to let you know that. Second time was bliss. And you were so excited to go home to him. Excited for every amazing night to come. You wanted to tell Jungkook everything, but wasn’t sure he would appreciate knowing the intimate details of your love life.
“I’m finding your compatibility results”
You swerved, “What?” Kicking your chair so it rolled next to Jungkook’s. You scanned his screen, seeing him type in some code. “How?”
“I have my ways” He assured you, “I just want to get to the bottom of this, you deserve better”
“Jungkook, that might not be necessary anymore actually because…”
“Here!” Your attention redirected to his screen. He clicked on a file, opening a scanned proposal. Scrolling through, he finally found your name. “Y/n L/n, age, birthday, la da da” Humming, he searched the data for a clue.
“Well?” You tapped your fingers against the desk.
“Uh” Jungkook gulped, “Interesting.”
“What? What is it?”
Jungkook looked at you, almost as though he were debating what to say next. “Y/n, do you really love him?”
“We’re getting there” He raised his eyebrows, “I mean, we—are making progress”
Jungkook read between your words. Shutting his laptop, he sighed. “Nevermind”
“Jungkook—what the fuck did it say?”
“Jimin isn’t listed as your soulmate. You don’t have anyone listed”
Your throat felt dry. “What?”
“You were in the placebo cohort”
You stared at him. The placebo cohort. Meaning—what?
“I’m sorry, Y/n”
“No there’s some other explanation” You shook your head, “Jimin and I had a rough start but. He’s kind. Dedicated. He’s had a rough go of it—I don’t know his story but I can just tell. He’s insightful, and isn’t afraid to challenge me. He understands me too, even in this short time. He’s sweet. And he wants me just as bad as I want him”
“Do you even hear yourself right now?” Jungkook looked appalled, “You’re delusional, Y/n. He said he didn’t want you, explicitly. He’s lied to you many times,”
“The chip doesn’t alter our emotions, it only gives us the signal. I know what I feel Jungkook—it has to be him”
“Placebo cohort’s get the signal, but the compatibility test wasn’t actually run so it’s signaling that some random person you’re not actually compatible with is your soulmate. To see if the computability part actually matters, or if simply thinking someone is your soulmate is enough”
It couldn’t be. You felt nauseous, as though everything around you was spinning. Time and time again Jimin had told you to back off. That what you were feeling wasn’t real when you believed so strongly it was. Nothing about it made sense.
Suddenly Jimin’s flaws glared at you—he was in the resistance, fighting against the very peace you upheld. He was a violent person. He hung out with shady people in banned places. He broke rules which you followed no matter what. He smoked. He rode a motorcycle. He didn’t believe you were his soulmate—and you weren’t.
But you loved him.
And he, probably, loved you too.
Was the placebo effect real then? Did you fall in love just because you thought you were supposed to? If you never had the signal—never had the chip—would you have been able to look past your differences, and find what you did?
He had only just begun to believe. This would crush him.
“You have to tell him” Jungkook echoed your thoughts. You frowned, he was clearly deriving some joy from the fact that he was right about Jimin.
“Does this mean someone else out there is actually my soulmate? More compatible with me than Jimin?”
“Most likely” Jungkook confirmed, “Only way to know is to reset your chip. And only Dr. Kim himself can do that”
You turned to your calendar. The conference was only a few days away. What were you supposed to tell Jimin in the meanwhile? Should you avoid seeing him? Should you ignore this and just love him anyway?
“I-I gotta go” You scrambled to gather your things. Rushing to take a bus home, you barged into your apartment. Eyes wide as you noticed the entire place had been cleaned up. Nose twitching to the scent of something cooking—something delicious.
Jimin smiled warmly upon seeing you. You had left before he woke up, leaving him sound asleep with a kiss on the cheek.  
“Morning doctor” He continued to go about his cooking. He looked adorable, sleepy hair and shirtless, cracking eggs into a pan. You wanted to cover him with kisses, “Hope you don’t mind, just thought I’d whip up some food. Aren’t you supposed to be at the lab?”
“I, yeah I uh”
“Oh taste this” Jimin took a spoon of some sauce he had made and quickly made his way over to you. Slipping the spoon in your mouth, your eyes widened as flavor burst in your mouth.
“Jimin” You mumbled as he took the spoon out, stealing a quick kiss. “Fuck that’s so spicy Jimin”
“Not your thing, doctor?” He pouted, “Damn, I love spicy food”
Your heart dropped. He’s not your soulmate. You’re not compatible.
He seemed to notice your unusual behavior.
“Hey baby, it’s okay. It’s just food preferences, not the end of the world”
“Jimin, we’re” You cleared your throat. “We’re not—”
“Oh, are you upset that I’m still here? Don’t worry I have class in the afternoon, I’ll be out of your way” Grabbing your hands he pulled you into a hug. Swaying your body left to right, you wanted to melt.
“Jimin” Your voice was breaking. Tears welling in your eyes.
“I know we don’t have everything figured out baby” He hummed against you. Pressing his lips on top of your head, “But for once, I think, I believe it’ll work out”
You broke.
Shattered into tears. You couldn’t possibly do this to him, not after everything you already put him through. How the hell were you supposed to tell the man you’d chased relentlessly that you weren’t supposed to be together?
“Baby,” Jimin held your face in his hands, searching with concern “Y/n, what’s wrong?”
You couldn’t breathe. Sobs blocking your air. Chest tight.
“Hey, easy baby” Jimin held your hand, guiding you to sit down on your bed. He knelt down by your side. Pressing his lips onto your knuckles. Across your wrist.
The odds were unlikely. But there was a slim chance that despite being a placebo match, he may actually still somehow be compatible with you. He may still be your real soulmate. You should wait until you knew for sure. 
“I’m okay, sorry I just, got emotional” You wiped your tears away, chuckling. Jimin didn’t look like he quite believed you, but decided not to push it.
“Don’t apologize, doctor” He kissed your knee, “As long as you’re okay”
“Jimin”
“Yeah baby?”
“No matter what happens,” You sniffled, “I believe in you”
Jimin chuckled, stroking your face, “Babe what has gotten into you? Did Jungkook say something—I can beat that fucker to a pulp if he did, I am a vigilante after all”
You smiled. Because the man in front of you was dazzling. Despite the fights. Despite your differences. If this wasn’t true love, you weren’t sure you wanted whatever that was. This was all you needed. He was all you needed.
Which is why you owed it to him to be honest.
“We’re not actually soulmates”
Jimin simply blinked.
“It was a placebo, where the chip signals but we aren’t actually compatible. So the basis for everything we felt—or everything we think we feel, was a lie”
Silence. So haunting and so obscenely loud, you weren’t sure you’d survive it.
series masterlist | part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4
a/n: HOPE YOU ENJOYED <3 i tried lmao, but plsssssss let me know what you think ive never written anything like this and wanna know what your reactions are!!! ask questions, give me your theories, any and all of it! <3 have a wonderful day cuties~
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dirty-bosmer · 7 months
Text
WIP Wedensday
tagged by: @atypicalacademic @mareenavee @lucien-lachance @rainpebble3 @thequeenofthewinter thank you 🥰
tagging: @atypicalacademic (for the new week ❤️) @elavoria @wispstalk @skyrim-forever @gilgamish @throughtrialbyfire @justafoxhound @paraparadigm @miraakulous-cloud-district @nuwanders @kookaburra1701 @ladytanithia @sylvienerevarine @orfeoarte @snowberry-crostata @flymmcargo
Surprisingly, I had something written this time (could hardly believe it :o) From my Skyrim fic, Slither and Writhe:
Morning greeted Sylawen the same way the evening had bid it’s cruel farewell— penniless, clammy, and shivering from fever. She tested her throat with a stiff swallow. It burned. For a long while, she lay still, staring at the brown stain on the ceiling above, attempting to divine her fate in its sprawling limbs. How did I get here? Where did I go so wrong? How do I get out? Please give me a sign. Just one? A fat drop of rainwater landed in the center of her forehead, the roof now thoroughly soaked through. Peeling herself out of the sheets, she found herself still sick, still angry, still very much broke, and promptly rued the day the Nibenese settled Bravil.  Breakfast did little to lift her spirits, a bowl of rice porridge that smelled of sea grass and the bay water’s brine. But food was food, and as she hadn’t the appetite for much until today, she choked down what she could. It was no pan-seared trout, but it had a nutritious taste about it. Bold. A little bitter, the pungent scent of salted fish so strong it bored through even the thick walls of her congestion. Belly full, she paced the room, and once that returned no particularly fruitful ideas, she dug through her pack for her charcoal and sketchbook, ripped out a page, and wrote to Nana. …and so, after such cruel and unusual punishment, I had no choice but to flee. I’m sure you see it as I do, with crystal clarity— if even among family my most important research is reviled, what can a scholarly woman (such as we are) do but find somewhere else to practice?  Alas, I’m afraid it can’t be Bravil, indisposed and indigent as it has left me. If you would be so kind as to enclose a modest sum of say, several hundred septims, I might be able to seek refuge somewhere more conducive to my studies. Or I might even be able to travel to you? Wherever you are… Sylawen addressed it to Anvil, hoping Nana was indeed home, already knowing with a sinking certainty that she’d never return a reply, because of course Nana wasn’t in Anvil. When was she ever? Sylawen should have ran there like she had the last time. At least Anvil was dry. The rest of the day passed in a blur, much of the following day too, and by the fifth morning of her not-vacation in Bravil, there was enough grime under Sylawen’s nails, in her hair, enough mildew choking her lungs to admit she’d made a grievous mistake in fleeing here.  Yet Sylawen would not regret running. To regret was to admit fault, to surrender the righteous anger flaring furnace-red in her belly, and if she had nothing else in her possession, at least she had that. Still, with no wherewithal to run elsewhere and plenty of spite to keep from writing home, she did the only thing she could think of and set out to find help. And preferably a bar of sweet-smelling soap.
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