#rice bowls make me wanna explode (in the good way)

[toruland]

i am MOANING over this rice bowl rn pls

#is it 7 am #yes #do i care?? #no. #IT HAS RICE IN IT I HAVE TO EAT IT #rice is literally the best thing this planet has ever been blessed with #and i think people don’t appreciate it enough. #rice bowls make me wanna explode (in the good way) #૮꒰˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶꒱ა ° ᡣ𐭩 . ° . — chatting!

[xofanfics]

Until Tomorrow

Genre: angst, fluff, dad!Minghao, husband!Minghao

Pairing: Reader x Minghao

Word Count: 4.2k

*REQUESTED*

Summary: When Minghao tells his parents his plans of marrying you, his mother rejects it and his father says nothing. 

When he laid his eyes on the ring, he was happier than ever. It was perfect for you and he knew you’d love it. He smiled widely as he took out his credit card and paid for it. He carried it in the blue velvet box as he went home, carrying his hopes, dreams, and his future in his pocket.

On his way there, he imagined the proposal and what it would be like. He pictured how wide your smile would be and how you’d start tearing up because you were so happy that you couldn’t believe that it was happening. He’d been with you for the past two years and he couldn’t imagine a life without you. You’d mentioned marriage here and there and the whole time he was making mental notes of all the small details you mentioned: the ring, the dress, and so on. Minghao had been saving a lot of money and he was almost ready to give you a proposal you’d never forget.

He walked into the house, his nose filled with the smell of his mom’s cooking. “I’m home,” he said, taking off his shoes and placing them neatly on the mat.

“Dinner is almost ready,” she called upon hearing the sound of her son’s voice. “Can you set the table?”

He nodded. “Sure.” He took the small bowls from the cabinet, spooning rice from the rice cooker. As he did, his father came into the room and sat at the table. “Hi, Dad.”

“How was your day?”

“Good. I had a few photoshoots,” he said.

His father nodded. Like most parents, his didn’t exactly approve of his decision to be a photographer. They’d wanted him to be like everyone else and get a degree in finance or business but it wasn’t in him to do that sort of thing. He was creative; he wanted to create things. In high school, he spent his time on the dance team and taking pictures with the camera his mother got him for his birthday. Instead of a business degree, he got one in photography and he’d never been happier. At first his parents wondered how he’d make money like that but he was doing just fine. He’d proved them wrong but they still made snide remarks about his choice of career here and there.

In a moment, the three of you were seated and eating dinner at the table. Minghao cleared his throat. “I’m planning on proposing to Y/N.”

The room was silent. He wasn’t sure of what his father’s opinion on you was; he never seemed to have a problem with his dating you. His mother, however, never liked you. After a short silence his mother said, “Why?”

“Because I love her and because she treats me well.”

“Isn’t she still in school? Why has she been in school so much longer when you’re the same age? She’s not a hard worker and she doesn’t come from a good family. Her mother threw her away. Why should you marry someone like that?”

“She’s been paying for college herself! And she works part-time,” Minghao argued. “And so what if she doesn’t come from a good family? Why does growing up in a good family matter? She’s a good person and she’s smart, mom.”

To be honest, you were abandoned by your mother when you were three and you ended up in an orphanage. From what you told him, you had very vague memories of your mother. Just of her face, you’d said. You grew up in an orphanage and never got adopted due to the stigma of adoption in China. You had a hard life and you never really had a family. But none of that mattered to him because he wanted to become your family. He wanted to be your husband and father of your children, once you were ready to take that step.

“You should marry someone that comes from a good family. Your wife should come from a good family with a good background. Her mother was probably on drugs or something... ”

“Why should she be discriminated against because of choices her mother made? She’s a completely different person and she’s never once touched drugs.”

“How would you know?” his mother shouted across the table. “She’s probably taking drugs between work and school. That’s why she hasn’t graduated and she’ll never be a nurse like she says. She’ll end up just like trash!”

“Don’t you dare call her that!” Minghao yelled back. His mother had crossed a line. He was so angry he could explode. And what was worse is that his father just sat there, looking down at the table and saying absolutely nothing. He hated that his father didn’t even back him up or prevent his mother from saying such cruel things.

That night, Minghao packed his things and never looked back once. From that point on, he decided that he didn’t have a family. * Minghao felt his hand being tugged in the middle of the night and thought that he must be dreaming. But he felt the tug again, harder this time. His eyes slowly fluttered open and he found his daughter standing so close to his face that he jumped. When he realized that it was just his baby.

“Daddy?” she called in her small, sleepy voice.

Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he sat up with a yawn. “Yes, baby? Did you have a nightmare?”

She stood, holding her small teddy bear that he bought for her birthday a few months ago. Then she shook her head. “Can I have water?”

He looked at the bedside table next to the bed and, to his dismay, he didn’t find the glass of water he usually kept by the bed. He dragged himself out of bed and held his daughter’s hand as they walked into the kitchen. She waited next to the refrigerator patiently as he went into the refrigerator and poured water into her favorite purple cup. He stood next to her, handing her her cup. She said, “Thank you.”

While she took small sips from her cup, he poured himself a glass as well. They drank their water in silence together and, when Biyu was finished, she stood on her tiptoes to put the cup in the sink.

“All done?” asked Minghao, putting his cup in the sink, too.

Biyu nodded, holding onto her father’s hand again. “I’m sleepy.”

“Let’s go to the bathroom first, okay?” The last thing he needed was an accident as the night went on. He waited for her in the bathroom as she sat on the toilet and helped her clean up when she was done. After she washed her hands, Minghao had started toward her room expecting her to be behind him but, apparently, Biyu had other plans.

“Biyu, where are you going?”

She walked in the opposite direction and into her bedroom and into the room her parents slept in. She crawled into the bed next to you and made herself comfortable under the blanket. She patted the bed, motioning for Minghao to get in the bed beside her. He smiled to himself and lay down next to her.

With all the movement in the bed, you rolled over and opened your eyes to find your daughter between you and your husband. You smiled. “You couldn’t sleep?”

Biyu shook her head. “Wanna sleep with mommy and daddy.”

Minghao kissed Biyu’s cheek before kissing your lips. The three of you cuddled. Biyu, of course, snuggled closest to her dad and you fell asleep again, with Minghao’s fingers intertwined with yours. Small moments like this, made being a father worth more than a million words. * The week came and went. It was a Friday afternoon and you ended up getting off of work a little early. You went inside of Biyu’s school to pick her up. The teachers were a bit surprised to see you an hour early but started preparing Biyu to go home. Her head popped up from the table and over to the door. Her face lit up upon seeing you and ran over despite her teacher’s call to clean up. You laughed as Biyu ran into your arms.

You kneeled down to meet her at eye level. Her eyes glimmered with excitement and joy, bringing a smile to her face. “Biyu, you have to clean up first. Listen to your teacher so we can go to the supermarket and make something yummy for dinner.”

With a pout, Biyu quickly cleaned up her mess and got her coat. She bid her friends and teachers goodbye before leaving in your hand.

“Where’s daddy?” she asked, as you waited at the bus stop.

“He’s working,” you answered. “We’ll see him at home, okay?” Your husband had a photoshoot that was running a bit later than he anticipated. Biyu frowned, a bit disappointed to find that her dad wasn’t going to be joining you at the supermarket.

It was Minghao’s birthday and you were planning on making dinner. You’d made dumplings the previous night and froze them so that they’d be ready for today. You planned on making that and some stir fry.

The trip to the supermarket was quick; You got the things you needed while pushing your four year old in the shopping cart. To your surprise, she didn’t complain too much after she reached her two snack limit. Biyu was sometimes a picky eater but she loved snacks, so much that sometimes you had to hide them where she couldn’t reach or wouldn’t find them. For four years old, she could be a little sneaky. * You watched Biyu color at the coffee table while you cooked. She’d looked a little like you when she was first born but something happened and she ended up looking mostly like Minghao. While the dumplings boiled in the pot on the stove, you plopped down next to your daughter. You said, “What are you drawing?”

“I’m drawing me and daddy,” she said.

“What about me? I’m not in the picture,” you said, laughing.

“Nope,” she said. “Only me and daddy!”

She continued coloring and you pat her head. You carried her for nine months, pushed her out, and nursed her and all but she was still a daddy’s girl. You chuckled to yourself.

And, right on time, Minghao walked through the door. Biyu’s eyes lit up and your child scrambled to her feet, nearly tripping over them in the process. She shouted, “Daddy!”

He’d barely had a chance to take his coat off before he was tackled by his daughter. He scooped her up in his arms. “I’m back! Sorry I’m late, my pretty girl.” You came over to him and he planted a kiss on your lips. “Hey baby.” He sniffed the air. “Wow, it smells so good.”

“Mommy made dumplings!” she said as the timer went off.

You smiled and headed into the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready, babe.”

He smiled and put Biyu down. “Let’s help mommy set the table, okay?”

Biyu said, “I made you a present,” and ran over the coffee table. She showed him the picture she’d drawn and colored. “It’s me and you.”

Minghao kneeled down next to her and admired the picture. “It’s so pretty. Thank you. What about mommy? Are you gonna draw mommy too?”

As you sat the dishes on the table, you said, “She basically said I couldn’t be in it.” Biyu laughed loudly and her dad joined in her laughter. “Come on silly, let’s eat.”

Minghao sat Biyu down at the table and put his phone down. “I wanna show you some of the shots I took today. I shot engagement photos as the sun was setting.” As he went to go get his camera from his backpack, his phone started vibrating on the table.

You glanced at it and saw that it was an unknown number. “Your phone’s ringing.”

He continued digging through his bag for the camera. “Who is it?”

“I don’t know. The number isn’t saved.”

By the time he got to the table, the phone had stopped ringing. With raised eyebrows, he picked up the phone and put the camera down with his other hand. “I don’t know this number.” He cleared his throat and sat down across from you.

Part of you thought it was a little strange that he didn’t answer and that he wasn’t at least curious about the unknown number. The insecure part of your brain was racked with thoughts of it possibly being another woman calling your husband’s phone. But you shook that thought away. Minghao loved you and you had no reason to question it.

The three of you started eating and the phone started vibrating on the table again. Minghao reached over and silenced the phone before he returned to the dumplings. “Wow,” he said, smiling at you. “It’s delicious. When did you learn how to make such good dumplings?”

“The internet,” you said, laughing. “And Biyu helped me mix everything together, right?”

She nodded and shoved a whole dumpling in her mouth. Minghao laughed. “Biyu, you shouldn’t stuff the whole thing in your mouth. You can get hurt like that.”

Biyu smirked, mouth full, and looked over at his phone which started vibrating again. “Your phone, daddy.”

Minghao sighed, annoyed that the stupid phone was interrupting his birthday dinner with his family. He picked up the phone and put it to his ear, fed up. “Hello?”

“Minghao, it’s your dad.” Minghao’s eyes widened and his mouth suddenly felt dry, to the point where he couldn’t find words to speak. “I know it’s been a long time but I got your phone number from your friend Tao. He came to the store last week…”

“Oh…”

“I don’t know how to say this but your mom isn’t doing well. She has heart disease and,” he said, clearing his throat, “she doesn’t have much time left…”

Minghao was shocked. He hadn’t heard from his parents in almost six years. When he left home, he left for good. He never looked back once. He stayed at a hotel for those next few days, unable to face you. When he felt himself falling into depression, he thought of you and pulled himself out of that hole before he fell in too deeply. He’d been losing sight of what was important to him, the reason he left home in the first place: you. That night, he took you out for dinner at your favorite restaurant and walked through a park after eating. He got on one knee and proposed to you, just the way he planned. The look on your face was priceless and you threw your arms around him, the impact almost knocking him over.

The two of you put together your money and started renting an apartment together. A few months later, you were married. And a couple months after that, you found out that you were pregnant with a baby girl. He’d never been happier. You and Biyu were his family and until now, it was all that mattered.

His heart dropped when his dad told him about his mother’s condition. Though he’d cut them out of his life, it still hurt. Even if she hurt him, she was his mother. No matter what, she was the person who gave birth to him and raised him. He loved his mother and they’d had no problems until that day. She’d always made unnecessary comments about you but she’d never been completely out of line like that day. He’d let it slide when his mother made comments about you still being in school and working part time. But she crossed the line that day and he wasn’t going to sit there and take it anymore.

“I’ll come tomorrow…” * Minghao was on a train to his hometown after not having spoken to his parents in over six years. To be honest, he felt a little nervous and a little guilty for ending things the way he did. But then he remembered how his mother treated him that day and the guilt melted away like ice on a hot day. You squeezed his hand, knowing that he was feeling a bit stressed out. He looked over at you and smiled.

“Thank you for coming,” he said.

“Of course,” you said. “I’m here for you babe. I think that it’s good that your dad called. Maybe talking to your mom can give you some closure.” At this point, you knew what had happened and when he told you, it hurt. But if anything, it gave you the motivation to become a nurse just like you said. And you were. You were a nurse in the pediatrics department and a damn good one at that.

He nodded, looking down in his arms at his sleeping daughter. He let out a sigh and in a few minutes, the train had arrived. Biyu, not quite ready to walk on her own, was carried by Minghao. It had been so long since he’d been back to his hometown but he noticed the small changes around him as the three of them rode in a taxi to the hospital.

Minghao never thought about it but he never really discussed his parents with Biyu. He’d give her vague answers and tell her that they lived far away. As they walked inside the hospital, he mentally prepared himself. He gave her name at the front desk and the receptionist prompted him to go up to the eighth floor.

Minghao had been quiet and you knew that he was feeling a little stressed and anxious about all of this. He’d heard that his mother was dying. Whether he had bad feelings toward her or not, it was a stressful situation to be in. You sat Biyu in a seat in the waiting area. Minghao got on one knee, meeting her at eye level. She beamed at him and he smiled back at her. “I’m going to leave for a few minutes, okay? I’ll be right back.”

“You’re going to see your mommy, right?”

He nodded. “Yeah. She’s not feeling so well.”

“Can I meet her?”

“Maybe if she’s feeling better.”

“Okay.”

“Wait here with mommy.”

You gave him a kiss before he left in search of his mother’s hospital room. He knocked on the door and went inside. He stood in the doorway for a moment. His mother had aged, from what he could see. Her face had more defined wrinkles and she had more grey hairs than he remembered. Minghao closed the door and sat on the chair across from the room. He’d rehearsed what he wanted to say in his head a million times before coming but he couldn’t find the words anymore.

She cleared her throat. “I didn’t think you’d come.” An awkward silence hung in the air. He didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry for what I said back then...about Y/N.” He nodded, grateful for at least an apology and acknowledgement that she did something wrong. “I shouldn’t have said those things. I’ve spent this whole time thinking about it. When you left that day, I thought you’d come back. Days went by, then months, years…”

“I waited six years for an apology...and even now, it feels strange,” he said. “It hurt, mom. It hurt me so much to know that you weren’t supportive of me. You supported me through college even though I didn’t get a business degree. You bought me my first camera because you knew it would make me happy even though you wished I was doing something else instead. You knew I wanted to be independent and buy it myself but you bought it for me anyway and told me to put the money in my savings instead. So when I told you I wanted to marry Y/N, it made me upset because it was the first thing in my life you were so unsupportive of.”

“I know,” she said, looking down. “This doesn’t justify anything but I wanted the best for you. I tried to discourage you from being with her. I thought she lacked ambition and motivation. I didn’t think she’d finish school and—”

“She finished school a couple months later,” he said, interrupting her. “She graduated from nursing school and she became a pediatric nurse—she’s one of the best in her hospital.”

“Are you happy?” she asked.

He nodded. “Of course. We got married and life is good. We live in Shenzhen and I’m saving up to buy a photography studio to use for my shoots.”

The nervous expression on her face faded into a smile. “I’m glad.”

“There’s someone I want you to meet. I’ll be right back.” He left the room for a moment and headed toward the waiting area where he left his family. When he came around the corner, he saw you reading a book with Biyu. He walked toward you with a smile. You looked up, then Biyu.

You said, “Everything okay?”

Minghao nodded and held out his hand toward Biyu. “Do you wanna meet your grandma?” Biyu didn’t answer and got up to grab his hand. You gave him a nod and watched them disappear around the corner again.

Minghao pushed the door open and walked in, with Biyu clinging to him. His mother’s eyes lit up at the sight of her. She lifted her hand to wave. “Don’t be rude,” he said, looking down at her. “Say hi.”

“Hi,” Biyu said, in a low voice.

“What’s your name?”

“Biyu.”

“That’s pretty. Biyu means jasper, you know. It’s a pretty red stone.”

Biyu smiled and walked closer to the hospital bed. She looked up at her with big, curious eyes. “Are you sick?”

“A little bit,” his mother said, smiling. “But I think I’m starting to feel a little better.”

Biyu ended up taking over the conversation. She asked her grandma a bunch of questions about where she lives, what her house looks like, if she has pets, and about her grandpa. It was as if he wasn’t even there.

Biyu put her finger on her chin. “Do you know my mommy?”

She nodded and then turned to her son. “Is it okay if I talk to her?”

Minghao stood. “I’ll ask her if she’s okay with it.” He took out his phone to text you: She wants to talk to you. I think she wants to apologize to you.

You wrote back, Sure. Room 831A, right?

You never had a relationship with Minghao’s mom. He rarely talked about her when they were dating back then and eventually when he told you everything, you found out why. You were hurt, at first. But then Minghao reminded you that he didn’t care who didn’t approve or who liked it, that you were the person he wanted to be with no matter what. And that was enough for you. For the past six years, he didn’t talk much about his parents. It was always casual mentions like “My mom used to make tofu all the time when I was a kid” or “Biyu reminds me of my dad.” It was never more than that and now that you thought about it, he never really addressed those feelings.

You knocked on the door and Minghao opened it. Your eyes landed on your mother-in-law and Biyu who had been chatting away before you came in. She said, “Mommy, meet grandma.”

You smiled and Minghao came over to Biyu. “Let’s go see what snacks are in the vending machine, okay?” There was no reason for Minghao to feel nervous but he did. He didn’t know what his mother was going to say and he felt a little vulnerable not knowing. He would’ve stayed but Biyu was too young to understand and he didn’t want one of her final memories of her being something this heavy.

You sat down in the chair after her husband and daughter left. The first thing your mother in law said was, “I heard you’re a pediatric nurse now...Congratulations.”

To be honest, you didn’t feel any resentment toward her. Back then you felt a little weird when Minghao confessed everything but you didn’t hate her. You ended up doing well despite what she thought. And after that you began to care less and less about what people thought about you. You started to care less about the assumptions that people made. You were doing so well. You were living in a nice apartment, you had a husband and daughter that loved you, and you and Minghao were saving up money to buy an apartment and a photography studio.

“Thank you,” you said.

“I wanted to apologize to you directly,” she said. “I judged you before I got to know you and I’m sorry for not taking the time to know you first. I should’ve invited you for dinner and taught you how to make his favorite foods. As a parent I wanted the best for him but I wasn’t keeping his feelings in my thoughts.”

“Thank you for apologizing.” You cleared your throat. “I don’t hate you. I never have. We didn’t have a chance to get to know each other better and maybe we can now. ”

“I don’t have much time left and I’d like to fill the rest of my life with good memories.”

“I’d like that.”

A few minutes later, Minghao and Biyu came back. Biyu was satisfied with her snacks and she sat on the hospital bed. She continued to ask a million questions and, eventually, Minghao’s dad came. The five of you crowded in the hospital room for hours. You talked, laughed, and got to know each other. Until the end, like his mother said, you’d fill your lives with good memories.

#seventeen scenarios #seventeen fanfiction #seventeen fanfic #seventeen fluff #seventeen angst #svt fluff #svt angst #svt scenarios #svt imagines #minghao fluff #minghao angst #minghao reactions #dad!minghao #husband!minghao #svt au #svt reactions

[mrs-hollandstan]

Help Wanted || Tom Holland

Warnings: prostitute character, mentions of sex, dickbag Harrison (or logical), talk of theft, talk of drugs, talk of STDs, talk of loaning money, language. 

Word Count: 4,816 

Author’s Note: So I wrote this to where it’s not reader insert, just because I feel that the story goes better without it being sort of personal and insertable, so the main character’s name is Skyler. This is the prostitute fic that I wrote, but don’t worry, it’s not super descriptive into the profession. Enjoy!

Italicized text means a flashback. 

My Masterlist || Add yourself to one of my taglists

"Tom you can't help her. She'll take you for everything you have. She only acts like she wants you to help her because she knows you're worth something." Harrison had rambled in the middle of Tom's living room. "This is why I didn't tell you." "Why because you knew I'd give you an intellectual insight?" "She's not like that. When I come in she's in the shower. She wears my clothes and she definitely doesn't steal anything. She's a good person." "She's a prostitute Tom. You met her on a street corner. She's a whore." 

That conversation resounded in Tom's mind everytime he glanced up at his apartment building and counted the floors to find his living room light on. He never panicked. He gave her a key for a reason. Even if he was hesitant at first because of her... profession, he still trusted her. Riding the elevator up, he slowly walked down the hall to his door, sliding the key in the lock and waiting for it to click open. When it did, he walked inside, dropping his keys in the bowl and hanging his coat up. Walking just a few steps forward, the bathroom light clicked off and Skyler stepped out in a button up of Tom's, stopping in her tracks when she saw him at the end of the hall. "Hey." He smiled, "Hey." Swallowing, he walked towards her, "What was it this time?" She sighed and shrugged, "I didn't have enough money for rent. I knew that if I walked in that building, my landlord would have my ass." Tom nodded, leaning against the wall beside her, "If you need money-" "No. That'd just prove your friend's point." "He doesn't have to know." "But I know... I don't want you to give me money. You do more than enough." Smiling wider, Tom took his tongue between his teeth, "Offering you a shower and the oppurtunity to wear my clothes is enough?" Standing confused for just a moment, Skyler gave a shy smirk, "Yeah. I was uhh... I was actually going to make you dinner. I saw you had chicken and I was gonna try and make an asian dish for you." Tom nodded, "Sounds good." She nodded, playing with the ends of her hair, "I thought you might like it. I could... still make it if you want." Tom nodded, "Yeah, you can go start it while I take a shower. I'll be there in just a minute to help you." She nodded, "Yeah, okay. I'll uhh... I'll go start it. Do you know if you have honey?" Tom nodded, "Yeah I use it in my tea. It's in the cupboard." She nodded before they parted and Tom walked into the bathroom while Skyler walked off to the kitchen. Scowering through his cabinets, Skyler found what she was looking for before turning the burner on and adding the raw chicken, adding lemon juice and honey to the pan and then sugar, salt, and chicken broth. Standing at the counter, she sighed, crossing her arms. Deciding to leave the mixture on the stove, Skyler trails down the hall, finding Tom a pair of boxers and sweats before walking towards the bathroom, "I uhh... I'm not looking. I just thought I'd bring you some clothes." Tom hums, water hitting the shower floor, "Thanks." She nods, avoiding the glass door as she sets his clothes on the sink's counter. "I didn't know if you wanted a shirt. I didn't bring you one. I can if you want to." "No that's okay. I don't need a shirt. Although... it sounded like you were coming onto me just then." Smiling, she turned her back to him, "Definitely not. I'll be in the kitchen." Her heart pounded in her ears as she wrapped her mind around his statement. She'd never made a move in Tom's direction. She didn't view herself as worthy even if he put her on a pedestal. He'd met her just as Harrison reminded him, on a street corner. She'd been selling herself to make extra cash and Tom had eyes on her. Of course he thought she was beautiful. Most of the hookers in New York were before they sold themselves to businessmen cheating on their wives for drug money. But Tom could see that Skyler wasn't like that. Sure she'd sold herself for cash but it wasn't for drug money. She wasn't some sleazy whore that flaunted her body to anyone who pulled up against the curb. She'd been someone before. She'd been a student before, Tom knew that much. She was just trying to make ends meet and the only way to do it quick enough was give someone a good time for an hour. "Do that many men actually pay to have sex with you?" "What are you trying to say Tom, I'm not attractive enough for men to pay to have sex with me?" "No, no, no, that's not what I was saying. I just... you know how in those movies sometimes men pay just to have someone to talk to or... they pay and when the girl gets in the car, they like hack her up and bury her body in the desert? I was just wondering if it was like that. I was wondering if you've ever been paid to be a therapist." She shrugged, dipping a fry into the ketchup on her plate, "Yeah. But most guys are selfish and wanna get off. I've had... well ya know... everywhere." Tom smiled, but his cheeks turned a dark shade of pink at the mention of her sexual encounters. "But I'm... I'm clean. If that's... what you're thinking." "No, no, that's not what I was thinking. Even if you weren't, I don't... I don't plan on doing that sort of... stuff with you. You don't have to justify yourself to me. I just... I wanna offer you a place to stay. If you ever feel threatened or you just need some company that isn't using you for your... services, you're always welcome. You can have whatever's in my kitchen and you can wear stuff from my closet if you'd like. Use the shower, I just," sliding the spare key to his apartment across the table, Skyler glanced down at his hand, "I want you to have a second option no matter what. You're... there's just something about you that I can't... I can't wrap my mind around it but I like you. I wanna help you." "It smells good in here." Tom spoke up quietly as he entered the kitchen, still drying his hair. Skyler jumped, being broken from her thoughts. He paused, looking her over, "Sorry. Did I scare you?" She nodded, "Uh yeah. That's okay though. I just... I was just thinking." Taking a few steps forward, he stood beside her, "What were you thinkin about?" She swallowed, "Just... that first time you offered your help." He nodded, "Ahh... I see. Those were uhh... those were pretty awkward times." "Its still awkward Tom. I don't live here but I'm always here when you come home. It's ridiculous. I'm ridiculous." "Hey," stepping forward, Tom guided Skyler's eyes back to his with a finger under her chin, "hey you. You're not ridiculous darling. I gave you that key for this purpose. When I gave you that key, I told you you could take a shower and raid my closet. I told you you could have food. I did it because I know. I know that you felt this was your only other option. It was a dangerous decision, but you made it work. I gave you that key because I want you here." Staring up into his chocolate colored eyes, she nodded, looking away before she did anything reckless, "I know. I just don't want to overextend my stay." "You never will." Tom couldn't help but remember the feelings he felt the first time she called for help. She was sobbing and his heart broke and raced at the same time. The idea that she might be in danger scared the living hell out of him. The moment she ducked into his car, all he do could do as she rambled apologies was drag her into him, the rain water on her clothes sticking his clothes to him. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I scared you." "Don't apologize to me." He scolded, taking her face in his hands, "Don't ever do that. Okay?" She nodded and for once in her life, she was grateful for being yelled at. She'd never been told not to do something. She'd never been put in her place before. Especially by a man. And now, here Tom was, holding her eyes in his so intently, she thought she might explode. Or cry. Or both. "Let's get you home love. Let's get you in some warm clothes." "This is good. What is it?" Tom spoke up, his eyes wandering Skyler's spaced out face. She blinked before glancing over at him, "Its sticky chinese lemon chicken. Its normally served with rice. If you want I could-" "I got it. It's the least I could do. You're already doing the chicken." Pulling the box from his cupboard, he started on the rice, turning to her while it cooked. His eyebrows knit together, "What's that look for?" She shook her head, looking at the floor, "Nothing. You're just... you're just really amazing. I can't believe I was blessed with someone like you." Stepping forward, he reached up to tuck hair behind her ear, running his fingers down to her chin, "I'm nothing special love. I'm human and I have a little bit of sympathy." "You don't have to though. Your friend doesn't." "And I know that. He fuels the fire." "But he's right. You don't owe me anything. You literally met me when I was whoreing myself out on a street corner." "Yeah, but look at you now. You don't feel comfortable with it. It was a way to make extra cash and you are an absolutely beautiful girl with an amazing ability and... you... dare I say screwed up. But you're trying. I know you are." Taking her hand, Tom held it in his own. Skyler could feel her heart skip a beat. She'd wanted, so badly. since the moment they first met, to be his. To be his forever. But he'd never asked and she'd never pushed. "I am trying. Its just... it's hard." "And I know that." "And look at me Tom. I'm pitiful. I'm wearing your fucking button up God dammit. I'm just-" "Skyler stop." Dragging her into his arms, tears slowly slipped down her cheeks as she laid her head against his bare shoulder. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, "You're not just anything. You're an amazing girl and anyone, no matter how close I am to them, not willing to see you for who you are on the inside versus a definition based on your profession isn't worth anyone's of our time. Do you understand me?" Leaning back, he collected her face in his hands. She nodded, feeling her heart swell more as he scolded her. Reaching up, she held his hands over his face, closing her eyes. Sighing, she opened her eyes, a tear running down her cheek. Tom reached up and swiped it away with his thumb, caressing her cheek. She swallowed as he pulled away. "Hell... you should just move in. I could get you a job. We could share-" "No. I'm not doing that to you. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that I'm gonna move in with you because your friend doesn't trust me. You're still not completely convinced that you trust me. And playing the sympathy card, saying that you want me to move in, you're not... you're not thinking straight." Leaning on her hands on the counter, she sighed. She dropped to her elbows, tucking hair behind both of her ears, "I'm not worth all this. I'm not worth the time or the patience or the money, or this key." Pulling it from the pocket of his shirt, she sighed and set it on the counter, "I'm not worth the trouble of all of this. I'm not worth the friendships sacrificed or the time put into this relationship. I mean, I'll never be with you. I'm not worthy of that. I'm not worthy of the feeling of-" "What do you mean you'll never be with me?" Looking up from the pan of chicken, Tom's eyebrows knit together. Glancing up at him, Skyler paused mid sentence, her mouth closing, "I just mean.... we- we'll never..." "Hook up? I don't hook up with you because of your profession. I don't-" "No Tom, not hook up. That's not what I meant. I just meant... I'm not worthy of girlfriend material for you. You don't even like me. You're creeped out by the mention of sex. You think I'm gross and I-" "STOP! Skyler." She looked down at the floor as he scoffed, "Skyler, the entire reason you're allowed in my house is because I'm in love with you." Looking up with wide eyes, she pursed her lips, "What?" Tom smiled, nodding. "I've been into you the second you climbed in my car that first night. The second you looked at me I knew I wanted nothing more. All I've ever wanted was you and that's why I have such a hard time listening to you bag on yourself. I don't come onto you... I don't ask or offer sex because I know you hate it. You made that a profession and the thought of it disgusts you. I know that. I'm not disgusted by you. I really don't care. If you wanna show me bloodwork that tells me you're clean, by all means, you go out and you do it, but that doesn't determine how strong my feelings are for you. I've been in love with you for months now." Staring at each other for a moment, Skyler's heart pounded in her ears. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes again. "Really?" Tom didn't hesitate to nod, "Of course." She stood, frozen where she stood for a moment longer before throwing herself at him. Binding her arms around his neck, he wrapped his around her waist, "I don't care if we never have sex. It's not about that. I love you for what's on the inside." Holding his neck, she pulled back, staring into his genuine, vibrant eyes, "Why haven't you said anything?" He scoffed again, "Right, because you totally wanna be mine. Obviously now I know you do, but... all those times you and I passed in the hall it was kinda awkward. I figured you just... I dunno, needed a place to stay and you just saw me as a friend." "No. No. God Tom, I thought... I thought you'd never be into me. I'm so... I'm grateful for you and I can't imagine life without you. I want to be your forever. God I'd want nothing more." He smiled, "I want that too. I've wanted that for a long time." Smiling, Tom glanced down at her lips, holding her off of her feet. Taking hold of his cheeks, she nodded. He leaned in, her doing the same and in moments, their lips touched in a passionate, every nerve ending on fire, kiss. She held him close, her legs binding around his waist as he worked his lips against hers. Setting her on the counter, she whimpered, tangling her fingers in his hair. He trailed kisses down her neck, her breath coming out in pants and short puffs, her heart pounding out against his chest. He brushed her hair aside, kissing a goosebumped patch of hollowed skin just beside the column of her throat. He could smell his shampoo in her hair. He could smell his body wash across her torso as his nose ran up the underside of her jaw. "So this new girl. She cute?" "God, she's gorgeous Haz. She... she's brunette and she's got the softest hazel eyes and she just... she's perfect. She's what I want in life." Harrison smiled, "That's great man. She sounds good." "Yeah, she is mate." Clapping Tom on the shoulder, Harrison smiled, sipping his drink, "So what does she do? She have a job?" Tom was quick to nod, "Uhh yeah... yeah, she's got a job. Well... kinda." "What do you mean?" Glancing at his best friend over the rim of his tumbler, Harrison furrowed his brows. Tom sighed, running the tip of his index finger over his own glass, "She uhh," glancing around the nearly empty bar, he leaned back against the back of their booth, "she's a... she's a prostitute." If Harrison had anything in his mouth, he would've choked. "Come again?" Swallowing, Tom inhaled and slowly nodded, "I was driving around the night I met her. I parked on a curb. Needed to clear my head and I saw her on a corner across from me. She looked scared. And she was even more so when I approached her. She was like a little abused puppy. But I asked her if she'd like me to take her to get some coffee or some food and with a little bit of reasoning she agreed. So... I took her to a diner, paid for some food, talked to her for a couple hours and I took her home. Saw her a few days later and I... I slipped her my key. The spare. And I hope she uses it." "You gave her your spare key? You gave a PROSTITUTE your spare key?" Tom nodded, "Yeah. She's a real sweet girl and-" "Tom, you do realize the first chance she gets, she'll rob you blind." "She's not like that." "How do you know? She's a whore who sells her body for money. She's probably been with more men than you have fans." "Harrison, shut up. She's a sweet girl and she doesn't deserve this shit. If you ever are in the same room as her and you spout off with this bullshit, I'll kill you myself. I do what I want. You're not gonna tell me how to live my life and you're not gonna tell me who and who not to trust. I trust her. If I get fucked over, it's on me, but I trust her." Tom could feel his blood boil. He could feel his heart pump molten lava through his veins. Glancing up at his best friend, Harrison's eyes had gone dark. He raised his eyebrows and sighed, glancing up at the bar, "Whatever mate. I'll just kick back and tell you I told you so when she takes you for everything you're worth. Maybe then you'll take a look at one of these fine ladies in this bar just waiting to be claimed. But you do you. Your life. As is." "Hey... you okay?" Skyler's soft, hazel eyes careened Tom back to reality. He blinked the image of Harrison away, standing back, "Uhh yeah. Yeah, I'm alright. Just... just thinking about something." "Yeah, what's that?" "Its nothing," waving a hand between them as he turned the burner under the rice out, Tom glanced up at her, "it's nothing. It was just the first time I told Harrison about you. When I told him about approaching you. I remember being so enamoured by you and I couldn't wait to tell him, and I figured he'd be happy and he'd let it slide, and then he asked me what you did for a living. I let it slip and..." Skyler glanced at the floor as Tom shook his head, pulling the lid off the rice and stirring it, "He called me a whore." Tom scoffed in his nose, his eyebrows furrowing in distaste, "He had so much to say about a girl he'd never met that night. He thought I was a fool and he told me I could have anyone in that bar that I wanted and I was making a mistake but I knew..." looking back to Skyler, Tom nodded, "I knew I was making the right decision." "And you still think that?" Skyler cocked her head and smoothed his shirt down over her knees. Tom smiled down at the pot of rice. Nodding slowly, he looked up at her after a moment, "Yeah. Yeah I still think that." She giggled, something he didn't hear often after a moment when he took a step towards her. Wrapping her arms around his neck, Tom slid Skyler across the counter, leaning in on his hands, "I will never, ever regret you. When I met you that first night, I saw how scared you were. I saw how you wanted out and when I offered you dinner, I could see how scared you were of me. I'm not even in the profession and I knew how dangerous it was getting in my car. I knew the second I offered I sounded like a serial killer, but..." letting Skyler run her fingers through his hair, he sighed, "I wanted you. As... creepy as that sounds ya know? I wanted you to be someone that I could confide in and vice versa. I knew I wanted to help someone and you were presented at the right moment. I wanted to help." "And you did. I was terrified. I'm always terrified when a new guy comes in. You never know what they're capable of and I could go missing. No one would care." "I would." She giggled again when he leaned in, her chin in his fingers and gently kissed her lips. She sighed, "You really... don't think you're... outta your depth at all?" She quizzed between kisses. Tom shook his head, drawing her lip back between his teeth, "Nope." Leaning back, she ran her thumb across his cheekbone. Cocking her head, she hummed in her throat, "I don't deserve you." Tilting his own head, he kissed the hill of her hand, his eyes locked in hers, "You don't know how much you're worth my sweet girl." She smiled, draping her wrists over Tom's shoulders. Stroking his hair back, she licked her lips and sat straight up, "Ask me out. I wanna actually be asked out by someone in my lifetime." Tom smiled, laughing through his nose, "Alright. Skyler, would you like to go on a date with me?" Her smile widened. She nodded, hair falling in her eyes, "Yes. Yeah Tom, I'll go out with you." Leaning in again, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips before pulling back completely, "So dinner." Hopping from the counter, she helped Tom plate the food before sitting across from him. Picking up his fork, he glanced up, "What?" She shook her head, "Nothing. I was just thinking that... I kinds wanna meet your friend." Tom took her hand when she held it out, "If you want him to burst into flames then yeah, sure. If you wanna meet him, I can set something up. I'm not telling you no. The idea scares me a little though." "Then you don't have to introduce us. I just... I want him to meet the whore that's stealing his best friend." Tom's smile widened, rubbing his thumb over his knuckles, "No one's stealing me from anyone. I want the both of you to get along. It'll make things a lot easier." She nodded, leaning on her other hand, "I want to get along with him to. I don't like the idea of your longtime best friend not liking me." "Me neither love." Squeezing her hand, Skyler leaned back, flashing him a smile that reminded him of the way she sat across from him in the diner the first night they met. Back then it was shy though. Reserved. Scared. "Hi darling." When she glanced up at Tom through curly brown locks, he could see the fear swimming in her beautiful hazel eyes. She took a hesitant step back and Tom held his hand out. "Sorry. Sorry, I- I didn't mean to spook you. I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that. I uhh... i was sitting in my car over there and i saw that you looked... hesitant. I saw you looked scared. I thought I'd come ask you if you were okay. Talk you up a little bit." That same hesitancy swam in her dark eyes. Her mouth hung open just the slightest. She closed it as she swallowed and nodded, pulling the small bag at her hip, higher onto her shoulder, "M'fine." Tom tucked his hands in his pockets and nodded, "Okay. Okay, yeah. I uhh... I just wanted to make sure. Are you... lost? I could help you find your way." She was weary to shake her head again. What would this pretty boy think of her if he knew she was a hooker? She shook her head firmly, "No I'm not lost." Tom cocked his head just the slightest, confusion written across his features. He hmphed in his throat, "Then why are you out here in the cold wearing a skirt and tank top. I mean... its the middle of winter and you must be cold. I-" The look on Tom's face was like a lightbulb when off in his head. His dark eyes met hers and his mouth hung open, his cheeks seemingly growing more pink in embarrassment, "I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were a uhh... I didn't know you were a prostitute. I mean... I don't mean that in a derogatory way I just, I didn't-" "No it's okay. It's okay, I am. I'm a... I am a prostitute." Skyler glanced down at her feet and Tom felt terrible. He didn't take a step forward, afraid of scaring her, "Hey, it's okay. I'm sorry okay? I didn't mean that. You can tell me to fuck off now. I deserve it, I don't blame you." Reaching up, she tucked hair behind her ear, "No it's okay. Seriously. I brought it on myself. I don't have a right to get upset about it. You're a nice guy. I'm not upset." Tom nodded, licking his lips and wondering how she wasn't freezing. Glancing up and down the street he cleared his throat, "Listen I uhh... I know this is sudden and uncalled for and now I don't deserve the company of a pretty girl like yourself, but I uhh... can I offer you some coffee or dinner? There's a diner down the road. They've got really got chicken tenders if you're interested. My treat." She quickly shook her head, "No I couldn't. I couldn't ask you to do that I-" "Please, it's the least I could do. I've snuck up on you, I've insulted you, hell, you probably deserve a lot more than what I'm offering for the way I've treated you the past two minutes we've somewhat known each other." His bright, exuberant smile made her heart race in her chest. He tucked his hands in his pockets, "Look, if I leave you out here I'll feel guilty as hell. Just... an hour with me, in public, I just don't want you to freeze to death out here. You can have whatever you want." The idea tugged at her brain, unravelling the ribbon around her heart that protected her from human emotions like her clients didn't like. Each time a breeze picked up, her knees threatened to give out. She was cold and the fear of climbing in his car, never to be heard from again was strong but he was offering a chance many people didn't. And she liked the idea of it. Tom was patient, looking her over as she glanced around them for a moment before she licked her lips and slowly nodded. Tom smiled, "There ya go. Come on. I've got my mind set on cherry pie and coffee now." Turning his back to her, he started towards his car, turning to make sure she followed. When he opened the passenger side door, she climbed in and waited for him, looking over as he climbed in beside her and turned the heater on. Pausing movement for just a moment, Tom reached in his pocket and pulled out money, counting a hundred dollars out and holding it over the center console, "I'm not paying you for sex or anything. I uhh... I want you to have it. It's probably not much but something." When she opened her mouth, Tom shook his head, "Its alright. You can take it. A hundred... isn't much, ya know? Just uhh... pretend it didn't happen." Taking it after a few moments, she nodded and tucked it into her clutch. Tom swallowed and pulled his car into drive,

"Oh uhh... by the way," looking to her, he smiled again, "I'm Tom. Tom Holland."

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[cecilspeaks]

136 - The Mudstone Abyss Part 2

Kevin: Age is just a number that counts quickly upward to an ending point.

Welcome to Desert Bluffs.

Hello, Desert Bluffs! Let’s start there. Let’s start with a greeting, a simple hello and of course, a huge smile. Then let’s move right into the good news, the happy news.

Charles and I went on our first date many weeks back, and it was magical! I met up with him in the new town square, which is a sand dune with a cow skull on it. I was wearing my best rabbit fur coveralls and rainbow-striped head band. He was wearing a rose gold lame cravat and soccer shin guards. We went to eat at Desert Bluffs’ newest restaurant, Vermillion, which specializes in lip meat. We shared a bottle of Cabernet and talked comfortably about all the things you shouldn’t talk about on a first date. Politics – we’re both theocrats -, religion – we were both raised in the arborial faith -, sex – we both have had it – and banking. We had some polite disagreements here. Later we went back to my house next to the Temple of Joy. It had been a long time since either of us had had - [chuckling] well, I don’t wanna share too much. So I’ll skip to the next morning, where over coffee we talked about our dreams, or rather dream. It was that same shared dream that all Desert Bluffs citizens have every night with the birds flying in seemingly random directions over the cornfield before crashing their bodies into the ground. Charles, being new in town, had a lot of questions about this dream. But I said that the dream is nothing more than a simple pleasure we all share as a community. It’s fun to know that the whole time sometimes wakes up at the exact same time, sweating and screaming for joy!

After enriching conversation and strong coffee, he said he had to go meet someone. When I asked who, he said, “We’ll talk about it later, it’s not a big deal.” He kissed me and I smiled like I have not smiled in years. I smiled so hard that every glass object in my kitchen exploded all at once. A lacerating confetti of joy.

An update on the construction of the new Mudstone Abyss. Mayor Lauren Mallard reported today that the dig is behind schedule. She sighted a shortage of workers. She had planned for a larger turnout of labor, but this simply has not manifested. I’m disappointed to hear this, Desert Bluffs, but it’s certainly understandable. We all have jobs and responsibilities, and making time to contribute to the building of this great monument can be difficult. Desert Bluffs is a place of hope, of renewal, of refuge for those in need and above all, of joy. The Mudstone Abyss is a celebration of all those things, and I tell you now that the reward will be great. Not just the reward of being devoured by the Smiling God, but the reward of your eternal impact on your town. Think of the Rapa Nui people who built the Moai, or the proud union workers who erected that deco masterpiece, the Chrysler Building. Or the time traveling street artist collective known as Banksy, who built Stonehenge.

Every great monument is built by human hands, and those hands leave their artistry for generations to enjoy, discover, and study. The Mudstone Abyss will be a triumph of Desert Bluffs citizens, and later a tourist attraction, and later a historical landmark, and eventually a curious and misunderstood artefact of a long dead civilization. You can be part of this.

Mayor Mallard and I put our heads together and agreed that the solution here is to set up communes and camps along the dig site to make your commutes easier. Schools and businesses will go on half day schedules so that everyone can make time for the monument. Mayor Mallard, and I support her brilliant idea 100 per cent – believes this is the only task we should be focused on as a town. The Smiling God deserves a physical manifestation of our penitence and devotion. Desert Bluffs deserves a notable landmark, and best of all, if we all worked and lived together, we would get to know each other’s interests, cultures, languages, histories. If we worked together, we could become so much – closer.

And now a word from our sponsors. When we talk apocalypse, we talk fires and spires of smoke and screams and wars and horrid clouds of ash and floods. And this is a comforting vision, because it supposes we’re all in it together. But death is mostly something you keep to yourself. In all reality, the apocalypse is likely going to just be you alone in a room with the flu. Bed, Bath and Beyond: you’re going to need some new sheets.

So after my first date with Charles, we went out again the following week. I showed him around Desert Bluffs, I took him to the Sandy Blossom Bowling Alley and Arcade Joy Compound. We bowled that afternoon and played a few old video games like Ms. Pac-Man, Sleepytime Spider Swallower, and Horse Carcass, all the classics from our youth. We then went for a romantic walk along the beach. Charles thought it shouldn’t be called a beach because there was no body of water, but I pointed out that it was sand, and that there was water somewhere. How close the water is is all a matter of faith. He laughed, and I squeezed his hand. Then we went to the food truck park. He bought some cheese pirogues from the Odessa Dumplings truck, while I went to the Tex-Mex truck and got a burrito filled with fibreglass insulation and refried beans.

The food trucks weren’t nearly as classy as Vermillion, but food is only as good as the company you enjoy it with. And I really enjoyed my time with Charles. It’s hard to intimately connect to people especially as you get older, but my time with Charles made dating seem easy. Why would anyone choose to be single when they could just walk up to the perfect man and say “Let’s know each other”? When life is good, it’s hard to understand how it could have ever been bad.

After dinner, I suggested we could go get a drink together. Unfortunately Desert Bluffs doesn’t have any bars. Not for religious reasons, I explained to him. It’s just that no one’s been able to open one yet. The state places some pretty high taxes on hard liquor transported across dimensional rifts. So I offered to have him back over to my place for some more wine. But he said he had to be going. I protested. Charles said, “Kevin. You fill me with such joy, and I don’t wanna keep secrets. I should tell you I have a son. His name is Donovan and he’s five. He’s a sweet kid.” Charles said he moved here because Donovan starts school next year, and he wanted to raise his boy in a community based in happiness and positivity. But Charles is concerned about bringing dates home with him until he knows they will stay around for a while. “Kevin,” he said, touching my face along the socket of my left eye. “I think you would be great around Donovan.” My smile disappeared from my face. Not because I didn’t feel happy, but because I felt – so many things. My lips couldn’t express them all. He said, “I’m not suggesting we have to be serious right now, we have to figure that out with time.” He then said we should go back to his place, but on the way, he needed to pick up Donovan from Grandma Josephine, who has been babysitting. We spent the rest of the evening drinking sodas at his home. I wanted to touch Charles, to put my hand against his chest again, to kiss him with real passion. But instead we watched Donovan play with toy airplanes and Charles talked about the things parents talk about.

Donovan was nice, but I had to concentrate hard to keep my smile.

[long pause] An update on the construction of the Mudstone Abyss. Nearly everyone in town is now at the dig site, setting into their lean-to’s and pop tents and gathering up the appropriate tools for the physical labor ahead. Mayor Lauren Mallard said she is heartened by the outpouring of support in the past hour. We have made huge strides, already marking out our mile-wide parameter and deepening the pit to almost 1,000 feet. Some stone workers have even begun carving sacred texts from the Book of Devouring. I’m getting reports from the construction area that some of those etchings have begun to glow bright white, as the earth trembles beneath them. Wow! I’m getting chills just thinking about this!

There have been some scuffles among the workers, miscommunication and arguments that devolved into small fights. The Desert Bluffs police department sent two officers, who are also friends of mine from the Temple of Joy, Keon and Kelton, to break up some of these skirmishes. But more fights and arguments happened than they could control. Officers Keon and Kelton reported that parties involved in fights were shouting nonsense at each other. They initially thought some were non-English speakers, but they could not identify the languages. Then they saw young Ryan Nichols, who was an English major at Ala-bay-, Al-bama, at his former university, spouting absolute gibberish at another person. Keon and Kelton reported that sometimes people’s words sounded like normal English, but without any context or meaning, and at other times like unconventional noises that are not common to any human language. But everyone speaks passionately and personally, thinking they’re communicating what they mean, even though they were not. Apparently the fighting became pervasive enough that Mayor Mallard had to make a public address. Here’s a transcript of what she said.

“Desert Bluffs, please do not fight. Remember to take time to smile and relate to one another. If someone says something you do not understand or do not appreciate, simply cauliflower. Roomba starlight rice tank ship. Stallion the ballisters right on through, until balloons.” And then she repeated “until balloons” over and over, with complete conviction and passion. And eventually the fighting stopped, not because of the speech but because of sheer confusion and exhaustion.

As the fighting stopped, so did the construction. No one knew what anyone was saying, longtime friends could not find their words and so resorted to physical gestures. But even Jerry Kramer and his daughter Morgan, who communicate mostly through sign language, found that they could no longer comprehend any of the phrases.

More on this developing situation, but first a look at traffic. Near the dig site for the Mudstone Abyss, several hazy dark shadows, vaguely human-shaped, have begun to appear. They are drifting along city streets, which has caused nearly a dozen minor traffic.. uh.. a-ci-des. Ac-dicent. Acci..dents. There is a ten minute backup entering downtown along sci-fi novel. Al-along rhubarb. Ugh, I can’t oak tree, can’t sparrow modem. Spar-row mmodem. Sparrowmodem. That’s not right. I have to condensate. Ugh. Have to con-den-sate. Yellow refrigerator shelves.

I’m trying to say – crab grass to the petroleum!

[“She Left Without A Goodbye.” by Cerah https://soundcloud.com/cerahmusic]

Machine: First unheard message.

Charles: Kevin. Sorry to bother you, it’s Charles. I need you to get the word out that language doesn’t work right in Desert Bluffs. I haven’t found a single dictionary that expresses normal word structure, I’ve been recording and re-recording this message for the past hour and each time it comes out like alphabet soup. No syntax, no identifiable verbs, no words that even appear to fit together. But I did finally manage to find an old text you wrote about the souls of unpure, those whom the Smiling God cannot clean even upon devour. There’s a certain style of hat you described that can keep your thoughts and ideas pure. I-I drove over to your house, because I remember you had one just like this you told me you wore during sermons. Sorry for going through your stuff, but the hat seems to be working for now.

Anyway, based on my research, I think this dig is (loosing) those spirits back into the world and they’re causing… [whispers] There’s something at my door, Kevin. I-I need to go, OK? Call you back in well, I don’t know.

Machine: End of message.

Charles: [whispering] There’s a hazy dark shadow hovering about my front door, Kevin. It’s not knocking, it’s just hovering in front of my house. I can’t make out a face, I’m peering through a crack in the living room blinds to get a better look. Oh no, I think it saw me!

Machine: End of message.

Charles: OK, it’s gone I think. This giant yellow hat is really remarkable. Anyway, I wanted you to get the word out on your radio show about the dig and let your friend Lauren know as well. If we can fully (stop) this giant (pit), I think we can stem the return of these unpure souls, who I think are dismantling our language.

Also… I haven’t heard from you in a while. I hope bringing Donny around didn’t scare you off. If it did, please just tell me now, OK, I won’t be hurt. That’s a lie. I would definitely be hurt if you stopped seeing me because I have a child, but I won’t be bitter. That’s really it. I won’t be bitter if you tell me now. Now that I think of it, that’s not true either. I’ll be less bitter, less hurt, less angry if you tell me now.

Or maybe you’re busy. I know the Mudstone Abyss has all your attention these days and what with communication failing us, I’m sure it’s hard to think about having dinner or even, I dunno, like a family date. You and me and Donny, maybe a trip to the amusement park or… We were thinking about adopting a cat, is there an animal shelter in Desert Bluffs? That could be a really fun day together.

Either day, when you have a chance, just let me know you got this. I don’t wanna stop seeing you, but I’d rather know sooner than aquifer. Aquifer. What? I mean platter.

Kevin, that shadow is back. He’s not at my window anymore, he’s inside graft huts. No I mean – grant first, grapple wigs grapple wigs, Kevin I – handlebar cereal, OK? Handlebar cereal.

Machine: End of new message.

Today’s proverb: Girl, did you fall from heaven? ‘Cause there’s a giant crater where you landed and radiation levels are spiking.

#welcome to night vale #welcome to desert bluffs #welcome to night vale transcirpts #episode 136 #the mudstone abyss part 2 #the mudstone abyss

[nongbabe]

ChengCheng Boyfriend Material

Requested: yep by my dude @eriines ♡ I feel like I cranked this request out p fast so I'm p content right now

The ideal meme boyfriend

There will be several occassions where he will make you laugh until you cry and he wont even be doing it on purpose

Food buddies

If you really really wanna have a taste of something he ordered he might share with you if hes feeling extra affectionate

But actually hes more likely to just order another serving of it so then you're both happy

Trying at least 1 new restaurant a week or at least a new dish every week when you went out

Takeout and board game dates

If you guys weren't trying out new restaurants you would be getting take out

Lol your fav place would have your orders memorized

Laying on the ground together all sprawled out after eating all of that take out

"I think my stomach is going to explode"

"You say that everytime we get takeout ChengCheng"

"But this time I ate an extra bowl of rice"

"Mmmm"

Sometimes you guys would fall asleep on the floor together

And eventually you'd probs get tangled in each others limbs as you flopped around on the floor

Ya know resting and digesting

And while hes a meme hed also really soft?

Like sometimes when you guys are laying in the floor after eating too much

You'll be asleep and he'll just kinda roll over and brush your hair out of your eyes

And maybe kiss your forehead

And kinda stare and chuckle to himself before falling into a food coma as well

Wow how cute I love

Sending ugly selfies back and forth all day long if you guys are ever apart

He either has a photo of you making a deep face or both of you making derp faces as his lockscresn

If you ever complain and are like "but I look uglyyyy"

"And it makes me laughhh"

And you'd smack him

But hed make up for it by saying something cute like "this way no one can think abt stealing you from me if they happen to see my phone"

But you'd still probs kinda hit him again anyway

wow what a babe

You'd do face masks together all the time

And you would try and make each other laugh

Hed cross his eyes at you and do weird dances and make weird voices

Hed usually win and you'd laugh first

But every now and again you'd pull out your A game

Whoever won tho would always get and earful from the other abt you "ruining" their mask and how they're gonna get wrinkles because of it now

It was always cute play fighting tho

And you'd end up lazing around together letting the ordeal go as soon as the masks came off and watch a movie together or something

It'd be cute

And v cuddly

Even if he complained abt his arm falling asleep

More than half the time his arm is actually fine tho he just likes to complain and give you a hard time

But you'd be like deal with it

Nd he would bc ur cute and he likes to cuddle with the cute u

He likes it a lot

Also I feel like hed be a really gentle kisser?

Like he loves giving you little kiss that are really gentle and not quite as short as a peck but not long either

And if he were in an extra good mood like during the lat morning like 10 to 11 ish and he wasnt hungry (well not super hungry by is probs always a little hungry)

I just feel like hed extra soft during those times idk why

Hed be like a bit more giggly and smiley and still memey but more smiley and

Hed just look at you with so much love

And whenever hed briefly kiss you hed pull away super slowly and then press your forehead together and smile softly

"What was that for Cheng?"

"I just really love you is all"

.

WOW IM SOFT

Imma stop it here so I can try and stay loyal to my babe nongnong omg

#9% boyfriend #9% imagines #9% scenarios #9 percent #9% #9 percent boyfriend #9% fan chengcheng #fan chengcheng #chengcheng #idol producer #idol producer chengcheng #idol producer fan chengcheng #chengcheng scenarios #chengcheng fluff #chengcheng boyfriend #chengcheng boyfriend material #boyfriend material #idol producer boyfriend material #fluff

[multipersonalty]

Third

Okay so I found out this thing called mindful eating. Mindful eating is a form of meditation and this is something I should definitely practice since I am struggling with binge eating and purging. 

Today was a really tough day for me. Not sure if it was because one of my alters took over. I felt like I was really really trying. But for some reason..it was hard for me to be happy. I felt like the whole world was against me for some reason. This is when I kinda know that one of my alters took over my body because I am not usually like like. I felt like I had to go an extra mile to be kind to others. I felt like I was always on edge about to burst and explode. My roommate is currently obnoxiously laughing out loud in the other room and it is really distracting. Butt writing this right now is kinda helping me to zone her out so that’s good. okay back to mindful eating. I was reading about this during work, which really helped me throughout the day. It was something I was looking forward to because mindful eating is a very very important part of my self love and self care journey (since I struggle to the extreme with my eating disorder) I really feel like I have zero control.

Confession time. I binged and purged last night. It started off with a bowl of salad...and then another...and then lots of hot chocolate and a whole bag of rice cakes and more hot chocolate and then I felt guilty so I was like...lets just eat alot and throw everything up later. At that moment, she took over. The binge and purge person took over my body. It doesn’t take much for her to take over. Not too sure who she is but she is very impulsive and manipulative. Maybe she is the reason why I had such a bad day at work today. Maybe she is the one who takes over my body and makes me feel like the devil. It was really hard for me to concentrate and be my cheer, bubbly self today. Was it because I binged last night? Not too sure. 

My manager texted me at 6:30am this morning, telling me to go to work early and that gave me a heart attack lol I feel like whenever I get into these anxiety provoking situations, she takes over my body. And its like a very difficult battle to try to suppress her. She is driven by fear and because of that, she has to put on this defensive persona. Probably just a defense mechanism but it turns me into a satanic bitch lol Anyways back to this morning. So i was like around 15 minutes late lol got my coffee, wait, correction, got my almond milk tea and then I went...my roomate just came out lol she was like heyyyy and i gave her a cold hey LOL oh nooo is she taking over my body right now? ughhhh...the triggers. maybe I just really really need my alone time. It’s hard having my alone time now that I am living with my boss’s daughter but this is my, what I like to call “Spiritual Buddhism journey.” Some people go to areas with monks, give up everything, shave their heads and meditate for hours...well this is my version of that lol. This will teach me how to calm myself, this will teach me and force me to have self growth. This will teach me patience and how to just be a better human being for myself and for others. Ugh it really bothers me how my roomate is pooping literally right next to me while I am having my dinner. What does it take to just have some alone time haha. 

So anyways, back to my manager story. He told me to sit down in his desk and basically said I have to be earlier and on time for work for now on. Kinda funny cause I was early (or on time) during some days but all my co workers were late and I had to wait for them to let me in. But ever since I moved, I have been pretty late and one of my other (meaner) manager complained why only my nice manager was in the office while everyone else was not. I guess this is a group effort. But this year is about my personal improvement and self growth so from now on I will be early or on time at the very least. Low key excited to make my nice manager proud. I low key got his back and in a way, in a very weird unexplainable hidden way, I can see that he has my back too cause he feels sorry for me lol I feel like he feels bad that I am living with the boss’s daughter but he doesn’t understand that this is my journey for self improvement.

It has been hard not gonna lie. Really hard. I think I added a bit too much hot sauce in my salad but whateves lol i love spicy now. Anyways, I feel like “she” can take over my body so easily and at any given time with the right triggers. And let me tell yah, I have a lot of triggers LOL God I wish my roommate can just get out of the bathroom already. I just want to be alone with my salad. ugh. anyways i want to make myself a schedule. A set schedule to follow that will improve my overall well being, mental, physical, spiritual, financial, interpersonal relationships. All these aspects are connected with one and another. If i am doing bad in one of these aspects, it will be a domino effect. Knowing me, the domino effect will come easy for someone like me. Probs cause I have OCD and I always imagine the worst case scenario. When one bad thing happens, I already assume it is the end of the world. Which explains that if I eat one chocolate, I might as well eat the entire snack cabinet cause I think I will get fat and I might as well binge and purge. Okay, I kinda see my cycle from yesterday. Gonna try my best to have more self control today.

Wow, my roommate just flushed lol Low key kinda losing my appetite. Hope she felt my energy lol My please leave me alone energy. I send off really strong ass vibes to people. I really wanna pee and use the bathroom but I might give it some time for the air to clear out. I just downed so many cups of water and I really gotta pee. This is so I don’t overeat. But now I gotta pee and wait until the stinky air in the bathroom clears out. 

I am sweating right now haha. Most likely because of the hot sauce. I added way too much. Should I make some brown sugar oatmeal afterwards for dessert? I kinda wanna but also don’t cause I don’t want to go down the overeating spiral. Hmm I was planning on doing some cardio afterwards but if I do make the oatmeal...maybe I can give it an extra hour before I do the 45 minutes cardio. Food is life and so is exercise. And on the days I don’t exercise, you can assume I binged and purged. 

Oh god I am counting my calories right now. I ate 3 bananas, 3 oranges and not even gonna count my coffees and milk teas. But the numbers adding up is scaring me and I wanna binge and purge tonight. I feel like it’s a never ending cycle. I always say this will be the last day but then i repeat. Ok imma pee, maybe peeing will help? o

Okay I am back and yes it helped a bit. Gonna watch a youtube video and maybe i might make an oatmeal and have some rice cakes. 

#eating disoder things #eating disoder thoughts #bpd #bpd thoughts #i am tired

[dustingrayves]

clean slate (8/?)

Pairing: (eventual) addcest [LPDE] & elsain [LKATh] WC this chapter: 4266 Rating: T+ TWs: (past) abuse, talking about it, ptsd flashbacks AU: modern/single parent Lusa (with his tiny son Arc) + runaway Esper Notes: it’s been a while, and i feel like i’ve already said this?? but this fic is very dear to my heart so it,,, takes a while,,, ah,,,,

read the previous chapters for a recap!

ao3 mirror

“Hey, Es,” Lusa calls, knocking on the door of what had essentially become his room. The bareness of the guest room has been replaced with Esper’s presence, clothes hanging neatly in the closet, his things organized on the wooden table. Even the white sheets have been replaced, now a pale purple that took a whole day to learn is his favorite color.

“Yeah?” Esper replies, a little muffled behind the door. Lusa takes it as an invitation inside.

“Sorry, just wanted to talk to you alone for a moment,” Lusa explains, closing the door with a soft click. Esper sits up, curious.

“Alone? About what?” he inquires, patting a spot next to himself on the bed.

Lusa takes the invitation and seats himself next to the slighter man, thinking of how to properly word himself.

“Well, I was just thinking about yesterday, and I just wanted to apologize… I realized I didn’t,” he says finally, but it only seems to make Esper even more confused (and nervous, so Lusa hurries to elaborate). “Well, when the kids were over, they kept calling you Arc’s new dad and all and I just wanted to apologize on their behalf. They don’t know better, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m goading you into a relationship or something.”

Esper finally blinks, getting what Lusa means. He giggles. “Don’t apologize for that. I can see why they would think that. Plus I do a lot of ‘dad’ stuff, huh…?”

“You don’t have to, I told you before, you’re not here like a maid.”

Esper’s fingers twiddle with the comforter. “I know. I don’t mind doing them. But, I’m glad for yesterday. It was really nice to… finally talk about it. That sounds strange, doesn’t it?”

“Not at all.”

“But… I’ve been doing some thinking myself, actually. I don’t want to be a leech anymore… My leg’s healed, but I… don’t really have a place to go. Um…”

“No one’s sending you away, Es. You can stay!” Lusa hurries to remind him, but Esper just smiles, one corner of his mouth twisting further up than the other.

“You’re too nice, I know. But I don’t want to be a freeloader anymore.”

“You’re anything but—”

“Arme said you might need help at the shop, and I feel it’d only be fair if I paid you some of the rent.”

This catches Lusa completely off-guard, and it shows in his face, even if the proposition makes him immensely happy. “Are you sure you wanna do that though?” he can’t help but ask.

“Yeah!” Esper says instantly, brows set together in a determined expression. “I mean, if you wouldn’t mind me staying here.”

Lusa snorts. “I already told you I don’t. People’s opinions don’t change that easily. Actually, I’m really happy you want to stay.”

“Why?” Esper looks at him like he had just said something stupid. That look is familiar, but he knows Esper doesn’t mean any harm with it.

“Well, I dunno if you noticed, but you’re really cool. And you can make a mean stew. But you’re mostly cool. The stew is just a bonus.”

“Is that your way of saying you want stew for lunch tomorrow?” Esper snorts, lifting a hand and lighting pounding Lusa’s shoulder. Lusa laughs; Esper pulls it back like he’d been burned, but he doesn’t apologize. Lusa is proud of him.

“Maybe… But hey, building furniture is pretty hard. And heavy. So we can start with something small on Monday, how about it? Though I guarantee you, in a few months you’ll be strong enough to lift me.”

“Is that a promise or an offer?”

Lusa’s eyes twinkle with mischief. “Well, if you can lift me, you have full permission to!”

Esper’s face twists into a cute pout and he pushes the sleeves of his night shirt back. One hand slips under Lusa’s thigh, the other cups his back. And he heaves.

And he fails.

Lusa stays firmly seated on the soft mattress, no matter how hard Esper tries. In fact, he slips and falls forward, sprawling over Lusa’s thighs.

They both laugh heartily, even though Lusa’s cheeks burn with embarrassment. “Give it a few months,” he chuckles.

Esper picks himself up, sitting back. There’s a wide smile on his face, genuine and happy. All of a sudden, Lusa is glad he had come to talk, even if he’d been scared to.

“Hey, how about some cocoa before bed? Arc is already asleep so we can drink as much of it as we want to.”

“You’re a really selfish dad,” Esper laughs, “You’re having bad influence on me.”

“That’s exactly what I’m here for!”

“You hungry? There’s some leftovers in the fridge,” Esper asks, to which Lusa just shakes his head, not even looking up from the video on his tablet. “Well, suit yourself.”

Esper shrugs and stands up to grab some for himself, at least. His plush slippers drag over the carpet languidly, the fridge opening before him so he can take a moment to find the bowl of rice and meat that Lusa had to put on the top shelf thanks to all the yoghurts Arc insisted they buy for him.

Esper grabs it and closes the fridge with his hip, other hand now occupied with a carton of milk for his coffee. Lusa’s too.

He doesn’t catch himself humming a soft, familiar melody as he put the bowl into the microwave and sets water into the kettle, but it fills the kitchen nonetheless.

At least until the microwave beeps and he pulls the bowl out, burning his fingers on the hot edge and letting go of it on instinct. It clatters against the counter and then down onto the floor, rice exploding all over. Sauce flies everywhere; it’s on the floor, on the side of the sounder and even all over Esper’s shirt.

For a long and silent moment it doesn’t register in Esper’s mind. And then the ringing in his ears that he only just notices, is exchanged for an almost worried “What happened, Esper?” from the living room. Except it doesn’t sound as it should (or worse, maybe it does), the voice is deeper, louder, obviously colored by distaste and anger.

Esper stares down at the floor with wide, yet unseeing eyes, blood suddenly thumping in his ears, louder than even the voice. So it should make no sense for him to be able to hear the soft steps coming closer — angry, fast, stompy, he’s really angry today and Esper curls up on himself almost on reflex, his brain immediately supplying a dozen apologies and self-berations that he’ll rat out to try and stave off (or lessen, if his lucky star shines bright today) the inevitable pain.

“Esper!” he calls from the doorway — Esper can’t look at him, he’s angry, looking up at him would amount to talking back and he does not want any more punishment than he’ll be dished when he does everything properly. “Esper,” is repeated and that’s bad, that’s real bad, he hates repeating himself, and Esper’s uttering out, ‘I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I’ll clean it up, I’m sorry, I’m really sorry,’ as fast as his seemingly-numbed tongue allows him to.

His whole body shivers, scrunched up to hide his gangly form into something smaller, less of a target. The floor is spinning in his vision and it’s blurry at the corners, too. Esper can’t figure out why.

He quite literally jumps as he feels a touch on his shoulder, backing into the nearest wall to support himself. He’s sure he’d fall without it, and yet his knees still wobble like fresh jello.

His name is repeated and then followed by more talking, but Esper’s mind seems to slip further away and all he hears is an echo from far away.

He ends up curling by the wall, squeezing his knees close to his chest. His teeth are chattering in his mouth.

Someone is…

Touching him.

He wants to back away, but there’s nowhere to, he’s cornered himself and there’s nowhere to escape anymore.

The touch is gone.

His eyes open wide, blinking forward to see what’s going on. He’s greeted with Lusa’s face, a small, strained smile on his lips.

“Lusa?” Esper tries — he sounds so raspy, his throat is parched.

“Hey,” Lusa replies, at last some of the worry creasing his brow dissipating. “How are you feeling?”

Esper’s gaze lowers again. He bites at his lip. “I— What happened?”

“Beats me,” Lusa shrugs. His hands twitch where they rest on his knee, obviously wanting to touch and hug Esper, but he’s not going to do any of that if there’s a chance of Esper not liking it. “I heard a crash and when I asked you what’s up, you were already… yeah.”

Esper’s eyes go wide. “That’s right…! The food. I’m so sorry, I’ll clean it up, I— I didn’t wanna drop it! I’m terrible, but please please don’t be mad at me!”

Lusa shakes his head vehemently. “Nah, I’ll clean it up. You’re gonna get some food and a nice cup of that good hot cocoa and wind down. You look terrible.”

“But—”

“Esper, no buts, please? It’s okay, it’s just some rice, it’s not a big deal to clean it up. Hey, can I touch you?”

“Yes,” Esper replies immediately. It makes Lusa’s eyes narrow, but not in an angry way.

“You sure? Not just saying that to please me?”

Esper averts his eyes, cheeks flushing with shame. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Would it be fine if I helped you up and maybe wrapped you in a blanket?” Lusa asks again, patiently.

Esper has the distinct thought deep inside that he doesn’t deserve such kindness. “Yeah,” he answers again, because Lusa offered and he can’t think of anything better than making sure Lusa is real and here and this isn’t all just another fabricated dream he’ll wake up from. “Um…”

“Yeah?” Lusa hums, pulling him up by the hand, gently, slowly, making sure he wouldn’t fall down.

Esper swallows heavily, mustering up the courage to keep pushing his luck further and further. “Could I… get a hug? Please? I mean, if you don’t want to that’s fine, I just… sorry.”

“Come here, Es,” Lusa coos, pulling the other close so he can hug him into his chest.

Esper melts into the embrace, shoulders sagging. He feels completely drained and the tears that roll down his cheeks are silent. Lusa holds him gently until he shifts back. Esper’s eyes are rimmed with red and cheeks puffy. Lusa smiles despite himself, a soft, sad upturn of lips.

“Go eat, okay? I’ll be right there. Maybe take a nap, too?” he proposes, and Esper nods numbly.

Lusa heats up another portion for him and even grabs the blanket he promised to drape over the other before cleaning up the mess. He wasn’t lying; it only takes a few minutes of sweeping before the floor is alright again (and before Lusa gets too anxious anyhow).

Esper idly watches some soap opera on the TV, shoving spoonfuls of the food into his mouth with one hand and holding the blanket up with the other.

“How’re you feeling?” Lusa asks, settling down onto the couch as well.

Esper glances at him for a second only before looking away, brows drawing together. “Awful,” he says quietly, “Maybe like I’m gonna puke.”

“Don’t push yourself,” Lusa replies, tone empathic, a little relieved when Esper places the plate and spoon onto the coffee table. “Is there anything you’d like? Anything you think would help you? At all?”

Esper stares through the TVm ignorant to the arguing characters; Lusa turns it down anyhow. “Maybe…” Esper mutters something under his breath, too silent for Lusa to make out.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“I said… maybe… one more hug?” Esper mumbles again, hiding his face in the fold of the blanket.

Lusa can’t help but snort soundlessly through his nose, scooting closer to the other. “As many as you’d like,” he declares, wrapping an arm around Esper. He waits to see any discomfort, and when he doesn’t, he pulls him closer to lean onto a shoulder. Esper nests himself there, spreading the blanket over them both.

“I’m sorry,” Esper says, “about before. I mean…”

“It’s not your fault. I’m not angry at you.”

“You really aren’t?”

“Really really.”

They fall into silence, but then Esper asks, “How are you so good at this? It almost feels like you’re just saying whatever will calm me down.”

Lusa’s brows crease just a little and he holds Esper just a fraction tighter, still conscious. “I mean every word, I hope you can believe it. Maybe not now, but in the future. I know what used to calm me down before.”

“Were you like this?”

“Yeah,” Lusa nods.

“So there is hope for me too…? I want to be normal, too.”

“You are normal, Es, I swear. And you’re already doing better than before. Look, we talked it out, didn’t we?”

“Just because you know how to.”

“That’s what it’s about. Now you know, too.”

“I can’t do anything like that… It’s… it’s weird when it happens, I feel like I’m somewhere else… back home.”

“But reminding you helps, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. You’re too nice to me, Lusa.”

“We went over this. The right amount of nice.”

Esper snorts, almost nuzzling his cheek into Lusa’s shoulder. “The rightestest, then.”

Lusa bursts into mirthful laughter. “Arc has bad influence on you.”

Espe chuckles softly, “Everyone has bad influence on me, apparently.”

"Don't stuff the whole toast into your mouth," Lusa chastises as Arc tries to do just that, failing miserably and getting butter all over his face.

Esper laughs and reaches for a napkin to wipe it off for him. Arc doesn't wait a second to take another bite, grumbling, "I'll manage it someday," as he does.

"Come on, finish it or we'll be late."

"It doesn't matter, dad! The teachers don't care even if we come in the middle of drawing," Arc huffs and Lusa, in turn, flicks him on the forehead.

"Well, they might not mind, but I have to open shop, because if I don't open it, we won't have money and you won't even be able to have toast. Would you like that? Plus I thought you liked the drawing part of the day?" Lusa asks, smiling lopsidedly as Arc shovels the food down faster. "Hey now, make sure to chew and not choke. I don't want you to hurt yourself, that'd be much worse than being late."

"Uh-uh," Arc nods, chewing and swallowing carefully.

"Well," Lusa turns to Esper, with his bowl of cereal, "How are ya feeling? Ready to do some assembling?"

"Yeah!" Esper replies immediately. He swallows another mouthful of over-sweetened, ground-up wheat and smiles warmly. He's not just ready, he's obviously excited.

Part of the excitement is due to work -- he hasn't worked in an actual job, just the housework for father. but Lusa had gone through all the basics with him yesterday. They'd even gone and set up a bank account for him, and Lusa said he'd be paid monthly. Esper insisted on paying rent, so Lusa agreed on taking a hundred, 'and not a cent more'. Well, it'd been at least something, so Esper took it.

They finally finish their breakfast and Esper puts the dishes into the sink, rinsing them and only having a tiny crisis about not having enough time to clean them.

Lusa goads Arc into the car, tossing him his bag with a roll of his eyes when he forgets it in the kitchen. Esper follows, seating himself in the passenger seat and strapping himself in. Mostly because Arc only ever follows the example if they all do it first, Lusa gets in last after making sure to lock the house. They drop off Arc at the kindergarten and then they drive to Lusa’s shop, with half an hour to spare before opening time.

Esper trails after Lusa, who goes straight to the back. Esper lags by a row of carved furniture and intricate trinkets sat in a multitude of shelves.

“You made all these?” he asks curiously, stopping for a moment to ogle a small jewelry box with carved vines snaking around the edges.

“E-yup!” Lusa calls, voice half muffled.

Esper catches up, going through the door labeled ‘storage’. And storage it is, with planks stacked high and towers of boxes, labeled in chicken scrawl reaching almost to the ceiling in some spots.

“That’s amazing… All of them are so pretty…”

“Well, I got pretty good at carving over the years,” Lusa laughs, picking up one of the planks from the stack like it weighs nothing. He carries it out of the storage into the main room, where he sets it down next to the counter with a small thud. There’s a saw machine behind the counter — scratch that, there’s a whole woodwork station there. “Anyway, I  don’t know how familiar you are with assembling furniture, so I’ll run you through it. You won’t have to do any of the heavy stuff or carrying wood or anything… Just, like, screwing stuff together or painting it, or running the register, that kinda stuff.”

“I’ll do anything you put me to,” Esper grins. If he would’ve realized he’s not scared of Lusa ordering him around, he would’ve felt proud of himself.

“Okay, let’s start with a simple box then. Like the ones over there,” Lusa says and points over at the group of jewelry boxes sitting on display. Esper nods. “Forget the plank, that's for a shelf later. But first, we gotta get out of these clothes. I don’t actually know if I have a work shirt that’ll fit you…”

Lusa disappears into the back room again and Esper learns there’s a bathroom and a small kitchen area when he pops his head in to see what’s going on. Lusa had exchanged his t-shirt for a purple one, bearing the wear-and-tear of a woodworker, but nothing too obvious. Lusa might be a bit disorganized something, but he’s a cleanly person (sans his floors, but that’s another story and another carpet to vacuum cereal out of. Esper will never admit he was the one who spilled it at three am).

“Here, try it on? It’s the smallest I’ve got here,” Lusa says, passing the very same-looking shirt over to the other. The tag reads M, a leftover from when one of the college kids from the town over helped out Lusa over the summer last year.

Esper slinks his way to the bathroom and switches the shirts. It’s not as bad as it could be; the shirt is loose on him, but nowhere near as loose as Lusa’s actual clothes would be.

Lusa gives him an appreciative once-over when he pops out again. “I could get you a size smaller if you’d like, but it’ll take at least a week to ship. It’ll probably be too short for you, though…”

“Not, this one’s fine, Lusa,” Esper reassures him. He had actually come to appreciate loose clothing over the past month or so.

“Alright, now that’s we’re suited up, how’s about we go and tackle that box, hm?”

The box turns out okay… Actually, it turns out great, because Lusa guides Esper through it, holding the small pieces in place while he figures out how much force to push the power drill with.

It had only taken a little bit, barely half an hour at most, and Lusa took the box to start carving into the dark wood with his little whittles. Esper watches with enrapturement as small motifs come to life beneath Lusa’s fingers, tiny whittlings falling onto the floor. The whole shop feels like a well-oiled machine. Esper is busied with a plethora of diagrams and instructional manuals on different things.

In no time at all, he manages to assemble a fair few things; a few more boxes, a small cupboard, a shelf and a birdhouse.

They don’t look anywhere close to the masterpieces Lusa had created and meticulously spread all around the shop, but then again, they haven’t been lacquered nor polished, or even carved with intricate embellishments.

A few people stop by over the day and Lusa sounds overly excited as he explains who Esper is when they ask. He’s also very pleased when Esper asks about the customers in return, saying that ‘this is the only shop like this in miles!’ People come from all around to order handmade furniture and buy trinkets, or even bring they battered pieces for repair and refurbishment. Some people even collect his trinkets, like the boxes, that’s why there’s so many designs.

No way in hell could Esper have imagined that Lusa is this skilled or known, but it certainly doesn’t come as a surprise after getting to know him.

He’s just about finished with that shelf Lusa took the very first plank out for when Lusa stands up from his seat, back popping as he stretches languidly, almost like a cat awaking from slumber.

“It’s almost time, Es,” he says, pulling Esper’s attention. “Time to close shop. That shelf looks great, we’ll paint it tomorrow. For now, let’s just sweep and put all the leftover wood into that box over there,” he points to the sturdy box full of scrap wood in the back. “You did tremendously for your first day. Kinda don’t believe you’ve never done this before, to be completely honest.”

“I—” Esper tries to say something, but he fails, face flushing an admittedly cute (at least in Lusa’s humble opinion) shade of pink at the praise.

“I thought we could get some ice cream on the way home. To celebrate or whatever?”

“Oh, that— That sounds lovely!” Esper smiles softly.

“There’s this great ice cream stand a few blocks down, you’ll love it! Let’s pick up Arc and go there.”

“Yeah! Now, where is the broom? I’ll sweep the floors.”

“Nah, I’ve got it.”

“‘Nah’, I’m faster. And I really want the ice cream as soon as possible,” Esper pouts.

Lusa laughs in reply. “You got me. I’ll clean up the wood then,” he says, grabbing the broom to hand to Esper with a matching smile.

It truly is a blessing to have Esper here.

“Arc, it’s already past bedtime,” Esper grumbles, standing in the doorway. “Turn the TV off and go to your room.”

“But, Eeeeeesper,” the boy whines, holding up one of his fairytale books. ”I want a story! And I can’t ready, so can you read it for me?”

“Arc,” Esper scoffs, “Do I look like I know how to read?”

Arc pouts, but he does spring up. Only not to go to his bed, unfortunately. “Then I’ll just ask dad!”

“Does he looks like someone who can read?”

Rambunctious laughter spills from the kitchen, Lusa doubling over the table to clutch at his stomach as he laughs uncontrollably.

“But you’re adults! All adults know how to read! You’ve read to me before!” Arc protests, puffy and huffy as he thrusts the book up at Esper as if that would make him change his mind.

“We forgot last night. It’s a terrible curse that happens when someone wants us adults to read too much.” Esper tries his best to maintain a straight face while Lusa wheezes for breath.

Arc blinks and then almost bursts into tears. “That’s horrible! I’m sorry!”

Esper leans down and pats his head, ruffling his hair. “It’s okay, it always passes, so we can read you stories later.”

Arc sniffles and nods tearily. “Uh-uh! Promise!”

“I promise, Arc. Now, go to bed or you’ll be tired tomorrow.”

Arc nods again and presses a kiss to Esper’s cheek, which Esper returns with a smile. “Goodnight, do your best to remember!”

Arc’s footsteps pitter-patter upstair, leaving Esper to finally crack and burst out with laughter. “Oh my god!”

“I can’t believe you did that,” Lusa mutters, rubbing a hand over his face to wipe the tears. “And I can’t believe it worked!”

“Oh man, I felt so bad midway,” Esper groans. His (and Lusa’s, too) shoulders are still shaking. “I had to get out of it somehow.”

“You damn well did, holy fuck…”

“You’re not mad I bamboozled your kid?”

“Absolutely not, spares me having to read that story about a cat in a glove yet again. Plus it was fucking hilarious.”

Esper grins, fishing for his phone. He finds the right email and turns it around to show Lusa. “Anyway, I wanted to show you this!”

Lusa squints at the screen. It seems to be an email from the bank about a money transfer. The recipient’s account number looks so familiar, he knows for sure it’s his. “Hey, don’t you know I can’t read?”

Esper dissolves into more cackles and the phone finds its way to the edge of the table. “You’re right, how could I forget. But I just wanted to show you. I’m really happy about it—I’m not a freeloader anymore!”

“You never were,” Lusa comments immediately. “But I’m proud of you. You did a great job over the month.”

Esper grins, stretching and heading into the living room. Lusa follows suit, plopping down onto the couch while Esper runs through the channels to find their favorite show.

Warmth blooms in the pit of Esper’s chest as he settles down, leaning halfway onto Lusa. The words keep repeating over and over in his mind and he can’t help the smile that keeps worming its way onto his face.

#elsword #addcest #lpde #clean slate fic #mine #eso's fics

[smartcookie727]

Bruised and Battered

Thanks to @whereisthefood123 for the request! This was a longer one for me. I really wanted to explore the story that led to our lovely couple being in this situation. I also tried my hand at some angst, but never fear, there are some fluffy moments too. This is NSFW cause let’s face it I’m writing. I hope you enjoy! Send me a comment, ask, tag, whatever you feel like. I love hearing about your reactions and what worked in a piece. Ok, I won’t drone on any longer, enjoy!

Pairing: Gajevy 

Prompt: Did you really knock on my door at 1 am just to cuddle?

Length: 3k 

Bruised and Battered

“Guys, I’m alright, really!” Levy stammered through ground teeth. She wasn’t alright and they knew it. Still, they knew they were no longer welcome. Levy was upset and needed to rest. Jet and Droy hung their heads as Levy closed the door behind them. There was nothing they could do for her but dress her wounds. She needed to be alone. Levy sank to the floor of her apartment and wailed. She was covered in cuts, burns, and bruises; her scalp was crusted with blood—her blood. It was supposed to be an easy job, and she hadn’t been strong enough to save anyone.

The bandits had known they were coming. Team Shadow gear had decided to take a rest about two miles from town and discuss their plan. The job was simple. A group of about ten bandits, with two mages at their disposal, had been targeting a small town just off a major trade route. A job had been posted in the guild to remove the bandits. The group had taken on plenty of jobs like this before, so it seemed like a logical choice. They would follow the same plan as always when dealing with bandits, a trap. They even had a plan for the mages; Levy couldn’t stand going on a job without a plan. Levy would act as bait to draw the group out, and Jet would kick up a dust storm with his high speed magic to confuse them. Droy’s plants could immobilize the normal members, and Levy and Jet would take out the mages. If things got hairy with so many members, Levy could always make a cage with her solid script magic, allowing Droy to assist in the magic battle. It was their tried and true method, and it was their downfall.

One of the mages working with the bandits used telepathy magic and prepared an ambush for the Fairy Tail wizards. As Levy stood up from her seat, she was hit by a bolt of lightning. She screamed in pain as her brain tried to comprehend the situation. Droy was tackled by three bandits, preventing him from accessing the seeds his plant magic worked through. Jet was being chased by five others, some desperately hanging onto any appendage they could grab to slow him down. Shit. A surprise attack. The mages focused on Levy. If she went down, the others would no doubt follow shortly. A flurry of sparks exploded around her head, dazing her as she tried to dodge the wooden club the other mage swung. What was happening? The air was forced from her lungs with a blow to her side and Levy crumpled to her knees. This wasn’t good. She needed to do something. Searing pain tore through her body as she took a direct hit from the lightning mage. Levy felt her head spinning as her heart raced in panic. The wooden club hit her hip and she screamed again. Wood. That was it. Levy brought up a barrier of wood in an attempt to stave off the lightning bolts. Levy turned to find her teammates. Droy had managed to get ahold of some of his seeds, and his plants were picking off the bandits one at a time. Jet had also shaken his attackers; there were two bandits groaning on the floor. Her voice was hoarse as she tried to call out to them. No good. She inhaled deeply as her fingers began to write, and then everything went white. Levy could feel blood trickling into her ear as she fell. When had her protective spell failed? Then there was another crack. Every nerve in her body screamed. She screamed. A deafening howl coursed through their battle ground, and her teammates blood curdled. Levy didn’t even hear them call her name as she hit the dirt.

Levy flinched at the memory of the final blow before she’d been knocked unconscious. Her heart raced with the reminded fear, but she steeled herself. She needed to keep moving, to do something, to not drift into that nightmare again. It was already past midnight. She’d lost herself in the throes of her terror for a few hours now. Levy trudged to the shower and hoped the hot water would wash away her fear and blood. While it stung, it did manage to stop her hands from shaking. As Levy stepped out of the bathroom, clad only in a towel, she heard a loud banging on the door.

“Just a minute!” Levy called. As quickly as her injuries allowed her, she shuffled to her room and tossed on one of the oversized shirts she occasionally wore to bed. This one was Gajeel’s, and wearing it comforted her to some degree. The rasping on the door hadn’t stopped. “Hold on! I’m coming as fast as I can,” Levy yelled curtly as she made her way to the front door. She wasn’t moving fast, and the knocking still hadn’t subsided. Tossing her door open Levy barked, “What!?” Her throat was sore from her screaming and crying. Before she registered who was there, she was overtaken by a large mass of onyx hair. It covered her in a tight embrace and pinned her against a heaving chest. Levy balked for a moment before she recognized the smell of trees and iron. It was Gajeel. Crap, it was Gajeel. She had hoped she’d be able to avoid him until at least tomorrow when she went to the guild. She should’ve known better.

“Shrimp! Just what in the hell were ya thinking!” Gajeel yelled as he thrust her away. He carefully examined her battered form.

Levy meekly responded, “I…”

“And to find out from Lily! Who only knew because he ran into Jet and Droy on the way home!” he roared.

Levy was frustrated and tired, “Look…”

“I should’ve been the first place ya came when ya got back! Ya should’ve called me with a communication lacrima as soon as you were ok!”

“Gajeel, please.”

“Levy! Do you not get it? You could’ve died!” He grabbed her again, and drew her close. Softly, he repeated, his voice shaking, “Levy, you could’ve died.” They collapsed onto the floor, sobbing. His hands grasped her firmly, and she ignored the pain from her burns. Her fingers were laced in his hair, pulling him down to cover her. Levy cried uncontrollably into her dragon’s shirt. A little while later, their tears dried and they regained control of their breathing.

“I was knocked out so fast. I wasn’t strong enough” Levy said between sniffles. Her head hung low, averting her eyes.

“Shrimp. What the fuck?” Gajeel asked as he gently lifted her chin, “Yer plenty strong. Yer the strongest one on that damn team of yours.”

“I was the first to go down. The only one to go down! I couldn’t help anyone. They utterly—”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gajeel’s voice was like steel. “Why didn’t ya let me know the second ya were in town?” He stared her dead in the eye. “I’m yer man. I’m supposed to be here for ya, right?”

“Yeah.” Levy began rubbing her aching forehead. “I don’t know. I was embarrassed. I didn’t want you to see me like this.”

“I want to see you every time you look like this.” Gajeel helped her to her feet, and Levy shot him a confused glance. “And when yer done being silly about stupid things, I’ll take care of ya. Come on.” Gajeel guided her to the couch and laid down. She followed, curling into him. They barely fit on her small couch, but she didn’t mind.  She was starting to feel at peace. Levy could feel his heartbeat through the thin cloth on her back. Gajeel stroked her head and anywhere she wasn’t burned or bruised. He wanted to take away all her pain, but now right he needed rest. Gajeel inhaled deeply and did his best to lull her to sleep. Nuzzling her neck, he whispered, “From now on, I’ll go with you. I’ll be here to protect you. I’m your personal cuddle dragon for tonight.” Levy chuckled, and between the rhythmic stroking, thump of his heart, and warmth from his hold Levy drifted off.

The smell of stir fry and rice tickled Levy’s nose as she roused. She noticed she’d been covered in a blanket, and Gajeel—Gajeel was gone. Slowly, Levy righted herself until she was sitting properly on the couch. It was dark except for a single light in the kitchen. She blinked a few times as her eyes adjusted. Gajeel was hunched over her stove, and a lovely aroma of garlic, green onion, and ginger spread through her apartment. Levy yawned and began to stretch her neck. Sleeping on the couch always left her with a few sore spots.

“Hey, ya up shorty?” Gajeel called over the sizzle of the stir fry.

“Yeah. That smells wonderful, Gajeel,” Levy yawned. Her stomach growled audibly and a bright blush lit up her cheeks. “How’d you know I’d be hungry?”

“Just figured. Knowing you, ya probably kept running through the attack in yer head instead of taking care of yerself once ya got here. Ya need to eat if ya wanna get better,”

“You’re right,” Levy sighed, “that’s exactly what I did. I—I don’t even remember the last time I ate.”

Gajeel chuckled, “That’s what I’m here for.”

“My personal cuddle dragon for the night?” Levy teased.

Gajeel blushed. “I was just trying to make ya laugh and calm down.”

Levy smiled and giggled, “Well, it worked.”

“Ok, it’s ready. Ya didn’t have much to work with here, Shrimp, but I think it came out alright.”

Levy moved to stand and winced.

Gajeel shot her an exasperated look. “Don’t be an idiot. I’ll bring it to ya.” He began to gather bowls and cutlery.

“Thanks.” Levy eased back into as comfortable a position as she could find on the couch. “I’m not really used to being so…well…beaten up, I guess.”

Gajeel looked her over for a long minute. She really had taken a tough beating. He blinked away a tear. Levy didn’t have iron scales like him; she was fragile. “Would some tea help?” Gajeel planted a steaming mug in front of her.

Levy inhaled deeply. It was Jasmine tea, her favorite. Gajeel seemed to know more of her quirks than she’d thought. She watched him as he brought over their bowls. He looked quite handsome with his hair tied back in a bandana. She ran her bandaged hand through her locks. They were sticking out at every angle, she was sure she looked like a mess.

“Eat.” Gajeel ordered as he slumped down next to her.

“You know, Gajeel, you didn’t need to do this,” Levy said bashfully as she took her food.

“I said I’m taking care of ya and that’s what I’m gonna do. Even you can’t stop me, Shrimp.”

He was already scarfing down his food. Levy hadn’t even thought about how he was coping. It was probably hard on him to see her like this. “Ok. I won’t stop you.”

They finished their bowls in silence. Levy wasn’t quite sure what was supposed to happen next. Gajeel darted off to her room and returned with the book she’d left on her nightstand. He sat with his back on the arm of the couch and spread his legs to make room for her. “Ya get half an hour. Lemme know if anything hurts too much.”

Levy eagerly took the book from his outstretched hand. “Only half an hour?” she whined. Gajeel was silent. “Fine.” Levy snuggled with her back against his chest and began to read. Gajeel carefully rubbed her back and shoulders, aware of every flinch when he pressed a tender area. Still, it felt good. Levy’s muscles ached, but just his touch made her feel better. Even holding back, he was a bit strong for her, and she grit her teeth through the pain. She knew that a tough massage would help her muscles, even if it hurt now, and he was trying his best to help her.

“Alrighty. Time for bed.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her to her room.

Levy puffed her cheeks as the sudden motion caused her to drop her book. “Gajeel, really, you don’t need to go this far.” Levy looked up at him only to receive a glare. “Ok, ok.” With that, she let him place her on the bed. Gajeel grabbed his bandana and tossed it on the floor, then began to peel off his shirt. “Are you staying? Shadow Gear will be back in the morning to help me out, you don’t need to—”

“Lev.” He was facing her, moonlight from the window illuminating his bare skin. Gajeel really looked as if he was painted with iron. “I almost lost you today. I told ya, from now on, I go with you.”

Levy smiled, she was again on the verge of tears. Her dragon would always be there to protect her, to make her feel safe. She didn’t need to be scared. She had Shadow Gear, and they had saved her, but this was different. He looked at her like she was his treasure, and she knew a dragon would guard his treasure with his life. “Alright.”

Gajeel’s smile turned from relief to wickedness. “Plus. I didn’t come here so late at night just to cuddle. That woulda been selfish, and I’m not that kinda guy. I came to take care of ya” he paused, “and to make ya feel better.” Gajeel gingerly cupped Levy’s face and bent down for a long, tender kiss. She was his dainty treasure. He kissed her neck all the way down to her collarbone. “Why don’t I help ya with this?” Levy nodded. He pulled up his shirt, it really did engulf her, and tossed it to the side. He looked at her for a moment. Taking in the sight of Levy: bruised, battered, and beautiful as she was bathed in the moonlight. The bruises across her ribs were perfectly visible. As long as he didn’t hurt her he wasn’t going to stop.

Gajeel sat on the bed and pulled her by her underwear into his lap. He kissed her collarbone, circling and placing gentle pecks on some bruises; she didn’t seem to mind. His hands ran circles around her ass. It felt like his cock hardened instantly as Levy moaned softly. This was exactly what he’d hoped for. She wasn’t in pain. He ventured lower, running his tongue around her breasts. He could feel her ass lifting involuntarily as she pressed herself against his lips. He moved one hand to her left nipple and circled it with his thumb as he sucked on her right, gently grabbing the tip with his teeth and twisting slightly from side to side. He knew it would drive her mad with pleasure, and it did. He felt the muscles in her back relax as she fell further into him.  Her moans became deeper as he sucked harder, and he switched effortlessly to the other breast, repeating his wonderful torture.

Gajeel snuck a hand under her panties as he returned to her lips. She kissed him eagerly, her tongue practically begging him for more. She grabbed his back, running her hands over his muscles. She loved to feel them and he knew it. He took a special pride in those muscles, and since he’d first claimed her, he’d made sure they were well developed. Gajeel toyed with her clit, she was so wet, so gorgeous as she turned to putty under his firm hands. Her nails dug into his back as he played with her. He knew all her curves, and during her massage he’d been sure to memorize the places she was too tender to be touched. Levy moaned louder as he dipped a finger into her core. She thrust her head back as he picked up speed; he felt her hard tips ticking his own nipples as she bounced against him. It was torture trying to contain himself, but she wasn’t quite ready.  

Tenderly, he laid her onto her back and set to work, teasing her with his mouth over her underwear. Occasionally he nipped at her thighs, they were too soft and jiggled too wonderfully to ignore entirely. Levy’s mewls of pleasure became higher and more strained, and Gajeel knew she was getting close. He grabbed the fabric with his teeth and swiftly tore it from her soaked folds. Finally, she was completely bare. Gajeel wasted no time and dove back in, sucking feverishly on her clit as his fingers pinched and twisted her nipples. She was so close. Gajeel couldn’t take it anymore, the smell of her need was intense and his cock needed to be inside her. He released one hand from her soft flesh and thrust into her with his finger, curling inside of her until she cried out and her walls began to contract around him. He kept his lips firm against her has she rode out her orgasm.

Levy was breathing heavily when he finally released her. Gajeel tore himself from his desire as he walked to the door. Her head was still in the clouds, and she didn’t register the sound of his boots and belt hitting the floor, nor the rush of fabric as he kicked off his pants. “Gajeel, where are you–”

The lights went out. Then she felt his hot skin press against her again. He ground himself against her core, eagerly coating his length in her wetness. Gajeel kissed her again, strong and eager. “I’m not going anywhere. I haven’t made ya feel better, yet.”

#gajevy #gajevy fanfiction #gajeel​ redfox #levy mcgarden #ftfanfics #gajevy fics #cookie writes

[peaches-of-1]

666 So Fresh: Chapter 15

< Previous | Epilogue >

Taehyung x Fem!OC x Yoongi

Zula, Tae, and Yoongi rushed to the car in the parking garage and pulled the doors shut as quickly as they could. Yongi was the one driving while Zula got shotgun. Tae happily sat in the backseat happily bouncing an the cushions. They had been spotted and were currently being pursued by foot.

Cops stood in front of the car and pulled out their guns, “Stop!”

As if. Tae said they couldn’t kill anyone, though. They’d go into Hiding at the same time.

Yoongi put the car into drive, “Buckle up--”

Tae snickered.

“Or don’t. On the count of three, we Hide. That way we can get past them without anyone getting hurt. One...two...three!” And he floored it.

The cops saw the car slowly ripple and dissolve into thin air. They started shooting where they last saw it out of fear, but it was an empty space. It gave them a chance to get ahead, but tonight would be busy. Once they were past the first checkpoint, they came out of Hiding. Still, it wasn’t long until sirens started going off behind them.

So it would be a proper car chase for them, then. Zula was nervous and thought about her parents. They had wished her luck and dad apologized...again...for not telling her and not doing more to help. Taehyung had a huge grin on his face as adrenaline ran through him. So this was what life had in store for him all along? He was so glad he went for that walk the night they met! Yoongi focused on the road, not entirely sure where they were going but planned on losing the cops on the way there. Somehow.

Damn sirens!

[10:34am]

Jungkook had woken up this Friday morning to the smell of his brother’s coffee brewing. He got up to see Namjoon already fully dressed and placing his plastic fork on top of the turned on skillet. He greeted his babt brother and then realized what he had done, yanking the fork off the skillet before it started to melt and put it beside his fruit bowl. Namjoon then sucked on his slightly singed fingertips.

“Mornin’ hyung.” His little brother chuckled.

“Got any plans today?”

He shook his head, “Probably just gaming. Might go for a run if it’s nice out later.”

Namjoon nodded, “I lied to the chief. We saw you comment on her live and he asked how you knew.”

A moment of silence stole the place of the unasked question. The ‘her’ Jungkook’s older brother was talking about was Zula. He wasn’t sure what to ask, so he stayed silent. Namjoon answered it anyways.

“Told him I must’ve left my work on the kitchen table and you saw it. He gave me a warning, but I’m still on the case.” He poured the pre-made omelette mix onto the pan.

Jungkook shifted his legs, “What’s next?”

“We keep looking. The parents claim to know nothing, but…”

“What is it?”

The older one flipped the egg and poured his brew into a to-go cup, “Zula’s father, he begged us to leave her alone. Me and Jin and H.A.D. Said she didn’t need to be bothered by men and false protectors anymore.”

“Did you say something?”

“Almost, but Jin told him to get out before they took him in too. He’s a full demon and it had everyone on edge. It just wasn’t a good situation, even though we’re the one who called him in.”

Jungkook’s eyes glittered, “What was it like? Did he smell like cinnamon? You carry scents home and I kept smelling it last night.”

Namjoon paused his motions, “Now that you mention it, yes. And he looked oddly normal. No horns or claws like the footage of his daughter. Guess he must know how to make himself appear human.”

Zula’s father was nearly six foot, normal black hair, average clothing that was only a slight more on trend than most people his age. However, his eyes were too light o belong to any regular Korean male. He wasn’t wearing contacts either as far as the officer could tell. His eyes shone for a moment before Jin quoted situational scripture and made him recoil. That was the only odd moment. Otherwise, it just seemed like a normal father pleading with cops to leave his child alone, which wasn’t a rare thing.

Jungkook’s phone went off and he looked curiously at his notification. He smiled at it after realizing what it was, and his brother raised a curious brow.

“Who’s that?” He placed his omelette on a plate and waited for it to cool as he poured rice next to it.

“A girl I’ve been talking to from school. We’ve got a project, and she thinks I’m cute. So we end up talking about things other than the project.”

Namjoon chuckled, “Moving on so fast?” He scarfed down his quick meal.

“No! Never!” the younger whined.

“You should though. I’m sure you and that girl would go great together.” He kissed his brother’s head. “Off to work!”

“Bye, hyung!”

Jungkook smiled at his phone again and replied before turning off everything he brother left running and then went to his room to start playing some video games.

[11:48am]

Taehyung found Zula at the pool on the roof. She was in a white cutout bathing suit patterned with lipstick kisses that glittered in the early sun as she lunged on a purple floating lounger. It was round and large enough to fit two people and even had its own awning for shade. She had her waterproof wireless headphones on.

He took pictures of her and wondered what she was thinking about. Probably the same as him: this was all going to end soon, but how? Everyone was on the lookout for them. They’d had a great run, got to live the high life for a bit. Lived like idols, lived better than idols even. They’d fallen in love and discovered who they really were. Not even most people on their deathbeds could say that. They had never experienced such bliss.

Tae dove in with his waterproof camera to get some closer shots. Zula smiled when she felt a small bump against her raft.

“Who is it?” She asked with he sweet voice, not opening her eyes but lifting speaker off her ear.

“It’s me~~” Tae replied, a playful tone to his husky voice. “Doin’ a candid photoshoot. You looked so relaxed and I wanna remember these days now more than ever.”

A small weak smile crossed her lips, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Zula replied. “I’m stressed as hell.”

He kissed her and laid down next to her, taking a few seflies since the lighting was fantastic. As her boyfriend, he did what he could to comfort her even though he was feeling the same way. At least he had been right about her thoughts. Had they really grown so close that they could basically read each other’s minds?

Yoongi called them in for brunch and this time he wore Tae’s mother’s apron as he looked at his two lovers in the water. He couldn’t help but smile as their boyfriend placed his camera on the raft and then jumped into the pool to push their girlfriend to the edge while making motorboat sounds. How many decades did he wall his heart just for these to crash in like they literally did? He kissed both their cheeks when they got into the dining room.

It was a large rectangular table they had planned to see filled with other like them. Friends they had made at the club maybe. Chandeliers hung above the dark wood as they all sat at one end together eating a breakfast fit for a queen and her kinds.

“You sanitized the table, right?” Zula asked, knowing that he last thing eaten on the wooden surface had not been food.

Yoongi nodded, “Yes. Twice.”

“Good.” She said, a confident smirk in her voice.

Tae just chuckled and the others smiled as they ate a bagel filled breakfast. They’d need their energy since they’d be spending however many days partying before running. Tae had asked why they weren’t just sneaking out of the city with the rest of the cash--original plus the money made from selling cars--instead of just trying to outrun the cops.

“Where’s the fun in that?” He replied. “Also, I want to live this life a bit longer in once place since I usually don’t get to experience...stability that much.”

A small blush found home in his cheeks after being so candid. He had been more honest about himself ever since showing his true form. These were people that he loved, and they deserved to know.

“So, what are we wearing tonight? We decided colors while at Hoseok’s, so?” He decided to change the subject to keep himself from getting any more shy.

They looked at Zula who stopped mid-chew, “Why me?”

Tae answered, “You’re the only one of us who actually lived as a human and interacted with them on a regular basis. You know more about human style than us.”

His past had no affect on him anymore, so he smiled. They weren’t wrong.

“Mesh.” She replied. “We’re wearing mesh. Like where you can see skin though it, not just it’s the fabric type but it’s solid.”

The boys smiled. Their queen had spoken, and they’d start getting ready at sunset.

[2:03pm]

After “breakfast”, they went to do some other preparations. Yoongi used their closed circuit wifi to search about what the police knew about the trio. Zula did an hourlong livestream with Taehyung as they decided what to wear that night, and she painted her nails red and black. Tae kissed her cheek when she showed them off to him. He said they were perfect in front of the multiple cameras that were set up. Zula beamed and then answered questions while her nails dried. Taehyung looked to see what mesh pieces he had in his wardrobe.

“Where are you from? I was born in America and moved here when I was 12. Where are you right now? Home. It’s where the heart is, so I’m home.”

Tae smiled from the closet having heard her say that. Her nails were finally dry, so she said she was gonna go outside and practice. Fans asked if they could watch, but she winked and turned off her cams instead. Tae said he would end the live after he chose his outfit.

Zula made sure all outside cams were turned off and covered. She didn’t want anyone to see her failure and also couldn’t expose demons. As her body took on its familiar black and red form, she noticed how she didn’t cry anymore. The trembling also decreased exponentially as he harnessed her inner Lust.

Everything was almost perfect, except her wings. Why were they not exploding from her back in any form? Yoongi said they might look like fins because of her scales, but the claws that resided on her hands and feet were quite large. Taehyung guessed feathers. Yoongi had said that only special full blooded demons and fallen angels got feathered wings.

This attempt to find out had to work. She was just holding back her loved ones if not. Zula thought of all her past sexual experiences, good and bad. A lot was bad and forced. They dared to kiss her and claim the attraction was mutual…She remembered the too glitzy nails…Her perfume mixed with sweat and her husband’s cologne. One of the good ones were a couple that were rather sweet. They wanted to try a third and neither could keep their eyes off of you. It was her first time out drinking where she hadn’t been drugged against her consent.

Consent.

Her demon side barely knew the word, but wouldn’t attack someone she couldn’t arouse. It just wasn’t fun that way.

Zula had rarely experienced giving her consent and so she tried her best to get the other side to understand it too. It wasn’t until the girl openly accepted Lust that the demon understood. Consent was key, the only thing that would make the relationship work.

Still, no wings, though.

A few less severe incidents played in Zula’s mind as they played with a sphere of air like she had seen on TV. The times she got away...if she had had this power sooner, then maybe Zula would’ve gotten away more. The time she did...with Jungkook.

A tingle?

She had wanted to kill him and was gonna kill him if it weren’t for Yoongi. Zula didn’t want him to die since he was sincere and didn’t mean to bring any harm to her or her feelings. But it’s what would’ve happened. Jungkook was a good dude. She trusted him a little since she had been wrong about his intentions when he warned her about the police. He was just trying to help.

Another tingle?

That day to his. Only a few short months. Who knew how it was going to end?

A sweet husky voice called out her name, “Zula-ssi~~~”

She returned to her human form and smiled as she opened her eyes to see his tanned skin glisten in the indirect sunlight. He was closer than she expected him to be.

“No luck still?”

She shook her head, and her curled danced with the motion. “Nope. How long did you watch?”

Tae was honest, “A while...I’m scared, Zula.”

“I’ll get my wings to work, so don’--”

“Not that…” He looked down. “Yoongi’s so calm about this, so sure we’ll get out ok because he’s done this before. He’s full demon! We’re not! We haven’t--I’m scare because, what if he’s wrong? I don’t wanna leave this if we aren’t gonna end up happy again.”

Zula held his hands and looked at him kindly, “Me too. I’m scared too, but we have each other. As long as we have that, I gotta believe we’ll be ok no matter what. I’ll be happy enough if I’m with you.”

Taehyung had only sued his power to melt locks and as a party trick, but never fully. He was in control of the small flames and his demon form. Anything in the middle, not that good at handling yet. Sort of like his flashbacks, it was a process.

Yoongi arrived, telling the two beauties that he knew how the cops were stationed and how to get around them. He also explained to his lovers how and what the cops knew about their pasts. They really needed to practice Hiding.

[4:20pm]

Blue and purple flames burst in front of Namjoon’s face, causing him to jump back with quickness.

“Whoa!” He fell on his butt. “Was that supposed to happen?”

The pastor nodded, “Sort of, but it would only be those colors if an Immortal is among us.”

“Immortal?”

“Good or bad?” Ren asked.

Pastor Jean answered, “Good. It was consistent with the coloring, and it had purple in it. If the colors had kept changing or done more jumping or lacked purple, then we’d be faced with a demon.” He smiled. “I’d say someone’s guardian angel has come to check on them.”

The men of justice were currently learning the skills their H.A.D members possessed. There was a great deal of salt involved. Herbs and incense. IT looked more like witchcraft than demon hunting tools.

“If it works, it works.” The blonde member replied. They hadn’t given their name, and so everyone called them Scythe.

“You say that, but don’t underestimate tools of subtlety.” Priestess Iris took a knife out of her waistband. “If you’re in a pinch, this knife is made from Holy water, not just doused in it.” She held it out to Namjoon who accepted it.

She nodded and mumbled to herself about maybe making some holy bullets for the two cops in the near future. The young twins Shingi and Shinkook showed off their toys as well. Drones that could light and shoot incense at a target, secret compartments in the drone and Shingi’s wheelchair to help stun a demon. The wheelchair had a Demon Defense Shield as well.

After the two cops were pretty good at understanding their companions’ weapons and the warnings that went along with them, the team was bored. They yearned to do more than simply teach and wait. They wanted action.

“You’re such an angel, aren’t you, Officer Seokjin?” Candelaria commented. “Just a heavenly young man.”

Jin responded, “Please stop.”

She continued, “Don’t you all think Seokjin is just an angelic person to be around?”

“She’s right, hyung. You’re a really good dude. I don’t get why that bothers you so much. Usually, you’d agree.”

“Yeah, but it’s just the way she says it.”

Namjoon wasn’t sure what to say, so he just shrugged. The old Latina told him not to worry about it since she was just being a playful old woman. Jin couldn’t believe that his partner saw him as similar to her.

Jin agreed with her still, “Yes, just ignore her.”

Then the Priestess started to help Namjoon with the knife she gifted him. He asked why she didn’t give one to his partner. Iris’s eyes glided over the broad-shouldered cop and a look of comfort and slight distrust came over her face coupled with a small smirk. All eyes were on them as they waited for her reply.

“He don’t need it.” Her accent showing strongly as she spoke English. “He knows how to defend himself.”

“It is in his blood.” The old lady added.

Shingi agreed, “Our weapons would only insult him. Show us?”

Candelaria piped up, “To comfort your worried partner. It doesn’t have to be much. Scythe? Alpha 3.”

They nodded and stood, grabbing a rod from behind their back and starting to stand, but Jin held up his hand to stop them.

“No need for violence. Give me a second.” He closed his eyes and said a few quick words under his breath. After a nod, he looked at those surrounding him. “If you have any eye protection, I suggest you use them now.”

Twins, Ren, Pastor Jean, and Scythe all put on physical objects to shield their eyes. The priestess cast a spell or something on herself and the elderly woman didn’t move at all. She was still breathing, though. Jin said it was up to her and began to quote the Bible. He spoke of a God Given power as light not of this realm came from his palms and engulfed all the onlookers in its grace. It was foreign and warm, like it should singe the skin, but it did not.

Once recalled, the light returned into a soft light under Jin’s palms and everyone was in a daze with amused smiles on their faces. They had never seen or felt such power before. The twins and the Pastor even wept and didn’t move to wipe the tears from their eyes.

“Well, that just gave me warm fuzzies. Nice goin’ Seokjin.” She gave him a kind but cocky smile. The Angel’s power had no real effect on her.

“Thank you.” He checked on Namjoon who released a breath. “That was beautiful, Jin. How did you?”

“It’s why I’m so interested in Demons. My power is specially honed to send them to Hell where they belong. That’s all I’m going to say about it. Please do not ask me more.”

Namjoon nodded, “It’s cool, though.”

“It’s very cool. Of course it is! I did it!” He grabbed at his heart, “I mean, thank you.”

As night started to arrive, they got a call from the Captain. Zula was live again today. One of the twins used a toy to display it in front of them.

[5:45pm]

“Hiding is basically you not wanting to be seen. You have the need to be invisible. Zula, you went into Hiding when you killed that guy and didn’t want anyone to see you covered in blood. So this is similar. If we all do it at the same time, we can Hide our car and get past the Stationed Cops.”

Yoongi explained while the other two were practicing. Zula got the hang of it first. She had probably used it several times without knowing, so it was easy for her. Taehyung was usually by himself, so he had no real reason to use it any previous time. Still, it didn’t take him too long to travel to the alternate plane. It felt like an empty space. No one noticed you and you didn’t notice them unless the other was an Angel or a Demon or a demi of either.

Zula was surprised, “Demi-Angels exist?”

“Yep. It’s usually the cause of an immaculate conception. Like Jes--Jes...” He couldn’t say the name. “The Big Guy’s kid.”

“Jesus?” Taehyung answered.

Yoongi nodded and rolled his eyes, “That one.”

After warming up their powers and one last wing check from Zula that produced nothing new, it was time to get dressed.

[7:53pm]

Taehyung had decided that an olive green mesh tank top would be best to go with their theme along with olive green pants and avocado patterned green socks. A forest green type leather jacket would go over the top if he felt too exposed, and a pair of spiky green slides completed the look for what might be their last night of freedom.

Zula’s color for the night was red since it was what her true form looked like. She wore a black bra under a red mesh crop top that was tight and had a built in a corset of sorts. The skirt she wore had two very high slits as the skirt itself went to her ankles. A red diamond and gold choker sat around her neck and wedges for easier running. She liked the height it gave her.

Yoongi let his horns grow out for the night as he wore a pair of black fishnets under black ripped jeans. Black combat boots and a hoodie is what he tried to get past Zula with. She wasn’t having it.

“What do you think you’re wearing? Where is mesh? Do you see any mesh, TaeTae?”

“Nope, none that I can see, ZuZu.”

The blonde stick out his leg to show the fishnets peeking through. In return, he got a headshake of disapproval from both his partners. Yoongi was told to take his hoodie off and give it to Tae who took a pair of scissors to the sides while Zula dove into the black section of his closet, which was large. She came out with a mesh tank top and put it onto him. Taehyung handed her the now sleeveless hoodie and threw away the sleeves.

She waited until he had both items on that she was finally content with his outfit, “Much better.”

Yoongi covered his chest, “If I’m gonna wear this, the two of you have to show your horns. It should be easy doing just that.”

Taehyung said, “Sure. It’s no biggie.” and the wavy points looked sort of like sad puppy ears as they protruded from either side of his head.

Zula followed suit. They were going to a Halfway bar, so the horns would be seen as normal or as props to any humans that had found their way there for the night.

The three then climbed into the car after putting on a few last accessories and makeup. They wouldn’t be taking a portal this time since it was just a normal human club they were going to. It was still a magical place depending on who you asked. It was a club that Zula knew well, but apparently Yoongi knew better.

The bouncer smiled at Zula, “Long time no see!” He scowled at the sight of the blonde, “You again. Zula, you know this clown?”

“We’re a bit more similar than we know.”

He grinned again, “You finally found out what you were, huh?”

She scoffed, “You knew?”

“Yeah. Why do you think I always let you in? Your natural aura always brought in the best crowd. Also, I know my own kind pretty well.” A gold flash explained everything. Her dad asked for his protection over his little girl.

Taehyung butt in, “As beautiful as you two are, can we go inside? I feel too exposed.”

The bouncer nodded, “Everything ok? I saw you--”

“Dad knows. We’re having fun until we’re caught.”

“Sounds like you,” He chuckled. “Head on in.” He opened the velvet rope and let the three in, making sure to rough up Yoongi beforehand. “If anything happens to you, the only thing you’ll ever want is my hand off of your throat.”

“Kinky. I’ll see you around.”

This place was called the Rogue Rathskeller. The name alone should’ve tipped Zula off that this wasn’t a bar just for humans. It seemed like this was a place where Demis of all sorts as well as Full Bloods could intermingle with humans that were none the wiser. This was a safe neutral place where the tricks weren’t all blamed on the alcohol.

Yoongi leaned into Zula’s ear, “Hobi owns this place too.”

“Really?”

He nods and shows her the symbol that had been in Hoseok’s bar in the Demon realm and in his clothing store. Anything to make money.

A random girl with pink hair and shaved sides approached the trio and pulled Zula into a kiss before being pulled away by a different girl with glittering wings. She apologized and took her friend away. “Sorry. She drank something she wasn’t supposed to.”

The song changed as they laughed. Tae gasped and started pulling on Zula’s arm and asked for a dance. This was one of the songs she had sung in the car their first day together and Taehyung had connected it to her throughout their whole relationship. He really wanted to dance with her to it.

I pray for the wicked on the weekend Mama, can I get another amen? Oh oh oh oh oh Oh, it's Saturday night, yeah Swear to God, I ain't ever gonna repent Mama, can I get another amen? Oh oh oh oh oh Oh, it's Saturday night, yeah

He and Zula were jamming out and headbanging while he danced in front her. Yoongi had his hands on her waist and swayed in time with her hips. He kissed her cheek and said that he was gonna get drinks. The two kept eyes out for anyone suspicious but soon just decided to hold each other with her hands on his shoulders.

Tae really tried to hit that high note, but his voice cracked making both of them laugh to bits. When Yoongi came back, he had someone with him.

“Guess who I met at the bar.”

“Jimin!” Taehyung smiled at the sight of the shorter raven haired man.

It was Jimin, Demi Pride Demon from Hobi’s other establishment.

“I heard you’re on the run and this is your last hoorah!” He called over the music.

“Yeah, you gonna join us?” Zula asked.

He shrugged, “Why the hell not?” And gave a wink. Jimin wedged his body between her’s and Taehyung’s with his back towards the male.

He gave a smile to the taller man who returned it and grabbed his drink from Yoongi. The four of them drank and gyrated with each other for about five songs, simply catching up and filling him in on their plan. It wasn’t long before Jimin kissed each of them on the lips and said he was getting hungry.

“Don’t get caught. I wanna do this again.” Were his last words before he became one with the other party goers.

No promises is what she wanted to reply. Yoongi said he wanted to follow Jimin for a bit, and so his two intoxicated lovebirds were left alone. Not before he told them about the secret rooms in the back.

He winked at them, “See you there.”

Zula didn’t ever go back there, but the bouncer from before had only saved her from going there when some asshole demon or human tried to spike her drink or gave her an aphrodisiac filled beverage. This time, it was her choice with someone she knew, someone she loved, someone she wanted to see every inch of her. She was just so giddy at how her life had turned around so quickly.

Also, alcohol.

Taehyung spun her into him and whispered into her ear, “Let’s go, shall we?”

Zula giggled and pulled Taehyung to a tall bouncer with a name tag that said Wooseok. She looked at him and tilted her head.

“We’re friends of Hobi. You think you could let us trough for free?”

“A discount, maybe.” Wooseok said, eyeing them up and down.

Sex.

The way he licked her lips would’ve disgusted her if she wasn’t so sure of herself. She pouted as she did while trying to trick humans and charming him, but he just smirked and shook his head. It looked like he was about to deny them when he heard something in his earpiece. Wooseok then nodded and opened the curtain.

“You really are his friends. Go on in. My apologies.”

She-demon smiled, and the two went in. They were all smiles as they were led to a room by a light up path on the floor. The door opened and it was a hella nice room. Taehyung and Zula looked at each other and kissed before she pushed him into a wicker chair. It was a beautiful type of haze as she took off her top, and he decided to watch while eating one of the french fries that had appeared into the room. It was a McDonald’s meal with Hobi’s symbol plus a smiley face.

Zula placed her top on his face and slipped out of her skirt. Taehyung took it off with a smile on his face and tossed it on the floor. She placed a french fry in her mouth and the two ate either end until they were kissing and then pulled away laughing.

“This is so gross oh my...goodness.” Taehyung said, not being able to say His name in here. He didn’t mind.

The two finished the food in their mouths and went at it again. It was still perfect since it was the two of them. Zula helped to slip Taehyung’s shirt off and then pulled his pants off while on her knees. He hadn’t worn any boxers today. To be fair, the only undies she had on were the black bra since she had been surrounded by humans.

Her tongue came out and it was forked at the end. It wasn’t a human tongue, that was for sure, but both of them just saw more fun in it. Zula giggled and Taehyung wanted to kiss her again with her new tongue being shoved down his throat. He let out a moan and his eyes had gone dark, sated with the feeling. His hips bucked slightly.

“I can’t take anymore foreplay. Please, Zula.” His voice was husky with complete need.

She took him into her mouth and he couldn’t stand up. The feeling forced him back into the chair as his arms flexed and his hands gripped the arms of it. He knew he could trust her and so he let his guard down completely. His eyes rolled to the back of his head in bliss.

Zula took her mouth off, “Don’t cum until I say.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He laughed.

[9:01pm]

Yoongi went to catch up with Jimin. It was no coincidence that he was here. There were hardly things like that in the world of magic.

“Who are you?” He demanded, turning him around.

“Her father told me to keep an eye on her. Not the one who raised her. Zula’s actual father.” Jimin replied.

The blonde was confused while the black haired Pride Demi just smiled. It was obvious that there was still so much more being hid away from Zula than she knew. What was it? Who was her actual father then if he had non-Lusties under his command?

Jimin laughed, “Don’t worry about it. He just wants to make sure she stays alive because she has a bigger role to fill than you ever will. I’m sure you’ll know by her wings once you see them, Suga.”

He surged forward to grab the demon, “How do you know my name?”

The black haired man slipped out of his grasp, “Looks like me and her father aren’t the only ones keeping secrets from little Zuzu, huh? Anyways, I have to get going. I really must feed or I’ll wither away to nothing. Have a nice night, and seriously. Don’t get caught.”

His body turned into fog.

“Oh, and also a hint to help get her wings out. Don’t make her work so hard when you to fuck next time.”

Jimin disappeared in purple and gray smoke. Yoongi wasn’t sure if that’s all that his words were, smoke, but he knew he needed to go find them.

[9:15pm]

“Oh Zula! Please!” Taehyung cried out.

He was trying to hold on, but she was just so good at what she did. It was in her blood. She gave him a warning flash of her eyes saying if he couldn’t do it on his own, she’s make sure he could with her own power. Basically, she’d make him like Yoongi, her little fuckdoll. Zula usually was in charge to a higher degree than the boys when they screwed like rabbits.

Lust made sex her domain, so they let her. Lust knew how to please the two men and was all too happy to do it. It meant more thinking and being aware of how far she was going to cross their limits, but she enjoyed it. Maybe one night they’d treat her as their horny little pet. Lust would be all too happy to try something new.

Speaking of which, she felt cold hands grope her ass. She wiggled her ass with a smile on her face. Taehyung noticed and saw Yoongi behind Zula and watched her shiver.

“So wet, already, aren’t you?”

Lusty Zula was ready to snap at him when he shushed her with a rough thrust of his fingers inside of her. It caught her off guard.

“You always work so hard for us, so tonight, we’re gonna switch things up a bit. Understand, princess?”

The pet name pulled something out of Lust that she hadn’t felt in a long time. She nodded and tried to be a bit more submissive. He gave her rules, to let them know if they were going too far or if she didn’t like something. They knew that Lust could take anything having to do with sex and attraction, but still. The fact that he was still being caring really helped to make her want to be submissive.

Inside, Zula felt more in tune with her demon form. She’d let herself go, completely. Yoongi kissed feather light kisses along her spine and thrust himself inside of her. Lust’s arousal was its own aphrodisiac. In all of her wet spots, especially now, contact with it would get her partner horny.

“Princess? Show Yoongi your new feature.”

Zula nodded and looked at her other partner, revealing her forked tongue. Yoongi’s heart skipped a beat. He kissed her deeply and began to move his hips. He felt her flavor change. Good thing he was actually feeling dominant tonight. Although he had been told to fuck her this way, Yoongi was pretty sure this is how it would have gone anyways. Jimin’s words just gave him the extra boost he needed to make it happen.

Taehyung pulled her head away from Yoongi’s with a grumpy look on his face and got her back to sucking him off. Yoongi chuckled and grabbed her boobs as he fucked her. She started to relax under their works. Tae had Zula’s waves in his fist and held her still as his hips moved with utter abandon.

“Your rules from before don’t apply since we’re in charge this time, huh? I’m gonna cum as much as I like, anywhere I want, Princess.” Taehyung said.

Zula loved the sound of that and shivered in anticipation. Her eyes were getting blurry as she began to see things through Lust’s eyes. Even she was not as rough coming through as usual. She was curious as to what the boys had planned or what they would do since this was very not planned. Taehyung nuzzled her ear and sucked on her shoulder blade. Yoongi joined him and sucked on the other. They were going to cover Zula in hickeys.

They switched, placing Zula with her back on the bed in the room. When the blonde dominated her mouth, Lust wanted to beg for more. The two men faced each other and Yoongi placed Taehyung’s hands around her throat. Her eyes gave the ok.

Tae needed to learn a bit more control, and so he was scared that he would hurt her if he squeezed too much.

“I can’t. I...I don’t wanna hurt her.”

Yoongi kissed his head, “I’m right here. You’re not alone anymore, remember? I can see her face and will tell you if you go too far.”

And so began to choke Lusty Zula who couldn’t help but smile. Yoongi warned her to watch the teeth, but she was still so happy. She had never ever felt safe while getting treated like this before. Usually, she’d be terrified of them going too far, but Zula was in love with these guys who loved her back. Deeply. Passionately. In every sense.

She met Yoongi’s dark eyes with stars in her own. Taehyung then leaned over to Yoongi and whispered something in his ear. The two men went harder and deeper. Lusty Zula was about to climax when it all stopped. She gave a needy whine that surprised everyone and made the two boys chuckle. Taehyung kissed her.

“Don’t worry. We’ll let you cum once we’re done. Enchant yourself to hold off until then, ok, Princess?”

Yoongi added from the toy closet as he pulled out a toy with ridges, “You will hold on until we say so, won’t you, Princess?” There was no question about it when he had that tone of voice that made her shiver again.

“Of course.” Zula’s voice sounded so small compared to the booming dominatrix she was used to being for them.

She closed her eyes and saw the two halves of her make a promise. She wouldn’t cum until she was allowed to. Her eyes glowed a bit once they opened. Taehyung had her back pressed against Yoongi’s chest as a lubed up toy was shoved inside her. It was two different vibrating bullets that weren’t yet turned on. Taehyung slid in, making Zula stretch a bit. Then Yoongi moved to let his thick cock join in the fun.

“W-wait, w-what--” Zula’s heart was going so fast, and she was out of breath.

Yoongi lowered his voice next to her ear, “I know you can take it, Princess. Do you wanna try, or is this enough?”

She bit her lip, and her true thoughts came out, “More.” It sounded so desperate.

It got her a kiss on the shoulder, “Good princess.”

Zula clawned into Tae’s shoulders as their other partner slid in. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was scary how good it felt. She screamed when the toys came on and they started fucking her like they never had before. Taehyung giggled as she started to drool and kissed her. Everything was wet since their bodies were covered in sweat and precum. The smell aroused Lust even more. Yoongi went to work leaving more hickies on her dark tan skin.

Taehyung got curious and kissed her horns. The reaction was much more than he anticipated with Zula tightening around them and whimpering.

“S-Sensitive, don’t stop.”

The mulleted boy started to rub and finger them. She had forgotten how to speak. The only language she knew was moans and screaming the names of her boyfriends as they bounced in and out of her. A few bites here and there for proper claiming and they even turned her around to face Yoongi when Tae could feel her scratches just getting deeper on his back. The blonde loved it, though.

When they could take no more, Yoongi slipped out of her and got in front of her face, rubbing himself with one hand and grabbing a horn with the other. He released all over her face with a tongue in his cheek, suddenly remembering that this might help her get her wings. Tae released inside of Zula. Looks of ecstasy on all of their faces. Zula collapsed onto the bed. Yoongi sat in a chair. Tae slid out and slumped against the bed frame.

Heavy breathing echoed in the room. More McDonald’s meals appeared, and the three ate and drank to rehydrate themselves. It was cuddles and aftercare as they returned to their regular selves. Then it was time to continue the party.  All had to redo their makeup before returning onto the scene which made their mood even better.

Their bubble was popped when the dance floor suddenly parted and someone yelled, “That’s them!” It was a blonde and tall Korean woman in a cop uniform.

The three held hands and went into Hiding as they said various curse words under their breaths and noticed the place was now crawling with police. Who had ratted them out? Probably some human who didn’t know there were demons here that were far more dangerous than them. The trio ran to the alleyway where more cops were.

Even though the door opening and closing would look like it was just the wind, one of the broad shouldered ones pointed.

“It’s them! They’re Hiding!”

“Fuck you! Guys, run, he’s got Sight!” Yoongi said, holding their hands and running with them. “Go for the car.”

While running, Taehyung asked, “So he’s not human?”

“No. Well, I don’t know. I’m not getting human vibes from him, but that just might be residue from whatever gave him Sight. Some humans do have it, though. Like that chick who kissed Zula earlier.”

“Left!” Zula called out and they rounded the corner.

They all got in the car while out of hiding since they were being followed anyways. Being half demon made them faster, so there was no one on their tails as they all climbed into their car. The money was in the back seat for Tae to grab if they needed to get out and run again.

“You sure you wanna run in heels.” Tae asked.

“They’re wedges. I’ll be fine. Besides, anything with less height, and I’ll trip over my skirt. I’m not about to be on national TV with my pussy out.”

“FREEZE!” Two brown haired cops pulled their guns out.

Yoongi put the car into drive, “Buckle up--”

Tae chuckled at the suggestion.

“Or don’t. On three, we Hide. That way we can get past them without anyone getting hurt as Zula requested. One...two...three!” And he floored it.

The cops saw the car slowly ripple and dissolve into thin air. They started shooting where they last saw it out of fear, but it was an empty space. It gave them a chance to get ahead, but tonight would be busy. Once they were past the first checkpoint, they came out of Hiding. Still, it wasn’t long until sirens started going off behind them.

Yoongi checked the rearview mirror. At least five. There would be a helicopter before long.

“Where are we headed?” Tae asked.

“Don’t know! Lemme think!”

Tae scratched the mullet, “You’ve done this before, right?”

He was silent.

“Right?” Zula added.

“Not with other people who lived.” Yoongi replied, remembering the last time he had to run from the cops about 30 years ago when he was part of a team of Phantom Thieves who stole priceless art.

The two passengers looked at eachother. Tae had nothing to worry about for the most part since he was an immortal, but they weren’t sure about Zula. Yoongi was only immortal with living, but could die by injury. Especially since they had also partnered with Demon Hunters of all sorts to take them out.

“You’re fucking kidding me!” Zula screamed. “The last time you did this they died?”

“Well, yeah, they were too cocky. Stop yelling, and let’s work this out together. Arguing will only make it harder to get away.”

“Ok, whatever. How did you get away last time?”

Yoongi replied, “We--”

“Come get us, fuckers!” Taehyung yelled out the window. “Whoooooo!!!”

Zula put on her glasses to hide her face a bit. Yoongi saw her nerves and kissed her hand as he drove past another set of cops, silently reassuring her that all three of them would get out of there alive.

“We need a cliff. We’re only gonna get away if we can lose the chopper and fly away.”

“But I can’t fly yet!”

Yoongi held her hand tightly, “If it doesn’t work this time, Tae and I will have to carry you until we get farther away. We’re not leaving you behind.”

Such a loving and touching moment of complete seriousness played out in the front seat while Taehyung took his pants off and mooned the policemen shooting at them.The car swerved a bit, making him sit down.

Cliff. Cliff. Cliff.

“Home! Our warehouse. We can yeet ourselves off the top.” Zula said.

Yoongi nodded, “That’ll work.”

He took a sharp turn and they were headed to see their home one last time. Even in the dark, they recognized that they has passed by Taehyung’s old place. He saw his dad had come to visit and watching TV. He pressed his face to the glass and was gonna scream but knew there would be nothing for them to do. He’d understand.

“Thank you for trying, dad.”

Then they saw their new home in the distance. They were going to make it.

“You got quiet.” Zula said and turned to look at Tae.

“My dad came to visit. I wasn’t there.”

She held his hand, “I’m sure he’ll know why. You started living your life with two people you love very much and who love you too.”

What he didn’t know is that she had left a letter to his father in the Ram. Tae had left his own in a place the other two didn’t know about.

Taehyung’s letter read:

Hey, Dad. I don’t know if I’ll be home when you read this, but I’m happy now. You told me to embrace who I was. I did. You were kind of wrong. You never told me how to embrace myself so it ended up eating away at me for years. With every attempt, another part of me was taken away. I’ve found myself again thanks to two people I love dearly. I’m going to become a better person and start living for them, no for myself because I want to be there for them throughout everything. Although I have never physically died, I’ve been dead on the inside for such a long time, Dad.

If you ever have another kid like me, guide them better than you did with me. Help them learn how to embrace whatever skills they have. Don’t let them get lost like I was. I still love you, but you didn’t do your best as a father. Take care of yourself. I’ll see you someday, I hope.

Your son, Taehyung.

His dad read Zula’s in the Ram. It had been in the glove compartment:

You broke a good son by leaving him to rot. His mind was his own cage and you just let it happen to him, and to your wife. They were terrified of you. They locked themselves away to please you, but I bet they never did. His boyfriend and I can’t fix him. All we can do is love him as much as we can. I’m sure you loved him, but you could’ve showed it more. Forgive me for being so forward. I had my parents’ support and protection, and I was still hurt so many times. Violated since I’m a Demi as well, Lust if you must know. I can’t even imagine still being here if I had to go through it alone. ~Zula

Tae’s dad smiled knowing his song was happier now.

[12:53am]

At the mountain that led up to the warehouse, it was an unfamiliar drive to the policemen. Jin and Namjoon were in the closest car that the suspect known as Taehyung was taunting. Namjoon heard his partner mumble about how disrespectful they were. It was easier once they got into a garage like area that led upwards. All three of them were in there.

Once at the roof, they jumped out with the a duffle bag and started teased the cops who had gotten out of their own vehicles.

Namjoon and Jin told them not to shoot. A small glow surrounded Jin, but it might have just been the adrenaline. All eyes were on Officer Seokjin and the H.A.D team that surrounded them. They were cornered. They would have to come in, hopefully no one would get hurt to the point where death would be their only option.

Namjoon covered his ears, “Why were they screaming so loudly?” It seemed to be without cause, just because they could.

“That’s what cornered beasts do.” Jin replied.

Zula looked right at him and pointed. They had only met once before when he was patrolling one of the school sponsored parties that was also a fundraiser. Dunk tank. She was the first person to get him wet. The sweet smell from then tickled his memory. Cinnamon here and there but vanilla was stronger.

Jungkook had followed the hype on his bike. No one had noticed him trailing them all day. He hid it in the bushes and watched from a shadowy nook. He was on the roof and was terrified as the three of them climbed on the ledge of the roof.

They all nodded at each other. Zula seemed scared. Jungkook hated that look on her face. She smiled at them, though and kissed them each. Then they jumped backwards.

“ZULAAAAA!!” Jungkook screamed and came from his spot to try to save them.

No one could move fast enough to stop him or was strong enough to hold him back, so the boy was able to look down and see a beautiful blue belong to wings of flame light up the night sky. Another pair of wings were made of skin. Like a dragon’s wings would be. They were actually demons.

Zula didn’t have any. Namjoon pulled Jungkook back as he called her name again.

“What are you doing here?” the older brother asked.

“Open fire!” Jin ordered.

“I came to see. I thought you said she wouldn’t get hurt!”

Namjoon looked sad, “They ran and turned it into a chase. There is nothing I could do.” his words were full of regret.

A high pitched scream brought their attention away from each other. Zula had been shot and was falling to her death. Yoongi wouldn’t get to her in time and Tae’s arms were full. Jungkook ran to save her before he knew what he was doing.

The wings finally appeared. Feathered appendages unfurled in a fabulous display. They came out of the shoulder blades and were a pristine white. supported Jungkook as he streamlined to save Zula.

“Don’t shoot! That’s my brother!”

Even Jin was in awe. The bright reveal stunned everyone. Candelaria nudged Namjoon and looked up at the taller man with a smile on her face. A peppermint in her hand.

“I think you should eat yours now too.”

Namjoon did as told.  He ended up catching her, but he had lost his balance in the air since the impact sent him spinning. Yoongi and Tae weren’t sure what to do but tried to get to the ever falling Zula and Jungkook.

They’d have to correct soon or they’d both die. She hid her face in his chest, not sure what was happening but that she was still falling. A tingle familiar to her caused Zula’s whole body seize up until long black feathers exploded out of her back. The world stopped. They were soon both upright in the air. The two other men stopped as the new pair of wings helped to regulate the pair.

Zula looked up at who had caught her, “Jungkook?” She looked behind him. “Feathers.” She pushed herself away from him as her wings flapped on their own. Noticing her own, “Also feathers.”

Jungkook wasn’t sure what was going on, “Zula. What is this? I don’t understand what’s going on. Why the fuck do I have wings? Are you actually a demon?”

“You’re an angel, Jungkook. I’m half demon.” She spared a glance at her partners. “I have to go.”

He wasn’t letting her go, “If you come back, my brother will do his best to make sure you’re safe. I can help protect you--”

“I don’t need your protection!” Zula pulled her hands away. “Jungkook, listen. I can’t stay. There are Demon Hunters down there ready to kill me and my boyfriends the moment we give up. I was never meant for the life I thought I would have, one where we might have become something.”

“You’ll be running forever.” Jungkook looked like he was going to cry.

A fireball knocked down and melted a Demon Hunting Drone. It had come from Taehyung’s own hands. It was targeting her, but they deserved this chance to say goodbye.

Zula nodded, “I know. I’ll be running and hiding, but I won’t be alone. I’m gonna be ok, Kookie. Maybe in another world we could’ve turned out to be something great, but we belong to two completely different sides.”

“Zula, I love you.” He felt like his heart was breaking.

“I know that too.”

Jin was getting impatient and let his own wings be seen. They weren’t as magnificent as Jungkook’s since the kid was an archangel and the reason why everyone had been feeling a little bit more positive these last few days. His birth was coming, but no one knew it would happen like this. The contrast of black and white wings still mesmerized the humans.

They gasped when Jin showed his. The Angel Officer stood on the ledge and jumped as well, flying to do something about the situation so it would end. He would capture her if he could.

Zula hugged her college classmate, “This really hurts to do--like really, my arms feel like they’re being stabbed--but I just want to let you know that I really do forgive you and I’m sorry.”

Jungkook hugged her back even though it burned his skin, “Me too. Now go catch up. I’m powerful than Mr. Kim, so I’m sure he’ll listen to me.”

She nodded and flew to catch up, her arm covered in blood from being shot. At least she had her wings now. A harpie. That’s basically what she was in this form. She winced in pain as she met up and flew off with her boyfriends. Kookie watched and Jin finally caught up to them.

“I’ll get them for you, sir. I just--”

“Leave them.”

Jin was taken aback, “I understand you’re new at this and you have a prior relationship with the girl, but she’s a demon.”

“A Demi-demon who hasn’t hurt anyone! She was defending herself! I know you’re all high and mighty, but she’s got a good heart.I won’t have you hurting her any more.”

The righteous rage in his eyes made Jin back up and lower his head at the younger angel with a higher rank, “Yes, sir.”

[1:38am]

Taehyung, Zula, and Yoongi landed on the closest rooftop that they could when Zula looked like she was gonna pass out. She would’ve crash landed if Yoongi hadn’t caught her and lowered her gently. She had been hit pretty badly by an enchanted bullet. They couldn’t touch it.

They used the bag of cash as a pillow to elevate her head.

“I’m so scared. All of this and suddenly I’m gonna--”

“You’re not gonna die!” Yoongi barked and his voice choked, “I won’t let you.”

Taehyung was pacing, “What do we do? She’s losing a lot of blood.”

Zula had been hit in the side. They had to get her to an emergency room, but she was having a hard time staying conscious enough. The boys tried to keep her awake and searched for anything nearby that could help their girl.

She winced and reached out her hand, “Tae?”

“I’m here.” He grabbed her hand and knelt next to the only person who ever made him want to live.

Yoongi grabbed some money from the bag, “I’m gonna get someone or something to help. Don’t take the bullet out. Keep her awake. I’ll be back soon.”

He jumped off the roof and flew. Zula held Tae closer and he promised she’d stay alive. He’d give her life if he could, so she would. She had too.

“I love you.” She said.

“Don’t go.” were her actual words.

Taehyung held her hand to his lips, “I won’t.”

He said while meaning, “I love you too.”

[1:30am]

The angels landed back on the roof of the warehouse. Jin and Jungkook held their heads high as they met their believers.

“What do you want me to do?” The older asked.

“Make everyone forget tonight. I want them to forget they ever saw them at the club. They never caught up. They’re here because of an anonymous tip. This all goes to charity in a week. Forgive them.”

Jin nodded, “Yes. Your will shall be done.”

Namjoon looked at his brother, “Even me?”

Jungkook met his eyes, “Especially. You’re looking at me like I’m not your brother, and I hate it.”

Candelaria looked up at him, “Me too? No one’s gonna believe a little old lady.”

“You don’t need to lose any more memories.” He smiled at her, tired. So very tired.

“If I could have you attention please?” Jin said.

A blinding light engulfed all those who looked at the guardian Angel. Jungkook walked away to get his bike and ride with a heavy heart and feeling empty and messy and light. He had to meet Him and was on his way to do so.

The light was magnificent. It made everything melt away. All the pain. All the fear. All the stress tonight had brought. The guilt the girl who shot Zula felt. It no longer existed. The three of them were never spotted at the club. They were never chased here. The cops were here on top of a random building because of an anonymous tips. No one was to go looking for them.

It was just light.

#BTS #Bangtan #Kim Seokjin #Min Yoongi #Jung Hoseok #Kim Namjoon #Park Jimin #Kim Taehyung #Jeon Jungkook #OC: Zula #Jin #Suga #JHope #J-Hope #RM #Jimin #V #BTS V #Jungkook #Story: 666 So Fresh #BTS fic #BTS fanfic #BTS fan fic #BTS fan fiction #Demon!AU #Demon!Yoongi #Demon!Taehyung #OC insert #Angel!AU #Angel!Jin